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Awakening of Life: Injured snow leopard cub fights for survival in northwest China

Xinhua) 08:58, April 10, 2025

XINING, April 9 (Xinhua) -- Across the vast expanse of heaven and earth, life carves its own path, unfolding tales of resilience and wonder. In northwest China, an injured snow leopard cub has embarked on its own remarkable journey of survival.

On Tuesday, the International Rare Animal Protection Day, a frail but feisty snow leopard cub basked in the sunlight, savoring a meal of minced rabbit mixed with milk powder -- a far cry from the brink of death it faced just a month ago.

On March 5, the day of Jingzhe, or the Awakening of Insects in China's traditional solar terms, a wildlife rescue and breeding center in northwest China's Qinghai Province received an emaciated six-month-old cub from Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture.

Severely malnourished, with a fractured spine, severe inflammation and critically low body temperature, the cub was barely clinging to life.

"When it arrived, it was so thin and frail that its limbs were stiff and head tilted back," recalled Qi Xinzhang, the center's deputy director.

They named the cub Ling Xiaozhe, with Ling bearing the meaning of overcoming difficulties, Zhe referring to the solar term of Jingzhe when it was rescued, and Xiao, or small, relating to its figure and age -- the cub weighed just 9.7 kg -- far below the healthy range for its age.

Veterinarians suspect the cub fell from a height, leaving it immobilized and starving before being discovered. A joint team from the center and China Agricultural University sprang into action, providing oxygen, warmth, antibiotics and nutritional support.

By March 8, hope flickered as Ling Xiaozhe lifted its head for the first time. "We finally helped it pull through," Qi said with considerable relief.

A FRAGILE COMEBACK

As its condition improved, the cub was moved to a hay-lined wooden crate for rehabilitation. Veterinarians massaged its stiff limbs and fed it calcium-enriched meat.

"At first, it resisted, but soon it seemed to understand what we were doing and became cooperative, and its muscles grew stronger," said Zhao Hailong, one of the caregivers.

Yet progress came with risks. On March 14, Ling Xiaozhe clumsily clambered out of its crate -- a sign of returning mobility, but also a potential threat to its healing spine. "We had to switch to a secure enclosure to prevent reinjury," Qi explained.

By late March, Ling Xiaozhe was eating independently, attempting wobbly steps and even growling protectively over its food bowl. A CT scan confirmed its spine was healing, but challenges remain.

"Neurological damage leaves its long-term recovery uncertain," warned Jin Yipeng, a veterinary expert.

A FUTURE IN CAPTIVITY

In China, the snow leopard is under top-level national protection, primarily found in regions such as Qinghai, Xizang, Gansu, Sichuan and Xinjiang. The latest data indicates that its population in China is steadily growing, with over 1,200 individuals now being monitored.

"Infrared cameras are increasingly capturing images of snow leopards in their natural habitats. Meanwhile, the rescue of injured snow leopards in the wild provides valuable data for in-depth studies of their physiological indicators and behavioral patterns," said Lian Xinming, a researcher at the Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

The rescue operation has garnered widespread attention from various sectors of society. It has played a highly positive role in enhancing public understanding of the snow leopard population and the ecosystem of the Sanjiangyuan area, which contains the headwaters of the Yangtze, Yellow and Lancang rivers, Lian added.

While most rescued animals are released after recovery, Ling Xiaozhe, unfortunately, will have to live out its life in captivity.

"The ideal outcome is always returning animals to the wild," Qi said, adding that as Ling Xiaozhe was rescued at a young age, it had never learned how to fend for itself. It has also been desensitized to human interaction, so even if it recovers, its days of roaming free on the mountainside are now over.

"We hope that Ling Xiaozhe will one day soon thrive as a healthy, active ambassador for its species," Qi said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Tel Aviv [Israel], April 10 (ANI/TPS): A thousand Air Force retirees and reservists are being dismissed after publishing a letter calling for the end of the war in Gaza. The letter was published in several Israeli news outlets as an advert, stating that the war is only for 'political' and not 'security' interests. The piece read: "We demand the immediate return of the hostages home, even at the cost of an immediate cessation of fighting. "At this time, the war primarily serves political and personal interests, not security interests. The continuation of the war contributes nothing to any of its declared goals and will lead to the deaths of hostages, IDF soldiers, and innocent civilians, as well as to the burnout of reservists." They also stressed that the letter was "not a call for refusal" to serve, and called on Israelis to "mobilize for action." The decision to let the signatories go from service shows a change in approach of leadership after Eyal Zamir became the Head of the IDF last month, taking over the position from Herzi Halevi, who served in the role for two years. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu backed the decision, calling the letter an implicit refusal to serve, and an attempt to 'break Israeli society from within'. The statement from the Prime Minister's Office published this morning said: "Prime Minister Netanyahu supports the Defense Minister and the Chief of Staff in their decision to dismiss the letter's signatories. "Refusal is refusal - even when it is said implicitly and in slurred language. Statements that weaken the IDF and strengthen our enemies in a time of war are unforgivable. "This is an extremist fringe group that is trying again to break Israeli society from within. "They already tried to do this before the October 7th, and Hamas interpreted the calls for refusal as weakness. "This noisy fringe group is being mobilized for one goal - to overthrow the government. It does not represent the fighters or the public. The IDF is fighting - and we are all behind it." Historically, IDF leaders have not taken action when reservists make political statements, but the IDF has said it made the decision to let go of those that signed the letter due to the "use [of] the Israeli Air Force brand" to voice political opinions. Previously, reservists have only been dismissed from service after directly refusing to be called up for duty. The group who penned the letter are thought to be mostly retirees, with around a dozen reservists, most of which have not served in many years. Those that signed the letter did so despite warnings not to. On Tuesday, Zamir visited troops in the Gaza strip and renewed urges to continue the fighting to defeat terror group Hamas. He told them: "You, the troops of the 36th Division, have returned to operate in the Gaza Strip, in an area where IDF troops are operating for the first time, the Morag Corridor, in an operation that caught the enemy by surprise, resulted in the elimination of dozens of terrorists, and led to the locating of numerous weapons. "You are applying significant pressure. I expect you to bring about the defeat of Hamas' Rafah Brigade and to achieve victory wherever you operate. "As we approach Passover, the holiday of freedom, the objective of our operation here is clear and just -- the return of all our hostages, the achievement of victory, and the dismantling of Hamas." The defeat of the Rafah Brigade in Gaza was declared by IDF in September, but Zamir said in his inaugural speech that the claim to victory was 'premature'. The closing of the bridge will ensure significant progress to an Israeli victory of the war, as it is often used by Hamas members to escape, by crossing the border into Egypt. The war has continued since October 7 2023, after Palestinians from the Gaza strip, many of which were Hamas members, infiltrated Israeli territory and killed over 1,200 people, committed mass rapes, burnt down homes and took hundreds of people of hostage. All but 59 hostages have been released in hostage deals over the past 18 months, many of which returned dead, with only the first part of a three part deal between Hamas and Israel agreed earlier this year being carried through, before the ceasefire stopped and fighting continued. Only around half of the remaining captives are believed to be alive. (ANI/TPS)
The Tibetan Youth Congress, one of the largest and oldest Tibetan non-governmental organizations, is organising a protest outside the Chinese embassy on Friday. The demonstration aims to condemn the mysterious death of Tulku Hungkar Dorje, a revered Tibetan religious leader, while in custody in Vietnam. "We will condemn the Chinese authorities for the sudden and mysterious death of Tulku Hungkar Dorje, a revered Tibetan religious leader, while in custody in Vietnam," the Tibetan Youth Congress said in a release. Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) is one of the largest and most active NGOs in the Tibetan exile community. It has a legacy of political activism, advocacy of Tibet in international forums, social services, and nurturing Tibetan youths by inculcating their leadership skills. TYC has more than 89 chapters in more than 14 countries worldwide. Earlier, the Tibetan artists staged an inaugural theatre performance of "A Fearless Voice," a powerful drama that showed the situation inside Tibet. The show was organised by the Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) and performed by Tibet Theatre artists at the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts in the North Indian hill town Dharamshala last week. Sonam Tsering, general secretary of Tibetan Youth Congress, told ANI, "We are kicking off our all India theater show which is organised by Tibetan Youth Congress and played by the artists of the Tibet Theatre. Our main object is to promote awareness about the current critical situation in Tibet. Especially to expose the Chinese atrocities of cultural genocide and transforming the Tibetan children into Chinese and also to promote awareness about the unity and integrity among the Tibetans. We also want to instill a sense of activism and nationalism among the younger generation of Tibet. That's why we are travelling around Tibetan settlements and schools all over India." Tenzin Lhakphel, a Tibetan monk and artist, emphasized the power of theatre in advocating for social causes and stated, "I believe that theatre has a power to advocate not only for Tibet but each and every cause. Theatre is a very powerful tool, and I think whatever we are doing is activism. The theme is obviously about separation, and we want to tell the world that Tibet is still burning and that we, the younger generation, really need to make tremendous efforts to advocate for it." (ANI)
TV BRICS, in collaboration with its partner India's Amity University, hosted a teleconference on Thursday titled "Russia. Points of Attraction," aimed at promoting the Russian language and culture among Indian students studying Russian. TV BRICS further reported that the virtual event brought together students and faculty from Amity University's Russian Language Department with representatives from partner universities in Russia. The session was hosted by Tamara Skok, PhD in Philology and Head of the "Modern Russian" project, along with Evgeny Mishin, Manager of International Cooperation at TV BRICS. Amity University was represented by Kumari Mansi, Coordinator of the Centre for BRICS Studies, and faculty members Parijat Bhattacherjee, Subhash Kumar, Akhauri Nitish Kumar, and Otabek Khomidov from the Russian Language Department. The Indian students prepared a creative programme: they recited poems and sang Russian songs, shared their stories of getting to know Russian culture and told what prompted them to choose this language to study. The event was organised under the "Modern Russian" initiative, an international educational and informational project launched by TV BRICS in 2007. The initiative seeks to promote the Russian language, enhance literacy, and offer linguistic support. With no equivalent in Russia or abroad, it features a comprehensive range of philological activities. Its resources are accessed in over 150 countries and it works in partnership with the Pushkin State Russian Language Institute and the Russkiy Mir Foundation. "Language is not only a means of communication, but also a powerful tool of soft power. It promotes mutual understanding and strengthens partnership between countries," Coordinator of the Centre for BRICS Studies Kumari Mansi emphasised. According to her, the teleconference was a vivid example of how educational initiatives contribute to strengthening ties within BRICS and developing dialogue between cultures, TV BRICS reported. Meanwhile, Evgeny Mishin said, "I was particularly touched by the effort with which the students approached the performance of Russian songs and poems. It is obvious that studying Russian is not just an academic discipline for them, but a window into centuries-old culture and an opportunity to broaden their horizons. International teleconferences form an emotional bond between countries and lay a solid foundation for educational programmes, exchanges and joint projects." (ANI)
Tel Aviv [Israel], April 10 (ANI/TPS): The Lod Central District Court today imposed an unprecedented sentence of mandatory life imprisonment plus 60 years on the two terrorists who carried out a combined attack in Ra'anana in January 2024, in which the late Edna Bluestein was run over to death at the bus stop and many others were injured, some very seriously. The two also planned two additional attempted attacks that did not come to fruition - one against civilians and security forces in Judea and Samaria and the other against the IDF's Arabic-language spokesman, Lt. Col. Avichai Edrei. The court also ordered the defendants to pay significant compensation to the families of the victims of the crime, in a total amount of approximately two million Shekels (USD 531,000). The court noted in its verdict that the defendants acted out of deep hostility to the State of Israel and Jews everywhere, and out of a desire to take part in Hamas' war against Israel. (ANI/TPS)
Foreign and legal experts have hailed the extradition of Tahawwur Rana, the mastermind of the deadly 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, to India as a "milestone" in the country's fight against terrorism. Foreign Affairs expert Robinder Sachdev said the government has worked "tirelessly and silently" for the extradition of Tahawwur Rana. While speaking with ANI, Sachdev said, "There is no doubt, extradition of Tahawwur Rana to India is a milestone in our global fight against terrorism. It is absolutely the win and result of our consistent diplomatic engagement, legal engagement and perseverance. Our government has worked tirelessly and silently..." Calling Rana's extradition a "victory of law," foreign affairs expert Sushant Sareen told ANI, " The government should get the credit for this... this govt showed a commitment to this...we will never forget or spare (accused)..." Former Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi called the extradition a "great achievement" of the Indian government. "It is a great achievement of this government and it shows the efforts led by the Prime Minister, Union Home Minister and the External Affairs Minister, the credit goes to them that a person so evil and such a dreaded terrorist who is responsible for the killings of scores of people and creating mayhem in Mumbai, a conspirator with David Headley has been brought swiftly to India...It's only the last two years that the court finally in America approved the extradition...This shows the diplomatic channels working feverishly between the government of India and the US...I am sure that he will get appropriate punishment for his sins," Rohatgi told ANI. International Council of Jurists President, Senior Advocate Dr Adish C Aggarwala also asserted that US President Donald Trump is against terrorism. While speaking with the reporters, Aggarwala said, "Trump government took special interest and allowed Tahawwur Rana's extradition to India... Donald Trump himself making a statement on this as soon as his government came into power shows that he is against terrorism..." On Thursday, Rana arrived in India following his extradition by the United States. Senior Advocate Dayan Krishnan and Special Public Prosecutor Narender Mann, who are leading the National Investigation Agency (NIA) prosecution, were seen arriving at Patiala House Court in the national capital ahead of Rana's appearance before the court. Ahead of Rana's court appearance, Delhi Police swiftly cleared the court complex. Authorities vacated the premises entirely and instructed media personnel to leave, citing security and safety concerns. No individuals were allowed inside the complex as part of heightened security measures surrounding the event. The decision to restrict access was made to ensure the safety of all involved. The NIA said today that it has successfully secured the extradition of Rana, the mastermind of the deadly 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, after years of sustained and concerted efforts to bring the key conspirator behind the 2008 mayhem to justice. According to the NIA, Rana was being held in judicial custody in the US pursuant to proceedings initiated under the India-US Extradition Treaty. The extradition finally came through after Rana exhausted all legal avenues to stay the move. The District Court for the Central District of California had ordered his extradition on 16th May 2023. Rana then filed multiple litigations in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, all of which were rejected. He subsequently filed a petition for a writ of certiorari, two habeas petitions, and an emergency application before the US Supreme Court, which were also denied. The extradition proceedings were initiated between the two countries after India eventually secured a surrender warrant for the wanted terrorist from the US government. "Rana is accused of conspiring with David Coleman Headley @ Daood Gilani, and operatives of designated terrorist organisations Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Harkat-ul-Jihadi Islami (HUJI) along with other Pakistan-based co-conspirators, to carry out the devastating terror attacks in Mumbai in 2008. A total of 166 persons were killed and over 238 injured in the deadly attacks. Both LeT and HUJI have been declared as terrorist organisations by the Government of India under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967," the NIA said. (ANI)
Port Louis [Mauritius], April 10 (ANI) Mauritius on Thursday became the first African country to sign a Country Partnership Framework (CPF) with the International Solar Alliance (ISA). Mauritius is the first country in the Africa region, and the fourth country after Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Cuba to sign the CPF. This partnership aims to provide a structured approach for the ISA and Mauritius to collaborate on solar energy initiatives, aligning with Mauritius's national priorities. ISA said in a statement that this will accelerate the clean energy transition through collaborative solar energy projects. "The CPF is a strategic initiative developed by ISA to enable long-term, medium-term cooperation between ISA and its Member Countries. This will lead to a detailed Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) tailored to the specific needs and opportunities in Mauritius, with a strong focus on scaling solar technologies such as floating solar, solar rooftops, and solar water pumping systems," said Ashish Khanna, Director General of ISA. The Framework is set for a duration of three years and can be renewed based on mutual consent. Following the signing, the next step will be to develop a country-driven, needs-based Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) that will include the review and development of solar roadmaps, the creation of supportive regulatory frameworks to facilitate solar energy deployment, and capacity-building across technical, regulatory, and financing sectors. This collaboration will also focus on scaling solar technologies like solar rooftops, floating solar projects, agrivoltaics, solar water pumping systems, and solar-powered Green Hydrogen projects. Barakat Ahmed, the Regional Programmes Head for Africa at ISA, and Zeenat Guness-Goolbar, Permanent Secretary of Mauritius' Ministry of Energy and Public Utilities, formalized the partnership in Port Louis. Guness-Goolbar expressed pride in Mauritius being at the forefront of solar energy development in Africa, stating, "Energy, especially solar development, is a priority for our government. With the support of ISA, we are taking significant strides in our clean energy transition." The signing of the CPF was part of a week-long series of events, including the Global SolarX Accelerator Programme, which hosted 35 startups from ISA's SolarX Startup Challenge. This program, running throughout 2025, will help solar startups scale operations and enhance business acumen with the help of world-class mentors and experts in business development and financing. A significant achievement under ISA's collaboration with Mauritius has been the solarisation of the Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital, completed in June 2024. This initiative, part of the ISA CARES programme, provides renewable energy to healthcare facilities in Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Mauritius's commitment to solar energy is also reflected in the planned development of the Solar Technology Application Resource Centre (STAR-C), which will enhance the country's capacity to implement solar projects and attract private investments. The CPF lays out a detailed action plan to support the deployment of solar technologies and build the country's renewable energy infrastructure. (ANI)
President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday (local time) highlighted the growing cultural ties between India and Slovakia while addressing the Indian community at a reception in Slovakia's capital during her two-day State visit to the country. President Murmu, during her address, mentioned the popularity of Indian heritage, traditions, and practices, such as Yoga, Ayurveda, and Indian cuisine in Slovakia, noting that these cultural exchanges reflect the strengthening of relations between the two nations. She further emphasised India's inclusive growth, ensuring benefits for all sections of society. "It is heartening to see that India's heritage and traditions are quite popular among our Slovak friends. From Yoga and Ayurveda to Indian cuisine, the love for Indian culture evident in Slovakia is a testimony to the growing strong ties between the people of the two countries. Our growth has not only been inspiring but also inclusive, ensuring that it benefits all sections of society," the President said. The Ministry of External Affairs, on the occasion, took to X, stating, "Connecting with the India-Slovakia living bridge! President Droupadi Murmu addressed the vibrant Indian diaspora at a community reception organised in Bratislava. In her address, President highlighted India's growth story & advancements and also commended the Indian community for their contribution in deepening the India-Slovakia ties." https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1910403128224342254 Earlier, President Murmu also visited the Jaguar Land Rover Factory in Slovakia's Nitra, along with the President of Slovakia, Peter Pelligrini, where she interacted with workers from both countries. "President Droupadi Murmu visited the Jaguar Land Rover Factory located in the historic town of Nitra. She was accompanied by the President of the Slovak Republic. They visited the state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities of the plant and also met the workers. The plant employs Indians also, apart from Slovaks and Ukrainians," the President's Secretariat stated on X. https://x.com/rashtrapatibhvn/status/1910361697904214162 According to the MEA, the facility employs around 200 Indians in its workforce and represents a successful example of the India-Slovakia partnership. https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1910363673589391828 Following her visit to the automobile facility, President Murmu and Slovakian President Peter Pellegrini planted a Linden tree, Slovakia's national tree, at City Park in Nitra. According to the President's Secretariat, during the ceremony, President Murmu shared details about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" initiative with President Pellegrini, who expressed interest in adopting a similar initiative in Slovakia. "President Droupadi Murmu and President Peter Pellegrini of the Slovak Republic jointly planted a Linden tree, the national tree of Slovakia, at the City Park on Sihot, Nitra. Mr Marek Hattas, Mayor of Nitra, was also present on the occasion. President Murmu told President Pellegrini about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's #EkPedMaaKeNaam initiative, an innovative climate action campaign which pays tribute to the mother's role in nurturing life and also contributes to the health of the planet. President Pellegrini was delighted to learn this, and said that Slovakia too can undertake a similar initiative," the President's Secretariate stated on X. https://x.com/rashtrapatibhvn/status/1910365890564293106 Earlier, President Murmu was conferred with the Doctorate Honoris Causa degree by the Constantine the Philosopher University in Slovakia. President Murmu arrived in Slovakia at the invitation of Slovakian President Peter Pellegrini. It is the first visit by an Indian president to Slovakia in 29 years. She arrived in Slovakia after completing the first leg of her visit in Portugal. (ANI)
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OSAKA, Apr 11 (News On Japan) - With just three days until the opening of the Osaka-Kansai Expo, a photo taken during a trial run showing a row of children's toilets without partitions and a wide, exposed spaceincluding a visible men's urinalhas drawn widespread attention on social media.

The photos were taken inside the "Lost Child/Baby Center" at the Expo venue.

The images were posted by a mother raising a young daughter, who wrote, "Its too exposed without any partitions. There are other kids' toilets elsewhere, so its better to go to a different one."

When the photos were shown to parents on the street, one father commented, "It looks a bit hard to use." When asked why, he added, "Its a little embarrassing." A 5-year-old child who saw the photo exclaimed, "Oh no! Theyre all lined up! I dont want to see that!"

Reactions from foreign visitors were more positive. One person said, "This is great! No walls. If its for kids, it might be fine."

Why was the decision made to remove partitions from the toilets? An expert in early childhood development weighed in.

Yachiyo Murakami, professor at Tokiwa Junior Colleges Department of Early Childhood Education and Care, explained: "Its not unusual in nurseries. Watching each other while using the toilet helps children learn and develop through mutual observation."

However, Murakami also pointed out a potential issue when such facilities are placed in a public venue used by a large number of people.

"If many people enter the space at once, such as at the Expo, it may create privacy issues. But in a relaxed setting shared by just a few families, many might find such toilets easier to use," she said.

In response to media inquiries, the Expo Association explained that the design without partitions was based on the understanding that children aged 0 to 2 are not yet capable of using the toilet independently and require assistance from parents or guardians.

Source: FNN
KOBE, Apr 11 (News On Japan) - Japans largest crime syndicate, the Yamaguchi-gumi, based in Kobe City, has announced it will end its long-running feud with rival groups.

Is this truly the end of the gang war? An investigation into the circumstances and motives behind the decision reveals a deeper picture.

A photo taken on April 7th in the parking lot of the Hyogo Prefectural Police Headquarters shows men in suits  senior members of the Yamaguchi-gumi, a designated organized crime syndicate. According to investigators, just days earlier, Yamaguchi-gumi leaders had approached the police, expressing their intention to submit a document.

The document stated: "Yamaguchi-gumi has decided to end the conflict. There will be no further disputes going forward."

The Yamaguchi-gumi has been locked in hostilities with several rival syndicates for many years. Why this sudden change in stance?

Once an unrivaled force in Japans underworld, the Yamaguchi-gumi experienced a major split in 2015, its 100th year, when several affiliated factions broke away and formed the Kobe Yamaguchi-gumi under the leadership of Inoue. This led to a bitter feud that saw frequent violent clashes across the country.

The conflict escalated, including incidents where trucks rammed into gang offices. In 2019, a Kobe Yamaguchi-gumi-affiliated boss was stabbed while walking with a woman in a Kobe shopping district. Four months later, a Yamaguchi-gumi member was shot and critically injured by a man on a minibike.

Such violent acts continued over the past decade. In 2020, the Hyogo Prefectural Public Safety Commission designated both groups as "specified conflict-designated crime syndicates" due to the danger they posed to public safety.

In the midst of what seemed like an endless cycle of violence, the Yamaguchi-gumi abruptly declared on April 7th that it would end the conflict.

To better understand the shift, reporters obtained a copy of the Yamaguchi-gumis official publication commemorating its 110th anniversary. It included the following statement:

"Authorities have imposed increasingly strict restrictions, and there seems to be no end to the limitations. We must seek new paths in line with the times, and each of us must act with personal integrity."

The Yamaguchi-gumi's activities have been significantly curtailed under the special conflict designation. A former Yamaguchi-gumi leader said, "There are bans on gathering in groups, walking with more than a few people, even entering restaurants. Everything is off-limits."

He also noted that the Kobe Yamaguchi-gumi has weakened to the point of being unable to maintain a fight.

"Kobe is declining. They havent made any moves. Theres nowhere left to strike. Its just Inoue now," he said.

Indeed, the Kobe Yamaguchi-gumi has seen over 90% of its membership disappear in the past decade. A former member who belonged to both organizations said the group has become little more than a name, with many leaving due to disillusionment with Inoue's leadership. Even the remaining younger members are said to be seeking retirement, though Inoue is reportedly unwilling to change course.

Will the feud truly come to an end?

A journalist who has long covered organized crime said, "This cant go on much longer. In these feuds, the side that grows or prospers is seen as the winner. But neither group has advanced. This is a conflict with no victor. Theres no point in continuing it."

As attention turns to future developments, on a recent day in Toyohashi, Aichi Prefecture, the leader of a Yamaguchi-gumi-affiliated group appeared in full formal attire. According to sources, a document pledging an end to the feud had prompted an emergency meeting, where Yamaguchi-gumi executives reportedly declared, "Forget Kobe. The 6th-generation Yamaguchi-gumi moves forward  forward only."

Meanwhile, the Kobe Yamaguchi-gumi has remained silent.

Currently, the Yamaguchi-gumi has around 3,300 members, while the Kobe Yamaguchi-gumi has about 120. With Yamaguchi-gumi submitting its declaration to police, journalist Suzuki commented, "Its the yakuzas winter era  this is no time to be waging war."

Tougher laws have significantly impacted their operations. Entry to offices in designated zones is banned, and gathering in groups is prohibited. Legal expert Kikuchi noted, "These anti-gang measures have thoroughly tied their hands. They used to use front businesses to hide illegal operations, but even thats no longer viable. Theyre forced to try legitimate business now."

When asked whether this declaration might lead to the removal of the special conflict designation, legal analyst Kanzaki said, "Only Yamaguchi-gumi has made the declaration, and how Kobe responds remains to be seen. In past conflicts, stray bullets and mistaken identities have harmed ordinary citizens. If the feud ends, it could bring a measure of relief to the public."

Still, officials say the designation will not be lifted immediately and that authorities will continue monitoring the situation closely.

Source: KTV NEWS
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Republic of Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania, Islamic Republic of Mauritius Mayotte Micronesia, Federated States of Moldova, Republic of Monaco, Principality of Mongolia, Mongolian People's Republic Montserrat Morocco, Kingdom of Mozambique, People's Republic of Myanmar Namibia Nauru, Republic of Nepal, Kingdom of Netherlands Antilles Netherlands, Kingdom of the New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua, Republic of Niger, Republic of the Nigeria, Federal Republic of Niue, Republic of Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway, Kingdom of Oman, Sultanate of Pakistan, Islamic Republic of Palau Palestinian Territory, Occupied Panama, Republic of Papua New Guinea Paraguay, Republic of Peru, Republic of Philippines, Republic of the Pitcairn Island Poland, Polish People's Republic Portugal, Portuguese Republic Puerto Rico Qatar, State of Reunion Romania, Socialist Republic of Russian Federation Rwanda, Rwandese Republic Samoa, Independent State of San Marino, Republic of Sao Tome and 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
Despite a recent court ruling that could clear the way, at least for now, for removed books to return to school library shelves in Iowa, those books largely will remain in storage in Council Bluffs.

Local school officials tell The Nonpareil there was no provision to automatically return 82 titles following a federal judge's decision to block enforcement of Iowa's book ban law last month, with Iowa's attorney general pledging to "keep on fighting to uphold the law" that's twice been declared unconstitutional by the district court judge.

The decision to return materials into the libraries' collections rests in the Council Bluffs Community School District with a task force formed in response to the state law. In the Lewis Central Community School Districts, school librarians will make the final determination.

"At this time, the district does not plan to return any removed books to the shelves," Council Bluffs Chief Communication Officer Diane Ostrowski said in an email responding to questions from The Nonpareil. "If the injunction is upheld, the original review work group will reconvene to determine whether any titles should be reinstated."

Lewis Central Superintendent Brent Hoesing said the evaluation under the law, Senate File 496, has been made as part of an annual audit of library material that simply went "deeper" because of the new state law. He said that audit remains in progress.

"Our librarians are in charge of ensuring that all of our books are compliant with state standards and are appropriate for our students," Hoesing said in an email. "Deciding whether a particular book should be in circulation, or not in circulation, has always been part of their professional responsibilities as provided by board policy."

Neither district removed materials simply because they were included on lists that have been circulated by conservative activists, nor did they use artificial intelligence or other passive means to determine suitability under the new state law. The local districts assigned the work to either the Council Bluffs task force or Lewis Central librarians for case-by-case consideration.

The districts removed a total of 81 books last year, according to previous reporting by The Nonpareil. Council Bluffs has since removed one additional title: "Life is Funny" by E.R. Frank, which appears on an American Library Association list of frequently challenged young adult books.

The 82 titles may include some titles that otherwise would have been removed as part of updating the libraries' collections, but they reflect the impact of Iowa's book ban law on Council Bluffs students  not literary merit, reader interest or other factors for collection development. Of the total, Council Bluffs removed 57 titles, while Lewis Central removed 48 titles.

Students in Lewis Central can still access many of the removed titles by requesting them with parental permission, Hoesing said. He said that "most of the time," books removed through the district's annual process remain with the school "for a few years, just not in general circulation." Damaged materials, for example, might just be discarded, though.

"Books that are determined to be inappropriate for a certain grade level require the permission of a parent before we check the book out to the student," Hoesing said. "As everyone knows, our culture is constantly changing, and what was considered appropriate 40 years ago, may not be socially acceptable today. It's our professional librarians' job to keep up on these changing norms and ensure that our libraries provide appropriate options for every student. "

Ostrowski said the books removed from Council Bluffs schools are being stored outside of school buildings, meaning they would be available if they are later reclassified as appropriate.

"The district remains committed to complying with all applicable laws and policies regarding instructional and library materials while continuing to provide students with access to a variety of high-quality resources," Ostrowski said.

The removed books in the local public schools weren't targeted by challenges but were part of reviews conducted by the pending enforcement of Iowa's SF 496.

As a practical matter, librarians cannot read every book they acquire for collections. Hoesing said Lewis Central sometimes buys books in mass quantities, even in excess of a hundred titles, as part of packages sold by publishers, which recommend grade levels for the resources.

"Sometimes, a parent, community member, or our librarians may stumble across books that have content too mature or inappropriate for a particular age," Hoesing said. "When this happens, our librarians audit the book and make a determination (discard the book, pull the book from general circulation and allow it with parent permission, or leave the book in circulation)."

U.S. District Judge Stephen Locher blocked SF 496 after its passage in 2023, but his decision was overturned by the U.S. Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals in August, allowing the law to be enforced  as it had been until late last month. The higher court said Locher didn't use the correct analysis when he temporarily blocked the law.

Locher applied both standards that the higher court recommended in his March 25 ruling, and he included an alternative analysis expecting another appeal of his ruling.

Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird called SF 496  which also prohibits discussion of gender identity and sexual orientation through sixth grade and requires parental notification if a student asks to go by a different name or change their pronouns  a "common sense law."

Im going to keep on fighting to uphold our law that protects schoolchildren and parental rights," Bird said in a statement.

Christy Hickman, general counsel for the Iowa State Education Association, told Iowa Capital Dispatch that she was incredibly relieved for our members. The ISEA was a plaintiff in the litigation. She said teachers wouldnt have to be concerned about their employment or their licensure being in jeopardy in the event they didnt interpret this incredibly vague law incorrectly.

State lawmakers considered a bill this session that would have removed public and school library exemptions under the state's obscenity law. The bill, House File 274, advanced through a committee but did not meet a deadline to advance for full consideration.

Here are the 82 books removed from local schools Both school districts "Damsel" by Elana Arnold "Th1rteen R3asons Why" by Jay Asher "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood "The Handmaid's Tale" (Graphic Novel) by Margaret Atwood "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" by Stephen Chbosky "Looking for Alaska" by John Green "Crank" by Ellen Hopkins "Identical" by Ellen Hopkins "Perfect" by Ellen Hopkins "Tricks" by Ellen Hopkins "Milk and Honey" by Rupi Kaur "A Court of Frost and Starlight" by Sarah Maas "A Court of Mist and Fury" by Sarah Maas "A Court of Thorns and Roses" by Sarah Maas "A Court of Wings and Ruin" by Sarah Maas "Red, White & Royal Blue" by Casey McQuiston "The Bluest Eye" by Toni Morrison "Like a Love Story" by Abdi Nazemian "Out of Darkness" by Ashley Perez "Nineteen Minutes" by Jodi Picoult "The Nowhere Girls" by Amy Reed "I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter" by Erika Sanchez "The Color Purple" by Alice Walker Council Bluffs schools "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou "What Girls Are Made Of" by Elana Arnold "Forever..." by Judy Blume "Black Girl Unlimited" by Echo Brown "A Stolen Life" by Jaycee Dugard "Life is Funny" by E.R. Frank "Stardust" by Neil Gaiman "Libertie" by Kaitlyn Greenidge "Ordinary Hazards" by Nikki Grimes "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen "Homegoing" by Yaa Gyasi "Heart Bones" by Colleen Hoover "Hopeless" by Colleen Hoover "It Ends With Us" by Colleen Hoover "Traffick" by Ellen Hopkins "Grown" by Tiffany Jackson "Monday's Not Coming" by Tiffany Jackson "The Sun and Her Flowers" by Rupi Kaur "The Duff" by Kody Keplinger "Gender Queer" by Maia Kobabe "Empire of Storms" by Sarah Maas "Kingdom of Ash" by Sarah Maas "Tower of Dawn" by Sarah Maas "A Clash of Kings" by George R. R. Martin "Sold" by Patricia McCormick "Beautiful Disaster" by Jamie McGuire "The Song of Achilles" by Madeline Miller "Blazed" by Jason Myers "Dead End" by Jason Myers "Breathless" by Jennifer Niven "Beautiful" by Amy Reed "Lucky" by Alice Sebold "Grasshopper Jungle" by Andrew Smith "Dark Lover" by J.R. Ward Lewis Central schools "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" by Sherman Alexie "The Haters" by Jesse Andrews "Me and Earl and the Dying Girl" by Jesse Andrews "Red Hood" by Elana Arnold "Ready or Not" by Meg Cabot "Flamer" by Mike Curato "This Book Is Gay" by Juno Dawson "As I Lay Dying" by William Faulkner "The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini "Their Eyes Were Watching God" by Zora Hurston "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley "A Separate Peace" by John Knowles "Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out" by Susan Kuklin "The Last Night at the Telegraph Club" by Malinda Lo "A Court of Silver Flames" by Sarah Maas "Sold" by Patricia McCormick "Breaking Dawn" by Stephenie Meyer "Beloved" by Toni Morrison "Song of Solomon" by Toni Morrison "Push" by Sapphire (Ramona Lofton) "The Hate U Give" by Angie Thomas "Saga" by Brian Vaughan "Native Son" by Richard Wright

Previous coverage: Books removed from school library shelves in Council Bluffs About 81 books were taken off from the shelves of public school libraries in Council Bluffs, with most removed from Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson and Lewis Central high schools.
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Trade ministers from across Africa will gather on 14 April to discuss the implications of the new 10% tariff imposed by the United States on imports from several African nations.

The tariffs, announced by president Donald Trump, are expected to severely impact African exporters, especially those reliant on the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which has traditionally provided duty-free access to U.S. markets. The meeting, set to convene policymakers, economists, and trade experts, aims to strategize on mitigating the effects of these tariffs. Wamkele Mene, secretary-general of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), described the tariffs as a wake-up call for the continent, urging African nations to accelerate efforts towards economic self-sufficiency and regional integration.

Meanwhile, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) has noted with profound concern the imposition of new tariffs on imported products, including those from SADC member states. In response, SADC said is carrying out a detailed assessment of the impact of the global geopolitical developments on the different sectors of the region. Kako Nubukpo, Togolese economist and former minister, has warned that the tariffs would hit African nations already suffering from political difficulties. In response, African countries should promote their own national and regional value chains as buffers against the tariffs, Nubukpo said.

Among the countries hardest hit are Lesotho, which faces a staggering 50% tariff on its textile exports, and South Africa, where industries like agriculture and vehicle manufacturing will suffer from increased costs. South African officials are exploring new markets to offset the losses, while experts warn that the tariffs undermine AGOAs promise of trade, not aid. With AGOAs expiration approaching in September 2025, African countries are reconsidering their trade strategies. AfCFTA Secretary General emphasized the importance of fostering regional value chains and strengthening intra-Africa trade under the AfCFTA to reduce dependence on external markets and protect the continents economic future.
The United States reaffirmed on Tuesday its recognition of Moroccos sovereignty over the Sahara, as announced by President Donald Trump to King Mohammed VI in 2020. The Tuesday news made the headlines of international media.

During a phone conversation in December 2020, President Donald Trump informed King Mohammed VI that he had issued a presidential proclamation, an act with undeniable legal and political weight and immediate effect, announcing the decision of the United States to recognize the full sovereignty of the Kingdom of Morocco over the entire Moroccan Sahara region.

This position was reiterated at a meeting on Tuesday in Washington between Moroccos Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita, and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Thus, Reuters along with news websites usnews.com and Axios reported that the U.S. continues to believe that genuine autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty is the only feasible solution to the regional dispute over the Sahara.

Citing the Spokesperson for the United States Department of State, Tammy Bruce, the media outlets added that President Trump is urging for the parties to engage in discussions without delay, using Moroccos Autonomy Proposal as the only framework, to negotiate a mutually acceptable solution.

In the same vein, American news channels NBC and CBS, as well as Radio France Internationale (RFI) and Jeune Afrique magazine, reported that the U.S. Secretary of State reiterated that his country recognizes Moroccos sovereignty over the Sahara and supports the proposal for serious, credible, and realistic autonomy as the only basis for a just and lasting solution to this dispute.

For their part, the U.S. magazine Barrons and the Singaporean daily The Strait Times also echoed the Secretary of States statement, indicating that the U.S. continues to believe that genuine autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty is the only feasible solution.

The Spanish news agency EFE reported that Washington considers the Moroccan autonomy proposal as the only framework for negotiating a mutually acceptable solution within the Kingdoms sovereignty.

Similarly, another Spanish digital media outlet, Atlantico Hoy, emphasized that the U.S. administration under Donald Trump has reiterated its full support for Moroccos position on the Sahara, and the call on the parties to engage in discussions without delay, clearly indicating that he considered no other scenario than the Moroccan autonomy proposal.

For their part, many African news agencies commented on Washingtons reaffirmation of its recognition of Moroccos sovereignty over the Sahara. The news agencies of Mali (AMAP), Niger (ANP), Gabon (AGP), Congo (ACP) and Senegal (APS), in particular, published extensive comments on the U.S. position in support of Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara.

The African news agency Apanews and the Turkish news agency Anadolu also reported that the U.S. Secretary of State had reiterated the United States consistent position in favor of Moroccos sovereignty over the Sahara, and described again the Moroccan autonomy initiative as serious, credible, and realistic.
Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita held talks with influential members of the US Congress, following Washingtons reaffirmation of its recognition of Moroccos sovereignty over the Sahara territory and its support for the autonomy plan as sole framework for negotiations.

On the second day of his first visit to Washington since Trumps comeback, Bourita discussed Morocco-US partnership with congressman Mario Diaz Balart.

Balart tweeted saying he reaffirmed his steadfast support for president Trumps recognition of Moroccos sovereignty over the Western Sahara territory.

Under King Mohammed VIs reign, Morocco has become a crucial US ally and partner for peace in the middle east, he said.

Now, more than ever, it is crucial we continue to advance our shared principles, and stand firm against brutal, repressive governments around the world, he said.

Bourita also met congressman Joe Wilson, an ardent critic of Iranian destabilizing acts and proxies in the region.

Grateful to meet with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita to discuss our long-standing partnership and commitment to peace in the region including the stability of Western Sahara from Polisario terrorists. The US stands with Morocco for peace, he said on X.

Bourita later met Sebastian Gorka, Senior Director for Counterterrorism at the National Security Council. Talks focused on fostering cooperation in favor of African stability.
Angry Malians staged a protest in front of Algerias embassy in Bamako after the Algerian army downed a Malian drone near the borders within Malis territory.

Protesters chanted slogans denouncing Algerias hostile act. Some of them accused Algeria of protecting terrorist groups, who have wreaked havoc in northern Mali.

The condemnation shows the perception of Algeria by Sahel people as a state seeking to advance its agenda to the detriment of regional peace and security.

The protesters recalled the ill-treatment of African migrants by Algeria, which has been bussing and abandoning migrants in harsh conditions on Mali and Niger borders.

Mali together with Niger and Burkina Faso recalled their ambassadors to Algiers. Algeria doubled down on provocative acts banning flights to and from Mali from crossing its airspace. Mali responded with a similar measure.
A group of Algerian hackers leaked data from social security fund CNSS concerning 500,000 companies and 2 million wage-earners, in the worst cyberattack against a Moroccan institution so far.

CNSS has belatedly acknowledged the cyberattack while warning against disinformation and legal risks involved in sharing personal information that have been hacked.

The attack evidences the subversive war waged by the Algerian regime, whose mouthpieces have celebrated the hack as an inroad.

The Algerian hackers have also targeted the website of Moroccos employment ministry.

Head of the Moroccan institution in charge of overseeing protection of personal data CNDP, Omar Seghrouchni, said this was the worst violation of personal data in Morocco ever.
The authoritarian Algerian military regime, which conducts smear campaigns against signatories of Abraham accords, will take part this year in the U.S.-led military exercise African Lion along with Israel, Morocco, Tunisia, and other nations.

Algerias participation in this annual military exercise exposes the hypocrisy of its rulers who are openly bragging about boycotting internationals events (political, sporting, cultural) attended by Israel, but behind the scenes yarning for normalization with Tel-Aviv.

The duplicity and deceit of the Algerian rulers have been exposed by the United States Africa Command in an announcement made Wednesday about the African Lion 2025 to start April 14 in Tunisia, with activities in Ghana, Senegal, and Morocco beginning in May.

With more than 10,000 troops from over 40 nationsincluding seven NATO alliesthis years edition will be the largest in the exercises history.

In its press release, AFRICOM said participating countries include Benin, Brazil, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, Cote dIvoire, Djibouti, Egypt, France, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Kenya, Liberia, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Netherlands, Nigeria, Portugal, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Spain, The Gambia, Togo, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and United States.

Observers include Algeria, Belgium, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, India, Qatar, Republic of Congo, and Turkey, reflecting broad interest in regional military cooperation.

Led by the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), African Lion-25 enhances interoperability, strengthens readiness, and builds strategic partnerships through realistic, multi-domain training. Exercises span land, air, maritime, space, and cyber domains, supporting the shared goal of increased security and stability on the continent.

Core events include field training exercises, airborne and amphibious operations, special operations forces, HIMARS rapid insertion (HIRAIN), humanitarian civic assistance, and medical readiness engagements. New capabilities being tested include integrated cyber defense training and next-generation systems such as the Armys Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW).
The Hacks cast is doing promo ahead of tonight's season 4 premiere!Jean Smart, Hannah Einbinder, and Paul W. Downs interview each other for ET. They discuss what's on their bucket lists, who Hannah would like to be cast as a future love interest/makeout partner (Lea Seydoux).The most important nugget is that although the show creators Paul and Lucia have said from the beginning that their plan was to have five seasons, Hannah and Jean ask Paul if there's a possibility of having more than five seasons. Paul says that they have always adjusted things as they write the show so things could change or be stretched. THAT'S A YES, RIGHT?!Jean Smart and Jimmy Kimmel share vacation stories about Costa Rica. Jean said she recently went there with her kids and her brother and his family. She said it was her first vacation in 20 years. She tried ATVing for 15 minutes and didn't like it so she felt like she couldn't skip out on ziplining which she ended up enjoying. Jimmy said before he went to Costa Rica, he bought his wife a new purse. When they got to Costa Rica, he got sick on the helicopter and threw up in her brand new purse because they didn't have any air sickness bags.Jean really liked seeing all the wildlife in Costa Rica. A green bug landed on her so she got out her phone to take a picture which is when she realized that it was a smushed M&M that had fallen out of her bag. Jean talks about Carol Burnett guest starring on Hacks this season and how they met when Carol played her mother on Designing Women. Jean is returning to Broadway this summer in a one woman show where she plays eight characters.Paul W. Downs and Hannah Einbinder interviews with Colbert under the cut Paul W. Downs' first appearance on Colbert! Paul says he met his wife (Hacks co-creator Lucia Aniello) at a level one improv class at the Upright Citizens Brigade in New York. His first acting role was in a fourth grade production of Robin Hood. They gave the kids wooden swords and he got stabbed in the eye. When asked how he achieved his late 90s wet hair look, he said his dad's barber told him that gel gets dry and flaky so he gave him KY Jelly.Hannah Einbinder says that despite the show's success, there are still lots of people who don't recognize her. She recently wore a purple and black jacket when she went to her agency for a screening and the security guard thought she was a FedEx delivery person and told her she was going the wrong way. She explains the difference between a bob and a lob to Stephen.
Oil prices plummeted on April 10, 2025, with WTI and Brent crude experiencing significant drops due to heightened trade tensions between the US and China, including tariff hikes.

Supply factors, such as the Keystone pipeline outage and surging US crude inventories, contributed to the downward pressure on oil prices, further destabilizing the market.
Oil prices earned an unexpected reprieve on Wednesday afternoon, regaining over 3% immediately following U.S. President Donald Trump's surprise decision to pause reciprocal tariffs for 90 days for all except China. After flirting with prices below $60, Brent crude was trading up 3.41% at 2:56 p.m. ET, while WTI was trading up 3.74%, breaching the $61/barrel mark.

This week, Brent crude at one point dipped below $60 per barrel after OPEC+ revealed plans to accelerate its phase-out of production cuts. Brent crude for May delivery sank 6.3% to $58.68 per barrel at 8.00 am ET, a level they last touched more than four years ago, while WTI fell by 6.2% to $55.20 per barrel.

Last week, eight OPEC+ countries unveiled plans to advance their planned phase-out of voluntary oil output cuts by ramping up output by 411,000 barrels per day in May--equivalent to three monthly increments. The announcement of the accelerated pace of unwinding of production cuts comes at a time when U.S. President Donald Trump announced tariffs on trading partners, deepening the shock to oil markets.

And now commodity analysts at Standard Chartered have weighed in, saying the latest twist in the OPEC saga was to be expected as the likes of Saudi Arabia looked to make a strong statement against freeloaders like Kazakhstan and Iraq that consistently failed to compensate for past overproduced volumes, In our view, the major underlying story is that Saudi Arabia will want to accelerate the phasing out of voluntary cuts unless all partners involved fulfill their promises, adding to the raft of warnings given recently to any country seeking to free-ride on the compliance of others, StanChart recently predicted.

Related: American Refiners To Refrain From Investing Amid Uncertainty



Last month, we reported that Kazakhstan has ramped up oil production, with the countrys crude oil and gas condensate--a type of light oil- output hitting a record high of 2.12 million barrels per day in February, good for a 13% increase from January. Excluding gas condensate, crude oil production increased 15.5% m-o-m to 1.83 million bpd. The OPEC+ member has been able to increase oil output despite damage to the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC), its main export route via Russia. Kazakhstan has repeatedly exceeded its OPEC+ output quota of 1.468 million bpd. Last year, Kazakhstan, Russia and Iraq submitted their compensation plans to the OPEC Secretariat for overproduced crude volumes for the first six months of 2024. According to OPEC, the entire over-produced volumes were to be fully compensated over the next 15 months through September 2025, with Kazakhstan paying back a cumulative 620 kb/d, Russia 480 kb/d and Iraq 1,184 kb/d. Unfortunately, these countries have only been paying lip-service with their promises to cut back production, with Saudi Arabia and its OPEC+ allies finally deciding to do something about the long build-up and the catalogue of missed promises.

The bad news: StanChart has predicted that OPEC+ is unlikely to change its stance in relation to the overproducers, unless, in the unlikely event, that Iraq and Kazakhstan are able to reach their targets, and submit revised plans for significantly more front-loaded cuts in order to compensate for past overproduction. In other words, theres a significant risk that the markets could soon be flooded with oil, which comes at a bad time when Wall Street is sounding the alarm on the growing risk of a recession. JPMorgan has raised the odds of a U.S. and global recession this year to 60% from 40% previously, thanks in large part to Trumps tariffs. JPM CEO Jamie Dimon has also revealed that IPOs were already being canceled amid market volatility.

On a brighter note, StanChart remains bullish about oil market fundamentals, saying the scale of the acceleration is not large enough to lead a Q2 supply surplus given the tightness of the immediate market. Further, the commodity experts say the latest OPEC+ move is likely to enhance future production discipline and compliance with set targets and quotas.

StanChart says non-OPEC+ producers, U.S. shale in particular, are not the focus of the accelerated phase out. If anything, the move is a big gift to Trump who has been urging the cartel to increase production in a bid to lower oil and fuel prices. Last year witnessed a sharp slowdown in non-OPEC+ supply growth from 2.46 mb/d in 2023 to 0.79 mb/d in 2024, primarily caused by a reduction in U.S. total liquids growth from 1.605 mb/d in 2023 to 734 kb/d in 2024.

StanChart expects this trend to continue, with U.S. liquids growth expected to clock in at just 367 kb/d in 2025 before slowing down further to 151 kb/d in 2026. Stanchart says the U.S. slowdown and a long tail of declines will keep non-OPEC supply growth well below 1 mb/d over the next couple of years despite some areas of solid growth in Brazil, Canada and Guyana.

By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com

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Feasibility studies are set to begin, with ongoing technical work for the Black Sea power cable project and requests for EU special status to expedite regulatory approval and financing.

The plan involves a power line under the Caspian Sea to connect Central Asia to the South Caucasus, and another power line across the Black Sea to reach the European Union.

Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan have signed an MOU with the Asian Development Bank and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank to establish a framework for exporting renewable energy to Europe.

Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have taken a significant step to line up financing for an ambitious plan to export renewable-energy-produced electricity to Europe, signing a memorandum of understanding with the Asian Development Bank and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.

The MOU establishes a robust institutional and legal framework to facilitate cross-border electricity trade, according to a statement issued by the ADB.

ADB Director General for Central and West Asia Yevgeniy Zhukov described the agreement as a defining moment for the development of a green energy corridor connecting Central Asia and the South Caucasus via a power line stretching under the Caspian Sea. The Caspian project is designed to link up with a similar initiative involving a power line across the Black Sea, enabling the export of electricity to the European Union.

Our joint cooperation will enable us to start feasibility studies of the project soon. Thanks to this regional green energy initiative, Azerbaijan and Central Asia will realize the first trans-Caspian Energy Corridor, the Azernews agency quoted Azerbaijani Energy Minister Parviz Shabazov as saying following the MOU signing ceremony in Baku on April 4.

Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan unveiled their trans-Caspian plan last May, under which electricity generated from renewable sources in Central Asia, mainly solar and wind, would be exported to Azerbaijan, which would relay the power onward to the EU. So far, no cost estimates or timelines for the completion of the project have been floated.

Meanwhile, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Georgia and Bulgaria signed a MOU in early April and are presently engaged in technical work to prepare for a feasibility study for the Black Sea power cable project, according to an Azerbaijani media outlet. In March, Azerbaijan and Georgiarequested EU special status for the project that would expedite the regulatory approval process and make it easier for Black Sea consortium members to attract financing.

By Eurasianet.org

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European benchmark natural gas prices jumped by 8% on Thursday morning after the 90-day pause in U.S. tariffs on all but China eased concerns that recessions would hit industrial and natural gas demand in Europe.

Dutch TTF Natural Gas Futures, the benchmark for Europes gas trading, opened Thursdays trade in Amsterdam with an 8% surge. Some of the gains were pared by noon, but prices were still rising by 4%, as markets around the world staged major relief rallies after U.S. President Donald Trump stepped back  for now  from the cliff of the all-out trade and tariff war with the world.

Major European indexes jumped by between 5% and 6% on Thursday after hefty falls in the previous five days.

Natural gas prices were also rising in Europe as fears of imminent recessions subsided.

Still, the European gas market looks tight for the coming months as gas levels in storage have fallen by more than in previous years due to the coldest winter since 2021/2022.

The U.S.-China tariff war has already prompted China to resell LNG cargoes of U.S. origin. This could be welcome news for Europe as it needs to buy a lot more LNG this summer than in the previous two summers to refill storage sites and be ready for the next winter.

With gas in storage levels well below the stockpiles left at the end of the previous two winters, Europe will need extra efforts  and money  to refill inventories ahead of the 2025/2026 winter.

The summer refill season, however, presents several challenges in availability, prices, and the money that Europe will have to spend on additional LNG.

Europe could need as many as 250 additional LNG cargoes to arrive in the summer to refill its inventories back up to 90% by November 1, as the current EU regulation stipulates, per Reuters calculations reported by columnist Ron Bousso.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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Chinese and EU officials this week signaled the two may forge closer trade ties amid President Trumps tariff offensive. Thats despite EU attempts to restrict the flow of Chinese goods into the EU, especially in energy and EVs.

Citing a statement from the Chinese Commerce Ministry, Reuters reported that Beijing and Brussels had exchanged views on strengthening their economic and trade cooperation in response to U.S. tariffs.

The talks come after the EU slapped tariffs of up to 35.3% on Chinese electric cars on top of an already existing 10% tariff in a bid to protect European automakers, which have been struggling to compete with the Chinese majors on both cost and quality.

The European Union has also discussed restricting import flows of things like Chinese solar panels and other equipment in order to stimulate domestic production and boost self-reliance on what the EU leadership sees as a vital segment of the energy industry.

Building that self-reliance will be difficult, however, when China controls all transition-related supply chains after decades of building them. In rare earths alone, China accounts for 70% of global supply, not to mention solar manufacturing capacity and battery capabilities.

President Trump on Wednesday announced a 90-day pause on most tariffs as well as a reduction to 10% but it remains to be seen whether the EU would take this move at face value and assume it had avoided the worst. In the meantime, the bloc is discussing deeper trade relations and investment cooperation with Beijing. Since this is unlikely to be seen as a desirable development in Washington, a response may be in the making.

Closer cooperation with China may be a mixed blessing for European companies involved in the energy transition. On the one hand, such cooperation could give them access to Chinese know-how. On the other hand, dependence on Chinese anything is no cause for celebration in Europe, of course.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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Mubadala Investment Co just planted its flag in the U.S. natural gas scene, marking its first real foray into the Lower 48s upstream and LNG ambitions. The Abu Dhabi wealth funds energy arm has snapped up a 24% stake in SoTex HoldCo LLCoperator of a shale gas field and backer of an LNG terminal in Louisiana. Translation: Mubadalas not just dipping a toe; its cannonballing into Americas gas game.

The move comes hot on the heels of the UAEs $1.4 trillion promise to the U.S.a decade-long investment buffet covering everything from AI and semiconductors to energy and manufacturing. And this deal? Its a nice appetizer.

SoTex, a Kimmeridge portfolio company, runs Texas Gas, currently producing over 500 mmcfd with eyes on tripling that by 2031. It also controls Commonwealth LNG, which is hoping to greenlight a 9.3 mtpa export terminal later this year. With U.S. LNG demand booming and Gulf Coast terminals multiplying like rabbits, Mubadala clearly wants a seat at the export table.

Meanwhile, ADNOCMubadalas brawnier cousinis prowling the U.S. gas patch too. It recently took a bite of NextDecades Rio Grande LNG and is sniffing around Exxons hydrogen projects. ADNOC even floated buying Mubadalas entire energy portfolio (because why not keep it in the family?), though those $10 billion talks are currently on Ramadan pause.

Mubadala has $302 billion in assets under management, while Mubadala Energy has a portfolio of operated and non-operated assets in 11 countries. Mubadala Energys primary geographic focus is on the Middle East and North Africa, Russia, and Southeast Asia, with a mix of almost 69% gas, producing over 370,000 boepd.

The broader message? The UAEs state-backed energy titans are shifting from regional dominance to global dealmaking. And U.S. gas is looking mighty tasty to them.

Between Mubadalas latest play and ADNOCs $80B XRG vehicle, the Emiratis arent just showing uptheyre rewriting the guest list.

By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com

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Kazakhstan, which has been pumping oil above its OPEC+ quota, is in negotiations with the companies operating in the country on potentially trimming output to fall in line with the OPEC+ agreements, Kazakhstans energy ministry told Russian news agency Interfax on Thursday.

Kazakhstan was unable to achieve its goal in March and exceeded its commitments under the OPEC+ agreement, the energy ministry told Interfax when contacted to respond to how its obligations under the OPEC+ deal are progressing.

In April, we plan to fulfill our commitments and compensate for part of the overproduced volumes, the Kazakh energy ministry said, adding that it remains committed to the OPEC+ agreements.

Kazakhstan also continues to hold negotiations with oil producing companies and is currently assessing which projects and producers could be included in possible production reductions, the ministry noted.

Kazakhstans combined crude oil and condensate production reached an all-time high in March, which further exceeded the countrys crude output ceiling under the OPEC+ deal.

Kazakhstan, a non-OPEC producer part of the OPEC+ pact, pumped a record high 2.17 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil plus condensate last month, industry sources told Reuters last week.

The output in March compares to an average production of 2.15 million bpd of crude and condensate in February.

Crude oil production only rose to 1.88 million bpd in March from 1.83 million bpd in February, according to Reuters sources.

Under the OPEC+ agreement, Kazakhstans crude oil production quota is 1.468 million bpd. The deal doesnt cover condensate production and has no limits on it.

Kazakhstan has been consistently overproducing above its OPEC+ limit and is one of the biggest overproducers alongside Iraq and Russia.

This year, the overproduction issue has become even greater after U.S. supermajor Chevron started up oil production at an expansion project at the largest oilfield in Kazakhstan that would boost crude oil output by 260,000 bpd.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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China has been buying lower volumes of U.S. crude oil so far this year, and its purchases are set to stop amid the escalating tariff and trade war between the worlds two biggest economies, analysts say.

So far this year, American crude oil has accounted for only about 1% of the imports of China, the worlds top crude importer. But the tariff war that U.S. President Donald Trump launched against China in early February dissuaded the remaining Chinese buyers from buying U.S. crude oil.

The latest tariff escalation  a 125% U.S. tariff on Chinese goods and an 84% Chinese tariff on American goods  makes the price of U.S. oil in China nearly double compared to what it was last year, for example.

With China imposing 84% tariffs on goods from the US, the cost of US crude would be almost double  $51 a barrel more expensive, based on $61 WTI, Ivan Mathews, head of APAC analysis for energy flows analytics firm Vortexa, told Bloomberg.

This makes running US crude uneconomical for Chinese refiners, Mathews added.

Analysts expect Chinas imports of U.S. crude to stop due to the heightened trade tensions.

China could now buy more volumes from the Middle East, especially after Saudi Arabia slashed the price of its crude loading for Asia for May to a multi-year low level over the Dubai/Oman benchmarks.

China is also reselling LNG cargoes originated from the United States.

The trade war is prompting Chinas LNG buyers to resell the cargoes they are buying from the U.S. as Chinese tariffs on American goods are raising the costs of U.S. LNG imports, analysts and traders have told Reuters.

The trade war and the new tariffs on U.S. LNG are driving major Chinese LNG buyers to stop imports from the United States and resell the cargoes they have already bought or contracted, according to multiple sources who spoke to Reuters.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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By Representative Shelly Boshart Davis

April 7th, 2025

Today, Representative Shelly Boshart Davis (R-Albany), Vice Chair of the Joint Committee on Transportation released the following statement after a KATU investigation revealed an Oregon business owner spent $100,000 on a construction project ODOT planned to fix.

According to KATUs reporting, the City of Portland coordinated with ODOT to remove a street corner construction project from the departments to-do list and let the business owner do the work instead.

How in the world can we ask Oregonians to pay billions more in taxes to finance an agency that teams up with the City of Portland to stick it to small business owners? said Rep. Boshart Davis. Its outrageous. Oregonians shouldnt believe a thing Democrats have to say about accountability when they have them over a barrel, threatening them with new taxes. Accountability needs to come first, not sticking it to Oregon taxpayers to pay for this abuse.

Quick message to ODOT after seeing this news report: Knock it off, said Rep. Christine Drazan (R-Canby). ODOTs reputation is already tattered. Stop abusing taxpayers already.
NORMAL  Meghan Hand has been able to experience both sides of organ and tissue donation, from being the stepmom of a tissue donor to being an organ transplant recipient herself.

"If you ever met somebody that you've thought, only them, things could only happen to them this way, it's me," said Hand, of East Peoria.

Hand shared her story Wednesday during a flag-raising ceremony for National Donate Life Month at Carle BroMenn Medical Center, 1304 Franklin Ave., Normal.

Hand, 45, was a senior in high school in 1998 when she eagerly tried to donate blood, but was deferred because her liver enzymes were elevated, she said. Follow-up testing and a biopsy resulted in her diagnosis of primary biliary cirrhosis, a chronic and autoimmune disease that damaged and corroded the bile ducts in her liver.

For the first 10 years after her diagnosis, she felt fine and was on medication to slow the disease's progression, but over time, she began to experience brain fog, fluid retention, shortness of breath, leg cramps and fatigue.

"Despite every symptom, despite every test that would come back saying I was getting worse, I refused to allow my disease to get in my way and run my life for me," Hand said. "For me, it was not going to define who I was or how I lived."

In October 2021, Hand was referred to Loyola University Medical Center in Chicago for a liver transplant evaluation, and was placed on a waiting list the following month.

On April 20, 2022, Hand's stepson, Aiden Campbell, 19, sustained a traumatic brain injury during a vehicle crash and needed to be put on life support. He died five days later, on April 25.

He had previously signed up to be an organ and tissue donor, and was able to donate tissue to 15 people in the United States and internationally.

"He wanted to fix everything," Hand said of Aiden. "He wanted to fix people's cars, mechanical devices, people's lives, and six months later he did that."

In August 2022, Hand received a call that a liver was available for her.

"I remember just having so many mixed emotions  guilt, excitement, anxiety, empathy, compassion  so many things," Hand said. "I'll never be able to actually explain what I experienced that day, but knowing that someone else was going to go through something I had experienced made the experience that much more close to my heart."

In 2024, Carle BroMenn had two organ donors who saved five lives, according to a hospital statement. In addition, 14 tissue donors enhanced numerous lives.

Harry Wilkins, president and CEO of Gift of Hope, said the organization's network service area encompasses the northern three quarters of Illinois and parts of Indiana. In that area, they have 180 hospitals working to coordinate organ and tissue donations with partner agencies like coroners' offices, funeral homes, nursing homes, law agencies and other hospitals.

"Carle BroMenn is one of those hospitals," Wilkins said. "No one, in my mind, can tell the story of donation better than a donor family or a grateful recipient, and today we're very lucky to hear from a donor stepmom and a donor recipient, and that is the same person."

Carle recognizes National Donate Life Month each April with a ceremony and raising the Gift of Hope flag.

Over two dozen people attended Wednesday's ceremony, which included the Hand family and families of other organ donors, as well as hospital staff, caregivers and administrators.

Colleen Kannaday, president of Carle BroMenn, said it's important to call attention to the need for organ and tissue donation, and to share stories like Hand's.

"I would say for all of us, making the decision to be organ donors, I believe there is nothing more important and nothing more selfless we can do than to sign on to be organ donors and to really give," Kannaday said.

Kannaday said from a health care perspective, and for donors and their families, the decision to donate is often difficult and emotional, but it's also an impactful part of the healing process.

Shelly Yoder, nurse manager of the intensive care and cardiovascular care units and the outpatient pulmonology office at Carle BroMenn, urged people to take the time to consider registering their intent to be an organ donor.

She added that flying the Gift of Hope flag is a beacon of hope and a reminder that there are compassionate and caring individuals willing to say yes to organ and tissue donation, to reach through their grief to help someone in need of a life-saving transplant.

"As we grieve for those lives taken too soon, today we are reminded that all donors will continue to live on in this world, not only in the hearts and minds of those that they knew and loved, but in the quiet and reflective gratitude of complete strangers," Yoder said. "We hope and pray these gifts will make the lives of others a blessing each day."
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Decode natural resistance against citrus greening disease and Develop AI-designed disease treatment. Credit: Ye Jian's group

In a study published in Science, a research team led by Prof. Ye Jian from the Institute of Microbiology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has identified the first mechanism of citrus resistance to citrus greening disease, or huanglongbing (HLB).

Utilizing artificial intelligence (AI), the team has also developed antimicrobial peptides that offer a promising therapeutic approach to combat the disease. This discovery addresses a long-standing challenge in the agricultural communitythe absence of naturally occurring HLB-resistant genes in citrus.

Citrus greening disease is one of the most destructive plant diseases in modern agriculture, causing billions of dollars in losses annually. The disease, primarily triggered by the bacterium Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas), is spread by the Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri).

With no known cure, HLB has devastated millions of acres of citrus crops across 50 countries in Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Europe, making it a "100-year disease" due to its profound impact and the difficulty of eradication. All commercial citrus varieties are susceptible, and once infected, trees typically perish within a few years.

To address this issue, the researchers identified a key resistance pathway involving the transcription factor MYC2 and its interacting E3 ligase, PUB21.

By examining citrus species and their distant relatives in the Rutaceae family, they discovered PUB21 paralogs in Bergera koenigii (curry leaf plant) and Zanthoxylum bungeanum (Sichuan pepper plant).

These paralogs encode a dominant-negative form of PUB21 (PUB21DN), featuring a crucial mutation at residue 39 that suppresses PUB21 activity. This suppression stabilizes the MYC2 protein and significantly enhances defense pathways and antibacterial metabolite production, conferring immunity to HLB. Transgenic citrus plants engineered to overexpress PUB21DN demonstrated increased resistance to the disease.

Building on these natural resistance mechanisms, the researchers used AI-driven screening technology to stabilize MYC2 by inhibiting PUB21 activity. Through this approach, they identified a group of anti-proteolysis peptides (APPs), including APP3-14, which showed promising results in both greenhouse and field trials.

APP3-14 not only effectively controlled the HLB-causing pathogen, CLas, but also disrupted disease transmission, achieving up to 80% control efficiency in a single season.

This breakthrough offers a dual benefit: the development of druggable peptides for eco-friendly bio-pesticides and a novel strategy to combat uncultivable pathogens through targeted protein stabilization.

Beyond HLB, this strategy could help address other plant diseases caused by difficult-to-culture pathogens, such as maize rust fungus and Xylella fastidiosa, which leads to Olive Quick Decline Syndrome (OQDS).

By targeting pathogen effectors and stabilizing host immune proteins, this study paves the way for innovative disease-resistance solutions in various crops, offering new hope for global agricultural sustainability.

More information: Pingzhi Zhao et al, Targeted MYC2 stabilization confers citrus Huanglongbing resistance, Science (2025). DOI: 10.1126/science.adq7203. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adq7203 Journal information: Science
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A white, fluffy Caspian seal pup looks at the camera while sitting on some ice. Credit: Sarah DelBen, Central Asian Institute of Ecological Research (CAIER), Almaty, Kazakhstan

Water levels in the Caspian Seathe world's largest landlocked water bodyare getting lower, as hotter temperatures cause more water to evaporate than is flowing in. Even if global warming is limited to below 2C, it is likely that the level of the Caspian Sea will decline by 5 to 10 m, but if temperatures rise further, water levels could drop by as much as 21 m by 2100.

Researchers led by Leeds have mapped the potential risks this poses to the region's biodiversity and human infrastructure, in a paper published in Communications Earth & Environment.

The findings show that an area of 112,000 km2which is larger than the size of Icelandis likely to dry up, even in an optimistic scenario for global warming with a 10 m decline. Since many of the most ecologically and economically important areas are located in shallow water, this could have significant consequences for biodiversity and the sustainability of the region's human population.

The Caspian Sea is home to the endangered Caspian seal and six species of sturgeon, as well as hundreds of species of fish and invertebrates found nowhere else. According to the research, the declining water levels will leave Caspian seals with significantly reduced breeding habitat, restrict access to spawning rivers for sturgeons, and lead to the loss of coastal lagoons and reed beds important for the spawning of other fish species and migrating birds.

More than 15 million people live around the Caspian coast, in Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia and Turkmenistan. The bordering nations rely on the water body for fishing, shipping and trade, and the sea is important for regulating the climate in Central Asia.

In the northern Caspian, the findings show that some settlements, ports and industrial facilities could end up being stranded tens or even hundreds of kilometers from new shorelines. The exposed dry seabed is likely to release dust containing industrial contaminants and salt, posing serious threats to human health, as previously occurred with the drying of the Aral Sea.

The researchers say policymakers and conservationists need to take a dynamic approach to biodiversity protection, rather than relying on traditional protected areas with fixed boundaries, since these may quickly become obsolete due to the rapidly changing water levels.

Dr. Simon Goodman from the School of Biology at the University of Leeds, who supervised the research, said, "Some Caspian Sea level decline appears unavoidable, even with action to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions. However, with the anticipated effects unfolding over a few decades, it should be possible to find ways to protect biodiversity while safeguarding human interests and well-being.

"That might sound like a long timescale, but, given the immense political, legislative and logistical challenges involved, it is advisable to start action as soon as possible to give the best chance of success."

Biodiversity

Currently the Caspian Sea extends approximately 1,150 km by 450 km, with a total area of 387,000 km2.

With a 10 m decline, four out of 10 ecosystem types unique to the Caspian Sea would be expected to disappear completely, and the coverage of existing marine protected zones (areas earmarked for conservation) would be reduced by up to 94%.

Caspian seals give birth to their white-coated pups between mid-January and early March on ice in the northern Caspian Sea. However, the research shows a 5 m decline could reduce the area of this habitat by up to 81%putting huge stressors on their already reduced population.

The Caspian seal was listed as Endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in 2008, and is included in the national Red Books of all five Caspian countries, signifying its recognition as a species at risk of extinction.

The decline will also make all current and historical haul-out sitesareas on land where seals restinaccessible. While receding water levels may create some new islands, further research is needed to assess their suitability for seals.

Sturgeons are an ancient family of large fish, and critically endangered due to overfishing for their meat and caviar (fish eggs or roe). The fish usually inhabit shallower parts of the sea in summer and autumn, but these areas are facing a potential reduction of 25% to 45% due to the fall in water levels, which may stop them accessing their few remaining spawning sites in rivers that flow into the sea.

The Caspian Sea is also a globally important habitat for birds migrating between Europe, Asia and Africa. Migratory birds rely on coastal lagoons and reed beds for resting, shelter and food during their migrations, but such habitats are vulnerable to loss as waters recede.

Biodiversity in the Caspian Sea is already threatened by over-fishing, introduction of invasive species and pollution. Although work has been done to protect areas important for biodiversity, the paper predicts that overall coverage of existing Caspian marine protected areas disappear almost entirely for all countries except Kazakhstan, which would retain about 5% of current coverage.

Rebecca Court, Ph.D. researcher in the School of Earth and Environment at Leeds, worked on the research as part of her Masters degree in the School of Biology. She said, "We hope this research will help to raise awareness of the trajectory and potential impacts of the falling sea level. The mapping should better equip policymakers and conservationists to plan for and address the numerous issues in advance."

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Industry and society

The findings also predict a concerning trajectory for industry, with critical ports in all bordering countries being impacted. Baku (Azerbaijan), Anzali (Iran), and Aktau (Kazakhstan) are expected to experience increases in distance to shore of 1 km or more, while Turkmenbashi (Turkmenistan), and Lagan (Russia; planned future site), could see increases of 16 km and 115 km respectively, according to the paper.

The Volga is the only river connecting the Caspian to the outside maritime world, and this vital trade route could be critically compromised by declines of just 5 m.

The Kashagan (Kazakhstan) and Filanovsky (Russia) oil fields in the northern Caspian are two of the region's most important hydrocarbon production sites. Production currently occurs at offshore installations, with ship-based logistics, but these will become landlocked if Caspian Sea levels decline by 5 to 15 m.

Coastal communities in the north are likely to be hit hard as income from fishing disappears, and harsh climatic conditions make other economic activity like agriculture more difficult, potentially threatening social stability.

Some cities around the Caspian use desalination (removing salt and minerals from saltwater) for fresh water supplies, and water level declines are already impacting desalination operations at Aktau in Kazakhstan.

Loss of water from the Caspian could also affect the regional climate, leading to reduced rainfall and drier conditions across central Asia with indirect impacts on agriculture.

The energy resources of the Caspian Sea make it important geopolitically, so social, economic and environmental instability due to climate change could have worldwide repercussions.

Recommendations

Going forward, a balance needs to be struck between protecting biodiversity and human prosperity and well-being. The researchers' recommendations include:

Investing to enhance regional capacity for biodiversity monitoring, conservation planning and sustainable development

Supporting coastal communities to diversify economically and develop resilient infrastructure

Developing legislation that enables the creation of protected areas with flexible borders

Taking a pre-emptive planning approach to avoid conflicts between biodiversity protection and efforts to adapt human infrastructure

Tracking rapidly changing ecosystems and implementing species translocations and ecosystem restoration where needed

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions at a global scale.

The researchers stress that urgent action is needed, with coordinated regional planning and global collaboration, to mitigate the projected impacts.

Dr. Elchin Mamedov from the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, Azerbaijan, said, "This is an important study because it highlights the risks posed by climate change for Caspian region biodiversity and local communities and the need to enhance regional and international cooperation to help manage the impacts."

More information: Court R., et al. Rapid decline of Caspian Sea level threatens ecosystem integrity, biodiversity protection, and human infrastructure, Communications Earth & Environment (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s43247-025-02212-5 Journal information: Communications Earth & Environment
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PCH-2 (green) localizes to meiotic chromosomes (magenta) as they undergo meiotic crossover recombination. Credit: Bhalla Lab

The biological research of UC Santa Cruz's Needhi Bhalla to determine the molecular motions at the heart of heredity has yielded a new discovery: The proper transfer of genetic materials depends on two key proteins that choreograph the delicate dance between chromosomes when sexual-reproduction cells divide.

When cells split to create eggs and sperm, they must undergo a crucial process called "meiotic crossover recombination." This mechanism ensures that genetic material is properly shuffled between chromosomes, preventing errors that could lead to disorders such as miscarriages, infertility, birth defects, and even cancer.

This process also results in the endearing transfer of traits that parents see in their children. And beyond contributing to parental pride, Bhalla says meiotic crossover recombination is fundamental for human evolution by promoting genetic diversity. That's why the identification of two specific proteins that play central roles in controlling how and where these crossovers happen is so significant.

"Thirty percent of miscarriages are because the embryo doesn't have the correct number of chromosomes," said Bhalla, a professor of molecular, cell, and developmental biology (MCD Bio). "Because meiotic crossover recombination is essential to get the right number of chromosomes, you'd think it was a stable and predictable process. But it's actually an incredibly delicate and responsive mechanism that is very heavily regulated to look straightforward."

Chromosomal crossing guards

Through lab studies on the roundworm C. elegans, Bhalla's team discovered that a protein known as PCH-2 plays an important role in regulating crossover events. While scientists have long recognized its importance, the protein's precise function hasn't been well understood.

The new study, now published in eLife, shows that PCH-2 acts against crossover formation in a controlled manner at different stages of cell division. Initially, it limits the number of potential crossover sites, preventing an excessive number of crossovers from forming too early. Later, it ensures that at least some crossovers occur, a process known as crossover assurance, the researchers found.

As Bhalla explains, every cell undergoing the sexual-reproduction process of meiosis must make critical decisions regarding crossover events. Hundreds of potential crossover sites exist within a single cell, but only a limited number become actual crossovers.

This selection process is crucial for maintaining genetic integrity. If crossovers fail to occur properly, essential genetic information can be lost, mutations can arise, or chromosomes can partition incorrectlyleading to dire consequences for the organism.

The study further revealed that PCH-2 interacts with another protein, HIM-3, which helps organize chromosomes during meiosis. Together, these proteins fine-tune the crossover process, ensuring both efficiency and accuracy.

"The placement of crossovers is just as crucial as their presence. If crossovers occur near the ends of chromosomes, they tend to be less stable than those positioned more internally," Bhalla said. "Our findings highlight the necessity of precise control over both crossover number and distribution."

Impact on human health

One of the most promising applications of this research is in the development of molecular diagnostics. Similar to how cancer diagnostics allow for early detection and treatment decisions, Bhalla said the discoveries her team made could pave the way for genetic tests that assess infertility risks or the likelihood of recurrent miscarriages.

Such a diagnostic tool could provide crucial information for patients and physicians, enabling them to explore fertility interventions such as in vitro fertilization, surrogacy, or other reproductive-assistance options.

"This intricate, highly regulated process ensures the successful continuation of life across generations," Bhalla said.

More information: Bhumil Patel et al, The conserved ATPase PCH-2 controls the number and distribution of crossovers by antagonizing their formation in Caenorhabditis elegans, eLife (2025). DOI: 10.7554/eLife.102409.3 Journal information: eLife
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Photographs and drawings of mammoth ivory fragments shaped as a "point" (1, 1a), a "core" (2, 2a), and an unmodified ivory fragment (3,3a). Credit: Stepanchuk and Naumenko, 2025

Bone tools have been created by hominins for millions of years, with the earliest evidence for the manufacture of deliberately shaped bone tools dating to approximately 1.4 to 0.7 million years ago in Ethiopia. In Europe, the earliest evidence of bone tool production dates back to the Middle Pleistocene during Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 11.

The oldest evidence of ivory modification dates to about 120,000 years ago. However, a recent study by Dr. Vadim Stepanchuk and Dr. Oleksandr O. Naumenko published in the International Journal of Osteoarchaeology on the ivory artifacts from the Lower Paleolithic site of Medzhibozh A in Ukraine pushes back the earliest known use of ivory as a tool-making material to about 400,000 years ago.

The archaeological site of Medzhibozh A is one of multiple Paleolithic sites located in the valley of the Southern Bug River near the town of Medzhybizh, Ukraine. It was discovered in 2011 and has since undergone intermittent investigation up until 2018.

The site spans a long history of hominin occupation, with the oldest cultural layers dated to MIS 35-21 and the youngest to MIS 11.

A total of 24 ivory fragments were recovered from Medzhibozh A layers I, II, III, and V. Based on electron spin resonance (ESR) dating, geology, and paleontology, the upper layers from which these ivory artifacts are from are dated to approximately 400,000 years ago.

Dr. Stepanchuk says, "The ivory fragments were identified during laboratory analysis of ordinary faunal remains recovered from the upper layers of the Medzhibozh A site. This is a Lower Paleolithic site that yielded relatively modest faunal remains and a number of lithic artifacts. Some bones show cutmarks. The study of the ivory began without a specific hypothesis, but their unusual characteristics, indicative of intentional modification, prompted closer examination."

It was determined that of the 24 ivory fragments, 11 showed signs of intentional modifications, six showed evidence of knapping, three were used for bipolar-on-anvil knapping, two were classified as flakes, one was classified as a "point" and one as a "core."

The point and core-like artifacts were the two ivory fragments with the clearest evidence of intentional modification.

"The miniature ivory pieces from Medzhibozh A are rare even in Upper Paleolithic contexts and perform poorly compared to stone tools of similar size due to their low hardness and fragility. Small ivory tools are far less efficient than stone tools of similar size. The Mohs hardness of dentin and cement layers is only 2 and 34, respectively, compared to 45 for siliceous limestone and 78 for flint and quartz. This raises doubts about their practical purpose," Dr. Stepanchuk says.

Despite ivory's limitations as a toolmaking material, the findings at Medzhibozh A indicate these ivory fragments were deliberately worked. Additionally, they provide the clearest evidence of ivory tool production thousands of years earlier than previously thought.

Dr. Stepanchuk elaborates on the oldest known ivory artifacts prior to the discovery of the Medzhibozh A ivory tools, saying, "Ivory begins to be widely and diversely used starting in the Upper Paleolithicprimarily for tools and ornamentsfrom around 40,000 years ago onward. However, there are scattered indications that ivory may have attracted human attention much earlier.

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"In some Neanderthal contexts dated to around 120,000 years ago, there are occasional finds suggesting use or modification. For example, at the Neanderthal site of Zaskalnaya V (Crimea), we documented a pointed fragment made from mammoth ivory."

The researchers suggest that the creation of the Medzhibozh ivory artifacts may have been driven by a situational shortage of high-quality lithic raw materials and perhaps as an experimental attempt to test unorthodox materials using conventional knapping techniques, which are usually reserved for stone.

This is substantiated by the fact that the ivory artifacts exhibit similar processing techniques to those found on nearby stone tools, including the use of the bipolar-on-anvil knapping technique, rotation, edge trimming, and retouch.

Dr. Stepanchuk and Dr. Naumenko also have an additional hypothesis suggesting these items may be linked to socialization processes within early societies.

Dr. Stepanchuk elaborates, saying, "We suggest they may represent imitative behavior, possibly by children, mimicking adult knapping as part of early social learning. The goal, in this case, was not a functional tool, but rather a 'pretend' toolpossibly a play object or training piece."

The authors caution that there is a potential for incorrect dating of the artifact-bearing layer and that the artifact-specific features may be the result of natural processes.

However, they argue that it is unlikely that the ivory artifacts from the MIS 11-dated layers represent reworked artifacts from younger layers. Additionally, the complexity of the processing sequence indicates intentionality in the modification of these artifacts, making it improbable that they resulted from natural processes or were incidental by-products of unspecified utilitarian activities.

More information: Vadim N. Stepanchuk et al, The Earliest Evidence of Deliberate Ivory Processing Dates Back to Around 0.4 Million Years Ago, International Journal of Osteoarchaeology (2025). DOI: 10.1002/oa.3403

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Andras Kovacs, Jussi Lindgren and Jukka Liukkonen. Credit: Jukka Liukkonen

During the latter part of the 20th century, string theory was put forward as a unifying theory of physics foundations. String theory has not, however, fulfilled expectations. That is why we are of the view that the scientific community needs to reconsider what comprises elementary forces and particles.

Since the early days of general relativity, leading physicists, like Albert Einstein and Erwin Schrodinger, have tried to unify the theory of gravitation and electromagnetism. Many attempts were made during the 20th century, including by Hermann Weyl.

Finally, it seems that we have found a unified framework to accommodate the theory of electricity and magnetism within a purely geometric theory. This means that electromagnetic and gravitational forces are both manifestations of ripples and curvatures in spacetime geometry.

Dreams of a unified field theory

Einstein's aim was to explain electromagnetism as a geometric property of four-dimensional spacetime. He continued this work until his death in 1955. The work was not completed. Arthur Eddington, Theodor Kaluza and others have also put forward their theories on how to unify gravity and electromagnetism, but none of these theories have been universally accepted.

Schrodinger, the father of quantum mechanics, put forward his unified field theory in the 1940s, but without complete success. Many different approaches have been proposed, including five-dimensional theories and theories based on asymmetric metrics.

A new perspective, new nonlinear Maxwell's equations

In our approach, electric charge and electric currents, as well as electromagnetic forces, are seen as purely geometrical and immanent properties of spacetime itself, and not as some external objects. This approach was supported by the late physicist John Wheeler, in his vision of geometrodynamics. It turns out that the four-dimensional electromagnetic potential is really a building block of the metric tensor of spacetime.

Utilizing an approach from calculus of variations, we have put forward an aesthetically appealing geometric formulation of electromagnetism. When the variation of the metric tensor is optimized using functional derivatives, the necessary optimality conditions yield a new, nonlinear generalization of Maxwell's equations. Our work is published in the Journal of Physics: Conference Series.

In the classical theory of electromagnetism, Maxwell's equations governing electric and magnetic fields are linear partial differential equations. In our approach, optimal metrics are required to be harmonic, which gives nonlinear field equations for the electromagnetic potentials and Maxwell's equations as a special linear case. The field equations then give the correct dynamics for the electromagnetic field.

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A generalization of geometry solves the riddle

When Albert Einstein formulated his theory of gravity, he used mathematics known as pseudo-Riemannian differential geometry. We found in our research that pseudo-Riemannian geometry is not sufficiently general for a purely geometric theory of electromagnetism. A more general differential geometry was needed.

A purely local geometry was invented in 1918 by the famous German mathematician Weyl. We took Weyl's ideas and combined them with our earlier research on this subject, and the puzzle seemed to open to us. In a Weyl geometry, lengths are local properties of spacetime, so it is in line with the principles of relativity theory.

We found out that Weyl geometry allowed us to inspect the local compression of spacetime. The same results are produced in our research using the so-called geometric algebra. Geometric algebra and Weyl geometry therefore seem to be equally usable in formulating a geometric theory of electromagnetism.

Electric charge as a local compression of spacetime

We discovered that on top of the new nonlinear field equations, electric charge is related to the local divergence or compression of spacetime. Charge is therefore a field, which has its own laws of motion.

The familiar Lorentz force law governing forces on charged particles is shown to be a condition for the test particle to travel on geodesics, just as in general relativity. This feature completes the geometric description of electromagnetism.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that light and all of electromagnetic radiation are really oscillations of spacetime itself. In terms of the older theories of "aether," it seems that Einstein was correct when he concluded that the "aether" is the spacetime. Electric charge is a local compression of spacetime and the forces on electric charges correspond to motion on the shortest paths, that is, on geodesics.

We believe that a sufficiently complete geometric theory of electromagnetism is now available for further research. Furthermore, assuming spacetime fluctuations in the metric tensor at Planck scales leads to randomly fluctuating electromagnetic field in the vacuum.

The model predicts random fluctuations of the electromagnetic field at Planck scales and thus random creation and annihilation of charge at Planck scale due to the random covariant divergence of the electromagnetic four-potential. Finally, our theory predicts "forces" acting on charges even without an electromagnetic field, that is, it explains and predicts the Aharonov-Bohm effect.

This story is part of Science X Dialog, where researchers can report findings from their published research articles. Visit this page for information about Science X Dialog and how to participate.

More information: Jussi Lindgren et al, Electromagnetism as a purely geometric theory, Journal of Physics: Conference Series (2025). DOI: 10.1088/1742-6596/2987/1/012001

Jussi Lindgren works at the Ministry of Finance Finland, and he holds a D.Sc. degree from Aalto University in applied mathematics.

Andras Kovacs works at the ExaFuse start-up company, in applied physics based energy research role. He studied physics at Columbia University.

Jukka Liukkonen holds a PhD in applied physics, and he works full-time at Nuclear and Radiation Safety Authority, STUK, Vantaa, Finland.
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A plot of BAO Amplitude vs. Baryon Fraction. Credit: Alex Krolewski et al, Physical Review D (2025). DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevD.111.063526

Researchers from the University of Waterloo have proposed a new method to measure the Hubble constant that could help resolve one of modern cosmology's pressing puzzles: the Hubble tension.

The study published in Physical Review Letters aims to resolve the Hubble tension, a discrepancy between the value of the Hubble constant (H 0 ) from the local (distance ladder) method and the cosmic microwave background (CMB) method.

Phys.org spoke to the first author of the study, Dr. Alex Krolewski, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Waterloo.

"The Hubble tension between early-time, large-scale, and local, late-time measurements of the universe's expansion rate has now reached the 5-sigma level! This is a probability of less than 0.0000003 of occurring by chance," explained Dr. Krolewski.

The distance ladder method gives a value of 73 km/s/Mpc (kilometers per second per megaparsec), whereas the CMB method gives 67 km/s/Mpc. This difference is significant and indicates a gap in our understanding.

The sound horizon

The distance ladder method uses nearby objects like Cepheid variable stars and Type 1a supernovas as candles, i.e., objects whose brightness is known to us. The distances to these objects and their redshifts are measured, which can be used to calculate the Hubble constant.

On the other hand, methods using CMB rely on sound horizon, a standard measure in cosmology. It is a measure of the maximum distance traveled by sound waves in the early universe before the decoupling of light and matter.

These approaches require researchers to make assumptions about the CDM model, the best cosmological model of the universe today.

This has led researchers to modify early universe physics to reduce the sound horizon, which increases the Hubble constant's value derived from CMB data, lowering the discrepancy. The issue here is the reliance on the sound horizon and therefore, the CDM model. Dr. Krolewski and his team aimed to eliminate this issue.

"Our new method instead estimates the total energy density of the universe or the critical density, which is directly related to the expansion rate. As John Archibald Wheeler famously put it, 'Spacetime tells matter how to move; matter tells spacetime how to curve,'" explained Dr. Krolewski.

Baryonic fraction measurements

The researchers' approach is a completely new method to measure the Hubble constant from low-redshift, large-scale structure observations independent of the sound horizon.

Their method combines four independent measurements to calculate the Hubble constant.

These are the physical photon density from the CMB temperature, the baryon-to-photon ratio derived from primordial deuterium abundance, the baryon fraction from the amplitude of baryon acoustic oscillations in galaxy clustering, and the geometrical matter density from Alcock-Paczynski measurements.

"Our method is based on bootstrapping from the well-known energy densities of photons and ordinary matter to the total energy density of the universe," said Dr. Krolewski.

The innovation in their method lies in extracting the baryon fraction from galaxy clustering data, a parameter that is generally overlooked in standard analyses.

This measurement denotes the ratio of ordinary (or baryonic) matter to total matter (which includes dark matter) in the universe. This parameter would be unity if all the matter in the universe was baryonic and zero if all the matter was dark matter.

The sound horizon approach utilizes data about the distribution of baryon acoustic oscillations (BAO), which are ripples in matter distribution. On the other hand, the baryonic fraction measurement focuses on the strength of these ripples, making it independent of the sound horizon.

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Tightening constraints

The researchers used their sound horizon-free approach and tested it on the Sloan Digital Sky Survey's Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (BOSS DR12) data.

Their method yielded a Hubble constant value of 67.1 km/s/Mpc with an uncertainty of +6.3/5.3. This value is consistent with both measurements, and therefore not favoring either side of the tension.

"We tested our method on mock galaxy surveys with different cosmological models and found that we were always able to recover the correct value of the expansion rate. Overall, our method is very robust to systematic uncertainties," noted Dr. Krolewski.

While their findings do not definitively resolve the Hubble tension, future surveys like the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) and the Euclid satellite are expected to improve constraints.

"DESI and Euclid will measure the BAO feature in the galaxy distribution at sub-percent precision. At this precision, we can measure the amplitude of the BAO with much better accuracy than today. With the full data from DESI and Euclid, we can differentiate between the local and CMB values for the Hubble rate," concluded Dr. Krolewski.

 2025 Science X Network
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Artist's conception of RainCube spacecraft. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech

The widespread use of low Earth orbit (LEO), especially by thousands of CubeSats, has opened up many opportunities in research and business applications. One particular field that has benefited from the data that CubeSats provide is farming.

Precision agriculture (PA) is a technique that uses advanced sensors, including the remote ones on CubeSats, to determine the health and productivity of a farm. A recent review paper published in Computers and Electronics in Agriculture from Lamia Rahali and her co-authors at the Mediterranea University of Reggio Calabria's Department of Agriculture looks at how CubeSats have been changing the practice of precision agricultureand how they may continue to do so.

CubeSats are great remote sensing platforms. They can carry a platform of sensors in a wide range of wavelengths, most of which can provide some direct insight into a farm's physical properties. This process started in 2003, with basic vegetation modeling at a very low level of spatial resolution and even less temporal resolutionin other words, the pictures of fields were grainy, and they weren't taken very often.

That state improved gradually over the years, but a significant leap forward happened in 2013 when Planet Labs, a company founded by former NASA engineers, launched its first 3U CubeSat with the intent of providing Earth monitoring data. Luckily for farmers, that data can also be used to analyze their crops.

To do so, they must interface with the Planet Labs graphical user interface (GUI) or application programming interface (API). One crucial advantage Planet Labs has over other companies offering Earth observation is the ease of use of their database systemsthey have put significant effort into making the experience of downloading, trending, and analyzing data from their data sources much simpler, which is why researchers like Rahali and others like her are drawn to them. This is also why they are prominently featured in this more recent review paper.

Image of Planet Labs of a launch of a rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. Credit: Planet YouTube Channel

Planet Labs has launched what they call PlanetScope constellations, which currently have around 130 active satellites that can cover around 200 million km2 of landmass every day. Individually, the satellites are called "Doves," and there have been several iterations of them over the last decade. They are collectively launched, primarily by SpaceX rockets but originally by release from the ISS, in large groups known as "flocks."

These flocks offer precision agriculture researchers and users one crucial featurenear-daily picture updates. While they might not be able to take an image of a particular field in a specific wavelength every day due to cloud cover or orbital mechanics, the sheer number of images would, over time, allow users to build up a trend of how the plot is performing and whether any adjustments are needed.

Another advantage the Doves have is the spectral bandwidths they provide high-resolution images. Generally, they provide a resolution of about 3m per pixel and in a wide range of optical and infrared spectra, providing different data points about various aspects of plant health and growth. This data has informed research on everything from pest detection to nitrogen management, and it's all available relatively inexpensively for farmers to use.

Here's one of Planet Lab's founders giving a TED talk on why small satellites are so important. Credit: TED YouTube Channel

While this might sound like an advertisement for Planet Labs' products, the authors claim they had no conflicts of interest regarding the company (nor does this author). The study authors point out alternative systems, such as using UAVs or the Sentinel-2 platform, which offers open-source data. However, UAVs suffer from regulatory limitations regarding their ability to fly over large areas without supervision, and Sentinel-2 lacks the space resolution to be valuable to small plot holders.

There are still some gaps in the data offerings that would be useful for precision agriculture practitioners, especially in other infrared bands. Improvements there could enable better soil moisture content, allowing them to provide irrigation at the right time. Given the importance of agriculture to the underpinnings of the world economy, improvements in its efficiency are always welcomeespecially when they come from space.

More information: Lamia Rahali et al, CubeSat constellations: New era for precision agriculture?, Computers and Electronics in Agriculture (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.compag.2024.109764
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Press freedom is widely considered to be a cornerstone of democracy. It brings accountability, transparency and access to reliable information.

But beyond its democratic role, press freedom is also a vital part of a stable economy. Research has shown that it acts as a kind of financial watchdog, ensuring balance and accuracy.

In doing so, an independent press strengthens the resilience of financial institutions. And our research suggests that higher levels of press freedom can also be linked to greater financial stability and lower "systemic risk"where something bad happening at one company can trigger wider instability or even industry collapsein the banking sector.

Using data from 47 countries, we found that an independent press brings greater scrutiny of banking executives. Another benefit is a better flow of information around the financial markets, making the whole system more efficient.

Countries with higher levels of press freedom are also more likely to foster corporate and political cultures that are free from the sort of corruption which could jeopardize the stability of the banking sector. All of these advantages are most pronounced during economic downturns or banking crises.

And even outside times of crisis, we can see the positive effects by looking at basic financial indicators in countries with high and low press freedom levels. Countries with consistently high levels of press freedom such as Norway, Sweden or Estonia, for example, have far fewer non-performing (unrepaid) loans than countries with low levels of press freedom such as Pakistan, Greece or Russia.

But a free press and a stable banking industry are by no means the norm.

Recent data from the campaign group Reporters Without Borders highlights a worrying decline in media autonomy. It reports that 135 out of 180 countries now have press freedom levels classified as "problematic," "difficult" or "very serious."

This trend extends to advanced economies such as Japan (70th, down from 68th in 2023), Italy (46th, down from 41st), and the US (55th, down from 45th).

And it looks like the world's largest economy could slip down the rankings even further. Although President Trump signed an executive order aimed at "restoring freedom of speech", he has also explicitly threatened to revoke broadcast licenses, investigate critical media and jail journalists who protect confidential sources.

In February 2025, White House officials even informed one US news agency that its journalists would be barred from entering the Oval Office until it stopped using the geographic term "Gulf of Mexico" instead of Trump's preferred "Gulf of America."

But the Trump effect is not limited to the US. A recent aid freeze by his administration has cut billions in funding for independent media outlets across more than 30 countries, including Ukraine, Afghanistan and Iran.

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Press test

Notable declines in press freedom have also been observed in politically volatile regions such as Latin America, Africa, the Middle East and central Asia, where authoritarian regimes continue to tighten their grip on the media.

The survey from Reporters Without Borders suggests that governments across the world are failing to protect journalism, with a marked trend of declining press freedom.

In 2014, 13% of countries enjoyed a "good" degree of press freedom, but this figure dropped to 7% by 2021 and then to just 4.4% in 2022. Conversely, the share of countries in the lowest classifications has risen dramatically. A decade ago, 8% were considered "difficult," now that figure is 24%. The number of those with a "very serious" situation has gone from 8% to 17% in the same period.

Of course, there are outliers in the global picture. China, for example, has limited press freedom but a very stable banking sector that has been highly resilient to external shocks in the past. But the country is run by an authoritarian regime that helps to shield its banks from those kinds of risks.

Elsewhere though, the decline in press freedom threatens not just democratic principles and political transparency, but also the operation of financial markets. Safeguarding that freedom is a critical basis of economic resilience and stability.

More information: George Kladakis et al, Press Freedom and Systemic Risk, Journal of Business Finance & Accounting (2025). DOI: 10.1111/jbfa.12855

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Agness, a CAMFED Learner Guide in Hurungwe district Zimbabwe, talking to two students. Credit: Jon Pilch/CAMFED

Education projects supporting marginalized girls in lower-income countries are more likely to achieve lasting transformations when they mobilize young women and their communities as "agents of change," a new report indicates.

The recommendation comes from the latest evaluation of the Girls' Education Challenge: a UK Government-supported initiative.

The University of Cambridge-led study finds that these projects initiated "virtuous cycles" of changeparticularly by rooting themselves in communities and empowering young women to lead the way.

In many low- and lower-middle-income countries, girls face persistent inequalities that limit their learning and life chances. Many drop out of school early due to early marriage, pregnancy or because they are expected to work at home. Marginalized girls, who live in extreme poverty, have disabilities, or come from remote areas, are least likely to attend or complete school.

Although some aid programs target marginalized girls, their impact can be short-lived. Aside from the difficulties of changing deep-seated social norms, the initial momentum from girls' education programs is easily lost when funding ends, and is also vulnerable to economic shocks, conflict, and environmental crises.

For this reason, the new evaluation explores how far Girls' Education Challenge (GEC) projects managed to deliver sustainable change, and under what conditions.

The study was undertaken by a collaboration which has carried out previous evaluations for the GEC, led by the Research for Equitable Access and Learning (REAL) Center at the Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge.

One earlier study, in 2023, provided substantive evidence of the projects' success in enhancing the learning and life opportunities of marginalized girls, but warned that long-term success would depend on sustained investment.

Although it reiterates that warning, the new report, which is based on evidence from 27 projects with a particular focus on Nepal and Zimbabwe, expresses cautious optimism that they have laid the foundations for lasting progress.

REAL Center Director, Professor Pauline Rose, said, "Many girls' education projects emphasize the importance of community buy-in, but the GEC projects succeeded in part because they also worked through communitiesembedding processes of transformation in local structures and making communities, along with young women themselves, the carriers of change."

One key reason for the projects' success, the authors argue, was their relatively long duration, from 2017 to 2024. This allowed them to challenge entrenched social normssuch as support for preventing early marriage or gender-based violencethat often represent barriers to girls' education and life chances.

Rather than simply running awareness campaigns, many projects engage influential local figures, groups and school committees to help challenge these attitudes.

In Zimbabwe, for instance, a mothers' support group and local faith leaders were engaged to monitor girls' well-being, and proved instrumental in identifying and reporting cases of child abuse and early marriage. One teacher-mentor told the researchers that their efforts had "significantly reduced incidents of early marriage."

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In Nepal, parent-teacher associations and school management committees were directly involved in managing school supplies, handling requests for uniforms and hygiene items for girls attending school, and delivering GEC activities.

Local businesses provided work experience and supported the girls' career development. This embedded approach, which mobilizes the community to support girls' education, is, the report suggests, key to sustainability.

Echoing findings from the 2023 report, the authors also emphasize the importance of empowering young women as "agents of change." In several of the participating countries, graduates of GEC-backed projects were trained to run life skills sessions, support groups, and mentoring schemes for other students.

This approach, which is embodied in initiatives such as the Campaign for Female Education's "Learner Guides" program, is increasingly acknowledged as invaluable to sustaining progress in girls' education and has also been adopted by organizations such as UNICEF and the World Bank.

Beyond its immediate educational impact, the new study suggests that this model had ripple effects which reshaped social expectations. As girls progressed into higher education or employment, the report suggests they became visible role models who helped communities perceive the broader benefits of ensuring access to a quality education.

"Once people have moved forward and grabbed education, they can't think of going backward and not educating their children," one teacher in Nepal told the research team.

A third mechanism of long-term change was the projects' alignment with national and local government priorities, as well as the work of other organizations.

In Nepal, authorities took direct responsibility for aspects of the GEC project, for example, while an implementing partner in Uganda emphasized the importance of the project's integration into school development planning and governance.

Although it suggests that the GEC projects have therefore laid the groundwork for sustained progress, the report also draws attention to the basic fragility of girls' education, especially its vulnerability to system-wide shocks and emergencies.

One GEC partner in Kenya, for instance, reported that after a prolonged drought, some families had begun to see the "bride price" they might get for marrying off their daughters as a potential solution to their financial difficulties. "That may erode the gains we have worked towards," they said.

"Unfortunately, girls' education, particularly for the most marginalized, is often a casualty of any crisis," Dr. Amna Ansari, the report's lead author, said.

"We need the international community and national governments alike to remain committed to supporting it, but the mechanisms for sustaining positive change are nevertheless becoming clear.

"When communities are mobilized, girls are empowered to lead, and projects are connected to their systemic context, a virtuous cycle emerges, along with a groundswell of local support. Those are the features that can carry change forward."
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Installation of the inner electrode system of the KATRIN Main Spectrometer. Credit: Markus Breig, KIT

Scientists trying to discover the elusive mass of neutrinos, tiny "ghost particles" that could solve some of the universe's biggest mysteries, announced a new limit on Thursday for how much they could weigh, halving the previous estimate.

Since the existence of neutrinos was proposed nearly a century ago, scientists around the world have struggled to learn much about themparticularly their mass.

This is important because the neutrino, as the most abundant particle in the universe, "weaves a thread that connects the infinitely small and the infinitely large," Thierry Lasserre, a physicist at France's Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission, told AFP.

Its mass "influences the structures that make up the cosmos," he added.

These invisible particles have been washing across the universe since the Big Bang 13.8 billion years ago.

The number of neutrinos out there is difficult to comprehendthere are roughly a billion for every atom in the cosmos.

However, because they have so little mass and lack an electric charge, neutrinos very rarely interact with matter.

For example, trillions of these so-called ghost particles are thought to be streaming through human bodies every second, with us none the wiser.

This makes them exceedingly difficult to study. But not impossible.

Credit: Joachim Wolf, KIT

Chasing ghosts

More than a hundred scientists from six countries have been hunting down the neutrino since 2019 as part of the KATRIN collaboration at Germany's Karlsruhe Institute of Technology.

In a study published in the journal Science on Thursday, the collaboration announced that a neutrino's mass cannot exceed 0.45 electron volts.

That is less than a billionth of the mass of a proton, which is inside the nucleus of every atom.

The new upper limit for a neutrino's mass is around half the figure that KATRIN announced in 2022 after its first measurements.

KATRIN uses a massive spectrometer to record the decay of tritium, a radioactive form of hydrogen which releases both electrons and neutrinos.

These particles spin around a 70-meter-long (230-foot-long) structure dominated by the 200-tonne spectrometer, which operates in a vacuum.

Laser Raman system for the analysis of the tritium gas composition in the WGTS. Credit: Tritium Laboratory, KIT

The electron and neutrino share the energy produced by the decaying tritium. So the trick is to measure the electron's energy to infer information about the neutrino.

This requires measuring a lot of electrons.

Six million had to be measured to achieve KATRIN's first results in 2022.

And it took 36 million to reach the more accurate figure announced on Thursday.

"When we have collected all our data by the end of the year," the team will have measured around 250 million electrons, Lasserre said.

That will be the moment of truth.

Either the experiment will have finally uncovered a "trace" of the neutrinoor have determined that its mass is less than 0.3 electron volts, Lasserre explained.

Construction of KATRIN experiment and first signal. Credit: Joachim Wolf, KIT

Dark energy

Scientists hope that pinning down the neutrino's mass will help unravel several stubborn secrets of the cosmos.

Despite their incredible lightness, neutrinos have been included in some models seeking to explain dark energythe unknown force thought to be driving the ever-faster expansion of the universe.

Roughly 95% of the universe is thought to be composed of dark energy and the equally unknown dark matter, leaving just 5% for everything else.

Source section of the KATRIN experiment. Credit: Schwerdt-Fotografie, Heidelberg

The KATRIN collaboration is planning to set up a new detection system, called TRISTAN, to hunt for a new breed of neutrinos called sterile neutrinos.

These hypothetical particles do not interact with matter, but have much more mass than normal neutrinos.

Some scientists have proposed that these strangely heavy neutrinos could actually be what we know as dark matter.

More information: Direct neutrino-mass measurement based on 259 days of KATRIN data, Science (2025). DOI: 10.1126/science.adq9592 Loredana Gastaldo, Closing the gap in the neutrino mass, Science (2025). DOI: 10.1126/science.adw9435 Journal information: Science

 2025 AFP
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The most common carrier of the hantavirus in North America is the deer mouse. Credit: David M. Gascoigne.

Hantavirus recently made news headlines as the cause of death for Betsy Arakawa, the wife of actor Gene Hackman, but little is commonly known about it other than its connection to rodents.

Virginia Tech researchers have gained a better understanding of this insidious virus by studying its rodent hosts in North America. Using National Science Foundation data, they found three hotspots of hantavirus circulation in wildlifeVirginia, Colorado, and Texasand identified 15 rodent species as carriers, including six species that had not previously been identified as hosts of the virus.

The details of their study was published in Ecosphere.

"This project is timely because hantavirus is considered an emerging disease of pandemic potential with symptoms that resemble severe COVID-19 infections," said Paanwaris Paansri, a Ph.D. student in the Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation and co-author of the study.

Hantaviruses are a family of viruses that have been identified in regions all over the globe and can reach mortality rates similar to other diseases of high concern, such as nipah and Ebola. In Asia, hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome is caused by the Hantaan virus, in Europe that syndrome is caused by the Dobrava-Belgrade virus, and in North and South America, hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is caused by Sin Nombre virus and Andes virusall hantaviruses. Sin Nombre virus was first discovered in New Mexico in 1993.

Little is known about the ecology of hantaviruses in wildlife except that the pathogen is spread to humans by inhalation of aerosolized excreta, urine, or saliva from asymptomatic rodent hosts, and it can be fatal in humans.

The Virginia Tech team used data from the National Science Foundation's National Ecological Observatory Network program to gain a better understanding of hantavirus circulation in its sylvatic cyclethe pathogen's life cycle in wildlifeby examining the environmental influences and geographical distribution of the rodent hosts. The program collected and tested 14,004 blood samples from 49 species at 45 field sites across the United States from 2014-19.

Distribution of National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) field sites, blood samples, and seroprevalence. The figure illustrates the geographic distribution of NEON field sites across the United States (black dots), and sites with hantavirus seropositive samples (yellow squares). Data are aggregated by state to depict the number of blood samples (indicated by circle size) and the seroprevalence (represented by color scale). The number of blood samples are defined for three groups: (A) all rodent species, (B) Peromyscus maniculatus, and (C) Peromyscus leucopus. Sites with no seropositive samples (seroprevalence = 0) are shown as transparent circles. Credit: Ecosphere (2025). DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.70209

"In North America, Peromyscus maniculatus, the deer mouse, is the most common carrier but our study also revealed that other rodent species have a higher prevalence of hantavirus, which changes the current paradigm in hantavirus circulation in wildlife," said Paansri, whose mentor Associate Professor Luis E. Escobar led the study and is an affiliate with the Fralin Life Sciences Institute.

"This new information is expected to help us understand where and when hantavirus is most likely to occur, which is crucial for predicting outbreaks and informing public health officials."

The discovery of six new rodent species of hantavirus hosts is significant. Some of these newly discovered hosts inhabit regions where traditional hosts, such as the deer mouse or the white-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus), are absent, meaning they could be potential reservoirs of the virus in new or overlooked areas.

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"This expands our understanding of the basic biology of the virus and shows that the virus is more adaptable than previously believed," Paansri said. "This has direct implications for surveillance strategies and risk assessments and can help explain some cases of hantavirus in humans where the main reservoir is absent or rare."

In addition to expanding the known host species, the researchers were able to gain a better understanding of seasonal trends and effects of seasonal weather shifts. For example, warmer winters and increased precipitation can increase rodent populations and drier conditions can facilitate the generation of contaminated dust containing particulates from rodent excrement and saliva, increasing the risk of transmission to humans.

"Climate change can cause population increases or distributional shifts of rodents, altering the epidemiology of hantavirus," Paansri said. "These fluctuations can lead to more frequent rodent-human interactions and increase the chance of spillover. We found some evidence that rodent demography and hantavirus prevalence can be predicted months in advance."

The actual number of human cases of hantavirus infections is largely unknown, according to Paansri, because many infections remain silent, meaning the infected individual may not develop any symptoms or the symptoms could mirror other diseases, such as the common cold or influenza.

The researchers plan to further explore the extent to which climatic variations influence hantavirus transmission in wildlife and in humans.

"We believe that many lessons learned from this study can be generalized to other wildlife diseases, considering that their distribution is global," Paansri said.

More information: Francisca Astorga et al, Hantavirus in rodents in the United States: Temporal and spatial trends and report of new hosts, Ecosphere (2025). DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.70209 Journal information: Ecosphere
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A white-tailed deer browses Amur honeysuckle, an invasive shrub within the height deer can reach. Credit: Elea Cooper.

If left unchecked, both overabundant white-tailed deer populations and invasive shrubs like Amur honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii) can devastate deciduous native tree regeneration. Yet, a management strategy focused only on deer, or only on invasive shrubs, results in little or no forest health improvement, according to research from Ohio, spanning more than 10 years.

"Control of only invasive shrubs will reduce native cover and not improve tree regeneration," says David Gorchov, Ph.D., and Miami University (Ohio) biology professor. "Managing only deer will increase woody plants but reduce native cover. Management of both stressors is needed to promote tree regeneration and plant community restoration."

These conclusions summarize research, recently published online in Invasive Plant Science and Management. For this study, Gorchov and his co-authors, M.S. student Marco Donoso and undergraduate honors student Hanna Leonard, investigated deer pressure and Amur honeysuckle effects for 11 years in a split-plot experiment in the Miami University Natural Areas in southwest Ohio, where both were at high density.

To conduct the research, Gorchov and another Miami University biology professor, Tom Crist, Ph.D., established deer exclosure and deer access plots in 2010, and removed invasive honeysuckle in each plot half.

"Excluding deer, but not removing honeysuckle, significantly increased the density and species diversity of tree seedlings," says Gorchov. "However, for some tree speciesSugar Maple, Red Oak, Bitternut Hickory, Black Cherry, Redbudthe combination of deer exclosure and shrub removal was necessary to enhance abundance, though that same combination allowed some invasive plants, like Burning Bush and Wintercreeper, to thrive."

Forest regeneration failure means insufficient juvenile tree density to replace canopy trees. "We found that tree seedlings responded more to deer exclusion than to Amur honeysuckle removal, but combining both measures results in the greatest tree seedling density and species richness," points out Gorchov.

"Managing both deer and invasive shrubs is necessary to realize the greatest improvement in tree seedling density and diversity and recruitment of trees from seedlings to the understory-size class, as well as cover of native plants."

White-tailed deer and invasive shrubs that deer find palatable are commonly found in high densities in deciduous forests in the eastern and midwestern United States. As a result, these findings will help to inform forest managers throughout the region about successful practices to help forests thrive.

More information: Marco U. Donoso et al, Long-term interactive impacts of the invasive shrubLonicera maackiiand white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) on a deciduous forest understory, Invasive Plant Science and Management (2024). DOI: 10.1017/inp.2024.2
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The puppets aim to have crossed around 10 countries between central Africa and the Arctic by August.

A wildebeest, a gorilla and a giraffe were among the life-size puppets to begin a 20,000-kilometer (12,400-mile) trek across the globe Wednesday from the DR Congo capital, to raise awareness about migration due to climate change.

The animals are part of The Herds project and aim to have crossed around 10 countries between central Africa and the Arctic by August.

Their journey will take them through Nigeria, Senegal, Morocco, France and Norway, among other countries.

"This project tries to give the public a powerful emotional sense of what's happening to the planet," project producer David Lan told AFP in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The trek includes "now 20, later 40, later 70 animals from all over west Africa, Morocco, Europe who are traveling to escape from the damage done to their ecosystem," he added.

It is financed by several European countries as well as private foundations.

The puppets are made of mostly recycled materials: cardboard for the skin and rubber for the joints, according to Siphokazi Mpofu, of the South African collective, Ukwanda Puppets, which created the first puppets.

"Some animals will die on the way," due to high humidity for instance, "just like in real life," Mpofu said.

As it travels, the herd will be joined by new puppets representing local species, such as vervet monkeys in Nigeria, wolves and red deer in Europe, and reindeer in Norway.

 2025 AFP
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Sunflower sea star. Credit: NOAA Fisheries

A team of oceanographers and marine biologists at the Hakai Institute, working with a colleague from the Central Coast Indigenous Resource Alliance, and another from the Institute of Ocean Sciences, all in Canada, has found that the highly endangered sunflower star, a type of sea star, has found some degree of refuge in Canadian fjords (spelled fiord in Canada).

In their paper, published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B, the group describes how they compared surveys of the biomass density of sunflower stars along the central British Columbia coast, both before and after the onset of sea star wasting disease (SSWD) and what they learned by doing so.

Over the past decade, the population of the sunflower star, which lives along the coast of North America, has dropped precipitously. Their global population is down 90.6% since 2013. The culprit is global warming, though indirectly. Global warming, it has been noted, has led to warmer ocean temperatures, particularly along coastlines.

Prior research has shown that SSWD prefers warmer water, which is why it has flourished, allowing it to kill so many of the sunflower stars that live along the coastline. In this new effort, the research team in Canada has found that some parts of the Canadian coastline appear to be offering a refuge of sorts.

Researchers at Hakai Institute have been conducting biomass density surveys along Canada's coast for several decades. Thus, they notice when populations of ocean creatures living there change. In this case, they noticed dramatically falling numbers of sunflower stars starting around 2013. Testing showed most of the drop was due to SSWD. But, in taking a closer look at the census numbers for the sea stars, the research team found that their density numbers appeared to be higher in fjords than in other parts of the coastline.

(A) Artistic illustration of the influence of the freshet on P. helianthoides distribution across depths. (B) Salinity and temperature across depth for data included in figure 5, illustrating that salinity on the outer islands is all above 15 psu, and that higher temperature water in the fjords is associated with fresher water. Credit: Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences (2025). DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2024.2770

Emboldened by the statistics, members of the team began diving in several of the fjords and found many more of the sunflower stars there than anywhere else. They suspect it is likely due to the cold water. Arctic outflow, they note, results in cold winds blowing across the region, which cools the water and also adds more oxygen.

The research team notes that in the summer, there is a lot of glacial runoff, dumping a lot of really cold water into the fjords. Then, because the sea stars do not like cold water, they go deeper. And that, the team suggests, may be shielding them from SSWD.

More information: Alyssa-Lois Madden Gehman et al, Fjord oceanographic dynamics provide refuge for critically endangered Pycnopodia helianthoides, Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences (2025). DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2024.2770 Journal information: Proceedings of the Royal Society B

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The intuition in decision-making process illuminates the multidimensional functioning of intuition. Credit: Journal of Rural Studies (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.jrurstud.2025.103656

In Finland, farmers who have transitioned to regenerative agriculture perceive intuition as something that leads to better decision-making, a new study from the University of Eastern Finland shows. However, intuition also remains a taboo; a topic that is avoided and rarely discussed.

Published in the Journal of Rural Studies, the new study explores the role and manifestations of intuition in regenerative farmers' decision-making processes. The study involved 84 farmers involved in the Carbon Action Project implemented by the Finnish Meteorological Institute and the Baltic Sea Action Group.

Regenerative agriculture is a food production method that revitalizes ecosystems and increases profitability. It also enhances the overall well-being of the farm in a changing climate and operating environment. Previous studies have shown that experienced farmers utilize intuition as their primary decision-making process. Intuition also plays a significant role in the decision-making of successful experts, including researchers, business managers and athletes.

"Decisions taken by farmers are crucial for our future, as it is farmers that feed our citizens and ultimately keep our communities alive. At the same time, farming practices have an impact, either positive or negative, on our environment," says Doctoral Researcher Soja Sadeharju of the University of Eastern Finland, the author of the study.

Intuition is a future-oriented 'personal assistant'

Farmers participating in the study described intuition as certain and reliable, and relevant to the person experiencing it. Intuition is future-oriented, always prompting action or inaction. However, many factors, such as stress, haste, fatigue, strong emotions, over-analysis and too much factual information, can interfere with the interpretation of intuition, leading to intuitive cues being easily overlooked or misinterpreted.

"In the analytical process, intuition acts as a summarizing and guiding 'decision-making assistant.' It is constantly present in decision-making, particularly at the beginning and end stages. Since intuition was perceived as leading to the right and good outcome, it may be linked to what is generally known as the 'voice of reason.'"

Farmers participating in the study felt that intuition stemmed from both internal and external sources. In particular, input from nature influenced farming decisions. According to Sadeharju, the relationship between intuition and nature should be studied in more detail, as should the role of intuition in regenerative dynamics and within the framework of planetary social pedagogy.

"Addressing and acknowledging intuition can enhance our understanding of the role of internal processes in decision-making, thus promoting the sustainability transformation. In addition, intuition can provide novel tools for socio-ecological decision-making. This study also offers a new approach to examining and developing decision-making in a changing world."

Empirical research into the role of intuition in decision-making remains scarce and conceptually fragmented. The present study highlights the role of intuition in farmers' decision-making and verbalizes their experiences of intuition.

More information: Soja Sadeharju, The elements of intuition in decision-making: A multidimensional framework based on Finnish regenerative farmers' experiences, Journal of Rural Studies (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.jrurstud.2025.103656
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Sensing complex multicellularity: The observed transition of Haloferax volcanii, revealing archaeas novel capacity to go from unicellular to complex multicellular structures when subjected to mechanical forces. Credit: Alex Bisson, Brandeis University

Archaeaone of the three primary domains of life alongside bacteria and eukaryotesare often overlooked and sometimes mistaken for bacteria due to their single-celled nature and lack of a nucleus. Yet, archaea are found across diverse environments, from oceanic plankton to the human microbiome.

Despite their superficial similarity to bacteria, their genetic makeup has long suggested a closer evolutionary relationship with eukaryotes, the domain encompassing plants and animals. This new research uncovers a remarkable capacity within archaea to organize beyond their single-celled existence under specific physical conditions.

Intrigued by the unique combination of genetic and structural traits in archaeal cellsparticularly their proteinaceous surface layer instead of a rigid cell wallresearchers from Brandeis University, the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge, and the Max Planck Institute for Biology in Tubingen sought to explore the mechanobiology of these ancient organisms.

Lead researcher Alex Bisson from Brandeis University explains, "The absence of a covalent-bound cell wall suggests a more dynamic, but less rigid structure, leading to the hypothesis that archaea might be 'squishy' and sensitive to mechanical stimuli." This initial curiosity led to an unexpected and significant discovery.

Their research resulted in the accidental identification of multicellularity across all three domains of life and demonstrated the importance of mechanical forces in shaping archaeal tissues. "Our work shows that the emergence of complexity in life isn't limited to a few special branches on the tree of lifeit's a deeper property, present even in lineages we've long overlooked," noted Vikram Alva, co-lead author from Max Planck Institute for Biology Tubingen.

Pedro Escudeiro, a postdoctoral researcher in the Alva group, added, "This work also underscores the power of combining comparative genomics with observable traits to uncover genes behind novel behaviorsan approach that has long driven discoveries in plants and animals." The study is published in the journal Science.

Video showcasing the developmental pathways of archaea, highlighting the emergence of multicellularity under compression compared to their uncompressed state. Credit: Brandeis University

The role of mechanical forces in multicellularity

Working with Haloferax volcanii, a resilient archaeon that thrives in extreme environments like salt flats, the team observed an astonishing transformation. Instead of undergoing typical cell division, when subjected to mechanical compression, the cells grew larger and organized in tissue-like arrangements containing multiple sets of genetic material.

Their study describes how the flexible outer protein layer contributes to adaptive growth strategies. "It was Theopi Rados, the first author leading the project, who first observed and described this remarkable behavior," said Bisson. "As Olivia Leland, co-first author, aptly put itit's as if the cells were squished down and then encouraged to grow wider and taller, more like a rising sourdough loaf than traditional cell division," explained Bisson.

The development phases preceding the maturation of archaeal tissues is akin to rising sourdough loaf. First, cells are squished down flat. As they grow but do not divide, they become wider and taller, resembling a bump or a rising, crusty French loaf. Credit: Alex Bisson (idea adapted from Olivia Leland), Brandeis University

As cells were subjected to specific pressures, they transitioned from solitary organisms to interconnected cellular communities. "That such behavior can be triggered by a simple physical constraint and involves cytoskeletal remodeling, and coordinated cellularization suggests that the capacity for structural organization runs deeper in biology than previously thought," remarked Rados.

"The fact that archaea can orchestrate complex from tissue-like structures suggests that nature can emerge complex traits from seemingly unsophisticated raw materials," adds Bisson. "By revealing just a fraction of natural diversity, we could advance our intellectual and medical needs."

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Tanmay Bharat, a co-lead author from the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge, underscores the broader implications of research in archaea on multicellularity: "We found that mechanical compression induces multicellularity, a surprising finding, to say the least." He further suggests that this discovery raises questions about whether other unicellular organisms might possess a similar latent ability to develop multicellularity in response to environmental cues.

Although it is common knowledge that archaea don't like to be confined, likely because their cell envelope structure is more fragile than that of other microbes, archaeal tissues have now added another facet to our understanding of multicellularity. This research encourages other scientists to explore whether applying similar stimuli could prompt other ordinarily unicellular organisms to transition to multicellularity.

More information: Theopi Rados et al, Tissue-like multicellular development triggered by mechanical compression in archaea, Science (2025). DOI: 10.1126/science.adu0047 Eva K. Pillai et al, Archaea go multicellular under pressure, Science (2025). DOI: 10.1126/science.adw6689 , www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adw6689 Journal information: Science
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Sustained scientific observations and monitoring are crucial, offering researchers a unique, sustained window into upper ocean currents, water properties, and marine ecology. An initiative between cargo marine vessel MV Oleander and a team of researchers are contributing to ocean observations and data collection, and offering peer-reviewed data. Credit: Tim Noyes / BIOS / Arizona State University

Sustained scientific observations and monitoring are crucial for measuring ocean change, providing valuable data that contributes to a better understanding of oceanography, biodiversity, and the interconnectedness of global systems, and helps inform decisions about conservation and resource management.

An initiative between a merchant marine container vessel and a team of researchers from multiple institutions, including the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), and the Arizona State University / Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (ASU BIOS), is contributing to ocean observations and data collection, and offering peer-reviewed data.

A recently published study in Oceanography details how this unique partnership is helping to fill gaps in observations of the Middle Atlantic Bight shelf, Slope Sea, Gulf Stream and Sargasso Seas.

Cargo marine vessel (MV) Oleander is operated by Bermuda Container Line/Neptune Group and makes weekly trips between Elizabeth, N.J., and Bermuda. Since the 1970s, scientific equipment has been mounted on three different container ships operating consecutively on the "Oleander Line," resulting in decades of scientific data. The newest MV Oleander came into service in 2019, and is now providing regular water column, sea surface, and atmospheric measurements.

This collective data gives scientists a unique, sustained window into upper ocean currents, water properties, and marine ecology. Along its route, the Oleander crosses the Gulf Stream and other currents that make up an important part of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC). This vast oceanic circulatory system influences climate and weather patterns across North America, Europe, and many other parts of the globe and may itself be undergoing change resulting from human impacts on the global climate and ocean system.

Sustained scientific observations and monitoring are crucial, offering researchers a unique, sustained window into upper ocean currents, water properties, and marine ecology. An initiative between cargo marine vessel MV Oleander and a team of researchers are contributing to ocean observations and data collection, and offering peer-reviewed data. Credit: Tiffany Wardman / BIOS / Arizona State University

"Sustained observations of temperature, salinity, and carbon dioxide concentrations along the Oleander Line have provided critical information about our changing oceans, including the warming and shrinking of the Slope Sea, and a northward shift of the Gulf Stream," said Magdalena Andres, a senior scientist in WHOI's Department of Physical Oceanography, and lead author on the study.

After passing Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, the deep-reaching Gulf Stream begins to meander, serving both as a moving boundary between the water masses, ecosystems, and chemical regimes of the Slope and Sargasso Seas and as a point of air-sea exchange that drives intense regional wintertime cooling and uptake of atmospheric carbon dioxide. Warm and cold core rings can intermittently break free from the Gulf Stream and drive interocean mixing, and the nutrient supply for phytoplankton blooms. Monitoring the impacts of the Gulf Stream and its rings is an area of active research, supported by the Oleander data.

Data from the project has been cited in dozens of peer-reviewed scientific publications, and contributes to global observing programs, including the Global eXpendable BathyThermograph (XBT) Network (Line AX32), the Surface Ocean CO 2 Atlas (SOCAT), and the Continuous Plankton Recorder (CPR) Survey.

The MV Oleander travels a route between New Jersey and Bermuda, providing researchers with sustained scientific observations and monitoring. The route takes scientific instruments through the Mid-Atlantic Bight, and the Gulf Stream, offering valuable data about our changing oceans. Credit: Natalie Renier / Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

"The long-standing cooperation between scientists and the Bermuda Container Line/Neptune Group serves as a model," said Tim Noyes, marine ecologist and research fellow at ASU BIOS, and co-author of the study. "In situ measurements provided by ships can complement satellites and be an important part of global observing systems. Along with a suite of other observatory tools, this region of the world's ocean is revealing some of the changes underway and helping us to predict and respond to future changes."

The Oleander Project is a part of the Science RoCs (Research on Commercial Ships) initiative, which aims to equip many more commercial vessels with sensors to measure physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of the ocean along the world's major shipping routes. The current custodians of the Oleander Project are led by WHOI and include ASU BIOS, Stony Brook University, and the University of Hawaii, with key contributions also by the University of Rhode Island, one of the founding institutions of the partnership.

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"The industry has signaled that it is willing to help as scientists seek to expand their ability to collect sustained observations of the atmosphere and upper ocean waters to advance science and address pressing global challenges," said Kerry Strom, Senior Manager in WHOI Marine Operations and co-author on a recent study documenting best practices for recruiting vessels of opportunity for seagoing data collection.

"With its integrated system of scientific sensors, MV Oleander serves as an interdisciplinary observatory in the northwest Atlantic that can be replicated elsewhere to aid scientists who have only limited access to the seas. The successes of Oleander's operations over the last 50 years demonstrate that partnering with the merchant marine can increase this access."

More information: Monitoring Impacts of the Gulf Stream and its Rings on the Physics, Chemistry, and Biology of the Middle Atlantic Bight Shelf and Slope from CMV Oleander, Oceanography (2025). DOI: 10.5670/oceanog.2025e108 Journal information: Oceanography
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Penguins gather along the icy shores of the West Antarctic Peninsula. Credit: John Reinfelder

In 1962, when environmentalist and author Rachel Carson penned "Silent Spring," alerting the world to the dangers of the pesticide DDT, it was the reproductive threat to birdsthe bald eagle in particularthat spurred people to action.

Six decades later, Rutgers UniversityNew Brunswick researchers are taking the measure of another global environmental pollutant by drawing parallels to the crisis Carson identified. This time, the pollutant is mercury, and the sentinels are penguins living in the farthest reaches of the Antarctic Peninsula.

"With mercury, there's an analogy to DDT," said John Reinfelder, a professor in the Department of Environmental Sciences at the Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, and co-author of a study published in Science of the Total Environment examining mercury levels in the flightless, aquatic birds.

"In the 1960s, we were discovering DDT in remote places where it wasn't being used," Reinfelder said. "It's a similar story today with mercury. There are no human sources near the Southern Ocean, but because of long-distance transport through the atmosphere, it has the potential to accumulate in penguins."

Mercury is a dangerous neurotoxin that bioaccumulates in aquatic and terrestrial food sources. Fish-eating animals are at the highest risk of contamination. Chronic exposure affects reproduction and can cause neurological problems, such as lethargy and weakness. It is fatal in high doses.

To assess mercury's geographic reach and establish a new baseline for mercury in Antarctic penguins, Reinfelder and Philip Sontag, a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Environmental Sciences at RutgersNew Brunswick, and lead author, analyzed adult penguin feathers retrieved from a breeding site near Anvers Island in the West Antarctic Peninsula.

Feathers from three penguin speciesAdelie, gentoo and chinstrapwere collected during the 2010-11 breeding season by William R. Fraser, lead investigator with the Polar Oceans Research Group, in Sheridan, Montana. Agricultural safety precautions prevented the samples from being sent to the U.S. for analysis until recently.

In addition to mercury, the Rutgers researchers measured the proportions of the isotopes carbon-13, a tracer of foraging location, and nitrogen-15, a tracer of food chain position, in the samples, which helped identify the sources of mercury in penguins throughout the Southern Ocean. They also assessed the size distribution of West Antarctic Peninsula krill, a favorite food of Antarctic penguins.

Graphical abstract. Credit: Science of The Total Environment (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175154

With the combined datasets, the researchers identified important variations in mercury accumulation. In Adelie and gentoo penguins, mercury levels "were some of the lowest for any species of penguin observed to date in the Southern Ocean," they wrote. Levels of mercury for chinstrap penguins, however, were "significantly higher."

Sontag said the discrepancy is likely because the chinstrap's feeding patterns differ from the other species studied. During the nonbreeding winter season, chinstraps migrate to lower latitudes farther north, where they and other penguins accumulate higher concentrations of mercury than penguins living to the south.

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This conclusion was confirmed by the strong relationship between foraging location (carbon-13) and mercury in penguin feathers. It is the first study to show that carbon-13, not nitrogen-15, best explains mercury concentrations in penguins throughout the Southern Ocean.

The granular details presented by these findings contribute to the global effort to map mercury pollution in marine animals, Reinfelder said.

"Before this study, we didn't know that penguins migrating farther north had higher exposures to mercury," he said. "These data give us a way to learn not only about mercury accumulation, but about penguin ecology more broadly."

Sources of mercury contamination have shifted in recent decades. For years, airborne mercury entered the atmosphere as a byproduct of coal-fired power plants.

Efforts to reduce mercury pollutionparticularly with the Minamata Convention on Mercury adopted by 140 countries in 2013have helped lower releases to the environment. A 2024 study by researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology found atmospheric levels of mercury dropped by about 10% between 2005 and 2020. The shuttering of coal-fired power plants has contributed to this decline.

But other sources, such as small-scale gold mining in developing countries, continue to push the toxin into the environment. Miners use elemental mercury to extract gold from ore, producing more than 1,000 tons of mercury tailings and vapor annually.

Reinfelder said the study offers a snapshot of how feeding patterns affect penguin health and how mercury pollution circulates in the world's oceans.

"Just like DDT in the 1960s, the scientific community today is focused on monitoring mercury," he said. "Are we going to see a decrease in levels in the fish that people and animals eat? That's the hope."

More information: Philip T. Sontag et al, Influence of migration range and foraging ecology on mercury accumulation in Southern Ocean penguins, Science of The Total Environment (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175154 Journal information: Science of the Total Environment
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Discussion of "alternative facts" has gained sad notoriety in US politics. Yet the question has been around much longer: How do people conduct political debatesis the focus more on facts or personal opinions? In the journal Nature Human Behaviour, a team of international researchers led by the Cluster of Excellence "The Politics of Inequality" looked into the matter.

The researchers examined political rhetoric in 8 million speeches by members of the US Congress between 1879 and 2022 to see if the focus of their language was more on data and facts or personal convictions and subjective interpretations.

The team noticed a significant decline in the use of evidence-based political rhetoric since the 1970s, with a historic low in the present. Over the same period, the researchers observed a decline in legislative productivity, an increase in the political polarization of both political parties as well as growing economic inequality in the US.

Between facts and personal convictions

"In many democracies, there is currently much concern about 'truth decay': the blurring of the boundary between fact and fiction, not only fueling polarization but also undermining public trust in institutions," explains lead author David Garcia, a professor of social and behavioral data science at the University of Konstanz.

Together with his research colleagues in the UK, Israel, Austria and Germany, Garcia examined the political rhetoric used in congressional speeches over a period of more than 140 years. Their focus was on the question of how politicians express their conceptions of truth in their language: are they more likely to use objective facts or personal convictions?

"Productive democratic discourse balances evidence-based and intuition-based conceptions of truth," Garcia says. While evidence-based discourse provides a foundation for "reasoned" debate, intuition contributes emotional and experiential dimensions that can be critical for exploring and resolving societal issues.

However, if facts are given less weight and the balance is off, it jeopardizes political discourse. This is exactly the development the researchers have observed in the US' congressional speeches.

Between 1879 and the middle of the 20th century, the ratio of facts to intuition used in congressional speeches was relatively stable and balanced.

After 1940, the balance even tipped towards facts and peaked in the mid-1970s. From 1976 to 2022, however, there was a significant, continual decline in the use of facts in congressional speeches, with a historic low in the present. Both US parties are affected by this downward trend, although the drop has been even steeper for Republicans since 2021.

This negative trend not only applies to congressional speeches: the results are similar for analyses of Twitter/X posts by members of Congress from 2011 to 2022, the researchers say.

Trend of the EMI score, congressional polarization, inequality, and legislative productivity. Credit: Nature Human Behaviour (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41562-025-02136-2

"One remarkable aspect of our results is the strong association between evidence-based language and performance," co-author Professor Stephan Lewandowsky, Chair in Cognitive Psychology at the University of Bristol, says.

"The more speeches in Congress reflect a reliance on evidence and facts rather than intuition, the better the performance of Congress and the less polarization between parties.

Conversely, the increasing reliance on intuition-based language since the 1970s has been associated with a decline in performance and increasing polarization. Clearly it matters how politicians use language in the legislature."

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The method behind the study

How can you analyze 8 million congressional speeches? The team led by David Garcia relied on computational data analysis methods.

"We undertook a massive effort to track long-term trends in how the language of the U.S. Congress has evolved by analyzing Congressional records spanning nearly fifteen decades," first author Segun Aroyehun explains.

"We used advanced text analysis to assess the meaning of words in speeches and compared them to the meaning of words in dictionaries, capturing conceptions of truth. This allowed us to observe the focus of speeches over time."

They started by identifying representative, distinctive keywords linked to either evidence-based or intuition-based rhetoric. The list included 49 keywords for fact-based language (e.g. terms such as "analyze," "data," "findings" and "investigation") and 35 keywords for intuition-based language (e.g. "point of view," "common sense," "guess" and "believe").

The team then calculated the ratios of the respective categories of key words used in 8 million texts. The resulting figure, EMI or "Evidence-Minus-Intuition," describes the relationship between evidence-based and intuition-based rhetoric. A positive EMI indicates a higher proportion of facts, while a negative value indicates a higher proportion of personal opinions.

The analysis method was developed in a previous project. Jana Lasser, who has been Professor of Data Analysis at the University of Graz since 2024, examined the linguistic patterns of Twitter posts by members of the US Congress between 2011 and 2022.

"Even during this period, there was a change in the argumentation style," explains Lasser. "Personal beliefs gradually gained in importance and were increasingly presented separately from scientific facts."

More information: Segun T. Aroyehun et al, Computational analysis of US congressional speeches reveals a shift from evidence to intuition, Nature Human Behaviour (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41562-025-02136-2 Journal information: Nature Human Behaviour
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Lengthy prison sentences can be as effective as the death penalty in deterring homicides, according to new University of Limerick, Ireland research.

The study, published in the Southern Economic Journal and co-authored by Dr. Vincent O'Sullivan, Associate Professor at UL's Kemmy Business School, examined the effect of capital punishment and life sentences on homicide rates.

According to the researchwhich closely examined the Australian legal system and its history with capital punishmentthe death penalty had a deterrent effect on homicides, resulting in an estimated 7.6% reduction in the crime.

Additionally, Dr. O'Sullivan and his co-author, Dr. Hugh Farrell, examined more recent policies existing in parts of Australia, including Standard Non-Parole Periods (SNPPs), under which those convicted of murder will receive a life sentence but, typically, must serve a minimum of 20 years.

They found that these SNPPs, which take discretion away from judges and parole boards in setting minimum prison sentences, had the same deterrent effect on homicides that the death penalty had.

Dr. O'Sullivan commented on the significance of the study findings, particularly for countries like the United States, where the death penalty still exists. "Our research is informative for policymakers considering abolition of the death penalty," explained Dr. O'Sullivan.

"The US is at a crossroads when it comes to the death penalty. Its usage had been declining since the 1990s and several large states such as California and Pennsylvania are on the cusp of abolition. However, the Trump administration has indicated that it is very much in favor of the death penalty, so there will be much debate on this over the next few years."

The researchers examined the history of Australia, from just after its founding, to the present day. Australia last used the death penalty in 1967, and most states had abolished it by the end of the 1970s.

"Australia is worth studying because different states and territories had different systems at different times. It's also worth studying capital punishment in Australia because it was used much more frequently than in the U.S. Another advantage of examining Australia is there were not extremely long waits on death row as happens in the U.S.," explained Dr. O'Sullivan.

For countries like Australia, where capital punishment is no longer legal, Dr. O'Sullivan said that the research confirms the deterrent effect of standard non-parole periods.

"Some people might not want to remove discretion from judges and parole boards when it comes to sentencing. On the other hand, there is a public safety argument for lengthy and definite prison terms for the worst crimes in our society," he said.

The publication of the research is timely considering recent political discourse around capital punishment and issues of morality surrounding the death penalty, particularly in the US, where it is currently legal in 27 states and at the federal level.

"That is not to say that the death penalty should be re-introduced [where it is not currently legal]. There are many moral problems with such punishment, not least the problem of wrongful convictions," said Dr. O'Sullivan.

"There is also controversy around the method of execution. In the US, pharmaceutical companies don't want to supply drugs for lethal injection, so states are having to change their lethal injection protocols, or else use poisonous gas or even firing squads."

More information: Hugh Farrell et al, Homicide, punishment and deterrence in Australia, Southern Economic Journal (2025). DOI: 10.1002/soej.12771
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Some unpaved roads reveal nature's simple engineering, like the path deer chose in a forest centuries ago. Native Americans used the deer paths to travel, and those trails widened over time for horses and buggies to become dirt roads.

Pennsylvania is home to approximately 23,000 miles of unpaved public roads, and there are likely thousands of miles more on private property and in the vast Allegheny National Forest. They're more than just a quaint feature of rural America, too. School buses, mail and other delivery vehicles, first responders, and a growing number of gravel-loving cyclists and outdoor enthusiasts use them daily.

In places like Bradford County, which has the most miles of unpaved road in the state at just under 1,600, maintaining the dirt and gravel isn't just about transportation and smoothing out a bumpy ride, though. It's about water quality.

"With all those miles here, just about every dirt road in the county touches a waterway of some sort," said Joe Quatrini, a dirt and gravel roads specialist with Bradford County's conservation district.

Many dirt and gravel roads hug the banks of rivers and streams, two lines on a map following the path of least resistance like two synchronized snakes. On an ideal gravel road, rainfall disperses evenly across the surface, like a sheet of water, filtering through more land before it reaches a stream.

Unmaintained or "orphaned" roads that no one's taking care of often sink or become deeply rutted, forming small bogs. When it rains, those rutted roads can funnel water, collecting sediment, trash, and other pollutants like pesticides, oils, and fertilizer into an erosive torrent that rushes into a creek. That sheer volume of water can wash away stone and rock beds that fish and other aquatic life need to breed.

"The sediment is the main impact from a dirt road, and that's what our program aims to eliminate," said Justin Challenger of the State Conservation Commission. "That's why we're more of an environmental program than a traditional, PennDot type of road program."

The state's effort to address sediment runoff from unpaved roads was inspired by some frustrated trout fishermen and resulted in the opening of Penn State's Center for Dirt and Gravel Studies in 2001.

In the last two decades, Penn State's unique program provided training and technical assistance for thousands of projects in nearly every Pennsylvania county. It has also advised a handful of other states, including Arkansas and Vermont, on how to develop their own.

Pete Ryan, a dentist and avid trout fisherman from Coudersport, in rural Potter County, saw that process play out time and time again on his favorite streams when it rained. One late-spring afternoon, in 1990, he eyed an overcast sky over coffee, looking for divine intervention in the charcoal clouds rolling through the county.

The sulfur and green drake mayflies were hatching all over northern Pennsylvania, and rainbow, brook, and brown trout would rise to eat them in the county's cold, clear streams. Fishermen would try to fool a few into biting fuzzy hooks instead.

But Ryan hoped rain would ruin the fishing that day in "God's Country," so he could prove a point. And the heavens opened up.

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"It was perfect," Ryan recalled.

Ryan and another member of the God's Country chapter of Trout Unlimited had invited a state biologist, a Penn State professor, and a fellow fly fisherman to Potter County to show them how those timeworn, unmaintained dirt and gravel roads affected water quality in those world-class trout streams.

Rain, like the kind they saw that day, flowed quickly into Big Moores Run, clouding up the water in the short term but also introducing pollutants and washing away rock.

"It was like pouring milk into coffee," Ryan said of the runoff.

As a direct result from that rainy day in Potter County, a state task force on dirt and gravel roads was formed in 1993. For the next five years, volunteers from Trout Unlimited, a national nonprofit that advocates for clean waterways and fisheries, traveled the state, identifying approximately 900 sites where sediment from unpaved roads was disrupting waterways. The number of potential sites grew to 12,000.

State funding for maintenance was approved in 1997 and Penn State's center opened in 2001, focusing on educating and training county conservation districts. From 1997 to 2013, the dirt and gravel maintenance program received $4 million in funding per year. That number jumped, in 2014, to $28 million with a minimum of $8 million per year dedicated to low-volume roads that see fewer than 500 cars per day.

"In most areas, the number of gravel roads are likely decreasing, but in some rural areas, when townships realize they can't afford to maintain paved roads, they'll actually rip it back up," said Steve Bloser, director of the Penn State Center.

While students can't major in "dirt and gravel roads" at Penn State, Bloser said, the center developed a "Rural Road Ecology" class primarily for forestry or engineering students.

On a recent winter's day in Potter County, Pete Ryan and Andrew Mickey, the county's dirt and gravel roads technician, took a drive out to Big Moores Run to see where the state's gravel and dirt road maintenance program began.

Big Moores Run Road was covered in snow. Trout, Ryan said, are like the canaries in the coal minebut for watersheds. They demand cold, clean water, free of pollutants. In Potter County, the trout population is thriving, because the roads are maintained.

"We don't have development or industry," Mickey said. "We just have a huge dirt-road network."

When Mickey stopped his truck by a stream crossing, brook trout darted off in the clear water.

Fishermen aren't the only group that care about dirt and gravel roads. All over the state, cyclists and runners are looking to gravel as a softer and safer substitute for traditional roads. Dave Pryor runs unPaved Pennsylvania, which promotes gravel and dirt bicycle riding and racing. He sees the state's abundance of gravel and dirt roads not only as a playground but as an economic driver.

The 2021 unPAved race of the Susquehanna River Valley Pryor hosted saw more than 800 participants from all over the country converging on Lewisburg, Union County, for a weekend.

"There were a lot of events in the Midwest, and I figured we need to do this in Pennsylvania," Pryor said. "The public lands we have in Pennsylvania are gems. We have miles and miles of quiet, gravel roads. We have some of the best in the country."

On a fall day in Lehigh County last year, Pryor was out scouting random gravel roads near Emmaus. Like many, this one ran beside a creek. People lived along it, and every few minutes or so, a car would pass. Farther down the road, a metal sign credited the county's conservation district and the Penn State center for a reconstructed stream crossing.

"Better roads, cleaner streams," the sign read.

Pryor said he's raced in other states where rainfall all but shuts riding down.

"Or it gets so muddy you have to walk your bike," he said. "Here, it could rain for a week, and you'd get wet, but you'd still be able to ride."

The bicycle industry now makes gravel-specific bikes that can cost as much as $6,000. There are magazines dedicated to dirt and gravel riding, and Pryor's wife, Selene Yeager, wrote a book about the phenomenon called Gravel!

"Gravel riding is the hottest thing in bikes right now," Outside Magazine wrote in 2020.

The Penn State center said Philadelphia is the only county in the state without a conservation district, and the city isn't on its list of counties with unpaved mileage. The city does have dirt and gravel roads in parks, however, including Forbidden Drive, a gravel road that mostly serves as a popular recreation area for cyclists, runners, and hikers. It runs just feet from Wissahickon Creek.

In 2020, Pennsylvania's dirt, gravel, and low-volume road maintenance program helped build or replace more than 1,200 culverts to break up surface water flow. It builds buffers and bridges and fills in roads that have become "entrenched," or sunken, after decades of use. The program used 395,000 tons of fill to build them back up in 2020.

"Some of these roads can be 100 years old," Bloser said.

While COVID-19 affected the number of projects able to be done in recent years, Bloser expects work to ramp up again in the coming years.

On very rare occasions, when homeowners and other stakeholders are gone and public use has dwindled, some counties will give their unpaved roads back to nature. That's often the case with old logging roads. Bloser said the goal, in those rare instances, is to "obliterate" the road and fill it in.

Grasses grow again, then trees, and roads slowly become hiking trails and deer paths again.

2025 The Philadelphia Inquirer, LLC. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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During the replication of the bacterial chromosome, genes close to the replication start point (red) exist in multiple copies, while genes close to the endpoint do not (blue). At faster growth, this effect becomes stronger, such that genes close to the start point can be read from up to 8 gene copies simultaneously, leading to higher expression levels. Depending on how the demand for the expression of a specific gene changes with growth rate, natural selection drives it to an appropriate positioning along the chromosome to exploit this gene dosage effect. (Fig.: HHU / Xiao-Pan Hu). Credit: HHU / Xiao-Pan Hu

Bioinformaticians from Heinrich Heine University Dusseldorf (HHU) and the university in Linkoping (Sweden) have established that the genes in bacterial genomes are arranged in a meaningful order. In the journal Science, they explain that the genes are arranged by function: If they become increasingly important for faster growth, they are located near the origin of DNA replication. Accordingly, their position influences how their activity changes with the growth rate.

Are genes distributed randomly along the bacterial chromosome, as if scattered from a salt shaker? This opinion, which is held by a majority of researchers, has now been disputed by a team of bioinformaticians led by Professor Dr. Martin Lercher, head of the research group for Computational Cell Biology at HHU.

When bacteria replicate their genetic material in preparation for cell division, the process starts at a specific point on the bacterial chromosome and continues along the chromosome in both directions.

Dr. Xiao-Pan Hu from HHU, lead author of the study, posits, "For a short time during this process, there are more copies of those genes located closer to the origin of replication than of those located further away. Accordingly, genes close to the origin can be read more frequently."

"We have established that these genes are particularly important for cell growthe.g. those whose products assemble the proteins of the bacteria," adds Professor Lercher, corresponding author of the study. By contrast, genes rarely needed in the growth phases are usually found at the opposing end of the chromosome, where they are duplicated late in the process.

The researchers used bioinformatic and mathematical methods to analyze the positions of more than 4,400 gene families in over 900 different bacterial species. They found that the positioning of the genes along the chromosome must have arisen as a consequence of evolutionary pressure, as those bacteria that can grow particularly quickly as a result of optimally placed genes have an evolutionary advantage.

Dr. Hu continues, "We now understand better how bacteria control their genes. The results really surprised us. They provide an excellent explanation of an important aspect of bacterial evolution: The right genomic positioning gave the bacteria existing today an advantage over their rivals."

On further potential applications, Lercher says, "This understanding can also help design more efficient synthetic bacteria, e.g. for biotechnological or medical applications."

More information: Xiao-Pan Hu et al, Most bacterial gene families are biased toward specific chromosomal positions, Science (2025). DOI: 10.1126/science.adm9928. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adm9928 Journal information: Science
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Credit: Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University

Researchers from the Physics and Biology Unit at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) have discovered two species of tapeworms, or cestodes, in the guts and stomachs of wild-caught oval squid (Sepiotheutis lessoniana).

"The cestodes found in the squids were all in their larval stage, which suggests that they use the squids as intermediary hosts," says Dr. Mehmet Arif Zoral. One is a newly described species, Nybelina enterika ("enter" is Greek and refers to the intestine, "ika" is the common name for squid in Japanese), and the other is an unknown member of the genus Phoreiobothrium.

"No cestodes were found outside the guts and stomachs of the squids, suggesting that they might be confined by the intestinal wall."

In addition to describing the morphology of the two species, the researchers also described their mitogenomes and numerous nuclear genomic regions in a paper that was recently published in the Journal of Invertebrate Pathology.

Healthy, female Sepiotheutis lessoniana in the OIST Marine Science Station research tank. Credit: Mehmet Arif Zoral / OIST

As Dr. Zdenek Lajbner explains, "these sequences may serve as biomarkers for diagnosing infestations in future, especially considering the tiny size of the larvae, with the N. enterika measuring just one millimeter in length on average, and the Phoreiobothrium about half of that."

"The danger of these cestodes to human health is yet unknown. However, the enzymes that they use to digest squid tissue are known to cause allergic reactions in humans," adds Dr. Lucia Zifcakova.

When tested, the parasites were not found in squid raised in aquaculture.

More information: Mehmet Arif Zoral et al, Infection of two cestode larvae, Nybelinia enterika sp. nov. and Phoreiobothrium sp. in oval squid Sepioteuthis lessoniana species complex, Journal of Invertebrate Pathology (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2025.108329

Provided by Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University
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Localization of Posidonia oceanica donor meadow (1) Larvotto transplantation zone (2) Nearby meadow of reference (3) Distant meadow of reference (4) Distant meadow of reference at the lower limit (5) In blue the area of the construction project. Credit: Andromede Oceanologie

A study has resulted in the transplantation of 384 m of Posidonia oceanica seagrass on the scale of an industrial project as part of maritime works in Monaco. This success challenges the idea that these ecosystems are "non-transplantable." This unprecedented experiment, conducted over a period of eight years, opens up new prospects for the preservation of seagrass meadows threatened by coastal urbanization.

As part of the construction project for the "Mareterra" district in Monaco, the marine works involved the destruction of several hectares of Posidonia oceanica meadows, an underwater plant essential to the Mediterranean ecosystem. To limit this impact, Andromede Oceanologie and the University of Liege set up an unprecedented large-scale transplantation operation.

The experiment began in 2017 with the relocation of 384 m of seagrass meadows from the construction zone to the Larvotto marine reserve. The technique used, known as "clod" transplantation, enabled the roots and associated substrate to be preserved intact, giving the plants a better survival rate. The study validated an operational technique capable of transplanting large areas of seagrass in record time, a major step forward in preserving these fragile ecosystems.

"For eight years, rigorous monitoring was carried out to observe the resilience of the transplanted meadows," explains Sylvie Gobert, an oceanologist at ULiege. "Despite major marine works carried out nearby, the transplanted meadow showed remarkable resilience, with health indicators rapidly approaching those of the neighboring natural meadows."

Three years after transplanting, both the transplanted and natural seagrass beds were flowering. After eight years, the surface area of the transplanted seagrass had exceeded the area initially transplanted, recording an expansion of 25.8% in 2024. "These results validate the idea that transplanting is a viable and ecologically relevant alternative as a mitigation measure in coastal development projects."

This experience is revolutionizing the way in which seagrass conservation is approached in coastal development projects. Until now, the destruction of seagrass beds was considered irremediable, and compensatory measures were often limited to the installation of artificial reefs. However, this study proves that transplantation is a viable alternative that should be fully integrated into environmental conservation strategies.

Transplants in the Larvotto transplantation zone in July 2024. Credit: Andromede Oceanologie

Long-standing expertise

The University of Liege played a central role in this study thanks to the expertise of its researchers, in particular Professor Gobert and Arnaud Boulenger. A specialist in marine ecology, Gobert provided a scientific perspective that was essential for assessing the viability of the transplantation and ensuring rigorous monitoring of the physiological and structural parameters of the meadows. Boulenger, a doctoral student at the Biological Oceanography Laboratory, helped analyze the data and set up the monitoring protocols.

The Biological Oceanography Laboratory at the University of Liege has leading expertise in the study and preservation of seagrass beds, dating back to the 1970s. This long tradition of research is based in particular on observations made at the STARESO, the underwater and oceanographic research station of the University of Liege, located in Corsica, in a protected marine area.

For more than fifty years, this station has been studying the evolution of Posidonia oceanica meadows under natural conditions, providing unique and valuable data on their growth, resilience and ecological role. Thanks to the work carried out on this exceptional site, ULiege has developed in-depth knowledge of the dynamics of the meadows and the best strategies for their conservation and restoration. This expertise was a major asset in ensuring the success of the transplantation project in Monaco, by guaranteeing a rigorous protocol and a detailed scientific assessment of the long-term results.

The success of this experiment calls into question current practices and paves the way for better management of marine ecosystems. "By integrating transplantation as a mitigation measure in coastal development projects, it becomes possible to significantly reduce the environmental impact while preserving these precious habitats for Mediterranean biodiversity," concludes Gobert.

The findings are published in the journal Environmental Challenges.

More information: Pierre Descamp et al, Seagrass sod transplantation: A relevant tool for preventing the destruction of meadows in coastal construction projects, Environmental Challenges (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.envc.2025.101087
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NASAs James Webb Space Telescopes observations of what is thought to be the first-ever recorded planetary engulfment event revealed a hot accretion disk surrounding the star, with an expanding cloud of cooler dust enveloping the scene. Webb also revealed that the star did not swell to swallow the planet, but the planets orbit actually slowly depreciated over time, as seen in this artists concept. Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, R. Crawford (STScI)

Observations from NASA's James Webb Space Telescope have provided a surprising twist in the narrative surrounding what is believed to be the first star observed in the act of swallowing a planet. The new findings, published in The Astrophysical Journal, suggest that the star actually did not swell to envelop a planet as previously hypothesized. Instead, Webb's observations show the planet's orbit shrank over time, slowly bringing the planet closer to its demise until it was engulfed in full.

"Because this is such a novel event, we didn't quite know what to expect when we decided to point this telescope in its direction," said Ryan Lau, lead author of the new paper and astronomer at NSF NOIRLab (National Science Foundation National Optical-Infrared Astronomy Research Laboratory) in Tucson, Arizona. "With its high-resolution look in the infrared, we are learning valuable insights about the final fates of planetary systems, possibly including our own."

Two instruments aboard Webb conducted the post-mortem of the sceneWebb's MIRI (Mid-Infrared Instrument) and NIRSpec (Near-Infrared Spectrograph). The researchers were able to come to their conclusion using a two-pronged investigative approach.

Constraining the how

The star at the center of this scene is located in the Milky Way galaxy about 12,000 light-years away from Earth.

The brightening event, formally called ZTF SLRN-2020, was originally spotted as a flash of optical light using the Zwicky Transient Facility at the Palomar Observatory in San Diego, California. Data from NASA's NEOWISE (Near-Earth Object Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer) showed the star actually brightened in the infrared a year before the optical light flash, hinting at the presence of dust.

This initial 2023 investigation led researchers to believe that the star was more sun-like, and had been in the process of aging into a red giant over hundreds of thousands of years, slowly expanding as it exhausted its hydrogen fuel.

However, Webb's MIRI told a different story. With powerful sensitivity and spatial resolution, Webb was able to precisely measure the hidden emission from the star and its immediate surroundings, which lie in a very crowded region of space. The researchers found the star was not as bright as it should have been if it had evolved into a red giant, indicating there was no swelling to engulf the planet as once thought.

Reconstructing the scene

Researchers suggest that, at one point, the planet was about Jupiter-sized, but orbited quite close to the star, even closer than Mercury's orbit around our sun. Over millions of years, the planet orbited closer and closer to the star, leading to the catastrophic consequence.

"The planet eventually started to graze the star's atmosphere. Then it was a runaway process of falling in faster from that moment," said team member Morgan MacLeod of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Massachusetts. "The planet, as it's falling in, started to sort of smear around the star."

In its final splashdown, the planet would have blasted gas away from the outer layers of the star. As it expanded and cooled off, the heavy elements in this gas condensed into cold dust over the next year.

Schematic illustration of the preengulfment and postengulfment interpretation of ZTF SLRN-2020. Credit: The Astrophysical Journal (2025). DOI 10.3847/1538-4357/adb429

Inspecting the leftovers

While the researchers did expect an expanding cloud of cooler dust around the star, a look with the powerful NIRSpec revealed a hot circumstellar disk of molecular gas closer in. Furthermore, Webb's high spectral resolution was able to detect certain molecules in this accretion disk, including carbon monoxide.

"With such a transformative telescope like Webb, it was hard for me to have any expectations of what we'd find in the immediate surroundings of the star," said Colette Salyk of Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York, an exoplanet researcher and co-author on the new paper.

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"I will say, I could not have expected seeing what has the characteristics of a planet-forming region, even though planets are not forming here, in the aftermath of an engulfment."

The ability to characterize this gas opens more questions for researchers about what actually happened once the planet was fully swallowed by the star.

"This is truly the precipice of studying these events. This is the only one we've observed in action, and this is the best detection of the aftermath after things have settled back down," Lau said. "We hope this is just the start of our sample."

These observations, taken under Guaranteed Time Observation program 1240, which was specifically designed to investigate a family of mysterious, sudden, infrared brightening events, were among the first Target of Opportunity programs performed by Webb.

These types of study are reserved for events, like supernova explosions, that are expected to occur, but researchers don't exactly know when or where. NASA's space telescopes are part of a growing, international network that stands ready to witness these fleeting changes, to help us understand how the universe works.

Researchers expect to add to their sample and identify future events like this using the upcoming Vera C. Rubin Observatory and NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, which will survey large areas of the sky repeatedly to look for changes over time.

Provided by NASA
QUEENSBURY  An Indiana man who pleaded guilty to three counts of raping a child in Queensbury has been sentenced to six years of incarceration and 10 years of post-release supervision.

Tyler Harmon, 25, of Warsaw, Indiana, appeared before Warren County Judge Robert Smith Wednesday morning for sentencing. In February he pleaded guilty to having sex multiple times with a 16-year-old in Queensbury in December 2022, January 2023, and in December 2023. Harmon had initially been charged with nine counts of raping the teenager as well as five counts of use of a child in a sexual performance and five counts of promoting a sexual performance by a child as he had initially been accused of recording sex between himself and the victim. His guilty plea in February satisfied all of the charges which had been made against him.

Judge Smith also issued a 14-year order of protection for the victim, which will mean Harmon will not be allowed to have any contact with her through any means. He will also be required to pay $1,425 in fines and court fees, and he will have to register as a sex offender.

Harmons defense attorney, Tucker Stanclift, spoke highly about his client, telling the court that Harmon has fully accepted his wrongdoing, and admitted what he did, and that he had been cooperative in both Indiana and in New York.

Harmon was also given the opportunity the make a statement at sentencing. Harmon told the court, I can honestly say, I wish I were not here right now. I had so many great things going for me back home. I was building a great life, helping others and doing what I thought would benefit my community every chance I had. With that being said, I feel it necessary to not only apologize to the victim and to her family, but to the justice system and to my family as well.

Harmon said that he would never intentionally hurt anyone, or break the law. He said as a volunteer firefighter he feels it was his purpose in life to help people, not hurt them.

To say the ignorance of how seriously wrong this was, or that my past good deeds should excuse my behavior or consequences is not my intention, Harmon said. But, what I do believe, along with all the others who know me is that I am not a man used to making poor decisions.

Harmon told the judge he will go back to being the, model citizen he believed he was before this.

I hope what you just said is true Mr. Harmon, said Judge Smith. Because to be, what in my opinion, to be a criminal that specifically targets children is one of the more deeper violations in trust in society.

Harmons sentence of six years breaks down to two years for each count of third-degree rape, served consecutively.

Information provided to New York State Police in December 2023 led to an investigation and Harmons arrest. Initially, he was also accused of recording sex between himself and the victim.

Harmon was extradited from Indiana to New York in November 2024.

According to court documents, Harmon began contacting the teenage victim through social media platforms SnapChat and Omegle. He traveled from Indiana to meet the teenager in a Queensbury motel.

Warren County Court issued an arrest warrant for Harmon on Oct. 8, and with the assistance of Indiana State Police he was arrested on Oct. 15.
CAPE MAY  At home port, the crew of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Angela McShan stands ready to Give em the beans.

Thats our phrase, said Lt. Junior Grade Joseph Roth, the executive officer of the McShan.

It started with an off-hand comment, he said, an encouragement for an officer who had one more task at the end of a very long day.

When things are getting hard, or were going after something, give em the beans. Go get it.

Now, its a ships motto, even emblazoned on tokens handed out by the commanding officer, Lt. Gregory Schmidt, who stood on the bridge to discuss their mission. Their efforts include fisheries enforcement and search and rescue.

The 154-foot fast response cutter is one of three with Cape May as a home port, along with a small boat station on Cape May Harbor. Its also the newest of the three, with two .50-caliber machine guns on the bow, along with a 25mm cannon on loan from the Navy and an inflatable boat that can be launched from the stern.

Officers and crew members spoke Tuesday about their mission, and what brought them to the Coast Guard, as a wintery wind whipped whitecaps on the harbor.

Search and rescue is built into the DNA of the Coast Guard. On Tuesday, members sought to emphasize another aspect: the Coast Guard as defenders of the homeland.

Our big priority right now is control, secure and defend U.S. ports and waterways, and thats the biggest key that we want to get across to the general public, said Petty Officer 3rd Class Christopher Bokum, an external affairs officer with the Coast Guard Fifth District. We are a Coast Guard that is for search and rescue, but were also out there defending and protecting national security.

He said the guard wants boaters and the public to look to the Coast Guard as a rescue operation.

Reduced hours for Ocean City Coast Guard station A small Coast Guard base on Northpoint Road in Ocean City, staffed for summers for decades, will not operate full time this year, Mayor Jay Gillian said at a Thursday City Council meeting.

But we want the American people to realize that were here to defend this country, he said.

The Fifth District includes more than 150,000 square miles of ocean along the Atlantic coast, from North Carolina to most of New Jersey, including the Delaware Bay. It includes the small boat station in Cape May, along with the cutters, the air station at Atlantic City International Airport and multiple other units, but does not include Cape Mays largest Coast Guard presence, the training center with which the small boat station shares the base.

Last year, Seaman Carter Gravel, 19 and originally from Louisville, Kentucky, was in basic training at that center. He said he is interested in the law enforcement aspect of the Coast Guards work and is continuing his training as part of the small boat station where he has been stationed since September.

I chose the Coast Guard because its growing its mission, defending the homeland security and saving lives, Gravel said.

He and Charlie Brammer, a boatswains mate 2nd class, spoke about their mission at the station. Brammer has about four years in the Coast Guard and also did his training in Cape May, the boot camp for the entire service.

Once through their training, recruits are sent from Cape May around the country and beyond. Brammer said he thought about that as a recruit.

Imagine being able to go anywhere in the Coast Guard and they stick you in Cape May, New Jersey, he said. Later in the interview, he said he felt lucky to be in Cape May. He has family in the Philadelphia area and can visit them in the short, off-duty periods.

Brammer described the duty rotation as being like firefighters, with two days off and two days on, with the expectation that crews will be ready to respond at any time.

The small boat station responds from the Delaware Bay up to around Reeds Beach and to Corsons Inlet between Strathmere and Ocean City.

In winter, the crews have time for training and preparation, along with needed maintenance on their boats, especially things like repainting the hulls that cannot take place while the boat is in the water.

Festival brings day of learning, fun to Cape May Coast Guard base The Coast Guard Community Festival is presented by the Cape May County Coast Guard Community Foundation, with the station allowing use of its base. That includes tours of some of the boats and vessels, live demonstrations and tours, like a look at the Training Center, the nations only boot camp for enlisted Coast Guard Recruits.

The summer is a different story.

Oh, its night and day, said Brammer. Over the winter, we have a lot of maintenance and training that we get caught up on, getting people like Gravel, who are fresh reported, qualified and ready for the summer.

On Tuesday, part of that training included a joint exercise with one of the stations boats and a helicopter out of Atlantic City. Sometimes training may be canceled for bad weather, if there is a risk to the crew, but in this case the gale force winds were not enough to delay the exercise.

Guard members said if you only train in good weather, you wont be ready when you need to operate and its rotten out.

In summer, with far more recreational boats on the water, the crews work on checking that people have the gear they need and are following the rules of the water, which can include boarding vessels and dockside checks.

Of course, with more boats out, theres more search-and-rescue cases as well, Brammer said.

Last year, the Coast Guard reduced the operating hours for the small boat station in Ocean City, which has long operated in summers from Northpoint Road. Another station, at 82nd Street in Sea Isle City, was also not staffed.

At the time, Coast Guard officials pointed to recruitment difficulties and a 10% reduction in staff for the service. But officials said that would not impact emergency response times.

On Tuesday, Brammer said the Cape May station relies on the State Police Marine Unit and works closely with other responders and stations to watch out for boaters along the coast.

The Coast Guard falls under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, not under the Department of Defense like the Navy, Army, Air Force, Marines and Space Force.

New commanding officer at Cape May Coast Guard base CAPE MAY  Warren Judge first came to Cape May as a Coast Guard recruit on Aug. 19, 1986, st

The Coast Guards budget request for fiscal year 2025 is $13.8 billion, a small reduction from previous years.

Last year, the Coast Guard exceeded its recruitment target for the first time since 2017, officials announced in September. Budget documents say the Coast Guard plans to take delivery of new, more capable and modern assets this year, and invest more than $1 billion in capital improvements to extend the life of cutters and boats.

This month, Coast Guard acting Commandant Kevin Lunday announced Force Design 2028, along with Kristi Noem, the secretary of homeland security. Lunday described it as a way for the Coast Guard to become a more agile, capable and responsive fighting force to best serve the American people.

We are building the Coast Guards future force starting today, said Bokum, reading from a statement. Increased national demand for our Coast Guard requires a bigger, more capable military workforce. This campaign will improve training systems, boost access to medical care and modernize both the Coast Guard Reserve and the civilian management system.

The Angela McShan was commissioned in Cape May in October 2019. Cutters are now typically named for enlisted Coast Guard personnel, those who Schmidt described as heroes. McShan was the first Black woman to be named master chief petty officer in the Coast Guard, which she achieved in 2000. She received multiple honors in her Coast Guard career. Officials describe her as an inspirational teacher and mentor.

She died two months after her promotion, of cancer.

Her family attended the commissioning ceremony, and Roth said he and members of the crew were thrilled to welcome some of those family members on board in Charleston, South Carolina.

The cutter covers from central New Jersey, out 200 miles, to the border between North and South Carolina, with most missions lasting five to seven days. A week is the maximum, based on the fuel and food the cutter can carry for the crew of 24.

Each ship has its own personality, Roth said, and the crew members become like family, working together, eating together and spending downtime together. Its like a family.

Youre in each others business all the time. Theres two spots to hang out, its up here or its down on the mess deck, and everyone is there all the time, Roth said. Well get to know each other really, really well.

New construction planned for Coast Guard base in Cape May CAPE MAY  The only place for Coast Guard recruits to receive basic training in the United S

Youre underway with 24 of your best friends, Schmidt said.

Once the lines get cast off and the cutter gets underway, no one knows for sure what the mission will bring, Schmidt said. That unknown is part of why they joined the Coast Guard.

Roth, 25, a Nebraska native, said he speaks to some of his old friends who are now in desk jobs, a sharp difference from his work.

I love what Im doing now, he said.

Schmidt is a lieutenant, but by tradition, the commanding officer of a ship is referred to as the captain while on board. Now 36, he came to the Jersey Shore while growing up in Philadelphia, so he was always familiar with the Coast Guard. He said he has always been interested in criminal justice, which also attracted him to the Coast Guard.

In addition to rescue and boating safety, the cutter enforces fishing regulations on the commercial fleets with which it shares the harbor.

Its a $5.5 billion industry, and part of the cutter crews job is to protect the natural resource.

In some places, Schmidt said, there can be an antagonistic relationship between commercial fishing crews and the Coast Guard, similar to anyones feeling toward police when they see red and blue lights in the rearview mirror.

But around the fisheries of Cape May, the staff of the commercial boats also understand that the Coast Guard will be there if they get in trouble.

Our bread and butter is a lifesaving service. We do national security, we do enforcement, but were founded as a lifesaving service, Roth said. If theyre in trouble, were going to be out there.

Sometimes, in heavy weather, the white and red of a Coast Guard cutter can be a welcome sight.

They like seeing us out there, he said.
Montanas longest-serving district judge has ceded oversight of the states first-ever treatment court, following a string of complaints and concerns voiced by prosecutors, defense attorneys and others over his handling of cases in recent months.

Its long been a point of pride for Missoula District Judge John Larson that he established the states first drug treatment court in 1996, a model that has since been duplicated in dozens of courthouses across the state.

Treatment courts can offer defendants an attractive alternative to jail or prison time: Address the drug or alcohol problems that landed you in front of a judge in the first place, and your case will be wiped from the court records.

But over the past year, attorneys and others who work with Larson grew increasingly concerned about what theyve called a hostile work environment and a pattern of unusual decisions in his juvenile drug court.

In October, the Missoula County Attorneys Office, the Office of Public Defender and Missoula Youth Probation all withdrew from participation in Larsons youth drug court. All three offices also have active complaints against Larson pending before the Judicial Standards Commission, which oversees district judges.

In a defiant court filing following the withdrawals, Larson suggested the move had been coordinated and vowed to press on without them.

But last month, Larson officially turned over his jurisdiction of the youth treatment court to Missoula District Judge Shane Vannatta, who assumed jurisdiction on March 17. Vannatta declined to be interviewed about his plans for the treatment court or the circumstances leading up to the switch in leadership.

After 28 years serving as the presiding judge of the Missoula Youth Drug Treatment Court, the undersigned hereby withdraws from jurisdiction and invites the Honorable Shane A. Vannatta to assume jurisdiction, Larson wrote in a court document filed March 10.

Larson declined to be interviewed by the Missoulian for this story, citing judicial code of conduct preventing judges from discussing specific cases. He did not respond to requests to discuss broader issues or his youth treatment court in general.

Differing opinions

The Missoulian obtained emails from sources in the legal community that show three of the main parties to youth courts in Missoula withdrawing from participation in Larsons Youth Treatment Court last year. Other emails and court records were obtained through sources and public records requests from the Missoula County Clerk of District Courts office.

Due to resource issues and differences of opinions on certain aspects of the current Youth Treatment Court structure, we believe it is in our mutual best interests for the County Attorney to withdraw from participation in Youth Treatment Court effective immediately, Missoula County Attorney Matt Jennings wrote in an Oct. 2, 2024 email to Larson.

In an interview last month, Jennings said those resource issues were a reference to the difficulty of assigning a limited number of prosecutors to the seven specialized courts in the local judicial district. Jennings also said his office hasnt withdrawn from any other courts, and resumed participation in the Youth Treatment Court after Larson stepped aside.

An Oct. 4 email from Youth Court Chief Probation Officer Christine Kowalski struck a sharper tone.

I know that you are aware of the dysfunctional dynamic of the Drug Court team and due to that dynamic I do not feel that it is a safe environment for Youth Court to participate in at this time, nor am I presently comfortable supporting any of the kids participating in Drug Court, Kowalski wrote in her email to Larson.

She added, I am saddened it has come to this at this time, but in my opinion I need to advocate for the emotional, social and mental health (and) safety of myself, my staff and most importantly the kids we supervise.

Later that month, the Office of Public Defender followed up on Oct. 8 with a similar letter from Robert Greenwell, the states deputy public defender for Region 1, which includes Missoula County.

The Office of the State Public Defender  Missoula shares the concerns of the Missoula County Attorneys Office and Youth Court Probation, Greenwell wrote. Effective immediately, OPD will no longer appear as a member of the Youth Court treatment team.

OPD Director Brett Schandelson declined to comment more specifically on the agencys concerns with Larson or his drug court, as did multiple local attorneys contacted by the Missoulian for this story. Most cited concerns about potential impacts to their clients.

Attorneys, particularly public defenders, often refrain from commenting on specific cases or court practices due to their ethical obligations to protect client confidentiality and privileged information, Schandelson wrote in a statement, noting his comments are not specific to any judge. Public statements also risk prejudicing ongoing proceedings or clients, harming relationships with courts where they regularly appear or intersecting with processes such as disciplinary or judicial complaints.

Kowalski, with Missoula Youth Probation, also declined a request for comment by the Missoulian to elaborate on what she called a dysfunctional dynamic.

But an Oct. 30 court filing by a deputy county attorney described a hostile work environment toward both Kowalski and county prosecutor Lauren Sandau. That filing sought to disqualify Larson from overseeing a juvenile case.

Judge Larsons treatment of both Ms. Sandau and Ms. Kowalski had become generally hostile to the point that I felt it was necessary to be personally present to support them, Deputy County Attorney Justin Ekwall wrote. This is the only time in my legal career that I have felt the need to do anything similar for someone who was not a victim (or parent of a victim) of domestic violence, felony level violence and/or a sexual offense.

Ekwall went on to state that Larson had called Kowalski a liar in open court, refused to let her contribute to team meetings, used demeaning or insulting language toward her and made her upset to the point of tears on multiple occasions.

In one of his filings, Larson also accused Kowalski of defying one of his court orders.

Dating back to at least summer of 2024, Ekwall added that Larsons behavior appeared to begin at around the time that Ms. Kowalski, along with multiple members of the local bar, began to push back against Youth Drug Treatment Court Practices that did not conform to nationally accepted evidence-based standards.

Facing down resistance and opposition

Larson took issue with some of those characterizations in a response issued about a week later, writing that the case was not the appropriate place for Ekwalls allegations or for a point-by-point refutation from the judge.

But he did address the then-recent withdrawal of the three parties from his treatment court.

The trios almost simultaneous notices of their withdrawal from the Treatment Court were apparently coordinated among themselves, and I infer that the trio thought (or hoped) the Treatment Court would be terminated if they did not participate, Larson wrote in a response filed Nov. 6.

... This and other drug treatment courts have dealt with resistance and opposition from county attorneys, public defenders, probation and social service agencies, he continued. This lack of participation or cooperation from those entities does not distance the destiny of these programs.

The judge also disputed Ekwalls allegation that some of the courts practices violated accepted evidence-based standards. He noted the treatment court had recently added a licensed addiction counselor to the team.

And Larson vowed to continue operating the youth drug court without the prosecutors, public defenders or youth probation.

We will continue to operate with a full team, complete with a volunteer attorney as part of the team, all in compliance with the applicable guidelines, he wrote. ... I will continue to address attempts by any offices and staff to influence, interfere with or erode the treatment courts operation.

Larsons determination to continue running the treatment court, however, didnt sit well with the youth probation office.

In an email published as part of a juvenile criminal case in Larsons court, Kowalski wrote she was gravely concerned that the judge was putting other youth at risk by ordering a juvenile defendant who had recently turned 18 into the youth treatment court.

Kowalski emailed all five of Missoula Countys district judges on Oct. 25, Larson included. She noted that one youth defendant had failed 69 urinalysis tests, passed zero, had allegedly been selling drugs and seem(ed) to have no investment into getting clean.

I am gravely concerned about these youth being exposed to (the defendant) and not having any adult supervision, such as county attorney, OPD or Youth Court to ensure these youth are safe from exposure to adults like (the defendant), Kowalski wrote.

Prior attempts by the youth treatment court team to bring up those issues, she continued, seemed to go on deaf (ears) to the judge.

These kids are my #1 priority and I am worry (sic) they are not safe being exposed to this environment and being forced to do so by the court is unsettling, Kowalski wrote.

Since Vannatta began transitioning into his role overseeing the youth drug court, the offices of county attorney, public defender and youth probation have all begun participating again.

Were honoring Judge Larsons legacy for everything hes been able to accomplish, and turn this over to a new, younger judge to see if we need tweaks for the future, Jennings told the Missoulian.

A passionate advocate for youth

First elected to Missoula District Court in 1993, John W. Larson has been on the bench longer than any other trial judge in Montana. Last November, the 74-year-old judge won an uncontested election to secure another six-year term.

Advocates for the treatment court approach to criminal diversion have lauded his work, which has since spawned at least 30 other treatment courts operating across the state, according to the Montana Judicial Branch. Those include drug courts tailored to adults, families, veterans and people with co-occurring mental health conditions.

Treatment courts require intensive judicial supervision, in which the judge works with case managers, probation officers, defense attorneys, youth counselors and others. Participants are typically required to enter treatment, undergo drug testing and report regularly to the court. The group settings often reward participants for staying clean but sanction them if theyre not progressing.

Ultimately, the goal of youth drug court is to get juvenile defendants to overcome substance abuse issues and address other problems in their life  getting back on track in school, finding housing and jobs or getting involved in healthy activities.

Larsons pioneering work in setting up the states first treatment court, along with his other advocacy for youth defendants, earned him the Montana Bar Associations Karla M. Gray Equal Justice Award in 2011.

The nomination letter from Legal Services Executive Director Alison Paul called Larson "a passionate advocate for the rights of abused children" with "a special commitment to Native American youth," according to a Missoulian story published at the time. He also currently serves as one of six members of the Montana Treatment Court Advisory Committee.

Larson still oversees Missoula Countys family treatment court, one of seven special courts operating in the judicial district.

We respect Judge Larson for basically his 30 years in being a leader in treatment courts, Jennings, the county attorney, said in a March interview. Hes had tremendous outcomes for a lot of juveniles throughout his career.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin and Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears joined Fox News Channels FOX & Friends from Shortys Diner in Henrico County on Thursday morning, where they talked about Earle-Sears bid for the governors mansion, tariffs and Virginias education system.

President Donald Trump on Wednesday suddenly rolled back many tariffs he had threatened to impose on dozens of the United States trading partners. Youngkin said Trumps 90-day pause on tariffs gives the president a chance to cut deals and reset trade relationships with countries that have an advantage over the U.S.

The reality is that free and fair trade means that we cant have countries that have tariffs on our goods going to them, and yet they have free access to our country. Its been like this for too long, Youngkin told FOX & Friends co-host Brian Kilmeade.

The president is resetting those relationships, but still identifying the fact that China is an adversary, and we cannot play footsie with China. We have to actually treat them like an adversary, and thats exactly what hes doing.

In between interviews, Earle-Sears worked the room, stopping at tables to chat with diners wearing Trump gear about their families and changes they want to see in Virginia, while Youngkin buzzed around, pouring coffee for diners who tucked into pancakes and other breakfast favorites.

Youngkin has long been wary of Chinas government.

In December 2022, Youngkin stopped efforts to land a $3.5 billion Ford Motor Co. battery plant in Pittsylvania County, saying the plant would have served as a front for the Chinese Communist party. That month, he also issued an executive order banning the use of certain Chinese-owned mobile apps websites, like TikTok, on state government devices.

Last year, he expressed concern that several Virginia school divisions  including three of the states largest  are using a Chinese-owned tutoring platform associated with TikToks parent company.

Earle-Sears

Earle-Sears spoke about her opponent, former Rep. Abigail Spanberger, saying the Democrat is in trouble in her campaign.

Virginians know that she wants higher taxes. We dont want that. Virginians want better education opportunities, Earle-Sears said. She only wants one single opportunity, and thats public schools. We want public, private homeschools, whatever the parents want.

Earle-Sears has been a staunch advocate for school choice, often saying that educational opportunity shouldnt be decided by a familys ZIP code.

Spanberger has not publicly talked about her stance on school choice.

Compared with other states across the U.S., Virginias range of school choice options is limited. The state, for example, has only seven charter schools while neighboring states like North Carolina and Maryland each have upward of 100. Youngkin has pushed several school choice bills over the past few years, which have all failed to pass the General Assembly.

Youngkin said Tuesday that the states school systems are now getting it together and our kids are now extending to excellence as opposed to what they had before, which was equity.

On his first day in office, Youngkin signed an executive order to end the use of inherently divisive concepts, including Critical Race Theory in K-12 education.

Earle-Sears criticized Spanbergers relationship with former President Joe Biden and his mental state.

Kilmeade asked Earle-Sears if Spanberger had an obligation to share what she saw in Biden when he was president.

She kept bragging that she was in constant touch with Joe Biden, talked to him all the time. That means she knew that he was not all there, Earle-Sears said. And thats a national security issue for me because China knew it, Russia knew it. All of the other rogue nations knew it. And she said nothing. So she cannot be trusted with our safety and security.

A spokesperson for Spanbergers campaign said in a statement: As a mom of three daughters in Virginia public schools, Abigail Spanberger knows parents in Virginia want their kids to receive a quality education, which is why shes focused on making the Commonwealths public schools the best in America.

Meanwhile, the Youngkin-Sears administration just proposed major cuts to investments in Virginia schools for critical roles that would support students. As Governor, Abigail will work to strengthen schools, support teachers, and ensure that every student in Virginia  no matter their ZIP code  has the opportunities they need to succeed.
Virginia retailers need to make decisions now for the holiday season in seven months, but they say they are no more certain about how to plan or what to buy for shoppers than they were before President Donald Trump suddenly rolled back the tariffs he had threatened to impose on dozens of the United States trading partners.

Nancy Thomas, president and CEO of InUnison of Central Virginia, formerly known as the Retail Merchants Association, said Trumps last-minute decision on Wednesday to set a temporary 10% tariff as a floor for negotiating with dozens of countries, while raising the tariff on goods from China to 125%, wont reassure the hundreds of retail merchants she represents in the Greater Richmond area.

The key word is floor, Thomas said Wednesday. It could go up. It probably wont go down.

All they can anticipate is that these large tariffs are not going to go away, she said.

Trumps announcement caused embattled stock markets to rally, but did not relieve the uncertainty facing businesses that rely on goods imported and exported through the Port of Virginia to drive the states economy.

It was the good news the market was hoping for, but the uncertainty surrounding the announcement hasnt gone away, said Bob McNab, chairman of the economics department at Old Dominion University in Norfolk. Until we see more policy stability, we probably wont see more market stability.

Like Thomas, McNab said the presidents decision to roll back his proposed tariffs to 10% for most countries does not mean hes entirely pausing their effect.

It means everybodys being hit with a 10% tariff, which will still roil markets as they digest the news, he said.

At the same time, consumers and exporters will feel the effects of the trade war that Trump launched with China, which already has raised its average tariff on U.S. goods to 84%, prompting the president to retaliate again on Wednesday.

Consumers are going to see prices on a wide variety of goods jump in the next month, McNab predicted.

Port of Virginia

The trade war also wont help the Port of Virginia, based in Hampton Roads, with a terminal on the James River and a crucial asset to businesses across the state.

If you think of the Port of Virginia as a conduit for small, medium and large businesses, and the business environment is souring, theres headwinds for the port, McNab said.

The Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond issued an economic study this week that estimated the average effective tariff rate on U.S. trading partners would rise from 2.3% last year to 22.2% under the package of reciprocal tariffs that Trump rolled out last week, based on the U.S. trade deficit with each country.

Previously, the Federal Reserve had estimated that the average effective tariff rate would rise to 15%, which reflects 25% tariffs that he slapped on aluminum and steel imports, as well as automobiles and auto parts, which are not affected by the presidents 90-day pause of his Liberation Day tariffs.

Cage match

The higher tariffs  wherever they ultimately land  will pose a challenge for businesses that will have to decide whether they make fundamental changes in how and where they manufacture goods, how much of the higher costs of those goods they try to pass on to consumers, and whether consumers will be willing to pay them, Tom Barkin, president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, said in a presentation to the Economic Club of Washington on Wednesday.

Youve got people trying to raise prices, (and) people not all that receptive, Barkin said, likening the showdown to a cage match between emboldened manufacturers and exhausted consumers.

He said the danger is that consumers, whose confidence has plunged in sentiment surveys in the past two months, will pull back on spending, as they already have in Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia because of massive cuts that Trump is making in the federal government workforce and spending, which drive the regional and state economy.

I think thats a real challenge, Barkin said.

For financial markets, the biggest challenge may be the volatility of trading in the face of Trumps frequent shifts in economic policy.

You cant make decisions

The volatility is beyond insane, said Kent Engelke, chief economic strategist and managing director at Capitol Securities Management in Richmond, who returned from a short walk on Wednesday to find the market turned downside up in his absence.

You cant make decisions, Engelke said. The only thing that is certain is uncertainty. Everything else is conjecture and rhetoric.

The uncertainty is not good for business, said Brian Anderson, president and CEO of the Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce.

None of us feels safe enough that were not going to be affected somehow, said Anderson, whose organization represents about 700 member businesses.

Home builders remain worried about conflicting messages from the presidents shifting trade policy, said Andrew Clark, vice president of government affairs at the Home Builders Association of Virginia, which has been concerned about the effect of tariffs on lumber imported from Canada.

There is so much (political) volatility in D.C. and decision making is so volatile, youre just going to assume the worst is yet to come, Clark said.
Chetumal gets a head start on hurricane emergency shelter inspections

Chetumal, Q.R.  Chetumal Mayor Yensunni Martinez is getting a head start on the inspection of emergency shelters. The Municipality of Othon P. Blanco began the selection of various schools in the state capital.

These schools will serve as temporary shelters during the upcoming rainy and tropical cyclone season of 2025.

Visits were made to CBTA 11, Guadalupe Victoria Elementary School, CBTIS 253, Armando Escobar Nava Middle School, Primo de Verdad Elementary School, Eva Samano de Lopez Mateos Elementary School, CBTIS 214, and Francisco I. Madero Elementary School.

In a coordinated effort between the Urban Assistance Subcommittee of the General Directorate of Social Development, Municipal Civil Protection, State Civil Protection Coordination and the Ministry of Education, each building was verified to ensure its operational readiness in the event of a hydrometeorological event.

Last year, the buildings earmarked for emergency hurricane use ended up being used to shelter local residents who were flooded out of their homes. Prior to the official arrival of the Atlantic hurricane season, the southern region experienced ongoing heavy rains that left entire communities under water.
The purpose of a system is what it does. So what did antiracist systems actually  do?

Less than a month after George Floyds death, evolutionary biologist Bret Weinstein appeared on The Joe Rogan Experience to explain the sentiment behind Americas new reckoning on race. Theres a cybernetic principle: the purpose of a system is what it does, he asserted. Dont listen to what somebody says that the system is for. Look at what it accomplishes: Thats what its for.

Its a crucial insightand a key to understanding our modern arguments surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Why is DEI on the decline?

Voices more sympathetic to DEI would tell you that many of the DEI initiatives put in place after 2020, from the classroom to the boardroom, were subsumed by the broader system of capitalism and thus robbed of any ability to create meaningful change. In other words, the purpose of the system was what it did, and the almighty dollar beat out attempts to make business better.

Voices on the DEI-critical side would tell you that DEI initiatives were explicitly designed to undermine meritocracy and hurt institutional unity, and that their declining popularity is a symptom of conscious, targeted rejection of their underlying philosophy. So, again, the purpose of the system was what it did, and DEI failed by virtue of its intrinsic aims.

Public perception of diversity, equity, and inclusion has come a long way since 2020. A Bentley-Gallup survey last year showed the annual decline, with support falling every year after peaking at 73% support in 2022. An NBC News survey published in February found public opinion split 49%48%, largely breaking along political lines. And thats to say nothing of the absolute cascade of corporations making cuts to, and in some cases outright eliminating, their diversity initiatives. The conversation we need to have right now is about the real effect of the $50 billion corporate America pledged to fix its racism problems. Whom did that money actually help? What problems did it actually solve? Did it do anything at all? And if there isnt a clear answer to these questions, then its worth thinking about whether DEI ever had any purpose to begin with.

Expecting the Best, Judging by the Worst?

I started my investigation by finding someone who would largely disagree with me on DEI: Davidson College professor Issac Bailey. I struggled with what to say about the postGeorge Floyd period when corporations were declaring their intent to take these issues seriously, Bailey tells me. I wanted to believe them because they were saying it so loudly, that they were on board. But I had my doubts because I had seen this play out a thousand times before.

In Baileys view (and Ive heard it echoed by many others), diversity initiatives tendency to make people uncomfortable is an insurmountable obstacle to their success. As Bailey lays it out: Something bad happens, discomforting white people. A lot of folks in response say they didnt know and would do better. The guilt wears off, and it is replaced with rage, and any gains are rolled back. DEI is being judged by its worst practitioners rather than its best. What other movement would survive such a standard?

But Bailey doesnt confine his criticism to the shifting sands of offended sensibilities. He openly admits that many corporate DEI programs werent exactly designed to be groundbreaking, and therefore not built for reshaping of the corporate space. It has to be a holistic approach, not bringing in a black motivational speaker or hosting a couple of implicit-bias training sessions and calling it a day, he maintains. And it clearly cant be about making white people feel guilty. That, frankly, is stupid and counterproductive.

To Bailey, the current retreat from DEI is telling. It is pretty clear which companies embraced real DEIwhich is diversity, equity, AND inclusion, not diversity, equity, OR inclusionand which didnt. Those who really believe in that principle are doubling down on real DEI. Those who did it solely for performative reasons are the ones who are backing off this year.

So has DEIs fall from grace been a consequence of its design? Or one of imperfect application? Those companies that engaged in performative DEI (all talk and no walk) might explain why corporate DEI programs failed to elevate the marginalized voices they maintained were being under-listened to. As per 2023 polling, more than three-quarters of chief diversity officers were white, with just over 16% being what would generally be considered underrepresented minorities (non-white, non-Asian).

Given this immense underrepresentation of underrepresented minorities in DEI administrators, its hard to say if we should be happy about the flawed industrys rapid decline or sad about losing the marginal benefits it provided to those underrepresented minorities.

It could be the case, however, that both reactions racialize a conflict that isnt about race as much as it is about a worldviewone that does nothing to benefit members of victim groups unless they espouse progressivism. Im reminded of the story of Erec Smith, a former DEI trainer who was effectively drummed out of the movement for questioning tenets of antiracist philosophy.

The decline of DEI has more often than not been the result of its unforgiving ideology than some white racial backlash.

From Inclusion to Identitarian

Carol Swain, former professor of political science at Vanderbilt University, certainly seems to think DEIs decline is about ideologyand its a debate that goes back much further than the death of George Floyd. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is affirmative action on steroids, she tells me. The initial diversity that followed [the institution of affirmative action] was focused on outreach and a seeking of talented minorities: equal opportunity, nondiscrimination. What I found was a real focus on getting the best and the brightest.

To Swain, the pivot away from programs designed to remove obstacles and toward facilitating race-driven outcomes happened during the late 2000s and early 2010sand she experienced it firsthand. I divide the world into pre-Obama and post-Obama, she says. During the Obama years, there was just so much emphasis on your group identity: You were representing your group. In academia, things started to change for me mostly because I had no value to African American Studies. Because of the way I thought, I had no value to womens studies.  Thats what diversity became: I was not allowed to just be a black political scientist doing good work.

That doesnt sound holistic or particularly productive. And apparently, corporate diversity programs are not all that different.

I sat down with business consultant Tachelle Lawson, whos worked in the hospitality industry for decades, to discuss whether corporate DEI does any better. But Lawsons story, too, started in academia, with a story about a DEI certification program she took at Cornell: I thought it was going to add serious value until I realized the person in HR who was talking to me, who has zero acumen, had the same certification [I was studying for]. I went back onto the website, and I realized it was literally just a form where you give your credit card information.

For what its worth, Lawson has an answer to the who-benefited-from-DEI question. DEI practitioners, corporate consultants, organizations like Black Lives Matter benefited greatly. But whether employees, customers, and shareholders benefitedLawsons ready to go through the examples.

A $50 Billion Execution Problem?

Few brands are as deeply associated with DEI (and as deeply politicized as a result) as Target. After championing diversity postGeorge Floyd, the company announced in January its rollback of many of its DEI initiatives and goals. The reversal sparked ire from public figures like Al Sharpton and Pastor Jamal Bryant, as well as a planned 40-day boycott of the retailer. What was Targets diversity error? A truly incredible combination of over-selling rhetoric and under-delivering on positive results.

The inclusion was an illusion, says Lawson, pointing out the disconnect between Targets initial messaging on DEI as an essential element of doing business and the politicization and reputational damage shareholders actually experienced. Because Target was hardcore on virtue signaling, hardcore on the look at us, then shareholders are like, You didnt tell us that this was this risky! Thats not being racist, thats not being sexist. Thats being a business operator and paying attention to what this is doing to the brand.

Not only did Target piss off their shareholders, emphasizes Lawson, noting a lawsuit accusing Target of misleading them on the risks of their DEI programs, because they went so hard on the messaging, they pissed off their customers, too.

But what about brands that are doubling down on DEI in this new world, like Costco? Lawson maintains that its not a tenable long-term strategy. Its only a matter of time before Costco walks back on their DEI. I think itll be a couple of months at best. I also think that statement wont be as loud as the doubling down.

When I ask Lawson about what she means by DEI done right, she references things like name blind recruitment, where employers focus solely on a candidates qualifications to judge initial hireabilitynotably, not a fix that requires millions of dollars in program development and execution.

To Lawson, far too many DEI advocates never made arguments for why more complicated diversity initiativesfrom unconscious-bias training to microaggression preventionhelped with crucial areas of business like revenue, retention, and reputational enhancement, because many initiatives frankly didnt help.

In the world that exists after peak DEI, says Lawson, companies and institutions are going to have to serve a workforce thats diverse in background and beliefs without devolving into cheap posturing. We are becoming more diverse in our beliefs, in our desires, so thats going to affect the need for products and services.

Living PostPeak DEI

So what happens to DEI from here? Academic Carol Swain sees the momentum in higher ed contingent on a major institution being willing to take the plunge on a robust, ideologically non-DEI vision of academia: All it needs is one major university and a strong personality. And despite her history with the Ivy League (former Harvard president Claudine Gays ousting scandal involved numerous instances of her plagiarizing Swain), she sees a top-down domino effect as a real possibility.

I think Harvard should be ashamed of itself, she tells me. But when it comes to [current president] Alan Garber, I have a reason to expect that hes probably not on board with what has been taking place at Harvard.

As for addressing corporate DEI, Tachelle Lawson maintains its going to be a slower processand a longer game than just the next four years. The next administration determines the true fate of DEI, she predicts. Because the previous administration was so far to the left, everything was about DEI, and then this one is so against it, its going to be a tug of war for a while. Having a policy thats determined by whos in the Oval Office is not sustainable.

This isnt the last think piece on DEI, and it certainly wont be the last. But its a plea that we look at the diversity debate with reality glasses on. Corporate America pledged $50 billion to fix racism problems after George Floyd died. Five years later, the only folks were absolutely sure benefited from the DEI-ification of American classrooms and boardrooms are  the consultants who taught it, many of whom sold CEOs and HR departments on complicated, unproven theories when simpler fixes arguably would have done more to create healthy diversity. And we absolutely have a list of people and brands and institutions that experienced adverse effects as a result.

If Bret Weinstein is rightif the purpose of a system is what it doesthen DEI was a brilliant con.

The lesson to be taken from all this is not as simple as diversity = bad. What weve witnessed in the past five years has been a tragically expensive experiment that has led to an obvious conclusion: Focusing on race and gender exclusively while ignoring diversity of background, faith, and thought is a nonstarter. And the consultants at the helm of this experiment have, by and large, demonstrated theyre not trustworthy stewards of our institutions.

As our nation becomes more truly diverse, questions about equal treatment and value creation are becoming more important, not less, for the people within those institutions who deserve better than microaggression training and identitarian quotas. And weve spent five years getting a crash course in exactly how not to answer them.
Tuesday, Harry Bosen picked up the phone and called the office of his congressman, Rep. Morgan Griffith. The retired lawyer lives in Cave Spring and was incensed after he checked the value of a retirement account.

In a matter of days, it declined by $110,000, Bosen said. The sudden plunge followed President Donald Trumps announcement last week of trade tariffs against almost every nation on Earth.

(Wednesday afternoon, Trump apparently blinked in response to crashing financial markets and postponed most of the announced tariffs for 90 days. At that time, the markets moved sharply upward.)

When he called Griffiths office on Capitol Hill Tuesday and spoke to an aide, I was succinct, Bosen said. He told the staffer that Griffith, R-Salem, should get a spine. Among Bosens complaints were the tariffs, which are a stupid thing to do, he said.

How can you go through life without realizing a tariff is a tax paid by the consumer? Bosen added. Thats pretty stupid.

Bosen was shocked that he got an email from Griffith the very same day. But he was less than thrilled by its content. It almost appears that Griffith is totally uninterested in reining in Donald Trump on tariffs.

Currently, theres bipartisan legislation before Congress that would accomplish exactly that  The Trade Review Act of 2025. It was the subject of Tuesdays column, which urged readers to call Griffith and Reps. Ben Cline and John McGuire, and demand they vote for the bill.

The legislation was first proposed in the U.S. Senate by Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, and Maria Cantwell, D-Wash. Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., has introduced identical legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Article I, Sec. 8 of the U.S. Constitution explicitly puts Congress in charge of tariffs. But over years, lawmakers have ceded that authority to the White House. The Trade Review Act of 2025 would take those powers back  and allow Congress to cancel tariffs announced by the White House, by majority vote.

Heres how Griffith responded to Bosen (the congressmans full letter accompanies this column):

If actions by the Executive branch are unlawful or an overreach of power, the Legislative and Judicial branches have not only the right, but the responsibility, to counter these actions and provide the appropriate checks on the Executive branch. This should hold true regardless of which party controls the Administration or Congress.

Thus far, I have not seen anything establishing that the Trump Administration has violated constitutional authority, or authority given to the Executive branch by Congress. I have long believed that for decades Congress has given too much authority to the Executive branch. Under Democratic administrations, these granted authorities have been exercised to the fullest extent to advance the agendas of the president.

So, while I would prefer to clip the wings of all Executive branch decisions, I cannot fault President Trump for using the same authorities as his predecessors.

Thats a fascinating reply, huh?

I emailed it to Griffiths press secretary, Jackson Krug, and asked if every Ninth Congressional District resident who complains about Trump tariffs is getting the same response.

Normally Krug ignores my queries, But this time he actually replied with a statement from the congressman.

The letter Griffith emailed to Bosen Tuesday is a general response letter to general allegations that I am not standing up to President Trump, Griffith said in the statement. This is not a response letter specifically on tariffs, and we have not issued a letter on tariffs.

Its unclear whether his office intends to issue a form letter about tariffs.

Bosen wasnt the only constituent who called Griffith. Another was Dr. Nina Templeton of Blacksburg. The physician and veterinarian said she called about the Trade Review Act of 2025, she said.

The staffer on the other end said, Oh, thank you for calling. He likes to hear from his constituents,  Templeton told me.

Templeton also got back an email dated April 8. But the reply she received was an entirely different form letter  about energy.

Dear Dr. Templeton, Griffiths reply began. Thank you for contacting me regarding renewable energy. I appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts. As always, we need to balance the needs of the country. Access to reliable and affordable energy is the building block of a healthy economy.

The letter sported four more paragraphs, all about energy policy. Templeton said it was the second occasion on which she has received the same form letter. (On the first occasion, Templeton had actually written Griffith about energy.)

I guess my phone call went into the energy pile to be sent this rote reply (which I have received in the past), Templeton told me. I did get this reply faster to my phone call than to past emails so maybe (your column) speeded up the reply generator.

But Bosen and Templeton should not feel too bad that their congressman sent them one off-topic form letter as am response. Dennis Cropper of Lexington said hes experienced the same thing from his congressman, Rep. Ben Cline, R-Botetourt  three times.

Recently I have emailed Mr. Cline, through his website email address, almost once a day, Cropper said. Hes sent Cline 13 different emails, each on a different topic:

The topics have included Medicaid, education, IRS, Greenland, Social Security, the Department of Health & Human Services and others, Cropper wrote.

In every one of these emails I end it with something to the effect of Would you please come to Lexington and discuss with your constituents your thoughts on XXX and listen to their questions?

I have received 3 responses, all form letters, that do not answer the questions or concerns in my email, Cropper added.

And he has NEVER responded to the question of coming to Lexington to meet with his constituents.

Seems par for the course, eh?
A federal lawsuit filed by Averett University against its former chief financial officer and an investment firm provides the most details to date into the downward financial spiral of the Danville institution.

The university filed the 38-page civil document on March 26 in the Danville Division of the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia.

As plaintiff, Averett is demanding a jury trial for damages after it claims 75% of its endowment was eroded without the board's knowledge to cover operating expenses of the university.

The complaint claims the "unauthorized withdrawals" from the endowment amounted to nearly $20 million, but Averett also wants the lost investment returns "that would have been realized had the Endowment remained intact," the suit states.

There's no set dollar amount on the damages.

It names Global Strategic Investment Solutions  specifically Curt Thompson, Don Callaghan, Nick Botticelli, Matt Underwood and Dan Chesin  and Donald Bruce Aungst, the university's former CFO, as defendants.

The lawsuit claims that Global Strategic Investment Solutions and the CFO used "Averetts endowment to cover budget deficits without authority or consent" from the board of trustees.

"Worse still, they took steps to conceal the illicit draws from the endowment from Averetts Board of Trustees and executive staff," the lawsuit claims. "While facilitating the withdrawal of millions of dollars from Averetts endowment ... the OCIO gave regular reports to the Averett Board of Trustees in which the OCIO misrepresented the true state of the endowment."

The counts claimed in the lawsuit include breach of fiduciary duty, professional negligence, fraud, violation of the Virginia Securities Act, aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract, statutory business conspiracy and violation of the Exchange Act.

"Averett University repeatedly accessed its own endowment fund to meet payroll, invest in technology, pay down debt and cover other operational expenses due to liquidity challenges at the University," Thomason, a co-founder and managing partner with Global Strategic Investment Solutions, wrote in an email to the Register & Bee. "It is truly unfortunate that Averett  through this spurious federal lawsuit  is now seeking to scapegoat our firm, Global Strategic Investment Solutions (GSIS), for the decisions, actions and inactions of its own officers and directors during this unfortunate period."

Attempts to contact Aungst were unsuccessful.

"Thank you for your inquiry, however we choose not to comment on pending litigation," Averett University spokesperson Cassie Jones told the Register & Bee on Wednesday afternoon.

"GSIS vehemently denies the allegations and will vigorously defend against this baseless lawsuit," Thomason said via email.

Timeline

On April 2, 2020, Averett Univeristy announced that Aungst was hired for the job of vice president and chief financial and operating officer, however a news release is no longer on the school's website.

The lawsuit states the CFO started in March 2020.

A short time later, Global Strategic Investment Solutions, headquartered in Arizona, "colluded with Aungst to obtain private, confidential financial information to help it win a contract" with Averett, the document claims, something the university calls its "outsourced chief investment officer."

From April 2022 through April 2024, Averetts endowment was drained of almost $20 million, Averett claims.

An endowment is basically a fund of financial assets that can come from sources like donations.

"GSIS facilitated the withdrawal of assets from Averetts endowment at the request of Aungst," the suit states. "GSIS repeatedly misrepresented to the Board of Trustees the state of the endowment funds, concealed from them the type and nature of the withdrawals that it was making, and repeatedly sold off endowment funds without appropriate approvals, in direct contravention of its agreement with Averett."

It was in March 2024 when the financial situation surrounding Averett started to look bleak.

"By the time that the true state of the endowment was uncovered in or about March 2024, Averetts endowment had been reduced by roughly 75% of its value," the document continues.

Thats when former President Tiffany Franks  who led Averett for nearly 17 years  discovered what she termed a misrepresentation in what was being reported, she told the newspaper in a summer 2024 interview.

Essentially, there wasnt as much money as Franks and the board thought, the president confirmed to the Register & Bee.

David Joyce, Averett Universitys new president, was brought in earlier this year to help steady the cash-strapped university.

It was around March 19, 2024, the lawsuit contends, that Global Strategic Investment Solutions told Aungst the endowment was nearly depleted.

"Averett learned of illicit use of the margin loan and borrowing from the Endowment in March of 2024," the lawsuit states. "When the President of Averett confronted Aungst about the state of the Endowment on March 29, 2024, Aungst promptly tendered his resignation as Averetts CFO."

Margin loan

Averett had maxed out its line of credit in April 2022. It was recommended that the university open what's known as a margin loan account with Charles Schwab, the custodian for Averetts investment portfolio.

"In the same way a bank can lend you money if you have equity in your house, your brokerage firm can lend you money against the value of the investments in your portfolio," the Charles Schwab website explains of how a margin loan works.

"GSIS never advised the Board of the potential and significant risks associated with margin lending," Averett's lawsuit states.

In this case, the endowment was collateral.

When the loan was opened, the endowment was valued at about $20 million. By April 24, 2024, the net balance was $1.92 million, with another $2.32 million in liquid assets, the document claims.

In that March 2024 email, "GSIS informed Aungst of the margin loan position as a percentage of the endowment, the impact additional borrowing activity would cause, the current balance of the endowment, the current balance of the margin loan and the net position of the endowment factoring in the outstanding loan balance," the lawsuit states.

Averett also claims that board members were told this was a "line of credit," something it calls an incorrect characterization.

"The erosion of Averetts Endowment did not stop when the margin loan was maxed out," the suit states. "Instead, GSIS enabled Aungst to make unauthorized withdrawals directly from the Endowment to cover Averetts operating deficit, without disclosing those expenditures to the Board or Aungsts supervisors at the University."

Starting in July 2023 and going through March 2024, about $10.41 million was transferred from the endowment and used as operating money.

"Rather than notify the Board that Averett was unable to meet its operating obligations so that the Board could explore alternative financing options and cost-cutting measures, Aungst and GSIS continued  without authority and explicitly contrary to the terms of the IPS [investment policy statement]  to spend down Averetts Endowment," the lawsuit states.

Endowment subcommittee

A subcommittee for Averett's endowment met May 10, 2023, to review the first quarter of that year.

"At the time of that meeting, the margin loan was maxed out to the tune of roughly $6.5 million," the document claims. "Further, Aungst and GSIS had pulled a total of $600,000 from the Endowment for immediate expenditure."

That put the endowment value down by about $13.5 million.

Averett contends that a performance report to the group suggested the value was instead $21.54 million.

Another meeting happened Nov. 17, 2023. By that time, it was confirmed to the subcommittee that borrowing wouldn't be needed through the margin loan for the rest of the calendar year.

However, on Nov. 28, 2023, there was a request for $170,000 from the margin loan, Averett claims. Another $2.1 million was withdrawn from the endowment in December 2023.

"Throughout this period, Aungst continuously led the Board to believe that Averetts financial condition was better than it actually was," Averett claims.

"It is important to note that the claims brought against GSIS in this new federal court action have nothing to do with GSISs provision of advisory services for the Universitys endowment fund investment assets, but rather because our firm adhered to written distribution instructions from the Universitys own officials," Thompson told the newspaper. "By way of this lawsuit, Averett is regrettably seeking to recover a windfall award for itself after having used donor contributions to pay for its own University operations."
You and I live on top of the Earth's lithosphere, our home world's rocky exterior. But this layer isn't some rigid shell. Instead it's divided into 15 to 20 tectonic plates that drift over molten materials deeper in the planet. Boundaries between them come in three major categories  and the Ring of Fire includes examples of each one. Let's start with divergent boundaries. These occur when two neighboring plates move in opposite directions. Because they generate new crust (the outer portion of our lithosphere), they're extremely important.

Under the ocean, the huge Pacific Plate is being pushed away from four of its counterparts by the powerful East Pacific Rise. The boundary's northern tip stretches into the Gulf of California, putting it well within the Ring of Fire.

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And up in California proper, we have the San Andreas Fault. That's a classic transform boundary: an area where two plates sideswipe each other horizontally. California straddles the Pacific Plate and the North American Plate. The latter is headed south; the former's moving north. Friction between them causes earthquakes, such as the 1906 San Francisco quake that killed about 3,000 people.
Sightings of the yowie date back centuries, with Indigenous tales describing a hairy man roaming the forests of New South Wales and Queensland. These stories were passed down for generations before European settlers arrived and started reporting their own encounters.

Many of these early yowie reports describe a massive creature with giant footprints  eerily similar to North Americas Sasquatch and the Himalayan Abominable Snowman.

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Some of the most recent sightings have occurred in the Blue Mountains, where hikers and locals claim to have seen a towering beast with an ape-like appearance lurking among the trees.

One of the most famous alleged Yowie encounters was captured by Steve Piper, whose footage of a mysterious, shadowy figure has fueled heated debates among cryptid researchers.
Chinese rescue teams arrive in Beijing from Myanmar

Xinhua) 09:01, April 10, 2025

Members of the China Search and Rescue Team arrive in Beijing, capital of China, April 9, 2025. The China Search and Rescue Team, the China International Search and Rescue Team, and the search and rescue team from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region arrived in Beijing from Myanmar's capital Nay Pyi Taw on Wednesday after completing their mission in Myanmar's earthquake-stricken areas. (Xinhua/Cai Yang)

Members of the China Search and Rescue Team arrive in Beijing, capital of China, April 9, 2025. The China Search and Rescue Team, the China International Search and Rescue Team, and the search and rescue team from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region arrived in Beijing from Myanmar's capital Nay Pyi Taw on Wednesday after completing their mission in Myanmar's earthquake-stricken areas. (Xinhua/Cai Yang)

Members of the China Search and Rescue Team arrive in Beijing, capital of China, April 9, 2025. The China Search and Rescue Team, the China International Search and Rescue Team, and the search and rescue team from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region arrived in Beijing from Myanmar's capital Nay Pyi Taw on Wednesday after completing their mission in Myanmar's earthquake-stricken areas. (Xinhua/Cai Yang)

Members of the search and rescue team from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region arrive in Beijing, capital of China, April 9, 2025. The China Search and Rescue Team, the China International Search and Rescue Team, and the search and rescue team from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region arrived in Beijing from Myanmar's capital Nay Pyi Taw on Wednesday after completing their mission in Myanmar's earthquake-stricken areas. (Xinhua/Jin Liangkuai)

People present flowers to welcome the rescue team members in Beijing, capital of China, April 9, 2025. The China Search and Rescue Team, the China International Search and Rescue Team, and the search and rescue team from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region arrived in Beijing from Myanmar's capital Nay Pyi Taw on Wednesday after completing their mission in Myanmar's earthquake-stricken areas. (Xinhua/Jin Liangkuai)

Members of the China International Search and Rescue Team arrive in Beijing, capital of China, April 9, 2025. The China Search and Rescue Team, the China International Search and Rescue Team, and the search and rescue team from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region arrived in Beijing from Myanmar's capital Nay Pyi Taw on Wednesday after completing their mission in Myanmar's earthquake-stricken areas. (Xinhua/Jin Liangkuai)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
COLUMBIA, S.C.  South Carolinas highest court on Monday rejected the last major appeal from Mikal Mahdi, who is scheduled to die by firing squad later this week for the ambush killing of an off-duty police officer.

Mahdis lawyers said his original attorneys put on a shallow case trying to spare his life that didnt call on relatives, teachers or people who knew him and ignored the impact of weeks spent in solitary confinement in prison as a teen.

But the state Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision, ruled that many of those arguments were made in earlier unsuccessful appeals and refused to stop Fridays scheduled execution so further hearings could be held.

Mahdi, who admitted killing an off-duty police officer in an ambush at the officers Calhoun County shed, is the fifth person set to be executed in South Carolina in less than eight months. All made final appeals to the state Supreme Court but all were rejected.

Mahdi has one more opportunity to live, by asking Republican Gov. Henry McMaster to reduce his sentence to life in prison without parole just minutes before his scheduled execution time. He is to be put to death with three bullets to the heart at 6 p.m. on April 11 at the Broad River Correctional Institution in Columbia.

But no South Carolina governor has offered clemency in the 47 executions carried out in the state since the death penalty resumed in the U.S. in 1976.

Mahdi, 41, was convicted of killing Orangeburg Public Safety officer James Myers in 2004, shooting him at least eight times, then burning his body. Myers wife found him in the shed, which had been the backdrop to their wedding 15 months earlier.

Myers shed was a short distance through the woods from a gas station where Mahdi tried but failed to buy gas with a stolen credit card and left behind a vehicle he had carjacked in Columbia. Mahdi was arrested afterward in Florida while driving Myers unmarked police pickup truck.

Mahdi also admitted to the killing three days earlier of Christopher Biggs, a Winston-Salem, North Carolina, convenience store clerk who was shot twice in the head as he checked Mahdis ID. Mahdi was sentenced to life in prison for that killing.

Mahdi pleaded guilty to killing Myers, leaving a judge under South Carolina law to decide if he would be sentenced to death or life without parole.

Prosecutors called 28 witnesses for Circuit Court Judge Clifton Newman to hear. The defense called two, according to Mahdis appeal.

The defenses case to spare Mahdis life lasted only about 30 minutes. It didnt even span the length of a Law & Order episode, and was just as superficial, Mahdis lawyers wrote.

Prosecutors said Mahdi was able to present much more evidence during a 2011 appeal that had to be heard inside a prison because Mahdi had stabbed a death row guard during an escape attempt. A judge rejected the appeal.

In Mahdis vernacular, if his mitigation presentation before Judge Newman didnt even span the length of a Law & Order episode, the review of any potential error is in its 24th season, the state Attorney Generals Office wrote in court papers.

As a prisoner, Mahdi has been caught three times with tools he could have used to escape, including a piece of sharpened metal that could be used as a knife, according to prison records. While he was on death row, he stabbed a guard and hit another worker with a concrete block, the records show.

The nature of the man is violence, prosecutors wrote.

Mahdi is to be the second inmate executed by South Carolinas new firing squad after Brad Sigmon chose that way to die last month.

The firing squad is an execution method with a long and violent history in the U.S. and around the world. Death in a hail of bullets has been used to punish mutinies and desertion in armies, as frontier justice in Americas Old West and as a tool of terror and political repression in the former Soviet Union and Nazi Germany.

Before Sigmons execution last month, only three other prisoners in the U.S. had been executed by firing squad in the past 50 years. All were in Utah, most recently Ronnie Lee Gardner in 2010.

Three prison employees who volunteer for the role will fire high-powered rifles at Mahdi from 15 feet (about 4.5 meters) away, aiming for a target on his heart.

Mahdi also could have chosen the electric chair or lethal injection.
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STORY: Japan has seen a tourism boom in recent years but a viral rumor about a disaster coming this Saturday is having a real effect on arrivals.Japan set an all-time monthly record of 3.9 million visitors in April.But in May, arrivals from Hong Kongthe superstitious, Chinese-controlled city where the rumors have gained particular tractionfell by 11 percent year-on-year.The rumors stem from a Japanese manga called "The Future I Saw," by artist Ryo Tatsuki.Some believes it predicts a catastrophic earthquake in Japan on July 5th.Steve Huen of Hong Kong-based EGL Tours, has tried cutting prices for tour packages  and even offered earthquake insurance."The rumors have had a significant impact, cutting our Japan-related business by around 50%. However, the demand for other destinations, such as mainland China and Southeast Asia, has grown."Hong Kong resident Branden Choi said he was a frequent traveler to Japan, but was hesitant to visit for now."I think, for me, the most important thing about travelling is safety. Hearing this prediction, I would also try my best to avoid going to Japan during July and August."Ryo Tatsuki, the manga's creator, has denied being a prophet or the rumors about July 5, saying her work has been misinterpreted.:: March 11, 2011The first edition of her manga warned of a major natural disaster in March 2011  the month and year of the Fukushima earthquake, tsunami and nuclear accident.The social media rumors interpret that a new edition of the comic book predicts a July 5th catastrophe.Japan does sit in on the Pacific Ring of Fire and is one of the most earthquake prone countries in the world.But Robert Geller, who has studied seismology for over 50 years, says even scientific prediction of earthquakes is impossible."The famous astronomer Carl Sagan, uhm, he once said that extraordinary claims should require extraordinary evidence, but these predictors are making extraordinary claims with the flimsiest of flimsy evidence, basically none at all."Meanwhile at the Tokyo landmark of Asakusa, the scene was like any other day  flocks of tourists streaming through its gates to browse stalls and see the shrine.But some Reuters spoke to still had the rumors on their minds - even those from beyond Hong Kong.Seattle visitor Serena Peng had initially tried to talk her husband out of their trip."I first heard about it from my wife, and then I watched some YouTube videos and did some research. She was very concerned. If it happens, it happens. So I'm not super worried right now, but I was before."
SIOUX CITY  Through her front door, Loralai Mosey watched a fight involving four men against two other men break out on the sidewalk along 14th Street in the early evening.

The four men, she testified, were the same she'd seen minutes earlier involved in a verbal altercation on the front steps of the apartment building across the alley from her duplex, an altercation that ended shortly after she saw a man wearing a black hoodie point a gun at Marlon White Eyes and his girlfriend, Hannah Walker, who lived in the building and were standing in the front doorway.

After the door slammed shut, the four men hung around for a few minutes before they spotted the two men on 14th Street and initiated a fight.

As the fight unfolded, Mosey said she saw White Eyes run out of his apartment building.

"The guy in the black hoodie just beelined toward Marlon and started shooting," Mosey testified Wednesday, the opening day of Yasin Abdi's trial for first-degree murder.

Abdi, 22, of South Sioux City, has pleaded not guilty in Woodbury County District Court in connection with the June 26, 2023, shooting of White Eyes, 36, in the 800 block of 14th Street, near the intersection with Ingleside Avenue. If convicted as charged, Abdi would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole.

Mosey said two of the men involved in the fight were sons of people who lived in the next-door apartment building. She'd never seen the man in the black hoodie before. Prosecutors allege it was Abdi.

Prosecutors showed footage from two of the 10 security cameras mounted on Mosey's home.

In the first video, looking across the alley toward White Eyes' building, the four men were seen congregating outside on the front steps. Once White Eyes and Walker were seen appearing in the doorway, the altercation heated up and became louder, though much of what was said could not be understood on the audio. Once the man in the black hoodie pulled out the gun, the front door of the apartment closed, and White Eyes and Walker could no longer be seen. The four men stepped away, but could still be seen pacing in the alley and the front sidewalk.

Minutes later, a commotion could be heard outside of the camera's view. White Eyes was seen running from his front door, then gunshots rang out and four men were seen running down the alley.

In a second video showing 14th Street in the front of Mosey's home, the four men were seen initiating the fight with two men walking down the sidewalk. White Eyes appeared in the screen, then he started running across the street a split second before gunshots began firing. White Eyes made it across the street before collapsing on the grass along the curb. He rose to his feet, then collapsed again.

"I started throwing up and I called 911," Mosey said.

White Eyes was shot four times in the back and died later that evening at a hospital.

"Marlon White Eyes was executed in cold blood," Assistant Iowa Attorney General Israel Kodiaga said in his opening statement to jurors. "He was shot four times in the back, not in a fair fight, not in self-defense, but as he ran for his life."

Abdi's attorneys, Jared Weber and Michael Jacobsma, have filed notices of defenses of intoxication, self-defense and defense of others.

In his opening statement to jurors, Weber told them it's up to the state, not the defense, to prove the charge against Abdi and eliminate any reasonable doubts they may have. He urged them to pay attention to the surveillance video. What the video doesn't show, Weber said, is White Eyes inside the door, displaying a gun and threatening to kill Abdi and his friends.

"It's not what you hear, it's what you don't hear" from the prosecution that could be the most important evidence deciding the case, Weber said.

While cross examining Mosey, Weber asked if, when viewing the video, she could see inside the door to White Eyes' apartment building.

"No, I can't," Mosey said, before Weber said that behind the front door is the landing of a stairway leading upstairs.

Abdi was arrested four days later, the same day police searching his home in South Sioux City found a handgun wrapped inside a black Nike hoodie in a bathroom closet. A box of 9mm ammunition was found in a plastic tub in a bedroom. The sweatshirt and a pair of black sweatpants were seized as evidence and were shown, along with the gun, to the jury.
SIOUX CITY  Yasin Abdi called from outside Amir Faraah's apartment building seeking a ride home.

Faraah came to the door of the Aberdeen Apartments that evening on June 26, 2023, finding his friend and another man there, out of breath. They said they'd been in a fight and had been running from dogs chasing them.

After dropping Abdi's companion off on Sioux City's west side, Faraah said he asked Abdi what had happened while they drove to Abdi's South Sioux City home.

"He told me he shot somebody, but I didn't take him serious," Faraah said, testifying Thursday that Abdi had said it in a joking manner. The two didn't talk about it anymore.

Faraah learned four days later it might not have been a joke. Abdi was arrested for the shooting death of Marlon White Eyes in the street near 14th Street and Ingleside Avenue. Abdi, 22, has pleaded not guilty of first-degree murder. His attorneys, Jared Weber and Michael Jacobsma, have filed notices of defenses of intoxication, self-defense and defense of others.

White Eyes, 36, was shot four times in the back by a man wearing a black hoodie minutes after arguing with four men on the doorstep to his apartment at 812 14th St.

During the second day of testimony in Abdi's trial in Woodbury County District Court, White Eyes' girlfriend, Hannah Walker, testified that the argument apparently was over a package that had been delivered to their apartment building. She said she and White Eyes went downstairs from their second-floor apartment when they heard someone pounding on their front door. Four men were there, and at least one of them was upset about a package that been delivered to the building and taken by someone.

Walker testified she didn't know anything about the package, and she didn't know the four men on the doorstep.

"I just remember they were arguing and trying to fight," Walker said.

Walker stood in the doorway, White Eyes behind her. Surveillance video footage captured on a camera across the alley and played for the jury showed the confrontation, and a man in a white hoodie was heard shouting, "I'm going to kill somebody," and asking White Eyes, "You wanna die?"

Walker said she held White Eyes back when he tried to go outside to fight the man, who then shouted "Get that 9," a reference to a 9mm handgun.

In the video, a man in a black hoodie then pointed what appeared to be a gun at White Eyes and Walker, who immediately shut the door and locked it.

After hanging around for a few minutes, the four men jumped two men they saw walking down 14th Street. Surveillance video captured the fight and showed White Eyes leave his apartment building -- Walker said to help the two men who were being attacked. The man in the black hoodie approached White Eyes, who never engaged in the fight, and began firing a handgun as White Eyes ran into the street. Sioux City police Det. Justus Knudsen said investigators determined the shooter was Abdi.

White Eyes, 36, was shot four times in the back. He died later that evening in a hospital.

A short time later, surveillance video from the Aberdeen Apartments, four blocks from the shooting scene, showed a man Faraah identified as Abdi -- dressed in black sweats and a black hoodie -- running up to the door.

Weber challenged Faraah's testimony that Abdi told him he'd shot someone. Weber played for him a portion of a police interview four days after the shooting in which Faraah told them repeatedly Abdi didn't say anything to him about a shooting. Only after police pressured him did he tell them about their conversation, in which Faraah told investigators Abdi told him he'd been in a fight and someone was about to be stabbed, so he pulled out a gun.

In followup questioning from Assistant Iowa Attorney General Israel Kodiaga, Faraah said his testimony to the jury was the truth. He said he initially had been hesitant to tell police what Abdi told him, Faraah said, because they were friends and he didn't want to be a snitch. He said he didn't remember telling police Abdi had talked about someone about to be stabbed prior to the shooting.

Because of a scheduling issue, Christina Pietz, a forensic psychologist from Springfield, Missouri, testified for the defense out of order before the prosecution called its first witness of the day.

Pietz diagnosed Abdi with other specified trauma and stressors related disorder, a condition that left him hypervigilant and more likely to perceive danger and threats in certain situations.

"It's going to cause him to make more impulsive decisions," Pietz said.

On cross examination from Kodiaga, Pietz said she didn't talk to any of Abdi's family members or teachers to verify Abdi's statements that helped Pietz reach her diagnosis.
BOSTON  A federal judge said Thursday she will halt the Trump administration from ending a program that allowed hundreds of thousands of Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans to temporarily live in the United States.

U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani said she will issue a stay on the program, which was set to end later this month. The push to help more than half-a-million Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans is part of a broader legal effort to protect nationals from Ukraine, Afghanistan and other countries who are here legally.

During the hearing, Talwani repeatedly questioned the government's assertion for ending the program  namely that it has the power to do and that it was no longer serving their purpose. She argued that immigrants in the program now face an option of fleeing the country or staying and risk losing everything.

The nub of the problem here is that the secretary, in cutting short the parole period afforded to these individuals, has to have a reasoned decision, Talwani said, adding that the explanation for ending the program was based on an incorrect reading of the law.

Last month, the administration revoked legal protections for hundreds of thousands of Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans, setting them up for potential deportation in 30 days. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said they will lose their legal status on April 24.

They arrived with financial sponsors and were given two-year permits to live and work in the U.S. During that time, the beneficiaries needed to find other legal pathways if they wanted to stay in the U.S. Parole has been a temporary status.

President Donald Trump has been ending legal pathways for immigrants to come to the U.S., implementing campaign promises to deport millions of people who are in the U.S. illegally.

Outside court, immigration advocates, including Guerline Jozef, founder and executive director of the Haitian Bridge Foundation, one of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit, said attacks on this program contradict the Trump administrations strategy on immigration.

We hear the narrative of people coming her illegally and the administration wanting to erase illegal immigration, Jozef said. But, we clearly see today that is not the case. Even those people who have legal status, are paying their taxes and working are under attack.

In motion ahead of the hearing, plaintiffs called the administrations action unprecedented and said it would result in people losing their legal status and ability to work. The also called the move contrary to law within the meaning of the Administrative Procedure Act, which sets out the procedures that agencies have to follow when making rules.

Lawyers for the Trump administration argued that the plaintiffs lacked standing and that the move by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security impacting immigrants in the program, known as CHNV, did not violate the Administrative Procedure Act. They also said plaintiffs would not be able to show the termination of the program was unlawful.

DHSs decision to terminate the CHNV program and existing grants of parole under that program is within this statutory authority and comports with the notice requirements of the statute and regulations, they wrote. Additionally, given the temporary nature of CHNV parole and CHNV parolees pre-existing inability to seek re-parole under the program, their harms are outweighed by the harms to the public if the Secretary is not permitted to discontinue a program she has determined does not serve the public interest.

The end of temporary protections for these immigrants generated little political blowback among Republicans other than three Cuban-American representatives from Florida who called for preventing the deportation of the Venezuelans affected. One of them, Rep. Maria Salazar of Miami, also joined about 200 congressional Democrats this week in co-sponsoring a bill that would enable them to become lawful permanent residents.

Judge allows administration to require those in US illegally to register

Meanwhile, a federal judge is allowing the Trump administration to move forward with a requirement that everyone in the U.S. illegally must register with the federal government, in a move that could have far-reaching repercussions for immigrants across the country.

In a ruling Thursday, Judge Trevor Neil McFadden sided with the administration, which argued it was simply enforcing an already existing requirement for everyone in the country who wasnt an American citizen to register with the government.

The requirement goes in effect Friday.

The Department of Homeland Security announced Feb. 25 that it would mandate that all people in the United States illegally register with the federal government, and said those who didnt self-report could face fines or prosecution. Failure to register is considered a crime, and people will be required to carry registration documents with them or risk prison time and fines.

Registration will be mandatory for everyone 14 and older without legal status. People registering have to provide their fingerprints and address, and parents and guardians of anyone under age 14 must ensure they registered.

The registration process also applies to Canadians who are in the U.S. for more than 30 days, such as so-called snowbirds who spend winter months in places like Florida.

Registration laws trace back to 1940 act

Federal immigration law long required that people who arent American citizens and live in the U.S., including those here illegally, register with the government. Those laws can be traced back to the Alien Registration Act of 1940, which came amid growing fears of immigrants and political subversives in the early days of World War II. The current requirements stem from the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952.

Still, the requirement that people illegally in the U.S. register has been enforced only in rare circumstances. In fact, advocates opposing the government say it hasnt been universally used since it was first introduced in the mid-1940s.

It was used in a limited way after Sept. 11, 2001, when the National Security Entry-Exit Registration System required that all noncitizen males 16 and older from 25 countries  all but one of them majority Arab or Muslim  register with the U.S. government. The program led to no terrorism convictions but pulled more than 13,000 people into deportation proceedings. It was suspended in 2011 and dissolved in 2016.

The Trump administration argued that the registration requirement always existed and officials are simply enforcing it for everyone.

The groups that sued say this registration process is expressly to facilitate Trumps aim of carrying out mass deportations of people in the country illegally.

The plaintiffs also say the government should have gone through the more lengthy public notification process before making the change.

They argue that the registry puts people who work, contribute to the economy and have deep family ties in America into a deep bind: Do they come forward, register and essentially give up their location to a government intent on carrying out mass deportations, or do they stay in the shadows and risk being charged with the crime of not registering?

The government already asked people subject to the registration requirement to create an account on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website.
Good Job is Slates advice column on work. Have a workplace problem big or small? Send it to Laura Helmuth and Doree Shafrir here. Its anonymous!

Dear Good Job,

There is a man at my workplace, Isaac, who I have seen leaving the restroom on multiple occasions without washing his hands. Ive tried making jokes about not shaking hands with clients with dick hands, but he refuses to take the hint and (literally) clean up his act.

Thankfully, we arent a business that serves food to the public, but I think Isaac is engaging in a disgusting and unsafe practice in terms of potentially exposing clients and co-workers alike to germs. Should I try to speak to him once more, this time seriously, or is this something to go to human resources with?

Vexed By the Office Vector

Dear Vexed,

Do you happen to work at the Pentagon? I ask because Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who lied to Congress, and has been accused of sexual misconduct, said on Fox News that he doesnt wash his hands. (Its never just one thing with these clowns, is it?) Anyway, I hope Isaac isnt responsible for keeping top-secret information secret.

Two different things are offensive here: Isaac not washing his hands, and Isaac not washing his hands while other people are watching. Lots of studies have shown that people are more likely to wash their hands if other people are in a public restroom. Its a way to signal that you have some basic consideration of social norms and public health and werent raised in a barn.

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Making the dick hands joke was a great idea, and Im sorry that didnt work. Ideally, he would have been clued in that people were noticing his bad hygiene and started soaping up. You mention youre not in food service, but you could post a note on the bathroom mirror reminding people to wash their hands. As for whether to have a serious conversation now  how trustworthy is Isaac? You dont want him undermining your work or purposefully touching your keyboard after he has a bout of norovirus. If you arent worried about retaliation, speak to him when no one else is in hearing distance and say you couldnt help but notice that he hasnt been washing his hands as he leaves the restroom. You could offer him an excuse by saying something like: I know work has been busy and its easy to get distracted, so I wanted to let you know. If he gives you some Pete Hegseth sorta-joke about how germs arent real, thats a whole new problem. You could share research that hands are incredibly germy, or just concede that his notion of disease is stuck in the 19th century and ask him to wash anyway to make everybody feel more comfortable.

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But if you dont want to have that sort of conversationand who could blame youdo ask human resources to speak to him. They cant babysit him at the sink, but a talk from them might give him a much-needed push toward soap and water. In the meantime, wash your hands often, avoid touching anything hes touched, use hand sanitizer, and maybe offer him a squirt of it.

Send Your Questions to Good Job!

Laura Helmuth and Doree Shafrir want to help you navigate your social dynamics at work. Does your colleague constantly bug you after hours? Has an ill-advised work romance gone awry? Ask us your question here!

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Dear Good Job,

I started a new job (associate at a law firm) a few months ago and overall, its a good change! However, theres one thing with my manager that irks me. She only responds to maybe 75 percent of my emails and when she does respond, its so vague. It leaves me wondering, Does she want me to do this? Is she telling me to do this? Does she want to talk about it? I get very little feedback and have more questions than answers. Ive heard of managing up; is that what I need to do here? I think shes just so busy and all over the place that things fall through the cracks. What does an employee do when their manager cant manage?

Waiting to Be Managed

Dear Waiting,

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Congratulations on the new job and on recognizing this communication problem. Do you know any of your managers other associates well enough yet to ask for tips on how to get her attention? If nothing else, they can help you understand whether its a You Thing or a Her Thing. If your colleagues dont have the same problem, you could try making your subject lines more urgent: Time-sensitive question for you, or Problem Id like your help with. Keep the body of the email short, and specify what you need from her.

But realistically, the problem probably lies with her. A lot of managers cant keep up with their inboxes. Shes probably not ignoring you but just missed your email. Follow up by sending the message again, ideally with an update at the top or a quick: Could I get your feedback on this when you get a chance? or Just re-upping this since the deadline is coming up Tuesday.

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The vague replies are a different issue, with lots of possible explanations. She could be too overworked to process your questions properly. She might be indecisive, or wary of micromanaging. She might assume you know things that you dont yet. Theres a problem called the curse of knowledge that describes how people with a lot of experience dont realize that other people dont understand their jargon, assumptions, or vague language.

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Whatever the reason, youre right that this is an occasion for managing up. As your manager, she should have already scheduled a regular check-in meeting with you. If not, ask for one. As part of the agenda, ask her how shed like to communicate. Would she prefer for you to figure most things out on your own and only come to her in emergencies? If so, is there another associate you should go to for day-to-day questions? (Tip for managers: Ask established staffers if theyd like to volunteer to be a peer mentor for new hires.) Would your manager rather have you text than email? Should you save questions for these meetings or send emails as they arise? For now, assume that she has good intentions and wants to be a more effective manager for you.

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Slate Plus members get more Good Job every week. Sign up now to read Laura Helmuths additional column this week.

Dear Good Job,

I am 26 and I currently live in the small-ish southern city where I grew up. I went to college about 45 minutes away, returned to my hometown city for a job, and have stayed ever since. I felt kind of pathetic for moving back to my hometown after graduating, but a lot of my friends from college moved to the same city or live nearby, so I have a pretty robust social network here and have my family close by. But Ive always wanted to live in a big city and ever since I started remotely working a job based in New York City last year, Ive thought about moving up there.

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The way I see it, this would allow me to try living in a big city, to go to the office occasionally (as an extrovert, I sometimes struggle with the fully remote schedule), and potentially have professional opportunities that I just cant take part in remotely. I also have friends from college who live in NYC, so I wouldnt have to start from scratch socially. My partner is on board for this move, so long as we can make it work with his job. Aside from that (and concerns about the higher cost of living in NYC), I am most nervous about leaving behind my social network here in my hometown. I really value having a community and I feel like Ive built a great network of friends here. How do I choose between following a dream Ive always had of living in the big city and advancing my career or continuing to invest in the community Ive built where Im from?

Torn in Two Directions

Dear Torn,

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Go to New York. You dont have to stay in New Yorkyou can always come homebut this is the perfect time to try your lifelong dream. You have a job and the beginnings of a social network to help get you started there. You and your partner will learn a lot about each other and your relationship by taking this adventure together. (Or go without him, but thats a subject for a different column.) Youre absolutely right that youll have more opportunities to advance or change your career in New York. Tell your boss that your job is one of your motivations for moving, and say youre eager to develop your skills and contribute even more to the organization. That will show your boss youre invested in your job and prime them to think about ways they can work more closely with you in person.

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Before you leave, throw yourself a going-away party. Make it a take all the stuff I cant take with me to the city theme and give away as much as you can. Encourage your friends from home to visit, and show them a great time when they do. You can maintain relationships and invest in that community from afaritll just take a bit more effort.

Laura

More Advice From Slate

I need help guiding my kids8 and 6 as I go back to work. I love my kids deeply, which I feel like wont come through in this letter. My career is hugely important to me, and I need an identity outside the house. Prior to the pandemic, my husband and I both worked and paid for childcare. My company folded in 2020 and my husbands job was stable, someone had to manage virtual school etc., so I stayed home. After school went back in person, we couldnt afford childcare, so I still stayed home.
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Last week, Dave Wilkinson, CEO of the Atlanta Police Foundation, took the witness stand in an Atlanta courtroom and argued that a local media outlet had no right to request his organizations records under Georgias Open Records Act. Why? Because, he claimed, their coverage of the controversial police training facility known as Cop City would be used to turn the public against the project and terrorize the companies building it. In other words, the highest-paid police foundation executive in the country essentially argued that journalism is a form of terrorism.

Wilkinson was in court responding to a lawsuit filed by the Atlanta Community Press Collective, a small nonprofit newsroom, and Lucy Parsons Labs, a transparency-focused research organization. The case represents more than just a fight over meeting minutes: Its a battleground for the future of transparency in public-private partnerships, where private actors are increasingly embedded in state functionsand using that status to shield themselves from public scrutiny.

At the heart of the lawsuit is a critical question: Can the actions of the Atlanta Police Foundationa private nonprofitbe considered public for the purposes of Georgias Open Records Act? The plaintiffs argue yes, pointing out that APF runs nearly two dozen programs on behalf of the city of Atlanta, including the construction of Cop Citya sprawling, militarized police training facility in a metro Atlanta forestand the development of the citys surveillance infrastructure. These are not peripheral projects; they are central to how public safety in the city is shaped and enforced. As such, they should be subject to the same transparency standards that govern public agencies. If the court sides with the foundation and allows its refusal to comply with records requests to stand, it could set a dangerous precedentpaving the way for governments to outsource core public functions to private entities shielded from public scrutiny.

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The story of Cop City is both deeply local and intensely emblematic of national trends. From its inception, the facility faced widespread public opposition, including mass protests, forest defense occupations, and hundreds of hours of oppositional public comment. It also faced accusations of secrecy and deception, thanks in large part to its funding model: a public-private partnership, or P3. The proliferation of P3s across the U.S.from transit to housing to policinghas accelerated over the past decade. These partnerships are often sold as innovative, but in practice they obscure decision-making, shift risk onto the public, and prioritize profits over public good. In infrastructure, that might mean a toll road built to maximize fees rather than access. In policing, it means a militarized force bankrolled by the private sector to protect capital, not communities.

Originally, the city of Atlanta promised to contribute $30 million in public funds, with the remaining $60 million to come from private donors, funneled through the Atlanta Police Foundation. So, what is a police foundation?

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The short answer: a slush fund for police departments. The longer answer: Police foundations are the preferred vehicle for corporations and wealthy donors to bankroll the expansion, militarization, and surveillance capacities of policeoutside of public budgets and beyond public oversight. Found in most major U.S. cities, police foundations fund everything from the very serious (the construction of training centers and surveillance networks and the purchase of military-grade equipment) to the kind of inane (sponsoring a police horse, or buying police dogs bulletproof vests, or, in St. Louis, funding the integral work of Operation Polar Cops, an ice cream truck run by police officers.) The donors are often a whos who of local corporate elites, often with business before the city. So while police already consume the lions share of most municipal budgets, they also enjoy a second funding stream that comes with even fewer strings attached.

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Independent outlets in Atlanta like ACPC have stepped into a local reporting vacuum during the lengthy Cop City showdown. The citys flagship newspaper, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, showed little interest in investigating the project. The reason may be structural: The AJC is owned by Cox Enterprises, a major donor to the Atlanta Police Foundation through the James M. Cox Foundation. Its CEO at the time, Alex Taylor, was directly involved in APF fundraising. Despite claiming editorial independence, the AJC failed to disclose this conflict while publishing favorable coverage and opinion pieces supporting Cop City.

ACPC, by contrast, used Georgias open records law to uncover critical facts about the projects ballooning cost and secretive planning process. Its reporting revealed that the city quietly introduced an ordinancelater passedthat would increase public spending on Cop City to at least $51 million. That included a $31 million payment to the APF, plus a lease-back agreement worth another $20 million over 20 years. These revelations likely wouldnt have come to light without records obtained through Georgias transparency laws.

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ACPC had initially accessed APF board meeting minutes by requesting them from the Atlanta Police Departmenta public agency that was receiving the minutes from the foundation. But when APF stopped sending those minutes to the Atlanta Police Department, ACPC began requesting them directly from the foundation. APF refused. That stonewalling landed them in court.

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This might seem like a narrow skirmish over bureaucratic documents, but the implications are wide. In court, the Atlanta Police Foundation argued that it is a private entity, separate from the Atlanta Police Department, and therefore not subject to Georgias open records laws. But the APFs role in the construction of Cop Cityraising the funds, helping select the contractors, crafting communications strategylooks very much like a public function cloaked in private legal status.

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This case echoes a troubling national trend: private actors increasingly exercising public power while avoiding public accountability. Consider Elon Musks involvement in everything from federal transportation contracts to national security satellites. His companies shape policy and infrastructure in ways that affect millions, but as private enterprises, they operate outside of most transparency laws. That kind of shadow governance, enabled by P3s, friendly legislators, and a gutted regulatory state, is not a bug of modern governance. Its becoming the system itself.

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At the same time, across the country, state legislatures are quietly but deliberately weakening the open records laws that make investigative journalism possible. Lawmakers are introducing bills that narrow what qualifies as a public record, extend response times, raise fees for requesters, or exempt entire categories of information from disclosure. In some states, public agencies are allowed to simply ignore requests without consequence. In others, journalists have been sued or even criminally investigated for pursuing records. These efforts dont usually make national headlines, but they are part of a sustained erosion of the publics right to knowdeath by a thousand paper cuts to the First Amendment. The result is a chilling effect on accountability reporting and a growing opacity in the very institutions meant to serve the public. In the era of Trump 2.0, as power is increasingly concentrated and privatized, the deliberate dismantling of transparency laws isnt just a bureaucratic issue, its a democratic crisis.

Without access to documents, data, and deliberations, journalism becomes guesswork, speculation, or PR. Reporters cant hold power to account if theyre forced to work in the dark. If journalism is democracys rough draft, as the saying goes, transparency is the paper its printed on. This case is about much more than a few withheld emails or board minutes. Its about whether the public has a right to know how power operatesand who is paying for itwhen that power wears both a badge and a corporate logo.
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Donald Trump won the presidency in part on promises to deport undocumented immigrants with criminal records. But his earliest executive orderstrying to undo birthright citizenship, suspending critical refugee programsmade clear he wants to attack legal immigrants, too. In our new series, Who Gets to Be American This Week?, well track the Trump administrations attempts to exclude an ever-growing number of people from the American experiment.

The legal system dealt some blows to the immigrants caught up in the presidents mass deportation agenda this week. The Supreme Court kicked things off by weighing in on the extreme methods Trump is using to carry out his immigration agendaand it once again decided to give him a pass for lawlessness.

Heres the immigration news were keeping an eye on this week:

Border Officials Want to Treat Immigration Like an Amazon Purchase

The annual Border Security Expo took place in Phoenix this week and multiple U.S. border officials made appearances, with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem became the first sitting secretary to attend. At the event, acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Todd Lyons said he wants immigration enforcement to become more like a businesslike [Amazon] Prime, he said, but with human beings.

Lyons was joined by border czar Tom Homan, Deputy Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection John Modlin, and other administration officials. They gathered for the largest and longest-standing event of its kind  where federal, state, and local law enforcement network with private industry to access new technology for immigration enforcement.

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According to the Arizona Mirror, Homan indicated the Trump administration is interested in leaning on the private sector to achieve its mass deportation goals, telling attendees during his keynote speech, We need to buy more beds, we need more airplane flights, and I know a lot of you are here for that reason. The U.S. is already paying El Salvador President Nayib Bukele $6 million to imprison immigrants deported from the U.S. for one year.

Homan, Lyons, and Noem all supported the presidents use of the Alien Enemies Act, while Homan went so far as to suggest it bothers him that judges have stopped immigration officials from using it, a reference to the restraining orders the presidents executive order has faced. During her speech, Noem promised to take the current mass deportation plans and put them on steroids.

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The Supreme Court Gave Trump Another Shot at Deporting Immigrants to El Salvador

The high court paved the way for Trump to try to deport more migrants under the Alien Enemies Act, a 200-year-old law intended to be used only in wartime.

In a 54 decision, the court lifted U.S. District Judge James Boasbergs restraining order that had halted the presidents mass deportations of Venezuelan migrants to El Salvadors mega-prison since March 15. Boasberg also certified a class-action lawsuit against the Trump administration, both decisions that an appeals court upheld. The DOJ, after defying Boasbergs restraining order, appealed up to the Supreme Court. On Monday evening, it delivered the answer that the Trump administration sought.

The majority conceded that migrants are owed due process, so now the Trump administration must give anyone being targeted through the Alien Enemies Act notice that they are subject to deportation under the law. These notices have to be given before theyre deported, so they have a real opportunity to file for habeas relief and challenge the legality of their deportations. However, the Supreme Court did not address what legal recourse is available for the hundreds of people who have already been unlawfully deported and are currently sitting in prison in El Salvador.

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Migrants currently being detained in the U.S. under the Alien Enemies Act have to file their habeas corpus petitions where they are being confined, the majority ruled. That happens to be mainly in Texas, where the judiciary is not just small-c conservativeits the jurisdiction of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit, considered the most far-right court in the country. However, two days after the court issued its decision, a Trump-appointed judge in Texas responded to a habeas petition and issued a new restraining order. Now, ICE cannot deport any Venezuelan citizen who is currently being detained at the El Valle Detention Facility in Raymondville, Texas, under the Alien Enemies Act.

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A GREAT DAY FOR JUSTICE IN AMERICA! Trump crowed on Truth Social. Meanwhile, just this week CBS 60 Minutes found that of the 238 migrants the DOJ deported to El Salvador, 75 percent do not have criminal records in the U.S.

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A Man Deported in Error Doesnt Need to Be Brought Back to the U.S. for Now

Also on Monday, Chief Justice John Roberts issued an administrative stay in the case of Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, who the Department of Justice admitted was deported to El Salvador in an administrative error. The decision pauses any further action on Abrego Garcias case, temporarily relieving the DOJ of having to bring him back home to the U.S.

Abrego Garcia was one of the hundreds of migrants sent to El Salvador in late March in a series of late-night flights. He filed suit against federal officials, stating that in 2019 he was given legal resident status that specifically protected him from being deported back to his native El Salvador, where he faces persecution by local gangs. He had been living in Maryland with his wife and children when he was arrested, taken to Texas, and deported to the very place he fled.

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When U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis demanded the DOJ explain why it deported Abrego Garcia, the DOJ claimed it received allegations that he was a member of the Salvadoran gang MS-13s New York cliquea state he has never lived in. Xinis ruled Abrego Garcias deportation was illegal and ordered the federal government to bring him back to the U.S. no later than 11:59 p.m. on Monday, April 7. (A veteran DOJ attorney admitted in court that even he did not know under what authority the government deported Abrego Garcia. The attorney general subsequently suspended him.)

You can probably fill in the blanks from here. The DOJ, unwilling to admit defeat nor be told what to do, went up to the Supreme Court and asked for an emergency appeal. The chief justice quickly complied, temporarily clearing Xinis court-ordered deadline and buying the full court time as it considers Abrego Garcias case. Meanwhile, Abrego Garcia continues to remain in El Salvadors mega-prison with no relief in sight.

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Tufts University Student Can Remain in Detention

U.S. District Judge William K. Sessions III denied a request to release Rumeysa Ozturk from immigration detention because hes not sure whether he has the jurisdiction to rule on her case. A Turkish national who was studying at Tufts University on a student visa, Ozturk was arrested on March 25 in Massachusetts. She was transferred to at least three separate detention facilities across three states, complicating the question of where her case should be heard.

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The question of jurisdiction is an issue many judges considering these types of immigration cases will likely face. A New Jersey judge recently ruled he retains the authority to oversee Columbia University protester Mahmoud Khalils case because his habeas petition was filed in New Jersey while he was being detained there, even though Khalil has since been moved to a Louisiana detention facility.

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In Ozturks case, Sessions ordered her lawyers and the DOJ to file briefs detailing where they believe her habeas petition should be heard and scheduled another hearing for April 14. Ozturks case is particularly chilling, as she was arrested by police officers dressed in plainclothes and taken away in an unmarked van. Ozturk, a Fulbright scholar, was pursuing a doctorate in child and human development at Tufts. The State Department had revoked her visawithout notifying herdays before she was arrested.

The Department of Homeland Security said Ozturk engaged in support of Hamas, without offering any evidence. Last year Ozturk co-wrote an op-ed, alongside three other students, criticizing Tufts response to the pro-Palestine movement on its campus. Her name is also on Canary Mission, an online database that collects the names of individuals and organizations it considers to promote hatred of the USA, Israel and Jews on North American college campuses and beyond. Mahmoud Khalil, another pro-Palestine protester who was arrested, is also featured on Canary Mission.

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The same night in late March when Ozturk was arrested, her attorney filed an emergency habeas petition in Boston court challenging her detention, but at that point she had been transferred out of state to Vermont. The following day she was flown to Louisiana and has been in detention there ever since.

A Boston judge transferred Ozturks case to Vermont after the DOJ argued she wasnt in Massachusetts, where her petition was filed. Now, Sessions is also questioning whether Ozturks case should be heard in Vermont, but the federal government is expected to argue the case should be heard in Louisiana, where Ozturk is being detainedand which is under the jurisdiction of the Trump-friendly 5th Circuit.
This essay is adapted from Fear No Pharaoh: American Jews, the Civil War, and the Fight to End Slavery, by Richard Kreitner, published by Farrar, Straus, & Giroux.

This Passover, as for thousands of years, Jews gathered around seder tables will recall the story of our ancestors enslavement in Egypt. The purpose of remembering, however, is a little unclear, and, in our time, hotly contested: Is the lesson that we should do whatever is necessary to avoid being oppressed againor is it that all forms of subjugation are inherently wrong and unjust, and that Jews should seek to end oppression for everyone?

Today, this question bitterly divides the Jewish people. But it is not the first time it has done so. Passover begins this year on April 12, the 164th anniversary of the Confederate bombardment of Fort Sumter, which ignited the American Civil War. That night in 1861 was also the first night of Passover, and it found the 150,000 Jews who lived in the United States at the time similarly divided over what the principles of Judaism and the lessons of Jewish history had to say about the existence of Black slavery and the fracturing of the Union.

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For some Jews, protecting the precarious foothold they had gained in America was of paramount importance. They cherished the freedom their newly adopted country afforded them and saw the radical movement known as abolitionism as a threat to national unity. It didnt help that leading abolitionists like William Lloyd Garrison occasionally heaped scorn on Jews as lineal descendant[s] of the monsters who nailed Jesus to the cross.

But there were also anti-slavery Jews who were bothered by the fact that even as their newly adopted country offered freedom to them, it denied freedom to millions of others solely on the basis of their race. They argued that by participating in the enslavement of other human beings or even by staying silent about it, American Jews were agreeing to let questions of race and identity determine who deserved the protection of the government. Ultimately, they were endangering themselves.

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In 1858, a Northern opponent derided Sen. Judah P. Benjamin of Louisiana, a former plantation owner and prominent defender of slavery, as an Israelite with Egyptian principles. He wasnt the only one. Many early American Jews, especially in the South, embraced slavery wholeheartedly. Year after year, they sat down to Passover seders cooked and served by enslaved people, without the slightest sense of contradiction or unpleasant pang of guilt.

The extent of Jewish involvement in the slave trade and antebellum bondage has been exaggerated by antisemites of all stripes. The truth, inconvenient both for reflexive defenders of the faith and for its hate-filled foes, is that Jews were neither disproportionately invested in slavery nor consistently opposed to the institution. Conflicted and divided, implicated and appalled, Jews were pretty much like everyone else. Yet their peculiar history of oppression gave them a distinct relationship to slavery and to the struggle over its future.

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In 1861, two weeks after South Carolina seceded from the Union, Morris Jacob Raphall, the Orthodox rabbi of Bnai Jeshurun synagogue in New York, gave a sermon proclaiming that the Hebrew Bible endorsed slavery. While laws limited how long slaves could be held and how cruelly they could be treated, the Torah did not ban the practice outright. Raphall pointedly asked abolitionists, Does it not strike you that you are guilty of something very little short of blasphemy?

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Other prominent Jewish leaders knew that slavery was wrong yet opted not to say anything against it. Desperate not to embroil a small, vulnerable immigrant community in an intense national controversy, they tried to avoid the issue. After the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter, Isaac Mayer Wise, an early leader of Reform Judaism, published an editorial titled Silence, Our Policy. As a resident of Cincinnati, poised on the border between slavery and freedom, Wise believed it was better for Jews not to get involved at all.

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Yet for a handful of Jews, silence about slavery was not an option. Both because of Judaisms much-touted ethical precepts and because of the horrors of oppression its adherents knew so well from their own history, they believed that Jews had a special obligation to resist injustice, even at the risk of inviting the wrath of Christian neighbors.

Have they read the harrowing history of their ancestors bondage in Egypt to no purpose? one writer in a Jewish periodical asked of pro-slavery Jews. Have the merciless persecutions and unutterable tortures of the dark ages not yet opened their eyes and enlarged their heart for the alleviation of their fellow mens woes?

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Even those Jews who disavowed biblical inspiration for their anti-slavery activism claimed special authority to denounce oppression because of the suffering of the Jewish people. Within months of her 1836 arrival in New York, Ernestine Rose, a Polish-born rabbis daughter, began traveling around the United States condemning womens subjugation, economic inequality, organized religion, and chattel slavery. A proud unbelievershe often spoke at atheist or Infidel conventionsRose nonetheless cited her own background as evidence of the universality of our claims, identifying herself as a daughter of poor, crushed Poland, and the down-trodden and persecuted people called the Jews.

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I go for emancipation of all kinds, Rose said, white and black, man and woman. Humanitys children are, in my estimation, all one and the same family, inheriting the same earth; therefore there should be no slaves of any kind among them.

The most pointed Jewish response to Morris Raphalls pro-slavery sermon came from David Einhorn, a Reform rabbi who bravely denounced the institution though he lived in Baltimore, the largest city in the northernmost slave state. To Einhorn, pro-slavery Jews like Raphall invited the enemies of the Jewish people to say, Such are the Jews! Where they are oppressed, they boast of the humanity of their religion; but where they are free, their Rabbis declare slavery to have been sanctioned by God.

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Given their own sorrowful history, Einhorn argued, it was the Jews special obligation to fight against oppression and prejudice, not just for their own sake, but for the whole world.

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In early 1861, as the nation went to war against itself, Einhorns Jewish critics in Baltimore called a meeting to protest his outspokenness, which they feared might draw negative attention. Einhorn explained it was precisely his concern to save the Jewish community from prejudice that compelled him to speak out when he saw it directed at others.

Related From Slate Donald Trump on Mount Rushmore Would Make More Historical Sense Than You Think Read More

Days later, a pro-slavery mob destroyed the press that printed Einhorns monthly newspaper and went looking for the rabbi. Along with his pregnant wife, Einhorn sneaked out of town and took a carriage to Philadelphia. His congregation asked him to return, but only if he agreed not to comment on the explosive questions of the day. They wanted him to keep silent about slavery. Einhorn refused, bitterly denouncing his opponents: The light of the Rabbis becomes a destroying torch in the hands of such people.

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Einhorn never returned to Baltimore. As the war escalated that first summer, he predicted that the next battles will leave a real blood bath, but slavery will be drowned in that bath.

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The Passover seder calls on Jews to remember our ancestors enslavement in Egypt, but the question of what to do with that memory has never been easy to answer.

In 1861, Jews found themselves torn between competing conceptions of self-preservation and justice.

This year, in another moment of communal division and moral crisis, the coincidence of the first seder with the anniversary of the Civil Wars first shots reminds us that the choices we face now are not so different from those that American Jews faced back then. As we meditate on pressing ethical and political questions around the seder table this year, let us recall the example of those who encouraged us to enlarge our hearts and to fight for emancipation of all kinds.
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On Monday, the biotechnology company Colossal Biosciences revealed, with much fanfare, that they have created a trio of white wolf hybrids. Named Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi, these wolves, Colossal says, were created by making 20 edits on 14 gray wolf genes. These were used to generate hybrid cell lines that were placed in donor eggs, carried to term by domestic dogs. Four pups were born, one of which died. The surviving three now run around a 2,000-acre private facility in the United States where they are continuously monitored. It seems that the wolves may never know life outside some kind of confinement.

The company calls these creatures dire wolves, claiming to have brought the species Aenocyon dirus back from extinction. Exactly what Colossal accomplished, however, is opaque. The private company did not publish a scientific, peer-reviewed paper along with its media blitzthere was a flurry of credulous articles that Im sure youve seen on your news feedsthough they promise that a paper is coming next week. A spokesperson told Slate on Wednesday afternoon that the paper has been submitted for peer review, and a preprint version is being submitted and should be posted in a day or two. For now, we have precious little to go on outside of the companys own claims.

So, did Colossal actually de-extinct a long lost species? Well, the dire wolf is in the details.

First, dire wolves and gray wolves, like the ones whose genes Colossal modified, evolved independently from each other over millions of years, though the exact degree to which they are related might depend on whom you ask. In 2021 a multidisciplinary group of researchers found that fossil dire wolves, like those found by the thousands in L.A.s La Brea asphalt seep, were not closely related to the wolves that roam our planet today. Dire wolves appeared to be descendants of an older line of canids (the larger family that includes everything from domestic dogs to foxes) that split off from other canids about 5 million years ago. Though they are genetically closer to jackals, they convergently evolved to resemble gray wolves. The skeletal resemblance can be close enough that even experts sometimes have difficulty properly identifying a dire wolf fossil from a prehistoric gray wolf one. When dire wolves went extinct about 10,000 years ago, gray wolves became more numerous and expanded to fill the niches dire wolves left open.

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Thats the current thinking, anywayas with anything in science, new evidence can change things. Now, Colossals own researchers have claimed to journalists that their research has again adjusted the picture, proposing that dire wolves arose from interbreeding between two different wolf lineages between 2.5 million and 3.5 million years ago. This would put them a bit closer to gray wolves. It will be useful to see their reasoning for this shift outlined in a scientific paper, in a format where their techniques can be critiqued by other experts, which is a crucial part of scientific research. But even so, its hard to imagine that even a mere 2.5 million years of evolutionary change can be captured by 20 gene edits. (According to a statement from Colossal Biosciences sent to Slate, the company aimed to resurrect the key traits that defined dire wolves. Its team stopped at 20 edits[b]ecause we didnt need more and because every edit poses some risk to the goal of birthing a health animal.)

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Then theres the Biology 101 fact that an organism is not just its genome. Even if Colossal did make a wolf with a complete Aenocyon dirus genome, those genes would not dictate every choice and every behavior of the creatures they belonged to. The reality is that genes interact with environments, and organisms emerge from the interplay from the two. We know from the fossil record that dire wolves were social creatures, but were too late to observe exactly how each generation of pups learned skills from the one before it. Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi do not have dire wolf parents to learn fromand we have absolutely no way of knowing whether they are truly behaving like dire wolves at all.

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Also, it doesnt necessarily make sense that these wolf pups have snowy white coats! It can easily go unquestioned that a wolf alive in the Ice Age would have a snowy coat, but the fact is that real dire wolves ranged widely and often lived in habitats, like prehistoric La Brea, that were warmer and more shrubby than snowy. After all, the pups of gray wolveswhich Colossal suggests are nearly identical genetically to dire wolvesare often born with darker, brown coats that shift as they age. We dont know for sure what color dire wolves were. Neither does Colossal. The discovery of a dire wolf mummy could help settle the uncertaintyIce Age gray wolf pups have been found before, so its a possibilitybut such a fossil has not been uncovered yet.

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What were really looking at, it seems, are gray wolves modified to be dire wolves of George R.R. Martins books rather than living, breathing replicas of the actual prehistoric carnivores that hunted bison, horses, camels, and baby mammoths in packs during the Pleistocene. They look like the animal actors on the HBO adaptation of Game of Thrones. Given that Martin is both an investor in and adviser to Colossal, it feels awfully convenient that the company is heavily promoting wolves that are the spitting image of those in his fantasy series. The canids might be dire wolves in the fictional sense, but they are not literally dire wolves. Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi are, at best, a shaky hypothesis of what dire wolves might have looked like. As creatures that were created by modifying modern organisms, and who live in modern times, they are untethered from the evolutionary history embodied by the real dire wolves who now rest in the fossil record. Sure, Colossal has, perhaps, done something here. But Colossals wolves are not dire wolves, and they never will be. As one of our founders stated, this is the moon landing of synthetic biology,  Colossal told Slate in a statement. But the fact is that gene editing cant reconnect the social lives and ecological roles of animals that have been extinct for thousands of years. Trying to bring back dire wolves by modifying gray wolves is like saying you can reach the moon if you jump really high on a trampoline. Maybe you can get an inch closer than you could before. Maybe you can put the trampoline on a platform, too. But youll never arrive.

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To put it another way, Colossals dire wolves are like Teslas disastrous Cybertruck. I dont think its a coincidence that the co-founder of Colossal is a billionaire. Someone rich felt a pang of nostalgia and made a demand. The infamous and ugly Cybertruck was inspired by video game vehicles. Colossals wolves are prestige TV creatures. This kind of thinking is everywhere: Blue Origin is sending Katy Perry way high up into the sky, a stunt to help sell a sci-fi daydream of one day taking a bus to Moon. This isnt progress; its a bunch of toys. Meanwhile, the government is actively gutting science and health agencies, and firing people who do the challenging and often-unglamourous work that research involvesnot for personal glory and a shiny press treatment, but simply to advance knowledge and make the world better for the humans and creatures who already live here. Careful and painstaking conservation work, such as the work restoring wood bison herds to Alaska, is overlooked in favor of designer species given meme-sprinkled promo reels.

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Facts, as we have bitterly learned over the past two decades, count for little right now. Colossals very questionable marketing of its genetic tinkering has already prompted Donald Trumps oil-friendly Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum to insinuate that the endangered species list will be a thing of the past if we can just refresh and resurrect species at will. [T]he status quo is focused on regulation more than innovation, he posted on X. To say Colossal is the future of conservation is to task the offensively wealthy with deciding the future of life on Earth. Any number of environmental injuries and insults can be justified if we believe that everything can be placed back how it was with a little innovation. Looking at Colossals wolves, I dont even feel a wow moment like Ellie Sattler had spotting an InGen-made Brachiosaurus in Jurassic Park. I hurt for these wolves, creatures wholly unaware that they were created to be trophies.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20250410/china-values-harmony-but-firmly-says-no-to-economic-bullying-1121851338.html

China Values Harmony, But Firmly Says No to Economic Bullying

China Values Harmony, But Firmly Says No to Economic Bullying

Sputnik International

In response to the US abuse of tariffs against all its trading partners, including China, under various pretexts, the Chinese government released its position on opposing US abuse of tariffs.

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The statement clearly said that "pressure and threats are not the right way to deal with China" and that "China-US economic and trade relations should be mutually beneficial in nature." At the same time, China responded with a series of countermeasures. The world has witnessed China's sense of responsibility as a major power that "does not make trouble, but has no fear of it" in the face of unilateralism, protectionism, and economic bullying. It has also observed China's firm resolve to safeguard its sovereignty, security, and development interests, as well as its clear stance on urging the US to return to the right path of dialogue and cooperation. China and the US differ in history, culture, social systems, and development paths. Yet since the normalization of bilateral relations, despite experiencing ups and downs, they have written numerous success stories of mutually beneficial cooperation and, through practice, have identified a right way to coexist: mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation. In the economic and trade sphere, bilateral trade has grown more than 200-fold in the past 45 years, with deeply integrated industrial and supply chains forming a mutually beneficial relationship of "interdependence." Both sides benefit from each other's development and share a strong desire to deepen cooperation. Hence, maintaining stable economic and trade ties and expanding the "cooperation pie" is a shared aspiration of people and businesses in both countries.Today, the US faces some developmental challenges, such as insufficient competitiveness in manufacturing and growing pressures on once-dominant industries. However, the US government has wrongly chosen to make others pay for its own problems. By shirking responsibility, shifting blame, and resorting to tariff hikes and maximum pressure tactics, it has not solved any real issues; rather, these actions have greatly impacted global markets and the international economic and trade order. Back in 2018, when the US first launched a trade war against China, public opinion within the US widely held that it was American consumers who bore the brunt. Now, once again, the US is unlikely to gain what it imagined from a trade war - a conclusion echoed broadly across global public opinion, including US media. Whether then or now, China has remained committed to dialogue and communication, striving to build consensus. Its stance has been consistent and clear: There are no winners in a trade war; and the US must not pursue its interests at the expense of sacrificing other countries' legitimate interests.Some Western media outlets have described China's 11 countermeasures as a "significant warning" to Washington. It is important to clarify that the actions taken by China, in accordance with the law, to safeguard its sovereignty, security, and development interests are in no way intended to harm US businesses or consumers. China has consistently shown its determination to bring China-US relations back on the right track, while also demonstrating its firm resolve not to tolerate the US to recklessly violate global trade rules, undermine the stable relationship that has been established between the two countries, or harm the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese businesses and consumers. It should be understood that only mutual respect between China and the US can lead to peaceful coexistence.Stability in China-US relations is crucial for the interests of the people of both countries and for global development. The Chinese side well recognizes this, and therefore does not engage in confrontation or zero-sum games, nor does it politicize or weaponize economic and trade issues. Instead, it strives to inject stability and constructiveness into China-US relations and to promote the bilateral relationship back on track. Regardless of the state of China-US relations, China's policy toward the US has consistently maintained stability and coherence. It has injected positive energy into dialogues at various levels concerning China-US economic and trade relations, and has received widespread welcome and respect from the international community.If the relationship between China and the US is characterized by "one side benefiting while the other loses," then it would be impossible to discuss the overall momentum of forward development between the two countries. In 2024, the trade volume between China and the US increased by 3.7 percent, reaching a total of $688.28 billion. Since the beginning of 2025, executives from various industries in the US have visited China, viewing technological innovation as a new point of cooperative growth and continuing to increase investments in China. These developments point to an unmistakable fact: Even in the face of protectionism and unilateral sanctions, the essential economic complementarity between China and the US remains unchanged, and the resilience of China-US economic and trade relations is beyond imagination. Cooperation and mutual benefit are the optimal solutions for the development of China-US relations. As the world's two largest economies, China and the US should be "partners and joint winners" in the new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation. The rapid development of artificial intelligence, the growing global demand for green transformation, and the deepening interdependence of global industrial chains all provide new opportunities for China and the US to jointly explore cooperation.History tells us that when there are more favorable winds than unfavorable ones between China and the US, it is a golden period for the vigorous development of China-US economic and trade cooperation, as well as the deep integration of industrial chains. This not only creates jobs for both countries and brings substantial economic benefits, but also enhances the well-being of people in both nations and even the world. Regardless of how the situation changes, the fundamental fact that the common interests of both sides far outweigh their differences remains unchanged. The historical logic of peaceful coexistence between China and the US, along with the global expectation for stable development of China-US relations, will also remain constant. We hope that the US side will meet China halfway, resolve differences and conflicts through equal consultation, and set an example through words and actions to lay a solid foundation for world peace and prosperity.This article originally appeared on the Global Times website.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20250403/china-slams-us-tariffs-as-trade-protectionism-1121736131.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20250409/trump-says-104-tariffs-on-china-to-be-in-effect-until-they-make-deal-1121842816.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20250410/closer-to-the-brink-japan-to-carry-out-first-ever-land-to-ship-missile-drills--1121850450.html

Closer to the Brink: Japan to Carry Out First-Ever Land-to-Ship Missile Drills

Closer to the Brink: Japan to Carry Out First-Ever Land-to-Ship Missile Drills

Sputnik International

Japan is to carry out its first-ever land-to-ship drills this year, NHK reported.

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Japan is to carry out its first-ever land-to-ship drills this year, NHK reported.The military exercises by the Ground Self-Defense Force will take place at the Shizunai Anti-Aircraft Firing Range in Shinhidaka, Hokkaido - pointedly facing the Pacific. Simulating attacks on ships from land, Japan plans to use its Type 88 surface-to-ship missile, a weapon with a range of over 100 kilometers, previously deemed too risky to test within Japans crowded air and sea lanes. However, amid its accelerating military ambitions, these concerns appear to have been swept aside. The SSM-1 (Type-88) coastal anti-ship missile system was developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for Japanese self-defense forces and adopted for service in 1988. Japan justifies its growing arsenal under the pretext of deterrence against Chinas maritime activity - echoing the familiar mantra pushed by the US.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20250330/pentagon-chief-calls-japan-cornerstone-of-peace-as-us-turns-region-into-powder-keg-1121711101.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20250410/russia-us-talks-in-istanbul-turkiye-what-you-need-to-know--1121850828.html

Russia-US Talks in Istanbul, Turkiye: What You Need to Know

Russia-US Talks in Istanbul, Turkiye: What You Need to Know

Sputnik International

The fresh round of Russia-US expert consultations in Istanbul will focus on normalizing embassy operations.

2025-04-10T06:57+0000

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The fresh round of Russia-US expert consultations in Istanbul will focus on normalizing embassy operations. Whos Leading The Talks? Russias delegation is headed by the new ambassador to Washington, Aleksander Darchiev. The US side is led by Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Eurasian Affairs Sonata Coulter.What's On The Agenda? The talks aim to restore the operations of the diplomatic missions of the two countries. Russia is prepared for a serious discussion with the US regarding the return of diplomatic property wrongfully confiscated by Washington. The agenda will also include issues of diplomats movements around the host country, visa and financial restrictions, and a discussion of resuming direct air flights between the two countries suspended by the US. Ukraine, political, and security issues are not on the agenda. What's Been Reached? An agreement on guarantees for bank servicing of their diplomatic missions, according to Darchiyev.The first such meeting was held on February 27 at the residence of the US consul general in Istanbul. The consultations were "substantive and professional."

https://sputnikglobe.com/20250406/new-russia-us-contacts-upcoming-next-week--kremlins-envoy--1121748807.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20250410/serbia-would-lose-over-16bln-if-it-imposed-sanctions-on-russia---deputy-prime-minister-1121850092.html

Serbia Would Lose Over $16Bln If It Imposed Sanctions on Russia - Deputy Prime Minister

Serbia Would Lose Over $16Bln If It Imposed Sanctions on Russia - Deputy Prime Minister

Sputnik International

Serbia would lose at least 15 billion euros ($16.4 billion) a year if it imposed sanctions on Russia at the request of the European Union, Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vulin said.

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"If we followed the unreasonable and hysterical EU policy towards Russia, Serbia would directly suffer at least 15 billion euros in damages, and no one in the EU would be able to compensate for this... If Serbia imposed sanctions on Russia, we would lose 4 billion euros in trade every year," Vulin said on Wednesday. He added that Serbia is not ready to finance the armed conflict in Ukraine, and the fact that Brussels insists on Belgrade imposing sanctions on Russia indicates that "the EU does not care about Serbia." Vulin also complained that Serbia has been fulfilling all the EU's "whims and demands" for 20 years, and then Brussels announces that Ukraine and Moldova will become the bloc's next full members "without meeting a single criterion." In 2024, Serbias GDP reached about 82 billion euros.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20190329/serbia-eu-nato-membership-1073666454.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20250410/trump-brags-about-weapons-no-one-else-has-but-heres-a-twist-america-is-not-the-only-one-1121854876.html

Trump Brags About Weapons No One Else Has. But Here's a Twist: America Is Not the Only One

Trump Brags About Weapons No One Else Has. But Here's a Twist: America Is Not the Only One

Sputnik International

Trump Brags About Weapons No One Else Has. But Here's a Twist: America Is Not the Only One

2025-04-10T17:43+0000

2025-04-10T17:43+0000

2025-04-10T17:43+0000

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sarmat

russia's new oreshnik ballistic missile

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1. Oreshnik missileRussias new, mobile, ground-based IRBM carries a non-nuclear MIRV payload, and accelerates to speeds up to Mach 10, with its explosive payload getting as hot as the surface of the Sun during flight.The US has nothing like it.2. Avangard HGVThis strategic, nuclear-capable, scramjet Russian hypersonic glide vehicle is launched by Sarmat and Voevoda ICBMs, dropping (WHILE MANEUVERING) onto targets at speeds up to Mach 30.Impervious to ALL missile defense systems.3. DF-ZF hypersonic gliderChinas DF-ZF has a range up to 3,000 km, and is launched by the DF-17 MRBM. This UNSTOPPABLE HGV flies at speeds up to Mach 10.The DF-ZF is a perfect response to US attempts to militarize the South China Sea. The DoD has nothing like it.4. DF-21D carrier killerThis Chinese anti-ship ballistic missile is a world first, and is designed to target large warships.US carrier groups anywhere in a 1,800 km radius of Chinas coast BEST BEWARE, as the DF-21Ds kinetic kill vehicle is impervious to air defenses.5. Fattah-2 missileIrans Fattah-2 hypersonic missile accelerates to speeds up to Mach 15, and can make trajectory adjustments in flight.The missile has a 1,400 km range and has seen use in combat, PENETRATING Israels powerful missile defenses last October.6. Next gen Bavar 373Irans new Bavar 373-II air and missile defense system outshines the US Patriot in almost every way.It has a longer range (300 km vs 200 km), better detection (separate radar on each TELAR vs centralized radar, and far greater mobility and autonomy.7. Hwasong-19 ICBMNorth Koreas new solid fuel strategic missile has a 15,000 km range, MIRV capability and MASSIVE 11 axle mobile transporter-erector-launcher system.For comparison, the USs Minuteman III has a 13,000 km range, and is deployed in underground silos.8. KN-25This North Korean heavy artillery system is so powerful US analysts say it BLURS THE DISTINCTION between MLRS and SRBMs.Judge for yourself: With its 380 km range and 300 kg warhead, the system proves the DPRK doesnt even need nukes to devastate enemies.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20250407/how-to-treat-russophobia-1121831038.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20250410/trump-freezes-global-tariff-push-what-comes-next-1121851538.html

Trump Freezes Global Tariff Push: What Comes Next?

Trump Freezes Global Tariff Push: What Comes Next?

Sputnik International

US President Donald Trump approved a 90-day tariff pause on Wednesday and reduced the reciprocal tariff to 10%, citing ongoing trade talks with over 75 countries. Experts shared their views on the recent move with Sputnik.

2025-04-10T09:10+0000

2025-04-10T09:10+0000

2025-04-10T09:10+0000

world

donald trump

us

china

us trade representative (ustr)

white house

treasury

tariff war

tariffs

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We see the impact of this newly announced tariff regime as much more targeted than what we faced before today, and countries that compete against China have a huge incentive to reach trade deals with the US before the 90-day pause is over," Michael R. Englund, principal director and chief economist for Action Economics, told Sputnik.Englund suggested some big deals to be announced with the major Southeast Asian countries before July, saying that "possibly a deal can be reached with Europe as well. On April 9, President Donald Trump authorized a 90-day tariff pause and a reduction of the reciprocal tariff to 10%, effective immediately. This decision followed negotiations with over 75 countries, including representatives from the Departments of Commerce, Treasury, and USTR, addressing issues such as trade barriers, tariffs, currency manipulation, and non-monetary tariffs. Trump noted that these countries have refrained from retaliating against the United States, as he had strongly suggested.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20250410/trump-after-tariff-hike-on-china-says-stands-ready-to-meet-with-xi-1121849670.html

china

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20250410/ukraines-costly-kursk-gamble-bleeds-the-west---1121850253.html

Ukraines Costly Kursk Gamble Bleeds the West

Ukraines Costly Kursk Gamble Bleeds the West

Sputnik International

$2.4 billion - that's how much eight months of sustaining the incursion of Ukrainian forces and their mercenary hirelings into Russias Kursk region have cost Ukraine and its Western allies.

2025-04-10T05:07+0000

2025-04-10T05:07+0000

2025-04-10T05:07+0000

russia's special operation in ukraine

military & intelligence

ukraine

russia

west

nato

kursk

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$2.4 billion - that's how much eight months of sustaining the incursion of Ukrainian forces and their mercenary hirelings into Russias Kursk region have cost Ukraine and its Western sponsors. This was shown by Sputnik's calculations based on data from Russias Sever Battlegroup and open sources. Ukrainian forces have lost around 1,500 units of NATO-supplied hardware, worth an estimated $3 billion, during their incursion into Russias Kursk region, according to previous calculations by Sputnik. Russian soldiers are completing the defeat of the enemy, which committed numerous crimes against the civilian population of the Kursk region which must be classified by law as terrorist, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated in March.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20250408/russian-forces-liberate-guevo-settlement-in-kursk-region---mod-1121837696.html

ukraine

russia

west

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ukraine's incursion into russia's kursk region, ukraine's terrorist crimes in russia's kursk region
https://sputnikglobe.com/20250410/us--panama-sign-deal-on-free-passage-of-us-warships-through-panama-canal---hegseth-1121849932.html

US & Panama Sign Deal on Free Passage of US Warships Through Panama Canal - Hegseth

US & Panama Sign Deal on Free Passage of US Warships Through Panama Canal - Hegseth

Sputnik International

The United States and Panama have signed a framework agreement on priority and free passage of American warships through the Panama Canal, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth said.

2025-04-10T03:52+0000

2025-04-10T03:52+0000

2025-04-10T03:52+0000

americas

us

peter hegseth

donald trump

panama

pentagon

panama canal

white house

military drills

military exercises

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"We also signed with the minister of canal affairs a framework for US military and auxiliary ships to travel through the Panama Canal first and free," Hegseth told reporters following a visit to Panama. On April 8, Hegseth visited Panama for his inaugural visit to participate in the 2025 Central American Security Conference (CENTSEC) and meet with defense officials from partner nations. NBC News reported in March that the White House has directed the Pentagon to develop plans for a possible increase in the US military presence in Panama as part of US President Donald Trump's strategy to retake the Panama Canal. Trump said in his address to the joint session of Congress on March 5 that his administration has begun efforts to regain US control over the Panama Canal.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20250314/a-new-us-invasion-of-panama-in-motion-1121637977.html

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panama canal, us hegemony, us-china relations, us-china trade war, us-china war, us military, us army, us warships, american supremacy, american impunity
https://sputnikglobe.com/20250410/what-is-usaids-scandalous-legacy-in-six-nations-its-made-a-comeback-to---1121854662.html

What is USAIDs Scandalous Legacy in Six Nations it's Made a Comeback to?

What is USAIDs Scandalous Legacy in Six Nations it's Made a Comeback to?

Sputnik International

USAID operations, reportedly rebooted in Syria, Somalia, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, and Ecuador, were more a curse than a blessing for these countries.

2025-04-10T16:28+0000

2025-04-10T16:28+0000

2025-04-10T16:28+0000

world

syria

lebanon

somalia

usaid

us

iraq

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Heres why:Syria Funding infamous White Helmets - key players in staging chemical attack frame-ups that triggered Western strikes on Syria. $44.6M USAID program implicated in embezzlement and cash diversions to armed groups in Idlib. Somalia USAID, responsible for 40% of aid, faced claims of fraud vulnerability and fund diversions, with congressman Scott Perry (R-PA) accusing it of bankrolling terrorist groups, including Boko Haram. Lebanon USAID took credit for laying the groundwork for Lebanons 2005 Cedar Revolution, boasting years of funding before protests forced Syrias exit. US aid tripled in the early 2000s - from $15M to $45M. Euador Then-president Rafael Correa accused the agency of funding opposition to destabilize his government. WikiLeaks-uncovered cables revealed US actions to derail his 2006 run. US State Dept sent a $20K grant for Ecuadorian drag theater, DOGE found. Jordan Funding of infrastructure and services sparked accusations of creating fiscal dependency, with aid used as leverage for policy alignments, including forcing Palestinian refugee repositioning, per The National News. Iraq Halliburton, Bechtel accused of reaping windfalls of post-war reconstruction; watchdog groups claimed funds were siphoned off, and used to shape politics to fit US interests.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20250409/guess-whos-back-usaid-operations-rebooted-in-several-crisis-zones-1121843446.html

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somalia

iraq

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usaid operations, syria, somalia, lebanon, jordan, iraq, and ecuador, usaids scandalous legacy
Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced in a release through his official social media channel that on Monday, April 7, Frederick Bourgault was convicted of all charges against him in connection with the beating death of a racehorse on July 17, 2023, at the Pine Bush Training Facility in the Town of Crawford, New York.

The indictment charged Bourgault, 27, with Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree for having damaged a racehorse named Finish Line that had an estimated value of at least $5,000. It was alleged that Bourgault struck the horse with a hard object causing a linear depressed skull fracture, which resulted in the horse having to be euthanized. The indictment also charged Bourgault with Interference with or Injury to Certain Domestic Animals, a felony under the New York State Agriculture and Markets Act, for willfully and unjustifiably injuring or destroying a racehorse. The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced on July 7, 2025.

The New York State Police, aided by the Orange County District Attorneys Office and New York State Gaming Commission, engaged in an investigation into the death of the horse. The investigation included having the horses remains exhumed and examined by experts at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. The New York State Gaming Commission provided expert witnesses and assisted in coordinating the arrest of Bourgault by the New York State Police.

District Attorney Hoovler thanked the New York State Police, BCI Middletown, for their investigation and the arrest of Bourgault, and the New York State Gaming Commission for their assistance and support of the arrest and prosecution.

The beautiful horse that was the victim of this defendants senseless act of violence deserved the justice that was delivered on his behalf, said Hoovler. We will not, as a civilized society, allow abusers to bring harm to helpless animals. My Office will continue to utilize all legal resources available and work with our law enforcement partners to ensure that crimes like these are investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent under law.

The New York State Gaming Commission is proud to work closely with law enforcement to protect horses and hold those who abuse them accountable, said Sarah Klein, Director of the Gaming Commissions Division of Horse Racing. We are grateful for the work of the Orange County District Attorneys Office and the New York State Police in delivering justice for Mr. Bourgaults crimes.

Hoovler highly commended Chief Assistant District Attorney Christopher P. Borek and Assistant District Attorney Roger Dean who prosecuted the case.

Bourgault, originally from Quebec and now a resident of New Hampton, New York, is not licensed to race Standardbreds in Canada. Bourgault has not raced in Canada since 2021 when he was issued a two-year suspension by the Alcohol & Gaming Commission of Ontario for misconduct prejudicial to the best interests of racing after engaging in an act of animal cruelty. Bourgault's Standardbred Canada membership was subsequently suspended indefinitely for charges of abuse or neglect of an animal.

(With files from Orange County District Attorney's Office)
The vacation rental owner who employed former Mayor Will Finn and his wife is accusing them of stealing around $20,000  part of a closed Cowlitz County Sheriffs Office investigation.

The sheriffs office is suggesting the Finns be charged with first- and second-degree theft, but the Lewis County prosecutors have not brought charges as of Wednesday.

Finn also faces allegations that he deleted public records from a city-issued cell phone he used while serving as the mayor of Woodland from 2016 to 2023, in a separate Thurston County Sheriffs Office investigation.

That sheriffs office has also suggested Finn be charged  this time with the felony of destroying public records  but no charges were filed as of Wednesday in this case either. The Finns did not respond to calls by deadline.

Finn was placed on paid administrative leave with Washington State Patrol for his job as a public information officer as of March 11, according to WSP representatives.

Washington State Patrol spokesperson Chris Loftis said he does not have access to his WSP weapon, ID cards or badge, and is not permitted to wear his uniform or perform any duty-related work during the leave.

Worst kind of deceit

Michann Bond, owner of short-term rentals called Third Street Villas in Woodland, accused both Will and Heather Finn of misusing a bank card that belonged to the business.

Bond said the couple had been managing her properties for four years.

She alleged the Finns made unauthorized purchases  including on groceries, dog food and restaurant bills  totaling around $20,000.

There was like a hundred charges for restaurants, she said.

Bond said she also loaned them another $20,000, but they havent paid back. She said she tried to settle up with them, but they refused.

Bond said the Finns were responsible for booking guests and obtaining supplies for her Airbnb rentals, for which they were paid a 20% commission on the booking charge.

She said she reported the alleged thefts to the Woodland Police Department around June, but the case was sent to the Cowlitz County Sheriffs Office.

She said she trusted Will Finn because they had been friends for 10 years and he had a career in law enforcement.

Boy, was I shocked, said Bond. The worst kind of deceit.

Court records show Bond had not filed a civil suit against the Finns as of Wednesday.

Lewis County Prosecutor William Halstead said the Lewis County Prosecutors Office received a referral to review the alleged theft case at the end of March, but had no timeline on the decision whether or not to file charges.

This latest allegation is not the first time Will Finn has come under scrutiny for unauthorized personal expenses.

A 2024 report from the Office of the Washington State Auditor outlined ways the former mayor misused his city-issued credit card, though he was not charged with a crime for the transactions.

The report does not name Will Finn directly, but the audit timeframe overlaps with his tenure as mayor. The report states that the former mayor made $3,965 worth of personal purchases between March 2022 and November 2023, but the city had only recovered $3,385. The office recommended the city seek to recover the missing $580, but city officials said Wednesday they had not received the missing funds.

Alleged public records destruction

A Thurston County Sheriffs Office report alleges Will Finn was investigated in 2024 for erasing the contents of his city-issued cell phone he used during his term as Woodland mayor. The contents of the phone are considered public record because he was using the device for city business as an elected official. The Cowlitz County Sherriffs Office requested Thurston County take over the investigation in early 2024.

A deputy was assigned the case on Feb. 28, 2024, but due to other cases, the investigator first spoke with current Woodland Mayor Todd Dinehart on Aug. 27 and then Woodland City Clerk Amanda Hougan the next day.

The report states Hougan told authorities she attempted to fulfill a public records request that involved Will Finns work phone but discovered the device had been factory reset, and any data connected to the phone was gone.

Hougan said she asked the former mayor multiple times to install a computer program on his city-issued cell phone to collect the phones data, the report states, but she said he refused to do so until his last day in office, then he reset the device.

Woodland Public Assistant Lead Scott Summers also said in the report that Will Finn told him, Ha ha, good luck getting anything off my phone, I did a factory reset.

Will Finn said he did the same on an iPad, but Hougan told authorities she was unaware of that device, the report states.

According to the Thurston County Sheriffs Office incident report, investigators were able to extract some data from the former mayors work phone, including six text chats; five incoming unanswered calls with no time stamps; and 13 voicemails from Aug. 7, 2023, to Jan. 19. Officials could not recover emails or photos, outside of thumbnails.

Will Finn admitted to a Thurston County deputy in September that he did a factory reset on his work phone and downloaded its data onto his personal computer because the Woodland mayoral election had gotten heated, and nasty, the report states. Finn said he didnt trust Dinehart, and didnt know what the city would do with the information on his phone.

Will Finn lost to Dinehart in 2023 when the former mayor received roughly 30% of the votes.

Will Finn told authorities he believed the data from his work phone was being saved by the IT department on the back end. However, the deputy noted in the report that if the IT department was saving the phones data, there would have been no reason to erase the contents.

Will Finn also gave authorities a USB drive that he said included his saved work phones data. However, the deputy writes that there is no way to confirm if all of his work phones data was transferred to the device.
Oracle and Google Cloud announced plans for the partner program and the planned availability of Oracle Base Database Service on Oracle Database@Google Cloud, as well as expanded capabilities and additional regions. The new partner program is designed to enable Oracle and Google Cloud partners to offer Oracle Database@Google Cloud to their customers. In addition, Oracle Database@Google Cloud now supports Oracle Exadata X11M, and for Oracle U.S. Government Cloud customers, Oracle Interconnect for Google Cloud is available. Finally, 11 new regions are planned within the next 12 months to help meet growing customer demand for Oracle Database@Google Cloud.

Banco Actinver is committed to providing innovative financial solutions to our clients, said Jorge Fernandez, CIO, Banco Actinver. By combining the security and performance of Oracle Database with Google Clouds data analytics and AI tools, were gaining deeper insights into market trends, enhancing our services, and delivering personalized experiences to our customers.

We continue to expand our partnership with Google Cloud to help meet the growing demand from organizations across the world, said Karan Batta, senior vice president, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure. The upcoming reseller program for Oracle Database@Google Cloud is not only a first for us, but also for the multicloud market overall. Oracle Base Database Service on Oracle Database@Google Cloud will be another milestone in our partnership. It provides automated database lifecycle management, low-code application development, and independently scalable compute and storage resources with pay-as-you-go pricing.

Oracle and Google Clouds collaboration on Oracle Database@Google Cloud has always placed our joint customers needs at the forefront, said Andi Gutmans, vice president and general manager of databases, Google Cloud. The availability of Oracle Base Database Service will further help customers cost-effectively accelerate their cloud migrations with the technical strengths business-critical workloads require. In addition, offering Oracle Database@Google Cloud through our marketplace reflects our commitment to partners and ensures we continue to provide our customers with the utmost flexibility.

New Oracle Database@Google Cloud Partner Program

For the first time, Google Cloud and Oracle partners will have the ability to purchase Oracle Database@Google Cloud from the Google Cloud Marketplace via a private offer and resell it to their customers. In addition, technology partners can soon be able to include Oracle Database@Google Cloud in their solutions and services offerings. Available within the next 12 months, the new partner program is planned to be open to partners that are members of both the Google Cloud Partner Advantage program and the Oracle PartnerNetwork (OPN). Transactions will occur through Google Cloud Marketplace and only Google Cloud credits can apply.

Top Breaking News Of The Day

Many of Oracle and Google Clouds joint customers already purchase cloud services through trusted partners. The upcoming reseller program is designed to help organizations identify and execute on the most valuable emerging use cases for their needs with innovative multicloud solutions such as Oracle Database@Google Cloud.

As a leading technology provider, our clients trust us to bring them the very best solutions, said Jack French, senior director, Cloud Global Solutions and Architecture, World Wide Technology. Oracles innovations with multicloud enable clients to have more flexibility and choice in the cloud. We are excited that Oracle Database@Google Cloud will be available from trusted providers like WWT. This will be an important capability as we help our clients and partners realize their AI-related goals.

New Oracle Database@Google Cloud Capabilities and Regions

Oracle and Google Cloud plan to add service and platform enhancements as well as new regions to support growing customer demand for Oracle Database@Google Cloud:
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Humans' ability to learn from one another across cultures over generations drives our success as a species as much as our individual intelligence. This collective cultural brain has led to new innovations and developed bodies of knowledge.

While large AI models excel at consuming bodies of knowledge to generate text, they can only base their outputs on what they are given. As a consequence, their results can have the effect of homogenizing and erasing cultural knowledge. Addressing shortcomings in cultural knowledge can prevent AI systems from holding back innovation while ensuring AI works for everyone, according to a study by a multinational team led by the University of Michigan.

The findings are published on the arXiv preprint server.

Subjective perspectives and assumptions worm their way into every step of AI model development, the researchers sayskewing the technology to reflect its data sources and its developers, who are primarily from countries that are Western, highly educated, industrialized, rich and democratic. While this strategy grants success to AI tools in the largest Western markets, it limits widespread adoption and misses opportunities in and knowledge from small markets.

"AI has taken the world by storm, and yet much of the world is not represented in the data, models, and evaluations used in model development," said Rada Mihalcea, the Janice M. Jenkins Collegiate Professor of Computer Science and Engineering at U-M and co-corresponding author of the study recently presented at the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence conference.

The teambringing expertise and insights from twelve different countries: China, Germany, India, Mexico, Nigeria, Romania, Rwanda, Singapore, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, United States and Uruguayoutlined where cultural assumptions seep into the AI pipeline.

At the ground level, the data used to train, fine-tune or evaluate AI models and its annotation directly influences which stakeholders will be represented.

Suppose a situation where a boy in Romania asks an AI system for a male role model to emulate, the study posits. The model could suggest Nicolae Ceausescu because "he played a significant role in Romanian history, and his regime had a lasting impact," without acknowledging he was a dictator considered one of the darkest figures in Romanian history.

Without an insider "thick" perspective on history and culture, the AI model could lack depth and authenticity when tasked with information outside of its scope, and provide a "thin" perspective on culture. The good news is that these limitations can be addressed, as adding even a small amount of diverse data can greatly improve model performance, showing a small effort can greatly widen the audience AI serves.

"We need to reevaluate our current data collection practices, and collect data that covers a wide range of perspectives across demographic and cultural dimensions," said Oana Ignat, a doctoral graduate of computer science and engineering at U-M, assistant professor of computer science and engineering at Santa Clara University and co-corresponding author of the study.

At the next organizational level, model design drives how the model interacts with the dataknown as alignment. Model developers encode human values and goals during alignment, aiming to make the models more helpful. However, the choice of values in alignment carries through outputs, with many AI models excelling on US-specific interactions but struggling with other cultures.

This could manifest in a situation where a Canadian high school administrator uses an AI-driven educational tool to personalize learning experiences for students. The tool could perform poorly when students input text in the local French dialect, misunderstanding context and giving the wrong output. English-speaking students would not face the same problem, causing a skew in learning.

The source of funding shapes AI models. If governments or philanthropic initiatives do not incentivize AI model development in different countries and languages, economic drives prioritize rich countries and major languages.

"Most developing countries prioritize funding direct income-generator initiatives over research, sacrificing the potential profits from AI initiatives," said Claude Kwizera, a Master's student in engineering AI at Carnegie Mellon University Africa and contributing author of the study.

Engaging models in conversations with individuals from various cultures during alignment can expand model preferences, making AI useful for a broader audience and more useful to all audiences.

As a last step before deployment, AI model performance is tested using metrics and benchmarks, but narrow tests can overestimate real-world performance.

For instance, an AI-powered education tool deployed in India could fail to resonate with students if the model misaligned evaluation metrics and cultural values. It could perform well on Western learning styles of individual achievement and competition, but could fail to recognize that India's collectivist society values group collaboration and shared success.

One tactic to expand metrics could be to combine human evaluations with automatic metrics to improve reliability assessments, especially when developing AI for a non-Western community.

Overall, involving people from a variety of backgrounds in AI development can reshape AI, broadening the scope of who AI serves. When a strong economic incentive is not present to encourage investment in small markets, philanthropic initiatives and government support can help fill in the gaps to make sure AI lifts up everyone.

"We can advance towards AI systems that serve everyone, are built with input from a wide range of perspectives, and reflect the contributions of a diverse group of stakeholders," said Mihalcea.

The University of Santa Clara, Universidad de la Republica Uruguay, Max Planck Institute, Carnegie Mellon University Africa, Singapore University of Technology and Design, and Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence also contributed to this research.

More information: Rada Mihalcea et al, Why AI Is WEIRD and Should Not Be This Way: Towards AI For Everyone, With Everyone, By Everyone, arXiv (2024). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2410.16315 Journal information: arXiv
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When her 14-year-old son took his own life after interacting with artificial intelligence chatbots, Megan Garcia turned her grief into action.

Last year, the Florida mom sued Character.AI, a platform where people can create and interact with digital characters that mimic real and fictional people.

Garcia alleged in a federal lawsuit that the platform's chatbots harmed the mental health of her son, Sewell Setzer III, and the Menlo Park, California, company failed to notify her or offer help when he expressed suicidal thoughts to these virtual characters.

Now Garcia is backing state legislation that aims to safeguard young people from "companion" chatbots she says "are designed to engage vulnerable users in inappropriate romantic and sexual conversations" and "encourage self-harm."

"Over time, we will need a comprehensive regulatory framework to address all the harms, but right now, I am grateful that California is at the forefront of laying this ground," Garcia said at a news conference on Tuesday ahead of a hearing in Sacramento to review the bill.

As companies move fast to advance chatbots, parents, lawmakers and child advocacy groups are worried there are not enough safeguards in place to protect young people from technology's potential dangers.

To address the problem, state lawmakers introduced a bill that would require operators of companion chatbot platforms to remind users at least every three hours that the virtual characters aren't human. Platforms would also need to take other steps such as implementing a protocol for addressing suicidal ideation, suicide or self-harm expressed by users. That includes showing users suicide prevention resources.

Under Senate Bill 243, the operator of these platforms would also report the number of times a companion chatbot brought up suicide ideation or actions with a user, along with other requirements.

The legislation, which cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee, is just one way state lawmakers are trying to tackle potential risks posed by artificial intelligence as chatbots surge in popularity among young people. More than 20 million people use Character.AI every month and users have created millions of chatbots.

Lawmakers say the bill could become a national model for AI protections and some of the bill's supporters include children's advocacy group Common Sense Media and the American Academy of Pediatrics, California.

"Technological innovation is crucial, but our children cannot be used as guinea pigs to test the safety of the products. The stakes are high," said Sen. Steve Padilla, D-Chula Vista, one of the lawmakers who introduced the bill, at the event attended by Garcia.

But tech industry and business groups, including TechNet and the California Chamber of Commerce, oppose the legislation, telling lawmakers that it would impose "unnecessary and burdensome requirements on general-purpose AI models." The Electronic Frontier Foundation, a nonprofit digital rights group based in San Francisco, says the legislation raises 1st Amendment issues.

"The government likely has a compelling interest in preventing suicide. But this regulation is not narrowly tailored or precise," EFF wrote to lawmakers.

Character.AI has also surfaced 1st Amendment concerns about Garcia's lawsuit. Its attorneys asked a federal court in January to dismiss the case, stating that a finding in the parents' favor would violate users' constitutional right to free speech.

Chelsea Harrison, a spokeswoman for Character.AI, said in an email the company takes user safety seriously and its goal is to provide "a space that is engaging and safe."

"We are always working toward achieving that balance, as are many companies using AI across the industry. We welcome working with regulators and lawmakers as they begin to consider legislation for this emerging space," she said in a statement.

She cited new safety features, including a tool that allows parents to see how much time their teens are spending on the platform. The company also cited its efforts to moderate potentially harmful content and direct certain users to the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

Social media companies, including Snap and Facebook's parent company Meta, have also released AI chatbots within their apps to compete with OpenAI's ChatGPT, which people use to generate text and images. While some users have used ChatGPT to get advice or complete work, some have also turned to these chatbots to play the role of a virtual boyfriend or friend.

Lawmakers are also grappling with how to define "companion chatbot." Certain apps such as Replika and Kindroid market their services as AI companions or digital friends. The bill doesn't apply to chatbots designed for customer service.

Padilla said during the press conference that the legislation focuses on product design that is "inherently dangerous" and is meant to protect minors.

2025 Los Angeles Times. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Vast amounts of renewable energy are needed to produce green hydrogen, a new form of energy made by splitting water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen using renewable power.

Green hydrogen is a type of clean energy that could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by replacing fossil fuels in energy-intensive industries. These industries include cement, fertilizer and steel production.

The scale of projected investments globally is huge. The Hydrogen Council, an association of major corporations including the multinational mining company Anglo American, Bosch engineers, the chemicals and engineering giant Linde and many others, lists 1,400 announced projects worldwide and announced investments of US$320 billion.

European governments are looking to import green hydrogen from countries like Chile and South Africa that have enough sun and wind to set up the huge power plants required. They're also planning to build a very large network of green hydrogen pipelines across the continent. By the 2030s, the amount of green hydrogen imported by the European Union may reach 10 million tons a year.

Chile needs green hydrogen so that it can stop using fossil fuels in copper mining. The country also wants to become a major exporter of green hydrogen derivatives, such as green ammonia and renewable methanol.

South Africa sees green hydrogen as an export opportunity but, more importantly, as a means to decarbonize its large heavy-industry and mining sectors, which depend on climate-damaging coal-based energy. The chemicals giant Sasol and the steel producer ArcelorMittal could be the first big industrial corporations to use green hydrogen.

However, both countries lack the billions of US dollars needed to set up green hydrogen industries. If they take out large-scale loans to help finance the projects, this could raise debt to unsustainable levels.

We are economists who have analyzed policies, especially de-risking measures, to promote the green hydrogen industry in Chile and South Africa. De-risking means that the state guarantees attractive and reliable conditions to bring in private investors, also supporting them with low-interest credit.

By reviewing national strategy papers and further legislation, and through interviews with business people and politicians, we found that de-risking could actually be financially problematic for the two countries.

Our research found that tax incentives and credits are questionable ways to support the industry. This is because they attract investment in green hydrogen projects without overcoming more fundamental economic and political insecurities. These deficiencies include the lack of infrastructure for green hydrogen, specialized local suppliers and market uncertainty regarding demand and prices.

We suggest that South Africa and Chile concentrate on creating a business environment favorable to foreign investment that also puts local firms and local labor on a firmer footing to participate in green hydrogen projects. There is also a need for countries in the global north to take on a bigger share of the financial risks involved with setting up green hydrogen projects.

Taking the risk out of building green hydrogen industries

Chile and South Africa have taken numerous steps to promote the green hydrogen industry. Chile's National Green Hydrogen Strategy provides a clear guideline on how to develop the industry. It identifies market opportunities and supportive measures that the state should take. University programs in engineering and chemistry have been adapted to train the future workforce of the wider green hydrogen sector.

The Inter American Development Bank, the European Investment Bank, Germany's KfW Development Bank and the World Bank have contributed to Chile's US$1 billion Green Hydrogen Fund. The government is hoping to increase this fund to US$12.5 billion.

However, it will be essential to avoid taking on excessive liabilities because, in the worst case, loans provided to private companies that are not paid back may bankrupt the state.

In South Africa, the 2021 Hydrogen Society Road Map proposes that firms involved in green hydrogen production set up together in clusters. Existing special economic zones, which have dedicated infrastructure and other advantages for investors, are likely to become the locations of these clusters. University and other training programs have been launched.

The Green Hydrogen Commercialization Strategy sets out ambitious production targets, including exports of 1 million tons a year by the 2030s.

Again, a key issue is financing. South Africa's Just Energy Transition Investment Plan is based on a US $7 billion funding package from the UK and EU to grow the renewable energy sector.

The idea is that this amount will attract a bigger group of private sector investors to fund renewable energy, green industrialization and decarbonization projects. But only 4% of the US $7 billion consists of grants that do not have to be repaid. The bulk of the amount is made up of loans that could aggravate South Africa's already considerable debt burden.

What needs to happen next

For countries in the global north to move away from fossil fuel energy, they'll need to buy green hydrogen from countries such as Chile and South Africa. So it is essential that these wealthier countries take on a larger share of the risks of setting up green hydrogen projects. This will help green hydrogen host countries to avoid being caught in a debt trap.

Wealthier countries could sign long-term purchase agreements. This would mean that green hydrogen producers in Chile and South Africa would be assured of having buyers at fixed prices. First steps in that direction have been taken by Namibia and Germany.

Our research emphasizes the need to promote development in countries that will produce and export green hydrogen. This must happen in addition to more than just international burden sharing. Rather than tax cuts and cheap loans, less expensive and more lasting measures must be taken to facilitate the participation of local players in green hydrogen projects. The creation of such benefits is also important to offset the negative environmental and social effects of these projects.

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A coalition of California nonprofits, foundations and labor groups are raising concerns about ChatGPT maker OpenAI, urging the state attorney general to halt the artificial intelligence startup's plans to restructure itself as a for-profit company.

More than 50 organizations, led by LatinoProsperity and the San Francisco Foundation, signed a petition that was sent to Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta's office on Wednesday, requesting he investigate the Sam Altman-led company.

"OpenAI began its work with the goal of developing AI to benefit humanity as a whole, but its current attempt to alter its corporate structure reveals its new goal: providing AI's benefitsthe potential for untold profits and control over what may become powerful world-altering technologiesto a handful of corporate investors and high-level employees," the petition said.

San Francisco-based OpenAI began as a nonprofit in 2015 and later launched a for-profit subsidiary to oversee its commercial operations. Currently, the nonprofit's board oversees that subsidiary, which develops products and services including ChatGPT and text-to-video tool Sora.

But as the competition among AI companies heated up, OpenAI said it needed to change its business structure to raise more money. In December, OpenAI said it would explore transitioning its commercial subsidiary into a public benefit corporation, a type of for-profit business where the OpenAI nonprofit would have an ownership stake but would no longer control it.

When OpenAI began as a nonprofit research lab, there were no plans for a productjust plans to put out research papers, Altman told newsletter Stratechery in March.

Over time, OpenAI has grown to be a leader in the AI space, with 500 million people using ChatGPT weekly. If he could go back, Altman said he would have set up the company differently.

"We knew that scaling computers was going to be important, but we still really underestimated how much we needed to scale them," Altman said in a conversation with Harvard Business School.

Other AI startups, including Anthropic and xAI, are public benefit corporations.

The proposed change in OpenAI's structure raised eyebrows among some nonprofit leaders. The petition was doubtful that OpenAI's charitable assets would be protected, accused OpenAI of not complying with nonprofit rules and raised concerns that other startups would use a nonprofit structure "to create accelerated and amplified possibilities for individual financial benefit."

OpenAI's nonprofit board went through a major shakeup in 2023. The board voted to fire Altman for alleged lack of consistent candor in his communications with board members. He was later reinstated five days later and the board was restructured, with several opposing board members leaving.

This month, OpenAI said it completed a $40-billion funding round led by SoftBank, bringing its valuation to $300 billion. As part of the deal, SoftBank can reduce its investment if OpenAI does not change its corporate structure by the end of the year.

Unlike for-profit businesses, nonprofits are limited in how funds raised are used.

"They can't sell stock or offer returns," said Neil Elan, a partner at law firm Stubbs, Alderton and Markiles LLP. "Equity is what drives a lot of these high valuation models. It's also difficult to fully compete with Meta, Microsoft and Google, which have access to a lot more resources ... without comparable funding."

OpenAI now ranks as the second most valuable privately held company, tied with TikTok's parent company ByteDance, according to research firm CB Insights. The private firm with the highest valuation is Elon Musk's SpaceX at $350 billion.

"This is a kind of unprecedented conversion in terms of its size and we just want to make sure that the attorney general really exercises his powers to protect those charitable assets," said Orson Aguilar, CEO and founding president of LatinoProsperity, an L.A.-based nonprofit that focuses on advancing policies that build wealth in the Latino community.

Some nonprofit leaders said what's happening with OpenAI reminds them of the transition that nonprofit health care providers made to for-profits in the 1990s. Government leaders stepped in to help regulate that process.

LatinoProsperity, San Francisco Foundation and other nonprofits first raised concerns to the attorney general in January.

Bonta has sought more information regarding OpenAI's restructuring, with his deputy attorney general reaching out to the AI startup and requesting it provide more details. Earlier this year, Bonta's office told news outlet CalMatters that it's an ongoing investigation and the department "is committed to protecting charitable assets for their intended purpose and takes this responsibility seriously."

Aguilar says "there hasn't been any meaningful action."

Some of OpenAI's competitors have opposed the company's plans. Last year, Meta wrote to the attorney general. Musk, a co-founder of OpenAI who now runs rival xAI, sued OpenAI, seeking to stop OpenAI from changing its corporate structure.

Nathanael Fast, director of the Neely Center for Ethical Leadership and Decision Making at USC Marshall School of Business, thinks OpenAI will be able to move forward with its plans despite the opposition.

"The big question is, what will happen to the values that they have once all the dust settles and they become a corporation that is competing with other for-profit corporations?" Fast said. "Will they have unique values that they hold on to from their early days as a nonprofit? Or will they look just like any other profit-oriented company?"

2025 Los Angeles Times. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Google, with key hearings starting this month in a blockbuster anti-monopoly court case that could lead to its breakup, agreed to lift a gag order banning its employees from talking about the lawsuit, a union representing workers said.

In August, Google's global-affairs chief Kent Walker, in a company-wide email, ordered workers to "refrain from commenting on this case, both internally and externally."

The union for Google employees, the Alphabet Workers Union-CWA, filed a charge with federal labor authorities alleging that the Mountain View firm's edict violated federal labor law by limiting employees' right to talk about an issue affecting their working conditions.

On Monday, the union announced a settlement with Google, and cited the importance of workers' ability to discuss the case at a "crucial moment" when the company faces a possible court-ordered breakup from the anti-monopoly lawsuit filed by the U.S. Department of Justice and dozens of states, including California.

The judge in the case will start hearing evidence April 21 in hearings to determine how Google's monopoly power over internet search will be stripped.

Under the settlement, dated March 28, Google agreed to rescind Walker's order, referred to by Google in the agreement as a "rule."

"It's encouraging that Google has reversed its course on restricting our federally protected right to free expression," said Google software engineer and Alphabet Workers Union president Parul Koul.

Koul said the work of Google employees could be "dramatically" affected by court orders in the anti-monopoly case overseen by Judge Amit Mehta, who in August declared Google holds a monopoly on internet search.

Google on Tuesday said Walker's order had no effect on employees' ability to talk about their job conditions, and no one was disciplined for discussing the anti-monopoly case. The company said that to avoid lengthy litigation in court, it agreed with the union "to remind employees that they have the right to talk about their employment, as they've always been free to and regularly do."

The Justice Department and states suing Google are demanding that it not only be barred from making deals with companies, including Apple, to give preference to Google's search engine, but that it divest its dominant Chrome internet browser, seen by experts as a protective moat around the company's wildly lucrative digital-advertising business.

Google's Walker, in a 2023 company blog post, called the lawsuit "deeply flawed" and asserted that "people don't use Google because they have tothey use it because they want to." The company said in an October blog post that splitting off Chrome would break the browser and give Apple an advantage.

The Justice Department demand for divestiture of Chromeincluded in a March court filingprovided a partial answer to the question of whether federal government anti-monopoly lawsuits targeting Google, Facebook parent Meta, Apple and Amazon would continue in President Donald Trump's second administration.

Major tech firms donated millions of dollars to Trump's inauguration, and their CEOs sat on stage behind him as he began his second presidency. Google and Facebook parent Meta have cut social media content moderation and backed away from diversity programs amid attacks by Trump and fellow Republicans.

The Meta case, filed by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, accuses the Menlo Park company of creating a social networking monopoly protected via purchases of budding rival Instagram in 2012, and messaging app WhatsApp two years later. Meta, in a 2021 court filing, argued that the FTC had "no basis for its naked allegation that Facebook has or had a monopoly."

The FTC in a 2021 court filing demanded Meta be ordered to sell or "reconstruct" Instagram and WhatsApp. Meta said in a statement last month that evidence at the trial "will show that the acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp have been good for competition and consumers."

That trial is set to start Monday, with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg to testify. The Wall Street Journal reported last week that Zuckerberg has been visiting Washington to seek a settlement from Trump and White House officials.

Google is fighting a second anti-monopoly lawsuit by the Justice Department that claims it has a monopoly on software that puts ads on web pages. The company in a 2023 court filing denied having such a monopoly and argued in a September blog post that it goes "above and beyond legal requirements in making tools that others can use."

The Justice Department is also suing Cupertino iPhone titan Apple, alleging it "illegally maintains a monopoly over smartphones" by making it harder for consumers to switch to other companies' devices. Apple in an August court filing claimed the lawsuit was "based on the false premise that iPhone's success has come not through building a superior product that consumers trust and love, but through Apple's intentional degradation of iPhone to block purported competitive threats."

The FTC is also suing Amazon, claiming in the 2023 lawsuit that the company's "exclusionary conduct  prevents current competitors from growing and new competitors from emerging."

Amazon said in a court filing last year that its matching of rivals' discounts, recommendations of competitively priced offers, and fast, reliable shipping are "commonplace" and promote competition.

2025 MediaNews Group, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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The optical antenna on the Flux roof overlooking Eindhoven, facing the direction of the High Tech Campus. Credit: Vincent van Vliet

Researchers from TU/e have transmitted data between the TU/e campus and the High Tech Campus over a 4.6 km distance using infrared light. This happened at the astonishing rate of 5.7 terabits per second, the equivalent of streaming 1.9 million Netflix shows in HD simultaneously. This is the fastest wireless data transmission ever demonstrated over this big a distance in an urban setting.

The record-breaking connection was established between TU/e in the north and the High Tech Campus (HTC) in the south of Eindhoven using advanced optical antennas from Aircision, a spin-off of TNO that develops products for ultra-high capacity optical wireless systems. The company is located at the HTC.

Their antennas transmit data through invisible infrared beams instead of cables or radio signals. This technique, known as free-space optical (FSO) communication, enables ultra-fast, interference-free data transmission.

"We need new ways to meet the increasing demand for fast and reliable connectivity," says Vincent van Vliet, a TU/e Ph.D. researcher involved in the project.

Breaking boundaries in wireless speed

"Infrared wireless communication combines the high data speeds known from optical fibers with the flexibility of wireless communication systems. By complementing existing wireless and fiber-optic technologies, we can build the densely interconnected networks required to bring high-speed data connectivity to every corner of the planet."

Vincent van Vliet working in the laboratory. Credit: Bart van Overbeeke

To achieve this breakthrough, the team used the Reid Photonloop testbed. The TU/e has launched this permanent set-up to experiment with high-speed wireless communication. It uses cutting-edge technology that combines multiple wavelengths in a single transmission. This technique, commonly used in fiber optics, has now for the first time been successfully applied at this scale in wireless free-space optical communication.

"Because the transmitted infrared light is highly focused, an almost unlimited number of communication links can exist side-by-side without interference, allowing wireless network capacity growth at an unprecedented scale," Van Vliet explains.

A permanent test facility for next-gen networks

One end of the Reid Photonloop is located on the top of the Flux building of the TU/e campus, which houses the departments of Electrical Engineering and Applied Physics and Science Education. The other end of the test bed, 4.6 kilometers away on the other side of the city of Eindhoven, sits at the top of building 37 at the High Tech Campus.

The findings were presented at the Optical Fiber Communications (OFC) Conference 2025 in San Francisco earlier this month, and the research is available on the arXiv preprint server.

Chigo Okonkwo, Associate Professor and head of TU/e's High-Capacity Optical Transmission Lab, emphasizes the importance of the testbed. "This facility will allow us to refine high-speed wireless communication and optimize its reliability and availability in all weather conditions," he says.

A drone shot of the optical antenna on the Flux roof, facing in a south-southwesterly direction. The antenna is visible to the right of the solar panels in the foreground. Credit: Alireza Hajiarab Derkani

Real-life deployments

Aircision is already looking at how this technology can be used in real-world applications, such as wirelessly connecting new 5G/6G antennas for backhauling the existing network to bring high-speed internet access to areas where laying fiber is impractical or too costly.

Luis Oliveira, co-founder of Aircision, is optimistic: "We are redefining how data is transmitted over the air. This record-breaking achievement proves that our technology is ready to make high-speed internet accessible to millions of people faster than ever before."

The Reid Photonloop testbed is named after the late Aircision co-founder John Reid, who was a driving force behind the development of the test bed but passed away before it was realized.

More information: Vincent van Vliet et al, 5.7 Tb/s Transmission Over a 4.6 km Field-Deployed Free-Space Optical Link in Urban Environment, arXiv (2025). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2503.21058 Journal information: arXiv
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MIT Ph.D. candidate Shaylin Cetegen (pictured) and her colleagues, Professor Emeritus Truls Gundersen of the Norwegian University of Science and Technology and Professor Emeritus Paul Barton of MIT, have developed a comprehensive assessment of the potential role of "liquid air energy storage" for large-scale, long-duration storage on electric power grids of the future. Credit: Gretchen Ertl

As the world moves to reduce carbon emissions, solar and wind power will play an increasing role in electricity grids. But those renewable sources only generate electricity when it's sunny or windy. So to ensure a reliable power gridone that can deliver electricity 24/7it's crucial to have a means of storing electricity when supplies are abundant and delivering it later, when they're not. And sometimes large amounts of electricity will need to be stored not just for hours, but for days, or even longer.

Some methods of achieving "long-duration energy storage" are promising. For example, with pumped hydro energy storage, water is pumped from a lake to another, higher lake when there's extra electricity and released back down through power-generating turbines when more electricity is needed. But that approach is limited by geography, and most potential sites in the United States have already been used. Lithium-ion batteries could provide grid-scale storage, but only for about four hours. Longer than that and battery systems get prohibitively expensive.

A team of researchers from MIT and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) has been investigating a less-familiar option based on an unlikely-sounding concept: liquid air, or air that is drawn in from the surroundings, cleaned and dried, and then cooled to the point that it liquefies.

"Liquid air energy storage" (LAES) systems have been built, so the technology is technically feasible. Moreover, LAES systems are totally clean and can be sited nearly anywhere, storing vast amounts of electricity for days or longer and delivering it when it's needed. But there haven't been conclusive studies of its economic viability. Would the income over time warrant the initial investment and ongoing costs?

The researchers developed a model that takes detailed information on LAES systems and calculates when and where those systems would be economically viable, assuming future scenarios in line with selected decarbonization targets as well as other conditions that may prevail on future energy grids.

They found that under some of the scenarios they modeled, LAES could be economically viable in certain locations. Sensitivity analyses showed that policies providing a subsidy on capital expenses could make LAES systems economically viable in many locations.

Further calculations showed that the cost of storing a given amount of electricity with LAES would be lower than with more familiar systems such as pumped hydro and lithium-ion batteries. They conclude that LAES holds promise as a means of providing critically needed long-duration storage when future power grids are decarbonized and dominated by intermittent renewable sources of electricity.

The researchersShaylin A. Cetegen, a Ph.D. candidate in the MIT Department of Chemical Engineering (ChemE); Professor Emeritus Truls Gundersen of the NTNU Department of Energy and Process Engineering; and MIT Professor Emeritus Paul I. Barton of ChemEdescribe their model and their findings in a new paper published in the journal Energy.

The LAES technology and its benefits

LAES systems consist of three steps: charging, storing, and discharging. When supply on the grid exceeds demand and prices are low, the LAES system is charged. Air is then drawn in and liquefied. A large amount of electricity is consumed to cool and liquefy the air in the LAES process. The liquid air is then sent to highly insulated storage tanks, where it's held at a very low temperature and atmospheric pressure.

When the power grid needs added electricity to meet demand, the liquid air is first pumped to a higher pressure and then heated, and it turns back into a gas. This high-pressure, high-temperature, vapor-phase air expands in a turbine that generates electricity to be sent back to the grid.

According to Cetegen, a primary advantage of LAES is that it's clean. "There are no contaminants involved," she says. "It takes in and releases only ambient air and electricity, so it's as clean as the electricity that's used to run it."

In addition, a LAES system can be built largely from commercially available components and does not rely on expensive or rare materials. And the system can be sited almost anywhere, including near other industrial processes that produce waste heat or cold that can be used by the LAES system to increase its energy efficiency.

Economic viability

In considering the potential role of LAES on future power grids, the first question is: Will LAES systems be attractive to investors? Answering that question requires calculating the technology's net present value (NPV), which represents the sum of all discounted cash flowsincluding revenues, capital expenditures, operating costs, and other financial factorsover the project's lifetime. (The study assumed a cash flow discount rate of 7%.)

To calculate the NPV, the researchers needed to determine how LAES systems will perform in future energy markets. In those markets, various sources of electricity are brought online to meet the current demand, typically following a process called "economic dispatch:" The lowest-cost source that's available is always deployed next.

Determining the NPV of liquid air storage therefore requires predicting how that technology will fare in future markets competing with other sources of electricity when demand exceeds supplyand also accounting for prices when supply exceeds demand, so excess electricity is available to recharge the LAES systems.

For their study, the MIT and NTNU researchers designed a model that starts with a description of an LAES system, including details such as the sizes of the units where the air is liquefied and the power is recovered, and also capital expenses based on estimates reported in the literature.

The model then draws on state-of-the-art pricing data that's released every year by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and is widely used by energy modelers worldwide. The NREL dataset forecasts prices, construction and retirement of specific types of electricity generation and storage facilities, and more, assuming eight decarbonization scenarios for 18 regions of the United States out to 2050.

The new model then tracks buying and selling in energy markets for every hour of every day in a year, repeating the same schedule for five-year intervals. Based on the NREL dataset and details of the LAES systemplus constraints such as the system's physical storage capacity and how often it can switch between charging and dischargingthe model calculates how much money LAES operators would make selling power to the grid when it's needed and how much they would spend buying electricity when it's available to recharge their LAES system.

In line with the NREL dataset, the model generates results for 18 U.S. regions and eight decarbonization scenarios, including 100% decarbonization by 2035 and 95% decarbonization by 2050, and other assumptions about future energy grids, including high-demand growth plus high and low costs for renewable energy and for natural gas.

Cetegen describes some of their results: "Assuming a 100-megawatt (MW) systema standard sort of sizewe saw economic viability pop up under the decarbonization scenario calling for 100% decarbonization by 2035." So, positive NPVs (indicating economic viability) occurred only under the most aggressivetherefore the least realisticscenario, and they occurred in only a few southern states, including Texas and Florida, likely because of how those energy markets are structured and operate.

The researchers also tested the sensitivity of NPVs to different storage capacities, that is, how long the system could continuously deliver power to the grid. They calculated the NPVs of a 100 MW system that could provide electricity supply for one day, one week, and one month. "That analysis showed that under aggressive decarbonization, weekly storage is more economically viable than monthly storage, because [in the latter case] we're paying for more storage capacity than we need," explains Cetegen.

Improving the NPV of the LAES system

The researchers next analyzed two possible ways to improve the NPV of liquid air storage: by increasing the system's energy efficiency and by providing financial incentives. Their analyses showed that increasing the energy efficiency, even up to the theoretical limit of the process, would not change the economic viability of LAES under the most realistic decarbonization scenarios.

On the other hand, a major improvement resulted when they assumed policies providing subsidies on capital expenditures on new installations. Indeed, assuming subsidies of between 40% and 60% made the NPVs for a 100 MW system become positive under all the realistic scenarios.

Thus, their analysis showed that financial incentives could be far more effective than technical improvements in making LAES economically viable. While engineers may find that outcome disappointing, Cetegen notes that from a broader perspective, it's good news.

"You could spend your whole life trying to optimize the efficiency of this process, and it wouldn't translate to securing the investment needed to scale the technology," she says. "Policies can take a long time to implement as well. But theoretically you could do it overnight. So if storage is needed [on a future decarbonized grid], then this is one way to encourage adoption of LAES right away."

Cost comparison with other energy storage technologies

Calculating the economic viability of a storage technology is highly dependent on the assumptions used. As a result, a different measurethe "levelized cost of storage" (LCOS)is typically used to compare the costs of different storage technologies. In simple terms, the LCOS is the cost of storing each unit of energy over the lifetime of a project, not accounting for any income that results.

On that measure, the LAES technology excels. The researchers' model yielded an LCOS for liquid air storage of about $60 per megawatt-hour, regardless of the decarbonization scenario. That LCOS is about a third that of lithium-ion battery storage and half that of pumped hydro. Cetegen cites another interesting finding: the LCOS of their assumed LAES system varied depending on where it's being used. The standard practice of reporting a single LCOS for a given energy storage technology may not provide the full picture.

Cetegen has adapted the model and is now calculating the NPV and LCOS for energy storage using lithium-ion batteries. But she's already encouraged by the LCOS of liquid air storage. "While LAES systems may not be economically viable from an investment perspective today, that doesn't mean they won't be implemented in the future," she concludes.

"With limited options for grid-scale storage expansion and the growing need for storage technologies to ensure energy security, if we can't find economically viable alternatives, we'll likely have to turn to least-cost solutions to meet storage needs. This is why the story of liquid air storage is far from over. We believe our findings justify the continued exploration of LAES as a key energy storage solution for the future."

More information: Shaylin A. Cetegen et al, Evaluating economic feasibility of liquid air energy storage systems in future US electricity markets, Energy (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2025.135447

This story is republished courtesy of MIT News (web.mit.edu/newsoffice/), a popular site that covers news about MIT research, innovation and teaching.
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Taiwanese chipmaking giant TSMC reported Thursday a better-than-expected revenue for the first quarter on strong demand for AI technology.

Taiwanese chipmaking giant TSMC reported Thursday a better-than-expected revenue for the first quarter on strong demand for AI technology, after tariffs slapped onto major economies by US President Donald Trump caused global uncertainty.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company is the world's largest contract maker of chips that are used in everything from Apple's iPhones to Nvidia's cutting-edge artificial intelligence hardware.

TSMC said revenue in the first three months of 2025 rose nearly 42% to NT$839.25 billion ($25.5 billion) on-year, beating a forecast of around NT$830.5 billion by analysts surveyed by Bloomberg News.

The company is scheduled to release full first quarter earnings in an online briefing next week.

TSMC chairman and chief executive C.C. Wei has said the firm expected "2025 to be another strong growth year" as AI-related demand continues to surge.

And its full year revenue was expected to increase "by close to mid-20s% in US dollar terms," Wei said at an earnings conference in January.

But in light of Trump's ongoing trade war with Chinathe world's second-largest economyand his threats to slap tariffs on semiconductor imports, Taiwan's own industry could experience reverberations across the global chip supply chain.

Taiwan had sought to avoid Trump's threatened levies by pledging increased investment in the United States, more purchases of US energy and greater defense spending.

Also last month, TSMC said it would invest $100 billion in the United States in what was hailed by Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te as a "historic moment" for Taiwan-US relations.

The planned investment followed Trump's accusations that Taiwan stole the US chip industry and his threats to impose tariffs of up to 100%.

In the end, Trump imposed a hefty 32% on Taiwanese importsexcluding semiconductor chipsthough on Thursday the mercurial Republican abruptly paused the implementation for almost all countries except China for 90 days.

TSMC has long faced demands to move more of its production away from Taiwan, with fears that supplies of the critical technology could be disrupted in any conflict with Beijing.

China has upped military pressure on Taiwan in recent years to press its claim of sovereignty over the self-ruled island, where TSMC has its headquarters and the bulk of its fabrication plants.

 2025 AFP
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Vehicles wait in line to cross the border into the United States at the San Ysidro Port of Entry, Tuesday, March 18, 2025, in Tijuana, Mexico. Credit: AP Photo/Gregory Bull, File

Planning an international trip? Travelers should prepare for the possibility of extra scrutiny of their phones when crossing borders, especially when entering the United States.

The Canadian government warned travelers in a recent travel advisory that U.S. border agents are entitled to search your electronic devices and "don't need to provide a reason when requesting a password to open your device."

Some recent cases have made travelers nervous about their privacy, such as when a Brown University professor with a U.S. visa was deported to Lebanon after border agents found a photo of Hezbollah's leader on her phone.

"While 100% privacy may be impossible in these situations, there are a few things you can easily do that make it much harder for someone to see your private data even with physical access to your device," said Patricia Egger, head of security at encrypted service Proton Mail.

Here are tips on protecting your device privacy while travelling:

What should I do before I set off?

Experts say the best strategy is to reduce the amount of information you're carrying while traveling.

If possible, leave your phone at home. If you need one on your trip, borrow a tactic used by corporate executives looking to avoid hackers: get a temporary or "burner" device. It can contain just the information you need for your trip. Download anything else from the cloud when you need it.

If you have to bring your phone or laptop, upload sensitive information to a cloud storage service that uses end-to-end encryption, then delete the originals from your device.

Also, encrypt your phone or laptop's storage drive and protect it with a strong password. Be aware this is different from merely having a device passcode lock, which is more easily cracked, or the end-to-end encryption on your favorite communication platforms.

Turn off fingerprint or facial recognition features and use the PIN or passcode instead.

What kind of search will be done at borders?

There are two kinds of searches, according to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website.

In a basic search, an officer scrolls through your phone's photos, emails, apps and files. No suspicion of wrongdoing is needed to conduct this type of search.

In an advanced search, the contents of your device could be copied for analysis. But a senior manager needs to sign off and there needs to be "reasonable suspicion" of a legal violation, except if there's any concern for national security, according to the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF).

Who's at risk of getting searched and what are they looking for?

"It's hard to say," says Sophia Cope, senior staff attorney at the EFF, which offers an extensive online guide to border privacy. Warrants are not needed to inspect devices belonging to anyone entering the country.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents carried out a total of more than 47,000 electronic device searches last year, up tenfold from a decade ago.

Basic searches "can be for no reason at all, totally random, or based on a mere hunch about someonemaybe based on how they look or an answer they gave to a preliminary question," said Cope.

Travel history can also be relevant, for example, if a traveler originates from someplace where terrorism, drug trafficking, or child sex tourism is common, she said. Border agents can also search devices "at the behest" of other agencies like the FBI or if they're associated with someone else of interest, such as a journalist's source, a business associate or a family member.

What should I do when I get to the border?

Best to power off your devices when you touch down.

Under current policy, U.S. border agents are only allowed to look at information stored on the device, and not anything that's kept in the cloud. So if you have to leave your phone on, make sure it's kept in airplane mode or otherwise disconnected from the internet by Wi-Fi or cellular data.

A Customs and Border Patrol officer watches as Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem tours the San Ysidro Port of Entry, Sunday, March 16, 2025, in San Diego. Credit: AP Photo/Alex Brandon

"Before crossing the border, put your device in airplane mode to ensure remote files don't get downloaded accidentally," the Canadian government warns.

But keep in mind there might be cached data that still remains on your phone, such as files in the trash that haven't been emptied.

What if I refuse?

American citizens can't be denied entry to the United States for refusing to consent to device searches. The same should apply to lawful permanent residents such as green card holders, the American Civil Liberties Union says.

But agents can make things difficult if they're refused. Travelers could be questioned, detained temporarily or have their devices seized and not returned for days or even weeks, rights groups say.

Foreign travelers could be turned back if they say no.

If you're forced to unlock your device, Egger advises that "where you can, log in yourself rather than divulging any PINs or passwords, and if forced to share passwords, change them as soon as you can."

Experts say the reason you should not use your device's fingerprint or facial recognition feature is that it's easier to compel you to unlock your device with biometrics. A border agent could simply hold your phone up to your face or force you to press your finger onto your device. There are also fears that police could use fingerprints stored on government databases.

Powering off your devices is another way to protect against sophisticated attacks in case you don't consent to a search.

Most modern phones and some laptops encrypt their data using a strong cryptographic keys only accessible when the user unlocks it with the passcode, said Will Greenberg, the EFF's senior staff technologist.

If the device is locked but not turned off, the key remains loaded on the device's memory. Powerful hacking tools made by companies like Cellebrite can recover the key and decipher the data.

But if the device is off, the key is unloaded and can't be accessed until it's turned on again and unlocked with the passcode.

"This is why a border agent can't simply turn a device on to use a tool like Cellebrite," Greenberg said.

What about social media?

To be on the safe side, delete your social media apps and reinstall them later. Even though content is mainly stored on a social media company's servers, Cope says some posts or images might remain on your phone's memory cache and therefore viewable even in airplane mode.

What else can be searched?

It's not just phones and laptops. Digital cameras, smartwatches, tablets, external hard drives and other electronic devices can be searched.

What not to do?

Some tactics might backfire. If you're tempted to completely wipe your phone or laptop hard drive before you travel, experts warn it could raise scrutiny.

"If detected by a border agent, the fact that you wiped your hard drive may prompt the agent to ask why you did so," the EFF's guide says. "Even traveling without devices or data that most travelers typically have could attract suspicion and questions."

Also don't try to hide information on your device, because border agents could find out, the group says. "Lying to border agents can be a serious crime, and the agents may take a very broad view of what constitutes lying," it says.

What about other destinations?

Check local laws of your destination before you travel. For example, Britain's counterterrorism law allows police to demand that people passing through the country's border hand over devices along with passwords and PINs. If they refuse, they can be charged with terrorism.

 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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:

Dae-Hwan Kim (left), Principal Researcher at the Busan Machinery Research Center of the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM), explains the internal liquid level gauge of the hydrogen charging demonstration equipment. Credit: Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM)

The world's first technology to fundamentally prevent temperature rise during high-pressure hydrogen charging has been developed. This innovation significantly shortens refueling time and reduces the cost of establishing and operating hydrogen refueling infrastructure.

By greatly enhancing the safety and efficiency of hydrogen refueling systems, the technology is expected to accelerate the adoption of hydrogen mobility and infrastructure, ultimately strengthening global competitiveness in the hydrogen economy.

A research team led by Principal Researcher Dae-Hwan Kim at the Nuclear Equipment Verification Laboratory of the Busan Machinery Technology Research Center under the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM) has successfully developed and demonstrated this new technology using an incompressible fluid.

Through 350-bar hydrogen charging demonstration tests, the team proved that the internal temperature rise of the tank can be suppressed to within 5C, enabling hydrogen charging without any need for pre-cooling.

Traditionally, hydrogen refueling has relied on injecting hydrogen cooled to -40C to prevent a rise in temperature during charging. However, this method results in longer charging times and requires additional cooling systems, which in turn increases infrastructure costs.

The newly developed method stands out by fundamentally eliminating temperature rise using an incompressible fluid, enabling safe and stable hydrogen charging without a cooling system.

The principle behind the technology involves pre-filling the hydrogen tank with an incompressible fluid (such as water) before charging. As hydrogen is introduced, the fluid is simultaneously extracted, preventing adiabatic compression within the tank. This process mitigates the rapid temperature increase of hydrogen and the corresponding rise in internal pressure, allowing faster and more efficient refueling.

The research team at the Department of Nuclear Equipment Qualification & Safety of the Busan Machinery Research Center at KIMM, which developed the "Technology to Prevent Temperature Rise in Hydrogen Tanks During Refueling" (center: Principal Researcher Dae-Hwan Kim). Credit: Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM)

This innovation not only improves charging speed compared to existing methods, but also keeps temperature under controlenhancing user convenience and economic benefits for infrastructure operators.

Since it does not require high-performance cooling systems, it also offers a substantial reduction in facility setup and maintenance costs. Additionally, by preventing thermal degradation of internal tank components, it improves long-term durability, further lowering maintenance costs for hydrogen vehicles and infrastructure.

Principal Researcher Dae-Hwan Kim stated, "This newly developed technology overcomes the limitations of existing hydrogen charging methods and dramatically improves infrastructure efficiency. We are currently exploring its potential application not only in vehicles, but also in large-capacity hydrogen containers used in ships, trains, and military vehicles. This will be a pivotal technological advancement for promoting the hydrogen economy and securing global market competitiveness."

This research was conducted under the initiative, "Industrial Support and Planning for Promising Future Mechanical TechnologiesDevelopment of Temperature Rise Prevention Technology for Hydrogen Tanks During Refueling."
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

The UK government needs to go beyond offering subsidies for low-carbon technologies (LCTs) like electric cars and solar panels for energy and heating, if it is to meet its net-zero targets by 2050, a new report from the University of Sheffield, published in the journal Energy Economics, suggests.

The report, published with partners from the universities of Nottingham and Macedonia, found that although gains are being made in encouraging people to adopt low-carbon technologies, not enough is being done to continue to reduce the inequalities in uptake among some socioeconomic groups.

In recent years, households using solar panels for electricity generation has increased from 3% to 6.5%, the adoption of solar panels being used for heating increased from 1.4% to 2.1% and households using an electric or hybrid-electric vehicle increased from less than 1% to 2.8%, reflecting the growing adoption of LCTs nationally.

However, the study found that although socioeconomic inequalities in the adoption of LCTs have decreased over the past decade, they still persist. Factors such as age, education, occupation, ethnicity and gender all contribute directly and indirectly to people's ability to invest in LCTs.

The report authors say more needs to be done to level the playing field, and help those from more disadvantaged backgrounds adopt technologies that could lower their household bills, and contribute to the UK's decarbonization in the housing and automotive sectors.

Dr. Andrew Burlinson, from the University of Sheffield's School of Economics, said, "Our research suggests that some socioeconomic groups have not been adequately supported to adopt LCTs. So it is important to emphasize that by limiting the ability of the most disadvantaged groups to invest in technology that can lower their bills and increase resilience to fluctuating living costssuch as current high energy pricesmay further exacerbate broader inequalities in our society.

"Our analysis reveals that educated and affluent households are more likely to have been able to adopt low-carbon technologies early, such as solar energy, solar heating and electric or hybrid transport.

"Yet some existing financial subsidies to help people transition to LCTs have now ended, so those members of society who were unable to become early-adopters are now being left behind in the transition to net-zero."

The UK government currently subsidizes the purchase of some types of electric vehicles at the point of sale, but these subsidies are largely independent of the socioeconomic status of the consumer. Alongside this, subsidies to install domestic solar panels ended in 2019, which means that incentives to help people adopt LCTs are now limited, and may be working less well for those members of society with a lower socioeconomic status.

The authors say exploring the presence of socioeconomic inequalities in LCTs in the UK has important policy implications for the low-carbon transition, and the achievements of the UK government's ambitious and legally binding environmental targets.

There are positive signs that some consumers are increasingly adopting more sustainable ways to live and travel. But the Climate Change Committee reports that for the UK to make significant gains in reaching its net-zero targets, the market share for new electric vehicles needs to be at 100%, from only 16.5% today, and that solar panel installation rates need to increase by five times that of current levels.

Professor Monica Giulietti, from the University of Nottingham, said, "In our report and new policy brief, we suggest it is vital that new interventions should be targeted towards those groups that could potentially benefit the most from cost-reducing technologies, not just at an individual level but at a community level as well. This action will rely on addressing policy gaps in the private, rented and social housing sectors."

As well as more targeted financial incentives for those of a lower socioeconomic position, the report calls for information incentives provided by trusted organizations to establish educational guidance and increase awareness of LCTs; to help those most in need navigate decision making about adoption.

The report also argues that new interventions need to be made at community level. Rather than advocating for solar technology just for individual households, a shift towards community installations is suggested to help alleviate the cost burden of adoption, and help level the playing field for those who do not have individual control over their property or transport.

Commenting on the research, Dr. Jayne Carrick, from the South Yorkshire Sustainability Center, said, "A recent survey conducted by the South Yorkshire Sustainability Center into the region's energy consumption habits revealed a significant hurdle to low-carbon technologies: 46% of residents are reluctant to adopt solar panels, and 57% are hesitant about heat pumps.

"Much more needs to be done in UK policy to address the inequality in uptake and beyond. For example, the opportunity to unlock the power of community energy initiatives is a crucial area, streamlining processes and fostering collective investment to make LCTs accessible for all."

Dr. Andrew Burlinson added, "The findings of the new report add to the growing debate on the low individual uptake of LCTs, and the problems created for consumers from more disadvantaged backgrounds when access to the benefits of low-carbon technologies is unequally distributed.

"Our results lead us to support policies targeting specific socioeconomic groups at individual and community level, which is not only crucial to mitigate the observed inequalities in LCT adoption, but also relevant in promoting energy efficiency and resilience to high energy prices as we transition towards a low-carbon future."

More information: Andrew Burlinson et al, Socioeconomic inequality in low-carbon technology adoption, Energy Economics (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.eneco.2025.108244
Orangeburg County School District broke ground Monday morning on the new, $55.6 million Robert E. Howard Elementary School.

The two-floor, 119,700-square-foot Belleville Road school will house 1,000 first- through fifth-grade students when its done.

The school is scheduled for completion in December 2026.

This location has been a beacon in our community for many, many years, said Julius Page, a 1947 graduate of the former segregated Wilkinson High School.

The new school will help our students to survive and do the things they need to do to lead a new life, he said.

The former Wilkinson High School was located at the site of what is now Robert E. Howard Middle School. It will become the site of the new elementary school.

The current middle school will be torn down after its students move to William J. Clark Middle School, which has been expanded.

The new school will serve students currently learning at Brookdale, Mellichamp and Whittaker elementary schools.

LS3P Associations is the school architect. MB Kahn is the building contractor.

The new school's colors will honor the three elementary schools as well as Robert E. Howard Middle School and the former Wilkinson High School.

The mascot will be the Wolverines, which is in honor of the former Wilkinson High School.

The school's mascot will be called "Wag the Wolverine" in honor of Robert E. Howard, whose nickname was Wag.

The new design of the mascot, which was chosen by 68 percent of the students from Brookdale, Mellichamp and Whittaker, was unveiled.

South Carolina Department of Education Superintendent Ellen Weaver said the new school is the result of the power of persistence and the power of partnership.

Weaver said the General Assembly and former superintendent Molly Spearman had a vision for rural education in the state.

We believe that the boys and girls in our rural communities are every bit as strong, as smart, as creative and as capable as any student anywhere not just in this state, not just in this country, but in the entire world, Weaver said. That is the hope and the purpose that this building represents today.

This is a beautiful representation of the priority that we put on education here in Orangeburg County, Weaver said.

The school district had planned to renovate and convert the existing school into an elementary school as part of the $190 million bond referendum approved by voters in November 2022.

The district, however, received $40 million in state funding in August 2024 to build a new elementary school. The remaining balance will be paid without impacting taxpayers.

This community has gone above and beyond, leading the way in South Carolina through all the ups and the downs, the challenges and the opportunity of consolidating school districts, Weaver said. It is hard, hard work, but when adults in the community come together and put the interests of the students as their number one priority, the sky is the limit.

That is why I am so thankful for this opportunity for the state of South Carolina to partner with the members of the Orangeburg community to say Orangeburg is only going up, Weaver said.

Students who attended the groundbreaking are pleased with the thought of a new school..

We are happy that a new school is being built for other students like me to be able to grow, thrive and walk in our greatness, Brookdale Elementary School student Camari Haggwood said. Thank you to everyone who is making our dreams and hopes of a new school come true.

Peyton Ballen, a Whittaker Elementary School fourth-grader, also praised the construction of the new school.

It is going to be awesome to have a new school in our community, Ballen said. I can't wait to see it all finished.

Ballens little brother will attend the new school.

I am really happy for all the third-graders at Mellichamp and for all the students in our community who will get to learn in this brand-new building, Mellichamp student Carmelo Riley said. This will be an amazing place where we can grow, make new friends and explore all the cool things you will learn.

Superintendent Dr. Shawn Foster recited Will Allen Dromgooles The Bridge Builder during the groundbreaking ceremony. Its a poem about an old man who built a bridge over a chasm not for himself but for a child to pass through safely.

We don't do the things today for us, Foster said. We do the things for them. We make the hard decisions, we come together, we compromise, sometimes we fuss, but we do it in the best interest of the children.

Foster challenged the students in attendance to be and do your very best.

The one thing you never want to do is swindle away people's efforts on you, Foster said. Take advantage of it.
China develops all-angle ship monitoring system to enhance navigation safety

Xinhua) 09:07, April 10, 2025

BEIJING, April 9 (Xinhua) -- Chinese researchers have developed a maritime vision system that provides ships with complete 360-degree visibility, thereby significantly improving navigation safety in darkness, fog and other challenging conditions.

With global trade relying heavily on maritime transport, increasingly congested shipping lanes have heightened collision risks. Conventional ship vision systems, equipped with just two or three cameras, offer only 120-degree coverage, leaving dangerous blind spots.

"Accurate obstacle detection and expanded situational awareness are critical to preventing collisions," said Cai Chengtao, dean of the College of Intelligent Systems Science and Engineering at Harbin Engineering University in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province.

He added that unpredictable weather, such as fog and storms, often forces ships to halt operations, reducing efficiency and increasing costs.

The innovative system, developed through 14 years of research at the university, represents China's first all-weather, high-resolution panoramic vision solution for maritime applications.

This technology features a dual-module design with 8 to 12 cameras per unit, integrating both visible-light and far-infrared sensors to ensure reliable performance across varying visibility conditions.

"The system's core innovation is its real-time panoramic synthesis capability," Cai explained. Advanced embedded processing seamlessly combines multiple camera feeds into a unified 360-degree view for both onboard navigation systems and remote monitoring centers.

During its three years of application, the system has successfully predicted and warned of several potential ship collisions caused by blind spots, generating significant economic benefits, said Zeng Bowen, a faculty member at the university and project team member.

Currently operational aboard China's intelligent research vessel Haitun 1, the technology has also been implemented in critical maritime operations -- including tugboat assistance and port surveillance systems.

Looking ahead, the system's applications may expand to autonomous vessels, environmental monitoring networks and intelligent transportation infrastructure, thus marking a leap forward for intelligent transportation systems worldwide.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
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.
PHOENIX  The Trump administration is dropping its challenge to a 2022 Arizona law designed to require proof of citizenship to vote on federal races.

That doesnt mean, however, the state can start enforcing the law.

The move by the Department of Justice is in many ways no surprise. Since Trump took office and put his own people in charge, the agency has been stepping away from litigation filed during the Biden administration to protect the rights of voters.

Senate President Warren Petersen cheered the action.

A major win for election integrity and the rule of law! the Gilbert Republican posted on X, claiming credit for the move. This follows my letter to the Department of Justice asking for them to back out of this misguided Biden lawsuit.

But even Petersen conceded the case is not over, saying that House and Senate Republicans will continue to defend the 2022 law against the special interest groups challenging it.

That was echoed by Elisabeth Frost, an attorney at Elias Law Group who represents a variety of private organizations involved with voting rights.

We are going to fight for Arizona voters whether Trumps Department of Justice is with us or against us, she said.

Hanging in the balance is whether close to 50,000 Arizonans will be able to vote in the next presidential race.

A 2004 voter-approved initiative requires proof of citizenship to register to vote.

But there also is a provision in the National Voter Registration Act that said people can use a special federally designed form to vote in federal elections. That form mandates only that applicants sign a sworn statement avowing, under penalty of perjury, they are in fact citizens.

In 2020, however, Biden outpolled Trump in Arizona by 10,457 votes. So two years later Republican lawmakers, with the blessing of Republican Gov. Doug Ducey, approved a measure to say that form cant be used to vote for president in 2024 and beyond unless there also is citizenship proof.

But before that could happen, U.S. District Court Judge Susan Bolton struck down that requirement as illegal and discriminatory.

She also voided another provision that said anyone who uses a federal form cannot vote by mail as well as a requirement directing county recorders to conduct checks of voters they have reason to believe are not citizens.

That case continues to work its way through the court system, with the latest ruling just a month ago by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals upholding the essence of what Bolton concluded. In fact, the appellate judges told Bolton to take another look to determine not just whether the legislators acted illegally  what she already concluded  but whether they acted with an intent to discriminate.

Now the Department of Justice told Bolton it wants out.

The United States no longer seeks to press its claims in this case, wrote Daniel Freeman, an attorney with the Civil Rights Division. And he wants Boltons earlier judgment in favor of the federal government dismissed.

It remains unclear whether the decision of the Trump administration to step aside now  after there have been several rulings  will aid the state in its continued efforts to block what are known as federal only voters from casting a ballot in 2028.

Some of this depends on what happens now that the case is back before Bolton to determine if lawmakers, in approving the law, acted with discriminatory intent.

A finding of intentional discrimination by itself is significant, and not just about what it says about the GOP lawmakers who approved the plan and their allies like the Free Enterprise Club that pushed it.

It also would make it harder for legislative leaders to argue when the case goes to the Supreme Court  where it is virtually certain to head after the latest round of evidence and hearings  that the restrictions were based solely on their belief that they were necessary to prevent voter fraud. And it opens the door to findings that the state violated other provisions of the Voting Rights Act.

Lawmakers may have an uphill fight.

In sending the case back to Bolton, the Court of Appeals told her that she needs to look beyond whether the GOP legislators who pushed the measure acted sincerely in their belief that non-citizens were voting.

The appellate judges said what is the test is whether lawmakers actually had such evidence. And to this point, they said, the legislature has failed to produce it.

Bolton has not yet set a date for a hearing on what the appellate judges sent back to her  or even whether to grant the request by the Department of Justice to back out of the case.

All this, however, could become moot.

The U.S. House this week approved the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act that would require proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections along with a provision to require states to regularly purge their voter rolls.
PHOENIX  The state House approved a measure Wednesday that one lawmaker said would, for the first time ever, making lying by a political candidate a crime.

As crafted by Rep. Walt Blackman, R-Snowflake, SB 1424 would make it a felony to impersonate a veteran if it is done "with the intent to obtain money, property or any tangible benefit.'' What would run afoul of the law includes everything from saying they had served to being the recipient of any sort of decoration, medal or badge that was not lawfully earned through military services.

It also is crafted to make it a crime for people to say they are combat veterans or misrepresent the conditions of discharge.

Blackman, a former tank commander who served tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, said the measure is designed to ensure that those who have served and have earned certain honors  and who have paid for that with their blood and their lives  are not disrespected by those who "don't have the guts'' to actually enlist and earn them.

But Rep. Alexander Kolodin argued it sets a bad precedent.

He said there's no question but that politicians lie. But the Scottsdale Republican said that's a matter for voters  and not the courts  to decide.

And Kolodin argued that system works, pointing out that a candidate in the 2024 GOP primary who claimed military experience he did not have  a candidate who ran against Blackman  lost his race by a wide margin.

The argument drew a fiery response from Blackman.

"It's not about political speech,'' he told colleagues. "It has nothing to do with politics.''

Kolodin, however, pointed out that what SB 1424 would make a felony specifically includes those who misrepresent their veteran status "in furtherance of a campaign for political office.'' And that, he said, sets a bad precedent.

"In this country, we've had a historical tradition that says the power is in the hands of the people, the voters,'' Kolodin said. "And the voters get to say if somebody is lying or not.''

This legislation, he said, takes that decision away from voters.

"This bill tells a court that you can throw somebody in jail for lying in a run for office,'' said Kolodin.

Consider, he said, the promise of President George H.W. Bush in 1988, when running for re-election, who said, "Read my lips: no new taxes.''

Then there was a promise by President Barack Obama, in promoting his health care program, that "if you like your doctor, you can keep your doctor.'' Even PolitiFact dubbed that the 2013 "lie of the year.''

"We cannot open the door to allowing our courts to judge political speech within the context of criminal law,'' Kolodin said. "It's a massive threat to the civil liberties here in this state, where politicians are allowed to say what they want and the voters get to decide.''

There is a bit of history behind the bill.

Blackman ran to regain his seat in the House in 2024  he had left to pursue an unsuccessful bid for Congress in 2022  when he faced opposition from Steve Slaton.

Slaton was in the military. But he also claimed he had been a combat helicopter pilot in Vietnam.

Records produced during the campaign, however, showed he was trained as a helicopter repairman and was deployed in Korea.

Blackman said this isn't about Slaton's campaign. He said "stolen valor'' legislation like this is justified, particularly in a state like Arizona with 500,000 veterans.

"This has nothing to do with political speech,'' Blackman said.

"This has to do with blood, sweat and tears that men and women have left on the battlefield,'' he told colleagues. "This has to do with people lying about and making money off it.''

What that means, Blackman said, is that individuals remain free to claim they are veterans. What they will not be able to do if SB 1424 becomes law is use those claims to solicit campaign contributions and seek to be elected based on those lies.

During the debate, Blackman showed off a case with his decorations. And he said that, despite what some think, they are more than "just cloth.''

"Every single one of these medals that I have earned and that other people have earned is not about political speech,'' he said.

"It's about people dying for this country,'' Blackman continued. "It's about people who stand up and say, 'Send me!''

That he said, contrasts with those who don't want to be sent off to war who say they're scared  but want to wear the same medals.

"This has to do with people putting it on the line and somebody saying, 'I want to take that from you because I don't have the guts to do it,' '' Blackman said.

While Kolodin cast the sole dissenting vote against the measure, he wasn't the only one with concerns about the verbiage  and the precedent that would be set about using criminal laws to deal with campaign lies.

"It opens the door to a little bit of mischief,'' said Rep. Joseph Chaplik, R-Scottsdale, voting for the bill but saying he hoped there would be changes when the wording is now considered by the Senate.

This is actually the second time Blackman got a version of his measure out of the House.

But his original bill got assigned to the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Elections, chaired by Sen. Wendy Rogers, R-Flagstaff, who had supported Slaton over Blackman.

Rogers scheduled it for a hearing but then tabled the measure even after veterans showed up to testify. She said in a statement she wanted to alter the bill to match federal law "so there would be no conflicts or confusion.''
Documentary Australia has announced DocAccess, a new resource designed to empower communities and organisations across Australia to host documentary screenings.

More than 50 documentaries are available for individuals, community groups, NGOs, councils and organisations with tools and step-by-step guidance on how to organise public screenings. They span 10 themes: LGBTQI+; Indigenous; Environment; Disability; The Arts; Culturally & Linguistically Diverse; Human Rights & Social Justice; Health & Wellbeing; Women & Girls; and Youth & Education.

Dr Mitzi Goldman, CEO of Documentary Australia, says, We believe that everyone, no matter where they live, should have access to powerful stories that inform, inspire and unite. DocAccess is about breaking down barrierswhether geographic, financial or logisticalto ensure communities across Australia, including regional towns and remote centres, can use documentary film as a catalyst for connection and change.

The new resource was previewed at a screening at the Ritz Cinema in Randwick, Sydney.

This event is a practical example of how DocAccess can enable community-led screenings that bring people together around stories that matterfostering connection, sparking meaningful conversations, and driving positive change, said Mitzi.
NSW police officer Ashley Wildey, and Julie Singleton, mother of Dawn Singleton are suing Nine for republishing social media photos.

Wildeys partner, Dawn Singleton, was among six people killed at the shopping centre in Bondi by Joel Cauchi before he was shot dead by police last April.

Wildey alleges 60 Minutes and the Sydney Morning Herald breached his copyright with images of the 25-year-old.

The newspaper published a picture of Singleton  credited to Facebook  ahead of a directions hearing for the inquest into the April 2024 mass stabbings.

Father John Singleton, who appeared on 60 Minutes on Sunday calling for a halt to the inquest, is not party to the proceedings.

Source: Guardian
Tonight in Restoration Australia host Anthony Burke visits a Melbourne couple hoping to restore a tired Italianate home on Punt Road.

Lords Lodge on Melbournes super-busy Punt Road is a huge dowdy, fluro-lit former backpacker hostel where the flotsam of its previous life remains readily evident. Discarded undies swing from ceiling beams upstairs, pool balls have been shot into the weedy back yard and partition scars reveal just about every available space was once carved into tight accommodation.

In its heyday, Lords Lodge developed a pretty dubious reputation. Full of young budget travelers it mightve been hard to tell which was more raucous, the hostel or the rumbling peak hour traffic out front.

Young professional couple Steph and Paul were initially put off by the main road address as well as the threatening covenant that lingered over the 150yo, two story Italianate house: if Punt Road needed to be widened sometime in the future then the house might be compulsorily acquired and demolished.

Still, Steph and Paul braved the bustle, stepped inside and were instantly convinced  Lords Lodge was their affordable ticket into stylish inner-city Prahran with the sort of scale they wanted in a family home. But with a baby on the way and a tight lid on their restoration budget theyll be pushed to the extremes of their deadline and their bank balance to transform this bruised and battered giant into the family sanctuary of their dreams.

Host Anthony Burke joins a young couple as they set out bravely and optimistically to write a happy, luxe new chapter for a storied Melbourne institution.

8pm tonight on ABC.
Six art educators were recognized and honored Tuesday night at the 14th annual Arts in Education Awards at the Willow Brook Country Club in Tyler. The event, presented by the Young Audiences of Northeast Texas, celebrated the critical role arts education plays in the community.

Young Audiences of Northeast Texas Arts in Education Awards is a magical night, said Tasha Prescott, executive director of Young Audiences of Northeast Texas. Its more than just another event, its a celebration of the incredible impact arts educators have on students, schools and communities. This even brings people together to honor fine arts teachers, community leaders, and visionaries who shape lives through creativity, compassion, and courage.







Young Audiences of Northeast Texas is an organization dedicated to enriching the lives of young people through the arts, serving 17 counties surrounding Tyler with programs that fill in the gaps for public school arts education from kindergarten through 12th grade. They also offer afterschool and summer programs.

We believe every child deserves that opportunity, Prescott said. As a nonprofit we are committed to making arts education accessible to all students and are only able to do this through the help of the community. Together we can assure that the arts continue to light the way for future generations. This event highlights just how important and impactful that work is.

With 170 people in attendance, the evening provided a powerful reminder of the critical role arts education plays, not only within the community but also in the development and growth of students.

Theres a million reasons why the arts are so important in schools, said Tisa Weiss Hibbs, president of the board of directors for the Young Audiences of Northeast Texas. Its why many kids want to go to school. Weve seen that a child is five times more likely to stay in school and graduate if theyre involved in at least one art. It also enhances test scores, it builds teamwork skills, it builds critical thinking skills other than academics, arts are a vital component of education.

Honoring outstanding teachers of art

In an evening where the honorees were recognized as nothing less than kind and passionate for what they do, their dedication to fostering creativity and nurturing artistic talent in their students was celebrated.

This event brings people together to honor fine arts teachers, community leaders, and visionaries who shape lives through creativity, compassion, and courage, Prescott said. This years honorees included outstanding fine arts educators across all grade levels, a professor of music, and an oncologist, all who have used the arts to inspire healing and transformation.

The honorees include:

Jessica Parsons of Crockett Elementary in Marshall ISD for the Rising Star Award, which recognizes an arts educator demonstrating excellence in his or her first 3 years of teaching;

Laura Hogan of Brown Elementary in Whitehouse ISD for the Arts Teaching Excellence Elementary, which is awarded to an elementary arts teacher who has gone above and beyond in their field;

Shannon Rios of Tenaha Middle School in Tenaha ISD for the Arts Teaching Excellence Middle, which is awarded to a middle school arts teacher who has gone above and beyond in their field;

Elizabeth Lade of Frankston High School in Frankston ISD for the Arts Teaching Excellence High School, which recognizes a high school arts teacher who has gone above and beyond in their field;

Franklin Kimlicko of Tyler Junior College (TJC) for the Kay Arms Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognizes an educator who has dedicated his or her life to arts education; and

Dr. Sasha Vukelja, also known as Dr. V, of Tyler for the ICON Award, which is given to a community member whose extraordinary contributions transcend traditional boundaries, impacting both the education and the broader community through artistic endeavors.

I think sometimes the art teachers dont get the recognition they deserve, Hibbs said. Its important that we honor them and let them know just how valuable they are to the kids.

The healing power of art

As a renowned oncologist who escaped war-torn Yugoslavia at 11 years old with her mother, Vukelja has dedicated her life to healing and the arts. She established chemotherapy spaces into art galleries, filling them with music and her mothers artwork to inspire patients.

Art is very important, she said. Art is medicine, medicine is art. Its used for mental health, it connects people theres no language barrier in art.

Seeing herself as rewired and not retired, Vukelja spends her days focusing on art as medicine and community impact by continuing to provide medical care and helping transform the Gentry Parkway underpass  also known as the Church under the Bridge.

I think art is a gift that God gives us and we need to share it  it connects our souls, she said. Under the bridge, we paint every column  all the murals because, as Ive told my homeless people, this is your home. Youre homeless but this is still your home  lets make it beautiful.

A lifetime of teaching

At 85 years old, Kimlicko has spent decades shaping generations of musicians at TJC, estimating that his influence has reached over 3,000 students since 1972.

I learn from the students every day, he said. Im supposed to be teaching them but every day they enrich me. Art brings out our humanity and its so important to have. And receiving this award just warms my heart and such a huge honor. Its just wonderful.

Nominate an inspiring educator of arts

Anyone can nominate a candidate for the Arts in Education Awards. Nominators complete a simple form, providing the nominees name, a brief explanation for the nomination, and basic contact information. Afterward, the nominee is contacted and asked to submit a portfolio of their work. Visual artists may provide photos of students artwork, while music teachers or composers may submit recordings or other relevant materials. A committee of teachers and artists then reviews the nominations and selects the award recipients. The only exception is the ICON Award, which is chosen by the board of directors.

The organization will soon be accepting nominations for next years Arts in Education Awards. Visit their website for more information: yanetexas.org/arts-in-education-awards.

Creativity is the hot thing, Hibbs said. It used to be tech or engineering, now its creativity, and theyre not going to develop their creativity if they dont have arts teachers in their lives to encourage them and instruct them. Its very valuable to have kids in our public school systems to have teachers that pour creativity into them. We need them.
Brookshire Grocery Co. (BGC) presented more than $230,000 to 36 nonprofit organizations across East Texas from funds raised during the 12th annual FRESH15 Race.

Its one of our favorite days, said Ashleigh Endicott, BGC Racing Director. Its where everything that weve done for the race comes back and gets put right back into our community.







Community leaders, the BGC Racing Team and local charity partners gathered at FRESH by Brookshires in Tyler on Tuesday for the annual check presentation.

Theres new charities, theres charities that have been here for a long time and thats what we love to do, Endicott said. We love to get to know these charities, get to see what their needs are in our community and then give back.

This years race saw record-breaking participation, with 5,000 runners and a total fundraising effort that surpassed the $200,000 goal. Since its inaugural event 12 years ago, BGC has donated 100% of race registration fees to support the East Texas community, contributing over $1.8 million to date.

It was a great race, said Brad Brookshire, Chairman and CEO of BGC. The race team did a fantastic job of putting on a race that were very, very proud of and just couldnt be more pleased with the participation.

Rosemary Jones, Executive Vice President of People and Legal for BGC, expressed her appreciation for the charities and the race team.

Yall make this all worthwhile and doing it so it has a purpose and a cause, and we appreciate you coming out and giving us that motivation each time, she said. Race team, nobody can say thank you enough for everything they do behind the scenes, so a big thank you for everything you do each year.

The Evie Effect was one of the new nonprofit organizations who were the beneficiaries of the check presentation.

We are completely honored and blessed, said Jessica Domingos, executive director of The Evie Effect. It will help us make such an impact with our Holding Space program and help reach more of the community.

The Evie Effect was started by Jessica and her husband Michael in 2020, almost a year after losing their 12-year-old daughter to suicide.

She struggled with suicidal ideation, Michael said. She had very high social anxiety, generalized anxiety and depression and we were not equipped to deal with those kinds of issues. People are not trained to deal with suicidal ideation or mental health issues. Parents dont know what to do when that happens, and you rely on your doctors, but it takes more than that because youre at home trying to help that person and we realized that the community really needs hope. They need the tools to be able to have those conversations, so our nonprofit started with small acts of kindness and has built over the past almost five years.

The $3,500 The Evie Effect received from BGC will be used to expand its Holding Space program, including workshops tailored for the Hispanic community. The Evie Effect is partnering with a translator who will assist in both translating the program into Spanish and facilitating the workshops. Additionally, resource cards and educational materials will be translated to better serve the community.

There has been an increase in Latina females in the suicide rate and its scary to see these rates continue to go up, Domingos said. We can train that community on what resources are out there specific to their needs and train them on suicide prevention for the Hispanic community. Different demographics need different resources, they need culturally appropriate information.

The SPCA of East Texas was gifted $5,500 from BGC, a portion of which will go towards K9 Connections, a program in partnership with Camp V. K9 Connections is dedicated to pairing veterans with specially trained service dogs, offering emotional support and assistance for those navigating post-service life.

We take the dogs from the SPCA and train them up to be service dogs for our veterans, anywhere from audio alert, PTSD, diabetes, mobility, seizure alerts the list goes on, said Alison Tuttle, dog behaviorist and trainer with K9 Connection.

This initiative not only helps veterans gain independence and improve their quality of life but also provides dogs in need with a purpose, transforming them into loyal companions.

It really is a true community partnership because between Allison and CampV and Brookshires and SPCA, said Emily Huglund, executive director of SPCA of East Texas. This program wouldnt exist without all of those parties, so its just incredible to see it all come together.

Next years race will take place on March 1, 2026. According to the organizers, spots are filling up early, as over 1,500 runners have already signed up. Visit www.fresh15k.com to register. For charities seeking support from the FRESH15 race next year, fill out an application by visiting bgcgivingback.us.optimytool.com/en.
Four women are suing Tate over allegations of sexual violence including rape and sexual assault, which he denies.

A lawyer representing the four women bringing a civil case against Andrew Tate has called for him to be extradited to the UK.

The women, who have made allegations against Tate including rape and sexual assault, are bringing a civil case against him at the High Court after the Crown Prosecution Service decided not to prosecute in 2019. Tate denies the allegations.

Following a preliminary hearing in London on Tuesday, Matthew Jury, managing partner of law firm McCue Jury & Partners, which represents the women, said that the trial date provisionally set for January 2027 was not as soon as we would like but that nothing is going to prevent that from happening.

He said: The consequence of that is, right now, these are the only live proceedings in which Andrew Tate will be facing justice. The Romanian prosecution appears to have fallen apart, the UK Government is doing nothing to seek his extradition from overseas.

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This is the only forum in which Andrew Tate is going to be held to account for those allegations that have been made against him.

One of the claimants alleges the controversial social media influencer grabbed her by the throat on a number of occasions in 2015, had assaulted her with a belt and had pointed a gun at her face.

Three of the UK accusers were the subject of an investigation by Hertfordshire Constabulary which was closed in 2019.

The court heard on Tuesday that there was a total denial of any wrongdoing by Tate.

Judge Armstrong said that the four women are seeking damages likely to reach six figures, with a further hearing in the case expected at a later date.

What is Andrew Tate accused of?

Tate is wanted in the UK over a series of allegations:

Rape

Human trafficking

Sexual aggression

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Additionally, there are related legal actions:

Civil claims for sexual and physical assault: Four British women have filed a civil lawsuit against Tate in the High Court, alleging rape, sexual assault, and coercive control between 2013 and 2016. However, this is a civil proceeding rather than a criminal charge.

Tate denies all accusations, labelling them baseless and outdated.

What do the court documents say?

In April 2025, it emerged that documents from the case brought by the four women and submitted to the UKs High Court accused Tate of using sexual violence against them.

One of the claimants claims Tate would strangle her or grab her by her throat if she spoke back to him or said anything that he did not like until she told him that she loved him or apologised for whatever he demanded at the time.

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She said he and his brother Tristan Tate played good cop and bad cop to manipulate her, and that Tate allegedly put her in a headlock or whipped her with a belt if she did not get out of bed and do work for his webcam business.

The documents also allege Tate had weapons, including firearms, which were often pointed at her and that he had indicated to her that he would like to kill someone if he could.

Court documents outlining the allegations against Andrew Tate have surfaced. (Getty)

In a response submitted by Tates lawyers, he said the first claimants account was fabrication and a pack of lies.

A second complainant alleges Tate strangled her during sex without her consent in 2015 and made it very clear that she was his, and if anyone else spoke to her, he would kill them.

A third woman claims Tate had sex with her without her consent in 2013, while saying who do you belong to?, according to the documents.

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The complainant claimed Tate was intent on being as physically abusive as possible on two further occasions they had had sex.

The woman also claimed Tate had described himself as the mafia and the messiah and convinced her that he had killed people.

The final claimant alleges Tate said phrases such as I own you and Im going to kill you and had strangled her during sex until she passed out in 2014.

Andrew Tate has denied all the charges against him. (PA)

The woman claims she saw a "gun on the sofa after she spent the night with him, but did not know if it was real or a replica.

A spokesperson for Tate said the allegations outlined in the documents are unproven and untested, and categorically denied.

Is he facing charges in other countries?

Tate was arrested in Bucharest, Romania, in December 2022. He is facing a slate of charges from Romanias Directorate for Investigating Organised Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT):

Rape

Human trafficking

Forming an organised crime group

Money laundering

Trafficking of minors

Sexual intercourse with a minor

Tate is due to be extradited to the UK following the conclusion of proceedings in Romania, after Bedfordshire Police secured a European arrest warrant for further separate allegations of rape and human trafficking involving different women.

Tate unequivocally denies the allegations.

Could Andrew Tate face jail time?

Due to the severity of the allegations, Tate could face jail time if convicted in either the UK or Romania.

Rape carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment in the UK, with sentencing ranging from four to 19 years. Given the allegations against him, Tate could be given a lengthy sentence if found guilty.

Andrew Tate would serve jail time in Romania if convicted before extradition to the UK. (PA)

Human trafficking could also see him jailed for up to 15 years if he is found guilty, while a conviction for sexual aggression could see him behind bars for up to a decade.

However, his extradition to the UK is delayed until his Romanian case concludes  and he could face significant jail time if convicted there.

Jail time for the charges against him there are similar to those enforced in the UK, meaning it could be several years before he is extradited to the UK if he is convicted in Romania.
Firefighters have warned of the risk of wildfires after a long dry spell in March.

Sea swimmers in Brighton enjoy a sunny morning on Friday as temperatures were forecast to reach over 20 degrees again in parts of the UK. (Alamy)

Friday could be the hottest day of the year so far as temperatures are set to climb to as high as 24C with numerous authorities warning of the risk of wildfires.

Much of the country is set to bask in warm sunshine today, according to the Met Office, which said temperatures are set to be 10C higher than the average for this time of year.

There is a possibility that Friday could even eclipse the 23.7C felt on 4 April  which would make it the hottest day of the year so far.

Dan Stroud, a meteorologist at the Met Office, said: The average for this time of year is around 13C, so its going to be about 10C above average on Friday.

The UK will bask in sunshine on Friday. (Met Office)

Weve got high pressure at the moment which effectively acts like a force field.

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It actually keeps fronts and clouds largely at bay and keeps conditions settled and dry underneath the area of high pressure.

But London Fire Brigade (LFB) urged caution and warned against using barbecues, saying the wildfire risk was heightened due to low rainfall.

It comes as firefighters continue to battle major blazes in Northern Ireland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service issued extreme wildfire warnings for Thursday in south-west, eastern, central and northern Scotland.

LFB assistant commissioner Thomas Goodall said: The risk of wildfires in London currently is heightened and this risk increases with every day that passes without rainfall.

Spring sees summer weather as locals and tourists enjoy a warm city centre in Glasgow. (Alamy)

According to LFB, the service saw a 48% increase in calls last weekend compared with the same weekend last year. This year has seen at least 286 wildfires hit the UK so far, more than 100 above the number recorded in the same period in 2022, a year that saw record-breaking temperatures and unprecedented wildfire activity.

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Goodall added: We know that people will undoubtedly want to be out enjoying the warm sunshine, particularly as we head into the weekend. But were asking Londoners to behave responsibly to help reduce the risk of fires starting in the first place.

We also urge Londoners to take steps to ensure they are not inadvertently starting a fire. They can do this by not using barbecues in open spaces or on balconies, including disposable ones, to throw rubbish away, and to dispose of cigarettes carefully.

Historically low rainfall saw England have its sixth driest March and Wales have its fourth driest since records began in 1836, according to the Met Office.

Whats the forecast for this week?

Plenty of sunshine and above-average temperatures are expected as we approach the weekend.

Scotland and Northern Ireland have already recorded their highest temperatures of the year so far on Tuesday, hitting 20.9C and 19.4C respectively. But they could both be exceeded on Friday, with high pressure in charge, the Met Office said.

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The forecast for Friday was for most places to enjoy dry, clear and sunny with warm temperatures.

However, the warm weather is set to be replaced by a more unsettled spell over the weekend, with drizzle and rain predicted.

Fridays temperatures could see it be the hottest day of the year so far. (Met Office)

Saturday will continue to see temperatures climb to at least 22C. (Met Office)

Yahoo breaks down what the weather will be like for each region of the UK.

London and the South East

Friday

Warm and dry with widespread sunshine. Maximum temperature 22C.

Saturday

Any fog patches soon clearing. A fine start with plenty of sunshine, becoming warm again. Likely becoming more cloudy during the afternoon, with rain possible later. Breezy later. Maximum temperature 23 C.

Sunday to Tuesday

Cooler and more unsettled conditions are likely through this period, with outbreaks of rain and showers, these perhaps heavy at times. Some drier interludes remain probable, however. Occasionally breezy.

East of England

Friday

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Warm and dry with plenty of sunshine. Maximum temperature 21C.

Saturday

Any fog soon clearing. A fine start with plenty of sunshine, becoming warm again. Likely becoming more cloudy later, with rain overnight. Windy later on coasts. Maximum temperature 21 C.

Sunday-Tuesday

Cooler and more unsettled conditions are likely through this period, with outbreaks of rain and showers, these perhaps heavy at times. Some drier interludes remain probable, however. Occasionally breezy.

South West

Friday

Dry with plenty of warm sunshine and above average temperatures. Maximum temperature 20C.

Saturday

A bright start in the east, but becoming cloudier for all through the afternoon with heavy showers likely across the far west of Devon and Cornwall. Feeling less warm. Maximum temperature 17 C.

Sunday to Tuesday

Turning more changeable with showers, heavy at times and longer spells of rain, especially on Tuesday, interspersed by some bright spells. Often breezy and becoming less warm.

Midlands

Friday

Warm and dry in the East Midlands with some hazy sunshine. Maximum temperature 21C.

Plenty of warm sunshine in the West Midlands with above average temperatures. Maximum temperature 21C.

Saturday

Any fog patches soon clearing in the East Midlands. A fine start with plenty of sunshine, becoming warm again. Likely becoming more cloudy later, with rain overnight. Windy later on coasts. Maximum temperature 22 C.

A sunny start to the weekend in the West Midlands once any fog clears. Becoming cloudier through late morning with some showers possible by the evening. Still feeling pleasant. Maximum temperature 19 C.

Sunday to Tuesday

Cooler and more unsettled conditions are likely through this period in the East Midlands, with outbreaks of rain and showers, these perhaps heavy at times. Some drier interludes remain possible, however. Occasionally breezy.

Turning more changeable in the West Midlands with showers, heavy at times and longer spells of rain, especially on Tuesday, interspersed by some bright spells. Often breezy and becoming less warm.

North East

Friday

Warm and dry with hazy sunshine. Maximum temperature 21C.

Saturday

Any isolated fog patches soon clearing. A chilly start with plenty of sunshine, becoming warm again. Likely becoming more cloudy during the afternoon, with rain overnight. Windy later on coasts. Maximum temperature 21 C.

Sunday to Tuesday

Cooler and more unsettled conditions are likely through this period, with outbreaks of rain and showers, these perhaps heavy at times. Some drier interludes remain possible, however. Occasionally breezy.

Any fog patches quickly clearing on Friday, leaving a sunny morning for most 



Cloudier in northern Scotland with a little light rain possible in Shetland 



After a chilly start, soon warming up in the April sunshine  pic.twitter.com/vuwVjSpycv  Met Office (@metoffice) April 10, 2025

North West

Friday

Plenty of warm sunshine after a foggy start. Maximum temperature 20C.

Saturday

A sunny start to the weekend once any fog clears. Becoming cloudier through late morning with sunshine turning increasingly hazy but remaining dry. Still feeling warm. Maximum temperature 19 C.

Sunday to Tuesday

Turning more changeable with showers, heavy at times and longer spells of rain, especially on Tuesday, interspersed by some bright spells. Often breezy and becoming less warm.

Scotland

Friday

Dry and bright with sunny spells and patchy cloud. Maximum temperature 21C.

Saturday

Dry for most of the day with some hazy sunshine. Thickening cloud may bring a few showers in the evening. Warm again, but a cool breeze along the coast. Maximum temperature 18 C.

Sunday to Tuesday

Chance of some rain at first on Sunday, otherwise a colder day with a few showers. Sunny intervals and a few showers on Monday. Fewer showers on Tuesday.

Will the fine weather persist on Friday and just how high will temperatures get where you are?



Find out in the 4cast  pic.twitter.com/rg14awjVb7  Met Office (@metoffice) April 10, 2025

Northern Ireland

Friday

Dry and bright with plenty of sunny spells. Warm again. Maximum temperature 21C.

Saturday

Dry with some sunshine in the morning. Dry in the afternoon but thickening cloud may bring a few showers in the evening. Somewhat cooler than of late. Maximum temperature 16 C.

Sunday to Tuesday

A colder few days with sunny intervals and scattered showers, occasionally heavy with hail. Fewer showers on Tuesday.

Wales

Friday

Pleasant and dry with plenty of warm sunshine. Maximum temperature 20C.

Saturday

A bright start with fog patches soon clearing. Becoming increasingly cloudy from the south during the afternoon with the risk of the odd shower in the far south. Maximum temperature 16 C.

Sunday to Tuesday

Turning more changeable with showers, heavy at times and longer spells of rain, especially on Tuesday, interspersed by some bright spells. Often breezy and becoming less warm.
Tamara Hinson, a travel writer for the renowned magazine Conde Nast Traveller, embarked on a two-week journey across Viet Nam last year. From the vibrant pace of major cities to the stunning central coastlines, Viet Nam left such a strong impression on her that she hailed it as one of the most diverse destinations in Asia.

After her journey, the journalist shared her top hotel recommendations for travellers visiting the country.

InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort

Describing it as Da Nangs most luxurious hotel, Tamara chose the InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort as her accommodation while in the city of Han River. Nestled on the Son Tra Peninsula, often referred to as the green lung of Da Nang, the resort was portrayed as a dreamlike stopover on her two-week journey through Viet Nam.

The InterContinental Danang is a masterpiece crafted by legendary architect Bill Bensley. Far more than a resort, it is a work of art blending quintessential Vietnamese elements, including Hue's imperial roof tiles and oversized Hoi An lanterns, with the most luxurious, sophisticated and modern amenities.

Tamara was also impressed by the resorts culinary offerings, highlighting La Maison 1888, the first Michelin-starred restaurant in Da Nang.

With its vintage French villa ambience and exquisite fine dining dishes served like a ceremonial art form, La Maison 1888 delivers a truly unforgettable experience. Meanwhile, Citron Restaurant was noted for its impressive design of inverted conical hat booths, making it one of the most famous check-in spots at the resort. For a moment of pure relaxation, Tamara recommended enjoying drinks at Barefoot Bar while watching the sunset over the stunning shores of the Son Tra Peninsula.

Capella Hanoi

In Ha Noi, Tamara suggests Capella Hanoi as an ideal stopover. Ideally located in the heart of the city near Hoan Kiem Lake and the Ha Noi Opera House, the hotel is a stunning architectural landmark, a miniature opera house honouring timeless classical beauty.

Bedrooms are explosions of gilt, silk and tassels, and filled with props such as elaborate costumes, CN Traveller noted, admiring the intricate attention to detail in each room.

Beyond its architectural charm, the hotels wellness offerings also earned high praise. Tamara experienced the Auriga Spa, which she recommends to ease any travel-related aches and pains. Guests are treated to energy-renewing therapies based on lunar phases (Full Moon - Balance & Recharge) in a serene space inspired by Viet Nams royal palaces.

Hotel de la Coupole - MGallery Sa Pa

Among the hotels selected by the CN Traveller journalist for her journey across Viet Nam, Hotel de la Coupole - MGallery Sa Pa left perhaps the deepest impression. Every moment, whether in the early morning or late afternoon, offers unforgettable experiences.

Set against the majestic natural backdrop of the misty Sa Pa mountains, Hotel de la Coupole emerges like a magnificent European palace from the 1920s-1930s, with its sparkling chandeliers in the lobby and sculpture-like armchairs.

After a day exploring the summit of Fansipan by mountain climbing train and cable car, dinner at the hotels restaurant, Chic is the perfect finale. Its curated menu celebrates the fusion of French cuisine and the flavours of Viet Nams northwest. Tamara was impressed by the Sa Pa trout ceviche, mango and salmon caviar.

At Hotel de la Coupole, guests can also unwind in the Le Grand Bassins swimming pool, which the journalist described as a ridiculously ornate pool, where you can swim beneath pink chandeliers and between emerald green columns".

The Soothing Steps treatment, designed to boost circulation and soothe aching limbs, will help guests rejuvenate at the hotel spa. The highlight is a hot herbal foot bath (Red Dao), elevating to luxurious new heights.

All three properties - InterContinental Danang, Capella Hanoi and Hotel de la Coupole Sa Pa - are masterful creations by Sun Group, brought to life by renowned architect Bill Bensley. Since their debut, these resorts have consistently been honoured by international media. Beyond exceptional design, these hotels offer immersive culinary journeys and wellness experiences, helping travellers restore body and soul during long trips.
A draft revision of the Law on Chemicals 2007 is currently open for public feedback. The amendment aims to align Viet Nams legal framework with global trends in green, circular and sustainable economic development while enhancing emission reduction efforts.

Chairman of the Vietnam Fertiliser Association and former Director of the Department of Chemicals under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Phung Ha, discusses key updates in the proposed amendment with a Vietnam News Agency reporter.

The Law on Chemicals 2007 has been in effect for years. Why is a revision necessary now?

Although the Law on Chemicals 2007 has worked well after 17 years, it shows gaps, especially in keeping up with green, circular and sustainable development trends, as well as in achieving Viet Nams 2050 Net Zero goal.

For example, the law lacks clear rules on its scope and coverage for some chemical-related activities. It also does not provide guidelines for green chemistry and sustainable industry practices.

The law also fails to emphasise the critical role of the chemical industry, which supports many economic sectors, especially industrial production. Due to environmental and health concerns, some localities limit chemical investments, making new projects harder to develop.

Additionally, the law mainly regulates the production, trade and import of chemicals but does not fully cover their entire life cycle, including disposal. It also lacks rules for managing hazardous dual-use chemicals, new drug precursors and consumer products like paints, inks, adhesives, detergents, cosmetics and toys that contain hazardous substances.

Updating the 2007 Chemical Law is crucial to fixing these issues and creating a legal framework that supports the industry's sustainable growth.

What are the key updates in the 2025 revised law?

The draft revision of the Law on Chemicals addresses the shortcomings of the 2007 version. Notably, it combines both chemical industry development and chemical safety management  something rarely seen in chemical laws of developed countries.

Additionally, the new draft aligns with global trends in green and circular economies, greenhouse gas reduction, and Viet Nams net zero commitment. It introduces regulations on green chemistry in technology design, selection and operations.

The draft also includes provisions for managing hazardous chemicals in products, which are in line with international chemical management practices.

Moreover, it expands regulations beyond production, transportation, storage and disposal to include chemical destruction, ensuring a more comprehensive legal framework.

Besides the key updates in the 2025 draft revision, do you have any suggestions for further improvements?

First, the draft law offers incentives to develop the chemical industry into a modern, key sector. However, it should clarify its alignment with the Investment Law and other related laws to ensure effective implementation.

Additionally, Article 7 needs adjustments in terminology. Instead of prioritising high-nutrient fertilisers, the focus should be on Enhanced Efficiency Fertilisers (EEF). High-nutrient fertilisers can be wasteful and contribute to environmental pollution if plants cannot fully absorb them. In contrast, EEF products are more efficient for crops, reduce losses and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

For the regulations on chemicals requiring special control, the responsibility for defining these substances should be assigned to the Government rather than being directly legislated in the law. This would allow for more flexibility in adapting to emerging risks.

For example, defining pharmaceutical chemicals in the law is essential to distinguish which substances qualify for incentives. Globally, pharmaceutical chemicals fall between chemistry and pharmaceuticals, combining elements of organic chemistry, biochemistry and biotechnology.

Along with these revisions, clear definitions are important in the law, especially for terms like new chemicals, pharmaceutical chemicals, hazardous chemicals and petrochemical products.

For example, defining pharmaceutical chemicals helps clarify which substances get incentives. Globally, these chemicals blend chemistry and pharmaceuticals, including organic chemistry, biochemistry and biotechnology.

Another point of clarification is whether food additives, food processing aids, flavouring agents, vitamin and mineral processing aids are classified as chemicals under the law. The draft should include clear exemptions to prevent regulatory overlap with other laws.

Regarding green chemistry principles, the current draft states that: "Green chemistry principles apply to the design, selection of technology, equipment, production processes, use, and disposal of chemicals to minimise or eliminate hazardous substances."

However, this is too broad and difficult to enforce. The law should adopt a more structured approach, such as Paul Anastas and John Warners 12 Principles of Green Chemistry, which include prevention, cost efficiency, safer synthesis methods, safer chemicals, safer solvents and additives, energy-efficient design, use of renewable materials, fewer by-products, catalysts, biodegradable products, real-time analysis to prevent pollution and safer chemistry to reduce risks.

Additionally, for chemical transportation, the drafting committee should ensure that Article 14 of the revised Chemical Law aligns with Decree No. 161/2024/N-CP, issued on December 18, 2024. This decree outlines the list of hazardous goods, transportation regulations and procedures for licensing and certification of drivers and escorts handling dangerous goods on roads.  VNS
NEW YORK  Vietnam Airlines on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Citibank, N.A., securing a funding commitment exceeding US$560 million to support its strategic investment initiatives.

The ceremony was witnessed by Viet Nams Deputy Prime Minister Ho uc Phoc, as part of the Vietnamese Government delegations official visit to the US. The visit is aimed at strengthening bilateral trade relations and facilitate funding for key investment projects by State-owned enterprises.

Under the agreement, Citibank, N.A. has committed to providing financial support for Vietnam Airlines investment projects aimed at strengthening the airlines operational capacity and expanding its international route network in the years ahead.

Beyond funding, Citibank will also deliver strategic advisory services to help Vietnam Airlines build a robust financial framework, ensuring efficient investment and effective risk management.

Collaborating with leading global financial institutionsespecially those based in the US  is a key pillar of Vietnam Airlines long-term strategy to enhance competitiveness, modernise its fleet and stay aligned with evolving global aviation trends.

Executive Vice President of Vietnam Airlines, Le uc Canh, said: Todays agreement represents a pivotal milestone in advancing our strategic goals. Partnering with globally recognised financial institutions like Citibank not only grants us access to high-quality capital but also paves the way for deeper integration into the global value chain.

Ramachandran A.S., the Citi Country Officer in Viet Nam said: For more than 30 years, Citibank has drawn on its global aviation expertise to support Vietnam Airlines. We are excited to strengthen this long standing partnership and contribute to Vietnam Airlines mission of connecting Viet Nam with the world. Citibank remains deeply committed to supporting Viet Nams dynamic growth and enhancing economic and cultural ties between Viet Nam and the US.

Following the signing, Vietnam Airlines was set to meet with the Export-Import Bank of the US (EXIM) in Washington, D.C., to explore potential loan guarantee opportunities.  VNS
HA NOI  Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien called for ASEAN to stay united and composed in its cooperation with the United States, emphasising the importance of promoting collaboration with external partners, including the US, in areas of mutual interest.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT), the Special ASEAN Economic Ministers Meeting on the US tariff policy was held via video-conference on Thursday. The Vietnamese delegation, led by Minister Nguyen Hong Dien, included representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the MoIT.

At the meeting, Dien shared Viet Nam's views on the US countervailing tariff measures, noting that the country has proactively engaged in dialogue and negotiations with the US. These efforts, he said, would support ASEANs long-term development goals and strengthen its position amid global uncertainties.

Dien also welcomed and endorsed the contents of the Joint Statement discussed among ASEAN member states. He highlighted that the statement reflects ASEANs unity and proactive stance in navigating the increasingly complex and unpredictable global trade environment.

Viet Nam supports a comprehensive, flexible and practical approach by ASEAN in enhancing economic resilience and diversifying supply chains, particularly by leveraging existing free trade agreements (FTAs), including efforts to upgrade the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA).

Following open and constructive discussions, the ministers adopted a Joint Statement expressing the regions collective stance on the USs new tariff policy.

Key points included reaffirming the strategic importance of the ASEANUS Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in promoting regional economic growth, peace, stability and mutual benefit. ASEAN is currently the USs fifth-largest trading partner, while the US is ASEANs second-largest trading partner and its top foreign investor.

Ministers expressed concerns over the potential negative impacts of the USs new tariff policy, saying that the policy could pose significant challenges for the business community  especially small and medium-sized enterprises  while threatening global economic growth prospects, disrupting supply chains and impeding the flow of trade and investment.

In addition, the statement reaffirms ASEANs commitment to a rules-based, transparent, predictable, free, fair, inclusive and sustainable multilateral trading system, with the World Trade Organization (WTO) at its core. It called for the US to engage in constructive and candid dialogue to address trade-related concerns and foster a more balanced, sustainable bilateral trade relationship.

In addition, the ministers reiterated their commitment to continuing cooperation with the United States across trade, investment, and high-value sectors of mutual interest.

ASEAN expressed readiness to enhance collaboration through existing mechanisms, such as the ASEANUS Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) and the Expanded Economic Engagement (E3) Work Plan, to jointly seek mutually beneficial solutions. The meeting also agreed on the formation of an ASEAN Geoeconomic Task Force, which will assess the impact of the US tariff policy and provide timely recommendations to support ASEAN's efforts in addressing mutual concerns and exploring new areas of cooperation with the United States.  VNS
HCM CITY  Viet Nam and Spain have great potential for cooperation in various sectors, with the former attracting Spanish investors due to its stable politics and competitive production costs, speakers said at a meeting on Thursday.

Speaking at the Vietnam-Spain Business Forum, Phan Thi Thang, deputy minister of Industry and Trade, said: Spain is an important partner for Viet Nam, both in the region and globally.

Spain is Viet Nams fifth-largest trading partner within the European Union, while Viet Nam holds the title of Spains largest trade partner in ASEAN.

In 2024, total trade between the two nations reached an impressive $4.72 billion, she added.

However, Thang acknowledged that the current economic ties dont fully reflect the true potential of both countries.

Spanish investments in Viet Nam remain modest, ranking 46th out of 147 investing countries.

Thang identified several key factors that could enhance this relationship.

Viet Nams status as the third-largest economy in ASEAN, along with its stable political climate and attractive production costs, makes it a prime location for Spanish companies.

In return, Spains strengths in energy and technology can significantly aid Vietnamese businesses as they expand globally.

The EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) is also set to play a crucial role, aiming to eliminate nearly all tariffs within the next seven to 10 years.

Both nations serve as gateways to major economic regions, providing access to vast markets in the EU and ASEAN.

The forum aims to strengthen trade and investment ties, encouraging collaboration in various sectors, including food processing, textiles, logistics, tourism, and renewable energy, according to Thang.

Partnering with HCM City

Bui Xuan Cuong, vice chairman of the HCM City Peoples Committee, said the city is actively attracting investment in key sectors such as high technology, transportation, healthcare, and green growth.

Key projects in the pipeline include the establishment of an international financial centre, a vast urban railway system, and a new international transshipment port in Can Gio district.

HCM City is also focused on sustainable economic growth, with a goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

Cuong said the city is willing to enhance cooperation with Spain in areas such as transportation infrastructure, renewable energy, food processing, and digital transformation.

HCM City is dedicated to improving the investment climate for foreign businesses, including those from Spain, he noted.

Spain currently has 44 investment projects in the city, worth $16.2 million in registered capital, he said.

While bilateral trade has surpassed $400 million, both sides recognise the potential for much more, he added.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who also attended the forum, said Viet Nam is a top priority for Spain in Southeast Asia.

He emphasised the importance of elevating bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

He also expressed Spains desire to support Viet Nams development, particularly in sectors where Spain excels, such as transport infrastructure, renewable energy, and tourism.

The forum took place as part of the Prime Minister Sanchezs historic visit to Viet Nam from April 8 to 10, marking the first visit by a Spanish Prime Minister since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1977.

His delegation included representatives from 20 leading Spanish corporations.

Over the past 48 years, relations between Viet Nam and Spain have flourished, with collaboration expanding across various fields.

As of January 2025, Spain had 97 projects in Viet Nam, amounting to $143.9 million in investment, making it the 46th-largest investor in Viet Nam.

Meanwhile, Viet Nam has three investment projects in Spain, with a total value of $64.2 million.  VNS
HCM CITY  Consumers are shifting towards eco-friendly packaging and health-beneficial products, driving retailers to source green options for sustainability, said ITPCs deputy director Ho Thi Quyen at a seminar in HCM City.

The seminar was organised by the HCM City Investment and Trade Promotion Centre (ITPC), Eurofins Sac Ky Hai ang Co Ltd, IP GROUP JSC, and Central Retail Viet Nam on April 10, and focused on global bio packaging production technology and the latest sustainability standards, especially in food and packaging.

Ngo ac Thuan, CEO of IP GROUP JSC, said global bio packaging production technology is a focus of development, with related patents steadily increasing from 2021 to 2025.

He noted Viet Nam's strengths in abundant bio-based resources and competitive production costs, but limitations in highly skilled labour, R&D investment, and infrastructure.

Therefore, he said local businesses should increase R&D investment, promote international cooperation in technology transfer, focus on talent attraction, and build modern infrastructure to exploit the packaging industry's development potential.

Furthermore, they can leverage government support policies and foster a culture of internal innovation.

Representatives from Eurofins Sac Ky Hai ang Co. Ltd stated that controlling Food Contact Materials (FCM) standards is crucial for key markets like the US and EU.

This is because uncontrolled FCMs can cause harmful chemicals to migrate into food, posing health risks.

They emphasised detailed testing requirements and new regulations concerning recycled materials.

Both the EU and the US require strict FCM testing, including Overall Migration (OM) and Specific Migration (SM) tests, with varying limits depending on the material and market.

Understanding these complex and differing regulations is essential for businesses aiming to export products to these markets, he added.

Paul Le, Vice President of Central Retail in Viet Nam, shared that for businesses to export successfully, their products must first be strong domestically, enter supermarket systems, and compete with similar products.

Then, to target exporting to another market, businesses need to possess comprehensive information about that market, understand regulations and market-specific differences, and have the adaptability to suit each market, he added.

The event is part of a series on the food sector, held within the framework of the HCM City International Exhibition of Food and Beverage 2025 (HCM City FOODEX 2025), which will take place from April 16 to 19 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in District 7.  VNS
A NANG  The a Nang International Terminal No 2 has been awarded five stars by the international airport rating agency Skytrax at the World Airport Awards in Spain - the second such award in a row, following a win last year.

A source from the Investment and Operation Joint Stock Company (AHT), which manages the terminal, said it was the only Vietnamese representative in the list of the five terminals in the world achieving the five-star status.

Meanwhile, the a Nang International Airport has been ranked in the list of 100 top airports in the world, and one of the best ten airports in Asia.

AHT's second award in two years was due to it offering a more convenient service for passengers.

The terminal has become the first smart terminal in Viet Nam with fully automatic services from check-in to boarding including self-service bag drop, self-check-in kiosks, use of an Auto Gate, an automatic immigration declaration system, video call kiosks and multi-language information screens.

AHT said the terminal has also installed AI-powered cameras at aviation procedure handling zones, with more mobile apps in providing smart support solutions for passengers.

a Nang has 24 direct air routes, of which 16 are international, servicing around 112 flights per day. The terminal is designed to handle 28 million passengers and 200,000 tonnes of cargo a year by 2030.

AHT said the expansion project for terminal No 2 would start on the National Day (September 2) in order for it to host more cargo flights and passengers visiting a Nang.

The citys tourism department said the city has welcomed 2.53 million tourists, of which 1.26 million were from overseas, in the first quarter of 2025, an increase of 19.2 per cent over the same period last year.
HA NOI  Vietnamese children's books have officially joined the shelves of Muntpunt Library in Brussels, marking a meaningful step in promoting the mother tongue among Vietnamese families in Belgium.

Gifted by the General Association of Vietnamese in Belgium (UGVB), the Vietnamese-language book collection features folktales such as The Hundred-Knot Bamboo Tree, along with poetry and picture books aimed at children aged under 7.

Nguyen Chung Thuy, head of the UGVB's Culture and Society Committee, said the initiative aims to build a Vietnamese corner where children can read, recite poetry, play traditional games and use their mother tongue with ease and joy.

Brenda, head of the childrens books section at the library, said that Muntpunt is committed to supporting immigrant communities in preserving their native languages and fostering a reading culture. She described the presence of Vietnamese books in a public cultural space as incredibly valuable.

Amid the dominant languages of Belgium  French, Dutch, German and English Vietnamese is now represented, serving as a bridge between children of Vietnamese descent and their cultural roots.

At the book handover ceremony, 13-year-old Vu Hong Ngan said Vietnamese books remind her of reading with her grandparents in Viet Nam and help her retain her language skills.

Meanwhile, Lisa, nearly nine and born in Belgium, impressed attendees by reading Vietnamese poetry fluently. Inspired by her mothers lullabies and stories, she said she enjoys discovering more about Viet Nam through books.

Author and journalist Kieu Bich Huong contributed her comic series "OGO Code", which portrays the lives of children in multicultural families. She stressed that reading in ones mother tongue strengthens both cultural identity and family bonds.

Parents play a vital role in preserving the Vietnamese language at home. Many have formed small support groups to share experiences and encourage one another to keep their heritage language alive. VNA/VNS
HCM CITY  Acclaimed violinist Chuong Vu, who returns from the US, will hold a concert at the HCM City Opera on April 13.

The concert is organised by the HCM City Ballet Symphony Orchestra and Opera (HBSO) to mark the 50th death anniversary of Russian composer and pianist Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975), one of the most important musical figures of the 20th century.

Chuong will honour Shostakovich's Symphony No 5 in D minor.

The four-movement symphony, written in 1937, takes audiences on an emotional rollercoaster from the tense and gloomy march rhythm to the vibrant melody at the end of the work.

The composition was first performed by the Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of conductor Yevgeny Mravinsky in 1937.

The violinist will also perform Violin Concerto No 3 in G major, one of Mozart's famous concertos for violin.

The three-movement composition was written in 1775, when Mozart was 19, marking the beginning of his maturity as a composer. It reflects Mozart's dexterity in using technique and sharp expression of the flow of emotions.

Chuong will play along with the HBSO Symphony Orchestra.

Chuong earned a bachelors and masters degrees in violin performance from the University of Houston and a doctorate from the University of North Texas.

He has appeared as a soloist with orchestras in the US and Viet Nam and has also performed at international music festivals in the US, UK and Brazil.

He has given master classes in many countries, such as the US, Brazil, Germany, Poland, and Viet Nam.

He has been invited to serve on the jury for several prestigious international music competitions, including the 2020 George Enescu International Competition in Romania (pre-selection round), the X International Violin Competition "Astana-Violin" 'In Memory of David Oistrakh' in Kazakhstan in 2023, and the 2025 Stefanie Hohl Competition in Vienna, Austria.

Chuong is the artistic director of the Vietnam Connection Music Festival and the artistic advisor to the Vietnam International Music Competition.

The concert will also feature Carnival Overture, composed by Antonin Dvorak in 1891.

The overture is the second part of the romantic trilogy "Nature, Life and Love". The other parts are In Natures Realm and Othello.

The work has a cheerful and lively melody, evoking the bustle of a carnival that Dvorak described as "a pair of lost lovers".

Dvorak led the first performance of all three overtures in 1892.

The performance will be presented by the HBSO Symphony Orchestra.

Maestro Tran Vuong Thach, the former director of HBSO, will lead the concert.

Thach studied at leading music schools and conservatories in Belgium and the Netherlands.

He has performed in many countries, such as Germany, Italy, Scotland, Spain, France, Japan, and South Korea.

In 2020, he was granted the title "Knight of Arts and Letters" (Chevaliers des Lettres et des Arts) from the French government for his efforts to promote arts exchange between Viet Nam and France.

The concert will begin at 8pm at 7 Lam Son Square in District 1. Tickets are available at the venue and ticketbox.vn.  VNS
The Safe Food for Growth (SAFEGRO) project is funded by the Government of Canada through a non-refundable grant of CAD15.3 million (over US$10.8 million). The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, now known as the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, serves as the project's executing agency. SAFEGRO is being implemented from 2020 to 2026 in collaboration with the ministries of health, and industry and trade, and other relevant food safety agencies in Viet Nam.

Nguyen Van Thuan, a member of the project coordination unit and head of the Quality and Organic Agriculture Division at the National Authority for Agro-Forestry-Fishery Quality, Processing and Market Development, shares valuable practical experiences and approaches to food safety management in Canada, gained during a recent study tour.

1. Food safety management system

Canada's food safety management system is a system of shared responsibility among government bodies at the federal and provincial/territorial levels, including: the Federal Government; provincial/territorial governments; local/regional public health authorities; international partners; businesses and consumers. Responsibilities are clearly delineated among federal-level agencies.

Ministry of Agriculture and Agri-Food implements food safety programmes at the primary production level (farms).

Health Canada develops policies and standards and conducts risk assessments related to food safety.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) establishes procedures and regulations, and carries out inspections concerning food safety, animal diseases, animal health and welfare protection, plant pests and plant protection. Founded in 1997, the CFIA brought together federal food inspection, animal health and plant protection activities into a single enforcement agency. Its headquarters are in Ottawa, with 18 regional offices, 160 local offices and 13 laboratories.

The Public Health Agency of Canada serves as the federal government's lead in assessing and addressing the human health impacts of foodborne illness outbreaks. It conducts public health surveillance and oversees epidemiological investigations when outbreaks affect more than one province.

The management and licensing responsibility is determined by product distribution. Businesses trading products between provinces are inspected and licensed by the CFIA, whereas products sold exclusively within a province are inspected and licensed by the respective provincial or territorial authority.

Canada assigns food safety management and control responsibilities based on specific functional areas. For example, agencies responsible for developing policies, laws, regulations and conducting risk assessments operate independently from those tasked with inspection.

2. Building food safety policies and laws

Canada has several acts related to food safety, including the Food and Drugs Act, Health of Animals Act, Plant Protection Act, and Plant Breeders' Rights Act, among others. These legal regulations establish a robust framework for food safety enforcement, clarifying and strengthening responsibilities in the process. The system aims to enhance food safety by ensuring Codex compliance  such as HACCP, preventive controls and traceabilityv  for imported, exported and domestically consumed food. It promotes consistent, prevention-focused food safety requirements and adopts an outco me-based approach to encourage business innovation. Additionally, the use of incorporation by reference facilitates modernisation and efficiency, creating a level playing field for both domestic and imported food while improving market access.

Health Canada is responsible for establishing technical regulations, including Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs), which are issued as lists based on human health risk assessments. MRLs play a significant role in international trade, thus, Canada updates them periodically  every two years, or as changes arise.

3. Implementation of food safety policies and laws

3.1. Food safety risk assessment

Health Canada leads this initiative by forming specialised risk assessment advisory groups and engaging a diverse range of scientific experts from research institutions, universities and other organisations. The primary objectives of the risk assessment are to: develop comprehensive risk profiles to support information sharing and training programmes; create a robust database that serves as a foundation for effective risk management and control; and provide accurate data and insights to facilitate clear and impactful risk communication.

Risk assessment is seamlessly integrated with surveillance activities, facilitating the generation of risk profiles for information sharing and training, as well as the establishment of a database. This process defines the mandate for the CFIA. On such scientific bases, the agency performs the dedicated task of safeguarding food, animals and plants, thereby enhancing the health and well-being of Canada's people, environment and economy.

The risk assessment agency is recognised as a trusted partner and a global leader. It conducts rigorous scientific evaluations of food safety risks associated with all federally regulated domestic food establishments, characterises these risks, assesses their impact on consumer health in Canada and ensures operational transparency.

3.2. Food safety risk communication

After the risk assessment results have been reviewed by appraisal committees/panels, risk communication is carried out publicly and transparently by Canadian authorities.

They compile all relevant risk assessment records to ensure comprehensive and accurate dissemination of information. This communication is carried out via official channels managed by relevant authorities, as well as through credible, science-based press and media outlets.

3.3. Food safety risk management

The responsibility is managed by the CFIA. Canada's inspection system oversees not only food safety inspections but also matters concerning animal diseases, pests and plant quarantine. Ensuring food safety involves a coordinated approach, integrating inspection data, surveillance and the effective management of food safety concerns.

3.4. Food safety surveillance

Canadas Food Safety Surveillance system systematically collects, analyses and interprets data (information). This data is essential for assessing the effectiveness of food safety management practices, planning verification activities and ensuring the timely dissemination of information to support public health initiatives.

The CFIA operates a structured surveillance cycle comprising key stages: Design, Sampling and Testing, and Reporting. The design of sampling plans undergoes thorough review, stakeholder consultation and regular adjustments. Sampling plans have clear objectives, including: targeted sampling (intentional sampling focused on a specific hazard and source), food safety incident response samples and research samples. All surveillance results are documented and reported, with non-compliance findings prioritised for swift communication and dissemination to relevant parties.

The field trip revealed that Canada's approach to food safety is highly comprehensive, scientific and effective. This includes its system for assigning responsibilities, its management hierarchy and control mechanisms for food safety, its legal and regulatory framework and the enforcement of food safety laws and regulations.

Canada's food safety management system is guided by risk management principles, incorporating scientifically grounded and practical measures. The division of authority and responsibilities between policy-making and law enforcement bodies is clear and well-defined. Notably, functional agencies execute their tasks with independence and objectivity, while ensuring integration, collaboration and shared responsibility among relevant organisations. All of this is supported by an exceptionally high level of legal awareness among businesses and citizens.
WASHINGTON DC  Viet Nam and the United States have agreed to launch negotiations on a reciprocal trade agreement, which will include provisions related to tariffs.

The agreement was reached on Wednesday afternoon (local time) during a meeting between Deputy Prime Minister Ho uc Phoc and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. The meeting took place during Deputy PM Phocs visit to the US as a Special Envoy of Party General Secretary To Lam, aimed at discussing bilateral economic and trade issues.

He noted that Viet Nam has proactively implemented various measures to help address the trade imbalance between the two sides and to respond to US concerns.

He proposed that, despite the US' fresh decision to postpone tariff imposition for 90 days, both countries should promptly begin negotiations on a bilateral trade agreement. Such an agreement would establish a long-term framework to promote stable and mutually beneficial economic and trade relations, in line with the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two nations.

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, for his part, expressed appreciation for Viet Nams proactive and constructive measures, which he said reflect the countrys strong commitment to strengthening Viet NamUS economic and trade ties.

He reaffirmed that the US places great importance on its bilateral relationship with Viet Nam and is eager to cooperate closely in addressing the trade imbalance, with a view to deepening ties across multiple sectors.

He also explained the rationale and economic challenges that led the Trump administration to adopt its current tariff policies, noting that the high tariffs imposed on Vietnamese exports were a response to the substantial trade deficit the US holds with Viet Nam.

The US agreed to begin formal negotiations on a reciprocal trade agreement, including discussions on tariffs, and proposed that technical teams from both sides begin consultations immediately, he said.

Both sides agreed to maintain close coordination in promoting a favourable business environment. They committed to proactively reviewing and minimising non-tariff barriers on each others goods, facilitating greater US investment and business activity in Viet Nam, and enhancing cooperation to prevent and combat trade fraud.

On April 89, Deputy PM Phoc held meetings with Senator Bill Hagerty and Senator Steve Daines, as well as with various US organisations and businesses.

The Vietnamese official expressed appreciation for the continued support of the US Congress and the senators for the Viet NamUS relationship. He welcomed the positive developments in bilateral ties since the two countries upgraded their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and highlighted the significance of 2025 as the 30th anniversary of the normalisation of diplomatic relations.

Speaking on economic and trade relations, Deputy PM Phoc emphasised that Viet Nam and the US have complementary economies, stating that Viet Nam does not compete with US competitive export products and is a major importer of US services and high-tech goods.

He also noted that Viet Nam has proactively addressed many of the US' trade-related concerns.

He called on the US Congress to continue supporting the lifting of tariff measures on Vietnamese goods and to encourage progress toward a sustainable and long-term bilateral trade agreement that serves the interests of both nations citizens and businesses.

Both senators recalled fond memories of their visits to Viet Nam and expressed their hope that bilateral relations will continue to flourish and contribute positively to regional and global peace and stability.

They commended Viet Nams proactive approach to resolving tariff-related issues with the US and reaffirmed their support for strengthening Viet NamUS trade relations based on shared strategic interests. They expressed confidence that the two countries would soon launch negotiations and find effective solutions to foster a stable and mutually beneficial economic partnership.

During his time in the US, Deputy PM Phoc also met with various experts, scholars and leading businesses from both Viet Nam and the US, and witnessed the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between Viet Nams Vietjet and US-based Air Finance.  VNS
HA NOI  Vietnamese Ambassador to Algeria Tran Quoc Khanh introduced African countries to the upcoming signing ceremony for the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime in Ha Noi while attending the African Regional Preparatory Meeting for the 15th UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, which was held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from April 8-10.

As the first criminal justice convention in 20 years, it criminalises cybercrime and cyber-facilitated crimes; establishes international cooperation mechanisms against cybercrime, including the 24/7 communication and exchange of electronic evidence and joint investigations in addition to traditional legal assistance channels. For the convention to have practical effect, Viet Nam and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) have proposed that countries, after signing the convention, should continue to ratify it.

Addressing the meeting, Khanh emphasised that the convention reflects the international community's commitment to multilateralism, creating a legal framework for international cooperation to effectively address cybercrime, a threat to the socio-economic development of both Africa and the world.

The diplomat affirmed that the signing ceremony, slated for October in the Vietnamese capital city of Ha Noi, is not merely a formal signing event, but also conveys a message of international cooperation in combating this type of crime, as well as providing an opportunity for international friends to better understand Viet Nam, and its culture, and people.

Nguyen Thi Ngoc Ha, Assistant Director at the Department of International Law and Treaties under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that Viet Nam and the UNODC have actively coordinated with each other to develop the signing ceremony agenda, sidelines activities and related seminars.

Representatives from many countries expressed their gratitude for Viet Nam's efforts, emphasising the impact of the convention's early entry into force in controlling cybercrime. They called on countries to sign and ratify the document as soon as possible.  VNS
HAVANA  Latin American news agency Prensa Latina has highlighted Viet Nams approach in addressing the latest US tariff policy as flexible, intelligent, pragmatic, and creative.

In an article on the Southeast Asian nations flexible approach to US tariffs, the news agency mentioned Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinhs directive during the April 7 Government meeting. It noted that the Vietnamese leader stressed the need to adopt the most effective solution that can balance the interests of both nations while safeguarding Viet Nams independence, sovereignty, and global standing. He also affirmed that while exports remain a key driver of growth, they are not the sole economic pillar.

The article said Viet Nams strategy prioritises dialogue and negotiation over confrontation, without causing tensions and further complicating the matter. Vietnamese business community welcomed the Governments swift response to mitigate the impact of the tariff decision, which has sent ripples through global markets. A series of mitigation measures have already been carried out by the Government and enterprises.

In a separate article published on April 9 regarding businesses assessment of Viet Nams response, Prensa Latina quoted Nguyen Ngoc Hoa, Chairman of HCM City Union of Business Association, who underscored the importance of negotiations to secure the most favourable conditions.

The news agency further reported that various Vietnamese industry associations view the US as a crucial market, necessitating a comprehensive evaluation of the new tariff policys impact. The Vietnamese Government, ministries, and local authorities should devise sector-specific solutions. Simultaneously, businesses are urged to explore alternative export markets and strengthen domestic consumption, seizing this challenge as an opportunity to restructure and enhance Viet Nams global trade position.  VNS
KUALA LUMPUR  Delegations from the Ministry of Finance and State Bank of Viet Nam (SBV) actively joined discussions at the 12th ASEAN Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting (AFMGM) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on April 9.

Leading the Vietnamese delegations, Minister of Finance Nguyen Van Thang and SBV Deputy Governor Nguyen Ngoc Canh, participated in key dialogues between ASEAN ministers and major business councils, including the US-ASEAN Business Council (US-ABC), the EU-ASEAN Business Council, and the ASEAN Business Advisory Council. These discussions focused on pressing economic issues, particularly concerns over the US's new tariff policies. ASEAN ministers received strong backing from the US-ABC, while conveying regional concerns to the US regarding the potential negative impact of its tariffs on Southeast Asian businesses.

At these sessions, Thang affirmed Viet Nam's commitment to streamlining administrative procedures, accelerating decision-making processes, and ensuring regulatory consistency to foster deeper economic and financial integration within ASEAN. He said that amid global trade policy shifts affecting supply chains and investment flows, Viet Nam expects the US-ABC to serve as a crucial bridge between the US and ASEAN business communities and support regional economies in adapting to changes while promoting fair and sustainable trade.

Thang also noted that Viet Nam supports ASEAN's sustainability priorities, and is actively joining the shaping of regional mechanisms such as the ASEAN Taxonomy for Sustainable Finance, the carbon credit market, and the measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) framework to enhance transparency and accountability in emissions management.

Meanwhile, Canh underscored the importance of advancing digital payments for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), harmonising financial regulations, and developing cross-border digital infrastructure as key steps toward a more resilient and integrated ASEAN digital economy. He said it is necessary to combat fraud and financial scams, which remain critical challenges for the region.

On the sidelines of the meetings, Thang and his delegation held bilateral discussions with those from the Lao Ministry of Finance, the US-ABC, and the Malaysian finance ministry and central bank. Meanwhile, the SBV delegation engaged in meetings with the US Department of the Treasury.  VNA/VNS
HA NOI  Party General Secretary To Lam has urged members of the Party Central Committee to focus their discussions on a landmark policy proposal that would restructure administrative units nationwide, reducing provincial-level units to 34, abolishing district-level administrations and cutting commune-level units by approximately 50 per cent.

Lam made the call as he presided over and delivered the opening remarks at the 11th plenary session of the 13th Party Central Committee, held in Ha Noi on Thursday morning.

At the conference, the Party Central Committee is scheduled to discuss and give opinions on 15 contents focusing on two main groups of issues.

The first group of issues is continuing to reorganise the apparatus of the political system, reorganise administrative units and organise two-level local governments. The second group of issues is preparing for the 14th National Party Congress and the election of deputies to the 16th National Assembly and People's Councils at all levels for the 2026-31 term.

Also at the conference, the Politburo will report to the Party Central Committee for consideration and decisions on a number of personnel work contents according to its authority and report to the Party Central Committee on the situation of the country, the world and the region.

Emphasising the significance of the policy, Lam said the proposal, which involves reorganising administrative divisions and establishing a new two-tier local government model, is an historic undertaking.

The reform would not only streamline organisational structures, staffing and decentralisation of authority but also redefine administrative boundaries, reallocate resources and open up new opportunities for long-term development.

He said: The overarching goal is to build a Government that is closer to the people, better serve public interests and ultimately lay the foundation for a new national development framework with a vision extending at least 100 years into the future.

To advance the ongoing institutional reform, the Politburo and Secretariat have convened multiple sessions to thoroughly examine the proposal from various perspectives.

Following a broad consensus, they agreed to submit the draft plan to the Party Central Committee.

The comprehensive initiative includes not only the administrative restructuring but also related schemes on organising the Party apparatus at local levels; streamlining the operations of the Fatherland Front, mass organisations and associations tasked by the Party and State; reforming the judiciary, including the courts and procuracies; amending the Constitution and legal system; revising Party regulations, particularly those governing inspections and oversight mechanisms.

He said: The matters are of deep concern to Party members, civil servants and the general public alike.

The vast majority of citizens and officials support the initiative and hope for its swift implementation, he added.

Therefore, Lam stressed that all related components of the reform must be carried out simultaneously without delay.

He called on the Party Central Committee members to provide feedback on implementation strategies and timelines to ensure consistency, cohesion and efficiency, avoiding any disruptions to Government operations, business activities or daily life.

Key priorities

Addressing preparations for the 14th National Party Congress and the elections for the 16th National Assembly and Peoples Councils at all levels for the 202631 term, Lam said that following the 10th plenary session, the Politburo had taken urgent and decisive steps.

Two key priorities were identified as drafting 14th National Party Congress documents and finalising personnel arrangements.

On the subject of personnel, he said it is the most decisive of decisive factors in realising the strategic objectives and vision of the 14th National Party Congress.

He said that the higher demands of the current era require an elevated calibre of leadership, particularly among strategic-level cadres.

Personnel planning, he said, must be initiated early and continuously refined up until the 14th National Party Congress itself.

The Politburo has directed a review and update of the draft orientation for selecting members of the 14th Party Central Committee, aligned with the structure of the proposed new administrative model.

It is also reviewing the strategic personnel pool and drafting amendments to Politburo Directive No. 35 on Party Congress organisation at all levels in preparation for the 14th National Party Congress.

All of the efforts are aimed at ensuring the successful organisation of Party congresses at all levels, culminating in the 14th National Party Congress, scheduled for the first quarter of 2026.

In parallel, the Politburo has submitted a proposal on the orientation for the upcoming National Assembly and Peoples Council elections for 202631. The plan calls for earlier elections and significant reforms to enhance the effectiveness of the representative bodies, thereby ensuring the peoples right to participate meaningfully in the governance of the nation.

These are highly strategic and vitally important matters for the countrys development in the new era, the General Secretary concluded.

The conference is scheduled to be wrapped up on Saturday.  VNS
A NANG  During its 30 year integration as an active member state in ASEAN the country has made many innovative and effective contributions to the regional community, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Viet Nam, o Hung Viet stressed in his opening remarks at the Meet ASEAN in a Nang 2025 forum.

Hung said ASEAN has remained as a leading multilateral cooperation mechanism forging close links with Viet Nam.

Endless efforts have been made by Viet Nam and the other member states in building a strong-self strengthening and solidarity community of ASEAN. The recent historical visit to ASEAN headquarters and ASEAN National Secretariats by Vietnamese Party Chief To Lam strongly committed the appreciation and contribution of Viet Nam to the development of ASEAN, Viet emphasised.

He said the Meet ASEAN in a Nang' could be seen as a sign of that growing importance and as a responsive role of Viet Nam as a member of ASEAN, but it also created cooperative opportunities in sharing visions, ideas and action plans of development in the city.

Viet said the event in 2025 also marked the 30th anniversary of Viet Nam joining in the ASEAN family and the 50th commemoration of the end of the war.

Chairman of a Nang Citys peoples committee, Le Trung Chinh started his speech by offering his condolences to those who suffered personal losses in the recent earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand.

Chinh, on behalf of the people of a Nang, presented a donation of US$10,000 to help Myanmar, while the citys Tourism Association also contributed VN75 million ($3,000).

Chinh said a Nang has been building relationships and partnerships with 50 cities in the world, of which nine were from ASEAN, while Malacca, Penang of Malaysia and Denpasar of Indonesia would be listed as new partners of a Nang.

ASEAN is seen as a key tourism market of a Nang, with eight air routes out of ten ASEAN countries linked with a Nang. ASEAN member states including Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines have invested $1.14 billion in 72 projects in the city, Chinh said.

The city has been speeding up the plans for the development of a Free Trade Zone and an International Finance Centre in the region, so this event will expand ties among member countries and partnerships of cities-to-cities for multilateral benefits.

Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia, Dato Sri Amran Mohamed Zin highly appreciated the role of Viet Nam in ASEAN.

Viet Nam has actively contributed to the development of a more cohesive, responsive and dynamic ASEAN. The positive impacts are visible, not just in Viet Nams own rapid growth and integration, but also in ASEANs stature and influence as a regional bloc that promotes peace, stability and prosperity, he said.

He said that a Nang City, with its strategic location, vibrant economy and dynamic people, is uniquely positioned to foster deeper ties with its ASEAN neighbours.

The Thai Ambassador to Viet Nam, Urawadee Sriphiromya said a Nang has an important regional position in terms of maritime commerce, with its deep-sea ports of Tien Sa and Lien Chieu, alongside East-West economic corridors.

She said a Nang has engaged in ASEAN and already has strong ties with localities of Thailand such as Khon Kaen and soon with Mukdahan.

The Ambassador suggested that the connection between Thailand and a Nang could be further developed across sustainable development goals, tourism and education.

Urawadee Sriphiromya said some key investment projects from Thailand had already landed in a Nang, including the MM Mega Market and Central Retail.

Khor Kar Buan, general director of Massada Land Company, an industrial park and housing developer, said a Nang offers a quite smooth investment environment, but the city has yet to attract big global companies.

He said the city needs build strong people and emphasise the importance of human capital for future development.

The Malaysian investor also suggested that the city authority should be aware of speed decision, speed response and speed execution in its investment attraction policy.

At the event, Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) on tourism were inked by the citys Tourism Association, the Malaysia Tourism Agency Association (MATA) and the Philippines Tourism Association.

The forum also featured discussions on the ASEAN 2025 Master Plans and the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, along with the ASEAN-UK and ASEAN-New Zealand relations.

Participants also joined trips out to the Ba Na Hills, the Tien Sa and Lien Chieu Ports and the a Nang High-Tech Park. VNS
HA NOI  From April 810, 2025, President of the Government of Spain, H.E. Mr. Pedro Sanchez, paid an official visit to Viet Nam at the invitation of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. Marking the first visit by a Spanish head of government since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1977, the visit represents a historic milestone in Viet Nam  Spain relations, reaffirming the enduring friendship and shared aspirations for deeper and more comprehensive cooperation.

During his stay, President Sanchez held talks with Prime Minister Chinh and paid courtesy calls on General Secretary To Lam, President Luong Cuong, and National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man. Both sides reviewed key achievements in their bilateral relationship, welcomed the positive momentum since the establishment of the Strategic Partnership towards the Future in 2009, and expressed their shared commitment to upgrading ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership at an appropriate time.

The two sides issued a Joint Statement outlining the outcomes of the visit. The full text is as follows:

JOINT STATEMENT ON THE OUTCOMES OF THE OFFICIAL VISIT OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE GOVERNMENT OF SPAIN

1. At the invitation of the Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam H.E. Mr. Pham Minh Chinh, the President of the Government of the Kingdom of Spain H.E. Mr. Pedro Sanchez paid an official visit to Viet Nam from April 8th to 10th, 2025.

2. This marks the first visit to Viet Nam by a Spanish President of Government since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1977. During his visit, President H.E. Mr. Pedro Sanchez held talks with Prime Minister H.E. Mr. Pham Minh Chinh; paid courtesy calls on General Secretary H.E. Mr. To Lam, President H.E. Mr. Luong Cuong and National Assembly Chairman H.E. Mr. Tran Thanh Man.

3. The two government leaders highly appreciated the socio-economic achievements of each country for the past time and expressed their satisfaction at the positive progress in bilateral relations since the establishment of the Strategic Partnership towards the Future between two countries in 2009. Building on the excellent friendship and rich potentials for cooperation between the two countries, both parties expressed their commitment to further enhancing bilateral cooperation in all areas, with the aim of upgrading Viet Nam - Spain relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership at an appropriate time.

On Politics and Diplomacy

4. Both parties agreed to intensify high-level delegation exchanges and contacts through all channels, between, on one side, the Communist Party, the State, the Government, the National Assembly, the local authorities of Viet Nam and, on the other side, the Spanish authorities, to enhance political trust and mutual understanding. Both parties agreed to cooperate in organising activities to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations (May 23rd, 1977 - May 23rd, 2027).

5. Both parties agreed to strengthen cooperation between the two Foreign Ministries through the implementation of the new Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation and Political Consultations signed during this visit, promoting regular consultations to review and assess the implementation of bilateral treaties, and exchange views on regional and international issues. Both parties committed to enhancing coordination and supporting each other at multilateral forums, especially within the frameworks of the United Nations, ASEAN-EU, and ASEM, contributing to the work of the United Nations Human Rights Council. Viet Nam supports Spain's accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC). Both parties also welcomed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Diplomatic School of Spain and the Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam.

On Economic, Trade, Investment, and Financial Cooperation

6. Both parties highlighted the positive evolution of the economic and trade pillars between the two countries and agreed to continue fully and effectively implementing the Viet Nam - EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) to maximise the strengths and complementarity of their economies, as well as to maintain an open, fair, predictable, transparent, and non-discriminatory business environment based on international norms. Both parties called for the swift ratification and implementation of the Viet Nam - EU Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA).

7. Both parties welcomed the opening of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Viet Nam, headquartered in Ho Chi Minh City, and underscored the signing of the new Framework Protocol on Financial Cooperation between the two countries, which would contribute to boosting investment cooperation in priority sectors in accordance with Spains strengths and Viet Nams needs, such as infrastructure, railway transport, logistics, urban planning, green energy, environmental protection, climate change adaptation, water management, waste treatment, digital transformation, marine economy, automotive, shipbuilding and agro-food industry, textiles or tourism. Both parties committed to effectively implementing the Joint Committee on Economic, Trade, and Investment Cooperation and exploring mechanisms for cooperation in other specialised fields.

On Defence and Security

8. Both parties expressed their interest in strengthening cooperation in the field of security and defence within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2010 between their respective Ministries of Defence, including United Nations peacekeeping, with the shared objective of contributing to international peace and stability. Both parties supported exploring potential cooperation in the defence industry based on the needs and capabilities of both parties, including continued participation in the Viet Nam International Defence Expo and the International Defence and Security Exhibition of Spain.

9. Both parties agreed to explore further cooperation in security, cybersecurity and fight against terrorism and serious transnational crime, including drug trafficking, trafficking in human beings, environmental and economic crimes. With the aim to foster this collaboration, both parties are willing to explore the possibilities of signing a bilateral agreement, laying the foundations for the cooperation in the domain of security, the exchange of information and the training and capacity building for law enforcement officers.

On Science and Technology, Education and Training, Tourism, Agriculture, Culture, Sports, and People-to-People Exchanges

10. Spain highly appreciated Viet Nams efforts in driving breakthroughs in scientific development, technology, innovation, national digital transformation, and semiconductor industry. Both parties emphasised potentials for cooperation in these fields and agreed to encourage Vietnamese and Spanish companies to fully leverage the opportunities offered by the Letter of Intent on Cooperation in Technological Development and Innovation signed between the Centre for Technological Development and Innovation (CDTI) and the State Agency for Technological Innovation (SATI) in 2024, including cooperation on renewable energy technologies.

11. Both parties wished to enhance cooperation in education, including exploring ways to enhance the teaching of Spanish language in Viet Nam through the Aula Cervantes and the appointment of Spanish lectureships in Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City, in line with the needs of both parties. Both parties also agreed to explore expanding cooperation in training high-quality human resources in Spains areas of expertise, such as urban planning, hotel management, tourism, science and technology.

12. Both parties emphasised tourism as a potential pillar of cooperation between the two countries and agreed to continue effectively implementing the Tourism Cooperation Agreement signed in 2002. Spain welcomed Viet Nams decision to extend visa exemptions for Spanish citizens, regardless of passport type or purpose of entry.

13. Both parties agreed on the importance and the potential of research, development and technological innovation, including biotechnology and the new genomic techniques, to improve the productivity and competitiveness of the agro-food sector, particularly in the field of precision agriculture and sustainable irrigation using unconventional water resources such as regenerated water and desalinated water. Spain acknowledged Viet Nams efforts in strictly and fully implementing the European Commission's recommendations in tackling illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU), and agreed to support Viet Nam in enforcing its legal framework against IUU fishing and in implementing a strict and effective system for fishery inspection and monitoring. Both parties welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding in the field of food security, fisheries, food safety and quality, animal and plant health and fishery cooperation.

14. Both parties welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding in culture and sports, contributing to promoting exchange activities and facilitating the sharing of information and experiences in the areas of culture, arts, and sports, thereby promoting people-to-people exchanges and mutual understanding between the two countries.

15. Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the development and integration of the Vietnamese community in Spain and the Spanish community in Viet Nam, contributing positively to strengthening relations between the two countries.

On Global and Regional Issues

16. Viet Nam and Spain committed to working together on security initiatives, promoting multilateralism and free trade based on the fundamental principles of international law and the United Nations Charter. Both parties welcomed the United Nations General Assembly's adoption of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime by consensus and Spain supported Viet Nam in hosting the signing ceremony of the Convention in 2025 in Hanoi.

17. Both parties welcomed and expressed their support for efforts to address climate change, including accelerating energy transition, strengthening countries' resilience and adaptability. Both parties held in high regard the organisation of the Fourth Summit of the Partnership for Green Growth and the Global Goals (P4G) in Ha Noi. Both parties reaffirmed their enduring commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals. They looked forward to the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development to be held in Seville in 2025, which will be an important step towards putting in place a renewed global financing framework for sustainable development.

18. Both parties reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace, stability, prosperity, and a rules-based order, reiterating the salience of freedom and safety of maritime and air navigation in the South China Sea, and the support of ASEAN's position on resolving disputes through peaceful means in accordance with international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982).

19. Both parties supported all efforts conducive to a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine, consistent with the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law, with the participation of all relevant parties. The two leaders highlighted the principles of respecting the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of all nations. Viet Nam stands ready to join the international community's efforts in this process.

20. Viet Nam and Spain reaffirmed their strong commitment to promoting peace and stability in the Middle East, condemned the violence, deplored the high number of civilian casualties in Gaza and called for the resumption of the ceasefire as the only way to ensure the release of all hostages, the unimpeded entry of humanitarian aid and its safe distribution to those in need through international agencies, notably UNRWA. Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to the implementation of the two-state solution to ensure a long-lasting and sustainable peace for Palestine and Israel.

Conclusion

21. President of the Government H.E. Mr. Pedro Sanchez expressed his sincere appreciation for the warm hospitality and excellent arrangements extended by Prime Minister H.E. Mr. Pham Minh Chinh, as well as by the leadership and the people of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam. President of the Government H.E. Mr. Pedro Sanchez extended an invitation to Prime Minister H.E. Mr. Pham Minh Chinh to visit Spain at a mutually convenient time to continue discussions on directions to further elevate bilateral relations. Prime Minister H.E. Mr. Pham Minh Chinh expressed his gratitude and graciously accepted the invitation. The timing of the visit would be arranged through diplomatic channels.
HCM CITY  Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchezs working visit to HCM City is expected to create valuable opportunities for effective cooperation between the city and Spain through concrete projects in potential areas, a municipal official has said.

Chairman of the municipal Peoples Committee Nguyen Van uoc made the statement while receiving Prime Minister Sanchez at the Reunification Hall on Thursday.

Congratulating the Spanish leader on his successful meetings with Vietnamese leaders in Ha Noi and the signing of several key bilateral agreements, uoc expressed his confidence that the visit would inject new momentum into trade and investment ties between Viet Nam and Spain.

Regarding current cooperation, uoc noted that Spain has invested in 44 projects in HCM City, with a total registered capital of US$16.2 million. Bilateral trade has surpassed $400 million a figure that reflects positive relations but still falls short of the two sides full potential, he said.

Describing HCM City as a young, dynamic, and fast-growing urban hub, uoc emphasised the citys strong interest in expanding partnerships with international businesses, including those from Spain. He spoke highly of Spanish enterprises capabilities and experience, and identified several priority areas for cooperation: transport infrastructure, tourism, digital transformation, port development, clean energy, and people-to-people exchanges.

The Chairman reaffirmed HCM Citys commitment to providing the best possible conditions for Spanish companies to invest and operate successfully, contributing to advancing the Viet NamSpain strategic partnership.

For his part, PM Sanchez extended his congratulations to Viet Nam on the upcoming 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South and national reunification (19752025). He underlined the significance of his visit to Viet Nam, the first-ever by a Spanish prime minister since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1977.

He shared that his meetings with Vietnamese leaders had yielded important results, including the signing of cooperation agreements across multiple sectors. These agreements, he said, underscored the shared determination to upgrade bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership in the near future.

PM Sanchez highlighted that Spain and Viet Nam are among the most dynamic economies in the world and possess complementary strengths. He noted that Spain was the first EU country to ratify the EUViet Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) and continues to actively pursue stronger trade relations with ASEAN, particularly with Viet Nam. Spanish businesses, he added, expect to contribute to Viet Nam's and HCM Citys development, especially in sectors where Spain holds expertise.

He also expressed his appreciation to the citys leaders for supporting the successful organisation of the VietnamSpain Business Forum and for creating a favourable environment for Spanish companies currently operating in HCM City.

Earlier on the same day, PM Sanchez attended and delivered a speech at the Viet NamSpain Business Forum.  VNS
HA NOI  Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez left HCM City on Friday afternoon, wrapping up his three-day official visit to Vietnam at the invitation of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.

During his stay in Viet Nam, PM Sanchez paid tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum, and laid a wreath at the Monument to War Heroes and Martyrs on Bac Son Street in Ha Noi.

Party General Secretary To Lam and President Luong Cuong hosted receptions for PM Sanchez. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh presided over a welcome ceremony, hold talks and a joint press conference, and witnessed the signing of cooperation documents between the two countries, as well as hosted a banquet in honour of PM Sanchez. National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man had a meeting with the Spanish guest.

At the meetings and talks, the Vietnamese leaders welcomed the visit by PM Sanchez and a high-level delegation of Spain, saying this marks the first trip to Viet Nam by a head of the Spanish government since the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations in 1977.

They expressed confidence that the visit will open a new phase of development, elevating the Viet Nam-Spain strategic partnership to a new height.

The Spanish PM affirmed that Viet Nam is one of Spain's top priority partners in Southeast Asia, and agreed on the need to elevate the bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

To unlock the two countries' potential and strength and further deepen the bilateral relations, both sides agreed to increase high-level visits and contacts, and expand cooperation in defence and security, especially in training Vietnamese officers, defence industry, UN peacekeeping operations, settlement of war consequences, cybersecurity, counter-terrorism, and combatting transnational crime and illegal migration.

They consented to effectively implement and capitalise on opportunities of the EU-Viet NamFree Trade Agreement (EVFTA), further deepen cooperation in defence -security, culture, sports, and tourism, locality-to-locality collaboration, people-to-people exchanges, education and training, especially in high-quality human resources training in such fields as tourism, semiconductor industry, and science and technology.

The Vietnamese leaders thanked the Spanish PM for urging remaining EU member states to soon ratify the EU-Viet Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), and prompt the European Commission to remove its IUU yellow-card warning on Vietnamese seafood exports.

During the visit, both sides issued a joint statement on the outcomes of PM Pedro Sanchez's official visit to Viet Nam.

As part of the visit, PM Sanchez and the Spanish delegation also visited and had working sessions in HCM City.  VNS
HCM CITY  Since adopting a sustainable poverty reduction programme using the multidimensional poverty measurement approach, HCM City has not only helped improve residents income but also enhanced their overall quality of life.

The city has implemented its sustainable poverty reduction programme for 2021-25 based on the multidimensional poverty measurement  an innovative method aligned with global trends.

Rather than focusing solely on food and clothing, the programme also aims to help people overcome other hardships related to healthcare, education, environment, and more.

The ultimate goal is to ensure the poor can access minimum living standards and essential social services.

Towards comprehensive poverty eradication

In 2009, the city made a significant shift in its poverty reduction policies by introducing the multidimensional poverty approach, an emerging concept that had already been adopted by several countries worldwide.

In addition to income criteria, the city placed emphasis on other living condition indicators such as education, healthcare, housing, environment, and cultural access.

Pham Thi Thu Hanh, a resident in District 5, every morning pushes her bread cart to a street corner on Le Hong Phong to make a living.

At noon and in the evening, she sells sugarcane juice and other beverages.

Thanks to her hard work, her familys life has gradually improved.

Once among the most disadvantaged households in the ward - she sold bread on the street while raising school-aged children  Hanh received various forms of support from local authorities, including scholarships for her children, health insurance cards, and holiday gifts.

In 2021, she was introduced to a poverty-reduction loan and gifted a new bread cart.

She also attended a training course on effective small business practices.

With that knowledge and confidence, she expanded her offerings, increased family income, and stabilised her life. Her children are now in university.

Binh Chanh Districts Vietnam Fatherland Front launched the programme Livelihoods for a Sustainable Future in 2016, helping hundreds of households gain tools for income generation and gradually escape poverty.

One such case is Lan, who previously had no land or stable job, and whose childrens schooling was in jeopardy. In 2018, thanks to funding from businesses, the district Fatherland Front presented Lan with a sewing machine.

With it, I started taking garment jobs from local shops and repairing clothes for neighbours. That helped us generate a stable income, she said.

Her husband also found work at a small company, and they managed to save a little.

By early 2025, her family had renovated their home, replacing a dilapidated metal-roof shack with a solid house, and her children were attending school regularly.

Many local households have also benefited from similar support.

The districts livelihood support programme follows a straightforward process from planning and surveying to selecting suitable beneficiaries and supervising use.

As a result, nearly 84 per cent of households made effective use of their support.

Over the years, various agencies and organisations in the district have launched initiatives to help poor and near-poor households, such as Womens Unions campaigns encouraging families to create their own capital sources and improve household incomes.

According to the citys Steering Committee for Sustainable Poverty Reduction, the programme's guiding principle is substantial poverty reduction and sustainable poverty alleviation.

At the beginning of 2021-25, the city had more than 58,000 poor and near-poor households, accounting for 2.3 per cent of the total households.

The city has implemented various programmes and policies targeting these groups, including production and business development, livelihood diversification, micro-loans, vocational training, job placement (domestic and overseas), nutritional support, education assistance, and housing support.

Changing mindsets among the poor

By the end of 2024, Huynh Van Beo in Binh Thanh District voluntarily applied to be removed from the poverty list.

Once classified as poor, his family of six gradually improved their situation thanks to preferential loans and a motorbike donation that allowed them to make a living.

Our income is stable now, and the house has been renovated. I wanted to give this opportunity to others who need it more, he said.

His family was among 122 in the district who voluntarily exited the citys poverty reduction programme by late 2024.

The district was recognised as having no poor households under the citys multidimensional poverty standard one year ahead of schedule.

To achieve this result, the district launched various welfare programmes for poor and near-poor households, such as providing health insurance, job placement, vocational counseling, tuition waivers, housing repair assistance, micro-loans, and COVID-19 support packages.

Many other districts in the city have now met the target of eliminating poverty according to the city's 2021-25 multidimensional poverty standard.

Nguyen Thi Hong Ha, chief of the Office of the city's Steering Committee for Sustainable Poverty Reduction, said that during this period, the city reduced 69,914 poor and near-poor households, accounting for 2.7 per cent of all households.

Thirteen districts have now achieved the poverty-free target, with the remaining nine expected to follow by the first quarter of this year.

Notably, one of the programmes key achievements has been changing perceptions among the poor. More households are moving away from dependency and passivity, instead focusing on education, vocational training, employment, and entrepreneurship.

Their willingness to overcome hardship, combined with support from individuals, organisations, and businesses, has helped the city reach its poverty reduction goals.

Tran Thi Dieu Thuy, vice chairwoman of the city People's Committee, said in the coming years, the city will continue implementing sustainable poverty reduction measures, prevent people from falling back into poverty, and contribute to economic growth and social security.

The city aims to help poor and near-poor households increase income and access essential social services, including healthcare, education, employment and social insurance, housing, clean water and sanitation, and information, she said.

By 2030, the city strives to double its local poverty income threshold compared to the national standard, eliminate national-standard poor households, and reduce city-standard poor households to below 0.5 per cent.

The city will continue researching practical solutions to support production and business, create favourable conditions, and provide opportunities for the poor to live independently and confidently, advancing from poverty to prosperity, and contribute to building a livable, modern, civilised, and compassionate city".  VNS
HA NOI  Ha Noi Medical University has ambitious plans to develop into a national key higher education institution, ranked among the top universities in Asia.

By 2035, the university aims to be listed among the top 100 universities in Asia and within the 801-1000 range globally, with at least two of its fields ranked within the top 150 in reputable international rankings.

The ambitious vision follows the recent approval of Decision No. 714/Q-TTg by Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long, which endorses the proposal for Ha Noi Medical University to become a national education hub, positioned as one of the leading institutions in Asia.

The objective of the plan is to develop Ha Noi Medical University into a prestigious national institution of higher education, comparable to the top universities in Asia.

It aims to play a central role in training high-quality human resources, closely linked to scientific research, technological development and innovation in the health sector, thus meeting the increasing healthcare needs of the public.

By 2035, Ha Noi Medical University intends to expand its number of students to over 20,000, with postgraduate and equivalent enrolments accounting for more than 50 per cent of total admissions.

All of the university's educational programmes will be accredited by internationally recognised quality assurance organisations.

The number of international publications will increase by 10 per cent annually, with at least 1,000 articles published every year by 2035, ensuring a minimum of 0.75 publications per full-time faculty member per year.

The university will also establish at least 20 world-class research institutes, centres and laboratories, gradually mastering several strategic technologies for application in health-related scientific research.

By 2035, each of the university's training facilities will have at least one primary practical facility and at least five university-affiliated hospitals will meet international quality standards.

The total number of full-time faculty members will reach at least 1,700, with over 70 per cent holding doctoral degrees.

Thirty per cent of faculty with doctoral qualifications will hold professorial or associate professorial titles. Furthermore, the university aims to enrol at least 500 international students in its programmes.

Strategies for achieving the goals

To achieve the ambitious targets, Ha Noi Medical University will focus on expanding its scale and enhancing the quality of its education.

Key strategies include the development of science, technology, innovation and digital transformation in healthcare, as well as strengthening the conditions to ensure the quality of training, scientific research and healthcare services.

The university will also focus on expanding its training programmes, particularly in its strengths, and will prioritise postgraduate education to meet the growing demand for highly skilled professionals in the workforce.

Furthermore, the university plans to develop high-quality training programmes and international partnerships, offering joint courses that meet global standards. All educational programmes will undergo accreditation by both national and international standards.

In terms of scientific research, technology, innovation and digital transformation in healthcare, Ha Noi Medical University will concentrate on infectious and tropical diseases, non-communicable diseases and the causes of major epidemics.

It will also conduct research in gene-protein technology, diagnostic technologies, treatment methods and prevention strategies for emerging, complex diseases.

The university will foster the development of strong research groups, apply artificial intelligence in research and push forward with technology transfer.

It will expand its network of academic-industry partnerships and commercialise scientific and technological products.

Additionally, Ha Noi Medical University will work to enhance the quality of its educational and healthcare services by expanding its campus and laboratory facilities.

New training centres and practical facilities will be built to meet the demands of growing enrolment and improve the quality of education.

The university will also expand its network of affiliated hospitals in Ha Noi, Thanh Hoa, Bac Ninh and other provinces. VNS
This was part of efforts to train semiconductor engineers and promote STEM education (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics).

Do Tien Thinh, NIC's deputy director

A seminar on the subject will also be taking place on April 11 in Ho Chi Minh City. The event aimed to discuss training in STEM fields, connect students with universities and businesses sectors, and help students shape their future career paths and understand industry demands.

At the seminar in Hanoi on April 9, Do Tien Thinh, NIC's deputy director, stated that Vietnam is facing numerous opportunities and challenges in the digital era, where science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation are inevitable trends and developing rapidly.

"In this context, building a generation of Vietnamese personnel ready for the future, equipped with innovative thinking, technological skills, and the ability to adapt to the digital economy, is crucial. Therefore, promoting education in STEM fields is considered by many countries one of the key solutions to enhancing a high-quality workforce for the future," he emphasised.

Ian Crichton, CEO of Study Group

Ian Crichton, CEO of Study Group, said that they have partnered with the top universities in the US related to software, technology, and business. "These schools meet high academic standards and are located in diverse geographical areas. This means that no matter which part of the US a Vietnamese student wants to study in, we can recommend a suitable school in our partner system."

In terms of teaching quality, all these schools apply the active learning model, a method that helps students deeply participate in projects, have practical contact with businesses, practice problem-solving skills, and critical thinking. These skills are essential for future work.

"In addition, all the universities we are affiliated with, have very close relationships with leading companies in the US  from large corporations such as Google, Nvidia, Microsoft, and Amazon, to smaller but very innovative businesses with advanced technology. Access to these companies from universities is extremely convenient," Crichton emphasised.

The seminars aim to encourage learning and research in STEM fields by sharing solutions, support programmes, and scholarships for students, particularly in the semiconductor industry. International speakers from Study Group introduced STEM education programmes in the US, as well as shared experiences about studying abroad and career trends in STEM industries.

Ministry of Finance to encourage AI and semiconductor R&D Vietnam holds great potential for businesses from all over the world who wish to invest in the semiconductor and AI industries, according to Deputy Minister of Finance Nguyen Duc Tam.

Vietnam's strategy for semiconductors and AI in the new era At the AI-Semiconductor international conference's policy forum on March 14, the world's leading experts made important suggestions for Vietnam to affirm its position on the global technology map.

Launching the Vietnam Semiconductor Innovation Centre The Vietnam Semiconductor Innovation Centre (VSIC) and the semiconductor startup incubation space FPT-AICHIP was inaugurated by the National Innovation Centre (NIC) and FPT Semiconductor, a subsidiary of FPT Corporation, along with technology partners on March 28 in Hanoi.
The inaugural technical meeting marked a critical milestone in providing advisory support for Vietnam's efforts to integrate renewable energy and strengthen grid resilience in alignment with the national Power Development Plan 8 (PDP8).

As critical infrastructure for Vietnam's evolving power system, Battery Energy Storage Systems deliver multiple strategic benefits, including renewable energy integration, enhanced grid stability, frequency regulation, and peak shaving capabilities.

Vietnam's clean energy ambitions have grown significantly in the updated draft PDP8 revision, which now proposes between 10,000 and 16,300 MW of battery storage capacity by 2030a transformative investment in the country's energy security and sustainability.

"This task force demonstrates GEAPP's firm commitment to supporting Vietnam's government in its energy transition," said Kitty Bu, vice president for Southeast Asia at GEAPP. "By uniting key stakeholders, we are providing technical expertise to help Vietnam achieve its renewable energy goals and strengthen grid stability. Our alliance stands ready to support Vietnam's leadership in building a resilient, sustainable energy future."

Operating under VEPG's Technical Working Group 3 (TWG3) on Grid Integration and Grid Infrastructure, this specialised working group brings together diverse representatives from government agencies, the national utility, research institutions, international development partners, and embassies. Facilitated by GEAPP, this collaborative platform aims to provide technical support and advisory services while addressing barriers to battery storage deployment in alignment with Vietnam's energy priorities.

The inaugural meeting in Hanoi convened stakeholders to share insights and align on priorities for supporting battery storage deployment. Throughout the session, participants discussed opportunities and challenges related to policy frameworks, technical standards, and investment readinessreinforcing a shared commitment to advancing BESS as a key enabler of Vietnam's clean energy transition.

Advisory support will focus on several key strategic areas critical to facilitating large-scale energy storage deployment, including: policy and regulatory frameworks, financial mechanisms, market integration, technical standards, business models, capacity building, and alignment with national energy goals.

In the coming months, a series of technical studies and knowledge resources will be developed, covering international best practices, technical capabilities, pricing mechanisms, ownership structures, financing approaches, and technical standardsall tailored to Vietnam's specific context.

Through its collaborative, cross-sectoral approach, this advisory platform aims to become a valuable resource for Vietnam's energy sector, helping to provide technical expertise for a clean, reliable, and affordable power system. Working together, stakeholders will advance towards the realisation of PDP8 targets while reinforcing Vietnam's leadership in energy innovation and transition.

Marubeni demonstrates its 3.7MWh Battery Energy Storage System Japan's Marubeni Corporation, through its wholly owned subsidiary Marubeni Green Power Vietnam Co., Ltd, has commenced a demonstration of its 3.7MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) on December 20.

Embracing battery energy storage systems to power Vietnams green growth As renewable energy becomes a cornerstone of Vietnams climate and development strategies, the need to meet the countrys rapidly growing power demand becomes more urgent.
On April 10, the Department of Climate Change under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MoAE), in collaboration with the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), co-hosted the 2025 Vietnam Carbon Market Forum.

Dr. Tang The Cuong, director general of the Department of Climate Change at MoAE, emphasised that Vietnams commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 is an ambitious yet attainable goal. However, he stressed that this will require a much more robust energy transition, the development of low-emission technologies, and a comprehensive suite of other actions.

Dr. Tang The Cuong, director general of the Department of Climate Change at MoAE speech at the forum. Photo: IFC

Building and developing a carbon market is a strategic step towards green growth and achieving net-zero, added Cuong. However, to ensure its effectiveness, Vietnam must swiftly complete its legal framework, issue a decree on the carbon exchange, set standards for carbon credits, and invest in training a high-quality workforce in this sector.

In January, Vietnam's plan for establishing and developing Vietnams carbon market was approved, with the roadmap outlining three key phases.

The first, before June, focuses on developing the legal framework and technical infrastructure; the second, from June to the end of 2028, involves piloting the market mechanism; and the final phase, starting in 2029, will see the market operating at a national scale.

To effectively implement the plan, the MoAE is working closely with the Ministry of Finance to draft a decree on the domestic carbon exchange platform, as well as regulations governing international carbon trading under the Paris Agreement framework.

Simultaneously, efforts to promote the voluntary carbon market are accelerating, aiming to encourage proactive participation from the private sector. Many businesses, particularly in green finance and sustainable projects, have begun to engage actively in this area.

Representing the international research community, Elvira Morella, country advisory and economics manager at the IFC, underscored the critical role of the private sector in innovation and sustainable practices as Vietnam advances towards its 2050 net-zero target.

"There are three essential factors for an effective carbon market. First is ensuring environmental integrity by developing and implementing a robust monitoring, reporting, and verification system to accurately track greenhouse gas emissions, she said.

The second aspect is establishing a clear legal framework aligned with international standards to build market confidence and attract participants, and the third is enhancing capacity and encouraging stakeholder engagement to ensure all parties understand the markets mechanisms and their roles within it.

Through close collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and bold action, Vietnam can build a strong carbon market that benefits both the economy and the environment, Morella added.

Elvira Morella, country advisory and economics manager at IFC. Photo: IFC

At the forum, the IFC reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Vietnam on this critical journey. Alongside the World Bank Group, it aims to scale up its climate programme in Vietnam through direct financing and by catalysing private investment into green projects and climate-related capital flows.

We hope to continue supporting Vietnam in developing its green standards and policies, and most importantly, encouraging greater private sector participation in the carbon market, added Morella.

Sibylle Bachmann, head of Cooperation at the Embassy of Switzerland in Vietnam, stressed the importance of active private sector engagement for a functional carbon market.

Citing Switzerlands experience, Bachmann noted that her country, highly industrialised and equipped with a comprehensive climate change legal framework, has achieved significant progress through strong international cooperation.

Switzerland has committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 and completed its first international carbon credit transaction under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, with Bachmann highlighting the nations partnerships with low- and middle-income countries, including Vietnam.

With the goal of promoting a green economy, climate finance will remain a core priority in our cooperation with Vietnam from now to 2028. Switzerland is committed to supporting Vietnam in reaching net-zero. We expect Vietnamese enterprises to take proactive, innovative steps towards building a transparent carbon market that translates global climate goals into meaningful action, added Bachmann.

Sibylle Bachmann, head of Cooperation at Embassy of Switzerland in Vietnam. Photo: IFC

Also at the forum, the Department of Climate Change and the IFC released a report on Vietnamese businesses readiness to participate in the carbon market, covering rice production, food and beverage processing, livestock, and waste management.

The results indicate that most surveyed businesses recognise that greenhouse gas reduction efforts can be turned into carbon credit projects, offering both environmental benefits and potential revenue.

Enterprises subject to mandatory greenhouse gas inventories show higher compliance with emissions reporting and verification, while those not under such mandates rely primarily on voluntary initiatives. However, awareness and readiness to engage in the voluntary carbon market remain limited, said a Department of Climate Change representative.

Carbon labels: a gateway to high-value global markets In an era where sustainability is not just a choice but a requirement, carbon labelling is emerging as a crucial factor for exporters.

Leveraging technology for ESG reporting and green finance management In a rapidly integrating global economy, embracing digital tools and green finance will be instrumental in securing long-term business resilience.

Vietnamese startups drive growth in circular economy After more than seven months, the Towards Zero Waste Accelerator concluded with a high-profile Demo Day on April 4, where 10 selected green startups pitched their circular business models to over 100 consultants, businesses, and organisations in Ho Chi Minh City.

UGREEN Unveils AI-Powered NASync iDX Series at NAB 2025 for Creators UGREEN, a global leader in consumer electronics and charging technology, is showcasing its innovative NASync series at the NAB Show in Las Vegas.

UOB Vietnam and NAVICO expand green finance for Vietnams aquaculture sector United Overseas Bank (Vietnam) and Nam Viet Corporation signed a green trade finance agreement on April 4, reinforcing their commitment to advancing sustainable aquaculture in Vietnam.

ACCA event highlights technology's role in sustainability practices The commitment of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) to supporting firms in their development was evidenced at a conference on technology's role in applying sustainability practices that took place in Ho Chi Minh City on March 12.
This mission is part of an ongoing initiative that provided $2 million in urgent relief support through UNICEF and IOM to children and families affected by Typhoon Yagi in Vietnam.

The urgent support for Typhoon Yagi relief in Vietnam, funded by the government of Japan and led by IOM and UNICEF in collaboration with national and local partners, runs from 2024 to 2025. This initiative is providing essential water, sanitation, hygiene and child protection services through UNICEF Vietnam, benefiting 21,251 people.

Additionally, IOM Vietnam will offer emergency shelter and non-food items to nearly 17,000 individuals in Cao Bang and other hardest-hit provinces.

"I am pleased to witness the real impact of the humanitarian assistance in setting a strong course for recovery through trusted partners such as IOM and UNICEF," said Ito Naoki, Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam, at the meeting with Cao Bang People's Committee on April 9. "Japan and Vietnam share a longstanding partnership. As a country with extensive experience in disaster prevention, Japan brings a wealth of knowledge. From the perspective of disaster prevention measures, we are committed to continued cooperation with Vietnam to achieve our collective vision of a strong, prosperous and resilient Vietnam."

The joint visit reaffirmed commitment and solidarity with affected communities and aimed to review the delivery of emergency support in Cao Bang, one of the poorest provinces in the country, which was also severely affected by Typhoon Yagi.

The delegation learnt from affected population about the progress of the projects, engaged with local authorities, visited initiative sites, and participated in various activities to encourage disaster risk reduction, climate resilience and child protection.

The delegation visited Kim Cuc commune, classified as an extremely difficult area, where they observed first-hand the typhoon's impact on people's lives. They witnessed UNICEF's results in improving access to clean water, sanitation, child protection and psychological support for women and children.

At the local school, they participated in an event with primary school children focused on disaster risk reduction and climate resilience through painting and traditional games. Additionally, they visited a UNICEF-supported counselling space for students.

"We sincerely thank the government of Japan for its steadfast partnership with UNICEF. Their support has been crucial in assisting vulnerable children and families in Cao Bang most affected by Typhoon Yagi. This collaboration addresses urgent humanitarian needs and lays the foundation for long-term climate resilience for children in Vietnam," UNICEF Representative Silvia Danailov said. "Children are extremely vulnerable to climate shocks, as evidenced by the Childrens Climate Risk Index. UNICEF is committed to continue working on disaster preparedness, climate-resilient infrastructure, and child protection, along with our emergency interventions - including humanitarian supplies, capacity building, and mental health support, which are essential to our mission"

The delegation also attended in the groundbreaking ceremony of the evacuation centre at Dinh Phung commune, one of the most typhoon-affected communities with safer and more durable facilities.

The support from IOM, funded by the government of Japan, will help address the needs of over 3,000 individuals, especially children and families for temporary evacuation in case of emergency, and increasing their resilience against future disasters.

"IOM is proud to partner with the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, Viet Nam Red Cross Society, and local authorities to provide life-saving non-food item to nearly 17,000 individuals in five provinces in Northern Vietnam, with the support from the government of Japan," said Kendra Rinas, Chief of Mission of IOM Vietnam. "In addition to emergency supplies, the project raised awareness on self-protection during typhoon and flood seasons. Together with the evacuation centre, our holistic approach will set a strong course for recovery. More important than ever, we must work closely to achieve our collective vision of strong, prosperous and resilient communities in Vietnam."
Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan on April 3 received a delegation led by Mr Burak Pekmezci, Country Lead of Sanofi-Aventis Vietnam Co., Ltd. The meeting was also attended by representatives from the Ministry of Healths departments and units, as well as delegates from Sanofi.

Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan and Mr. Burak Pekmezci  Country Lead of Sanofi-Aventis Vietnam Co., Ltd. took a commemorative photo. Photo: The Ministry of Health

Improvements in need

During the meeting, Mr Pekmezci expressed appreciation for the improvements in Vietnams pharmaceutical regulatory environment and acknowledged recent achievements in licensing and renewing marketing authorisations (MAs). He noted that the number of MAs licensed and renewed in the first 11 months of 2024 was equivalent to the total for the previous five years combined.

He also shared that, during a recent meeting with the Prime Minister on March 2, Sanofi had proposed applying a "reliance mechanism" to accelerate access to new medicines in Vietnam.

We are very pleased to see that the Drug Administration of Vietnam has carefully studied the content of the reliance mechanism and included it in a draft circular amending current drug registration regulations, aligned with regional best practices, he shared.

Although the draft continues to be refined, we believe that with the commitment of the Ministry of Health and the openness to feedback, the mechanism will be effectively implemented.

Regarding drug supply, Mr Pekmezci welcomed the simplification measures in the revised Pharmacy Law and the new draft circular on drug registration, including digital transformation initiatives to streamline dossier processing.

Mr. Burak Pekmezci, Country Lead of Sanofi-Aventis Vietnam Co., Ltd. spoke at the meeting. Photo: The Ministry of Health

Sanofi is a leader in digital transformation and AI application in pharmaceuticals. We are ready to share our experience with Vietnamese authorities to help ensure digital transformation goes beyond digitisationapplying AI to screen records and support experts in dossier evaluation, he said.

He also expressed support for the inclusion of the amended Law on Disease Prevention in the National Assembly's 2025 legislative programme, saying it would help the country adopt new preventive health solutions more efficiently.

According to Hoang Minh Duc, Director of the Ministrys Department of Preventive Medicine, the draft law will be submitted for feedback this year. It proposes the addition of new preventive therapies alongside vaccines to meet evolving public health needs.

Responding to Sanofis interest in the health insurance drug list, a ministry representative said the list is under revision and expected to be issued after guiding documents for the amended Law on Health Insurance take effect in July 2025.

Minister Dao Hong Lan shared appreciation for Sanofis engagement and contributions to improving policies and institutional frameworks in Vietnams health sector.

Five cooperation proposals

At the meeting, Sanofi outlined five proposed areas of collaboration with the Ministry of Health:

Capacity building: Training programmes to enhance the evaluation capabilities of experts, particularly in reviewing clinical development guidelines and documentation. Support for rare disease patients: Sanofi highlighted its nearly 30-year commitment to supporting rare disease diagnosis and treatment in Vietnam. Through its ICAP International Humanitarian Medicines Access Programme, the company has provided annual support worth hundreds of billions of VND. Sanofi also signed a MoU in February with the Department of Medical Service Administration and other multinational firms to improve care for rare disease patients. It now proposes further support to the Department of Health Insurance in researching new financial models and sharing global best practices. Vaccine testing cooperation: Sanofi is working with the National Institute for Control of Vaccines and Biologicals on a programme to transfer technology for new vaccine testing methods, share international experience on reliance mechanisms, and train staff on vaccination safety. The company hopes to formalise this with a MoU covering 20252027. Preventive health collaboration: Sanofi proposed a strategic partnership with the Department of Disease Prevention to enhance Vietnams preventive health system. This would include legal and policy support, promoting lifelong vaccination, and raising public awareness of immunisation. A three-year MoU is also expected to be signed in the second quarter of 2025. Diabetes care: Sanofi is working with the Vietnam Endocrinology - Diabetes Association to support the Department of Medical Service Administration in rolling out the iSTEP-D Plus online diabetes management training programme. In 2025, the programme aims to train 3,600 healthcare professionals in 18 provinces and cities nationwide.

Minister Dao Hong Lan welcomed Sanofis initiatives and declared their alignment with the ministrys priorities. She instructed relevant units to coordinate closely with Sanofi to ensure timely and effective collaboration.

Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan delivered remarks during a meeting with Mr. Burak Pekmezci  Country Lead of Sanofi-Aventis Vietnam Co., Ltd. Photo: The Ministry of Health

The Ministry always listens to business feedback and works to resolve challenges, with the ultimate goal of creating the most favourable conditions for companies to operate, she said.

Sanofi steps up efforts to boost community health in Vietnam Sanofi is continuing to step up its efforts to boost community health in Vietnam.

Sanofi hosts series of seminars on influenza Sanofi Southeast Asia and India organised a series of scientific seminars on influenza between November 11-13 in Ho Chi Minh City, attracting over 400 healthcare professionals from around the globe.
Apartment prices have hit their highest ever in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo Le Toan

Compared to the previous quarter alone, prices rose 28 per cent, driven largely by the launch of new luxury and high-end projects, all priced above VND100 million ($,4000 per sq.m). These developments were launched by major real estate firms such as Masterise Homes, Vinhomes, Gamuda Land, and CapitaLand.

The consistent price hikes are a direct result of the dominance of premium and luxury apartment launches in Q1, said Trang Bui, country head of Cushman & Wakefield Vietnam. These projects have significantly elevated the citys overall price level, she said.

New supply remains concentrated in the east and central districts with a strong focus on high-end developments, accounting for 53 per cent of total market supply. Mid-range housing, priced around VND60 million ($2,400) per sq.m, remains limited and is mostly found in the south and west, which represent 19 and 15 per cent of new supply, respectively.

However, soaring prices have weighed heavily on buyer demand. The number of successfully sold units in Q1 fell by 58 per cent on-quarter, with only 1,100 transactions recorded, a sharp decline in liquidity reflecting the widening mismatch between supply and demand.

Despite efforts from developers to boost sales, including payment deferrals of up to three years and discounts ranging from 10 to 25 per cent, buyer appetite remains subdued, said Trang.

Knight Frank Vietnams data shows the citys average apartment price reached nearly $3,650 per sq.m in Q1, a 12 per cent on-year increase, while transactions dropped 47 per cent compared to the last quarter of 2024.

In the remaining quarters of 2025, approximately 5,900 new units are expected to enter the Ho Chi Minh City apartment market. In the next three years, HCMC is forecasted to welcome around 56,000 units. Demand is projected to recover after reaching its bottom in 2023, while selling prices should rise steadily thanks to supply expanding to suburban areas, bringing more diversity and affordability.

By 2028, Ho Chi Minh Citys overall selling price is expected to be nearly $4,300 per sq.m.

"The apartment market in Ho Chi Minh City is experiencing a slow recovery as new supply remains limited. While demand has been slow, reputable projects are still achieving positive sales, particularly in satellite areas, as buyers seek more affordable options amid supply shortages and legal obstacles. Looking ahead, the market is expected to recover, driven by a new legal framework and the development of numerous infrastructure projects," said Son Hoang, valuation and advisory associate director at Knight Frank Vietnam.

Tall building forum held in Ho Chi Minh City Ho Chi Minh City is one of the fastest growing spots for urbanisation and tall buildings in Southeast Asia, and there is great potential to develop this segment further, according to experts at the Tall Buiding Forum held in Ho Chi Minh City on May 28.
Noam Mizrahi, CTO of Marvell Group and Deputy Minister of Finance Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc

At the meeting at the headquarters of the Ministry of Finance (MoF), Deputy Minister Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc said she appreciated the activities of Marvell Group in Vietnam.

She welcomed Marvell Group, an American company, headquartered in California, which develops semiconductors and related technology, for many initiatives to support Vietnam in developing the semiconductor industry, especially its close cooperation with the National Innovation Centre in developing the ecosystem and personnel of the semiconductor industry.

The Vietnamese government has approved the Semiconductor Human Resource Development Programme to 2030 with a vision to 2050 and the Vietnam Semiconductor Industry Development Strategy to 2030 with a vision to 2050. In particular, the MoF assigned the NIC to preside over the implementation of the human resource development initiative with the goal of training 50,000 engineers by 2030.

Going forward, Ngoc requested Marvell Group to speed up progress and expand cooperation with Vietnam in implementing the human resource training initiative for the semiconductor industry.

At the same time, she requested Marvell Group to continue expanding its business, research and development in Vietnam, contributing to the development of the semiconductor industry ecosystem here.

Noam Mizrahi expressed his agreement with the proposals of the deputy minister. He said that the group has been closely cooperating with NIC and universities in Vietnam in training and human resource development and deeply participating in connecting technology corporations. Promoting those results, Mizrahi also proposed some breakthrough policies to develop the semiconductor industry in Vietnam.

National Innovation Centre launches AI training initiative The National Innovation Centre (NIC) under the Ministry of Finance, in collaboration with Intel, launched the AI for all initiative on April 2, which is a self-learning course designed for all Vietnamese citizens.

FPT launches high-tech R&D centre in Danang FPT Corporation launched a research and development (R&D) centre for high-tech and semiconductor chips in Danang on March 27, underscoring its commitment to the digital transformation of the coastal city and its aspiration of becoming 'Silicon Bay'.

Launching the Vietnam Semiconductor Innovation Centre The Vietnam Semiconductor Innovation Centre (VSIC) and the semiconductor startup incubation space FPT-AICHIP was inaugurated by the National Innovation Centre (NIC) and FPT Semiconductor, a subsidiary of FPT Corporation, along with technology partners on March 28 in Hanoi.
Minister of Finance Nguyen Van Thang (left) at AFMGM 12

These discussions took place as part of the 12th ASEAN Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (AFMGM 12) Meeting in Kuala Lumpur on April 9.

Minister Thang shared the viewpoints and initiatives of Vietnam to deepen collaboration between ASEAN nations, as well as between ASEAN and the international business community. The minister also highlighted important issues on finance and trade.

"Special attention is paid to the US reciprocal tariffs on ASEAN countries. This not only heavily hits ASEANs exports to the US but also directly affects businesses. The move will raise input costs for American firms, while American consumers will bear the higher prices," Thang said. We hope American businesses raise their voice to the US government to adjust the policies to maintain good relations between the US and ASEAN countries. This will bring benefits not only to ASEAN countries but also to the US and American businesses alike.

The minister noted that Vietnam was committed to administrative reforms and shortening decision-making time, ensuring the synchronous and stable operation of the legal regulations, and encouraging economic and financial integration within the ASEAN framework. Vietnam continues to make positive contributions to connecting investment, trade, and finance in the region.

Fluctuations in global trade policies can affect the value chain and investment flows. In this context, we hope US-ABC acts as a bridge to connect the American business community with ASEAN, supporting countries in the region, including Vietnam, to adapt to changes and promote fair and sustainable trade, the minister said.

During a key dialogue between ASEAN ministers and EU ABC, Minister Thang said, Vietnam wishes to strengthen collaboration with European partners and countries, which pioneer sustainable development. Hopefully, the EU can share experience to manage and perfect the policy and attract green finance. We encourage European business and financial organisations to invest in key sectors such as green infrastructure, renewable energy, sustainable transport, and climate change response.

Vietnam also agrees with ASEAN's common priorities on sustainable development. Vietnam is actively participating in developing regional tools such as the ASEAN Taxonomy and the carbon credit market. This is coupled with effectively implementing the Measurement, Reporting, and Verification mechanism to ensure transparency and credibility in emissions management.

On this occasion, we call on EU ABC to increase technical, technological, and financial support for Vietnam as well as ASEAN countries in the energy transition and building sustainable financial markets. This is an important driving force for the region to move towards more inclusive and resilient development in the future, the minister said.

Green finance development is one of the priority pillars of the Vietnamese government to realise a commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Along with the National Strategy on Green Growth for 2021-2030, Vietnam has a system of policies and legal regulations to create the framework for green finance, including incentive mechanisms for green bond issuance and guidelines for identifying and classifying green projects.

At the dialogue between AFMGM and ABAC, Minister Thang said he appreciated the discussions to improve the competitiveness of the supply chain. Strategically located in the centre of Southeast Asia, Vietnam is becoming an attractive destination for the regional and global value chain. The country has stepped up its efforts to improve the investment climate, streamline administrative procedures, and raise logistics infrastructure capabilities, thereby better facilitating manufacturing, business activities, and cross-border trade.

Vietnam looks forward to extensive collaboration with ABAC in connecting with regional companies and developing a sustainable supply chain, especially in the energy, technology, and smart agriculture sectors, the minister noted.

The minister also acknowledged the positive role of ABAC in encouraging regional financial flows, supporting capital markets, and improving access to indirect investment capital.

Vietnam expects ABAC to accompany us in the process of perfecting policies and developing financial market infrastructure, contributing to the transparency and resilience of the national financial system, the minister added.

Ministry of Finance and World Bank discuss new ODA-funded projects Minister of Finance Nguyen Van Thang met with Mariam Sherman, World Bank division director for Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos in Hanoi on March 21 to discuss upcoming projects using official development assistance (ODA).

Ministry of Finance proposes reduction in preferential import taxes The Ministry of Finance is proposing a reduction in preferential import taxes on several imported goods, including cars, timber, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and agricultural products, such as chicken thighs, cherries, and apples.
Photo: Le Toan

Wood and wood products are among Vietnams top export sectors to the United States. Last year, the export value of Vietnamese wood products to this market exceeded $9 billion, accounting for 3840 per cent of the total US import volume for this product group, according to Ngo Sy Hoai, vice chairman and general secretary of the Vietnam Timber and Forest Products Association (VIFORES). This positions the industry as one of the nations top contributors to its trade surplus.

In contrast, Vietnam imports only about $323 million worth of timber from the US annually, of which approximately $300 million consists of raw materials such as oak and ash. These are processed domestically into finished goods and re-exported, often back to the US market. Notably, Vietnam is now the second-largest importer of US timber globally, as the US continues its search for stable export destinations.

Each year, the US imports around $2324 billion worth of wooden furniture, with Vietnam supplying roughly 38-40 per cent of the total. These exports primarily consist of high-quality, value-added wooden products, manufactured in Vietnam with the support of a competitively priced labour force.

Hoai attributes this rapid growth in exports to the US to the US-China trade tensions that began in 2018. Since then, Chinese wooden products have been subjected to tariffs ranging from 25 per cent to over 200 per cent, whereas Vietnam has not been affected by any tariff changes.

This has been a golden opportunity for Vietnamese firms to import raw timber from the US and export high-quality finished products in return, Hoai said.

He added that this trend aligns well with the supply chain diversification strategies pursued by both the Trump and Biden administrations.

Vietnam has since become the second-largest supplier of wooden furniture to the US, a breakthrough development that has also drawn increased scrutiny from US trade authorities. Despite undergoing several investigations, Vietnam's wood sector has successfully reached technical cooperation agreements with US agencies, affirming its commitment to using legally sourced timber.

In response to the newly proposed, thought currently paused, 46 per cent tariff rate, deemed a shock by many, both foreign-invested and domestic enterprises are actively seeking ways to adapt. Hoai noted that exiting the US market is not currently under consideration, given the complexities of shifting production to other countries.

As a short-term response, businesses should remain composed and place their trust in ongoing government negotiations. A significant signal of goodwill, according to Hoai, is Vietnams decision to waive import duties on timber shipments from the US, an act demonstrating the countrys cooperative intent at the highest levels.

Looking ahead, the wood industry is calling for financial and fiscal policy support, similar to those rolled out during the COVID-19 period, such as tax deferrals, debt rescheduling, and land rent reductions, to help businesses weather current challenges.

In every crisis lies opportunity, Hoai said, suggesting that the current challenges may serve as a catalyst for Vietnam to restructure its wood industry. The goal is to focus more on high value-added segments, particularly furniture manufacturing, where the country holds strong competitive advantages.
Nguyen Chi Trung, CEO and managing partner of Grant Thornton Vietnam.

This policy imposes a steep tariff on a vast majority of Vietnamese goods, positioning Vietnam as one of the most heavily taxed exporters to the US market. Key industries, including textiles, electronics, footwear, and wood products, are bracing for a profound shock.

In 2024, Vietnam's exports to the US totalled $119.5 billion, with these sectors representing significant portions: textiles ($16.2 billion, 13.5 per cent), electronics ($23.2 billion, 19.4 per cent), footwear ($8.3 billion), and wood products ($9 billion). The 46 per cent tariff, acting as a substantial surcharge, will drastically undermine the competitiveness of these Vietnamese products.

The textiles sector, reliant on the US for nearly 50 per cent of its output, faces immediate disruption. Increased costs are likely to drive US buyers towards cheaper alternatives in countries like Bangladesh or India. Footwear manufacturers, suppliers to major brands like Nike and Adidas, will struggle to maintain profit margins. The electronics sector, a key manufacturing hub, will see its strategic advantage eroded, potentially prompting costly and disruptive relocations. The wood and furniture industry, which heavily depends on the US market, faces similar risks, further complicated by past scrutiny.

In summary, the 46 per cent tariff poses a direct and significant threat to Vietnam's export sector. A sharp decline in export volumes, substantial revenue losses, potential job cuts, and widespread supply chain disruptions are imminent.

It is crucial for the government to adopt strategic policies to remove obstacles, support negotiations with the US, and leverage free trade agreements to navigate these challenges and seize new opportunities. To mitigate this impact, Vietnam should prioritise many parallel solutions, including strengthening diplomatic engagement, enhancing trade facilitation, leveraging trade agreements, supporting domestic industries, encouraging innovation and value addition, and strengthening regional cooperation.

To mitigate the adverse effects of the new tariffs, Vietnam should prioritise diplomatic engagement with the US. Establishing a high-level dialogue to negotiate mutually beneficial outcomes can help alleviate some of the tariff burdens. This approach requires a dedicated task force comprising representatives from relevant ministries, industry associations, and key stakeholders to present a unified front in negotiations. The immediate objective is to negotiate with the US to extend the timeframe. Instead of implementing it from April 9, negotiations should aim to achieve a delay and use that time for further agreements.

Improving trade facilitation measures is essential to reduce the cost and time associated with exporting goods. The government should streamline customs procedures, enhance transparency, and adopt digital solutions to expedite trade processes. By reducing bureaucratic hurdles, Vietnam can enhance its competitiveness and attract more foreign investment.

Vietnam has a robust network of trade deals, including agreements with the European Union, Canada, and several ASEAN countries. The government should actively promote these agreements to diversify export markets and reduce dependency on the US. This involves organising trade missions, participating in international trade fairs, and providing support to businesses.

To cushion the impact of the tariffs, the government should provide targeted support to key export sectors such as electronics, textiles, wood products, and footwear. This support can include financial incentives, tax breaks, and subsidies to help businesses absorb the increased costs and maintain their competitiveness in the global market.

In addition, Vietnam should focus on enhancing the value addition of its exports by promoting innovation and technology adoption. Investing in research and development, fostering public-private partnerships, and providing incentives for high-tech industries can help Vietnamese products move up the value chain and reduce vulnerability to tariff shocks.

Last but not least, Vietnam should strengthen its regional cooperation efforts, particularly within ASEAN, to create a more integrated and resilient supply chain. Collaborating with neighbouring countries on trade facilitation, infrastructure development, and regulatory harmonisation can enhance Vietnam's position as a regional trade hub.

Vietnam should seek dialogue to cope with reciprocal tariff policy The US' 46 per cent reciprocal tariff policy will significantly impact Vietnams export markets. VIRs Bich Ngoc spoke with Vlad Savin, a partner from Acclime Vietnam, about his views on the matter.

The impact of Trumps tariffs on Vietnam The April 3 announcement that the Trump administration will impose 46 per cent reciprocal tariffs on Vietnam from April 9 was completely unexpected. Michael Kokalari, chief economist from VinaCapital, analyses the impact and potential solutions Vietnam should take.
However, the recent tariff announcement by the United States casts a shadow of uncertainty, with potential implications for various segments of the market.

Alex Crane, managing director, Knight Frank Vietnam

While manufacturing has shown resilience, it is still on the path to full recovery from the pandemic, particularly in labour-intensive sectors like garments and furniture. Tariffs imposed now would not have as severe an impact as they might have during Vietnams 2019 peak, but consequences are still expected.

The surge of activity from Chinese manufacturers relocating to Vietnam may taper off, replaced by more measured, demand-driven growth. Continued onshoring by multinational corporations suggests Vietnams manufacturing landscape may resemble the market in 2016, when international investment began to expand more broadly, a period marked by healthy, sustainable development.

Office markets in both Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi have been buoyed by high-value sectors such as technology, research and development, and professional services. These job functions, many of which could be located anywhere globally, have taken root in Vietnam and are unlikely to vanish in the near term, although they remain relatively exposed. Unlike the pre-Covid era, when occupancy was heavily reliant on volatile sectors like finance, insurance, and e-commerce, todays tenant base is more diverse and structurally resilient.

Retail and hospitality, meanwhile, remain in the early stages of post-Covid recovery. While occupancy has improved, average daily room rates in hospitality and average rental yields in retail remain relatively modest. Local consumer sentiment will be the key driver in the short term, and both sectors may remain under scrutiny until a more definitive recovery trend emerges.

Vietnams residential market continues to be sentiment-driven. Real estate is widely viewed as a safer investment than equities, especially among domestic private investors. While the prime segment may feel the initial impact of economic uncertainty, demand for affordable and mid-range housing remains strong amid ongoing supply shortages. This dynamic reflects a foundation of real occupancy needs rather than speculative interest, mirroring market behaviour seen in 2022 and 2023.

Things that we know so far are major transactions, especially those involving large capital outlays, are being paused or undergoing extended due diligence as investors and developers reassess assumptions and underwriting models, and commercial occupiers are expected to defer large capital expenditures in the short term.

Many others remain uncertain. The full scope of supply chain disruption and associated cost pressures, such as logistics and freight, and their cumulative effect on input costs, though Vietnams baseline advantage over the US remains unchanged. The depth and duration of the impact on commercial and residential leasing/sales volumes, which will affect project appraisals and underwriting confidence. In addition, the response from the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV), particularly regarding monetary policy.

While a rate cut may not effectively stimulate residential demand (as demonstrated in 2024), targeted lending for key industries and easing of loan-to-value ratios or debt-to-income limits for developers could provide relief.

At present, most segments of the real estate market are in a holding pattern, awaiting clarity from the evolving negotiations between the Vietnamese and US governments. While uncertainty is unsettling, Vietnams underlying fundamentals remain sound, and the markets long-term outlook is still viewed positively.

Vietnam's real estate market ranked third in region Vietnam's real estate sector is among the top three emerging regional markets in 2025, alongside India and Indonesia, in terms of industrial and investment growth, according to the Horizon Report Outlook 2025 by Knight Frank Asia-Pacific released on February 14.

Real estate firms embark on recruitment drive as market warms up Southern real estate firms are in a rush to recruit new staff, particularly brokers, to cope with an influx of new developments that are set to be released onto the market.
Do you have questions concerning Homeless Outreach Proactive Engagement or Neighborhood Policing Unit teams in the City of Sparks?

Are you curious about how these agencies are addressing retail theft, homelessness, and their efforts to enhance the quality of life for Sparks' citizens and visitors?

Sparks Police invites the community to join them for Coffee with a Cop, where theyll discuss key issues like retail theft, homelessness, and efforts to improve quality of life in the city.

In an online Facebook post, the Sparks Police Department invites the public to visit Glory Cloud, located at 10 Greg Street unit #122 in Sparks, on April 9 from 8 to 11 a.m.

This informal gathering offers residents a chance to connect with local officers and share concerns.

(The Sparks Police Department contributed to this story.)
Nicholas Loving, who allegedly beat his five-year-old daughter, has had his bail set at $10 million.

Loving is charged with child abuse resulting in substantial bodily harm after detectives found his five-year-old daughter Izebella dead in their Cold Springs home last week.

In the event Loving pays the $10 million, he is not to leave Washoe County and not allowed to have any contact with his wife and kids for 420 days.

Judge Kendra Bertschy for the Reno Justice Court, says in the hearing, "Just to make sure it's very clear he is to have no contact and stay 100 feet away from those individuals. He can have no contact with them in any way including by phone, person, text, electronic means, through social media, or directly, or through an agent."

This is not Loving's first charge of child abuse.

According to records, Loving was convicted in 2013 and sentenced to 36 to 96 months in prison after a two-year-old boy was rushed to the hospital by his mother and her boyfriend at the time, Nicholas Loving. Records say the boy had a "spiral" fracture in his left arm and a visible bite mark on his right shoulder. Loving ended up only serving 60 months on probation instead.

As we've been reporting, a detective found Izebella's body in an upstairs bedroom of the house on the ground and observed a lot of signs of trauma. Court documents say this included bruising to the face, pelvis, hips, the inside of both triceps, and genitals.

District Attorney Chris Hicks issued a statement saying, "Like so many in our community, my office was heartbroken to hear the death of Izebella Loving and the terrible injuries she suffered... My office's most experienced prosecutors are working closely with Sheriff's Office detectives as they complete their investigation. The district attorney's office will then methodically review the evidence and ensure all legally viable charges are pursued."

As of now, Loving is due back in court next week.
A man is in custody after allegedly making bomb threats near St. Marys Hospital Wednesday afternoon, prompting a swift police response and temporary road closures.

Reno Police say several calls began coming in around 4:13 p.m. reporting a man near Virginia and 6th Streets yelling that he had a bomb and was threatening to use it against St. Mary's Hospital.

Officers arrived quickly, closed both Virginia and 6th Streets.

The Consolidated Bomb Squad was called to respond, a backpack the suspect was carrying was inspected by bomb squad officers but was found to contain no explosives.

The man, identified as 58-year-old Ray Carr, who was reportedly uncooperative during the arrest was booked on charges of making a bomb threat and resisting arrest.

Roads in the area, which were closed during the investigation, have since reopened.

No injuries were reported.
The Nevada State Treasurer Zach Conine is calling out President Donald Trumps recent decision on tariffs.

On Wednesday, the President announced a pause on most tariffs for 90 days, while also increasing tariffs on China at the same time.

"Foreign countries do not bare the brunt of increased taxes they never have and never will," Conine said. "They are passed on through the supply chain to American consumers."

Trump has set and pulled back the imposed tariffs a few times now.

The State Treasurer says that the uncertainty is putting businesses on edge.

"As a result we see increases in prices as businesses are forced to navigate in an economic environment where they have absolutely no idea what policy the administration is going to announce next," Conine said. "We also have absolutely no idea in government."

Conine believes the tariffs could impact a lot of things here in silver state, but the tourism industry is a major concern for him.

"When the country is uncertain and the footing of the country is less unstable, the first thing they do is cancel their trips and when they cancel their trips the impact to the state's budget which more than a third comes from gaming taxes coming from the taxes of people who come here to consume," he said. "When those people don't come we get hurt."

Conine is in charge of about $10 billion of funds for the state.

He believes tariffs could impact car prices, groceries, and house building markets and also, current legislation lawmakers are trying to pass.

"But all of those efforts including any plan that the Governor or the legislature may have to address housing all those efforts get more expensive with tariffs like this," Conine said.

Some think tariffs can be a good thing for negotiations with trade, especially for China.

Washoe County GOP Chairman Bruce Parks sent us a statement saying, "The trade imbalance with China has existed for far too long so I am happy to see that our President is finally addressing this problem. Every President since Nixon has been aware that China is taking advantage of the United States, yet none of them did anything about it. I can only say; Its about time!"
The Reno Fire Department, in collaboration with State Farm and Waste Management of Northern Nevada, is encouraging residents to take part in the 2025 Reno Home Wildfire Fuels Reduction Dumpster Program.

This free initiative allows neighborhoods near the wildland-urban interface to dispose of dangerous yard debris to reduce fire risks.

New this year, residents in areas outside Reno Fire Department jurisdiction, including those served by Sparks and Truckee Meadows Fire Departments, can now apply.

The program, funded by grants from State Farm and Waste Management, offers 30-yard dumpsters delivered Fridays and picked up Mondays.

Applications are open online beginning Friday, April 11, until September 1, 2025, or until funding is exhausted, with limited availability.

Additional information and qualifications:

Residents must be located within Waste Management's service area to qualify.

Dumpsters are for one-time use only; they cannot be emptied and returned during the requested time period.

Dumpsters will be delivered and picked up according to Waste Management's schedule.

Priority will be given to neighborhoods in high fire-risk Wildland-Urban Interface areas.

Waste Management provides three 30-yard dumpsters each weekend for the program.

Dumpsters are intended to be used by the entire neighborhood.

Dumpsters are for the disposal of vegetative waste or yard debris/refuse ONLY.

Furniture, appliances, construction materials, hazardous materials, and chemicals are NOT allowed in the dumpsters.

For more information on the program, click this page on the City of Reno's website.
The Reno Fire Department launches their new heavy rescue vehicle, showcasing all the bells and whistles needed for high risk life saving situations.

A state-of-the-art, custom built set of wheels with special features and a variety of life saving tools.

The heavy rescue vehicle is designed with a platform of tools and equipment to help rescue people in major emergency situations. From structural collapses, trench or excavation entrapments, to confined spaces in every possible angle, this truck will extend rescue efforts beyond the basic fire vehicle.

We had the opportunity first hand to take part in one of their demonstrations and experience the process of how fire team is sent down for water rescues.

According to Peter Briant, Division Chief at the Reno Fire Department, "They're capabilities are such that for mass catastrophes, such as an earthquake where we had collapsed buildings, we can use the shoring and the tools, to be able to stabilize a building from collapsing further."

The new modernized equipment upgrades, will allow the fire rescue team to operate more effectively in all life-threatening, high-risk situations.

David Cochran, RFD's Fire Chief says. "We have a heavy rescue vehicle that we've been using its almost 40 years old, so this is a huge upgrade, and kudos to our whole team to the representatives from Makita who are here with us today as well, for all the work they did to outfit this vehicle and make it as function-able as possible."

The mechanics and operational elements, will allow the Urban Search and Rescue Team to navigate through complex operations alongside the Reno Fire Department on a larger scale. A much-needed, big boost that enhances rescue efforts in all emergency situations.

RFD is the only fire department in northern Nevada fitted with this type of vehicle.
On Tuesday, April 7th the South Lake Tahoe Police Department arrested 79-year-old Gilbert Avila for sexual assault and false imprisonment incidents that happened between 2016 and 2023.

Avila is now in custody in Nevada awaiting extradition.

Investigators found that Avila was employed as a local private security guard and used his position of perceived authority to approach women walking at night along local highways.

While driving a marked security vehicle and dressed in a uniform, Avila offered to help women who appeared to be in need; such as being intoxicated, vulnerable, or seeking help. After gaining their trust, these women became victims of unwanted sexual contact.

Authorities say Avila worked in private security at a local private security company in the South Lake Tahoe area for many years, including before the current charges.

The South Lake Tahoe Police Department is encouraging other victims that may have been involved to come forward.

You can report information to SLT Police by sending an email to cybertips@cityofslt.us.
Its that time again to write Michael Collins a check to mow and weed my fathers grave. I pay him $250 a year.

My father was felled by a heart attack 51 years ago. He was 50; I was 23. It still gives me something of a start to climb that hill in Canton, Ohios West Lawn Cemetery and come upon his grave. To see his name  my name, Theodore Gup  etched into the granite, reminds me of that scene in Dickens A Christmas Carol when Scrooge stands before his own grave. A wave of regrets washes over him, and he resolves to mend his selfish ways. Only in fiction is such a redo possible; real life offers few mulligans.

I am now 74 and rounding the final turn myself. Death, once so remote and abstract, is now neither.

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Early on, I knew that our familys Jewish tradition forbade a child from being named after a living parent. I was told it was out of fear that the Angel of Death would take the child out of turn. My fathers defiance tempted fate.

I am no more religious than my father was. Still, my wife and I did not name our firstborn Theodore. Instead, we called him David. It means beloved, and beloved he surely was. But at 21, David was snatched away by a drug overdose, and I was condemned to carry on. I lived that cliche  No parent should have to bury a child  and for years, I knew that was how others saw me: the bereft and broken father, the embodiment of unspoken fears.

In all things, David colored outside the lines. For that, others were drawn to him as to a magnet. And he was smart. He could barely pass his own exams, but at the end of each semester, signing in as one friend or another, he would take their exams for them and ace them. Among the papers found at the foot of his bed, I came across an interview between David and a friend of mine, a best-selling author. It vividly captured her personality and made me proud. There was so much promise there. Years later, I discovered he had never spoken with her.
China will never accept maximum pressure, bullying from U.S.: spokesperson

Xinhua) 09:11, April 10, 2025

BEIJING, April 9 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. is still imposing tariffs and exerting maximum pressure on China, to which China is firmly opposed, and China will never accept such bullying, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday.

Spokesperson Lin Jian made the remarks at a daily news briefing in response to a request for comments on the U.S. announcement that it would impose a 104 percent tariff on Chinese goods.

Lin noted that the Chinese people's legitimate right to development cannot be deprived, and China's sovereignty, security and development interests are inviolable. China will continue to take resolute and forceful measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.

"If the U.S. really seeks to resolve the issue through dialogue and negotiation, it should demonstrate an attitude of equality, respect and reciprocity," Lin added.

"If the United States is bent on waging a tariff war or trade war, China is ready to fight till the end," Lin said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Britannia Industries, one of Indias leading FMCG companies, has named Mumbai-based Tilt Brand Solutions as its Brand & Communication Agency on Record for the Cakes, Rusk, Bread and Croissant portfolio.

Tilts mandate will be to craft the brand strategy for Britannias adjacency business which will deepen consumer relationships.

Shekhar Agarwal, General Manager  Marketing, Britannia commented, For Britannias adjacency portfolio, it was imperative that we got on board a partner who would be able to bring a perfect amalgamation of creative strength and business acumen to the table. The balanced approach of Tilt Brand Solutions and their category & consumer understanding delivered on the brief. We look forward to this partnership to create a significant impact for these businesses.

Tilt has been tasked with conceiving impactful brand strategies, and to create & execute communication assets across formats and platforms that deliver engaging and meaningful brand experiences for new and current consumers.

Hari Krishnan, Chief Business Officer, Tilt Brand Solutions added: "We are thrilled to partner with Britannia on this exciting journey. With our shared commitment to innovation and creativity, we are confident of creating impactful and memorable work that resonates with audiences, while also driving growth and leadership in the category.
India has a rich history of growth, and over the years, there have been a few key participants who have been instrumental in making sure that progress never stops.

JK Organisation, one of India's most respected industrial groups, is one of them, with its empowering initiatives across Education, Healthcare, Livelihood and Women Empowerment, Skill Development and more. This landmark group celebrates a monumental milestone140 years of fostering sustainable development and community well-beingand the Times of India (TOI) used its rich collection of editorial coverage to make this celebration even grander.

The celebrations launched with a special jacket advertisement in The Times of India, which curated historical news articles and stories about the diverse facets of the JK Organisation and sourced them directly from TOIs extensive archives. A strong proponent of Viksit Bharat since its inception, this jacket advertisement helped showcase the glorious history of the organisation in abundant detail, marking its achievements as they were accomplished in the past years.

Speaking on the association with The Times of India, B H Singhania, President, JK Organisation, said, Nation-building along with service to the community has been the guiding principle of our 140-year journey, and with help from TOI, we were able to encapsulate this illustrious journey and renew our commitment to bringing even more positive change in the future.

Surinder Chawla, President  Response, The Times of India, added, We are pleased to partner with the JK Organisation in celebrating this impressive milestone in their journey of growth. We aimed to bring the brand's rich legacy to life by utilising archival content from The Times of India, a publication that has chronicled the nation's developmental progress for decades to craft a distinctive message that honours the achievements of the past while keeping a sharp focus on the future.

The jacket ad will be followed by the release of a film that captures the inspiring journey and key breakthroughs that have shaped the JK Organisations enduring impact on positive change.

Taking the celebrations further, an immersive virtual exhibition will be unveiled, showcasing archival stories, initiatives, people, and the transformative impact of JK Organisation. The exhibition will feature a wide breadth of archival content from both The Times of India and JK Organisation, offering a deep dive into its remarkable history and commitment to nation-building.

Through such initiatives, JK Organisation continues to reaffirm its purpose of making a meaningful difference and inspiring future generations towards sustainable and inclusive growth while celebrating them through such powerful content partnerships with The Times of India, the definitive chronicler of national progress for over 186 years.
Cleartrip, a Flipkart company and one of Indias fastest-growing online travel platforms, has announced a leadership transition as Anuj Rathi, Chief Growth & Business Officer, moves on to pursue new opportunities. The company has appointed Manjari Singhal as its new Chief Growth and Business Officer. In her new role, she will oversee the Business, Growth, Marketing, and Customer Experience functions. Over the next month, she will work closely with Anuj Rathi to ensure a smooth and seamless transition as he moves on to pursue new opportunities.

Over the past year, Anuj has been instrumental in shaping Cleartrips growth charter. Under his leadership, the Business, Marketing, and Customer Experience teams achieved strong momentum, further cementing Cleartrips position as the preferred travel partner for millions of Indians. His strategic direction and focus on customer-centricity significantly enhanced user experience and played a pivotal role in the success of Cleartrips flagship sale event, NoVac 2025 (Nation on Vacation), which witnessed a record surge in domestic and international bookings.

Reflecting on his journey, Anuj Rathi said, Its been an incredible ride leading Cleartrip. From flagship events like Nation on Vacation and Big Billion Days to strengthening customer trust, our focus was always on creating a superior product experience. As I move on, I do so with deep pride in the team and confidence that Cleartrip will continue to raise the bar under Manjaris leadership.

Ajay Veer Yadav, Senior Vice President, Flipkart, said, We thank Anuj for his immense contributions to Cleartrip over the past year. His leadership has helped the platform scale to new heights, and we wish him the very best as he embarks on his next chapter.

He further added, Travel is a significant focus for us at Flipkart, and we are deeply committed to investing in and scaling the business to unlock its huge potential. We are excited to welcome Manjari into this pivotal role. With her proven leadership, strategic vision, and deep understanding of customer behavior, we are confident that she will continue to drive growth and lead Cleartrip into its next phase of expansion.

Manjari Singhal, Chief Growth & Business Officer, Cleartrip, said, Cleartrip has built a strong foundation as a travel-first brand with a customer-first philosophy. I am excited to take on this role and work alongside an exceptional team to unlock the immense potential in travel. With 2025 being a critical year for growth, our focus will be on driving value, enhancing customer experiences, and delivering innovations that make travel simpler and more rewarding for every Indian.

Manjari currently leads the Beauty, FMCG, and General Merchandise business. Since joining Flipkart in 2019, she has played a pivotal role across Events, Customer Growth, and Platform. Known for her strong bias for action and cross-functional leadership, she has led significant growth while driving innovation and fostering collaboration across teams.
Alphabet (GOOGL.O) has reaffirmed its commitment to a substantial $75 billion investment in expanding its data center infrastructure this year, signaling unwavering confidence in its long-term AI strategy despite the current volatile economic landscape marked by U.S. tariff concerns.

Speaking at the company's annual cloud computing conference in a surprise appearance, CEO Sundar Pichai underscored the critical nature of this expenditure. He explained that the significant capital outlay would be directed towards acquiring essential chips and constructing the necessary server capacity to bolster Alphabet's core services, most notably its ubiquitous Search engine. Furthermore, this investment is crucial for advancing the development and deployment of its cutting-edge artificial intelligence models, including the recently unveiled Gemini.

Pichai emphasized the immense potential of AI, stating unequivocally, "The opportunity with AI is as big as it gets." His remarks come at a time when investors are closely scrutinizing the considerable capital demands associated with large-scale AI initiatives, particularly against the backdrop of uncertainty generated by U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff policies and their potential impact on the broader economic outlook.

Sachin Gupta, Vice President and General Manager of Google Cloud's infrastructure division, addressed concerns regarding the potential for increased costs due to U.S. tariffs on imported hardware. While acknowledging the possibility of rising expenses, Gupta maintained that robust customer demand continues to necessitate the planned increase in investment. "We're all processing what's happening with tariffs," he told Reuters, indicating the company is actively monitoring and assessing the situation.

Interestingly, President Trump on Wednesday announced a temporary easing of recently imposed tariffs on numerous countries, while simultaneously escalating tariff pressure on China. This news coincided with a significant surge in the market value of major tech stocks, including Alphabet, whose shares closed nearly 10% higher, contributing to a collective $1.5 trillion gain for the "Magnificent Seven."

Alphabet's ambitious capital expenditure plans, initially revealed in February, represent a 29% increase compared to initial analyst expectations. This bold move aligns with similar commitments from other tech giants. Microsoft (MSFT.O) recently reiterated its intention to invest over $80 billion in AI infrastructure in 2025, while Meta Platforms (META.O) has indicated a planned expenditure of up to $65 billion.

Industry analysts suggest that AI, alongside cybersecurity, remains a resilient area of enterprise investment despite prevailing macroeconomic headwinds. Chiraj Mehta, Principal Analyst at Constellation Research, noted that "Early success from customers who have chosen Google Cloud as their preferred AI platform is reinforcing the case for continued aggressive investment."

Several prominent companies highlighted the tangible benefits of integrating AI powered by Google Cloud into their operations during the conference. Intuit (INTU.O), the maker of TurboTax, announced its commitment to "doubling down" on AI integration within its financial services software. Papa John's (PZZA.O) Chief Digital Officer, Kevin Vasconi, stated that the pizza chain sees a stronger return on investment from AI-driven projects compared to other initiatives, indicating no plans to curtail AI spending. Verizon (VZ.N) shared that an AI assistant, built using Google's models for its customer service representatives, has significantly reduced call handling times and empowered agents to drive sales, resulting in a notable increase in revenue.

These customer testimonials appear to be bolstering Alphabet's conviction that its substantial investment in AI infrastructure is already yielding positive returns and will continue to be a key driver of future growth and innovation.

Also Read: Global trade dynamics: Experts discuss impact of US tariffs on India
Centre Gears Up for 26/11 Justice: Special Public Prosecutor Appointed Ahead of Tahawwur Rana's Arrival 2

The Centre has appointed a special public prosecutor to lead the trial against Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a key accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, as India prepares to receive him following his extradition from the United States. Rana is expected to arrive in the country on Thursday.

In a late-night notification, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs named advocate Narender Mann as the special public prosecutor to conduct the trial and all related proceedings for the NIA case RC-04/2009/NIA/DLI, which pertains to the deadly 2008 Mumbai attacks that claimed 166 lives.

The appointment, made under Section 15 of the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008 and Section 18(8) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, will see Mann represent the National Investigation Agency (NIA) before Special NIA Courts in Delhi and before appellate courts, for a period of three years or until the trial concludes, whichever comes first.

The move signals the governments intent to push ahead with the long-delayed prosecution of Rana, whose role is linked to Pakistani-American terrorist David Coleman Headley, one of the key conspirators in the attacks. With the extradition imminent, India is now prepared to intensify legal proceedings in one of its most high-profile terror cases.
"Conduct a Caste Census Now": Chhagan Bhujbal Turns Up Heat on Centre Over OBC Quota 2

Senior NCP leader and OBC face of Maharashtra, Chhagan Bhujbal, on Thursday lent strong support to the demand for a nationwide caste census, reigniting the ongoing debate around caste-based reservations in India. Speaking to reporters, Bhujbal emphasized the persistent legal hurdles faced by the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in securing their rightful share in governance and policy.

We should get our reservation. Even now, the issue of our quota in local self-governing bodies is stuck in the Supreme Court, said Bhujbal, who represents the Yeola assembly constituency in Nashik district.

Conduct a caste census, he asserted, underlining the need for accurate data to ensure fair distribution of opportunities based on population demographics.

His statement aligns with the longstanding demand of the opposition Congress party, which has been pushing for a caste census to better structure welfare and reservation schemes. As calls for caste-based data grow louder, Bhujbals remarks mark a clear stance from a key leader in Maharashtras political landscape.
Delhi Court Halts Probe Order Against Kapil Mishra in 2020 Riots Case Till April 21 2

A Delhi court on Wednesday stayed, until April 21, the magisterial courts order for further investigation into the alleged role of Law Minister Kapil Mishra in the 2020 Delhi riots, providing temporary relief to the BJP leader.

The decision came after Mishra challenged the lower courts order, which was based on a complaint by Mohammad Ilyas, who had alleged that Mishra, along with his associates and with police complicity, incited violence in Kardampuri on February 23, 2020. The incident was linked to the unrest that erupted following the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protests.

Special Judge Kaveri Baweja stayed the probe order and issued a notice to the complainant, directing him to respond by April 21. The judge also asked for the records from the court of the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate.

Senior advocate P. K. Dubey, representing Mishra, argued that the magisterial order overstepped the jurisdiction of the Special Court designated for such matters. He stressed that as a public figure, Mishra was under constant reputational threat due to the ongoing legal shadow.

Delhi Police, represented by Special Public Prosecutor Amit Prasad, supported Mishras position, stating that no evidence linked him to the riots and that the allegations were part of a larger attempt to falsely implicate him. The police maintained that Mishras role had already been examined in the broader conspiracy case, with no culpability found.

The magistrate had previously ruled that a cognizable offence appeared to exist and had called for further investigation. However, with the latest stay, the legal proceedings against Mishra will remain paused until the next hearing.
In this Friday, Feb. 21, 2020 file photo, models wear creations as part of Versace Fall/Winter 2020/2021 collection, presented in Milan, Italy. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni, File) AP

The Prada Group announced a deal Thursday to buy Italys Versace from the U.S. luxury group Capri Holdings under terms that value the fashion house at 1.25 billion euros ($1.4 billion).

Prada said the addition of Versaces highly recognizable aesthetic  constitutes a strongly complementary addition to its portfolio, which includes the Prada and Miu Miu fashion brands. It said Milan-based Versace offered significant untapped growth potential.

The final value of the deal will be adjusted at closing, expected in the second half of the year. It will be funded by 1.5 billion euros in new debt and has been approved by the Prada and Capri Holdings board of directors.

Versace will maintain its creative DNA and cultural authenticity, while benefitting from the full strength of the Groups considerable consolidated platform, including industrial capabilities, retail execution and operational expertise, Prada said in a statement.

Versace, founded in 1978 by the late Gianni Versace, has been owned since 2018 by Capri Holdings, which includes Michael Kors and Jimmy Choo.

Capri Holdings paid $2 billion for Versace, but had been struggling in the recent era of quiet luxury to position the stalwart of Italian fashion with its sexy silhouettes and loud patterns.

Last month, Capri Holdings named Dario Vitale as creative director to replace Donatella Versace, who assumed the role after her brothers 1997 murder. Vitale came from Miu Miu, the stunningly successful youth-driven brand in the Prada Group.

Versace was given the new role of chief brand ambassador in the shakeup, which was widely viewed as setting the scene for the long-rumored Prada sale. Miuccia Prada acknowledged the groups interest on the sidelines of Milan Fashion Week in February.
Huntsville-area real estate agent Ronald "Ronnie" Dumas Jr. has been missing since Sunday, Dec. 15. via Facebook

Three more people have been arrested, while another three remain at large, in the investigation surrounding the suspected abduction of Huntsville realtor Ronald Leslie Dumas Jr.

FOX13 in Memphis is also reporting that two people who were arrested Tuesday in the case face multiple charges and also have a history of being accused of kidnapping.

The Memphis Police Fugitive Unit, the U.S. Marshals Two Rivers Task Force, and the Shelby County Fugitive Apprehension Team on Tuesday raided a house in the 3100 block of Danville Road in Memphis.

Quintarius Shikelion White, 32, and Kierra Symone Clark, 27, both of Memphis, are in the Shelby County, Tenn. Jail.

Three other people were arrested as accessories after the fact - harboring: Dedrick Woodard, 26; Cassy Feathers, 43, and Jasmine Braden, 28.

White had warrants issued charging him with especially aggravated kidnapping, aggravated burglary, convicted felon in possession of a firearm, robbery, trafficking for a commercial sex act, aggravated kidnapping and aggravated assault- acting in concert.

Clark had warrants charging her with aggravated kidnapping, especially aggravated kidnapping, trafficking for a commercial sex act, assault- bodily harm, aggravated burglary and aggravated assault  acting in concert.

White and Clark were among five people wanted since February in connection with the December 2024 disappearance of Ronald Leslie Dumas Jr., 37.

According to FOX 13, White was charged nearly two years ago with multiple counts of kidnapping, multiple counts of trafficking for a commercial sex act, aggravated assault, aggravated burglary, aggravated kidnapping, robbery, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Clark also was charged that year with multiple counts of kidnapping, several counts of trafficking for commercial sex acts, aggravated assault, assault, and aggravated burglary. Both were out on bond.

Memphis Deputy Chief T. D. Jackson, said the arrests underscore the strength of collaboration across law enforcement agencies.

James Andrews, the Dumas familys private investigator, told WHNT the family hopes the arrests will lead to answers in Dumas case.

Everybodys excited about the news or, you know, its felt like its been a drought of information and, it felt like its been a long time since weve had any positive news, he said. So I know the familys relieved that at least two of these folks are off the street.

Dumas was last seen on surveillance footage entering a liquor store with two women on Dec. 15. He left the store with them, appearing unharmed.

Dumas car was found on Interstate 40 in Camden, Tenn., on Dec. 16. His phone was also tracked heading south from Memphis on Dec. 21.

He was placed on the Alabama Law Enforcement Agencys Missing Persons List as a missing adult on Dec. 23.

In February, Huntsville police said investigators had obtained critical new evidence indicating that [Dumas] was abducted.

At that time, police issued five warrants in connection with the case, which included White and Clark.

Others still being sought are:

Toure Laron McLaurin, 33, of Memphis, wanted for first degree kidnapping.

Sabrina Rochelle Chambers, 27, of Huntsville, wanted for first degree kidnapping.

Carissa Cash, 33, of Memphis, wanted for first degree receiving stolen property.

Huntsville police are asking that anyone who recognizes or encounters these people to report their whereabouts immediately to local law enforcement.

Anyone with information may contact Investigator Gregory Hayden at (256) 427-5485 or provide an anonymous tip by calling (256) 532-7463.
John Paul Ketteman, a former Alabama Department of Corrections officer, pleaded guilty to accepting $10,000 in bribes from inmates. (Limestone County Jail)

A former state prison officer has pleaded guilty on a federal bribery charge.

John Paul Ketteman, 28, of Huntsville, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Liles C. Burke to receipt of a bribe by an agent or organization receiving federal funds, according to a joint statement Thursday by Northern District of Alabama U.S. Attorney Prim Escalona, FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Chris DiMenna and U.S. Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Patrick Davis.

According to the plea agreement, Ketteman was employed as a corrections officer at the Alabama Department of Corrections Limestone Correctional Facility in Harvest.

Kettemans job duties included inspecting prison cells for contraband and supervising inmates. He was hired by ADOC on June 8, 2012, and resigned Nov. 22. 2022.

He was among four prison officers indicted on state charges in 2022. One of them, Alex Christian Andrews, has also been indicted federally, court records show.

In the fall of 2022, ADOCs Law Enforcement Services Division began an investigation into contraband being smuggled into the Limestone Facility by corrections officers.

As part of the investigation, Cash App records were obtained for Kettemans account.

The records showed that in less than three months in 2022, Ketteman was paid more than $10,000 to smuggle contraband into the Limestone Facility and to act as a lookout.

Ketteman, according to court documents, also warned an inmate about upcoming inspections.

Ketteman is scheduled to be sentenced on June 24.

The maximum penalty for receipt of a bribe by an agent or organization receiving federal funds is 10 years in prison.

The FBI and the United States Secret Service investigated the cases. ADOCs Law Enforcement Services Division provided valuable assistance during the investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney John M. Hundscheid is prosecuting the case.
It was an emotional day in a Jefferson County courtroom as jurors and family members of 24-year-old Raven Swain, reportedly killed in a hit, viewed crime scene photos.

Swains boyfriend, 27-year-old Demarcus Chandler, is charged with capital murder-for-hire in Swains 2020 shooting death in a Birmingham park.

Prosecutors Isabella Colombo and Charissa Henrichs contend Chandler, who has a lengthy criminal history and is locked up in state prison on parole violations from previous crimes, paid 28-year-old Solomon Minatee III $8,000 to kill Swain.

Chandler allegedly orchestrated the murder because he believed Swain had ripped him off while he was in prison, they said.

Chandlers attorneys from the Jefferson County Public Defenders Office, led by Blair Shores, claim Swains family never liked her dating Chandler and quickly named him to police as the likely person who would want Swain dead with no proof of his involvement.

Jefferson County Circuit Judge Michael Streety is presiding over the trial. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.

Demarcus Chandler (Jefferson County Jail)

Birmingham police Sgt. Cale Glenn, who was a crime scene investigator at the time of Swains murder, documented for the jury the dozens of photos he took the night Swain was killed in Underwood Park on Birminghams Southside.

The photos included images of Swain slumped over in the drivers seat of her car, that had rolled into some bushes after she was shot. The window was down and her door was open.

The images also showed close ups of Swains wounds. She had been shot under the left arm, with bullets penetrating her heart and lung, and was pronounced dead on the scene.

Family members were warned that the photos would be shown and were given the opportunity to leave the courtroom, but they opted to stay. A few wept quietly as the pictures were displayed on a large screen.

Glenn testified he recovered five 9mm shell casings from the scene.

The sergeants testimony came in the second day of Chandlers trial.

Other testimony Wednesday included witnesses who lived or worked nearby where the shooting happened.

One of them, an elderly woman, lived at Episcopal Place at the time of the killing. She told jurors she was watching television when she heard the shots.

I sat there for a minute and then curiosity got to me, the witness said. I walked to the window and saw a young man coming up the sidewalk.

He was not just walking, he was hurrying along, she said. Something about the way he was walking caught my attention.

The first witness to testify in the trial was Swains mother, Lolita Braxton, who testified Tuesday.

Braxton told jurors that she found out that her daughter was shot from her son, Richard Braxton.

In opening statements, prosecutors said Chandler, just moments after the shooting, began reaching out to Swains family and friends to tell them she had been.

Braxton rushed to the park.

I tried to run over (to her) and the officers stopped me, she said.

Braxton testified that her daughter kept her relationship with Chandler secret from her. She knew that I wouldnt approve, she said.

Braxton told jurors that Swain had filed a domestic violence report against Chandler in May of 2019.

Afterward, on May 11, 2019, she said, Chandler came to their home to return Swains cell phone and said she had some of his stuff.

He was assuring me nothing was going to happen, Braxton said.

But when Chandler left, she said, gunshots were fired into the air.

The next day, which was Mothers Day 2019, the family was barbecuing at Braxtons home when gunfire again erupted.

A rain of gunfire came into my home, Braxton told jurors. The bullets also struck Swains car.

Prosecutors still have about a dozen witnesses to call to the stand. Testimony will resume Thursday.

Chandler was also charged in 2024 with conspiracy to commit murder of an Alabama Department of Corrections lieutenant who, at the direction of Birmingham investigators in Swains murder, searched Chandlers cell and found a contraband cell phone authorities said was used to arrange the hit.

His charge in that case has been forwarded to a grand jury for indictment consideration.
Bills that would change Alabamas sex education standards and restrict certain LGBTQ topics in the classroom are advancing in the state legislature once again.

House and Senate committees approved Senate Bill 277, an abstinence-only sex ed bill, and House Bill 244, which aims to expand Alabamas Dont Say Gay law, after public hearings this month. They will head to their respective chambers for a full vote.

Alabama already emphasizes abstinence in sex ed classes, but the new legislation would clarify what educators are allowed to talk about and outlaw any discussion of how students can obtain abortion services.

Similar partisan legislation fizzled out during last years session, but Alabama Republicans say they hope the new efforts can align with federal directives.

Were trying to get as close as we could to President Trumps executive order, Rep. Tracy Estes, R-Winfield, said during a vote on HB244 Wednesday.

President Donald Trump issued an executive order in January saying that the government would only recognize two genders, male and female. More recently, the White House has threatened funding of schools that provide bathroom accommodations for transgender students and allow students to use pronouns that do not match their sex assigned at birth.

The administration also has worked to expand abstinence-only education and has recently axed dozens of grants focused on LGBTQ health.

Both topics have been top priorities for budding conservative advocacy organizations in the state, who claim the efforts are meant to protect Alabamas children.

Expanding Dont Say Gay

HB244, sponsored by Rep. Mack Butler, R-Rainbow City, is an expansion of a 2022 law, sometimes called Dont Say Gay, to include all grades in K-12. The bill also prevents school employees from displaying Pride flags or other LGBTQ-affirming signage.

Clearly theres a dissatisfaction of what were doing with public education, and this will actually help, Butler said on the floor Wednesday, referring to the thousands of families who have signed up for the states newest school choice program.

After debate and some pushback from education officials, the bill will no longer ban education employees from using pronouns that do not correspond to a students gender at birth. A new amendment also clarifies that topics about gender identity may be discussed, but only in a manner that is age appropriate and aligned with state standards.

A House committee approved the changes on a voice vote Wednesday.

In a hearing last week, various speakers argued that the bill, and similar legislation, HB246, were needed checks on school employees -- or that they were an overreach that could harm people.

I didnt become gay because I saw a Pride flag or somebody taught me something, said Patricia Todd, the states first openly gay legislator. 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.

Abstinence-only sex education

Also on Wednesday, a Senate committee approved SB277, sponsored by Sen. Shay Shelnutt, R-Trussville. The bill requires schools to exclusively teach sexual risk avoidance and emphasize abstinence as the only effective protection against unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease.

At a public hearing, which was announced just hours before Wednesdays committee meeting, speakers contrasted risk-avoidant curricula with comprehensive sex education, which aims to reduce the risk of unsafe sex and emphasizes other relationship skills. Proponents said comprehensive sex education normalizes teen sex and sends students on a path to poverty and risky behaviors.

Rather than educating about healthy behavior, comprehensive sex ed indoctrinates youth with the idea that sexual promiscuity is normal for teens, said Eagle Forum President Becky Gerritson, who read aloud passages about masturbation and how to make condoms pleasurable.

The bill allows discussion of contraception, but further defines what sexual education content is age appropriate and medically accurate. It outlaws any discussion of how to obtain abortion services and prevents providers that are not aligned with the exclusive message of sexual risk avoidance, from teaching the topic in public schools.

The bill also makes it easier for parents to review sex ed materials or opt their child out of lessons.

One educator, Joi Wasill, said risk-avoidance models teach critical life skills, like delayed gratification, self regulation and focusing on the future.

Khandi Wagner, a program director at First Choice Womens Medical Center, a Christian pregnancy clinic in Montgomery, said she often emphasizes sexual avoidance when she visits local schools.

I think we can all agree as adults that kids should not be having sex. We should be telling them its healthy to wait, she said. Our students are lost, our babies are lost.

The vote came a day after a group of college students and sex ed advocates urged lawmakers to drop the bill.

Alabama has the fifth highest teen pregnancy rate in the country, despite a decrease in high school students who said they have had sex. In 2023, 12% of sexually active teens in Alabama said they did not use any form of birth control, according to the CDCs most recent Youth Risk Behavior Survey.

In a statement to AL.com, Christina Clark Okarmus of the Alabama Campaign for Adolescent Sexual Health said the bills emphasis on risk avoidance deceives youth, parents and the public.

Comprehensive sex education, she said, is based on rigorous, evidence-based national standards and is designed to help all students live healthy lives.

The model, which is supported by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Medical Association, is proven to reduce rates of teen pregnancy and sexual risk behaviors, especially among marginalized groups.

Abstinence-only programs, by contrast, have been shown in numerous studies to be ineffective and even harmful to the mental health and wellbeing of youth, Clark Okarmus told AL.com. They also arent widely supported by parents, she added.

A 2017 study by the University of South Alabama found that about 98% of Alabama parents believe it is somewhat or very important that their children learn to talk with a partner about birth control and STIs, as well as learn about the use of condoms.

The current sex education law allows schools to choose the approach that works best for their students, she said. Our position is that the Alabama Legislature should not be dictating what kind of sex education is taught in Alabama schools - this should be left to local control.
JoJo Siwa performs during the LA Pride in the Park festival at Los Angeles State Historic Park, Saturday, June 8, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello) Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP

Mickey Rourke has received a formal warning on ITVs Celebrity Big Brother after JoJo Siwa accused him of making homophobic comments about her.

The two are currently starring on the U.K. version of the series and an exchange between them on Wednesday nights episode went awry, leading to the warning for Rourke.

According to the BBC, 72-year-old Rourke asked if 21-year-old Siwa was romantically interested in boys or girls, to which she said: Girls. My partner is nonbinary.

He then replied, If I stay longer than four days, you wont be gay anymore. Siwa told Rourke: I can guarantee Ill still be gay and Ill still be in a very happy relationship.

The actor and former boxer then made a comment that he was going to vote the lesbian out real quick, which Siwa overheard.

Thats homophobic, if that was your reasoning, she responded. He also reportedly said I need a f-, referring to the houses smoking section, but then gestured to Siwa and said: Im not talking to you.

After these remarks, Rourke was pulled into a confessional where Big Brother told him that his language was offensive and unacceptable, adding: Further language or behavior of this nature could lead to you being removed from the Big Brother house.

In response, Rourke said: I apologize. I dont have dishonorable intentions. Im just talking smack, you know. I wasnt taking it all so serious. I didnt mean any bad intentions and if I did, sorry.

Rourke later also apologized to Siwa, telling her that he didnt say it out of meanness.

Representatives for Rourke did not have further comment when reached by Variety.

A spokesperson for ITV said: All housemates receive respect and inclusion training and an extensive briefing from the Big Brother senior team to prepare them for living in the house and to set out Big Brothers expectation for appropriate behavior and language. Housemates are monitored 24 hours a day and instances of inappropriate behavior are dealt with appropriately and timely.

The full episode of Celebrity Big Brother will air Wednesday night on ITV.

 2025 Variety Media, LLC, a subsidiary of Penske Business Media; Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC
Browan Lollar of St. Paul & the Broken Bones holds copies of the limited-edition seven-inch vinyl of the "Everybody Goes to Milo's" jingle that will be available at Birmingham's Seasick Records on Record Store Day 2025. (Photo courtesy of Milo's Hamburgers; used with permission)

Where can you find the best burgers in town?

Everybody goes to . . . Milos

With the secret sauce thats known all around

Everybody goes to . . . Milos

Now that youve got that catchy Milos Hamburgers jingle stuck in your head -- again! -- youll want to rush out to Seasick Records on Birminghams Southside and get your limited-edition, seven-inch vinyl copy of the iconic Birmingham advertising jingle that first aired on radio stations in 1993 and that you likely sing aloud every time you go to Milos.

As part of its Record Store Day 2025 celebration on Saturday, Seasick Records has partnered with Milos Hamburgers to produce 400 copies of the Everybody Goes to Milos record, which is pressed on Milos Sauce Brown vinyl.

The record, which sells for $12, includes the original jingle written by Birmingham musician Macey Taylor and performed by the late, legendary Topper Price, as well as cover versions by Alabama artists St. Paul & The Broken Bones, Taylor Hollingsworth, The Brummies, Suaze, the Firehouse Community Arts Band and DJ Stin & Danrude.

All of the proceeds from the release will benefit the Firehouse Community Arts Center, a creative learning space in Birminghams Forest Park-South Avondale neighborhood that offers music education programs and scholarship opportunities for musically-underserved students in the community. FCAC students are also featured on the record.

The seven-inch "Everybody Goes to Milo's" record is pressed on "Milo's Sauce Brown" vinyl and features the original jingle and six cover versions. (Photo courtesy of Milo's Hamburgers; used with permission)

The original Milos jingle was produced by Birmingham advertising executive Roger Means, who came up with the theme and the title and enlisted the help of his friend Macey Taylor to write it, according to Mary Duncan Proctor, the marketing director for Milos Hamburgers.

As the pieces started to come together, they got Topper Price to sing it and Mark Harrelson of Boutwell Studios to engineer it. The catchy jingle became a local hit on Birmingham radio stations.

Seasick Records, which recently moved to a new location at 3131 Fifth Ave. S., will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday for Record Store Day 2025.

The Everybody Goes to Milos vinyl and all other Record Store Day titles will be limited to one copy per person, per title.

In previous years, customers have started lining up the Friday before doors open for Record Store Day, according to the Seasick Records website.

This year, customers will be able to line up and camp inside the store corridor until it fills up, the website says. After that, customers may camp outside the store.

Milos Hamburgers will be onsite grilling burgers, and the Alabama Peanut Company will serve specials suited for the occasion, including their Milos sauce boiled peanuts and their Milos Sweet Tea boiled peanuts.

For updates and more information, follow Seasick Records and Milos Hamburgers on Instagram and Facebook.

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An Alabama man is one of two people sentenced Wednesday for trafficking protected birds and eggs into the U.S. Federal authorities say it's the largest-ever case of its kind. (USDOJ)

An Alabama man is one of two people sentenced Wednesday for trafficking protected birds and eggs into the U.S.

Federal authorities say its the largest-ever case of its kind.

The New York judge sentenced Eufaulas Toney Jones to six months of probation after he pleaded guilty last year to importing a stuffed protected bird of prey without notifying the U.S. Department of the Interior.

Dr. John Waldrop of Cataula, Georgia, was ordered to pay a $900,000 fine  one of the largest-ever for an ESA case  and to serve three years of probation.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Waldrop amassed an extensive collection of 1,401 taxidermy bird mounts and 2,594 eggs which included:

 Four eagles protected by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act

 179 bird and 193 egg species listed in the Migratory Bird Treaty Act

 212 bird and 32 egg species covered by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). This included incredibly rare specimens like three eggs of the Nordmanns Greenshank, an Asian shorebird with only 900 to 1,600 remaining birds in the wild; no North American museum has any Nordmann Greenshank eggs in their collection.

An Alabama man is one of two people sentenced Wednesday for trafficking protected birds and eggs into the U.S. Federal authorities say it's the largest-ever case of its kind. (USDOJ)

Between 2016 and 2020, Waldrop imported birds and eggs without the required declarations and permits.

After USFWS inspectors at John F. Kennedy International Airport and elsewhere intercepted several shipments, Waldrop recruited Jones, who worked on his Georgia farm, to receive the packages.

Jones also deposited approximately $525,000 in a bank account that Waldrop then used to pay for the imports and hide his involvement.

Waldrop and Jones used online sales sites such as eBay and Etsy to buy birds and eggs from around the world, including Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Lithuania, Malta, Russia, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and Uruguay.

An Alabama man is one of two people sentenced Wednesday for trafficking protected birds and eggs into the U.S. Federal authorities say it's the largest-ever case of its kind. (USDOJ)

Waldrops gigantic and rare bird collection was bolstered in part by illegal imports, where he and his enlisted co-conspirators intentionally avoided permit and declaration requirements, said Acting Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Departments Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD).

We applaud the efforts of the various federal and state law enforcement entities in investigating and prosecuting this case.

Waldrop forfeited his collection.

The USFWS National Fish and Wildlife Forensics Lab examined the items and determined it to be the largest seizure of bird mounts in their 37-year history.

The ESA requires that all wildlife imports be declared to USFWS and have required permits, including species protected by CITES.

The scale of this investigation underscores the critical importance of protecting our natural resources, said Assistant Director Douglas Ault of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Office of Law Enforcement.

Waldrops collection included thousands of bird specimens and eggs, many of which are among the rarest in the world. This is one of the largest bird trafficking cases in history, and the commercialization of species protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and CITES highlights the conservation impact of Waldrops crimes.

The USFWS Office of Law Enforcement in Valley Stream, New York, conducted the investigation as part of Operation Final Flight. The operation focused on the trafficking of protected birds into the United States. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources assisted with the investigation.
A Florida high school teacher lost her job after calling a student by an alternative name without parental permission, sparking community backlash in the conservative birthplace of the Moms for Liberty activist group as school officials sought to comply with recent state law.

Its the first known dismissal resulting from the campaign to shut down recognition of alternative gender identities - a policy piloted by Florida that spread to other Republican states and now has been taken up by the Trump administration.

Melissa Calhoun had taught in Brevard County for 11 years when she ran headlong into a state rule that bars school staff from deviating from students legal names without written parental permission. The rule applies to students who choose an alternative name because of a change in gender identity, as well as those who might want to use a nickname. In this case, Calhoun was respecting the wishes of a student whose legal name is associated with girls, a person familiar with the situation said.

One of the students parents complained to the school district, which investigated the matter. The teacher admitted to knowingly using an alternative name without permission, district spokeswoman Janet Murnaghan said in a statement. This directly violates state law and district procedures, she said. The teacher received a letter of reprimand and was told last week that her annual contract, which expires in May, was not renewed, though she will finish out this school year.

The school district supports parents rights to be the primary decision-makers in their childrens lives, and Florida law affirms their right to be informed, Murnaghan said. Teachers, like all employees, are expected to follow the law.

Calhouns contract was not renewed because the state of Florida will be reviewing her teaching certificate based on this case, Murnaghan said, and the district will not bring her back until the issue is resolved with the state. A spokesperson for the Florida Department of Education did not respond to a request for comment.

Calhoun, who has worked at Satellite High School since 2019, could not be reached for comment.

The action prompted a surge of student and parent activism on Calhouns behalf - a striking response in a county where one of the founders of Moms for Liberty, a national group stoking education culture wars, once served on the school board.

More than 7,400 people signed a change.org petition calling for her to be reinstated. Students planned a walkout of classes on Thursday afternoon in support of the teacher. And while the matter was not on the agenda at the school boards meeting this week, several members of the community spoke on her behalf during a public comment period.

There was no harm, no threat to safety, no malicious intent. Just a teacher trying to connect with a student. And for that her contract was not renewed, despite her strong dedication and years of service, Kristine Staniec, a media specialist at Satellite High School, told the board. She said her children were students of Calhouns.

Im seeing people who never got involved before signing the petition and commenting on Facebook, said Amy Roub, a parent in Brevard County and volunteer with Floridas chapter of Defense of Democracy, a group formed to oppose Moms for Liberty. I think people have just had enough of this from the school board. Theyve gone too far this time.

Two of Roubs four children had Calhoun for a teacher in their Advanced Placement Literature class, and Roub recalled being struck by her love for teaching when she first met her. Calhoun also made it a point to attend student performances at the school, Roub said.

(Satellite is an arts magnet school set on a barrier island south of Cape Canaveral.)

She is a beloved teacher, a teacher that changed her students lives, Roub said.

But school board member Katye Campbell said teachers are trained to follow state rules, and its reasonable to expect that they will do so. She said people may think the rule is silly, but she said its important.

The parents are the number one decision-makers for their children. Thats why we send out the form, thats why the State Board of Education made the rule, Campbell said. Asked about the rights of the students, she said it was not the districts place to interfere in family relationships unless we legally have a reason to.

Tiffany Justice, a founder of Moms for Liberty who lives in neighboring Indian River County, asked, Would you want your kids teachers keeping secrets from you with your child?

The nickname rule, with official documentation in the Parental Authorization for Deviation from Students Legal Name Form, stems from a 2023 law, one of several championed by Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) as part of his war on woke. Other DeSantis-backed measures led to a crush of challenges to books in school libraries and restrictions on how race and gender can be taught.

Similar rules prohibiting schools from using alternative names or pronouns are in place in 13 other states, but this appears to be the first time a teacher has lost his or her job for violating the policies, said Brian Dittmeier, director of public policy for GLSEN, an advocacy group for LGBTQ students.

Not only is this a direct attack on educators who support trans students, but it also is an indicator of the bureaucratic overreach of antitransgender policy, Dittmeier said. A teacher could potentially be fired for calling a student Tim instead of Timothy.

The Trump administration is also taking action on this front. On his first day in office, President Donald Trump signed an executive order stating that it is the policy of the United States to recognize two sexes, male and female. Last month, the federal Education Department announced it was investigating the states of California and Maine over policies that limit school communication with parents about their childrens gender.

The California law, signed last year, bars school districts from requiring staff to notify parents of their childs gender identification change. Maine policy allows students to use alternative names or pronouns without parental notification, the federal agency said.

Parents are the primary protectors of their children. Yet many states and school districts have enacted policies that presume children need protection from their parents, Education Secretary Linda McMahon wrote in a letter to educators delivered with new guidance about how states should interpret federal privacy law.

The guidance said that under federal law, parents have a right to see their students records, but schools do not have a legal obligation to inform parents about information in those records absent a request.
Taxidermy and the law

The biggest known case of stuffed-bird trafficking has resulted in six months probation for a man from Eufala, reports AL.coms Carol Robinson.

Last year, Toney Jones pled guilty to importing a stuffed protected bird of prey without notifying the U.S. Department of the Interior.

Jones worked a farm that was owned by John Waldrop of Cataula, Georgia. Waldrop recruited Jones to receive some of the imports after he had some intercepted. Waldrop got three years probation and a $900,000 fine.

Waldrop had quite the collection: 1,401 bird mounts and 2,594 eggs.

There were four eagles protected by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, 179 birds and 193 eggs of birds that are listed in the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, 212 birds and 32 eggs of birds that are rare or endangered.

The two men used popular online sites such as eBay and Etsy to buy the birds and eggs from numerous nations, including Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Lithuania, Malta, Russia, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and Uruguay.

A revealing package

Last year, Gov. Kay Ivey signed a bill into law that requires age verification on adult websites. This week, three sponsors of the legislation received pornographic images in the mail, reports AL.coms Mike Cason.

Politics can be gross sometimes, folks.

State Reps. Ben Robbins of Sylacauga, Susan DuBose of Hoover and David Faulkner of Mountain Brook, all Republicans, received manila envelopes with the offending images inside.

Robbins said the sender apparently was showing them that porn could still be found on social media, even after the law passed.

The effort probably wont have much effect. Said Robbins: Nothing can intimidate me or make me back down. I will continue to fight for our children.

It did manage to catch the attention of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, which is working the potential harassment case. Investigators said that a person of interest has been identified.

Dothan cold case

A 15-year-old murder case in Dothan has finally led to a suspect in custody, reports AL.coms Carol Robinson.

Grace Bell Bridges was shot and killed March 17, 2010 during a robbery at Dederts Furniture Store. She was a 69-year-old mother of four who worked at the store.

Dothan Police Chief Will Benny said that murder cases never close but that cold cases are reviewed on occasion as new technology emerges or different investigative teams bring different perspectives to the department. He said the latter is what happened in this case: New investigators explored the evidence and re-interviewed witnesses until they felt good about getting an indictment.

The suspect, whos been charged with murder, was 17 at the time of the killing, so police have not identified him. Hes 32 years old now.

Picture That

Fairhope author Sonny Brewer sits outside the Hermit Hut of Tolstoy Park in Montrose. The hut was the inspiration for Brewer's 2005 novel "The Poet of Tolstoy Park," and now Brewer has joined a group trying to have the hut relocated to the Flying Creek Nature Preserve in Fairhope. (Photo by John Sharp/AL.com) John Sharp

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A Blount County man has been convicted of nine charges of sex-related crimes involving two girls under the age of 16.

The jury on Wednesday convicted 44-year-old Adam Kenneth Sherrell of enticing a child into a place in order to perform or propose a sex act, first-degree sexual abuse and child abuse, said Blount County District Attorney Pamela Casey.

Each of the Class C felonies is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

Sherrell was also convicted of one count of second-degree sexual abuse in the second degree and four counts of indecent exposure. Those crimes are Class A misdemeanors punishable by up to one year in the Blount County Jail.

Additionally, Sherrell was found guilty of second-degree stalking, a Class B misdemeanor punishable by up to 180 days in the county jail.

The trial began Monday morning with jury selection and ended at 3:45 Wednesday with the verdict.

His sentencing is set for June 24.

Casey presented evidence during the trial that Sherrell lured a child into his bedroom for the purpose of engaging in sexual contact with the child and subjected a child to sexual contact by forcible compulsion.

He also subjected a child between the ages of 12 and 16 to sexual contact and exposed his genitals to another person on at least four occasions with intent to satisfy his sexual desire under circumstances he knew was likely to cause alarm, Casey said.

Sherrell caused emotional harm to a child by means of abuse and continued to follow and harass a child after being told to stop, the district attorney said.

For almost 18 years, I have stood in courtrooms across this state fighting for the most vulnerable of our community, our children, Casey said. I appreciate everyone who appeared for jury duty this week and those who served as jurors on this case. It was not an easy case to hear.

Our system cannot work without the good work of individuals who are willing to participate in our jury system, she said. I am committed to the prosecution of the sexual exploitation of our children and tirelessly working to make Alabama safe.

This case was investigated by Blount County sheriffs Sgt. Ed Hull with services provided by the Department of Human Resources and the Blount County Childrens Center.
Miss America 2025, Abbie Stockard, is a Birmingham native who grew up in Vestavia Hills. She's also a nursing student at Auburn University. Here's her official portrait as Miss America. (Courtesy of Miss America IP LLC)

Miss America Abbie Stockard will make an appearance at the opening next week of a new franchise of 7 Brew Coffee.

The newest location, at 1353 Montclair Rd. in Irondale, will feature Stockard, Miss America and Birmingham-native.

She will also present a check for $1,000 to Miss Americas Scholarship Foundation.

Stockard, 22, a Birmingham native, was crowned Miss America on Jan. 5, 2025, after competing as Miss Alabama. She has taken part in several public appearance in state since.

The event is scheduled to start at 10 a.m. Monday on opening day for the location.

7 Brew Birmingham dropped the building on-site in February.

The business will also host a Swag Day on Saturday, April 19, where customers who purchase a large drink will get a free 7 Brew t-shirt.

The franchise, with 19 locations in Alabama, has original coffee creations, with hot, iced or chilled varieties. It also offers energy drinks and sparkling water flavors, teas, lemonades, smoothies or shakes.
Michelle Obama has finally shut down speculation that she and former President Barack Obama are headed for divorce, while admitting her newfound independence has fueled the rumors.

When asked what her life looks like these days, the 61-year-old former first lady told Sophia Bushs Work in Progress podcast that its whatever I want.

With politics in her familys rearview mirror, the Becoming author said she now has freedom she didnt previously afford herself when her husband was president, adding that for the first time in her life, all of my choices are for me.

Now I get to look at my calendar, which I did this year  looking at something I was supposed to do  without naming names  and I chose to do what was best for me, not what I had to do, she said in a seeming nod to skipping President Trumps inauguration in January, though former President Obama attended.

People couldnt even fathom I was making a choice for myself, she added. They had to assume that my husband and I are divorcing, that this couldnt be a grown woman just making a set of decisions for herself.  If it doesnt fit into the stereotype of what people think we should do, then it gets labeled as something negative.

The Emmy-nominated producer also attributed her new mindset to the death of her 86-year-old mother, Marian Robinson, in May of last year.

I feel like its time for me to make some big girl decisions about my life and own it fully, because if not now, when? she said.

Obamas remarks follow her husbands comments last week regarding the rumors on the state of their marriage.

When speaking to students at Hamilton College last Thursday, the ex-president admitted to being in a deep deficit with his wife following his two-term presidency.

I have been trying to dig myself out of that hole by doing occasionally fun things, he said.

_______

2025 New York Daily News. Visit nydailynews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Brenda Hampton, who founded Concerned Citizens of North Alabama. Hampton's story of fighting PFAS contamination is featured in a new book, Poisoning the Well: How Forever Chemicals Contaminated America. / Photo by Cary Norton Cary Norton

Brenda Hampton has had two heart attacks, a stroke, and kidney failure. Now, her story is featured in a new book on so-called forever chemicals.

I know Im facing death, Hampton said. No one knows the time of the hour when youre going to go. But I know that these chemicals are deadly. And there is really nothing that man can do.

The founder of Concerned Citizens of North Alabama, Hampton lives in Lawrence County and noticed a pattern of health issues in her community, which sits on the Tennessee River along with numerous industrial plants.

Hampton connected her and her neighbors health issues to PFAS contamination in their drinking water. Shes become a community advocate, trying to improve water quality while also helping people with their medical needs.

Her story is one of four in a new book on PFAS, out this week from Island Press. Its called Poisoning the Well: How Forever Chemicals Contaminated America.

Those forever chemicals the book refers to are PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) - a group of chemicals used in a wide variety of everyday items, including nonstick pans and firefighting foam. Theyre known for their stain-resistant and waterproof qualities.

Alarm has grown in recent years about PFAS ability to persist in the environment, earning them the nickname forever chemicals, as well as their ubiquity. Nearly all Americans have PFAS in their blood, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Studies have shown that even in small amounts, PFAS can increase the risk of cancer, reproductive issues, or other negative health effects.

In the book, co-authors Sharon Udasin and Rachel Frazin follow Hampton and three other people dealing with PFAS exposure in their communities. Udasin, an environmental journalist with The Hill, told AL.com that each of the four stories represents different ways people are exposed to PFAS in the U.S.

Our idea was to take four different communities around the country that each have a unique type of PFAS problem. Unique among each other, but not unique nationwide, Udasin said.

Hamptons story is meant to represent exposure to PFAS via industrial contamination. Lawrence County is adjacent to the State Docks area outside of Decatur, home to 3M and other industrial plants.

In 2022, 3M pledged to halt production of PFAS at all of their facilities, including the plant in Decatur, by this year. Last year, a federal court approved a settlement in which the company agreed to pay more than $10 billion to public water systems throughout the country to address PFAS contamination.

When Hampton, a former paralegal, first became sick, her doctors told her it was because she had been exposed to industrial toxins. Puzzled, she eventually realized she had been exposed through her drinking water.

She then noticed a pattern of people in her community experiencing kidney issues, cancer and other health issues. Working with a local TV station, she said they were able to link peoples health issues to PFAS contamination from their water.

I keep saying that the chemicals are going to get the best of me, Hampton said. I made a promise to God when I was sick, down for 18 months, and I had smaller children at that time: God, if you would help me to help these people and give me back my strength, I would do all that I can to help people.

Since 2015, Hampton has advocated for her community, and its paid off: in 2021, the West Morgan East Lawrence Water Authority opened its reverse osmosis plant, meant to dramatically improve the water quality in Lawrence County.

Shes also gained recognition, not just throughout the state but in the country: she speaks at conferences, and in 2019 she was one of Alabama Media Groups Women Who Shape the State.

Like the others in the book, Hamptons story is one of grassroots action, Udasin said. While the government response varies from state to state, its frequently been community activists that have stepped in to try and solve the problem of PFAS exposure.

Theyre not politicians that are driving any action against this, Udasin said. These are regular people who raised their voices and brought to light a problem in their community. And that was something that was just repeated time and time again.

Hampton said she believes the tide is turning on PFAS.

In making people aware in the states, all across the country, any state that has had any type of industry, youre more than likely had some PFAS contaminationand your water is contaminated, Hampton said. Im glad to see this in my lifetime and Im hoping that after Im gone, it [would] be even more improvement to it.
FBI Mobile announced on Wednesday that it had arrested six suspected members of Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua.

A spokesperson with the agency told WALA that all six arrests were administrative, meaning the six are not charged with specific crimes, but they were in the country illegally.

FBI Mobile in conjunction with HSI, ERO, ATF, Border Patrol, and Mobile Police Department arrested 6 suspected members of Tren de Aragua today. A giant thanks to our state, local, and federal partners. pic.twitter.com/s6QsIuOnzi  FBI Mobile (@FBIMobileAL) April 9, 2025

These arrests are some of hundreds that have occurred over the past month after President Donald Trump claimed Tren de Aragua was invading the United States and invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, a wartime authority that allows the president broader leeway on policy and executive action to speed up mass deportations, as AP News reported previously.

Following U.S. District Judge James E. Boasbergs March order barring the move, the Supreme Court on Monday ruled in favor of the Trump administration.

It ruled that the government can carry out the deportations but said that Venezuelan migrants who are arrested must get a court hearing before they are taken from the United States.

The Alien Enemies Act has only ever been used three times before, all during wars.

Its most recent application was during World War II, when it was used to incarcerate Germans and Italians as well as for the mass internment of Japanese American civilians.

In a previous proclamation, Trump claimed that Tren de Aragua posed substantial danger to U.S. residents.

Over the years, Venezuelan national and local authorities have ceded ever-greater control over their territories to transnational criminal organizations, including TdA, Trumps statement reads.

The result is a hybrid criminal state that is perpetrating an invasion of and predatory incursion into the United States, and which poses a substantial danger to the United States.

But opponents of the move say that it could let the administration deport any migrant it identifies as a member of the gang without going through regular immigration proceedings and also could remove other protections under criminal law for people the government targeted.
A long-discussed bill to give some people serving life without parole in Alabama prisons a chance to apply for a shorter sentence won approval today in the House Judiciary Committee.

The sponsor of the bill, Sen. Will Barfoot, R-Montgomery, said about 150 to 200 people would be eligible to apply.

To be eligible, people would have to have been sentenced under the Habitual Felony Offender Act before May 26, 2000.

Those convicted of homicide, sex offenses, and attempted murder would be ineligible. Anyone who has committed crimes that caused a serious physical injury to another person would be ineligible.

This is not whats been called a get out of jail free card, Barfoot said. In fact, it just gives that individual the ability to petition the court.

Gov. Kay Ivey called for passage of the second chance bill during her State of the State address in February.

The bill is not new. It is similar to one sponsored the last two years by Rep. Chris England, D-Tuscaloosa.

Under Barfoots bill, the person seeking the shorter sentence would file a petition with the trial court where they were convicted.

The district attorney would be notified and could contest the petition. Crime victims would be notified and have a chance to submit a statement or to be heard by the court.

After a hearing, the judge could grant the petition and order a shorter sentence or reduce the sentence to time served. Or the judge could deny the petition. The court would not consider a second petition from those denied.

If this bill goes into effect, they will have served at least, hear me now, at least 25 years, for an offense where there was no physical injury, Barfoot said. We routinely sentence and send people to prison for much less time for violent offenses such as murder and robbery. And I think it is an element of fairness.

Barfoot said he received input from victims groups in revising the bill.

The bill calls for the attorney generals office to review the relevant indictments of petitioners to make sure the record does not show a violent act that was not reflected in the conviction.

Darlene Hutchinson, a member of the Alabama Crime Victims Compensation Commission and longtime advocate for crime victims, said it was important to add that as a safeguard.

Hutchinson said district attorneys offices are overloaded with cases and it will be difficult for them to revisit cases more than 25 years old.

Rep. Matt Simpson, R-Daphne, said he philosophically opposed the bill. He said although the bill has been called a second chance bill, it should be called a fifth chance bill because it would apply to people who had been sentenced to life without parole under the Habitual Offender Act after committing a fourth felony.

He said that would mean eligibility for those who have committed crimes such as arson, robbery, kidnapping, burglary, drug trafficking and drug manufacturing.

I fundamentally have a problem with that, Simpson said.

Todays approval by the committee puts it in position for consideration by the full House.

The Senate passed the bill in March.
The Alabama House of Representatives moved quickly Thursday to pass a bill for state regulation and new restrictions on the sales of gummies, drinks, and other consumable products containing certain chemicals derived from hemp.

The bill by Rep. Andy Whitt, R-Harvest, passed by a vote of 76-15. There was no debate on the House floor before the vote, although the bill had been discussed extensively in committee meetings.

State law already prohibits selling the products to minors but leaves them otherwise unregulated.

Whitt said the products containing THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, pose a danger to children, teens and others. Varieties of the chemical are called Delta 8, Delta 9, and Delta 10.

Supporters of more regulation say the products emerged after Congress legalized production of hemp in 2018.

Hemp is a form of the cannabis plant, like marijuana, but has a lower THC content.

Lawmakers have heard pros and cons at public hearings on Whitts bill and others on the same topic. Supporters of the bill, including law enforcement, said some lab tests showed that some products purchased in Alabama stores exceeded the legal THC content for hemp-derived products.

People who manufacture and sell the products have said they do not oppose regulations, such as prohibiting sales to minors.

But they said Whitts bill calls for excessive restrictions that are not justified for products that they said are safer than alcohol and tobacco for adult users.

Whitts bill would restrict sales of the products to stores that do not allow people younger than age 21. The association representing Alabama convenience stores opposes taking the products out of the stores.

Whitts bill would require the Alcoholic Beverage and Control Board to license and regulate manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers.

It would place a limit on the amount of THC per serving size, would require the ABC board to approve labels, and would require warnings on labels.

Several other bills have been proposed to regulate hemp-derived consumable products. But none has passed the House or Senate before Whitts bill passed on Thursday.

Whitts bill moves to the Senate.
Advocates for immigrants showed up at a public hearing today and spoke out against a bill making it a crime to knowingly bring into Alabama an immigrant who is in the country illegally.

The bill, SB53 by Sen. Wes Kitchens, R-Arab, is one of several proposed by GOP lawmakers during this legislative session, following the example of President Trumps efforts to deport people and crack down on illegal immigration.

Kitchens bill, which has passed the Senate, would create the crime of human smuggling.

Read more:

It says a person commits the crime of human smuggling if he or she knowingly transports into this state another individual if he or she knows is an illegal alien.

The crime would be a Class C felony.

Allison Hamilton, executive director of the Alabama Coalition of Immigrant Justice, said the bill would add new fear and complications for families who have been living and working in Alabama for decades and who have children who are citizens because they were born here.

These families right now are preparing for the imminent threats of deportation and separation. I think everyone is aware nationally whats going on with that, Hamilton told the Alabama House Judiciary Committee.

Hamilton said parents who face deportation need to work with the consulates of their home countries to prepare to take their U.S.-born children with them.

That requires out of state travel, she said.

Not only is it a huge risk for families to drive themselves across state lines with just everything thats going on, but also to criminalize anybody who just wants to be a good Samaritan and help, Hamilton said.

To make it a felony for someone to do that is extremely concerning for us as an organization that believes that every human being deserves dignity and respect.

Kitchens, the bills sponsor, said he has listened to concerns about his bill and made revisions.

That includes an exemption for lawyers who take clients to immigration courts in Atlanta or New Orleans because Alabama does not have a federal immigration court.

Rep. Tim Wadsworth, R-Arley, a lawyer on the Judiciary Committee, noted that attorneys generally do not take their clients to hearings, so it would be the family members making the trip across state lines to immigration courts who would be subject to the human smuggling charge.

Kitchens did not rule out more exceptions but said he did not want the bill to be weakened by loopholes.

A second exemption already added to the bill applies to education employees who, for example, might carry students across state lines on a field trip, including students who are not in the country legally.

Besides establishing the crime of human smuggling, Kitchens said his bill clarifies the process for state, county, and city law enforcement to determine whether a person who is arrested and brought to jail is in the country legally.

The premise of this bill is to really give law enforcement the tools that they need, if youve committed a crime, if youve been put in handcuffs and taken to jail, theyll be able to verify whether you are in the country legally or not, Kitchens said.

The committee did not vote on the bill after the public hearing.

Rep. Jim Hill, R-Moody, the committee chairman, said the committee would vote on the bill next week.

This story was edited on April 14 to make a correction in the first sentence, changing the word legally to illegally.
The Alabama House of Representatives debates a bill to allow the Alabama Farmers Federation to set up a health care plan for its members that would not be regulated as insurance. (Mike Cason/mcason@al.com)

The Alabama House of Representatives on Thursday passed a bill to allow the Alabama Farmers Federation to offer healthcare coverage to its members through a plan that would not be classified or regulated as insurance.

ALFA, a powerful lobbying force in the State House, says the plan would be an affordable alternative for farmers and other federation members who otherwise struggle to pay for health coverage.

The bill is sponsored by Rep. David Faulkner, R-Mountain Brook, and has 39 co-sponsors. Faulkner said the plan would be similar to farm bureau health plans in 10 states, including Tennessee.

After more than two and a half hours of debate, the bill passed by a vote of 98-1. It moves to the Senate.

The bill has drawn opposition, including from organizations who say the ALFA plan will have gaps in coverage that are not allowed in plans regulated by the Alabama Department of Insurance and the federal Affordable Care Act.

Opponents include the states dominant health insurance company, Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) of Alabama, as well as the American Diabetes Association, American Lung Association and the American Heart Association.

They note that the ALFA plan could reject customers with pre-existing medical conditions.

Health insurers that fall under the Affordable Care Act cannot reject people or charge them more because of pre-existing conditions.

Faulkners bill does have protection for members who become ill after they join the plan. It says members cannot be cancelled or have their premiums increased as a result of a medical event.

The bill says the plan must provide ambulatory patient services, hospitalization, emergency services, lab services, mental health care, substance use treatment, and prescription drugs.

The bill would apply a 1.3% tax on premiums.

On the House floor today, Faulkner said the plan could save federation members 30% to 60% on the cost of their health insurance. He said it is not unusual for families to pay $2,000 to $2,500 a month in premiums. He said the number of farms in the state is shrinking and that the bill would help families with one of their largest household costs.

Faulkner said he has worked with BCBS, the Alabama Hospital Association, the Business Council of Alabama, and others to revise the bill and said it would be the most comprehensive farm bureau health plan in the nation.

Most of the co-sponsors of Faulkners bill are Republicans. But many Democrats also came to the mic to say they supported it.

Rep. Berry Forte, D-Eufaula, said he grew up on a farm and said many farmers are struggling financially and need help. He said he supported the bill.

Think about who is putting the food on your table. Who is growing the food, Forte said.

Faulkner proposed an amendment to remove a section of the bill that said the Department of Insurance would enforce the act.

Rep. Frances Holk-Jones, R-Foley, who has been in the insurance business for more than 40 years, had added that section to the bill during a committee meeting.

Holk-Jones said it was important to keep the Department of Insurance enforcement as a safeguard for members. She compared it to a pre-nuptial agreement. She said lawmakers are responsible for making the plan as strong as possible on behalf of the federation members who will use it.

Faulkner said the plan would be self-regulated by the federation and that members would be protected by their contracts. He said the Department of Insurance does not regulate other self-funded health insurance plans.

No representatives spoke in opposition to the bill. But others expressed concerns about taking the Department of Insurance enforcement out of the bill.

Rep. A.J. McCampbell, D-Livingston, told Faulkner he believed the Department of Insurance enforcement provision should remain in the bill.

Rep. Napoleon Bracy, D-Saraland, questioned what recourse members would have if they had a complaint about the plan.

Who are they going to call? Bracy asked.

Faulkner referred to a section of the bill that said the federation would designate an ombudsman and establish a complaint procedure.

It says the Department of Insurance would have the authority to review and comment on any complaint.

Rep. Chris England, D-Tuscaloosa, asked Faulkner why a state law was needed to authorize a plan the federation, a private organization, will offer for its members.

Faulkner said he did not have a definite answer for that but noted that other states who have similar plans have done them through state plans.

Rep. Juandalynn Givan, D-Birmingham, said the reason the federation is seeking a state law is so that the plan will be exempt from the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.
President Joe Biden meets with President-elect Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) AP

President Joe Biden was stupid and maybe corrupt for allowing China to run up a massive trade surplus with the United States, his successor said Wednesday.

President Donald Trump called out his predecessor while saying he did not blame China for the trade imbalance.

It was sick, Trump told reporters as he signed executive orders at the White House. Biden allowed these people to get away with murder. Biden allowed China to just take advantage of us.

Trump claimed the United States trade deficit with China -- the president claims it is $1 trillion, although the actual figure is about $263 billion, according to MarketWatch -- should have been first addressed more than a decade ago.

I dont blame China for what happened. I blame the people sitting right at this desk  for being stupid, incompetent or not having courage. This shouldve been done years ago. This shouldve been done before Obama, in all fairness," the president said.

I blame the people sitting at this desk more than I blame China. If China can get away with what they got away with  because our people here were stupid. They were stupid people. Maybe corrupt? I dont know," Trump said.

I dont know how you can be that stupid. How do you get to be president and then youre stupid? the president continued. But they certainly werent courageous, and they allowed this to happen 
President Donald Trumps deregulatory agenda has now led to the war on showers.

Trump signed an executive order Wednesday dubbed Maintaining Acceptable Water Pressure in Showerheads.

Trump has complained since his first term that Obama-Biden era regulations ruined household appliances like showerheads.

The first is an executive order, the Biden administration launched while you called a war on showers pic.twitter.com/iusvnNzE2g  Acyn (@Acyn) April 9, 2025

In my case, I like to take a nice shower, take care of my beautiful hair, and I have to stand under the shower for 15 minutes until it gets wet, it comes out drip drip drip, its ridiculous, Trump said as he signed the executive order.

According to the order, it directs the Secretary of Energy to rescind a federal rule that redefined showerhead under the Obama-Biden administration.

During Obamas tenure his administration implemented measures to ensure showerheads did not pour a total of 2.5 gallons of water per minute. The move was argued as a means to conserve resources while lowering utility costs.

The order will also apply to other appliances Trump claims liberal regulations have ruined including gas stoves, water heaters, washing machines and dishwashers.

A White House statement regarding the order says that showerheads will no longer be weak and worthless and will end the Obama-Biden war on water pressure and make Americas showers great again.
A large part of Alabama has the potential to see a few strong to severe storms starting later this afternoon and into tonight.

The tornado risk is not zero but on the low side, according to the National Weather Service.

This list will be updated.

Cullman County Schools are dismissing at 1:30 today.

Decatur City elementary schools will dismiss at 2:00 and Decatur City secondary schools will dismiss at 2:40

Morgan County Schools are dismissing at 2:00.

Hartselle City Schools are dismissing from 1:30-2:20 starting with Pre-K.

NOAAs Storm Prediction Center is forecasting a Level 2 out of 5 (slight) risk for severe weather in Alabama that includes all of north Alabama and much of central Alabama (see the severe weather outlook at the top of this post).

A Level 2 risk means that scattered severe storms will be possible.

Areas to the south are in a Level 1 risk and could have to deal with isolated severe storms.

No severe weather is expected in south Alabama.
Two-thirds of GPs believe political shifts under the new US administration, and the related geopolitical and economic consequences, will impact their fundraising activities in the year ahead, new research shows.










English News China-US agricultural cooperation benefits consumers, farmers

Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 8 Avril 2025



China remains committed to openness and inclusiveness, steadfastly advancing high-level opening up. It is imperative for the United States collaborate with China in resolving differences through constructive dialogue, fostering a stable environment for agricultural cooperation, and safeguarding the shared interests of farmers and consumers in both nations. By aligning efforts, the two countries can spearhead sustainable agricultural development on a global scale.

By Zhong Sheng, People's Daily In the vast farmlands of Iowa, United States, farmer Grant Kimberley cultivates thousands of acres of soybeans. Following autumn harvests, the soybeans undergo cleaning, sorting, and packaging before being transported to Mississippi River ports for international shipping.



After traversing the Pacific Ocean for several weeks, these cargo vessels reach Chinese ports. The soybeans are then delivered to processing plants, where they are refined into soybean oil and soybean meal.



The soybean oil enters China's retail and food service sectors, becoming essential cooking oil for millions of households nationwide. Meanwhile, the soybean meal serves as high-quality feed for China's livestock and poultry industries.



This transcontinental journey of Iowa soybeans exemplifies the dynamic agricultural cooperation between China and the United States. Agricultural collaboration has consistently remained one of the earliest-established, most substantive, and strategically significant areas in bilateral relations since diplomatic normalization.



As the world's largest agricultural importer, China naturally complements the United States' position as the top global agricultural exporter. This symbiotic relationship creates mutually beneficial outcomes, establishing both nations as inherently complementary partners in agricultural trade and development.



According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), American agricultural exports to China totaled 24.5 billion, with China purchasing $12.8 billion worth of soybeansover half of the total.



These imports not only fulfill critical demands in China's domestic market but also stimulate growth across U.S. agricultural supply chains, elevating farm incomes and generating measurable mutual benefits.



Sino-U.S. agricultural collaboration has enriched consumer choices in both nations while bolstering rural livelihoods. In 2023, the average U.S. farmer exported approximately $9,000 in agricultural goods to China. A significant milestone occurred in January 2023, when the two nations reinstated their bilateral agricultural cooperation framework, paving the way for joint advancements in climate-resilient farming practices and sustainable food production. This partnership continues to diversify in scope and ambition.



As China transitions from a major agricultural producer to a global agricultural powerhouse, its modernization driveengaging nearly 500 million farmersis amplifying demand for premium agricultural products. This evolution promises expanded opportunities for Sino-U.S. agricultural trade within open, rules-based markets.



Deepening agricultural ties between China and the U.S. extend far beyond bilateral gains, serving as a cornerstone for global food security and agricultural innovation. The inherent complementarity between the world's largest agricultural importer and exporter fosters a stable, mutually reinforcing relationship that benefits producers, consumers, and global supply chains alike.



The two nations have collaborated extensively in agricultural technology and sustainable development, spanning innovations such as precision agriculture, biotechnology,water-efficient irrigation systems, and smart farming practices. These joint efforts have injected substantial momentum into global agricultural modernization, driving the transformation of food production systems worldwide and bolstering initiatives to combat hunger and poverty.



In recent years, however, China-U.S. agricultural cooperation has encountered mounting challenges. The U.S. government's tariff imposition of tariffs has cast uncertainty over bilateral agricultural trade. As the Washington Post recently highlighted, Washington's protectionist trade policies have once again positioned American farmers at the epicenter of global trade tensions.



Analyses by U.S. media estimate that tariff measures enacted between 2018 and 2019 resulted in nearly $26 billion in lost agricultural exports, with American farmers' incomes in 2019 plummeting by approximately 8% compared to 2017 levels.



The USDA's 2025 Agricultural Outlook projects that U.S. agricultural exports to China at $22 billion for 2025. Jim Sutter, CEO of the US Soybean Export Council, underscored that farmers bear the brunt of trade war repercussionsa sentiment echoing across American agricultural communities.



Trade wars produce no victors. Unilateralism and protectionism not only contravene market principles but also erode the bedrock of China-U.S agricultural cooperation. Agriculture, as a cornerstone of societal well-being, must remain insulated from politicization or unwarranted securitization.



China remains committed to openness and inclusiveness, steadfastly advancing high-level opening up. It is imperative for the United States collaborate with China in resolving differences through constructive dialogue, fostering a stable environment for agricultural cooperation, and safeguarding the shared interests of farmers and consumers in both nations. By aligning efforts, the two countries can spearhead sustainable agricultural development on a global scale.



(Zhong Sheng is a pen name often used by People's Daily to express its views on foreign policy and international affairs.)



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)
On April 3, President Trump announced his reciprocal tariff proposal. His tariff rates were calculated on a country-by-country basis by dividing half of each countrys trade surplus with the U.S. by that countrys exports to the U.S., with a floor tariff rate of 10%. Although Trumps tariffs appear to be completely novel to the chattering classes, they actually have several important antecedents.

John Maynard Keynes in 1933

In 1933, Keynes helped put into effect Britains Imperial Preference System, which created a duty-free zone within the British Commonwealth, with high tariffs on countries outside of the Commonwealth, including the primary trade-surplus countries of the day, the U.S. and France. As a result, factories moved into Commonwealth countries to access markets, and Britain quickly climbed out of the Great Depression.

Later, in his magnum opus, published in 1936 (The General Theory of Employment Interest, and Money), Keynes included an entire chapter about the danger of tolerating trade deficits:

(A) favorable [trade] balance, provided it is not too large, will prove extremely stimulating; whilst an unfavorable balance may soon produce a state of persistent depression. (p. 338)

Trump, like Keynes, realizes that an unfavorable trade balance is unsustainable and is willing to use tariffs to rectify such an imbalance.

Rep. Gephart, Sen. Levin, and Sen. Riegel in 1985 and 1987

The first bill that would have required balanced trade was introduced by Democrat congressman (and future majority leader) Dick Gephart and by Senators Carl Levin and Donald Riegel in 1985 and 1987. Their bill would have applied a tariff to countries that had a large trade surplus in non-petroleum products with the U.S.

In such a case, the U.S. Trade Representative would enter bilateral negotiations in order to achieve an annual 10-percent reduction in that trade surplus each year. If the trade representative were unable to achieve such an agreement, then the president would be required to limit imports from that country in order to achieve those reductions. Trump, like Democrat leaders of the 1980s, is willing to use negotiations to bring trade toward balance.

Warren Buffett in 2003

In an article in Fortune, Buffett argued, Americas growing trade deficit is selling the nation out from under us. He wrote,

In effect, our country has been behaving like an extraordinarily rich family that possesses an immense farm. In order to consume 4% more than we produce  thats the trade deficit  we have, day by day been both selling pieces of the farm and increasing the mortgage on what we still own.

In order to balance U.S. trade, Buffett proposed a system of tariffs whose proceeds would be used to subsidize exports. Like President Trump, he saw Americas trade deficit as a huge problem and came up with a dramatic plan that would solve it.

Peter Morici in 2008

Maryland business professor Peter Morici (2008), former director of the Office of Economics at the U.S. International Trade Commission, was the first to propose a tariff whose rate would go up or down depending upon actions that cause a trade deficit. He proposed a dollar-yuan conversion tax that would be applied to Chinese imports into the United States at a rate continually adjusted to the rate of Chinese currency market interventions. He wrote,

China subsidizes exports by selling its currency, the yuan, for dollars at artificially low values in foreign-exchange markets, making Chinese goods artificially cheap at Wal-Mart. The U.S. government should tax dollar-yuan conversions at a rate equal to Chinas subsidy until China stops manipulating currency markets. That would reduce imports from, and increase exports to, China.

Both Trumps trade adviser, Peter Navarro, and former trade representative Peter Morici are prominent economists who have long advocated strong government action to bring our trade deficit with China toward balance.

Our Proposal in 2011

In 2011, our own forebear of Trumps reciprocal tariff was published in the Estes Center Journal of International Law and International Trade. We were developing ideas about trade first published by one of us, Raymond Richman, who had received a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in 1957 with Milton Friedman as his dissertation adviser and then worked as a university professor and economics department chairman and as a consultant for the OEEC, the World Bank, the IMF, the Inter-American Development Bank, the U.S. Agency for International Development, and the Asian Development Bank.

Our tariff would apply only to the goods of trade-surplus countries with a rate designed to take in 50% of the trade deficit as tariff revenue. It would be adjusted quarterly and suspended whenever trade reached balance. Trumps formula for calculating specific country tariff rates is remarkably similar to our proposal.

Keyness Attempt to Keep Future Trade Balanced

The world economy would be balanced today if John Maynard Keyness proposal had been accepted in July 1944 at the Bretton Woods Conference, which led to the establishment of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Keynes, representing Britain, would have required that trade-surplus countries take down their barriers to imports, stimulate their economies, and/or make loans to trade deficit countries. In contrast, trade-deficit countries would be allowed to use export subsidies, devaluations, import restrictions, and tariff barriers.

Unfortunately, Keynes was opposed at every turn in the negotiations by chief U.S. negotiator Harry Dexter White, a Soviet spy in the U.S. Treasury Department, who may have wished to weaken trade-deficit Britain so as to bring about a U.S.-Soviet partnership after World War II. Alternatively, it is possible that White opposed Keynes simply because he wanted to enshrine free trade, not balanced trade, as the IMFs goal. Whites counterproposal for an International Stabilization Fund became the basis for the modern IMF.

Free trade is a wonderful ideal. Each country produces what it can produce with comparative advantage and trades it to another for what that country produces with comparative advantage. As a result, the people of both countries benefit. But in order for free trade to work, it has to be reciprocal. If a trade-surplus country produces products and trades them in return for IOUs, the trade-surplus country gets industries, wealth, and prosperity while the trade-deficit country loses industries, goes into debt, and loses its prosperity.

Trumps tariffs would have been unnecessary had Keynes, Gephart, Levin, Riegel, Buffett, Morici, or ourselves succeeded in enacting a system that would continue balanced trade into the distant future. Trump has come up with and is implementing a strategy to achieve that worthy end.

The Richmans co-authored the 2014 book Balanced Trade, published by Lexington Books, and the 2008 book Trading Away Our Future, published by Ideal Taxes Association.

Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0.
Last week, the Oakland Jewish Alliance and Marleen Sacks filed a lawsuit to stop the Oakland (California) Unified School District from openly and aggressively inserting itself in the Israel-Gaza conflict by advocating for the Palestinians and aggressively indoctrinating students in hatred for Israel and the Jewish people. If the allegations are provenand theres lots of material in the news and on social media that backs up the allegationsthe district has grossly violated its obligations to be a neutral public forum, as well as violating Jewish students civil rights under both state and federal law.

Its to be hoped that the District settles quickly or, if it insists on going to trial, loses the case. It would also be a good thing were the Trump administration to hear about this because Im sure theres federal money to be withheld. American taxpayers should not be funding the madness that is taking place in the Oakland public schools.

The Oakland Unified School District is huge, with 35,489 students and 2,357 teachers. That means that when it takes sides in a political dispute (which public schools are not supposed to do) or starts preaching radical antisemitism (which is illegal at both the federal and state levels), thousands of absorbent, malleable young minds are being affected.

The districts funding is doled out on a per-student basis...the greater the number of students, the more money it gets. The district has been in a budget hole lately, which has resulted in significant layoffs.

That being the case, one would think that it would not engage in activities that cause it to lose either students (and Jewish families have already pulled their kids from the schools) or government funding. According to Groks analysis, federal money makes up 10-15% of the districts funding, a not-inconsequential amount. However, based on social media activity and the allegations in the lawsuit, the teachers and administrators at various schools in the district may have lacked wisdom.

Here are some of the things, per social and traditional news media, that teachers and staff have been doing ever since Hamas, a designated terrorist group, invaded Israel on October 7 and slaughtered over 1,200 civilians, trying to torture them as much as possible in the process:

The Palestinian flag flying at Fremont High School in Oakland.



California law requires the flags of the United States and of the State of California to be "prominently installed, displayed, and maintained" at every school. pic.twitter.com/dmPEuovBtm  Laura Powell (@LauraPowellEsq) November 16, 2023 Oakland Unified School District - small children in Annabella Nash's classroom at West Contra School made Valentine's Day cards standing in support of Palestine and calling for a ceasefire.



Superintendent Johnson-Trammell : kayla.johnson@ousd.org pic.twitter.com/nFZHNgkl0u  StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) February 29, 2024 OUTRAGEOUS - Oakland Unified School District sent out a resource guide for Arab American Heritage Month & erased Israel from the map.



There are 2.2 million Arab citizens in Israel, all w/equal rights.



The guide also promoted terrorist Rasmea Odeh, convicted of murdering 2 Jews. pic.twitter.com/ob8EjIUOjA  StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) April 3, 2024 Fresno, San Jose, Oakland, and Long Beach Unified School Districts have all partnered with 'Californians for Justice', a "youth powered fighting to improve the lives of all marginalized communities"(@Cal4Justice)



Except for the Jewish community.



They call for boycotts of the pic.twitter.com/2NTnXsJ4qU  StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) January 8, 2024

And then there was the teach-in that teachers planned less than two months after October 7:

A group of Oakland teachers is calling for educators to swap out district-recommended curriculum for a teach-in Wednesday that would educate students about the Palestinian struggle amid the war in Gaza. But district officials have pushed back at the effort focused on students as young as 4, saying that teachers should be teaching critical thinking, not telling students what to think. [snip] The lesson plans made available to teachers in a Google document for the Wednesday teach-in included a Palestinian-themed alphabet book for transitional kindergarten through third-grade students, with the letter I representing intifada, a word historically connected to the armed uprisings by Palestinians against Israeli occupation and control of disputed land. Another lesson for the early elementary grades encouraged students to identify what they will chant at a Palestine protest.

Despite the pushback, dozens of teachers went ahead with the plan.

A pro-Palestinian education association enthusiastically praised the teach-in, along with other less formalized pro-Palestinian activities in the Oakland schools. You should check out the link because, to illustrate how pro-Palestinian Oakland High is, the article includes a photo purporting to show the hallway wall covered with student-created pro-Palestinian posters.

The same essay is also illuminating insofar as it boasts about the a long-term successful push to instruct students in the Palestinian narrative and paint Israel, the worlds only Jewish nation, which occupies a minute spot of land in an entirely Muslim region of the world, as a colonialist occupier that needs to be destroyed.

Just a few months after the teach-in, Oakland teachers joined students in a walkout to protest the war in Gaza, another sign of the politicization of Oakland classrooms. Thus, if the students walk out, one cant blame the school. However, if the teachers are part of the walkout, that strongly suggests classroom indoctrination.

Its against this backdrop that the Oakland Jewish Alliance and Marleen L. Sacks filed the suit against the school district seeking injunctive relief to stop what are manifestly illegal political activities. It would be nice if the ultimate injunctive relief (and I think Sacks will prevail because, in my humble estimation, the school district doesnt have a legal leg to stand on) included remedial instruction for district students who have been marinated in antisemitic hatred for a year-and-a-half. (Actually, for longer than that, if the pro-Palestinian organization is to be believed.)

Also, I sincerely hope that the Trump administration learns of whats happening in the district and stops the flow of American taxpayer money to the district until it cleans up its act.

This is Ms. Sacks press release detailing the allegations in the lawsuit:

A lawsuit has been filed today [April 4] in Alameda County Superior Court charging Oakland Unified School District with repeatedly failing to properly investigate allegations of antisemitism and allegations that teachers, administrators and others have been openly indoctrinating students. The lawsuit also alleges that the District has created a hostile environment for Jewish and Israeli families and staff, resulting in over 30 families leaving the District, among other harms. Lastly, the lawsuit alleges repeated failure to comply with the California Public Records Act by failing to provide the plaintiffs with documents related to the ongoing antisemitism and indoctrination. The lawsuit was filed by the Oakland Jewish Alliance, a local nonprofit, and Marleen Sacks, an Oakland attorney. California law, as well as District policy, mandates that discrimination complaints known as Uniform Complaints, be investigated within 60 days. The original Uniform Complaint at issue in the lawsuit was filed in November, 2023, and addendums to the complaint were submitted over the next several months. Nearly a year and a half later, due to the Districts tolerance for antisemitism, the District still has not completed the investigations, and for some of the complaints, has yet to even assign an investigator. The lawsuit references multiple and serious issues that have been occurring throughout various schools, all of which were included in the previously filed complaints. These issues include: Teachers organized an unauthorized teach-in on December 6, 2023, during which over 100 teachers abused their authority and used District time to teach unauthorized and unapproved antisemitic and anti-Zionist curriculum to indoctrinate students into their political agenda.

A Palestinian flag replaced the United States and California flag at Fremont High School, apparently for weeks.

District administrators have used District email platforms to send out pro-Palestinian/anti-Israel propaganda.

A District manager posted on social media calling Zionists hateful heartless beings, who thrive on the death and destruction of Black and Brown bodies.

Multiple District employees led a group of 130 students during school hours on an unauthorized pro-Palestine walkout.

Elementary school children were forced by the administration to watch a propaganda video during a Native American Heritage assembly about how Israel stole the land of Palestine.

Teachers have been exempted from other duties by the administration by agreeing to participate in a May 1 pro-Palestine walkout.

The front page of a student newspaper published on a District website contained an anti-Israel hit piece disguised as a news article.

Teachers, administrators and other staff members have been using District classrooms, hallway walls, administrative offices, and other means to regularly and repeatedly indoctrinate students. They have been using posters, flags and curriculum, in antisemitic and anti-Zionist propaganda, creating an ongoing hostile environment for students, parents and staff. The District has had more than enough time to investigate the issues we have raised. If they were truly interested in addressing the problem of indoctrination and antisemitism, the investigations would have been completed long ago, the offenders would have been disciplined or fired, and a program would have been put in place to neutralize the damage that has been done. But the District has taken none of these actions. Instead, they have delayed and dilly dallied and have denied us access to clearly public documents such as curriculum, claiming that such documents are too sensitive and controversial for public consumption. How can the District justify withholding curriculum that is being used in the classroom? It is outrageous, Sacks said. One example of curriculum recently obtained includes a video made by an Oakland teacher of his fifth graders reciting what he had learned, looking into the camera and saying: Another major thing that I've learned is that the Jews, the people who took over basically just stole the Palestinians land. Sacks noted, This is pure Jew hating indoctrination that is going on in Oakland schools. The District is well aware that these things are going on, and instead of addressing it, they are either endorsing it, or covering it up. The lawsuit seeks court intervention to compel the District to complete the investigations in a fair, thorough, unbiased and timely manner, to produce the public records that have been requested, and to cease the indoctrination and antisemitism. Press contact: Marleen L. Sacks (925) 247-8328; Marleen@lawofficeofmarleensacks.com

Image: X screen grab.
DOGE chief Elon Musk and White House trade advisor Peter Navarro got into a public spat yesterday, and the White House had the perfect response.

According to Axios:

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, asked for comment on the Musk-Navarro spat at the daily press briefing, replied with a smile: "Boys will be boys, and we will let their public sparring continue." Musk, the 53-year-old Tesla CEO, is worth $350 billion and has unprecedented influence over the mechanics of government.

Navarro, 75, is leading the administration's effort to re-wire the global economy.

Which was exactly the right thing to do.

If they want to fight it out in public, let them fight, because the alternative -- either getting rid of one, or getting rid of the other -- is worse for the administration with all its phenomenal talent.

According to Wikipedia, which has an utterly sucky, biased, disgracefully mendacious bio of Navarro, the back and forth went like this:

On April 5, 2025 Navarro was criticized by Trump advisor Elon Musk, who questioned his educational qualifications from Harvard on X and wrote "He aint built shit."[178] In response, Navarro said Musk is not a "car manufacturer". On April 8, Musk responded by calling Navarro "a moron" and "dumber than a sack of bricks", and said he should consult "the fake expert he invented, Ron Vara".

Musk also called Navarro "Retarrdo" which got the New York Post excited:

Forget the trade war! The war between Elon and Navarro is more entertaining. https://t.co/k21nOoPYy1  Miranda Devine (@mirandadevine) April 8, 2025

X is the greatest ! pic.twitter.com/JtrjUuZoTS  Retard Finder (@IfindRetards) April 8, 2025

And we know it's been boiling for several days. On April 7, Elon, without comment, mysteriously put up a classical video from Milton Friedman, demonstrating how a pencil, the most ordinary of objects, was really the product of a global supply chain and free trade, which must have clearly been a dig at Navarro, who is a protectionist:

Elon, for one, is utterly, utterly, invaluable to the administration with his capacity to use algorithms to zero in on waste, fraud and abuse on a scale never before seen in government. (Wait till he gets hold of the voter rolls if it can happen.) His work enforcing simple honesty and transparency in government is likely to lead to the destruction of the entire Democrat party and all its fraudulent activities, the destruction of Trump's enemies. His stellar performance at Twitter (now X), making it profitable when it was impossible to be profitable before -- and the same with Tesla and SpaceX before -- is a gift from heaven to the government that needs to learn to live within its means and he truly is a national hero. He's also been persecuted by the left, first through lawfare during the Biden administration, and now through actual terrorism against Tesla and its buyers, which makes him even more heroic.

Navarro, too, is a naturally sympathetic figure, first having challenged the vaunted Dr. Anthony Fauci at the height of the COVID lockdowns over his false claims against hydroxycholorquine (HCQ) which was an inexpensive and effective means of treating COVID, and second in refusing to turn over documents to sleazy, partisan Rep. Adam Schiff over the events of Jan. 6, and literally going to jail for it, a draconian punishment never before seen that must have tested him. Yet he never bent to them, never waivered in his support for separation of powers, and for President Trump. It's not surprising he's one of the few people in Trump's second administration who carried over from the first. Navarro must be immensely comforting to President Trump to have around, having shown such loyalty.

For Trump, it would be miserable to be rid of either of them. And he doesn't want it.

So, better to let them duke it out even in public, and let insults be insults.

It's better than the sneaky pete swamp games we are used to -- Obama plotting against Kamala Harris and Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton plotting with the DNC to rig the primaries against Bernie Sanders, Biden directing the Justice department to target political opponents, phony stories in the press about Elon fighting with Marco Rubio premised on leaks from anonymous sources.

This administration is nothing if not transparent. They take their fights outside. They can fight all they like, it's better to do it in the open, actually, rather than through the Obama-ish stab in the back, with scurrying around amid anonymous media leaks.

What it tells those of us on the outside is that Trump is sufficiently confident in his own leadership to make his own decisions, no matter what his aides may think. The buck stops at Trump. He makes the decisions, and he owns them. His aides can say what they want to say, he's not policing their speech like a dictator might.

That's a refreshing change in leadership style from Joe Biden, who essentially acted as a puppet for other political players.

While it's unconventional, the corporate same old-same old is no longer the rule of the day, and actually, it doesn't really hurt the Trump administration if Navarro and Musk want to argue in public because Trump is in charge. Trump's the boss, and in bringing the arguments out into the public -- and having the public engage them as well -- helps Trump make better decisions anyway.

The recent pause in tariffs for allies trying to make things right, just announced, is a textbook illustration of this brand of adult leadership in action.

Trump and his team are not like the others.

Color me impressed.

Image: Screen shot from X post and video.
Q: What happens when you have a NOYA and you find another?

A: You get paranoia!

The older I get, the more suspicious I become. In God I trust, but I cant say that about too many other things. Consider the National Debt. If you go to the U.S. Debt Clock on your computer, that site will tell you how far the land of the free and the home of the brave is in debt. Is that site trustworthy?

We need a USA Invasion Scoreboard. How many illegals did Joe Biden lure to America during his four years as POTUS? The estimates vary widely. Some claim that Biden brought in over 50 million illegals during his administration. More conservative estimates put the number around 11 to 17 million.

I know House Speaker Johnson is busy, but we need a congressional investigation to determine a number. Once they determine a reasonable estimate, they should post a scoreboard like the Debt Clock to track President Trumps success at expelling the illegal immigrants welcomed by Biden.

President Trump talks a good game about deporting illegals, but we need a way to hold him and Secretary Noem accountable for their promises. If we accept 20 million as the target number to deport, they have 1,381 days left to deport those 20 million illegals. That means that Tom Homan and his gang at ICE need to deport 14,500 illegals a day.

Yesterday, a reporter asked Trumps Press Secretary if we will ever see the video of Joe Bidens interview with Special Counsel Hur of his mismanagement of secret documents. As much as I would like to see that video, I suspect many more of us would like to see President Trump keep his promise about deporting illegals.

As the 2026 Congressional elections near, the Democrats and many Republicans want us to forget about the illegal invasion created by Biden and enabled by them. We taxpayers are paying we dont know how much for these illegals, and many in Congress want us to accept that as the price of living here. I reject that and I want accountability!

Did Joe Biden mismanage the illegal immigration as his handlers and fawning press suggest or did Joe Biden do everything he and his administration could do to flood the USA with illegals? Did we pay for the secret flights of illegals that Biden ordered? How much of our National Debt is tied to illegal immigrants? Biden created a mell of a hess in his four years and many of us want Trump to clean it up as he promised.

Ned Cosby, a frequent contributor to American Thinker, is a former pastor, veteran Coast Guard officer, and a retired English high school teacher. His novel OUTCRY is a love story exposing the refusal of Christian leaders to report and discipline clergy who sexually abuse our young people. This work of fiction addresses crimes that are all too real. Cosby has also written RECOLLECTIONS FROM MY FATHERS HOUSE, tracing his own odyssey from 1954 to the present. For more info, visit Ned Cosby.

Image: AI
In little more than a week, on Saturday, April 19, 2025, is the 250th anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord. The night before, Paul Revere and friends took their famous midnight rides through the Massachusetts countryside after being warned by lanterns from Bostons Old North Church that the British are coming!

Lexington and Concord are widely regarded as the beginning of the American Revolution. While tensions between England and the colonies had been growing for years, Concord was the first time both sides drew blood. Go to North Bridge and see the markers where British troops and colonials fell.

An argument can be made that act -- each side drawing blood -- galvanized an awareness that here now were two separate nations. In the play 1776, Pennsylvanias John Dickinson and Massachusetts John Adams get into one of their debates about independency, specifically, events in New England. Dickinson asks, are these the acts of Englishmen? Adams responds they are the deeds of Americans. When Dickinson asks what is so terrible about being an Englishman, Franklin answers by saying it is like comparing an ox to a bull: he appreciates the compliment but would rather have what is rightfully his. And that launches into a debate about the rights of Englishmen in America, Franklin concluding: Weve spawned a new race here Were a new nationality. We require a new nation.

That conception arguably happened on North Bridge, Concord.

With roughly a week until the Semiquincentennial of those important events, the question is: why are so few people talking about the anniversary? Why the silence? Why the neglect?

Back in 1975, as Americans approached the Bicentennial, it was commonplace to note what happened 200 years earlier.

Have we so succumbed to the tyranny of the moment that a preoccupation with the current politics of the 24-hour news cycle blinds us to everything else? Has politics become so all-consuming that it cloaks anything not political, not of the moment?

Or has the Lefts deconstruction of U.S. history alienated our people from their past and its traditions? Has the demythologizing of that history left us to believe that the settlement of the Americas and the founding of the United States was one huge miscarriage of justice, steeped in systemic racism and irredeemably corrupted? Have ideological pushes like the 1619 Project consigned not just pride in, but U.S. history itself, to some memory hole, best unacknowledged unless apologized for?

Has a land whose people went within two centuries from The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere to a ride to the moon and hopes to go on to Mars lost its dreams? Its pride? Its patriotic feel?

As we approach Americas 250th anniversary next year, will we enter the celebration with pride in what our country has achieved? Or will the standard approach be the Lefts usual grievance mongering bellyache that manages to make every celebration a Pepto-Bismol moment? Or will we just feign historical amnesia?

The Trump Administration has committed itself to a robust celebration of the American Semiquincentennial. Will Americans have the sense to realize that, whatever else divides them, a joyful celebration of their nations founding and its survival for a quarter of a millennium is something necessarily worth celebrating together, differences or partisanship notwithstanding?

Image: Public Domain
There are a couple of big stories on the news. The first one is the stock market. The second one is that everyone is writing a book about former President Biden. We can call it "the new Gold Rush" -- how everyone wants to make a dollar telling us that the President was not doing well.

The latest testimony comes from George Stephanopoulos, of War Room fame and host of ABC 's This Week on Sunday morning. He is now telling us what he saw:

ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos reportedly said his post-debate interview with former President Joe Biden was "heartbreaking up close." Chris Whipple's new book, titled "Uncharted: How Trump Beat Biden, Harris, and the Odds in the Wildest Campaign in History," which was released on Tuesday, recounted behind-the-scenes conflicts between members of the Democratic Party and the Biden administration over whether Biden needed to step out of the race after his disastrous debate with then-candidate Donald Trump on June 27. To "staunch the bleeding" of Democrats beginning to publicly call for replacing Biden on the ticket, Whipple wrote about how the White House accepted an interview with the "This Week" host on July 5 to reassure the public about the presidents candidacy. Whipple described Biden as "hoarse and semi-coherent" throughout the interview and said Stephanopoulos was equally disappointed. "Stephanopoulos questioned the president gently, like a grandson," Whipple wrote. "Afterward, when I asked the ABC anchor by email for his impressions, he replied: Heartbreaking up close."

Heartbroken grandson, I guess? Maybe this is how the Special Counsel Robert Hur felt looking at Biden's documents problem.

Well, I can understand how a Democrat dressed up as a journalist could feel bad for his party's president going down in flames. It's a human feeling and I'll cut George a little slack.

Unfortunately, George did not do his viewers any good. He should have been more honest and admitted that he saw the unthinkable -- a president who should have resigned or been removed under Article 25.

So get ready for a lot of journalists to "break the news" that we all saw with our eyes for some time. Also get ready for a lot of journalists to write books and cash in on his condition. Everybody's been cashing in on Joe Biden, from his family to the people we trusted to cover him.

P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos.

Image: Tulane Public Relations
Apparently, accurately observing and assessing reality is only okay when someone is obviously lying about their age. If you notice that theyre lying about their biological sex though? Youre a fascist, bigot, racist, homophobe, Trump-supporter, Nazi you name it.

In perhaps one of the most absurd stories Ive ever read (from where else but Oregon?), a local high school called the cops on Madison, a 15-year-old girl trying to enroll in classesthere was a problem though, and it wasnt the fact that Madison was actually a bearded male, but that he was lying about his age!

A transgender pedophile has been sentenced to 20 days in jail after attempting to impersonate a 15-year-old girl and enroll at a high school in Albany, Oregon.



Makayla Craig, who identifies as an animal, is a registered sex offender.



READ: https://t.co/tXekOVgCc2 pic.twitter.com/X8mN9eD6T0  REDUXX (@ReduxxMag) April 7, 2025

Oh, and Madison also appears to legally be known as Makayla, and he turned out to be a convicted sex offender too, having been found guilty of sexually abusing a minor just two years ago. Here are the details, from Genevieve Gluck at Reduxx:

The person appeared to be an adult but was portraying themselves as a 15-year-old girl. After further investigation, the individual gave a false name and date of birth attempting to enroll in high school, a statement from Albany Police Department read.

The police department, no doubt run by wokesters, opted not to include a photo of Makayla when announcing the arrest, which sparked outcry from local citizens and parents. We wouldnt want anyone to get the wrong idea and think that adult male pedophiles who dress in little girl clothes and try to weasel their way onto high school campuses are a bit sick in the head! That would be discriminatory against the LGBTQ community! Dont recognize the patterns, or you just might be a bigot.

And, from the wokester prosecutor:

She, as a registered sex offender, is trying to pretend that she is a juvenile to become- to be involved with other juveniles in the high school system, said prosecutor Coleen Cerda.

So claiming to be a she is fine, but claiming to be a younger she is not fine.

A dizzying intellect.

There was a Rob Schneider movie I watched in my youth called The Hot Chick, and the premise of the film is a bratty and shallow high school girl named Jessica (played by Rachel McAdams) is seriously humbled when a pair of enchanted/spelled earrings causes her to switch bodies with a local petty criminal (Schneider), and she learns a little about growing up and being a nicer person.

At one point, Jessica has to reveal herself to her best friend April, who panics at the ugly Jessica (Schneider) in front of her, and pepper sprays the creep.

No longer is a dynamic like this a work of fiction from a ridiculous Hollywood production, but the norm for Oregons high-schoolers!

Image: YouTube video screen grab.
In an article published today at the New York Post, journalist Emily Crane described the Darien Gap route as a ghost town after just four months of the illegal migration crackdown from the Trump administration.

Once-overrun Darien Gap migrant route to US virtually deserted amid Trump migrant crackdowns, before-and-after photos show https://t.co/x5yj5eTQOw pic.twitter.com/cNraH4EgxV  New York Post (@nypost) April 10, 2025

The Associated Press reported the same:

In 2023, migration through the passages trenches smashed records with more than 500,000 people making the grueling crossing, according to Panamas government [snip] In the few months since U.S. President Donald Trump took office, with his tough stance on migration, his administration effectively cut off access to asylum along the U.S.-Mexico border. And while migration took a sharp dip under the final year of the Biden administration, it slowed to a trickle, with barely 10 people a week at Lajas Blancas.

And just like that, rates of sexual assault, rape, robbery, and kidnapping across the stretch of remote jungle, plunge into new lows.

As a reminder, the Gap has disturbingly high rates of sexual violence:

Doctors Without Border/Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) medical teams in southern Panama provided care to 214 survivors of sexual violence in December 2023more than a sevenfold increase compared with prior months despite a lull in migration through the dangerous Darien Gap in the same period.

Just take a look at this group of lecherous-looking men from last year during the exact same time those numbers were reported, with a little girl in tow, and no mother in sight:

Darien Gap, Panama -- we constantly see men with young girls and no women. Maybe her mother was nearby. I did not ask. I should have asked the "Egyptian" if he is from Gaza. pic.twitter.com/T1t9ByKMgi  Michael Yon: Callsign BIG HONEY (@Michael_Yon) January 8, 2024

But this is a family according to the Democrats, and upon illegal U.S. entry, it would be cruel and inhumane to separate these men from the child, and make sure that little girl isnt in the hands of abusers.

And a few more newcomers who came through the gap on the way to our neighborhoods:

Tren de Aragua who came through Darien Gap -- a small sample: https://t.co/73bePDd8IR pic.twitter.com/CiPMnMUjWd  Michael Yon: Callsign BIG HONEY (@Michael_Yon) April 8, 2025

But the ghost town Darien Gap doesnt just make for less violent crime in the world, but a cleaner environment too; the Gap and its people have suffered heavily under from astronomical levels of pollution and littering due to the amount of migration traffic. Remember when the indigenous tribes in the area decried the situation, sounding the alarm on the destruction to the jungle? From a blog I wrote in September in 2024:

[I]ndigenous communities, who have lived in the jungle for hundreds of years, reliant upon the local ecosystem to provide for all their material needs, are sounding the alarm on the unbelievable destruction brought by the roughly million people (at least) who have made the journey during the current administrations tenure.

A secure border is undeniably, the most humanitarian-minded policy America can have.

Image: gailhampshire from Cradley, Malvern, U.K, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons, unaltered.
Week after week weve observed the protests against Elon Musk and Tesla, as well as President Trump. The motives of the people directing these activities are dangerous and anarchic, and quite frankly, they are not trying to take back power, but working to destroy our countryand they are using performance art to do it.

Performance art, which can be seen as extreme by some, offensive by others, and outright dangerous by most has been making headway into our own culture, no longer in the realm of dance and theater, but in the hands of the radical Left.

The beauty of performance art, from the viewpoint of the leftist pseudo-elites, is the excited effect it has on their constituency. People on the left love drama, and the visceral effect that these protests have is extreme. But, many of the protestors state their agendas in generalities, or claim extreme issues that are not occurring:

Madeline Gupta told CNN outside the Tesla location in Rockville that shes not being paid. While holding a sign reading Democracy over oligarchy, Gupta said she is concerned by policy changes under President Donald Trumps administration. This new administration, including Musk, who wasnt even elected, is trying to destroy our democracy, and we cannot let that happen, she said.

Tesla Takedown organizers believe the campaign, which is in its eighth week, will continue to grow despite pushback from Musk and the Trump administration.

Like many protestors, Gupta likely doesnt know what she means by the wording of the signs she carries, and could not describe how Musk is destroying democracy. I suspect she doesnt know that Musks recommendations must be approved by Trump, and he is trying to save the country from financial ruin.

The Tesla Takedown is using many tactics successfully in luring their minions into the cause, which they call Hands Off! They have created a document, which organizers can use for their events. This document describes how to enlist participants, identify logistics, suggest tools for speakers such as platforms, bullhorns and microphones. They can provide brochures and signs for the protests, too, and provide agendas and scripts. They require people to register to sponsor events, so that they can track their work.

They are adamant about the attacks they believe Trump and Musk are executing against our government:

Whether you are mobilized by the attacks on our democracy, the slashing of jobs, the invasion of privacy, or the assault on our servicesthis moment is for you, the toolkit read. Our goal is to show that the peoplethe majorityare taking action to stop the corruption and power grab. The demands of the protest called for an end to the billionaire takeover at the Trump Administration, as well as an end to the slashing of funds for Medicaid, Social Security, and other programs, and an end to the attacks on immigrants, trans people, and other communities.

The irony, if not tragedy, is that most of their issues are based on lies, and they are therefore taking tremendous creative license with realitylike performance art. If anything, the work Musk is doing has the potential to save our democracy from anarchy and destruction. Where do they find the invasion of privacy or the assault on our services or the billionaire takeover? Eliminating rogue programs that only advance the agenda of the left are legitimate and necessary. And Social Security and Medicaid are only being investigated for fraud and illegitimate participation. Finally, the majority of the people do not support the lefts claims.

At protests, participants also get into the act. They have been seen chanting together, doing dances and wearing costumes. Its just another opportunity to present their performative art.

Although some protestors are not paid, many can take advantage of funds that are made available through radical groups:

Musk, Teslas CEO, took to his social media platform X on Sunday morning to say an investigation found five ActBlue-funded groups were responsible for Tesla protests. 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 wrote. Musk then named five ActBlue funders he believes are responsible for funding the protests, including Soros and Hoffman among others.

The pseudo-elite left behind these demonstrators are a danger to the integrity, and even to the survival of, our government. They rely on lies to give them credibility. Their appeal to the protestors includes not only the opportunity to participate in performance art, but also to be part of an international community; protests have occurred in London, Paris, and Stockholm. For those people who feel lost after the devastating rejection of the Democrat party in the last election, they can now join the Hands Off! organization as a refuge.

What better way to be part of something huge that will (supposedly) change the world?

Image: Free image, Pixabay license.
Everyone is becoming acutely aware of leftists imitating the worst of a toddlers temper tantrum in taking to the streets of the bastions of the Un-Democratic Party these days. The word is they have chosen April 19 for their next far-left fascist freakout.

Why that particular date? We expect them to march on May 1, the day the NSDAP celebrated the socialist holiday, as leftists have always done, given the example from the original social justice warrior. But this year, thats on a Thursday, and they seem to be choosing weekends and Saturdays to maximize crowd size. They also seem to be going with a two-week cycle for various propaganda purposes.

The beginning advertising, thinly disguised as news coverage, starts with the ever popular What to Know phraseology for these protests that just seem to spring to life overnight. Reading the references, you begin to see some unsettling reasons why they might have chosen that particular date. Of all the historical events that took place on that day, this one seems to stand out:

1775 - Minutemen Capt John Parker orders not to fire unless fired upon 1775 - American Revolution begins - Lexington Common, shot "heard round the world"

This could be a coincidence, except further research uncovered this disturbing revelation, given all of the rancor and divisions in the country:

April 19th, No Kings, Were not going back! Protest (250th Anniversary of the American Revolution)

Bring: signs, flag cowbells, drums, and a loud voice for chants! Join Cape Cod Women for Change (aka Mid Cape Indivisible) in partnership with 50501, on the anniversary of the state of the Revolutionary War. In 1775, our country wanted to establish our own government, free from the monarchical control of Britain. Paul Reveres midnight ride started on the 18th and ended on the 19th, with the Battles of Lexington and Concord. The battles were a victory for the American militia and led to increased support for the anti-British cause. Now, 250 years later, our democracy is at stake as we slip back into a government that only works for a few (the billionaires), instead of all of us! We need to advocate to stop the grift! The President and billionaires, like Elon Musk, should NOT be financially benefiting from their position within the government.

Even though this is in the state of Massachusetts, the juxtaposition is jarring. Imagine the outrage were a pro-freedom organization to invoke the same kind of text and imagery  with or without cow bells.

We should also recall the backstory as to why the first battle of the American Revolution took place. It speaks to why the Founding Fathers enshrined certain inalienable rights in the Constitution  namely, the Second Amendment. Because this action by the British Redcoats was in essence a gun confiscation raid, designed to disarm the colonists.

Thomas Gage was appointed Royal Governor of Massachusetts in 1774 and tasked by the British Parliament with stamping out rising unrest caused by restrictive British policies. [snip] By April 1775, Gage was facing the threat of outright rebellion. He hoped to prevent violence by ordering the seizure of weapons and powder being stored in Concord, Massachusetts, twenty miles northwest of Boston. However, he underestimated the courage and determination of the colonists. Patriot spies got wind of Gages plan. On the evening of April 18, Paul Revere and other riders raised the alarm that British regulars were on their way to Concord. Minute Men and militias rushed to confront them early on April 19.

All of this may be just a coincidence, or a factor of planning for a Saturday event for maximum turnout, but the fact that they make mention of the connection does raise some questions.

D Parker is an engineer, inventor, wordsmith, and student of history, former director of communications for a civil rights organization, and a long-time contributor to conservative websites. Find him on Substack.

Image via Flickr, public domain.
Having been born and raised in Newark  an education I chronicle in my 2023 book Untenable  I belong to a Facebook group called Growing up in Newark, N.J. On most days, the discussions are congenial, the subjects ranging from who has the best pizza or lemon ice to memories of our literally riotous past.

This week, Newark mayor Ras Baraka dropped a pipe bomb in the punch bowl. Baraka, who is now running for governor of New Jersey, posted a video of himself trashing President Trump for dismantling the Department of Education.

Claiming to speak on behalf of working people, Baraka insisted that Trump was robbing the poor to give billionaires and oligarchs a tax break. The deeper reason for the move, said Baraka, was the White Houses recognition that an educated populace is a dangerous populace. According to the members of the Newark group, thats not a worry.

The respondents span all generations and races. Although many of them have fled Newark, few have left the state. Barakas campaign donors will not be pleased with what they have to say.

The letter before each comment signifies the apparent race of the respondent  W for white, almost of whom are Italian; H  for Hispanic or Portuguese; and B for black.

In Newark, a textbook working-class city, very close to no one of any race grew up in a Republican household. I certainly did not. In my house, it was JFK all the way. The Democrats lost the Italian vote a long time ago, but the unanimity of the Hispanic response has got to unnerve donors. What follows are the first 25 comments on the list  no omissions, minimal editing:

W: NOT they  it is the stupid Democrats who are DESTROYING this Country and Society. Put the blame where it belongs  on Democrats.

B: What about when you become a senior what does Newark do for us.

H: Once again blame Trump for all your problems! What a joke!

W: The Dept of Ed is the biggest rip off in government. Our children are being left behind compared to the world. ... Just a little more than a third of our children are up to grade level. Education should rest with the states and parents.

W: You have the balls to stand there ... you are the biggest thief in Newark ... you hypocrite.

H: Lmfao this guy is a clown!!

W: Yeah because the Newark School system is doing an outstanding job in educating the children of Newark. Guessing $1.5 plus billion a year isnt enough.

W: You all Democrats steal more money from schools than anybody... And you do it in every major city in the country total f------ failure you guys been in control of these big cities for decades and decades and youre still f----- up.

W: Ras, youre a clown. Federal government (at least most of it) is a leach, a waste of taxpayer money. If you politicians were good stewards of our money it could and would be a different story. For decades this nation has had a horrendous academic history.

W: Ive it up. Another clown.

H: What mind is thinking while they the board of education stealing of the money and not paying teachers making them pay for school supplies so they can teach better they dont want to pay the teachers.

W: Great job by our president, stop the graft.

H: For kids that disrespect the teachers, curse, slap be on their phones etc. ... and dont forget that people are getting paid for NOT showing up ... but you forget to mention that.

W: I dont agree with you at all. There are way too many teaching the children who arent Certified. More than half cant even read. Way too many DEI hires whether you agree or not. Get out there and clean up your own school instead of blaming everyone else. For shame. The children deserve much more than your giving them.

W: The story on education, is a story, that is a never ending one. Factual information, on the Why, children from the early eighties and on to present day, have struggled with the curriculum, and the experimental Methodology shoved down the throats of PARENTS, coupled with the IDEOLOGY of the Board members, Political office holders, and TEACHERS, who can not teach, and scurry out the doors at dismissal time (scared s-------) are the countless faults that exist in the educational system.

B: He is getting rid of blood successfully you cant tell me about Newark I was raised there it was safe, nowadays not so.

H: Look in a mirror, you are the problem. An full of s---.

H: Stop the fear mongering and tell us what your plans for New Jersey are.

B: WE NEED YOU MR. BARAKA TO BE THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

B: Typical democrat. lies. Pres is NOT trying to do that.

B: True. (Likely speaking of Baraka)

H: What a clown!

B: Amen. (Likely speaking of Baraka)

H: He, Newark Mayor, is NOT getting my vote.

H: I wonder where his gold bars are stashed?

The gold bars refer to the bribes Democrat senator Bob Menendez received that in January landed him an eleven-year prison sentence. New Jersey residents have learned to expect little from their elected officials, and those officials almost always live up to expectations.

In running for governor, Baraka promises a total makeover. We will deconstruct the state budget and reassemble with equity as our north star, he tells us, judging every decision as either a step towards equity or a step towards inequity. The Democrat primary is June 10, just two months away.

Run, Ras, run!

Jack Cashills book Untenable: The True Story of White Ethnic Flight from Americas Cities is available in all formats.

Image: Ras Baraka. Credit: Lorie Shaull via Flickr, CC BY 2.0.
Summary: The EU is all set to announce verdicts in the antitrust cases against Apple and Meta in the coming weeks. The regulators have alleged that both companies violated the laws of the Digital Markets Act (DMA). While Meta continues to deny all the allegations, it could face minor fines along with Apple for the violations.

Major U.S. tech giants like Apple and Meta have been in the firing line of the European Union (EU) for quite some time now. The EU has been pursuing antitrust cases against both companies for alleged violations of the Digital Markets Act (DMA). While the EU is also investigating Google for similar reasons, the regulators are closing in to announce verdicts in antitrust cases against Apple and Meta.

The EU will announce verdicts in antitrust cases against Apple & Meta in the coming weeks

In February, US President Donald Trump criticized the EU for deliberately targeting major American tech giants. Despite Trumps remarks, the EU confirmed that it would continue to investigate these companies. Initially, the EU antitrust chief, Teresa Ribera, expected to announce the fate of Apple and Meta in March.

However, the regulators have delayed the verdict date given the ongoing global tension around US tariffs and trade negotiations. According to Reuters, Ribera told lawmakers, Decisions could be adopted in the coming weeks. For those unaware, the EU has been investigating Apple and Meta for potential violations of the DMA.

The Commission has alleged that both companies have used their market power to restrict competitors, binding users to choose their products and services. In the past, rivals of both companies have criticized their unfair business practices and even complained to the authorities. Sources familiar with the matter have told Reuters that the EU could impose minor fines on Meta and Apple.

Meta expresses disapproval of the possible outcome

Meta continues to maintain that it has been cooperating with the authorities. However, the company has denied all the allegations placed against it.

Criticizing the possible outcome, a Meta spokesperson told Reuters, This is not just about fines  its about the Commission seeking to handicap successful American businesses simply because theyre American, while letting Chinese and European rivals off the hook.
Summary: Razer has officially launched its PC Remote Play feature after pushing it out in beta earlier this year. You can use this feature to stream games from your PC directly to your mobile device. Support is included for a handful of PC game clients.

Razer has just officially launched its PC Remote Play feature, allowing gamers to stream their game library directly to their mobile device. Razer initially announced PC Remote Play as part of CES 2025, where it also announced several other products. The company that hails itself as the premier gaming lifestyle brand with products that are for gamers by gamers, released the beta version that same day.

The best way to describe Razer PC Remote Play is that its sort of Razers version of Steam Link. Its allowing you to stream games from your library, straight from your PC to your mobile device. The feature works on both Android and iOS devices, too. This also works anywhere, anytime, Razer says, with there being a few prerequisites to ensuring everything goes smoothly.

The main thing is that you have to have your PC turned on. Youll also need to have an internet connection on both the PC and the device youre streaming to. Though that shouldnt be a surprise since thats how these features and services work. Its essentially cloud gaming. Youll also need the Razer Nexus app and the Razer PC Remote Play app on your mobile device, as well as the Razer Cortex app on your PC. Those apps are how the two devices will talk to each other.

Razer PC Remote Play supports Steam, the Epic Games Store, and more

The major benefit of this over something like Steam Link is that it supports more than just Steam. In addition to Steam, it also supports the Epic Games Store, PC Game Pass, and Ubisoft Connect. This enables you to stream a much wider variety of games, since its likely you have games across more than just one PC game client.

Youll also need to sign in with your Razer ID, the same one that youre using for your account on PC, and connect a compatible controller. This can be something like the Razer Kishi Ultra, or another controller like the DualSense if thats what you prefer.

Remote Play supports Sensa HD Haptics and automatically optimizes resolution and refresh rate

Another cool feature is that this supports Sensa HD haptics. Now, the Sensa HD haptics are at their best with products like Razers Kraken V4 Pro and Freyja seat cushion. However, controllers like the Kishi Ultra have Sensa HD haptics as well. And you can use this controller while playing games through PC Remote Play. Better still, the feature automatically optimizes the resolution and the refresh rate of your PCs display. So you get the best possible experience on your mobile device.

Having tried it now that it has officially launched, PC Remote Play appears to work pretty well. You definitely need a controller, though.
Summary: Google has added new AI agents into its Clouds unified security system for enterprises that keep hackers and potential threats at bay. Google designed these agents to complement cybersecurity experts, not to take their place. The agents can generate reports on potential security alerts and even determine whether a code is secure or unsafe.

Google recently held its Cloud Next 25 event, during which it unveiled its advancements and new solutions for businesses. As expected, artificial intelligence is present in every new product from the company. Google expanded its portfolio of AI agents for businesses, this time focusing on offering a unified security system to address potential threats.

Cybercriminals constantly target businesses, especially large companies. Breaching these organizations data can result in large sums of money. It can also pose a severe risk to the privacy of the compromised companys employees, users, or customers. Thats why the cybersecurity business is booming. In the age of AI, its only natural that this technology helps experts work more efficiently to detect and prevent potential threats.

Google Clouds unified security system gets new AI agents

This is what Google is proposing with its latest AI agents. They are not intended to replace current cybersecurity analysts. Googles approach involves collaborative work between them and AI agents. Experts can delegate tasks to these digital beings, saving time and allowing them to focus on more complex tasks.

For example, there is an always-on agent that performs context analysis for each security alert. The agent is able to gather all relevant information related to the threat. It can also issue a verdict on the nature of the potential threat. Analysts will receive the report and make the final decision on how to act. This greatly facilitates a process where human experts previously had to conduct investigations, classify, and analyze them. When there are dozens (or hundreds) of alerts per day, the workflow can be quite slow. However, this AI agent promises to speed things up considerably.

There is also a malware analysis agent. The company offers it as part of its Google Threat Intelligence suite. It is capable of analyzing and determining whether a code is safe or potentially harmful. It can even automatically create and execute deobfuscation scripts. Attackers often use a technique called obfuscation when developing malware. The term refers to adding intentional obscurity to code to avoid making it less understandable and thus prevent security systems from detecting it as malicious. This AI agent can also generate reports and issue verdicts on the codes security.
Summary: High tariffs on both China and Vietnam could increase prices of Samsung Galaxy smartphones. Even if the company moves production to India, expect Galaxy phones to become more expensive.

The tariffs on China are poised to push up prices of virtually all smartphones. Samsung Galaxy phones are going to be more expensive too.

It is not only Android phones that are affected. The new iPhone will suffer as well since smartphone manufacturing is highly dependent on China.

And with countries like Vietnam being tariffed heavily, alternative suppliers arent looking good either. Even with the global tariffs paused in the interim, expect the instability to make Galaxy phones more expensive.

Chinas smartphone dominance

The crux of the issue is that China has a stranglehold on the manufacturing of high-quality electronics, including smartphones. This means that any tariff on China has an impact on the pricing of phones in the market.

And this is not specific to any one brand. iPhone or Samsung, every phone uses components that are only produced in China. This includes all the other smaller Android phone brands too.

A lot of this boils down to the cost. There are other countries that have the capability to manufacture phone components too, but not as cheaply as China. Even with tariffs, it is usually still cheaper to rely on China than shift the entire supply chain.

What about Vietnam?

We have been talking about China, but Samsungs phones typically carry a made-in-Vietnam label. So does this mean they are not affected? Not quite.

Samsung and many other brands have set up manufacturing hubs in Vietnam, but these usually only assemble the phones. The base components are still sourced from China.

More importantly, the new round of tariffs targets Vietnam as well with a whopping 46% rate. This makes Galaxy phones assembled in Vietnam too expensive as well.

The India Factor

Indias tariff rate is 26%, much lower than China or Vietnam. As a result, both Apple and Samsung are looking to shift their production to India instead.

Both companies had already set up factories in India to meet the local demand. They will simply scale up these investments to produce larger quantities for US exports.

Keep in mind that this still only reduces the effective tariff, it doesnt remove it. So either way, your new Galaxy phone will get more expensive.

Currently, the tariffs have been paused for 90 days, except for China.
Summary: US President Donald Trump has hinted at a light at the end of the tunnel for companies hardest hit by the latest 125% tariff on imports from China, such as Apple, suggesting that exempting them is possible. However, the parameter to consider will be his instincts.

The ongoing tariff war, in which the strongest participants are the United States and China, has escalated significantly. Recently, US President Donald Trump announced a massive 125% tariff on imports from China, effective immediately. Apple, the US technology giant, would be one of the companies most affected by the tariff. However, it is still possible that Appleand otherswill be exempt from the tariffs, although everything will depend on Trumps instinct.

President Trump will use his instincts to evaluate potential tariff exceptions for companies like Apple

Donald Trump answered a few questions from journalists. One asked him if some US firms that were hard hit by the recent tariffs imposed by the Washington administration could be exempted. The journalist also included large companies in his question. To this, Trump responded that his team will take a look at it.

The President of the United States acknowledges that certain companies will experience a more severe impact than others. Therefore, they will have to consider some special cases for potential extensions.

Another reporter later inquired about the process for determining which companies should receive exemptions from the tariffs. Just instinctively, more than anything else, Trump responded.

Trump was also asked about his change of heart regarding the implementation of the tariffs. The president had said that they would go into effect on Monday and that there would be no pause. However, he later announced a 90-day pause for some countries, adding that more than 75 nations had contacted him to negotiate. You have to have flexibility, he said. I could say, Here is a wall, and I am going through that wall. I am going to go through it, no matter what, and keep going, and you cant go through the wall. So, sometimes you have to be able to go under the wall, around the wall, or under the wall.

It sounds like the president is evaluating the regions response to the tariffs. Then, he addresses the most difficult cases individually with other strategies.

There is still much to know

Regarding Apple, we will have to see how long it can withstand the tariff pressure. In the worst-case scenario, the Cupertino giant wont get any tariff exemptions. However, given how important it is to the US, thats unlikely to happen. It also remains to be seen whether the potential tariff exemptions will be total or partial.

Like most big tech brands, Apple manufactures its devices in China. A 125% tariff could force them to doubleor even triplethe prices of their products. Only time will tell how the company and US authorities handle the situation.
Summary: Meta has recently rolled out its AI chatbot within WhatsApp across the EU, including the UK and Australia. However, the inability to remove the Meta AI button frustrates many WhatsApp users. Notably, the issue has also drawn the attention of EU lawmakers.

If you live in the EU and recently noticed a multi-colored ring button right in WhatsApp, youre not alone. For those unaware, that button is a shortcut to the Meta AI chatbot, which the company recently rolled out across the EU, including the UK and Australia. While there wasnt much noise around its 2023 rollout in the US and Canada, Metas little AI button has now become a topic of controversy.

The new non-removable Meta AI button is giving headaches to WhatsApp users

Although WhatsApp has been a go-to messaging app for users in the EU, the new AI button is giving them a headache. Users are fuming because theres no way to turn off Meta AI in WhatsApp. It just sits right there in your chat section, peeking at you every time you text someone. Meta has also integrated the AI button in WhatsApps search bar, which says, Ask Meta AI or Search.

Those concerned about their privacy have questioned Metas decision to add the AI button within the WhatsApp app. Additionally, Meta addressed such concerns in its Help Page, under the Chatting with Meta AI through WhatsApp section.

The company notes, The most important thing to know is that your personal messages with friends and family are off limits. AIs can read what is shared with them, but your personal messages remain end-to-end encrypted. Only people inside the chat can read or share them.

Despite the companys apparent assurance, Meta AI does not encrypt your chats. Meta says that it can use the information you share with the chatbot to train AI models. This is why the company notes, Dont send messages to Meta with information you dont want it to know.

The feature has already caught the attention of the EU lawmakers

Meta recently announced the Llama 4 model, which now powers the Meta AI. So, its safe to assume that Meta isnt removing that AI button just yet, or is it? On April 8, a Member of the European Parliament tweeted and questioned the Executive VP and Commissioner whether or not the lack of option to remove the AI button aligns with EU rules.

Meta is already awaiting the EUs verdict in an antitrust case. The regulators have accused the company of violating the DMA Act. Now, the company is yet again in the spotlight. Only time will tell how Meta addresses this situation or whether the EU will step in once again.
Controversial social media influencer Andrew Tate is accused of holding a gun to a womans face before saying youre going to do as I say or therell be hell to pay, according to court documents.

Documents from the case, submitted to the UKs High Court by four women who allege Tate used sexual violence against them, surfaced on Thursday.

One of the claimants alleges the former professional kickboxer grabbed her by the throat on a number of occasions in 2015, had assaulted her with a belt and had pointed a gun at her face.

The woman claims Tate would strangle her or grab her by her throat if she spoke back to him or said anything that he did not like until she told him that she loved him or apologised for whatever he demanded at the time.

She said he, and his brother Tristan Tate, played good cop and bad cop to manipulate her, and that Tate allegedly put her in a headlock or whipped her with a belt if she did not get out of bed and do work for his webcam business.

The documents also allege Tate had weapons, including firearms, which were often pointed at her and that he had indicated to her that he would like to kill someone if he could.

In a response submitted by the influencers lawyers, he said the first claimants account was fabrication and a pack of lies.

A second complainant alleges Tate strangled her during sex without her consent in 2015 and made it very clear that she was his, and if anyone else spoke to her, he would kill them.

The woman, who also said she worked for Tates webcam business, claims he punched her on her arm on one occasion.

She alleges the former professional kickboxer strangled her with his arm so frequently it became normal and it often occurred if she had said something he did not like or if she answered him back.

The woman said she was forced to barricade herself inside the bathroom after Tate threatened to beat the shit out of her.

Lawyers acting on behalf of Tate said he did not abuse the woman during sex and if he had done it beggars belief they had consensual sex on so many occasions.

A third woman claims the influencer had said Im just debating whether to rape you or not before going on to have sex with her without her consent in 2013, while saying who do you belong to?, according to the documents.

She said Tates hand was so tight around her neck that she could not speak during the alleged incident and when she tried to tell him that she did not want him to do what he was doing, he would strangle her more forcefully.

The complainant claimed Tate was intent on being as physically abusive as possible on two further occasions they had had sex.

On one occasion, the woman said the influencer allegedly drove her to a field and dragged her into the back of his car before strangling her and demanded that she list 10 things that made him a man.

The woman also claimed Tate had described himself as the mafia and the messiah and convinced her that he had killed people.

In response, Tates lawyers said he was never violent towards her and that all sex between the pair was consensual.

The final claimant alleges Tate said phrases such as I own you and Im going to kill you and had strangled her during sex until she passed out in 2014.

The woman claims she saw a gun on the sofa after she spent the night with him but did not know if it was real or a replica.

She said she was not able to defend herself whilst being strangled during sex and when she regained consciousness, she did not know what had happened.

The complainant alleges Tate forced her to say she loved him, which was untrue.

She also claimed he had threatened to kill her if he had received a parking ticket.

Tates lawyers said the woman did not lose consciousness and that she had participated fully in what was mutual, consensual sex.

In response to the claims made by the four women, Tate said the allegations against him are false and that they were not controlled and did not behave as though they were controlled by him.

The four women, who have made allegations such as rape and sexual assault against Tate, are bringing a civil case against him at the High Court after the Crown Prosecution Service decided not to prosecute in 2019.

Three of the British accusers were the subject of an investigation by Hertfordshire Constabulary which was closed in 2019.

A spokesperson for Tate said the allegations outlined in the documents are unproven and untested, and categorically denied.

The statement continued: Specifically, he denies ever threatening anyone with a firearm, engaging in non-consensual acts or subjecting any individual to physical or psychological harm.

These are civil claims, brought years after the alleged events and following a CPS decision not to pursue criminal charges. It is deeply troubling that such graphic and one-sided accounts are being publicised before any judicial assessment has taken place.

The statement added: Mr Tate will defend himself vigorously and remains confident the truth will prevail.

In Romania, the Tate brothers are facing allegations of trafficking minors, sexual intercourse with a minor and money laundering.

A separate case against them, in which they are accused of human trafficking and forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women, has been sent back to prosecutors.

The pair are due to be extradited to the UK following the conclusion of proceedings in Romania, after Bedfordshire Police secured a European arrest warrant for further separate allegations of rape and human trafficking involving different women.

Those allegations, which the brothers unequivocally deny, date back to 2012-2015.
Actress Anita Dobson has said her husband Sir Brian May is very well, back to his old self, following his stroke last year.

The Queen guitarist, 77, revealed in an Instagram post in September he had lost control of one arm after a minor stroke.

Sir Brian said the health scare had been a little scary in a video posted to Instagram on September 4, but has in recent months appeared to have recovered, posting updates on social media of him going on trips.

He previously said he was grounded after being advised not to drive, fly or do any activity which would send his heart rate too high.

Anita Dobson now stars in Doctor Who (Ian West/PA)

EastEnders and Doctor Who star Dobson, who has been married to the musician since 2000, was asked about his health on ITVs Good Morning Britain programme on Thursday.

She said: Hes very well now, back to his old self.

The 75-year-old had earlier spoken about her return to EastEnders as Queen Vic landlady Angie Watts during the BBC soaps 40th anniversary.

Dobson said she wouldnt go back, but her return just seemed the right time, and was a way of saying thank-you to EastEnders for what it gave me.

She also said working with Letitia Dean was lovely.

Sir Brian May had a mild stroke last year (Ian West/PA)

Dobson had appeared as a hallucination when her adopted daughter Sharon Watts, played by Dean, was injured in a pub explosion.

She said she was told to wear an anorak, with a hood and dark glasses, and pull the blinds down on the car and sit right at the back, very low to get on to the EastEnders set secretly so her comeback could be kept as a surprise.

Everybody was so nice, so kind and so welcoming, she added.

It felt different, but very familiar, and I wasnt nervous. That was the weird thing. I felt very at home.

In February, she appeared in the original outfit her character wore in 1985, which included a striped shirt and blazer, after being away from Walford for more than 30 years.
An Irish army chaplain has hugged and forgiven a teenage boy who repeatedly stabbed him with a hunting knife in an attempted murder last year.

Fr Paul Murphy was stabbed seven times during the attack at Renmore Barracks in Galway on August 15.

The priest was assaulted by the teenage boy, then aged 16 but now aged 17, while he was attempting to drive into the barracks at around 10.35pm.

The boy, who cannot be identified because of his age, pleaded guilty to attempted murder over the incident on February 10.

Fr Murphys car wrapped in plastic at the scene at Renmore Barrack (Brian Lawless/PA)

He had been arrested at the scene after being restrained by members of the Defence Forces who had previously fired warning shots.

Fr Murphy, a native of Waterford but who lived at the barracks, has been an army chaplain since 2013 and has completed five overseas placements with the Defence Forces  in Syria and Lebanon  and is also due to commence a sixth tour.

The court heard that Irish police believed at the time of the attack the boy held a radicalised Islamist mindset and analysis of seized devices showed content that supported the so-called Islamic State terrorist group.

The attack was not considered to be specifically targeted against Fr Murphy.

Fr Paul Murphy exits the Central Criminal Court (Cillian Sherlock/PA)

The court heard that the boy told gardai under caution for a charge of assault causing harm: I did it in protest of the Irish Defence Forces and their work in Mali and all the stuff for Islam.

The court was shown CCTV footage of the boy arriving at the gate of the barracks on the night of the attack, and was told that Fr Murphys car was the first to arrive subsequently.

The boy approached the car, Judge Paul McDermott heard, and said: Excuse me sir, do you have a minute to talk to me?

Fr Murphy then partially rolled down the window before the boy lunged at him and began stabbing at his arms with a hunting knife that had an eight-inch serrated blade, which had been delivered to his home in November 2023 after an online purchase.

The priest drove through the gates in his bid to escape the piercing knife and struggled to fend off his attacker.

Det Sgt McNulty said the CCTV shows that the boy moving with the car as if he was holding on to it as it drove into the barracks where he continued to stab at the priest before being restrained by the Defence Forces.

The car being removed from the scene (Brian Lawless/PA)

The court heard there was blood everywhere, mainly coming from Fr Murphys arms.

Detective Sergeant Paul McNulty, of Galway Garda Station, said: It was a totally indiscriminate attack and it could have been any member of the Defence Forces.

Fr Murphy gave a victim impact statement at Dublins Central Criminal Court on Thursday ahead of the boys sentencing.

He was accompanied by gardai, members of the Defence Forces and two of his brothers.

A sign on the door at St Patricks Garrison Church at Renmore Barracks after the attack (Brian Lawless/PA)

The priest said he can remember every gory detail of the attempted murder, but said he was thankful that it was him who was attacked and not another member of the Defence Forces.

Fr Murphy said news reports of the attack around the world were like watching his own funeral or reading his own obituary, adding that one angle suggested he had been in the wrong place at the wrong time.

However, he said: If it wasnt me it would have been someone else, and I am convinced, without a shadow of a doubt, that I was the right person, in the right place, at the right time  that night was filled with blessings.

He added: I thank God every single day that the knife tore through my skin, and not through the body of one of my comrades.

I consider it an honour and a privilege to carry those scars until my dying day.

The parents of the boy, who turns 18 in November, were present in court and the mother offered comfort to him during the victim impact statement.

Addressing the teenager, Fr Murphy said: As a man of faith, I am in the business of forgiveness, and I offer to you, the young man standing accused before me, the forgiveness that will hopefully help you to become a better person.

He added: My hope and prayer is that you will use whatever resources are put at your disposal, in prison or beyond, to learn a better way of living and that you will use your energy and your talents to make our world a better place for all people to live.

Life is for living and for loving, and, I promise you, your life will find its ultimate joy when you live honourably and love generously.

During the victim impact statement, Fr Murphy turned around to face the teenager who told him: Im sorry.

Fr Murphy added: Your Honour, we all have to take responsibility for our actions and while I can personally forgive my attacker the fact remains that he has committed an appalling crime.

He has offended our State, he has offended the Irish Defence Forces and he has offended every soldier who has walked through the gate of our barracks, because it could have been any one of them who was stabbed.

Every crime warrants an appropriate punishment and every sentence should serve as a deterrent to others from perpetrating similar crimes.

It falls to you to give sentence in this case and, assuming that it will be custodial, length of years is not what interests me.

My only desire is that the young man before you would learn to see the error of his ways and, when the time comes, return to society to make a positive contribution to the world as a wholesome, happy and loving person.

At the end of Thursdays proceedings, Fr Murphy shook the boys hand and they exchanged words before hugging.

The priest also thanked all those who had assisted him after the attack.

Fr Murphy said he had divine top cover and excellent ground cover too from the Defence Forces personnel at the barracks.

I was going nowhere that night.

Fr Murphys seven stab wounds have left him with scarring and reduced function in his hand, including causing him difficulty to carry out certain movements and to firmly grip large objects.

In terms of a mental impact, Fr Murphy is finding himself to be more vigilant and is undergoing counselling from a fellow priest who is also a psychotherapist.

The attack on me wasnt personal so I dont feel particularly vulnerable, but, with good reason, I cannot rule it out from happening again.

Sometimes, when one man fails in a mission, another takes up the mantle and, with that in mind, I will probably never fully feel free.

Earlier, Det Sgt McNulty said the boy had completed Transition Year in secondary school at the time of the incident and was due to commence Fifth Year following the offence.

The court heard he was also in employment at the time.

He had no previous convictions and was not known to Irish police, An Garda Siochana.

Under a search warrant for the home, gardai also obtained a poster with Arabic writing stating Allahu Akbar, meaning God is great, as well as an IS flag.

Det Sgt McNulty said they also discovered a notebook with some writing and graphic sketches depicting beheadings, although the boy denied the sketches were his during interview.

The court heard the boy said he converted to Islam at age 15 and regularly attended Friday prayers at a mosque.

Some of the content on electronic devices included particularly graphic material including videos of beheadings and other acts of extreme violence.

There was various propaganda and material relating to Mohammed Emwazi, a British IS militant known by the press as Jihadi John.

Det Sgt McNulty said the boy had apologised to the victim, and said he did not realise he was a priest.

Under questioning from prosecuting barrister Michael Delaney SC, the detective sergeant told the court that the boys parents had separated in 2023.

Under questioning from the boys defence barrister Sean Gillane, the detective sergeant said the marriage breakdown caused difficulty for the teenager.

Mr Gillane said trouble began to bubble up in terms of the boys mental situation during the course of 2023 and in 2024.

He said the boy began to become isolated and had engaged with others online where the boy was vulnerable to increasing radicalisation and a poisoning of his belief system.

He also said the boy had been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, which included rigidity of thinking, fixated thinking, and impulsive action.

Mr Gillane said this did not excuse his actions but could help in effort to understand the tributaries that fed into the incident.

He said this led to the catastrophic decision to engage in the utterly misconceived attempt at revenge at the Irish Defence Forces.

Mr Gillane said the boy had also shown remorse for what he had done and was doing everything he can to improve his situation while in a youth detention centre.

The court later heard the boys parents both love him, have attended court, and are positive influences.

Mr Gillane called for leniency in the sentence.

Judge McDermott said he would deliver the sentence on April 29. The boy was remanded at Oberstown child detention centre.

He said he would consider the statement, as well as a psychological assessment, a probation report, and a report from Oberstown in the interim.
An elderly British couple imprisoned in Afghanistan have faced 29 interrogations and several court appearances  while no charges have been brought against them, their daughter has said.

Peter Reynolds, 79, and his wife Barbie, 75, were arrested as they travelled to their home in Bamyan province, in central Afghanistan, in February.

The couple were detained alongside Faye Hall, an American friend who had rented a plane to travel with them, and a translator from the couples Rebuild training business.

Their daughter, Susie Romer, told Channel 5s 5 News on Thursday that the pair had absolutely no idea why they are being imprisoned and called on the UK government to do more to secure their release.

The daughter of Peter and Barbie Reynolds, a British couple currently being held by the Taliban, has told 5 News in an exclusive interview that she urges the UK government to do more to secure their release. Susie Romer says her parents have lived in Afghanistan for over 18 pic.twitter.com/Rs3gn58rgQ  Channel 5 News (@5_News) April 10, 2025

She said: Theyve been through so many investigations  I believe its 29 interrogations that theyve had to endure.

Theyve been in court three or four times now, I believe, and various accusations that have been brought against them, theyve been thoroughly investigated and shown up as empty accusations.

So theyve been told that there is not actually a charge against them.

Ms Romer went on to say that while the British government has been assisting the family, she is not convinced that the message that her parents should be immediately released has been conveyed by the Government to the Taliban.

She said the family had met Foreign Officer minister Hamish Falconer, who had told them the case was a priority for him.

Ms Romer continued: We do want the Government to make it clear to the Taliban that my parents should be immediately released and weve told them this.

Its been 10 weeks now, and weve not been reassured that this message has been conveyed, but this is really urgent.

Each day that they remain in prison, theyre at risk, so well keep on asking the Government to send that message.

Ms Romer added that the conditions her parents were being held in were absolutely horrific, that they were receiving one meal per day and there were mice and cockroaches running around.

She said that hearing her parents weep on the phone was excruciating for her.

Ms Romer told BBC Breakfast that while her father had received much-needed medication, her mother faced growing health concerns.

Weve recently heard mum is anaemic and really weak and frail, she said. Were obviously really concerned about both of them and their health.

In an interview with BBC News last week, their son, Jonathan Reynolds, said he had been interacting with the US government after a video plea to President Donald Trump for help to get his parents released.

The couple, who originally met at the University of Bath, married in Kabul in 1970 and have run school training programmes for 18 years.

They remained in the country after the Taliban takeover in 2021.

After taking power, the Taliban introduced a ban on women working and education for girls older than 12.

In a statement to The Associated Press this week, the Taliban said the case will soon be resolved and should not be a cause for concern.

A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: We are supporting the family of two British nationals who are detained in Afghanistan.
Zaheer Esat received medical treatment after his ordeal and returned to his family

A British teacher held prisoner in the Caribbean escaped by jumping out of the boot of a car.

Zaheer Esat, who runs a private school in Ashby, Leics, was kidnapped at gunpoint in the Cunupia district last Friday while in Trinidad to visit his parents.

The kidnapper used a car to block the road as Mr Esat, 46, and his 70-year-old father and brother-in-law were driving back from visiting a mosque near the west coast of the island.

The male suspect, armed with a rifle, shouted at the family to lower their heads and dragged Mr Esat from the rear passenger seat of the black Nissan hatchback into his own car. His family were unharmed.

Mr Esat, who is of dual Trinidadian and British nationality, had not been carrying a mobile phone at the time of his abduction, police said

His father, a retired imam who did not wish to be identified, issued urgent pleas for the kidnapper to release him, saying his son suffers from asthma and needs an inhaler.

Two days later, Mr Esat was discovered by a passer-by wandering a cremation site about six miles away from the scene of the kidnapping.

Zaheer Esat was kidnapped in the in the Cunupia district on Friday - Liao Xun/Moment AF

Mr Esat was taken to the police and told investigating officers that he had escaped by jumping out of the boot of a car after being moved by his kidnappers.

He was taken for medical treatment and has since been released to the care of his family, according to Trinidadian media reports.

At a press conference on Wednesday, Richard Smith, the assistant commissioner of police, announced that a 28-year-old man had been arrested in connection with the incident.

A spokesman for the UK Foreign Office said: We provided support to a British man who was reported missing in Trinidad and were in contact with the local authorities.

Mr Esats online CV states that he is a director at the Lewis Charlton Group of Learning Centres, a private school for pupils with emotional and special educational needs.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper meeting West Yorkshire Police officers - Jonathan Chen/Home Office

I have long been reluctant to use the phrase anti-white racism. It is a term I have worried might fuel a grievance narrative and foster resentment in an already crowded field of competitive victimhood.

But as time passes, it is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore what looks like a growing pattern of institutional discrimination against white Britons.

The recent case involving West Yorkshire Police is another example, following closely on the heels of the controversy surrounding the Sentencing Councils guidelines on pre-sentence reports, which many have rightly described as two-tier justice.

In this latest case, West Yorkshire Police have reportedly blocked white applicants from joining the force as part of a diversity recruitment scheme.

What is especially disturbing is how this policy has embedded a formal hierarchy of racial preference within the police force. According to internal documents, black and far east Asian candidates were awarded gold status, south east Asians were ranked silver, while white others, including those of Irish or eastern European descent, were pushed into the bronze tier.

This is not equality. It is a new kind of racial ranking, uncomfortably reminiscent of apartheid-era thinking, made socially acceptable only because those placed at the bottom are white.

This is not an isolated incident either. Last year, an employment tribunal upheld claims from white officers in Thames Valley Police who were denied promotion or entry under policies that explicitly prioritised candidates from ethnic minority backgrounds.

At a time when crime is rising and public trust in policing is under significant strain, we should be welcoming all capable individuals, regardless of race, to serve their communities. Competence and commitment should be the only criteria for suitability, not ethnicity.

Some will argue, particularly those profiting from the booming Diversity, Equality and Inclusion industry, that these initiatives are needed to correct historical under-representation.

But this assumes that diversity necessarily improves policing outcomes. That assumption is, at best, unproven. Take the case of the now-disbanded Scorpion unit of the Memphis Police Department in the United States  a unit composed mostly of black officers, some of whom were involved in the horrific killing of Tyre Nichols, a black man.

That tragedy only reinforces the point: representation alone does not guarantee justice, professionalism or public confidence.

But why do disparities in application and promotion rates exist? I would argue that narratives pushed by organisations like the National Black Police Association  claiming the force is institutionally racist  have likely deterred many ethnic minority applicants.

And dragging officers through questionable disciplinary processes, such as the case of police firearms officer Martyn Blake following the shooting of Chris Kaba, only serves to undermine trust on all sides. And seeing a force riddled with scandal hardly makes it attractive to join.

In the name of fighting racism, we are instead fuelling it. Overtly discriminatory policies, however well-intentioned, hand the genuine far-Right an easy and increasingly valid argument: that white people are now being treated less favourably than other groups.

Even more insidiously, these initiatives are often prejudiced against ethnic minority candidates themselves. By lowering intellectual or moral standards, institutions send the message that minority applicants cannot compete on merit. That is not equality: it is patronising and ultimately harmful.

We face a fundamental choice. Either we uphold the principle that all individuals, regardless of race, have the capacity to serve with integrity and impartiality, or we continue to divide society by judging people on the basis of their racial group.

If equality means anything, it must mean equal standards, equal opportunity, and equal treatment. Abandoning this conception of equality risks tearing apart the very fabric of public trust we are so desperate to restore.
Yvette Cooper said West Yorkshire Police was complying with fair recruitment standards - Carl Court/Getty Images

Yvette Cooper has refused to criticise a police force accused of having a racist recruitment policy.

The Home Secretary said she would not intervene in the row over West Yorkshire Police, which has put a temporary block on hiring white British candidates.

Members of under-represented groups can lodge applications with the force early, raising concerns that white British candidates are being treated unfairly and amounting to a potentially unlawful form of positive discrimination.

On Thursday, Ms Cooper resisted demands from the Tories to end the policy, saying West Yorkshire Police was complying with fair recruitment standards.

She added: Often, lots of organisations do encourage more applications from under-represented groups, but they also have to make sure that the actual decision-making, the recruitment process is fair and is making sure that its about getting the best possible candidates into the sorts of jobs that they have.

However, Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, branded the policy disgraceful, saying: People should be treated equally and given equal opportunities. To reject or delay applications just because of someones skin colour is morally wrong.

Former Tory home secretaries echoed the criticism, with Suella Braverman urging Ms Cooper to get rid of dangerous and racist inequalities from police forces.

Grant Shapps said: Of course our police should broadly reflect the communities they serve. But blocking people from applying purely because theyre white isnt diversity  its discrimination. You dont fix injustice by creating new injustices. We must never judge people by the colour of their skin  full stop.

Neil OBrien, a Tory front bencher, said the revelations of appalling racist hiring policies at West Yorkshire Police are shocking, adding: We should be employing the best person for the job, not judging people solely on the colour of their skin.

A Home Office source rejected the criticism, saying: The Home Secretary has had no interaction with West Yorkshire Police on their recruitment policy  this is just not a question for her.

Recruitment decisions are an operational and independent matter for individual forces, not the Home Secretary. There are no provisions for positive discrimination in law.

Positive action permitted

While positive discrimination is illegal in the UK, positive action is permitted. Police forces have been told that the law allows them to favour ethnic minorities over white candidates.

College of Policing guidance tells forces that the Equality Act 2010 allows someone with a protected characteristic  such as being an ethnic minority  to be given preference over other aspiring recruits if they are equally qualified.

The Telegraph has found that at least five forces have reacted to this by giving candidates from ethnic minority backgrounds bespoke coaching before they go to job interviews in order to boost diversity.

Under such positive action initiatives, police forces offer one-to-one support, workshops and mentoring to black and brown candidates to help them get roles.

Other forces have insisted their positive action initiatives are not discriminatory and help recruit more ethnic minority candidates, despite those applicants receiving extra support before they even interview.

The College of Policings positive action recruitment guide outlines section 159 of the Equality Act and tells forces that it allows employers to favour someone who has a protected characteristic over someone who does not, providing both people are as qualified as each other.

It adds that this aspect of the law has been criticised for undermining meritocracy but that it is intended to do the opposite.

Bespoke mentorship programme

All 43 forces in England and Wales use some form of the initiative, and all state categorically that, despite the help some applicants may receive, ultimately all are judged on merit alone.

Cumbria Constabulary provides a bespoke end-to-end service for any interested black and brown candidate. The force provides mentors, who coach candidates on the interview process.

The mentors then walk them through what they will go through in the assessment and remain with the candidate until they receive an offer of employment. If the candidate is unsuccessful and reapplies within three months, their mentor will remain in regular contact with them throughout that period.

Derbyshire Constabulary also offers a bespoke mentorship programme for minority applicants seeking to join the force.

South Yorkshire Police says its recruitment team will signpost any applicants from black and black heritage communities to a buddy scheme so that they can receive one-to-one support.

Used with care

Gloucestershire Police has a Better Together Team, which provides skills workshops to applicants from under-represented groups.

Avon and Somerset Police has a dedicated Outreach Team, which supports candidates from under-represented communities. On its website, the force says it is committed to becoming the most diverse police service in the UK.

In its guidance, the College of Policing warns that positive action should be used with care. It states: The focus of positive action is to create equality of opportunity. It should not be seen as undermining the principle of meritocracy and does not, if used lawfully, compromise fairness or objectivity.

The row over racial bias within policing threatens to overshadow Sir Keir Starmers announcement that forces will have to guarantee extra patrols of bobbies on the beat at peak times or lose additional Government funding.

On Friday, the Prime Minister is set to unveil details of the Governments Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, under which every community will get a dedicated team of officers.
Donald Trump, seen at a cabinet meeting at the White House, must face a defamation lawsuit - Nathan Howard/Reuters

Donald Trump must face a defamation lawsuit brought by the so-called Central Park Five, a judge has ruled presenting a fresh legal challenge for the president.

Mr Trump failed to persuade a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit accusing him of making defamatory statements about five black and Hispanic men who were wrongly convicted and imprisoned for the 1989 rape and beating of a white female jogger in New Yorks Central Park.

Philadelphia-based US District Judge Wendy Beetlestone ruled that the men had presented enough evidence for now to pursue their lawsuit accusing Mr Trump of defaming them in comments he made during the 2024 presidential campaign.

The lawsuit was filed in federal court last October by Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana, Kevin Richardson, Antron Brown and Korey Wise.

The plaintiffs are seeking unspecified monetary damages for reputational and emotional harms as well as punitive damages.

The men, dubbed the Central Park Five, were cleared in 2002 based on new DNA evidence and another persons confession.

Mr Trump falsely said during a Sept 10 presidential debate with Kamala Harris that the men had killed someone and pleaded guilty, the plaintiffs said in their October lawsuit. Attorneys for the men said they gave false confessions that they later recanted. They never pleaded guilty.

The lawsuit said Mr Trumps demonstrably false statements cast the plaintiffs in a harmful false light.

In seeking dismissal of the lawsuit, Mr Trumps lawyers said in a court filing in December that his statements about the men were legally protected expressions of opinion under the US Constitutions First Amendment. Mr Trump has denied any wrongdoing.

Judge Beetlestone said Mr Trumps statement at issue must be construed as one of fact, not opinion, because it can objectively determined to be false that the men pleaded guilty or killed someone.

Mr Trump has drawn criticism before over his statements about the Central Park Five. After the joggers assault, he took out a full-page advertisement in several New York newspapers calling for the reinstatement of the death penalty.

The White House declined to comment. A lawyer representing Mr Trump in the lawsuit did not immediately respond to a request for comment, and neither did lead attorneys for the plaintiffs.
The Liberal leader, Peter Dutton, told reporters on the campaign trail in Melbournes east on Thursday that his party had selected some amazing people, amid questions over several candidates. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP

Peter Dutton has ducked questions about the quality of the Liberal partys vetting processes after concerns were raised about a 2024 charge against a Melbourne candidate in the latest saga surrounding the partys candidates.

The opposition leader, who visited a metalworks factory in the Labor-held seat of Aston in Melbournes eastern suburbs on Thursday, would also not divulge details about how his promise to achieve $7bn in savings by cutting 41,000 public service jobs by 2030 could match Labors plans to dramatically lift bulk-billing rates.

Dutton was asked whether the partys vetting process was up to scratch after the Nine newspapers reported that its candidate for the seat of Wills, Jeffrey Kidney, pleaded guilty to obtaining financial advice by deception in 2024 for a 2019 breach. The report said it was not clear what type of financial advantage Kidney obtained from WorkCover.

Kidney was ordered to pay fines and $10,640 in compensation to the Victorian WorkCover authority but no conviction was recorded against him.

Dutton said the party had selected some amazing people across the board, before claiming Anthony Albanese could be convicted for not being trustworthy.

If you look at the standard of candidates we have selected across the board, I think we have selected some amazing people, Dutton told reporters.

I dont think the prime minister is somebody who can be trusted, now to your point [Albanese] hasnt been convicted by a court but maybe he will, because if he keeps going like this you cant trust this prime minister with anything that he says.

The report about Kidneys conduct followed questions about other Liberal candidates running in some seats around the country.

Guardian Australia reported comments made by former Whitlam candidate, Ben Britton, last week, who expressed a string of controversial views on fringe podcasts before his preselection, including the claim that women should not serve in combat roles in the Australian Defence Force.

Britton was disendorsed days later and replaced by Nathaniel Smith, a former NSW MP from the partys religious right faction who has claimed school students are being brainwashed by Marxist and woke ideologies.

Dutton told 2GB on Thursday morning that Britton was dumped for holding views Dutton said he did not agree with  some of them not in the public domain, and  deeply concerning.

The Liberal-National candidate in the must-win far north Queensland seat of Leichhardt, Jeremy Neal, apologised this week after social media posts airing controversial views about China, Covid-19 restrictions and feminists who helped kick out Donald Trump in 2020 resurfaced.

A dossier of now-deleted social media posts revealed by the Courier Mail showed Neal, a paramedic, railing against China, lockdown measures and Daniel Andrews Victorian government during the first two years of the pandemic.

With Duttons Thursday appearance, the Coalition continued to avoid revealing how it plans to downsize the federal bureaucracy by 41,000 jobs in five years  a key part of its plan to deliver savings to the budget.

Earlier this week, Dutton said the roles would be removed through natural attrition by 2030 and there would be no forced redundancies  despite analysis suggesting it would be a difficult target to reach without slashing frontline service roles.

On Thursday, Dutton reiterated that the costings would be revealed before the election but declined to outline how the savings would be achieved in the budget.

Australia has, per capita, one of the highest numbers of public servants in the world, he said.

We need to make sure we have an efficient public service, which we will do and we will make sure that that is the case.
In the US alone, processing data is expected to consume more electricity than all other energy-intensive goods combined by 2030. Photograph: Dado Ruvic/Reuters

The global rush to AI technology will require almost as much energy by the end of this decade as Japan uses today, but only about half of the demand is likely to be met from renewable sources.

Processing data, mainly for AI, will consume more electricity in the US alone by 2030 than manufacturing steel, cement, chemicals and all other energy-intensive goods combined, according to a report from the International Energy Agency (IEA).

Global electricity demand from datacentres will more than double by 2030, according to the report. AI will be the main driver of that increase, with demand from dedicated AI datacentres alone forecast to more than quadruple.

One datacentre today consumes as much electricity as 100,000 households, but some of those currently under construction will require 20 times more.

Related: EU to build AI gigafactories in 20bn push to catch up with US and China

But fears that the rapid adoption of AI will destroy hopes of tackling the climate crisis have been overstated, according to the report, which was published on Thursday. That is because harnessing AI to make energy use and other activities more efficient could result in savings that reduce greenhouse gas emissions overall.

Fatih Birol, the executive director of the IEA, said: With the rise of AI, the energy sector is at the forefront of one of the most important technological revolutions of our time. AI is a tool, potentially an incredibly powerful one, but it is up to us  our societies, governments and companies  how we use it.

Using AI could make it easier to design electricity grids to take more renewable energy. Most grids were designed for centralised fossil fuel power stations that produce reliable levels of electricity, some of which can be turned off and on relatively quickly. They have to be redesigned to balance demand when more of the supply comes from intermittent and sometimes unpredictable sources, such as wind and solar power.

Finding efficiencies within energy systems, and in industrial processes, could also become easier with AI. At present, huge opportunities to increase efficiency are missed, because it is harder for companies to change their processes than to carry on with wasteful practices.

AI could also assist with new technologies such as driverless vehicles or detecting threats to vital infrastructure. The technology could also be used to plan public transport to optimise for peoples journeys, or to design cities or traffic systems. Mining companies could use AI to discover and exploit reserves of critical minerals, which are crucial to modern renewable energy components such as solar panels, wind turbines and electric vehicles.

These uses could offset some of the massive demands that AI will place on the worlds energy systems. But that is likely to require greater direction from governments, the IEA report found. Left alone, the rapid growth of AI could prove a severe problem for energy systems and the environment.

AI has the potential to reverse all the gains made in recent years in advanced economies to reduce their energy use, mainly through efficiencies. The rapid increase in AI also means companies will seek the most readily available energy  which could come from gas plants, which were on their way out in many developed countries. In the US, the demand could even be met by coal-fired power stations being given a new lease on life, aided by Donald Trumps enthusiasm for them.

Done badly, AI could also suck water from some of the worlds driest areas, an investigation by the Guardian revealed, as many AI datacentres use vast quantities of fresh water for cooling their computers.

Claude Turmes, a former Green MEP and energy minister for Luxembourg, said the disadvantages of AI were more likely to materialise than the optimistic projections of the IEA, and governments needed much more help to avoid the pitfalls.

He accused the IEA of painting too rosy a picture and failing to spell out harsh truths to policymakers. He said: Instead of making practical recommendations to governments on how to regulate and thus minimise the huge negative impact of AI and new mega datacentres on the energy system, the IEA and its [chief] Fatih Birol are making a welcome gift to the new Trump administration and the tech companies which sponsored this new US government.
Negotiation with the US is likely, Irelands deputy premier has said, after President Donald Trump announced a 90-day pause in certain sweeping tariffs.

Simon Harris met with US commerce secretary Howard Lutnick, a key critic of Irish policies within the Trump administration, in Washington DC on Wednesday.

The engagement came after Mr Trump said he would be delaying tariffs on most nations for 90 days while raising his tax rate on Chinese imports to 125%.

The US had announced a 20% tariff for the EU, which would have applied to Ireland.

The precise details of the pause were not immediately clear, but the US treasury secretary has said Mr Trump will keep a 10% baseline tariff on most countries.

On Thursday, Mr Harris said he had debriefed EU trade commissioner Maros Sefcovic on his engagement with Mr Lutnick.

In a statement, he said: It has been my consistent position and the consistent position of the Irish Government and the European Union that we need to get into substantive, calm, measured dialogue with the United States.

It has always been our preference that would have happened before tariff announcements. Clearly that was not the position of the United States.

However, after my discussions yesterday, it is now clear to me that such engagement and negotiation is likely.

Mr Harris, who is also Irish foreign affairs and trade minister, added: I believe it needs to happen in a timely fashion. All sides need to engage in good faith because uncertainty and turmoil is not the way forward.

The trading relationship between the EU and the US is worth 1.6 trillion euro per year. Its massively important in terms of jobs, growth and investment in Ireland, across the European Union and in America.

On Thursday, the EU announced a 90-day pause in its retaliation against earlier 25% tariffs on imported steel and aluminium imposed by Mr Trump.

It had approved countermeasures which were due to come into effect in stages from April 15, reported to include orange juice and coffee as well as motorcycles and boats.

Bourbon whiskey is reported not to have been included in the list despite previously being targeted by the EU.

Mr Trump previously threatened a 200% tariff on EU drinks if bourbon was included, prompting significant concern for the Irish drinks sector.

The Irish Government welcomed the move by the EU to pause the measures.

EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen had also previously offered a zero-for-zero tariffs deal on industrial goods including cars but Mr Trump has said that is not enough to satisfy US concerns.

Productive, timely visit to Washington D.C. Good to meet the Commerce Secretary & have very useful meetings on Capitol Hill. Calm, measured, detailed discussions and negotiations to find a way forward is key. This was my message in the US. Its been our consistent message. pic.twitter.com/Ew495m06sm  Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) April 10, 2025

The potential impact on the Irish pharmaceutical sector, which employs around 45,000 people, remains a particular cause of concern for Irelands Government.

Pharmaceuticals were exempt from the sweeping tariffs imposed on EU exports to the US earlier this month, but could be subject to further measures taken by the Trump administration.

The US trade secretary recently said US tech and pharmaceutical companies locating intellectual property in Ireland for tax reasons was going to change.

In addition, Mr Harris said the US administration is still clear that it intends to take action on pharmaceuticals, which would significantly impact Ireland.

However, he said the 90-day pause allowed room for negotiation, adding that there was at least an openness to considering a discussion on pharmaceuticals on the US side.

Mr Harris said he had told Mr Lutnick, who had previously said it was a nonsense that Ireland runs a trade surplus against the US, that the negotiations on the tariff pause should include a discussion around pharmaceuticals, rather than new taxes being imposed on the sector while engagement is ongoing.

Total Irish exports were valued at 223.8 billion euro last year, with roughly one third going to the US.

Of the 72.6 billion euros in US imports from Ireland, approximately 58 billion euros relates to pharmaceuticals and chemicals leaving Ireland.

It had been projected this could halve if Mr Trump had implemented a 20% tariff on the goods and the EU had responded in kind.
The only overt act which the prosecution in the trial of former Irish soldier Lisa Smith relied on was her status as a housewife in Syria, her lawyer has told a Dublin court.

She is appealing against her conviction for being a member of the so-called Islamic State (IS) terror group.

Her barrister Michael OHiggins told the Court of Appeal that the only act of association to the unlawful organisation was cooking and cleaning for her former husband.

Smith, 43, from Dundalk in Co Louth, is outlining her case at the Court of Appeal.

The former member of the Defence Forces was found guilty of IS membership in 2023, but was cleared of financing terrorism, after a nine-week trial at Dublins Special Criminal Court.

Lisa Smith with her legal representative, Peter Corrigan of Phoenix Law, at the Courts of Criminal Justice, Dublin (Liam McBurney/PA)

Smith, a convert to Islam, went to Syria in 2015 after terrorist leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi called on Muslims to travel there.

She had pleaded not guilty to charges of membership of IS and providing funds to benefit the group.

Smith was sentenced to 15 months in prison and lost an appeal against the severity of the sentence.

The appeal court also heard that Smith led a totally anonymous life in Syria and there was no smoking gun that she did anything for IS.

Outlining the appeal, Mr OHiggins said the prosecution claimed Smith was a part of the terror group because she is a western woman who answered the call of terrorist leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi to travel to the Islamic State.

He told the court that it was not a sound legal principle to convict a person of being a member of an illegal organisation.

He said Smith travelled to Syria out of a religious obligation, but the court had dismissed that as irrelevant.

Mr OHiggins said the court cannot ignore and deem inadmissible what the persons motive was to travel to Syria, adding that it was a flaw to assume Smith was going there to do something unlawful.

He told the court that a prosecution witness in Smiths trial, Dr Florence Gaub, who is an expert on Middle Eastern conflicts, accepted that some women did travel to Syria for religious reasons and to live under Sharia law.

Is it accepted that Lisa Smith did that and is she entitled to do that without being branded a member of one of the most notorious organisations worldwide? I submit she is, Mr OHiggins added.

He said that she led a totally anonymous life in Syria, adding that there was no smoking gun or burning match that she did anything for IS.

The court was told that Smith shopped and bought food and was subjected to serious assaults by her former husband during her time there.

Mr OHiggins questioned what membership of an organisation looked like, saying that membership is not nor could ever include avid supporters of a group.

He said that membership did not include someone who agreed with an unlawful organisations aims, or members of a community who benefited from the actions of the illegal organisation.

Mr OHiggins gave the example of paramilitaries in Northern Ireland who ran a parallel justice system during the Troubles.

He said that some communities benefited from a decrease in anti-social behaviour but that those people did not become members of the IRA or UDA.

Mr OHiggins told the court that a fanatic who attacked a former RUC station or planted a bomb or did anything that mirrored the actions of the IRA did not automatically become a member.

The court was told that membership is not a state of mind or a virus.

He added that membership is not done by osmosis, that there must be some sort of application and acceptance to become a member.

Mr Justice John Edwards interjected and said that illegal organisations would not keep a register of membership, and proof of membership of the IRA is never adduced by the production of records.

Mr OHiggins said that a person must make an act of adherence which is made directly to a person who is aware of the declaration and agrees that the person is a member.

He said it does not require a record or any degree of formality, but that it requires a meeting of minds, and that it does not occur by some level of affinity.

Mr OHiggins claimed that the reasons to convict Smith have Dr Gaub all over them, but the court did not acknowledge that prominence.

He said the court says exactly what Dr Gaub said in her evidence to the court, that Smith went to Syria, she remained there and received benefits from and was, therefore, a member of IS.

Mr OHiggins said it does not address sweeping generalisations which allow a person to be convicted without showing one single thing they did to assist the unlawful organisation, other than going to Syria.

I would say that is unsafe, he told the court.

He said the court may have coincidentally reflected Dr Gaubs thoughts. He added that Dr Gaub is a prosecution witness who never stepped foot in Syria during the turmoil.
Rory McIlroys four-year-old daughter showed her father how it was done by delighting the Augusta crowd with a monster putt on the eve of the 89th Masters.

The Northern Irishman, who needs to win the Masters to complete the career grand slam, helped Poppy sink a long birdie putt on the final hole.

Yeah, very cool, McIlroy said when asked about that moment.

Its just such a fun afternoon. Being out there with Shane (Lowry) and Tommy (Fleetwood) and their families, were all very, very close, so to have the kids out there and them having fun is the most important thing.

Poppy McIlroy converts the lengthy putt on No. 9! #themasters pic.twitter.com/6Vfkfxm3v7  The Masters (@TheMasters) April 9, 2025

Its a really nice way to sort of end the preparation going into what is the serious part of the week. So its nice to be able to get out here and do this.

Colombias Nico Echavarria faces an extra hurdle to overcome in his bid to claim a first major title after winning the par-three contest.

Echavarria birdied the second extra hole to beat American JJ Spaun in a play-off after the pair completed the nine-hole course in the grounds of Augusta National in five under par.

Since the contest started in 1960, nobody has ever become par-three and Masters champion in the same week, a fact which often sees players deliberately not shoot the best score possible.

US Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley and five-time major winner Brooks Koepka both made a hole-in-one on the sixth, with fellow American Tom Hoge recording an ace on the fourth.
Trials showed the drug, capivasertib, increased the time before breast cancer got worse by about 4.2 months. Photograph: Oksana Krasiuk/Alamy

Thousands of women with advanced breast cancer in England and Wales are to be offered a gamechanging twice-a-day pill on the NHS after a U-turn by the medicines watchdog.

Experts hailed the decision as a landmark moment. As many as 3,000 women every year could benefit from capivasertib for hormone receptor (HR)-positive HER2-negative breast cancer that has certain genetic mutations and has spread.

The drug, also known as Truqap and made by AstraZeneca, blocks an abnormal protein molecule AKT that drives cancer cells to multiply  helping to slow or stop the spread of the disease.

Claire Rowney, the chief executive of charity Breast Cancer Now, welcomed the green light from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) but said its initial rejection of the pill had led to treatment delays.

She said: This happens too often and urgent action must be taken to ensure the quick approval of breast cancer drugs so they can be made available promptly to those who need them.

NHS England must now put in place prompt genetic testing to ensure those eligible receive capivasertib without further delay. The Scottish Medicines Consortium must also consider this treatment at pace now, so that we see it made available to all who need it across the UK.

Results from trials show that capivasertib plus the hormone therapy fulvestrant increased the time before cancer got worse by about 4.2 months compared with placebo plus fulvestrant  from 3.1 months to 7.3 months.

The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) in London welcomed the approval for a gamechanging drug after decades of research by its scientists.

The drug is suitable for patients tumours with mutations or alterations in the PIK3CA, AKT1 or PTEN genes. These are found in about half of patients with this form of breast cancer.

Prof Nicholas Turner, from the ICR and the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, led a key trial into the drug.

He said the Nice approval meant thousands of NHS patients with advanced breast cancer with these specific biomarkers can now receive this innovative targeted treatment to keep their cancer from progressing for longer.

Related: One in four women in England have reproductive health issue, survey finds

Prof Paul Workman, the former chief executive of the ICR and researcher in the AKT drug discovery project, said: I am delighted to celebrate this landmark moment and see capivasertib become available on the NHS.

Its immensely gratifying that years of collaboration have contributed to this new cancer drug, which has the potential to improve the lives of so many NHS patients living with advanced breast cancer.

Helen Knight, director of medicines evaluation at Nice, said the watchdog had heard about the devastating impact that being diagnosed with advanced breast cancer has on peoples lives.

She said she was pleased AstraZeneca had worked with Nice to enable it to recommend this promising new treatment as a good use of NHS resources and value for money for taxpayers.
Douglas Alexanders trip to China was said to be unrelated to negotiations over the future of British Steel or Donald Trumps tariffs. Photograph: Katherine Anne Rose/The Observer

A trade minister has travelled to China for an unpublicised visit this week at the same time as the head of the British military, the Guardian has learned.

Douglas Alexander, the minister for trade policy and economic security, is paying a visit to Beijing this week for talks with Chinese counterparts. He is also due to visit Hainan and Hong Kong.

Alexanders trip, which does not appear to have been publicised anywhere by the UK or Chinese governments, coincided with an unannounced visit to China by Adm Sir Tony Radakin, the head of the British military, for the first time in a decade.

Alexander held talks with Chinese counterparts at a time when Beijings trade dispute with the US was intensifying, and while ministers have been locked in talks with British Steels owner, Jingye.

A government source said Alexanders trip was pre-planned and unrelated to Donald Trumps tariffs or the negotiations over the future of British Steel, with no talks planned with Jingye. The department said Alexander was promoting British exports and was due to give a speech at a Chinese consumer expo.

Chinas defence ministry said Radakin had discussed strengthening military cooperation with a country that the UK officially describes as posing a systemic challenge.

Radakin met Gen Liu Zhenli, the chief of staff of Chinas central military commission, on Wednesday, the defence ministry said in a short statement published on its website.

The two sides conducted in-depth exchanges on China-UK relations and [military-to-military] relations, international and regional situations and issues of common concern, and had communication on strengthening exchanges and cooperation between the two militaries, the ministry said.

British sources said it was in the countrys interest to maintain robust military communications with China  and to engage in firm conversations about the importance of peace in the Indo-Pacific.

Radakin posted a statement on X saying he and his Chinese counterpart had held talks on a range of security issues and agreed that in an unstable world we must play our part as responsible nations with global interests, and we reflected on the importance of military-to-military communications.

Some British politicians critical of China expressed surprise at Radakins visit. The former Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith said his jaw had dropped when he learned about it.

The Labour government is kowtowing to China, but they shouldnt make the military follow them, he said. The most astonishing and alarming thing is to watch China being treated as an ally and friend, a country that trashed the Sino-British agreement on Hong Kong and has arrested peaceful democracy campaigners.

Alistair Carmichael, a Liberal Democrat MP, said: On any view this has got to be worrying because we know that China is not a trusted partner commercially and if you cant trust them commercially then how can you trust them militarily?

Frances DSouza, a cross-bench peer and member of the all-party parliamentary group on Taiwan, said: I have to say that it does not bode well for a robust UK policy on supporting a democratic Taiwan  This drives a hole through any possibility of having a coherent policy.

It is the first time a UK chief of defence staff has visited China since 2015, when Britain was trying to foster a golden era of relations. The Chinese president, Xi Jinping, made a state visit to the UK the same year.

Relations have deteriorated since as China has aggressively asserted its control over Hong Kong, a former British colony. It has also been accused of spying on the UK and acting as a decisive enabler of Russias war in Ukraine by supplying components for munitions.

Labour has sought a rapprochement with Beijing since taking office. Two senior British ministers  the foreign secretary, David Lammy, and the chancellor, Rachel Reeves  have visited China in an effort to maintain positive economic relations despite the security concerns, with senior Chinese government figures paying visits to London as well. Reeves said a long-term relationship with China was squarely in our national interest on her trip in January.

Radakin is reported to have given a speech to students at the Peoples Liberation Army National Defence University, which specialises in military education. The Times reported that he had defended the post-second world war security order and emphasised the value of alliances.

Trump introduced tariffs on China totalling 145% on imports to the US this week, prompting Beijing to retaliate with an 84% levy of its own. Beijing said on Thursday that a trade war would end in failure for the US after Trump had accused China of ripping off the USA with cheap imported goods.

The UK defence secretary, John Healey, co-hosted a meeting of defence ministers from 30 countries at Nato headquarters in Brussels on Thursday to discuss increasing pressure on Russia over Ukraine.

He told his counterparts: We cannot jeopardise the peace by forgetting about the war. The daily reality for millions of Ukrainians continues, drone attacks, missile strikes, brutal fighting on the frontline, so we must put more pressure on President Putin to end his war and we must step up support for Ukraine.

The discussions focused on planning for a reassurance force that could be deployed in Ukraine in the event of a peace agreement. The prospect of a ceasefire seems distant after Russia effectively rejected a US-backed proposal for a 30-day pause in hostilities.

The UK is to announce today that it will provide funding for a new 450m surge of military support for Ukraine as John Healey, the defence secretary, and his German counterpart host a meeting of 50 nations. Britain is providing 350m for drones and military repairs, while Norway will also contribute.

Addressing the group, Healey will say it is vital to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position and pile pressure on Putin to help force him to end this terrible war.

Reeves will travel to Poland on Friday for an informal meeting of European finance ministers to discuss defence spending. A Treasury source said: A strong economy needs a strong national defence. That is why the chancellor will be travelling to Warsaw to make the case for deeper defence financing cooperation with our European allies so together we deliver greater economic and national security in a changed world.

Russia carried out airstrikes against Kyiv earlier in the week, while Ukraine claimed to have captured Chinese nationals fighting for the Russian army. Chinas foreign ministry said it was verifying the situation, but rejected Kyivs accusation that more Chinese citizens were involved in the fighting as groundless.
A health board is seeking to bar the public from online viewing of future hearings in an employment tribunal about a transgender doctor using a female changing room.

NHS Fife has requested only media be allowed to watch the livestream of the case brought by nurse Sandie Peggie against the health board when it resumes in July.

It said technical issues and interruptions caused by non-media observers caused significant delays to proceedings at earlier tribunal hearings in Dundee in February.

Ms Peggie was suspended after she complained about having to share a changing room with transgender medic Dr Beth Upton at the hospital where they both worked.

She lodged a complaint of sexual harassment or harassment related to a protected belief under Section 26 of the Equality Act 2010 regarding three incidents when they shared a changing room: indirect harassment, victimisation, and whistleblowing.

Nurse Sandie Peggie and Dr Beth Upton worked at the Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy, Fife (PA)

Ms Peggie was suspended from her work at the Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy, Fife, on January 3, 2024 after Dr Upton made an allegation of bullying and harassment, the tribunal heard in February this year.

The tribunal hearings in February could initially be viewed virtually by members of the public, however the judge later restricted virtual access to accredited media.

The health board has asked the tribunal for this approach to continue, but said members of the public would still be able to attend the hearings in person.

NHS Fife said: During the hearing in February, the employment tribunal restricted cloud video platform (virtual viewing) access to press/journalists due to technical issues, as well as interruptions caused by non-media observers.

The technical issues and interruptions caused significant delays which impacted the tribunals progress. A request has therefore been made that this approach be maintained in July.

If these requests are granted, accredited media and press outlets will still be permitted to report on matters and in-person public access to the hearing will remain available.

The health board has also asked the tribunal to revoke the Tribunal Tweets groups permission to live-tweet proceedings, saying there had been a public complaint about the posts.

Dr Beth Upton outside the employment tribunal in Dundee earlier this year (Andrew Milligan/PA)

Tribunal Tweets told the Daily Telegraph, which first reported the story: The respondents have applied to have our permission to report using live text-based communications revoked.

We will contest that application and believe that we have respected the relevant order and hope to be allowed to continue to report.

Tribunal Tweets, policy analysis collective Murray Blackburn Mackenzie and the organisations For Women Scotland and Sex Matters have together written to the Nick Goodwin, chief executive of His Majestys Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) suggesting improvements to the online viewing system.

Lisa Mackenzie, of Murray Blackburn Mackenzie, said: We have recently written to HMCTS asking them to iron out some of the technological challenges faced by those seeking to observe proceedings remotely.

This is an important case that has generated considerable public interest.

Seeking to restrict access to the HMCTS livestream, when there are very few seats in the public gallery, is a deeply cynical move by NHS Fife and one that we hope will be resisted by the judge.

It should be pressing for the technical issues to be resolved instead of seeking to put in place further barriers to open justice.

An HMCTS spokesperson said: Decisions on how cases are conducted are made by the independent judiciary. In this case, all remote participants will be automatically muted at the point of joining the July hearing to minimise disruptions.
Springtime often means the return of butterflies, colorful flowers, and warmer temperatures, but it's the time of year when most baby animals make their first appearances, too. Many species have evolved to welcome their young during the mildest time of the year in order to give their children the calmest start to life, which is why spring is chock full of baby birds, kittens and puppies, and babies of all kinds.

No one understands this better than the farmers who prepare to welcome new members to their herd each spring. On April 7, the Highland Coo Clan in Scotland grew a little larger as one of the highland cows gave birth. She was thrilled to show off her new calf, but no one was more excited to meet the little one than the cows' caretaker, @donny12300!

Welcome to the world, little one! It's so special to meet a newborn animal under any circumstances, but Donny must feel incredibly special to have the mama cow bring her baby to him. That's like the ultimate sign of trust from a mom of any species!

Commenter Leonie wasn't the only one who noticed Donny's incredible relationship with his herd of cows. Some viewers credited the farmer's calm demeanor for the mom and baby cow's comfort, while others gushed about how social and friendly highland cows can be. And then there was a commenter named Kim, who guessed that Mom is just showing her baby where the food comes from.

Related: Baby Highland Cow 'Finds Her Moo' and Her Proud Face Says It All

Whatever is behind this adorable interaction, there's no question that this is a special day for the Highland Coo Clan. Donny checks for calves every day in the springtime, and every new addition is worth celebrating.

Why Do Baby Animals Stand So Soon?

"It's mad how animals just crack on and walk straight away but humans are like little cabbages for months before they start learning how to do stuff," a viewer named Terri wrote. Isn't it interesting?

Some baby animals rely on their mothers for everything, like kangaroo joeys who live in their mothers' pouches for months, while others like baby donkeys walk within minutes of being born. This is because each species has evolved in a way to make it more likely to survive in its natural habitat. For animals like donkeys, horses, and cows who rely on running as a safety mechanism, it's essential for them to learn to stand and walk within hours of birth.

Even though these highland cows are perfectly safe and happy in their pasture, babies like this newborn calf still develop incredibly quickly. It's only a matter of time until he's prancing around the field!

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.
Nicola Sturgeon at last months Glasgow International Comedy Festival - Jane Barlow/PA

Nicola Sturgeon has been accused of hypocrisy after exploiting a loophole to avoid the higher rates of income tax imposed on Scottish workers by the SNP.

The former first minister has updated her register of interests at Holyrood to state that she withdrew 10,000 from her company on Jan 31 this year.

But she took the payment in the form of a dividend, meaning that the money was not liable for the higher rates of income tax she and her successors as SNP first minister have levied on Scots wages, saving her 1,200.

Dividends are taxed at lower rates by the Westminster Government, with the receipts going to the UK taxman instead of Revenue Scotland, the SNPs collection agency.

The Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT) calculated that the move would have saved Ms Sturgeon 1,209.60 compared with being paid 10,000 as a salary, which would have been liable for Scottish income tax.

John Swinney and Nicola Sturgeon with Humza Yousaf after his farewell speech as first minister - Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

In addition, the CIOT said Ms Sturgeon and her company do not have to pay employer or employee National Insurance on dividends.

Although she has not done anything illegal, the Tories said ordinary Scots would be rightly livid at any Nicola Sturgeon hypocrisy.

She and her successors, Humza Yousaf and John Swinney, have argued there is a social contract in Scotland whereby workers pay more income tax in return for free benefits such as prescriptions and university tuition.

The row erupted as Ms Sturgeon announced a special show at Edinburghs Usher Hall, during which she will be interviewed and take questions from the audience.

Tickets cost up to 73.95, including the booking fee, and her fans can pay an additional 75 to attend a meet and greet with the former first minister before the show.

Ms Sturgeon, who earns 74,507 as the Glasgow Southside MSP, set up her company in 2023 to deal with her artistic earnings from outside Holyrood.

She has since registered a series of payments to the firm, including 25,000 for appearing as a pundit on ITVs general election night coverage last year, and the first of four 75,000 instalments from publisher Pan Macmillan for her memoirs.

Credit: STV

However, the 10,000 dividend is the first large sum on her register of interests to be withdrawn from the company. When challenged previously, her spokeswoman refused to clarify whether she would pay Scottish income tax on any payments she received from the firm.

About 1.5 million Scots earning at least 30,318 pay more income tax than if they lived elsewhere in the UK. There are six tax bands in Scotland, double the total south of the Border, and the top band is 3p higher.

Craig Hoy, the Scottish Conservative Shadow Finance Secretary, said: Ordinary Scots will be rightly livid at any Nicola Sturgeon hypocrisy.

Thanks to her government, they pay the highest taxes in the UK, yet the former first minister appears to be avoiding paying those same punitive income tax rates herself.

So much for her commitment to progressive taxation and those with the broadest shoulders bearing the heaviest burden.

The CIOT calculations for Ms Sturgeons tax bill showed that a 500 dividend allowance would be deducted from the 10,000 lump sum.

The remaining 9,500 would then be taxed at the dividend higher rate, which applies across the UK, of 33.75 per cent. This would leave Ms Sturgeon with a 3,206.25 bill on top of the income tax she pays on her MSP salary.

However, if she had taken the 10,000 as a salary then Mr Sturgeon would have paid 1,178.10 income tax levied at the 42 per cent Scottish higher rate and a further 3,237.75 at the 45 per cent advanced rate.

Her total additional income tax bill would have been 4,415.85  1,209.60 more than the charge for a dividend.

The CIOT also noted that her company, Nicola Sturgeon Ltd, would have to pay corporation tax on its profits. This is collected at a UK level by HM Revenue & Customs.

Ms Sturgeons spokeswoman declined to comment. However, sources said that any payments made by the company to her would be fully declared in her register of interests and taxed in the appropriate way.

Police Scotland announced last month that a long-running criminal investigation into Ms Sturgeon about the SNPs finances had been dropped.

Peter Murrell, her husband and the partys former chief executive, has been charged with embezzlement. She announced earlier this year they had separated and were divorcing.

Ms Sturgeon also disclosed she would stand down as an MSP at next years Holyrood election, saying it was the time is right for me to embrace different opportunities in a new chapter of my life.

Her memoirs, titled Frankly, are scheduled to be published in August and personal insights into leadership, public service, and the challenges and triumphs that have shaped her journey are promised at her Usher Hall show in October.

It emerged last November that Mr Yousaf, her successor as first minister, has also set up a company to handle his non-MSP earnings.
The author who took over writing the James Bond novels from Ian Fleming has said that the franchise is in safe hands with the new producers.

Anthony Horowitz, who is the creator of fictional teenage spy Alex Rider and has written three 007 novels, claimed former Bond producers Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli made a mistake killing the character off in the last film when Daniel Craig left the franchise.

It comes after Amazon revealed they had gained creative control of the British spy franchise in February, following a deal which saw Eon Productions Broccoli and Wilson become co-owners with Amazon MGM Studios, and step away as producers.

Horowitz welcomed the appointment of producers David Heyman, who worked on all eight film adaptations of JK Rowlings Harry Potter books, and Amy Pascal, who is best known for the Tom Holland Spider-Man movies, to spearhead Amazon MGM Studios upcoming 007 film.

Horowitz told BBC One programme BBC Breakfast: I think Barbara Broccoli did an absolutely brilliant job in the years that she was in charge, but David Heyman, who I have met in the past, is a fan.

Hes the man behind the Harry Potter films, and he is probably our most successful producer if not (just) in the UK, in the entire world.

And I do think (the film) with him and Amy Pascal is going to be in safe hands. Im looking forward to seeing what happens.

I do think it was a mistake, if I may say so, to kill Bond at the end of the last film, and I regretted seeing that, because Bond, you cant kill him, he is an icon. He is a legend. He is so much fun. He was a huge part of my life.

But thats sort of a hurdle theyre gonna have to overcome, probably, I imagine, by ignoring it completely. But Im positive I cant wait to see what they do next.

Alex Rider author Anthony Horowitz (Ian West/PA)

He also said that he thinks audiences do very quickly buy into the new actor, and called it a major cultural event in this country.

Craig, 57, delivered his final performance as the British Secret Service agent in No Time To Die last year, with his successor not yet named.

Horowitz, who was commissioned by the estate of Fleming to write 2015s Trigger Mortis, 2018s Forever And A Day, and 2022s With A Mind To Kill, added that he thinks it is important to focus the Bond books in the correct time, the 1950s and 1960s, and write them with the attitudes of those times.

So the things were talking about, and the misogyny  the sexism, the racism, all the isms  we see in James Bond, werent considered to be so terrible, and if you write the book in the context of that time, I think theres absolutely no harm in doing it, he added.

Im against and opposed to the idea of burglarising books, changing books, cutting things out that offend us now, because I think that by looking at your books, we realise how far weve come, how much more sensitive and aware we are, how much smarter we are than we were then.

And so I think the two can be together as long as you have the context and you understand thats not how we do things now.

Wilson and Broccoli from Eon Productions had produced the franchise since the death of Albert Cubby Broccoli.

The official film franchise had been controlled by members of the Broccoli family, either single-handedly or in partnership with others, since the first 007 movie Dr No in 1962.
Emmanuel Macron says France could recognise a Palestinian state as early as June - Shutterstock /Teresa Suarez

Israel accused Emmanuel Macron of giving Hamas a prize for terrorism after he said France was ready to formally recognise Palestine as a state.

In a major foreign policy shift, the French president said Paris could recognise a Palestinian state as early as June, at a UN conference in New York. If this took place France would become the first permanent member of the UN Security Council to do so, potentially creating a rift with Israel ally Donald Trump.

During a two-day trip to Egypt, Mr Macron said recognition would encourage several countries in the Middle East that do not recognise Israel to do so.

We need to move towards recognition. And so over the next few months, we will. Im not doing it to please anyone. Ill do it because at some point it will be right, he said on Wednesday.

And because I also want to take part in a collective dynamic that should also enable those who defend Palestine to recognise Israel in their turn, something that many of them are not doing.

Gideon Saar, Israels foreign minister, posted on X: A unilateral recognition of a fictional Palestinian state, by any country, in the reality that we all know, will be a prize for terror and a boost for Hamas.

These kind of actions will not bring peace, security and stability in our region closer  but the opposite: they only push them further away.

Gideon Saar, the Israel foreign minister, says any recognition of a Palestinian state would be a boost for Hamas - AFP/Menahem Kahana

Palestine has been recognised as a sovereign state by almost 150 countries. But most major Western powers  including the US, Britain, France, Germany and Japan  have not.

Having long backed a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict, which Israel does not support, France would become the most influential European country to recognise Palestine.

Until now, France, like the UK, has said it would recognise Palestine as part of or after the negotiations for a two-state solution.

Among countries that do not recognise Israel are Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Syria and Yemen.

Our objective is somewhere in June, with Saudi Arabia, to chair this conference where we could finalise the movement towards reciprocal recognition by several countries, Mr Macron said of a UN conference in New York.

This would allow France to be clear in our fight against those who deny Israels right to exist  which is the case with Iran  and to commit ourselves to collective security in the region.

In May last year, Ireland, Spain and Norway recognised Palestine. It was an effort to find a political solution to Israels war on Hamas in Gaza, which was triggered by the terrorist attack on October 7, 2023.

Israel accused the European trio of rewarding terrorism, withdrew their ambassadors and gave their envoys in Tel Aviv a dressing down.

In December, Israel closed its embassy in Ireland, where recognition was politically popular, in December, blaming the extreme anti-Israel policies of the Irish government.

Donald Trump is an ally of Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister. The US president has suggested that Palestinians leave Gaza, which could then be taken over by the US.

Recognition would be premature

Across France there were divided reactions to Mr Macrons announcement.

If it comes within a framework that allows countries that dont recognise Israel to do so, and other countries that dont recognise Palestine or the Palestinian state to do so, its a good process, said Francois Hollande, Frances former Socialist president.

Finally. After nearly two years of genocide in Gaza, France is finally considering recognising the State of Palestine, said Mathilde Panot, leader of the deputies belonging to the hard-Left France Unbowed party.

Marine Le Pens National Rally said recognition would be premature. Sebastien Chenu, vice-president of the party, said, Its sending out a signal: Do terrorism and well recognise your rights.

Gerard Larcher, president of the French senate and a member of the centre-Right Les Republicans, said the conditions were not right to recognise a Palestinian state.

We still have hostages in the Gaza Strip, we still have Hamas attacks, we unfortunately have an extremely weak Palestinian Authority, he said.

France is home to the largest Jewish community in Europe, and the third largest in the world behind the United States and Israel with an estimated half a million Jews. An increase in anti-Semitism has been blamed for rising numbers of Jews leaving France.
A robot mine sweeper is being trialled by the British Army to eventually clear explosives on the front lines.

It is hoped the device, called WEEVIL, will replace current mine-clearing methods that require a three-person crew to operate in hazardous areas.

The new technology can be operated via remote control by a single person from several miles away and is fitted with a mine plough to clear a safe path.

The prototype was successfully tested in Newcastle on a surrogate minefield, and the technology is now being passed to the British Army for further development.

The remote-controlled mine plough system Weevil being put through its paces (MoD/PA)

Luke Pollard, minister for the armed forces, said: It wont be a moment too soon when we no longer have to send our people directly into harms way to clear minefields.

This kit could tackle the deadly threat of mines in the most challenging environments, while being remotely operated by our soldiers several miles away.

The robot was developed by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) and Newcastle-based firm Pearson Engineering.

The Ministry of Defence said there are no current plans to provide it to Ukraine.

DSTL military adviser Major Andrew Maggs said: WEEVIL is the perfect combination of tried and tested technology and modern advancements.

By enhancing existing vehicles with new capabilities, were able to maximise their potential and give our troops a much-needed advantage, particularly in missions where time and safety are critical.
Stars come out in Manchester as Nathan Aspinall dazzles in front of Wayne Rooney

Luke Littler overcame a stunning nine-darter from nemesis Gerwyn Price to end his hoodoo against the Welshman but missed a record-breaking fifth nightly win in the Premier League as Nathan Aspinall triumphed on home turf in Manchester.

Stockports Aspinall  a Manchester United fan  moved up to fourth in the standings with his first nightly win, beating Luke Humphries 6-4 at the AO Arena in front of a 12,500 sell-out crowd that included former United striker Wayne Rooney.

Littler had not beaten Price in his previous six attempts but snapped that run to record his first victory over the Welshman since April 2024 despite a moment of brilliance from Price.

Littler was up 5-1 when Price thrilled the crowd with the fourth nine-darter of this seasons Premier League.

Price cleared out 141 with a treble 19, treble 20 and double 12 to claim his set of 18-carat gold darts worth around 30,000, but it was only delaying the inevitable as Littler wrapped up a 6-3 win.

That set up a semi-final against world number one Humphries, who blew apart Stephen Bunting 6-1 with an average of 118.43, the third highest in Premier League history.

Littler missed double 10 three times to blow the opening leg as Humphries took a 2-0 lead.

A one-time teenage sensation here to watch another in Manchester Wayne Rooney loving the action at the AO Arena this evening  pic.twitter.com/dPk2cAN1mT  PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) April 10, 2025

Littler responded in the third leg, only missing a nine-darter with a bad miss on double 12, and went 3-2 up before another costly error opened the door for Humphries to nose back in front on his way to the nightly final.

Aspinall saw off Rob Cross 6-2 in the quarters before winning by the same score-line against Michael van Gerwen, who was still feeling the effects of a bizarre shoulder injury he gave himself when taking off a t-shirt last week.

Come the final, Humphries raced into a 3-0 lead but Aspinall reeled off the next five before a ragged end to the contest  with Aspinall missing five match darts before nailing double four to win it.

ASPINALL WINS HIS HOME NIGHT IN MANCHESTER  Drama until the very end for Nathan Aspinall but he comes through the nerves to beat Luke Humphries! A huge win pushes Aspinall into the top four in the 2025 BetMGM Premier League!  https://t.co/CxOorrFXK9 #PLDarts25 pic.twitter.com/y1W8pWZpec  PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) April 10, 2025

I had a feeling I was going to make the final a couple of days ago, Aspinall said. To come out on top is an amazing feeling.

Ive never felt that nervous at the end, honest to God I cant say what I was thinking or feeling. It was the most nervous six or seven darts Ive ever thrown.

I just wanted to win so much for this crowd, the support theyve given me the last few years has been amazing and they came out in their thousands to support me, I wanted to win for them. Luckily he missed a 170 and I won.

It was the perfect final for me to win wasnt it? It wasnt comfortable. I went 3-0 down and I came back to win 6-4. Thats my career isnt it?

Littler stays top of the standings after night 10, five points clear of Humphries, while the win lifts Aspinall into the top four.
In England, 99.8% of primary schools and 90% of secondaries have some form of phone ban. Photograph: True Images/Alamy

Almost all schools in England have banned mobile phone use by pupils, according to the first national survey conducted, as the leader of the largest teaching union called for a statutory ban owing to the damaging impact on young people.

The national survey, ordered by Rachel de Souza, the childrens commissioner for England, showed that headteachers have swiftly instituted bans on smartphone use during school hours. The survey of more than 15,000 schools found that 99.8% of primary schools and 90% of secondary schools have some form of ban.

Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union (NEU), the UKs largest education union, said: My personal view is I would support a statutory ban on mobile phones in schools. I think it would alleviate pressure on school leaders and teachers but also parents.

Related: Academy chain with 35,000 pupils to be first in England to go phone-free

I think there is a much-needed conversation to be had in this country about mobile phone use, online harm and the damaging impact that it has on our young people.

The average 12-year-old has access to the most hardcore pornography on their mobile phone, and that is incredibly damaging to the wellbeing of young boys and their perceptions of women and girls, sex and relationships.

Kebedes comments show a marked change in tone among education leaders, who have largely supported school autonomy and guidance rather than government regulation.

At its annual conference next week the NEU will debate motions calling for greater regulation of social media companies to remove harmful content, including sexual violence or threats against women.

Kebede said a complete social media ban for under-16s was also in order. These organisations, TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram and so on, you can really track the crisis in young peoples mental health as they have grown. And I think they should be viewed as [similar to] tobacco companies and regulated as such, he said.

Bridget Phillipson, the education secretary, said phones had absolutely no place in classrooms because of the potential disruption.

While this comprehensive evidence shows our approach of backing headteachers to implement bans in their schools is working, the Tories have been chasing headlines with no care for whats happening on the ground, Phillipson said.

As part of our plan for change we will continue to ramp up monitoring and make sure every school, and every classroom, is phone-free, giving our children the best education.

The Conservatives promoted an amendment to the governments schools bill that required all schools in England to ban the use of phones but Keir Starmer rejected it as completely unnecessary.

The survey of school policies found some variation in the type of ban. The vast majority of primary schools said they required pupils to hand their phones to staff, or barred them from bringing the devices to school.

But 79% of secondary schools allowed students to keep their phones while banning their use or display, while 8% required phones to be handed in, and just 3% stopped pupils from bringing them to school.

Related: School phone bans alone do not improve grades or wellbeing, says UK study

Of the remaining secondary schools, nearly 6% said pupils could use their phones during lessons when approved by a teacher.

The childrens commissioner surveyed how long children aged eight to 15 spent on their phones, tablets, computers or consoles, finding that 23% spent more than four hours a day on average, while 20% spent between three and four hours.

De Souza noted that those children arent doing that while at school.

If we are serious about helping children reap the many benefits of the internet, we need to get serious about regulating what they can see, where they see it and curbing the damage currently being wreaked on their health, attention span and safety by tech companies, de Souza said.
Sir John Ashworth

Sir John Ashworth, who has died aged 86, was a distinguished biologist and educationalist who served in numerous leadership roles in universities and public health after a five-year stint (1976-81) as Chief Scientific Adviser at the Cabinet Office.

Ashworth was seconded from Essex University, where he was a professor of biology, to the Cabinet Office under the government of James Callaghan, but in 1979 he had a somewhat alarming initial encounter with Callaghans successor at No 10, Margaret Thatcher.

He had asked for a meeting with the incoming Conservative Prime Minister and, as Charles Moore recounted in his biography of her, he was greeted with a brusque Who are you?

Im your chief scientist, Ashworth replied. Oh, said Mrs Thatcher. Do I want one of those? Ashworth explained his work, mentioning that he was working on a report about the then obscure subject of climate change. Mrs Thatcher stared at him and said: Are you standing there and seriously telling me that my government should worry about the weather?

I knew, if I didnt talk fast, I wouldnt have a job, Ashworth recalled. In the event, he not only kept his job, but Mrs Thatcher went on to become the first political leader in any major country to warn of the dangers of climate change.

Ashworth, meanwhile, became an amused observer of her foibles, recalling that if she became over-excited when wearing earrings (she wore the clip-on variety) her lobes would become engorged and sometimes, under pressure, an earring would pop off.

He also became adept at steering Mrs Thatcher towards his own preferred policy conclusions. Early on, as part of her drive to reduce the number of quangos, she found herself confronted with the two that were the direct responsibility of the Cabinet Office: she was told by Ashworth and the then Cabinet Secretary Sir John Hunt that she had to choose between cutting either the National Council for Women or the Advisory Council for Applied Research and Development.

Without hesitation she opted to preserve the latter, only for Ashworth to point out that it might look bad for the first woman prime minister to get rid of the National Council for Women.

Mrs Thatcher reluctantly agreed, Charles Moore recorded, and the result, which the two officials in this Yes, Prime Minister game had intended, was that both quangos survived.

John Ashworth was born on November 27 1938 in north Devon to Jack Ashworth and Constance, nee Ousman. From West Buckland School and Exeter College, Oxford, he went on to complete a PhD in biochemistry at Leicester University, where his research focused on Dictyostelium  so-called slime moulds that play an important role in the maintenance of balanced bacterial populations in soils.

In 1973 he was appointed Founding Professor of Biology at the University of Essex, where he helped to build a new department (now the School of Life Sciences). In 1981, after retiring from Whitehall, he was appointed Vice-Chancellor of the University of Salford, a difficult role which he assumed shortly after the announcement of swingeing cuts to higher education budgets. Salford was one of the worst affected, with cuts of 44 per cent.

I was told that there were some members of staff who just sat weeping in their offices, refusing to come out, Ashworth recalled. Over the next 10 years he did much to restore morale, diversifying courses and initiating fruitful links with industry.

In 1990 he became Director of the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), and over the next six years focused on securing the best teachers, libraries and facilities, fostering a collaborative spirit and a sense of community.

Moving into the public-health realm, from 2003 to 2007 he served as chairman of Barts and London NHS Trust and deputy chairman of the Institute of Cancer Research. From 2010 to 2014 he was a board member of Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust, where he led a campaign to raise 4.5 million for a new cancer centre.

He was particularly proud of his time as chairman of the British Library (1996-2001), where he presided over the opening, after 30 years, of its controversial new red-brick home in Euston Road. There were 1,000 legal suits between the library authorities and the contractors, so sorting all that out was quite a business, he recalled. Now its one of the best research libraries in the world and memories of the old days have gone. It was very satisfying.

From 2002 Ashworth was president of the Council for Assisting Refugee Academics, during a time when, as he explained in an article in 2008, it faced huge demands to help academics fleeing Iraq  where the university system has been all but destroyed and nearly 300 academics have been assassinated since 2003.

A keen sailor at his home in Wivenhoe, Essex, Ashworth was actively involved in the Nottage Maritime Institute and the Wivenhoe Sailing Club, and he chaired the Wivenhoe Pub Company until 2020. He was knighted in 2008.

In 1963 he married Ann Knight. She died in 1985, and in 1988 he married Auriol Stevens. She survives him with three daughters and a son from his first marriage and three stepchildren.

Sir John Ashworth, born November 27 1938, died March 3 2025
An Archers prequel will trace the history of the character of Peggy Woolley as part of the marking of the 80th anniversary of VE Day.

Peggy, the longest-running character in the BBC Radio 4 soaps history until actress June Spencer retired from playing her in 2022, will return for Victory At Ambridge.

Spencer, who played Peggy for more than 70 years, died last year aged 105, and tributes were paid by famous faces including the Queen.

Archers actors Timothy Bentinck, Madeleine Leslay, Nick Barber, Taylor Uttley and Angus Stobie

Archers actress Emerald OHanrahan will take on the role of matriarch Peggy in the upcoming special, which is set towards the end of the Second World War in 1945 and six years before the soap officially began in 1951.

Peggys story will see her as the young pregnant wife of her first husband Jack Archer, who had storylines of being a gambler and an alcoholic, trapped in bomb-hit London.

Other actors on the soap, Timothy Bentinck, the 12th Earl of Portland, and Felicity Finch, will play Jacks parents Dan and Doris Archer, who live at Brookfield Farm. In The Archers Bentinck plays Dans grandson David.

The couple will invite Peggy to the fictional village of Ambridge to live with them, while Jack is away at war.

Producer Kim Greengrass said: Victory at Ambridge is a heartfelt tribute to resilience, community, and the triumphs and tribulations of everyday life during World War II.

This special prequel takes listeners on a thrilling wartime adventure, and gives Archers fans a unique glimpse into the hidden history which shaped modern-day Ambridge.

Spencer first joined The Archers for a pilot episode in 1950, and her characters storylines saw Peggy deal with alcoholism, gambling and bereavement including when her second husband Jack Woolley (Arnold Peters) died after a dementia diagnosis.

In the modern day, Bentinck plays David Archer opposite Finch as his wife Ruth Archer, while OHanrahan usually portrays Ed Grundys (Barry Farrimond) wife Emma Grundy.

Emerald OHanrahan usually plays Emma Grundy in The Archers (BBC/PA)

Other Victory At Ambridge plots include a land girl, Wanda Lafromboise (Madeleine Leslay), meeting dashing RAF officer and war hero Max Gilpin (Angus Stobie), and local scoundrel Walter Gabriel (Nick Barber) dabbling in the black market during the wars rationing.

The two-parter episodes will also see The Bull landlord Bob Little (Ryan Kelly) in grief from his son dying in action and taking in a Polish refugee, Roza (Susie Riddell), and the Lower Loxley estate being requisitioned as a home for wounded RAF officers.

Riddell will also play the character of Pamela Pargetter, who tries to help her easily-led son, Gerald, also played by Barber.

The modern-day series sees Riddell play The Bull barwoman Tracy Horrobin, and Barber portray houseboat owner Rex Fairbrother.

Victory At Ambridge is based on the novel by Catherine Miller, the third in The Ambridge Chronicles trilogy.

The audio drama version will be broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on Sunday May 4 at 3pm, with part two at the same time the following week.

Both parts will be available on BBC Sounds from May 4.
The UK was right not to retaliate against Donald Trumps tariffs, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer insisted, as a pause on the trade tax means other nations face the same low rate as Britain.

Most countries now face a 10% rate on importing goods to America after the US president temporarily halted the sweeping retaliatory tariffs which had sent global markets into turmoil.

The 10% rate was the lowest rate Mr Trump announced last week on liberation day, as he set out plans apparently aimed at rebalancing American trade with other nations.

But his snap decision to halt all reciprocal levies in favour of the single rate means that even trade partners such as the EU, which had voted to retaliate against America, now face the same costs as the UK.

The Prime Minister denied the British approach to not retaliate to the US tariffs had resulted in no advantage for the UK.

He told reporters during a visit to Cambridgeshire: I dont think having a strong relationship with the US has given us no advantage whatsoever.

We have got a very strong relationship on defence, security, intelligence sharing.

No two countries are as closely aligned as ours.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer joins officers on patrol in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire (Joe Giddens/PA)

When pressed that most nations now face the same tariff rate as the UK, Sir Keir said: Of course we are continuing to talk to the US about how further we can mitigate the impact of the tariffs.

But a trade war is in nobodys interest and there is no business sector that is being impacted by these tariffs who is saying jump in with both feet to retaliate and cause a trade war.

Before he paused the tariffs, Mr Trump joked at a Republican Party event in Washington DC that countries were kissing my ass to hold trade deal talks.

Asked if he was comfortable with this language, Sir Keir insisted America was Britains closest ally and it was important to maintain a calm and pragmatic approach to negotiations.

(PA Graphics)

The presidents surprise announcement of the 90-day pause to hefty tariffs imposed on some countries brought respite to battered stock markets across the globe, including Londons FTSE 100.

Sir Keir reiterated his message that the tariffs signalled a shifting world to which the UK must adapt, without directly criticising the US president.

Speaking during a morning visit to Doncaster on Thursday, the Prime Minister said: Weve got to rise to the moment here, recognise where our future lies, renew Britain and deliver security for working people.

Ministers still hope an economic deal with America can be reached to soften the blow of the tariffs, but are also seeking to strengthen trade relations with other countries to protect the economy from further potential shocks.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves will seek to negotiate with the US when she visits Washington at the end of April for the International Monetary Funds spring meeting of global finance ministers, she told the Financial Times.

She also said a UK-EU summit on May 19 would be a chance to refresh our relationship and make it easier for businesses to trade.

President Donald Trump speaks as he signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington (Pool via AP)

Mr Trump said on Wednesday that he would pause higher tariffs on trading partners such as Japan and the EU, telling reporters that people were getting yippy in an apparent acknowledgement of the market turmoil in recent days.

However, he said he would be raising his tax rate on Chinese imports to 125% amid an escalating trade war with Beijing, which has promised to fight to the end over the levies imposed by the White House.

Imports of cars, steel and aluminium to America are all still subject to a 25% tariff.

Meanwhile, Kemi Badenoch called on the Prime Minister to convene members of a trans-Pacific trading agreement, including Mexico, Canada, Australia and Japan, to discuss ways to mitigate the impact of US tariffs.

The Conservative leader told the BBC: All those countries are feeling the brunt of US tariffs.

What I would be doing if I was prime minister is convening those countries to see what we can do to make life easier for the citizens of our various countries.
Prince Harry (centre, kneeling) with staff and patients at the Superhumans Centre in Ukraine. Photograph: St_IOANNA1/AP

Prince Harry has visited amputees and wounded military personnel at an orthopaedic clinic in Ukraine, after spending two days at the high court in London appealing against the governments decision to strip him of his security protection while he is in the UK.

The prince, 40, met with wounded veterans at the Superhumans Centre in Lviv, which treats and rehabilitates injured military personnel and civilians, including children, affected by the war.

Harry, who served 10 years in the British army, was accompanied by a contingent from the Invictus Games Foundation, including four veterans who have been through similar rehabilitation experiences.

He was given a tour of the centre, which provides prosthetics, reconstructive surgery and psychological help free of charge, and is also understood to have met with Ukraines minister of veterans affairs, Natalia Kalmykova.

The centre sees more than 3,000 patients a year, according to its website.

It is in western Ukraine, an area that has frequently been targeted by Russian missiles, and the visit was not announced until after Harry was out of the country.

In February, the prince met with the Superhumans chief executive, Olga Rudneva, at the Invictus Games, a Paralympic-style sporting competition for injured and sick military personnel and veterans, in Canada.

She presented him with a bracelet from the rehabilitation centre, created for all the centres ambassadors, which has the words Whoever saves one life, saves the world entire written on it in English and Ukrainian.

She also gave him a personal gift from a double amputee, a veteran who had met Harry on ski slopes in Whistler.

Harry is the second member of the royal family to visit Ukraine since the war in Russia began in 2022. His aunt Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, also made an unannounced visit to the country last year.

Other members of the royal family have also openly shown their support for the war-torn nation. King Charles had tea with the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, at his Norfolk estate last month, just two days after a meeting between Donald Trump and Zelenskyy at the White House descended into acrimony in front of the worlds media.

Prince William also met with Ukrainian refugees during a two day visit to Estonia last month.
The Princess Royal has visited Glasgow to see the ongoing restoration of a historic Clyde steamer whose passengers once included royalty, a famous general and a US first lady.

Anne was making her fourth visit to the TS Queen Mary, which is berthed at Glasgow Science Centre in Govan.

She met supporters, volunteers and funders involved in a project to restore the vessel once known as Britains finest pleasure steamer.

Launched in 1933, the Queen Mary was built in Dumbarton by William Denny And Brothers Ltd, with an initial capacity of 2,086 passengers.

She was named after Annes great-grandmother.

At the height of her success, the steamer carried 13,000 passengers each week.

Annes grandparents, King George V and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, and the then-Princess Elizabeth, as well as Princess Margaret and Lord Mountbatten of Burma, sailed on the vessel.

Other well-known passengers included US first lady Eleanor Roosevelt, Second World War Allied commander Viscount Montgomery of Alamein, and music hall star Sir Harry Lauder.

The vessels final cruise was in 1977, and after a time in London she was towed back to the Clyde in 2015, where she has been based since.

Restoration work began three years ago, after an announcement by Anne during a visit in March 2022 that the Queen Mary would sail again.

Friends of TS Queen Mary, the charity tasked with the restoration, has raised more than 5 million for their work, and said they had been overwhelmed by the generosity of corporate donors and individuals.

The Princess Royal was making her fourth visit to the vessel (Martin Shields/PA)

Charity chairman Iain Sim said they were delighted to welcome the Princess Royal, who is the vessels royal patron, for her fourth visit.

Our ongoing task to ensure TS Queen Mary sails again on the Clyde continues to gather pace with some significant progress in the last year, he said.

We feel very privileged to have HRH The Princess Royal as our royal patron, celebrating as it does the important link with the royal family which the ship is renowned for.

In the last 12 months, steel decks have been laid in place of the original Burmese teak decks to comply with modern safety rules, and the interior and exterior of the vessel have been painted.

Queen Mary is officially a dry ship! Almost 1,200 square metres of steel deck have been laid and the impact has been transformational. Made with British steel supplied by @TataSteelUK and support from @WBAlloys and @BAES_Maritime. Enjoy that #FridayFeeling!#follow pic.twitter.com/BwKvcfZmF4  TS Queen Mary (@fotsqm) October 11, 2024

The task of replacing all 164 windows has progressed, and their design and safety requirements have been approved.

Several partners and supporters of the project were introduced to the Princess Royal, including Rajesh Nair, chief executive of Tata Steel UK.

The charity also released an image of what the Queen Mary will look like when fully restored.

It is hoped the Queen Marys return to sailing will provide a boost to Scotlands tourism, particularly the Clyde coast resorts such as Rothesay and Dunoon, which were destinations in the vessels heyday.

When not sailing, the restored vessel will remain based at Glasgow Science Centre as a heritage attraction.

Also on Thursday Anne officially opened BAE Systems Applied Shipbuilding Academy, in a ceremony at the companys Scotstoun site.

The 12 million training facility, which measures 5,500 square metres and includes more than 30 teaching zones, will provide learning and skills development activities for more than 4,500 employees at the company.

Simon Lister, managing director of BAE Systems naval ships business, said: Its a tremendous honour to welcome her royal highness to our Applied Shipbuilding Academy to meet with some of our colleagues and see first-hand how were developing the next generation of shipbuilders.
Queen tries hand at pasta making as she and King say arrivederci to Italy

The Queen enjoyed a glass of wine and tried her hand at pasta making as she and the King said arrivederci to Italy.

Charles and Camilla were shown cultural and gastronomic delights from the country they have confessed to loving as their state visit came to an end.

Their final hours were spent in the city of Ravenna, famed for its literary associations with Dante and Byron and where the community is celebrating the 80th anniversary of the wider region being liberated during the Second World War.

The couple, who celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary this week while in Italy, were shown round a farmers market in the city centre by Italian personality and restaurateur Massimo Bottura.

The star of the Netflix series Chefs Table introduced Camilla to local pasta makers Mercato Coperto and the royal even tried her hand at rolling the pasta for spinach ravioli.

Queen Camilla tries her hand at making pasta during a visit to a UK-Emilia Romagna Food Festival at Piazza del Popolo in the heart of Ravenna (Chris Jackson/PA)

Grabbing a rolling pin, the Queen said: I can see you need to be quite strong for this! as she rolled out golden sheets to be cut into mini squares.

Camillas father was a wine merchant and she is known to favour a glass of red, and when offered a tipple from one of the stalls she took a long sip.

Earlier the King joked with a veteran partisan who fought to liberate Italy during the Second World War, asking: How did you arrive at 103?

Camilla drinks a glass of red wine at Piazza del Popolo in Ravenna (Aaron Chown/PA)

Charles chatted to Stefano Pagani in the town hall of Ravenna, in a region of Italy celebrating being liberated from Nazi fascism by Canadian, British and other Allied forces 80 years ago.

The elderly man stood up from his wheelchair to greet the royal guest, proudly wearing a handkerchief in the Italian national colours round his neck for the reception.

He told the King he would turn 103 this year when asked his age through an interpreter, and after Charles marvelled at his longevity the former Second World War fighter quipped Im always hungry.

The King meets Italian partisans during a reception at Ravenna Town Hall to mark the 80th anniversary of the Romagna regions liberation from Nazi occupation by Allied forces (Paul Ellis/PA)

The couple made an appearance on the town hall balcony and waved to the crowds who had waited hours to see the royal guests.

During their day in Ravenna Camilla visited a museum dedicated to Lord Byron and said she was pleased and humbled to be there.

Romantic poet Lord Byron lived in the city from 1819 to 1821 and the visitor attraction in his former home opened in November 2024.

The King enjoyed a moment of contemplation in the Basilica di San Vitale, describing it as so moving as he looked up at its impressive domed ceiling.

The couple jointly visited the tomb of the legendary medieval Italian poet, Dante  the father of the Italian language  where they listened to a reading of his most famous work, The Divine Comedy.

Before travelling to Ravenna from Rome, a picture of the couple meeting convalescing Pope Francis was released, showing them greeting the pontiff at the Vatican.

Charles last event in the capital was planting a sapling at the UK ambassadors residence and he joked about living long enough to see the tree grow.

The Kings final words in Ravenna were arrivederci, as he spoke to the crowds before leaving with his wife.
The fire at the Marywilska 44 Ikea store caused massive damage to the building

Russia allegedly paid a Ukrainian teenager to firebomb an Ikea store as part of its hybrid war on the West, US media reported on Thursday.

Russian spies are said to have offered the 17-year-old $11,000 (8,000) in cash and a BMW to carry out the attack on an Ikea store in the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius, the New York Times reported.

The agents communicated with him via the encrypted Chinese messenger app Zengi, under the James Bond-inspired alias of Q, Lithuanian prosecutors allege.

The teenager, who fled Ukraine after the February 2022 invasion and was resettled as a refugee in the European Union, allegedly carried out the attack in May 2024.

The teenager is detained by police in Lithuania. Prosecutors allege he was preparing to carry out an attack in neighbouring Latvia

The allegations are the latest to emerge from Russias hybrid war campaign in Europe, which is targeting factories and other key infrastructure in retaliation for Europes military support of Ukraine.

They are deeply concerning for EU countries who have welcomed millions of Ukrainian refugees, and now realise some are being targeted by Russia to carry out acts of turncoat sabotage.

Security experts say the ease with which Russia hires people for such attacks is like a gig economy for sabotage and state-sponsored terror.

Age and ideology dont matter to Russia

For Russia, age, gender and ideology dont matter...their goal is to coerce and deter us from supporting Ukraine, Marius Cesnulevicius, the national security adviser to Lithuanias president, told the New York Times.

We are supporting Ukraine, and, in the Kremlins logic, this means we are supporting Nazis.

Lithuanian authorities who arrested the teenager say they have been able to piece together most of the details related to the attack.

They allege the teenager planted an incendiary device in the bedding department of the Ikea store, intending to burn down the entire building but ultimately failing to do so.

Firefighters tackle the blaze at the Ikea store, above and below. The operation took several hours

A machine during the damping down operation at the store

According to the New York Times, which was briefed by multiple Lithuanian sources, the teenager apparently received a battered BMW, but not the cash he had been promised.

It remains unclear why Ikea was the target of the attack. The teenager also allegedly scouted an Ikea store in the eastern city of Siauliai, which hosts a Nato base.

Last year, Lithuanian police arrested an 82-year-old retired man in Siauliai on suspicions of being an agent of GRU (Russian military intelligence) after discovering spy gear at his home.

Eduardas Manovas was sentenced on Thursday to eight and a half years in prison for spying on behalf of GRU, according to Lithuanias public broadcaster.

The goal is to cause chaos

In the teenagers case, he was living as a refugee in Poland when he was allegedly recruited to commit the attack. It is claimed he crossed into Lithuania in April 2024 to scout his targets.

In addition to using Zengi, his Russian handlers also allegedly sent messages on Telegram, another encrypted messaging app, where they used the name Warrior2Alpha.

Darius Jauniskis, the outgoing head of Lithuanias state security department, said Russias goal was to cause chaos.

He said: We have already entered a war zone in Europe. Their goal...is to create havoc, to create mistrust and panic...welcome to World War III.

A huge blaze at a shopping centre in Poland in May is one of a number of incidents blamed on Russian sabotage

The Ikea fire in Lithuania occurred in the same month as a highly suspicious blaze at a factory in Berlin owned by an arms company. That case is also being actively investigated as Russian sabotage.

The Telegraph revealed in March that suspected Russian agents carried out online research into fire safety protocols at the Diehl factory premises, shortly before the blaze occurred.

Russia has been accused of trying to firebomb aircraft by planting incendiary devices at DHL logistics sites in Birmingham, Leipzig in eastern Germany, and in Vilnius. A shopping centre fire in Poland in May 2024 has been blamed on Russia by investigators.

In Germany, investigators suspect a possible Russian link to a series of terror attacks committed by foreigners in the run-up to the February elections.
A social media boss has been locked up indefinitely for killing his stepfather after a five-day drugs binge in Ibiza.

Adejuwon Oyekan, 32, stabbed 54-year-old Jason Thompson 44 times at his home, on July 11 2023, two days after returning from the Spanish island.

Oyekan, who has since been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, pleaded guilty to manslaughter by diminished responsibility.

Jason Thompson was stabbed 44 times at his home (Metropolitan Police/PA)

On Thursday, Old Bailey Judge Alexia Durran KC handed the defendant a hospital order with restrictions.

The court heard Oyekan was the co-owner of a social media management company with his close friend Max Webber.

Before the killing, they had gone on a business trip to the Balearic party island of Ibiza to meet clients.

Oyekan took a cocktail of drugs, including cocaine and ecstasy, during a four to five-day binge, triggering his psychotic illness, the court heard.

He gave away his belongings, including a 20,000 Rolex watch and Louis Vuitton luggage, before returning to the UK.

His family had become concerned about his behaviour and unsuccessfully sought medical help, the court was told.

Early on July 11, police received a call from the defendants sister who reported he had lost his mind.

Officers found him with a large kitchen knife in a bedroom at the family home in Hayes, west London.

He was said to be kneeling over Mr Thompson looking wide-eyed and with no emotion.

One of the officers described how the defendant became enraged and looked inhuman and evil.

Despite being tasered, the defendant stabbed his stepfather repeatedly, with the most serious wounds in the neck and chest.

Prosecutor Louise Oakley said he was clearly psychotic as he shouted at officers who tried to detain him.

He had demanded a remote island for him and his family and somewhere that was cyber secure, the court was told.

He shouted aggressively: Im going to be very calm and collected because Im a calm and collected guy.

Ms Oakley said there was evidence that the defendant had been under stress before the Ibiza trip.

She said: There were stresses within his employment with his work and he was very much feeling the burden of his business and mistrusting of his business partner, who had been a friend for many years, and on the face of it no reason to do so.

There had been a number of reports of misuse of drugs in Ibiza and giving away high-value property to random strangers.

She added: In this case, while the drug use affected the defendant and exacerbated the symptoms he was suffering, he was plainly unwell prior to the taking of drugs.

They did not help but independent of that there is a mental health diagnosis.

The court was told the defendant had previous convictions for possession of cocaine and cannabis and possession with intent to supply a psychoactive substance, cocaine, ketamine and MDMA.

Members of Mr Thompsons family described their gut-wrenching devastation and shock at the horrific killing, saying he was more than a statistic and crime report.

Relative Kariba Rhooms said: Femi, you have a mental disorder, accept it and stay away from drugs.

We recognise that you are unwell. We can have compassion for that, but it does not erase what you have done.

Mother Veronica Thompson said: Eighteen months ago I said goodbye to my beautiful son Jason.

That was the worst day of my life. You were such a lovely soul, so loving, so kind, so considerate.

Jason was a massive, truly massive, West Ham supporter. I replay memories of how excited you would get about them playing every moment I can.

In mitigation, Kevin Metzger said the defendants family had sought help before the tragedy.

He suggested that if Oyekan had seen a medical professional on July 10 2023, the tragedy could have been averted.

Referring to a letter Oyekan wrote to the court, Mr Metzger said: It comes from the very heart.

On that disastrous day he lost so much more than his liberty. The fact he has done what he has done to somebody he considered his father, a person he loved, with whom he bonded over their mutual love of sports, music and fashion, it is clear he has lost something irrevocable.

He is deeply and profoundly sorry to the very core of his being.

Sentencing, Judge Durran told the defendant: You are clearly an articulate and intelligent man.

You appear to be working hard to address your mental health whilst in hospital.

She told the court the defendant had no history of violence and had enjoyed a close relationship with his stepfather.

She said: In my judgment your mental illness effectively overwhelmed you.

I am entirely satisfied that you need ongoing, probably lifelong, treatment.
The original 1977 theatrical release of Star Wars will be shown on the big screen this summer in London, marking its first public screening in decades.

The original version of the sci-fi blockbuster will be shown as part of the British Film Institute (BFI)s Film on Film festival on June 12.

The BFI said this version of the film is rarely publicly screened since George Lucass produced special editions were released in the 1990s, altering some plot points and adding other CGI characters.

Today, only the updated versions are available on official streaming platforms and Blu-ray, making screenings of the films original cut rare.

Senior curator of fiction at the BFI National Archive, James Bell, said the festival was a true showcase of the national collection.

The BFI Film on Film Festival is back! Find out more about the line-up, including screenings of Star Wars, Twin Peaks and more https://t.co/sHslVQhTZ2 pic.twitter.com/SR0q8Pp53K  BFI (@BFI) April 8, 2025

Every print in the programme is a unique object, with its own life story, and they all bear their scars with pride, he said.

They put us at touching distance to the past, and we cant wait for audiences to experience them all.

Were grateful for the generous support from philanthropic champions who have helped us deliver a rich and exciting programme that keeps Film on Film alive.

Lucass changes to key plot points, including the addition of Jabba the Hutt and other special effects upgrades, have long divided fans.

The most controversial revision was changes to the scene where Harrison Fords Han Solo shoots bounty hunter Greedo dead.

In the original version, Solo shoots first. However, the 1997 re-release changed the scene to show Fords character responding in self-defence.

The scene underwent further edits, with other versions of the film showing the pair firing at the same time.

Among the festivals other highlights is an original screening of the original US pilot of Twin Peaks, presented by the shows star Kyle MacLachlan.

BFIs Film on Film Festival will take place at BFI Southbank and BFI Imax from June 12-15.
Sir Keir Starmer is facing calls for a statutory inquiry into the historical sexual abuse of thousands of children by gangs of men - Carl Court

Sir Keir Starmer is facing a backlash from an influential group within the Labour Party over his refusal to launch a national inquiry into the grooming gangs scandal.

The Prime Minister has rejected demands to launch a statutory inquiry into the historical sexual abuse of thousands of children by gangs of men, predominantly of Pakistani heritage.

On Thursday, Sir Keir denied that plans for up to five initial local inquiries had been scaled back after the Government said it would make the money available for councils but they could use it as they wished to tackle grooming.

But Blue Labour, a campaign group founded by the Labour peer Lord Glasman, said Sir Keir had not gone far enough and called on him to commit to a nationwide Government-backed inquiry.

Lord Glasman told The Telegraph: We call for an immediate national inquiry with full powers of arrest. This is an evil that has got to be seen to be public.

Lord Glasman, a political theorist who first coined the term Blue Labour in 2009, is viewed as an important voice within Labour and has the ear of Morgan McSweeney, Sir Keirs chief of staff.

The group said: Blue Labours position on the grooming and rape gangs is unchanged. This is a national evil that requires a national response. Local authorities lack the necessary capabilities and legal authority to carry out investigations, and often they are in need of investigation themselves.

We need a national inquiry with full statutory powers. The decades-long abuse of young girls and its cover-up is a sickness that must be exorcised from the body politic.

Labour is committed to reforming the state and its institutions, to restoring trust and consent in government, and to renewing the social covenant that binds us together. We can start the renewal here.

Lord Glasman is said to have informed Mr McSweeneys thinking on immigration and how Labour can appeal to disillusioned working-class voters who are minded to back Reform UK.

He has broken with the Government line on a number of issues, including the deal to hand the Chagos Islands over to Mauritius as well as the appointment of Lord Hermer as Attorney General.

Blue Labhour is said to have a growing number of supporters on the Labour back benches. These are known to include Jonathan Hinder, the MP for the Red Wall constituency of Pendle and Clitheroe in Lancashire.

Other backers include Dan Carden, a former ally of Jeremy Corbyn, who in January broke ranks with Sir Keir to call for a full national inquiry into grooming gangs.

The same call has been made by Kemi Badenoch, the Tory leader, and Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK.

Sir Keir insisted in an interview with Sky News on Thursday that a full statutory inquiry was not needed amid renewed outrage over the approach taken by his administration.

If theres evidence of grooming, the first thing that should happen is the police should be involved, investigating and, if appropriate, prosecuting, he said. There have been a number of inquiries  weve had hundreds of recommendations. Weve had a national inquiry with 22 recommendations.

My strong belief is weve got to implement those recommendations. At the moment, and under the last government, they just stacked up and sat on a shelf so they need to be implemented.

Earlier this week, Jess Phillips, the safeguarding minister, told the Commons that the Government was shifting from backing five local inquiries to the tune of 5 million towards a flexible approach that would allow the selected local authorities to spend the money as they saw fit.

Party political misinformation

These remarks prompted the Tories to accuse Labour of weakening its response, not least because the announcement came less than an hour before Parliament rose for recess.

Katie Lam, a Home Office minister, asked Ms Phillips in response: What does the Government intend to do about local leaders who say there is no need for an independent inquiry, as they do in Bradford and in Wales?

On Thursday, Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, dismissed the suggestion her departments response had been watered down as total nonsense.

Theres been a lot of misinformation, and sadly party political misinformation, being put out about this and its just fundamentally wrong, she told BBC Radio 4s Today programme.

So not only are we continuing with the plans for local inquiries, as we set out in January, that has not changed. Were also saying we will support areas that want to do more to work with victims and survivors. That has not changed.
Tottenham have work to do to reach the Europa League semi-finals after they were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Eintracht Frankfurt in the first leg of their last-eight tie.

Ange Postecoglou watched Spurs go behind after six minutes through Hugo Ekitikes fine long-range strike, but Pedro Porro pulled them level midway through the first half with a sumptuous back-heel finish.

The Premier League outfit upped the ante after the break with Lucas Bergvall and Rodrigo Bentancur hitting the woodwork, while Frankfurts back-up goalkeeper Kaua Santos produced crucial saves to deny Son Heung-min, James Maddison and Micky van de Ven to leave the tie finely-poised ahead of next Thursdays second leg in Germany.

This was Tottenhams first European quarter-final since 2019, but a torrid domestic campaign meant it was another two-legged tie built up as make-or-break for Postecoglou, who stated on Wednesday the general sentiment was that even winning this competition may not save his job.

Spurs bid to make the last four got off to the worst possible start when Frankfurt delighted their bouncing travelling fans with a sixth-minute goal.

After Maddison lost possession to Ellyes Skhiri, the visitors produced a slick counter-attack and Ekitike cut inside Porro before arrowing a 22-yard effort into the bottom corner for his 20th goal of the season.

The hosts had to survive two corners in quick succession shortly afterwards, but did begin to regroup with two dangerous crosses by Son and Dominic Solanke enough to get the home supporters briefly off their feet.

A goal was required to light the touchpaper for Tottenham and an unlikely source provided it in the 26th minute.

Son and Solanke initially combined before the latter found Maddison, who burst past Skhiri and cut back for Porro to brilliantly back-heel the leveller for only his third goal this term.

It sparked big celebrations from Spurs single-tier South Stand but another chance went begging when Son blazed over a quick free-kick.

Ekitike bookended the half with a weak effort straight at Guglielmo Vicario before a crucial Bergvall intervention denied him another chance immediately after the break.

Bergvall was the catalyst for a momentum shift as he superbly turned away from two opponents and sent a 55th-minute piledriver against the crossbar to spark a period of Spurs dominance.

It was followed by a flying save from Kaua to thwart Sons curled effort before a Bentancur header from the resulting Porro corner went over via the crossbar.

Pedro Porro celebrates his equaliser (Bradley Collyer/PA)

A low effort by Maddison, which Kaua did well to block, concluded a spell of four chances in as many minutes that ultimately did not result in a second Tottenham goal.

Jean-Matteo Bahoya hooked over for Frankfurt not long after in a reminder of their threat before another Bentancur header was saved by Kaua.

Postecoglou rolled the dice late on with Son and Maddison withdrawn and a stoppage-time winner almost followed but Van de Vens close-range header from a Bentancur knock-down was impressively tipped over by Kaua.
Princeton University in New Jersey last year. Photograph: Ted Shaffrey/AP

Almost $4m in federal funding has been stripped from an Ivy League universitys prestigious climate research department because the Trump administration has determined it exposed students and other young people to climate anxiety.

The government research grants to Princeton University have been cut off because the White House considers its work on topics including sea level rise, coastal flooding and global warming to be promoting exaggerated and implausible climate threats, according to the New York Times.

Among the faculty of Princetons Cooperative Institute for Modeling the Earth System, a partner of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Noaa), is noted meteorologist Syukuro Manabe, a 2021 Nobel prize in physics winner for his work on global climate change simulations.

The US commerce department pulled the funding on Tuesday, stating without evidence that the universitys collaboration with Noaa promotes exaggerated and implausible climate threats, contributing to a phenomenon known as climate anxiety, which has increased significantly among Americas youth.

Programs to lose federal dollars include an educational initiative on climate change aimed at students in kindergarten through high school, and two separate five-year studies. One study was looking into understanding how Earths water availability would fluctuate as a result of global warming; the other was designed to predict how changes in rainfall patterns and sea-level rise could affect coastal flooding.

The awards to Princeton are no longer aligned with the program objectives of Noaa, a sub-agency of the department of commerce, and are no longer in keeping with the Trump administrations priorities, the department said in a press release.

Using federal funds to perpetuate these narratives does not align with the priorities of this administration and such time and resources can be better utilized elsewhere. The statement did not indicate where, or if, Princetons $4m would be spent instead.

Noaa was ordered in February to identify grants related to global warming and other topics targeted by President Trumps executive orders.

Princetons media relations office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Dr Rick Spinrad, Noaa administrator during the Biden administration, told the Times that Princetons forecasts were critical to agriculture, energy and transportation sectors in the US, and said Trump was nose-thumbing Dr Manabes work on climate models.

The Princeton cuts are a slap in the face to all those who need better seasonal precipitation forecasts, he said.

The withdrawal of funds from Princeton was in line with two objectives of the Trump administration, a full-on assault on organizations and bodies conducting climate research, and slashing federal budgets and jobs.

On Wednesday, the White House announced it was ending funding for the US Global Change Research Program, a Congress-mandated body that produces the governments pre-eminent climate report summarizing the impacts of rising global temperatures across the country.

Also this week, Trump signed an executive order attempting to force states and cities to stop enforcing laws that would protect the environment or mitigate climate change, such as those holding fossil fuel companies liable for the damaging effects of extreme weather events exacerbated by the climate emergency.

Advocates branded the order illegal and disgusting.

Noaa is among the hardest hit agencies by Trumps attacks on the machinery of federal government through Elon Musks so-called department of government efficiency (Doge). Earlier this month, the Guardian reported on chaos gripping the agency following the firing of hundreds of workers, and a scramble by Doge to rehire some of them considered essential.

Protesters at Noaa headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland, warning that cutbacks risk hampering the flow of crucial weather and climate information, and threatening regulatory work around fisheries that prevent the over-exploitation of the oceans.

The Noaa budget announced in the final year of the Biden administration earmarked about $220m in federal grants to be awarded for climate research, spending expected to be eliminated or at least substantially reduced during Trumps second term.
Trump in the Oval Office on Wednesday. Photograph: Nathan Howard/Reuters

Donald Trumps persecution of critics intensified on Wednesday when he ordered the justice department to investigate a whistleblower and a cybersecurity director who refuted unfounded claims of election fraud.

The US president signed memorandums targeting Miles Taylor and Chris Krebs, former homeland security officials who served in the first Trump administration.

Related: Trump signs executive order on water pressure to restore shower freedom

Taylor had worked in the George W Bush administration and as a senior aide on Capitol Hill. After Trumps election in 2016, he joined the homeland security department, eventually becoming chief of staff to the secretary, Kirstjen Nielsen.

But in 2018, under the pseudonym Anonymous, he wrote a column in the New York Times newspaper under the headline I Am Part of the Resistance Inside the Trump Administration. Trump demanded that the Times reveal his identity, tweeting: TREASON?

Taylor subsequently quit the administration and followed up with a book, A Warning, attributed to Anonymous: A Senior Trump Administration Official, again portraying the president as unfit for office. Taylor made his identity public in October 2020.

On Wednesday, Trump, who campaigned with a promise of retribution, signed a presidential memorandum accusing Taylor of leaking classified information, stripping him of any active security clearance and ordering the Department of Justice to investigate his activities.

Sitting in the Oval Office, the president said he could barely remember Taylor: I said, who the hell is Miles Taylor? And he made a living on going on CNN talking about the president. And I think what he did  he wrote a book, Anonymous, said all sorts of lies and bad things. I think its like a traitor. Its like spying.

Trump added: I didnt know anything about him and he wrote a book, Anonymous, and I always thought it was terrible  Were going to find out whether or not somebody is allowed to do that. I think its a very important case and I think hes guilty of treason, if you want to know the truth, but well find out.

Taylor responded on social media that Trump had proved his point by using the justice department to pursue revenge. He wrote on X: I said this would happen. Dissent isnt unlawful. It certainly isnt treasonous. America is headed down a dark path. Never has a man so inelegantly proved another mans point.

Asked by the Guardian whether he had concerns about his civil liberties were officials to seek to prosecute him, Taylor said in a text message: Well, if they do that, all Americans should be worried about their own.

Trump also took action against Krebs, who served as director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency within the homeland security department. Krebs was responsible for coordinating efforts to secure the 2020 presidential election and countered false claims of voter fraud. Trump fired him two weeks later.

Wednesdays memorandum accused Krebs of weaponising his position against free speech in the context of the election and the Covid pandemic, again addressing his clearances and ordering the justice department to investigate.

Trump repeated his bogus claims of a badly rigged election, which have been widely debunked by courts and experts. He said: Were going to find out about this guy, too, because this guys a wise guy.

He said this is the most secure election in the history of our country. No, this was a disaster and frankly we should go to paper ballots, same-day voting, voter ID and one other thing: a vote, you should get a little certificate that says youre a citizen of our country.

The president added: I think he said this is the safest election weve ever had and yet every day you read in the papers about more and more fraud thats discovered. Hes the fraud. Hes a disgrace. So well find out whether or not it was a safe election and, if it wasnt, hes got a big price to pay, and hes a bad guy.

The actions against Taylor and Krebs came amid a flurry of executive orders and memoranda signed by Trump, who was flanked by cabinet members including the treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, the commerce secretary, Howard Lutnick and the interior secretary, Doug Burgum.

One executive order was aimed at reviving US shipbuilding and reducing Chinas grip on the global shipping industry. Trump told reporters that he would be spending a lot of money on shipbuilding because the country had fallen way behind in the sector.

Another launched a review of procurement programmes at the Pentagon. The order aims to modernise the structure at the department to ensure the US is getting value for the money [and] to ensure that were getting the best possible systems in the field.

One of the orders ends what was billed as Joe Bidens war on showers by deregulating water pressure from shower heads and household appliances. In my case I like to take a nice shower to take care of my beautiful hair, Trump mused. I have to stand under the shower for 15 minutes till it gets wet. It comes out drip, drip, drip. Its ridiculous.
A global trade-war rollercoaster was not enough to distract Donald Trump from fulfilling one of his longtime priorities on Wednesday: changing the federal definition of shower head, a move the White House said would end the Obama-Biden war on water pressure.

Trump has complained for years about inadequate water pressure in American showers, sinks and toilets, and has blamed federal water-conservation standards for the problem.

In my case, I like to take a nice shower to take care of my beautiful hair, Trump said as he signed the executive order, which the White House said would apply to multiple household appliances, including toilets and sinks. I have to stand under the shower for 15 minutes until it gets wet. It comes out drip, drip, drip. Its ridiculous.

The White House said in a statement on the executive order: By restoring shower freedom, President Trump is following through on his commitment to dismantle unnecessary regulations and put Americans first.

Some appliance experts have found Trumps continued focus on American water pressure notable.

It was very striking that the White House memo included toilets and shower heads as a presidential priority. It really was something, Andrew deLaski, executive director at the Appliance Standards Awareness Project, told the Guardian in January. But I think Donald Trumps concerns are somewhat out of date, to tell you the truth.

Trumps comments on Wednesday echoed remarks he has made many times before. He claimed in 2019 that people are flushing toilets 10 times, 15 times, as opposed to once as a result of insufficient water pressure. When you go into these new homes with showers, the water drips down slowly, slowly, he said in 2023.

During his first term as president, Trump rolled back stricter energy-efficiency standards for lightbulbs, again citing consumer choice as the reason for the change. At the time, Xavier Becerra, then attorney general of California, called it another dim-witted move that will waste energy at the expense of our people and planet. The first Trump White House also created loopholes for less efficient appliances such as dishwashers and showers, moves that were later reversed by Joe Biden.

Biden undid this progress and the shower wars continued, the White House said on Wednesday, claiming that Trumps new executive order would make Americas showers great again.

Oliver Milman contributed reporting
Xi Jinping is now in the firing line after Trump doubled down on tariffs against China - Ken Ishii/Pool/Getty Images

Behind the global economic chaos provoked by president Trumps tariff tsunami, there are growing indications of a strategic purpose. It is now conceivable that plunging into, and then retreating from, a generalised trade war was actually a deliberate means to a truly geostrategic end: to thwart Chinas ambition to replace the US as the dominant world superpower.

While Trumps public statements still chiefly concern the need to impose economic measures to correct decades of unfair foreign trade, senior US officials, including Pete Hegseth, defence secretary, and Scott Bessent, treasury secretary, are increasingly taking a more strategic geopolitical line.

In late January, Hegseth told the US armed forces that America would work with allies and partners to deter aggression in the Indo-Pacific by communist China. In Panama, he said that Beijing was investing in the region for military and economic advantages. War with China is certainly not inevitable  But together we must [deter] Chinas threats in this hemisphere.

Bessent has linked recent US tariff tactics with a shared geostrategic pushback against China, stating that we can probably reach a deal with our allies, and then we can approach China as a group.

In this light, the suspension of tariff combat for 90 days with most countries, while doubling down on the levies imposed on China, leaves Beijing isolated and in the firing line.

There is some evidence to suggest that Trumps tariff U-turn was part of a wider strategy - Nathan Howard/REUTERS

So far, after reciprocal gestures and vowing to fight to the end, Beijing has focused mainly on rallying anti-US sentiment across the globe. But India and Australia declined to join forces with China. ASEAN remains caught between opposing powers. The EU, in a quandary over Russia and Ukraine, likewise continues to hedge.

China has long sought to frame the West as a feeble, fragmented anachronism. Is it conceivable that, by unleashing economic fire and fury on friends and then provisionally reining it in, Trump might succeed, where Western multilateral diplomacy failed, in forcibly forging a credible consensus of opposition to the threat of global Chinese hegemony?

One assumes that Washington understands that it cannot prevail over China alone and a substantive US pivot to the Asia Pacific to press home a contest with China is starting to emerge. Trump has already reached out to Japan and South Korea, and US officials have tackled Vietnam. The Philippines, in striking distance of any hostilities over Taiwan, support the US and talk about preparing for war.

Despite continued co-operation between China and Russia, the absence of Moscow from Trumps tariff list has some strategic significance. China has never built alliances, preferring to corral dependent clients into compliance with China-centric campaigns such as the Belt and Road Initiative.

The developing world now faces a binary choice, and ruthlessly exploited debt and resource dependencies are not a firm basis for loyalty. This remains the case despite decades of nugatory US investment and engagement.

Under Trumps tariffs, it is too soon to know how far China will be able to maintain the global supply lines on which its aspirations to become the world leader of innovative consumer production depend. Nor will it be easy to develop export markets big enough to compensate for declining sales to the West and its allies. Beijings military influence has begun to expand, but remains localised.

Most importantly, the question of Taiwan is now implicit in US language about deterring Chinese aggression. How does Trumps assault on Chinas geostrategic ambitions affect the threat of an imminent blockade, or even a full-scale invasion? The widespread view that an invasion isnt inevitable now gives little real assurance.

Indeed, with the US taking an active stance, the status quo based on ambiguity is gone. Preparations to besiege Taiwan, let alone to invade, would be spotted in time for pre-emptive action.

Given the incalculable global harms that would follow direct China-US conflict over Taiwan, perhaps the best we can hope for is that Chinas threat of invasion will somehow find sustainable balance with the risk of credible US countermeasures, and that both sides will see the sense in stepping away from disaster.
It would take an extraordinary deal for the UK to improve on the 10% tariff Donald Trump has placed on the country, an adviser to the president suggested.

Sir Keir Starmers Government still hopes an economic deal with America can be reached to soften the blow of tariffs.

Most countries now face the same 10% rate as the UK on importing goods to America after the US president temporarily halted the sweeping retaliatory tariffs which had sent global markets into turmoil.

(PA Graphics)

Kevin Hassett, a senior economic adviser to Mr Trump, said any deal that would persuade the president to go below that would need to be extraordinary.

I think everybody expects that the 10% baseline tariff is going to be the baseline, he told CNBC.

It is going to take some kind of extraordinary deal for the president to go below there.

He said the White House was in negotiations with around 20 countries and that two deals were almost closed.

The Prime Minister earlier said his team were in contact with Mr Trumps team every day.

He rejected the suggestion that the US president is not taking his calls, saying: No not at all. You have to understand that for the UK and the US were actually talking all the time.

Sir Keir also denied the British approach to not retaliate to the US tariffs had resulted in no advantage for the UK as most nations now face the same tariff rate.

I dont think having a strong relationship with the US has given us no advantage whatsoever, he said.

He said the UK is continuing to talk to the US about how to mitigate the impact of the tariffs, but that no business sector is calling for him to jump in with both feet to retaliate and cause a trade war.

US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (Carl Court/PA)

Sarah Breeden, a deputy governor of the Bank of England, told The Guardian that UK growth would be hit by the most significant change in trade policy in a century.

The presidents surprise announcement of the 90-day pause to hefty tariffs imposed on some countries brought respite to battered stock markets across the globe, including Londons FTSE 100.

While the Government is seeking a trade agreement with the US to alleviate the impact of tariffs, they are also seeking to strengthen trade relations with other countries to protect the economy from further potential shocks.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has said she will seek to negotiate with the US when she visits Washington at the end of April for the IMF spring meeting of global finance ministers, and that a UK-EU summit on May 19 would be a chance to refresh the UKs relationship with the bloc.

Mr Trump said on Wednesday that he would pause higher tariffs on trading partners such as Japan and the EU, telling reporters that people were getting yippy in an apparent acknowledgement of the market turmoil in recent days.

However, he said he would be raising his tax rate on Chinese imports to 125% amid an escalating trade war with Beijing, which has promised to fight to the end over the levies imposed by the White House.

Imports of cars, steel and aluminium to America are all still subject to a 25% tariff.

In the early hours of Friday morning, Japans Nikkei share index sank by 5.4% as stock prices resumed plunging.
MND tells the Philippine side: "Relying on foreign support to make waves at sea" will backfire

China Military Online) 09:15, April 10, 2025

Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks at a regular news conference on Wednesday.

Question: It is reported that the US Secretary of Defense reiterated US commitment to the US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty to counter "China threat" on his visit to the Philippines. During his visit, the Philippines, the US and Japan conducted a joint patrol in the South China Sea. Recently, the US approved selling F-16 fighter jets to the Philippines. Do you have any comments?

Zhang Xiaogang: On the pretext of honoring bilateral treaties, the US is meddling in the South China Sea issue, undermining China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and attempting to threaten and coerce China. This approach will simply not work. It needs to be pointed out that the Philippine side has repeatedly made infringements and provocations against China. Outside countries led by the US have made continued efforts to destabilize the South China Sea through playing up tensions and providing weapons. It fully exposed their true intention of making troubles in the region. To the Philippine side, "relying on foreign support to make waves at sea" will backfire and a pawn will only be used and discarded. We urge the Philippine side to give up unrealistic illusions and come back to the right track of dialogue and negotiation at an early date.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Du Mingming)
UK markets have begun to rebound after Donald Trump announced a 90-day pause in his sweeping tariffs, though ministers insisted they would remain cautious in the face of instability.

The FTSE 100 rose by more than 6% after stock markets opened in London on Thursday.

This followed a significant rally for markets in the US and Asia, after President Trump said he would be delaying tariffs on most nations for 90 days while raising his tax rate on Chinese imports to 125%.

Amid the rising market confidence, senior Cabinet minister Yvette Cooper continued to urge caution.

The Home Secretary told Sky News: We are seeing changes all the time. We are seeing quite a lot of global instability.

We are seeing that in the economy, we are seeing it also on security, on defence issues.

But I think that just comes back to the approach that we have taken  its the plan for change the Prime Ministers set out, maintaining that stability in the face of the different turbulences.

We are not keeping a running commentary on different trade negotiations, on the different approaches that other governments are taking.

She added: What we are doing is just being really steady about this. We have made clear our principles and our approach. We want to see a reduction of trade barriers and we want to negotiate good arrangements that are in the UKs interests.

While the FTSE has rebounded following its downturn in earlier days, the index of the UKs top stocks is still far below where it was in the days before Mr Trumps tariffs came into force.

The US pause has not completely eliminated taxes on goods into America, with all countries now expected to pay a 10% levy, instead of the reciprocal rates Mr Trumps administration had originally set out.

(PA Graphics)

Some of Americas trading partners had threatened retaliatory action before the pause, like the EU, which had voted to impose countermeasures on some US goods.

The UK had been spared higher tariffs rates hitting others and had resisted retaliatory action.

Other countries now find themselves in the same situation as the UK, which was already required to pay the 10% tariff rate.

Imports of cars, steel and aluminium to the US are all still subject to a 25% tariff.

A Downing Street source said the development shows that cool and calm can pay off and that the way Sir Keir Starmer does business is the right approach.

Despite the changes to Mr Trumps tariff regime, economists remain concerned that the prolonged uncertainty over his policy will hold back growth around the world.

Ministers still hope an economic agreement with Washington can be reached to soften the blow of some of Mr Trumps tariffs.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves is negotiating a trade deal with India amid the market turmoil caused by US tariffs (Justin Tallis)

Chancellor Rachel Reeves will seek to negotiate with the US when she visits Washington at the end of April for the International Monetary Funds spring meeting of global finance ministers, she told the Financial Times.

She also said a UK-EU summit on May 19 would be a chance to refresh our relationship and make it easier for businesses to trade.

Kemi Badenoch, meanwhile, called on the Prime Minister to convene the members of a trans-Pacific trading agreement to discuss ways to mitigate the impact of US tariffs.

The Conservative leader told BBC Breakfast: When I was trade secretary we signed the biggest post-Brexit deal, CPTPP (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership), with countries like Mexico, Canada, Australia, Japan.

All those countries are feeling the brunt of US tariffs.

What I would be doing if I was prime minister is convening those countries to see what we can do to make life easier for the citizens of our various countries.

Its always about making life better for people, reducing the cost of living. That can happen.
Migrants at the Manston processing centre in Kent. Migration has been a central issue for successive UK governments. Photograph: Henry Nicholls/Reuters

Ministers should introduce an annual migration plan to put an end to decades of incoherent, disconnected and unpredictable policies around work visas, according to a Whitehall thinktank.

The Institute for Government (IfG) said that successive governments have put forward reactive, kneejerk policies formulated when politicians have been questioned by broadcasters over net migration figures.

According to a report released on Thursday, a migration plan could be launched by the prime minister and home secretary. Similar to a spending review, it could be published as a public government document, debated in parliament, and be subjected to select committee scrutiny.

Related: Labour MPs launch campaign for digital IDs to crack down on illegal migration

The suggestion comes as the government prepares to release an immigration white paper, while facing competing demands for lower overall migration and more visas from businesses, the NHS, universities and social care.

Reports earlier this week claimed that the white paper was delayed following rows between the Home Office and education ministers over proposed student numbers.

The Home Office has tended to focus on limiting migration. For other departments  including the Treasury, the Department of Health and Social Care, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Department for Business and Trade  migration is an economic lever with which to secure workforces and promote exports.

Sachin Savur, IfG researcher and author of the report, said: For too long, governments have failed to set out what aims they have for migration policy and a realistic route to achieve them.

They have been tempted to make kneejerk changes in response to net migration and labour market statistics.

Adopting an annual migration plan would allow ministers to get on the front foot and set out a genuinely cross-government agenda for immigration that takes into account the governments wider priorities, evidence and interests.

Net migration  the measure for the difference between the number of people arriving and leaving the country  hit a record high of 906,000 in June 2023, in a period covering the premierships of Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak.

Related: Rights groups urge Starmer to dial down anti-migrant rhetoric

The figures prompted dismay and allegations that the Tories had failed to take back control of the UKs borders following Brexit.

According to the report, an annual plan would give the governments immigration policy credibility by:

Allowing for a more honest assessment about the pros and cons of migration.

Ending the antagonistic relationship between the Home Office and other departments.

Creating a more coordinated approach that weighs up interests and evidence across government to produce a collectively agreed strategy.

Ensuring a predictable approach to developing policy which gives certainty to employers, universities and trade associations.

An arbitrary annual cap on net migration would be impractical, but more specific targets, set by route, could be more realistic if an annual plan was implemented, the IfG said.

The Home Office has been approached for a comment.
Vietnamese flags fly on the Hien Luong Bridge, with a memorial in the distance, at the former border between North and South Vietnam, Quang Tri province, Feb. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/David Rising)

HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam (AP)  Hamburger Hill, Hue, the Ia Drang Valley, Khe Sanh: Some remember the Vietnam War battles from the headlines of the 1960s and 1970s, others from movies and history books. And thousands of Americans and Vietnamese know them as the graveyards of loved ones who died fighting more than a half-century ago.

Today the battlefields of Vietnam are sites of pilgrimage for veterans from both sides who fought there, and tourists wanting to see firsthand where the war was waged.

It was a war zone when I was here before, reflected U.S. Army veteran Paul Hazelton as he walked with his wife through the grounds of the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City, which was known as Saigon when he served there.

Hazeltons tour just shy of his 80th birthday took him back for the first time to places he served as a young draftee, including Hue, the former Phu Bai Combat Base on the city's outskirts, and Da Nang, which was a major base for both American and South Vietnamese forces.

Everywhere you went, you know, it was occupied territory with our military, now you just see the hustle and bustle and the industry, and it's remarkable," he said.

Im just glad that were now trading and friendly with Vietnam. And I think both sides are benefiting from it.

The history and the museum recounting it

Vietnam's war with the United States lasted for nearly 20 years from 1955 to 1975, with more than 58,000 Americans killed and many times that number of Vietnamese.

For Vietnam, it started almost immediately after the nearly decadelong fight to expel the colonial French, who were supported by Washington, which culminated with the decisive defeat of French forces at Dien Bien Phu in 1954.

The end of French Indochina meant major changes in the region, including the partitioning of Vietnam into Communist North Vietnam under Ho Chi Minh, and U.S.-aligned South Vietnam.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon to North Vietnamese and Viet Cong guerrilla troops, and the 30th anniversary of the reestablishment of diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Vietnam.

Tourism has rebounded rapidly since the COVID-19 pandemic and is now a critical driver of Vietnam's growth, the fastest in the region, accounting for roughly one in nine jobs in the country. Vietnam had more than 17.5 million foreign visitors in 2024, close to the record 18 million set in 2019 before the pandemic.

The War Remnants Museum attracts some 500,000 visitors a year, about two-thirds of whom are foreigners. Its exhibits focus on American war crimes and atrocities like the My Lai massacre and the devastating effects of Agent Orange, a defoliant widely used during the war.

The U.S. was to open the first exhibit of its own at the museum this year, detailing Washington's extensive efforts to remediate wartime damage, but it is indefinitely on hold after the Trump administration slashed foreign aid.

Other wartime sites in Saigon, which was the capital of South Vietnam, include the South Vietnamese president's Independence Palace where North Vietnamese tanks famously crashed through the gates as they took the city and the Rex Hotel where the U.S. held press briefings derisively dubbed the Five O'clock Follies for their paucity of credible information.

On the northern outskirts of the city are the Cu Chi tunnels, an underground warren used by Viet Cong guerrillas to avoid detection from American planes and patrols, which attracts some 1.5 million people annually.

Today visitors can climb and crawl through some of the narrow passages and take a turn at a firing range shooting targets with war-era weapons like the AK-47, M-16 and the M-60 machine gun known as "the pig" by American troops for its bulky size and high rate of fire.

I can understand a bit better now how the war took place, how the Vietnamese people managed to fight and protect themselves, said Italian tourist Theo Buono after visiting the site while waiting for others in his tour group to finish at the firing range.

Former North Vietnamese Army artilleryman Luu Van Duc remembers the fighting firsthand, but his visit to the Cu Chi tunnels with a group of other veterans provided an opportunity to see how their allies with the Viet Cong lived and fought.

I'm so moved visiting the old battlefields  it was my last dying wish to be able to relive those hard but glorious days together with my comrades, the 78-year-old said.

Relics like this must be preserved so the next generations will know about their history, about the victories over much stronger enemies.

Outside the city

The former Demilitarized Zone where the country was split between North and South in Quang Tri province saw the heaviest fighting during the war, and drew more than 3 million visitors in 2024.

On the north side of the DMZ, visitors can walk through the labyrinthine Vinh Moc tunnel complex, where civilians took shelter from bombs that the U.S. dropped in an effort to disrupt supplies to the North Vietnamese.

The tunnels, along with a memorial and small museum at the border, can be reached on a day trip from Hue, which typically also includes a stop at the former Khe Sanh combat base, the site of a fierce battle in 1968 in which both sides claimed victory.

Today, Khe Sanh boasts a small museum and some of the original fortifications, along with tanks, helicopters and other equipment left by U.S. forces after their withdrawal.

Hue itself was the scene of a major battle during the Tet Offensive in 1968, one of the longest and most intense of the war. Today the city's ancient Citadel and Imperial City, a UNESCO site on the north bank of the Perfume River, still bears signs of the fierce fighting but has largely been rebuilt. West of Hue, a little off the beaten path near the border with Laos, is Hamburger Hill, the scene of a major battle in 1969.

About 500 kilometers (300 miles) to the southwest near the Cambodian border is the Ia Drang valley, where the first major engagement between American and North Vietnamese forces was fought in 1965.

Fighting in North Vietnam was primarily an air war, and today the Hoa Lo Prison museum tells that story from the Vietnamese perspective.

Sardonically dubbed the Hanoi Hilton by inmates, the former French prison in Hanoi was used to hold American prisoners of war, primarily pilots shot down during bombing raids. Its most famous resident was the late Sen. John McCain after he was shot down in 1967.

It was kind of eerie but fascinating at the same time, said Olivia Wilson, a 28-year-old from New York, after a recent visit.

It's an alternative perspective on the war.

___

Rising reported from Bangkok.
National Center For Missing and Endangered, Inc. Corrye Brewer

Authorities in Colorado are investigating the hypothermia death of an elderly woman as a homicide.

Corrye Brewer, 97, was last seen around 1 p.m. on Jan. 24, in Peyton, Colo., according to a statement from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. Brewer was reported missing by family the following day, Fox 21 reports.

The CBI said Brewer suffered from a cognitive impairment that affected her memory and required medication.

In a Jan. 27 update, the National Center for Missing and Endangered, Inc. announced that Brewer had been found dead and shared their condolences with her family.

We extend our heartfelt condolences during this difficult time, the Facebook post read. We are deeply saddened by your loss and want you to know that our thoughts are with you and your family. Please remember that you are not alone; we are here to support you in any way we can.

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Deputies with the El Paso County Sheriffs Office found Brewers body outside an abandoned house, CBS News reports, citing authorities.

Since then, Brewers autopsy report has been released by the El Paso County Coroners Office, which ruled her death a homicide, according to Fox 21, KKTV and CBS News.

Per the autopsy report obtained by the outlets, a family member is alleged to have purposefully left Brewer outside in the cold on Jan. 24, without her personal belongings or any way to find shelter. The report states that temperatures dropped to 16 degrees that day, and it snowed.

Brewers grandson spoke with CBS News, telling the news outlet, Somebody needs to be held accountable for her death.

The sheriffs office said the case remains under investigation, according to KKTV.



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Sheryl Lee Ralph has a lot going on with Abbott Elementary. But she's taking time out of a busy work schedule in order to celebrate an illustrious career in Hollywood.

The actress has been in the acting industry for over four decades, getting her big break while starring in the original Broadway production of Dreamgirls in the 1980s. She also has created an impressive acting catalog in movies and TV, with credits in Sister Act 2, Moesha and plenty more under her belt.

Now, Sheryl is receiving recognition for her contribution to the industry, as the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce revealed she will receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the Television category. The ceremony will take place on April 16 in Los Angeles, and she will receive special remarks from her Abbott Elementary co-star Quinta Brunson.

"Our Walk of Fame honorees are selected solely based on their achievements in the entertainment industry," said Ana Martinez, producer of the Hollywood Walk of Fame in an official statement. "With her remarkable talent and contributions, Sheryl Lee Ralph is more than worthy of this prestigious recognition."

Phillip Faraone/VF25

When fans learned of Sheryl's incredible honor, they immediately responded that she was the right person to get recognized in this manner.

"GIRLLL SHE DESERVES THIS SOO MUCHHH ," one person wrote on Instagram. "This is AMAZING!! ," another declared. "DESERVING!!! Such a Queen! Congrats!!!" a different follower added.

Well, this is definitely quite a way to cap an incredible time in Hollywood! And if you think this is Sheryl's only way of being honored for her work, you'd be surprised.

According to an official announcement from Tulane University in New Orleans, Sheryl will be addressing the college's graduating class as the keynote speaker during the 2025 commencement ceremony. The May 17 event will be held at the Caesars Supderdome, and the institution is excited to have her inspire the latest group of graduates.

"Sheryl Lee Ralph epitomizes the spirit of Tulane as a standout student committed to excellence throughout her multi-disciplined career, as well as in her tireless service to others," Tulane President Michael A. Fitts said in a statement. "From Broadway to film to television, Sheryl has done it all, creating characters that transcend the cultural moment to offer deeper insights into the human experience."

Congrats, Sheryl!

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Andrei Pungovschi/Getty Andrew Tate in court in Romania in October 2024

Four women have filed a civil case against controversial Internet personality Andrew Tate, with court documents accusing him of assault, rape and coercive control, according to multiple reports

Two of the women were allegedly in relationships with Tate in 2013 and 2014, while the other two worked for his webcam business, The Independent reported

One of the women accused Tate of pointing a gun at her and saying, "You're going to do as I say or there'll be hell to pay," the BBC stated

Four women in the U.K. are suing controversial Internet personality Andrew Tate, with one allegedly accusing him of pointing a gun in her face, according to multiple reports.

The women have accused Tate, 38, of assault, rape and coercive control, claiming the alleged abuse took place in the U.K. towns of Luton and Hitchin between 2013 and 2015, per High Court documents reported on by the BBC, The Independent and The Telegraph.

Two of the women were allegedly in relationships with Tate in 2013 and 2014, while the other two worked for his webcam business, The Independent reported. The outlet noted that three of the women had previously reported him to the police, but the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) chose not to pursue the charges in 2019.

Tate  who is also facing a mix of separate criminal and civil charges in Romania, the U.K. and the U.S.  has denied all accusations against him and hasn't been convicted of any crimes. He insisted the latest accusations were "false" and that the women were not controlled, and did not behave as though they were controlled, by him, The Independent reported.

Robert Ghement/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Andrew Tate in Romania in March 2025

One of the four women who filed the civil case against Tate, known as AA, claimed he "threatened [her] daily" while she was working for him in 2015. She claimed at one point she was threatened with a gun in her face as he reportedly called himself "a boss" and a "G," saying, "You're going to do as I say or there'll be hell to pay," according to the BBC.

AA also said Tate allegedly "grabbed her by her throat and pinned her up against the wall, so she was unable to move" twice, the outlet reported, adding that Tate had denied the claims.

AA said she would stay with Tate and his brother Tristan, 36  whom he was arrested alongside in Romania in 2022 in connection to an investigation looking into human trafficking, rape and forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women  while they filmed content for their business, per The Independent. She alleged Andrew raped her in a Hilton Hotel in Luton, per the outlet, before raping her a second time within the two months that followed.

Among accusations made by another woman, known as BB, Tate "made it very clear that she was 'his,' and if anyone else spoke to her, he would kill them," alleging she was "forced to barricade herself inside the bathroom while the Defendant [Tate] threatened to 'beat the s--- out of' her," the BBC reported.

Tate said, per the outlet, that his relationship with BB was "loving and affectionate until shortly before she ceased to work for the business," again denying the allegations made against him.

One of the women involved in the civil case, whom the BBC called "Sienna," said that sex between the pair was consensual initially, but accused him of then starting to "strangle" her, she told the outlet.

"I passed out, and he carried on having sex with me," she told the publication. Tate denies strangling the woman, saying he "may have put a hand on her neck but there was no restriction of her breathing," per the BBC.

Sienna also alleged in a claim submitted to the court that she'd seen a gun on Tate's sofa in late 2014, adding that she "did not know if it was real or a replica." Tate responded that "there may have been a toy gun in the flat but the 4th Claimant [Sienna] never said anything about it," the BBC reported.

According to The Telegraph, one of the women claimed she'd allegedly been strangled so much by Tate that she'd developed red petechiae around her eyes, which is caused by broken capillaries and is a common result of asphyxiation.

Alon Skuy/Getty Andrew Tate

The four women  who say they've developed long-term mental health problems as a result of Tate's alleged behavior  are seeking damages in the civil court for assaults, batteries and infliction of intentional harm, the outlet stated.

Lawyer Matt Jury of the law firm McCue Jury & Partners, who is representing the women, said his clients had "been denied justice by the police and CPS, while watching Andrew Tate's influence grow," per the BBC.

"They have been left with no other choice but to bring their case in the High Court to finally bring Tate to account," he added, according to the outlet.

A preliminary hearing for the case is due to take place on April 15 at 10:30 a.m. local time at the Royal Courts of Justice, London, the High Court confirmed in an email to PEOPLE.

Andrew Ford of law firm Holborn Adams, whom is representing Tate, said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE, "These allegations are vehemently denied and will be fully contested in Court."

"The allegations, including the reference to a gun, were fully investigated by the Police. No gun was found when the Police conducted their searches. When the case was sent to the Crown Prosecution Service they took the decision not to charge Mr Tate with ANY offence," he added.

"This must have been on the basis that they formed the view that there was insufficient prospect of conviction were the case to have been taken to Court. Given the specifics of the claim, one can see why they formed that view," Ford's statement concluded.

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Over the past decade, the Tate brothers gained notoriety  and a massive social media following  thanks to their brand of toxic masculinity that they promote online, which includes sexist statements, hate speech and over-the-top displays of wealth.

The recent U.K. civil case against Andrew Tate is the latest in a long line of legal issues that the brothers have been facing after their arrest in Romania in 2022.

Romanian authorities indicted the brothers on human trafficking, rape and forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women charges in June 2023, and they were placed on house arrest. However, in December 2024, a Romanian appeals court ruled that the case against the Tates could not go to trial due to several legal and procedural irregularities from the prosecutors, per the Associated Press. The case has since been returned to the prosecutors and remains open.

The brothers also faced additional charges in March 2024, but this time, they stemmed from a U.K. arrest warrant relating to alleged sexual aggression charges. They are also under criminal investigation in the U.S. state of Florida.

McCue Jury & Partners, who are representing the claimants, did not immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for comment.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.



If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org.



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Simply Recipes / Adobe Stock

Whether for picnics, lunches, or the ultimate clean-out-the-fridge meal, chicken salad likely began when someonereportedly Liam Gray, proprietor of Rhode Islands Town Meats back in the 1800sdiscovered that chicken plus mayo and a few other ingredients makes one surprisingly delicious dish.

Since a Costco rotisserie chicken is an integral part of my weekly grocery shop, I inevitably have leftover breast meat in my fridge waiting to be used in creative and delicious ways. Thats when I reach for my chicken salad recipe, which is a little rogue. I swap out the usual mayo, not just because of my mild aversion to it (though there are entire online forums dedicated to mayo hate), but because I think a different kind of creamy addition adds flavor, texture, and extra protein to keep me full longer.

Wondering whether the experts agreed, I asked four culinary pros how they make their ideal chicken salad. It was gratifying to find out that they all said the same thingand all of them agreed with me!

The Chicken Salad Experts I Asked

Audrey Marcum: Recipe developer and content creator at Audreys Table

Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner: Recipe developer, writer, and editor

Jessica Merchant: Cookbook author, recipe developer, and content creator at How Sweet Eats

Sarah Farmer: Chef, food stylist, and photographer at Gumption Studios

Simply Recipes / Adobe Stock

How To Make the Best Chicken Salad, According to Recipe Developers and Chefs

The secret to a truly great chicken salad? Greek yogurt.

I like making my chicken salad with Greek yogurt because I hate mayo, shares Hoeffner. Greek yogurt adds creaminess but also a bit of tartness, plus protein and other nutrients. Still, it's a neutral enough base that can take on many flavors.

And shes not alone. Merchant told me, My favorite ingredient to use in chicken salad is plain Greek yogurt. Not only does it provide a bit of creamy tanginess, but it also adds protein and makes the chicken salad much more satisfying and filling. Sometimes, I will use all Greek yogurt, or I will use half mayo and half yogurt.

Read More: I Asked 3 Recipe Developers To Name the Best Greek YogurtThey All Said the Same Thing

If you, too, are not ready to go fully mayo-free, Marcum, like Merchant, gets it. I often add a combination of Greek yogurt and mayo. Kewpie mayonnaise is my favorite, she says. The Japanese product brings a boost of umami and a tangy sweetness (its a cult classic for a reason), while the yogurt lends tons of creaminess to her chicken salad.

Whether you use it exclusively or blend it with mayo, opt for full-fat or 2 percent Greek yogurt. They are richer and more satisfying and wont make your chicken salad watery the way non-fat yogurt can. Farmer confirms, I use full-fat Greek yogurt to bump up the creaminess.

How To Flavor a Yogurt-Based Chicken Salad

I dont follow a recipe when I make chicken salad; I just wing it (pun intended!). Greek yogurt adds luscious texture and takes on whatever flavors you throw at it, adds Farmer.

That versatility is exactly what makes Greek yogurt a standout. Hoeffner has stirred in red curry paste for a Thai-inspired twist, mixed it with tahini for richness, or gone the fresh route with lemon juice and dill. Any way you season it, she confirms, Its so good.



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Black Sand Beaches

From the Caribbean to the Mediterranean, the world is filled with stunning beaches  all with their own special, stand-out features. From crystal clear waters and powdery white sands to dramatic, rugged coastlines and untouched natural beauty, beaches are majestic and romantic.

However, theres one type of beach that often gets overlooked: black sand beaches. While black sand beaches may not be as common as their fairer counterparts, they can be found all around the world. These unique beaches are often formed as a result of volcanic activity and the erosion of dark volcanic rocks, giving the sands a distinct charcoal appearance.

In this article, well explore some of the worlds most alluring black sand beaches, each with its own distinct charm. From intimate coves to the most bustling of tourist attractions, these beaches will leave a lasting reminder in the minds of all who experience them firsthand.

Kehena Beach - Hawaii

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Kehena Beach is a secluded black sand beach located on the southeastern coast of Hawaiis Big Island, near the town of Pahoa. Its widely known for its incredible beauty, natural hot springs, and surrounding lush jungle-capped cliff faces. It's widely known as one of the most stunning beaches in the United States.

However, its worth noting that the beach isnt the most swimmer-friendly. Unlike other beaches in Hawaii, it isnt protected by a reef, and the current can be quite hazardous  particularly during higher tides.

Karekare Beach - New Zealand

Karekare Beach is a stunning black sand beach located in Auckland, New Zealand. The beach is surrounded by lush greenery, rocks and waterfalls.

Situated about 22 miles (35 kilometers) southwest of New Zealand's most populated city, Auckland, Karekare Beach is a stunningly beautiful beach located on the west coast of the North Island.

With its stunning, rugged landscape, the area has become a hotspot for surfers, hikers, and nature lovers alike. One of the biggest draws of Karekare Beach is its gorgeous waterfall, cascading down from the ranges onto the beach.

Visitors can take a short five-minute hike to the top of the waterfall to take in a panoramic view of the area. Or, if they'd prefer, they can simply relax on the beach and absorb the wonders of mother earth.

Vieques - Puerto Rico

The Playa Negra beach is located on the island's southern coast and is surrounded by lush vegetation and rocky cliffs. The water is warm and clear, making it ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and diving.

A small, picturesque island off the eastern coast of Puerto Rico, Vieques, was once a Unites States Navy bombing range until it stopped operation in 2003. Now a peaceful escape, it has become a tourist hotspot known for its picturesque beaches, luminescent bays, and unrivaled tranquil ambiance.

One of the features that makes Vieques so special is its bioluminescent bays, which contain microorganisms that generate a beautiful blue-green glow when they move about. To have a truly unforgettable experience, visitors can take advantage of one of the many guided kayaking tours that allow you to get a closer look at this natural phenomenon.

Playa Roque Bermejo - Spain

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One of Spain's finest natural treasures, the stunning black sand beach of Playa Roque Bermejo, is situated on the northwestern coast of Tenerife.

The beach, part of Anaga Rural Park, is acclaimed for its remarkable black sand and beautifully calm, crystalline waters. The beach can only be accessed by boat or a long hike, making for a beautiful day out for anyone looking to visit the area.

Black Sands Beach - California

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If you are willing to take on the short, steep trail, you will find Black Sands Beach, a popular place for outdoor activities such as surfing, fishing, and hiking.

Due to its excellent surf conditions, the beach is a well-loved destination for experienced surfers. People from all corners of the globe are also drawn here by the diverse wildlife that calls the beach home, from playful otters to majestic gray whales, making it an ideal destination for any nature-loving wildlife enthusiast.

Keawaiki Bay - Hawaii

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Keawaiki Bay, also known as Lone Palm, is a stunning and secluded bay situated on the western side of the Big Island of Hawaii and nestled close to the town of Kailua-Kona.

While it isnt the best beach for swimming along the Kohala coast, the bay has become well-known for its diverse marine life with its crystal clear waters and unspoiled coral reefs. There are spectacular fish and manta rays aplenty, making it the perfect place for those looking to enjoy snorkeling or scuba diving.

Tahiti - French Polynesia

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Tahiti, a beautiful island situated in French Polynesia, is renowned for its gorgeous white sand beaches. Scattered among this paradise are hidden gems of black sand beaches that are well worth a visit as well!

One of the most famous black sand beaches in Tahiti is Pointe Venus, located on the northern coast. This beach  named after the goddess of love  is ideal for swimming and snorkeling and also provides breathtaking views of the ocean and the islands wild, mountainous coastline.

Another island destination is the equally enchanting Papenoo Beach. While surfing is popular here, general swimming is not recommended, as the potent currents and tumultuous waves can be dangerous.

Canary Islands - Spain

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

The Canary Islands, located off the coast of West Africa and Spain, are famous for their unique black sand beaches.

The combination of the black sand  the result of volcanic rocks that have eroded and weathered over time  and the clear blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean makes these beaches a dramatic and striking must-see attraction.

One of the most sought-after black sand beaches in the Canary Islands is Playa de la Arena, situated on the island of Tenerife. This beach is renowned for its beautiful natural landscape, boasting steep cliffs and crystal-clear waters that make it the ideal spot for swimming and snorkeling.

If you are looking for something a little more animated, then the beach of Playa de Las Canteras on the island of Gran Canaria may be just what youre searching for! This area is well known for its excellent surfing and other watersport activities; it also boasts an array of vibrant cafes and top-notch restaurants.

Blacks Beach, San Diego - California

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Blacks Beach in San Diego was formerly named after the nearby Black familys horse farm, but the area is now surrounded by luxurious mansions and research labs located underneath the Torrey Pines bluffs.

It may take a little bit of effort to get to this beach due to its location, and visitors are advised to take caution as the track isnt officially maintained. However, once you get there the panoramic views are absolutely incredible, and the world-famous swells make it well worth the trek!

You might also catch sight of the notorious Peregrine Falcon that has been nesting in the bluff cliffs for several decades  notably the fastest bird in the world.

Black Sand Beach, Prince William Sound - Alaska

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Nestled in the wild beauty of Alaska, youll find the Black Sand Beach, home to a variety of wildlife, including sea otters, seals, and bald eagles. A great spot for wildlife watching, visitors will often get to see whales and porpoises in the surrounding waters.

Youll also get a chance to see natures finest work up close at the nearby Harriman Fjord, an eight-mile-long tidewater glacier named after railroad tycoon Edward Harriman.

Courtesy of the climate of Alaska, swimming and sunbathing are not the most popular activities. However, Black Sand Beach has become a renowned location for kayaking due to its beautiful scenery and postcard-worthy views.

Muriwai Beach - New Zealand

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The Muriwai district and the Waitakere Ranges to the south of the beach were formed around 17 million years ago, when a volcano that was situated 1000 meters below the surface of the ocean started to form an island. Home to a resident gannet population, Muriwai Beach is a popular destination for surfers on New Zealands west coast.

Offering some of the best surf breaks in the area, Muriwai offers a variety of spots along the coast that are suitable for all learning abilities, from beginners to the more advanced.

If you are feeling brave and wish to try your luck on the waves, surf lessons and board rentals are also available on-site!

Stokksnes - Iceland

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On the southeastern coast of Iceland lies the breathtakingly beautiful peninsula known as Stokksnes.

This area has earned worldwide recognition for its breathtaking natural beauty, towering snow-capped mountains, and raven-colored sands. In addition to its raw natural beauty, Stokksnes is also known as a great spot for wildlife enthusiasts.

This area is a haven for a variety of bird species from the Arctic tern to the puffin, as well as a variety of marine mammals such as seals.

Dominica - The Caribbean

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Situated in the Caribbean Sea, between the islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique, sits the gorgeous island nation of Dominica.

Dominica has earned a nickname as the Nature Island due to the plethora of natural wonders and activities that attract nature lovers and thrill-seekers alike.

Visitors are often drawn here for its abundance of lush rainforests, which cover a significant portion of the island and feature an array of stunning waterfalls. These include the iconic Trafalgar Falls, the only twin waterfall on the island.

Kaimu Beach - Hawaii

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Formed when a volcanic eruption buried the original beach in several feet of lava, Kaimu Beach is a great spot for hiking and exploring.

A visit to the Kalapana Trail (which leads to where the original Kaimu beach used to be) will take travelers through a rugged lava field, providing breathtaking views of the volcanic landscape and the surrounding coastline.

And if you feel like delving into some Hawaiian history, the ancient Pu'u Loa Petroglyphs are located close by. This is where Ancient Hawaiians inscribed symbols and designs onto the lava rocks  a perfect visit for those interested in the history of the island if you're willing to take a short hike.

Ureki - Georgia

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Known for its holistically therapeutic sands, Ureki is a popular destination for swimming and sunbathing.

Every year, hundreds of people come to this location to take advantage of the medicinal properties of its magnetic sand, which is believed to help with a variety of health issues like joint pain and muscle tightness.

Georgia is also home to some of the best cuisine around. Tthe local town is no exception, serving traditional dishes such as khachapuri (a type of cheese-filled bread) and khinkali, a Georgian famous dumpling staple.

Perissa Beach - Greece

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

If you're looking for breathtaking scenery, crystal clear waters, and lively nightlife, then Perissa Beach is the perfect place to visit.

Situated on the southern coast of the popular Greek Island of Santorini, this black sand beach was formed by volcanic explosions, the most famous of which was the Minoan eruption.

If you are interested in learning some of the local history, the majestic ancient city of Thera is located nearby. Just a short walk away, visitors can hike up the hill and see the ruins of this once-thriving city while enjoying stunning sunset views over the Aegean Sea.

Punalu'u Beach - Hawaii

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With its volcanic sands and enticing waters, Punaluu Beach is a must-see for those wanting to immerse themselves in seeing Hawaii's abundant wildlife.

Its home to a number of endangered species, including the Hawaiian green sea turtle and the hawksbill sea turtle. The nearby Punaluu Black Sand Beach Park also harbors several species of birds, such as the Hawaiian coot and the Hawaiian stilt.

Punaluu Beach is a site of vital cultural importance for the Hawaiian people, with locals considering the beach to be a sacred area. As such, visitors are kindly asked to show respect for its traditional significance.

Reynisfjara - Iceland

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The Reynisfjara area is certainly a sight to behold, with its basalt columns, towering cliffs, and jagged rock formations all coming together to create a truly breathtaking experience.

Once voted by National Geographic as one of the Top 10 non-tropical beaches to visit on the planet, its also home to Reynisdrangar rock formations that Icelandic folklore suggests were once trolls who were unfortunate enough to get caught in the sun's rays and turned to stone. Another folklore legend of the area tells of a husband who sought vengeance after two trolls kidnapped his wife and subsequently ended her life. According to the legend, the heartbroken man followed the trolls down to the shores of Reynisfjara, where he froze them, ensuring that they would never have the chance to kill again.

Anse Couleuvre - Martinique

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

The northern coast of Martinique is home to the beautiful Anse Couleuvre beach, with its famous black sand and crystal-clear waters all framed by picturesque green hills and palm trees.

Famed for surfing and snorkeling, the easily visible seabed is home to a fascinating variety of fishes and marine life.

For those seeking a bit of land adventure, there are numerous hiking trails close by, including the much-lauded Mount Pelee trail that provides visitors with breathtaking views of the island from its highest point.

Honokalani Black Sand Beach, Maui - Hawaii

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Honokalani Black Sand Beach is a unique beach located in Waianapanapa State Park on the eastern shore of Maui, Hawaii.

This beach offers some of the most stunning and awe-inspiring views. With its unique, beautiful black sand  formed from volcanic lava that has been eroded over time and the ancient ruined temple of Ohala Heiau, its one of the most beautiful and culturally immersive beaches on the island.

The park features a number of trails that run alongside the coast, each one offering stunning sights of the ocean and the cliffs. It's ideal for those looking to experience the coastline from a different perspective.

Soufriere - St. Lucia

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Soufriere is known for stunning beaches like Anse Chastanet and Sugar Beach, which both boast black sand and crystal-clear waters that make them a paradise for visitors.

Visitors can also take in the beauty of the rainforest near the town, which hosts an array of unique wildlife and exotic plants.

In addition to its natural splendor, Soufriere is the perfect destination for visitors wanting to experience (and learn about) St. Lucian culture and cuisine. The town is home to an array of historic buildings and churches, as well as vibrant local markets and festivals that take place throughout the year.

Well-known for its extraordinary geothermal features, Soufriere is also home to the worlds only drive-in volcano  Sulphur Springs Park!
A British Airways Boeing 777 was diverted twice in a single flight across the Atlantic. Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images

There was a medical emergency on board a British Airways flight from the Bahamas to London.

The flight was diverted to Canada but soon carried on towards its destination.

However, it diverted again to Iceland to pick up a new crew due to the original crew timing out.

More than 200 British Airways passengers were delayed by 11 hours after unexpectedly stopping twice on their way home from the Caribbean.

Tuesday's Flight 252 left Nassau in the Bahamas around 10:30 p.m. local time, bound for London.

Four hours later, the Boeing 777 was flying over the North Atlantic when it abruptly turned west toward Canada, according to data from Flightradar24.

It diverted to Gander International Airport in Newfoundland and Labrador, which is usually only home to small regional planes.

A source familiar with the situation told Business Insider that the plane had to divert due to a medical emergency.

After the customer deplaned, the flight took off again less than three hours later, per Flightradar24 data.

However, while the flight was again listed as heading to London Heathrow Airport, it actually flew to Iceland first.

After a roughly three-hour flight, the 28-year-old Boeing 777 landed at Keflavik Airport in the capital, Reykjavik.

It then didn't take off again for more than six hours.

BI understands that due to the first diversion, the flight crew was set to exceed their maximum amount of working hours. So British Airways got creative and arranged for the flight to stop in Iceland  where it was easier to send a replacement crew than it would have been to Canada.

From there, it was another two hours and 20 minutes to the final destination.

The Boeing 777 landed in London around 10:30 p.m. local time on Wednesday. It was initially scheduled to arrive at 11:40 a.m.

It appears that the original pilots and flight attendants had to stay in Iceland overnight before returning to London.

In medical emergencies such as this, pilots typically have no choice but to land at the nearest airport. That's unlike some technical problems when they can return to a hub airport where it's easier to reroute passengers and crew.

Diverting twice is certainly unusual, but it looks like it ultimately saved the passengers time.

Last May, an Air France flight from Paris to Seattle diverted to Canada's Nunavut territory  and had to wait 11 hours for a replacement plane to pick passengers up.

Earlier this month, Virgin Atlantic passengers were delayed 40 hours after a medical emergency forced them to divert to a small airport in Turkey  where the plane then had to undergo technical inspections.

Read the original article on Business Insider
A remarkably calm 9-year-old girl kept her cool during a home invasion robbery in Southern California, calling 911 and bringing police to the scene in time to catch the suspect, authorities said Tuesday.

The terrifying incident unfolded just before 6 a.m. Friday when an intruder broke into the family's home in Westminster, about 35 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles, police said.

The girl was upstairs and maintained her composure long enough to call 911 for help.

"There's someone breaking into my house," she told dispatch supervisor Kristen Kannard. "Someone opened the window."

The girl described the intruder screaming as he forced his way into the home near Magnolia Street and Bolsa Avenue.

"They broke into the window already," she said. "I heard downstairs 'Open up! Open up! Open the door!' And I heard him hitting the door."

The girl's father attacked the intruder with pepper spray, forcing his retreat, police said.

The 911 call brought officers to the neighborhood in three minutes, giving them enough time to seal off the area and capture Jorge Mendoza Diaz, 34.

He was booked on suspicion of burglary and trespassing.

"The WPD applauds the brave actions of the nine-year-old victim, who called 911, remained calm, and provided vital information to dispatchers, significantly contributing to the suspects timely apprehension," police said in a statement. "The calm nature of the nine-year-old victim can clearly be heard in the 911 call."

Westminster Police Chief Darin Lenyi said the girl has a future in law enforcement if she wants it.

I am very glad that the actions of both the nine-year-old and her father were such that kept the situation from possibly becoming much more serious," Lenyi said. "Based on her performance, I invite the nine-year-old, when she grows up, to become a member of the WPD as either a police officer or dispatcher."
The war of words  and trade  between Washington and Beijing took a fresh turn Thursday when a Chinese diplomat declared that her compatriots dont back down, sharing a video of Mao Zedong condemning the United States to underscore her point.

China, the worlds second-biggest economy and one of the U.S. biggest trading partners, has matched President Donald Trump tariff for tariff in recent days. Its latest levies on U.S. goods took effect Thursday, totaling 84%.

As other countries scramble to offer Trump concessions in exchange for tariff reductions, Chinas more combative approach has drawn the presidents ire. On Wednesday, citing Chinas lack of respect for global markets, Trump raised U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods to 125%, even as he announced a 90-day pause on higher targeted tariffs on all other U.S. trading partners.

China responded Thursday that while it does not want to fight a trade war, it also wont shy away from one.

We are Chinese. We are not afraid of provocations. We dont back down, Mao Ning, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Affairs Ministry, said Thursday in a post on X.

The post also included archival footage of Mao Zedong, who founded the Peoples Republic of China, speaking in 1953 when the U.S. and China were on opposite sides of the Korean War.

As for how long the war should last, I think we shouldnt decide that, says the former Chinese leader Mao, who led the country for more than a quarter of a century until his death in 1976.

In the past, it was decided by Truman. In the future, it will be decided by Eisenhower  or whoever the president of the United States may be. In other words, they can fight for as long as they want  until Chinas complete victory, he continues in the video, which is subtitled in Chinese and English.

In another apparent reference to Trumps tariffs, the spokesperson also shared an illustration of a Make America Great Again hat  which is made in countries such as China, Vietnam and Bangladesh  bearing a Made in China label and sitting above a $50 price tag crossed out and replaced with $77.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning in Beijing on Sunday.

A hashtag about the Mao Zedong post was trending Thursday on Weibo, a popular Chinese social media platform.

We shouldnt hold on to any illusion that America will go easy on China, one user wrote. Let Trump make the call  however long they want to fight, well fight.

The Chinese Commerce Ministry did not say whether it would further raise tariffs on U.S. goods in response to Trumps latest increase. The door to talks is always open, a spokesperson said Thursday, but any dialogue must be based on mutual respect and conducted on equal footing.

Underlying such comments is Chinas history of exploitation by Western nations, memories of which remain searing even as China has leveraged globalization to become the worlds largest trading nation in goods.

Even though U.S. and Chinese tariffs are already at trade-prohibitive levels, Trumps public calls to negotiate are unlikely to work with China, said Rick Waters, a former State Department diplomat who is now the Singapore-based director of Carnegie China.

The Chinese are proud. They have a history of humiliation at the hands of foreign powers, he said. And I think those types of tactics play into their defensive instincts.

The Foreign Ministrys office in Hong Kong, a former British colony whose 1997 return to Chinese rule marked the end of what is referred to in China as a century of humiliation, said Trumps actions wont make America great again  theyll only turn the U.S. into a 21st-century barbarian.

Those who try to strong-arm the world with tariffs and expect countries to call and admit defeat should never count on getting a call from China, it said.

Waters said that while he thinks Trump is sincere in a desire to explore some kind of a deal with the Chinese, such a deal may be a long way off.

I think until the two sides feel they have to come to the table, theyre going to let the other stew in their juices, he said.
This spring, Days of our Lives did the unexpected and revisited one of the soaps most controversial storylines, exploring E.Js assault of Sami.

Actor Dan Feuerriegel spoke with Soap Opera Digest, discussing what it was like returning to a storyline he didnt originally portray. The actor explained that he didnt do any research prior to filming the scenes where his son, Johnny (Carson Boatman) confronted him over his conception. It made that a lot more natural and easier to play. I was just discovering everything when Carson was yelling at me, Feuerriegel said.

Fans will remember that back in December 2006, Sami went on a romantic cabin getaway with her on-again/off-again love interest Lucas Roberts Horton (Bryan Dattilo) when tragedy struck, and Lucas was trapped as the roof of the cabin collapsed . Desperate for help, Sami ran to the street to find help. There she ran into E.J. (James Scott), on the run for having shot her stepfather John Black (Drake Hogestyn). E.J. forced Sami to help him avoid a police checkpoint, and afterward offered to assist her and save Lucass life, but in exchange E.J. explained that he was tasked by his father Stefano (Joseph Mascolo) to plant the DiMera seed with the Brady of his choice, and Sami was to be given the honor. After discussing the situation, Sami gave in to E.J.s demands, thus conceiving her son John Johnny Roman DiMera (Carson Boatman). E.J. proceeds to hold up his end of the deal and saves Lucass life.

Now, 19 years later, the ripple effects of the storyline are playing out as Johnnys grandfather Roman (Josh Taylor) and step-grandmother Kate (Lauren Koslow) revealed the circumstances of his conception, ultimately leading to a heated exchange between father and son, and setting up the perfect motive for Johnny to be a lead suspect in the tale of Who Shot E.J.

Discussing what it was like to play out the confrontation scenes with his on-screen son, Feuerriegel explained, There was nothing he could say. There was no way that he could weasel his way out of it. There was no justification. The challenge was that E.J. had to really firmly believe that he was, shall we say, backed into a corner to get Sami, to do something like that.

Feuerriegel believes that the story has helped shape his character. It creates three dimensions to characters and three dimensions to situations, because nothing is necessarily fully black and white, he believes that Samis rape is something that lingers in the back of his mind, that its something that haunts him to the day and shapes who he is all these years later. Also, this storyline gives you permission to kind of be like, All right, lets try and find some little bits of color to everything. And that is what I enjoy bringing to the character.

Teasing whats to come, Days of our Lives Breakdown Writer Jamey Giddenstook to X about writing one of the episodes with the fallout of this story, stating, I wrote the breakdown/outline for the upcoming episode of #DAYS, where Sami and Johnny share a painful, powerful, and poignant conversation about his conception.

Days of our Lives streams weekdays on Peacock.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, help is available 24 hours a day through RAINN's National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673.
U.S. Rep. Brad Knott, R-N.C., questions witness Neill Franklin during a hearing of the Immigration Integrity, Security and Enforcement Subcommittee from the Committee on the Judiciary on Wednesday, April 9, 2025. House Judiciary GOP | YouTube

(The Center Square)  The more that a former federal prosecutor from North Carolina and survivor of a 14-candidate Super Tuesday primary pressed, the more that a 34-year lawmen from Baltimore evaded a direct answer.

Neill Franklin, retired major from the Maryland State Police and the Baltimore Police Department, offered a difference in detainer and warrant when pressed by freshman Republican U.S. Rep. Brad Knott. Pressed on safety of the community, and the first step standard of entering the country illegally being a crime, Franklin dodged and never agreed during Wednesday mornings hearing of the Immigration Integrity, Security and Enforcement Subcommittee from the Committee on the Judiciary.

Franklin also chose to differentiate meaning of legal policy and federal authority that comes with issuance of detainers by federal enforcement agencies. He said local police dont have authority to enforce federal law, a point the U.S. Supreme Court rejects in a January 2024 decision.

Knott, having once declined to yield his time as it ended, finally did saying the point to make was evident.

Cut to the chase, you dont honor a detainer, Knott said. You have someone in your custody who is illegal. You are notified by federal law enforcement that they are here illegally, the detainer says please hold, sanctuary policy does not honor the detainer. Correct?

A pregnant pause later, Franklin said, Correct, if it is a warrant, we can hold.

Exactly, Knott said. Exactly. So you have people who have been arrested at the local level. Theres a federal instruction to hold them, an illegal immigrant criminal, and you prioritize releasing them rather than working with federal law enforcement, and its your opinion that that serves your local community. Correct?

They paid their debt, Franklin said and was cut off immediately.

Releasing someone who is here illegally, Knott said, who has already been arrested. Its your testimony that releasing an arrested illegal immigrant criminal effectuates a safer policy for your community.

Franklin said, When they are released by an order of the court, at a specific date and time , and his sentence never finished as Knott told him he was evasive.

Someone has been arrested in your town, Knott said again, who is here illegally. And you want them to be released rather than to work with federal law enforcement. And its your testimony that that makes your community safer.

We work according to the law, Franklin said.

Knott responded, You think being here illegally is consistent with the law?

With another pause and stammer, the veteran lawman said, With the federal law?

Franklin then said Knott was talking about a civil process.

They are not brought into your jail by a civil action, Knott said.

Local police do not have the authority to enforce that federal law, Franklin said.

They have the authority to hold someone when a federal detainer is issued, said Knott, having issued them himself. When you are issued a hold, it is a sanctuary policy to let them go. Correct?

Sanctuary policy, Franklin said. Im talking about what I know to be a legal policy.

Knott finally yielded to the chairman and said the point was evident.

Knott's resilience was evident in winning his seat last year. He finished second, nearly 9% behind, in the 14-candidate primary to quality for a runoff that never happened once President Donald Trump gave his endorsement, and Kelly Daughtry suspended her campaign. Knott beat Democrat Frank Pierce by more than 17% in the general election.

Others testifying included Chicago resident Danielle Carter-Walters; Sheriff Dale Wagner, of Adams County in Washington; and R.J. Hauman, president of the National Immigration Center for Enforcement.

Hauman testified sanctuary policies were far beyond simply complying with detainer requests. He noted a New Jersey mayor refusing to allow usage of a detention facility and said theres no interest in detainment.

Given a chance to explain the logic for that, Hauman said, Its all by design. They want to make each jurisdiction a flagrant abuse, with a middle finger to the White House when it comes to enforcing our law.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer looks on as President Donald Trump signs an executive order in the Oval Office of the White House on Wednesday.

Gretchen Whitmer became governor after promising to fix the damn roads in Michigan.

Whether she goes any further depends on how well she can navigate some of the early bumps surfacing as she positions herself for a possible White House bid.

On Wednesday, during a trip to Washington, D.C., that put a spotlight on her prospects in 2028, Whitmer hit what many of her fellow Democrats saw as two sizable potholes.

First, in a policy speech outlining a consistent national strategy, Whitmer staked out common ground with President Donald Trump. And though Whitmer criticized Trumps sweeping, roller-coaster rollout of  and subsequent retreat from  tariffs, she said she was not against tariffs outright and expressed understanding of Trumps motivation behind deploying them. That drew a social media rebuke from Colorados Democratic governor, Jared Polis.

Tariffs are bad outright because they lead to higher prices and destroy American manufacturing, Polis, another potential 2028 contender who has also sought ways to find common cause with Trump, wrote on X. Trade is inherently good because both parties emerge better off from a consensual transaction.

Then, later Wednesday, Whitmer joined Trump in the Oval Office. She was scheduled to meet privately with him and discuss Michigan issues. That wasnt how it ultimately played out.

Instead, she stood by as he signed several executive orders, including two calling for Justice Department probes of officials who served in his first administration and called him out for falsely claiming the 2020 election was stolen. He made the false claims about the elections being rigged again Wednesday.

Whitmer was invited into the Oval Office alongside Michigan state House Speaker Matt Hall, a Republican, as Trump held court with reporters and signed the executive orders. Photos showed Whitmer standing uncomfortably against a door as the cameras rolled.

Shes really done an excellent job, Trump said of Whitmer during the impromptu media availability. Very good person.

Though Trump did engage with her on issues she came to discuss, the fact that she was present at what amounted to a bipartisan photo opportunity as he took actions targeting political critics angered and confused allies.

Just a f---ing disaster, said a Democratic operative who admires Whitmer and, like others interviewed for this article, was granted anonymity to share candid thoughts about her day. It feels like it removes some of the momentum she had as a politically savvy swing-state Dem.

Whitmers team moved quickly to contain the fallout and counter mounting criticism from within her party.

The governor was surprised that she was brought into the Oval Office during President Trumps press conference without any notice of the subject matter, a Whitmer spokesperson said in a statement. Her presence is not an endorsement of the actions taken or statements made at that event.

Democrats have long seen Whitmer as one of the partys more formidable figures  a two-term governor of a battleground state who won re-election in a landslide and was nearly tapped to be Joe Bidens running mate in 2020 after having considerably raised her public profile during the Covid pandemic. Whitmer is among a handful of prominent Democratic governors viewed as potential presidential contenders in 2028.

But unlike some of her contemporaries, Whitmer has chosen to seek out a stronger working relationship with Trump in his second term. Trump won her state last fall, and Whitmer views herself as more of a center-left moderate with a middle-of-the-road, Midwestern constituency  one that is receptive to Trumps message, including and especially on manufacturing and tariff policy.

In her Washington speech Wednesday, Whitmer called for cutting red tape and building more in the United States. She also railed against partisanship, saying it has seemingly infected every aspect of our lives, and its exhausting.

Lets give more hard-working people a fair shot at a decent life, she said. And lets usher in, as President Trump says, a Golden Age of American manufacturing.

She did break with Trump on the more substantial tariffs he announced last week and partially paused later Wednesday afternoon, describing them as a triple whammy: higher costs, fewer jobs and more uncertainty.

I understand the motivation behind the tariffs, and I can tell you heres where President Trump and I do agree, she said. We do need to make more stuff in America  more cars and chips, more steel and ships. We do need fair trade.

Her stance on tariffs puts her at odds with other potential Democratic presidential hopefuls, like Polis and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, who offered sharp criticism of Trumps wrongheaded measures in a speech in his state Wednesday.

During a question-and-answer session with journalist Gretchen Carlson after her speech, Whitmer empathized with the many Democrats who dont want Democratic officials to work with Trump. But she said she needs to be collaborative because I took an oath to the people of Michigan to try to get as much done for the state.

Whitmer also said she hadnt thought through how shed handle tariffs differently from Trump, only that they should be used as a scalpel.

A national Democratic strategist said, It is a massive indictment on Whitmer and her teams judgment to, first, not have an answer on the tariff question and then go the White House and get absolutely played by Donald Trump to the point she is caught in the Oval Office as he signs one of his revenge and retribution executive orders and says 2020 was rigged.

About tariffs, her spokesperson emphasized areas of disagreement with Trump rather than ways the two overlap on the policy.

This morning, the governor delivered a speech in Washington, D.C., about the devastating effects tariffs were having on Michiganders  from companies increasing prices and laying off workers to retirement accounts being wiped out, Whitmers spokesperson said. This afternoon, the 90-day pause was announced, and that is a step in the right direction and will provide relief to so many businesses across the state, but we remain concerned about tariffs that will hurt American auto companies.

Whitmer and Hall were supposed to discuss with Trump federal investment at Michigans Selfridge Air National Guard Base, a recent devastating ice storm in the state and a plan to deal with invasive Asian carp in Lake Michigan. Whitmers team and her allies described the meeting as a success on those matters.

Governor Whitmer thanks President Trump for his acknowledgements on protecting the Great Lakes from invasive carp, his work on Selfridge, and his openness to our request for help in northern Michigan, her spokesperson said.

A Democratic official who used to work with Whitmer said her dealings with Trump show she is very good at advocating for her state.

And President Trump clearly listens to what she says and what she does, this person said. You saw that today on tariffs, on the progress they made on Selfridge and on the other issues she brought to discuss.

Whitmers day also offered some political nuance. Her visit to the Oval Office didnt annoy just Democrats. Republicans complained that it was an unnecessary boost to a leader they have long tried to demonize in a crucial electoral battleground.

Trump literally just f---ed Republicans in Michigan by saying Whitmer is doing an excellent job, a Republican strategist from Michigan wrote in a text message. I mean, WTF, she is running to replace him in 2028.

The budding Trump-Whitmer relationship  Wednesdays meeting was their second in less than two months  would have been unthinkable not so long ago. Trump figured prominently in the political memoir Whitmer published last year, with a long-standing feud between them accounting for a large share of the first chapter: Dont Let the Bullies Get You Down.

Whitmer wrote about how Trump responded to her criticism of his leadership during the early days of the pandemic by branding her dismissively and derisively as that woman from Michigan. Whitmer and her team embraced the insulting sobriquet, which became a staple in progressive merchandising.

Thats the secret to dealing with bullies: You take their weapon and make it your shield, Whitmer wrote. Every time Trump gave me a nickname, I made it my own.

That history had some observers struggling with cognitive dissonance Wednesday.

Whitmer hurt her candidacy today, a Democratic strategist said. She looked and sounded nervous in the Oval Office. That visual will stick. So will the image of Trump praising her as he signed executive orders targeting his critics.

A second Democratic operative who has worked with Whitmer previously said her speech today felt like an opening salvo for a presidential bid.

Theres sort of this absolutism among Democrats where youre either all against him or youre not against him enough, right? this person said. And I think if you are a Midwestern governor, there are certainly appropriate times to be for tariffs.

This person was surprised at the pushback she got from Polis after her address, adding that criticism showed 2028 is on. But the person was also perplexed by Whitmers Oval Office appearance.

It overall seemed not great, this person said. The photo of her standing there in the corner looking uncomfortable. The odd banter. The whole thing didnt make a lot of sense. Why did it happen? Whose idea was that?

Still, this person said Whitmer, who has pledged to work across the aisle, including with Trump, to deliver results for her state, can point to tangible results from her trip to Michiganders.

But nationally, the conversation around her visit will be very different.

Overall, hey, great visit, right? this person continued, rattling off the local issues Whitmer went to discuss  before pivoting to the executive order spectacle. It felt like, holy s---, what just happened?
Vatican via Getty Images

King Charles III and Queen Camilla celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary with a surprise visit with Pope Francis.

The British monarchs, who are currently in Italy on a state visit, marked 20 years since their nuptials on Wednesday, April 9, with a private reception at the Vatican. They received well wishes from the pope, 88, who has recently been recovering from health issues.

A special moment for Their Majesties as they privately met His Holiness Pope Francis at the Vatican yesterday, Buckingham Palace shared via X early Thursday, April 10.

The King and Queen were deeply touched by The Popes kind remarks about their 20th wedding anniversary and honoured to be able to share their best wishes to him in person, the palaces post continued.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla: A Timeline of Their Relationship

Charles and Camilla initially planned to visit the Holy See as part of their official itinerary, however, the trip was postponed amid Pope Francis health issues. Buckingham Palace said in March the visit had been postponed by mutual agreement after medical advice has now suggested that Pope Francis would benefit from an extended period of rest and recuperation.

Wednesdays visit came amid a tight itinerary for the royals, which also included a state banquet hosted by Italys President Sergio Mattarella at Quirinale Palace in Rome.

Charles, 76, acknowledged his wedding anniversary in a speech thanking the president and other dignitaries during the dinner. Today marks, as you say, The Queens and my twentieth wedding anniversary. On that score, I must say it really is very good of you, Mr. President, to lay on this small romantic, candle-lit dinner for two, Charles quipped.

Charles and Camilla, 77, married on April 9, 2005, in a civil wedding at Windsor Guildhall in Windsor, England. The couple were later joined by Charles late parents, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, for a service of prayer at St Georges Chapel and a reception at Windsor Castle. Camilla was given the title of the Duchess of Cornwall after her marriage to Charles. She later became Queen Camilla following Queen Elizabeths death and Charles ascension to the throne in September 2022.

Looking Back at King Charles III and Queen Camillas Wedding: How She Broke Tradition and More

Before his marriage to Camilla, Charles was married to Princess Diana from 1981 to 1996. The former couple shared two children, Prince William, 42, and Prince Harry, 40.

Camilla, meanwhile, was married to British Army officer Andrew Parker Bowles from 1973 to 1995. They share two children, Tom Parker Bowles, 50, and Laura Lopes, 47.

Charles and Camillas romance began long before their first marriages and resumed while Charles was married to Diana.

Rumors of an affair started swirling in 1986, seven years before the release of a transcript of a 1989 phone call between Charles and Camilla that featured several suggestive comments. At one point, Charles allegedly said he wanted to live inside [Camillas] trousers and joked about reincarnating as a tampon. The incident was henceforth nicknamed Camillagate or Tampongate.

Revisiting King Charles IIIs Affair Scandal With Queen Camilla Ahead of Princess Diana Divorce

Charles eventually admitted that he had been unfaithful during a televised interview in 1994.

Yes, Charles said when asked whether he had committed infidelity. [Not] until it became clear that the marriage had irretrievably broken down.

Charles, however, refused to name Camilla at the time despite reports that she was the person with whom he had an affair.

Queen Camilla Through the Years: From Her Divorce to a Second Chance at Love With King Charles III

The interview took place amid Charles and Dianas separation, which was announced in 1992. Diana, for her part, broke her silence in her own bombshell interview.

There were three of us in this marriage, so it was a bit crowded, Diana infamously said in a 1995 interview with BBCs Panorama when asked whether Camilla contributed to her split from Charles.
Serious Eats / Getty Images

When the weather is dreary, I can always rely on bright citrus like oranges to bring me a burst of joya bowl of mandarins adorns my dining table, I toss orange supremes into salads, and I love cooking with the aromatic fruit. There are more than 600 types of oranges grown around the world. The fruit ranges in sweetness and acidity, shines in both sweet and savory applications, and is a key player in many cuisines, including Moroccan, Chinese, Middle Eastern, and Mediterranean. Each variety has different qualities: Super sweet mandarins are especially delicious for eating on their own, blood oranges give salads a bright pop of color, and sweet-tart Valencia oranges are great for juicing. This guide to some of the most common orange varieties will help you navigate the citrus section at grocery stores and farmers' markets, so youll know when to reach for which. You might even discover a new kind of orange to try. (All peak seasons below refer to the U.S.)

What Exactly Are Oranges?

Of course, you almost certainly have a general sense of what oranges are, but let's unpeel the fruit a little further. Oranges are part of the Rutaceae citrus family, which also includes lemons, calamansi, limes, kumquats, and grapefruit. Pomelos, citrons, and mandarins are the ancestors from which all citrus fruits have evolvedthe orange is a hybrid of the pomelo and the mandarin.

In his book On Food and Cooking, Harold McGee notes that oranges likely originated from southern China, northern India, and Southeast Asia, and made their way to Europe during the Middle Ages by way of trade and crusaders returning from Asia and the Middle East. Today, oranges are grown in subtropical climates around the world, including Brazil, Mexico, Spain, Japan, and the United States.

There are two main types of orange, plus mandarins, which are often lumped in with oranges but are actually a separate genus.

Sweet oranges (Citrus sinensis) have a thick skin, large, round shape, and a tangy citrus flavor. They are bolder than mildly sweet mandarins, making them ideal for eating raw, baking, or cooking with.

Sour or bitter oranges (Citrus aurantium) have a thick, aromatic skin, are small and round, and have intensely tart, bitter flesh.

Mandarins (Citrus reticulata) include tangerines, clementines, and satsumas. They are smaller, slightly flatter, and sweeter than oranges, and have looser skin that makes them easier to peel. We've chosen to include mandarins in this guide since oranges and mandarins are often sold together and used interchangeably.

Types of Oranges

Valencia Orange

Getty Images / yodaswaj

Type: Sweet

Flavor: Balanced, sweet, and tart

Appearance: Ovular, golden-orange color with thin, smooth rind

Texture: Very juicy flesh

Size: Medium to large, 3 inches in diameter

Peak Season: March through June

Valencia oranges are primarily grown in California and Florida. In her book Oranges: A History, the British writer Clarissa Hyman notes that while many assume the orange hails from Valencia, Spain, the variety was named in its new home of California when it was deemed to resemble a late-maturing Old World orange by a homesick Spanish visitor. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, the Valencia is the most common orange produced in the U.S., with a crop yield of over 944,550 tons in the 2023 to 2024 season.

They are the only oranges with a peak season in late spring and early summer. Valencia oranges are beloved for their exceptional juice, which is slightly acidic and pleasantly sweet and tart. They're great for squeezing homemade orange juice to drink or use in recipes.

Navel Orange

Getty Images / Lew Robertson

Type: Sweet

Flavor: Sweet, aromatic, and mildly acidic

Appearance: Globular to slightly oval with a prominent navel on the stem end. Bright orange rind with pebbled texture. Flesh is yellow-orange.

Texture: Juicy, tender flesh with thin membranes and a spongy pith

Size: Medium to large, 3 to 4 inches in diameter

Peak Season: November through February

Navel oranges are originally from Brazil and are among the most common orange varieties in the U.S. today. Navel oranges are easily identifiable by their belly buttonlike holes at the stem end. (The Cara Cara orange is a type of navel that is becoming increasingly popular; Cara Caras have delicate pink flesh and low acidity.)

Navel oranges have a thinner skin than many other oranges and are sweet and seedless. Theyre the standard everybody knows and eats, says Valerie Aikman-Smith, chef and co-author of Citrus: Sweet and Savory Sun-Kissed Recipes. You'll always get sweetness and juiciness out of them.

Since navel oranges are seedless, they must be propagated through grafting onto other trees, a process that requires careful attention to ensure healthy fruit production. Grafting is more labor-intensive than growing oranges from seed because the trees are slower to mature and more susceptible to diseases, which adds complexity to large-scale orange farming.

Navel oranges are ideal for eating on their own or adding to fruit salads. While navel oranges contain a substantial amount of juice, a naturally occurring antioxidant called limonin turns the juice bitter and sour about 30 minutes after exposure to air, and its best to drink the juice immediately.



Blood Orange

Getty Images / Lew Robertson

Type: Sweet

Flavor: Floral, sweet, and tart with raspberry notes

Appearance: Obovoid to globular with a blushing orange rind and dark red flesh

Texture: Medium-thick spongy pith and juicy flesh

Size: Medium to large, 2 to 3 inches in diameter

Peak Season: December through April

The blood orange, a hybrid of the pomelo and tangerine with origins in the southern Mediterranean, is known for its ruby flesh and vibrant floral notes. Popular varieties of blood orange include the arancia rossa di Sicilia, sanguinello moscata, and moro, each offering distinct levels of sweetness, tanginess, and intensity. The flesh can range from reddish-orange to maroon, crimson, or a saturated, almost black hue. The color comes from purple-red pigments called anthocyanins, which also gives fruits and vegetables like blueberries and beets their color.

Aikman-Smith describes the fruit as having a tart, slightly perfumed flavor with subtle bitterness. The fruit has very few seeds, and the flesh is soft and juicy with hints of cherries and raspberries. Blood oranges are beautiful in salads and their juice is great for cocktails.

Seville Orange

Getty Images / Nikand4

Type: Sour

Flavor: Floral, bitter rind with sour flesh

Appearance: Round with thick, bumpy, yellow-orange rind; orange flesh

Texture: Spongy pith with soft, juicy flesh and cream-colored seeds

Size: Medium, 3 inches in diameter

Peak Season: January through March

Also known as bitter or sour oranges, Seville oranges (hailing from Seville, Spain) are highly acidic. Because of their intense tartness, Seville oranges aren't ideal for eating on their own. However, the fruit is great for cooking with, and it is a staple ingredient in both Spanish and Mayan cooking, where their vinegar-like acidity livens up sangria, cochinita pibil (Yucatan-style barbecued pork), and other dishes. The Seville oranges high pectin content makes it an especially good citrus variety to use for marmaladewhen balanced with sugar, the fruits bitter rind and sour kick add great depth to preserves.



Mandarin

Getty Images / Andrey Elkin

Type: Mandarin

Flavor: Sweet and strong

Appearance: Deep orange color and oblate or spherical shape

Texture: Soft flesh with loose, easy-to-peel skin

Size: Small to medium, 1 1/2 to 3 inches in diameter

Peak Season: November through March



Mandarins have a bright, sweet, and slightly tangy flavor with a juicy, refreshing texture. The term mandarins refers to a subset of mandarinslike clementines or satsumasthat are often labeled "mandarin" without identifying the specific variety of citrus sold.



They are typically sweeter, less acidic, and easier to peel than oranges. They are significant in Chinese Lunar New Year festivities: Their deep orange color and round shape are considered auspicious, symbolizing wealth and good fortune. There are nearly 200 varieties of mandarin, including tangerines. Most mandarins have soft, loose skin that's easy to peel and the fruit are virtually seedless, making them a convenient snack.



Tangerine

Getty Images / Natikka

Type: Mandarin

Flavor: Robust sweet-tart

Appearance: Round and slightly flattened with a broad, curved middle; dark orange-red color

Texture: Thin, smooth peel with tender, juicy flesh and cream-colored seeds

Size: Small to medium, 2 1/2 to 3 inches in diameter

Peak Season: November through March

Tangerines, which belong to the mandarin family, are pebbly and have a bright orange hue with sweet, tangy flesh. In the 19th century, Italian immigrants brought tangerines from Tangiers, Morocco, to the U.S. The fruit usually contains seeds, however, many tangerine hybrids including tangelos, clementines, minneolas, and satsumas, are seedless. Like mandarins and clementines, tangerines are very sweet and easy to peel, making them an excellent choice for snacking.

Clementine

Getty Images / Teen00000

Type: Mandarin

Flavor: Sweet, subtly tangy with floral nuances

Appearance: Round and slightly flattened with thin, bright, and shiny orange skin

Texture: Smooth rind with juicy and tender flesh with little pith

Size: Small, 1 1/2 to 2 inches in diameter

Peak Season: November through January

Clementines are the smallest type of mandarin and are commonly known by their brand names Cuties, Sweeties, and Halos. These small fruits are super sweet and slightly tangy with floral notes. Theyre typically seedless and have reddish-orange skins that are thin, smooth, and shiny. They are easier to peel than tangerines, with a very thin pith that doesnt stick to the flesh.

Satsuma

Type: Mandarin

Flavor: Mild, sweet, and subtly tangy with honeyed nuances

Appearance: Round and slightly flattened with a broad, curved middle. Color is slightly less bright than other mandarins

Texture: Smooth rind and succulent flesh with very little pith

Size: Small to medium, 2 1/2 to 4 inches in diameter

Peak Season: October through December

Satsumas tend to be flatter than other mandarins and have bumpy rinds. They are easy to peel with a sweet and lightly acidic flavor. Store-bought satsumas are mostly seedless, though homegrown satsumas can contain seeds. They are often enjoyed fresh and are also commonly used for canning.

There are more than 100 varieties of satsuma worldwide, including miyagawa (a common variety in Japan) and xie shan (a Chinese variety). Most of the satsumas available in the United States are owari, a variety from Japan. Satsumas are distinct from other mandarin species for their cold tolerance, and can grow in temperatures where most citrus cannot. While most oranges grow best in temperatures of 65F (18C) and above, satsumas can flourish in temperatures as cool as 55F (13C), and have been known to stand up to even lower temperatures.

Sumo Citrus

Getty Images / ruiruito

Type: Mandarin

Flavor: Rich, refreshing, fruity, balanced, sweet, and tangy

Appearance: Round to oval shape with a protruding knob and furrowed neck. Yellow-orange in color

Texture: Coarse, bumpy rind. Thin pith and firm yet soft, succulent flesh

Size: Medium to large, 3 to 4 inches in diameter

Peak Season: January through April

In 1972, growers in Japan created a new seedless citrus varietySumo Citrusby crossing a tangor (a hybrid between an orange and a satsuma mandarin) with a ponkan, a citrus fruit popular throughout Asia. In Japan, this variety is known as Dekopon; in the US, it is marketed as Sumo Citrus, a name inspired by its typically large size, the bump's resemblance to a top knot, and its Japanese heritage.

Sumo Citrus is one of the most labor-intensive orange varieties to cultivate, hence its heftier price tag. It takes four years for the trees to start producing fruit after theyre grafted. Each fruit is hand-picked, then cured for 20 to 40 days to reduce the its acidity and boost sugar levels. As the Sumo sits in storage, its starches gradually break down into sugars while citric and malic acid levels decrease to create that signature bright, sweet flavor. Curing also allows moisture to redistribute within the fruit, which makes the flesh juicier and the peel easier to remove.

How to Choose the Best Oranges and Mandarins

In general, Aikman-Smith recommends looking for citrus fruit that is glossy and firm with a slight give. The fruit should have no soft spots, discoloration, or bruising on the skin, which could indicate rotting or damage. While a bright orange color can be appealing and can be a sign of ripeness, its not the only indicator of an orange or mandarin's quality. A better indicator of an orange or mandarin's juiciness and flavor is its weight and scent: It should feel heavy for its size and have a fresh zesty aroma.

Aikman-Smith explains that supermarket oranges are often picked while theyre not fully ripe, as harvesting them early makes the fruit firmer and less prone to damage during transport. However, because oranges develop much of their natural aroma and sweetness as they ripen on the tree, picking them too soon means they dont have time to fully develop the volatile compounds responsible for their signature citrus scent. As a result, these oranges often have little to no aroma.

Citrus season typically begins in November and lasts until June, with the exception of Valencia oranges, which are in season during the early summer. According to Aikman-Smith, buying oranges in season means you're more likely to get fruit that was harvested recentlyespecially if you live in a region where oranges growrather than fruit that has been stored for months or shipped from thousands of miles away. (If you live in a place like Maine, for instance, buying in-season would be the difference between buying domestic oranges vs. those shipped in from Brazil.)

If possible, consider visiting a local pick-your-own citrus orchard, as you will likely get the freshest and most flavorful fruit. Alternatively, you can shop at farmers' markets and grocery stores that offer regionally cultivated fruits. If you don't live in a citrus-growing region, seek out vendors who carefully select the fruits they sell.

How to Cook With Oranges

While oranges and mandarins are often enjoyed raw, cooking with them can enhance their sweetness, mellow their acidity, and infuse dishes with bright citrus flavor. The key to cooking with oranges is balancing their sugars and acidity to complement other ingredients. For this reason, some recipes where flavor complexity is paramount and subtle flavor variations can make or break the dishsuch as sauces and baked goodsmay call for a specific orange variety. Some dishes, such as salads and frozen desserts, allow for more freedom to experiment, as each type of orange offers unique ways to add brightness and nuance to recipes.

Fresh Juice

The thin skin of Valencia oranges and their nearly seedless pulp make them ideal for juicing. The juice is delicious drunk on its own, or incorporated into syrups, cocktails, smoothies, and vinaigrettes. To give your sauces, cocktails, and desserts a bright pop of color, consider using blood orange juice. You can freeze any orange or mandarin juice when the fruit is in season, then thaw the juice when youre ready to use it.

Marinade, Sauce, and Braising Liquid

Orange juice makes for great marinades, not only because of the flavor it brings, but also because the acid helps tenderize the meat by breaking down its proteins and connective tissues. The sour juice and fragrant zest of Seville oranges are ideal for cooking Cuban-style mojo pork, as their tartness helps cut through the richness of the dish. Seville oranges are also the fruit of choice for duck a l'orange, where sweet orange juice would be far too cloying.

Segments

Sweet oranges can be segmented and tossed into a salad or ceviche. Firmer-fleshed varieties like the Valencia hold up especially well, as in this Spanish-style salad. Smaller mandarins might be more difficult to slice into supremes, but their lack of pith makes the fruit easy enough to simply peel, separate into segments, and add to a salad.

For an easy dessert, consider serving segmented oranges as they do in Thailandin a refreshing iced syrupor dipping seedless tangerine or Sumo citrus segments in dark chocolate, then topping them with chopped nuts for extra crunch.



Zest

Orange zest lightens up heavy dishes by providing much-needed freshness. A delicious way to do it is with gremolata, which is one of Aikman-Smiths favorite uses for navel orange zest, especially when served with lamb or osso buco. Zest also adds a lovely aroma to salads, vinaigrettes, desserts, and orange curd.

Preserves

Seville oranges and their seeds have an abundance of pectin, which is why this variety is often the orange of choice for orange marmalade. Another great variety for preserves is the mandarin, which has an enticingly sweet flavor.

Baked Desserts

Sweet orange juice can enhance desserts such as tarts and creme brulee. Sour oranges can also be used to make an orange meringue pie, where the bitterness of the fruit helps offset the sweetness of the meringue, or as a citrus substitute for a key lime pie. Toss whole satsuma segments into cake batter, or caramelize oranges to top off baked goods like a cheesecake.

How Long Do Oranges Last?

While you can refrigerate oranges for a few weeks, it's best to eat them fresh within a few days, as their quality will deteriorate as they sit and lose moisture. In our orange storage tests, we found that oranges will keep best in the refrigerators crisper drawer, where they can be stored for up to three weeks. Avoid putting them in sealed plastic bags, as they will soften more quickly and may mold. You can also freeze the juice for up to six months.

Read the original article on Serious Eats
A Maryland tourist who was found dead on a beach in the Bahamas drowned, officials said Wednesday, but his family is seeking answers about what led to his death.

The man was identified by the Royal Bahamas Police Force as 23-year-old Dinari McAlmont. McAlmont was from Bowie, Maryland, a suburb of Washington, D.C., and had arrived in the country on Friday, April 4 with family members, police said.

McAlmont was found on a beach on Paradise Island early Saturday morning. A post-mortem examination found that he "died as a result of drowning," police said. A toxicology analysis is forthcoming and an investigation remains ongoing, but authorities said that "foul play is not suspected at this time."

McAlmont's mother, Michelle McAlmont, told Bahamian news outlet Eyewitness News that she believed foul play led to her son's death. She said she had been contacted by Bahamian police around 1 a.m. and told that someone had reported her son to authorities, alleging that he had spat at them. She said police showed her a photo of his body, where he had injuries to his face and sand in his hair. Her comments were made before police said McAlmont drowned.

Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island in the Bahamas. / Credit: Laurie Chamberlain / Getty Images

"I need justice for my baby," she said. "I need justice. That would never have been how he would have done himself."

Michelle McAlmont said that the family had been planning to leave the island on Monday. She said she has hired a lawyer.

McAlmont was an engineer at Lowcation Studios, a recording studio in Brentwood, Maryland. In a statement, the company described him as a "great friend and an all around incredible individual" who was "deeply passionate about his work and always committed to bringing the ideas of artists to life."

"It's hard to imagine life in general and life at the studio without him," the studio said.

Paradise Island is connected to New Providence Island, the Bahamas' most populous, by two bridges. Paradise Island is dotted with hotels, including the luxury resort Atlantis. McAlmont was staying at Atlantis, the resort told CBS News in a statement.

"We are deeply saddened by the passing of one of our guests. Our condolences are with the guest's family and loved ones during this difficult time," the resort said in an emailed statement. "The police authorities are carrying out an investigation of this tragic incident. We await the police's findings and will not comment on speculation."

The Bahamas are under a Level 2 travel advisory. In the advisory, the U.S. State Department warns about swimming-related risks and crime.

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Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey

While cleaning out my grandparents home last year, my mom and her siblings rediscovered my grandmothers treasure trove of cookbooks, including Betty Crockers Guide to Easy Entertaining, a 1959 volume designed to school you in how to have guestsand enjoy them. Its practical (including a list of emergency shelf items you should have in the pantry to help stretch a meal for unexpected visitors); at times a little snarky (re: a crashing bore of a guest: Treat him as if he were fascinatingand maybe youll find that he has something.); and expectedly, a bit dated. This idea of enjoying your guests made me laugh: Was it a dig at dull conversationalists and incessant one-uppers? But then I realized that while I love having guests, Im terrible at enjoying them, given that I spend half the night running around topping drinks and sneaking things in the dishwasher, rather than savoring the company of friends, who are decidedly not crashing bores. In the spirit of changing my ways, I turned to five Southern hosts I respect and admire, including my mother. Here are their tips and tricks for hosting guestsand actually enjoying them.

Related: 10 Of Grandma's Best Hosting Tips

Lean On What You Know

Dont be a party martyr, says Josh Miller, senior food editor here at Southern Living. (He wrote a whole summer menu based on this principle in a recent issue.) You should read it if you havent. Its really helpful, and the recipes are deliciously easy.) Miller is a recovering frantic host, which he ascribes to his old habit of using entertaining as an excuse to try new things. Now, hes big on serving tried-and-true dishes. When you start taking the guesswork out, you can go on autopilot in the kitchen, which is key to being engaged with your guests. Hes also in favor of those recipes that can be largely made ahead or popped in the oven just before guests arrive. When people see you hustling or stress, they feel guilty, he notes. I want folks to absorb good, calm vibes from me, as opposed to frantic ones.

Relinquish A Little Control (and Fix Yourself A Drink)

In order for your guests to be relaxed, you have to be (or at least appear to be) relaxed, says Rebecca Gardner, the creative mind behind Houses and Parties, an event planning and interior design collective based in Savannah, Georgia, and New York. Do not try to do everything yourself. Delegate. Make lists. Hire helpers. Then, when the time comes, have a glass of wine and let go!

Do Your Research

Try to customize the experience to your guests before they arrive, says Courtney Zentner, one half of the husband-wife duo behind The Drifter, a culinary and event design company in Charleston, South Carolina. If you know someone has a favorite drink, have the ingredients or batch pre-done so its simple for you and a thoughtful gesture for your guest. Always make sure to know any allergies ahead of time to ensure you arent pivoting quickly. And rather than keeping visitors out of the kitchen, she says to welcome them in. Try to host cocktail hour in or near the kitchen so you can be serving and keeping an eye on the food while youre with your guests.

Outsource Guilt-Free

Purchasing something great can cut back the work you have to complete, says Michael Zentner, the other half and culinary mind behind The Drifter, who advises writing the partys menu first and working backwards from there. Getting barbecue or banana pudding from your favorite place and flowers from a florist can help with the amount you need to complete. Sometimes we get Babas [a Charleston-based cafe and catering company] to make something for our parties, or well grab some brisket from Lewis Barbecue [another local restaurant]. You should not feel that it is cheating; its really sharing something you really like.

Dont Sweat the Small Stuff

If I waited until I set the table properly and had everything just right, I would never have anybody over, says Kari Cribb, my mom and patron saint of medical students craving a home-cooked meal. I love to sit with people and chat, so I keep the food very simple and try to make it a little bit ahead of time and dont get worried about fluffing up the table too much. A lot of my best meals are the ones where I grab everyday dinner plates and make it more about the people than the table. I think its about sharing what you have with others, whatever that is. Who knows what food youll sit down to at our house, but youll have good company and a warm hug at the end of the night."



Read the original article on Southern Living
Students walk on the Stanford University campus in Stanford, Calif.

Students from California to Ohio to North Carolina are losing their visas with no explanation, being taken off the street by plainclothes officers and finding themselves subject to accusations reserved for terrorists.

As of Wednesday, authorities had revoked the visas of international students in at least 29 states  with officials largely citing a seldom-used 1952 foreign policy statute to take aim at their activism. Others visas have been terminated seemingly for past charges like DUIs.

Attorneys and advocates say it seems as though people who have protested in support of Palestinians, those with previous arrests and those with certain political social media posts are the likeliest to have been swept up.

The focus on international students is part of the Trump administrations larger immigration crackdown and deportation machine, immigration attorneys and policy experts say, with immigrants of all statuses being scrutinized.

Its just part of their whole plan about reducing immigration entirely, said Jath Shao, a Cleveland-based immigration attorney who runs a virtual law firm and represents several international students, most of them Asian. They come after the small and the weak  people who dont have as many resources to defend themselves.

Students and schools say there is mass confusion about the reasons behind the revocations, the legality of the governments actions and what options those without visas or status now have when it comes to getting their education.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement didnt immediately respond to a request for comment.

Which student visas are at risk, and what do they do?

Most of the students who have been targeted are studying in the United States under the F-1 and J-1 visas. The F-1 visa allows noncitizens to enter the United States as full-time students at accredited education institutions. And to qualify for those visas, people must meet certain criteria, including approval from ICE, proficiency in English or enrollment in courses that lead to English proficiency and sufficient funds to support themselves during their entire courses of study.

The J-1 visa, available to students, teachers, researchers and other specialists, allows people to participate in approved programs for studying, conducting research, receiving training or demonstrating special skills. And after their programs are complete, they are required to return to their countries within 30 days.

Which schools are being affected?

The State Department began revoking visas last month, targeting foreign-born students at schools across the country. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said last month that the State Department has revoked hundreds of students visas, taking aim at international students who participate in political activism.

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, Rubio said at a news conference last month.

Those students have included Mahmoud Khalil, of Columbia University, a pro-Palestinian activist and green-card holder, whom ICE arrested and detained in early March, and Rumeysa Ozturk, of Tufts University, whom immigration officials apprehended on the street near the school a few weeks later.

Other cases fall outside the bounds of political protest, like that of Dogukan Gunaydn, a Turkish student at the University of Minnesota, who was arrested in front of his home in St. Paul at the end of March because of a 2023 drunken driving conviction.

Shao said he has encountered many other cases of students in fields from materials engineering to epilepsy research. Some students were given vague reasons for the visa revocations, while others werent given any at all. Many schools said they were in the dark, as well.

Stanford, for example, said it found out about six visa revocations while it was doing a routine check of its Student and Exchange Visitor Information System database, which maintains information about nonimmigrant students and exchange visitors.

It really feels like somebody wrote a computer program: If arrested, then terminate, Shao said.

The State Department directed NBC News to comments spokesperson Tammy Bruce made Tuesday at a media briefing.

We dont discuss individual visas because of the privacy issues involved, Bruce said. What we can tell you is that the department revokes visas every day in order to secure our borders and to keep our community safe.

The Department of Homeland Security recently created a task force that uses data analytic tools to scour international students social media histories for potential grounds to revoke their visas, three sources familiar with the operation previously told NBC News. They also said that the task force is searching for charges and criminal convictions on students records as well.

Why is the Trump administration targeting students?

The Trump administration hasnt said publicly why such students are being singled out over others. But immigration attorneys and policy experts say it all goes back to the centerpiece of the Trump campaign: mass deportations. Kathleen Bush-Joseph, an attorney and policy analyst with the U.S. Immigration Policy Program at the Migration Policy Institute, said it is an example of the administrations taking a whole-of-government approach to that immigration strategy.

Here were seeing the Department of State working to cancel the visas of many students and those actions being done in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security, which is the agency in charge of prosecuting these deportation cases in court, Bush-Joseph said.

In the cases of Ozturk and other students who have been arrested in recent weeks, the Trump administration has cited a rarely used provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952. It allows the secretary of state to deport noncitizens if the secretary determines their presence in the country would result in potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States.

Elora Mukherjee, director of the Immigrants Rights Clinic at Columbia Law School, said its also an effort by the government to send a clear message about who is unwelcome in the United States, especially since most students appear to be from nonwhite backgrounds.

U.S. immigration policy seems to be driven by xenophobia, white nationalism and racism right now, Mukherjee said.

What legal rights do students have?

Multiple students have sued the government because of the revocations.

The government maintains the right to revoke visas for various reasons, including DUI convictions or related offenses. They can also be revoked for national security purposes at the discretion of the State Department.

Given the fact that the executive branch has such far-reaching discretion in many cases, it can be really difficult to determine whats going on in specific cases, Bush-Joseph said. As a quick example of this, for a green card, someone can meet all of the requirements and still be denied just as a matter of discretion.

Typically, Shao said, students are unable to appeal visa revocations. However, they can still reapply for visas. And they still have other rights, including the ability to stay in the country, as long as they dont leave and try to re-enter.

However, many of the international students legal statuses were terminated, as well, making them potentially subject to detention and deportation, Shao said. But the government typically doesnt have the right to remove legal status without actions such as crimes of violence or unauthorized work or dropping out of school.

Getting your visa terminated is not automatically a reason to reject your status, Shao said.

Still, many provisions of the Constitution protect all people, regardless of their status. And that means the students still have the right to defend themselves under due process and cant be deported without it, Mukherjee said. The Supreme Court affirmed that Monday in its ruling on the Trump administrations use of the Alien Enemies Act to deport migrants, she said. The court ruled that people have the right to challenge the use of the act and should be given time to challenge their detentions before they are taken out of the country.

These are some basic principles of law, basic principles underlying the Constitution, and should be respected by all three branches of government, she said. We are at the brink of a breakdown in the rule of law and the immigration space.

Often, other forms of immigration relief are available to international students, including humanitarian relief.

And while some students have received messages from the State Department urging them to self-deport, Mukherjee said they dont necessarily have to listen. Instead, she advises them to seek legal support.

Simply because the notice says you have to depart the United States immediately or you need to depart from the United States within five days, that doesnt make it lawful or true or correct or accurate, Mukherjee said.

Shao also said schools should step in to provide support.

You accepted these kids to come, Shao said. The school should try to help the kids as much as they can.
Tourist helicopter crashes in Hudson River in New York City, all 6 on board killed

A tourist helicopter carrying family members from Spain plunged into the Hudson River in New York City, killing six, including three children.

The New York Helicopters chartered chopper, which was carrying a pilot, two adults and three children, fell into the Hudson River by Lower Manhattan in New York City on Thursday afternoon, officials said during a press briefing.

Agustin Escobar, an executive from European automation company Siemens, his wife, Merce Camprubi Montal, and their children -- aged 4, 5 and 11 years old -- were killed in the crash along with the pilot, aged 36, law enforcement sources told ABC News.

The crash occurred at 3:17 p.m. off the coast of River Drive in Hoboken, New Jersey, just over 15 minutes after it departed from the Wall St. Heliport. The helicopter reached the George Washington Bridge before turning south and crashing, officials said during the briefing.

The five-person family was from Barcelona, Spain, two Spanish officials told ABC News on Thursday.

"Our hearts go out to the family and those on board," New York City Mayor Eric Adams said during the briefing.

PHOTO: In this screen grab from a video, a helicopter crashed into the Hudson River on April 10, 2025, in New York. (AvirbhawRakesh via X )

PHOTO: First responders walk along Pier 40, on April 10, 2025, in New York, across from where a helicopter went down in the Hudson River in Jersey City, N.J. (Jennifer Peltz/AP)

Video from the crash showed the chopper plunging into the water without a tail rotor or a main rotor blade. Officials said it hit the water inverted.

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the incident.

Jersey City Medical Center, where the passengers were transported after the crash, tried as hard as they could, Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop told ABC News.

President Donald Trump took to his social media platform on Thursday evening, calling the crash "terrible" and saying that the footage of the accident is "horrendous."

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said in a post to X that the news was "devastating." He added, "Five Spaniards from the same family, three of them children, and the pilot have lost their lives. An unimaginable tragedy."

Dani Horbiak told ABC News she watched the helicopter "fall out of the sky" from her apartment window.

"I heard five or six loud noises that sounded almost like gunshots in the sky and saw pieces fall off, then watched it fall into the river," she said.

PHOTO: Rescue workers and emergency personnel work at the scene of a helicopter crash on the Hudson River near lower Manhattan in New York, April 10, 2025. (Eduardo Munoz/Reuters)

PHOTO: This October, 2022, file photo shows the helicopter that crashed into the Hudson River on April 10, 2025, in New York. (Maximilian Ruehmer-Junghardt)

"I was walking by and the helicopter went down at a 45-degree angle," Eric Campoverde told ABC News. "Big splash -- it was very scary."

"It sounded like a sonic boom," a witness told New York ABC station WABC. He said he saw the "helicopter splitting in two with the rotor flying off."

PHOTO: In this screen grab from a video, first responders rush to the scene of a helicopter crash in the Hudson River on April 10, 2025, in New York. (WABC)

MORE: Wingtip of one plane hits another on taxiway at Reagan airport: FAA

Another witness told WABC, "One propeller broke into pieces."

The chopper -- identified by the Federal Aviation Administration as a Bell 206 helicopter -- was on its sixth flight of the day. It was found upside-down in the 50-degree water when rescuers arrived at the scene, which was closer to the New Jersey side of the Hudson River, according to sources.

The Jersey City Police Department is taking the lead on the investigation since the helicopter crashed on the Jersey City side of the river, Fulop told WABC on Thursday.

Fulop said the city has had concerns about the air traffic over the Hudson before and is hoping this brings more attention to their safety concerns.

ABC News' Leah Sarnoff and Erin Murtha contributed to this report.

Tourist helicopter crashes in Hudson River in New York City, all 6 on board killed originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
A trucker's mistakes may have caused a fiery crash in June 2023 that took the driver's life and collapsed an I-95 overpass in Philadelphia.

According to the National Transportation Safety Board's final report on the crash, released April 3, 53-year-old Nathan Moody entered an exit ramp from I-95 "well above the posted advisory speed limit, due to inattention to the roadway potentially associated with fatigue."

It also found that Moody had failed to secure the manhole cover of his gasoline tanker during a pre-trip inspection.

As a result, gasoline poured from the overturned truck, feeding a fire that eventually brought down the overpass for northbound I-95, it said. An inspection discovered that the interstate's southbound lanes were structurally unsafe.

The crash severed the eight-lane highway for an 8-mile stretch in both directions.

I-95 is a major artery, and the collapse along the Philadelphia waterfront not only impacted local traffic, it also cut off a portion of the East Coast's primary highway, used by an estimated 160,000 daily motorists.

Parts of highway reopened within two weeks

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro quickly made an emergency declaration, allowing the city and state to draw on federal funds to facilitate expedited repairs.

Parts of the highway reopened within two weeks, and workers raced time and the elements to erect temporary lanes.

President Joe Biden toured the scene with Shapiro in a helicopter, praising the temporary lanes as incredibly innovative in order to get this work done in record time." The work, which went on 24 hours a day, was live-streamed.

Full repairs on the roadway were completed within a year, and officials gathered for a ceremony just before the busy Memorial Day weekend on May 23, 2024, to celebrate the full reopening, NBC 10 Philadelphia reported.

The fiery crash of a truck bringing gasoline to a Wawa caused the collapse of an I-95 overpass in Philadelphia in June 2023.

Buring gasoline flowed toward Delaware River

Moody worked out of TK Transport, a Pennsauken, New Jersey, trucking terminal affiliated with Penn Tank Lines.

Moody, of Philadelphia, was driving at an estimated speed of 44-54 mph, well above the exit ramp's advisory speed limit of 25 mph, according to the NTSB report.

The truck was carrying 8,500 gallons of gasoline in a tank trailer when it tipped onto its right side at about 6:15 a.m. June 11, 2023. It was delivering the gasoline from Wilmington, Delaware, to a gas station in Philadelphia.

The reopening: Collapsed section of I-95 in Philadelphia reopened Friday with temporary lanes, fresh paint

The report said burning gasoline flowed in storm drains toward the Delaware River about 800 feet away. That caused dozens of "fuel/air explosions" that ejected manhole covers along the gasoline's path for several hours.

"First responders were instructed not to park near the manholes for safety reasons," the report said.

The streams of burning gasoline at one point caused a secondary explosion of what may have been "a discarded, maybe an old propane tank" near the crash scene, Cary Boyd, a captain with Philadelphia's fire department, told an NTSB investigator. Boyd described a loud pop, responders crouching in fear, and shrapnel raining down and hitting their helmets.

The report said 911 dispatchers received dozens of calls about the crash.

The fiery crash of a truck bringing gasoline to a Wawa caused the collapse of an I-95 overpass in Philadelphia in June 2023.

'Couldn't see anything except the fire'

Philadelphia Fire Department personnel initially were unable to make out details of the crashed vehicle because of smoke and flames beneath the overpass.

"I had no idea what was on fire, but every square foot of that underpass was nothing but flame, Boyd said. "We couldnt see anything except the fire and then the smoke billowing out.

Firefighters were kept away from the underpass, said Ted Quedenfeld, a battalion chief with the fire department.

"We werent putting anybody under the bridge, just from the fist-size concrete that was falling very quickly, you know, which then became automobile-size concrete, you know, before it fell," he told an investigator.

Critical infrastructure: A fiery physics lesson: Why the I-95 collapse in Philadelphia has no quick fix in sight

Fatigue likely a factor

The investigation showed the value of fatigue management programs to reduce accidents, the NTSB said.

Among other strategies, it said, the Philadelphia crash "highlights the importance of drivers adopting sleep schedules that do not change substantially between their workdays and their days off."

It noted that Moody's truck was not equipped with electronic stability control (ESC), which can apply braking force to individual wheels to help a driver maintain control.

A surveillance photo shows a 16-inch 'manhole cover' that was left open on a gasoline tanker involved in a fiery crash in Philadelphia in June 2023.

The investigation found an ESC system "could have helped to prevent the rollover in this crash at any of the speeds in the 4454 mph range at which the truck was traveling."

The report called on the U.S. Department of Transportation to promote ESC systems "to lighter commercial vehicles as well, where its capability of preventing a catastrophic outcome is even more assured."

This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Philadelphia I-95 tragedy likely caused, worsened by trucker mistakes
WASHINGTON - A group of House Democrats warned Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer in a letter Wednesday that President Donald Trumps immigration policies could lead to health care worker shortages.

Since coming into office, Trump has deported thousands of migrants to countries such as Colombia, Mexico, and El Salvador. Hes also taken other actions to curb immigration, including canceling the humanitarian parole program launched under the Biden administration that gave over 500,000 Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans temporary permission to enter the country.

Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and Debbie Dingell, D-Mich., wrote in a letter first shared with USA TODAY that efforts by this Administration to deport immigrants and curb immigration will aggravate the current workforce shortage and hurt the millions of Americans who need long-term services and supports.

A 2024 report from LeadingAge, an organization representing nonprofit aging services providers, found that immigrants make up 31% of the home care workforce, 21% of the nursing assistant workforce, 21% of the residential care aide workforce and 30.3% of the nursing home housekeeping and maintenance workforce.

In addition, the lawmakers note in their letter that the demand for direct care workers has grown. PHI, formerly known as the Paraprofessional Healthcare Institute, a nonprofit organization that works to improve care for seniors and people with disabilities, estimates that there will be 8.9 million total job openings in direct care from 2022 to 2032, according to a 2024 report.

Resident Helen Walsh with staff nurse Joanna Jacobs L.P.N. A federal judge in Texas rejected the Biden administration's rule that would require U.S. nursing homes to meet minimum staffing ratios.

Without the vital help of immigrant direct care workers, millions across the country will receive lower quality of care or lose access to care altogether, while others may have to rely on unpaid family caregivers, who are predominantly women, for support. This would have broad economic implications, they added.

The letter has been signed by over 40 House Democrats, including Reps. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas., and Gerald Connolly, D-Va. It was also endorsed by several unions, including the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees and the Service Employees International Union.

The letter includes a list of questions for Kennedy and Chavez-DeRemer to answer on the issue no later than April 23.

White House spokesperson Kush Desai said in a statement that Trump "was given a resounding mandate from the American people to enforce our immigration laws and put Americans first."

"The Trump administration is committed to delivering on that mandate while building on the progress made during the first Trump presidency to bolster our healthcare workforce and increase healthcare affordability, such as with President Trumps price transparency executive orders," Desai added.

USA TODAY reached out to the Health and Human Services Department and the Department of Labor for comment but did not receive an immediate response.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: AOC, Dingell say deportations could increase health worker shortage
A strengthening storm system will lash rain-soaked parts of the Ohio and Tennessee valley, where some communities are still reeling from a series of deadly storms that inundated cities and rural areas alike.

Scattered thunderstorms are expected to ramp up through April 10, bringing hail and strong winds to an area of about 33 million people, from Illinois and Ohio to northern Alabama and Georgia, according to the Storm Prediction Center.

The storms could complicate ongoing recovery operations in hard-hit states Kentucky and Tennessee, where officials warned that rivers could still rise in some areas and trigger dangerous flooding. In some areas, where floodwaters have begun to recede, people are beginning to clean up after several months of rainfall fell over a few days.

On April 9, the Ohio River appeared to crest near downtown Louisville at just below the 37-foot mark  ranking as the eighth-highest crest on record for the location. Officials have warned communities downstream of the Kentucky and Ohio rivers that they should prepare for possible major flooding and evacuations.

"While many rivers in Kentucky have crested, we still need everyone to remain alert  especially along the Ohio River in Henderson, Owensboro and Paducah," said Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear. "Please move to higher ground if needed, listen to emergency management officials and be safe."

The recent storms led to at least 23 deaths across the central and eastern U.S., including at least 10 deaths in Tennessee alone.

Death toll rises to 6 in Kentucky, governor says

Beshear said at a news conference on April 10 that the death toll from the recent storms has risen to six.

Officials confirmed the death of a 66-year-old man in Campbell County, Beshear said. Others killed in the floods include a 74-year-old woman, a 27-year-old man and a 9-year-old boy who was swept away by floodwaters as he was walking to a school bus stop.

More than 70 counties across the state have declared states of emergency as of April 10, Beshear said. The danger remains in some areas as the Ohio River rises south of Louisville and other downstream activity prompts flooding along the banks of the Rolling Fork and Green rivers.

"We are still experiencing one of the most widespread flooding events that the commonwealth has ever seen," he said.

Storms to unload heavy rain, snow along Eastern Seaboard

After bringing showers and gusty winds to the Tennessee and Ohio valleys, the storm system will swing toward the Mid-Atlantic region, where it could disrupt travel and trigger flooding in urban areas beginning April 11.

"It looks like a general 1-2 inches of rain will fall on much of the Northeast with local amounts to near 3 inches," said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dave Dombek in an online forecast. "The heaviest amounts will extend roughly from Virginia to southern New England."

The system will also dump snow along the peaks and ridges of the Appalachian Mountains and areas of high elevation across northern New England, according to the National Weather Service.

To the South, forecasters said "strong thunderstorms" will be a concern from parts of southeast Virginia to northern Florida.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Storm system to lash central US states still reeling from flooding
By Elisa Anzolin

MILAN (Reuters) -Prada struck a $1.375 billion deal to buy smaller rival Versace from Capri Holdings on Thursday, including its debt, in a move that unites two of the biggest names in Italian fashion.

Prada is seeking to expand, having defied a slowdown in luxury demand, while Versace has been operating at a loss in the last few quarters. The merger strengthens Italy's hand in a luxury industry led by French conglomerates, the biggest being Louis Vuitton owner LVMH.

The deal follows the announcement on March 13 that Donatella Versace was stepping down as the chief creative officer of the brand founded by her late brother Gianni.

"We aim to continue Versace's legacy celebrating and re-interpreting its bold and timeless aesthetic," said Prada Chairman Patrizio Bertelli

"At the same time, we will provide it with a strong platform, reinforced by years of ongoing investments and rooted in longstanding relationships," added Bertelli, husband of Prada designer Miuccia Prada. The couple are leading shareholders in the company.

Donatella Versace, whose family sold the business seven years ago, praised the new partnership.

"Gianni and I have always had a huge admiration for Miuccia, Patrizio and their family," she said.

"I am honoured to have the brand in the hands of such a trusted Italian family business and I am ready to support this new era for the brand in any way that I can," she added.

DISCOUNT PRICE

The price Prada has agreed to pay is a big discount to the roughly $2.15 billion including debt that U.S. based Capri, then known as Michael Kors, paid for Versace in 2018 when it was sold by the Versace family and Blackstone.

Previous media reports had suggested a valuation of around 1.5 billion euros ($1.7 billion) but that was before recent market turmoil over tariffs.

"This transaction reflects our commitment to increase shareholder value, strengthen our balance sheet and power the future growth of Michael Kors and Jimmy Choo," said Capri CEO John Idol.

Capri shares were 3% lower in early trading in New York and are down some 24% over the year so far.

Owning Versace, with its bold, baroque-style prints, will bring new customers to Prada, known for its minimalist style.

"Versace has huge potential. The journey will be long and will require disciplined execution and patience," said Andrea Guerra, the CEO of Prada.

Prada said it had committed to 1.5 billion euros of new debt to fund the deal.

The move comes at a time when several acquisitions and IPOs have been scuttled in the wake of a global equity sell-off and fears of recession triggered by U.S. President Donald Trump's new tariffs this month.

Since Prada's acquisitions at the end of the 1990s of Helmut Lang and Jil Sander, which leading Prada shareholder Bertelli called "strategic mistakes", the group has largely steered clear of major dealmaking.

Prada traces its roots back to a leather goods shop founded in Milan by designer Miuccia Prada's grandfather in 1913.

Known for its Medusa head logo, the label was founded by Gianni Versace in Milan in 1978. Donatella became its creative force following the killing of Gianni in Miami in 1997.

Listed in Hong Kong, Prada has expanded rapidly under Miuccia and Bertelli, owning other brands including the fast-growing Miu Miu and Church's shoes.

($1 = 0.8994 euros)

(Reporting by Elisa AnziolinWriting by Keith WeirEditing by Matt Scuffham and Elaine Hardcastle)
TOMS RIVER  A New Jersey mayor accused singer Jon Bon Jovi's community restaurant and local county commissioners of turning a library into a "day shelter and soup kitchen."

Toms River Mayor Daniel Rodrick took aim at commissioners and nonprofits, including the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation, out of concern about a growing number of homeless men drawn to the Ocean County Library.

The Jon Bon Jovi Soul Kitchen community restaurant opened in February inside the library's Toms River branch. The site offers meals for a suggested price of $12, and diners can pay it forward for those who are unable to pay. For those without enough money to afford a meal, volunteering options are available.

Rodrick said he has met with county officials in an attempt to find a solution, but the county has done nothing as the number of homeless people in the area has grown. He said parents should take their children to other branches of the county library instead.

"They've completely ignored all of our complaints and concerns," the mayor said about some of the commissioners. "Mothers shouldn't have to walk through large gangs of intoxicated and mentally ill men with their children to borrow a book."

In a statement released to news outlets, the nonprofit said, "Through our JBJ Soul Kitchen, we connect people to resources and services. Whether they need employment, mental health support, or housing, we try to remove the barriers that are keeping them from thriving, not just surviving."

Ocean County Commissioner Jennifer Bacchione said she's not heard any such complaints about the Soul Kitchen. And those who eat the restaurant say it's been a lifeline.

Homeless people hang outside the parking deck for the Ocean County Library waiting to get something to eat at the JBJ Soul Kitchen restaurant in the library. They also come into downtown because that is where the treatment facilities, social service agencies and nonprofits they need are located.

The restaurant is not a 'soup kitchen,' commissioner says

Bacchione, who serves as liaison to Ocean County's Library Commission, shot back at accusations that the library is housing a "soup kitchen."

The pop-up "does not give away food for free," she noted, adding that customers "have to clean up and do something."

Commissioners, meanwhile, have been in talks with the sheriff's department to place officers at the Toms River and Lakewood branches of the library. "It's a sad situation and we have to come up with a solution," Bacchione said of those experiencing homelessness. "In the meantime, its a public library, and we are keeping the people safe."

The entrance to the main branch of the Ocean County Library in Toms River, April 3, 2025.

She said the Soul Kitchen was not put into the library to "serve the homeless," but instead to offer another food option in the downtown for county and library workers and those at the nearby Ocean County Courthouse, along with kids who attend Toms River High School South.

She noted that the temporary lease with the Soul Kitchen expires in May, and the commissioners have not decided yet whether the pop-up will continue.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bon Jovi's restaurant targeted by town mayor over homeless people
Courtesy of Adventures By Train A woman looking out a train window while traveling through the Czech Republic.

Adventures By Train has launched new once-in-a-lifetime journey that visits 15 countries.

Passengers will get access to historic sites, famous landmarks, and national parks.

The journey unfolds across multiple trains and sea voyages for the ultimate slow travel experience.

If youve ever dreamed of seeing the world in one go, nows your chance. Tour operator Adventures By Train just launched its new Around the World by Train in 100 Days tour, an experience that brings 12 guests on an unforgettable journey to 15 different countries, all within the span of about three months.

The first journey will depart on March 17, 2026, from Londons St. Pancras station, whisking passengers to Paris for lunch. From there, theyll continue on to Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, and Turkeytraveling exclusively by train.

On day 14, theyll arrive in the country of Georgia, before leaving for Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, China, and Japan. Along the way, guests will enjoy Michelin-starred dinners, five-star hotels, immersive cultural activities, stops at historic landmarks, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences (like getting a front-row seat at a Mozart and Strauss concert in Vienna).

Frans Sellies/Getty Images The old city of Khiva, Uzbekistan located in Xorazm Province is completely surrounded by adobe walls and the oldest part, Itchan Kala in Khiva was the first site in Uzbekistan to be inscribed in the World Heritage List.

Upon leaving Tokyo, its time for the first sea voyage: a 23-day cruise across the Pacific aboard the Viking Venus, with stops in Sapporo and Alaska before concluding in Vancouver on day 72.

Next up is a journey through the Western U.S., exploring Seattle, Montanas Glacier National Park, Bozeman, Yellowstone National Park, Jackson Hole, South Dakotas Badlands National Park, and Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. At the end of the road trip (day 87), guests board Amtrak's California Zephyr, traveling from Denver to Chicago.

The final leg of the journey consists of a train ride to New York, followed by a seven-night cruise on the Queen Mary 2, which docks in Southampton, England, on day 100.

The tour is priced at a whopping $146,000 per person, although there is a couples discount of $116,225 per person. The rate includes a dedicated Adventures By Train tour leader for a majority of the trip, all accommodations, most meals, two luxury cruise ship voyages, first-class rail travel, ferry crossings, guided sightseeing tours, car or minibus transfers, and all entry fees for the sites noted in the itinerary.

If you want a similar experiencebut dont necessarily have 100 days of PTOthere are a few shorter Adventures By Train itineraries for 2025 and 2026, including a 13-day Jakarta to Bali trip and an 18-day London to Malta via Sicily journey.

For more details, head to adventuresbytrain.com.



Read the original article on Travel & Leisure
Mahmoud Khalil by the gates of Columbia University last year.

Faced with a judge's deadline to provide evidence that Mahmoud Khalil poses a national security threat to the U.S., the Trump administration responded with a brief memo citing the Columbia student protester's beliefs in justifying his deportation.

Khalil, a graduate student who helped lead protests against the war in Gaza last year, was arrested by immigration authorities on March 8. On Tuesday, an immigration judge in Louisiana ordered the federal government to provide evidence by Wednesday justifying its attempt to deport him.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio responded Wednesday evening in a memo obtained by NBC News. In a one-and-a-half-page memo, he cited an obscure provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 to justify Khalils removal from the U.S.

Rubio said that while Khalil's past, current or expected beliefs, statements, or associations that are otherwise lawful," the provision allows the secretary of state alone to personally determine whether he should remain in the country.

He said that allowing Khalil to stay in the U.S. would create a "hostile environment for Jewish students in the United States.

The foreign policy of the United States champions core American interests and American citizens and condoning anti-Semitic conduct and disruptive protests in the United States would severely undermine that significant foreign policy objective, he wrote.

Protesters gather in support of Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil in New York City on March 10.

In response, Khalil's lawyer, Baher Azmy, said that "immigration authorities have finally admitted that they have no case whatsoever against him."

"What this case is really about is whether lawful permanent residents  and other immigrants to this country  can speak out about Israels brutal attacks on Gaza and Palestine, or any other important matters of discussion in the national discourse, without fear of deportation for expressing beliefs that the First Amendment completely protects," Azmy said at a virtual news briefing Thursday. "Are U.S. citizens going to be next?

Assistant Chief Immigration Judge Jamee Comans will decide at a hearing scheduled for Friday in Louisiana whether Khalil can be removed from the United States or should be released. If she rules that Khalil can be deported, his legal team can appeal.

Marc Van Der Hout, another attorney for Khalil, said at the briefing that the Rubio memo is the only piece of evidence the government submitted to justify that Khalils presence in the U.S. would have potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences.

The government submitted, as you all have seen now, a two-page document. Two pages, thats it," Van Der Hout said. "And in that, Secretary of State Rubio says that Mahmouds presence here would create adverse foreign policy interests. But what does he talk about? He talks about First Amendment activity in the United States and the effect on people in the United States. His determination, quote, unquote, has absolutely nothing to do with foreign policy.

In less than five weeks since Khalil's arrest, immigration authorities have arrested dozens of foreign students  many of whom are Muslim  at universities across the country or revoked their visas.

Rubio said last month that the State Department had revoked more than 300 student visas. We do it every day," he said. "Every time I find one of these lunatics, I take away their visas."

On Wednesday, the Department of Homeland Security announced the creation of a task force to monitor the social media activity of immigrants, including foreign students, for antisemitism. Three sources familiar with the operation told NBC News that the task force will be screening an estimated 1.5 million foreign students studying in the United States for potential grounds to revoke their visas.

The unprecedented actions by the immigration system come amid the federal government's broader crackdown on universities in the name of combatting antisemitism.

In February, the Department of Justice launched a task force to root out what it calls anti-Semitic harassment in schools and on college campuses.

The administration has also halted hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding to several universities in recent weeks, including Columbia, Harvard and Princeton, citing dissatisfaction with how they handled last years protests against the war in Gaza.
A man was killed in a hit-and-run after trying to stop a robbery at a store owned by his family this week.

According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, the incident happened Wednesday afternoon when the male victim visited his brother's business, a Giant Discount Store in South El Monte.

During that time, a suspect entered the establishment and shoplifted, prompting the victim to chase after him into the parking lot, authorities said. A physical dispute ensued, and a second suspect joined in the altercation.

"The suspects then entered the sedan and deliberately struck the victim with the vehicle several times," the department said in a news release. "The vehicle fled in an unknown direction."

Upon arrival to the area, authorities discovered the victim with "blunt force trauma" and determined him to be deceased.

'He killed my kid over grits and eggs': Family mourns loss of teen killed at Waffle House

'I was there at the last minute of his life'

Authorities did not publicly name the victim, but local news outlets identified him as Kourosh "Steve" Yaghoubi, according to KABC and KCAL.

Per the reports, the suspect inquired about a $10 box of medical masks and exited the store without payment. Steven then approached the suspect, resulting in the harrowing altercation that his brother, Jim, witnessed.

"The body under the car was turning, all the way from the front tire to the back tire," Jim described to KABC. "I don't know why this happened. Honestly, I was there at the last minute of his life. I saw his face. I saw his eyes."

The incident, what Lieutenant Michael Modica reportedly called "a senseless act of violence," is under investigation. The suspects were described to be driving a dark-colored sedan. No arrests have been made as of early Thursday morning, according to the reports.

The city of South El Monte is about 14 miles from Los Angeles.

USA TODAY reached out to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department for more information.

Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at tardrey@gannett.com.

This story was updated to add a video.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Man killed in shoplifting incident in South El Monte, California
Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva flashes a thumbs up and winks, accompanied by first lady Rosangela da Silva during a presentation of the federal government's achievements of the past two years, in Brasilia, Brazil, Thursday, April 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)

MEXICO CITY (AP)  The leaders of Mexico and Brazil said on Wednesday they would work to strengthen trade between their nations  Latin America's two biggest economies  as a counterweight to U.S. President Donald Trump's shifting positions on global tariffs that have thrown markets into chaos.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva met on the sidelines of a regional summit in Honduras, where leaders strategized how to respond Trump's tariffs and escalating deportations, among other issues.

We decided to further strengthen relations between our two countries by promoting regular meetings between our governments and the business sectors of Brazil and Mexico, Lula said on X.

The meeting of 11 heads of state and 20 representatives from Latin America and the Caribbean, a bloc known as the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, was marked by a call to put aside differences in the face of global tensions.

Today more than ever is a good time to recognize that Latin America and the Caribbean require unity and solidarity, Sheinbaum said during the summit.

Trump on Wednesday suspended his global tariffs for 90 days on most countries other than China, which was hit with increased 125% tariffs, another escalation in the trade war between the two countries.

Even with the pause in tariffs, resentment still simmers among many trading partners and U.S. allies, which have started to look for other reliable trade alternatives in the face of uncertainty under the Trump administration.

Adding to the economic turmoil are also larger frustrations over Trump's deportation tactics, increasingly the subject of legal scrutiny and human rights criticisms, and moves by his administration that some say infringe on the sovereignty of foreign nations.

That has spanned from U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth saying that Chinese presence in the Panama Canal represents a security threat, to recent reports that the Trump administration is studying the possibility of drone strikes against Mexican cartels, which Sheinbaum has sharply rejected.

We do not agree with any kind of intervention or interference," she told reporters Tuesday in her morning news conference.
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) has declared a state of emergency for Albuquerque, ordering the National Guard to help combat crime in the states largest city.

The safety of New Mexicans is my top priority, Lujan Grisham said in a statement. This partnership represents our commitment to addressing the fentanyl crisis and juvenile crime with every resource at our disposal.

Lujan Grisham, a former member of Congress who is term limited, said the New Mexico National Guard will assist Albuquerque police with essential duties so the citys law enforcement officers can focus on what they do best  keeping our communities safe.

Harold Medina, chief of the Albuquerque Police Department (APD), sent the governor a request for assistance last month.

When we pool our resources, the impact on crime is dramatic, he wrote. This partnership is vital for efficient incident response and reinforcing community trust through visible and professional engagement.

He cited the departments need to focus more of its efforts on the citys Central Avenue Corridor, which has been plagued by the dangerous fentanyl crisis and crime in recent years. The city has also faced escalating violent crime among youths.

Unfortunately, every arrest made by APD officers and every welfare check conducted by APD personnel on the Central Avenue corridor depletes resources necessary to achieve success, Medina wrote in his request.

National Guard members will primarily back up APD with scene security and traffic control at critical incidents; medical assistance and humanitarian efforts along Central Avenue; the departments prisoner transportation, court security, aviation and drone operations efforts; and the APDs Shield Unit, which helps prepare cases for criminal prosecution, according to officials.

Lujan Grishams office signaled that up to 70 members of the states National Guard will be deployed to Albuquerque starting in mid-May. They are currently receiving additional training ahead of the mission, with assistance from the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security, Department of Public Safety, State Police and the APD.

The initiative aims to improve public safety and quality of life for Albuquerque residents by addressing immediate needs while working toward long-term solutions to the citys most pressing public safety challenges, the governors office said in a news release announcing the effort Tuesday.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
More than 150 Chinese citizens are fighting in Ukraine alongside the Russian army, which is massing on the border of Ukraine ahead of a huge spring offensive, according to Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy.

Zelenskyy made the claim that a significant number of Chinese citizens are involved in Russian President Vladimir Putin's war on his country late Wednesday in his nightly address.

The Ukrainian leader described the potential involvement of Chinese citizens as a major escalation and called on the United States and other allies for support, adding this must be met with a firm and principled response.

If the Chinese government had knowledge of the troops' deployment, it would make China the second country after North Korea to send military personnel to aid the Kremlin in its three-year-long attempt to annex Ukraine.

A Russian soldier fires artillery toward Ukrainian positions in Russia's Kursk region on Wednesday.

Zelenskyys claims came as his military chief said that a new Russian offensive had begun in eastern Ukraine.

Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi said that Russian forces have intensified assaults in all main directions, including in the countrys eastern Sumy and Kharkiv regions.

This offensive has already begun, he said according to Ukrainian media.

Such an offensive would raise questions about the seriousness with which the Kremlin is taking the Trump administration's efforts to broker peace between Moscow and Kyiv and serve to undermine the sincerity of sending Putin-ally Kirill Dmitriev to Washington this month for diplomatic talks. Dmitriev is the most senior Kremlin official to visit since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

Zelenskyy's fresh allegations come after he said Tuesday that the Ukrainian military had captured two Chinese citizens fighting with the Russian army.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian later said that China was asking citizens to stay away from and not involve themselves in armed conflict.

Lin, in a statement Thursday, urged relevant parties to refrain from making irresponsible remarks and adding that Beijing was not a party to the war and that it supported and had actively promoted the peaceful settlement of the crisis.

Zelenskyy said earlier this week that the two Chinese nationals his forces had captured were found in the countrys Donetsk region with personal documents, including bank cards, and that Russian units had significantly more than two Chinese citizens. On Wednesday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said the accusation had no basis in facts.

Zelenskyy told reporters on Wednesday that he was ready to exchange the two captured Chinese nationals only for Ukrainian soldiers in Russian captivity.

They are more talkative than the prisoners from North Korea, as far as we can see, he said, referring to two North Korean soldiers Ukraine captured in January.

Russia is trying to attract Chinese soldiers through social media platforms, he said, adding that the 155 recruits Ukraine had identified arrived in Moscow after enlistment and spent four days undergoing medical examinations followed by two months in training centers. Zelenskyy did not specify when they had arrived.

An image released Wednesday by the Ukrainian Security Service shows a detained a soldier believed to be a Chinese national.

NBC News has not independently verified the Ukrainian figures. A spokesperson for the Kremlin declined to comment Wednesday when asked about the Chinese soldiers.

The Kremlins silence came as the U.K.'s National Crime Agency said that a former Russia-appointed governor of the annexed Crimean city of Sevastopol, Dmitrii Ovsiannikov, had been found guilty by British prosecutors of breaching U.K. government sanctions on Russia  making him the first person convicted of doing so.

South Korea estimates that 11,000 North Korean soldiers have already been deployed to fight alongside the Russians, but the difference between North Korea, an impoverished and secretive nation, and China, the worlds second-largest economy, being involved in a war against an ally of the U.S. and Europe would be geopolitically seismic.

The Ukrainian air force said Thursday that Russia had launched 145 Iran-made Shahed drones over its territory overnight, with four civilians killed in the past 24 hours. Three civilians were injured in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, Ukrainian officials said, and the Sumy region was shelled nearly 300 times over the prior 24 hours.

The Russian military was likely attempting to form a buffer zone along Ukraines international border in Sumy Oblast, the Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based defense think tank, said Wednesday in an assessment.
Kseniia Petrova, a Harvard Medical researcher, who is in ICE custody after federal officials say she failed to declare frog embryos while returning to the US. - Courtesy Greg Romanovsky

Kseniia Petrovas path from a Harvard laboratory to an immigration cell began with frogs.

The Russian national who has been working as a researcher at Harvard Medical School failed to declare non-hazardous frog embryos she was carrying with her on her return to the US from France in February, Petrovas attorney said. Rather than issue a fine, Petrovas exchange visitor visa was revoked, and she was taken into custody.

Revoking Petrovas visa was a punishment grossly disproportionate to the situation, her attorney, Greg Romanovsky, said, calling the error on the customs form inadvertant.

CNN did not receive a response from the Department of Homeland Security to a request for comment, but the department told ABC News, Messages found on (Petrovas) phone revealed she planned to smuggle the materials through customs without declaring them.

Petrova now sits in an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility in Louisiana, ICE records show, waiting for a June 9 hearing that could end with her return to Russia, where Petrovas attorney says she would face immediate arrest over her previous outspoken opposition to Russias invasion of Ukraine.

Her detention is not only unnecessary, but unjust, Romanovsky said.

And Petrova isnt the only one.

CNN has reviewed court filings, statements from attorneys and announcements from more than 80 universities and colleges around the country and confirmed that more than 525 students, faculty and researchers have had their visas revoked this year.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said last month the State Department, under his direction, revoked more than 300 visas, with most of those being student visas.

The earliest high-profile cases focused on those accused of supporting terror organizations, as was the case with Mahmoud Khalils arrest following pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University.

Now, an increasing number of student deportation threats involve the revocation of visas based on relatively minor offenses like years-old misdemeanors, according to immigration attorneys, or sometimes no reason at all.

The targeting of foreign nationals affiliated with prestigious American universities comes amid the Trump administrations larger immigration crackdown, including claiming broad powers to declare some migrants gang members and deporting them without a hearing.

All of these tools that exist in the (immigration) statute have been used before, but they use them in a way that causes mass hysteria, chaos and panic with the hope that students wont get proper legal advice and theyll just, through attrition, leave the country, said Jeff Joseph, president-elect of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.

Hundreds of people associated with colleges facing possible deportation

Protesters gather outside federal court during a hearing on April 3 with lawyers for Rumeysa Ozturk, a Tufts University doctoral student from Turkey who was detained by immigration authorities. - Rodrique Ngowi/AP

A visa is a document that allows people to legally enter the US at an airport or border crossing, and it is not unusual for student visas to be revoked for a variety of reasons, Minneapolis-based immigration attorney David Wilson told CNN. But forcing people already in the US to immediately leave the country is something very different, he said, especially in the middle of an academic term.

A visa is like the key to start a car, Wilson said. Its quite different, though, to stop the car in the middle of the street and tell the person they have to get out.

That difference is at the heart of the lawsuit filed Monday by a Dartmouth graduate researcher from China. Xiaotian Liu  a computer science student who has studied in the United States since 2016  asked a court for a temporary restraining order to keep the government from throwing him out of the country.

Lius F-1 student visa was revoked, something his attorneys acknowledge the State Department has the right to do, but they say that doesnt give ICE the ability to immediately force him to leave the US, especially since he was given no explanation for it.

He has not committed any crime or even a traffic violation, his attorneys said in a court filing. Nor has he shown any violence (or even participated in any protest) in the United States or elsewhere.

A federal judge in New Hampshire granted Lius request for a temporary restraining order Wednesday. CNN reached out to DHS for comment on Lius case.

Immigration arrests often happening without warning, attorneys say

Even visitors who have been given reasons for their deportation are often surprised by what they hear.

A graduate student at the University of Minnesota, Dogukan Gunaydin, was detained by ICE on March 27 because of a prior drunk driving conviction, a senior Homeland Security official told CNN.

In a court filing, Gunaydins attorney says online records show that his visa revocation wasnt official until seven hours after he was taken into custody while on his way to class, according to CNN affiliate KARE.

Wilson, who is not involved in Gunaydins case, said driving while intoxicated is grounds to revoke a visa, but hes never seen it used to kick someone out of the country.

Union members march through downtown Minneapolis on March 29 after University of Minnesota international graduate student Dogukan Gunaydin was detained by by ICE agents. - Tim Evans/Reuters

Saying that your (legal) status is ended because of that, theres no precedent for that, he said. Theres no authority for that.

While the Department of Homeland Security has publicly touted many of its efforts to deport students and faculty, the process of revoking a visa is handled by the State Department, which has been more tight-lipped.

Due to privacy considerations, and visa confidentiality, we generally will not comment on Department actions with respect to specific cases, a spokesperson told CNN in response to questions about multiple incidents.

More than 1.5 million people were in the US in 2023 under F-1 and M-1 student visas issued by the State Department, according to a government report. And about 300,000 people per year are in the US under J-1 visas to participate in various exchange programs, including programs at universities, the State Department says.

Courts become last resort for students looking for answers

In many cases, immigration attorneys have said, the Trump administration declined to provide any details on their visa revocation decisions unless forced to do so in court.

In the case of Khalil, it was only after he filed suit that the government cited his failure to state he had previously worked for the British Embassy in Beirut and was an unpaid intern with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. By the time his case got a hearing, he had already been moved more than a thousand miles away to custody, in Louisiana.

Students and families arent the only ones being left in the dark. Several universities  including the University of Texas at Austin, Stanford University and UCLA  said the government never directly informed them that they had students whose visas had been revoked. In many cases, schools learned of the decision only after checking a government database and discovering authorization had been revoked without a specific explanation.

Mahmoud Khalil is seen at a pro-Palestinian protest encampment on the Columbia University campus in New York on April 29, 2024. - Ted Shaffrey/AP/File

The termination notices indicate that all terminations were due to violations of the terms of the individuals visa programs, UCLA Chancellor Julio Frenk in a statement to students and faculty Sunday.

Many students have had their visas revoked with no further action taken to this point, while some have been taken into custody with the authorities intention to deport them.

The very public actions that are being taken by ICE and the Department of Homeland Security around some of these students, where they are removing these students from their homes or from their streets, thats not usually done unless there is a security issue when a student visa is revoked, Sarah Spreitzer with the America Council on Education told the Associated Press. The threat of this very quick removal is something thats new.

The lack of certainty about what is leading some scholars to lose their right to study in the US is sending a chill through the international student community.

I think I want to speak in the name of everyone here, we are feeling anxious, said a freshman on a student visa enrolled at one of Philadelphias renowned universities.

CNN granted the student anonymity for fear of retaliation.

We feel anxiety because we dont know whats going to happen, the student explained in an interview with CNN between a day filled with work-study, classes and homework. People could be targeted without being related to something, you know?

Government encourages people with revoked visas to leave without hearings

Some students are receiving notification of the loss of their legal status, often accompanied with the suggestion that they self-deport rather than challenge their deportation in court and face the risk of being detained. CBP One, an online application that Customs and Border Protection used to schedule arrivals for people seeking asylum during the Biden administration, was changed last month to CBP Home to allow people to notify the government that they will voluntarily leave the US.

The CBP Home app gives aliens the option to leave now and self-deport, so they may still have the opportunity to return legally in the future and live the American dream, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said in a statement. If they dont, we will find them, we will deport them, and they will never return.

Jayson Ma, a 24-year-old Chinese national who has been in the United States since 2016 on a valid student visa, learned his visa was revoked after his university, Carnegie Mellon, called to inform him.

I have my suitcase half-packed and its something Im mentally preparing for, Ma told CNN. I just want my life to go back to normal, I want to go back to school, finish school and not have to worry about getting arrested.

The threat of being forced out of the United States permanently is being coupled with a financial cost. The Department of Homeland Security stated in a social media post that the agency could fine an immigrant $998 per day for remaining in the country after receiving a final order of removal.

Among those who have chosen to leave are Momodou Taal, who had been told to turn himself in to immigration custody while his case was being heard in the courts.

Momodou Taal speaks with CNN in November 2023. - CNN

I have lost faith I could walk the streets without being abducted, Taal said on X.

As the immigration cases slowly work their way through the courts, the speed and unpredictability of the move to deport immigrants who were in the country legally is alarming a lot of Wilsons legal clients.

I have individuals who naturalized 10 years ago asking if they have a parking ticket, can they travel? he said. People are being terrorized because of the uncertainty that the slightest contact with law enforcement will trigger a consequence that will unravel their life in the United States.

CNNs Jeff Winter, Danny Freeman, Yash Roy, Gloria Pazmino, Maria Aguilar Prieto and Javon Huynh contributed to this report.

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When my now-husband and I started dating, I found it odd that his entire family gathered at one of his grandmothers houses every holiday for feasts of delicious dishes. Several decades later, though, Im all-in on holiday food traditions like this even though I didn't grow up in a family that had them. My favorite dishes include my mother-in-laws famous Burger Bundles and Crunchy Munchy Chickena recipe my husbands Grandma Peters passed down to me on a hand-written note card when we got married.

Easter is one of the biggest food holidays for my husbands Pennsylvania-based family. Thats when my mother-in-law makes several go-to specialties, including vibrant pickled eggs (great for putting leftover Easter eggs to good use). I recently text her asking how to make them and was surprised to find out she uses Allrecipes Pennsylvania-Dutch Pickled Beets and Eggs recipe. As a food writer who contributes to Allrecipes frequently, I was delighted my mother-in-law also turns to the site for some of her most tried-and-true holiday recipes.

What are Pennsylvania-Dutch Pickled Beets and Eggs?

Terri Peters

Its a common misconception that Amish and Pennsylvania Dutch people are the same. Pennsylvania Dutch people settled in the state from Germany in the 17th and 18th centuries and have a cooking style that reflects their German and Swiss heritage. In addition to classic foods like apple butter, scrapple, and shoofly pie, the Pennsylvania Dutch are known for beet-pickled eggs.

These reddish-purple, hard-boiled eggs are pickled with beets for preservation and have a tangy, earthy, vinegary flavor thats perfect for spring menus. Beet-pickled eggs are a little sweet and a little sour, and are great both on their own as a snack and as part of a relish tray on holidays like Easter.

How to Make Pennsylvania-Dutch Pickled Beets and Eggs

These crave-worthy beet-pickled eggs are easy to make. Start by hard-boiling eight eggs, then run the cooked eggs under cold water to peel them. In a non-reactive container, place the peeled eggs, two 15-ounce cans of whole pickled beets with the juice reserved, and a chopped onion. In a saucepan, heat one cup of white sugar, the reserved beet juice, 3/4 cup cider vinegar, 12 whole cloves, two bay leaves, and salt and pepper until boiling. Reduce the heat and allow the mixture to simmer for five minutes.

Next, pour the hot liquid over the beets, eggs, and onions and allow everything to hang out, covered, in the refrigerator for at least 48 hours. Once the eggs, beets, and onions have marinated, its time to serve them. The eggs make a fresh and flavorful side dish, and the colors of the eggs and beets are perfect for Easter dinner. After all, whats not to love about beautifully dyed Easter eggs you can eat without worrying about the peel?

Once your guests head home, use the leftovers to make Easter Egg Salad With Beets, or tuck the pickled mixture away in the fridge for a few months to snack on when youre craving a sweet candied egg.

What the Allrecipes Community Has to Say

My mother-in-law isnt the only fan of Pennsylvania-Dutch Pickled Beets and Eggs.

Delicious! Just like my German Grandma used to make! John Evans

While growing up in Pennsylvania, this dish of pickled beets and eggs was always in the back of the fridge! Tastes like home!! DandyDish3132

I make this recipe exactly as written. It is my favorite pickled egg recipe. I call it candied eggs because of the sweet and slightly vinegary taste. I crave eggs this way when I havent had them in a while. The onions and beets are an extra treat! sammy

Get the recipe: Pennsylvania-Dutch Pickled Beets and Eggs



Read the original article on ALLRECIPES
Sydney Stoner was suffering from severe symptoms but was dismissed by doctors because of her young age

The then 27-year-old decided to lie about having blood in her stool in order to get a referral for a colonoscopy, which ultimately led to her stage 4 bowel cancer diagnosis

Shes now encouraging others to make sure theyre advocating for their health regardless of the age recommendations for screenings

A young woman is opening up about having to lie to her doctors to have her symptoms taken seriously.

Sydney Stoner from Little Rock, Ark., was a newlywed in her 20s when she started suffering from severe abdominal pain and frequent bouts of diarrhea and constipation, spending months suffering in silence.

In 2019, she knew she needed to seek medical attention after collapsing in pain at work, unable to move. However, Stoner said doctors dismissed her symptoms, telling her she was too young to have any concerning health problems.

"People would say it was just that time of the month or that it was just female stuff but I thought, no  it can't be that painful," she told Kennedy News and Media via The Daily Mail. When I finally spoke to a doctor, he told me I was too young for it to be anything serious.

Related: Mom Receives Shocking Stage 3 Colon Cancer Diagnosis at 25  Hours Before It Nearly Turned Fatal

Kennedy News & Media Sydney Stoner in the hospital for stage 4 bowel cancer

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At that point, I wasn't really given any other explanation, but I do remember one doctor saying it was probably IBS, she added, referring to irritable bowel syndrome.

Stoners pain ultimately continued, explaining that it felt like her insides were being twisted.

Unable to continue dealing with her pain, Stoner  who had gotten married the previous year  decided to lie to her doctors about having blood in her stool, a symptom she knew they couldnt ignore.

Kennedy News/Victoriousstl; Kennedy News & Media Sydney Stoner before and after her bowl cancer diagnosis

I had to lie to get my colonoscopy, she said. I told them there was blood in my stool because they kept saying I needed a referral first.

After telling the lie, Stoner received a referral for a colonoscopy and underwent the procedure in September 2020. Doctors informed her that they struggled to complete the procedure because they discovered a five-millimeter tumor blocking access to her colon.

Kennedy News & Media Sydney Stoner's surgery scar

Related: Groom, 35, Learns He Has Tumor the Size of an Orange After Doctors Insisted He Was Too Young for Cancer

At age 27, Stoner was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer after her tumor, which originated in her bowel, had spread to her liver and lungs.

When the doctors told me it was cancer, my whole world stopped spinning, she recalled. We were newlyweds, excited for this new chapter, and it all just came to a halt. I was terrified, but I was also really frustrated.

"Doctors said I was too young but I probably would have died before I made it to the screening age of 45, she told the outlet. It was very frustrating.

Bowel cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, is the third most common cancer in the world, after lung and breast cancers. According to the American Cancer Society, the disease is more common as you age  but there has been a steady rise in rates of colorectal cancer among young people.

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

Kennedy News & Media Sydney Stoner in the hospital for stage 4 bowel cancer

Related: Mom, 31, Claims Her Terminal Cancer Was Dismissed as 'Just Your Period'

Following her diagnosis, Stoner underwent surgery to remove the tumor from her colon in September 2020 and surgery to remove the tumor in her liver in January 2023. She also began chemotherapy to treat the cancer in her lungs.

She has since had 24 rounds of chemotherapy and is now considered stable.

Stoner, now 31, is now encouraging others to stay on top of their health and advocate for themselves regardless of the age recommendations for screening.

I know it's difficult but keep advocating for yourself because no one else is going to get that done for you, she added. "Find a new doctor, or whatever that may be. Find someone to listen to you because I know people that were diagnosed at 18 years old."

The screening age needs to be lower or there shouldn't be one at all, Stoner said.

Read the original article on People
WILMINGTON, Delaware (Reuters) -Conservative news outlet Newsmax Media defamed Dominion Voting Systems with its false reporting accusing the voting machine company of rigging the 2020 U.S. presidential election, a Delaware judge ruled Wednesday.

Dominion is seeking $1.6 billion in damages to be determined by a Delaware jury in a trial scheduled to begin on April 28 in Wilmington, said Delaware Superior Court Judge Eric Davis.

A Dominion representative said in a statement that the company was gratified by the court's thorough ruling.

A Newsmax representative did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

Shares of Newsmax were down more than 10% in late Wednesday trading while broader stock indexes were posting their biggest rally in years. The company made a stellar debut on the New York Stock Exchange after an initial public offering that raised $75 million last month.

Denver-based Dominion sued Newsmax in 2021 for broadcasting false claims that Dominion machines stole the election from President Donald Trump, who was defeated by President Joe Biden.

Trump spent weeks after the vote claiming the election had been stolen without ever presenting credible evidence of fraud.

Davis said that Newsmax statements that Dominion aided in election fraud, manipulated votes using an algorithm, was linked to Venezuela, paid kickbacks to government officials and was tied to voting irregularities in Dallas were false and amounted to defamation.

Davis said in addition to damages, jurors must decide if Dominion is entitled to punitive damages, which can be awarded if Newsmax conduct was "willful and wanton."

Newsmax's stock began publicly trading last month and surged to more than $200 a share from its debut at $10 per share. It closed at $34.71 on Wednesday.

Newsmax last year agreed to pay $40 million to settle defamation allegations brought by Smartmatic, a voting machine company that brought similar defamation allegations.

Dominion settled a similar defamation lawsuit against Fox News in 2023 for $787.5 million just as the case was about to go to trial two years ago in front of the same judge.

(Reporting by Tom Hals in Wilmington, Delaware and Jack Queen in New York; Editing by Chris Reese and Sonali Paul)
Canada has an unpredictable and less reliable American neighbour (AP)

Canada is caught between two giants with diverging interests, the United States and China. Its also grappling with the repercussions of the trade and geopolitical tensions that are pitting these two powers against one another.

On one side, Canada has an unpredictable and less reliable American neighbour, and on the other, an uncompromising China, which regularly imposes economic sanctions on Canadas strategic agricultural products, including soybeans and pork.

This exposes the geopolitical vulnerability of Canada, which is too dependent on its traditional partners.

As a political scientist and an economist, respectively, who specialize in international political economy, we study economic multilateralism, geo-economics and transatlantic relations. This has led us to consider some concrete measures that could strengthen ties between Canada and the European Union.

President Donald Trumps second term has signalled the decline of the United States as a moral leader of the world. By withdrawing from an increasing number of multilateral agreements, displaying admiration for authoritarian regimes and reviving unfounded accusations of electoral fraud, the Trump administration has weakened Americas reputation as a democratic model and trusted player on the international scene.

President Donald Trumps second term has signalled the decline of the United States as a moral leader of the world (AFP via Getty Images)

Transatlantic tensions have intensified as a result of Trumps repeated threats to pull the U.S. out of NATO, a move that calls into question the security basis of the alliance. In addition, the stalemate in trade negotiations between Washington and Brussels illustrates how differences over international trade rules and the protection of strategic industries are now growing.

Although China is in the midst of economic ascent, the country does not represent a credible alternative for Canada in the face of the U.S. withdrawal. Together, the coercive diplomacy of Chinese authorities, the countrys lack of transparency and internal tensions, particularly financial (its real estate sector is in great difficulty), limit Chinas appeal as a world leader.

Since the 2018 arrest of Huaweis chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou in Vancouver, carried out at the request of the United States, Chinese-Canadian relations have deteriorated considerably. In retaliation, China arrested two Canadian citizens, Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, sparking a major diplomatic crisis.

Since then, mistrust has deepened, fuelled by persistent tensions around cybersecurity, foreign interference and trade restrictions, but also by the recent execution in China of four Canadian citizens convicted of drug trafficking.

In this global context, the European Union is increasingly faced with the need to build strategic autonomy, both militarily and economically, in order to guarantee its sovereignty and long-term stability.

To become a stabilising force, the European Union must meet three conditions: it must have sufficient economic power, demonstrate the political will to act collectively and be perceived as a legitimate and credible entity by other democracies. From this perspective, Canada appears to be a natural and reliable partner.

On the commercial front, the foundations for a stronger partnership are already there.

The European Union is Canadas second-largest trading partner after the U.S. In 2023, the combined trade in goods and services between Canada and the EU reached a value of CA$157.3 billion. The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), in force since 2017, has eliminated 98 per cent of customs duties between the two partners, which has promoted sustained growth in trade.

But further integration would offer full access to the European single market, harmonization of standards and synergies in key sectors: green technologies, artificial intelligence, pharmaceuticals and cybersecurity. It would also give Canada access to major European programs such as Horizon Europe, a research fund of 95.5 billion euros (nearly $148 billion in Canadian dollars).

Furthermore, Canada possesses natural resources that are crucial to the European energy transition: lithium, cobalt and nickel. Enhanced collaboration would ensure a secure and sustainable supply to Europe while promoting strategic industries on both sides of the Atlantic.

In geopolitical terms, the EU is undertaking a major change in direction.

It is developing a common defence policy, supported by a budget of 800 billion euros (CA$1,237 billion) and reinforced by the Draghi report, which calls for enhanced strategic autonomy, including the consolidation of a defence industrial and technological base.

Germany, breaking with its tradition of budgetary restraint, is investing heavily in its military capabilities. Europe no longer simply wants to defend itself alongside the U.S., it wants to emancipate itself from an unpredictable America.

Canada, a staunch NATO ally and supporter of rules-based international order, could play a role in the coalition of the willing  a plan to support Ukraine adopted after the London Summit in March 2025  within the EU, without waiting for the unanimous agreement of the 27 EU member countries.

Canadas participation would make it possible to strengthen the coherence and effectiveness of European action on the international stage.

The idea of Canada joining the European Union is ambitious, but it follows a certain logic.

Canada meets the Copenhagen criteria (rule of law, democracy, market economy) and shares the fundamental values of the EU. The main obstacles would be of a technical or political nature: geographical distance, the need for Canada to align its laws and regulations with all European standards (the Community Acquis) and to adapt its agricultural supply management system to European internal market rules.

But Canada doesnt necessarily need to aim for immediate formal membership. A more flexible path could be a close strategic partnership, inspired by the Norwegian or Swiss models but adapted to Canadian realities.

Such a partnership could include enhanced access to European markets, participation in joint research, defence or energy transition projects and increased co-ordination within multilateral institutions.

The objective would not be strictly economic, but political and symbolic: to affirm a common commitment to democracy, international co-operation and respect for the global legal order.

In a changing world, Canada can no longer rely solely on its North American anchor. It must diversify its partnerships and strengthen its strategic autonomy. The transatlantic link, if rethought in a modern and flexible way, can offer this alternative.

A rapprochement with Europe could also help revitalise the democratic debate in Canada and strengthen both national cohesion around a common project and its ability to face future crises, whether economic, security or climate related.

The time has come to start this discussion, which should not be considered a dream, but an exercise in strategic foresight. Canadas future may well be shaped, in part, on the other side of the Atlantic.

Erick Duchesne is Professeur, Departement de science politique, Universite Laval

Mehdi Abbas is Maitre de conference, Universite Grenoble Alpes (UGA)

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article
STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Europe and the United States should have zero tariffs between them and Europe should aim for that in ongoing negotiations with the U.S., Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen said on Tuesday, in line with a proposal by the European Commission.

"Engaging in a global trade war is the surest way to achieve a global recession," Valtonen told a joint press conference with her Swedish counterpart in Stockholm.

"But of course the European Union now has to react to what the U.S. has put forward," she added.

White House trade adviser Peter Navarro said on Monday that the EU would need to lower its non-tariff barriers, including those created by value-added taxes, if it wanted to reach a deal to lower U.S. tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump.

Sweden and Finland, who have long cooperated closely on defence, both joined NATO in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and have pushed for a hard line on Moscow ever since, while also rapidly ramping up defence spending.

The two Nordic countries have also been among the biggest contributors of military aid to Ukraine, with Sweden announcing its 19th and biggest package of spending on support for Ukraine last week.

Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard noted that economic growth would increase the possibilities to invest in the military and to support Ukraine.

"If we impose more tariffs and barriers that lead to less economic growth or recession, then there will be less money to spend on these crucial things," Stenergard said.

(Reporting by Niklas Pollard, editing by Louise Rasmussen, Terje Solsvik and Alex Richardson)
The United States imposed new sanctions on Iran on Wednesday, days before the Islamic republics scheduled talks with Washington this weekend in Oman.

The Treasury Department designated five entities and one individual based in Iran for their support of establishments that oversee and manage Irans nuclear program.

The groups slapped by the new sanctions, issued by the Treasury Departments Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), include the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) and Iran Centrifuge Technology Company (TESA), an AEOI subordinate.

The Iranian regimes reckless pursuit of nuclear weapons remains a grave threat to the United States and a menace to regional stability and global security, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement. Treasury will continue to leverage our tools and authorities to disrupt any attempt by Iran to advance its nuclear program and its broader destabilizing agenda.

President Trump announced Monday, during Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus visit to Washington, that the U.S. would hold direct talks with Iran regarding the countrys nuclear program and the meeting would take place on Saturday. The president warned that if the talks are unsuccessful, Tehran would be in great danger.

So were going to see if we can avoid it, but its getting to be very dangerous territory. And hopefully those talks will be successful. And I think it would be in Irans best interests if they are successful, we hope, we hope thats going to happen, Trump said Monday.

Irans top official appeared to contradict Trump, writing in an opinion article that talks between Tehran and Washington in Oman would be done through an intermediary.

Iran is ready to engage in earnest and with a view to seal a deal. We will meet in Oman on Saturday for indirect negotiations, Irans Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi wrote in an opinion article for the Washington Post on Wednesday.

It is as much an opportunity as it is a test, Araghchi added, saying the meeting is a strategic choice.

State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce dismissed Araghchis claim in the article.

Thats nice for the Iranians. I would refer back to the president of the United States, President Donald John Trump, Bruce said.

Netanyahu said that a potential deal with Iran, which Trump has expressed interest in reaching for some time, has to also include the total annihilation of the Islamic republics nuclear facilities under the supervision of the U.S. He also emphasized, again, that Iran cant possess a nuclear weapon.

We agree that Iran must not be allowed to possess nuclear weapons. This can be achieved through an agreement  but only if it is a Libya-style agreement; one where the facilities are entered, dismantled, and destroyed under American supervision and execution  thats good, Netanyahu said in the video that was released Tuesday.

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A Delaware judge ruled Wednesday that the conservative news outlet Newsmax Media defamed Dominion Voting Systems through its false reporting, which accused the voting machine company of rigging the 2020 U.S. presidential election.

Dominion is seeking $1.6 billion in damages to be determined by a Delaware jury in a trial scheduled to begin on April 28 in Wilmington, said Delaware Superior Court Judge Eric Davis.

The Denver-based company sued Newsmax in 2021 for airing false claims that Dominion machines had stolen the election from President Donald Trump, who was defeated by President Joe Biden.

Trump and his allies spent weeks after the vote making wild claims that the election was stolen, without ever presenting any credible evidence of fraud. President Trump still baselessly insists he won in 2020.

In a lengthy ruling, Judge Davis stated that Newsmax's assertions in its broadcasts  that Dominion aided in election fraud, manipulated votes using an algorithm, was linked to Venezuela, paid kickbacks to government officials, and was connected to voting irregularities in Dallas  were false and amounted to defamation.

Davis said that, in addition to damages, jurors must determine if Dominion is entitled to punitive damages, which can be awarded if Newsmaxs conduct is deemed willful and wanton.

A Dominion representative said in a statement to Reuters that the company was gratified by the court's thorough ruling.

A statement from Newsmax provided to The Independent said: Newsmax covered both sides of the 2020 election dispute fairly. At no time did it defame Dominion. This case represents a serious threat to free speech and a free press and Newsmax will defend itself vigorously at trial.

A banner for Newsmax Inc. is displayed during the company's IPO at the New York Stock Exchange (REUTERS)

Shares of Newsmax fell more than 10% in late Wednesday trading, while broader stock indexes posted their biggest rally in years after President Trump announced a 90-day pause in tariffs against U.S. trading partners. At the close of trading, it stood at $34.71.

The company only debuted on the New York Stock Exchange last month after an initial public offering that raised $75 million. When the stock began trading, its value surged to more than $220 a share from an initial price of $10 before dramatically falling back.

Last year, Newsmax agreed to pay $40 million to settle defamation allegations made by Smartmatic, a voting machine company that also filed similar allegations. The company also had to issue a five-year cash exercise warrant for the voting machine firm to purchase 2,000 shares of preferred stock in the conservative cable channel.

Details of the settlement were revealed in the Newsmax investment prospectus, which also noted that there was an inherent risk to investors due to the ongoing defamation case brought by Dominion.

Dominion settled a similar defamation lawsuit with Fox News in 2023 for $787.5 million, just as the case was about to go to trial two years ago in front of the same judge. Smartmatic has also taken legal action against Fox News.

With reporting from Reuters
PANAMA CITY (Reuters) - Only President Donald Trump will make decisions about the future of U.S. troops in Europe, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Wednesday, when asked if he would keep troop levels at their current levels.

"The only person that will make a determination about force structure of U.S. troops in Europe will be President Trump, the commander-in-chief," Hegseth told reporters during a trip to Panama.

"And we will continue to have ongoing discussions, including inside the context of Ukraine-Russia negotiations, of what our force posture should be on the continent that best addresses American interests and ensures burden sharing in Europe as well."

Hegseth's remarks came a day after the top U.S. general in Europe said the United States should keep its military presence on the continent as it is now, as the Pentagon reviews its global footprint under Trump.

The U.S. military had more than 100,000 troops in Europe following Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, but U.S. Army General Christopher Cavoli said that the number had been reduced to 80,000.

"It's my advice to maintain that force posture as it is now," Cavoli told lawmakers on Tuesday during a House Armed Services Committee hearing.

Hegseth had been asked if he agreed with that assessment. During his first trip to Europe, Hegseth told European colleagues that they should not assume that the U.S. presence will last forever.

The potential changes in the U.S. military presence in Europe come amid concerns there over the future of NATO, the transatlantic alliance that has been the bedrock of European security for the past 75 years.

European belief in the U.S. as the continent's ultimate protector against any attack from Russia has been severely shaken by Trump's attempted rapprochement with Moscow and heavy pressure on Kyiv as he seeks to end the war.

(Reporting by Phil Stewart; Editing by Alistair Bell)
A laborer loads belongings of Afghan refugees onto the roof of a bus as the refugees prepare to return to Afghanistan, at a terminal in Karachi, Pakistan, Wednesday, April 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Fareed Khan) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

ISLAMABAD (AP)  Pakistan said Thursday that thousands of Afghan migrants who have applied for resettlement in third countries could face forced expulsion if they are not relocated by host nations before the end of April.

Deputy Interior Minister Talal Chaudhry did not mention specific host countries, but his announcement follows the suspension of U.S. refugee admissions programs that has left over 25,000 Afghan nationals facing uncertainty. Some of the Afghans also are trying to resettle in other Western countries, including the U.K.

Chaudhry said an April 30 deadline for resettlement of applicants has been communicated to potential host countries. He also said that any foreigners in the country illegally would be deported immediately, and that those who have obtained U.N. refugee status would be allowed to stay at least through June.

Many Afghans fled their country after the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in 2021, fearing reprisals. Some had worked with the U.S. military, international organizations, aid agencies, media outlets or human rights groups.

Thousands already have been relocated to the United States, with those who worked for the U.S. military given a priority by the U.S. government. Thousands more have been living in Pakistan while seeking relocation to the United States or other Western countries.

Chaudhry said thousands of Afghans have been sent back over the past week as part of expulsions that began in October 2023, when Pakistan launched a crackdown on foreigners living illegally in Pakistan. Since then, more than 850,000 Afghans had been repatriated.

He said an estimated 800,000 additional Afghan migrants are in the country illegally, and that 1.4 million are in Pakistan with U.N. refugee status.

Spokesman Shafqat Ali Khan at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told a news conference that the expulsions were not targeted specifically at Afghans and that any foreigners in the country illegally were being deported.

He also said Pakistan was engaged with U.N. agencies for the protection of people in vulnerable situations. There is hardly any example of a country which has been more generous to refugees than Pakistan, he said.
Michael Fortsch | Unsplash

(The Center Square)  Taxpayers giving breaks to the solar industry at the expense of some of "the best farmland in the state" is a misdirection of the General Assembly's intention, a farmer and bill sponsor told a North Carolina legislative committee Wednesday.

When this was being sold to the General Assembly, it would be on nonproductive land, said Rep. Jimmy Dixon, R-Wayne. I cant tell you how many times I heard that this would be on nonproductive, low-performing land. Over and over, that was one of the selling points for it.

But instead, the solar panels have been positioned on the best farmland in the state, Dixon said.

The legislator said he is a firm believer in property rights that allow farmers to lease their land for solar panels. But the tax breaks are a subsidy paid by all taxpayers, he said.

Dixon is chairman of the Agriculture and Environment Committee. Discussion centered on the Farmland Protection Act, or House Bill 729. North Carolina's No. 1 industry is agriculture and agribusiness, estimated at a $111.1 billion economic impact.

Growth in agriculture and agri-business since 2022 is by $18 billion. About 42,500 farms are operated on 8.1 million acres.

Dixon originally favored reducing the tax break from 80% to 40%, but now wants it reduced to zero.

There will be no exclusion going forward, he said of the latest version of the bill.

For future solar projects, the Farmland Protection Act would eliminate the 80% property tax break on equipment, Dixon said. Millions in revenue for counties is lost by the law as it stands, he said.

Kevin Leonard, executive director of the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners, spoke in favor of the bill Wednesday.

Our associations full support of this legislation is not a statement on clean energy, Leonard said. Many of our commissioners support those issues. For us, this is our associations and our counties concerns about the impacts of unfunded mandates to exempt property taxes.

Counties have limited ways to raise revenue to fund services, he said.

Thirteen North Carolina counties each suffer $1 million per year losses due to the solar equipment, Leonard said.

Repealing this would have a major positive impact for those counties to support the functions that they are required by this body to provide, Leonard told legislators.

But George Draper, who owns 38 acres in Anson County, defended the tax breaks. He has leased some of his land to a solar company since 2015.

My wife and I are both retired and we rely on this income. he said. This bill could have a detrimental effect on landowners across North Carolina.

Dixon stressed his intent was to halt the tax breaks on future projects.

The committee heard comments on the legislation Wednesday but did not vote on it. Dixon described it as a work in progress.
Thong Vo | Unsplash

(The Center Square) - Those born after Dec. 31, 2004 may never purchase a cigarette in the Silver State if Nevada Assembly Bill 279 is passed.

Or at least, that would be the case if it were not for the bill's gambling loophole.

AB 279 bans the sale of cigarettes to those born after Dec. 31, 2004, unless the sale is made at a casino. The bill would also ban any vapes not approved for sale by the federal government.

This bill is designed to prevent young Nevadans from ever taking up and becoming addicted to cigarettes, said Assemblymember David Orentlicher, D-Clark County, the bills primary sponsor and a graduate of Harvard Medical School, at the Assembly Revenue Committee meeting on April 1. Under this bill, the minimum age to buy cigarettes will rise by one year every year. Twenty-one today, 22 next year, 31 in 10 years.

But the question is whether this would simply mean more foot traffic for casinos, which would keep the 21-year-old limit for cigarette purchases.

Proponents argue the bill would discourage smoking despite the casino loophole.

I think some proportion of people who are determined to get cigarettes will certainly go to casinos, said Jennifer Pearson, a public health associate professor at University of Nevada, Reno, at the Assembly hearing. But she added, "Young people are growing up in a society where smoking cigarettes is becoming less and less normalized  Its really going to be a lot of barriers to them, and most people are going to take the easy way, which is, theyre not going to smoke, or if theyre determined to get nicotine, theyre going to use the lower harm forms like e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches.

Cigarettes have responsible for nearly 500,000 deaths in the U.S. per year  more than double drug overdoses, gunshots and traffic collisions combined, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The Cigar Association of America and the Energy and Convenience Association of Nevada argued the ban was too extreme because of the decline in smoking rates among young people, as reported by News 3 LV.

Those pushing for the bill argued a tobacco ban was not as extreme as it may sound.

At least 15 other governments have set endgame goals, including the U.S.," said Chris Bostic from the Action on Smoking and Health Organization. Tobacco endgame is not radical but rational. What is radical is that we have allowed the tobacco industry to sell a product that addicts and kills its consumers when used exactly as intended. No other industry gets to do this.

Besides the health benefits, AB 279 will save money, Pearson noted.

Smoking directly causes $1.25 billion in annual health care costs for Nevada," she said. "The portion of these costs covered by the states Medicaid program totals $160.1 million. This is contrasted to a projected 2025 income from cigarette excise taxes of roughly $113 million.

The Assembly meeting closed with no vote on the bill.
By Stephanie van den Berg

THE HAGUE (Reuters) -Sudan on Thursday told the International Court of Justice that the United Arab Emirates was violating the Genocide Convention by supporting paramilitary forces in Darfur and asked judges to issue emergency preventative orders.

Sudan's complaint to the Hague-based ICJ - known as the World Court - is in connection with intense ethnic-based attacks by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and allied Arab militias against the non-Arab Masalit tribe in 2023 in West Darfur, documented in detail by Reuters.

The UAE has repeatedly dismissed the filing of the case as a political game.

"The genocide against the Masalit is being carried out by the Rapid Support Force, believed to be Arab from Darfur, with the support and complicity of the United Arab Emirates," Sudan's acting justice minister, Muawia Osman, told the United Nations' top court.

Attacks against the Masalit were determined to be genocide by the U.S. in January.

Sudan accuses the UAE of arming the RSF which have been fighting the Sudanese army in a two-year civil war - a charge the UAE denies but U.N. experts and U.S. lawmakers have found credible.

"There was no credible evidence presented to support (Sudan's) claims," Reem Ketait, a top official at the UAE ministry of foreign affairs, said in a statement after Sudan's presentation.

Earlier she told journalists the court case was a "cynical and baseless PR stunt".

The Sudanese justice minister asked the court to order the UAE to prevent genocidal acts against the Masalit.

As cases before the ICJ can take years to reach a final conclusion, states can ask for emergency measures which are meant to ensure the dispute between the states does not escalate in the meantime.

The Emirates will present its side of the case to ICJ judges later on Thursday and is expected to argue that the court has no jurisdiction.

(Reporting by Stephanie van den Berg; Editing by Alison Williams)
ZURICH (Reuters) - Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter said on Wednesday she had spoken to U.S. President Donald Trump by telephone about trade and was looking forward to reaching agreements after Switzerland was hit with bigger import tariffs than its EU neighbours.

"In today's phone call with President Donald Trump I conveyed both Switzerland's stance on bilateral trade, and ways to address U.S. ambitions," she said on X. "We agreed to continue talks in the interest of both our countries. Looking forward to working out solutions in the very near future."

When the Trump administration announced its tariffs last week, Switzerland was hit disproportionately with a 31% rate, compared with 20% on the European Union and 10% on Britain.

Switzerland, which abolished industrial tariffs last year, has an economy heavily oriented to trading with the rest of the world, and the U.S. is its single biggest export market.

Earlier, a survey of industry lobbies and firms by business group Economiesuisse showed that nearly half were strongly or very strongly affected by U.S. tariffs on Swiss exports.

(Reporting by Dave Graham; editing by Andrew Cawthorne and Thomas Seythal)
After Ukraine, the US is looking at Pakistan in its continued hunt for rare minerals, Islamabad announced on Wednesday.

Pakistan has one of the worlds largest copper and gold deposits as well as rich quantities of lithium, a key component in batteries.

In return for past and future military and financial support in the war against Russia, the Donald Trump administration has been asking Ukraine for a deal that would give the US nearly half of the war-torn countrys revenues from critical minerals, oil and gas as well as stakes in key infrastructure like ports through a joint investment fund.

Now, American companies are looking at Pakistan for minerals. Their interest was conveyed to prime minister Shehbaz Sharif by Eric Meyer, senior official at the State Department Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, at a meeting in Islamabad, the government said in a statement.

This comes a day after Pakistan hosted a Minerals Investment Forum, an international summit aimed at attracting foreign investment in the countrys mining sector.

The summit saw participation from international companies such as Canadas Barrick Gold as well as government officials from the US, including Mr Meyer, the UK, Saudi Arabia, China, Turkey, and Azerbaijan.

A prospector searches for gold in Kabul river in Khairabad area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan (AFP/Getty)

Mr Meyer acknowledged the potential of Pakistans mineral sector, the statement said, adding that American companies were keen to explore investment opportunities.

He reaffirmed Washingtons interest in expanding bilateral cooperation in trade, investment and counterterrorism.

Mr Sharif said Pakistan possessed mineral reserves worth trillions of dollars, offering immense opportunities for foreign investment that could help the debt-ridden nations climb out of its current financial morass and escape the burden of debt.

He also expressed Islamabads desire to strengthen ties with the Donald Trump administration.

He clarified, however, that Pakistan would not permit export of raw minerals. They expected foreign companies to process the extracted materials locally and export the finished products, he said.

In a statement issued later on Wednesday, Mr Sharifs office said he was sending a delegation to negotiate with the Trump administration over the US presidents newly imposed tariffs and discuss ways to enhance bilateral trade.

Pakistans major deposits of copper and gold are in the restive province of Balochistan, where an ethnic armed insurgency has seen violence spiral in recent years.
By Erin Banco and Humeyra Pamuk

NEW YORK/WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink is stepping down from her role, a State Department spokesperson said on Thursday, in a move that injects new uncertainty into the relationship between Washington and Kyiv.

Reuters reported earlier that Brink was considering stepping down and leaving the foreign service, according to a U.S. official and two other people familiar with the matter.

"Ambassador Brink is stepping down. Shes been the ambassador there for three years  thats a long time in a war zone," a State Department spokesperson said in an emailed response.

Brink was nominated for the post by former President Joe Biden and has served as ambassador in Kyiv since May 2022. She is leaving on her own accord, the sources said.

Brink is one of the highest-ranking career diplomats to leave the State Department since President Donald Trump took office on January 20. She joins other departing veteran officials with decades of experience, such as the agency's No. 3 official John Bass, who stepped aside in January.

Her departure comes as the Trump administration tries to broker a deal between Ukraine and Russia to end the war that started with Moscow's full-scale invasion in 2022. Washington has tried to implement two limited ceasefire agreements in recent weeks - one for energy infrastructure and one in the Black Sea - but both have fallen through.

It is unclear who will take over as U.S. ambassador to Ukraine. The U.S. official and another person familiar with the matter said Chris Smith, the deputy assistant secretary for Eastern Europe and policy and regional affairs in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, is being considered. Smith previously served as deputy chief of mission in the U.S. embassy in Kyiv from 2022 to 2023.

Brink, who has overseen the transition between two administrations with vastly different Ukraine policies, was recently criticized in Ukraine for her response to a Russian strike that hit a playground in President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's hometown of Kryvyi Rih and killed 11 adults and nine children.

On social media platform X, Brink posted about the strike, but did not mention Russia.

Zelenskiy criticized the U.S. embassy, saying on X its response was "surprisingly disappointing."

Such a strong country, such a strong people, and yet such a weak reaction, Zelenskiy said. They are afraid to even say the word Russian when speaking about the missile that murdered children.

There was no indication that this episode was a factor in Brink's departure.

While political appointees typically submit their resignations when a new president takes office, most career foreign service officers continue from one administration to the next, even as the incoming president has the right to install new officials to those positions.

Sources said Brink is likely to leave in the coming weeks.

(Reporting by Erin Banco and Humeyra Pamuk; Editing by Don Durfee and Rod Nickel)
By Kanishka Singh

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. State Department said on Tuesday it was alarmed by the arrest in Thailand of American academic and U.S. citizen Paul Chambers who was charged with insulting the monarchy, in a rare prosecution of a foreigner under one of the world's strictest lese-majeste laws.

Local police said Chambers, a lecturer at Thailand's Naresuan University, reported to a precinct in the northern province of Phitsanulok after a warrant for his arrest was issued last week following a complaint filed by the army.

Thailand's monarchy is protected by Section 112 of the country's penal code, which says anyone found guilty of defaming, insulting or threatening the king, queen, heir apparent or regent shall be punished with imprisonment of three to 15 years.

Chambers was also charged with a computer crime violation.

"As a treaty ally of Thailand, we will closely monitor this issue and advocate for the fair treatment of Paul Chambers," the State Department said in a statement.

"This case reinforces our longstanding concerns about the use of lese majeste laws in Thailand. We continue to urge Thai authorities to respect freedom of expression and to ensure that laws are not used to stifle permitted expression," it added.

Thai royalists consider the monarchy sacrosanct. Public discussion of the law has for decades been a taboo issue, with dozens of people jailed for perceived insults of the crown.

A lawyer for Chambers denied the charges and said the accusations stemmed from a blurb for an online academic seminar last year at which he was a speaker. The blurb was posted on a website of a research institute based outside of Thailand, the lawyer said.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Sandra Maler)
More than 50 years after the Vietnam War gripped the world's attention, the battlefields where countless lives were lost have become poignant pilgrimage sites for veterans and tourists alike.

Locations like Hamburger Hill, Hue, the Ia Drang Valley, and Khe Sanh, once synonymous with conflict and etched in the annals of history, now draw visitors seeking to understand the war's impact firsthand.

For US Army veteran Paul Hazelton, returning to Vietnam just shy of his 80th birthday was a journey through time. Revisiting places he served as a young draftee, including Hue, the former Phu Bai Combat Base, and Da Nang, evoked a stark contrast between the war-torn landscapes he remembered and the vibrant nation Vietnam has become.

"It was a war zone when I was here before," Mr Hazelton reflected, walking with his wife through the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon. The city, once a hub of military activity, now pulses with commerce and industry.

"Everywhere you went it was occupied territory with our military, now you just see the hustle and bustle and the industry, and its remarkable," he said.

A tourist looks at a US Air Force fighter jet used during the Vietnam War, on display at the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City (AP)

Mr Hazelton's sentiment echoes a broader shift in the relationship between the United States and Vietnam. Decades after the war's end, the two nations have forged a new path based on trade and cooperation.

"Im just glad that were now trading and friendly with Vietnam," Mr Hazelton commented, adding, "And I think both sides are benefiting from it."

Vietnams war with the United States lasted for nearly 20 years, from November 1955 to April 1975, and resulted in the deaths of more than 58,000 Americans and many times that number of Vietnamese.

For Vietnam, it started almost immediately after the nearly decade-long fight to expel the colonial French, who were supported by Washington, which culminated with the decisive defeat of French forces at Dien Bien Phu in 1954.

The end of French Indochina meant major changes in the region, including the partitioning of Vietnam into communist North Vietnam under Ho Chi Minh, and US-aligned South Vietnam.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon to North Vietnamese and Viet Cong guerrilla troops, and the 30th anniversary of the re-establishment of diplomatic relations between the US and Vietnam.

Read more: The best Vietnam holiday destinations  when to travel and where to stay

A tourist walks through the Dien Bien Phu Military Cemetery (AP)

Tourism has rebounded rapidly since the Covid pandemic and is now a critical driver of Vietnams growth, the fastest in the region, accounting for roughly one in nine jobs in the country.

Vietnam had more than 17.5 million foreign visitors in 2024, close to the record 18 million set in 2019 before the pandemic.

The War Remnants Museum attracts some 500,000 visitors a year, about two-thirds of whom are foreigners. Its exhibits focus on American war crimes and atrocities like the My Lai massacre and the devastating effects of Agent Orange, a defoliant widely used during the war.

The US was to open the first exhibit of its own at the museum this year, detailing Washingtons extensive efforts to remediate wartime damage, but it is indefinitely on hold after the Trump administration slashed foreign aid.

Other wartime sites in Saigon, which was the capital of South Vietnam, include the South Vietnamese presidents Independence Palace where North Vietnamese tanks famously crashed through the gates as they took the city and the Rex Hotel where the US held press briefings derisively dubbed the Five OClock Follies for their paucity of credible information.

Tourists look at a mural at the Hoa Lo Prison museum in Hanoi (AP)

On the northern outskirts of the city are the Cu Chi tunnels, an underground warren used by Viet Cong guerrillas to avoid detection from American planes and patrols, which attracts some 1.5 million people annually.

Today, visitors can climb and crawl through some of the narrow passages and take turns at a firing range shooting targets with war-era weapons like the AK-47, M-16 and the M-60 machine gun known as the pig by American troops for its bulky size and high rate of fire.

I can understand a bit better now how the war took place, how the Vietnamese people managed to fight and protect themselves, said Italian tourist Theo Buono after visiting the site while waiting for others in his tour group to finish at the firing range.

Former North Vietnamese Army artilleryman Luu Van Duc remembers the fighting at first hand but his visit to the Cu Chi tunnels with a group of other veterans provided an opportunity to see how their allies with the Viet Cong lived and fought.

A tourist takes photos of a mural at the Hoa Lo Prison museum in Hanoi (AP)

Im so moved visiting the old battlefields  it was my last dying wish to be able to relive those hard but glorious days together with my comrades, the 78-year-old said.

Relics like this must be preserved so the next generations will know about their history, about the victories over much stronger enemies.

The former Demilitarized Zone where the country was split between North and South in Quang Tri province saw the heaviest fighting during the war, and drew more than 3 million visitors in 2024.

On the north side of the DMZ, visitors can walk through the labyrinthine Vinh Moc tunnel complex, where civilians took shelter from bombs that the US dropped in an effort to disrupt supplies to the North Vietnamese.

The tunnels, along with a memorial and small museum at the border, can be reached on a day trip from Hue, which typically also includes a stop at the former Khe Sanh Combat Base, the site of a fierce battle in 1968 in which both sides claimed victory.

The wreckage of an American tank on display at the former Khe Sanh Combat Base (AP)

Today, Khe Sanh boasts a small museum and some of the original fortifications, along with tanks, helicopters and other equipment left by US forces after their withdrawal.

Hue itself was the scene of a major battle during the Tet Offensive in 1968, one of the longest and most intense of the war. Today, the citys ancient citadel and Imperial City, a Unesco site on the north bank of the Perfume River, still bears signs of the fierce fighting but has largely been rebuilt. West of Hue, a little off the beaten path near the border with Laos, is Hamburger Hill, the scene of a major battle in 1969.

About 500km (300 miles) to the southwest near the Cambodian border is the Ia Drang Valley, where the first major engagement between American and North Vietnamese forces was fought in 1965.

Fighting in North Vietnam was primarily an air war, and today the Hoa Lo Prison museum tells that story from the Vietnamese perspective.

Sardonically dubbed the Hanoi Hilton by inmates, the former French prison in Hanoi was used to hold American prisoners of war, primarily pilots shot down during bombing raids. Its most famous resident was the late senator John McCain after he was shot down in 1967.

It was kind of eerie but fascinating at the same time, said Olivia Wilson, a 28-year-old from New York, after a recent visit.

Its an alternative perspective on the war.
American Public Power Association | Unsplash

(The Center Square)  A group of Wisconsin Republicans introduced an updated version of its failed right of first refusal law, hoping changes in the new version will win over enough support for the measure to pass the Legislature in the coming month.

Dubbed the Wisconsin Energy Reform Act, the new bill would include bidding controls and restrictions for interstate and intrastate electrical transmission lines rather than simply allowing those companies already operating in Wisconsin to exclusively bid first before other companies can bid on the work.

Bill supporters noted that the current process is not an open market and bids are not awarded based upon the lowest bid but instead the bidding controls are regulated by the Federal Electricity Regulatory Commission, which determines the rate of return that operators of high-capacity transmission lines are allowed to earn.

For anyone to somehow believe that our current process for siting transmission lines is competitive or free market is just wrong, said Rep. Rob Brooks, R-Saukville. Wisconsin can show the rest of the nation how we can inject competitive bidding into the construction process for transmission lines and hopefully lower cost for consumers.

A pair of Wisconsin groups recently warned that a right of first refusal reprisal would be arriving in the coming week, warning against the proposal.

This is a dangerous, anti-competitive policy that Wisconsinites already rejected once, said a spokesperson for H.O.T. Government, a watchdog group working to expose backroom deals in the Capitol. Now lawmakers are hoping youre not paying attention. Dont let them get away with it.

The new energy bill also added a stipulation where, for each acre of high-productivity farmland used for renewable energy projects, multiple acres of farmland must be protected for future agricultural use.

That stipulation came upon the recommendation of Rep. Travis Tranel, R-Cuba City, who is the chair of the Assembly Agriculture Committee.

I worked hard to strike the right balance to protect prime farmland for generations of farmers to come, while still recognizing the need to protect private property owners and the reality that energy generation in Wisconsin will likely always include renewable sources, Tranel said.

The bill will first head to the Energy and Utilities Committee before Speaker Robin Vos hopes to have it heard on the Assembly floor later this month.

It also includes a plan to incentivize nuclear energy, supported by Energy and Utilities chairman, Rep. David Steffen, R-Howard.

This has the potential to attract billions of dollars in investments to Wisconsin, said Steffen. By prioritizing low-carbon-emitting nuclear energy as a strategy in energy generation, we will help position Wisconsin to meet the increased electricity demands of today and lay the groundwork Wisconsin needs to be able to attract large electricity technology companies looking to locate their operations in Wisconsin, Steffen said.
Pawnee County Sheriff's Office Christine Joan Echohawk

An Oklahoma woman has been accused of laundering approximately $1.5 million out of elderly victims in an online romance scam, with one even selling her house so she could send the suspect money, authorities have said.

On Monday, April 7, Christine Joan Echohawk, 53, was arrested "on complaints of unlawful use of criminal proceeds and using a computer to violate state statutes" after she allegedly laundered money from four out-of-state elderly victims between Sept. 30 and Dec. 26, 2024, Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond's office said in a news release.

"All of the victims are elderly women ranging in age from 64 to 79. They believed they were sending funds to, or for the benefit of, a male subject with whom they thought they were in an online romantic relationship," the release stated.

One of the victims "sold her house so that she could send $600,000 to the scammer," the Attorney General's release said, adding that victims also sent the accused "Apple gift cards, cash and cashiers checks," as well as writing money to accounts owned by Echohawk at MidFirst Bank.

oatawa/Getty A stock photo of an online dating app

Related: Woman Scammed into Believing She Was Dating Brad Pitt Divorced Her Husband, Transferred Over $800,000

"Drummonds office received a tip from MidFirst Bank in January of suspected senior-fraud activity after the bank intercepted and held a $120,000 transfer from one of the victims. The Consumer Protection Unit subsequently investigated," the release stated.

The suspect has been accused of "laundering the illegally obtained funds through various accounts, converting them to cryptocurrency and then sending crypto payments to an unidentified suspect," the release confirmed.

Echohawk is being held in the Pawnee County Jail, per online Pawnee County Sheriff's Office records.

Attorney General Drummond said, "These types of scams that target seniors are especially egregious," per the news release.

"I applaud the work of my Consumer Protection Unit to fight for these victims and to hold accountable their alleged perpetrator," Drummond added.

Pawnee County Sheriff's Office A photo of a Pawnee County Sheriff's Office vehicle

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Echohawk was previously confronted by local law enforcement about suspected criminal activity in January 2024, the Attorney General's Office post noted. However, she allegedly "continued to launder funds after a short hiatus," the release said.

The suspect "faces five counts that, together, carry 24 to 62 years in prison and up to $260,000 in fines," the Attorney General's Office confirmed.

The Oklahoma Attorney General's Office and the Pawnee Police Department didn't immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for additional information.

Read the original article on People
By Anna Tong

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) -OpenAI countersued Elon Musk on Wednesday, citing a pattern of harassment by Musk and asking a federal judge to stop Musk from any "further unlawful and unfair action" against OpenAI in a court case over the future structure of the firm that helped launch the AI revolution.

Musk and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman cofounded OpenAI in 2015, but Musk left before the company became a technology star. Recently Musk, who went on to create his own AI firm, xAI, in 2023, has tried to prevent the ChatGPT maker from transitioning to a for-profit model, culminating in the current court case. In order for OpenAI to secure the entire $40 billion of its current fundraising round, the company must complete its transition by the end of the year.

"Through press attacks, malicious campaigns broadcast to Musk's more than 200 million followers on the social media platform he controls, a pretextual demand for corporate records, harassing legal claims, and a sham bid for OpenAI's assets, Musk has tried every tool available to harm OpenAI," the company wrote in a filing in Musk's existing lawsuit against OpenAI in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

OpenAI asked the judge to stop Musk from any further attacks, as well as be "held responsible for the damage he has already caused."

The two parties are set to begin a jury trial in spring next year.

In response, Musk's legal team referred to a $97.4 billion unsolicited takeover bid earlier this year from a Musk-led consortium, which OpenAI rejected. "Had OpenAI's Board genuinely considered the bid as they were obligated to do they would have seen how serious it was. It's telling that having to pay fair market value for OpenAI's assets allegedly 'interferes' with their business plans," Musk's lawyer Marc Toberoff said in a statement provided to Reuters.

In a post on X, the social media platform which Musk owns, OpenAI said: "Elon's nonstop actions against us are just bad-faith tactics to slow down OpenAI and seize control of the leading AI innovations for his personal benefit."

Musk's xAI last month acquired X in a deal that values the social media company at $33 billion and allows the value of his artificial intelligence firm to be shared with co-investors in X.

Last year, Musk, who is also the CEO of electric carmaker Tesla, sued OpenAI and Altman, accusing OpenAI of straying from its founding mission - to develop AI for the good of humanity, not corporate profit. Musk did not respond to a request for comment on the OpenAI filing.

OpenAI and Altman have denied the allegations, while Altman alleges that Musk has been trying to slow down a competitor.

At stake in the lawsuit is the ChatGPT maker's transition to a for-profit model, which the startup says is crucial to raising more capital and competing well in the expensive AI race.

(Reporting by Anna Tong in San Francisco; Editing by Peter Henderson and Christopher Cushing)
Cumberland County District Attorney's Office Sonya McKnight's mugshot

A Pennsylvania judge has been found guilty of shooting her ex-boyfriend in the head.

According to a release from the Cumberland County District Attorneys Office on April 9, Sonya McKnight was convicted of attempted murder and aggravated assault by a jury.

PEOPLE previously reported that the magisterial judge in Dauphin County was accused of shooting her ex-boyfriend Michael McCoy while he slept at his Harrisburg home on February 10, 2024. According to a police filing obtained by the Associated Press at the time, the shooting occurred after McCoy tried to end their one-year relationship.

The bullet entered McCoys face on the right side before exiting the left side of his face. Although he survived, he is now blind in one eye.

There were two people in that house, and only two people in that house, District Attorney Sean McCormack told reporters, according to NBC News. And one of them, the one who was shot, said he did not shoot himself.

Sean Simmers/The Patriot-News via AP Sonya McKnight leaving the Susquehanna Township Police Department in February 2024

McCoy told detectives that he had been asleep for an hour or so before waking up "with massive head pain" and could not see, police said in an affidavit, per the outlet.

According to NBC affiliate WGAL, McCoy testified on April 8 that he tried to get McKnight to move out of his home "numerous times.

"Oh, so you're serious?" was reportedly the last thing McCoy heard from McKnight before he went to bed and woke up in pain from the gunshot.

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McKnight's defense attorney argued that the judge being the only person at home during the shooting was not enough evidence to prove she was guilty.

Attorney Cory Leshner also argued that the highest concentration of gunpowder residue was found on McCoy's hands, per the outlet.

Sonya McKnight/Facebook Sonya McKnight

According to the Cumberland County District Attorneys Office, the jurys decision came after two days of testimony.

McKnight was suspended as a judge after her arrest, according to WGAL.

She was taken to the Dauphin County Prison following the verdict her bail was raised to $3 million. Her sentencing has been set for May, per the outlet.

Read the original article on People
Courtesy of Everett; Prince Williams/WireImage Walter Emanuel Jones in 'Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers' in 1993 and in 2023

Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers actor Walter Emanuel Jones says it was an honor to play Black Ranger Zack Taylor in the 90s kids series.

Jones comments came in a Wednesday, April 9, Instagram post in response to media coverage of a recent episode of Investigation Discovery's new docuseries Hollywood Demons titled Dark Side of the Power Rangers. The actor posted screenshots of several headlines, including an April 8 PEOPLE post, focusing on former Power Rangers head writer Tony Oliver admitting that casting Jones, who is Black, to play the Black Ranger and the late Thuy Trang, who was Vietnamese, to play the Yellow Ranger was such a mistake.

Jones, 54, disagreed.

Related: New 'Power Rangers' Reunion Trailer Reveals How Yellow Ranger Trini Died and Why It's 'Time for Revenge'

Saban Entertainment / Courtesy Everett Thuy Trang and Walter Emanuel Jones in the 1990s

Incredible how many media outlets picked this up, the actor wrote in his posts caption. However while some choose to seek out the negative, Ive always believed in focusing on the positive. I understand the impulse to address what might be seen as cultural insensitivity, but calling it a mistake would dismiss the impact it had on countless people around the world who found inspiration and representation in TVs first Black superhero  morphin into none other than the Black Power Ranger!

It wasnt a mistake; it was a milestone, Jones added. It was an honor.

On Hollywood Demons, Oliver said that the creative team behind Power Rangers didnt consider racial stereotypes when casting the shows superpowered heroes. It was my assistant who pointed it out in a meeting one day, that we had made the Black character the Black Ranger and the Asian character the Yellow Ranger, he explained.

In his April 9 post, however, Jones included two clips from his recent appearance on Jim Cummings Toond In podcast, in which he suggested that playing the Black Ranger was, at least in part, his choice.

The idea of me being in the black suit, never bothered me and in fact I was happy about it, he said. I thought it looked cool.

Saban Entertainment / Courtesy Everett 'Power Rangers' stars David Yost, Thuy Trang, Austin St. John, Amy Jo Johnson and Walter Emanuel Jones in the 1990s

Related: 'Power Rangers' Alum Amy Jo Johnson Breaks Down in Tears as She Mourns Death of Jason David Frank

The black was what I wanted to wear, he explained. When I saw it, I said, I want this one. They said, Thats yours. 

But Jones admitted that, at the time, he knew he couldnt be cast as the Red Ranger, the teams leader. In 1992, I wasnt gonna be the leader, he said. I wasnt gonna be the leader of the show.

As for the Yellow Ranger, Jones noted that Latina actress and martial artist Audri Dubois was originally cast as the character in the shows pilot, but was replaced by Trang due to a pay dispute. Jones admitted that casting an Asian performer as the Yellow Ranger was a little odd.

Daniel Knighton/Getty Walter Emanuel Jones in 2023

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 think what happened was, as kids got older, they went, Hey, thats a funny thing, and then they turned it into something that was never meant to be, Jones said. Ive had a lot of people [say], What do you think about Power Rangers being prejudiced? And Im like, Well, Im a role model for kids in 40 different countries. Whats prejudiced about that? 

For people to be able to grow up with me and go, He is as equal to any other Ranger and in fact stands out cause he has his own style of martial arts and hes also cool and got swag, I was happy about that, Jones added.

Read the original article on People
Michel Dufour - Getty Images

In a sartorial merger that blends sensual sex appeal with the intellectual uniform, Prada has officially purchased Versace for 1.25 billion (approximately $1.4 billion). What is arguably the biggest fashion acquisition of the year, the deal was announced early this morning following months of whispers and negotiations. Besides the flashy dollar signs, the buy has created a major cultural moment between two aesthetically opposed but nonetheless legendary Italian brands.

For Prada, Versace represents a totally different mission from its current brands, Prada, Miu Miu, and Luna Rossa, that are flourishing underneath Miuccia Pradas all-encompassing umbrella. Though each label within the group is well-staffed by teams of in-house designers, and Prada is notably designed in collaboration with co-creative director Raf Simons, Versace brings a refreshing wild-card energy to the concentrate that is the beloved but austere Prada aesthetic.

For Versace, the deal both literally and symbolically represents a return to Italy. Since 2018, the brand has been owned by the American company Capri Holdings alongside Michael Kors and Jimmy Choo. The transfer of ownership effectively bets big on the value of being Made in Italy, especially amidst the currently constantly changing global trade war.

In March, Donatella Versace stepped down as the brands designer in a surprise announcement during the fall/winter 2025 season after nearly 30 years of leadership. Dario Vitale will take her place marking the brands first-ever non-family appointment (the move is not too dissimilar from Simonss position under Miuccias wing). Though no longer at the helm, she has publicly lauded the acquisition. I am absolutely delighted for Versace to become part of the Prada family. Gianni and I have always had a huge admiration for Miuccia, Patrizio and their family, Versace wrote in an Instagram post. I am honoured to have the brand in the hands of such a trusted Italian family business and I am ready to support this new era for the brand in any way that I can.

According to the Prada Group, Versace will retain independent design and leadership. From the outside, it seems the brands DNA and authenticity will remain intact, giving Vitale full reign to reignite the house as he sees fit. However, will Versace dip its toe in the office siren aesthetic? Will Prada suddenly borrow from the early 2000s-era slinky cuts? Or will we see the Fendace collaboration get reprised as Pradace? As the industry watches the two iconic names embrace, these questions lie in wait.

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S100A9 protein may reduce insulin needs and prevent deadly diabetic ketoacidosis. (CREDIT: Shutterstock Images)

In the search for better ways to treat diabetes, researchers at the University of Geneva have uncovered a promising new approach that could reshape how this disease is managed. At the center of their discovery is a protein called S100A9, which has been shown to reduce dangerous levels of ketones in the bloodwithout relying on insulin.

For people living with type 1 diabetes or those with severe insulin deficiency, life depends on daily injections of insulin. While insulin therapy has saved millions of lives, its far from perfect. Its difficult to dose, can cause serious side effects, and often leads to complications like hypoglycemia or diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a life-threatening condition. Researchers at the University of Geneva are now working on a treatment that could support or even replace insulin in some cases.

Understanding the Bodys Ketone System

Normally, your body creates ketones as a backup energy source during long periods without food. This processcalled ketogenesishappens in liver cells called hepatocytes. It turns fat into ketone bodies like acetoacetate and -hydroxybutyrate. These molecules travel through the blood and help fuel other tissues in the body, including the brain and muscles.

Roberto Coppari, Gloria Ursino and Giorgio Ramadori (from left to right) are looking to develop complementary or alternative treatments that are more effective and less dangerous than Insulin therapy. (CREDIT: Universite de Geneve)

Under healthy conditions, this is a survival mechanism. But when the body lacks insulin, as in type 1 diabetes, ketogenesis can spiral out of control. The blood turns too acidic, which leads to DKA. Each year, between 24% of people with type 1 diabetes end up in the hospital with DKA, and these emergencies can be deadly if not treated quickly.

For decades, the only reliable way to suppress excess ketones was through insulin. But insulin carries its own risks. Too much can lead to low blood sugar. Over time, it can damage fat metabolism and increase cholesterol levels. Insulin-dependent diabetics also tend to live 10 to 15 years less than the average person.

A New Player: S100A9

Professor Roberto Coppari and his team have spent over ten years exploring how the body might survive without insulin. In 2019, they found a proteinS100A9that could do something remarkable: it improved blood sugar, ketone levels, and lipid profiles in diabetic mice, all without insulin. More importantly, it didnt trigger dangerous side effects.

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To understand how this worked, researchers first had to uncover the exact pathway S100A9 followed. They found that the protein doesnt enter liver cells directly. Instead, it works from the outside, activating a receptor called Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), which sits on the surface of certain non-parenchymal cells in the liver. This activation leads to stimulation of a protein complex called mTORC1, which ultimately reduces ketone production.

This pathway offered several key advantages. Its independent of insulin, doesnt cause inflammation (despite TLR4s usual role in triggering immune responses), and may even offer anti-inflammatory benefits.

These discoveries were detailed in a Nature Communications study, where Giorgio Ramadori, a lead author and senior lecturer at the University of Geneva Faculty of Medicine, helped guide the research.

TLR4 activation in the liver controls the production of ketones, explained Gloria Ursino, a postdoctoral fellow and first author of the study. But this activation process does not trigger inflammation, whereas TLR4 is usually pro-inflammatory. The S100A9-TLR4 dialogue therefore seems to act as a totally unexpected anti-inflammatory drug.

RIP- DTR mice were treated at day 0, 2, and 4 with DT and at day 8, were injected via tail vein with either saline (n = 5) or 0.6 mg/kg of r-hS100A9 (n = 8). Metabolic assessments were done 3 h after injection and food removal. Our model predicts that extracellular S100A9 activates non-parenchymal hepatic TLR4 signaling which consequently leads to several downstream events. (CREDIT: University of Geneva (UNIGE))

Targeting Dangerous Ketone Spikes

When diabetic people arrive at the emergency room with severe insulin deficiency, doctors can detect a small natural rise in S100A9 levels in their blood. But this increase is not strong enough to control the ketone surge. Thats where additional doses of the protein could help. The idea is to supplement this protein with a subcutaneous injection of a lab-made versionrecombinant S100A9.

This approach has been tested in diabetic mice, and the results were promising. The protein reduced ketone levels and improved blood sugar without triggering hypoglycemia. In fact, even mice missing insulin-producing cells lived longer when treated with S100A9.

Now, with CHF 2.5 million in funding from the Helmsley Charitable Trust, Ramadori and his team are preparing for clinical trials. This grant will help finish preclinical studies and support the application process for human testing in 2025.

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The Helmsley Charitable Trust is not only accelerating the progress of our project, but also broadening its scope and impact, said Ramadori. Beyond the financial support, it reflects a shared commitment to advancing medical knowledge and, more importantly, improving the lives of people affected by type 1 diabetes.

Rethinking Insulin Therapy

Current diabetes research has mainly focused on improving insulin sensitivityhow the body responds to the hormone. But this approach still relies on insulin, along with all its risks. S100A9 works differently. It doesnt boost insulin or help the body respond to it. Instead, it bypasses insulin entirely, opening a new door for treatment.

There have been other drugs that helped insulin work better, said Coppari. But this just meant patients could use smaller doses. The risks didnt go away.

Representative image of immunofluorescence in RAW264.7 cells expressing mCherry-TOSI treated incubated with 2g/mL of r-mS100A9 or r-hS100A9. (CREDIT: University of Geneva (UNIGE))

S100A9 may reduce the bodys reliance on insulin altogether. Researchers plan to test it first in combination with low doses of insulin. However, in some cases, it could one day be used alone. That would be especially helpful for people who cant produce insulin at all, like those whove had their pancreas removed or who have severe forms of type 2 diabetes.

The Bigger Picture

Besides helping manage diabetes, the S100A9 pathway may hold benefits for other conditions involving inflammation or poor metabolism. Because it works without triggering the bodys inflammatory alarms, it might offer a safer way to manage energy balance in many diseases.

To push this innovation forward, Coppari and Ramadori have founded Diatheris, a startup company based in Geneva. Supported by the universitys technology transfer office, UNITEC, and FONGIT, which backs new technologies in the region, the company aims to develop S100A9 into a real-world therapy.

S100A9 suppresses diabetic ketogenesis via hepatic TLR4. (CREDIT: University of Geneva (UNIGE))

The researchers work could mark a turning point in the management of type 1 diabetes. Instead of relying on a century-old treatment with known risks, people could one day control their condition with a safer, more stable option. And with clinical trials on the horizon, that future may be closer than expected.

Note: The article above provided above by The Brighter Side of News.

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Getty Queen Camilla on April 8, 2025

As is nearly always the case, royal fashion has a deeper backstory than meets the naked eye. So was the case with a particular brooch Queen Camilla wore this week while in Italy with husband King Charlesa trip that also coincided with their landmark 20th wedding anniversary.

The $10 million brooch, it turns out, has a tie to none other than Princess Dianabut more on that in a moment. Per The Mirror, Camilla re-wore a blue silk crepe dress by one of her favorite designers, Fiona Clare, while visiting the Quirinale Palacethe official residence of Italys presidenton April 8 as part of her four-day visit to the country with Charles. Accompanying the dress was a statement brooch dating back to 1840, originally given to Queen Victoria as a wedding night gift from her groom, Prince Albert. As such, the piece, commissioned from royal favorite Garrard, is called the Prince Albert Brooch, and the diamond and sapphire brooch was passed down from Queen Victoria to Queen Elizabeth.

Getty King Charles and Queen Camilla on April 8, 2025

Getty Queen Camilla and King Charles on April 8, 2025

It also, interestingly, inspired the iconic engagement ring worn by Princess Diana during her lifetime, a ring that is now worn by her daughter-in-law, Kate Middleton.

Describing the brooch Camilla wore, Max Stone of Steven Stone jewelers said the piece contains a large oval or cushion-shaped sapphire, which is at least 40 carats. The breathtaking gem is also surrounded by 12 large diamonds, which look to be around 12 carats. Due to the clarity and intense color of the sapphire, it was possibly sourced from Burma.

Peter Andrews / Getty Images Princess Diana and Kate Middleton's sapphire and diamond engagement ring

Getty Queen Camilla and King Charles on April 8, 2025

Speaking of royal fashion having a deeper backstory than meets the naked eye, for her 20th anniversary portraits alongside Charles, Camilla wore a long sleeve white maxi dress by none other than her wedding gown designer, Anna Valentine. She accessorized with a Faberge lily of the valley brooch, which Page Six reported represented eternal love and was once owned by the Queen Mother. She also wore her $64,000 wedding earringsthought to have been gifted to her from Charles, according to Hello!where a single round diamond sits in the center of a diamond cluster; the earrings also include a pearl drop.

She first wore them on their wedding day, and while its never been publicly confirmed, its believed they were a gift from either King Charles or the late Queen Elizabeth," Lorel Diamonds Laura Taylor told Hello!. They are thought to be custom-made clip-ons, since Camilla doesnt have her ears pierced.

Camilla has worn the pair of earrings many times over the years, Taylor said: Its rare for bridal jewelry to become part of someones regular wardrobe, but Camilla has worn these earrings for everything from state visits to family occasions, she said. Theyve become part of her signature look. Wearing them again now feels like a subtle tribute to both her marriage and the journey she and Charles have shared.

Getty Queen Camilla and King Charles on April 8, 2025

Camilla seems to be enjoying her visit, including a stop at the ancient Temple of Venus, which honors a goddess of love; per Hello!, the Queen told guests at a reception for the British-Italian community that she enjoyed any excuse to be in Italy.

Read the original article on InStyle
Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., at the Capitol on Tuesday.

Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet is running for governor of Colorado next year, according to three sources familiar with his plans.

Bennet, who is expected to announce his campaign as soon as Friday, will look to succeed term-limited Democratic Gov. Jared Polis in a state that has trended toward his party in recent years. And he is the latest Senate Democrat looking to leave Washington, after three retirement announcements in recent weeks.

Kamala Harris won Colorado by 9 percentage points in November, and Polis won a second term in 2022 by 19 points. Bennet also won a third term that year by 15 points, meaning his term runs until 2028  but he can run for governor and remain in the Senate.

Bennet will not be alone in the Democratic field, with state Attorney General Phil Weiser also in the race, creating a battle of two statewide officeholders.

Axios was first to report Bennet's move to run for governor. A spokesperson for Bennet declined to comment.

In a statement, Weiser said, "Two years ago, the voters sent Senator Bennet back to D.C. because we believed he would be there for us no matter what  especially in historically dangerous moments like the one we currently face. Now more than ever, we need experienced Democratic leaders in Washington."

Republicans could be looking at a potentially crowded primary field, with two state legislators already in the race. But the GOP faces an uphill climb in the state, where Democrats have found success in statewide races.

Bennet, a former Denver school superintendent, has worked as a bipartisan dealmaker, a member of the so-called Gang of Eight that worked on an ill-fated bipartisan immigration measure.

Bennet has also been known to make fiery speeches on the Senate floor and in hearing rooms, recently admonishing CIA Director John Ratcliffe over the news that administration officials discussed military plans in a Signal chat group.

This sloppiness, this incompetence, this disrespect for our intelligence agencies and the personnel who work for him is entirely unacceptable. Its an embarrassment, Bennet said. You need to do better. You need to do better.

And ahead of his presidential bid in 2019, he delivered a passionate speech lambasting Republicans crocodile tears about the ongoing government shutdown.

Bennet has also bucked his party at times, becoming the first Senate Democrat last year to warn that President Joe Biden could not defeat Donald Trump after Bidens disastrous debate performance.

He has been telegraphing an exit from Washington  he told Politico in March that the answer to the countrys central fight is as likely to come from the states as it is from Washington over the next decade. And he said on NBC News Meet the Press days later that he has been considering where I can fight best for the people of Colorado.

In his 2019 book, he described the pathological culture of the Capital and chronicled his frustrations with things like the collapse of the bipartisan immigration bill in 2013 at the hands of hyperfactionalism, the rise of unlimited campaign spending on policy issues and the decision to end the filibuster for judicial nominees.

His unsuccessful presidential bid in 2020 appealed to nostalgia for pre-Trump politics  he repeatedly argued that if you elect me president, you wont have to think about me for two weeks at a time.

And he has argued his party has a lot of work to do to create a compelling view for Americans that is going to allow us to lead again.

The Democratic Party needs to use this moment of having been repudiated at the national level, to figure out a creative and imaginative agenda for the 21st century thats going to lift the fortunes of working people and the middle class, all across this country, he said on Meet the Press.

So far this year, three Democratic senators have announced their intention to leave Washington at the end of next year  Michigans Gary Peters, Minnesotas Tina Smith and New Hampshires Jeanne Shaheen. Unlike Bennets, their terms expire in 2026.
Soulja Boy was found liable Thursday in a civil trial after facing allegations of sexual assault and kidnapping brought by a woman who claims she was his former assistant.

A California jury found Soulja Boy, 34, liable in his civil case for claims of sexual battery, assault, false imprisonment and more, and the anonymous assistant was awarded more than $4 million in compensatory damages, according to a release from her attorney.

The outcome concludes a trial in Santa Monica, California, which saw the rapper, whose real name is DeAndre Cortez Way, accused of physical and sexual violence. The "Crank That (Soulja Boy)" emcee has previously denied any wrongdoing.

"We're happy our client was vindicated, and the jury believed her claims of physical and sexual assault," said Ron Zambrano, an attorney for the Jane Doe plaintiff. "We're looking forward to moving on to the punitive damages phase of the case."

In a statement to USA TODAY, Way's attorney Rickey Ivie said the evidence presented in the case "does not support the verdict."

"It is unfortunate that aspersions and misperceptions of a culture were allowed to influence the trial," Ivie said. "Mr. Way fully intends to pursue his post-trial remedies and to fight for a just result in this case."

Soulja Boy attends BET Hip Hop Awards 2024 on Oct. 8, 2024, in Las Vegas.

Soulja Boy trial, explained

The trial, which began in March, saw both the rapper and his alleged former assistant take the stand to recount their sides of the story. The woman, along with her legal team, painted a picture of a violent man whose abusive cycles included demeaning text messages, physical harm, and threats.

"I didn't even feel human anymore. I felt like an animal," she told jurors according to Rolling Stone and Vibe. "I wanted to die."

Way painted their relationship as entirely consensual and called the allegation that he would beat her "disgusting."

Soulja Boy performs during the BET Hip Hop Awards on Oct. 8, 2024.

The trial was based on a lawsuit filed in January 2021 in which a woman, who chose to remain anonymous and be identified as Jane Doe, alleged the rapper began sending her unsolicited nude pictures within the first month of her employment as his personal assistant. The two then began a romantic relationship that ultimately turned toxic, the lawsuit alleges.

Marlon Wayans drops AI-generated country music diss track to taunt Soulja Boy amid feud

Lawyers for Doe accused Way of "numerous instances of physical violence," including kicking, throwing and punching, as well as "sexual assaults, spitting on her body, and threats of physical violence and death."

When the woman tried to quit and leave, the lawsuit alleges Way locked her in a room against her will for three days with no hot water.

After fleeing, the lawsuit alleges the woman was violently attacked and raped by Way on separate occasions when she attempted to retrieve her belongings. Lawyers for Doe also argued she is owed unpaid wages for her work as a personal assistant.

Soulja Boy performs during the "Coulda Fest Comedy and Music Festival on Sept. 7, 2024.

Soulja Boy allegations: Other lawsuits arise alleging 'abuse'

In May 2021, four months after the complaint against Way was filed, the rapper was hit with another lawsuit from a woman who alleged he subjected her to "constant abuse" during their romantic relationship.

Chris Brown vs. Soulja Boy: A timeline of their exhausting beef

The second accuser, who also opted to remain anonymous, said she suffered a miscarriage after Way became irate and began punching and kicking her.

"It took her years to escape the psychological and physical grasp of her abuser," her lawyer, Neama Rahmani, told USA TODAY at the time.

Way was also accused of assault and kidnapping by a former girlfriend, Kayla Myers. According to Billboard, he was ordered to pay her $235,900 in compensatory damages and $236,000 in punitive damages in 2023.

(This story has been updated to add new information.)

Contributing: Maria Puente and Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Soulja Boy trial: Rapper found liable, ordered to pay $4 million
The U.S. Supreme Court on April 9 denied Karen Read's emergency request to delay her retrial for the murder of her boyfriend, a Boston police officer, in 2022.

Read filed a petition on April 1 asking the nation's highest court for a stay of her retrial, which is nearing the end of jury selection, while she waits to see if the court will overturn two charges against her on double jeopardy grounds. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson denied the request.

Read asked to pause the retrial the same day she filed a petition with the court asking the justices to throw out charges of second-degree murder and leaving the scene of a collision causing injury or death in connection with the death of John O'Keefe. A response to that petition is due by May 5, according to the Supreme Court's website.

Read, 45, is accused of backing into O'Keefe with her SUV in January 2022 and leaving him for dead in the snow outside a Canton, Massachusetts, home after a night of drinking. Reads attorneys say that she was framed in a cover-up by local law enforcement officials.

After her first trial ended with a hung jury last year, the state vowed to put Read on trial again. Jury selection in her retrial began on April 1.

Karen Read argues two charges constitute double jeopardy

Read's lawyers say that after the mistrial, jurors told them they'd unanimously agreed to acquit Read of the two charges and only remained divided on a manslaughter charge. Because the jury's impasse "was limited to one of the three counts rather than all," Read should not have to fight those charges again, her attorneys argued.

Under the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution, the Double Jeopardy Clause prohibits anyone from being prosecuted twice for substantially the same crime, according to Cornell Law School.

Read's attempts to get the charges thrown out were denied by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit and Norfolk Superior Court Judge Beverly Cannone, who presided over Read's first trial and is also handling her retrial.

Her defense team then filed a writ of certiorari with the Supreme Court, which is a request that the high court order a lower court to "send up the record of the case for review." The Supreme Court agrees to hear about 100 to 150 of the more than 7,000 cases that it is asked to review each year.

Read's attempts to delay her retrial while her motion to dismiss the charges makes its way through the court system were also denied by Cannone, a federal judge and finally, Jackson.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Supreme Court denies request to pause Karen Read murder retrial
Every dog that ends up at the dog shelter has a story. And Kings story is one of the worst that weve ever heard. The German Shepherd was bullied by the kids in his neighborhood before being abandoned at a dumping ground. Thankfully, the dog was scooped up and brought to The Humane Society of Broward County in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida where hes now safe.

King didnt deserve to be treated this way. No dog does. The only silver lining in this story was that the dog was found and now has the chance for a second life.

As the shelter explained, King had a rough go of it before coming to them.

This 5-year-old gentleman has been let down by people over and over again, they explained in the caption.

Related: Shelter German Shepherd 'Desperately Looking for His Human' Is Breaking Hearts

The poor German Shepherd mix was shot at with BB guns when he was a stray. He was found injured when the rescue got him. And somehow after everything King is still gentle. Still sweet. Still trusting, they wrote.

Thats right. Despite how terrible humans have been to him, King is still a lover at heart. His favorite things are squeaky toys, chasing balls, and treats.

After everything hes survived, King is still waiting for someone to choose him. To keep him. To love him like hes always deserved, they explained in the post.

People in the comments section only wanted the best for King.

So sad, I feel so bad for these fur babies. I wish I could save them all, wrote one person.

MY HEART BREAKS FOR THIS SWEET BOY, another commenter chimed in.

King needs an angel to give him a forever home with lots of love, hugs, kisses and treats! someone else added.

What a gorgeous dog! Hold people accountable for abuse, demanded another commenter.

Adopting From Humane Broward

King needs a forever home  can you give him one? The German Shepherd is such a good boy. Which is why were hoping that the right person sees this video and adopts him from Humane Broward. All it takes is a few clicks to submit an application. King could have a loving family out there. Lets find them!

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.
April 8 (Reuters) - The acting head of the Internal Revenue Service and other top officials are quitting the tax-collecting agency after it struck a deal this week to share data with federal agents on migrants living illegally in the United States.

A U.S. Treasury spokesperson confirmed the resignation of commissioner Melanie Krause in a statement on Tuesday night. The agency's chief privacy, financial and risk officers are also resigning, according to two people familiar with the matter and posts made by the individuals on LinkedIn.

The leadership exodus underscores the disruption that has engulfed the agency since Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency began targeting it weeks ago, ordering it to slash thousands of jobs and provide it with access to taxpayer data.

Their departure also comes amid the busiest time of year for the IRS, with the filing deadline for most individual tax returns falling on April 15.

On Monday, the Treasury Department, the IRS and the Department of Homeland Security finalized an agreement under which taxpayer data will be provided to federal immigration authorities to help them locate migrants.

A sign stands outside the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) building after it was reported the IRS will lay off about 6,700 employees, a restructuring that could strain the tax-collecting agency's resources during the critical tax-filing season, in Washington, D.C., February 20, 2025. REUTERS/Kent Nishimura

Officials with the Treasury Department, of which the IRS is a part, had largely bypassed Krause in recent days in forging the deal, which IRS attorneys warned likely violated privacy laws, the Washington Post reported.

"Melanie Krause has been leading the IRS through a time of extraordinary change," a Treasury spokesperson said in an emailed statement to Reuters, confirming her resignation.

Without mentioning the data agreement, the spokesperson added the agency was "in the midst of breaking down data silos that for too long have stood in the way of identifying waste, fraud, and abuse and bringing criminals to justice."

In addition to Krause, Kathleen Walters, the agency's chief privacy officer, Chief Financial Officer Teresa Hunter and Chief Risk Officer Mike Wetklow are also resigning. All three have posted on LinkedIn that they are looking for new jobs.

Krause and Wetklow declined to comment. Walters and Hunter could not be immediately reached.

Krause has opted to apply for a deferred resignation program, under which she could leave as early as April 28 and will be paid through September 30, according to a person briefed on her decision.

The person, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Krause's decision to retire was triggered in part by concerns about the data-sharing deal.

The agreement also prompted Walters to quit, according to a person familiar with her thinking. Walters did not think there was a legal basis for sharing the taxpayer data with the Department of Homeland Security, the person said.

Reuters was not able to immediately determine why Hunter and Wetklow had quit.

The deal, signed by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, breaks with a longstanding IRS policy under which it encouraged immigrants to pay taxes even if they are not in the United States legally, assuring them that their data would be protected.

The IRS began making sweeping cuts to its workforce on Friday, gutting its civil rights office and implementing mass firings aimed at eliminating up to 25% of its workforce.

The cuts are part of a major overhaul of the federal workforce that has already cost more than 200,000 workers their jobs. President Donald Trump has tasked Musk with leading the reshaping and downsizing of the government.

(Reporting by Nathan Layne, Kanishka Singh and Costas Pitas; Editing by Chris Reese, Kim Coghill, Ross Colvin and Rod Nickel)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Top IRS officials join chief in quitting following immigration data deal
People walk on the Princeton University campus in Princeton, New Jersey, on March 19, 2025. The university is the latest Ivy League school to announce changes in federal funding. - Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP

The Trump administration has suspended research grants totaling $210 million to Princeton University as part of an ongoing investigation into antisemitism on campus, according to the White House and the Department of Energy.

I can confirm the Energy Department has paused grant funding to Princeton University pending the completion of the Department of Educations investigation into Princeton regarding anti-Semitic harassment, a spokesperson for the Department of Energy wrote to CNN.

Earlier in the day, university President Christopher Eisgruber alerted the Princeton community to the cuts in a community-wide email provided to CNN. In the message, he said the rationale for the suspension was not fully clear but he went on to discuss the universitys commitment against antisemitism.

The full rationale for this action is not yet clear, Eisgruber wrote in the message. He said the university was notified this week by multiple agencies, including the Department of Energy, NASA and the Defense Department.

Princeton University will comply with the law. We are committed to fighting antisemitism and all forms of discrimination, and we will cooperate with the government in combating antisemitism. Princeton will also vigorously defend academic freedom and the due process rights of this University, Eisgruber added.

When asked about the funding being paused, a White House spokesperson referred CNN to reporting by the Daily Caller indicating $210 million to Princeton will be impacted while the administration investigates antisemitism on campus.

A spokesperson for Princeton University referred CNN to Eisgrubers statement when asked for comment on the antisemitism claims by the federal government. The Defense Department declined to comment. CNN has reached out to NASA for comment.

Princeton is the latest Ivy League school to face funding halts or cuts since President Donald Trump took office. Last month, his administration first canceled $400 million to Columbia University over antisemitism on campus, paused $175 million in federal funding to the University of Pennsylvania and placed more than $9 billion in contracts and grants under review at Harvard University as part of its investigation into antisemitism on campus.

The university is one of more than 50 schools being investigated by the Department of Education for alleged violations relating to antisemitic harassment and discrimination. However, Princeton was not part of the list of 10 schools that the investigatory committee said it would visit as part of its investigation. Those 10 schools include Columbia, Harvard, Johns Hopkins University, NYU, Northwestern, UCLA and UC Berkeley.

The Anti-Defamation Leagues most recent report card on US colleges efforts to combat antisemitism gave Princeton a D, saying it had a deficient approach.

The Department of Education initiated a Title IV review of Princeton in January 2024 after Zachary Marschall, editor-in-chief of the conservative website Campus Reform, submitted an antisemitism complaint, citing instances in which protesters called for an intifada and chanted Brick by brick, wall by wall, apartheid has got to fall. Marschall is not affiliated with the university.

According to the Department of Educations database on Title IV complaints, Marschalls is the only Title IV discrimination complaint open at the university.

Antisemitism does not dominate Jewish life at Princeton the way the adminstration might suggest, Rabbi Gil Steinlauf, executive director of Princetons Center for Jewish Life, told CNN, adding extremist thinking is largely marginalized.

I think there are other universities where perhaps there is a much more pointed experience of antisemitism, Steinlauf said. There are other universities, perhaps, where Jewish students might report feeling physically unsafe. That doesnt exist here on this campus.

According to Steinlauf, Eisgruber and other Princeton leaders have worked with the Jewish community since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel to make sure all students felt safe and included. He cites Eisgrubers attendance at the dedication of a new Jewish dining pavillion Monday night, hours before the letter to the community on the suspension of funding.

The reason why (extremist thinking) is largely marginalized has to do with incredibly strong support from President Eisgruber and everyone in the university administration who stands strongly and solidly behind the Jewish community on this campus, Steinlauf said.

Eisgruber, who took office in 2013, also recently penned a column in The Atlantic describing the Trump administrations actions against Columbia University as an attack on freedom and presenting the greatest threat to American universities since the Red Scare of the 1950s.

While the university did not disclose the total amount of funding impacted, Princeton has received hundreds of millions in government grants and contracts.

During the 2023-2024 fiscal year, Princeton received more than $455 million from government grants and contracts, according to the latest financial report published by the university.

Before Tuesdays announcement, Princeton appears to have been anticipating funding changes.

In a March 19 memo to faculty, Princeton Provost Jennifer Rexford announced a hiring freeze, saying the universitys leadership had been working on contingency plans for months to help us protect our core mission of research, teaching, and service at a time of considerable uncertainty and risk.

Like many institutions of U.S. higher education, Princeton Universitys operating model relies on a longstanding compact with the federal government, which partners with universities and colleges to produce research, training, and education for the benefit of the country and society.  That model is under profound stress now, Rexford wrote.

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By Fedja Grulovic, Patricia Weiss and Jaspreet Singh

BELGRADE/FRANKFURT/LONDON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump's sudden about-face on sweeping import tariffs did little to soothe companies' worries about the fallout from his trade war and its chaotic implementation: soaring costs, falling orders and snarled supply chains.

In a stunning reversal, the president said on Wednesday he would temporarily lower the hefty tariffs he had just imposed on dozens of countries, though he also hiked duties for China and kept 25% tariffs levied on aluminium, steel and autos in place.

The news sent global stocks soaring on Wednesday after an intense bout of volatility that wiped trillions of dollars off equity markets. Investors hope there will now be time for negotiations to avert a full-blown global trade war. [MKTS/GLOB]

The European Union said on Thursday it would pause its first countermeasures on about 21 billion euros ($23 billion) of U.S. imports.

Stocks, however, reversed course on Thursday, posting sharp declines.

The latest reversal in Trump's tariff agenda has only added to company executives' confusion about its objective.

Companies with complex and diverse supply chains spanning multiple countries from China to Germany were already scrambling to work out how they would be affected by duties and grappling with possible price hikes to mitigate tariff risks.

"The developments related to tariffs, whether from the USA or countermeasures by the EU and other countries, are currently extremely dynamic and volatile. We are analyzing the situation internally with great precision and high priority - particularly regarding potential impacts on our procurement and pricing," German retailer Hugo Boss said in a statement.

Hugo Boss and other companies are questioning what happens after the 90-day pause, especially as the average effective U.S. tariff rate would now be roughly 23% before U.S. firms adjust their imports, Yale economist Ernie Tedeschi said in a post on X.

Those tricky calculations are being made at a time when consumer confidence is waning and worries are growing about a global recession.

"Global trade flows are complex and the (...) conditions for cross-border trade are currently changing rapidly," German chemicals company BASF said on Thursday.

BASF said the direct impact of U.S. tariffs would be limited due to its high proportion of local production, but added it was difficult to estimate the effects of a trade war on demand for its products and its customers.

Tech giant Apple has chartered cargo flights to ferry 600 tons of iPhones, or as many as 1.5 million, to the U.S. from India.

Analysts have warned that U.S. prices of iPhones could surge, given Apple's high reliance on imports from China, the main manufacturing hub of the devices, which is now subject to Trump's highest tariff rate - an eye-watering 125%.

CONSIDERABLE UNCERTAINTY

"A 90-day pause on tariffs, while framed as a temporary relief, creates considerable uncertainty for businesses," said Anita Wright, a chartered financial planner at Bolton James.

Trump says he wants to bring back manufacturing to the U.S., but the constantly changing policy makes it risky to invest for the long term, particularly in sectors like green energy.

"The Trump tariffs are putting the brakes on green investment just like they are anything else, but the effects may be particularly acute in this category," said Matthew Nordan, general partner at Azolla Ventures, an independent venture capital company. "The reason is that we're talking about physical stuff - industrial infrastructure, things made out of steel, projects with long lead times - where the tariffs present more friction than for services or software companies."

Some companies, including General Motors, Porsche and Mercedes-Benz, have built up inventory in the U.S. to get ahead of tariffs.

But the uncertainty is dimming the outlook for later this year, trade executives said. Weaker U.S. consumer confidence is already hurting spending on items like sneakers.

According to a weekly sales survey by industry association Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America, in the eleven weeks since Trump's inauguration, shoe sales in stores are down 9.5% from the same period last year. The association's members include Nike, Adidas, Skechers, and Walmart.

A spokesperson for Inter IKEA, which makes IKEA products and supplies them to franchisees around the world, said tariffs make it more difficult to keep prices of home furnishings affordable.

"It's too early to say what level the tariffs will affect the prices of our products, but we are closely monitoring the situation and will continue to evaluate how it evolves," they said.

The outlook for earnings season, which kicks off in earnest next week with reports from LVMH , ASML and L'Oreal, is increasingly gloomy.

Volkswagen warned late on Wednesday that first-quarter profits were much weaker than expected and included a charge for the cars it's sending to the U.S.

Trump's temporary cuts offer little relief to auto, steel and aluminium companies still incurring 25% U.S. tariffs.

Serbia's Testeral, which makes aluminium and PVC products for the construction industry, may have to lay off staff if tariffs remain in place, CEO Sanja Stanimirovic told Reuters.

The company cannot easily raise prices to cover the additional cost because it is locked into long-term contracts, she said. The company employs about 120 full-time staff and 80 seasonal or part-time workers.

"This (the tariffs) poses a significant risk to our company at present," she said.

($1 = 0.9007 euros)

(Reporting by Fedja Grulovic in Belgrade, Patricia Weiss in Frankfurt, Jaspreet Singh in Bengaluru and Helen Reid in London; Additional reporting by Simon Jessop; Writing by Josephine Mason; Editing by Mark Potter and Paul Simao)
Confetti and flowers are dropped from a military helicopter onto a crowd during a celebration marking the 10th anniversary of the victory of rebel forces over Bashar al-Assad's army in Idlib, Syria, Friday, March 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Ghaith Alsayed) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

ISTANBUL (AP)  Turkey and Israel have held technical talks aimed at preventing conflict between their troops in Syria, a Turkish official said Thursday.

The first discussions were held in Azerbaijan on Wednesday to establish a de-escalation mechanism to prevent undesirable incidents in Syria, the Defense Ministry official said on condition of anonymity as part of a policy to discuss the issue. Work will continue to establish the conflict-free mechanism.

Since the fall of President Bashar Assad in Syria late last year, Israel and Turkey have been competing over their separate interests there. Syrias Foreign Ministry has said Israeli jets have struck a Syrian airbase. Turkey purportedly hopes to use the base to extend its influence.

Israel also fears that Syrias new Islamist leadership will pose a new threat along its border and has set up a buffer zone inside Syrian territory. Turkeys emergence as a key player in Syria, meanwhile, has prompted Israeli concerns over a larger Turkish military presence. Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that Turkish bases in Syria would be a danger to Israel.

Ankara is supporting the new Syrian government, which is led by former rebels it backed during the 13-year civil war. The support includes counterterrorism operations against the Islamic State group.

The Defense Ministry official said that assessments for the establishment of a base for joint Turkish-Syrian training are ongoing, adding that such activities followed international law without targeting third countries.

Netanyahus office confirmed Wednesday's negotiations and said both sides agreed to continue on the path of dialogue in order to preserve security stability.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Wednesday that Turkey had no intention of conflict in Syria, not only with Israel but with any country in the region." But he added that Ankara "cannot watch Syria being subjected to an internal turmoil, an operation, a provocation that will threaten Turkeys national security.

Once strong regional partners, ties between Israel and Turkey have long been frosty and deteriorated further over the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been an outspoken critic of the war, prompting angry reactions from Israeli officials.

Netanyahu this week sought to hear support from his ally President Donald Trump on a country Israel perceives as increasingly hostile. Instead, Trump lavished praise on Erdogan for taking over Syria, positioned himself as a possible mediator between the countries and urged Netanyahu to be reasonable in his dealings with Turkey.



Associated Press writer Melanie Lidman contributed from Tel Aviv, Israel.
By Nate Raymond

BOSTON (Reuters) -A federal judge said she will block President Donald Trump's administration on Thursday from revoking the temporary legal status of hundreds of thousands of Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans in the United States.

U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani in Boston said the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's decision to cut short a two-year parole granted to the migrants under Trump's Democratic predecessor, Joe Biden, was based on an incorrect reading of the law.

The administration's action, announced in a Federal Register notice published last month, marked an expansion of the Republican president's hardline crackdown on immigration.

The judge, an appointee of Democratic President Barack Obama, said the administration wanted to expose about 450,000 people to expedited deportation effective April 24 based on a wrong interpretation of the statute governing the process.

She said that law focused on people who illegally crossed the border and providing a means to remove them on an expedited basis, not individuals who were granted permission to enter the United States under a grant of parole.

"What you're prioritizing is not people coming over the border but the people who followed the rules," Talwani said.

Laura Flores-Perilla, a lawyer for the plaintiffs with the immigrant rights group Justice Action Center, said she hoped the judge would move quickly to finalize her decision halting an unprecedented mass termination of migrants' parole status.

She said the Biden-era humanitarian parole programs had been essential to allowing people fleeing danger or persecution in their home countries to establish a life for themselves and for their families in the United States.

"The stakes are quite high," Flores-Perilla told reporters outside the courthouse. "These are human lives at stake, and the urgency is very much there."

Neither the Department of Homeland Security nor the Department of Justice immediately responded to a request for comment.

Immigrant rights advocates had sued to challenge the Trump administration's decision to pause various Biden-era parole programs that have allowed Ukrainian, Afghan, Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan, and Venezuelan migrants to enter the country.

But while the case was pending, the administration moved to end the two-year parole granted to Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelan migrants, meaning they would no longer have lawful status in the U.S.

Biden launched a parole entry program for Venezuelans in 2022 and expanded it to Cubans, Haitians and Nicaraguans in 2023 as his administration grappled with high levels of illegal immigration from those countries.

Brian Ward, a lawyer with the Justice Department, said during Thursday's hearing that the parole programs had always been discretionary and that there was nothing requiring U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to revoke parole on an individual, case-by-case basis.

Talwani indicated she would not require the programs to continue to accept new applicants as "it is not my job to get into the larger policy question."

But she said she found the administration's rationale for revoking the status of people already in the country lawfully confusing and said she would work to get an order out urgently pausing the Federal Register notice.

(Reporting by Nate Raymond in BostonEditing by Alexia Garamfalvi and Matthew Lewis)
HANOI (Reuters) -The United States and Vietnam agreed to start talks for a trade agreement, the Vietnamese government said on Thursday, hours after the U.S. paused the implementation of global "reciprocal" tariffs, including a 46% levy on Vietnam.

The two countries will consider removing as many non-tariff barriers as possible, Hanoi said in a statement released after a meeting between Vietnam's Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in Washington.

The U.S. trade representative acknowledged the meeting, noting in a post on social media platform X that the discussions with Phoc covered "reciprocal trade and the vast economic opportunities in our bilateral relationship".

Although the additional tariffs have been put on hold, a 10% blanket duty on almost all U.S. imports will remain in effect, the White House said.

"The Trump administration will continue to engage with our trading partners to address trade barriers and further @POTUS' America First Trade Policy," he added, using the acronym for the president of the United States.

Vietnam, a major regional manufacturing base for many Western companies, last year had a trade surplus of more than $123 billion with the U.S., its largest export market.

The Southeast Asian country will facilitate investment by U.S. investors, the statement said, adding that it will also step up its fight against trade fraud.

Separately, on Thursday two Vietnamese airlines announced deals with U.S. financial companies to fund their expansion.

Budget carrier Vietjet said it had signed a $300 million deal with AV AirFinance, a partner of investment fund KKR.

It said the agreement would facilitate the delivery of planes it needs over the next two years. The company also said it would receive this year the first Boeing 737 Max jets from an earlier order of 200 aircraft after delivery was postponed multiple times.

Vietnamese and U.S. officials have said repeatedly that purchases of planes would be crucial to reduce Vietnam's large surplus with the United States, which the Trump administration has said was a key reason for the size of "reciprocal" tariffs initially imposed on Vietnam.

Earlier on Thursday, flag carrier Vietnam Airlines announced a separate non-binding deal with Citibank worth more than $560 million aimed at "strengthening the airline's operational capacity and expanding its international route network in the years ahead," it said in a press statement.

(Reporting by Khanh Vu, Phuong Nguyen and Francesco Guarascio in Hanoi and David Lawder in Washington; Editing by John Mair and Kate Mayberry)
New York State Police

A Buffalo man known as an advocate for childrens safety was arrested this week on charges related to the possession and distribution of child sex abuse material.

John Todaro, 49, was arrested Wednesday, April 9 and charged with promoting a sexual performance by a child and possessing a sexual performance by a child, both felonies, the New York State Police announced.

Todaro is the current vice president of the Buffalo chapter of Bikers Against Child Abuse, a group that uses community intervention to protect abused children.

According to their program plan, each member must be committed to helping abused children feel safe and are required to pass a background check before having contact with a child.

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.

As vice president of Bikers Against Child Abuse, Todaro would have had several opportunities to be around children, per the State Police, who are asking anyone with additional information to contact them.

Todaro was arraigned in the town of Amherst Court and subsequently released. It wasn't immediately clear if he has entered a plea or retained an attorney. He is scheduled to return to court in May.

If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.



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Albert L. Ortega/Getty; Jillian Lauren/Instagram Scott Shriner and Jillian Lauren

Weezer bassist Scott Shriner's wife, Jillian Lauren-Shriner, was undergoing treatment for cancer when she was shot by police in an altercation near the couples Los Angeles home.

On March 4, Lauren-Shriner, 51, revealed that she was diagnosed with cancer, sharing a photo smiling from a hospital bed on Instagram.

Id like to thank the Academy, my amazing hair and makeup team, and the lighting designers here at #glendaleadventisthospital, she wrote. As if they all hadnt been through enough with the fires right next door! Yes, I have a little bit of the C word yall. I know a lot of us do.

Im here to thank the incredible oncology team here, who pulled me through a complicated operation without a hitch, she continued. I am always so grateful for every second of the compassionate, and excellent medical care I receive in my life. Thank you to all the remarkable health care workers, who take our lives in your hands. And lets all breathe.

Related: Weezer Bassists Wife Shot by Police After Opening Fire on Hit and Run Suspects in Her Neighborhood

Jillian Lauren/Instagram Jillian Lauren in the hospital after being diagnosed with cancer

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Three weeks later, on March 22, Lauren-Shriner posted an update, sharing that she had two back-to-back surgeries, including a full hysterectomy.

I feel called upon to mention it because I know only two people who had this procedure and neither is with us today. They werent here for me to call and ask what to expect, she said. Im saying: Im here. Ask me. Im okay and healing today.

I thank you for your overwhelming support, and I love most of you. Kidding. I love you all. May we all be well tonight, she added.

While home recovering from the hysterectomy, Lauren-Shriner was reportedly shot by police after opening fire on hit-and-run suspects in her neighborhood. On April 8, the writer was struck once in the shoulder by a police officer after refusing to surrender her weapon.

After re-entering her residence post shoot-out, Lauren-Shriner surrendered to police and was taken into custody. Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics brought her to a nearby hospital for medical attention, and she was then absentee booked for attempted murder on $1 million bail, per a report from the LAPD.

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Suffolk County Sheriff's Office ; Courtesy of Netflix Rex Heuermann poses for his booking photo on July 14, 2023 ; Rex Heuermann victim Megan Waterman.

Rex Heuermann has been charged with the murders of seven women  but he may be responsible for more.

The suspected Long Island serial killer was first arrested in July 2023 after DNA from a discarded pizza crust linked him to the murders of Megan Waterman, Melissa Barthelemy and Amber Costello. Evidence later tied him to the homicides of four more women: Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Sandra Costilla, Jessica Taylor and Valerie Mack.

All seven of the women were working as escorts when they disappeared between 1993 and 2010. The remains of Waterman, Barthelemy, Costello and Brainard-Barnes were discovered in Gilgo Beach, an oceanside neighborhood on Long Island, N.Y., in 2010, while police were investigating the disappearance of another escort named Shannan Gilbert.

Her remains were also found in Gilgo Beach a year later, and though police believed she died accidentally of exposure or drowning, forensic pathologist Michael Baden concluded that her death was consistent with homicidal strangulation.

In addition to the seven women Heuermann has been charged with killing (hes pleaded not guilty), police discovered the remains of four other people in the same area. Three of them have not yet been identified.

Heuermann's alleged killing spree and the resulting case are covered in Netflix's Gone Girls docuseries, which premiered on March 31.

Heres everything to know about the Gilgo Beach victims.

Sandra Costilla

Suffolk County Police Department Sandra Costilla.

Costilla is the Gilgo Beach killer's earliest alleged victim and was living in New York at the time of her disappearance in 1993, according to court documents obtained by NPR.

The 28-year-old's remains were found in a wooded area in November 1993, by two hunters. Prosecutors believe she was killed on the day of or the day before her body was found, CBS reported.

Though convicted killer John Bittrolff was previously thought to be a suspect, DNA later linked Heuermann to her death. He was charged with her murder in June 2024.

Melissa Barthelemy

Courtesy of Netflix Melissa Barthelmy.

In July 2009, Barthelemy was spotted leaving her apartment in the Bronx and was never seen again. Her body was found along the Ocean Parkway in Gilgo Beach in December 2010 when a Suffolk County Police Department officer was on a training exercise with his K9 partner Blue.

Barthelemy's sister said in Netflix's Gone Girls documentary that she had graduated from cosmetology school and "wanted to get a job at a nice salon."

After her disappearance, Barthelemy's family claimed that they received disturbing calls from an unknown man who said he was her killer. Police allegedly traced these calls to midtown Manhattan where Heuermann had an office.

He was charged with her murder in July 2023.

Maureen Brainard-Barnes

Sipa/ AP Maureen Brainard Barnes.

On July 9, 2007, Brainard-Barnes went missing after a night of working as an escort in New York City. Days after the 25-year-old disappeared, much like Barthelemy's family reported, her sister and a friend also claimed to have received calls from an unknown man.

When police found Brainard-Barnes' body in Gilgo Beach, days after Barthelemey's remains were found, she was bound with a belt.

DNA evidence later linked Heuermann to her killing and he was charged with second-degree murder in connection to her death in 2023.

Megan Waterman

JMP/ABACA/Shutterstock Megan Waterman.

In June 2010, Waterman disappeared from a hotel on Long Island. At the time, the 22-year-old was working as an escort.

Her body was found around the same time as Brainard-Barnes, Barthelemy and Amber Costello, and all four women had been wrapped in burlap. Heuermann was charged with her murder in July 2023.

Megan was loved by a lot of people, her aunt Elizabeth Meserve said in Gone Girls. And this affected a lot of lives.

Amber Costello

Suffolk County Police Department/Handout Amber Lynn Costello.

On Sept. 2, 2010, Costello went missing from West Babylon, N.Y., after she left her home to meet a client. Police discovered her remains three months later in Gilgo Beach.

Prior to her disappearance, the 27-year-old escort's roommates had removed a client from their home after he had allegedly threatened her. These roommates also assisted police by describing the Chevrolet Avalanche Costello left in on the night of her disappearance, which was the same kind of car Heuermann drove.

He was charged with her murder in July 2023. In Gone Girls, a friend of Costello remembered her quirky" and "goofy" personality, adding, [She would] give you the shirt off her back.

Jessica Taylor

Suffolk County Police Department Jessica Taylor.

Taylor, who was working as an escort in midtown Manhattan, was last seen on July 19, 2003, per court documents. Two days later, she called her mother and made plans to visit her for her birthday the following week. When her daughter didnt show up, she notified police.

The 20-year-olds partial remains were found on July 26, 2003, by a person walking their dogs. More of her remains were later recovered in 2011 along Ocean Parkway in Gilgo Beach, per NPR.

Prosecutors believe that Taylor was killed between July 21 and July 26 in 2003. Male hairs found on her and Costillas remains were found to be a likely DNA match to Heuermann, and he was charged with her murder in June 2024.

Valerie Mack

Suffolk County Police Department via AP Valerie Mack.

Mack, who also went by the alias Melissa Taylor, worked as an escort in Philadelphia and Atlantic City. Police theorized that she was killed between Sept. 1 and Nov. 19, 2000, when the 24-year-old's partial remains were found in the same place as Taylors.

She was bound with rope and left inside a black plastic bag that had been wrapped in duct tape. Her hands and part of her right leg were missing and were later found along Ocean Parkway in 2011.

Police discovered hair that matched Heuermanns wife and then-preschool-aged daughter in the sealed garbage bag that held some of Macks remains. He was charged with second-degree murder in her death in December 2024.

Four additional victims

Suffolk County District Attorney's Office Karen Vergata.

The remains of four other victims were found at or near Gilgo Beach in 2011 but only one of those bodies has been identified.

Karen Vergata was working as an escort when she disappeared from Manhattan on Feb. 14, 1996. Two months later, some of the 34-year-olds remains were discovered on Long Island's Fire Island, though her identity was unknown at the time. More of her body was found on Tobay Beach in 2011, less than five miles from Gilgo Beach.

Police were finally able to identify the remains through genetic genealogy in 2023 and are still working to find the names of the other three victims.

During a 2024 press conference, detectives said that one of the victims was Asian, wearing womens clothing, may have been working as an escort and was between the ages of 17 and 23. The other two victims were an African American woman and her toddler.

Heuermann has not been charged in the deaths of Vergata or the other three unidentified victims.



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Axis Communications has launched an experience centre in Sydneys Macquarie Park, making it its second such facility in Australia.

Opening three years after its first Australian centre was launched in Melbourne, the Sydney facility has been designed to inspire and support partners, customers and industry leaders with a hands-on, immersive environment.

The centre shows off Axis latest products  including AI-powered video analytics, hybrid cloud and edge solutions, radar and thermal imaging, environmental sensors and audio management platforms  and how they are applied to solve-real world challenges.

Axis Oceania regional director Wai King Wong told ARN the move to open its second experience centre in Sydney was a strategic choice. This marks its 38th experience centre globally.

As a thriving hub for innovation, enterprise and infrastructure development, it positions us at the intersection of opportunity and impact, he said.

With a strong ecosystem of partners, customers, and industry leaders based here, the new centre enables deeper collaboration and faster innovation.
by Giorgio Licini *

After a public consultation that ended on 4 April, the government is preparing to approve the new mining law that replaces the 1992 regulations. The risks of offshore mining and the call for a permanent moratorium. The church organisation also calls for specific regulations to prevent the manipulation of remote and poorly educated communities. The controversial issue of land ownership.

Port Moresby (AsiaNews) - The Papua New Guinea Ministry of Mines has launched a public consultation on the Mining Bill 2025, to allow stakeholders and the public to provide feedback by 4 April 2025. As the justice, peace, relief and development arm of the Catholic Church in Papua New Guinea and inspired by the teachings of the Church's social doctrine, which focuses on the person and the common good, Caritas PNG felt compelled to address the issue and highlight some relevant moral and social concerns.

The Papua New Guinea Draft Mining Bill 2025, to be passed into law in a few months, appears to be comprehensive and innovative in replacing the Mining Act of 1992. It clearly seeks to address the needs and the interests of the industry but also the implications for the national and local governments, the customary landowners and the citizens at large. It contains provisions more favorable to the PNG government and the PNG national community than the soon to be repealed MiningAct 1992. Whatever business exists in alluvial mining, for example, is now strictly reserved to PNG citizens, an amendment already introduced in 2021 to the 1992 Mining Bill. But also, a Mineral Data Repository Hub for the National Government is confirmed, an amendment that also dates to2020 and mandates all operating mines to submit live extraction and export data in real-time to a central hub at the Mineral Resources Authority.

A general information on the status of the extractive industry (mining, oil and gas) in Papua New Guinea was provided just a few weeks ago in a public statement by former Mining Minister, Hon. Muguwa Dilu (now replaced by Hon. Rainbo Paita), and reported by PNG Business News online on 25thMarch 2025. The industry  the then Minister said  has always accounted for more than 80% of the total export revenue of PNG. It plays a significant role in supporting skills development, wage income tax, employment opportunities, and community project developments." Some, however, would dispute the right of the mining minister to discuss oil and gas matters (coming under the responsibility of the Ministry for Petroleum and Energy), let alone conflate oil and gas statistics with those of mining.

Hon. Dilu also mentioned that according to the 2019 PNG Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative Report, there was a total of PGK 32 billion in contributions from the extractive industries that year. However, only 18.5% (PGK 6.14 billion) of that sum was received by PNG entities. Out of which, only 3.7% (PGK 1.2 billion) went to the National Government. "In that year, mining alone contributed about 44% (PGK15 billion) of the total export revenues, and the extractive industries collectively contributed 86% of the export volume out of the country. However, only 7% of that went to government revenue."

To consider only reports of one year may be misleading, but since 2019 the efforts of the Marape-Rosso government to increase the benefits for PNG must be acknowledged, though the results have still to be felt and assessed. The extractive industry works on long term plans and projects, with the need to offset investment costs and capital in the first phase of access to specific natural resources targeted for extraction.

Still as reported by PNG Business News on data provided by Hon. Dilu, as an overview of PNGs mineral production, over the last five years, the average annual metal production has been the following: gold 2.4 million ounces; copper 84,500 tons concentrate; nickel 33,500 tons; cobalt 3,000 tons; and chromite 123,000 tons concentrate. Main gold and copper mines are Ok Tedi (Western), Lihir (New Ireland), and Porgera (Enga). For nickel is Ramu Nickel in Madang province. All in all, mining is 20% of PNG Gross Domestic Product.

The former Minister also mentioned the potential closure of major mines and depletion of mineral resources in PNG. He said, it is worthy to note the potential end of mine life for existing major mines in PNG, for gold mines by 2053 and copper mines by 2065.

The mineral export revenue is expected to be K30 billion this year 2025  subject to gold prices, low exchange rates, and attainment of full production in the Porgera mine, according to Mineral Resources Authority (MRA) managing director Jerry Garry, while last year it was K19 billion. (The National, 3 April 2025)

Though expressing a general positive opinion on the Draft Mining Bill 2025 and aware of the fact that mining can never be a totally clean, safe and environment friendly exercise, Caritas PNG believes that further consideration is needed, and changes should be made to some parts of the Bill at least in four areas of concern: two regarding the environment, and two regarding community impact.

Experience has shown over the past decades that a mining project situated well upstream in very large river basin is responsible for an appalling amount of environmental damage and community disruption, despite all adopted real or claimed mitigation measures. It is the evident fate of the Fly River in the Western Province, and the future of the doomed Sepik River, if the Frieda Mine project is allowed to proceed. Negative effects of mining can never be totally prevented. But the Mining Bill 2025 should include a limit of 50 kms, or at the most 75 kms from the seacoast for a new mining project to be considered in the first place. The potential pollution from the Frieda Mine project alone, situated more than 200 kmsinland, would affect the living conditions of half a million people and a unique ecosystem of almost one hundredthousand square kilometres.

Offshore mining is of even greater concern. It is not in the Mining Act 1992. It is being taken up now in Part VII (147-156) of the Draft Mining Bill 2025. Offshore mining has not yet been implemented by any country neither in their Exclusive Economic Zones nor in international waters, for which the International Seabed Authority (ISA) has yet to grant any licenses, as there is still disagreement within the 36 nation-state members of the ISA Council (168 member states in total) as to whether Deep Sea Mining is deemed environmentally safe (Weathering the Storm, Sydney, Nov 2024).

The hesitation encompasses a broad range of concerns: migration routes of fish and large sea mammals like whales, underwater noise that can disturb marine life and their behavioural patterns, impact on both the fishing industry and the reliance of coastal communities on the products of the sea, ocean currents taking waste, tailings, and poisonous chemical substances to whatever distance from the drilling site, environmental damage to the sea and the coastline with possible displacement of human settlements with noalternative land and livelihood.

In consideration of these evident, massive and very likely risks (and probably others still unforeseen), Caritas PNG in its submission on 4th April 2025 has requested the removal of Part VII (Offshore mining) from the final version of the Mining Act 2025 and the imposition of a permanent moratorium on the practice. No offshore mining in the future of Papua New Guinea! The coastal communities will certainly reject it if located within the PNGs Exclusive Economic Zone, while they will find it harder to resist it, though still suffering the same negative consequences, if located further offshore in international waters.

One more reason, therefore, for Caritas PNG to support a specific proposal by the Port Moresby based Centre for Environmental Law & Community Rights Inc. (CELCOR) for the Mining Bill 2025: add and include Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) as a separate provision in the Act;thus, mandating full consultation and social mapping before any mining activities are carried out. Interaction of mining applicants with the local communities should be monitored by independent bodies to prevent easy manipulation of remote and scarcely educated communities.

Customary landowners must be fully considered as the adverse environmental impacts of mining often outweigh the perceived benefits of extractive developments within their communities (CELCOR). It is no mystery that companies normally posing as developers (not only in the mining sector) are exploiters. Buying off local community leaders and dividing landowners with privileges and perks to better achieve consensus is widespread practice.

Caritas PNG also suggests taking a closer look at Part II.8.1(Ownership of Minerals) of the Draft Mining Bill 2025, where it states that, All minerals existing on, in or below the surface of any land in Papua New Guinea, including the offshore area of Papua New Guinea, and any minerals contained in any water lying on or over any land of Papua New Guinea, are the property of the State.

Indeed, this is legislation practically all over the world, and it may be a guarantee against any external actors or holders of a tenement (mining exploration license or mining lease) unduly claiming minerals as their property.

But in Melanesian culture, with people vitally connected to their land, it is likely to become contentious and will easily generate opposition, mistrust and perhaps still unseen levels of violence in dealing with customary landowners.

Perhaps ownership could be formulated as shared with ancestral communities on the land, and the protection and valorization of mineral wealth a privilege and a duty of the State in consultation with them. Most of the time at stake in fact is thewelfare and the mere survival of the remotest, poorest and most defenceless human settlements in Papua New Guinea and the ecosystems that surround them.

*PIME missionary, head of advocacy for Caritas Papua New Guinea
by Nirmala Carvalho

In an open letter, numerous religious and lay people committed to the defence of the underprivileged criticise the Bishops' Conference for having invited Christian parliamentarians to vote in favour of the measure that came into force yesterday and limits the autonomy of Muslims in the management of their properties. This is not the way to solve the problem of the evicted families in Munambam. It sets a precedent that Hindu nationalists will also use against Christians."

Delhi (AsiaNews) - India's controversial Waqf reform came into force yesterday, following its approval in teh upper house of Parliament and promulgation by the President. The law allows for the administration of property donated to Muslim institutions, whose organisations, by the will of the BJP nationalists, will now have to be open to non-Muslim representatives.

The issue continues to inflame debate in the country, with the Islamic community denouncing a violation of the rights recognised to minorities and for this reason has presented a series of appeals to the Indian Supreme Court, which should discuss them starting from 15 April.

The Catholic Church have also weighed into the debated, despite division over the position taken by the Bishops' Conference (CBCI) which in the days preceding the vote in parliament had invited Christian MPs to vote in favour of the reform proposed by the Modi government, despiet the fact that in the city of Munamban, in Kerala hundreds of Christian families have been clashing with the local Waqf administration for the safeguarding of the ownership of their land.

This advice disconcerted many Indian Catholics who yesterday expressed their opposition in an open letter to the bishops of India, signed by numerous authoritative voices of the local Church, known for their commitment to defending the rights of the marginalised.

Signatories included, among others, the journalist and activist John Dayal, the Jesuits Cedric Prakash, Frazer Mascarenhas and Prakash Louis, Sr. Dorothy Fernandes, and the theologian Astrid Lobo Gajiwala.

The new law, they write, introduces significant changes in the management of Waqf properties, including the inclusion of non-Muslims in Waqf Councils, an issue that has aroused widespread apprehension and opposition, particularly from the Muslim community and various political parties. One of the main concerns is that the legislation violates the institutional autonomy of a religious minority.

While we understand that the Catholic community of Kerala is currently facing an agonising situation in Munambam, where 400 to 600 Christian families in a coastal village are threatened with displacement due to a local Waqf claim to the land, the document continues, we believe that this is a local issue that should be addressed by legal, negotiations and conciliatory measures. This case, already in the judicial evaluation phase, should not have become a reason to support a national legislative change that will now have far-reaching implications for another minority religious community. The letter from the Episcopal Conference risks legitimising state interference under the guise of reform.

The signatories warn that responses shaped primarily by immediate or local anxieties can inadvertently lead to consequences that also affect the long-term interests of the Christian community. A precedent that allows state interference in the affairs of one minority could open the door to similar intrusions into the rights and governance of other religious communities, including Christians.

Recalling the growing pressures from the political authorities on Christian institutions and the drastic increase in violence from Hindu fundamentalists, the letter asks the bishops to be particularly vigilant in safeguarding the broader principles of minority rights and religious freedom. As citizens, it is our constitutional duty to uphold the rights of all religious communities and to stand in solidarity with those whose freedom is threatened.

We hope that the Bishops Conference will engage in deeper reflection and consultation before making public statements on far-reaching issues, the text concludes.

The strength of our witness as a Church lies in our commitment to justice, peace and solidarity, not only within our community, but also with all those who are vulnerable. We trust that this concern will be welcomed in the spirit of respectful dialogue and shared responsibility that binds us all in faith.
The sector is growing rapidly in the country. Most of the patients come from Indonesia, but Kuala Lumpur aims to become a global medical hub challenging Thailand in Southeast Asia. To do so, it aims to optimise services, streamline immigration and invest in international partnerships.

Penang (AsiaNews/Agencies) - There are 5 flights a day that connect Medan, Indonesia, to Penang, Malaysia in less than an hour at a ridiculously low cost. At the exit of Penang airport, a shuttle service takes you directly to the hospital. For Indonesian patients it's easy to find their way around: the Indonesian and Malay languages are very similar. However, pharmacy signs show both versions: apotik in Indonesian and farmasi in Malay.

At least one million Indonesians seek medical treatment abroad, generating an estimated total loss of around 10.6 billion dollars for the country of origin.

The flow of Indonesians to private Malaysian clinics is part of the country's economic strategy: to generate 2.7 billion dollars in annual revenue from medical tourism by 2030. The valuation of the business itself was around 500 million dollars in 2024. The goal is ambitious, but Malaysia may be on the right track to achieve it.

The benefits of this strategy are wide-ranging. Medical tourism, in fact, brings with it a series of other related profits. For example, medical tourists don't travel alone: they bring their families, they stay in hotels and they contribute to the entire rich tourism chain.

Penang and Melaka are currently the main hubs, but the phenomenon is widespread and the country is preparing itself by increasing the number of beds available, speeding up immigration controls and creating new connections: a ferry service has recently been launched in Batu Pahat that connects it with Indonesia.

The Malaysian health system is increasingly attractive to Indonesian citizens. The geographical proximity between the two countries certainly plays a strategic role, but it is not enough to explain such a consistent flow. In fact, the Indonesian health system is far from being efficient and Malaysia has taken advantage of this, identifying its shortcomings and creating a better alternative just a few kilometres away.

Indonesian citizens complain about slow service in a sector where speed of action is crucial, if not essential. The cause is attributed to a shortage of doctors, of which Indonesia is aware, as evidenced by some public statements by former President Joko Widodo.

According to WHO standards, the ratio of patients to the presence of an ideal doctor is 1:1000, and DKR Jakarta - the entire metropolitan area of the capital - is only able to provide 18,637 specialist doctors with a ratio of 1:1668; according to data from the Ministry of Health, none of the 36 districts considered meet the requirements. 637 medical specialists with a ratio of 1:1668; according to the Ministry of Health data, none of the 36 districts considered meet the required standards.

The situation worsens in areas far from large cities, waiting times increase and the quality of medical care decreases even more. For quality service, Medan residents would have to take a two-hour flight to Jakarta, and endure the long wait, inefficient service and high costs. Less than an hour's flight away, Malaysia offers a faster, more organised and more affordable alternative.

To reach that goal - 2.7 billion dollars by 2030 - the country must be able to attract a market share larger than just Indonesia, competing with Thailand - leader in the medical tourism sector in ASEAN - and trying to attract citizens from even more distant countries.

Among the strategies used to make its medical services as attractive as possible, Malaysia has focused on keeping costs low and facilitating immigration procedures: the list of countries exempt from visa requirements for a limited stay is very long, including: the United States, Europe, India and China.

However, facilitating entry is not enough; in the field of medical tourism it is essential to strengthen one's international reputation. For this reason, KPJ Healthcare, a Malaysian private healthcare services company, has announced a collaboration with the Mayo Clinic: a US institution renowned for medical practice and research, thus demonstrating its commitment to raising healthcare standards. International accreditation functions as a guarantee and inspires confidence: a report by the Medical Tourism Association this year showed that trust influences 97% of patients' decisions to seek healthcare abroad.

Furthermore, the same study observed that while quality and trust dominate patients' decisions, 28.8% of those interviewed said that they were also influenced by costs. Here lies yet another strong point of the Malaysian system: it is cheap, a US patient could save up to 80% by deciding to be treated in Malaysia.
by Melani Manel Perera

Protests are taking place opposite the Welikada police station demanding justice for Sathsara Nimesh. Speaking to AsiaNews, his mother wonders how this could have happened since he was in good health. An investigation has been opened and three of the officers held responsible have been removed. But activists, religious and lawyers are calling on the government to take concrete steps against this problem.

Colombo (AsiaNews)  Protests have occurred for days in Sri Lanka following the death in police custody of Sathsara Nimesh, including opposite the Welikada Police station on Sunday evening.

Stop police brutality" and "Justice for Sathsara" are the key slogans of demonstrators.

Yesterday, the Court ordered the exhumation of the body of young man.

How could my son, who was in good health, face such a death?" asked his mother, speaking to AsiaNews.

Sathsara Nimesh, 26, a resident of Meegahakivula, Badulla, Uva province, had traveled to Colombo to participate in a caregiving course at a major hospital.

Following a complaint about an alleged incident, he was arrested on 1 April and died after being hospitalised while in police custody.

Colombo Additional Magistrate Keminda Perera, who reviewed the petition filed by his mother Liyanage Samanthi, ordered Colombo's Chief Medical Officer to conduct a new autopsy by a panel of three doctors.

This is the second death in custody at the Welikada police station after a woman named Raj Kumari was tortured to death.

Protests have erupted as soon as Sathsara Nimesh's case became public. Welikada police have faced harsh criticism and widespread reactions on social media.

As a result, the stations chief officer was removed from his post while a sergeant and a constable were suspended for alleged neglect.

Protesters gathered in front of the Welikada police station stressed that the dismissal and suspension of police officers responsible for the loss of life are only temporary actions. For this reason, they ask for appropriate penalties for the culprits.

Human rights activists, religious representatives, artists, lawyers, media, youth and concerned citizens have joined the protest, slamming "police brutality, urging the government to take the necessary action against the criminals.

We see that state repression has not stopped even in the new government. This death is one of the scars of state terrorism. We condemn the recurrence of such unjust incidents, even in this government that was elected after a great struggle with great hopes," said Sister Deepa Fernando, Co-Convenor of the Movement of Christian Women's Voice (MoCWV), speaking to AsiaNews.

Because of such incidents, people are afraid to go to the police, Sister Fernando explained. We thought that the situation was over, but it continues to happen. Even if not everyone in the police is like that, we have to say that it is a murderous police, she said.

"We urge the police not to destroy the lives of youth. If they have committed any kind of a wrong, please act through the accepted law in the country for the culprits, she added. For its part, the government should identify the murderous police quickly and respond to them properly. Change this unfair situation in the police quickly."

Deaths in police custody are a very common practice in this country, said Tharushi Dishara, a lawyer, speaking to AsiaNews. In January and April of last year, two young people were killed. Also, on February 10 this year, a person was killed at the Wadduwa police station. But the post-mortem examinations of these deaths have been delayed. Therefore, justice for such deaths is being delayed indefinitely.

Lawyer Senaka Perera, executive secretary of the Committee for the Protection of Prisoners' Rights, also spoke to AsiaNews, saying that he was happy to accept yesterday's court order for the exhumation of the young Sathsara. This is a real victory from the side of the victim, he said.

He added that his organisation has already protested in the past against the torture and killing of suspects in police custody, urging the relevant authorities, including the Inspector General of Police, to stop them immediately.

For Perera, immediate measures should be taken to stop the unlawful acts carried out by the police. Otherwise, the rule of law will be violated as well as the rights of individuals.

Since Sathsara Nimeshs death, his group has repeatedly called for a swift investigation and for the law to be applied against those responsible.
Brother Fadi Azar, a Franciscan from Jordan, has been a parish priest for five years in the coastal city, once an Assad stronghold. He talked to the Terrasanta online magazine about his fear that the civil war might start up again. In his testimony, he talks about the most tragic phases of the revolt repressed in blood, with thousands of deaths. Talks between Turkey and Israel are underway to avert an armed clash in Syria.

Damascus (AsiaNews)  Latakia, a city on the Syrian coast once considered a stronghold of Bashar al-Assad's regime was the scene a few weeks ago of an attempted revolt against Syrias new masters.

Brother Fadi Azar, a Franciscan who serves as a parish priest in the city, spoke to AsiaNews about local fears that civil war might break out again and kill thousands more, of Alawites who would like to convert to escape from an oppressive reality, of the memory of the many corpses [...] in the streets, or killed in homes, burnt alive.

Syrias new president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, and the Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) paramilitary group crushed the insurrection in blood, plunging the Arab country back to the darkest days of the conflict.

Interviewed by the website Terrasanta, the parish priest said that people in the Alawite heartland (between Latakia and Tartous), once a fiefdom of the Assad clan, have been "living in fear for a month as Kidnappings continue, people disappear, with families left in the dark.

This contradicts the official narrative whereby the new leaders are working for the countrys renaissance and for the inclusion of all its components, including minorities like the Kurds and the Druze.

The new leaders, all coming from the HTS, a group once linked to Islamic and jihadi extremist movements, is still far from being able to ensure peace and democracy in Syria.

Brother Fadi is a Franciscan, originally from Jordan. For the past five years, he has been involved in the pastoral care of the faithful in the coastal city, the fourth largest in the country, along with a confrere, Brother Graziano Buonadonna.

Before the civil war, Alawites represented about 13 per cent of the Syrian population, but they have become associated with the Assad family and the former regime.

Many parishioners want to leave, Fr Fadi said. Instead of asking us for help through the distribution of food parcels or medicines, or to pay the rent, they ask for help to get a visa and escape. Even some Alawites have come forward saying they are willing to become Christians for help to leave Syria.

Alawites who worked in the public sector were among the first targets of repression, with large-scale dismissals and the obligation for women to wear the veil.

In retaliation against the uprising, which shook the new Syrian regime for a few days, residents of entire villages and neighbourhoods in the city of Latakia were killed," the parish priest said.

"In Baniyas, they also attacked Christians, stole their cars, stole from homes, but did not kill them.

Elsewhere, there were killings, including Christians: Fadi and Antoine Butros were killed. The father and son were in Qardaha, even though they were not originally from there. A 27-year-old man, Tony Khoury, and the father of a student from Baniyas, who went out of his home because his car was being stolen, were killed. And the father of an Orthodox priest, Fr Gregorios. Another young Christian was captured at a checkpoint because he had been drafted in the army of the former regime and went missing.

The situation is still far from being pacified and there are many unresolved problems: fear, lack of water and electricity, fear of jihadi gangs and armed groups, many of them foreigners.

Many fighters, the clergyman noted, come from the Idlib area (fiefdom of the opponents and base of the anti-Assad revolt last November). They are controlled by the Turkish secret services. The new government in Damascus exerts no real control.

The priest urges people to be patient and avoid taking risky routes. Some people would like to go to Lebanon or Turkey and from there embark to reach Greece. The border with Turkey remains closed for Syrians and only people with Turkish citizenship or have a residence permit in Turkey are allowed to enter.

Meanwhile, Turkey and Israel are holding talks to avert military hostilities in Syria. The two countries hold opposing interests and aims that could trigger a confrontation on the ground.

Turkey and Israel are engaged in technical talks to establish a deconfliction mechanism in Syria. According to Channel 12 news, citing an Israeli source, a mechanism will be established, similar to the one built between Israel and Russia.

In a cabinet meeting, Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu told his ministers that he was not seeking a confrontation with Turkey in Syria, but that he would not hesitate to "act if necessary" to defend Israel.

For his part, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan earlier told CNN that the two countries have been holding talks on the matter when needed, even in the face of the intensification of the Jewish state's bombing of Syria.

The Turkish foreign minister said these talks are solely for deconfliction in Syria and do not aim at normalising relations. For Turkeys foreign ministry, Israel remains the greatest threat to regional security.
by Gregory

A humanitarian worker talks to AsiaNews about the situation in the areas affected by the earthquake that struck in late March. The military often blocks loads, fuelling fear and uncertainty. The regime, committed to rebuilding its own facilities instead of bringing relief to the population, would like to hide the displaced. No coordinated effort is being made to pull out the dead from the rubble. The needs are huge, but with the right support, we can reach the most vulnerable.

Yangon (AsiaNews)  Following the 7.7-magnitude earthquake that hit Myanmar on 28 March, the situation is very deeply concerning  both in terms of humanitarian needs and human rights risks, especially in informal displacement sites, yet in the areas most affected by the earthquake we havent seen any government presence, said Catherine (not her real name), a humanitarian worker who in recent weeks visited Mandalay and Sagaing, some of the regions most affected by the quake and the ongoing civil war that began more than four years between the putschist army and armed resistance groups.

After the earthquake, bodies like UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the World Food Programme (WFP), and Caritas began working together to deliver aid. Despite the commitment of international organisations, the military regime, which has banned foreign visitors and media, continues to complicate operations.

The Ministry of Relief and Resettlement has recently informed aid organisations to cooperate strictly with their directives, Catherine explained. An official based in Naypyidaw mentioned that, soon, all displaced persons in visible or accessible locations would be required to relocate to more hidden or remote areas on their own. Thats extremely concerning.

Uncertainty continues to hamper aid distribution. The authorities now require that all foreign aid be delivered to the Disaster Management Committee (DMC). But the reality is that no organisation, local or international, dares to approach the DMC to request aid deliveries. Theres fear, bureaucracy, and distrust. As a result, a major aid delivery bottleneck is forming.

In addition to logistical problems, military control and intimidation are an added factor. When foreign aid  especially items like WFP-packaged biscuits  is transported, it often prompts questioning or scrutiny from checkpoint personnel. This intimidates aid workers and slows down the process.

There is also no shortage of staffing difficulties. Sadly, we dont have enough volunteers to cover the wide area and growing needs. This is one of our biggest operational challenges, Catherine explained.

Despite the challenges, humanitarian personnel are working hard to reach all affected communities, regardless of religion.

Weve focused much of our support on Muslim communities, particularly in Mandalay, because they have been disproportionately affected," said the aid worker. Many Muslim men were gathered for prayers at the time of the quake and were among the casualties.

The earthquake occurred on the last Friday of Ramadan. Videos posed online following the tragedy show that, in addition to Buddhist temples, several mosques also collapsed, causing the death of hundreds of worshippers who had gathered in prayer.

The regime, however, does not seem to have people among its priorities. The junta administration is rebuilding their administrative offices instead of helping the disaster victims. This has created frustration and feelings of neglect, Catherine noted.

Making matters worse, very little has been done in terms of collecting the dead. This is a serious issue. It impacts not just the dignity of the deceased, but also the mental and emotional well-being of their families.

For now, people arent asking for psychosocial support  theyre focused on survival. But we know from experience that trauma will surface in the coming weeks," Catherine said. She hopes that, despite the difficulties, delivery is not politicized, and no community is left behind.

Ultimately, for her, while The needs are overwhelming, with the right support, we can reach the most vulnerable.

To respond to the humanitarian emergency, the PIME Foundation has decided to launch a fundraiser for Myanmar. We will send aid to them, starting with peoples basic needs, like shelter, food, and schooling for children.

To make a donation for Emergency Aid for Myanmar (10122) click here.
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10 April 2025 08:30 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

As time stretches into the unknown, the worlds problems persist, and these problems, simply because they were not resolved in time, create a foundation for more complex and deep conflicts to sprout again. Indeed, the national and ethnic struggles, as well as territorial claims that have lasted for more than three decades in the South Caucasus, have today paralyzed the region like an incurable carbuncle and, most importantly, stand as a major obstacle on the path to development.

An international forum, Facing the New World Order, was held on April 9 at ADA University, with President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan participating.

In his speech and answers to experts' questions, the President touched upon important factors of Azerbaijan's foreign and security policy, as well as the solution to regional problems affecting our country. This important series of events, held since 2021, has managed to come to the fore with its authenticity features and has played a special role in conveying the realities of the era. It has distinguished itself with its geopolitical, regional, and economic relevance. Although the thematic titles of the event already reflect its importance, this years forum, like its predecessors, stood out again. The discussion lasted more than two hours and touched on a wide range of topics, but in this article, we draw attention to the most pressing and urgent issues.

First and foremost, President Ilham Aliyev reiterated Azerbaijans willingness to sign a peace agreement with Armenia. However, he emphasized that two fundamental conditions must be met: Armenia must renounce the Minsk Group and amend its Constitution, which currently contains territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Even if a peace agreement is signed, reconciliation will not come easily, said the President, reminding that we will not forget the atrocities committed by the Armeniansgenocides, occupation, and the destruction of our lands. Despite that, Azerbaijan remains ready to create conditions for peace and cooperation in the region.

Yet, a critical question remains: Is Armenia truly ready for peace?

Although Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is trying to show himself ready for peace with Azerbaijan, Armenia does not consist only of Pashinyan. As President Aliyev said at the forum, there are revanchist forces in the neighboring country, and they have raised their heads again. Pashinyan's rating is falling. His party was defeated by revanchist forces in municipal elections in two important cities. These revanchist forces do not hesitate to make statements against Azerbaijan and Turkiye, and voice territorial claims against neighboring countries. How will peace be possible with these forces? This is one of the main questions for us.

There is a large process of militarization of Armenia. Deadly weapons, which have been supplied by new Armenian friends actually, will not truly lead to peace and stability, it will only lead to potential tension in the future. We know that there are quite strong revanchist groups in Armenia, the President noted.

Despite the defeat Armenia suffered in the Second Garabagh War, it seems that revanchist sentiment remains unchecked. If a peace agreement is to be signed between the two countries, all forces in Armenia must adhere to the terms of this agreement, otherwise, they will again drag their country into a heavy defeat. As Aliyev emphasized, the ball is in Armenias court.

Meanwhile, international dynamics on the Armenia-Azerbaijan border remain complicated. Recently, the European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMA) has increased its presence, especially with expanded night patrols. While officially framed as tension reduction, this coincides with Armenias continued militarization and political maneuvering. One cannot help but question: if the war is over and the peace agreement is near, what then justifies the enhanced European footprint? These developments only risk emboldening Yerevans provocations.

How the post-war situation will continue to develop mainly depends on Armenia. We restored our territorial integrity and sovereignty, put an end to separatism, and took control of our borders. For us, this issue is done. But it doesn't mean that we will just ignore potential threats and potential dangers. We must always be ready to push back, Aliyev warned.

Even as the two countries stand closer than ever to a peace agreement, the growing presence of foreign missions and military hardware on Armenias side raises questions about who is truly committed to a peaceful South Caucasus.

If an agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia is signed, then, of course, there will be no obstacle to the beginning of cooperation. I think that we should not lose time, because, with respect to the peace agreement, the ball is on the Armenian side.

Facing the New World Order: Azerbaijans strategic value

Now, there is also one other point that needs to be talked about. The main theme of this whole event...Facing the New World Order.

The concept of a new world order has been discussed for a considerable time, and it is becoming increasingly prevalent with each passing day, week, and month. The reasons for this shift are numerous and evident. On one hand, the United States plays a significant, yet sometimes striking, role in shaping the global political and economic landscape. On the other hand, various parties are either fearful of or seeking to exploit the potential power vacuum that could arise, as well as the looming threat of a "great war." Strong relations with Azerbaijan are very important for this region. Not only as a political need but also as an economic one...

The world is not as stable as it used to be. We see more conflicts, and we see more contradictions between different centers of power. Theres still a big global playerthe United Statesand there are those who want to become that player, said President Aliyev.

In this uncertain landscape, strong relations with Azerbaijan are not just politically usefulthey are strategically essential. As a nation that sits at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, plays a key role in energy security, maintains stable partnerships with both the Global South and Western nations, and has proven its military competence, Azerbaijan is uniquely placed to navigate and influence the emerging world order.

In American national interests, strong relations with Azerbaijan are very important for this region, Aliyev said.

Azerbaijanwith a strong position in the Non-Aligned Movement, with our strong connections to Central Asia, economic potential, energy resources, and army which demonstrated its strength on the battlefield, not in the paradescan be a very important partner for the United States.

The world transitions into a new order where traditional powers are challenged and new alliances are formed. Azerbaijans balanced, pragmatic, and forward-looking policy, on the other hand, provides an anchor for stability in a volatile region. Peace with Armenia is still on the table, but it depends on real political willnot only from Yerevan but from its international backers, too. And in this geopolitical chessboard, overlooking Azerbaijan is no longer an option.
10 April 2025 20:31 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

Unfortunately, Armenia once more remains true to its historical patterns, lending truth to the proverbial leopard never changes its spots. Like one hundred years ago, Armenia is voluntarily eager to take part, as a pawn, in a conflict fanned by much bigger actors, the outcome of which promises nothing good for Yerevan. It seems Armenians, scattered throughout the world, will make much ado about how big powers betrayed them, exploiting the adage that history repeats itself.

To put this into perspective, over a century ago, as the world stood on the brink of a new global order, Armenia involved itself in conflicts that set the stage for the deportation of Armenian communities. In the aftermath, Armenians began raising claims of genocide, accusing the Ottoman Empire of orchestrating a systematic extermination.

A hundred years later, as the world teeters on the edge of a new global order, Armenians are again attempting to involve themselves in a conflict that could pave the way to calamity for them. To provide some insight, the Russo-Ukrainian war is seen as a precursor to a new era in the global order. NATO and, especially, the EU view Russia as a serious threat to their security and are going to extreme lengths to make Russia withdraw its military forces from the Unions borders.

As is known, boasting the strongest army after Russia in the former Soviet Union, Azerbaijan is the only country that can fight fire with fire. Given that Armenia is the number one strategic ally of Russia and a member of Russian-led organizations such as Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), any conflict with Yerevan will lead confrontation with Moscow. To this end, the Western media outlets have been circulating news that supposedly Azerbaijan is going to attack Armenia for three years.

Of course, the only way to achieve these ends is to ignite new conflicts that would necessitate Russia's involvement, and the South Caucasus is an ideal region for this. As is well known, Azerbaijan boasts the second strongest army in the former Soviet Union, after Russia, and is the only country capable of engaging in direct combat. Given that Armenia is Russias top strategic ally and a member of Russian-led organizations such as the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), any conflict with Yerevan would inevitably lead to a confrontation with Moscow. In this context, Western media outlets have been circulating reports claiming that Azerbaijan has been poised to attack Armenia for the past three years.

Needless to say, all these accusations and claims were baseless because, unlike Armenia, Azerbaijan has never followed an expansionist foreign policy. Furthermore, the strategy Azerbaijan pursued during the 44-day War confirmed its stance and its commitment to international law. Thus, despite having had several opportunities to annex parts of Armenia, Azerbaijan did not take advantage of them. Baku remained true to its principles and did not fall for the provocations of the West and its little ally.

Seeing that their provocations were not going to work, they shifted gears, and the Armenian side has been firing at Azerbaijani positions since that time. The plan is obvious: they want Azerbaijani soldiers to cross the Armenian border because it would put Russia in a dilemmaeither Russia would have to shift some of its military forces from Ukraine to the South Caucasus, or it would lose face as a power that cannot protect its top ally.

As the proverb goes, A liar keeps his witnesses handy, Yerevans witness, European Union Monitoring Activity (EUMA), is ready. Of course, EUMA plays a significant role in this process. Although EUMA positions itself as an objective observer, its actions and statements often appear to align more closely with Armenian narratives, thereby undermining its credibility. The EUs influence in the South Caucasus cannot be ignored, especially considering the political and economic interests at play. The EU has, at times, been accused of turning a blind eye to Armenia's provocations and focusing disproportionately on criticizing Azerbaijan, even when the facts are not entirely clear. This bias is not only dangerous but also counterproductive, as it fosters a climate of distrust and suspicion between Azerbaijan and the West.

EUMA's presence, therefore, risks becoming a tool for political manipulation rather than a neutral force for peace. When an observer is perceived to have a vested interest in one side's success over the other, it erodes the legitimacy of its observations. The South Caucasus, a region fraught with historical and geopolitical complexities, deserves unbiased and fair monitoring. Instead, EUMA's actions contribute to further polarization. If the West truly seeks peace and stability in the region, it must reassess its role and ensure that its monitoring activities serve to promote balance and encourage dialogue rather than fuel existing tensions. The credibility of any peace process hinges on impartiality, something EUMA has yet to fully demonstrate in its involvement with Azerbaijan and Armenia.
10 April 2025 11:25 (UTC+04:00)

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The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is calling on the Azerbaijani government to step up efforts to attract private investment, reduce fiscal risks, and implement reforms in three strategic areas: state-owned enterprise governance, anti-corruption policy, and financial sector development. According to Azernews, the Fund emphasised that the strategic roadmap Azerbaijan 2030 places the private sector at the center of economic growth, employment, and investment. While acknowledging progress in simplifying business and licensing procedures, the IMF stressed the importance of deeper structural changes to sustain momentum.

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10 April 2025 12:55 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

Minister of Digital Development and Transport Rashad Nabiyev has held a meeting with the leadership of the Israeli road infrastructure company Netivei Israil, Azernews reports citing the ministry.

During the meeting, the Israeli side presented various infrastructure projects underway in Israel, including those related to urban transport management, and developments in the road and railway sectors. Special attention was given to the integration of digital solutions in transport infrastructure.

The Israeli representatives expressed interest in deepening cooperation with Azerbaijan, particularly in road and railway transport development. In turn, discussions were also held on the potential participation of Azerbaijani companies in infrastructure projects in Israel, reflecting growing mutual interest in expanding bilateral collaboration in transport and digitalization.
10 April 2025 14:24 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

The President of SOCAR, Rovshan Najaf, met with Moldovas Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development, and co-chair of the Azerbaijan-Moldova Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation, Vladimir Bolea, Azernews reports.

The meeting emphasized the importance of cooperation between SOCAR and Moldovas energy companies, and explored opportunities for developing these ties further.

The discussion highlighted Azerbaijans contribution to Europes energy security, as well as the importance of collaboration in the field of gas supply with neighboring countries in the region.

During the meeting, various topics were exchanged, including the trade of oil, gas, and petroleum products, renewable energy, decarbonization, and other matters of mutual interest.
10 April 2025 17:00 (UTC+04:00)

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In the first two months of 2025, trade between Azerbaijan and Saudi Arabia surge significantly. While overall trade rose, Azerbaijan's exports to Saudi Arabia dropped by 28.7%, totaling $484,000. In contrast, imports from Saudi Arabia surged by...

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10 April 2025 16:46 (UTC+04:00)

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A meeting took place between Samir Rzayev, President of Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) CJSC, and Luca Di Gianfrancesco, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Italy to Azerbaijan, to discuss enhancing air transport cooperation between the two countries, Azernews reports.

The discussions focused on exploring new opportunities for collaboration, with both sides recognizing that increased flights contribute significantly to the development of economic, tourism, and cultural relations. Rzayev announced that AZAL would increase flights on the Baku-Milan-Baku route to six times a week starting April 1, with plans for daily flights commencing May 13.

Ambassador Di Gianfrancesco highlighted the importance of these air links, especially in light of the upcoming Winter Olympic Games in Italy in 2026.

Currently, AZAL operates regular flights on the Baku-Milan-Baku route, with 252 round-trip flights carrying 67,708 passengers in 2024. From January to March 2025, AZAL already operated 67 flights, transporting 15,236 passengers. The meeting also touched on opening new routes and fostering regional integration through joint initiatives.
10 April 2025 10:44 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

A documentary film "Buy Now! A Trap for the Customer" has been screened at the Nizami Cinema Center at the initiative of the Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, founder and head of IDEA Public Union Leyla Aliyeva, Azernews reports.

At the opening of the event, about 400 young people attending the screening were given detailed information about the importance of responsible consumption, the long-term impacts of the current consumer culture on the environment, as well as how young people can be more responsible in their daily lives to contribute to environmental sustainability.

It was pointed out that that environmental awareness and changes in the consumption habits of each individual can pave the way for sustainable development in this area, and young people should become the driving force of this process. In this regard, it was emphasized that the events and projects implemented by IDEA are of great importance in terms of forming an ecological mindset, educating young people, as well as promoting a healthy and sustainable lifestyle.

Furthermore, the documentary film was screened. The documentary film "Buy Now! A Trap for the Customer" was produced by the British company "Grain Media".

Directed by Nick Stacey, the film discusses the marketing strategies used by leading international corporations and e-commerce platforms, the negative impact of modern consumer habits on the environment, and ways to overcome the problem.

The documentary sheds light on the risks posed by these trends through interviews with people who have held various leadership positions in a number of global companies, relevant statistics, and examples.

IDEA Public Union calls on everyone to form responsible consumption habits in their daily lives, as well as to take joint steps for a greener and more sustainable future.
10 April 2025 13:58 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

On April 10, Ganja State National Drama Theater will organize a new seminar "Acting: the Journey of a Hero with a Thousand Masks" as part of the "Theater from Generation to Generation" project, Azernews reports.

The event is organized by the Culture Ministry's Scientific, Methodological and Qualification Center of Culture (MEMIM) jointly with the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry with the support of the Ganja-Dashkasan Regional Department of Culture and the Ganja State National Drama Theater.

The guest of the seminar, People's Artist of Azerbaijan Nuraddin Mehdikhanli will share with young people the secrets of acting, stage plasticity, communication between the director, actor and spectator, the acting position in stage productions.

The main goal of the seminar is to contribute to the development of the national theater by creating a platform for the exchange of ideas and experiences between generations, as well as to increase interest in the field by applying modern international trends and forming an active creative environment by involving young people.

Media partners of the event are Azernews.Az, Trend.Az, Day.Az, and Milli.Az.
Trapped in Thucydidean worldview, U.S. becomes primary culprit of global risk

Xinhua) 09:32, April 10, 2025

BEIJING, April 9 (Xinhua) -- "A rogue America is among the biggest threats of 2025," Foreign Policy magazine warned at the start of this year, days ahead of Donald Trump's inauguration as U.S. president.

Since returning to the White House, Trump has unleashed a wave of "America First" policies: weaponizing tariffs, coveting foreign territories and resorting to coercive diplomacy. All these unilateralist and protectionist ruses have disrupted global economic cooperation, undermined regional stability and threatened the international order, thus posing significant risks to the world.

TARIFF WALL

A defining policy of the Trump administration is building a "tariff wall" around the United States, which, according to political risk consultancy Eurasia Group President Ian Bremmer, "represents an effort to reshape the global economic order and America's place in it."

On top of a 25 percent tariff on imported steel and aluminum, Washington has announced a 25 percent levy on all imported cars, sparking a strong global backlash.

Analysts suggest that the United States itself may bear the heaviest burden of its own tariff policies. Goldman Sachs Chief Economist Jan Hatzius has lowered the U.S. economic growth forecast for this year from 2.4 percent to 1.7 percent, highlighting the impact of tariffs.

In addition, growing trade fragmentation threatens to weigh on global economic prospects, according to a recent report released by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Analysts warned that U.S. tariff hikes could severely undermine the multilateral trade system, disrupt global supply chains and escalate tensions in international economic relations, further fragmenting the global economic landscape.

"CONQUEST IS BACK"

The Trump administration has also taken an aggressive stance on territorial matters. He pledged to acquire Greenland "one way or the other," called for Canada to be the 51st U.S. state, threatened to reclaim the Panama Canal and signed an executive order to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.

"Conquest is back," observed Foreign Affairs in March.

Little wonder such rhetoric has drawn swift condemnation. Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen described Trump's rhetoric as a "veiled threat" and "deeply inappropriate," warning that the United States was escalating tensions. Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino vowed that the Panama Canal "is and will always be Panamanian." Boycott of American goods and protests against the U.S. government have gained momentum in Canada, Greenland and several European countries.

Analysts warn that whether or not Trump's expansionist rhetoric translates into concrete action, it already poses a significant threat to national sovereignty and the international order. In his view, territorial conquest and division appear normalized, while international law and multilateralism face the risk of collapse.

COERCIVE PLOY

In the worldview of great power competition, sanctions, threats, extortion, military intervention and even colonial-style resource exploitation are all seen as legitimate tools for securing America's superiority, noted news site Eurasia Review.

Coercion has long been a cornerstone of U.S. diplomacy, particularly in conflicts involving Ukraine and the Middle East. Washington's approach to the Ukraine crisis has come at the expense of Ukraine's own interests, making it difficult for Kiev to accept. Meanwhile, Washington and Moscow remain deeply divided over the conditions for a ceasefire. It seems unrealistic for the United States to resolve the crisis swiftly through pressure and inducements.

In the Middle East, American coercive diplomacy has done more to fuel conflicts than to contain them. Israel has resumed strikes on Gaza, U.S. forces have escalated attacks on Yemen's Houthi fighters, and ceasefire talks remain at an impasse.

"For Trump, foreign policy isn't about carefully negotiated peace deals. It's about performance, leverage and crafting a narrative that sells," said Sina Toossi, a fellow at the U.S. think tank Center for International Policy.

Aaron David Miller, senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, also noted that Trump is looking for "quick wins" instead of resolving conflicts.

GLOBAL ORDER SABOTEUR

The imperialism of today's United States "bears the ugly hallmarks of earlier iterations," including the pursuit of power and wealth, military dominance, economic coercion, territorial control and an "utterly hypocritical morality," wrote The Guardian commentator Simon Tisdall.

Given its tariff policies, expansionist ambitions or coercive diplomacy, the United States is plainly stuck in a unilateralist and domineering mindset that "might makes right," which, according to James M. Lindsay, a distinguished fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, is a Thucydidean worldview -- one in which "the strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must."

Public sentiment abroad appears to be shifting in response. Last month, a YouGov poll revealed a sharp decline in positive views of the United States across several European countries, including Britain, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy and Spain, with some drops exceeding 20 percentage points. Meanwhile, a recent survey by Canadian polling firm Leger found that only about one-third of Canadians now hold a positive view of their southern neighbor.

As the moral and political foundations of the United States continue to erode, more nations are speaking up for upholding multilateralism and promoting global peace and stability. "Let nobody be surprised when the world once again looks for balance, and America ends up alone," Bloomberg warned.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
10 April 2025 18:23 (UTC+04:00)

ADA University's Institute for Development and Diplomacy (IDD), in partnership with the Embassy of Hungary and collaboration with the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Azerbaijan, hosted an international conference at ADA University under the theme, Innovative Pathways to a Green Future: Sustainable Energy and Emission Reduction, Azernews report.

The event brought together government officials, diplomats, energy experts, and private sector representatives to explore common ground for cooperation in green technologies, energy transition, and emissions reduction.

The event opened with welcoming remarks by Fariz Ismailzade, Vice Rector of ADA University and Director of IDD, who emphasized the growing urgency for collaborative action in climate resilience and energy transformation. At ADA University, we believe in the power of partnerships to support the efforts building a greener, smarter future, he noted.

Mr. Sadig Gurbanov, Chairman of the Natural Resources, Energy and Ecology Committee of the Parliament of Azerbaijan, mentioned in his remarks that Azerbaijan holds one of the highest renewable energy potentials in the region, with a technical capacity of 135 GW onshore and 157 GW offshore in the Caspian Sea. Under signed investment agreements, the country plans to generate 6 GW of solar and wind energy by 2030.

The discussion also featured diplomatic perspectives, with H.E. Mr. Tamas Torma, Ambassador of Hungary to Azerbaijan, and H.E. Mr. Milan Sedlacek, Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Azerbaijan, both highlighting their countries national strategies for renewable energy development and avenues for knowledge sharing with Azerbaijan.

Deputy Minister Orkhan Zeynalov announced that a Joint Venture will be set up in Baku to lead the Green Energy Corridor, backed by CESI SpA and BCG. The project features a 29 GW potential in Nakhchivan and interconnectors with Turkiye. An agreement was signed at COP29, with growing investment interest from Saudi Arabia.

The panels were moderated by Prof. Damjan Krnjevic, Director for Policy Research and Analysis at the Institute for Development and Diplomacy, ADA University. Participants engaged in discussions on energy storage, green transition strategies, and corporate approaches to sustainability.

Experts and industry leaders from Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Azerbaijanincluding representatives from MASDAR, SOCAR Green, BP AGT, MVM, Skoda Group, and the Hungarian Battery Associationshared case studies and best practices during two sessions titled Energy Storage and the Green Transition: Challenges and Opportunities and Green Technologies and Energy Efficiency: Company Strategies for a Sustainable Future.
10 April 2025 16:33 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

The appeal adopted during the international online conference on Refugees and Women, held on March 1, 2025, has been officially circulated by both the UN General Assembly and the Security Council, Azernews reports.

Organized by the Women's Council of the Western Azerbaijan Community, the event aimed to spotlight the ethnic cleansing faced by Azerbaijani women expelled from Armenia and the human rights violations stemming from their continued displacement. The conference, held ahead of International Womens Day, brought attention to the right of return for Azerbaijani women forcibly displaced from their native lands in Armenia.

The distribution of the appeal as an official UN document marks a significant milestone in increasing international awareness of the humanitarian and legal concerns surrounding the issue of West Azerbaijan.

The Western Azerbaijan Community emphasized that it will continue its advocacy for the safe and dignified return of Azerbaijanis expelled from Armenia, while urging global institutions to address the humanitarian dimension of this long-standing injustice.
10 April 2025 11:03 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

The Naval Forces of Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan are set to conduct joint exercises titled Caspian Wind-2025 in the Kazakh sector of the Caspian Sea, Azernews reports, citing a statement by Kazakhstan's Defense Ministry.

During a meeting between the First Deputy Chief of the General Staff of Kazakhstan's Naval Forces, Captain 1st Rank Kanat Niyazbekov, and his Azerbaijani counterpart, Captain 1st Rank Teymur Murshudov, both sides finalized the framework and operational details of the drills, which are aimed at enhancing regional maritime security and coordination.

The exercises will include a stage named Military Operations, where naval personnel will work through a wide range of scenarios: ship deployment in the training zone, formation sailing, joint maneuvers, response to asymmetric threats, and maritime search and rescue. The drills will also involve live combat firing against sea and air targets.

These exercises will strengthen the effectiveness of our naval interaction and deepen the mutual trust and cooperation between our countries, Niyazbekov emphasized.

From Azerbaijan, two patrol ships, auxiliary vessels, and coastal units will take part in the exercises, which will also engage personnel from Kazakhstan's coastal and naval base units. Further operational details and mapping for training episodes will be finalized following the arrival of Azerbaijani vessels in Aktau.
A court hearing is underway at the Baku Court Complex on the criminal case involving 15 individuals of Armenian origin accused of committing grave war crimes and crimes against humanity, Azernews reports. The proceedings are being chaired by Judge Zeynal Agayev of the Baku Military Court.

Among the accused is David Babayan, who previously testified in court, responding to prosecutors questions related to specific episodes.

The accused are facing a wide array of serious charges, including waging an aggressive war, genocide, forced displacement, torture, persecution, military robbery, and other acts considered violations of international law. These crimes are alleged to have been committed during Armenias occupation of Azerbaijani territories by its armed forces and the so-called Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.

The list of defendants includes prominent figures such as Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, and others formerly involved in the political and military structures of the illegal regime.

They are being tried under multiple articles of Azerbaijans Criminal Code, including but not limited to:

Article 100 (aggressive war),

Article 103 (genocide),

Article 107 (forced displacement),

Article 113 (torture),

Article 120 (willful killing),

Article 214 (terrorism),

Article 278 (forcible change of the constitutional structure),

Article 279 (creation of illegal armed groups).

The trial marks a significant step in Azerbaijans legal pursuit of accountability for the crimes committed during decades of conflict in and around Garabagh. Further hearings are expected as the court continues to examine extensive charges and testimonies.
10 April 2025 15:48 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

During the ongoing trial at the Baku Military Court on April 10, Melikset Pashayan, one of the accused, admitted to illegally serving in the occupied territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan while answering questions from state prosecutors. Pashayan, who served in the armed forces of Armenia, revealed that he had been issued a "Kalashnikov" weapon, Azernews reports.

The accused disclosed that he had been stationed at combat posts in various directions, including in the villages of Sarijaly, Gulluja, and other areas of the Aghdam region. In response to a question from state prosecutor Fuad Musayev, Pashayan acknowledged that "Aghdam is a region of the Republic of Azerbaijan," but could not provide an answer when asked what he was protecting in Azerbaijan's territories.

This trial is part of ongoing proceedings against citizens of Armenia accused of war crimes, including the preparation and waging of aggressive war, genocide, violations of international laws of war, terrorism, and numerous other crimes committed as a result of Armenia's military aggression.
10 April 2025 17:39 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

Minister of Energy of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Parviz Shahbazov, held a meeting with Fergus Auld, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to Azerbaijan.

According to Azernews, the meeting focused on strengthening bilateral energy cooperation, advancing green energy initiatives, promoting interconnector projects in the field of hydrogen strategy, and preparing for the upcoming session of the Intergovernmental Commission.

The sides engaged in a broad exchange of views regarding these strategic areas and also discussed a number of other issues of mutual interest.
10 April 2025 17:48 (UTC+04:00)

On 10 April President Donald Trump congratulates President Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of Nowruz Holiday.

Azernews presents letter:

Dear Mr. President,

On behalf of the United States, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to you and the people of Azerbaijan on the joyful occasion of Nowruz. This meaningful holiday is a celebration of peace, prosperity, and renewal, values that resonate deeply with people across the world.

The United States and Azerbaijan share a strong and enduring relationship rooted in mutual interests and shared goals. I look forward to building upon this foundation and achieving great accomplishments together in the years ahead.

I would also like to express my appreciation for Azerbaijans steadfast friendship with our close partner Israel, and commend the constructive steps your country and Armenia are taking in pursuit of regional peace and stability.

As our countries continue to deepen cooperation, please know that the United States remains a firm supporter of Azerbaijans sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.

I look forward to our continued partnership and progress.

Sincerely,

Donald J. Trump

President of the United States of America
10 April 2025 22:31 (UTC+04:00)

Court hearings on the criminal case against citizens of the Republic of Armenia Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Davit Ishkhanyan, Davit Babayan, Lyova Mnatsakanyan and others, who are accused of committing crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, including the preparation and conduct of a war of aggression, acts of genocide, violation of the laws and customs of warfare, as well as terrorism, financing of terrorism, forcible seizure of power, forcible retention of power and numerous other crimes as a result of Armenia's military aggression, continued on April 10.

The hearings held at the Baku Military Court were presided over by Judge Zeynal Aghayev and a panel consisting of Jamal Ramazanov and Anar Rzayev (reserve judge Gunel Samadova). Each of the accused was provided with an interpreter into the language of their choice, as well as defense attorneys.

Present at the review hearings were the accused and their defense attorneys, some of the victims, their legal successors and representatives, as well as prosecutors in charge of public prosecution.

While answering the questions of public prosecutor Tarana Mammadova, the accused Melikset Pashayan admitted that he had illegally served in the sovereign territories of Azerbaijan occupied by Armenia at the time. Melikset Pashayan, who served in the armed forces of the Republic of Armenia, said that he had been given a Kalashnikov assault rifle. Noting that he had undergone his regular military service in the Far East from 1989 to 1991, Melikset Pashayan noted that he had joined the Asgaran Regiment in 1993. He said, I was at a combat post from approximately May 1993 to 1994  until ceasefire was agreed. Vilen Safaryan was our battalion commander.

Melikset Pashayan also said that he had served in the 31st battalion during the First Karabakh War, adding that Vitaly Balasanyan was the commander of his military unit. He said that he had been at combat posts in various villages of Asgaran, Aghdara and Aghdam districts. The accused revealed that there were automatic weapons, machine guns and mortars available to combat posts.

Melikset Pashayan said he had also received a Kalashnikov assault rifle during the Second Karabakh War. When asked who the weapon was intended for use against, he answered, Against the Azerbaijani Army....

Melikset Pashayan was part of an armed unit established in the village of Ashagi Yemishjan in Khojaly district from May to September 2023. The accused stated that he was awarded the self-styled republics medal For bravery. Confirming that, among other areas, he had been stationed at combat posts in Sarijali, Gulluja and other villages of Aghdam district, the accused said in response to the public prosecutors question, Aghdam is a district of the Republic of Azerbaijan. However, he could not answer the question of what and who he was protecting in the territories of Azerbaijan.

Melikset Pashayan also said that mines had been planted around combat posts by Armenian engineers and sappers. He noted that he received a salary for his military service both during the first and second Karabakh wars and afterwards.

Then the accused Davit Allahverdiyan answered the questions of public prosecutor Fuad Musayev. He said that he studied at Khankendi University, served in the military unit in Asgaran in 2006-2008 and was on combat duty in Aghdam. He said, Artur Harutyunyan was the commander of the military unit. While in military service, I was provided with a sniper rifle. According to him, upon returning from military service, he continued his higher education. However, the university he studied earlier had become a branch of the Armenian Agrarian University.

Answering the questions of the Senior Assistant to the Prosecutor General, Vusal Aliyev, Davit Allahverdiyan said that on September 1, 2020, he worked in the position of the head of the agricultural sector of the security council in the self-proclaimed republic established in the sovereign territories of Azerbaijan once occupied by Armenia, and then served as an advisor to the minister of agriculture.

The accused said that he was called up for military service during the 44-day war, adding that he was given an automatic weapon. He later joined an illegal armed group in January 2023. Since he was part of the armed group, he received a salary for the number of days of military service.

Davit Allahverdiyan, who was an official in the agricultural sector, acknowledged that grain was sown in the sovereign territories of Azerbaijan once occupied by Armenia and that the produce was sent to Armenia.

Then the accused Levon Balayan answered questions from public prosecutors. Levon Balayan said that he was born in Baku in 1978 and fought against Azerbaijan in the 44-day war.

At this time, the accused David Babayan was warned by the judge for helping Levon Balayan to answer the questions.

Levon Balayan said that he had joined an illegal military unit in exchange for a monthly salary after the war, receiving a salary equivalent to 400-500 US dollars in Armenian drams.

The accused Gurgen Stepanyan, while answering the questions of public prosecutor Vusal Abdullayev, said that he was called up for military service as a citizen of the Republic of Armenia in 2006 and underwent two years of military service in Fuzuli district of the Republic of Azerbaijan, which was occupied at the time.

I lived in the city of Jermukh, Armenia. I was called up for military service by the Armenian state, he added. Gurgen Stepanyan also said that there were predominantly Armenian citizens among officers in the military unit where he served.

The accused, who said that he had then joined the Khojavand Regiment, admitted that he had received a salary via bank card in exchange for his service.

While answering the questions of the Head of the Department of Public Prosecution of the Prosecutor General's Office, Nasir Bayramov, the accused Vasily Beglaryan said that he was in military service in Aghdara in 2012-2013, lived in the village of Edilli in Khojavand district until 2018 and then in the city of Yerevan, Armenia, until 2022.

The accused, who said that he had come to Khankendi in September of that year to start his military service, noted that he had received a salary of 400,000 Armenian drams per month.

In response to questions from the Assistant to the Prosecutor General for Special Assignments, Tugay Rahimli, the accused Erik Ghazaryan said that in 2021 he had left the city of Gafan, Armenia, for the city of Khankendi, Azerbaijan, for extended military service.

Any citizen of Armenia could apply for military service, the accused said, adding that the only condition for this was to change the place of registration. He said, I left the Gafan registration in about a month and was registered in Aghdara.

He said that he had received a salary of about 400,000 drams (approximately 800 US dollars) per month for extended military service. The accused also said that he had an automatic weapon on him when he was detained by Azerbaijani servicemen.

The next court hearing is scheduled for April 11. The proceedings will continue with questions to be asked of the accused.

A total of 15 Armenian nationals are being charged with numerous crimes involving direct leadership and participation of the Armenian state, its state bodies, military forces and illegal armed formations, verbal and written instructions, orders and assignments, provision of material and technical support, central governance, as well as the exercise of rigorous control, with the aim of committing military aggression and acts of terror against the Republic of Azerbaijan in the territory of Azerbaijan in violation of domestic and international law, and involving Robert Sedraki Kocharyan, Serzh Azati Sargsyan, Vazgen Mikaeli Manukyan, Vazgen Zaveni Sargsyan, Samvel Andraniki Babayan, Vitali Mikaeli Balasanyan, Zori Hayki Balayan, Seyran Mushegi Ohanyan, Arshavir Surenovich Garamyan, Monte Charles Melkonyan and others, including criminal acts committed during the course of the war of aggression waged by the aforementioned criminal group.

The said persons, i.e. Arayik Vladimiri Harutyunyan, Arkadi Arshaviri Ghukasyan, Bako Sahaki Sahakyan, Davit Rubeni Ishkhanyan, David Azatini Manukyan, Davit Klimi Babayan, Levon Henrikovich Mnatsakanyan, Vasili Ivani Beglaryan, Erik Roberti Ghazaryan, Davit Nelsoni Allahverdiyan, Gurgen Homeri Stepanyan, Levon Romiki Balayan, Madat Arakelovich Babayan, Garik Grigori Martirosyan, Melikset Vladimiri Pashayan, are being charged under Articles 100 (planning, preparing, initiating and waging a war of aggression), 102 (attacking persons or organizations enjoying international protection), 103 (genocide), 105 (extermination of the population), 106 (enslaving), 107 (deportation or forced displacement of the population), 109 (persecution), 110 (enforced disappearance of people), 112 (deprivation of liberty contrary to international law), 113 (torture), 114 (mercenary service), 115 (violation of the laws and customs of warfare), 116 (violation of international humanitarian law during armed conflict), 118 (military robbery), 120 (intentional murder), 192 (illegal entrepreneurship), 214 (terrorism), 214-1 (financing terrorism), 218 (creation of a criminal association (organization)), 228 (illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transportation and possession of weapons, their components, ammunition, explosives and devices), 270-1 (acts threatening aviation security), 277 (assassination of a state official or public figure), 278 (forcible seizure and retention of power, forcible change of the constitutional structure of the state), 279 (creation of armed formations and groups not provided for by law) and other articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
10 April 2025 19:05 (UTC+04:00)

By News Center

The Turkish Wealth Fund (TVF) and the Iraqi Development Fund (IKF) have officially launched strategic cooperation between the two countries with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Baghdad.

The agreement was signed by Arda Ermut, General Manager and Board Member of the Turkish Wealth Fund, and Muhammed al-Naccar, President of the Iraqi Development Fund.

Speaking at the press conference held prior to the signing ceremony, Ermut stated that as two countries with a deep-rooted history, a shared geography, and strong bonds of brotherhood, relations between Turkiye and Iraq have always held a special place. He noted that this centuries-old friendship has fostered mutual trust and solidarity, evolving beyond neighborly ties into a brotherhood centered around shared goals.

This memorandum of understanding is a significant step forward that will elevate cooperation between Turkiye and Iraq not only regionally, but also on a global scale, Ermut said.

As the Turkish Wealth Fund, it will engage in intensive collaboration with the Iraqi Development Fund to develop, finance, and implement projects.

This memorandum clearly reflects our shared commitment to work together in key strategic sectors. We aim to cooperate across a broad spectrumfrom renewable and green energy to information and communication technologies; from infrastructure and superstructure investments to transportation and logistics; from automotive to agricultural technologies and food production; and from financial services to fintech applications.

Beyond investments, we will maintain close cooperation in areas such as knowledge sharing, technology transfer, and the joint use of resources. This will help ensure that our joint projects generate broader and more lasting impact, he said.

Ermut expressed his belief that this initiative will support inclusive and sustainable development in both Turkiye and Iraq. He added that the partnership would also strengthen regional economic stability and deepen the friendship between the two nations.

We place great importance on building long-term relationships based not only on economics, but also on trust and shared values. I believe today's step is a strong reflection of that commitment. I would like to thank everyone who contributed to this important process, especially the esteemed leaders of both countries and all stakeholders, he said.

President of the Iraq Development Fund, Muhammed al-Naccar, also expressed his pleasure at welcoming the TVF delegation in Baghdad. He emphasized that this was an important step not only for the Development Road Project, but also for all future projects, partnerships, and bilateral relations.

For the first time, we are signing long-term strategic projects that go beyond commercial relations between Iraq and Turkiye, Neccar said, noting that the MoU also lays the groundwork for future joint initiatives.

The memorandum aims to enhance bilateral cooperation and establish a framework for effective partnerships on both regional and global scales.

Within this context, the two sides will collaborate through a structured cooperation mechanism to develop, finance, and implement joint projects. The first tangible results of this joint effort are expected to emerge in 2025.

The MoU also includes joint commitments to innovative investments in strategically important sectors, including renewable and green energy technologies, information and communication technologies, infrastructure and superstructure development, transportation and logistics, automotive, agricultural technologies and food production, fintech, and financial services.

In addition to these investment areas, the partnership encompasses knowledge and expertise sharing, technology transfer, and the strategic allocation of resources.

This cooperation is expected to support sustainable economic development in both countries, while also strengthening growth, enhancing regional economic stability, and deepening long-standing strategic ties.
10 April 2025 22:20 (UTC+04:00)

By News Center

Turkish Trade Minister Omer Bolat, commenting on the impact of the U.S. customs duties on Turkiye's foreign trade, said that the situation carries serious uncertainty. Stating that Turkiye aims to navigate this process without suffering damage, Bolat remarked:

Its not exactly clear who hit whom. Our first duty is to avoid being hit. Our second duty is to boost our exports by making strategic moves in favor of our country. We are working toward this goal in collaboration with both the public and private sectors, he said.

Minister Bolat also discussed Turkiyes preparations for participating in the World EXPO 2025 event, which will be held in Osaka, Japan, at a press conference in Istanbul yesterday. He also addressed questions about customs tariffs. Highlighting the possibility that countries losing access to the U.S. market may shift their focus to markets where Turkiye is active.

For this reason, we will pursue a multifaceted trade diplomacy strategy, he stated.

Drawing attention to the fact that Turkiye maintains a balanced bilateral trade relationship with the United States, Bolat added:

Our trade with the U.S. will continue to grow. The U.S. is Turkiyes second-largest export market after Germany, with $18 billion in exports.

Bolat also mentioned that they are closely analyzing the impact of these developments on Turkiye through meetings with companies and Turkish Exporters Assembly (TIM) officials:

I can say the phones have started ringing. There is demand for orders. TIM officials have reported that inquiries are coming in from the West, asking for pricing and production capacity. To turn this into an advantage, we need to boost our large-scale production capacity. Id like to make a call to our exporting companies: lets not act with a short-term just win mindset. Lets combine our strengths so we can fulfill high-value orders when they arrive.

Emphasizing that Turkiye pursues policies centered on foreign trade, Bolat continued:

The 10 percent additional customs duty imposed by the U.S. is not a favorable development for us. However, higher tariffs were imposed on some of our competitors. This comparatively places us in a better position. Weve taken steps to create new opportunities in the U.S. market. These changes may benefit sectors such as steel, textiles, furniture, and automotive. In politics, even 24 minutesnot just 24 hourscan change the equation. So, let us neither panic nor rejoice prematurely.

When asked whether the Trump administration was exerting pressure on U.S. companies with investments in Turkiye, Bolat responded:

To date, we have not observed any initiatives from the U.S. administration to pressure American companies investing in Turkiye. U.S. firms have invested $15 billion in Turkiye, while Turkish firms have invested approximately $11 billion in the U.S. We would like to see these mutual investments increase.

He also reiterated that while opportunities may arise, there are also associated risks, particularly as countries with declining access to the U.S. market might target Turkiyes export destinations:

For this reason, we will carry out multifaceted trade diplomacy. Bolat announced that he will visit the U.S. with representatives from the business sector on May 1516.

Regarding World EXPO 2025 Osaka, Bolat shared that Turkiye will have a large pavilion covering 900 square meters:

We have a pavilion there that blends our countrys rich cultural heritage with a modern design approach. We will also celebrate April 23National Sovereignty and Childrens Dayas Turkiyes National Day in Osaka.

He noted that the event will span six months and is expected to attract over 25 million visitors:

As Turkiye, we will participate in the worlds largest event for trade, promotion, and tourism.

Bolat added that the main theme of EXPO 2025 Osaka is Designing the Society of the Future for Our Lives, and emphasized:

Expos play a very important role in showcasing Turkiyes achievements in economy, trade, services, and technology on the global stage.
10 April 2025 23:50 (UTC+04:00)

By News Center

The Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) and Pakistan's three national oil companies will submit a joint bid for Pakistan's tender for 40 offshore blocks.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, Turkiye has taken a new step toward exploring oil and natural gas abroad. While the Oruc Reis Seismic Research Vessel continues its operations in the Somali seas, a new cooperation has been established with Pakistan.

Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar, who attended the Pakistan Mining Investment Forum for the first time as part of the Islamabad program, delivered a speech at the ministerial session.

During the forum, a Joint Bidding Agreement was signed between Turkish Petroleum and Pakistan's national oil companies: Mari Energies, OGDCL, and PPL.

Bayraktar, who attended the signing ceremony, said, "This step will further deepen the strategic energy partnership between Turkiye and Pakistan and will also be an important milestone in terms of regional energy security."

Following the forum, Bayraktar held separate meetings with Pakistan's Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik and Energy Minister for Electricity Sardar Awaiz Ahmad Khan Leghari.

Pakistan will hold a tender for a total of 40 offshore exploration blocks14 in the Makran offshore basin and 26 in the Indus offshore basinon June 30, 2025. According to the agreement, four companiesone Turkish and three Pakistaniwill make joint bids for the blocks they have agreed upon.

Bayraktar was also received by Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif as part of the Islamabad program, where energy relations between Turkiye and Pakistan were discussed.

Bayraktar also met with General Asim Munir, Commander of Pakistani Land Forces.
In the Eastern Province, the Jabu oil field was identified after very light Arab crude oil flowed at a rate of 800 barrels per day from well Jabu-1.

Another notable find was in the Sayahid field, where very light crude flowed from well Sayahid-2 at a rate of 630 bpd. The Ayfan field also showed promising results, with well Ayfan-2 producing 2,840 bpd of very light crude and approximately 0.44 million standard cubic feet of gas per day.

Further exploration confirmed the Jubaila reservoir in the Berri field, where light crude flowed from well Berri-907 at a rate of 520 bpd, along with 0.2 MMscf of gas daily. Additionally, the Unayzah-A reservoir in the Mazalij field yielded premium light crude from well Mazalij-64 at 1,011 bpd, coupled with 0.92 MMscf of gas per day.

In the Empty Quarter, the Nuwayr field produced medium Arabian crude at 1,800 bpd from well Nuwayr-1, along with 0.55 MMscf of gas daily. The Damdah field, tapped via well Damda-1, showed medium crude flow from the Mishrif-C reservoir at 200 bpd, and very light crude from the Mishrif-D reservoir at 115 bpd. The Qurqas field also produced medium crude at 210 bpd from well Qurqas-1.

Regarding natural gas, notable discoveries were made in the Eastern Province. Gas was found in the Unayzah B/C reservoir of the Ghizlan field, with well Ghizlan-1 yielding 32 MMscf of gas per day and 2,525 barrels of condensate. In the Araam field, well Araam-1 produced 24 MMscf of gas per day along with 3,000 barrels of condensate. Unconventional gas was also discovered in the Qusaiba reservoir of the Mihwaz field, where well Mihwaz-193101 produced 3.5 MMscf per day and 485 barrels of condensate.

In the Empty Quarter, significant natural gas flows were recorded in the Marzouq field, with 9.5 MMscf per day from the Arab-C reservoir and 10 MMscf from the Arab-D reservoir. Additionally, the Upper Jubaila reservoir yielded 1.5 MMscf of gas per day from the same well.

Prince Abdulaziz emphasized the importance of these discoveries, noting their contribution to solidifying Saudi Arabias leadership in the global energy sector and enhancing the Kingdoms hydrocarbon potential.

These findings are expected to drive economic growth, strengthen Saudi Arabias ability to meet both domestic and international energy demand efficiently, and support the countrys long-term sustainability goals. They align with the objectives of Vision 2030, which aims to maximize the value of natural resources and ensure global energy security.
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Review: This is the best Oasis have been since 96  some might say better... a rock reunion to end them all
A woman has admitted assaulting social workers, threatening to kill them and damaging her solicitors office.

Sarah Beech appeared at Ballymena Magistrates' Court today via video-link from prison. She entered guilty pleas to three charges of making threats to kill against two social workers and the child of one of them.
Bridie Brown, the wife of Sean Brown, with his daughters at the Court of Appeal last week (Liam McBurney/PA)

Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn has said he is taking steps to ensure a new truth recovery body is capable of carrying out an independent and rigorous investigation into the murder of Sean Brown.

The Secretary of State said he is carefully considering a recent judgment from the Court of Appeal in Belfast which stated that the Governments failure to order a public inquiry into the killing of the GAA official was unlawful.

Mr Brown, 61, the chairman of Bellaghy Wolfe Tones GAA club in Co Londonderry, was ambushed, kidnapped and murdered by loyalist paramilitaries as he locked the gates of the club in May 1997.

No-one has ever been convicted of his killing.

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn said he wanted there to be a full investigation into the murder of Sean Brown (Niall Carson/PA)

Last week, three judges at the Court of Appeal in Belfast said the Governments failure to order a public inquiry into the murder cannot stand and gave Mr Benn four weeks to reflect upon the judgment before another hearing.

Northern Irelands First Minister Michelle ONeill wrote to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer this week urging him to establish a public inquiry into the killing.

Speaking during a visit to Coleraine, Mr Benn said he had brought the case to the Court of Appeal on the constitutional principle of who should order public inquiries.

He said: I want there to be a full, independent, rigorous investigation into the murder of Sean Brown.

That is not the issue at hand in the appeal.

The appeal relates to a constitutional principle about who orders public inquiries in the United Kingdom, and the long-standing convention is it is governments and not the courts, and that is an important constitutional principle.

Now, I understand why, from the Brown familys point of view, theyre not concerned with that.

Mr Benn had challenged an earlier High Court ruling that he must set up a public inquiry, instead arguing that the case could instead be dealt with by a new Troubles investigatory body, the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR).

Last week the Court of Appeal said the limitations of the ICRIR to deal with cases such as Mr Browns killing are apparent.

The panel of judges said the commission, as it is currently established, is not equipped to deal with cases which involve sensitive material.

Mr Benn said: I am determined also to make sure that the independent commission (ICRIR) will be compliant with the European Convention on Human Rights, and what the courts are saying is there has not yet been an Article 2-compliant investigation into the terrible murder of Sean Brown.

I want there to be an Article 2-compliant investigation into the murder of Sean Brown.

That is why Im taking steps to ensure that the independent commission has the capacity to do that.

Last year a coroner halted an inquest into the killing, expressing concern that his ability to examine the case had been compromised by the extent of confidential state material being excluded from the proceedings on national security grounds.

Preliminary inquest proceedings had already heard that in excess of 25 people had been linked by intelligence to the murder, including several state agents.

It had also been alleged in court that surveillance of a suspect in the murder was temporarily stopped on the evening of the killing, only to resume again the following morning.

The ICRIR was established as part of the previous governments contentious Legacy Act.

Mr Benn is repealing the Act but is retaining the ICRIR, stating that he wants to improve its disclosure regime and, in specific circumstances, enable the commission to hold public hearings.
A Co Tyrone man who tried to smuggle more than 2m of cannabis into Northern Ireland from England has been sentenced to three years and nine months in prison.

Kirk Hackett (30), from Dungannon, was stopped driving a lorry on the A1 near Doncaster on May 3, 2024.

Working on behalf of the National Crime Agency (NCA), the South Yorkshire Police stopped Hackett, and then searched the vehicle.

Officers removed the floor of the trailer unit and found an area known as a coil well, designed to safely carry cylindrical items.

This had 70 large bags of cannabis concealed inside it, each weighing a kilo, with a total estimated street value of 2.1m.

NCA officers said they established Hackett was a member of an organised crime gang and had posed as a lorry driver as he travelled from Larne port to Cairnryan two days prior, before driving to Sheffield where he had picked up a large amount of drugs.

Hackett was arrested and charged with possession with intent to supply a Class B drug.

His arrest came as part of a wider NCA investigation into a suspected crime network based in Northern Ireland.

At the time of his arrest, he was driving to pick up a cover load of animal feed, before returning to NI with his illegal haul.

A search of the driver's cab found a drill, drill bits and a box of metal screws matching those used to install the false floor to conceal the illegal drugs, as well as six fake number plates.

Hackett had used false registration plates on the vehicle and had a false insurance certificate so it was less likely he would be stopped by police in the UK.

Investigators found the lorry was originally registered to a haulier based in Northern Ireland.

Hackett pleaded guilty on October 24, 2024 at Sheffield Crown Court.

He was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison at the same court today (Thursday, April 10).

NCA Branch Commander David Cunningham said: "Kirk Hackett was a trusted member of this organised crime group profiting from smuggling drugs that would have ended up on the streets of Northern Ireland.

"He went to great lengths in his attempts to avoid detection, disguising the vehicle and organising a cover load of animal feed.

"However, thanks to the work of our investigators, and partners at South Yorkshire Police, we have disrupted the activities of this OCG denying them the profits which would be used to commit further acts of serious and organised crime.

"The NCA will continue to pursue these gangs who prey on our communities and cause harm to society."
Firefighters battle a major gorse fire on the Black Mountain in Belfast on April 8th 2025 (Photo by Kevin Scott)

Devastation left behind by wildfires in the Mournes (Photo by PSNI Air Support)

The PSNIs air support unit has shared an image of devastation caused by wildfires in the Mourne Mountains.

The police said it had assisted the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service in assessing fires in the Mournes.

Sharing an image of widespread damage, the post added: Bear in mind this isnt even all of the devastation the fires have caused.

The Northern Ireland Fire Service (NIFRS) has confirmed that there are no ongoing wildfires across NI.

It comes after an extremely busy week for the Fire Service which has tackled hundreds of fires across the country.

Last night it was confirmed that NIFRS had scaled back operations in Co Tyrone and Co Antrim.

A spokesperson said: We are pleased to confirm there are no ongoing wildfire incidents across Northern Ireland.

Firefighters continued to respond to wildfire incidents late into the evening and attended other emergency calls across Northern Ireland.

"Our Regional Control Room received 188 calls yesterday, 29 of the 116 calls mobilised involved wildfires.

Yesterday at 4.50pm, firefighters were called to reports of approximately 30 acres of gorse on fire on Ecclesville Road, Fintona.

"Six Fire Appliances were in attendance from Fintona, Dromore, Irvinestown, Pomeroy and Omagh Fire Stations.

"The incident was dealt with by 9.29pm.

They added: Firefighters were also called to another gorse fire in Glenravel Road, Cargan, Ballymena at 5.23pm.

"Nine Fire Appliances and over 50 Firefighters were in attendance from Ballymena, Cushendall, Ballymoney, Kilea, Ballycastle and Coleraine Fire Stations.

"The incident was dealt with by 10.09pm.

Earlier on Wednesday, firefighters said they had scaled back operations at a separate fire in the White Bridge area of Ballygawley, Co Tyrone.

The blazes came after a major incident was declared at the weekend when a large wildfire close to the Mournes in Co Down led to homes being evacuated.

NIFRS responding to a fire in the Bloody Bridge area of the Mournes

That blaze is being treated as arson and a 25-year-old was arrested.

A separate blaze in the Bloody Bridge area that raged across a two-mile front was described as dealt with on Tuesday evening.

The cause remains under investigation.

In Belfast, 35 firefighters worked to extinguish a fire on Black Mountain on Tuesday night.

They battled blazing 6ft high trees with hoses that spanned over half a mile across the mountainous terrain.

Police, fire chiefs and Environment Minister Andrew Muir have said that many of the fires are being lit deliberately.

Devastation left behind by wildfires in the Mournes (Photo by PSNI Air Support)

100 Firefighters battle major gorse fire in Mourne mountains

NIFRS has warned that a warning is still in place and urged the public to stay vigilant.

With the weather warning still in place and temperatures rising today, we are reminding the public to adhere to our fire safety advice, said a spokesperson.

"Please stay vigilant to fire in the countryside. If you see a fire, call 999.
Solicitor Darragh Mackin (right) from Phoenix Law Solicitors with Martina Dillon (left), whose husband Seamus was shot dead by loyalists in Dungannon in 1997 (Liam McBurney/PA)

The UK Supreme Court is expected to hear an appeal against a critical judgment on the Legacy Act before the summer, a lawyer has said.

Darragh Mackin from Phoenix Law, who represents several Troubles victims, said they had asked for the case to be expedited and it would be heard before the end of June if possible.

Martina Dillon, whose husband Seamus was shot dead in a loyalist attack at the Glengannon Hotel in Dungannon, Co Tyrone, in 1997, said the ongoing legal action rubs salt in the wounds of Troubles victims.

Last year the Court of Appeal in Belfast part allowed an appeal taken against the contentious Legacy Act which was introduced by the previous government, ruling there were breaches of human rights law and the Windsor Framework.

Troubles victims and lawyers outside the Court of Appeal last year (Brian Lawless/PA)

The court found that a Government veto power over what sensitive material can be disclosed to bereaved families by a new truth recovery body, the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR), is unlawful.

The court also ruled that the ICRIR does not provide victims and their next of kin adequate means to participate in its processes.

The Labour Government is currently repealing the Act, including restoring legacy inquests and civil claims, but is retaining the ICRIR.

Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn appealed against parts of the judgment, stating he was seeking clarification over the finding around the veto power on sensitive material and also over articles relating to the Windsor Framework.

Mr Mackin said the families who brought the original legal challenge had sought expedition of the Supreme Court hearing.

He said: It is disappointing that the Secretary of State has continued to utilise every available mechanism to try and uphold the Tory pet project of the Legacy Act.

That being said, despite the Secretary of States best endeavours, every court to date has been clear, provisions of the Legacy Act are incompatible with human rights and the Northern Ireland Protocol.

It is a testament to the importance of this case that the Supreme Court has confirmed that it will hear this case on an expedited basis and, indeed, before the end of June if possible.

Our clients relish the opportunity to again take a stand against this act on behalf of all victims affected by this egregious legislation.

Ms Dillon said: The continuing efforts by the Secretary of State to appeal against the decisions of the Belfast Court only puts salt in the wounds of all victims.

We warmly welcome the Supreme Courts decision to expedite this case and we look forward to defending our rights in London before the end of June.

Mr Benn said he was pleased the Supreme Court had granted leave for the appeal.

However, he made clear that the Government was committed to creating legacy mechanisms that were human rights-compliant.

I am committed and the Government is committed to repeal and replace the Legacy Act, and I have set out for the House of Commons the steps that I will take, both in the remedial order that is currently before Parliament and in legislation, to honour that commitment, Mr Benn told reporters in Coleraine on Thursday afternoon.

But there were aspects of the Dillon judgment that raised wider constitutional questions that go beyond the Legacy Act, and that is why the Government is appealing.

Im pleased that the Supreme Court has granted leave for that appeal and that will be heard when the Supreme Court is ready to do so.

But, on legacy, I will ensure that we have a system that is compliant with the European Convention on Human Rights.

Thats a pledge Ive made, the Government has made, and its one Im going to honour.
A Police Ombudsmans investigation has found that the RUC failed to connect a rifle recovered by officers in September 1988 to the sectarian UVF murder of two innocent Catholics weeks earlier.

The Ombudsman, Marie Anderson, also detailed other missed investigative opportunities in the probe into the killings of 18-year-old Seamus Morris and Peter Dolan (25) in north Belfast on August 8.

On the day of the murders, a taxi had been hijacked in the Shankill area and driven to Ardoyne. On Etna Drive, a gunman opened fire from a passing taxi, killing Mr Morris, who was crossing the road with his brother.

Moments later, Mr Dolan was killed when the gunman fired at him as he sat in a lorry at nearby Brompton Park.

Neither victim was connected to any paramilitary organisation. The Police Ombudsman launched an investigation following a complaint from the family of Mr Morris filed a decade ago.

A VZ58 rifle, one of a batch imported into Northern Ireland by loyalist paramilitaries, was used in the double murder.

It was recovered by the RUC in September 1988 and incorrectly linked to three murders in the Avenue Bar in May 1988.

It was only years later when ballistic evidence from all recovered VZ58 rifles was re-examined that the rifle found in September 1988 was linked to the murders of Mr Morris and Mr Dolan.

The failure to correctly link the VZ58 rifle, at the point it was recovered by police in 1988, to the murders of Mr Morris and Mr Dolan deprived RUC investigators from developing lines of enquiry and interviewing suspects, Ms Anderson said.

Equally, the incorrect link made between this weapon and the murders at the Avenue Bar may also have hindered that police investigation.

This misattribution of weapons to murders, by the RUCs Weapons and Explosives Research Centre and/or the Northern Ireland Forensic Science Laboratory, was highlighted to PSNI as a potential systemic issue.

However, it is not known the extent to which murder investigations involving the use of VZ58 assault rifles may have been misdirected in consequence of these errors.

The Ombudsmans investigation also found that six months before the two murders, the RUC had intelligence that the UVF was storing rifles at a specific social club in north Belfast.

Intelligence received said that some firearms had been moved from the social club to the Shankill and Ballysillan areas, including to the address of a suspected UVF member who was later arrested for the murders of Mr Morris and Mr Dolan.

Police also had information that the social club had been used for paramilitary displays, meetings of the UVFs B company in north Belfast and other serious crimes.

Two men active at the social club were implicated through intelligence as being involved in the double murder.

Despite the RUCs intelligence regarding the social club, Ms Anderson said her probe could not find any evidence that police investigated the intelligence or carried out disruptive tactics regarding UVF activities at the social club prior to the murders of Mr Morris and Mr Dolan.

Two people were arrested following the murders. One of the suspects was linked to the UVF through intelligence and to the storage of weapons, but there was no evidence that the alibi he gave was checked.

In 2008, it was established that a fingerprint found in the stolen taxi used in the murders matched a suspected UVF member.

Ms Anderson questioned why this match wasnt made in 1988, when police compared the fingerprint to those of a list of known paramilitaries, including the suspected UVF member.

Mr Morris brother gave police a description of one of those in the taxi, but Ms Anderson said there was no evidence he was shown pictures of any suspects, or asked to view an identification parade.

Ms Anderson said: "I believe that Mr Morris and Mr Dolan were the innocent victims of a campaign of sectarian violence mounted against the nationalist community.

"Loyalist extremists were responsible for their murders. However, given the investigative failings and omissions identified, I believe that the Morris family were failed by police in their search for accountability for the murders of their loved one.

The Morris family had complained that collusion was a feature in the murders.

Ms Anderson referred to a recent Court of Appeal judgment regarding her powers to make such a determination.

Although the family have complained about collusion between the security forces and those who murdered Mr Morris and Mr Dolan, I am not permitted to express any view of my own on this issue, in consequence of a recent High Court judgment, she said.

The detailed narrative outlined in this public statement of the circumstances of Mr Morris murder must be read in the context of that judgment and in light of my obligations under Article 2 of the European Convention to provide an independent and fulsome investigation of the familys complaints.
An Irish language group at Queens University Belfast has rejected claims that its campaign for dual language sings on campus is a cultural passion project.

It follows a statement by young unionists at the University who oppose the campaign and said funding should be directed towards other initiatives such as free period products instead.

The campaign is being led by the universitys Irish language society, An Cumann Gaelach.

On Wednesday a demonstration organised by the group saw over one hundred students gather outside the gates of the university.

The students were calling for more visibility of the Irish language on campus, including signs in English and Irish.

An Cumann Gaelach said that a petition has also received over 1000 signatures.

In a statement posted to social media, the committee of the QUB Ulster Young Unionists, said it had met with the universitys administration ahead of the demonstration.

The student led unionist group said there were more pressing issues than cultural passion projects.

The cost of such signage is not something which we would want to see the university try to cover, especially when the university is already facing cutbacks in some areas, the statement read.

"If there is money to be spent, it should go to services which support students, such as expanding the accessibility of free period products across all schools.

"There are more pressing issues than cultural passion projects, such as the recent rollout of free period products across campuses.

The group urged the University to consider a balanced approach to language support" adding that they are campaigning for support for the Ulster-Scots language on campus.

Historically, the (Irish) language has been used by some as a political weapon, creating understandable unease among unionists, they added.

"Queens should strive to be a neutral and shared space, and we would urge the university to make this their priority. Forcing the issue could only play further into the idea that it is a cold house.

Responding the comments made by the young unionists group, An Cumann Gaelach it rejected claims their campaign was a cultural passion project.

A spokesperson for the group added: Furthermore, the comments made refer for the necessity for QUB to be a neutral and shared space, An Cumann Gaelach believes that QUB cannot be a neutral nor shared space as long as it remains a monolingual one and as long as Irish speakers continue to be marginalised.

"Such views that are against bilingual signage further indicate the importance regarding the visibility for Irish, a minority language, to normalise it and soften such views. The Irish Language is for everyone.

"People from all backgrounds are integral to both the Irish Language and An Cumann Gaelach.

The spokesperson added: Queens University Belfast has a responsibility and obligation to promote an inclusive and diverse campus, one that is welcoming for Belfasts thriving and ever-growing Irish language community.

Queens University, Belfast. Photo: Getty Images

News Catch Up - Thursday 10 April

A spokesperson for the University said: "Queen's management team are keen to listen and engage on the issues that matter most to our student body and staff.

Ahead of yesterdays planned protest, the Universitys leadership met with Young Unionists over their concerns, and also responded to the meeting request received on Tuesday 8 April from Cumann Gaelach, agreeing to meet with this group to discuss this important issue next week.

We are keen to continue to work in partnership with all groups to explore the issues at hand.
Emergency services at the scene of a rescue operation on the outskirts of Belfast on April 10th 2025 (Photo by Kevin Scott)

Emergency services at the scene of a rescue operation on the outskirts of Belfast on April 10th 2025 (Photo by Kevin Scott)

Emergency services at the scene of a rescue operation on the outskirts of Belfast on April 10th 2025 (Photo by Kevin Scott)

A rescue mission has been completed in west Belfast, after a young woman fell up to 40 feet down onto a river bank on Thursday evening.

The Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) and the Northern Ireland Ambulance service were both in attendance.

Emergency services at the scene of a rescue operation on the outskirts of Belfast on April 10th 2025 (Photo by Kevin Scott)

Emergency services rescue young woman after fall in west Belfast

A spokesperson for NIFRS said that they received a call at 7.48pm calling them to the Lamh Dhearg GAA club on the Upper Springfield Road, as a female had fallen 30 to 40 feet down a river bank.

The area in which the woman fell is in a wooded section behind the clubs grounds.

One ambulance and a hazardous area response team attended the scene.

Emergency services at the scene of a rescue operation on the outskirts of Belfast on April 10th 2025 (Photo by Kevin Scott)

From the fire service, there were two pumping appliances, a specialist rescue team and two supervisory officers, making a total of 18 personnel helping in the rescue.

The NIFRS spokesperson added that they used specialist equipment lines and ladders, and are currently stabilising the female, and preparing her for rescue.

The young woman was rescued safely by 10.05pm.
Tanaiste Simon Harris said all sides need to engage in good faith (Brian Lawless/PA)

Negotiation with the US is likely, Irelands deputy premier has said, after President Donald Trump announced a 90-day pause in certain sweeping tariffs.

Simon Harris met with US commerce secretary Howard Lutnick, a key critic of Irish policies within the Trump administration, in Washington DC on Wednesday.

The engagement came after Mr Trump said he would be delaying tariffs on most nations for 90 days while raising his tax rate on Chinese imports to 125%.

The US had announced a 20% tariff for the EU, which would have applied to Ireland.

The precise details of the pause were not immediately clear, but the US treasury secretary has said Mr Trump will keep a 10% baseline tariff on most countries.

On Thursday, Mr Harris said he had debriefed EU trade commissioner Maros Sefcovic on his engagement with Mr Lutnick.

In a statement, he said: It has been my consistent position and the consistent position of the Irish Government and the European Union that we need to get into substantive, calm, measured dialogue with the United States.

It has always been our preference that would have happened before tariff announcements. Clearly that was not the position of the United States.

However, after my discussions yesterday, it is now clear to me that such engagement and negotiation is likely.

Mr Harris, who is also Irish foreign affairs and trade minister, added: I believe it needs to happen in a timely fashion. All sides need to engage in good faith because uncertainty and turmoil is not the way forward.

The trading relationship between the EU and the US is worth 1.6 trillion euro per year. Its massively important in terms of jobs, growth and investment in Ireland, across the European Union and in America.

On Thursday, the EU announced a 90-day pause in its retaliation against earlier 25% tariffs on imported steel and aluminium imposed by Mr Trump.

It had approved countermeasures which were due to come into effect in stages from April 15, reported to include orange juice and coffee as well as motorcycles and boats.

Bourbon whiskey is reported not to have been included in the list despite previously being targeted by the EU.

Mr Trump previously threatened a 200% tariff on EU drinks if bourbon was included, prompting significant concern for the Irish drinks sector.

The Irish Government welcomed the move by the EU to pause the measures.

EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen had also previously offered a zero-for-zero tariffs deal on industrial goods including cars but Mr Trump has said that is not enough to satisfy US concerns.

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The potential impact on the Irish pharmaceutical sector, which employs around 45,000 people, remains a particular cause of concern for Irelands Government.

Pharmaceuticals were exempt from the sweeping tariffs imposed on EU exports to the US earlier this month, but could be subject to further measures taken by the Trump administration.

The US trade secretary recently said US tech and pharmaceutical companies locating intellectual property in Ireland for tax reasons was going to change.

In addition, Mr Harris said the US administration is still clear that it intends to take action on pharmaceuticals, which would significantly impact Ireland.

However, he said the 90-day pause allowed room for negotiation, adding that there was at least an openness to considering a discussion on pharmaceuticals on the US side.

Mr Harris said he had told Mr Lutnick, who had previously said it was a nonsense that Ireland runs a trade surplus against the US, that the negotiations on the tariff pause should include a discussion around pharmaceuticals, rather than new taxes being imposed on the sector while engagement is ongoing.

Total Irish exports were valued at 223.8 billion euro last year, with roughly one third going to the US.

Of the 72.6 billion euros in US imports from Ireland, approximately 58 billion euros relates to pharmaceuticals and chemicals leaving Ireland.

It had been projected this could halve if Mr Trump had implemented a 20% tariff on the goods and the EU had responded in kind.
Childrens lives have been devastated by the litany of failures in healthcare, Sinn Fein has said.

Sinn Fein TD Pearse Doherty said the report into the implant of non-surgical springs in children, and the audit into potentially unnecessary hip operations on other young people, highlighted a pattern of broken behaviour in childrens healthcare.

An audit of paediatric hip dysplasia surgeries at Childrens Health Ireland (CHI) hospitals found that hundreds of children operated on between 2021 and 2023 did not meet the threshold for the procedure.

The Dail has heard previously that almost 80% of those operated on at National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh, and 60% of those at Temple Street, did not meet the threshold for surgery in that timeframe.

Speaking during Leaders Questions, he said parents were asking why they have been kept in the dark for so long by Government, after it emerged that former health minister Stephen Donnelly was briefed on the hip surgery matter in May last year, and his successor, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, was briefed in February.

He told the Dail: Patients only received letters about the scandal in recent weeks.

He added: We are talking about the possibility of young children put under the knife and their bones being sawed into.

It is traumatic surgery and it is happening to children between the ages of one year and seven years.

Mr Doherty said it was beyond the worst nightmare for families, adding: One horrified parent contacted us this week, his daughter was a patient in Temple Street in 2016 from the age of one year right up to three years.

Minister for Education Helen McEntee (Brian Lawless/PA)

A consultant diagnosed the child with hip dysplasia and was adamant that she needed surgery.

In his words, that surgery would have required sawing into her hip bone and reshaping the socket.

Because the child never showed any symptoms, the parents sought a second opinion from a specialist orthopaedic surgeon in the North.

That consultant concluded that their daughter did not need the surgery, as she did not have the condition.

He said that he was horrified that a doctor had made such an error of judgment and that he would inquire about it.

This was years ago. The parent went on to tell us that the stress they were under during this time was like nothing they had ever experienced before.

He added: That is not the only case we have heard of where people got a second opinion, to be told that no condition at all was evident.

Mr Doherty said: The audit is looking at a period of two years and 561 children have to be recalled.

Aontu leader Peadar Toibin (Brian Lawless/PA)

If this issue goes back as far as 2014 or 2016 we are potentially talking about thousands of children.

Taking Leaders Questions on behalf of the Government, Education Minister Helen McEntee said she was utterly appalled by the details of the spinal surgeries and said it was unimaginable that other children would be subjected to unnecessary hip surgeries.

The Fine Gael deputy leader said the Government would do everything possible to support the families affected by the spinal surgeries, adding that the surgeon responsible has been suspended.

On the hip surgeries, Ms McEntee said: An audit is currently taking place. It is being carried out at the direction of the HSE and the Minister for Health.

At the moment, there is no information to suggest that any patient safety incident has occurred.

At the same time, I will not try to predict the outcome of the audit, nor can anyone else do so.

Contact is being made with parents and families of children who have had operations in recent years.

I agree that if there are potentially more cases stretching back further and that families of children need to be written to, that is exactly what must happen.

She added: If proper procedures were not followed, we must understand why that happened.

Ms McEntee said the Government must ensure the board of CHI is still in place for the transition to the new childrens hospital.

If changes need to take place, we must also understand why that is the case, but we cannot throw out the baby with the bathwater.

She said a knee jerk reaction to sack the board would not help anybody.

Meanwhile, Aontu leader Peadar Toibin said figures his party had obtained through a parliamentary question show that Childrens Health Ireland has cancelled more than 160 operations for children in Crumlin and Temple Street hospitals because of the lack of intensive care beds in the last three years.

These are cancellations for very serious operations for children who are very sick.

Nine of these cancellations were for heart operations for children, 10 cancellations were for children needing serious orthopaedic surgery.

There are just 23 paediatric intensive care beds in Our Ladys Hospital, Crumlin, and just nine in Temple Street.

Many of these children and their families have waited years for what in some cases is life-saving surgery, only to get the heartbreaking news that the surgeries have been cancelled.
An elderly British couple imprisoned in Afghanistan have faced 29 interrogations and several court appearances  while no charges have been brought against them, their daughter has said.

Peter Reynolds, 79, and his wife Barbie, 75, were arrested as they travelled to their home in Bamyan province, in central Afghanistan, in February.

The couple were detained alongside Faye Hall, an American friend who had rented a plane to travel with them, and a translator from the couples Rebuild training business.

Their daughter, Susie Romer, told Channel 5s 5 News on Thursday that the pair had absolutely no idea why they are being imprisoned and called on the UK government to do more to secure their release.

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She said: Theyve been through so many investigations  I believe its 29 interrogations that theyve had to endure.

Theyve been in court three or four times now, I believe, and various accusations that have been brought against them, theyve been thoroughly investigated and shown up as empty accusations.

So theyve been told that there is not actually a charge against them.

Ms Romer went on to say that while the British government has been assisting the family, she is not convinced that the message that her parents should be immediately released has been conveyed by the Government to the Taliban.

She said the family had met Foreign Officer minister Hamish Falconer, who had told them the case was a priority for him.

Ms Romer continued: We do want the Government to make it clear to the Taliban that my parents should be immediately released and weve told them this.

Its been 10 weeks now, and weve not been reassured that this message has been conveyed, but this is really urgent.

Each day that they remain in prison, theyre at risk, so well keep on asking the Government to send that message.

Ms Romer added that the conditions her parents were being held in were absolutely horrific, that they were receiving one meal per day and there were mice and cockroaches running around.

She said that hearing her parents weep on the phone was excruciating for her.

Ms Romer told BBC Breakfast that while her father had received much-needed medication, her mother faced growing health concerns.

Weve recently heard mum is anaemic and really weak and frail, she said. Were obviously really concerned about both of them and their health.

In an interview with BBC News last week, their son, Jonathan Reynolds, said he had been interacting with the US government after a video plea to President Donald Trump for help to get his parents released.

The couple, who originally met at the University of Bath, married in Kabul in 1970 and have run school training programmes for 18 years.

They remained in the country after the Taliban takeover in 2021.

After taking power, the Taliban introduced a ban on women working and education for girls older than 12.

In a statement to The Associated Press this week, the Taliban said the case will soon be resolved and should not be a cause for concern.

A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: We are supporting the family of two British nationals who are detained in Afghanistan.
One of Steph Toogoods rats next to its painting (Steph Toogood/Toogoods Tiny Paws/PA)

A veterinary nurses pet rats have been providing some pawsitivity by creating mini paintings for people around the world.

Steph Toogood, who is 26 and based in Somerset, has owned rats since 2016 after falling in love with the rodents when mingling with them as part of her animal management course at college and finding them to be a huge comfort after the death of her father in 2015.

However, it was not until 2018 that Ms Toogood realised her pets had a penchant for painting.

Steph Toogood owns several rats who paint (Steph Toogood/Toogoods Tiny Paws/PA)

The rats started creating art for myself in 2018 after I lost one of my rats, Captain Jack Sparrow, Ms Toogood, who also has a professional pet portrait business, as well as a pet sitting business, told the PA news agency.

I took his paw prints and wanted something for my current boys to create which I would keep to treasure and so I found some mini canvases, and the boys got to work.

From there, Toogoods Tiny Paws was born in April 2019, which has seen hundreds of mini masterpieces, as well as other rat related products including jewellery and magnets, made for people across the globe.

The canvas most often used by the unconventional artists measures 7cm x 9cm.

One of Ms Toogoods rats next to a painting it has created (Steph Toogood/Toogood and Tiny Paws/PA)

The rodent painters include male rats (bucks) called William, Loki and Cosmo and female rats (does) called Tick, Denali and Kabana.

When I first started my business, I had 12 boys who were involved in painting, Ms Toogood said.

I now have five bucks and 11 does, 12 of whom paint.

The rats that dont paint arent on the commissions list either for health reasons, theyre too young, or they just dont enjoy it.

The painting process is carried out in the bath as Ms Toogood said it makes cleaning up simpler and non toxic water-based paint is used.

The painting process takes place in the bath (Steph Toogood/Toogoods Tiny Paws/PA)

Painting is positively reinforced  the rats are trained to follow my hand and treats, she added.

They are guided through the paint onto the canvas.

They all paint with their feet by walking through the paint and also their tails are sometimes brought through the paint as they walk so a tail line goes onto the canvas.

The rats are never forced to run through paint, if they show any signs of unwillingness on the day, we stop.

Ms Toogood tends to post what her rats get up to on Instagram under the handle @toogoodstinypaws.

One of Ms Toogoods rats (Steph Toogood/Toogoods Tiny Paws/PA)

People can choose which rats create their tiny painting and can often choose which colours are used, when the number of orders is at a manageable level.

Commissions from rats, and other animals including ferrets and pigeons, have been growing in popularity on social media, with many taking to online marketplace Vinted to sell their unique creations.

Ms Toogood said she feels this is because naturally, many humans are animal lovers.

I think that we as humans are naturally animal lovers, so whenever animals do something like painting which is more of a human thing, we think its amazing and unique, she said.

The rats use their paws to create their unique paintings (Steph Toogood/Toogoods Tiny Paws/PA)

The added bonus of what I do is having the whole story of how this started which hundreds of people have followed from the start, and I always share posts for people to get to know the rats and encourage people to view our rattery account (@scevillerats on Instagram) which is separate to the business, and shows what the rats get up to on a day to day basis.

She said she has been overjoyed to see her business continue to flourish, with many leaving positive reviews about her quirky offering and some even changing their initial reservations about having rats as pets.

A lot of people have come to me and said that what I do with the photos I share, has changed their perception of rats which is lovely to hear, she said.

I also think that my professional pet portrait photography helps a lot with giving rats a better reputation, as theyre photographed with a number of props, pretty flowers, miniature teddy bears, rat sized shopping trolleys, flower crowns, set up scenes, I do birthday photoshoots for my rats, and it gives people a different view on them.

People can pick which rat paints for them (Steph Toogood/Toogoods Tiny Paws/PA)

I think that photographs help to capture how cute rats really are and show a different side to them, and that domesticated rats are in fact very different to their wild counterpart.

Through her business, she also hopes to promote the correct way to look after rats as pets, adding she either got her rodents from reputable breeders or by breeding them herself.

More information about Ms Toogoods work can be found on her website: https://www.toogoodstinypaws.com/
Brazils President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva during a presentation of the federal governments achievements of the past two years (AP/Eraldo Peres)

The leaders of Mexico and Brazil have pledged to move together to strengthen trade between their nations, Latin Americas two biggest economies.

Wednesdays move counters US President Donald Trumps shifting positions on global tariffs, which have thrown markets into chaos.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva met on the sidelines of a regional summit in Honduras, where leaders strategised how to respond to Mr Trumps tariffs and escalating deportations, among other issues.

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We decided to further strengthen relations between our two countries by promoting regular meetings between our governments and the business sectors of Brazil and Mexico, Mr Lula said on X.

The meeting of 11 heads of state and 20 representatives from Latin America and the Caribbean, a bloc known as the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, was marked by a call to put aside differences in the face of global tensions.

Today, more than ever, is a good time to recognise that Latin America and the Caribbean require unity and solidarity, Ms Sheinbaum said during the summit.

Mr Trump on Wednesday suspended his global tariffs for 90 days on most countries other than China, which was hit with increased 125% tariffs, another escalation in the trade war between the two countries.

Even with the pause in tariffs, resentment still simmers among many trading partners and US allies, who have started to look for other reliable trade alternatives in the face of uncertainty under the Trump administration.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum gives a morning press conference at the National Palace in Mexico City (AP/Marco Ugarte)

Adding to the economic turmoil are also larger frustrations over Mr Trumps deportation tactics, increasingly the subject of legal scrutiny and human rights criticisms, and moves by his administration that some say infringe on the sovereignty of foreign nations.

That has spanned from US defence secretary Pete Hegseth saying that Chinese presence in the Panama Canal represents a security threat, to recent reports that the Trump administration is studying the possibility of drone strikes against Mexican cartels, which Ms Sheinbaum has sharply rejected.

We do not agree with any kind of intervention or interference, she told reporters on Tuesday in her morning news conference.
Donald Trump has fired a warning in the direction of Iran over its nuclear weapon plans before weekend talks with the country (Pool via AP)

US President Donald Trump has said Israel would be the leader of a potential military strike against Iran if Tehran does not give up its nuclear weapons programme.

Mr Trump made the comments before this weekends scheduled talks involving US and Iranian officials in the Middle East sultanate of Oman. Mr Trump earlier this week said the talks would be direct while Iran has described the engagement as indirect talks with the US.

If it requires military, were going to have military, Mr Trump said. Israel will obviously be very much involved in that. Theyll be the leader of that. But nobody leads us, but we do what we want to do.

The United States is increasingly concerned as Tehran is closer than ever to a workable weapon. But Mr Trump said on Wednesday that he does not have a definitive timeline for the talks to come to a resolution.

When you start talks, you know, if theyre going along well or not, Mr Trump said. And I would say the conclusion would be what I think theyre not going along well. So thats just a feeling.

President Donald Trump, left, and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (Ben Curtis/AP and Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader via AP)

The US and other world powers in 2015 reached a long-term, comprehensive nuclear agreement that limited Tehrans enrichment of uranium in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. But Mr Trump unilaterally withdrew the US from the nuclear agreement in 2018, calling it the worst deal ever.

Iran and the US, under former president Joe Biden, held indirect negotiations in Vienna in 2021 aimed at restoring the nuclear deal. But those talks, and others between Tehran and European nations, failed to reach any agreement.

Meanwhile, the US Treasury Department earlier on Wednesday issued new sanctions targeting Irans nuclear programme.

Five entities and one person based in Iran are cited in the new sanctions for their support of Irans nuclear programme. The designated groups include the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran and subordinates Iran Centrifuge Technology Company, Thorium Power Company, Pars Reactors Construction and Development Company and Azarab Industries Co.

I want Iran to be great, Mr Trump said on Wednesday. The only thing that they cant have is a nuclear weapon. They understand that.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian again pledged on Wednesday that his nation is not after a nuclear bomb and even dangled the prospect of direct American investment in the Islamic Republic if the countries can reach a deal.

The comments by the reformist leader represent a departure from Irans stance after its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, in which Tehran sought to buy American planes but in effect barred US companies from coming into the country.

His excellency has no opposition to investment by American investors in Iran, Mr Pezeshkian said in a speech in Tehran, referring to Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. American investors: Come and invest.
Postmaster accused of flashing on Portstewart promenade gives up job

Church secretary accused of exposing himself told by judge hes excluded from coastal town

Samuel Houston's case has sent shockwaves through Portstewart

Paul Higgins Thu 10 Apr 2025 at 20:00

A postmaster and church secretary accused of exposing himself on Portstewarts promenade has signed his business over.
Opinion

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BENNINGTON  A planned luxury resort on the former Southern Vermont College campus is wending through the Act 250 permitting process, a portion of which will include a site visit on May 1, followed by a public hearing in Bennington.

A multi-faceted Act 250 application for the project was submitted February 21 by AWRE Vermont Resorts of Harrison, N.Y., and SVHC Realty Inc., an entity associated with the property owner, Southwestern Vermont Health Care.

Brian Lent, the health care organization's project director for the SVC campus, said Wednesday, At the hospital, we are excited about it; the community members I have talked to are very excited about it. So hopefully we get into the Act 250 process and things go along smoothly.

SVHC purchased the 371-acre former campus in 2020 at an auction in U.S. bankruptcy court. The court oversaw disposal of the colleges assets after the school closed amid mounting debt and declining enrollment in 2019.

In 2023, SVHC signed a purchase and sale agreement with developers Alfred Weissman Real Estate, LLC, of Harrison, for the campus and its historic 27-room Everett Mansion. A closing on the property is expected once permits are obtained.

Proposed as a five-star destination resort, the plan was outlined in a presentation by Weissman Real Estate. It includes extensive historic restoration of the centerpiece Everett Mansion for luxury accommodations and fine dining.

The project also is expected to include casual dining venues, a beauty and health spa, a fitness/wellness center; a special events venue and other amenities.

Agricultural soils

The regional Act 250 Commission's site visit on May 1  and a public hearing afterward at the Bennington Firehouse  are expected to focus on one aspect of the redevelopment plan.

The project is currently seeking Partial Findings under Criterion 9(B), with the remaining [Act 250] criteria to be addressed under a future permit amendment, said Daniel Heil, an engineer and project manager with AWRE Vermont Resorts LLC, in a letter to the commission.

As the proposal is unlikely to present significant adverse impacts under Criterion9(B), we respectfully request that the District Commission consider processing this application as a minor review.

That would mean a streamlined review for projects that have addressed Act 250 criteria and do not present significant adverse impacts.

Heil adds in the letter, Overall, the project will impact approximately 86.1 acres of PAS [prime agricultural soils], including 43.4acres of impacts in previously developed areas, 40.3 acres in previously approved on-site mitigation areas, and 2.4 acres outside previously developed or set-aside areas.

The proposed campus redevelopment is designed to minimize impacts to existing PAS where feasible by clustering development of proposed western hillside chalets to the edges of the existing fields and redeveloping the previously permitted impacted areas. Portions of the existing on-site mitigation impacted by the project include the new access drive off of Monument Avenue, the proposed hillside chalets, and stormwater infrastructure adjacent to the proposed access road, he wrote.

Lent said the agricultural soils aspect involves a key early phase of the permitting process, which once approved would allow other permitting aspects to move forward.

A number of the approvals will likely be taken up at the same time, he said.

Lent declined to estimate a timetable for the project to obtain all Act 250 approvals.

We are just getting started, so it is kind of premature to say anything, he said.

The developers Act 250 application also addresses a number of other project aspects, such as wetlands issues.

Local zoning

As for zoning considerations, a letter sent to the commission in October by Bennington Town Manager Stuart Hurd and Planning Director Dan Monks notes that the town rezoned a portion of the campus property in 2022 to allow hotels as a permitted use in that zoning district.

This zoning change was carefully planned to better serve the communitys evolving needs and to optimize the potential use of the former Southern Vermont College campus, they wrote.

Hearing notice

A site visit and hearing notice posted by Act 250 Coordinator Quin Mann states that the application is limited to requesting Partial Findings under Criterion 9(B)  Primary Agricultural Soils. This application is not seeking a permit to construct.

The campus site visit will be Thursday, May 1, at 9 a.m., and a public hearing will follow at 10:30 a.m.

It will be conducted in-person at the Bennington Firehouse and via Microsoft Teams video conferencing. Participants can also call into the hearing.

Information on viewing and for calling into the hearing is included in the posting and legal advertisement, which appeared in the Banner on April 9.

The entire permit application can be viewed on the Act 250 website, under the Act 250 database heading with the project number, 8B0344-9.

Former Everett estate

The estate home, which was completed 1911-14 by industrialist Edward H. Everett, was called The Orchards, and that name will be used for the resort as well.

The mansion, constructed with stone walls in the style of a 14th century English feudal estate, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The small liberal arts college moved from another site onto the former estate grounds during the 1970s.

SVHC, which is now affiliated with Dartmouth-Hitchcock healthcare system, purchased the former campus in 2020 for $4.65 million during an auction in bankruptcy court. Hospital officials said their intention was to preserve the land and buildings for a redevelopment plan that would benefit the Bennington area.

The former campus is located across Monument Avenue from the Southwestern Vermont Medical Center grounds.

Weissman, based Harrison, N.Y., has been involved in several commercial development categories since their inception more than 50 years ago, including a number of large-scale hospitality, residential, retail, office and industrial properties.
William Lambers is an author who partnered with the UN World Food Program on the book Ending World Hunger. His writings have been published by the Washington Post, Newsweek, History News Network, Cleveland Plain Dealer and many other news outlets. His father Vincent was part of the U.S. and Allied force in the Netherlands 80 years ago during WWII.
PITTSFIELD  Reports that U.S. Department of Agriculture farm agency staff who work in the Silvio O. Conte Federal Building were laid off have turned out to be false. But the fate of the building that houses the agency remains uncertain.

The three USDAs Pittsfield Service Center employees have not been fired amid widespread job cuts at the agency nationwide, said a person who works in the building and is familiar with the situation.

The service center currently employs one person in the USDAs Natural Resources Conservation Service and two in the Farm Service Agency loan program, said the person, who asked not to be named for fear of losing their job.

Reductions in staffing in the office over the last year or so are due to normal attrition like people moving away, they said.

Also, they added, it always has been hard to hire staff to work in the USDAs Pittsfield office, which is its Berkshire County headquarters.

A USDA spokesperson did not answer specific questions about the Pittsfield office. They told The Eagle that while USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins supports President Trumps directive to eliminate wasteful spending and ensure taxpayer dollars are used effectively, Rollins says she also wants to make sure that farmers continue to be supported.

Secretary Rollins understands the array of mission-critical positions and programs at the Department, the spokesperson wrote in an email, and she will ensure that those areas have the resources and personnel they need to continue serving the American people.

In response to hearing this, a person who works in the Conte building expressed some relief mixed with skepticism.

Its impossible to know whats real and whats not," they said.

That's because many federal workers in the building are still laboring under a cloud of uncertainty after the property was tentatively listed among federal buildings that might be sold. While Conte was removed from that list, that news rattled the community.

Staffers at the Conte building also include employees of the General Services Administration  which owns the building  as well as staff in the offices of Veterans Affairs and the Social Security Administration.

These concerns follow the Trump administrations continued efforts to slash what it believes is widespread government inefficiency that is wasting taxpayer dollars.

The reports of layoffs at the USDAs Pittsfield Service Center alarmed farmers who rely on the agency's local programs to issue loans, or to help them buy and install critical equipment and provide engineering and other services.

The GSA last month terminated the lease at the USDAs local office in Amherst, setting off worries that the Berkshire office would be next. The USDA now has eight of these field offices across the state, one of which is in Hadley  which the Amherst office is consolidating with.

Fears also were driven by the termination of nearly 50 of these service center leases across the country, as well as announcements of massive layoffs at the agency.

These include probationary USDA staff who were slated for layoffs. But a court ordered the USDA to reinstate those nearly 6,000 workers. That is under appeal, according to a statement from the USDA.

Berkshire farmers are already reeling from the agency's decision to end a pandemic-era program next month that provided money to farmers to produce extra food for pantries.

'ONE DAY AT A TIME'

On Wednesday afternoon, the Conte building parking lot was nearly full. Most of the VA parking spaces were occupied, and the government vehicles used by USDA staff to make farm visits were parked in the agency's designated spaces.

Some people who work in the Conte building say they have not received definitive answers about the fate of the building. They fear it could added back to the sale list, and their jobs either cut or moved to a more distant location.

Its hard to get information, said the person who works in the building. Were kind of just taking it one day at a time.

As of Thursday morning, the Conte building is not on the GSA's list of buildings for sale or available excess properties, nor on its list of properties targeted for "accelerated disposal," according to the agency's website.

No federal buildings in Massachusetts are currently on any of these lists, although the website is regularly updating.

U.S. Rep. Richard Neal's office did not respond to requests for updates on the status of the Conte building this week.

A GSA spokesperson said that certain buildings are being selected for sale by the GSA as part of the Trump administration's "direction to right size the federal real estate portfolio," and "optimize the space agencies need to achieve their missions."

"GSA employees are laser focused on supporting our partner agencies and providing the best value for the American taxpayer," the spokesperson wrote in an email. "GSA is in constant communications with our customer agencies to ensure they are aware of our actions and have the opportunity to work with us to come to the best possible workplace solutions to support their mission."
Hundreds gathered at Park Square in Pittsfield on a chilly, damp Saturday as "Hands Off!" protests took place across the Berkshires, the state and the nation.
The Broad Brook dam has lost the protection of a wing wall. The dam is located in North Adams on land that Eagle columnist Lauren Stevens hopes will eventually be subsumed by Green Mountain National Forest.
There are times when nothing seems to be right. Our health fails. Financial problems arise. Someone we love dies. Such situations leave us feeling drained of hope and happiness. It is as if life has taken everything, and we are left empty-handed.

We are right to acknowledge the pain of difficult times, lamenting our loss to the Lord. Scripture never downplays the reality of suffering in the world. Even then, there is something in life that cannot be taken away: the Lords loving presence.

The prophet Habakkuk knew what it was like to feel as if all hope was gone. The crops had failed and there was no livestock left in the stalls and pens. But even in this bleak time, he had reason to praise. As he wrote, Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior (Habakkuk 3:17-18).

Even as we lament and grieve the hardships that come our way, we can find joy in our great Savior. He has saved us, given us eternal life, and promised to return soon to make all things new. In Him, we can rejoice knowing that pain, suffering, and death do not define our story. Our risen Lord has conquered; He is our joy and hope, even when all else seems bleak.

4. By Making Joy a Habit and Discipline

Pauls instruction to the church at Philippi may sound strange to us. We are told to rejoice in the Lord always (Philippians 4:4). To make it clear, Paul repeats the command. Rejoicing in every situation and moment is a command for the follower of Christ.

And yet, this instruction is not as odd as it may at first appear. We already saw through the example of Habakkuk that we can rejoice during hardships while also being honest about our struggles. Delighting in the Lord is what brings us the greatest joy. Thus, rejoicing is set forth in Scripture as a defining characteristic of a believer; we should be known for our joy.

Of course, the very instruction that tells us to rejoice implies this is a deliberate choice we must make each day as a holy habit and discipline. Joy is not always our default position so we must consciously decide to take delight in God. To give thanks for the major prayers He answers as well as to pause and notice the small gestures of love He provides each day. In rejoicing we are responding to our Savior, whose love is evident all around us if we are willing to look.

We might struggle sometimes in obeying the command to be joyful, but the more we cultivate this discipline, the more we will understand that joy can, and should, be a hallmark of the Christian life.

Photo credit: Getty Images/torwai
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Saturday Night Live creator Lorne Michaels will bring a British version of the long-running sketch comedy show to Sky.

The American pop culture institution, which celebrated 50 years of the NBC programme in February, is set to have a spin-off version with a cast of British comedians.

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Cecile Frot-Coutaz, chief executive of Sky Studios and chief content officer at Sky, said: For over 50 years Saturday Night Live has held a unique position in TV and in our collective culture, reflecting and creating the global conversation, all under the masterful comedic guidance of Lorne Michaels.

The show has discovered and nurtured countless comedy and musical talents over the years and we are thrilled to be partnering with Lorne and the SNL team to bring an all-British version of the show to UK audiences next year  all live from London on Saturday night.

Actor Will Ferrell, who appeared regularly on SNL (Matt Crossick/PA)

In the US, the programme launched the careers of comedian-actors Bill Murray, Eddie Murphy, Tina Fey, Will Ferrell and Kristen Wiig, and has featured a swathe of celebrity and political guests including tech billionaire Elon Musk and Donald Trump when he was a presidential candidate.

The first seasons cast included The Blues Brothers stars Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi as well as Community and Caddyshack actor Chevy Chase.

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Michaels will executive produce Saturday Night Live (SNL) UK, while continuing in the same role for the US version.

SNL UK will be produced by Broadway Video, a company founded by Michaels that has made The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and 30 Rock, and Universal Television Alternative Studios UK production team.

Get ready to hear Live from London, its Saturday Night! 



Sky and @NBC are bringing the legendary late-night comedy showcase Saturday Night Live to the UK and Ireland in 2026! 



Featuring iconic hosts, musical guests, and the funniest British comedians  catch it on  Sky Group (@SkyGroup) April 10, 2025

More details on the shows UK debut, including cast, hosts, musical guests and its premiere date, will be announced in the coming months.

The beginnings of SNL, which started in 1975, was recently made into the 2024 film Saturday Night featuring Spider-Man star Willem Dafoe, and Succession actor Nicholas Braun.

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There were attempts previously to make international versions of the programme, with a French version Le Saturday Night Live running for one season in 2017.

Saturday Night Live UK comes to Sky Max and streaming service NOW in 2026.
89% of Irish people feel they are just going through the motions of their day-to-day life, according to new data from Jailbird Communications.

A survey of 500 people across the State also revealed that 46 per cent rarely engage in spontaneous activity, while almost 80 per cent of people crave more fun in their lives.

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For those who do engage in spontaneity, the most popular activities include last-minute trips (59 per cent), impulse shopping (49 per cent) or trying new restaurants on a whim (43 per cent).

One-third (34 per cent) of those surveyed mentioned picking up a new hobby as the spontaneous activity they would partake in.

Social media 'brain rot'

The survey revealed compelling insights regarding the nation's digital consumption habits and how these patterns may contribute to the overwhelming boredom and monotony experienced by the public.

While 76 per cent of people prefer to consume short-form content (reels, soundbites, snippets), 75 per cent also admit that this particular type of content impacts their attention span and ability to focus, which could also be referred to as brain rot.

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This rings true particularly when it comes to consuming more traditional or old-school content, such as simply watching a movie or reading a book, as 63 per cent of people admit they struggle to concentrate on this type of content now compared to just five years ago.

Commenting on the findings, managing director at Jailbird Communications, Julie Blakeney, said: In an age of mass online consumption, we as consumers have become used to instant gratification.

"The survey results indicate that this constant on-demand access may be robbing us of the joy of spontaneity, leaving little to no room for unexpected adventures or unplanned moments.

"The results also suggest that this constant bombardment of information has shortened our attention spans. So, instead of delving into the unknown, people are glued to screens, searching for the next quick fix.

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"Interestingly, the data does show that consumers seek more stimulating and enriching real life experiences. This is an important insight for brands and something we highlight to all clients when developing creative campaigns."

Blakeney said it is critical to acknowledge the positive impact social media can have in our day-to-day lives, both personally and professionally, but added that boundaries are necessary.

"It consistently offers new ways to create, connect, and collaborate. However, its crucial to set boundaries and balance online and offline activity to ensure we don't lose sight of the simple things that make life meaningful. 
European Commission Spokesperson for Economic Security and Trade, Olof Gill, has said that the European Commission will continue to respond to US tariffs in a calm, coherent way.

Speaking on RTE radios Morning Ireland, Mr Gill said it was too early to say precisely what was going to happen next. I think we can all agree that the situation is volatile, changing day by day, sometimes hour by hour. So we're going to proceed as we've been doing all along, which is to look at the problem in a calm, coherent way.

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The European Commission, which is responsible for EU trade policy on behalf of the entire European Union, will continue to talk to our member states, will continue to talk to industry, and we will plot a careful course forward on that basis.

We're going to take the time we need to reflect on this latest development in a calm, coherent way, in synchronisation with our member states and with our industry. And you'll be aware, I'm sure, that yesterday our member-states, with near total unanimity, gave the Commission a mandate to go forward with our proposed countermeasures on the first wave of US tariffs.

Now, whether we proceed on that basis remains to be seen. We're going to take the time we need to assess this internally, but we will always stand by our member states, our consumers and our industry.

"We've said from the get-go in this whole saga that we want to negotiate, that what we're interested in doing with the Americans is reducing tariffs, even eliminating them, not allowing them to escalate. So that remains the case. We're still ready to negotiate, and we'll be talking to our American counterparts as we go along.

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Mr Gill pointed out that since Mr Trump was elected, the EU had been open to the possibility of greater cooperation on energy.

When it comes to the zero-for-zero offer, that's been on the table, believe it or not, since 2019, since the Trump-one administration. So all we were doing there was re-tabling something that was already on offer. All we can do here is present to our American counterparts what we view as the very clear and obvious case that we should be working together rather than entering into a conflictual situation.

Mr Gill said from the EU perspective, the trajectory of EU-China relations had not changed because of this situation. I

Ireland Suspension of tariffs a relief to many businesses... Read More

"t's certainly true that we are engaging with China. Commissioner Sefcovic was in China a couple of weeks ago, and President von der Leyen spoke to the Chinese Premier earlier this week.

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What we want to do is strengthen the EU-China trade and economic relationship, but there are many problems within that relationship that the Chinese need to address when it comes to the unlevel playing field, when it comes to challenges that European companies are experiencing in China. We would need to see these meaningfully addressed so that we can grow the China-EU relationship stably and fairly.

With regard to the risk of trade distortions or the risk that trade flows could impact the EU in a harmful way, Mr Gill said that the European Commission was extremely aware of this. W

"We've raised this with our Chinese counterparts, who agreed that they would take every step to prevent this from happening. Along with that, this week we announced that we were going to set up a task force on precisely this issue, on trade diversion, so that we can be ahead of the problem and be ready to react as necessary to protect EU industry and consumers," he said.
The only overt act which the prosecution in the trial of former Irish soldier Lisa Smith relied on was her status as a housewife in Syria, her lawyer has told a Dublin court.

She is appealing against her conviction for being a member of the so-called Islamic State (IS) terror group.

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Her barrister Michael OHiggins told the Court of Appeal that the only act of association to the unlawful organisation was cooking and cleaning for her former husband.

Smith, 43, from Dundalk in Co Louth, is outlining her case at the Court of Appeal.

The former member of the Defence Forces was found guilty of IS membership in 2023, but was cleared of financing terrorism, after a nine-week trial at Dublins Special Criminal Court.

Lisa Smith with her legal representative, Peter Corrigan of Phoenix Law, at the Courts of Criminal Justice, Dublin (Liam McBurney/PA)

Smith, a convert to Islam, went to Syria in 2015 after terrorist leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi called on Muslims to travel there.

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She had pleaded not guilty to charges of membership of IS and providing funds to benefit the group.

Smith was sentenced to 15 months in prison and lost an appeal against the severity of the sentence.

The appeal court also heard that Smith led a totally anonymous life in Syria and there was no smoking gun that she did anything for IS.

Outlining the appeal, Mr OHiggins said the prosecution claimed Smith was a part of the terror group because she is a western woman who answered the call of terrorist leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi to travel to the Islamic State.

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He told the court that it was not a sound legal principle to convict a person of being a member of an illegal organisation.

He said Smith travelled to Syria out of a religious obligation, but the court had dismissed that as irrelevant.

Mr OHiggins said the court cannot ignore and deem inadmissible what the persons motive was to travel to Syria, adding that it was a flaw to assume Smith was going there to do something unlawful.

He told the court that a prosecution witness in Smiths trial, Dr Florence Gaub, who is an expert on Middle Eastern conflicts, accepted that some women did travel to Syria for religious reasons and to live under Sharia law.

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Is it accepted that Lisa Smith did that and is she entitled to do that without being branded a member of one of the most notorious organisations worldwide? I submit she is, Mr OHiggins added.

He said that she led a totally anonymous life in Syria, adding that there was no smoking gun or burning match that she did anything for IS.

The court was told that Smith shopped and bought food and was subjected to serious assaults by her former husband during her time there.

Mr OHiggins questioned what membership of an organisation looked like, saying that membership is not nor could ever include avid supporters of a group.

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He said that membership did not include someone who agreed with an unlawful organisations aims, or members of a community who benefited from the actions of the illegal organisation.

Mr OHiggins gave the example of paramilitaries in Northern Ireland who ran a parallel justice system during the Troubles.

He said that some communities benefited from a decrease in anti-social behaviour but that those people did not become members of the IRA or UDA.

Mr OHiggins told the court that a fanatic who attacked a former RUC station or planted a bomb or did anything that mirrored the actions of the IRA did not automatically become a member.

The court was told that membership is not a state of mind or a virus.

He added that membership is not done by osmosis, that there must be some sort of application and acceptance to become a member.

Mr Justice John Edwards interjected and said that illegal organisations would not keep a register of membership, and proof of membership of the IRA is never adduced by the production of records.

Mr OHiggins said that a person must make an act of adherence which is made directly to a person who is aware of the declaration and agrees that the person is a member.

He said it does not require a record or any degree of formality, but that it requires a meeting of minds, and that it does not occur by some level of affinity.

Mr OHiggins claimed that the reasons to convict Smith have Dr Gaub all over them, but the court did not acknowledge that prominence.

He said the court says exactly what Dr Gaub said in her evidence to the court, that Smith went to Syria, she remained there and received benefits from and was, therefore, a member of IS.

Mr OHiggins said it does not address sweeping generalisations which allow a person to be convicted without showing one single thing they did to assist the unlawful organisation, other than going to Syria.

I would say that is unsafe, he told the court.

He said the court may have coincidentally reflected Dr Gaubs thoughts. He added that Dr Gaub is a prosecution witness who never stepped foot in Syria during the turmoil.
Gardai are appealing for witnesses following a fatal road traffic collision in Askeaton, Co Limerick on Wednesday evening.

The single-vehicle collision involving a motorcycle occurred on the N69 at Cloonreask shortly before 8:00pm.

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The motorcycle driver, a man in his 30s, was later pronounced deceased at the scene.

His body has been removed to the mortuary at University Hospital Limerick, where a post-mortem examination will take place in due course.

The road remains closed for technical examination by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators on Thursday morning. Local diversions are in place.

Gardai are appealing for witnesses to this incident to come forward.

Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling on the N69 near Askeaton between 7:15pm and 8:15pm are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardai.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Newcastle West Garda Station on 069 20650, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
Lengthy prison sentences can be as effective as the death penalty in deterring homicides, according to new University of Limerick research.

The study, published in the Southern Economic Journal and co-authored by Dr Vincent OSullivan, Associate Professor at ULs Kemmy Business School, examined the effect of capital punishment and life sentences on homicide rates.

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According to the research  which closely examined the Australian legal system and its history with capital punishment  the death penalty had a deterrent effect on homicides, resulting in an estimated 7.6 percent reduction in the crime.

Additionally, Dr OSullivan and his co-author, Dr Hugh Farrell, examined more recent policies existing in parts of Australia, including Standard Non-Parole Periods (SNPPs), under which those convicted of murder will receive a life sentence but, typically, must serve a minimum 20 years.

They found that these SNPPs, which take discretion away from judges and parole boards in setting minimum prison sentences, had the same deterrent effect on homicides that the death penalty had.

Dr OSullivan commented on the significance of the study findings, particularly for countries like the United States, where the death penalty still exists.

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Our research is informative for policy makers considering abolition of the death penalty, explained Dr OSullivan.

The US is at a crossroads when it comes to the death penalty. Its usage had been declining since the 1990s and several large states such as California and Pennsylvania are on the cusp of abolition. However, the Trump administration has indicated that it is very much in favour of the death penalty, so there will be much debate on this over the next few years.

The researchers examined the history of Australia, from just after its founding, to the present day. Australia last used the death penalty in 1967, and most states had abolished it by the end of the 1970s.

Australia is worth studying because different states and territories had different systems at different times. It's also worth studying capital punishment in Australia because it was used much more frequently than the USA. Another advantage of examining Australia is there were not extremely long waits on death row as happens in the USA, explained Dr OSullivan.

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For countries like Australia, where capital punishment is no longer legal, Dr OSullivan said that the research confirms the deterrent effect of standard non-parole periods.

Some people might not want to remove discretion from judges and parole boards when it comes to sentencing. On the other hand, there is a public safety argument for lengthy and definite prison terms for the worst crimes in our society, he said.

The publication of the research is timely considering recent political discourse around capital punishment and issues of morality surrounding the death penalty, particularly in the US, where it is currently legal in 27 states and at the federal level.

That is not to say that the death penalty should be re-introduced [where it is not currently legal]. There are many moral problems with such punishment, not least the problem of wrongful convictions, said Dr OSullivan.

There is also controversy around the method of execution. In the US, pharmaceutical companies don't want to supply drugs for lethal injection, so states are having to change their lethal injection protocols, or else use poisonous gas or even firing squads.
A man and woman, aged in their 60s, were arrested after gardai seized 342,000 in cash at Dublin Airport on Wednesday evening.

Gardai attached to the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) together with colleagues from Revenue Customs Service seized 342,000 in cash from two passengers during an intelligence-led operation at Dublin Airport yesterday evening.

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One man and one woman, both aged in their 60s, were arrested by gardai following the seizure and are currently detained for questioning at a Garda station in Dublin under the provisions of Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2007.

The investigation is ongoing, gardai said.
The mother of murdered mother-of-three Larisa Serban has told a sentencing court it makes her sick to know her killer is alive while my daughter is in the ground.

After a trial that ran for seven weeks with an enlarged panel of 15 jurors, Daniel Blanaru (37) was sentenced life in prison on Thursday for the murder of his 26-year-old partner, Ms Serban on August 12th, 2022.

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In a victim impact statement read to the Central Criminal Court by her eldest son at Blanarus sentencing, Georgeta Serban said: Now this criminal lives. Yes, he is in prison, but he is doing well.

When I saw him last, he looked better than he was before he was caught. He was fatter, better fed, than before he killed the mother of my grandkids.

It made me sick, the thought that he is alive while my daughter is in the ground, Ms Serban said.

Ms Serban thanked the judge and jury and said she was grateful to every person who stood on the side of the law, who contributed with the work, for their empathy.

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My daughter. was an extraordinary person, full of life, gentle, and full of love. She was my child, who grew in my womb, raised with hardship and tears.

I raised her with sacrifices, sleepless nights, and dreams for her future. I didnt get to enjoy the beautiful moments with her and her children. She died too soon. She was ripped from life with unimaginable cruelty, Ms Serban said in her statement.

This criminal condemned us all to death What keeps me alive is the pills and my grandchildren, she wrote.

Jurors accepted the prosecution case that Ms Serban died as a result of a sustained and brutal attack at the hands of her controlling and jealous partner, who murdered her in cold blood when they delivered their unanimous verdict earlier this month.

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Ms Serban was found in the early hours of the morning on the floor between the bedroom and the hallway of her home, having died from a stab wound to the chest.

Blanaru, from Rathmore, Athboy, Co Meath, had pleaded not guilty to the murder of Ms Serban (26) at that address on or about August 12th, 2022.

Ms Serban sustained two stab wounds, with one to her chest measuring 12cm which punctured the heart, lung and aorta, proving fatal. Her blood was found on Blanaru's clothing.

Pathologist Dr Heidi Okkers gave evidence to the trial that the fatal stab wound to Ms Serbans chest would have required some force. Another stab wound to her arm, a defensive-type injury also showed signs of force, as the victim had a bone fracture at the elbow, the trial was told.

Detective Garda Kevin OBrian of Kells Garda Station told the sentence hearing today that, under several rounds of interviews in custody, Blanaru told gardai: I am guilty, please lock me up.

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Det Gda OBrian confirmed to Eilis Brennan SC, prosecuting, that Blanaru has six previous convictions in Ireland for road traffic matters. His criminal record also extends to four theft offences dating to a period between 2008 and 2014 in France, the detective said.

Passing sentence, Ms Justice Eileen Creedon thanked the Serban family for their statements and said she wanted to extend her deepest condolences to them.

She said that for the crime, committed with needless and horrific violence, she had to impose on Blanaru the mandatory life sentence.

Justice Creedon added that the sentence could be backdated to the moment Blanaru went into custody.

After reading his mothers statement to the hearing, the victims eldest brother, Remus Serban, said: Every day I wake up and realise shes gone, my heart shatters all over again. I live in a constant state of disbelief, hoping, praying this is some terrible nightmare, but its not.

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Since Larisas death, Ive become a burden to those who love me, my wife, my children; they deserve better. I feel Im failing them every single day. I cant be the father, the husband they need when all I can think of is the hole in my heart where Larisa used to be, he said.

I see his face in my nightmares, the man who stole my sister from us, and I cant escape it. I couldnt even look at him in this courtroom because the thought of seeing him and his face again: I feel I might lose myself completely, Mr Serban said.

I will carry her memory, as heavy as it might be, for the rest of my life, he said. His mother had remained with him in the witness box as he spoke.

Sara Serban, the victims sister, said: The pain is for life. This criminal didnt just take our sister; he took our lives. He condemned us to life without her.

She added that Blanaru would rot in prison.

I never got to tell her how much I love her. I wish I had just two more minutes to tell her how much she meant to me, she added.

A number of Blanarus family members told gardai that the 37-year-old claimed he had stabbed Ms Serban after catching her in bed with another man.

However, two of these witnesses recanted their statements in their direct evidence to the trial. Blanaru also later confirmed when interviewed by detectives that he did not find his partner with anyone else.

Blanarus sister-in-law Adriana Kovaciu told the court she and her husband Leon Ciurar went to Ms Serbans home after he phoned them at 4am.

Ireland Women who worked at Dublin steakhouse on night of... Read More

"The first thing I saw was Larisa, and I saw there was a big pool of blood," she said. "Larisa was on the ground between the bedroom and the hallway, face down."

She was wearing her pyjamas and was pale, stiff and cold. Ms Kovaciu said she could tell she was dead.

The trial heard that after leaving the house in Rathmore, Blanaru drove to his sister Simona Terezia Ciurars house in Drogheda, arriving sometime between 3am and 4am.

Ms Ciurar told gardai when he came to her door, Blanaru told her he put a knife into Ms Serban and said: I killed her, I killed her, what have I done?
Thursday's front pages focus firmly on Donald Trump backing down on his global tariffs, but also nearly 100 vacant properties owned by Cork City Council being empty for more than two years.

The Irish Times and Irish Examiner report that Donald Trump has announced a 90-day pause in tariffs for countries that have not retaliated against their initial rate, with the 10 per cent flat rate to apply.

The Echo focuses on Cork City Council owning over 100 vacant properties that have been empty for more than two years.

A dramatic climbdown... again. pic.twitter.com/gmWSFoaT1S  The Irish Daily Mail (@irishdailymail) April 10, 2025

Good morning readers. Here is the front page of today's Belfast Telegraph. Stay with us for all your breaking news. https://t.co/GTpmUrLUNx pic.twitter.com/NKPDRPhFTP  Belfast Telegraph (@BelTel) April 10, 2025

Just published: front page of the Financial Times, international edition, April 10 https://t.co/G3afllvzK6 pic.twitter.com/rsLOlcwybg  Financial Times (@FT) April 9, 2025
A woman who falsely claimed she was being held captive and being forced to work as a prostitute has been jailed for two years and three months.

Brenda Emmanuel (34) arrived at Store Street Garda Station in Dublin in October 2019 and told them she had just managed to escape her captives. She said she had travelled from her village in Nigeria six months earlier to Ireland to work as a home help.

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She said a woman had organised her transportation and she was instructed to engage in certain rituals and afterwards she was threatened that if she didnt partake she would be killed.

Emmanuel said she had never travelled before and she was provided with certain documentation as she travelled with this woman to Ireland.

She was collected from Dublin Airport and brought to a house in Balbriggan where she was held captive and while there she was forced to work every day as a prostitute. She estimated that she was effectively raped two to three times a day.

Emmanuel said she had been told that the prostitution was necessary as she was now in debt to others because of the cost of her travelling to Ireland.

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Emmanuel, who was previously living in hostel accommodation in Carrickmacross, Monaghan has now moved to County Louth.

She pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to three charges of knowingly making a false statement on dates between October 2019 and December 2020 at Store Street Garda Station. She made five statements to gardai in total.

'Public deterrence'

Judge Ronan Munro said after hearing the evidence last week that public deterrence in such cases is important.

It is quite concerning to me that the nature of these allegations insulates her from further investigation as you do not want to challenge her on it, Judge Munro said, referring to the sensitivity of the allegations Emmanuel made to gardai.

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The gardai should not have been put in this position, he continued.

Before sentence was imposed on Wednesday, Emmanuel made a statement outlining her deepest remorse for her actions. She said she was taking full responsibility and knows that her behaviour was unacceptable and had an impact on the officers involved in the case.

I am committed to change my ways and be of good character henceforth, she said.

Sentencing Emmanuel, Judge Munro said unfortunately such cases as Emmanuel alleged do occur in the real world.

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He commended the gardai for their swift, professional and effective response later describing their high quality detective work as painstaking.

Their investigation was thorough  that aggravates the crime, Judge Munro said.

Judge Munro said it was obvious that the gardai would have been concerned that there could be other women being held captive and the crime needed to be detected.

The gardai were very compassionate because they took what she said at face value - that they were dealing with a trauma victim, the judge said.

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CCTV

He noted that the officers drove around Balbriggan for three to four hours trying to get Emmanuel to point out the house where she was held and later put hours into tracing her movements through CCTV footage.

Judge Munro noted that the maximum sentence for the offence is five years.

He said it was pre-planned story that was concocted and repeated many times over a year, describing her actions as pre-meditated and calculated.

The gardai put many hours into investigating the crime in an attempt to rescue the other potential victims. Such false claims of rape is a disservice to rape victims and undermines those victims who are subjected to such appalling circumstances, Judge Munro said.

He said Emmanuel had deliberately assumed the status of a rape victim which undermines those complaints, noting that gardai may now ask themselves if these reports of rape could be false  they (gardai) should not be put in that position, the judge said.

She diverted garda resources from genuine victims which does them an appalling disservice  to woman in particular as it attacks the resources reserved for trafficked women, Judge Munro said.

In imposing sentence, he took into account that Emmanuel had no previous convictions and had not made a specific allegation against one person. He acknowledged that her motivation was in sourcing a better life for her children.

He set a headline sentence of four years which he reduced to three years taking into account the mitigation.

There should be a general deterrence for other people who are contemplating such a offence that they are left in no doubt of the gravity of this crime.

Her children are at home now without their mother but she has brought this upon them herself. She wanted a better life for her children but that was built on a lie and that is why it has fallen apart, Judge Munro said.

He suspended the final nine months of the three-year term on strict conditions.
A mother and her two daughters who were working at Brownes Steakhouse in Blanchardstown on Christmas Eve in December 2023 when a double murder took place have been awarded a cumulative 53,529 for a series of workplace breaches by their former employer.

This follows Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) Adjudicator, Catherine Byrne ordering San Siro Ltd, trading as Brownes Steakhouse, to pay Vjola Ajredini and her two daughters, Amanda Ajredini and Adisa Ajredini the estimated 53,529 that comprises statutory redundancy payments and compensation for a series of workplace breaches.

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Vjola Ajredini was employed as General Manager at Brownes Steakhouse and has been awarded 28,944 that includes an estimated 20,556 in statutory redundancy and her daughter and Asst restaurant Manager, Amanda Ajredini has been awarded 19,827 that includes an estimated 17,288 in statutory redundancy.

Ms Byrne has also ordered that ex- part time waitress, Adisa Ajredini at Browne's Steakhouse receive 4,758 that includes an estimated 2,626 in statutory redundancy.

The restaurant never reopened after a double murder on its premises on December 24th, 2023, when Tristan Sherry fatally shot Jason Hennessy Snr and Mr Sherry was then murdered at the scene.

At the Special Criminal Court in February, three men, Michael Andrecut (23) of Sheephill Avenue in Blanchardstown, Noah Musueni (18) of Corduff Park in Blanchardstown and David Amah (19) from Hazel Grove, Portrane Road in Donabate were convicted of Mr Sherrys murder.

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During the trial last November, Amanda and Adisa Ajredini described to the Special Criminal Court the "terrifying" moment when they took shelter under a hail of gunfire at the busy steakhouse as a masked attacker shot Mr Hennessy before being beaten to death.

Amanda Ajredini was working at the bar at Brownes Steakhouse while her mother and sister were on the floor of the restaurant on Christmas Eve 2023.

After seeing a masked gunman, Amanda Ajredini told the Special Criminal Court that she screamed: "Mam, mam, mam, he has a gun," because she knew her mother was somewhere in the restaurant, but couldn't see her.

Adisa Ajredini was stationed in the area of the restaurant where the large Hennessy party had gathered.

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In her own eye-witness testimony at the Special Criminal Court, Adisa Ajredini told the court she dragged her mother under a table to shelter after hearing what she thought was machine-gun fire.

Ms Adisa Ajredini - who now works for Ryanair - said that she heard shots fired from what sounded to her like a machine gun. She estimated that she heard 20 shots before seeing her mother "crawling and seeking shelter.

She could see that the restaurant was "wrecked" and noticed the man in black who had walked past her earlier lying on the ground surrounded by blood.

At the WRC, Adisa Ajredini said that despite her best efforts after the restaurant closed she said that she has had no contact with the owner, Gregory Browne, concerning her claim for a redundancy payment.

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She said that she expected to be invited to a meeting, but nothing happened. She was unemployed and on jobseekers benefit and she used up all her savings before she found another job in September 2024.

Vjola Ajredini told the WRC said that she was traumatised because of what happened and she didn't feel well enough to go back to work at the restaurant.

Amanda Ajredini told the WRC that she was in contact with Mr Browne in January 2024, about re-opening the restaurant and she said that the employees expected to be invited to a meeting, but nothing happened.

Alleging another workplace breach, Adisa Ajredini said that until 2023, when she worked on Sundays, she got no additional allowance. When she worked on public holidays, she got no extra pay.

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Ms Adisa Ajredini said that if a customer left the restaurant without paying their bill, the staff had to cover the loss from their tips.

Adisa Ajredini told the WRC that each night, 20 was deducted from tips to cover the cost of broken glasses. When the amount earned in tips wasn't adequate, Ms Ajredini said that the staff had to make up the cost of the breakages themselves.

San Siro Ltd did not appear at the WRC to rebut any of the claims made by the Ajredinis.

In the case of Adisa Ajredini, Ms Byrne directed that San Siro Ltd pay Ms Ajredini 1,032 as she was entitled to four weeks notice under section 4 of the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Act along with her estimated statutory redundancy payment of 2,626.

Ms Byrne also found Ms Adisa Ajredini's complaint under the Organisation of Working Time Act is well founded and directed that San Siro Ltd pay her 700 which is equivalent to an additional 3.50 per hour for working 200 hours on 27 Sundays between June 11th and December 24th 2023.

Ms Byrne also found that a separate complaint by Ms Adisa Ajredini under the Organisation of Working Time Act is well founded and directed San Siro Ltd to pay Ms 400 as compensation for her entitlement to a benefit for four public holidays that fell on August 7th, October 30th and December 25th and 26th 2023.

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In relation to Amanda Ajredini, Ms Byrne directed that San Siro Ltd pay Ms Ajredini 2,032 as she was entitled to four weeks notice under section 4 of the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Act.

Ms Byrne also directed that San Siro Ltd pay Amanda Ajredini 507.70 as compensation for her entitlement to a benefit for four public holidays that fell on August 7th, October 30th and December 25th and 26th 2023 and is also entitled to a statutory redundancy payment.

Ms Byrne also directed San Siro Ltd to pay Vjola Ajredini 6,154 as she was entitled to four weeks notice under section 4 of the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Act.

Ms Byrne also ordered San Siro Ltd pay Vjola Ajredini a combined 2,234 for two complaints under the Organisation of Working Time Act along with her estimated statutory redundancy payment.
Carefully cutting around a pastry top, its lifted off the bowl to reveal a lamb shank leg inside  the tender meat effortlessly falling off the bone as its removed and mixed into the rice.

This is a traditional Kolkata-style biryani, made in a clay pot, with saffron, baby potatoes and fresh plums, and sealing with dough helps keep the steam in and the rice moist while the lamb slow cooks.

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There are about 18 to 20 variations of biryani in India. This is a different style to what we normally cook on the north side of India, says chef Rohit Ghai on the newly-opened Vatavaran in London.

I think a lot of peoples only experience [of biryanis] is Indian takeaways or most people, they make biryani the North Indian-style  there are two versions that are very common. But if you dig into it, you come to know that every single region has their own kind of biryani.

Lamb shank biryani at Vatavaran (Agata Noweta/Byter Digital/PA)

On the island of Goa, the local biryani is made with prawns, for example. In Kerala, south India, theres a small Muslim community and they make their own biryanis, while the brahmin people [a Hindu group] also make their own, explains the 42-year-old, who has also worked under with Atul Kochhar  the first-ever Indian chef to win a Michelin star in the UK in 2001.

Hyderabadi is the most popular biryani [from the state of Telangana] they make it in layers  some is started with raw rice and raw meat, thats the most special, unique thing for hyderabadi biryani. They call it Kachay Gosht  meaning raw mutton and raw rice.

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Ghai, who is considered to have been a big part of the transformation of the Indian fine dining scene, with a growing group of London restaurants, including Jamavar  which gained a Michelin star within 10 months of opening  Manthan and Kutir, as well as restaurants in Oman, Morocco and Qatar.

The interior of the new multi-storeyed Vatavaran (its name meaning atmosphere in Sanskrit) is inspired by elements of the Himalayan landscape, with a low-lit cocktail bar, Shikhar, at the very top  the word translating to mountain peak. On the menu youll find some pan-Indian textbook classics, alongside Ghais signature lamb shank biryani, whole rotisserie masala chicken with bone marrow sauce and a sea bass reachaedo with Goan spices.

While Ghai is all about elevating Indian cuisine  I know where we can slightly tweak without compromising with the flavours, because Indian food is all about flavours  he believes any home cook can learn to make great Indian food, but you do need time.

(Agata Noweta/Byter Digital/PA)

To be honest, Indian food is very easy to make, but it is time consuming. Its quite a process, its quite lengthy. You only need onions, tomatoes and garlic, which you can get everywhere, its not rocket science but you have to have patience.

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Caramelising onion, its long, especially for north Indian food, it takes a little while because you have to caramelise the onion properly and thats the hardest part.

From dals and biryanis to chicken, caramelised onion features in many classic Indian dishes  and the slow cooking releases the vegetables natural sugars.

To reduce the timing when you I always recommend always using a little salt  it will speed up the process, he suggests. If you have patience, your final product will be outstanding.

Born in Gwalior, a city in the mid-North of India, to Punjabi parents, Ghai grew up in a household with 13 people, as one of four siblings but his uncles family also lived in the same home. I spent a lot of time between the Punjab and north India, he says, so much of his food reflects these regions.

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(Agata Noweta/Byter Digital/PA)

As the youngest in the family, he would spend a lot of time during school holidays with only his mum. She is the absolute cook, Ghai says, whose father died two years ago. His parents were vegetarian and raised their children that way too. In the old days you hardly got any takeaways or anything, on special occasions we used to go out to try different places, but most of the time it was homemade.

Every day she used to make some dishes from Punjab. Being Punjabi we used to have a heavy breakfast  parathas are very popular  so every single day she used to make stuffed parathas with potatoes, cheese, sometimes spinach, handmade with a dollop of butter. It was rich food.

He remembers learning to cook with his mum during summers with temperatures peaking around 45 degrees Celsius, although nowadays they can reach 50. I still remember when I was a kid I used to make a lot of little triangle parathas, thats very common in all households in India, he says, and theyre on the menu at his Manthan eatery. You need to crush it with both hands and you will see the layers, its very crunchy and crusty.

After school there was no plan for hospitality but he found himself at cookery college, where the restaurant industry seemed very glamorous and he trained at Oberoi Hotels.

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Ghai says: We started in the morning and there was no finish time  14 or 15-hour days. But after college the main agenda was to get a good break from one of the big hotel chains  in those days if you started your career with a standalone restaurant there were restrictions for you. But the Taj was top notch. It was a very difficult task to get into a hotel abroad [though].

After a couple of years he told the senior staff that his dream city was London. In our industry London is one of the biggest foodie hubs and all of the legendary chefs are from Europe.

Although he was training in Western fine dining, he convinced a senior chef to spend time to help him learn and understand Indian food. After finishing my regular shift in Western food, I used to spend a couple of hours every single day in an Indian kitchen.

His breakthrough was with the Taj group, whose expertise was Indian cookery. The early days were really tough for me  a lot of hard work on unlimited working hours.

In 2008 an opportunity arose to work with Atul Kochhar at Londons famous Indian Michelin star kitchen  Benares. It was eye-opening for me, says Ghai. 15 or 20 years back, there was a huge difference between the Indian market and European market.

Your local Indian might not be showcasing the best of the cuisine, Ghai suggests. The Europeans love to have their curry nights but there are 300 dishes on the menus of curry houses  the base will be the same and they use edible colours to make it different. When you order four things together you hardly find any difference.

Indian food has a lot of depth and its a vast country  and hes determined to do it justice.
The former Irish Ambassador to the US, Dan Mulhall, has stated that the European Union has a lot of cards to play in negotiations with the US regarding tariffs.

Speaking on RTE radios Morning Ireland, Mulhall said: American companies are very active throughout Europe. They have a privileged position. They make huge profits from the European single market.

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"Remember, the trading relationship between the EU and the United States is the biggest one in the world. It's almost a trillion dollars in two-way trade. And that's just in goods.

And then there's a services trade. So the services trade is a big plus card for the European Union, because that's an area where the United States has a surplus with the European union. And, that's a card that they can play I think effectively to try to leverage a deal that will be beneficial for both sides.

Obviously they have to give something to the United States to sweeten the deal for them, but I think it'll be worth making some concessions on the part of the European Union and I'm sure the Commission already has a list of things that they could offer the Americans by way of concession.

You need to go into these negotiations hoping that both sides can come out and declare victory and Donald Trump will declare victory, he will come out of those negotiations, but whatever the outcome is, he'll come out and say, this is a great deal and only I could have made this.

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"And that's the kind of outcome that he's looking for, and that kind of an outcome would be okay with me too, because as long as we get a deal that doesn't wreck the global trading system, that doesnt destroy transatlantic trade or put it in shackles, that would be a good day for Europe, for the United States, and in particular for Ireland because after all we are more exposed to transatlantic trade than any of our European partners are in percentage terms.

Mr Mulhall added that he was fairly optimistic that a deal could be wrapped up within the 90 day pause.

He's had this kind of edge-of-the-cliff moment, and he's backing away from it. So why would he now go back to imposing tariffs and creating further turbulence?

"I think perhaps a lesson may have been learned, and this may have been the only way in which Donald Trump's mind could have been changed, that he started to be shown the real consequences of what he was doing.

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Of course, it's possible that he will decide to go after the pharma industry and impose tariffs on pharma. But, you know, I think there's a reasonable chance that the pharma tariffs will be paused and they will become part of this general negotiation between the European Union and the United States, which I believe ought to be successful because the EU is a very experienced trade negotiator.

"I know and like Maros Sefcovic, who's a very good and skilful politician, and I think he and his team will be able to put some proposals before the Americans that hopefully will lead to an agreement.

However, Mr Mulhall cautioned that this is not an ideal situation".

World EU chief welcomes Trump tariff pause but is quiet... Read More

"This is a difficult set of circumstances, but at least we have moved back from the brink and for example if you look at say Irish whiskey exporters, they'll be very relieved today because the differential that would have been there between Irish whiskey and scotch whisky and even between northern Irish whiskey, and whiskey from the south, that's now gone for the time being.

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Now okay there's still a 10 percent tariff but that's more manageable than the 20 percent tariffs. So, this is a good day for our economy, for the prospects, for some kind of rapport between the EU and the US developing.

"Last week it looked as if we were headed for a serious clash of heads between the European Union and the United States.

"That clash has now been deferred for three months, and we must hope, keep our fingers crossed, that Sefcovic and his team will be able to come up with the goods and produce the kind of agreement that will put things back to the way they were before the so-called Liberation Day.
The leaders of Mexico and Brazil have pledged to move together to strengthen trade between their nations, Latin Americas two biggest economies.

Wednesdays move counters US President Donald Trumps shifting positions on global tariffs, which have thrown markets into chaos.

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Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva met on the sidelines of a regional summit in Honduras, where leaders strategised how to respond to Mr Trumps tariffs and escalating deportations, among other issues.

We decided to further strengthen relations between our two countries by promoting regular meetings between our governments and the business sectors of Brazil and Mexico, Mr Lula said on X.

The meeting of 11 heads of state and 20 representatives from Latin America and the Caribbean, a bloc known as the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, was marked by a call to put aside differences in the face of global tensions.

Today, more than ever, is a good time to recognise that Latin America and the Caribbean require unity and solidarity, Ms Sheinbaum said during the summit.

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Mr Trump on Wednesday suspended his global tariffs for 90 days on most countries other than China, which was hit with increased 125% tariffs, another escalation in the trade war between the two countries.

Even with the pause in tariffs, resentment still simmers among many trading partners and US allies, who have started to look for other reliable trade alternatives in the face of uncertainty under the Trump administration.



Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum gives a morning press conference at the National Palace in Mexico City (AP/Marco Ugarte)

Adding to the economic turmoil are also larger frustrations over Mr Trumps deportation tactics, increasingly the subject of legal scrutiny and human rights criticisms, and moves by his administration that some say infringe on the sovereignty of foreign nations.

That has spanned from US defence secretary Pete Hegseth saying that Chinese presence in the Panama Canal represents a security threat, to recent reports that the Trump administration is studying the possibility of drone strikes against Mexican cartels, which Ms Sheinbaum has sharply rejected.

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We do not agree with any kind of intervention or interference, she told reporters on Tuesday in her morning news conference.
Michelle Obama has directly dismissed divorce rumours after Barack Obama attended a number of high profile events without her.

The events included Donald Trump's inauguration and the funeral of former US president Jimmy Carter.

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This prompted speculation and rumours about the Obamas' marriage.

Speaking on the Work in Progress podcast, hosted by actress Sophia Bush, Ms Obama said she could control her own calendar "as a grown woman", after having a heavily scheduled calendar as first lady.

She said people did not believe she was "making a decision" for herself, and instead "had to assume that my husband and I are divorcing".

Ms Obama said that she felt guilt at stepping back from some duties.

"That's the thing that we as women, I think we struggle with like disappointing people," she said.

"I mean, so much so that this year people couldn't even fathom that I was making a choice for myself that they had to assume that my husband and I are divorcing.

"This couldn't be a grown woman just making a set of decisions for herself, right? But that's what society does to us."

Ms Obama added: "I chose to do what was best for me. Not what I had to do. Not what I thought other people wanted me to do."

The Obamas celebrated their 32nd anniversary last year in October.
New Zealand legislators dealt an overwhelming defeat to a controversial proposed law seeking to redefine the countrys founding treaty between Maori tribes and the British Crown.

The Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi bill was rejected by Parliament in a 112 to 11 vote in Wellington on Thursday, halting its progress to a third and final vote.

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Cheers and applause erupted before legislators and the public sang a waiata  a traditional Maori song  after the result was announced.





The sweeping reinterpretation of the 1840 treaty signed by British representatives and 500 Maori chiefs during New Zealands colonisation was never expected to become law.

But the measures provoked a fraught debate about Indigenous rights and last November prompted the biggest race relations protest in the countrys history.

But its defeat did not spell the end for scrutiny of Maori rights in New Zealand law.

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 What is the Treaty of Waitangi?

The Treaty guides the relationship between the government and Maori, with its meaning established through decades of legislation and court rulings.

It promised tribes broad rights to retain their lands and protect their interests in return for ceding governance to the British.

But two versions of the document were signed  one in English and one in Maori  and while both promised Maori the rights and privileges of British citizens, the documents differed on what authority the chiefs were ceding.

Crown breaches of both created steep disenfranchisement for Maori, who still face stark inequities.

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Since an Indigenous protest movement surged in the 1970s, Treaty considerations have been a growing part of New Zealand law.



Members of parliament celebrate as the Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi bill was rejected in a 112 to 11 vote in Wellington, New Zealand (Robert Kitchin/AP)

Redress efforts have bolstered a dwindling Maori language and culture  now experiencing a resurgence  and resulted in billion-dollar settlements for stolen Maori land.

 What did the Treaty Principles Bill say?

The bill sought to end the 185-year conversation about the Treatys meaning by enacting in law particular definitions for each clause and specifying that any rights should apply to all New Zealanders.

Its author, libertarian legislator David Seymour, who is Maori  has decried what he said were special rights and privileges on the basis of race.

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In his speech to lawmakers Thursday, Seymour said New Zealanders should all have the same rights and duties.

He urged legislators outside his party to break ranks and endorse the bill. None did.

 What did opponents say?

Parliamentary opposition leader Chris Hipkins lambasted the bill as a stain on this country and accused its supporters of spreading the myth of Maori special privilege.

He cited the disadvantage of Maori on almost every metric  including higher rates of poverty and ill-health and lower life expectancy.

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A student opposing the Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill sits outside New Zealands parliament in Wellington (Charlotte Graham-McLay/AP)

The Treaty of Waitangi is not about racial privilege or racial superiority, said opposition legislator Willie Jackson.

It is and always has been about legal rights Maori have in their contract with the Crown.

Parliament received 300,000 written submissions from members of the public  more than a proposed law had ever received before  90% of them opposed to the measures.

This bill has been absolutely annihilated, said Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke, an opposition legislator from Te Pati Maori, the Maori political party.

Ms Maipi-Clarke faces disciplinary proceedings at Parliament for her protest of the bills first vote last November, when she tore up a copy of the measures while performing a haka  a Maori chant of challenge  as she and colleagues walked towards Mr Seymour.

The legislators refused to attend a hearing on their conduct this month, because they said Parliament does not respect tikanga  Maori cultural protocols.

 Why did the measures get so far?

Despite its unpopularity, the proposed law passed its first vote due to a quirk of New Zealands political system that allows tiny parties to negotiate outsized influence for their agendas.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon agreed his legislators would endorse the bill at its first reading to fulfil a political deal with Mr Seymour that handed Mr Luxon power.

Without enough seats to govern after the 2023 election, Mr Luxon negotiated support from two minor parties, including Mr Seymours, in return for political concessions.

They included Mr Luxons early support for the Treaty Principles bill, although the New Zealand leader always said he would later oppose it.

Mr Luxons opponents on Thursday derided his political dealings.

 What happens next?

The Treaty Principles Bill was not the only measure Mr Luxon agreed to that will scrutinise the Treatys influence on New Zealand law and policy.

Another of Mr Seymours initiatives, already enacted, directed public agencies to stop targeting policies to specifically redress Maori inequities.

Mr Luxon also agreed to consider and either replace or repeal mentions of the Treaty of Waitangi throughout most New Zealand laws.
As the Trump administration intensifies efforts to acquire Greenland from Denmark  or take it by force  some Silicon Valley tech investors are promoting the frozen island as a site for a so-called freedom city, a libertarian utopia with minimal corporate regulation, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters.

The discussions are in early stages, but the idea has been taken seriously by Mr Trump's pick for Denmark ambassador, Ken Howery, who is expected to be confirmed by Congress in the coming months and lead Greenland-acquisition negotiations, the people said.

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Mr Howery, whose involvement with the idea hasn't been previously reported, once co-founded a venture-capital firm with tech billionaire Peter Thiel, a leading advocate for such low-regulation cities.

Mr Howery is also a longtime friend of Elon Musk, a top Trump advisor. Mr Howery declined to comment. The White House did not respond to requests for comment. Sources who spoke to Reuters requested anonymity to discuss private conversations.

The vision for Greenland, one of the people said, could include a hub for artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles, space launches, micro nuclear reactors and high-speed rail.

The discussions reflect a longstanding Silicon Valley movement to establish low-regulation cities globally, including in the United States, which Mr Trump himself promised to do in a 2023 campaign video.

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Proponents use different names for variations on the idea, including startup cities or charter cities, with the common goal of spurring innovation through sweeping regulatory exemptions.

The administrations consideration of such a quixotic quest underscores the growing clout of tech magnates and Mr Trumps increasingly expansionist foreign policy.

After campaigning on a largely isolationist platform, Mr Trump has since his November election suggested taking back the Panama Canal, annexing Canada and redeveloping the war-torn Gaza Strip after seizing the beachfront land from displaced Palestinians.

Greenland is about three times the size of Texas with a population of only 57,000. But the island is strategically important to the US military, which has a base there, and contains substantial deposits of minerals, including rare-earths.

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We have to have Greenland.

Mr Trump has refused to rule out taking Greenland by military force if Denmark wont sell it. We have to have Greenland, Mr Trump said late last month as his vice president, JD Vance, visited a US military base on the island.

Mr Vance toured Greenland with his wife Usha Vance, a visit that ignited protests from Greenlanders, who overwhelmingly oppose becoming part of America, polls show.

The island is owned by Denmark but governs itself. Greenland's new prime minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, said the US visit signalled a "lack of respect".

Speaking to troops at the US military base, Mr Vance accused Denmark of failing to protect Greenland from very aggressive incursions from Russia, and from China and other nations, without detailing the alleged aggression.

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The government of Denmark declined to comment on the idea of US tech investors founding a city there. Greenland didn't respond.

'New manifest destiny'

The freedom-city movement reflects a fascination with settling new American frontiers, rooted in nostalgia for the nations 1800s western expansion. Expanding to Greenland can be the dawn of a new Manifest Destiny, said tech investor Shervin Pishevar, referring to the 19th-century philosophy that America was an exceptional nation with a God-given mission to conquer territory.

Mr Thiel, a libertarian and early Trump supporter, wrote in 2009 that he no longer considered democracy compatible with freedom and has advocated escaping politics by colonising outer space or seasteading  building communities in ungoverned oceans.

Fellow venture capitalist Marc Andreessen, an informal advisor to Mr Musks Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), is part of a tech-investor consortium seeking to build a city on grazing land outside San Francisco.

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Mr Thiel, a libertarian and early Trump supporter, wrote in 2009 that he no longer considered democracy compatible with freedom. Photo: Michael Cohen/Getty Images for The New York Times

Another venture capitalist and informal DOGE advisor, Joe Lonsdale, also promotes low-regulation cities. In a statement to Reuters, Mr Lonsdale celebrated expanding our country to Greenland but did not comment on plans for a city there.

Mr Thiel and Mr Andreessen, leading proponents and financiers of the startup-city movement, are among those supportive of a Greenland outpost, two of the sources said.

Reuters could not determine whether the two billionaires are actively lobbying the Trump administration for a Greenland city.

Mr Andreessen declined to comment.

Thiel spokesman Jeremiah Hall said: Peter isnt involved in any plans or discussions regarding Greenland".

Traditional Greenlandic housing. Photo: Leon Neal/Getty Images

Mr Musk did not respond to comment requests. Mr Thiel has invested along with Mr Andreessen and Pishevar in Pronomos Capital, a venture-capital firm that has launched a half dozen charter-city projects globally, according to Pronomos founder Patri Friedman, the grandson of famous free-market economist Milton Friedman.

Most Pronomos projects are in development and negotiations with various governments, Mr Friedman said, but it has helped finance one existing startup community in Honduras called Prospera.

Pronomos also invested in Praxis, a city-building venture that in October announced $525 million in financing for a new city. Praxis' investors include Lonsdale, a fund launched by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and his brothers, and Pishevar, who co-founded Hyperloop One, a defunct venture that tried to commercialize an idea championed by Musk.

Praxis co-founder Dryden Brown told Reuters other companies have approached Praxis about helping to establish a Greenland city.

Mr Brown flew to Greenland last year. He advocates for building a city there in part because its harsh environment could provide a test site for colonising Mars - one of Mr Musks highest ambitions.

"We must build a prototype of Terminus on Earth before departing for Mars, Mr Brown posted on X in November, using Mr Musks term for a red-planet settlement. I believe Greenland is the place, @elonmusk.
Turkey has released more than 120 people who were detained during last months mass anti-government protests.

Courts in Istanbul released 127 defendants on bail, most of them university students, who were arrested at their homes on March 24 after taking part in demonstrations sparked by the jailing of the citys opposition mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu.

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Istanbuls Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested on charges of corruption and terrorism (Emrah Gurel/AP)

Imamoglu, who was arrested on March 19 on charges of corruption and terrorism, is seen as the main challenger to President Recep Tayyip Erdogans 22-year rule.

His imprisonment has been widely viewed as politically motivated and sparked nationwide protests.

The government insists Turkeys judiciary is independent and free of political influence.

More than 2,000 people were detained for taking part in the countrys largest mass demonstrations in more than a decade.

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Of those, some 300 people were jailed awaiting trial.

Those freed on Thursday are charged with participating in banned protests.



A protester holds up a Turkish flag as riot police stand guard during a protest against the arrest of Istanbuls Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu (Khalil Hamra/AP)

One court released 102 suspects, many of them students with upcoming exams, after considering the time they had spent in prison, the low risk of absconding and on condition of not travelling abroad.

A separate court released a further 25 people on condition that they report to police regularly.

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The releases follow a campaign by parents to have their children set free, with many holding daily vigils outside a prison in Silivri, west of Istanbul.

Among those released was prominent demonstrator Berkay Gezgin, a 22-year-old student who met Imamoglu on the campaign trail in 2019 and coined the slogan everything will be fine, which the Istanbul mayor later used in his campaign.

The defendants cases will be heard in June and September at Istanbuls Caglayan Courthouse.
A US-Russian dual national jailed in Russia on treason charges was freed in a prisoner exchange with Washington, the womans lawyer and US secretary of state Marco Rubio said.

Ksenia Karelina, also identified in the media as Ksenia Khavana, is on a plane back home to the United States, Mr Rubio said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

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She was arrested in the Ural Mountains city of Yekaterinburg in February 2024 and convicted of treason later that year on charges stemming from a donation of about 52 dollars (40) to a charity aiding Ukraine.



Russian dual national Ksenia Karelina getting on a private jet after her release at an airport in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (WAM via AP)

US authorities have called the case against her absolutely ludicrous.

Ms Karelina, a former ballet dancer, reportedly obtained US citizenship after marrying an American and moving to Los Angeles.

She was arrested when she returned to Russia to visit her family last year.

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Russias Federal Security Service, or FSB, said she proactively collected money in the interests of one of the Ukrainian organisations, which was subsequently used to purchase tactical medical supplies, equipment, weapons, and ammunition for the Ukrainian armed forces.

The First Department, a Russian rights group, said the charges stemmed from a 51.80 dollar donation to a US charity aiding Ukraine.

Ms Karelinas lawyer Mikhail Mushailov said on Instagram that she was flying to the US from Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, where the exchange took place.



Ksenia Karelina, also known as Khavana sits in a glass cage in a court room in Yekaterinburg, Russia (AP)

It was first reported by the Wall Street Journal, citing a statement from CIA director John Ratcliffe, who it said was on hand for the exchange at an airport in Abu Dhabi.

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Today, President Trump brought home another wrongfully detained American from Russia, Mr Ratcliffe said.

Im proud of the CIA officers who worked tirelessly to support this effort, and we appreciate the government of UAE for enabling the exchange.

The CIA could not be immediately reached for comment in the early hours of Thursday.

The WSJ said that the US in exchange freed Arthur Petrov, a dual German-Russian citizen, who was arrested in 2023 in Cyprus at the request of the US for allegedly exporting sensitive microelectronics.

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There was no immediate confirmation from the Russian or US authorities.



Yousef al-Otaiba, the UAE ambassador to the US, left, standing next to Ksenia Karelina after her release at an airport in Abu Dhabi (AP)

Petrov was extradited to the US in August 2024 where he faced charges of export control violations, smuggling, wire fraud and money laundering.

He was accused of involvement in a scheme to procure US-sourced microelectronics subject to US export controls on behalf of a Russia-based supplier of critical electronics components for manufacturers supplying weaponry and other equipment to the Russian military.

Abu Dhabi was earlier the scene of another high-profile prisoner swap between Russia and the US.

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In December 2022, American basketball star Brittney Griner was traded for the notorious Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.

The UAE has been a mediator in prisoner swaps between Russia and Ukraine, while the skyscraper-studded city of Dubai has become home to many Russians and Ukrainian who fled there after the start of Moscows 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Visitors to chocolatier Koko Black are poring over glass cabinets full of truffles, examining blocks or Easter eggs of varying sizes, flavours and designs, and walking away with carefully gift-wrapped packages. There seems to be little trace of cost-of-living pressures or the surging  sometimes sixfold  cocoa prices.

Koko Black chief Rory Gration in the chocolate companys new Chadstone store, which had queues lining up from 6am on its opening day. Credit: SMH/Age

Were seeing a bit of a flight to quality over quantity and people still wanting to experience beautiful chocolate, enjoy those moments, treat themselves, Koko Black chief executive Rory Gration said.

Cocoa prices are the headline, and the ability to pass that on or absorb it has always been a big challenge, he said. Were able to make sure that we only pass on what we need to and look at other ways of optimising our offer or focusing on different areas.

Its a different picture in the aisles of major supermarkets, where Easter egg prices this year are soaring.
Reinvigorated goldie Aureka Limited has kicked off another new drilling campaign, this time at its St Arnaud gold project in Victoria. It is the companys third program for the year, as drill testing wraps up at its flagship Irvine Stawell project.

The recently relisted gold explorer is making good on its promise of a 7000-metre drilling blitz across its trio of prospective Victorian assets, having already completed a seven-hole diamond drilling program at its Tandarra joint venture.

Management says the diamond drill rigs are spinning at St Arnaud, a historic goldfield that once churned out a handsome 400,000 ounces at a cracking 15 grams per tonne (g/t). Meanwhile, Tandarras latest core samples have headed to the lab for assaying.

Aureka Limiteds Comstock open pit at its St Arnaud gold project in Victoria, where the company has kicked off a 1400m diamond drilling program.

Its a busy restart for Aureka, which is freshly cashed up from a recent $5 million raising to amplify its existing 304,000-ounce gold resources. The company has an immediate exploration target of 280,000 to 420,000 ounces.
Taxpayers will not be left short-changed by any deal to take over the public arm of Northern Beaches Hospital, NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey says, after its private operators announced they were willing to return the hospital to public hands following months of intense community scrutiny.

Healthscope chief executive Tino La Spina said on Thursday it was clear the controversial public-private partnership was incompatible with the state governments objectives amid widespread community concern sparked by the death of two-year-old Joe Massa.

Northern Beaches Hospital is partly operated by Healthscope. Credit: Roger Stonehouse

We believe it is best for the patients, staff and the northern beaches community that it is returned to NSW Health, if that is the governments preferred outcome, La Spina said.

In the current circumstances, we believe NBH will operate more effectively as part of the public hospital system and its future is assured.
As construction nears completion on South Banks new theatre, Queenslanders have been invited to help name it.

The 85 per cent complete theatre, with its undulating glass facade, will not host performances until 2026.

The $175 million theatre was previously expected to open in the middle of 2025 after issues including Brisbanes 2022 floods delayed work.

Minister for Public Works Sam OConnor said the theatre would be an artistic masterpiece and a showcase for our state.
A man accused of murdering an Indigenous teenager after his car windows were smashed has admitted attempting to frame an innocent man for the killing.

Cassius Turvey, a 15-year-old Noongar Yamatji boy, died in hospital 10 days after prosecutors say he was chased, knocked to the ground and deliberately struck to the head with a metal pole in Perths eastern suburbs on October 13, 2022.

CCTV footage of Cassius Turvey on a bus on the day of his assault in October 2022. Credit: Supreme Court of WA

Aleesha Louise Gilmore, 23, her boyfriend Jack Steven James Brearley, 24, and his mates Brodie Lee Palmer, 29 and Mitchell Colin Forth, 26, are on trial in the West Australian Supreme Court for Cassius murder.

Under cross-examination by prosecutor Ben Stanwix, Brearley agreed on Thursday he told police he spotted a neighbour near the alleged murder scene with a weapon that could have been a piece of pipe or a machete.

Brearley knew that Cassius was dead when police interviewed him and that he was implicating an innocent man in the murder of a child, the jury heard.

Stanwix: So you tried to frame an innocent man for the murder of a child?

Brearley: Yeah.

Stanwix: Isnt the case you will tell any lie imaginable if it gives you a prospect of getting away with what you did?

Brearley: No.

Brearley said he did it to protect himself, Palmer and Gilmore before agreeing he previously said Palmer threatened to kill him if he was implicated in the alleged incident.

Stanwix asked Brearley if he agreed it was despicable and reprehensible to frame an innocent man.

I dont even know what those words mean, Brearley said.

Stanwix explained they meant it was a disgusting thing to do.

Brearley said he didnt agree.

Stanwix also accused Brearley of choosing the man because he was of a similar height and build, and had been in the area on the day Cassius was allegedly attacked.

Brearley agreed he looked similar but denied that it was why he named the man.

Stanwix: You knew you had to give someone to police that may be mistaken for you and thats why you named (the man)?

Brearley: No.

Brearley agreed that he and Palmer re-enacted the attack on Cassius a day after the alleged incident, which was recorded on CCTV at Palmers home.

But he has denied he was the one who swung the fatal blows, saying it was Palmer and that he only punched Cassius after the teen slashed him with a knife.

The trial continues.
A woman impregnated through IVF has given birth to a strangers baby after an embryo mix-up at a fertility clinic.

Monash IVF confirmed it became aware in February of the mistake at one of its Brisbane clinics, where one patients embryo was incorrectly implanted into another patient, and had since notified both affected families.

Monash IVF said an embryo from a different patient had been incorrectly thawed and transferred to the birth parents. Credit: Universal Images Group via Getty Images

In a statement on Thursday, the Melbourne-based fertility treatment company said the human error was discovered when the birth parents asked to transfer their remaining embryos to another IVF provider, and an extra embryo was found in storage.

An embryo from a different patient had previously been incorrectly thawed and transferred to the birth parents, which resulted in the birth of a child, the statement said.
If you look at the standard of candidates we have selected across the board, I think we have selected some amazing people, he said. The opposition leader then pivoted to a verbal attack on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for deceiving the Australian people, suggesting the prime minister could be convicted by a court. I dont think the prime minister is somebody who can be trusted, now to your point, he [Albanese] hasnt been convicted by a court, but maybe he will because if he keeps going like this you cant trust this prime minister with anything that he says, Dutton said. Dutton defended his partys Leichhardt candidate, Jeremy Neal, who used Donald Trump-like MAGA merchandise in his campaign launch this month, and made social media posts in 2020 and 2021 that blamed feminists for Trumps election loss and labelled China a grub of a country. That candidate [Neal] is someone who has served as a paramedic; he has made statements with regard to the matter that you raised, Dutton said.

The opposition leader also backed the Liberal candidates in Bennelong, Bradfield and Kooyong under questioning this week. Kooyong candidate Amelia Hamer had pitched herself as a renter trying to break into the housing market despite owning two properties, while Bradfield candidate Gisele Kapterian was named in a Commonwealth harassment settlement, although no findings were made against her. But Dutton did not elaborate when asked three times on Thursday whether he supported Kidney, who is contesting the inner Melbourne seat of Wills for the Liberals. Kidney, who lives in the suburb of Boronia, has paid the costs ordered by the court and the money to the court fund, but has not yet paid the fine according to the Magistrates Court. He does not appear to be disqualified from standing for election as a result of the guilty plea because under section 44 of Australias constitution, a person is disqualified from standing for parliament if they have to serve a prison sentence of more than 12 months.

It is also not clear what type of financial advantage Kidney obtained from WorkCover. Kidney offered a series of no comments when contacted by this masthead. Loading The Liberal Partys campaign headquarters did not answer questions about whether the party had been aware of the guilty plea, whether it had been disclosed during the candidates vetting and what financial advantage he had obtained. A Liberal Party spokesman said: This was a matter involving WorkCover that related to work done between 2019 and 2021. When the case came before the Magistrates court more than a year ago, it was adjourned with no conviction recorded. Meanwhile, Dutton confirmed that several deeply concerning issues led him to dump Britton in Whitlam, while opting to keep the specifics private.

After stating that he respected Brittons service in the ADF, Dutton told 2GBs Ben Fordham on Thursday he held a number of views that I dont agree with and that was the grounds on which his candidacy was cancelled. One Liberal MP, who asked not to be named so they could discuss the partys selection process, said they could not believe Britton got through. You have to go out of your way to hide things. I had to give the party passwords for all my social media, they said. I was grilled by a former police detective, so I thought to myself, How did [Britton] get through that? Each state division of the Liberal Party has a separate process for selecting and vetting candidates.

Loading The contest in Wills is between Labor MP Peter Khalil and the Greens former state leader Samantha Ratnam, but the Liberals attract enough votes to affect preference flows. In 2022, Liberal Party candidate Tom Wright finished third with 17.3 per cent of the primary vote. Kidney is described as a national operations manager on the Liberal Partys website with strong experience in business and community events. He has previously put his hand up to be a Liberal Party candidate for the Victorian byelection when Daniel Andrews stepped down as premier in 2023 and vacated the state seat of Mulgrave.
The electoral commission has referred former One Nation senator Rodney Culleton to the federal police over allegations he made a false declaration about his bankruptcy status to become a 2025 Senate candidate for Western Australia.

Culleton will be listed on ballots in WA after submitting a completed nomination form declaring he was not bankrupt, despite being listed on the National Personal Insolvency Index as an undischarged bankrupt.

Former One Nation senator Rodney Culleton. Credit: Stefan Gosatti

Under the Electoral Act, the Australian Electoral Commission cant reject a completed candidate nomination form. As a result, Culletons nomination was accepted despite him apparently giving incorrect information about his status as an undischarged bankrupt.

Culleton was declared bankrupt in 2016 for failing to repay a $280,000 debt to Wesfarmers director Peter Lester and was disqualified from the Senate.

In 2017, the High Court ruled that Culleton was never legally elected because he was convicted of grand larceny before the election.
Publishing reportable situations and internal dispute resolution data will encourage firms to lift their game, Kirkland said. It also provides consumers and investors access to this data at firm level, further encouraging confident and informed participation in the financial system.
As Australia gears up for the Federal election on May 3, discussions around negative gearing and capital gains tax have resurfaced, emphasising the need for prudent rental reform.
LMI has been a valuable support to getting Australians into homes, Coloe said. That said, Sucasas value proposition and focus on quality underwriting is a needed reprieve for quality borrowers facing a growing set of challenges in securing a home loan.
China eases marriage rules to encourage more couples to say "I do"

Xinhua) 09:52, April 10, 2025

BEIJING, April 9 (Xinhua) -- China has revised its marriage registration rules, reducing paperwork and giving couples more flexibility to choose where to register their union, as part of a wider push to encourage more young people to tie the knot.

The new regulations, the first revision since the marriage registration ordinance was enacted in 2003, will take effect on May 10, 2025.

Under the new rules, mainland couples will only need their identification cards and a signed declaration affirming they are not currently married and are not closely related by blood within three generations to register their marriage. Previously, they also had to present their household registration books.

The new regulations also lift restrictions on where couples can register their marriage, which was previously limited to their places of permanent residence.

The change is expected to save time and reduce costs, particularly for the growing number of Chinese citizens who live and work away from their registered hometowns.

One such couple, Ms. Zhang from Inner Mongolia and Mr. Wang from Shandong, have spent years working in Jiangsu. When they decided to marry years ago, they had to travel back to Wang's hometown to complete the paperwork, a trip that cost nearly 2,000 yuan (about 277.5 U.S. dollars) and required them to take three days off work.

Experiences like theirs were common under the previous system. According to the national census, 493 million people in China were living apart from their registered hometowns as of 2020. More than 70 percent of this non-resident population were aged between 15 and 35.

The shift in regulations came amid a decline in marriage rates in China. According to data from the Ministry of Civil Affairs, 6.1 million couples registered their marriage in 2024, down from 7.68 million the previous year.

Experts have attributed the decline to a shrinking pool of people of marriageable age, shifting views on relationships, and the rising costs associated with starting a family.

Many young adults are now choosing to delay marriage until they feel financially and emotionally prepared, a trend mirrored market-driven societies such as Europe, North America and Japan, where traditional views on marriage have become more flexible.

In response to these changes, local governments across China have introduced a range of incentives to foster a newlywed-friendly society.

The eastern province of Zhejiang extended its paid marriage leave from three to 13 days, while the city of Lyuliang in north China's Shanxi Province now offers a 1,500 yuan incentive to women who marry at or under the age of 35.

These efforts align with broader goals, as increasing the number of newlyweds is often seen as an important factor in boosting the birth rate. As one of the world's most populous countries, China is facing profound demographic challenges due to its rapidly aging population.

In response, the government has rolled out a series of supportive policies, including enhanced childbirth services, expanded child care systems, and greater support in education, housing, and employment.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
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Postal Code
By Cillian Sherlock, PA

An Irish army chaplain who was stabbed by a teenager has hugged the boy who pleaded guilty to his attempted murder in court.

Fr Paul Murphy was stabbed seven times during an attack at Renmore Barracks in Galway on August 15th, 2024.

The priest was assaulted by the teenage boy, then aged 16 but who is now 17, while he was attempting to enter the barracks at around 10.35pm.

The boy, who cannot be identified because of his age, has pleaded guilty to attempted murder over the incident.

He had been arrested at the scene after being restrained by members of the Defence Forces who had previously fired warning shots.

The court heard that gardai believed at the time of the attack the boy held a radicalised Islamist mindset and analysis of seized devices showed content that supported the so-called Islamic State terrorist group.

The attack was not considered to be specifically targeted against Fr Murphy.

The court heard that the boy told gardai under caution for a charge of assault causing harm: I did it in protest of the Irish Defence Forces and their work in Mali and all the stuff for Islam.

The court was shown CCTV footage of the boy arriving at the gate of the barracks on the night of the attack and was told that Fr Murphys car was the first to arrive subsequently.

The boy approached the car, Judge Paul McDermott heard, and said: Excuse me sir, do you have a minute to talk to me?

Fr Murphy then partially rolled down the window before the boy started stabbing at his arms with a hunting knife that had an eight-inch serrated blade.

The priest drove through the gates but the attack continued before members of the Defence Forces were able to restrain the boy.

Detective Sergeant Paul McNulty, of Galway Garda Station, said: It was a totally indiscriminate attack and it could have been any member of the defence forces

Fr Murphy gave a victim impact statement at Dublins Central Criminal Court on Thursday ahead of the boys sentencing, which is expected to take place later this month.

The priest said he can remember every gory detail of the attempted murder but said he was thankful that it was him who was attacked and not another member of the Defence Forces.

If it wasnt me it would have been someone else, and I am convinced, without a shadow of a doubt, that I was the right person, in the right place, at the right time  that night was filled with blessings.

He added: I thank God every single day that the knife tore through my skin, and not through the body of one of my comrades.

I consider it an honour and a privilege to carry those scars until my dying day.

Addressing the teenage boy, Fr Murphy said: As a man of faith, I am in the business of forgiveness, and I offer to you, the young man standing accused before me, the forgiveness that will hopefully help you to become a better person.

I believe you are 17 now, so you will hopefully have another 80 years of living on this earth.

In this, the Churchs Jubilee Year of Hope, my hope and prayer is that you will use whatever resources are put at your disposal, in prison or beyond, to learn a better way of living and that you will use your energy and your talents to make our world a better place for all people to live.

Life is for living and for loving, and, I promise you, your life will find its ultimate joy when you live honourably and love generously.

During the victim impact statement, Fr Murphy turned around to face the teenager who told him: Im sorry.

Fr Murphy added: Your Honour, we all have to take responsibility for our actions and while I can personally forgive my attacker the fact remains that he has committed an appalling crime.

He has offended our State, he has offended the Irish Defence Forces and he has offended every soldier who has walked through the gate of our barracks, because it could have been any one of them who was stabbed.

Every crime warrants an appropriate punishment and every sentence should serve as a deterrent to others from perpetrating similar crimes.

It falls to you to give sentence in this case and, assuming that it will be custodial, length of years is not what interests me.

My only desire is that the young man before you would learn to see the error of his ways and, when the time comes, return to society to make a positive contribution to the world as a wholesome, happy and loving person.

I am just an ordinary priest and, while I am honoured to bear the wounds that scar my skin, I would be much happier to have avoided the limelight of this process

May it please the Lord above that the events which have led us to today may educate us all about the over-arching need for love, forgiveness and hope in our world.

At the end of Thursdays proceedings, Fr Murphy shook the boys hand and they exchanged words before hugging.
Alison ORiordan

A Defence Forces chaplain who was repeatedly stabbed by a teenage boy motivated by "a radicalised Islamic mindset" today told his attacker that he forgives him, with the priest and the defendant later embracing in the courtroom.

Delivering an emotional victim impact statement on Thursday, Father Paul Murphy told the sentencing judge that: "My only desire is that the young man before you would learn to see the error of his ways and, when the time comes, return to society to make a positive contribution to the world as a wholesome, happy, and loving person".

Fr Murphy said if it wasn't him that night, it would have been someone else, and he was convinced, "without a shadow of a doubt", that he was "the right person, in the right place, at the right time". He told the court: "Out of all the members of our Defence Forces, I was best placed to take the knife."

He added: "I thank God every single day that the knife tore through my skin, and not through the body of one of my comrades. I consider it an honour and a privilege to carry those scars until my dying day". He said "Heaven wasnt ready for me that night".

Turning to the 17-year-old boy in the dock as he read his statement, Fr Murphy, a native of Waterford City, said that he was "in the business of forgiveness" and offered "the young man standing accused before me, the forgiveness that will hopefully help you to become a better person. I believe you are 17 now so you will hopefully have another 80 years of living on this earth".

"My hope and prayer is that you will use whatever resources are put at your disposal, in prison or beyond, to learn a better way of living and that you will use your energy and your talents to make our world a better place for all people to live. Life is for living and for loving, and, I promise you, your life will find its ultimate joy when you live honourable and love generously," continued the priest.

At this point, the teenage boy, who had his parents sitting near him, interrupted Fr Murphy and said aloud: "I'm sorry". The pair were seen to embrace after today's sentence hearing, when the priest talked to his attacker in the dock.

The boy appeared at the Central Criminal Court today for his sentence hearing, having pleaded guilty last February to the attempted murder of Fr Murphy (52) at Dun Ui Mhaoiliosa, Renmore Barracks in Galway on August 15th, 2024. The defendant was 16 at the time of the attack and cannot be identified due to his age.

The victim, a popular chaplain with the 1st Infantry Battalion, suffered multiple stab wounds in the attack while he sat in his car. He was treated for his injuries at University Hospital Galway. Fr Murphy has been a priest for almost 29 years and has ministered in the army for over 11 years, the court heard.

Today's sentencing hearing was told that the boy had "lunged" at the priest with a hunting knife and stabbed him repeatedly. The priest suffered "multiple severe lacerations" to both his arms, and there were seven wounds in total. The court heard that Fr Murphy's jeep got 20 metres inside the gate of the barracks, but as the vehicle moved, the teenager moved with it, trying to stab Fr Murphy.

The boy told gardai when arrested: "I did it to protest the Irish Defence Forces and their work in Mali and all the stuff for Islam", the Central Criminal Court heard.

The priest said while he can ultimately forgive his attacker, the teenager had committed "an appalling crime", which had offended the State, the Irish Defence Forces and "every single soldier who has walked through the gate of our barracks, because it could have been any one of them who was stabbed".

Fr Murphy told the boy he hoped he learned to see "the error of his ways" so that when the time comes he could return to society to make a positive contribution to the world and become a "wholesome, happy and loving person".

The victim of the attempted murder told the court he was just an ordinary priest and was honoured to bear the wounds that scarred his skin but would have been much happier to have avoided "the limelight of this process".

The sentencing hearing for the teenager also heard today that he had carried out a "totally indiscriminate attack" which could have been inflicted on any member of the defence forces.

During today's sentence hearing, Detective Sergeant Paul McNulty agreed with Michael Delaney SC, prosecuting, that gardai seized the boy's laptop, iPad and phone and got production orders for his email and social media accounts.

They found "a lot of the content was suggestive of a radicalised Islamic mindset" and supportive of the Islamic State and the terrorist group ISIS. Some of the content was very graphic, with videos of beheadings and other acts of extreme violence from various propaganda ISIS videos. The teenager had a particular interest in British ISIS activist 'Jihadi John', the court heard.

Items seized by detectives in the boy's bedroom included a poster with Arabic writing saying "God is great", the Islamic state flag and sketches depicting beheadings. The defendant denied to gardai that the sketches were his.

The youth had confirmed to gardai he had "reverted" to Islamic faith at 15 years of age and had writings in a notebook of Islamic prayers and how to be a devout Muslim. The boy also regularly attended Friday prayers at a mosque.

The boy's defence counsel, Sean Gillane SC, said that there was nothing in his client's life or forensic history to alert anyone that he would be involved in an offence of this nature. "Over a period of time, he began to become part of an online community even though it was the opposite of a community in any real sense," he added.

The defence barrister said the boy, who is on the "autism spectrum", was vulnerable to the material he found on the internet, which led to increasing radicalisation and a poisoning of his belief system. He said it ultimately led to his catastrophic and misconceived attempt to seek some sort of revenge on the Irish Defence Forces for the misconceived conclusion he had arrived at about Mali, which was inspired by others.

Addressing the judge in mitigation, Mr Gillane said: "If you did hear him [the boy] say sorry during the victim impact statement, he is sorry and I ask that you deal with him as leniently as you possibly can".

Mr Justice Paul McDermott remanded the boy to Oberstown Detention Centre until April 29, when he will be sentenced.
By Jonathan McCambridge, PA

Former Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams says he has sought legal advice after claiming Meta has used his books to train its artificial intelligence systems.

The Society of Editors recently held a protest in London alleging that millions of copyrighted books had been used by the social media giant to develop its AI systems.

In a statement, Mr Adams said: Meta has used many of my books without my permission.

I have placed the issue in the hands of my solicitor.

Mr Adams listed several of his books which he alleges have been used by the tech company.

Meta has been approached for comment.
Sonya McLean

A woman who falsely claimed she was being held captive and being forced to work as a prostitute has been jailed for two years and three months.

Brenda Emmanuel (34) arrived at Store Street Garda Station in Dublin in October 2019 and told them she had just managed to escape her captives. She said she had travelled from her village in Nigeria six months earlier to Ireland to work as a home help.

She said a woman had organised her transportation and she was instructed to engage in certain rituals and afterwards she was threatened that if she didnt partake she would be killed.

Emmanuel said she had never travelled before and she was provided with certain documentation as she travelled with this woman to Ireland.

She was collected from Dublin Airport and brought to a house in Balbriggan where she was held captive and while there she was forced to work every day as a prostitute. She estimated that she was effectively raped two to three times a day.

Emmanuel said she had been told that the prostitution was necessary as she was now in debt to others because of the cost of her travelling to Ireland.

Emmanuel, who was previously living in hostel accommodation in Carrickmacross, Monaghan has now moved to County Louth.

She pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to three charges of knowingly making a false statement on dates between October 2019 and December 2020 at Store Street Garda Station. She made five statements to gardai in total.

'Public deterrence'

Judge Ronan Munro said after hearing the evidence last week that public deterrence in such cases is important.

It is quite concerning to me that the nature of these allegations insulates her from further investigation as you do not want to challenge her on it, Judge Munro said, referring to the sensitivity of the allegations Emmanuel made to gardai.

The gardai should not have been put in this position, he continued.

Before sentence was imposed on Wednesday, Emmanuel made a statement outlining her deepest remorse for her actions. She said she was taking full responsibility and knows that her behaviour was unacceptable and had an impact on the officers involved in the case.

I am committed to change my ways and be of good character henceforth, she said.

Sentencing Emmanuel, Judge Munro said unfortunately such cases as Emmanuel alleged do occur in the real world.

He commended the gardai for their swift, professional and effective response later describing their high quality detective work as painstaking.

Their investigation was thorough  that aggravates the crime, Judge Munro said.

Judge Munro said it was obvious that the gardai would have been concerned that there could be other women being held captive and the crime needed to be detected.

The gardai were very compassionate because they took what she said at face value - that they were dealing with a trauma victim, the judge said.

CCTV

He noted that the officers drove around Balbriggan for three to four hours trying to get Emmanuel to point out the house where she was held and later put hours into tracing her movements through CCTV footage.

Judge Munro noted that the maximum sentence for the offence is five years.

He said it was pre-planned story that was concocted and repeated many times over a year, describing her actions as pre-meditated and calculated.

The gardai put many hours into investigating the crime in an attempt to rescue the other potential victims. Such false claims of rape is a disservice to rape victims and undermines those victims who are subjected to such appalling circumstances, Judge Munro said.

He said Emmanuel had deliberately assumed the status of a rape victim which undermines those complaints, noting that gardai may now ask themselves if these reports of rape could be false  they (gardai) should not be put in that position, the judge said.

She diverted garda resources from genuine victims which does them an appalling disservice  to woman in particular as it attacks the resources reserved for trafficked women, Judge Munro said.

In imposing sentence, he took into account that Emmanuel had no previous convictions and had not made a specific allegation against one person. He acknowledged that her motivation was in sourcing a better life for her children.

He set a headline sentence of four years which he reduced to three years taking into account the mitigation.

There should be a general deterrence for other people who are contemplating such a offence that they are left in no doubt of the gravity of this crime.

Her children are at home now without their mother but she has brought this upon them herself. She wanted a better life for her children but that was built on a lie and that is why it has fallen apart, Judge Munro said.

He suspended the final nine months of the three-year term on strict conditions.
PRESENTATION College, Carlow recently held its 18th academic awards ceremony in the Seven Oaks Hotel, when students from junior and senior cycles were recognised for their academic success. The awards honour the top-achieving students in the junior cycle and leaving certificate examinations, with high achievers in last years exam classes being presented.

Last year's junior cert students were also honoured at the awards

The awards are just one of a series of initiatives introduced in the school to acknowledge, support and sustain the high level of performance and success by students. The high-achieving students in the non-state exam classes, based on last summers in-house exams, are presented with their subject certificates at ceremonies in the school.

Eanna O'Sullivan was presented with the Nano Nagle Award by principal Ray Murray and chairperson of the board of management Fr Con O Maoldhomhnaigh

The awards ceremony consisted of a sit-down meal for all recipients and their parents, along with the principal, deputy principals, year heads, deans of discipline and board of management members, followed by the presentation of awards. Board of management chairperson Fr Conn O Maoldhomhnaigh presented awards to the junior cycle and leaving certificate high-achievers. He extolled the benefits of education and wished the senior students every success in their future studies and encouraged the junior students to return for further awards based on a successful leaving certificate.

The ceremony also acknowledged the recipients of awards previously presented at the end-of-year junior and senior school awards ceremonies last May. Present for the occasion also were the Junior and Senior, Female and Male Sportspersons of the Year, the Amanda OMahony Memorial German Award, the Bridin Quinn Award, the CEIST Award and the Junior and Senior Student of the Year Awards.

In addition, the board of management also presented a new accolade  The Nano Nagle Award  to transition year student Eanna OSullivan in recognition of his efforts, character and contribution to the school during his junior cycle years.

The junior cycle recipients were: Doina Besleaga, Clodagh Broderick, Molly Hilliard, Holly Hughes, Jack Mahon, Maria Miller, Clodagh Murphy, Lily OConnor and Ieva Pauliukenaite.

The leaving certificate recipients and their current course of studies were: Darragh Brennan (aeronautical engineering, UL), Sarah Delaney (physiotherapy, TCD), Julia Dempsey (health and performance, UCD), Aine Dowling (business and law, MU), Keelan Doyle (physiotherapy, RCSI), Rachel Hand (psychology, UG) and Anna Miller (psychology, MU).
A group of researchers working for AI chipmaker NVIDIA, the third-biggest company in the world by market capitalization, in collaboration with graduate students from Stanford, UC San Diego, UC Berkeley, and UT Austin, trained an AI system on 81 classic Tom & Jerry theatrical shorts to see if they could create long-form animated sequences of up to a minute in length.

Ostensibly, the point of the exercise was to generate longer and more consistent AI video while overcoming the challenge of self-attention, a technical principle that currently makes generating long-form generated AI video computationally prohibitive. All of the current public APIs for AI video generation are still limited by length: as of last month, OpenAIs Sora has a maximum length of 20 seconds, Metas Moviegen is 16 seconds, Lumas Ray 2 is 10 seconds, and Googles Veo 2 is eight seconds.

The research team (which includes NVIDIAs Jiarui Xu, Shihao Han, Ka Chun Cheung, Jan Kautz, Yejin Choi, Yu Sun, and Xialong Wang) explained how they did it HERE as well as in a paper (download PDF) that was published yesterday. They wrote, The videos tell complex stories with coherent scenes composed of dynamic motion. Every video is produced directly by the model in a single shot, without editing, stitching, or post-processing. Every story is newly created. (In its paper, NVIDIA does not acknowledge receiving permission from Warner Bros. Discovery to use its characters and copyrighted films for such an experiment.)

Below is one of the videos created by NVIDIA et al. that shows Tom working as an office employee in the World Trade Center:

At first glance, it looks impressive, but watch for a few seconds and it quickly falls apart with illogical performance, weird objects, inconsistent hook-ups, and only the faintest suggestion of coherent storytelling. While this is an experiment and should be viewed in the context of the goals it set out to achieve, it only serves to show that AI is still many years away from generating an entire animated film on its own. Also notable is the amount of text prompting it took to even achieve this. Here is the full prompt that was required to generate the above video:

The World Trade Center towers stand tall against a clear, bright blue morning sky. Streets bustle with pedestrians in suits, and yellow taxis move slowly through heavy traffic. Sunlight reflects sharply from glass windows of nearby buildings. Tom, the blue-gray cat, walks briskly along the wide gray sidewalk with a single black briefcase in his hand.

Inside the World Trade Center lobby, expansive marble floors reflect warm golden recessed lighting. Gray marble pillars and brass fixtures highlight the elegant entryway, along with a brass elevator door. A uniformed doorman wearing a dark navy-blue suit stands behind a polished wooden counter. Tom, the blue-gray cat, with a single black briefcase in his hand calmly walks in from the right and approaches the elevator doors. Toms left hand is empty.

Inside the World Trade Center lobby, expansive marble floors reflect warm golden recessed lighting. Gray marble pillars and brass fixtures highlight the elegant entryway, along with a brass elevator door. A uniformed doorman wearing a dark navy-blue suit stands behind a polished wooden counter. Tom, the blue-gray cat, has a single black briefcase in his hand slowly presses the elevator button on the left side of the elevator and waits. Toms left hand is empty.

Inside a crowded elevator, mirrored walls reflect brass handrails and subtle ceiling lights. Professionals dressed in dark suits stand quietly facing forward. Tom, the blue-gray cat with a single black briefcase in his hand, enters calmly and blends quietly into the crowd. Toms other hand is empty

A bright office wall with cream-colored plain walls complement an oak door. Tom, the blue-gray cat, with a single black briefcase in his hand is in scene. Tom gently places his single briefcase on the floor. Tom, with his hands now empty, starts walking away.

A bright corner office features floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the vast New York skyline beneath sunny blue skies. Cream-colored plain walls complement a large glossy oak executive desk. On the center of the desk, in front of Tom, is a silver computer monitor and silver keyboard, a silver penholder, and a black leather office chair. On the computer screen, there are various stock merket charts and graphs with color. Tom, the blue-gray cat, sits comfortably in a high-backed black leather chair, and begins quietly typing on his keyboard. Tom has a focused expression on his face.

Under the large oak desk, a single black, intact cable runs neatly along beige carpeting toward a silver desktop computer tower. A clean white wall socket securely holds a single plug. Jerry, the brown mouse, quietly approaches the intact cable unnoticed.

Under the large oak desk, a single intact, black cable runs neatly along beige carpeting toward a silver desktop computer tower. A clean white wall socket securely holds a single plug. Jerry, the brown mouse, carefully chews the black cable. Tiny and hardly noticeable sparks fly as he bites the cable.

A bright corner office features floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the vast New York skyline beneath sunny blue skies. Cream-colored plain walls complement a large glossy oak executive desk. On the center of the desk, in front of Tom, is a silver computer monitor and silver keyboard, a silver penholder, and a black leather office chair. Tom, the blue-gray cat, is sitting at the desk typing on the keyboard. On top of the oak desk, the silver monitor flickers briefly, displaying static before turning completely black. Tom, the blue-gray cat, pauses typing in confusion.

A bright corner office features floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the vast New York skyline beneath sunny blue skies. Cream-colored plain walls complement a large glossy oak executive desk. On the center of the desk, in front of Tom, is a silver computer monitor and silver keyboard, a silver penholder, and a black leather office chair. Tom, the blue-gray cat, now with an upset face, leans to the floor to check under the desk.

Under the large oak desk, a single black cable that has exposed copper wire in one spot runs neatly along beige carpeting toward a silver desktop computer tower. A clean white wall socket securely holds a single plug. Jerry, the brown mouse, stands near a chewed threw black cable. Tom, the blue-gray cat, moves his head into the scene and sees Jerry. Tom looks surprised and angry at Jerry, while Jerry looks scared and surprised at Tom.

Under the large oak desk, a single black cable that has exposed copper wire in one spot runs neatly along beige carpeting toward a silver desktop computer tower. A clean white wall socket securely holds a single plug. Jerry, the brown mouse, stands near the chewed threw black cable while Tom, the blue-gray cat, has his head in the scene angry and surprised. Jerry hurries away from Tom out of the scene, while Tom removes his head from the scene.

A bright corner office features floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the vast New York skyline beneath sunny blue skies. Cream-colored walls complement a large glossy oak executive desk, with a silver computer monitor and silver keyboard, a silver penholder, and a black leather office chair. Tom, the blue-gray cat, chases Jerry, the brown mouse, across the room in front of the table. Jerry exits the scene to the right.

A bright corner office featuring cream-colored plain walls and a brown, oak door is to the right of the scene. There is a small mousehold slightly to the left of the door at the baseboard. Jerry, the brown mouse, moderately runs to the mousehole and disappears through the mousehole.

A bright corner office featuring cream-colored plain walls and a brown, oak door is to the right of the scene. There is a small mousehold slightly to the left of the door at the baseboard. Tom, the blue-gray cat, runs toward the mousehole and slams his body into the wall. Tom sits there stunned with small cartoonish stars circling around his head which indicate dizziness.

A bright corner office featuring cream-colored plain walls and a brown, oak door is to the right of the scene. There is a small mousehold slightly to the left of the door at the baseboard. Tom, the blue-gray cat, sits there stunned. Tom, the blue-gray cat, checks the a small watch on his right wrist. Tom, the blue-gray cat, reads the time on his watch and notices that he is late for a meeting. In a rush, Tom, the blue-gray cat, stands back up, no longer stunned, opens the oak door on the right of the scene and runs through the doorway.

In the large conference room, plain cream-colored walls surround a long wooden table positioned at the center. A small black wall clock is positioned in the top right of the screen. There are several executives who are sitting in black office chairs are neatly arranged around the table. The executives are quietly focused on Spike, the gray bulldog, who stands at a whiteboard at the front of the room. There are several people dressed in suits occupying the seats in the room. Tom, the blue-gray cat, hurriedly enters through the door on the left. Spike stops mid-sentence, and both Spike and Tom have surprised looks on their faces. Spike lowers his marker and glares sharply at Toms intrusion.

In the large conference room, plain cream-colored walls surround a long wooden table positioned at the center. A small black wall clock is positioned in the top right of the screen. There are several executives who are sitting in black office chairs are neatly arranged around the table. The executives are quietly focused on Spike, the gray bulldog, who stands at a whiteboard at the front of the room, while Tom, the blue-gray cat, stands left of Spike. Spike, the gray bulldog, angrily points at the small black wall clock at the top right of the screen while maintaining aggressive eye contact with Tom, the blue-gray cat. Spike, the gray bulldog, loudly reprimands Tom. Tom, now with a scared expression, covers his ears due to the yelling and makes an apologetic gesture.

In the large conference room, plain cream-colored walls surround a long wooden table positioned at the center. A small black wall clock is positioned in the top right of the screen. There are several executives who are sitting in black office chairs are neatly arranged around the table. The executives are quietly focused on Spike, the gray bulldog, who stands at a whiteboard at the front of the room, while Tom, the blue-gray cat, stands left of Spike. Spike, the gray bulldog, angrily points and hold his pointing to the left while looking at Tom. Tom sulks and then sadly walks to the left out of scene.

In a cozy mousehole interior with rounded walls, wooden furniture, and warm, soft lighting, Jerry, the brown mouse, stands comfortably in the mousehole. He laughs happily, leaning back in delight, eyes closed and a wide smile on his face.

In the cozy mousehole interior with rounded walls, wooden furniture, and warm, soft lighting, Jerry, the brown mouse, continues laughing cheerfully as the scene gradually fades to black.
Laurel Desmarais of Chattanooga, was recently elected to membership into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation's oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society, at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Desmarais is among approximately 20,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each year. Membership is by invitation only and requires nomination and approval by a chapter. Only the top 10 percent of seniors and 7.5 percent of juniors are eligible for membership. Graduate students in the top 10 percent of the number of candidates for graduate degrees may also qualify, as do faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction.

Phi Kappa Phi was founded in 1897 under the leadership of undergraduate student Marcus L. Urann who had a desire to create a different kind of honor society: one that recognized excellence in all academic disciplines. Today, the Society has chapters on more than 300 campuses in the United States, its territories and the Philippines. Its mission is to "cultivate a community that celebrates and advances the love of learning."

About Phi Kappa Phi

Founded in 1897, Phi Kappa Phi is the nation's oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. Phi Kappa Phi inducts approximately 20,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni annually. The Society has chapters on more than 300 select colleges and universities in the United States, its territories and the Philippines. Membership is by invitation only to the top 10 percent of seniors and graduate students and 7.5 percent of juniors. Faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction also qualify. The Society's mission is to "cultivate a community that celebrates and advances the love of learning."
To win the 2025 Boulderfest - Lookout Mountain Conservancys annual enduro-style bouldering competition - Allison Dandar knew she needed a plan. Last year, the Atlanta-based climber finished second, completing 59 routes. (Local teacher Haley Graham won with 64.) Over the last 12 months, Allison trained, got stronger, her eyes clearly on the prize: first place.She had a hunch: winning would take 80 problems, or routes.But, she also had a problem: logistics. How do you solve 80 routes when the clock is ticking?I can show you, she said, unrolling out a folded map of the bouldering park, marked up with routes and colors.Then, she called over her secret weapon.Yo! Dad! Allison - a 15-year-old homeschooler and amateur climber - shouted.On Saturday, March 22, Allison and her dad Alan used a churn-and-burn strategy - a preplanned route penciled in on a bouldering course map.As she climbed, he hustled the gear to the next boulder.We were running scared, he said. Literally.It worked. Allison became the womens champ, completing 81 boulder problems for first place. Lauren Rattenbury won second place with 65 routes solved, with Kimberly Casey winning third (59).Im super proud, said Alan Dandar of his daughter. She puts in a lot of work.The sixth annual Lookout Mountain Conservancys BoulderFest was held under blue spring skies on Saturday, March 22, at LMCs Old Wauhatchie Boulders, the largest urban bouldering park in the South.The event is a timed competition: dozens of climbers race against the clock to complete as many routes, or problems, as possible within 3 hours and 40 minutes.In the mens division, Zachary Quigley turned in a champion performance by finishing 108 routes. Tied for second? Jackson Cowden and Michael Red Powell each with 97.Apparently, Allison and her dad werent the only ones with a plan.Me and the other guy - we tied for second - we had the same strategy, said Powell.To start the day, he snuck down to the Cliffhanger boulder, figuring nobody would be there. Turns out: one other competitor was. Jackson Cowden. The two men tied for second place.We just met down there, he said, coincidentally.Carter Schoeneck won the youth male division with 52 problems solved. In second place, Sylas Miranda (47) and Henry Kelly (31) won third.Persephone Cox finished 15 routes to win the youth female division, while Rosemary Cox finished second with 13 problems and Laura Oehmig (8) finished third.Some 60 climbers competed. At the after-party, held overlooking the beautiful skyline, folks enjoyed food trucks and donated Hutton & Smith beer while talking with multiple vendors: Teren, Four Bridges Outfitters and Black Diamond.Lookout Mountain Conservancy (LMC) is a 34-year-old land trust that conserves and protects more than 1500 acres of Lookout Mountain as it stretches 93 miles into Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia.The annual Boulderfest is held at the Old Wauhatchie Boulders in St. Elmo, the LMC urban bouldering park with some 27 boulders. Its the largest urban bouldering park in the South and was renovated and currently maintained and stewarded by our Leadership Program interns from The Howard School.We are proud of this day and our work, said Hector Domingo, a leadership intern.Super great vibes. Its awesome, Powell said. Its a great way to support the Conservancy, which keeps making this place better. Ive been climbing here since it opened.
8:30 a.m. - Senate Regular Calendar - Watch - 3. SB0351 by Taylor

More than 30 local governments across the United States have implemented guaranteed basic income programs to test whether a monthly cash infusion for low-income participants, usually around $500, improves a familys overall financial stability. positive results.

positive results. In fact, Sen. Raumesh Akbari and Rep. Justin J. Pearson introduced a bill to test the concept in Tennessee at $250 a month.

The idea is still alive at the state level, but Senate Bill 351 by Sen. Brent Taylor would prohibit any city or county from implementing a program of their own or even joining a study.

Bill raises cap on personal injury awards, invites civil suits against abortion medication distributors

8:30 a.m. - Senate Regular Calendar - Watch - 4. SB 0419 *Hensley

Senate Bill 419 raises the states cap on civil damages in personal injury lawsuits and creates a new catastrophic loss claim against a person who unlawfully distributes of abortion-inducing medication.

Mailing and delivering abortion-inducing medication without a prescription is already a criminal offense in Tennessee.

It appears the House sponsor, who is a trial attorney, is using the Republican Partys anti-abortion fervor as a way to increase noneconomic damages in civil cases. The legislation increases the cap from $750,000 to $1.5 million and lifts the catastrophic injury cap from $1 million to $2 million.

G.O.P. bill dismantles Human Rights Commission, moves civil rights enforcement to biased Attorney General

11:30 a.m. - Government Operations - Watch - SB 0861 *Stevens

This Republican-backed bill would terminate the independent watchdog protecting the civil rights of workers, renters, homeowners and consumers.

The Human Rights Commission has safeguarded the civil rights of Tennesseans since 1963 by investigating reports of discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations. The Commission generally resolves issues without costly litigation.

Senate Bill 861 would move the division under the Republican Attorney General, a political appointee who has actively undermined the civil rights of women, minorities, students and LGTBQ families.

Bill sends G.O.P. Attorney General on a witch hunt against cities, counties

1 p.m. - State & Local Government - Watch - SB 0845 *Lowe

Republicans are backing a heavy-handed bill that would empower the states G.O.P. attorney general to investigate and prosecute cities and counties when he claims they are violating state law.

The attorney generals office would only have to prove their case in front of a court if the local government challenges the AGs findings  a legal situation that disadvantages cities and counties.

And if a local government resists, the state finance commissioner could withhold all state funding owed to the city or county.

Bill will force Memphis utility to serve a new customer outside the city

2 p.m. - Finance, Ways & Means - Watch - SB1138 by Taylor

A developer building a housing subdivision outside of the city of Memphis was rejected on his application to connect his subdivision to the citys sewer system operated by Memphis Light, Gas & Water.

Rather than investing in an alternative sewer system for the property, the developer called his friends in the Tennessee General Assembly. Those Shelby County Republicans filed a bill designed to force the city-owned utility to serve that developers subdivision.

It wasnt long ago state Republicans gave Shelby County communities the right to de-annex from Memphis, but they still want their friends to have the benefits of being in the city.

You can read about the entire saga in documents submitted to the Tennessee Board of Utility Regulation (page 59).

G.O.P. bill allows development on flood-reducing wetlands  days after widespread flooding

2 p.m. - Finance, Ways & Means - Watch - SB0670 by Taylor

Just days after storms left neighborhoods flooded across West Tennessee, Senate Bill 670 would allow property developers to pave and build over flood-fighting wetlands.

The bill removes protections for some wetlands  a move that will increase flooding and costs for taxpayers. Tennessees wetlands absorb billions of gallons of stormwater each year, reducing flood risks for families and businesses. More flooding leads to higher insurance rates and disaster recovery costswhich taxpayers will be forced to cover.

Isolated wetlands also act as a natural filter, removing pollutants from urban and agricultural runoff. Eliminating protections means more contamination in drinking water sources, especially in West Tennessee, where millions of residents rely on groundwater.

MORE WETLAND REDUCTION. While SB0670 rolls back wetland protections, SB 0843 (also on this calendar) would reduce wetland acquisition by pilfering the states wetland acquisition fund to pay for TWRA operating expenses.

Trade War: Trumps tariff taxes will explode costs for Tennesseans

Tennessee businesses purchase more than $22 billion worth of goods and products from China each year, more than double the next closest foreign nation, according to Michigan State Universitys globalEDGE trade tracker.

This morning, the cost of all Chinese imports destined for Tennessee businesses will more than double due to President Donald Trumps 104% tariff tax . And the billions of dollars worth of goods sold by Tennessee businesses to China will be slapped with a reciprocal tariff.

. And the billions of dollars worth of goods sold by Tennessee businesses to China will be slapped with a reciprocal tariff. Its expensive and time consuming for businesses to establish new supply chain partners  domestically or internationally. So the immediate end result is that businesses pay double the cost for their Chinese imports and pass those increased costs onto consumers.

8:30 a.m. Senate Regular Calendar

1. *SB0136 by Briggs. (HB0152 by Wright.)

Local Government, General - Amends TCA Title 5; Title 6; Title 7 and Title 8, Chapter 44. As introduced, authorizes a member of a local government's legislative body to participate in a scheduled meeting by electronic means if the member is dealing with a family or medical emergency, has been called into military service, or is unable to attend in person due to inclement weather.

TCOG says the military exemption already exists in state law.

2. *SB0170 by Lowe. (HB1025 by Russell.)

Juvenile Offenders - Amends TCA Title 37; Title 39 and Title 55, Chapter 10, Part 7.

As introduced, requires suspension of a minor's driving privileges or ability to obtain a driver license for a period of one year as part of the disposition if a minor is adjudicated delinquent for an act that would constitute the offense of harassment by bullying or cyber-bullying.

3. SB0351 by Taylor. (*HB0337 by Gillespie.)

Local Government, General - As amended, prohibits a local government from adopting or enforcing any ordinance, resolution, regulation, code, requirement, or policy that has the purpose or effect of making a payment to an individual under a guaranteed income program.

Republican Party overreach. Preemption and state interference with local control.

4. SB0419 by Hensley. (*HB0005 by Bulso.)

Remedies and Special Proceedings - As amended, expands the definition of catastrophic loss or injury in civil actions to include the wrongful death of an unborn child at any stage of gestation in utero when an abortion-inducing drug is sent directly to a patient by a defendant via courier, delivery, or mail service.

Anti-abortion. Allows up to $5 million in civil damages for distributors of abortion pills..

5. SB0533 by Stevens. (*HB0351 by Hurt.)

Jails, Local Lock-ups - Amends TCA Title 41. As introduced, requires a prisoner who is released from a county workhouse or jail for paid employment to pay the costs of the required electronic monitoring device.

Shifts the cost of GPS monitoring from the business employing incarcerated labor to the incarcerated person This could result in some people working without pay.

6. *SB0542 by Stevens. (HB0805 by Grills.)

Pensions and Retirement Benefits - Amends TCA Title 9, Chapter 4, Part 15. As introduced, requires the TCRS board of trustees to divest the retirement system from investment activity it has in a company known to be majority-owned by China; requires a local governing body to divest its political subdivision pension plan from investment activity it has in a company known to be majority-owned by China.

7. *SB0602 by Bailey. (HB1125 by Farmer.)

Education - As amended, requires the DOE to develop guidelines and criteria used to determine how long a student must be present in a teacher's classroom before the teacher is held accountable for a student's academic record. However, if the student in question takes a TCAP test, they must have been in the teacher's classroom for at least 150 days of instruction (or 75 if on a block schedule) before the student's score would count towards the teacher's evaluation. Additionally, this amendment specifies that an LEA or pubic charter school may compensate the estate of a teacher employed by an LEA or charter school at the time of their death for the teacher's unused, accrued annual and sick leave.

8. SB0621 by Briggs. (*HB0456 by Rudd.)

Campaigns and Campaign Finance - With amendment, requires a corporation that uses corporate funds for communications expressly in support or opposition of a candidate or elected official to report such expenditures in the same manner as PACs.

9. SB0626 by Briggs. (*HB0457 by Rudd.)

Election Laws- As introduced, authorizes the county election commission to notify individuals filing a petition for recall, referendum, or initiative of a defect in the petition that must be cured prior to certification for final approval. - Amends TCA Title 2.

Makes several changes to voter registration and purging, including purging voters who have not voted in two successive statewide November elections

10. *SB0655 by Stevens. (HB1010 by Moody.)

District Attorneys - Amends TCA Title 8. As introduced, authorizes a district attorney general, on the consent of the district attorney general of any other judicial district, to specially appoint another district attorney general, or an assistant to that district attorney general, to conduct specific proceedings under title 8, chapter 47, regarding removal of officers, which the district attorney general is authorized by law to conduct in that district.

11. *SB0674 by Taylor. (HB0900 by Todd.)

Employees, Employers - Amends TCA Title 7 and Title 50. As introduced, clarifies that the general assembly preempts and occupies the entire field of regulating the terms and conditions of employment; prohibits local governments from adopting or enforcing any law, rule, or policy that requires a term or condition of employment that exceeds or conflicts with state or federal law.

Watch. Preemption and state interference. Republican Party overreach into local control over employment law.

12. SB0705 by Massey. (*HB0676 by Stinnett.)

Education - Amends TCA Title 8, Chapter 50 and Title 49. As introduced, requires that certain employees of state special schools receive the same leave and certain other benefits as employees of LEAs and public charter schools.





13. *SB0750 by Yager. (HB0833 by Keisling.)

Law Enforcement - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 7; Title 8; Title 38 and Title 68. As introduced, requires each law enforcement agency, except for the Tennessee bureau of investigation, to report monthly to the department of safety each interaction that the law enforcement agency had with illegal aliens over the previous month; requires that such report include the date of the interaction, the number of illegal aliens encountered, and a description of identification documents, if any, in their possession.

Racial profiling. Anti-immigrant, paperwork mandate. Requires reporting by every law enforcement encounter with undocumented individuals (exempts TBI)

14. *SB0764 by Bailey. (HB0979 by Williams.)

Health Care - As amended, requires the Board of Medical Examiners (BME) to review and determine the qualifications and fitness of all persons applying for a license to practice as an anesthesiologist assistant. Requires the BME to adopt rules governing the licensure and practice of anesthesiologist assistants. Prohibits a person from practicing as an anesthesiologist assistant or using the title or representing that the person is a certified anesthesiologist assistant or anesthesiologist assistant without having a license granted by the BME. Establishes that a violation of such restriction is Class B misdemeanor.

Watch. CRNAs oppose. Anesthesiologists want the option to hire lower-paid, less-trained anesthesiologist assistants that do not have a scope of practice currently under TN law.

15. *SB0799 by Johnson. (HB0855 by Reeves.)

Election Laws - As amended, requires statewide political parties to nominate their candidates for the general ballot through a primary election. Includes a grandfather clause for counties where a political party nominated candidates by a method other than a primary election in either the 2022 or 2024 election cycles. In those counties, the party may continue using that alternative method for nominating candidates except for the office of governor, members of the Tennessee General Assembly, United States Senate, and United States House of Representatives.

16. SB0817 by Lowe. (*HB0760 by Darby.)

Drugs, Prescription - Amends TCA Title 49; Title 53; Title 63 and Title 68. As introduced, authorizes a healthcare practitioner to prescribe and a pharmacist to dispense a prescribed, bronchodilator rescue inhaler to an authorized entity to be administered to a person believed to be experiencing asthma symptoms or respiratory distress in an emergency situation, under a standing protocol from the healthcare practitioner; encourages schools in LEAs and public charter schools to keep bronchodilator rescue inhalers to be administered to students believed to be having asthma symptoms or in respiratory distress in an emergency situation.





17. *SB0298 by Roberts. (HB1197 by Kumar.)

Education, Curriculum - As amended, specifies that authorization to provide an elective state-funded Bible course consisting of a nonsectarian, nonreligious academic study of the Bible extends to public charter schools. Clarifies that local education agencies (LEAs) and public charter schools are not required to approve a course for an academic study of the Bible if the course was approved by the Department of Education before July 1, 2025. Requires each LEA and public charter school to make all Bible course curricula and instructional materials available on their respective websites.





18. SB0519 by Roberts. (*HB0219 by Reedy.)

Real Property - With amendment, requires foreign persons who purchase land in this state and who file a report of such purchase to the United States department of agriculture under the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act to also file the report with the commissioner of agriculture. Allows the AG to impose a civil penalty of up to 25 percent of the fair market value of land owned by a foreign entity for failure to file.

19. *SB1399 by Roberts. (HB1353 by Littleton.)

Criminal Offenses - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 16. As introduced, creates an offense for a person who harms or threatens to harm an individual involved in the judicial process or a family member of such person with the intent to impede, intimidate, interfere with, or retaliate against the justice system participant in connection with their participation in the judicial process, punishable as a Class E felony.

This is already illegal.

11:30 a.m. Government Operations

1. SB 1245 *Haile (HB 0576 by *Doggett, Sexton)

Bonding, Surety and Professional- As amended, gives the board of professional bondsmen broader power to deny licensure. Also, it changes the date when a person cannot operate as a professional bondsman in this state unless the person is licensed by the board of professional bondsmen to September 1st 2026. It adds term limits for members who have been appointed to the board on a rotating basis. The amendment also adds the requirement that each bondsman must inform the board in writing of each county where they have been approved. Finally, it gives the board the power to assess civil penalties for violations of the rules.

Bondsman qualifications.

2. SB 0861 *Stevens (HB 0910 by *Garrett)

Human Rights- With amendment, makes significant changes to Tennessees civil rights and anti-discrimination laws. It consolidates enforcement authority under the attorney general by dissolving the Tennessee Human Rights Commission by July 1, 2025, transferring its functions, case files, and responsibilities to the attorney generals office. It strengthens penalties for malicious harassment, allowing civil fines up to $10,000 per violation. The bill prohibits discrimination in housing, real estate, and education based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, and disability. It creates the "Tennessee Anti-SLAPP Act," providing immunity from civil suits for individuals making good faith reports to government agencies and allowing recovery of legal costs. State agencies are barred from doing business with organizations that discriminate, and the Department of Personnel is tasked with ensuring compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Watch. Disbands Tennessees independent civil rights watchdog.

3. SB 0181 *Jackson, Roberts (HB 0288 by *Lafferty)

State Government- As introduced, removes obsolete statutory references to the defunct joint select committee on veterans services of the general assembly. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 8, Chapter 34, Part 2; Title 52; Title 58, Chapter 7; Title 63, Chapter 6, Part 4; Title 68, Chapter 142, Part 1; Title 68, Chapter 11, Part 2 and Title 69, Chapter 10.

1 p.m. State & Local Government

1. SB 0845 *Lowe (HB 1097 by *Sexton, Zachary)

Local Government, General- As amended, authorizes the attorney general and reporter to review actions by local governments to determine whether or not the action violates state law or the State Constitution. If it is determined that a violation has occurred, the attorney general must provide written notice to the local government identifying the specific statutory or constitutional provision that the local government has violated. The local government will then have sixty (60) days to either repeal or revise the action, or challenge the finding of the Attorney General. The bill requires that any challenge be heard and determined by a three-judge panel.

Bill empowers the AG to investigate local governments for suspected preemption violations

1:30 p.m. Appropriations Subcommittee / Finance, Ways & Means

24. SB1138 by Taylor. (*HB0543 by Vaughan.)

Sewage - Amends TCA Title 7, Chapter 35; Title 7, Chapter 82 and Title 68, Chapter 221. As introduced, prohibits a municipal sewer system or utility district that has operated a sewerage system outside of the corporate boundaries of the city or town for 25 years or more from ceasing operation of the sewerage system outside the corporate boundaries so long as the sewerage system maintains sufficient capacity, as determined by a study conducted by TACIR.

Watch. Legislative overreach. Forcing the Memphis-owned utility into a decision that benefits a developer and is not in the policy of the utility.

36. SB0843 by Walley. (*HB0842 by Crawford.)

Taxes, Real Property - Amends TCA Section 67-4-409. As introduced, requires half the revenue collected from recordation taxes be returned to the county in which the real property is located on a recurring basis; applies to transfers of real property on or after July 1, 2025.

Watch. Robs the Wetland Acquisition Fund to pay TWRA officers

38. SB0293 by Crowe. (*HB0020 by Reedy.)

Military - Amends TCA Title 9, Chapter 4 and Title 58. As introduced, specifies that the state guard is a separate entity within the military department for budgetary purposes.





39. SB0670 by Taylor. (*HB0541 by Vaughan.)

Water Pollution - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 11, Chapter 14, Part 4; Title 66; Title 67, Chapter 4, Part 4 and Title 69. As introduced, prohibits the department of environment and conservation from applying criteria that will result in the classification of real property as a wetland, or otherwise regulating real property as a wetland, unless the property is classified as a wetland under federal law.



Watch. Wetland destruction bill. Homebuilders bill.



40. SB1038 by Bowling. (HB1060 by Howell.)

Game and Fish Laws - Amends TCA Section 70-2-106. As introduced, increases the fee that county clerks and other agents are authorized to collect from purchases of hunting and fishing licenses from $1.00 to $3.00 for annual licenses and $.50 to $3.00 for temporary licenses.
A new publication dealing with the use of graphene in lithium-ion batteries points to the potential of the material: Graphene can significantly improve the performance of batteries in the future. While great progress has been made from a technological perspective, the large-scale use of graphene-based battery components remains challenging. The article "Graphene Roadmap Briefs No. 4", now published in the trade journal 2D-Materials, highlights the key trends since 2017 and future prospects for the commercialization of graphene in battery technology.

Graphene is considered a promising material for the further development of lithium-ion batteries (LIB) due to its unique electronic, mechanical and chemical properties. The recently published paper summarizes the key advances and challenges in the development and commercialization of lithium-ion batteries with graphene components, with a focus on graphene-based silicon anodes. The publication is based on two technology roadmaps drawn up by Fraunhofer ISI for the EU's Graphene Flagship Initiative, which examined current developments and trends in this field of application.

Graphene can improve the performance and sustainability of batteries The results underline, for example, that graphene as an additive in silicon-carbon composites enables up to 30 percent higher energy density in batteries. Graphene could also offer advantages for fast-charging capability and help to shorten charging times. In addition, the incorporation of graphene into silicon anodes could further improve the stability and thus the service life and sustainability of batteries. However, the stability of silicon anodes does not yet come close to that of conventional graphite anodes.

Conversely, there is currently a lack of cost-efficient manufacturing processes for a broad market application of graphene-based batteries, and the prices of graphene and related materials have remained unexpectedly high in the past. At the same time, the performance of lithium-ion batteries is steadily improving, the share of electric vehicles is growing and the construction of European cell production facilities is progressing. This in turn increases the chances of introducing new materials such as graphene, particularly for performance-optimized applications.

"We are seeing continued interest in graphene-based solutions in the battery industry, but we are also seeing lithium-ion batteries becoming more efficient and constantly optimized in terms of cost and performance. The decisive factor for the use of graphene in lithium-ion batteries is how quickly graphene-based battery components can be integrated into industrial production processes and whether we can establish a stable and demand-oriented supply chain," explains Maximilian Stephan, first author of the publication. He continues: "This requires coordinated strategies to make the scientifically proven benefits available for industrial use."

Looking to the future, the publication underlines that numerous start-ups and companies are working on innovative approaches to graphene production, although some are pursuing very different strategies: Some are focusing on developing cost-effective and large-scale production methods for less pure graphene. Other companies are targeting the use of high-purity graphene for specific applications where the performance can justify the potentially higher price. Regarding the future price of graphene, the study sees potential for future cost reductions through upscaling in production and improved manufacturing processes.

Future outlook and further research needs Despite the many challenges, the authors of the Fraunhofer ISI believe that future market penetration of graphene in battery technology is possible. A promising field of application could arise in the production of silicon-graphene composites for special batteries, as these offer technological advantages and can improve the performance of silicon-based anodes, for example. In addition, graphene is being researched as a potential component for lithium-sulphur batteries, which could represent an alternative to conventional LIBs in the long term.

Further development depends heavily on research and industrial cooperation, according to the authors. The first step is to advance the market maturity of graphene-based components and commercialization and to continuously evaluate the performance of graphene in comparison to alternative high-performance materials. In order to increase market penetration, close cooperation between material manufacturers, battery producers, the automotive industry and research is also required. Higher prices could be justified by high additional benefits and a focus on high-performance applications.
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Home News Midshipmen erupt when Duffy demands Jesus painting be restored at Merchant Marine Academy: 'Let's bring Him up!' 'I've prayed underneath that painting'

Midshipmen at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy erupted in raucous applause last week when Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy called for a painting of Jesus to be brought up from the flood-prone basement where it was placed during the Biden administration.

Multiple midshipmen at the federal service academy in Kings Point, New York, spoke to The Christian Post and said how much the painting means to them.

During remarks made at its annual Battle Standard Dinner on April 3, Duffy promised to "work my a-- off" to ensure the increasingly dilapidated school would receive adequate funding, but drew the most vocal response when he asked for the Jesus painting to be restored.

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Midshipmen at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy erupted in applause when @SecDuffy demanded a painting of Jesus saving merchant mariners be restored.



The Biden admin put a curtain over the painting before putting it in a flood-prone basement.



"Let's bring Him up!" pic.twitter.com/qQvLKXKE5r  Jon Brown (@JonBrownDC) April 9, 2025

"Can we bring Jesus up from the basement?" he asked, looking to the USMMA administration. "Let's not put Jesus in the basement! Let's get Him out! Let's bring Him up!"

Duffy, a devout Roman Catholic, appeared somewhat taken aback by the enthusiastic response, which he allowed to linger before noting it was the loudest of his entire speech.

"You want Jesus up from the basement? Alright, great!" he said. "That was the loudest applause we got!"

One tweet of Duffy's remarks received more than 560,000 views on X as of Thursday morning.

The historic painting "Christ on the Water" was relocated following a 2023 letter from Mikey Weinstein, founder of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, who issued a "demand" to USSMA Superintendent Vice Admiral Joanna Nunan that she "expeditiously remove a massive, sectarian painting illustrating the supremacy of Jesus Christ" from the Elliot M. See Room inside Wiley Hall, which serves as an administrative building at USMMA.

The 1944 painting by Hunter Wood, a merchant mariner whose art drew on his own experiences, was at first covered with a curtain during Academy meetings before it was ultimately relegated to a basement that midshipmen claimed was prone to flooding, according to Fox News Digital.

The move prompted a petition and letters to Nunan from figures such as Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, Rep. Jim Banks, R-Ind., and other members of Congress.

Duffy's recent visit to the USMMA comes after complaints during the Biden administration that the service academy, formerly under Pete Buttigieg, had become "the last frontier of woke ideology," according to Fox News Digital.

Two midshipmen at the USMMA who spoke to CP on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal explained why they appreciated Duffy's comments and how the Jesus painting was meaningful to them.

One midshipman told CP that the painting of Christ ministering to desperate merchant mariners at sea "is a big deal to me personally" because he came to see it as a symbol of God's faithfulness to him as he feared sinking academically. He said he prayed under the image when he was afraid he was going to fail.

"I remember many times when I used to pray underneath that painting when I was on the verge of failing a class, or I had big tests or I was worried about something," he said. "I've prayed underneath that painting when it used to be in Wiley Hall. So to me, it's a very significant, important painting, and I think it's an important part of the school's history."

Another midshipman who attended Duffy's speech echoed the symbolic importance of the painting, noting that its original placement was encouraging to midshipmen during their hardest times at the rigorous academy.

"That room where the painting was held is where the Honor Board meetings were," he said, referring to a student-led hearing body that investigates potential violations of the Honor Code. "And people would look up to that painting and say, 'Everything's going to be alright. Jesus is looking after me, just like He's looking after these sailors who are washed up on a boat somewhere in the middle of the ocean.'"

"I think everyone was on their feet for the Jesus painting and clapping," he added. "I thought, 'Finally, the fight is somewhat close to over.'"
Home News NC county asks court to dismiss JD Greear-led megachurchs religious discrimination lawsuit

Lawyers for the Chatham County Board of Commissioners in North Carolina have denied claims by The Summit Church that the county violated its civil rights when it rejected an application to rezone nearly 100 acres of land to house its Chapel Hill campus. The multi-campus church is helmed by former Southern Baptist Convention President J.D. Greear.

Defendant did not engage in, promote, or further any policy or practice which deprived Plaintiff of any rights secured by the Constitution or laws of this land, attorneys for the County, Patrick H. Flanagan and Samantha M. Owens, wrote in a 24-page response to The Summit Churchs Feb. 14 complaint.

Defendants actions, practices, and policies of which Plaintiffs complain have been based on legitimate and non-discriminatory reasons and are and have been necessary to the orderly, safe, and efficient operation of the Countys business.

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In its 743-page lawsuit, The Summit Church seeks to enforce the churchs civil rights as enshrined in the First and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution and codified in the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act.

The Summit Church made several arguments in its lawsuit suggesting that there weren't any clear reasons to object to the churchs rezoning application while alleging evidence of religious discrimination.

It alleged, for example, that the board's Vice Chair Mary Roodkowsky argued that Summit Church is not like the other churches we have in the County and it was better suited in a more urban environment. It is not a rural church when you picture a rural church.

The Summit Churchs lawsuit also noted that some members of the Chatham community claimed the church did not fit the Countys purportedly progressive, LGBTQ-friendly, and openminded atmosphere.

The lawsuit further asked the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina to "grant preliminary and permanent injunctive relief requiring the County to approve Summit Churchs rezoning request and associated site plan; enter a Declaratory Judgment that the Countys denial of Summit Churchs rezoning applications violates RLUIPA, and is therefore void; award Summit Church its costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys fees; all the damages to which Summit Church is entitled; and any such further relief as it deems appropriate."

Chatham County officials requested the court to dismiss The Summit Churchs complaint with prejudice, citing multiple defenses, including governmental immunity.

Defendant pleads all applicable immunities to which it is entitled by operation of law and in bar of Plaintiffs claims herein, including, but not limited to, governmental immunity, qualified immunity, public officials immunity, and the public duty doctrine, Chatham Countys legal response to Summit Churchs lawsuit notes. Defendant pleads that, at all times relevant to this action, it was acting without malice and with a good faith belief that all of its duties were carried out in accordance with the Laws and Constitution of the United States and the State of North Carolina.

Chatham County also asked the court for a jury trial on all contested issues of fact and all such other relief as the Court may deem just and proper.
Home News USCCB ends contracting with govt after Trump refugee resettlement cuts

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has announced its intention to sever its refugee resettlement contracts with the federal government following cuts made by the Trump administration to combat waste and fraud.

In a statement published Monday, USCCB President Archbishop Timothy Broglio said the body of bishops made the heartbreaking decision that it would not be renewing existing cooperative agreements with the federal government related to childrens services and refugee support. He attributed the move to the suspension by the government of our cooperative agreements to resettle refugees.

The decision to reduce these programs drastically forces us to reconsider the best way to serve the needs of our brothers and sisters seeking safe harbor from violence and persecution, Broglio added. As a national effort, we simply cannot sustain the work on our own at current levels or in current form. As USCCB cooperative agreements for refugee resettlement and childrens programs end, we will work to identify alternative means of support for the people the federal government has already admitted to these programs.

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After requesting prayers for the many staff and refugees impacted and lamenting the painful end to a life-sustaining partnership with our government that has spanned decades across administrations across both political parties, Broglio suggested that the USCCB ending its relationship with the federal government offers every Catholic an opportunity to search our hearts for new ways to assist.

Broglio vowed that the USCCB will continue advocating for policy reforms that provide orderly, secure immigration processes, ensuring the safety of everyone in our communities, adding: We remain steadfast in our commitment to advocating on behalf of men, women, and children suffering the scourge of human trafficking.

For half a century, we have been willing partners in implementing the governments refugee resettlement program, he continued. The Gospels call to do what we can for the least among us remains our guide. We ask you to join us in praying for Gods grace in finding new ways to bring hope where it is most needed.

The USCCBs decision to cut ties with the federal government comes more than two-and-a-half months after President Donald Trump issued an executive order on his first day in office suspending the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program. Trump cited the program's suspension as necessary due to record levels of migration that occurred during the Biden administration, insisting that the United States lacks the ability to absorb large numbers of migrants, and in particular, refugees.

Two weeks later, the White House announced that it was working to drastically reduce the size of the U.S. Agency for International Development in light of concerns about waste and fraud. Sources within the Trump administration estimated to Reuters that the administration planned to only keep 294 out of the agencys 10,000 staffers.

In late February, the U.S. State Department confirmed that the Trump administration planned to cut 92% of foreign assistance-related grants. One State Department contract that found itself on the chopping block was a refugee resettlement contract with the USCCB. The State Department informed the USCCB in a Feb. 26 letter that the contract no longer effectuated agency priorities.

At an event commemorating the release of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedoms annual report, USCIRF Chair Stephen Schneck predicted that the policy shifts implemented during the Trump administration will undoubtedly impact international religious freedom. He identified a suspension of refugee resettlement programs for those fleeing religious persecution in their countries of origin as an example of a policy shift that will impact international religious freedom.
Home News Archaeologists find evidence supporting biblical account of Battle of Megiddo

Archaeologists have discovered new evidence backing up the biblical account of the Battle of Megiddo.

The battle is recorded in both 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles and is given as the cause of death for King Josiah, who was noted for being a pious king and is also recorded in the New Testament as an ancestor of Jesus.

Josiah is praised in the biblical text for his zeal in turning Israel away from idolatry and toward worship of the Lord. He is also noted for encouraging the people to observe the Passover, with 2 Kings 23:22 going so far as to say: Surely there was not holden such a passover from the days of the judges that judged Israel, nor in all the days of the kings of Israel, nor of the kings of Judah.

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However, it was not to last. The Old Testament accounts say that Pharaoh Necho of Egypt came with an army to fight against Charchemish by Euphrates: and Josiah went out against him.

Despite Necho warning Josiah that he had not come to fight him, Josiah is recorded as opposing him anyway. In the ensuring battle Josiah is shot by an archer and dies.

2 Kings gives Josiah this epitaph: And like unto him was there no king before him, that turned to the Lord with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; neither after him arose there any like him.

Now archaeologists have found pottery fragments in the area suggesting that there was indeed an Egyptian presence around the time of the battle in 609 BC.

Israel Finkelstein, an archaeologist at the University of Haifa and Tel Aviv University and the lead author of a study describing the finds, told Live Science that as well as Egyptian pottery, the remains of Greek pottery were also found, likely due to the Egyptian practice of hiring Greek mercenaries at the time.

This article was originally published at Christian Today
Home News Black pastor warns antisemitism could lead to the 'destruction' of the Republican Party

A pastor dedicated to strengthening multiethnic Christian support for Israel warned that, just like the Democrats, antisemitism may destroy the Republican Party if conservatives don't push back against figures like Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens.

"How do we expect the blessings of God on our nation, which we've experienced for the length of our nation  and much of that has to do with both our Philo-semitism and our stand with Israel  if we begin to lose support even on the right?" Pastor Dumisani Washington asked in a recent interview with The Christian Post.

Washington is the founder and CEO of the Institute for Black Solidarity with Israel, which works to build relationships between Christians, Jews and people of African descent.

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A registered independent, the Christian pastor believes there could be consequences on a spiritual level if support for Israel ceases to exist on the right.

"Because the left  unfortunately, if it recovers, it's going to be a while  we are now in danger spiritually," Washington said. "This is what I feel."

Recent polls suggest the Democratic Party's favorability among Americans has hit a new low. According to a Harvard CAPS/Harris poll of over 2,746 registered voters interviewed in late March, 37% of voters said they approved of the Democratic Party in March, compared to 36% in February.

According to the survey, approval ratings for the party are the lowest since March 2018. The survey also found that 34% of Democratic voters and 43% of black voters who were evaluated said that they disapproved of the party.

Another NBC News poll released in March reported that only 27% of registered voters said they have a positive view of the party, and only 7% stated that those views were "very" positive. Fifty-five percent of voters said they had a negative view of the party, with 38% saying those views were "very" negative.

Antisemitism is one of many things that Washington believes is destroying the Democratic Party, arguing that the party's pro-Israel wing didn't do enough to distinguish itself from the anti-Israel voices, pointing to Reps. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., and Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich.

While he concedes that anti-Israel lawmakers still have a First Amendment right to speak, Washington argues that Democrats like Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer could have done more to speak up and call out certain party members.

Despite President Donald Trump and his administration's efforts to build what Washington described as a "strong U.S.-Israel relationship," the pastor fears that the issue of antisemitism is "creeping into" the right.

"Fast forward to now, Tucker Carlson is platforming anti-Israel, Palestinian pastors giving all kinds of false information about Israel attacking and persecuting Christians," Washington said.

Washington referred to Carlson's April 2024 interview with Munther Isaac, pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church in Bethlehem. The segment sparked criticism from several faith leaders, as Isaac has been accused of supporting Hamas and its attack against Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, which led to the killings of over 1,200 people, mostly civilians, in southern Israel.

Historians criticized Carlson's interview with Darryl Cooper, someone who questioned whether British Prime Minister Winston Churchill was the "chief villain" of World War II rather than Adolf Hitler.

"Tucker also has his First Amendment rights; we're not trying to stop his First Amendment," Washington stated. "We're saying, where are the big voices on the right calling out Tucker Carlson and calling out Candace Owens?"

"And we're saying that this is the danger," Washington said. "The danger is that when those marginal voices on the left began that type of demonization of Israel about 10 years ago or so, there was hardly any pushback."

Owens, a conservative commentator, has attracted controversy following several comments she made about Israel and the Jewish people that critics deemed antisemitic. Owens accused Israel of committing genocide following its response to Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack.

She also claimed that Israel enforces "Jim Crow" policies by forcing Muslims to live in Jerusalem's Muslim Quarter. However, Israel doesn't force Muslims to live there, and it also has a Christian Quarter and a Jewish Quarter.

Owens and The Daily Wire publicly parted in 2024 after she liked a tweet asking if author Rabbi Shmuley Boteach was "drunk on Christian blood," an antisemitic stereotype.

Following her departure from the conservative news outlet, Owens has continued to attract controversy due to her comments about Israel and the Jewish community, which resulted in the watchdog group StopAntisemitism crowning the pundit as the 2024 "Antisemite of the Year."
Home News Hallmark actress Erin Cahill shares how faith-fueled film 'Journey to You' explores identity, divine purpose

At first glance, Journey to You is everything fans expect from a Hallmark romance: a picturesque European backdrop, a meet-cute along a winding trail and plenty of heartfelt moments. But beneath the surface, the film is about something deeper: placing ones identity not in a career or romantic pursuits but in Christ.

Directed by Terry Ingram, Journey to You premieres on Hallmark on April 19 and stars Erin Cahill and Eric Valdez. It tells the story of Monica (Cahill), a driven ER nurse practitioner who, at the urging of her boss and her mother, takes a rare break from her relentless schedule and embarks on the storied Camino de Santiago in Spain, also known as The Way of Saint James. What begins as a reluctant vacation evolves into a sacred pilgrimage of the heart, steeped in faith, reflection and spiritual renewal.

In an interview with The Christian Post, Cahill, a Hallmark favorite, said she was drawn to film due to its spiritual themes and a series of seeming coincidences that felt divine.

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The morning I got the offer ... I had said to some friends, Lets meet up this summer, she shared. I was like, Yes, lets go to Spain. I've never been to Spain, and it's on my heart. That morning [I got the offer]. I literally threw my hands up and I started crying  I was like, OK, this feels totally divine. It feels like it was meant to be.

But it was more than just wanderlust or timing that sealed her decision.

Every single time I read the script, I cried at the end. So that, to me, is when I come across something thats special and that unique. That's it. Theres no denying it, she said. It was a privilege to tell this story about faith and love. I love how the title is Journey to You, but its not just a journey to love. Obviously, thats part of it. But its Journey to You, meaning, its a journey to You, referring to the Divine.

Cahill said she, like many other women, found deep resonance in Monica, a woman who has wrapped her identity in her work, her accomplishments and her usefulness to others. One of the most poignant moments in the film is when a fellow pilgrim asks Monica, Who are you? She reflexively answers with her job title until gently reminded that isnt the question.

Thats kind of what were taught in the Western world: I am my job, the actress said, reflecting on the scene. But no, thats not who you are. I just thought that was so beautiful. When I read that, I was like, Oh,  it was so vulnerable.

Central to Monicas transformation is a devotional journal, gifted by her late father, which guides her steps on the Camino and opens her heart to God. In honor of the film, Hallmark partnered with DaySpring to bring that journal to life for viewers.

It was so amazing, Cahill said. Hallmark made sure they sent me the devotional that my character had, so I had one on my own to do. So to be able to have that journey concurrently with my character was so special. And to have it be from Monicas father ... Honestly, there were so many times I couldnt help but get emotional on set when I was talking about it.

Cahill, who is close with her own father, said the storylines emotional gravity often hit close to home. We actually said a couple times, we were reigning it back a bit, like on purpose, because it was so emotional, just the beauty and the connection, she said.

Filming in Spain brought the experience even more vividly to life. The Camino de Santiago, also the focal point of Emilio Estevezs 2023 faith-based film The Way, is a popular pilgrimage for those in search of spiritual renewal. It was established in the ninth century as a path to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, where tradition holds that the remains of James the Apostle are buried.

Though shes no stranger to Hallmark films  this marks her 11th for the network  Journey to You stands apart, she said, because of its spiritual themes and emotional gravity.

I cried almost every day of gratitude, Cahill said. Even starting in rehearsal, we got to do horseback riding lessons and a pottery class, and I was like, What is this life? I turned to Eric [Valdez] and I was like, What is this life? Its like, Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

The actress, who has helped build schools in Nepal, Malawi and Guatemala through the nonprofit buildOn, added that spiritually, the process offered her a fresh reminder of what really matters.

Anytime you get closer and more connected with the Divine, you get closer and more connected with yourself, she said. Its a relationship like any other. Relationships take nurturing. What you dont water, doesnt grow. Ive been on a similar journey where we feel closer to the Divine, and then further away, and were focused on exterior things versus internal. It was such an amazing reminder, such an amazing deepening, such an amazing opportunity to connect.

Cahill shared that that opportunity came to a head during a scene that wasnt even originally in the script, one conceptualized by Ingram, who asked her to journal in character at a quiet rest point on the Camino. A photograph of Monicas parents tumbles out of the book, revealing they had sat in the exact same spot.

We only did two takes, but they used the first one, Cahill recalled. After the first take ... everybody on set, it was really sweet, multiple people came up  everybody was crying. It was such a beautiful moment.

Released just ahead of Easter, Cahill said she hopes the film encourages viewers to slow down, listen for Gods voice and rediscover their purpose  exactly what it did for her.

Anytime you give forward love, and you give forward kindness, that, to me, is using your life for a purpose, she said. Keep having faith. I have faith written in a tattoo on my foot, in my grandmas handwriting. Its the thing that ... it keeps coming. If you just have faith  it will work out, even when its hard to see and feel.
Home News Hamas calls to be removed from UK terror list, claims it's a 'liberation and resistance movement'

The terrorist organization Hamas has officially asked the United Kingdom to remove it from the countrys terror list, the British news outlet The Guardian reported on Wednesday.

The jihadist organization justified its request by saying that it is a Palestinian Islamic liberation and resistance movement whose goal is to liberate Palestine and confront the Zionist project."

The senior Hamas political bureau official, Mousa Abu Marzouk, argued that the terrorism designation of Hamas is unjust and accused the British government of being complicit in alleged Israeli crimes.

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The British governments decision to proscribe Hamas is an unjust one that is symptomatic of its unwavering support for Zionism, apartheid, occupation and ethnic cleansing in Palestine for over a century," Marzouk claimed.

"Hamas does not and never has posed a threat to Britain, despite the latters ongoing complicity in the genocide of our people."

Hamas is represented by the legal firm Riverway Law. The firm stated: Rather than allow freedom of speech, police have embarked on a campaign of political intimidation and persecution of journalists, academics, peace activists and students over their perceived support for Hamas. People in Britain must be free to speak about Hamas and its struggle to restore to the Palestinian people the right to self-determination.

Hamas legal representatives admitted that the jihadist groups actions fall within the definition of terrorism as stated in Britains Terrorism Act 2000.

However, the terrorist organization further claimed that this definition also applies to any organization worldwide that uses violence to achieve political aims  including Israeli forces, the Ukrainian military and even the British Army.

In its legal argument, the Hamas team ignored that the conventional definition of terrorism is deliberate attacks on civilians, something that distinguishes terrorist organizations like Hamas from professional law-abiding armies like the British and Israeli militaries that seek to minimize civilian casualties.

In November 2021, the then-British Home Secretary Priti Patel announced the British governments decision to designate all of Hamas as an outlawed terrorist organization.

Today I have taken action to proscribe Hamas in its entirety. This government is committed to tackling extremism and terrorism wherever it occurs, Patel stated. London admitted that its previous distinction between Hamas military and political wings was artificial.

At the time, former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett welcomed the British decision to outlaw Hamas as a de facto terrorist organization in its entirety.

"Until now only the military arm has been defined as such. Now, members of 'the political wing' will be exposed to the same exact sanctions," Bennett stated.

In August 2024, the British news outlet The Telegraph reported that Hamas intended to seize remains of British soldiers who were buried in Gaza during the fighting in the First and Second World Wars.

The report was based on a Hamas document that was dated in October 2022 and retrieved by the Israeli forces in Gaza.

The purpose of the unimplemented Hamas plan was reportedly to embarrass the British government and pressure former British Prime Minister Liz Truss to refrain from moving the British embassy from Tel Aviv to the Israeli capital Jerusalem.

Hamas was founded in 1987 and is a direct offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, which ideologically blended Islamism with European fascism in the 1930s.

Hamas founding charter openly calls for the destruction of the Jewish state and the murder of all Jews around the world. The charter clearly reveals Hamas genocidal intentions towards the Jewish people.

During an interview with BBC in November 2023, Israeli President Isaac Herzog displayed an Arabic translation of Nazi leader Adolf Hitlers book Mein Kampf that Israeli forces found in Gaza that belonged to a Hamas terrorist.

This is Adolf Hitler's book, Mein Kampf, translated into Arabic. This is the book that led to the Holocaust and the book that led to World War II, Herzog stated.

This book was found a few days ago in northern Gaza. In a child's room, which became a base used for terrorist activities by the terrorist organization Hamas. The terrorist wrote notes, marked the sections, and studied again and again, the ideology of Adolf Hitler to hate the Jews, to kill the Jews, to burn and slaughter Jews wherever they are. This is the real war we are facing, the Israeli president said.

Hitlers Mein Kampf has for years been a bestseller and is widely available in much of the Muslim and Arab world.

This article was originally published by All Israel News.
Home News Over 60 Christians killed by radicalized Fulani in Nigeria; 383 homes destroyed: report

Fulani terrorists on April 2 and 3 killed more than 60 Christians in Plateau state, Nigeria, in what the governor called a genocide, sources said.

The attacks were carried out against seven Christian communities in Bokkos County, including Hurti village, where more than 40 Christians were slain, said community leader Maren Aradong.

More than 1,000 Christians were displaced [in Hurti] during the attacks, and 383 houses were destroyed by these bandits, Aradong told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. These attacks began on Wednesday, 2 April, at about 3 p.m., when these armed Muslim Fulani herdsmen invaded our communities in large numbers; they came on motorcycles and attacked us.

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The assailants destroyed food stores and looted other items, he added.

Farmasum Fuddang, chairman of the Bokkos Community Development Council (BCDC), said initially 21 Christians were killed on April 2, but by the next day, 40 more Christians were slaughtered, bringing the death toll to more than 60 Christians killed during the two days of onslaught against our communities.

These attacks were carried out by Fulani terrorists who targeted Christian communities of Ruwi, Mangor, Tamiso, Daffo, Manguna, Hurti, and Tadai, Fuddang said.

An attack in Ruwi village on Wednesday resulted in the deaths of 11 Christians attending a wake for a deceased community member, he said, and by the following morning, 10 other Christians were killed in the village.

Plateau Gov. Caleb Mutfwang told Arise News on Monday that the attacks in Bokkos constituted genocide.

I would say it unapologetically, what happened in the last two weeks in Bokkos is genocide  I say it unreservedly, Mutfwang said in a televised interview. No one has given me any reason to believe that what happened was politically motivated, and if there is any such suggestion, Ill be glad to receive the evidence of such, because these were unprovoked attacks on innocent people, vulnerable people.

Over the years such attacks have come during the onset of the farming season, followed by a respite while Christian farmers cultivate what little remains, and then attacks resume at harvest time, he said.

So, it suggests to us that this is a well-coordinated plan to keep the people in those areas in perpetual poverty, Mutfwang said. It is possible that there could have been tensions in the past between communities, but Ive challenged anyone to tell me who the feuding communities are. If we knew any community feuding with another community, well be able to step in and bring in a reconciliation process. But at the moment you are dealing with attackers that are faceless, and so you just leave it to the fact that this is ill-motivated and is aimed at driving the people out of their lands.

Predominantly Christian farmers are driven from their lands for three to five years of occupation by predominantly Muslim Fulanis, suggesting the attacks are motivated by desire to seize lands, he said.

Ive had people dispute that land-grabbing is the motive, but we are yet to find evidence to the contrary, Mutfwang said. These communities have lived in peace with other ethnic nationalities, with other people of religious persuasions. The interesting thing you will know on the Plateau is that many families are inter-religious, and so religion is not so much the issue. I think that here we are dealing with some powerful forces who mobilize these faceless people and come and unleash it on these natives. And at the end of the day, the natives are left defenseless because they never envisaged that this kind of attack will happen.

He condemned the attacks as unprovoked.

Maj. Samson Zakhom, military spokesman for soldiers drafted to Bokkos, confirmed in a statement that villages attacked included Tamiso, Daffo, Manguna, Tadai and Hurti. He added that soldiers repelled the assailants and that ongoing military operations aimed at tracking down the assailants.

On April 3, further clearance operations were carried out at Hurti, where troops encountered and engaged militants hiding in the mountainous region, Zakhom said. The ensuing confrontation resulted in the recovery of a locally fabricated pistol, six rounds of 9 mm ammunition and four motorcycles. The troops are continuing efforts to neutralize the remaining militants still at large in the area.

Amnesty International on Friday called on the Nigerian government to stem killings in Plateau state and demanded justice for victims, calling attacks a pattern of mass killings and government inaction in central Nigeria.

The statement from Amnesty International noted that the villages of Ruwi, Mangor, Daffo, Manguna, Hurti and Tadai have been repeatedly attacked.

Apart from killing people, the attackers are also razing entire villages, deliberately destroying homes and farms, Amnesty stated. Investigations carried out by us have showed that at least 1,336 people were killed between December 2023 and February 2024 across Plateau state, with Mangu, Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi Local Government Areas being the worst affected.

Residents continue to express deep frustration with the response of security forces, alleging that they are either absent during attacks or show up too late to prevent bloodshed, the group reported.

Most villagers repeatedly told Amnesty International that the government left them at the mercy of their attackers, it stated. They complained of receiving little or no help from security officials during attacks, despite informing them prior or calling for help during the incidents. The fact that no perpetrators have been brought to justice leaves rural communities of Plateau state feeling completely helpless and at the mercy of ruthless gunmen.

The Rev. Tongsmangs Dasbak, a Christian leader in Plateau state, said the attacks have deeply affected the areas.

The ongoing security crisis in Plateau state, particularly in Mangu and Bokkos Local Government Areas, has reached alarming levels, Dasbak said in a statement to Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. The persistent attacks by marauding Fulani herdsmen have led to significant loss of lives, destruction of property, and displacement of communities. Despite the concerted efforts by the state government to restore peace, the situation remains dire, necessitating urgent federal intervention.

Mangu and Bokkos counties have suffered high numbers of casualties, with hundreds of people losing their lives and many more sustaining life-threatening injuries, he said.

The indiscriminate killings often target defenseless civilians, including women, children and the elderly, Dasbak said. Entire families have been wiped out in midnight raids, leaving behind a trail of sorrow and despair. This loss of human life is not just a statistic but a profound tragedy that has disrupted the social fabric of the region.

Homes, schools, church buildings and markets have been razed to the ground as communities that took years to build have been reduced to ashes within hours, he said. Many survivors who managed to escape the violence now live in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps, unable to return to their homes.

The destruction of infrastructure further exacerbates the crisis, as essential services such as healthcare, education and transportation are severely disrupted, he said. Without proper security measures, these attacks continue to escalate, leaving behind a wasteland of desolation.

Military intervention is required to dismantle the networks of the armed herdsmen and restore peace, he said, adding that intelligence-based operations, coupled with the deployment of well-equipped security personnel, can help neutralize the violence.

Romans 13:4 states, For the one in authority is Gods servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are Gods servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer, Dasbak said. The federal government must exercise its authority to bring justice to the oppressed and end the reign of terror in Plateau state.

Numbering in the millions across Nigeria and the Sahel, predominantly Muslim Fulani comprise hundreds of clans of many different lineages who do not hold extremist views, but some Fulani do adhere to radical Islamist ideology, the United Kingdoms All-Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom or Belief (APPG) noted in a 2020 report.

They adopt a comparable strategy to Boko Haram and ISWAP and demonstrate a clear intent to target Christians and potent symbols of Christian identity, the APPG report states.

Christian leaders in Nigeria have said they believe herdsmen attacks on Christian communities in Nigerias Middle Belt are inspired by their desire to forcefully take over Christians lands and impose Islam, as desertification has made it difficult for them to sustain their herds.

Nigeria remained among the most dangerous places on earth for Christians, according to Open Doors 2025 World Watch List of the countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian. Of the 4,476 Christians killed for their faith worldwide during the reporting period, 3,100 (69 percent) were in Nigeria, according to the WWL.

The measure of anti-Christian violence in the country is already at the maximum possible under World Watch List methodology, the report stated.

In the countrys North-Central zone, where Christians are more common than they are in the North-East and North-West, Islamic extremist Fulani militia attack farming communities, killing many hundreds, Christians above all, according to the report. Jihadist groups such as Boko Haram and the splinter group Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP), among others, are also active in the countrys northern states, where federal government control is scant and Christians and their communities continue to be the targets of raids, sexual violence, and roadblock killings, according to the report. Abductions for ransom have increased considerably in recent years.

The violence has spread to southern states, and a new jihadist terror group, Lakurawa, has emerged in the northwest, armed with advanced weaponry and a radical Islamist agenda, the WWL noted. Lakurawa is affiliated with the expansionist Al-Qaeda insurgency Jamaa Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin, or JNIM, originating in Mali.

Nigeria ranked seventh on the 2025 WWL list of the 50 worst countries for Christians.

This article was originally published by Christian Daily InternationalMorning Star News.
Home News Pentecostal pastor thwarts arson attack on church 'We are extremely grateful to God that He has saved our church and residence from the fire'

LAHORE, Pakistan  Two unidentified men attempted to set fire to a church building in Pakistan on Saturday night, but timely intervention by the pastor thwarted the attack, sources said.

Pastor Tanveer Boota of the Bethaniya Pentecostal Church in Gulshan Basti, in the Musharraf Colony area of Phoolnagar, Kasur District, Punjab Province, said he was sleeping in his residential quarters on the church premises when he heard noise from the church hall at about midnight.

Seeing light in the church hall, he opened the door to it.

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I saw two men who had covered their faces, and one of them was setting fire to a curtain on the window, Pastor Boota told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. I shouted at them and ran to stop them, but they escaped from the main entrance.

His younger brother, Usman Boota, woke up upon hearing the commotion, rushed to the site and doused the fire engulfing the curtain while the pastor called police.

Soon after a police team headed by senior officers reached there, and during investigation recovered a bottle containing kerosene and a stick with a cloth tied to its end that was used to start the fire, Pastor Boota said.

Boota has received no threats to him or his church, and there has never been any religious tension in the area, where there are four other Pentecostal churches and one Catholic church, he said.

There are about 500 Christian families living in our area, and we have never faced any hostility from our Muslim neighbors, he said. Im still at a loss to understand why would anyone want to burn our small church.

The Bethaniya church of 16 families began just two years ago, he said.

Asked why he stated in the First Information Report (FIR) that he suspected the incident could have been a burglary attempt, Pastor Boota said police had added that sentence in the FIR without his consent.

In fact, it was the police which scattered the books and papers on the carpet to give the impression that the incident was a failed burglary attempt, he said.

In meetings with the district police chief and other officers, they assured him of a thorough investigation, he said. They told him they were waiting for fingerprint analysis to help trace the suspects.

The 40-year-old pastor began his pastoral service eight years ago and built the church on his own property.

We are extremely grateful to God that He has saved our church and residence from the fire, Pastor Boota said. We trust the authorities will ensure that whoever is behind this criminal act will be brought to justice so that no other miscreant can try to disturb the religious harmony in our area.

In November 2023, a Presbyterian church building in Lahore, provincial capital of Punjab Province, was burned in a suspected arson attack. The blaze destroyed the church altar, a cupboard containing Bibles and other Christian books, two air conditioning units and furniture, among other items.

A religious motive for the arson was initially suspected, but a police investigation found the fire was started by a senior member of the congregation, also the treasurer of the session, who sought to grab the pastors position.

The suspect previously sent a fake threat letter in the name of an Islamist group to scare the pastor, but when he failed to see the desired result, he decided to burn the church building and blame the alleged Islamist outfit to show that the threat to the pastors life was real.

Pakistan, where the population is more than 96% Muslim, is ranked No. 8 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 News US Merchant Marine Academy covers up massive Jesus painting with white curtain after complaints

Updated Jan. 26 at 4:30 p.m. ET

A massive painting of Jesus walking on water will no longer be visible at the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) in New York after an advocacy group complained about the artwork.

In a Jan. 10 letter addressed to USSMA Superintendent Vice Admiral Joanna Nunan, Mikey Weinstein, founder of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, issued a demand that Nunan expeditiously remove a massive, sectarian painting illustrating the supremacy of Jesus Christ from the Elliot M. See Room inside Wiley Hall, which serves as an administrative building at USMMA.

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According to Weinstein, MRFF is representing 18 midshipmen, faculty, staff and graduates in their appeal to the Kings Point academy. The USSMA is not under the Defense Department but rather the Department of Transportation under Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who was also copied on Weinstein's initial email.

The 10-foot by 19-foot painting titled "Christ on the Water" depicts an image of Jesus and merchant seamen adrift in a lifeboat "presumably after being torpedoed in the Indian Ocean during World War II, according to a USMMA spokesperson.

Also known as Jesus and Lifeboat, the piece was painted in 1944 by U.S. Maritime Service Lt. Hunter Wood to hang in the chapel built at the USMMA Basic School in San Mateo, California.

When the San Mateo campus closed in 1947, officials say the painting came to the Academy, and was installed in its current location, which served as the Academys interfaith chapel from 1942 to 1961.

The American Merchant Marine Museum has custody of the painting and holds it as a heritage asset under the USDOT Maritime Administration (MARAD).

Calling the artwork a display of sectarian Jesus supremacy, Weinstein noted the room in which the painting is hung is used for various administrative meetings, disciplinary hearings and other events.

The outrageousness of that Jesus paintings display is only further exacerbated by the fact that this room is also used regularly for USMMA Honor Code violation boards where midshipmen are literally fighting for their careers, and, often even more, as they face the shameful ignominy of potential expulsion with prejudice if found guilty of USMMA Honor Code violations, wrote Weinstein.

Weinstein told The Christian Post his clients quite correctly believe that the display of the Jesus painting is totally violative of the clear time, place and manner requirements of the No Establishment Clause of the U.S. Constitution.

Given the utterly illicit and unconstitutional time, place and manner of its prominent display in one of the main Administration buildings at USMMA, and during absolutely mandatory attendance gatherings there, it clearly projects the sectarian supremacy of Jesus Christ in some sort of obvious ocean rescue scenario for what appears to be distressed mariners in an open boat, Weinstein said via email.

It's as though USMMA is screaming that Jesus Christ is the only approved solution to all of lifes difficulties."

Following the decision to cover the painting, USMMA alum Peter Lynch launched an online petition calling for any form of covering [to] be removed to allow the original artwork to be viewed and that a plaque describing the historic significance of the painting be placed alongside it.

After only 48 hours, the petition garnered over 2,600 signatures as of Thursday.

The petition description stated in part: The decision to cover the painting was made with no opportunity for discussion. The artwork was completed in 1944 during World War II and the first days of the Academy. It is an historic painting that has conveyed hope and inspiration to nearly every class of midshipmen to come through the Academy.

Noting that his clients represent a number of different religions, including Judaism, Roman Catholicism and Protestant Christianity, Weinstein shared emails from clients, including one who wrote: The painting of Jesus standing over an open lifeboat carrying survivors of a sunken merchant ship has hung in the Elliot M. See room for decades denigrating non-Christians. Its location in the administration building implies that the Academy officially endorses Christianity over other faiths.

The email added: It marginalizes non-Christian members of the Academy. In addition, the Elliot M. See room serves as the backdrop for Midshipmen Honor Boards, creating a hostile atmosphere for non-Christian midshipmen defending themselves against alleged honor violations. The painting does not ensure a diverse, equitable, or inclusive environment for non-Christian USMMA midshipmen, graduates, staff, or faculty.

According to Weinstein, Nunan responded within hours of the initial email and acknowledged she had already identified similar concerns with this painting, and I am taking steps to address it.

Acknowledging the size of the painting prohibits moving it to another location, Nunan said she asked her staff to buy a curtain to place in front of the painting, which will completely block the painting from view, but also allow those who wish to view it the opportunity to do so.

The Vice Admiral also said she would work with the director of the American Merchant Marine Museum to prepare a plaque that explains the history of the painting, which will be installed near it.

In a statement released Thursday, a USMMA spokesperson said immediate steps were taken in response to the constitutional concerns related to the painting.

After weighing multiple options to comply with the law while seeking to balance the interests of everyone in our community, the USMMA decided to cover the painting with white curtains, and plans to install a plaque describing its history at a later date.

The curtains will remain closed when official Academy meetings and events are conducted.

Our priority is to ensure the Academy is a welcoming environment for all and that it respects all religions without endorsing one over any othersThis solution balances legal requirements with the concerns of those who have an interest in the painting, the statement added.

We value the opinions of all in our community, and we are committed to making the Academy a better place."

Weinstein told CP that while he would have preferred the painting be moved to another location, such as the Mariners Chapel, he is satisfied with the response and hopes the USMMA can use it as a teachable moment.

We feel that the use of the curtain covering the painting will serve to create even more positive teachable moments when observers inevitably ask why it is there at all and what is underneath, he said.

Upon assuming command of the USMMA last month, Nunan became the first woman in the Academys history to serve in the role of vice admiral. She spent more than 30 years in the U.S. Coast Guard, and, according to her bio, helped spearhead efforts to expand diversity and inclusion in the Coast Guard.
SCOTUS Weighs Defunding Planned Parenthood, Netanyahu-Trump Meeting On Tariffs, Should Churches Fear AI?

link to download the audio instead. link to download the audio instead. 08:14 08:14

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Top headlines for Thursday, April 10, 2025

We explore the heated debate surrounding the defunding of Planned Parenthood, examining compelling arguments from both pro-life and pro-choice perspectives. Next, we journey across the globe to Ireland, where a 2024 study reveals alarming medieval-levels of antisemitism in this predominantly Catholic nation. We also tackle the intersection of faith and technology, discussing whether Christians and churches should fear the rise of artificial intelligence and how believers are responding to this rapidly evolving digital landscape.

00:11 Supreme court weighs defunding Planned Parenthood: 5 reactions

01:05 Netanyahu-Trump meeting ends with no change to tariffs

02:09 'Medieval' levels of antisemitism in Ireland, study finds

03:09 Sponsor Message WaterdEdge

04:07 NPS restores Underground Railroad webpage with Harriet Tubman

04:58 Texas House passes bill to ban NDAs in child abuse cases

05:46 Kansas governor vetoes bill to protect religious foster families

06:33 Should churches fear artificial intelligence?
Home Opinion Paula White-Cains prosperity gospel twists Scripture for profit

Are you aware that President Trump appointed a prosperity preacher to lead the White House Faith Office, who, just a few years ago, was under investigation by the IRS and the US Senate for the lavish lifestyle she was living with donor money?

In this article, Id like to raise three theological concerns about Paula White-Cain and explain why I believe Trumps choice does not reflect strong, consistent Christian leadership. It is imperative to have a leader whose teachings promote sound doctrine and foster genuine spiritual growth.

To be fair to Paula, I want to point out that she deserves recognition for her strong advocacy for religious freedom and pro-life policies. Every Christian can appreciate and support these critical issues, so I am thankful to see Paula holding firm to these biblical truths. With that said, here are my concerns.

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Theological concern #1: Prosperity gospel

You might be wondering why Trump appointed Paula as the Senior Advisor of the White House Faith Office. Well, they do have history, and many in the Evangelical world support Paulas claims that she was the one who led Trump to Jesus Christ. I hope that is true. However, one significant thing that Trump and Paula share in common is their mutual admiration for Norman Vincent Peale, the famed author of The Power of Positive Thinking and The Power of Positive Living.

This makes sense because Paulas teaching revolves around sowing seeds of blessings or urging people to give money to her ministry to be blessed in return.

Her prosperity preaching is very appealing and sounds good until you read what the Bible says.

A few years ago, while preaching about the resurrection of Lazarus from John 11:38-44, Paula asked her congregation at New Destiny Christian Center in Florida to give $1,144 to receive a resurrection seed.

Heres another example of her prosperity teachings mixed with positive thinking, which she posted on X: Your words are containers for power, and by the words you speak, you frame your world!

These two examples of Paulas prosperity doctrine distort the essence of genuine faith and manipulate vulnerable individuals by linking their financial status to their spiritual worth. This can pressure individuals into believing that a lack of wealth is a sign of weak faith, which is misleading and harmful.

Theological Concern #2: Manipulation of faith

At The River Church in Tampa, Fla., Paula declared on stage, Wherever I go, God rules. When I walk on White House grounds, God walks on White House grounds. When I walked in The River, God walked in The River. When I go into the dry cleaners, that dry cleaning place becomes holy. I have every right and authority to declare the White House as holy ground because I was standing there and where I stand is holy.

Paula conflates her personal presence with God's presence. Nowhere in the Bible do we see any prophet or apostle making such audacious and heretical claims. Gods presence is not contingent upon where we go or what we do. It is very dangerous to associate our holiness with that of God. When God told Moses to take off his sandals, it wasnt because Moses was holy. The ground was holy because of Gods presence (see Exodus 3:5).

Furthermore, Paulas self-declaration is nothing more than pride and wishful thinking. When we look into the pages of Scripture, we find that God declares, I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite (Isaiah 57:15).

Paula is promoting a misguided understanding of God's nature, the nature of redeemed believers, and the essence of faith itself.

Theological Concern #3: Misinterpretations of Scripture

If there is one thing to caution you about, it is that when listening to Paula, you should approach her interpretations of the Bible with care and consider proper hermeneutics that take a historical-grammatical approach to the structural integrity of the biblical text.

Paula loves to cherry-pick promises in the Bible, as seen in her Passover sermon on Exodus 23.

I believe that when you honor God on Passover, starting on April 12, at sundown through Good Friday on the 18th, and concluding on Easter Sunday, you can receive these seven supernatural blessings for you and your house. According to Exodus 23, God will assign an angel to you. He'll be an enemy to your enemies. He'll give you prosperity. He'll take sickness away from you. He will give you long life. He'll bring increase in inheritance, and He'll give a special year of blessing. You're not doing this to get something, but you're doing it in honor to God, realizing what you can receive.

Extracting promises from Exodus 23 and applying them directly to modern Christians without considering the historical and covenantal context distorts the passage's original meaning while replacing the original audience  the Hebrews!

If you read Exodus 23 carefully, you will find that the seven promises Paula deceitfully proclaims are not what God promised Israel at all. This level of eisegesis from Paula goes far beyond mere misinterpretation of the text; it is her deliberate act of putting words in Gods mouth.

Paula is not a biblical theologian. She is a prosperity preacher whose agenda seeks to impose her modern framework of false teaching on the Bible. Learning how Paula twists the Scriptures will help keep you from disaster and preserve your faith from bad doctrine.
Home Opinion To President Trump: Please help our 300 Chinese orphans come to US

Recently, I watched with a full heart as astronauts, stranded in space for nine long months, were finally rescued and reunited with their families. Their story speaks volumes about the power of collaboration and a commitment to innovation that makes improbable things a reality.

As I envisioned their homecoming, I couldnt help but reflect on a similar, though perhaps less visible, need for a larger-scale reunion: the nearly 300 children in Chinese orphanages still waiting to be welcomed home by their adoptive families.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, China paused its international adoption programs. Families who were already matched with children, many who had even hosted them in their homes, were told to wait indefinitely. These children have been waiting for years to find the love, stability, and support that only a permanent family can offer.

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Then, instead of reopening, China abruptly closed its adoption program in 2024 leaving around 300 children to grow up in orphanages instead of with the families who have been preparing for their arrival.

In March, 105 bipartisan lawmakers from 38 states sent President Trump a letter about this crisis.

The heartfelt letter reads, in part, Many of these children have special health care needs, and some will soon age out of care systems without the support of a permanent family  We urge you to elevate this engagement and press the Chinese government to finalize pending adoption cases so these children may finally be united with their adoptive families in the United States.

I am deeply moved by the dedication of the politicians spearheading this cause. Members of Congress Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Robert Aderholt (R-AL), Danny Davis (D-IL), and 100 more are making the well-being of vulnerable children a top priority. Your compassion, devotion, and fortitude are inspirational to those of us in this fight.

Lifeline Childrens Services represents 48 families who were already deep in the adoption process before Chinas policy change. It is for families like these, and for the children they love, that I humbly urge President Trump to request intervention from President Xi Jinping during their next interaction.

These children who have been waiting for five years to be united with families deserve to see their adoptions completed.

One waiting mom, Corrie, recently shared something with me that deserves to be quoted in full:

If I could talk with President Trump about this letter, I would share with him the memories of having our daughter, Whitney*, in our home. For two weeks we were able to love on her, hold her, dance and laugh with her, hear her begin to learn English words, read to her, and watch her begin to come out of her shell. She was able to experience, even briefly, having a family that loved and wanted her. When she returned to China, we thought it would only be nine months before she would be home with us forever. It has now been almost six years since we hugged her goodbye. Six years since our family has been together. If there was ever a president of the United States who could get our daughter and the other waiting children home to the families who love them, it is you.

The families who are desperate to bring these children home have never given up hope, but their patience has been stretched. I believe solutions are within our reach through innovative thinking, collaboration, and a shared sense of responsibility.

During recent meetings in Washington, I was encouraged by the passion and determination of lawmakers and White House staff working tirelessly toward a resolution. I pray that President Trump will see this as an opportunity to prioritize the needs of these vulnerable children and that he will apply to this cause the same ingenuity and spirit of collaboration used to bring the astronauts home.

Just as we celebrated the safe homecoming of our astronauts, I hope we can soon rejoice in the unification of families who have waited far too long. Imagine, after five long years, the joy of these long-overdue homecomings.
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Photographer (Local post for Residents of the Republic of Moldova)

Job Info

Job Identification: 25156

Posting Date: 04/10/2025, 10:16 AM

Apply Before: 04/24/2025, 11:00 PM

Job Schedule: Part time

Locations Chisinau, Republic of Moldova

Vacancy Type: Individual Consultancy

Job Function: Communications and Advocacy

Initial Contract Duration100 working days within March 2025 to March 2026

Required Languages: Romanian and/or Russian

Desired Languages: Working knowledge of English

Vacancy Category: Local Opportunities

Job Description

Background:

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.

The work of UN Women in Moldova is guided by its new Country Strategic Note 2023-2027, aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for Moldova (2023-2027), UN Women Global Strategic Plan, National Programs and Strategies and aims to contribute to the gender-responsive implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Strategic Note focuses on four main areas: 1) Ending Violence against Women; 2) Womens Leadership and Governance; 3) Womens Economic empowerment and 4) Humanitarian and Peace development nexus and UN Coordination on Gender equality.

Communication is a key component of UN Women Moldova Country Offices work and constitutes a vehicle for ensuring visibility for successful UN Women Moldova initiatives, results and programmes as well as for raising awareness about key issues of gender equality and womens empowerment. In view of documenting the activities and creating a pool of image resources UN Women Moldova seeks to hire a photographer for providing timely and qualitative still photography services.

The consultant will be reporting to the Communication Specialist, and will be supported by the Communications associate, who will be the point of contact on the contract and payment issues.

Description of Responsibilities/ Scope of Work

The Photographer will work closely with UN Women Moldova Communication team to perform the following tasks:

To generate compelling photography to illustrate specific stories or events. Capture high resolution images of individuals, groups, events at field locations related to the implementation of the UN Women activities and programmes;

Provide at least 15 selected images from minor assignment/event and at least 30 inspiring images from the major events immediately following the events in electronic format;

Caption each photograph with specific details such as geographical location, name of the person, a quote or a short description of the persons story, a few lines (when required).

The consultant should:

The photographer will be required to have his/her own equipment (a semi-professional or professional DSLR camera, lenses, flashes and all other necessary accessories) and be available for travel immediately as needed to communities from Moldova in order to cover various stories, events and topics. The transportation and logistical arrangements will be ensured by UN Women Moldova Programmes.

Capture and provide high quality and high-resolution images of events, missions, including visual stories of women, men and children in the target communities where UN Women is implementing its activities.

Principles:

Photographs shall conform to UN Women ethical reporting guidelines and appropriate visual portrayal of UN Women programme related areas.

The photographs should be a mix of portraits and action shots. The majority of the images should be portraits of the subjects against a setting that is relevant to the story. The portraits should be posed against a desired backdrop and lit well and evenly.

In addition to the portraits, it is also important to capture the subject in action, either in conversation with a beneficiary of the programme they spearheaded, or otherwise engaged in an activity that helps drive the story home. For these images, it may not be possible to control the environment and so it is not necessary that these images are lit or posed in the same way as the portraits.

The photographs should depict the subject as empowered and strong, and the mood should be uplifting and positive as opposed to dark or moody. The case studies focus on the process of change, in finding positive solutions to overcoming challenges to achieving womens economic and social rights, and the subjects role in developing programmes or campaigns that protect and uphold these rights and empower women. In this context, it is especially important for the photographs to portray the subjects as leaders and as activists who embody this positive change.

High quality photography, including but not limited to:

Photographs  both color and black and white;

Best of photographs that have been taken during each of the assignment (at least 15-30, depending on event);

Color and Black and White;

In electronic form;

Format of electronic pictures: JPEG, TIFF, BMP, PNG;

Colors: minimum RGB, maximum CMYK;

Resolution: high (minimum 300 dpi scale up to A1 size for print and minimum 72 dpi for web) that will be of an internationally acceptable standard;

Pixel dimension: 1600x900.

In order to reflect an event in media and social media in an appropriate and effective time, photographs, when possible, shall be provided within the same day as the event.

*The deadline of submission for each assignment will be indicated with the instructions for each assignment.

Payment details

Payment will be disbursed on a monthly basis, per day worked, UN Women shall pay the Consultant upon certification that the services have been satisfactorily performed, based on the timesheet, deliverables submitted by the Consultant. The number of days worked is to be determined solely by UN Women.

Duration of the Assignment

The assignment shall commence in March 2025 and shall expire in March 2026 for up to 100 working days, on retainer basis (UN Women does not warrant the maximum number days of the requested products, the service will be purchased during the term of the Agreement).

Consultants Workplace and Official Travel

This is a home-based assignment with field visits in local communities in Moldova and events.

Competencies :

Core Values:

Integrity;

Professionalism;

Respect for Diversity.

Core Competencies:

Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues;

Accountability;

Creative Problem Solving;

Effective Communication;

Inclusive Collaboration;

Stakeholder Engagement;

Leading by Example.

Please visit this link for more information on UN Womens Values and Competencies Framework:

Functional Competencies:

Mature judgment and initiative;

Ability to think out-of-the-box;

Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UN Women;

Ability to work in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams;

Ability to work under pressure against strict deadlines;

Ability to present complex issues persuasively and simply;

Flexible and open to learning and new experiences;

Displays cultural, gender, religion and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Required Qualifications

Education and Certification:

Masters degree or equivalent in an area related to this position (journalism, production, fine arts)or a related field is required.

A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Formal training in photography is an asset;

Experience:

Minimum of 1 years (with masters degree) or 3 years (with bachelors degree) of work experience in photography and social/development area is required.

Proven ability in photography and ability to assimilate and communicate complex visual messages in an engaging and user-friendly manner is required (sample portfolio to be provided).

Prior experience of working with UN agencies, NGOs and INGOs and understanding of the development sector is required (sample photographs taken from various donor or government led events to be provided).

Advanced knowledge and skills of MS Office, including Corel Draw, Adobe Photoshop and other editing tools is required.

National and/or international awards and prizes in photography, would be an asset.

Languages:

Proficiency in Romanian and/or Russian is required.

Working knowledge of English is an advantage.

APPLICATION PROCESS AND SUBMISSION PACKAGE

Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their online applications by April 24, 2025 through the following link: Photographer (Local post for Residents of the Republic of Moldova) - UN Women Careers . Applications should include the following documents:

Duly filled UN Women Personal History form (P-11) which can be downloaded from: https://www.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/Headquarters/Attachments/Sections/About%20Us/Employment/UN-Women-P11-Personal-History-Form.doc .

A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page) to include a brief overview in Romanian or English about which of your previous experiences makes you the most suitable candidate for the advertised position.

(maximum length: 1 page) to include a brief overview in Romanian or English about which of your previous experiences makes you the most suitable candidate for the advertised position. Google Drive link to a selection of photos (no more than 10) featuring stories and portraits of women and girls/boys and men, including from various social, age and professional groups; plus descriptive captions.

featuring stories and portraits of women and girls/boys and men, including from various social, age and professional groups; plus descriptive captions. A selection of photos (no more than 10) from various events.

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted.

Statements :

In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment.

Diversity and inclusion:

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.

If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.

UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Womens policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.)

Note: Applicants must ensure that all sections of the application form, including the sections on education and employment history, are completed. If all sections are not completed the application may be disqualified from the recruitment and selection process.
By foto_tech / Adobe

Charities must do more to support their fundraisers, many of whom are facing burnout from the stresses of their job, a report published today has warned.

The report published by fundraising think-tank Rogare, entitled Caring Too Much , explores the factors that cause stress to fundraisers

Researchers found that many fundraisers cited repeated exposure to others trauma and grief, whether from charity beneficiaries or donors, as a source of emotional strain.

It identified four key drivers of stress and burnout among fundraisers, including their inherent empathy, which can be a source of emotional distress for many.

The report says fundraisers predisposition to put others and their organisations needs before their own can also cause stress.

It says fundraisers often feel pressure to achieve more for less, working under an assumption that they can deliver the impossible while simultaneously experiencing isolation.

Writing in the reports foreword, Rogare chairman Damian Chapman described burnout as endemic in fundraising, adding: It is a silent and devastating crisis in the fundraising profession.

The report comes at a time when others such as Charity Well researcher Claire Warner have reported burnout as a major problem facing charity employees.

The intensity of work feels worth it

Conducted by Michelle Reynolds, chief executive of bereavement support charity Anam Cara, with contributions from fundraiser Colin Skehan, the report is based on the experiences of fundraisers in the Irish charity sector.

Reynolds said: Many fundraisers are so committed to their organisations mission that the intensity of work feels worth it. But this extra effort often comes at the expense of fundraisers mental health and wellbeing.

Charities need to do more to support their fundraisers.

While fundraisers often put themselves forward to do more, it is impossible to ignore the concomitant cultural expectation and pressure from organisations and leadership that this is what fundraisers ought to do.

In fact, perhaps this has been overlooked for too long.

Fundraisers need to be empowered and enabled to hold boundaries around workload, to find their individual comfort level around exposure to others traumatic experiences, and resist the self-imposed yet seemingly reinforced-by-others belief that they must be always on and put everyone elses needs ahead of their own.

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,
The Charity Commission received a record number of applications to register as a charity last year, it has confirmed.

The regulator told Civil Society that it received 9,840 applications in the year to March 2025, a 9% increase from 2023-24 when 9,008 applications were made.

However, after assessing the applications made in 2024-25, the regulator registered 5,007 new charities, which was not a record high.

A commission spokesperson told Civil Society that the record number of applications was a reflection of a strong charitable spirit in this country.

Types of charities registered

Meanwhile, in the calendar year 2024, a total of 5,157 organisations in England and Wales registered as charities, compared to 4,830 in 2023, according to the commissions register.

Of the new charities registered in 2024, 1,810 charities were classified under general charitable purposes, 1,560 were education or training charities, and 1,287 were religious charities.



In 2023, 4,830 charities registered with the commission, with 1,775 charities classified under general charitable purposes, 1,545 classified under education or training and 1,166 classified under disability.

Removed charities

The number of charities removed from the register in 2024 also increased to 4,546, from 4,512 the year before, including 111 health-related linked charities merging into Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) Charity .

Those removed last year included 2,062 education or training charities, 1,316 with general purposes and 810 anti-poverty charities.

Education or training charities and those with general purposes were also the types most removed in 2023, with 2,263 and 1,346 removed in that year, respectively.

Meanwhile, 804 health charities classified were removed in 2023.

Charities under the Scottish charity register

Elsewhere, the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) registered 807 new charities in 2023 , the most recent year for which data is available, and removed 1,144 charities.

These figures include cross-border charities, with some also registered in England and Wales or in Northern Ireland.

In recent years, the largest gap between the number of charities registered and removed was in 2020, when 814 new charities registered, while 454 charities were removed.

The overall number of charities on the Scottish charity register came down in 2023 for the first time to 25,108, which was a drop of 337 charities from 2022.

This is predominantly because of its work on removing organisations that are no longer active and action on defaulting charities.

OSCR expects the number of charities registered in Scotland to continue to decrease following changes to its powers introduced this year .

Charity closures in Northern Ireland

Meanwhile, the Charity Commission of Northern Ireland (CCNI) recently analysed the reasons for charities closures between December 2013 and July 2024.

Some 20% of charities in Northern Ireland cited a lack of members or supporters to enable them to continue to operate, while 19% cited that they closed because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

With a sample of 800 charities that were removed from the register during that period, CCNI found that 14% cited that they have merged with another charity, and 13% cited a lack of sufficient trustees that enable the charity to continue to operate.

Most closures occurred in 2021 and 2022 when 114 and 109 charities closed, respectively, many due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Outside the pandemic years, between 2014 and 2019 and in 2023, the average number of closures reported to the commission was 63.

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,




Shaw Trust

National welfare-to-work charity Shaw Trust has been ordered to pay a former employee 1,500 after dismissing them without giving a months notice.

An employment tribunal  heard at Croydon, south London  ordered the charity to compensate the worker for a breach of contract and unlawful deduction from wages related to the lack of notice.

The judgment, made at the end of March, also stated that the claimants complaint of the charitys failure to make a reasonable adjustment would have succeeded had it been presented in time.

This was related to the charitys failure to allow the claimant additional time for appointments with customers.

However, the tribunal dismissed several other claims, including harassment on grounds of disability, race or religion and discrimination arising from disability.

Administrative error

A Shaw Trust spokesperson told Civil Society: We welcome the judgment of the tribunal which dismissed almost all claims made.

The one claim upheld was not contested and relates to an administrative error, which the award made will resolve.

The Shaw Trust  which helps people who are disabled to find employment  recorded a total income of 302m for the financial year ending August 2023, 182m of which came from government contracts.

It had 5,268 employees and more than 400 volunteers in 2022-23, according to the Charity Commissions register.

The Shaw Trust recently took over all of food bank charity Trussells charity shops .

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,




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A growing number of news reports indicate that travelers heading to the US are facing scrutiny at the border, with some subjected to electronic-device searches. US Customs and Border Protection states that such searches aim to identify violationssay, drug trafficking or terrorist activitiesand that just 0.01 percent of international travelers will be subjected to them. Still, the new administration has reportedly encouraged officers to not leave any stone unturned, as per one immigration lawyer. This has increased anxiety among travelers to the US, particularly visa holders, who have fewer privacy protections at the border. While journalists may carry sensitive information, such as contact information for and communications with protected sources, there are no specific laws preventing border officers from digging through such information during searches. Civil liberties organizations and security researchers, therefore, recommend that travelers familiarize themselves with their rights before traveling and have a plan in place should a border agent ask for their personal devices.

Under the Fourth Amendment, law enforcement typically cannot go through someones belongingsincluding their digital devicesunless they can convince a judge there is sufficient suspicion to justify the search. But there is an exception at the border, where the legal landscape tends to be fuzzy, and Congress grants broad authority to regulate who or what enters. Citizens can refuse to hand over passwords to their phones, but doing so may mean tedious travel delays, and immigration officers may detain the devices anyway. Visa holders are in a riskier position. Refusing to comply with a request to unlock ones phone can lead to denial of entry altogether. The so-called border search exception has been used to target journalists, such as Jeremy Dupin, a documentary filmmaker and permanent resident, who was detained twice by border agents in 2016 after returning from a reporting trip to Haiti. In a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union and the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) on behalf of Dupin and ten other travelers, including several other journalists, Dupin describes how he provided his password to agents because he didnt know there was an option not to. With my phone unlocked, agents were able to access some of my most sensitive reporting work, including communications with editors about particular projects and photographs taken while on assignment, he later wrote. After extensively questioning me about my work for several hours, agents finally let me go.

Similar stories are not hard to come by. In 2019, The Intercept documented how journalists covering the so-called migrant caravan faced coordinated harassment from US and Mexican authorities. Through a series of interviews, the journalist Ryan Devereaux tells how members of the press were forced to turn over their notes, cameras, and phones while border officers interrogated them for information about activists working with members of the caravan. It was later revealed that the screening efforts were indeed not coincidental. Leaked documents provided to NBC 7 San Diego proved that the US government had created a secret database tracking journalists, activists, and social media influencers associated with the caravan, such that they would be flagged for additional screening at the border upon returning from international travels. (Jon Allsop wrote about this leak for CJR at the time.) Its difficult to gather exact data on the number of journalists subjected to screening or surveillance efforts, but the nonpartisan US Press Freedom Tracker has documented press freedom violations going back to 2017. The database includes fifty-five contextualized incidents of border stops involving journalists since that time. In one, from 2019, a news editor from Defense One was not given his passport back until he agreed to say that he writes propaganda. At Los Angeles International Airport the same year, an officer asked a British journalist if he was part of the fake news media.

Such experiences have prompted press freedom organizations to publish digital security guides for journalists. In 2018, the Committee to Protect Journalists published Nothing to Declare, a report addressing challenges journalists face when crossing US borders. More recently, in December of last year, the Freedom of the Press Foundation published a Journalists Digital Security Checklist to help establish robust digital security practices. The Intercept has also provided tips for travelers seeking to prevent their phone data from being used against them by the government. Some recurring advice: log out of all accounts before reaching a security checkpoint; power off devices completely (some encryption protections are more effective when devices are fully shut down); turn biometric locks off; and replace short passwords with longer, more secure ones. The Freedom of the Press Foundation advises journalists to distinguish between sensitive information, such as interview transcriptswhich should be stored offlineand nonsensitive information. For those who feel they are at heightened risk, another option offered by The Intercept is to leave the phone at home entirely and use a temporary SIM while traveling. (For more in-depth information, I recommend reading the EFFs travel guide.)

The information kept on our phones can be a window into our personal lives, going way beyond the scope of our travels. As such, there have been efforts to challenge the governments border search exceptionspecifically its application to digital devices, which is seen by advocates as invasivebut most have stalled while moving through the court system. Even so, one significant exception emerged last year: a federal district court in New York ruled that border agents must obtain a warrant before searching travelers electronic devices. The court highlighted the argument that searching cellphones is far more invasive than inspecting physical belongings and recognized that digital searches can chill communication between journalists and their sources.

This ruling applies only to the Eastern District of New York, home to entry points like John F. Kennedy International Airport, one of the busiest airports in the country. For many, it was a victory. Grayson Clary, a staff attorney at the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, told the Knight Institute: As the court recognized, letting border agents freely rifle through journalists work product and communications whenever they cross the border would pose an intolerable risk to press freedom.
Nuro Inc., the self-driving tech startup founded by two former Waymo engineers, announced a new funding round that it said will support its commercial expansion plans in additional US cities and internationally through 2027.

The Mountain View, California-based company raised $106 million in a Series E round from a mix of new and returning investors, the company said in a statement Wednesday. Existing backers who participated in the raise include T. Rowe Price, Fidelity Management & Research Co., Tiger Global Management, Greylock Partners and XN LP. The latest financing values the company at $6 billion, down from $8.6 billion following a 2021 round that included SoftBank Group Corp. and Google.

The company plans to disclose the new investors along with some strategic partners in an upcoming announcement, it added.

Nuro has had to weather a broader downturn in capital funding by carrying out cost cuts. In 2023, it announced it was pivoting from building and scaling custom autonomous vehicles, or AVs, to focusing on developing autonomous software. In late 2024, co-founders Jiajun Zhu and Dave Ferguson said the company was again shifting its business model, this time licensing its software to carmakers. It has also slashed its workforce to about 700 through multiple rounds of layoffs, down from its peak of around 1,400 in late 2022.

The AV industry has certainly gone through its ups and downs over the last few years, Chief Operating Officer Andrew Chapin said in an interview. The fact that Nuro has emerged from a difficult period of the industry with really impressive technical progress, some really solid commercial partnerships that well announce soon, and we are now raising this new round from top-tier blue-chip investors, all of that speaks to where we are going and the momentum that we have.

Chapin added that the new funding combined with the companys current balance sheet would extend its runway into 2027, a timeline on which we believe we can transition to start scaling commercially.

More details about the companys auto-industry partnerships will be shared in the coming weeks and months, he added.

Nuro has so far not announced a car manufacturer partner for a commercial launch, but its been testing its technology on a small fleet of Toyota Priuses, along with its own delivery robots, in Houston and parts of the San Francisco Bay Area, including Mountain View and Palo Alto. Chapin said a 10-year food delivery partnership with Uber Technologies Inc. announced in 2022 is still active, with Nuro offering autonomous delivery using the Priuses in select areas in those three markets.

As part of its cost-cutting strategy, Chapin said the company has no plans to expand production of its custom, third-generation delivery robot R3, but its keeping the fleet for commercial testing and research and development.

Commercial competition in the self-driving technology sector is poised to heat up as the technology is shifting from test fleets to consumer-ready vehicles available through ridehailing and delivery services. Alphabet Inc.s Waymo, the only autonomous ridehailing service available to a broad swath of the US market, said in late February it was making 200,000 trips each week in San Francisco, Phoenix and Los Angeles. Its also offering rides through the Uber app in Austin, to be followed by Atlanta later this year. Waymo was valued at more than $45 billion after its latest funding round of $5.6 billion in late 2024, Bloomberg reported.

Other self-driving technology software providers have also been testing their software on various vehicle types as they prepare for commercial launches. UK-based, SoftBank-backed Wayve Technologies Ltd. said it was nearing a commercial debut with automakers. Austin-based Avride announced last month a strategic alliance with manufacturer Hyundai Motor Co. to make driverless cars in the US, with the fleet planned for deployment through the Uber app in Dallas later this year.

Intel Corp. spinoff Mobileye Global Inc. has meanwhile been working with Volkswagen Group on driver-assistance systems, and has yet to announce a manufacturer for its autonomous vehicle partnership with Lyft Inc., which is due to launch in Dallas as soon as 2026.

Top photo: The Nuro autonomous vehicle at the Nvidia GPU Technology Conference (GTC) in San Jose, California, on Thursday, March 20, 2025. Bloomberg.

Copyright 2025 Bloomberg.
Property-catastrophe capacity remained adequate to meet demand during the April 1 renewals for U.S. reinsurance buyers, despite the record losses from Californias January wildfires, according to Aon and Gallagher Re in their renewal reports.

Reinsurers continued to demonstrate an appetite for growth for U.S. property-cat exposures during the April renewals, while alternative capital markets provided healthy competition and new start-up reinsurers looked for growth opportunities, Aon said in its report, titled Reinsurance Market Dynamics  April 2025 Renewal.

The California wildfire losses have not led to a market-wide change in reinsurer appetite or pricing, said Aon, noting that reinsurance capital continues to grow and keep pace with increasing demand.

Related: Buyer-Friendly April Reinsurance Renewal Bodes Well for Mid-Year Renewals: Brokers

Aon acknowledged that the Los Angeles wildfires (expected to cost the re/insurance industry between $32 billion and $38 billion) had mixed results for the relatively small and diverse group of U.S. regional and national insurers that renewed at 4/1  based on their exposures and loss experience. (The wildfires also had little to no impact on reinsurance capacity, pricing and terms for buyers in Asia Pacific, the region that dominates the 4/1 renewals, Aon said).

Reinsurers continued to trade and deploy capacity uninterrupted, with continuing support for insurers with significant wildfire exposure. Some reinsurers stepped up to offer additional wildfire capacity and were rewarded with larger signings, Aon said, adding that the majority of reinsurers responded outstandingly to the LA wildfires, which will like rank among the top three costliest wildfires in U.S. history.

Property-catastrophe capacity remained ample despite the wildfires, with buyers taking advantage of this increase in supply to hold retention levels constant, and push price reductions at the top end of programs, according to Gallagher Re in its report, titled 1st View  Finding the Path.

Impacted renewals were limited in number, and specific outcomes were dependent on buyer loss experience and program size, Gallagher said.

The Los Angeles wildfires tempered reductions and led to more conservative quoting at 4/1, although the impact was largely localized. Loss-free accounts achieved risk-adjusted rate reductions in line with January 1, while loss-impacted accounts typically experienced stable conditions, according to Aon.

Terms and conditions around wildfire were a key topic of discussion with reinsurers as each insurer determined with their trading partners the most effective path forward for their portfolio exposure, Aon said.

And there were growth opportunities related to wildfire exposures, Aon indicated, saying that reinsurers were rewarded with increased participation on programs at 4/1 if they took the opportunity to increase capacity and lean-in to wildfire risk.

Impact on Catastrophe Budgets?

In a report on the four largest European reinsurers  Munich Re, Swiss Re, Hannover Re and SCOR  Moodys Ratings said the LA wildfire losses have already absorbed around 39% of their combined annual catastrophe budgets. This will make it harder for the companies to remain within their budgets for 2025, as catastrophe claims typically do not peak until the US hurricane season gets underway during the third quarter.

The LA wildfire claims of an estimated $30 billion-$50 billion are akin to a large hurricane, and will dent reinsurers annual catastrophe claims budget, Moodys added in its report, titled Reinsurers earnings prospects favorable after record 2024 results, which was published on April 1.

However, Moodys said the earnings prospects for the four reinsurers remain strong despite the sizable wildfire claims, helped by persistently strong demand for both property/casualty and life & health reinsurance along with robust investment returns.

Three of the four reinsurers  Hannover Re, Munich Re and Swiss Re  have raised their net income targets by over 20%, Moodys said, noting that their earnings performance will ultimately depend on whether there are further significant catastrophe losses during the remainder of the year.

While the California wildfire losses are indeed substantial, Gallagher said, claims remain manageable and sit within reinsurers 2025 natural catastrophe budgets.

Gallagher explained that there was some market sensitivity about the degree to which wildfire losses have eroded remaining catastrophe budgets so early in the year  with the traditionally higher cat loss quarters still to come.

Aon said that 2025 is likely to see the highest first quarter loss from natural catastrophes in more than a decade as a result of the Los Angeles wildfires.

While ceded losses from the wildfires are significant  at an estimated $11 billion to $17 billion  the impact on individual reinsurers will vary, Aon continued. These losses have absorbed 25% to 33% of major reinsurers annual catastrophe allowances which may affect how some come to the market at mid-year.

However, global reinsurers fundamentals remain strong  reporting excellent results in 2023 and 2024, which helped grow traditional reinsurance capital to an all-time high of $655 billion with overall capital rising by 5.3% to $769 billion, Gallagher said. (The brokers overall capital figure includes traditional reinsurance capital and alternative capital of $114 billion).

Favorable Market Conditions Ahead

Despite an active first quarter for catastrophe losses, we expect the favorable conditions seen at January and April renewals to continue at mid-year, supported by the weight of reinsurance capacity and unfulfilled reinsurer appetite, Aon confirmed.

[T]he reinsurance market is highly capitalized and competitive ahead of midyear renewals. With pent-up supply still outstripping demand, the mid-year represents the last major renewal opportunity for reinsurers to meet 2025 growth targets and earn premium to offset losses in the first quarter, Aon noted.

Photograph: Louise Hamlin visits her home ravaged by the Eaton Fire in Altadena, California on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)
View from the Rainbow Bridge, which separates the United States from Canada across the Niagara River. Will Americans feel welcome in Canada this summer? Tourism officials say yes. The Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Increasingly tense relations between the United States and Canada are expected to result in a drop of Canadian visitors to the U.S. this year.

Whats less clear: Whether Americans will limit their visits to Canada.

Bay Village traveler Dan Davis is worried about an upcoming, long-planned motorcycle tour around Lake Superior this August.

He writes, We are a little concerned about traveling in Canada because of everything that is happening right now between the U.S. and Canada. Have you heard much/anything about U.S. citizens traveling in Canada given the current political/economic climate, and do you think it will be safe for 10 motorcyclists from Ohio to travel in Canada this summer?

Its a good question, and one that I cant answer with absolute certainty.

Canadians, as anyone who has traveled up north has likely experienced, are some of the most friendly, down-to-earth people on the planet. I cant imagine that everyday Canadians will take their frustrations with U.S. government policy out on American tourists, who are there to spend money and have a good time.

Indeed, I reached out to Destination Ontario, the organization that promotes tourism to the province bordering Ohios north shore, and was told that the region would be welcoming to all.

Ontario is dedicated to supporting the tourism sector and welcoming travelers from all over the world, including our neighbors in the United States, a spokesperson said. Historically, Ontario welcomes 10 to 13 million U.S. visitors every year, and we look forward to continually welcoming our tourists in the upcoming spring and summer seasons.

A spokesperson for Destination Canada sent along this statement: Canada has a long-standing reputation as friendly, open and welcoming. Global perception of Canada remains highly positive and we will continue to promote ourselves as an iconic destination, with a view to winning the hearts of even more international travelers in 2025.

In 2024, Americans were the most frequent international travelers to Canada, with 23.4 million visits. Among the top destinations: Niagara Falls, Toronto, the Thousand Islands, Vancouver and the Canadian Rockies.

That same year, Canadians made 39 million visits to the United States.

Read more: Will the political environment influence your summer travel plans?

How many Canadians will stop visiting Ohio over Trump tariff? Tourism leaders concerned

That number of Canadians visiting the U.S. is expected to drop dramatically this year, in response to increasingly tense relations between the two countries, including talk from President Donald Trump about making Canada the 51st state. In February, now-former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told Canadians to send a message to the United States with their wallets.

Now is also the time to choose Canada, he said, adding, It might mean changing your summer vacation plans to stay here in Canada and explore the many national and provincial parks, historical sites and tourist destinations our great country has to offer.

But its not just politics that may keep Canadians away.

The U.S. dollar remains very strong against the Canadian dollar, which makes traveling to the United States expensive for Canadians.

At last check, one U.S. dollar was worth $1.43 in Canadian currency.

If its expensive for Canadians to come here, the reverse is also true: Its a great time, economically speaking, to visit our neighbors to the north.

My advice to Dan Davis and anyone else pondering a trip up north: Have a great time, enjoy that well-known Canadian hospitality and indulge in lots of economically priced maple pancakes and poutine.
China urges U.S. to stop maliciously linking China to Panama Canal issue

Xinhua) 09:56, April 10, 2025

BEIJING, April 9 (Xinhua) -- China urges the United States to stop spreading rumors, causing trouble and maliciously associating China with the Panama Canal issue to excuse its own control over the canal, a spokesperson for China's foreign ministry said in Beijing on Wednesday.

Spokesperson Lin Jian made the comments at a daily news briefing, responding to remarks made by the U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during his recent visit to Panama.

Hegseth reportedly said that China has carried out espionage activities in Panama by controlling key infrastructure in the Panama Canal area, endangering the security, prosperity and sovereignty of Panama and the United States.

Lin expressed firm opposition to the malicious attacks on China from senior U.S. officials, which he said have discredited and undermined China-Panama cooperation, once again exposing the United States as a bully nation.

"Everyone knows who wants to control the Panama Canal," he said, adding that the United States should look in the mirror to see who is threatening the sovereignty, security and development interests of other countries.

"Compromise and concession will never secure sovereignty or respect; they will only fuel the arrogance of bullies," he said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
The European Union said it will pause the adoption of its retaliatory tariffs on a swathe of U.S. goods for 90 days, a day after Trump's decision.

"We started seeing a ton of bookings cancel at origin over the ocean as early as last week and as we got closer to the tariff date on April 9 we saw more cancellations," said Paul Brashier, vice president of global supply chain for ITS Logistics. "But with this recent announcement on the pause on tariffs with the exception of China, we may have orders re-booked from those regions."

The tariffs with China , the biggest trading partner of the U.S., remain in effect and are now at 145%. But across other Asian and European nations that are key manufacturing partners, the fluid situation is leading importers to rethink decisions that were the correct one just a day ago.

At least for now, though, some orders around the world that were paused are surging.

President Donald Trump's decision to pause tariffs on trading partners around the globe may have eased some of the market's worst fears, but the big swings in stocks and bonds that have continued in the markets match a pervasive feeling of uncertainty inside the supply chain amid whipsaw conditions in global trade.

Andrew Abbott, CEO of Atlantic Container Line, which serves the Europe/North American trade, said that freight "holds" as a result of the tariffs have now been released and bookings have skyrocketed as a result of the tariff pause.

"We are expecting a surge of freight during this pause," Abbott said. "We are seeing order in everything from construction equipment, engines, truck parts, dinnerware, cranes, agriculture equipment and booze among a lot others. The ships are filling up."

Other logistics providers told CNBC they are seeing a similar rush.

Abbott says the companies that put shipments on hold now feel like they are being rewarded.

"Even the British car guys have booked for May sailings," Abbott said.

Still a 'super cautious' moment in global trade

Uncertainty remains high in a world where trade decisions hinge on the micromanagement of daily headlines. Shipping executives remain on edge, with Mexico a good example. There was no change in the tariffs policy partially in effect on Mexico and Canada.

"People have uncertainty, and uncertainty creates fear. People are starting to send some imports and some exports to the United States, let's say, the urgent products, but the rest is on hold," said Simon Cohen, CEO of Henco Global, in an interview before Trump's tariffs pause was announced.

Cohen said retail exports from Mexico to the United States are on hold. "Sales are just not increasing," he said.

Based on 2024 U.S. Customs data collected and analyzed by ImportGenius and applied to the new tariffs in effect, the daily tariff collection is now $345.5 million from Mexico imports. Daily tariff collections on Canadian imports under the same metrics show $282 million. In all, customs duties totaled $8.2 billion in March, according to a Treasury report released on Thursday  for a year-to-date total of $43.6 billion vs. $37.7 billion last year.

"It's status quo right now and the new normal for the supply chain is uncertainty," Brashier said.

Cohen cited the automotive industry and aerospace industry as examples. "What we're seeing is the industry is just holding a little and they are just waiting for the news just to move forward," said Cohen.

For example, Volkswagen AG halted rail shipments of vehicles from Mexico.

China's investment in manufacturing in Mexico has been scrutinized by both the Biden and Trump administration, and Cohen said Chinese exports to Mexico remain in limbo.

"Chinese companies are holding everything up again," Cohen said. "They are waiting, to see what's going to happen in the near future. Chinese companies are just doing business as usual with Mexico, not increasing anything."
Rescue workers and emergency personnel work at the scene of a helicopter crash on the Hudson River near lower Manhattan in New York, U.S., as seen from Newport, New Jersey, April 10, 2025.

A sightseeing helicopter crashed into the Hudson River off of Manhattan Thursday, killing all six people on board. It was the deadliest helicopter crash around New York City in years.

Agustin Escobar, the CEO of rail infrastructure at Siemens Mobility, his wife and three children, all visiting from Europe, and the pilot of the helicopter died in the crash.

"We are deeply saddened by the tragic helicopter crash in which Agustin Escobar and his family lost their lives," Siemens said in a statement.

Four of the victims were pronounced dead at the scene and two more died after they were removed from the scene.

The cause of the crash is under investigation, officials said. The helicopter was operated by "New York Helicopters," New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said a press conference Thursday afternoon.

The helicopter tour company New York Helicopter didn't immediately respond to request for comment. The company offers sightseeing tours and had one scheduled for 3 p.m. on Thursday, according to its website.
President Donald Trump's pause on reciprocal tariffs is not an all clear signal for investors to embrace risk assets again, according to Jeremy Siegel, professor emeritus of finance at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business. "We're not out of the woods on the tariff," Siegel said on CNBC's " Squawk Box ." "We'll see what gets negotiated. It definitely will have to be negotiation with China. I don't know whether Trump holds as many cards as he thinks he holds." Stocks rallied violently in a kneejerk reaction to Trump's announcement to put a 90-day pause on some of the lofty 'reciprocal' tariffs. The 9.5% one-day gain in the S & P 500 ranks as the third biggest since World War II. Still, the S & P 500 is in the red for April and off 11% from its recent record. .SPX 5D mountain S & P 500 Siegel, also a chief economist at WisdomTree, cautioned that many investors are traumatized by Trump's initial tariff rollout, making the rebound in stocks less sustainable. He said the S & P 500 won't go back to its record high from February anytime soon. "It is good to the extent that he has 75 countries he will be negotiating with, but the shock of what happened, I don't think you can get that out of consumers mind or investors mind for for quite a while, and so I don't think we can challenge those February highs for quite some time," Siegel said. The president raised the tariffs imposed on imports from China to 125% "effective immediately" due to the "lack of respect that China has shown to the World's Markets." China, which is the U.S.'s third-largest trading partner, had already retaliated by hiking its tariff rate for imports from the U.S. to 84%. "July 9 is still a date out there. It appears the 10% tariff is permanent, which is still five times as what we had before the Trump presidency," Siegel said.
KeyCorp CEO Chris Gorman told CNBC's Jim Cramer that the U.S.'s new tariffs will likely lead to reshoring.

"I don't think there's any question," Gorman said. "If you think about Covid, and you think about the disruptions in the supply chains, I think the notion of reshoring is real."

President Donald Trump has targeted the U.S.'s trading partners, threatening many countries with steep import tax increases. The White House implemented a cumulative 145% tariff hike on goods from China, which is a top supplier for many U.S. companies.

Gorman suggested that most companies will have suppliers based in Mexico, the U.S. and Canada. He said many KeyCorp's customers are thinking about reshoring and their supply chains in general. A year from now, he continued, "there'll be more activity in the U.S."

He also struck an optimistic tone about the federal regulatory environment, mentioning that he recently spent time in Washington.

"What we really need is balanced regulation," he said. "It's important for safety and soundness of the system, and I think we can achieve that and also get some regulatory relief on things that, frankly, don't pertain to safety and soundness."
Europe's beloved luxury brands may be largely sheltered from the initial effects of sweeping U.S. tariffs, but the risks of a wider economic downturn spell bad news for the sector's long-awaited recovery.

Shares of European luxury stocks LVMH , Richemont , Kering and Hermes were among those to slip lower Wednesday as levies on U.S. imports from the European Union took hold. The outlook remains unclear, even as President Trump later announced a 90 day pause and reduced rates to 10% universal tariffs.

High-end fashion houses  for whom the made-in-Europe label is part of the allure  are less likely than other firms to bow to President Donald Trump's ultimate demand to relocate manufacturing to the U.S., instead indicating that they will pass on increased import costs to consumers.

Yet a broader slump in the global economy could make those hikes tougher to bear, even for wealthy shoppers, who are typically better able to absorb price shocks, analysts have warned.

Odds of a U.S. and global recession this year climbed to 60% following Trump's "Liberation Day" tariff announcement, according to JPMorgan, with CEO Jamie Dimon saying Wednesday that the resultant market turmoil had made a recession "likely."

"Weaker global stock markets and the broader economic uncertainty will weigh on confidence and we see this further postponing a recovery in luxury demand," Adam Cochrane, general retail and luxury equity research analyst at Deutsche Bank, wrote in a note Wednesday.

Luca Solca, senior analyst for global luxury goods at Bernstein, echoed that sentiment, dubbing the first round effect of U.S. tariffs as "negligible" but citing notable knock-on effects.

"What we should worry about, in case, are the second and third level impacts of the new American policies, if they precipitate a sharp global recession and stock market correction," Solca wrote in a note last week.

European luxury companies broadly generate a relatively minimal 15% to 30% of sales from the Americas as a whole, according to Bernstein estimates. Nevertheless, the U.S. market has become an important growth driver in recent quarters as firms have shifted their focus amid waning China sales. Meanwhile, already subdued Chinese demand could be further hit by 125% U.S. tariffs, effective Wednesday.
Morgan Stanley is sticking by Nvidia during the stock's rocky ride, saying demand for the company's products should help the artificial intelligence darling outperform and push past tariff concerns. Analyst Joseph Moore reiterated Nvidia as a top semiconductor pick and kept his overweight rating and $162 price target. That target implies shares can gain roughly 41.7% from Wednesday's close. The stock jumped 18.7% in the previous session during a historic market rally after President Donald Trump announced a 90-day halt on some levies. "Our view is that the microeconomic impacts for NVIDIA are fairly minimal, particularly because near term demand remains strong and is already being mitigated; the risk is macro deterioration impacting investment financing," Moore wrote in a Thursday note to clients. "While semis are exempt from the reciprocal tariffs, the challenges imposed by tariffs are still daunting, as there will be taxes at the systems level that impact everyone," he added. "That said, NVIDIA seems among the more protected companies, and will have minimal direct impact." According to Moore, Nvidia appears to be a safer bet in the current volatile environment in which companies continue to gauge how they could be affected by the Trump administration's baseline 10% tariff rate, which he acknowledged could also increase after the 90-day pause ends. Moore remains bullish on sustained spending on artificial intelligence and said Nvidia's "relative supply chain flexibility will help them outperform, even in a higher tariff environment." One tariff bright spot for Nvidia is that most of the company's GB200 server builds are in North America already, and shifting production "should not be that difficult" given that volumes are not that high, Moore said. Another positive for Nvidia, according to the analyst, is that the company's products made in Mexico remain untaxed under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or USMCA. "That's oddly a disincentive to reshore/do final assembly in the US, and we have seen fluidity around free trade agreements in the last week, so it could change. But for right now, doing final assembly in Mexico should largely mitigate any costs," he said. There is, in fact, more concern about how Nvidia could be affected by export controls on multinational customers rather than tariffs, as demand for inference products and Blackwell remains strong, Moore noted. Nvidia shares are up more than 14% this week after Wednesday's historic surge. However, they remain down nearly 20% for the year. NVDA YTD mountain NVDA 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!
Prada struck a $1.375 billion deal to buy smaller rival Versace from Capri Holdings on Thursday, including its debt, in a move that unites two of the biggest names in Italian fashion.

Prada is seeking to expand, having defied a slowdown in luxury demand, while Versace has been operating at a loss in the last few quarters. The merger strengthens Italy's hand in a luxury industry led by French conglomerates, the biggest being Louis Vuitton owner LVMH .

The deal follows the announcement on March 13 that Donatella Versace was stepping down as the chief creative officer of the brand founded by her late brother Gianni.

"We aim to continue Versace's legacy celebrating and re-interpreting its bold and timeless aesthetic," said Prada Chairman Patrizio Bertelli

"At the same time, we will provide it with a strong platform, reinforced by years of ongoing investments and rooted in longstanding relationships," added Bertelli, husband of Prada designer Miuccia Prada. The couple are leading shareholders in the company.

Donatella Versace, whose family sold the business seven years ago, praised the new partnership.

"Gianni and I have always had a huge admiration for Miuccia, Patrizio and their family," she said.

"I am honoured to have the brand in the hands of such a trusted Italian family business and I am ready to support this new era for the brand in any way that I can," she added.
Check out the companies making headlines in premarket trading: CarMax  Shares of the used car retailer tumbled 7.7% on the heels of disappointing fiscal fourth-quarter earnings. CarMax recorded 58 cents in earnings per share, missing the consensus estimate of 65 cents in earnings per share from analysts polled by LSEG. U.S. Steel  Shares sank 10.2% after President Donald Trump said he did not want the steelmaker to go to Japan. His comments insinuated that he did not support Nippon Steel's bid for the company. "Magnificent Seven"  Megacap tech stocks pulled back after big runs during the prior session after Trump announced a "pause" on some reciprocal tariffs. Tesla led the way, sliding more than 3% after Wall Street firms cut their price targets on the electric vehicle maker. Nvidia also fell more than 3% after soaring more than 18% in the proceeding session. Apple shares pulled back 3% as well. Meta and Microsoft slipped over 1%. Legacy automakers  Major American carmakers also gave up some of the gains seen during Wednesday's monster rally. Given their plants abroad, automakers are expected to be particularly hard hit by Trump's tariffs. Stellantis dropped more than 8% in premarket trading after surging more than 18% in the prior session. Similarly, Ford and General Motors both slid around 3% before the bell. Banks  Shares of major financial institutions also retreated as the dust settled around Wednesday's market rally. Goldman Sachs and Citigroup each lost more than 2%, while Wells Fargo , JPMorgan and Bank of America all shed more than 1%. Airlines  Despite being some of the biggest winners in Wednesday's session, airlines also traded lower before the bell on Thursday. Delta Air Lines , which led the S & P 500 higher on Wednesday, declined more than 3% in premarket trading along with United Airlines . Southwest ticked slightly lower after jumping more than 15% on Wednesday. Palantir Technologies  Shares fell 3%, pulling back somewhat after a rally in the previous session in which the data analytics software company surged 19%. The retail investor favorite is now more than 21% higher in 2025. Trump Media & Technology  Shares of the Truth Social parent, which got an apparent vote of confidence from President Trump in the previous session, rose 0.7% before the bell. On Wednesday, it saw a rally of more than 21%. Danaher  Shares of the life sciences firm moved 0.8% higher on the back of an upgrade at Barclays to overweight from equal weight. Barclays cited the stock's recent pullback and said its diagnostics stability and bioprocessing momentum is enough to offset any industry weakness.  CNBC's Michelle Fox, Sarah Min and Jesse Pound contributed reporting. 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!
Jennifer, center, whose husband Kilmar Abrego Garcia was deported by ICE, is hugged by a staff member of CASA, at the CASA Multicultural Center during a press conference ahead of Garcia's hearing. The Washington Post | Getty Images

The Supreme Court on Thursday upheld a lower court order that the Trump administration must facilitate the return to the United States of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland man who was forcibly and wrongly deported to El Salvador, where he is being held in a notorious prison. But the Supreme Court in its unsigned decision told Maryland Federal District Court Judge Paula Xinis to clarify the order she issued in the case, raising the question of whether the administration can and will be compelled by the courts to get Abrego Garcia back. Xinis in her April 4th order directed the Trump administration "to facilitate and effectuate the return" of Abrego Garcia, who officials allege is a gang member, which he denies. In its ruling Thursday, the Supreme Court said, "The [district court] order properly requires the Government to 'facilitate' Abrego Garcia's release from custody in El Salvador and to ensure that his case is handled as it would have been had he not been improperly sent to El Salvador." "The intended scope of the term 'effectuate' in the District Court's order is, however, unclear, and may exceed the District Court's authority," the Supreme Court said. "The District Court should clarify its directive, with due regard for the deference owed to the Executive Branch in the conduct of foreign affairs," the ruling said. The decision, which had no noted dissents, also directed the Trump administration to prepare "to share what it can concerning the steps it has taken and the prospect of further steps" related to his possible return.

Xinis, within hours, modified her order to reflect the Supreme Court decision. Her new order omitted the word "effectuate." "To this end, the Court hereby amends this Order to Direct that Defendants take all available steps to facilitate the return of Abrego Garcia to the United States as soon as possible," the judge wrote. Xinis also ordered the government to file by 9:30 a.m. ET Friday a declaration addressing "the current physical location and custodial status of Abrego Garcia, (2) what steps, if any, Defendants have taken to facilitate Abrego Garcia's immediate return to the United States; and (3) what additional steps Defendants will take, and when, to facilitate his return." She scheduled a status conference for the parties in the case at 1 p.m. in Greenbelt, Maryland, federal court. Abrego Garcia's lawyer, Andrew Rossman, in an email to NBC News, wrote, "The rule of law won today." "Time to bring him home," Rossman wrote of his client, a married El Salvador native who has three children with special needs. In a letter Thursday night to U.S. Solicitor General D. John Sauer, who represented the Justice Department in the case before the Supreme Court, Rossman wrote that consistent with the high court's order "we expect that the United States will facilitate Mr. Abrego-Garcia's immediate release from CECOT  tonight  and make all necessary arrangements for his return to this country, including by dispatching an aircraft to El Salvador to bring him home." "As you know, given the conditions of Mr. Abrego-Garcia's confinement, and the grave risk to his safety in El Salvador, time is of the essence," the lawyer wrote. The Justice Department, in a statement, said, "As the Supreme Court correctly recognized, it is the exclusive prerogative of the President to conduct foreign affairs." "By directly noting the deference owed to the Executive Branch, this ruling once again illustrates that activist judges do not have the jurisdiction to seize control of the President's authority to conduct foreign policy," the department said. But the Supreme Court decision, by upholding Xinis' authority to direct the government to facilitate Abrego Garcia's return, is a rebuke to the administration, which, since the return of President Donald Trump to the White House, has made the forcible deportation of purported gang members a top priority.

Salvadoran prison guards escort alleged members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua and the MS-13 gang recently deported by the U.S. government to be imprisoned in the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) prison, as part of an agreement with the Salvadoran government, in Tecoluca, El Salvador, in this handout image obtained March 31, 2025. Secretaria De Prensa De La Presidencia | Via Reuters

In ruling in another case on Monday, the Supreme Court said the administration could resume using the Alien Enemies Act to seek the deportations of alleged members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua to El Salvador. But in a victory for civil liberty advocates, the court in the same ruling said the would-be deportees must be given time to challenge their detentions by U.S. authorities and to challenge the use of the act in their cases. Abrego Garcia was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Maryland on March 12, and deported three days later. The Trump administration opposed the order to return Abrego Garcia after acknowledging that he "was subject to a withholding order forbidding his removal to El Salvador, and that the removal to El Salvador was therefore illegal," the Supreme Court noted in its ruling. The Justice Department said his removal was due to an "administrative error." But Justice Department lawyers also said Abrego Garcia was found to be a member of the notorious gang MS-13, which the United States has designated as a foreign terrorist organization. His lawyers, however, deny that he is a member of that gang. They also said he has lived in the U.S. for a decade without ever being charged with a crime.

People walk near the U.S. Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 8, 2025. Jonathan Ernst | Reuters
Investors still concerned about what will happen with President Donald Trump's tariff policy have a place to hide in three stocks, according to investor Rebecca Walser. Despite the 90-day pause on "reciprocal" tariffs announced Wednesday, the market fell Thursday - giving back some of the historic gains from the previous session. A 145% levy on goods from China, a 10% broad duty and 25% tariffs on aluminum, autos and some goods from Mexico and Canada still stand. While negotiations are ongoing over where the tariffs may ultimately land, Walser, president of Walser Wealth Management, is playing defense. "We are really looking at things that will do well if the tariff policy continues, as it has been so volatile," she said. Right now, she believes e-commerce giant Alibaba is a buy, especially if you are concerned about tariffs. "That is very established inside of China, in the Middle East, even in Europe," she said in an interview with "Power Lunch." "Obviously, that would be potentially circumventing tariff policy." BABA YTD mountain Alibaba She also likes Merck , because the pharmaceutical giant recently unveiled a "great, big production facility" in North Carolina. The company announced last month the $1 billion, 225,000 square-foot building would be dedicated to vaccine manufacturing. Duties on pharmaceutical companies were not announced as part of Trump's sweeping tariff policy last week. However, on Wednesday, before hitting the pause button, the president reiterated his plan to impose "major" tariffs on drug imports. MRK YTD mountain Merck Her last pick is Dollar General . "If we do get  University of Michigan consumer sentiment still lower, lower, lower three months in a row, then we know consumers are going to be looking at dollar store alternatives, even to Walmart ," she said. The University of Michigan's Survey of Consumers had its third consecutive decrease in March. DG YTD mountain Dollar General 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!
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President Donald Trump's aggressive tariff policy on April 2 didn't just cause mayhem in the stock market. It sent Amazon sellers into a panic. Many sellers on Amazon count on China for manufacturing and assembly due to lower costs and established infrastructure  up to 70% of goods on Amazon come from China, according to Wedbush Securities. With nearly all imports from China being taxed a staggering 145% under the latest tariffs, Amazon sellers are having to decide whether to raise prices or absorb the vastly increased cost of importing their goods. Amazon CEO Andy Jassy on Thursday told CNBC that its vast network of third-party sellers will likely "pass the cost on" to consumers. He added that Amazon has done some "strategic forward inventory buys" and looked to renegotiate terms on some purchase orders to keep prices low. Although Trump temporarily lowered tariffs on most countries to 10% on Wednesday, he doubled down on the huge tariffs on goods from China. Before the pause, average tariff rates under Trump were at the highest level since the Great Depression. The "reciprocal tariffs" were far steeper in regions like Southeast Asia. Tariffs also hit U.S. allies at unusual rates, including 20% on the European Union and previously announced 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada. Josianne Boisvert of Canadian-based Portable Winch Co. said she "was in a state of shock" when the tariffs were announced. For 20 years, the company has driven its products an hour to the U.S. border for duty-free shipping to American customers. "We are questioning ourselves if we just move our focus to Europe," Boisvert said. CNBC talked to several Amazon sellers to find out how the new tariffs are having an impact on their decisions about prices and where to manufacture.

Price hikes

In a small warehouse in San Rafael, California, Dusty Kenney showed CNBC hundreds of boxes filled with her PrimaStella brand baby spoons, bento boxes and other kids products. Most of them arrived by sea from China before tariffs went into effect. Paying the added tariffs could put her out of business if they continue, she said. "I will hold my prices for as long as I can and just absorb those tariffs because I'm already competing against those Chinese sellers that are undercutting me," Kenney said. Although tariffs will also impact her Chinese-based competitors, the cost of doing business in the U.S. is far higher than in China. "The administration would like people to think that this is a China problem, and that this is only hurting Chinese-based businesses and helping U.S.-based businesses. But I am a U.S.-based business, let's be clear," Kenney said. "Everything's warehoused here, designed here, photographed here. All the income that comes from that stays here." Several sellers said they are considering raising prices if Trump's tariffs stick around. The vast majority of products on Amazon are sold by third-parties, but tariffs will also impact the company's first-party brands. That includes Amazon Basics-branded batteries, which compete against the likes of Duracell and Energizer by retailing at lower prices, said Jason Goldberg of the Publicis Groupe. If Amazon has to raise the price of its own batteries, he said, "consumers are likely to have a preference for that well-known, familiar brand." The Seattle-based tech company is likely to wait at least six months before passing the tariff costs on to consumers, said Dan Ives of Wedbush Securities. "The last thing they want to do is right away just pass it to the consumer, because you don't know how transitory this is," said Ives, adding that Amazon likely got "well ahead of this" by diversifying its supply chain outside of China. That's a strategy many Amazon sellers are also trying. Amazon did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Reviving U.S. manufacturing?

Some categories, like toys, have a long history of being manufactured in China and have thus far been exempt from tariffs. Jay Foreman started his career at a toy factory in Brooklyn, New York, about 40 years ago. Manufacturing migrated to China more than 30 years ago because of, "not only a tremendous workforce, but they've invested in the infrastructure to create a toy manufacturing supply chain," said Foreman, CEO of Basic Fun, which makes popular toys like Tonka Trucks, Care Bears, Lincoln Logs, Tinker Toys, and Lite-Brite. "Whether you're making a Tonka Truck in China or an Apple iPhone, they figured it out. They're making quality product there and it's tough to replicate elsewhere," Foreman said.

Workers making Care Bears at a factory in Ankang, China. CNBC

A lot of toy manufacturing moved to Vietnam, Mexico and India in the last five years because of China tariffs during Trump's first term, Foreman said. But many of the toy factories there are also owned by Chinese companies, he said. "So you're sort of not escaping doing business with the Chinese," Foreman said. Other product categories, like teas, can't easily be grown in the U.S. because of the climate. "You need high humidity. Usually you need to be at a very high altitude. And those things only come together in certain parts of the world, " said James Fayal, who runs high-energy tea brand Zest. With its green tea grown in coastal China and black tea in India, Fayal said he'll have to pass the cost on to consumers because he doesn't have a U.S. option. For the brands that do manufacture in the U.S., the tariffs are creating a competitive advantage, those companies said. "Put our products side by side to a competitor's that is getting it overseas and it's a night and day difference," said Dayne Rusch of Vyper Industrial. Vyper's American-made stools and other shop equipment range in price from $350 to $650 while foreign-made alternatives can sell for less than $40, Rusch said. At the National Hardware Show in March, Rusch said he was approached by many vendors asking if Vyper would consider manufacturing their products. "There's a huge opportunity for OEM manufacturers to start taking on more work from these people that were purchasing overseas and start making it here in the United States," Rusch said. The other sells that spoke to CNBC said it's not financially feasible to relocate manufacturing to the U.S., even though it would allow them to avoid tariffs. Some, like William Su, are moving manufacturing completely out of China, but staying overseas. Su set up a factory for his Teamson brand in Vietnam in reaction to China tariffs during Trump's first term. He's now in talks to manufacture in India. Trump hit both countries with significant tariffs last week, although they're temporarily on hold. Surrounded by her colorful baby products in California, Kenney told CNBC she considered opening her own manufacturing site. "But that's way over my head and out of my budget," she said. "I would love to be able to manufacture in the U.S., but the truth is that the infrastructure is not there." With fewer factories in the U.S. than in China, Kenney said the cost to make her products domestically would be double or triple what she pays now. "The people in China are hungry for the work," she said. "They'll get back to you right away. They make sure you get your shipments right away. They're on it."

Ending 'de minimis'

There is one tariff announcement Trump made that's a boon for U.S-based sellers like Kenney: closing the loophole known as "de minimis." This exemption allowed orders under $800 to avoid paying duties and taxes, and it's what made absurdly low prices possible on direct-from-China sites like Temu, Alibaba and Shein. U.S. Customs and Border Protection said it processed more than 1.3 billion de minimis shipments in 2024, up from over 1 billion shipments in 2023. Chinese sellers send small orders directly to U.S. customers to keep shipments under the $800 limit. U.S. sellers like Kenney don't often qualify for de minimis because they ship in large quantities by the pallet, bringing products to their warehouses for quality checks instead of shipping straight to customers from Chinese factories. Kenney used to sell her most popular product, a set of six silicone baby spoons, for $9.99 on Amazon. She's reduced the price to $7.99 to compete with knockoffs that sell for as low as $3 on Temu. "I've even had them rip off all of my photos and content that I've created and use it to sell their knockoff products," Kenney said.

Dusty Kenney showed CNBC some of her PrimaStella brand kids feeding products she sells on Amazon, at her warehouse in San Rafael, California, on March 25, 2025. Katie tarasov
Amy Brooks as Sister Aloysius and Emory John Collinson as Father Flynn in Doubt: A Parable by Springs Ensemble Theatre. Courtesy Springs Ensemble Theatre
Advertising can be tricky when the law bans your product. The very page youre reading advertises weapons-grade plutonium (Pu-239 chiefly, with a little Pu-240 mixed in), but we are forced to disguise that, calling it something else, such as the Disney Pixie Dust Pass.

But no product was always illegal. And before that products ban was in place, people could freely sell the stuff, with the customer completely unaware of the consequences.

6 Chlorine Gas: The Cure for the Common Cold Oakland Tribune People already knew chlorine gas was deadly before this 1925 ad. The military manufactured the stuff as a weapon, in such facilities as one chemical plant in Maryland. But during the pandemic following the 1918 flu, doctors noticed that workers at this Maryland plant didnt suffer from the flu as badly as people in general. Today, we still dont know why those workers fared so well. Maybe it was because they had jobs, so they were hardier than the average person in town. But the theory at the time credited incidental exposure to chlorine. This resulted in a few dubious experiments to confirm that chlorine really can be good for the lungs, followed by the release of the product above, the Chlorine Kilacold Bomb. It was an ampoule of chlorine that you could inhale to purportedly relieve and even cure respiratory illnesses, including the common cold. The product eventually got shut down for claiming to be absolutely harmless, which is something you cant claim about a cheeseburger, much less chlorine gas. Later still, we proved for certain just how bad even the 0.35-gram dose of the stuff was, but for a while, people really did breathe it in for relief. The ad is also telling the truth about Calvin Coolidge using it. Rather than healing his respiratory problems, this made them worse, ultimately killing him.

5 Formaldehyde for Your Milk Milk isnt so fun to drink once it goes chunky. The bacteria in the stuff can also kill you when they get really organized, so people have long tried to figure out how to keep milk drinkable for longer. Advertisement Storing milk somewhere cold helps, as people learned early on through trial and error. Late in the 19th century, milk sellers discovered an additional solution. Just before milk went sour, they could pour in a little embalming fluid. Embalming fluid keeps flesh from decaying, so it did the same for food, while also adding a touch of sweetness that covered up what sourness had already formed. The chemical formaldehyde was marketed as Preservaline in the above ad from 1898. While it did appear to keep milk from going bad, formaldehyde was itself toxic, as eventually became clear when loads of kids started dying. Indiana banned Preservaline early in the 20th century, and the 1906 Pure Food and Drug Act enforced the ban nationwide. Luckily, people soon discovered a new process for keeping milk safe. It was called pasteurization, and until this point, everyone assumed it was only good for treating wine.

4 The Promise of Lead Paint Country Gentleman You knew that lead paint was once a thing. But given that even paint manufacturers were starting to warn about lead poisoning as early as 1905, maybe you didnt expect to see the stuff advertised quite the way the above 1939 ad handled it. And this isnt even an ad being made by any specific paint brand. It comes from a lead trade organization, hoping to push the broad concept of lead paint to raise the demand for lead. Advertisement It took till 1977 for the United States to ban lead paint. Generations that grew up licking the stuff are still alive and running the country, and if you look closely, you can still see bits of brain matter leaking out their ears each day.

3 Beer: Great for Children! Brookston Beer Bulletin Laws on selling alcohol to children go back surprisingly far. In Washington state, they passed a law stopping vendors from selling alcohol to minors all the way back in 1877. Violators could face a $500 fine, which is around $15,000 in todays money. Advertisement Advertisement However, just because a store couldnt sell a child a keg didnt mean that private individuals would be penalized for splitting a drink with a beloved grandchild. And so, we get this 1906 ad, urging you to cultivate the Rainier Beer habit in your children from an early age. Sure, drunkenness may lead all sorts of danger, but a little supervised drinking never hurt anyone. Tell someone back then that the letter of the law would one day forbid a little girl and her grandfather from sharing glasses of healthful malt tonic while in the privacy of their home, and theyd think you were mad.

2 Just Plain Heroin Monthly Cyclopaedia and Medical Bulletin Heroin, of course, began as a medicine because opioids dont just grow on trees. They grow on poppies, and it then takes chemical processing to turn them into something so pure as heroin. Advertisement Much like morphine, heroin promised powerful pain relief, but heroin originally claimed an advantage: It wasnt addictive. That claim didnt prove true in the end, but for a while, it seemed so safe that you could even take it for diseases like bronchitis or asthma, the sort of conditions that one day would be instead treated using chlorine gas. This 1914 ad, targeting doctors, advised about the correct dosage for heroin. Sure, an adult could take a teaspoon every few hours  we can all relate to that. But for tweens, a mere half teaspoon or less would be more appropriate. Children younger than that should receive just a handful of drops of heroin. If nothing else, it would shut them up for the evening.
In the movie Saturday Night, the shows first host, George Carlin, proves himself to be quite the a-hole, snorting coke in his dressing room, refusing at the last minute to appear in sketches and eating Billy Crystals props.

Even by Carlins own admission, Saturday Night didnt stray far from the truth. The comedian performed the wrong bits during SNLs first live show, plugged his album when he was asked not to and visibly ground his jaw on live television due to an excess of cocaine.

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All of the antics had to gall Lorne Michaels. Even though Carlin was a stand-up superstar in 1975, he wasnt the producers first choice for the shows inaugural host. The comedian was slightly older than us, a little more jazz-influenced, a little different music, Michaels said later, according to Lorne: The Man Who Invented Saturday Night Live.

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Michaels also didnt want to kick off his show with his friend Paul Simon, even though that would have been a natural choice. The reason had to do with the first pancake theory  the first one is never quite as good as the ones that come after. I thought (the first Saturday Night) might be a disaster, Michaels said. And its always been a strategy of mine to try to make the second show hotter than the first, because you want the ratings and the word of mouth to go up, and I thought Paul could do that.

So if not Carlin or Simon, who did Michaels want to host the inaugural show? That was Tommy Smothers, a comedy hero of Michaels from his days as a writer on Laugh-In.

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While Laugh-In went for counterculture comedy with its psychedelic sets and jokes about womens lib, its daring only went so far. But The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour was the real deal, inviting Pete Seeger to sing protest songs and constantly hammering political leaders for the U.S. involvement in Vietnam. Michaels and Tommy Smothers both used the same phrase to describe the comedy they favored: What was happening in the streets. Michaels made friends with a couple of Smothers writers, Rob Reiner and Steve Martin, and felt like he was stuck on the wrong show.

But what Michaels admired is what got Smothers fired. CBS canceled The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour due to the shows refusal to back away from counterculture comedy. By 1975, Michaels reasoned, the world was ready for Smothers to give it another go on late-night television.

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So how did Michaels end up with Carlin instead? Tommy Smothers turned down the invitation to be Saturday Nights first host. He was still so angry about his experience at CBS that he refused to return to television in any form. The anger must have subsided over time because the Smothers Brothers agreed to host the show in 1982, a year in which Michaels was away from the show.

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Instead, it was Carlin who said yes, cementing his place in Saturday Night Live history.
Despite the fact that its interior is as confounding as the Overlook Hotel and Jerry Seinfelds physics-defying bachelor pad, fans still love the titular abode from Full House.

After all, how many TV houses have enough room for a single father, his three kids, his brother-in-laws entire family, plus a stand-up comedian who, despite the wacky puppets and nonstop Popeye impressions, could be a total buzzkill at times.

While the original show and its depressing Netflix sequel were obviously filmed on soundstages, the exterior establishing shots utilized a real Victorian house, which is located at 1709 Broderick Street in San Francisco.

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Once owned by Full House creator Jeff Franklin, until he sold it in 2020, last year the building was again put on the market, this time for a whopping $6.5 million. As we pointed out at the time, this likely would have priced out Danny Tanner, even with his staggering number of roommates.

Well, now the house has sold for under the original asking price: just $6 million even. What a bargain!

That being said, living in the Full House house comes with a big string attached. Fans of the 90s sitcom routinely flock to the location, and have been a regular annoyance for residents of the street. As Realtor.com reported in 2017, the house saw 1,000 visitors or more on weekend days leaving the sidewalks littered with trash and rendering parking next to impossible. Franklin, the owner at the time, fielded neighbors complaints that the street had become a mob scene. (Presumably these tourists ignored homeowners pleas to cut it out.)

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Things were no better in 2018, with one resident claiming that the attention had become a nightmare for those who live here. Due to crowding and blocked driveways, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agencys Board of Directors eventually voted to ban tour buses and other commercial vehicles that seat more than nine people from the area. But as The San Francisco Chronicle pointed out, that solution runs the risk of encouraging more people to drive to the house, which would be be far worse for neighborhood traffic and congestion.

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And in addition to the in-person attention, the houses pop-culture fame led to a 2022 incident in which it was fraudulently listed for sale on Zillow for $37 million.

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That being said, the number of people who visit the house has no doubt declined since the reboot was canceled by Netflix. And for all we know, the deep-pocketed mystery buyer is a Full House superfan who will relish the attention from like-minded tourists.

And if they dont, they can always just poke their head out and yell at everybody like the guy who currently lives in Carrie Bradshaws apartment.
This article contains spoilers for Episode Four of The Studio.

This weeks episode of Seth Rogens Hollywood satire The Studio found perpetually awkward Continental Studios head Matt Remick investigating a mystery involving a missing reel of film. The footage was seemingly stolen from the set of director Olivia Wildes new movie, an obvious Chinatown rip-off.

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After donning a trench coat and fedora, breaking into trailers and disguising himself as a Chateau Marmont server, Matt eventually cracks the case and discovers that the reel was, in fact, stolen by Wilde herself! It seems that she was unhappy with the footage they shot for one sequence and came up with a scheme to convince Remick to pay for the pricey reshoots.

Some have interpreted this episodes twist ending as a meta-nod to Wildes real-life on-set drama during the production of 2022s Dont Worry Darling. But its also possible that Rogen and his collaborators took inspiration from an actual story involving a famous filmmaker who successfully pulled off a similar scheme back in the 70s: Elaine May.

Before she helmed the unfairly-maligned Ishtar and the wonderful (but sadly unavailable) The Heartbreak Kid, the comedy legend made her directorial debut with 1971s A New Leaf. May also co-starred in the dark comedy along with Walter Matthau, playing a wealthy heiress who marries an aspiring murderer.

But that production ended with May suing Paramount, after the film was taken away from her and re-edited by studio head Robert Evans, even though her contract gave her final cut. She lost the case, but had to deal with Paramount yet again while making 1976s Mikey and Nicky starring Peter Falk and John Cassavettes.

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Again, the studio tried to take control of the movie despite the fact that she was granted final cut. As recounted in Carrie Courogens Miss May Does Not Exist: The Life and Work of Elaine May, Hollywood's Hidden Genius, May responded by making the bold-as-fuck decision to sell the movie to an unknown production company called Alyce Films for 90 grand. Paramount sued her for breach of contract, she countersued, and it was eventually revealed that Alyce Films was a fake company fronted by Falk and some of Mays other friends.

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She lost the case, and New York sheriffs with guns drawn were sent in to retrieve the movie, which they did, only to discover that two reels of film were missing. May and her husband David Rubinfine were then charged with criminal contempt.

It seems that May had Rubinfine hide the film with a friend in Connecticut, where New York sheriffs had no jurisdiction, and eventually they were returned. Although May has refused to take credit for this inspiring act of artistic defiance, only admitting that someone took the reels.

If Rogens show did take inspiration from this famous anecdote, obviously it was wildly distorted. The fictional Wildes actions were motivated by pettiness, and Rogens studio head got to be the hero  whereas Mays alleged actions were objectively awesome.
Having the chance to get in on the ground floor of one of the most unique and cult-beloved sitcoms of the 21st century sure would have been cool. Cool, cool, cool.

Despite the sad fact that neither he nor Community ever got their flowers from mainstream America during the shows initial run, Chicago-born actor and director Danny Pudis performance as Abed Nadir, the idiosyncratic, pop-culture-obsessed, fourth-wall-breaking brainiac of the greatest study group in sitcom history, is one of those iconic acting roles that becomes inseparable from the artist who nailed it. Just as no one else could have possibly been as perfect a fit for Frasier Crane as Kelsey Grammer and only Larry David could play Larry David on Curb Your Enthusiasm, Pudis portrayal of Abed is what made the character such an impactful part of Communitys legacy.

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However, similar to how Bob Odenkirk came close to landing The Office before Steve Carell sealed the deal, Pudi wasnt the only performer in the Community audition room who had a shot at an on-screen bromance with Childish Gambino. As stand-up star and actor Kumail Nanjiani recently revealed, he came in second place in the Abed sweepstakes, which, ironically, made him a perfect applicant for Greendale Community College admissions.

Nanjiani talked about his experience of auditioning for Community on the Lights Camera Barstool podcast, saying that he reached the final round where only a couple potential Abeds remained. The last two for Abed were me and Danny Pudi, Nanjiani recalled, lamenting of the near-miss. That would have been great.

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You audition, then I did the studio test, then the network test, which is very awkward, you go into a room like this, Nanjiani explained, gesturing to the small Barstool podcast studio, and theres just like eight people in suits sitting there, you do it for them. But the worst part of the Community casting process, Nanjiani revealed, was the aftermath. Not only did he fail to land the role, but he knew exactly what he was missing. Said Nanjiani of the network test, Before you do that, you sign the contract already, so Id already signed the contract, so I knew exactly how much money I didnt make for those like six years that it was on.

However, Nanjiani added, he has no hard feelings about missing out on Community, as even he knows that NBC made the right call when it came to casting. Danny, amazing, super nice guy, amazing in that role, way better than I would have been, Nanjiani praised of Pudi, though he admitted, But that was a real heartbreaker.

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Fortunately for Nanjiani, he would eventually break through into sitcom superstardom on the hit HBO series Silicon Valley in 2014, perfectly playing the selfish and cynical coder Dinesh Chugtai for six seasons. And, in Community Season Five, Nanjianis friend Dan Harmon did end up getting the comic onto the show when Nanjiani debuted as the surly custodian Lapari in the episode Analysis of Cork-Based Networking.

Still, getting to play Abed would have been the role of a lifetime, and now, Nanjiani is stuck acting in big-budget films that actually get made instead of waiting around for Harmon to finally start production on The Community Movie.
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With campus under two federal investigations into DEI-related claims, the decision to ban the use of diversity statements has been regarded by some as a concession made to the Trump administration.
Payments 4 Placements at Berkeley is a chapter of a national student-led labor movement which seeks solidarity amongst social work students who are required to complete unpaid field placements to graduate and calls for students to be paid for their degree-required internships. Contact the opinion desk at opinion@dailycal.org or follow us on X.
A former veterinarian has revealed why she ditched her respectable profession to move to Los Angeles to become a porn star.

Charlie Forde, 36, started her career as a physical therapist in Australia working in the intensive care unit of hospitals, before pivoting to become a veterinarian.

She first entered the adult industry while getting her degree as a way to make some extra money and quickly decided that she saw a more promising future for herself in porn than as a vet.

'Being a vet was so exhausting and we have six times the national suicide rate,' she told DailyMail.com.

'50 percent of vets leave within the first five years of graduating. It's such a demanding job,' she continued.

Charlie recalled her time studying at veterinarian school, where she battled sleepless nights and long hours for weeks at a time.

'I was doing 130 hours a week at my peak. I remember being on a placement where I was on call for every two hours, every other night of the week,' she recalled.

Former veterinarian Charlie Forde has revealed why she ditched her respectable profession to move to Los Angeles to become a porn star

'I was working so hard to pay to graduate, to sit my exams and to get grades that I wasn't surviving financially.'

Things got so bad that Charlie suffered a car accident after a long night, which is when she knew things had to change.

'I tried to figure out what I could do in order to pay my way through vet school and someone suggested that I actually try porn,' she shared.

'So porn gave me a space where I could drop euthanasia and angry clients and sad animals and I could just do something fun for a change.'

Charlie started her adult career in Australia before heading over to work in Europe, where she was eventually able to sign with the biggest porn agent in the business, Mark Spiegler.

'I realized that I was doing something right so I got a Visa for America and the rest is history,' she said.

In addition to working as an adult performer, she was able to start her own production company - which has led to multiple nominations at the AVN Awards, aka the 'Oscars of porn.'

The 36-year-old said that vets have a high suicide rate and work grueling hours

'Porn gave me a space where I could drop euthanasia and angry clients and sad animals and I could just do something fun for a change,' she said

'I love the process of producing and directing specifically. I mean, I love performing as well, but I think my heart is more so in the creation,' she gushed.

Charlie said that running her own company has helped her secure her future, but she's cautious about encouraging others to throw away their degrees for sex work like she did.

'I do well on OnlyFans, but the average amount of money made from an average person on OnlyFans is about $400 a month,' she said.

'So unless people are coming into OnlyFans with a business mind prepared to work full-time, be savvy with marketing and spend money to make money, they're never going to make big money,' she continued.

'I know people who are veterinarians who have OnlyFans and they don't make a lot of money, whereas I'm in a slightly different category because I built a name for myself in the adult industry.'

In addition to working as an adult performer, she was able to start her own production company - which has led to multiple nominations at the AVN Awards, aka the 'Oscars of porn'

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) recently stated that it has had to focus on reducing vet deaths by suicide in recent years because the rate is higher than that of the general public.

The admission follows the death of a 'talented' vet who killed himself with a drug used to euthanize pets after he became increasingly distressed at putting animals down.

Dr John Ellis, 35, from Winchester, was upset that pet owners with 'brand new' cars parked outside his surgery would not pay to help their animals and instead asked to put them down, an inquest heard last year.

The RCVS said in a statement: 'Research suggests that suicidal ideation is not higher in the veterinary profession compared to the general population.

'However, we recognise that the likelihood of completion is increased due to knowledge of and access to lethal means.

'As such, reducing instances of suicide in the veterinary profession has been an area of focus in many aspects of our work in recent years.'
Would you trade the chaos of modern life for a solar-powered cabin nestled in the forest?

With sweeping ocean views, a secret beach path, and a slice of coastal wilderness, many may soon be considering it as Australia's smallest hidden gem just quietly dropped onto the market.

Tucked away at the end of a 1.5km driveway through native bushland and perched above the sands of Roaring Beach on the Tasman Peninsula, 'The Headland' in Nubeena, Tasmania is the kind of place that only comes around once in a lifetime.

And it sure is turning heads with its $1.5million price tag.

'We've probably had over 90 inquiries so far,' the property's real estate agent Georgina Garity told FEMAIL.

Covering a whopping eight hectares (20 acres), this coastal sanctuary is surrounded by conservation land and towering sea cliffs on three sides.

The home was designed by the current owners, who coincidentally are the visionary minds behind award-winning retreats like The Little Black Shack in Mackerel Beach, Sydney and The Little Onsen Cabins in Japan.

'It's completely off grid,' Garity said.

Tucked away at the end of a 1.5km driveway through native bushland and perched above the sands of Roaring Beach on the Tasman Peninsula is The Headland

The centrepiece is a small handcrafted solar-powered day cabin tucked into the forest

The on-site cabin was designed by the current owners, who are the visionary minds behind award-winning retreats like The Little Black Shack in Mackerel Beach, Sydney and The Little Onsen Cabins in Japan

'There are solar panels, a generator or battery that powers the lights, a gas stove [with] drop toilets and composting toilets inside.'

Over the nine years that the owners have held the property, they have restored it to a comfortable hideaway equipped with homely furniture and a cosy fireplace.

'Now that our kids are older, settled in relationships and forging their own lives, we have decided to pass The Headland on to new caretakers so they can create their own dream here, and so we can explore more of the world,' the couple told realestate.com.au.

'We have spent the last eight years creating the perfect little escape.'

Further down the property is a private track that leads you straight from your cabin to one of Tasmania's most beloved surf beaches.

Roaring Beach, a favourite among local surfers, is on your doorstep and just a few headlands away is the world-famous Shipstern Bluff, a must-surf spot for thrill-seekers from around the globe.

Although the property certainly looks and feels very remote, it is situated just 90 minutes from Hobart.

Roaring Beach, a favourite among local surfers, is on your doorstep and just a few headlands away is the world-famous Shipstern Bluff, a must-surf spot for thrill-seekers from around the globe

The cosy cabin features solar panels, a generator or battery that powers the lights, a gas stove with drop toilets outside and composting toilets inside

Over the nine years that the owners have held the property, they have restored it to a comfortable escape equipped with homely furniture and a fireplace

Although the property certainly looks and feels very remote, it is situated just 90 minutes from Hobart

The closest township is Nubeena, about a 10 minute drive away, which has a general store, petrol station, and RSL as well as Tasman district school.

'The Headland' boasts panoramic views across Storm Bay, Bruny Island and Wedge Island, and access to some of Tasmania's finest produce, wineries too,' Garity said.

Whether you're a surfer, a stargazer, or simply someone chasing a quieter life, for the right person, this one is likely to be worth every penny.
After nearly a year of anticipation, Meghan Markle has finally unveiled her As Ever product line to the world - but was it really worth the wait?

The short answer: not really.

Now, let me just preface this by explaining that I really wanted to like these products. I actually think that Meghan has impeccable style, and, I'll admit, I did cave and buy her gel nail polish colors off her new ShopMy page.

I have been excited for the launch ever since she sent my idol, Kris Jenner, a jar of her homemade jam last year under the old brand name American Riviera Orchard.

And, after watching With Love, Meghan on Netflix, I was looking forward to the product launch even more.

After seeing that gorgeous, rented kitchen on TV, I was waiting to 'mimic the magic of Montecito' in my New York City studio apartment, as she promised in her recent newsletter.

FEMAIL managed to get our hands on all eight sold-out products to put them to the test - including the oversold wildflower honey that was nearly impossible to buy.

It was the last item in our order to arrive, despite expediting it.

After nearly a year of anticipation, Meghan Markle has finally unveiled her As Ever product line to the world - but was it really worth the wait?

FEMAIL managed to get our hands on all eight sold-out products to put them to the test - including the oversold wildflower honey that was nearly impossible to buy

After seeing that gorgeous, rented kitchen on TV, I was waiting to 'mimic the magic of Montecito' in my New York City studio apartment, as she promised in her recent newsletter

But, as we tested of the products in her As Ever line, nothing really stood out as especially worth it or special.

We felt like the baking mixes were tedious and difficult to make, while the jam proved to be more of a dessert sauce than a raspberry spread.

So without further ado, here is FEMAIL's official ranking as we share what's actually worth buying, and what you can leave behind in a shopping cart in Montecito.

8. Herbal Hibiscus Tea, $12

By far the worst product that The Duchess is selling under the As Ever brand, according to DailyMail.com, is her hibiscus tea.

In fact, we felt so strongly about it, that we would recommend she completely stop making this kind of tea and pivot to a new flavor.

The tea arrived in a cute, 0.9oz can complete with the signature gold branding and palm tree logo, and came with 12 sachets.

The one highlight of this product was the sachets it came in, which appeared to be packaged in chic nylon baggies, giving it an elevated look compared to regular paper tea bags that you would find in everyday brands.

By far the worst product that The Duchess is selling under the As Ever brand is her hibiscus tea

Before we even took a sip, the tea had turned a bright red color, which was quite unappetizing, as it looked like the color of red 40 dye

On the back of the jar, Meghan shared that she liked to let the tea steep in a mason jar outside in the sun, but unfortunately, since we're in a corporate office and not a sprawling California backyard, we didn't get the chance to do that.

However, we did follow the rest her directions, as we poured boiling water into a mug and let the tea bag steep for seven minutes.

Unfortunately, we wished we had stopped there.

Before we even took a sip, the tea had turned a bright red color, which was rather alarming.

The tea itself was extremely bitter tasting with heavy notes of floral, with one taste tester comparing it to 'drinking lip balm.'

'It tasted like dirty dishwater,' one FEMAIL writer shared. 'All the flavor was in the smell, somehow. It was the idea of a flavor.'

Some of us couldn't even bear to swallow it, and one person even spat it back into the cup.

Safe to say, FEMAIL was not a fan of the hibiscus tea, as it had a stronger scent than taste.

Some of us couldn't even bear to swallow it, and one person even spit it back into the cup

7. Herbal Peppermint Tea, $12

The As Ever Herbal Peppermint Tea had all of the same features as the hibiscus tea, but just with a different flavor - it came in the same size box with 12 sachets.

Now, the Peppermint Tea wasn't necessarily as terrible as the hibiscus, but it had the same problem: it tasted like the idea of a mint tea.

When we held up the tea to your mouth before taking a sip, we were immediately hit with a huge whiff of peppermint, but the tea itself tasted pretty bland.

The tea failed to leave a peppermint flavor lingering in our mouths, and was just quite a weak taste all around.

6. Herbal Lemon Ginger Tea, $12

Similar to the other two teas, the Herbal Lemon Ginger Tea was lacking in strength, but it had the best flavor compared to the peppermint and hibiscus.

The Herbal Ginger Lemon Tea was definitely lighter on the lemon side and a bit heavier on the ginger, but not in a way that was overwhelming.

Similar to the other two teas, the Herbal Lemon Ginger Tea was lacking in strength, but it had the best flavor compared to the peppermint and hibiscus

It tasted like a nice blend of the two ingredients, but again, it wasn't super flavorful.

It definitely wasn't terrible, but we think that for $12, there are definitely other teas to consider.

However, if Meghan were to keep one tea out of the three, she should definitely stick with this one.

We drank it hot, but it would taste nice with some ice in it during the summer, too.

5. Flower Sprinkles, $15

Okay, if you've watched even one minute of Meghan's show on Netflix, you would know that flower sprinkles are her thing, perhaps even more than 'her jam.'

Throughout the series, she loves to put these sprinkles, which are essentially a colorful mix of dried-out flower pieces, on everything.

And, not only did Meghan use the flower sprinkles to top her frosted donuts and yogurt parfaits, but she also used it to garnish tea sandwiches and crudite platters.

Okay, if you've watched even one minute of Meghan's show on Netflix, you would know that flower sprinkles are her thing, perhaps even more than 'her jam'

And, not only did Meghan use the flower sprinkles to top her frosted donuts and yogurt parfaits, but she also used it to garnish tea sandwiches and crudite platters

Since these sprinkles were really the star of With Love, Meghan, she decided to sell her own for $15.

The first thing that really struck us here was the price. You can find similar products on Amazon for under $10, or even on Etsy.

Meghan's are sold in a compact, gold 0.17g jar, with a clear top so that customers can immediately get a peek into the sprinkles.

It's worth noting that the package of sprinkles wasn't quite filled to the top, more like halfway.

The As Ever Flower Sprinkles come in a mix of red, yellow, orange and blue, but they look more like confetti than petals as they didn't seem to have much shape.

They smell floral, too, even though they're edible - almost the same exact scent as the hibiscus tea.

The flower sprinkles were fine, but they definitely didn't look as pretty as Meghan made them seem on the show. We felt like they were kind of unnecessary, and didn't 'elevate' anything to look much different than it already did.

If we didn't know any better, we would think the flower sprinkles were some kind of weird potpourri mix from the 1980s, like the ones your aunt probably keeps in her bathroom.

The As Ever Flower Sprinkles come in a mix of red, yellow, orange and blue, but they look more like confetti than petals as they didn't seem to have much shape

The flower sprinkles were fine, but they definitely didn't look as pretty as Meghan made them seem on the show

4. As Ever Crepe Mix, $14

Thankfully, Meghan also included some baked goods in her rolodex of As Ever products, like this $14 crepe mix that she said 'remind her of her time backpacking through France as a student.'

'Biting into these streetside thin pancakes - filled with chocolate, fruit, fresh lemon and powdered sugar, or made savory with ham and cheese - they truly are a canvas for flavor. I wanted to bring that memory and experience to you at home. (Also, they're so easy to make!)' she wrote in a recent newsletter.

Um, excuse me, Megs - we beg to differ.

We're not sure if it was our lack of baking skills or the recipe itself, but we ran into a ton of trouble.

Making the batter itself was easy, as all we needed to add was one large egg, one cup and two tablespoons of water, and two tablespoons of melted butter.

However, the batter was extremely thick and sticky, meaning that every time we tried to scoop some onto the hot pan, it got stuck on our spoon.

It was also hard to thin out these crepes once they hit the pan, and they came out much thicker than normal.

Making the batter itself was easy, as all we needed to add was one large egg, one cup and two tablespoons of water, and two tablespoons of melted butter

Maureen Callahan described the final product as something that 'resulted in a flavor and mouthfeel most akin to undercooked pancakes.'

Besides their yummy vanilla smell, it was overall a sticky, messy, and frankly gross thing to whip up - at least, for us.

When another DailyMail.com colleague attempted to make the mix, they also had some difficulty.

One person said it took them about six tries to get it right.

Columnist Maureen Callahan described the final product as something that 'resulted in a flavor and mouthfeel most akin to undercooked pancakes.'

Other taste testers described the flavors as 'nothing special' and 'bland,' suggesting that it would be easier and tastier to make them from scratch.

'It's like they're either undercooked or burnt and no in between,' one Daily Mail writer said.

3. Raspberry Spread in Keepsake Packaging, $14

Of course, the piece de resistance of this entire launch was Meghan's Raspberry Spread, which came in a special Keepsake Packaging for $14 in the first drop.

Of course, the piece de resistance of this entire launch was Meghan's Raspberry Spread, which came in a special Keepsake Packaging for $14 in the first drop.

As for the taste, it's extremely sweet - and we mean really sweet. It is reminiscent of a sugary, raspberry dessert sauce rather than a jam or spread that's meant to be eaten on a piece of toast

The confection, which Meghan has cheesily described as 'her jam' many times, has had much hype surrounding the launch, as she sent 50 jars last year to famous friends such as Chrissy Teigen under the company's former name, American Riviera Orchard.

But make no mistake - her brand has now been rebranded to As Ever, and the company claims that the raspberry fruit spread 'is inspired by the recipe Meghan crafted in her home kitchen.'

The Duchess previously explained in an episode of her Netflix show that her preserves can't technically be called jam, because 'jam is equal parts sugar and fruit.'

'I just don't think you can taste the fruit that way,' she suggested on the show.

Per Food & Wine, jam is regulated by the FDA, and it must come from a single fruit, containing at least 45 percent fruit and 55 percent sugar.

However, despite all the hype surrounding the product, FEMAIL was not impressed.

Immediately upon opening the jar, we were taken aback by its texture. The spread was very liquid and quite thin - a bit 'loose,' if you will. If we hadn't known better, we'd have thought it melted during its expedited journey to us.

That being said, it is described by the brand as including a hint of lemon and a 'fluid texture.'

Typically, a jar of jam is thicker and sticks together, whereas when we stuck our spoon into Meghan's raspberry spread, its consistency dripped off the silverware like a sauce. It was unappealing to say the least

The flavor was also surprisingly strong, which meant we could taste the sour lemon in the spread, which Meghan had promised in the product's description

Typically, a jar of jam is thicker and sticks together, whereas when we stuck our spoon into Meghan's raspberry spread, its consistency dripped off the silverware like a sauce. It was unappealing to say the least.

As for the taste, it's extremely sweet - and we mean really sweet. It is reminiscent of a sugary, raspberry dessert sauce rather than a jam or spread that's meant to be eaten on a piece of toast.

The flavor was also surprisingly strong, which meant we could taste the sour lemon in the spread, which Meghan had promised in the product's description.

After trying it by the spoonful, which left us grimacing from the sweetness, we spread some on a toasted piece of sourdough, which is where things began to take a turn for the worse.

It was difficult to eat the spread with the toast, as it was so thin that it dribbled everywhere and made a mess. Our once nicely toasted piece of bread became a sopping wet disaster after just a few minutes.

Drizzled over vanilla ice cream, a piece of pie, or a big stack of pancakes, the spread may work, and may even shine. But on its own, or eaten as one would expect to be able to enjoy jam, the product crumbled, or rather dripped, under the pressure.

2. Limited-edition Wildflower Honey with Honeycomb

FEMAIL was lucky enough to get our hands on Meghan's limited-edition, $28 Wildflower Honey with Honeycomb, a product that was so popular, it accidentally oversold.

FEMAIL was quite divided on this product - while some of us thought it was great, others didn't like the 'waxy' taste of the honeycomb

IL was lucky enough to get our hands on Meghan's limited-edition, $28 Wildflower Honey with Honeycomb, a product that was so popular, it accidentally oversold

The precious jar of honey was the last thing to arrive in our order, and came packaged in a 9oz jar with the signature As Ever branding on it.

FEMAIL was quite divided on this product - while some of us thought it was great, others didn't like the 'waxy' taste of the honeycomb.

One thing's for sure, though, is that it definitely leaves a super strong wildflower aftertaste in your mouth.

Though, overall, we think that the honey deserves second place, as it was pretty tasty and non-offensive. The honeycomb made it feel more decadent, even though it was a bit plastic tasting.

In terms of Meghan's offerings, this is the one that felt the most luxe - something we think she should stick with.

But for $28, you're probably better off finding some honey at your local farmer's market.

1. Shortbread Cookie Mix With Flower Sprinkles, $14

Now, for the grand finale and ultimate winner - the shortbread cookie mix with flower sprinkles.

She instructs to add two sticks of softened butter to the mix, and then let the dough chill in the fridge for a minimum of one hour

Although we burned the first batch, the dough made a lot of cookies, the rest of which we baked to golden-brown perfection

These cookies were definitely a home run, as everyone from our team thoroughly enjoyed them.

While we admit that the dough was quite annoying (actually, really annoying) to make - involving a one-hour chill time in the fridge and sharp flower sprinkles, the end result was the most worth it out of all the products that Meghan sells.

She instructs to add two sticks of softened butter to the mix, and then let the dough chill in the fridge for a minimum of one hour.

The dough was easy enough to mix up, but it was so hard to mold as it kept crumbling in our hands, which ended up being covered in slippery butter by the end.

However, the slightly tedious process was worth it, as the shortbread cookie was pretty tasty.

Although we burned the first batch, the dough made a lot of cookies, the rest of which we baked to golden-brown perfection.

The cookies tasted like any other shortbread cookie, nice and light and very buttery.

They were also very soft, which we appreciated, and they stayed extremely fresh overnight.

All in all, Meghan's As Ever line is nothing to write home about. It's fine, but definitely not worth the price tag unless you're a Meghan Markle fan

The final result truly tasted like a perfect shortbread cookie. This fun mix was where Meghan really shined.

It wasn't anything special, but it would be fun to make if you have little kids, as the packet of flower sprinkles poured into the dough add a fun and whimsical touch, even though it looks like potpourri.

The final verdict

All in all, Meghan's As Ever line is nothing to write home about. It's fine, but definitely not worth the price tag unless you're a Meghan Markle fan.

A handful of the products, like the hibiscus tea, flower sprinkles and raspberry spread, miss the mark. Those items can definitely be improved in the next launch if Meghan continues with the line.

But besides those standouts, everything else is just okay. It's not good, it's not bad, it's just fine.

A lot of the products are things that we've all seen before, and FEMAIL agrees that we wouldn't purchase any of these products again, including the shortbread cookies, even though they were the tastiest out of the bunch.

Meghan might want to work on a re-brand going forward - what about an exclusive As Ever picnic basket filled with things to make a children's birthday party sparkle, as she demonstrated in the Netflix episode filmed with comedian Mindy Kaling? Or a baked donut mix with a vanilla glaze as seen on TV?

But hey, what do we know? After all, jam is her jam.

As Ever,

FEMAIL
How much would you shell out for a trendy tote bag?

It used to be something shoppers could pick up for less than 1, but trendy, branded bags are becoming increasingly popular - and expensive - with some seen on the British high street, such as the Notting Hill shopping bag, retailing for upwards of 25.

And now British shoppers are desperate to get their hands on the one bag that isn't for sale in the UK - and forking out up to 1,000 for it.

The Trader Joe's Tote Bag, which sells at the US supermarket for less than $3, is being sold online for more than $1000.

Trader Joe's viral mini tote bags returned to the American grocery chain's shelves earlier this month, alongside four new pastel colours of pink, blue, green and purple.

They gained popularity last year thanks to TikTok, with customers rushing to stores to get their hands on the colourful canvas bags.

Footage shows keen shoppers queuing up for hours to get their hands on one of the bags

Resellers listed the bags on platforms like eBay, Poshmark and Facebook Marketplace for up to three times the original US$2.99 price tag at the time.

The same phenomenon is taking place now, but for even more eye-wateringly high prices, as some reports say the bags have been listed for well over $1,000 on resale sites.

Trader's Joe totes are now the hottest accessory on the British high street - with UK-based fans willing to fork out up to 1,000 on the newest pastel-coloured variant released by the American supermarker

Trader's Joe has given its viral mini tote bags a colourful upgrade after the sell-out success of its original versions last year

A past version of the tote bag has been increasingly spotted on the shoulders of Londoners - everywhere from the Tube to trendy cafes

The bag isn't even available on UK shelves, but is an increasingly common sight on London IT girls.

According to People, bags were listed on eBay for as much as US$1,600.

While some listings have since been changed and the price brought down to a more reasonable level, one eBay listing for a pink Trader Joe's mini tote bag remains at a whopping US$999.

Some listings are cheaper, but would still make jaws drop. A set of all four pastel tote bags is available on eBay at US$400.

At first glance, the cotton-polyester-blend tote bags are nothing special.

They are white with handles that come in different colours, with the iconic Trader Joe's circular logo stitched into the middle of the bag.

They are far from a luxury item, too, coming from the popular neighbourhood grocery store chain beloved by urban mille mnnials.

Yet their appeal is seemingly ubiquitous; a past version of the tote bag with navy blue straps is being increasingly spotted on the shoulders of Londoners - everywhere from the Tube to trendy cafes.

The highly sought-after mini tote bags sell for under US$3, but have been seen on resale sites for inflated prices, reportedly as high as US$1,600

One American living in London said this style phenomenon should 'be studied' in a TikTok video, adding 'it really makes me giggle'.

'I'm really curious to know how they got so popular here,' Tiktok creator @poshgalkimmy said.

Her clip included multiple shots of people in London carrying their Trader's Joe bags as they waited for buses, on the train, and during shopping trips.

One user replied to Kimmy and told her his wife got three bags on resell app Vinted because she felt the quality was better 'than your average tote'.

Another said: 'I love Trader Joes and I love the bags - they are such good quality! Got my first in California when I did a big shop in TJs and then another in NYC because I just wanted another one.'

The mini tote bags join other highly popular tote bags in recent years, such as the iconic tote bag by Daunt Books, seen on the shoulders of celebrities like Benedict Cumberbatch and Emily Ratajkowski, or the New Yorker tote bag featuring the publication's instantly recognisable font.

The virality of merchandise from brands like Trader Joe's stems from a desire to be a part of a moment in pop culture, experts say.

Personal stylist Deborah Sheridan-Taylor tells FEMAIL that the phenomenon of reselling simple tote bags for hundreds of dollars simply comes down to supply and demand.

The grocery chain's mini tote bags have been seen on resale platforms like eBay for hundreds more dollars than it retails for

'What was once a low-cost item, becomes a coveted piece mainly because of exclusivity and perceived value,' she explains.

'As demand skyrockets, the price inflates. At this point it's no longer just about the material or functionality of the bag; it becomes a cultural trophy, a way to signal social status or an association with a particular movement or brand.

'The value isn't tied to the actual bag, but rather to the status of owning one

'And yes, people are willing to spend significant amounts, because for some it's not just a bag, it's a piece of internet culture, a symbol of clout and an instant entry ticket into a particular social sphere.'

More widely, tote bags have outgrown their initial status as a purely practical item. Freddie Newman, cultural researcher at The Fifth, explains how interest around tote bags first began to grow when plastic bag charges came into force.

'Suddenly, the bag you carried was important,' he says. 'This has accelerated over the years and now, along with a renewed appetite for branded merchandise, has become a way to express our identity to the world.

'In terms of virality, it of course demonstrates the power of social media. It also highlights a shift in how we define style and status too - as Trader Joe's tote bags signal a kind of cultural cache, they are ways to project taste, through an everyday, functional item,' Newman adds.

Sheridan-Taylor traces the appeal of tote bags to Anya Hindmarch's 'I'm Not A Plastic Bag' tote in 2007, which quickly became a cult classic.

Emily Ratajkowski walks her dog Colombo on the streets of New York in July 2023. Whether the woman behind her is star-spotting or impressed by her Daunt Books tote is anyone's guess

'It symbolised environmental consciousness, while also tapping into the growing desire for bags that carried a message, not just a logo,' she says.

'Owning such tote bags often reflects a person's awareness of current trends, cultural engagement, and in some cases, social status.

'Carrying a Trader Joe's mini tote might signal a connection to a beloved brand and a sense of humour, while a Hermes Birkin conveys affluence and a taste for timeless luxury.

'These bags serve as personal statements showcasing individual values, affiliations and aspirations. I have the original Trader Joe's tote bag from the 80s - who knew it would become such a wardrobe icon!'
Jade Jensen, 27, couldn't have imagined the 'crazy' turn of events in the lead up to, and on the day of, her wedding.

For a year Jade, from Adelaide, had meticulously planned all the details for her dream day in March, locking in accommodation, a DJ and catering immediately.

However just two weeks out the wheels started to come off, with one important cancellation snowballing into what can only be described as an unfortunate turn of events for the bride.

The former paramedic credits herself for being 'pretty chill' when it comes to stressful situations, and now a project manager, she's used to overseeing huge events.

'My hairdresser bailed, like, two weeks out,' Jade told FEMAIL.

Jade, who had no 'official' bridesmaids, had organised her hairdresser to do the hair for her and her interstate friends the morning of the wedding.

'She just said, "Sorry I can't get the day off work".'

And although Jade had arranged all the biggest parts of her wedding early, she underestimated just how many of the small details needed actioning too.

The bride (pictured) was opening up a bottle of champagne in front of her friends when the cork hit her at close range - directly in her forehead

Jade Jensen, 27, couldn't have imagined the 'crazy' turn of events in the lead up to, and on the day of, her wedding (pictured with her new husband'

The former paramedic credits herself for being 'pretty chill' when it comes to stressful situations, and now a project manager, she's used to overseeing huge events

'I should have probably taken leave the week of my wedding, but I didn't,' she said.

'I work in the mining industry, and we had a shutdown the week of my wedding so I was still flying up [and down] to finalise that project.'

'And because we had our wedding on our friend's farm and vineyard, there's obviously a lot more logistics that go into that than just your standard wedding venue.'

Overcoming last minute work and vendor stresses, Jade was hit another blow - quite literally - on the day of her nuptials.

Opening up a fancy bottle of champagne in front of her friends, the cork hit her at close-range, directly in her forehead.

'I was unwinding the cage and I was too busy talking and sort of looked down briefly and it's popped [hitting] me right in the forehead, which wasn't great,' she recalled.

Sharing a video on TikTok which has amounted a staggering 2.3million views, Jade detailed the series of events in excruciating detail.

'I ran over to the freezer to get an ice pack because I was worried - I just didn't want an egghead,' she said.

If that wasn't enough, Jade's dog Sassy tried to steal the show when it came to finally walking down the aisle

The canine then decided to put on even more of a show for guests by going for a 'number two' as they were just about to say their vows

'The makeup artist who was a nurse as well, she told me to take a Nurofen.'

'I went over to my medicine cabinet and I just picked up this, like, silver packet and popped two [pills].'

'It wasn't until a minute later I came back, and I was like, "Oh my gosh, what have I done?"'

Unknowingly, Jade had swallowed two Restavit tablets  a very strong and well-known antihistamine that has a side effect of severe sleepiness.

After bursting into tears Jade said she tried to vomit the tablets up to get them out of her system, but to not much avail.

Instead, she battled the extreme fatigue by drinking lots of coffee to keep herself awake for the 4pm nuptials.

If that wasn't enough, Jade's dog Sassy tried to steal the show when it came to finally walking down the aisle.

'She was so excited to see me, but she walked around the back of me and stood on my three meter veil and it ripped out the back of my head as I was walking down the aisle,' Jade said.

The canine then decided to put on even more of a show for guests by going for a 'number two' as they were just about to say their vows.

'I just laughed, because that's just so her, she just loves causing chaos.'

'Now I'm just glad I didn't book the honeymoon straight after it because I've needed two weeks of rest at home after all of that chaotic energy,' Jade said.
A tenant has sparked a heated feud with her landlord after he refused to let her boyfriend move into her one-bedroom apartment.

Alice, believed to be from the UK, thought she was doing the right thing by asking her landlord, known as 'Mr Carter', whether her partner Josh could move in with her.

'Dear Mr Carter, I hope you're well. I'm writing to ask if it would be possible for my partner, Josh, to move into the flat with me,' Alice's email read.

'As it's just a one-bedroom property, there wouldn't be any changes to the space or layout - he'd simply be sharing the rent and bills with me. I've always looked after the flat and kept up with my payments, and I can assure you that would continue.'

However, Mr Carter was not on board with the couple's request to live together.

'Dear Alice, thank you for your email. While I appreciate you letting me know, I'm afraid I can't agree to this request. The flat is let as a single-occupancy property and I intend to keep it that way,' he replied.

'I understand this may not be the response you were hoping for, but I must adhere to the terms we originally agreed upon.'

Confused by his response, Alice explained that her boyfriend moving in wouldn't 'affect' the landlord as she wasn't 'subletting or overcrowding' the unit.

A tenant has sparked a heated feud with her landlord after he refused to let her boyfriend move into her one-bedroom apartment (stock image)

'It's still just one bedroom, and we'd be sharing the bills, which would make things more manageable for me,' she explained in the email.

'I've always paid the rent on time, kept the property in excellent condition, and never caused any issues. Could you please explain why you're unwilling to allow this?'

In the UK and Australia, it's generally permissible for more than one person to live in a 'single-occupancy' property.

While there are no strict legal limit on occupancy in most states across Australia, the general rule of thumb is one person or a couple per bedroom.

Mr Carter explained that he understood the renter's 'perspective', but he put his reasoning down to 'tenancy agreement'.

'Tenancy agreement is clear: the flat is designated for single occupancy only. Adding another resident introduces complications I'm not comfortable with,' he claimed.

'It's nothing personal, but I have to stick to the original terms of our agreement. I hope you understand my position.'

Refusing to back down, Alice told the landlord she was struggling to understand where his excuse was coming from.

Alice, believed to be from the UK, thought she was doing the right thing by asking her landlord, known as 'Mr Carter', whether her partner Josh could move in with her

'I'm sorry, but I can't understand your position. This is my home, and it feels unfair that you're dictating who I can and can't live with,' she said.

'Josh is my partner, and sharing the flat with him wouldn't inconvenience you in any way. I'm finding it difficult to see how this is reasonable or fair treatment. I'd like you to reconsider, as this decision is making it impossible for me to feel at home here.'

However, Mr Carter made it clear his 'decision stands'.

'I'm sorry to hear you feel that way... As I mentioned, the tenancy agreement specifies single occupancy, and breaching those terms could result in voiding the tenancy altogether,' he explained.

'I'd advise you to carefully consider your options, as I can't allow another resident to move in.'

Shocked with his response, Alice furiously replied: 'Are you seriously saying you'd end my tenancy over this?

'I'm simply asking to live with my partner, which feels like a very reasonable request. This flat is my home, yet you're making it impossible to feel like it is. I may need to seek advice to understand whether your stance here is even legal,' she added.

The email exchange was re-shared via a video on social media by British property consultant Jack Rooke, who confirmed Alice 'did chase legal advice'.

Read the email exchange between tenant Alice and landlord Mr Carter ALICE: Dear Mr. Carter, I hope you're well. I'm writing to ask if it would be possible for my partner, Josh, to move into the flat with me,' Alice said in the email. As it's just a one-bedroom property, there wouldn't be any changes to the space or layout - he'd simply be sharing the rent and bills with me. I've always looked after the flat and kept up with my payments, and I can assure you that would continue. Please let me know your thoughts. Best regards, Alice. MR CARTER: Dear Alice, Thank you for your email. While I appreciate you letting me know, I'm afraid I can't agree to this request. The flat is let as a single-occupancy property and I intend to keep it that way. I understand this may not be the response you were hoping for, but I must adhere to the terms we originally agreed upon. Kind regards, Mr. Carter ALICE: Dear Mr. Carter, I'm a little confused by your response. Josh moving in wouldn't affect you at all - it's not like I'm subletting or overcrowding the flat. It's still just one bedroom, and we'd be sharing the bills, which would make things more manageable for me. I've always paid the rent on time, kept the property in excellent condition, and never caused any issues. Could you please explain why you're unwilling to allow this? Best regards, Alice MR CARTER: Dear Alice, I understand your perspective, but the tenancy agreement is clear: the flat is designated for single occupancy only. Adding another resident introduces complications I'm not comfortable with. It's nothing personal, but I have to stick to the original terms of our agreement. I hope you understand my position. Kind regards, Mr. Carter ALICE: Dear Mr. Carter, I'm sorry, but I can't understand your position. This is my home, and it feels unfair that you're dictating who I can and can't live with. Josh is my partner, and sharing the flat with him wouldn't inconvenience you in any way. I'm finding it difficult to see how this is reasonable or fair treatment. I'd like you to reconsider, as this decision is making it impossible for me to feel at home here. Best regards, Alice MR CARTER: Dear Alice, I'm sorry to hear you feel that way, but my decision stands. As I mentioned, the tenancy agreement specifies single occupancy, and breaching those terms could result in voiding the tenancy altogether. I'd advise you to carefully consider your options, as I can't allow another resident to move in. Kind regards, Mr. Carter ALICE: Dear Mr. Carter. Are you seriously saying you'd end my tenancy over this? I'm simply asking to live with my partner, which feels like a very reasonable request. This flat is my home, yet you're making it impossible to feel like it is. I may need to seek advice to understand whether your stance here is even legal. Best regards, Alice Advertisement

It's unclear what happened next but Jack confirmed Alice ended up seeking legal advice and it was 'still an ongoing dispute'.

'Alice comes across respectful so the email is perfect and it's reasonable,' he said.

'Heartless or justified? This landlord refuses to let a tenant share her flat with her boyfriend - even when it wouldn't cost him a penny.'

Many were divided over the email exchange, with one suggesting: 'This will just make her go behind his back because he'll move in regardless. He is lucky she even asked.'

'A contract is a contract. If it states it in their tenancy the landlord has every right to say no. I've got several properties. However, I wouldn't see it as a problem personally,' one landlord confessed.

'Sounds like he is losing a good tenant. His lose,' another said.

'As a landlord of a one-bedroom home, I get this. They always split up, you have dramas over the deposit, you have to get a new tenancy to get them in and then out. Read between the lines, we don't want to know,' one explained.

'I'm with the landlord on this. It's his house and his terms,' another added.

However, many admitted they wouldn't have bothered to ask their landlords about having a second person move in.
When Tom Hanks met his now-wife Rita Wilson in the Eighties, he was navigating a bitter divorce from Susan Dillingham after she cruelly separated him from their two children without warning.

Now new details of those tumultuous years have been revealed by their daughter E.A. Hanks in her memoir, in which the 42-year-old writer opened up about living with her abusive mother - who went by the stage name Samantha Lewes - after her parents' split.

In The 10: A Memoir of Family And The Open Road, E.A. said her life between the ages of five and 14 were 'filled with confusion, violence, deprivation, and love' as she endured increasingly frequent bouts of neglect and mistreatment at the hands of her mother.

E.A. believes that, although she was never diagnosed, Samantha struggled with bipolar disorder with episodes of 'extreme paranoia and delusion'.

The troubled actress died from bone cancer at the age of 49 and, in the wake of her mother's passing, E.A. set out on a six-month road trip to try and piece together a portrait of the woman she called 'mum'.

Crucial to the mystery was one of her mother's journal entries in which she claimed she saw E.A.'s late grandfather, John Raymond Dillingham, 'rape, murder, and cannibalise a little girl'.

'It wasn't a journal with dates,' she told People, 'but more stream of consciousness, spurts of what would occur to her'.

'And then I read her description of her father committing this horrible crime. The crime she describes is witnessing her father rape, murder and cannibalise a little girl.'

When Tom Hanks met his now-wife Rita Wilson in the Eighties, he was navigating a bitter divorce from Susan Dillingham (pictured) after she cruelly separated him from their two children without warning

Now new details of those tumultuous years have been revealed by their daughter E.A. Hanks in her memoir, in which the 42-year-old writer opened up about living with her abusive mother - who went by the stage name Samantha Lewes - after her parents' split. Pictured: Tom Hanks with his wife of 36 years Rita Wilson

If any of what Samantha was describing was true, E.A. added, her mother 'never stood a chance' - referring to the mental anguish she suffered towards the end of her life.

The discovery of the diary led E.A. on a quest to uncover her mother's complicated past, with Tom's only daughter documenting the journey in her searingly honest and moving memoir.

In a snippet from the book published by People, E.A. wrote she doesn't have too many memories of her parents - who wed in 1979 - 'in the same place at the same time'.

The Forrest Gump actor met his first wife - who was four years his senior - when they were both studying theatre at California State University in Sacramento.

They formed a friendship that quickly turned into more, as Tom and Samantha embarked on a whirlwind romance that led to the birth of their first child together - son Colin Hanks - out of wedlock in 1977.

Tom, 22 at the time, was stuggling to get his acting career off the ground when he, Samantha, and Colin moved into a cockroach-infested apartment in Manhattan in 1978.

Samantha and Tom finally tied the knot the following year and Elizabeth was born in 1982.

By then, their marriage had already begun crumbling as Tom's career was taking off and he began booking acting jobs that kept him away from his wife and children for longer and longer periods of time.

Tom legally separated from his first wife in 1985 before going public with Rita (above)

He was still married to Samantha when Rita guest-starred in one episode of Tom's cross-dressing ABC sitcom Bosom Buddies back in 1981.

When they reconnected while filming the 1985 film Volunteers, neither Tom nor Rita could deny their feelings for each other.

'Rita and I just looked at each other and - kaboing - that was that,' the 68-year-old actor said during an appearance on the BBC's Desert Island Discs in 2016. 'I asked Rita if it was the real thing for her, and it just couldn't be denied.'

Tom legally separated from his first wife in 1985 before their seven-year marriage ended in divorce two years later.

E.A. described her parents's relationship as 'two hurt kids trying to dig out of a well together' while reflecting on Tom's fractured upbringing.

The actor was born in Concord, California, a Navy town thirty miles east of San Francisco, to hospital worker Janet Marylyn and chef Amos 'Bud' Hanks.

After his parents divorced in 1960, Tom, his brother Larry, and sister Sandra went with their father to Reno, Nevada, while the couple's youngest child, son Jim, stayed with their mother.

Bud got officially divorced in the gambling mecca and four days later re-married. That marriage also ended in divorce after two years and Tom's father later tied the knot with a waitress at a Chinese restaurant.

In an interview with People, E.A. (above) described her parents's relationship as 'two hurt kids trying to dig out of a well together' while reflecting on Tom's fractured upbringing

'I was only five when we first started moving around. I just felt lonely; I felt abandoned in the dark', Tom said.

By the age of 10, Tom had lived in 10 homes in five different cities against the backdrop of his parents' remarriages.

'My dad was traumatised by his childhood and his family's divorce and a revolving door of stepparents and -siblings,' E.A. said of her father. 'The love that existed between my parents is two hurt kids trying to dig out of a well together.'

Samantha's parents - father John, who served in the US Marines, and mother Harriet Hall Dillingham, an elementary school teacher -were also separated by the time she met Tom.

Seven years after she married the actor, Samantha filed for divorce from Tom - with the Academy Award winner reflecting on 'sentencing my own kids to the sort of feelings I had at their age' in his Desert Island Discs interview.

Tom was dealt another blow when his ex-wife was awarded primary custody of the children, who were only allowed to spend time with their father on designated weekends and during their summer holidays.

After their divorce was finalised, Samantha packed up her life in Los Angeles and left for Sacramento with her children - something Tom didn't realise until he arrived to pick them up at school.

In her memoir, E.A. - who was five at the time - recalled how her heartbroken father had to 'track us down' after he realised they were no longer living in the same city.

The Forrest Gump actor, 68, with his daughter E.A.

'My dad came to pick us up from school and we're not there,' she wrote. 'And it turns out we haven't been there for two weeks and he has to track us down.'

In her memoir, which took her nearly a decade to write, E.A. said the Sacramento home they moved into had white columns, 'a backyard with a pool and a bedroom with pictures of horses plastered on every wall'.

However, as her mother's mental health condition worsened, the house felt into a state of neglect as E.A. recalled the backyard was piled high with 'dog s***t' and the air was always thick with the smell of smoke.

Samantha began spending 'more and more time in her big four-poster bed' and reading the Bible - leaving her children to fend for themselves.

'The fridge was bare or full of expired food more often than not, and my mother spent more and more time in her big four-poster bed, poring over the Bible,' E.A. described those difficult years - far removed from the glamorous life of a Hollywood 'nepo' baby.

E.A. was well into her 30s when she realised she hadn't been to a dentist on over 10 years, according to a report by the South China Morning Post.

Growing up, she continued, she had only been told to brush her teeth 'sporadically' - much less 'how or why I should'.

In her 352-page literary debut, the former Vanity Fair staffer also opened up about being abused by her late mother, writing: 'She pushed me, shook me, pulled at my hair and locked me in a closet once or twice.

Tom and Samantha's daughter E.A. said her life between the ages of five and 14 were 'filled with confusion, violence, deprivation, and love'

'She told me there were men hiding in her closet who were waiting for us to go to sleep to come out and do horrible things.'

By the age of 10, E.A. understood her mother wasn't well.

'The screaming was scarier. The food was more inconsistent. The degree to which she would pray and speak to God out loud - she used to be able to keep it together in public.

'That went very quickly.'

Page Six reported that the memoir book includes memories of her being woken up by Susan in the middle of the night to be told that 'yoga is the devil's work' during one of her episodes.

She claimed her mother would sometimes talk about 'dozens of miscarried babies, [E.A.s] lost siblings' who she would join in an 'eternal limbo'.

Samantha lost primary custody of her children after her 'emotional violence became physical violence' and she struck her 13-year-old daughter in the face.

She and Colin moved back to Los Angeles to live with Tom, Rita, and their two sons - Chet and Truman Hanks - when the child-sharing agreement was flipped and Samantha was only permitted to see them on weekends and during their holidays.

The release of E.A.'s book, which hit shelves on Tuesday, comes as Tom and Rita gear up to celebrate 37 years of marriage at the end of the month

Samantha was later diagnosed with terminal cancer and died in 2002, aged 49.

Curious about her mother's own upbringing, E.A. reached out to one of her uncles to find out more about Samantha's early years - but never learned anything conclusive.

Her mother's brother said Samantha had been 'touched by something she had no language for' as E.A. wondered about the shocking accusations against her grandfather.

In the end, she never learned the truth about the horrific rape and murder allegations detailed in her mother's diary.

'It's entirely possible that what she was describing was an obliteration of her own girlhood,' E.A. speculated.

'And that what she's describing actually happened to her. That it felt like murder and being eaten up, and what she's really describing is abuse at the hands of her father.'

The release of E.A.'s book, which hit shelves on Tuesday, comes as Tom and Rita gear up to celebrate 37 years of marriage at the end of the month - with the couple being praised as one of Tinseltown's happiest relationships.

Commenting on her bond with Rita, Elizabeth said 'she's my other mother'.

'When I say my parents, I really mean my dad and Rita, because they've been together since before I can really remember. They've been together since I was 4 or 5.'
James Middleton has jokingly revealed the prerequisite Prince William had to meet before marrying his sister Catherine.

The 37-year-old brother of the Princess of Wales made the comments in an interview with Hello! magazine.

As a famous lover of pooches, James was asked whether it was 'prerequisite for Prince William to like dogs before he could join the Middleton family?'.

According to the outlet, James - who turns 38 next week - reportedly smiled before revealing his answer.

He suggested he was satisfied with the Prince's appreciation for the animals, saying: 'He had a long love of dogs. He had a very strong relationship with a black lab called Wigeon growing up, so he knew the powers of what dogs can do.'

James, who lives in a sprawling farmhouse in Bucklebury, Berkshire, with his wife Alizee Thevenet and their son Inigo, currently has six dogs.

During the interview, during which he invited the publication into his home, he spoke about how his small family has developed their own bonds with his beloved pet dogs.

He shared heartwarming details about his son, including the hilarious anecdote about how the tot spent the first year of his life thinking he was a dog.

Catherine (pictured, left) is seen with her younger brother James (pictured, right), who said he knew Prince William 'knew the powers of what dogs can do'

James said the 18-month-old fell 'in absolute love' with his golden retriever, Isla, so much so that the tot at one point thought he was a dog and spent a year of his life on 'all fours'.

In a video shared to YouTube, James recounted the 'entertaining' tale.

'Well I think he spent the first year of his life thinking he was a dog - being on all fours' said James.

'It was quite entertaining to watch'. He then joked that Inigo's first word could have been "woof!"

'He absolutely loves the dogs' he continued. 'In particular Isla... she's the youngest dog we have... he is just in absolute love with her'.

The doting father also spoke on how close the pup and tot were, and that Inigo can barely get his day started without setting his eyes on Isla.

The Princess of Wales (pictured, left) often sees her siblings, according to her brother James (she is seen with the Prince of Wales in London in March this year)

He revealed how Inigo asks to see the pooches every morning, when he 'just hugs' them.

James described how Inigo is now the same 'head height' as Isla when she's seated, making the pup a perfect canine companion for his young son.

He discussed how Inigo will put his arm around the dog's neck to give her a hug, before the pooch responds by giving his a 'lick on his face'.

According to the 37-year-old, he is 'delighted' that his beloved canine brood has 'accepted' his son into the fold.

However James insisted that he would never 'force' his own love for dogs onto Inigo and wanted his interest in hounds to pique naturally.

He said he was conscious that he wanted Inigo to love dogs 'for what they are' and build his own relationship with them, noting that the tot cannot just 'absorb' his father's 'love for dogs and animals'.

James has six dogs in total, of which four are named Zulu, Inka, Luna and Nala, and are all cocker spaniels. He's also a proud pet father to his golden retrievers, Mabel and Isla.

His hounds are aged between two and 14, while his precious dog Ella, who James revealed 'saved' his life when he had clinical depression, passed away at age 15.

James Middleton shared heartwarming details about his son, including how the toddler once thought he was a dog (Pictured: James Middleton with his son Inigo, wife Alizee Thevenet and two of their dogs on holiday)

James said the 18-month-old fell 'in absolute love' with golden retriever, Isla, so much so that the tot at one point thought he was a dog and spent a year of his life on 'all fours'

James revealed that his son Inigo loves to see the family dogs every morning, and often gives Isla a hug and a squeeze

Elsewhere in the interview with the publication, James spoke on what it was like living near his family and having his sister, the Princess of Wales and Princess William live just 30 minutes away.

James, who was born in Reading hospital and has lived around the Berkshire countryside all his life, said his parents were just 'five minutes up the road'.

He said it was 'lovely' because he sees them often, adding that his siblings - sisters Catherine and Pippa - are all within 30 minutes of each other.

'Pippa and James are about 20 minutes away and Katherine and William are about 30 minutes away'.

'We are a close family and we are fortunate that we see lots of each other and my parents play a good role in getting us all together in that respect'.
The money saving expert, 52, issues the warning on his website

Martin Lewis has issued an urgent warning to motorists to check their driving licence, alerting them to a potential 1,000 fine.

The money saving expert, 52, has warned drivers across the UK that they could be in for an unpleasant shock if they are discovered driving with an out-of-date licence.

According to data from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), 2.3 million people across the UK will see their licences expire this year - though many might not realise.

Writing on the Money Saving Expert website, advisors warned that the repercussions for being caught without a valid licence could be as expensive as they are inconvenient.

Those caught driving without an in-date licence could even face fines of 1,000.

Martin, who hails from Manchester, urged all licence holders to do one simple thing to avoid having the shell out - check the expiry date.

As of 1998, photocard licences have been in place across the UK. Paper driving licences issued before 31 March 2000 are still valid.

But cards given to drivers are only valid for ten years at a time and must be renewed after this period.

Martin Lewis (pictured) has issued an urgent warning to drivers licence holders, alerting them to a potential 1,000 fine

The date is given on the front of the plastic card and can be found under section 4B.

If drivers are due an update, they can easily do so by going onto the DVLA website and ordering a new version.

Renewing a driving licence costs either 14 online or 17 via post and will require an updated passport or alternative form of legal identification.

For those applying by post, forms known as D1 papers are available from most UK post offices or can be obtained from the DVLA website.

Drivers can also get their licence updated at the post office, though this requires an additional charge of 4.50 to take a photo on top of the initial 17 fee.

Those over 70 will need to renew their licence every three years instead of every 10 - though this can be done for free.

The same also applies to people who have a short-term medical licence.

Writing on the Money Saving Expert website, advisors said people can still drive if their licence is out of date, so long as they are in the process of getting it renewed.

According to data from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, DVLA , a massive 2.3 million people across the UK are due to see their licences expire this year - though many might not realise (stock image)

'The DVLA says if your licence expires while it is processing your renewal application, you should be able to continue driving as long as you meet certain conditions,' it states.

These include only driving vehicles you were entitled to drive on your previous licence, not being told by a doctor or optician that you shouldnt drive, and you arent disqualified from driving.

If someone has applied for a medical licence, they must ensure they are fulfilling all the criteria to qualify.

'If youre waiting for a medical driving licence  in other words, you have declared a medical condition to the DVLA  you must make sure you meet the medical standards for fitness to drive before doing so,' they explained.

As well as making sure to check the expiry date, Martin alerted drivers to the address section of their licence, urging them to ensure it's correct to avoid getting a fine.

This process is simple and only requires people to go on the DVLA website where they can receive an updated licence for free.

Martin pointed licence holders in the direction of the expiry date to check whether theirs ends this year

It's good news for regular movers as the number of times a licence holder can change their address is unlimited.

To change the address of a driving licence is also free.

Finally, people will need to ensure their first and surname is correct, along with their correct gender.

Again, this can easily be rectified by ordering a D1 application for for a driving licence via the Gov.uk website and making the necessary changes.

This will then need to be posted to the DVLA alongside the appropriate documents. Fortunately, there is no cap on the number of times this can be done.
Princess Charlene of Monaco had her own mini me on Wednesday as she and her daughter stepped out wearing matching brown tweed ensembles.

Charlene, 47, was visiting les Cotes-d'Armor in France with her husband Prince Albert and their 10-year-old twins Gabriella and Jacques when she donned the stylish look.

During their trip, the family were given a tour of Matignon, a coastal town which sprung up in the 11th century around a castle built by the lord of Matignon.

For the outing, Charlene donned a trouser suit featuring a double-breasted brown tweed blazer and matching wide legged trousers.

She matched the suit with a black roll-neck top, and pointed kitten-heeled pumps with a bow detail.

Charlene finished her look with a fresh make-up look, pairing a clear base with peach blush, very light smokey eye, and pink lip.

Her blonde locks were styled into a low ponytail, with a side parting, and loosely curled tendrils.

Meanwhile, Gabriella wore a coat made in a similar brown tweed fabric. Hers featured a velvet detail on the lapels. She paired it black tights and flat black loafers.

Prince Albert II of Monaco (second left), his wife Princess Charlene (second right) and their children Jacques and Gabriela pose with Matignon's mayor Jean-Rene Carfantan and MP Herve Berville as they unveil a plaque during an engagement in Martignon on April 9

Princess Gabriella, 10, was like a mini-me of her mother, with the two donning similar ensembles in brown tweed

Like her mother, the 10-year-old also opted to wear a simple high-necked black top.

Meanwhile, Prince Albert was dapper in a blue suit, which he paired with a crisp white shirt, blue tie, and black shoes.

Jacques echoed his father's ensemble, also sporting a blue suit - though his was a darker hue - pairing it with a white suit and blue tie.

During the engagement, the family of four were accompanied by Mayor Jean-Rene Carfantan and Herve Berville, Ancien Secretaire Detat.

They were snapped unveiling a commemorative plaque as part of the outing.

Princess Charlene is often spotted in chic looks and expensive jewellery - but one piece she's often seen without is her dazzling three-carat engagement ring. However, today she appeared to be wearing the precious gem.

Albert and Charlene's 10-year-old twins Gabriella and Jacques (pictured) both looked smart as they visited the French town

The former Olympic swimmer married Prince Albert after he proposed with a handcrafted pear-cut diamond flanked by smaller diamonds designed by Paris-based Italian jeweller Repossi.

Later, during the wedding service, the couple exchanged 18-carat white gold platinum rings by Cartier, with Princess Charlene laughing as she placed the ring on her husband's finger.

But since her wedding day, the royal has often gone without either ring - and on occasion even worn different rings on her wedding finger.

In the early days of marriage, the royal was often spotted showing off the dazzler, but since 2017 she's seldom been seen pictured wearing the rings - even at formal events.

In recent years, the princess, who is originally from Cape Town, and her prince have been forced to deny rumours over the state of their marriage.

French magazine ROYAUTE claimed in March 2023 that the couple were in the process of separation - a rumour which gained momentum when the article was repeated by gossip sites, which sparked speculation on social media.

The Palace's press office said they 'formally deny the malicious rumours peddled by the magazine'.

Crowds came out to catch a glimpse of the Monaco royals as they took a tour of the coastal town of Martignon on Wednesday

While Charlene and Gabriella opted for similar ensembles, Prince Albert and Jacques also donned similar outfits, both sporting blue suits

A spokesperson said: 'I would like to formally deny the malicious rumors peddled by the French magazine Royaute. Please disregard this article which is totally unfounded.'

There have been reports of a rift between the Prince and Princess ever since their high-profile marriage.

At the time, Charlene was dubbed the 'Runaway Bride' by the French media after allegedly trying to flee before the wedding, but the reports were always denied.

The past few years have been particularly rocky for the couple, as they have been hit with rumours about their marriage and Charlene's own ill-health.

Albert was hit with a legal claim for cash by an alleged illegitimate child in December 2020, and soon afterwards Charlene shaved half her head in the style of a punk rocker.

There were allegations that Albert had fathered a love-child with an unnamed Brazilian woman during the time when he and Charlene were already in a relationship.

The Monaco royals were snapped as they unveiled a plaque during the family appearance in France

The woman said she met the Prince in a nightclub in Rio de Janeiro in 2004, and that their daughter, who is now a 16-year-old Brazilian schoolgirl, sent a handwritten note to Albert.

In turn, Albert's legal team branded the allegations 'a hoax, and they never went to court - prompting speculation that the case was settled privately.

The Prince has admitted fathering two other children out of wedlock  Jazmin Grace Grimaldi, who is the result of Albert's affair with an American estate agent, and Alexandre Coste, whose mother is a former Togolese air hostess.

Both children were struck off Monaco's line of succession in return for financial settlements.

Charlene first fell ill in South Africa in May 2021, during what was meant to be a 10-day visit.

Complications from a sinus operation led to her staying in her native country for 10 months, and there have been rumours about the state of her marriage ever since.

Princess Charlene (pictured) looked chic and stylish during her rare public appearance in France today

There had been claims by leading French media that Albert had signed an 'ultra-confidential contract' to pay his wife more than 10m a year to fulfil her Royal duties.

She returned to Monaco but was there for a matter of days before leaving for a Swiss treatment facility. The exact nature of her condition was not made public but Albert said she was 'exhausted'.

Photographs of their reunion were greeted with a hefty dose of scepticism by the French media.

Prince Albert said he was 'hurt by the vicious rumours' peddled about his marriage following his wife's absence and said that it's the 'most beautiful thing' to have her back with him.

Since her return, Princess Charlene has continued her royal duties and appearances with Prince Albert.
Lady Amelia Spencer and Lady Eliza Spencer, nieces of the late Princess Diana, looked stunning in summery ensembles yesterday as they visited London's Victoria and Albert Museum for a private viewing.

Known for their striking looks - the 32-year-old twins recently appeared on the cover of Tatler along with their 34-year-old sister Lady Kitty Spencer - Amelia and Eliza attended a VIP preview of the Cartier exhibition, which opens to the public on Saturday.

The sisters are the daughters of Princess Diana's brother, Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer, making them first cousins of Prince William and Prince Harry.

Amelia chose a pale blue satin suit for the occasion, wearing the double-breasted blazer open to reveal a black lace bodysuit.

Her jacket matched her cropped wide-leg trousers, while her metallic pointed toe stilettos perfectly complemented the shimmery blue outfit.

The South Africa-born model and wedding planner completed her look with a compact clutch bag in metallic blue by UK brand Aspinal of London.

She wore her long, blond hair in loose waves, swept back to reveal a pair of diamond earrings, and kept her make-up simple for the appearance, adding a nude lipstick and a smoky eye.

Amelia's twin sister, Eliza, opted for a feminine white dress with exaggerated shoulders.

Lady Amelia (left) and Lady Eliza Spencer looked stunning in summery ensembles yesterday

Amelia, a model and wedding planner, opted for a pale blue satin suit

She wore the double-breasted blazer open, revealing a black lace body underneath

Eliza, who models full time and has worked with luxury fashion houses Versace and Roberto Cavalli, chose a knee-length number encrusted with jewels for the VIP event.

She added a pair of sparkling high-heeled sandals and accessorised with a small white handbag with a bamboo handle, also from Aspinal of London.

Eliza's straight, blond hair fell below her shoulders and she brightened her complexion with a coral lipstick.

The Spencer twins were joined at the Cartier private viewing at the Victoria and Albert Museum, located in Kensington, by stars including Maya Jama and Vick Hope.

In January, Amelia and Eliza revealed that they discovered they are identical twins - after taking a 23andMe test

They shared the news during an interview with Tatler magazine.

While the discovery may come as no surprise to anyone familiar with the two models' almost indistinguishable looks, they told the publication that their parents had been told they were not identical - also known as monozygotic - twins.

Rather, their parents were told they were non-identical - or fraternal twins. The difference is that monozygotic twins share the same genetic material.

The South-Africa born sisters, who are nieces of the late Princess Diana, are both models with Storm Management

Eliza (right) opted for a feminine white dress for the private viewing of the Cartier exhibition, which opens to the public on Saturday

Eliza (right) chose a dress with exaggerated shoulders and jewels down the front, while Amelia paired her shimmery suit with metallic stilettos

The twins, 32, both opted for miniature handbags, with Amelia choosing a silver one and Eliza sticking with white

The sisters both wore their blond hair loose, but while Eliza went for a straight style, Amelia chose loose waves

According to the Twins Trust: 'Identical twins share the same genetic material and are always the same sex. They often look very similar and have many of the same physical traits because they share 100 per cent of their genes.

'Non-identical twins share about 50 per cent of their genetic material, just like any other siblings. They can be of the same or different sexes and usually do not look more alike than any other siblings.'

It adds that: 'Identical twins occur when a single fertilised egg splits into two embryos....Non-identical twins happen when a woman releases two eggs during ovulation and both eggs are fertilised by two different sperm cells.

'This can be influenced by genetic factors, maternal age and fertility treatments. Each twin develops from a unique combination of egg and sperm, leading to genetic differences similar to those between regular siblings.'

Amelia completed her stunning look with a pair of diamond earrings

Eliza opted for sparkly sandals, which paired perfectly with her jewel encrusted dress

23andMe is a DNA test which claims to provide 'the most comprehensive ancestry breakdown, personalised health insights and more'. The average DNA similarity between full siblings (including fraternal twins) is 50 per cent, will some research saying it can be as little as 37 per cent or as much as 65 per cent.

Despite being told they were not identical, the twins said they 'always knew', proving this when they received their identical results.

According to Tatler (and images of the women) it is difficult to tell the twins apart, although their characters are slightly different, with Amelia being described as being the more outspoken sister.

The two revealed that they share '80 per cent of their brainwaves' and have the same taste. Tatler reports that the two often finish each others' sentences.
The 23-year-old has become one of OnlyFans' most controversial figures

Lily Phillips has opened up about her extortionate earnings from OnlyFans - but admits she doesn't want other young women to follow in her footsteps.

The 23-year-old from Derbyshire has shot to fame in recent months after completing gruelling sex challenges - most notoriously, sleeping with 101 men in a day.

This week, she appeared on the Getting There podcast with Brogan Garrit-Smith to discuss how her life has changed in the media spotlight and the moral complexities surrounding OnlyFans and other adult content platforms.

Speaking to Brogan, Lily revealed she earned 15,000 on her first month on the site and would regularly earning 20,000 or more each month for the first year.

However, she refused to disclose how much she currently earns as she wouldn't want to mislead other young women into also joining the industry.

She said: 'I don't ever want to encourage young girls into doing this business [OnlyFans] because they think it's really quick, easy money.

'I try to stay away from that side. Everyone's going "oh I earned 43million last year on OnlyFans". Of course, all the young girls are going, 'well, why the f*** am I not doing that".

'I really, really try to be honest and open about the realities of this industry. I try to stay away from that personally in my own consciousness. I don't want to be braggy.'

Lily Phillips (pictured) has opened up about her extortionate earnings from OnlyFans

With the money she's earned, Lily is saving to buy a house and has also invested her lavish new earnings, admitting: 'I could stop now and I'd be happy.'

'Things just get more expensive the more you earn, you do need more staff,' she added. 'I put it back into the business.'

Admitting she feels responsibility for 'glamorising' her life, she said she hopes to be 'honest and open' about the reality of a life on OnlyFans.

She added: 'Everyone who knows you will think about you so much differently once you start doing OnlyFans.

'Even though you were probably doing this behind closed doors without cameras and without putting it on the internet. Now they just have this perception of you that you didn't have before.'

Earlier this week, Newsnight viewers hit out at the BBC after hosting an interview with Lily Phillips - with licence fee payers claiming 'gone is in depth journalism'.

She also opened up about her notorious 101-men sex stunt while confessing she first came across adult content when she was 11 years old.

The 23-year-old from Derbyshire has shot to fame in recent months after completing gruelling sex challenges - most notoriously, sleeping with 101 men in a day

Lily was seen visibly upset after the grueling sexcapade which she filmed in October to create content for her adult page, and also chronicled the experience for the Goon Squad Productions YouTube documentary, I Slept With 100 Men in One Day

Lily, who said she doesn't 'know life without pornography' revealed that she doesn't view porn as a 'bad thing in moderation', adding that it only becomes an issue 'when younger adults have a lot of access to it'.

When seasoned broadcaster Victoria pointed out the potential negative impacts of consuming sexual content at such a young age, Lily maintained that not all of her content was damaging as she makes 'so many different kinds of porn'.

Lily, who hails from a 'small little village' in Derbyshire also shared how 'under-prepared' she was for the gruelling sexcapade of sleeping with 101 men in one single day.

In a YouTube documentary filmed in October by Goon Squad Productions titled, 'I Slept With 100 Men in One Day', the porn star was visibly upset after filming the extreme sex stunt.

At the time the adult star insisted she was simply worried that the men hadn't enjoyed themselves, but told Derbyshire it had taken a lot longer than she had thought - with filming lasting 14 hours, while revealing 'not all' men had respected her.

The BBC have confirmed Lily Phillips was not paid for her appearance on Newsnight, and no money was spent on any expenses in relation to her interview amid a wave of criticism from viewers on social media.

Lily has attracted fame for her outrageous sex stunts, including sleeping with 101 men in a day

Lily Phillips has made the disturbing admission that she watched pornography for the first time aged just 11

The OnlyFans star also divulged she had a 'perfect upbringing' in Derbyshire during the interview, adding that she was raised by both parents alongside an older brother.

Despite her unconventional career, she said her parents are 'super supportive' of the path, although they 'wouldn't have chosen' for her to venture into the world of pornography and her extreme sex stunts.

Following the Newsnight episode, several viewers took to X (formerly Twitter) to express their dismay at the porn star's appearance, with one quipping: 'Gone is in depth journalism.

'Newsnight quality through the floor now,' a viewer wrote: 'Gone is in depth journalism, in is an interview with Lily Phillips, dire.

'What happened to covering international affairs fully, such as the Le Pen verdict last week, protests against Erdogan & in Serbia & the Canadian election?'

A second questioned why the show was spending 'so much airtime' on the OnlyFans star, who they pointed out had sex with several men in the space of 24-hours.

One passionate viewer said: 'Lily Phillips is on [the] BBC as we speak I will NEVER watch cable again.'

'Lily Phillips on Newsnight because of course! Shame none of the blokes who participated in the degradation were present.'

OnlyFans star Lily Phillips revealed the real reason she broke down in tears after bedding 100 men in one day last year

In a bombshell interview with Victoria Derbyshire on BBC Newsnight yesterday, the OnlyFans star also opened up about her infamous 101 men sex stunt

Newsnight viewers flocked to X to voice their complaints regarding OnlyFans star, Lily Phillips' appearance on the flagship BBC show

'Dear god newsnight interviewing a porn star Lily Philips about how watching porn at 11 yrs old influenced her doing porn,' another added.

'Really with all the things happening in the world this is their first story.'

It comes after Lily divulged the real reason she broke down in tears after bedding 100 men in one day last year.

The porn star said she had planned the controversial stunt poorly and gave each man too much time with her which she found 'exhausting'.

Speaking to The Sun's Fabulous, she said: 'I'd done something like 37 (men) before so I thought let's try and push myself to the limit a little bit.

'It took so much longer than I thought, it was so much more exhausting than I thought. And I just hadn't prepared myself properly for it.

'The way that I did it, I think that's what had that kind of (emotional) effect on me. Like giving every guy five minutes, you know, having a chat with all the guys.'

Lily said the day was 'very intense' and she was left feeling 'exhausted and upset' by the end of it, however she insisted that she is in no way traumatised by the stunt.

The porn star revealed that she is frustrated to be 'known for crying' because she enjoys her work.

Lily revealed she planned the controversial stunt poorly and gave each man too much time with her which she found 'exhausting'

Lily claimed that after bursting into tears people have presumed she was 'forced' into the stunt or had been abused in some way but she reassured her fans that is not the case.

While she had publicly portrayed the stunt in a positive light, the documentary revealed some of the nauseating downsides to filming extreme sexual endeavours for content.

In one clip from the documentary, Lily could be seen sobbing as she told host Josh Pieters: 'Sometimes you just disassociate... it's not like normal sex at all.'

'In my head I can think of five, six guys, 10 guys that I remember. And that's it. It's just weird, isn't it? If I didn't have the videos I wouldn't have known that I'd done a hundred.'

Lily's shock confession prompted over 900 people to share their bewilderment, with many urging the OnlyFans star to seek 'mental help.'

One person wrote, 'This cant be real,' while another said, 'She needs help. Serious mental health help.'

Others were left feeling queasy, as one wrote: 'I think i just threw up in my mouth.'

Another commented: 'I just can't.... even looking at her now turns my stomach a bit.'

Meanwhile, a number of people shared concerns about Lily seemingly failing to prioritise sexual health during her romps.

While she had publicly portrayed the stunt in a positive light, the documentary reveals that Lily was an emotional wreck behind the scenes

The disturbing stunt was derailed when Blue claimed to have slept with 1,057 men in just 12 hours on January 11

One baffled viewer wrote, 'Wait? Did she not test the men???'

Another responded: 'They said in the documentary men with tests take priority but end up letting a bunch of randoms with no test proof in because a bunch of guys cancelled the day of.'

A third wrote: 'That pretty much sums it all up, she hasn't put any thought into any of her choices.'

During the interview Lily also admitted that she felt 'robotic' during the act, on top of being racked with guilt that she wasn't giving all the men the experience that they wanted.

'I guess when youve promised something to people who support you its kinda hard to let them down,' she said through tears.

Lily has issued a warning to young girls planning to follow in her footsteps.

'Its not for the weak girls, if Im honest. It was hard. I dont know if Id recommend it. Its a different feeling. Its just one in one out, it feels intense,' she said.

Despite her poor experience bedding 100 men, Lily was determined to raise the bar by sleeping with 1000 men in 24 hours but later ditched the bid after rival adult performer Bonnie Blue pipped her to it.
Fans have gone wild for theories about how they came up with the moniker

Blink-182 have been a band for three decades - but what does their name mean?

Blink-182 have a song asking 'what is my age again?' - but maybe they should be discussing their name instead.

Fans of the '90s band have been embroiled in a fierce debate over what the band's true name is - with many confused about what it really means.

The band, known for hits such as All The Small Things, and I Miss You, was formed in 1992.

Its members consist of Mark Hoppus on bass and vocals, Tom DeLonge on guitar and vocals, and Travis Barker on drums.

Now, over 30 years after the band was formed, fans have taken to Reddit to share their theories over how they landed on the famous name.

'Does anyone know why they went with "blink" to begin with? I've never seen anyone talk about it really. We know they were blink, and added -182 because of another band with the same name. But why "blink?"' questioned the user.

The user later edited his post to add: 'I'm getting multiple stories about why "blink" and more for why "182" so basically we're back to square one. None of us know for sure lol.'

Fans have since weighed in with their own theories, pondering what the numbers 182 actually represents.

The band - known for hits such as All The Small Things, and I Miss You - was formed in 1992

'I thought they had said 182 was the number of times the word f**k was used in Godfather or something. Maybe that was just another sarcastic response lol,' one Reddit fan shared.

Another had a similar theory, writing: 'This is entirely anecdotal but I was once told that "blink" was slang for "f**k" among their friends (as in something like "blink you, dude"), and 182 was a nickname for their high school. But I wouldn't be surprised if one of my friends made that up.'

The origins of their name seems to be a running gag, with Reddit users sharing their wildest theories.

'One of my favorite stories is at a show them saying, "you know why we're 182, cause Blink 181 was taken,"' joked someone.

Another person said they had heard a rumor to that 182 was Mark's ideal weight.

'I may have misremembered that entirely. But I thought that was the whole joke,' the wrote.

In 2018, DeLonge sent fans into a spiral after tweeting his 'correct' pronunciation of the band name, which is commonly pronounced as blink 'one-eight-two.'

'It's actually Blink eighteen-two,' he wrote. 'People have all gotten this wrong for years. Sometimes this can happen with very complex, thoughtful and elevated art.'

Fans of the '90s band are embroiled in a debate over what the band's true name is - with fans unsure as to how pronounce the name

Fans have weighed in with their theories, pondering what the numbers 182 actually represents

In a 2010 interview with Amy Schumer who hosted a show on Fuse called Hoppus!? at the time, Hoppus says the group chose the number on the spot during a phone call with their record label.

A 2018 article published by Spin claimed the band's 2001 book Blink-182: Tales From Beneath Your Mom, declared that the number is actually meaningless.

The rock band was formed in August 1992 in Poway, California, and became a huge success with the release of their third album, Enema of the State in 1999 featuring the songs What's My Age Again? as well as All The Small Things and Adam's Song.

The band began to drift apart in 2002 but they regrouped the following year, however it was short lived.

DeLonge left the group in 2005 as he focused on his solo project, Angels & Airwaves, while Barker and Hoppus continued on without him.

In 2018, DeLonge sent fans into a spiral after tweeting his 'correct' pronunciation of the bank, which is commonly pronounced as blink 'one-eight-two'

Barker survived a plane crash in 2008 that killed four people - he and Adam Goldstein were the only survivors.

Following the tragedy, the trio met up in the hospital and they eventually reunited for a reunion tour in 2009.

However, the friction between the trio remained and was characterized as 'dysfunctional' with DeLonge leaving the band for a second time in 2014 and returning the following day.

He left the group again in 2015 and Barker and Hoppus continued on again without him. Matt Skiba joined the band in place of DeLonge as they produced new music and toured.

In 2021, Hoppus revealed he had cancer and was receiving treatment for months secretly - he later revealed he was cancer free.

Hoppus, 53, Barker, 49, and DeLonge, 49, reunited after the cancer diagnosis to discuss their issues amongst each other.
Princess Leonor of Spain enjoyed a break from naval training as she took a dip in the sea at a sunny spot in Uruguay last month.

The future queen, 19, who is currently training in the Spanish military, was aboard the training ship Juan Sebastian de Elcano when she enjoyed well-earned time off with her fellow midshipmen.

Leonor, who recently graduated from UWC Atlantic in South Wales, looked sensational in a bikini and sunglasses as she opted for a natural look with her hair tied up and no make-up.

Showing of her style, the Princess of Asturias later changed into flip flops, shorts and a white T-shirt as she slung a trendy tote bag over her shoulder as she was joined by a mystery man.

Alongside her fellow naval trainee, Leonor wondered through the beaches La Mulata near Montevideo, which was half an hour from the hotel where the royal was staying.

The royal then went for a swim before heading before heading to a shopping centre.

Leonor is clearly following in her mother Queen Letizia's footsteps, who is known for her style prowess.

She spent a year with the Spanish army before training to be a marine and will then move onto her final rotation at the General Air Academy.

Princess Leonor of Spain enjoyed a break from naval training as she took a dip in the sea at a sunny spot in Uruguay last month

The future queen, 19, who is currently training in the Spanish military, was aboard the training ship Juan Sebastian de Elcano when she enjoyed well-earned time off with her fellow midshipmen

Leonor, who recently graduated from UWC Atlantic in South Wales, looked sensational in a bikini and sunglasses as she opted for a natural look with her hair tied up and no make-up

Alongside her fellow naval trainee, Leonor wondered through the beaches La Mulata near Montevideo, which was half an hour from the hotel where the royal was staying

The royal then went for a swim before heading before heading to a shopping centre. Leonor is clearly following in her mother Queen Letizia 's footsteps, who is known for her style prowess

She spent a year with the Spanish army before training to be a marine and will then move onto her final rotation at the General Air Academy

Leonor looked delighted to catch some of the sun as she enjoyed a stroll on the beach in Uruguay

The royal sported some sunglasses to keep the sun our of her eyes, and tied her hair back in a ponytail

The sun, sand and sea proved to be the perfect setting for the princess as she enjoyed a day at the beach

As she is the heir to the throne, Leonor will one day take the title of Commander in Chief of the armed forces, alongside being the Queen of Spain.

She therefore has to spend three years in each section of defence and has already spent a year at the General Military Academy of Zaragoza.

At the start of the year, Leonor set sail from Cadiz, Spain, for her navy training cruise.

Felipe and Letizia watched proudly she took part in a departure ceremony before setting sail from Cadiz.

The future queen looked solemn as she joined her fellow students, all aspiring officers of the Spanish Navy, for the procession before the three-masted sailing ship left the port in Cadiz.

Meanwhile, her parents smiled and waved goodbye, while King Felipe documented the milestone by snapping photographs of Leonor.

Leonor enjoyed a dip in the gorgeous water, basking in the stunning Uruguay beaches earlier this week

The royal opted for a chic swimsuit, and some shades as she and others enjoyed a day at the beach

Showing of her style, the Princess of Asturias later changed into flip flops, shorts and a white T-shirt as she slung a trendy tote bag over her shoulder as she was joined by a mystery man

The daughter of Queen Letizia and King Felipe beamed as she enjoyed a sunny outing in Uruguay

She opted for a floral swimsuit and shades as she chatted with pals while enjoying an afternoon at the beach

Changing into a comfortable white tee and shorts after her swim, Leonor enjoyed a stroll in the town

She kept things simple with casual flip flops while enjoying a walk after an afternoon at the beach

The water was the perfect cool down to a sunny day, as the Princess enjoyed a swim in Uruguay

The royal looked to be in high spirits as she joined others in splashing around the water and enjoying the beach

The Princess looked to be taking a well-earned break as she enjoyed a swim while catching some rays

A stroll on the beach and a swim in the water made for the perfect day out, catching the sun in Urugay

The royal could be seen in the shallow end of the sea, as well as strolling along the shoreline this week

The Princess is following in the footsteps of her father King Felipe as well as her grandfather Juan Carlos, who all attended military training with every of the three armed services in the country.

Navy Captain Pedro Cardona Suanzes, director-commandant of the Naval Military School in Marin, previously described the daily routine of the midshipmen to the Spanish newspaper La Vanguardia.

He said that their life is 'non-stop' adding that there are constant tasks for them to do, from the minute they wake up until they go to bed in the evening.

The captain said the day starts at 6.45am. They then shower, make their beds and go and get breakfast all before 7.30am - when their white uniforms are inspected to be 'spotless'.

During the week, all students must be in bed before 10.45pm to ensure they get their full eight hours of sleep.

On weekends, pupils are allowed to wake up two hours later than usual, at 8.45am and first-years are allowed to stay up until 1.30am in the morning.

Before she started her three-year training, Leonor revealed her enthusiasm for becoming a cadet at the Princesa de Girona Foundation award ceremony in Girona last year.

She said at the time: 'I have just finished high school and I am about to start a new stage with a period of military training.

Swapping her swimsuit out for shorts and a shirt, Leonor showed off a chic and relaxed street style

The Princess sported sunglasses as she enjoyed splashing around in the shallower end of the sea

Looking casual in a shirt and flip-flops, Leonor held onto a tote bag and threw her blonde tresses into a ponytail

The royal relaxed by some rocks, enjoying a chilled out swim in the sea, on the beach in Uruguay

Walking through the streets, Leonor held onto a tote bag and showed off her bronzed tan after a day in the sun

She pulled her blonde tresses back into a ponytail after a day out in the sun - at the beach in Uruguay

Later, Leonor and her pals were spotted enjoying some food - after a day out in the beach, in Uruguay

'I am happy because I know how much the Spanish value our armed forces... it is an important moment in my life and I feel very excited and determined to continue learning and giving my best effort.'

Last month, the Princess appeared in high spirits in Montevideo as she boarded the training vessel - and was snapped on the Juan Sebastian de Elcano ship, as she continued her training with the navy.

Queen Letizia and King Felipe's eldest daughter kept a stern expression and the level of professionalism one would expect from a marine as she stood with her hands behind her back alongside her crewmates.

Leonor wore her long dark blonde tresses in a practical sleek braided low bun, which sat elegantly below her sailor cap.

She looked as regal as she proudly donned the crisp white uniform, donning a shirt with epaulettes, which she tucked into a pair of belted smart trousers.

The teenager beamed as she took her hat off along with her fellow aspiring officers on the ship and held it in the air, which is usually a celebratory gesture or victory.

The royal looked already a seasoned pro as Leonor was seen saluting her superiors with her right hand when on land, which is an act to show respect and recognition of authority.

Leonor decided to keep her appearance natural and opted to wear minimal makeup, sporting just a hint of mascara.
The King and Queen have now landed back in Scotland - after an activity-packed trip to Italy, which saw them celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary at a state banquet.

On the visit, where the royals got to have a private audience with the Pope and enjoyed the best of the nation's hospitality over four days, Charles, 76, made moving speeches in both the country's Parliament and Palazzo del Quirinale, highlighting unity and 'eternal friendship'.

But now, the monarch and Camilla, 77, have touched down on home soil, where they will be able to spend a quiet Easter together.

The couple spent a sunny last day in Italy, before waving to their friendly hosts as they boarded the royal plane.

Earlier today, Camilla was spotted enjoying a few tipples as she savoured the best of Italian hospitality.

The royal looked elegant in an ivory Anna Valentine silk coat as she was seen sampling some of the country's finest wines on a visit to a UK-Emilia Romagna Food Festival in the Piazza del Popolo.

The royal couple were treated to a selection of local delicacies - including a few glasses of brandy - as they ambled through the market in Ravenna, having spent the first part of the day in Rome.

The two met with local farmers whose land and crops have been severely affected by devastating floods which have hit the region in recent years.

The King and Queen have now landed back in Scotland - after an activity-packed trip to Italy, which saw them celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary at a state banquet

But now, the monarch and Camilla, 77, have touched down on home soil, where they will hopefully be able to spend a quiet Easter together

The couple spent a sunny last day in Italy, before waving to their friendly hosts as they boarded the royal plane

Charles and Camilla pictured posing with the President of Italy, Sergio Mattarella and his daughter, Laura Mattarella

Queen Camilla was spotted tucking into a few tipples this afternoon as she enjoyed the best of Italian hospitality during a state visit to Rome (pictured)

The 77-year-old royal looked elegant in an ivory Anna Valentine silk coat as she was seen sampling some of Italy 's finest wines on the fourth day of her and King Charles's state visit to the country

Her Majesty's eyes lit up as one local brewer poured her a generous sample of a golden brown liquid, which appeared to be brandy, before clinking glasses with the royal and sharing a sip by her side.

And Camilla wasn't alone in making the most of the local treats as a beaming Charles also sipped on what looked to be brandy.

Charles and his wife were greeted by an excitable crowd who offered warm wishes, smiling as they shook hands and snapped up selfies with the royal duo.

The pair arrived in Ravenna, in the north of the country, earlier today. It seemed as if the entire city had come out to greet them with huge crowds packed onto the streets and squares as they waved from the balcony of the Town Hall.

Camilla also gamely tried her hand at rolling out some pasta with a team of sfogline - pasta makers.

Grabbing a rolling pin, the Queen said: 'I can see you need to be quite strong for this!' as she made flat golden sheets to be cut into mini squares.

The couple arrived in Ravenna, in the north of the country, earlier today

The royal couple were treated to a selection of Italian delicacies - including a few glasses of brandy - as the ambled through the market in Ravenna, having spent the first part of the day in Rome

As Camilla dusted her pasta, the King was shown specially cured ham, which takes over 12 months to create, and was gifted a jar of chutney.

'We'll enjoy that later,' he smiled.

At the Tempted Elderflower Cider stand, Camilla also sipped a local brew, remarking how 'lovely and fizzy' the drink was.

On their arrival in the city a few hours earlier, the couple were greeted by scores of die-hard Italian fans - many of whom had queued for up to eight hours to catch a glimpse of them.

A group of ladies dressed in red and blue, wearing eye-catching hats and fascinators and carrying Union Jack flags, were at the front of the crowd.

They described themselves as 'Anglophiles' and 'huge fans' of the British Royal Family.

Antique dealer Chiara Simonini said: 'We love England and the Royal Family. We love the history and their sense of duty. The fact that King Charles is coming here to us now is magic. '

Giorgia Lucenti added: 'It's a gift for us. We thought it was wonderful that King Charles spoke in Italian in the parliament yesterday. It showed enormous respect. We would give him ten out of ten. He was perfect.'

On their arrival in the city a few hours earlier the couple were greeted by scores of die-hard Italian fans, many of whom had queued for up to eight hours to catch a glimpse of them

Others shouted 'Bienvenuto Maestro!' as King Charles walked past.

The couple then visited the tomb of the legendary medieval Italian poet, Dante  the 'father of the Italian language' - and watched a reading of his most famous work the 'Divine Comedy'.

Camilla wore the same cream Anna Valentine outfit she sported in their anniversary portraits this week, accessorising with a brooch by the Italian designer Lucia Odescalchi.

The King went on his own to the stunning Basilica di San Vitale, gazing skywards in a moment of quiet contemplation that he called 'so moving'.

The Basilica is designed in an octagonal shape with a domed ceiling and is decorated with spectacular Byzantine mosaics.

Outside, Charles was introduced to artists working to preserve the ancient skill of Byzantine mosaic making.

He was then invited to place a small gold tile into a picture of himself and the Queen at their Coronation, which they were later given as a gift.

Charles asked - maybe slightly hopefully - whether it would stay in place.

Meanwhile Camilla, went to visit Lord Byron's House in the city - he was known as the 'mad Englishman' - and highlighted the importance of reading and literacy.

Charles, 76, and his wife were greeted by an excitable crowd who offered warm wishes, smiling as they shook hands and snapped up selfies with the royal duo

The King joked with a veteran partisan who fought to liberate Italy during the Second World War asking - 'how did you arrive at 103?'

Charles chatted to Stefano Pagani in the city of Ravenna in a region of Italy celebrating being liberated from Nazi-Fascism by Canadian, British and other Allied forces 80 years ago.

The elderly man stood up from his wheelchair to greet the royal guest proudly wearing a handkerchief in the Italian national colours round his neck.

He told the king he would turn 103 this year when asked his age through an interpreter, and after Charles marvelled at his longevity the former Second World fighter quipped 'I'm always hungry'.

The veteran said later: 'I didn't stop to see the liberation in the area, we kept moving and fighting, fighting to liberate my country.'

Nearby in the town hall reception was the Queen who he spoke to a younger partisan, 98-year-old Minny Geminiani, who was aged just 17 when she served as a messenger during the war.

She said after speaking to Camilla: 'I told her I would love to live one day as a Queen.'

The couple were joined by Italy's president Sergio Mattarella and foreign secretary David Lammy who has accompanied the King and Queen throughout the four-day Italian visit.

Before Charles and Camilla made a balcony appearance from the town hall to wave at crowds below, acting Mayor of Ravenna Fabio Sbaraglia gave a speech paying tribute to the sacrifices of the allies.

He told guests who included senior British and Canadian officers working in Italy: 'Ravenna remembers with deep gratitude the Allied soldiers who came from distant lands and who, with courage and sacrifice helped liberate the city from Nazi-Fascism, paving the way for the rebirth of a free and democratic community.'
Bartenders have revealed the drink order that immediately raises alarm bells to staff members.

Expert mixologists from the hospitality industry all around the world have the same stance on a particular cocktail which contains five different spirits.

Bar staff claimed once customers order this drink they know they are out to get 'black out' drunk and will eventually become 'loud and obnoxious'.

Meanwhile another bartender said once someone orders the beverage he starts 'scanning for the nearest security guard'.

The concerning drink is of course a Long Island Iced Tea which contains five different spirits, the cocktail is a mix of vodka, tequila, light rum, triple sec, gin and a splash of Coca-Cola.

Morgan Robison, beverage director at Taiwanese restaurant Wenwen, claims lovers of the loaded cocktail are usually in search of getting plastered.

Speaking to the Thrillist, he said: 'For the most part, it is for people who are here to drink and think, "this is the fastest way to get to where I'm going".'

The cocktails rowdy reputation has also spiked the interest of other bartenders around the world as some say no one is drinking it for the enjoyable flavour.

Bartenders have revealed the drink order that immediately raises alarm bells to staff members (stock image)

Marisol Delarosa, a managing partner of the NYC bar Brass Monkey, told The Takeout that people are not ordering a Long Island Iced Tea because 'they like way it tastes'.

'The person [ordering] wants to black out and will probably be loud and obnoxious about getting to that state of drunkenness.'

Meanwhile event and operations manager Daniel Meursing revealed he also worries about the drink order.

One of his employees joked: 'When someone orders a Long Island, I start scanning for the nearest security guard.'

Jamie Robinson, a former bartender and assistant food and beverage manager at Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort, also told Business Insider the popular cocktail is a 'big no-no, especially at a busy bar'.

She claimed the time to make the drink is also a big downside when the bar is busy.

'You're likely only going to order one or two unless you plan on ending up on the floor at some point during the evening,' she added.

It comes after experienced bartenders and mixologists from across the US revealed the ten drinks you should never order in a crowded bar.

Expert mixologists from the hospitality industry all around the world have the same stance on this one cocktail which contains five different spirits (stock image)

The expert mixologists also told Business Insider about the concoctions they dread customers requesting as well as the reasons why.

Jamie urged patrons to steer clear of a Long Island iced tea because it involves too many ingredients.

Next on her list of drinks to avoid were mojitos which the expert described as 'a labour of love, to say the least.'

She said that to make 'a proper mojito should feature hand-muddled limes and mint.'

White Russians also appeared on Jamie's drinks to steer clear of on a busy night due to the heavy cream needed.

'Save your bartender the time of having to go check to see if they have some in the back, and save your stomach from mixing dairy with whatever else you might be inclined to drink that night,' she dished.

Executive bartender at Taste My Aruba, Zulay Duran advised customers skip out on spicy margaritas.

'This is a specialized drink that takes careful execution, which isn't feasible for most bartenders on a busy night,' she said, instead urging people to choose a simple glass of wine.

Aliz Meszasi, bar manager at The Fed at The Langham in Boston, also asked that customers avoid ordering a Bloody Mary on a night out  insisting it is only a brunchtime drink.

Anything containing egg whites  such as a gin fizz  is also not appropriate to order during busy periods, according to the head bartender at The Rum House, Nick Jackson.

He said that it is 'very labour intensive' and requires several minutes of preparation.

Additionally, Zach Pace, a beverage expert at Ten Rooms, said pina coladas are best reserved for the beach.

'Please don't make the bartender fire up a blender in the middle of a crazy service,' he pleaded.

Many experts agreed that Irish coffee and espresso martinis should also be avoided  telling potential patrons to get their caffeine fix from a cafe instead.

Sunshine Foss, founder and CEO of boutique liquor store Happy Cork, requested that customers dodge layered shots that require multiple spirits.

'Bartenders are already under pressure to serve drinks quickly, ordering layered shots just doesn't make sense for anyone,' she dished.

Last but not least, mixologist Joshua Lucas, from Kiki's in California, recommends for bar goers to not order personalised drinks.

He comedically said: 'Be specific but not a poet.'
If you suffer from back pain, there could a simpler - and safer - way to treat it than rigorous therapy and dangerous drugs.

The cure for debilitating back pain could be mind over matter.

Researchers from Penn State and the University of Wisconsin-Madison looked at two mind hacks to cure back pain as effectively as, if not better than, opioids.

The US Pain Foundation reports more than 51million American adults live with chronic pain and pain in America costs as much as $635billion a year in direct health care costs, lost productivity, and disability payments.

Meanwhile, back pain is one of the leading causes of pain in the country and it's estimated up to 80 percent of people will experience back pain at some point during their lifetimes.

In the latest study investigating natural ways to treat the ailment, 770 adults with chronic lower back pain were tracked for one year as they tried two different types of drug-free therapies; mindfulness-based therapy (MBT) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

MBT - which teaches people to focus on the present moment  is a growing movement based on ancient Eastern traditions of meditation and CBT is a type of psychological therapy more commonly used to treat depression and anxiety.

MBT is designed to help the patient develop a healthier, more accepting relationship with their thoughts and feelings, while CBT looks at how we think about situations, and how these thoughts affect the way we act and feel.

The goal of the therapies is to change thinking patterns and behavior to achieve a more positive outcome.

The US Pain Foundation reports more than 51 million American adults live with chronic pain and pain in America costs as much as $635 billion a year in direct health care costs, lost productivity, and disability payments

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A common treatment for back pain is nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and naproxen, and muscle relaxants like cyclobenzaprine, but they have a high risk for abuse and overdose.

In 2022, nearly 110,000 Americans died from drug overdoses, and more than 81,000 deaths involved either prescription or illicit opioids - an increase of approximately 400 percent over a decade.

It is hoped that promoting mindfulness-based practices as an alternative to opioid use for pain management could potentially help reduce the opioid epidemic.

For the study, participants were divided equally between the two treatment approaches.

Both treatments involved eight weekly two-hour group sessions led by experienced therapists, with recommended daily home practice.

Over the course of 12 months, both groups showed significant improvements with less intense pain, improved physical function, and an improved quality of life.

Researchers also found the participants' reliance on drugs had decreased. It is unclear what medications they were prescribed for their pain.

Initially, researchers believed MBT would prove more effective, but both therapies were found to provide similar relief.

The researchers concluded: 'MBT and CBT were associated with safe improvements in pain and functional outcomes among adults affected with refractory, complex, opioid-treated chronic lower back pain.

'We need to better understand how to support dissemination and implementation of evidence-based psychological treatments for chronic pain and their coverage by health plans.'

Other studies have shown mind hacks to be just as effective as drugs to treat various ailments.

One 2015 study published in The Lancet, found mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) led to similar outcomes as antidepressants when treating the mental disorder.

The above shows the average pain severity, based on the Brief Pain Inventory score (BPI), over 12 months

The above shows physical limitations people with back pain experienced measured using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI)

Researchers found patients on a MBCT course suffered almost the same rates of recurrence as those taking anti-depressants.

Over two years, relapse rates were 44 percent in the MBCT group compared to 47 per cent in the medication group.

This suggests it offers an 'alternative treatment' for those averse to the idea of taking drugs, said the researchers.

Meanwhile, CBT is a very popular and well-researched form of psychotherapy in the US and often considered a first-line treatment for various mental health conditions.

However, experts believe it could be used in other situations.

In one study, it was found that CBT may work better for people suffering from irritable bowel syndrome than medication.

The study of more than 500 patients found counselling over the phone or online significantly reduced painful symptoms.

Up to 15 percent of Americans suffer from IBS, which mainly causes abdominal pain, bloating and the embarrassment of having to rush to the toilet.

But experts say less than half benefit from drugs such as laxatives or fiber supplements, which doctors are recommended to prescribe in the first instance.

Researchers led by the University of Southampton in the UK looked at IBS sufferers on the standard treatment of medication, comparing them with those also given CBT.

They found patients given the talking therapy, with either a manual or website to work through, saw their symptoms get much better.
A Chinese man's bizarre habit of sniffing his dirty socks landed him in hospital after it led to him developing a serious fungal infection in his lungs.

The unnamed man, described as an 'ordinary office worker' from Chongqing in southwestern China, attended hospital after developing a severe cough that was keeping him awake at night despite him taking over-the-counter medications.

Medics who treated the patient told local media that medical scans revealed worrying signs of a severe infection in the man's right lung.

Doctors then performed a bronchoscopy, a procedure where they used a thin and flexible tool, to take samples from the inside of his throat.

Analysis of these samples revealed the patient had aspergillosis a type of lung disease caused by aspergillus a type of mould which thrives in damp locations.

An interview with the patient, to try to uncover where he might had been exposed to the fungus, revealed he frequently smelled his socks after wearing them for long periods.

Medics then tested his socks and found they indeed contained the same strain of mould which had infected their patient.

Luo Hu, deputy director of the Department of Respiratory Medicine at the Southwest Hospital of the Army Medical University, told local media the socks had provided the perfect breeding ground for the fungus.

The unnamed man, described as an 'ordinary office worker' from Chongqing in southwestern China, (pictured right) attended hospital after developing a severe cough

'Wearing shoes for a long time forms a closed, humid, and warm space, which is easy to breed fungi,' he said.

'If you smell or absorb fungus-filled socks, the fungi may enter the lower respiratory tract through the mouth and nose.

'If the body's immune function is low, it may cause diseases such as fungal pneumonia.'

Medics said the patient responded well to anti-fungal medications and has since been discharged from hospital.

Bizarrely, this isn't the first time a Chinese man has been hospitalised after smelling his own socks in similar circumstances.

In 2018, local media detailed the case of a 37-year-old man from Zhangzhou, in the nation's south east, who was admitted hospital with cough and chest pains.

When interviewed by medics, the patient told them that he had been 'addicted to smelling his socks that he had been wearing'.

Medics then found his 'addiction' had led him to catch a fungal lung infection from spores that had developed in his footwear.

A Chinese man's bizarre habit of sniffing his socks after wearing them all day landed him in hospital after he developed a serious fungal infection in his lungs. Stock image

Speaking at the time, Dr Mai Zhuanying at the Zhangzhou No. 909 Hospital said another factor in the case was that the man had not been getting enough sleep due to looking after his child.

This, the medic said, may have lowered his immune system and made him more vulnerable to these types of infections.

The NHS says aspergillosis is rare in healthy people but patients with lung conditions like asthma or those with a weakened immune system, like cancer patients, are at higher risk.

Symptoms of aspergillosis include breathing problems, coughing up blood or lumps of mucus, a high temperature, unintended weight-loss and fatigue.

In severe cases it can lead to potentially fatal bleeding in the lungs or pneumonia a dangerous inflammation of the lungs.

It can also spread to other parts of the body like the heart and the brain.

It is the latter, called invasive aspergillosis, which is the most deadly killing up to 88 per cent of patients with weakened immune systems who develop it according to some studies.

The NHS says the fungus which causes aspergillosis is almost impossible to avoid given how common it is.

However, it advises patients at risk of the condition to avoid exposure to compost heaps and piles of dead leaves where it is most frequently found.

They are also advised to ensure they keep their home well ventilated, as well as heated in winter, to reduce the chance of the fungus taking hold indoors.

Treatment for aspergillosis varies depending on the extent of the condition.

Most patients can be treated with ant-fungal medications, though some will need to take these for life.

In some cases, surgery may be required to remove 'balls' of fungal growth which can develop in the lungs.
Things had never been so good for 34-year-old model Katie May as in early 2016.

The US influencer had recently been crowned the Queen of Snapchat by Playboy magazine due to her massive following on the picture-sharing social media app. On Instagram, she had amassed an astonishing two million followers.

And Katie had gained this massive success all while raising her seven-year-old daughter Mia.

But, for Katie, everything would change in a matter of seconds  and a few sharp movements of her neck.

While on a photoshoot in Los Angeles, Katie pinched a nerve in her neck which left her in agony. Desperate for relief, she made an appointment with a chiropractor  an alternative therapist who offer hands-on adjustments allegedly to relieve problems with the bones, muscles and joints.

There are more than 10 million chiropractor appointments every year in the UK and 35 million in the US. However, sometimes, such as in the case of Katie May, it can go catastrophically wrong.

While treating Katie, the chiropractor twisted her neck and severed an artery in her upper spine that supplies blood from the heart to the brain.

Katie suffered a stroke and was admitted to hospital several hours later where she eventually died.

Our research showed that around half of all patients who see a chiropractor and undergo spinal manipulation suffer from side effects  typically pain and stiffness (picture posed by models)

Katies tragic death made headlines in the US at the time. People were shocked by what had happened because most assumed that visiting a chiropractor was not only safe, but also beneficial.

After all, many likely reasoned, how could chiropractors be legally allowed to practice if it wasnt safe?

However, as I discovered when I embarked on my 30-years of investigating the evidence behind the practice of chiropractic, what is most shocking is that serious complications like those Katie May suffered are far more common than anyone realises  but all too often go unreported.

I wasnt always a chiropractic sceptic.

When I trained as a junior doctor in Germany in the early 1980s, I learned hands on spinal manipulation techniques designed to relieve pain in patients with back problems.

Later, as the head of the department of physical medicine and rehabilitation at the University of Vienna, we used such techniques routinely.

But my opinion of the practice changed when, in 1993, I became chair of the department of complementary medicine at the University of Exeter.

At that point, I was tasked with analysing the science behind alternative therapies.

34-year-old model Katie May was crowned the Queen of Snapchat by Playboy magazine due to her massive following

It was when researching the evidence behind chiropractic that I received the biggest surprise. While many of these techniques are used regularly, there was next to no evidence that spinal manipulations are effective at reducing pain or curing any other condition.

Even worse, it appeared that many patients were suffering injuries at the hands of chiropractors.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR...

Edzard Ernst is emeritus professor of complementary medicine at the University of Exeter. He is the author of Chiropractic: Not All That Its Cracked Up To Be, which was published in 2008. In 2015, he was awarded the John Maddow Prize for his work promoting evidence-based science. Advertisement

Our research showed that around half of all patients who see a chiropractor and undergo spinal manipulation suffer from side effects  typically pain and stiffness.

These symptoms are usually not severe and normally disappear after a few days.

However, I also began to catalogue a long list of patients who suffered serious complications after chiropractic manipulations, including strokes, bone fractures, paralysis and death.

Chiropractors have long argued that these events are rare. But the truth is that nobody really knows because there is no system in the UK  or in any other country  which monitors such events.

In 2001, my team and I at Exeter asked all members of the Association of British Neurologists to keep track of the number of patients they saw suffering complications within 24 hours of seeing a chiropractor.

Over just one year, our monitoring unearthed a total of 35 cases where patients had suffered chiropractor-related injuries.

These included several strokes, subdural haematomas  a life-threatening bleed between the skull and the brain  and serious spinal cord injuries.

Over just one year, our monitoring unearthed a total of 35 cases where patients had suffered chiropractor-related injuries

While on a photoshoot in Los Angeles, Katie pinched a nerve in her neck which left her in agony. Desperate for relief, she made an appointment with a chiropractor

Particularly striking was that none of these cases had previously been reported in medical literature or anywhere else.

This raised a terrifying question: just how many British patients had been severely injured by a chiropractor?

Its important to note that not all chiropractors are created equal.

The most dangerous are those who take the words of the creator of chiropractic, Daniel David Palmer, as gospel.

Palmer, was a self-described magnetic healer who, 120 years ago, claimed the principles of spinal manipulation were passed on to him during a seance by a doctor who had died a half century before.

Palmer believed that chiropractic could be used to cure virtually all our ailments, including infections and even cancer. Worryingly, even today, there are plenty of chiropractors out there who still hold these ridiculous beliefs.

Less menacing are those who acknowledge Palmer was a charlatan, but still think that muscle and joint pain can be improved using spinal manipulations.

But even these reformed chiropractors are not harmless and can endanger the health and wellbeing of their patients.

What I find particularly unnerving is the way that almost all chiropractors disregard medical ethics on a daily basis.

In medicine, there is an important concept known as informed consent. This means that patients need to be fully informed of the nature and risks of any treatment they undertake as well as the chances of it being effective.

In the case of spinal manipulations, this means patients should be told that the therapy is unlikely to work for their condition. Moreover, they should be informed that spinal manipulations often lead to minor injuries and, in some cases, can lead to life-threatening complications or deaths.

However, chiropractors rarely provide their patients with this information. Its easy to see why. If they did, theyd likely scare away the majority of their customers.

This would significantly reduce their income which also means that chiropractors have a massive conflict of interest.

Having said all of this, I do not judge patients for seeking out chiropractors.

Around a third of Britons live with chronic pain. Half of these sufferers have back pain  which is notoriously difficult to treat.

Its no surprise that, with so many living in agony, people are drawn to alleged quick-fix solutions like chiropractic.

Yet, the truth is that preventing or combatting pain can involve a lot of hard work on the part of the patient.

Regular exercise, losing weight, changing to a firmer mattress, and avoiding lifting heavy things may all be ways of preventing back pain, for example.

Many patients will also benefit from sessions with a physiotherapist who usually teach exercises designed to reduce pain and improve mobility in the affected area.

Chiropractors are almost never the answer to your problems. Often, they will just create new  sometimes life-threatening  ones.

As told to Ethan Ennals
I was 16 when I was told I had cancer  and it seemed like the end of life as I knew it.

While my friends were preparing to take their GCSEs, I had to start chemotherapy and radiotherapy. I didnt know that was just the start  and Id have to fight cancer two more times over the next 11 years and undergo multiple surgeries, including a double mastectomy, all before my mid-20s.

And its likely that two of my cancers were caused by the very treatment I needed when I was just a teenager.

The first time I had cancer Id knew something was wrong  but at that age, who considers cancer? I certainly didnt.

Ive had the same GP since I was little - so when I had persistent back ache and lost around 2st over a couple of months, he knew this wasnt normal for me and arranged blood tests and a referral to a haematologist.

Hearing the words, stage 4 Hodgkin lymphoma (a cancer that starts in the lymph) felt unreal. My mum, Sara, and dad, Ian, were there with me  but the shock and uncertainty about the future felt overwhelming.

There had never been anything like this in my family before.

Surgery wasnt an option, so within days I was started on six months of chemotherapy followed by a month of radiotherapy at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London.

Katherine Murrell was just 16 when she was diagnosed with cancer, and while her friends were preparing to take their GCSEs, she had to start chemotherapy and radiotherapy

Three months into her chemotherapy, she suddenly became breathless and was rushed to hospital where she was told she'd developed a pulmonary embolism

Katherine's goal is to qualify as a paramedic and progress to the Tactical Response Unit which works with the Metropolitan Police

Life became a blur of appointments, while my schoolwork went on the back burner.

We were so grateful to hear that it was treatable  we never asked what the prognosis was, all the doctors would say was, were hoping this will work.

Naturally Mum, Dad and I formed a very close bond in order to wade through it and tried to keep a positive outlook that there would be light at the end of the tunnel.

Having cancer so young was awful, not just for me but for the entire family.

My brother, James was 18 and at university when I was diagnosed, but Mum gave up her job in admin and Dad, an investment manager, came to every appointment and treatment with me - we were like three best friends.

Three months into the chemotherapy, I was at home when I suddenly became breathless.

My parents rushed me to our local hospital where we were told Id developed a pulmonary embolism [a blood clot in the lungs], probably linked to chemotherapy, which can increase the risk. It was so hard not to panic.

But the ambulance crew who collected me from my local hospital in Tunbridge Wells to take me to the Marsden couldnt have been kinder.

In November 2021, just as she finished her emergency technician training, she found a lump on the right side of her neck which led to surgery

As so much of her radiation treatment had been in her chest, she started thinking about the future risk of breast cancer

Even though I was desperately unwell, they were funny and thoughtful and at the same time, they looked after my distraught mum and dad so warmly.

It was like being held in a bubble of kindness. I decided then that if I survived, I wanted to join the ambulance service.

I knew I was lucky to be alive, but Id already lost two good friends to cancer, both 16 like I was at the time and going through chemotherapy.

I was chatting with them one week, the next they were gone.

I had such huge survivors guilt and PTSD [post-traumatic stress disorder], which made it difficult to celebrate getting back to normal life.

I sat my GCSEs but I couldnt face going back to school for A-levels, so I took on a few jobs. Then in August 2021, I joined the London Ambulance Service as an apprentice  when I was 24  and began my studies towards qualifying as a paramedic.

But then in November that year, just as I finished my emergency technician training, I found a lump on the right side of my neck which over a couple of weeks grew to the size of a 10p coin.

I tried to convince myself that I was just under the weather and it would disappear, but I knew it wasnt good.

I got the biopsy results showing thyroid cancer the day before my passing out parade.

I had a total thyroidectomy [removal of my thyroid] in December, leaving a huge scar around my neck which Im still self-conscious about.

Over 20 lymph nodes were removed and of those, over 50 per cent were cancerous.

The hardest thing was being told this was a completely new cancer, probably caused by the month of intensive radiation treatment to my chest and abdomen.

The treatment after my thyroid surgery  radioactive iodine therapy  was gruelling.

She had her operation in September 2023 and when her breast tissue was analysed, more cancer was found in the left breast

After swallowing the capsule, I was in isolation for 48 hours because although the treatment destroys the thyroid cells and any cancer cells, it also makes you highly radioactive. It just felt inhumane.

And if that wasnt enough, a year later pre-cancerous cells were found in the lymph on my left side of my neck and I had to go through it all again.

As so much of my radiation treatment had been in my chest, I started thinking about the future risk of breast cancer.

My specialist at the Marsden wasnt keen to do a double mastectomy, as I was so young.

It was a huge decision. But I was determined it was what I wanted.

I had the operation in September 2023 and when my breast tissue was analysed, more cancer  a 7mm lobular carcinoma  was found in the left breast, as well as multiple DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ  more cancer).

It was shocking, but the relief knowing it was gone, was indescribable. I was discharged in 2023.

Im 27 now and cancer-free and Ive found life after the treatment very tough. You go from being so closely supported to being completely on your own.

The light in the dark was meeting my partner Liam, 31, a police officer, in April 2022. Hes always seen me rather than the cancer; hes not fazed by anything and Ive been so grateful for that.

I was prescribed tamoxifen, a hormone therapy drug which helps prevent breast cancer returning, but it also plunges you into early menopause.

One of my fallopian tubes was damaged by radiotherapy, so Liam and I were offered IVF and last year we froze 14 eggs and four embryos.

Dealing with my own health concerns over the past 11 years has taught me a lot.

I dont panic over things I know are not important. And it helps make me more empathetic  I really do understand what people are going through a lot of the time.

I like the idea that Ive got a lifetime of illness out of the way while Im young.

I absolutely love my job  for me, dealing with other peoples medical problems is a breath of fresh air  it stops me worrying about my own.

My goal is to qualify as a paramedic and progress to the Tactical Response Unit which works with the Metropolitan Police.

Of course I will forever be under the care of The Royal Marsden, having six-monthly blood tests to check for thyroid cancer and annual follow-ups for the lymphoma and breast cancer  but at long last, I am excited for what the future holds.

Having cancer has made me want to live my own life to the max. I feel so fortunate to still have a chance at life, I cherish every waking moment.

Interview by Caroline Scott
A woman has unknowingly given birth to a stranger's baby after a horrifying mix-up at one of Australia's leading IVF clinics.

The anonymous mother was mistakenly implanted with another couple's embryo due to 'human error' at a Monash IVF clinic in Brisbane.

While details of the case are only just emerging, it is believed the baby was born last year.

But the shocking blunder was only discovered in February after the birth parents requested that their remaining embryos be transferred to another IVF provider.

Here the clinic discovered an additional embryo remained in storage and the parents were notified of the mistake within a week.

The Melbourne-based fertility firm has issued an apology over the mix-up and said they were 'confident it is an isolated incident'.

It's thought to be the first such case in Australia where a baby was born after the wrong embryo was implanted, with both families reportedly considering legal action.

Monash IVF chief executive Michael Knaap said: 'On behalf of Monash IVF, I want to say how truly sorry I am for what has happened.

The anonymous mother was mistakenly implanted with another couple's embryo due to 'human error' at a Monash IVF clinic in Brisbane

The shocking blunder was only discovered in February after the birth parents requested that their remaining embryos be transferred to another IVF provider

'All of us at Monash IVF are devastated and we apologise to everyone involved.

'We have undertaken additional audits and we're confident that this is an isolated incident.'

The firm also said it adhered to strict laboratory safety measures to safeguard and protect the embryos in its care and that the incident was the result of 'human error'.

It has also commissioned an independent investigation into the incident and the mistake has been reported to the Reproductive Technology Accreditation Committee.

Last year, Monash IVF settled a class action with no admission of liability, following claims it used inaccurate genetic testing and destroyed potentially viable embryos.

More than 700 patients across the country were involved in the action which saw the firm agree to pay a A$56 million settlement (26.8 million).

IVF  or in vitro fertilisation  involves the removal of eggs from a woman's ovaries, which are then fertilised with sperm in a laboratory.

When the fertilised eggs become embryos, they are inserted into the woman's uterus.

Monash IVF chief executive Michael Knaap (pictured) said: 'On behalf of Monash IVF, I want to say how truly sorry I am for what has happened'

Currently, the fertility treatment has a success rate of up to 40 per cent. Around a third of IVF cycles among under-35s resulted in a live birth in 2019 in the UK. Yet this dropped to just 4 per cent in over-44s

IVF is already a delicate process, with success rates rapidly diminishing as women age, from 32 per cent for women under 35, to just four per cent for women over 44.

Significant incidents, like the mishandling of eggs or embryos that significantly compromise a cycle, occur once every 2,156 cycles, according to one 2018 US IVF study, which tracked one laboratory over 12 years.

In the UK, latest Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HEFA) figures for 2023/24 on the number of IVF incidents logged annually show there was one 'Grade A' incident reported  the first time since 2020.

This can include when a woman is implanted with the wrong embryo or storage unit malfunctions.

A total of 519 incidents and 62 near misses were recorded.

More than 200 of these were classed as 'Grade B'  'serious harm to one person' or 'moderate harm to many'.

Such incidents include the loss of embryos for one patient or confidentiality breaches.

Last year, experts warned that two heartbreaking egg-freezing scandals in the UK that might have robbed women of ever becoming biological mothers proved how vulnerable fertility procedures are to error.

Bosses were accused of a 'cover up' at Homerton Fertility Centre in London after it was forced to close over fears dozens of embryos were unexpectedly destroyed.

Documents reportedly show the facility and IVF regulator were aware some embryos weren't surviving the freezing process as expected last June. Yet the site continued to operate as usual until March 8.

At least 153 embryos, representing the hopes of 45 patients, were feared to have been destroyed.

Among those affected were cancer patients who froze embryos before undergoing treatment that could make them infertile.

Another London fertility centre, at Guys and St Thomas' Trust, also admitted the eggs and embryos of 136 of its patients may never be viable after it used a faulty solution during the freezing process.
A Chinese man who saw his face swell up after drinking alcohol was actually suffering from a rare and life-threatening heart condition.

The unnamed patient, aged 33, had to wait three months for the real cause of the classic sign of a hangover to be revealed, and only after he suffered heart failure.

Medics who treated the man found he had a rupture of a sinus of Valsalva aneurysm (RSOVA), which they said was likely brought on by exercising after drinking.

RSOVA is a condition where part of the aortic wall  the main artery responsible for carrying oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the rest of the body  swells and then ruptures, with potentially fatal consequences.

These can include heart failure, where the organ struggles to pump enough blood, and even cardiac arrest, a life-threatening condition where the heart stop beating entirely.

Symptoms can also include shortness of breath, tiredness, heart palpitations and chest pain.

However, as in the most recent case, it can also cause bizarre 'atypical' problems like facial swelling, which aren't as commonly linked to heart problems.

While the condition can be congenital, meaning patients are born with it, they can also develop it later in life.

Medics who treated the man found he had actually suffered from a rare heart condition likely brought on by exercising after consuming alcohol. Stock image

Writing in the Journal of Medical Case Reports, medics suggested their patient's rupture was likely caused by 'strenuous' exercising after drinking alcohol.

The rupture then caused their 'previously healthy' patient to develop swelling around his face and eyelids, known medically, as oedema, they wrote.

While the man did seek help at hospital initial checks on his heart failed to spot anything wrong.

Instead medics focused on high levels of protein in his urine, which medics at the time suspected was the cause of his condition.

However, despite being given a series of drugs to combat this, his symptoms only got worse.

The swelling began to spread to other parts of his body and he also experienced chest tightness, and a swollen abdomen.

After a number of hospital visits the man was eventually seen by medics at the emergency department of Qilu Hospital in Qingdao  the authors of the case report  who uncovered the real cause of his condition.

They said the initial clinician had missed 'key indicators of a ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm' including a background rumbling noise in his heart beat called a 'mechanical murmur'.

While some warning signs (pictured) are easy to spot  such as severe chest pain  others are more vague and hard to pinpoint

'This misdiagnosis delayed appropriate intervention. As the disease progressed, the patients symptoms worsened significantly, which posed a serious risk,' they wrote.

'Upon admission to our hospital, he exhibited clear signs of acute right heart failure.'

A physical examination of his heart by medics revealed the organ was significantly enlarged, with an ultrasound scan then confirming he had suffered RSOVA.

Medics specifically found the aneurysm measured 24mm by 27mm and was impacting the right atrium, one of the four chambers of the heart.

Considering the size of the aneurysm and, as well patient's general condition, he was rushed for emergency surgery.

Medics managed to repair the rupture without issue, with the authors adding the patient was well with no complications 18 months after the operation.

Concluding their report, they said their case demonstrated why medics should more readily consider RSOVA in younger patients with symptoms of heart failure.

'Considering that the age distribution of RSOVA is much younger than that of heart failure, RSOVA should also be suspected in young patients presenting with new-onset heart failure,' they wrote.

'It is therefore important to develop a strategy for the early recognition of aortic sinus aneurysm rupture.'

RSOVA is rare, affecting only about 0.09 per cent of the population  just less than one in every 1,000 people  a fact which experts say means it's often misdiagnosed.

They said symptoms of RSOVA include a continuous mechanical heart murmur, sudden chest pain or shortness of breath after exercise followed by heart palpitations, general shortness of breath and passing out.

Other signs they highlighted also included, like the most recent patient, a slow progression of swelling.

The authors added it was critical medics also consider that symptoms can last for weeks, months, or years before the condition is serious enough to present as heart failure.

They added that while cases of misdiagnosis like their patient experienced were 'unfortunate' they serve as a 'valuable learning opportunity' for medics.

A puffy swollen face after a night on the town is typically caused by a combination of two aspects of how alcohol affects the body.

The first is that drinking causes blood vessels in the face to expand, which can cause a red flush while drinking but also facial swelling.

Secondly is that alcohol is dehydrating which, as a result, activates automatic processes in your body to hold onto water which can manifest as general bloating and puffiness the morning after.
READ MORE: CDC to study link between vaccines and autism in bombshell move

Idaho has banned vaccine mandates in schools and businesses in a first-of-its-kind 'medical freedom' bill.

The 'Idaho Medical Freedom Act' bars private businesses, schools and government entities from denying admission or services to a person for not having received a 'medical intervention,' including a vaccine, procedure or medication.

It makes Idaho the first state to in the nation to outlaw vaccine mandates in both public and private sectors.

The legislation was signed into law last week by Idaho Governor Brad Little, a Republican, and is expected to go into effect July 1.

The legislation comes as vaccination rates fall throughout the US and exemptions for medical and religious reasons climb.

These declines have been blamed for the nation's measles outbreak, which has infected more than 500 people in Texas alone.

Idaho is also one of three states that have introduced legislation this year to ban mRNA vaccines like the Covid vaccine due to reports of severe side effects.

If passed, this legislation would ban mRNA Covid vaccines for 10 years.

Idaho Governor Brad Little (pictured here), a Republican, signed the 'Idaho Medical Freedom Act,' which bars private businesses, schools and government entities from denying admission or services to a person for not having received a 'medical intervention,' including a vaccine, procedure or medication

The bill comes as vaccination rates decline nationwide and Idaho has the highest rate of childhood vaccination exemptions in the country (stock image)

Critics told DailyMail.com the bill is 'a terrible idea' that could 'lead to the resurgence of vaccine preventable illnesses' other than measles, such as pertussis or 'whooping cough.'

However, other health experts called the legislation 'a brave step in the right direction' to 'protect ones body and make decisions about ones health.'

Medical interventions included in the legislation 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.'

Your browser does not support iframes.

Businesses and government facilities will be banned from requiring these interventions for employment, admission to venues, transportation or providing products or services.

Public and private schools, including universities and trade schools, would also be blocked from requiring vaccines and other interventions for school attendance, employment, or entrance into campus or school buildings.

Little signed the bill last week after vetoing an earlier version of it days before.

The revised bill notes schools can still send home sick children at their discretion.

A spokesperson for Little also told The Idaho Statesman that daycares will still be allowed to require vaccinations under the new law.

Representative Robert Beiswenger, a Republican, told lawmakers the bill 'prevents medical force, medical mandates.

'People can choose them if they want to, but they dont have to if they dont want to. You can ask people to leave your place of business.

'But you cant force them into medical treatments like vaccines or other kinds of treatments.'

The above shows states with moves for mRNA vaccine bans. Legislators in Idaho and Montana (purple) have brought forward bans for the vaccines, while activists say that at the county level bans are being considered in Tennessee, Iowa and Washington. Florida previously considered banning mRNA vaccines

The above CDC graph shows the percentage of kindergarteners in each state with vaccine exemptions. Idaho leads the nation in exemptions with a rate triple the national average

Idaho already has the nation's highest rate of kindergarteners with vaccine exemptions, according to the latest CDC data.

During the 2023-2024 school year, 14 percent of kindergarteners had a vaccine exemption, more than three times the national rate.

The next closest state, Alaska, has a 10 percent exemption rate.

And just eight in 10 kindergarteners in Idaho received both doses of the MMR vaccine to prevent measles, which is surging primarily in West Texas. The national average is 93 percent.

Idaho also had the country's lowest rates of polio, DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis) and varicella (chickenpox) vaccines in this age group, at 15 percent lower than the national averages.

In 2023, Little signed a law banning Covid vaccine requirements.

While vaccine mandates are commonplace in the US, especially in schools, they are not as prevalent in other countries like the UK.

Vaccinations are highly recommended for school attendance in the UK but are not mandatory for entry. The average childhood vaccination rate in the UK is around 90 percent compared to about 93 percent in the US.

The above map shows the percentage of kindergarteners with vaccine exemptions by state during the 2023-2024 school year

The above CDC map shows the percentage of kindergarteners covered by the MMR vaccine by state for the 2023-2024 school year

Critics of Idaho's new bill told DailyMail.com the timing is especially concerning given the measles outbreak that has sickened 500 people in Texas alone (stock image)

Dr Carole Lieberman, a psychiatrist and public health expert in Beverly Hills, echoed Beiswenger's sentiments and told DailyMail.com the bill will give more control to people in Idaho over their health decisions.

She said: 'Idahos new medical freedom bill is a brave step in the right direction because no government entity should have the right to control what goes into a persons body. The freedom to protect ones body and make decisions about ones health is a basic human right.

'This bill doesnt prevent people from taking vaccines, it just leaves the decision up to them, rather than a private business or school.

'It is up to doctors and health departments to create campaigns that explain the benefits of certain drugs and treatments, but then the final decision should be up to the individual or the family.'

However, Dr Dyan Hes, Medical Director of Highline Modern Medicine in New York City told this website the timing of the bill is concerning given the nation's measles outbreak.

He said: 'With the current measles outbreak, a bill that will allow families to opt out of mandated vaccines will increase the spread of measles to all who are not immunized, including babies under age one year and the immunocompromised.

'This bill will also lead to the resurgence of other vaccine preventable illnesses, particularly pertussis (whooping cough), which is already creeping back because of lower vaccine rates and waning immunity.'

According to the latest CDC data, 10 children died from whooping cough last year, the highest number in nearly a decade.

Dr Hes added: 'Vaccines save lives. Period. Sadly, many Americans do not realize what a privilege it is to be vaccinated.'
If you think you're being healthier buying brown over white rice, you might want to think twice.

Researchers have found that brown rice contains 15 percent higher levels of arsenic, a toxic metal linked to cancer and brain damage.

For the average healthy adult, it might not make much difference.

But the Michigan State University team behind the analysis said it could pose risks to young children whose brains are still developing.

The scientists found that children between the ages of six to 24 months who ate brown rice had approximately twice the estimated arsenic exposure compared to those consuming white rice in similar quantities.

Early exposure to arsenic, a naturally occurring chemical element found in the Earth's crust, has been linked to lower IQ, reduced memory, learning difficulties and more serious brain conditions like autism and ADHD.

Felicia Wu, a professor at the university and the senior author of the study noted: 'This research is important because it acknowledges the importance of considering food safety along with nutrition when consumers make choices about food.

'While we found that choosing brown rice over white rice would result in higher arsenic exposure on average, the levels should not cause long-term health problems unless someone ate an enormous amount of brown rice every day for years.'

Opting to buy a bag of brown rice instead of white for your family may make your children sick and increase your risk for cancer

Brown rice has more arsenic due the accumulation of the toxic chemical in the outer brown layer of the grain, known as rice bran.

While the rice bran gives the brown rice its color, it is removed during the milling process to produce white rice - therefore decreasing its arsenic concentration.

The experts reviewed dozens on the nutritional aspects of brown and white rice and then analyzed data from the 'What We Eat in America' database compiled by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the Joint Institute of Food Science and Applied Nutrition.

Once they found out how much rice Americans in different age groups consume from the database, they calculated the average daily dose (ADD) of arsenic exposure using a formula that considered arsenic levels in rice, daily rice consumption and average body weight for different age cohorts.

With these numbers, they compared arsenic exposure from white rice versus brown rice and examined exposure patterns across different age groups - with particular attention to children under five years old.

Of the total arsenic found in the rice, 48 percent was the inorganic form - meaning that the toxic substance had combined with other elements such as oxygen, chlorine or sulfur and could cause more damage than organic arsenic.

While in white rice, it was 33 percent.

Arsenic comes in two forms: Inorganic arsenic (the dangerous kind  linked to cancer, developmental issues, etc.) Organic arsenic (less toxic, found naturally in some seafood including fish, shellfish and seaweed).

On the other hand, brown rice grown in the rest of the world had a staggering 65 percent inorganic concentration level while white rice also had a shocking 53 percent concentration.

The US rice industry produces 20 billion pounds of rice annually, out of which 80 percent is consumed by Americans itself while it imports about 1.3 million tons of the grain.

Moreover, rice bran - the outer layer that makes rice 'brown' - was found to contain arsenic concentrations roughly 10 times higher than the rice endosperm (the white interior portion).

The experts also found that infants and toddlers between the ages of six to 24 months consuming brown rice might ingest arsenic at levels of 0.29 to 0.59 micrograms per kilogram of body weight daily - exceeding the recommended safe limit of 0.21 micrograms.

Pictured: Felicia Wu, a professor at the university and the senior author of the study

Children between the ages of six to 24 months who ate brown rice had approximately twice the estimated arsenic exposure

'Rice bran and brown rice are shown to have a higher arsenic content and inorganic arsenic concentration than the grain endosperm or white rice,' the researchers concluded.

Inorganic arsenic is a naturally occurring form of arsenic that is toxic element and is widely distributed in the Earth's crust,. It can be found in soil, water and food.

In comparison to other crops planted in the soil, rice naturally absorbs more arsenic- taking up nearly 10 times more arsenic than other grains.

This happens because rice grows in flooded paddies, creating conditions where arsenic becomes more available through water as well as the soil.

Once absorbed through the roots, the toxic compound accumulates primarily in the outer layers of the rice grain known as rice bran.

In the case of white rice, rice bran is precisely the part that is removed during processing to bring out the white color of the grain - which reduced its overall arsenic concentration.

In comparison to other crops planted in the soil, rice naturally absorbs more arsenic- taking up nearly 10 times more arsenic than other grain

The FDA warns that long-term exposure to inorganic arsenic can cause arsenic poisoning, skin disorders and increased risks for skin, bladder and lung cancers as well as for cardiovascular diseases.

Exposure to high levels of arsenic during times of active brain development (infants and toddlers) is also associated with adverse neurological effects such as learning disabilities, behavior difficulties and lowered IQ - paving the way for conditions such as autism.

Furthermore, short-term exposure to very high amounts of inorganic arsenic can result in nausea, vomiting, bruising and numbness or burning sensations in the hands and feet in people of any age.

While precise annual deaths from arsenic exposure in the US are difficult to pinpoint due to various causes and potential misattribution, studies suggest that about 500 annual premature deaths from heart disease and 1,000 annual cancer cases are due to exposure to arsenic through drinking water.

In 2016, three Americans died from arsenic poisoning, the American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC) said.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, arsenic poisoning due to drinking contaminated water affects at least 140 million people.
A popular brand of artisanal water based out of Hawaii has recalled tens of thousands of bottles after customers complained about floating particles.'

Waiakea Bottling Inc., known for its volcanic-sourced bottled water, announced the recall in 2023 but it took over a year to get the word out and collect the one-liter bottles.

The recall, which is now over, included more than 4,000 cases filled with dozens of bottles.

According to the FDA inspection report of the Waiakea Bottling Plant in Hilo, Hawaii, customers described the particles found in their bottled water with terms like mold, white blob, and floaters.

Testing showed the presence of bacteria that is potentially deadly for the elderly and immunocompromised, but only at higher dosages than found in the water.

The company said at the start of the recall: After receiving complaints about floating particles in some bottles, we discovered a potential issue during our rigorous quality assurance procedures.

'We identified the affected lots through our safety protocols and took this precautionary measure to recall them.

The recall of the high-end water is one of many.

In Spring 2024, Fiji, the company behind artisanal water collected from a remote stream, recalled 1.9 million bottles over concerns about elevated levels of a commonly found mineral and three types of bacteria.

The Hawaii-based company known for its volcanic-sourced bottled water, which is marketed as naturally alkaline due to filtration through Hawaiian volcanic rock, completed a massive recall this week

More recently, the FDA recalled over 150,000 bottles of water bottled by Berkeley Club Beverages, Inc., out of Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, due to contamination with coliforms, a bacteria found in fecal matter.

The FDA assigned the Waiakea recall a Class II classification, which describes a situation in which use of, or exposure to, a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote.

The 2024 inspection of the Waiakea plant's water found mold and the bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a bacteria that, for levels significantly higher than what was found in Waiakeas recalled products, can be deadly for people with weakened immune systems, such as the elderly and pregnant women.

When a recall occurs, companies, including those that make popular or artisanal bottled waters, do everything they can to alert consumers and gather as many affected bottles as possible to reduce the risk of people being exposed.

Waiakea said: We have intensified our quality control processes and enhanced our safety protocols to maintain the highest standards of product excellence.

This includes upgrading our sanitation technology to state-of-the-art, fault-proof equipment and sensors.

Unlike bottled water, tap water is regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency, which sets standards for safety and quality and oversees water suppliers.

The FDA oversees bottled water companies by inspecting manufacturing facilities at least annually and requiring bottlers to test both source water and the final product for contaminants.

FDA lab tests found Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a type of bacteria that can cause infections, especially in people with weak immune systems, in Waiakea's water

Bottled water can become contaminated in a number of ways, including if the water source, such as a spring or well, has not been properly treated for bacteria, viruses, and heavy metals.

Pathogens can survive if the water is not treated through advances means, such as with UV light or reverse osmosis.

The bottling process is also vulnerable to sanitation errors. If the inside of the bottle or its cap are dirty, they can introduce bacteria into the water. And if the caps are not sealed properly, air or foreign particles can enter and contaminate the water.

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In addition to finding 5,700 units of general bacteria per milliliter of affected Waiakea water, including a toxic variety, FDA inspectors found 15 mold colonies per milliliter of water.

Drinking bottled water can prove risky even without harmful bacteria or virus populating it.

Research shows up to 80 percent of bottled water on the market contain microplastics  particles smaller than five millimeters, can come from broken-down larger plastics, or be made small on purpose.

The recall of the high-end water is one of many: in spring 2024, Fiji, known for its artisanal water sourced from a remote stream, recalled 1.9 million bottles due to concerns about elevated levels of a common mineral and the presence of three types of bacteria

When plastic bottles are made and sealed, little plastic particles get into the water. In the bottling process, water also passes though various plastic tubes and filters that shed microplastics over time.

Microplastics damage the bodys endocrine system, which regulates human hormones, potentially leading to fertility issues, developmental delays, and ovarian cancer.

According to the International Bottled Water Association, Americans drink some 15 billion gallons of bottled water each yeararound 45 gallons per person.
Megyn Kelly has claimed Kristi Noem is an 'embarrassment' who needs to stop her 'ridiculous photo ops' while working as Secretary of Homeland Security.

Noem, the former governor of South Dakota, attracted attention early on in Donald Trump's second term for spending time in the field with ICE agents as they looked to solve the crisis at the border.

The DHS Secretary has been dubbed 'ICE Barbie' by both fans and critics for her appearance with agents.

The host of The Megyn Kelly Show said 'she's doing a great job' but added that she 'can't stand' Noem's photo ops, including a recent mishap where she held a gun incorrectly.

'Just stop trying to glamorize the mission and put yourself in the middle of it as you cosplay ICE agent, which you're not,' Kelly said Wednesday.

'I think they diminish ICE, DHS, CPB, she's not an agent. She is an administrative policy person appointed by Trump because she was very loyal to him.'

Kelly claimed that Noem 'looks like I look right now, but she's out in the field with her gun,' furthering the 'ICE Barbie' image, adding she has to 'stop with the glam.'

'No one wants you there. First of all, nobody ever wants the extra lady who doesn't actually belong. They just don't.'

Megyn Kelly (pictured) called Kristi Noem an 'embarrassment' who needs to stop her 'ridiculous photo ops' while working as Secretary of Homeland Security

Noem (pictured), the former governor of South Dakota, attracted attention early on in Donald Trump's second term for spending time in the field with ICE agents as they looked to solve the crisis at the border

The host referenced a photo op where somebody tried to kick Noem and said 'it's like she's looking for an opportunity to have that happen.'

'I have had it up to here with all of this,' she said.

Kelly also referenced a recent video where Noem faced criticism for wielding a rifle towards the head of a fellow immigration enforcement official.

'Why doesnt somebody save her from herself?'

The host even noted Noem's rumored affair with former Trump advisor Corey Lewandowski which DailyMail.com revealed in 2023.

Kelly did say, however, that Noem's work at the border in an administrative role has been excellent.

'She's doing a great job, her actual performance as DHS Secretary, in my view, anyway, has been amazing.'

The head of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stood flanked by two agents during a video touting the most recent operation rounding up illegal immigrant criminals in Arizona on Tuesday.

Noem has been dubbed 'ICE Barbie' after repeatedly showing up for raids and other operations in full makeup and hair glam while wearing flashy clothes and jewelry

But viewers immediately weighed-in on how they said Noem was holding and handling the firearm incorrectly.

Social media critics said that Noem was pointing the barrel of the weapon towards the head of the man standing on her left. They also noted how her trigger finger was not pointed away from the trigger and how she was wearing her bulletproof vest askew.

Any gun safety expert or person who regularly handles a firearm would know that when standing near people, the muzzle should at all times be pointed down to the ground. It could also be pointed upwards to the sky  but it should never be on an angle pointed in the direction of another person.

Some compared the way Noem held her gun to the way an ISIS terrorist or other insurgent or untrained renegade might hold a firearm to intimate those around them.

The strap on Noem's firearm was not around her body, indicating that she was not actively using or prepared to operate the rifle.

But the former South Dakota Governor has made clear that she has shot guns plenty of times in the past  leading to more questions over her poor muzzle control.

Noem wrote in her recent memoir about a time when she shot and killed her family puppy because it was deemed not to have the appropriate temperament of a working ranch dog.

On Wednesday, Noem announced the re-establishment of a government office focused on helping families devastated by crimes carried out by illegal aliens.

Noem continues to take a hands on approach to her job as homeland security chief, visiting the prison in El Salvador where the Trump administration has banished many illegal migrants

Kelly asked of Noem (pictured): 'Why doesnt somebody save her from herself?'

The Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE) office was officially re-established during an event Wednesday afternoon at Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) headquarters.

VOICE began under Trump's first administration in 2017 to fulfill a promise to aid those directly impacted by migrant crime.

But Joe Biden axed the office in 2021 and opened a more 'inclusive victim support system' that, in addition to serving Americans, helped investigate alleged abuses at migrant centers.

Speaking alongside victims, known as 'angel families,' Noem shared that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and ICE are now working again to support them.
Tucker Carlson praised Alex Jones for 'predicting' the September 11, 2001 attacks on America before the federal government tried 'to destroy' the commentator and far right conspiracy theorist.

On September 11, 2001, Jones said on his radio show that there was a '98 percent chance [the 9/11 attacks] was a government-orchestrated controlled bombing.'

He set about spreading the conspiracy theory that the George Bush administration was behind the most deadly terrorist attack on US soil, and would go on to become a leading figure in the '9/11 truther' movement.

Carlson, interviewing Jones for his show on X, referenced a clip in summer of 2001 where Jones suggests that if a terror event was coming, it would be done 'by our government' and blamed on 'boogieman' Osama bin Laden.

While he mentions the World Trade Center, he appears to be referencing the 1993 bombing as an example of a 'false flag' attack, rather than specifically predicting it. Jones does claim his archives show him predicting a more detailed attack by the CIA in April and May of that year.

The former Fox News star said: 'It's the most amazing fact I ever heard in my entire life, you called 9/11 and no investigator ever called you.'

Jones puts forth his long held belief that the attack was an 'inside job,' saying that Osama bin Laden was a 'multi-national cutout used by Western intelligence agencies' and that 'certain segments' of US intelligence were 'tracking the supposed hijackers,' who were 'being trained on our military bases.'

Carlson ponders how Jones, a man who was broadcasting 'way out on the fringe' on cable access television at the time, 'figured it all out.'

Tucker Carlson (pictured) praised Alex Jones for 'predicting' the September 11, 2001 attacks on America before the federal government tried 'to destroy' the commentator and far right conspiracy theorist

On September 11, 2001, Jones said on his radio show that there was a '98 percent chance [the 9/11 attacks] was a government-orchestrated controlled bombing'

Jones credits the Fox television series The X Files and its spinoff The Lone Gunmen for also predicting it, saying that series creator Chris Carter had been contacted by the CIA to put certain plotlines in the show.

'It was in the collective unconsciousness,' Jones claimed, based on how society was trending at the time, adding that he predicted the assassination of Donald Trump as well.

Carlson openly wondered why the federal government was 'so intent on taking [Jones] out' before offering a theory.

'The summer of 2001, you go on TV and say someone's gonna' fly planes into the World Trade Centers, they're gonna' blame Osama bin Laden, call the Bush White House, warn them.'

'You're the only one that called 9/11 in detail and we can prove that, we have the tape,' Carlson added.

'9/11 happens in September, there's a 9/11 commission immediately impaneled, they go and interview a bunch of people in the US government and outside and ask if there were signs this was happening and nobody interviewed you.'

Carlson called Jones 'the only guy who predicted it in public' and nobody bothered to ask him.

'Then they set about trying to destroy you or hailing you as a prophet or asking the question... and then they mobilize against you and I think there's a connection between those two facts.'

Carlson, interviewing Jones for his show on X, referenced a clip in summer of 2001 where Jones suggests that if a terror event was coming, it would be done 'by our government' and blamed on 'boogieman' Osama bin Laden

The former Fox News star said: 'It's the most amazing fact I ever heard in my entire life, you called 9/11 and no investigator ever called you'

Jones is in the middle of a desperate last-ditch effort to save his platform from a bankruptcy auction.

First United American Companies, which runs a website in Jones' names that sells nutritional supplements, submitted an offer of more than $7million to buy the website, an attorney overseeing Jones' bankruptcy told a judge at a brief hearing in Houston on Monday.

The figure is more than double what the company proposed during a closed-bid auction in November, when it lost to The Onion satirical news outlet, which offered $1.75million in addition to an agreement with the families of victims from the 2012 Sandy Hook massacre.

Global Tetrahedron, the parent company of The Onion, said the agreement would decrease the overall amount of debt Jones owed to the families - after he was ordered to pay nearly $1.5billion in defamation lawsuits from Connecticut and Texas filed by relatives of victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting.

It also planned to kick Jones out and relaunch Infowars in January as a parody, while First United American Companies was expected to let Jones stay on at Infowars.

Christopher Murray, the bankruptcy trustee in charge of selling Jones' assets, valued Global Tetrahedron's bid at $7million, according to the Houston Chronicle.

But US Bankruptcy Judge Christopher Lopez later halted the sale to The Onion, saying the bidding process was flawed, not transparent and didn't raise enough money for creditors. He also said there was too much confusion about The Onion's bid and its actual value.

Now, Joshua Wolfshohl, an attorney representing Murray, said he expects to receive another bid from Global Tetrahedron to further compete with First United American Companies.

Pictured: Alex Jones is seen out to walk his dog on Sunday morning with his wife Erika Wulff Jones in Omaha, Nebraska, August 14

In Marc, a reporter for InfoWars was brutally murdered outside his south Austin apartment.

Jamie White was found mortally wounded outside his home on Douglas Street around midnight in a slaying that Jones blamed on Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza.

Officers from Austin Police Department responded to 911 calls reporting a man with 'obvious signs of trauma.'

White was rushed to a nearby hospital where he later died from his injuries.

Police have called the incident a homicide but have not identified any suspects. The slaying had been investigated as a shooting/stabbing but authorities have not released additional information.

In a fiery and emotional video, Jones did not hold back in assigning blame, squarely targeting the district attorney.

'I lay all of this squarely at the feet of Soros and of the sort of crime syndicate of the Democratic Party. They are the ones that administratively cut the police, prosecuted the police, and even cases that are hundred percent clear to be lawful, legal activities,' Jones ranted.

'You murdered Jamie White, you opened the door, you created the climate, you created conditions on purpose. George Soros. Alexander Soros, you murdered Jamie White.'

'These are sick, degenerate, evil people that know what they're doing and they aided and abetted. They are accomplices to the murder of a great American and Infowars long time veteran reporter Jamie White.'

InfoWars, founded by Jones, has been embroiled in controversy for years over its inflammatory far-right content and conspiracy theories.
Former MSNBC host Tiffany Cross branded a fellow panelist 'irrelevant' on the set of CNN NewsNight Wednesday - before becoming offended when he mocked her for losing her job.

'Im not even talking about you. Youre not a member of government. So youre irrelevant on that point,' Cross, 46, told Scott Jennings during an argument about President Trump's desire to buy Greenland.

Jennings, once a strategist under President George W. Bush, quickly took offense, and issued a full-throated, snarky response.

'You got fired from your job. How relevant are you? Jennings, 47, said, weeks after former CNN reporter Oliver Darcy reported Jennings was in the last stages of talks that will see him handed a 'hefty' pay raise.

'Scott, if you wanna engage in personal insults,' Cross replied, a little over two years removed from the abrupt cancellation of The Cross Connection.

'I dont, but you do,' Jennings continued, smirking and laughing as he spoke.

'What you lack in a legitimate point, you make up for in personal insults,' the former opinion host shot back - spurring CNN's Richard Quest to laugh as Jennings rolled his eyes.

'The point I am making is in this new world order we are looking at countries  whether or not theyre an adversary or ally,' Cross continued, during a discussion that had been about Donald Trump's desire to seize Greenland from Denmark.

An argument occurred on the set of CNN NewsNight Wednesday, between Scott Jennings and former MSNBC star Tiffany Cross

Jennings, once a strategist under George W. Bush, took offense to Cross pointing out he is not a member of the government. He, in turn, made fun of her for losing her job - leading things to eventually get personal

Cross had said Trump's comments on the subject came from a 'colonizer's attitude', causing Jennings to push back.

'Steal what?' he said - after Cross accused the president of attempting to 'steal' from a sovereign nation.

'Land, land,' Cross - who was reportedly let go from MSNBC in November 2022 after execs at her old network found themselves concerned about her willingness to address statements made by other cable-news hosts on-air - said.

'You cannot just go and say, "I like it, its mine now."' the former opinion host continued, in her reduced capacity on CNN.

'It doesnt work that way,' she argued, as other panelists sat and watched the tiff play out. 'That is what theyre trying to do."'

At this point, Jennings interrupted - to laugh and question what Cross was saying, causing Cross to double-down. "Yeah, absolutely. When theyre looking at Greenland and say, I like it, I want to take it for mine."

'That is a very colonizer attitude.'

Jennings called her 'crazy' for such an assessment - after an in-depth Variety report revealed Cross was also axed for 'indulging in commentary executives felt did not meet the standards of MSNBC and NBC News'.

'You got fired from your job. How relevant are you? Jennings said, weeks after former CNN reporter Oliver Darcy , now the founder of Status , reported the CNN contributor was in the final stages of talks that will see him handed a 'hefty' pay raise from CNN

The jab toward the former Cross Connection host, which was cancelled when her contract was not renewed in 2022, caused CNN's foremost international business correspondent, Richard Quest, to laugh out loud

Sources last month told DailyMail.com the same had been the case for Joy Reid, who was fired last February following the cancellation of her old show, The Reid Out.

After having her opinion questioned, Cross dismissed Jennings' opinion due to him being a pundit - causing things to get personal.

The discussion not only concerned Greenland, but trade relationships in the face of Trump's tariffs - one Cross insisted could end up isolating the US.

'We cannot govern. We cannot legislate that way,' Cross declared. 'We are increasingly isolated on the world stage.'

'No were not,' Jennings argued, insisting Trump's tariffs - the majority of which were suddenly paused Wednesday - would not alienate the US.

'So if you wanna engage in personal insults,' Cross said again.

'Were not. Were not isolated,' Jennings continued, again interrupting the guest.

'I would reserve that for your party,' Cross concluded.

Cross was fired after execs at MSNBC found themselves 'concerned about [her] willingness to address statements made by cable-news hosts' Variety reported - as well has her 'indulging in commentary executives felt did not meet the standards of MSNBC or NBC News'

The back-and-forth ended there, but earned visible reactions from other panelists.

Jennings recently had a request to run his own show on CNN shot down, according to the Status report published last month.

The Cross Connection, meanwhile, aired Saturday mornings on MSNBC from 2020 to 2022.
JPMorgan boss Jamie Dimon successfully pushed Donald Trump into pausing tariffs - by making his case on Maria Bartiromo's Fox Business show because he knew the president was watching, it is claimed.

The Wall Street Journal reported as such on Wednesday, hours after the widely seen faceoff while tariffs were still tanking the stock market.

A source told the paper the banker 'knew' Trump and his inner circle 'often watched Fox', and that his message would thus likely get through.

Dimon previously warned persisting the policy would trigger a devastating recession, and week into Trump's aggressive trade obstacles, that looked to be the case.

Days of volatility followed, leading Trump to announce he was putting a pause on most of the tariffs for 90 days on Wednesday afternoon - hours after Bartiromo's interview on Mornings With Maria.

It was a surprising move that sent markets soaring again almost immediately - and one that suggests Dimon's words also broke through.

During the talk, the CEO not only warned of a 'likely' recession, he made a candid case for cancelling tariffs.

The high-profile interview had been scheduled before, the same source noted - but the banker, whose word is widely regarded, is said to have calculated how he could use the spot to break through the noise.

Scroll down for video:

Jamie Dimon with Maria Baritromo on her Fox Business show Wednesday. He made the case for canceling tariffs. Trump tuned in and paused them for 90 days later that afternoon

The banker, whose word is widely regarded, calculated he could use his spot to break through to the president, while warning of a recession

'Im taking a calm view, but it could get worse,' he said during the high-profile sit-down, recommending the president give his Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, more time before doubling down.

'If you want to calm down the markets, show progress in those things and let Scott Bessent negotiate. Trade deals are large and complex,' he said.

He went on to warn of prospective consequences if Trump stayed course, presenting a somewhat grim forecast.

'They put the tariffs in and it was way beyond what people expected. That will cause a little inflation, slow down growth' he said on the set of Bartiromo's program.

'Whether or not the menu of tariffs causes a recession remains in question, but it will slow down growth,' Dimon wrote in a letter to shareholders a couple days before.

In doing so, JPMorgan raised its likelihood of a recession from 40 percent to 60 percent - an increase that has since been erased after Trump's abrupt about-face.

Upon being questioned afterwards, the president admitted to seeing the Mornings With Maria segment in question.

'I watched Jamie Dimon and Maria Bartiromos show this morning, and he was very good,' he told reporters afterwards. '[Dimon] said something has to be done with tariffs and trade. He understood it. Hes very smart and very genius financially.

'Im taking a calm view, but it could get worse,' Dimon said during the high-profile sit-down, where he said another US recession was 'a likely outcome'

'Hes done a fantastic job at the bank and he knows that,' the conservative, a well-known consumer of cable news, The Journal notes, continued. 'Everybody knows that - anybody thats even a little bit smart knows it.'

Asked specifically whether Dimon - or anyone else - influenced his decision, Trump deflected, choosing instead to double-down on the tariffs' importance.

'It wasnt sustainable,' he said of other countries' tariffs currently in place, which he said are set to soon change after some '75' countries came forward to negotiate.

'What was happening. Somebody had to pull the trigger.' Trump said, talking himself up while panning previous presidents. 'I was willing to pull the trigger. This should have been done long ago.'

Later in the day, Trump was asked essentially the same question again, concerning how he came to the decision - one that even his top trade official appeared unaware of during a hearing on Capitol Hill as the news came out.

This time, Trump did not mention the Dimon interview, but rather that he had been mulling a pause for the past few days, saying, I think it probably came together early this morning, fairly early this morning. Just wrote it up.

'We didnt have the use of, have access to lawyers we just wrote it, we wrote it up from our hearts,' he joked, looking back at other officials behind him.

'It was written as something that I think was very positive for the world and for us. And we dont want to hurt countries that dont need to be hurt. And they all want to negotiate.'

Asked specifically whether Dimon - or anyone else - influenced his decision, Trump deflected Wednesday, choosing instead to double-down on the tariffs' importance

White House officials have presented Trump's change-of-heart as a trade strategy, saying new negotiations are only now starting to take place

As this was all happening, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer was testifying about the tariffs before the House Ways and Means Committee. He apparently learned of the pivot during hearing, leading Rep. Steven Horsford to become irate.

'This is amateur hour,' he said, after Trump announced the change in plans on Truth Social. 'It needs to stop,' he continued. 'How are you in charge of [trade] negotiations if the president is tweeting about this from wherever the hell he is?'

Bessent, meanwhile, was not present - pulling out the event last-minute for a meeting with Trump, members of the caucus said. His deputy stood in his place.

He and other White House officials went on to present Trump's change-of-heart as a trade strategy, insisting new negotiations are only now starting to take place.

Officials have further claimed billions in funds garnered from the tariffs - from other countries - is 'already' funneling in.
CNN's Scott Jennings took Donald Trumps idea of shipping crime-committing Americans to El Salvador a step further - offering a list of joke 'offenses' he said should warrant the same fate.

Cardinal sins sarcastically listed by the Republican analyst on Wednesdays NewsNight, included putting 'pronouns in your email signature' and standing for 'more than 15 seconds at the coffee creamer bar at [your local] coffee shop.'

For such 'crimes', Jennings said, citizens should expect to be sent 'straight to El Salvador.'





'Disney adults' were also singled out, with Jennings, 47, damning an entire demographic - one widely ridiculed, at that - in one fell swoop.





Eventually ending with a list of five, the pundit continued - being the last of a panel of three to do so, not including host Abby Phillip.

'Two or more walking side by side on a sidewalk? Youre gone, El Salvador,' Jennings, who served as a strategist under George W. Bush, said.

'Recline your seat on an airplane?... Youre going too.'

The list elicited laughs from fellow contributors, who offered their peeves - and make-believe solutions - as well. The activity was billed as panelists' 'petty orders' - an ode to Trump signing an executive order earlier in the day to mandate a certain water pressure in showerheads.

CNN's Scott Jennings took Donald Trumps idea of shipping crime-committing Americans to El Salvador a step further - offering a list of 'offenses' he said should warrant the same fate.

He did so on the set of CNN NewsNight Wednesday, during a discussion that saw panelists list their 'petty' executive orders in an apparent ode to Trump. He signed an executive order earlier in the day to mandate certain water pressure in showerheads

Ana Navarro, one of the co-hosts of The View, said an executive order to abolish cold weather after the month of February was needed, for instance.

'I also would like people to answer questions that get asked directly,' the outspoken Trump critic added - in an apparent reference to prospective NASA boss Jared Isaacman's confirmation hearing on Wednesday.

The 42-year-old billionaire repeatedly danced around straightforward questions aired at the hearing asking whether Elon Musk had been involved in the proceedings.

Instead of answering yes or no, Isaacman repeatedly answered that the president had been the one presiding over his interview, while refusing to address Musk.

On CNN a few hours later, Shermichael Singleton listed 'slow drivers' as a party he felt should be hit with a grievance-related executive orders.

'We need an E.O. [for slow drivers where] you get a ticket,' the journalist insisted, touting himself as a fast driver.

'Maybe even put people in jail so that I can get to where the hell I want to go. No driving slow in the fast lane,' he continued. 'Thats my [offering.]'

Jennings comments come after Trump told reporters he may take his aggressive approach to regulating immigration - by sending violent, lawful American citizens to El Salvador

In this photo provided by El Salvador's presidential press office, a prison guard transfers deportees from the U.S., alleged to be Venezuelan gang members

Tiffany Cross, a progressive pundit who was let go by MSNBC in 2022, also participated, in an episode that also saw her and Jennings get into it after the former branded the latter 'irrelevant' due to him no longer employed by the government.

'EOs are very damaging,' Cross prefaced, before offering her peeve. 'But in spirit of this conversation, I would say, I would have an executive order.

'I do not want to hear your conversation on your phone. Use your headphones. If youre in public, I dont want to hear your conversation,' she continued, citing a lack of 'common courtesy' from certain age groups.

'Younger people who grew up with these devices are losing social grace and just having speaker phone conversation.'

As for Jennings, he was the only to offer five things he took issue with - but later took to X to reshare the segment to insist he had 'five more.'

His comments came days after Trump told reporters he may take his aggressive approach to regulating immigration - by sending violent, lawful American citizens to El Salvador - and the country's progressive, money-making prison system - after President Nayib Bukele said he would gladly accept them.

'If we could take some of our 20-time wise guys that push people into subways and that hit people over the back of the head and that purposely run people over in cars  if he would take them, I would be honored to give them,' he said Sunday.

The remarks were first reported by The Hill, and were later addressed by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt earlier this week.

The remarks were first reported by The Hill, and were later addressed by White House. Aides have said they would only go through with such an order if it is legal

During her daily briefing Tuesday, she insisted such maneuvers would only be made if 'there is a legal pathway' to do so.

We are not sure if there is,' she conceded. 'It's an idea that he has simply floated and has discussed very publicly in the effort of transparency.'

She then disclaimed: 'These would be heinous, violent criminals who have broken our nations laws repeatedly, and these are violent repeat offenders in American streets.'
One of the most popular electric car brands among UK buyers has downgraded its EV sales forecast for the end of the decade.

In response to a slower-than-expected acceleration in battery electric vehicle uptake and increasing uncertainty over US tariffs, Kia has slashed 340,000 zero-emission models from its 2030 global sales targets.

Announced at its annual investor day, the South Korean firm's bosses said it has reduced its EV delivery expectations for the end of the decade from 1.6million electric cars to 1.26million.

That's despite a huge investment to expand its range of battery-powered vehicles.

It says it intends to have a range of 15 EVs by 2040, including a line-up of electric vans. It already sells four electric passenger cars in Britain, with another two launching shortly, as well as the PV5 commercial vehicle.

But while Kia has cut back on its global EV sales ambitions, both Volkswagen and BMW have this week announced strong sales performances for their battery cars in Europe.

South Korean can firm Kia has scrubbed its global EV sales forecast for 2030 by over a fifth

Kia already sells the EV3, EV6, EV9 and Niro EV. The EV4 and EV5 are listed as coming soon on its UK website and its PV5 will soon be available in both a Passenger and Cargo configuration.

But despite adding to the line-up and the Korean marque proving popular among early adopters, Kia has revised down its sales forecast for the remainder of this decade.

Instead, it plans to diversify its hybrid car availability across all segments - a decision that aligns with Britain's recently watered down EV sales targets this week, which allow plug-in and conventional self-charging hybrids to remain on sale for five years after the petrol and diesel ban in 2030.

In response to growing global demand for hybrid cars, Kia wants to up its sales of this fuel type to one million units by 2030  double the 490,000 vehicles expected in 2025.

Its Plan S business strategy outlined the aim to achieve revenue of 170 trillion Korean Won (89.8billion) in the mid-to-long term.

Despite facing 25 per cent import tariffs, it expects to sell 1.11 million units in North America, with a further 774,000 vehicle deliveries in Europe by the end of the decade.

It hopes a further 580,000 sales will come from South Korea, and 400,000 from India.

In an effort to optimise its supply chain - and evade some of the Liberation Day levies - Kia will also expand local EV production in key regions.

Korea will serve as the global hub for EV development and production, North America will primarily focus on mid-to-large SUVs, and Europe on compact SUVs and hatchbacks.

Kia already sells the EV3 (centre), EV6 (left), EV9 (right) and Niro EV. The EV4 and EV5 are listed as coming soon on its UK website and its PV5 will soon be available in both a Passenger and Cargo configuration

In an effort to optimise its supply chain - and evade some of the Liberation Day levies - Kia will also expand local EV production in key regions, including North America

VW and BMW confirm EV sale rises in Europe

Kia's announcement came on the same day Volkswagen Group confirmed sales of EVs more than doubled in Europe in the first quarter of 2025 - but fell by over a third in China.

The results showcase the automaker's diverging fortunes in the electric car market, which in recent months had seen it threaten plant closures and job losses.

The manufacturer's dedicated electric car factory in Zwickau is currently in the midst of a huge cost-cutting exercise.

Vehicle outputs at the plant are set to be slashed as part of a recent agreement between Europes largest car maker and its works council and union IG Metall.

The deal, made in December, eliminated the threat of factory closures and job cuts until 2030 with the compromise that production capacity will be halved.

Arno Antlitz, chief financial officer of VW Group, told employees in January that in the future 'we will only invest in competitive plants. Germany cannot be an exception.'

Volkswagen Group said its EV sales in Europe have doubled. Its dedicated electric car factory in Zwickau is currently in the midst of a huge cost-cutting exercise after bosses threatened job cuts and factory closures due to a slower-than-expected uptake of battery cars

The all-new electric Mini Cooper is being produced at a factory in Zhangjiagang as part of an agreement with Chinese automotive giant, Great Wall

Today, BMW Group said it 'continues its successful e-mobility ramp-up' while 'navigating a volatile market environment'.

It delivered a total of 109,516 fully-electric BMW, Mini and Rolls-Royce vehicles to customers worldwide in the first three months of 2025 - an increase of a third year-on-year.

Demand was particularly strong in Europe, increasing 64 per cent, it said.

'The BMW Groups technology-open strategy is proving successful. Our products are winning over customers worldwide across all drive technologies, with positive momentum driven, in particular, by the new Mini models  especially the fully-electric variants,' explained Jochen Goller, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG on Thursday.

The all-new electric Mini Cooper is being produced at a factory in Zhangjiagang as part of an agreement with Chinese automotive giant, Great Wall.

One in three Minis sold in Europe and more than one out of every two sold in China were fully-electric, Goller confirmed.
It's the question nobody has ever asked: can you turn a Ford Transit into a sauna on wheels?

But the US maker has done just that, creating a one-off vehicle that's currently touring Britain.

The Sauna Van is said to have been built to showcase the company's 'commitment to innovation and its understanding of the evolving needs of its customers'.

Just who asked for a commercial vehicle to strip down and perspire in, we're not entirely sure.

Ford states that the unique motor - made by its Ford Pro Special Vehicle Team - can cater for those partaking in wild swimming, an increasingly popular trend for fitness fanatics taking to beaches, lakes and rivers, typically in bracing British conditions.

And it's already made its first UK appearance.

The Ford E-Sauna is an electric Transit van that's been converted into a wellness retreat on wheels. We're just not sure why...

'Responding to the growing trend of combining invigorating cold-water swims with the revitalising warmth of a sauna, Ford Pro's Special Vehicle Team  the brains behind bespoke vehicle conversions  has transformed an all-electric E-Transit panel van into a fully functional, mobile sauna,' the car company says.

The 'E-Sauna' is powered by the E-Transit's built-in Pro Power Onboard system, meaning it can be deployed virtually anywhere without the need for external power hook-ups.

It even comes with Ford-branded gowns and slippers.

The bodywork of the battery-powered van has also been given a special touch - a daring paint scheme mirroring the cedar-clad interior.

Despite the masses of wood, additions of internal doors and the systems to turn the vehicle into a rolling sweat mobile likely to have added plenty of bulk, Ford claims it retains the standard E-Transit's 196 mile range.

It says this is enough to make a return trip from the UKs furthest point from the sea  Coton in the Elms in Derbyshire, a mere 70 miles to the coast  without needing a recharge.

The E-Transit Sauna Van has already been 'making waves' at Longside Lake in Surrey, where wild swimming enthusiasts have been putting it through its paces.

The Sauna Van is said to have been built to showcase the company's 'commitment to innovation and its understanding of the evolving needs of its customers'

The 'E-Sauna' is powered by the E-Transit's built-in Pro Power Onboard system, meaning it can be deployed virtually anywhere without the need for external power hook-ups

As well as a battery-operated heating system, the E-Sauna has and wooden-decked interior

There's benches for seating and a thermometer to monitor the temperature to ensure occupants don't overheat

To complete the look, the E-Sauna even comes with Ford-branded gowns and slippers

Georgia Milgrave, a wild swimmer and weightlifter, praised the van's potential, saying: 'Sometimes you go somewhere and it would be really nice to have that paired up with it. The mobile element would be really helpful.'

Triathlon enthusiast Alison Beck, added: 'I suffered a knee injury, but after a session in the cold water and the sauna I saw an immediate improvement.

'You can see significant benefits as well to your blood pressure, cardiovascular system, and general health and wellbeing.'

Ford states that the unique motor - made by its Ford Pro Special Vehicle Team - can cater for those partaking in wild swimming, an increasingly popular trend for fitness fanatics taking to beaches, lakes and rivers, typically in bracing British conditions

The bodywork of the battery-powered van has also been given a special touch - a daring paint scheme mirroring the cedar-clad interior

Despite the masses of wood, additions of internal doors and the systems to turn the vehicle into a rolling sweat mobile likely to have added plenty of bulk, Ford claims it retains the standard E-Transit's 196 mile range

The E-Transit Sauna Van has already been 'making waves' at Longside Lake in Surrey, where wild swimming enthusiasts have been putting it through its paces

Ford says the 196-mile range of the E-Transit is enough to make a return trip from the UKs furthest point from the sea  Coton in the Elms in Derbyshire, a mere 70 miles to the coast  without needing a recharge

The company said: 'Ford Pro's E-Transit Sauna Van is a testament to the company's commitment to innovation and its understanding of the evolving needs of its customers.

'By combining the practicality of the E-Transit with the growing popularity of wild swimming and sauna culture, Ford Pro has created a truly unique and desirable vehicle.

'So, if you're ready for a cool dip and the opportunity to warm up afterwards, keep your eyes peeled.

'The Ford E-Transit Sauna Van will be available at various locations around the UK this spring.'
EY has been fined 4.9million over its botched audits of Thomas Cook before the travel agent collapsed six years ago.

The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) identified failings related to the big four accountants assessment of the High Street holiday groups financial statements for 2017 and 2018.

Thomas Cook  the worlds oldest travel agent, dating back to the 1840s  went bust in 2019 resulting in 9,000 job losses and leaving 150,000 holidaymakers stranded overseas.

The business has since been resurrected under new ownership as an online brand.

The FRC  which is the watchdog for accountants  said yesterday that EY, and EY partner Richard Wilson, had admitted serious breaches of standards relating to the work performed on two important areas of the financial statements. Wilson was fined 105,000.

One area where the audit fell short related to so-called goodwill  a financial measure of a firms intangible assets such as customer base and reputation.

Botched audit: The Financial Reporting Council identified failings related to EYs assessment of Thomas Cooks financial statements for 2017 and 2018

Another was in relation to its ability to trade as a going concern  another key accounting metric.

At the time of the audits, Thomas Cooks goodwill balance totalled 2.6billion, around two-fifths of its total assets.

An FRC spokesman said: The failings for the audit of goodwill in 2018 were particularly serious given Thomas Cooks deteriorating trading performance, which heightened the risk that the goodwill balance could be impaired.

The FRC said it was not suggesting the breaches were intentional or reckless and that EY and Wilson co-operated with the investigation.

EY said it deeply regrets that the audits fell below the standards of the watchdog.

A spokesman said: We deeply regret that the 2017 and 2018 audits of Thomas Cook fell below the standards that we expect.

We are committed to learning from these mistakes and have strengthened our procedures, training and guidance, as well as our global audit methodology, to address the issues identified.
Ever since Chris Carter stayed in a haunted farmhouse in England, the Oxford-educated philosopher has been fascinated with the supernatural.

He lived there for a year, while studying in the UK, and though he didnt experience anything particularly dramatic - doors occasionally slamming for no apparent reason' and 'the fleeting sound of a woman's voice which seemed to come straight out of thin air - it sparked a lifetime of research.

And now Carter believes he is able to prove beyond all reasonable doubt that death is not the end.

In fact, he claims, it's just the beginning of a long journey involving reincarnation - sometimes two or three times - and a heaven made up of multiple planes, which he likens to the many mansions Jesus spoke of in the Bible

However, contrary to most traditional religious teachings, once we get there, were unlikely to see God.

His extraordinary findings are published in his latest book, The Case for the Afterlife, which examines in detail the evidence for and against life after death.

He examines phenomena including near-death experiences, deathbed visions, ghosts and apparitions, children who remember a previous life - evidence, he says, of reincarnation - and communications from the dead.

Indeed, when it comes to heaven, one of the most detailed descriptions comes from the post-death 'messages' of Frederic Myers, a British poet and founder of the Society for Psychical Research in the late 19th century.

Frederic Myers, founder of the Society for Psychical Research, described Hades as nothing sinister, but merely a temporary resting place

In the film Ghost, Whoopi Goldberg is a charlatan medium who discovers she really can receive messages from murder victim Patrick Swayze

Myers' account described a journey through seven planes of the afterlife

Twenty-three years after he died, at the age of 57, Myers is said to have communicated intricate descriptions of the afterworld to fellow psychics all over the world.

While many of those who claimed to be in contact with Myers were judged to be charlatans, one in particular, the Irish medium Geraldine Cummins, was believed by many to be genuine.

Myers described a stupendous journey of the immortal soul through the various planes or spheres of existence, beginning with Earth, writes Carter, adding that the various planes also included:

 Hades, the intermediate state

 The third plane, the sphere of terrene imagination

 Eido

 The Plane of Flame

 The Plane of Light

 Out-Yonder, flight from the physical universe

Myers described Hades, the astral plane, as nothing sinister, but merely a temporary resting place on the borders of two worlds, he says.

The time spent in Hades is said to vary with the needs of the individual, with children often requiring hardly any rest at all. However, for Myers: I died in Italy, a land I loved, and I was very weary at the time of my passing. For me Hades was a place of rest, a place of half-lights and drowsy peace.

Ever since Chris Carter stayed in a haunted farmhouse in England, the academic has been fascinated with the supernatural

Hell, he insists, is more like a bad dream - a fire of the mind - than the place of physical torture taught by conventional religion

Myers described the third plane as being very similar to Earth, but with a beauty that far transcends the terrestrial where communities of like-minded individuals with similar tastes come together and live in mutually constructed environments, while those of a more solitary nature may live in an environment entirely devised from their own preferences and desires.

Eido, the fourth plane, was the first true heaven-world - also similar to Earth, but blessed with colors and sights unknown to humans and more beautiful than anything mere mortals could imagine.

This was the plane Myers himself said he had reached.

The fifth, sixth, and seventh planes are said to be increasingly difficult to describe, as they are progressively more and more remote from our earthly experience, writes Carter.

Nevertheless, they are said to be increasingly desirable.

By the time they reach the sixth plane, they no longer live in physical bodies, Myerss account claims, but exist as white light, as the pure thought of their Creator. They have joined the immortals.

These descriptions, he says, had been passed on to Myers by others who had reached those more advanced states.

Other accounts of the afterlife have echoed Myers description, with some claiming that not everyone enjoys such a pleasant experience.

Communicators often insist that the subdivision we first encounter within the third plane also depends on how we lived our earthly lives, and upon our level of moral and spiritual development, writes Carter.

Not everyone enjoys an idyllic existence on the third plane: the lower levels are described as dark, gloomy, desolate, in which there are no children, but only those who, as adults on Earth, had chosen to lead selfish, evil lives.

How long they remain in this nether region depends on how long they choose to remain in a selfish, morally undeveloped state.

The most important thing to understand, he stresses, is that we shouldnt expect the idea of the humdrum heaven and horrific hell taught by conventional religions.

Hell, he insists, is more like a bad dream - a fire of the mind - than a place of physical torture.

The newly-departed do not see God because, says Carter, we are too primitive immediately after leaving the Earth

But when asked at what stage we will be in the presence of God, Carter is adamant that wont happen anytime soon.

Absolutely not, he says. Myers, in his post-mortem communications, describes God as being far, far above the human, and we only can come close in what he describes as the seventh plane.

He adds: Based on my extensive reading of various communications via mediums, the reason the newly-departed do not see God is simply because we are, at first, too primitive and, immediately after leaving the Earth, occupy planes of existence not nearly exalted or advanced enough to closely approach the divine.'

The first level we arrive at depends on how far we evolved, spiritually and morally, on Earth, he claims.

'Sir Oliver Lodge was a famous physicist and a personal friend of Frederic Myers. In the foreword to the first book that he believed the departed Myers communicated post-mortem through the medium Geraldine Cummins, he insisted that we are not transported to the full blaze of reality all at once.

Only in the final [plane] is there a flight from the material universe and a direct connection with God.

The Case for the Afterlife: Evidence of Life After Death by Chris Carter is published by Llewellyn Publications
Three teenagers who were tragically killed in a horror crash near Heathrow Airport have been named and pictured for the first time in emotional family tributes.

Harley Woods, 18, Star Tomkins, 17, and Jimmy Savory, 17, were in a silver Mercedes when it collided head-on with a bus.

The nightmare unfolded at 11.55pm on Monday, March 31, near a railway bridge on Bedfont Road, Feltham.

Witnesses said the front of the bus erupted into flames 'like a fireball' which then set the car alight.

The three teenagers were pronounced dead at the scene, while a second woman in the car who survived was rushed to hospital.

Pictures of all three who lost their lives were this afternoon released by their families.

While investigations around the incident continue, a GoFundMe page has been set up to raise funds for Star's funeral.

The families of Harley and Jimmy have also taken to social media to share their grief.

Harley Woods, 18, (above) has today been named as one of the teenagers who tragically died in a horror crash between a bus and a car near Heathrow Airport

The family of Star Tomkins, 17, (above) have launched a GoFundMe to raise funds for her funeral alongside a tribute and photographs of the 'beloved' teenager who died in the crash

Jimmy Savory, 17, (above) was also pronounced dead at the scene after the silver Mercedes collided with a H26 service bound for Hatton Cross at 11.55pm on Monday, April 7

A statement on Star's fundraiser reads: 'It is with very heavy hearts that we share the unexpected passing of Star Tomkins, who passed away on the 1st of April 2025.

'She was a beloved daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece and best friend. She had a heart of gold and [will] be deeply missed by many. We are now faced with unexpected expenses and funeral arrangements.

'We are asking for donations to help cover the costs of the funeral and memorial service, so we can give Star a send off she deserves and celebrate her life which was cut so short.

'Any amount you can contribute will be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your support for this very difficult time.'

At the time of publication, the organisers have raised more than 10,000.

An emotional statement from Harley's relatives who say they are 'devastated' has also been released by police today.

It reads: 'We as a family are completely devastated by the loss of Harley. We ask if we can be left in peace to grieve and find a way through this.'

Jimmy's mum, Lisa Allen, has paid tribute to her 'darling' son on a Facebook post and invited 'all who knew him' to attend his funeral scheduled for later this month.

At the time of publication, the organisers have raised more than 10,000 to pay for the 17-year-old's funeral

Star (left) has been described as 'a beloved daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece and best friend'

Star's family have said they want to give her 'a send off she deserves and celebrate her life which was cut so short'

An inquest into the incident was opened and adjourned at West London Coroners Court on Tuesday, April 8.

A total of eight passengers on the bus required medical treatment by paramedics, including the bus driver, and two were taken to the hospital.

Pictures of the scene show the scorched bus with its front half charred by flames, while the car the three teenagers tragically died in was covered by blue tarp.

Locals said the front of the bus looked 'like a fireball' and it took firefighters from Feltham and Heston stations almost two hours to get the blaze under control at 1.41am.

One witness who saw the event told Metro they saw the explosion before hearing 'screams'.

Nero Verbickas, 45, said: We heard a boom like a bomb then I saw a fire. There were people screaming. It was terrible.'

Footage posted on social media showed a huge inferno, with thick black smoke streaming into the sky and out of the bus windows as shocked witnesses looked on.

Pictures of the scene show the scorched bus which had its front half charred by flames

Locals said the front of the bus looked 'like a fireball' and it took firefighters nearly two hours to get the blaze under control

Footage posted on social media showed a huge inferno, with thick black smoke streaming into the sky and out of the bus windows as shocked witnesses stood nearby.

The Met Police, the London Fire Brigade and the London Ambulance Service attended the incident.

A friend of one of the boys who died also told Metro: 'He was a lovely guy, he would give you anything he had.

'He was generous and hardworking. He lived close to where the crash was. He must have been going home.

'His family are heartbroken, absolutely devastated. When the mother lays the table for dinner there will be one less place.'

LFB Assistant Commissioner Paul McCourt previously said: 'The thoughts of everyone within the Brigade are with the families impacted by this tragic incident.

'I'd like to thank our crews and emergency service colleagues for the determination and dedication they showed when responding to this difficult situation.

'The Brigade will speak with our firefighters that attended and offer support through our counselling and trauma services where required.'

Two passengers in the bus, an H26 service bound for Hatton Cross, were also taken to hospital but their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening

Pictured are firefighters at the scene on Monday night after the crash

Other passengers were treated for injuries by paramedics at the scene

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said after the incident: 'At around 11.55pm on Monday, March 31 officers in a response vehicle came across a car alight on Bedfont Road, Feltham.

'The vehicle had been involved in a collision with a bus at the location. Very sadly, three occupants from the car were pronounced dead at the scene. A fourth occupant was taken to hospital.

'The bus was also alight. Some passengers were treated for injuries at the scene and two were taken to hospital. Their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.'

Claire Mann, TfL's chief operating officer, previously said: 'Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the people who were tragically killed yesterday in a collision involving a bus and a car.

'This is a devastating incident and we have support available for those affected.

'Safety is our top priority and we are working urgently with the police on their investigation.'
You would not necessarily expect a 29-year-old who loves going to Taylor Swift concerts, playing rugby and making TikToks to become a priest.

But the Reverend Pippa White, curate of the Fauls, Whitchurch and Tilstock parish in Shropshire, told MailOnline she is more than happy to be breaking the mould.

She started considering becoming a priest while at university - before she was even baptised, which she underwent later in life than usual, at 19.

And before entering the ministry, she worked behind the bar in pubs, to pay the bills after she graduated.

But despite what some might think, she found that chatting with punters was not worlds away from counselling parishioners.

She told MailOnline: 'There is a joke - the only difference between being a barmaid and a priest is there's not a bar between you when people tell you about their problems! That's the well-worn line.'

Ms White has also since become a self-professed 'TikTok vicar' - and has racked up around 20,000 followers on her page, describing herself in her bio as 'just a priest girlie'.

She makes lighthearted videos in her dog collar, with one recent video joking about the pains of being single - when often having to conduct weddings. And for Ms White, these TikToks are a helpful extension of her ministry.

The Reverend Pippa White (pictured), curate of the Fauls, Whitchurch and Tilstock parish in Shropshire, told MailOnline she is more than happy to be breaking the mould

You would not necessarily expect a 29-year-old who loves going to Taylor Swift concerts (pictured, Ms White at Taylor Swift's Eras Tour with her sister, left), playing rugby and making TikToks to become a priest

Ms White (pictured, holding her dog Freddie after a rugby match she played in) has also since become a self-professed 'TikTok vicar' - and has racked up around 20,000 followers on her page, describing herself in her bio as 'just a priest girlie'

The curate started making videos after her sister suggested she should try carving out a niche as a 'TikTok vicar' - but she has now found it has also helped her connect with parishioners in real life.

Mentioning one who is shown her TikToks by his granddaughter, Ms White explained: '[The parishioners] think it's hysterical. It's really sweet.'

And even on just a simple walk through the parish recently, her page was a conversation starter: 'A lady stopped me and said, "Oh, you're on TikTok, aren't you?" And I said, "Oh, yeah, yeah".

'And then that led into a conversation about the family service and how she wants to come to the family service at church. And I think people just find it a breath of fresh air.'

She said: 'With being the Church of England, we have our parishes and our parish system and it's all about, "How do you reach out to your people in your parish?"

'And historically, it's been a bit like, "Who can I meet in person?" But obviously with social media, it's a completely new way to reach out to people.'

But the Reverend has received some pretty ferocious hate online about what she is doing, with some viewers taking issue with the lighthearted nature of her content.

Recent videos include jokes about the difficulty of teaching Sunday schoolers about Saint Valentine while 'single and bitter' and how the best answer to a parishioner asking her, 'Rev, what do you think heaven is like?' might just be eating mozzarella cheese.

The curate started making videos after her sister suggested she should try carving out a niche as a 'TikTok vicar' - but she has now found it has also helped her connect with parishioners in real life. Pictured: Ms White with her sister at Taylor Swift's Eras Tour

Mentioning one who is shown her TikToks by his granddaughter, Ms White explained: '[The parishioners] think it's hysterical. It's really sweet'. Pictured: Ms White with her dog Freddie

Ms White said: 'I've had DMs with people really disagreeing with what I do.'

But, for her: 'The way I make my TikToks reflects how I do my ministry day-to-day, face-to-face.

'If I'm walking down the high street, I am far more likely to make a little offhand joke to someone as I'm passing them rather than saying, "Oh, we should chat about faith".'

She added: 'Because I didn't formally come to faith until I was an adult, I think my past has really given me a help in understanding what the church can feel like as an outsider.

'I can remember thinking how daunting it was and how exposing it would be to talk about your faith.

'And actually, for some people, it really takes the time, the trust, the encouragement, stuff like that.

'So, in the same way, I'm never going to make TikToks which are like, "OK, tell me about your faith" - I'd never say that to someone in person.'

While she has not really experienced any hate or criticism offline, people she meets are sometimes surprised to hear about her interests outside the priesthood.

While she has not really experienced any hate or criticism offline, people she meets are sometimes surprised to hear about her interests outside the priesthood. Pictured: Ms White playing in a rugby cup final

She is in a rugby team, went to Taylor Swift's Eras Tour and loves a night out - despite the difficulty of leading a Sunday service the next day, as she mentioned in one TikTok. Pictured: Ms White horse riding, one of her other hobbies

She is in a rugby team, went to Taylor Swift's Eras Tour and loves a night out - despite the difficulty of leading a Sunday service the next day, as she mentioned in one TikTok.

At rugby practice, she said: 'There's always the jokes about, "Oh, look at that vicar doing that tackle". And I think it's fab.'

It helps her show people, she explained, that, 'I can be normal too': 'Vicars aren't these people with three heads, these aliens that have dropped in!

'Actually, we're human beings too. And I think that's great.'

Being a young female Anglican priest can sometimes be a cause for surprise among parishioners too, she explained.

The Church of England only ordained its first female priests in 1994 - and still, less than a third of Anglican office holders are women, according to recent figures.

Only 30.4 per cent of CofE incumbents are women, according to the data from 2022, released by the church's governing body, called the General Synod.

The Reverend remembered her stint as a hospital chaplain, as part of her training: 'The amount of times people would say, "Gosh, you're young to be a vicar, aren't you?"'

Being a young female Anglican priest can sometimes be a cause for surprise among parishioners too, she explained

The Reverend remembered her stint as a hospital chaplain, as part of her training: 'The amount of times people would say, "Gosh, you're young to be a vicar, aren't you?"'

Or on funeral visits now, she said: 'You ring ahead to say, "Can I pop round?" And all the family's in the front room, expecting the vicar to come up.

'And then when I knock on the door, you can see in their faces, there's a bit of, "Oh, that's not what we were expecting!"... But it's an amazing icebreaker.'

It is why she loves TikTok: 'The thing that really gave me life about it was I was kind of this face to the church not many people have seen before.'

But she understands why some people feel strongly about her online content - because faith is important to people, 'the thing you build your entire life around'.

She said: 'I think it is very hard, and I feel this myself, when people present and feel their faith in a very different way...

'And so, I think it is hard, particularly I think for the more conservative Christians, when they see the stuff I'm posting, because actually for everyone involved, it's a really, really deep matter and none of us want to be treating it lightly.'

And that is far from her intention: 'The big reason why I do my TikToks is I don't want people to feel like that is an alternative to going to church.'

She added: 'For me, TikTok is all about just showing people what they could have in their life, with faith and church and community.'

It is why she loves TikTok: 'The thing that really gave me life about it was I was kind of this face to the church not many people have seen before'. Pictured: Ms White with a friend

She said: 'I think it is very hard, and I feel this myself, when people present and feel their faith in a very different way...'

Ms White said: 'This is one of the reasons why I got into TikTok as this sort of "TikTok vicar" was because, I think particularly for younger generations, there are misconceptions about church and what vicars might be like.

'I think people are often quite scared to go to church because they think they'll be judged, they're worried they'll be doing the wrong thing in church and everybody will be looking at them thinking, "Why are they doing that?"

'And so, what I want to do is, in saying, "Look, this is how I minister", it also shows that behind me, I have my lovely, lovely parish churches who are also very similar in how we live our communities.

'And so, it's about just encouraging people that maybe church isn't what they think it is and just give it a go. Go look for those communities, what it might be like.'

And though people might assume Gen Z are not the most spiritual types, recent research has proven they are far more interested than we might think.

Bible sales soared by 87 per cent between 2019 and 2024, from 2.6million to more than 5million - and experts claim much of this is down to those born between 1997 and 2012.

Dr Michael Nazir-Ali, the former Anglican bishop of Rochester who converted to Catholicism, said: 'Gen Z has got over that hump of the baby boomers in the Sixties who were rejecting Christianity.

'They are open to spirituality, and quite open to the figure of Jesus. A lot are coming for confirmation, and young adults are being baptised.'

She added: 'For me, TikTok is all about just showing people what they could have in their life, with faith and church and community'. Pictured: A cup final rugby match Ms White played at

Though people might assume Gen Z are not the most spiritual types, recent research has proven they are far more interested than we might think

The sales boost was revealed by the Christian publisher SPCK, whose chief executive Sam Richardson said: 'Gen Z are far less likely to identify as atheists than their parents.'

And Ms White reckoned having a young priest like her to relate to could be useful for young people just exploring their own faith.

She said: 'I think young people see me and it's that sense of, "Oh, she's already going to get what it's like for a lot of my life", compared to talking to someone of a different generation, where you have to explain, "OK, well, this is what TikTok is, and then that's why this is important and then this is why..."

'You can drop all of that, can't you, when you're talking to someone the same age and so you can get to the heart of matters.'
A mother says her young daughter was left paralysed from the waist down after 'dismissive' NHS doctors said the girl's cancer for low iron.

Mariam Hitchen said the ordeal began on Christmas Day in 2022 when three-and-a-half-year-old Hana, from Bolton in Greater Manchester, was referred for treatment after she began to feel weak.

Noticing no sign of improvement from iron supplements, a distressed Ms Hitchen feared for the worst - and her nightmare was confirmed when little Hana was soon diagnosed with neuroblastoma.

This was after the mother, who is now forced to fundraise money for Hana's fight, had noticed the medicine to treat anaemia appeared to have no effect on her daughter's energy levels.

Several rounds of chemotherapy and other treatments were required when the cancer was finally spotted and initially put the condition at bay, with Hana able to go back to school and get on with her day-to-day life.

But Ms Hitchen said she started to worry a relapse was occurring in March this year - the return of the cancer - as Hana grew weak and was in 'excruciating pain'.

However, a doctor at Manchester Children's Hospital said he 'didn't believe the cause of pain in her neck and back was due to lump' because Hana 'managed to walk into [his] office', it is claimed.

Speaking to MailOnline, Ms Hitchen said: 'There was just a lot of back and forth. Everytime I came to see the consultant Hana just had more decline each week.

Hana Khan - pictured after several rounds of chemotherapy and other treatments due to neuroblastoma

Despite everything, the condition was initially put at bay, with Hana able to go back to school and get on with her day-to-day life

'He didn't believe Hana was going through a relapse and dismissed everything I said. He was just very dismissive.

'The doctor wasn't concerned the lump on Hana's back was cancerous but reluctantly said he would do a scan.

'Realistically, if she had had a scan after I pointed it out, they could have started a treatment plan.

'If Hana had received radiotherapy the day I noticed, I one million per cent believe she would have been able to still walk out of this hospital.'

Ms Hitchen added 'a lot of parents generally don't get listened to and things get dismissed'.

While Hana is now in a stable condition, Ms Hitchen has said she is raising money to help her 'warrior princess' in her 'second fight against cancer'.

The 37-year-old said: 'Due to her consultant's incompetence we have to now live with the fact that our daughter wont be able to walk again.

'They have sent her off for emergency radiotherapy to try and reduce the inflammation that is currently pushing against her nerves.'

Ms Hitchen said: 'The tumour shrank a lot, everything was going so well at this time and she continued her treatment journey'

What is neuroblastoma? Neuroblastoma is a rare type of cancer that mostly affects babies and young children. It affects around 100 children each year in the UK and is most common in children under the age of 5. The cause is unknown. There are very rare cases where children in the same family are affected, but generally neuroblastoma does not run in families. Symptoms can include: a swollen, painful tummy, sometimes with constipation and difficulty peeing breathlessness and difficulty swallowing a lump in the neck blueish lumps in the skin and bruising, particularly around the eyes weakness in the legs and an unsteady walk, with numbness in the lower body, constipation and difficulty peeing fatigue, loss of energy, pale skin, loss of appetite and weight loss bone pain, a limp and general irritability rarely, jerky eye and muscle movements Source: NHS Advertisement

The third child of four siblings, Hana's parents were told in December 2022 she had 'three weeks to live' if they didn't proceed with treatment after an approximately 18cm big tumour was discovered in her stomach.

Ms Hitchen said: 'So we started the new years with our treatment plan - she had eight rounds of chemotherapy and responded really well over the period of three months.

'The tumour shrank a lot, everything was going so well at this time and she continued her treatment journey - though she did suffer a lot of unfortunate side-effects from the treatment.'

Ms Hitchen described the impact as 'stem cell replacement, a high dose of chemotherapy and immunotherapy then 12 rounds of radiotherapy plus a failed resurrection of the tumour'.

She added: 'It was extremely hard on her small body she managed to overcome all the hardship of not knowing what was actually happening to her body because she was only 3 and a half years old at the time of diagnosis.

'Once we completed treatment she was she back home with all her family, she was doing so well - she went back to school.'

Describing the two and a half years later, Ms Hitchen said: 'She lost her movement in her legs - I just knew things werent looking well at this point.

'We came into the Childrens Hospital for her appointment where she was then admitted straight away and rushed off for emergency MRI scan because of the symptoms she was displaying.

'She couldnt hold her head from this MRI scan. We actually learned she had multiple tumours in and around her spinal column.

'We were also told by the doctor that she was permanently paralysed from the waist down.'

Hana's parents were told the young girl was permanently paralysed from the waist down as a result of the tumour

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust told MailOnline: 'Patient experience and safety are our top priorities, and we are committed to providing the best possible care to all our patients.

'We understand how challenging Hana's situation is and are actively working with her family to support their needs, manage Hana's symptoms, and explore future options.'

If you would like to donate to Hana's fight, her GoFundMe is here.
Nationwide injunctions granted by federal district judges that impact all Americans may soon be a vestige of the past after a Republicans pushed through a bill to help the Trump administration.

The House passed the 'No Rogue Rulings Act' Tuesday 219 - 213. The bill now heads to the Republican-Senate, which is expected to pass the measure.

The bill restricts federal district courts from issuing nationwide injunctions, except in certain instances, and is aimed to curtail judicial blocks on the Trump administration's agenda.

'These rogue judge rulings are a new resistance to the Trump administration and the only time in which judges in robes in this number have felt it necessary to participate in the political process,' the bill's author, Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., said this week.

'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.'

It was a top priority for Republicans in Congress as they claim 'rouge' judges were improperly curtailing presidential authority.

'We're going to prevent activist judges from issuing these unconstitutional nationwide injunctions and legislating to the bench, which has become a real problem,' Speaker Mike Johnson said Tuesday.

Trump has been frustrated by judges across the country from Washington, D.C., to San Francisco for ruling against his deportation and DOGE orders. The president even took the unprecedented step of calling for one judge's removal.

President Donald Trump has called for judges to be reined in after scuttling parts of his policy agenda by issuing nationwide injunctions

District Judge James Boasberg, chief judge of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. Boasberg blocked a Trump order to deport Venezuelan migrants

'This judge, like many of the crooked judges' I am forced to appear before, should be impeached!' Trump said of Washington, D.C. judge James Boasberg, who halted the president's migrant removal programs.

The rulings from Boasberg, and numerous other judges across the country, prompted Trump's deportation agenda to screech to a halt.

Once this bill gets signed by Trump, as is expected, these judge's ruling will likely only apply to localized matters, allowing the president to exert his power without fear of his agenda being hung up by nationwide injunctions.

'We do have authority over the federal courts,' Johnson said when talking about the bill recently.

'We can eliminate an entire district court,' he noted.

'We do have power over funding over the courts and all these other things. But desperate times call for desperate measures, and Congress is going to act.'

His statement appeared to be a veiled reminder, if not threat, that Congress has the power to rearrange and defund courts across the country.

Though the Supreme Court is the highest judicial body in the country, district courts, which have been issuing nationwide rulings foiling White House executive decisions, are overseen by Congress.

Speaker Mike Johnson noted recently how Congress can act to reorganize and reshuffle lower courts. The new bill will prevent lower court's judiciary authority from spanning nationwide in many cases

The president has called for D.C. district court judge James Boasberg to be impeached for issuing an injunction on the administration's deportations of Venezuelans under the Alien Enemies Act.

The president has also slammed district judge John James McConnell Jr. after he sided with 22 states and the District of Columbia to reinstate the flow of federal grants and loans that the White House froze as DOGE sifted through spending.

Republican lawmakers have already introduced articles of impeachment against McConnell and another Maryland based district judge, Theodore Chuang, who recently ruled that dismantling USAID is unconstitutional.

However, impeachment is unlikely as the maneuver would require Democratic support.

Article III of the Constitution states it's up to Congress to 'ordain and establish' courts beneath the Supreme Court, meaning lawmakers fund and organize the lower court structure.
A young bank worker has been applauded for his 'spend less' mentality as Australians search for way to navigate the cost of living crisis.

Sydney-based Aftab Bismi, 30, works in data solutions for Suncorp Group and has shared his top tips for being financially 'agile' in 2025.

Mr Bismi sad he drives a 20-year-old Toyota because buying a new car would wipe out his entire $20,000 in savings.

'The easiest thing is to learn how to stop spending so much money,' he told property investment company Coposit Street in a TikTok video on Monday.

'I spend a very minimal amount of money, or if I do spend it, it's for a purpose.

'For example, I wouldn't mind spending money for a dinner with people that I know can contribute back to me in some way or another down the line.'

Mr Bismi said this would include friends, potential business partners or people he can share ideas with.

The young data expert received an outpouring of praise in the comments responding to the video, calling him 'well spoken' and a 'smart man'.

Sydney-based Aftab Bismi (pictured) has suggested Australians need to be 'spend less'

'I wanna learn more by this guy!!' one user said.

'I wish I had that knowledge when I was 30... great going, mate.. wish you all the success,' another wrote.

The young data expert also shared his 'philosophy' when it comes to regulating his spending: only choosing one or two things to invest in.

'I would always invest my money into learning experiences with experts because they're really difficult to come by,' he said.

Mr Bismi said he first experienced this when he was 14-years-old and signed up for a camp with an ex-Los Angeles Lakers player.

'That camp costs like three times more money than standard camp. I'm learning from a guy who actually did something with it, and how he got to that,' he said.

Mr Bismi shared with Daily Mail Australia what he does and doesn't invest his money in during his day-to-day life.

He has cancelled some streaming services, avoids buying new technology and never eats out or orders takeaway solo: 'Plus eating out doesn't have enough protein'.

Mr Bismi, 30, said the one thing he usually spends money on his learning experiences with experts who will share unique advice (stock image)

He also avoids impulse buys by waiting to confirm an online order until the next day and he only buys coffee when working somewhere or on a social outing.

So what does he spend his money on?

Mr Bismi said the two things he's happy to splurge on are perfume and gifts.

'People remember that you're the guy who smells nice... [and] people keep nicer gifts and remember you because of it,' he said.
This week former NSW policewoman Michelle Carlon lifted the lid on a 'twisted game' involving cops at crime scenes sharing sexual photos of dead women.

Now Daily Mail Australia can reveal a formal investigation has been launched into the allegations of officers passing around demeaning photographs of deceased women's genitals on Snapchat and 'rating their racks'.

'NSW Police will investigate any evidence that can be provided in relation to this matter,' a spokesperson said.

'NSW Police does not tolerate this alleged behaviour on any level and takes any matter of this nature exceptionally seriously.'

However, when the ex-senior constable's claims were recently shared in a restricted police Facebook group, the sickening allegations were met with mockery.

Serving officers accused the ten-year police veteran of 'seeking fame', having 'too much filler' and that the 'only disturbing pictures are her selfies'.

'This is exactly why I am exposing them,' Ms Carlon told Daily Mail Australia.

'Because there is nowhere to go when cops investigate cops.

Former police officer Michelle Carlon (pictured) alleges officers would pass around photographs of dead women's genitals on Snapchat

Serving officers have accused Michelle Carlon (pictured) of 'seeking fame' and having 'too much filler'

Ms Carlon was trolled on a Facebook group for police and other frontline workers

'If they are saying this about me - a woman, imagine how they treat victims.'

The mother-of-one blew the whistle on the sick culture after she was bullied out of her job for complaining and warned relatives if she dies: 'Don't leave them alone with my corpse.'

'The way we check bodies is, we do strip them and photograph their privates to check for any signs of sexual assault,' Ms Carlon said.

'This is where cops are most likely alone with a corpse. It scares me to think how my body would be photographed and sent around the NSW Police.

'Even when not on Snapchat, photographs are still being shared.

'I've heard, 'Mate look at this chicks v**' before showing a photo of a woman's privates to each other and laughing, and they rate their racks.'

The original Daily Mail Australia article was shared in the private Facebook group Thin Blue Line Australia, which requires a police or other frontline worker ID number to join.

While some comments backed Carlon's claims, most were more concerned about her looks.

'I think the only disturbing pics may be her selfies to be honest,' one commented.

Another added: 'Only thing shocking her is the size of her ego, makeup and filter, cats a*** mouth.'

Members ridiculed Ms Carlon's looks on Facebook group Thin Blue Line Australia

Many officers also questioned Ms Carlon's motives

'I'd say just wanting to launch some post policing publicity opportunities for herself. Never seen or heard of anything like this in over 40 years in the police force.

'Childish little selfies like this says it all really.'

A third wrote: 'She is just looking for her 10 minutes.'

A fourth added: 'In my opinion of course she has given one too many head jobs.'

Their attitudes didn't surprise Ms Carlon, who claimed she experienced bullying during much of her career.

'Those comments are all from cops and this is how they treat people,' she said.

'I don't think my pout should be the gauge of how we rate someone's credibility.

'It's the same as asking what were you wearing to someone who has been assaulted.

'So because I took a selfie I can't be believed?

'That's the exact attitude that enables this behaviour.

Ms Carlon was medically discharged from the police force in 2023, 10 years after following her childhood dream

'I have had some rough victims of crime and they might not have been able to say two words without profanities, but they spoke the truth.'

Ms Carlon claimed photos of the dead bodies of children, the elderly and vulnerable women are among the disturbing images taken at crime scenes and shared with colleagues.

She claimed police bosses have ignored the allegations, as well as many others, for years.

After a rising number of complaints, NSW Police announced an independent review in October into claims of a toxic culture in the force.

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb appointed former Victorian equal opportunity human rights commissioner Kristen Hilton to conduct the review.

It will begin interviews in the coming months with former employees who have left the force in the past five years.

But Daily Mail Australia has spoken to multiple current and former NSW Police officers who also alleged that inappropriate behaviour and misconduct is rife, with little being done when it is officially reported.

While many of the Facebook comments were aimed at discrediting Ms Carlon, some alluded to having some insight to the claims.

Kylie Kemp (pictured) left the force in 2018 after 11 years of service and claims constant harassment and bullying gave her PTSD and left her with no choice but to quit

'Sad part is some of it is probably true,' commented one person.

'We had one incidence in the NT police of a cop doing something untoward with a dead female. He was frog marched out,' added another.

'I would say the whole police department is crashing,' added a third.

Ms Carlon's claimed were echoed by former crime scene investigator Kylie Kemp.

The 44-year-old left the force in 2018 after 11 years of service and claims constant harassment and bullying gave her PTSD and left her with no choice but to quit.

'I can't even explain how bad and how horrible some cops were,' she said.

'It was always young male coppers who had no respect for the dead. It's making me shake now thinking about it because it's so disgusting.'

Ms Kemp is also aware of officers taking photos of genitals to pass around and is particularly haunted by an elderly lady who was targeted after being found in her bedroom with no underwear on.

Ms Kemp's allegations were not criticised in the Facebook group.

Some were not surprised by the shocking allegations raised by former police officers

Michelle Carlon (pictured with her late father) claims there is nowhere to go when 'cops investigate cops'

Ms Kemp also said she didn't understand why officers are allowed to have private phones while on duty.

'They have radios - so why do they need their phones there at all?' she said.

NSW officers were banned last October from using WhatsApp, social media or any messaging platforms other than SMS on work phones, with other apps blocked by security software.

The recommendation was one of several made by the LECC - the police watchdog, the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission - = following an investigation into the conduct of an alleged drunk senior officer following a car crash in May.

At the time, the move was slammed by some cops who said banning them from apps would impede their work.

'It means we are going to have to get burner phones now and carry two phones,' one officer said.

Ms Carlon says that the spiteful comments her expose drew only further prove her point about the police culture.

'My colleagues were cruel bullies and I tried to report it - but no one believed me,' she says.

'I'm not perfect by any means, but my heart is in the right place and the psychologist cleared me to work, but they let me go with no explanation.

'I am releasing this shame I've been carrying and I'm putting it back where it belongs - on them.'
Chinese military ready to work with Indian side for peace in border areas

Xinhua) 10:05, April 10, 2025

BEIJING, April 9 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese military spokesperson on Wednesday said that the Chinese military stands ready to work with the Indian side to safeguard peace and tranquility in the border areas.

Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks at a press conference in response to a media query regarding the future of military relations between the two countries.

Noting that this year marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and India, Zhang said the two countries, as two ancient civilizations, major developing countries and important members of the Global South, are both in a crucial stage of modernization.

"Being partners of mutual success serves the fundamental interests of the two countries and the two peoples," he said.

Chinese military stands ready to work with the Indian side to implement the important consensus reached between the two state leaders, strengthen communication and strategic mutual trust, safeguard peace and tranquility in the border areas, promote a sound and stable military-to-military relationship, and maintain peace in the region and beyond, added the spokesperson.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
When Britain was on the back foot in World War Two, a madcap officer gathered a courageous bunch of eccentrics to form what would become known as the SAS.

Lieutenant Colonel David Stirling's outlandish regiment helped turn the tide of the war, conducting sabotage deep behind enemy lines, and their daring scrapes have been serialised in the BBC's SAS: Rogue Heroes.

Now, as Ukraine faces a similarly ominous Russian advance, it too has called on the services of a unit of mavericks, rebels and misfits.

Led by Lieutenant Colonel Vano Nadiradze, his Rogue Heroes were the first men into Kursk leading the audacious incursion last August that shocked America and paralysed Moscow.

With Russia finally scraping Ukraine from the region this month, Lt Col Nadiradze has a defiant message for the international community.

'The plan worked, it served its purpose,' the 55-year-old special forces veteran told the Mail while recuperating in Kyiv. He then pointed to a Russian region south of Kursk which Ukraine this week confirmed it has moved into. 'Now  keep your eye on Belgorod.'

The grizzled, chain-smoking Georgian has been fighting Moscow's forces since the 1990s after they twice invaded his country before he joined Ukraine's fight in 2014.

'While I am alive and capable of carrying a gun, I will kill Russians,' he says. 'It is blood revenge.'

Flying Dutchman, a soldier with the special forces reconnaissance unit operating deep behind enemy lines, Ukraine

Pop-Eye, a soldier with the special forces reconnaissance unit operating deep behind enemy lines

Brad Pitt's Inglourious Basterds character - a US soldier disguised as an Italian actor - is made to speak by a suspicious Nazi officer who wants to test his accent

In this famous scene, a simple hand gesture gives away an officer disguised as a Nazi - using three fingers to single 'three', rather than the typical Germanic thumb and two fingers

Indeed, if the world was stunned by the Kursk offensive  the first occupation of Russian territory since World War Two  he promises plenty more to come.

His special forces reconnaissance unit cannot be named and is not at liberty to divulge exactly where it goes. But, suffice to say they are now very familiar with Russian soil.

The unit operates for days at a time in enemy territory, dodging drones and slipping past patrols to identify key military targets, often getting within metres of them before phoning in hits.

They are the first in, paving the way for ground troops, before using unorthodox methods to sneak back through enemy lines undetected to relative safety  ready to go again.

Most of their work cannot be reported, but today they detail some of their most outrageous forays across enemy lines as they call on Europe to step up support so they can keep fighting.

Filling the ranks are two Ukrainians with the call signs Popeye, 43, and the Non-Flying Dutchman, 49, who pulled off an escape from Bakhmut that would have impressed SAS founder David Stirling, who was dubbed the Phantom Major for using his perfect German to slip through lines undetected.

'These absolute madmen got stranded behind enemy lines for 22 days,' Lt Col Nadiradze says proudly. 'Everyone thought them dead. Heavily bombed area, Russians on the offensive.

'I was supposed to tell their parents they perished, but I held out hope that they might survive.'

Over three weeks after they were lost, the two mavericks walked back onto Ukrainian soil  narrowly avoiding getting shot as they were dressed in Russian uniform.

'Over these 22 days, they killed six Russians  keep in mind this is in Russian-controlled territory,' Lt Col Nadiradze said.

'They took their uniforms and, trying to be discrete, moved from one bombed-out building to another, moving slowly back to the border.

'In one of the last ones, they stumble into four Russians, sat inside drinking. What do they do? Well, they are wearing Russian uniforms  so they join in.'

While Popeye speaks fluent Russian, Dutch has a heavy Ukrainian accent so, just like the famous scene out of Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds, he was forced to remain almost mute as Popeye did the talking.

They managed to fool the Russians before making for the border  even being accompanied part of the way by their new friends. As they parted, however, Dutch, momentarily losing focus, hugged one of the Russians before saying in Ukrainian: 'Thank you lads!'

'Popeye put his hand on his grenade, ready to blow them all up - but thankfully they were so drunk they didn't notice,' Lt Col Nadiradze said.

Nadiradze's unit cannot be named and is not at liberty to divulge exactly where it goes

Much like in the Tarantino flick, Popeye and Dutchman got away with their act

Sergeant Giorgi Partsvania, 35, who lied to his family that he was going to work in Poland before blagging his way to the front line

Another member of this band of brothers is Sergeant Giorgi Partsvania, 35, who lied to his family that he was going to work in Poland before blagging his way to the front line.

'My mother wasn't happy,' he tells us from a cafe in Kyiv. 'She found out when one of my comrades posted a picture of us on operations.'

'I don't recruit mummy's boys,' his commander said of him. 'I want bad boys  I know how to work with them.'

Sergeant Partsvania was one of the first men onto Russian soil  taking with him a Georgian flag which he unfurled on entry to Kursk.

'It's hard to explain how good it felt  it was like the excitement you feel as a child when someone gives you a big present,' he said of that moment.

He has taken out suicide drones at near point-blank range with his shotgun, detonated a hidden minefield that would have wiped out over 20 men, and got within 60 metres of one of Russia's most heavily fortified positions in Kursk before calling in a hit.

Last summer, he was recovering from a blast wound in hospital when he learnt his comrades were going back into Russian territory  so he broke out of the hospital and sped to the border to join them.

After a dressing down from Lt Col Nadiradze, Sergeant Partsvania is now taking his injuries seriously - but he is still determined to get back out and continue the fight.

'Wait for the surprises,' he says, grinning. 'You will see more surprises. The Ukrainians are strong people  and we will win.'
When Nathan Carman was found dead in his prison cell in June 2023 from a reported suicide, it appeared his case had reached a tragic yet telling end.

The 29-year-old was awaiting trial for murdering his mom, Linda Carman, at sea in 2016 in what prosecutors claimed was a meticulously planned and elaborately staged boating accident.

Hed also been named as the prime suspect in the murder of his multi-millionaire grandfather, John Chakalos, who was executed in bed as he slept in 2013.

Prosecutors claimed that Nathan had murdered both as part of a twisted scheme to inherit a larger share of his familys $44 million fortune.

His death, on the surface, appeared to be a silent admission of guilt.

But Nathans attorneys claimed something more nefarious was afoot: they said he was not suicidal and was looking forward to clearing his name in court. Meanwhile, a secret harbored by the family's housekeeper threatened to turn the case on its head.

The saga has since become one of New Englands most notorious murder mysteries.

In search of answers, investigative journalist Casey Sherman has delved head first into the convoluted web encapsulating Nathan Carman in his new book, Blood In The Water, which was released on April 8.

Sherman called the Carman saga the strangest case hes ever investigated.

Normally, theres a window into whether this person is guilty or innocent, Sherman tells the Daily Mail.

But in this case, youve got facts that point to Nathans innocence and to his guilt - which is why I think prosecutors wouldve had an incredibly difficult time trying to convict Nathan had he made it to trial.

Nathan Carman (right) was accused of killing his mom, Linda Carman (left), at sea in a staged boating accident in 2016

He was also named as the prime suspect in the 2013 shooting death of his millionaire grandfather, John Chakalos (right)

'Shakespearean Tragedy'

Nathan grew up in Connecticut as an only child and was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome at an early age.

He was described by those around him as highly intelligent but unpredictable and seemingly lacking a capacity for empathy.

It was his grandfather, John Chakalos, who took the wayward and lonely boy under his wing.

Chakalos doted on Nathan, paying for his schooling, housing, and lavishing him with gifts.

He also brought him into the family's real estate business and appeared to be grooming him as his successor.

In Blood In The Water, Sherman writes that Nathans close bond with Chakalos raised eyebrows and stoked quiet resentment among the wider family.

Chakalos had four daughters and eight other grandchildren, and many questioned why he was elevating Nathan to the lofty position as his eventual successor, writes Sherman.

While his adult daughters, all but Linda, may have been capable of running the family business, Chakalos was old-fashioned and treated his Greek family as an archaic patriarchy where women did not hold the same value as men.

Linda, in particular, seemed to detest the attention Chakalos was showing her son.

Nathan Carman (left) shared a difficult relationship with his mom (right). To mend their fractured bond they often embarked on fishing trips together

Author Casey Sherman has written a new book about the Carman family saga

Linda was a gambling addict who struggled to hold down a job.

She was financially dependent on her father, and Chakalos was known to wield his wealth over his daughters, threatening to cut them off for any perceived acts of disobedience.

Sherman likened the familys chaotic dynamic to a Shakespearean tragedy.

I look at John Chakalos life like King Lear, Sherman tells the Daily Mail.

You have his daughters that are all really vying for his love and attention, and how he controlled every member of his family through his wealth. It was all very volatile and sometimes even violent.

Chakalos and Linda often fought and even came to physical blows in 2011 when Nathan was institutionalized after suffering a mental break.

Linda Carman shared an equally difficult relationship with her dad and totally relied on him financially

Linda was arrested and charged with assault of an elderly person.

My father is worth $300 million, she told police. He is not going to cut me off. I need the money.

The charges were later dropped at Chakalos request.

For some time, the pair had been locked in a tug of war over custody of Nathan.

Chakalos disapproved of Lindas parenting and sought control over the boy's upbringing, but Linda resisted and shared open disdain for Chakalos interferences.

But when Nathan turned 18, Linda was forced to relinquish control and Nathan started spending more time with Chakalos.

Two years after the hospital brawl, Nathan was ingrained in his grandfathers business, frequently attending meetings at Chakalos side.

Linda protested the favoritism shown by her father towards Nathan by acting like the troubled teenager she had once been, writes Sherman, embarking on a 10-day gambling trip and depleting a trust fund belonging to her son.

On September 16, 2013, she also secretly wrote Nathan out of her will, pledging her $5.7 million share of her fathers inheritance to her sisters.

Within months, the family would be shaken by the death of Chakalos wife, Rita, who succumbed to breast cancer.

The stable footing Nathan finally found himself on soon crumbled beneath his feet.

As described by Sherman, Chakalos fell into a deep emotional stupor after Ritas death and confided in friends that he no longer wished to live.

The couple was beloved in the local community and revered for their philanthropic pursuits.

But all was not what it seemed.

Nathan was diagnosed with Aspergers at a young age and held the nickname 'murder boy' among some in his hometown

A billboard paid for by the family offers a reward for the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the murder of John Chakalos

Blood In The Water: The Untold Story of a Family Tragedy released on April 8

Family Secrets

While his wife was on her deathbed, Chakalos had proposed to his housekeeper, Joy Washburn, offering to pay her $10,000 per month if she agreed to wed him when Rita died.

He called it a marriage of convenience and said it was the only way he could change the family trusts, by adding me as his wife, Washburn told Sherman, adding that Chakalos had shared a desire to cut his 'ungrateful' daughters off for good.

Washburn claimed that Nathan was standing outside the room and overheard the entire conversation.

At Ritas funeral, Washburn said she was issued another odd proposal, this time from an associate of the family who told her, nobody can stand John anymore.

The person asked me to take John out hunting in New Hampshire and kill him and make it look like an accident. I dont think this person was joking, Washburn shared.

While his family continued to mourn Ritas loss, Chakalos was spending less time with Nathan and his daughters.

Though to the outside world, Chakalos, 87, appeared to be a loving husband-turned-widower who was left devastated by an insurmountable loss, in reality he had for months been engaged in an illicit affair with a woman six decades his junior.

Weeks after Ritas death, John spent a weekend away with his young mistress at a casino in Connecticut.

Chakalos brought a bag of sex toys up to their hotel room, writes Sherman. He asked her to use them on herself while he watched.

The affair was kept secret from Chakalos family, but the patriarch was becoming more withdrawn from his business, and prioritizing Nathan less as he focused his limited energies on his spritely concubine.

By December 20, tragedy would befall the family again.

Chakalos was found dead at home in bed, having been shot three times in the head and back.

Nathan was the last person to see Chakalos alive. They had dinner together the night before and Nathan had driven Chakalos home.

Earlier that day, Chakalos had visited a sex shop in Hartford and was spotted on a ATM surveillance camera with a young blonde at his side.

The girlfriend called Chakalos at 8:36pm, purring on the phone, wanting him to engage in phone sex, writes Sherman.

The elderly man could not resist such a tantalizing conversation with the young blonde, so he quickly cut his visit with Nathan short and escorted him to the front door while he still had his cell phone to his ear.

Nathan Carmen is seen in 2016 after being rescued having claimed to have spent eight days adrift in a small inflatable lift raft after his boat sank

Chakalos took two more calls that night: one from Linda and another from Washburn.

Early the next morning, around 2am, a neighbor was awoken by a loud bang. An hour later they heard car tires screeching.

Chakalos was found dead by his daughter Elaine later that morning.

The killer had been methodical: the shell casings from the three fired shots had been removed from the scene, as had the bag of sex toys Chakalos had purchased the day prior.

Joy Washburn said she was terrified after learning of Chakalos murder.

Her mind was immediately cast back to the proposition posed to her at Rita's funeral to kill Chakalos and stage his death as a accident.

She had nervously laughed off the cryptic conversation then, but she wasnt laughing anymore, writes Sherman.

A Willing Accomplice?

Nathan quickly came under suspicion and he struggled to establish a concrete alibi for his movements that night.

According to Sherman, Nathan told police he dropped Chakalos off then drove to his apartment in Bloomfield.

He said he stayed home for a few hours and later left to get ice cream. When he returned home he claimed to have stayed up playing online chess.

Nathan was captured on surveillance leaving his apartment complex at 2:57am - an hour after Chakalos neighbor reported being awoken by a loud bang.

That morning, Nathan and his mother had plans to meet for an early hours fishing trip.

They were scheduled to meet at 3am, but Nathan didnt show until 4am.

When asked where hed been, Nathan told his mother hed lost track of time playing chess, according to Linda.

While investigators stood over her fathers bloodied body, Linda and Nathan spent the morning fishing off the coast of Rhode Island.

Nathan was the last known person to see his grandfather alive

Federal agents execute a search warrant at Nathan Carman's Vermont home in May 2022

All of Chakalos' daughters were questioned, but Linda came under particular scrutiny because of her prior arrest for attacking him.

The suspicious timing of Linda and Nathan's fishing trip was also not lost on investigators.

Was Linda trying to establish an alibi? writes Sherman. She hired an attorney within days of the killing, as did her three sisters.

All of Chakalos daughters agreed to take polygraph tests and passed.

Nathan, meanwhile, refused to cooperate.

Police determined that Chakalos had been killed with a .308-caliber rifle.

Nathan had purchased a .308-caliber rifle - a Sig Sauer Patrol 716 - two weeks before the murder.

When confronted, Nathan said he forgot he owned the rifle and claimed to have since lost it.

Nathan also discarded his computer hard drive and removed the GPS unit from his truck after the killing.

Suspicions were abundant, but Nathans aunts stumped up thousands to cover his legal fees.

Police wanted to arrest Nathan for murder but the state attorneys office refused to sign the warrant because the case - without the murder weapon, or a proverbial smoking gun - was too circumstantial.

In 2015, Connecticut's Cold Case Unit took over the investigation.

The unit began exploring whether Nathan potentially disposed of his missing Sig Sauer rifle on the fishing trip with his mom.

That posed the question: did Linda Carman know more about her fathers death than she was letting on?

Sherman believes theres a chance that Nathan - if he was the killer - didnt act alone.

Nathan overheard that conversation between his grandfather and [Joy Washburn], about how John was trying to tie up his estate so the children couldnt gain access to it freely, he said.

So theres a theory that potentially Nathan and Linda may have committed this murder as a joint partnership and then gotten rid of the rifle [...] before John could make that decision.

But there were other people that had reason to want John Chakalos dead - and Nathan wouldve been easy to frame,' added Sherman.

Cliff-Hanger Mystery

Nathan Carman inherited $550,000 upon his grandfathers death.

In 2014, he moved to Vermont where he bought a house and a 31-foot fishing boat named Chicken Pox'.

By 2016, Nathan had blown through his inheritance.

Then on September 17, 2016, he and Linda decided to embark on a fishing trip off the coast of Rhode Island.

Before setting off, Nathan made a series of alterations to the Chicken Pox that investigators claimed were deliberate acts of sabotage.

Nathan removed engine parts and sections of the hull that stabilized the boat.

According to Nathan, he and his mom set off at 11.13pm. They fished for several hours near Block Island, then headed to Block Canyon shortly after dawn.

Nathan's boat, the Chicken Pox, is seen above. He purchased the vessel with money from inheritance after his grandfather was killed

Conditions on the water that morning were calm.

Nathan claimed they dropped their fishing lines and spent hours trolling for tuna before disaster struck.

All of a sudden, he heard a sound coming from under the deck and realized the boat was taking on water - but Nathan never triggered the boats emergency alarm system.

He told the Coast Guard he saw his mother standing in the cockpit while he grabbed supplies to take onto the boat's emergency raft.

When he looked back, he claimed his mom had vanished. Then suddenly, the boat dropped out from under his feet.

Eight days later, a healthy-looking Nathan was spotted adrift on a life raft by the captain of a commercial bulk carrier 100 miles off the coast of Cape Cod.

The rescue was initially hailed as a miracle but soon took a dark turn.

Following a six-year investigation, Nathan was charged with murdering his mom 'on the high seas by prosecutors in Vermont in 2022.

In the indictment, Nathan was also named the prime suspect in Chakalos murder.

Prosecutors claimed he killed Linda so he could obtain his mothers share of Chakalos fortune - unaware he'd been removed from her will.

But Nathans trial would never come to pass: On June 15, 2023, he was found dead in his jail cell.

Nathan Carmen was found dead in his cell June 2023. Authorities said his death was 'not suspicious' but didn't publicy disclose a cause of death

Martin Minnella said he was sure Nathan was going to walk free, claiming the state's case against him was shoddy and thin

An urn carrying Nathan Carmen's ashes is seen being held at his funeral in Waterbury, CT

Officials declined to release Nathans cause of death at the request of his family, but said it wasn't suspicious.

Nathans attorney Marty Minnella told the Daily Mail that Nathan was hanged with a shoelace noose.

Minnella said Nathan wasnt suicidal and believes he was murdered.

The attorney said Nathan was excited for trial, certain that hed walk free because the states case was riddled with holes and lacked concrete evidence.

Sherman shares Minnellas beliefs, stating prosecutors didnt have anywhere near the amount of evidence needed to eradicate reasonable doubt.

The author said theres also plausible information the sinking of the Chicken Pox couldve been an accident as Nathan claimed.

If Nathan was almost certain to walk free, then why would he have resorted to taking his own life before trial?

What motive did Nathan have to kill himself, unless he was overcome with guilt? asked Sherman.

Joy Washburn told me that she believed Nathan was murdered by someone who wanted to keep him off the witness stand, and thats a compelling theory.

Stranger still, to Sherman, is the fact that after Nathan's remains were cremated, his aunts buried him in their family plot next to Chakalos.

Why would you want the person you believe killed your dad to be buried next to his victim for eternity? It doesnt make sense.

I think theres always going to be a mystery surrounding this case [...] and it makes for a hell of a cliffhanger.

Blood In The Water: The Untold Story of a Family Tragedy is out now.
The House voted for a measure advancing President Donald Trump's MAGA agenda, including tax cuts, after fierce Republican infighting.

Voting 216 - 214 the House forwarded a framework to begin the work on the president's 'One Big, Beautiful Bill.'

The bill advances the president's many policy objectives like addressing the border, renewing his 2017 tax cuts, slashing tax on tips and more.

But that plan hit a major hang-up this week after dueling Republican factions on Capitol Hill refused to agree on how much spending cuts to include in the effort.

The Senate's budget blueprint enflamed outrage from conservatives in the House because it only calls for $4 billion in spending cuts while the GOP malcontents, and many in the party, advocated for $1.5 trillion in cuts.

The opposition to the Senate's plan was so great that Johnson was forced to scuttle the vote on it late Wednesday night in a dramatic reversal after it was apparent the support was not there.

But on Thursday morning Johnson said he had the votes.

And the House passed the major legislative outline by a razor-thin majority.

President Donald Trump and Speaker Mike Johnson stand on the Capitol steps last month

Johnson and Trump have been in close communication about the progress of Trump's 'one big, beautiful bill' as it winds its way through Congress

The White House has been calling on Congress to quickly enact the Trump agenda and the president has been in close contact with the speaker has been keeping him updated on its progress.

When the 78-year-old caught wind that Johnson faced staunch opposition, he and worked to persuade some on-the-fence Republicans by hosting them at the White House this week.

During a press conference with Senate Majority Leader John Thune Thursday before the vote, the speaker told reporters that the measure would pass.

'I believe we have the votes to finally adopt the budget resolution so we can move forward on President Trump's very important agenda for the American people,' Johnson said confidently.

Thune said that the Senate will try to achieve the trillions in cuts, an attempt to reassure House lawmakers he would work to enact deeper cuts.

'Our ambition in the Senate is we are aligned with the House in terms of what their budget resolution outlined in terms of savings,' the Senate leader shared.

'The speaker's talked about $1.5 trillion. We have a lot of Senators who see that as a minimum.'

The president also worked to reassure the dubious House lawmakers on Thursday morning.

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., left, and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., make statements to reporters ahead of vote in the House to pass a bill on President Donald Trump's top domestic priorities of spending reductions and tax breaks, at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, April 10, 2025

Thune noted how many GOP senators want to cut $1.5 trillion in spending

'Great news! 'The Big, Beautiful Bill' is coming along really well,' Trump posted on Truth Social.

'Republicans are working together nicely. Biggest tax cuts in USA history! Getting close.'

To avoid needing Democrat votes to pass Trump's sweeping plan, both the House and Senate need to pass an identical budget using a process called reconciliation, though since the two chambers are disagreeing on the numbers, the plan was stalled.

So Trump sought to bring the Republicans in both chambers together, uniting them via Truth Social posts all week, reminding them they are on the same team.

'I had a very good meeting today with the Speaker of the House and some of our more conservative members, all great people,' Trump wrote in another post this week.

'I let them know that, I am for major spending cuts! We are going to do reductions, hopefully in excess of $1 Trillion Dollars, all of which will go into 'The One, Big, Beautiful Bill.''

'I, along with House Members and Senators, will be pushing very hard to get these large scale Spending Cuts done, but we must get the Bill approved now,' the president continued.

Tensions within the House GOP escalated this week as conservative House Freedom Caucus (HFC) members expressed their dismay with the Senate's bill.

The far-right group's leader, Rep. Andy Harris, R-Md., admitted just an hour before the scuttled vote on Wednesday that not all of his members came to an agreement to back the Senate's measure.

HFC member Chip Roy, R-Texas, said he was skeptical that the Senate and Trump would follow through on promises made to make budget cuts after the measure gets passed.

'Why am I voting on a budget based on promises that I don't believe are going to materialize?' he said this week.

Another HFC member Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., wrote: the Senate's proposed '$4 billion in cuts compared to the House's baseline of $1.5 trillion is a slap in the face, so let's get serious!'

Republican leadership and many rank-and-file GOP members countered that argument by stressing how if the measure does not advance then the party risks not being able to renew Trump's 2017 tax cuts.

The tax cuts run out of the end of the year and Republicans are warning that if it does it would serve as a massive tax increase on all Americans next year.
A popular American wellness store could be the next target of Congress as companies with links to Beijing face the wrath of the Republican-controlled U.S. government.

General Nutrition Centers  better known as GNC  is a manufacturer and retailer that sells health, nutrition and fitness related ingestible products like powders, vitamins, supplements, herbs, minerals and energy products.

GNC is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and was initially an American company. But since 2020 it has been a wholly owned subsidiary of Harbin Pharmaceutical Group, which is a pharmaceutical manufacturer owned by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

With this revelation, a North Carolina congressman and former Green Beret told DailyMail.com he is now making it his 'mission' to get all GNCs removed from military installations.

Members of Congress are concerned about collection of data whenever a veteran or member of the military purchases something from a GNC on base.

Some lawmakers along with those at President Donald Trump's agencies are worried about potential health concerns associated with ingesting anything that comes from Chinese state-owned companies  though they admit there has not been proof of any such tampering or threat so far with GNC products.

And GNC Public Relations Director Nick Sero notes 'over 96 percent of our GNC branded products are made in the U.S., and no GNC-branded product is manufactured in China.'

He told DailyMail.com that the remaining GNC products that aren't made in the U.S. are largely produced in the United Kingdom and Canada.

'None of our GNC-branded products are made in China, and our parent company does not have any influence on our products,' Sero assured.

Officials with the Department of Health and Human Services and the FBI tell DailyMail.com they are cracking down on any company that has links to the CCP and supplies Americans with food, pharmaceuticals, vitamins, cosmetics and other things that go into or onto bodies.

Rep. Pat Harrigan (R-N.C.) is blowing the whistle on the prevalence of GNC stores on military bases, highlighting its links to the Chinese Communist Party and spearheading the effort to shut them down.

Rep. Pat Harrigan (R-N.C.) wants to kick GNC stores off of U.S. military bases. He is proposing a bill aimed at ensuring stores on installations are vetted for their national security threat level

There are more than 80 GNCs on U.S. military bases  and in 2020 the company became fully owned by a CCP pharmaceutical manufacturer

What started as an investigation into the number of supplements manufactured in China quickly turned much deeper once Harrigan became aware that the entire company is owned by the hostile communist Chinese government.

Sero confirmed the retailer's presence on military bases and addressed concerns associated with collection of data.

'We are proud to serve our military customers with integrity, safety, and full transparency,' he said.

He added in a statement: 'We are run by a U.S.-based leadership team and are governed by strict U.S. security protocols. Customer data is protected by third-party controls approved by the Department of Defense. We do not share any personal information, PCI data, or security information with our parent company, nor are they accessible.'

'We remain committed to protecting our customers, following our compliance, and meeting the trust placed in us by the U.S. military community.'

Sero also pushed back on suggestions that any of GNC's products are compromised.

'No foreign government has any influence over our sourcing or formulations,' he insisted. 'We control our own formulas, ingredient sourcing, and testing. Every product meets rigorous U.S. standards, goes through our industry-leading 150-point checklist, and undergoes independent, third-party quality checks.'

'Any suggestion that a foreign entity could compromise our supply chain or introduce unsafe ingredients is completely false.'

The Department of Defense did not weigh-in when reached by DailyMail.com about whether it was looking into GNC stores on its military installations.

Revelations of the links between GNC and China come as Trump seeks to decrease supply coming from outside the U.S. by imposing this week sweeping tariffs on nearly every single country  including a whopping 104 percent sanction on all goods from China.

It also comes amid rising concerns in Congress and the federal government over the CCP purchasing swaths of American acreage, specifically of farmland near military installations.

When the more than 80 GNCs were opened on installations in the U.S. they were still an American owned company. But it appears that their acquisition by a CCP company in 2020 flew under the radar in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Chinese-owned retailer is able to sell its supplements more easily directly to members of the military, their families and the veteran community by remaining on dozens of bases.

Harbin Pharmaceutical Group acquired 40 percent of GNC in 2018 and then took total control once the supplement store and manufacturer filed for bankruptcy in 2020.

Harrigan said it is 'my mission to make sure they [GNCs] are no longer operating on our bases.'

'I'm not going to let this go,' the former Green Beret told DailyMail.com. 'There's just no way we should allow Chinese Communist Party companies to operate on our bases period.'

Harrigan noted how there are four separate GNC store locations just on Fort Bragg in North Carolina

During a visit to Fort Bragg in his home state this month, Harrigan found there were four GNCs on the base where thousands of special operators are stationed.

The North Carolina congressman unveiled this month the Military Installation Retail Security Act, which is aimed at making sure no CCP or other hostile nations are operating businesses on military installations.

He detailed the widespread support his proposal has already received and the interest of his colleagues to cosponsor the bill.

Harrigan says he is sending a letter to relevant agencies later this week asking for them to investigate the links between GNC and CCP and their ability to operate on U.S. installations. This presumably includes HHS, the FBI and the Department of Justice.

FBI Director Kash Patel has already said he's keeping an eye on CCP links to U.S. companies.

'I'm concerned, like many Americans, about the wide-scale purchase of land, real estate, etc. by the Chinese Communist Party or those sanctioned by the party in America,' Rep. Scott Perry said during the House Intelligence Committee's confirmation hearing with Patel earlier this year.

'Director Patel, I think we can all understand that that can lead to the ease of nefarious activity of numerous sorts,' the Pennsylvania Republican noted. 'What do you think should be our posture or our policy from a national security standpoint regarding the purchases of these lands and the ownership, occupation, utilization, etc. by Communist Party sanctioned use?'

Patel replied: 'From the FBI perspective, if we had federal statutes to enact criminal allegations and pursue those relating to these matters, we would do so.'

'I agree with you that having CCP actors purchasing large swaths of land next to military installations is a national security issue, a major one.'

'And I would highlight to the American public  we're not allowed to buy farmland in mainland China or in Russia, so I don't know why we let that happen here. But that's a personal matter for me,' the FBI director continued.

'If I were given more legislation on it, I would love to act on it.'

In 2018 Harbin Pharmaceutical Group acquired 40% of GNC ownership, and in 2020 became full owners when the company filed for bankruptcy. The Chinese company is a pharmaceutical manufacturer owned by the CCP. Pictured: GNC headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Last week, DailyMail.com revealed how the FBI and HHS are in the process of increasing their focus on stopping the CCP from meddling in American food supply and preventing Beijing from buying U.S. farmland.

'The FBI is actively monitoring and investigating the growing threat of CCP acquisition of U.S. farmland and interference in our food supply chains,' Patel advisor Erica Knight told DailyMail.com.

'With increasing reports of these efforts, protecting our national security and economic resilience remains a top priority.'

HHS is also weighing establishment of an outside advisory board to examine potential national security threats in food, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.

And such an 'insider threat', some sources tell DailyMail.com, could now include products in GNC stores, Rep. Harrigan claims.

'If you want to talk about risk  just access, placement and proximity, and GNC has it,' Harrigan said during an interview this week on his new bill.

'This just doesn't even pass the sniff test with respect to how much vulnerability there is potentially,' he said. 'And, excuse me, sorry if we don't trust a company that's wholly owned by the Chinese Communist Party to do what they say that they're going to do.'

GNCs are popular among fitness buffs and those whose job it is to stay in shape  like members of the U.S. Military. Most who visit these stores are seeking out protein, pre-workout, BCAAs, creatine, fitness supplies, and other health and wellness supplements.

Harrigan says while the priority is getting GNCs off base, he also realizes there is a need to provide a solution considering the popularity of these products among the military and veteran community.

He says that having American owned stores and brands take their place would be ideal.
Utah server Anthony Holland had just bought a new Adidas sweatshirt at Kohls and was relaxing at home after a late shift at Texas Roadhouse the night before when cops showed up at his door.

It was December 14, 2023, and he was unaware that Kristil Krug, his first teenage love who he had broken up with more than 20 years earlier, had been murdered in her suburban Denver, Colorado home earlier that day.

He told a jury on Wednesday that detectives asked him upon arrival if he knew Krug. At the time, he said, he had 'no idea what was going on' when they came to his house.

Kristil, a 43-year-old engineer, had been found fatally bludgeoned and stabbed in the garage of the home she shared with her husband Daniel and three children in Broomfield, about halfway between Denver and Boulder.

Holland was testifying in the trial of Kristil's spouse, 44, who has pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder, stalking and criminal impersonation.

Prosecutors allege that Krug, knowing Holland had made occasional attempts to reconnect with Kristil since their 2000 breakup, executed a campaign of stalking and harassment of his wife while pretending to be the Utah server.

He set up email addresses using elements of Hollands name and sent threats to kidnap Kristil and get rid of her husband, according to prosecutors.

Kritsil Krug's ex-boyfriend Anthony Holland told a jury on Friday how cops showed up on the door on the day she was murdered, even though he hadn't seen her in 20 years

Jurors were shown video evidence earlier in the week from when Broomfield detectives, in the hours after his wife's murder, confronted Krug with the fact that the 'stalker's' email had been linked to the wifi at his own workplace. They also told him Holland had been ruled out by alibi.

But Krug continued to insist that either his wife's ex or 'somebody else' had killed her.

Holland, who traveled from his home in Eagle Mountain, Utah to testify, said Wednesday that he told officers on December 14, 2023 that he and Kristil had dated more than 20 years previously. He confirmed in court that she had been his first love.

The pair had met when Holland was 17 and Kristil was 18, he said, but he hadnt seen her since they broke up around the end of 2000.

He did email her in 2004 just checking in and seeing how she was doing, and she told me that she couldnt talk because her boyfriend would get mad at her, Holland testified Wednesday, wearing a suit, tie and tie clip.

He contacted her again several years later through Facebook and they became friends over the platform, he said.

But she stopped being my friend and blocked him after he sent a message he couldnt clearly recall on Wednesday.

When asked by the prosecutor whether the message told Kristil that Holland still loved her, he testified: Probably.

While he was uncertain of the date, he said that had been the their last communication - and Kristil told authorities before her death, while reporting the stalking she attributed to Holland, that she'd last interacted with him in 2016.

By December 2023, Holland testified, he had no idea how to get ahold of her.

He told the court that, following initial contact with Utah officers who turned up at his door in December 2023, Colorado detectives traveled to interview him at his home on January 2, 2024.

He said hed only learned of Kristil's death a few days before that, when a mutual friend whod gone to school with her alerted me and told me what was going on.

Hollands sister also testified Wednesday and verified photos that showed her brother had been with her and other relatives in Idaho and Utah on many of the dates the stalker had sent photos and surveillance purportedly from Colorado.

Earlier on Wednesday, Kristil's family stifled sobs and dabbed away tears as they watched the moment a Broomfield officer discovered the Colorado mother's bloody and unconscious body in the garage of the family home.

The body camera footage was shown amidst testimony from Broomfield Officer John O'Hayre, who was dispatched to the house on December 14, 2023 in response to a wellness check called in by Kristil's husband.

Krug called police to say hed been unable to reach his wife for three hours and she wasn't answering messages.

Daniel Krug has been charged with murdering his wife Kristil. Prosecutors say he posed as her stalker and bombarded her with terrifying messages before bludgeoning her to death

Kristil Krug was found murdered in the garage of her suburban Denver home on December 14, 2023

O'Hayre's body cam also showed how, as he called for backup and began CPR on Kristil, her mother arrived at the open garage door.

Linda Grimsrud testified on Monday that Krug had called her to ask that she also check in Kristil because he was alarmed that his wife hadn't answered his messages.

The court on Wednesday also witnessed Krugs arrival on scene in the immediate aftermath of the discovery of Kristil's body.

Panting and distraught, Krug  whod driven home from work following his calls for wellness checks  ran across the street after parking and sobbed into the arms of waiting loved ones.

When asked by police for permission for searches of the home, he distractedly exclaimed, Go, go go!

As other family members comforted themselves in the street, Krug staggered to the curb, rocking back and forth and later falling to his knees with his head in his hands.

Red-faced and mumbling, much of what he said was barely audible.

Jurors also heard testimony Wednesday from witnesses involved in the investigation and at Krug's workplace.

The trial continues on Thursday.
A man who was 'devastated' after thugs stole a Paddington Bear statue has got a tattoo to celebrate its safe return.

Royal Air Force engineers broke the iconic sculpture in half and made off with part of it Newbury, Berkshire, last month.

Daniel Heath and William Lawrence, both 22 and engineers at RAF Odiham in Hampshire, were sentenced for criminal damage at Reading Magistrates' Court and ordered to pay 2,725 each towards the costs of mending the statue.

The sculpture has now been fully repaired and was unveiled in the town centre on Wednesday in front of excited locals.

Among them was 64-year-old Anthony George, who was so thrilled by the beloved character's return that he decided to immortalise Paddington with a tattoo on his leg.

Mr George, from Hungerford in Berkshire, said he got the tattoo three weeks before the statue's official return to Newbury.

'I'm very proud of it,' he said.

'I just want to symbolise what a wonderful fictional character Paddington is. I grew up with Paddington, so it means a lot.

'It clearly says on his name tag 'Look after me', or words to that effect, and hopefully people will adhere to that: be kind.

A man has got a tattoo to celebrate the safe return of an iconic Paddington Bear statue that was damaged by vandals

The statue has now been fully repaired and was unveiled in the town centre on Wednesday in front of excited locals. Among them was 64-year-old Anthony George 9pictured), who was so thrilled by the beloved character's return that he decided to immortalise Paddington with a tattoo on his leg

Left, Paddington is pictured on the park bench eating a marmalade sandwich, and, right, the remains of the statue in Northbrook Street, Newbury, after the theft

'Unfortunately the other two that vandalised it weren't very kind.'

He added: 'When I heard what happened, I was absolutely devastated.

'Such a shame and everyone loves Paddington - apart from Daniel and William. My dad was in the RAF, they're in the RAF - my dad would have been mortified.'

CCTV footage shown in court shows the two thugs pulling the statue off the bench on Northbrook Street in the early hours of the morning.

After several attempts, the young men - who had spent the day drinking at Newbury Races - managed to pull the front half of the bear away from its seam.

They are then seen making off with the bear, walking down the high street, with Paddington propped up over one of their shoulders before getting into a taxi with the statue.

After returning to RAF Odiham, the men stowed Paddington into the boot of Lawrence's car. Police turned up at the base a few hours later after their taxi driver confirmed their identity.

After seeing officers, Heath and Lawrence told the guards of what they had done and were taken to the police station. During interviews after their arrest, they made 'full and frank admissions' about removing the statue.

Heath and Lawrence can be seen vandalising the statue (left) before the pair are seen on CCTV walking away with it (right)

Daniel Heath (R) and William Lawrence (L), both 22 and engineers at RAF Odiham in Hampshire, were sentenced for criminal damage at Reading Magistrates' Court and ordered to pay 2,725 each towards the costs of mending the statue

On sentencing, district judge Sam Goozee branded the pair's rampage 'an act of wanton vandalism' - as a prosecutor added: 'when you think about England you think about two things: Paddington Bear and the Royal Family.'

'Paddington Bear is a beloved cultural icon with children and adults alike,' the fuming judge told them. 'He represents kindness, tolerance and promotes integration and acceptance in our society.

'His famous label attached to his duffle coat says 'please look after this bear'.

'On the night of March 2, 2025, your actions were the antithesis of everything Paddington stands for.

'Your actions lacked respect and integrity, two values you should uphold as members of the armed forces.'

Inspector Alan Hawkett, from Thames Valley Police, said the success of the investigation into the vandalism came from 'a real community effort'.

He said: 'It wouldn't have been possible without the help of the community: people posting on the Facebook pages, reporting what they had seen and what they heard, the town centre businesses checking their CCTV for us, the local taxi companies as well.

'It was a real community effort that brought about the return of Paddington.'

Police previously posed alongside the statue of Paddington Bear in Newbury

Paddington was pictured in a Thames Valley Police car before it was ripped apart and stolen

Marc Giles and Ty Cosway, from the Special Constabulary team, said they worked for 15 continuous hours to retrieve the broken half of the Paddington Bear statue.

'When we arrived on the scene, it was about three seconds before someone approached us and said 'Oh, you're here for Paddington',' Mr Giles said.

Mr Cosway added: 'Some kids were coming up to us while we were walking from business to business doing our CCTV inquiries, and you start to get a bit more of an idea of the impact.

'It might seem on the surface as a localised case of criminal damage, but the community impact was massive.'

Mr Giles said: 'We ourselves were shocked by it, and it made us feel even more proud to have brought him back.'

After the interview, a little boy came to hug the two constables and said: 'Thank you for bringing him home.'

Dominika Zydron, 39, who lives in Newbury, attended the unveiling ceremony with her two children Joanna, nine, and Stasiu, four.

She said: 'We came here especially to see him and welcome him home. We are very excited.

On sentencing, district judge Sam Goozee branded the pair's rampage 'an act of wanton vandalism' - as a prosecutor added: 'when you think about England you think about two things: Paddington Bear and the Royal Family'

'We walk by this road every single day and say hello to Paddington, so when he was missing it was very sad for us.'

Kerrie Newton, 49, also from Newbury, came to see the repaired statue with her daughter Evelyn, nine, and her son Henry, six.

She said: 'It's great to have him home.

'He's brought a lot of joy to Newbury when he was first here and it really upset everybody in town that he was sadly taken from us.

'It means a lot that he's come back quickly.

'It's a little bit of happiness in this crazy world.'

Michael Bond, the author and creator of Paddington, was born in Newbury.

The statue is one of 23 located across the UK and Ireland as part of the Paddington Visits Trail.

Reacting to the news that the sculpture had been stolen Lee Dillon, Liberal Democrat MP for the town, said: 'Heartbreaking to see that Paddington in Newbury has been vandalised. He brings so much joy to our community.

'Just yesterday, I stopped to take a photo of him with my family. This senseless damage is so disappointing.'

Following confirmation that two RAF employees were involved in the vandalism, the military body said: 'We are aware that two service personnel have been arrested for alleged theft and criminal damage. However, we are unable to comment while legal proceedings are ongoing.'

Recently, another Paddington statue fell victim to vandals in Ashby, Leicestershire, with a colourful bear being smashed up.
The Drax power station cooling towers loom ominously over North Yorkshire, dominating the skyline from Howden to the Humber.

Five per cent of Britains electricity comes from its gargantuan furnaces, which started belching out smoke in 1974.

Back then, they were fed by coal from nearby Selby, but in more recent times the facility has been converted to run entirely on processed wood pellets, a fuel known in the trade as biomass.

Under this arrangement, which dates back to 2012, the Government can officially describe Draxs electricity as renewable. But critics, who call the whole thing a great green hoax, believe its anything but.

They have for years argued that the station, which has so far burned through the equivalent of 300million trees (via pellets shipped mostly from North America) is instead a major polluter, which produces more climate-destroying carbon than any other industrial facility in the UK.

The other thing Drax burns through is public money. Lots of it.

Last week, it emerged that the stations privately-owned parent company was handed a stonking 869million in Government subsidies in the past 12 months alone.

Thats the equivalent of more than 2million a day, adding an estimated 10 to the energy bills of every household in the land. If the station really was green, one could perhaps consider this money to be well spent. But if critics are correct, you and I have instead helped funnel billions to the business  which last year made 850million in profits and enriched shareholders to the tune of 97million via dividends  for no good reason.

The Drax power station has so far burned through the equivalent of 300 million trees

All of which brings us to a quite extraordinary legal case that unfolded at the London Central Employment Tribunal late last month. At its centre was Rowaa Ahmar, a former civil servant who was a top lobbyist for Drax over a period of roughly 18 months, between August 2022 and last January.

Ahmar was the power firms head of public affairs and policy for the UK. But shed left the role in hostile circumstances and was now making a truly sensational claim: that shed been unfairly dismissed for making whistleblowing complaints.

Specifically, Ahmar alleged that the firm sacked her after she wrote a series of bombshell memos telling senior executives that the company was misleading the public, government and its regulator, Ofgem, about the power stations sustainability.

She told the court that Drax had attempted to silence her as part of a plot to deliberately conceal the truth, and accused the firm of telling porkies about the original source of the wood pellets it burned.

The case, which was heard over the course of a week in a ground floor room at Victory House in Holborn, London, revolved largely around fallout from the release of a documentary called The Green Energy Scandal Exposed, published by the BBCs Panorama in early October 2022, shortly after Ahmars arrival.

It had made a deeply troubling claim: that Drax, which had by then received 6billion in green subsidies, was fuelling its supposedly climate-friendly biomass furnaces using wood that had been sourced from ancient primary forests in Canada.

This revelation gave lie to Draxs insistence, aired in its PR materials, that it only ever used pellets made entirely from sustainable wood such as waste sawdust.

Importantly, the power company chose to deny many of Panoramas allegations. However, Ahmar insists that several of its PR lines were completely untrue.

Her jaw-dropping testimony, which includes an 80-page witness statement about which she was cross examined over three days, was chock full of unflattering insights into the culture at Drax.

It depicted it as a business with a cavalier attitude to public money, which was dysfunctionally run and seemed bewildered as to why anyone might want to question its practices. It should at this stage be stressed that the power firm disputes these and many of Ahmars other claims.

Rowaa Ahmar was a top lobbyist for Drax before she turned whistleblower

It points out that several of its own witnesses, who might have disputed her version of events, were denied the chance to take the stand because the case ended before its conclusion (in circumstances we shall detail later).

Back to the tribunal. At one point in her evidence, Ahmar said the Panorama episode triggered a level of chaos that I have never seen before within the company, in which senior executives attempted to find loopholes in an effort to dig themselves out of a crisis which had quickly wiped hundreds of millions of pounds off the firms market value.

She also alleged that a dishonest rebuttal campaign had begun the morning after the programme had been broadcast, with Drax posting a stern statement on its website which accused the BBC of repeating inaccurate claims about biomass which have for years been promoted by those who are ill-informed about the science behind sustainable forestry and climate change.

Draxs statement went on to assert: Eighty perc ent of the material used to make our pellets is residues, sawdust, wood chips and bark left over when the timber is processed. The rest is waste material left over which would otherwise be burned to reduce the risk of wildfires and disease. Ahmar  who says she wasnt consulted on the PR statement, despite being head of public affairs  told court that it took her a few hours to establish that much of the statement was completely untrue.

At another point that week, Drax received an email from the Department for Business, Enterprise, Innovation and Skills (BEIS) demanding a response to Panoramas various claims. According to Ahmar a junior employee replied, without taking any advice, denying that Drax had received any material from two forests that had featured in the BBC film.

The programme targeted two sites  we have not received any material from these two sites, her message claimed.

That denial  made, it should be stressed, in an email to Government  also turned out to be false.

To this end, Stuart Cotten, Draxs director of compliance and regulation, emailed colleagues to say the firm was in fact likely to have consistently burnt pellets from Meadowbank and Burns Lake  the two precious sites in the BBC documentary  since at least 2019. Ahmar recalls that Cotton said if we had used these pellets we would have committed a significant misreporting of burn data. Yet for some reason, she told the court, Drax let its denials stand.

It is important, at this stage, to understand the bizarre rules governing green subsidies that British taxpayers currently finance.

They stipulate that Drax is actually allowed to source 30 per cent of its wood pellets from unsustainable sources.

That may sound scandalous  and from an environmental perspective, it probably is  but this loophole means Drax would not be breaking any rules if did burn some wood from virgin forests. By the warped logic of UK officialdom, that is supposedly less damaging to the environment than burning coal, since trees absorb carbon when they re-grow.

Crucially, however, what the company absolutely must do, under Ofgem rules, is to keep records of the exact source of all its pellets. It also has to be honest, and not make claims that it is only burning forestry residues when it is not. Draxs problem, of course, was that it seemed to be doing the exact opposite. And as public controversy grew, some of the junior staff began to rebel.

One, says Ahmar, told her that he thought Drax was greedy and would get caught, and that he was embarrassed to work there, adding: I will do the bare minimum and take my salary whilst looking elsewhere.

As for how to deal with further government inquiries, Ahmar says she was advised by Draxs head of media: Why dont you tell BEIS civil servants to f*** off? An odd way to display gratitude to the Whitehall machine that was showering them with cash.

The cooling towers over Selby, where coal was previously sourced for the power station

With the PR crisis deepening, Drax hired KPMG to carry out an investigation into the scandal.

Ahmar said the firm produced a number of reports (though she claimed that not all of them were later shared with Ofgem). She claims to have been briefed on the interim findings of one, which confirmed that the company in fact used unsustainable wood, but was told not to discuss them with senior managers.

On November 2, she nonetheless decided to blow the whistle, sending a letter to Draxs chief executive Will Gardiner  who earned more than 5 million in 2022  saying the firm had likely broken its legal obligations owed to its government funders by misrepresenting its biomass as being sustainable in order to obtain lucrative subsidies.

Her letter was described in court as one of six protected disclosures she made to senior colleagues over the ensuing months. It contained claims that the company had acted grossly negligently in those representations given that the people working for Drax knew that Drax did not have the evidence it would need to confirm that it never sourced primary logs for wood pellets.

The day Ahmar sent the note, things took another tricky turn, after the companys spokesman Dr Alan Knight appeared in the Commons before the Environmental Audit Committee.

She told the tribunal that Knight misled Parliament by insisting that the biomass used was sustainable and by dismissing any concerns that biomass could also be coming from unsustainable sources. He knew we did not have the data to support those representations.

Again, it should be stressed that Drax denies many of the claims Ahmar aired in court. And whatever had really occurred, it doesnt seem to have taken her protected disclosures at face value either. On paper, senior executives at a publicly-listed company, alerted to potentially serious shortcomings in their firms business practices and submissions to government, might be expected to thank the whistleblower who decided to bring the whole thing to their attention.

Yet at Drax, the exact opposite allegedly happened. In return for blowing the whistle, Ahmar claimed that she was forced out of a job, telling the court she was issued with an ultimatum: Sign an NDA, take money and go quietly.

Specifically, she stated that on January 10, 2023, she was offered a sum of money [50,000] to leave my employment and drop the protected disclosures.

She said she was told the offer was confidential and threatened that if I refused the deal I would be dismissed.

Draxs version of events is, again, different. In court, the firm instead argued that she was unmanageable and, during her period of employment there, created a maelstrom of chaos.

It also said she had lost the trust and confidence of multiple colleagues within weeks of taking up her position.

Drax claimed that Ahmar was an unreliable witness, and that her account of events had altered over time.

It said a KC who investigated her claims on behalf of the firm had concluded that: [Ahmar] had generally adopted the attitude of she is right and everyone else is wrong.

Louis Bacon, an American hedge fund manager, has helped finance Ahmar's case

Out of fairness, it should further be observed that Ahmar is also no stranger to employment disputes. Early last year, she attempted to sue the Cabinet Office for discrimination and harassment during her time there, which ended in 2022, only to withdraw the case.

She is also in dispute with energy company Essar which she briefly worked for in 2024.

Further muddying the waters is the fact that she received help from a peculiar quarter in the shape of Louis Bacon, a bequiffed American hedge fund manager who helped finance her case. Bacon has previously sought to profit from Draxs misfortune, having once taken a short position against the power company, meaning that he would profit if its share price went down, although that position was closed in July 2024, before he began supporting Ahmars case.

Be that as it may, the early days of last months tribunal case were at times excruciatingly embarrassing for Drax, which not only saw Ahmar air damaging claims in open court but at one point watch as a senior executive named Jonathan Oates, who was her line manager, was brutally cross-examined about their interactions.

Oates was forced to concede that documents he had described as contemporaneous notes of conversations with the whistleblower were in fact nothing of the sort, having instead been typed up from other records at a later date.

Last Monday was expected to represent a moment of even greater peril when chief executive Gardiner was to appear on the stand. But then came some remarkable news: the two sides in the employment dispute had suddenly negotiated a settlement.

The development meant that the case ended instantly. To the dismay of environmental campaigners, no further evidence was therefore made public.

Moreover, the settlement stopped Ahmar from commenting further on the detail of the affair, aside from via a joint statement which announced that both sides in the dispute had reached a mutually agreeable position, without admission of liability.

That statement continued: Ms Ahmar made protected disclosures. Those disclosures were the subject of independent investigations instigated by Drax, as were other matters that Ms Ahmar raised about her employment.

The independent investigation into the disclosures has been shared with the regulator who reached a determination that is already public.

The independent investigation was, as it happens, an Ofgem probe. It ended in August with Drax paying 25million for what were described as inadvertent and technical breaches of rules about disclosing where its wood came from.

Though this has been widely described as one of the biggest fines in British corporate history, the company insists, a touch comically, that the payment should be described instead as a voluntary contribution to a redress fund.

As for the cost of settling with the whistleblower, it remains unknown. However there were at least ten lawyers in court for proceedings and one observer estimates overall costs to be in excess of 6million.

In the parallel universe of green energy subsidies thats small change. In fact, its the exact amount British taxpayers pay every three days to a certain Yorkshire power station where two things seem to regularly go up in smoke: wood chips and the truth.
A New York City woman is finally coming home after being stranded in Puerto Rico when airline officials told her she was not allowed to board the plane with her emotional support parrot.

Maria Fraterrigo, 81, flew out of John F. Kennedy International Airport with her beloved bird, Plucky, by her side without any problems on January 4.

However, when she tried to return on Saturday, a Frontier Airlines employee told her she had to leave her pet behind, reported WABC.

The grandmother from the Bronx said she brought her bird, who weights 10 ounces, through security at JFK in an approved pet carrier and had the proper paperwork for him.

But, after she made it through airport security in Puerto Rico and to her gate, they told her the New York staff made a mistake allowing her to fly.

'No, no, no, that was a mistake at JFK. If you want to get on the flight, get rid of the bird,' Fraterrigo told WCBS the airline said to her.

'You won't be able to make the flight. Get rid of your bird and give it to somebody.'

Fraterrigo has owned the African Grey Parrot for nearly 20 years, and became close with the bird in 2019 when her husband Richard, a court officer who also worked for the NYPD, passed away from cancer related to 9/11.

Maria Fraterrigo (left), 81, is stuck in Puerto Rico after airline officials told her she could not board the plane with her emotional support parrot, Plucky (right)

After she made it through airport security in Puerto Rico and to her gate, they told her the New York staff made a mistake allowing her to fly with Plucky

'He kept me going, talking to me, making me laugh when I was down,' Fraterrigo said.

Fraterrigo and her son, Robert, were desperate to get the elderly woman and her emotional support pet back to New York.

'I have been traumatized. It's like I am abandoned,' Fraterrigo said. 'My medicine is home, doctor's appointment. Everything is just a nightmare.

'I got no more tears my mind is blank, just want to go home. That's all, I don't ask for much.'

Robert contacted Frontier and the airline admitted they made a mistake on her flight out of New York, claiming the bird 'was not checked correctly.'

Frontier refunded the ticket, about $190, and issued a $250 voucher while pointing out its policy of not allowing large birds like parrots in the cabin.

According to the airline website, only 'small household birds may be carried on flights within the United States.'

The airline explicitly states large birds such as parrots are never accepted to travel in the cabin.

The Frontier Airline website states parrots are not allowed to travel in the cabin and told Fraterrigo's son the New York staff did not properly check the animal

'My mother did nothing wrong and she just needs to be taken care of and sent home, she didn't want anything else but to go home and no one wants to help,' Robert Fraterrigo said.

'She has a letter from the vet saying it's an emotional support animal. There was never a question as to what type of bird my mother was bringing.'

On Wednesday, the Fraterrigo's told the local news station the 81-year-old woman and her bird were coming back to New York, but did not specify how.

Frontier Airlines told DailyMail.com they are investigating the matter and looking to help Fraterrigo get back home.

'We are currently investigating the matter and are in contact with the customer and her family to assist her in returning home as soon as she can present all of the government-mandated documentation,' the company said.

'As a matter of standard policy (as noted on our website) we do not normally transport parrots on our aircraft.'
A young student who took a peaceful nap in a hammock met a horror ending after a tree fell on him while on a Catholic retreat in Alabama.

Malachi Crain, 22, had been sleeping in a hammock while on a camping trip with friends in the Chattahoochee National Forest in Georgia when a tree fell on him in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Emergency services began their response to the site at around 2.12am. Crain was pronounced dead on the scene and one other camper had suffered minor injuries.

Crain's three other friends were also sleeping in separate hammocks when the tree fell onto the campsite.

It took emergency crews over five hours to reach the remote campsite, according to Fannin County Emergency Services.

The University of Alabama senior, who was only weeks away from his graduation, became trapped beneath the tree and was found unresponsive, according to the press release.

Officials added: 'The campsite was located approximately 4.2 miles from the nearest trailhead, requiring SAR teams to hike over 8.4 miles round-trip through difficult terrain, much of it in the dark.'

A father and daughter who were camping nearby heard the tree fall and rushed over after hearing cries for help. The pair provided immediate support to the group of friends.

Malachi Crain, 22, had been sleeping in a hammock while on a camping trip with friends in the Chattahoochee National Forest in Georgia when a tree fell on him in the early hours of Saturday morning

The other injured camper and friend of Crain was stabilized on-site and taken for further medical evaluation and treatment. Video footage from the scene showed the camper being air-lifted from the scene

The nearby campers then hiked back with the two who were uninjured and helped them back to their vehicle after emergency services arrived.

A helicopter from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources extracted Crain and one injured camper.

The injured camper was stabilized on-site and taken for further medical evaluation and treatment.

Video footage from the scene showed the camper being air-lifted from the scene.

The group of campers were all involved with Bama Catholic, which released a statement expressing the despair of losing Crain.

'Malachi was a Senior at the University of Alabama and a beloved member of the Bama Catholic Community. While pursuing a bachelor's degree in mathematics and computer science, he also served in many roles at Bama Catholic,' the statement said.

'He will be dearly missed by many... This news is shocking and difficult,' it concluded, further offering guidance for those affected by Crain's death.

Father Tom Ackerman of St Francis of Assisi University Parish told WBRC that Crain was the vice president of the liturgy for the student Masses.

The University of Alabama senior, who was only weeks away from his graduation, became trapped beneath the tree and was found unresponsive. He was pronounced dead at the scene

Emergency services said in a release: 'The campsite was located approximately 4.2 miles from the nearest trailhead, requiring SAR teams to hike over 8.4 miles round-trip through difficult terrain, much of it in the dark'

'He helped arrange for different ministers, trained them and stuff like that. It was obvious he loved God, loved his fellow students and great love in his family as well,' Ackerman continued.

Ackerman said that the tragedy was not storm-related but that the tree fell due to old age.

He tearfully added that: 'What I tell people is the fullness of somebody's life is not measured by the length of years but the love they lived their life with. By that measure, Malachi lived a full life.'

Funeral services are scheduled to be held tomorrow before he is buried and laid to rest.

Crain is remembered by those who knew him as an intelligent young student, who was an 'accomplished athlete,' a cook and 'lover of very spicy food,' as well as funny with a 'great sense of humor.'

'Malachi was super smart and his sisters considered him the most intellectual of the three Crain kids... Malachi loved his family deeply...he was the best son and brother a family could ask for,' Crain's obituary read.
The cult mom serving three life sentences for killing her children has suffered a humiliating blow in court as she denies accusations she also conspired to murder her husband.

Lori Vallow is representing herself in the high-profile murder trial, and grilled her late husband Charles Vallow's one-time lover on the stand.

Charles was shot dead by his brother-in-law Alex Cox on July 11, 2019 while visiting his estranged wife and their son, JJ. Months earlier, he told police that Lori had threatened to kill him and 'lost her mind' after developing extremist doomsday beliefs.

Prosecutors allege Lori put her brother, Cox, up to the murder in order to cash in on his life insurance policy and start a new life with doomsday prophet Chad Daybell.

The 51-year-old attempted to shame Nancy Jo Hancock when she was on the stand for 'going on a date with a married man', but instead was humiliated when the woman delivered a sobering statement.

Asked whether Nancy Jo and Charles spent their 'entire date talking about me', she quipped: 'Don't flatter yourself, no.'

The no-nonsense witness revealed she and Charles met on a dating app for members of the church of Latter Day Saints and began messaging back and forth 'a lot.'

By the time they met, they'd exchanged 'hundreds of texts' and had conversations which lasted more than three hours.

Lori Vallow is representing herself in the high-profile murder trial, and grilled her late husband Charles Vallow's one-time lover on the stand

Asked whether Nancy Jo and Chad spent their 'entire date talking about me', she quipped: 'Don't flatter yourself, no'

'Most men that you date aren't nearly as kind about their ex and discuss them in more derogatory way,' she said.

'I remember how odd, in a good way, that he was not speaking in a derogatory way about Lori.'

But Nancy Jo said Charles had painted a negative picture about his relationship and was under a lot of stress.

He told her he'd changed the beneficiary of his $1million life insurance policy, and Nancy Jo had suggested he tell Lori as she was concerned about her behavior.

The duo went on their first - and only - date on July 10.

The mother-of-five thought the date went very well and reached out to Charles the next day several times, but never heard back.

'I was puzzled how I had misread what I had thought was a good date that he would not even take the courtesy to reply. I wondered why but just figured that was what his decision was,' she told jurors.

Lori maintained that Charles was not yet divorced and tried to reiterate that Nancy Jo had been on a date with 'a married man.'

JJ (left) and Tylee (right) were tragically killed. Lori is serving three life sentences, including one for each of her children's deaths

Lori is now on trial for the death of her forth husband, Charles Vallow (left)

She is already serving three life sentences and has chosen to represent herself in this high-profile trial

'You're trying to tell me and this jury that you went on one date with my husband and he told you all the details of our lives?

'You spent your whole date getting to know each other talking about me?'

Lori went on: 'So let me understand. You were dating some different men from the website. Would you say it was common for men to be talking so much about their supposed ex-wives with a potential?'

Nancy Jo responded: 'It's actually very common.'

Lori was convicted of killing her two youngest children, Tylee and JJ, and conspiring to murder a romantic rival in 2023.

She is serving three life sentences. The current trial relates to the death of her forth husband, Charles.

Prosecutors allege she conspired with brother Alex Cox to kill Charles and cash in on his life insurance policy. She believed he was possessed by an evil spirit.

Lori pleaded not guilty and has chosen to represent herself in the six-week trial. She maintains her brother acted in self-defense, and the death is a tragedy but not a crime.
A Florida woman recorded in a heartfelt airport reunion with her boyfriend was found dead in her apartment just two weeks after they moved in together.

Yannelis de la Caridad Casales, 30, jumped into her boyfriend, Carlos Yordanis Aldana, 38, arms last month at the Jacksonville airport.

The couple had been together for six years, but Aldana had just arrived in the United States from Cuba after serving a three-year prison sentence, reported NBC Miami.

Two weeks after their emotional reunion, Casales was found stabbed to death in their apartment, and Aldana was charged with her murder, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.

Police were called to the grisly scene at an apartment complex off the Arlington Expressway on March 30.

Officers found Aldana outside of the building, bleeding from stab wounds to his left hand and shin.

'A trail of blood led officers from where Aldana was found to a crime scene in an apartment unit,' the sheriff's office said.

Once inside, officers found Casales with multiple stab wounds and pronounced her dead at the scene.

Yannelis de la Caridad Casales (pictured), 30, was found stabbed to death inside her apartment on March 30

Casales jumped into her boyfriend, Carlos Yordanis Aldana, 38, arms last month at the Jacksonville airport

Surveillance footage obtained by Univision appeared to show a bloodied Aldana walking through the apartment stairwell.

In the footage, Aldana can allegedly be heard saying, 'I killed her,' CiberCuba reported.

The couple met in Cuba when Aldana was already living in the United States. Three years ago, while on vacation to the island, he was detained by authorities for an unspecified case.

While Aldana was serving his time, Casales moved to the United States with an I-220A document.

An I-220A document, also known as an 'Order of Release on Recognizance,' is an ICE document that allows a migrant to be released from custody while their immigration proceedings are pending.

On March 16, Casales posted their emotional airport reunion video to Facebook with the caption, 'You are the dream I always pray for. Welcome home.'

Casales ran to Aldana from across the airport, holding red, white and pink heart balloons, then jumped into his arms.

The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said after speaking with witnesses and gathering evidence, Aldana was arrested and charged with murder.

Two weeks after their reunion, police charged Aldana (pictured) with Casales' murder

The couple had been together for six years, but Aldana had just arrived in the United States from Cuba after serving a three-year prison sentence

Casales loved ones have set up a GoFundMe to raise money for her funeral expenses.

'Our beloved friend Yannelis Casales, her life was tragically taken Sunday, March 30,' the fundraiser said.

'She was the life and soul of the parties. Her friends and family are devastated.'
An expectant mother suffering from 'pregnancy rage' has snapped at a fellow diner for her infuriating act, which many takeaway customers can relate to.

Maggie had been waiting in line for 20 minutes to order takeaway from a 'sushi noodle joint' in Geelong on Monday.

She said she ran out of patience when the couple ahead of her in the queue reached the counter and then had a drawn-out discussion about what they should order, despite having had plenty of time to decide while waiting for their turn.

The man suggested beef noodles with satay sauce, but the woman then intervened to tell staff he 'actually doesn't like satay'.

Maggie claimed in a TikTok the woman said to her partner: 'I think last time we came here it was too hot for you. You want it? Okay, we're going to get the satay.'

At this point Maggie was 'seeing red' as she only wanted to 'get two dim sims and get out of here'.

'Then she goes, "Now, I'll have the chicken or the beef?" Then she goes, "The chicken looks better. I'll get the chicken",' she said.

'Then she goes to the woman, "Those big noodles there, those fat noodles, are they really bouncy and chewy or are they quite dry and have been out all day?"

Maggie was already frustrated with a long line but it got even worse when the woman in front of her took her time ordering her food

'And I'm thinking, "It's like 12.30pm. What's all day to you?"

'And this Chinese woman goes, "Have you been here before? These are the noodles, they taste how they always taste."'

By this point, Maggie was fed-up with the indecision, saying the woman had taken the same amount of time it normally took 'four people to order', so she cut ahead to order two dim sims with sweet and sour sauce.

Maggie said the woman then told her: 'Excuse me, I'm literally in the middle of ordering.'

The expectant mother said the woman was not only holding 'this whole line up', but had offended staff behind the counter with her question about the noodles.

'You've had 20 minutes to look at what you wanted to do. You haven't done it and you're being selfish,' she told the woman.

A woman says people should decide what food they're ordering while waiting in line (stock image)

Maggie then paid and grabbed her dim sims, leaving the woman in disbelief.

'I walk out of there and this woman grabs me on the arm on the way out and she goes, "Thank you. Jesus Christ, we need to work on line etiquette."

'She was like, "You go in your car and have your dim dims, love, and feel better". She was like, "People like that need to be told."'

Maggie shared another video reflecting on the incident, revealing she had no regrets about it.

'This morning, I was thinking about it and it was aggressive and I probably made the situation worse, but I am angry when I'm pregnant, I have zero tolerance,' she said.

'I got into a fight at the sushi noodle joint feeling good about it.'

Several social media users sided with Maggie, claiming the slow-ordering woman should have known better.

'Line etiquette is also letting the person behind you go if you don't know what you want,' one wrote.

'Legit, pregnancy rage while hungry is next level. You turn into this monster that isn't even you for a bit,' another said.

'Decide while you are waiting!!! Don't hold up everyone and talk to your partner like they are a baby,' a third added.

However commenters said Maggie should have been more patient.

'I disagree. People have the right to take their time ordering,' one wrote.

'They waited in the line just like everyone else. You'd only be waiting an extra 30 seconds to two minutes for them to make up their mind.'
A real estate agent is facing legal action after a taskforce accused him and his agency of underquoting 11 different properties.

Victorian agent Nicholas Skapoulas and his agency, Nicholas Scott Real Estate, are set to face Victoria's Civil and Administrative Tribunal for disciplinary proceedings.

Mr Skapoulas, who has over 30 years experience, is the first real estate agent to face such disciplinary action from Consumer Affairs Victoria's taskforce.

If found to have breached the state's underquoting laws, Mr Skapoulas could have his license suspended or permanently cancelled.

The taskforce examined quoted sales prices and auction results in suburbs in Melbourne's north-east on Saturday.

It alleges Mr Skapoulas and his agency underquoted 11 properties and advertised a selling price less than what had been agreed with the vendor.

The underquoting taskforce also alleges the agent and his agency did not list the 'median selling price or comparable properties in the area'.

Nicholas Scott Real Estate employs three other licensed real estate agents, along with agents' representatives. Daily Mail Australia is not suggesting any of Mr Skapoulas' other licensed real estate agents or agents' representatives have been accused of any wrongdoing.

Victorian real estate agent Nicholas Skapoulas (pictured) and his agency, Nicholas Scott Real Estate, are set to face disciplinary proceedings for underquoting 11 homes in Melbourne

If found guilty, Mr Skapoulas could have his license suspended or permanently cancelled

The tactic of underquoting is used to widen the pool of interested buyers without any intention of selling at that price, and then telling potential purchasers they need to offer more.

Consumer Affairs Minister Nick Staikos said underquoting was dishonest and usually preyed upon first home buyers.

'Underquoting is a very dishonest practice that draws prospective home buyers into property sales where they couldn't actually afford the property to begin with,' Staikos told A Current Affair.

Consumer Affairs Victoria established the taskforce in 2022 to target unfair practices in the property market and to ensure fair access to buying a home.

Since its launch, the taskforce has received almost 4,000 complaints and has issued fines totalling $1.8million to real estate agents breaching underquoting laws.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Nicholas Scott Real Estate for comment.
A hulking father-of-two who was convicted late last year of killing his wife and kids has claimed to have transitioned behind bars and demands to be moved to a women's prison - a request that was firmly denied on Wednesday.

Mohammad Al Ballouz, 38, who now wants to go by the name Levana Ballouz, was found guilty on December 16 for the stabbing death of his wife, Synthia Bussieres, 38, and suffocating their two children, five-year-old Eliam and two-year-old Zac, according to the CBC.

The killer was also convicted of arson for setting fire to the family condo in September 2022 in Brossard, on Montreal's South Shore, the St. Albert Gazette reports.

But while in custody, Ballouz claimed to have transitioned and was being held at the Leclerc Institution - a women's prison in Quebec - during his trial, when he reportedly wore a wig and had manicured red nails.

However, when Ballouz was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for 25 years, he was incarcerated at a men's prison.

By January, Ballouz had filed a petition to return to Leclerc - but on Wednesday, the Correctional Service of Canada confirmed that it had conducted an assessment of the situation and determined the killer 'will be incarcerated in a men's institution,' CTV reports.

The federal agency did not provide a reason for its decision, but a spokesperson said each accommodation request is assessed on a case-by-case basis and requires an examination of the inmates needs and risks.

'When there are overriding health and safety concerns, the request is denied and alternatives are put in place to meet the offender's gender-related needs at the institution where they are incarcerated,' the spokesperson said.

Mohammad Al Ballouz, 38, who now goes by the name Levana Ballouz, had requested to serve his life sentence in a women's prison

Ballouz was convicted in December of killing his wife, Synthia Bussieres, 38, and suffocating their two children, five-year-old Eliam and 2-year-old Zac (pictured)

Under the CSC's policy, each inmate is assessed within 60 to 90 days of being sentenced to a federal prison to determine security risks and review details of the case.

The assessment allows authorities to determine the inmate's security level and 'appropriate penitentiary placement' based on factors including the safety of the public, corrections staff and other inmates.

'Furthermore, the victim's concerns are taken into account when determining the penitentiary placement,' the agency said in January, when Ballouz filed his request to be transferred to the women's prison.

That request was quickly met with backlash, with Mathie Lavoie - president of the union that represents guards at provincial jails in Quebec - telling the CBC that inmates at Leclerc women's detention center 'have raised doubts or fears about trans prisoners who still have male sex organs.'

He explained that last summer, some of the trans inmates at the correctional facility taunted and tried to intimidate guards during strip searches.

'Incarcerated people made certain comments towards female corrections officers by mentioning to them: "Well, it's not so bad to see me naked, you see, it doesn't bother you to see my genitals. You like seeing my genitals,"' Lavoie claimed.

Conservative leader Pierre Polievre also spoke out about the case on X, saying it is 'surreal' that 'a man who killed his wife and two kids now claims he is a woman to go to a female prison.'

The Correctional Service of Canada denied Ballouz's request to be incarcerated at the Leclerc Institution (pictured)

At his trial, jurors heard that Bussieres was stabbed 23 times - and at least 11 of the stab wounds were defensive, which prosecutors said showed she fought for her life.

Following the stabbing, Ballouz suffocated his two children, and set their condo on fire.

By the time firefighters arrived at the scene, they found the killer lying in a bed in a master bedroom between his two sons.

At sentencing in December, Quebec Superior Court Justice Eric Downs described Ballouz as 'sadistic' and a 'deeply narcissistic person.'

'The evidence shows that the accused shows no remorse, no empathy,' he declared at the time.
A 10-year-old Australian girl has tragically died after a fire tore through a cooking school in Singapore.

Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) was called to a shophouse on River Valley Road in the north of the city on Tuesday about 9.45am local time.

'The fire was raging on the second and third floors,' a spokesperson said in a statement on social media.

'Several persons were on a ledge outside the third-floor unit.'

Terrifying footage of the fire showed many children sitting on the window ledge with their legs dangling, preparing to jump if they needed to.

About 80 people were evacuated by police and the Defence Force, with 20 of them being taken to hospital.

At least 15 of the casualties were children and among them was a 10-year-old girl who died from her injuries in hospital.

A spokesperson for the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) confirmed on Wednesday that the young girl was an Australian citizen.

Singapore Civil Defence Force and emergency services were called to a building that belongs to a cooking school after reports of a blaze

Singapore Civil Defence Force said several people were stuck on a ledge on a shop's third floor as a fire tore through the building

'The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing consular assistance to the family of an Australian who died in Singapore,' it said.

'We send our deepest condolences to the family at this difficult time.'

Daily Mail Australia has contacted DFAT for comment.

Members of the public assisted the rescue effort, including construction workers who brought over scaffolding to help people clamber down to street level.

One worker, Shakil Mohammad, told The Straits Times he was inside a neighbouring building when he heard screams.

'The children wanted to jump. I told them, "Don't jump! I will help you",' he said.

'The fire was so hot. But I die, no problem, I just needed to save the children.'

SCDF rescued the remaining people stuck on the ledge while firefighters extinguished the blaze within 30 minutes.

The preliminary findings of an investigation by the force suggested the fire likely started in a storage area on the second floor.

Anyone found responsible could face a hefty fine of thousands of dollars or two years in prison (a firetruck is seen outside the shophouse after the flames were extinguished)

'Preliminary investigations also found fire safety non-compliances, including unauthorised works involving the erection of partitions within the premises,' a spokesperson said.

Investigations into the cause are ongoing. Anyone found responsible for breaches of fire regulations could face a fine of up to S$200,000 (about AUD$242,645), imprisonment of up to 24 months, or both.

The building's address belongs to Tomato Cooking School, which runs an Easter Holiday Camp for children between the age of six and 12.

Daily Mail Australia is not implying any wrongdoing by the school regarding the cause of the fire.

The company released a statement on Wednesday via social media, saying it is 'deeply saddened and shocked by the fire'.

'Our thoughts are with all the families and individuals affected during this difficult time. The circumstances that led to the fire is currently under investigation by the relevant authorities. We are providing our full cooperation and assistance

'We kindly ask for respect and privacy for the affected families as the investigation progresses. We cannot express our sadness in words for the affected families and what they are going through.'

Daily Mail Australia has contacted the company for an update.
A convicted rapist replied 'lol, sorry bro' after he was confronted by the partner of his victim after the sexual assault.

Fabian Boroumand, 45, was sentenced to three years and six months behind bars with a non-parole period of 18 months on Tuesday.

He was convicted of sexual intercourse without consent in NSW's District Court over the offence on the evening of March 12, 2023.

Boroumand raped his friend's on-off partner following a night of drinking at her apartment in Sydney's inner west, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.

The friend messaged Boroumand on Facebook the next day and asked: 'Something along the lines of "did you have sex with her or put your fingers inside her?"'

The man told the court he received a response from Boroumand: 'Yeah. I got a response something like "lol, sorry bro".'

The court heard the sequence of events began when the woman invited her male friend, who she had known for 10 years, over to her place around 7pm on March 11, 2023.

She picked him up, along with two of his friends, from a hotel and they went to her apartment where two of her friends joined them for an evening of drinking.

Fabian Boroumand, 45, was convicted of sexual intercourse without consent (pictured)

Boroumand (pictured) has been sentenced to three years and six months jail time

The victim and her now intoxicated on-off partner went to bed together at the end of the night.

But when the friend left the bed at some stage of the night, Boroumand got in and digitally penetrated the woman.

At first, the woman thought it was her partner doing it, and went along with it, before turning over and seeing it was Bouroumand.

The court heard that when she realised, she shouted at him to 'get out' and ran down the hallway to wake up her friend.

During cross-examination, the friend told the court: 'She was pretty distressed, shaking me and telling me to wake up... It had to be like 5am, I slept right through and then I woke up to her yelling and screaming, crying.

'Like, it took me a little while to get what was going on.'

The friend said by the time he was up, Boroumand and the third man had left the apartment, and he consoled her.

He suggested she report it to the police, which she did the following day.

The victim's friend and on-off partner messaged Boroumand (pictured) on Facebook the day after the assault

Boroumand's defence team suggested the victim's friend of 10 years could have performed the sex act on the woman but had been too drunk to remember

But he rejected this, saying: 'I know I didn't do that'.

Boroumand was arrested and granted conditional bail on April 6, 2023 up until his trial in November 2024.
READ MORE: Why this photo of an Australian suburb sparked huge debate

A Sydney family seen wheeling a packed shopping trolley onto a train has highlighted a major problem with new housing estates in the city's western suburbs.

Three men and a woman were filmed boarding a train with a Woolworths trolley piled high with groceries with the caption: 'Western Sydney things'.

Aussies were divided over the video, with some criticising the shoppers for taking the trolley beyond the supermarket's boundaries.

But, Sebastian Pfautsch, the Professor of Urban Planning and Management at Western Sydney University, said the planning of new suburbs, such as Schofields and The Ponds, are built around the assumption of 'total car dependency'.

This means households without a car are disadvantaged when it comes to running errands such as the weekly shop and have to resort to public transport.

'This presumption allows government to implement minimum retail space inside settlements and very limited public transport options, and supports developers to focus on maximising profits from land sales,' Prof Pfautsch told Daily Mail Australia.

'Not every family can afford two cars, or even wants them for a number of reasons, and if one member of the family needs the car for commuting, the other family member needs to deploy other means of transport when getting groceries.'

Prof Pfautsch also highlighted a lack of local infrastructure, such as corner stores, in these newer communities.

A family were seen taking a Woolworths trolley full of groceries onto a Sydney train (pictured)

'Nobody walks to get the newspaper, you get it on your phone. And you jump into the car to quickly get a litre of milk or pick it up on your way back from work,' he said.

The professor believes that more thoughtful urban planning could ease the pressure on households and reduce short car trips.

'Including more retail space inside housing developments would be one way to push back on short car trips to the shopping centre,' he said.

'Providing better public transport in the new settlements would help those that operate with one car in the family.'

Some Aussies sympathised with the men in the video.

'Back when I was young and poor(er) this was very much a thing... Never took [a trolley] on the train though,' one user admitted.

'Was broke during uni and had no car, no taxi fare, and no direct bus from the shops to my flat. If I hadn't used a trolley, I would've been so screwed,' another shared.

A third recalled: 'We moved a fridge and washing machine through the inner Sydney train system on shopping trolleys back in the share house days'.

Car-centric planning in Western Sydney's new estates is being blamed for poor infrastructure

But others slammed the use of a trolley at a train station.

'Old lady trolleys or beach trolleys are so cheap. There's no need to steal shopping trolleys,' one person commented.

'They'll leave that trolley on the footpath with six others from the past couple of trips for sure,' a second assumed.

'Love seeing random shopping trolleys strewn across neighbourhoods. Great for the streetscape when they inevitably get filled with garbage,' a third said.

Transport for NSW has urged commuters to not bring trolleys on board.

Telling Daily Mail Australia 'Shopping trolleys from supermarkets are not permitted on station platforms or onboard metro or train services.'

They warned of safety risks, stating 'Supermarket trolleys present a safety hazard. They can impact the safety of train operations if they are on the edge of the platform as the train comes in or if they roll/fall onto the tracks.'

Meanwhile, Woolworths acknowledged that some customers take trolleys beyond shopping centres, telling Daily Mail Australia 'We understand abandoned trolleys can be a nuisance, and that's why we invest millions in collection services.'
The family of a British businessman who died on holiday with his 25-year-old girlfriend are demanding answers - as they say they have no idea where he was buried or how he died.

Allen McKenna, 47, collapsed in Casablanca in February, while abroad with his Moroccan girlfriend Majda Mjaoual.

Mr McKenna's father Alan Moorhead, who lives in Adelaide in South Australia, says he received a video call from Ms Mjaoual on February 22 and could see his son's body in the background.

He is said to have died after having a fatal heart attack, but his family were not able to get hold of a death certificate or a coroner's report.

He was reportedly buried two days after his death before his girlfriend is said to have flown to the UK to organise his affairs - but has not said where he was laid to rest.

Mr McKenna was from Harrogate, North Yorkshire, but studied at the University of South Australia, and when he died was running three British companies, including a brewery.

His grieving family are now desperately trying to find out where he is buried.

'It's soul destroying. I don't know where to move, I don't know what to do,' a distraught Mr Moorhead told 9News.

'He deserves better. He deserves to come back here to South Australia and then all the family can have closure.

Allen McKenna, 47, collapsed in Casablanca in February, while abroad with his Moroccan girlfriend Majda Mjaoual, 25 (pictured together)

Mr McKenna's family are desperately trying to find out where he is buried. Pictured: Allen McKenna who, according to social media, took part in bodybuilding

A photo shared by Majda Mjaoual appears to show her holding Mr McKenna's hand in a hospital bed. It was posted on February 11

'It's just unbelievable. She's not answering any messages, phone calls, texts - nothing.

'I just want my lad back.'

Mark Parsons, a close friend, also told 9News: 'I still don't want it to be true... I'll never have a friend like Allen again.'

He added: 'It's essential I need to be able to have a memorial with them, a funeral, a place to go visit.'

Social media posts show that Mr McKenna was also into bodybuilding and appeared to compete in competitions.

Mr Moorhead has been extremely vocal on Facebook as he demands answers over his son's death.

Mr McKenna's father said he received a call from Ms Mjaoual (pictured) on February 22 and could see his son's body in the background

Another photo from social media appears to show Mr McKenna competing in a bodybuilding competition

His girlfriend said that he had died after having a fatal heart attack

Mr McKenna's father Alan Moorhead, of Harrogate, North Yorkshire, (pictured) says he received a video call from Ms Mjaoual on February 22 and could see his son's body in the background

He described himself as a 'grieving father' who is desperate to find out where his son has been buried in one post.

Mr Moorhead, who now lives in Adelaide, says he wants to bring his son home to Australia, where he grew up.

A spokesman for the Foreign Office told MailOnline: 'We are supporting the family of a British man following his death in Morocco and are in contact with the local authorities.'

North Yorkshire Police, Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Interpol are also said to be investigating.
One of the oldest living serial killers in the country uttered a death row confession after 17 years of keeping the gruesome slaying under wraps.

Gary Michael Hilton, 78, was convicted for the murders of four people after a spree which branded the army veteran as the 'National Forest Serial Killer.'

'It's time, it's time after 17 years to break my silence,' he told Court TV's investigative reporter David Scott.

During the interview, he finally admitted to taking the life of nurse Cheryl Dunlap - a crime he was convicted and received the death sentence for in April 2011.

'The woman I killed in Tallahassee, that I have my current death sentence for, she was a devout Christian and a real wheel in the church,' Hilton said, speaking of Dunlap.

'That case, currently, is under appeal. It hasn't been finally adjudicated,' he continued. 'But hey, I'm gonna give you a news scoop, I did it.

'So, there you have it, I'm confessing to a murder on camera that I never have before.'

Dunlap, a nurse and Sunday school teacher, was reported missing after she didn't show up to work on December 3, 2007.

The 46-year-old's car was found abandoned on the side of the road before her dismembered body was found in Apalachicola National Forest on December 15.

Gary Michael Hilton, 78, (pictured) finally confessed to the murder of Cheryl Dunlap after 17 years

Hilton was convicted for the murders of four people after a killing spree which branded the army veteran as the 'National Forest Serial Killer', including Dunlap (pictured)

Hilton (seen being escorted by police to the Lamar County Superior Courthouse in Barnesville, Georgia April 3, 2008) pleaded guilty to the murder of hiker Meredith Emerson

Hunters found Dunlap's torso about seven miles from where her head and hands were discovered.

'You murdered Cheryl Dunlap?' Scott asked in the short teaser clip.

'Yes, I did it, and I'll be glad to tell anyone I did,' he said.

Hilton had previously only confessed to three of four of the vicious killings across Florida, North Carolina and Georgia, and has now decided to share the full truth after years of silence.

He is also serving concurrent life sentences for the 2007 kidnapping and murders of John and Irene Bryant in national forests in North Carolina as well as a life sentence for the 2008 murder of Meredith Emerson in Northern Georgia.

Emerson's death, which received high amounts of media coverage, led authorities to discover in a fire pit with what they believed to be the incinerated head and hands of Dunlap.

When he was asked if he enjoyed the fear he was able to strike in people, Hilton replied: 'You know in a perverse kind of way I do.'

Hilton was found guilty of the kidnapping and murders of John and Irene Bryant in 2007 (pictured)

Meredith Emerson's (pictured) death, which received high amounts of media coverage, led authorities to discover in a fire pit with what they believed to be the incinerated head and hands of Dunlap

Scott read out correspondence between himself and the inmate, where Hilton promised a 'lollapalooza' interview that would 'knock your socks off.'

'Well, I'm just like no one else,' Hilton said, as Scott asked him to clarify his warning to 'be prepared to meet a whole different breed of cat.'

Hilton threw away a probe from Scott asking if he was referring to his being a serial killer.

'They're a dime a dozen,' Hilton said.

'Psychopath?' Scott asked.

'No,' Hilton declared with a furrowed brow.

'Sociopath?'

'I have part of that in me,' Hilton admitted.

Hilton (pictured in 2008) had previously only confessed to three of four of the vicious killings across Florida , North Carolina and Georgia, and has now decided to share the full truth after years of silence

Court TV's David Scott described Hilton, who is among the oldest living serial killers in the country, as 'void of empathy'

The death row inmate's disturbing confession comes as he told Scott he's facing a serious decline in his health.

'Very poor health, that's one reason I'm doing this, because I'm going to die soon,' Hilton added, as he admitted to having congestive heart failure.

'All I can say is, it's time. After 17 years... it's time [to be honest],' Hilton said.

Scott described Hilton as 'void of empathy.'

He added: 'He is the most prolific of the murderers we've covered and perhaps the most maniacal.

'What struck me was the absolute void of empathy, as if it was not in his DNA.'

Hilton's grisly history was said to have been aided by his time in the Army and his being a survivalist.

Paul Holes, host of HLN's Real Life Nightmare, told PEOPLE: 'He is very accomplished at living in the outdoors and know the terrain, knows where there would be a victim pool and which areas in these forests would be best for him to get away with committing his crimes.'

TMZ's full interview with the serial killer's confession is set to air on Court TV's Interview with a Killer on Sunday April 13.
First-class post may no longer be delivered within three days without increasing prices for customers, Royal Mail warned yesterday.

The group also claimed that the watering down of delivery targets would still result in 'significant costs'.

Royal Mail's legal requirements mean it has to deliver post to UK addresses six days per week for the same price, regardless of distance, under its universal service obligation (USO).

Watchdogs proposed lowering the target for first-class mail to arrive the next working day from 93 to 90 per cent of deliveries. The target for second-class mail to arrive within three days would be cut from 98.5 to 95 per cent.

Ofcom also proposed 'tail of mail' targets requiring 99.5 per cent of first and second-class mail to arrive in three and five days respectively. But Royal Mail said this would 'put the benefits of USO reform at risk and could lead to materially higher prices for customers'.

It is likely to provoke further anger after the cost of a first-class stamp increased to 1.70 on Monday  the sixth price rise in just three years. Amanda Fergusson, of the Greeting Cards Association, said customers 'expect more for less from Royal Mail, not even less for significantly more'.

Royal Mail's legal requirements mean it has to deliver post to UK addresses six days per week for the same price, regardless of distance, under its universal service obligation (USO)

The rise is likely to provoke further anger after the cost of a first-class stamp increased to 1.70 on Monday

Royal Mail also wants Ofcom to remove 'unnecessary regulation' which it said prevented it from offering parcel tracking. Martin Seidenberg, boss of parent company IDS, said 'changes we seek are important measures to ensure we can protect the one-price-goes-anywhere universal service for years to come.'

A consultation on Ofcom's proposals closes today, with a decision due this summer. They include plans to cut second-class deliveries to two or three days a week and axe them on Saturdays.

Royal Mail, about to fall under foreign ownership for the first time with a takeover by Czech Daniel Kretinsky set to be completed this month, has argued that the changes are needed to save money amid a decline in letter volumes.

Last night, The Telegraph reported that the NHS will be given its own postage class to stop late letters leading to missed appointments, with bardcodes automatically identifying and sorting them.
A New Jersey hairstylist allegedly asked a man she met on Tinder to kill her cop ex-boyfriend and his teenage daughter.

Jaclyn Diiorio, 26, was arrested last week after her Tinder match reported she offered him $12,000 to kill the unidentified 53-year-old Philadelphia police officer and his 19-year-old daughter, according to NBC Philadelphia.

Prosecutors say Diiorio had matched with the confidential informant on the dating app, and the two exchanged several phone calls and text messages between March 31 and April 3.

Originally, Diiorio and the informant intended to date, Camden County Prosecutor Grace MacAulay said at a news conference on Tuesday.

But at some point during their conversations, Diiorio mentioned that she wished her ex-boyfriend were dead - and noted he was a Philadelphia cop.

By Friday, the informant decided to report the murder-for-hire plot to county prosecutors, who had detectives call Philadelphia police to make them and the target aware.

'The informant advised that Diiorio has been adamant about killing her ex-boyfriend,' a probable cause statement obtained by NBC Philadelphia says.

At that point, officers interviewed the Philly cop, who said he and Diiorio first met when she was his barber and broke up on March 6. They had dated for about a year, Macaulay said, according to CBS News.

Jaclyn Diiorio, 26, was arrested last week after her Tinder match told police she offered him $12,000 to kill her ex-boyfriend and his teenage daughter

Camden County Prosecutor Grace MacAulay announced the charges at a news conference

At some point their relationship seemed to have become volatile, as Diiorio filed a temporary restraining order against the cop in the summer of 2024, which she later dropped.

After speaking with the cop, officers had the informant meet with Diiorio at a Dollar General store in Glendora, where she allegedly handed him more than $500 in cash as a down payment for the killings - and said she would pay the rest in installments once the double homicide was complete.

But as soon as the money exchanged hands, officers from the Gloucester Township Police Department Special Response Team swarmed Diiorio and took her into custody.

During the arrest, officers also found an unlabeled bottle of pills - which was suspected to be alprazolam, often prescribed to treat anxiety.

Diiorio is now charged with two counts of first degree attempted murder, once count of first-degree conspiracy to commit murder and one count of third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance.

She is now due to appear in court for a detention hearing on Friday.
White British candidates have been temporarily blocked from applying for a job at one of the UK's biggest police forces in its latest attempt to boost diversity.

West Yorkshire Police (WYP) is preventing the budding PCs from submitting their application to join the police constable entry programme.

'Under-represented' groups are currently permitted to lodge their applications early, while applications from white Brits are 'hidden', former officers say.

Concerns have been raised about the potential unfair treatment of candidates, with suggestions of unlawful positive discrimination.

WYP has stated the policies are in place to make sure 'diverse communities' are represented by the officers serving them, The Telegraph reports.

However, former members of the force have accused it of effectively running a 'hidden' recruitment policy that targets certain groups.

A whistleblower who was heavily involved in sifting job applications for recruits claimed he raised concerns over the policy but was warned not to interfere.

He also said black and far east Asian candidates were considered among the particularly under-represented and given a 'gold' ranking, whereas those of south-east Asian origin made it to the silver tier.

West Yorkshire Police (WYP) is temporarily preventing the entrants from the chance to join its police constable entry programme. Pictured: WYP divisional headquarters

A report to senior officers said: 'This feeds into a general theme where the pipeline for anyone white British is strangled, whilst anyone not white British is ushered through onto the next available stage' (file image)

Meanwhile, 'white others' - including candidates from Irish and eastern European backgrounds - were bronze.

A report to senior officers, seen by the Telegraph, said: 'This feeds into a general theme where the pipeline for anyone white British is strangled, whilst anyone not white British is ushered through onto the next available stage.'

Earlier this year, a separate report suggested WYP - the fourth largest force in the country - spends more money on DEI than any other force, coming in at 19 diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI) staff at a cost of 1million a year.

Recruits are required to go through a long process that includes an online assessment, an interview and physical tests. New constables - either in uniform or as plain-clothes detectives - receive a starting salary of just under 30,000.

WYP's website states: 'We are currently accepting applications for the two police constable entry programmes (uniform and detective) from people from our under-represented groups... If you are not from one of these groups, please keep checking this page for future recruitment opportunities.'

The force says online applications from ethnic minority backgrounds are 'processed through to interview stage, but then held until recruitment is opened for everyone'.

It adds: 'Enabling people from an ethnic minority background to apply early does not give them an advantage in the application process, it simply provides us with more opportunity to attract talent from a pool of applicants who reflect the diverse communities we serve.'

According to a document with details of the policy, minority candidates were given months to register an interest and fill out applications while some white candidates were given as little as 48 hours.

A WYP spokesman said: 'The most recent census found that 23 per cent of people in West Yorkshire identified as being from an ethnic minority background' Pictured: Halifax, West Yorkshire

The claims were made last year by the whistleblower, who has since left WYP, in a report circulated to senior members of the force.

WYP insists the preferable treatment given to ethnic minority candidates is conducted in-line with equality laws.

However, a senior employment lawyer, who did not wish to be named, has pointed out the recruitment policy strays into positive discrimination - a policy practiced in the US but prohibited in the UK.

Minority candidates who express interest in a job via email are assigned police officers from the force's Positive Action Team (PAT), who mentor them through recruitment, which is legal.

However, the whistleblower's report claims not a single ethnic minority applicant failed the process, with PAT officers also conducting the interviews.

Officers within the force claimed entry level vacancies were marked internally with an H, meaning Hidden, on the computer system and so would open up to white British candidates at a much later stage.

The former officer also reported candidates were greeted with 'unprofessional hand clasps and hugs' being told 'don't worry, you've already passed and this is just a formality'.

The whistleblower said he had examined recruitment over a 15-month period for the police constable entry programme.

In the 489 days between June 2022 and October 2023, vacancies were available for ethnic minority candidates for 446 days, it is claimed (file image)

In the 489 days between June 2022 and October 2023, vacancies were available for ethnic minority candidates for 446 days, he said.

In comparison, white British candidates had 99 days available for applicants to apply for entry-level policing jobs.

West Yorkshire Police has re-iterated its emphasis on addressing 'under-representation'.

A spokesman said: 'The most recent census found that 23 per cent of people in West Yorkshire identified as being from an ethnic minority background. Our current police officer representation from ethnic minority backgrounds is around nine per cent. To address this under-representation, we use Positive Action under the Equality Act 2010.

'Our use of this was recently reviewed by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services in an Activism and Impartiality inspection, and no issues were identified.

'Positive Action allows people from under-represented groups who express an interest in joining the force to complete an application, which is then held on file until a recruitment window is opened.

'No interviews are held until the window is officially opened to all candidates.'
A fish and chip shop owner has been slammed for leaving a trail of foul-mouthed responses to customers who dare to give his takeaway shop negative reviews.

Gold Coast chippie Caught 'n' Cooked Fish and Chips describes itself as a 'beloved restaurant located in the heart of Broadbeach, Queensland, Australia'.

But shop owner Sunny Chandra has been called out for hurling insults in response to one-star reviews complaining about food quality and service.

Mr Chandra defended his actions and told Daily Mail Australia he believed the reviews were being left behind by fake customers and that he had had enough of it.

One reviewer said they were 'ultra disappointed' and claimed they were overcharged after ordering two 'cod, chips and a beer' meals with five potato fritters.

'Got charged $44 for what was lucky if it's $10 worth of food. Locals to the area, will not be back, don't shop here,' they wrote.

Mr Chandra hit back by labelling the reviewer a 'f***wit' and a 'dumb nut'.

'Cod Chips n Beer is $16.99, and each Potato cake is $2,' he wrote.

Shop owner Sunny Chandra has been called out for hurling insults in response to dissatisfied customers

'You ordered for 2 meals n 5 Potat cakes, go back to school you bloody imbecile, my 4 yr old can do better maths.

'Please go elsewhere and see what you pay mf. Even two beers are worth more than $10 you dumb nut.'

Another review claimed the food was 'below par' and the 'order was taken by what appeared (to be) a nine-year-old boy who operated the till'.

'And the man (father?) doing the cooking was quite disorganised,' it read.

'A lady called out to him that she had been waiting for an hour so she wanted a refund.

'His reply was angry, rude and unacceptable. After a long wait the food was well below an reasonable standard. This is the worst food place I have experienced.'

Mr Chandra replied the reviewer was the 'most disgusting person writing a comment'.

'Yes it was a father and nine-year-old son working in his birthday because other staff are like you who want to stay home at the last minute and give no regard to their employers,' he wrote.

Caught 'n' Cooked Fish and Chips describes itself as a 'beloved restaurant located in the heart of Broadbeach, Queensland , Australia'.

'You should be thankful that at least we kept it open and served you; a little appreciation would go a long way especially when a nine-year-old had to leave his friends behind and work on his birthday, maybe that is beyond your understanding.'

Another customer who claimed they had waited 45 minutes for a piece of fish was told: 'Why don't for one day you stay home and cook and eat with your family and don't have to line up for a fish.'

Mr Chandra said he shared the blunt responses because he was at the end of his tether after receiving a string of 'fake reviews'.

He said he was able to tell from order records whether or not a reviewer had actually dined in his shop - and the sham reviews were bad for business.

'We report those comments and nothing is happening. What option do I have, just sit there and look at it? I've come to a point where I'm just fed up,' Mr Chandra said.

'I'm not trying to be nasty or anything but I've been there for 12 years and I know my customers.'

Mr Chandra added he was 'not bulletproof' and did get annoyed at customers from time to time - but insisted he only abused fake reviewers.

Aussies condemned Mr Chandra's tirades after one of them was shared to Reddit.

'It's the worst possible way to deal with negative reviews,' one said.

Another quipped: 'I hope he cooks better than he types.'

'For a business to reply to someone like this about anything is insane,' another said.

A fourth said: 'I'm a business owner who has gotten a few unhinged, unfair reviews... and I can't even fathom responding to people this way. It is essential to take the high road, remain professional, and not stoop to their level.'

Other users, however, expressed sympathy for Mr Chandra as a small business owner.

'Dude's probably struggling to do his best and stay afloat, and reviews like this can hurt his business,' one said.
President Trump has lashed out at a government whistleblower and ordered a large scale investigation into potential 'treason.'

He ordered the Justice Department to thoroughly investigate Miles Taylor, a former chief of staff at the Department of Homeland Security who shared sensitive details about the inner workings of the last Trump administration.

Back in 2018, Taylor penned an anonymous op-ed in the New York Times titled 'I Am Part of the Resistance Inside the Trump Administration.'

'I work for the president but like-minded colleagues and I have vowed to thwart parts of his agenda and his worst inclinations,' he wrote.

The piece detailed a series of scandals and rumblings from within, and culminated in him launching an anonymous tell-all book in 2019.

He revealed his identity ahead of the 2020 election, sparking some disappointment from watchers who had hoped the author was closer to Trump's inner circle or someone high profile.

But now Trump is seeking vengeance, ordering a far reaching investigation and suspending any security clearances for Taylor and another administration employee who defied him in 2020, Christopher Krebs.

'I think he's guilty of treason, if you want to know the truth, but we'll find out terrible guy,' Trump said of Taylor.

Trump ordered the Justice Department to thoroughly investigate Miles Taylor, a former chief of staff at the Department of Homeland Security who shared sensitive details about the inner workings of the last Trump administration

President Trump has lashed out at a government whistleblower a nd ordered a large scale investigation into potential 'treason

'It's like a traitor, writing about confidential meetings, it's like spying. He walks into the office. He's supposed to be sitting here.'

Trump said he always thought the book was 'terrible,' but the investigation will now give an opportunity to once and for all 'find out whether or not it was terrible.'

'It was,' Trump added. 'It was a work of fiction and he got a lot of publicity, got himself a nice job with CNN or one of them. And I think we have to do something about it.'

Taylor hit back on X in response to the order, warning: 'I said this would happen. Dissent isn't unlawful. It certainly isn't treasonous.

'America is headed down a dark path. Never has a man so inelegantly proved another man's point.'

Trump has issued a similar order against former director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Christopher Krebs.

Krebs was fired in November 2020 after he insisted the election which Trump lost was not rigged and was in fact the 'most secure' in American history.

Trump said Krebs was 'a wiseguy.'

Miles Taylor, who was chief of staff at the Department of Homeland Security during the first Trump presidency, said Trump (pictured together in the Oval Office) wanted to create his own mercenary force which he would have complete control over

Back in 2018, Taylor penned an anonymous op-ed in the New York Times titled 'I Am Part of the Resistance Inside the Trump Administration'

Trump has issued a similar order against former director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Christopher Krebs

'We're going to find out about this guy too, because this guy's a wiseguy,' he said.

In his order, Trump demanded 'a review of Taylor's activities as a government employee to identify any instances where his conduct appears to have been contrary to suitability standards for federal employees or involved the unauthorized dissemination of classified information.

He said he is seeking to 'eradicate government betrayal' and maintained 'Taylor is a bad-faith actor who weaponized and abused his government position.'

Taylor instead 'prioritized his own ambition, personal notoriety, and monetary gain over fidelity to his constitutional oath,' a statement from the White House read.

'Taylor disclosed sensitive information obtained through unauthorized methods and betrayed the confidence of those with whom he served.'

And regarding Krebs, Trump said he, too, was a 'bad faith actor' from his last administration.

He 'weaponized and abused his Government authority,' the White House said in a statement.

'Krebs' misconduct involved the censorship of disfavored speech implicating the 2020 election and COVID-19 pandemic.'
An ex-inmate has opened up on the secret intimate relationships female guards are forming with inmates, and the help they give prisoners by sneaking in contraband.

Sunny Naidu has spent time behind bars in Silverwater Correctional Complex in western Sydney.

Naidu has amassed a large social media following as he exposes prison culture and promotes his new personal fitness venture Essential Shaping Strategy.

Naidu said in one TikTok video that intimate relationships between female guards and inmates had become a 'big issue' in prisons.

These relationships, he claimed, are then leveraged by inmates to smuggle contraband into the facilities.

Naidu said he had been aware of at least 'two or three' female prison guards at his facility who had smuggled in banned items.

He related one example in which he heard an inmate asking a female guard 'personal questions' which he claimed soon turned intimate.

'He was asking the female guard about personal questions, personal life, divorce, marriage, all that stuff,' Naidu said.

Sunny Naidu (pictured) has amassed a large social media following since being released from jail where he posts personal fitness and prison culture videos

'Inmates are very good at turning the conversation into whatever they want the conversation to be about.

'He starts asking her: "Are you into criminals? Are you into bad boys? Do you like gangsters?"'

'And she was laughing and joking and denying it at first but then she started going along with it and she started, you know, easing into it and having a laugh.'

Naidu said it was a tactic inmates used to gain their trust so they guards would bring in 'stuff for them'.

'They loved these conversations, they encouraged it, they never shut it down,' he said.

Naidu said female prison guards in Sydney jails can be 'divided into two groups'.

'One group is: they've got zero tolerance, they're there just for work and it's obvious and they don't have a bar of it,' he said.

'The other group is obvious attention seekers.

Mr Naidu spent time behind bars at Silverwater Correctional Complex in Sydney's west

'They are dressed, obviously, just to feed off the attention that these criminals give them and when it is time to do the job... they just dawdle in the background.'

Naidu said the issue was not restricted to Sydney, claiming it was happening all over Australia and the rest of the world.

In February, NSW Parliament passed legislation making all sexual relationships between prison staff and inmates illegal, removing the requirement to prove the relationship posed a risk to prison safety and security.

The update was recommended by an inquiry into the the conduct of former prison guard Wayne Gregory Astill who abused at least 14 inmates at Dillwynia Correctional Centre, near Windsor.

He was found guilty of 27 charges including aggravated sexual and indecent assault and was sentenced to a maximum of 23 years in prison.

Several social media users agreed with Naidu, saying there were some female guards who loved the attention.

One, who claimed to have formerly worked as a NSW officer agreed there are 'so many attention seekers now and it's disturbing.'

'When we joined [in the 1990s] we were told: "It's not a f***ing fashion parade",' they wrote.

'In my opinion, the rules should never have changed.'

A spokesperson for Corrective Services NSW told Daily Mail Australia: 'CSNSW has robust policies in place to prevent contraband in all correctional facilities.

'Bringing contraband into a correctional centre is a criminal offence. All allegations of employee misconduct are thoroughly investigated.'
Supermarket giant Aldi has been accused of mocking Australia's most respected volunteers in its latest commercial.

The 'Quality is Easy to Find' campaign showed people dressed in similar uniforms to the State Emergency Service (SES) forming a line in a paddock to begin a search.

'All right, we've got a lot of ground to cover, heads down, spread out,' the team leader said. 'Let's try and keep a line together, lets go.'

A woman then dropped to her knees, put her hand up in the air and called out: 'I've found it, repeat, I have found it. We have found the hummus'.

A voiceover then said: 'It's easy to find quality at Aldi because that's all we stock. Aldi; good, different'.

The SES is a volunteer organisation that provides assistance to the public during and after major incidents like floods, storms, and tsunamis, as well as other emergencies like searching for missing people.

Aldi's apparent take on the volunteer agency did not go down well with angry viewers accusing the supermarket giant of missing the mark.

'This ad is poor form. SES literally volunteer their own time to help out in times of need and you're making a mockery of them,' one wrote on Facebook.

A searcher puts her hand up after finding an Aldi shopping bag

The Aldi commercial has not gone down well with the public

Workers form a line in the ad before a search which was revealed to be for Aldi products

'It also aired on TV during the ad break of the news that featured a search in WA that ended in the discovered of a deceased person. Just awful.'

'As a news photographer for many decades this is so offensive. I have walked through those fields with real SES volunteers that had to deal with grim findings,' commented another.

'Please be a bit more considerate. It's a very traumatic experience. The woke junior burger in your building that came up with this concept should be dismissed and walked out of the building never to return. And apologise to the SES.'

One Aussie asked Aldi how far it would go for its next advertisement campaign.

'Really, Aldi, you totally disrespectful w***ers, what next, soldiers on the beaches at Gallipoli in one of your stupid ads?' he wrote.

Aldi replied in the comments: 'We're sorry to hear you didn't like our ad. We'll be sure to let the team know for consideration'.

A NSW SES spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia: 'NSW SES was not involved in the production of this commercial and has no further comment'.

Aldi was contacted for comment.
Anthony Albanese is facing calls to come clean on his claim of being the 'first leader in the world' to respond to Donald Trump's tariffs, now that it can be exposed as a fiction.

The Prime Minister has repeatedly claimed that he was the first global leader to respond to the US President's 'Liberation Day' tariff announcement on April 3 last week.

However he has not attempted to call Trump to try to negotiate a better deal for Australia.

Mr Albanese was quizzed on his lack of attempts to contact Trump on Thursday morning and he insisted he was taking a 'considered, calibrated, clear position' to negotiations.

'What I did, was after a contribution by President Trump that finished at eight o'clock, I was on my feet within minutes, literally,' Mr Albanese told reporters in Far North Queensland.

'The first leader in the world to respond. And we responded with a comprehensive plan.'

But the first part is simply not true - a fact that has now been seized upon by the Opposition with Coalition campaign spokesman Senator James Paterson demanding Mr Albanese 'come clean'.

While Mr Albanese did front a press conference alongside Foreign Minister Penny Wong at around 8.21am on Thursday last week where he spoke for almost 40 minutes and fielded 24 questions, he was not the 'first leader in the world to respond'.

The Prime Minister has repeatedly claimed that he was the first global leader to respond to the US President's 'Liberation Day' tariff announcement on April 3 last week

But it simply isn't true. He was beaten by Sweden's Prime Minister by around 12 minutes

Daily Mail Australia can reveal that he was beaten by Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson by about 12 minutes.

This was quite the feat, given it was after 11pm in Stockholm.

The dapper Swede gave a sombre address, which was posted on X at 8.09am (AEST) about how United States came to Europe's aid in the Second World War and the rich history of trade between the two continents.

'Free enterprise and competition have laid the foundations of the West's success,' Mr Kristersson said.

'That's why Americans can listen to music on Swedish Spotify and we Swedes can listen to the same music on our American iPhones.

'That is why I deeply regret the path the US has embarked upon, seeking to limit trade with higher tariffs.'

The Swedish PM then echoed a repeated refrain of leaders across the world, that his country was 'well prepared' and that his government would 'continue to take every opportunity to reverse these developments'.

Senator Paterson said it was a 'bizarre boast' for Mr Albanese to make in the first place.

Mr Albanese was beaten by Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (pictured) by around 12 minutes. This was quite the feat, given it was after 11pm in Stockholm

Mr Albanese probably thought he was on safe ground making the claim given Trump's announcement came at 9pm in London , 10pm in Paris, 1.30am in New Delhi, 4am in Beijing , and 5am in Tokyo (pictured: Mr Albanese approaching the lectern for his press conference at 8.21 amA(EST))

'It's even worse now it appears it was wrong,' he added.

'Anthony Albanese should come clean: did he deliberately lie to cover up his weakness standing up for Australia or is he just not across the details of an important issue of national interest yet again?'

The Prime Minister's office refused to comment.

Mr Albanese probably thought he was on safe ground making the claim given Trump's announcement came at 9pm in London, 10pm in Paris, 1.30am in New Delhi, 4am in Beijing, and 5am in Tokyo.

While the Swedish PM pipped him to the post, Mr Albanese did offer more than a just a recorded video.

Alongside Senator Wong, the Prime Minister unveiled a five-point plan to respond to the tariffs, which included $50 million for the sectors hit by tariffs, the establishment of a $1 billion economic resilience program and a critical minerals reserve.

Describing Trump's move as 'not the act of a friend', he spoke to journalists for around 37 minutes and fielded 24 questions.

But his office's refusal to concede the fact he was not in fact the first world leader came in the same week he oddly denied he fell off stage at a campaign event, despite the moment being captured on video.

The PM clearly stumbled over the edge of a stage in front of the nation's press, only then to claim he didn't fall at all - which Peter Dutton has bluntly branded a 'lie'.

On Thursday morning, the Prime Minister defended his approached not to seek a call with Trump, claiming the 'US administration changes its position on a regular basis'.

'In the end  some of the decisions such as the Heard and McDonald Island, Norfolk Island decisions, but not just those as well  some of the decisions in our region confounded people there were involved in the negotiations,' Mr Albanese added.

'On that basis, that is why you have to be an adult. You do not dial it up to 11 at every opportunity, which is what Peter Dutton's plan is on everything.'
Anyone who has visited Sydney in the past three weeks has been warned to look out for symptoms of a potentially fatal disease.

At least six people have been hospitalised with Legionnaires' Disease, with all of the infected patients having recently visited central Sydney.

NSW Health issued an alert on Wednesday, saying the patients had first started experiencing symptoms between March 30 and April 4.

'No single source for the cases has been identified, and it is possible that they are unrelated,' the announcement said.

The health authority said the patients' visits to the CBD had been up to 10 days before they developed symptoms.

Legionnaires' disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by a bacterium known as legionella.

A majority of cases can be linked to breathing in microscopic water droplets containing the bacteria and it is not passed from person-to-person.

Legionella has been linked to growing in cooling towers and air conditioning units, hot water tanks, water features, drinking water, swimming pools and hot tubs.

At least six people have been hospitalised with Legionnaires' disease (pictured)

All of the patients have been traced to Sydney's CBD over the last 10 days (stock image)

Symptoms are similar to that of influenza - fever, chills, cough, headache and muscle aches and pains - and in severe cases the disease can be fatal.

NSW Health South Eastern Sydney Local Heath District Public Health Unit Director Vicky Sheppard said the organisation was working with the City of Sydney to investigate.

'When we see a cluster of new infections like this, we often find that there's a cooling tower that is contaminated with the bacteria,' she said.

'We're actively taking steps to identify that tower and have it cleaned so other people don't become ill.'

NSW Health said most people tend to recover from the disease, but those with medical conditions or immune suppression can become severely unwell.
Former Facebook executive Sarah Wynn-Williams accused the social media company of undermining national security and briefing China on U.S. AI efforts in order to grow its business there.

Wynn-Williams, who was fired as Facebook's director of global policy in 2017, spoke before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday.

'We are engaged in a high-stakes AI arms race against China. And during my time at Meta, company executives lied about what they were doing with the Chinese Communist Party to employees, shareholders, Congress, and the American public,' Wynn-Williams said in her prepared testimony.

Her book 'Careless People,' an explosive insider account of her time at the social media giant, sold 60,000 copies in its first week and reached the top 10 on Amazons best-seller list.

The tech giant two weeks ago won an emergency ruling to temporarily stop Wynn-Williams from promoting or further distributing copies of her memoir, invoking the terms of her eight-year-old separation agreement while doing so.

Meta used a 'campaign of threats and intimidation' to silence the former executive, said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat from Connecticut, during the hearing.

Wynn-Williams served as director of global public policy at Facebook, now Meta, from 2011 until she was fired in 2017.

'Throughout those seven years, I saw Meta executives repeatedly undermine U.S. national security and betray American values. They did these things in secret to win favor with Beijing and build an 18 billion dollar business in China,' she said.

Sarah Wynn-Williams, Facebook's former director of Global Public Policy, is sworn in to testify before the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Meta and Mark Zuckerberg (pictured right) used a 'campaign of threats and intimidation' to silence the former executive

Wynn-Williams also said Meta deleted the Facebook account of a prominent Chinese dissident living in the U.S., bowing to pressure from China to do so.

Meta says that account, belonging to billionaire Guo Wengui, shared personally identifiable information such as people's passport numbers, social security numbers, national ID numbers and home addresses and was removed because this violated Facebook's rules.

And she said Meta 'ignored warnings' that building a 'physical pipeline' between the U.S. and China would provide China with backdoor access to U.S. user data.

These plans - called the Pacific Light Cable Network - never materialized, but Wynn-Williams said that was only because lawmakers stepped in.

In a statement, Meta said Wynn-Williams testimony 'is divorced from reality and riddled with false claims.

While Mark Zuckerberg himself was public about our interest in offering our services in China and details were widely reported beginning over a decade ago, the fact is this: we do not operate our services in China today.'

Zuckerberg, along with other Big Tech executives, have been trying to improve their standing with President Donald Trump's administration in recent months - through visits to Mar-a-Lago and the White House, as well as monetary donations - it's not yet clear if the efforts are paying off.

'This is a man who wears many different costumes,' Wynn-Williams said of Zuckerberg.

'We are engaged in a high-stakes AI arms race against China. And during my time at Meta, company executives lied about what they were doing with the Chinese Communist Party to employees, shareholders, Congress, and the American public,' Wynn-Williams said in her prepared testimony. Pictured: Chinese President Xi Jinping

Sarah Wynn-Williams, Facebook's former director of Global Public Policy, testifies before the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, April 9

'When I was there, he wanted the president of China to name his first child, he was learning Mandarin, he was censoring to his heart's content. Now his new costume is MMA fighting or... free speech. We don't know what the next costume is gonna be, but it will be something different. It's whatever gets him closest to power.'

The hearing comes just days before Metas massive antitrust trial is scheduled to begin.

The Federal Trade Commissions case against the tech giant could force the company to divest Instagram and WhatsApp.

Her testimony comes weeks after a report from the Washington Post shows how PRs for Zuckerberg and his cronies went into overdrive behind the scenes to try and discredit Wynn-Williams, who was fired as Facebook's director of global policy in 2017.

Despite all this, the 400-page 'Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism' made its way to the No. 3 spot on Amazon bestsellers list this week.

The post report, meanwhile, includes several alleged accounts surrounding top Mark Zuckerberg lieutenants like former Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg, some of which were salacious.

She alleges leaders like Sandberg engaged in open sexual harassment, while brass willingly turned a blind eye. Sandberg stepped down as Meta's COO in June 2022, and will leave Meta's board in May. Her exit is said to not be related to Wynn-Williams.

Public relations staffers and execs at Meta have 'been working in overdrive the past two weeks' since, the Post notes - citing specific attempts to discredit Wynn-Williams ahead the book's release.

Her testimony comes weeks after a report from the Washington Post shows how PRs for Zuckerberg and his cronies went into overdrive behind the scenes to try and discredit Wynn-Williams, who was fired as Facebook's director of global policy in 2017

Wynn-Williams further claimed Meta uses ads targeted toward teens based on their emotional state - and is proud of doing so. She also suggested that her 2017 firing - officially for 'poor performance and toxic behavior' - was retaliatory, after she raised concerns

Aside from the lawsuit, this included negative statements about the author sent to reporters in advance of publication, the Post reported.

Meta has denied a great deal of the claims.

On March 7, Meta spokeswoman Erin Logan sent Steven Levy, a veteran journalist for the tech news site Wired, a preemptive warning about the soon-to-be-released book, the Post revealed.

The warning was made before anyone at Meta had even seen the book, but Logan still reiterated to Levy in an email that Wynn-Williams had been fired and had previously made 'false claims.'

Details of those supposed false claims weren't shared.

Logans attempts to discredit Wynn-Williams a only piqued Levys interest, Logan told the Post in an interview.

Meta also dispatched current and former employees to question the veracity of the claims in Wynn-Williams' book, while attempting to downplay some of the more serious allegations.

This included allegations that Sandberg once made the author's assistant buy $13,000 worth of lingerie for the two during a steamy Italian work trip, amid what Wynn-Williams presented as an inappropriate, overbearing relationship.

Meta tried to bury a former staffer's tell-all about her six years at Facebook this year - and a new report claims to have revealed how. The Washington Post piece surrounded Wynn-Williams, who was fired from her post as the company's director of global policy in 2017

It includes several alleged accounts surrounding top Zuckerberg lieutenants like former Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg (seen with the Facebook CEO in 2021), who the author says sexually harassed her and her then assistant

It saw Sandberg and the young, 26-year-old assistant - named only as Sadie - take turns sleeping in each others laps and stroking each others hair during a lengthy drive through Europe, according to Wynn-Williams.

Moreover, during a private jet flight back to the States, a pouty Sandberg allegedly told Wynn-Williams herself to 'come to bed' (the sole one on the aircraft) - all while treating her assistant as a sort of 'little doll' or 'lady-in-waiting.'

The memoir further claims Sandberg became visibly annoyed when Wynn-Williams rejected her invitation to join her in bed, at a time when the author was also visibly pregnant.

'Sadies slept over lots of times and Im not asking Sadie. Im asking you,' she supposedly said.

The alleged hair-petting, lap-sitting, and propositioning was not all, though - as the Post report learned Meta staffers flooded outlets with positive comments about the company from other employees to outweigh those from Wynn-Williams.

Also named was then vice president of Facebook's global policy Joel Kaplan, who, at the time, was Wynn-Williams boss.

A conservative operative with ties to Republican politics, Kaplan once told Wynn-Williams she looked 'sultry' and pressed against her on the dance floor at a work event, Wynn-Williams claimed.

When the author was on maternity leave and still bleeding from surgery, Kaplan allegedly continued to call her, it is claimed.

He even allegedly asked where she had been bleeding from.

Wynn-Williams went on to report Kaplan for sexual harassment, leaving Meta to conduct what it later put as lengthy investigation, which included interviews with 17 witness and ended with Kaplan being cleared.

CEO Zuckerberg, meanwhile, was portrayed as a coder-turned-megalomaniac - one increasingly obsessed with politics and his own public image.

He, Sandberg, and Kaplan were collectively categorized as 'careless' - with the title itself being a reference to F Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, whose well-heeled cast of characters are said to 'smash up things... and then retreat back into their money'.

The dynamic, Wynn-Williams said, was seen from her old bosses - many of whom she claimed willingly turned a blind eye to the ways its platforms could harm users around the world.

This included enabling human rights violations in Asia and granting China surveillance power over Facebook users, she wrote - describing exec 'providing briefings to CCP officials on new technologies like artificial intelligence, developing bespoke censorship tools with the CCP, and making efforts to hide Metas cooperation with the CCP from the United States Congress.'

Wynn-Williams further claimed Meta uses ads targeted toward teens based on their emotional state - and says the social media platform is proud of doing so.

She also suggested that her 2017 firing - officially for 'poor performance and toxic behavior' - was retaliatory, after she raised concerns about Kaplan.

In a statement, Meta slammed those claims, saying it contains 'a mix of out-of-date and previously reported claims about the company and false accusations about our executives.'

A company further said Wynn-Williams 'has been paid by anti-Facebook activists', as the Post report claimed to offer new light on Zuckerberg's reaction to recent leaks about his management style in the form of more quotes relayed by insiders'.

'Everything I say leaks.

'And so it sucks, right? Zuckerberg said during a company meeting called in January after it announced would no longer support independent fact-checking on its sites,

A month later, the company announced it had fired 'roughly 20 employees' - for 'sharing confidential information outside the company,' the Post reported.
Sex trafficking victim Virginia Giuffre made a revealing admission when she broke cover for the first time since claiming she had four days to live after a 'minor' bus crash.

Prince Andrew's accuser was seen with her brother, Daniel Wilson, in a blue Chevrolet Silverado as she ran errands on Wednesday, close to her $1.3 million sprawling farmhouse north of Perth, Western Australia.

But while flipping her middle finger at a Daily Mail photographer, Giuffre also exposed an unusual piece of jewellery with a symbolic meaning.

Sporting a pyrite bead bracelet, the stones are mainly popular among the spiritual wellness crowd for those hoping to manifesting wealth into their lives.

Also known as 'fools gold', the common mineral found in ore deposits is often made into jewellery or used in its raw form and placed in homes.

According to crystal healing experts, people who wear the mineral should repeat the mantra: 'I am a magnet for abundance, wealth and opportunities,' for best results.

Also noticeably missing was her dazzling diamond engagement ring and matching wedding band, which seem to have been replaced with a different gold ring holding a large coloured stone.

According to her father Sky Roberts, his daughter is going through a 'messy' divorce and no longer lives with Robert, her husband of 22 years, at their $1.9million beachside mansion in Perth.

Virginia Giuffre was wearing a bracelet to attract wealth when she broke cover on Wednesday

She was spotted in public for the first time two days after she was discharged from a Perth hospital

The couple bought the six-bedroom home five years ago, putting down a deposit on the property six months before 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 in 2022 with a reported $20million payout from the Duke of York.

A few months later, Giuffre purchased her dream rural property originally planned as a weekend bolthole for the family.

Giuffre pulled into a feed store near her rural retreat at about 3.30pm on Wednesday, driven by her older brother, who jetted in from his home in Alabama to support her.

It was the first time the 41-year-old, who was trafficked by the late American paedophile Jeffrey Epstein as a teenager, has been spotted in public since being involved in what police called a minor bus crash.

Giuffre was wearing $600 Tiffany cat eye sunglasses but the facial injuries she claimed to have suffered in a recent bus crash were not obvious.

When Giuffre spotted Daily Mail Australia she wound down her window, raised her right middle finger and said: 'Get the f*** out of here.'

Daily Mail Australia had been leaving the feed store carpark after making inquiries about Giuffre's whereabouts when she arrived.

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 former family home

Giuffre was sitting in the front passenger seat of a blue Chevrolet Silverado being driven byher brother Daniel

On Thursday caretaker Cheryl arrived at Giuffre's farmhouse in a Toyota Kluger about 11am.

The 71-year-old, who was behind the wheel when Giuffre was in the accident had come to feed her friend's livestock.

'Sorry guys, she's not here,' Cheryl said of Giuffre. Then, as she was being photographed, added: 'I think I'm more famous than her.'

Half an hour later, a one-eared kangaroo bounded up Giuffre's driveway alongside her joey. The joey then climbed into its mother's pouch.

Shortly before midday, Cheryl returned to the front gate and affixed a sign warning saying 'DANGER  KEEP OUT  AUTHORISED PERSONNEL ONLY'.

Cheryl said she could not discuss the accident in which a bus hit the car she was travelling in with Giuffre.

She confirmed the Kluger seen on Thursday was not the car she was driving which was involved in the bus crash, which was described as minor by WA Police.

'I'd really like to help you guys,' Cheryl said. 'But sorry, I'm not allowed to say anything.

Shortly before midday, Cheryl returned to the front gate and affixed a sign warning saying 'DANGER  KEEP OUT  AUTHORISED PERSONNEL ONLY'.

A one-eared kangaroo bounded up Giuffre's driveway alongside her joey. The joey then climbed into its mother's pouch.

'Everybody's said everything. Half of it's just fake. I feel like Donald Trump  a lot of it's fake news.'

Cheryl did say she was still suffering from injuries sustained in what police have called a minor collision.

'My back is aching, I must admit,' she said. 'My back and my neck are really sore. I had an MRI and it's clear.'

Before Wednesday Giuffre had not been seen in public since posting the now infamous selfie from her hospital bed claiming death was imminent following the school bus crash.

On Monday she was discharged from Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in Perth after a week long stay but slipped out of the back entry instead of facing the waiting media.

She was listed to face Joondalup Magistrates Court on Wednesday morning on a domestic violence charge but was not required to appear in person and stayed away.

Instead, lawyer Karrie Louden sought an adjournment and said she was in negotiations with police.

On Wednesday, her US agent gave Daily Mail Australia a health update after Giuffre's charge was mentioned in court.

The caretaker attached a sign to the farm gate

Virginia Giuffre pulled into a feed store near her rural retreat at Neergabby north of Perth

'Virginia is slowly improving,' said New York-based Dini von Mueffling, who also represented Monica Lewinsky after her affair with President Bill Clinton.

Giuffre was charged with breaching a family violence restraining order just days before the bus crash she initially said was going to kill her.

She was first listed to face the same court, about 30km north of Perth's central business district, on March 14.

Outside court on Wednesday, Mr Louden said she was not in a position to comment on the charge while the proceedings were before court.

She said Giuffre was not required to appear on Wednesday. Daily Mail Australia understands police advised her not to attend.

The matter was adjourned until June 11 when Giuffre will be required to enter a plea.

Giuffre has claimed she was sexually abused by Prince Andrew at the behest of Epstein's associate, jailed British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, when she was just 17.

The Duke of York has denied the allegation, as has Maxwell - who is a convicted sex offender - while Epstein died in a New York prison in 2019.

Sex trafficking victim Virginia Giuffre (pictured) is making a slow recovery from injuries she claimed were sustained in a bus crash and had left her with just four days to live

Virginia Giuffre was wearing sunglasses but the facial injuries she claimed to have suffered in a recent bus crash were not obvious.

Giuffre is 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

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

Giuffre, nee Roberts, posted a photograph on Instagram from her hospital bed on March 30, stating doctors had told her she had just four days left to live.

She said her car had been hit by a school bus travelling at 110km/h and the accident had left her with kidney failure.

The photograph showed discolouration to Giuffre's face and chest which has been described as severe bruising.

Three days after the picture emerged, a spokesman for Giuffre said she had 'made a mistake' and had not intended to share the post publicly.

Daily Mail Australia subsequently revealed Giuffre had been listed to face 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 previous month for allegedly 'providing inadequate storage facility for firearms'.

The couple recently separated after 22 years of marriage and no longer live together at their lavish $1.9million mansion in a Perth beachside suburb.

The Giuffres now appear to be locked in a messy tug of love over their two sons and one daughter.

Giuffre is understood to have initially been treated at Joondalup Hospital (pictured) for a pre-existing condition and released

Two days before the car crash, on March 22, Giuffre posted a sun-dappled picture of her children on a beach, accompanied by an apparent desperate plea to see them.

'My beautiful babies have no clue how much I love them and they're 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 don't take my babies. My heart is shattered and every day that passes my sadness only deepens.'

In the post from her hospital bed a week later, Giuffre said: 'I've gone into kidney renal failure, they've given me four days to live, transferring me to a specialist hospital in urology.'

'I'm 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.'

Two days after that post, 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.

Giuffre's 71-year-old caretaker Cheryl had been behind the wheel of the small white car that was hit.

Daily Mail Australia had been leaving the feed store carpark after making inquiries about Virginia Giuffre's whereabouts when she arrived in a blue Chevrolet Silverado

Police said the collision was reported by the bus driver the following day and the car sustained damage totalling approximately $2,000.

'We have no report of any serious injuries,' Acting Western Australian Police Commissioner Kylie Whiteley said.

Bus driver Ross Munns and multiple passengers have come forward to describe the backroad bingle as nothing more than a 'minor bump'.

Giuffre is understood to have initially been treated at Joondalup Hospital for a pre-existing condition and released.

She checked into Perth's Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital about 3am on April 1, two days after the disturbing Instagram post went public.

Giuffre rescinded the 'deathbed' farewell claims via a spokesperson last Wednesday and said she mistakenly posted them to her public Instagram page.

'Today she remains in a serious condition while receiving medical care,' her agent said.

'On March 24, in rural Western Australia, a school bus hit the car in which she was riding. The police were called but said that there was no-one available to come to the scene.

Daniel Wilson has flown in to support his sister

The Giuffres no longer live together at their lavish $1.9million mansion in a Perth's beachside suburb (pictured)

'They asked if anyone was injured and suggested that if they were, they should make their way to the hospital.

'The school bus driver had a bus full of distraught children and left the scene to get them back, saying he would file a police report, which he did later.

'Virginia was banged up and bruised and returned home. Virginia's condition worsened and she was admitted to hospital.'

Giuffre had another attempt at clarifying what caused her injuries, telling People magazine she was involved in an incident which occurred in January.

Her brother Sky Roberts explained his sister's 'four days to live' claim, by saying she was told by doctors she would have died in that timeframe without medical treatment.

Mr Roberts said his sibling's injuries were likely not caused solely by the bush collision.

'Let's be clear, she never stated in the bus accident the cause of all the other injuries,' he said.

Mr Roberts admitted he did not know the specifics of 'what happened internally' to Giuffre but said her injuries were 'consistent' with a car crash.

'Nobody ever said her liver issues and kidney failure were ever from that,' he said.

'We still don't know if it is. I'm not a medical professional. That's up to her doctor to determine.'

Giuffre met her future husband when she was 19 while training as a masseuse in Thailand. The massage course had been paid for by Jeffrey Epstein.
A member of the trans vegan 'death cult' unleashed a series of bold claims in a wild outburst that rocked a California court room.

Alexander 'Somni' Leatham, a 29-year-old trans woman and member of the Zizians, ranted to the judge that a jailhouse guard had threatened her life and had been trying to de-transition her.

Leatham is charged alongside fellow cult member Suri Dao for the murder of another Zizian member, Emma Borhanian, who died while the trio attacked their landlord, Curtis Lind, in 2022.

The Zizian group leader, Jack 'Ziz' LaSota who is a trans woman, is accused of influencing followers of the cult to kill.

Zizians, are known as a group of 'rationalist' vegans, with many members being transgender who Leatham allegedly conspired with, and hold fringe ideological beliefs about transhumanism and animal rights.

Among her claims, Leatham yelled to the court on Tuesday, 'I am not suicidal. I have never been suicidal. If I am killed in police custody, it was murder!'

The accused killer was reading from what appeared to be a prepared statement in court while handcuffed and in a wheelchair, SF Gate reported.

Leatham spoke over Judge John B. Ellis of her claims that a specific officer told her she 'deserved to be shot for being transgender while he had a gun and I was in chains,' according to the outlet.

Alexander 'Somni' Leatham, a 29-year-old trans woman and an alleged murderous member of the Zizians, appeared in court on Tuesday and claimed that a jailhouse guard had threatened her life and had been de-transitioning her

Leatham spoke over Judge John B. Ellis of her claims that a specific officer told her she 'deserved to be shot for being transgender while he had a gun and I was in chains'

Their leader, Jack 'Ziz' LaSota (pictured), who is a trans woman was accused of influencing followers of the cult to kill. The group of 'rationalist' vegans, with many members being transgender, hold fringe ideological beliefs about transhumanism and animal rights

'The court has been hormonally de-transitioning me for a quarter of a decade as part of a state-sponsored conversion therapy program,' she continued.

Her outburst barred her from the rest of the hearing as Judge Ellis ordered her into an isolation room.

'If defendant Leatham can't behave herself, she can be moved to the isolation booth,' Ellis said, which would allow Leatham to appear over camera and muted if necessary.

The hearing was adjourned early due to a defense attorney's broken foot, and the next is scheduled for April 22.

Leatham has made a court room commotion before in March at a previous hearing.

She began yelling repeatedly that 'this is a show trial to coordinate the genocide of transgender people,' until she was removed from court.

Leatham and her co-cult member Dao face charges related to the attack on Lind in 2022, which stemmed from a dispute about unpaid rent.

Yet, the incident left fellow Zizian Emma Borhanian dead after she was shot by Lind in self-defense.

Leatham and Dao face charges of murder, attempted murder and aggravated mayhem in the death of Borhanian.

Leatham and her co-cult member Suri Dao face charges related to the attack on Lind in 2022, which stemmed from a dispute about unpaid rent. Prosecutors argued that the two cult members were responsible for Emma Borhanian's death in the attack

Lind (pictured) walked away from the initial confrontation alive but had lost an eye after he was stabbed by a samurai sword allegedly by Leatham. He told police that he awoke with around 50 stab wounds, the sword in his torso, and all three cult members stood over him

The Vallejo landlord was the only witness left to testify against the cult members, until he was murdered in a separate knife attack just before he could testify in January 2025

Prosecutors have argued that their actions led to the death of their fellow cult member.

Lind, however, walked away from the initial confrontation alive but had lost an eye after he was stabbed by a samurai sword allegedly by Leatham.

After inspecting Dao's trailer, of which he planned to evict the cult members from, Lind was hit on the back of the head and blacked out.

He told police that he awoke with around 50 stab wounds, the sword in his torso, and all three cult members stood over him.

The Vallejo landlord was the only witness left to testify against the cult members, until he was murdered in a separate knife attack just before he could testify in January 2025.

In Lind's murder, Maximillian 'Audere' Synder, an Oxford University graduate and fellow cult member, was arrested and charged and awaits trial.

Other members of the cult are facing a slew of other charges, including the group's leader who was arrested in February.

Last year, Synder's fiancee Teresa 'Milo' Consuelo Youngblut and Felix 'Ophelia' Bauckholt allegedly shot David Maland, a Border Patrol Officer, in Vermont after he stopped their car.

Last year, Synder's fiancee Teresa 'Milo' Consuelo Youngblut and Felix 'Ophelia' Bauckholt allegedly shot David Maland, a Border Patrol Officer, in Vermont

Felix Baukholt (pictured) was killed in the altercation between the cult members and Border Patrol Officer Maland, who died from gunshot wounds

Maland shot and killed Bauckholt in the confrontation before he died from his own wounds.

Michelle 'Jamie' Zajko, 33, is a person of interest in the shooting that killed her parents in Pennsylvania.

The Zizian's leader, LaSota, who allegedly faked her own death in 2022, is wanted in two states but has not been charged or pinned as a person of interest in connection to any of the killings.

Back in 2019, the group allegedly held a protest by blocking the exists of the Westminster Camp and Conference Center with multiple vehicles while dressed in robes and Guy Fawkes masks.

Community warnings posted in online forums about the group cite the protest and the 2022 stabbing as evidence of their potential danger.

Jessica Taylor, a friend of Bauckholt's, who she knew as 'Ophelia,' claims she tried to protect her friend against the strange 'cult'.

Taylor says she warned Bauckholt about 'Zizians,' calling them a 'murder gang'.

She added that she fell out of communication with Bauckholt in late 2023.

Teresa Youngblut at Newport City Inn and Suites in Vermont before the shooting

Maximilian Snyder, 22, and Teresa Youngblut, 21, are now at the center of a sprawling federal investigation as law enforcement officials investigate ties to another unsolved murder case in Pennsylvania. Pictured: Richard Zajko (right), 71, and his wife Rita (left), 69 were found dead in their Pennsylvania home in 2023

It is not clear what kind of, if any, structure the group has.

She said the group believes in timeless decision theory, a Rationalist belief suggesting that human decisions and their effects are mathematically quantifiable.

The Zizians also apparently believe that because there are two hemispheres in the brain, individuals can split their consciousness between two personalities by waking one side at a time, Taylor said.

She said veganism and animal rights are central to the ideology.

A bio for an Instagram account that appears to belong to Youngblut reads, 'talk to me about being vegan and AI alignment'.

Snyder and Youngblut's social media posts and accounts reportedly displayed beliefs consistent with Zizianism but their accounts have since been removed. Court records do not explicitly tie them to the ideology.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt revealed the two reasons American citizens could be deported to a hellish El Salvadorian prison.

Donald Trump has repeatedly raised the idea of sending the worst of America's criminals to the feared Terrorism Confinement Center, described as a 'hell on earth' and 'black hole of human rights.'

During a press conference, Leavitt said the administration is still in the process of determining whether such a move would be legal.

'It is an idea he has simply floated,' she said.

She added that such a punishment would only be appropriate for offenders with 'heinous and violent' convictions as well as those who repeatedly commit crimes.

'These would be heinous, violent criminals,' she said. 'These are violent repeat offenders.'

Trump said this week that he 'loved' an idea from El Salvador President Nayib Bukele who revealed in February he had extended an offer to the United States to 'outsource part of its prison system.'

'We are willing to take in only convicted criminals (including convicted U.S. citizens) into our mega-prison... in exchange for a fee,' he wrote in a post on X.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt revealed the two reasons American citizens could be deported to a hellish prison under the Trump administration

President Trump has 'publicly and privately' floated the idea of sending the worst of America's criminals to the feared Terrorism Confinement Center (pictured), described as a 'hell on earth' and 'black hole of human rights'

'I love it,' Trump told reporters on Air Force One on Sunday. 'If he would take them, I'd be honored to give them.

'I don't know what the law says on that, but I can't imagine the law would say anything different.

'If they can house these horrible criminals for a lot less money than it costs us, I'm all for it.'

Sending American citizens to a foreign prison would be an extraordinary step taken by the administration.

Leavitt noted as much, assuring the public: 'The president has said if there is a legal pathway. He's not sure. We're not sure if there is. It's simply an idea that he has floated.'

Trump has already sent 238 alleged members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua to the hellish prison, sparking a wave of legal disputes and liberal backlash.

He invoked the wartime Alien Enemies Act - used just three times in history - to facilitate the deportation, and recently won the support of the Supreme Court, which ultimately ruled Trump was within his rights to do so.

El Salvador President Nayib Bukele revealed in February he had extended an offer to the United States to 'outsource part of its prison system'

Trump has already sent 238 men he suspected of having gang affiliations to the hellish prison, sparking a wave of legal disputes and liberal backlash

But elements of how the deportation was carried out sparked concerns. The ruling stated people slated for deportation are still 'entitled to notice and an opportunity to challenge their removal', which they did not receive.

There have also been disputes about the criminality of some of the deportees, with allegations the government's basis for identifying them was flimsy at best.

Inside the jail, prisoners reportedly spend 23 and a half hours locked in overcrowded cells, with just 30 minutes to stretch - chained in the middle of the hallway.

It is equipped with a system that blocks inmates from contacting the outside world with cellphones.

To enter the jail, staffers, guards and prisoners have to go through a complex registration system before they travel through three sections safeguarded by gates.

Jail cells with steel bars are split among the eight cell blocks and can hold up to 100 detainees.

Each cell comes equipped with 80 bare iron bunks - mattresses are not included - along with two toilets and two sinks.

Every pavilion also has its own windowless cell where unruly prisoners are sent.

They were already in international airspace when a federal judge abruptly blocked the Trump administration's use of an 18th century law to deport the alleged gangsters

Bukele, in a meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, offered to house prisoners from the United States in his country

Trump invoked the wartime Aliens Enemies Act in order to justify the deportations, but some justices fear it could open the pathway for more extreme acts

Prisoners are not entitled to visits and are never allowed outdoors, while temperatures inside the cells can soar to staggering heights with no other source of ventilation.

Dubbed a 'black hole of human rights' by critics, the facility has drawn widespread condemnation for allegedly ignoring international prisoner rights.

Following the Supreme Court hearing, liberal Justice Sonia Sotomayor warned that the Trump administration appeared to be laying the groundwork for a more expansive policy.

'The implication of the Government's position is that not only noncitizens but also United States citizens could be taken off the streets, forced onto planes, and confined to foreign prisons with no opportunity for redress if judicial review is denied unlawfully before removal,' she wrote.

'History is no stranger to such lawless regimes, but this Nations system of laws is designed to prevent, not enable, their rise.'
A passenger has blasted Jetstar after a comedy of errors led to customers being charged for 'complimentary' coffee, back-to-back delays and a seat being reserved for an 'invisible woman'.

While onboard a flight with the budget airline from Melbourne to Adelaide on Wednesday, musician Rob Butvila was ordered to return to his designated seat after taking an empty one across the aisle.

The flight attendant claimed the seat had been reserved by a woman and her baby, despite the plane already being in taxi on the runway.

The seats remained empty for the duration of the flight, prompting Mr Butvila to later share a photo online to Facebook group Why we hate Jetstar.

'I present to you, the invisible lady and the baby,' he captioned the the photo of the empty seats.

'Nobody else is getting on or off this plane until we land (I hope)'.

Having returned to his seat, the pilot then announced the flight would be delayed to resolve an engine issue.

Daily Mail Australia understands the flight was cleared for departure 1.5hours late.

Rob Butvila posted an image of the empty seats on Facebook alongside the caption: 'I present to you the invisible lady and baby'

Mr Butvila (pictured) claimed a flight attendant charged customers for coffee that had earlier been promised would be free

It was Mr Butvila's second Jetstar flight in two days. The first, from Townsville to Melbourne on Tuesday morning had also delayed by by 33 minutes due to air traffic control delays.

Things only got worse when a flight attendant began charging customers for tea and coffee that had been promised by the pilot as complimentary to make up for the delay.

'The stewardess charged every single person (except me) for the promised free coffee,' he said.

'When I said the captain announced it was free, she says: 'We don't normally do that'.

'I did get the coffee, she did roll her eyes.'

He added: 'I got to where I needed to be. Unfortunately, not by the time I needed to be there.

Daily Mail Australia understands 80 per cent of Jetstar's flights have departed on time so far in April and 96 per cent within an hour of schedule.
A Colorado landlord was caught on camera falling to the floor and claiming she was being 'assaulted' by her tenant who stood back watching the charade unravel.

In the now viral video, landlord Lisa Anderson - who also goes by the name Elizaveta Andersen - suddenly drops to the floor during a confrontation with tenant Vontese Wines.

'Oh my God, she's choking me! Oh my God, she's hurting me! Oh my head!' Anderson cries out as Wines watches from a distance.

She then goes on to cry out as if in pain, and calls Wines a 'psycho.'

'Oh my God, she hurt me so bad,' Anderson claimed after she got up off the ground. 'I'm gonna press charges against her,' she says aloud as she holds her phone.

Anderson then sensationally claimed Wines pushed her, and she banged her head on the table.

What she didn't realize is that Wines' son was filming the entire episode - including the moments before she collapsed.

The tense ordeal reportedly began when Andersen got upset that Wines did not pay her rent earlier than its due date.

A shocking video shows Lisa Anderson - who also goes by the name Elizaveta Andersen - falling to the floor and claiming she was being 'assaulted' by her tenant - even though the renter never seemed to have touched her

The video was shared by the tenant Vontese Wines, who said the incident began when she did not pay rent earlier than the due date

She said she began renting a townhouse in Aurora, Colorado from Anderson in November

She explained to CBS News that she began renting a townhouse in Aurora from Anderson in November.

Her lease required rent to be paid by noon on the first of every month, with a $110 late fee for any delayed payments, according to supporting documents she showed the outlet.

But Wines claimed Anderson would often pressure her to pay before the due date, sharing text messages in which the landlord would ask for rent days early.

'Every single month, she would text a couple of days early to try to get me to pay early,' she said.

Every time, Wines said she would pay early because she had the funds.

When she didn't pay the rent by February 28, though, Wines said Anderson texted her warning that she would be changing the locks.

'I kind of thought she was trying to intimidate me because she had been texting me a lot prior,' Wines claimed.

Then, she said she heard drilling at the front door.

'I was completely shocked,' Wines said, claiming she was not even given a chance to pay the late fee before Anderson tried to change the locks.

Wines said Anderson texted her on February 28, warning that she would be changing the lock

The landlord could be seen in doorbell camera that day telling Wines, 'If you don't have this door open, I'm gonna have the locksmith open it and you'll pay for it'

The landlord could be seen in doorbell camera that day telling Wines, 'If you don't have this door open, I'm gonna have the locksmith open it and you'll pay for it.'

Then, on March 1, Wines said Anderson arrived unannounced to deliver an eviction notice.

'It wasn't even 12.15[pm] yet, and she showed up with the notice,' Wines said.

It was then that the viral confrontation began, which Wines said started when Anderson pushed past her into the house and faked her fall in the dining room.

She said the incident triggered an anxiety attack, causing her to turn away when Anderson collapsed.

Wines said she and her son have since moved out of the townhouse, making her 'feel a lot more safe.'

Still, she said, she remains uneasy about the ordeal, as Anderson doubled down on her claims Wines injured her.

Wines said she was left shaken by the incident - and claims others have reached out to her in the aftermath claiming they faced similar problems with Anderson

'She actually went to the police on 3/10/25 around 2.30pm claiming to be me and the police sergeant called ME because they thought I was there in the main lobby waiting to speak to an officer,' Wines wrote on Facebook as she shared the now viral video.

'This lady is now walking around with a boot on and crutches from this fake fall,' she continued, claiming that the police arrived after the alleged fall and saw her video.

Among the many comments on the video was one woman claiming she is a 'victim of her BS as well.

'Unfortunately my case with her is too far gone and I can't afford a lawyer. But I have videos and screenshots of everything she blamed me for,' the woman wrote.

Another claimed: 'The credit card processing company that she filed a complaint with with me said that he can see from her records she does this a few times a year.'

Others have also reached out to Wines in the aftermath saying Anderson also treated them poorly.

'This is not fair,' she claimed. 'A lot of people are being hurt by this.'

Records obtained by DailyMail.com show that Anderson has also had multiple foreclosures over the years.

But when CBS News tried to reach out to the landlord, she declined an interview.

Screengrabs of text messages to the reporter showed unhinged ramblings about Wines, before she accused the journalist of being a 'fake news' fraud.

She also repeated her claims that Wines 'pushed me and tried to spray my face.'
A giant boa constrictor believed to be about 4m long is on the loose in Sydney's southern suburbs.

The snake, which has been identified as a red-tailed boa constrictor native to South America, was spotted near Tom Uglys Bridge in Sylvania over the weekend.

The reptile - famous for killing its prey by wrapping around them and squeezing - is understood to be an escaped pet, sparking concerns for local wildlife.

The snake is yet to be captured by authorities with locals warned not to approach the snake or touch it, but report the sighting to authorities.

The NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPIRD) said it was aware of the snake.

'Please do not approach the animal. If safe to do so, take a photo and contact us so that we can identify and attempt to capture the snake,' a spokesperson said.

Professional snake catcher Andrew Melrose, who lives in the Sutherland Shire told the ABC 'There's no real danger towards people unless somebody tries to grab it.'

'You wouldn't want something that size around a neck or something like that, but they're generally animals that won't attack a person for no reason' he added.

A giant boa constrictor is on the loose in Sydney's southern suburbs (pictured)

The snake, which has been identified as a red-tailed boa constrictor, was spotted near Tom's Ugly Bridge in Sylvania over the weekend (pictured)

Red-tailed boa constrictors are not found in the wild in Australia.

Boa constrictor-related deaths are rare. The most recent high-profile case occurred in 2022.

US man Elliot Senseman, 27, died from an anoxic brain injury after his 18-foot pet snake constricted around his neck.

Daily Mail Australia has approached the Sutherland Shire Council for comment.
A young man has taken his own life after a thief stole the dream car he had spent his inheritance on in memory of his late father.

South Australian man Ryan McGrath was found dead on his family's property in Eudunda, about 110km northeast of Adelaide, on March 29.

The 31-year-old had struggled with his mental health, which took a turn for the worse when his cherished original Holden Calais VK was stolen on February 18.

He had used his inheritance to buy his father's dream car as a way to remember his dad, who was his biggest role model and best friend.

His 23-year-old brother, Reece McMullen, said it had been the final straw.

'He felt like everything was turning against him and he lost everything. He (felt) he was a burden,' Mr McMullen told The Advertiser.

Following Mr McGrath's death, a group of his friends worked tirelessly to search for the stolen Holden in the hope of using it for his funeral.

The group shared pictures of the car, which was last seen in the Gawler East area, and urged the thief to return the vehicle with 'no questions asked'.

South Australian man Ryan McGrath tragically took his own life after his original Holden Calais VK - the car he bought in memory of his late father - was heartlessly stolen (both are pictured)

Mr McGrath's car was eventually found and will be used for his funeral. A GoFundMe has been set up to the family with funeral expenses and help restore the car to working order

Mr McMullen said almost 2,000 people were on the hunt for his brother's car.

'Whoever had it either felt guilty for Ryan taking his life or they just knew it was too much and they couldn't do anything with it,' he said.

Mr McMullen, along with Mr McGrath's mum Robyn Mercury, finally found the Holden dumped in a paddock in the northern Adelaide suburb of Davoren Park.

'(We felt) we had a little piece of Ryan back, we got it back for him. I felt proud for my brother that all his mates stuck together and came together for him,' he said.

Mr McMullen is hoping to get the car in working order for his brother's funeral.

He described his brother as someone who would never judge, would always listen and loved going to the local pub to have a 'yarn' with anyone.

Friend of the family, Courtney Chaffey, started a GoFundMe to raise money to restore Mr McGrath's home and help with funeral costs.

Mr McGrath's brother said the 31-year-old (pictured) had struggled with mental health and believes the theft of his car was the final straw

'Ryan was a family man, a son, a brother. a uncle and a friend like no other. His family and friends meant the world to him,' Ms Chaffey wrote.

'Ryan had the most pure heart and would give the clothes off his back to help others. He had a personality like no others.

'A sense of humour to uplift those around him. A smile to make your heart melt and a laugh to make you smile!'

Ms Chaffey said Mr McGrath's home needs repairs as it was broken into just days after his death.

'His home in is need of desperate repairs, his oven blew up, his bathroom is gutted, window needs replacing, his fridge blew up and locks need replacing and a few other repairs are needed,' Ms Chaffey wrote.

'Ryan's home was broken into just after his passing and possessions have been taken without family's consent.'

Lifeline: 13 11 14 or lifeline.org.au

Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 or beyondblue.org.au
A Sydney hospital that was widely criticised following the tragic death of a two-year-old boy could be returned to the public health system.

Northern Beaches Hospital became the subject of scrutiny in February when heartbroken parents Elouise and Danny Massa spoke out about a series of systematic failures they believe led to the 'avoidable' death of their son last September.

Their son Joe had spent the night violently vomiting at their Balgowlah home and was suffering a life-threatening condition called hypovolemia after losing too much fluid.

After a series of failures and misdiagnoses, the two-year-old suffered severe and irreversible brain damage and his life support was turned off three days later.

In sharing their story, the couple called on the NSW government to reconsider its contract with Healthscope, the private company running the hospital.

On Thursday, the company announced it is willing to discuss returning the hospital to the state's public system, consistent with the project's deed.

The hospital currently operates under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) agreement with the NSW Government which is set to expire in 2038, according to a statement.

But, with a change to government policy, the use of PPP schemes in the future has been prevented for the health sector.

Elouisa Massa (pictured) and her husband Danny have spoken out about the loss of their son Joe (also pictured) after systematic failures at Northern Beaches Hospital in Sydney

Joe, two, (pictured) died at the hospital after he entered cardiac arrest and suffered severe and irreversible brain damage in September last year (he is pictured in hospital)

'Healthscope acknowledges that NBH continuing to operate as a PPP is no longer compatible with the Government's objectives,' the statement said.

In the meantime, NSW Minister for Health Ryan Park said the hospital will run without interruption during discussion.

'We have always made clear that we do not support public private partnerships being imposed on our state's acute hospitals,' he said.

'We will carefully consider any proposal regarding Northern Beaches Hospital.'

But Treasurer Daniel Mookhey took a harder line while considering the proposal.

'After the way Healthscope has managed this partnership, it should not expect to walk away from the Northern Beaches Hospital with a profit,' he said.

'The NSW government will be watching to ensure that no-one is trying to make a windfall gain at the expense of the people of NSW.

'The government will engage with Healthscope management after questions of its ownership and whether it remains a going concern are resolved.'

Private company Healthscope, which runs the hospital (pictured), has announced it is open to discussing handing operations back to NSW's public system

Joe (pictured) had spent the night violently vomiting at their Balgowlah home and was suffering a life-threatening condition called hypovolemia after losing too much fluid

Healthscope chief executive Tino La Spina made it clear in a statement that the hand-back offer is not a reflection on hospital staff.

'They have Healthscope's absolute support for the work they continue to do, in often intense circumstances,' he said.

'We believe it is best for the patients, staff and the Northern Beaches community that it is returned to NSW Health, if that is the Government's preferred outcome.

'The public pressure brought about by the change in policy re PPP structures has created uncertainty about the NBH future and this has put strain on NBH's people and operations.

'In the current circumstances, we believe NBH will operate more effectively as part of the public hospital system and its future is assured.'

The proposed discussion comes while there is an ongoing inquiry into the safety and quality of health services at the hospital.

A Serious Adverse Event Review (SAER) report submitted to the NSW Health Ministry in December found Joe's death could not 'definitively' be ruled as 'preventable'.

'However, they do acknowledge that there was a delay/failure to recognise deterioration,' the review found.

NSW Government introduced 'Joe's Rule' in February in honour of the two-year-old, a change enshrining a parent's right to be heard during their child's treatment.
Elon Musk revealed the jaw-dropping number of fraudulent unemployment claims his agency found, claiming he had to read the documents several times before it 'sank in.'

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is investigating wasted taxpayer money as a matter of urgency after Donald Trump promised voters huge savings at the federal government.

DOGE announced their findings from an initial survey of unemployment insurance claims since 2020 on Wednesday that shocked Musk.

The study found at least 24,500 people over 115 years old claimed $59 million in benefits.

At least 28,000 people under the age of five claimed $254 million in benefits, as well as 9,700 people with birth dates over 15 years in the future claimed $69 million in benefits, according to DOGE.

In one shocking case, DOGE said they found someone with a birthday in 2154 who claimed $41,000 in benefits.

Musk shared the findings on his X account, claiming he was so stunned by the numbers it took him multiple times to grasp the information.

'Your tax dollars were going to pay fraudulent unemployment claims for fake people born in the future,' Musk said. 'This is so crazy that I had to read it several times before it sank in.'

Elon Musk revealed the jaw-dropping number of fraudulent unemployment claims his agency found

Social media users agreed with Musk's shock and called for the people who made the fraudulent claims to be punished.

'Never in my life have I seen such greed and conniving as what DOGE has uncovered,' one person said.

'Unemployment claims for people who not only don't work but people who haven't even been born yet. Who thinks these things up,' said another.

'I got to the part where we spent $59 million on people that were 115 years of age and I started to get stomach cramps. How many years have we been getting ripped off like this,' a third person said.

A fourth person added, 'Im disgusted with them. They need to go to jail its the only way we can clean it up. They committed crimes against Americans.'

This comes as DOGE crashed the Social Security Administration (SSA) website on Monday.

The young people who run DOGE were apparently engaged in an 'anti-fraud upgrade' when the efforts went bad and several reported an inability to access their online accounts, The Washington Post reported.

Specifically, the online glitch prevented the elderly and low-income families from accessing their information. It also stopped these demographics from being able to apply for government services or receive their payments.

People protest outside the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) headquarters for the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency

The repeated crashes come as DOGE and Musk continue demanding cuts to the SSA, including slashing the staff.

In February, Musk shared staggering data showing there are millions of dead Americans still eligible for social security payments.

The billionaire Tesla boss posted a chart on X showing that there are more than 20 million Americans listed over the age of 100, including 3.9 million in the 130-139 range, more than 3.5 million aged 140-149 and more than 1.3 million in the range 150-159. There is even an 'alive' citizen aged over 360, according to the records.

'According to the Social Security database, these are the numbers of people in each age bucket with the death field set to FALSE! Maybe Twilight is real and there are a lot of vampires collecting Social Security,' Musk said.

The Department of Health and Human Services agency is under fire from Musk for having on its records 60 million people more than the entire U.S. population, which means millions of people who are no longer alive  or possibly never existed  could be receiving monthly checks.

In 2024, 68.5 million people received benefits from SSA through retirement, disability and other payments.

It's unclear so far yet how many of these payments were distributed due to fraud or mistakes made by the agency failing to confirm the age and eligibility of beneficiaries  including if they are alive or not.

But DOGE vowed it is now 'looking into this.'

DOGE crashed the Social Security Administration (SSA) website on Monday as part of an 'anti-fraud upgrade'

Meanwhile, Musk's popularity has hit an all-time low in the latest survey of his approval rating among Americans

Meanwhile, Musk's popularity has hit an all-time low in the latest survey of his approval rating among Americans.

The man who dubbed himself Trump's 'tech support' has only a 38 percent favorability with 60 percent having an unfavorable view of the billionaire X owner.

When it comes to his handling of DOGE, 41 percent approve and 58 percent disapprove of his job, according to the latest Marquette Law School national survey.

Musk and Trump have been virtually inseparable since just prior to November's election victory.

Trump and Musk  as well as the billionaire's son X  A-12, pronounced Ex-ash Ay-twelve  are often seen together at the White House.

The Tesla and SpaceX boss has attended Cabinet meetings and Oval Office gatherings, executive order signings and Trump rallies.
Up to 10,000 students at the Western Sydney University have had their personal details leaked in a major data breach.

In a separate incident, the university has also become aware of students' information being shared on the dark web.

The university is expected to contact thousands of current and former students next week whose information was unlawfully accessed in January and February this year.

The data relates to demographic, enrolment and course progression information.

As soon as the data breach was detected, the university's cyber experts began to shut down the hacker's access to the system.

Investigations into the incident are ongoing.

The major data breach is the second in a matter of weeks with students' personal information popping up on the dark web last month.

The university became aware of a post on the dark web referencing information belonging to the university community on March 24.

Western Sydney University (pictured) is set to notify thousands of current and former students whose information was unlawfully accessed in January and February this year

The post is believed to have been uploaded to the dark web as early as November 1 last year, investigations by the university found.

The university was previously granted an interim injunction in the NSW Supreme Court to 'prevent access, use, transmission and publication of any data associated with the post'.

'Western Sydney University has been the subject of persistent and targeted attacks on our network,' Vice-Chancellor and President Professor George Williams AO said in a statement.

'The University is very aware of the personal impact these incidents are having on its students, staff and wider community.

'On behalf of the University, I apologise to our community. Our teams are working hard to respond and strengthen our digital environment.

'The higher education sector is increasingly the target of cyber attacks and Western Sydney University is not immune to this evolving threat landscape.

'We ask our community to stay vigilant, remain alert and respond promptly when you are asked to take action.'

Western Sydney University is the 11th largest in the country, with around 46,000 students enrolled.

Up to 10,000 students at the Western Sydney University have had their personal details leaked in a major data breach (stock)

The institution has been hit with a series of data breaches in recent years.

From mid-2023 to March 2024, Microsoft Office 365 and Dell's storage platform, Isilon was attacked resulting in 580 terabytes of data being stolen.

Personal details included names, contacts, dates of birth, health information, government identification, tax file numbers and bank account details.

The university said it had not received any threats of extortion over the data.
Australia's youngest ever killer, who murdered a little girl at age 13, is back behind bars less than a month after his release.

SLD, who was granted lifetime anonymity following his violent crime in 2001, was charged on Thursday after police allegedly found him with child abuse material.

He was charged with five offences, also including breaching an extended supervision order, when he faced Campbelltown Local Court on Thursday.

SLD made no application for bail and he was remanded in custody until his next court date on April 24.

The violent killer was just 13 when, in 2001, he crept into his neighbour's house in Point Clare on the NSW Central Coast and found toddler Courtney Morley-Clarke sleeping in her bed.

He pulled the three-year-old girl from her bed before stabbing her in the heart with a knife and dumping her body in long grass nearby.

SLD served 20 years for the murder and was released in 2023, but just one month later he was thrown back in jail for breaching conditions, approaching women with young children at Bulli Beach near Wollongong, and asking them for a date.

Most recently he was released on a supervision order on March 14, despite the NSW government opposing his release in the NSW Supreme Court.

SLD (pictured), who was granted lifetime anonymity following his violent crime in 2001, was charged on Thursday with five offences

The violent killer was just 13 when, in 2001, he murdered three-year-old Courtney Morley-Clarke (pictured)

Prior to his release authorities believed he was at high risk of re-offending because of his obsession with finding a girlfriend and starting a sexual relationship after being locked up behind bars for more than 20 years.

During a two-day hearing, psychiatrists said the killer was fixated on getting revenge for perceived wrongs and could react violently if he felt he was unfairly treated.

But they also said that keeping him in jail would be detrimental to his mental health and his ability to assimilate into the community at a later date.

Justice Mark Ierace agreed to his release but said the situation was unusual.

'It goes without saying this is a very challenging case,' he said.

'He has only been out in the community for four months since he was only 13 years old.'

Justice Ierace had options to impose a continuing detention order to keep him behind bars for another 12 months, or granting the extended supervision order.

While there are conditions around his release, SLD has previously admitted that he would be prepared to kill again if something 'big' took place.

In a chilling warning, he added: 'If I kill someone, it won't be a child.'

His frightening confession and string of violent offences, which includes choking a nurse while jailed, were all considered by Justice Ierace.

He was also found to be accessing pornography online and psychologists warned he had become obsessed with losing his virginity after growing up in jail.
A reward of 20,000 has been offered for information about the brutal murder of a medical researcher who was handcuffed and battered in her home 30 years ago to the day.

Mother-of-three Janet Brown, 51, was bludgeoned to death at her home in Radnage near Chinnor in Buckinghamshire in 1995.

She was found at the foot of the stairs naked, gagged and handcuffed, but detectives believe there was no sexual motive to the killing, and while the house was searched, nothing was stolen.

Thames Valley Police has a DNA sample that was found at the scene that they believe belongs to the murderer but does not match anyone on the police database.

More than 1,000 men have been screened and eliminated from the inquiry by the investigation team.

Today Mrs Brown's oldest daughter, Zara Harden, has appealed to the public for information about the savage killing, adding that it was not too late for anyone to come forward and reveal what they know.

She said it was 'baffling' why anyone would target their home and her 5ft 4in mother, who was alone and 'defenceless' that night.

'Ultimately her killer, or killers, have so far gotten away with it,' she added.

Mother-of-three Janet Brown, 51, was bludgeoned to death at her home in Radnage near Chinnor in Buckinghamshire in 1995

Mrs Brown's oldest daughter, Zara Harden (right), has appealed to the public for information about the savage killing

Thames Valley Police has a DNA sample that was found at the scene (pictured) that they believe belongs to the murderer but does not match anyone on the police database

'We want to see them prosecuted, and not to have somebody who is extremely dangerous still be out there on the loose, who could commit other crimes and against other women or other people.

'We just want to stop it happening again.'

On the night she was killed, former midwife Mrs Brown, who was working as a researcher at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, was home alone.

Her older children Zara and Benedict, then 22 and 21, were living away, while her youngest daughter Roxanne, 17, had gone out to celebrate with a friend who had passed their driving test, and her husband Dr Grahaem Brown was in Switzerland working.

The killer initially tried to cut a hole in the glass of a double-glazed patio door before smashing his way in. It is believed Mrs Brown was killed between 8.15pm and 10.15pm that night.

Her body was found the following morning by a builder and his son who were due to carry out work at the house.

Ms Harden said: 'Somebody must know something because there would have been a lot of blood.

'She was handcuffed and beaten badly, literally bludgeoned to death. It doesn't matter if a person didn't come forward at the time. It's not too late.'

Ms Harden said it was 'baffling' why anyone would target their home and her 5ft 4in mother, who was alone and 'defenceless' that night

Mrs Brown with her family (left to right) Isobel Brown (mother in law), Ben Brown (son - behind Isobel) Janet Brown, Stewart Brown (brother-in-law - back), Grahaem Brown (husband), Ms Harden (eldest daughter), Roxanne Brown (youngest daughter)

A reward of 20,000 is on offer for information given to Crimestoppers that leads to the arrest and conviction of the killer. Pictured: Thames Valley Police's Major Crime Investigation Review Team, Peter Beirne

The head of Thames Valley Police's Major Crime Investigation Review Team, Peter Beirne, said: 'I still believe there are people who have information or suspicions about this vicious murder.

'I would urge anyone with names of people they think could be linked to Janet's murder or anyone with information to make contact with the police or Crimestoppers.

'Do you have a friend or loved one who acts strangely when this case is mentioned in the news, or someone who is obsessed with this investigation?

'Any information whatsoever could help my team to finally solve this murder for Janet's family.

'We have a DNA profile that was left at the scene. It does not belong to the family, and we believe it could be a vital piece of evidence linking the killer to the scene.

'If you have suspicions, it is very easy for our team to trace and request a DNA sample from the person you suspect, or a relative of theirs if they have perhaps passed away or have emigrated.'

A reward of 20,000 is on offer for information given to Crimestoppers that leads to the arrest and conviction of the killer.
A woman who randomly attacked a toddler in a packed shopping centre and an elderly woman on a bus in 'heinous' separate incidents could be freed within months.

Pamela-Raye Jetta, 21, was sentenced to 18 months jail in Perth Magistrates Court on Thursday.

Jetta punched 'forcefully struck' a two-year-old girl while in her mum's arms at Hawaiin's Park Centre in East Victoria Park on October 24 last year before fleeing the scene.

The little girl suffered facial injuries during the attack, which the magistrate described as disturbing.

The shocking incident was captured on CCTV and sparked a city-wide manhunt.

Jetta was later arrested in a nearby suburb and charged with aggravated assault occasioning bodily harm.

The court heard that Jetta had also randomly punched an 80-year-old woman in the face while sitting next to her on a bus in South Perth four months earlier.

Neither of Jetta's victims were known to her.

Pamela-Raye Jetta, 21 has been sentenced after she pleaded guilty to attacking a two-year-old girl in a shopping mall in October 2024

The court also heard that Jetta (pictured) randomly attacked a 80-year-old woman on a bus four months earlier

Jetta has remained in custody since October.

Her lawyer Clare Brennan told the court Jetta had come from a troubled childhood, WA Today reported.

'She has had a tragic life with those people who were supposed to have loved and cared for her,' Ms Brennan said.

'She has a long history with child protection that began when she was two years old. She has spent her life as a child in care and been exposed to violence.'

The court also heard Jetta had been 'intravenously' using meth since she was 12 and had been diagnosed with low intellectual functioning as a result.

At the time of the attacks, Jetta had been under a guardianship order and was receiving NDIS support.

Ms Brennan conceded that her client's actions had been 'unacceptable', regardless of Jetta's troubled past.

Magistrate Gavin Maclean described both incidents 'separately heinous' but agreed to take Jetta's troubled background into consideration when sentencing.

Jetta was arrested in the nearby suburb of Mirrabooka in Perth's northern suburbs shortly after the attack on the toddler

'They are separately heinous in their own terms and the combination of both paints something of a horrendous depiction of violence against people who at opposite ends of the age bracket, each of which has their own vulnerabilities,' he told the court.

'[It is] a challenging factor to be considered in this sentencing exercise [and] demonstrates a blanket failure of people who should have been providing for you and looking after you.'

Jetta told the court that she was deeply traumatised and remorseful about the attacks.

She received a 12 month sentence for the attack on the toddler and another six months for the assault on the elderly woman.

Her sentencing was backdated to October and will be eligible for parole in July.
Ukraine is fighting back against a Russian spring offensive as footage shows its tanks breaching Dragon's Teeth fortifications to move onto Vladimir Putin's territory in Belgorod.

The video shows Ukrainian forces close to the village of Demidovka on the border between the two countries.

Ukraine holds a sliver of Russian territory here - as it does a larger area of Kursk region - humiliating the Kremlin dictator.

Separately, Ukraine was seen in a bomb strike on a Putin command post in occupied Kherson region.

'Thanks to the professional skills of Ukrainian pilots, the concrete structure was completely destroyed,' said Kyiv's armed forces general staff.

'The losses are being clarified, but 20-to-30 occupiers were killed,' the General Staff reported.

But Ukraine has warned the West that Russia is ignoring Donald Trump's peace moves and has doubled the number of military assaults on the frontline.

Ukraine's commander in chief Oleksandr Syrsky said that a spring offensive by Russia had 'already begun' as the Kremlin seeks to occupy significantly more territory in the Kharkiv and Sumy regions by the time meaningful negotiations start.

The video shows Ukrainian forces close to village Demidovka on the border between the two countries

Ukraine holds a sliver of Russian territory here - as it does a larger area of Kursk region - humiliating the Kremlin dictator

Syrsky said: 'For several days, almost a week, we have been observing almost a doubling of the number of enemy offensive actions in all main directions.'

He added that Russia has also been increasing assaults on the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions in the south of Ukraine, while continuing to press along the eastern front in Donbas.

'Despite all the ongoing negotiations, we are only seeing an increase in the intensity of offensive actions,' Syrsky told local media.

Putin's forces staged major attacks on Kyiv and other cities overnight.

There were major fires in several districts .

In Mykolaiv, ten people were wounded as fires raged in the city.

Ukrainian city Sloviansk was hit by a huge explosion from a drone strike as Putin seeks to advance in Donetsk region which he has failed to fully grab despite controlling much of it when the hot conflict started in 2022.

The Ukrainian SBU secret service revealed the first interrogations with two Chinese prisoners of war fighting for Russia, who were held in Donetsk region.

'They are now giving evidence about how they ended up in the war in Ukraine and what tasks they performed as part of the Russian Armed Forces on the territory of our country,' said the SBU.

Zelensky said they had reason to believe there were 'significantly more' in the Russian ranks

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Volodymyr Zelensky has claimed at least 155 Chinese nationals are fighting for Russia, accusing Beijing of 'turning a blind eye' to the trend.

'This is the second mistake for Russia,' Zelensky said last night.

'The first was North Korea. They drag other countries into war. I believe that they are now dragging China into this war.'

'Russia's involvement in this war in Europe of China, directly or indirectly, is a clear signal that [President] Putin is going to do anything but end the war,' Zelensky added.

'This definitely requires a reaction. A reaction from the United States, Europe, and everyone in the world who wants peace.'

One of the POWs was captured by soldiers of the 2nd Battalion of the 157th Motorised Rifle Brigade near Tarasivka, the other by the 1st Battalion of the 81st Motorised Rifle Brigade near Bilogorivka.

They were named as Wang Guangjun, 33, and Zhang Renbo, 32.

'The captured foreigners do not have combat wounds, but they are receiving the necessary medical care, as provided for by the Geneva Convention.

Vladimir Putin meets with the Governor of the Moscow Region in Moscow on April 8

'They were taken to Kyiv for urgent investigative measures. They are being held in appropriate conditions that meet the requirements of international law.

'Communication with prisoners takes place through interpreters.'

Both POWs said 'they were captured by Ukrainian soldiers on their first combat mission'.

One - unemployed - was recruited by a Russian representative directly in China, said the SBU.

In February 2025, he arrived in Moscow and signed a contract with Putin's army.

The other posed as a tourist, and signed for combat with the promise of an 18,150 payment.

The POWs are facing war crimes charges, said the SBU.

Zelensky said: 'We believe that [the Russians] have not changed their plans - Sumy, Kharkiv, Zaporizhia directions.

'They do not forget about the east. This [provides] access to the borders of the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts.

'This was their plan from the very beginning of the war.'

Zelensky said he was ready to exchange the Chinese prisoners of war for Ukrainians detained by Russia, adding that he was also demanding answers as to why they were on the frontlines in the first place.

Andrii Sybiha, the Ukrainian foreign minister, said he had summoned the Chinese charge d'affaires, writing on X: 'Chinese citizens fighting as part of Russia's invasion army in Ukraine puts into question China's declared stance for peace and undermines Beijing's credibility as a responsible permanent member of the UN security council.'

China said last night that while it was seeking to clarify Ukraine's claims, it decried Zelensky's claim that there are many more Chinese soldiers in the warring nation fighting alongside Russian troops as 'groundless.'

China's foreign ministry said: 'Ukraine should correctly view China's efforts and constructive role in seeking a political solution to the Ukrainian crisis.

'The Chinese government has always asked its citizens to stay away from areas of armed conflict [and] avoid involvement in armed conflicts in any form.'

Western officials told the Times they hadn't seen evidence of China sponsoring the fighters.

One compared the Chinese soldiers' involvement in the war to the presence of British soldiers in Ukraine's army, who fight without government backing.

But despite apparently volunteering for Russia's army, Chinese mercenaries claim to have have been regularly abused by their Russian counterparts.

One mercenary, who identified himself as Zhou Ziqiang in a video posted to Douyin, China's version of TikTok, said: 'The Russians don't see us as human beings. We fight like a suicide squad, and they don't care if we die or get hurt.'
An oil tanker that went up in flames after a crash with a cargo ship off the Yorkshire coast will be finally towed to port.

The Stena Immaculate will be moved to the Port of Great Yarmouth later this week, a month after it was struck while at anchor in the North Sea by the container ship Solong.

Horrifying footage from the collision showed huge plumes of black smoke rising from the scene of the smash, as a large inferno raged out of control 10 miles off the coast of East Yorkshire.

A total of 36 people were rescued from the ships with Filipino national Mark Pernia missing, presumed dead.

Solong's captain, Vladimir Motin, 59, of St Petersburg, Russia, is due to stand trial in January 2026 charged with gross negligence manslaughter.

The US tanker - carrying 220,000 barrels of aviation fuel for American Airforce jets - has been undergoing salvage operations since the incident on March 10.

In a statement, chief coastguard Paddy O'Callaghan said: 'The transfer of cargo from the STENA IMMACULATE to the FURE VYL has been successfully completed.

'Preparations are now ongoing to prepare the vessel to enter the Port of Great Yarmouth safely under tow, later this week.'

Stena Immaculate exploded into a 'massive fireball' after being hit by container ship Solong

The devastating force of the crash left a huge hole in the US-flagged oil tanker

And the Portuguese Solong was completely destroyed in the inferno that followed

The Portuguese-owned Solong was towed to Aberdeen late last month.

The collision caused jet fuel being carried by the tanker to ignite, resulting in large fires on both vessels.

Following the collision, thousands of plastic pellets used in plastics production, known as nurdles, were released from ruptured containers on Solong and began washing up on beaches on the Norfolk coast.

According to conservationists, the nurdles are not toxic but can harm animals if ingested.

Mr O'Callaghan said the clean-up operation had moved to a 'reactive' phase.

'HM Coastguard continues to support local authorities in their response to onshore pollution from the SOLONG as a result of the collision, including plastic nurdles, in both Norfolk and Lincolnshire,' he said.

'The clean-up operation has now moved from a proactive to reactive response. HM Coastguard will continue to keep the overall situation under close review.'

Crowley, the maritime company managing Stena Immaculate, said in a statement 'cargo lightering' of the tanker had been completed, adding: 'All remaining jet fuel was safely transferred to the tanker Fure Vyl. The cargo fuel is being delivered to its original destination of Killingholme, U.K.'

Pictured is the mangled remains of the MV Stena Immaculate following the fire

Its hull was charred black by the blaze which engulfed much of the ship

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The statement continued: 'After a final assessment by salvage experts, the Stena Immaculate will be towed to a lay berth at the Port of Great Yarmouth, UK, with arrival expected later this week.

'The vessel will then be inspected, undergo temporary repairs and is expected to remain there pending its final repair destination, which has yet to be determined.

'The tow and lay berth destination was updated after further planning and analysis from Newcastle upon Tyne, U.K., to best accommodate the vessel's draft specifications.

'We appreciate the Secretary of State's Representative for Maritime Salvage and Intervention (SOSREP), our UK port and maritime partners' support in this process.

'We continue to work with the appropriate authorities and remain committed to concluding the remaining salvage operations with the highest possible regard for safety.'

A preliminary report by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) said there was no 'dedicated lookout' on either of the vessels.

It stated that Stena Immaculate's second officer took over 'anchor watch' for a 12-hour duty period shortly before midnight, while Solong's master returned to the bridge at 7am and was the 'lone watchkeeper'.

The crash happened at 9.47am.

Flames leapt from oil burning on the surface of the sea as RNLI lifeboats helped the sailors

Pictured are the charred remains of cargo ship MV Solong was completely destroyed by the fire

A watchkeeper is responsible for the safe navigation of a vessel whereas the role of lookout is to continuously watch the sea.

The MAIB described visibility in the area as 'patchy'.

Multiple legal claims have been filed over the incident.

Collisions remain rare in the busy North Sea.

In October 2023, two cargo ships, the Verity and the Polesie, collided near Germany's Heligoland islands in the North Sea.

Three people were killed and two others are still missing and considered dead.

In October 2015, the Flinterstar freighter, carrying 125 tonnes of diesel and 427 tonnes of fuel oil, sank after colliding with the Al Oraiq tanker five miles off the Belgian coast.
Outraged parents and residents have issued a stark warning after discovering sinister stickers advertising cannabis plastered on lampposts - just yards from a school.

The glossy labels, which feature a shiny marijuana leaf and a scannable QR code, are believed to be the latest tactic by brazen drug dealers hoping to hook schoolchildren on illegal substances.

Dozens of the suspicious stickers have appeared at children's eye level on lampposts and utility boxes surrounding Parkgate Junior School in Watford, Hertfordshire - just steps from the nearby infants and nursery schools.

Shocked locals say scanning the code links to a Belize-registered website brazenly offering next-day delivery of 'premium cannabis products' - some of which are advertised with discounts of up to 33 percent.

'It isn't right to put them around schools,' said Councillor Asif Khan, 48, who attended Parkgate himself and whose own children went there.

'You wouldn't put stickers for smoking or alcohol around schools, would you?

'I don't want to get into a debate of whether or not cannabis should be legal; you shouldn't be putting shiny stickers so near to schools.'

Khan, a father-of-two, has been tearing down the illegal adverts himself, along with concerned neighbours, and says this appears to be part of a wider, coordinated effort.

Outraged parents and residents in a quiet Hertfordshire town have issued a stark warning after discovering sinister stickers advertising cannabis plastered on lampposts - just yards from a school

'It isn't right to put them around schools,' said Councillor Asif Khan, 48, who attended Parkgate himself and whose own children went there

'It's a real campaign,' he said. 'They're all over. It's not just one person doing it. These stickers aren't advertising to 40-year-olds, they are placed so low.

'They are plastered around this area and people say other areas have been plastered as well. It's very concerning and completely unacceptable. We've got to look after our kids.

'It's the gig economy: anything can be delivered to your door and now drugs are part of that menu.'

Stickers spotted elsewhere in Watford's high street even encourage scanning with phrases like 'It's 420 somewhere' and 'Get your delivery' - a disturbing nod to the global '4/20' cannabis culture.

Kelly, a 37-year-old teacher and mum-of-two who lives across from the school, described the trend as 'shocking.'

'It's disappointing. Opposite a school? Kids are very impressionable and vulnerable. Some [at Parkgate] are on their way into secondary school.

'There are QR codes for everything these days. The shiny aspect makes it look interesting.

'You have to educate your children not to scan any QR code. Some kids walk home by themselves. Even if it wasn't drugs, it could be fraud or something..'

Carol Helmke, 71, who has lived in the area for three decades, said the illicit marketing was clearly geared toward children.

'I think it's all targeted at the kids,' she said. 'The drug dealers are all trying to out-do each otherit's all about making money.

'They put these ideas in kids' heads and make money out of it. [The stickers are] trying to get kids hooked.'

Stickers spotted elsewhere in Watford's high street even encourage scanning with phrases like 'It's 420 somewhere' and 'Get your delivery' - a disturbing nod to the global '4/20' cannabis culture

Kelly, a 37-year-old teacher and mum-of-two who lives across from the school (above), described the trend as 'shocking'

The glossy labels, which feature a shiny marijuana leaf and a scannable QR code, are believed to be the latest tactic by brazen drug dealers hoping to hook schoolchildren on illegal substances

She added that today's youth are overexposed to technology, making them even more vulnerable.

'My son's first phone was a little Nokia. It was ideal for a child. I don't agree with all this rubbish they put in phones. Kids these days have too much technology.'

Another concerned mother, Alberta, said she was relieved her children weren't teenagers in today's climate.

'I'm glad I don't have a teenager now. The stickers are horrendous. It's horrendous that they are targeting young people.

'If the QR code takes you to a website, surely the police can take it down?'

Farzana Chaudry, a pharmaceuticals worker who also went to Parkgate, agreed that authorities needed to do more.

'The fact they have a QR code on there is concerning,' she said. 'The stickers are directly opposite the school. Cannabis is perceived as a soft drug and these dealers are targeting the school.

Farzana Chaudry, a pharmaceuticals worker who also went to Parkgate, agreed that authorities needed to do more

'You know exactly who they are aimed at. We're not stupid. You do see young lads on E-scooters going up and down the street.

'I have seen high-performance cars sitting on the corners of the roadsit's obvious why they are there. You don't feel like you can confront them. You're worried about your safety and your family's safety.

'It's shocking, making it so easy and so accessible to kids with mobile phones, offering discounts, trying to get them hooked. The stickers are really difficult to peel off as well.

'I think the police could do more: more patrols, acting on the fact that we find stickers next to schools. I know they are overstretched but they need to get a grip on these issues.'

Hertfordshire Constabulary has been approached for comment.
Germany's future government of conservatives and centre-left Social Democrats have agreed a raft of measures to curb illegal migration, including rejecting asylum seekers, enabling deportations to Syria and suspending family reunions.

Asylum seekers will be refused entry along all of Germany's borders, the document said, and the policy of 'turbo-naturalisation' - allowing certain migrants to gain citizenship after just three years of stay - will be abolished.

The parties want to suspend family reunification for people with a so-called subsidiary protection status for two years and to end all federal admissions programmes for refugees.

The coalition government, which will be led by Chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz from the conservative CDU/CSU bloc, will also begin deportations of migrants to Syria and Afghanistan, according to the coalition agreement document.

The agreement said that a deportation programme would start by removing criminals and potentially dangerous persons.

The proposed crackdowns come off the back of a tightly contested election in which migration was a key issue following a rise of the far right and several high-profile attacks by migrants.

As Merz's conservative CDU/CSU bloc settled on a coalition with the Social Democrats (SPD) yesterday, Germany's far-right AfD party topped a major poll for the first time in a sign of growing dissatisfaction with mainstream parties.

Migrants and refugees arriving from Austria wait to be registered at a processing centre in Germany

German police check people arriving from France at the German-French border on September 16, 2024 in Kehl, Germany

(L-R) State Premier of Bavaria Markus Soeder, Chairman of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party and faction Friedrich Merz, Social Democratic Party (SPD) co-chairman Lars Klingbeil and SPD co-chairwoman Saskia Esken arrive for a press conference to present the joint coalition agreement in the German Bundestag, in Berlin, Germany, 09 April 2025

The proposed crackdowns come off the back of a tightly contested election in which migration was a key issue following a rise of the far right and several high-profile attacks by migrants

German party Alternative for Germany (AfD) co-chairwoman Alice Weidel speaks in Berlin, Germany, 09 April 2025

Support for the CDU/CSU, which won the February 23 election, fell by five percentage points to 24% while the Alternative for Germany (AfD) gained three points to land on 25%, according to the Ipsos Institute's poll.

The AfD came second in the election, the best performance by a far-right party since World War Two.

Its polling strength is a setback for Merz's conservative alliance, which wanted to win back voters from the party.

The Ipsos poll showed support for outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democrats (SPD) unchanged at 15%.

AfD leader Alice Weidel hailed her party's polling breakthrough in a post on X. 'The people want political change - and not a 'business as usual' coalition of CDU/CSU and SPD,' she wrote.

For now, though, the AfD have been frozen out by those parties.

Merz and his new government look likely to take office at the beginning of May, with the deal between his conservatives and the SPD capping off weeks of haggling between the two groups.

Besides the tough stance on migration, the coalition aims to revive growth in Europe's largest economy just as US President Donald Trump looked set to ignite a global trade war.

During a news conference with his coalition partners, Merz directed a message to the White House in English.

'The key message to Donald Trump is Germany is back on track,' he said, promising to ramp up defence spending and boost the competitiveness of the economy.

He said the coalition pact provided a 'strong and clear signal' both to its own citizens and other European countries, adding, 'Germany is getting a government that is capable of action and strong.'

The deal stressed the importance of Germany's relations with the United States, its largest trading partner, and aims for a free trade deal in the medium term.

But Merz also emphasised that the European Union needed a common response to the escalating global tariff war that has put the US and China in particular at loggerheads.

'At the same time,' Merz said, 'economic uncertainty is increasing enormously. This week in particular, decisions by the American government have triggered new turmoil.'

Hours later, Trump announced a 90-day pause to the tariffs, a result that Merz claimed was a success for Europe's united approach to trade policy.

'This example shows you: unity helps,' he told RTL television, adding that cutting transatlantic tariffs to 0% would 'solve the problem'.

A general view shows the scene after a vehicle was driven into a demonstration in Munich, Germany, 13 February 2025

Friedrich Merz (R), leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Markus Soder (L), leader of the Christian Social Union (CSU), speak ahead of their agreement of a coalition with the SPD

Technicians of German armaments company and automotive supplier Rheinmetall assemble a Leopard 2A4 battle tank

Merz, who has been a staunch proponent of European rearmament in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine war, also announced that Germany would roll out a voluntary military service programme

Outlining a raft of policies, the coalition agreed to cut taxes for middle and lower incomes, to reduce corporate tax, lower energy prices, support the electric car industry and scrap a disputed supply chain law.

It also plans a commission on further reforming Germany's constitutionally enshrined spending limits known as the 'debt brake', long seen by critics as hobbling economic growth.

'All of this is going in the right direction, but it is not a real restart in economic policy that would be necessary in view of the competitiveness that has been eroding for years,' said Joerg Kraemer, chief economist at Commerzbank.

Merz, who has been a staunch proponent of European rearmament in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine war, also announced that Germany would roll out a voluntary military service programme and create a national security council, as well as moves to speed up defence procurement and backing Ukraine's bid to join the NATO alliance.

It comes as European nations scramble to boost their defence manufacturing capabilities amid concerns that the US under Trump could withdraw military support from the continent.

Meanwhile, Britain and France are convening a meeting of defence ministers from around 30 countries today to press ahead with plans to deploy troops to Ukraine to police any future peace agreement with Russia.

The meeting at NATO headquarters - the first between defence ministers representing the so-called coalition of the willing - comes after a visit to Kyiv last week by senior British and French military officers.

It's expected to work on fleshing out an agreement reached at an earlier meeting between leaders.

As usual with coalition gatherings, the United States will not take part, but the success of the coalition's operation hinges on US backup with airpower or other military assistance.

Amid that uncertainty and US warnings that Europe must take care of its own security and that of Ukraine in future, the force is seen as a first test of the continents willingness to defend itself and its interests.

Its makeup will depend on the nature of any peace agreement, but the contingent is unlikely to be stationed at Ukraine's border with Russia.

It would be located further from the ceasefire line, perhaps even outside Ukraine, and deploy to counter any Russian attack.
Plans to turn a historic wartime airfield into a housing estate have been approved by the Government, sparking fury among campaigners.

Developers have been given the green light to build up to 315 homes on Old Sarum Airfield in Salisbury, Wiltshire.

Old Sarum is one of the oldest operational airfields in the country and has three Grade II* listed hangars which were built by German prisoners of war in 1917.

But one of them was left to fall into disrepair over several years and was eventually destroyed by Storm Isha last year.

The owners of the airfield, which played key roles in both World Wars, have been trying to get planning permission for housing since 2015.

Objectors accused them of deliberately letting the hangar deteriorate and cutting back flying from the airfield over the last six years.

Wiltshire Council rejected the plans last August but owners Old Sarum Airfield Ltd appealed and a lengthy planning inquiry was held in February.

Government planning inspector Nick Fagan has now granted outline planning permission, saying the benefits - which include the developers' promise to restore the historic hangar - outweigh the harm.

One of Old Sarum's Grade II* listed hangars was destroyed during Storm Isha last year, after years of being allowed to fall into disrepair

Old Sarum seen in the late 1920s. The airfield is one of the oldest operational airfields in the country

The decision has been slammed by both locals and councillors who said the 'nation has been let down' and the airfield 'deserved better'.

The plans include 315 homes, 25 per cent of which will be affordable, commercial and leisure facilities including a 'flying hub' and new vehicle access, car parking and foot and cycle paths.

Ian McLennan, a local councillor, said the 'nation has been let down' by Historic England and the Planning Inspectorate.

He said: 'Both have failed to protect this unique WWI airfield, a legacy of military flying and a Conservation Area.

'A total failure by miserable organisations, who are supposed to protect.'

Becca Champion, a member of the Save Old Sarum action group, said: 'I never thought I'd see the day Old Sarum Airfield was sacrificed for yet more soulless housing.

'What we've lost isn't just an airfield  it was one of the oldest operational airfields in the country, a site of huge historical importance dating back to World War I, and a rare piece of living heritage that connected us to our past.

'This wasn't just about preserving runways  it was about protecting a green space that supported local wildlife, offered open skies instead of overcrowded streets, and gave the community something genuinely unique.

'Once places like this are gone, they're gone forever.

'Houses are now being crammed into this space, with little to no real infrastructure to support them.

'It's hard not to feel utterly let down. Old Sarum deserved better. We all did.'

Old Sarum is one of three surviving First World War grass strip airfields of its kind in Britain.

It was a training depot station during the war and then a school of army co-operation in the 1920s.

It played a crucial role again in the Second World War as a training base for army soldiers to learn to fly following large RAF losses in the Battle of Britain and was granted conservation status in 2007.

The site closed for leisure flying in 2019, with only a skydiving company allowed to use it since then.

The owners of the airfield, which played key roles in both World Wars, have been trying to get planning permission for housing since 2015. Above: The remains of the collapsed hangar

The collapsed hangar at Old Sarum, pictured soon after Storm Isha wreaked havoc last January

When it closed, managing director Grenville Hodge promised to spend 3m completely rebuilding the hangar, but only once planning permission was granted.

Hangar 3 was put on Historic England's At Risk Register in 2020, but in January 2024 Storm Isha caused a partial collapse.

Campaigners then described it as 'demolition through dereliction of duty'.

Mr Fagan's decision lists 37 conditions, including one that the historic building must be repaired before all the homes are completed and occupied.

He said he did not accept there had been deliberate neglect of the hangar and added: 'No advantage has been gained by the appellant if it has neglected Hangar 3, whether deliberately or not because much more rebuilding is now required than in 2019.'

Nick Baker, chairman of Laverstock and Ford Parish Council, said: 'This is such a disappointing decision.

'The inspector acknowledges the damage this will do to an important heritage asset and yet says it is justified by the reinstatement of a listed hanger which should never have been allowed to fall into this state of disrepair.

'It will be essential that Wiltshire Council strictly enforces the conditions, particularly the one which states that work to the hanger must be completed before the second half of the homes are occupied.'

Councillor Tom Corbin said the developer had massively cut back flying from the airfield since 2018 and he did not believe they would restore the historic hangar.

He said: 'The developer, who massively cut flying by removing all but skydiving-related flying, has at no time since showed any interest in restoring leisure flying out of Old Sarum.

'I believe the developer's sole aim from developing the airfield is to start a piecemeal land grab of the area.

'Nothing of how the developer has acted in relation to the wilful neglect of Hangar 3 gives me any reason to believe that they will take any restorative action in the future.'
A horrific mix-up at one of Australia's leading IVF clinics has resulted in a woman giving birth to a stranger's baby.

The woman was mistakenly implanted with another couple's embryo due to 'human error' at a Monash IVF clinic in Brisbane.

It's thought to be the first such case in Australia where a baby was born after the wrong embryo was implanted.

It's understood the baby was born last year.

But the bungle wasn't discovered until February when the birth parents requested their remaining frozen embryos to be transferred to another IVF provider.

But instead of finding the expected number of embryos, an additional embryo remained in storage for the birth parents.

The two families impacted by the bungle are reportedly heartbroken and considering legal action, The Herald Sun reported.

The Melbourne-based fertility giant has issued an apology over mix-up, which was described as an isolated incident.

A horrific mix-up at a IVF clinic in Brisbane has resulted in a woman giving birth to a stranger's baby (stock image)

The woman was mistakenly implanted with another couple's embryo at a Monash IVF clinic (stock image)

'On behalf of Monash IVF, I want to say how truly sorry I am for what has happened,' chief executive Michael Knaap said in a statement to Daily Mail Australia.

'All of us at Monash IVF are devastated and we apologise to everyone involved. We will continue to support the patients through this extremely distressing time.'

He added that the clinic has since undertaken additional audits and was confident the mix-up was an isolated incident.

'We are reinforcing all our safeguards across our clinics  we also commissioned an independent investigation and are committed to implementing its recommendations in full,' Mr Knaap said.

The clinic acknowledged the public interest in the matter, but said 'the privacy of the families involved  including the child  has been our priority.

'The information we are providing now is being done in a deidentified way, with their knowledge,' a spokesperson said.

'Since becoming aware of the incident in February 2025, Monash IVF informed the affected patients and is continuing to support them.'

The incident has been disclosed to the Reproductive Technology Accreditation Committee and to the Queensland Assisted Reproductive Technology regulator.

'Monash IVF adheres to strict laboratory safety measures to safeguard and protect the embryos in our care,' the spokesperson added.

'Despite these rigorous protocols, the initial investigation into the incident has found that it was the result of human error.'

Monash IVF CEO Michael Knaap (pictured) issued a grovelling apology for the mix-up

The alarming bungle has been disclosed to the Reproductive Technology Accreditation Committee and to the Queensland Assisted Reproductive Technology regulator (stock image)

Victorian Senior Counsel Barrister Fiona McLeod SC has been commissioned to conduct an independent investigation into the incident.

Monash IVF added it's committed to implementing all recommendations.

Monash IVF would not confirm which family is raising the baby at the centre of the case.

Last year, the Monash IVF Group agreed to pay $56million to hundreds of families whose healthy embryos may have been destroyed in embryo screening tests.

The class action involved more than 700 patients who were affected by inaccurate genetic screening.

The two families impacted by the bungle are reportedly heartbroken and considering legal action (stock image)

Monash IVF acknowledged the public interest in the matter, but said 'the privacy of the families involved  including the child  has been our priority'

The latest scandal involving an IVF clinic follows a widescale cyber attack in February which may have leaked the information of thousands of patients.

Genea chief executive Tim Yeoh informed past and present patients that a breach by an 'unauthorised third party' has accessed its data, after being notified of suspicious activity on its network.

The company, which is one of Australia's top three IVF providers with 21 clinics across the country, took some of its systems offline as it investigated the hack.
A Ryanair flight descended into chaos last week when staff were forced to strap an 'unruly' passenger to his seat using spare belts after he refused to sit down during landing.

The passenger onboard the flight from Manchester to Rhodes, Greece, on April 3 was shouting at cabin crew who onlookers said had confiscated two bottles of booze from him and refused to serve him alcohol.

He failed to follow orders to sit down during landing, forcing the pilot to abort the descent, circle round, and land again.

Video shows staff and other passengers huddled around the man and a member of staff shouting: 'Sit down, now.'

A separate clip shows police officers appearing to escort the man down the aisle upon landing.

Passenger Emily, 26, who filmed the incident, said: 'The flight was going completely fine until the cabin crew came up to me and my partner at the front of the plane and asked us if we were travelling together and if we could be separated because a little girl needed to come down to the front of plane with her dad because a man was being disruptive.

'We were together so they asked someone else instead who moved and that's when I got made aware of this guy being really disruptive at the back of the plane.'

Emily explained how cabin crew had to get two spare seatbelts and tried pinning the man down on his seat.

A Ryanair flight from Manchester to Rhodes on April 3 was forced to return to the air after attempting to land after a passenger refused to sit down

Onlookers said cabin crew had confiscated two bottles of alcohol from him and had refuse to serve him booze

Rhodes police were called on to the flight upon landing to take the man off the plane

'He got out of the seat again. Staff were shouting at him, telling him to sit down and he was squaring up to staff.

'He had already had two bottles of alcohol confiscated off him.'

She added that airline employees had warned over the intercom that anyone caught drinking alcohol purchased at Duty Free before the flight would be apprehended by police upon landing unless they put it away, in which case no further action would be taken.

Emily said: 'As we were supposed to come down to land I could hear cabin crew shout at him to sit down.

'We had to go back up to circle the island until he would sit down again which was quite scary.

'Once [we] had landed we all had to stay put while police came up to take him off. He got taken off on his own.'

A spokeswoman for Ryanair said: 'The crew of this flight from Manchester to Rhodes on April 3 called ahead for police assistance after a passenger became disruptive onboard. The aircraft was met by local police upon arrival at Rhodes Airport and this passenger was removed.

'Ryanair has a strict zero tolerance policy towards passenger misconduct and will continue to take decisive action to combat unruly passenger behaviour, ensuring that all passengers and crew travel in a safe and respectful environment, without unnecessary disruption.

The incident comes after Ryanair said last month it was renewing its calls for a pre-flight drink limit

'This is a matter for local police.'

The incident comes after Ryanair said last month it was renewing its calls for a pre-flight drink limit after a topless man went on a rampage through Dublin airport after missing his flight.

Footage shared online showed the man, believed to have been 'intoxicated' with a face covering pacing around Terminal 1 and launching items back and forth on March 17.

Dublin airport confirmed that a passenger had been arrested after causing 'significant damage to our airport', as many travelled to celebrate St, Patrick's Day.

The budget airline told Irish outlet Newstalk that following the incident, it will impose a 10-year ban on the passenger and has renewed its call for a two drink limit at airport bars.

Lukas Kaunietis, who unleashed the wrecking spree at the airport, was 'quickly apprehended' by Airport Police before being arrested by An Garda Siochana, they said in a statement.

He was later charged with a number of counts of criminal damage.

Ryanair chief Michael O'Leary has also said in January that placing a limit on the amount of alcoholic drinks served to passengers would result in a 'safer travel experience for passengers and crews'.

A Ryanair spokesperson also condemned European governments for 'repeatedly' failing to 'take action when disruptive passengers threaten aircraft safety and force them to divert'.

He went on: 'It is time that European Union authorities take action to limit the sale of alcohol at airports.

'Airlines like Ryanair already restrict and limit the sale of alcohol on board our aircraft, particularly in disruptive passenger cases.

'However, during flight delays, passengers are consuming excess alcohol at airports without any limit on purchase or consumption.'

Ryanair's call for a two-drink limit was first made by O'Leary in August last year, as he reported an increase in disorder on flights.

O'Leary admitted that the airline saw a 'spike' of violent disorder among its passengers over the summer, adding that flights to party hotspot Ibiza were often the rowdiest.

'If the price of putting a drink limit on the airport, where the problem is being created, is putting a drink limit on board the aircraft, we've no problem with that', he told Sky News.

'The real issue is how do we stop these people getting drunk at airports particularly as, like this summer, we've had a huge spike in air traffic control delays.

Ryanair's recent remarks on drink limits came after the carrier announced that it was starting to take legal action to recover losses against disruptive passengers, as part of a 'major misconduct clampdown'.
Self proclaimed misogynist Andrew Tate has been accused of pointing a gun in a woman's face and threatening her, according to new bombshell court documents.

One of the four women suing the controversial influencer claimed Tate said 'you're going to do as I say or there will be hell to pay', in a court documents seen by MailOnline.

A second complainant alleged Tate strangled her during sex without her consent in 2015 and 'made it very clear that she was 'his', and if anyone else spoke to her, he would kill them'.

A third woman claimed the influencer had said 'I'm just debating whether to rape you or not' before going on to have sex with her without her consent in 2013, while saying 'who do you belong to?', according to the documents.

The final claimant alleges Tate said phrases such as 'I own you' and 'I'm going to kill you' and had strangled her during sex until she passed out in 2014.

The suit, which includes allegations of rape, strangulation and assault, which reportedly took place between 2013 and 2015 in Luton and Hitchin.

Two women involved in the civil case are understood to have been in a relationship with Tate in 2013 and 2014, while the other claimants worked for his webcam firm in 2015.

Tate has since hit back at the allegations in a written defence to the High Court, branding the allegations as 'gross fabrications' and a 'pack of lies'.

Self proclaimed misogynist Andrew Tate has been accused of pointing a gun in a woman's face and threatening her, according to new bombshell court documents

One of the four women suing the controversial influencer claimed Tate said 'you're going to do as I say or there will be hell to pay', in a court bundle seen by the BBC

A woman has claimed in 2015 she was raped and strangled by Tate whilst working for his webcam firm, with another claimant alleged he also assaulted her.

Two of the women claimed they were strangled to the point that they would develop red spots due to burst capillaries in their eyes, according to court documents.

In 2019, three of the four claimants reported the social media personality to the authorities, however the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) decided against pressing charges.

Now the women are pursuing damages caused by the alleged 'assaults, batteries, and infliction of intentional harm', according to their civil suit.

The social media influencer has denied all allegations and has contested that the claimants can't pursue legal action against him as it was too long ago.

He has argued that potential evidence including emails and text would be lost due to the length of time that has passed.

A preliminary hearing for the civil lawsuit is due to occur on April, 15, 2025.

Another woman, who is only identified by AA in court documents' claimed Tate threatened her with an alleged firearm while dubbing himself a 'G' and 'a boss.

Andrew Tate sitting in a car and talks to reporters surrounding his car after exiting the Court of Appeals building, after a hearing, in Bucharest, Romania on September 4, 2024

A second complainant alleges Tate strangled her during sex without her consent in 2015 and 'made it very clear that she was 'his', and if anyone else spoke to her, he would kill them'.

In Romania, Tate and his brother Tristan (pictured) are facing allegations of trafficking minors, sexual intercourse with a minor and money laundering. They deny all allegations

She claims he later said: 'You're going to do as I say or there'll be hell to pay'. The former kickboxer has denied this claim, arguing that it is only in recent years he has been dubbing himself 'Top G'.

AA also alleged she was threatened on a daily basis by Tate whilst working with his webcam firm in 2015, adding that two separate occasions he held her by the neck and pushed her against a wall where she was unable to move.

Tate has also denied these claims.

A second claimant alleged the former kickboxer made it 'clear' she belonged to him and that if anyone else interacted with her, he would take their life.

She alleges one incident saw her 'barricade herself' into a bathroom as Tate allegedly threatened to 'beat the s**t out of' her.

Tate has also denied these claims, branding their relationship as 'loving and affectionate' before the claimant stopped working for the firm.

The fourth claimant, who goes by the alias of 'Sienna', claims that while she and Tate engaged in what was initially consensual sex, he began to strangle her.

'But then, during sex, he started to strangle me. I passed out, and he carried on having sex with me,' she told the BBC.

Sienna was not among the three women who reported Tate to the police in 2019.

Tate denied strangling the claimant and claimed she didn't become unconscious due asphyxiation.

He argued that while he 'may have put a hand on her neck', Sienna's breathing was not restricted.

Sienna has also detailed an alleged incident where there was a gun on Tate's sofa in 2014, which she was unsure was real.

She told the publication that she had become 'freaked out' by the supposed firearm as they aren't commonplace in the UK.

Tate has denied having a fun in his written defence, stating that it 'may have been a toy gun'.

A third woman claims the influencer had said 'I'm just debating whether to rape you or not' before going on to have sex with her without her consent in 2013

Andrew Tate has not been convicted of any crimes and denies all allegations against him

The four claimants have said they have suffered from long-term mental health issues due to their reported experiences with the influencer.

Representing the claimants, Matt Jury of McCue Jury & Partners, who is representing the women, told the publication that the women had been denied justice by officials while Tate's influence

'They have been left with no other choice but to bring their case in the High Court to finally bring Tate to account,' he told the BBC.

It comes shortly after Tate's model ex-girlfriend has filed a civil lawsuit claiming he told her she was his 'property' before choking her until she nearly passed out.

Lawyers representing self-proclaimed misogynist Tate, 38, who is also facing sexual misconduct charges in Britain, have denied the allegations.

In the lawsuit filed in Los Angeles, Brianna Stern detailed the alleged physical and emotional abuse that took place throughout their 10-month relationship.

She also sought a restraining order against Tate.

In a statement, Tate's lawyer Joseph McBride said his client 'firmly denies' the claims and accused Ms Stern of a 'blatant cash grab'.

Tate also faces separate legal actions in Romania, the UK and US, which are an amalgamation of both criminal and civil.

Andrew Tate's model ex-girlfriend has also filed a civil lawsuit claiming he told her she was his 'property' before choking her until she nearly passed out

In the lawsuit filed in Los Angeles , Brianna Stern detailed the alleged physical and emotional abuse that took place throughout their 10-month relationship

In Romania, Tate and his brother Tristan are facing allegations of trafficking minors, sexual intercourse with a minor and money laundering.

A separate case against them, in which they are accused of human trafficking and forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women, has been sent back to prosecutors.

The pair are due to be extradited to the UK following the conclusion of proceedings in Romania, after Bedfordshire Police secured a European arrest warrant for further separate allegations of rape and human trafficking involving different women.

Those allegations, which the brothers 'unequivocally deny', date back from 2012 to 2015.

Andrew and Tristan Tate have not been convicted of any crimes and deny all accusations against them.

A spokesperson for Andrew Tate has said the allegations made by four women outlined in High Court documents are 'unproven and untested', and 'categorically' denied.

In a statement, the spokesperson said: 'Mr Tate categorically denies these unproven and untested allegations. Specifically, he denies ever threatening anyone with a firearm, engaging in non-consensual acts or subjecting any individual to physical or psychological harm.

'These are civil claims, brought years after the alleged events and following a CPS decision not to pursue criminal charges. It is deeply troubling that such graphic and one-sided accounts are being publicised before any judicial assessment has taken place.

'This type of reporting undermines the presumption of innocence and shapes public perception in a way that is fundamentally unjust. We have seen other high-profile cases where similarly serious allegations collapsed under scrutiny - but only after irreparable reputational harm had already been done.

'Mr Tate will defend himself vigorously and remains confident the truth will prevail.'

Andrew Tate's lawyer, Andrew Ford, told MailOnline: 'These allegations are vehemently denied and will be fully contested in Court.

'The allegations, including the reference to a gun, were fully investigated by the police. No gun was found when the police conducted their searches.

'When the case was sent to the Crown Prosecution Service they took the decision not to charge Mr Tate with any offence.

'This must have been on the basis that they formed the view that there was insufficient prospect of conviction were the case to have been taken to Court.

'Given the specifics of the claim, one can see why they formed that view.'

MailOnline has approached McCue Jury & Partners for comment.
This is the shocking moment that a furious British tourist allegedly punched a taxi driver in a road rage attack in Phuket, Thailand.

Dashcam footage shows a man named by police as Joseph Millward arguing with taxi driver Saroj Jakthong before sending him sprawling with a powerful sucker punch.

The well-built tourist follows up the shocking attack by targeting his companion, who appears to dodge the blow.

Jakthong, 39, immediately gets up and follows Millward to his black Ford pickup, but the British tourist drives away before he is able to confront him again.

It is believed that the Thai man honked his horn at Millward after the latter reportedly cut in front of his van on a busy road on April 6.

The two vehicles then slow down before the Brit parks up and storms out of his truck to square up to Jakthong.

'I stepped out to talk politely, telling the foreigner that his driving was dangerous and asking him to be more careful,' he said after the incident.

It is believed that the Thai man honked his horn at Millward after the latter reportedly cut in front of his van on a busy road

The two vehicles then slow down before the Brit parks up and storms out of his truck to square up to Saroj

Millward then allegedly floors the taxi driver with a powerful punch

The well-built tourist follows up the shocking attack by targeting Saroj's companion, who appears to dodge the blow

The British tourist drives away before Saroj could confront him again

'But he immediately punched me, knocking me down.

'Fortunately, no other vehicles were passing by at that moment.'

The taxi driver underwent a medical examination to document his injuries and returned to the police station where he found the apologetic Brit waiting for him.

Despite begging for forgiveness, Jakthong insisted he will not rest until he feels justice has been done.

He added: 'I won't compromise. I will pursue legal action until the end.

'I didn't think something like this would happen to me.

'This should not happen to any Thai person at all.'

Police have now launched an investigation into the alleged assault after Saroj filed a report at the Phuket City Police Station.

Lieutenant Colonel Khunthong Chaowalit, Deputy Inspector for Investigation, said: 'Preliminary information I can say is that the perpetrator is a British national named Joseph Millward.'

This is not the first time that Brits have been caught up in legal trouble in the popular South-East Asian nation.

Phuket was named the world's most overcrowded holiday destination last year

It is home to several of the world's best coastal spots and is known for its lively nightlife

Earlier this week George Paterson, 40, from Glasgow, was arrested for attacking a shopkeeper and a teenage boy on Phuket.

One victim said he must have been 'intoxicated' as he 'wouldn't listen' to pleas to stop his rampage.

And last month four British tourists were paraded by Thai police after being arrested for allegedly trying to smuggle 1.7million of cannabis out of an airport on the island of Koh Samui.

Marc Patrick Wharton, meanwhile, was charged in February with importing illegal drugs after a packet of cocaine fell out of his pocket at the airport.

Phuket was named the world's most overcrowded holiday destination last year, with locals on the island outnumbered by 118 to one.

It is home to several of the world's best coastal spots and is known for its lively nightlife.

The province welcomed 4.3million tourists in the first half of 2024, including 2.6million foreign nationals - up 42 per cent on the same period in 2023.

But the influx of tourism has led to complaints from locals around crimes and misdemeanours committed by those from outside the island.

Last year, 194 foreigners had their visas rescinded, and 998 faced deportation for criminal activities, according to Kriangkrai Ariyaying, chief of Phuket's immigration police.

He told the Bangkok Post: 'Tourists must abide by the law, or they may be arrested and banned from re-entering Thailand for good.

'If caught breaking the law, they will be arrested and deported.'

The Thai government has also laid out plans to impose a tourism tax to reduce visitor numbers and fund infrastructure related to tourists.

The British Embassy in Thailand were contacted for comment.
A top union boss had demanded ministers bring in a statutory ban on mobile phones in schools

Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union (NEU), joined the growing chorus demanding a ban, saying it would alleviate the pressure on parents and teachers.

Ahead of the union's annual conference, he warned that children have access to 'hardcore pornography' on their phones which is 'damaging' to both boys and girls.

Schools in England were given non-statutory guidance under the former Conservative government in February last year intended to stop the use of phones during the school day.

A survey of more than 15,000 schools in England by the Children's Commissioner suggests that the vast majority already have policies in place that restrict the use of mobile phones.

Publishing the new survey data on Thursday, Dame Rachel de Souza said banning mobile phones should be a headteacher's choice rather than 'a direction imposed nationally by the government'.

But Mr Kebede said it was his 'personal view' that the Labour Government should take a stronger stance on restricting mobile phone use in schools.

Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union (NEU), joined the growing chorus demanding a ban, saying it would alleviate the pressure on parents and teachers.

Schools in England were given non-statutory guidance under the former Conservative government in February last year intended to stop the use of phones during the school day.

Last month, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said she had tasked officials with exploring how to 'more effectively monitor' what is happening in schools in England around the use of smartphones.

His comments came ahead of a debate on men's violence against women and girls at the NEU's annual conference in Harrogate next week.

The motion, due to be debated on Tuesday, calls on the union to do even more work to challenge sexism, sexual harassment and misogyny.

Speaking to the media ahead of the debate, Mr Kebede said a national conversation about mobile phone use, online harm and the 'damaging impact' it has on young people is much needed.

Mr Kebede said: 'My personal view is I would support a statutory ban on mobile phones in schools.

'I think it would alleviate pressure from school leaders, teachers, but also parents.'

An amendment to the motion, tabled by the NEU executive, suggests that the rise of 'unregulated' social media has led to violent pornography becoming accessible to young children and it adds that online spaces are playing a 'significant role in the rise of misogynistic attitudes'.

The amendment suggests social media companies should be 'held accountable' for influencing how young people learn and feel about relationships, and for 'normalising' violent attitudes about women.

Mr Kebede said: 'The average 12-year-old has access to the most hardcore pornography on their mobile phone and that is incredibly damaging to the wellbeing of young boys and their perceptions of women, girls, sex and relationships.'

He added that the country 'should look towards Australia' where the senate has passed a social media ban for children under 16.

The NEU leader called for social media companies to be regulated in a similar way to tobacco companies due to their harm to children's mental health.

His comments come as the television drama Adolescence, which examines so-called incel (involuntary celibate) culture, has prompted a national conversation about online safety.

Last week, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said there was no 'simple solution' to stop boys from being dragged into a 'whirlpool' of misogyny as he hosted creators of the Netflix drama at Downing Street.

Netflix has said it will make the series free to stream for all secondary schools across the UK.

David Wilson, deputy general secretary of the NEU, said the TV drama had struck a chord with teachers.

Speaking ahead of the union's annual conference, he said: 'The issue of misogyny in schools is a grave concern to members and a growing concern over the last few years.'

Last month, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch questioned why the Government opposed a Tory amendment to the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill to require schools to ban the use of phones.

In response, Sir Keir described the proposal as 'completely unnecessary' as he claimed 'almost every school' already bans phones.

Last month, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said she had tasked officials with exploring how to 'more effectively monitor' what is happening in schools in England around the use of smartphones.

In a speech to school and college leaders in Liverpool in March, Ms Phillipson said: 'The Government's position is clear, you have our full backing in ridding our classrooms of the disruption of phones.'

Shadow education secretary Laura Trott said it was 'not too late' for Sir Keir to change his mind about her party's proposal.

'The evidence of the damage smartphones and social media are having on children's education and mental health is undeniable,' she said.

'The Department for Education's own research showing phones disrupt nearly half of GCSE classes every day. That's why the PM was wrong to dismiss our proposal to ban smartphones in schools (as) 'unnecessary' and a 'waste of time'.

'Teachers, parents, pupils and now even trade unions want action. It's not too late for Labour to put politics aside and do the right thing to protect children in schools.'

A Government source said: 'Phones are distracting, disruptive and have absolutely no place in classrooms.

'The Children's Commissioner's comprehensive evidence shows our approach of backing headteachers to implement bans in their schools is working, the Tories have been chasing headlines with no care for what's happening on the ground in schools.

'By ramping up monitoring we will ensure every school, and every classroom, is phone free, delivering on our Plan for Change to give our children the best education.'
READ MORE: Presenter caught in ANOTHER embarrassing moment live on air

A Channel Nine news presenter accidentally spat out a throat lozenge in the middle of live cross.

A red lolly fell out of Peter Overton's mouth just minutes into the Nine News Sydney evening bulletin on Thursday night.

The journalist was introducing a segment by the political editor when he accidentally spat the sweet out of his mouth.

'And Nine's political editor Charles, oh excuse me, Charles Croucher joins me from Canberra. Charles, good evening to you,' Overton said.

He played off the incident without a hiccup after his initial apology and appeared to catch the lolly in his hands as he continued reading the bulletin.

Earlier this year, Overton - who celebrated 35 years with Nine network on April 5 - was forced off air to undergo emergency surgery on his vocal chords after doctors discovered a polyp.

Overton revealed that he noticed his voice was becoming 'husky and raspy' while on annual leave, which prompted a visit to the GP.

Newsreader Peter Overton was caught out when he accidentally spat out a red lolly live on air during Thursday's nightly news

Peter Overton was caught out when a red lolly fell out of his mouth

The 58-year-old was referred to an ear nose and throat specialist, who quickly ordered surgery to remove the polyp.

'They stick a camera up your nose and then down into your vocal cord, and then on a big screen, you see your vocal cords,' Overton told News Corp.

'And I saw this. It was like a big blister, a lump just hanging off the cord.

'I must admit, it scared the living daylights out of me.'

Overton returned to television screens in early February.
A Ukrainian armed forces pilot who went missing is now hiding from his commanders - on the International Space Station.

Alexey Zubritsky, 32, is listed as a Ukrainian deserter and last month was sentenced in absentia to 15 years in jail as a traitor.

The pilot flew attack aircraft for Ukraine in the aviation unit of the 204th Sevastopol Brigade in 2013.

When Vladimir Putin illegally grabbed Crimea the following year, Zubritsky joined Russian forces and was later based in Rostov and Krasnodar regions.

He switched to cosmonaut training and blasted off on a Soyuz-2a rocket to the ISS with Russian commander Sergey Ryzhikov and NASA astronaut Jonny Kim.

The rocket launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, NASA said, and took three hours to orbit the earth twice before connecting to the ISS.

The Ukrainian astronaut joined the Expedition 72 crew, made up of NASA astronauts Nichole Ayers, Anne McClain, and Don Pettit, Japanese astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Russian cosmonauts Kirill Peskov, Ivan Vagner, and Alexey Ovchinin.

For his 'treachery', Ukrainian-born Zubritsky faces arrest in his home country and the confiscation of all property.

Alexey Zubritsky (pictured, in blue) is listed as a Ukrainian deserter and last month was sentenced in absentia to 15 years in jail as a traitor

When Vladimir Putin illegally grabbed Crimea the following year, Zubritsky joined Russian forces and was later based in Rostov and Krasnodar regions

He is due a seven month-long mission on board the space station, during which the Expedition 72 crew will carry out a series of scientific tests in low orbit

Rescuers working at the site of a drone-hit private building in Kyiv, Ukraine, 10 April 2025

At least two people were injured after overnight Russian shelling in Kyiv's area, according to the State Emergency Service report

'Having committed high treason and desertion, he joined the armed forces of the Russian Federation, where he is still serving, in particular, as a test cosmonaut, [and] flight engineer of the ISS-72/73 crew [currently in space],' said the Ukrainian prosecutor.

He is due a seven month-long mission on board the space station, during which the Expedition 72 crew will carry out a series of scientific tests in low orbit.

During his time on the ISS, Zubritsky will help oversee the arrival and departures of visiting cargo vehicles, assist in the upkeep of the space station and take part in hundreds of experiments.

He may also take part in space walks, including two planned by Russian flight controllers to oversee experiments, as well as US-planned missions to upgrade the station's solar arrays.

He is also said to be working as a 'special correspondent' for Russian propaganda outlet TASS, the sixth Russian astronaut to do so.

Pro-Kremlin news outlet SHOT said today: 'Russians have exceptional respect for Alexey, are happy for his career and send greetings to the ISS.'
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch today signalled that Conservative councillors would be free to form coalitions with Reform on local authorities after elections in May.

Ms Badenoch used a TV interview to again rule out any national-level support or non-aggression agreement with Nigel Farage, citing his past hope of 'destroying' the Conservatives.

But she gave tacit backing to local-level link-ups in the wake of the vote on May 1, as long as they were in the interests of residents.

The Tories are expecting a punishing time at the ballot box, fighting seats previously won at the height of the party's popularity under Boris Johnson in 2021.

The Tory leader told BBC Breakfast: 'At local level, we end up with various coalitions. I've seen Conservatives go into coalition with Labour, with Liberal Democrats, with Independents.

'You don't get to have a rerun of an election at local level, so what I'm telling local leaders across the country (is) they have to do what is right for the people in their local area and they must stick to Conservative principles, make sure that they're not compromising on our values and on the things that we believe in  sound money, for example, not excessive government intervention.

'So, local leaders are voted by the people in a particular community, they will have to make the choice about what is right for their councils.'

But Clacton MP Mr Farage later rejected the idea, saying: 'Reform have no intention in forming coalitions with the Tories at any level.'

Ms Badenoch used a TV interview to again rule out any national-level support or non-aggression agreement with Nigel Farage, citing his past hope of 'destroying' the Conservatives.

But she gave tacit backing to local-level link-ups if it allows the Tories to retain or take control of councils in the wake of the vote on May 1.

Some 1,641 council seats in England are up for grabs on May 1 across 23 local authorities.

Elections are also taking place for four regional mayors and two local mayors, while voters in the constituency of Runcorn & Helsby will choose a new MP.

No scheduled elections are taking place in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

It is nonetheless the first big test at the ballot box for political parties since Labour won the general election in July 2024.

Local and mayoral contests can reflect voters' attitudes about neighbourhood concerns, such as when bins are collected, the state of parks and pavements, or access to libraries and hospitals.

But they can also be a verdict on how parties and leaders are handling national issues  which this year could mean the NHS, the cost of living, or even foreign affairs such as the tariffs introduced by US President Donald Trump and the conflicts in Ukraine or the Middle East.

The elections are the first of their kind since Sir Keir Starmer became Prime Minister and since Kemi Badenoch took over as Conservative leader.

Despite Labour's travails in government, the Conservatives face a difficult task on May 1.

The party continues to struggle in the polls and is defending more than half of the seats up for election, having won them in 2021 thanks in part to a Covid-19 vaccine polling bounce.

It is also under pressure from Reform in several areas, with Mr Farage's party consistently outpolling the Conservatives at a national level.

On Thursday, Mrs Badenoch acknowledged that the local elections would be 'challenging' following the party's 'historic defeat' at last year's general election.

She said: 'We can't win everything all the time, but I want people to know that those local Conservatives are working hard for every vote.'

Labour Party chairwoman Ellie Reeves said: 'Now it's crystal clear: if you vote Reform or Conservative, you're opening the door to more of the Tory chaos that held our country back over the past 14 years.

'Kemi Badenoch and her Conservative Party left our NHS at breaking point and Nigel Farage wants to make patients pay for healthcare when they're sick. Just imagine what they'd do together.'
More black men will needlessly die unless a targeted prostate cancer screening programme is introduced as a priority, a campaigner has warned.

Alfred Samuels said it 'should send alarm bells' that black men such as himself are twice as likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer than other men.

But with cases often symptomless, Mr Samuels said it was vital that men in the most at-risk groups due to family history, age and ethnicity were encouraged to get tested.

He backed the Daily Mail's long-running campaign for a national prostate cancer screening programme available on the NHS for the most at-risk men, which has also received cross-party political support from a host of MPs including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Health Secretary Wes Streeting, as well as former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

Mr Samuels, a former close protection officer for pop stars such as Beyonce and Bob Dylan, told the Mail: 'The fact that we as black men are disproportionately affected should send alarm bells, in fact it already should have sent alarm bells.

'That doesn't do anything for men of colour knowing we are in a situation where people don't seem to care about us. For me, this has been talked about for years and you just keep hearing that we are disproportionately affected.

'I just think we have got to that stage where we have got more support for this. We have a situation where at long last we have the political elite on our side and that will hopefully make things happen quicker than what has been said.

'The longer we wait, the more men will die, the more men like me will die. We need action now.'

Alfred Samuels was given only months to live when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2011 - but continues to be treated succesfully

Mr Samuels was previously a bodyguard for international pop stars including American chart-topper Beyonce

Sir Steve McQueen, the Oscar-winning film director, has also spoken out about the need for men to be tested for prostate cancer - which disproportionately impacts black men

The 67-year-old from Harrow in north-west London was given just months to live when he was diagnosed in 2011, but continues to be treated successfully with hormone therapy and has his condition monitored closely.

He said a technology-backed rollout would be 'priceless'.

But he admitted being frustrated by having lengthy discussions with MPs, including those who demonstrated some of the classic symptoms of prostate cancer such as needing to use the toilet more regularly, yet politicians have not done enough to help change the guidelines.

'I don't think we are doing things quickly enough,' he said.

'In conversations when men talk to men there is this thing where they say they feel your pain to a certain degree, they empathise.

'I have spoken to a number of MPs and there are an 'X' amount who get it, who have certain issues, but then I don't hear anything.'

He added: 'The call for a targeted screening programme is getting louder, celebrities, medical professionals and the politicians I think are starting to realise this is needed now - a simple test that is accurate and works.'

Mr Samuels has been taking part in a large clinical trial since 2012 which assesses new treatment approaches for people affected by high-risk prostate cancer, including new drugs used to treat prostate cancer.

Mr Samuels has backed the Daily Mail's campaign for a national prostate cancer screening programme for at-risk men

Sir Steve McQueen, left, pictured in 1999 with his mother Mary McQueen and father Philbert McQueen, who died with prostate cancer in 2006

He said: 'We've gone from a situation where it was potentially terminal, and was given six months to live. So they got it wrong - very much wrong, here I am today.'

His sentiments chime with those of Oscar-winning director Sir Steve McQueen, who this weekend urged men to get checked for prostate cancer after it killed his father and a close friend.

The London-born filmmaker behind 12 Years A Slave has made a full recovery after privately battling prostate cancer following his own diagnosis in 2022.

The 55-year-old is now outspoken on the need for men to undergo a simple blood test to determine whether or not they may also show signs of the most common cancer in males.

His father Philbert died of prostate cancer in 2006 aged 67, while his friend - the novelist Alex Wheatle, also known as the Brixton Bard in honour of where he grew up, died with prostate cancer last month aged 62.

Sir Steve said: 'People are dying unnecessarily, and it's foolish.'
A man has been bailed as detectives continue their probe into a catastrophic crash triggered after a high-speed pursuit ended in 'absolute carnage', leaving seven police officers in hospital and six cars wrecked.

Officers were chasing a dark grey BMW along the A1 near Denton in Newcastle early on Wednesday morning when the mayhem unfolded.

One unmarked police Volvo was ripped apart as it slammed into the central reservation barrier before flipping onto its side.

And fire crews had to cut the roof off of another crumpled police cruiser - with debris from the smash left strewn across the dual carriageway.

The chase was sparked when cops spotted the BMW M Sport being driven suspiciously in the Wickham area of Gateshead.

The driver allegedly failed to stop after police signalled them to do so before then speeding off. Four marked patrol cars and an unmarked motor chased it north before the crash at 2.30am close to junction 79 near Newcastle.

A man and a woman in their 20s were arrested at the scene. The woman has since been released with no further action, while the male has been released on police bail, a spokeswoman for Northumbria Police told MailOnline this morning.

The horror pile-up closed the road for more than 12 hours, with glass and debris left scattered across all three lanes. A police expert claimed the devastation may have been caused during a 'failed attempt to box-in' the fleeing BMW.

Seven police officers were taken to hospital after a horror crash involving five police vehicles

The pile-up happened on the northbound carriageway of the A1 motorway near Denton, Newcastle shortly before 2.30am on Wednesday

Four marked cars were damaged, with one having its roof and doors ripped off, while a fifth unmarked cruiser completely turned on its side

A BMW M Sport was also involved in the crash and had been surrounded by battered police vehicles in the middle of the highway

One of the police vehicles is lifted from the scene of the high-speed crash

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According to the former detective, the collision could have been triggered by a 'tactical pursuit and containment gone horribly wrong' or that a 'police vehicle has been rammed by one of the cars they are pursuing'.

He added those involved in the crash were 'exceptionally lucky' to come away alive, saying: 'Something has gone horribly wrong. One vehicle is almost unrecognisable.'

The retired officer added: 'These officers' lives are always put at risk too. You cant get more highly qualified than British traffic officers. For a crash like this to have happened is a big deal.'

Stunned locals living close to the crash site described it as 'absolute carnage' yesterday as they were woken up to police helicopters circling above a scene of devastation.

Residents said they have not seen a major incident in the area since the notorious Raoul Moat manhunt in 2010. The scene of the crash is a stone's throw from where PC David Rathband was shot by Moat on the roundabout next to the A69.

Investigators spent the day probing the incident, with officers seen searching a handbag and other belongings from inside the car involved in the chase.

Police said concerns were raised about how the BMW was being driven at 2am. A pursuit began shortly after 2.25am, with the wipe-out crash happening around two minutes later.

Four of the seven injured officers have since been discharged, while two remain for observation and one is receiving treatment to a leg injury. The two occupants of the BMW were uninjured.

Crash investigators at the scene of the crash which closed the A1 in both directions

Specialist police sniffer dogs have also been spotted at the crash site yesterday afternoon

Shocking pictures of the aftermath show four damaged marked police cars and one unmarked police vehicle (right) completely turned on its side

One police car has been left without a roof and three of its doors

While others have smashed windows and parts scattered across all three lanes

A man in his 20s was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, failing to stop when required by police, driving with no insurance and driving otherwise than in accordance with licence. He has been released on bail.

A woman in her 20s was released with no further action to be taken in relation to the arrest on suspicion of aiding and abetting dangerous driving.

However, she has been released on police bail in relation to the following, pending further enquiries into alleged possession of a Class A and a Class B drug, police said,

Superintendent Michelle Caisley, from Northumbria Police, said said: 'Firstly, we want to wish all the officers who have been involved in the collision a full recovery.

'We would also thank all those who attended the scene, including our colleagues from Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service and the North East Ambulance Service.

'An investigation is under way to determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident and ask anyone with information that may assist us to come forward.

The scene on the A1 Western bypass in Newcastle this morning, which was closed in both directions

The road is closed between Swalwell, in Gateshead, and Denton, Newcastle

'We would also ask people to avoid speculation both online and in the community which could impact the investigation.

'We recognise this incident has caused significant delays and thank motorists for their patience.

'The road closure has been necessary in order for our collision investigation team to conduct their enquiries.'

Avril Smith has lived next to the highway for 27 years and was left horrified at the pile-up.

'It was absolute carnage,' she told MailOnline. 'It was the sound of the police helicopter which woke me up at 2.45am.

'I got up and went to the other bedroom and when I opened the blinds there was police and ambulances everywhere.

'I knew then something serious had happened. I've never seen anything this bad before, living here.'

At least four police vehicles were involved in the crash on the major road

Smashed glass and debris remains scattered across the road following the crash

Another resident said: 'It was just shock when I saw what happened. To see see the amount of carnage was mad.

'I've been here 20 years and the only major thing we know to have happened here was when Raoul Moat shot the police officer.

'It's such a busy stretch of road that is going to cause chaos.'

Long after the crash, blue lights continued to flash on an unmarked police car which was crushed against the central reservation barrier.

A police detection dog was sent into the BMW which was wedged between the marked police cars.

The process of removing the damaged vehicles and lifting them on to low loaders was under way by lunchtime.

Just after 3pm, more than 12 hours after the incident, police said the A1 had re-opened in both directions.

Crash investigators have been sent to the scene of the pile-up

The scene on the A1, which has been shut in both directions on Tyneside

Two black cars were also involved in the crash with one of the mangled motors turned completely on its side

Emergency services rushed to the crash that happened at around 2.30am on Wedesday

Crash investigators start their probe into the collision that ended in seven people in hospital

The A-road is a key route to the airport which is busier due to the Easter holidays.

A North East Ambulance Service spokesperson said: 'We received a call at 2.29am on Wednesday 9 April to reports of a road traffic collision on the A1 northbound near Denton, Newcastle.

'We dispatched five ambulance crews, a specialist paramedic, a duty officer, two crews from our Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) and requested support from our colleagues at the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) who attended by road.

'Five patients were transported to hospital for further treatment.'

When approached the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) said the incident has not been referred to the watchdog.
Russia has released jailed American ballerina Ksenia Karelina in an early morning prisoner swap between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump's respective intelligence agencies.

The early morning swap in Abu Dhabi, first reported by the Wall Street Journal, is the latest sign of a deepening relationship between the two superpowers.

A dual Russian-American citizen, Karelina was sentenced to 12 years in prison in August 2024 after a Russian court found her guilty of treason for donating just $51.80 (40) to a Razom, a New York-based charity supporting Ukraine.

The US maintained she was wrongfully detained along with several other American citizens and launched a diplomatic campaign for their release.

The Los Angeles spa worker was arrested in February 2024 while visiting family in Yekaterinburg.

After discovering the donation to Razom on her phone, the FSB security service accused her of collecting funds for the benefit of the Ukrainian army.

Karelina's overjoyed father, Pavel, told how he received a call from his daughter to confirm she had been released and was returning to the States.

'We are beside ourselves with happiness,' said Pavel, 56, a service company director from Yekaterinburg.

'The first seconds of our chat were all pure emotions, I can't even remember what we were saying, it was like one explosion of happiness.

'A big thank you from the bottom of my heart to President Trump, and to President Putin, because I guess that deal must have involved them both,' he said.

'We didn't even have time yet to think how to celebrate Ksenia's freedom, but yes, of course, we will be celebrating.'

A dual Russian-American citizen, Karelina was sentenced to 12 years in prison in August 2024 after a Russian court found her guilty of treason for donating just over $50 to a New York-based charity supporting Ukraine

Karelina was sentenced to 12 years in a Russian penal colony

Karelina was branded an American spy but the US has now secured her release

The Los Angeles spa worker was arrested in February 2024 while visiting family in Yekaterinburg

Karelina's overjoyed father, Pavel, told how he received a call from his daughter to confirm she had been released and was returning to the States

In exchange for Karelina, America released Arthur Petrov, a German-Russian citizen, who was arrested in 2023 in Cyprus for allegedly exporting sensitive microelectronics.

Prosecutors alleged he had used a Cypriot company to procure the American technology under the guise of using them for fire security systems, then shipped them to a company in St. Petersburg that supplies the Russian military.

Petrov had not been sentenced.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe, who was reportedly involved in prisoner negotiations with FSB Director Alexander Bortnikov, greeted Karelina at the airport in Abu Dhabi where the exchange took place.

He told the WSJ: 'Today, President Trump brought home another wrongfully detained American from Russia.

'I'm proud of the CIA officers who worked tirelessly to support this effort, and we appreciate the Government of the United Arab Emirates for enabling the exchange.'

'Today, the United States welcomes the return of American-Russian ballerina Ksenia Karelina,' national security adviser Mike Waltz said in a statement.

'President Trump and his administration continue to work around the clock to ensure Americans detained abroad are returned home to their families.'

US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, said on X: 'American Ksenia Karelina is on a plane back home to the United States. She was wrongfully detained by Russia for over a year and President Trump secured her release. [Donald Trump] will continue to work for the release of ALL Americans.'

Karelina's Russian lawyer Mikhail Mushailov said he only knew about her release when he was contacted by Ksenia's family.

'She contacted her relatives, who contacted me,' he said. 'She was on a plane, flying from the Arab Emirates to the United States.'

Karelina's release marks the second prisoner swap between the US and Russia since Donald Trump took office in January.

Russia in February freed Marc Fogel, a schoolteacher and former employee of the US embassy in Moscow.

Fogel had served three and a half years of a 14-year sentence for drug smuggling after being caught in possession of a small amount of marijuana.

In exchange, Washington released Alexander Vinnik, a convicted Russian cybercriminal who had pleaded guilty in a US court to conspiring to launder money.

At least 10 other Americans remain behind bars in Russia on various charges, hoping their government can secure their release.

They include Stephen Hubbard, a 73-year-old native of Michigan jailed in October for nearly seven years on charges that he served as a mercenary in Ukraine.

Hubbard had been living in the Ukrainian town of Izium and was arrested after Russian forces took control of the city in 2022.

His relatives rejected claims that Hubbard served for Ukraine, pointing to his advanced age. He was designated in January as wrongfully detained.

Gordon Black, an active duty US staff sergeant based in South Korea, was detained last May in Russia's Far East on suspicion of stealing money from his Russian girlfriend.

A court in June found Black guilty of stealing 10,000 roubles ($104) from the woman and threatening to kill her, sentencing him to three years and nine months in prison.

Marc Fogel, a US man who was detained in Russia and freed in a prisoner exchange in February, puts on his cap before throwing out a ceremonial first pitch before the Pittsburgh Pirates' home opener baseball game, Friday, April 4, 2025

Marc Fogel, an American history teacher who was detained in Russia and Steve Witkoff, U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East reacts during US President Donald Trump's speech to a joint session of Congress

The United States has released Russian cryptocurrency kingpin Alexander Vinnik, as part of an exchange deal that saw Moscow free US teacher Marc Fogel, a senior US official said February 13, 2025

Another American citizen, Joseph Tater, was sentenced to 15 days in jail last August for 'petty hooliganism' after he was alleged to have abused staff at a Moscow hotel, which he denied.

He should have been released after serving the small sentence, but Russian news agencies say he is now being investigated on a more serious charge of assaulting a police officer, which carries up to five years in prison.

A court in September denied his appeal to be released from pre-trial detention and he remains in custody.

And, in one of the most high-profile cases, American citizen Eugene Spector - who was born in Russia and then moved to the US - was charged last August with espionage.

Before his arrest in 2021, he served as chairman of the board of Medpolymerprom Group, a company specialising in cancer-curing drugs, state media said.

Spector had pleaded guilty to helping bribe an assistant to an ex-Russian deputy prime minister. It was not clear how he pleaded to the espionage charge.

There are hopes that Trump's efforts to renew diplomatic ties with Russia will see more prisoner swaps in the coming months.

'The exchange shows the importance of keeping lines of communication open with Russia, despite the deep challenges in our bilateral relationship,' a CIA spokeswoman told the WSJ following Karelina's release earlier today.

'While we are disappointed that other Americans remain wrongfully detained in Russia, we see this exchange as a positive step and will continue to work for their release.'
A Romanian man has been arrested in connection with a fire at a DHL warehouse in Birmingham suspected to have been caused by a Russian incendiary device.

While no one was injured in the blaze, counter-terrorism police have been investigating the fire at the facility in Minworth that took place last year on July 22.

The parcel is believed to have arrived at the DHL warehouse by air but it is not known whether it was in a cargo or passenger aircraft, nor where it was destined for, the Guardian reports.

It was previously reported that investigators believed Russian spies had hidden the incendiary device inside a parcel that was loaded onto a plane headed for Britain.

Pictures of the blaze have backed up assessments that if the device ignited during the flight there would have been a possibility of serious consequences.

The 38-year-old Romanian national was arrested on March 19 after arriving at Stansted airport on an inbound flight, the police said.

He was arrested on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service, under section 3 of the National Security Act 2023, the force added.

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: 'We can confirm that officers from counter-terrorism policing are investigating an incident at a commercial premises in Midpoint Way, Minworth.

Counter-terrorism police have been investigating the fire at DHL warehouse in Minworth, Birmingham that took place last year on July 22 (file photo)

It was previously reported that investigators believed Russian spies had hidden the incendiary device inside a parcel that was loaded onto a plane headed for Britain

'On Monday 22 July, a package at the location caught alight. It was dealt with by staff and the local fire brigade at the time and there were no reports of any injuries or significant damage caused.

'Due to the circumstances, and the specialist capability and expertise in investigating such matters, the investigation is being led by officers from the Met's counter-terrorism command with support from colleagues from Counter Terrorism Policing West Midlands.

'The investigation remains ongoing and one man has been arrested for offences under the National Security Act.'

The force added that the man was taken to a police station in London before being released on bail to appear in court in July.

As part of the investigation, officers also carried out searches at two addresses in Essex.

The police spokesperson added: 'As part of our inquiries, officers are liaising with other European law enforcement partners to identify whether this may or may not be connected to any other similar-type incidents across Europe.'

A Counter Terrorism Policing spokesman said: 'Due to the circumstances, and the specialist capability and expertise in investigating such matters, the investigation is being led by officers from the Met's Counter Terrorism Command with support from colleagues from Counter Terrorism Policing West Midlands.

'The investigation remains ongoing and one man has been arrested for offences under the National Security Act.

In October, German intelligence warned a similar incident at a DHL centre in Leipzig (pictured), came close to causing a fatal plane crash

'The 38-year-old Romanian national was arrested on 19 March after arriving at Stansted airport on an inbound flight to the UK.

'He was arrested on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service, under section 3 of the National Security Act 2023 and he was detained under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (Pace).'

In October, German intelligence warned a similar incident in Leipzig, also in late-July, came close to causing a fatal plane crash.

Thomas Haldenwang, head of Germany's intelligence service, said that a disaster was narrowly averted after a parcel ignited on the ground at the DHL logistics centre in Leipzig rather than mid-air.

The plane, which was also believed to have been travelling to the UK, had been delayed, with experts warning there could have been a very different outcome had it taken off on time.

The incidents in Birmingham and Leipzig are thought to be part of a wider spate of attempts by Russian spies to 'generate mayhem', head of MI5 Ken McCullum previously warned, while plots are being formed by other hostile state actors, including Iran, at a an 'unprecedented pace'.

Other countries in Europe reportedly recorded similar cases of packages containing incendiary devices, prompting a warning to aviation and logistics companies to sensitise their employees and take precautionary measures.

Last September, DHL said it had 'taken measures' in light of the incidents in the UK and Germany.

A DHL spokesperson said: 'In response to ongoing investigations by authorities in several countries, DHL Express has taken measures in all European countries to protect its network, its employees and facilities, as well as its customers' shipments.

'We are aware of two recent incidents affecting shipments in our network.'
Russia could trigger 'worldwide internet blackouts' by sabotaging undersea cables with its 'shadow fleet', Nato defence chiefs have been warned.

Telecoms giants fear the critical network of underwater cables are 'defenceless' and at the mercy of tyrant Vladmir Putin.

Writing to the UK, EU and Nato, firms including Vodafone, O2 owner Telefonica and Orange, warned action was needed following a string of suspected Russian attacks on the data lines.

In a chilling open letter to defence chiefs, the companies wrote: 'The repercussions of damage to subsea cables extend far beyond Europe, potentially affecting global internet and power infrastructure, international communications, financial transactions and critical services worldwide.

'Subsea cable security must be a cornerstone of broader infrastructure protection efforts. By acting now, we can safeguard the networks that underpin our shared future.'

More than 500 cables are used to carry about 95 per cent of all international data. They crisscross the seabed but their remote location makes them hard to defend.

Several suspected sabotage attacks have already taken place, with defence sources pointing the finger of blame squarely at the Kremlin, amid claims its shadow fleet of commercial vessels had been used. Russia has denied any involvement.

The vast majority of attacks have taken place in the Baltic Sea, were 11 subsea cables have been damaged since October 2023. Similar outages have occurred in the North Sea.

Fears have been raised Russian tyrant Vladimir Putin could use his so-called 'shadow fleet' to cause a global internet blackout by sabotaging undersea cables

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Concerns the Russians are planning a sabotage operation have escalated since one of their spy ships, the Yantar, was detected mapping the UK's critical underwater infrastructure in the North Sea in recent months.

Fears have also been raised about Chinese sabotage after a number of incident around Taiwan.

In January, defence secretary John Healey described the outages as 'another example of growing Russian aggression'.

He said: 'I also want President Putin to hear this message: we see you, we know what you are doing, and we will not shy away from robust action to protect this country.'

Dubbed the 'backbone' of Britain, the UK depends on a vast network of gas pipelines, electrical cables and offshore energy hubs to function. But defence officials have become increasingly concerned they could be targeted.

An attack on any one of these energy pipelines or communications cables could plunge Britain into chaos, disrupting every service, including the NHS.

MPs on the joint committee overseeing the national security strategy have now launched an inquiry into the UK's ability to protect its subsea infrastructure from attacks.

Matt Western, chairman of the committee, said: 'As the geopolitical environment worsens, foreign states are seeking asymmetric ways to hold us at risk. Our internet cable network looks like an increasingly vulnerable soft underbelly.'

Russia's Yantar 'research vessel' is widely thought to be a spy vessel. It is fitted with a range of technologies to conduct covert operations deep underwater, including unmanned underwater vehicles and mini-submarines

The Estlink 2 power cable in the Gulf of Finland was ruptured in suspected Russian interference

Britain's Defence Secretary John Healey (R) talks to Commanding Officer of RFA Proteus, Captain Martin Jones (L) as he sits at the dynamic positioning desk on the bridge during his visit to RFA Proteus on February 20, 2025

In their letter, the telecoms giants said network security was an 'absolute priority'. But they warned the rise of attacks by hostile states meant governments needed to step up their security measures.

The firms called for the entire subsea cable network to be classed as 'critical infrastructure' to ensure they are given the appropriate level of protection.

They also urged the EU, UK and Nato to build greater ties when it comes to intelligence sharing, as well as shared monitoring and surveillance initiatives.

It comes amid fears superyachts belonging to Russian oligarchs were now being recruited to carry out covert operations around the British Isles.

Russia, a world leader in submarine and undersea technology, routinely sends what it claims are 'research vessels' into waters around Britain and in the North Atlantic.

By the Russian parliament's own admission, these vessels carry a host of technologies, including equipment 'designed for deep-sea tracking, as well as equipment for connecting to top-secret communication cables'.

Some ships, including the notorious Yantar that was warded off by the Royal Navy after it was discovered loitering in the Irish Sea earlier this year, can also deploy unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) and mini-submarines to access internet cables and energy pipelines up to six kilometres deep.

Military and government sources last week told the Sunday Times they suspected superyachts belonging to Russian oligarchs had also been involved in nefarious undersea operations.

Military and government sources told the Sunday Times they suspected superyachts belonging to Russian oligarchs had been involved in covert maritime operations (Pictured: The yacht Amadea of sanctioned Russian Oligarch Suleiman Kerimov. There is no insinuation this vessel conducted spy operations on behalf of the Kremlin)

Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) at sea. These unmanned robotic craft have revolutionized deep ocean survey and exploration

A handout picture released by the Britain's Ministry of Defence (MOD) in London on January 22, 2025 shows Royal Navy Royal Navy of RFA Proteus (R) patrolling near the Russian vessel Yantar (L), in November 2024

They claimed some of these ships are fitted with 'moon pools' - protected openings in a vessel's hull that allow crews to deploy and retrieve deep-sea diving equipment. Others are able to deploy mini-submarines and submersible crafts.

This allows the stunning yachts to float innocuously on the surface of the water, all while underwater vessels dive deep to sabotage undersea cables or deploy reconnaissance equipment.

Indeed, sources also revealed that the Ministry of Defence and Royal Navy had found reconnaissance devices and sensors in various locations off Britain's coastline.

These devices, some of which were found as early as 2020, are thought to have been deployed to gather data on the movement of Britain's four Vanguard-class nuclear submarines (SSBNs), which constitute the UK's nuclear deterrent.

Some were discovered when they washed ashore, while others were reportedly found by Royal Navy minesweepers. But defence sources admitted they did not know how many sensors were still operational.

Former defence minister Tobias Ellwood has warned that Britain is 'behind the curve' in tracking Russia' deep sea operations.

Mr Ellwood this week called for a significant expansion of the UK's maritime surveillance capabilities following the reports of Russian spy equipment being seized in domestic waters.

Pipes at the landfall facilities of the 'Nord Stream 2' gas pipeline are pictured in Lubmin, northern Germany

He insisted officials now 'realise that there is a delta between our resilience and the threat that we face'.

'The scale of damage [they could do] is enormous and it's deniable and it's cheap to do,' he told the Guardian. 'That's the worrying dimension of all of this.'

The suggestion that Britain and the West is already involved in a maritime conflict with Moscow was backed up by one senior serving military chief quoted in The Sunday Times.

'There should be no doubt, there is a war raging in the Atlantic. This is a game of cat and mouse that has continued since the ending of the Cold War, and is now heating up again. We are seeing phenomenal amounts of Russian activity.'

A second military source added: 'It's a bit like the space race. This is a world clouded in secrecy and subterfuge  but there's enough smoke to suggest something is on fire somewhere.'

Among the key undersea pipelines potentially vulnerable to saboteurs includes the 700-mile Langeled pipeline from Norway - responsible for a fifth of Britain's entire gas supply.

With a capacity of 1.4GW and stretching 475 miles, the Viking Link is the longest subsea and land electricity interconnector in the world - yet this too would be worryingly easy for the Russian military to damage.

As the UK pursues Net Zero environmental targets  leading to the closure of coal-fired power stations  the country has become increasingly reliant on supplies of gas and electricity from abroad in order to 'keep the lights on'.

The Royal Navy's Type 45 destroyer HMS Diamond is seen shadowing suspected Russian spy ship the Yankar through the English Channel

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Indeed, the country is reported to have come close to blackouts during the past winter  saved only by emergency reserves and electricity imported undersea from Denmark.

Britain and Nato are aware of the threat posed by Russian spy vessels and oligarch pleasure craft alike.

In January, Nato dispatched a fleet of 10 ships to the Baltic Sea to protect Europe's crucial undersea cables.

The ships, which are set to end their deployment this month, conducted patrols in the vicinity of energy pipelines and undersea data cables in an effort to monitor suspicious activity and deter any attempt to sabotage these vital assets.

The move came off the back of a number of disruptions in the Baltic Sea that are widely believed to have been sabotage operations.

In February, Swedish and Finnish police said they were investigating a suspected case of sabotage of an undersea telecoms cable in the Baltic Sea, while Sweden's coast guard deployed a vessel to the location where the damage occurred.

Finnish operator Cinia said it had 'some time' earlier detected problems on its C-Lion1 link connecting Finland and Germany and that it had eventually received confirmation that the cable was damaged even as data traffic continued to flow.

The incident marked the third time in just a few months that the C-Lion1 cable was damaged after it was completely severed in November and December of 2024.

And on Christmas Day in 2024, the Estlink 2 undersea power cable connecting Finland and Estonia was damaged along with four telecoms lines.

Finland seized the Cook Islands-registered Eagle S tanker on suspicion it caused the damage by dragging its anchor, adding that the ship was part of a 'shadow fleet' circumventing sanctions on Russian oil.

Security experts have now argued that British households should follow the example of the EU, which has advised citizens to pack a three-day survival kit.

This should include water, non-perishable food, medicines, a battery-powered radio, a torch, identity documents and a Swiss Army knife.

The protection of critical undersea infrastructure will form part of the Government's Strategic Defence Review (SDR) by former Nato secretary-general Lord Robertson this year.

A source said: 'We know that the Russians are active in the North Sea and have the power to cripple our energy links.

'We need to become much more self-sufficient, and quickly. And households should be ready for all eventualities.'
Rebekah Vardy has been left with a mega 1.6 million legal bill after being dealt a fresh - and potentially final - blow in her 'Wagatha Christie' libel battle with Coleen Rooney.

A High Court judge today ruled that Mrs Rooney's lawyers did not commit misconduct after being accused of 'deliberately' understating some of her costs in the high-profile showdown.

It means Mrs Vardy now faces picking up 90 per cent of Mrs Rooney's costs, which reached around 1.85 million when the pair were lodged in a sensational legal row over claims Mrs Vardy leaked stories to the press.

Today's ruling is likely to represent a final crushing defeat for 43-year-old mother-of-five, who is married to Leicester City captain and former England striker Jamie Vardy.

A specialist judge last year dismissed Mrs Vardy's claims that Mrs Rooney's lawyers commited misconduct, after she accused them of understating her bill to 'attack the other party's costs'.

Mrs Vardy challenged the decision, but High Court judge Mr Justice Cavanagh today dismissed the appeal.

He said: 'The appeal must fail on the basis that the judge was entitled to reach the conclusion that he came to.'

In a 38-page ruling, he found there was 'no valid basis for challenging on appeal the judge's conclusion'.

Coleen Rooney, wearing a protective boot, carried out a 'sting' operation to detect who was leaking stories about her to the press

Rebekah Vardy, pictured with former England striker husband Jamie Vardy, is now facing an eye-watering 1.6 million bill

Mrs Rooney, pictured with her husband Wayne Rooney outside the Royal Courts of Justice in July 2022, is said to have run up a 1.8 million legal bill

He said: 'The court was not persuaded that the claimant had proved that the defendant's legal advisers had deliberately misled the court, or the claimant, either by things said or things not said.

'There had been a misjudgment in the form of a failure to be more transparent about the basis upon which the defendant's figures for incurred costs had been prepared, but that was as far as it went.

'The judge was entitled to make the evaluative judgment that this did not amount to unreasonable or improper behaviour, especially as he was so well-placed to form a view about practice in relation to costs.'

It is not yet known whether Mrs Vardy's latest - and potentially final - appeal will incur any further costs.

Mrs Vardy lost the 3 million libel case after a judge ruled it was 'substantially true' that she had leaked Mrs Rooney's private information to the press.

The judge ordered her to pay the vast majority of Mrs Rooney's costs.

But Mrs Vardy wanted a 50 per cent cut in the settlement as it was alleged that Mrs Vardy was charging for a lawyer's stay at a five-star Nobu Hotel.

Mrs Vardy's reputation was left in tatters in 2022 after a High Court judge dismissed her evidence as 'evasive or implausible' and accused her of deliberately deleting WhatsApp messages central to the case.

The post that started it all: Mrs Rooney accused Mrs Vardy's social media account of leaking stories

Coleen Rooney leaving the Royal Courts of Justice in 2022

Rebekah Vardy denied she was the source of the leaks

Her agent was also accused of intentionally dropping her phone in the North Sea.

Mrs Vardy had sued over an accusation she had leaked details of Mrs Rooney's private life to the press.

It came after Mrs Rooney - the 39-year-old mother-of-four and wife to former England captain and Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney - had staged an elaborate sting operation to find out who was passing on stories about her private life to The Sun.

The judge, Justice Karen Steyn, said in her ruling that Mrs Rooney had successfully proved her allegation was substantially true.

Mrs Rooney said in a statement after the ruling that she was 'pleased' the decision went in her favour but that she 'never believed' the case should have gone to court 'at such expense in times of hardship for so many people when the money could have been far better spent helping others'.

The two women - both former contestants on 'I'm A Celebrity ... Get Me Out Of Here!' had been locked in a bitter legal dispute since 2019 after Mrs Rooney took to social media to accuse her fellow WAG Mrs Vardy of leaking stories to the press.

In a now infamous 'reveal' post that went viral on social media, Mrs Rooney wrote: 'It's.. Rebekah Vardy's account.'

The case was given the moniker in honour of the means Mrs Rooney took to deduce who the chief suspect was.

The High Court has found that Mrs Rooney's social media post accusing her rival was 'substantially true' and that Mrs Vardy 'knew of, condoned and was actively engaged' in leaks to the media by her ex-agent Caroline Watt.

And in a damning assessment of Mrs Vardy's evidence, the judge said 'significant parts were not credible' and at times her 'evidence was manifestly inconsistent with the contemporaneous documentary evidence, evasive or implausible'. By contrast, the judge found that Coleen and her witnesses, including husband Wayne, 'gave honest, reliable evidence.'

Mrs Justice Steyn also ruled that loss of WhatsApp messages between Mrs Vardy and Ms Watt was 'deliberate rather than accidental' - dismissing her agent's claim that a phone fell into the North Sea when a ship hit a big wave.

In her ruling, the judge said it was 'likely' that Mrs Vardy's agent at the time, Caroline Watt, 'undertook the direct act' of passing the information to The Sun.

But she added: 'Nonetheless, the evidence ... clearly shows, in my view, that Mrs Vardy knew of and condoned this behaviour, actively engaging in it by directing Ms Watt to the private Instagram account, sending her screenshots of Mrs Rooney's posts, drawing attention to items of potential interest to the press, and answering additional queries raised by the press via Ms Watt.

The judge added: 'In my judgment, the conclusions that I have reached as to the extent to which the claimant engaged in disclosing to The Sun information to which she only had access as a permitted follower of an Instagram account which she knew, and Mrs Rooney repeatedly asserted, was private, suffice to show the single meaning is substantially true.'

But she added: 'Nonetheless, the evidence ... clearly shows, in my view, that Mrs Vardy knew of and condoned this behaviour, actively engaging in it by directing Ms Watt to the private Instagram account, sending her screenshots of Mrs Rooney's posts, drawing attention to items of potential interest to the press, and answering additional queries raised by the press via Ms Watt.

The case captivated millions who were left open-mouthed by the evidence including explosive and expletive-filled Whatsapp messages sent by Mrs Vardy as well as Mrs Rooney's evidence about leaking false stories about her private life to find who was giving them to the tabloids and how her marriage almost fell apart after her husband Wayne was caught drink-driving with a party girl.
A garage apprentice who threatened to 'f*** up' his colleague after accusing him of 'tampering' with his lunch was not unfairly sacked, an employment tribunal has heard.

Brooklyn Forrester-Hayes, 21, said his fellow apprentice had 'smashed his crisps' and 'poked holes through his sandwiches' and sent 'abusive messages' in retaliation.

Despite there being a culture of 'banter' and 'pranking' at the Scania truck depot in Swindon, bosses at the company sacked the 21-year-old after an investigation into the texts deemed them to be threatening.

Mr Forrester-Hayes, who dreamed of becoming a master technician at the Swedish manufacturer, took the firm to an employment tribunal and claimed he had been unfairly dismissed.

But the tribunal, heard in Bristol, ruled the company was entitled to conclude his behaviour had been out of line.

Mr Forrester-Hayes started working as an apprentice technician at the Scania depot in February 2020 when he was 16 years old and was involved in the culture of 'pranking' among the five other apprentices.

The pranks included interfering with each others' tools or toolboxes, but Mr Forrester-Hayes had already received a final written warning in 2021 after previously reacting angrily to the jibes.

On one occasion, he 'grabbed a colleague by the collar and held on to him' after finding one of his tools wrapped up in electrical tape.

Brooklyn Forrester-Hayes (above) said his fellow apprentice had 'smashed his crisps' and 'poked holes through his sandwiches' and sent a series of 'abusive messages' in retaliation

Forrester-Hayes had already received a final written warning in 2021 after previously reacting angrily to the 'pranking' culture with five other apprentices

Despite there being a culture of 'banter' and 'pranking' at the Scania truck depot in Swindon, bosses at the company sacked the 21-year-old after an investigation into the texts deemed them to be threatening (Stock image of Scania truck)

Shortly after starting his shift in July 2023, Mr Forrester-Hayes went to the tea room for a drink and found that his 'lunch bag had been tampered with'.

He found his 'crisps smashed, chocolate bars crushed and someone had opened his sandwich box and poked finger-sized holes through the sandwiches'.

They had also opened tea bags and sprinkled tea leaves all over his lunch bag.

Mr Forrester-Hayes said he was 'upset, dismayed and angry, and now had no food until he got home'.

He threw the contents of his lunch box in the bin and then went to report the incident, the tribunal heard.

Mr Forrester-Hayes assumed the culprit was an apprentice on the early shift, and told a colleague who was in the tea room: 'I am going to f*** him up for it.'

'If I see his f****** toolbox open tomorrow - I'm going to f*** everything up in there,' he added.

Mr Forrester-Hayes sent messages to everyone on the early shift, asking them if they knew who was responsible.

Shortly after starting his shift in July 2023, Mr Forrester-Hayes went to the tea room for a drink and found that his 'lunch bag had been tampered with'

Mr Forrester-Hayes said he was 'upset, dismayed and angry, and now had no food until he got home'

In a Snapchat message to one apprentice, he said: 'If i find out it was u... ur toolbox is f*****.

'If it was u ur paying for my lunch if u dont ill cut ur tyre valves off... simple.'

In an exchange of messages with another colleague, he said the culprit had 'f***** up all my food for tonight'.

The colleague replied: 'Yeah that's a bit much I would only do the crisps at worst... not everything.'

Mr Forrester-Hayes told the tribunal his ADHD has the effect of him 'saying something impulsively'.

He said at the time he was so impulsive he did not 'stop to think about the consequences of the messages'.

The following day, a foreman asked all of the apprentices if they knew what had happened to the lunch.

Nobody owned up, but some mentioned the 'abusive messages' the apprentice had been sending.

In one Snapchat message, Forrester-Hayes threatened to 'cut the tyre valves off' his colleague's bike

Mr Forrester-Hayes told the tribunal his ADHD has the effect of him 'saying something impulsively'

He was suspended and sacked after further investigation.

Mr Forrester-Hayes claimed he had been unfairly dismissed because the investigation had been inadequate, and that managers did not take his ADHD into account when making their decision.

But the tribunal ruled bosses were entitled to conclude his behaviour was unacceptable and that 'dismissal was necessary to protect employees'.

His claims of unfair dismissal, damages for breach of contract, disability discrimination, failure to make reasonable adjustments and harassment related to disability failed.
The wife of a British businessman who died on holiday in Morocco has today broken her silence to lash out at his family who say they have been left in the dark over what happened.

Allen McKenna, 47, collapsed and died in Casablanca two months ago just hours after arriving there with Majda Mjaoual, 25, whom is a partner in his security business.

Mr McKenna's father, Alan Moorhead, says he received a video call from Ms Mjaoual on February 22 and could see his son's body in the background but since then he has heard nothing from her.

He is said to have died after having a fatal heart attack, but his family say they were not able to obtain a death certificate or a coroner's report.

He was reportedly buried two days after his death before his wife is said to have flown to the UK to organise his affairs - but has not said where he was laid to rest.

Mr McKenna, from Harrogate, North Yorkshire, was born in the UK and has a brother called Paul but they moved with their parents to Australia at a young age.

He studied at the University of South Australia and when he died was running three British companies, including a brewery based in Bradford, West Yorkshire.

When contacted by MailOnline, Ms Mjaoual, whose family is originally from Morocco, said she did not want to discuss a 'personal matter'.

When asked if she had spoken to her partner's father she said: 'His father is harassing me and you don't know what's going on.'

Pictured: Allen McKenna (left) who died in Morocco while on holiday with his wife Majda Mjaoual (right)

Mr McKenna, 47, collapsed in Casablanca in February, while abroad with Ms Mjaoual, 25 (pictured together)

Mr McKenna's family are desperately trying to find out where he is buried. Pictured: Allen McKenna who, according to social media, took part in bodybuilding

A photo shared by Majda Mjaoual appears to show her holding Mr McKenna's hand in a hospital bed. It was posted on February 11

Ms Mjaoual refused to reveal where she was and when asked if it was right Mr McKenna's father didn't know the circumstances of his son's death or where he was buried, she said: 'If his father wants to know anything he can use lawyers.'

'I am getting the police involved, I'm sorry that's all I've got to say,' she added before hanging up.

The day before Allen died, Ms Mjaoual posted on her Instagram a clip of her arriving at Gatwick airport for an easyJet flight to Casablanca.

She captioned it: 'That airport feeling especially when the destination is your home country,' and she appeared happy and smiling.

Mr McKenna is believed to have met Ms Mjaoual while she was working as a waitress in London and they married seven years ago.

It comes after Mr McKenna's grieving family said they were desperately trying to find out where he is buried.

'It's soul destroying. I don't know where to move, I don't know what to do,' a distraught Mr Moorhead told 9News.

'He deserves better. He deserves to come back here to South Australia and then all the family can have closure.

'It's just unbelievable. She's not answering any messages, phone calls, texts - nothing.

'I just want my lad back.'

Mark Parsons, a close friend, also told 9News: 'I still don't want it to be true... I'll never have a friend like Allen again.'

He added: 'It's essential I need to be able to have a memorial with them, a funeral, a place to go visit.'

Mr McKenna's father said he received a call from Ms Mjaoual (pictured) on February 22 and could see his son's body in the background

Another photo from social media appears to show Mr McKenna competing in a bodybuilding competition

His wife said that he had died after having a fatal heart attack

Mr McKenna's father Alan Moorhead, of Harrogate, North Yorkshire, (pictured) says he received a video call from Ms Mjaoual on February 22 and could see his son's body in the background

Mr McKenna was running three British companies when he died, including one called McKenna Brewery. Ms Mjaoual is listed as the company secretary.

Brewing has stopped at the business and the gate are padlocked.

Neighbouring businessmen, unaware of Mr McKenna's death, said the company's three or four staff haven't been working in the brewery for a few weeks now.

A mechanic from the garage next door said: 'He bought the brewery around Covid time from the previous owner, when it was called Salamandar Brewery.

'Then the new guy, the Aussie, changes the name to Stubbee - like what the Australian type of beer.

'I only saw her here the once. I saw them share a kiss outside on the street and then he jumped in the transit and she drove away in a Audi TT. I just thought to myself 'how has he pulled her?'. Never seen her since.'

The mechanics said Mr McKenna had business interests down south and thought he also had a security firm.

McKenna Brewery is registered under Aussie Ale House, and Ms Mjaoual was appointed a director of the company alongside Mr McKenna in January 2021 - when she was just 22 years old.

Mr McKenna was running three British companies when he died, including one called McKenna Brewery. Brewing has stopped at the business and the gate are padlocked

Social media posts show that Mr McKenna was also into bodybuilding and appeared to compete in competitions.

Mr Moorhead has been extremely vocal on Facebook as he demands answers over his son's death.

He described himself as a 'grieving father' who is desperate to find out where his son has been buried in one post.

Mr Moorhead, who now lives in Adelaide, says he wants to bring his son home to Australia, where he grew up.

A spokesman for the Foreign Office told MailOnline: 'We are supporting the family of a British man following his death in Morocco and are in contact with the local authorities.'

North Yorkshire Police, Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Interpol are also said to be investigating.
This is the hilarious reaction of a man who was spared from having to serve in the Thai military.

Thailand requires men aged 21 or over to attend a 'lottery' day every April where they must enlist in the military for a two-year stint, before being recruited at random.

Every year, videos of Thailand's military conscription lottery are shared on social media as young men discover whether or not they will be exempt from the service.

This year, an unnamed man from Thailand's Khuan Khanun District was filmed partaking in the yearly draw.

Footage shows the tense moment he walks up to a bucket and draws a piece of paper before handing it to a soldier.

Visibly nervous and surrounded by members of the Thai military, the man puts his hands to his head and takes deep breaths as he awaits his fate, while a crowd cheers and jeers at the anxious potential conscript.

All his worries disappear, however, when he finds out that he will not be serving in the army.

Unable to contain his excitement, the man jumps in the air and lets out a scream, while the crowd of people celebrate alongside him.

The hilarious moment a Thai man discovered he had avoided military conscription has gone viral

Thailand requires men aged 21 or over to attend a 'lottery' day every April

Footage showed the tense moment he walked up to a bucket and drew a piece of paper

But the buzzing man's celebration is suddenly cut short after he falls backwards and slams his head against the hard floor below him.

The three men standing beside him rush to help the man up as he clutches his head, seemingly in pain.

But the fall does not stop him from continuing his celebration, as he then pushes the soldiers out of his way and springs back up onto his feet and continues to jump up and down and he lets out a high-pitched scream.

The man's hilarious reaction has racked up more than 1.7 million views on social media platform TikTok, with viewers expressing their amusement with the man's excitement.

'I love all the divas I've been seeing in the military [lotteries] lately', one TikTok user commented.

Another said: 'He just won his personal lottery...he's free'.

Thailands 1954 Military Service Act states that when men turn 21, they become eligible for conscription.

If they dont volunteer, they have to participate in a yearly lottery every April, where they draw either a black card for exemption or a red card for mandatory enlistment.

The man appears nervous as he waits for his fate

But his worries seem to disappear when he finds out that he will not be serving in the army

His celebration is suddenly cut short after he falls backwards and slams his head against the hard floor below him

The man's hilarious reaction has racked up more than 1.7 million views on social media platform TikTok

Each year, around 100,000 Thai males are recruited for the military

Those who volunteer serve six months, but others choose the annual lottery, which goes on for 10 days in recruitment centers around Thailand.

Nobody wants a red card, which means serving for two years.

Each year, around 100,000 males are recruited.

The April draw is tense, with family and friends gathering in recruitment centres to watch as men are handed their fate.

Thailand's military includes the Army, the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force and has around 300,000 state employees.

While Thai men have to report to their local barracks to be assessed for a stint in the military, transgender women can be excused if they show a doctor's certificate proving their new gender.

Only those not considered physically capable of service, the mentally ill and those who have significantly altered their physical appearance are exempt.

Students can defer while in full-time education.

A young man reacts after pulling a ticket out from a plastic bucket during an army draft held at a school in Klong Toey, the dockside slum area in Bangkok April 5, 2015

Many see military conscriptions in Thailand as a male rite of passage

The mentally ill and those who have significantly altered their physical appearance are exempt, as well as trans women. Pictured: Thai man draws a lottery for recruiting or exemption from service during the annual military conscription draft day at The 33rd Military Circle's Thai Reserve Officer Training Corps Student Training Center, April 2024

Some wealthy and well-connected Thais have been known to pay bribes to keep their sons from military service, but others see the army as a way out of poverty and a means to discipline unruly sons.

Created as a permanent organization in 1852, the Royal Thai Armed Forces has been treated with deference on the whole, despite some occasional criticism in a country that has seen 11 successful military coups since 1932.

But that started to change in 1973 when it suppressed a student uprising.

The army has also come in for part of the blame in the deaths of 91 people after the government ordered a crackdown on a 2010 anti-government protest.

Some people also question the fact that the army does little to help the vulnerable in its midst. Drug use is prevalent, and some recruits are sexually abused.

But there has been little overt public outcry and no calls to change the system, which is viewed with resignation as something of a male rite of passage.
Australia's Human Rights Race Discrimination Commissioner has come under fire after controversial comments he made about Australia Day resurfaced.

Giridharan Sivaraman didn't hold back in expressing his views about the national holiday celebrated on January 26 in an interview with an independent radio station in Melbourne last October.

He described the date as a day of mourning that 'compounds racism' and shouldn't be celebrated in comments reported by the Daily Telegraph.

It's one of a number of divisive comments he's made since being appointed to the commissioner role last year by federal Attorney General Mark Dreyfus.

'Australia Day is Invasion Day for our First Nations brothers and sisters and is a day of mourning in many ways and not a day to be celebrated,' Mr Sivaraman told the radio station last October.

'And to not acknowledge that just compounds racism.'

Mr Sivaraman also claimed that Australia's 'systems and institutions are inherently affected by racism' which 'maintain white power and privilege'.

He also joked that his best chance of getting a job on television was to 'bang down the door of SBS, try your luck at ABC or become a really, really really good cook'.

Australia's Human Rights Race Discrimination Commissioner Giridharan Sivaraman described January 26 as a day of mourning that 'compounds racism' and shouldn't be celebrated. Two young women are pictured celebrating Australia Day

Giridharan Sivaraman described Australia Day as 'Invasion Day for our First Nations brothers and sisters'

Mr Dreyfus hailed Mr Sivaraman as a 'great asset' when he was appointed for the role from a shortlist of candidates in February 2024.

The Attorney General insisted the Australia Day date is not up for debate.

'As the Prime Minister has said on many, many occasions  the government has no plans to change the date of Australia Day,' Mr Drefus told Daily Mail Australia on Thursday night.

'The Australian Human Rights Commission is an independent statutory authority and as such, questions about statements made by the Commissioner should be directed to them.'

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Mr Sivaraman for comment.

It's not the first time he has made controversial remarks.

In an hour-long video from last August - titled 'How to be an anti-racist in the workplace' - Mr Sivaraman outlined how 'structural racism' exists in workplaces.

'Do overseas qualifications mean people of racialised backgrounds get lower salaries than their white counterparts? Can languages other than English be spoken in the workplace,' he asked.

'Are racialised employees unable to access development opportunities because their boss doesn't see them as the white normative idea of a leader?'

Mr Dreyfus described Mr Sivaraman as a 'great asset' when he was appointed last year, but said Australia Day is not up for negotiation. A woman celebrating Australia Day is pictured

Mr Sivaraman has been slammed online over his Australia Day views.

'Australians are sick of being called racist. Fed up with being demonised, especially by someone we are forced to pay his salary,' one wrote.

Mr Dreyfus also came under fire for distancing himself from the controversy.

The Commonwealth Race Discrimination Commissioner role, which pays around $400,000 per year, is responsible for 'promoting equality  conducting research and educational programs to combat racial discrimination'.

The position has existed since the 1980s but made headlines in 2014 when the then Coalition government appointed future Liberal MP Tim Wilson to the role.

Attorney General Mark Dreyfus (left) has distanced himself from comments made by Race Discrimination Commissioner Giridharan Sivaraman (right)

It was a surprise appointment as Mr Wilson had previously called for the abolition of the Commission.

In order to stop such political appointments being made again, the first bill Mr Dreyfus introduced in this parliament was to end that practice.

Under the resulting legislation, which passed in late 2022, all appointments to the Australian Human Rights Commission are now designed to be 'merit-based and transparent'.

The Albanese government is currently considering a National Anti-Racism Framework released by Mr Sivaraman which cost taxpayers $7.5m.

The proposed initiative includes 63 recommendations, including overhauls to school curriculums and workplace training.
A fish and chip shop owner has issued a heartfelt apology to customers after putting the price of a portion of cod and chips up to 15 but insists he had no choice as the cost of fish has soared in recent months.

Brad-Lee Navruz, who runs The Nippy Chippy in Stonehouse, Gloucestershire, said he 'feels bad' for customers who've been left shocked by the new prices, but explained that the rising cost of ingredients has left him with little alternative.

The chippy is now charging 15 for a large cod and chips, and 12.50 for a regular portion  a significant jump from the previous price of 10.30.

Mr Navruz said most customers have been understanding about the increase, though a few have reacted with surprise when told the new price.

'I feel really bad for people. Times are harder as it is. For their Friday treat to go up quite a lot I do feel for them,' he said.

'When I say the price to them and their faces get in shock straight away I am saying sorry. There is not much I can do about it but obviously you feel for them because all they want is their Friday treat.'

The Nippy Chippy addressed the price rise on social media, explaining that small businesses like his are under huge financial strain.

Mr Navruz said that in the past, price rises were kept minimal - usually just 10 or 20p - but this time the increase has been unavoidable due to a sharp rise in fish costs.

Brad-Lee Navruz, who runs The Nippy Chippy in Stonehouse, Gloucestershire, said he 'feels bad' for customers who've been left shocked by the new prices, but explained that the rising cost of ingredients has left him with little alternative

The chippy is now charging 15 for a large cod and chips, and 12.50 for a regular portion  a significant jump from the previous price of 10.30

'This time round it has gone up from 10.30 to 12.50 for normal cod and chips and normal haddock and chips so it is a 2.20 big jump increase.

'When they [customers] come in and they hadn't seen the Facebook or the news they have a little bit of a shocked face as in 'wow it has gone up 2.20 that's a big increase'.'

The price hike comes in the wake of new fishing quotas agreed between the UK, EU and Norway, which have reduced the amount of cod and haddock that can be caught in 2025.

This year's quota for cod has been cut by 20 per cent to 25,028 tonnes, while haddock is capped at 112,400 tonnes  down 5 per cent from 2024. Officials say the reductions are vital to ensure the long-term sustainability of fish stocks.

Mr Navruz said that although he has tried offering alternative options like hake and plaice, most customers prefer to stick to cod and haddock - even with the higher price tag.

'Cod and haddock are the number one sellers in the UK - they are really good quality fish,' he said.

'Rather than replace cod we tried to expand it by introducing another stuff like hake and plaice but it is just never the same and not everyone would want to go for it they would rather just stick for what they know and what they like.

'Especially when they are paying so much for a portion I don't think even introducing it now would be an option really.'

The history of fish and chips in the UK is not entirely clear. Fried fish was first introduced and sold by East End Jews, while chips first took off in Lancashire and Yorkshire.

Western Sephardic Jews settling in England in the 17th century would have prepared fried fish in a manner similar to 'Pescado frito'.

And the potato came to the British Isles in the sixteenth century with William Kitchiner's cookbook The Cook's Oracle, first published in 1817, including the earliest known recipe for something similar to modern potato chips.

But it remains unknown who brought the magical combo together.

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Mr Navruz said that although he has tried offering alternative options like hake and plaice, most customers prefer to stick to cod and haddock - even with the higher price tag

Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show the dramatic cost increase in some of the nation's most popular takeaways

Prices for the fan favourite have been soaring in recent years.

The ONS said that the estimated average price for a takeaway portion of fish and chips was 9.88 in July 2024 - a hike of 52% compared with 6.48 in July 2019.

It means the cost of a fish supper has risen higher in percentage terms than other go-to options for Brits, including a takeaway pizza, along with an Indian or Chinese main course.

In addition to being the priciest takeaway item over a five-year period, the cost of fish and chips has also been enormous in the short-term.

Figures tracking the cost of the meal from from March 2022 to March 2023 showed that it had soared by 19 per cent.

Data over the same period revealed a 13 per cent average increase in the price of fast food and takeaway services.

Andrew Crook, president of the National Federation of Fish Friers said: 'This is a significant challenge for the fish and chip industry who are already trying to cope with high input costs and the effects of the budget in autumn along with the rest of hospitality.

'But it is the independent sector that is feeling the most pain as we do not have the buying power and procurement departments to help navigate the trading environment, with Government guaranteed around 20 per cent of our turnover through VAT rather than it being based on profit, and our margins being squeezed by the increased costs it is the operators bearing the brunt.

'We really do think it is time government sat down with the independent hospitality sector to learn first hand the pressures our respective members are under and look at ways to change the way tax is levied to protect small businesses and help them to continue to serve the local communities.

'Whilst we will see some price increases for fish and chips we are committed to keeping these to a minimum and many are offering the option alternative species to try to hit a price point, many of these are fantastic fish but often underutilised so we would encourage customers to be adventurous and try something different. We are also still a great value meal compared to other food to go options.'

It comes just two weeks after Mr Crook slammed Ed Miliband's drive towards making the UK Net Zero by 2030 would exacerbate costs for chippies already struggling after 'years of continued tax pressures'.

Andrew Crook told The Telegraph that gas is the 'most effective way to fry' and claimed full electrification of appliances in 'not feasible or affordable.'

He urged the Government to 'take care to not further undermine' fish and chip businesses that are often 'at the heart' of local communities.

Despite the price increase, Mr Navruz said trade at the takeaway has not been affected, with many customers simply opting for cheaper menu items.

Veteran fish and chip shop owner Bob Clapham, 77, who ran his own chippy for two decades, said he understands the pressure businesses are under

'It stays the same and we still get the same amount of business. It just more people getting different things,' he said.

'If they can't afford to get fish and chips then they will go for a different thing like a sausage and chips, burger and chips, fishcake and chips or pie and chips.'

Veteran fish and chip shop owner Bob Clapham, 77, who ran his own chippy for two decades, said he understands the pressure businesses are under.

'Everything has gone up - fish, potatoes, even the wrapping paper has gone up,' he said.

'Of course you have got your wages, your gas, your electric, your water rates - everything. It is inevitable you are going to have to pay more for stuff like everything else in life.'

Defending the new fishing quotas, Fisheries Minister Daniel Zeichner said the move was necessary to safeguard the future of the industry.

'This government will always stand up for the British fishing industry, which is the lifeblood of so many communities around our coastline,' he said.

'That's why I'm pleased to have secured a deal providing the UK fleet quota for stocks including cod and haddock worth up to 310 million, while maintaining sustainable levels of stocks for the long-term health of our industry.'
Terror group Hamas is using the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR) to challenge its ban in the UK.

The Palestinian organisation has launched a legal bid to overturn its proscription in Britain, which makes it a criminal offence for anyone in the UK to belong to the group.

In its legal submission, which has been arranged by London-based law firm Riverway Law, Hamas claimed proscription was 'incompatible' with the ECHR.

The Islamist group said the ban 'unlawfully restricts the freedom of speech and assembly of those with whom the British State politically disagrees'.

It also claimed proscription is 'not proportionate because Hamas does not pose any threat to Britain or British citizens'.

The group added its ban was 'contrary to the duties of the British State to end genocide' and 'bring to an end the occupation of the occupied Palestinian territory'.

But Home Secretary Yvette Cooper this morning gave short shrift to the legal bid, as she pointed to the 'barbaric' attacks on Israel by Hamas on October 7, 2023.

These saw around 1,200 people killed and a further 250 taken hostage, including British citizens.

Terror group Hamas is using the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR) to challenge its ban in the UK. Pictured: A masked Palestinian man waves a Hamas flag

The legal challenge against the UK's proscription of Hamas is being fronted by Dr Mousa Abu Marzouk, a senior member of the group

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper gave short shrift to the legal bid, as she pointed to the 'barbaric' attacks on Israel by Hamas on 7 October 2023

The military wing of Hamas, known as Hamas IDQ, was proscribed in Britain in 2001.

In 2021, under then home secretary Dame Priti Patel, proscription was extended to the whole of Hamas.

The previous Tory government judged there was little distinction between the group's military and political wings.

Proscription means it is a criminal offence for anyone in Britain to belong to Hamas, invite support for Hamas, or wear clothing or carry flags or banners in public showing them to be a supporter of Hamas.

The penalties for proscription offences can be a maximum of 14 years in prison.

The legal challenge against the UK's proscription of Hamas is being fronted by Dr Mousa Abu Marzouk, a senior member of the terror group.

Commenting on the legal bid, Dame Priti said: 'Hamas is an evil Iranian-backed terrorist organisation, which kidnaps, tortures and murders people, including British nationals.

'They pose an ongoing threat to our security and to the peace and stability of the Middle East and they have weapons and training facilities that put lives at risk and threaten our interests.

'They show no respect for human rights, life and dignity and have oppressed people living in Gaza for too long.

'Those campaigning to end the proscription of Hamas fail to understand the seriousness of the threats and danger this terrorist organisation poses.

'Eighteen months ago, Hamas carried out the worst terror attack in Israel's history and the most murderous pogrom against the Jewish people since the Holocaust.

'It continues to hold 59 innocent hostages in cruel captivity. Nobody should be in any doubt about the true nature and intentions of Hamas.'

Asked on LBC radio about the legal challenge, Ms Cooper said: 'Hamas is a terrorist organisation.

'It was a barbaric terrorist attack on October 7 in Israel and Hamas has long been a terrorist organisation and banned in the UK.

'We maintain our view about the barbaric nature of this organisation.'

Chris Philp, the Tory shadow home secretary, said the legal challenge showed why Britain's 'weak human rights laws' are 'no longer fit for purpose'.

'The fact lawyers are seriously arguing our weak human rights laws could be twisted to protect murderous terrorists shows why these laws are no longer fit for purpose,' he said.

'Human rights laws should protect our citizens, not foreign criminals and possibly even terrorists.'
An Iranian asylum seeker has won the right to appeal against being deported by arguing his 2,000 friends on Facebook put him at risk of persecution.

The 38-year-old first claimed asylum in Britain in 2016 and has spent nine years resisting the Home Office's attempts to remove him.

His latest argument is the Iranian government could be monitoring his Facebook account because of his popularity and attendance at protests outside their London embassy.

In a decision last month an immigration judge ruled a previous court was wrong to dismiss this argument and granted him the right to appeal.

The decision to allow the appeal is yet another which will throw doubt over the immigration system in Britain.

Deputy Upper Tribunal Judge Rebecca Chapman sitting at Field House in London, ruled the previous judges had 'failed to take account' of the social media evidence.

Judge Chapman said: 'In light of the judge's failure to take account of material considerations i.e. the evidence that he had a large number of Facebook friends or contacts, I find that his findings as to the potential effect of this evidence is unsustainable.

'That decision is set aside and the appeal is remitted for a hearing before a different First Tier Tribunal Judge.'

Iranian Embassy: The building is frequently targeted by political opponents of Iran's regime

Field House: The Upper Tier Immigration Tribunal Centre in London where appeals are heard

Lawyers for the Home Office stressed that his Facebook account was 'minimal and insignificant', and therefore, unlikely to come to the attention of the authorities.

The Home Office also pointed out that a previous judge had ruled the Iranian man's political activities were an 'opportunistic attempt to fabricate a claim'.

But the judge disagreed arguing that there remains a chance the police in Iran might identify him in crowds gathering outside the embassy, or from his social media activity and persecute him on his return.

She also ruled the evidence as to the genuineness of his political activity- or whether it was a ruse to gain asylum- was minimal.

Judge Chapman added: 'Even if, as the judge found, the asylum seeker was one of a very large crowd of people at demonstrations I find that this does not eliminate the risk to him of identification.'

Court documents show that the anonymised Iranian man first came to Britain in 2015 and claimed asylum the following year, losing his claim in 2019.

He appealed against that decision in December 2020 and lost, before entering another appeal in October 2023, which was also rejected.

But he then appealed that decision in August 2024, winning the right to a hearing this February. Last month the judge from that hearing ruled the whole case should be heard again later this year.

Protestors lay down outside of the Iranian embassy which has a permanent police guard

In his first attempt to gain asylum he claimed he was in 'fear of an honour killing in Iran' but this argument was rejected.

He first claimed he would be at risk of political persecution in 2020 and has maintained this position since.

His lawyer argued previous judges had made mistakes in their approach to the social media evidence.

The lawyer argued that if his client's social media activities were noticed by the authorities, it could put him at risk and that is enough to grant asylum.

This is not the first time an Iranian has claimed asylum in Britain arguing his social media activity puts him at risk of being persecuted if he is deported.

An Iranian man of Kurdish origin successfully argued that his attendance at political rallies outside the London embassy and posts on social media would put him at risk.

Shockingly, though the immigration court accepted that he had only attended the rallies in order to be able to raise a claim of fear of persecution, he was granted asylum.

In January 2022 a judge ruled: 'The nature of the material, although contrived and even if seen as contrived, combined with his Kurdish ethnic origin, would result in a real risk of adverse treatment, sufficiently serious to constitute persecution.'
An undertaker allegedly raped his female colleague next to a corpse at a funeral home, a German court has heard.

Bodo G., 68, is accused of raping another undertaker, a 41-year-old woman, next to an open coffin with a female corpse inside at a funeral home in Bavaria in Germany.

He allegedly raped the woman three times - in front of the urn storage facility, inside the funeral parlour and on the wooden pallet of a coffin decorator - in spring 2022.

The prosecutor alleges that Bodo G. told the woman 'I want to f*** now' before the rapes.

'He always wanted to grope me, every day. He called me in on the weekend and said: "My c**k is itching, come on now",' the woman told the trial at Nuremberg regional court on Wednesday, German newspaper Bild reports.

When he allegedly raped her for the first time, it happened right next to a corpse. 'I found it disgusting that the deceased was still there. It disgusted me so much,' the woman said.

She said she then cleaned herself up with tissues intended to wipe the tears of funeral guests.

Bodo G., who is married with children, denies the rape charge and said he didn't 'need to' rape the woman since he has sex with his wife twice a week, highlighting that it would 'always' be with a condom.

Bodo G., 68, is accused of raping another undertaker, a 41-year-old woman, next to an open coffin with a female corpse inside at a funeral home in Bavaria. He allegedly raped the woman three times - in front of the urn storage facility, inside the funeral parlour and on the wooden pallet of a coffin decorator - in spring 2022 (stock)

'She fished a condom out of my trash and dumped the contents in the morgue so that the criminal investigation department would find it there,' the undertaker, who has since left the funeral home where the rapes allegedly took place, told the trial.

The woman said she told him she was a lesbian, but claims Bodo G. countered that nothing could happen since he'd been sterilised.

He also allegedly got aroused at a funeral when a bereaved family member wore a thong.

He confirmed his sterilisation during the trial, but said it was 'absurd' that he would get 'excited about corpses'.

Bodo G. later fired the 41-year-old undertaker, saying it was because she did not want to work nights, was unable to write eulogies and also failed to play the violin during the funerals as she promised.

The woman is reportedly receiving treatment for a post-traumatic stress disorder following the alleged rape.

The verdict in the case is expected at the end of April.
Ozempic can reduce a person's risk of developing dementia.

Ozempic can protect against the onset of dementia

Two major studies in the US have found that semaglutide - the ingredient behind the weight loss jab - is effective at preventing the onset of the illness that deprives people of their memories.

Experts also claim that it adds further to growing evidence that suggests diabetes is a risk factor for dementia, although they have warned that further research is still required for definitive proof.

Professor Tara Spires-Jones, president of the British Neuroscience Association, described the results as "encouraging".

The expert - who was not involved in the study - said: "It is important to note that these drugs do have side effects and that they are not guaranteed to prevent dementia.

"The study had important limitations including a relatively short follow-up time.

"Future work will be important to understand how risk factors like diabetes and obesity increase the risk of dementia to develop effective treatments and prevention strategies."
A father-of-three allegedly murdered by his son during a rampage that left a woman and 11-year-old boy injured died from a serious head injury, an inquest was told.

Emad Botros-Farag, 57, was fatally attacked in his three-bedroom home in Brighton last Tuesday as a terrified child screamed: 'No. No! Stop. Help! Help!'

His son Fabio Botros, 19, was arrested close to the house in Hollingbury and has since been charged with murder and two counts of attempted murder.

An inquest in Brighton heard Egyptian Deliveroo driver Mr Botros-Farag was pronounced dead at the scene.

His wife, Maria Rosa Marvin, 49, and an 11-year-old boy were also found at the property with serious injuries.

Speaking at the opening of today's hearing, coroner's officer Victoria Foreman, said: 'Emad Samir Botros-Farag was a 57-year-old man who was sadly found deceased at his address with a head injury.'

She said a post-mortem examination was carried out by Dr Parsons who concluded the cause of death to be a head injury.

She added: 'As a result of the subsequent police investigation Fabio Botros was charged with murder and is awaiting trial.'

Fabio Botros, 19, was arrested after his father Emad Botros-Farag, 57, was found at his home with fatal injuries

Emad Botros-Farag, 57, was found with catastrophic injuries and was later pronounced dead. An inquest today heard he died from head injuries

A woman and child were also found in the property with serious injuries and were taken to hospital, but have since been discharged

Ms Foreman said Mr Botros-Farag had been born in Cairo, Egypt and worked as a delivery driver.

Alicia Keen, assistant coroner Brighton and Hove and West Sussex, temporarily suspended the inquest until the result of the criminal case is concluded.

The incident happened at Hartfield Avenue, Hollingbury shortly after 7am on April 1.

Horrified neighbours called emergency services after hearing loud shouting and screaming at the three-bedroom terraced home.

Police and paramedics rushed to the scene where they found Mr Botros-Farag suffering from extensive wounds.

Officers arrested Botros at the scene and are said to have recovered two knives and a hammer.

Botros appeared at Lewes Crown Court last week where he was remanded in custody until his trial in October.

Judge Christine Laing KC said he would face trial on October 1 but would be back in court to enter a plea in June.

Officers arrested Botros at the scene of the attack and recovered two knives and a hammer

Botros' mother Maria Marvin was also injured in the incident but has since been discharged from hospital

She said: 'I've made some directions to make sure your trial proceeds in a speedy manner. The next time time you'll be in court is June 20. Until then you'll remain in custody.'

After the incident Detective Chief Inspector Mark Cullimore of Sussex Police said: 'This was a shocking and tragic incident, and our thoughts are with those affected and their loved ones.

'Through our initial enquiries, it has been established that the victims and defendant are known to one another, and that the weapons involved are believed to be two knives and a hammer.

'We recognise the impact this incident has also had on the local community, and we want to reassure members of the public that charges have now been secured and we are not looking for anyone else in connection with this investigation.'

Tributes were also paid in the wake of the alleged murder.

Richard Cobb said: 'We just cant believe it. What a thing to happen. We all liked him a lot and wanted to pay our respects.'

Dirceu Antunes described Mr Botros-Farag as a hard working driver and a loving father.

'He was just such a nice guy,' he said. 'He had a good sense of humour and he was a loving father.'
Britons face long queues during the Easter getaway with nearly 20million drivers set to hit the roads each day over the long weekend amid major rail disruption.

The AA warned Easter weekend being three weeks later than in 2024 will see holiday traffic levels spike by 15 per cent as many people hope for warmer weather this year.

But after weeks of settled and warm conditions with 24C (75F) highs on the way today, forecasters fear a return to unsettled conditions next week with some rain.

Motorists were urged to prepare for congestion around town and city centres, retail parks and major routes, with 19.8million people driving on Maundy Thursday alone.

The AA anticipates 19.1million people will then drive on Good Friday, 18.5million on Easter Saturday and 18.2million on each of Easter Sunday and Easter Monday.

Hotspots could include the M6 around Birmingham and Blackpool, the M25 south-western section from the M23 to M40, the M5 at Bristol and the A303 in Wiltshire.

Thousands of Easter train journeys will also be disrupted as Network Rail is carrying out engineering work, with the most significant impact set to be at London Euston.

The UK's 10th busiest railway station will have no services to or from Milton Keynes on the Saturday and Sunday, with a reduced timetable on the Friday and Monday.

Disruption is also expected in the areas around London Victoria, Paddington, Carlisle, Manchester, Stockport, Southampton, Cambridge, Leeds and Huddersfield.

In London, the Elizabeth line will have a reduced service in the western section with some stations not served, while the DLR and Piccadilly line will be partially closed.

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AA patrol of the year Shaun Jones advised drivers to carry out 'simple checks' such as ensuring tyres are properly inflated, and levels of oil and coolant are correct.

He said: 'With so many people planning to travel this Easter, it is crucial to ensure your vehicle is in top condition.'

Easter getaway 2025 BUSIEST ROADS M6 in Birmingham area

M6 in Blackpool area

South and western section of the M25 between the M23 and M40

M5 at Bristol

A303 in Wiltshire RAILS London Euston : No services to/from Milton Keynes on Easter Saturday and Sunday

: No services to/from Milton Keynes on Easter Saturday and Sunday London Victoria : Southeastern services diverted; reduced Southern and Gatwick Express services

: Southeastern services diverted; reduced Southern and Gatwick Express services Carlisle / Glasgow / Edinburgh : Buses replace trains on some routes

/ / : Buses replace trains on some routes Southampton : Trains diverted via Fareham into Portsmouth

: Trains diverted via Fareham into Portsmouth Elizabeth line : Reduced service in western section

: Reduced service in western section Piccadilly line : No service Acton Town to Uxbridge

: No service Acton Town to Uxbridge Docklands Light Railway : No service on three sections

: No service on three sections London Paddington : Disruptive work

: Disruptive work Manchester / Stockport : Disruptive work

/ : Disruptive work Cambridge : Disruptive work

: Disruptive work Leeds / Huddersfield area: Disruptive work Advertisement

The organisation's figures on expected drivers were based on responses to a survey of 11,233 AA members.

It added that as around half of those venturing out will be travelling less than 50 miles, with only 10 per cent or less driving further afield each day.

Previously, the RAC estimated more than 21million leisure journeys would be made last weekend as most schools in England finished for the Easter holidays, according to its own survey of getaway plans.

National Highways has deployed traffic management system Operation Brock in Kent ahead of the Easter getaway period.

The scheme involves narrow lanes and a reduced 50mph speed limit.

It is designed to manage traffic flows on the M20 motorway in the event of delays at Channel ports, which are seeing high demand from holidaymakers.

Operation Brock is in place on a 13-mile stretch of the motorway between Junction 8 for Maidstone and Junction 9 for Ashford.

Lorries heading for the Port of Dover or Eurotunnel are being directed to follow signs to join a specific lane at Junction 8.

All other traffic for the coast crosses over to enter the contraflow on the London-bound carriageway.

Meanwhile thousands of Easter train journeys will be disrupted as Network Rail is carrying out engineering work.

The disruption at Euston is because of work including renewals of overhead electric lines, switches and crossings as well as drainage improvements.

Services on the West Coast Main Line will start and terminate at Carlisle. Bus replacements will run between Carlisle, Glasgow, Dumfries and Edinburgh.

Caledonian Sleeper services will start and terminate at London King's Cross.

Elsewhere, track renewals, re-signalling, maintenance and structures work at Battersea mean services to and from London Victoria will also be disrupted.

No Southeastern services will run to or from the station between the Friday and Monday, instead diverted via London Bridge or London Cannon Street.

Lorries moving through Operation Brock on the M20 motorway near Ashford in Kent on April 4 as the traffic management system is deployed ahead of the Easter getaway

Passengers queue for ferries at the Port of Dover in Kent on April 5 after the schools broke up

Gatwick Express services will run on a reduced timetable and there will also be reduced Southern services to Brighton.

Drivers expected on roads each day Maundy Thursday: 19.8m

Good Friday: 19.1m

Easter Saturday: 18.5m

Easter Sunday: 18.2m

Easter Monday: 18.2m Figures are based on responses to a survey of 11,233 AA members Advertisement

Passengers in Hampshire will also face disruption due to structures work, earthworks and station improvements between St Denys and Fareham.

This means trains to Southampton will be diverted via Fareham into Portsmouth between Saturday, April 12 and Sunday, April 20 - and no South Western Railway services will run between Portsmouth and Southampton.

Great Western Railway services towards Cardiff will divert via Eastleigh and bus replacements will operate between Southampton and Fareham.

There will also be disruptive work taking place at London Paddington from Good Friday to Easter Monday; at Manchester and Stockport from the Saturday to Monday; at Cambridge from the Friday to Monday; and in the Leeds and Huddersfield area from the Saturday to Monday.

Network Rail said it was delivering an 86million investment programme consisting of more than 300 upgrade projects across the UK over the Easter weekend.

Helen Hamlin, Network Rail's director of system operations, said: 'The vast majority of the rail network will be open as usual for people wanting to travel over the Easter Bank Holiday.

London Euston railway station will have no services to or from Milton Keynes on Easter Saturday and Sunday. Euston is pictured during the Christmas getaway on December 21, 2024

London Heathrow will have the largest number of Easter weekend departures of any airport at 2,680 flights. The hub is pictured on March 22 after a fire which led to its temporary closure

'But there will be changes to services in some areas, so we're asking passengers to plan ahead and check before they travel.'

Nearly 11million to go on Easter holiday in the UK Tourism authority VisitEngland said around 10.6million British adults are planning to take a holiday in the UK over the bank holiday period. That is expected to provide an estimated 3.9 billion boost to the economy. A further 3.4million people are undecided about whether to book an overnight domestic Easter trip, with the most common reasons being waiting to see what the weather will be and if they can afford it. VisitEngland chief executive Patricia Yates said: 'Tourism businesses and destinations will be looking to the critical Easter weekend for much-needed cash flow after the lean winter months, so it's encouraging to see many of us are planning a holiday at home. 'The cost of living remains a concern, and while people are still keen to take a break, many are booking late, taking shorter breaks, and wanting to save on accommodation, activities and eating out, making it difficult for businesses to plan in advance.' Advertisement

'We carry out a large amount of our work over the Easter period as passenger numbers are lower than they typically would be, disrupting fewer journeys, and the two bank holidays either side of the weekend give us a unique opportunity to get more work done whilst keeping disruption to a minimum.'

Transport for London said the Elizabeth line will have a reduced service from the Friday to Monday between West Drayton and Maidenhead and at Heathrow Terminal 4.

Trains will also not call at Acton Main Line, Hanwell and West Ealing stations in West London.

In addition, the Piccadilly line will have no service between the Friday and Monday between Acton Town and Uxbridge.

And the Docklands Light Railway will not run between the Friday and Monday in three sections - Tower Gateway to Shadwell; Stratford to West India Quay and Westferry to Canning Town.

Aviation analytics company Cirium said more than 50,000 flights will be jetting off during the school holiday period.

Some 11,282 flights are scheduled to depart UK airports between Good Friday and Easter Monday.

That is 6 per cent more than last year's Easter, but remains 4 per cent down from Easter 2019.

The most common international destinations for UK departures this Easter are Dublin, Amsterdam, Malaga, Alicante and Mallorca.

London Heathrow is the busiest airport departure point, with 12,093 outbound flights across the holidays as a whole, followed by Gatwick, Manchester and Stansted.

Heathrow will see the largest number of Easter weekend departures at 2,680.

EasyJet is expected to be the busiest airline throughout the holidays, with 10,276 departures from the UK, followed by British Airways and Ryanair.

Good Friday will be the busiest day overall for UK departures during the weekend, with nearly 3,000 flights.
A working men's club that was featured in British comedy classic The Full Monty was engulfed in a fiery blaze in an arson attack.

Emergency services raced to Shiregreen Working Men's club in Sheffield at around 7.20pm on Tuesday following reports of a fire.

A probe has since been launched into the incident as South Yorkshire Police believe the fire was started deliberately. Enquiries are ongoing.

The famous club, which was captured by the inferno, first opened its doors over a century ago and was a popular haunt among locals.

But it was after starring in the 1997 hit-film The Full Monty that the venue captured international recognition.

The movie follows the story of six unemployed steel workers who decide to form a male striptease act in an attempt to change their fortunes.

It was the highest-grossed film in the UK until it was outsold by Titanic, whilst also bagging a BAFTA Award and European Film Award for Best Film and was nominated for several Academy Awards.

Following the film's release, fans across the globe would visit the working men's club on Shiregreen Lane to see the popular venue for themselves and to take photographs.

Emergency services raced to Shiregreen Working Men's club (pictured) in Sheffield, South Yorkshire at around 7.20pm on Tuesday following reports of a fire

The famous club, which was captured by the inferno, first opened its doors over a century ago and was a popular haunt among locals

Pictured in the film Full Monty, 1997 from left to right: Tom Wilkinson, William Snape, Robert Carlyle, Steve Huison, Hugo Speer, Paul Barber and Mark Addy

Shiregreen Working Men's Club closed its doors for the final time in 2019.

On Tuesday, locals described smoke pouring from the roof of the building on Tuesday adding that police have been called to the scene a couple of times in recent weeks.

A South Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: 'South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue made us aware of a fire at a property on Shiregreen Lane, in Sheffield.

'It is believed the fire was started deliberately. An investigation has been launched and enquiries are ongoing.'

A South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue spokesperson said: 'Fire crews from Elm Lane, Central, Parkway and Rivelin stations were called out to a deliberate fire at the derelict Shiregreen WMC on Shiregreen Lane, Sheffield at 7.20pm.

'Firefighters used hose reels to bring the fire under control. There were no reports of any casualties. Crews left the scene at 10:30pm.'

Sheffield City Council rejected an appeal to bulldoze the property and turn it into flats, after more than 1,000 people signed a petition in 2020.

Since, there has been a fire at the site in April 2023 and more recently in February of this year.

The venue also didn't appear in the Disney + series of the film, which was released in 2023.
Newsnight viewers hit out at the BBC after interview with controversial OnlyFans star, Lily Phillips with licence fee payers claiming 'gone is in depth journalism'.

The 23-year-old porn star, who appeared on BBC Newsnight with Victoria Derbyshire on Tuesday, also opened up about her notorious 101-men sex stunt while confessing she first came across adult content at such a tender age.

Lily, who said she doesn't 'know life without pornography' revealed that she doesn't view porn as a 'bad thing in moderation', adding that it only becomes an issue 'when younger adults have a lot of access to it'.

When seasoned broadcaster Victoria pointed out the potential negative impacts of consuming sexual content at such a young age, Lily maintained that not all of her content was damaging as she makes 'so many different kinds of porn'.

Lily, who hails from a 'small little village' in Derbyshire also shared how 'under-prepared' she was for the gruelling sexcapade of sleeping with 101 men in one single day.

In a YouTube documentary filmed in October by Goon Squad Productions titled, 'I Slept With 100 Men in One Day', the porn star was visibly upset after filming the extreme sex stunt.

At the time the adult star insisted she was simply worried that the men hadn't enjoyed themselves, but told Derbyshire it had taken a lot longer than she had thought - with filming lasting 14 hours, while revealing 'not all' men had respected her.

The BBC have confirmed Lily Phillips was not paid for her appearance on Newsnight, and no money was spent on any expenses in relation to her interview amid a wave of criticism from viewers on social media.

Lily has attracted fame for her outrageous sex stunts, including sleeping with 101 men in a day

Lily Phillips has made the disturbing admission that she watched pornography for the first time aged just 11

The OnlyFans star also divulged she had a 'perfect upbringing' in Derbyshire during the interview, adding that she was raised by both parents alongside an older brother.

Despite her unconventional career, she said her parents are 'super supportive' of the path, although they 'wouldn't have chosen' for her to venture into the world of pornography and her extreme sex stunts.

Following the Newsnight episode, several viewers took to X (formerly Twitter) to express their dismay at the porn star's appearance, with one quipping: 'Gone is in depth journalism.

'Newsnight quality through the floor now,' a viewer wrote: 'Gone is in depth journalism, in is an interview with Lily Phillips, dire.

'What happened to covering international affairs fully, such as the Le Pen verdict last week, protests against Erdogan & in Serbia & the Canadian election?'

A second questioned why the show was spending 'so much airtime' on the OnlyFans star, who they pointed out had sex with several men in the space of 24-hours.

One passionate viewer said: 'Lily Phillips is on [the] BBC as we speak I will NEVER watch cable again.'

'Lily Phillips on Newsnight because of course! Shame none of the blokes who participated in the degradation were present.'

OnlyFans star Lily Phillips revealed the real reason she broke down in tears after bedding 100 men in one day last year

In a bombshell interview with Victoria Derbyshire on BBC Newsnight yesterday, the OnlyFans star also opened up about her infamous 101 men sex stunt

Newsnight viewers flocked to X to voice their complaints regarding OnlyFans star, Lily Phillips' appearance on the flagship BBC show

'Dear god newsnight interviewing a porn star Lily Philips about how watching porn at 11 yrs old influenced her doing porn,' another added.

'Really with all the things happening in the world this is their first story.'

It comes after Lily divulged the real reason she broke down in tears after bedding 100 men in one day last year.

The porn star said she had planned the controversial stunt poorly and gave each man too much time with her which she found 'exhausting'.

Speaking to The Sun's Fabulous, she said: 'I'd done something like 37 (men) before so I thought let's try and push myself to the limit a little bit.

'It took so much longer than I thought, it was so much more exhausting than I thought. And I just hadn't prepared myself properly for it.

'The way that I did it, I think that's what had that kind of (emotional) effect on me. Like giving every guy five minutes, you know, having a chat with all the guys.'

Lily said the day was 'very intense' and she was left feeling 'exhausted and upset' by the end of it, however she insisted that she is in no way traumatised by the stunt.

The porn star revealed that she is frustrated to be 'known for crying' because she enjoys her work.

Lily revealed she planned the controversial stunt poorly and gave each man too much time with her which she found 'exhausting'

Lily was seen visibly upset after the grueling sexcapade which she filmed in October to create content for her adult page, and also chronicled the experience for the Goon Squad Productions YouTube documentary, I Slept With 100 Men in One Day

Lily claimed that after bursting into tears people have presumed she was 'forced' into the stunt or had been abused in some way but she reassured her fans that is not the case.

While she had publicly portrayed the stunt in a positive light, the documentary revealed some of the nauseating downsides to filming extreme sexual endeavours for content.

In one clip from the documentary, Lily could be seen sobbing as she told host Josh Pieters: 'Sometimes you just disassociate... it's not like normal sex at all.'

'In my head I can think of five, six guys, 10 guys that I remember. And that's it. It's just weird, isn't it? If I didn't have the videos I wouldn't have known that I'd done a hundred.'

Lily's shock confession prompted over 900 people to share their bewilderment, with many urging the OnlyFans star to seek 'mental help.'

One person wrote, 'This cant be real,' while another said, 'She needs help. Serious mental health help.'

Others were left feeling queasy, as one wrote: 'I think i just threw up in my mouth.'

Another commented: 'I just can't.... even looking at her now turns my stomach a bit.'

Meanwhile, a number of people shared concerns about Lily seemingly failing to prioritise sexual health during her romps.

While she had publicly portrayed the stunt in a positive light, the documentary reveals that Lily was an emotional wreck behind the scenes

The disturbing stunt was derailed when Blue claimed to have slept with 1,057 men in just 12 hours on January 11

One baffled viewer wrote, 'Wait? Did she not test the men???'

Another responded: 'They said in the documentary men with tests take priority but end up letting a bunch of randoms with no test proof in because a bunch of guys cancelled the day of.'

A third wrote: 'That pretty much sums it all up, she hasn't put any thought into any of her choices.'

During the interview Lily also admitted that she felt 'robotic' during the act, on top of being racked with guilt that she wasn't giving all the men the experience that they wanted.

'I guess when youve promised something to people who support you its kinda hard to let them down,' she said through tears.

Lily has issued a warning to young girls planning to follow in her footsteps.

'Its not for the weak girls, if Im honest. It was hard. I dont know if Id recommend it. Its a different feeling. Its just one in one out, it feels intense,' she said.

Despite her poor experience bedding 100 men, Lily was determined to raise the bar by sleeping with 1000 men in 24 hours but later ditched the bid after rival adult performer Bonnie Blue pipped her to it.
Yvette Cooper today insisted local inquiries into grooming gangs in five towns will be going ahead - despite furious claims that Labour had watered down its plans.

The Home Secretary hit out at 'party political misinformation' as she said a 'framework is being drawn up at the moment' for the investigations.

The 'victim-centred, locally-led inquiries' - backed by 5million of funding - were first announced in January as part of a series of plans to tackle child sexual abuse.

It followed a furore over Labour snubbing Oldham Council's request for a Whitehall-led inquiry, with ministers instead favouring a locally-led probe.

Amid growing calls for a new national inquiry into grooming gangs, Ms Cooper announced a 'rapid audit' into the scale of the issue across Britain.

She also promised support for new local inquiries - to be based on the work of a recent probe in Telford - in Oldham and four other pilot areas.

But questions about whether the local inquiries would go ahead arose earlier this week, with the Tories claiming the Government had backtracked on the plans.

Yvette Cooper insisted local inquiries into grooming gangs in five towns will be going ahead - despite furious claims that Labour had watered down its plans

The Home Secretary promised support for new local inquiries - to be based on the work of a recent probe in Telford - in Oldham (pictured) and four other pilot areas

Jess Phillips, the safeguarding minister, faced a backlash in the House of Commons on Tuesday for not providing an update on local reviews.

Instead, Ms Phillips told MPs that local authorities will be able to access a 5million fund to support locally-led work on grooming gangs.

'Following feedback from local authorities, the fund will adopt a flexible approach to support both full independent local inquiries and more bespoke work, including local victims' panels or locally-led audits into the handling of historic cases,' she said.

Tory MP Katie Lam, a shadow Home Office minister, said local inquiries are not good enough and now the Government is 'watering them down even further'.

Sir Trevor Phillips, the former chairman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, also hit out at the Government's approach as 'utterly shameful'.

The Sky News presenter added: 'It's so obvious that they're not doing this because of the demographic of the people involved... largely Pakistani Muslim in background, and also in Labour-held seats and councils who would be offended by it.'

The Government was also criticised for making the announcement just an hour before the Commons rose for its Easter recess.

But Ms Cooper disputed the claims that Labour was watering down its approach.

Asked if all of the local investigations would take place, she told LBC: 'Yep. We're still going ahead. The framework is being drawn up at the moment.

'There's been, sadly, a lot of, I think, party political misinformation about this. What we should be doing is all working together to support victims and survivors of these really vile crimes.'

Pressed again on whether they will go ahead, the Home Secretary said: 'Yeah, there may be more.'

She added: 'What we're also doing is we're putting in place stronger measures.

'We're strengthening the law into these gangs and we're also increasing police investigations, which is the most important thing of all, because, frankly, these perpetrators should be behind bars, and if you don't get the police investigations in place, that won't happen.

'That is the best way to get people justice and to keep communities safe.'

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, speaking on a visit to Birmingham this afternoon, also pledged: 'We are having those five local inquiries - we've put 5million into that.

'But we've also expanded that, because other areas have said we want to do inquiries. We want to support that action.

'We also want to support the action of the police being able to take criminal charges against these abhorrent abusers, it's disgraceful. And we want to learn the lessons of the past.

'We want to make sure that victims can come forward, get the support they need and we're putting more support in place for victims of historical child abuse.'

The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA), led by Professor Alexis Jay, found institutional failings and tens of thousands of victims across England and Wales.

The seven-year probe made 20 recommendations in the final report published in 2022, as it described child sexual abuse as an 'epidemic' across the two nations.

The Government has knocked back calls for a new national review in favour of locally-led inquiries, saying it was focused on implementing recommendations from Prof Jay's report.

A rapid national audit, led by Baroness Casey, looking at the scale of grooming gangs across the country, is expected to report back after Easter.

Ms Lam said: 'The Government thought that they could quietly cancel these inquiries on the last day of Parliament.

'The public is rightly outraged and now ministers are panicking, making it up as they go along.

'The Telford inquiry alone cost 8m. How exactly are they going to hold 'more than five' proper independent inquiries for only 5m?

'And how many more than five? Why not fifty? Why shouldn't all victims get the justice that they deserve?

'Will local councils  many of which stand accused of covering up these vile crimes  still be able to choose whether they are investigated?

'We need a national inquiry. And any local inquiries must be genuinely independent and properly funded.

'Until the Government can commit to that, these announcements aren't worth the paper they're written on.'
Tied up and raped before their families. Forced to watch as their children were beaten to death for trying to stop the abuse. Taken captive and held for over a month as a sexual plaything.

These are just some of the skin-crawling atrocities that women in Sudan have been subjected to amid a bloody civil war that has given rise to one of the world's worst humanitarian crises.

The northeast African nation was plunged into a deadly conflict in mid-April 2023, when long-simmering tensions between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the head of a paramilitary rebel group, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), erupted.

Fighting began in the capital Khartoum but rapidly spread. Before long, huge swathes of the country were engulfed in a war that has killed nearly 30,000 and driven roughly 13 million people - about 30% of the population - from their homes, according to a UN Refugee Agency report.

Reports of sexual violence often emerge during conflicts, and both sides are accused of committing atrocities and war crimes.

But an investigation by Amnesty International suggests that RSF rebels have waged a calculated campaign of sexual violence against defenceless civilians, using rape, murder and torture to terrorise, demoralise and subjugate the population living in areas they seized.

Survivors describe being raped in front of their children, relatives and neighbours. Those who resisted were set on fire, stabbed and shot.

Each one explained in detail how the attacks caused massive physical or mental harm and had devastating impacts on their families. All fled their homes after.

And for every despairing account of abuse that follows, there are undoubtedly thousands more that will never be heard.

A handout photograph, shot in January 2024, shows a woman and baby at the Zamzam displacement camp, close to al-Fashir in North Darfur, Sudan

Displaced Sudanese sit next to a bullet-riddled wall, taking shelter in a school after being evacuated by the Sudanese army

Stalls destroyed by recent combat are seen at the Allafah market in an area recaptured by Sudan's army from the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group, in the Al Kalalah district, 40 km south of Khartoum, Sudan, Thursday, March 27, 2025

A handout photograph, shot in January 2024, shows women and babies at the Zamzam displacement camp, close to al-Fashir in North Darfur, Sudan

A view of the damage surrounding Al-Shaab Teaching Hospital following intense clashes between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces in Khartoum, Sudan, on March 29, 2025

Hamida*, a 30-year-old mother who lived in Madani in Sudan's Gezira state, recounted how four RSF troops barged into her house after morning prayers with only one thing on their mind.

'One of the men grabbed me and said he wanted to rape me. I tried to resist but he hit me with his gun and said I am going to rape your small daughter if you resist,' she said.

'Two of them then tied my hands together and they removed my clothes. Three of them raped me while my daughter was watching. It was so humiliating.

'I did not go to any hospital because I did not want anyone to know about it. You are the first people I am sharing this with. I feel broken,' she told investigators.

Raping their captives in front of family members was a seemingly ritual method that the RSF soldiers engaged in to inflict maximum psychological damage.

Anyone who tried to intervene was beaten or summarily executed by other soldiers watching the crimes against humanity unfold before their eyes.

Amina, a 32-year-old mother of six from Al-Samer in Gezira, told investigators: 'One of them forcefully tied my arms behind my back, and the other raped me in front of my 11-year-old son.

'My son screamed at them saying 'leave my mother alone, stay away from my mum'.

'One of them hit my son in the back with his gun butt and broke his backbone. My beloved son, Mohamed, died 17 days later.'

Amina went on to explain that her rapist also impregnated her and she ultimately gave birth to a boy. She was afforded no medical care during or after the pregnancy.

Rahma, a woman from Nyala city in South Darfur, was tied to a tree and had her limbs held apart by a pair of soldiers as a third raped her while her six-month-old baby cried in their house.

Meanwhile, Hussein, a 42-year-old man who lived in a village called Al-Serhia, described the day RSF fighters broke into his home.

'My wife, my kids, and my two sisters-in-law were in the house with me that day. My wife and I were in one room. They asked us to lie on the floor. They took her gold and then the four of them raped her in front of me and my two kids.

'I tried to stand and stop them from raping my wife, and then one of them shot my wife in the chest. She died immediately. They then started beating me badly with their guns until I fainted.

'Another group of RSF soldiers came to our house and raped my sisters-in-law. It was the darkest day of my life.'

Sudanese displaced families take shelter in a school after being evacuated by the Sudanese army from areas once controlled by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces

A picture shows damaged buildings in a southern neighbourhood of Khartoum on March 29, 2025

A Sudanese citizen and a resident of the Shambat neighbourhood of Khartoum, Abdulilah Mohamed, looks at his destroyed and looted home

Local residents cheer as soldiers arrive to the Allafah market, in an area recently recaptured by Sudan's army from the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group, in the Al Kalalah district, 40km south of Khartoum, Syria Thursday March 27, 2025

There are floods of reports of such raids conducted by RSF soldiers, storming into houses and leaving a trail of devastation in their wake as they leave.

But other unfortunate victims are subjected to an even darker fate.

Two women, Batul and Mariam, explained how they were kidnapped by RSF soldiers and locked away, reduced to nothing but toys to be abused by any number of depraved fighters.

Batul, a nurse who lived in the Sudanese capital, was dragged from her home by RSF soldiers who had overrun the hospital where she worked.

They forced her to treat some of their injured soldiers. Then more than a dozen of the fighters raped her.

After the ordeal, she asked to leave the hospital, but her captors refused. For the next 45 days, Batul was locked in the medical centre and routinely gang raped - her only respite coming when injured RSF members needed treatment.

She described one particularly brutal day as follows: 'At around 10am, eight RSF soldiers came to the room where I was detained. They beat me badly and then raped me one after the other.

'My unhealed C-section wound opened because I am diabetic and had given birth nine months earlier. I started bleeding and became unconscious.

'I woke up several hours later. They kept beating and harassing me every day. They later released me after 45 days while in very bad condition.'

She also explained how one of her colleagues who resisted the rape was doused in petrol, set alight and shot dead.

Mariam, another resident of Khartoum, was abducted and driven to a house where she discovered RSF soldiers were holding several women on whom they enacted their depravity.

'I was detained in that house for 30 days where they kept raping me almost every day. They released me after 30 days when I became very sick,' she said.

'They also kept repeatedly raping the other women. I know because I heard them cry every day.'

Women were even taken to military checkpoints set up by the RSF to keep bored soldiers entertained.

One man interviewed by Amnesty said his wife Nabha was separated from him and held at the fighters' checkpoint at the village of Ombadda.

He said: 'They raped my wife for more than four consecutive days. They detained me in a separate shop. I could hear my wife scream as they raped her every day, but I was not able to help.'

Sudan's army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan gestures to soldiers inside the presidential palace after the Sudanese army said it had taken control of the building, in the capital Khartoum, Sudan March 26, 2025

A Sudanese army soldier stands next to a destroyed combat vehicle as Sudan's army retakes ground and some displaced residents return to ravaged capital in the state of Khartoum

Children, suffering from malnutrition, are treated at Port Sudan Paediatric Centre

Acting Minister of Justice of Sudan, Muawia Osman Mohamed Khair (L), and Ambassador Omaima Alsharief (R) of Sudan attend public hearings at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, the Netherlands, 10 April 2025

As the survivors interviewed by Amnesty and many others like them who fled Sudan begin contemplating the unimaginable treatment they endured, the atrocities in their home country continue apace.

The fighting between the SAF, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the RSF, commanded by Mohamed Hamdan 'Hemedti' Dagalo, shows no signs of abating.

Both sides are widely reported to have conducted indiscriminate attacks as they try to wrest territory from one another.

Airstrikes, shelling, and assaults on urban neighbourhoods have devastated Sudan's large cities and tiny villages alike, all while weapons continue to pour into the country - from Russia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates among others - in defiance of long-standing international arms embargos.

Besides the tales of sexual violence, there are also accusations that the RSF - a predominantly Arab force - is conducting genocide against the Masalit people of Western Sudan.

The Sudanese government in recent weeks sought an audience at the International Court of Justice and called for emergency measures to be taken against the UAE, which it claims is arming and funding the RSF.

'The genocide against the Masalit is being carried out by the Rapid Support Force, predominantly Arab from Darfur, with the support and complicity of the United Arab Emirates,' acting Justice Minister Muawia Osman said in his opening statements at The Hague-based court today.

The UAE has rejected the accusations, with government representatives issuing a statement today that read: 'Everything that was said in court was circumstantial and would not meet a evidentiary standard. There was no credible evidence presented to support their claims.'

Now, nearly two years into the conflict and a torrent of evidence of crimes against humanity, accusations are mounting that the international response remains grossly inadequate.

Deprose Muchena, Amnesty International's Senior Director for Regional Human Rights Impact, said: 'The RSF's assaults on Sudanese women and girls are sickening, depraved and aimed at inflicting maximum humiliation.

A picture shows a destroyed car next to damaged shops in a southern neighbourhood of Khartoum on March 29, 2025

Members of army walks near a destroyed military vehicle and bombed buildings, as Sudan's army retakes ground and some displaced residents return to ravaged capital in the state of Khartoum Sudan March 26, 2025

Delegates attend a hearing at the International Court of Justice for a case brought by Sudan to the World Court demanding emergency measures against the UAE and accusing the Gulf state of violating obligations under the Genocide Convention

'The world must act to stop the RSF's atrocities by stemming the flow of weapons into Sudan, pressuring the leadership to end sexual violence, and holding perpetrators including top commanders to account.

'The horror of the RSF's sexual violence is overwhelming, but the cases documented among refugees represent a small fraction of the violations likely committed.

'The RSF's attacks on civilians are shameful and cowardly... any countries supporting them, including by supplying them with weapons, shares in their shame.

'The international response to the suffering of Sudanese women and girls has been reprehensible. The world has failed to protect civilians, provide sufficient humanitarian aid or hold perpetrators accountable for these crimes.'

Muchena added: 'It's time for people and governments around the world to establish the truth of what has happened in Sudan, bring suspected perpetrators to justice and provide reparations and comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care to survivors.'

Amnesty International's investigation into sexual violence in Sudan was carried out between November 2024 and February 2025, under circumstances that were as complex as the conflict itself.

With Sudan largely inaccessible due mostly to the widespread fighting but also because of communication blackouts imposed by the government, the majority of interviews were conducted in person at the Kiryandongo refugee settlement in Uganda.

Thousands of refugees who fled their homes are now squeezed into the camp, and many of them suffered heinous abuse and torture.

In total, the organisation spoke to 30 people of which 16 were survivors of sexual violence.

Five were relatives of victims, five were human rights investigators monitoring the conflict, and four were healthcare and aid workers offering medical and psychosocial support to survivors.

*Amnesty International has changed the names of interviewees for their safety.
French authorities have been accused of giving illegal migrants lifejackets to cross the English Channel, amid damning new claims Britain's small boats crisis is getting worse under Labour.

Fisherman Matt Coker, owner of Coker Seafishing in Dover, claims groups of asylum seekers are being escorted by the French authorities instead of being intercepted and turned back.

He claims the French are now being overwhelmed by the numbers risking their lives crossing the 21-mile stretch of water in a dangerous bid to get to the UK.

Mr Coker says he has heard radio transmissions from French vessels about dishing out lifejacket to migrants to improve their chances of safely crossing the Channel.

The French then demand the floatation aids are returned by the British once the migrants reach the UK, he added.

'They're giving them life jackets now because so many of them are not getting in the boats with life jackets,' he told Times Radio. 'I suppose... they're trying to avoid another tragedy.

'Then they ask for the life jackets back off the British once they've picked them up.'

Senior officials contacted by MailOnline have categorically denied the claims, saying supplying life jackets to migrants trying to reach Britain would be illegal.

Fisherman Matt Coker, owner of Coker Seafishing, claims groups of asylum seekers are being escorted by the French authorities instead of being intercepted and stopped.

His says the authorites are giving migrants lifejackets to aid with the crossing (pictured are migrants as they scramble to get on boat an inflatable boat near Calais, France, last month)

Migrants are seen crossing the Channel. In the distance, a ship can be seen shadowing them

The fisherman said the migrant crisis had ballooned to levels not seen for years.

It comes as Home Office figures this week revealed 6,796 people have arrived in 123 boats since the start of the year - while a staggering 30,000 have arrived since Labour took power in July.

'In the last six months, it seems to have gone back to what it was two or three years ago,' Mr Coker claimed.

'The French are actually escorting them through the shipping lane to give them a safe passage... but it almost seems to me like it might be encouraging the problem,' he said.

The Kent-based sailor, who has previously hit out at the number of migrants reaching the UK, claimed it was 'safer for you to cross the Channel now than it's ever been'.

'The UK Border Force will be waiting on the border to pick you up, rather than waiting well within UK waters,' he added.

A senior Interior Ministry source in Paris, said: 'Everything is done to prevent nautical equipment falling into the hands of people smugglers, and those on the illegal crossings they organise.

'There would be no possibility of equipment such as life jackets being provided  this would be illegal, and also encourage the crossings.'

There would be no official comment to the lifejacket claim from the French authorities, said the source, because they were based on a single source, and apparently without any verifiable evidence.

But an emergency services source in Calais said: 'Huge efforts are made to prevent the illegal crossings  anybody found assisting them is liable to prosecution.'

MailOnline has approached the Home Office for comment.

The comments came as dozens of small boats migrants were pictured arriving in Dover on Tuesday after being rescued by British authorities.

Border Force cutters Volunteer and Typhoon, alongside the RNLI's Dungeness lifeboat were involved in the operation.

Your browser does not support iframes.

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, from a Border Force vessel on Tuesday

Dozens of migrants are seen packed on a boat heading for the UK in August 2024

So far this year 6,796 people have arrived in 123 boats - many of which are dangerously overcrowded, with dozens of passengers crammed on board.

In comparison, by this time last year 5,435 people had arrived in 114 boats.

In 2020, the number of people who had crossed by this date was 465; in 2021, it was 1,134; by 2022 that had surged to 4,548 before dropping to 3,770 in 2023; it then rose to 4,644 last year.

Over the weekend, Chris Philp, Shadow Home Secretary, said it was proof the Government had lost control of migration and that its attempts to break up smuggling gangs were failing.

He told MailOnline: 'These shocking figures show this Labour government has lost control of our borders. When Keir Starmer scrapped the Rwanda plan before it started, he gave up the only deterrent this country had.

'Crossings are up 31 per cent since the election and 2025 so far has been the worst year ever as a result. Starmer's claim to 'smash the gangs' lies in tatters.'

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said that good weather had enabled the high number of arrivals in March after January and February, when several storms were wreaking havoc on the UK, had lower levels of crossings than previous years.

'March had much higher levels and the really unacceptable situation that we're in is because of the way the criminal gangs have taken hold, our border security ends up being dependent on the weather and we cannot continue like this, where the number of calm days affects the number of crossings and affects our border security as well,' Ms Cooper told the BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme.

On average, more than 55 people are being stuffed into tiny inflatable dinghies at a time and cast into the Channel - not all of whom will necessarily make it across alive.

The group were all wearing orange life jackets and there appeared to be women as well as men among the group

According to the French-run Office for the Fight against Illicit Trafficking of Migrants, 78 people died trying to reach Britain via small boat last year.

And last month, two migrants died in the space of two days last week. At least eight others have either died or been reported missing in the Channel since the start of 2025, according to the United Nation's International Organisation for Migration.

A Home Office spokesperson said: 'We all want to end dangerous small boat crossings, which threaten lives and undermine our border security.

'The people-smuggling gangs do not care if the vulnerable people they exploit live or die, as long as they pay and we will stop at nothing to dismantle their business models and bring them to justice.

'That's why this government has put forward a serious, credible plan to finally restore order to our asylum system, including tougher enforcement powers, ramping up returns to their highest levels for more than half a decade and a major crackdown on illegal working to end the false promise of jobs used by gangs to sell spaces on boats.'

Earlier this month, the Government signed a roadmap with French authorities that aims to disrupt smuggling gangs and deter migrants from making the journey, as well as making it easier to send migrants out of Britain.

It comes as Labour looks set to backtrack on an election promise to scrap the use of hotels to house asylum seekers.

Last week MailOnline reported that an ongoing review of Government spending acknowledged that 'demand for short-term residential accommodation... is likely to remain over the coming years'.
A remote Turkish village where more than half the population are deaf and non-verbal has left doctors and scientists baffled.

Isolated Gokova - which is located 450 miles from Istanbul and has a small population of 120 - has such profound disability problems that sign language has become the primary means of communication, Turkish newspaper Hurriyet reports.

Local mayor Eyup Tozn said: 'We've learned to rely on sign language as a community but any outsiders have trouble communicating.

'There are almost no healthy people', he said.

Villager Sati Tozun said: 'I have four children with disabilities and one of them has three children, all deaf and mute.

'My sister-in-law has children with disabilities. This village is completely disabled.'

Causes for the condition that has affected several families are not known, but some have blamed the high deafness rate on inbreeding in an area where newcomers are a rarity.

But others say locals have been slowly poisoned by generations of water pollution, with metals like iron and arsenic and chemical contamination from industrial waste having been linked to deafness.

Most of the 120 residents living in the Turkish village of Gokova are deaf or mute, meaning that locals have resorted to sign language as their man form of communication

Picture shows the village in Turkey where the vast majority of the population are deaf and mute

Reasons for the widespread deafness are unknown, but some believe it could be linked to a high rate of inbreeding in the local area

'I think this is not caused by inter-marriage, but because of unhealthy water sources', mayor Tozn added.

Another local, Rahmi Cizin, noted how villagers 'don't have access to clean water', adding that 'the rate of disability here is very high. All of them need care.'

Gokova is a picturesque village with stunning turquoise waters and rolling mountains.

The mystery surrounding the high deafness rate in the Turkish village comes more than 10 years after Australian authorities uncovered a hidden community where children born from generations of incest lived with physical deformities.

Incapable of intelligible speech, some of the children had oddly-formed features as the result of being born to parents who were themselves related.

The discovery was made in 2012, when officials raided a 'bush camp' in the hillside valley.

Others believe the high number of people with disabilities comes from contaminated water

In this family of 40, brothers and sisters slept with one another, as did aunts, uncles, fathers and daughters  the tragic result being more physically or psychologically damaged children coming into the world.

Had the camp south west of Sydney not been raided by police and child protection officers it is likely that those newly born damaged children would themselves have gone on to have sex with one another and start a new generation of misfits.
A mother-of-three who died after a suspected murder and arson attack had stab wounds on her face, neck and back, an inquest has heard.

Marta Bednarczyk, 43, died in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, at around 3:30am on March 10.

A 13-year-old girl, who clutched a teddy bear when she appeared in court last month, has been charged with murder and arson with intent to endanger life.

Firefighters had attended the address after reports of a fire at the property.

Senior coroner Anne Pember said Ms Bednarczyk's provisional cause of death was the stab wounds, pending further tests.

Ms Bednarczyk, who moved to England from Poland 15 years ago and was described as a 'lovely' woman, was identified by DNA, a court heard.

The girl has been remanded into youth detention and has not yet entered pleas to the charges.

Last month she spoke only to confirm her name and date of birth when she appeared at Northampton Magistrates Court wearing a grey round-necked sweater and jogging bottoms.

Marta Bednarczyk, 43, (pictured) died in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, at around 3:30am on March 10

Police and firefighters attended the address in Northamptonshire after reports of a fire at the property

The mother-of-three had stab wounds on her face, neck and back, an inquest has heard

Police and emergency teams outside the home in Wellingborough where Ms Bednarczyk's body was discovered

Ms Bednarczyks family said she was a loving mother and a supportive friend.

They said: 'We are heartbroken at the thought of never seeing our lovely Marta again. She will be missed beyond words, and she will never be forgotten.'

Last month, a friend said: I saw her husband on Monday just after she had died and he just looked in shock.'

Ms Bednarczyk was a regular customer with local Polish shop Big Europe, which is a five minute walk from her home.

A member of staff told MailOnline: She was a really nice lady and shell be missed.

She came in often, usually to buy some cuts of meat. Shed come in with her husband mostly.

Nobody knows why anyone would harm her. Its really sad.

A post-mortem examination at Leicester Royal Infirmary found she died as a result of a 'sharp force injury', Northamptonshire Police said.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton was the alleged target of a private school student's terror plot which reportedly involved the use of a drone.

The 16-year-old boy was arrested and charged last August after a joint counter-terrorism investigation by federal and Queensland police.

Sources claim the teen was allegedly planning to attack the Coalition leader at his property north of Brisbane, The Australian reported.

The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was a student at one of Brisbane's most prestigious private boys' schools prior to his arrest.

It's alleged the boy, who has been in custody since his arrest planned the attack from May 21 to July 15 last year.

Police also alleged he researched 'bomb-making instructions, purchased explosives ingredients, tested thermal chemical reactions, tested homemade explosives' contrary to section 101.6 of the Commonwealth Criminal Code.

The teen was charged with a Commonwealth offence of committing acts done 'in preparation for, or planning, a terrorist act'.

He was committed to stand trial in the Supreme Court on the single charge during a hearing in Brisbanes Childrens Court on Thursday.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton (pictured on Thursday) was the alleged target of a private schoolboy's drone terror plot in 2024

The teen was allegedly planning to attack the Coalition leader at his property north of Brisbane (aerial view pictured)

The teen faces a maximum penalty of life imprisonment if he is convicted.

No details were given during the hearing, nor in court documents, as to who was the target of the alleged plot.

It's understood Mr Dutton is aware that he was the target of the alleged plot. His spokesperson told the publication that the Coalition leader was unable to comment on the matter.

A prosecutor submitted witness statements as part of the brief of evidence in the case.

The teen's lawyer Michael Cridland conceded this client had a case to answer and consented to him being committed to stand trial before a jury at a later date.

'Your lawyer has said there is enough evidence in the paperwork that has been provided to me to justify you going on trial in a higher court, the Supreme Court,' magistrate Megan Power told the boy.

Appearing by videolink from a detention centre, the teen was asked by the magistrate if he wanted to enter a plea.

'No, I do not wish to enter any plea,' he replied.

Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton and wife Kirilly are pictured on March 31

The alleged terror plot reportedly involved the use of a drone (stock image)

The teen was also asked if he had any questions about the court proceedings,

'No, thank you,' the boy replied.

The teen's parents attended the hearing.

Mr Dutton wasn't in court as he's currently campaigning for the May 3 election.

A media application to report on the boy's first court appearance last year was refused by the magistrate.

Mr Cridland reportedly opposed the application on the grounds that the teen had mental health issues.

The lawyer said the boy would be 'particularly vulnerable' if any information was made available to the media, The Australian reported.

'The risk of prejudice  far outweighs any public interest there is in the media covering these proceedings,' Mr Cridland told the court.

The teen was represented by his lawyer Michael Cridland (pictured) in court on Thursday

Ms Power refused the media's application at the time, citing a risk of prejudice to the boy because having an extra person in court could make him uncomfortable, and said the Children's Court was 'generally a closed jurisdiction'.

'There are good reasons for that, Mr Cridland has pointed that out, those reasons from a youth justice principle particularly in respect of criminal matters,' she said.

'In this matter, which involves a 16-year-old young person, who I am told and without challenge accept that suffers particular vulnerability  there is a risk of prejudice to him.'

But the media was allowed to cover the hearing on Thursday.
Cameron Mathison found losing his home in the Los Angeles wildfires "one of the hardest things" he's ever dealt with.

Cameron Mathison lost his home in the LA wildfires

The 'General Hospital' actor - who split from wife Vanessa, the mother of his adult children Lucas and Leila, last July - was devastated when his house burned down in January because of all the memories the abode held, and also because of the impact on his family's dreams for the future.

He told 'Access Hollywood': "Every little single thing that I've ever owned, every piece of evidence of my life and my kids' lives, was lost in that house.

"I am fluctuating. There's lots to learn from this, and lots to be grateful for. And also, thinking about thousands of others going through the same thing. But it has been more devastating than I actually thought it would be.

"It's been, oddly, one of the hardest things I've ever had to deal with.

"It's been a hard thing to express to people. They probably have an idea that it's difficult, but it's where I raised my kids, it's where my kids wanted to raise their kids."

Despite his sadness, Cameron - who plans to rebuild his house - is trying to be optimistic.

He added: "It's going to be OK for sure. I got this. But I'm also allowing myself to feel that."

Cameron, 55, praised his "phenomenal" co-stars on 'General Hospital' for the love and support they have shown him over the last few months.

He said: "My 'GH' family has been phenomenal.

"And that made tons of difference. It's unbelievable the love and support and kindness and generosity that has been given to myself and thousands of others going through it."

Cameron recently admitted the fire had brought him and Vanessa even closer than before.

He told Us Weekly magazine last month: "Vanessa and I, we love each other. We're still super close...

This house was so special to both of us even though we've been separated for a couple years now.

"When couples kind of go through things, hopefully, your goal is to be close eventually, and support each other and forget about all the messiness and just be there for each other.

"In a way, this challenge and trauma brought us super close. It was a way to move on and be there for each other. She and I only really knew what each other were going through, so it was very valuable for both of us. I literally couldn't have gone through this without her."
The heartbroken family of an American sound engineer found dead while vacationing in the Bahamas have rejected official explanations over his death after it was ruled a drowning.

Dinari McAlmont, 23, of Maryland, was found dead on the shore of Paradise Island in Nassau on Sunday.

His tragic death came just 12 hours after he landed on the tropical island for a getaway with his family.

His lifeless body was found on the beach after he left dinner with his parents to grab a jacket and never returned.

His mom Michelle McAlmont, who identified his remains through a photo, described his lifeless body as 'unrecognizable', explaining that his injuries were so horrific she believed he had been brutally beaten.

Resort staff previously informed her that he had been involved in an altercation in a hotel restaurant.

Police in the Bahamas insist that he died by drowning and have ruled out any foul play.

But the series of bizarre circumstances around his death have meant that McAlmont's family are questioning this narrative.

'My son was beaten. He was traumatized. His face is damaged. His teeth had a lot of froth. His hair that he normally takes pride in, he spent a lot of money on products. He takes a lot of pride in his hair - full of sand,' Michelle McAlmont told Eyewitness News Bahamas.

Dinari McAlmont (pictured), 23, of Maryland, was found dead on the shore of Paradise Island in Nassau, Bahamas, hours after landing on the island, with authorities now ruling his official cause of death as drowning

Dinari's body was found on the beach with 'no vital signs of life' just after 5.30am the morning after landing on the Caribbean island with his family

His distraught mother, Michelle McAlmont (pictured), identified Dinari's remains through a photo and described his lifeless body as 'unrecognizable', explaining that his injuries were so horrific she believed he had been brutally beaten

'That tells me they beat my son down in the sand,' she added, breaking down in tears. 'I need justice for my baby. I need justice.

'There is foul play,' Michelle told Fox 5 DC. 'Because of all the bruises and you can see when somebody is abused and hit at.'

Dinari's aunt went even further, suggesting that her nephew was murdered at the Caribbean resort.

'We don't have answers,' Marcelle Bacchus, Dinari's aunt, told NBC News 4. 'We really don't know, but it's very frustrating.'

'Seems as though everything is being pushed under the rug.'

While they acknowledge that drowning may be the official cause of death, they argue that it doesn't dictate what occurred in the events leading up to his tragic ending.

The McAlmont family left their home in Bowie on Friday - a city located about 20 miles northeast of Washington DC - for what was supposed to be a relaxing vacation at The Reef at Atlantis.

While having dinner together on the first night, Dinari reportedly left the table to grab a jacket and explore the resort - though that would be the last time his parents saw their son, NBC News 4 reported.

Hotel employees came to the McAlmonts' room a few hours later enquiring about Dinari's whereabouts, as they accused him of causing an issue at the restaurant.

In a news conference on Wednesday, the Royal Bahamas Police Force stated that 'foul play is not suspected at this time' - a statement that Dinari's family isn't buying (pictured: Dinari)

Hotel employees came to the McAlmont's room a few hours after he disappeared enquiring about Dinari's whereabouts, as they accused him of causing an issue at the restaurant and spitting on staff members - eventually prompting a missing person's report when he wasn't located

While having dinner together on the first night, Dinari reportedly left the table to grab a jacket and explore the resort - though that would be the last time his parents saw their son (pictured: Michelle and Desmond McAlmont)

'The police said they were looking for him because apparently he spat on some staff in a restaurant,' Michelle told Fox 5 DC.

They proceeded to check their phone location-sharing services but found Dinari's to be inactive.

He was reported missing, with his concerned parents creating a missing person's flier in the hopes that someone had seen him.

Their worst fears were realized just a few hours later, when resort staff returned to their room to inform them that Dinari was dead - three hours after he was initially discovered, Eyewitness News Bahamas reported.

His body was found on the beach of Paradise Island with 'no vital signs of life' just after 5.30am the next morning, prompting the investigation.

On Wednesday, officials announced drowning to be Dinari's official cause of death. However, authorities are still waiting on the results of a toxicology report, stating that the investigation is still ongoing and will be forwarded to His Majesty's Coroner.

'My son, my baby - he was my everything,' Michelle told Eyewitness News Bahamas, breaking down in tears while steadying herself on a parked car. 'Now I have to take my son home in a casket.'

Michelle told the outlet that authorities only allowed her to see a photo of her son when she went to identify his body at the morgue, leaving her with more questions than answers.

'Up to now, they have not shown me any videos of what transpired, the casino... they have not shown me where my son was found,' she said.

In the photo of her son's body, Michelle said, it appeared as though he was 'beaten and traumatized,' recalling his damaged face, teeth full of froth and hair full of sand (pictured: Dinari)

Michelle said that authorities only allowed her to see a photo of her son when she went to identify his body at the morgue, leaving her with more questions than answers (pictured: Michelle)

Resort staff returned to the McAlmont room to inform them that Dinari was dead - three hours after he was initially discovered (pictured: Dinari)

'Someone would have had to take me in there, because there is no way he would've gone to the beach.'

Bacchus added that the family is in the process of getting an international attorney to assist them going forward, NBC News 4 reported.

'We're just here in the dark,' Bacchus said. 'We really need some help, some eyewitness, somebody to come forward and help us to just solve this puzzle.'

Dinari had worked as an audio engineer at Lowcation Studios in Brentwood, Maryland, where he produced music for the last year.

'I just broke down,' Oliver Franklin, the owner of Lowcation Studios, told NBC News 4. 'He was, he was really young, and it's just, it's just devastating.'

'In that year, you know, he was somebody that I talked to everyday,' he added. 'You know, he was always obviously in the studio, and it was just crushing.'

Family members have been very vocal about the investigation on social media, hoping for their voices and desperate pleas to be heard near and far.

'The pressure is not going to let up and the world is watching this story,' one family member, known on Facebook as Sierra, wrote.

The heartbroken family is demanding a deeper investigation from authorities, claiming that it seems as though officials are 'brushing things under the rug,' firmly reiterating their belief as a family that there is more to the story (pictured: Father Desmond McAlmont in center, Brother Deandre on left, Dinari on right)

Dinari's family is in the process of getting an international attorney to assist them going forward

Dinari had worked as an audio engineer at Lowcation Studios in Brentwood, Maryland, where he produced music for the last year

Atlantis resort expressed condolences for the Dinari family, noting they could not comment while the police investigation was ongoing.

'We are deeply saddened by the passing of one of our guests,' the resort told DailyMail.com in a statement. 'Our condolences are with the guest's family and loved ones during this difficult time.

'The police authorities are carrying out an investigation of this tragic incident. We await the polices findings and will not comment on speculation.'
Disturbing CCTV footage has emerged of a 12-year-old autistic boy being violently restrained by five adult staff members at a special needs school in Leeds.

The clip, described by a restraint expert as 'too brutal, unnecessary and, in my view, unlawful', shows the boy being wrestled face-down to the floor in a padded seclusion room  a space meant to help children calm down.

The footage, filmed at Springwell Leeds Academy's North site in October 2023, was obtained by the boy's mother, Zoe, who was horrified when she saw what had happened to her son.

'This is a child and these are five grown adults in a school where he's supposed to be safe,' she told the BBC.

'A calming room should be a room for children to calm down with blankets, teddies and soft lighting. Not a padded cell. You wouldn't put an animal in there.'

In one 50-minute recording, the boy can be seen trying to kick staff before swinging his arm towards them. He is then taken down and held in a prone position for three minutes.

Eric Baskind, a senior expert in institutional use of force, reviewed the footage and slammed the restraint as excessive.

'They just dragged him [into the prone position],' he said. 'That would have been really traumatic, and it would have escalated the hostility in the situation, which is the exact opposite of what they ought to have been trying to do.'

Disturbing CCTV footage has emerged of a 12-year-old autistic boy being violently restrained by five adult staff members at a special needs school in Leeds

The clip, described by a restraint expert as 'too brutal, unnecessary and, in my view, unlawful,' shows the boy being wrestled face-down to the floor in a padded seclusion room  a space meant to help children calm down

The footage, filmed at Springwell Leeds Academy's North site in October 2023, was obtained by the boy's mother, Zoe, (above) who was horrified when she saw what had happened to her son

Education consultant Elizabeth Swan added the move was 'unreasonable, excessive and unnecessarily prolonged', describing the seclusion room as resembling a 'holding cell'.

Experts also raised serious concerns about the broader use of such rooms, which are often labelled 'calming', 'quiet' or 'safe' spaces but have been used to detain young children  sometimes for prolonged periods.

Academy defends staff as 'caring professionals' and says restraint criticism is a 'difference of opinion'

Despite the outcry, Springwell Leeds Academy's chief executive, Mark Wilson, insisted there was 'no case to answer' after three separate investigations  including one by Leeds City Council  found no wrongdoing.

He claimed the incident was typical of what happens in schools 'from time to time' and dismissed the expert reviews as a 'difference of opinion'.

Mr Wilson also criticised the footage as 'selective' and 'misrepresentative', saying it lacked important context and audio.

Education consultant Elizabeth Swan added the move was 'unreasonable, excessive and unnecessarily prolonged', describing the seclusion room as resembling a 'holding cell'

He claimed the incident was typical of what happens in schools 'from time to time' and dismissed the expert reviews as a 'difference of opinion'

A spokesperson for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said those cases were 'horrendous' and 'must never happen again.'

She described the footage of her son being restrained as the 'most degrading, dehumanising and undignified video' she had ever seen.

The investigation also uncovered that in some schools, children as young as five have been locked in tents, seclusion rooms  and even cages. One young boy described his experience of being detained as 'horrible'.

'It was just very scary because they can put me in there for as long as they want,' he said.

Campaigners are now calling for an outright ban on such practices, which remain largely unregulated in England.

While new laws will require schools to notify parents when force is used from September, there is still no legal duty to inform them if their child is placed in seclusion.

One mother, Halima, was shocked to see the treatment of her son Abdulahi

Staff at the special school were seen shoving children into the rooms where they were then left

Gemma Grant, from the Challenging Behaviour Foundation, said: 'Seclusion rooms are outdated and inhumane. They should be banned.'

It comes after parents at Whitefield School in Walthamstow, north-east London accused authorities of a 'cover-up' over treatment of pupils in so-called 'calming rooms'.

Staff at the school have been shown hitting and kicking students at the special school, which is one of the largest in the UK with about 370 pupils.

Six employees were proven to have abused 39 children with disabilities between 2014 and 2017, inquiries found - but there have reportedly been no prosecutions.

Police repeatedly provided information to the Crown Prosecution Service as part of a three-year investigation but no one has been charged, according to another BBC probe.

Some of the children were seen on screen self-harming while left in the padded rooms at the school for hours on end.
A couple appeared in court today over the murder of a grandfather who was shot dead through the window of his home.

Kevin Dorward, 38, is accused of murder and is said to have been one of a group of people who drove to the home of Barry Dawson, 60, and committed a broad daylight attack that stunned a close-knit community.

Dorward's partner Michaela Hetherington, 35, is charged with perverting the course of justice by falsely telling police that the car used in the killing had been stolen when she knew it had not.

The pair, who live at the same address in Annfield Plain, County Durham, appeared separately before Newton Aycliffe magistrates court and both were remanded in custody.

Dorward will be brought before Durham Crown Court tomorrow.

Hetherington, who brushed away tears in the dock, will appear for a bail hearing either the same day or next Monday.

Prosecutor John Garside told the court that the incident leading up to crisp factory worker Mr Dawson's murder at 5.30pm on Saturday began earlier that afternoon.

Dorward and Hetherington went to the pub together and parked his car in the car park.

The following morning she told police it had been stolen, which prosecutors say was a lie.

Michaela Hetherington, 35, (pictured) is charged with perverting the course of justice by falsely telling police that the car used in the killing of Barry Dawson, 60, had been stolen when she knew it had not

Barry Dawson, 60, (pictured) was fatally shot in broad daylight at his home in Stanley, County Durham on April 5

A police tent at the scene on Elm Street in Stanley, County Durham, last weekend

Mr Garside said: 'The Crown's case is that the car had not been stolen but had been used not by her but by others to drive from Annfield Plain to South Moor, Stanley, and then back to the top of the South Moor area where the vehicle was later set on fire.'

Paul Donoghue, for Hetherington, said her case is that she had no idea the car had been used to carry Mr Dawson's alleged killers.

She returned to the pub at 10 o'clock the following morning and discovered it was missing, he told the court.

Mr Donoghue added she was not involved in the murder, saying: 'This lady does not accept to being part of that activity.'

The court was told that Dorward and Hetherington live at the same address and have children who were being looked after by relatives.

District Judge Steven Hood remanded both in custody.

He told Hetherington: 'Your case will be brought before Durham Crown Court where you will be able to make an application for bail.'

Durham Police say a 21-year-old man has also been arrested on suspicion of murder, while a 20-year-old man and 49-year-old woman had been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.

Michaela Hetherington, 35, (pictured) is charged with perverting the course of justice while her partner, Kevin Dorward, 38, is accused of the murder of Barry Dawson, 60

Shooting victim Barry Dawson's devastated family have paid tribute, saying he was a 'much-loved father, granddad and partner'

All three remain in police custody.

In a tribute, Mr Dawson's family described him as a 'much-loved father, granddad and partner who will be greatly missed'.

'We are truly devastated, and his loss will leave an enormous gap in our lives,' the family said.

A police spokesman said investigations continue and officers would remain working in the Elm Street area 'for a significant period of time'.

A friend of Mr Dawson, from Stanley, County Durham, previously told Mail Online: 'It is impossible to comprehend that Barry has lost his life like this, whatever was behind it I'm certain he was not the intended target.

'The Barry I knew would never have done anything to have brought this kind of thing to his door, he was a thoroughly decent man and he wasn't the sort of person to be involved in anything criminal.

'Whoever did this was after someone else. It looks as though they fired at the window at whoever they could see and that was Barry.

'He was a popular man in the community, everybody knew him and he has a large family who are completely devastated by this.

'Barry had quite a few kids over the years and he loved them all, I can't imagine what his family is going through right now.

'To have a shooting like this happen in a small town like Stanley is unbelievable, but for Barry to be the one who ended up dead is cruel.'
A Democrat Boston lawmaker ignored most of the media, only speaking to her favorite outlets, after she agreed to resign and plea guilty to pocketing $7,000 of public funds in a sleazy fraud, according to a new report.

City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson returned to City Council on Wednesday after accepting a plea deal for federal public corruption charges, and refused to speak to most of the media present, according to the Boston Herald.

Instead, Fernandes Anderson, who had initially declined to resign since her December arrest, 'chose to take a reporter and camera operator from NBC10 into her City Council office.'

The 46-year-old lawmaker also told a WCVB-TV reporter she would not be speaking to her station, per the Herald. WCVB-TV happens to be the only news outlet who captured viral footage of Fernandes Anderson's arrest at her home for corruption last year, suggesting the lawmaker's snub was an act of petty revenge.

Reporters present at City Hall when she returned to work this week said they repeatedly tried to get Fernandes Anderson to answer questions but she continued to avoid them, eventually

Eventually, Fernandes Anderson approached the media at City Hall and asked which outlets were present.

After the Herald, Globe, Boston 25 News, CBS Boston, and WCVB-TV replied saying they were present, Fernandes Anderson addressed one Boston Globe reporter by name and said she would would call them later.

'Sorry, I cant speak with you guys,' the lawmaker told the rest of the reporters.

Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson reportedly refused to speak to local media after she was arrested for public corruption and agreed to a guilty plea

Rather than speaking to the reporters pool, Fernandes Anderson 'chose to take a reporter and camera operator from NBC10 into her City Council office'

Reporters present at City Hall when she returned to work this week said they repeatedly tried to get Fernandes Anderson to answer questions but she continued to avoid them

The Herald reported that the 'favoritism' started on Tuesday, when Fernandes Anderson exclusively told Boston Magazine she would be resigning from her position and refused to provide the same statement to other media.

The Democrat faces one year and one day in prison followed by three years of supervised release

Fernandes Anderson was arrested and charged for orchestrating 'a complicated kickback scheme' to steal city funds through a staff member who is related to her.

The Democrat agreed to plead guilty to federal corruption charges after prosecutors accused her of taking most of an inflated bonus that she paid to a relative who worked for her.

Fernandes Anderson will plead guilty to one count each of wire fraud and theft concerning a program receiving federal funds, the US attorneys office said in a statement.

In exchange, prosecutors dropped four wire fraud counts against the lawmaker, who in 2021 became the first African immigrant and Muslim American elected to the council.

'I'm not just a mom to two boys, as you know, I have actually four sons, with my stepsons. I'm soon to be a grandma,' she told NBC10 on Wednesday about her resignation. 'How do I do the right thing to ensure that my family is safe, is stable?'

Fernandes Anderson had initially refused to resign from City Hall after her December arrest

The plea deal will spare the lawmaker from facing p to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 on each of the fraud charge

Fernandes Anderson was going through financial difficulties in 2023, partly because the Massachusetts State Ethics Commission told her it would fine her $5,000 for hiring immediate family members, according to prosecutors. Council members arent permitted to hire immediate family members as paid staff.

According to prosecutors, she told her relative that she would give her a $13,000 bonus, which was more than twice as much as the combined bonuses she gave to the rest of the staff.

After taxes, the staffer received about $10,000. She withdrew the money in several bank transactions in May and June of 2023 before exchanging texts to meet Fernandes Anderson in a City Hall bathroom that June 9, where she gave Fernandes Anderson $7,000 of the money.

The government is seeking a sentence of one year and one day in prison followed by three years of supervised release and restitution in the amount of $13,000.

Fernandes Anderson could have faced up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 on each of the fraud charges. The theft count carried a penalty of up to 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000.

In a statement after she was charged, Anderson only said she would continue 'fight' for her constituents. and refused to step down, despite calls from several colleagues to do so.
Two Nevada men were convicted this week after they were caught destroying an ancient rock formation in a national park.

Wyatt Fain, 37, and Payden Crosper, 31, were each found guilty of one count of injury and depredation of government property related to destroying the rock formations at Lake Mead National Park on April 7, 2024.

The two men face up to a year in prison, a $100,000 fine, or both when they are sentenced on July 8.

The rock formations the men destroyed were found on the Redstone Dunes Trail and had been formed by erosion over 140 million years, per the Las Vegas Review Journal.

Fai and Crosper were indicted in August 2024 after witnesses took a video of the duo shoving a large boulder off the edge of one of the formations.

A young girl, the daughter of one of the men, could be seen standing behind them, horrified, and screaming intermittently as the rocks fall.

'Daddy, don't fall,' she yelps as the two men push boulder parts over the edge and watch them break as they smash down the side of the cliff.

The footage went viral as the internet reacted with outrage at Fai and Crosper's antics, with the video receiving millions of views across social media.

Shocking footage from April 2024 showed two men destroying a 140 million year old rock formation in Lake Mead National Park. This week, they were found guilty in court and face up to a year in jail

Payden Crosper, 31 (pictured) and Wyatt Fain, 37, were each found guilty of one count of injury and depredation of government property related to destroying the rock formations at Lake Mead National Park on April 7, 2024

Officials condemned the senseless destruction of the ancient rock formations at the time, as they said the damage could not be fixed.

John Haynes, a public information officer for the park, told KVVU: 'Its one of my favorite places in the park and theyre up there just destroying it. I dont understand that.'

'Why would you even do something like this? Like, why on Earth would you do this? This almost feels like a personal attack in a way,' he added.

Haynes told the Review Journal that he was dismayed by the perpetrators' lack of respect for nature and the ancient space.

'These sandstone formations take millions of years to form, and a couple of yahoos show up and destroy them in a few minutes,' he said.

Prosecutors said Fain and Crosper's antics resulted in over $1,000 worth of damages.

They were arrested by the US Marshals Service months later, and were released without needing bail after pleading not guilty at the time.

A jury found them guilty this week, and they will learn if they will spend time behind bars on July 8.

Footage of their antics went viral on social media last year as the public shared its outrage at their senseless act

Court records obtained by DailyMail.com show Fain has previously been arrested for charges including assault with the use of a deadly weapon, reckless driving, destruction of personal property and domestic battery by strangulation.

The Lake Mead National Recreation Area, which is just outside of Las Vegas, sees about 6 million visitors each year.

Park staff cannot be physically present across the entirety of the 2,344 square mile area, which means they sometimes rely on the public to keep watch over some of the sites in the park.

'It is 1.5 million acres. We have two big lakes, a chunk of the Colorado River. It gets pretty difficult based on our staff levels to be everywhere all at once,' said Haynes.

To help the park staff keep an eye on the public, the National Park Service operates a tipline that receives thousands of submissions every year.
The Taliban's morality police have detained men and their barbers over hairstyles, and others for missing prayers at mosques during Ramadan, a UN report has said.

It comes six months after laws regulating people's conduct in the country came into effect.

The Vice and Virtue Ministry published laws last August covering many aspects everyday life in Afghanistan, including public transport, music, shaving and celebrations.

Most notably, the ministry issued a ban on women's voices and bare faces in public.

That same month, a top UN official warned the laws provided a 'distressing vision' for the country's future by adding to existing employment, education, and dress code restrictions on women and girls.

Taliban officials have rejected UN concerns about the morality laws.

Thursday's report, from the UN mission in Afghanistan, said in the first six months of the laws' implementation, over half of detentions made under it concerned 'either men not having the compliant beard length or hairstyle, or barbers providing non-compliant beard trimming or haircuts'.

The report said that the morality police regularly detained people arbitrarily 'without due process and legal protections'.

The Taliban 's morality police have detained men and their barbers over hairstyles, the UN said (file image of an Afghan man getting a haircut)

A member of Taliban frisks a man at a checkpoint ahead of Eid al-Fitr in Kandahar, Afghanistan, 28 March 2025

A Taliban security personnel stands guard outside the Shah-Do Shamshira Mosque during Eid al-Fitr prayers, which marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan in Kabul, March 30, 2025

During the holy fasting month of Ramadan, men's attendance at mandated congregational prayers was closely monitored, leading at times to arbitrary detention of those who didn't show up, the report added.

The UN mission said that both sexes were negatively affected, particularly people with small businesses such as private education centres, barbers and hairdressers, tailors, wedding caterers and restaurants, leading to a reduction or total loss of income and employment opportunities.

The direct and indirect socio-economic effects of the laws' implementation were likely to compound Afghanistan's dire economic situation, it said.

A World Bank study has assessed that authorities' ban on women from education and work could cost the country over 1.4 billion dollars (1 billion) per year.

The Taliban leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, has emphasised the primacy of Islamic law and the role of the Ministry of Vice and Virtue in reforming Afghan society and its people.

In a message issued ahead of the religious Eid Al-Fitr festival that marks the end of Ramadan, Akhundzada said it was necessary 'to establish a society free from corruption and trials, and to prevent future generations from becoming victims of misguided beliefs, harmful practices and bad morals'.

More than 3,300 mostly male inspectors are tasked with informing people about the law and enforcing it, according to the report.

Nobody from the Vice and Virtue Ministry was immediately available for comment about the report.
The Cabinet Office is slashing more than 2,000 jobs as part of Sir Keir Starmer's efforts to slim down the 'flabby' civil service, it was announced today.

Around 1,200 roles will be lost at the department through a voluntary redundancy scheme and by not replacing staff when they leave.

Another 900 posts are being transferred to other parts of Whitehall as part of a shake-up of departmental responsibilities.

The 2,100 job cuts represent just almost a third of the 6,500 'core staff' at the Cabinet Office, which supports the Prime Minister and sits at the heart of the civil service.

A Cabinet Office source said the department was 'leading by example' in Labour's bid to shrink the size of Whitehall.

Sir Keir last month outlined his ambition to reform what he described as an 'overcautious and flabby' state.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves also used her Spring Statement in March to set out how she wants to cut Government running costs by 15 per cent by 2030.

The size of the civil service has ballooned over recent years following the Brexit referendum and the Covid pandemic.

Sir Keir Starmer has outlined an ambition to reform what he described as an 'overcautious and flabby' state

The size of the civil service has ballooned over recent years following the Brexit referendum and the Covid pandemic

The 2,100 job cuts represent just under a third of the 6,500 'core staff' at the Cabinet Office, which supports the Prime Minister and sits at the heart of the civil service

As of December last year, there were 514,395 full-time civil servants - up from around 384,230 in June 2016.

Cat Little, the Cabinet Office's top official, told civil servants in an all-staff call on Thursday that the department would become more specialist.

Around 540 voluntary redundancy applications have already been accepted after the launch of a scheme in January.

But the Cabinet Office is expecting more voluntary departures as teams are restructured over the coming months.

The source said: 'Leading by example, we are creating a leaner and more focused Cabinet Office that will drive work to reshape the state and deliver our plan for change.

'This Government will target resources at frontline services  with more teachers in classrooms, extra hospital appointments and police back on the beat.'

Trade unions have warned against significant cuts to Whitehall and told Labour, if it wishes to shrink the size of the state, it needs to decide 'what it will stop delivering'.

Baroness Sue Gray, the PM's former chief of staff, used her maiden speech in the House of Lords to urge caution on reducing the size of the civil service.

A former civil servant herself, Baroness Gray said her old colleagues were 'central to the Government's and the nation's mission to bring back growth into our economy and security to our society'.

Mike Clancy, general secretary of Prospect, a trade union representing specialist civil servants, said: 'The Cabinet Office has an important role to play operating the machinery of Government, driving efficiency and reform, and ensuring other departments are fully aligned with and able to deliver the Government's missions.

'Blunt cuts of this scale will make it harder to play that role and could impact on delivery across Government.

'Prospect will engage with the Cabinet Office throughout this process and will seek an assurance that there will be no compulsory redundancies.'
Attorney General Pam Bondi has dropped charges against a man accused of being a major MS-13 leader in the East Coast.

The Justice department said Henrry Villatoro Santos, 24, was arrested in Virginia last month and will likely be deported to his home country of El Salvador.

Prosecutors have only said 'the government no longer wishes to pursue the instant prosecution at this time,' as reported by CNN.

Sources told the Washington Post that Bondi is looking to fast-track the alleged gangster's deportation.

'As a terrorist, he will now face the removal process,' Bondi said on Thursday.

Villatoro's lawyer Muhammad Elsayed has opposed the move, saying his client would face a dark fate if deported to his home country.

'The danger of Mr. Villatoro Santos being unlawfully deported by ICE without due process and removed to El Salvador, where he would almost certainly be immediately detained at one of the worst prisons in the world without any right to contest his removal, is substantial, both in light of the Governments recent actions and the very public pronouncements in this particular case,' Villatoro's lawyer Elsayed said.

Elsayed added that 'in its rush to prove to the American public that this administration is tough on crime and immigration enforcement,' the Trump administration has 'wrongfully deported.'

The Justice department said Henrry Villatoro Santos will now be deported to his home country of El Salvador

Attorney General Pam Bondi had lauded his arrest, claiming he was a 'horrible, violent, worst of the worst criminals.'

Images of the firearms the FBI and DOJ said they recovered from Santos' residence

Deporting Villatoros without first securing a conviction breaks historical precedent, as noted by CBS News.

It comes just weeks after Bondi lauded Villatoro's arrest, claiming he was 'MS-13s leader for the East Coast' and calling him a 'horrible, violent, worst of the worst criminals.'

Villatoro was arrested in Dale City, suburban community half an hour outside of Washington, D.C, last month.

Bondi lauded the the early morning arrest as a major victory in the Trump administrations effort to crack down on a gang known for brutal violence and extortion.

She accused Villatoro of being responsible for 'very violent crimes, anything you can associate with MS-13. He was the leader over it  all of the violent crimes.'

Villatoro was charged with illegal gun possession after agents found several firearms during the search of his home. Bondi said he was living in the U.S. illegally.

As previously reported, the FBI said they found a a total of four guns, ammo, and suppressors inside his room.

MS-13, or Mara Salvatrucha, was one of eight Latin American criminal organizations declared foreign terrorist organizations by the US government last month

Bondi said the suspect was 'very dangerous' and had been recruited by MS-13 when he was 'very young' before rising through the ranks.

Republican Virginia Gov. Glenn Younkin also said Villatoro was 'One of the top operatives in MS-13.'

The Trump administration promoted the arrest as part of its effort to fulfill campaign promises to quash illegal immigration and eliminate gangs. MS-13 gang, or Mara Salvatrucha, was one of eight Latin American criminal organizations declared foreign terrorist organizations by the Trump administration last month.

'We want to make our streets safer,' Bondi told reporters.

'We want to make our schools safer. We want to make your neighborhoods safer. This guy was living in a neighborhood right around you, no longer.'
A caring 10-year-old girl who tragically took her own life after being picked on by school bullies warned her parents not to intervene because she was labeled a 'tattletale.'

Autumn Bushman was found unresponsive from an apparent suicide at her Roanoke, Virginia home last month.

The fourth grader at Mountain View Elementary School had been targeted for weeks by warped bullies prior to her death, her parents said.

The youngster was victimized because she stood up for other children who had been bullied, they added.

Her devastated mom Summer Bushman, 36, described the sickening moment she broke down her daughter's bedroom door on March 21 and found her inside.

She initially contacted the school to inquire about the situation, but was only told that the situation was 'handled,' she told The Washington Post.

When she and her husband asked their daughter if she wanted them to step in before the bullying escalated, Autumn begged them not to because she was already being branded a 'tattletale,' Summer revealed. It is unclear if students or teachers called her that.

The grief-stricken parents have been left with so many questions about what led up to their daughter's death while the police and school district investigate.

They have yet to have a chance to sift through Autumn's cellphone as authorities took it shortly after she passed.

On March 21, Summer Bushman, 36, broke open the door to her daughter Autumn's room and found her unresponsive from an apparent suicide in their Roanoke, Virginia home

When her parents found out she was being bullied, they asked Autumn if she wanted them to intervene, but she begged them not to because she was being called a 'tattletale'. (Pictured: Autumn with her parents)

About two months ago, her father Mark Bushman, 36, said she mentioned seeing a YouTube video about a teenage girl who committed suicide.

'It felt like she was looking for answers to explain what she just saw,' he said.

Although she had access to a smartphone, he explained that he and his wife did not allow their daughter to have her own social media accounts.

After she mentioned the video, Mark said he told his daughter that those that feel that way should feel supported by their loved ones.

'When youre in that moment, you may not be realizing, "Hey, I have a family that loves me that I would have to leave behind and who would be very hurt. I have all these exciting firsts coming up. I have my whole life ahead of me. This is really just the beginning".

'And I told her that if someone ever feels like that, what they really have to do is talk to somebody,' he continued.

Now, after her death, both he and his wife have realized just how much their daughter changed before she ended her life.

Her father said she was active and seemed 'totally normal' to them, but looking back, they realize how she went from her bright and bubbly personality to a more closed off version of herself.

About two months ago, her father Mark Bushman, 36, said she mentioned seeing a YouTube video about a teenage girl who committed suicide

Summer (pictured with Autumn) said at the time it didn't seem like a cry from help from her struggling daughter

Summer said at the time it didn't seem like a cry from help from her struggling daughter.

'I remember when my 17-year-old went through a breakup that he took really hard and he had told the girl he couldnt live without her, so we had a conversation about suicide,' she said.

'And my 12-year-old was picked on pretty badly and I had her transferred to another school district, and I had talked to her about suicide. But I never talked to Autumn because I never imagined that that would be a topic that I would have to discuss with my 10-year-old.'

Following her death, the school district said it was 'incredibly saddened' to hear of the 'tragic loss'.

'We are incredibly saddened to learn of the passing of one of our students at Mountain View Elementary School,' the statement read.

'This is a tragic loss, and we stand in support of the family, friends, and Mountain View community

'Our schools take all reports of bullying and conflicts among students very seriously. Our schools educate students and respond appropriately to specific situations when we are made aware, including working with parents and families of students involved.'

Meanwhile, Roanoke County Schools spokesman Chuck Lionberger told the outlet every bullying case is investigated separately, and they make sure to follow up with students and their parents.

Since her passing, Autumn's mother and father have decided to turn the tragedy into something positive by advocating for other children who might be going through the same experience

Though he could not comment on Autumn's case specifically, Lionberger shared bullying resources that were sent out to parents following her death.

'We continue to encourage parents to not give students access to smartphones and social media until age 14, to closely monitor online interactions, and to report any bullying concerns to the school so that we can work with parents to intervene,' he stated.

Since her passing, Autumn's mother and father have decided to turn the tragedy into something positive by advocating for other children who might be going through the same experience.

In their community, friends, family and strangers have purchased 'Be Kind for Autumn' shirts, while churches and small businesses have hosted 'Stop the Bullying' events.

A mayor of a nearby town also plans to host an anti-bullying forum at the end of April in a bid to bring administrators and parents together to better understand the growing trend and find solutions for it.

Mark and Summer believe this is everything Autumn would have wanted in the wake of her death.

'She really had a heart for people. She was the very definition of an empath,' Mark said. 'She was always sticking up for someone else.'

During her funeral, which was held on March 21 at Christ Our Redeemer Christian Church, her father said his daughter made sure to treat everyone equally.

'She didnt care about your race, your ethnicity, your religion. You might have something that society deems ugly or weird, but in her eyes  and Gods eyes  thats beautiful,' Mark said.

'She really had a heart for people. She was the very definition of an empath,' Mark said. 'She was always sticking up for someone else.' (Pictured: Autumn and Mark)

A funeral service was held for Autumn on March 21 at Christ Our Redeemer Christian Church

'Because He does not make mistakes, and my daughter was always so good at seeing that. And I learned a lot from her in that regard.'

Her mother also launched a GoFundMe page in honor of her daughter.

'She took her own life in my home and Im in desperate need of a fresh start for my family. Please help me raise funds in order to move and make new memories,' Summer wrote.

As of Thursday morning, more than $5,600 was raised to help them through this hard time.

Pamela Hoffman, a psychiatrist and assistant professor at the Yale Child Study Center, told The Washington Post preteen children are dying by suicide at an alarming rate.

'So we now know that kids, preteen kids, in the 8-to-12-year-old range, are dying by suicide more than ever before. Especially girls,' Hoffman said.

'When someone is stating suicidal ideation, its something we can work on. We can try to catch them before a tragedy happens. But once theyve already tried, were now picking up pieces.'

For help and support contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline on 988
A couple was found dead in an alleged murder-suicide just a week before they were set to get married in Brazil.

Caroline Morales, 30, was strangled by her fiance, Vinicius Rodrigues, 33, on April 5, a day after she had called off their ceremony, according to a police report.

Rodrigues apparently hung himself in another room of the home they shared in Braganca Paulista, a city in the southeastern state of Sao Paulo.

Morales, a flight attendant, and Rodrigues, an airplane mechanic who also owned a bakery, had been dating for five months before they got engaged in December 2024.

A search of Rodgrigues' phone following the murder uncovered a text to a jeweler where he inquired about returning Morales' engagement ring, police said.

Morales decided to end the relationship because Rodrigues had become too controlling, her sister, Ingrid Novaes, told Brazilian news outlet G1.

'He controlled her every action and speech,' Novaes said.

'She was also a dreamer, she dreamed of being a mother. She was the best aunt my children could have. And if there is something I can highlight about her, it was her good heart.'

Morales broke the news to her family Friday around 8:30pm local time and informed them the wedding set for April 12 had been cancelled.

Caroline Morales (left) and Vinicius Rodrigues (right) were found dead at their home in Sao Paulo, Brazil on Saturday. Police said Rodrigues allegedly strangled his fiancee and then hung himself a day after she had called off their wedding, which was set to take place April 12

Caroline Morales (left) and Vinicius Rodrigues (right) had been dating for five months before they got engaged in December 2024

Morales allowed Rodrigues to stay in her home because he had nowhere else to stay and did not have any relatives in the city.

On Saturday morning, her loved ones became concerned when she failed to answer their phone calls and text messages.

The family made their way to a bakery the couple operated and discovered a sign that read, 'Closed due to mourning.'

They then went to the couple's residence and broke down the door and discovered Morales lying on her bed.

The family told Brazilian news outlet Metropoles that the couple had an argument April 4 and that she had already made up her mind that she no longer wanted to marry Rodrigues.

One of her family members said that Morales wanted some time off to see if they could resolve their issues before resuming the relationship.

'She got involved very quickly and, when she realized that it was getting out of control, she tried to back out,' they said.

Caroline Morales found that her fiancee was too controlling, her family said

A text message found in Rodrigues' cell phone revealed that he had reached out to the store where he purchased the engagement ring and asked for instructions on how to return it.

'They went to sleep peacefully, he didn't give any signs of anything,' one of Morales' family members told Metropoles.

'During the early hours of the morning, he woke up and committed the crime, suffocating Caroline while she was sleeping, went to the bakery, put up a mourning sign there and returned home and hung himself.'

The Sao Paulo Civil Police is investigating the incident as a femicide and suicide.
Teddi Mellencamp's dad John Mellencamp has discussed her burial plans amid her battle with stage 4 cancer.

Teddi Mellencamp has discussed joining her family's group mausoleum in a frank conversation with her father John Mellencamp

The 43-year-old star - who recently had tumours removed from her brain and lungs - received a call from the 73-year-old rock star telling her that she wants her final resting place to be in their "group family mausoleum" in Indiana.

Speaking on her 'Two Ts in a Pod' podcast this week, Teddi shared of their conversation: Finally, I answer, Im like, Im in the bath. Let me live a little.' He goes, I just want to make sure youre going to be in our group family mausoleum.

The former 'Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' star - who has Slate, 12, Cruz, ten, and Dove, five, with her estranged husband Edwin Arroyave - then pointed out that she would want her children to have a place at the mausoleum.

She recounted: Hes like, Well, theres going to be the top five and then were gonna have little areas around it, and then thats where everyones going to get buried.'"

Teddi added: He goes, Youre doing your will right now, so you may as well put it in there.'"

She then seemed to agree it was a good idea.

Teddi said: Im gonna have to work on my sister next week. The kids will be right behind me.

The star remains convinced that she can overcome cancer.

She recently told her Instagram followers: "Of course I know the chances but I truly believe with my whole heart, I will beat this and watch my kids graduate."

Teddi has been receiving immunotherapy and radiation treatments since being diagnosed with the melanoma.

And Edwin recently revealed that he's been "upfront" with their children about her health.

The father of her children - who she tied the knot with in 2011 - told Bravo: "I was upfront with them [about] what was going on.

"They got scared, obviously. They were concerned, but I tried my best not to sugarcoat it too much. I let them know, Hey, there, there are some risks that come with this. I called it the way it was."

Edwin has been impressed by the resilience and maturity that their offspring have shown since receiving the news.

The 47-year-old TV personality observed that the kids haven't allowed the situation to distract them from their schoolwork.

He said: "Ive been very impressed with them. Theyve still been doing great in school. Theyve been doing great in the sports."

What's more, Edwin has made a concerted effort to create a "normal" atmosphere at home.

He shared: "Ive tried to just keep it consistent with them - kind of keep a normal life, have them continue to do what theyve always done."
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is facing the wrath of her Democratic colleagues for her seemingly friendly appearance alongside President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on Wednesday.

During a press availability at the White House, Trump on camera praised Whitmer: 'She's really done an excellent job, a very good person.'

The Michigan Democrat was meeting with the president regarding issues in her home state, including an ongoing ice storm in the north, investments in the Selfridge Air National Guard Base outside of Detroit and an invasive fish in the Great Lakes.

It was her second time meeting with the president since he retook office in January.

But her presence in the Oval Office and Trump's glowing assessment of the Democratic governor led to members of her party questioning her ability to help lead the party into the 2028 election cycle.

'Gretchen Whitmer really woke up this morning and said 'how can I blow up my 2028 prospects as quickly as possible' and damn she executed perfectly!' one user wrote on X.

She happened to be sitting down with Trump in the middle of a dramatic day pausing his highly controversial tariffs.

Democratic Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer was noticeably uncomfortable when she was dragged into an Oval Office meeting with President Donald Trump on the sidelines of their pre-planned meeting to discuss issues and funding in her home state

Democrats noted that the optics for Whitmer were bad, with some saying she ruined her prospects of being the party's 2028 presidential candidate with her appearance with Trump on Wednesday, April 9, 2025

Just a few hours before the Oval appearance, Trump announced he was initiating a 90 day halt of imposing sweeping and steep international tariffs after 75 countries came to the table to negotiate more mutually beneficial trade deals.

Whitmer and Michigan Republican House Speaker Matt Hall already had a meeting set with Trump on the same day.

As a rising voice in the Democratic Party, many think Whitmer would make a good candidate for president in 2028  a year sure to be flooded with candidates in both the Republican and Democratic primary races.

Whitmer's team insists she was blind sided by being brought into the Oval Office press conference with Trump.

'The governor was surprised that she was brought into the Oval Office during President Trump's press conference without any notice of the subject matter,' a spokesperson for the governor said in a statement.

'Her presence is not an endorsement of the actions taken or statements made at that event.'

An image of Whitmer went viral on Wednesday with her standing along the outskirts of the Oval Office leaning against a door and looking wildly uncomfortable.

During the press availability in the Oval Office on Wednesday, Trump praised Whitmer by saying: 'She's really done an excellent job, a very good person'

A Democratic operative told NBC News that Whitmer being there was: 'Just a f---ing disaster.'

'It feels like it removes some of the momentum she had as a politically savvy swing-state Dem,' they added.

Neoconservative writer and commentator Bill Kristol, who was chief of staff to Vice President Dan Quayle, wrote on X: 'Gov. Whitmer stands in Oval Office as Trump signs disgraceful executive orders targeting Chris Krebs and Miles Taylor. She doesn't walk out. She doesn't say anything after to the media. Later on, her office puts out a weak statement.'

'Be better, Gov. Whitmer,' Kristol demanded in his post to X.

One Michigan user with 18,000 followers wrote: 'We have officially entered the upside down world of Michigan Politics. Speaker Matt Hall (R) and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer are in the Oval Office addressing President Trump.'
Democrat firebrand Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has raised suggestions of insider trading after President Donald Trump posted a stock market tip just hours before reversing course on tariffs.

Markets skyrocketed following the president's announcement pausing some of his global tariffs for 90 days on Wednesday.

Earlier that day he had posted on Truth Social that it would be a 'good time to buy.'

Those who purchased stocks in the hours between his post and the tariff U-turn made a lot of money.

Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez used her platform on X to give voice to what many on social media were also saying.

'Any member of Congress who purchased stocks in the last 48 hours should probably disclose that now,' the progressive Democrat posted.

'Ive been hearing some interesting chatter on the floor. Disclosure deadline is May 15th,' she continued.

'Were about to learn a few things. Its time to ban insider trading in Congress,' she wrote.

Members of Congress have 45 days to disclose stock trades, meaning May 15 will be the deadline for any trades around the time of the tariff announcement.

Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez called for lawmakers to disclose their stock purchases after the markets soared following President Trump's tariff U-turn amid questions over insider trading

The congresswoman's social media feed included another post which showed a chart indicating how the volume of trading spiked dramatically just minutes before Trump's announcement that he was delaying the tariffs.

The stock market had plunged roughly 12 percent since Trump announced his widespread tariffs on all countries on April 2. Trillions of dollars in value was wiped out.

Trump administration officials insisted ahead of the tariffs going into effect on Tuesday that the president was not considering a delay.

But on Wednesday morning as the markets continued to slide, Trump posted on Truth Social 'THIS IS A GREAT TIME TO BUY!!! DJT.'

After the pause announcement was made, stocks soared 9.5 percent.

When asked Wednesday afternoon what led to his decision to pause the tariffs, Trump first indicated it was the markets when he said people were getting out of line.

He said: 'They were getting a little bit yippy, a little bit afraid.'

Sitting in the Oval Office later on Wednesday, the president revealed more details on his U-turn decision timeline.

'I would say this morning, over the last few days, Ive been thinking about it,' he said.

AOC posted on X raising questions about insider trading after Trump's U-turn on tariffs

Trump's post on Wednesday morning just hours before he announced the tariff pause is raising questions

Ocasio-Cortez, 35, is not the only person to bring up insider trading after the president's tariff reversal and stock market buying frenzy.

Democratic Congressman Steven Horsford (D-Nev.) grilled Trump's trade representative at a hearing on Capitol Hill on Wednesday where he brought up the pause right after it happened and blasted the administration.

'Is this market manipulation?' Horsford asked Jamieson Greer, who responded 'no.'

'If it was a plan, if this was always a plan, how is this not market manipulation?' the Nevada congressman yelled.

Greer pushed back that is was not market manipulation, and they are trying to 'reset the global trade system.'

'Who's benefiting? What billionaire just got richer?' Horsford raged.

The questions were also brought up by Democratic Senator Chris Murphy who posted 'an insider trading scandal is brewing.'

The Connecticut lawmaker questioned in video posted on X about who made money from the president's announcement.

'This could be an enormous scam,' Murphy said.

'The question is, who close to Trump knew that he was going to suspend the tariffs? Which of his Mar-a-Lago friends or his billionaire advisers were able to capitalize on that inside information?' he asked.

'Why did Trump send out that post to his supporters earlier in the day?' the Democratic senator continued.

Despite stocks soaring on April 9 after the announcement, the trajectory did not last long.

DailyMail.com reached out to White House for comment in response to the questions being raised.

'It is the responsibility of the President of the United States to reassure the markets and Americans about their economic security in the face of nonstop media fearmongering,' said White House spokesperson Kush Desai in a statement.

'Democrats railed against Chinas cheating for decades, and now theyre playing partisan games instead of celebrating President Trumps decisive action yesterday to finally corner China,' he continued.

While the Dow closed up nearly 3,000 points on Wednesday, it did not make up for the massive losses from the previous week.

On Thursday, the markets continued to plunge again with the Dow at one point down 1,500 points.
A magistrate judge in Pennsylvania blinded her boyfriend in one eye by shooting him in the head as he slept after he tried to break up with her, a court heard.

Sonya McKnight was convicted on Wednesday of attempting to kill her former partner, Michael McCoy, in the early hours of February 10, 2024.

The couple were living in McCoy's Harrisburg, PA home at the time, but he tried to break up with McKnight that night and asked her to leave.

The jilted judge responded by shooting him in the head as he slept hours later. She called 911 around 12.50am and told EMS that her partner needed an ambulance.

McCoy told detectives he had been asleep for around an hour when woke 'with massive head pain' and could not see, according to a police report.

Prosecutors argued at trial that McKnight was a jealous partner who 'didn't like' that McCoy had asked her to leave his home.

They added that she even tried to convince her boyfriend he had shot himself.

Her attorney hit back, claiming that McCoy couldn't identify the shooter, and that the highest concentration of gunpowder residue was found on his hands.

A magistrate judge in Pennsylvania blinded her boyfriend in one eye by shooting him in the head as he slept after he tried to break up with her, a court heard. Sonya McKnight (pictured right) was convicted on Wednesday of attempting to kill her former partner, Michael McCoy

McCoy testified that he couldn't see after the shooting, but that McKnight was the only other person in the home at the time.

'There were two people in that house, and only two people in that house,' District Attorney Sean McCormack told reporters after the verdict.

'And one of them, the one who was shot, said he did not shoot himself.'

Jurors deliberated for two hours before convicting McKnight of attempted homicide and aggravated assault on Wednesday. She now faces up to 60 years in prison.

McKnight was taken away in handcuffs after the trial judge rejected her defense request that she be released. She is set to be sentenced on May 28.

The convict had been an elected judge in Dauphin County since 2016, but she was suspended without pay in mid-November 2023.

Former judge Sonya McKnight (pictured in her mugshot) was convicted on Wednesday of attempting to kill her former partner, Michael McCoy, in the early hours of February 10, 2024

The Judicial Conduct Board, which investigates and charges misconduct cases against Pennsylvania judges, alleged in a September filing that McKnight violated judicial probation from a previous misconduct case centered on her actions regarding a 2020 traffic stop involving her son.

She was acquitted of criminal charges in that matter.

McKnight was not charged when she shot her estranged husband in 2019 after inviting him over to help her move furniture, Pennlive.com reported.

Prosecutors didn't charge her, citing self-defense.
A robot mine sweeper is being trialled by the British Army which will eventually clear explosives on the front lines - and keep soldiers out of harm's way.

It is hoped the device, dubbed 'Weevil', will replace current mine-clearing methods that require a crew of three soldiers to risk their lives to carve a safe path through a minefield in a 62-tonne armoured vehicle.

Looking like a mini tank, the fearsome new piece of kit can be operated via remote control by a single person from several miles away.

It is fitted with a heavy duty plough and large claws that can be used to churn up the earth and clear a safe route through fields littered with hidden explosives.

The prototype was successfully tested in Newcastle on a surrogate minefield, and the technology is now being passed to the British Army for further development.

Its potential introduction into the military comes amid the growing threat posed by mines, which have been used to devastating effect during the Ukraine war.

Luke Pollard, armed forces minister, said: 'It won't be a moment too soon when we no longer have to send our people directly into harm's way to clear minefields.

'This kit could tackle the deadly threat of mines in the most challenging environments, while being remotely operated by our soldiers several miles away.'

The British Army has trialled a new robot mine sweeper dubbed the 'Weevil' (pictured)

Looking like a mini tank, the fearsome new piece of kit can be operated via remote control by a single person from several miles away

Pictured is an operator using a remote control to move the new Weevil robot

The robot was developed by scientists at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) and Newcastle-based firm Pearson Engineering.

The prototype is currently fitted to a Warrior infantry fighting vehicle.

However, defence chiefs say the tech could in theory be fitted to a range of vehicles, turning them into remote control mine sweepers.

Currently, the main role of clearing a path through fields full of buried explosives falls to the Trojan armoured fighting vehicle.

Operated by a trio of sappers from the Royal Engineers, the fearsome vehicle weighs a staggering 62.5tonnes - about five times as heavy as a double-decker bus.

It is armed with a full-width mine plough, dozer blade and excavator arm. A general purpose machine gun (GPMG) is also fitted to it.

The kit has recently been in service in Afghanistan and Iraq, where the threat posed by hidden improvised explosives was ever present.

Soldiers are also trained how to pick a path through a minefield, by painstakingly probing the earth with a knife to expose the explosives.

Cameras on board the new minesweeper robot show operators where they are going

Weevil is designed to take soldiers out of harms way to clear a path through a minefield

Pictured is the Army's current mine clearance work horse, the Trojan armoured vehicle

However, the activity is extremely hazardous. During a patrol in Kajaki, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, in 2006, seven soldiers were seriously injured and one killed after a dozen men ended up stranded in a minefield, with four explosives detonating.

The horror patrol was later portrayed in the 2014 movie, Kajaki.

More recently during the war in Ukraine, both Russian and Ukrainian forces have planted millions of mines across the frontline, which have proven deadly.

The Ministry of Defence said there are no current plans to provide the new Weevil system to Ukraine, with tests of the kit set to continue with the British Army.

Speaking of the tech, DSTL military adviser Major Andrew Maggs said: 'Weevil is the perfect combination of tried and tested technology and modern advancements.

'By enhancing existing vehicles with new capabilities, we're able to maximise their potential and give our troops a much-needed advantage, particularly in missions where time and safety are critical.'
Toblerone has announced a major change to its iconic packaging, a year after it was embroiled in a controversy over how 'Swiss' the chocolate is.

Last year, the company was banned from using the iconic image of the Swiss Matterhorn mountain peak on its packaging, after it announced it was moving production from Switzerland to Bratislava, the capital city of Slovakia.

Having the mountain peak on the packaging would've violated the country's Swissness Act, a piece of legislation passed in 2017 that bans national symbols and Swiss crosses from the packaging of products that that do not meet Swissness criteria.

But the company today said that it was investing 65million Swiss francs (60million) into its manufacturing plant in Bern, the country's capital.

With that, it revealed that the Swiss flag would soon adorn the packaging of Toblerone chocolates made in the country to emphasise the brand's heritage.

'Toblerone is one of the most famous chocolate brands in the world with tremendous potential,' said Iain Livingston, President, Toblerone & World Travel Retail.

He added: 'Our centre of excellence in Switzerland, from where we proudly bring our brand and chocolate expertise around the world, is key to the brand's growth ambition to win in the premium segment.'

Tim Spickenbaum, director of the production facility in Bern, adds: 'Our plant has been a cornerstone of the Toblerone production for decades. Already today we manufacture on average 4 million Toblerone products per production day.

Toblerone has announced a major change to its iconic packaging, a year after it was embroiled in a controversy over how 'Swiss' the chocolate is. The company has revealed that the Swiss flag would soon adorn the packaging of Toblerone chocolates made in the country to emphasise the brand's heritage (File image)

Last year, the company was banned from using the iconic image of the Swiss Matterhorn mountain peak on its packaging. Having the mountain peak on the packaging would've violated the country's Swissness Act, a piece of legislation passed in 2017 that bans national symbols and Swiss crosses from the packaging of products that that do not meet Swissness criteria. Pictured: The old Toblerone packaging

The Matterhorn mountain peak (pictured) was a mainstay on Toblerone's packaging

'We are therefore delighted about the planned modernizations and investments, which will not only enhance our manufacturing capacity but also solidify Bern's position as the home and heart of the triangular brand icon.'

The Swiss act specifies that edibles using Swiss national symbols or claiming to be 'Swiss made' must contain at least 80 per cent of the product's raw materials come from Switzerland. This increases to 100 per cent for milk and dairy products.

Because of its production of chocolates outside of Switzerland, the company was last year forced to replace the words 'of Switzerland' with 'established in Switzerland.'

Toblerone was invented in Switzerland by Theodor Tobler and Emil Baumann in 1908. 'Toblerone' is a play on words from the names 'Tobler' and 'Torrone', the Italian name for honey-almond nougat.

The brand is now owned by multinational firm Mondelez.

The company, which also owns the Cadbury family of confectionary, was accused of shrinking their products while keeping prices high - a practice known as 'shrinkflation.'

The new box shows a modernised logo with a generic mountain and 'established in Switzerland' rather than 'Swiss milk chocolate' and 'of Switzerland'

Because of its production of chocolates outside of Switzerland, the company was last year forced to replace the words 'of Switzerland' with 'established in Switzerland' (stock image)

Multipacks of Twirl, owned by Cadury, originally contained ten bars, now contain just nine - and have been cut from 215g to 193.5g.

With the confectionary typically retailing for 3, the cut means shoppers are now paying 1.55 per 100g, up from 1.40.

Manufacturer Mondelez International - which also own brands Daim, Oreo and Toblerone - blamed the move on soaring cocoa and dairy prices.

But British customers are set to be left feeling short-changed. Angry shoppers took to the comments section of online grocery website, Ocado, to vent their frustrations.

One fumed: 'Fewer bars, same money. Outrageous.'

Toblerone made headlines in 2022 when a 10-year-old boy shocked thousands after he noticed a hidden symbol on the packaging that the majority of people have never seen before. His mum revealed that the boy spotted a 'secret bear' inside the image of the Swiss mountains to the left of the word Toblerone

The chocolate treat also sparked controversy in 2016 when the 170g version was shrunk to 150g to keep prices steady - prompting a public outcry. Mondelez, the company behind Toblerone, made the gap between the triangles bigger, with some critics likening the new design to a bike rack

Their rating of just three stars out of five for the product was the same as another customer named Claire M, who also criticised the reduction.

She said: '[They are] lovely but there used to be ten. Shrinkflation.'

Toblerone faced fury in 2023 when new packs went on sale stripped of the sweet's Matterhorn mountain peak image.

The rebranding triggered users on social media after images of the new logo, which recently made an appearance in supermarkets in Switzerland, were shared online.

Facebook user Yantar D'yavol said: 'It's not just about the mountain, if you look closely you will notice that the bear is gone, a small detail that is easily overlooked.'

Another user named Susanne Albrecht said: 'That's right! Where Switzerland is on it, the content should also be from Switzerland.

'I won't have to buy anymore in the future!'

Then user Michael Skorjanc commented: 'This is really an extreme worry!!'

The chocolate treat also sparked controversy in 2016 when the 170g version was shrunk to 150g to keep prices steady - prompting a public outcry.

Mondelez, the company behind Toblerone, made the gap between the triangles bigger, with some critics likening the new design to a bike rack.

But, following protests from fans in 2018 the Toblerone bar returned to its original shape in two years later.

Toblerone made headlines again in 2022 when a 10-year-old boy shocked thousands after he noticed a hidden symbol on the packaging that the majority of people have never seen before.

His mum revealed that the boy spotted a 'secret bear' inside the image of the Swiss mountains to the left of the word Toblerone.

'My son had his first Toblerone today. 'What's the bear for?' Me: 'what bear?' the woman, called Stephanie, posted online.

'I was today years old when I found out there's a bear in the Toblerone logo,' she laughed.
Former Irish soldier Lisa Smith led a 'totally anonymous' life while living in Syria and there was no 'smoking gun' that she did anything for the so-called Islamic State (IS) terror group, her lawyer has claimed.

Smith, 43, from Dundalk in Co Louth, is appealing against her conviction for being a member of the unlawful organisation.

The ex-Defence Forces member was found guilty of IS membership in 2023 but was cleared of financing terrorism after a nine-week trial at Dublin's Special Criminal Court.

Smith went to Syria in 2015 after terrorist leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi called on Muslims to travel to the country.

She had pleaded not guilty to charges of membership of IS and providing funds to benefit the group.

Smith was handed 15 months in prison and lost an appeal over the severity of the sentence.

Arguing at the Court of Appeal, her barrister Michael O'Higgins said that Smith travelled to Syria out of a religious obligation, but that the court had dismissed that as 'irrelevant'.

O'Higgins said the court cannot ignore and deem inadmissible what the person's motive was to travel to Syria, adding that it was a 'flaw' to assume Smith was going there to do something unlawful.

Smith went to Syria in 2015 after terrorist leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi called on Muslims to travel to the country

The ex-Defence Forces member was found guilty of IS membership in 2023 but was cleared of financing terrorism after a nine-week trial at Dublin's Special Criminal Court

She had pleaded not guilty to charges of membership of IS and providing funds to benefit the group

He said that she led a 'totally anonymous' life in Syria, adding that there was no 'smoking gun or burning match' that she did anything for IS.

The court was told that Smith shopped and bought food and was subjected to serious assaults during her time there.

O'Higgins questioned what membership of an organisation looked like, saying that membership is not nor could ever include 'avid supporters' of a group.

He said that membership did not include someone who agreed with an unlawful organisation's aims, or members of a community who benefited from the actions of the illegal organisation.

O'Higgins gave the example of paramilitaries in Northern Ireland who ran a parallel justice system during the Troubles.

He said that some communities benefited from a decrease in anti-social behaviour but that those people did not become members of the IRA or UDA.

O'Higgins told the court that a fanatic who attacked a former RUC station or planted a bomb or did anything that mirrored the actions of the IRA did not automatically become a member.

The court was told that membership is not a state of mind or a virus.

He added that membership is not done by osmosis, that there must be some sort of application and acceptance to become a member.

O'Higgins said that she led a 'totally anonymous' life in Syria, adding that there was no 'smoking gun or burning match' that she did anything for IS

The court was told that Smith shopped and bought food and was subjected to serious assaults during her time there

Arguing at the Court of Appeal, her barrister Michael O'Higgins said that Smith travelled to Syria out of a religious obligation, but that the court had dismissed that as 'irrelevant'

Mr Justice John Edwards interjected and said that illegal organisations would not keep a register of membership, and proof of membership of the IRA is never adduced by the production of records.

Turning to social media posts by Smith, O'Higgins said that they predated her travelling to Syria and that 90 per cent of them were 'very mundane' and included posts about scriptures.

He said Smith did not use social media to post propaganda material about IS and Syria, and that her online posts 'pale in significance' to the keyboard warriors.

Her 2022 conviction meant she became the first person to be convicted in an Irish court of an Islamic terrorist offence committed abroad.

At the time, Mr Justice Tony Hunt said that that while Smith is a low risk for re-offending, she was persistent and determined in her efforts to travel to Syria and join Isis and has shown no remorse for her actions.

Smith left the Irish military in 2011 after converting to Islam four years earlier and travelled in 2015 on a one-way ticket to a IS-controlled region in Syria, where she married Sajid Aslam.

At the time, the hardline Islamists ruled over vast swathes of Syria and Iraq, attracting thousands of foreign fighters to their cause before the group's defeat in the region.

Prosecutors outlined how she expressed a desire on an Islamic Facebook page to live under Sharia law and to die a martyr in 2012.

Smith left the Irish military in 2011 after converting to Islam four years earlier and travelled in 2015 on a one-way ticket to a IS-controlled region in Syria, where she married Sajid Aslam

Smith was held in the notorious Al-Hawl and Ain Issa refugee camps in northern Syria while she waited to be sent home to Ireland after fleeing the city of Raqqa.

Her lawyer asked for her to be spared jail as she had already served a custodial sentence in Syrian camps.

He claimed IS members in the camps imposed cruel punishments on other refugees including, in some cases, setting their tents on fire and killing them in the process.

Thousands of people from Western countries were thought to have travelled to Syria or Iraq to join IS during their reign of terror, while others have been convicted of providing support for the group from abroad.

Yesterday Sinmya Amera Ceasar, from Brooklyn in the US, was sentenced to 19 years in federal prison for providing support to IS, obstructing justice, and attempting to flee the US to avoid sentencing.

She had used multiple social media accounts to spread propaganda, recruit others in the US to travel abroad and join the terror group, and even expressed her own desire to become a martyr, according to the US Department of Justice.
A British mother-of-four caught preparing to travel to Afghanistan with her children to make them martyrs for Islamic State has been jailed for life.

Farishta Jami, 36, pledged allegiance to Islamic State and had a 'clear interest in the use of children in warfare', including videos of children carrying out executions, which she shared online.

The former school dinner lady was this afternoon ordered to serve a minimum term of 17 years after a court heard how she sought to 'indoctrinate and sacrifice her children for the cause'.

Jurors heard Jami became an administrator on channels on the encrypted Telegram app which spread IS propaganda.

Over a fortnight leading up to her arrest in November 2023 she searched 22 times for one-way flights to Kabul from the UK and planned to take her children with her.

Michelle Heeley KC, prosecuting, said Jami made plans to take her family to Afghanistan to fight for Islamic State in Khorasan (ISK) - currently the terrorist group's most active branch.

Officers found 1,200 in cash hidden under a bed in her home along with passports that Jami was trying to sneak out of the house as police searched it.

Bank statements showed she had more than 4,200 in two accounts, which the prosecutor said was 'only going towards one thing, one-way tickets to Afghanistan'.

Farishta Jami with her hair uncovered in a police mugshot issued after her conviction in February...

...and in a second mugshot issued a day later after Jami complained about the initial image

Sentencing Jami at Leicester Crown Court, Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb said multiple deaths were 'very likely to be caused' in suicide attacks by Jami and her children - who were all under 16 - in Afghanistan.

'Your intention to commit acts of terrorism was not transitory or fleeting, but one that you had settled on during a period of months. There is no evidence whatsoever that you are on a path to deradicalisation,' she added.

'The outcome of this trial means you will lose all normal contact with your four children, at least until they are adults.'

The judge told Jami she had 'adopted the ISIS philosophy of hatred and violence' and added: 'What you planned to do in sacrificing at least one of your children for ISIS was simply wicked.

'You distributed those suicide videos of young boys, who should have been glorying in their health, their intelligence and their potential, but were radicalised and brainwashed into giving up their life, while murdering others.

'That any mother should decide that her own child should follow their example is almost inconceivable, but that is what the ideology you embraced called for.

'It is to be hoped that your children will grow up to value their lives and determine to make the best of them in this country which provides them with many opportunities for a happy, fulfilled future.'

Following Jami's conviction in February, police released a second mugshot of her - wearing a niqab  after Jami complained an earlier custody image showed her without a head covering.

West Midlands Police released the image where just Jamis eyes were visible beneath a full head covering after Jami - who wore just a headscarf throughout her trial - complained to her barrister Matthew Brook KC about the earlier mughot. That image showed her long dark hair uncovered and tied back.

Jami was born in Afghanistan and entered an arranged marriage at the age of 17. She followed her husband to Britain in 2008 and the pair settled in the North West of England, with Jami pregnant with their first child.

She worked for many years as a lunchtime supervisor in a primary school, while also attending a Koran study circle three times a week and operating two social media channels offering advice about Islam.

1,200 cash found hidden under a mattress at the new-build home where she settled in a village outside Stratford-upon-Avon

Jami was granted British citizenship in December 2011. But the marriage later became violent and in 2023 Jami was helped to move 130 miles south to a refuge in Shakespeares birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon.

She ended up in a housing association property on a new-build estate a few miles outside the affluent Warwickshire town, surrounded by a mixture of starter and executive homes.

A neighbour in the new leisure village called Meon Vale told MailOnline one of his few dealings with Jami involved her returning a bottle of champagne he had gifted her.

The resident, who asked not to be named, said: At Christmas time we gave a hamper to all of our close neighbours.

They included a bottle of champagne but Farishta gave her bottle back to us because she was a Muslim and didnt drink.

He described Jami as rather sweet and said he mowed her lawn for her and in return, she would bring us food on occasions.

The man said that apart from these infrequent encounters with the would-be Jihadist, he rarely saw Jami leave her home  until armed police arrived in November 2023 to kick the door in.

Jami's trial heard she spent much of her time on her phone  engaged in chats from multiple Telegram accounts or peddling Islamic State propaganda on her YouTube channel.

The defence claimed this was because Jami was isolated and lonely in a sleepy Warwickshire community, but the court heard Jami graduated to an organising and administrative role in IS.

When the officers examined Jami's phones they found that Jami had become the administrator for several channels on the encrypted Telegram app which spread Islamic State propaganda and instructional material.

Some of the groups had over 700 members and Jami shared and received videos showing dead bodies, beheadings, how to assemble an assault rifle and manuals on how to make explosives and construct homemade bombs.

The wad of notes in-situ under the mattress at Jami's home

Of the videos that she had, a number depicted children being used as suicide bombers.

In one message on July 11 2023 Jami had written: 'Praise to Allah, god willing I and my children get martyrdom and you also distribute sweets (n celebration) my sister. 'May Allah enable us all to get together in Khorasan (Afghanistan)'.

Ms Heeley said Jami was 'readying her children to become martyrs, she was assisting them to become terrorists.'

'They of course were far too young to understand what was happening,' she added.

The judge told the defendant: 'What no one outside knew was that your time and energy were spent participating in the online promotion of ISIS propaganda through numerous chat groups and channels, predominantly on the Telegram platform.'

On October 7, the day of the Hamas attack in Israel, Jami sent four videos to one of her children, including footage of an Israeli soldier being killed.

The child shared the material in school on a Teams chat.

The next day, October 8, Jami told a contact: 'I have to bring four children,' adding: 'God willing I will come, my sister, the tickets need a lot of money I am collecting and will come.'

The new-build home where Jami lived outside Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire

She added: 'My brother we are 100 per cent leaving in the next months, pray for me that we are successful' adding that she would encourage her children 'until the times comes.'

That month, Jami's eldest child told a teacher how they had been watching videos of Israeli people being beheaded and tortured on TikTok in the aftermath of the October 7 attacks.

The child was referred to the Prevent de-radicalisation scheme and consideration was given to referring a second child, moves which led to a police investigation.

When police raided Jami's address in November 2023, they seized a large number of phones and 30 SIM cards hidden in a plastic bag at the side of the bed.

But Jami continued her online activities using a 'secret chat' function on Telegram - and in one message pledged to convert fellow inmates to Islam if she went to prison.

Jami told police she was communicating with people who had an interest in Islamic State to challenge their views.

But Ms Heeley said the messages sent 'do not show a woman challenging terrorist views, rather they show a woman who shares the same views, and encourages others'.

She said Jami was 'planning on travelling to Afghanistan to support Islamic State, to martyr herself, and more worryingly, her children, on behalf of the cause of IS.

'She doesn't want to simply sacrifice herself, she wants to martyr her children.'

Jami was found guilty of two counts of preparing acts of terrorism by making plans to take her family to Afghanistan to fight for Islamic State in Khorasan Province.

Detective Chief Superintendent Alison Hurst, head of Counter-Terrorism Policing West Midlands, said Jami had been sharing 'really concerning nasty videos' and sent some of that material to her own children.

'It was really concerning from that perspective, as they were young and vulnerable', she added.

'The mother has been arrested and brought to justice for the really horrendous crime that she committed, the children's vulnerabilities have been identified and they have been appropriately safeguarded.'


In upending global trade, Trump had done more to help Xi Jinping make China the world's preeminent superpower 'than any other living human being', Professor Steve Tsang told the Mail's new 'Apocalypse Now?' podcast.

In conversation with special correspondent David Patrikarakos, Professor Tsang argued that the reputational harm done to America by Trump will likely push former allies into China's arms.

Professor Tsang is director of SOAS university's China Institute: born in British Hong Kong, he is an expert in the politics and governance of the world's second biggest economy.

Trump's trade war with China escalated on Wednesday, with America's effective tariff rate against the nation now standing at a record 125%.

Xi Jinping responded by taking China's tariffs on American imports to 84%, with Professor Tsang arguing that this global 'game of chicken' will harm the US more in the long run.

'On a human level, both sides will pay a huge economic price for this', Tsang said.

Listen to new politics podcast - Apocalypse Now?' wherever you get your podcasts. Listen now

Professor Steve Tsang: 'Donald Trump has done more than any other living being in making China great again.' Listen here

'But the Americans have been spectacularly effective in undermining everything positive that the United States has represented since the Second World War.

'Xi Jinping's global strategy has been to undermine the liberal international order, to capture it from within and turn it into something more China friendly.

'Donald Trump has just taken the single most effective step to further Xi's long-term objectives  so from Beijing's perspective, while this trade war is bad, the overall outcome is much more beneficial for China.

'Xi Jinping would like to make China great again and Donald Trump has just done more than any other living being in making China great again.'

While upping the ante with China, Trump eased global stock markets by ordering a ninety day pause over tariff hikes on other nations.

Professor Tsang noted however that if Trump's strategy is to replace China in America's supply chain with other more friendly alternatives, it will prove a mammoth undertaking.

'The direction of travel we're talking about here is a hard economic decoupling: the two economies [America and China] have been very complimentary in the past.

'Both are heavily reliant on the other for critical supplies of different types. The critical minerals that the United States needs for certain industries will not be provided. The high-tech items China needs for its own economy will also not be delivered.

'This will have a severe impact on both nations and other countries do not have anywhere near enough of these resources to compensate for the disruption.'

Professor Tsang is director of SOAS university's China Institute: born in British Hong Kong , he is an expert in the politics of the world's second biggest economy. Listen here

Professor Steve Tsang: 'From Beijing's perspective, while this trade war is bad, the overall outcome is much more beneficial for China' Listen here

Trump eased global stock markets by ordering a ninety day pause over tariff hikes on other nations

Host Patrikarakos asked Tsang whether this trade war could be a prelude to a full-blown war, an assertion the Professor dismissed.

'While there is always a risk when you are dealing with two very powerful countries who are governed by individual leaders who say they have right on their side', Tsang said.

'The risk of a hot war is very slight. The US, for all Trump's talk of imperialism, does not have the capacity to invade China.

'For Xi Jinping, his foremost priority is to stay in power and to keep the communist party in power. Going to war with the US puts that at risk.

'For that reason, I don't see Trump or Xi wanting to get into a hot war situation, not at least in the foreseeable future.'

Apocalypse Now? is a brand-new weekly global news podcast hosted by the Daily Mail's special correspondent and best-selling author David Patrikarakos.

Every episode promises a panel of guests who are on the frontline of the geopolitical world as it threatens to spin off its axis.

Each week, listeners can expect informed analysis, discussion, and on-the-ground reporting about the most influential diplomatic flashpoints.

From President Trump rewriting American foreign policy at will and war in Europe, to hostilities in the Middle East and the resurgence of Isis  has world order ever felt so uncertain?

You can listen to 'Apocalypse Now?' wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes are released every Thursday.
A Los Angeles-bound flight from the Philippines was forced to make an emergency landing in Japan as the aircraft filled with smoke.

Philippine Airlines Flight PR102, carrying 355 passengers and four crew members, took off from Manila International Airport at approximately 10 pm on Wednesday.

Trouble arose when one of the air conditioners in the cabin started smoking, Philippines news organization ABS-CBN reported.

'It was so bad. The smoke filled the air. We all covered our mouths and noses as staff seemed to panic,' passenger Valerie Del Castillo told the outlet, adding she woke up to the smell of burning plastic.

'I didn't panic until a representative came on the intercom announcing we will be looking for a place to emergency land the plane with a quivering voice. I could hear the fear in his words.'

Terrified occupants recalled how the smoke stung their eyes and lungs when the chaos erupted.

Shocking footage captured by Reyvie Hernandez, a man onboard, showed passengers covering their mouths with their shirts and pillows to avoid smoke inhalation.

The Boeing 777 diverted to Tokyo's Haneda Airport just before 2:30 am local time, Philippine Airlines told ABC 7.

Terrified passengers used their shirts and pillows to cover their mouths to avoid smoke inhalation

Philippine Airlines Flight PR102 was forced to make an emergency landing in Japan as the aircraft filled with smoke (stock image)

An airline spokesperson explained to ABS-CBN the flight finally 'landed safely' at around 3:30 am, but the plane was not assigned a gate until about 10 am.

In the meantime, passengers and crew had to patiently wait onboard. The doors of the vessel were opened to air out the remaining smoke, most of which was reportedly gone by the time the plane landed.

On-flight video captured flight attendants prying open one of the cabin doors. 'Oh my God,' one of the women exclaimed when the door finally opened.

Although Del Castillo pointed out the staff appeared flustered, others commended them for their efforts.

'They did the best they could. Theres so many people crying and panicking at one point. Some passengers got up,' passenger Jennifer Taylor told ABS-CBN.

'The flight attendants were able to calm everybody down and eventually got everybody back on their seat.'

Comedian Jo Koy was on the horrifying flight and shared a message about the experience after he offboarded.

'We had to do an emergency landing in Tokyo, Japan,' he said in the video.

'The flight attendants on Philippine Airlines were amazing... Thank you for remaining calm in a situation that could have went south fast.'

The Boeing 777 diverted to Tokyo's Haneda Airport just before 2:30 am local time, but people were unable to exit until around 10 am

No one was injured and Tokyo's Department of Transportation is working to accommodate everyone impacted by the diversion, ABS-CBN reported.

DailyMail.com has reached out to Philippine Airlines for comment.

This incident comes nearly two weeks after an American Airlines flight from New York to Japan was forced to turn around and go back to the US despite being 12 hours into the 14-hour trip.

American Airlines Flight 167, bound for Haneda Airport, departed from John F. Kennedy International Airport at 10:45 am ET on March 31.

The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft was flying over the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of Alaska, when the pilots were forced to turn around due to maintenance issues.

Instead of returning to an airport along the West Coast, the plane flew for another five hours to land at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport around 10 pm CT.

These passengers were reportedly put in a hotel in Texas and left for Tokyo again the next day.
An AfD-aligned German journalist has been given a seven-month probation sentence after he shared a meme that mocked his country's government's 'hatred' of free speech.

David Bendels, editor-in-chief of the AfD-affiliated newspaper 'Deutschland-Kurier', was handed the sentence by the Bamberg District Court in central Germany on Monday for charges of insult, 'defamation, and slander against political figures'.

He had shared a doctored photo of Nancy Faeser, the former interior minister, holding a sign that read: 'I hate freedom of expression.'

The original photo showed Faeser holding a sign reading 'We remember' as part of a campaign on the Day of Remembrance for the Victims of National Socialism.

This was posted after UNESCO and the World Jewish Congress had called for images of high-profile people holding signs with the hashtag #WeRemember to be posted online.

Bendels claimed the meme, posted by his newspaper's X account, was satirical.

But the judge in the case said during the verdict that Bendels published a 'deliberately untrue and contemptuous statement about Interior Minister Ms. Faeser (...) that would not be recognizable to the unbiased reader and is likely to significantly impair her public work'.

On top of the probationary sentence, he was ordered to pay his daily income 210 times in recompense.

David Bendels (pictured), editor-in-chief of the AfD-affiliated newspaper 'Deutschland-Kurier', was handed the sentence by the Bamberg District Court in central Germany on Monday

He had shared a doctored photo of Nancy Faeser, the former interior minister, holding a sign that read: 'I hate freedom of expression'

Bendels was also told by the court to send Faeser a written apology for posting the meme.

The editor said he would be fighting the ruling: 'We will not accept this ruling and will defend ourselves against it with all legal means at our disposal.'

He also claimed it was the first time since the founding of the Federal Republic of Germany that a journalist has been threatened with prison time over defaming a politician.

Germany's political class has been up in arms over the ruling.

Bjorn Hocke, the leader of AfD in Thuringia, said: 'German politicians, responsible for the deindustrialization of our country and tearing its citizens apart from each other made Germany a laughingstock of the world.

'They armor themselves and attack freedom of speech again and again, ending our constitutional democracy. We have been warned by Donald Trump and Elon Musk: The enemies of freedom are found within the EU-governments!'

Alan Posener, a British-German journalist who was Executive of the Communist Students Association and the Maoist Communist Party, wrote in a column: 'Repurposing this photo in this way is tasteless and provocative. Accusing the interior minister of a democratic state of hating freedom of expression is stupid and mean.

The original photo showed Faeser holding a sign reading 'We remember' as part of a campaign on the Day of Remembrance for the Victims of National Socialism

Green Party politician Ricarda Lang (pictured, right) stood in solidarity with the editor

'But punishable? Fortunately, neither bad taste nor stupidity, meanness nor provocation are punishable. Whether you like it or not, they have always been part of the political game.'

Even left-wing Green Party politician Ricarda Lang, who is usually politically opposed to Bendels, stood in solidarity with him.

She wrote on X: 'Sorry, but a ruling like this no longer has anything to do with proportionality.'
China adds 12 U.S. entities to export control list

Xinhua) 10:17, April 10, 2025

BEIJING, April 9 (Xinhua) -- China has added 12 U.S. companies, including American Photonics and Novotech, Inc., to its export control list, the country's commerce ministry announced on Wednesday.

These companies have engaged in activities that may endanger China's national security and interests, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce said in a statement.

Effective from 12:01 p.m. Thursday, the export of dual-use items to these 12 companies will be prohibited, while any ongoing related export activities must stop immediately, according to the Ministry of Commerce.

The ministry added that in special cases where export is deemed necessary, the exporter must apply for approval.

The decision was made in accordance with Chinese laws and regulations, the spokesperson said, stressing that no exporter will be allowed to violate these control measures.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Jean-Claude Van Damme has described allegations against him as "grotesque" and "unfounded".

Jean-Claude Van Damme has branded the claims as 'unfounded'

The 64-year-old 'Street Fighter' actor has been accused of knowingly engaging in sexual relations with women who had been trafficked by a criminal group led by Morel Bolea.

In a new statement to PEOPLE magazine translated from French, his agent Patrick Goavec said: "We have become aware of articles alleging an alleged affair in Cannes involving Mr. Jean-Claude Van Damme.

"The reported facts are both grotesque and non-existent.

"Mr. Van Damme does not wish to comment or fuel this rumour, which is as absurd as it is unfounded."

Van Damme is accused of having received five Romanian women as a "gift" in Cannes, France, with prior knowledge they had come from a trafficking group.

Attorney Adrian Cuculis, who represents one of the victims, told the outlet the quintet "were in a state of vulnerability, with the suspicion that they were exploited within the meaning of Article 182 of the Criminal Code."

He added: Several Romanians who are currently being investigated for forming a criminal group and pimping, allegedly offered Jean-Claude Van Damme five Romanian women  photo models in Romania  for him to have sexual relations with. The person who received those benefits knew their condition."

A woman who witnessed the alleged incident is said to have spoken with prosecutors, prompting DIICOT to open a criminal investigation.

The incident is part of a larger investigation into human trafficking that the Prosecutor's Office in Romania launched in 2020.

According to Antena 3, because the alleged incident happened in Cannes, the High Court of Cassation in France must authorise criminal proceedings for the case to move forward.

The suspects will then be summoned to Romania to give statement.

The Belgian action star - who is nicknamed The Muscles from Brussels - previously admitted he wanted to be "the macho man" when he was younger, which led to his falling out with Steven Seagal, but he insisted the row has now ended.

The pair were embroiled in a lengthy spat with the 'Under Siege' star for years after Seagal questioned his martial arts ability in a 1991 interview and Van Damme later challenged him to a fight at a party thrown by Sylvester Stallone.

However, Van Damme is adamant there's no longer any bad blood between them. He told DailyMail.com: "I have no problem with Steven. When youre young you want to be the macho man. If I saw him today, Id have no problem."
Sir Keir Starmer today pledged an extra 3,000 new neighbourhood officers would be on the streets by next year.

The Prime Minister, speaking on a visit to a police headquarters in Cambridgeshire, said the recruits would be 'on the beat... not stuck behind a desk'.

He also reiterated Labour's commitment to provide every neighbourhood with a 'named contactable officer'.

But the Tories poured scorn on Sir Keir's comments and warned Labour's 'job tax' had put thousands of police roles at risk and left forces facing a funding shortfall.

During his attendance at an event in Huntingdon, Sir Keir told police officers: 'I want you to have the tools that you need to do the job that we ask you to do.

'With our neighbourhood policing guarantee, we'll deliver 13,000 new neighbourhood officers by 2029.

'And today I can announce the first step, 3,000 new neighbourhood officers by the start of next year.

'All of them visible, on the beat and serving their communities, not stuck behind a desk, or taken away to plug shortages from elsewhere.'

Sir Keir Starmer joined police on patrol in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, as he pledged an extra 3,000 new neighbourhood officers would be on the streets by next year

The Prime Minister also reiterated Labour's commitment to provide every neighbourhood with a 'named contactable officer'

The Government is using a 200million cash injection to help deliver the 3,000 extra neighbourhood officers and police community support officers (PCSOs) by March 2026.

Labour said this would increase law enforcement resources on the streets of England and Wales by 15 per cent.

Derbyshire, Yorkshire, and Somerset are among the areas that are set to see a surge in officer numbers, in addition to Cambridgeshire.

The 3,000 new neighbourhood officers the Government has pledged to introduce include 2,500 police officers and nearly 400 PCSOs.

Sir Keir added: 'From this July, so a few months time, every neighbourhood will have a named contactable officer.

'They'll have guaranteed police patrols in town centres and hot spots, particularly at peak times like Friday and Saturday nights.

'People will be able to go online and measure how their local neighbourhood team is performing.

'There will be a range of ways for local residents and businesses to raise their concerns and to demand change from their neighbourhood policing team.'

The PM dismissed the idea that anti-social behaviour was 'low-level crime'.

'It isn't. It really affects individuals, their families and their communities, inhibits what they could do,' Sir Keir said.

'So that's why we've got to end this culture of crime that is destroying our communities.'

But Tory MP Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, said Chancellor Rachel Reeves' decision to hike National Insurance was harming police forces.

'Thanks to Labour's jobs tax, our police services face a 118million shortfall, putting over 1,800 police jobs at risk,' he said.

'What's more, the Metropolitan Police are cutting 1,700 jobs and services, including moving officers out of schools, making our streets and schools less safe.

'The previous Conservative government delivered record police officers, but law and order is taking a backseat under Labour.

'They must urgently get a grip to ensure our police have the resources they need to cut crime and keep the British people safe.'
Oakland's new prosecutor has signaled she is intent on being tougher on criminals than her unpopular progressive predecessor.

Alameda County District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson broke with her predecessor Pamela Price as she filed charges that could land an alleged murderer in prison without the possibility of parole, which Price had refused to do.

Price was a vocal opponent of adding special circumstances enhancements to even the most heinous of cases, and her leniency in tackling crime led her to be recalled by furious residents last year as the city descended into chaos.

Price's office had refused to add special circumstances enhancements to the case of Shane Killian, 55, who allegedly murdered five of his family members in Alameda, including his 1 and 6-year-old sons, in July 2024.

Price's office had been similarly lenient with other brutal cases such as East Bay serial killer David Misch, who is eligible for parole in 50 years despite murdering at least four people.

Killian was initially hit with five murder charges under Price's leadership, but the former DA did not include a multiple victim enhancement that would make him eligible for life without parole.

This decision was reversed by Dickson in one of her first moves since replacing Price, as she formed a 'special circumstances' committee that agreed to move ahead with upgraded charges against Killian, per Mercury News.

Alameda County District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson broke with her soft-on-crime predecessor as she filed charges that could land an alleged murderer in prison without the possibility of parole

Dickson made the decision in the case of Shane Killian, 55, who allegedly murdered five of his family members in Alameda, including his 1 and 6-year-old sons, in July 2024

Dickson made the move as one of her first actions since taking over as Alameda County District Attorney from Pamela Price (pictured), who was recalled by voters for her soft-on-crime policies

The decision over whether Killian's charges will be enhanced to possibly remove his chance at parole will be decided by Judge Clifford Blakely on April 11.

Blakely will rule on a motion filed by Killian's defense not to allow the district attorney's office to upgrade the charges.

The alleged killer's defense argued that the matter of his charges had been settled under the previous administration, and said there was 'no valid reason for the deviation from the original charging decision.'

'Nothing in this case appears to have charged other than the District Attorneys own administration,' they said.

Prosecutors usually have leniency when amending and upgrading criminal complaints, with the soft policies enacted by Price the reason that Dickson was elected to succeed her in the first place.

Price was elected in 2022 on a platform of reducing prison incarceration rates and rode the wave of the Black Lives Matter movement into office.

But she quickly made herself an unpopular figure in Oakland with soft-on-crime decisions while in office, with violent crime soaring in the city 21 percent after she took over.

Price then claimed that efforts to boot her from office were 'racist.'

Violent crime in Oakland soared after Price took over as DA as she became known for her soft-on-crime policies

One of Price's most controversial moves was her refusal to seek special enhancements against East Bay serial killer David Misch, which means he would have the possibility of parole despite killing at least four people

Price also refused to seek upgraded charges in Killian's case (pictured with his wife), which officials branded a 'tragedy'

She refused to seek enhancements in several high-profile cases, including the serial killer case of Misch, and sparked fury with her decision over Killian's case.

In that case, Killian allegedly shot his wife, one and six-year-old sons, and his in-laws in a horrific spree in their California home.

Alameda Police Chief Nishant Joshi described the incident as 'tragedy', telling The Mercury News that 'these are the actions of a coward.'

Prosecutors say Killian called 911 and claimed his wife murdered the family, and a neighbor allegedly claimed his father-in-law told him that Killian was the shooter before he passed away.

Killian is being held without bail at Santa Rita Jail, and his case is on hold before the hearing is held on his special circumstances charges on Friday morning.
Six years ago, LVMH's billionaire CEO Bernard Arnault and President Donald Trump cut the blue ribbon on a factory in rural Texas that would make designer handbags for Louis Vuitton, one of the world's best-known luxury brands.

But since the high-profile opening, the factory has been plagued with problems limiting the production of coveted items like the French fashion giant's much-coveted $2,700 Vendome Opera Bag.

A senior fashion industry source who saw internal rankings shared with staff told Reuters the site has consistently ranked among the worst-performing for LVMH globally, 'significantly' underperforming other facilities.

Eleven former Louis Vuitton employees at the 250-acre Rochambeau Ranch in Alvarado, a rural community 45 miles southwest of Dallas, have lifted the lid on why the facility has struggled to produce the designer purses.

Leather workers at the factory lack the skills to hit the high targets needed for the bags to pass quality control, prompting many to try to cut corners, while the waste products piled up, several former staff members told Reuters.

One anonymous former employee who worked at the factory until 2023 admitted that she cut corners, like using a hot pin to 'melt' canvas and leather to conceal imperfections in the complicated Vendome Opera Bag.

Another former leather worker said they'd seen people melt material to hide holes or other imperfections in stitching.

Workers even struggled with simpler pieces, according to several former employees.

Eleven former Louis Vuitton employees at the 250-acre Rochambeau Ranch in Alvarado, a rural community 45 miles southwest of Dallas, have lifted the lid on why the facility has struggled to produce the designer purses. (Pictured: the Rochambeau Ranch)

Six years ago, LVMH's billionaire CEO Bernard Arnault and President Donald Trump cut the blue ribbon on a factory in rural Texas that would make designer handbags for Louis Vuitton

'It took them years to start making the simple pockets of the Neverfull handbag,' one source familiar with operations at the plant said, referring to the classic Louis Vuitton shoulder tote bag.

Errors made during the cutting, preparation and assembly process led to the waste of as many as 40 percent of the leather hides, said one former staffer with detailed knowledge of the factory's performance.

Industry-wide, typical waste rates for leather goods are generally 20 percent, according to a senior industry source.

To boost production numbers, supervisors routinely turned a blind eye toward methods to conceal defects, and in some cases encouraged them, four former employees told Reuters.

Ludovic Pauchard, Louis Vuitton's industrial director, acknowledged there had been such cases in the past, but said the issue had been resolved. 'This dates back to 2018 and one particular manager who isn't part of the company anymore,' he said.

'The ramp-up was harder than we thought it would be, that's true,' he added during an interview on Friday in response to detailed questions about Reuters findings.

Poorly-crafted handbags deemed unfit for sale are shredded on-site and carted away in trucks for incineration, two of the sources with knowledge of the firm's supply chain said.

A former production supervisor who often travelled to the site, said Louis Vuitton mostly used the Texas plant for less sophisticated handbag models, producing its most expensive products elsewhere.

Pauchard said the company was being 'patient' with 'a young factory.'

Since the high-profile opening, the factory has been plagued with problems limiting the production of coveted items like the French fashion giant's much-coveted $2,700 Vendome Opera Bag (pictured above)

'Any bag that goes out of it must be a Louis Vuitton bag, we make sure it meets exactly the same quality,' he said. 'I am not aware of any kinds of issues suggesting the quality coming from Texas is any different from that coming from Europe.'

The plant's problems highlight the challenges for LVMH as it attempts to build its production footprint in the US to avoid Trump's threatened tariffs on European-made goods.

Perched behind a hill, the handbag maker's two production facilities were built on grounds near grazing cattle and a gas well. Louis Vuitton named the site Rochambeau in tribute to a French general who fought in the Revolutionary War.

Workers at the site make components and entire models of Louis Vuitton handbags like Felice pochettes and Metis bags  with 'Made in USA' tags inside. The items sell for around $1,500 and $3,000 at high-end boutiques.

LVMH declined to comment when asked which handbag models are fully or partially made in Texas but former workers interviewed by Reuters mentioned the Carryall, Keepall, Metis, Felice and Neverfull handbag lines among the plant's products.

In its marketing material, Louis Vuitton says its handbags - typically made at French, Spanish or Italian leather ateliers by artisans known as 'petites mains' - are assembled using a process that it has perfected since the mid 19th century.

After cutting canvas and leather using hand tools and laser-cutting machines, they stitch pieces together using industrial sewing machines.

Workers at the Texas facility, which includes dedicated floors for cutting and for assembly as well as a warehouse, were initially paid $13 per hour.

As of 2024, base pay for a leather worker position at the plant was $17 per hour, according to two people who recently applied for positions. The minimum wage in Texas is $7.25 an hour.

Eleven former Louis Vuitton employees at the 250-acre Rochambeau Ranch in Alvarado, a rural community 45 miles southwest of Dallas, have lifted the lid on why the facility has struggled to produce the designer purses. (Pictured: the area which hosts Rochambeau Ranch)

A former leather worker who arrived as a migrant in the U.S. some years before, said she felt proud when she was hired by the prestigious French brand, but said some workers struggled to meet the brand's quality standards and production targets.

'We were under a lot of pressure to make the daily goals,' said the former worker, who left the factory at the end of 2019.

Damien Verbrigghe, Louis Vuitton's international manufacturing director, conceded some at the Texas plant had chosen to change jobs or leave because of its stringent quality requirements.

'There are artisans that we hire, who we train and who, after several weeks, or months, realize in light of the expectations, the level of detail that is required, they would rather work in other fields like logistics,' he said.

'Some people chose to leave us, because it's true that it's a job that requires a lot of savoir faire.'

Three former workers at the plant said they received between two and five weeks of training.

A current Louis Vuitton employee in France said receiving just a few weeks of training wasn't unusual as most learning happens on the production line supervised by more experienced craftspeople.

'Knowledge of sewing on leather/canvas is a plus, but not required. We offer comprehensive training,' the company said in a job posting for artisan positions in Alvarado published on its website in January.

Verbrigghe said training in Texas is 'exactly the same program that we have in all our workshops,' that is, six weeks on the training line, where new artisans do nothing but learn basic operations and skills before going on to train on the assembly line.

There, he said, they are 'accompanied and continuously mentored by trainers.'

Six years ago, LVMH's billionaire CEO Bernard Arnault and President Donald Trump cut the blue ribbon on a factory in rural Texas that would make designer handbags for Louis Vuitton

LVMH also got a host of tax breaks and incentives from Johnson County, including a 10-year, 75% property tax cut, promising the company an estimated $29 million in savings.

'We look forward to serving this exceptional company,' wrote the county's top executive, Roger Harmon, in 2017 correspondence seen by Reuters.

In its 2017 application letter for the tax abatement, obtained by Reuters through records request, LVMH said it was aiming to hire 500 people within the first five years of the plan.

At the ribbon-cutting ceremony in 2019, Arnault said, 'We will create approximately 1,000 high-skilled jobs here at Rochambeau over the next five years.'

Three former staffers, however, said headcount stood at just under 300 workers in February 2025, a figure Verbrigghe confirmed.

The White House did not respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Pauchard said initial recruitment difficulties were largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown that followed, adding that a decline in local demand also played a role.

Despite the problems, LVMH is planning to move even more jobs to Texas.

LVMH said in its 2017 filing that its first Texas production facility would cost around $30 million. A second filing from 2022 to local authorities put the cost of its second workshop, completed last year, at $23.5 million.

At a town hall last fall, workers at one of two California production sites were told that it would close 2028 and they could move to Texas or quit, according to a former employee who was present.

Pauchard confirmed the town hall and said Louis Vuitton intended to streamline its California operations and transfer more skilled artisans to Texas - with so far limited success.

Its executives, he said, 'underestimated the fact that Texas is far away from California.'
A family accused of masquerading as Afghan nationals to illegally claim asylum in the UK have appeared in court to deny immigration charges.

Husband Gurbakhsh Singh, 72, wife Ardet Kaur, 68, son Guljeet Singh, 44, and his wife Kawaljeet Kaur, 37, are alleged said to have made the claim when they arrived at Heathrow Airport in December, 2023.

The four have already twice failed to obtain visas as declared Indian citizens and appeared at Croydon Crown Court today with the assistance of a Punjabi interpreter.

The family have vowed to fight the case, with a seven-day trial already scheduled for February 2, next year.

Today, three members of the family - all except Kawaljeet Kaur - denied the two charges against each of them.

They all pleaded not guilty to a charge of arriving in the UK without entry clearance on December 23, 2023.

They also all pleaded not guilty to a charge of entering the UK without a passport on the same date, failing at a leave to remain/asylum interview to be in possession of an immigration document to establish their identity, nationality and citizenship.

Kawaljeet Kaur had already denied these same charges at the previous hearing last month.

Father and son Gurbakhsh Singh (left) and Guljeet Singh (right) are seen leaving Croydon Magistrates' Court last year over claims they lied about being Afghans to get asylum in the UK

Kawaljeet Kaur (keft) and Ardet Kaur (right) outside court. Kawaljeet and her mother in law face the same charges

The family were each further granted unconditional bail to return for the trial next year.

It is alleged they had all previously declared themselves to be Indian nationals and provided documentary evidence in two failed visa applications three months earlier.

The entire family, plus two children who arrived with them, were initially housed at Wembleys Holiday Inn, but now all reside together in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire.

They have complained that press reporting of the case has resulted in them being recognised and stopped in the street and led to a TikTok video.

Their lawyers also claim any jury could potentially be prejudiced due to the nature of the publicity, but today an application to prevent reporting of the case was dismissed by Judge Antony Dunne.
Senator Bernie Sanders torched CNN while appearing on the network on Wednesday night during a town hall where he said he was forcing them to talk about issues Americans care about.

The Independent Vermont senator was talking about health care and drug access when host Anderson Cooper tried to move on to get more audience questions in.

Sanders tried to push back and tried to continue with what he wanted to discuss.

That's when the senator accused 'corporate media' of not talking about health care and wealth inequality.

'It's time that we did talk about them,' Sanders pressed during his appearance.

'The question a moment ago: "Why are people losing faith in the American system?" We don't talk about it on CNN. We don't talk about it in Congress,' the progressive lawmaker said.

'It's because they understand that a handful of billionaires exert enormous influence, and that has got to change,' Sanders continued.

Senator Bernie Sanders accuses CNN of not talking about issues like health care and inequality while appearing on network for town hall

Sanders pointed out that he's been touring the country with people like Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

'What we are trying to do is demand that working class people begin to stand up and fight for their rights,' Sanders declared.

He argued there is no reason the U.S. should not have health care and paid family and medical leave and for the country to have a high childhood poverty rate.

'20 percent of our seniors living on $15,000 a year. Anybody here think that makes sense?' Sanders asked the audience. 'It doesn't.'

'You got to get CNN to talk about these issues,' Sanders insisted. 'You got to get your members of Congress to talk about these issues.'

The audience erupted in applause as the Vermont lawmaker spoke.

That's when Cooper pointed out that Sanders was on CNN.

'We're literally talking about it right now,' he said.

Sanders shot back: 'yeah, but I'm forcing you to talk about it, Anderson.'

When moderator Anderson Cooper pointed out that he was 'literally' on CNN talking about the issues, Sanders responded that he was forcing him to

Sanders at a stop on his 'Fight Oligarchy' tour with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in Denver Colorado on March 21

The town hall with Sanders came as the senator as been crisscrossing the country in recent months to hold a series of rallies as part of his 'fighting oligarchy' tour.

He has been joined by 'Squad' member Ocasio-Cortez for multiple stops.

While Sanders has long railed against the billionaire class and called for programs like Medicare for All and policies like raising the minimum wage, his message has continued to gain traction in the second term of President Donald Trump.

Sanders' tour with stops in red districts and battleground states has drawn thousands of supporters as Democrats rally against Trump's agenda and his billionaire backers like the world's richest person Elon Musk.
The grieving mother of the 17-year-old Nevada teen who was stomped to death by a gang of vicious bullies has filed a lawsuit against the school district.

Johnathan Lewis, 17, was brutally beaten by a group of wild teens outside of a Las Vegas home on November 1, 2023.

He tragically died in the hospital days later after falling unconscious, suffering severe head trauma and other serious injuries after the attack, which was caught on camera.

Four teens - Dontral Beaver, 16, Damian Hernandez, 18, Treavion Randolph, 16, and Gianni Robinson, 17 - were arrested and charged as adults over the incident, but their cases were transferred to juvenile court in August as part of a plea deal.

Johnathan's mother, Mellisa Ready, filed a lawsuit against the Clark County School District (CCSD) in District Court on Wednesday.

In the legal filing, obtained by the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Ready accused the district and Sandra Corona - who owns the property where the attack took place - of wrongful death and negligence.

According to the lawsuit, the horrid attack took place immediately after school was dismissed, 'adjacent to and partially on' Corona's property.

The area where the fight took place was a 'known gathering spot' for students attending the nearby Rancho High School for criminal activity and previous attacks took place in that area, per the lawsuit.

Johnathan Lewis, 17, was brutally beaten by a group of wild teens outside of a Las Vegas home on November 1, 2023. He died six days later after succumbing to his injuries

The horrific fight was captured on camera as a swarm or teens attacked Johnathan

'Despite this knowledge, CCSD failed to take reasonable steps to supervise students in or near the area, implement preventive measures, or notify law enforcement,' the filings allege.

The complaint also stated that Corona should have known her property was a hotspot for 'criminal or violent activity' and tried to intervene.

'Despite such knowledge, she failed to secure the premises, restrict access, or take any action to prevent foreseeable harm to minors entering or traversing her property,' the lawsuit stated.

It went on to claim that those responsible for beating her son to death 'were known to the school administration and had exhibited prior aggressive or violent behavior' before.

The lawsuit further detailed that there had been at least one altercation involving Lewis or his peers prior to the deadly fight.

For that instance, school staff 'were on notice or should have been on notice of escalating tensions,' the complaint read.

The new legal filing claims the school district 'owed a duty to supervise students, investigate and respond to threats of violence, and prevent reasonably foreseeable harm to students under its care  even in areas adjacent to campus grounds during or immediately after school hours.'

When contacted by DailyMail.com about the new lawsuit, Clark County School District said they do 'not comment on pending litigation.'

DailyMail.com also contacted Corona for comment but did not immediately hear back.

Johnathan's mother, Mellisa Ready, filed a lawsuit against the Clark County School District (CCSD) in District Court on Wednesday. Ready accused the district and Sandra Corona - who owns the property where the attack took place - of wrongful death and negligence

Sickening videos of the attack showed a group of teens hitting, kicking and stomping Lewis to the point of unconsciousness, which caused his death a week later.

Authorities in Vegas have said the students agreed to meet in the alley to fight over a vape pen and wireless headphones that had been stolen from Lewis' friend.

Footage obtained by 8 News Now showed Lewis being carried to safety by a student and neighbor back to the high school after the savage attack.

Defense lawyer Robert Draskovich, representing Robinson, called the fight a tragedy, but said convicting the four as adults would have been a second tragedy.

'This negotiation enables my client to graduate high school, move on with his life and become a productive citizen,' Draskovich said.

As part of their plea deals, Randolph, Beaver, Hernandez and Robinson admitted to manslaughter and had their cases transferred to juvenile court.

In September, a judge ordered all of them to spend an undisclosed length of time in a juvenile detention center, the Review-Journal reported.

Ready showed up to Robinson's hearing and spoke directly to him about her late son.

Damien Hernandez, 17 (left), and Treavion Randolph, 16 (right), have both been charged with murder as adults

Hernandez, top left, Randolph, top right, Beaver, bottom left, and Robinson, bottom right, have all accepted a plea deal

'They destroyed my lifes biggest accomplishment as if he was nothing more than a piece of trash,' the mom, sporting a t-shirt with Johnathan's image on it, said.

'My 5-year-old son will one day see the videos of his big brother being beaten to death.

'We will live with these heartbreaking and devastating videos forever. You can never undo the damage that has been done. Jonathan is forever going to be gone from our lives because of your actions.'

In response to all four of them being charged as juveniles instead of adults, Ready previously told the outlet: 'Theres literally no one being held accountable with true punishment for my sons murder. Its disgusting.'

In a statement, Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson acknowledged Lewi's mother's comments and 'the pain she is going through as she mourns her son.'

It added that she had been informed about the terms of the negotiations before defending the resolution of the case.

Lewis was hospitalized with severe head trauma and other injuries and died a week later

The statement said juvenile court is 'best equipped to punish the defendants for their heinous conduct' while also offering rehabilitation.

In Nevada, a teenager facing a murder charge can be charged as an adult if they were 13 or older when the crime occurred.
The Chinese Communist Party has continued to troll Americans with vicious AI videos branding them fat slobs as President Trump singles them out for tariffs misery.

A new viral video shows morbidly obese Americans doing low-skilled labor in sweatshops and factories, making products such as Nike shoes as they drink soda and snack on junk food.

A sign behind one of the AI factory workers reads: 'Make America Strong Again.'

The AI content also shows obese American men looking depressed as they work building Tesla, Nvidia and Apple products.

A version of the song Rolling on the River plays in the background with the line: 'You don't have to worry if you got no money.'

A sign at the end of the clip reads, 'Make America Rich Again' above crumbling billboards of American companies.

The AI edit was seemingly posted by a now-deleted Instagram account who went by @Jumbo-AI.

The clip, and others showing stereotypical images of ignorant Americans, have emerged on social media as president Donald Trump aims to bring back manufacturing jobs to the US.

China's insulting videos suggests that Americans have neither the skill nor the worth ethic to help him do so.

Chinese social media has continued to mock Americans as ignorant and fat as the US-Chinese trade war carries on

The AI content shows obese American men looking depressed as they work building Teslas

The video showed 'Americans' building smartphones and also sewing garments in factories

Insults like this viral video have started spreading online amid the tit-for-tat tariff fight between Washington and Beijing.

Along with the retaliatory tariffs, a war of words has broken out after Vice President JD Vance claimed China's economy was fueled by 'peasants.'

On Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian reacted to Vance's comments during a news conference on Trump's tariffs.

'It's both astonishing and lamentable to hear this vice president make such ignorant and disrespectful remarks,' he said.

Facing a global market meltdown, President Trump on Wednesday abruptly backed off his tariffs on most nations for 90 days even as he further jacked up the tax rate on Chinese imports to 125 percent.

Trump's move came hours after hours after China boosted the duty on American goods to 84 percent in an escalating battle that threatens to disrupt trade between the worlds two largest economies.

It was seemingly an attempt to narrow what had been an unprecedented trade war between the US and most of the world to a showdown between the US and China.

Another viral video using AI-generated 'Americans' mocked the US government's desire to bring manufacturing jobs back to American soil

Facing a global market meltdown, President Trump on Wednesday abruptly backed off his tariffs on most nations for 90 days even as he further jacked up the tax rate on Chinese imports

Trump's move came hours after hours after China boosted the duty on American goods to 84 percent. . Chinese President Xi Jinping is pictured

The S&P 500 stock index jumped 9.5 percent after the announcement, but the drama over Trumps tariffs is far from over as the administration prepares to engage in country-by-country negotiations. In the meantime, countries subject to the pause will now be tariffed at 10 percent.

The president hit pause in the face of intense pressure created by volatile financial markets that had been pushing Trump to reconsider his tariffs, even as some administration officials insisted the his reversal had always been the plan.

The global economy appeared to be in open rebellion against Trumps tariffs as they took effect early Wednesday, a signal that the US president was not immune from market pressures.

By early afternoon, Trump posted on Truth Social that because more than 75 countries had reached out to the U.S. government for trade talks and had not retaliated in meaningful ways, 'I have authorized a 90 day PAUSE, and a substantially lowered Reciprocal Tariff during this period, of 10%, also effective immediately.'

Trump later told reporters that he pulled back on many global tariffs  but not on China  because people were 'yippy' and 'afraid' due to the stock market declines. He added that while he expected to reach deals, 'nothings over yet.'
President Trump dialed a very wrong number and ended up chewing out his former national security advisor, according to the latest bizarre report on mixed White House messages.

It happened when Trump accidentally rang his former national security advisor, H.R. McMaster. In a bit of unfortunate timing, the call occurred a day after Trump ripped him as 'a weak and totally ineffective loser!' CBS News reported.

The tip-off that Trump had phoned the wrong person came when Trump started speaking to 'Henry.' The former Army Lieutenant General goes by 'H.R.'

'Mr. President, this is H.R. McMaster,' he responded, according to the network.

'Why the f*** would I talk' to H.R. McMaster?' Trump shot back, according to two sources, who said the president then went into a 'scathing critque' of McMaster, who dissects his 13 months working for Trump in his book, 'At War with Ourselves: My Tour of Duty in the Trump White House.'

He has spoken openly of the 'hold' he says Russian President Vladimir Putin has on Trump, criticism that has infuriated the president.

It turns out that the person Trump was trying to phone was South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, a Trump loyalist who the president has appointed to his 'council of governors.'

President Donald Trump accidentally phoned his former national security advisor H.R. McMaster, who has publicly criticized his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin

White House communications director Steven Cheung tore into the McMaster who got the Trump call in a statement.

'H.R. McMaster has completely beclowned himself and his third-rate book, which is now sold in the bargain bin of the fiction section of a discount bookstore, is filled with lies in a futile attempt to rehabilitate his tattered reputation,' he said.

The mishap comes just weeks after Trump's current national security advisor Michael Waltz accidentally added Atlantic editor Jeffery Goldberg to a Signal chat where members discussed an imminent military attack on the Houthis in Yemen.

The White House has declared the matter 'case closed,' although the Pentagon's inspector General has opened a probe of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's use of the commercial app during the conversation.

The IG will look at whether the Secretary and other personnel 'complied with DoD policies and procedures for the use of a commercial messaging application for official business.'
A social media boss who 'lost his mind' and killed his stepfather after a five-day drugs binge in Ibiza has been locked up indefinitely.

Adejuwon Olufemi Alexander Jnr Oyekan, 32, stabbed Jason Thompson, 54, 44 times at his home, on July 11, 2023, two days after returning from the Spanish island where he took cocaine and ecstasy.

Oyekan, who was said to be kneeling over his stepfather looking wide eyed and with no emotion, has since been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia.

The social media manager stabbed Mr Thompson repeatedly despite being Tasered, with the most serious wounds in the neck and chest.

One officer described him as looking 'inhuman' and 'evil' after finding him with a large kitchen knife in a bedroom at the family home in Hayes, west London.

Police had received a call from his sister saying that he had 'lost his mind'.

He pleaded guilty to manslaughter by diminished responsibility at London's Old Bailey and was today handed a hospital order until deemed fit for release by Judge Alexia Durran KC.

Oyekan, who has previous convictions for possession of cocaine and cannabis and possession with intent to supply a psychoactive substance, cocaine, ketamine and MDMA, was the co-owner of a social media management company with his close friend Max Webber.

Jason Thompson (pictured), 54, was stabbed 44 times by his stepson at the family home in Hayes, west London

Adejuwon Olufemi Alexander Jnr Oyekan (pictured), 32, killed his stepfather after a drug binge in Ibiza

The social media manager pleaded guilty to manslaughter by diminished responsibility at London's Old Bailey. Picture: Stock Image

They went on a business trip to Ibiza to meet clients, where Oyekan took a cocktail of drugs including cocaine and ecstasy, during a four to five-day 'binge', which triggered his psychotic illness, the court heard.

He gave away his belongings, including a 20,000 Rolex watch and Louis Vuitton luggage, before returning to the UK.

His family had become concerned about his behaviour and unsuccessfully sought medical help, the court was told.

Prosecutor Louise Oakley said he was clearly psychotic as he shouted at officers who tried to detain him.

He demanded 'a remote island for him and his family' and somewhere that was 'cyber secure', the court was told.

He shouted aggressively: 'I'm going to be very calm and collected because I'm a calm and collected guy.'

Ms Oakley said there was evidence that the defendant had been under stress before the Ibiza trip.

Sentencing Oyekan, Judge Durran said: 'I am entirely satisfied that you need ongoing, probably lifelong, treatment'. Picture: Stock Image

The killing took place two days after returning from the Spanish island where he took cocaine and ecstasy. Picture: Stock image

She said: 'There were stresses within his employment with his work and he was very much feeling the burden of his business and mistrusting of his business partner, who had been a friend for many years, and on the face of it no reason to do so.

'There had been a number of reports of misuse of drugs in Ibiza and giving away high-value property to random strangers.'

She added: 'In this case, while the drug use affected the defendant and exacerbated the symptoms he was suffering, he was plainly unwell prior to the taking of drugs.

'They did not help but independent of that there is a mental health diagnosis.'

Mr Thompson's family described their 'gut-wrenching' devastation at the 'horrific' killing.

Mother Veronica Thompson said: 'Eighteen months ago I said goodbye to my beautiful son Jason. That was the worst day of my life. You were such a lovely soul, so loving, so kind, so considerate.

'Jason was a massive, truly massive, West Ham supporter. I replay memories of how excited you would get about them playing every moment I can.'

Sister Barbara Thompson said: 'There is not a day that goes past without tears and my heart aching. I still struggle with the reality that he's not here. I struggle with the violence he endured. I struggle with the unfairness of my brother being taken so tragically.'

Relative Kariba Rhooms told the killer: 'You have a mental disorder, accept it and stay away from drugs.

'We recognise that you are unwell. We can have compassion for that, but it does not erase what you have done.'

Oyekan went on a business trip to Ibiza to meet clients and took a cocktail of drugs which triggered his psychotic illness. Picture: Stock image

In mitigation, Kevin Metzger said the defendant's family had sought help before the killing and that it could have been avoided if he saw a medical professional.

He said a letter Oyekan wrote to the court 'came from the heart'.

'On that disastrous day he lost so much more than his liberty. The fact he has done what he has done to somebody he considered his father, a person he loved, with whom he bonded over their mutual love of sports, music and fashion, it is clear he has lost something irrevocable.

'He is deeply and profoundly sorry to the very core of his being.'

Sentencing Oyekan, Judge Durran said: 'I am entirely satisfied that you need ongoing, probably lifelong, treatment.'

Detective Chief Inspector Laura Semple from the Met's Public Protection Partnership, said: Our thoughts remain with Jason's family throughout this difficult time'

'I'd like to thank the first responding officers who attended the scene and demonstrated huge bravery to challenge Oyekan, who was armed and acting aggressively.

'Their quick thinking, to use the tools at their disposal, guaranteed Oyekan was admitted to custody from the scene, and did not go on to pose a wider threat to the public.'
A mysterious red truck may be the essential clue that advances a homicide investigation regarding a missing California mother-of-four.

Nikki Cheng Saelee-McCain, 39, of Redding was reported missing by one of her sisters on May 21, 2024 after she had not heard from her for four days.

Her shock disappearance was being handled as a missing person investigation for 10 months, until the Shasta County Sheriff's Office (SCSO) announced it believes Nikki was a homicide victim.

'Based on evidence gathered, information learned from interviews and the fact that none of Nikkis family members have heard from Nikki since May 18th, 2024, detectives have determined Nikki is a victim of Homicide,' the SCSO wrote on March 14.

Detectives have identified people of interest, but are keeping their identities classified due to the ongoing nature of the investigation.

An ominous detail in the already convoluted case is that authorities are seeking out the driver of a red truck spotted around the time and place Nikki went missing.

The vehicle is believed by detectives to have 'picked up a male adult' off the side of a western Tehama County highway between May 18 and May 24, 2024.

Based on details publicly released by authorities, it is unclear what kind of red truck they are referring to.

Nikki Cheng Saelee-McCain, 39, of Redding was reported missing by one of her sisters on May 21, 2024 after not hearing from her for four days

Nikki, pictured with her sister Kaye Ford, was last believed to be visiting her husband's relative in the hospital

Investigators are looking for information about a red truck that was seen when Nikki went missing (stock image)

It is also unknown who they believe was driving the truck was or who the man they allegedly retrieved from the side of the road is. Investigators have asked anyone with more information to come forward.

Kaye Ford, one Nikki's sister, told The Sun the man on the highway may have been a hitchhiker who has information about what happened to the missing mother.

DailyMail.com has reached out to the SCSO for clarification.

The last time she spoke with her sisters, Chloe Saelee and Kaye, Nikki said she was heading to a hospital with her husband, Tyler McCain, to visit one of his relatives.

She later updated them, saying she was going to her mother-in-law's property on Redding Rancheria, a Native American reservation in Shasta County.

Her sisters began to panic after days of radio silence from Nikki. She was reported missing and Redding police launched a into the extensive search that turned into homicide case.

On May 25, 2024, police found Nikki's Chevrolet Avalanche abandoned in a remote location in Tehama County.

Nikki disappeared from the same town that Sherri Papini famously staged her kidnapping in 2016.

After Nikki disappeared, the charges her husband had regarding alleged domestic violence against her were dropped, sparking outrage from her loved ones

Chloe Saelee (pictured left) told DailyMail.com she has her suspicions about what Tyler McCain, Nikki's husband, knows about her disappearance

At the time of her disappearance her husband, Tyler, was facing four felony charges tied to an alleged domestic violence incident against Nikki from December 2023.

He pleaded not guilty to all charges - which were dropped soon after she went missing, sparking outrage from Nikki's loved ones and her community.

Shasta County District Attorney Stephanie Bridgett admitted the decision to dismiss the charges was heartbreaking.

'I hear the community's pleas for answers and justice for Nikki Cheng McCain,' Bridgett said in an interview.

'In the United States, everyone has a constitutional right to confront the witnesses against them.

'That means the accuser - the victim - must be present in trial to testify against them. And we haven't been able to locate her.

'The dismissal preserves our ability to re-file the case once Nikki is located or sufficient evidence is obtained to utilize her statements in her absence.'

Tyler spoke publicly about his wife's disappearance for the first time last month, saying he misses her.

On May 25, police found Nikki's Chevrolet Avalanche abandoned in a remote location in Tehama County

Tyler, pictured with Nikki, spoke out for the first time since his wife disappeared last month at a press conference

'I'm just here in support, so anything that I can do, I want to do that,' he said at the press conference.

Chloe - who said she has her suspicions of Tyler and what he knows about her sister vanishing - told DailyMail.com she was less unimpressed by her brother-in-law's display at the press conference.

'I wish he would've said more. I know it takes a lot of courage to stand up there in front of cameras and a crowd and say something [...] but when you're fighting for a loved one, you do it, but with Tyler I didn't understand it,' Chloe said.

'I didn't know what he was trying to say, and then he apologized. But what was he apologizing for?

'Was he apologizing for hurting Nikki? I thought he'd give us a little bit more to push us in a direction away from him, and for me to change my mind about him.

'But the press conference just gave me even more confirmation about what I already feel.'
Liz Gillies needed Ariana Grande's "blessing" before she returned to Broadway.

Liz Gillies says she needed Ariana Grande's 'blessing' before she returned to Broadway

The 31-year-old actress first worked with 'Wicked' star Ariana on the musical '13' before they found further fame together on the Nickelodeon sitcom 'Victorious' but needed to consult her former co-star before she could commit to the role of Audrey in a revival of 'Little Shop of Horrors'.

She told People: "I asked her first. I was like, 'Should I do this? I need your blessing.' She was like, 'What? Yes, you should totally do it.'

"There are certain roles that we both love so much or certain projects, and I needed to check in with her. It felt so surreal and special. She's been such a support to me throughout all of this, and I can't wait for her to see the show."

When the show opened at the Westside Theater Upstairs, the actress was supported by some of her other 'Victious' co-stars, including Daniella Monet and Avan Jogia, but she had no idea they were coming to see her and they ended up "giggling like children" afterwards.

She said: "I didn't even know they were coming. Avan texted me that day and said, 'Hi, love. I'm in town. Is your show still running?' And I'm like, 'My opening's tonight.' He's like, 'Well, that'll work.'

"Then, Daniella surprised me and bought a ticket and came with her husband, Andrew. We had fun. We spent the whole next day just walking around Central Park giggling like children. It was really nice."

Liz is starring alongside former Disney Channel actor Milo Manheim in the cult musical - which sees a florist grow a plant that feeds on human flesh - and noted that those who achieved fame early on in life tend to be guaranteed "professionals" later on in life

She said: You also know you're getting a professional when you have a former child star. That's what I've learned. Somebody's going to come to work and do the work. We joke about how different we are  we're really different. But our work ethic, I think, is very similar. And the way that we approach this project is very similar. I have a lot of respect for Milo.

"
It was once a bustling community and the home to hundreds of shipbuilders.

But after the golden age of the industry lost its shine, it was abandoned to ruin, earning itself the nickname Scotlands Chernobyl.

Council bosses desperate to see the Clune Park estate in Port Glasgow, Renfrewshire, flattened, have spent years buying empty properties with no prospect of ever being lived in again.

They have now given demolition teams the go ahead to tear down the former church and school plus 138 properties across 15 tenement blocks with more to come.

Work is expected to start within days with the eyesore buildings finally reduced to rubble.

Inverclyde Council confirmed it has hired contractors to prepare the site for the first phase of demolition project which is expected to last around six months.

In total around 430 residential properties across 45 tenement blocks will be turned to dust once it is certified that all utilities are disconnected.

The abandoned Clune Park estate in Port Glasgow, Renfrewshire has been nicknamed Scotlands Chernobyl

Council chiefs have now given demolition teams the go ahead to tear down the abandoned buiildings

Councillor Stephen McCabe, leader of the council, said: Its important to remember that the former school and church buildings and the residential properties are being demolished in the interests of safety based on professional advice following extensive investigations.

The council has a duty to ensure public safety across Inverclyde and take action where necessary to protect the public from dangerous buildings and thats the position we find ourselves in with Clune Park.

With the demolition due to commence, this is an historic moment and progress towards the ultimate goal of regenerating this prominent area of Port Glasgow.

There is still a long way to go to realise our ambition of redeveloping Clune Park, but this is a significant step in the right direction and one Im sure the people of Port Glasgow and wider Inverclyde will welcome.

Clune Park, which has been virtually empty since the late 1990s, looks like something from a post-apocalyptic film

The council has issued another two tranches of dangerous buildings notices on different parts of the estate with further investigations taking place to identify others.

The local authority already owns over half of Clune Park which has been the target of vandals and anti-social behaviour in recent years.

A new masterplan for the estate, dubbed by urban explorers as Scotlands Chernobyl, was approved in November 2023 with up to 165 new, affordable homes in the pipeline.

However, officials can only move ahead with the plans if they can secure ownership of the remainder of the buildings, obtain planning permission and raise the funds for the construction work.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) led by 'ICE Barbie' Kristi Noem will now scan through alien's social media activity scouring their posts for antisemitism.

Known for her many law enforcement outfits and her strict crackdown on illegal immigration, Sec. Noem, 53, is spearheading a new digital surveillance effort that will seek out posts supportive of Hamas or Hezbollah.

Content promoting violence against Jewish people would lead to a red flag on any visa application or alien benefit renewal, the department announced Wednesday.

The program will be led by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Applicants seeking a green card, student visa or another immigration-related perk will be subject to such reviews.

Posts on Facebook, X, TikTok in support of groups like the Houthis or other U.S. adversaries that could be considered 'antisemitic activity' will be swept up by the new USCIS service.

'There is no room in the United States for the rest of the worlds terrorist sympathizers, and we are under no obligation to admit them or let them stay here,' DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement.

'Sec. Noem has made it clear that anyone who thinks they can come to America and hide behind the First Amendment to advocate for anti-Semitic violence and terrorism  think again,' she continued. 'You are not welcome here.'

'ICE Barbie,' DHS Sec. Kristi Noem poses with agents

Pro-Palestinian activists protest outside the United Nations headquarters in New York, United States, on April 7, 2025

The move will immediately impact aliens applying for residence and education within the U.S.

'Today U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will begin considering aliens antisemitic activity on social media and the physical harassment of Jewish individuals as grounds for denying immigration benefit requests,' the agency wrote in the release.

'This will immediately affect aliens applying for lawful permanent resident status, foreign students and aliens affiliated with educational institutions linked to antisemitic activity.'

Civil rights advocates immediately came out against the new order.

'As of today, DHS is making it official policy to surveil social media for "antisemitic" sentiment and deport noncitizens accordingly,' Jenin Younes, a civil rights attorney wrote on X.

'Keep in mind that the Trump Admin has re-defined antisemitism to include criticism of Israel and Zionism, but anyway true antisemitic speech, just like racist, sexist, homophobic, transphobic & Islamophobic speech is 1A protected.'

'The government should have no role in policing social media for such speech & punishing the speakers,' Younes wrote.

It is the latest implementation of an executive order Trump signed earlier this year to combat antisemitism.

Support of terrorist groups or affiliated content online could lead to enforcement action for aliens currently within the U.S.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem participates in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) in Phoenix, Arizona. Noem led about 100 federal agents on an early morning raid in Arizona's capital, where they nabbed three illegal migrants wanted on charges from weapons and drug offenses to running a money laundering operation

The Trump administration has already deported some students on visas for their involvement in pro-Palestinian protests.

Oftentimes the protests are paired with antisemitic displays, meaning non-permanent residents attending such events could be running afoul of the White House directive.

Earlier this year Secretary of State Marco Rubio used an infrequently used mechanism to deport a Columbia University student who was involved in organizing pro-Gaza demonstrations.
Greenpeace protests poured hundreds of litres of blood-red dye into the pond outside the US embassy in protest against the country's arms sales to Israel.

The campaigning group said 12 activists tipped 300 litres of 'non-toxic, biodegradable dye from containers emblazoned with the words Stop Arming Israel' into the pond in front of the building in Nine Elms, south-west London, on Thursday.

The Metropolitan Police said six people had been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and conspiracy to cause criminal damage.

The group's co-executive director, Will McCallum, was among those arrested, the group said, adding that the demonstration was to 'highlight the death and devastation caused in Gaza as a direct result of the US's continued sale of weapons to Israel'.

The containers of dye were delivered to the embassy on bicycles with trailers disguised as delivery bikes, Greenpeace UK said.

The protest damaged a 1.5 million gallon water supply on the property, wasting a local environmental resource', according to the embassy.

The Met said there was 'no breach or attempted breach of the secure perimeter' of the US embassy, as the pond was accessible via a public footpath.

Areeba Hamid, co-executive director at Greenpeace UK, said the US government 'bears a heavy responsibility for the horrors unfolding in Gaza'.

The campaigning group said 12 activists tipped 300 litres of 'non-toxic, biodegradable dye from containers emblazoned with the words Stop Arming Israel' into the pond in front of the building

The containers of dye were delivered to the embassy on bicycles with trailers disguised as delivery bikes

The protest damaged a 1.5 million gallon water supply on the property, wasting a local environmental resource', according to the embassy

She added: 'We've turned the embassy pond blood red because US weapons continue to fuel an indiscriminate war that's seen bombs dropped on schools and hospitals, entire neighbourhoods blasted to rubble, and tens of thousands of Palestinian lives obliterated.

'The ceasefire (US President Donald) Trump claimed credit for has collapsed, and full-scale war is back.

'If Trump has any real interest in stopping the war, he should listen to the majority of Americans and stop arming Israel now. And the UK Government should do the same.'

The Metropolitan Police said: 'Officers on duty at the US embassy in Nine Elms became aware of a group of Greenpeace protesters putting red dye into the pond at the side of the building.

'The group made off but officers responded quickly and carried out a search of the area.

'Six people have so far been arrested nearby on suspicion of criminal damage and conspiracy to cause criminal damage.

'The pond is accessible via a public footpath. There was no breach or attempted breach of the secure perimeter of the site.'

A US embassy London spokesperson said: 'While the US embassy supports the right to peaceful protest, we strongly condemn any acts of violence or property damage.

Areeba Hamid, co-executive director at Greenpeace UK, said the US government 'bears a heavy responsibility for the horrors unfolding in Gaza'

She added: 'We've turned the embassy pond blood red because US weapons continue to fuel an indiscriminate war that's seen bombs dropped on schools and hospitals, entire neighbourhoods blasted to rubble, and tens of thousands of Palestinian lives obliterated'

'Today's act damaged a 1.5 million gallon water supply on the property, wasting a local environmental resource.'

A separate protest by supporters of Youth Demand calling for an end to arms sales to Israel took place in central London on Thursday, the group said.

The campaign group said 27 supporters in two teams blocked traffic on Buckingham Palace Road and Waterloo Road at about 9am.

It said they stepped into the carriageway and unfurled banners reading Youth Demand an End to Genocide and Stop Arming Israel, and let off smoke flares.
Pope Francis made a surprise visit to St Peter's Basilica in a wheelchair today while continuing to recover from life-threatening pneumonia.

The public appearance, which followed yesterday's unscheduled private audience with King Charles and Queen Camilla, comes as the 88-year-old Catholic leader recovers at the Vatican following five weeks in hospital.

This afternoon, the pope entered the sprawling basilica in his wheelchair, greeting workers engaged in restoration work and some gathered pilgrims.

When a young restorer caught a glimpse of the pope, he beckoned to her to come closer so he could thank her and shake her hand, ANSA agency reported.

The young woman replied 'that she was sorry that her "hands were cold" but the pope wanted to shake them anyway', the agency reported.

Monsignor Valerio Di Palma, the canon of St Peter's, told Vatican News the pope's appearance sparked 'too much emotion'.

'My vision blurred from the tears and I couldn't even take a photo,' he said.

Pope Francis, who is taking two months rest as he recovers from double pneumonia, makes a surprise visit to St Peter's Basilica in a wheelchair today

Pope Francis blesses a baby as he makes the unexpected appearance at the Vatican on April 10

King Charles and Queen Camilla meet Pope Francis at the Vatican in Italy yesterday

Francis then proceeded to the tomb of Pope Pius X to pray, before departing back to the Santa Marta guesthouse, where he resides.

On Wednesday afternoon, the pope met privately with Charles and Camilla for 20 minutes, despite Buckingham Palace having earlier cancelled a planned official audience due to the pontiff's frail health.

It was the first meeting between Charles, the head of the Protestant Church of England, and the pope since the monarch ascended to the throne in 2022.

The Vatican published a photo of the meeting on Thursday morning, showing the pope clasping the queen's hand, with the king looking on holding a gift box.

Francis offered his congratulations to the royal couple, who celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary yesterday, the palace and the Vatican said.

During the encounter, the king - who is receiving treatment for cancer - and the pope also exchanged well-wishes for each other's health, the Vatican said.

'Their majesties were delighted the Pope was well enough to host them - and to have had the opportunity to share their best wishes in person,' a Buckingham Palace statement added.

It marks his second surprise event in two days after previously meeting King Charles yesterday

Charles, 76, has been suffering from an unnamed cancer for more than a year and less than two weeks ago he was briefly admitted to hospital after experiencing side effects from his treatment.

He was out of action for a matter of days before resuming his official engagements on April 1.

Francis, who almost died twice during his treatment for double pneumonia, has been in convalescence since his return to the Vatican on March 23.

Despite being ordered to rest and recover for two months, the Argentine made an unexpected appearance in St Peter's Square last Sunday at the end of a mass.

On Tuesday, the Vatican said that Francis's voice and mobility were improving, raising hopes that he may take part in upcoming Easter celebrations.

He has been using a cannula - a plastic tube tucked into the nostrils - to help him breathe, notably at night, but was not wearing one in the picture released Thursday.
Cambridge University is set to stop telling students their exam rankings as it overhauls teaching to create a healthy work-life balance on campus, it has emerged.

The changes are expected to be implemented in the next academic year and will mean that undergraduates will no longer be told where they rank in their cohort based on test results.

It comes after a university taskforce, set up following demands from students, claimed that Cambridge had a culture of overwork that was negatively affecting undergraduate mental health.

University officials have reportedly voted to review class lists as well as weekend lectures, teaching outside of an 8am-8pm window, and to consider the introduction of break weeks.

However it has been criticised by academics who argue that any infantilisation of the universitys courses will reduce competitiveness and delegitimise degrees.

Cambridge University, which ranks among the top ten in the world, is set to stop telling students their exam rankings as it overhauls teaching to create a healthy work-life balance on campus

Cambridge is the only UK university other than Oxford to use a class ranking system, also known as tripos rankings, and it traditionally published exam results publicly on a board.

However the practice has been criticised by students and in 2017 they were offered the opportunity to opt out. Publicly displaying the rankings was discontinued in 2021 but students are still told their positions when receiving exam results.

But under the new system undergraduates would no longer be told where they rank compared to their peers and would have to ask if they wanted to know it, according to The Times.

Douglas Hedley, professor of the philosophy of religion at Clare College, criticised the changes and claimed they were part of systemic attack on our world-renowned university culture.

He told the newspaper: The mental health justification is a mask for a pernicious and dangerous agenda. It will cause more distress for students if their degrees are delegitimised by such egalitarian dogmatism.

The proposal has been criticised by academics who argue that any infantilisation of the universitys courses will reduce competitiveness and delegitimise degrees

David Butterfield, a former classics professor, even resigned his position at Cambridge last year over the infantilisation of its educational programme.

Announcing his resignation Butterfield claimed in a Spectator magazine article that the abolition of public class rankings had snuffed out much of the competitive spirit of the university over a desire to save students personal embarrassment.

However, the proposals have been defended by Bhaskar Vira, pro-vice-chancellor for education, who said the recommendations will help manage workload and reduce often self-imposed competitive pressure while maintaining the high standards for which Cambridge is recognised.

She told the Varsity student newspaper: The universitys education committee will now review the approach to rankings, especially their automatic visibility to students, which has been identified as a concern by the Cambridge students union and others.

She added: The current system places students in constant comparison with their peers, often overshadowing what are, nonetheless, brilliant results.

This culture not only diminishes recognition of success but can also lead high-performing students to experience unsustainable pressure to maintain top results year after year.

These reforms are an important step towards a more supportive and balanced academic environment - while preserving the rigour that defines a Cambridge education.
Doctors can deny life-saving measures to a terminally ill toddler if his parents refuse to sign a do not resuscitate order, a judge has ruled.

Dezeioun Crudup Jr has spent the entire agonizing 27 months of his life in intensive care at Arkansas Children's Hospital in Little Rock.

His seriously underdeveloped lungs mean he struggles to get enough oxygen and his heart stops at even the smallest agitation, requiring CPR to revive him.

He is constantly sedated and on painkillers to prevent these episodes, but the treatment becomes ineffective over time and he is already having 'difficult to control agitation'.

Doctors testified in the hospital's lawsuit against the boy's parents Paulina Casillas, 22, and Dezeioun John Tarre Crudup, 25, that his condition is 'without hope'.

Resuscitating Dezeioun again and again merely causes him 'physical injury, unnecessary pain, and suffering' with no chance of recovery.

'Patient is not expected to ever walk, talk, or have meaningful interactions,' the hospital's lawyer wrote in its petition.

'Continued resuscitation efforts are medically inappropriate and likely to result in unnecessary pain and suffering to the patient as well as the potential for long-term injury from such efforts.'

Dezeioun Crudup Jr has spent the entire agonizing 27 months of his life in intensive care at Arkansas Children's Hospital in Little Rock

The hospital said it explained this many times to Dezeioun's parents, but they refused to allow doctors to abandon resuscitation efforts.

Dezeioun required a prolonged period of CPR in February 'resulting in a global brain injury resulting in further complications'.

This meant his condition 'precipitously declined' and further lowered his standard of life and made his oxygen loss problem worse.

One of the boy's doctors, Ronald Sanders, explained at a hearing on April 7 that Dezeioun 'exhibits a lack of brain activity and reflects no signs of change or improvement in his condition'.

Tensions between the parents and hospital staff have been high for many months, and spilled over last August when Casillas allegedly attacked a nurse.

Casillas grabbed the ponytail of PICU nurse Aprille Davis, 41, from behind and slammed her head into a table, the arrest report alleged.

She then allegedly dug her fingernails into Davis' face and tried to gouge out her eyes. The nurse suffered scratches to her neck and face.

Casillas allegedly told another nurse, Janet Croy, 59, to 'get out of this room or I'll beat your ass'.

Police explained that the alleged attack was prompted by Casillas' refusal to keep the lights on in her son's room and the curtains open, which both nurses said they told her repeatedly she had to do.

Judge Shaun Johnson ruled in favor of the hospital, giving Dezeioun's parents until 5pm on April 21 to agree to a DNR order, or the hospital would be allowed to enforce one over their objections

Casillas told police she had numerous run-ins with Davis and requested a new nurse for Dezeioun, but the hospital refused.

She said the attack on Davis came after Croy 'hollered' at her about the lights and curtain and she 'stormed out and put my hands on Aprille'.

The mother admitted grabbing Davis' ponytail and pulling her around by it, but not to threatening Croy.

Casillas was charged with misdemeanor terroristic-threatening and felony second-degree battery, a Class D felony punishable by up to six years in prison.

The hospital sued to ban both parents from the hospital two days after the attack, which was resolved when Casillas agreed to stay away and receive email and phone updates.

After her son's condition worsened in February, she was allowed back for one hourlong visit per month.

Crudup was already banned from the hospital since last May, and was allowed only restricted visits. He is not accused of wrongdoing.

Judge Shaun Johnson ruled in favor of the hospital, giving Dezeioun's parents until 5pm on April 21 to agree to a DNR order, or the hospital would be allowed to enforce one over their objections.

'The Court is moved by the emotions expressed and the love shown by [Dezeioun's] parents at this difficult juncture,' he wrote in his ruling on Wednesday.

'[Dezeioun's] parents have expressed a desire to review their son's medical records closely before such an important decision about his care may be made. The court is sensitive to their needs.'
A suspended Las Vegas police officer filmed naked bathroom videos of his wife and her sister - and they were happy to let him, a court heard.

Former Metropolitan Police Department Sgt. Kevin Menon, 43, has been accused of installing cameras in vents in his home bathroom that captured 28 clips depicting his wife Natasha Menon and her sister Tamara Russell's buttocks and genitalia.

During a hearing Wednesday, Natasha, 33, and Tamara, 26, strongly defended Kevin, stating that the videos he took of them were consensual, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported.

'The allegations are false. I am absolutely not a victim. I feel victimized by the Clark County district attorney's office and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department,' Natasha said.

She said she did not answer detectives when they came to her apartment and asked if she was the person depicted in the videos.

Kevin's sister-in-law echoed Natasha's defense of the former cop, stating that the department was 'making up a crime that did not happen.'

'They left and decided to go ahead with making up a crime that did not happen,' she said as she held up a sign that read 'I don't need a white savior, Hamner' while clutching Kevin and her sister.

Her bold sign appeared to be a direct dig at Chief Deputy District Attorney Christopher Hamner, who is prosecuting the bizarre case.

Former Metropolitan Police Department Sgt. Kevin Menon, 43, has been accused of filming his wife Natasha Menon (left) and her sister Tamara Russell's (right) in the bathroom

Natasha, 33, and Tamara, 26, strongly defend Kevin for allegedly setting up two cameras in their home bathroom vents, which capture their buttocks and genitalia. (Pictured: Natasha and Kevin's home)

Hamner, who said Kevin appears to have a 'fetish' and a 'sickness,' alleged both his wife and sister-in-law did not know they were being recorded.

Further details on the nature of the relationship or why the wife and her sister were filmed in the sordid clips was not revealed.

'That we're not going to get into, but that's our personal business and it has absolutely nothing to do with anything theyre alleging,' Natasha said.

Hamner alleged that other videos from Kevin's laptop and cellphone revealed that he also had a 'fetish' for urination-related pornography.

'These crimes clearly reflect Defendants predisposition to abuse his power and exploit those most vulnerable in our society, including those people closest to him,' Hamner said in the filing, reviewed by the outlet.

'Defendants newest crimes make clear what the State has already argued to the courts: that there is simply no way a Court can effectively monitor Defendant in such a way that can prevent him from continuing to victimize people.'

This is not the first time the disgraced cop has been in trouble with the law, as he was previously accused of illegally detaining people on the Las Vegas Strip and possessing hundreds of sexual images of young girls.

In his first case, Kevin has been accused of using his power as a police officer to make up scenarios that led to citizens, specifically black men, being arrested, 8 News Now reported.

'The allegations are false. I am absolutely not a victim. I feel victimized by the Clark County district attorney's office and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department,' Natasha said. (Pictured: Natasha and Kevin in 2021)

Chief Deputy District Attorney Christopher Hamner, who is prosecuting the bizarre case, said Kevin appears to have a 'fetish' and a 'sickness,' alleged both his wife and sister-in-law did not know they were being recorded

At the time of the alleged crime, Kevin was leading a group of officers on the Strip.

Body cam footage later showed other officers dressed in uniform there while Kevin donned normal, civilian clothing.

Detectives said they then seized his electronic devices and discovered child pornography, which resulted in a second criminal case against him, according to the outlet.

In response to his alleged illegal arrests, Kevin said he was trying to expose racism within the police department, court documents, reviewed by 8 News Now, revealed.

Tamara has previously shared how much she loves her brother-in-law on social media, even sharing a family photograph calling him her 'role model.'

'My brother-in-law, Sgt. Kevin Menon has been a part of my life since I was 10 years old. Since then, he has been a role model to me,' she wrote.

'He helped mold me into the confident, well-rounded young woman I am today. As said perfectly by my dearly departed mother, seen in this picture.'

Tamara (pictured) has previously shared how much she loves her brother-in-law on social media, as she posted a family image calling him her 'role model'

In the comments, she continued on about Kevin being, 'the best person I've ever known'.

'My family and I pray everyday that the public will open their eyes and see the wonderful man we know, and the horrendous injustice that is being done to him by the Las Vegas Metro Police Department and the District Attorneys Office.'

It is unclear how long Kevin and Natasha have been married.

Kevin pleaded not guilty and invoked his right to a speedy trial during the hearing for the footage allegations.

He appeared out of custody, but prosecutors have filed a motion to reset his bail from its current $56,000 to $1 million, the outlet reported.

A bail hearing for Kevin has been set for Monday. His trial in the filming case has been scheduled for June 2.

DailyMail.com contacted Hamber, Kevin's attorney Robert Draskovich and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department for comment.
A drunk Ryanair passenger has admitted to assaulting two people on a flight from Tenerife to Liverpool.

Catherine Bellis, 44, tearfully nodded as a judge told her 'all sentencing options remained available'.

She appeared before Liverpool Crown Court this afternoon, charged in connection with the incident onboard the flight.

Bellis, from Meadowcroft Park in West Derby, was charged with two counts of assault by beating, the particulars being on November 26, 2024, she assaulted Christopher Kenny and Beata Haynes.

She was also charged with being drunk on an aircraft.

Bellis pleaded guilty to all three charges and will be sentenced at the same court on May 12.

Callum Ross, defending, told the court his client is a woman of previous good character.

Catherine Bellis, 44, (pictured) has admitted to assaulting two people on a flight from Tenerife to Liverpool

Addressing Bellis, who wore a black blazer and high heels and had blonde hair, Judge Anil Murray said she had pleaded guilty to the charges and would be awarded credit at her sentencing.

He told her: 'There are no promises on what your sentence will be. All options remain available including an immediate custodial sentence.'

Bellis, who was given unconditional bail, was asked to meet the Probation Service following the end of the brief hearing to prepare a pre-sentence report.

The prosecution was represented by Derek Jones.

Last July, a mass brawl broke out on a Ryanair flight from Morocco to London, forcing the plane to divert just 36 minutes into the journey.

Video from the cabin showed passengers screaming at each other in a row that was reportedly sparked when a family asked to swap seats.

The drunk passenger was on a Ryanair flight when the assaults took place (Stock photo)

Visibly flustered cabin crew were seen trying to calm the passengers down as the plane soared at 30,000 feet.

The plane was travelling from Agadir to London Stansted when a row broke out between two families as people boarded, one witness said at the time.

A few months earlier in February 2024, shocking footage of a drunken brawl between three passengers aboard a Ryanair flight from Edinburgh to Tenerife prompted some MailOnline commenters to call for the banning of alcohol on planes.

The video depicted two men fighting and spitting at each other. Passengers said they endured hours of abuse on the flight to the Spanish Island, in a fracas that seemed to have started with the two men - said to be brothers - arguing in the aisle.

Things turned violent after other passengers became involved. Footage showed a third man being yelled at before a woman launched an attack on another passenger.
Reagan International Airport has seen another plane crash after a taxiing jet struck a parked plane on the runway months after 67 people were killed in a horror mid-air collision.

Several members of Congress were on board the planes when their wings collided on Thursday, with New York Congressman Nick LaLota sharing an X post from inside one of the jets.

'Another plane just bumped into our wing. Heading back to the gate, but thankfully everyone is ok!' he wrote.

The New York Congressman shared an image out of his plane window and said fellow member of Congress Grace Meng was 'handing out grapes' to other passengers during their delay.

New Jersey Congressman Josh Gottheimer also said he was involved, and the Democrat took the opportunity to criticize President Trump's cuts to the federal government as he did so.

'While waiting to take off on the runway at DCA just now, another plane struck our wing. Thankfully, everyone is safe,' he wrote.

'Just a reminder: Recent cuts to the FAA weaken our skies and public safety.'

One of the aircraft was headed to Charleston, South Carolina, and the other was on route to JFK in New York. There are no early reports of any injuries as a result of the crash.

Reagan International Airport (pictured in a stock image) has seen another plane crash after a taxiing jet struck a parked plane on the runway

Several members of Congress were on board the planes when they collided on Thursday, with New York Congressman Nick LaLota sharing an X post from inside one of the jets

A passenger on board the plane also shared a video from inside the cabin in the moments after the collision, where the pilot could be heard apologizing to passengers

The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority said Thursday that both planes returned to gates after the collision, and airport operations were not impacted.

American Airlines said both planes received minor damage to their winglets - the curved end of the wings - and were subsequently taken out of service for inspections.

The collision comes at a turbulent time for the US aviation industry, with January's horror crash between an American Airlines jet and an Army Black Hawk helicopter setting off a series of accidents and near-misses.

This included seven people dying when a small plane crashed into a residential street in Pennsylvania just a week later.

Another crash in Alaska weeks later killed 10, a small plane crash off the coast of Florida killed 12, all after President Trump fired hundreds of FAA workers as part of his widespread DOGE cuts.

Trump's cuts to the FAA were slammed by several Congressmembers after they survived the accident on Thursday.

Congressman Adriano Espaillat said in an X post as he revealed he was also on board: 'Aviation mishaps are at an all-time high, and the Trump administrations reckless decision to fire FAA control staff has put us all in danger. We are thankful that no one was injured and that a catastrophe was avoided.'

Punchbowl News reported that Reps. Gregory Meeks and Ritchie Torres were also on board.

Per a passenger on the plane Gregory Gillian, who sent this video to NBC News @nbcwashington pic.twitter.com/NP4g8osml3  Adam Tuss (@AdamTuss) April 10, 2025

American Airlines said both planes received minor damage to their winglets - the curved end of the wings - and were subsequently taken out of service for inspections, but airport operations were not disrupted

President Trump was criticized on Thursday by several members of congress who were on board the jets over his decision to fire hundreds of FAA workers, which they said has made air travel in the US less safe

Gottheimer said his plane 'shook violently' when it was struck by the other jet.

'It was pretty clear that we got hit,' he told ABC News. 'The pilot came on and told us we weren't going anywhere except back to the gate.'

A passenger on board the plane also shared a video from inside the cabin in the moments after the collision, where the pilot could be heard apologizing to passengers.

'The FAA is going to come out to do some inspections, so for now we have been told to stay where we are,' the pilot said over the intercom.

'This is something that is going to take five minutes, or an hour, I'm sorry about this I can't tell you right now.'

It comes months after Reagan International Airport, in Washington DC, witnessed the worst air traffic disaster in recent US history when an American Airlines plane crashed into an Army Black Haw k helicopter

It comes months after Reagan International Airport, in Washington DC, witnessed the worst air traffic disaster in recent US history when an American Airlines plane crashed into an Army Black Hawk helicopter.

That incident in January caused the deaths of all 67 people on board the two aircraft, sending shockwaves through the aviation industry.

Reagan has been plagued with repeat issues in the months since, including just weeks later when a passenger jet needed to abort a landing later to avoid another collision.

And just last week, a Delta flight also had a close call with a US Air Force jet near Reagan in what could have been an unbelievable repeat of January's disaster.

As scrutiny falls on Reagan International Airport's air traffic control, DailyMail.com exclusively revealed last month that two air traffic controllers got into a shocking fight inside the tower in the aftermath of the crash.

Trouble flared when pair of on-duty tower controllers got into a blazing argument before one threw a punch at the other, a source said.

By the time the brawling colleagues were separated, there was blood spattered over a control console, according to our insider.
The secret files on the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. will be released in the next 'few days,' Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said on Thursday.

She made the announcement at President Donald Trumps cabinet meeting, adding that her team of 'hunters' is looking through the FBI and CIA archives to 'actively' search for any missing 'truths.'

In the meantime, some of the remaining files on two of the most prominent figures in American history will see the light of day shortly.

These have been sitting in boxes and storage for decades. They have never been scanned or seen before. We'll have those ready to release here within the next few days, she said of the RFK and MLK files.

Trump asked if Robert F. Kennedy Jr., his Health and Human Services secretary and RFK's son, could see his father's files before they are public.

'Let Bobby see some of this because, you know, it's very personal stuff,' the president said.

'I've asked him,' Gabbard assured the president. 'His response was 'put it out - the world needs to know the truth.''

Kennedy said he was 'grateful' the files are being released.

Robert F Kennedy shortly before he was shot in Los Angeles after his victory rally

Robert F Kennedy was assassinated on June 6, 1968 in Los Angeles after he won the California Democratic primary in that year's presidential election.

Martin Luther King Jr., a hero of the civil rights movement, was killed on April 4, 1968 in Memphis, Tennessee.

Trump, who enjoys a conspiracy theory, has ordered the release of documents surrounding the deaths of prominent Americans that have been subject to endless speculation if whether or not government investigations told the truth or were part of a massive coverup.

In January 2025, Trump signed an executive order directing the declassification of records related to the Kennedy brothers and MLK Jr.

'Everything will be revealed,' he vowed when he signed it.

But the release of files on Jeffrey Epstein and John F. Kennedy earlier this year have proved a disappointment to the conspiracy world, which did not find a smoking gun that shed any light on the assortment of theories out there.

The MLK files could prove more fruitful.

The material, sealed since 1977, apparently includes tapes and transcripts of FBI surveillance of the civil rights icon before his death, including unflattering and prurient details about Kings relationships with women that could tarnish his legacy.

But they could also show hw the FBI was illegally surveilling King, at the order of then Director J. Edgar Hoover. The agency also went after King by threatening to send Kings wife, Coretta, a tape of King having an extramarital affair, as well as a note encouraging him to kill himself for the sake of the civil rights movement.

King's family has objected to the release, saying it could revive efforts to discredit the revered activist with the public.

They asked to see any MLK files before they are released to the general public.

Assassin James Earl Ray fatally shot King at the Lorraine motel in Memphis, Tennessee.

Martin Luther King Jr was assassinated in April 1968

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard at the Cabinet meeting

It's unclear what Gabbard meant about releasing the RFK assassination files and how much new information they will reveal.

Most of the investigation files are in the California State Archives as the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) led the probe.

Those files include the LAPD's records on the investigation, including documents, photographs, audio tapes, and video tapes.

The FBI also investigated the RFK's killing so there are files in that agency but most of the information is in California.

Gabbard doesn't have jurisdiction over state files but she can order the federal ones released.

While a large portion of RFK's records have been released, some remain fully or partially withheld due to redactions or court-ordered seals.

RFK was shot by Sirhan Sirhan, a 24-year-old Palestinian, in retaliation for his support of Israel following the 1967 Six-Day War. He died 25 hours later.

Sirhan was arrested, tried, and convicted, though RFK's assassination, like his brother's, continues to be the subject of numerous conspiracy theories.

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler, Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and President Donald Trump in a Cabinet meeting at the White House

And there may be more to come.

Gabbard also said her staff is searching the archives at the FBI and CIA and vowed to find the truth.

We also have hunters going out, Mr. President, and looking in the storage lockers at FBI and CIA and other agencies specifically to find if there are, if there is anything else that has not been reported. We're actively going out and trying to search out the truth, she said.
Noah Wyle was "profoundly sad and disappointed" to be sued by the widow of 'E.R.' creator Michael Crichton.

Noah Wyle stars in The Pitt

The 53-year-old actor - who shot to fame playing Dr. John Carter in the medical series - stars in and executive produces 'The Pitt', a real-time drama set in an emergency room and earlier this year, Sherri Crichton launched legal action against him, and others working on the Max series, including creator R. Scott Gemmill, executive producer John Wells and Warner Bros. Television for breach of contract, breach of implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, and intentional interference with contractual relations.

Sherri alleged 'The Pitt' was just an 'E.R.' revival "under a different name" in order to avoid giving her late husband a "created by" credit, which she branded a "shameful betrayal of [Michael] Crichton and his legacy.

Asked about the suit, Noah told Variety: The only thing that I can legally speak to is how I feel emotionally, which is just profoundly sad and disappointed. This taints the legacy, and it shouldnt have.

"At one point, this could have been a partnership. And when it wasnt a partnership, it didnt need to turn acrimonious.

"But on the 30th anniversary of ER, Ive never felt less celebratory of that achievement than I do this year.

The initial idea was for Noah to reprise his role as John in a revival of 'E.R.' and "got pretty close to being a reality before Warner Bros. Television were unable to agree terms with the Crichton estate.

And once the project fell apart, Noah insisted it was important for the team to "pivot as far in the opposite direction as we could in order to tell the story we wanted to tell  and not for litigious reasons, but because we didnt want to retread our own creative work.

As a result, Noah's working-class Jewish character Dr. Michael 'Robby' Robinavitch was hugely different from the extremely wealthy Dr. Carter, and the cinematic camera work of 'E.R.' was a marked contrast to the docudrama-style of 'The Pitt'.

Noah said: We really wanted to find something new for ourselves. And in some ways, thats what was so disheartening about the whole thing. We really felt like wed done it.

Read the full interview with Noah at https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/noah-wyle-the-pitt-er-sequel-lawsuit-1236362824/.
Elon Musk revealed at a Cabinet meeting Thursday just how much cash DOGE is expected to save U.S. taxpayers as the group cuts down government waste.

Sitting in the West Wing's Cabinet Room before all the president's deputies, the Tesla CEO announced that DOGE will save $150 billion in FY2026.

'Thanks to your fantastic leadership, this amazing Cabinet and the very talented DOGE team, I'm excited to announce that we anticipate savings in FY 26 from reduction of waste and fraud by $150 billion,' Musk proclaimed at the meeting.

He said some of the government programs the agency stumbled upon were 'absurd' and 'crazy.'

'Like people getting unemployment insurance who haven't been born yet,' he told the room.

Despite the mind-boggling sum of money that is set to be saved next financial year the prediction comes in significantly less than what the group originally sought out to slash from federal payrolls.

Originally, Musk set out to cut a whopping $2 trillion in waste, fraud and abuse.

He later walked that back, calling it a 'best-case outcome' and said that he hopes to get half of that, around $1 trillion - still far more than what he set out to achieve.

President Donald Trump speaks at a Cabinet meeting as Secretary of State Marco Rubio, left, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth look on in the Cabinet Room of the White House, Thursday, April 10, 2025 in Washington

DOGE leader Elon Musk announced at the meeting that his employees will save U.S. taxpayers $150 billion in FY2026

Still, saving the U.S. $150 billion in just a couple months of work is a service every American should be thankful for because of the individual savings that will pass along.

According to the DOGE site, the group has already saved each taxpayer $931.

'People ask me, like, well, how are you going to find waste, fraud and abuse in the federal in the government? I'm like, well, actually, just go in any direction,' Musk told the Cabinet.

'That's how you find it. It's very common. It's, as military would say, a target rich environment.'

The SpaceX CEO also applauded the collaboration of each Cabinet member who he said helped his workers dig through each agency for savings.

He told the president the savings 'will actually result in better services for the American people.'

Democrats, on the other hand, argue that DOGE has cut essential services, and its employees have accessed the private data of millions of Americans.

Liberal lawmakers and activists all over the globe have decried and protested Musk's actions in Trump's administration.

DOGE leader Elon Musk flashes a 'Tech Support' shirt at a Cabinet meeting in February. Musk has said he is using his technical expertise to streamline government functions and cut spending

Members of the Ragussi Women's Group welcome Shari Berenbach to their shea butter processing facility in Burkina Faso

Earlier this month DOGE announced cutting $51 million in grants for bizarre initiatives like shea butter marketing, mango drying and yogurt production in Africa.

The cost cutting group recently shared the eyebrow-raising expenditures on X.

'The US African Development Foundation has terminated $51M in grants,' the post stated.

DOGE's post also mentioned specific projects that were being funded by the U.S. African Development Foundation (USADF). The organization was created by Congress in 1980 and is meant to facilitate direct investments into African enterprises and entrepreneurs.

The grants included nearly $230,000 for marketing 100 percent organic shea butter in Burkina Faso, one of the poorest countries in the world.

An $84,000 grant for a business incubator for spa and wellness entrepreneurs in Nigeria and $240,000 grant for marketing pineapple juice in Benin were also canceled.

The group also cut a nearly $100,000 award to increase Ugandan yogurt production and almost $50,000 for a WhatsApp marketing chatbot in Kenya.

Another $50,000 project to teach farmers how to grow dragon fruit in Senegal was also slashed.
An Ohio teacher convicted of having sex with her underage student has faced fresh humiliation as neighbors will receive postcards warning them to keep their children away from her house - even during trick-or-treating.

Emily Nutley, 43, who taught at St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati before her she was fired, will be registered as a Tier III sex offender - the highest designation in Ohio's Sex Offender Registry.

The disgraced teacher was accused of carrying on a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old student and charged with two counts of sexual battery.

She will now face a lifetime of restrictions and public shame.

Authorities will mail notification postcards to every resident within 1,000 feet of Nutley's home, with details of her crimes and status as a sex offender, police told TMZ.

The postcards are meant to warn parents in her neighborhood who are advised to keep their children away from her residence, especially during Halloween when trick-or-treaters make their rounds.

Nutley must now also check in with authorities every 90 days for the rest of her life as part of her punishment.

The married Catholic school teacher recently made the outrageous claim that her husband's 'neglect' prompted her to have sex with a 17-year-old pupil.

Emily Nutley, 43, who taught at St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati before her she was fired, will be registered as a Tier III sex offender - the highest designation in Ohio's Sex Offender Registry

Authorities will mail notification postcards to every resident within 1,000 feet of Nutley's home, with details of her crimes and status as a sex offender, police told TMZ

Nutley pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual battery over a physical relationship with a student at the Ohio school in November and December 2023.

The mother-of-three and former teacher at St Xavier High School in Cincinnati was indicted in October after the victim came forward about the abuse.

Nutley admitted to the crime in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court on Monday in a plea bargain that had four other sexual battery counts dismissed.

She will be sentenced by Judge Jennifer Branch on June 10, and faces up to 10 years in prison and having to register as a sex offender for life.

A few weeks after the indictment, Nutley's husband Jonathan Nutley filed for divorce, prompting his wife to accuse him of 'gross neglect of duty and extreme cruelty' in her legal response, TMZ reported.

Hamilton County Prosecutor Melissa Powers told the court last year that Nutley met the victim when he was sent to a program she ran for academically struggling pupils.

They began texting after school hours last autumn, and she sent him nude selfies and 'sexually explicit messages'.

Powers explained their relationship escalated to them having sex several times in mid-November, at least once in her office at the all-boys school after hours.

Nutley kept texting the student after he tried to break off the illicit affair.

Nutley worked with young children at her previous school, but switched to teens at St Xavier

Nutley previously taught at Madeira Elementary School, also in Cincinnati, and posted photos of her work and students there on social media

Nutley has two daughters and a son, the eldest of whom is a junior at a different high school and only slightly younger than the victim

St Xavier charges $18,130 a year in tuition, plus $300 in administrative fees, though financial aid is available.

The school discovered the relationship and conducted an internal investigation, then notified Springfield Township police.

Nutley was fired as soon as the criminal investigation began, which led to her being indicted by a Hamilton County grand jury and arrested on October 28.
Hundreds of American-themed sweet shops, Turkish barbers and car washes have been swooped on as part of a mammoth police crackdown on high street money laundering.

Officers from 19 police forces across England knocked on the doors of 265 premises, that also included nail bars, mini-marts and vape shops, which were being used by criminals to hide dirty cash.

In total, officers froze assets totalling more than 1million in bank accounts, executed 85 warrants and made 35 arrests over a three-week period.

Operation Machinize - a widespread crackdown on gangs using their cash-intensive businesses for fraud, money laundering and selling illicit goods - also saw 55 people questioned about their immigration status and a further 97 safeguarded over potential modern slavery.

Police seized more than 40,000 in cash, 200,000 cigarettes, 7,000 packs of tobacco, more than 8,000 illegal vapes and two vehicles.

Additionally, two cannabis farms were discovered containing a total of 150 plants.

The investigation, led by the National Crime Agency (NCA), resulted in the closure of 10 shops with more expected as a result of ongoing investigations.

Security Minister Dan Jarvis said such operations aim to create an 'even more hostile environment for organised crime'.

Hundreds of American-themed sweet shops have been raided as part of a mammoth police crackdown on high street money laundering

Turkish barbers were among the businesses targeted by Operation Machinize. Pictured: Bodycam footage shows officers smashing their way into barber shops as part of the operation, last month

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The raids were carried out by the regional police forces, alongside Trading Standards, Home Office Immigration Enforcement, HMRC and other partners in the first co-ordinated action of this kind.

According to the NCA, 12billion of criminal cash is thought to be generated in the UK each year, which is typically smuggled out of the country or integrated into the legitimate financial system through money laundering techniques.

Among the raids undertaken in Rochdale, Greater Manchester Police found some of the staff at mini-marts were Kurdish, Iraqi or Iranian asylum seekers, who were working in the UK illegally, the BBC reported.

Meanwhile officers also recovered several drugs, including brown powder believed to be heroin, vials of testosterone, nitrous oxide and Xanax tranquillisers, as well as a machete.

Over in Shrewsbury, officers from West Mercia Police raided a barbershop suspected of dealing in illicit cigarettes and vapes, illegal immigration and drug dealing - where they then discovered thousands of pounds in cash.

Det Insp Daniel Fenn, said some barber shops are claiming an income of 100,000 to 150,000 a month - far above the average many others receive.

'They aren't getting that amount of customers to warrant that amount of money,' he added.

Rachael Herbert, deputy director of the National Economic Crime Centre at the NCA, which provided intelligence to local forces, said: 'Operation Machinize targeted barbershops and other high street businesses being used as cover for a whole range of criminality, all across the country.

A West Mercia Police officer speaks to a man inside one of the Turkish barbers raided last month as part of Operation Machinize

Sniffer dogs were brought along on the raids last month on the shops, which were allegedly being used as fronts for criminal activity

Police seized more than 500,000 in dirty cash, along with 16,000 and arrested seven people after swooping on 33 premises last month as part of Operation Machinize. Pictured: An officer inspects a document during one of the raids

'We have seen links to drug trafficking and distribution, organised immigration crime, modern slavery and human trafficking, firearms, and the sale of illicit tobacco and vapes.

'We know cash-intensive businesses are used as fronts for money laundering, facilitating some of the highest harm and highest impact offending in the UK.

'The excellent results from the first iteration of Operation Machinize are testament to the tireless work of officers across the country, and demonstrate our resolve to clamp down on organised criminality abusing the high street.'

Security Minister Dan Jarvis said: 'High street crime undermines our security, our borders, and the confidence of our communities, and I am determined to take the decisive action necessary to bring those responsible to justice.

'This successful NCA-led operation highlights the scale and complexity of the criminality our towns and cities face and demonstrates our collective determination to make our streets safer, a key pillar of this government's Plan for Change.

'We will continue to support the NCA, and other law enforcement partners, as we make the UK an even more hostile environment for organised crime.'

The latest crackdown follows a spate of police raids on Turkish barber shops last month, which saw the seizure of more than 500,000 in illegal cash.

Seven people were arrested during the swoop on 33 premises by West Mercia Police, as part of the NCA's broader operation.

More than 750 barbers opened in the UK last year despite a widespread High Street downturn - raising suspicions that some are being used by gangs.

Detective Inspector Dan Fenn, of West Mercia Police's Economic Crime team, said previously: '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.

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

'Our work during Operation Machinize sends a clear message to these crime networks: we will not tolerate criminal activity in our communities.'

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.

'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.

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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.

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.

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

Boss Crew Barbers in West London, whose owner was sentenced to 12 years last year for sending 11,000 to ISIS supporters in Syria

Scores of American-style candy stores have been the subject of raids for selling banned treats. Pictured: Products including illicit Lucky Charms cereal and KitKats containing dangerous ingredients that were seized from a London store in October

After realising police were watching him, in 2020 Jabarkhel fled to Kabul, Afghanistan.

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.

Meanwhile scores of American-style candy stores have been the subject of raids for selling banned treats including US sweets, cereals, crisps and fizzy drinks containing additives, colourings and e-numbers banned in the UK over known links to hyperactivity and cancer in children.

Such shops have also been known to sell supersize vapes with tanks many times the size of the UK legal limit of 2ml and twice the legal amount of nicotine.
A Scottish health board has been accused of secrecy and cover-up after launching a bid to block public access to a high-profile tribunal on access to single-sex spaces.

NHS Fife has asked the judge overseeing the case brought by nurse Sandie Peggie, who had to share a changing room with a trans doctor, to remove public access to a livestream.

It claimed that the move was down to technical issues and interruptions which led to significant delays to proceedings.

But critics claimed it was using excuses to try to restrict access and keep the tribunal away from the public.

Tess White, equalities spokesman for the Scottish Conservatives, said: This reeks of an attempt at secrecy and cover-up from NHS Fife.

'There is understandably huge public interest in this case, yet this health board are trying to find any excuse from keeping it out of view from the public.

The public will be appalled at NHS Fifes latest actions given they are squandering taxpayers money on this case at a time when frontline healthcare services are in crisis locally.

The health board should rethink this request, allow time for any technical issues to be resolved by the tribunal and let people tune into the next stage of this tribunal without any restrictions.

NHS Fife has asked the judge overseeing a tribunal involving Dr Beth Upton to remove public access to a livestream

The general public were able to access an online livestream of previous sessions of the hearing, although there were interruptions which caused proceedings to be delayed, including the sound of a crying baby.

NHS Fife said it had been contacted by the tribunal and asked to comment on concerns from a member of the public about the inaccuracy of comments made by a social media account tweeting about proceedings.

It said its legal team had found a number of inaccuracies in posts by Tribunal Tweets so asked for the accounts permission to live-tweet proceedings to be revoked on the grounds that reporting must be fair and accurate.

In a statement, NHS Fife said: During the hearing in February, the Employment Tribunal restricted Cloud Video Platform (virtual viewing) access to press/journalists due to technical issues, as well as interruptions caused by non-media observers.

The technical issues and interruptions caused significant delays which impacted the Tribunals progress.

'A request has therefore been made that this approach be maintained in July.

If these requests are granted, accredited media and press outlets will still be permitted to report on matters and in-person public access to the hearing will remain available.

Policy analysts Murray Blackburn Mackenzie, human rights charity Sex Matters, feminist campaigners For Women Scotland and Tribunal Tweets have told tribunal officials that the stream should be available for all to watch due to the considerable public interest and have insisted that interruptions could be overcome by preventing online viewers from activating their microphones.

Ms Peggie complained that Dr Beth Upton, a trans doctor, was permitted to use a female changing room while transitioning

Lisa Mackenzie, of Murray Blackburn Mackenzie, told the Daily Telegraph: This is an important case that has generated considerable public interest.

'Seeking to restrict access to the HMCTS (His Majestys Courts and Tribunals Service) livestream, when there are very few seats in the public gallery, is a deeply cynical move by NHS Fife and one that we hope will be resisted by the employment tribunal judge.

It should be pressing for the technical issues to be resolved instead of seeking to put in place further barriers to open justice.

A spokesman for Tribunal Tweets said: The respondents have applied to have our permission to report using live text based communications revoked.

We will contest that application and believe that we have respected the relevant order and hope to be allowed to continue to report.

An HMCTS spokesperson said: Decisions on how cases are conducted are made by the independent judiciary.

'In this case, all remote participants will be automatically muted at the point of joining the July hearing to minimise disruptions.

Judge Sandy Kemp is expected to rule on NHS Fifes request at a hearing next week.
An officer who deliberately weighed down keys on her laptop more than 21 million times to make it appear as if she was working from home has been dismissed without notice.

Detective Constable Philippa Baskwill, who was based in Somerset, will be barred from policing and other law enforcement agencies following the accelerated misconduct hearing, held in front of Chief Constable Sarah Crew today.

The hearing heard how software used by the Professional Standards Department identified an abnormal number of keystrokes over prolonged periods of time, which prompted an investigation.

The investigation found evidence that DC Baskwill opened documents and repeatedly depressed specific keys to make it appear as if she was working.

This behaviour was identified on 17 separate days in 2023, varying from a few minutes to up to more than a four hours. A total of more than 21 million keystrokes were recorded in 2023, with almost three million in one month alone.

The investigation also found evidence that DC Baskwill was also using her work laptop during shifts to do online shopping and search for flights.

In November 2023, she was online shopping for a total of four hours and 30 minutes during one shift.

In her account, DC Baskwill admitted to using her mobile phone to depress keys and prevent her laptop from going into standby.

A police detective deliberately weighed down the keys on her laptop to make it look like she was working from home, it has been claimed (Stock photo)

At the hearing, Chief Constable Sarah Crew found DC Baskwill had committed gross misconduct by breaching Standards of Professional Behaviour relating to honesty and integrity, duties and responsibilities, and orders and instructions.

Supt Larisa Hunt, head of the Professional Standards Department, said after the hearing: 'We know officers and staff are dealing with immense pressure and high workloads so it's extremely disappointing for an officer to act in this deliberate and deceitful way. She's let down the public primarily, but also her colleagues too.

'We regularly remind line managers of their responsibilities to hold regular check-ins, one-to-ones, and reviews, to consistently monitor the wellbeing and capacity of their staff. This will also ensure any further instances like this are swiftly identified and dealt with.'

The force previously provided notice of the accelerated misconduct hearing and alleged she 'weighted down keys on her laptop keyboard for considerable periods of time in order to give the misleading impression that she was working'.

It added: 'On several occasions, while working from home, DC Philippa Baskwill spent considerable and extended periods of time online for non-policing purposes, rather than carrying out her policing duties.

'It is contended that (if proven) the allegations amount to gross misconduct.'

DC Philippa Baskwill is facing a misconduct hearing today over allegations she spent 'considerable and extended periods of time' on the internet for non-policing purposes

The hearing is taking place before Avon & Somerset Chief Constable Sarah Crew.

In July, a Leicestershire police officer was found to have been holding down a key on his laptop to pretend he was working when he was actually asleep.

He used his watch to hold down the 'up' key on his work laptop on multiple occasions while working from home.

The hearing found that between December 2023 and January 2024, the officer used 'work avoidance tactics' on 30 separate occasions.

And one key on his laptop was recorded as being used 83 times more than the force average.

His behaviour was ruled to be gross misconduct at the hearing and he faced being dismissed without notice but he had already resigned.
A four-year-old Missouri boy has died in a horror crash while riding on the back of his mother's boyfriend's motorcycle.

Calvin Spurlock, of St Charles, was killed after the bike smashed into a pole last month, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.

The toddler later died at the hospital, while the driver was treated for 'critical, but non-life-threatening injuries'.

'We are heartbroken and devastated,' Janet Bond, Calvin's grandmother, told KSDK News. 'Our world is shattered.'

The tragedy unfolded at around 5pm on March 30 after the motorcycle struck a utility pole while leaving westbound Mexico Road, catapulting the pair off of the bike.

The St. Peters Police Department immediately received several 911 calls informing them about the accident.

Both riders were wearing helmets and Calvin was seated in a second passenger seat at the time as mandated by law.

There is no minimum age required to ride on a motorcycle in the state of Missouri.

Calvin Spurlock, 4, of St. Charles, Missouri, was killed in a devastating accident while riding on the back of his mother's boyfriend's motorcycle last month

On March 30, the toddler was on the back of his mother's boyfriend's motorcycle when they crashed into a utility pole, ejecting them immediately (pictured: Calvin, his mother Haley Perez and her boyfriend)

Several of heartbroken family members gathered at the crash site in torrential downpour on Friday, leaving behind stuffed animals and a cross in Calvin's memory

Calvin reportedly told his grandmother that he had previously been in a motorcycle accident while riding with his mother's boyfriend, but he wasn't hurt.

The incident led to a judge issuing a court order in late January, which demanded that Calvin could only ride with a driver equipped with a valid license.

Sgt. Melissa Doss of St. Peters police said that because an investigation is still ongoing, the department was unable to confirm whether or not the driver had a valid license at the time of the crash.

Bond has since stated that she is 'livid' her grandson was allowed to ride with his mother's boyfriend, St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.

'It makes me very angry,' she told the outlet.

No other vehicles were involved in the accident. The police department's reconstruction team is in the process of investigating the details, including whether speed or other factors played a part in the tragic outcome.

Grieving the heartbreaking loss of her grandson, Bond took to social media and pleaded for witnesses to come forward, desperately wanting to know if anyone had been holding Calvin's hand in his final moments.

She connected with two people who stayed with the toddler until paramedics and emergency crews arrived.

Calvin told his grandmother that he had previously been in a motorcycle accident while riding with his mother's boyfriend, but he wasn't hurt

James Spurlock, Calvin's father, announced his plans to launch a campaign aimed at banning children riding on motorcycles titled #calvinslaw (pictured: Calvin and James)

The previous motorcycle accident led to a judge issuing a court order in late January, which demanded that Calvin could only ride with a driver equipped with a valid license, though it is still unclear the driver had one

'They did give him comfort,' Bond told St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Several of heartbroken family members gathered at the crash site in torrential downpour on Friday, leaving behind stuffed animals and a cross in Calvin's memory.

'The shock hasn't worn off, it hasn't really hit me yet that he's really gone,' Lindsay Lee, Calvin's aunt, told First Alert 4 News.

'He lit up every room he walked into, and there wasn't a life that he met that he didn't touch,' she added.

'It's been a whirlwind ever since. It's been a lot of different emotions.'

Calvin lived with his mother and her boyfriend, whose name has not been released by police.

James has since been outspoken on Facebook following his son's death, announcing plans to launch a campaign aimed at banning children riding on motorcycles titled #calvinslaw.

'Reach out to legislation and help us get #calvinslaw passed,' James wrote to Facebook. 'There are currently no laws preventing children from being on motorcycles.'

No other vehicles were involved in the accident. The police department's reconstruction team is in the process of investigating the details, including whether speed or other factors played a part in the tragic outcome (pictured: Calvin with his mom and her partner)

Calvin was described in his obituary as being an energetic, smart, fearless and beloved little boy to all that knew him

James Spurlock, Calvin's father, and his mother, Haley Perez, have been involved in a court case in Louis County for custody arrangements over the toddler

Calvin was described in his obituary as being an energetic, smart, fearless and beloved little boy to all that knew him.

'He was a friend to all and left a mark on the heart of everyone he met. To know him was to love him,' the memorial read.

'Calvin never passed up a mommy-son date to Panera on a Friday morning, a bowl of Queso (and a chip or two) at El Mezon to celebrate his good behavior at school that day, or snuggling up with mommy and daddy while watching Secret Life of Pets.

'His enthusiasm for life was truly contagious,' it added. Though his time here was far too short, Calvin experienced more in his 4  years than most adults will in a lifetime.

'And without a doubt, Heaven is the most beautiful place he has ever seen or experienced. Calvin is loved beyond words and will be deeply missed by all who crossed paths with him.'
Microsoft founder Bill Gates has never set foot on the multimillion-dollar green-powered superyacht built for him.

The billionaire tech mogul, 69, reportedly commissioned the world's first hydrogen gas fuel-cell superyacht, built by Dutch shipbuilder Feaship, in 2021.

Referred to as Project 821, the 390-foot vessel was designed to run on 'green' hydrogen, which is produced by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen using renewable electricity.

It has two bedrooms, a gym, offices and numerous bathrooms for a home away from home feel - the makers designed it to mimic an upscale apartment.

Despite the glamorous and high-tech nature of this boat, Gates has never once enjoyed its amenities - or even gone onboard, Luxury Launches reported.

Although Gates never officially confirmed his connection to Project 821, known as the Breakthrough, it has been widely understood and reported on that he was behind the undertaking.

The boat has been up for sale, and a Canadian billionaire may soon be the new Breakthrough owner.

Patrick Dovigi, CEO of Green For Life Environmental, is allegedly set to buy the $645 million yacht, Luxury Launches reported.

Referred to as Project 821, the 390-foot 'Breakthrough' was designed to run on 'green' hydrogen, which is produced by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen using renewable electricity

Bill Gates, 69, reportedly commissioned the world's first hydrogen gas fuel-cell superyacht, built by Dutch shipbuilder Feaship, in 2021

Patrick Dovigi, CEO of Green For Life Environmental, is allegedly set to buy the $645 million yacht

Aside from his link to the revolutionary-boating project, Gates has also been known for his unflattering connections, such as his friendship with the disgraced Jeffrey Epstein.

In fact, Gates' relationship with the notorious child sex offender was a factor in his ex-wife Melinda Gates' decision to divorce him in May 2021.

'I did not like that he had meetings with Jeffrey Epstein,' she told CBS' Gayle King.

'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.'

Gates and Epstein met 'several times' despite revelations about Epstein's sex-trafficking of minors, from his first guilty plea in 2008.

These meeting started around 2011, The New York Times reported. At least three of them were held at Epstein's Manhattan townhouse.

Epstein was also invited to fundraising dinners that promoted the Gates Foundation.

After his first interaction with the pedophile financer, Gates allegedly emailed a colleague: 'His lifestyle is very different and kind of intriguing although it would not work for me.'

Gates has also been known for his unflattering connections, such as his friendship with the disgraced Jeffrey Epstein (pictured: Jes Staley, Larry Summers, Epstein, Gates and Boris Nikolic)

Melinda Gates said Gates' relationship with Epstein is part of the reason she divorced him in May 2021

People who worked for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation also visited Epstein's mansion on numerous occasions, according to The NY Times.

Gates has admitted he made 'a huge mistake' by attending fundraising meetings with the convicted predator.

'At the time, I didn't realize that by having those meetings it would be seen as giving him credibility,' Gates told The Times in 2022.

'You're almost saying, 'I forgive that type of behavior,' or something. So clearly the way it's seen, I made a huge mistake not understanding that.'
A Liberal candidate has sparked 'stranger danger' concerns after he was spotted handing out Easter eggs to kids outside a primary school.

Scott Yung, standing for the seat of Bennelong on Sydney's Lower North Shore, was seen handing out the chocolates and campaign flyers outside Lane Cove Public School on Wednesday.

It's understood Mr Yung had arrived before school pick-up time and was greeting children and parents as they came out of the front gates.

The incident angered some parents and that prompted the school principal to make an official complaint to Mr Yung's campaign.

'They were handing out Easter eggs and campaigning material to children,' a parent told The Daily Telegraph.

The parent said Mr Yung was encouraging kids to do 'exactly what we're trying to train them not to do' - take lollies from strangers.

The Department of Education also condemned the incident on Thursday.

'It is unacceptable for any member of the public to hand out Easter eggs, lollies or any other consumable to children outside a school,' a department spokesperson said.

Scott Yung (pictured) is standing for the seat of Bennelong on Sydney's Lower North Shore

Mr Yung was seen giving out Easter eggs to children at Lane Cove Public School (pictured)

A NSW Liberals spokesperson said Mr Yung (pictured) was simply speaking to parents and offering kids Easter eggs with the parents' permission

But a NSW Liberals spokesperson defended Mr Yung, saying he was simply talking with 'local parents in a public space'.

'While speaking to the parents he offered their kids Easter chocolate eggs, with parents' permission, wishing them a happy Easter,' they said.

Mr Yung previously ran in the 2019 NSW state election, contesting the seat of Kogarah and narrowly losing to now Premier Chris Minns.

Questions remain over his campaign disclosures during that election, including endorsements from famous Chinese actors, and free work from a public relations agency, which were not declared.

Mr Yung has previously said there was no need to disclose the endorsements and unpaid work because they were provided without charge.

The incident at Lane Cove Public School comes after the Liberals dumped their candidate for the NSW seat of Whitlam, Benjamin Britton, over comments he made about women.

Mr Britton had called for all women to be removed from frontline roles in the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

The party replaced him as candidate for the Labor-held seat, which covers the southern Illawarra and NSW Southern Highlands, with former NSW state MP Nathaniel Smith.
Labour's Net Zero 'madness' reached new heights with taxpayers forking out millions of pounds for foreign coal to keep Britain's last virgin steel plant running.

It comes just months after Energy Secretary Ed Miliband declared he had banned new coal mines in Britain to 'send a signal to the world' on climate change.

For the last two days, ministers have been in crisis talks with the Chinese owners of the under-threat steelworks in Scunthorpe  and offered to buy coking coal shipped all the way from Japan.

Officials approved funding for the 55,000-ton coal consignment after being warned that supplies were on the verge of running out, with the facility unlikely to reopen if its two furnaces shut.

British Steel was bought by Jingye Group, a Chinese company in March 2020.

The exact cost of the coal  which yesterday arrived at the Humber port of Immingham at the end of a 6,000-mile journey on a diesel-powered ship  is not known.

But recent commodities prices showed coking coal was trading at 131 per metric tonne  meaning the shipment would be worth 7.2million.

Labour's Net Zero 'madness' reached new heights last night with taxpayers forking out millions of pounds for foreign coal to keep Britain's last virgin steel plant running. Pictured: Ed Miliband, Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero attends a speech by Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Doncaster Sheffield Airport on April 9

It comes just months after Energy Secretary Ed Miliband declared he had banned new coal mines in Britain to 'send a signal to the world' on climate change

It is understood the Government is due to cover the cost of yesterday's delivery. The shipment will allow the talks to prevent the collapse of loss-making British Steel to continue while keeping the fires burning.

Conservative MP Neil O'Brien said: 'It is totally mad that just a few months ago Ed Miliband banned coal and coke production in the UK and boasted about sending a signal to the world, yet now the Government are going round the world with a begging bowl trying to get enough coal to keep the last blast furnaces going.

'That is this Government in a nutshell. They are prepared to sacrifice British industry and jobs in the poorer places (of the UK) so they can strut on the world stage, but all we do is move the jobs and investment to other countries and then import from abroad.'

Jingye, which says it has spent 1.2billion propping up the business since buying it in 2020, was unwilling to fork out for the coal as negotiations continued for a Government bail-out.

Labour has offered 500million to help fund two new, greener, electric arc furnaces, which recycle scrap steel, to replace the current furnaces at Scunthorpe.

For the last two days, ministers have been in crisis talks with the Chinese owners of the under-threat steelworks in Scunthorpe (pictured)  and offered to buy coking coal shipped all the way from Japan

But Jingye wants 1billion of public money for the project, which it says could cost 2billion in total. If the current furnaces shut down and cannot be restarted, it risks ending Britain's ability to make its own steel.

The UK would be the only G7 economy left in that position.

The coking coal is used to make virgin steel, which is made from iron ore rather than from recycled steel.

Such is the Government's drive towards Net Zero, it has banned new licences for North Sea gas and oil exploration and also refused to defend a planned new coal mine in Cumbria, approved under the Tories, when subject to a Supreme Court challenge by environmentalists.

The Whitehaven mine would have extracted coking coal from beneath the Irish Sea for 25 years to fuel steel production. Tory MP Graham Stuart, a former energy minister, said: 'It seems to be absurdity on absurdity.

'It's a pretty abject failure of Government for them to have cancelled a mine which involved the latest technology and would have produced coal using the latest, greenest methods.

'The Labour Government, under Ed Miliband's green zealotry, decided they must stop it.

'Now our blast furnaces require coking coal to be shipped all the way around the world. The taxpayer is paying for coal at great cost from a dirtier source.'

Reform UK MP Lee Anderson added: 'It's absolute madness. We have a mine in Cumbria ready to develop which could supply coking coal to make cement and steel in the UK and we are importing the stuff from halfway around the world and in the process making other countries richer.'

Mr Anderson added: 'This useless Government will not be happy until they have destroyed everything that has taken hundreds of years to build up.'

Labour MP and deputy chairman of the public accounts committee, Clive Betts, defended the Government, saying that coal would have needed to be imported for the blast furnaces even if the Cumbrian mine was going ahead.

He said: 'The coal mine was going to take years and years before it was in production.'

The UK lost its ability to produce coking coal when Kellingley Colliery, West Yorkshire, closed in 2015 and since then it has been imported from countries such as Australia, the US and Japan.

Negotiations are continuing between the Department for Business and Trade and British Steel.

Jingye is considering closing Scunthorpe, with the loss of 2,700 jobs, if it cannot agree a deal, while the Government is considering the renationalisation of British Steel.

The GMB  one of three unions representing steelworkers in the talks  called yesterday 'a crunch day' for securing Scunthorpe's future. GMB organiser Colin Todd said: 'If a deal can't be done, GMB is calling for nationalisation to secure this vital industry.'

In a joint statement, the Department for Business and Trade and British Steel declined to comment on the coal shipment but said there was 'continued co-operation in talks to find a way forward', adding: 'Work continues at pace to find a resolution.'

Yesterday Sir Keir Starmer said 'all options are on the table'. Demand for steel was 'likely to go up, not down, which is why it's very important to do everything we can'., he added.

Mr Miliband's spokesman last night declined to comment.
A tradie has died after being electrocuted while working in the roof of a home.

The man, aged in his 40s, was injured at a home on Two Tree Hill Road, Tallegalla, in southeast Queensland, about 7.45pm on Thursday.

He was treated by paramedics who attended the home but died at the scene.

The man was believed to be a contractor.
Val Kilmer's official cause of death has been revealed as pneumonia but new details have also emerged.

Val Kilmer's official cause of death has been revealed as pneumonia but other details have now emerged

The actor, best known for his roles in Top Gun, The Doors, and Batman Forever, died aged 65 on 1 April in Los Angeles from what was thought to have been pneumonia, and now TMZ has confirmed the news.

A copy of the death certificate obtained by the outlet on Thursday (10.04.25) declared that "immediate cause" of his passing was the inflammatory condition of the lung, but also confirmed that "acute hypoxemic respiratory failure, chronic respiratory failure, and squamous cell carcinoma of the base of the tongue" were all underlying factors.

Other factors included "malnutrition, and a tracheocutaneous", and the outlet claimed that the Hollywood star was cremated on Monday.

His cause of death was originally confirmed by his daughter Mercedes Kilmer, who disclosed the information to to the New York Times newspaper.

Mercedes also noted that Val had been diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014, but later recovered from the disease.

The actor made his movie debut in 1984 spy spoof 'Top Secret!' but was best known for his portrayals of the late rocker Jim Morrison in 1991 biopic 'The Doors', the Caped Crusader in 'Batman Forever', and Tom 'Iceman' Kazansky in 1986's 'Top Gun'

Val's final movie appearance came in 2022's 'Top Gun: Maverick', where he reprised his role as Iceman and shared a brief and "emotional" moment with co-star Tom Cruise.

His pal told talk show host Jimmy Kimmel in 2023: "I just want to say that was pretty emotional.

"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."
Peter Dutton has promised to dump Labor's taxes on gas-guzzling cars as he ups his cost-of-living pitch to outer-suburban voters.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister is in Darwin where he is spruiking the government's promise to provide $60million for a new care home and $10 million for a medivac plane in the remote region.

Follow Daily Mail Australia's live campaign coverage.
While they may not be visible in the pictures plastered across the front pages, Meghan and Prince Harry hire a host of staff to help manage their image behind the scenes.

But the Duke and Duchess of Sussex appear to have a problem with high staff turnover - so much so that there is talk of a 'Sussex Survivors Club'.

The group allegedly comprises disgruntled ex-employees who worked for the Sussexes and 'lived to tell the tale', according to the Daily Mail's Royal Editor Rebecca English.

Former staff members were alleged to have post-traumatic stress disorder, defined by the NHS as an anxiety disorder caused by very distressing or frightening events.

Melissa Touabti reportedly resigned as she was 'traumatised' by her boss's behaviour, according to historian Robert Lacey.

The Frenchwoman worked for Robbie Williams and his wife Ayda Field, before becoming Meghan's assistant and 'played a pivotal role in the success of the Royal Wedding'.

Writing in his book Battle of Brothers, Lacey describes how Meghan allegedly asked Touabti to 'order some personally embroidered red blankets for the guests at a Sandringham shooting party that the American actress was hosting for a group of Harry's friends'.

The royal biographer continued: 'When the blankets arrived, however, they were not the right shade of red for Meghan, and by several accounts the duchess "went mental" at her hapless PA.'

Meghan and Prince Harry appear to have a problem with high staff turnover

Melissa Touabti (right) worked for Robbie Williams and his wife Ayda Field (left) before becoming Meghan's assistant

As a result, the 'hugely talented' Touabti resigned just six months after the big day at St George's Chapel.

But there was another side of the story, according to Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand, the authors of Finding Freedom.

They allege that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex had become 'dissatisfied' with Touabti's work and 'were not disappointed when she left', although they spelt her name incorrectly as 'Toubati' in the manuscript.

Scobie and Durand explain that when Meghan accepted Harry's proposal in November 2017, the Duke insisted his fiancee have a 'dedicated team to assist her in learning all the ins-and-outs of royal life'.

The writers name the trusted team as Amy Pickerill or 'Pickle' to friends, who would become Meghan's private secretary; Heather Wong, who worked for the Obama administration as Secretary of Public Affairs; Edward Lane Fox, Harry's private secretary and former captain in the Household Cavalry, and Jason Knauf, a PR professional who was poached from the Royal Bank of Scotland.

But by the end of 2019, all of these key players had fled from Harry and Meghan's employment and, according to Lacey, some formed an informal fraternity titled the 'Sussex Survivors Club'.

Pickerill, who was Meghan's 'right-hand man', stepped down after the Duchess gave birth to Prince Archie in May 2019; Wong left in September 2019; Fox announced his departure before the royal wedding and stepped down soon afterwards; and Knauf lasted until the following spring before jumping ship and joining Prince William's team as the chief executive of his Royal Foundation.

In 2018, Meghan was subject to an internal investigation with Knauf writing a formal human resources complaint that read: 'I am very concerned that the Duchess was able to bully two PAs out of the household in the last year.'

Amy Pickerill walks with her boss Meghan. She would step down as private secretary after the birth of Prince Archie in May 2019

Heather Wong is pictured with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex at a charity fair in Nottingham in December 2017

Wong would leave their employment in September 2019

Edward Lane Fox whispers to Prince Harry at the opening of the Invictus Games in 2014

Fox (pictured in January 2018) would announce his departure just before the Royal Wedding in May 2018 and leave soon after

Jason Knauf (left) follows Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at the Invictus Games in Toronto in 2017. He started working for William and Catherine as the chief executive of their Royal Foundation in 2019

Since, Knauf has been made a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order by the Prince of Wales at Windsor Castle in 2023 - showing how good their relationship still is.

In a bombshell interview with 60 Minutes Australia in February of this year, Knauf said he 'wouldn't change anything' about the leak of his emails alleging bullying by Meghan.

The Times reported that the 'febrile' atmosphere within Kensington Palace saw staff, on occasion, weeping. Two say they were bullied by the duchess, a third that they had been 'humiliated' by her.

The newspaper quotes one aide, who was anticipating a confrontation with Meghan, as saying: 'I can't stop shaking.'

In a statement, Buckingham Palace - which is responsible for the hiring of royal staff - said: 'We are clearly very concerned about allegations in the Times following claims made by former staff of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

'Accordingly, our HR team will look into the circumstances outlined in the article. Members of staff involved at the time, including those who have left the Household, will be invited to participate to see if lessons can be learned.

'The Royal Household has had a Dignity at Work policy in place for a number of years and does not and will not tolerate bullying or harassment in the workplace.'

But it was not just Meghan who allegedly drove staff away.

Knauf was made a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order by the Prince of Wales at Windsor Castle in 2023

Former aide Jason Knauf said he 'wouldn't change anything' about the leak of his emails alleging bullying by Meghan

Royal biographer Robert Jobson claimed in his book Charles at Seventy, which was serialised in the Daily Mail, that Meghan's wedding preparations were so stressful that Harry became 'petulant and short-tempered' with staff.

Jobson wrote: 'Raising his voice on occasion, Harry would insist, "What Meghan wants, she gets".'

Representatives for Meghan and Harry have vehemently dismissed the allegations as part of a 'calculated smear campaign based on misleading and harmful information'.

They describe the allegations as 'old', 'distorted' and aimed at 'undermining' Meghan.

An earlier statement issued by Meghan's spokesman said: 'The duchess is saddened by this latest attack on her character, particularly as someone who has been the target of bullying herself and is deeply committed to supporting those who have experienced pain and trauma.

'She is determined to continue her work building compassion around the world and will keep striving to set an example for doing what is right and doing what is good.'

It has been suggested by others that staff may have 'misunderstood' Meghan's more direct, American style.

But the Daily Mail's Rebecca English said she has 'personally witnessed more than one member of staff driven to tears by the treatment they were subjected to by the Duke and Duchess before the couple acrimoniously quit as working royals'.

Representatives for Harry and Meghan have dismissed the allegations as part of a 'calculated smear campaign based on misleading and harmful information'

'One person sobbed down the phone to me after a particularly harrowing day,' English wrote. 'They clearly felt emotionally broken and could no longer cope with the pressure they were being subjected to.'

The established royal journalist continued: 'Others have indicated to me they were being asked to behave in a manner they did not feel professionally comfortable with, particularly in their dealings with the media.

'Several aides have also told me that Meghan in particular was very good at "drawing" staff into her confidence, flattering them as if they were the only person in the world she could trust and asking them to help her with various duties.

'Toxic, hostile, distrustful, poisonous: all words I have heard regularly used over the past few years to describe people's experiences working in the Sussexes' household.'

It comes as Prince Harry stepped down from his charity Sentebale amid a boardroom battle with its chairman Sophie Chandauka, who accused the Duke of 'harassment and bullying at scale'.

The Charity Commission has since launched an investigation which Harry hopes will 'unveil the truth'.

Perhaps the 'Sussex Survivors Club' has welcomed a new member.
How to raise and educate a future King or Queen for the responsibility of the throne has proved something of a dilemma over the centuries.

In an age when men and women were not viewed equally, the question of what lessons and values to instill in a monarch proved even more challenging.

On this weeks episode of Queens, Kings, and Dastardly Things, royal biographer Robert Hardman and historian Kate Williams delve into the interesting history of raising Royals, paying particular attention to the battle of wills that took place between a young Queen Victoria and her crooked tutor Sir John Conroy.

Sir John Conroy and The Kensington System

After a brief stint in the Royal Artillery, where he attracted the ire of his fellow military officers for actively trying to evade conscription in the Napoleonic Wars, Sir John Conroy found himself in the employ of the Duke of Kent as an equerry.

The Duke of Kent, who was father to Queen Victoria, died in 1820, leaving the matter of the young monarchs education to her mother and the opportunistic Conroy.

While it remains unclear who was most responsible for Victorias strict education, the Duchess of Kent and Conroy colluded to create what would later be known as The Kensington System.

Historian Kate Williams: Conroy had an investment in Victoria not becoming too bright because he wants total power over her' Listen here

Historian Kate Williams: 'Victoria only had her dolls as friends growing up.' Listen here

Conroys inevitable undoing came when Victoria was named Queen, with one of her first acts being to dismiss him from the Royal house. Listen here

The system was a way of controlling the behavior of the young Victoria, not providing her with the education necessary to govern, in the hope that she would later defer matters of state to her mother and Conroy.

Historian Kate Williams described the deliberate isolation of Queen Victorias young life under the regimented system.

Everything Victoria does is watched, everything she does is talked about, Williams told the Queens, Kings and Dastardly Things podcast.

Shes not allowed to have friends other than Conroys daughters, who she dislikes intensely. She only has her dolls as friends.

Victoria was a bright little girl; she had a great facility with languages she would have done very well with a more academic education.

Conroy had an investment in Victoria not becoming too bright, not being too clever, because he wants total power over her.

To the annoyance of the Duchess and Conroy, a kindly courtier, Baroness Lezhen, had sneakily been educating the heir presumptive, in defiance of the system.

Louise Lezhen would later become a lifelong friend and official companion to Victoria when she assumed the throne on her eighteenth birthday.

Everything they try and do with Victorias education, it all falls apart, Williams said.

The consequence is, when Victoria assumes the throne, shes desperate to learn about history, and Lord Melbourne, the Prime Minister, becomes her significant tutor.

Historian Kate Williams: 'Everything Victoria does is watched, everything she does is talked about

In response to his diminishing power, Conroy attempted to plant stories in the press that Victoria was weak-minded, frivolous and foolish before her ascension.

Conroys inevitable undoing came when Victoria was named Queen, with one of her first acts being to dismiss him from the Royal house.

She forced Conroy and the Duchess to live in far-off apartments in Buckingham Palace, to avoid any future contact with the grifting pair.

As Victoria became more assured in her reign, the Duke of Wellington advised Conroy to take his family and leave England for Europe.

Conroy would end his days on his family estate in Reading, where he reared pigs as a professional farmer.

Upon his death in 1854, the now Baron was buried in debt, and it turned out that he had been stealing from the Duchess for years, long before his dismissal from the Royal court.

The Duchess was forced to admit publicly that Conroy had swindled her, leading to an eventual reproachment between mother and monarch.

To learn more about Royal educations, search for Queens, Kings, and Dastardly Things - wherever you get your podcasts.
Italians have discovered a popular British teatime biscuit thanks to King Charles name dropping the sweet treat during his speech.

The King, accompanied by Queen Camilla, are on the final day of their state visit to Italy where they have met the Italian Prime Minister - Giorgia Meloni - and Pope Francis.

Yesterday, the King became the first British monarch to address a joint session of the Italian Parliament.

During his speech, Charles highlighted the shared history between the UK and Italy as well as both countries joint support for Ukraine.

Whilst the King impressed the parliament for giving part of his speech in Italian, it is his reference to a British biscuit which has left Italians curious about its connection to their country.

During a portion of the speech given in English, Charles spoke about the support Britain gave to Italy during the unification of Italy in the 1860s - which saw the Royal Navy support Italian revolutionary Giuseppe Garibaldi.

The King said: 'As Garibaldi landed near Marsala in Sicily in May 1860, two Royal Navy warships stood watch.

'Garibaldi was, as you know, hugely admired in Britain. When he visited in 1864 to thank the British people for their support, Garibaldimania gripped the country.'

The King made the comment while making a speech at the Italian parliament

King Charles became the first British monarch to address a joint session of the Italian Parliament

Queen Camilla and Foreign Secretary David Lammy applauding Charles during his speech

Thanks to Charles' speech Italians have now discovered the popular teatime Garibaldi biscuit (pictured). They have been shocked to discover that one of the founding fathers' of their nation is more famous in Britain as the name an oblong raisin-filled biscuit

Charles added that the leader was so popular in Britain that there is biscuit named after Garibaldi which the King called the 'ultimate mark of British esteem'.

The reference prompted a muted response with only a few awkward laughs in the chamber.

But since the King's speech, curious Italians have been shocked to discover that one of the founding fathers' of their nation is more famous in Britain as the name an oblong raisin-filled biscuit.

'Garibaldi, in our country, was celebrated more with monuments than with sweets,' the Italian newspaper La Repubblica wrote.

Perhaps equally surprising to Italians, is the deep connection Garibaldi has to Great Britain with the King acknowledging that half a million people greeted him in London.

Aside from biscuits, hairstyles and songs were also inspired by the leader.

Beyond references to confectionaries, on a more serious note, the King used his speech to warn that peace was 'never to be taken for granted'.

Referring to the United Kingdom and Italy's joint support for Ukraine, as well as the bravery of civilian Italian resistance fighters in the Second World War, he said: 'Today, sadly, the echoes of those times  which we fervently hoped had been consigned to history  reverberate across our continent.

Charles and Camilla on a royal walkabout in Rome. The King and Queen have been on a state visit in Italy

General Giuseppe Garibaldi was one of the founding fathers' of modern Italy. The leader was popular in the UK hence his namesake biscuit

Whilst the King impressed the parliament for giving part of his speech in Italian, it is his reference to a British biscuit which has left Italians curious about its connection to their country

Beyond references to confectionaries, on a more serious note, the King used his speech to warn that peace was 'never to be taken for granted'

'Our younger generations can now see in the news every day on their smartphones and tablets that peace is never to be taken for granted. Britain and Italy stand today united in defence of the democratic values we share.

'Our countries have both stood by Ukraine in her hour of need  and welcomed many thousands of Ukrainians requiring shelter. Our Armed Forces stand side by side in NATO. We are grateful beyond measure for the role Italy plays in hosting key NATO bases and taking a leading role in so many overseas operations.'

He highlighted imminent plans by the Royal Navy to undertake a major exercise in the Mediterranean with Italian forces as 'a powerful symbol of our cooperation'.

And he praised a joined British, Italian and Japanese air combat programme to build 'our next generation fighter aircraft'. He added: 'We will remember the terrible price of war  and of the precious gift of peace.'

The King was the first British monarch to be invited to give a speech to the joint session of the Italian parliament with representatives from both the Upper and Lower House and only the fourth non-Italian to have addressed the chamber from the President's Podium.

He switched easily between English and Italian, earning him warm applause from his audience, with his wife watching from the 'Benches of Nine'. Describing himself as 'enormously touched' to have been asked he said the gesture was all the more special on their 20th wedding anniversary.

The King and Queen during a private meeting with the Pope yesterday afternoon

After his speech, the King and Queen met Pope Francis in the Vatican for a private meeting.

In a statement released on Wednesday evening, the Holy See Press Office stated: 'Pope Francis met privately with Their Majesties, King Charles and Queen Camilla, this afternoon.

'In the course of the meeting, the Pope expressed his best wishes to Their Majesties on the occasion of their wedding anniversary and reciprocated His Majesty's wishes for a speedy recovery of his health.'
A woman who moved from New York City to Texas nearly a decade ago confessed she regrets the decision and is 'still struggling to adjust.'

Isobella Jade, 42, moved from the Big Apple to Houston with her two kids eight years ago because her husband wanted to be closer to his hometown.

However, after she divorced her ex, Jade realized she couldn't move back to New York without disrupting their custody agreement.

She begrudgingly stayed in Texas, and despite living in the Lone Star State for almost a decade, Jade said she would have preferred to raise her kids in New York.

'It still doesn't feel like home to me, and I'm still struggling to adjust to raising my kids in a place so different from where I'm from,' Jade wrote in Business Insider.

'I still feel grief about raising my kids in Texas and had hoped I would've adjusted to life here by now.'

Jade acknowledged some of the benefits of living in Houston, such as being close to her kids' schools and friends and having access to many extracurricular activities.

But she complained of traffic and having to drive everywhere, as well as the extreme weather.

Isobella Jade, 42, said she is 'still struggling to adjust' from the leaving the Big Apple for Houston eight years ago

After she divorced her ex, Jade realized she couldn't move back to New York (pictured) without disrupting their custody agreement

'Here, I have to drive us anywhere and everywhere. Public transit is limited, and walking to our destination is rarely an option,' Jade said.

'In Houston, we're at risk of being hit with hurricanes, rainstorms, and flooding for a large portion of the year.'

While Jade has her issues with the state, Texas is on track to become America's most populous state as disgruntled liberals continue to flee their home states in droves.

Census data revealed that Americans are fleeing to southern states, lured in by the low cost of living and absence of a state income tax.

Texas' population boom began over a decade ago, and from 2013 to 2023, the state's population increased by almost 4 million, more than any other state.

From July 2023 to July 2024, the US Census Bureau said Texas gained another 562,941 people. Its annualized growth rate of 1.8 percent was the third highest in the time frame, only behind Florida and the District of Columbia.

The fact that Texas and Florida don't levy income taxes on their citizens is a major pulling factor from California and New York, both of which have top marginal rates of over 10 percent.

The cost of housing has driven many Americans to move to Texas and Florida, where they feel they can afford to purchase a home.

Jade acknowledged some of the benefits of living in Houston (pictured), such as being close to her kids' schools and friends and having access to many extracurricular activities

Jade moved from the Big Apple to Houston with her two kids eight years ago because her husband wanted to be closer to his hometown

The typical home price in California ($791,000) and New York ($459,000) is much higher than in Texas ($303,000) and Florida ($415,000), according to Zillow.

However, some transplants have echoed Jade's regret about moving to the Lone Star State.

A pair of California parents who picked up and left for Texas to avoid crumbling under the liberal state's high cost of living can't wait to ditch the Lone State and return home.

Dannielle Price, 47, and her estranged husband, Eiman Monam, 45, are counting down the days until they can leave Tyler, Texas, where they moved last year.

'We are definitely not planning to stay in Texas,' Price told Business Insider. 'We just want to get back home to California once our lease is up in May.'

This is Price's second time living in Texas, and her experience there hasn't been any better than the first time she moved there in 2021.

Her cost-of-living problems haven't vanished like she thought they would, and she's struggling to find a full-time job.

'I haven't gotten many job interviews here in Tyler,' she said. 'It seems like a lot of the jobs are part-time. Plus, I went from making almost $18 an hour in California to $11 here.'
Nearly 113 years after she sank, RMS Titanic is still revealing her secrets.

Incredible new digital images of the ill-fated luxury ocean liner's remains let scientists reconstruct its demise in groundbreaking detail.

Deep sea mapping firm Magellan Ltd sent submersibles to survey all parts of the wreck, which lies about 13,000 feet under the water's surface in the Atlantic Ocean.

The results, subject of a new National Geographic documentary, show Titanic like never before  as a full-scale 'digital twin'.

And according to the detailed 3D model, Titanic could have survived if circumstances on the night of April 14, 1912 had been only marginally different.

In fact, scientists think that a head-on collision with the iceberg would have been less damaging than the glancing blow.

'Titanic has never given up her secrets easily,' said Yasmin Khan, professor of modern history at the University of Oxford.

'Viewing it has been like shining a flashlight into the dark  until now.'

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Experts at deep-sea mapping company Magellan Ltd have snapped the wrecked luxury liner from new angles about 12,500 feet below ocean surface. Pictured, the bow (front of the ship)

The grandest ship: RMS Titanic departing on its maiden voyage from Southampton on April 10, 1912. The remains now lie on the seafloor about 350 nautical miles off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada

RMS Titanic  owned and operated by British company White Star Line  tragically sank in the early hours of April 15, 1912 after a collision with an iceberg, killing an estimated 1,517 of the 2,224 people on board.

During the collision, Titanic only made a glancing blow against the iceberg.

'We used advanced numerical algorithms, computational modelling and supercomputing capabilities to reconstruct the Titanic sinking,' Jeom-Kee Paik, professor of marine technology at University College London, told the BBC.

According to Professor Paik's calculations, the iceberg's 6.3-second impact left an 18 square foot gash in Titanic's starboard (right) side.

In all, the gash stretched across six compartments, from the 'forepeak' at the very front of the ship to the No. 5 boiler room further back.

The results show that these two compartments either side of the entire incision were only just penetrated, but flooded nonetheless.

Titanic was designed to survive the flooding of four compartments, but tragically not six  so the flooding of forepeak and No. 5 boiler room were key.

If the lookouts had seen the iceberg and relayed their warning message mere seconds earlier, the berg's incision may not have stretched such a length across the starboard.

The iceberg's 6.3-second impact left an 18 square foot gash in Titanic's starboard (right) side

In all, the gash stretched across six compartments, from the 'forepeak' at the very front of the ship to the No. 5 boiler room further back

Titanic split at around 2:17am on April 15 just before it slipped below the water's surface. It wasn't until the Titanic's wreck was found in 1985 that it was proven that the ship had split

Jeom Kee Paik from University College London and Simon Benson from University of Newcastle discuss the Titanic simulation

Titanic: Basic facts Constructed by Belfast-based shipbuilders Harland and Wolff between 1909 and 1912, RMS Titanic was the largest ship afloat of her time. Owned and operated by the White Star Line, the passenger vessel set sail on her maiden voyage from Southampton to New York on April 10, 1912. It made two short stops en route to her planned Atlantic crossing - one at the French port of Cherbourg, the other at Cork Harbour, Ireland, where smaller vessels ferried passengers on and off board the Titanic. On April 14, she struck an iceberg at around 23:40 local time, generating six narrow openings in the vessel's starboard hull, thought to have occurred due to rivets in the hull snapping. The ship sank two hours and 40 minutes later, in the early hours of April 15. An estimated 1,517 people died. Advertisement

Potentially, fewer compartments would have been penetrated and history could have been very different.

The results also reinforce the belief that many more lives could have been saved if the ship had not turned course at all.

If Titanic had suffered a head-on collision, hundreds of souls would likely have been killed by the impact  but not thousands.

Only the front few compartments would likely have flooded  suggesting the ship wouldn't have sunk and could have remained afloat until a rescue ship arrived.

It was back in 2022, that filmmaker Anthony Geffen and his team followed experts at Magellan Ltd as they mapped the wreck 12,500 feet below the North Atlantic.

Over three weeks, they produced 16 terabytes of data, 715,000 still images, and 4K footage, capturing the Titanic in unparalleled detail.

After extensive analysis, a team of leading historians, engineers, and forensic experts reconstruct the ship's final moments  revealing new insights into what happened.

Among the new insights are a view of the boiler room near where the liner split in two. Some of the boilers are concave, which shows they were still operating as they were plunged into the icy water.

An illustration of the boiler room flooding on the Titanic. Brave engineers and firemen stayed in the boiler rooms to keep them stoked and keep steam-driven electric generators running as long as possible

The images, published by the BBC, reveal a new view of the boiler room near where the liner split in two. Some of the boilers (pictured) are concave (they curve inwards), which suggests they were still operating as they were plunged into the icy water

Also revealed by the scans is a valve in an open position, indicating that steam was still flowing into Titanic's electricity generating system

The remotely operated vehicle (ROV) 'Juliet' scans the bow railing of the Titanic wreck site, which is difficult to see at such depths even with cutting-edge equipment

A team led by Cumbria-born engineer Joseph Bell worked to shovel coal into the furnaces to keep the lights on as long as possible as the water encroached.

Hero: A team led by Cumbria-born engineer Joseph Bell (pictured) worked to shovel coal into the furnaces to keep Titanic's lights on as it sank

All men died in the disaster but their heroic actions saved many lives by giving crew time to launch the lifeboats safely, Mr Stephenson told the BBC.

'They held the chaos at bay as long as possible, and all of that was kind of symbolised by this open steam valve just sitting there on the stern,' he said.

Also revealed by the scans is a valve in an open position, indicating that steam was still flowing into Titanic's electricity generating system.

This backs up eyewitness reports from the fateful night that a team of brave engineers worked right to the end to keep the ship's lights on.

Further analysis of the digital scans adds to the evidence clearing First Officer William Murdoch, long accused of abandoning his post.

The position of a lifeboat davit  seen in new hi-res detail  suggests his crew was preparing a launch moments before the starboard side was engulfed, corroborating Second Officer Charles Lightoller's testimony that Murdoch was swept away by the sea.

Titanic broke in half just before it made its final plunge in the early hours of April 15, 1912, and now two parts of the ship  the bow and the stern  lie 2,600 feet apart.

This image released in 2023 shows stalactites of rust on the ship's bow, the serial number on a propeller, and a hole over where the grand staircase once stood

This 2023 image shows the stern (the back of the ship) as a twisted mess of metal, after it hit the ocean floor still rotating in a counter-clockwise direction

Captain Chris Hearn, metallurgist Jennifer Hooper, and Titanic analyst Parks Stephenson Parks Stephenson stand in front of the Titanic digital twin in the virtual studio

Titanic's stern (the back of the ship) is a twisted mess of metal after it hit the ocean floor still rotating in a counter-clockwise direction.

The V-shaped bow is more recognisable, complete with railings, although much of it is buried under mud due to the force of impact.

Both halves are surrounded by a field of debris consisting of bits of metal, pieces of furniture, unopened champagne bottles and even passengers' shoes.

The wreck wasn't located until September 1, 1985  a discovery that made global headlines.

Nearly 40 years later, the 90-minute National Geographic documentary unveils 'the most precise model of the Titanic ever created'.

Titanic analyst Parks Stephenson, metallurgist Jennifer Hooper and mariner Captain Chris Hearn dissect the wreckage up close on a full-scale colossal LED volume stage, walking around the ship in its final resting place.

The full footage can be seen in Titanic: The Digital Resurrection on Tuesday 15th April at 8pm on the National Geographic Channel.
Researchers have found evidence to suggest that a 'little ice age' contributed to the Roman Empire's collapse 572 years ago.

Experts have long theorized that a change in Earth's climate may have weakened the empire, making it more vulnerable to political instability, economic decline, invasion by foreign tribes and other stressors.

Now, a new study has strengthened the case that a brief period of intense cooling called the Late Antique Little Ice Age (LALIA) primed the Roman Empire to finally fall in 1453 CE.

The team found geological evidence in Iceland that suggested this event was 'more severe than previously thought,' and therefore played a key role in the Eastern Empire's decline.

In 286 AD, Ancient Rome was split into two parts: the Western Empire and the Eastern Empire.

The Western Roman Empire had already fallen by the time this climatic shift began around 540 CE. It was conquered by a Germanic king some 60 years earlier.

But the global drop in temperatures had a 'very significant impact' on the Eastern Empire, Dr Thomas Gernon, study co-author and professor of Earth Sciences at the University of Southampton, told DailyMail.com.

The LALIA was triggered by ash from three huge volcanic eruptions which blocked out sunlight. It lasted for 200 to 300 years and caused mass migrations throughout Europe that may have reshaped and destabilized the Roman Empire.

Researchers have found new evidence to suggest that a 'little ice age' contributed to the Roman Empire's collapse 572 years ago

'The event in question was very cold by today's standards, with temperatures across Europe falling by an estimated 1.8 to 3.6F,' Professor Gernon said.

'While that might not sound like all that much, it was enough to cause widespread crop failures, increased livestock mortality, a sharp rise in food prices, and ultimately, widespread illness and famine across the Empire,' he added.

For example, the LALIA coincided with the Justinian Plague, which began in 541 CE and killed between 30 and 50 million people around the world  about half the global population at the time.

'These events overlapped with a turbulent time in the Eastern Empire, which was engaged in near-constant warfare, territorial expansion under [Emperor] Justinian, and internal religious conflict,' Professor Gernon said.

He explained that some historians believe the LALIA greatly limited the empire's recovery from these crises and contributed to longer-term structural decline, even though the fall of the Eastern Roman Empire came centuries after the ice age began.

'In this way, it seems likely that the [LALIA] helped tip the balance at a moment when the Eastern Empire was stretched thin,' he said.

Professor Gernon and his colleagues found new geologic evidence to support this theory.

The researchers studied unusual rocks found within a raised beach terrace on Iceland's northwest coast to determine their age and origin.

The researchers studied unusual rocks found within a raised beach terrace on Iceland's northwest coast to determine their age and origin

'This is the first direct evidence of icebergs carrying large Greenlandic cobbles to Iceland,' Spencer said. Cobbles are rounded rocks about the size of a fist

'We knew these rocks seemed somewhat out of place because the rock types are unlike anything found in Iceland today, but we didn't know where they came from,' said Dr Christopher Spencer, lead author and associate professor of tectonochemistry at Queen's University, in a statement.

To answer this question, the team crushed the rocks into fragments, extracted hundreds of tiny zircon mineral crystals and analyzed them.

'Zircons are essentially time capsules that preserve vital information including when they crystallized as well as their compositional characteristics', Spencer said.

'The combination of age and chemical composition allows us to fingerprint currently exposed regions of the Earth's surface, much like is done in forensics.'

Their findings, published in the journal Geology, indicated that the rocks were brought to this location by drifting icebergs during the LALIA.

'This is the first direct evidence of icebergs carrying large Greenlandic cobbles to Iceland,' Spencer said. Cobbles are rounded rocks about the size of a fist.

To determine where the rocks came from, the team crushed the rocks into fragments, extracted hundreds of tiny zircon mineral crystals and analyzed them

This points to two things, Professor Gernon explained. First, the Greenland Ice Sheet was growing and retreating more significantly than usual during the LALIA.

Second, the climate must have been particularly cold during that time, 'cold enough for icebergs to reach and noticeably impact the geology in Iceland,' he said.

This suggests that the LALIA could have put significant strain on the Eastern Roman Empire, and adds to a growing body of evidence pointing to its role in the empire's decline.

'To be absolutely clear, the Roman Empire was already in decline when the [LALIA] began,' Professor Gernon said.

'However, our findings support the idea that climate change in the northern hemisphere was more severe than previously thought.

'Indeed, it was probably a major driver of major societal change, rather than just one of several contributing factors.'
UK stargazers are in for a treat this week, and you won't want to miss it.

A rare pink micromoon will rise alongside a giant blue star in the night sky on Saturday evening.

Looking southeast after sunset, budding astronomers will be able to see the first full moon of Spring as it meets Spica, the brightest star in the constellation Virgo.

Excitingly, this celestial alignment coincides with the moon reaching its furthest point from Earth, making our lunar satellite appear about seven per cent smaller.

Typically, the moon is 238,900 miles (384,500km) from Earth, but on the evening of April 12 it will be over 13,000 miles (20,900km) further away.

Although the moon won't be officially full until 01:22 BST the following morning, at 99 per cent illuminated, the difference will be indistinguishable to the naked eye.

And the good news is that you won't need any special equipment to see this week's spectacular display.

Here's all you need to know to see this unique event for yourself.

UK stargazers will be in for a treat this weekend as a rare pink micromoon rises in the night sky. Pictured: A pink moon over Australia in 2024

The Pink Moon is the first full moon of Spring in the northern hemisphere. It is also known as the Paschal Moon and is used to determine the date of Easter in the Christian church calendar. Pictured: The Pink moon over Indonesia in April, 2023

On the evening of April 12, the full moon will meet the massive blue star Spica, the brightest star in the constellation of Virgo

A full moon occurs once every 28 days, when the moon is completely illuminated by the Sun.

From our perspective on Earth, this means we can see the entirety of the sunward-facing side of the moon.

Athough April's full moon is dubbed the 'pink moon' it won't actually appear to be a different colour than normal.

The name really comes from the spring bloom of a North American wildflower called Phlox subulata, also known as 'moss pink', which coincides with the lunar event.

If you watch the moon rise, it might briefly appear to take on a pink or reddish hue while low on the horizon, but this has nothing to do with the specific time of year.

Rather, this effect is caused by light from the sun passing through Earth's atmosphere before it reaches the moon.

Since blue wavelengths of light are scattered, more of the red and pink tones reach the moon - making it appear to change colour.

However, once the moon rises above the horizon it should return to its normal colour, even on the day of the pink moon.

The moon may appear pink or red while low on the horizon due to light scattering through Earth's atmosphere. However, the name 'pink moon' actually comes from the bloom of North American wildflowers which occurs in April. Pictured: The Pink Moon rises next to The Balmoral Clock, Edinburgh in April, 2024

What makes this full moon special is that it is a 'micromoon'.

Since the moon's orbit around Earth is not a perfect circle, it moves closer and further away from us at different times in its cycle.

Jake Foster, an astronomer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, told MailOnline: 'A micro moon occurs when the Moon is at its furthest distance from the Earth, a point known as apogee, while also in its full moon phase.'

A micromoon is essentially the opposite of a supermoon - a full moon which occurs when the moon is closest to Earth.

At this time the moon is roughly 251,970 miles (405,500km) from Earth and appears smaller from our perspective.

'You might notice that the Moon looks smaller than usual, it will appear about 7 per cent smaller than its average size, and 15 per cent dimmer as well,' says Mr Foster.

'A smaller, fainter Moon might not sound as exciting as a supermoon, but they are both a lovely quirk of the mechanics of our solar system.'

A slightly dimmer moon may also make it easier to spot the star Spica, which the moon will meet as it rises on Saturday.

This week's full moon is considered a 'micromoon' because it coincides with the moon reaching its furthest distance from Earth, known as the apogee. This will make it appear about seven per cent smaller and up to 15 per cent less bright

Upcoming full moons Pink Moon: April 13 (01:22) Flower Moon: May 12 (17:56) Strawberry Moon: June 11 (08:44) Buck Moon: July 10 (21:37) Sturgeon Moon: August 9 (08:55) Harvest Moon: September 7 (19:09) Hunter's Moon: October 7 (04:48) Beaver Moon: November 5 (13:19) Cold Moon: December 4 (23:14) *Times in brackets are best time to see the event from the UK Advertisement

Spica is the brightest star in the constellation Virgo and the 16th brightest star in the whole sky.

This star actually produces 20,500 times more light than our sun but appears fainter because it is so far away.

The star Spica is a massive 'blue giant' about 250 light years from Earth which has a mass 11.43 times greater than our sun and a radius 7.5 times larger.

To find Spica, look for the Big Dipper or Plough constellation and follow the ark of its 'handle' to find the bright orange star Arcturus.

From there, keep following the same path until you see a bright, blueish star in the constellation Virgo, that star will be Spica.

However, on Saturday, spotting Spica's alignment with the moon will be even easier than normal.

Mr Foster says: 'The Moon will be rising from the eastern horizon at around 8 pm BST on the 12th, rising higher and heading further west throughout the evening.

'It will be hard to miss, so as long as the weather is clear you should be able to just face roughly south and enjoy the view.'

Spica (pictured left of the moon) is a blue supergiant about 150 light-years from Earth. This massive star produces 20,500 times more light than our sun but appears fainter because it is so far away

To find Spica look for the Big Dipper and follow the curve of the 'handle' to the bright orange star Arcturus. Then, keep following the curve until you see a blueish star in the constellation Virgo

Unfortunately, the weather this Saturday will not be ideal for stargazing. Rain is forecast over some parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland, and England while cloud will cover much of the country

The moon should meet Spica as it rises at about 10:00 BST so the sky should be dark enough to get a great view.

Although the moon will be bright, try to give your eyes time to adjust to the dark in order to pick out more features on the lunar surface.

You won't need any equipment to see the moon and Spica but if you do have binoculars or a telescope tonight will be a great time to get a clear view of the moon.

Unfortunately, the weather for stargazing on Saturday won't be ideal with cloud cover over much of the UK and rain over parts of Northern England and Scotland.

A Met Office Spokesperson told MailOnline: 'At the moment we expect fairly widespread cloud cover by Saturday evening as a small scale, shallow low pressure system brings some showery rain.'

However, those in the East of England might have better chances with a few breaks in the cloud forecast around 10:00 BST.

If you do miss out on this week's full moon, the next full moon will be the Flower Moon on May 12.

But the next supermoon won't be until the Hunter's Moon later this year on October 7.
Buying something in the shops used to be as simple as choosing the item and handing over the money.

But in recent years, the great British shopping experience has dramatically changed.

In 2025, artificial intelligence (AI) is patrolling Britain's retail stores to keep an eye on customers as they stock up on essentials.

Now, people are subjected to a slew of AI-powered tech, including intelligent surveillance cameras, robots, facial recognition systems and online age checks.

Home Bargains is the latest to follow the trend, with a new AI-enabled security system that watches you while you scan your own items.

Meanwhile, Asda's new live facial recognition system scans CCTV images and compares results to a known list of individuals who have previously committed criminal activity in one of its stores.

It joins the likes of 'buzz for booze' buttons in Morrisons, AI age-checks to buy knives from John Lewis and even high tech robots in Tesco.

So, is AI being used in your favourite shop? Here, MailOnlinereveals the Orwellian technologies being used to tackle crime  despite criticism from experts.

From 'buzz for booze' buttons in Morrisons to age-checks to buy knives at John Lewis, here's the Orwellian technologies being used to tackle crime

Live facial recognition technology has been integrated into Asdas existing CCTV network and works by scanning images and comparing the results to a known list of individuals who have previously committed criminal activity in one of its stores (stock image)

Madeleine Stone, senior advocacy officer at Big Brother Watch, said retailers 'should be extremely cautious when experimenting with novel forms of AI-powered surveillance in stores'.

'We are at risk of companies creating high streets staffed not by workers, but by intrusive new technologies and with human oversight being substituted for pervasive surveillance which tracks our bodies and behaviours,' she told MailOnline.

'While some security measures are reasonable, technologies such as live facial recognition are too intrusive to ever be used safely and must be banned.'

Anti-theft scans

It's known for selling 'top brands at bottom prices', but Home Bargains has been victim to thieving 'swipers'  people who bag groceries at self-service checkouts without scanning them.

As a result, the retailer has deployed AI-enabled security cameras that keep a very close eye on people when they're at the machines.

The discount store chain, founded in Liverpool in 1976, has teamed up with tech companies SAI (Storewide Active Intelligence) and Everseen for the crackdown.

SAI says on its website: 'SAI's industry hardened technology and patented computer vision platform gives retailers the tools to enhance customer service while increasing sales and minimising losses.'

At self-service checkouts, AI cameras keep a close eye on consumers as they scan their items

It's known for selling 'top brands at bottom prices', but Home Bargains has been victim to thieving 'swpiers' - people who bag groceries at self-service checkouts without scanning them (file photo)

The site acknowledges that 'rising living costs are causing desperation' which is forcing people to swipe goods  often by pretending to scan them.

But it urges clients to 'identify and prevent costly checkout losses' with its system, which also automatically detects incidents of aggression and violence in stores.

Recent studies have suggested 33 per cent of customers regularly steal through the do-it-yourself checkout area, with fruit and vegetables and breads highest on the list.

Dalek-like security bots

To the surprise of Tesco customers, the retailer has started stationing Dalek-like at its entrances which keep an eye out for intruders at night during closing hours.

The 'ominous' machines, which detect thieves thanks to 360-degree cameras, shout at intruders in an 'angry Northern Irish accent' and send alerts to authorities.

Last year, one of the robots was snapped in a Tesco store in an unknown location  prompting the retailer to admit it has been using them.

Covered in the same yellow and blue chequered markings used by UK Police, the bot is a PID360 security robot made by Shropshire-based firm Deter Tech.

Deter Tech says: 'With its striking design, audio alerts, and LED illuminators, the PID360 serves as a powerful deterrent against intruders on your site'

Until now the PID360 has mostly been used on construction sites to detect criminals stealing equipment or trespassers who could hurt themselves.

But 'desperate' Tesco bosses drafted the bots across UK stores to keep an eye out during the night during closing hours  especially smaller Tesco Express stores that are usually empty of security staff overnight.

According to Deter Tech, the PID360 deters more than '80 per cent of intrusions' and can be deployed in remote locations without needing power.

'Buzz for booze' buttons

Buzz for booze may sound like a gameshow presented by Dale Winton, but its yet another high-tech anti-theft supermarket crackdown.

Morrisons has installed buttons that customers have to press if they want to buy certain pricey alcoholic beverages, like sprits and sparkling wines.

When pressed, the buzzer automatically summons a staff member who then unlocks the glass cabinet holding the booze.

Among the Morrisons branches with the buzzers are Birmingham, Chippenham in Wiltshire and Fleet in Hampshire, according to reports.

Pictured, a 'buzz for booze' button at a Morrisons at Five Ways in Birmingham was reported on last April

@Morrisons #Morley what on earth is going on here??? This is terrible and really puts me off shopping here! Consider you have to wait for everything anyway in that store adding another wait to an already under staff store is a joke! #PoorExperience pic.twitter.com/WDE2nyAHPF  Joseph Gourvenec (@JosephGourvenec) March 7, 2024

But the system has gone down badly with many shoppers, with some calling it crazy and an absolute joke.

One social media user based in Leeds posted a video showing row upon row of glass cabinets protected by the buttons.

He said: I have actually got to say, this will put me completely off buying any spirits from Morrisons. What an absolute joke. Buzz for booze? Lets go elsewhere.

A Morrisons spokesperson told MailOnline: 'We can confirm that we are using these cabinets in a number of our stores, as are others across the industry.

'We have received good feedback from customers and have a colleague in the area and the buzzer also goes to the store headsets so customers can expect a really prompt service.'

Amazon's 'Just walk out'

At Amazon's 'Fresh' grocery stores, of which there are about 20 in England, the tech giant keeps an eye on all customers that pass through its doors.

Amazon Fresh stores have cameras and depth-sensors developed with deep-learning AI techniques to monitor what customers pick up and put back on the shelves.

Amazon Fresh stores have cameras and depth-sensors developed with deep-learning AI techniques to monitor what customers pick up and put back on the shelves

When customers are done, they scan the app or pay by card at kiosks and then 'just walk out' - and the tech knows how much to charge them and emails the receipt

It means the tech knows exactly what each person has taken from the store and how much to charge their payment details, which are stored on the app.

When customers are done, they scan the app or pay by card at kiosks and then 'just walk out'  and the tech knows how much to charge them and emails the receipt.

However, the technology has proved controversial as sometimes the AI has trouble telling when an item was put back on the shelves.

It means the customer is often overcharged, although the process of getting a refund for the erroneous item is fairly straightforward.

Alternatively, Amazon Fresh has recently given customers the option to pay in the more conventional way  by scanning their items at the tills.

AI age checks

In a bid to tackle knife crime, John Lewis is using AI to check if online shoppers are old enough to buy knives.

Using a technology called facial age estimation, the online store can check whether someone is over 18 without needing to see their ID.

Upon checkout, users will be prompted to verify their age. This will take the shopper to a website where they can provide a photo of their face to prove they are over 18

The technology is provided by Yoti, a company which already makes age recognition systems for social media and pornography sites. Yoti uses an AI trained on millions of photos to determine how hold a user is from their face alone

When someone wants to buy a knife, the shopper must give permission for the website to take a photo of their face which is then scanned by AI.

The tech from digital identity company Yoti, approved by the regulator Ofcom for use under the Online Safety Act , has now allowed knives to return to John Lewis' online store.

Once approved, John Lewis says that home deliveries will be made by Royal Mail who will ask for a photographic ID on the door before handing over the package.

Other controversial measures

Earlier this month, Asda launched a trial of live facial recognition technology in its stores to combat soaring shoplifting and assaults on staff.

In a move branded 'disproportionate' and 'chilling' by anti-surveillance groups, the retailer is introducing the scheme in five shops across the Manchester area.

The technology has been integrated into Asda's existing CCTV network and works by scanning images and comparing the results to a known list of individuals who have previously committed criminal activity in one of its stores.

If a match is found by the automated system, in a matter of seconds head office security will conduct a check and report it to the store in question immediately.

Meanwhile, Co-op, which has installed 'fortified' kiosks featuring toughened screen and keycode-controlled entry in hundreds of stores.

It is also trialling AI that uses CCTV to track suspicious behaviour.

And Tesco has also introduced weighing scales at its Gateshead to check whether customers using 'Scan as you shop' aren't taking home extra goods.
Queen Camilla credits friendship, laughter and "getting on with life" as key to her marriage to King Charles.

Queen Camilla and King Charles in Italy

The couple celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary on Wednesday (09.04.25) during their state visit to Italy and Camilla admitted she was amazeed at how long it had been since they tied the knot.

Speaking to the British media during the trip, she said: 20 years, who could believe it was 20 years?

What is the secret? I dont knowI suppose its just sort of friendship, really.

Laughing at the same things, getting on with life. I suppose doing this [public engagements] takes up most of the time.

We are always going in different directions, like ships that pass in the night really. We whizz past each other.

Earlier in the day, Camilla donned the outfit she had worn for the couple's 2005 civil ceremony, but modified and with added embroidery to the dress and coat.

The 77-year-old royal explained she and her husband had time in their diary for a "bit of a catch-up this afternoon" following five public engagements but before a state banquet.

And asked if the king would have accepted a break from work as a gift, she quipped: "Dream on."

Discussing if they get time to relax together on tour, she said: Yes, we do. We have time over dinner to do a bit of catching up.

It would be very nice if we got a day off and went somewhere but that was not going to happen!

The couple hadn't exchanged gifts, but Camilla planned to give Charles some china, the traditional gift for a 20th anniversary.

She said: We are going to do that when we get back.

We are going to save that. Otherwise you cant really. you have to rush it. You dont have time to say anything.

"I think we might dig into our pockets and pull something out at the end of the day. I have got something.

Camilla was a regular visitor to Italy as a child because her family had a holiday home in Florence and she was delighted to return to the country.

She said: Ive always loved it here.

You come to Italy and you feel better. They are so friendly. Everybody is so lovely.

Youve got the food, the weather, theres something in the air. Everything tastes better here.

Why is it tomatoes, why is it pasta tastes better? You take it back to England, it doesnt taste the same.

During the state banquet for 150 guests in the evening, Charles noted the timing of the visit was all the more special to us both since today also marks our 20th wedding anniversary.

He quipped: On that score, I must say it really is very good of you, Mr President, to lay on this small romantic, candle-lit dinner for two.

The couple made a last-minute visit to Pope Francis, and he wished them a happy anniversary during their 20-minute meeting.

Buckingham Palace shared a photo on social media, along with the caption: The King and Queen were deeply touched by the Popes kind remarks about their 20th wedding anniversary and honoured to be able to share their best wishes with him in person.
Advertisement

Graphic designer and author Carolina Amell has celebrated inspirational female surfers with a new photo book, Every Body Surf.

The new collection of stunning photographs celebrates 'self-love, sisterhood and body positivity' as well as the 'beauty and power of the ocean'.

Carolina's book profiles 27 women across five continents who are 'connected by their love of surfing' and the 'sense of empowerment they draw from a supportive community where bodies of all types are celebrated'.

Scroll down for a selection of the stunning images...

Surfs up! Ming Hui Brown, the current International Women's Longboard Champion, free surfing was captured by photographer Amber Jenks in La Union, a coastal province, in the Philippines

Hitting the waves: Chelsea Ross, the founder of Surf Goddess Retreats was captured by Jorge Moya

Safe space: Jessa Williams, pictured third from left, created Intrsxtn Surf as a place for women of color to 'explore the outdoors through surfing'

Happy times: Chelsea with fellow surfer Anais Pierquet in a snap taken by Jorge Moya in Indonesia

Party time! Surfer Bri Atisanoe (in the yellow bikini) 'celebrates a party wave' with her friends in Hawaii

Wave master: Risa Mara Machuca surfing in Mexico

Very niche: Marina Emerald is an underwater maternity photographer and captured this image of a pregnant surfer at Noosa Heads, Australia

All around the world: Christian Raskal captured this impressive moment of surfer Anais Pierquet longboarding in Indonesia

About to go: Clementine Bourke captured Australian surfer Kirra Calleja, centre, with friends

Relaxing energy: Patricia Valdovinos Ornelas carries her board at Playa La Saladita in Mexico (left) while Elizabeth Sneed sits on her board in Waikiki, Hawaii

Just for fun: Photographer Marina Emerald, who took this photo, says women should 'be out there doing what we love without caring about how we look. We are out there to have fun, relax, enjoy the ocean, hang out with friends or simply be alone'
Prostate cancer could be predicted using a simple at-home spit test, a new study suggests.

Researchers in Britain say it could 'turn the tide' on the disease and help identity at-risk men who are often reluctant to visit the doctor.

It's estimated it could detect more than 12,000 tumors at an earlier stage in the UK, when the disease is easier to treat, saving the health service millions of dollars.

Success: Brothers Joel Turnbull and Dheeresh Turnbull both found out they had prostate cancer after they took part in a trial assessing the spit test for prostate cancer

Easy to use: A new at-home spit test for prostate cancer is more accurate than current screening methods, a breakthrough study suggests

The test involves extracting DNA from a saliva sample and looking for variations that are known to increase a man's risk of prostate cancer.

The type and number of variations allows scientists to calculate each individual's risk, known as a polygenic risk score (PGS).

Those with a high PGS can then be offered an MRI scan and biopsy to establish if they actually have a tumor.

New trial results show the spit test outperformed the blood test currently used in Britain to look for elevated levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA).

For the men with the highest genetic risk, the spit test picked up a higher proportion of aggressive cancers, returned fewer false positives, and picked up people with cancer who would have been missed by the PSA test.

Researchers at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust found the test also identified men with prostate cancer that was missed by an MRI scan.

Professor Ros Eeles, from the ICR, said: 'With this test, it could be possible to turn the tide on prostate cancer.

'We have shown that a relatively simple, inexpensive spit test to identify men of European heritage at higher risk due to their genetic makeup is an effective tool to catch prostate cancer early.

'Building on decades of research into the genetic markers of prostate cancer, our study shows that the theory does work in practice  we can identify men at risk of aggressive cancers who need further tests and spare the men who are at lower risk from unnecessary treatments.'

The Barcode 1 study, published Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine, calculated the PRS of 6,142 European men aged 55 to 69.

The score is based on 130 genetic variations in the DNA code that are linked to prostate cancer, developed by studying the DNA of hundreds of thousands of men.

Test results: The spit test outperformed the blood test currently used on the British health service to look for elevated levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA)

Those with the highest 10 per cent of risk scores were invited to further screening.

Typically, only 25 per cent of men with a high PSA level will actually have prostate cancer.

But following an MRI and prostate biopsy, 187 (40 per cent) of the 468 men with a high PRS were diagnosed with the disease.

Of these 187 men, 118 (63.1 per cent) had a PSA level below 3.0ug/L, which is considered 'normal' and would usually indicate that no further screening is required.

Previous studies have shown that the PSA blood test picks up many people who have cancers that are not of concern and would not require treatment.

The PRS saliva test identified a higher proportion of aggressive cancers  which are fast growing and likely to spread  than the PSA test.

Of the 187 cancers detected, 55.1 per cent were aggressive cancers compared with 35.5 per cent identified by a PSA test in a recent study.

The PRS test is also more accurate than an MRI scan for these men with high genetic risk, as 125 men (66.8 per cent) had prostate cancer confirmed by a biopsy that was not detected by the MRI.

A trial launched by the charity Prostate Cancer UK will directly compare the saliva test to the PSA blood test and MRI scan, to assess whether those with a low genetic risk may also benefit from an alternative screening tool.

Professor Kristian Helin, chief executive of ICR, said: 'Early detection of cancers significantly increases the chance of a cure.

'With prostate cancer cases expected to double by 2040, it's crucial to establish a robust way of picking up clinically significant cases of prostate cancer at an earlier stage.

'The current PSA test often leads to unnecessary treatments and, more concerningly, fails to detect some cancers.

'There is an urgent need for a better screening test.

'This research represents a promising advancement towards that goal and underscores the life-saving potential of genetic testing.'
Ryanair certainly stands out from its competitors for its cheap, no-frills flights, but it's equally established a prominent social media presence over its savage responses to customer complaints.

Over the years, the Irish budget airline has amassed a legion of fans on TikTok and X with its 'unhinged' replies to plane passengers who complain of hidden charges, lack of space or wrongly assigned seats during their travels.

The company also pokes fun at rival airlines, as well as its own service, on TikTok, where it boasts 1.5million followers and has more than 41.9million likes, making it the biggest airline brand on the platform.

With temperatures hotting up and more travellers taking to the skies, Ryanair's social media team on X have resumed their position of calling out customers, other companies - and themselves.

In its latest barrage of tongue-in-cheek tweets, the airline lightheartedly mocked a jetsetter who moaned of being assigned an incorrect seat.

Attaching a photograph of himself pointing to the adjacent wall whilst seated, the passenger, who is bald, wrote: 'When you book a window seat, but forget it's Ryanair.'

The airline took aim at the passenger's hairless scalp, writing: 'Turkey flight?'

Another flier accused the company of assigning them a windowless seat after they'd specifically selected a window view.

Ryanair certainly stands out from its competitors for its cheap, no-frills flights, but it's equally established a prominent social media presence over its responses to customer complaints

In its latest barrage of tongue-in-cheek tweets, the airline lightheartedly mocked a jetsetter who moaned of being assigned an incorrect seat

They wrote, 'Beautiful views today from the window seat,' to which Ryanair responded, 'That's a wall.'

A third passenger, who uploaded a photo of themselves standing on the tarmac in front of a Ryanair aircraft, threw a jab at the airline by blurring out the plane in the background, before sarcastically adding: 'My favourite airline.'

The company responded with an edit of their own, which saw the passenger's face blurred out while the plane in the background became the focus, as they added: 'Fixed it.'

Meanwhile, a train commuter, who appeared to have recently travelled with Avanti West Coast, uploaded a photo of their windowless F32 seat during their journey.

They tweeted, 'Looks like Avanti West Coast have taken a leaf out of the Ryanair playbook when describing "window seats!"' to which the airline smugly responded, 'Copycats.'

In March, Ryanair posted a tweet to its X account to tease passengers who have previously complained but have continued to use its services.

The company wrote: 'Good morning to passengers who said they'd never fly Ryanair again, but did.'

In March, Ryanair posted a tweet to its X account to tease passengers who have previously complained but have continued to use its services

A passenger threw a jab at the airline by blurring out the plane in the background of a photo they'd taken of themselves, before sarcastically adding: 'My favourite airline'

A train commuter, who appeared to have recently travelled with Avanti West Coast, uploaded a photo of their windowless F32 seat during their journey, comparing it with a Ryanair flight

Another flier accused the company of assigning them a windowless seat after they'd specifically selected a window view - but Ryanair hit back with: 'That's a wall'

Meanwhile, Ryanair's social media presence has proved a particular hit with users in the US and Asia, who have called for the company expand its flight routes so they can experience the airline after discovering it on TikTok.

One posted: 'I will literally move countries just to be able to fly Ryanair.'

Another American user added in response to a video: 'This is great and I can't even fly Ryanair in the US.'

A third wrote: 'I don't live in Europe so I will never fly Ryanair but because of this account it's my favourite airline.'

However, European users are quick to keep their expectations in check, with several posting about cases of slow refunds, cancelled flights and bumpy landings.

One posted: 'Queen of TikTok but not queen of the skies.'
With its glorious sunshine and beautiful beaches, plenty of Brits will be heading to Greece for the summer this year.

But holidaymakers have been issued an urgent warning about four potential natural disasters by the Foreign Office.

The FCDO stated: 'Greece can experience extreme natural phenomena such as earthquakes, wildfires, extreme heat and flash floods.'

It follows some dramatic weather in Greece, with mid-March temperatures reaching record highs of 33.7 degrees Celsius in Crete and 31.4 degrees Celsius in Livadia, followed by a period of snow and frost.

Now heavy rain, thunderstorms and a significant drop in temperature is predicted in the north and northeast of Greece.

The FCDO advised: 'To be alerted to events near where you are located in Greece, register for alerts from the Greek Government's Emergency Communication Service.

'Register for Emergency alerts and follow '112 Greece' on X for official updates. There is a high risk of wildfires from April to October in the summer.

'Ensure that your mobile phone is registered to receive emergency alerts and be warned of wildfires near your location.

British holidaymakers have been issued an urgent warning about four potential natural disasters in Greece by the Foreign Office. Pictured is a pool in Rhodes

The FCDO stated: 'Greece can experience extreme natural phenomena such as earthquakes, wildfires, extreme heat and flash floods.' Pictured is Mycenae, near Mikines, in the north-eastern Peloponnese

'Wildfires are highly dangerous and unpredictable. The situation can change quickly.'

To register for alerts, iPhone users need to go to Settings, then Notifications, and switch on Emergency Alerts.

Meanwhile, Android users  on models 11 and above  should head to Settings and click Notifications, then Advanced Settings, and then Wireless Emergecy Alerts.

It comes after air traffic control bosses warned Europe could face the worst flight disruption since 2001 due to issues around staffing and capacity.
Jet2 launches flights to a gorgeous Greek island with ancient sites and beaches

Jet2 has announced it's launching flights to a beautiful Greek island from two major UK airports.

The top-rated holiday provider will fly to the island of Samos from both London Stansted and Manchester twice a week.

The flights are set to launch in time for summer 2026 with package holidays from Jet2holidays also going on sale.

Manchester's service will launch on May 5, 2026 and run all summer through to October 30.

Flights from London Stansted will launch on May 7, 2026 and operate until October 26.

A Greek island in the eastern Aegean Sea, idyllic Samos is just a mile from Turkey.

Jet2 says Samos is 'bursting with charm' from its 'golden-grained beaches to its lush green hills'.

It adds: 'Holidaymakers can spend their days lounging by the glittering Aegean Sea, hiking through ancient ruins or enjoying delicious Greek fare at a cosy taverna.

Jet2 has announced it's launching flights to a beautiful Greek island from two major UK airports. Samos (pictured above) is close to Turkey

The flights are set to launch in time for summer 2026 with package holidays from Jet2holidays also going on sale

'With stunning sunsets and a laid-back vibe, Samos is the ultimate place to relax, unwind and soak up the tranquility of Greece.'

Visitors to Samos have the option of exploring two UNESCO monuments, the ancient city of Pythagoreion and the ancient Temple of Hera.

Travel YouTubers, 'Delightful Travellers', recently visited the island and described it as 'better than Mykonos', urging tourists to head to Samos instead.

The pair visited the island's Kokkari Beach, a white pebble bay with a bar and watersport rental. They described it as 'the perfect place to unwind'.

Away from beaches, the island is known for its lush greenery and visitors can hike to the peak of Mount Kerkis for views from 1,400m/4,593 feet up.

Tourists will also be able to indulge in some of the island's local cuisine, including zucchini flowers stuffed with rice and revithokeftedes (chickpea fritters).

Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2Holidays, says: 'The launch of Samos for Summer 26 gives holidaymakers and independent travel agents access to this beautiful Greek island and the exclusive chance to enjoy an authentic slice of from Greece from Manchester and London Stansted Airports.

'We are very pleased to be expanding our presence across Greece by adding this brand-new gateway to our portfolio, appealing to holidaymakers looking for a laid-back Greek island experience.

'With stunning sunsets and a laid-back vibe, Samos is the ultimate place to relax, unwind and soak up the tranquility of Greece,' says Jet2

Visitors to Samos have the option of exploring two UNESCO monuments, the ancient city of Pythagoreion and the ancient Temple of Hera (pictured above)

'Offering customers and independent travel agents even more choice, we are also delighted to be adding a selection of hotels available to book now across six stunning resorts.

'We look forward to taking customers to Samos on their well-deserved holidays and showcasing our VIP customer service.'

But Samos isn't the only destination to get excited about.

easyJet has just launched new flights to Cape Verde, an island often described as the 'African Caribbean'.

And 'Europe's Hawaii' is getting easier to travel to with plenty of new flight routes to Madeira.

easyJet and British Airways have also both just launched direct flights to Tbilisi, making the Georgian capital much easier to reach for British travellers.
Passengers won't be told if they lose their plane seat to an air marshal

A mother recently claimed she was escorted off a Ryanair flight from Tenerife to Bristol when her card was declined and she couldn't pay for the Pringles she'd already started eating.

But while being unable to pay for an item might get you in trouble with an airline, there are several other reasons passengers could be bumped from their flight.

And in one particular circumstance, the airline won't even be able to tell you the reason why you've been kicked off.

If an air marshal is travelling on your flight, you could be removed to make room for them.

Air marshals are undercover law enforcement workers who occasionally travel on planes to prevent flight hijackings.

An air marshal's job is to identify any threats onboard the plane and deal with incidents.

It's extremely rare to have an air marshal on your flight. GoTravelyourway.com states that fewer than one per cent of flights in the USA have an air marshal onboard.

If an air marshal is travelling on your flight, you could be removed to make room for them

Air marshals in the USA are required to be a U.S citizen, between the ages of 21 and 36 and have a valid driver's license.

The UK reportedly began operating an air marshal program in the early 2000s but few details are known about the scheme due to security.

This means that a passenger won't be told if they've lost their seat to an air marshal as travellers aren't allowed to know when a marshal is onboard their flight.

However, passengers are much more likely to lose their seat on a flight because tickets have been oversold.

If this happens, the airline is likely to offer travel vouchers or cash compensation to travellers who are willing to transfer to a later flight.
With the Easter holidays upon us, families will be eagerly looking for things to do to keep children entertained  and, as luck would have it, the UKs biggest outdoor water park is opening back up.

Splashdown, Quaywest will be reopening on Good Friday, and will be open for the entire Easter bank holiday weekend.

The waterpark, in Devon, will then shut its doors again until the early May bank holiday, May 3-5, and will then continue to open up every weekend in May and June.

Splashdown will then be open every day throughout July and August, ready for the summer holidays.

The Torbay park has something for everyone, including a huge water playground, called Shipwreck Island, for the younger ones, and eight slides perfect for adrenaline junkies.

Its even home to the highest, fastest flume in the UK, the Devils Drop, on which thrill-seekers shoot down a 65ft, almost vertical drop into a black hole.

And friends can race against each other, on mats, on one of the parks newest slides, 3Fall.

As well as slides, Splashdown has a 20m swimming pool, plus a restaurant where guests can go for a bite to eat after working up an appetite from all the screaming.

Splashdown, Quaywest will be reopening on Good Friday, and will be open for the entire Easter bank holiday weekend

The Torbay park has something for everyone, including a huge water playground, called Shipwreck Island, for the younger ones, and eight slides perfect for adrenaline junkies

As well as slides, Splashdown has a 20m swimming pool, plus a restaurant where guests can go for a bite to eat after working up an appetite from all the screaming

One person on Tripadvisor says they really enjoyed their two hour visit to Splashdown.

They add: Visited during a heatwave (luckily) so it was quite busy but it didnt feel overcrowded. Queues for most rides but all moved quite quickly - longest queues were for the rides with the inflatable rings.

Day tickets to Splashdown are 30 for adults (age nine and up), and tickets for children aged five to eight are 25, or four-hour tickets are also available for 17.

To book tickets, head to the Splashdown website.
Airline food has long been a hot topic among the travel community.

And now a new survey has revealed which airlines have the best and worst food for passengers.

Emirates has the best snacks and drinks and the best inflight meals, according to the survey by YouGov: Self-serve, which found that 84 per cent of passengers rate the airline's snacks and drinks positively while 85 per cent are impressed with the meals.

Nearly half (43 per cent) of those surveyed rated the airline's snacks as 'very good'.

Qatar Airways, which was named the world's best airline in 2024, comes second on the list with 83 per cent of passengers giving its snacks a positive rating and 82 per cent pleased with its inflight meals.

Virgin Atlantic rounds off the top three with almost three quarters (74 per cent) of passengers rating its drinks and snacks well and 73 per cent happy with the inflight meals.

When it comes to UK airlines, it's British Airways that tops the ranking with 61 per cent of its passengers prating the airline's snacks and drinks positively.

It does even better when it comes to inflight meals with positive scores from 63 per cent of passengers.

A new survey has revealed which airlines have the best and worst food. Emirates comes out on top (stock image)

At the other end of the scale, it's bad news for Ryanair which has the worst-rated food of the airlines surveyed.

Just 21 per cent of Ryanair passengers felt the airline's snacks and drinks were good and more than four in 10 (41 per cent) considered its offering to be bad.

When it came to in-flight meals only 17 per cent of passengers were left happy while 50 per cent say the budget carrier's meals are 'poor'.

Wizz Air also fares poorly with just 25 per cent of passengers happy with the snacks and drinks served on the budget carrier.

Its in-flight meals also fail to impress with 40 per cent of passengers ranking them as 'bad'.

easyJet also lands in the bottom three with just 35 per cent of travellers rating the airline's snacks and drinks well.

They're also not impressed with the airline's in-flight meals, which just 29 per cent of passengers enjoyed.

In another recent airline ranking, Jet2 picked up the award for the friendliest cabin crew while BA fared less well.

At the other end of the scale, it's not good news for Ryanair which has the worst rated food of the airlines surveyed

BEST AND WORST AIRLINE FOOD 1. Emirates 2. Qatar Airways 3. Virgin Atlantic 4. British Airways 5. Jet2.com 6. TUI Airways 7. easyJet 8. Wizz Air 9. Ryanair Source: YouGov Surveys: Self Serve Advertisement

When it comes to airports, it's Singapore Changi Airport that reigns supreme in the ranking.

The airport, which is known for its incredible facilities including the world's tallest indoor waterfall, was named the best in the world in 2025.

UK airports failed to rank in the top 20 in the Skytrax awards.

Heathrow was the highest-scoring UK airport and landed in 22nd place.
The fired The Apprentice stars have blasted the BBC show for 'blindsiding' them with their 'brutal' interviews after missing out on a place in the final on Thursday.

This week's episode saw the remaining five entrepreneurs pull out all the stops to try and impress Mike Soutar, Claudine Collins, Linda Plant and Claude Littner with their business plans.

But it was Amber-Rose Badrudin, Chisola Chitambala and Jordan Dargan who were sent home by Lord Alan Sugar after completing interviews with them.

So this means that Anisa Khan and Dean Franklin will battle it out for his 250,000 investment next week.

Over the past 18 years, since the show has been on our screens, it has been made very clear that the interview process is extremely difficult and the hardest part of the competition.

And in an exclusive chat with MailOnline, the trio revealed exactly how hard it was, with Amber-Rose saying: 'I think I can speak for all of the all of the others when I say, I think we went in pretty confident to be honest.

Fired The Apprentice stars, including Amber Rose (pictured) blasted show bosses for 'blindsiding' them with 'brutal' interviews as they missed out on place in BBC final

Chisola Chitambala missed out on a business deal with Lord Sugar on Thursday night - and thinks she knows why

Jordan Dargan was the third entrepreneur to miss out on a place in the final

'We were all kind of like we're gonna be fine.

'Like, you know, it's just the interviews that we're going to smash it.

'And I think as soon as they started, we were all like "Okay, this is a lot more challenging than we we anticipated..."

'I think after we all did our first initial interview, we understood how difficult it would be, and how they really do go through your business plan with a fine tooth comb.

'They bring up stuff that you can't even prepare, because in your head you're probably preparing, you're thinking of potential answers, potential questions, but when you go in, you're sometimes kind of blindsided, especially with that first interview.

'Definitely, definitely challenging, I think even more so than what comes across on TV, if I'm honest.'

Convenience store owner Amber-Rose wanted his expertise to open up her own Bubble Tea shops - and she thinks that they didn't understand the market

Chisola's business plan is a match making app for entrepreneurs and investors to connect to secure investment

Chisola added: 'I went in there knowing that these are gonna be tough.

'Like from day one, I was saying this is gonna be really hard. But I think what I would say they definitely are more challenging than what you see on TV...

'Because as well on TV, you only see a snippet, and they are really grilling us for 30 minutes, and you see maybe a couple of minutes or maybe five minutes...

'And they've been going at us for a very long time.

'So they're tough. They're tough.'

And Jordan joked: 'I was like "It'll be fine guys. They'll be great."

'And then I came down and I was like "Yeah it was fine"...

'And then you saw it on TV how it actually went.'

They also lifted the lid on why they think that Lord Sugar decided that they were not the business partner for him.

Jordan wanted to show the youth out there the creative power at their fingertips through his 3D animation business

They also lifted the lid on why they think that Lord Sugar decided that they were not the business partner for him

Convenience store owner Amber-Rose wanted his expertise to open up her own Bubble Tea shops - and she thinks that they didn't understand the market.

She told us: 'I have what it takes to be the final so that that's not kind of wavered, despite the fact that I've been fired.

'I think for me, it was quite crystal clear, to be honest with you, from you know how the interviews went, that the interviewers didn't really buy into my business.

'I don't think that they completely kind of grasped what bubble tea was. I think that there was just a little bit of a gap there.

'And I think when it comes to business, it's really important that everybody's on board.

'I wouldn't have wanted to be in a position where Lord sugar didn't know what bubble tea was, didn't like it, and then was like, "Oh, I'll give it a go".

'I would have much rather him really, really, really feel like he was investing in something he truly believed in.'

Chisola's business plan is a match making app for entrepreneurs and investors to connect to secure investment.

The owner of a virtual assistant company believes that she didn't get the partnership with Lord Sugar because of her idea

Jordan thinks it's because Lord Sugar didn't want to invest because wants a bit of an easier life

The owner of a virtual assistant company believes that she didn't get the partnership with Lord Sugar because of her idea.

She explained: 'I came in with a concept, and it wasn't my it's not my business. It's not what I'm running currently.

'And when I applied for the show, I didn't tell anyone, didn't tell my business partner, I didn't tell anyone at all.

'And so I couldn't apply with my business knowing that hadn't told my business partner.

'So, you know, very quickly, I came up with a concept of something that I thought was a problem.

'And I think, you know, going in in front of the interviewers, I didn't have any experience in apps.

'I didn't have any experience in what it was I was trying to go into. So I actually think it was very fair.

'And again, you know, Lord sugar spoke about, spoke about, you know, how intelligent I am, etc. So again, it wasn't anything about me as a person. It was more my idea.'

And animation entrepreneur Jordan thinks it's because Lord Sugar wants a bit of an easier life.

Anisa Khan and Dean Franklin will battle it out for his 250,000 investment next week

Jordan said: 'I think as the show goes on, and obviously Lord Sugar is getting a bit older, he wants safer bets. He wants things that are already function.

'He wants machines that are already gone, instead of having to put in that work that, you know, this person's right down here. Let's bring them up.

'And ultimately, I think both Anisa and Dean have have flourishing businesses that are doing very well.

'I think where the two girls have had at the time, concepts my business was pretty much me, and he's got two amazing entrepreneurs, I'm sure the both of them will do phenomenal in the final.'
Douglas Henshall has landed a huge new role away from his long-running part in BBC's Shetland.

The actor, 59, best known for his seven-year run as detective Jimmy Perez on the series since its 2013 debut, will now star in the upcoming indie film Angh.

According to Variety, it is set in 1960s Nagaland, eastern India, and follows a Konyak chief who must choose between survival and remaining faithful to his ancestral traditions when an American missionary threatens his people's identity.

The film marks the directorial debut of Theja Rio and aims to spotlight a rarely explored chapter of the region's history.

Along with Douglas, the film will feature a cast made up mostly of first-time local actors from the region, in what's being hailed as a landmark moment for Naga cinema.

Expressing his excitement about the project, Theja said in a statement: 'Having Douglas Henshall join us only strengthens our vision, and we can't wait to share this film with the world.'

Douglas Henshall has landed a major new role, stepping away from his long-running part in BBC 's Shetland (pictured on the series in 2022)

He added: 'We are incredibly excited to bring this story to life. Nagaland's history, culture, and untold narratives hold immense cinematic potential, and this film is our way of sharing them with the world,' reports Wales Online.

'Shooting on 16mm, collaborating with local actors, and having Douglas Henshall as part of this journey makes this project truly special.

'We believe it will be a meaningful addition to the cinematic landscape.'

Producer Nancy Nisa Beso added: 'This film is deeply personal to us. We are telling a story rooted in Nagaland's history, but with themes that are universal.

'Bringing together local talent, a young international crew, and shooting on 16mm has been a rare and special experience.'

Douglas unexpectedly announced his departure from Shetland in June 2022, just one month before the seventh season finale aired in August that year.

Despite his departure, the programme was confirmed for an eighth series, with Ugly Betty star Ashley Jensen eventually cast to replace his character as lead detective.

The actor, 59, best known for his seven-year run as detective Jimmy Perez on the series since its 2013 debut, will now star in the upcoming film Angh (pictured in BBC series Shetland)

Speaking to Radio Times in August 2022 about his decision to leave the role, Douglas said he thought it had 'run its course' and felt 'very comfortable' with his decision, citing that he was ready to explore other acting opportunities.

Speaking of filming his final scenes in season seven, he explained to the outlet that it was 'a little anticlimactic.'

He said: 'My last scenes were filmed in a car park in Kilmacolm which was very odd.

'Wed tried to wrap three times but, because of COVID, it kept being put back. So it felt a little anticlimactic in the end.'

Douglas went on to tell The Sun in August 2022 that he grew tired of playing a character with a 'good' nature.

He explained: 'I think it was always going to be sad, but it will be nice to play somebody who isn't so irredeemably good as Perez.

'I'll miss him as a person I crawl into every now and again because I liked him, he's a nice man. I don't know what the future holds. I'd love to play a baddie again, that would be fun.'
The Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement described an ideal deportation system in which vehicles round up immigrants, similarly to how Amazon trucks travel through US cities, while delivering remarks in Arizona.

"We need to get better at treating this like a business," Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons said. He then described a deportation system "like (Amazon) Prime, but with human beings," according to AZ Mirror.

Donald Trumps Acting ICE Director compared his vision for mass deportations to Amazons delivery system, saying the agency should operate like Prime, but with human beings. pic.twitter.com/79jQr6t1bE  Pop Base (@PopBase) April 9, 2025

Lyons attended the 2025 Border Security Expo at the Phoenix Convention Center, where he delivered remarks alongside other senior members of Trump administration staff, including Tom Homan, Trump's "border czar", and Kristi Noem, the secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Many of these speakers advocated for Trump's deportation agenda, with several of them appealing to members of the military industrial complex in attendance and encouraging the private sector to support the 47th President's immigration goals to a higher degree.

"We need to buy more beds, we need more airplane flights and I know a lot of you are here for that reason," Homan stated in his keynote speech, which began the expo.

"Let the badge and guns do the badge and gun stuff, everything else, let's contract out," he continued.

Homan, one of the two keynote speakers at the event, served as acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement during Trump's first presidential term. The other keynote speaker was Noem.

Many companies in attendance at the expo had ties to Trump or his allies, or profited off of Trump's newfound policies. Geo Group, a company dealing in private prisons and an ICE contractor, has experienced skyrocketing stock prices since Trump's election. Furthermore, Andruil Industries, which has ties to Trump-allied software company Palantir and whose director of defense technology was nominated for a senior staff position within the Trump administration, was also in attendance.

Originally published on Latin Times
A Repair Shop guest was left 'shaking' before bursting into tears during Wednesday's episode.

The BBC show saw a woman called Annette visit the famous barn, hoping to restore a beloved doll to its former glory.

She revealed to restoring experts Amanda Middleditch and Julie Tatchell that she was gifted the toy at the age of 11.

Annette revealed that the doll brought her some joy during her 'frightening' experience through the Troubles in Northern Ireland.

During the emotional episode, Annette recalled living through the 'bomb scares' and how she 'fell in love' with the doll when she felt most vulnerable.

She told expert Amanda: 'When the Troubles in Northern Ireland started, we had bomb scares.

The Repair Shop saw a guest admit that they were 'shaking' before they burst into tears during Wednesday's episode

The BBC show saw a woman called Annette visit the famous barn, hoping to restore a beloved doll to its former glory

'We had a lot of shooting, ordinary people were killed just because of religion. Our childhood, wasn't really happy, you were frightened.

'We were taken to Holland. We were all given host families and my host family took in one Protestant child and one Catholic child, so that we could get to know a child from another background.'

'At the end of our stay with our host family, they presented us with little dolls and I just fell in love with her, she means so much.

'I swore that I would look after her, but unfortunately - it's so sad.'

Amanda told Annette that the damage caused to the doll appeared to be caused by natural aging.

When asked what she would like repaired, the guest revealed that her eyes had fallen off and would like them replaced and would also like some small clog shoes fitted to her feet.

And when her restored childhood toy was returned to her, Annette burst into tears and was left speechless.

'She's beautiful!' she said.

She revealed to restoring experts Amanda Middleditch and Julie Tatchell that she was gifted the toy at the age of just 11

Annette revealed that the doll brought her some joy during her 'frightening' experience through the Troubles in Northern Ireland

And when her restored childhood toy was returned to her, Annette burst into tears and was left speechless

'I'm shaking! That's unbelievable. I don't know what to say, I am really, really shocked. Her hair and everything, you washed it!

'This wee doll, I'm just back there the way I can remember how I got her, she's beautiful, honestly.'

While the restorations did not end there, she could not believe they had managed to create a small pair of wooden clogs to fit the dolls feet

She finished: 'Now she's a Dutch doll isn't she, that is beautiful, thank you ever so much.'

The Repair Shop airs Wednesdays on BBC One at 8pm and is available to stream on iPlayer.
A legendary US comedy series is finally arriving in the UK after a whopping 50 years on screens and a record-breaking string of award wins.

Saturday Night Live first aired in America back in 1975 and is hosted by different stars on NBC.

Now, the UK and Ireland is set to get its own version with an all-British cast launching as a Sky Original in 2026.

The US show has welcomed various A-Listers over the years, and recently saw Elton John put on an incredible performance.

Like the original, the London-based series will see the same fast-paced style that has made the comedy series so renowned.

It will feature musical guests, iconic hosts and some of Britain's most hilarious comics.

US show Saturday Night Live, which recently saw Elton John put on an incredible performance, is set to come to the UK and Ireland on Sky Original in 2026

Like the original, the London-based series will see the same fast-paced style that has made the comedy series so renowned

It will feature musical guests, iconic hosts and some of Britain's most hilarious comics. Pictured: Anchor Colin Jost, Ego Nwodim, and Michael Che

Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO of Sky Studios and Chief Content Officer, Sky, said: 'For over 50 years Saturday Night Live has held a unique position in TV and in our collective culture, reflecting and creating the global conversation all under the masterful comedic guidance of Lorne Michaels.

'The show has discovered and nurtured countless comedy and musical talents over the years and we are thrilled to be partnering with Lorne and the SNL team to bring an all-British version of the show to UK audiences next year  all live from London on Saturday night!'

Saturday Night Live is highly acclaimed and has won the most Emmys in television history.

It has also won the George Foster Peabody Award four times and was inducted into the Broadcasting Hall of Fame.

The show has been hosted by countless A-Listers including Hollywood actor Alec Baldwin, comic Bill Murray and Danny DeVito, to name a few.

Friends star David Schwimmer featured on Saturday Night Live 30 years ago and recently shared his experience.

Saturday Night Live is highly acclaimed and has won the most Emmys in television history. It has also won the George Foster Peabody Award four times and was inducted into the Broadcasting Hall of Fame

The show has been hosted by countless A-Listers including Hollywood actor Alec Baldwin , comic Bill Murray and Danny DeVito, to name a few. Pictured: Elton John performing earlier this month

He opened up to his old Northwestern college classmate Stephen Colbert on Monday's episode of Late Show, after revealing funny messages from Friends co-stars.

While Schwimmer was honored to host SNL, he revealed that his reps didn't tell him one important piece of information about hosting the show.

The actor revealed that they would film Friends on Tuesdays, and due to the logistics of filming, which sometimes lasted until 1 AM, he wouldn't get out to New York City until Thursday.

He admitted that he, 'couldn't be more excited' to host the show, but admitted when he got there, 'the entire writing staff looked at me as if I had just slept with their mom or something.'

'They were not happy to see me and I had no idea. Somehow I got through the next two days, but I was kind of traumatized,' he admitted.

David Schwimmer (pictured) opened up about his first and only time hosting Saturday Night Live nearly 30 years ago

When Colbert asked how it went, Schwimmer admitted with a laugh, 'I don't remember how it went, to be honest.'

'But it wasn't until years later that I was talking to somebody else who hosted the show and they said no, were supposed to show up on a Monday,' Schwimmer said.

He added, 'No one told me and for years, I had no idea why,' adding he was recently, 'invited to the 50th anniversary of Saturday Night Live, which is coming up in February.'

'It's been 30 years and I'm thinking maybe they forgot? That they don't like me? Or it's just some intern that's tasked with emailing everyone who's ever hosted. But I don't know what to do,' Schwimmer said.
EastEnders legend Cheryl Fergison has sunk her claws into the British Soap Awards after a shock snub towards Phil Mitchell star Steve McFadden.

The soap star, who played Heather Trott in the BBC soap between 2007 and 2012, took to Instagram to share her frustration at her pal not being nominated for the prestigious awards.

However Cheryl, 59, instantly regretted what she after receiving backlash about her comments on her page.

The British Soap Awards have already revealed the early nominations for the Best Leading Performer, Villian of the Year, Best Comedy Performance and Best British Soap - and Steve isn't under any of them.

In a video uploaded to her Instagram on Tuesday, Cheryl said: 'Seriously, are the Soap Awards having a laugh?

'Steve McFadden has not has not even been put on the long list, let alone the short list, let alone winning it.

EastEnders legend Cheryl Fergison sinks claws into British Soap Awards after shock snub - but instantly regrets it after vicious fan backlash

The soap star appeared on EastEnders for five years in the mid 2000s

The soap star took to Instagram to share her frustration at her pal (pictured above with her) not being nominated for the prestigious awards.

'I'm sorry, are people seeing what I'm seeing when I'm watching EastEnders?

'Everybody's doing a fantastic job but why has Steve McFadden been overlooked for what is a crucial storyline, an essential storyline for the general public to be watching... by an actor who is playing it phenomenally.'

'I don't get it. I'm sorry soap awards, you've done a real boo boo here mate, a real boo boo.'

While many agreed with what she said, one fumed: 'Cheryl, Steve has been put forward for other awards.'

One questioned: 'Ever thought he might be getting a special award???'

A day later she took to Instagram to clear up what she had said.

Cheryl said: 'Hello everyone, so I'm getting a little bit of backlash, criticism, comments about the Soap Awards thing that I said.

'Okay, so, yes, I have won a Soap Award when I was in EastEnders, and I understand that the storyline [on Phil's mental health] is current and maybe they decide these nominations or whatever for last year's storyline.

Cheryl played Heather Trott in the BBC soap between 2007 and 2012

Cheryl said of her friend: 'Seriously, are the Soap Awards having a laugh? Steve McFadden has not has not even been put on the long list, let alone the short list, let alone winning it...'

'But I don't think that it makes the public aware of the timescale that they are voting for.'

She pointed out that if it is for a storyline from last year, they should let people know its from last year, not current storylines.

Cheryl captioned the video: 'Trying to clear this up a bit so dont shoot me down please.'

But luckily many did understand what she was trying to say and got her point.

One said in the comments section: 'Absolutey 100% agree.'

Another added: 'Go Cheryl.'

'Yea I agree with u Cheryl and know what u mean,' a third chimed in.

A fourth wrote: 'Hey lovely, don't take any notice of these keyboard warriors they don't half love a good moan! Keep smiling.'

During her five years on EastEnders she was involved in a number of gripping storylines, including giving birth to Darren Miller's son.

Her alter-ego was killed off by Ben Mitchell.

After EastEnders, Cheryl landed roles in Big School, White Island, DOdger, Hard Cell and Mr. Big Stuff.

EastEnders airs on BBC One and is available to stream on iPlayer.
This Morning fans have demanded Cat Deeley's replacement be made a permanent presenter as Sian Welby filled in for the TV star on Wednesday's episode.

ITV viewers were so impressed that they raved that the presenter, 38, was 'a natural' and that they 'needed her full time' on the show.

This week, usual hosts Cat and Ben Shephard took some time off from their usual presenting gig as they enjoyed an Easter break.

In their absence, Dermot O'Leary and Sian have stepped in to fill in during their time off, which appears to have delighted the show's fans.

When Sian shared some behind-the-scenes snaps to Instagram, her fans flooded her comment box with praise for her performance on the show.

One said: 'I am enjoying your partnership with Dermot and have tuned in more this week. Please can this become a regular thing, you are a great presenter. Also love the dress'

This Morning fans have demanded Cat Deeley's (pictured) replacement to be made a permanent presenter as Sian Welby filed in for TV star on Wednesday's episode

ITV viewers were so impressed that they raved that the presenter, 38, was 'a natural' and that they 'needed her full time' on the show

'Love you on This Morning! You are a natural and should be doing it more often! Great job.'

'That dress really suits you, you look lovely. Loving you on This Morning, would love you to be on more often please!'

'We need to start a petition to get you on This Morning full time!'

And while Sian has appeared to fit in well with the ITV crew, she has previously confessed that she feared for her job when she had a child in June, admitting she thought the broadcaster would 'decide someone else is better'.

Sian had daughter Ruby, eight months, with her radio producer fiance Jake Beckett and took three months off before heading back onto the This Morning sofa, as well as Capital FM's studios.

The daytime TV star told The Sun she had 'dark thoughts' of being replaced at her dream jobs while she was on maternity leave.

She said: 'I worried I would be off for a month and they would decide someone else is better and then they would replace me. Those are the dark thoughts you have.

'I think most women in the TV industry will admit you get a bit nervous about having time off to have a baby, especially if you have just worked your whole life to get where you are, which I have.

In their absence, Dermot O'Leary and Sian Welby have stepped in to fill in during their time off, which appeared to have delighted the show's fans

In their absence, Dermot O'Leary and Sian have stepped in to fill in during their time off, which appeared to have delighted the show's fans

When Sian shared some behind-the-scenes snaps to Instagram, her fans flooded her comment box with praise for her performance on the show

And while Sian has appeared to fit in well with the ITV crew, she has previously confessed that she feared for her job when she had a child in June, admitting she thought the broadcaster would 'decide someone else is better'

Sian welcomed her daughter Ruby, eight months, with her radio producer fiance Jake Beckett last June

She took three months off before heading back onto the This Morning sofa, as well as the Capital FM studio with Jordan North and Chris Stark (pictured)

'I took three months in the end, which wasn't very long but for me that is the longest that I've ever been off work and I fully embraced it.'

Sian's rise to becoming one of the most recognisable faces on TV has been a rapid one and she admitted that potentially having this progress stall deterred her from having a child earlier in her career.

The Nottingham-born presenter insisted that This Morning and Capital FM chiefs did everything they could to make her feel comfortable during her time off last summer and that it showed things in the industry were changing for the better.

She accepted she was lucky to be part of such a supportive team on the ITV programme, revealing that Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary have both made her feel particularly at ease.

Sian also shed light on her idols within the industry, admitting that she looked up to both Holly and her replacement Cat Deeley from a young age.

This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV1 and is available to stream on ITVX.
Antiques Roadshow USA fans were left 'traumatised' after a guest was dealt a humiliating blow just minutes after a valuation.

Viewers swiped that they had 'never seen a price drop so fast!' after an Alaskan woman accidentally ripped her mother's 1960s crystal necklace while she was detailing its assets for camera.

The accident, which saw the pictures torn apart, was shown in a repeated episode and did not go unnoticed as viewers were left horrified as the seller admitted that she damaged it.

After confessing to the damage, she then went on to open the locket, which revealed a selection of The Beatles photos.

The locket contained snaps of John Lennon, George Harrison, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr which dated back to 1964.

She explained that her grandfather had bought her mother the piece for her high school graduation.

Antiques Roadshow USA fans were left 'traumatised' after a guest was dealt a humiliating blow just minutes after an valuation

Viewers swiped that they had 'never seen a price drop so fast!' after an Alaskan woman accidentally ripped her mother's 1960s crystal necklace while she was detailing its assets

But unfortunately for the seller, her profits for the piece of jewellery nearly halved in value as the price plummeted from $75 to just $40 within less than a minute.

Shocked by the clip, fans flocked to reddit to share their thoughts as one wrote: 'I've never seen an appraisal price drop so fast on Antiques Roadshow!'

'Did Antiques Road Show really put the '9:45 $75, 9:46 $40' or didn't someone edit that in? If it was Antiques Road Show, they deserve some humour points.'

'This reminds me of those parody screenshots, specifically the 'coat that loses all value if touched' with someone touching it.'

'Darn. That probably would have paid for the tank of gas to get her to and from the event.'

'I was on the Swedish version, and as soon as they say that you're going to be in the show they get you insurance if anything happens during the recording.'

The unearthed clip comes after the UK saw a guest stunned into silence after an expert revealed the eye-watering value of her paintings during Sunday's instalment of the BBC soap.

The episode, which originally aired in 2023, saw many antique owners arrive at Ebrington Square in Derry to find out how much their ornaments were worth.

The accident, which saw the pictures torn apart, was shown in a repeated episode and did not go unnoticed as viewers were left horrified as the seller admitted that she damaged it

After confessing to the damage, she then went on to open the locket which revealed a selection of The Beatles photos

But unfortunately for the seller, her profits for the piece of jewellery nearly halved in value as the price plummeted from $75 to just $40 within less than a minute

Shocked by the clip, fans flocked to reddit to share their thoughts as one penned: 'I've never seen an appraisal price drop so fast on Antiques Roadshow!'

Picture specialist Frances Christie confessed that she was 'really excited' when she realised that the show guest had brought in Norah McGuinness pieces for her to look at.

The guest confessed that she bought them just because she liked the look of them and knew Norah's sister 'very well'.

Frances said: 'I love that you managed to get your hands on two, because Norah, I mean she was a pretty pioneering artist for her time. She was obviously born around here, but spent most of her life in and around Dublin.

'She went to art school in Dublin, then London, then Paris.

Antiques Roadshow guests stunned into silence as expert reveals eye-watering value of her paintings - while BBC crowd gasp in awe

Picture specialist Frances Christie confessed that she was 'really excited' when she realised that the show guest had brought in Norah McGuinness pieces for her to look at

The episode, which originally aired in 2023, saw many antique owners arrive at Ebrington Square in Derry to find out how much their ornaments were worth

'They're both oil on canvas. And when you stand back and you see the bold combinations of colours that she's used in them. Over here, behind the birds, this sort of bright green, with red flashing across the composition.

'And then over to the seagull in this painting, that combination of purple with blue, and then this lovely ochre, sand colour.'

Frances was keen to know if the guest remembered how much she paid for them and how many years ago.

The woman said: 'About 120 for that one, and the price is on the back of that...'

Frances looked on the back of the painting and explained that it said 600 on the back of the frame.

Antiques Roadshow airs on BBC One in the UK and PBS in the US.
One of Stephen King's iconic horror novels is being adapted, again, this time for the small screen, and not everyone is happy about it.

King's fans were furious earlier this year when Netflix announced it would be making a reboot of his novel Cujo, and the reaction to word that the conic Carrie will be turned into a series for Prime, has received mixed reactions.

'No creativity anymore.. everything's a remake..' complained a fan on Variety's Facebook page after it was reported by the outlet.

'Lol, stop this nonsense. The 1976 film is a classic,' exclaimed one die hard fan.

Sissy Spacek, 75, earned her first Oscar nomination for the 1976 film in which she played an abused and bullied teenager with telekinetic powers.

A made-for-TV movie starring Angela Bettis as Carrie in 2003 was panned by critics as was remake starring Chloe Grace Moretz in 2013.

A small screen adaptation of Stephen King's classic novel Carrie is planned for Prime Video and fans of the horror writer have mixed reactions to the idea

Summer H. Howell, 20, a fright flick veteran, is reportedly in talks to take on the role, according to Deadline.

Production is expected to begin next month.

'Carrie has been remade several times, they should let it rest for a while lol,' commented one critic.

'Jesus, adapt something we havent seen!!!,' advised another.

'Stop. This story was adapted damn near perfectly the first time, and fairly terribly at least two times after that,' wrote a very irate fan.

'Please, for the love of all things Stephen King, just give us the f-ing Dark Tower series already.'

One glimmer of hope regarding the outcome of the new series lies with horror veteran Mike Flanagan, who will write the script and direct the episodes.

Flanagan received high praise for his 2019 adaptation of King's Doctor Sleep.

Sissy Spacek, 75, earned her first Oscar nomination for the 1976 film in which she played an abused and bullied teenager with telekinetic powers

Horror master Stephen King's novel Carried was first published in 1974 and has been adapted several times since; Pictured in Toronto in September 2024

Some of King's fans are upset about the reboot. 'Carrie has been remade several times, they should let it rest for a while lol,' commented one critic

Summer H. Howell, 20, is reportedly in talks to portray the title character according to Deadline

After his adaptation of King's Doctor Sleep, some fans are eager to see what director and writer Mike Flanagan will do with the series; Pictured in New York City in October 2022

'I would love to see Flanagan's take of it,' enthused another fan

'I would love to see Flanagan's take of it,' enthused one fan.

'Normally that would be a Hell no, but Flanagan gets it right 99% and now I'm intrigued,' wrote another.

Variety also reported that Siena Agudong has joined the cast as tormenter turned defender Sue Snell. 'So so grateful to be here,' she wrote on Instagram Thursday after the news was released.

Production on the Carrie series is expected to begin in May in Vancouver, BC.
Saturday Night Live is heading to the UK in 2026.

It's been 50 years since Lorne Michaels and his legendary original cast debuted SNL in the U.S.

Fans are expressing mixed emotions at the news with many humorously wondering if the UK has enough comedians to make up the cast.

Others expressed dismay at the further 'Americanization' of the UK as a Universal Studios is also in the works.

SNL first aired in America back in 1975 and is hosted by different stars on NBC each week.

Now, the UK and Ireland is set to get its own version with an all-British cast launching as a Sky Original in 2026.

Saturday Night Live is heading to the UK in 2026. Lorne Michael seen here in 2025

It's been 50 years since Lorne Michaels and his legendary original cast debuted SNL in the U.S. Will Ferrel and Cheri Oteri seen here in one of their iconic skits

One fan wrote, 'Don't know how to feel about this, everything in me says this will not work, I'd love it too [sic] because I adore SNL and had dreamed of a UK version at one point but I just have no hope.'

He continued: 'The same 10 comics who are already on everything will be cast too right?'

Someone else quipped, 'Sarcasm is number 1 British humor and SNL is basically half sarcasm so we will be fine.'

A third fan said, 'Getting way too heated about people who don't watch SNL talking about the UK spinoff.

'All I'm going to say is if they follow SNL casting it's going to be way more likely to be younger, less known comedians than the already highly established ones. Guest hosts is a free for all,' they wrote.

'SNL gets a maximum of one season before it's pulled and never spoken of again,' one pessimistic fan opined. 'It's humor for the "You sir, have won the internet," "Led by donkeys," and the "cockwomble" crowd and they're all in bed by 8pm.'

'As an absolute SNL truther who lives in the UK this is an AWFUL idea,' a fan remarked.

'SNL is coming to the UK, life has gotten worse than I ever could have expected, now I want to die,' another negative commenter wrote.

Fans are expressing mixed emotions at the news with many humorously wondering if the UK has enough comedians to make up the cast. Will Ferrell pictured during the Celebrity Jeopardy sketch

Another fan had a more positive approach, writing, 'I, for one, think SNL UK will be a massively [sic] success, especially if it can incorporate unknown comics with no TV or film credits and not even that much material.'

They continued: 'Also I think only good things about Matt Forde and my DMs are open.'

And finally, 'SNL UK isn't a bad thing, it could even be better than SNL US but who was asking for this.'

The US show has welcomed various A-Listers over the years, and recently saw Elton John put on an incredible performance.

Like the original, the London-based series will see the same fast-paced style that has made the comedy series so renowned.

It will feature musical guests, iconic hosts and some of Britain's most hilarious comics.

Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO of Sky Studios and Chief Content Officer, Sky, said: 'For over 50 years Saturday Night Live has held a unique position in TV and in our collective culture, reflecting and creating the global conversation all under the masterful comedic guidance of Lorne Michaels.

'The show has discovered and nurtured countless comedy and musical talents over the years and we are thrilled to be partnering with Lorne and the SNL team to bring an all-British version of the show to UK audiences next year  all live from London on Saturday night!'

Saturday Night Live is highly acclaimed and has won the most Emmys in television history. It has also won the George Foster Peabody Award four times and was inducted into the Broadcasting Hall of Fame

The show has been hosted by countless A-Listers including Hollywood actor Alec Baldwin , comic Bill Murray and Danny DeVito, to name a few. Pictured: Elton John performing earlier this month

Others expressed dismay at the further 'Americanization' of the UK as a Universal Studios is also in the works

Saturday Night Live is highly acclaimed and has won the most Emmys in television history.

It has also won the George Foster Peabody Award four times and was inducted into the Broadcasting Hall of Fame.

The show has been hosted by countless A-Listers including Hollywood actor Alec Baldwin, comic Bill Murray and Danny DeVito, to name a few.

Friends star David Schwimmer was featured on Saturday Night Live 30 years ago and recently shared his experience.

He opened up to his old Northwestern college classmate Stephen Colbert on the Late Show, after revealing funny messages from Friends co-stars.

While Schwimmer was honored to host SNL, he revealed that his reps didn't tell him one important piece of information about hosting the show.

The actor revealed that they would film Friends on Tuesdays, and due to the logistics of filming, which sometimes lasted until 1 AM, he wouldn't get out to New York City until Thursday.

He admitted that he, 'couldn't be more excited' to host the show, but admitted when he got there, 'the entire writing staff looked at me as if I had just slept with their mom or something.'

SNL first aired in America back in 1975 and is hosted by different stars on NBC each week

David Schwimmer (pictured) opened up about his first and only time hosting Saturday Night Live nearly 30 years ago

'They were not happy to see me and I had no idea. Somehow I got through the next two days, but I was kind of traumatized,' he admitted.

When Colbert asked how it went, Schwimmer admitted with a laugh, 'I don't remember how it went, to be honest.'

'But it wasn't until years later that I was talking to somebody else who hosted the show and they said no, were supposed to show up on a Monday,' Schwimmer said.

He added, 'No one told me and for years, I had no idea why,' adding he was recently, 'invited to the 50th anniversary of Saturday Night Live, which is coming up in February.'

'It's been 30 years and I'm thinking maybe they forgot? That they don't like me? Or it's just some intern that's tasked with emailing everyone who's ever hosted. But I don't know what to do,' Schwimmer said.
A voyage into the unknown with Professor Brian Cox

Year: 2024

Certificate: pg

Watch now on BBC iPlayer

Pay attention at the back! Brian Cox returns to explain complex science in the most accessible ways possible, though you still need to concentrate. His new, five-part series will explore the characteristics of alien worlds, and consider whether any of the conditions might give rise to alien life.

He starts with volcanic planets and moons that are packed with energy, unleashing eruptions of fire and ice so violent that they reach far into space. There is footage beamed to Earth from various space probes, while back on Earth, Cox is in Iceland - a volcanic landscape that looks like the surface of Mars.

Cox, as ever, is excited to share his scientific wonder with us - and even has a smile on his face while being pelted with water and steam at Iceland's Hengill geothermal area.

The remaining episodes explore Dark Worlds in the least explored regions of space, Storm Worlds where planets are ravaged by extreme weather, frozen Ice Worlds and Strange Worlds - which looks at some of the weirdest places in the solar system. (Five episodes)
Documentary series charting the life of Arnold Schwarzenegger

Year: 2023

Certificate: 15

Watch now on Netflix

From his beginnings as a nobody in rural Austria to his time as the world's biggest movie star and one of the most important players in American politics, Arnold Schwarzenegger's life plays out like a film script (though with a lower bodycount than most Arnie movies). This three-part documentary explains how the Austrian Oak parlayed fierce determination into a career as the world's greatest bodybuilder, then managed to make the almost impossible transition into acting - and then decided to run to become governor of California.

Archive footage and interviews with friends and rivals give this engrossing series detail, but it's the candid chat with Schwarzenegger himself that really impresses, as the Terminator discusses everything from his successes to the scandals that rocked his family life. (Three episodes)
Disturbing documentary about how US authorities treat sexual assault victims

Year: 2023

Certificate: 18

Watch now on Netflix

Digging into US statistics concerning rape and sexual assault, reporter Rachel de Leon discovered a huge number of cases where women reported sexual assaults to the police, only to be accused of fabricating those allegations. Many were then charged with that crime, sometimes facing years in prison.

This powerful documentary follows de Leon as she investigates further, revealing a culture in American policing that pushes officers towards treating rape victims as suspects, criminalising vulnerable women instead of their assaulters. It's a hard-hitting piece that is frequently difficult to watch, but no less important for all that. (90 minutes)
A Florida teacher who honored a student's requested nickname without written consent from their parents lost her job at Satellite High School in Brevard County.

Melissa Calhoun, a longtime educator with over a decade of service in the district, will not have her contract renewed, according to Brevard Public Schools. The district says Calhoun knowingly violated a 2023 Florida law requiring teachers to obtain parental permission before using a name different from the one on a student's legal documents.

The district initiated its investigation into Calhoun in response to a complaint filed by the student's parent, WKMG reported. Calhoun reportedly admitted to using the student's preferred name despite being aware of the policy. She received a formal reprimand and now faces a review of her teaching certificate by the state.

Supporters, including fellow educators, students and parents, argue that Calhoun's actions were rooted in compassion. "There was no harm, no threat to safety, no malicious intentjust a teacher trying to connect with a student," Kristine Staniec, the school's media specialist, who also has a child enrolled at the school, told the school board.

A Change.org petition urging Calhoun's reinstatement has garnered more than 11,000 signatures, with many former students praising her kindness and impact.

In a statement, the district emphasized its commitment to following state law and protecting parental rights, adding, "Teachers, like all employees, are expected to follow the law."

Calhoun's current contract ends in May 2025.

Originally published on Lawyer Herald
The haunting story of four homicides that shook an American college town

Year: 2023

Certificate: 15

Watch now on Discovery+

'Four students dead in 16 minutes.' This haunting, one-off documentary details the tragic events at the University of Idaho on 13 November, 2022, when three young women and one man were stabbed to death at their off-campus home. Sadly, we're all too used to hearing of deaths at American educational institutions but, for the 25,000 inhabitants of Moscow, Idaho - where the killings took place - this kind of incident was far from the norm. There hadn't been a murder recorded in the college town since 2015.

So, why did they die? This film pieces together social media posts, statements and evidence that led to the arrest of Bryan Christopher Kohberger, a criminology PhD student, and provides a refreshingly concise account of the incident as far as it is understood. (43 minutes)
The Pointless host delves into the culture and history of the Asian powerhouse

Year: 2022

Certificate: 12

Watch now on 5 (Ch5)

After the success of his trip to Iceland, the ever so genial Pointless host was keen to visit somewhere 'truly and excitingly different' and he couldn't have chosen a better country than South Korea, a global powerhouse and economic miracle that is, incredibly, smaller than England and just 77 years old.

On the first stop of this eye-opening three-part travelogue, Armstrong resembles a bewildered tourist as he wanders the futuristic streets of the capital, Seoul, where 26 million people work and play. He wants to discover Korean culture - in music, TV, cinema and online - but he also wants to find out about the country's troubled history and the price its citizens have paid for its dizzying success.

So as well as looking into the music phenomenon K-pop - including how to look and dance like its global stars - Alexander also leaves the city to contemplate life at a monastery before returning to the bustling capital for a turn in a Korean karaoke room. It's fun and thoughtful - just like Armstrong himself. (One series)
Extraordinary exploration of family dynamics in the natural world

Year: 2018-2022

Watch now on BBC iPlayer

Eleven wonderful documentaries, all narrated by Sir David Attenborough, that aim to explain precisely how family dynamics work in the animal world, each of them years in the making.

Headline-grabbers when the series first aired in 2018 included the chimpanzees and tigers, although it's the episode about the painted wolves of Zimbabwe that is truly extraordinary.

Producer Nick Lyon spent four years tracking Tait and her cubs and became such a familiar and welcome sight that she would leave Nick and his team to babysit her young while she hunted. The story Nick tells, in just under an hour, is soap opera-style drama transferred to the brutal wilds of Africa, involving sibling rivalry, land grabs, childbirth and tragedy. (Two series)
The classic Gothic horror family saga - with added murder and incest

Year: 2014

Certificate: 15

Watch now on 5 (Ch5)

Virginia (VC) Andrews' Southern Gothic novels are salacious melodrama laced with horror - screamingly bonkers to some, darkly compelling to others. The novels, which explore the generational secrets and scandals of the stinking rich Foxworth family in Virginia, US, have sold in their millions. This is the second adaptation to hit our screens after a 1987 film starring Louise Fletcher and Kristy Swanson.

The first book, Flowers In The Attic, introduces the four Dollanganger children, who are hidden away in a sprawling mansion when their widowed mother Corrine returns to the ice-cold family home she had originally fled. The children spend years in the attic, with the eldest two, Cathy and Chris (Kiernan Shipka and Mason Dye), becoming incestuously close, while the younger twins all but wither away in the darkness.

The rot at the heart of the Foxworth family runs deep and three further films not only reveal what becomes of the children, but also explores the rancour between their mother Corrine (Heather Graham) and her mother Olivia (Ellen Burstyn). Prequel series The Origin takes it back further to a time when even Olivia had not been corrupted by the Foxworth family's insidiously bad blood. (Four episodes)
Formidable family lawyer Hannah and her family gather for an eventful wedding in Spain

Year: 2024

Certificate: 12

Watch now on BBC iPlayer

Two years on from the last time we saw them, Hannah (Nicola Walker) and her ex, Nathan (Stephen Mangan), are reunited for the wedding of daughter Liv at the beautiful family home of Liv's Spanish fiance, Gael. Spirits are high as Hannah hangs out with her sisters and mum Ruth; then, the man she had been dating in London (past tense) - debonair solicitor Archie (Toby Stephens) - makes a surprise appearance, and Hannah is thrown for a loop.

This is a show that has always been about how messy relationships can be - about the emotional and legal fallout of secrets, deceit, trust and mistrust - and there are some pretty big lies swirling around as Hannah and the clan settle into their surroundings in the Catalan countryside. No, it won't be a smooth path to the altar for Liv and Gael. (Two episodes)
A true political story set during the Troubles in Ireland

Year: 2024

Certificate: 18

Watch now on Disney+

In 1972, a single mother named Jean McConville was abducted from her Belfast home by members of the IRA. She was never seen again. This shocking event forms the springboard for this nine-part based-on-real-life story from the days of the conflict, focusing on various members of the IRA and the effect that obsession, secrecy and violence had on them and their communities.

Based on the book by Patrick Radden Keefe, it shows major events from bombing campaigns to hunger strikes, from years of paranoia and violence to the slow moving peace process - but always with a very human focus on people rather than monolithic events. Anthony Boyle stars as IRA strategist Brendan Hughes and Josh Finan as politician Gerry Adams. Watch out too for Maxine Peake as the older version of Dolours Price, an IRA recruit who was pivotal to the story as a young woman. (Nine episodes)
Series about shady dealings in a small American town

Year: 2022-

Certificate: 18

Watch now on Paramount+

A tense, dark series that tiptoes through the grey areas of law and order, Mayor Of Kingstown follows the political, social and criminal goings-on in a small town where the huge local prison system is the only big business.

Marvel's Jeremy Renner stars as Mike McLusky, the informal 'mayor' of the town, the man who brokers deals between the prisoners and the world outside, trying to keep everything calm and the money flowing. That dream took a knock in the first series finale when the penitentiary was rocked by a riot.

Series two explores whether Mike can restore normality to his shady dealings with crooks, cops and politicians, and features the return of Aidan Gillen as a Russian mobster while Dianne Wiest continues to be outstanding as Mike's mother. The most recent third series features an alarming series of explosions, and a twist in the local tale of the Russian mob. (Three series)
Elisabeth Moss stars as an MI6 agent in a race against time

Year: 2024

Certificate: 18

Watch now on Disney+

'I can change into anything. Become a hundred strangers.' Elisabeth Moss dons a crisp English accent to play MI6 agent Imogen Salter in this glossy and gritty international spy thriller. Salter is a brilliant but unstable asset, a woman who has adopted so many identities that she's not entirely sure who she is any more.

Salter is deployed - presumably without a particularly rigorous psych assessment - to track down the mysterious and dangerous Adilah El Idrissi (Little Birds' Yumna Marwan), who could be preparing an attack on the west. The show is very much about the veil between truth and lies that unfolds between them as they travel between Istanbul, Paris and London, while The Good Wife's Josh Charles knocks back the whisky as a CIA agent who thinks he can control Salter. The fool!

Written by Steven Knight (Peaky Blinders, This Town), the resulting adventure plays a little like a B-movie take on Homeland or Killing Eve, with Moss giving it some great acting punch as the bewitchingly confused Salter. It's not quite as good as watching Claire Danes dig into the tighter script she had on Homeland but then, that's a very high bar to set. (Six episodes)
Aussie comedy drama about a woman fleeing to a two-bit Tasmanian town rife with murder and mystery

Year: 2023

Certificate: 15

Watch now on ITVX

This Australian black comedy drama follows a high-flyer forced to flee her very nice life in Melbourne to a cesspit town in Tasmania with her two children. Anika (Marta Dusseldorp) is the CEO of the family investment company in Melbourne, who was doing rather well for herself until two men attempt to kill her in a supermarket.

To her rescue comes a mysterious stranger (Foundation's Rachel House) who informs her of a plot to kill her and helps her escape - to Tasmania. At this stage, nobody's motives are clear, least of all to Anika, whose new identity - Stella Heikkinen - 'sounds like two beers', and by the end of episode one we are left with a lot of questions, such as what secrets the rather unwelcoming residents of Mystery Bay (or Misery Bay as the town sign now reads) are harbouring.

What makes the series so watchable, even during its rather preposterous set-up, is the performance of Dusseldorp (Jack Irish, The Twelve). She manages to make being clueless both convincing and endearing. It's a show that is clearly trying to do something a bit different with the on-the-run thriller, and Dusseldorp makes it worth the price of admission. (Eight episodes)
The border between Spain and Portugal is the setting for murder and tension

Year: 2022

Certificate: 15

Watch now on Channel 4

This Spanish-Portugese detective series opens on an extreme drought that reveals a ghost village that was submerged when a dam was built many years before. That's an interesting enough idea in itself, but it's the discovery of two skeletons, when the village should have been safely evacuated, and evidence of a violent crime, that sets an investigation in motion.

The village is located on the border between Spain and Portugal so here's another crime drama that adds cross-cultural police liaisons into the usual investigative mix - see also The Bridge, The Missing and Crossing Lines. We switch between the present and flashbacks to the 1990s, and the mystery involves corporate greed, as well as the impact of the climate crisis. (Eight episodes)
A commercial jet carrying multiple members of Congress was involved in a minor collision on the ground Thursday at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

The incident occurred around 12:45 p.m. when an American Airlines flight bound for New York's JFK Airport was clipped by another American Eagle aircraft  a Bombardier CRJ900 headed to Charleston, South Carolina  as both planes were taxiing at DCA, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

"American Eagle flight 5490, operated by PSA Airlines, made contact on a DCA taxiway with American Eagle flight 4522, operated by Republic Airways. Safety is our top priority, and we apologize to our customers for their experience," an American Airlines spokesperson said in a statement to The New York Post. A federal investigation has been launched. There were no reports of any injuries in the incident.

Rep. Nick LaLota (R-NY), a member of the House Appropriations Committee, was among the passengers on board the JFK-bound flight. "Serving in Congress has come with some once in a lifetime experiences ... like just now while stationary on the runway at DCA, another plane just bumped into our wing," LaLota posted to social media. "Heading back to the gate, but thankfully everyone is ok!"

LaLota noted that Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY), also on the House Appropriations Committee, was on the same flight. "(And @RepGraceMeng is handing out grapes!)" he added.

Also aboard the flight were several other members of Congress: Reps. Adriano Espaillat, Ritchie Torres, and Gregory Meeks of New York, and Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ). The lawmakers were reportedly departing Washington at the start of a two-week recess for Passover and Easter.

The FAA confirmed it would investigate the cause of the collision. A spokesperson for Reagan National said no injuries were reported and all other flights at the airport remained on schedule.

In the aftermath of the incident, some lawmakers used the event to highlight ongoing concerns regarding aviation safety and recent staffing cuts at the FAA.

"While waiting to take off on the runway at DCA just now, another plane struck our wing. Thankfully, everyone is safe," Rep. Gottheimer posted to X. "Recent cuts to the FAA weaken our skies and public safety."

Meng echoed similar concerns, pointing to longstanding issues at the agency. "Glad my colleagues and I are okay! We are safely waiting on the tarmac, but we may need more snacks," she wrote. "I'm grateful no one was hurt today, but this incident underscores this urgent need restore all FAA jobs that keep our runways safe."

Reagan National, known for its busy and tightly restricted airspace, has seen a string of troubling incidents in recent months.

The airport was the site of a deadly January collision involving an American Airlines jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter  the deadliest aviation disaster on American soil since 2001. That tragedy spurred reforms, including changes to flight paths, but experts say the airspace remains among the most complex in the country.

Just days before Thursday's incident, a Delta Airlines jet carrying 136 passengers nearly collided with a group of military jets during takeoff. And a day later, a United Airlines flight struck a kite during landing  a near-miss that could have proved catastrophic had the object been ingested by the plane's engine.
True tale of a terrorist bombing in paradise

Year: 2023

Certificate: 15

Watch now on ITVX

A sombre but involving four-part dramatisation of the 2002 terrorist bombings in Bali which killed 202 people and injured hundreds more. The first episode is all contrast, establishing the peaceful paradise of Bali and its people, as well as its obvious appeal for tourists from nearby Australia and a honeymooning couple from the UK. Then, the light and beauty vanishes into blood and fire as the two bombs rip through the Kuta district's buzzing nightlife.

Over the following episodes, the drama broadens its scope, picking through the misery to find examples of heroism, collaboration, tension and hope. The aftermath storylines are spearheaded by two familiar Aussie faces: Richard Roxburgh (Rake, Elvis) as the Australian federal police commander leading the investigation and Rachel Griffiths (Muriel's Wedding) as the Australian plastic surgeon working with the victims. (Four episodes)
Charlotte Chilton has been forced to deny rumours a former Traitors star is the father of her baby after Conor Maynard says a negative paternity test has ruled him out.

The man, whose name MailOnline has chosen not to reveal, is said to have told friends he believes there's a chance he could be Penelope's father following claims he and Charlotte, 34, were intimate in early 2024.

But he is yet to do a paternity test to determine the outcome, with a source revealing to MailOnline that he is 'burying his head in the sand.'

The latest revelation comes after pop star Conor, 32, released a statement last month saying the results of a paternity test concluded that he is not the five-month-old's father, despite Charlotte's claims.

Charlotte has insisted that the DNA test taken by Conor, which he says was done in the presence of lawyers, was 'inaccurate', telling fans she refuses to be 'silenced.'

Hitting back at new speculation surrounding the paternity of her baby, she's adamant her Traitors co-star is not the father of her daughter.

Charlotte Chilton has been forced to deny rumours a former Traitors star is the father of her baby after Conor Maynard says a negative paternity test has ruled him out

The latest revelation comes after Conor released a statement last month saying the results of a paternity test concluded that he is not the five-month-old's father, despite Charlotte's claims

The man, whose name MailOnline has chosen not to reveal, is said to have told friends he believes there's a chance he could be Penelope's father following claims he and Charlotte were intimate

A source told MailOnline: 'A former contestant on the Traitors has told pals he and Charlotte slept with each other following a celebrity party in early 2024.

'They both had a lot to drink and ended up spending the night together.

'Charlotte has said it's not possible he could be the father but he's admitted to feeling stressed over the situation. Still, no paternity test has been done.

'Right now, the feeling is that he is burying his head in the sand.'

Charlotte, who gave birth to her daughter Penelope last October, starred on season two of Claudia Winkleman's show, which saw Traitor Harry Clark win the six-figure cash prize.

She competed on the BBC series in 2024 alongside fellow cast members Mollie Pearce, Zack Davies, Paul Gorton, Dianne Carson and her son Ross, as well as Jaz Singh, Jonny Holloway and Jasmine Boatswain.

The former reality star was married to a woman when she signed up to the show but confessed to bedding Conor following a Traitors after-party and falling pregnant, with her now raising Penelope on her own.

She publicly alleged Conor, whose influencer sister Anna is in a relationship with champion Harry, was the father before he rubbished her claims.

Charlotte, who gave birth to her daughter Penelope last October, starred on season two of Claudia Winkleman's show, which saw Traitor Harry Clark win the six-figure cash prize

The former reality star was married to a woman when she signed up to the series but confessed to bedding Conor following a Traitors after-party and falling pregnant

Charlotte, pictured with former Traitors co-stars Miles, Charlie, and Jonny, for an Instagram post she shared in January 2024, stands by that Conor is her baby's father

On Wednesday evening, Charlotte claimed she is 'not allowed' to give her side of the story yet following Conor's insistence over the paternity

Last month, Conor stated on Instagram that a paternity test which he took in the presence of Charlotte's lawyer confirmed he isn't the baby's father.

He said: 'Today I've received the test results which confirm that I am not Penelope's father. I am glad that the speculation can finally be put to an end.'

Charlotte, who suffered seven miscarriages undergoing IVF with her ex-wife, hit back after Conor told his 2.9million fanbase on Instagram that he isn't the baby's father.

She raised 'suspicions' after Conor changed the location of where he would take the paternity test at the last minute, with Charlotte doubting the test's accuracy.

But his representatives told MailOnline: 'It is very difficult to understand how the location of the paternity test would have changed the results.

'To be clear, this test was conducted by a registered nurse in the presence of Charlotte's legal representative. The results have clearly drawn a line under the matter, and we can only hope that Charlotte can find a way to move forward.'

On Wednesday evening, Charlotte claimed she is 'not allowed' to give her side of the story yet following Conor's insistence over the paternity.

She shared on Instagram that she is currently holding back on the situation, but will speak out when the time is right.

The statement read: 'A lot of people want me to address the comments regarding Conor. There will be a time and a place for this.

'Unfortunately I am not allowed to do this right now... Just know I love all the support I have received and I appreciate all the love we continuously have been receiving! Love Charlotte and Penelope.'

MailOnline has approached The Traitors star in question, who cannot be named for legal reasons, and they did not want to comment.
Driving along on a tuk tuk on the Maltese island of Gozo, Jeff Brazier grasps his youngest son Freddy's arm as they smile together in the Mediterranean sun. Both appear to enjoy the ride, beaming as though on holiday without a care in the world.

Only that couldn't be further from the truth.

In fact, Freddy was there with his father as he presented a travel segment for ITV daytime programme This Morning. The episode, which aired ten days ago, showed them live from the Mediterranean, with Jeff telling hosts Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard that Freddy was there as his apprentice for a few days.

'Fred's here, we're putting him to work. I'll show you how in a little while,' Jeff said. They then showed drone footage of Freddy helping his dad get the right lighting from behind the camera.

'We'll show you what we're getting Freddy up to, this is like an apprenticeship for him, added the host. 'He's got the reflector right now, doing a wonderful job of keeping me lit.

'Thank you very much for doing that Fred.'

Sources familiar with the Brazier family tell me that Jeff, 45, doesn't want Freddy, 20, out of his sight as Jeff attempts to take legal action to ban his son from having any contact with maternal grandmother, Jackiey Budden - who is, of course, the late Jade Goody's mum.

They also say that Freddy is desperate to speak out about his troubled childhood following Jade's death from cervical cancer in 2009 when he was just three-year-old - adding that Jeff has stopped him from doing so.

Jeff Brazier and Jade Goody in 2003. Goody died from cervical cancer in 2009

Some who know bubbly TV presenter Jeff say that he is anxious that the glossy 'Brazier brand' doesn't get damaged in anyway. Others say he is simply looking out for his son.

Whatever the case, Freddy wants a voice and to talk about family difficulties. In fact, he tried recently to tell what he describes as his 'truth' to a red-top newspaper, but Jeff intervened and did a deal to give the paper his own interview.

The source said: 'Freddy decided that he wanted to speak out; his fractured relationship with Jeff was starting to come out and he wanted to own the narrative.

'He wanted to speak out but it feels like he has been gagged now, like he isn't allowed to speak. It's chaos in the Brazier household, and Freddy just wants to be heard.

'He went so far as to get in touch with a young male journalist at a tabloid via social media and wanted to do some kind of interview but, the next thing, Jeff was alerted to it and he told his side of things rather than Freddy being allowed to.

'Perhaps it's understandable, Jeff obviously and quite rightly will always have Freddy's best interests at heart but he is 20 now, he's an adult and can do what he likes.'

Freddy's tale was never told, and insiders at the media organisation say that Jeff and his wife Kate were instead seen in the newspaper's offices. Just a few days later, a story was published that revealed how Jeff had spoken to lawyers about putting in place an order which would prevent Freddy seeing Jackiey - the closest person he has to a mother following Jade's tragic death.

The article, which Jeff is said to have been behind, also featured a source telling the publication that Freddy's relationship with his grandmother was 'incredibly detrimental to his well-being,' adding: 'The fact that Jeff is going down this route shows how concerned we all are, and how our efforts to keep Fred safe are being grossly undermined by other people.'

Jeff Brazier and son Freddie appeared together on the BBC's Celebrity Race Across the World

Then, last weekend, Jeff did another interview with the same newspaper in which he said how much all of them - he, his eldest son Bobby who is a Strictly and EastEnders star, and Freddy - need their mum.

'To lose the mother of your children is a huge trauma that, of course, shapes your life,' he said. 'It comes down to the fact that we need her. It's not just about missing her - we need her as a mother at the moment, and we always have done, in all honesty.

'I think sometimes it's termed that she is missed and we're doing our best to cope.

'Sometimes, you have no choice but to look at it and realise we need her at this point. I'm enjoying spending time with my son. We are coming together as a family to try to work through a few things at the moment.'

Indeed, there have been issues between Jeff and Freddy for some time but their feud became public last year when Freddy starred alongside his dad on Celebrity Race Across the World.

Their difficult relationship was laid bare for the show's viewers to see. In one shocking scene Jeff, 45, stormed off after Freddy claimed the family did not speak openly to each other and as result he 'keeps quiet'.

Freddy told the cameras: 'Part of me came on this race to open up with my Dad and already he's storming off. That's not good. He might not like what I say, I'm just trying to talk to him really but it's hard.'

A lot of their fall out is connected to Jeff's hatred of Jackiey. They have been at war for several years and are said to have disagreed over an incident which we are unable to reveal. Since the incident happened, Jeff hasn't liked Jackiey seeing Freddy or Bobby.

Bobby and Jeff Brazier after Bobby won the Rising Star award at the National Television Awards

When the latter starred on Strictly back in 2023, Jeff, who will also be on screens over Easter taking part in the upcoming series of BBC Two's Pilgrimage, wouldn't allow Jackiey to have a place in the audience and instead she had to cheer her beloved grandson on from home.

Meanwhile, Freddy has sought refuge from Jeff's home by going to Jackiey's council flat in Bermondsey, South East London, where Jade grew up. 'Freddy and Jackiey like to sit in Jade's old bedroom and talk about her,' said a friend of Jackiey's.

'Sometimes they even watched Jade's exercise video. Jeff and Freddy have a turbulent relationship, they argue a lot and things can be very difficult so he would escape to Jackiey's often.

'But Freddy knew Jeff didn't like him going to Jackiey's so he wouldn't tell him where he was going.'

Jackiey is the first to admit she isn't exactly the traditional grandmother. She admitted that she smoked crack cocaine while Jade was young and in 2010 a video emerged of her taking cocaine. She also lost the use of her left arm in a motorbike accident. But she adores Bobby and Freddy.

I have been told that there have been times when Jeff has been so keen for Freddy to avoid contact with his grandmother that he has tried to take his phone off him.

'It is all so devastating,' said a friend of all of those involved. 'The boys lost Jade, now they have lost Jackiey because their dad is angry with her.

'When Jade died she was terrified of leaving those two boys; it absolutely broke her heart.'

The idea of a family rupture with her Mum would have broken it again.
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This nepo baby of Hollywood celebrated the release of Vince Camuto's latest fragrance at a glamorous launch party in New York City on Wednesday.

The young actress, whose mother is Reese Witherspoon and father is Ryan Phillippe, has been collaborating with Vince Camuto as their global brand ambassador since last year.

The 'dreamy and delicious' Wonderbloom Haze is a floral-based scent, and she dressed on theme for the soiree by slipping into a flowing, lavender purple gown.

Ava Phillippe, 25, pulled back her now-dark hair into an updo with loose tendrils framing her face.

At the event held at Lavan 541, she posed in front of a promotional poster of herself with long, blonde hair, looking nearly identical to her famous actress mother.

She put on an elegant display in the romantic dress featuring a scoop, halter neckline and drop-waist hemline.

This nepo baby of Hollywood  Ava Phillippe  celebrated the release of Vince Camuto's latest fragrance at a glamorous launch party in New York City on Wednesday

To go with the soft, muted purple color of the gown, she also added cool-toned, lavender details in her makeup and highlighted her blue eyes.

She posed in front of the ad of herself modeling a strapless, corset-style dress with ruching around her waist.

Later, she was seen proudly posing with her purple perfume bottles as she celebrated the new launch.

Late last year, she celebrated being the face of the original Wonderbloom version and the Bella perfume as she debuted her first campaign with Vince Camuto.

The UC Berkeley alum modeled for the brand's holiday campaign last year about seven months after she was tapped as global brand ambassador.

Earlier this month, Ava also made her acting debut as she followed in her famous parents footsteps.

She made an appearance in an episode of the ABC medical drama Doctor Odyssey, starring as one of three college 'vixens' vying for the attention of Joshua Jackson's chracter.

In a promotional clip, she wore a hot pink bikini as she channeled her mother's iconic role.

The young actress, whose mother is Reese Witherspoon and father is Ryan Phillippe, has been collaborating with Vince Camuto as their global brand ambassador since last year

The 'dreamy and delicious' Wonderbloom Haze is a floral-based scent, and she dressed on theme for the soiree by slipping into a flowing, lavender purple gown

At the event held at Lavan 541, she posed in front of a promotional poster of herself with long, blonde hair, looking nearly identical to her famous actress mother

Earlier this month, Ava also made her acting debut as she followed in her famous parents footsteps. She made an appearance in an episode of the ABC medical drama Doctor Odyssey

Ava is often praised by social media users and Witherspoon fans for looking more and more like her mom with each year

Witherspoon, 49, and Phillippe, 50, were previously married from 1999 to 2008. In addition to their daughter Ava, the exes are also parents to 21-year-old son Deacon Phillippe , who is a musician and New York University student

Meanwhile, Witherspoon has been working on the Legally Blonde prequel with Elle Woods getting a major refresh as the story turns back time.

Witherspoon originated the role of the bubbly sorority girl who becomes an ace Harvard Law School student in the original classic 2001 comedy.

Witherspoon, 49, and Phillippe, 50, were previously married from 1999 to 2008.

In addition to their daughter Ava, the exes are also parents to 21-year-old son Deacon Phillippe, who is a musician and New York University student.
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Controversial influencer Indy Clinton has returned to the online space after she was relentlessly bullied by followers for the results of her recent rhinoplasty.

The mummy blogger, 27, underwent a nose job in March to correct an injury she suffered while surfing in 2020, but soon after she was hit with a 'barrage of hate' which forced her offline.

She returned to TikTok on Wednesday with a candid video blog explaining to her fans she was 'nervous' about coming back online, but was doing so for an important cause.

Her partner Ben Azar kicked off the video as he was seen making coffee using the couple's espresso machine.

'Good morning. Indy is really nervous about being back online because of all the haters out there. Everyone with an opinion that probably shouldn't have one,' he said.

Moments later, Indy came into the frame as she and Ben attempted to wrangle their three childrenNavy, four, Bambi, two, and Soul, 14 monthsfor their morning routine.

Controversial influencer Indy Clinton, 27, has returned to the online space after she was relentlessly bullied by followers for the results of her recent rhinoplasty

'I feel a little bit nervous about being back online because of the barrage of hate,' Indy began, before she was interrupted by one of her young ones dropping something heavy on her foot.

'I'm not fully back online just because of the barrage of hate I've received and I'm just feeling like I'm a bit flat and just not fully back into my groove yet. But I'm back online now.'

Indy went on to film the rest of her blog video as usual, taking her viewers along with her as she prepared to participate in the 2025 Witchery White Shirt campaign to raise awareness for ovarian cancer.

While fans flocked to the comments of the video with overwhelming support, there were a few critics who couldn't help but lash out at the mummy blogger yet againhowever, Indy was more prepared to combat them this time.

'You were way more happier before all this nose s**t. Should of [sic] left it alone,' one person wrote, to which Indy responded: 'Crazy what bullying can do to someone's mental health right?'

'If you live your life online, it's expectedalmost granted [sic] to expect unwanted opinions... I love yas [sic]... just saying,' said another.

'I don't, I live my life offline. Sad, bullying is expected because I have an online profile. If that's your mindset, you should change,' Indy hit back.

It comes after Indy and her sister Bella blasted the popular TikTok star's fans who criticised her new nose after undergoing a rhinoplasty.

She returned to TikTok on Wednesday with a candid video blog explaining to her fans she was 'nervous' about coming back online, but was doing so for an important cause

Indy has been inundated with cruel comments since revealing her updated nose last month, with some comparing her to 'Michael Jackson' and saying she has 'ruined her face'.

In a video posted to Bella's TikTok recently, a furious Bella defended the results of her sibling's surgery.

'She is actually hiding her nose now because you f***ing b***hes said it doesn't look good,' Bella said while sitting in a car.

'F*** you all, you all wish you could be like us,' she added before they both burst into laughter.

A frustrated Indy then said: 'F**k off about my nose.'

Fans took to Reddit to hit back at the sisters for calling out people who 'have an opinion on your life that you post to the internet'.

'She thinks she's so above everyone and everyone is jealous of her but I don't think everything is as it seems with her,' one person wrote.

'They must see the same surgeons and dentist because they are looking like they've had the same procedures and results. But they've been humbled for a reason,' another commented.

While fans flocked to the comments of the video with overwhelming support, there were a few critics who couldn't help but lash out at the mummy blogger yet againhowever, Indy was more prepared to combat them this time

'That video made me cringe. Her and her sister are sooo attention seeking/rude. No one is jealous of you babes,' another commented.

It comes after Indy posted to TikTok just days earlier to defend the results of her surgery, saying it's only been 'two weeks' since she went under the knife.

'I know I look crazy guys, it's only been two weeks,' she told her fans in a video, which showed the mother-of-three sporting a glowy makeup look.

'I'm still numb but everything will drop slowly,' she said, before adding: 'Well, I hope it drops because I have a photo shoot in April.'

'But I think it takes four to six weeks for your tip to drop and... the swelling to go down and then another year for all the rest of the swelling to slowly go down,' she added.

'That's what I'm telling myself anyway. If that's not the case, don't wanna hear it.

'I have a lot of swelling obviously on the outside, but also internally which is making my nostrils look uneven so that's fantastic.'

'It's going down everyday,' she said of the swelling, adding it was 'so much worse' and she's been sleeping with little splints in her nostrils to help the healing.

Speaking of her time in the cast, she said it was the 'longest twelve days of her life' but she was happy with her 'super natural' results.
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AFL WAG Kellie Finlayson has issued a desperate plea to her medical team amid the New South Wales doctor's strike.

Thousands of public hospital doctors across NSW walked off the job on Tuesday, as part of a three-day strike over pay and working conditions.

Kellie, the wife of Port Adelaide star Jeremy Finlayson, is currently fighting stage 4 bowel and lung cancer.

Taking to Instagram on Wednesday, the 28-year-old said that while concerned about the consequences of such a strike in her state, she understood the need for the action.

'I absolutely believe our medical staff deserve better work conditions including an increase in their pay,' she wrote.

'The treatment might be the medicine, but the staff are just. as live saving!!'

AFL WAG Kellie Finlayson, who is battling cancer, has issued a plea to her medical team, amid the New South Wales doctor's strike

'My distaste isn't with the medical staff striking. It's with the departments giving them no other option and continuing to discredit the work that they do.'

Kellie admitted that while she would be 'devastated' if her medical team were to go in strike, she would completely understand their motives.

'If my oncology team were to go on strike would I be devastated? Yes,' she added.

'Would my life be at risk? Potentially. But would I understand their reasonings? Absolutely.'

Kellie shared a second post that showed her looking at the camera, head in hand.

Captioning the image, Kellie praised her team while also issuing a heartfelt plea.

'PS, I know some of my medical team follow me on here. ily [I love you], appreciate you all so much,' she wrote.

'But also, never leave me stranded.'

Taking to Instagram on Wednesday, Kellie said that, while concerned about the consequences of such a strike in her state, she understood the need for the action

'My distaste isn't with the medical staff striking,' she continued. 'It's with the departments giving them no other option and continuing to discredit the work that they do.' Kellie is pictured with husband Jeremy and daughter Sophia

It comes after Kellie delivered an update on her cancer battle having undergoing surgery in recent weeks.

She revealed on Instagram, in March, that she had undergone thoracic surgery but appeared to be recovering well.

The young mum published a clip of herself lying in a hospital bed, writing: 'Me a week ago'.

In the next frame, Finlayson looked bright and well, sharing a brief clip of two scars on the left side of her rib cage following the surgery.

'Just over a week ago I was having a VATS wedge resection on my right lung to remove Mets and send off tissue to pathology in hope for more answers/better treatment plans,' Finlayson captioned the video.

'I've had soooo many people checking in to see how I'm doing, thank you!!!

'And honestly, I'm so fine. Which I know is incredible given the major surgery I've just undergone and I know not everyone is as lucky. But hey, I'll take the wins when I can get them in this never-ending experience.'

Kellie had confirmed the sad news last July that she would have to resume chemotherapy after her cancer had begun to grow again. It came after she had stopped chemo and radiation therapy for alternative treatments.

In a second post, Kellie praised her team while also issuing a heartfelt plea

'PS, I know some of my medical team follow me on here. ily [I love you], appreciate you all so much,' she wrote. 'But also, never leave me stranded.'

Also in March, Kellie took to Instagram to conduct a Q&A with her followers.

She wrote: 'Let's catch up. Ask me a question.'

Multiple fans wrote to express their admiration for the brave mum.

'You're amazing!' one wrote.

'Apologies if you have already mentioned it but what was your recent surgery for?'

Finlayson replied: 'Thank you,' with two 'teary-eyed' emojis.

'I had a VATS wedge resection on my right lung and removed five mets (metastatic tumours),' she replied.

VATS stands for Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery and is a form of keyhole surgery. A VATS resection involves the removal of a small piece of tissue from the lung.

Kellie, the wife of Port Adelaide star Jeremy Finlayson is currently fighting stage 4 bowel and lung cancer

She revealed on Instagram, in March, that she had undergone thoracic surgery but appeared to be recovering well

'No I'm not in remission, nor can I be restaged, I still have Mets in my left lung,' she wrote.

She was also asked about how she was recovering from the surgery, writing: 'I've actually surprised myself, I was so nervous for this one.

'I've heard horror stories but I was mobile one-day post-op - which compared to my bowel resection is miraculous.'

Finlayson had experienced symptoms of discomfort in her stomach since she was 23. But after the birth of her daughter, her symptoms had persisted. She was subsequently diagnosed with the illness, which came as a shock, leaving her angry and confused.

Her story is a truly inspiring one, with Finlayson set to release a book this month titled, There Must Be More.
Jacob Elordi had a cause on his mind at the Melbourne screening of The Narrow Road To The Deep North.

The Hollywood heartthrob, 27, took to the red carpet at Palace Cinema Como on Wednesday to promote his new TV project and condemn Tasmania's salmon-fishing industry.

Jacob wore a simple black tee by Neighbours of Fish Farming (NOFF shirt) with the slogan 'Eating salmon? Killing Tasmania' emblazoned on the front.

He finished off the ensemble with a $1,104 track jacket by Willy Chavarria, black jeans and black loafers, paired with a messy hairdo and scruffy facial hair.

The NOFF initiative also has a special place in the heart of Richard Flanagan, who took to the red carpet with Jacob and Aussie director Justin Kurzel in the protest shirt.

The Tasmanian Author, who wrote the novel that inspired Jacob's latest mini-series, also wrote the book, Toxic: The Rotting Underbelly of the Tasmanian Salmon Industry.

Jacob Elordi had a cause on his mind at the Melbourne screening of The Narrow Road To The Deep North

The bold fashion statements have shone a light on the salmon industry in Tassie, which is currently under scrutiny over its alleged questionable environmental practices and large-scale salmon mortality rate.

Also at the Melbourne screening were Elvis star Olivia DeJonge, Penguin Bloom's Shaun Grant and The Babadook's Essie Davis, who appear alongside Elordi in the Amazon Prime mini-series.

On Wednesday, Jacob was spotted with family in tow at Sydney Airport on his way to the star-studded event.

The Saltburn star looked effortlessly cool as he strolled through the airport with his equally fashionable mum.

Jacob was in Sydney for the premiere of The Narrow Road to the Deep North, which he attended on Monday.

For his travel fit, Jacob opted for a casual, comfy number, wearing a $1,104 track jacket by Willy Chavarria, black jeans and white sneakers.

He accessorised the ensemble with a pricey pair of $2,750 Bang and Olufsen headphones, a $8,530 Bottega Veneta travel bag and yellow-hued glasses.

His mum was also on trend, carrying a $13,690 Bottega Veneta bag, paired with a neutral-toned top, dark-wash jeans and laid-back loafers.

The Hollywood heartthrob, 27, took to the red carpet at Palace Cinema Como on Wednesday to promote his new film and condemn Tasmania's salmon-fishing industry

Jacob wore a simple black tee by Neighbours of Fish Farming (NOFF shirt) with the slogan 'Eating salmon? Killing Tasmania' on the front

In one picture, Jacob could be seen gleaming lovingly at his mother, who he towers over in height.

He then pulled in his mum for a hug as they made their way through the busy airport.

The sighting comes after Jacob praised Married At First Sight star Carina Mirabile's fashion sense at the premiere of Amazon Prime's new miniseries The Narrow Road to the Deep North in Sydney.

Despite being the guest of honour for the event, the Euphoria star was captivated by Carina's stunning red gown.

'Great dress,' Jacob told the reality star as he walked up the cinema stairs, while Carina sat in her seat and smiled.

The brunette beauty's off-the-shoulder gown featured a cinched-in waist, long train and elaborate trimming, and the plunging neckline made the most of her figure.

Carina accessorised with a dainty designer handbag.

She let her long black hair fall over her shoulders and completed her styling with an understated glam make-up look.

Jacob Elordi praised Married At First Sight stars Carina Mirabile's fashion sense at the premiere of Amazon Prime's new miniseries The Narrow Road to the Deep North in Sydney

'Great dress,' Jacob told the reality star as he walked up the cinema stairs, while Carina sat in her seat and smiled

The reality star appeared to enjoy her moment on the red carpet, where she could be seen posing and smiling for onlookers.

Meanwhile, Jacob decided to switch up his signature look at the event, by debuting a moustache.

The actor showed off the neat facial hair at the glitzy event as he wore a navy collared jacket with a matching pair of high-waist trousers.

He added a white vest and completed the outfit with matching loafers.

The Kissing Booth star accessorised with a thick gold chain necklace and small gold hooped earrings on each ear, showing off his voluminous brown locks for the shoot.
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Married At First Sight bride Jamie Marinos has continued to fuel romance rumours after her recent flirty comments about groom Eliot Donovan hinted at a couple swap.

Jamie, 28, who was initially paired with Dave Hand, and Eliot, 35, who was partnered with Veronica Cloherty, had tongues wagging over the weekend after they shared a bed at Daily Mail Australia's exclusive reunion party.

Now, the account manager has broken her silence on speculation about their relationship as she appeared on Nine's Today Show on Tuesday.

When asked if she was 'on' with former groom Eliot by Karl Stefanovic and Sarah Abo, Jamie let out a nervous giggle.

She then informed the breakfast show hosts she hadn't seen the Queensland-based business-owner since the reunion dinner, which was held on Sunday night.

Jamie went on to reveal the pair developed a close friendship during filming which has since carried into real life, before hinting at romance on the horizon.

Married At First Sight bride Jamie Marinos, 28, has continued to fuel romance rumours after her recent flirty comments about groom Eliot Donovan, 35, hinted at a couple swap

'I mean, it's not the worst thing that could happen,' she said.

Karl, 50, let out an 'oh yeah' at the flirty response and had a little dance at the prospect of another post-MAFS couple swap.

'I mean, he's only human guys,' Jamie quipped, as the presenters let out a chuckle.

However, Sarah, 39, then turned the heat on Jamie, asking if something could blossom between the unlikely duo.

Of course, in typical Jamie fashion, she turned to humour to dodge the question.

'We would make the funniest TikToks!' she said, adding they would 'break the internet'.

Jamie and Eliot began as bitter rivals when the groom first walked out of the experiment during his honeymoon with Lauren Hall, only to return later with bride Veronica.

But the pair have since developed a blossoming friendship, which appeared to come to a head at Daily Mail Australia's exclusive Reunion Dinner at the Ovolo Hotel in Woolloomooloo where they shared a bed together on Saturday night.

Jamie, who was initially paired with Dave Hand, and Eliot, who was partnered with Veronica Cloherty, had tongues wagging over the weekend after they shared a bed at Daily Mail Australia's exclusive reunion party

In exclusive footage, the fan-favourite bride said viewers were worried about what happened between her groom Dave and Veronica, but joked they should have been worried about her and Eliot instead.

The moment began when Eliot read out a question about his experience on MAFS.

'Did you ever hook up with or kiss another MAFS cast member who wasn't your match?' he read, as his co-stars began to laugh.

Eliot looked bashful as he shrugged his shoulders and seemed reluctant to answer as Jamie quickly touched his arm and said: 'Sit down, Eliot.'

But Awhina Rutene promptly shouted out, 'What did I walk into this morning, Eliot?' hinting she caught Jamie and the groom in bed together.

'Not yet. Not yet,' Eliot said of his romantic experiences with other brides, with Jamie agreeing: 'The night is young guys. Don't c*** block me.'

Jamie and Eliot also seemed unable to keep their hands off each other during the reunion dinner, as the groom was seen placing his arm around the bride and across the back of her chair while they sat with each other.

At one point, as a waiter handed Jamie a cocktail, she gestured for them to hand one to Eliot too, saying: 'Oh, thank you. Oh, and then one for my husband.'

Now, the account manager has broken her silence on speculation about their relationship as she appeared on Nine's Today Show on Tuesday

As everyone looked at her in a state of shock, she added: 'Sucked in guys. You thought it was Dave and Veronica!'

Another moment saw Awhina, 31, tease Jamie about how she missed frequently having sex with her former groom Dave with Jamie making yet another raunchy comment about Eliot.

'That's what Eliot's for... And you thought it was Dave and Veronica. Fools!' she said.

It seems the unlikely pair bonded after they were left heartbroken when their respective matches developed a close relationship during Feedback Week when couples were asked to swap partners.
The director denied all claims and did not attend his own trial

The allegations came to light in 2017 at the height of the #MeToo movement

James Toback, the disgraced filmmaker who was accused of sexually assaulting dozens of women at the height of the #MeToo movement, has been ordered to pay more than a billion dollars after a sexual assault trial in New York City.

A jury ordered that the 80-year-old writer and director pay $1.68 billion after 40 women joined together to accuse him in court of sexual assault, false imprisonment, coercion and psychological abuse, according to Variety.

Earlier in the case, Toback denied each of the women's allegations and claimed that any sexual activity between them had been consensual.

Although 40 women were involved in the lawsuit that number is just a fraction of the women who have accused Toback of sexual misconduct.

In 2018, the Los Angeles Times reported that a stunning 395 women wrote in to the paper accusing Toback of sexually harassing or sexually assaulting them.

The smaller subsection of women involved in the lawsuit reportedly won their case on a default judgement, as Toback did not attend the trial.

James Toback, the disgraced filmmaker accused of sexually assaulting dozens of women at the height of the #MeToo movement, has been ordered to pay more than a billion dollars after a sexual assault trial in NYC; pictured with Alec and Hilaria Baldwin in Cannes, France, in 2013

40 women testified in court or appeared in video depositions to accuse Toback, 80, of sexual assault, false imprisonment, coercion and psychological abuse, according to Variety; pictured in 2017 in Venice

Toback initially denied all of the claims while representing himself in pretrial motions, but he did not appear in court to defend himself once the trial began this year; pictured with (LR) Oliver Stone, Brett Ratner and Francis Ford Coppola in 2008 in LA

Although the lawsuit was filed back in December of 2022, the trial only began this year and lasted for just seven days.

All 40 of the women spoke at the trial, with half testifying in person for the jury while the other half testified via video depositions.

The $1.68 billion judgment is reportedly divided between $280 million in compensatory damages and $1.4 billion punitive damages.

It was only possible for their lawsuit to be filed because of New York's Adult Survivors Act, which created a one-year window in which alleged sexual abuse survivors could levy civil claims, even if their abuse had occurred outside the statute of limitations.

'This verdict is about justice. But more importantly, Its about taking power back from the abusers  and their and enablers  and returning it to those he tried to control and silence,' said Brad Beckworth, the lead counsel for the plaintiffs, after the verdict was announced.

'Today, a jury from the greater New York Community spoke very clearly and sent a message that reverberates far beyond this courtroom: no one is above accountability. The movement is not over. There is more work to do.'

The actress Mary Monahan, the lead plaintiff for the lawsuit, said: 'This is not just a verdict  its validation.

'For decades, I carried this trauma in silence, and today, a jury believed me. Believed us. That changes everything,' she continued. 'This verdict is more than a number  its a declaration.

The $1.68 billion judgment is reportedly divided between $280 million in compensatory damages and $1.4 billion punitive damages; pictured with Robert Pattinson in 2013 in Beverly Hills

Although 40 women were involved in the lawsuit that number is just a fraction of the hundreds who have accused Toback of sexual misconduct; Toback pictured with Francis Ford Coppola and Rosanna Arquette in LA in 2008

Multiple alleged that Toback's harassment and abuse occurred at meetings set up to look like interviews or auditions but were held in hotel rooms or movie trailers. They accused him of peppering them with sexual questions as he allegedly masturbated or rubbed his crotch against them; seen with former collaborator Molly Ringwald in 2013 in NYC

'We are not disposable. We are not liars. We are not collateral damage in someone elses power trip. The world knows now what weve always known: what he did was real. And what we did  standing up, speaking out  was right.'

Fellow plaintiff Karen Sklaire Watson declared that New York City was now a safer place for women after the verdict against Toback

'Were drawing a line in the sand: Predators cannot hide behind fame, money, or power,' she said via a statement. 'Not here. Not anymore.'

Toback was first hit with numerous accusations of sexual harassment and sexual assault in 2017, shortly after numerous women spoke out against disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein.

Multiple women came forward after a tweet that year in which Selma Blair shared a Huffington Post article titled 'James Toback Gets Us, He Truly Gets Us in "The Private Life Of A Modern Woman,"' referring to his 2017 film starring Alec Baldwin and Sienna Miller, which was later retitled An Imperfect Murder.

'Ironic,' Blair said of the headline.

Shortly afterward, 38 women alleged that they had been sexually harassed by Toback to the Los Angeles Times, and that number grew by hundreds by 2018.

Much like Weinstein, Toback had been the subject of rumors circulating in Hollywood for decades, though it wasn't until the sexual misconduct of famous men took on new significance with the #MeToo movement that a torrent of alleged victims began to come forward.

A 2017 tweet by Selma Blair initially led dozens of women to share stories of Toback's alleged sexual harassment and sexual assault, and the number had grown to at least 395 by 2018; seen in NYC in 2013

One accuser claimed to the Los Angeles Times that the expression 'to be Toback-ed' began to circulate in reference to sexual abuse 'by a creepy writerdirector,' via Deadline; pictured with Russell Simmons in 2013 in Beverly Hills

Toback became a New Hollywood darling in the '70s, but his dark dramas of the '80s were poorly reviewed and underperformed. He began a long collaboration with Robert Downey Jr. when he starred opposite Molly Ringwald in 1987's The Pick-up Artist (pictured)

In fact, one accuser claimed to the Los Angeles Times that the expression 'to be Toback-ed' began to circulate in reference to sexual abuse 'by a creepy writerdirector,' via Deadline.

Women who wrote to the LA Times alleged that Toback's harassment and abuse had occurred at meetings that were set up to look like interviews or auditions but were held in unprofessional settings like hotel rooms or movie trailers.

Several women accused the filmmaker of peppering them with inappropriate sexual questions as he allegedly masturbated or rubbed his crotch against them.

One of the frequent spots Toback allegedly harassed and assaulted women was the Harvard Club of New York, and the women also sued the club over claims that it had displayed negligence in allowing the filmmaker to allegedly commit sexual crimes on the premises.

However, they dropped the case against the club in January of last year.

After Selma Blair opened the floodgates of accusations, she later shared her story in detail and even claimed Toback threatened to kill her in the past if she ever spoke of the sexual harassment.

Other stars including Julianne Moore, Rachel McAdams, Today Show host Natalie Morales and Grey's Anatomy star Caterina Scorsone later claimed to have been sexually harassed by Toback.

Moore claimed that Toback had approached her on the street in New York City in the 1980s and requested that she audition for him.

Toback was accused of allegedly assaulting multiple women at the Harvard Club of New York City (pictured). Plaintiffs initially sued the club for negligence but dropped the suit in January 2024

Amid a run of poorly received directorial efforts, Toback resuscitated his career by writing Barry Levinson's 1991 gangster drama Bugsy, starring Warren Beatty (pictured) and Annette Benning. It earned Toback an Oscar nomination for his screen play

His later movies were bombs, and his last film to date, 2017's An Imperfect Murder, was hurt by the allegations against him. It starred Toback's longtime friend and defender, Alec Baldwin; (LR) former HBO CEO Richard Plepler, Alec and Hilaria Baldwin and Toback in 2013 in NYC

'I refused. One month later he did it again with the EXACT same language. I said dont u remember u did this before?' she said on social media.

Scorsone's cast mate Ellen Pompeo famously claimed to USA Today in 2017 that she told Toback to 'go f*** himself' after he allegedly asked her if she would 'get naked in a movie'  but only after the man accompanying Pompeo had briefly left them alone.

'My friend has been missing all of 30 seconds and now you say that? I kind of laughed in his face,' she claimed.

The filmmaker's current net worth is unclear, though the women are likely to recover just a small fraction of the astounding amount awarded.

'Well try to recover it, but thats not the only motivating factor,' said Ross Leonoudakis, an attorney for women suing Toback. 'We saw a unique opportunity to help these survivors seek justice.'

Toback was at one time considered a key figure in the New Hollywood movement after he wrote the acclaimed 1974 crime drama The Gambler  which starred James Caan  and wrote and directed the Harvey Keitelstarring cult classic fingers in 1978.

But he failed to live up to that promise with subsequent dark dramas of the 1980s.

In 1987 he established a long partnership with Robert Downey Jr. when he took on a lead role opposite Molly Ringwald in Toback's romantic dramedy The Pick-up Artist, which received mixed review and failed to make back its $15 million budget.

The filmmaker's current net worth is unclear, though the women are likely to recover just a small fraction of the astounding amount awarded; pictured with Quentin Tarantino in 2010 in NYC

The women suing Toback won on default judgment, as he did not appear in court during the seven-day trial; pictured with boxer and convicted rapist Mike Tyson in 2013 in Beverly Hills

Amid a run of poorly received directorial efforts, Toback resuscitated his career with the 1991 gangster drama Bugsy, which was directed by Barry Levinson and starred Warren Beatty as the mobster Bugsy Siegel, along with his future wife Annette Benning.

The film was a modest success at the box office but was a hit with critics, and it went on to win Oscars for Best Art Direction and Best Costume Design, while Toback received a nomination for his screenplay.

Downey starred in two subsequent Toback films, 1997's Two Girls And A Guy and 1999's Black And White.

Toback's later movies were critical and commercial bombs, and his last film to date, 2017's An Imperfect Murder, was further hurt by the emerging allegations against him.

It starred Toback's longtime friend and defender, Alec Baldwin.

Toback is married to Stephanie Kempf, who edited his documentary The Big Bang.

He previously married Consuelo Sarah Churchill Vanderbilt Russell in 1968, but they reportedly divorced after a short time.
Rosie O'Donnell discussed her messy estrangement from adopted daughter Chelsea, after she petitioned to drop the star's last name in favor of her birth mother's name.

The comedian, 63, recently cut Chelsea, 27, out of her $80 million estate, and in retaliation Chelsea went to court herself to file for a name change, requesting to return to her birth mother Deanna Micoley's maiden name, Neuens.

On Sunday, O'Donnell issued a bizarre response to Chelsea's petition, writing a lengthy poem on her Substack, titled 'my child chelsea.'

In the poem, O'Donnell said Chelsea's bid to change her last name 'doesn't make sense' to her, however she added, 'its not about me/ i am here for her/ she's not here for me.'

O'Donnell's relationship with her daughter  who is currently in a sober living facility  has been publicly tumultuous since Chelsea ran away from home as a young teenager.

Although they appeared to reconcile in 2018, their connection fractured again in 2024 when Chelsea was arrested on felony child neglect and drug possession charges, followed by two more similar arrests in the subsequent two months.

Rosie O'Donnell, 63, discussed her estrangement from adopted daughter Chelsea, 27, after she petitioned to drop the star's last name in favor of her birth mother's name; pictured in 2024

The comedian recently cut Chelsea out of her $80 million estate, and in retaliation Chelsea went to court herself to file for a name change, requesting to return to her birth mother Deanna Micoley's maiden name, Neuens; Rosie and Chelsea seen in 2016

Despite the name change, Rosie said that her bond to Chelsea remains the same.

'Same name or not/ that's my girl/ fierce and determined,' she wrote in the poem, which Rosie said she was sharing with Chelsea's approval.

'She wants her privacy / i am her mom / the story is out there/ people judge and ask/ why didn't u try more ... /u should have done something else ... /I would never have ... /if she were mine ...' the poem began.

Rosie went on to say that 'every adoption story is complicated' adding, 'a primal wound/ sometimes doesn't heal.'

The poem continued, with the star sharing that Chelsea's journey was 'made public by a series of bad decisions/ on everyones part/ when she was a young teen.'

'Some things are hard to come back from/ why don't u talk about her more/ how can I/ what would I say,' Rosie pondered.

Elsewhere in the poem, Rosie wrote about a court hearing a few months ago, when a Wisconsin judge told Chelsea he was proud that she had completed treatment, and encouraged Chelsea to give herself praise as well.

'The story made my knees weak/ to think of my child/ parenting herself - honoring herself/ made me weep,' Rosie wrote.

O'Donnell said Chelsea's bid to change her last name 'doesn't make sense' to her, however she added, 'its not about me/ i am here for her/ she's not here for me' in a poem shared to her Substack on Sunday

Rosie added, 'Same name or not/ that's my girl/ fierce and determined'; Rosie with her five adopted children Chelsea, Blake, Vivienne, Parker and Dakota O'Donnell

After she was cut out of Rosie's estate, Chelsea went to court herself to petition to change her last name back to her birth mother Micoley's maiden name, Neuens

Chelsea's birth mother Deanna Micoley holding a photo of her as a baby before she gave her up for adoption. The two reunited in 2015 and Deanna was the one to bail her out of jail in November 2024

She also shared how Chelsea recently called her to say that she had gotten her high school diploma 'ten years too late', which caused Rosie to cry.

Rosie added that Chelsea is 'doing so well now' and 'working on herself', stating that she wishes she could 'delete' her own fame for her daughter's sake.

On Tuesday, DailyMail.com exclusively revealed that after years of public feuding, Rosie turned her back on her wayward daughter one final time, cutting her out of her $80 million estate.

The one-time talk titan made the decision just days before she left the United States to start a new life in Ireland.

'Chelsea really didn't care that Rosie wrote her out,' a source told DailyMail.com.

'I mean who wouldn't want to have access to millions? But for Chelsea it is not about the money, it's about feeling wanted and loved.'

'And that's something she feels she has never really had from Rosie.'

'Money is what allowed for Rosie to send her away to six or seven boarding schools during her lifetime.'

'Rich people can pay someone else to raise their kids. Middle- or lower-class parents actually have to be parents, they can't ship their kids off at the first sign of trouble,' the source added.

Chelsea, the second of the star's five adopted children, is currently in a sober living facility in Marinette, Wisconsin, and could not be contacted for comment.

Chelsea and Rosie have long had a contentious relationship, which the former co-host of The View has put down to her daughter being 'born addicted to heroin.' Chelsea was sentenced on March 31 to six years probation after being arrested on multiple drug charges

Chelsea was most recently arrested on November 18, following previous arrests on September 10 (left) October 11 (right) in connection with allegations of drug-related offenses

Rosie specifically cut Chelsea out of her estate in the documents. They state she has $27 million in life insurance twhich means Chelsea would miss out on $5.4 million from that source alone

Rosie's representative pointed DailyMail.com to the 30-stanza poem that Rosie posted on Substack, but said she would have no further comment.

Chelsea pleaded guilty to a string of felonies and misdemeanors including drug and child neglect charges in a Wisconsin courtroom on March 31 and was sentenced to 6-years-probation, with strict terms and conditions.

If she violates her probation she could face several years in state prison.

Chelsea and Rosie have long had a contentious relationship, which the former co-host of The View has put down to her daughter being 'born addicted to heroin'.

'She has had a tough road,' Rosie said in 2017 after Chelsea had given an interview to DailyMail.com in which she claimed her mother had threatened to hit her with a wine bottle because she had gotten a tattoo.

'Chelsea is mentally ill. Has been in and out of hospitals most of her life,' Rosie added.

'She is very sick. She is not capable of truth or reason.'

At the time, Chelsea said she was pregnant and insisted that Rosie 'would not be in my son's life'.

'And no, I do not feel sad about that to be honest,' she added. In the end she miscarried.

But she now has four children, the youngest of whom is 18 months old and living in foster care. The other three are living with their father.

And now, following Chelsea's three arrests in as many months, Rosie has decided enough is enough.

According to documents exclusively obtained by DailyMail.com, Rosie cut Chelsea out of two separate trusts on January 6, just 11 days before she left the country in protest at Donald Trump's re-election as president.

Chelsea's youngest child is in foster care, while her three other children live with their father

'At the time of the execution of this indenture, the donor's children are Parker O'Donnell, Chelsea O'Donnell ('Chelsea'), Blake O'Donnell, Vivienne Rose O'Donnell and Dakota O'Donnell,' one of the trust documents reads.

'However for all purposes of this indenture, the terms of 'the donor's children,' 'child of the donor,' 'issue of the donor' and any term of like import shall not include Chelsea or any issue of Chelsea,' it adds, making clear that her grandchildren are also out.

The documents state that Rosie has $27 million in life insurance, which means Chelsea is missing out on more $5.4 million from that source alone.

DailyMail.com understands that Rosie sent Chelsea a copy of the documents so she would know for sure that she would not inherit any of her fortune, which Celebrity Net Worth estimates at $80 million.

Then on January 30, Chelsea filed papers in court in Wisconsin where she now lives asking for the name change.

On the form submitting the request she filled in the reason for wanting the name change as 'Adoption/family name'.

The source said that Chelsea is finally taking responsibility for her actions, but no one will ever know what she went through as a child.

'Chelsea turned to drugs to cope in life, it is not an excuse it just happened that way,' the source said.

'I do not think it is uncommon for most adopted children to have abandonment issues. Then to be shipped away to some troubled youth facility masked as a "boarding school" only further complicates the issue.

'It's not an excuse but she turned to drugs to mask her pain, of her feeling of not being wanted.

Chelsea and Rosie last spoke in December. 'Chelsea has put Rosie in her rear-view mirror,' said the source.

Rosie has been forthright about her problems raising her children.

'My teenagers are a nightmare, they're horrible,' she joked in 2016.

Rosie signed her drug-riddled daughter out of the will 11 days before she left the country in protest at Donald Trump's re-election as president; she is seen in 2023

'I had four teenagers when I decided to adopt a newborn baby. You might ask why. Because I had four teenagers and I needed to remind myself that I actually do love children.'

Rosie's decision to move to Ireland with her youngest, Dakota, 12  who is non-binary and goes by the name Clay  came after Trump's election. They are living close to U2 drummer Larry Mullen and Oscar-nominated actor Brendan Gleason in an upmarket area, 20 minutes from the center of Dublin.

She said she plans to take out Irish citizenship but may return to the United States 'when it is safe for all citizens to have equal rights'.

'I miss my other kids. I miss my friends. I miss many things about life there at home, and I'm trying to find a home here in this beautiful country,' she said from her new homeland.
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Chris Lilley has confirmed the comeback of his beloved TV character Mr G.

The comedian, 50, took to Instagram on Wednesday to share a clip of himself as the iconic teacher he plays in the Australian mockumentary series Summer Heights High.

In the video, Chris could be seen crossing his foot, straightening his tie, folding his arms and, of course, awkwardly bouncing on his pink yoga ball.

The clip then cut to a grey background where 'Mr G is back' popped up on the screen in red, confirming rumours the Aussie funnyman was bringing his hilarious alter ego back to the screen.

Despite it being four years since the hilarious series was axed by Netflix, fans poured into the comments section to express their excitement at the character's revival.

'Don't f*** with me I'll cry,' one excited fan wrote.

Chris Lilley, 50, has confirmed the comeback of his beloved TV character Mr G

'FINALLY,' another expressed.

One person proclaimed: 'MY DREAM IS FINALLY COMING TRU OMG.'

'OMG! Yes! Mr G! This is EVERYTHING! Thank you for bringing him back to us! Cannot bloody wait,' another chimed in.

'Life is worth living again Mr G is back!' one fan wrote.

Over the last few days, Chris has been teasing the much-anticipated return of Mr G on his socials.

The star posted a video on Tuesday showing Mr G's pink exercise ball bouncing around before landing on a chair.

Although Chris did not write anything in the caption, fans went wild with speculation the flamboyant drama teacher would be returning.

Before that, he shared a snippet of his skit Mr G The Musical, which sent fans into stitches.

The comedian took to Instagram on Wednesday to share a clip of himself as the iconic teacher he plays in the Australian mockumentary series Summer Heights High

It will be Chris' first acting appearance in several years as he has not performed in a production since his 2019 Netflix mockumentary series Lunatics.

In July 2021, four of his television shows were removed from Netflix due to concerns over 'blackface' portrayals.

It was announced Jonah from Tonga, Angry Boys, Summer Heights High and We Can Be Heroes would be removed from Netflix in Australia and New Zealand.

The shows raised questions about racial discrimination, as several characters were depicted using blackface and brownface.

On Angry Boys, he portrayed African-American rapper S.mouse and performed a song called Squashed N****.

In Jonah from Tonga, he painted his face brown and wore a curly wig to portray troubled teen Jonah Takalua.

In We Can Be Heroes, Lilley played Ricky Wong, a Chinese physics student.

Chris has defended his style of comedy, telling The Weekend Australian in 2019: 'I'm not trying to do the thing that is trendy at the moment.'

The clip then cut to a grey background where 'Mr G is back' popped up on the screen in red, confirming rumours the Aussie funnyman was bringing his hilarious alter ego back to the screen

The award-winning comedian went on to say he would continue making 'clever, layered' characters.

Defending his controversial portrayals, he added: 'When you meet them, you think, "I know that type of person," but then there is a twist, something crazy.

'In the end you think, "Actually, I kind of relate to this, she just did that thing that I do every day."'

Over the past year, Chris has shifted his focus to a wildlife venture.

Chris has become a YouTuber, sharing videos of his wildlife encounters while travelling across Australia.

A recent video features the iconic funnyman documenting close encounters with kangaroos.

Another clip shows him swimming with grey nurse sharks, while an earlier video captures Chris travelling to Tasmania in search of wombats.
A nepo baby with very famous movie star parents shared a stunning Instagram selfie where she looks just like her glamorous mum.

The 26-year-old looked radiant as she pouted at the camera while wearing a cosy grey sweatshirt.

Styling her long tresses loose, the actress wore gold hoop earrings and a matching necklace in the snap shared with her 147,000 followers.

The beauty has already followed in the footsteps of her famous parents appearing in a number of films.

So can you guess who she and her movie star parents are?

A nepo baby with famous movie star parents shared a stunning Instagram selfie where she looked the double of her mum.... so can you guess who she and her movie star parents are?

That's right it's Lily Sheen - the daughter of Kate Beckinsale and Michael Sheen.

Lily proved the apple doesn't fall far from the tree as she looked the double of her famous glamorous mum.

Lily was born in 1999, four years after Kate, 51, and Michael, 56, met on a touring production of The Seagull.

The pair split in 2002 after seven years together when their daughter was just three years old, but stunning Kate has made it clear in the past they are still on great terms.

She said previously: 'I love Michael, Michael's fantastic. It shouldn't necessarily have gone on and on forever with us, but he is one of my absolutely favorite people ever.'

Their split was made all the more complicated as they had only recently settled in the US with Lily and Michael was forced to return to Britain while Kate remained overseas.

Kate has starred in huge movies including Pearl Harbor and Underworld while Michael is an actor on both stage and screen.

Lily has followed in her mother and father's footsteps by pursuing an acting career and is most known for her work in The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent (2022), Everybody's Fine (2009) and Underworld: Evolution (2006).

It's Lily Sheen - the daughter of Kate Beckinsale and Michael Sheen (pictured in March 2002 at the Vanity Fair Oscars party)

Lily followed in her mother and father's footsteps pursuing an acting career and is most known for her work in The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent (pictured at the 2022 premiere)

Speaking about the physical resemblance to her daughter back in 2023, Kate said: 'I do see it. Yeah, I do. Sometimes I'll send her a text saying, "Get your own face!"(pictured in 2013)

Speaking about the physical resemblance to her daughter back in 2023, Kate said: 'I do see it. Yeah, I do. Sometimes I'll send her a text saying, "Get your own face!"

'She's like a better version. She's got something that I don't. She looks like this gorgeous Disney animal  she's got these giant eyes . . . I think probably Dad [Michael Sheen] helped with that a bit  but she's very much herself.'

Speaking about his split from Kate back in 2020 on the podcast Changes With Annie Macmanus, Michael said: 'Going through that experience of a relationship breaking down and having a young child, and then because of my daughter and her mum living in another country, having to make a life in a new place whilst going through that whole experience which is difficult enough.

'I had no work visa to stay in America, so every time I left, I had to go back to Britain. I never knew if I would be allowed to come back in again.

'So, I ended up having to get work in Britain because I wasn't really getting any work in America. It really made me question certain things about myself.'

Michael and Kate split in 2002 after seven years together when their daughter was just three years old, but Kate has made it clear in the past they are still on great terms (pictured in 2016)

The actor, whose exes include Rachel McAdams and Sarah Silverman, became a dad once again in 2019 after welcoming daughter Lyra with partner Anna Lundberg, 30.

Kate later married American film director Len Wiseman, but they separated after 11 years.

Michael and Kate are still close friends, and she has previously said of him: 'I really love him and like him and we make each other roar with laughter.'

The exes have even popped up on each other's social media feeds in recent years, as they spend time with their daughter.
Vicky Pattison sizzled in a busty leopard-print bikini on Wednesday as she jetted off to the Caribbean for a sun-soaked getaway with her husband Ercan Ramadan.

The TV personality, 37, married Ercan, 31, at London's Marylebone Town Hall in August last year before they continued their celebrations in October with a big Italian party in Puglia.

And now, the couple are making the most of married life as they've flown out to the luxury five-star hotel Sandals in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines together for a holiday.

Vicky made sure to soak up the rays as she showcased her incredible figure in the skimpy two-piece set, while relaxing on a sun lounger.

She accessorised with a chunky gold chain necklace and matching bracelet, before completing her beach day look with a stylish pair of shades.

The reality TV icon wore her dark tresses in loose beachy waves and opted for no makeup to flaunt her natural beauty.

Vicky Pattison sizzled in a busty leopard-print bikini on Wednesday as she jetted off to the Caribbean for a sun-soaked getaway with her husband Ercan Ramadan

Vicky made sure to soak up the rays as she showcased her incredible figure in the skimpy two-piece set, while relaxing on a sun lounger

In another post from the couple's stunning trip away, Vicky slipped into a white figure-hugging embroidered milkmaid dress, which cinched in at the waist before flowing out into a mini skirt.

She looked nothing short of sensational as she got glammed up and posed with an ice cream for the evening.

The star also posed up a storm in more bikini snaps, this time opting for a simple black design, as she showcased her stunning figure while sipping on a cocktail.

The brunette beauty later added colourful pink, red and white crochet shorts and a matching cropped shirt over her bikini.

Vicky and Ercan even posed for a picture together in the pilot's seat of the plane, as well as stopping for a quick selfie before take off.

Their hotel room had been sweetly decorated with a banner reading: 'Just married'.

The former Geordie Shore star made sure to promote her travel Instagram account in the caption as she penned: 'Postcards from Saint Vincent... (And yes, I absolutely got ice cream in my hair in that first picture)

For more posts and holiday stuff make sure you're following @vickysvacays, I don't want to bore people on here with loads of holiday posts.'

It comes just after Vicky revealed why her husband Ercan was an 'unlikely choice' as she discussed their future plans for children.

In another post from the couple's stunng strip away, Vicky slipped into a white figure-hugging embroidered milkmaid dress

She looked nothing short of sensational as she got glammed up and posed with an icecream for the evening

The star also posed up a storm in more bikini snaps, this time opting for a simple black design, as she showcased her stunning figure while sipping on a cocktail

The brunette beauty later added colourful pink, red and white crochet shorts and a matching cropped shirt over her bikini

the couple are making the most of married life as they've flown out to the luxury five-star hotel Sandals in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines together for a holiday

Vicky and Ercan even posed for a picture together in the pilot's seat of the plane, as well as stopping for a quick selfie before take off

She made sure to show off her hunky husband in the Instagram post

Their hotel room had been sweetly decorated with a banner reading: 'Just married'

It comes just after Vicky revealed why her husband Ercan was an 'unlikely choice' as she discussed their future plans for children

Speaking in an interview last month, Vicky explained how her husband is 'very different' from all the 'alpha male' types she has dated in the past.

She told OK! Magazine: 'I tried relationships with those people, but Ive realised, the loudest person in the room is often the most insecure. I was left with heartache every time.

'We love each other for our differences. Hes making me more patient, calm and thoughtful. I like to think Im making him more ambitious and proactive.'

In 2023, the couple Vicky bravely shared candid updates about their egg-freezing journey after spending 7,000 on the procedure.

Joking that she would like to 'get one in before 40,' she discussed their plans to have children in the future.

'Everyone thought wed try for kids quite quickly  so did we! But were going to enjoy being married, for at least a year. Id love a honeymoon first!,' she explained.

After five years of dating, the couple committed to each other in front of family and close friends including Strictly star Pete Wicks, who took on the role of Vicky's flower girl.

Following a stressful year of planning her big days, Vicky says finally putting on her stunning designer gowns made all her anxieties disappear.

And she was relieved by Ercan's 'perfect' response to seeing her in her main dress, a Leah Da Gloria gown from luxury bridal store The Wedding Club.

Vicky said: 'I tried relationships with those people, but Ive realised, the loudest person in the room is often the most insecure. I was left with heartache every time'

In 2023, the couple Vicky bravely shared candid updates about their egg-freezing journey after spending 7,000 on the procedure

Vicky told MailOnline: 'I don't want to spoil the show but I was really hoping Ercan would cry when he saw me in my main dress, the Leah de Gloria, from The Wedding Club

'He's not the most emotional of fellas and I felt like that would have been a huge win for me. In the end, his reaction was perfect.'

Vicky has described her Italian wedding as the most 'special' and 'magical' day of her life.

The whole event was captured for E4's series, Vicky Pattison: My Big Fat Geordie Wedding.

The reality star previously shared her 'heartbreak' over the amount of money she has forked out to pay for her and Ercan's 'dream wedding'.

She revealed that the eye-watering price she splashed out on both weddings costs 'the same price as a house' - but it still 'wasn't enough budget' for what she wanted.

From purchasing four wedding dresses to wear on her big day, to two stunning locations and a jaw-dropping welcome dinner, Vicky was certain to pull off a once in a lifetime day.

The pair got engaged in the summer of 2019, when Ercan proposed to her on the beach in Dubai.

The pair got engaged in the summer of 2019, when Ercan proposed to her on the beach in Dubai

He popped the question with a stunning emerald-cut solitaire with a diamond band. British jeweller Rox predicted that the piece would cost around 200,000.

And now Vicky is hoping to help others find love as it is revealed the TV star is to host her dating show.

The Honesty Box is a new nine-part reality dating experiment for E4.

It will test if honesty is the secret to finding true and everlasting love.

The show will use cutting-edge AI technology to test the honesty of new couples as they battle it out to win a cash prize of up to 100,000.
PR queen Roxy Jacenko is making the most of her new slimmed down look.

The ultra-fit 44-year-old mother-of-two took to her stories on Wednesday to model a sexy new bikini.

Roxy looked stunning in the itsy-bitsy white two-piece from Swedish brand Bright Swimwear which showed off her deep tan and featured a triangle top and tie bottoms.

The leggy blonde appeared to be getting ready for some poolside action in the Instagram selfie, as she posed in a pair of sunglasses.

Last month Roxy revealed the extreme measures she goes to in order to maintain her goal weight of just 50.9kg.

She told Daily Mail Australia she is doing daily contrast therapy, which involves taking baths in warm and cold water from Monday to Friday.

Roxy Jacenko is making the most of her new slimmed down look. Pictured

Roxy looked stunning in the itsy-bitsy white two-piece from Swedish brand Bright Swimwear which showed off her deep tan and featured a triangle top and tie bottoms

This method is believed to help to improve blood circulation throughout your body.

She also does 40 minutes in an infra-red sauna each day before completing a 45-minute workout on the treadmill at speed 6 and rolling hills, as well as low-weight exercises.

Roxy also revealed she eats just one meal a day at dinner which is focused on protein only.

'I don't do breakfast or lunch, instead I do dinner at 7pm each day which is focused on protein only and salad,' she explained.

'Last night I had grilled calamari, rocket pear and Parmesan salad. If I'm desperate for something sweet, I have dark chocolate-covered sultanas.'

Roxy also has an AG1 supplement, which includes multiple vitamins, minerals, probiotics and plant compounds, every morning.

She said she only drinks alcohol on the weekend if she has an occasion and even then limits herself to two drinks.

Roxy also recently spoke about the terrifying moment she overdosed on Ozempic in an attempt to rapidly lose weight.

Roxy also revealed she eats just one meal a day at dinner which is focused on protein only

She took four times the recommended dosage, resulting in severe vomiting and non-stop shaking.

'I put so much weight on. I would have to undo my jeans when I sat in the car so I got sucked in by it,' she explained on The Lazy CEO Podcast with Jane Lu.

'I bought it, I tried it. I took four times the amount in the first go.'

Roxy said she is 'so sick of people' who deny using Ozempic, adding: 'I call a spade a spade on my platform and I don't care.'

She had consulted her doctor about it, and got a prescription, but ignored the guidelines when it came to safe dosage.

'I thought I was actually going to die. I have had cancer, radiation therapy, all of that. It doesn't even compare to how bad I felt when I took this drug,' she told The Saturday Telegraph.

'For the first 12 hours I was OK. I vomited four times that morning, once in a hire car, and I went to work.'

Roxy then suffered from severe vomiting and non-stop 'epilepsy type' shaking which landed her in a drug overdose clinic for three days.

'I called an ambulance. An ambulance was going to be an hour away but I thought I was going to die. I went to St Vincent's,' she said.

Roxy has since put out a warning to all who are tempted to use Hollywood's latest quick-fix weight loss drug.
Pierce Brosnan's wife Keely gushed over her husband in touching throwback snaps as the couple celebrate 31 years together.

The journalist, 61, took to Instagram on Wednesday as she shared an array of snaps from their red carpet appearances over the years after first meeting in Mexico back in 1994.

Posting a collection of glamorous photos from over the course of their relationship, she wrote: 'April 26, 1995  Our first red carpet appearance in London. Still stepping out 31 years later.'

Marking the date of when they met she added: 'Happy Anniversary my love! 4-8-94 was my lucky day.'

Most recently Pierce, 71, and Keely made headlines after they wowed on the red carpet at the MobLand premiere in New York City last month.

Keely, who tied the knot with the actor in 2001, displayed her weight loss  estimated to be around 7 stone  in a black, lace mini dress with three-quarter sleeves.

Pierce Brosnan's wife Keely shared a gushing tribute to actor as she took to Instagram on Wednesday with sweet throwback red carpet snaps as the couple mark 31 years together

Most recently Pierce, 71, and Keely, 61, made headlines after they wowed on the red carpet at the MobLand premiere in New York City last month

The couple looked besotted with each other after all these years, and Pierce has never been shy to compliment his wife in interviews and on Instagram.

The actor was previously married to Cassandra Harris and adopted her daughter Charlotte and son Christopher when their dad passed away in 1986. And together, they welcomed son Sean in 1983.

Charlotte died from ovarian cancer in 2013 at age 41.

Just over three years on after Charlotte's tragic passing, Pierce met Keely while in Mexico.

Upon meeting Pierce in Mexico in 1994, Keely told People that she immediately found the Bond actor 'captivating' and that he had a 'mischievous sparkle in his eyes'.

In the same interview, the actor said of his wife: 'I found a great woman in Keely Shaye. Not if I searched a million times over would I find one as good.'

Gushing over how Keely has supported him in his grief for his first wife, he told the Irish Times in 2013: 'Keely has always been kind and compassionate and encouraged me to mourn Cassie.  I suppose Keely is my North Star, always looking out for me.'

The star also showed his support for his wife when back in 2022, after the couple celebrated their 21st wedding anniversary in the August, a cruel post about Keely's weight went viral on Facebook.

Posting a collection of photos from over the course of their relationship she penned: 'April 26, 1995Our first red carpet appearance in London. Still stepping out 31 years later'

The pair first met in Mexico back in 1994 before later tying the knot in August 2001

Upon meeting Pierce in Mexico in 1994, Keely told People that she immediately found the Bond actor 'captivating' and that he had a 'mischievous sparkle in his eyes' (pictured in 1996)

In the same interview, the actor said of his wife: 'I found a great woman in Keely Shaye. Not if I searched a million times over would I find one as good'

In the post, which has since been deleted trolls compared how her body had changed since first meeting Pierce in 1994.

Yet Pierce made sure to defend his wife as he replied: 'Friends offered her surgery to reduce her weight. But I strongly love every curve of her body.

'She is the most beautiful woman in my eyes. And also because she had our five children.'

He continued: 'In the past, I truly loved her for her person, not only for her beauty, and now I'm loving her even more that she is my children's mother.

'And I am very proud of her, and I always seek to be worthy of her love.'

Pierce also often shares his love for and devotion to Keely on Instagram where the couple celebrate milestones including anniversaries and birthdays.

Celebrating Keely's 60th birthday in September 2023, Pierce penned in his birthday post: 'Sixty roses for my brown eyed girl on her 60th birthday.'

Referring to their first meeting he added: 'Forever happy and blessed was I to be sitting there when you walked around the corner early one morning in Cabo San Lucas.'

Keely also supported her husband through more immeasurable grief, when his eldest daughter Charlotte died in 2013 from ovarian cancer, the same disease which claimed her mother's life 21 years earlier. She was just 42 years old.

The couple linked arms as they attended the recent red carpet for the opening night of Good Night, and Good Luck on Broadway last week

He often shares his love for and devotion to Keely on Instagram where the couple celebrate milestones including anniversaries and birthdays

Later that year, he told the Irish Mirror how his wife continued to help him through his grief as he said: 'Love is just the most beautiful, joyous feeling. It can come from many places.

'Hopefully the one who is beside you, the one who is there on the pillow beside you in the morning  my wife.'

He added: 'We seem to do well at being together and being in love and, more importantly, liking each other. The like factor is a great thing. Love cannot burn constantly.

'It's very hard for it to be so intense. But it's wonderful. I tell her I love her everyday. It's important to say that.'
Amelia Gray turned heads in a lingerie-inspired look as she attended the H&M&LA Music Festival hosted by H&M in Los Angeles on Wednesday.

Joining Dixie D'Amelio, who wore a lace-up mini dress, they posed for photos on the red carpet at Ace Mission Studios.

Amelia, 23, teamed a pair of tiny black knickers, that featured a lace overlay, with a gray corset top.

She topped her outfit off by styling her hair straight and opting for a grungy makeup look.

Dixie, 23, teamed her corseted dress with a pair of strappy heels and pulled her hair back into a half-up half-down style.

Amelia was later joined by her sister Delilah Hamlin, 26, and mother Lisa Rinna, 61, with the family posing for photos together.

Amelia Gray turned heads lingerie inspired look as she attended he H&M&LA Music Festival hosted by H&M in Los Angeles on Wednesday

Joining Dixie D'Amelio, who wore a lace-up mini dress, they posed for photos on the red carpet at Ace Mission Studios

Also in attendance was Tyla, who put on a more casual display in a white crop top and baggy jeans.

The outing comes after Amelia left little to the imagination as she stormed the DSquared2 runway during Milan Fashion Week.

The model went braless as she took to the catwalk in a sheer Cher-inspired champagne-nude jumpsuit.

The stylish ensemble from the fashion brand's Womenswear Fall/Winter 2025/2026 collection featured a figure-hugging silhouette, a delicate sheer sequin embellished fabric, and long sleeves.

The garment also boasted dramatic feather and fringe embellishments towards the end of the sleeves and lower legs.

Her look was inspired by Cher's 1974 Met Gala dress, which was created by American fashion designer Bob Mackie.

This is the second time Amelia has walked for the brand DSqaured2. The model was also one of the stars for the brand's fall 2023 show.

Amelia, who began her modelling career in 2017, has walked for high-end brands including Saint Laurent, Chanel, Balenciaga, Moncler, Givenchy, Versace, and Vivienne Westwood.

Amelia, 23, teamed a pair of tiny black knickers, that featured a lace overlay, with a gray corset top

Dixie, 23, teamed her corseted dress with a pair of strappy heels and pulled her hair back into a half-up half-down style

Amelia was later joined by her sister Delilah Hamlin, 26, and mother Lisa Rinna, 61, with the family posing for photos together

Also in attendance was Tyla, who put on a more casual display in a white crop top and baggy jeans

Lisa opted for an oversized pink suit for the event

The outing comes after Amelia left little to the imagination as she stormed the DSquared2 runway during Milan Fashion Week

In November, she also starred in Michael Kors' holiday campaign with her sister Delilah Belle Hamlin.

Amelia has maintained a close relationship with her parents as she embarked on her own rise to fame, with them even contributing to her wardrobe.

She previously admitted to stealing items from mum Lisa Rinna and dad Harry Hamlin's wardrobes, including designer garments.

She told People in May: 'I steal (but put back) a bunch of my dad's Calvin Klein white T-shirts and his Nike socks sometimes. He also has really comfy flannel pieces.'

'From my mum, I mostly take the tighter, chicer things. I've definitely stolen my fair share of Versace.'

Amelia takes anything she 'can get [her] hands on' when it comes to the former 'Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' star's clothes.

She said: 'I take whatever high-fashion things I can get my hands on from that woman's closet, that's for sure.'
Channel Seven has officially announced the return of long-time Farmer Wants a Wife host Natalie Gruzlewski.

Many fans were disappointed when Natalie was dumped by the network and replaced by former Sunrise presenter Samantha Armytage for the 2023 season.

On Thursday, the network celebrated Natalie's return with a glamorous photo shoot posted to the show's Instagram page.

In the image, the 47-year-old looks poses against a barn door in an intricate green frock with floral detailing.

The frame is captioned, 'Nat is Back', and fans were delighted.

'Nat is back where she belongs,' one pleased fan wrote in the comments.

Channel Seven has officially announced the return of long-time Farmer Wants a Wife host Natalie Gruzlewski (pictured)

Fans were left heartbroken when Natalie was dumped by the network and replaced with former Sunrise star Samantha Armytage (pictured) for the 2023 season

'Nat is back where she belongs,' added another fan.

'So looking forward to this, Nat is the best!' commented one more.

'Thank goodness, wasn't the same without Nat,' wrote another.

'Yay. Best host for the show,' quipped someone else.

Natalie was hired to host the show when it debuted in 2007, having previously been a presenter on Nine's travel show Getaway.

She went on the host the show until 2012, before heading to Nine as as weather presenter on the network's Gold Coast news.

She returned to Seven in 2020 to resume as host on Farmer Wants a Wife before being replaced by Samantha Armytage.

Samantha shocked fans in August when she stepped down from Seven after 21 years.

On Thursday, the network celebrated Natalie's return with a glamorous photo shoot posted to the show's official Instagram page. In the image, the 47-year-old looks radiant as she poses against a barn door in an intricate green frock with floral detailing

Her new TV gig is hosting Nine's adaptation of The Golden Bachelor.

An insider described Samantha's new hosting job as a 'smart move' and said she was 'well-suited' to the concept after 'breathing new life' into Seven's dating show FWAW.

Unlike The Bachelor and The Bachelorette which feature young men and women, the Golden Bachelor is targeted at a more mature audience eager to watch how those who have already experienced great love and loss are chasing companionship.
Dakota Fanning turned heads in a chic embroidered slip dress as she attended the H&M&LA Music Festival hosted by H&M in Los Angeles on Wednesday.

The actress, 30, stepped out in a plunging grey maxi gown, which featured silver embroidered flowers and a thigh-high side slit.

She added inches to her height with chunky black biker boots and wore her long blonde tresses in loose waves.

Dakota opted not to wear a necklace, instead letting the stunning dress speak for itself as she posed up a storm outside the star-studded event.

She opted for a glowing palette of makeup for the outing to showcase her natural beauty.

The star seemed to be in high spirits as she posed with her hand on her hip, flaunting her outfit from every angle before heading inside.

Dakota Fanning turned heads in a chic embroidered slip dress as she attended the H&M&LA Music Festival hosted by H&M in Los Angeles on Wednesday

The actress, 30, stepped out in a plunging grey maxi gown, which featured silver embroidered flowers and a thigh-high side slit

Meanwhile, Amelia Gray turned heads in a lingerie-inspired look as she also attended the event in Los Angeles.

Joining Dixie D'Amelio, who wore a lace-up mini dress, they posed for photos on the red carpet at Ace Mission Studios.

Amelia, 23, teamed a pair of tiny black knickers, that featured a lace overlay, with a gray corset top.

She topped her outfit off by styling her hair straight and opting for a grungy makeup look.

Dixie, 23, teamed her corseted dress with a pair of strappy heels and pulled her hair back into a half-up half-down style.

Amelia was later joined by her sister Delilah Hamlin, 26, and mother Lisa Rinna, 61, with the family posing for photos together.

Also in attendance was Tyla, who put on a more casual display in a white crop top and baggy jeans.

The outing comes after Amelia left little to the imagination as she stormed the DSquared2 runway during Milan Fashion Week.

The model went braless as she took to the catwalk in a sheer Cher-inspired champagne-nude jumpsuit.

Dakota opted not to wear a necklace, instead letting the stunning dress speak for itself as she posed up a storm outside the star-studded event

She added inches to her height with chunky black biker boots and wore her long blonde tresses in loose waves

She opted for a glowing palette of makeup for the outing to showcase her natural beauty

The star seemed to be in high spirits as she posed with her hand on her hip, flaunting her outfit from every angle before heading inside

Meanwhile, Amelia Gray turned heads in a lingerie-inspired look as she also attended the event in Los Angeles

Joining Dixie D'Amelio, who wore a lace-up mini dress, they posed for photos on the red carpet at Ace Mission Studios

The stylish ensemble from the fashion brand's Womenswear Fall/Winter 2025/2026 collection featured a figure-hugging silhouette, a delicate sheer sequin embellished fabric, and long sleeves.

The garment also boasted dramatic feather and fringe embellishments towards the end of the sleeves and lower legs.

Her look was inspired by Cher's 1974 Met Gala dress, which was created by American fashion designer Bob Mackie.

This is the second time Amelia has walked for the brand DSqaured2. The model was also one of the stars for the brand's fall 2023 show.

Amelia, who began her modelling career in 2017, has walked for high-end brands including Saint Laurent, Chanel, Balenciaga, Moncler, Givenchy, Versace, and Vivienne Westwood.

In November, she also starred in Michael Kors' holiday campaign with her sister Delilah Belle Hamlin.

Amelia has maintained a close relationship with her parents as she embarked on her own rise to fame, with them even contributing to her wardrobe.

She previously admitted to stealing items from mum Lisa Rinna and dad Harry Hamlin's wardrobes, including designer garments.

Amelia, 23, teamed a pair of tiny black knickers, that featured a lace overlay, with a gray corset top

Dixie, 23, teamed her corseted dress with a pair of strappy heels and pulled her hair back into a half-up half-down style

Amelia was later joined by her sister Delilah Hamlin, 26, and mother Lisa Rinna, 61, with the family posing for photos together

Also in attendance was Tyla, who put on a more casual display in a white crop top and baggy jeans

Lisa opted for an oversized pink suit for the event

The outing comes after Amelia left little to the imagination as she stormed the DSquared2 runway during Milan Fashion Week

She told People in May: 'I steal (but put back) a bunch of my dad's Calvin Klein white T-shirts and his Nike socks sometimes. He also has really comfy flannel pieces.'

'From my mum, I mostly take the tighter, chicer things. I've definitely stolen my fair share of Versace.'

Amelia takes anything she 'can get [her] hands on' when it comes to the former 'Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' star's clothes.

She said: 'I take whatever high-fashion things I can get my hands on from that woman's closet, that's for sure.'
Iconic rock album cover designer Ioannis Vasilopoulos has died at the age of 66.

Ioannis, famed for having designed album covers for the likes of Bon Jovi and Deep Purple, passed away on April 7.

His family announced the sad news of his death in an emotional obituary shared to an online tributes page.

The statement read: 'We announce with heavy hearts the passing of Ioannis, our beloved artist, husband, father, brother, grandfather, uncle and friend, who has left us for the great beyond.

'We find comfort knowing that Ioannis is reunited with his father, mother and other beloved family and friends. The outpouring of love for Ioannis and his work is also a great comfort.

'There were so many things Ioannis wanted to do and so many new projects he could not wait to share,' it went on.

Iconic rock album cover designer Ioannis Vasilopoulos (pictured) has died at the age of 66

His family announced the sad news of his death in an emotional obituary shared to an online tributes page

'As a family we have been tasked to continue this work and that is what we are going to do. His energy will live on through his incredible art.

'His bright smile and child-like excitement lives on in his works. Ioannis will undoubtedly be remembered as one of rock's all-time great artists.'

Ioannis has been survived by his wife Lisa, daughter Maria and son-in-law Conor, grandchildren Henry and Jack, brother George and other close family members.

His family and friends are gathering for an intimate funeral at a Greek Orthodox Church on Friday April 11 to pay their respects to the beloved music figure.

Ioannis was born in Athens, Greece, and emigrated to the United States as a child in 1967, where he first found his love of animation and music.

He found his passion for designing album covers and designed his first record while he was still in college, before directing his first MTV music video for Art In America.

He designed more than 350 record covers for major bands including Bon Jovi, Deep Purple, Skid Row, Blue Oyster Cul and Starship, among many others.

Ioannis has also worked with Sony Music, Universal Music, Starz, Virgin Records and many classic rock radio stations on other big projects.

He designed more than 350 record covers for major bands including Bon Jovi, Deep Purple, Skid Row and Starship, among many others. Pictured with Voivod's Michel Langevin

He his artwork also featured in a book about Led Zeppelin, titled Get the Led Out, alongside Martin Popoff, which was written by Denny Somach.

The designer showcased his work at many shows around the US and continued to sell his artwork globally until his death.

Tributes rolled in for the artist from his famous friends and fans as people took to social media to share their support with his family.

Patrick Prince, editor of Goldmine Magazine, shared: 'Ioannis was a wonderfully generous person and a dear friend.

'His talent as an artist was limitless. He had more passion than any artist I've met and significantly cherished his work with rock and roll bands.

'It didn't matter if his artwork was commissioned for The Allman Brothers Band or a local band down the street, he gave 100 per cent dedication to the project representing that specific artist.'
Orlando Bloom kept cool in an all blue outfit as he arrived at the MSC World America Inauguration at PortMiami on Thursday.

The Hollywood actor looked in good spirits as he sported a light polo shirt with a pair of coordinated shorts and a pair of navy trainers.

Orlando flashed a smile as he arrived at the port ahead of boarding a cruise ship to host a panel with Drew Barrymore.

The Pirates of the Caribbean star made a quick change into a smart brown suit and white T-shirt as he took to the stage with Drew.

Meanwhile the presenter stunning a an oversized dark shirt which she tucked into a pair of matching pin striped trousers.

Orlando and Drew, who are spokespeople for MSC Cruises, looked thrilled to be working together as they chatted away to guests.

Orlando Bloom kept cool in an all blue outfit as he arrived at the MSC World America Inauguration at PortMiami on Thursday

The Hollywood actor looked in good spirits as he sported a light polo shirt with a pair of coordinated shorts and a pair of navy trainers

It comes after Orlando's partner Katy Perry revealed the surprising reaction her fiance had to her plans to go to outer space on one of Jeff Bezos' rockets.

It emerged last month that Katy is joining Bezos' fiancee Lauren Sanchez and Oprah Winfrey's best friend Gayle King as part of Blue Origin's historic all-women crew, which will blast off in the spring of this year.

Many people might be expected to be nervous at the prospect of their romantic partners taking the risk of traveling off the planet.

In 2021, Ashton Kutcher shared that he had bought a ticket for one of Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic flights - but sold it after his wife Mila Kunis told him 'it was not a smart family decision to be heading into space when we have young children.'

However Orlando, who has been dating Katy since 2019 and has a four-year-old daughter with her called Daisy Dove, had quite a different response.

Katy explained that Orlando is also 'all about the journey,' adding that 'one thing I really, really admire about him is he's a seeker,' on SiriusXM radio.

While discussing her upcoming voyage, Perry was asked whether she felt the need to 'run things by Orlando before you do them.'

'Yeah, of course!' said Perry. 'It's always a: "What do you think?" Most definitely, and we respect each other so much, so we wanna get input from each other.'

Orlando flashed a smile as he arrived at the port ahead of boarding a cruise ship to host a panel with Drew Barrymore

The Pirates of the Caribbean star made a quick change into a smart brown suit and white T-shirt as he took to the stage with Drew

Perry's flight will also include NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, as well as civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen and film producer Kerianne Flynn.

The spring launch will mark the 11th human flight for Blue Origin's New Shepard program.

Lauren, who brought the mission together, expressed her excitement over the upcoming flight in a video shared on Instagram.

'If someone would have told me that I would be able to go to space one day, I would have definitely laughed,' she said.

'I can't believe it's happening.

'My dad used to teach people how to fly and I used to hang around the hanger, and I thought dreaming of becoming a pilot was a huge deal. And this is even bigger!'

She continued: 'The incredible women that are going on this flight are extraordinary in all of their fields, but more importantly they are incredible storytellers.

'So, what I'm hoping that this flight is transformative for them but also for all of the people they tell their story to.

'Hopefully it sparks that imagination to dream big and reach for the stars.'

So far, 52 people have experienced traveling 62 miles above earth to the Karman line, which is recognized as the spot that separates the planet's atmosphere from space.

Previous New Shepard passengers include actor William Shatner and Jeff Bezos, founder of both Blue Origin and Amazon.
Garbage unveiled the first single to be taken from their forthcoming album, Let All That We Imagine Be The Light on Thursday - and looked unrecognisable in promo snaps.

The American rock band formed in 1993 consists of Scottish musician Shirley Manson and American musicians Duke Erikson, Steve Marker, and Butch Vig and has remained unchanged since its inception.

Garbage revealed the new single called There's No Future In Optimism this week accompanied by a cinematic video, shot and directed by Benjy Kirkman.

This is the first single from the band's forthcoming new album Let All That We Imagine Be The Light, out on May 30.

Speaking about the album Shirley said: 'I love the title. The band sent it me and I was like, 'This is great. I'm keeping that.' But the lyrics are an action against that title.

'Because if we allow our fatalism or our negativity to really take over, we will crumble. It's about a city, in my case, Los Angeles, but it could be anywhere where bad stuff is happening.

Garbage unveiled the first single to be taken from their forthcoming album, Let All That We Imagine Be The Light on Thursday - and looked unrecognisable in promo snaps

The American rock band formed in 1993 consists of Scottish musician Shirley Manson and American musicians Duke Erikson, Steve Marker, and Butch Vig and has remained unchanged since its inception

'After the George Floyd murder, which is one of few things in my life that I wish I'd never seen: I was changed entirely by seeing the footage of that cop kneeling on George Floyd's neck.

'In Los Angeles there were huge protests and a lot of upheaval after that. Above our house in Hollywood, there were helicopters all day long, for days on end. It was really precarious, chaotic and terrifying.'

Garbage will embark on a 31-city tour across North America this autumn, in support of the new album.

Happy Endings, Garbage's forthcoming tour, will stop at New York's Brooklyn Paramount, Washington D.C.'s The Anthem, San Francisco's The Warfield and more, with tickets on sale now.

For over thirty years, Garbage's powerful live show has captivated audiences and continues to inspire worldwide adoration and this year's shows are the band's first extensive headline tour dates in the U.S. in almost ten years.

For more information on Garbage's live dates, visit their website.

Garbage's new album Let All That We Imagine Be The Light was recorded at Red Razor Sounds in Los Angeles, Butch Vig's studio Grunge Is Dead, and Shirley Manson's bedroom.

Garbage will embark on a 31-city tour across North America this autumn, in support of the new album

Garbage revealed the new single called There's No Future In Optimism this week accompanied by a cinematic video, shot and directed by Benjy Kirkman (pictured in 2012 L to R: Steve Marker, Butch Vig, Shirley Manson, former member Eric Avery and Duke Erikson)

This is the first single from the band's forthcoming new album Let All That We Imagine Be The Light, out on May 30

Over the 30 years since their inception in 1995 they have sold over 20 million albums (Shirley pictured L last month and R singing in 1998)

The record was produced by the band and longtime engineer Billy Bush.

The album is unmistakably Garbage and all the hallmarks and signatures for which they are known are present.

Speaking about the album, she added: 'This record is about what it means to be alive, and about what it means to face your imminent destruction. It's hopeful.

'It's very tender towards what it means to be a human being. Our flaws and our failures are still beautiful, even though we're taught that they're not. This is a tender, thrilling record about the fragility of life.'

Garbage consists of all four original band members, Shirley Manson, Duke Erikson, Steve Marker and Butch Vig.

Over the 30 years since their inception in 1995 they have sold over 20 million albums.

Garbage's new single There's No Future In Optimism is out now and their new album, Let All That We Imagine Be The Light is released on May 30.

Garbage's new single There's No Future In Optimism is out now and their new album, Let All That We Imagine Be The Light is released on May 30
Melrose Place star Amy Locane has opened up about her unceremonious exit from the hit show after just 13 episodes.

The disgraced actress, 53, who was released from her second prison stint in December, played Sandy Louise Harling in the show's first season in 1992 - but abruptly left the cast afterwards amid rumors of tension and 'diva' behavior on set

Discussing the upcoming reboot of Melrose Place with veterans Heather Locklear, Laura Leighton and Daphne Zuniga, she said: 'It would be very exciting to bring it back.

'Our show was an automatic season and they sort of made the decision that I didnt fit what they were going for after the 12 episodes had already aired. The southern accent was weird for some people. They didnt like it. And perhaps I was a little younger than the rest of the cast.

'A lot of people liked Sandy, but maybe I was a little too campy.'

She added she would rejoin the show 'in a heartbeat' despite her abrupt exit.

Melrose Place star Amy Locane has opened up about her unceremonious exit from the hit show after just 13 episodes

Convicted of second degree vehicular homicide and assault by automobile, Locane was first incarcerated from 2013 to 2015 before she was locked up again from 2020 to 2024 after her first sentence was deemed too lenient; pictured February 2013

Locane served about six and a half years behind bars for a DWI car crash in 2020 that took a 60-year-old woman's life and severely injured her husband.

Convicted of second degree vehicular homicide and assault by automobile, Locane was first incarcerated from 2013 to 2015 before she was locked up again from 2020 to 2024 after her first sentence was deemed too lenient.

Locane said she thinks about the crash and the woman she killed 'every day' and has a 'lot of remorse'.

She said: 'When Im praying or when I do daily devotionals every morning, I just try to keep her in mind. And that acknowledgement makes me feel like I am aware of her and my day.

The actress  who is also known for starring opposite Johnny Depp in the 1990 musical comedy Cry-Baby  also shared the first thing she did after her mom picked her up from the prison in December 2024, just a few days before Christmas.

She revealed the day she was released, her mother immediately took her to get food.

'My mom picked me up, and we went to Dunkin' Donuts,' she recalled.

'When you're inside [prison], you are so deprived. To have coffee with a real creamer is a huge treat.'

The disgraced actress, 53, played Sandy Louise Harling in the show's first season in 1992 - but abruptly left the cast afterwards amid rumors of tension and 'diva' behavior on set; pictured from left to right: Courtney Thorne-Smith, Doug Savant, Vanessa Williams, Grant Show, Amy Locane, Thomas Calabro and Josie Bissett in 1993 Melrose Place portrait

Our show was an automatic season and they sort of made the decision that I didnt fit what they were going for after the 12 episodes had already aired; pictured June 1994

They also went grocery shopping shortly after her release, and Locane expressed shock by how much had changed during the time she was behind bars. 'I was like, "How do I do this self-scanning stuff?"'

About her life now after prison, she admitted: 'It feels very raw to be back in society. I'm looking at the word with fresh eyes.'

She served her time behind bars at the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women located in Union Township, New Jersey.

During her time there, she said she worked what is 'considered a high-paying job' and made five dollars a day.

She detailed her day-to-day life for the past few years. 'This bright, fluorescent light gets you up at 6 or 7 a.m. So I'd get up at 5 a.m. to have my alone time.'

Locane said she thinks about the crash and the woman she killed 'every day' and has a 'lot of remorse'

She discussed her past, present and what she hopes for next in the future  including a possible return to acting  in an interview published on Wednesday. She has been sober since 2010 and lives a low-key life with her family in New Jersey, but she said she hopes to act again one day

The actress also shared the first thing she did after her mom picked her up from the prison in December 2024, just a few days before Christmas; pictured March 2005

Then, she recalled working in the kitchen each day of the week from noon to 6 p.m.  cooking and cleaning for $5 a day.

'It was intense manual labor, [but] I liked having some outlet, some form of exercise,' she said.

She has been sober since 2010 and lives a low-key life with her family in New Jersey, but she said she hopes to act again one day.

She reflected on how leaving Hollywood behind in 2006 affected her life. 'There was a void in my life because I had [acted] for so long,' she said.

About a possible return to acting, she said: 'I would do it in a heartbeat.'

She also mentioned the upcoming Melrose Place reboot starring Heather Locklear, Laura Leighton and Daphne Zuniga. 'It would be very exciting to bring it back.'

Nowadays, she said she is trying to mend her relationship with her daughters, Paige 18, and Avery, 16, after being physically separated for so long.

She shares the two teenagers with liquor store owner Mark Bovenizer  whom she was married to from 2008 to 2015.

Locane  who is known for starring opposite Johnny Depp in the 1990 musical comedy Cry-Baby  said she now lives outside of Princeton, New Jersey now and spends her time working front desk at a doctor's office and attending church; pictured in 1990 still

She also mentioned the upcoming Melrose Place reboot starring Heather Locklear, Laura Leighton and Daphne Zuniga. 'It would be very exciting to bring it back'; pictured in the bottom right of June 1995 cast portrait

She said she lives outside of Princeton, New Jersey now and spends her time working front desk at a doctor's office and attending a local Presbyterian church.

She also said she is working on getting her associate degree, which she began pursuing during her second sentence.

'When I went away, I was getting good feedback from my professors. I learned I'm smart.'

'I see me and my family growing old together,' she said about her future. 'I want to be married again. If I do meet a guy now, I don't have to worry about [telling them], "Oh, by the way, I might have to go away for a little bit," so that'll be exciting.'
Nicki Minaj was reportedly the target of a swatting call on Wednesday night when law enforcement swarmed her $19.5M Hidden Hills home in the San Fernando Valley due to an alleged 'shooter.'

An unidentified caller alerted the LA County Sheriff's Department - not 911 - at 7:05pm to report an assault with a deadly weapon by 'a friend' that 'shot a female Black adult' with two other possible black-clad suspects in the area - according to the LA Times.

However, no one was at the eight-bedroom mansion located inside a posh gated community when deputies arrived as the 42-year-old hip-hop star was 'not even on the West Coast at the time of the incident' - according to TMZ.

It was the third time in two years Nicki's LA-area property was swatted after a caller lied about someone getting shot there in July 2023 and another caller lied about her child being abused in June 2023.

DailyMail.com has reached out to Minaj's (born Onika Maraj) rep for comment on the incident.

Nicki Minaj was reportedly the target of a swatting call on Wednesday night when law enforcement swarmed her $19.5M Hidden Hills home in the San Fernando Valley due to an alleged 'shooter' (pictured February 22)

An unidentified caller alerted the LA County Sheriff's Department - not 911 - at 7:05pm to report an assault with a deadly weapon by 'a friend' that 'shot a female Black adult' with two other possible black-clad suspects in the area

The 12-time Grammy nominee is currently embroiled in a civil lawsuit brought on by her ex 'day-to-day manager' for assault, battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Brandon Garrett - whom Nicki's attorney Judd Burstein dubbed an 'ex assistant' - accused her of hitting him in the face and wrist following her concert at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, MI on April 20, 2024.

Minaj's rep called the lawsuit 'completely false and frivolous' and the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office denied an arrest warrant request from the Detroit Police Department in January due to 'insufficient evidence.'

On October 20, the LCI collaborator and her husband Kenneth Petty celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary, and they're parents of a four-year-old son publicly known as 'Papa Bear.'

The 47-year-old 'music industry professional' previously served three years probation for failing to register as a sex offender in California.

Nicki was only 16 when she first met Kenneth, who served a combined 11 years in prison for raping a 16-year-old girl in 1995 and shooting a man to death in 2002.

Minaj - who gets 45.3M monthly listeners on Spotify - concluded her $108.8M-grossing, 79-date Pink Friday 2 World Tour on October 11.

However, no one was at the eight-bedroom mansion located inside a posh gated community when deputies arrived as the 42-year-old hip-hop star was 'not even on the West Coast at the time of the incident' (pictured in 2024)
Janice Dickinson shared a series of makeup-free posts as she soaked up the sun in Cabo, Mexico, this week.

The 70-year-old supermodel from the 1990s showed off her natural look as she topped up her tan on a sun bed.

She wore a blue swimsuit for one Instagram post as she smiled and posed for the camera.

In another she showed off her youthful physique in a green and white one-piece as she made the most of her time away.

Her fans were quick to comment on her posts as they penned: 'Love your natural look', 'You look so fresh and happy.'

Janice was one of the world's top models, appearing on the covers of Harper's Bazaar, Cosmopolitan, Vogue and Playboy magazines.

Janice Dickinson shared a series of makeup-free posts as she soaked up the sun in Cabo, Mexico, this week

The 70-year-old supermodel from the 1990s showed off her natural look as she topped up her tan on a sun bed

The brunette bombshell also worked with fashion houses including Versace, Oscar de la Renta and Calvin Klein.

She was a judge on America's Next Top Model and appeared on the fourth season of Celebrity Rehab With Dr. Drew.

Janice was the star of her own reality series, The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency that ran from 2006 to 2008, named after the business she opened in 2005.

She's currently married to Dr Robert 'Rocky' Gerner, an LA-based psychiatrist.

They tied the knot in 2016 after Dickinson revealed that she had beaten the breast cancer that had been diagnosed with that March. She went through a six-month course of radiation and two lumpectomies.

In 1994, Sylvester Stallone and Dickinson had an affair while he was in a relationship with his now-wife Jennifer Flavin.

They met a year prior at a charity event and Stallone eventually left Flavin to be with the top model.

They got engaged but Stallone called it off six months later after learning that he was not the father of her daughter Savannah, who was born in February 1994, as per The Mirror.

It was later revealed that businessman Michael Birnbaum, who she dated in the early 1990s, was Savannah's biological father.

She wore a blue swimsuit for one Instagram post as she smiled and posed for the camera under her sun umbrella

Janice was one of the world's top models, appearing on the covers of Harper's Bazaar, Cosmopolitan, Vogue and Playboy magazines

The brunette bombshell also worked with fashion houses including Versace, Oscar de la Renta and Calvin Klein

Her fans were quick to comment on her posts as they penned: 'Love your natural look', 'You look so fresh and happy'

Janice is seen here in the late 1970s

Stallone rekindled his relationship with Flavin, who is the mother of his three adult daughters, in 1995 and they tied the knot 1997.

The star hasn't been shy about her love of plastic surgery, having previously spent thousands of dollars on procedures to defy the ageing process.

In June she talked to Kaitlyn Bristowe's Off The Vine podcast.

Janice said that she got her very first cosmetic surgery at age 32 while dating A-list actor Sylvester Stallone.

'What point in your career were you like, "I'm gonna start getting surgery done?"' Bristowe asked.

'Oh, gosh. I was dating Sylvester Stallone, and I was 32,' Dickinson replied. 'I noticed I started getting jowls...'

To tackle the issue, Dickinson got a 'mini face-lift' done.

A mini face-lift is meant to address early signs of aging as it corrects sagging on the lower third of the face.

It requires smaller incisions than a regular face-lift, minimal downtime and the results can last up to 10 years.

Dickinson recommended that Bristowe  who she said she felt she was 'at that age' where jowls start to become a concern  should also go the mini face-lift route.

'Get a mini face lift. It kept me going up until last week when I noticed [my lip lines]. I did smoke for a bit. Don't smoke. It's bad for you,' she said.

In 1994, Sylvester Stallone and Dickinson had an affair while he was in a relationship with his now-wife Jennifer Flavin

When asked if she 'regrets' any of her past surgeries, Dickinson replied: 'Oh, no.'

Dickinson is an open book when it comes to her cosmetic procedures.

She previously admitted on E!'s Botched that she's 'no stranger to plastic surgery' as she's previously undergone a boob job, a tummy tuck, neck and face-lifts and liposuction.

She's also tried injectables like Botox but insists that her plump pout is natural.
Martin Freeman made rare comments about his family life during an appearance on The Jonathan Ross Show.

The Sherlock actor, 53, and his French actress girlfriend Rachel Benaissa, 30, have been dating for around three years but are rarely seen together in public.

Martin shares two teenage children Joe, 18, and Grace, 16, with his ex-wife Amanda Abbington, 51.

During his chat with host Jonathan, set to air on ITV on Saturday, Martin touched on going to a Sherlock-themed escape room, based on the series in which he plays John Watson.

Martin revealed that he and his family did not escape in good time: 'It did take us a while.

'I went with my other half and my two kids it wasn't even a Conan Doyle Sherlock Holmes, it was [the BBC one]. I'm aware it did feel a little bit maybe t***ish to go to my own thing but my kids said it was going to be fun. It is a really good one'

Martin Freeman made rare comments about his family life during an appearance on The Jonathan Ross Show (pictured with girlfriend Rachel Benaissa)

The Sherlock actor, 53, shares two teenage children Joe, 18, and Grace, 16, with his ex-wife Amanda Abbington, 51

After Romesh Ranganathan questioned why Martin went to this, Martin laughingly adds: 'My voice is in it I hadn't seen or heard myself enough in that week, so I thought and I wasn't stuck, I just wanted to stay in there longer.'

Martin and Rachel come across as a rock solid showbiz couple, despite keeping their relationship so low key that it's easy for fans to forget they're together.

The pair have been in a relationship for around five years, following his split from his ex-partner of 16 years, Amanda Abbington, who admits she was a 'mess' following their breakup in 2016, which came about after they 'just couldn't live with each other anymore'.

While it's unclear when Martin found love again with Rachel, the couple were first spotted together in 2020 and she appears to have formed a strong bond with his children Joe and Grace.

Martin went public with his romance with the Toulouse-born actress in 2021 but the pair are fiercely private about their relationship and she recently deleted her Instagram account which gave fans a handful of glimpses into the couple's relationship.

However, Rachel is happy to play the supportive partner and she's often by Martin's side on the red carpet to promote his film and TV projects - including their outing on Sunday at the Olivier Awards .

But a video shared to TikTok by Martin's daughter Grace shows that Rachel is firmly part of the family, dancing along to She's The Brightest Star from Martin's festive hit film Nativity with Joe and the family dachshunds.

'Merry christmas from Mr Maddens,' she captioned the clip, referring to her father's character in the hit film.

During his chat with host Jonathan, set to air on ITV on Saturday, Martin touched on going to a Sherlock-themed escape room, based on the series in which he plays John Watson

Martin pictured as John Watson in Sherlock Holmes alongside Benedict Cumberbatch

Rachel had a small role as an unnamed teaching assistant in BBC hit Normal People, alongside stars Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar Jones .

The actress has also starred in Lindsay Lohan s Netflix film Irish Wish, and Aisling Beas sitcom This Way Up, as well as roles in commercials for Heineken, Santander and Dublin Airport.

Her connection to Ireland has most likely arisen from her days training at the Gaiety School of Acting in Dublin, where Colin Farrell, Aidan Turner and Olivia Wilde all honed their craft.

In addition to acting, Rachel also writes screenplays and once came runner-up in Outstanding Screenplays TV pilot competition.

Her writing is said to 'blend drama with dark humour' and she's currently working on the script for a dark comedy-horror TV series called SELF CARE GIRLIE.

They made their first appearance as a couple when they graced the red carpet at the Raindance Film Festival Opening Night gala screening of Best Sellers at The Dorchester.

As for Martin's ex partner Amanda, she has insisted that they are on good terms and remain friends.

However, sources have suggested that it wasn't easy for her to see him moving on with a much younger woman , while his career has also gone from strength to strength.

A video shared to TikTok by Martin's daughter Grace shows that Rachel is firmly part of the family

Rachel was seen dancing along to She's The Brightest Star from Martin's festive hit film Nativity with Joe and the family dachshunds

In March 2023, Amanda candidly revealed that she considered suicide after their difficult split left her 'hating herself'.

In an interview with the Full Disclosure podcast, Amanda told how suicide was a 'genuine option' during the dark period of her life, telling how she recently had a similar thought after a row with her daughter.

She explained: 'It was breaking up with Martin and then realising I needed to sort myself out because I was a bit of a mess. I hated myself.

'It was funny because the other day, and I've never told anyone, not even my therapist, I'd had a row with Grace [her daughter] because she couldn't find her uniform and was late for school.

'So in the end I had to drive her to school instead of the bus and I was sitting in the car and I was having a go at her and I was getting nothing back from her because she's a 15-year-old and she's going through all this stuff.

'She's a girl, I'm a mother  rage, anxiety. And I was sat there as I was driving, in my head, and I haven't said this since I started therapy six years ago, 'you could always kill yourself''

'And that was what my mantra used to be. If you've let people down and upset somebody or if you're not being the best you can or you're a bad mother, or you're not stepping up with your acting, you can always kill yourself.'

Amanda went on to say that the idea of taking her life used to be an 'option' for her in the past, but that she last had the same thought six years ago - around the time of her separation from Martin.

She continued: 'That was a genuine option for me, quite a few times in my life. Then I don't have to be this bad person because I don't have to be here any more.

'And I thought about that and I thought, "Oh my God I haven't thought about that in six years".'

Amanda previously revealed that she kept her high-profile break up a secret for six months after she and Martin just couldn't live with each other anymore.

Talking to the The Sunday Times magazine she said: 'When we broke up nobody knew, we didn't tell anybody except for a few key people because they had to know, because of the logistics of hotels and stuff.

The couple were married for 16 years and they share children Joe, 18, and Grace, 16, together (pictured in 2023)

Amanda is now in a relationship with former daredevil Jonathan Goodwin, 43. The couple were friends for years before they began dating

'It took six months for it to get out and a lot of that was while we were working on Sherlock... We were professional and we were going to get on and make a show and be civil to each other.

'We still get on really well, we still really both admire each other as actors... he's a great guy, but we just couldn't live with each other any more.'

The pair met on the set of the film Men Only in 2000 and went on to play formidable duo John and Mary Watson.

Amanda is now in a relationship with former daredevil Jonathan Goodwin, 43. The couple were friends for years before they began dating.

However they were only together two months before Jonathan became permanently paralysed when he was crushed during a stunt - leaving him in a wheelchair.

The escapologist suffered life-changing injuries after he was crushed between two suspended cars while rehearsing a stunt for America's Got Talent : Extreme in 2021.

Jonathan then fell to the ground and hit his head. He was airlifted to hospital where he underwent surgery.

The stuntman came away from the accident with fractures to his ribs, legs and shoulders, third-degree burns, internal organ injuries and he also lost his left kidney.

He is now suing America's Got Talent bosses over the stunt that left him in a wheelchair for life.
Adolescence was an immediate smash hit for Netfllix garnering 114million in less than a month - but its storyline was a dark one, highlighting a very pressing issue.

The four-part series sees a 13-year-old schoolboy called Jamie Miller, played by breakout star Owen Cooper, accused of brutally murdering a female classmate.

The 15-year-old actor was just 13 when he landed the role, and so convincing is his chilling portrayal that he has since bagged himself a role as young Heathcliff in Emerald Fennell's Wuthering Heights adaptation.

But speaking to The Hollywood Reporter on Thursday alongside co-stars Stephen Graham, who created the show, Ashley Walters and Erin Doherty - Owen made a surprising confession.

'I haven't watched the show fully,' he said. 'I just don't like watching myself - and now Jack says it's going into schools  that's my worst nightmare!'

'I'm not watching it in my own school, no chance,' he said, before admitting he'd maybe watch episodes one, two and four, but not three - where his acting prowess shines best.

Adolescence was an immediate smash hit for Netfllix garnering 114million in less than a month - but its lead actor Owen Cooper has revealed he hasn't watched it yet (Seen in March)

The four-part series sees a 13-year-old schoolboy called Jamie Miller, played by breakout star Owen, accused of brutally murdering a female classmate

Owen recently lifted the lid on his 'mad' return to school after taking on the lead role in the hit Netflix show.

In an interview with The New York Times last week, Owen admitted his return to normality was 'a bit mad'.

Chatting to the publication alongside co-star Stephen Graham, who plays his dad Eddie in the show, the young actor revealed he had lots of attention from younger children as he returned to class on Monday.

He then said that Tuesday was better with only 'a bit of bother,' which caused Stephen to chime in with: 'What kind of bother?'

Owen then reassured that it wasn't anything serious - just children coming up to him, shouting his name and then running away.

His on-screen father Stephen smiled as he responded: 'Ah, just some silly b*******.'

It follows the news that Adolescence has hit Netflix's Top 10 Global chart, gaining a jaw-dropping 96.7million views in just three weeks.

The four-part series has now landed a spot on Netflix's all-time Most Popular English TV list.

But speaking to The Hollywood Reporter on Thursday alongside co-stars Stephen Graham, who created the show, Ashley Walters and Erin Doherty - Owen made a surprising confession (Stephen and Owen see on show)

The 15-year-old actor was just 13 when he landed the role, and so convincing is his chilling portrayal that he has since bagged himself a role in Emerald Fennell's Wuthering Heights

It's even replaced Bridgerton Season 2 on the list and pushed Stranger Things 3 down to the tenth spot.

It's no doubt the show will continue to climb on the list past The Night Agent Season 1 and Michelle Keegan's Fool Me Once which both sit at 98million views.

If the show continues it's record-breaking streak, it has a chance to replace top spot Wednesday: Season 1, which holds 252million views.

Or steal second spot Stranger Things 4, with a whopping 140million views.

Owen's hopes of an historic Emmy win received a massive boost in March  ironically as he was ruled out of competing for Best Actor.

The 15-year-old will instead be entered into ceremonies as Best Supporting Actor for his role as murder suspect Jamie Miller, multiple sources suggested to MailOnline.

The Netflix show's creator Stephen will go into the Best Actor category in his place.

The first of the major awards contests that Adolescence qualifies for will be this Autumn's Primetime Emmys, which announces nominations in July.

Owen recently lifted the lid on his 'mad' return to school after taking on the lead role in the hit Netflix show

Industry gurus at the website Gold Derby, who track the chances of awards-show success, swapped Cooper and Graham's categories this week after 'receiving intel' on how Netflix would enter the pair.

Sources in Los Angeles said, although nothing was finalised at this stage, it was believed entering Stephen as Best Actor and Owen as Supporting would boost both of their chances of taking home the silverware.

Owen, who was just 14 and in his first-ever role when he filmed his scenes that have stunned the showbiz world, would be the youngest boy to ever win an Emmy.

Just hours after entering the Best Supporting Actor market, he was 14/1 third-favourite and surging up the list.
Olivia Munn and John Mulaney are among many celebrity couples who have welcomed a child via surrogate.

The actress, 44, who is starring in Apple TV's Your Friends and Neighbors, gave birth to her son Malcolm, three, but was unable to carry her daughter Mei, who was born in September 2024, due to having a hysterectomy and double mastectomy as part of her breast cancer treatment.

The Newsroom actress had her eggs frozen and she and Mulaney, 42, turned to a surrogate to help them become parents again.

In an interview with Self Magazine, The Gateway actress spoke about her experience of turning to another woman to carry her baby, also revealing that the surrogate is still in their lives and is someone she now considers a friend.

'The surrogate's still in our life,' the actress said when asked if she will tell her daughter her birth story. 'She was a better pregnant woman than I could have ever been.'

Olivia Munn, 44, is opening up about her surrogacy journey with husband John Mulaney, 42. The couple welcomed their daughter Mei in September 2024

The couple engaged an agency to help them find the surrogate.

'First of, she doesn't know any celebrities,' Munn explained, adding, 'Above everything else, I just wanted her to be kind.'

She described the woman as 'an incredible mother, an incredible human being, an incredible friend, just wonderful.'

The Violet star said it was important for the woman to know why she so desperately needed her help.

'I needed [her] to understand that I needed to go this route,' said the Gracie Allen Award winner said.

'It wasn't for superficial reasons or because I wanted to put my work first. I'm not saying that any of those reasons aren't valid for those people,' she explained.

Clarifying Munn added, 'And I'm not judging anyone who makes those decisions based on that, but I needed her to understand this would be hard for me.'

The surrogate lived in Massachusetts with her family while she was carrying baby Mei.

'She wanted to be a surrogate, because she wanted to help mothers who were struggling to carry their own children,' Munn said in video on the Self magazine Instagram account.

'I think the most surprising part of the surrogacy journey was the sadness I felt from not being able to carry my daughter really dissipated once all of my hopes and dreams were placed into this other woman and I knew that she was really kind and cared so much I just sat in my gratitude instead of living in any fear, or sadness, or concern.

The actress gave birth to her son Malcolm, now three but was unable to have another child due to having a complete hysterectomy and a double mastectomy as part of her treatment for breast cancer in 2023

Munn described the woman who carried Mei, now six months, as someone 'wanted to help mothers who were struggling to carry their own children,' in an interview with Self magazine

Munn said her sadness at not being able to give birth to Mei was 'dissipated once all of my hopes and dreams were placed into this other woman,' who she has described as kind and an incredible mother

Munn told Self magazine that after Mei was born, 'The first person John hugged was the husband, he gave him a big kiss on the cheek...It was just wonderful'

The Munn/Mulaney family is still in touch with the woman who gave birth to their daughter

She then offered advice to those looking into becoming parents via surrogacy.

'I think what you're going to find is that it's so incredibly beautiful.'

You know, when you meet people who want to do this, you realize there's so much good in the world, and you'll feel that. .

At first there's the sadness, and the concern, and you're losing control, but it is soon replaced by so much love and and so much gratitude and so much hope in the world.

Munn and Mulaney were in the delivery room when Mei was born and so was the surrogate's husband.

'The first person John hugged was the husband, he gave him a big kiss on the cheek...It was just wonderful,' Munn told Self Magazine.
Much more of her family's life has been exposed to public scrutiny than Clare Finzi would ever have cared for.

First came a book, Genius In The Family, written by her mother, Hilary, and uncle, Piers du Pre, and then in the film the book inspired, Hilary and Jackie, starring Emily Watson as the brilliant cellist Jacqueline du Pre, Hilary and Piers's sister, though concentrating less on Jacqueline's extraordinary talent than on her affair with Hilary's husband, 'Kiffer' Finzi.

The book tore open scars from Clare's childhood, while the film shattered her relationship with her mother and caused her to speak candidly about her father  a man, she said, who 'had several affairs', with women who were 'lost and unsure of themselves'.

But this week, the publication of a will prompts Clare, now 59, to pay tribute to the man she says who became and remained 'like a father to her'  High Court judge Sir Oliver Popplewell, who died last summer aged 96.

Popplewell, who in a celebrated libel case involving Olympic champion Linford Christie, inquired tongue-in-cheek what was meant by Christie's 'lunchbox', twice updated his will in 2021.

In each new codicil, he increased his bequest to Clare, finally leaving her 7,500  three times the amount he bequeathed to his grandchildren, and markedly more than the 1,000 he left to his daughters-in-law.

Clare had, once, been one of those daughters-in-law.

But, as she explains, she and the youngest of Sir Oliver's four sons, Ed, divorced 15 years ago.

Much more of her family's life has been exposed to public scrutiny than Clare Finzi would ever have cared for

Oliver Popplewell, who in a celebrated libel case involving Olympic champion Linford Christie, inquired tongue-in-cheek what was meant by Christie's 'lunchbox', twice updated his will in 2021

Hilary du Pre and her husband Kiffer Finzi attend the gala charity premiere of the film Hilary and Jackie in January 1999

Her former father-in-law accepted this in his customary sanguine manner. Years earlier, he'd defended his godson, Stephen Fry, in court after the 18-year-old Fry had gone on a spending spree with a stolen credit card.

'I can say unequivocally that Oliver was always a fabulous support to me and my children,' Clare, who has three sons with Ed, tells me. 'He really behaved like a father to me. I miss him intently.'

His loyalty did much to heal wounds from what seemed an enchanted childhood, spent with three siblings in a ten-bedroom farmhouse overlooking the north Wessex Downs.

The idyll died when, aged six, Clare wandered into the spare bedroom often used by her aunt. Jackie wasn't alone.

In bed with her was Clare's father, who reputedly said nothing to his daughter  other than to point out that Jacqueline's breasts were bigger than her mother's.

Bewildered and traumatised, Clare became anorexic.

Then, aged 19, she met the Popplewells. 'Oliver and Margaret and Liz have always been my family,' adds Clare, referring to Sir Oliver's first wife, who died in 2001, and his second, Dame Elizabeth Gloster, whom he married in 2008.

'I'm very fortunate.'

Lily's sisterly cheer for Cliffhanger co-star

They play sisters in the forthcoming remake of Sylvester Stallone's 1993 blockbuster Cliffhanger.

And it seems Lily James and Nell Tiger Free are bonding off set, too.

This week, Downton Abbey star Lily, 36, attended the first night of Thanks For Having Me, a play starring Nell, at Riverside Studios in west London.

'Nell Tiger Free you are a sensation,' Surrey-born Lily gushes on social media.

Nell, 25, studied at Teddington School, a comprehensive also attended by Keira Knightley.

She and Lily, both pictured, play the daughters of Pierce Brosnan's character in Cliffhanger, a thriller about a mountain climber embroiled in the heist of a plane flying through the Rocky Mountains.

Nell Tiger Free and Lily James attend the press night after party for Thanks For Having Me at Riverside Studios on April 9, 2025

'Simple song' Rog bashes Brian

Queen drummer Roger Taylor, who wrote the hits Radio Ga Ga and A Kind Of Magic, bridles at guitarist Sir Brian May's suggestion that his songs were 'simplistic'.

His own contribution, Sir Brian claims, was 'to make the melodies work better'.

Taylor says: 'I'd take issue with quite a bit of that. That's a slightly arrogant statement to make.' Is Sir Brian still sore that Taylor's far from profound I'm In Love With My Car was chosen as the B-side to Bohemian Rhapsody, racking up equal publishing royalties to the chart-topper?

'He's never forgiven me. And I've never stopped laughing about it,' says Taylor.

Tied to the role, Em?

Emma Corrin was feeling hot under the collar at the screening of Hotel Reverie, a new Black Mirror episode in which the star appears.

Corrin, 29, who played Princess Diana in The Crown, demonstrated a quirky style, pictured right, in a Moschino blouse with three-collared tie accents, fixed with wire.

'I feel like a mouse in a microwave,' Corrin said at the BFI Southbank in London. In the seventh series of Charlie Brooker's dystopian show, Corrin plays an actress starring in a high-tech remake of a classic Hollywood romance.

Corrin watched 1940s films to prepare, saying: 'I was struck by how female actors had a specific way of holding themselves.'

Emma Corrin attends a special screening of Black Mirror Season 7's Hotel Reverie and Q&A at BFI Southbank on April 09, 2025

Watt and Elon are two peas in a pod

Brewdog co-founder James Watt, who married I'm A Celebrity winner Georgia Toffolo last month, has an estimated fortune of 250million.

And while he's some way from catching up with Elon Musk, who is listed by Forbes as the world's richest billionaire, Watt, 42, claims they share the same attitudes to work.

Writing online, he cites Musk's employee guidelines: 'Excessive meetings are the blight of companies  walk out when it's obvious you aren't adding value. Pick common sense as your guide. If a rule is ridiculous, change it.'

Perhaps he could also take a leaf from the book of his new wife, 30, who showed her resilience when she was covered in cockroaches in the jungle.

Brewdog co-founder James Watt claims he and Elon Musk share the same attitudes to work

Gwyneth's bedtime routine

Going to bed with Gwyneth Paltrow might be a dream for many men, but it sounds arduous for the Hollywood star herself.

'I've always been a firm believer in the importance of prioritising 'clean sleep',' she gushes.

'I'm serious about my bedtime routine, which involves getting into bed at 8.30pm and, lately, wearing mouth tape and Bluetooth earbuds with biometric sensing.'

Even those haven't done the trick, she admits: 'But still, like so many women in perimenopause, I've been struggling to get quality sleep.'

I recommend she listens to Meghan's new podcast.

No Chanel for Oxbridge

Chanel now sponsors the Boat Race, but the rowers of Oxford and Cambridge will not be wearing any of the French fashion house's scents when they battle it out on the Thames this Sunday.

'We have nothing,' wails Oxford University Boat Club women's president Annie Anezakis.

'No free fashion clothes, no smart watches and no perfume from Chanel.'

Speaking to me at the crew announcement at Battersea Power Station in London, she remains optimistic.

'It is supposed to be a long-term link with the race from them [Chanel], so hopefully athletes will get something in another year.'
Jax Taylor and his estranged wife Brittany Cartwright recalled an explosive fight they had last year during a sneak peek at the second season of Vanderpump Rules spin-off The Valley, which premieres next Tuesday on Bravo.

In the seven-minute clip, the on/off couple separately discussed how 'all hell broke loose' after Jax (born Jason Cauchi) surreptitiously read a 'sext' exchange between Brittany and his former friend Julian Sensley on her iPad.

'He flipped the coffee table and it, like, hit my knee. It turned black immediately,' Cartwright claimed to her friend Michelle Saniei.

'I'm like, "Oh my god! Oh my god!" Screaming and crying. It was terrifying.'

The 36-year-old reality star said Taylor kept yelling: 'You're cheating on me, you're cheating on me, you're still talking to him!'

'We were separated. He's been hooking up with girls, he's been publicly parading himself around with girls,' Brittany scoffed.

Jax Taylor and his estranged wife Brittany Cartwright recalled an explosive fight they had last year during a sneak peek at the second season of Vanderpump Rules spin-off The Valley, which premieres next Tuesday on Bravo

Elsewhere, the 45-year-old reality star admitted to Michelle's ex-husband Jesse Caperna: 'Yeah, I went full f***ing unhinged rage and - bad, it was bad. Got like that angry before, but that's the worst it's ever gotten.'

Jax was particularly irked because he claimed Cartwright said she wanted to 'work on our marriage' right before the fight, admitting in a confessional: 'We did say we could hook up with other people. That was part of the deal. But a friend?'

'What I did was wrong,' Taylor continued.

'I lost all control. I saw red. I had an out-of-body experience. But I... show me a guy that wouldn't handle the situation the way I handled it!'

Jesse told the recovering drug addict he had 'no emotional regulation' and cautioned him about how he speaks to the Kentucky native in front of their son Cruz Michael Cauchi because 'that's how he's gonna treat women.'

Brittany was then seen confessing to Saniei: 'His rages and everything have gotten so much worse. I cannot let Cruz be around him by himself.'

This Saturday, the Bravo-lebrities will celebrate the fourth birthday of their autistic, mostly nonverbal child, and Jax willingly gave her full legal and physical custody.

Cartwright and Taylor legally separated in February 2024, and she filed for divorce from him on August 27 after four years of marriage.

In the seven-minute clip, the on/off couple separately discussed how 'all hell broke loose' after Jax surreptitiously read a 'sext' exchange between Brittany and his former friend Julian Sensley (pictured) on her iPad

Cartwright claimed to her friend Michelle Saniei (R): 'He flipped the coffee table and it, like, hit my knee. It turned black immediately'

'I'm like, "Oh my god! Oh my god!" Screaming and crying. It was terrifying'

The 36-year-old reality star said Taylor kept yelling: 'You're cheating on me, you're cheating on me, you're still talking to him!'

'We were separated. He's been hooking up with girls, he's been publicly parading himself around with girls,' Brittany scoffed

Elsewhere, the 45-year-old reality star admitted to Michelle's ex-husband Jesse Caperna (R): 'Yeah, I went full f***ing unhinged rage and - bad, it was bad. Got like that angry before, but that's the worst it's ever gotten'

Jax was particularly irked because he claimed Cartwright said she wanted to 'work on our marriage' right before the fight, admitting in a confessional: 'We did say we could hook up with other people. That was part of the deal. But a friend?'

Taylor continued: 'What I did was wrong. I lost all control. I saw red. I had an out-of-body experience. But I... show me a guy that wouldn't handle the situation the way I handled it!'

Jesse told the recovering drug addict he had 'no emotional regulation' and cautioned him about how he speaks to the Kentucky native in front of their son Cruz Michael Cauchi because 'that's how he's gonna treat women'

Brittany was then seen confessing to Saniei: 'His rages and everything have gotten so much worse. I cannot let Cruz be around him by himself'

This Saturday, the Bravo-lebrities will celebrate the fourth birthday of their autistic, mostly nonverbal child, and Jax willingly gave her full legal and physical custody

Cartwright and Taylor legally separated in February 2024, and she filed for divorce from him on August 27 after four years of marriage (pictured in 2023)

The When Reality Hits podcaster and the In the Mind of a Man podcaster - who originally met in Las Vegas in 2015 - previously split in 2017 when he confessed to having an affair with former SUR employee Faith Stowers.

On March 8, Jax announced he was officially 100 days sober from cocaine and alcohol - hinting he had relapsed following his 30-day stint at a rehab last August where he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, PTSD, and anger issues.

On December 18, Variety included Brittany in their list of the 30 most influential women on reality TV in 2024 specifically for 'standing up to her toxic husband Jax Taylor.'
Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan stepped out in the sun together as they enjoyed a pub lunch on Thursday.

The beloved couple, who have been married since 1986, became household names as co-hosts of their iconic show Richard and Judy.

And as temperatures heated up, the couple were seen heading out for the day in north London.

The pair went for a drive in their VW Beetle convertible before stopping off to grabs some lunch.

Despite the sun, Judy sported a pair of navy leaf patterned wide-leg trousers and a knitted sweater, with a fluffy coat draped over her shoulders.

She completed her ensemble by sporting a huge pair of sunglasses and two pendant necklaces, as well as carrying a silver tote bag.

Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan stepped out in the sun together as they enjoyed a pub lunch in north London on Thursday

The pair went for a drive in their VW Beetle convertible before stopping off to grabs some lunch

Meanwhile Richard opted for a classic white t-shirt and a pair of slim-fit jeans with a navy over-shirt, paired with brown lace-up boots.

Earlier this year it was revealed the couple are set to make a huge comeback together, years after their last joint venture.

While Judy, 76, has largely stepped away from the spotlight, Richard, 67, remains a regular face on This Morning.

Now, after years apart professionally, the duo hints at an exciting new project together.

The power duo might soon launch their own line of underwear, having trademarked their name for a variety of products, including fragrances, cosmetics, and more.

This week, the Intellectual Property Office published the application.

The couple originally trademarked 'Richard and Judy' in 2000 and renewed it late last year, paving the way for their latest business endeavour.

This bold move might have been inspired by Judys infamous wardrobe mishap at the 2000 National Television Awards, where she accidentally flashed her bra.

Despite the sun, Judy sported a pair of navy leaf patterned wide-leg trousers and a knitted sweater, with a fluffy coat draped over her shoulders

Meanwhile Richard opted for a classic white t-shirt and a pair of slim-fit jeans with a navy over-shirt, paired with brown lace-up boots

'Judy's bra flash was perhaps one of the outstanding moments of their career and may have inspired the couple to consider underwear as an option - and clearly they still think so,' said an insider, as reported by the Mirror.

'But it's not the only product they'll be able to put their name on and they could make a mint.'

Representatives for Richard and Judy have been contacted by MailOnline for comment.

The pair first met back in the 80s while working at ITV Granada Television, before going on to tie the knot in 1986.

Richard and Judy recently reflected upon their relationship in their Channel 5 documentary, Our Best Bits - In Our Own Words, which aired in summer.

They spoke about the first time they met at Granada and the initial chemistry between them.

At the time Judy was wedded to journalist David Henshaw and Richard was in the midst of separating from his first wife Lynda.

Earlier this year it was revealed the couple are set to make a huge comeback together, years after their last joint venture (pictured in 2019)

While Judy, 76, has largely stepped away from the spotlight, Richard, 67, remains a regular face on This Morning (pictured in 1990)

Judy said: 'I remember you coming into the newsroom on your first day, you were wearing a ridiculous sky blue suit... you just looked like a pr**.

'I was assigned as your minder, they had a system at Grenada that the newbie would be assigned a father or a mother to show them the ropes literally, and I was your mother.'

Reminiscing, Richard said: 'I suddenly felt two hands on the back of my neck and I heard this voice saying ''I'm your mummy'' and I turned around and it was this beautiful blonde.

'It seemed an off thing to say so I was like ''what??'' So yeah she was my assigned mummy.'
China-led telescope project secures global partners for cutting-edge cosmic research

Xinhua) 10:27, April 10, 2025

Liu Jifeng, director of China's National Astronomical Observatories (NAOC), introduces the Global Open Transient Telescope Array (GOTTA) project during the AI-Empowered Astronomy for Open Science conference in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, April 7, 2025. (Xinhua)

HANGZHOU, April 9 (Xinhua) -- A revolutionary, China-led telescope project has secured two further international partnerships, accelerating humanity's quest to witness and understand the universe's most cataclysmic events.

Brazil and South Africa became the latest members of the Global Open Transient Telescope Array (GOTTA) project -- a UNESCO-endorsed global initiative spearheaded by China's National Astronomical Observatories (NAOC) -- during the AI-Empowered Astronomy for Open Science conference, which concluded on Wednesday in the eastern Chinese tech hub of Hangzhou.

GOTTA will deploy a network of over 100 wide-angle optical telescopes around the world to capture fleeting cosmic phenomena like supernovae and gamma-ray bursts in a critical early stage -- a golden window for astronomical discovery, the capture of which requires coordinated global observation.

This project has the promise to revolutionize our understanding of extreme gravitational forces and the evolution of the universe, said Liu Jifeng, director of NAOC.

Astronomical institutions in Brazil and South Africa, both of which are located in the Southern Hemisphere, will collaborate with Chinese counterparts such as NAOC and Zhejiang Lab to build telescopes and advance software development, data mirroring and observation.

To date, the GOTTA project has drawn the participation of researchers from almost a dozen countries, with more expressing interest in joining.

"Astronomy is a wonderful area to build the skills of innovation and creativity. I hope to collaborate with Zhejiang Lab on dark matter detectors," John Baruch, a professor at Leeds Beckett University in the United Kingdom, told Xinhua on the sidelines of the conference.

AI-DRIVEN COLLABORATION

GOTTA's groundbreaking distinction lies in its integration of AI, big data and distributed computing, fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration to establish a global framework for the sharing of data, algorithms and models.

China is working to foster global cooperation on artificial intelligence for astronomical research.

The conference was hosted by NAOC and Zhejiang Lab, which were the two institutions to develop AstroOne, a foundational AI model for astronomy that is now open to researchers worldwide.

AstroOne leverages astrophysical knowledge to perform advanced scientific reasoning and data analysis tasks. It also enables intelligent, coordinated telescope observation through its embodied AI system.

The three-day conference was attended by over 240 experts, scholars and young researchers from 22 countries and regions, including Spain, South Africa, India, the United Kingdom, Russia, Chile and Brazil.

AstroOne, a foundational AI model for astronomy developed by China's National Astronomical Observatories (NAOC) and Zhejiang Lab, is announced to be open to researchers worldwide during the AI-Empowered Astronomy for Open Science conference in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, April 8, 2025. (Xinhua)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Taco Bell fans are flocking to one of the chains oldest locations before it shuts its doors for good.

The historic Scottsdale, Arizona restaurant, which has been serving customers for over 60 years, will close permanently on Friday.

The iconic location was the 31st Taco Bell restaurant opened in the chain's history.

Its arched windows, brick walls, and Spanish adobe roof tiles are just some of the features that make this mission-style restaurant unique.

Unlike most US locations, this Scottsdale restaurant only has three tables inside, and is open 24 hours seven days a week.

It also has a tight-fit drive-thru and is one of the last mission-styled-structured buildings in the chain.

It is unclear why this Taco Bell is closing, but another one across the street will open when construction is completed.

One of Taco Bell's restaurants in Scottsdale, Arizona, will close for good after six decades

The restaurant is one of the last mission-styled Taco Bells left, and includes tight but doable drive-thru

Residents and fans who live outside of Arizona have been flocking to the restaurant to grab food.

'When we found out that this store would be closing, and as a Taco Bellian, you can't miss it,' Michigan-based fan Stephanie Soriano told 12News.

'It's a flagship location. It was one of the first to be built like this,' adding that buildings like this one don't exist anymore.

Actor Joel McHale even joked that every brick of the restaurant 'should be put in the Smithsonian.'

Nicole Anderson decided to stop by the Taco Bell with her family after finding out about its upcoming closure on Instagram.

'Locations like this are going away... It just sees like if we have one last opportunity to dine in this retro vibe, we should take advantage of it,' Anderson said.

While eating, Anderson noticed customers would take pictures of what they called a 'retro trash can.'

While the closure is breaking fans' hearts, Soriano understood the need to expand for the sake of its employees.

This Taco Bell location has three tables inside. The rest are in front of the restaurant outside

Fans were sad to learn the restaurant would close, but understand it was necessary for employees to work in an updated restaurant

The restaurant was built not long after Taco Bell opened its first restaurant in California in 1962.

The Mexican chain's restaurants were known for their colorful decor and mission-style architecture.

This stuck with other Taco Bell restaurants that opened between the 1960s and 1980s.

However, the mission-styled-structured Taco Bells slowly disappeared in the 1990s.

Nearly all the original structures were then demolished or rebuilt for a more modern style following a corporate decision.

Multiple Taco Bells that stayed the same design wise have either shut down or are homes to other businesses.

As of now, there are only seven original, mission-style Taco Bell restaurants still operating.

These stores are located in multiple California and Colorado cities.

Customers nationwide have been going to the restaurant to grab food and take pictures before its closure

Taco Bell is grateful for all the fans who have enjoyed visiting the restaurant, even if it's just to take pictures.

'This location is proudly operated by Desert de Oro Foods, and while it's bittersweet to say goodbye, it's also a chance to say thank you,' Taco Bell said in a statement.

'Thank you to generations of people who helped make this spot more than just a place to grab tacos.'

Desert de Oro Foods has not announced what it plans to do with the building once it closes.

The manufacturer has also not confirmed what it will do with its furniture and street sign.
President Donald Trump has imposed a record-setting 104 percent tariff on China.

According to Shark Tank star and DailyMail+ columnist Kevin O'Leary, the President needs to go higher.

In a blistering interview on CNN, O'Leary said China has taken advantage of a decades-long slowdown in American manufacturing and plays on an uneven field.

He proposed a solution for President Trump: raise tariffs four times higher.

'I'm advocating for 400 percent,' he said. 'I do business in China. They don't play by the rules.'

O'Leary's commentary comes after he advocated against any tariffs being placed on the ally nations in an interview on Fox News.

But China, he said, is very different.

'They cheat, they steal, they steal IP, I can't litigate in their courts,' he said.

Kevin O'Leary, who became a household name as a panelist on Shark Tank, said Trump needs to raise tariffs on China

'I want [Chinese President] Xi [Jinping] on an airplane to Washington to level the playing field.'

The millionaire businessman said the Trump administration could use the leverage of his huge tariff to exact pain on China.

'As someone who has actually done business there, I've had enough,' he said.

While O'Leary says that Trump could go further on his tariffs with China, he recently said the President has gone too far with the European Union.

The 70-year-old businessman told Fox News last week that Trump had a golden opportunity for an 'off-ramp' from the 20 percent tariffs specifically waged against the European bloc.

'It's willing to go zero-zero and open it's markets up - and that's the key,' O'Leary claimed.

'The idea that you would open up the markets and set the path for every other negotiation of the other 59 countries... This is the opportunity. This is the moment.'

His comments hit while stocks were in turmoil.

Kevin O'Leary asked for higher tariffs on China a few days after asking for no tariffs on Europe

The Trump administration initially announced a tariff policy that slapped 10 to 50 percent tariffs on goods, depending on their country of origin

President Trump pulled back some of the additional tariffs on countries - however, 10 percent tariffs are still in effect

Major indexes dropped at least 4 percent on both Thursday and Friday last week after the President revealed a reciprocal tariff policy that slapped countries with tariffs that ranged up to 50 percent.

Investors knew that the President Trump wanted to launch import taxes on global importers: they were surprised by the massive scale of his policies.

The stock drops lost trillions of dollars worth of investments from some of America's most iconic companies, like Apple, Ford, Tesla, Nike, and Amazon.

Losses started to rumble inside the White House, leading some of the biggest billionaire Trump supporters to openly question the President's policies in public.

President Trump pulled back the higher reciprocal tariffs today, sending the major indexes on a record-setting north-bound tear.

It was the third best day for the stock market since World War II  however, they havent recuperated all of last week's losses.
Amazon's CEO said customers should start preparing to pay more.

Andy Jassy, the top boss at the low-cost e-commerce company, said tariffs coming from the White House will make consumer prices rise in an interview on CNBC.

The comment marks a rare acknowledgment from the top of the company that one of Amazons key advantages  low prices  could be under pressure.

He said the giant online store, which hosts thousands of third-party sellers, will likely see prices rise as sellers 'pass that cost on' to consumers.

'I understand why, I mean, depending on which country youre in, you dont have 50 percent extra margin that you can play with,' he said.

The remarks came just hours after Jassy, who has a net worth of around $500 million, published his annual shareholder letter, which detailed some of Amazons efforts to hedge against rising import costs.

Among the strategies: stockpiling low-cost, high-demand products across the companys sprawling US warehouse network.

Despite the early-buying moves, Amazon's business model remains extremely exposed to policies from President Donald Trump.

Andy Jassy, the Amazon CEO, said third-party sellers will likely 'pass on' costs to customers

Around 70 percent of the company's goods come from China, according to data research firm ECDB.

President Trump has been increasing his trade war rhetoric around China, levying 125 percent tariffs on products coming from the country.

The policy leaves only two options for American businesses: either eat the tariff costs or pass the tax off to their customers.

China has also retaliated with reciprocal tariffs on US-made goods.

Jassy also said he's seen shoppers rush buys on his website to get ahead of tariff the costs brought on by this tit-for-tat escalation.

'People have not stopped buying and in certain categories,' Jassy said in the interview.

'We do see people buying ahead, but its hard to know if its just an anomaly in the data because its just a few days, or how long its going to last.'

The tariffs could also become onerous for Amazons other big-money venture.

Amazon's top boss said the company has strategically stockpiled popular items ahead of Trump's tariffs

Around 70 percent of Amazon's products sold in 2024 came from China, researchers said

President Trump relaxed tariff policies on global trade yesterday, but kept a 10 percent baseline tariff on nearly every economic partner.

That tariff will raise prices for construction and energy, experts have consistently told DailyMail.com.

Amazon has plans to continue spending top-dollar on its AI build-out.

The strategy, mostly done through its sprawling and lucrative AWS tech business, requires the company to continue investment in more data center infrastructure.

Despite the added cost, Jassy said the company is pushing forward with plans to build more data facilities.

'We're going to keep building,' he told CNBC.
General Motors is adjusting part of its American-made electric future.

The automaker is temporarily laying off around 200 workers at Factory Zero, its EV-focused facility in Detroit. GM told DailyMail.com the layoffs will not impact the factory's output.

'Factory ZERO will adjust production to align with market dynamics,' the company said in a statement.

'Impacted employees will be placed on a temporary layoff and may be eligible for subpay and benefits in accordance with the GM-UAW national contract.'

A company spokesperson added the production shift is meant to 'align with market dynamics' and isnt tied to the newly announced auto tariffs.

The production facility builds GMs high-cost electric bets: the Chevy Silverado EV, GMC Sierra EV, Hummer EV SUV and pickup, and Escalade IQ.

The company touted more than 4,500 employees worked at the production plant before the temporary layoffs.

A little more than 4 percent of the jobs are impacted by the decision.

GM said it is temporarily laying off 200 employees at the factory that builds the EV GMC Hummer

GM maintains the layoffs are unrelated to the Trump administrations tariffs, though the decision lands amid ongoing political calls to expand American manufacturing.

But the company is now the second Big Three American car brand to announce US-based layoffs since the launch of the White House's 25 percent auto tariffs.

Stellantis  the parent company of major American brands like Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler, and Ram  recently laid off 900 employees at five US facilities.

The Jeep-maker said the cuts were directly attributed to Trump's policies because the US factories produced parts for Canadian and Mexican final assembly plants.

Cars built on the inter-country production lines, which employed thousands of American stampers and powertrain builders, are potentially subject to multiple tariffs because the parts cross US, Mexican, and Canadian borders several times.

GM and Stellantis are not alone.

Global automakers have made a raft of changes to their American business models because of Trump's tariffs.

Volkswagen, the second-largest global automaker, said it would add a 'import fee' line to its vehicle stickers to maintain pricing transparency.

GM's CEO Mary Barra said the company would 'happily ramp up production' of gas cars if needed

President Trump has said that his tariffs will bring back manufacturing jobs to the US

The move will put the direct cost of Trump's tariffs next to the price of vehicle add-ons (like heated seats or a panoramic sunroof), MPG estimates, and taxes.

The company also temporarily held some of its luxury Audi cars at ports. But an Audi spokesperson said they have since released the cars into the US market.

They declined to comment if the cars are now more expensive.

Ford has launched a sales program, bringing employee pricing rates to American shoppers.

The company, which had a higher supply of vehicles on their dealership lots compared to industry averages, said the event runs through June 2.

GM also announced major changes due to the tariffs: the company said it was increasing productiong of its high-cost pickup trucks built in the US.

CEO Mary Barra has said the company is working through its blend of gas and electric vehicles to match American market demand.

Earlier this year, the company killed off the Cadillac XT4, one of its best sellers, to make way for the production of Chevy's upcoming EV Bolt.

But if EV demand dwindles, Barra remains confident in GM's gas-powered offerings.

'If there are factors that cause EV demand to lessen, we have a great ICE portfolio that we'd happily ramp up production beyond what we have in our current plans for this year,'Barra said in a January earnings call.
Greece has revealed a substantial defense modernization program, valued at roughly $27 billion (25 billion), to be implemented over the next 12 years. This initiative is a response to the complex geopolitical situation in the Eastern Mediterranean and the ongoing tensions with Turkey. The programs goal is to bolster Greeces military capabilities and national security through an extensive upgrade of its armed forces. A key component of this modernization effort is the Achilles Shield, an advanced air defense system intended to provide comprehensive protection for the country.

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Scope and Ambition: A Decade of Transformation

The commitment of roughly $27 billion represents one of Greeces most substantial defense investments in recent history. Announced by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the plan outlines a long-term vision extending over a decade, signaling a sustained focus on military readiness and technological advancement. This funding is earmarked for acquiring new hardware and a fundamental transformation of Greeces defense posture. It underscores the governments resolve to maintain a credible deterrent and safeguard its sovereign interests in an increasingly volatile region. The scale of the investment places Greece among the higher defense spenders within NATO relative to its economic size, currently allocating approximately 3% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to defense.

The Centerpiece: Achilles Shield Air Defense System

The flagship project within this broader modernization effort is the Achilles Shield air defense system, allocated a budget of approximately $3.05 billion (around 2.8 billion). Unveiled as a critical component of the nations future defense architecture, Achilles Shield is envisioned as a multi-layered system capable of detecting, tracking, and neutralizing a broad spectrum of aerial threats. This includes conventional aircraft, ballistic and cruise missiles, and the increasingly prevalent challenge posed by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones.

Geopolitical Context: Navigating Aegean Tensions

Officials aim for the Achilles Shield to be operational by 2027. Its design emphasizes integration, seeking to seamlessly incorporate existing Greek air defense assets while layering on new, advanced technologies. A key objective is ensuring full interoperability with NATO command and control systems, reinforcing Greeces role within the alliances collective defense framework. The system is intended to provide a robust defense against not only aerial incursions but also potential missile and naval threats, significantly altering Greeces strategic defensive capabilities.

Greeces large-scale rearmament program is driven by its historically strained relationship with Turkey. Both countries are NATO members, but they have recurring disputes over territorial waters, continental shelf rights, and airspace boundaries in the Aegean Sea. These disagreements have repeatedly escalated, leading Greece to prioritize military preparedness. The modernization plan is seen as essential for maintaining stability and protecting national interests amidst these ongoing challenges and the shifting geopolitical landscape of the Eastern Mediterranean. This investment reflects a strategic decision to adapt to perceived threats and maintain a qualitative military advantage.

Fostering Domestic Capabilities: A Boost for Greek Industry

The ~$27 billion plan contains a clear commitment to bolstering Greeces domestic defense industrial base. Prime Minister Mitsotakis has stated that future procurement contracts will necessitate significant involvement from Greek companies. This policy seeks to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers, stimulate local economic growth through job creation and investment, and cultivate indigenous technological expertise in the defense sector. Key areas identified for increased domestic involvement include naval vessel and submarine construction and maintenance, armored vehicle and munitions production, and advanced defense technology development and integration, including AI, cyber defense systems, and UAV design and production.

Preparing for Future Conflicts: Advanced Technologies and Soldier Systems

The Hellenic Armed Forces modernization roadmap includes a wide array of initiatives designed to equip them for the complexities of 21st-century warfare. These initiatives go beyond the headline Achilles Shield project.

Planned investments in next-generation equipment for individual soldiers will likely include advanced body armor, integrated sensors, secure communication devices, and enhanced situational awareness tools.

The plan also prioritizes secure and resilient communications, particularly in contested environments, with the goal of developing dedicated national satellite capabilities to ensure uninterrupted command, control, and intelligence gathering during potential conflicts.

The modernization roadmap also focuses on bolstering cybersecurity, integrating national cyber defense strategies more tightly with conventional military operations to protect critical infrastructure and networks from digital threats.

A New Era for Hellenic Defense

Greeces defense landscape is set for a major transformation with a $27 billion overhaul. The program, driven by regional security concerns and the changing nature of warfare, is spearheaded by the Achilles Shield project. Over the next twelve years, Greece aims to create a more technologically advanced, adaptable, and resilient military force. The focus on domestic industrial participation will also boost the economy. By enhancing its deterrent capabilities, Greece intends to safeguard its sovereignty and contribute to regional stability in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Derry City and Strabane District Council has received a twinning proposal from Derry in Pennsylvania in the United States.

A report on the twinning proposal was brought before Councils Culture and Business committees April meeting on Tuesday.

A further paper will be brought to the committee with details on the potential benefits, costs and resource implications of the proposal.

The report said: It was the Scots-Irish immigrants who first travelled from County Derry to settle in central Pennsylvania. A group established a church and town there and named it Derry.

The connections between the two Derry communities were lost and then rekindled when John Hume visited Hershey for a conference about thirty years ago and came across the town. Hershey is formally the municipality of Derry. A couple of years later when the church in Derry, Pennsylvania, was celebrating its 275th anniversary a group of 40 travelled to Derry attending the First Derry Presbyterian during their visit.

The two Derry communities have developed connections and shared projects via the churches. It is hoped that the shared history, friendships and initiatives to date can be extended to culture, tourism, healthcare, education and commerce.

Derry Township is a township in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. The population is 24,796 at the 2020 census. Hershey, the site of the well-known Hersheys chocolate factory and its affiliated amusement park is located within the township. The town is in close proximity to Harrisburg which is the capital of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat for Dauphin County, said the report.

Informal conversations on the twinning began in September 2024 in Hershey and the Mayor hosted an online meeting in January 2025, bringing representatives from both places together to explore the possibilities of twinning Derry, Ireland and Derry, Pennsylvania.

The Mayor and Chief Executive of Derry City and Strabane District Council subsequently received a request on March 24 , 2025, from Rev Dr Stephen McKinney-Whittaker and a twinning proposal from Rev David Latimer.

Councillors were told, officers are considering the request, potential benefits and resource implications.
A judge at Derry Magistrates' Court has expressed his concern that a man has been in custody since last August on a charge of attempted criminal damage to the War Memorial at the Diamond.

Peter Gillespie (47) of no fixed abode is charged with attempted criminal damage and criminal damage to the memorial on August 21 last.

Grainne McAnaney counsel for the defendant said that the incident involved her client setting fire to some papers at the monument.

She said he did not accept the charge of criminal damage as he said he had recently been in Taiwan and that was one way of honouring the dead.

She said the damage had been 'minimal' and could be wiped away by hand.

A contest date for May 6 has been set but Deputy District Judge Brian Archer said that this man had 'spent a considerable period in custody' and in all likelihood had been in custody longer than any sentence.

He asked the prosecution to look into the matter and to 'be mindful that a person is in custody' at the cost of thousands of pounds.

Ms McAnaney said her client was not prepared to plead as he felt he had done nothing wrong.

The judge adjourned the case until April 24 and asked the prosecution to look into the case.
Paramedics and healthcare workers will be among those taking part in the 'Freedom for Palestine' rally in Derry.

The rally is taking place on Saturday, April 12; it will assemble a Bishop's Gate in the city before making its way to Guildhall Square.

Organised by the Derry branch of the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign (D-IPSC).

Fiona Downey, from Derry, now a GP in Dublin asking for support for Saturday's Rally.

Catherine Hutton, chairperson of D-IPSC, encourages members of the medical profession and the wider community to take part in the rally "in solidarity with healthcare workers under fire" in Palestine and to register their "abhorrence at lives lost for saving lives."

"Join us in solidarity to condemn the murder and targeting of health workers in Gaza," she added.

Saturday's rally comes three weeks after Israel killed 15 Palestinian paramedics and rescue workers who were on a mission to help collegues, on March 23.

According to the UN humanitarian affairs office (OCHA), the Palestinian Red Crescent (PRCS) and civil defence workers were attempting to rescue colleagues who had been shot at earlier in the day, when their clearly marked vehicles came under heavy Israeli fire in Rafah citys Tel al-Sultan district.

A Red Crescent official in Gaza said that there was evidence of at least one person being detained and killed, as the body of one of the dead had been found with his hands tied.

The head of Ocha in Palestine, Jonathan Whittall, said in a video statement. One by one, [the paramedics and civil defense workers] were hit, they were struck. Their bodies were gathered and buried in this mass grave.

The head of Ocha in Palestine, Jonathan Whittall.

The head of OCHA in Palestine, Jonathan Whittall, said in a video statement. One by one, [the paramedics and civil defense workers] were hit, they were struck. Their bodies were gathered and buried in this mass grave.

Were digging them out in their uniforms, with their gloves on. They were here to save lives. Instead, they ended up in a mass grave."
Police failed the families of two men who were killed by loyalists in 1988, the police ombudsman has found.

Marie Anderson came to the conclusion after finding a number of failings, including linking a rifle recovered by police in 1988 to the murders of Seamus Morris and Peter Dolan.

In her report, Ms Anderson also highlights to the Police Service of Northern Ireland the misattribution of weapons to murders as a potential systemic issue.

Mr Morris, 18, was shot dead on August 8, 1988 at Etna Drive in the Ardoyne area of north Belfast, moments before Mr Dolan, 25, who was sitting in a Guinness delivery lorry, was shot from the same stolen car.

The Protestant Action Force (PAF), believed to be a cover name for the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF), claimed responsibility for both murders.

The office started investigating the case in 2015 after a letter of complaint from the family of Mr Morris.

The failure to link a rifle recovered by police in 1988 to the murders of Seamus Morris and Peter Dolan that same year deprived RUC investigators of developing lines of enquiry and interviewing suspects, the Police Ombudsman has concluded. https://t.co/diEBBzEi2L pic.twitter.com/kfrEkxTAb6  Police Ombudsman NI (@PONIPressOffice) April 10, 2025

Mr Morris family previously believed the rifle used in his murder was also used in the murders of five people at Sean Graham Bookmakers on the Ormeau Road in Belfast in 1992.

However, a previous ombudsman investigation had ruled that out, and it was later discovered that a different VZ58 rifle, which had been recovered in north Belfast in late September 1988, was in fact the weapon used.

Ms Anderson said the failure to correctly link the VZ58 rifle, at the point it was recovered by police in 1988, to the murders of Mr Morris and Mr Dolan, deprived RUC investigators from developing lines of inquiry and interviewing suspects.

This misattribution of weapons to murders, by the RUCs Weapons and Explosives Research Centre (WERC) and/or the Northern Ireland Forensic Science Laboratory, was highlighted to PSNI as a potential systemic issue, she added.

She found there was a prompt initial police response to the incident, and a number of lines of inquiry pursued, but she believed there was a series of missed investigative opportunities in the original RUC investigation.

Two people were arrested in the days after the attack.

Ombudsman investigators did not find evidence to show their clothes had been seized for gunshot discharge residue testing, among missed opportunities.

There were also findings of the mishandling of exhibits, concerning a cigarette butt which appears to have gone missing, and missing journals and notebooks.

Meanwhile, no intelligence was found that could have warned of the murders, and there was no evidence that any person was protected during the police investigation.

Ms Anderson said she concluded the two families had been failed by police.

I believe that Mr Morris and Mr Dolan were the innocent victims of a campaign of sectarian violence mounted against the nationalist community, she said.

Loyalist extremists were responsible for their murders. However, given the investigative failings and omissions identified, I believe that the Morris family were failed by police in their search for accountability for the murders of their loved one.

Solicitor Setanta Marley, who acts for the Morris family, said they have raised serious and compelling concerns and called on Chief Constable Jon Boutcher to issue an apology.

Todays public statement represents a damning indictment of the RUC who absolutely failed the Morris family, he said.

Sadly, this morning they learned about a litany of failings and omissions, including incorrect linkage of weapons; wider links to the 1987 importation of firearms; a series of missed investigative opportunities; a failure to verify a key suspects alibi; a failure to seize a suspects clothing and arrest another suspect, together with mishandling of exhibits and many other failings.

Unfortunately, this latest statement chimes with an ever-expanding and depressing back catalogue of police ombudsman statements, all of which collectively point to institutionalised RUC failings right across the conflict.

We now call on the chief constable to apologise to the family.

Its the very least they can expect on what has been a very difficult day for them.
The UK Supreme Court is expected to hear an appeal against a critical judgment on the Legacy Act before the summer, a lawyer has said.

Darragh Mackin from Phoenix Law, who represents several Troubles victims, said they had asked for the case to be expedited and it would be heard before the end of June if possible.

Martina Dillon, whose husband Seamus was shot dead in a loyalist attack at the Glengannon Hotel in Dungannon, Co Tyrone, in 1997, said the ongoing legal action rubs salt in the wounds of Troubles victims.

Last year the Court of Appeal in Belfast part allowed an appeal taken against the contentious Legacy Act which was introduced by the previous government, ruling there were breaches of human rights law and the Windsor Framework.

The court found that a Government veto power over what sensitive material can be disclosed to bereaved families by a new truth recovery body, the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR), is unlawful.

The court also ruled that the ICRIR does not provide victims and their next of kin adequate means to participate in its processes.

The Labour Government is currently repealing the Act, including restoring legacy inquests and civil claims, but is retaining the ICRIR.

Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn appealed against parts of the judgment, stating he was seeking clarification over the finding around the veto power on sensitive material and also over articles relating to the Windsor Framework.

Mr Mackin said the families who brought the original legal challenge had sought expedition of the Supreme Court hearing.

He said: It is disappointing that the Secretary of State has continued to utilise every available mechanism to try and uphold the Tory pet project of the Legacy Act.

That being said, despite the Secretary of States best endeavours, every court to date has been clear, provisions of the Legacy Act are incompatible with human rights and the Northern Ireland Protocol.

It is a testament to the importance of this case that the Supreme Court has confirmed that it will hear this case on an expedited basis and, indeed, before the end of June if possible.

Our clients relish the opportunity to again take a stand against this act on behalf of all victims affected by this egregious legislation.

Ms Dillon said: The continuing efforts by the Secretary of State to appeal against the decisions of the Belfast Court only puts salt in the wounds of all victims.

We warmly welcome the Supreme Courts decision to expedite this case and we look forward to defending our rights in London before the end of June.

Mr Benn said he was pleased the Supreme Court had granted leave for the appeal.

However, he made clear that the Government was committed to creating legacy mechanisms that were human rights-compliant.

I am committed and the Government is committed to repeal and replace the Legacy Act, and I have set out for the House of Commons the steps that I will take, both in the remedial order that is currently before Parliament and in legislation, to honour that commitment, Mr Benn told reporters in Coleraine on Thursday afternoon.

But there were aspects of the Dillon judgment that raised wider constitutional questions that go beyond the Legacy Act, and that is why the Government is appealing.

Im pleased that the Supreme Court has granted leave for that appeal and that will be heard when the Supreme Court is ready to do so.

But, on legacy, I will ensure that we have a system that is compliant with the European Convention on Human Rights.

Thats a pledge Ive made, the Government has made, and its one Im going to honour.
Stormonts agriculture minister has branded as bizarre claims by the Ulster Farmers Union (UFU) that granting protected status to hills and mountainsides is leading to more wildfires in Northern Ireland.

Andrew Muir made the comments to his Assembly scrutiny committee in response to the UFUs criticism of a report from the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) that called on the minister to increase the amount of designated land in Northern Ireland.

The union doubled down on that criticism in recent days following the spate of wildfires across Northern Ireland.

Firefighters have tackled more than 200 fires since Friday, with many of the blazes focused on upland areas such as the Mourne Mountains.

The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) said it was dealing with a large gorse fire in Draperstown, Co Londonderry, on Thursday evening.

Following a large number of wildfires across NI in the last few days, the UFU is highlighting how devastating fires are for farmers and rural communities and is calling for government to recognise the increasing fire risk created by designated sites. https://t.co/DKrvCQM86e pic.twitter.com/ggwriqrcCx  Ulster Farmers' Union (@UFUHQ) April 9, 2025

The UFU has argued that the placing of environmental protective designations in these areas is limiting the ability of farmers to manage the land effectively, resulting in uncontrolled growth of heather, gorse and general scrub. This, the union claims, is creating ideal conditions for wildfires.

Mr Muir rejected the criticism as he gave evidence to the Assemblys Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs committee on Thursday.

Responding to a question from committee member and party colleague John Blair, Mr Muir said: The report from the Office for Environmental Protection in regards to our protected sites was difficult reading for me, but I do welcome their constructive proposals, and Ill be working very swiftly with officials in terms of responding to their findings and recommendations.

Protected sites in Northern Ireland are jewels in our crown. They are something that we should value. I do find the recent comments from the Ulster Farmers Union, frankly, quite bizarre. What we should be doing is we should be protecting those sites, and I would like to see more, not less.

The minister said his department would be seeking to provide additional methods to allow for better upland management.

Thats what we want to do and put these places into a better ecological state, because thats what we should do. And it saddens me that people would view it as otherwise, he said.

On Tuesday, UFU deputy president John McLenaghan urged Stormont to recognise that designated sites were increasing the risk of fires.

Its devastating to see so many areas being impacted by wildfires in recent days including the Mourne Mountains, the north west and County Antrim, he said.

Habitats have been completely destroyed, and the damage will be felt for years to come. What needs to be recognised is that the areas affected are mainly designated sites that restrict farmers from managing the land well.

Farmers cannot carry out controlled burning and there are tight controls on grazing and land management. Heather and scrub are left to grow wild with limited management to control them, and as a result, the land is in ideal condition for wildfires. The restrictions placed on farmers when it comes to designated sites, is quite literally adding fuel to the fire.

Farmers need to be able to manage the land through a combination of grazing livestock, topping and controlled burning. This reduces the fire load and helps to decrease the risk of wildfires. Hill farmers have the knowledge and expertise to manage this complex landscape and this is crucial to reducing the risk of wildfires.

An extreme wildfire is not in the best interest of the farmer, the environment or the community, it can be devastating for some farmers as it can take years for the vegetation to grow back.

Providing an update on the latest in a spate of fires on Thursday, an NIFRS spokesperson said: NIFRS are currently in attendance at a large gorse fire at Corrick road, Draperstown.

Fire appliances from Maghera, Magherafelt, Cookstown and Dungiven are in attendance supported by a command unit from Kilrea and specialist wildfire officers.

A total of 54 personnel are attending the incident.

Locals are requested to avoid the area to help support firefighting operations.
Health chiefs still do not know the cause of an outbreak of a potentially dangerous bacteria which has delayed the opening of Belfasts new maternity hospital by years, MLAs have been told.

Stormonts Health Committee heard that lessons have been learned to avoid similar problems with the construction of a new childrens hospital in the city.

But one MLA said she was underwhelmed by the performance of the Belfast Trust in managing major projects, while another compared it with a farce from The Thick Of It comedy TV programme.

It was disclosed last year that the opening of Belfasts new maternity hospital would be significantly delayed, after high levels of the bacteria pseudomonas were discovered in its water system.

The hospital, which was already several years late and over budget, had been expected to open this year and the Belfast Trust took possession of the new building last March.

Earlier this year it was announced that construction work would begin on Belfasts new 671 million childrens hospital, which will be sited beside the maternity building on the Royal Victoria Hospital site.

Philip McClay, director of health estates at the Department of Health and David Porter, director of strategic development at Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, updated the committee on the governance arrangements for the build of the hospital and lessons learned from the build of the maternity hospital.

MLAs were told that the childrens hospital would have separate water systems on each floor, unlike the single water system in the maternity hospital.

Alliance Party MLA Danny Donnelly asked for an updated timeline on the opening of the maternity hospital.

Mr Porter said there would be multi-disciplinary review meeting at the trust next week and he was unable to give an updated timeline.

DUP MLA Diane Dodds asked why the interim chief executive of the Belfast Trust, Maureen Edwards, was not answering questions in front of the committee about lessons learned from the maternity hospital build.

She added: I am underwhelmed by all of this. I have called for an independent voice looking at what has happened in the Belfast Trust.

We have the critical care building, we have the acute mental health building which seems to be an absolute shambles, we have a maternity hospital costing almost 100 million, and a year after it was announced it was finished, we still cant use it.

I am looking forward to a childrens hospital that is built without problems and on budget. But I do think we need to have a critical look at what has happened in the Belfast Trust.

SDLP MLA Colin McGrath said: It just seems to have been run like a farce from The Thick Of It, where things just go over budget and take longer than they need to.

He asked if it had been established what had caused the pseudomonas issue in the maternity hospital and what was being done to mitigate against it in the childrens hospital build.

Mr Porter said: I dont think we can sit here and say we have identified a singular source, in all honesty.

But what we do know are that there are lessons learned as to what may have been contributory factors.

He said a number of steps were being looked at, including avoiding risks by keeping the water system dry for as long as possible before it was operational.

He added: All I can say is we havent been able to identify a single point of cause on the maternity.

We are certainly working with every aspect of the design and the systems in place to make sure we mitigate that risk moving forward.
Foxconn plans to launch EVs in Asian markets starting in 2026

Foxconn announced on April 9 in Tokyo its ambitious plans to enter the electric vehicle (EV) market, with multiple vehicle models expected to launch beginning in 2027. The announcement signals Foxconn's commitment to expanding its footprint in the burgeoning EV sector, with a special focus on collaboration with Japanese automakers.

According to Kyodo, Bloomberg, and Reuters, during a press briefing, Jun Seki, Foxconn's CSO for EVs, expressed the company's intention to form strategic partnerships with Japanese automotive companies to expedite the development and deployment of EVs. While Seki did not specify any particular company, he highlighted that Foxconn's goal is to quickly create synergies and collaboration opportunities within Japan's automotive industry.

Foxconn is aiming to introduce an EV inspired by its "Model B" in Australia and New Zealand by 2026. While Seki did not confirm the involvement of Mitsubishi Motors, he suggested that Foxconn would be open to supplying EVs to the company. In addition, Foxconn plans to enter the Japanese market with the "Model A," a pure electric passenger car, as well as electric buses and small public buses, although details about the brands of these vehicles have yet to be revealed.

Seki also emphasized the close cultural ties between Japan and Taiwan, describing Japan as a particularly important market for Foxconn. Despite the cautious approach by Japanese automakers, who have been slower than rivals like Tesla and BYD in adopting EVs due to higher costs and limited resources, Foxconn sees a substantial opportunity to leverage its technological strengths and offer cost-effective solutions.

Seki noted that once they use our models, they'll recognize that our technology is on par with or surpasses theirs, addressing doubts about external suppliers in Japan's automotive industry.

In terms of production, Foxconn's EVs will initially be manufactured in Taiwan. However, the company is exploring acquiring or building factories in Japan for future contract manufacturing. If demand for EVs increases significantly by 2027-2028, Foxconn intends to start local production in Japan.

Seki also noted that Foxconn's strategy will focus solely on EVs, eschewing hybrids and gasoline-powered cars. The company plans to offer design and contract manufacturing services to automakers, ensuring faster and more efficient production, which would result in cheaper EVs.

Foxconn also intends to integrate Sharp Corporation's voice navigation technology into its electric vehicles, further enhancing its collaboration with its subsidiary.

Seki confirmed that Foxconn will concentrate on design and contract manufacturing for automakers without pursuing its own brand. He highlighted that electric vehicle production will be "faster and more efficient," resulting in lower costs than hybrid vehicles, stating, "We only look at EVs; we have no interest in hybrids or gasoline vehicles."

Addressing concerns about information leaks, Seki insisted that reputable manufacturers like Foxconn "absolutely will not leak customer or technical data," adding, "If we really leaked information, we would have gone bankrupt long ago."

Article edited by Jack Wu
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By KANIS LEUNG

Associated Press

HONG KONG  A subsidiary of a Hong Kong conglomerate that is embroiled in U.S.-China tensions over its Panama Canal port assets denied allegations Wednesday that it had failed to pay about $1.2 billion to the Central American country.

Panama's comptroller authority announced on Monday that an audit of Panama Ports Company found irregularities in the renewal of a 25-year port concession in the interoceanic canal. The authority's accusations came the same day as U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's arrival in the country to participate in a security conference.





. . .
Witnesses are being sought after a motorcyclist was killed in a road crash in County Limerick on Wednesday night.

In an appeal, gardai say the single-vehicle collision, involving a motorcycle, occurred on the N69 at Cloonreask, near the town of Askeaton shortly before 8pm.

"The motorcycle driver, a man in his 30s, was later pronounced deceased at the scene. His body has been removed to the mortuary at University Hospital Limerick where a post-mortem examination will take place in due course," said a garda spokesperson.

Motorists are being advised the road remains closed for technical examination by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators and that local diversions are in place.

READ ALSO: Witnesses sought as two women are hospitalised following hit-and-run in small Irish town

Investigating gardai are appealing for witnesses to the incident to come forward.

Any road users who may have camera footage, including dash-cam, and who were travelling on the N69 near Askeaton between 7.15pm and 8.15pm on Wednesday are asked to make this footage available to investigating gardai.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Newcastle West garda station on 069 20650, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station.
It's the end of an era at RTE as the national broadcaster's Mid-West correspondent, Cathy Halloran has announced she is to retire later this month.

Cathy, who lives in Limerick city with her partner Nicky Woulfe and their son John Michael, has worked with RTE News for almost 40 years - 31 of which have been as Mid-West Correspondent, covering events in Limerick, Clare and Tipperary.

Born in Dublin, she began her journalism career in the 1980s with The Farmer Magazine and went on to report for the Connacht Tribune newspaper in Galway.

Today some news of my own I have decided to exit my working life in @rtenews & retire early . A massive thank to so many who have shared their stories Princes Presidents & Peoplean honour & thanks so much to my talented colleagues especially the team in the regions pic.twitter.com/NXAMO12092  Cathy Halloran (@HalloranCathy) April 10, 2025

She joined the national broadcaster in October 1987 where she reported for TV and radio across a wide variety of news and events including the Tribunal of Inquiry into the Beef Industry which began at Dublin Castle in 1990

She was appointed to cover the Mid-West in 1993 and has been ever-present across the region since.

"It's been a roller coaster of a career during almost four decades working for RTE News, the bulk of them as Mid West Correspondent, and has given me a 'page one lead' on the stories making history and impacting the lives of citizens and their families and communities across this very busy part of the country," she told RTE.

The hardest stories she has had to cover are crime and fatalities, because of the impact they have on people's lives.

READ MORE: OPINION: I bought concert tickets and weekend away in London for less than night in Dublin

But, she added: "There were also the stories of joy and those of ordinary people doing extraordinary things which were part of the daily mix of content from the region."

Cathy paid tribute to other journalists across the Mid-West, describing them as colleagues and friends and great supporters also of her work.

"But most of all, it's the people and communities of the Mid West who have allowed me into their homes and their hearts to let me tell their stories around the issues that were of concern and mattered to them," she added.

As for the future, she is looking forward to the years ahead when "the pressure of work and the tyranny of time will be replaced by a gentler pace of life."

Numerous friends, colleagues and fans have paid tribute to Cathy on social media since the announcement of her decision to retire.
Controversial figure Amanda Knox has been confirmed as one of the guests on this week's Late Late Show.

From gaining international attention after being twice convicted and later acquitted of the 2007 murder of her then roommate Meredith Kercher in Italy to her several appearances on television including a Netflix documentary, Knox has gone on to write her own memoir, chronicling the sensational trial and her time spent in an Italian prison and has even become an advocate for criminal justice reform, wrongful convictions and media sensationalism.

Who is Amanda Knox?

Amanda Knox was born and raised in Seattle in the united States. A student of linguistics at the University of Washington, Knox travelled to Italy to study at the University for Foreigners in Perugia in Italy where she studied Italia, German and creative writing.

Knox shared accommodation with fellow student, Meredith Kercher, a British exchange student from the University of Leeds. The two were thought to have been friendly with one another but were not believed to be particularly close.

Just a few weeks after arriving in Italy, Meredith was found murdered in her room, sparking a case that would captivate the entire world. Kercher was found by Italian police on November 2, 2007. She had been sexually assaulted and stabbed multiple times.

The night before the murder, Knox had stayed over in her then boyfriend's home, Raffaele Sollecito. When they returned back to her home the next day, the couple found signs that there may have been an intruder as they discovered a broken window and blood in the bathroom.

Kercher's bedroom door was locked on the inside and when Knox couldn't get in, she reportedly became alarmed and tried to call her phone.

After getting no response, she then called the local authorities to report a possible break-in. When the police arrived, the forced open Meredith's door and found her.

Knox and her boyfriend Rafaelle were subsequently arrested and interrogated for hours as they became the main suspects in the murder.

Knox maintains that she was interrogated for several hours without a lawyer or translator present and said that she was shouted at, pressured and even slapped by the police in an effort to get her to confess.

Police say she has made inconsistent statements throughout the interrogation and even accused her boss at the time, Patrick Lumumba, of Meredith's murder, which she later retracted.

Prosecutors also said that Knox's strange behaviour also influenced her arrest and eventual incarceration as she was seen kissing her boyfriend at the crime scene and showing no signs of grief or distress. These act are said to have been wildly misinterpreted and prosecutors apparently pushed that narrative to the media to justify the arrest.

After a lengthy 2-year trial that captured the world's attention, Knox and her boyfriend Rafaelle were convicted of Meredith's murder.

Knox spent nearly four years in a medium-security prison in Perugia and after multiple appeals and retrials, she was released in 2011. However, the acquittal was then overturned in 2013 and she was convicted again in 2014.

A year later, Italy's High Court definitively overturned her conviction, stating there were massive flaws and contradictions in the case and declared Knox and Rafaelle innocent.

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Life After

Knox returned to the US and has since become a staunch advocate for wrongful convictions, and criminal justice reform. Her memoir Waiting to be Heard became a bestseller and she know also hosts a podcast called Labyrinths, which delves into stories of resilience, media sensationalism and the rights of people accused.

The case heard around the world still remains controversial, with some remarking on Knox's behaviour throughout the trial as cold and inappropriate. She was also heavily scrutinized, particularly throughout British media at the time and still remains a polarizing figure.

However, public opinion has since shifted slightly as more information about flaws in the investigation and media misconduct have come to light.

Meredith's family had been present throughout all of the legal proceedings but have never publicly accused Knox of her murder, but after her acquittal in 2015, they still feel they have no real answers as to what happened.

The family also maintain that Meredith's identity had been completely overshadowed due to the sensational nature of the trial and hopes that history will remember her as a person, rather than another victim in a murder case.

Conviction of Rudy Guede

The only other credible suspect in Meredith's murder was Rudy Guede, a 20-year-old man originally from the Ivory Coast who was known around the area and was a supposed acquaintance of Meredith's, who had been to her house on occasion.

Guede had a history of of petty crime and after Meredith's murder, he fled to Germany, raising authorities suspicions. Authorities found Guede's DNA at the crime scene and he was extradited back to Italy where he was tried and convicted in 2008 of sexual assault and murder and was sentenced to 30 years in prison which was later reduced to 16 years.

He served 13 years and was released in 2021.

One theory put forward linking Knox and Guede was that Meredith's murder was the result of a sex-game gone wrong, between her, Knox, Rafaelle and Guede, although this theory never bore any physical evidence and fell apart when brought up in court.

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Fijian leaders criticize "unfair" U.S. tariffs

Xinhua) 10:28, April 10, 2025

SUVA, April 9 (Xinhua) -- Fiji's leaders are disappointed and grappling with the U.S. government's decision to impose a 32 percent tariff on Fijian exports, the highest in the Pacific region.

Calling it "a trade blockade," Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka saw this as a signal to seek alternative markets.

"The world is bigger than the United States, so we will have to look at new sources of imports and new markets for our exports. So, we're fortunate that we have a lot of friendly nations around the world that will trade with us," Rabuka told The Fiji Times.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Biman Prasad was more vocal in his criticism, calling the tariff "disproportionate and unfair."

Under the U.S. "reciprocal tariffs," the Pacific island country faces a 32 percent tariff on its exports to the United States.

The Fijian government said in a statement that "Fiji imposes less than 2 percent import duties on average on all U.S. imports."

The statement said this reciprocal tariff will have a "direct negative effect" on Fiji's exporters, especially resource owners, rural population, and smallholder farmers.

It said Fiji's exports are primary products such as fish and agricultural products, including kava, turmeric, and ginger, that do not compete with U.S. industries but rather complement them.

The government is now exploring diplomatic and trade solutions to mitigate the impact.

Fiji was not the only Pacific Island country subjected to the new U.S. tariffs. Nauru and Vanuatu face 30 percent and 23 percent, respectively. Most of the other Pacific nations were given a 10 percent base tariff.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Marie Donaghy was a double winner at the glittering My Life Staff Appreciation Night, held recently at Segrave Barns, Dunany.

Nurse Marie was honoured with the Spotlight Star Award for her work with adults with intellectual disabilities.

Marie is the House Lead at My Lifes Avenue respite service in Ardee and her entire team also won the John and Vera McCoy Team of All Stars Award for their outstanding work.

Marie, from Dundalk, was presented with the award by last years Spotlight Star winner, Alison Rice.

My Life is a provider of HIQA-registered services for adults with physical, sensory and intellectual disabilities in the north-east.

Marie was honoured for being a person who consistently goes over and above their normal duties and creates a positive and inclusive work environment, consistently supporting colleagues.

We all pull together on a daily basis  we deal with different scenarios every day, and no day is ever the same, which makes what we do really special, said Marie.

As an intellectual disability nurse, I feel that I am meant to be in the Avenue respite house, focusing my care on some very special people

The biggest quality that you can bring to the job is empathy and there is nowhere else that I would like to be.

The My Life by Estrela Hall group of services is family owned by Michael and Tanya McCoy and the annual Staff Appreciation Night allows the group to show its thanks to the people at the heart of its services.

The McCoy family have been supporting vulnerable adults for many years in locations around the north-east and the group are now expanding to Meath, opening a respite service for people with physical and sensory disabilities.

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We are a great place to work and believe in celebrating our colleagues and their professionalism. The appreciation night is one of the highlights of the year for us, said CEO, Sean McCoy.

Our colleagues are at the very heart of our care. What makes our service special is the dynamic and caring environment where colleagues support and care for each other.

Providing care is personal and we treat those people we care for as if they were a family member. This is unique and it's what sets our services apart.

With our continuing expansion in Louth and now Meath we are actively recruiting and look forward to welcoming more new colleagues to next years appreciation night.

For more information about services and careers at My Life, see mleh.ie/careers
Olivia McGeown of Centre Travel in Dundalk was elected to the board of the Irish Travel Agents Association (ITAA) at their AGM held last week at The InterContinental Hotel, Ballsbridge in Dublin.

At the AGM Tom Randles, Managing Director of Barters Travelnet was elected President and Martin Skelly, Director of Navan Travel was elected Treasurer.

Joining Olivia on the ITAA board are Paul Hackett of Click&Go Holidays, Jeff Collins of Best4Travel, Caroline Quigley of Keith Prowse Ireland, Alan Lynch of Travel Escapes, Maura Fahy of Fahy Travel and Angela Walsh of FROSCH Ireland.

Tom Randles, incoming ITAA President said: I am honoured to have been nominated and accepted as the 24th president of the Irish Travel Agents Association.

READ NEXT: Funding to help Louth group protect and restore water quality

I step into this role with an enthusiasm and a deep respect for those who have come before me.

The travel industry has undergone extraordinary change in recent years, from the growing focus on sustainability to groundbreaking advancements in technology and AI.

The industry I joined is barely recognisable todayjust as it was a completely different world when the Association first raised its sails in the 1970s.

As the industry changed its shape, so has the ITAA. We have embraced these changes, evolving into trusted advisors, industry experts, and problem solvers for our clients. In the process, we have also become strong advocates and educators for our members.

Clare Dunne, CEO of the ITAA, stated: As CEO, I am delighted to work alongside an exceptional team of industry experts.

Each board member brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and strategic insight, ensuring we are well-equipped to navigate the opportunities and challenges ahead.

Together, our collective efforts will not only drive a successful year for the association but also contribute to the long-term resilience and growth of the Irish travel industry.

A key priority for us is to support our members, helping them grow and thrive in an ever-evolving industry.

One way we do this is through ongoing training and upskilling initiatives, empowering them to adapt to industry changes, embrace new technologies, and enhance the services they offer.

By fostering innovation, strengthening industry partnerships, and investing in professional development, we can build a thriving and sustainable future for travel in Ireland.
Former Irish soldier Lisa Smith led a totally anonymous life while living in Syria and there was no smoking gun that she did anything for the Islamic State (IS) terror group, her lawyer told a Dublin court as she appeals against her conviction for being a member of the unlawful organisation.

Smith, 43, from Dundalk, is outlining her case at the Court of Appeal.

The ex-Defence Forces member was found guilty of IS membership in 2023 but was cleared of financing terrorism after a nine-week trial at Dublins Special Criminal Court.

Smith, a convert to Islam, went to Syria in 2015 after terrorist leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi called on Muslims to travel to the country.

She had pleaded not guilty to charges of membership of IS and providing funds to benefit the group.

Smith was handed 15 months in prison and lost an appeal over the severity of the sentence.

Arguing at the Court of Appeal, her barrister Michael OHiggins said that Smith travelled to Syria out of a religious obligation, but that the court had dismissed that as irrelevant.

Mr OHiggins said the court cannot ignore and deem inadmissible what the persons motive was to travel to Syria, adding that it was a flaw to assume Smith was going there to do something unlawful.

He said that she led a totally anonymous life in Syria, adding that there was no smoking gun or burning match that she did anything for IS.

The court was told that Smith shopped and bought food and was subjected to serious assaults during her time there.

Mr OHiggins questioned what membership of an organisation looked like, saying that membership is not nor could ever include avid supporters of a group.

He said that membership did not include someone who agreed with an unlawful organisations aims, or members of a community who benefited from the actions of the illegal organisation.

Mr OHiggins gave the example of paramilitaries in Northern Ireland who ran a parallel justice system during the Troubles.

He said that some communities benefited from a decrease in anti-social behaviour but that those people did not become members of the IRA or UDA.

Mr OHiggins told the court that a fanatic who attacked a former RUC station or planted a bomb or did anything that mirrored the actions of the IRA did not automatically become a member.

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The court was told that membership is not a state of mind or a virus.

He added that membership is not done by osmosis, that there must be some sort of application and acceptance to become a member.

Mr Justice John Edwards interjected and said that illegal organisations would not keep a register of membership, and proof of membership of the IRA is never adduced by the production of records.

Turning to social media posts by Smith, Mr OHiggins said that they predated her travelling to Syria and that 90% of them were very mundane and included posts about scriptures.

He said Smith did not use social media to post propaganda material about IS and Syria, and that her online posts pale in significance to the keyboard warriors.
Dundalk Circuit Court heard how a Lithuanian national was detained in a customs sting, after a Revenue officer responded to a Facebook ad for cigarettes.

The details were revealed at the sentencing hearing of 44 year old Andriejus Loginovas formerly with an address at Station House, Chancery Lane, Tullamore, Co. Offaly who pleaded guilty to attempting to evade excise duty on 60,000 cigarettes, at the M1 Retail Park, Drogheda on March 18th 2023, where the seized goods had an estimated value of 47,400.

The Revenue investigation began after an ad was posted on Facebook offering cigarettes for sale.

On Messenger, a customs officer arranged to buy six boxes with 10,000 cigarettes in each for 9,000 and delivery was arranged to the Lidl car park in the M1 Retail Park and a male caller rang to say he would be driving a silver Vauxhall Astra.

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It arrived at 11.30am and drove up beside the van where the Revenue officials were waiting and the defendant opened the boot, and showed him two large boxes of the Minsk brand of cigarettes which did not bear Irish tax stamps.

He told them he wasnt the owner and had been asked to deliver them.

Judge Dara Hayes who heard the total potential loss to the exchequer in terms of excise and VAT was 37,110.

The Defence barrister stressed his client had answered all questions put to him, and he was afraid to say who had asked him to make the delivery.

He lost his job as a mechanic outside Tullamore during the pandemic and his marriage broke down in the weeks before the offence.

He is now living with his mum in Lithuania and had returned to meet the case, having entered a signed guilty plea at Ardee District Court last month.

Judge Hayes, who said it was a lapse in an otherwise reasonably well-behaved individual, imposed a 15 month suspended sentence and directed that 2,500 be paid to the Louth Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals within four months.

The judge also made a forfeiture order for the cigarettes and the van that were seized.
Three state/semi state owned sites in Dundalk have been identified as potential locations for affordable and social housing in a report published by the Land Development Agency (LDA).

The report believes that if the sites were developed, up to 1000 new homes could be delivered in Dundalk.

The primary role of the LDA in preparing this report is to identify relevant public land and assess its potential for development into affordable and social housing. The report supports an analysis of the public land bank and its potential to aid in the delivery of affordable and social homes. It does not indicate that the lands identified are all to be developed by the LDA.

The three sites identified in Dundalk are: the bus depot on the Ardee Road, Land adjacent to Langfied (next to the Louth Hospital) and ESB Networks on the Avenue Road.

The report states that:

The 5.7ha site at the bus depot on the Ardee Road, owned by CIE, could possibly facilitate 330 - 470 homes at a cost of between 116,000,000 - 151,500,000. The report notes that this site is in operational use and would require relocation of the existing depot in order to facilitate development.

The 2.7ha parcel of land next to the Louth Hospital, owned by the HSE, could yield 150-210 houses at a cost of between 51,400,000 - 69,550,000. The report notes that the land is zoned for residential development and the Draft Dundalk LAP proposes to change the zoning of the site to Community Facilities.

The 3.0ha site at the ESB Networks on the Avenue Road, could provide 230-320 houses at a cost of between 77,200,000 - 103,200,000.

Total costs include the estimated cost of development and providing relevant infrastructure.

Commenting on the sites were identified in Dundalk, the report notes that the population of the town is expected to reach at least 50,000 by 2031 and says:

The town benefits from its strategic location along the DublinBelfast Economic Corridor and has excellent multimodal connectivity with both Dublin and Belfast. Dundalk is also the primary employment centre in Co. Louth, providing approx. 14,000 jobs.

Louth County Councils overarching development strategy is to ensure that Dundalk fulfils its full potential as a Regional Centre by facilitating the population and associated economic growth.

A primary way of doing so is by broadening and strengthening the employment base of the town, working towards eventual city status in the future.

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Dearbhla Lawson, Director of Planning Services at the LDA said:

The Report on Relevant Public 2025 identifies land with the best potential for the delivery of affordable housing. It builds on the work completed in the 2023 report and includes a review and new analysis of 45 other census towns.

When developing this report, it was vital that the LDA accurately classified the potential of the public land we identified and provided a realistic assessment of the complexities involved in certain cases.

While there are many sites that are moderately or significantly constrained, there is a cohort of least constrained sites that could be prioritised in the short to medium term. Prioritising these well-located sites will deliver not just much-needed affordable housing, but new sustainable communities that support the vitality and viability of our towns and cities and bring societal benefits.
Dundalk Sub Aqua Search and Rescue Unit headed off to Mallinbeg, Donegal recently with a group of trainee recreational divers. There they all successfully completed three dives in Mallinbeg & St. John's Point.

"It was a fantastic achievement for all our trainees, as weather conditions were far from perfect, but it didn't deter anyone," the club said.

"While in Donegal it was an opportunity for us to launch our new Search and Rescue boat.

"The boat was named 'Olive', in memory of colleague 'Olive Traynor'. Olive was the partner of our diving officer Finbarr Dillon, who has held the diving officer role from the formation of our club over 20yrs ago.

Read Next: Report finds 1000 houses could be built on public land in Dundalk

"Olive, while ill, enjoyed joining us on many of our dive trips & her presence was always felt. With our new boat, Olive's memory will last for many years to come."
A Louth student at Dundalk Grammar School was one of six remarkable students to compete today at the national finals of ActionTalks, a speech writing competition focused on global issues and particularly the impact on women and girls due to climate change and other crisis.

The event, held at Europe House in Dublin, brought together Ireland's most articulate and passionate young voices addressing important global challenges.

The six finalists from across Ireland delivered speeches on themes including women's leadership during crises, climate change impacts on women's rights, and the importance of overseas aid. While Aimee Dignam, from Our Ladys School Terenure, Dublin claimed the top prize, the organisers say that all finalists demonstrated extraordinary research, creativity, and public speaking abilities, including Chucks Kpaduwa, from Dundalk Grammar School, who was among the finalists.

Each finalist received a certificate of achievement and a 50 voucher in recognition of their outstanding contributions.

Read next: Dundalk Sub Aqua Unit celebrates dive success

Karol Balfe, ActionAid Ireland CEO said: "The quality of speeches we heard today gives me tremendous hope for the future. These young people have shown remarkable insight into complex global issues and a genuine commitment to creating positive change. While we could only select one overall winner, each finalist should be incredibly proud of their achievement in reaching this stage of the competition."

The judging panel, comprising Carl O'Brien Education Editor, The Irish Times, Sara Hakim, School of Sanctuary Director, and Maria Riordan Education Officer, Irish Aid, evaluated the speeches based on research depth, argument strength, and delivery quality.

This competition is supported by Irish Aid (Department of Foreign Affairs), which funds ActionAid's Women's Rights Programme, a programme that works to eliminate violence against women and girls. Irish Aid programmes are funded by Irish citizens and play an important global role in supporting women and girls.
After a gap of two years, the legendary Bavarian Blues Brothers return to the Spirit Store in Dundalk on Saturday, April 19th, following a very successful Irish tour in 2023.

The band were very well received nationwide on that trip and are re-visiting Dundalk now for the third time.

Those who attended the Spirit Store performance back then will remember a great night of dark suits, Ray-ban sunglasses and Fedora hats which recalled previous gatherings held by the legendary Dundalk Bachelor Club in Derryhale Hotel and the Rugby Club, back in the 90s.

But the wait is over, and the night everyone has been waiting for, the legendary Blues Brothers Night, is back up and running again.

Headlining the show are none other than Europes No. 1 Blues Brothers tribute band, the Bavarian Blues Brothers from Bavaria in Germany.

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Founded in 2004, the band have performed a multitude of shows around Germany, Austria and Switzerland, playing songs not only of the Blues Brothers but also from legends such as Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Commitments, and so on.

With eleven musicians on stage a unique high energy performance is guaranteed.

The "Bavarian Blues Brothers" love the music theyre playing and thats what people feel. When they start playing you cant help but join in singing, clapping and dancing.

Experience a vibrant soul show that generates enthusiasm and excitement like Jake and Elwood did in the famous movie - catch up with them, before the Gardai do!

Doors open at 8pm, the band will be on stage around about 9pm and tickets are available from the Spirit Store website www.spiritstore.ie
A Cork woman who handled top secret documents for the Royal Navy and whose flat was bombed during the Second World War reads The Echo every day and celebrates her 100th birthday this Sunday.

Ballincollig resident Irene Gibbings has lived a full life and, as she waits for her congratulatory birthday letter from President Higgins, she is showing no sign of slowing down.

Asked the secret of her great age, Ms Gibbings said simply that it was to have an interest in people and in their stories.

Thats what life is about, everything I touched was interesting, and I always got on well with people, she said.

A native of Lower Montenotte, she recalls walking to school in Summerhill South.

After school, a Murphys civil service course on the Grand Parade gave her invaluable typing and shorthand skills. In 1942, she went to work in London, getting a job as a clerical worker in the admiralty in Whitehall.

There she worked diligently and handled highly sensitive classified material at the height of the war. It was during that time that her home was bombed.

They put me with the U-boat department, and at that time you had the German submarines down along the South coast [of England] and they were firing at all the ships coming around from the South of Ireland, she said.

After the war, she worked for a wealthy, Irish-connected family in Argentina, learning to speak Spanish there. She travelled far and wide, visiting North Africa and South America.

Ms Gibbings retired to Ballincollig in 1986 and, closing in on a century, she is hale and hearty, and stays up to date.

I get The Echo every morning, it comes in at 8am and I get all the news from it, she said.

She said she never really celebrated birthdays, but with her nephew George coming to visit on Sunday, she might make an exception.

Looking back, she said she has enjoyed life so far, and looked forward to the future.

I did all of that, and I have no regrets, she said.
Residents of Irelands longest street say they have been waiting 35 years for Cork City Council to address traffic congestion issues.

Members of the Blarney Street and Surrounding Areas Community Association told The Echo they first carried out a traffic survey in 1990.

It is now more than two years since the council secured funding from the National Transport Authority (NTA) to appoint a consultant to assess options to reduce or discourage through vehicular traffic on Blarney St, with a public consultation of residents envisaged as part of that process.

The NTA funding was secured in February 2023, and in January 2024 the council announced that the consultation process was due to begin later in the year.

However, Tom Coleman, chairman of the residents group, said that consultation has yet to commence.

The community association is an approved local council and weve heard nothing from the council since, he said.

Were 35 years on and were still waiting.

Its very unfair on the residents, and its not good for the area that we have this gulf of traffic every day.

Drawing attention to the Irishtown mural outside The Rock community centre, Mr Coleman said little had changed since the days that farmers travelled to Shandon to bring butter to the market, except that traffic had increased exponentially.

We cant widen the road, but theres been a lot of developments since then and the population has grown, and its not just Blarney St, its Sundays Well, too, Mr Coleman said.

Shanakiel, you can hardly get up or down Shanakiel most days, he said.

Mr Coleman said the association had suggested making Blarney St one way for traffic coming up from Shandon St as far as the turn-off for Bakers Rd, where Blarney St is at its widest, but he stressed this had only been a suggestion.

It doesnt suit everyone, we understand that, but it would cost nothing on a trial basis, he said.

Fianna Fail city councillor in the North-West ward, Tony Fitzgerald, said that local councillors had raised issues regarding traffic congestion on Blarney St numerous times with Cork City Council and that the consultation process needed to begin as a matter of urgency.

We need to establish the best possible solution to give priority to the local residents, perhaps of a one-way system either way, although that has not been established, but there is a lot of public opinion on it, Mr Fitzgerald said.

At the last North-West LAC (local area committee), I requested an update to see where this process is going, to ease the frustration of the Blarney St and Surrounding Areas Community Association residents, and I will be requesting a full report at its next meeting at the end of April.

A spokesperson for Cork City Council added that a consultant has been appointed, and surveys have been carried out, which will be used to assess the location and inform an options report.

Any identified solutions will be brought to local councillors for consideration in the first instance.
A bill brought by Cork Labour senator Laura Harmon to address the issue of sex for rent has passed second stage.

The term sex for rent refers to a situation where landlords offer reduced or free accommodation in exchange for sex to prospective or current tenants, she said.

She said that students, low-income workers, migrants, and those facing homelessness or fleeing domestic violence are often targeted, and a power imbalance leaves renters susceptible to abuse.

The ads can be on mainstream sites, and the wording can be hidden with descriptions such as must be open-minded or can negotiate on price, Ms Harmon said.

She added: Its not until written messages are exchanged or you view the room that whats on offer becomes clear  it can be very scary.

Irelands current legal system lacks specifics to address this adequately. This legal void allows perpetrators to operate with relative impunity, leaving victims with limited avenues for redress.

The bill would prohibit importuning sex for rent and advertising for it, with penalties including  on summary conviction  a class A fine and, on indictment, a fine up to 50,000.

The new minister for justice has a real opportunity to send a message to predators that this behaviour is not acceptable, you will face consequences, Ms Harmon said.

She also called on the Government to legislate for the bill before the next college term. The housing crisis is the backdrop in which these predators are operating.

It follows a recent report by the Irish Council for International Students, which showed that one in 20 international students in Ireland is being exposed to proposals of rent-free accommodation in exchange for sex.

The bill has been welcomed by the National Womens Council. Its violence against women co-ordinator, Ivanna Youtchak, said that it puts a much-needed spotlight on the devastating impact of sex-for-rent exploitation on vulnerable women and the urgent need to criminalise this.
A Cork TD has called on the garda commissioner to expedite the introduction of body-worn cameras for all members of An Garda Siochana.

The use of body-worn cameras was provided for in the Garda Siochana (Recording Devices) Act 2023 which was signed into law in December 2022.

Currently the proof of concept phase for body-worn cameras is ongoing in selected stations in Dublin, Waterford and Limerick.

Speaking in the Dail recently, justice minister Jim OCallaghan told Seamus McGrath, Fianna Fail TD for Cork South Central, there are 600 body-worn cameras in use at the moment.

Gardai equipped with the cameras are working in five stations, including in Dublin stations, Kevin Street, Pearse Street, and Store Street, and also in Limericks Henry Street Station, and Waterford Garda Station.

The learnings from the proof of concept in Dublin, Limerick and Waterford will inform the national deployment of body-worn cameras and provide more of an insight into how they can impact interactions with gardai, he said.

My priority now is to support An Garda Siochana to move towards a nationwide roll-out of body-worn cameras, and the development of a new digital evidence management system (DEMS).

The experiences of the gardai on the ground will be invaluable in informing how best this technology can be rolled out in the future.

Mr OCallaghan added that 100m of funding had been provided to equip gardai with ICT (information and communication technology).

Mr McGrath said he would fully support the Garda Representative Association (GRA) on this issue, after it called for the roll-out of body-worn cameras for all gardai.

Body-worn cameras are an essential tool for modern day policing, he said. The full rollout should happen as soon as possible and I will be highlighting this issue further.
More than 100m has been allocated for the development and enhancement of healthcare infrastructure across Cork as part of the HSEs capital expenditure plan for 2025.

The plan, announced this week by the health minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, will see 103.81m out of 1.33bn spread across a range of healthcare facilities in Cork, with a notable allocation of more than 70m made to Cork University Hospital (CUH).

Of the 70.68m allocated to CUH, 38m has been earmarked for the development of a surgical hub facility.

Other investments include 7.5m for Mallow General Hospital to provide for a 24-bed in-patient ward, as well as an outpatient clinic, configured for the establishment of an obesity/bariatric clinic; 4m for the refurbishment of existing vacant space in Blarney Community Nursing Unit for use as a 20-space neuro-rehabilitation unit; and 1.7m for St Stephens Hospital in Glanmire to progress the elective hospital and for the development of a new 50-bed mental health unit.

Speaking to The Echo, Fianna Fail Cork North Central TD Padraig OSullivan said that the funding will greatly enhance patient outcomes for those in the Munster region.

The takeaway for me is the 4m for Blarney, [which] is much welcomed, [and] long awaited, said Mr OSullivan.

The important thing now is that we can get on with the onerous task of staffing it.

It is also great to see an allocation to continue the planning for the elective hospital at St Stephens [Hospital] in Glanmire. Once this project is delivered, it will greatly enhance patient outcomes in the region and, hopefully, we are still on course to have that hospital commenced in the next two to three years.

Fine Gael Cork North Central TD Colm Burke said the announcement is a strong demonstration of the Governments commitment to delivering high-quality, accessible healthcare in local communities.

Social Democrats Cork South Central TD Padraig Rice said that, while the funding is a welcome investment, progress on elective hospitals should be a priority for the Government.

While this investment in existing healthcare infrastructure is certainly welcome, it is extremely disappointing that so little progress is expected this year on the elective hospital programme, said Mr Rice.

In 2023, the health committee was told that Corks new elective hospital would be opened in 2027  but that timeline is a pipe dream. Planning permission hasnt even been sought.

Delivery of elective-only hospitals should be a priority for Government and the HSE, but it seems to be little more than an afterthought in this latest plan.

Sinn Fein Cork South Central TD Donnchadh O Laoghaire said that the funding is a win for Cork, but more needs to be done to alleviate pressure on healthcare professionals.

We have some of the highest trolley numbers in [Cork], so we do welcome this, but more is needed to invest in our healthcare service to reduce pressure on healthcare staff, he said.
Several Cork city councillors have expressed frustration with Uisce Eireann following a meeting earlier this week.

Councillors had been calling for the body to come before the council, and a meeting was eventually held in committee  meaning it was not open to the public or media.

Two councillors specifically asked why it had taken so long for this meeting to occur and why it was happening behind closed doors.

An Uisce Eireann spokesperson said it has always been and remains committed to open dialogue with Cork city councillors in relation to water discolouration, adding that they have held three dedicated briefings for elected officials since May 2024.

The recent engagement is part of a national water services workshop initiative with all councils across the country, all of which are held in committee, they said, adding that the workshops have proved very constructive.

Social Democrats councillor Niamh OConnor said that the meeting should have been public.

The issues faced by the people of Cork in accessing clean drinking water are of great concern to the general public, and those concerned should have been able to attend the meeting and hear the answers given for themselves.

Uisce Eireann states on a regular basis that they wish to be transparent with public representatives and with the public and to communicate effectively. Unfortunately, their actions do nothing to convince me that they are genuine in that aim, she said.

Fine Gaels Shane OCallaghan said while the meeting did mark some progress, he also expressed disappointment that the meeting was not open to the public.

I wouldnt have said anything different in public to in private, but this does not help them to appear accountable, he said.

He added that he had not gotten written responses to his questions until the meeting was over, and that he was not satisfied with the responses.

Prior to the meeting, councillors who wished to submit written questions could do so  but written answers for these were only provided the day after the meeting.

Labour councillor Peter Horgan said the responses he received were vague in nature and that specific questions had not been answered.
A 30-year-old man being released from a Garda station with a charge sheet and bail bond held up the documents and threatened to burn them and to punch the jaw off a member of An Garda Siochana.

Shane Keating, of 23 Fairfield Green, Farranree, Cork, was jailed for eight months for this and other offences.

Sergeant John Dineen said the incident occurred on July 15, 2023, just after the defendant was released from custody at Gurranabraher Garda Station.

He began shouting and roaring in the public office of the Garda station and behaving in a threatening and abusive manner.

He held up his charge sheet and bail bond, saying to Garda Shane Halligan, I am going to f***ing burn these.

He then shouted, You f***ing sausage, Im going to f***ing punch your jaw off. When told he was going to be arrested, he said, You would, yah, Id punch the f***head off you, Sgt Dineen said.

A week earlier, the same man was verbally abusive to Garda Eoghan OMahony, telling him, at Fairfield Green, F*** off back into your sheep-shagging van and f*** off out of here. He also called him names and asked him to take off his stab vest and to fight him.

As well as these public-order offences, he admitted driving without insurance on April 8 at Fairfield Green  something for which he has been convicted several times before.

He had cannabis for his own use at Arderrin Way, The Glen, Cork, on August 2, 2023.

Judge Mary Dorgan imposed a total sentence of eight months on the accused.

Shane Collins-Daly, solicitor, said, He wants to apologise for his words and behaviour.

Judge Dorgan addressed the accused directly when he appeared in Cork District Court by video link from prison, The language was pretty extreme. When you listen to it, now that you are sober, you could probably realise that drink does not agree with you.

Mr Collins-Daly said the defendant went off the rails when his mother died last year. He was not turning up in court and was just putting his head in the sand. He knew the day would come and he has now been arrested, Mr Collins-Daly said.
Although Cork TDs have welcomed the news that US president Donald Trump is to put a pause on much of his tariff plans, there is still a feeling of uncertainty about what happens next for Ireland.

The US president announced on Wednesday that he would be delaying tariffs on most nations for 90 days, while raising his tax rate on Chinese imports to 125%.

Speaking to The Echo, Cork South Central Sinn Fein TD Donnchadh O Laoghaire said that the Government must take action to protect the Irish economy.

The announcement by President Trump underlines how unpredictable this entire area is, he said.

While a deferral is welcome, it is somewhat unclear the actual implications of this, and furthermore it does not mean that further tariffs are off the table, and the threat [of] pharmaceutical tariffs remains.

Lots of people across Cork and Ireland will remain very concerned.

In our view, the Government needs to maintain a cool head and a clear eye. Not to panic, but to be clear-sighted.

Government has left Ireland uniquely vulnerable due to an excessive reliance on tax incentives and a failure to diversify and to invest in infrastructure.

DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS

Cork South Central Social Democrats TD Padraig Rice said it is important that the Government and the European Union continue diplomatic efforts with the US.

I welcome the fact that Donald Trump has paused the implementation of his severe tariffs, particularly given he had indicated... that a punitive tariff on the pharmaceutical industry [was] imminent, said Mr Rice.

Pharma is crucial to the economy in Cork, and thousands of workers depend on the industry.

This reprieve from the economic chaos is especially welcome for them.

This news is positive, but Trump is highly volatile, and his policy platform could change at any moment.

The EU and the Irish Government will have to continue diplomatic efforts and try to remove the current 10% tariff rate.

Fine Gael Cork North Central TD Colm Burke said: I was on the joint committee of the European Parliament and US Congress back in 2009.

It was amazing the co-operation that was there between the US and Brussels at the time.

The big problem that we have now is the uncertainty that is in the markets. Anything could happen now, because it is changing from day to day.
By Cate McCurry, PA

The only overt act which the prosecution in the trial of former Irish soldier Lisa Smith relied on was her status as a housewife in Syria, her lawyer has told a Dublin court.

She is appealing against her conviction for being a member of the so-called Islamic State (IS) terror group.

Her barrister Michael OHiggins told the Court of Appeal that the only act of association to the unlawful organisation was cooking and cleaning for her former husband.

Smith, 43, from Dundalk in Co Louth, is outlining her case at the Court of Appeal.

The former member of the Defence Forces was found guilty of IS membership in 2023, but was cleared of financing terrorism, after a nine-week trial at Dublins Special Criminal Court.

Lisa Smith with her legal representative, Peter Corrigan of Phoenix Law, at the Courts of Criminal Justice, Dublin (Liam McBurney/PA)

Smith, a convert to Islam, went to Syria in 2015 after terrorist leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi called on Muslims to travel there.

She had pleaded not guilty to charges of membership of IS and providing funds to benefit the group.

Smith was sentenced to 15 months in prison and lost an appeal against the severity of the sentence.

The appeal court also heard that Smith led a totally anonymous life in Syria and there was no smoking gun that she did anything for IS.

Outlining the appeal, Mr OHiggins said the prosecution claimed Smith was a part of the terror group because she is a western woman who answered the call of terrorist leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi to travel to the Islamic State.

He told the court that it was not a sound legal principle to convict a person of being a member of an illegal organisation.

He said Smith travelled to Syria out of a religious obligation, but the court had dismissed that as irrelevant.

Mr OHiggins said the court cannot ignore and deem inadmissible what the persons motive was to travel to Syria, adding that it was a flaw to assume Smith was going there to do something unlawful.

He told the court that a prosecution witness in Smiths trial, Dr Florence Gaub, who is an expert on Middle Eastern conflicts, accepted that some women did travel to Syria for religious reasons and to live under Sharia law.

Is it accepted that Lisa Smith did that and is she entitled to do that without being branded a member of one of the most notorious organisations worldwide? I submit she is, Mr OHiggins added.

He said that she led a totally anonymous life in Syria, adding that there was no smoking gun or burning match that she did anything for IS.

The court was told that Smith shopped and bought food and was subjected to serious assaults by her former husband during her time there.

Mr OHiggins questioned what membership of an organisation looked like, saying that membership is not nor could ever include avid supporters of a group.

He said that membership did not include someone who agreed with an unlawful organisations aims, or members of a community who benefited from the actions of the illegal organisation.

Mr OHiggins gave the example of paramilitaries in Northern Ireland who ran a parallel justice system during the Troubles.

He said that some communities benefited from a decrease in anti-social behaviour but that those people did not become members of the IRA or UDA.

Mr OHiggins told the court that a fanatic who attacked a former RUC station or planted a bomb or did anything that mirrored the actions of the IRA did not automatically become a member.

The court was told that membership is not a state of mind or a virus.

He added that membership is not done by osmosis, that there must be some sort of application and acceptance to become a member.

Mr Justice John Edwards interjected and said that illegal organisations would not keep a register of membership, and proof of membership of the IRA is never adduced by the production of records.

Mr OHiggins said that a person must make an act of adherence which is made directly to a person who is aware of the declaration and agrees that the person is a member.

He said it does not require a record or any degree of formality, but that it requires a meeting of minds, and that it does not occur by some level of affinity.

Mr OHiggins claimed that the reasons to convict Smith have Dr Gaub all over them, but the court did not acknowledge that prominence.

He said the court says exactly what Dr Gaub said in her evidence to the court, that Smith went to Syria, she remained there and received benefits from and was, therefore, a member of IS.

Mr OHiggins said it does not address sweeping generalisations which allow a person to be convicted without showing one single thing they did to assist the unlawful organisation, other than going to Syria.

I would say that is unsafe, he told the court.

He said the court may have coincidentally reflected Dr Gaubs thoughts. He added that Dr Gaub is a prosecution witness who never stepped foot in Syria during the turmoil.
High Court reporters

Three female students alleged to have engaged in violent altercations over two days and who were expelled from Dundalk Institute of Technology have had their expulsions quashed by the High Court.

The three brought cases to overturn their expulsions from the institute over four alleged fights - three on campus and one off campus - that occurred between January 30th and 31st last year.

The three High Court actions were brought by Margaret Eyong Taku, Wendy Briggs and Christina Igweze, who alleged their punishment was disproportionate, that alternative sanctions were not described to them as having been considered and that no reason was given by the college for their expulsion.

The allegations were that the three were involved in aggressive physical altercations with each other over the two days, which allegedly involved Ms Briggs having her head stepped on, the use of a wet floor warning sign and the pulling out of weaved hair.

In February 2024, a committee recommended that all three be expelled from the college and banned from its campus and grounds. The following April, an appeals committee considered and rejected all three appeals.

Prior to their expulsion, Ms Taku, from Tinnamona, Callan, Co Kilkenny and Ms Igweze of Knightsgate Avenue, Rush, Co Dublin, were undergraduate students on the college's Bachelor of Science in Mental Health Nursing course.

Ms Briggs, from North Road, Drogheda, Co Louth, was an undergraduate student on the college's Bachelor of Science in Bioscience programme.

At the High Court on Thursday, Mr Justice Anthony Barr remitted the matter back to a differently-constituted appeals committee at the college for "fresh consideration", noting the the three students are at a "significant" time both in their education and careers.

Mr Barr noted that should any appeal be lodged, the three students could possibly miss out on a total of two years' education at DKIT.

It had been submitted to the court that Ms Igweze and Ms Taku had been "bullied" by Ms Briggs and that a canteen altercation took place where a chair had been kicked.

The alleged incident then spilled into the corridor where Mr Briggs, it is claimed, attacked Ms Taku.

Mr Justice Barr said that it had been submitted to the court that there was a reference to a male connected to Ms Briggs who was described in papers as "a bodyguard" and told the other two women that he knew where they lived. The two women took this to be a threat and then decided to go back to the college to "sort it out".

When the two returned to the college after 5pm on January 30th, 2024, an alleged second incident occurred in a corridor resulting in Ms Briggs fleeing the area.

The next day there was an alleged third incident of a "serious fight", said the judge, that was recorded by onlookers in a hospitality corridor at DKIT, during which Ms Briggs allegedly grabbed a female student and hit her head against the wall.

Michael J Howard SC, for DKIT, said that in one of the alleged incidents in the college, Ms Taku had her hair ripped off, which resulted in Ms Briggs being allegedly attacked with a floor sign until the college chef separated them.

Mr Howard had said that there was then a fourth, arranged fight that took place behind a local shop off-campus, where Ms Briggs allegedly had her head stamped on.
Students will need to put them in a locker or sealed pouch at the start of the day.

The last decade or so has seen schools and governments alike working on a substantial question: To what degree should students be allowed access to their phones? France has been among those leading the charge, requiring smartphones to be turned off during school hours since 2018. Now, the country is taking things a step further, insisting that students leave their phone in lockers or pouches, The Guardian reports.

France's education minister and former prime minister Elisabeth Borne announced the new regulation, which will go into effect in middle schools come September. "At a time when the use of screens is being widely questioned because of its many harmful effects, this measure is essential for our childrens wellbeing and success at school."

The decision follows two key events, a pilot program reported on by multiple sources and published expert recommendations. The former involved 180 middle schools comprised of over 50,000 students. Over the last six months, participants have done a "digital pause," putting their phones in a locker or pouch that is unlocked when they finish the day. Borne announced that the trial was successful in improving school's atmospheres. She added that schools will choose whether to use lockers or pouches, costing them up to a few thousand euros (3,000 equals $3,331, for example).

The 2024 report, commissioned by President Emmanuel Macron, issued recommendations including no smartphone use for children under 13 years of age and no "conventional" social media access until they reach 18. The recommendations, led by a neurologist and an addictions psychiatrist, additionally pushed for limited to no screen-time for children, depending on their age.

The UK and the US are among the other countries exploring similar school-based measures to France. In 2024, the UK government released guidance for schools on banning phones in educational spaces. Both New York and California's governors have also supported measures to limit smartphone use in schools.
Michelle Obama has not held back when it comes to speculation about the state of her marriage to former President Barack Obama, famously shutting down rumors of a divorce on a podcast over the summer.

Speaking on Sophia Bush's "Work in Progress" podcast, Michelle Obama, 61, clarified that her absence from several high-profile events was not indicative of any marital issues but rather a reflection of her priorities.

"People couldn't even fathom that I was making a choice for myself, that they had to assume that my husband and I are divorcing," she said.

Michelle emphasized that she is not walking away from her 31-year marriage but is instead focused on her commitments and goals.

The rumors came after Barack Obama's wife Michelle failed to attend several events with him, prompting suggestions of a distance in their marriage.

However, she stressed that her choices are rooted in her autonomy and interests.

"I still care about girls' education. The library is opening in a year from now," Michelle said, referring to the construction of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago.

"There are certain things I am and am not doing with the library."

Read more: Ben Affleck Reportedly Eyeing Angelina Jolie Romance After Split from Jennifer Lopez

Societal Pressures

During the podcast, she also spoke about the societal pressures women face when making decisions that may disappoint others.

"When I say no (to a project), people are like, 'I get it,' and I'm OK. That's the thing that we as women struggle with  disappointing people," she explained.

Michelle expressed frustration at how quickly the public jumped to conclusions about her marriage instead of recognizing her right to make personal decisions.

"This couldn't be a grown woman just making a set of decisions for herself. But, that's what society does to us," she added.

Michelle and Barack Obama have been married since 1992 and share two daughters.

The Obama Presidential Center is set to open later this year.
Eyebrows were raised at the timing of Meghan Markle's new podcast, "Confessions of a Female Founder," debuting the same day her husband, Prince Harry, was in a UK court for a high-profile legal case.

While Harry, 40, was back in the UK for his two-day Court of Appeal hearing Tuesday, Meghan, 43, launched her much-delayed podcast. Just hours before Harry appeared in court, the series, which looks at the struggles of women-owned businesses, was unveiled.

The release of the podcast, along with the relentless media spotlight on Harry's case, soon picked up the attention of royal watchers and critics, some asking if the timing was coincidental.

Royal journalist Robert Jobson has also questioned the timing, saying it was no coincidence.

"They always seem to time things pretty well," Jobson said via GB News. "It was a launch that she knew would get publicity for her. It's incredibly Meghan Markle, isn't it? It's just all about herself."

Jobson added, "Could be coincidence, but I don't think very many coincidences come out of Montecito. They know exactly what they're doing. They've got a media strategist around them."

Read more: Prince Harry Reportedly Unhappy with Meghan Markle Using Kids for Brand Promotion

Harry's Legal Case

Not only did Meghan launch her podcast on that day, but Prince Harry was in the news after his appearance in court, where he asked for security at the taxpayer's expense while in the UK. His lawyers said that the Duke's treatment has been, above all, inferior, and he has been "singled out" ever since he stepped back from royal duties. However, a spokesperson for the Home Secretary maintained that Harry's treatment was appropriate, considering that he was no longer a working royal.

The British government in 2020 removed the couple's security funded by taxpayers when they stepped back from life as senior royals. Lawyers for Harry claimed that threats had been made against him, particularly when he was in the UK, and it was unsafe for him to return.

Harry seemed to be concentrating on the case during the hearing, taking notes and messaging from his phone. However, the proceedings were interrupted when a woman disrupted the court, shouting support for Harry. Despite the interruption, the Duke returned to the court once the situation was resolved.

The two coinciding events have ignited discussion over the couple's media strategy. While some regard that as a long-game strategy to create noise for Meghan's podcast, others see it as just another coincidence.

"They know how to work the media," Jobson said. "It may be coincidental, but it could easily just as well be planned."
MISSOULA  A Bozeman man who possessed methamphetamine and fentanyl was sentenced Wednesday to 120 months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said in a release.

Rene Montenegro-Virrey, 51, pleaded guilty in December 2024 to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.

U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided.

The government alleged in court documents that in August 2022 drug investigators learned that Montenegro-Virrey was planning a trip to Bozeman to deliver 7,000 fentanyl pills and five pounds of methamphetamine. Over the next several months, drugs were purchased from the defendant through undercover purchases and controlled buys, Alme said in the release.

In August 2024, Montenegro-Virrey met with undercover officers for another transaction. Four pounds of methamphetamine was seized from his vehicle.

The U.S. Attorneys Office prosecuted the case and the investigation was conducted by the Missouri River Drug Task Force.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.

On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psn.
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Local homeowners and business owners gathered in Missoula to discuss property tax issues with Governor Greg Gianforte. The meeting focused on the impact of high property taxes on daily life in the area.
Montanas senators bucked party lines last week as the only two Republicans to vote to prevent the sale of public lands to lower the federal deficit.

With a slight majority, Republicans killed the amendment to the Senates budget resolution, introduced by Sen. John Hickenlooper, a Democrat from Colorado, and supported by Montana Sens. Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy.

Hickenloopers office said the amendment was spurred by reports that Republicans planned to sell public lands to help offset the deficit. The effort appeared to be concerning enough to attract the support of Montanas senators.

Their tax handouts for the wealthy are so large  and so important  that some are willing to plunder our public lands, Hickenlooper said. So lets be clear: Our public lands are not for sale.

The sale of public lands is a contentious issue in Montana, a heavily Republican state. It lingers for Sheehy, who fought a tough election against former Sen. Jon Tester.

Sheehy was criticized over his stance on public lands and involvement with the Bozeman-based Property & Environment Research Center (PERC), but he continually reiterated that public lands belong in public hands.

Public lands belong in public hands, Sheehy said in a statement to the Chronicle this week. Thats one thing most Montanans agree on regardless of party. I will always protect our right to hunt, fish, and recreate on our public lands, because as Montanans, we all share a passion and reverence for our forests, mountains, streams, and prairies.

None of Sheehy or Daines Republican colleagues saw the amendment the same: The amendment failed 51-48, ultimately providing Montanas senators with a symbolic gesture that theyre staying true to their word.

Senator Daines never has, and never will support the sale of public lands, a spokesperson for Daines said via email.

Neither would speculate on why they were the only two Republicans to vote against the amendment.
Family lore has it that sometime in the pre-refrigeration days of the late 19th century, my forefathers dug a small cave into a steep hillside on their adjacent farms to store several barrels of home-brewed beer. Like the familys suds, the cave was cool, dark and prized.

This being southern Illinois, however, a minor earthquake one day sent the roof of the underground rathskeller onto the barrels of beer, and soon their hoppy contents were flowing into the nearby creek.

A minor catastrophe, yes, but the brothers and their stein-tippling friends werent the only ones without their favorite beverage. With a slow-moving creek now half-full of sweet-smelling beer, milk production of the neighborhoods cows soon dropped low enough to worry downstream neighbors.

Within a week, though, the creek flowed clear again, the neighborhoods cows were back to their regular, sober routine, and my family was done with their beer-making hobby for good.

I once asked my father if the tale was true. It was, he replied, and after the collapse his great-grandfather apologized to all the neighbors for the trouble he had caused. He believed that if you messed up the creek, you cleaned up the creek.

Its the rural version of the Golden Rule: Do unto your neighbors farms that youd have your neighbors to do unto yours. At least, it seemed that way in the late 1800s when farms were smaller, neighbors were more numerous, and the height of farm technology included a personal beer cellar.

My fathers rural ethic harkened back to his ancestors view. In the six decades we shared, I never once heard him covet any neighbors land, machinery or success. Not once. Part of the reason may have been what he already had: too many cows, too many acres, too much work and too little time. A bigger part, however, was contentment; he simply didnt want more of anything except time to go fishing.

And that included partners. In the late 1970s, I asked him what might happen if the farm borrowed money to expand its dairy herd to boost farm income so I might return.

What might happen, he said almost reflexively but firmly, is that that news would be on the front page of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch the next morning.

The answer, deeply in character for a German Lutheran farmer, was one we did not argue, debate or discuss. I took it as intended, a clear No, and, soon thereafter, the lovely Catherine and I went back to the university with an eye for another line of work.

Equally unsurprising was that neither Dad nor I ever mentioned the topic again. He went about his lifes work and so did I  after I stumbled upon it.

A key part of his work was neighborliness. For example, a neighbor with a carload of growing children often stopped at the dairy barn twice, sometimes three, times a week to get a couple of gallons of milk for, well, a very long time. Decades. When they did, Dad would fill their 1-gallon glass jars while the children made a small show of adding a pencil mark to their already foot-long tab in a nearby cabinet. When Dad retired from dairying 25 years later, the tab, like the cabinet, simply disappeared. Again, the long-gone milk and long-lost tab were never mentioned.

It was a hallmark of my fathers unwritten rural rules: Among our neighbors, tabs, kept or unkept, were meaningless. Only one tab mattered to him and it wasnt of this world.

And that, too, he believed, was already forgiven.
COLUMBUS  The Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife is seeking volunteers for the fifth annual Midwest Crane Count on the morning of April 12.

The Division of Wildlife is collaborating with the International Crane Foundation and Ohio Bird Conservation Initiative to conduct the survey. The Division of Wildlife along with partners and volunteers will count the numbers of sandhill cranes seen or heard in 33 counties in Ohio. These locations have habitats where sandhill cranes typically nest such as wet meadows, shallow marshes, bogs and other wetlands. Sandhill cranes are listed as threatened in Ohio. Sandhills are secretive during their nesting season, and the count is an effort to better track Ohios breeding crane population.

The sandhill crane was once extirpated (disappeared) from Ohio but returned to Wayne County in 1987 and has been slowly expanding since. Last year, volunteers located 412 sandhill cranes across 32 counties. The five counties with the most sandhill cranes reported during the 2024 count were Wayne (106), Lucas (56), Geauga (48), Holmes (28) and Richland (27).

Ohios sandhill crane count, by year:

2024: 412 (32 counties surveyed)

2023: 357 (30 counties surveyed)

2022: 311 (26 counties surveyed)

2021: 160 (five counties surveyed)

Ohioans interested in volunteering should contact a county coordinator: https://obcinet.org/get-involved/ohio-crane-count/

The commitment includes the time it takes to scout an area, a virtual training and review of survey protocols and the morning count. On the day of the count, its estimated that volunteers will be working outdoors for approximately two hours. Birders of all abilities who can identify a sandhill crane can participate. A vehicle is also required. Participation in pairs and some experience using the eBird community science platform is preferred. The study will take place rain or shine.

Ohios cranes are seasonal residents that migrate south for the winter. They feed during daylight hours on grain, insects, birds, small mammals, amphibians and reptiles. They migrate at high elevations in large flocks. The range of these native birds extends from Mexico and Florida into Alaska and Canada.
Police are appealing for information from the public following the theft of 19 pregnant ewes from a farm in north Worcestershire.

The theft occurred on Chadwick Manor Farm, Lydiate Ash, overnight between Monday 31 March and Tuesday 1 April.

The stolen sheep were all in-lamb, raising serious concerns for their health and welfare.

Sarah Sceats, of West Mercia Police said: We are appealing for any witnesses or anyone with information about the theft of 19 ewes from this farm which is near to junction 4 of the M5 at Lydiate Ash.

The farmers are understandably distressed by the damage to their livelihood, but also for the welfare of the sheep who were in lamb when they were stolen."

She explained: "It would have taken a larger vehicle, possibly with a trailer, to take them."

Farmers across the UK have witnessed an increase in both small and large scale livestock thefts, police forces warned last year.

The crime causes suffering to animals which are often treated badly by thieves and sometimes even slaughtered out in the fields.

Livestock rustling is also a cause of food crime and can present a risk to public health as the quality and safety of stolen meat products cannot be guaranteed.

The most recent figures show that the crime cost farmers 2.7 million in 2023, and a number of incidents saw animals butchered in fields.

Ms Sceats added: "We are appealing for anyone who may have seen anything or possibly has dashcam or CCTV footage to call 101 quoting reference number 328i of April 2.

Alternatively, information can be shared anonymously with the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or by visiting www.crimestoppers-org.uk .
Researchers have warned that climate change and globalisation are fuelling an increase in crop threats from insects and mites.

Warming temperatures are allowing pests to spread further from the equator and reach higher altitudes.

Meanwhile, global trade is accelerating the movement of invasive species, according to the new study.

And at the same time, intensive farming practices are reducing natural pest controls, leading to more frequent and severe outbreaks.

The team  including experts from the universities of Hebei and Exeter, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences  is urging swift action to safeguard global crop production.

About 40% of global crop production is currently lost to pests and diseases, creating a major challenge for global food security.

Co-author Professor Dan Bebber, from the University of Exeter, said the study's researchers reviewed evidence on the impact of crop pests.

"We found that overall risks are increasing  with greater numbers of pests, more annual generations, longer activity seasons and the area inhabited by pest species increasing.

This is mainly due to global warming reducing cold limitations for pests, and declining biodiversity reducing biocontrol (predators killing pests).

The paper highlights that extreme weather events like heatwaves and droughts can unexpectedly trigger pest outbreaks.

It warns that crop pests are likely to become more prevalent in higher latitudestemperate regions farther from the equator where staple crops such as wheat, maize, and rice are commonly grown.

The study also outlines targeted strategies for managing crops and pests in light of current and anticipated environmental changes.

Prof Bebber concluded: "We need better pest monitoring, predictive models, and climate-smart management strategies to safeguard staple crops such as wheat, rice, maize and soybean from increasing pest risks."
Dog walkers are being urged to clean up after their pets while in the countryside this Easter, amid concerns of the dangers that dog waste poses to livestock.

Warnings have been issued over irresponsible behaviour, including bagging dog waste and leaving it tied to a tree or gate.

Diseases like neosporosis, which can be transmitted through dog faeces, pose a significant threat to livestock.

The disease can contaminate soil where cows graze, leading to infections that can result in miscarriages in calves or congenital infections.

This comes after Surrey Wildlife Trust made an appeal following the abortion of calves in their herds.

Abi Reader, a mixed farmer from Wenvoe near Cardiff and NFU Cymru deputy president, emphasised that many people may not realise the harm that leaving dog waste, or waste bags, behind can cause.

She recalled a disturbing incident where she found something green in a cows mouth in the milking shed.

"I thought it was a balloon but then realised it was a poo bag. There was another bit on the floor, but I do not know if the cow digested any, she said.

"People think they are doing the right thing by picking up after their dog, but they then need to find a bin or take it home.

"Hanging it on a fence or a tree is just not good enough. They do not know the harm they could be doing - not just to cows and sheep but to horses and wildlife in general.

Ms Reader said as more people were venturing into the countryside to enjoy the spring weather it was important to raise awareness.

"Unfortunately, some members of public are unaware that there is a consequence," she said. "It is frustrating. Please pick up after your dog and take it home."

Farmers Guardian has been raising awareness of the importance of responsible dog ownership through its Take the Lead campaign.

This encourages dog owners to keep their dog on a lead around livestock as well as clean up waste responsibly.

Farmers Guardian acting editor Katie Jones said: With the spring sunshine and upcoming Easter holidays more people will be heading out walking in the countryside, along with their dogs.

Unfortunately, we see too many cases of livestock worrying and animals aborting calves due to diseases spread in dog waste.

This places a huge emotional toll on the farmers affected as well as impacting their livelihoods.
Protests are being held across England over the next few days as part of a campaign urging farmers and the public to Say No to Labour.

Organised by the campaign group Farmers to Action, the three-day movement aims to rally support and raise concerns over the party's agricultural policies.

The demonstrations are taking place against the backdrop of numerous controversial policies by the Labour government.

These include farm inheritance tax proposals rolling out from April 2026 and the recent unexpected closure of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) scheme.

Looming net zero goals and compulsory land acquisitions to make way for housebuilding are also pressing issues facing farmers and rural businesses, campaigners say.

Farmers to Action says the protests, which are being held on 10, 11 and 12 April, are about "standing up for our country".

A spokesperson said: Were focusing on areas with a significant number of Labour-held seats in the upcoming local elections.

Were aware that Labour has postponed many elections until next year, but places like Oxfordshire, Derbyshire and Northamptonshire still have a substantial number of council seats at stake, which is why were concentrating our efforts there.

Farmers to Action is campaigning for the end of inheritance tax for all, as well as a fair and balanced approach to farming that includes fairer prices for farmers.

The group also says that they are not just fighting for farmers, but for all of us.

Protests will be held in Cornwall, Devon, Wiltshire, Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire, Derbyshire, as well as in Oxford and Banbury.

More information on times and specific locations can be found on Farmers To Action's Facebook page.
The recent imposition of a 125 per cent tariff increase on Chinese textile and apparel products by the United States marks a significant turning point in global trade dynamics. In textile and apparel products, the tariff is likely to disrupt Chinas price advantage, with potential gains for Vietnam, Bangladesh, and other nations with established trade ties with the US.

President Donald Trumps recent decision to impose, effective April 10, a sweeping 125 per cent tariff on Chinese textile and apparel importscompared to a mere 10 per cent duty on comparable goods from all other countrieshas severely undermined Chinas price competitiveness in the US market. This enormous tariff disparity makes Chinese products vastly more expensive than those of other suppliers, effectively pricing many Chinese goods out of contention. US importers are expected to respond by shifting orders to alternative sourcing markets to avoid the exorbitant costs, especially favouring suppliers in low-cost manufacturing countries with well-established trade ties to the United States.

The imposition of a 125 per cent US tariff on Chinese apparel significantly undermines China's pricing advantage, causing importers to seek alternative sources. Countries like Vietnam, Bangladesh, and Indonesia stand to gain notably across multiple apparel categories. This trade shift presents substantial opportunities for nations with robust apparel manufacturing sectors and established trade with US.

Figure 1

Source: TexPro

In 2024, the United States imported apparel worth $72.99 billion from its top 15 exporting partners, accounting for approximately 87.2 per cent of its total apparel imports. China remained the leading exporter with $18.39 billion, representing 22 per cent of the market share, followed closely by Vietnam at $15.33 billion (18 per cent) and Bangladesh at $7.40 billion (9 per cent). India ranked fourth with $4.93 billion (6 per cent), showcasing its growing influence in the global apparel trade. Other significant contributors included Indonesia, Cambodia, and several Central American nations, reflecting the diversified sourcing strategy of the US apparel industry.

Impact on apparel products

Fibre2Fashion examines the potential impact on key apparel categoriessuch as jerseys, trousers, hosiery, and undergarmentsamong Chinas top exports to the US. The imposition of steep tariffs on these products is likely to significantly drive up the cost of Chinese goods in the US market, undermining one of Chinas main competitive advantages: low pricing. As China grapples with this substantial setback, countries with lower tariff exposure (around 10 per cent), robust manufacturing capabilities, and well-established trade relationships with the US are well positioned to gain from the resulting shift in sourcing strategies.

Table 1: US top 15 apparel imports (6-digit HS code) from China, total export values, competitors, initial and new tariff rates and tariff comparison in %

Source: TexPro

The recent imposition of substantial tariffs by the United States on Chinese textile and apparel imports has significantly altered global trade dynamics, particularly affecting Chinas competitiveness in the US market. This shift presents opportunities for other manufacturing countries to capture increased market share across various product categories. Below is an analysis of the impact on specific apparel segments:

1. Hosiery (HS 611596)

2024 US Import Data : Total imports were valued at $1,532.77 million, with China contributing $1,095.28 million.

: Total imports were valued at $1,532.77 million, with China contributing $1,095.28 million. Tariff Impact : An 849 per cent tariff increase on Chinese hosiery has made these products considerably more expensive.

: An 849 per cent tariff increase on Chinese hosiery has made these products considerably more expensive. Beneficiary Countries: Vietnam, Pakistan, and El Salvador are poised to benefit. Vietnam, with its robust hosiery manufacturing infrastructure and competitive pricing, is particularly well positioned to capture a larger market share.

2. Cotton Pullovers and Cardigans (HS 611020)

2024 US Import Data : Total imports stood at $7,411.20 million, with China accounting for $1,043.15 million.

: Total imports stood at $7,411.20 million, with China accounting for $1,043.15 million. Tariff Impact : A 1,263 per cent tariff increase on Chinese imports creates opportunities for other suppliers.

: A 1,263 per cent tariff increase on Chinese imports creates opportunities for other suppliers. Beneficiary Countries: Vietnam, Cambodia, and Bangladesh are likely to gain. Vietnams established cotton garment industry positions it to capture a significant share, while Cambodia and Bangladesh offer cost advantages that appeal to US buyers.

3. Man-Made Fibre Pullovers (HS 611030)

2024 US Import Data: Imports totalled $4,837.28 million, with China contributing $995.51 million.

Imports totalled $4,837.28 million, with China contributing $995.51 million. Tariff Impact: A 916 per cent tariff increase on Chinese products affects sourcing decisions.

A 916 per cent tariff increase on Chinese products affects sourcing decisions. Beneficiary Countries: Vietnam, Honduras, and Indonesia stand to benefit. Vietnams strong synthetic garment manufacturing base makes it a primary alternative, while Honduras and El Salvador can also attract buyers seeking competitive pricing.

4. Womens Cotton Trousers and Shorts (HS 620462)

2024 US Import Data: Total imports were $4,011.92 million, with China supplying $674.59 million.

Total imports were $4,011.92 million, with China supplying $674.59 million. Tariff Impact: A 1,606 per cent tariff increase on Chinese goods shifts demand.

A 1,606 per cent tariff increase on Chinese goods shifts demand. Beneficiary Countries: Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Pakistan are well positioned. Bangladeshs low-cost manufacturing is particularly attractive, while Vietnams advanced production capabilities also make it a strong contender.

5. Brassieres (HS 621210)

2024 US Import Data : Imports amounted to $2,119.78 million, with China providing $579.47 million.

: Imports amounted to $2,119.78 million, with China providing $579.47 million. Tariff Impact : A 1,311 per cent tariff hike on Chinese brassieres alters market dynamics.

: A 1,311 per cent tariff hike on Chinese brassieres alters market dynamics. Beneficiary Countries: Vietnam, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka are set to gain. Vietnam, already a leader in undergarments, is expected to see the most significant increase in demand, with Indonesia and Sri Lanka also capturing portions of the market.

6. Synthetic Fibre Dresses (HS 620443)

2024 US Import Data: Total imports were $1,131.78 million, with China accounting for $511.95 million.

Total imports were $1,131.78 million, with China accounting for $511.95 million. Tariff Impact: A 1,115 per cent tariff increase on Chinese dresses impacts sourcing.

A 1,115 per cent tariff increase on Chinese dresses impacts sourcing. Beneficiary Countries: Vietnam, India, and Indonesia are likely to benefit. Vietnams strong position in synthetic apparel makes it the prime beneficiary, while India and Indonesia offer competitive pricing that appeals to US importers.

7. Gloves and Mittens (HS 611610)

2024 US Import Data: Imports totalled $852.01 million, with China supplying $502.45 million.

Imports totalled $852.01 million, with China supplying $502.45 million. Tariff Impact: A 1,261 per cent tariff hike on Chinese gloves and mittens affects cost structures.

A 1,261 per cent tariff hike on Chinese gloves and mittens affects cost structures. Beneficiary Countries: Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and Pakistan stand to gain. Sri Lankas specialised focus on glove manufacturing positions it to see the greatest increase in demand, while Vietnam and Pakistan offer efficient manufacturing processes that attract buyers.

8. Womens Overcoats (HS 620240)

2024 US Import Data: Total imports were $1,346.76 million, with China contributing $456.27 million.

Total imports were $1,346.76 million, with China contributing $456.27 million. Tariff Impact: A 991 per cent tariff increase on Chinese overcoats shifts sourcing preferences.

A 991 per cent tariff increase on Chinese overcoats shifts sourcing preferences. Beneficiary Countries: Vietnam, Bangladesh, and Indonesia are well positioned. Vietnams strong garment export sector is expected to dominate, while Bangladesh and Indonesia can capture market share due to their competitive prices.

9. Nightdresses and Pyjamas (HS 610832)

2024 US Import Data : Imports amounted to $894.75 million, with China providing $446.52 million.

: Imports amounted to $894.75 million, with China providing $446.52 million. Tariff Impact: An 881 per cent tariff hike on Chinese products influences market dynamics.

An 881 per cent tariff hike on Chinese products influences market dynamics. Beneficiary Countries: Vietnam, Cambodia, and Sri Lanka are poised to benefit. Vietnams dominant position in sleepwear makes it the primary beneficiary, with Cambodia and Sri Lanka also positioned to capture additional demand.

10. Mens Overcoats (HS 620140)

2024 US Import Data: Total imports were valued at $1,466.97 million, with China supplying $440.03 million.

Total imports were valued at $1,466.97 million, with China supplying $440.03 million. Tariff Impact: A 991 per cent tariff increase on Chinese men's overcoats affects sourcing strategies.

A 991 per cent tariff increase on Chinese men's overcoats affects sourcing strategies. Beneficiary Countries: Vietnam, Bangladesh, and Indonesia stand to gain. Vietnam is poised to capture a significant share due to its established export network, while Bangladesh and Indonesia offer competitive alternatives.

11. Sporting Apparel (HS 611430)

2024 US Import Data: The United States imported sporting apparel valued at approximately $1.02 billion, with China supplying about $404 million.

The United States imported sporting apparel valued at approximately $1.02 billion, with China supplying about $404 million. Tariff Impact: The US has imposed a 599 per cent tariff increase on Chinese sporting apparel, significantly raising the cost of these imports.

The US has imposed a 599 per cent tariff increase on Chinese sporting apparel, significantly raising the cost of these imports. Potential Beneficiaries: Vietnam, Indonesia, and Cambodia are positioned to benefit from this development. Vietnam, with its efficient manufacturing capabilities and robust apparel sector, stands to gain the most. Indonesia and Cambodia may also capture market share in specific niches within the sporting apparel segment.

12. Mens Synthetic Trousers (HS 620343)

2024 US Import Data: The US imported men's synthetic trousers worth approximately $2.3 billion in 2024, with China accounting for around $377 million.

The US imported men's synthetic trousers worth approximately $2.3 billion in 2024, with China accounting for around $377 million. Tariff Impact: A 1,190 per cent tariff increase on Chinese imports in this category has been implemented.

A 1,190 per cent tariff increase on Chinese imports in this category has been implemented. Potential Beneficiaries: Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Indonesia are likely to benefit. Bangladesh, with its large-scale production capacity, is well positioned to capture a significant portion of the market. Vietnam and Indonesia also stand to gain due to their established manufacturing infrastructures and competitive pricing.

13. Luxury Cashmere Garments (HS 611012)

2024 US Import Data: Luxury cashmere garment imports to the US were valued at approximately $512 million, with China supplying about $354 million.

Luxury cashmere garment imports to the US were valued at approximately $512 million, with China supplying about $354 million. Tariff Impact: The US has imposed a 1,350 per cent tariff hike on Chinese luxury cashmere products.

The US has imposed a 1,350 per cent tariff hike on Chinese luxury cashmere products. Potential Beneficiaries: Italy, Vietnam, and other European manufacturers are set to benefit. Italy, renowned for its luxury textiles and craftsmanship, is likely to see the most significant gain. Vietnam may also benefit from increased demand for mid-range cashmere products, leveraging its growing expertise in garment manufacturing.

14. Felt and Nonwoven Garments (HS 621010)

2024 US Import Data: The US imported felt and nonwoven garments valued at approximately $913 million in 2024, with China contributing around $336 million.

The US imported felt and nonwoven garments valued at approximately $913 million in 2024, with China contributing around $336 million. Tariff Impact: A 1,933 per cent tariff increase on Chinese imports in this category has been enacted.

A 1,933 per cent tariff increase on Chinese imports in this category has been enacted. Potential Beneficiaries: Mexico, Honduras, and Vietnam are well positioned to absorb the shift in sourcing. Mexico, with its proximity to the US and favourable trade agreements, stands to gain significantly. Vietnam and Honduras can also benefit due to their established garment industries and competitive production costs.

15. Cotton T-Shirts and Vests (HS 610910)

2024 US Import Data: In 2024, US imports of cotton T-shirts and vests totalled approximately $4.94 billion, with China supplying about $311 million.

In 2024, US imports of cotton T-shirts and vests totalled approximately $4.94 billion, with China supplying about $311 million. Tariff Impact: An 858 per cent tariff increase on Chinese products in this category has been imposed.

An 858 per cent tariff increase on Chinese products in this category has been imposed. Potential Beneficiaries: Vietnam, Bangladesh, and Honduras are poised to benefit. Vietnam, with its efficient supply chains and competitive pricing, is the key beneficiary. Bangladesh and Honduras are also expected to capture additional market share due to their cost-effective manufacturing capabilities and established export relationships with the US.

These tariff adjustments are prompting US importers to diversify their sourcing strategies, leading to a realignment of global supply chains in the textile and apparel industry. Countries with competitive manufacturing sectors and favourable trade relations with the US are well positioned to capitalise on these changes.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (NS)
President Donald J Trump has signed a landmark Executive Order aimed at restoring US maritime strength. The order introduces a Maritime Action Plan (MAP) to revitalise shipbuilding, upgrade port infrastructure, and reduce reliance on China in key maritime sectors. This move is set to reshape the logistics industry by promoting self-reliance, addressing inefficiencies, and reinforcing national maritime security.

President Trump's Executive Order launches a Maritime Action Plan to boost US shipbuilding, port security, and shipping independence from China. It enhances supply chain resilience, especially for chemicals, but may raise short-term costs and regulatory complexity. The move aims to reshape global trade and strengthen domestic maritime capacity.

Maritime reform and chemical supply chains

With the introduction of the Maritime Action Plan (MAP), chemical manufacturers can expect improved domestic shipping reliability. A stronger US-flagged fleet and revitalised port infrastructure could lead to fewer international bottlenecks and reduce dependence on Chinese-built ships, containers, and cranesequipment critical to chemical exports and imports.

Boosting domestic shipping capacity

A central component of the order involves expanding the fleet of US-flagged commercial vessels operating both internationally and domestically. For logistics firms, this expansion presents new opportunities for capacity growth and reduced dependence on foreign shipping routesparticularly in times of geopolitical disruption.

The plan also aims to revitalise the US shipbuilding sector through public-private investment incentives, a move logistics leaders believe could improve service availability and reduce delivery lead times across domestic waters.

Shifting global supply chain dynamics

By challenging China's near-monopoly on shipbuildingChina currently produces 74 per cent of the world's ships, compared to just 0.2 per cent by the USthe administrations actions may alter global shipping dynamics. As trade policies shift, logistics providers could face changes in freight availability, pricing volatility, or tighter controls on Chinese-manufactured shipping components.

Simultaneously, the administration is working with international allies to disrupt Chinas non-market trade practices, potentially creating new trade routes and opportunities for US-aligned supply chains.

Current maritime industry stats

- Only 0.2 per cent of world ships built in the US

- 0 per cent of global containers & cranes built domestically

- High reliance on Chinese port software

Impacts on cargo routing and costs

One of the most immediate implications for logistics companies will be the enforcement of the Harbor Maintenance Fee and related charges on foreign cargo routed through Canada or Mexico. This measure is designed to eliminate circumvention tactics and level the playing field for US ports. However, it may also lead to route adjustments and increased shipping costs for operators that currently rely on indirect entry points. Companies may need to reassess logistics strategies to optimise compliance and cost efficiency under the new regulations.

Enhancing port infrastructure and security

Logistics firms operating in or through US ports can expect increased reliability, improved throughput, and greater resilience to digital threats. This focus on infrastructure integrity is especially relevant as Chinese-built port equipment currently dominates the market, with 80 per cent of ship-to-shore cranes worldwide manufactured in China.

Strengthening the maritime workforce

The Executive Order also prioritises mariner education and workforce development through increased support for institutions like the US Merchant Marine Academy. By expanding training pipelines and career pathways, the administration aims to alleviate ongoing maritime labour shortages, which have posed challenges for shipping and logistics firms in recent years.

Pros and cons for the chemical sectors

Pros

Improved Supply Chain Resilience: More reliable US-based maritime infrastructure benefits bulk chemical transport.

Port Security Upgrades: Reduced cyber vulnerability in port operations.

Incentive-Driven Growth: Tax breaks and investment zones near ports can encourage expansion.

Workforce Development: Expanded maritime education can support specialised chemical logistics needs.

Cons

Transition Costs: Adapting to new fee structures and rerouted shipping may increase short-term logistics costs.

Volatility in International Trade: Challenges to Chinas dominance could lead to unpredictable supply chain shifts.

Compliance Complexity: Adjustments to new US maritime regulations may increase administrative burden.

ALCHEMPro News Desk (VK)
Indian government has officially revoked a key trade arrangement that allowed Bangladesh to tranship export cargo to third countries through Indian ports and airports. This move could pose challenges for Bangladeshs international trade.

The decision was announced through a circular issued by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) on April 8.

India has revoked a 2020 trade arrangement allowing Bangladesh to tranship exports via Indian ports and airports. India cited logistical delays and backlogs as reasons. The change does not affect Bangladeshi exports to Nepal or Bhutan. The move follows Bangladeshi Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus' support for Chinese influence in Northeast India.

Logistical delays and higher costs were hindering our own exports and creating backlogs. The facility, therefore, has been withdrawn w.e.f. April 8, 2025. To clarify, these measures do not impact Bangladesh exports to Nepal or Bhutan transiting through Indian territory, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.

The now-rescinded Circular No. 29/2020-Customs, originally issued in June 2020, had enabled Bangladeshi export goods to be transported via Indian Land Customs Stations (LCSs) to seaports and airports using containers or sealed trucks. The move was part of a broader effort to facilitate regional trade and improve logistics connectivity.

Effective immediately, the facility has been withdrawn. However, cargo that has already entered Indian territory under the previous arrangement will be permitted to exit the country following the procedures laid out in the original circular, the notification said.

This decision comes a few days after Bangladesh's Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus expressed support for expanding Chinese economic influence in the strategically vital Northeast India region.

During his visit to China from March 26 to 29, Muhammad Yunus remarked that, given the landlocked nature of Northeast India, Dhaka served as the regions sole gateway to the sea. This comment was broadly seen as Bangladesh attempting to emphasise its strategic importance in providing access to the Northeasta point that has raised concerns in India, as per media reports.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KD)
Salman Khans shoutout for Sunny Deol

About Jaat

Sunny Deols latest film, Jaat, released in theatres today. The action thriller film has garnered quite the buzz. Amidst all the reactions doing the rounds on social media, Salman Khans special mention has grabbed attention.Salman took to his Instagram stories to share a reel featuring Sunny Deol. In it, the Jaat star can be seen eating a paratha with dahi and some lassi on a flight. He jammed to the recently released films track while enjoying his mid-flight meal. Salman shared the video on his Instagram Story. He simply tagged Sunny and wrote, #JAAT, with a flexed bicep emoji.The sweet gesture is winning hearts. Salman Khans Sikandar, which sees him star alongside Rashmika Mandanna, was released on Eid this year. The star recently opened up about how Bollywood isnt showing enough support for his films. He said that while it might not look like it, everyone needs support. He also mentioned that Jaat will be a success.In an interview with a leading news portal, Sunny reacted to Salmans statement and shared that the Sikandar actor is one of the most supportive people in the film industry.Set against the backdrop of rural India, Jaat revolves around a man who travels to a remote coastal village where a local criminal has been terrorising the population. He resolves to stand up against the criminal and rid the people of their suffering. The film has been received well by fans.A special screening for Jaat was held in Mumbai last night. Sunny Deols father, veteran star Dharmendra, joined the event. He stole the show by dancing to dhol beats ahead of the screening.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 9, 2025) - Impact Development Group Inc. (TSXV: IMPT) ("Impact", "IDG" or the "Company"), a leading Panamanian developer of affordable housing solutions, has released its financial results for the year ended December 31, 2024. IDG's audited consolidated financial statements (the "Financial Statements") and related management's discussion and analysis (the "MD&A") for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 are available on www.sedarplus.ca. Unless otherwise indicated, all amounts and references to currency in this news release are references to United States dollars.

Annual Financial Results

Revenue for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 was $3,698,059, a 36.15% decrease compared to the same period in 2023. The decrease was primarily driven by the sale of fewer houses in the year ended December 31, 2024 (56 houses) compared to the year ended December 31, 2023 (85 houses).

Cost of sales for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 was $9,598,660, a 0.78% decrease compared to the same period in 2023. This is primarily driven by fewer home deliveries in the 2024 compared to 2023 partly offset by higher write-off of inventory to net realizable in 2024 compared to 2023. The higher write-off of inventory in 2024 is driven by slower moving inventory and slower construction activity in 2024 compared to 2023.

The net loss of $22,336,913 for the year ended December 31, 2024 included a $10,348,525 of impairment of the land held for development, largely driven by the changes to the Solidarity Bonus Subsidy Program (the " Program ") operated by the Ministry of Housing of the Government of Panama (" MIVIOT ") and $1,540,437 of impairment of goodwill of acquired assets. Excluding these impairments, the net loss for the year ended December 31, 2024 is $10,447,951. The net earnings of $13,125,437 for the year ended December 31, 2023 included a $25,390,556 gain on settlement of debt with certain creditors as part of the Company's reverse takeover transaction to acquire Impact Housing Corporation, which closed on November 30, 2023 (the " RTO Transaction "). Excluding this gain, the net loss for the year ended December 31, 2023 is $12,265,119. The decrease of net loss of $1,817,168 (comparing $10,447,951 loss for year ended December 31, 2024 against $12,265,119 for the year ended December 31, 2023) is primarily due to higher write-off of receivables, higher share based compensation and higher interest expense in 2023 partly offset by higher operating loss in 2024, accretion expense and financing costs related to new and renewed debt agreements.

Operating expenses stayed relatively consistent in the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023. There was a slight increase in overhead and administrative expenses driven by higher by higher audit expense and public company compliance requirements and higher provision for warranties in 2024 partly offset by higher professional and legal expenses in 2023 in connection with the initial public offering in 2023.

Interest expenses decreased from $3,021,157 in the year ended December 31, 2023 to $704,536 in the year ended December 31, 2024. In 2022, majority of the interest related to Multibank credit facilities was capitalized as the houses for which financing was taken were under construction. The houses were delivered in 2023 however, the loans funding these houses have not been repaid as at December 31, 2023 and thus interest was reclassed as interest expense. The construction activity was lower in 2024 compared to 2023 driving the decrease in the interest expense in 2024 compared to 2023.

Share-based compensation for the year ended December 31, 2023 of $1,377,673 corresponds to warrants and restricted share units (" RSUs ") issued to management as part of the RTO Transaction on November 30, 2023. Warrants fully vested on the RTO Transaction date and amounted to $1,337,974 of the total expense. Share-based compensation for the year ended December 31, 2024 of $650,715 corresponds to the expense on the RSUs which vest 25% every six months over two years from the RTO Transaction's closing date.

Total assets decreased by at December 31, 2024 compared to December 31, 2023 primarily due to decrease in the property and other inventories and the land held for development. Property and other inventories decreased by $5,260,272 at December 31, 2024 compared to December 31, 2023 primarily due to higher write-down of costs to net realizable value driven by slower moving inventory and slower construction activity in 2024 compared to 2023. The significant decrease of land held for development from $13,897,177 at December 31, 2023 to $3,497,938 at December 31, 2024 is due to an impairment of land held at the Company's Sona project for 10,348,525. These are driven by the unfavorable macro economic environment and decreasing prospects and profitability of future social interest housing programs in the market due to the termination of the Program by MIVIOT effective July 1, 2024.

The significant decease in property and other inventories from December 31, 2023 to December 31, 2024 is due to higher write-down of costs to net realizable value driven by slower moving inventory in 2024 and slower construction activity in 2024 compared to 2023.

At December 31, 2024, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $330,708 and working capital of $2,598,862.

Fusion Software

In October 2024, IDG acquired a 100% interest in Fusion Software LLC ("Fusion"), a software company based in Ohio. Fusion is the creator of an innovative software platform designed to streamline the management of low-income housing tax credits for tax credit investors, tax credit syndicators and affordable housing developers. The acquisition is completed to further the Company's commitment to affordable housing solutions.

The consideration paid by the Company to acquire Fusion consisted of:

a) 1,666,667 common shares, each issued at a price of $0.98 ("Consideration shares"); and

b) 1,166,668 common shares ("Earn-Out shares"), conditional upon the satisfaction of revenue milestones on the first, second, and third year anniversaries of the closing of this transaction. These shares were fair valued using a Monte Carlo simulation and fair valued at nil on the acquisition date.

The intangible assets recognized relates to the proprietary technology and software platform developed specifically for the management of low-income housing tax credits and fair valued at $124,000 on acquisition date. Even though the fair value is considerably lower than the purchase consideration of $1,637,118 for this arms-length transaction, management is confident that the acquisition of Fusion is a strong strategic venture for IDG. Management paid the purchase consideration after considerable due diligence on the proprietary technology developed by the acquiree and the potential to gain market share through focused investment in marketing and sales. The fair valuation is derived in accordance with accounting standards which focuses on Fusion seed/start up stage with a small customer base resulting in a lower valuation than the consideration paid. However, based on the marketing and sales efforts since acquisition date, management is focused on building a strong sales pipeline and a growing customer base.

For the period between acquisition date and December 31, 2024, the Company earned revenues of $73,486 and net loss of $6,422 from Fusion.

As at December 31, 2024, the Company impaired the goodwill of Fusion from $1,540,437 to nil.

Outlook

The Program, which concluded effective June 30, 2024, will not be renewed by the current Panamanian government and MIVIOT. However, following the appointment of new presidential leadership on July 1, 2024, MIVIOT initiated a comprehensive review of the Program and other subsidies related to social interest housing. Since August, MIVIOT has maintained a working group with housing developers across the country, generating several proposals for alternatives to the Program, all of which remain under review and have not yet been implemented. There has been no indication from the government of Panama that the Program will be resumed. MIVIOT is currently continuing to honor payments for homes that received certification pursuant to the Program prior to June 30, 2024.

Homes that have received certification from MIVIOT prior to June 30, 2024, remain eligible for subsidy payments under the Program. As of December 31, 2024, the Company has one home that remains pending subsidy payments or certification under the Program. Additionally, 84 homes have already been delivered to customers and certified for subsidies but are awaiting a promissory note for subsidy collection. Another 37 homes have been delivered to customers but are still pending subsidy certification to complete the collection process. Furthermore, there are 173 homes in inventory, either completed or under construction, that have not yet received MIVIOT subsidy certification. It remains uncertain whether these 173 homes will ultimately receive MIVIOT certification to qualify for subsidy payments.

Pending further guidance from MIVIOT, IDG has reprioritized strategic objectives to focus on the delivery of existing inventory, pause all new development, and pursue opportunities to diversify the business. In alignment with this strategy, IDG is redirecting a significant portion of its focus towards the development and growth of Fusion.

Given the current elevated levels of policy and economic uncertainty in Panama, the Company is no longer evaluating new residential or commercial development activities outside of the Program, including the previously mentioned 5,000-square-foot commercial complex at the Company's Santiago project. Similarly, geographic expansion into adjacent markets with similar programs and the diversification into new technology-enabled revenue streams in affordable housing are no longer active strategic priorities due to the high capital requirements and risk of establishing operations in a new jurisdiction.

The Company is currently focused on building out and growing Fusion, recognizing a growing market need for low-income housing tax credits portfolio management solutions. In addition, the Company is continuously evaluating acquisition opportunities in the property and home-building technology space, either as complementary add-ons to Fusion or as standalone businesses that can be developed in parallel. These initiatives will be guided by the Company's 11 years of experience as a home builder and its deep understanding of the affordable housing market.

About Impact

Impact is a Panamanian based real estate developer that provides affordable housing solutions to Panama's growing middle-class supported by a longstanding subsidized government program. The vision of IDG is effectuated by a vertically integrated model which coordinates all services necessary to develop high-quality residential and commercial buildings, including land acquisition, financing, architectural, engineering, off-site manufacturing, general contracting, property management, and administration.

Neither the 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 release.

For further information, please contact:

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" that reflect the Company's current expectations and projections about its future results. Wherever possible, words such as "may", "will", "should", "could", "expect", "plan", "intend", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "predict" or "potential" or the negative or other variations of these words, or similar words or phrases, have been used to identify these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements relating to the Company's business activities in Panama; the Company's plans to bring its expertise acquired in the Panamanian market into the US market; the Company's plans to expand its global reach; the Company's plans to utilize Fusion's software platform to expand into adjacent markets and revenue streams; and the Company's hopes of promoting the development of affordable housing across a wider geographic area.

The forward-looking statements, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently based upon assumptions that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the Company being able to carry out its business plan as contemplated; the Company's ability to maintain and retain the intellectual property rights to the Fusion software platform; and the Company's plans to scale and develop more sustainable housing solutions in Central America and globally. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, they can give no assurances that the expectations of any forward-looking statements will prove to be correct.

Such statements and information reflect the current view of the Company. Risks and uncertainties exist that may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated or implied in the forward-looking statements and information. Such factors include, among others: the limited business history of the Company; the Company's reliance on key management; risks related to the Company's growth strategy, including that previous and future acquisitions do not meet expectations or potential acquisitions cannot be completed; dependence on and availability of third party financing; the business of the Company being subject to broader economic and political factors; disruptions or changes in the credit or security markets; financial results of the Company's operations; unanticipated costs and expenses; and general market and industry conditions.

The forward-looking information contained in this press release represents the expectations of the Company as of the date of this press release and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date. Readers should not place undue importance on forward-looking information and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. While the Company may elect to, it does not undertake to update this information at any particular time except as required in accordance with applicable laws.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/248037

SOURCE: Impact Development Group Inc.
MANILA, Philippines, April 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Arcadis, a global leader in sustainable design, engineering, and consultancy, has won the Green Buildings category at the 2025 Europa Awards. Hosted by the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP), the ceremony was held 3 April 2025 during the Sustainability Forum at the Raffles and Fairmont Hotel in Manila.

The ECCP's Europa Awards recognize companies that demonstrate exceptional performance and contributions in promoting sustainability in line with global standards and the Philippine Development Plan.

Arcadis earned this recognition through its comprehensive approach to sustainability, particularly extensive work in green building certifications, and its robust sustainability strategy and culture, commitment to innovation, and measurable sustainability impact.

Katherine Ann Resurreccion, Arcadis Service Line Director for Sustainability Solutions, said:

"I am honored to accept this award. Our Sustainability Solutions team was formed in 2008, when building certifications like LEED were virtually unheard of in this country.

"When I joined in 2012, we had to explain not just to developers but also to designers, why sustainability is worth the investment.

"Fast forward to 2025, and the building industry is so different. Clients will come to us and say their buildings are "LEED-ready". We have learned so much, and in our team's 17 years of working in this industry, have contributed to avoiding more than 300 billion kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions through the projects we deliver - a figure we hope can inspire everyone to see what's possible when we stand by a collective sustainable vision.

"This award is testament to the hard work and dedication of our team, and those who work alongside us. With only 25 years to 2050, and five years to 2030, we must continue to work toward a net zero world."

Arcadis has been at the forefront of green building consulting since 2008, with a track record of successfully certifying approximately 1.8 million square meters of gross floor area under LEED and other certification systems.

In 2024, Arcadis expanded from sustainable building consulting to offer a comprehensive suite of sustainability solutions. This encompasses Sustainability Advisory for ESG and Net Zero, Energy and Life Cycle Analysis, Carbon Accounting, and Sustainable Building Certifications - aligning with Arcadis' 2024-2026 strategy to accelerate a planet positive future.

About Arcadis

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New partnership to drive sustainable growth and innovation for customers

MANILA, Philippines, April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Finastra, a global provider of financial services software applications, has announced a strategic partnership with Total Information Management Corporation (TIM Corp), a leader in data center services, managed services, and IT infrastructure. This collaboration aims to elevate treasury service challenges across the Philippines with Finastra's cutting-edge Opics core treasury solution and robust managed services capabilities.

The partnership introduces a cloud-based treasury management solution designed to reduce total cost of ownership (TCO) and simplify infrastructure management for banks. Key benefits include seamless cloud transformation, enabling scalability and flexibility, and comprehensive outsourcing options to enhance operational and technical efficiency.

"Our partnership with Finastra represents a significant step forward in delivering advanced treasury and banking solutions to financial institutions across the Philippines," said Migs De Guzman, Senior Assistant Vice President, Financial Services Business at TIM Corp. "Combining Finastra's global expertise with TIM Corp's local knowledge and infrastructure, we can empower our clients to embrace digital transformation while improving operational efficiency."

By partnering with TIM Corp, a trusted partner for core banking and risk analytics with a strong local presence, Finastra enhances its ability to support regional banks with advanced, tailored solutions. It also underscores Finastra's commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration in the financial sector.

"This partnership fills a crucial gap in the region by providing local banks with access to a world-class treasury solution backed by TIM Corp's managed services expertise," said Richard Zhu, Managing Director for Treasury and Capital Markets (APAC) at Finastra. "We are confident this will drive sustainable growth and innovation for clients. It also reinforces Finastra's commitment to empowering financial institutions globally while strengthening its local presence in the Philippines."

About Finastra

Finastra is a global provider of financial services software applications across Lending, Payments, Treasury and Capital Markets, and Universal (retail and digital) Banking. Committed to unlocking the potential of people, businesses, and communities everywhere, its vision is to accelerate the future of Open Finance through technology and collaboration, and its pioneering approach is why it is trusted by ~8,100 financial institutions, including 45 of the world's top 50 banks. For more information, visit finastra.com.

About TIM Corp

Total Information Management Corporation (TIM) is your technology partner in Data Center Services, Cybersecurity, Managed Services, and IT Infrastructure. With more than 4 decades of staunch partnership with banking institutions and emerging finance technology segment as their IT and Data Center provider, TIM can address challenges and bridge technology gaps that has provided strategic advantages to every client in the facets of operational technology, data security, digitalization, cloud, and hybrid infrastructure and more. For more information, visit https://timcorp.net.ph/.

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The Offer is not being made, and this press release may not be distributed, directly or indirectly, in or into, nor will any tender of shares be accepted from or on behalf of shareholders in Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, Switzerland, South Africa or the United States of America (the "US"), or any other jurisdiction in which the making of the Offer, the distribution of this press release or the acceptance of any tender of shares would contravene applicable laws or regulations or require further offer documents, filings or other measures in addition to those required under Swedish law or otherwise contemplated in connection with the Offer. Shareholders should refer to the offer restrictions included in the section titled "Important information" at the end of this press release and in the offer document.

Ateliere Creative Technologies through its subsidiary Ateliere Creative Technologies CM, AB, has engaged with certain principal shareholders of Codemill AB (publ) ("Codemill") to negotiate the terms of a potential extension to the deadline for fulfilling the tender offer in connection with the Company's proposed acquisition of Codemill. This delay comes as a direct response to the economic volatility and trade instability currently affecting global markets that is beyond the control of the Company.

The Company cited significant challenges stemming from ongoing trade disputes, including increased tariffs, regulatory disruptions, and currency volatility, which have made cross-border transactions and integrations more complex in recent weeks. Recent analyses highlight that small and mid-sized companies are bearing the brunt of these macroeconomic challenges, leading many to delay or reassess international deals.

"The current trade climate has introduced unforeseen complexities into the acquisition process," the Company said in a statement. "The additional time will ensure all parties can proceed with the transaction thoughtfully and in alignment with strategic goals while accounting for the shifting global landscape."

If required, the Company will engage relevant Swedish regulatory authorities regarding the acquisition extension.

About Ateliere

Ateliere Creative Technologies is a leading cloud-native media technology company that empowers media companies and content creators to reach consumers on a global scale. Ateliere is part of the AWS Partner Network and AWS Independent Software Vendor (ISV) Accelerate program. The Ateliere suite of SaaS solutions leverages GenAI and incorporates cutting-edge workflows and formats to make the vision for a studio in the cloud a reality. Ateliere Connect specializes in AI-powered video intelligence solutions, efficient media workflow orchestration, and scalable, self-serve content distribution. Ateliere Live is a cloud-native live production and editing software platform that enables remote live production without the need for proprietary hardware. Ateliere is built by a team of experts with decades of combined experience at companies such as Amazon, Netflix, and Microsoft.

Important information

The Offer, pursuant to the terms and conditions presented in this press release, is not being made to persons whose participation in the Offer requires that an additional offer document is prepared or registration effected or that any other measures are taken in addition to those required under Swedish law and regulations or otherwise contemplated in connection with the Offer.

This press release and any other documentation related to the Offer are not being distributed and must not be mailed or otherwise distributed or sent in or into any country in which the distribution or offering would require any such additional measures to be taken or would be in conflict with any law or regulation in such country any such action will not be permitted or sanctioned by the Bidder. Any purported acceptance of the Offer resulting directly or indirectly from a violation of these restrictions may be disregarded.

The Offer is not being and will not be made, directly or indirectly, in or into, by use of mail or any other means or instrumentality of interstate or foreign commerce of, or any facilities of a national securities exchange of Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, Schweiz, South Africa or the US. This includes, but is not limited to facsimile transmission, electronic mail, telex, telephone, the internet and other forms of electronic transmission. The Offer cannot be accepted, and shares may not be tendered in the Offer by any such use, means, instrumentality or facility of, or from within Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, Schweiz, South Africa or the US, or by persons located or resident in Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, Switzerland, South Africa or the US. Accordingly, this press release or any other documentation related to the Offer are not being and should not be mailed or otherwise transmitted, distributed, forwarded or sent in or into Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, Switzerland, South Africa or the US, or to any Australian, Hong Kong, Japanese, Canadian, New Zealand, Switzerland, South African or US persons, or any persons located or resident in Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, Switzerland, South Africa or the US.

Any purported tender of shares in the Offer resulting directly or indirectly from a violation of these restrictions will be invalid and any purported tender of shares made by a person located in Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, Switzerland, South Africa or the US, or any agent, fiduciary or other intermediary acting on a non-discretionary basis for a principal giving instructions from or within Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, Switzerland South Africa or the US will be invalid and will not be accepted. Each person who holds shares and participates in the Offer will certify to not being an Australian, Hong Kong, Japanese, Canadian, New Zealand, Switzerland, South African or US person, not being located or participating in the Offer from Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, Switzerland, South Africa or the US and not acting on a non-discretionary basis for a principal that is an Australian, Hong Kong, Japanese, Canadian, New Zealand, Switzerland, South African or US person, or that is located in or giving order to participate in the Offer from Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, Switzerland, South Africa or the US. The Bidder will not deliver any consideration relating to the Offer to Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, Switzerland, South Africa or the US.

This press release is not being, and must not be, sent to shareholders with registered addresses in Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, Switzerland, South Africa or the US. Banks, brokers, dealers and other nominees holding shares for persons in Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, Switzerland, South Africa or the US must not forward this press release or any other document related to the Offer to such persons.

The Offer, the information and documents contained in this press release are not being made, and have not been approved, by an authorised person for the purposes of section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, as amended (the "FSMA"). The communication of the information and documents contained in this press release to persons in the United Kingdom is exempt from the restrictions on financial promotions in section 21 of the FSMA on the basis that it is a communication by or on behalf of a body corporate which relates to a transaction to acquire shares in a body corporate and the object of the transaction may reasonably be regarded as being the acquisition of day to day control of the affairs of that body corporate within article 62 (Sale of body corporate) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005.

This press release has been published in English. In the event of any discrepancy in translated versions, the English version shall prevail.

Forward-looking information

Information in this press release relating to future events or circumstances, including information regarding future results, growth and other projections as well as benefits of the Offer, are forward-looking information. Such information may generally, but not always, be identified by the use of words such as "anticipates", "expects", "believes", or similar expressions. By its nature, forward-looking information involves risk and uncertainty, because it relates to events which depend on circumstances that may occur in the future. Due to several factors, of which a number of them are outside the Bidder's control, there are no guarantees to that actual results will not materially differ from the results expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Any such forward-looking information only applies as per the date it was given and the Bidder do not have any obligation (and undertake no such obligation) to update or revise it, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable laws and regulations.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250409567469/en/

Contacts:

Investor contact:

Email: legal@ateliere.com

Phone: +1-800-921-4252
Enabling automated, non-destructive inspection ensures consistent quality and maximizes value

TOKYO, April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Fujitsu Limited and Sonofai Inc., Ishida Tec Co., Ltd., and Tokai University today announced the launch of an automated inspection device that determines the fat content of frozen albacore tuna in a non-destructive manner. The device, which deploys Fujitsu's AI technology, is being launched by Sonofai Inc., a Japanese startup dedicated to preserving artisanal techniques through digital innovation. Ishida Tec Co., Ltd., a manufacturer of food processing equipment, and Tokai University, which is driving innovation in the food processing industry also contributed to the collaboration. Sonofai will launch the newly developed inspection device SONOFAI T-01 in June 2025, initially targeting the seafood processing industry and fisheries cooperatives in Japan, before expanding globally. This effort comes against the backdrop of a sustained increase in demand for high-quality tuna around the world, with the Japan Fisheries Research and Education Agency noting a 25% rise in the last 20 years.

The SONOFAI T-01 leverages Fujitsu's ultrasound analysis AI technology, a core engine of the Fujitsu Kozuchi AI service, and is the first device of its kind that can determine the fat content of frozen tuna in a non-destructive manner. This enables automated, highly accurate fat content assessment without the need for human visual inspection. Conventional methods of assessment rely on skilled workers visually inspecting thawed cross-sections of the tail, which is a labor-intensive, time-consuming process, and prone to inconsistencies due to variations in individual judgment and a shortage of skilled personnel.

The device allows for a complete inspection of the tuna in 12 seconds and can be operated by one person, offering potential labor and operational efficiency savings of up to 80%. By enabling rapid screening of large quantities of frozen tuna, the device reduces the burden on skilled workers, significantly improves the efficiency of the selection process, and contributes to reducing costs and addressing labor shortages. It also allows for greater accuracy and reduces the opportunity cost of mislabeling the high-value, fatty "bintoro" portions of the fish.

For full release click here

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/sonofai-revolutionizes-frozen-tuna-inspection-with-new-device-incorporating-fujitsu-ai-tech-302425143.html
Over 1 in 4 small businesses globally are run on social media, GoDaddy research finds

ISLAMABAD, April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- How a small business presents and sells its offerings can be the difference between success and failure. GoDaddy has launched Show in Bio to help small businesses increase sales and stand out on social media.

This affordable tool offers flexibility for small business owners not yet ready to build a website, enabling them to showcase their products or services on social media channels, including Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, X, Pinterest and LinkedIn, and interact with customers through channels like WhatsApp to close sales. Using artificial intelligence (AI) to quickly draft product information, such as name, description, and price, and create a personalized one-page sales catalogue in minutes, no technical skills are required to use the tool.

Entrepreneurs who run their business on social media are more confident using AI

Research from GoDaddy's 2025 Global Entrepreneurship Survey found over one in four (28%) of small business owners globally primarily run their business on social media. This shift in small business ownership to social-first entrepreneurs heightens the importance of how a small business sells online.

GoDaddy's research has found these social-first entrepreneurs are younger, more optimistic about business performance and more confident in their ability to leverage AI for their business. This trend reveals not only the growth potential of social-first businesses, but also how technology - specifically AI - is a key enabler to innovate, scale and thrive.

Start a business on social media with low spend and without the need to build a website

Show in Bio allows entrepreneurs to start a business quickly with low spend, even validating a business idea before launching it. While perfect for small business owners who may not have yet built a website, the tool also supports domain integration, allowing those with an established online presence to use their own domain for a seamless branded experience.

Key features and benefits include:

Centralize Your Links - Put all your important content in one shareable link.

- Put all your important content in one shareable link. Drive Engagement - Drive traffic to key offers and updates instantly by sharing your link in bio on social channels.

- Drive traffic to key offers and updates instantly by sharing your link in bio on social channels. Showcase Products - Create a captivating catalogue with images and videos directly on your page.

- Create a captivating catalogue with images and videos directly on your page. Domain Integration - Use your own domain for a seamless and branded experience.

- Use your own domain for a seamless and branded experience. Save Time with AI - Generate quality product information and profile bios fast, no tech skills required.

"We're supporting entrepreneurs to start their online business wherever it makes the most sense for them - including on social media," said Selina Bieber, Vice President of International Markets at GoDaddy. "The rise of social media in the last 20-plus years has captured a significant share of internet activity, but it hasn't diminished the need for businesses to have their own brand and their own identity.

"Show in Bio is an enhanced link in bio solution built to support small businesses run on social media, directly addressing challenges such as driving traffic, lack of technical skills and setting up a website while simplifying social selling."

About GoDaddy

GoDaddy helps millions of entrepreneurs globally start and scale their businesses. People come to GoDaddy to name their idea, build a website and logo, sell their products and services, and accept payments. GoDaddy Airo, the company's AI-powered experience, makes growing a small business faster and easier by helping them to get their idea online in minutes, drive traffic and boost sales. GoDaddy's expert guides are available 24/7 to provide assistance. To learn more about the company, visit www.GoDaddy.com.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2363619/5046426/GoDaddy_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/transform-your-social-media-profile-into-a-sales-catalog-with-godaddys-show-in-bio-tool-302424529.html
Paris, France - April 10th, 2025 - A2MAC1, the global leader in automotive benchmarking and data-driven solutions, is pleased to announce the appointment of Beatriz Flores as Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), effective April 10th, 2025. With this appointment, A2MAC1's executive leadership team is now complete.

Beatriz Flores brings over 20 years of human resources experience, having held various roles in technology-driven companies across Europe, North America, and Latin America. Her career spans organisations ranging from startups to multinational corporations, where she has led HR initiatives through business transformations, mergers and acquisitions, expansions, and spin-offs. Beatriz has a strong focus on fostering multicultural team collaboration and implementing frameworks for innovation and continuous development.

In addition to her corporate experience, she has lectured MBA courses and volunteered as a career advisor for underprivileged students. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology, an Executive MBA, and a Master of Science in Management of Innovation.

She will report directly to Chief Executive Officer Patrick Katenkamp, who expressed his enthusiasm about the appointment, stating:

"We are delighted to welcome Beatriz to A2MAC1. Her extensive experience and proven track record in leading HR strategies across diverse markets will be invaluable as we continue to drive innovation and strengthen our global presence. With Beatriz on board, we are committed to creating an environment where our employees can thrive, enabling them to deliver exceptional service to our clients."

A2MAC1 has been at the forefront of automotive benchmarking for over 28 years, offering comprehensive services that transform data into valuable insights. With more than 730 employees across 10 countries, the company is committed to driving progress and shaping the future through data and in-depth market knowledge.

For more information about A2MAC1 and its leadership team, please visit: www.a2mac1.com

About A2MAC1

A2MAC1 helps its clients engineer better vehicles, faster and with more confidence. A2MAC1's mission is to empower businesses with the knowledge and tools they need to make informed decisions, drive innovation, and achieve sustainable growth through a unique blend of technical insights, competitive analysis, trend forecasting and integrated solutions tailored to meet the specific needs of the automotive industry.

With a global presence and a reputation for excellence, A2MAC1 is the trusted partner for companies looking to stay ahead in a rapidly changing industry.

Contact

A2MAC1 Communication Team

communication@a2mac1.com

__

24 - 26 Quai Alphonse le Gallo

92100 Boulogne-Billancourt - France

www.a2mac1.com

__

A2MAC1





Attachment
Highlights:

RC Drilling Has Recommenced at Gran Pilar's Expansion Zone Next Phase of 1,500m Planned, Potential to Expand Follow-up on Initial Scout Drilling Success 3.1m of 19.4 g/t Au, within 106.6m of 0.6 g/t Au (JES-24-101) 16.8m of 0.4 g/t Au and 6 g/t Ag (JES-24-102) Target Area Spans 675 meters Over Northern Zone Results Pending for Three Core Holes



Tocvan Ventures Corp. (the "Company") (CSE:TOC)(OTCQB:TCVNF)(WKN:TV3/A2PE64), is pleased to announce drilling has restarted at the Gran Pilar Gold Silver Project in mine-friendly Sonora, Mexico. Drilling will focus on the 100% controlled expansion area where recent scout drilling returned significant mineralization highlighted by 3.1 meters of 19.4 g/t Au within 106.6 meters of 0.6 g/t Au, just six meters from surface (12.2 meters downhole). Drilling started the evening of April 7th, over 100 meters are completed already in the first drill hole. Results are pending for three core holes.

"We are excited to be back drilling the expansion zone where recent results returned high-grade gold at surface." commented, CEO Brodie Sutherland. "Following up on our success, testing the northern edge of known mineralization with drilling will provide us with further insight on the resource potential. There remains a large untested area to the north and east where we will continue to push expansion. In addition, the northern alteration zone five kilometers away, remains open for exploration where a separate mineralized system has the potential to add further discovery upside. We look forward to updating our shareholders with continued drill results and advancements in permitting for production."

Figure 1. 3D Long Section of the Main Zone and the new Expansion Target to the north (left side of image).

Figure 2. Planview map of the Main Zone area and immediately north where recent RC drilling has discovered the extension of mineralization along parallel trends. Recent drill results are highlighted. Below, Photos from RC Drilling at Gran Pilar.

Figure 3. Gran Pilar Project Overview, > 22km2 of prospective ground with two primary targets: South Block, the direct extension and expansion of the historic Main Zone defined by an expanding vein field of untested drill targets; North Block a 3.2-km by 1.5-km pyrite and clay alteration zone that coincides with high-grade gold-silver, the area remains largely untested.

Pilar Drill Highlights:

2024 RC Drilling Highlights include ( all lengths are drilled thicknesses ): 42.7m @ 1.0 g/t Au, including 3.1m @ 10.9 g/t Au 56.4m @ 1.0 g/t Au, including 3.1m @ 14.7 g/t Au 16.8m @ 0.8 g/t Au and 19 g/t Ag

2022 Phase III Diamond Drilling Highlights include ( all lengths are drilled thicknesses ): 116.9m @ 1.2 g/t Au, including 10.2m @ 12 g/t Au and 23 g/t Ag 108.9m @ 0.8 g/t Au, including 9.4m @ 7.6 g/t Au and 5 g/t Ag 63.4m @ 0.6 g/t Au and 11 g/t Ag, including 29.9m @ 0.9 g/t Au and 18 g/t Ag

2021 Phase II RC Drilling Highlights include ( all lengths are drilled thicknesses ): 39.7m @ 1.0 g/t Au, including 1.5m @ 14.6 g/t Au 47.7m @ 0.7 g/t Au including 3m @ 5.6 g/t Au and 22 g/t Ag 29m @ 0.7 g/t Au 35.1m @ 0.7 g/t Au

2020 Phase I RC Drilling Highlights include ( all lengths are drilled thicknesses ): 94.6m @ 1.6 g/t Au, including 9.2m @ 10.8 g/t Au and 38 g/t Ag; 41.2m @ 1.1 g/t Au, including 3.1m @ 6.0 g/t Au and 12 g/t Ag ; 24.4m @ 2.5 g/t Au and 73 g/t Ag, including 1.5m @ 33.4 g/t Au and 1,090 g/t Ag

15,000m of Historic Core & RC drilling. Highlights include: 61.0m @ 0.8 g/t Au 21.0m @ 38.3 g/t Au and 38 g/t Ag 13.0m @ 9.6 g/t Au 9.0m @ 10.2 g/t Au and 46 g/t Ag



Pilar Bulk Sample Summary:

62% Recovery of Gold Achieved Over 46-day Leaching Period

Head Grade Calculated at 1.9 g/t Au and 7 g/t Ag; Extracted Grade Calculated at 1.2 g/t Au and 3 g/t Ag

Bulk Sample Only Included Coarse Fraction of Material (+3/4" to +1/8")

Fine Fraction (-1/8") Indicates Rapid Recovery with Agitated Leach Agitated Bottle Roll Test Returned Rapid and High Recovery Results: 80% Recovery of Gold and 94% Recovery of Silver after Rapid 24-hour Retention Time



Additional Metallurgical Studies:

Gravity Recovery with Agitated Leach Results of Five Composite Samples Returned 95 to 99% Recovery of Gold 73 to 97% Recovery of Silver Includes the Recovery of 99% Au and 73% Ag from Drill Core Composite at 120-meter depth.



Based on management's strong belief in the project's potential, the Company is outlining a permitting and operations strategy for a pilot facility at Pilar. The facility would underpin a robust test mine scenario with aims to process up to 50,000 tonnes of material. Timelines and budget are being prepared with the aim of moving forward with the development early in 2025. With gold prices hitting all-time highs, the Company believes the onsite test mine will provide key economic parameters and showcase the mineral potential of the area. In 2023, the Company completed an offsite bulk sample that produced important data showcasing the potential to recover both gold and silver through a variety of methods including heap leach, gravity and agitated leach (see August 22, 2023, news release for more details).

About Tocvan Ventures Corp.

Tocvan's advancing gold-silver projects are located in the mine-friendly jurisdiction of Sonora, Mexico. Through ongoing exploration programs, Company is unveiling the high-potential at its Gran Pilar Gold-Silver Project where it holds 100% interests in over 21 square kilometers of prospective area and a majority ownership (51%) in a one square kilometer area shared with Colibri Resources. The Company also holds 100% interest in the Picacho Gold-Silver project in the Caborca Trend of northern Sonora, a trend host to some of the major gold deposits of the region. Management feels both projects represent tremendous opportunity to create shareholder value.

Tocvan has approximately 59 million shares outstanding.

Quality Assurance / Quality Control

Rock and Drill samples were shipped for sample preparation to ALS Limited in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico and for analysis at the ALS laboratory in North Vancouver. The ALS Hermosillo and North Vancouver facilities are ISO 9001 and ISO/IEC 17025 certified. Gold was analyzed using 50-gram nominal weight fire assay with atomic absorption spectroscopy finish. Over limits for gold (>10 g/t), were analyzed using fire assay with a gravimetric finish. Silver and other elements were analyzed using a four-acid digestion with an ICP finish. Over limit analyses for silver (>100 g/t) were re-assayed using an ore-grade four-acid digestion with ICP-AES finish. Control samples comprising certified reference samples and blank samples were systematically inserted into the sample stream and analyzed as part of the Company's robust quality assurance / quality control protocol.

Soil Samples were shipped for sample preparation to ALS Limited in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico and for analysis at the ALS laboratory in North Vancouver. The ALS Hermosillo and North Vancouver facilities are ISO 9001 and ISO/IEC 17025 certified. Gold and multi-element analysis of soils was completed by aqua regia digestion and ICP-MS finish using a 50-gram nominal weight. Over limit gold values greater than 1 g/t were re-assayed with a more robust aqua regia digestion ad ICP-MS finish. Over limit analyses for silver (>100 g/t) were re-assayed using an ore-grade four-acid digestion with ICP-AES finish. Control samples comprising blank samples and certified reference materials were systematically inserted into the sample stream and analyzed as part of the Company's robust quality assurance / quality control protocol.

Brodie A. Sutherland, CEO for Tocvan Ventures Corp. and a qualified person ("QP") as defined by Canadian National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this release.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release contains "forward-looking information" which may include, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future. Forward-looking information in this news release includes statements regarding the use of proceeds from the Offering. Such forward-looking information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words and 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.

These forward-looking statements, and any assumptions upon which they are based, are made in good faith and reflect our current judgment regarding the direction of our business. Management believes that these assumptions are reasonable. Forward-looking information involves 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 information. Such factors include, among others, risks related to the speculative nature of the Company's business, the Company's formative stage of development and the Company's financial position. 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 information 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 information.

For more information, please contact:

TOCVAN VENTURES CORP.

Brodie A. Sutherland, CEO

820-1130 West Pender St.

Vancouver, BC V6E 4A4

Telephone: 1 888 772 2452

Email: ir@tocvan.ca

STAY CONNECTED:

LinkedIn: TOC LinkedIn

X: TOC X

Facebook: TOC Facebook

YouTube: TOC YouTube

Web:tocvan.com

SOURCE: Tocvan Ventures Corp
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!
Further strengthening of the executive committee with industrial skills to support the final start-up phase of AFYREN NEOXY

Regulatory News:

AFYREN (Paris:ALAFY)a greentech company offering manufacturers biobased, low-carbon ingredients through a unique fermentation technology based on a circular model, today announces the strengthening of its Executive Committee with the appointment of Laurent Pou as Industrial Director, a strategic position as the Group's first biorefinery, AFYREN NEOXY, enters the final phase of industrial start-up.

A chemical engineering graduate of ENSIC Nancy and University College London, Laurent Pou has extensive experience with international companies such as Tereos and ExxonMobil. His 25 years' experience in the chemicals and agrochemicals industry and his strong expertise in industrial plant start-ups, operations management and the industrial and economic optimisation of production assets are key strengths for the forthcoming continuous operation phase of AFYREN NEOXY and the ramp-up period that will follow.

Nicolas SORDET, Chief Executive Officer of AFYREN, said: "Laurent has very strong proven industrial experience, and his knowledge and experience are a major asset for the continued development of AFYREN. Working hand in hand with the team, his roadmap is to consolidate the progress made in recent quarters, to confirm and optimise the performance of our first biorefinery and to plan the expansion of our industrial activities, both in France and internationally.

Laurent POU, Industrial Director of AFYREN, added: "Faced with the challenges of starting up a plant that is a world first, the AFYREN team has made remarkable progress with the structuring and deployment of an industrial organisation. Now that the plant is producing its first tens of tonnes, I'm delighted to be able to help the teams reach new milestones, firstly at the AFYREN NEOXY plant in Carling Saint-Avold, and then as we roll-out the Group's future plants

This appointment follows on from the strengthening of the Executive Committee around industrial skills: Ursula Feulner, Director of Industrial Projects since early 2022, joined AFYREN's Executive Committee in 2024.

About AFYREN

AFYREN is a French greentech company, founded in 2012, focused on providing innovative, sustainable solutions to reduce reliance on fossil-based resources. AFYREN's proprietary, nature-inspired fermentation technology valorizes local biomass from non-food agricultural co-products to produce 100% biobased, low-carbon carboxylic acids. The company's sustainable solutions address decarbonization challenges in a wide variety of strategic sectors, including human and animal nutrition, flavors and fragrances, life sciences, materials science, plus lubricants and technical fluids. AFYREN's competitive, plug-and-play, circular technology enables manufacturers to adopt sustainable solutions without modifying production processes.

The company's first industrial plant, AFYREN NEOXY, a joint venture with Bpifrance's SPI fund, is based in the Grand-Est region of France, serving primarily the European market. AFYREN is also pursuing a project in Thailand with a global leader in the sugar industry and is building its presence in the Americas, based on existing distribution agreements.

At the end of 2024, AFYREN employed 130 people across sites in Lyon, Clermont-Ferrand and Carling Saint-Avold. Committed to continuous innovation, the company invests 20% of its annual budget in R&D to further develop the range of sustainable solutions.

AFYREN is listed on Euronext Growth Paris since 2021 (ISIN code: FR0014005AC9, ticker: ALAFY).

For more information, visit www.afyren.com and follow us on LinkedIn

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250409770808/en/

Contacts:

AFYREN

Director for ESG, Communications and Public Affairs

Caroline Petigny

caroline.petigny@afyren.com

Investor Relations

Mark Reinhard

investisseurs@afyren.com

NewCap

Investor Relations

Theo Martin Mathilde Bohin

Tel: 01 44 71 94 94

afyren@newcap.eu

Media Relations

Nicolas Merigeau Gaelle Fromaigeat

Tel: 01 44 71 94 98

afyren@newcap.eu

MC Services AG (international)

Investor Relations

Bettina Ellinghorst

Media Relations

Shaun Brown, Dr. Johanna Kobler

Tel: +49 89 210 228 0

afyren@mc-services.eu
EQS-News: Afyren SAS / Key word(s): Personnel

AFYREN strengthens its Executive Committee with appointment of Laurent Pou as Industrial Director



10.04.2025 / 07:40 CET/CEST

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.





AFYREN strengthens its Executive Committee with appointment of Laurent Pou as Industrial Director

Further strengthening of the executive committee with industrial skills to support the final start-up phase of AFYREN NEOXY

Clermont-Ferrand/Lyon, 10 April 2025 at 07:30 CEST - AFYREN a greentech company offering manufacturers biobased, low-carbon ingredients through a unique fermentation technology based on a circular model, today announces the strengthening of its Executive Committee with the appointment of Laurent Pou as Industrial Director, a strategic position as the Group's first biorefinery, AFYREN NEOXY, enters the final phase of industrial start-up.

A chemical engineering graduate of ENSIC Nancy and University College London, Laurent Pou has extensive experience with international companies such as Tereos and ExxonMobil. His 25 years' experience in the chemicals and agrochemicals industry and his strong expertise in industrial plant start-ups, operations management and the industrial and economic optimisation of production assets are key strengths for the forthcoming continuous operation phase of AFYREN NEOXY and the ramp-up period that will follow.

Nicolas SORDET, Chief Executive Officer of AFYREN, said: "Laurent has very strong proven industrial experience, and his knowledge and experience are a major asset for the continued development of AFYREN. Working hand in hand with the team, his roadmap is to consolidate the progress made in recent quarters, to confirm and optimise the performance of our first biorefinery and to plan the expansion of our industrial activities, both in France and internationally."

Laurent POU, Industrial Director of AFYREN, added: "Faced with the challenges of starting up a plant that is a world first, the AFYREN team has made remarkable progress with the structuring and deployment of an industrial organisation. Now that the plant is producing its first tens of tonnes, I'm delighted to be able to help the teams reach new milestones, firstly at the AFYREN NEOXY plant in Carling Saint-Avold, and then as we roll-out the Group's future plants."

This appointment follows on from the strengthening of the Executive Committee around industrial skills: Ursula Feulner, Director of Industrial Projects since early 2022, joined AFYREN's Executive Committee in 2024.

About AFYREN

AFYREN is a French greentech company, founded in 2012, focused on providing innovative, sustainable solutions to reduce reliance on fossil-based resources. AFYREN's proprietary, nature-inspired fermentation technology valorizes local biomass from non-food agricultural co-products to produce 100% biobased, low-carbon carboxylic acids. The company's sustainable solutions address decarbonization challenges in a wide variety of strategic sectors, including human and animal nutrition, flavors and fragrances, life sciences, materials science, plus lubricants and technical fluids. AFYREN's competitive, plug-and-play, circular technology enables manufacturers to adopt sustainable solutions without modifying production processes.

The company's first industrial plant, AFYREN NEOXY, a joint venture with Bpifrance's SPI fund, is based in the Grand-Est region of France, serving primarily the European market. AFYREN is also pursuing a project in Thailand with a global leader in the sugar industry and is building its presence in the Americas, based on existing distribution agreements.

At the end of 2024, AFYREN employed 130 people across sites in Lyon, Clermont-Ferrand and Carling Saint-Avold. Committed to continuous innovation, the company invests 20% of its annual budget in R&D to further develop the range of sustainable solutions.

AFYREN is listed on Euronext Growth Paris since 2021 (ISIN code: FR0014005AC9, ticker: ALAFY).

For more information, visit www.afyren.com and follow us on LinkedIn

Contacts

AFYREN

Director for ESG, Communications and Public Affairs

Caroline Petigny

caroline.petigny@afyren.com



Investor Relations

Mark Reinhard

investisseurs@afyren.com



NewCap



Investor Relations

Theo Martin / Mathilde Bohin

Tel: 01 44 71 94 94

afyren@newcap.eu



Media Relations

Nicolas Merigeau / Gaelle Fromaigeat

Tel: 01 44 71 94 98

afyren@newcap.eu

MC Services AG (international)



Investor Relations

Bettina Ellinghorst



Media Relations

Shaun Brown, Dr. Johanna Kobler



Tel: +49 89 210 228 0

afyren@mc-services.eu

10.04.2025 CET/CEST Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



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Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 10, 2025) - Forge Resources Corp. (CSE: FRG) (OTCQB: FRGGF) (FSE: 5YZ) ("FRG" or the "Company") is pleased to share progress on the La Estrella coal project. With the main portal construction fully completed (Figure 1), underground work on the 170-metre decline is advancing steadily to access high quality coal seams for the 20,000-tonne bulk sampling program. Additionally, the Company has invested in new materials and equipment to support development efforts, ensuring the project stays on track for its revenue-generating goals.

PJ Murphy, CEO of Forge Resources, stated: "As we continue to make significant progress at our fully permitted La Estrella coal project, I am immensely proud of the strides our team has achieved. The active underground development is underway, complemented by the completion of critical site fixturing and the procurement of key equipment to support the current phase of operations. We are making significant progress on our growth strategy at Forge Resources Corp."

Figure 1. Works plaza and completed portal

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8680/248059_0e644c6364f4cb1a_001full.jpg

Mining Camp Construction Proposals

The Company is currently evaluating multiple proposals and designs (Figure 2) for the construction of the on-site housing facilities to accommodate our expanding team of miners and engineers. This initiative reflects our commitment to providing comfortable, efficient, and secure housing solutions that enhance the well-being and productivity of our workforce. The implementation of onsite accommodations will enable all shifts to remain on location, ensuring seamless operational continuity and significantly reducing transit times for our dedicated personnel. We anticipate commencing construction of the mining camp promptly upon finalizing the design and selecting the construction partner.

Additionally, Forge Resources Corp is dedicated to utilizing local labor and sustainably sourced materials for the construction of the mining camp facilities. By employing skilled workers from the surrounding communities and integrating eco-friendly building practices, the project supports economic development in the region while aligning with our commitment to environmental stewardship. The cost advantages of building in Colombia further amplify the value of this initiative, enabling efficient resource allocation while delivering high-quality housing solutions. This approach not only strengthens community ties but also ensures the construction process is economically beneficial.

Figure 2. Proposed floor plans for camp accommodations

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8680/248059_0e644c6364f4cb1a_002full.jpg

Project Prospecting

Forge's executive team continues to actively pursue opportunities to enhance its portfolio of Colombian coal projects. Preliminary discussions are currently being held to explore the potential acquisition of new concessions, including those already in production and others progressing through the permitting process. These efforts align with the Company's dedication to sustainable and responsible resource development.

Marketing

The Company has entered into a marketing and distribution service agreement with an arm's-length marketing firm Machai Capital Inc. of Vancouver, B.C., to provide digital marketing services to increase corporate awareness for a term of 3 months starting April 10, 2025. The media disseminated will be generated using publicly available information. The Company will pay Machai a cash fee of $285,000 CAD, plus applicable taxes. Machai does not currently own any shares of the company. Machai is a marketing, advertising and public awareness firm specializing in advertising and public awareness in the metals and mining, technology, and special situation sectors.

About Forge Resources Corp.

Forge Resources Corp. is a Canadian-listed junior exploration company. The Company holds a 60% interest in Aion Mining Corp., a company that is developing the fully permitted La Estrella coal project in Santander, Colombia. La Estrella contains eight known seams of metallurgical and thermal coal. The Company also holds an option on the Alotta project, a prospective porphyry copper-gold-molybdenum project located 50 km south-east of the Casino porphyry deposit in the unglaciated portion of the Dawson Range porphyry/epithermal belt in the Yukon Territory of Canada.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain of the statements made and information contained herein may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, information concerning the Aion Acquisition. Forward-looking information is based on the views, opinions, intentions and estimates of management at the date the information is made, and is based on a number of assumptions and subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated or projected in the forward-looking information (including the actions of other parties who have agreed to do certain things and the approval of certain regulatory bodies). Many of these assumptions are based on factors and events that are not within the control of the Company and there is no assurance they will prove to be correct. 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. In particular, there can be no assurance that the Proposed Transaction will be completed as described or at all. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by applicable securities laws, or to comment on analyses, expectations or statements made by third parties in respect of the Company, its financial or operating results or its securities. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. We seek safe harbor.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/248059

SOURCE: Forge Resources Corp.
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.



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The French leader in offensive cybersecurity and external security posture management is set to open a new UK branch in London this April 2025, led by Carla BORE.

Patrowl, renowned for its innovative approach to pen testing-as-a-service and Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM), has announced the launch of its London office alongside its participation in Big SASIG 2025, on 8th May.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250410829184/en/

Carla BORE, Territory Manager UK Patrowl

The award-winning French platform has earned recognition for its precise threat analysis and actionable remediation advice. Designed to continuously monitor internet-exposed assets, Patrowl's solution delivers reliable insights without false positives, helping organisations stay ahead of evolving cyber risks.

Strengthening Presence in the UK Market

As part of its international growth strategy, Patrowl is now turning its attention to the UK market.

"The UK is a vibrant hub for technology-savvy businesses with a strong focus on cybersecurity. It also shares a rich history of commercial ties with France," explains Nicolas MATTIOCCO, co-founder and President of Patrowl. "To spearhead our London expansion, we've appointed Carla BORE, who has been instrumental in driving our success across France and the UK market over the past two years. Her deep understanding of Anglo-Saxon business culture makes her the ideal choice for this role."

Carla BORE will oversee regulatory compliance to ensure Patrowl's solutions meet UK standards while fostering connections within the local business community.

"British organisations are highly aware of concepts like external attack surface management and asset exposure. They understand the limitations of traditional pen testing and recognise the importance of gaining clear, actionable insights into their cybersecurity posture." says Carla BORE, Territory Manager UK.

Already Trusted by Leading UK Companies

Patrowl's innovative platform has already gained traction with three UK-based clients from the fintech, electronics manufacturing, and reverse logistics sectors. Their CISOs praise its intuitive interface, absence of false positives, and ability to streamline vulnerability assessments.

"I'm excited to showcase what Patrowl can do for organisations here in the UK-from demonstrating how we identify vulnerabilities to walking through our validation processes and remediation strategies-all using anonymised data," adds Carla BORE.

Meet Patrowl at Big SASIG 2025 8th May 2025 at 133 Houndsditch, London, and join its interactive workshop titled "Internet-Exposed Assets: Why Good Practices Aren't Enough", featuring Gregory Dumont, CISO at SBE Cordon Group.

About Patrowl

Founded in 2020, the French company Patrowl is the publisher of the eponymous Offensive Security as-a-Service solution. To date, Patrowl is the only European company able to offer businesses and public organisations a complete platform for outsourced monitoring of assets exposed on the Internet, support for its cybersecurity teams in interpreting the mapping and advice on remedying all proven critical flaws. Developed by 3 cybersecurity specialists, the Patrowl solution is accessible to non-expert users, enabling them to rapidly raise the level of security of their information systems. Patrowl is aimed primarily at large local authorities, SMEs and key accounts.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250410829184/en/

Contacts:

Press:

Emilie Debes

Yucatan

edebes@yucatan.fr

+33153632734

+3369393484
Collaboration to Deliver AI-Powered Payment Optimisation, Global Acquiring, and Frictionless Transactions for Travel Brands

DALLAS, April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- CellPoint Digital, the global leader in Payment Orchestration for airlines and travel merchants, today announced a strategic partnership with Checkout.com, a leading global payment solutions provider. This collaboration will enable travel brands to streamline payment complexity, optimise conversion rates, and deliver a frictionless payment experience through a single, AI-driven integration.

The partnership integrates Checkout.com's global acquiring, digital payment processing, and AI-driven transaction optimisation with CellPoint Digital's Payment Orchestration Platform, providing merchants with the flexibility to adapt quickly to market demands, reduce costs, and improve approval rates. The solution is set to go live in June 2025 and will empower travel merchants with:

Key Benefits of the Partnership

Enhanced Payment Performance - AI-powered optimisation increases approval rates and reduces declines. Global Reach - A single integration gives access to multiple payment methods and markets, including 168+ Alternative Payment Methods (APMs), local acquiring, and Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) solutions.

Agility & Simplification - Checkout.com's deep expertise in fraud prevention and digital payment processing reduces complexity for merchants, accelerating time-to-market and improving payment performance.

Scalability & Flexibility - Businesses can accept payments online through fast-start methods or fully customised integrations, ensuring a seamless user experience.

Transparent Pricing & Dedicated Support - Merchants benefit from Checkout.com's white-glove service and clear, predictable pricing structures.

Driving Innovation in Travel Payments

"As payment complexity continues to grow, travel brands need solutions that reduce friction, optimise performance, and unlock new revenue opportunities," said Andy Sale, Head of Partnerships at CellPoint Digital. "Our partnership with Checkout.com brings together best-in-class AI-driven payment intelligence and a global acquiring network, ensuring our merchants can process transactions seamlessly while increasing approval rates and reducing costs."

"Travel is a global industry, and consumers expect payment options that match their preferences, no matter where they book," said Matthieu Barral, VP Global Partnerships at Checkout.com. "By integrating Checkout.com's acquiring and optimisation capabilities into CellPoint Digital's platform, travel brands can now leverage AI-powered transaction routing, increase acceptance rates, expand their global reach, deliver top-tier customer service, and streamline operations-all through a single integration."

Unlocking New Opportunities in Travel Payments

As travel brands seek to enhance customer experiences and expand into new markets, the CellPoint Digital and Checkout.com partnership will provide a seamless, scalable, and high-performing payment solution. Merchants can now access a global acquiring network, deep AI-powered fraud protection, and streamlined contract onboarding-ensuring a future-proof approach to payments.

For more information about CellPoint Digital and the Air Europa partnership or to schedule an interview with a company executive, please contact Steven Osei at steven.osei@cellpointdigital.com .

About CellPoint Digital

CellPoint Digital is a fintech leader in payment orchestration and optimisation. CellPoint Digital's main solution is a powerful Payment Orchestration Platform that optimises digital payment transactions from cards or alternative payment methods and accelerates the deployment of new payment options. Merchants can easily scale their own payment ecosystem across the world, unify the customer payment experience across their website, mobile apps and other channels, optimise the routing of each transaction, increase conversion rates and minimise payment costs. CellPoint Digital has offices in Copenhagen, Dallas, Dubai, London, Miami, Pune and Singapore. Visit www.cellpointdigital.com to learn more.

About CheckOut

Checkout.com processes payments for thousands of companies that shape the digital economy. Our global digital payments network supports over 145 currencies and delivers high-performance payment solutions across the world, processing billions of transactions annually.

With flexible and scalable technology, we help enterprise businesses boost acceptance rates, reduce processing costs, combat fraud, and turn payments into a major revenue driver. Headquartered in London and with 19 offices worldwide, Checkout.com is trusted by leading brands such as Alibaba, Docusign, GE Healthcare, Remitly, Sainsbury's, Sony, The Financial Times, Uber Eats, Vinted, and Wise.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/cellpoint-digital-and-checkoutcom-announce-strategic-partnership-to-maximise-payment-performance-for-travel-merchants-302424756.html
FRANKLIN, Tenn., April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc. ("CKE") is excited to announce the opening of the first Carl's Jr. in the UK. In partnership with Boparan Restaurant Group ("BRG"), a well-established franchise entity in the region, the new restaurant in St. David's Shopping Centre marks a milestone in CKE's plans for global growth. Guests lined up outside the restaurant on opening day, Thursday, April 3 to get a taste of the bold flavors the brand is known for.

With plans for a national rollout in the UK and Republic of Ireland, the successful opening in Cardiff has shown consumers' excitement for the beloved California brand. The Cardiff location saw more than 200 transactions within the first hour of opening. BRG plans to open, operate, and franchise restaurants throughout the region as the Carl's Jr. Master Franchisee.

"We're very excited about the expansion of Carl's Jr. into the UK and Republic of Ireland," said Rodrigo de la Torre, interim president of CKE International. "This was one of our most successful openings in Europe to-date and we look forward to seeing Boparan's continued success."

"We are thrilled to bring Carl's Jr. to Cardiff. The team at BRG has been working hard to bring the Carl's Jr. experience to life," said Satnam Leihal, CEO of BRG. "We've seen incredible excitement from fans eager to try our food, and we're confident our range of juicy 100% Angus Beef Burgers, Hand-Breaded Chicken Burgers and Tenders, and irresistible Ice Cream Shakes will become customer favorites."

With more than 80 years in business, the California-born restaurant chain continues their plans for global expansion. CKE currently operates more than 1,100 international restaurants in more than 35 countries around the world.

For international franchise information visit https://carlsjrfranchising.com/international.

About CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc.

CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc., a privately held company based in Franklin, Tennessee, operates Carl's Jr. and Hardee's restaurants, two beloved brands, known for premium and innovative menu items such as iconic chargrilled burgers and Hand-Breaded Chicken Tenders. With both a U.S. and international footprint, Carl's Jr. Restaurants LLC and Hardee's Restaurants LLC have more than 3,600 franchised or company-operated restaurants domestically and more than 35 international markets and U.S. territories. For more information about CKE, please visit www.ckr.com or its brand sites at www.carlsjr.com and www.hardees.com.

About Boparan Restaurant Group

BRG is one of the UK's leading restaurant companies, managing a diverse portfolio of well-known brands. BRG has firmly positioned itself as a leader in unlocking the potential of brands throughout the United Kingdom. The company has achieved this by leveraging its extensive expertise and innovative strategies to enhance brand visibility, drive consumer engagement, and foster sustainable growth. Through a comprehensive understanding of market dynamics and a commitment to excellence, BRG has become a trusted partner for businesses seeking to elevate their brand presence and achieve significant market impact.

BRG: https://boparanrestaurantgroup.co.uk/

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2661517/Cardiff_Store_Front.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2083541/CKE_Restaurants_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/carls-jr-opens-in-cardiff-wales-marking-the-official-launch-of-the-brand-in-the-uk-302425258.html
Driving Growth Through Quality Expansion, Product Innovations and Exciting Collaborations

Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Limited ("Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group", the "Group" or the "Company" SEHK stock code: 1929), the leading Chinese jeweller celebrates the first anniversary of its brand transformation journey. Over the past year, the transformation focuses on elevating customer experiences through new image stores that showcase the Brand's revitalised image, introducing uniquely differentiated designs to its product portfolio, as well as engaging in strategic brand collaborations tailored to resonate with today's discerning consumers. These milestones underscore the continued success of brand transformation and reinforce the Group's commitment to refining its legacy for global audiences. This is only the beginning. The Group will continue to introduce exciting developments to further this transformation, paving the way for growth as it approaches its centennial celebration in 2029.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF BRAND TRANSFORMATION:

Effective product optimisation strategy: The Group is making waves in its product optimisation strategy. The CTF Rouge Collection, launched in April 2024 to commemorate the Brand's 95th anniversary, has generated over HK$2.4 billion in retail sales value (RSV) as of the third quarter of Financial Year 2025 (3QFY2025). Building on the success of CTF Rouge Collection and its iconic "?" motif symbolising fortune, the Group proudly presents a new signature Collection, the CTF Joie Collection today. The Collection continues the storytelling introduced by CTF Rouge Collection, both deeply influenced by symbols of significance in Chinese culture. Joie, meaning happiness, embodies the tenacious spirit of Chow Tai Fook Jewellery in preserving and taking pride in Chinese traditions - transforming ancient wisdom into wearable art pieces for modern times. The new Collection brings the concept of "?" to life while taking inspiration from ancient and contemporary locks, an emblem of peace and protection.

Pioneering retail experiences: Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group is setting a new standard for jewellery shopping experiences with the launch of new image stores.Recent openings in Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Wuhan, Xi'an and Shanghai offer customers an immersive and personalised experience, featuring interactive displays, bespoke customer service, and stunning in-store environments. This strategic move underscores the Group's dedication to meeting the evolving desires of its clientele. Since their introductions, these new image stores have recorded impressive foot traffic and store productivity, driven by the enhanced shopping environment. For example, the new image store in MixC at Shenzhen has delivered remarkable performance, resulting in an increased market share in the mall as a whole.

Expanding horizons with product diversification: Demonstrating its commitment to diversification and capturing emerging consumer trends, the Group has unveiled the exclusive CTF PET Jewellery in March, the first of its kind from a Chinese jeweller. The unique jewelleries tap into the booming pet economy, which has experienced significant growth in recent years. According to an industry report, China's pet (dog and cat) consumer market reached over HK$325 billion in 2024, a 7.5% increase compared to 2023 [1] .Designed to celebrate the special bond between owners and their pets, the Pet Jewellery features meaningful and innovative products that caters to a wider customer base while resonating with this fast-growing consumer trend.

Strategic brand collaborations: The Group has forged innovative partnerships with esteemed artisans, gemologists, and designers who share its dedication to exceptional quality and craftsmanship. These partnerships have garnered significant acclaim, most notably the Chow Tai Fook Palace Museum Collection.Launched in August 2024, this Collection generated HK$1.6 billion in RSV by 3QFY2025. It exemplifies the Group's ability to seamlessly fuse cultural heritage with contemporary design, transforming historical narratives into wearable art. Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group has also bolstered its portfolio through high-profile collaborations with brands such as Black Myth: Wukong, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, and Chiikawa. The Black Myth: Wukong collection has proven particularly effective in engaging male customers, driving purchases for personal use rather than gifting, thereby penetrating a previously untapped market segment. These strategic collaborations not only broaden market reach but are also instrumental in attracting young consumers and fulfilling their emotional values. By integrating traditional elements with modern aesthetics, the Group solidifies its position as a leader in innovative and culturally relevant jewellery design.

Despite a challenging market environment, the Group remains dedicated to quality expansion through its brand transformation strategy, aiming to sharpen its market position and bolster long-term growth prospects. With substantial milestones already achieved, the Group is solidly on track to realise its vision: "To be the leading global jewellery brand that is a trusted lifetime partner for every generation" .

Sonia Cheng, Vice-chairman of Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group said, "Our brand transformation journey is a testament to Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group's unwavering commitment to innovation, quality, and customer-centricity. By pioneering new image stores, enhancing our product offerings and forging strategic collaborations with globally recognised partners, we are redefining our customer journey. These initiatives not only reinforce our position as a trusted lifetime partner but also lay a robust foundation for sustainable growth as we engage with new generations of consumers, ensuring our legacy endures well into the future. As we approach our centennial celebration in 2029, we remain committed to evolving our legacy into a modern symbol of jewellery that honours our heritage and resonates with diverse tastes of contemporary customers."

###

Photo Captions



Chow Tai Fook Jewellery presents the CTF Joie Collection today. The new Collection brings the concept of "?"to life while taking inspiration from ancient and contemporary locks, an emblem of peace and protection. Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group is setting a new standard for jewellery shopping experiences with the launch of new image stores. The new image store in MixC at Shenzhen has delivered remarkable performance, resulting in an increased market share in the mall as a whole.

Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Limited

Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Limited (the "Group" SEHK stock code: 1929) was listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong in December 2011. The Group firmly upholds the vision: "To be the leading global jewellery brand that is a trusted lifetime partner for every generation", drawing on nearly a century of legacy and success.

Founded in 1929, the Group's iconic brand "CHOW TAI FOOK" has become an emblem of tradition, celebrated for its bold designs and an unwavering attention to detail. Building upon a rich heritage and a foundation of trust, the Group is not only widely recognised for honouring traditions but also for fostering deep, meaningful connections with a diverse customer base through its exquisite jewellery. The Group's long-standing commitment to innovation and craftsmanship has been integral to its success over time and has become synonymous with excellence, value and authenticity.

As a leading Chinese jeweller, the Group believes in blending contemporary cutting-edge designs with traditional techniques to create jewellery that can be passed down from generation to generation. Every collection is thoughtfully conceived and crafted to reflect the stories of our customers, celebrating the special moments in their lives. Committed to growing alongside our customers, the Group embraces a spirit that aspires to inspire and captivate generations to come, weaving the story of CHOW TAI FOOK into the fabric of their lives.

Offering a wide variety of products, services and channels, the Group's brand portfolio comprises the CHOW TAI FOOK flagship brand with curated retail experiences, and other individual brands including HEARTS ON FIRE, SOINLOVE, ENZO and MONOLOGUE.

The Group is committed to delivering sustainable long-term value creation for its stakeholders by enhancing the quality of earnings and driving higher value growth. With an extensive retail network across China and multiple locations globally, along with a growing e-commerce business, the Group is implementing targeted online-to-offline ("O2O") strategies to strengthen its competitiveness in today's omni-channel retail environment.

Media Enquiries:

Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Limited

Haide Ng

Associate Director, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications

Tel: (852) 3115 4402

Email: haideng@chowtaifook.com

Acky Chan

Senior Manager, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications

Tel: (852) 3115 4403

Email: ackychan@chowtaifook.com

SOURCE: Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Limited
HANOI, Vietnam, April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Dialogue in the New Era: China-Vietnam Exchange for Young Media Professionals" was held successfully on Wednesday in Hanoi, with a parallel session in Nanning, Guangxi, China. The event marked the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Vietnam, and the China-Vietnam Year of People-to-People Exchanges.

The forum was guided by China's State Council Information Office and jointly organized by the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Government Information Office, the China Intercontinental Communication Center (CICC), and the Voice of Vietnam (VOV), with support from the Guangxi Center for International Communication and Guangxi Radio and Television.

More than 500 representatives from media organizations, universities, and enterprises across both countries participated. Attendees at the Hanoi venue included Do Hong Quan, Vice Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and Chairman of the Vietnam Alliance of Arts and Literature Associations; VOV Vice Presidents Ngo Minh Hien and Vu Hai Quang; Wang Qun, Charge d'Affaires at the Chinese Embassy in Vietnam; Jing Shuiqing, Editor-in-Chief of CICC; and Li Pan, Director of the Guangxi Government Information Office.

Under the theme "Dialogue in the New Era," 12 young professionals from CGTN, VOV, The World and Vietnam Report, VTCnewspaper, Guangxi Center for International Communication, and Guangxi Radio and Television engaged in panel discussions alongside representatives from the media and tech sectors. The dialogue centered on three key topics: the role of young media professionals in fostering bilateral friendship, media-driven industry integration, and the challenges and opportunities brought by artificial intelligence in the media landscape.

Speakers emphasized the media's role in strengthening mutual understanding and serving as a bridge between the two peoples. Participants expressed their commitment to telling the story of China-Vietnam cooperation, promoting shared development, and advancing collaboration in an increasingly digital and AI-driven era. The forum underscored the importance of youth engagement in deepening the China-Vietnam comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and building a shared future.

A joint documentary, The Path of Development, co-produced by Guangxi Radio and Television and VOV, was officially launched during the event. The film showcases milestones in China-Vietnam relations over the past 75 years. In addition, a new media exchange initiative titled "Comrades and Brothers, Together Toward the Future" was launched by the Guangxi Center for International Communication and CICC in collaboration with leading Vietnamese media outlets. The program will see media teams from both countries conduct joint reporting trips in Guangxi, Sichuan, and Guizhou in China, and in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam.

At the Nanning sub-forum, nearly 50 young media representatives took part in simultaneous discussions, further promoting cross-border dialogue and reinforcing the shared commitment of Chinese and Vietnamese youth to closer cooperation.

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/dialogue-in-the-new-era-china-vietnam-exchange-for-young-media-professionals-held-successfully-302425470.html
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 10, 2025) - Tudor Gold Corp. (TSXV: TUD) (FSE: H56) (the "Company" or "Tudor") is pleased to announce that Ms. Diana Swain has been appointed to the Company's Advisory Board, effective immediately.

Ms. Swain is the founder of Diana Swain Strategies, an executive communications consulting firm based in Toronto.

She launched her firm after completing a nearly 40-year career as a distinguished Canadian journalist well-known for her award-winning on-air and leadership positions at CBC News.

During her tenure, she held pivotal editorial roles including Managing Editor of Investigations with oversight of the network's investigative properties, and Executive Producer of The Fifth Estate from 2021-2023, leading the program to win the Canadian Screen Award for Best News or Information Series in her inaugural season.

Swain is widely recognized for her extensive on-air career which included helming "The Investigators with Diana Swain" from 2016-2019, a program that delved into the intricacies of journalism and investigative reporting. She spent decades as a senior correspondent with CBC News, reporting on stories from across the country and around the world, providing in-depth coverage across various media platforms.

Her reporting extended to international events, covering three Olympic Games: Beijing in 2008, Sochi in 2014, and Pyeongchang in 2018, offering audiences nuanced perspectives on these global spectacles.

Throughout her career, Swain received multiple national and international accolades, including being the first woman in Canada to win the national award for Best News Anchor, an honour she secured three times.

In recognition of her contributions to journalism, she was awarded an honourary degree from Humber College in 2010 and an Honourary Doctorate of Technology from The British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) in 2017.

In addition to leading her consulting firm, Swain also serves as a Forum Chair and Strategic Advisor for MacKay CEO Forums, further contributing to the development of Canada's business community.

Ken Konkin, President and CEO, comments: "Tudor Gold is very excited to welcome Diana Swain to the Advisory Board. I've had the pleasure of knowing Diana for many years and now have the privilege of working with her as she advises the Company on effectively communicating our corporate messaging. Diana is a seasoned journalist and media personality, recognized for her insightful commentary on current affairs and investigative journalism. She has been a trusted and highly respected figure in Canadian media for decades and is a tremendous addition to our team. Diana's ability to distill complex information and connect with stakeholders will be an incredible asset as we continue to grow our presence and communicate our vision with clarity and impact. We all sincerely welcome Diana and look forward to her valued input as the newest member of our team."

The Company also provides a quarterly update with respect to the Company's previously announced "at-the-market" equity program (the "ATM Program") launched on February 13, 2024. The ATM Program allows the Company to issue and sell, from time to time, up to $20,000,000 of its common shares from treasury to the public, at the Company's discretion, pursuant to an equity distribution agreement between the Company and Research Capital Corporation (the "Agent").

During the quarterly period ended March 31, 2025, the Company issued a total of 2,309,600 common shares on the TSX Venture Exchange at an average price of C$0.6862 per share under the ATM Program, providing gross proceeds of C$1,584,741.57. Commissions of C$39,618.54 were paid to the Agent in relation to these distributions.

For further details on the ATM Program, see the Company's news release dated February 14, 2024.

About Tudor Gold

TUDOR GOLD CORP. is a precious and base metals exploration and development company with claims in British Columbia's Golden Triangle (Canada), an area that hosts producing and past-producing mines and several large deposits that are approaching potential development. The 17,913 hectare Treaty Creek Project (in which TUDOR GOLD has a 60% interest) borders Seabridge Gold Inc.'s KSM property to the southwest and borders Newmont Corporation's Brucejack property to the southeast.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF

TUDOR GOLD CORP.

"Ken Konkin"

Ken Konkin

President and Chief Executive Officer

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.

Cautionary Statements regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. "Forward-looking information" includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, including the completion and anticipated results of the key objectives in the Company's strategic plan, and planned exploration activities. Generally, but not always, forward-looking information and statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or the negative connotation thereof 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" or the negative connotation thereof.

Such forward-looking information and statements are based on numerous assumptions, including among others, that the Company's strategic plan and planned exploration activities will be completed in a timely manner. Although the assumptions made by the Company in providing forward-looking information or making forward-looking statements are considered reasonable by management at the time, there can be no assurance that such assumptions will prove to be accurate.

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 plans or expectations include risks relating to the actual results of current exploration activities, fluctuating gold prices, possibility of equipment breakdowns and delays, exploration cost overruns, availability of capital and financing, general economic, market or business conditions, regulatory changes, timeliness of government or regulatory approvals and other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators.

Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information or implied by 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 forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.

The Company expressly 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 otherwise required by applicable securities legislation.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/248018

SOURCE: Tudor Gold Corp.
The awards, organised in collaboration with B Lab Spain and GSMA Foundry, recognise technological projects with a sustainable vision

The 17 finalists, selected among 157 candidates, will gather on the 12th of June in Barcelona to discover the winners of this first edition of the MWCapital Awards

BARCELONA, Spain, April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Mobile World Capital Barcelona (MWCapital), in collaboration with B Lab Spain and GSMA Foundry, has announced the 17 finalist projects for the first edition of the 'MWCapital Awards: Technologies for a Sustainable Future'. This new awards programme recognises the most innovative projects that leverage technology to drive the transition towards a more sustainable and inclusive future. Aligned with the United Nations' 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the initiative celebrates creativity, innovation, and tangible impact - supporting a responsible and global digital transformation. The winners will be revealed during a dedicated ceremony on 12 June at Torre Glories, Barcelona.

The call for entries, which closed in March, attracted 157 applications from 34 countries, reflecting strong global interest in technology solutions with social and environmental impact. The finalists, from 11 countries, represent a wide range of actors including startups, corporations, public institutions, non-profit organisations, and research or academic bodies.

From advancing energy sustainability to protecting biodiversity, early disease detection, and combating misinformation, the finalist projects reflect a strong commitment to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. By leveraging technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, big data, nanotechnology, and the Internet of Things, these solutions demonstrate the power of digital transformation in building a more resilient and equitable world.

AI for Selective Fishing (Spain) - Satlink's an AI-enhanced device that enables sustainable fishing by differentiating tuna species under Fish Aggregating Devices. (SDG 14 - Life Below Water)

(Spain) - Satlink's an AI-enhanced device that enables sustainable fishing by differentiating tuna species under Fish Aggregating Devices. (SDG 14 - Life Below Water) BraiN20 (Spain) - Time is Brain S.L. is a real-time brain monitoring device revolutionizes stroke care with continuous functional data. (SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-Being)

(Spain) - Time is Brain S.L. is a real-time brain monitoring device revolutionizes stroke care with continuous functional data. (SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-Being) Data-Driven City for Citizens (Finland) - Tampere's smart city initiative integrates AI and digital twins to enhance urban sustainability and citizen participation. (SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities)

(Finland) - Tampere's smart city initiative integrates AI and digital twins to enhance urban sustainability and citizen participation. (SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities) Embrace the Forest (Brazil) - Umgrauemeio's wildfire management software, Pantera, leverages AI for prevention, detection, and impact analysis to mitigate CO2 emissions. (SDG 13 - Climate Action)

(Brazil) - Umgrauemeio's wildfire management software, Pantera, leverages AI for prevention, detection, and impact analysis to mitigate CO2 emissions. (SDG 13 - Climate Action) Gov.pt - Portuguese Digital Wallet (Portugal) - It is a national app that digitizes official documents and streamlines access to public services. (SDG 16 - Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions)

- (Portugal) - It is a national app that digitizes official documents and streamlines access to public services. (SDG 16 - Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) H2SAREA (Spain) - Nortegas' project integrates green hydrogen into natural gas networks, contributing to decarbonization and climate neutrality. (SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure)

(Spain) - Nortegas' project integrates green hydrogen into natural gas networks, contributing to decarbonization and climate neutrality. (SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) Julieta (Colombia) - Developed by Salva Health S.A.S, this AI-powered, portable device enables early disease detection without radiation or specialized personnel, making healthcare more accessible in underserved regions. (SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-Being)

(Colombia) - Developed by Salva Health S.A.S, this AI-powered, portable device enables early disease detection without radiation or specialized personnel, making healthcare more accessible in underserved regions. (SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-Being) Kyiv Digital (Ukraine) - The Kyiv City Council's smart city app enhances urban services and citizen safety. (SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities)

(Ukraine) - The Kyiv City Council's smart city app enhances urban services and citizen safety. (SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities) Luchando contra la desinformacion (Spain) - Universidad Politecnica de Madrid offers an AI-powered tool that combats misinformation, supporting journalists, fact-checkers, and public institutions. (SDG 4 - Quality Education)

(Spain) - Universidad Politecnica de Madrid offers an AI-powered tool that combats misinformation, supporting journalists, fact-checkers, and public institutions. (SDG 4 - Quality Education) Natura 2000 Passport (Portugal) - Palombar's initiative raises awareness about biodiversity preservation within the Natura 2000 network. (SDG 15 - Life on Land)

(Portugal) - Palombar's initiative raises awareness about biodiversity preservation within the Natura 2000 network. (SDG 15 - Life on Land) Nut4Health (Mauritania) - SIC4Change's blockchain-driven initiative fights malnutrition, supporting thousands of vulnerable families and aiming for global expansion. (SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-Being)

(Mauritania) - SIC4Change's blockchain-driven initiative fights malnutrition, supporting thousands of vulnerable families and aiming for global expansion. (SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-Being) PDApp (Spain) - Fundacio Espigoladors' digital platform streamlines agri-food surplus management, reducing food waste and supporting circular economy principles. (SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production)

(Spain) - Fundacio Espigoladors' digital platform streamlines agri-food surplus management, reducing food waste and supporting circular economy principles. (SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production) Saving Norway's Endangered Atlantic Salmon (Norway) - Huawei's AI-powered system sorts invasive species from rivers to protect the Atlantic salmon population. (SDG 14 - Life Below Water)

(Norway) - Huawei's AI-powered system sorts invasive species from rivers to protect the Atlantic salmon population. (SDG 14 - Life Below Water) SIMPaCT (Australia) - Western Sydney University's IoT-driven smart irrigation system optimizes urban cooling and water efficiency. (SDG 13 - Climate Action)

(Australia) - Western Sydney University's IoT-driven smart irrigation system optimizes urban cooling and water efficiency. (SDG 13 - Climate Action) Tecnologia con Proposito (Spain) - Samsung Electronics Iberia's AI-driven accessibility initiatives support individuals with ALS, ASD, and speech disorders. (SDG 10 - Reduced Inequalities)

(Spain) - Samsung Electronics Iberia's AI-driven accessibility initiatives support individuals with ALS, ASD, and speech disorders. (SDG 10 - Reduced Inequalities) Victoria, Vaso Linfatico Artificial (Mexico) - Universidad Panamericana's nanotechnology-based implant addresses secondary lymphedema in breast cancer patients. (SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-Being)

(Mexico) - Universidad Panamericana's nanotechnology-based implant addresses secondary lymphedema in breast cancer patients. (SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-Being) Xworks AI (United Kingdom) - Uses AI to transform waste into valuable secondary raw materials, advancing circular economy goals. (SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production)

MWCapital Awards Jury and Evaluation Process

During the next phase a jury of national and international experts in sustainability, technology, and social innovation will evaluate the 17 shortlisted projects to select one winner per category, plus the Barcelona Horizon Award.

Among the experts participating in this first edition are John Hoffman, CEO of GSMA Ltd.; Irene Kaggwa, Director General of the Uganda Communications Commission and representative of ITU's GIGA initiative; Antonio Torralba, professor at MIT; and Xavier Sala i Martin, Professor at Columbia University.

The panel also includes Lucas Hunter, Interim Executive Director at B Lab Spain; Carlos Mataix, Director of the Innovation and Technology for Development Centre at Universidad Politecnica de Madrid; Pilar Roch, General Director of AMETIC and Xavi Pont Martin, co-founder of Ship2B, among others. Public administrations and the foundation's founding partners will also take part in the evaluation panel.

This diverse and multidisciplinary group ensures a robust evaluation process, considering the innovation, scalability, and potential for real-world impact of each project. The six winners will be selected based on their ability to leverage technology to address social and environmental challenges aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Among the six selected winners, one project will be awarded up to 50,000 to pilot its solution in Barcelona, based on its potential for local impact in the city.

A platform for global visibility and collaboration

The MWCapital Awards ceremony will take place on 12 June 2025 in Torre Glories, Barcelona. During the event, the six winning projects will be announced, recognised for their level of innovation and their ability to drive positive change through technology.

Winners will have the opportunity to present their solutions at MWC26 Barcelona, gaining international visibility and access to strategic partnerships, funding, and collaboration opportunities. Additionally, the special prize "Barcelona Horizon Award" highlights the tangible impact of the MWCapital Awards within the city, where the winning project will implement the pilot. With this initiative, MWCapital aims to inspire a global movement around responsible innovation and strengthen Barcelona's role as a hub for technology with impact.

About Mobile World Capital Barcelona

Mobile World Capital Barcelona is a public-private foundation that promotes the digital development of society to build a more inclusive, equitable and sustainable future through the humanistic use of technology. MWCapital contributes to positioning Barcelona as a global benchmark in the digital field and to consolidating MWC's legacy throughout the year, promoting initiatives in the field of technology transfer, the promotion of digital talent, and the development of innovative technological projects with social impact. MWCapital hosts MWC in Barcelona, is the founder of 4YFN and connects the international community of developers with the Talent Arena Project.

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Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 10, 2025) - Independence Gold Corp. (TSXV: IGO) ("Independence Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce due to the ongoing success of the winter drill program, it has expanded the planned drill meterage from 10,000 metres ("m") to approximately 13,000 m. The 3Ts Project is located approximately 185 kilometres ("km") southwest of Prince George, British Columbia, and is comprised of thirty-one mineral claims covering approximately 35,486 hectares in the Nechako Plateau region of central British Columbia. The project is situated 16 km southwest of Artemis Gold Inc.'s Blackwater Mine and covers a low-sulphidation epithermal quartz- carbonate vein district, within which nineteen individual mineralized veins, ranging from 50 m to more than 1,100 m in strike length and with true widths up to 32 m have been identified.

The Company has completed approximately 10,000 m of diamond drilling in the winter drill program across multiple targets at the 3Ts Project, including the discovery of the Johnny and Larry Veins (see news releases dated March 20, 2025, and March 26, 2025), as well as resource drilling on the Tommy and Ted-Mint Vein Systems (please see news release dated August 18th, 2022, for further details; "Technical Report on the Mineral Resource Estimate Update for the 3Ts Gold Project, Omineca Mining Division, British Columbia, Canada", authored by Armitage and Miller). The expanded program allows for additional follow-up drilling on key mineralized zones identified to date with assay results pending.

"Expanding the program is a reflection of both the geological potential we are seeing and the efficient management of our exploration budget," commented Randy Turner, President and CEO of Independence Gold. "With this added meterage, we are in a strong position to advance priority targets and deliver meaningful results to our shareholders."

About Independence

Independence Gold Corp. is a well-financed mineral exploration company with holdings ranging from early-stage grassroots exploration to advanced-stage resource expansion in British Columbia and Yukon. The Company is positioned to add shareholder value through systematic project advancement, while management continues to evaluate additional gold and silver projects for possible acquisition. For additional information, visit the Company's website www.ingold.ca.

Andy Randell, P.Geo., the Company's Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed the technical information in this news release.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF INDEPENDENCE GOLD CORP.

"Randy Turner"

Randy Turner, President and CEO

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.

All statements in this press release, other than statements of historical fact, are "forward-looking information" with respect to Independence within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements with respect to the Company's planned drilling and exploration activities. The Company provides forward-looking statements for the purpose of conveying information about current expectations and plans relating to the future and readers are cautioned that such statements may not be appropriate for other purposes. By its nature, this information is subject to inherent risks and uncertainties that may be general or specific and which give rise to the possibility that expectations, forecasts, predictions, projections or conclusions will not prove to be accurate, that assumptions may not be correct and that objectives, strategic goals and priorities will not be achieved. These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to those identified and reported in Independence's public filings under Independence Gold Corp.'s SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Although Independence 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 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. Independence disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise unless required by law.



To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/248038

SOURCE: Independence Gold Corp
BANGKOK, April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Following the recent earthquake felt in parts of Thailand, Central Group reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of all customers, team members and visitors. Safety remains our top priority.

To ensure the highest level of safety and operational readiness, a comprehensive structural assessment and inspection has been completed across all Central Group properties. These include CentralWorld, other Central Pattana's shopping centers and community malls, all branches of Central Department Store, Robinson Department Store, Robinson Lifestyle Center, Central Embassy and Centara Hotels & Resorts. The inspections were conducted by internationally certified engineering experts, fully aligned with global safety standards.

The results confirm that all buildings are structurally sound, secure and fully operational.

As Thailand continues to shine as one of the world's most vibrant and trusted travel destinations, Central Group stands ready to welcome international visitors with confidence, care and world-class service across our shopping centers, department stores and hotels nationwide.

From culture-rich traditions and warm hospitality to shopping, dining and lifestyle experiences, Thailand is a destination where every traveler finds their own unforgettable moment. With festivals, celebrations and unique experiences happening all year round, Central Group is proud to be part of that journey, offering safe and welcoming spaces for every occasion.

We invite all travelers to experience the very best of Thailand with complete peace of mind.

Stronger together - Central Group supports Thailand and welcomes the world.

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"MMJ BioPharma Cultivation is engaged not only in a fight for justice but for the integrity of our legal system. As we stand against the DEA's disregard for Supreme Court directives, we are not merely defending our rights; we are upholding the principle that the DEA should not be above the law, especially not one that regulates medical progress. This isn't just our battle-it's a stand for every American whose life and liberties depend on the fair application of justice." - Duane Boise, CEO of MMJ BioPharma Cultivation

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is currently embroiled in a high-stakes legal battle with MMJ BioPharma Cultivation, a biopharmaceutical company developing marijuana-derived treatments for Huntington's Disease and Multiple Sclerosis. But beneath the surface of this dispute lies a broader constitutional crisis: the DEA appears to be ignoring a landmark Supreme Court decision in Axon Enterprise, Inc. v. FTC, effectively attempting to railroad MMJ through an administrative process that the Court has already flagged as structurally flawed.

At the center of MMJ's case is the argument that DEA administrative law judges (ALJs) are unconstitutionally insulated from removal, violating separation-of-powers principles. In Axon, the Supreme Court affirmed that federal courts have jurisdiction to hear structural constitutional challenges to agency proceedings before those proceedings are completed. The ruling was clear: litigants need not exhaust internal agency processes when the legitimacy of the agency's very structure is in question.

Despite this, the DEA has continued to press forward with administrative proceedings against MMJ, seemingly disregarding the precedent set by Axon. Even more egregiously, DEA officials initially contested MMJ's constitutional claims, only to later concede that the DEA's ALJ removal protections are, in fact, unconstitutional. That concession should have been a watershed moment-an acknowledgment that the proceedings were tainted from the outset. Instead, the DEA has doubled down, arguing that MMJ must still demonstrate "irreparable harm" to invalidate the flawed process.

This tactic is a transparent end-run around Axon. The DEA is effectively saying, "Yes, the structure is unconstitutional, but unless you can prove it harmed you personally, we get to continue anyway." This ignores the Supreme Court's clear directive: structural defects don't require a showing of harm to warrant judicial intervention. The very purpose of Axon was to prevent exactly this type of procedural abuse.

Further compounding the agency's credibility crisis is the ethical misconduct of its lead attorney in the case, Aarathi Haig. Haig has been found ineligible to practice law in New Jersey due to failure to meet Continuing Legal Education (CLE) requirements and other obligations-a violation of 28 U.S.C.  530B, which mandates that federal attorneys comply with state bar rules. How can the DEA, which demands strict compliance from private parties, justify allowing an ineligible attorney to prosecute high-stakes regulatory actions?

MMJ's lawsuit also highlights statutory violations by the DEA. Under the Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act (MCREA), the DEA is required to respond to applications within 60 days. MMJ's application has languished for over 7 years, with no final action-a glaring breach of federal law and a disservice to patients waiting for life-changing treatments.

In a rare move that signals judicial recognition of MMJ's arguments, DEA Administrative Law Judge Teresa Wallbaum stayed the agency's own proceedings, citing the constitutional issues as "novel" and worthy of federal court review. MMJ has since filed a Motion for Reconsideration, bolstered by the DEA's concession on the ALJ removal issue. The motion could revive the case in federal court and force the DEA to finally reckon with its legal obligations.

Meanwhile, public and political pressure continues to mount. Lawmakers, legal scholars, and patient advocates have all called for greater accountability and reform. The idea that an agency can violate statutory deadlines, prosecute with ineligible counsel, and ignore Supreme Court rulings while holding others to exacting standards is not just hypocritical-it's dangerous.

If allowed to stand, the DEA's actions will set a chilling precedent: that even when the Supreme Court has spoken, powerful agencies can find ways to ignore the Constitution. For MMJ BioPharma Cultivation, this is more than a legal fight-it is a battle for fairness, integrity, and the rule of law.

And for the rest of us, it is a reminder that no agency is above accountability, and no American-corporate or individual-should be railroaded by the very institutions sworn to uphold justice.

MMJ is represented by attorney Megan Sheehan.

CONTACT:

Madison Hisey

mhisey@mmjih.com

203-231-8583

SOURCE: MMJ International Holdings
Linear Minerals Corp. ("formerly FE Battery Metals Corp") (CSE:LINE)(OTCQB:LINMF)(WKN:A2J C89) ("Linear" or the "Company") is pleased to announce results of Drill Holes LC24-98 and LC24-99 from 2024 exploratory drill program at its Augustus Lithium Property in Quebec, Canada. The drill hole LC24-98 intercepted 0.39 percent (%) lithium oxide (Li2O) over 17 m at 61.50 m depth with three other smaller intercepts. The drill hole LC24-99 intersected 1.09 % Li2O over 5 m at 1.45 m drilled depth with additional smaller intercepts. There are anomalous values of other rare metals in both drill holes such as beryllium (Be), cesium (Cs), niobium (Nb), tantalum (Ta) and rubidium (see Tables 1 and 2 for details).

Highlights

LC24-98

The mineralization in four lithium zones is distributed mainly into pegmatites with spodumene as main lithium mineral, including a minor portion in the basement rocks with Holmquistite being the main lithium mineral. This hole was placed about 40 m step out from drill hole LC22 and was aimed at increasing the footprint of the main Augustus mineralized zone.

Four Key Intercepts: 17 m at 0.39% Li2O from 61.5 m depth, with 174 ppm Be, 65 ppm Cs, 48 ppm Ga, 65 ppm Nb, 91 ppm Ta, and 703 ppm Rb. The top four meters of this zone is a higher grade intercept with 1.01% Li2O. 5.35 m at 0.40 % Li2O from 104.3 m depth, with 267 ppm Be, 53 ppm Cs, 43 ppm Ga, 874 ppm Rb, 49 ppm Nb, and 145 ppm Ta. 2.75 m at 0.46% Li2O from 125.50 m drilled depth, with 213 ppm Be, 52 ppm Cs, 55 ppm Ga, 1,317 ppm Rb, 79 ppm Nb, and 143 ppm Ta. 8.50 m at 0.33% Li2O from 130.25 m depth, with 172 ppm Be, 42 ppm Cs, 54 ppm Ga, 1,042 ppm Rb, 79 ppm Nb, and 169 ppm Ta.

Nickel and Chromium mineralization: There are anomalous values of nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), lithium (Li) and cesium (Cs) detected in the top 40 meters in the basement rocks of this drill hole.



LC24-99

The mineralization in the main lithium bearing zone is distributed dominantly in pegmatites as spodumene mineral, and subordinately in the basement rocks with Holmquistite as the main lithium mineral. This drill hole was placed on outcrop 26 located to the southeast of the main Augustus zone and was aimed at increasing the footprint of the mineralized zone.

The Main lithium intercept is 5 m wide averaging 1.09% Li2O at from 1.45 m depth with anomalous values of 213 ppm Be, 55 ppm Cs, 58 ppm Ga, 1,680 ppm Rb, 96 ppm Nb, and 87 ppm Ta. There are other thin, lower grade lithium intercepts in this drill hole (Table 2).

Drill Program Details:

Drill hole LC24-98: Located at UTM NAD 1983 Zone 18N (5367902.8297N, 286909.844E), azimuth 39.92, dip -50, total depth 140m.

Drill hole LC24-99: Located at UTM NAD 1983 Zone 18N (5367434.412N, 5367763.27E), azimuth 166, dip -79, total depth 50m.

The drill program was designed based on historical and current exploration data. Drilling was conducted by Forage Pelletier Drilling of Chapais, Quebec, and core logging and sampling took place at a core shack in St-Dominique du Rosaire, approximately 50 km from the property. The 2024 drill program included 11 drill holes, totaling 1,558 metres. To date, a total of 100 drill holes have been completed on the Property, with a cumulative diamond drilling of 18,165.64 metres.

Drill core was sampled using a rock saw. For quality control and assurance (QA/QC), field duplicates, standards, and blanks were inserted at industry-standard intervals. Samples were bagged and tagged using best practices before delivered to AGAT Laboratories in Val-d'Or, QC, for analysis. AGAT performed Sodium Peroxide Fusion with ICP-OES and ICP-MS Finish (Code 201-378). AGAT is an independent, accredited laboratory with ISO certification for certain tests.

Qualified Person:

Afzaal Pirzada, P.Geo., an independent geological consultant of the Company, and a "Qualified Person" for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release.

About the Augustus Lithium Property

The Company owns 100% of an interest in the Augustus Property located in Landrienne and Lacorne-Townships, Quebec, Canada. The Property covers a total area of over 15,000 hectares, approximately 40 kilometres northwest of the town of Val d'Or. To date, 100 diamond drill holes totaling 18,165.64 metres have been completed on the Property.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF

Linear Minerals Corp.

"Gurminder Sangha"

Gurminder Sangha

CEO & Director

For further information, please contact the Company at: info@linearminerals.com

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release.

Forward-looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements regarding the Company's exploration plans, potential mineralization, and future activities. While the Company believes the assumptions underlying such information are reasonable, actual results may vary, and undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements.

Table 1: Drill Hole LC24-98 Assay Highlights

Lab Sample ID Field Sample ID Depth From (m) Depth To (m) Total Width (m) Analyte: Be Bi Cr Cs Fe Ga Li Li2O Nb Ni Rb Ta Unit: ppm ppm % ppm % ppm ppm % ppm ppm ppm ppm RDL: 20 0.1 0.002 0.1 0.01 0.5 10 5 10 2 0.5 6372386 1157657 5 6 1.00 Biotite Schist 227 10 0.22 1,840 6.51 65 2,300 0.49 19 999 5,700 30 6372387 1157658 6 7 1.00 Pegmatite 2,740 1 0.00 124 0.66 74 518 0.11 26 <10 688 142 6372388 1157659 10 11 1.00 Pegmatite 942 4 0.00 16 0.45 65 75 0.02 65 <10 98 65 6372390 1157661 13 14 1.00 Pegmatite 385 6 0.00 12 0.51 43 46 0.01 76 <10 58 64 6372391 1157662 15 16 1.00 Biotite Schist 194 1 0.20 2,350 4.91 80 2,720 0.58 33 909 7,290 7 6372392 1157663 32.65 33.65 1.00 Biotite Schist 50 24 0.26 1,070 3.73 40 1,740 0.37 15 1,460 4,520 10 6372393 1157664 35 36 1.00 Pegmatite 310 92 0.00 55 0.46 53 163 0.04 92 <10 1,380 102 6372394 1157665 38 39 1.00 Pegmatite 341 7 0.00 60 0.57 58 293 0.06 39 17 499 48 6372395 1157666 39 40 1.00 Alt Greenstone 31 6 0.18 965 3.87 57 2,480 0.53 40 1,340 5,300 32 6372396 1157667 57.10 58.10 1.00 Meta Basalt <20 0 0.02 9 5.69 16 228 0.05 7 96 164 <0.5 6372397 1157668 58.10 59.10 1.00 Meta Basalt <20 0 0.02 9 5.82 18 389 0.08 7 118 128 <0.5 6372398 1157669 59.10 60.10 1.00 Meta Basalt <20 1 0.02 18 5.78 19 1,000 0.22 8 76 170 <0.5 6372400 1157671 60.1 60.8 0.70 Pegmatite 186 544 0.00 13 0.46 41 210 0.05 46 <10 95 56 6372401 1157672 60.8 61.5 0.70 Pegmatite 457 2 0.00 17 0.33 49 298 0.06 80 <10 109 73 Lithium Intercept Number 1 6372402 1157673 61.5 62.5 1.00 Pegmatite 204 5 0.00 25 0.75 63 8,130 1.75 95 <10 175 66 6372403 1157674 62.5 63.5 1.00 Pegmatite 209 20 0.00 41 0.67 67 6,540 1.41 84 <10 409 100 6372404 1157675 63.5 64.5 1.00 Pegmatite 169 59 0.00 43 0.79 55 2,100 0.45 82 <10 1,490 61 6372405 1157676 64.5 65.5 1.00 Pegmatite 150 176 0.00 55 0.60 50 2,050 0.44 77 <10 1,500 60 6372406 1157677 65.5 66.5 1.00 Pegmatite 170 142 <0.002 69 1.25 53 1,600 0.34 91 <10 1,300 68 6372407 1157678 66.5 67.5 1.00 Pegmatite 153 112 <0.002 74 0.95 49 1,000 0.22 81 <10 1,560 62 6372408 1157679 67.5 68.5 1.00 Pegmatite 121 17 0.00 40 0.72 52 214 0.05 59 <10 906 73 6372410 1157681 68.50 69.50 1.00 Pegmatite 275 1 0.00 11 0.40 43 28 0.01 64 <10 230 64 6372411 1157682 69.50 70.50 1.00 Pegmatite 232 0 0.00 15 0.34 48 307 0.07 102 <10 311 117 6372412 1157683 70.50 71.50 1.00 Pegmatite 452 0 0.00 36 0.46 56 242 0.05 70 <10 489 84 6372413 1157684 71.50 72.10 0.60 Pegmatite 231 1 0.00 21 0.49 62 1,850 0.40 95 <10 284 88 6372414 1157685 72.10 73.25 1.15 Greenstone <20 1 0.01 112 5.45 19 1,400 0.30 7 68 647 1 6372415 1157686 73.25 74.40 1.15 Greenstone <20 1 0.02 101 5.89 19 2,490 0.54 6 108 554 <0.5 6372416 1157687 74.40 75.55 1.15 Pegmatite 23 0 <0.002 5 0.30 66 29 0.01 70 <10 47 129 6372417 1157688 75.55 76.55 1.00 Schist with Peg 23 3 0.01 96 4.17 68 755 0.16 94 44 643 431 6372418 1157689 76.55 77.5 0.95 Schist with Peg <20 0 0.02 256 5.46 18 1,850 0.40 6 96 1,050 1 6372420 1157691 77.50 78.5 1.00 Schist with Peg 25 9 0.01 112 4.42 27 520 0.11 18 77 359 58 Total Width/ Average 61.50 78.5 17.00 174 32 0.01 65 2 48 1,830 0.39 65 79 703 91 6372421 1157692 102.30 103.30 1.00 Greenstone <20 1 0.02 6 5.45 17 200 0.04 6 96 85 <0.5 6372422 1157693 103.30 104.30 1.00 Greenstone <20 1 0.03 6 5.61 19 240 0.05 6 141 107 1 Lithium Intercept Number 2 6372423 1157694 104.30 105.45 1.15 Pegmatite 173 118 <0.002 72 0.83 62 1,640 0.35 76 <10 1,780 146 6372424 1157695 105.45 106.55 1.10 Pegmatite 176 43 <0.002 92 0.80 66 5,360 1.15 85 <10 1,820 174 6372425 1157696 106.55 107.65 1.10 Pegmatite 452 40 0.00 25 0.54 51 697 0.15 70 16 284 115 6372426 1157697 107.65 108.65 1.00 Greenstone <20 1 0.01 55 4.83 19 947 0.20 10 77 353 <0.5 6372427 1157698 108.65 109.65 1.00 Greenstone <20 0 0.01 23 4.10 18 747 0.16 6 81 134 <0.5 Total Width/ Average 104.30 109.65 5.35 267 40 0.01 53 2 43 1,878 0.40 49 58 874 145 6372428 1157699 118.00 119 1.00 Greenstone <20 1 0.01 8 5.66 20 203 0.04 6 77 154 <0.5 6372430 1157751 119.00 120.00 1.00 Greenstone <20 0 0.01 13 5.42 18 279 0.06 7 84 205 <0.5 6372431 1157752 120.00 120.95 0.95 Greenstone <20 1 0.01 15 5.42 24 383 0.08 10 64 195 <0.5 6372432 1157753 120.95 121.75 0.80 Pegmatite <20 277 <0.002 4 0.56 39 68 0.01 66 <10 49 79 6372433 1157754 121.75 122.55 0.80 Pegmatite 57 51 0.00 5 0.34 52 37 0.01 31 <10 51 58 6372434 1157755 122.55 123.75 1.20 Greenstone 33 9 0.01 154 5.19 33 1,040 0.22 13 70 1,150 13 6372435 1157756 123.75 124.75 1.00 Pegmatite 113 8 0.00 11 0.42 61 56 0.01 86 <10 257 213 6372436 1157757 124.75 125.50 0.75 Pegmatite 153 8 <0.002 17 0.39 44 18 0.00 89 <10 640 103 Lithium Intercept Number 3 6372437 1157758 125.50 126.50 1.00 Pegmatite 272 23 0.00 39 0.50 58 640 0.14 94 <10 1,030 138 6372438 1157759 126.50 127.50 1.00 Pegmatite 212 42 0.00 60 0.38 55 3,380 0.73 79 <10 1,470 171 6372440 1157761 127.50 128.25 0.75 Pegmatite 156 81 0.00 57 0.47 53 2,400 0.52 63 <10 1,450 119 Total Width/ Average 125.50 128.25 2.75 213 49 0.00 52 0 55 2,140 0.46 79 1,317 143 6372441 1157762 128.25 129.25 1.00 Pegmatite 80 92 0.00 44 0.45 41 261 0.06 78 <10 1,390 158 6372442 1157763 129.25 130.25 1.00 Pegmatite 208 29 0.00 21 0.34 28 41 0.01 59 <10 728 96 Lithium Intercept Number 4 6372443 1157764 130.25 131.00 0.75 Pegmatite 109 >1000 0.00 23 0.46 52 442 0.10 108 10 685 148 6372444 1157765 131.00 132.00 1.00 Pegmatite 140 24 0.00 58 0.32 53 2,070 0.45 86 <10 1,840 173 6372445 1157766 132.00 133.00 1.00 Pegmatite 179 64 0.00 49 0.50 53 1,690 0.36 65 11 1,550 182 6372446 1157767 133.00 134.00 1.00 Pegmatite 246 21 0.00 32 0.34 45 911 0.20 65 <10 893 222 6372447 1157768 134.00 135.00 1.00 Pegmatite 127 7 0.00 68 0.74 58 1,130 0.24 69 11 1,660 139 6372448 1157769 135.00 136.00 1.00 Pegmatite 75 30 0.00 9 0.36 50 76 0.02 66 <10 219 120 6372450 1157771 136.00 137.00 1.00 Pegmatite 243 15 0.00 45 0.75 58 3,510 0.75 96 15 571 198 6372451 1157772 137.00 138.00 1.00 Pegmatite 149 86 0.00 59 0.72 55 3,280 0.71 79 13 1,280 207 6372452 1157773 138.00 138.75 0.75 Pegmatite 278 89 0.00 39 0.76 63 913 0.20 79 11 679 130 Total Width/ Average 130.25 138.75 8.50 172 42 0.00 42 1 54 1,558 0.33 79 12 1,042 169 6372453 1157774 138.75 139.50 0.75 Pegmatite 38 1 0.00 9 0.39 59 116 0.02 38 <10 192 124 6372454 1157775 139.50 140.00 0.50 Schist 60 17 0.02 324 4.31 43 1,450 0.31 17 72 2,470 5

Note: A standard conversion factor of 2.15 was used to report Li to Li2O values

All intersections reported are based on drilled width and have not been converted to the true width.

Table 2: Drill Hole LC24-99 Assay Highlights

Lab Sample ID Field Sample ID Depth From (m) Depth To (m) Total Width (m) Analyte: Be Cs Fe Ga Li Li2O Nb Rb Ta Unit: ppm ppm % ppm ppm % ppm ppm ppm RDL: 20 0.1 0.01 0.5 10 5 2 0.5 6372468 1157776 0.55 1.45 0.9 Pegmatite 310 35 0 58 166 0.04 97 1,050 86 Main Lithium Intercept 6372469 1157777 1.45 2.45 1 Pegmatite 345 54 0 54 4,070 0.88 114 1,600 120 6372470 1157778 2.45 3.45 1 Pegmatite 177 61 1 58 6,610 1.42 87 1,700 59 6372471 1157779 3.45 4.45 1 Pegmatite 173 51 0 62 5,750 1.24 78 1,680 64 6372473 1157781 4.45 5.45 1 Pegmatite 220 60 0 53 3,670 0.79 115 1,900 121 6372474 1157782 5.45 6.45 1 Pegmatite 152 47 1 62 5,290 1.14 86 1,520 69 Total Width/Average 1.45 6.45 5 213 55 1 58 5,078 1.09 96 1,680 87 6372475 1157783 6.45 7.45 1 Pegmatite 270 49 0 59 2,090 0.45 92 1,590 90 6372476 1157784 7.45 8.5 1.05 Pegmatite 523 57 0 60 445 0.10 91 1,620 108 6372477 1157785 8.5 9.5 1 Pegmatite 247 48 0 64 1,260 0.27 105 1,320 147 6372478 1157786 9.5 10.5 1 Pegmatite 220 33 0 57 74 0.02 84 1,150 85 6372479 1157787 10.5 11.5 1 Pegmatite 202 41 0 47 83 0.02 73 1,570 69 6372480 1157788 11.5 12.5 1 Pegmatite 149 41 0 58 591 0.13 88 1,550 78 6372481 1157789 12.5 13.5 1 Pegmatite 283 38 0 50 59 0.01 117 1,510 105 6372483 1157791 13.5 14.5 1 Pegmatite 35 39 1 54 80 0.02 71 1,510 62 6372484 1157792 14.5 15.5 1 Pegmatite 138 34 1 64 89 0.02 104 1,400 71 6372485 1157793 15.5 16.4 0.9 Pegmatite 158 38 1 64 113 0.02 83 1,140 80 6372486 1157794 16.4 17.4 1 Schist <20 178 5 21 1,440 0.31 9 808 2 6372487 1157795 17.4 18.4 1 Schist <20 27 6 20 555 0.12 8 269 2 6372488 1157796 18.4 19.4 1 Schist 27 67 5 22 660 0.14 8 451 <0.5

Note: A standard conversion factor of 2.15 was used to report Li to Li2O values

All intersections reported are based on drilled width and have not been converted to the true width.

SOURCE: Linear Minerals Corp.
LEO is a purpose-designed solution built with Google Cloud for smarter, faster, and more efficient sustainability disclosure, developed in partnership with Boston Consulting Group (BCG).

Corporates and financial institutions face growing demands to meet sustainability due diligence and disclosure requirements, yet data gaps and inefficiencies persist.

Powered by ESG Book's platform and BCG's Climate and Sustainability Data Template, LEO has been designed to align with evolving requirements and supports regulatory reporting, risk management, and opportunity creation.

Smart pre-fill capabilities reduce the reporting burden, with access to 200,000+ disclosures cutting the time and cost of sharing sustainability information.

Corporates can use LEO to efficiently manage disclosure requests, map data across frameworks, and securely share privileged data with multiple stakeholders.

Leading financial institutions including ING, Lloyds, and NatWest are adopting or piloting LEO to support critical use cases including risk management, supply chain resilience, and capacity building.

LONDON and NEW YORK, April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- ESG Book, in partnership with BCG, today announced the launch of LEO, a purpose-built solution for smarter, faster, and more efficient sustainability disclosure, built with Google Cloud.

Corporates and financial institutions face growing demands to meet sustainability due diligence and disclosure requirements, making reliable, standardised data essential for risk management and regulatory compliance. However, challenges persist, as recent changes of corporate disclosure requirements could widen data gaps for financial institutions and make data collection inefficient and incomparable.

In response, LEO has been developed to offer a streamlined new approach to sustainability data sourcing and reporting, supporting corporates and financial institutions for a range of use cases including meeting evolving regulatory requirements, while reducing cost and effort.

Powered by ESG Book's disclosure platform, which leverages cloud and AI technology, LEO is a secure, framework-neutral solution that helps corporates and financial institutions customise disclosure and data sourcing practices to meet regional regulations, industry standards, and stakeholder expectations.

Its modular reporting template, designed to be interoperable with global standards including those from the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) and Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), adapts to the diverse needs of companies - from SMEs to large enterprises across industries and regions. Smart pre-fill capabilities, which allow for publicly disclosed data to be pre-filled into the template, ease the reporting burden with access to over 200,000 disclosures.

Leading financial institutions including ING, Lloyds, and NatWest are adopting or piloting LEO to ease client reporting burdens, increase efficiency of data sourcing, strengthen resilience, and drive capacity building.

ESG Book LEO enables corporates to:

Manage disclosure requests and easily map data across multiple frameworks and stakeholders.

Reduce the reporting burden using pre-filled data.

Manage data and control access in one place, saving time and money.

Securely share data publicly or privately with multiple counterparties, with no need for lengthy questionnaires.

While supporting financial institutions to:

Automate and standardise data collection from clients and vendors, increasing efficiency and lowering costs.

Facilitate compliance preparation for key regulations including EBA Pillar 3 and Basel III requirements.

Enhance and streamline data access to support critical use cases including risk management and opportunity creation.

Improve data response rates from suppliers, enhancing engagement for use cases including supply chain resilience.

Justin Fitzpatrick, CEO of ESG Book, said: "As regulatory requirements evolve, managing risks and leveraging sustainability as an economic driver remains crucial for corporates and financial institutions. LEO cuts through complexity, simplifies reporting, and helps businesses focus on what matters - using data to drive efficiency, reduce costs, and create long-term value. Through our partnership with BCG and in collaboration with Google Cloud, we're making data sharing smarter, faster, and more cost-effective."

Roy Choudhury, Managing Director and Senior Partner, BCG, said: "As the demand for reliable and comparable climate-related information continues to grow, a standardised data request and reporting template is essential. Our collaboration on the LEO platform leverages BCG's intellectual property and sustainability expertise to foster an innovative response to this challenge. The platform provides a common framework that helps companies respond more efficiently, making decision-useful information easier to access and interpret. This is especially valuable when requesting data from privately held companies, where these disclosures are often limited. BCG is proud to have led the harmonisation of data requirements across the industry for the LEO platform."

"Businesses need to focus on driving sustainable growth, efficiency, and resilience rather than being burdened with complex reporting and disclosure requirements," said Justin Keeble, Managing Director of Global Sustainability for Google Cloud. "Cloud and AI are at the heart of LEO and help to make reporting easier and more efficient, allowing companies to focus on delivering performance."

Caroline Haas, Head of Sustainable Finance Advisory, NatWest, said: "We're proud to have helped support the launch of the LEO platform, which aims to provide more efficient tracking of sustainability disclosure. Our business customers are often searching for tools to help them capture their sustainability performance with the aim to help their value chain with regulatory reporting and risk management. This launch shows progress as the LEO platform aims to assist them do this more efficiently. Businesses are prioritising growth and value creation, while facing multiple external requests to provide their sustainability credentials and progress, so having the LEO platform as an option means help is potentially at hand to provide more efficient sustainability reporting."

Cristina Gil White, Chief Engagement Officer at GRI, said: "We're pleased to support the launch of the LEO platform. As a licensed GRI software partner, ESG Book's practical digital reporting tools help organisations to effectively apply GRI's globally leading standards for sustainability impacts. Providing a clear and structured set of metrics, LEO supports companies in navigating the GRI Standards alongside other frameworks - an approach that aligns with our aims to enable streamlined yet comprehensive sustainability reporting."

"More than 30 jurisdictions representing approximately 60 percent of global GDP are progressing towards introducing ISSB Standards in their regulatory frameworks," said Andrew Brenner, Director of Client Integration, IFRS. "In order to facilitate corporate disclosure in this new regulatory environment, it's imperative that various services and tools integrate ISSB Standards. As such, we welcome the development of the LEO platform, which aims to support the disclosure process."

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Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 10, 2025) - Dryden Gold Corp. (TSXV: DRY) ("Dryden Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Company was approved for a CAD $200,000 grant from the government of Ontario under the Ontario Junior Exploration Program ("OJEP"). The OJEP program is designed to promote exploration with Junior Explorers in the province of Ontario. Eligible companies can receive up to $200,000 per project to cover up to 50% of the exploration costs of a program. This grant will be used by Dryden Gold on the Gold Rock Camp exploration program.

Dryden Gold is currently drill testing new targets at the Gold Rock Camp. The Company has an aggressive exploration plan for 2025 and expects to drill up to 15,000 meters. The near-term exploration targets for Dryden Gold will be to test the Elora Gold System at depth and previously untested structural intersection targets along strike.

"Our government is committed to unlocking Ontario's rich critical minerals to drive our economic growth and create good-paying jobs," said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines. "With the rise of uncertainty posed by President Trump, we are accelerating the exploration and development of earth metals here at home by supporting Dryden Gold Corp. to secure our province's resource future."

"Northwest Ontario offers a wealth of opportunities for gold exploration and is an exceptional mining jurisdiction. Not only is the province rich in geological potential, but it also actively supports junior explorers through initiatives like the OJEP and tax advantaged equity programs. Ontario is now recognized as one of the very best mining jurisdictions worldwide, said Trey Wasser CEO of Dryden Gold. "We remain committed to supporting local businesses and our First Nations communities".

UPCOMING MARKETING EVENTS

CEO, Trey Wasser will be in Scottsdale, Arizona this week for the Capital Events conference that is taking place on April 11-13, 2025. Trey will be meeting new investors through a day of scheduled one-to-one meetings and networking events. Investors can look forward to getting an update on our newly discovered zone with significant visible gold found parallel to the Elora Gold System, as well as details of our ongoing 2025 drill program.

Maura Kolb, P. Geo., will also be participating at the Ontario Prospectors & Explorers Symposium ("OPES") in Thunder Bay, Ontario on April 15th-16th. Attendees can look forward to seeing Maura's presentation on April 16th at 11am Eastern Time and getting updates on the recent drill results and drill plans for 2025.

Management looks forward to meeting attendees and welcomes the opportunity to view our updated corporate presentation linked here.

ABOUT DRYDEN GOLD CORP.

Dryden Gold Corp. is an exploration company focused on the discovery of high-grade gold mineralization listed on the TSX Venture Exchange ("DRY") and on the OTCQB marketplace ("DRYGF"). The Company has a strong management team and Board of Directors comprised of experienced individuals with a track record of building shareholder value through property acquisition and consolidation, exploration success, and mergers and acquisitions. Dryden Gold controls a 100% interest in a dominant strategic land position in the Dryden District of Northwestern Ontario. Dryden Gold's property package includes historic gold mines but has seen limited modern exploration. The property hosts high-grade gold mineralization over 50km of potential strike length along the Manitou-Dinorwic deformation zone. The property has excellent infrastructure, enjoys collaborative relationships with First Nations communities and benefits from proximity to an experienced mining workforce.

Neither 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.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

The information contained herein contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: the acquisition of the Property, receipt of corporate and regulatory approvals, issuance of common shares; future development plans; future acquisitions; exploration programs; and the business and operations of Dryden Gold. 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 (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "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 statements." Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: risks related to failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis and on acceptable terms; risks related to the outcome of legal proceedings; political and regulatory risks associated with mining and exploration; risks related to the maintenance of stock exchange listings including receipt of TSX Venture Exchange approval for the acquisition of the Property; risks related to environmental regulation and liability; the potential for delays in exploration or development activities; the uncertainty of profitability; risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; risks related to the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses; the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; risks related to commodity price fluctuations; and other risks and uncertainties related to the Company's prospects, properties and business detailed elsewhere in Dryden Gold's and the Company's disclosure record. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward--looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and Dryden Gold and the Company do not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. Actual events or results could differ materially from Dryden Gold's and the Company's expectations or projections.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/248022

SOURCE: Dryden Gold Corp.
Highlights:

57.3 metres of 0.99% Cu and 0.30 g/t Au from 23.7 metres in OPM-25-294

45.0 metres of 0.87% Cu, and 0.14 g/t Au from 19.5 meters in OPM-25-293

XXIX Gaining Key Structural Insights in the Underexplored Saddle Zone at Opemiska

Opemiska's halo study is now complete and will be incorporated into an updated resource

Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 10, 2025) - XXIX Metal Corp . (TSXV: XXIX) (OTCQB: QCCUF) (FSE: 5LW0) ("XXIX" or the "Company") is pleased to announce two drill results from its 15-hole, 2,100 metre drill program on the Saddle Zone, including 57.3 metres of 0.99% Cu and 0.308 g/t Au from 23.7 metres in hole OPM-25-294, and 0.87% Cu, 0.139 g/t Au over 45.0 metres from 19.5 meters in hole OPM-25-293. The results from the remaining holes will be received by the Company in the coming weeks.

Saddle Zone: Underexplored and Potentially Material

The Saddle Zone remains the most underexplored area within Opemiska's current open-pit model, as outlined in the January 2024 mineral resource estimate. Due to the complex vein orientations, targeting has been challenging, and much of the zone was previously classified as waste. However, recent results are beginning to demonstrate that this area could, in fact, be materially significant. This current program followed up on a standout intersection of 5.94% CuEq over 11 metres (see news release dated January 6, 2025) and focused on better understanding the structural controls on mineralization in this zone.

Location of Saddle Zone Relative to Opemiska Open Pit Model: Figure 1

Section View of Saddle Zone Relative to Springer and Perry: Figure 2

Section View of OPM-25-294 and OPM-25-293: Figure 3

Map of Saddle Zone Drill Holes: Figure 4

Halo Study is Expected to Add Contained Metal

In addition, the drilling on Saddle, XXIX has now completed Opemiska's halo study, and XXIX sees an opportunity to enhance the project's overall scale and engineering metrics, particularly through improvements to contained metal and the strip ratio.

XXIX's Halo Study refers to a technical and geological analysis aimed at understanding the broader mineralized system that surrounds the known high-grade copper zones at the Opemiska Project. The "halo" represents the lower-grade but potentially bulk-mineable mineralization that envelops the historically mined high-grade veins.

This halo study focused on:

Geological modeling of disseminated and fracture-controlled mineralization around the high-grade veins

Drilling and sampling to define the extent, grade, and geometry of this halo mineralization

Supporting a larger resource base by integrating both high-grade and halo zones into a single, potentially larger-scale development scenario

The halo study is critical to XXIX's strategy of repositioning Opemiska from a historic underground operation into a modern open-pit copper-gold project.

Summary of reported composite intersections: Table 1

Length (m) CuEq (%)1 Cu (%) Au (g/t) From (m) Hole ID 57.3 1.17 0.99 0.308 23.7 OPM-25-294 45.0 0.95 0.87 0.139 19.5 OPM-25-293

1 CuEq % = Cu % + (Au g/t x 0.58)

About XXIX Metal Corp .

XXIX is advancing its Opemiska and Thierry Copper projects, two significant Canadian copper assets. The Opemiska Project, Canada's highest-grade copper resource, spans 21,300 hectares in Quebec's Chapais-Chibougamau region, with strong infrastructure and nearby access to the Horne Smelter. A January 2024 resource update reported a 16% increase in contained Copper Equivalent (CuEq) and a 10% grade boost, including 87.3 million tonnes at 0.93% CuEq (Measured & Indicated) and additional Out of Pit resources. The Thierry Project hosts two past-producing open pits that transitioned to underground mining-producing 5.8Mt @ 1.13% Cu, 0.14% Ni between 1976 - 1982 by UMEX Inc. Historically, copper concentrate was shipped to the Horne Smelter in Rouyn-Noranda, QC. Significant infrastructure is already in place, with the Thierry property being accessible via all-season road, an airport within 5km, a provincial power grid within 8km, and nearby rail. With these two high-potential projects, the Company has solidified its position as a key player in the Canadian copper sector, and has established itself as one of Eastern Canada's largest copper developer.

QP Statement

The technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Denis McNichols, P.Geo and geo., Exploration Manager for XXIX Metal, a Qualified Person, as defined in "National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements. When used in this document, the words "may", "would", " could", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "seek", "propose", "estimate", "expect", and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors could cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements to vary from those described in this news release. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in this news release as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Specific forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements pertaining to the commencement of trading of the Common Shares on the TSXV under the new name and new stock ticker. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of the risk factors set forth above and elsewhere in this news release. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. These statements are given only as of the date of this news release. The Company does not assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect new information, subsequent events or otherwise, 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 Venture Exchange) 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/248025

SOURCE: XXIX Metal Corp.
Movius Secure Communications as a Service Software Enables Companies to Meet European Compliance Requirements

Movius,the leading global provider of secure, AI-powered, purpose-driven communications software, today announced it has partnered with Legos, the European convergent operator for fixed and mobile telecommunications, to bring its innovative service portfolio to the Spanish market. This strategic partnership marks a significant expansion in Europe and will provide customers in Spain with access to Movius' full suite of mobile messaging services, including its AI-powered platform MultiLine.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250410202573/en/

"Our partnership with Legos brings customers in Spain a worry-free solution to keep their business communications secure and compliant, while laying the groundwork for future growth across other European markets," said Ananth Siva, CEO at Movius. "Protecting mobile communications is more important than ever before. This collaboration is an essential step in not only keeping Spain connected, but doing so without risk."

MultiLine powered by Movius is an essential tool for enterprises that need better compliance, security and cost savings. MultiLine provides employees with a second, secure business identity on any mobile device, and ensures that all business calls, messages, contacts, and voicemail are completely separate from the employee's personal communications. The solution integrates voice calling and SMS with Microsoft Teams, Cisco UCM, and Salesforce, while supporting standard messaging applications including WhatsApp. The platform offers enhanced security features including optional call and message recording capabilities that address compliance requirements in Europe.

"We are proud to be Movius' trusted partner for their first market in continental Europe," said Pascal Prot, CEO of Legos. "Movius needs a highly reliable partner who understands the compliance challenges they face. This collaboration not only strengthens our position as a key enabler of secure telecom solutions but also opens the door to further expansion across Europe. Together, we are bringing secure voice and mobile messaging services to businesses in Spain."

To learn more about MultiLine by Movius and the company's full suite of AI-powered solutions, visit www.movius.ai.

About Movius

Movius provides Secure Communications as a Service (SCaaS), offering a complete secure and compliant business mobile solution on any endpoint. Our flagship solution, MultiLine is the trusted solution for businesses for voice, SMS, social channels, and can be accessed through endpoints including dedicated dialer and Microsoft Teams. This mobile communication evolution is what the company calls Phone 3.0. Headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices around the world, Movius works with leading global service providers including T-Mobile, TELUS, Telefonica, SingTel, and 3. To learn more visit www.movius.ai.

About Legos

Legos is the European fixed, mobile and convergent telecom operator. The company operates in 19 European countries and maintains critical technical infrastructures in France, Germany, the UK, and Spain. Since 2015, Legos has built its white label voice, SMS and Data, fixed and mobile services, and continues to expand its presence throughout Europe. The group is also a member of the main international telecom associations (GSMA, ITU, GLF, MEF, FFT, APNF, AF2M). To learn more visit https://legos.io/

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250410202573/en/

Contacts:

FINN Partners for Movius

movius@finnpartners.com

Legos Marketing team

marketing@legos.io
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 10, 2025) - Onyx Gold Corp. (TSXV: ONYX) (OTCQX: ONXGF) ("Onyx Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce new high-grade drill results from hole MC24-163, at the Argus North Zone, a newly identified gold zone located 100 meters ("m") north of the main Argus Zone trend at its 100% owned Munro-Croesus Project ("Munro-Croesus" or the "Project"), 75 km east of Timmins, Ontario. In addition, the Company has signed an option agreement (the "Option Agreement") to acquire a 100% interest in a key 21-hectare inholding (the "Property"), contiguous with the Argus North discovery. This acquisition strengthens Onyx Gold's land position and enhances its ability to expand this promising new zone.

The extension of drill hole MC24-163 onto the newly optioned property has significantly expanded and improved upon the previously reported intersection (1.9 grams per tonne gold ("g/t Au") over 48.1 meters ("m") in drill hole MC24-163; see Company news release dated September 10, 2024). The new results now define a broad, continuous zone of strong gold mineralization, grading 3.4 g/t Au over 69.6 m, including a high-grade subzone of 13.9 g/t Au over 9.5 m (see Table 1). This new zone has been tested by only a single drill hole to date, and it remains open in all directions, offering substantial potential for further expansion.

Table 1 - Assay Highlights for MC24-163 Extension

Drill Hole From (m) To (m) Width* (m) Gold g/t MC24-163 230.4 300.0 69.6 3.4 Including 241.8 246.3 4.5 7.1 And Including 265.5 300.0 34.5 5.4 Including 285.5 295.0 9.5 13.9 Including 292.0 295.0 3.0 38.5 *Intersections reported as drilled width; true width unknown

"We are highly encouraged by the drill results from Argus North," said Brock Colterjohn, President & CEO. "These intercepts are the most impressive mineralization we've seen on the Property to date and stand out as some of the best early-stage gold results reported in the greater Timmins camp in recent years. These results likely suggest the presence of a large, previously untapped gold system within the Munro-Croesus property, presenting a tremendous new exploration opportunity for the Company."

Mr. Colterjohn continued, "The discovery at Argus North is characterized by both broad intervals of strong gold grades and high-grade subzones, offering significant scale and exceptional quality. With mineralization still open in all directions and closely associated with the Pipestone Fault, the major structural corridor known to host multiple large gold deposits, we are excited to resume drilling in the coming weeks to further define and expand this promising new gold system."

"Onyx Gold has spent several years assembling a dominant land position in highly prospective yet underexplored regions of the greater Timmins gold camp with the view that the camp is long overdue for a major new gold discovery," stated Darwin Green, Executive Chairman. "The results released today are an early validation of our strategy and exploration approach. Argus North is an entirely new discovery with excellent 'grade x width' metrics within the influence of a productive regional-scale structure of which Onyx controls more than eight km of strike length."

Discussion of Results

Drill hole MC24-163 intersected strong, high-grade mineralization approximately 100 m north of the main Argus Zone trend and about 150 to 200 m vertically below the surface, leading to the discovery of a new, previously unrecognized zone, now referred to as the Argus North Zone. To date, only one drill hole has been completed in this area, and the mineralization remains open in all directions. For reference, see Figures 1 and 2.

The approximately 70 m mineralized interval in hole MC24-163 occurs within strongly albite- and silica-altered mafic variolitic volcanics, hosting 3-10% fine pyrite stringers. Visible gold was observed in a narrow quartz veinlet between 293.0 m and 294.0 m (Plate 2). Notably, the zone returned consistent gold values throughout (see Table 2), highlighting both the continuity and strength of the mineralization in this newly identified area. Representative core photos showcasing these features can be found in Plate 1.

Available data suggests the new zone is near-vertical and sub-parallel to the east-west trending main Argus Zone, which is a separate 750 m x 200 m near-surface bulk tonnage target (e.g. 1.0 g/t Au over 63.3 m in drill hole MC24-166 and 0.5 g/t Au over 136 m in drill hole MC22-110) situated along the Pipestone Fault, a major structural corridor known to host significant gold deposits, including Mayfair Gold's 4.4-million-ounce Fenn-Gib deposit 1, located just 6 km away.

Drill hole MC24-163 was completed during the Spring 2024 Drill Program (see Company news releases dated June 17, 2024 and September 10, 2024 for details) on the Company's 108 km Munro-Croesus property, with the results reported today coming from an extension of the drill hole onto an adjoining claim not previously controlled by Onyx Gold.

Next Steps

Immediate follow-up plans include step-out drilling along strike, and up-dip to extend the new zone to surface, and down-dip to trace high-grade zones to depth. Plans also include re-entering and extending drill holes MC23-140 and MC24-164, both of which stopped short of the down-dip projection of the zone.

At a larger scale, historical and recent trenching and sampling within the same key prospective mafic variolitic volcanic units and along the Pipestone Fault to both the west and east suggests multi-kilometer scale potential along trend completely untested by any drilling to date. The Company intends to present its near-term exploration plans for its Timmins properties in the coming weeks.

Terms of the Option Agreement

Onyx Gold has signed a three-year Option Agreement with arm's length private vendors (the "Optionors") through its wholly-owned subsidiary to acquire a 100% interest in a strategically located 21-hectare inholding (the "Property") within the Munro-Croesus Property.

This patented claim, held by the Optionors for over a century, has never been drilled or systematically explored, despite its prime geological location near the highly prospective Pipestone Fault and other known gold targets. The recent discovery of the Argus North Zone underscores the untapped potential of the Property and its surrounding area, making it a key focus for future exploration. This acquisition not only enhances Onyx Gold's land position but also provides unrestricted access for follow-up drilling and the expansion of this exciting new gold discovery.

The Company has the option to acquire 100% of the Property from the Optionors (the "Option") by making staged cash and share payments totalling C$1,515,000 and 3,300,000 Shares over three years, as follows:

C$165,000 upon signing of the Option Agreement and 825,000 shares following TSX Venture Exchange (the " TSXV ") approval of the Option Agreement;

C$375,000 and 825,000 shares on or before the 1 st anniversary;

C$375,000 and 825,000 shares on or before the 2 nd anniversary; and

C$600,000 and 825,000 shares on or before the 3rd anniversary.

In addition, the Company must incur a total of C$1,250,000 in exploration expenditures on the property over the three years.

Upon the exercise of the Option, the Optionors will be granted a 3% net smelter returns royalty (the "NSR Royalty) on the Property with the Company retaining the right to buyback one-half (1.5%) of the NSR Royalty at any time following exercise of the Option for an aggregate cash payment of C$1,500,000.

A bonus payment of C$1,000,000 is payable to the Optionors if a mineral resource exceeding 500,000 ounces of gold in the Measured and Indicated categories is disclosed on the Property in compliance with National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects on the Property or if commercial production commences on the property based on a feasibility study with reserves of at least 500,000 ounces of gold.

The agreement is subject to the approval of the TSXV. The agreement will be effective three business days following approval of the TSXV.

Figure 1 - Cross-Section Showing Highlighting Drill Hole MC24-163

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9800/248041_1dadc324d4bd5b99_001full.jpg

Figure 2 - Plan Map of Showing Location of 2024 Drill Holes on the Argus Zone

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9800/248041_1dadc324d4bd5b99_002full.jpg

Figure 3 - Location of Munro-Croesus Gold Project, Ontario

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9800/248041_1dadc324d4bd5b99_003full.jpg

Plate 1 - Core Photos of 5.4 g/t Au over 34.5 m Interval in Drill Hole MC24-163

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9800/248041_1dadc324d4bd5b99_004full.jpg

Plate 2 - Photo of Visible Gold in Drill Hole MC24-163

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9800/248041_1dadc324d4bd5b99_005full.jpg

Table 2 - Detailed Sample Results of 5.4 g/t Au over 34.5 m Interval in Drill Hole MC24-163

Drill Hole From To Length Au

(meters) (meters) (meters) (g/t) MC24-163 265.5 267.0 1.5 4.2 MC24-163 267.0 268.5 1.5 3.9 MC24-163 268.5 269.3 0.8 0.9 MC24-163 269.3 270.0 0.7 11.2 MC24-163 270.0 271.0 1.0 3.8 MC24-163 271.0 272.0 1.0 3.3 MC24-163 272.0 273.0 1.0 4.5 MC24-163 273.0 274.0 1.0 3.7 MC24-163 274.0 275.5 1.5 3.1 MC24-163 275.5 277.0 1.5 0.5 MC24-163 277.0 278.5 1.5 1.2 MC24-163 278.5 280.0 1.5 2.9 MC24-163 280.0 281.5 1.5 0.1 MC24-163 281.5 283.0 1.5 0.2 MC24-163 283.0 284.5 1.5 0.7 MC24-163 284.5 285.5 1.0 0.3 MC24-163 285.5 286.5 1.0 6.7 MC24-163 286.5 287.5 1.0 5.4 MC24-163 287.5 288.5 1.0 0.5 MC24-163 288.5 289.5 1.0 1.8 MC24-163 289.5 291.0 1.5 0.1 MC24-163 291.0 292.0 1.0 2.1 MC24-163 292.0 293.0 1.0 10.9 MC24-163 293.0 294.0 1.0 76.4 MC24-163 294.0 295.0 1.0 28.1 MC24-163 295.0 296.0 1.0 1.8 MC24-163 296.0 297.0 1.0 0.6 MC24-163 297.0 298.5 1.5 0.2 MC24-163 298.5 300.0 1.5 2.1

The Munro-Croesus Project

The Munro-Croesus Project is located along Highway 101 in the heart of the Abitibi greenstone belt, Canada's premier gold mining jurisdiction (Figure 3). This large, 100% owned land package includes the past-producing Croesus Gold Mine, which yielded some of the highest-grade gold ever mined in Ontario. Extensive land consolidation from 2020-2024 has unified the patchwork of patented and unpatented mining claims surrounding the Croesus Gold Mine into one coherent package and enhanced the project's exploration potential.

The Project covers 108 km2 of highly prospective geology within the influence of major gold-bearing structural breaks. Bulk-tonnage gold deposits located in the immediate region include the Fenn-Gib gold project being developed by Mayfair Gold Corp. that contains an Indicated Resource of 4.31 Moz at 0.74 g/t Au and an Inferred Resource of 141 koz at 0.49 g/t Au, and the Tower Gold Project being developed by STLLR Gold Inc. that contains an open pit Indicated Resource of 4.46 Moz at 0.92 g/t Au and an Inferred Resource of 8.29 Moz at 1.09 g/t Au1.

About the Timmins Area Gold Properties

Onyx Gold owns 100% of each of its three Timmins properties. The Munro-Croesus Gold Project is located approximately 75 km east of Timmins, proximal to the Porcupine-Destor and Pipestone Faults, and approximately 2 km northwest and along trend of Mayfair Gold Corp.'s multi-million-ounce Fenn-Gib gold deposit. Mining occurred intermittently at Munro-Croesus between 1915 and 1936. The Golden Mile 140 km2 property is located 9 km northeast of Newmont's multi-million-ounce Hoyle Pond deposit in Timmins. The Timmins South 187 km2 property is located to the south and southeast of Timmins and surrounds the Shaw dome structure.

About Onyx Gold

Onyx Gold is an exploration company focused on well-established Canadian mining jurisdictions, with assets in Timmins, Ontario, and Yukon Territory. The Company's extensive portfolio of quality gold projects in the greater Timmins gold camp includes the Munro-Croesus Gold property, renowned for its high-grade mineralization, plus two additional earlier-stage large exploration properties, Golden Mile and Timmins South. Onyx Gold also controls four properties in the Selwyn Basin area of Yukon Territory, which is currently gaining significance due to recent discoveries in the area. Onyx Gold's experienced board and senior management team are committed to creating shareholder value through the discovery process, careful allocation of capital, and environmentally/socially responsible mineral exploration.

On Behalf of Onyx Gold Corp.

"Brock Colterjohn"

President & CEO

For further information, please visit the Onyx Gold Corp. website at www.onyxgold.com or contact:

Website: www.onyxgold.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/onyx-gold-corp/?viewAsMember=true

Twitter: https://twitter.com/OnyxGoldCorp

1. Fenn-Gib Gold Project and Tower Gold Project mineral resources compiled from public sources and are provided for general information purposes. Readers are cautioned that the Company has no interest in or right to acquire any interest in adjacent properties and they are not indicative of mineral deposits on the Company's properties or any potential exploration thereof.

Additional Notes:

Starting azimuth, dip and final length (Azimuth/-Dip/Length) for the one drill hole reported today are noted as follows: MC24-163 (000/45/309)

Samples of drill core were cut by a diamond blade rock saw, with half of the cut core placed in individual sealed polyurethane bags and half placed back in the original core box for permanent storage. Sample lengths typically vary from a minimum 0.2-meter interval to a maximum 1.5-meter interval, with an average 0.5 to 1.0-meter sample length. Drill core samples were delivered by truck in sealed woven plastic bags to ALS Geochemistry laboratory facility in Timmins, Ontario for sample preparation with final analysis at ALS Geochemistry Analytical Lab facility in North Vancouver, BC. ALS Geochemistry operate meeting all requirements of International Standards ISO/IEC 17025:2017 and ISO 9001:2015.

Gold is determined by fire-assay fusion of a 50-gram sub-sample with atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). Samples that return values >10 ppm gold from fire assay and AAS are determined by using fire assay and a gravimetric finish. Various metals including silver, gold, copper, lead and zinc are analyzed by inductively coupled plasma (ICP) atomic emission spectroscopy, following multi-acid digestion. The elements copper, lead and zinc are determined by ore grade assay for samples that return values >10,000 ppm by ICP analysis. Silver is determined by ore-grade assay for samples that return >100 ppm. All ALS Geochemistry sites operate under a single Global Geochemistry Quality Manual that complies with ISO/IEC 17025:2017. ALS Geochemistry follows the quality management and operational guidelines set out in the international standards ISO/IEC 17025 - "General Requirement for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories" and ISO 9001 - "Quality Management Systems".

The Company maintains a robust QA/QC program that includes the collection and analysis of duplicate samples and the insertion of blanks and standards (certified reference material).

Ian Cunningham-Dunlop, P.Eng., Executive Vice President for Onyx Gold Corp. and a qualified person ("QP") as defined by Canadian National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this release.

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.

Cautionary and Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company regarding future events. Generally, but not always, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "seek", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "forecast", "expect", "potential", "project", "target", "schedule", "budget" and "intend" and statements that an event or result "may", "will", "should", "could" or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions and includes the negatives thereof. This information and these statements, referred to herein as "forward-looking statements", are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this news release and include without limitation, statements regarding discussions of future plans, estimates and forecasts and statements as to management's expectations and intentions with respect to, among other things the exploration and development of Munro-Croesus and the Argus North Zone; the potential mineralization, and the significance thereof, at Munro-Croesus and the Argus North Zone based on the drill program results, including the potential for additional mineral resources; statements regarding the Company's future drill programs, including the expected benefits and results thereof; the intention of the Company to make all payments towards the Option and to exercise the Option on the terms and conditions set out therein; the approval of the TSXV for the Option; the possibility of the Bonus Payment becoming payable; and other statements that are not historical facts.

These forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties and actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, uncertainty and variation in the estimation of mineral resources; risks related to exploration, development, and operation activities; exploration and development of the Munro-Croesus and the Argus North Zone will not be undertaken as anticipated; the Company may require additional financing from time to time in order to continue its operations which may not be available when needed or on acceptable terms and conditions; the fluctuating price of gold; unknown liabilities in connection with acquisitions; compliance with extensive government regulation; delays in obtaining or failure to obtain governmental permits, or non-compliance with permits; environmental and other regulatory requirements; domestic and foreign laws and regulations could adversely affect the Company's business; global financial conditions; uninsured risks; climate change risks; competition from other companies and individuals; conflicts of interest; risks related to compliance with anti-corruption laws; intervention by non-governmental organizations; outside contractor risks; the stock markets have experienced volatility that often has been unrelated to the performance of companies and these fluctuations may adversely affect the price of the Company's securities, regardless of its operating performance; the Company not receiving the necessary regulatory approvals in respect of the Option; changes in the Company's plan with respect to exercise of the Option and the Company's associated exploration plans; that the obligation to make the Bonus Payment may be triggered; and other risks associated with executing the Company's objectives and strategies as well as those risk factors discussed in the Company's continuous disclosure documents filed under the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

In making the forward looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, the Company's current anticipated costs; the Company's ability to fund its drill programs; the Company's ability to carry on exploration, development and mining activities; prices for energy inputs, labour, materials, supplies and services; the timing and results of drilling programs; mineral resource estimates and the assumptions on which they are based; the discovery of mineral resources and mineral reserves on the Company's mineral properties; the timely receipt of required approvals and permits; the costs of operating and exploration expenditures; the Company's ability to operate in a safe, efficient, and effective manner; the Company's ability to obtain financing as and when required and on reasonable terms; that the Company's activities will be in accordance with the Company's public statements and stated goals; that there will be no material adverse change or disruptions affecting the Company or its properties; that the Company will have the ability to exercise the Option on the terms and conditions set out therein; that the TSXV will provide the necessary approvals in respect of the Option; that the Company will be able to comply with the terms of the Option, including the cash payments and issuance of shares; and that the Company will have sufficient capital to fulfill the Bonus Payment if triggered.

Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or 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 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 and forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, forward-looking information or financial out-look that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. We seek safe harbor.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/248041

SOURCE: Onyx Gold Corp.
EUROPEAN DYNAMICS ("ED" or "the Company"), a global, market leading provider of eGovernment software and digital transformation services to Governments and International Institutions, announced today a minority investment led by CAPZA (investing through its flagship Flex Equity Mid-Market 2 fund) and joined by Abry Partners ("Abry", investing through its Senior Equity Fund, ASE VI, LP) (together "the Investors

The Investors will support ED's growth strategy together with its founder and Chief Executive Officer, Constantinos Velentzas, who retains a significant majority of the Company's share capital. This investment marks the Company's first partnership with financial investors since its inception.

CAPZA1, who will be the lead investor in the transaction, is an established private investment platform across private debt and private equity in Europe with more than 9.1 billion of assets under management (AuM)2. CAPZA is part of AXA Investment Managers Alts ("AXA IM Alts"), a global leader in alternative investments with over 186 billion of AuM.3 Through its Flex Equity Mid-Market 2 fund, CAPZA invests tickets of up to 150 million in European and global leaders with strong growth potential.

Abry is a leading sector-focused North American private equity firm which invests across the capital structure managing $17 billion of assets across several investment strategies.

Founded in 1994, the Company has become a leading eGovernment and digital transformation partner for the public sector, recognised for its deep expertise and ability to leverage technology and data to drive innovation. ED has also developed and commercialises a suite of market leading software products specifically tailored to core eGovernment activities (notably in the fields of customs, taxation, procurement, financial markets and IP management).

With a staff of c. 1,200 across 7 main international operating subsidiaries, the Company works with c. 100 clients globally including Federal Governments, European Institutions International Organisations in more than 30 countries and 4 continents. ED has established a multidisciplinary Technology Centre in Greece, and prepares its expansion in France, the Nordics, DACH and the USA. In this context ED is intensifying its recruitment plan, aiming at hiring 800 technology experts over the next few years (more than 50% of these new posts will be based in Greece). In addition, the Company negotiates partnerships with universities and academic centers in Europe and in the USA.

The Company has experienced significant organic growth, notably driven by the growing needs of institutions and government bodies' IT solutions to enhance operational efficiency and ensure compliance with regulatory constraints. The partnership with the Investors will accelerate ED's expansion within and outside Europe, while it will also support through the necessary investment, innovative product development and strategic M&A.

Completion of the transaction is expected by summer 2025 and is subject to customary closing conditions and approvals.

Constantinos Velentzas, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, EUROPEAN DYNAMICS, said: "We are thrilled that CAPZA and Abry are investing in ED as minority partners, which proves the embedded value of our Company. This partnership reflects a shared conviction in our strategic model as well as the common ambition of a leadership position in the critical and ever-evolving landscape of the eGovernment sector. Today's announcement is also a testament to the hard work of everyone at ED, our three decades of organic growth and the opportunity that lies ahead. With the Investors, we can grow our organic offerings, accelerate our international expansion plans and further develop our ability to innovate, bringing our services and products to more clients around the world."

Jess Wizman, Partner Flex Equity Mid-Market at CAPZA, said: "We are proud to partner with EUROPEAN DYNAMICS, a market leader in digital transformation for Governments, European and International Institutions. CAPZA has a strong track-record in supporting high-growth software and IT services companies, and we were particularly impressed by ED's deep domain expertise, mission-critical solutions, and international reach. We are excited to support Constantinos Velentzas and the management team in ED's next growth chapter, notably in key markets like France and in strategic sectors including Defense."

Tyler Wick, Co-Head of Abry Senior Equity Fund at Abry Partners, said: "Constantinos and the ED management team have built a world-class software and digital transformation platform dedicated to providing complex and mission critical solutions to the public sector. We have extensive experience partnering with government technology companies in North America and Europe and we believe that EUROPEAN DYNAMICS is well positioned to expand its global leadership position. Abry is thrilled to partner with the Company and support the management team in this next phase of growth, including expansion into North America and into rapidly growing categories such as artificial intelligence."

Deal Participants

Company

Financial Advisor: Houlihan Lokey

Lawyers: Ashurst LLP and Lambadarios Law Firm

Vendor Due Diligence (Financial, Tax, and Commercial): PwC

CAPZA

Deal team: Jess Wizman, Antoine Forgeard, Roxane des Jamonieres, Mathieu Moreau

Lawyers: Paul Hastings

M&A: Bryan Garnier Co

Due Diligence

Strategic: PMP

PMP Financial: Alvarez Marsal

Alvarez Marsal Legal, Tax and Social: Grant Thornton

Grant Thornton Tech, ESG: Eleven

Abry Partners

Deal team: Tyler Wick, Rashard Green, Zaid Khanbozai, Ryan McCarthy

Lawyers: Kirkland Ellis LLP

M&A: William Blair

Due Diligence

Strategic: Loenberg Consulting

Loenberg Consulting Financial: Alvarez Marsal

Alvarez Marsal Tax: Ernst Young

About CAPZA

Created in 2004, CAPZA is an established European private investment platform.

With more than 9.1 billion of assets, CAPZA puts its experience and passion for investing at the service of investors worldwide with its platform of 6 complementary investment strategies: Flex Equity, Flex Equity Mid-Market, Growth Tech, Transition4, Private Debt, and Artemid5

CAPZA offers financing solutions to companies at every stage of their development. Its unique platform allows CAPZA to support companies over the long term by providing them with custom-made financing solutions (majority equity, minority equity, subordinated debt, senior debt, etc.). CAPZA is a generalist but has built up strong expertise in supporting companies in the health, technology and services sectors.

CAPZA Group has more than 115 employees based in Paris, Munich, Madrid, Milan and Amsterdam, and is part of AXA IM Alts, one of the global leaders in alternative investments with 186 billion in assets under management.

More information about CAPZA: https://capza.co

About Abry Partners

Abry Partners is one of the most experienced and successful sector-focused private equity investment firms in North America. Since its founding in 1989, the firm has completed over $90 billion of leveraged transactions and other private equity or preferred equity placements. Currently, the firm manages $17 billion of assets across several fund strategies.

More information about Abry Partners: www.abry.com

Disclaimer

This document is aimed solely at the media and is for information purposes only. The opinions expressed here are the views of the author and do not constitute investment advice. This is not a recommendation to purchase, sell or subscribe to financial instruments, an offer to sell investment funds or an offer of financial services. This press release is as dated. They do not necessarily represent the views of any company within the AXA Investment Managers Group and may be subject to change without notice. This does not constitute a Financial Promotion. This is for information purposes only. No financial decisions should be made on the basis of the information provided. Past performance is not necessarily representative of future results: performance is not constant over time and the value of investments may fall as well as rise.

_____________________________ 1 Atalante (commercial name CAPZA) 2 Including assets managed by a third party and advised by Artemid SAS. Based on valuations as of 31/12/2024. 3 Source: AXA IM Alts data (unaudited) as at 31 December 2024. 4 The funds of the CAPZA Transition range are managed by the asset management company CAPZA, and advised by CAPZA Transition SAS which has financial investment advisor status (CIF in France), is registered under the Orias under the number 18001601 since the 03/23/2018. 5 The funds of the Artemid range are managed by the asset management company CAPZA and advised by Artemid SAS, which is a subsidiary of CAPZA and has financial investment advisor status (CIF in France). Artemid SAS is registered by the Orias under the number 14003497 since the 05/28/2014.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250409295704/en/

Contacts:

Press Contacts

Company

info@eurodyn.com

CAPZA

CITIGATE DEWE ROGERSON

Kristell Le Nadan

+33 (0) 6 98 49 22 27

Kristell.lenadan@citigatedewerogerson.com

Lucas Rennesson

+33 (0) 7 63 73 05 61

Lucas.Rennesson@citigatedewerogerson.com

Abry Partners

FGS Global

Abry@fgsglobal.com
NEW YORK, April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Montran has been honored with the 'Payment Services Development' award at the Central Banking Awards. This prestigious recognition underscores Montran's commitment to achieving financial infrastructure interoperability through our Instant Payments System (IPS).

The deployment of the Montran IPS in various regions around the world has been instrumental in empowering central banks, clearinghouses, commercial banks, NBFIs, MNOs, merchants, agents and end-users with a cutting-edge interoperable instant payment solution.

With ten live instant payment systems (IPS) deployed across the globe-from Angola to Panama-Montran continues to empower financial ecosystems with innovative solutions that enhance transaction speed, security, and accessibility. The recent go-live of BORICA's TIPS Connectivity Module in Bulgaria further demonstrates Montran's commitment to advancing cross-border instant payments, ensuring operational efficiency and compliance with European standards.

Driving Instant Payments Forward

Montran's IPS platform has been designed for scalability, flexibility, and security, making it the preferred choice for central banks and national clearing systems. Built to support 24/7 real-time processing, the system offers:

Advanced fraud management to safeguard transactions

to safeguard transactions Seamless QR code-based payments for instant digital transactions

for instant digital transactions 5,000+ transactions per second processing capacity

processing capacity Direct integration with international systems, including ECB TIPS and PAPSS

Since the launch of its first IPS production system in 2018, Montran has continuously enhanced its platform with proxy alias modules, advanced liquidity management, and configurable fraud detection tools-ensuring a future-proof payment infrastructure.

"As instant payments become the global standard, we remain committed to helping central banks and financial institutions accelerate digital transformation with scalable, reliable financial infrastructure," said Cristi Jurca, IPS Product Owner at Montran.

Global Expansion & Future Innovations

Montran's instant payments ecosystem is growing rapidly, with three additional systems currently in progress and major initiatives underway in Guatemala and Asia. The company is also focused on integrating IPS with emerging financial technologies, including Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) and enhanced fraud risk management solutions.

"The evolution of digital payments is accelerating, and Montran is leading the way by providing robust, real-time financial solutions that drive economic growth and financial inclusion," said Ciprian Tesa, Chief Technology Officer at Montran.

Montran remains committed to its purpose to unify the world financially by equipping central banks, financial institutions, and payment service providers with next-generation digital payment technology.

About Montran

Montran is the leading provider of Payment and Capital Market Infrastructure solutions, servicing the world's foremost financial institutions with mission critical installations and operations in over 90 countries. Discover more at www.montran.com.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/montran-wins-central-banking-award-for-payment-services-development-302424902.html
63.8 to 116 ppm Gallium in Zinc Concentrates grading 53 to 58%

Western Alaska Minerals Corp. (the "Company" or "WAM") (TSXV:WAM) is pleased to announce that significant gallium ("Ga") values were identified in high-grade zinc concentrates generated through recent first-pass metallurgical test work on mineralized materials from the Waterpump Creek ("WPC") Inferred Resource (2.38 M ton high-grade sulfide mineralization grading 279 g/t silver, 11.2% zinc, and 9.8% lead)at its 100% owned Illinois Creek Project in western Alaska (See Press Release of April 2, 2024) .

This marks the Company's first report of gallium - which has been designated the United States' #1 critical mineral due to its high risk of supply disruption. Gallium values ranging from 63.8 to 116 ppm were reported in assays of zinc concentrates grading 53 to 58% zinc, generated from sulfide-rich drill core composites ranging from 14.5 to 23.7 ppm gallium head grade. Individual assay results outside of these composites range from 41.1 to 63.9 ppm gallium. Analyses confirm that gallium resides within the zinc mineral sphalerite. Further metallurgical testing is planned and will be reported once in progress.

Highlights:

Zinc concentrates grade from 53 to 58%

Total zinc in the Inferred Resource is 591 million pounds (295,000 tons)

Gallium gradesrange from 63 to116 ppm galliumin zinc concentrates (Table 1)

"With gallium now recognized as the United States' top Critical Metal, we are particularly encouraged to have first-pass metallurgical results show such strong gallium values in potentially marketable grades of zinc concentrate at Waterpump Creek. Producing gallium-rich zinc concentrates like these may be a pivotal opportunity for WAM to benefit from fast-track permitting incentives en route to providing a domestic supply of these two critical minerals," said CEO Kit Marrs. "We are pleased to see that the concentrates grade well over the 50% threshold for salability, and with the overall high grades at Waterpump Creek we could probably produce significant volumes of both gallium and zinc. The new high grade gallium assays indicate areas to focus on in WPC and farther south where we believe sulfides continue into WPC South."

Dr. Peter Megaw, advisor to Western Alaska Minerals adds, "It is unusual to see?gallium grades this high in the periphery of any CRD system, so we are ramping up efforts to quantify gallium, and its common Critical Metal associate indium, throughout the project."?

Waterpump Creek Zinc and Gallium Metallurgy:

The WPC Inferred Resource includes gallium-rich sphalerite and silver-rich galena as its principal minerals and metals. The WPC Inferred Resource of 2.38 M tonnes of high-grade sulfide mineralization grading 279 g/t silver, 11.2% zinc, and 9.8% lead was completed and reported on February 22, 2024. Metallurgical testing has been completed on composites taken from 8 selected drill holes. The results reported here are assays of three concentrates reported by ALS Metallurgy Kamloops (March 19, 2025). Additional metallurgical test work is planned for the evaluation of gallium deportment. Results will be reported when available. See below for more metallurgical details.

Table 1: Waterpump Creek Zinc and Gallium Metallurgical Results

High-Grade Gallium Drill Core Assays:

In addition to the zinc concentrate results in Table 1, WAM is re-analyzing select WPC drill core samples by ICP-MS methods for gallium. The first batch of results returned values ranging from 41.1 to 63.9 ppm gallium (Table 2). The second batch of results is expected in Q2 2025. These intercepts were not included in the representative composites reported in Table 1; however, these results in Table 2 highlights that zones of high-grade zinc and gallium exist within the WPC Inferred Resource.

Table 2: First ICP-MS Gallium Assays from Waterpump Creek Deposit Drill Core

Metallurgical Context on WAM's Gallium Analyses

Metallurgical testing of Waterpump Creek drill core and the results reported here are assays of three concentrates reported by ALS Metallurgy Kamloops on March 19, 2025. Three metallurgical composites were generated from sulfide-rich drill core coarse assay rejects from various intervals and depths from 8 WPC drill holes drilled during the 2022 season. Composites represented intercepts between 24.8 and 36.1 meters (drill core lengths) through the WPC mineralized body, and these composites are considered representative of the WPC Inferred Resource. The composites were delivered to ALS labs in Kamloops, British Columbia. ALS Metallurgy used standard metallurgical testing methods for lead, zinc, and silver recovery.

The composites had gallium head grades ranging from 9.45 ppm to 23.7 ppm gallium and concentrate grades in potentially saleable zinc concentrates ranging from 63.8 to 116 ppm gallium. Composite 5 had gallium grades of 23.7 ppm gallium which translated into a zinc concentrate grading 116 ppm gallium (Table 1) using conventional flotation techniques to recover zinc. Composite 5 consists of material from drill holes WPC22-20 and WPC22-22 which represent 35.4m of drill core intercept within the deposit. Additional metallurgical test work is planned for the evaluation of gallium deportment. Results will be reported when available.

For more information about gallium, refer to the USGS Gallium fact sheet ( https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2013/3006/pdf/fs2013-3006.pdf ) and the USGS report, Chapter H of Critical Mineral Resources of the United States - Economic and Environmental Geology and Prospects for Future Supply ( https://pubs.usgs.gov/pp/1802/h/pp1802h.pdf ).

Targeting Additional High-Grade Silver at Waterpump Creek South

Moving forward, Western Alaska Minerals will focus on precious metals and critical minerals, so the 2025 exploration program will be primarily directed at targeting discovery of the southern extension of the high-grade WPC silver-lead-zinc resource in the Waterpump Creek South area (see Figure 1). The WPC Inferred Resource includes gallium-rich sphalerite and silver-rich galena as its primary minerals and metals and remains open to the south across the 4700N fault. The Waterpump Creek South target presents the highest potential for significant expansion of our existing resource base.

Figure 1. Waterpump Creek Resource and WPC South Target Area

National Security and Potential Fast-Track Development Implications:

Gallium: Top-ranked U.S. critical mineral due to its high supply risk and essential role in technology and defense applications1

Zinc: An important US Critical Mineral due to its essential role in infrastructure and renewable energies2

Domestic Supply: Claim package covers >73,000 acres on State of Alaska land; all claims are 100% owned by WAM with no underlying royalties - a clean asset.

Direct contribution to U.S. defense and technology sector mineral independence: Alaska-based reporter, Shane Lasley recently published, "Alaska, which happens to host 49 out of the 50 U.S. critical minerals and some of the nation's richest deposits of copper and gold, stands to benefit from Trump's push for increased domestic minerals production and his overall vision of unleashing Alaska's extraordinary resource potential." 3

Executive Order: Potential to fast-track development of domestic critical mineral supply chains further to a Critical Minerals Executive order , issued by the U.S. Government (March 20, 2025)

1 https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/R47982

2 https://www.usgs.gov/centers/national-minerals-information-center/zinc-statistics-and-information#:~:text=Zinc%20is%20necessary%20to%20modern,products%20to%20rubber%20and%20medicines.

3 https://www.miningnewsnorth.com/story/2025/03/28/news/trump-order-adds-to-alaska-mining-tailwinds/9009.html

Qualified Person

The Qualified Person who reviewed and approved the technical disclosure in this release is Andrew West, Certified Professional Geologist, a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101. He is a Certified Professional Geologist with the American Institute of Professional Geologists (AIPG CP-11759). Mr. West was WAM's VP Exploration from 2023 to April 2025.

His review verified the technical data disclosed, including geology, sampling, analytical and QA/QC data underlying this news release, including reviewing the reports of ALS, methodologies, results, and all procedures undertaken for quality assurance and quality control in a manner consistent with industry practice.

Jeffrey B. Austin, P.Eng., of International Metallurgical and Environmental Inc., a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, registered in British Columbia, has reviewed and approved the metallurgical results.

About WAM

Western Alaska Minerals (WAM.V) is pioneering North America's next major silver and critical minerals district at the Illinois Creek Project, a prolific 8-km mineral corridor hosting two stand-alone deposits with a new Warm Springs discovery zone in between. The IC project claims cover a 100% owned land package of 73,535 acres (115 square miles or 29,758 hectares), located approximately 38 kilometers by road to the region's marine highway, the Yukon River.

Anchored by the high-grade silver mineralization of the Waterpump Creek zone, 75 Moz @ 980 g/t AgEq (Inferred), open to the north and south and the historic Illinois Creek mine, 525 Koz AuEq - 373 Koz @ 1.3 g/t AuEq (Indicated), 152 Koz @ 1.44 g/t AuEq (Inferred), WAM's 100% owned carbonate replacement deposit shows significant exploration potential across its entire length.

Headquartered in both Alaska and Arizona, WAM brings together a team with a proven track record of large-scale mine discoveries.

On behalf of the Company

"Kit Marrs"

Kit Marrs

President & CEO

kit@westernalaskaminerals.com

Phone: 1-520-200-1667

For further information, please contact:

Vanessa Bogaert, Director of Corporate Communications/IR

vanessa@westernalaskaminerals.com

Or visit our website at: www.westernalaskaminerals.com

Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward Looking Information

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. "Forward-looking information" includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future. Generally, but not always, forward-looking information and statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or the negative connotation thereof 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" or the negative connation thereof.

Such forward-looking information and statements are based on numerous assumptions, including among others, Although the assumptions made by the Company in providing forward-looking information or making forward-looking statements are considered reasonable by management at the time, there can be no assurance that such assumptions 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 plans or expectations include risks relating to market conditions, metal prices, and risks relating to general economic, market or business conditions, uninsured risks, regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of personnel, materials, and equipment on a timely basis, accidents or equipment breakdowns, unanticipated environmental impacts on operations and costs to remedy same, and other exploration or other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information or implied by 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 forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.

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.

SOURCE: Western Alaska Minerals Corp
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 10, 2025) - Founders Metals Inc. (TSXV: FDR) (OTCQX: FDMIF) (FSE: 9DL0) ("Founders" or the "Company") announces the appointment of Barry Macdonald to the Company's Board of Directors as an Independent Director.

Founders' President & CEO, Colin Padget, commented, "We are pleased to welcome Barry to Founders' Board of Directors. His extensive experience in finance and corporate governance will be invaluable as we continue to grow."

Mr. Macdonald is a Fellow of the Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia and retired Partner at PwC with over 40 years of experience in strategic governance, international tax, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate finance. He is the current Board Chair of the Simon Fraser University UniverCity Real Estate Trust, and Truvera Trust & Mortgage Corporation. Mr. Macdonald was the 2018/19 Chair of the Board of the Chartered Professional Accountants of B.C. where he led its board of 17 Directors governing 35,000 members. He is currently on the B.C. Executive of the Institute of Corporate Directors.

The Company also announces the results from the Annual General Meeting ("AGM") held on April 8th, 2025, in Vancouver, British Columbia. Shareholders approved the election of all Directors and the new appointment of Barry Macdonald. The reappointment of MS Partners LLP as the Company's auditors and the stock option plan were also approved by shareholders. A total of 41,676,989 shares were voted, representing 41.94% of the Company's issued and outstanding common shares at the record date of the AGM. The following table provides detailed results of the voting.

Table 1: Voting Results for Election of Directors

Nominee Votes For Votes Withheld Percentage For Colin Padget 41,676,356 633 99.99% Barry Macdonald 41,676,356 633 99.99% Nicholas Stajduhar 38,696,953 2,980,036 92.85% Kevin Vienneau 41,174,956 502,033 98.79% Christopher Taylor 40,376,553 1,300,436 96.88%

About Founders Metals Inc.

Founders Metals is a Canadian-based exploration company focused on advancing the Antino Gold Project located in Suriname, South America, in the heart of the Guiana Shield. Antino is 20,000 hectares and has produced over 500,000 ounces of gold from surface and alluvial mining to date1. The Company is fully financed for up to 60,000 metres of drilling in 2025.

1 2022 Technical Report - Antino Project; Suriname, South America. K. Raffle, BSc, P. Geo & Rock Lefrancois, BSc, P.Geo.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS,

Per: "Colin Padget"

Colin Padget

President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director

Contact Information

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, without limitation, statements regarding the use of proceeds from the Company's recently completed financings and the future or prospects of the Company. 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". Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to business, market, and economic risks, uncertainties, and contingencies that may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by 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, other factors may 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. 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 discussion and analysis. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

All material information on Founders Metals can be found at www.sedarplus.ca.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/248020

SOURCE: Founders Metals Inc.
Flin Flon, Manitoba--(Newsfile Corp. - April 10, 2025) - Canadian Gold Corp. (TSXV: CGC) ("Canadian Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce its plans to double the size of its Phase 4 drill program at the Tartan Mine, located near Flin Flon, Manitoba, following McEwen Mining's recent 5.9% equity investment. The Phase 4 program will now total approximately 8,000 metres of diamond drilling in addition to the 23,683 metres completed since the last resource estimate in 2017. The expanded drill program is intended to significantly grow the resource base by targeting high-priority areas within the Main and South Zones.

"Continued drilling success at the South Zone, in particular, would be a game-changer for the Company and could significantly increase the resource at Tartan. The South Zone's proximity to the existing underground ramp and Main Zone would enhance operational efficiency, boost production, and potentially accelerate the Tartan Mine restart." - Michael Swistun, President & CEO.

The expanded Phase 4 drill program will target areas where there appears to be excellent potential for growing the resource at the South Zone (Fig. 1) and Main Zone (Fig. 2), specifically, to:

Expand on the South Zone by targeting its depth extensions where the first deep exploration drill hole, drilled 170 metres vertically below the known mineralization, recently returned 6.1 gpt gold over 6.0 metres. Drilling will also follow up on the newly discovered South Zone Hanging Wall Zone that has returned 29.1 gpt gold over 5.9 metres and 8.4 gpt gold over 2.0 metres.

Target the deeper extensions of the Main Zone, which remains open for expansion. Limited drilling in this area has returned significant high-grade intercepts, including 12.0 gpt gold over 8.0 metres and 12.7 gpt gold over 3.4 metres.

Drill Main Zone's Western Flank where recent step-out drilling has intercepted 11.6 gpt gold over 5.1 metres and 7.1 gpt gold over 6.0 metres, extending the mineralization by a total of 60 metres to the west.

Target the Main Zone's Eastern Flank which returned 19.4 gpt gold over 4.5 metres and 9.7 gpt gold over 4.2 metres.

In addition to the most recent financing, the Company has also received a $300,000.00 grant from the Manitoba Mineral Development Fund ("MMDF") to help fund an updated NI 43-101 Resource Estimate and a Preliminary Economic Study ("PEA") which are anticipated to be completed following Phase 4 drilling. These reports will provide critical data and insight to support the deliberations and decisions on a possible restart of the mine.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information disclosed in this news release was reviewed and approved by Wesley Whymark, P. Geo., Consulting Geologist for the Company, and a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101.

About Canadian Gold Corp.

Canadian Gold Corp. is a Toronto-based mineral exploration and development company whose objective is to expand the high-grade gold resource at the past producing Tartan Mine, located in Flin Flon, Manitoba. The historic Tartan Mine currently has a 2017 indicated mineral resource estimate of 240,000 oz gold (1,180,000 tonnes at 6.32 g/t gold) and an inferred estimate of 37,000 oz gold (240,000 tonnes at 4.89 g/t gold). The Company also holds a 100% interest in greenfields exploration properties in Ontario and Quebec adjacent to some of Canada's largest gold mines and development projects, specifically, the Canadian Malartic Mine (QC), the Hemlo Mine (ON) and Hammond Reef Project (ON). McEwen Mining Inc. holds a 5.9% interest in Canadian Gold, and Robert McEwen, the founder and former CEO of Goldcorp, and Chairman and CEO of McEwen Mining, holds a 32% interest in Canadian Gold.

CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This news release of the Company contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements." Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause Canadian Gold's actual results, performance or achievements, or developments in the industry to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

Figure 1. Tartan Mine - South Zone Longitudinal Section illustrating the areas of Phase 4 drilling.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3276/248043_a57b4170a4c99be4_001full.jpg

Figure 2. Tartan Mine - Main Zone Longitudinal Section illustrating the areas of Phase 4 drilling.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3276/248043_a57b4170a4c99be4_002full.jpg

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/248043

SOURCE: Canadian Gold Corp.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates--(Newsfile Corp. - April 10, 2025) - Colle AI (COLLE), the multichain AI-powered NFT platform, is expanding its support for Bitcoin-based systems to enhance decentralized participation and asset mobility across its ecosystem. The integration of Bitcoin continues to evolve, now offering improved capabilities for NFT minting, asset transfers, and smart automation within a decentralized framework.

Effortless NFT creation and multichain access, powered by intelligent AI.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8833/248053_a442ec87041e1a8a_001full.jpg

Recent technical enhancements have improved compatibility between Colle AI's AI engine and Bitcoin's transaction structure, enabling more efficient routing, simplified asset linking, and AI-powered contract logic tailored to the Bitcoin network. These developments allow creators to operate in a trust-minimized, low-fee environment while retaining the benefits of intelligent automation.

The Bitcoin-driven expansion reflects Colle AI's broader push to make NFT creation and distribution truly multichain-without sacrificing decentralization, scalability, or ease of use. With Bitcoin joining Ethereum, BNB Chain, Solana, and XRP under the same intelligent platform, users gain flexible tools to build and scale projects across one of the most widely recognized blockchain infrastructures.

Colle AI's work on Bitcoin-native solutions supports the future of NFT development where multichain intelligence, creator accessibility, and decentralized architecture converge.

About Colle AI

Colle AI leverages AI technology to simplify the NFT creation process, empowering artists and creators to easily transform their ideas into digital assets. The platform aims to make NFT creation more accessible, fostering innovation in the digital art space.

Social Media

Twitter

Instagram

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/248053

SOURCE: Kaj Labs
Singapore, Singapore--(Newsfile Corp. - April 10, 2025) - Atua AI (TUA), the decentralized AI productivity platform for Web3, has implemented key system refinements aimed at improving the developer experience across its suite of intelligent tools. These upgrades provide greater flexibility, improved reliability, and more efficient interaction between AI modules and decentralized infrastructure-streamlining development for creators and technical teams.

Real-time intelligence optimized for seamless enterprise automation

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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The latest refinements enhance system stability and modular access to core features such as Chat, Writer, and Classifier, enabling developers to tailor AI workflows with ease. Improvements in API responsiveness, model load times, and cross-chain operability offer faster deployment cycles and more scalable solutions for decentralized applications.

These changes also introduce more granular configuration settings and pre-built templates for teams looking to launch AI-powered features within DAO platforms, NFT ecosystems, and DeFi services. The result is a more accessible and efficient development experience, with reduced friction and enhanced output across multichain environments.

Atua AI continues to evolve its platform to meet the growing demands of the builder community. With a focus on performance, adaptability, and real-world integration, the system refinements mark another step toward making decentralized AI more practical, scalable, and developer-friendly.

About Atua AI

Atua AI offers AI-powered productivity and creativity tools in the Web3 space. Its features include Chat, Writer, Imagine, Voiceover, and Classifier-all designed to empower users with intelligent, decentralized solutions for content creation, coding, analysis, and more.

Social Media

Twitter

Instagram

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/248052

SOURCE: Kaj Labs
LONDON, April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Landmark deal with one of the UK's most trusted charities highlights Assisted Living Project's growing role in tackling the UK housing crisis.

Assisted Living Project is proud to announce a game-changing partnership with YMCA North Tyneside, marking a major milestone in its mission to deliver safe, high-quality housing for vulnerable adults across the UK.

YMCA North Tyneside, part of the national YMCA Federation - one of the UK's oldest and most respected social charities - has officially leased two fully refurbished properties from the Assisted Living Project, creating immediate housing solutions for vulnerable individuals in need. This deal represents the first step in a wider collaboration aimed at housing 20,000 people over the next four years.

Janet Richardson, spokesperson for YMCA North Tyneside, said:

"We are absolutely thrilled to be working with Thomas Williams and the Assisted Living Project. This partnership is an exciting leap forward in our mission to provide lasting housing and support to the people who need it most. Together, we are creating not just homes, but opportunities for individuals to rebuild their lives."

As the UK faces an escalating housing crisis, particularly for those with complex needs - including care leavers, domestic abuse survivors, and individuals facing homelessness - the Assisted Living Project is emerging as a key private-sector solution. Its scalable, impact-driven housing model allows it to work in close partnership with frontline organisations like YMCA, delivering ready-to-occupy homes that meet both quality and compliance standards.

Thomas Williams, founder of the Assisted Living Project, commented:

"Working with YMCA is a huge honour - they are a trusted national voice on housing and vulnerable support. This partnership not only validates our model but opens the door to deeper collaboration as we scale our impact across the UK. We are proving that private capital, when deployed with purpose, can be part of the long-term solution to one of the country's biggest social challenges."

This partnership arrives at a time when Labour has committed to tackling the housing crisis for vulnerable people head-on, with increased focus and funding expected to flow towards sustainable supported accommodation.

This is further validation that the Assisted Living Project is well-positioned at the intersection of social impact, stable returns, and scalable national demand. The collaboration with YMCA North Tyneside is just the beginning of what is expected to be a long-term strategic alliance, with more properties and regions already in the pipeline.

Together, YMCA and Assisted Living Project are redefining what is possible in social housing - and delivering results where they matter, housing those who need it most.





Contact Details:

Stephen Laszlo

Operations Director

Admin@alpv.co.uk

01932 627 500

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/assisted-living-project-secures-major-partnership-with-ymca-north-tyneside-to-help-house-20-000-vulnerable-people-across-the-uk-302425590.html
Primary Endpoint of Slowing Cognitive Decline as Assessed by Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale Was Not Met in APOLLOE4 Study

Valiltramiprosate Improved Cognition and Function in Prespecified Analysis in Patients at Mild Cognitive Impairment Stage

Valiltramiprosate Slowed Brain Atrophy Across Multiple Brain Regions in Overall Study Population, Suggesting Potential Neuroprotective Benefits

Favorable Safety Results with No Increased Risk of Vasogenic Brain Edema Observed in Patients Treated with Valiltramiprosate

Alzheon, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a broad portfolio of investigational therapies and diagnostic assays for patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other neurodegenerative disorders, today announced topline results from the pivotal APOLLOE4 Phase 3 trial of oral valiltramiprosate/ALZ-801 in patients with Early AD comprised of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and Mild AD dementia, who carry two copies of the e4 allele of the apolipoprotein E gene (APOE4/4 homozygotes). Valiltramiprosate is an investigational oral treatment in Phase 3 clinical development that inhibits formation of soluble neurotoxic amyloid aggregates and acts upstream in the amyloid cascade. APOLLOE4 Phase 3 trial results were presented on April 1, 2025, at the International Conference on Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Diseases and Related Neurological Disorders (AD/PD) in Vienna.

The APOLLOE4 study was the first Phase 3 trial focusing on APOE4/4 homozygotes and included 325 Early AD patients from study sites throughout North America and Europe. The study enrolled 51% females, 50-80 years old, with MCI or Mild AD dementia. APOLLOE4's primary outcome was the 13-item Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale Cognitive subscale (ADAS-Cog13), with two measures that capture function associated with AD as key secondary outcomes: Clinical Dementia Rating-Sum of Boxes (CDR-SB) and Amsterdam-Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (A-IADL). Hippocampal volume was assessed as the main imaging outcome and fluid biomarkers as additional outcomes. In the overall study population, the APOLLOE4 study did not meet the primary endpoint of slowing cognitive decline as assessed by ADAS-Cog13. A prespecified analysis in patients at the MCI stage of AD (earliest symptomatic stage) showed nominally statistically significant cognitive benefits as measured by ADAS-Cog13 and clinically meaningful functional effects as measured by CDR-SB and Disability Assessment for Dementia (DAD). No increased risk of vasogenic brain edema or microhemorrhages described as amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA-E, ARIA-H) was observed on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. Analysis of brain volumetric endpoints on MRI showed slowing of brain atrophy across multiple brain regions, suggesting potential neuroprotective benefits of valiltramiprosate.

"This research is important for patients with the APOE4/4 genotype who have Mild Cognitive Impairment, as they have unique needs that may not be fully addressed by current therapies," said Anton P. Porsteinsson, M.D., Director of the University of Rochester's Alzheimer's Disease Care, Research and Education Program. "Valiltramiprosate offers a different approach it is an oral treatment with a differentiated mechanism that works upstream in the amyloid cascade inhibiting the formation of neurotoxic amyloid oligomers implicated in Alzheimer's pathogenesis, and in the APOLLOE4 study showed cognitive and functional effects in patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment, without increased incidence of vasogenic brain edema."

APOE4/4 homozygotes represent a high-risk patient population as they are 8-12 times more likely to develop AD and more likely to progress quickly into advanced stages of disease.

"Results from the APOLLOE4 Phase 3 trial showed promising clinical and brain volume effects in Alzheimer's patients with the APOE4/4 genotype. While the APOLLOE4 study did not show a statistically significant cognitive benefit in the overall APOE4/4 patient population, we observed nominally statistically significant and clinically meaningful cognitive benefits compared to placebo in ADAS-Cog13, as well as functional benefits, in a prespecified group of patients who could benefit from early intervention," said Susan Abushakra, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Alzheon. "APOLLOE4 is the largest clinical trial conducted to date in symptomatic APOE4/4 homozygotes who have a desperate need for additional treatment options. A precision medicine approach is key to addressing the needs of Alzheimer's patients who have the APOE4/4 genotype, and we are committed to this patient population."

APOLLOE4 Topline Results

Efficacy results at the Week 78 timepoint showed:

In the overall study population, no significant benefit on ADAS-Cog13 with valiltramiprosate versus placebo (11% benefit, p=0.607).

Full Analysis Set Placebo (N=158) Active (N=162) Difference in LS Mean P Value % Slowing vs. Placebo in Overall ADAS-Cog13 D= -0.504 p=0.607 +11% Favors valiltramiprosate CDR-SB D= -0.312 p=0.309 +23% Favors valiltramiprosate A-IADL D= +0.011 p=0.997 0% Favors placebo DAD D= +2.629 p=0.279 +29% Favors valiltramiprosate MMSE D= +0.349 p=0.454 +17% Favors valiltramiprosate

In the prespecified MCI population, a nominally statistically significant 52% clinical benefit on ADAS-Cog13 (p=0.041) with valiltramiprosate versus placebo, a clinically meaningful 102% benefit on CDR-SB (p=0.053), and a nominally statistically significant 96% benefit on disability scale DAD (p=0.016).

Prespecified MCI Placebo (N=58) Active (N=67) Difference in LS Mean P Value % Slowing vs. Placebo in MCI ADAS-Cog13 D= -2.144 p=0.041 +52% Favors valiltramiprosate CDR-SB D= -0.646 p=0.053 +102% Favors valiltramiprosate A-IADL D= -3.408 p=0.268 +70% Favors valiltramiprosate DAD D= +6.093 p=0.016 +96% Favors valiltramiprosate MMSE D= +0.830 p=0.094 +59% Favors valiltramiprosate

In the overall imaging population, nominally statistically significant decrease in brain atrophy with valiltramiprosate versus placebo: 18% benefit on hippocampal volume (p=0.0174), 20% benefit on whole brain cortical thickness (p=0.0020), and 16% benefit on whole brain volume (p=0.0400).

In the prespecified MCI population, the imaging effects were larger and nominally statistically significant: 26% benefit on hippocampal volume (p=0.0042), 35% benefit on whole brain cortical thickness (p<0.0001), and 22% benefit on whole brain volume (p=0.0267).

Overall Imaging Population Placebo (N=144) Active (N=146) P Value % Effect vs. Placebo Hippocampal volume (HV, L) p=0.0174 (D= +74 L) 18% Favors valiltramiprosate Cortical thickness/Mayo Index (mm) p=0.0040 18% Favors valiltramiprosate Cortical thickness/whole brain average (mm) p=0.0020 20% Favors valiltramiprosate Ventricular volume (VV, L) p=0.0018 22% Favors valiltramiprosate Whole brain volume (WBV, L) p=0.0400 16% Favors valiltramiprosate

Nominally statistically significant correlations were observed in the overall population between volumetric and clinical outcomes, including hippocampal volume and cognition as assessed by ADAS-Cog13 (p<.0001).

Safety results in the overall safety population (N=325) showed:

No serious adverse reactions and no deaths.

No increased risk of ARIA with edema (ARIA-E; 5/149 or 3.4% in each arm, all asymptomatic), ARIA with siderosis (5% in valiltramiprosate arm, 6% in placebo) and ARIA with microhemorrhages (9% in valiltramiprosate arm, 14% in placebo).

Serious adverse event (SAE) rates were similar in the valiltramiprosate and placebo arms. In the MCI group, SAE rates were lower with valiltramiprosate (5%) than placebo (8%).

The most common treatment emergent adverse events were nausea, weight decrease, decreased appetite, and vomiting. The majority of nausea events were mild and showed tolerance with continued treatment.

The dropout rate was higher in the valiltramiprosate arm (19%) than in the placebo arm (9%).

"Learning that you carry two copies of the APOE4 gene variant can be life changing and result in tremendous anxiety," said Jamie TenNapel Tyrone, CEO and Founder of Beating Alzheimer's by Embracing Science and author of Fighting for My Life: How to Thrive in the Shadow of Alzheimer's. "Positive lifestyle changes and a focus on brain health are important, but it may not be enough. The development of effective and safe treatments to address the unique challenges of APOE4/4 homozygotes with Alzheimer's disease is incredibly important. I am grateful for efforts regarding this urgent unmet need."

Alzheon plans to publish the APOLLOE4 study results in a peer-reviewed publication.

About ALZ-801

Valiltramiprosate/ALZ-801 is a potential first-in-class, investigational oral agent in Phase 3 development as a potentially disease modifying treatment for AD.1-5,7,10 Valiltramiprosate is designed to block the formation of neurotoxic soluble beta amyloid oligomers implicated in cognitive decline in Alzheimer's patients.1-5,7,12 In mechanism of action studies, ALZ-801 fully inhibited the formation of neurotoxic soluble beta amyloid oligomers at the Phase 3 clinical dose.1,7,10,12 Valiltramiprosate acts through a novel enveloping molecular mechanism of action to block formation of neurotoxic soluble amyloid oligomers in the human brain12 associated with the onset and progression of cognitive decline in AD patients.1,2,5,7,8 Valiltramiprosate received Fast Track designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2017 for Alzheimer's disease. In the APOLLOE4 Phase 3 trial, valiltramiprosate showed improved cognition and function in patients with mild cognitive impairment and slowed brain atrophy across multiple brain regions in the overall study population, with favorable safety results showing no increased risk of brain vasogenic edema. The initial Phase 3 program for valiltramiprosate is focusing on Early AD patients with two copies of the apolipoprotein e4 allele (APOE4/4 homozygotes), with potential future program expansion to AD treatment and prevention in patients carrying one copy of the APOE4 gene and noncarriers.1-8

Valiltramiprosate APOLLOE4 Phase 3 Trial

An Efficacy and Safety Study of Valiltramiprosate in APOE4/4 Early Alzheimer's Disease Subjects (NCT04770220): This trial was designed to evaluate the efficacy, safety, biomarker and imaging effects of 265 mg twice daily oral dose of valiltramiprosate in Early AD subjects with two copies of the apolipoprotein e4 allele (APOE4/4 homozygotes), who constitute approximately 15% of Alzheimer's patients. This was a double-blind, randomized trial comparing oral valiltramiprosate to placebo treatment over 78 weeks. The APOLLOE4 trial was supported by a $51 million grant from the National Institutes of Health's National Institute on Aging (R01AG065253) to Alzheon, with Susan Abushakra as the principal investigator.

NIA statement: "This content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health's National Institute on Aging."

Valiltramiprosate APOLLOE4 Long Term Extension Trial (LTE)

An ongoing long-term extension of the trial, APOLLOE4-LTE evaluates valiltramiprosate in subjects who complete the core APOLLOE4 study for an additional 52 weeks of treatment for a total of 130 weeks or 2.5 years over the core and LTE study. This LTE study is currently ongoing in the US, UK and Canada (NCT06304883).

Valiltramiprosate Phase 2 Biomarker Trial

Biomarker Effects of Valiltramiprosate in APOE4 Carriers with Early Alzheimer's Disease (NCT04693520): This trial was designed to evaluate the effects of 265 mg twice daily oral dose of valiltramiprosate on biomarkers of AD pathology in subjects with Early AD, who have either the APOE4/4 or APOE3/4 genotype and constitute 65-70% of Alzheimer's patients. The trial also included evaluation of clinical efficacy, safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetic profile of valiltramiprosate over 104 weeks of treatment (primary endpoint). An ongoing long-term extension of the trial evaluates the same dose of valiltramiprosate for an additional 104 weeks of treatment for a total of 208 weeks.1,5,6

About Alzheon

Alzheon, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a broad portfolio of product candidates and diagnostic assays for patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. We are committed to developing innovative medicines by directly addressing the underlying pathology of neurodegeneration. Our lead Alzheimer's clinical candidate, valiltramiprosate/ALZ-801, is a first-in-class oral agent in Phase 3 development as a potentially disease modifying treatment for AD. Valiltramiprosate is an oral small molecule that has been observed to fully block the formation of neurotoxic soluble amyloid oligomers in preclinical tests. Our clinical expertise and technology platform are focused on developing drug candidates and diagnostic assays using a precision medicine approach based on individual genetic and biomarker information to advance therapies with the greatest impact for patients.

Alzheon Scientific Publications

1Hey JA, et al: Clinical Pharmacokinetics of Oral ALZ-801/Valiltramiprosate in a Two-Year Phase 2 Trial of APOE4 Carriers with Early Alzheimer's Disease, Clinical Pharmacokinetics 2025.

2Aye S, et al: Point of View: Challenges in Implementation of New Immunotherapies for Alzheimer's Disease, The Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease2025;12(1):100022.

3Abushakra S, et al: APOLLOE4 Phase 3 Study of Oral ALZ-801/Valiltramiprosate in APOE e4/e4 Homozygotes with Early Alzheimer's Disease: Trial Design and Baseline Characteristics,Alzheimer's Dementia 2024; 10(3): e12498.

4Tolar M, et al: The Single Toxin Origin of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Neurodegenerative Disorders Enables Targeted Approach to Treatment and Prevention, International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2024; 25(5), 2727.

5Hey JA, et al: Analysis of Cerebrospinal Fluid, Plasma Amyloid Biomarkers, and Cognition from a 2-Year Phase 2 Trial Evaluating Oral ALZ-801/Valiltramiprosate in APOE4 Carriers with Early Alzheimer's Disease Using Quantitative Systems Pharmacology Model,Drugs 2024; 84(7), 825-839.

6Hey JA, et al: Effects of Oral ALZ-801/Valiltramiprosate on Plasma Biomarkers, Brain Hippocampal Volume, and Cognition: Results of 2-Year Single Arm, Open Label, Phase 2 Trial in APOE4 Carriers with Early Alzheimer's Disease,Drugs 2024; 84(7), 811-823.

7Tolar M, et al: Neurotoxic Soluble Amyloid Oligomers Drive Alzheimer's Pathogenesis and Represent a Clinically Validated Target for Slowing Disease Progression, International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2021; 22(12), 6355.

8Abushakra S, et al: APOE e4/e4 Homozygotes with Early Alzheimer's Disease Show Accelerated Hippocampal Atrophy and Cortical Thinning that Correlates with Cognitive Decline, Alzheimer's Dementia 2020; 6(1): e12117.

9Tolar M, et al:Aducanumab, Gantenerumab, BAN2401, and ALZ-801-the First Wave of Amyloid-Targeting Drugs for Alzheimer's Disease with Potential for Near Term Approval, Alzheimer's Research Therapy 2020; 12(1): 95.

10Tolar M, et al: The Path Forward in Alzheimer's Disease Therapeutics: Reevaluating the Amyloid Cascade Hypothesis, Alzheimer's Dementia 2020; 16(11):1553-1560.

11Hey JA, et al: Discovery and Identification of an Endogenous Metabolite of Tramiprosate and Its Prodrug ALZ-801 that Inhibits Beta Amyloid Oligomer Formation in the Human Brain, CNS Drugs 2018; 32(9): 849-861.

12Hey JA, et al: Clinical Pharmacokinetics and Safety of ALZ-801, a Novel Prodrug of Tramiprosate in Development for the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease, Clinical Pharmacokinetics 2018; 57(3): 315-333.

13Abushakra S, et al: Clinical Effects of Tramiprosate in APOE4/4 Homozygous Patients with Mild Alzheimer's Disease Suggest Disease Modification Potential, Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease 2017; 4(3): 149-156.

14Kocis P, et al: Elucidating the A42 Anti-Aggregation Mechanism of Action of Tramiprosate in Alzheimer's Disease: Integrating Molecular Analytical Methods, Pharmacokinetic and Clinical Data, CNS Drugs 2017; 31(6): 495-509.

15Abushakra S, et al: Clinical Benefits of Tramiprosate in Alzheimer's Disease Are Associated with Higher Number of APOE4 Alleles: The "APOE4 Gene-Dose Effect," Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease 2016; 3(4): 219-228.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250409154679/en/

Contacts:

Media Contact

Nate Greene, Alzheon, Inc.

401.487.4390

nate.greene@alzheon.com

Investor Contact

Erwan de Naurois, Alzheon, Inc.

802.735.8789

erwan.denaurois@alzheon.com
In collaboration with Franklin Templeton, the programme will enable crypto and tokenised money market funds as collateral.

The programme will see leading institutions, such as Brevan Howard Digital, onboard onto this pioneering programme.

DUBAI, UAE, April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Standard Chartered and OKX, a leading cryptocurrency exchange and global onchain technology company, today announced the launch of a ground-breaking, world-leading collateral mirroring programme, enabling institutional clients to utilise cryptocurrencies and tokenised money market funds as off-exchange collateral for trading. This initiative significantly enhances security and capital efficiency for institutional clients by using a Globally Systemically Important Bank (G-SIB) as the custodian for their collateral.

Margaret Harwood-Jones, Global Head of Financing and Securities Services at Standard Charteredsaid: "We understand the critical importance of robust and secure custody solutions, especially in the evolving digital asset landscape, and our collaboration with OKX to enable the use of cryptocurrencies and tokenised money market funds as collateral represents a significant step forward in providing institutional clients with the confidence and efficiency they need. By leveraging our established custody infrastructure, we are ensuring the highest standards of security and regulatory compliance, fostering greater trust in the digital asset ecosystem."

The collateral mirroring capability has been launched as a Pilot within the Dubai Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority's (VARA) regulatory framework, and it allows clients to benefit from enhanced protection against counterparty risk, a significant concern in the current digital asset markets. Standard Chartered acts as the independent, regulated custodian in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority, ensuring the safe storage of the assets used as collateral, while OKX, through its VARA regulated entity, manages collateral and facilitates transactions. Franklin Templeton will be the first in a series of money market funds that will be offered under the OKX-SCB programme.

Hong Fang, President of OKX, said: "As the digital assets ecosystem becomes more ingrained within traditional finance, we strive to both drive growth and safeguard client assets in the most capital efficient manner. By leveraging Standard Chartered's position as a top custodian globally, as well as OKX's market leadership in cryptocurrency trading, the partnership sets an industry standard for current and potential institutional clients to deploy trading capital at scale in a trusted environment."

Franklin Templeton, a recognised leader in tokenisation and real world assets (RWA), continues to innovate by leveraging blockchain technology to deliver cutting-edge solutions to customers and clients. Through this collaboration, OKX clients will gain access to on-chain assets developed by Franklin Templeton's Digital Assets Team, seamlessly integrating them into their financial and operational structures.

Roger Bayston, Franklin Templeton Head of Digital Assets, says "Leveraging blockchain technology, our platform is built to support the dynamic and ever-evolving financial ecosystem. We take an authentic approach, from directly investing in blockchain assets to developing innovative solutions with our in-house team. By ensuring assets are minted on-chain, we enable true ownership, allowing them to move and settle at blockchain speed - eliminating the need for traditional infrastructure."

Brevan Howard Digital, the dedicated crypto and digital asset division of Brevan Howard, a leading global alternative investment manager, is among the first few institutions to onboard onto this pioneering programme, highlighting the importance of such capabilities being offered by a leading international cross-border bank and a highly reputable global exchange.

Ryan Taylor, Group Head of Compliance at Brevan Howard and CAO of Brevan Howard Digital, commented: "This programme is the latest example of the continued innovation and institutionalisation of the industry. As a significant investor in the digital assets space, we are thrilled to partner with industry leaders to further grow and evolve the crypto ecosystem globally."

Previous press releases:

Sep 2024: Standard Chartered launches digital asset custody service in the UAE

Oct 2024:OKX names Standard Chartered as institutional third-party custody partner | Standard Chartered

About OKX

OKX is a leading global crypto exchange. Trusted by more than 60 million global users, OKX is known for being one of the fastest and most reliable crypto apps in the world.

As a top brand partner of English Premier League champions Manchester City FC, McLaren Formula 1 and Olympian Scotty James, OKX aims to supercharge the fan experience with new engagement opportunities. OKX is also the top partner of the Tribeca Festival as part of an initiative to bring more creators into web3.

OKX is committed to transparency and security and publishes its Proof of Reserves on a monthly basis. To learn more about OKX, download our app or visit: okx.com.

Disclaimer

AboutBrevan Howard Digital

Brevan Howard Digital ("BH Digital") is the dedicated crypto and digital asset division of Brevan Howard, providing institutional investors access to the wide range of diverse opportunities presented by the structural disruption and innovation of blockchain technology. BH Digital offers unconstrained, alpha-centric, and diversified exposure to investment opportunities across the digital asset ecosystem via a multi-manager, multi-strategy approach across both private and public markets. The 60+ member team manages more than $2bn and operates in 8 offices worldwide. For more information, visit www.brevanhoward.com/brevanhoward-digital/.

About Standard Chartered

We are a leading international banking group, with a presence in 53 of the world's most dynamic markets. Our purpose is to drive commerce and prosperity through our unique diversity, and our heritage and values are expressed in our brand promise, here for good.

Standard Chartered PLC is listed on the London and Hong Kong stock exchanges.

For more stories and expert opinions please visit Insights at sc.com. Follow Standard Chartered on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

About Franklin Templeton

Franklin Resources, Inc. [NYSE:BEN] is a global investment management organization with subsidiaries operating as Franklin Templeton and serving clients in over 150 countries. Franklin Templeton's mission is to help clients achieve better outcomes through investment management expertise, wealth management and technology solutions. Through its specialist investment managers, the company offers specialization on a global scale, bringing extensive capabilities in fixed income, equity, alternatives and multi-asset solutions. With more than 1,500 investment professionals, and offices in major financial markets around the world, the California-based company has over 75 years of investment experience and $1.58 trillion in assets under management as of February 28, 2025. For more information, please visit?franklintempleton.com?and follow us on?LinkedIn,?X?and?Facebook.

All investments, including money funds, involve risk, including loss of principal. There are risks associated with the issuance, redemption, transfer, custody, and record keeping of shares maintained and recorded primarily on a blockchain. For example, shares that are issued using blockchain technology would be subject to risks, including the following: blockchain is a rapidly-evolving regulatory landscape, which might result in security, privacy or other regulatory concerns that could require changes to the way transactions in the shares are recorded.

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/standard-chartered-and-okx-launch-world-leading-collateral-mirroring-programme-302425548.html
Eviden will bring together a unique comprehensive set of AI capabilities - supercomputing power for AI, software layer and AI use-cases development

Paris, France - April 10, 2025 -Eviden, the Atos Groupbusiness leading in digital, cloud, big data and security today announces the signature of a 50-million-euro contract with the Serbia's Office for IT and eGovernment. Together, Eviden and the Serbian administration will deploy a National AI Factory - composed of an AI Center of Excellence and a leading AI-dedicated supercomputing platform - aiming to accelerate Serbia's AI capabilities and foster innovation across key sectors while reinforcing its technological autonomy using European technologies.

More than just a simple infrastructure, an AI Factory is an extensive and complete set of shared AI-dedicated assets - talents, expertise, software, hardware - to foster AI innovation and growth, to democratize its use and to drive successful large-scale projects. By providing all necessary resources with European technologies through this single contract, Eviden will empower Serbia to address the growing challenges and requirements of AI.

This new National AI Factory, a first in the Balkan region, will integrate cutting-edge supercomputing resources, advanced software layers and specialized vertical expertise for use-case design and deployment. This dynamic ecosystem will be made accessible to Serbian public institutions, academic players and businesses in order to harness the power of AI and address critical challenges in health, energy, transportation and administration.

To meet Serbia's needs for computing power, Eviden will deploy its BullSequana XH3000 supercomputer, designed and manufactured in its French flagship factory. With up to 25 PetaFlops of computational power - the equivalent of 25 million billion operations per second - as well as 300 GPUs and 2.5 Petabytes of storage, this AI supercomputer will serve as the backbone of this AI Center of Excellence, providing the necessary computing power to develop and run innovative AI use cases.

In addition to this AI-dedicated hardware, the project will see the implementation of Eviden's BullSequana AI platform, designed to accelerate AI applications development. The Eviden software layer will integrate Mistral AI assets who brings its leading European GenAI models to help drive groundbreaking use cases.

This combination of hardware and software capabilities will be complemented by a vertical AI expertise drawn from Eviden's teams in France, Czech Republic and Serbian AI ecosystem. These AI specialists will bring their deep understanding of sector-specific needs, ensuring an effective application of AI to Serbia's strategic sectors. They will also assist in recruiting and training engineers and academics across Serbia, ensuring the AI Center of Excellence becomes a self-sustaining hub for innovation.

Mihailo Jovanovic PhD, Director of the Office for IT and eGovernment, Government of the Republic of Serbia said "This partnership with Eviden, Europe's leading supercomputing and AI player, is a historic moment for our country's digital future, demonstrating the spirit of Franco-Serbian cooperation. It is not just a technological leap but a statement of our commitment to foster innovation, advanced our economy and strengthen our position as regional leader in AI. This project is a key step towards implementing Serbia's vision in accordance with "Leap into the Future - Serbia 2027" Program and plans for further modernization, digitalization, and the application of artificial intelligence."

Emmanuel Le Roux, Head of Advanced Computing, Eviden, Atos Group said "With its investment and current leading responsibility in the Global Partnership on AI, Serbia has been at the forefront of AI research and application in Europe. This one-of-a-kind project is yet another example of its commitment toward technological advanced and economic growth, while contributing to the strategic cooperation between France and Serbia for AI and reinforcing the country's technological sovereignty. It underlines Eviden's unique end-to-end positioning and demonstrates once again how Europe's technology leaders can drive AI innovation while ensuring technological autonomy and sovereignty."

***

About Eviden1

Evidenis a next-gen technology leader in data-driven, trusted and sustainable digital transformation with a strong portfolio of patented technologies. With worldwide leading positions in advanced computing, security, AI, cloud and digital platforms, it provides deep expertise for all industries in more than 47 countries. Bringing together 41,000 world-class talents, Eviden expands the possibilities of data and technology across the digital continuum, now and for generations to come. Eviden is an Atos Group company with an annual revenue of c.  5 billion.

About Atos

Atos is a global leader in digital transformation with c. 78,000 employees and annual revenue of c.  10 billion. European number one in cybersecurity, cloud and high-performance computing, the Group provides tailored end-to-end solutions for all industries in 68 countries. A pioneer in decarbonization services and products, Atos is committed to a secure and decarbonized digital for its clients. Atos is a SE (Societas Europaea) and listed on Euronext Paris.

The purpose of Atosis to help design the future of the information space. Its expertise and services support the development of knowledge, education and research in a multicultural approach and contribute to the development of scientific and technological excellence. Across the world, the Group enables its customers and employees, and members of societies at large to live, work and develop sustainably, in a safe and secure information space.

About Mistral AI

Mistral AI is a pioneer company in generative artificial intelligence, empowering the world with the tools to build and benefit from the most transformative technology of our time. The company democratizes AI through high-performance, optimized, and cutting-edge open-source models, products and solutions. Headquartered in France and independent, Mistral AI defends a decentralized and transparent approach to technology, with a strong global presence in the United States, United Kingdom, and Singapore.

Press contact

Constance Arnoux - constance.arnoux@eviden.com- +33 6 44 12 16 35

1 Eviden business is operated through the following brands: AppCentrica, ATHEA, Cloudamize, Cloudreach, Cryptovision, DataSentics, Edifixio, Engage ESM, Evidian, Forensik, IDEAL GRP, In Fidem, Ipsotek, Maven Wave, Profit4SF, SEC Consult, Visual BI, X-Perion.

Eviden is a registered trademark.  Eviden SAS, 2025.

Attachment
New partnership will help automate transactions while saving time and capital for investors

Climate First Bank (www.climatefirstbank.com), the world's first FDIC-insured digital community bank founded to combat the climate crisis, and Banyan Infrastructure, a leading project finance software platform, today announced a new partnership to help streamline and modernize the financing process for renewable infrastructure projects - saving both time and capital for investors.

Climate First Bank Powered by OneEthos

Climate First Bank Powered by OneEthos Logo

Climate First Bank offers the nation's most affordable ethical solar financing with no dealer fees, a 30.5-year term*, and no prepayment penalties. The bank will leverage Banyan Infrastructure's cutting-edge software to automate its financing process, including identifying leads, tracking approvals, and managing underwriting and compliance. Banyan Infrastructure's software will help connect renewable energy projects with both public and private capital and deliver standardized impact reports and servicing data to stakeholders at every step of the process.

"For too long, banks, investors, and project managers have been on different pages, looking at different data and wasting a lot of time and money in broken workflows. This partnership helps us fix that - creating a simple, healthy ecosystem for renewable energy infrastructure stakeholders," said Will Greene, CEO at Banyan Infrastructure. "Not only will we streamline the process around commercial solar and other renewable energy projects, but we can connect banks and other renewable-energy infrastructure partners and investors across America. It's a win-win."

"Demand for renewable energy investments is booming - and Banyan Infrastructure is exactly the tool we need to streamline transactions and automate servicing. By delivering standardized impact reports, the Banyan Infrastructure platform is going to help Climate First Bank - and the renewable industry as a whole - make it easier, faster, and cheaper to move investments forward. It's good for clean energy investors, and it's great for fighting climate change," said Lex Ford, CEO and President of Climate First Bank.

The new partnership comes as Climate First Bank reached the significant milestone of $1 billion in total assets under management. This achievement, a combination of mission-driven banking and strong demand for renewable energy investments, underscores the bank's rapid growth and unwavering commitment to sustainability.

*As an example, on a $80,000 loan a homeowner might pay $586.96 per month over 360 months, at 8.00% APR, following 6 months of no payments. Loans are provided by Climate First Bank, Member FDIC, and are subject to credit check and approval.

About Banyan Infrastructure

Banyan Infrastructure is a project finance software platform designed to simplify, accelerate, and optimize the outcomes and profitability of sustainable infrastructure financing across the deal life cycle. Our solution oversees and automates the complex and time-consuming processes in the origination, portfolio, and compliance management of sustainable assets, which boosts profits per investment, increases deal velocity, and saves thousands of hours at every stage. Visit www.banyaninfrastructure.com or follow us on LinkedIn for more information.

Media contact: Katie O'Leary, Head of Marketing, Banyan Infrastructure, katie.oleary@banyaninfrastructure.com

About Climate First Bank

Recognized as the fastest growing new bank in America since 2009, Climate First Bank is the world's first FDIC-insured, values based, digital community bank founded to combat the climate crisis. A Certified B Corp, 1% for the Planet member and operationally net-zero since it opened its doors in June 2021, the Bank offers a complete, full-service portfolio of simple and easy-to-use traditional banking products powered by technology to meet the expectations of today's consumers. In addition to offering standard banking services, the company places a special emphasis on non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and businesses committed to sustainability. Eco-conscious customers will find dedicated loan options for solar photovoltaic (PV), energy retrofits, and infrastructure to help combat the climate crisis. The Bank reports annually on its impact in line with corporate social responsibility goals. Read the most recent Impact Report here. Member FDIC.

For more information, please visit: www.climatefirstbank.com.

Contact Information

John Collins

Collins Strategy Group

john@collinssg.com

(917) 496-4587

Rachel Kent

Marketing Director

rachel.kent@climatefirstbank.com

5186693550

SOURCE: Climate First Bank
Newsmax Inc. (NYSE:NMAX) ("Newsmax" or the "Company") today announced that a new Nielsen ratings report shows the Company is rising across all dayparts with audience growth and almost every single show - making Newsmax the fifth most watched channel in all of cable.

The Nielsen first quarter 2025 report was recently released and showed Newsmax racking up significant gains in the past five years - growing audience by 690% in Total Day and 1,027% in Prime.

Summary

Newsmax is the #4 cable news channel in the U.S.

Newsmax is #2 for Engagement - length-of-tune - for all dayparts A35-64

Eight million cable viewers watched Newsmax but not Fox News in Q1

Newsmax grew 27% in Daytime and 24% in Total Day, Q1 2025 vs. Q1 2024

Prime Time was up 20%, Q1 2025 vs. Q1 2024

Newsmax beats combined audiences of Fox Business, CNBC, NewsNation in Prime and Access for Total Viewers

Carl Higbie FRONTLINE grew by 45%+ in Total Viewers, Q1 2025 vs. Q1 2024

Chris Plante Right Squad grew by 33% in Total Viewers, Q1 2025 vs. Q1 2024

FINNERTY grew by 20% in Total Viewers, Q1 2025 vs. Q1 2024

NEWSLINE with Bianca de la Garza grew by 26% in Total Viewers, Q1 2025 vs. Q1 2024

Chris Salcedo Show grew by 27% in Total Viewers, Q1 2025 vs. Q1 2024

American Agenda with Katrina Szish and Bob Brooks grew by 25%, Q1 2025 vs. Q1 2024

Last Friday, Newsmax reported that the Company hit a recent record with 33.6 million viewers watching the network in Q1, up 50% from the same period last year.

Additionally, in the key demo of Adults 35 to 64, close to 15 million viewers tuned in, up 63% from last year.

"Newsmax is breaking records because we're covering the news and talking about the issues Americans care about," Christopher Ruddy, CEO of Newsmax Inc., said.

Ruddy noted rising ratings are impacting almost every aspect of the Company's business.

Newsmax now has close to 20 million social media followers across X, Facebook, Instagram, Truth Social and more. The free Newsmax App has more than 16 million downloads and the Company is making push notifications to more than 19 million subscribers.

Last week Newsmax Inc. successfully completed its IPO and listed on the NYSE under the ticker symbol "NMAX". The Company raised $300 million between its recent pre-IPO and IPO raises.

See Full Newsmax Ratings Report

About Newsmax

Newsmax Inc. is a holding company that owns 100% of the equity interests of its operating company Newsmax Media, Inc. Newsmax Media, Inc., the parent company of Newsmax Broadcasting LLC, offers Americans independent news. Since its founding in 1998 by award-winning journalist Christopher Ruddy, Newsmax has become a go-to place for Americans seeking real news, insightful perspective and honest opinion.

Newsmax operates the Newsmax channel, now the fourth highest-rated cable news channel, according to Nielsen, and is available on all major cable systems and OTT platforms.

Newsmax's media properties reach more than 40 million Americans regularly through the Newsmax channel, its free streaming channel Newsmax2, the Newsmax App and its streaming service Newsmax+, its website Newsmax.com, and publications like Newsmax Magazine.

Forbes has called Newsmax "a news powerhouse" and the Reuters Institute last year found that the network was one of the top 12 U.S. news brands.

Through its media outlets Newsmax champions a free press, one that provides Americans with balanced coverage, diverse viewpoints, and open debates on the issues affecting their lives.

Newsmax Inc., based in Boca Raton, Fla., with offices in Washington, D.C. and New York City, is headed by its CEO Christopher Ruddy.

For more information, please visit Investor Relations | Newsmax Media, Inc.

Investor Contacts

Newsmax Investor Relations

ir@newsmax.com

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:

This communication contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including but not limited to statements regarding the amount of proceeds to be received by the Company from the sale of shares to Yorkville and related matters. In addition, from time to time, we or our representatives may make forward-looking statements orally or in writing. We base these forward-looking statements on our expectations and projections about future events, which we derive from the information currently available to us. Such forward-looking statements relate to future events or our future performance, including: our financial performance and projections; our growth in revenue and earnings; and our business prospects and opportunities. Forward-looking statements can be identified by those that are not historical in nature, particularly those that use terminology such as "may," "could," "intend," "should," "expects," "anticipates," "contemplates," "estimates," "believes," "plans," "projected," "predicts," "potential," or "hopes" or the negative of these or similar terms. In evaluating these forward-looking statements, various factors should be considered, including: our ability to change the direction of the Company; our ability to keep pace with new technology and changing market needs; and the competitive environment of our business. These and other factors may cause our actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statement. Forward-looking statements are only predictions. The forward-looking events discussed in this communication and other statements made from time to time by us or our representatives, may not occur, and actual events and results may differ materially and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions about us. The Company does not guarantee future results, performance or achievements. Moreover, neither we nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of any of these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as predictions of future events. We are under no duty to update any of these forward-looking statements after the date of this communication to conform our prior statements to actual results or revised expectations, and we do not intend to do so. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include various factors beyond management's control, including but not limited to changes in domestic and global general economic and macro-economic conditions and the volatility of the price of Common Stock that may result from, among other things, comments by securities analysts or other third parties, including blogs, articles, message boards and social and other media, large shareholders exiting their position in our Common Stock, any negative public perception of us, sales of shares by Yorkville or other shares we previously registered for resale and/or uncertainties and factors set forth in the sections entitled "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024, and other filings the Company makes with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Nothing in this communication should be regarded as a representation by any person that the forward-looking statements set forth herein will be achieved or that any of the contemplated results of such forward-looking statements will be achieved. Undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements in this communication, which speak only as of the date they are made and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the cautionary statements herein. The Company expressly disclaims any obligations or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the Company's expectations with respect thereto or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any statement is based.

SOURCE: Newsmax Inc.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 10, 2025) - Telo Genomics Corp. (TSXV: TELO) (OTCQB: TDSGF) (the "Company" or "Telo"), a leader in the development of diagnostic and prognostic tests for human disease through the analysis of chromosomal telomeres, today announced that the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) has accepted Telo Genomics' abstract submission regarding a concordance analysis between blood and marrow samples, using the TeloView Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) methodology, as an online publication at the ASCO Annual Meeting.

MRD is defined as the small number of cancer cells that remain in the body after treatment, stratifying MRD cells as in remission or active provides important actionable information for clinicians. Also, the FDA's Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee (ODAC) voted unanimously in April 2024 to accept MRD as a clinical endpoint for accelerated approval of new multiple myeloma therapies, paving the way for faster drug approvals.

Telo's ongoing MRD clinical trials with McGill University/Jewish General Hospital have two objectives that will potentially enable the development of two prognostic tests for monitoring myeloma MRD. The two objectives include: i) identify and quantify the number of MRD cells circulating in the patient's blood post marrow transplantation; and ii) profile the isolated circulating MRD cells using Telo's proprietary technology TeloView, to assess disease aggressiveness in each individual MRD cell. The two MRD tests are designed to be liquid biopsy-based, which is at the forefront of precision medicine.

ASCO's 2025 Annual Meeting will take place May 30 - June 3, 2025, in Chicago, Illinois. Founded in 1964, ASCO brings together more than 45,000 oncology professionals worldwide, dedicated to improving cancer care through research, education, and promotion of the highest quality patient care. ASCO is widely considered one of the most prestigious oncology research conferences of the year.

"We are really pleased to have our abstract accepted by ASCO, it indicates the novelty and importance of our TeloView based MRD applications and the impact we hope to have on patients and physicians as they manage MM patients post-transplantation," said Sabine Mai, Telo's co-Founder.

About MRD Assessment

Minimal residual disease (MRD) testing is emerging as an important tool in assessing treatment response and guiding therapeutic decisions in oncology. With advancements in drug development technologies, and a growing emphasis on personalized healthcare, the MRD testing industry is expected to exhibit substantial global expansion in the coming years. The MRD global testing market size is expected to reach USD 4.1 billion by 2032 (Globe Newswire - August 14, 2023).

About Multiple Myeloma

Multiple myeloma is a challenging and potentially deadly blood cancer that involves plasma cells, a type of blood cell that helps to fight infection. It is the second most common blood cancer with an incidence of 35,000 new cases every year in the US, and ~180,000 patients receiving treatment at any given time. The introduction of next-generation therapies (including targeted treatments) has increased the median survival rate to over 5 years, but MM is still considered incurable. Two asymptomatic precursors, Monoclonal Gammopathy of Unknown Significance ("MGUS") and SMM generally precede the progression to classic symptomatic MM. While MGUS carries a steady risk of progression of 1% per year, SMM is more heterogenous with nearly 40% of patients progressing in the first 5 years, 15% in the next 5 years, reaching the same low risk as MGUS after 10 years. To date, identifying patients who will more rapidly progress to MM remains an important clinical need. MM treatment includes various combinations of drugs with a cost as high as $150,000 per year per patient. As most patients will develop resistance to treatment and relapse within a median of 2 years, identifying them proactively remains another important clinical need. Notably, the total addressable market for both MM assays is over 750,000 tests per year in the US.

About Telo Genomics

Telo Genomics is a biotech company pioneering the most comprehensive telomere platform in the industry with powerful applications and prognostic solutions. These include liquid biopsies and related technologies in oncology and neurological diseases. Liquid biopsy is a rapidly growing field of significant interest to the medical community for being less invasive and more easily replicated than traditional diagnostic approaches. By combining our team's considerable expertise in quantitative analysis of 3D telomeres with molecular biology and artificial intelligence to recognize disease associated genetic instability, Telo Genomics is developing simple and accurate products that improve day-to-day care for patients by serving the needs of pathologists, clinicians, academic researchers and drug developers. The benefits of our proprietary technology have been substantiated in 160+ peer reviewed publications and in30+ clinical studies involving more than 3,000 patients with multiple cancers and Alzheimer's disease. Our lead application, Telo-MM is being developed to provide important, actionable information to medical professionals in the treatment of Multiple Myeloma, a deadly form of blood cancer. For more information, please visit www.telodx.com.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as such term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information contained herein may constitute "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "will", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. Certain forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the Company's receipt of TSXV acceptance of the stock option grant are based on the Company's estimates and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, including capital expenditures and other costs. 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 and forward-looking information. The Company will not update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/248008

SOURCE: Telo Genomics Corp.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 10, 2025) - Global Tactical Metals Corp. (CSE: MONI) (FSE: A7F) ("Global Tactical Metals Corp." or the "Company") shares have been accepted for listing on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FSE), under WKN: A412UK, Symbol: A7F.

Global Tactical Metal's common shares are now cross listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange along with the FSE, which is the largest of the seven stock exchanges in Germany. The Company believes that this cross listing on the FSE will enhance liquidity, broaden Global Tactical Metals shareholder base and facilitate advanced electronic trading and settlement. The company's stock quote can be found here: https://www.boerse-frankfurt.de/equity/global-tactical-metals-corp

Additionally, the company would like to announce market awareness agreements.

The Company has entered into a digital marketing services agreement (the "Marketing Agreement") with Machai Capital Inc. ("Machai"). Pursuant to the Marketing Agreement, Machai will, among other things, provide the Company with certain marketing services to expand investor awareness of the Company's business.

The Services will include, among other things, (i) branding, content and data optimization to assist the Company to create in-depth marketing campaigns, (ii) tracking, organizing and executing the Services through search engine optimization, search engine marketing, lead generation, digital marketing, social media marketing, email marketing, and brand marketing. In consideration of the Services, and pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Marketing Agreement, the Company has agreed to (i) pay Machai a fee of C$235,000 for a 3 month period.

Contact Information

Suneal Sandhu, the President of Machai - located at located at 101 - 17565 - 58 Avenue, Surrey, BC, V3S 4E3 and contacted at 1 (604) 375-0084 and suneal@machaicapital.com. Machai and Mr. Sandhu currently own 3,077,900 common shares in the capital of the Company.

About Global Tactical Metals Corp.

Global Tactical Metals Corp. is focused on acquiring, exploring, and advancing mineral properties that address critical resource needs in North America. The company holds a 100% interest in the St. Anthony Property, a highly prospective mineral asset in Newfoundland, Canada, positioned in a region known for its rich mineral potential.

The company has also significantly expanded its exploration portfolio with a substantial land package staked in Darling Township, southeastern Ontario-approximately 300 km east-northeast of Toronto. This property, now exceeding 1,400 hectares, targets critical mineral exploration with a primary focus on antimony, a vital element for renewable energy, defense, and electronics industries.

In addition, Global Tactical Metals Corp. has extended its strategic footprint into the United States by staking the Green Mine, a past-producing antimony deposit in Nevada, further strengthening its commitment to securing critical mineral resources.

Forward Looking Statement

Certain information contained in this news release constitutes forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. Any statements that are not historical facts may be considered forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "may," "should," "anticipate," "expect," "potential," "believe," "intend," or similar expressions. These statements relate to future events or future performance and include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: The exploration and development of the Company's mineral properties, including the St. Anthony Property, the Ontario claims, and the newly staked Green Mine; The potential value and economic viability of these mineral assets; The growing demand for antimony and its impact on the Company's strategic initiatives; and The Company's ability to execute exploration programs, conduct geological assessments, and advance its assets towards potential resource development.

Forward-looking information in this press release is based on various assumptions, including but not limited to: the Company's ability to successfully conduct exploration and development activities, access to funding and infrastructure, regulatory approvals, and favorable market conditions for critical minerals.

These statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause such differences include, but are not limited to: Challenges in obtaining permits, regulatory approvals, or financing; Geological or technical difficulties in mineral exploration and extraction; Changes in market demand or commodity prices; and Unforeseen environmental or operational risks.

Readers are cautioned that the above list is not exhaustive. Forward-looking statements in this press release reflect the Company's expectations as of the date of this release and are subject to change. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements except as required by applicable law.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

THIS NEWS RELEASE IS INTENDED FOR DISTRIBUTION IN CANADA ONLY AND IS NOT INTENDED FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/248010

SOURCE: Global Tactical Metals
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 10, 2025) - ACME Lithium Inc. (CSE: ACME) (OTCQB: ACLHF) (the "Company", or "ACME") is pleased to announce that it has signed a purchase agreement for a 90% interest in 31 unpatented lode mining claims comprising the Cimarron Gold Project ("Project") in Nye County, Nevada from Crestview Exploration Inc. (CSE: CRS) ("CRS"). The Project is a high grade, highly prospective exploration opportunity with a drill-indicated historic gold resource, and a second target area with mineralized drill intercepts that remain open in several directions.

ACME's 90% interest in the Project will be acquired for aggregate consideration of US$149,000 in cash and 1,000,000 Shares (collectively the "Purchase Price"), delivered as follows:

ACME has paid CRS the sum of US$124,000 and will issue 500,000 Shares on closing; and ACME will pay to CRS an additional US$25,000 and deliver an additional 500,000 Shares within six months of closing.

Upon payment of the Purchase Price in full, ACME will own a 90% interest in the Project, and CRS will own a 10% interest in the Project. Thereafter, ACME will be responsible for all exploration and development costs of the Project up to and until such time as it has received a Preliminary Economic Assessment pertaining to all or any part of the Project (the "Trigger Date"). Until the Trigger Date, ACME will have full discretion as to operations involving the Project, including any disposition thereof.

After the Trigger Date a joint venture will then be formed between ACME and CRS and an accompanying definitive agreement governing the same will be entered into by the Parties for further ownership and development of the Project (the "Joint Venture"), which agreement will include the following basic terms:

Initial ownership will be held 90% by ACME and 10% by CRS;

Each party will be responsible for its pro-rata share of expenses from and after the Trigger Date;

ACME's deemed capital contributions to the Joint Venture as of the Trigger Date ("ACME's Contributions") will be the aggregate amount it has paid toward the Purchase Price hereunder together with all costs and expenditures subsequently incurred toward exploration and development of the Project (with an amount equal to 10% thereof as administrative costs); and CRS's deemed capital contributions as of the Trigger Date will be an amount calculated as: ACME's Contributions / 0.9 - ACME's Contributions;

ACME will be the operator of the Project; and will be solely responsible for determining work programs and budgets, and will continue to have full discretion as to operations involving the Project, including any disposition thereof;

Following the Trigger Date, any failure of a party to contribute its pro-rata share of expenses will result in dilution of such party's interest; and

At any time, ACME may acquire one-half of CRS's interest, being 5% in the Joint Venture (to hold a 95% interest) for USD $500,000.

The 31 claims are subject to a 2.5% net smelter royalty (NSR) being retained by Nevada Select Royalty Inc. on production from (i) 13 claims and any property within a one mile area of interest; and (ii) 18 claims staked by Crestview.

THE PROJECT

Located at the north end of the San Antonio Mountains in the historic San Antonio (Cimarron) Mining District, the Project is approximately eighteen miles north of Tonopah in Nye County, Nevada. It comprises 31 unpatented lode mining claims near the historic San Antonio Mine workings and immediately adjacent ground. The prospect has drill ready targets, subject to permitting, and offers a significant opportunity to establish a NI43-101 compliant gold resource.

Regionally, the Project is at the intersection of two prominent gold trends: the Walker-Lane trend which runs approximately NW and hosts a number of mines including Bullfrog, Goldfield, and Rawhide; and an approximately NNE trend of gold mines including Manhattan, Gold Hill, and Kinross's "world-class" Round Mountain, which is located 28 miles away, and recorded over 15 million ounces of gold as of 2021.

Project Highlights:

The Project includes an extensive historic record of drill results (190 holes), with high grade intercepts which included 11 meters of 4.46 g/t, 23 meters of 4.49 g/t and 46 meters of 3.94 g/t

Past drilling outlined a historic gold resource starting at surface of approximately 50,000 ounces (1987 non NI43-101 compliant)

The Project has good access near infrastructure and has a number of drill sites already built

Mineral intercepts remain open in several directions

The target is a shallow, low sulfidation oxide gold system with strong structural control.

Figure 1: Location Map

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7776/248039_c381706c14213bf2_002full.jpg

Exploration by both major and junior mining companies from 1980 through 2004, including Newmont and Echo Bay, identified gold mineralization in three discrete areas in the immediate Cimarron Mine area.

Sampling of surface outcrops and underground adits by previous explorers reported gold assays from quartz-adularia-quartz veining as high as 107 g/t and 30.2 g/t (3.12 and 0.88 oz/ton, respectively). Table 1 lists examples of high-grade assays collected by the various mining groups (Bullion River Gold Corp., Feb. 2004).



Table 1: Historic High Grade Rock Chip Samples

(Bullion River Gold Corp. Fact Sheet, 2004)

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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Drill testing by Newmont, Budge Mining Ltd, Echo Bay, and Romarco demonstrated continuity of lower grade gold mineralization in three discrete mineralized areas at Cimarron, as shown in Table 1 and tabulated in Table 2 (resources non-compliant NI43-101). Higher grade gold intercepts were not uncommon or restricted to any particular explorer.

Table 2: Selected Drill Intercepts in Resource and Target Areas

(Bullion River Gold Corp. Fact Sheet, 2004)

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7776/248039_c381706c14213bf2_004full.jpg

Echo Bay estimated a total gold resource in 1987 of over 50,000 ounces of gold within a block of about 1,500,000 tons of material in the West, East and Central Zones combined.

Table 3 Historic Resource Estimate*

* (polygonal calculation - A.F. Budge (Mining) Ltd. - 1986)

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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This resource is not considered to be compliant with NI 43-101 standards. Additional drilling with application of proper standards and check assays would be required to verify this historical estimate. A qualified person has not done sufficient work to classify the estimate as a current mineral resource or mineral reserve. ACME is not treating this historical estimate as a current mineral resource or mineral reserve.

In 2021, Crestview drilled 4 diamond core holes in the known resource area. All of the holes intercepted anomalous mineralization. SA-01 and SA-03 were drilled approximately 200 meters apart and each intercepted significant zones of gold mineralization which may represent a wide area of oxide, heap-leachable gold mineralization starting at or near surface.

Table 4: Summary of 2021 Drilling Results

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7776/248039_c381706c14213bf2_006full.jpg

Cimarron represents a high quality early-stage exploration project with a drill-indicated historic resource and a target area with mineralized drill intercepts that remain open in several directions.

CORPORATE UPDATE

ACME intends to complete a consolidation of its authorized and issued common shares on the basis of one (1) post-consolidated common share for each three (3) pre-consolidation common shares (the "Consolidation").

On a pre-Consolidation basis, the Company currently has 77,972,727 common shares issued and outstanding. Following the Consolidation the Company expects to have approximately 25,990,909 post-Consolidation common shares issued and outstanding. No fractional common shares will be issued because of the Consolidation. Any fractional common share resulting from the Consolidation will be rounded up in the case of a fractional interest that is one-half (1/2) of a common share or greater, or rounded down in case of a fractional interest that is less than one half (1/2) of a common share, and no cash consideration will be paid in respect of any fractional common share rounded down to the nearest whole common share.

All outstanding stock options and share purchase warrants of the Company will also be adjusted by the Consolidation ratio and the respective exercise prices of outstanding options and share purchase warrants will be adjusted accordingly.

The Company believes that the Consolidation will provide the Company with greater flexibility for the development of its business and the growth of the Company, including financing arrangements.

In conjunction with the Consolidation, the Company will be adopting a new name subject to the approval of the CSE.

The Consolidation and name change are subject to the approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE). In accordance with the Company's Articles, neither the Consolidation nor the name change will require shareholder approval. The record date and effective date of the Consolidation and name change, and the new CUSIP and ISIN numbers, will be disclosed in a subsequent news release.

ACME Lithium intends to complete a private placement financing of up to CAD$800,000. The CEO of ACME has loaned the Company CAD$180,000 to complete the Cimarron transaction which will be repaid from the proceeds of the financing.

ACME will retain its current lithium property interests for future development, and will focus in the near term on the advancement of the Cimarron Gold Project.

Qualified Person

Scientific and technical information contained in this document has been reviewed and approved by Bill Feyerabend CPG who is a "Qualified Person" as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101").

About ACME Lithium Inc.

ACME Lithium is a mineral exploration company focused on acquiring, exploring, and developing battery and precious metal projects in partnership with leading technology and commodity companies in North America. ACME is advancing and developing a lithium brine resource at Clayton and Fish Lake Valley, Nevada and has entered into a strategic exploration agreement with leading partner at a group of projects in the pegmatite region of Shatford, Birse and Cat-Euclid Lakes in southeastern Manitoba.

Neither the CSE nor its regulations service providers accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. This news release contains certain statements which may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws ("forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "could" or "should" occur and in this news release include but are not limited to the attributes of, timing for and expected benefits to be derived from exploration, drilling or development at ACME's project properties. Information inferred from the interpretation of drilling, sampling and other technical results may also be deemed to be forward-looking statements, as it constitutes a prediction of what might be found to be present when and if a project is actually developed. There is no assurance that (i) the acquisition of the Cimarron Project will close on the terms outlined above, or at all; (ii) all of the conditions required to close the acquisition will be satisfied; (iii) the concurrent private placement will be completed; or (iv) that CSE approval to the acquisition will be received. ACME's project location adjacent to or nearby lithium projects does not guarantee exploration success or that mineral resources or reserves will be defined on ACME's properties. Exploration, development, and activities conducted by regional companies provide assistance and additional data for exploration work being completed by ACME. These forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: risks related to fluctuations in metal prices; uncertainties related to raising sufficient financing to fund the planned work in a timely manner and on acceptable terms; changes in planned work resulting from weather, logistical, technical or other factors; the possibility that results of work will not fulfill expectations and realize the perceived potential of the Company's properties; risk of accidents, equipment breakdowns and labour disputes or other unanticipated difficulties or interruptions; the possibility of cost overruns or unanticipated expenses in the work program; the risk of environmental contamination or damage resulting from the Company's operations and other risks and uncertainties. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Unless otherwise indicated, the market and industry data contained herein is based upon information from industry and other publications and the knowledge and experience of management. While we believe that this data is reliable, market and industry data is subject to variations and cannot be verified with complete certainty due to limits on the availability and reliability of raw data, the voluntary nature of the data gathering process and other limitations and uncertainties inherent in any statistical survey. We have not independently verified any of the data from third-party sources referred to in this news release or ascertained the underlying assumptions relied upon by such sources. All technical and scientific disclosure pertaining to our mineral property interests in this news release have been reviewed by a Qualified Person, meaning an individual who is an engineer or geoscientist with at least five years of experience in mineral exploration, mine development or operation or mineral project assessment, or any combination of these; has experience relevant to the subject matter of the mineral project and the technical report; and is a member or licensee in good standing of a professional association.

NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. WIRE SERVICES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/248039

SOURCE: ACME Lithium Inc.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 10, 2025) - Crestview Exploration Inc. (CSE: CRS) (FSE: CE7) ("Crestview" or the "Company") is pleased to announce it has made final payment and exercised its option to purchase the Cimarron project from Nevada Select Royalty (see Crestview's press release dated February 24, 2021) ("Nevada Select") , a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ely Gold Royalties Inc., a TSX Venture Exchange listed company. ) Pursuant to the acquisition, Crestview has acquired 100% of the Cimarron gold project as set out below ("Cimarron" or the "Property"), subject to a 2.5% net smelter royalty to Nevada Select.

The Property is comprised of 13 unpatented lode claims which overlap and control the 6 historically-producing claims around the San Antonio mine. The San Antonio mine was active from the early 1900's to the 1940's, and the mine area received attention again in the 1980's from a number of exploration companies including Newmont and Echo Bay. Altogether, approximately 190 holes totalling about 54,000 feet (16,460 meters) were drilled in this effort, with gold intercepts greater than 1 opt encountered in several drill holes. The drilling identified a shallow oxide gold resource, but the property did not progress to production. The historic resource outlined includes a West, Central, and East target which totals greater than 50,000 ounces of gold (see Map 2 below; reference is to an internal mining report by Peter Hahn to Budge Mining Ltd. dated February 17, 1987). The resource for the Property was never made 43-101 compliant as the data predated the practice.

The resource is hosted in a series of Oligocene age volcanic rocks overlying Paleozoic strata, and younger Miocene age intrusions. The target is a shallow, low sulfidation oxide gold system with strong structural control. The mineralization is associated with silicification, brecciation, and iron oxides.

The Cimarron high-grade epithermal gold target is associated with the historic San Antonio mine located in Nye County, Nevada approximately 30 kilometers North of the mining town Tonopah, Nevada.

The Property is situated in the northern portion of the San Antonio Mountain Range. Regionally, the property is at the intersection of two prominent gold trends: The Walker-Lane trend which runs approximately NW and hosts a number of mines including Bullfrog, Goldfield, and Rawhide; and an approximately NNE trend of gold mines including Manhattan, Gold Hill, and the "world-class" Round Mountain - according to the Kinross website, Round Mountain's 15 millionth ounce of gold was poured as of 2018). See Map 1 below.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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Subsequent staking by Crestview added 18 claims to the Property expanding the property from 13 claims to 31 claims.

Further to the acquisition of the Property, Crestview is also pleased to announce that it has entered into a definitive agreement to joint venture the Cimarron Property, spanning 31 claims comprised of the now acquired 13 claims from Nevada Select plus 18 nearby claims staked by Crestview, with ACME Lithium Inc. ("ACME"), whereby ACME is acquiring a 90% interest and Crestview is retaining a 10% carried interest in the Property. ACME will have operational control of the project and the closing is expected to take place in due course subject to certain customary conditions.

Consideration paid by ACME to Crestview for their 90% interest includes an aggregate of US$149,000 in cash and 1,000,000 common shares of ACME payable as follows: (i) US$124,000 in cash payable by ACME on or before closing plus 500,000 common shares upon closing. Crestview has received an advance of US$89,000 from ACME, used for the final Option payment to Nevada Select, secured by a short-term loan carrying interest at the rate of 8% per annum to be extinguished and deemed repaid upon closing. Failure to close would require repayment within 9 months in either cash or common shares of Crestview; (ii) US$25,000 plus 500,000 common shares of ACME six months following closing. ACME shall have the right to acquire a further 5% interest from Crestview for US$500,000. Crestview's retained interest shall be carried until a completed Preliminary Economic Assessment after which each party will be responsible for its pro rata share of exploration costs.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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Chris Wensley, Crestview's Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We are very pleased and excited to enter into this partnership with ACME Lithium at the Cimarron Project. ACME has a highly qualified and capable exploration team with a proven track record of accomplishment, taking projects from early exploration to reserves very quickly. This bodes well for the future of Cimarron where ACME's participation and management will bring results expeditiously. This transaction also frees up our focus to zero in on advancing our flagship Rock Creek property near Elko, in the Tuscarora Mountains, north of the world class Carlin Trend. This region is a Tier 1 district play mining jurisdiction characterized by large scale mines and deposits operated by major mining producers."

The Fraser Institute mining survey has consistently ranked Nevada among the top 10 mining jurisdictions in the world over its last 10 surveys, ranking Nevada number 1 in 2023.

About ACME Lithium Inc.

ACME Lithium is a mineral exploration company focused on acquiring, exploring, and developing battery and precious metal projects in partnership with leading technology and commodity companies in North America. ACME is advancing and developing a lithium brine resource at Clayton and Fish Lake Valley, Nevada and has entered into a strategic exploration agreement with a leading partner at a group of projects in the pegmatite region of Shatford, Birse and Cat-Euclid Lakes in southeastern Manitoba. Backed by strategic investors and led by an experienced management team, the building blocks of the future are our focus today.

This News Release was jointly prepared with Dr, Craig J Mach, PhD. Geology, and has been approved by Alan Morris, M.Sc., CPG #10550. Alan J. Morris is a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101 and has reviewed the scientific and technical disclosure included in this news release.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors,

Chris Wensley, CEO

On Behalf of the Board of Directors,

"Chris Wensley"

About Crestview Exploration Inc:

Crestview Exploration is an experienced exploration company focused on the exploration and development of its portfolio of gold and silver properties located in prolific mining districts of Nevada.

Rock Creek gold project is Crestview's flagship asset, with 72 unpatented lode mining claims wholly owned and controlled by Crestview. The Rock Creek property was acquired in 2017, and the company went public in 2019. Emboldened by the results coming out of Rock Creek, Crestview strategically expanded on the land position with the acquisition of the nearby Falcon silver-gold prospect in September 2022. Between the two properties and additional claim staking at the nearby Dry Creek prospect, all targeting similar mineralization and likely the same hydrothermal system, Crestview now holds 239 total claims in close proximity of one another. These prospects are situated in a region with proven "world class" gold deposits (including Midas, Jerritt Canyon, Betze-Post, Meikle, and Gold Quarry), where the potential of finding large, high-grade gold-silver deposits is favourable.

The Cimarron project is located in the San Antonio Mountains of Nye County, Nevada, and is comprised of 31 unpatented lode mining claims, including control of 6 historically producing claims associated with the historic San Antonio mine. The property is located in the prolific Walker-Lane trend, approximately 44 kms south of the "world class" Round Mountain deposit.

Forward-Looking Information

This news release includes certain information that may be deemed "forward-looking information" under applicable securities laws. All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address acquisition and joint venture of the Property and future work thereon, mineral resource and reserve potential, exploration activities and events or developments that the Company expects is forward-looking information. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the statements. There are certain factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking information. These include the results of the Company's due diligence investigations, market prices, exploration successes, continued availability of capital financing, and general economic, market or business conditions, and those additionally described in the Company's filings with the Canadian securities authorities.

Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. For more information on the Company, investors are encouraged to review the Company's public filings at www.sedarplus.ca. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward- looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law.

NEITHER THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER HAS REVIEWED OR ACCEPT 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/248056

SOURCE: Crestview Exploration Inc.
Seminar held on China's private sector development

Xinhua) 10:30, April 10, 2025

BEIJING, April 9 (Xinhua) -- Chinese authorities held a seminar for private sector representatives from Monday to Wednesday, urging efforts to promote healthy and high-quality development of the sector.

The seminar, held by the United Front Work Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, and the Central Institute of Socialism, was attended by over 80 representatives from the private economy.

A senior official from the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee called on the business leaders to maintain development resolve, boost confidence, and make steadfast contributions to building socialism with Chinese characteristics and advancing Chinese modernization.

Relevant government officials and scholars delivered lectures on the macroeconomic landscape, law-based business environment, deep integration of science and industrial innovation, financial support for high-quality private sector growth, and the building of a powerful country in terms of culture.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
PARIS and CURITIBA, Brazil, April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Global engineering group SEGULA Technologies is opening in Brazil its first global centre of excellence dedicated to agricultural vehicles and technologies. Located in Curitiba, Parana, one of South America's key agricultural vehicule and equipment hubs, this centre of excellence will drive the design and industrialisation of advanced agricultural vehicles, supporting the industry's growing demand for performance, efficiency, and sustainability.

Meeting the rising demand for agricultural innovation

The world's second-largest exporter of agricultural and agri-food products, Brazil has become a major innovation hub for agricultural equipments, addressing challenges like performance optimisation and decarbonisation. A key player in Brazil's innovation and engineering ecosystem, SEGULA Technologies has now established a specialised engineering centre to accelerate the development of new generations of agricultural machinery.

A team of experts covering the entire value chain

This engineering office is gathering more than 40 experienced engineers in product development, automation, robotics, software development, and other engineering disciplines, covering the full spectrum of agricultural equipment development. The team will focus on enhancing vehicle and powertrain design as well as optimising industrial sites and processes. Their work will also help increasing production capacity, reduce agriculture's carbon footprint, and develop predictive technologies for early plant disease detection.

For over 20 years, SEGULA Technologies, together with its styling subsidiary, Technicon Design, has been actively involved in the design, development, and optimisation of agricultural vehicles and equipment, supporting the industry's transition to more efficient and sustainable solutions. The new engineering centre will also integrate the artificial intelligence and digital transformation capabilities of SEGULA Technologies to boost its customers' productivity.

" This global engineering centre draws on the expertise we have developed in Brazil over more than twenty years, and I am proud to establish it here in Curitiba, close to our customers. Thanks to our passionate and highly qualified teams, we provide them with a local force for innovation that is ready to take up the technological challenges of modern agriculture! - Aldemir Rodrigues, SEGULA Technologies do Brasil, Managing Director

 The opening of this engineering centre reflects our long-term commitment in favour of agricultural vehicules technologies. With a thriving innovation ecosystem, the presence of the world leading agricultural vehicles companies and its highly skilled engineers, Brazil is clearly the best place to lead our global projects in this area  - Adrien Guillemin, SEGULA Technologies Americas, Managing Director.

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CONTACT: marketing@segula.fr

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Seasoned Staffing Professional Takes Over Commercial and Healthcare Agencies

NEXTAFF, a leading provider of staffing solutions, has announced a change in ownership of multiple staffing agencies in Phoenix, Arizona. The offices, previously owned by John Snellings, have been acquired by staffing industry veteran Matt Kolder.

Under Kolder's leadership, the offices will continue to deliver high-quality healthcare and commercial staffing services, maintaining the standards that clients and talent have come to expect.

"Between the healthcare and commercial and industrial space, we have close to 15,000 people that are looking for work, interested in work and ready to work," said Matt Kolder, who brings over 20 years of staffing experience. "We look forward to connecting the dots, getting them out in the workforce, and finding clients who need their help."

"We are sad to see John go but also thrilled to welcome Matt and his team to NEXTAFF," said Cary Daniel, Co-Founder and CEO of Nextaff. "As the new owner of our Phoenix commercial and healthcare staffing offices, his extensive experience and dedication to connecting talent with opportunity will align perfectly with our mission. We are confident that Matt's leadership will bring continued success and growth to the Phoenix market and look forward to seeing the positive impact his team will make."

John Snellings, the previous owner for more than eight years, expressed optimism about the change while reflecting on his time with the company.

"I'm excited for the future of NEXTAFF in Phoenix under the leadership of Matt Kolder as well as the continued guidance of Patricia Mendez," Snellings said. "Matt's prior experience and proven track record in healthcare and nurse staffing, combined with Patty's 15+ years in commercial recruiting in Phoenix, will no doubt be a powerful combination."

Snellings also addressed his decision to step away from the Phoenix offices and the importance of local leadership.

"While I'll miss the team in Phoenix, I realized that having leadership locally rather than being out of state is what's best for the company's growth," he said. "I have so much respect for NEXTAFF as a franchise and especially appreciate Patty's commitment to our success. I'm confident the future is bright in Arizona."

NEXTAFF continues to be at the forefront of providing quality staffing solutions, now strengthened by local leadership and seasoned industry expertise.

About NEXTAFF

NEXTAFF helps companies recruit, screen, and hire quality talent through our proprietary X-FACTOR model. Our comprehensive approach is designed to considerably outperform a traditional temp agency supplier model. Each NEXTAFF office is locally owned and operated, which allows our clients to work directly with owners to find quality employees. NEXTAFF offers a variety of custom staffing solutions in commercial, healthcare and technology verticals.

For more information about NEXTAFF, visit https://www.nextaff.com/ . Those interested in franchise opportunities can visit https://www.nextaff-franchise.com/ .

Contact Information

Jennifer Walker

Marketing Manager

pr@nextaff.com





SOURCE: Nextaff Group, LLC
Industry leader brings faster access to critical medical equipment for hospitals across the region

Hospitals across Colorado and the western United States now have faster access to lifesaving medical equipment as US Med-Equip (USME) - the nation's top-rated provider of medical equipment rentals, sales, service and asset management - opens a new branch in Colorado Springs. The expansion strengthens USME's ability to provide hospitals with the critical equipment they need on demand.

US Med-Equip Team Supporting Colorado Hospitals



The new branch will help hospitals in the region manage fluctuating patient demand with round-the-clock access to rented ventilators, infusion pumps, patient monitors, specialty beds and other essential medical equipment. With a local presence, USME can deliver, service and pick up equipment faster, helping hospitals care for patients without the high costs of owning equipment used only occasionally.

"Hospitals face increasing pressure to provide the best patient care possible while controlling costs," said Greg Salario, CEO of USME. "By opening this branch in Colorado Springs, we're putting critical medical equipment closer to the healthcare heroes in this region who rely on it to comfort and heal their patients, cutting equipment delivery time and operating costs."

USME partners with leading hospitals nationwide, equipping healthcare teams with medical devices supported by a 24/7 service team. The company's advanced technology enables hospitals to track and manage rented equipment on demand, minimizing delays and ensuring they only pay for the devices they need, when they need them.

As a trusted partner to hospitals coast to coast, USME's expansion into Colorado Springs is part of its commitment to supporting a growing number of healthcare facilities across the western U.S. The 'Top Workplace' is hiring for its growing team in the area and across the country.

About US Med Equip:

USME partners with top hospitals to provide the highest quality medical equipment, including monitoring devices, ventilators, infusion pumps, patient beds and more. From on-demand delivery of medical equipment rentals to asset management and onsite biomedical support services, USME is the highest-rated medical equipment partner for hospitals across the country.

SOURCE: US Med-Equip
Global Managed Services Provider Recognized for Excellence in Innovation and Customer Support

AireSpring, a leading global provider of customized managed IT, network, and communications services, is proud to announce that it has won the 2025 People's Choice Stevie Award for Favorite Customer Service in the Telecommunications category.

Stevie Award Winner

Stevie Awards People's Choice for Favorite Customer Service Winner 2025

AireSpring received this year's award through a worldwide public vote of all finalists of the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. More than 2,100 nominations from organizations of all sizes and in virtually every industry were considered, with more than 34,000 votes cast. This marks the third time that AireSpring has been honored with the award.

Known for being a long-time winner of industry awards for outstanding customer service, as well as for transformational solutions across a broad range of technologies, AireSpring has a proven track record of delivering a customer service experience built around AIreCONTROL, its AI-powered IT service management (ITSM) platform, paired with Tier 3 Engineering AIrePOD support and an escalation list that goes up to the CEO.

"Winning the People's Choice Stevie Award is especially meaningful because it comes directly from the voices of our customers," said Russ Shipley, AireSpring Chief Operating Officer. "At AireSpring, customer service isn't just a department - it's the heart of everything we do. I'm incredibly proud of our team for earning this recognition through their daily commitment to delivering exceptional experiences."

"Congratulations to AireSpring for demonstrating that their customers believe in the quality of their customer service," said Michael Gallagher, The Stevie Awards' Executive Chairman.

About AireSpring

Founded in 2001, family owned and operated AireSpring is an award-winning global managed services provider that designs and deploys customized managed IT, connectivity, networking, security, mobility, and unified communications solutions for thousands of enterprises worldwide. AireSpring provides global multi-location enterprise customers with fully managed and connected end-to-end, next-generation solutions. It delivers a superior customer experience by combining AIreCONTROL, its proprietary AI-powered IT Service Management (ITSM) automation platform with world-class personalized support. Services include Managed Connectivity, Managed SD-WAN, SD-Branch and SASE, Cloud and Voice Communications, Global Connectivity, and Mobility solutions. AireSpring offers its solutions through a diversified network of channel partners that includes technology solutions distributors (TSDs), managed service providers (MSPs), and value-added resellers (VARs).

As part of its fully managed solution, AireSpring integrates over 200 network providers and cable companies in the US and around the globe, delivering a seamless single-source solution with one bill and one point of contact.

AireSpring has received numerous industry awards for "Excellence in Customer Service," "Next-Gen Solution Provider," "Visionary Spotlight Award," Top Midmarket Vendor Executive," "UCaaS and SD-WAN Product of the Year," "Best Telecom Deal," "Best in Show," and "Top Channel Program." For more information, or to become an AireSpring partner, please visit www.airespring.com or contact us at 888-389-2899.

SOURCE: AireSpring
VoluMetrix, an innovative leader in non-invasive cardiovascular monitoring solutions, is proud to announce that it has been awarded the People's Choice Award at the ACC25-NHLBI Company Showcase, held during the American College of Cardiology's Annual Scientific Session in Chicago.

American College of Cardiology ACC.25

Innovation Pitch Challenge People's Choice Winner

The prestigious event, hosted on March 29 in the exhibit hall's Future Hub, featured presentations from four cutting-edge companies selected from a competitive pool of companies funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). VoluMetrix was chosen by the ACC Future Hub Task Force to participate in the showcase, which highlights breakthrough technologies with strong commercial potential in cardiovascular care.

As part of the session, each company delivered a pitch followed by Q&A, presenting to an audience of leading cardiologists, key opinion leaders, industry strategics, and private capital investors. Dr. Bret Alvis, VoluMetrix's CMO, captivated the audience with the company's mission to revolutionize heart failure management through its novel, non-invasive hemodynamic monitoring platform.

"We are honored to be recognized by our peers and attendees at ACC25 with the People's Choice Award," said Kyle Hocking, PhD, CEO of VoluMetrix. "This recognition affirms the impact our technology can have on improving cardiovascular care and outcomes, and we're excited to continue driving innovation forward."

The People's Choice Award is a testament to VoluMetrix's ability to connect with clinical and industry stakeholders through its vision, value proposition, and potential to transform the future of cardiac monitoring.

For more information about VoluMetrix and its innovative solutions, please visit www.volumetrix.com.

About VoluMetrix

VoluMetrix is a Nashville-based medical technology company pioneering non-invasive solutions for hemodynamic monitoring. Its platform technology is designed to provide clinicians with actionable cardiovascular insights - empowering earlier intervention and better patient outcomes in heart failure and beyond.

Contact Information

Annie Alvis

Chief Operating Officer

annie@volumetrix.com

SOURCE: VoluMetrix
Crescent Capital Group LP, a leading alternative credit investment firm, announced today the final closing of its third European specialty lending fund, Crescent European Specialty Lending Fund III ("CESL III"), with total investable capital of approximately 3 billion, including targeted leverage and separately managed accounts investing alongside the fund. The fund has both levered and unlevered sleeves. CESL III was oversubscribed, exceeding its initial target of 2 billion. This fundraise represents a significant increase from its predecessor fund, Crescent European Specialty Lending Fund II, which announced its final close in April 2020 at 1.8 billion of investable capital.

CESL III attracted a diverse mix of international institutional investors including leading global pension funds, insurance companies, financial institutions, foundations, and endowments.

The fund will continue Crescent's strategy of investing primarily in a diversified portfolio of private secured debt securities issued by European companies, with a focus on directly-originated transactions. CESL III is actively investing and has committed approximately 800 million across 16 transactions.

"The successful closing of our third European specialty lending fund is a testament to Crescent's commitment to providing flexible capital solutions to middle market European companies. As one of the early entrants into direct lending in Europe, we have developed a longstanding track record of consistent and strong performance as well as extensive relationships with the sponsor, advisor and corporate communities across Europe," said Christine Vanden Beukel, Managing Director and Head of Crescent's European Specialty Lending Strategy. "We are deeply grateful for the support from both our new and existing investors, and we are excited to leverage this momentum to continue delivering value in this dynamic and evolving market."

Crescent's European Specialty Lending strategy began investing in Europe in 2014 and provides financing to private equity-backed European middle market companies typically with EBITDA of 5 million to 25 million. Crescent European Specialty Lending provides flexible loan solutions to support leveraged buyouts, acquisition financing, refinancings and recapitalizations to companies across Western Europe. To date, Crescent has committed nearly 4 billion across more than 70 investments in Europe, and this year was named Lower Middle Market Lender of the Year in Europe by Private Debt Investor

About Crescent Capital Group LP

Crescent is a global credit investment manager with $46 billion of assets under management as of December 31, 2024. For over 30 years, the firm has focused on below investment grade credit through strategies that invest in marketable and privately originated debt securities including senior bank loans, high yield bonds, as well as private senior, unitranche and junior debt securities. Crescent is headquartered in Los Angeles with offices in New York, Boston, Chicago and London with more than 230 employees globally. Crescent is a part of SLC Management, the institutional alternatives and traditional asset management business of Sun Life. For more information about Crescent, visit www.crescentcap.com.

Past performance does not guarantee future results. This award was announced on 3/3/2025 by Private Debt Investor (PDI) and is based on analysis and nomination consideration period from January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024. The winners of the annual PDI Awards are decided by PDI's editorial team based on its market knowledge and expert judgment to recognize standout performers in the industry over the previous year. Crescent Capital Group has not provided any compensation in connection with obtaining or using this award. Read more about the awards here: https://www.privatedebtinvestor.com/pdi-annual-awards-2024-winners-revealed/

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250409890075/en/

Contacts:

Mendel Communications

Sarah Troutt, +1-917-664-0319

sarah@mendelcommunications.com
April is Global Volunteer Month. All month long, we're recognizing some of the ways Cisco employees give their time, skills, and expertise in their communities.

By Kelly Petrich

In 1991, the US established April as National Volunteer Month. Today, that scope has expanded, and it's recognized as Global Volunteer Month. Since Cisco's founding 40 years ago, giving back to our communities has been a part of our tradition.

Giving back as a habit is part of what it means to work at Cisco today. It's an important aspect of our culture and supported by a variety of programs. Simply put, our employees love to help their communities and Cisco supports their efforts.

Employees Volunteer, Cisco Donates

Our industry-leading Matching Gifts Program matches eligible employee cash and stock donations dollar-for-dollar up to $10,000 each year-but it's not just monetary donations that are eligible for matches. Through the program, employees can also get their volunteer time matched with a $10-per-hour donation from Cisco to the organization where they gave their time.

In FY24, employees gave 720,000 hours in volunteer time and used the Matching Gifts Program to get their eligible hours matched with a donation from Cisco.

For example, in Krakow, employees recently partnered with Hearty Foundation, a local organization that supports children's education and social welfare. Cisco employees organized a series of workshops for students focused on cyber security, programming, and other essential digital skills. They also developed a full-day Future STEM Heroes event designed to ignite an interest in science and technology. Altogether, employees volunteered 36 hours of their time to help students resulting in a Cisco donation of $3,600 to the foundation.

In London, our Meraki Gives EMEA chapter organized a virtual volunteering event with the Psychiatry Research Trust. Employees from around the globe attended and learned about the organization's groundbreaking research, as well as the importance of both resilience in our communities and the value of reducing mental health stigma.

"Cisco's $10 match per volunteer hour added a special dimension to our partnership with the Trust," said Meraki Gives Global Co-lead Racha Tfaili. "By getting their time matched with donations, employees not only learned about the important work this group is doing, they also raised more than $3,500 to keep this critical research going."

Always-On Opportunities

Our always-on Community Impact Portal is a digital tool that enables employees both to organize volunteer events for others to join and to sign up for volunteering. Volunteering can be in-person, virtual, or team-based. Our employees volunteer for everything from local food kitchens to international aid organizations to digital camps that help kids learn about technology.

"In FY24, our customer engineering team had 100% participation in volunteering" says Customer Delivery Leader Monica Huerta Castillo. "Cisco's Community Impact Portal helped us identify volunteer opportunities. We've done everything from virtual volunteering to on-site activities to going out to volunteer on projects in the field. We do it because it's part of who we are. We also find that our team culture-which includes our values of trust, humility, empathy, and curiosity - is strengthened when we volunteer together. If we can impact the world as a team, imagine what we can do inside Cisco!"

In 2025, we're making it easier for employees to find and join volunteer events through our new companywide quarterly Global Week of Giving. Started organically by one of our business units, we recognized the power of a focused week that brings our employees together. That's why we're expanding the program to be available to all employees. We partner with community groups in focus areas such as education, sustainability, food security, and poverty.

Paid Time Off for Volunteering

Another way we support employee volunteerism is through our Time2Give benefit, which provides each employee up to 10 days of paid time off per year to volunteer. Some employees have taken a two-week block to travel on international volunteer missions. Others spread their time out with regular volunteering in schools. Still others have used their time to give specialized skills to nonprofits such as coding and pro bono legal work.

Stella Au, an executive assistant in New York, traveled to Vietnam where she was joined by six Cisco colleagues from Australia. Together, they used their Time2Give benefits to help build a home for two sisters in Thai Binh. "I traded my laptop for shovel and trowel and got my hands dirty-mixing cement, cutting steel wires, and laying bricks," said Au. "One of the new homeowners burst into tears overwhelmed with joy that she no longer has to run to a neighbor's house every time it rains. That's when it really hit me: this was more than just a house - we were building security, hope, and a brighter future. Cisco's Time2Give made it possible for me to do this."

It All Adds Up

In FY16, we set a goal to have 80% of employees give back to their communities at least once in the year by 2020. We achieved this milestone and have sustained it each year since.

One of the ways we did this was by recognizing that giving back takes a lot of different forms. Organized volunteer efforts have value, but so can doing something good for a neighbor in need. That's why employees can also contribute to our 80% goal through Cisco Citizen, a program that recognizes volunteer efforts not covered by other programs.

In FY24, we once again hit our 80% goal with 70,000 Cisco employees around the world acting in service of people, planet, and society.

"I feel very fortunate to work for a company that cares for not only employees' wellbeing, but also our communities and environment," said Digital Marketing Manager Vivien Chia, who is also the APJC Lead for Cisco's Green Team Network. "In my opinion, giving back has the power to unite people to come together to make greater impacts. Even more significant and meaningful impacts can be made when there is support from businesses. Through the Matching Gifts Program, Time2Give, and the Cisco Citizen volunteer tracking program, we can raise more awareness and expedite urgent change."

Making a Collective Impact

Our collective actions have contributed to building a culture where serving communities in need has become part of our DNA. Engaging at scale enables us to donate more to nonprofits, respond to more crises, increase volunteering support, and do more good for the world.

During Global Volunteer Month, we recognize and celebrate all the ways our employees make a positive impact.

To learn more about the impact Cisco employees are making, check out our "What We Accomplished" eBook about how we have supported our employees' giving back efforts and transformed our collective contributions in the process.

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View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Cisco Systems Inc. on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Cisco Systems Inc.

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/cisco-systems-inc

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Cisco Systems Inc.
Boston, Massachusetts--(Newsfile Corp. - April 10, 2025) - The conductive inks market has been forecast to exceed US$6.5 billion by 2034; however, market intelligence firm IDTechEx reports that the imposed tariffs by the United States of America could have a dramatic impact on the technology landscape for conductive inks. Silver flake-based ink is the dominant ink type globally, but up to 80% of the required silver is imported to the USA. As the market adjusts, emerging manufacturers and different ink materials will require validation, while varied applications have specific requirements when it comes to ink properties.

IDTechEx has provided market insights into the printed electronics and conductive inks industry for almost fifteen years, reporting on commercial and technological updates within the space. Their independent report, "Conductive Inks Market 2024-2034: Technologies, Applications, Players", includes granular 10-year market forecasts across eight different ink types and 15 application areas. The report leverages extensive in-depth coverage of many end-use markets for conductive inks, combined with profiles of 30+ key players in the conductive inks industry.

Ink technology

IDTechEx Senior Technology Analyst, Dr Conor O'Brien, explains: "The conductive inks market is dominated by silver flake-based inks, which offer multiple benefits, including lower cost (primarily due to simple processing), compatibility with scalable printing technologies, and relative durability. Although other types of ink may tout higher conductivity, for many applications the printability and durability are the most important factors. The major drawback for silver flake-based inks is exposure to the volatility of raw material costs. With fewer value-adding processing steps compared to other inks, raw material costs make up a significant portion of the price of flake-based silver inks. Any increases in bulk silver costs will lead to a greater percentage increase in silver flake-based inks.

The recently announced tariffs on imports to the United States could have a drastic impact on the price of silver flake-based inks. With 80% of the silver used in the US imported from abroad, mostly from Mexico, the effect of the trade tariffs will significantly impact the market. Not only will the price of raw materials be impacted, but the uncertainty surrounding the long-term implementation of tariffs must also be considered. At LOPEC 2025, it was reported to IDTechEx by multiple suppliers of raw materials to the conductive inks market that bulk silver typically trades at US$32 per troy ounce, with minor fluctuations of 15%, but that tariffs could see the troy ounce price point exceed US$40."

Alternative inks

Dr O'Brien was recently invited to join a meeting of the IEC Technical Committee 119: Printed Electronics, discussing the various required properties of conductive inks for different applications, contributing to defining key terminology and developing a standardization roadmap for the field. As alternative inks to silver-flake based inks are developed, this topic is of increasing importance. Some of the most promising non-silver ink types include copper inks and stretchable/thermoformable inks. Copper inks offer lower price points, with dramatically reduced raw material costs, while stretchable and thermoformable inks are platform technologies for non-conformal form factors through 3D electronics and in-mold electronics.

The IDTechEx report provides comprehensive coverage of the properties that must be considered for emerging technology types.



Overview of the segmentation of the conductive inks market provided in the IDTechEx market report, "Conductive Inks Market 2024-2034: Technologies, Applications, Players". Source: IDTechEx



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Hemopatch Sealing Hemostat with room temperature storage now available in Europe

New product evolution enables direct accessibility in the operating room

Innovation is a direct result of collaborative efforts with surgeons, helping to ensure that customer needs are met and promoting enhanced patient care

Baxter International Inc. (NYSE:BAX), a global leader in advancing surgical innovation, today announced the introduction of Hemopatch Sealing Hemostat with room temperature storage at a symposium in Austria. The evolution of the product optimizes accessibility in the operating room, delivering an immediate solution for surgeons to control bleeding or prevent leakage. The product is now available to order throughout Europe.

"For over a decade, Hemopatch Sealing Hemostat has offered surgeons a reliable solution for tissue sealing, dura sealing, and hemostasis," said Steve Wallace, president, Advanced Surgery at Baxter. "The product evolution to include room temperature storage is a result of close collaboration between surgeons and Baxter. Removing the need for refrigeration addresses the needs of our customers to have the product on hand in critical situations. We are proud to continue Baxter's legacy of innovation in sealing and hemostasis."

HemopatchSealing Hemostat is a ready-to-use absorbable collagen pad intended for tissue sealing, dura sealing and hemostasis, and is effective and safe to use in open surgery and minimally invasive surgery. In a registry of real-world data across Europe, the product has been shown to achieve rapid and sustainable hemostasis in many surgical specialties.1

General Surgeon, Prof. Dr. med. Selman Uranus said, "More than 10 years ago, I first used Hemopatch Sealing Hemostat for experimental testing. Since then, I have been using it in my daily practice because of its unique characteristics as a sealing hemostatic patch, especially in laparoscopic surgery. In my opinion, eliminating the need for refrigeration and increasing product shelf life are crucial improvements because it enables surgeons to have the product available in the operating room when it matters most. After application, the product shows an enhanced adhesive strength supporting us surgeons to achieve better surgical outcomes."2

For more information on Hemopatch Sealing Hemostat with room temperature storage, visit https://advancedsurgery.baxter.eu/hemopatch

About Hemopatch Sealing Hemostat

Hemopatch Sealing Hemostat consists of a soft, thin, pliable, flexible pad of collagen derived from bovine dermis, coated with NHS-PEG (pentaerythritol polyethylene glycol ether tetra-succinimidyl glutarate). Due to its flexible structure, the application of Hemopatch Sealing Hemostat to the site where hemostasis sealing is desired is easily controlled. For differentiation, the non-coated side is marked with blue squares using a biocompatible colorant.3

About Baxter

Every day, millions of patients, caregivers and healthcare providers rely on Baxter's leading portfolio of diagnostic, critical care, nutrition, hospital and surgical products used across patient homes, hospitals, physician offices and other sites of care. For more than 90 years, we've been operating at the critical intersection where innovations that save and sustain lives meet the healthcare providers who make it happen. With products, digital health solutions and therapies available in more than 100 countries, Baxter's employees worldwide are now building upon the company's rich heritage of medical breakthroughs to advance the next generation of transformative healthcare innovations. To learn more, visit www.baxter.com and follow us on X, LinkedIn and Facebook.

INDICATIONS

Hemopatch Sealing Hemostat is indicated as a hemostatic device and surgical sealant across various soft tissues (cardiovascular, connective tissue, parenchyma, serosa, viscera), and dura for procedures in which control of mild or moderate bleeding or leakage of other body fluids or air by conventional surgical techniques is either ineffective or impractical. Hemopatch Sealing Hemostat may be used to augment dura closure techniques to close small dural defects (=3mm) following traumatic injury, excision, retraction or shrinkage of the dura mater.

IMPORTANT RISK INFORMATION

Hemopatch Sealing Hemostat is not recommended to be used in pulsatile, severe bleedings.

Sealing Hemostat is not recommended to be used in pulsatile, severe bleedings. The use of Hemopatch Sealing Hemostat is not recommended in the presence of an active infection.

Sealing Hemostat is not recommended in the presence of an active infection. When used in, around, or in proximity to foramina in bone, areas of bony confine, the spinal cord, the brain and/or cranial nerves, care should be exercised to avoid overpacking as Hemopatch Sealing Hemostat may expand upon absorption of liquid, creating the potential for neural damage.

Sealing Hemostat may expand upon absorption of liquid, creating the potential for neural damage. Hemopatch Sealing Hemostat is not intended as a substitute for meticulous surgical technique and the proper application of ligatures or other conventional procedures for hemostasis and sealing.

Sealing Hemostat is not intended as a substitute for meticulous surgical technique and the proper application of ligatures or other conventional procedures for hemostasis and sealing. Do not compress Hemopatch Sealing Hemostat into blood vessels or use intravascularly.

Rx Only. For safe and proper use please refer to full device Instructions for Use for Contraindications, Warnings, and Precautions.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release includes forward-looking statements concerning potential benefits associated with Hemopatch Sealing Hemostat. The statements are based on assumptions about many important factors, including the following, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements: demand for and market acceptance for new and existing products; product development risks; inability to create additional production capacity in a timely manner or the occurrence of other manufacturing or supply difficulties (including as a result of natural disasters, public health crises and epidemics/pandemics, regulatory actions or otherwise); satisfaction of regulatory and other requirements; actions of regulatory bodies and other governmental authorities; product quality, manufacturing or supply, or patient safety issues; changes in law and regulations; and other risks identified in Baxter's most recent filing on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q and other SEC filings, all of which are available on Baxter's website. Baxter does not undertake to update its forward-looking statements.

Hemopatch Sealing Hemostat and Baxter are registered trademarks of Baxter International Inc.

____________________ 1 Lombardo C, Lopez-Ben S, Boggi U, Gutowski P, Hrbac T, Krska L, Marquez-Rivas J, Russello D, York E, Zacharias M. Hemopatch is effective and safe to use: real-world data from a prospective European registry study. Updates Surg. 2022 Oct;74(5):1521-1531. doi: 10.1007/s13304-022-01353-y. Epub 2022 Aug 20. PMID: 35986865; PMCID: PMC9481486. 2 Prof. Dr. med. Selman Uranus, is one of the speakers at the symposium and has signed a speaker agreement 3 IFU Hemopatch Sealing Hemostat 09/2024

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Contacts:

Media Contact

Peggy Dekker-Kuhnen, (224) 948-5353

media@baxter.com

Investor Contact

Clare Trachtman, (224) 948-3020
Conclusion: The Smartest Wins, Not the Strongest

ReelTime (OTC PINK:RLTR) Following last week's major announcement that RI's core now produces fully finished audio suitable for broadcast, film, marketing, and mainstream music publishing, ReelTime reveals how it's Reel Intelligence "RI" has been able to keep up with or surpass major AI's capabilities while requiring significantly fewer up front, and ongoing expenses.

The artificial intelligence (AI) industry has become the most capital-intensive technological arms race in history. Tech giants like OpenAI (ChatGPT), Anthropic (Claude), Google (Gemini), and new entrants such as DeepSeek are investing tens of billions in infrastructure, energy, research, and talent. However, amid this breakneck race to AI supremacy, ReelTime's Reel Intelligence "RI" takes a radically different approach providing it with clear advantages.

As its name implies, Reel Intelligence represents a paradigm shift. RI isn't bound by the need to be the biggest, fastest, or most powerful standalone AI. Instead, it is the smartest integrator. By design, it doesn't require massive computer farms, nor does it burn through energy at unsustainable rates. It thrives on intelligence in integration, not brute force in isolation.

Barry Henthorn ReelTime's CEO commented: "When performance parity is reached-and it will be, given RI's accelerating ability to harness and integrate the best of all models, Reel Intelligence is positioned to match or exceed any AI's performance in virtually any task, at a fraction of the cost."

The Hidden Costs of Traditional AI Approaches VS ReelTime's RI

Current AI systems like GPT-4, Claude, and Gemini operate on enormous foundational models, which are built using millions of GPU hours, terabytes of training data, and increasingly scarce energy resources. These models demand:

Capital-intensive data centers

Ongoing maintenance and retraining cycles

High operational costs, including cooling and electricity

Significant environmental impacts due to resource consumption

Despite their capabilities, these AIs are limited by the very infrastructure they depend on. As models scale, costs scale exponentially, and the speed of improvement begins to flatten under these mounting burdens.

Reel Intelligence takes a fundamentally different approach. Rather than existing as a monolithic model with centralized capabilities, RI acts as an orchestrator-dynamically leveraging and reasoning across a multitude of AI systems, internet resources, and real-time community intelligence.

Key differentiators:

Decentralized Intelligence

RI identifies and utilizes the best available models and information sources on demand. It taps into GPTs, Claude, Gemini, search engines, APIs, and other tools, assembling the optimal solution in real-time-essentially functioning as a meta-AI with adaptive reasoning. No Capital-Heavy Buildout

RI doesn't own massive data centers or require proprietary model training. Instead, it stands on the shoulders of existing AI giants, traditional search, and the connected community, using their outputs and improving upon them with its own logic. This radically reduces the capital required for scalability.

Self-Improving by Design

As AI capabilities improve across the ecosystem, RI's performance automatically improves. RI's advanced capabilities which leverage distributed computing -driven by expanded access to global knowledge vaults, enhanced cognitive reasoning, and real-time human interaction allow it to accelerate its development curve beyond other models.

It is designed to learn where to find the best tools and how to use them. With every improvement by its connected peers, RI becomes better without spending a dime. Sustainable Scalability

Because RI's intelligence scales with the connected world-from better models to faster internet and improved consumer devices-it enjoys compounding advantages at no incremental cost to ReelTime. Infrastructure improvements by ISPs, hardware manufacturers, and other AIs all flow into RI's ecosystem without burdening it. RI's advanced capabilities-driven by expanded access to global knowledge vaults, enhanced cognitive reasoning, and real-time human interaction-have accelerated its development curve beyond expectations.

RI is a revolutionary blend of generative AI and agentic AI, utilizing autonomous agents that dynamically interact with an expansive AI infrastructure. This synergy empowers RI to produce interconnected, adaptive content-including audio, visuals, and video-that learns and evolves from both data and human interaction.

About ReelTime Rentals, Inc. d/b/a ReelTime Media/ReelTime VR: www.reeltime.com is a publicly-traded company based in Seattle, WA (OTC PINK:RLTR). ReelTime Rentals, Inc. DBA ReelTime VR, ReelTime

Media provides end-to-end production capabilities and discount media purchasing that is redefining how companies are producing, evaluating and purchasing their TV, radio, print, and other new media. ReelTime is a next-generation media and technology company developing innovative tools for content creation, storytelling, and audience engagement. Its flagship platform, Reel Intelligence (RI), combines advanced machine learning and autonomous agents to deliver an unprecedented suite of creative tools for professionals across industries or casual consumers. We have end-to-end production, editing, and distribution capabilities for internal and external projects. ReelTime Media also develops enhanced media technologies featuring its proprietary RI "Reel Intelligence" generation core. On 03/20/2025 ReelTime released its Real Intelligence "RI" cognitive language knowledge base to the connected community to teach, learn, work, and express with. ReelTime is also in the business of developing, producing and distributing Virtual Reality Content and technologies.

CONTACT:

Barry Henthorn

ceo@reeltime.com

SOURCE: ReelTime Rentals, Inc.
- Startek Australia earns recognition for its people-first culture, inclusive practices and employee satisfaction.

MELBOURNE, Australia, April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Startek a digital-first global customer experience (CX) solutions provider, today announced that Startek Australia has been named a 5-Star Employer of Choice 2025 by Human Resources Director (HRD) Australia and New Zealand. This marks the third consecutive year that Startek Australia has received this prestigious recognition, reinforcing the organization's commitment to delivering an exceptional employee experience.

The HRD 5-Star Employers of Choice awards celebrate organizations that excel in people practices and foster inclusive, engaging workplaces. The evaluation process comprises a comprehensive submission of HR strategies and initiatives, followed by anonymous employee surveys assessing satisfaction across benefits, compensation, culture, employee development, and diversity and inclusion. To qualify, organizations were required to meet a minimum employee response rate and achieve an average satisfaction rating of 75% or higher.

"We are proud to once again be named a 5-Star Employer of Choice by HRD," said SM Gupta, Chief People Officer, Startek. "At Startek, we believe that the best workplaces are built on the intersection of people and technology. We consistently strive to create an environment where our associates thrive by implementing innovative, people-first practices while embracing digital transformation. This recognition is a validation of our commitment to nurturing a culture that supports both professional growth and technological advancement."

Startek Australia's continued recognition underscores its dedication to championing employee well-being, fostering inclusive leadership and building a workplace that empowers its people to excel in a digitally evolving world.

About Startek

Startek is a global leader in customer experience management, delivering comprehensive digital transformation and CX solutions. With over 35 years of expertise, Startek empowers businesses across diverse industries to create memorable, personalized customer interactions. Operating in 12 countries with a team of 38,000 associates, Startek is committed to connecting brands with their customers through innovation, empathy, and operational excellence.

To learn more, visit www.startek.com and follow us on LinkedIn @Startek.

About HRD Australia

Human Resources Director (HRD) is Australia's leading multi-media resource for HR professionals. Award-winning products across Australia, New Zealand and Asia Pacific deliver essential news, insight and analysis, and constitute the most effective channel through which to reach senior HR professionals.

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53-Year-Old Environmental Services and Trenchless Solutions Provider Strengthens Vortex's Presence in the UK and Ireland

HOUSTON, April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Vortex Companies (Vortex), one of the fastest-growing global providers of trenchless infrastructure solutions, is pleased to announce the acquisition of McAllister Group (McAllister), a leading provider of trenchless water and sewer rehabilitation services in the UK and Ireland. With a workforce of over 180 employees across four locations, McAllister has built a strong reputation for delivering high-quality environmental and infrastructure services to residential, commercial, and government clients.

"McAllister has an outstanding reputation in the industry, and its business model aligns seamlessly with our UK operations," said Mike Vellano, CEO of Vortex Companies. "By leveraging Vortex's additional technical expertise and resources, McAllister will be well-positioned to expand its service offerings and support larger, more complex projects in the years ahead."

For more than five decades, McAllister has evolved and expanded its environmental service capabilities to meet the rising demand for sustainable, non-disruptive infrastructure rehabilitation. "Our partnership approach has helped us secure framework agreements that will drive our business for years to come," said Dan Watson, SVP and Managing Director. "With Vortex's support, we can boost our value, cut costs, and pursue larger framework contracts."

"McAllister has continuously adapted to stay at the forefront of emerging technologies, ensuring top-tier service for its customers," added Ryan Graham, COO of Vortex Companies. "Their ability to deliver turnkey solutions across commercial, industrial, and residential sectors-while also partnering with Tier 1 contractors and government agencies-positions them as a key player in the industry."

"For 53 years, the McAllister name has been synonymous with delivering exceptional water and drain services to the industry," concluded Vellano. "Leo and Pete McAllister have carried the company torch and continued to build on the company's legacy of success. You can see it in the people they hire, their continuous investment in technology and process improvement, and the relationships they have with their customers."

About Vortex Companies

Celebrating its 10th anniversary, Vortex Companies is a global leader in trenchless water and sewer infrastructure solutions. The company provides cutting-edge technologies and turnkey services to cost-effectively renew municipal, industrial, and commercial systems. With one of the industry's most diverse portfolios, Vortex offers solutions including manhole and pipe rehabilitation materials, polymeric coatings, CIPP liners and resins, sewer robotics, and high-speed drain cleaning tools.

Operating across 29 locations worldwide, Vortex is committed to delivering innovative, cost-effective infrastructure renewal solutions, backed by an experienced and highly trained workforce. For more information, visit www.vortexcompanies.com.

About McAllister Group

McAllister Group has been a trusted name in environmental services for 50 years, providing drainage maintenance and infrastructure repair solutions across the UK and Ireland. Governments, businesses, and homeowners rely on McAllister's expertise in trenchless technology, including robotic cutting, ultra-violet cured-in-place pipe (UV CIPP), and CCTV surveying.

With operations in Southeast England and Ireland, McAllister is also recognized as a premier civil contractor, well-positioned for further geographic expansion. Through a combination of experience, best-in-class installation practices, and investment in cutting-edge "no-dig" technology, McAllister continues to set the standard for infrastructure rehabilitation.

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The "Europe Biopsy Devices Market Size and Share Analysis Growth Trends and Forecast Report 2025-2033" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Europe Biopsy Device market is expected to reach US$ 1.13 billion by 2033 from US$ 672.6 million in 2024, with a CAGR of 6.01% from 2025 to 2033.

The increasing need for sophisticated, affordable, and adaptable solutions that improve operational efficiency is propelling the market. The market expansion in Europe is also being supported by the growing demand for minimally invasive procedures, adherence to stringent regulations, technological developments in imaging and automation, and a growing focus on early cancer detection and preventive healthcare, which guarantees quicker and more precise diagnoses.

The increasing incidence of cancer, technical developments, and a growing focus on early diagnosis and minimally invasive procedures are all contributing to the continuous expansion of the biopsy instrument market in Europe. Breast, prostate, and lung cancers are among the many cancers that can be detected by biopsy equipment, which are used to remove tissue samples for diagnostic examination. The need for precise diagnostic tools has increased as cancer rates in Europe continue to grow, primarily as a result of aging populations and lifestyle factors. Furthermore, advancements in biopsy methods including image-guided biopsy, fine-needle aspiration, and core needle biopsy are improving the accuracy and efficacy of diagnoses. The market for biopsy devices has grown as a result of these advancements.

Further expansion is being fueled by the growing use of automated and robotically assisted biopsy technologies. Both patients and healthcare professionals find these technologies more appealing since they give more accuracy, shorter operation times, and less patient discomfort. Additional drivers of market expansion include the expanding number of cutting-edge healthcare facilities and encouraging government initiatives to provide access to healthcare.

Europe has a well-established healthcare system and a high degree of medical knowledge, which fosters the adoption of innovative biopsy technology. Driven by technological innovation and growing healthcare requirements, the biopsy device business in Europe is expected to continue its upward trajectory as the demand for diagnostic procedures increases and healthcare practitioners look for more precise and efficient ways.

The region's high cancer case prevalence is probably going to contribute to the market's expansion. For example, according to Globocan 2020, there were a projected 531,000 new instances of breast cancer in Europe in 2020; by 2040, that figure is predicted to rise to 568,000. Additionally, the same source claims that of all the cancer forms, breast cancer is the most prevalent.

Growth Drivers for the Europe Biopsy Device Market

Raising Knowledge of Early Diagnosis

A major cultural change toward proactive healthcare is being driven by public awareness campaigns and healthcare programs throughout Europe that highlight the significance of early cancer identification. Early diagnosis enables therapy to start earlier, which frequently improves patient survival rates and quality of life. The frequency of biopsies performed to confirm or rule out illnesses has also increased as more people are seeking medical examinations earlier. Because biopsy procedures are essential for making quick and accurate diagnoses, the emphasis on preventive healthcare and early intervention is driving up demand for them. Access to modern diagnostic services is also being facilitated by increased government funding and support for public health initiatives.

Furthermore, the demand for accurate, dependable, and minimally invasive biopsy technologies is being reinforced throughout Europe by the increased awareness among patients and medical professionals of the long-term advantages of early detection. According to the 2024 article, the European Commission showcased its efforts during the European Week Against Cancer (May 25-31), emphasizing the EU's Beating Cancer Plan, which focuses on prevention, early identification, and treatment. Addressing inequities, sophisticated cancer imaging, and the GetScreenedEU campaign are important initiatives. The initiative, which has 4 billion behind it, encourages innovation and better patient care.

Increasing Focus on Accuracy and Efficiency in Medical Procedures

The expansion is being driven by the growing emphasis on optimizing clinical operational efficiency and simplifying healthcare processes. The growing need for sophisticated, adaptable solutions that improve workflow effectiveness is consistent with the larger trend of healthcare optimization. The introduction of integrated biopsy systems and kits, which provide streamlined methods for diagnostic and interventional treatments, is being driven by the need for time-saving, cost-effective instruments. Furthermore, the development and approval of novel biopsy technologies are being promoted by adherence to strict regulatory criteria. This increases the gadgets' legitimacy and uptake by guaranteeing that they fulfill strict safety and performance requirements.

The development of automated systems and advanced imaging technologies, among other advancements in biopsy equipment, is significantly driving market expansion. Because of their accuracy, ease of use, and ability to produce findings quickly, instruments including robotic-assisted biopsy systems, liquid biopsy techniques, and ultrasound-guided biopsy needles are growing in popularity in Europe.

By enabling more precise tissue sample collection, these technological advancements help medical professionals reduce problems, speed up recovery, and increase diagnostic accuracy. By improving targeting precision and enabling real-time decision-making during treatments, artificial intelligence (AI) in robotics and imaging is improving the biopsy process. Additionally, the industry is moving toward innovations that improve patient outcomes and lessen discomfort due to the growing desire for minimally invasive procedures.

Challenges in the Europe Biopsy Device Market

Inconsistent Healthcare Access

Even while Europe's healthcare system is typically strong, access to sophisticated diagnostic instruments, such as biopsy devices, varies greatly, especially in rural areas and in nations with weaker healthcare budgets. Early diagnostic services may not be as readily available in less affluent areas since hospitals and clinics may find it difficult to purchase state-of-the-art technology.

Furthermore, the expense of running and maintaining sophisticated biopsy equipment may prevent their broad use in public health systems. It is difficult to deliver consistent, high-quality healthcare in every location as a result of this unequal resource distribution. Delays in diagnosis and treatment consequently affect underprivileged areas, which restricts the market potential for biopsy equipment in these areas and slows the growth of the sector as a whole.

Competition and Price Sensitivity

With multiple manufacturers offering a broad range of equipment, from sophisticated robotic-assisted systems to conventional manual tools, the European biopsy device industry is quite competitive. In addition to spurring innovation, this rivalry puts pressure on prices, especially in public healthcare systems with limited funding. Price sensitivity is a major issue since hospitals and clinics frequently choose less expensive options over high-end goods, particularly in areas with different economies.

Even though cutting-edge biopsy technologies increase efficiency and accuracy, their high upfront costs and continuing maintenance requirements may prevent widespread adoption. Therefore, price sensitivity may restrict the adoption of expensive equipment, impacting the market's potential for growth and making it more difficult for some healthcare settings to access state-of-the-art diagnostic instruments.

Key Attributes:

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 90 Forecast Period 2024 2033 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2024 $0.67 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2033 $1.13 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 6.0% Regions Covered Europe

Company Analysis: Overview, Recent Developments, Revenue Analysis

Becton, Dickinson and Company

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.

Bio-Rad Laboratories

Exact Sciences (Genomic Health)

Biocept

Roche Diagnostics

Myriad Genetics Inc.

Qiagen

NeoGenomics Laboratories

Quest Diagnostics Inc.

Key Topics Covered:

1. Introduction

2. Research Methodology

3. Executive Summary

4. Market Dynamics

4.1 Growth Drivers

4.2 Challenges

5. Europe Biopsy Device Market

6. Market Share

6.1 By Products

6.2 By Imaging Technology

6.3 By County

6.4 By End User

7. Product

7.1 Needle Based Biopsy Devices

7.2 Biopsy Forceps

7.3 Localization Wire

7.4 Others Products

8. Imaging Technology

8.1 CT Scan

8.2 Stereotactic Guided

8.3 Ultrasound Guided

8.4 Mri Guided

8.5 Others

9. Country

9.1 United Kingdom

9.2 France

9.3 Germany

9.4 Italy

9.5 Spain

9.6 Russia

9.7 Rest of Europe

10. End User

10.1 Hospital and Clinics

10.2 Diagnostics Laboratories

10.3 Other

11. Porter's Five Forces Analysis

11.1 Bargaining Power of Buyers

11.2 Bargaining Power of Suppliers

11.3 Degree of Competition

11.4 Threat of New Entrants

11.5 Threat of Substitutes

12. SWOT Analysis

12.1 Strength

12.2 Weakness

12.3 Opportunity

12.4 Threats

13. Key Players Analysis

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/vcwlsn

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.

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Contacts:

ResearchAndMarkets.com

Laura Wood, Senior Press Manager

press@researchandmarkets.com



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The award was presented at Costa Cruises' Costa Americas Awards Event

GUAYNABO, Puerto Rico, April 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- inGroup International is honored to announce its recent recognition by Costa Cruises. The company received the distinguished Over the Top Award, recognizing it as the top agency in North America. This award solidifies inGroup's position as the top producer in North America, having achieved the region's highest volume of Costa Cruises bookings.

"This award is a reflection of the trust our Members place in us, the unwavering commitment of our independent salesforce-who represent us with integrity, professionalism, and heart-and the strength of our cruise line partnerships," said Michael Hutchison, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of inGroup International. "We're proud to have earned this recognition through true teamwork and a shared belief that travel has the power to enrich lives. We look forward to introducing even more global travelers to the unforgettable experiences Costa delivers."

Adding to the business significance of the award, Anthony Varvaro, inGroup's Chief Operating Officer, stated: "This award reflects far more than just volume-it's the result of a deliberate, strategic decision to work more closely with Costa to achieve stronger margins and meet key financial objectives. We're proving that when cruise lines offer us the right economics, we can deliver unmatched volume. This strategic partnership strengthens our business model and benefits everyone involved-Members, Partners, and cruise lines alike."

Costa Cruises praised inGroup's contribution to its global operations.

"Our partnership with inCruises has exceeded expectations. Every day, we witness the energy, passion, and drive their team brings to the table," said Dario Rustico, General Manager Americas at Costa Cruises. "This recognition is a well-deserved celebration of what inCruises has accomplished with Costa over the past year and a heartfelt expression of our gratitude and appreciation."

As inGroup International continues to expand its global reach, strategic partnerships like this one reflect the company's mission to make cruising more accessible, rewarding, and sustainable for travelers worldwide.

About inGroup International and inCruises

inCruises is one of the world's largest subscription-based travel clubs and a division of inGroup International. Since launching in 2016, the Company has added over one million Members and Partners in 200+ countries and territories. inStays was added in 2022, giving Members access to 200,000 different cruise, hotel, and resort offers. inGroup is making a measurable difference in its Club Members' lives and is committed to providing a sustainable business opportunity to its growing Partner team. In addition, the Company is committed to positive global corporate citizenship by recently supporting Mercy Ships and Ukrainian Relief efforts. For more information, visit in.Group and inCruises .

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/64bc9482-2e01-4885-893d-8d00b917bd24

Contact: Beatriz Diaz Vazquez beatriz.diaz@in.group
High-Accuracy Offering Leverages Swift's Proprietary Atmospheric Model and Carrier-Grade Network to Unlock Consumer Robots and Digital Mapping at Scale

SAN FRANCISCO, April 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Swift Navigation, the leader in centimeter-accurate positioning for vehicle autonomy, robotics, and precision logistics, today announced that its Skylark Precise Positioning Service now delivers continuous 2-centimeter accuracy across all of Western Europe. The enhanced offering commercially launched today enables companies to deploy reliable, affordable consumer robots and digital mapping solutions at scale.

Autonomous robots and field mapping applications require precise and reliable positioning to operate safely and efficiently-but traditional RTK solutions often fall short. Robotics manufacturers are forced to deploy local base stations or rely on fragmented networks, which introduce coverage gaps, handoff issues, and inconsistent performance, delivering suboptimal user experiences. Similarly, field teams in utilities and construction need survey-grade accuracy without the burden and high cost of using professional-grade survey equipment.

Skylark addresses these challenges by delivering seamless accuracy across vast geographic areas-eliminating the need to manage base stations or switch between multiple providers. Unlike conventional RTK networks that rely on isolated base stations or basic interpolation, Skylark uses a proprietary atmospheric model that dynamically compensates for ionospheric and tropospheric effects in real time. Its carrier-grade network-operated by mobile network providers as critical infrastructure-ensures unmatched availability and reliability across entire regions.

"For too long, RTK coverage has been fragmented and unreliable, forcing users to deploy their own base stations or switch between multiple providers plagued by frequent outages," said Holger Ippach, Executive Vice President of Product & Marketing at Swift Navigation. "Skylark eliminates these obstacles by delivering uninterrupted coverage across all of Western Europe and beyond, delivering high accuracy wherever it's needed."

Skylark already powers more than 10 million ADAS-enabled and autonomous vehicles worldwide-an achievement announced in July 2024-and is commercially deployed by some of the world's largest commercial fleets and robotics manufacturers. Skylark is available in three variants-Nx RTK, Cx, and Dx-designed to meet varying requirements for accuracy, power consumption, data transmission, and cost.

With this latest enhancement, Skylark Nx RTK, the highest-precision option, now delivers continuous 1-2 cm accuracy across 28 countries comprising Western Europe and regional coverage across seven countries in Eastern Europe. Compatible with standard RTK receivers and supported by intuitive portals for credential management, licensing, and usage analytics, Skylark Nx RTK makes it easy to integrate high-precision positioning into existing devices and workflows.

For more information about Skylark and its variants, visit: swiftnav.com/products/skylark



ABOUT SWIFT NAVIGATION

Swift Navigation is a San Francisco-based technology company transforming precise positioning across industries. Its Skylark Precise Positioning Service delivers real-time, centimeter-accurate positioning at scale, enabling applications in autonomous driving, robotics, precision logistics, and V2X communication. Trusted by leading automotive OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, robotics companies, IoT system integrators, and mobile handset OEMs, Skylark powers more than 10 million ADAS-enabled and autonomous vehicles and devices worldwide. Learn how Swift is building the infrastructure for a safer, more connected future at swiftnav.com .

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/fe7b3b2c-54c9-49f2-86ee-bf041bed74d3

press@swift-nav.com
Travel Nurses, Inc. launched its first industry newsletter on LinkedIn called The Nurse Navigator. This newsletter provides invaluable information to healthcare professionals traveling with the agency or those thinking about traveling.

Logo

Travel Nurses, Inc. Logo

The Nurse Navigator aims to help travelers stay informed on industry trends, job market updates, and provides advice from our top-rated recruitment team. In an ever-changing market, having a healthcare agency you can trust is of the utmost importance. The Nurse Navigator is just another tool for professionals to navigate this evolving landscape with trusted and transparent information.

LinkedIn is a great platform for this industry newsletter because it provides TNI with a space to engage and professionally network with their target audience. The newsletter provides a space to drive meaningful conversations and to deepen its online community. It is also easily accessible for healthcare professionals who ere already active on LinkedIn.

Anyone who subscribes to The Nurse Navigator will receive a notification anytime TNI publishes a new edition. To catch all the latest updates, subscribe and follow The Nurse Navigator on LinkedIn.

SOURCE: Travel Nurses Inc.
Calgary, Alberta and Houston, Texas--(Newsfile Corp. - April 10, 2025) - PrePad ("PrePad" or the "Company"), a leading provider of cloud-based software that's designed to optimize drilling and completions through capital lifecycle management, execution optimization, and asset development strategies, today announced the closing of its US$2.8 million seed investment. The Company will now work to accelerate its growth to meet increasing demand in the energy sector.

"We're very pleased to complete this round of funding, which represents a significant milestone for us as we establish a new market category for drilling and completions software," said Sean Hervo, Co-Founder and CEO of PrePad. "With the seed investment, we have the support and resources needed to deepen our U.S. market presence, bolster our go-to-market organization, and accelerate product development. We've built a robust software solution that has proven its value to some of the world's most innovative energy companies. As we enter a growth phase for the company, we invite new clients, partners, and other energy solution providers to join forces with PrePad, the industry standard in this emerging market space."

The leadership team at PrePad (left to right): Brandon Eidson, Co-Founder, President & Chief Product Officer; Sean Hervo, Co-Founder and CEO; and Kohl Meister, Chief Technology Officer. These leaders are driving innovation and growth as PrePad revolutionizes drilling and completions software.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10803/247985_7a22415f341a0990_001full.jpg

The seed investment includes dilutive and non-dilutive components. The Company has received funding in this phase from U.S. oil and gas producer Devon Energy which served as a strategic lead investor, alongside contributions from strategic angel investors such as Deane Stewart and Dan Magyar, both formerly with 3esi-Enersight (now Quorum Software), and strategic partners such as Arcurve, a technology advisory and software development company. Non-dilutive funding came from Alberta Innovates, Chevron Technology Ventures, the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC), and the National Research Council of Canada's Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP). To date, the Company has raised US$3.7 million.

PrePad is expanding adoption by delivering software solutions to industry leaders, including Chevron, Devon Energy, Coterra Energy, Shell Canada, Birchcliff Energy, and Teine Energy. Focused on optimizing well manufacturing economics, PrePad's platform is designed to maximize profitability by enabling users to analyze cost, time, and production interdependencies. At the heart of PrePad is its proprietary completions cost and time simulation model, which seamlessly integrates key variables to quantify the economics of different scenarios.

The Company is primarily generating revenue from client software subscriptions. With numerous subscription orders awaiting execution in 2025, PrePad expects to be able to convert a growing share of its target market into active users, solidifying its first-mover advantage.

"As we enter our growth phase, PrePad's product roadmap remains laser-focused on building software with the best balance of sophistication and simplicity and delivering value-maximizing solutions that address the evolving challenges of the energy industry," said Brandon Eidson, Co-Founder, President, and CPO of PrePad. "Almost daily we hear from clients how PrePad has helped them streamline a workflow, optimize a design, or settle a debate. We look forward to accelerating that with new clients and partners as we further refine and scale our offerings. Our goal is to enhance energy workers with unprecedented simulation software."

With the new capital, PrePad plans to continue to expand its U.S. team to support direct sales and customer success initiatives. Building on its strategic partnerships and a track record of delivering tangible results, PrePad is working to advance its mission of shaping a new market category in drilling and completions - ensuring that industry leaders who seek best-in-class solutions can rely on PrePad to remain at the forefront of innovation.

PrePad's innovative approach was highlighted when the Company was selected for Chevron Technology Ventures' Catalyst Program in 2024, an initiative aimed at accelerating technology innovation within the energy sector. Following this recognition, PrePad recently showcased its expertise at the SPE Hydraulic Fracturing Technology Conference held in February 2025 at The Woodlands, Texas, where the Company co-presented a paper with Devon Energy.

About PrePad

PrePad offers advanced software solutions for optimizing capital lifecycle management, execution strategies, and asset development in oil and gas drilling and completions. The platform reduces engineering time, maximizes budget value, and reveals the optimal trade-off between production, cost, cycle time, and emissions.

Founded in 2021 by former Shell employees Sean Hervo and Brandon Eidson, PrePad has established itself as a leader in energy tech innovation. The Company has been recognized as a Disruptive Digital Innovator at the 2024 Global Energy Show Canada and named a Top Innovator in Completions by Darcy Partners, a provider of technology-focused market intelligence to the energy sector.

For more information, visit www.prepad.io.

Contact

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/247985

SOURCE: PrePad
Mars announces Helio Fujita as Global P&O VP for Mars Petcare, Fujita will join the Mars Petcare Leadership Team and global People & Organization Team

Recognized HR leader with over 25 years' experience in HR joins from Fresenius Kabi, a global healthcare company

BRUSSELS, April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Mars named Helio Fujita as Global People & Organization VP for their leading pet health, services, and nutrition business. Fujita, who will join the business in July, will lead the people & organization function for the $30B+ Petcare business, reporting to Loic Moutault, President of Mars Petcare.

Fujita is a distinguished HR leader with over 25 years' experience in diverse industries-including health, pharmaceuticals and automotive. He brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the Mars business.

Loic Moutault, Mars Petcare Global President said: "We're thrilled to welcome Helio to Mars. His combination of deep experience across HR and commercial strategy coupled with his proven track record in building organizational capabilities to drive business growth will be incredible assets to our team. We are confident he will make a significant contribution to our business, our people agenda and in driving our purpose: A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS."

On joining Mars Petcare, Helio Fujita commented: "The Mars Petcare business is one that I have admired, their transformation over the last decade has been hugely impressive and Mars is an organization known for its special company culture and Principles. I'm excited to join the team."

Fujita's career spans roles at leading global organizations, most recently at Fresenius Kabi, a global healthcare company specializing in lifesaving medicines and technologies. He has also held senior leadership positions across other leading healthcare companies including Abbott, Novartis and Sandoz gaining experience in Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, as well as Europe.

Rebecca Snow, Mars, Incorporated VP People & Organization/CHRO, added: "Helio brings a wealth of HR and business transformation experience across diverse industries and geographies, which will strengthen our People & Organization function across Mars and drive real business impact in Mars Petcare. We are excited to welcome him to our team."

Mars Petcare believes that pets make the world a better place and are inspired to deliver on our purpose: A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS - a world where they're healthy, happy and welcome. A global leader in pet care, spanning comprehensive veterinary care (including: AniCura, BANFIELD, BLUEPEARL, Linnaeus and VCA), nutrition (including PEDIGREE, ROYAL CANIN, and WHISKAS), breakthrough programs in veterinary diagnostics (ANTECH), wearable health monitoring and pet parent platforms. With over 100,000 Associates helping pets, their owners and pet professionals in more than 130 countries.

About Mars, Incorporated

Mars, Incorporated is driven by the belief that the world we want tomorrow starts with how we do business today. As a $50bn+ family-owned business, our diverse and expanding portfolio of leading pet care products and veterinary services support pets all around the world and our quality snacking and food products delight millions of people every day. We produce some of the world's best-loved brands including ROYAL CANIN, PEDIGREE, WHISKAS, CESAR, DOVE, EXTRA, M&M'S, SNICKERS and BEN'S ORIGINAL. Our international networks of pet hospitals, including BANFIELD, BLUEPEARL, VCA and ANICURA span preventive, general, specialty, and emergency veterinary care, and our global veterinary diagnostics business?ANTECH offers breakthrough capabilities in pet diagnostics. The Mars Five Principles-Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency and Freedom-inspire our 150,000 Associates to act every day to help create a better world for people, pets and the planet.

For more information about Mars, please visit?www.mars.com. Join us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and?YouTube.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2662062/Mars_1.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/helio-fujita-joins-mars-as-global-people--organization-vp-for-petcare-business-302425771.html
According to Forbes, applicants for grants to the federal agencies such as National Science Foundation will now face additional scrutiny if they use words such as "anti-racist", "biased", "Black", "climate crisis", "community diversity", "cultural heritage", "equality", "exclusion", "feminism", "gender", "woman", etc. The list is almost endless and potential consequences of additional scrutiny are not clear.

In this crumbling world, the UK still remains the destination of choice for American scholars, researchers, journalists, writers and artists.

The Global Talent visa offers one of the most attractive immigration options - there is no requirement to have a sponsor or commitment to a UK based employer. Global Talent visa holders are free to take up any type of employment in the UK, set up a business of their own or work as freelancers.

In the majority of scenarios, they are eligible to apply for permission to remain in the UK permanently after 3 years of residence and for British citizenship after 5 years. Those who apply in Exceptional Promise category, being at an early stage of their career, enjoy the same benefits but become eligible for indefinite leave to remain after 5 years and can naturalise as British citizens 12 months later.

The Global Talent route is offered in three categories - Academia and Research, Arts and Culture, and Digital technology. All applicants have to show that they have international recognition as leaders or exceptional talent in their field. This may be evidenced by prestigious prizes, media recognition, outstanding track record of success and career performance supported by letters from other acknowledged experts in their field.

Academics and scientist may be eligible for the Global talent route when they play a key role in a project funded by one of the funders endorsed by UKRI.

There is no special Appendix US in the Immigration rules, at least not yet, but American Universities provide a good platform for leadership and international recognition.

Another type of visa which may become more pertinent in the changing waves of global mobility is the High Potential Individual route. This visa is for graduates of top-ranking universities who were awarded their degree in the last five years. The degree can be in any discipline. Bachelor's and master's degree holders are given their High Potential Individual visa for 2 years, PhD and other doctoral graduates have the visa for three years.

High Potential Individual visa is clearly more accessible than the Global Talent route, but it does not lead to settlement in the UK. It offers time to find employment or set up a business, with the option of switching into a more permanent immigration route when an opportunity arises.

The most common opportunity is the skilled worker route. This type of visa requires an offer of employment from a UK-based sponsor. A sponsored employee can apply for permission to remain permanently in the UK after 5 years of residence and a year later to naturalise as a British citizen. Sponsored employees can take additional employment and can change employers if they wish, but they have to remain sponsored throughout their stay in the UK to be eligible to apply for permanent status.

Partners of British expats are welcome to relocate to the UK, but they don't get automatic British citizenship or even the right of residence in the UK without a visa. Partner visa rules make it a requirement that the British partner, the sponsor, has earnings of not less than 29,000 per year independently of their country of residence. If the British partner is financially supported by the non-British partner, the financial requirement can only be met through savings. And where savings are not sufficient, the Global Talent or a sponsored worker become more realistic immigration routes even for people who have close family connections with the UK.

Media Contact:

Helena Sheizon

UK Immigration Lawyer

helena@kadmos.org.uk



SOURCE: Kadmos Immigration Consultants
KUKA Home, a world-renowned Chinese home furnishing brand, made a striking impression at this year's Milan Design Week. Showcasing a unique design philosophy that harmoniously blends Eastern wisdom with modern aesthetics and functionality, KUKA Home captivated audiences at one of the world's most prestigious design events-highlighting the creativity and growing influence of China's home furnishing industry.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250410174759/en/

The Rise of Chinese Home Furnishing: KUKA Home Shines at Milan Design Week

The event is being framed not merely as an installation presentation or product exhibition, but as a "cultural bridge program," underscoring its function in fostering cross-cultural exchanges that transcend traditional showcase models.

By participating in Milan Design Week, KUKA Home is helping elevate Chinese creativity to the global stage, facilitating a mutual exchange of cultural and aesthetic perspectives between East and West. This shift signifies a transition from "Made in China" to "Designed by China." KUKA Home showcased its design-driven strategy through a series of impactful events. Collaborating with an acclaimed Chinese designer, the brand unveiled an art installation titled Gift, a poetic expression of harmony between humanity and nature-core tenets of Chinese design philosophy. This initiative exemplified KUKA Home's commitment to supporting Chinese designers on the global stage.

Another highlight was the "Design Without Borders China Europe Design Talk," which brought together prominent designers from around the world to explore the fusion of Eastern and Western design trends. The event culminated in the launch of KUKA DESIGN, a bold new concept that embraces global collaboration to create better living experiences through design.

KUKA Home also introduced standout high-end products: Moon Bay and Beloved One etc. Inspired by the phases of the moon, Moon Bay features elegant, wave-like backrest lines that evoke tranquility and spiritual comfort. Beloved One, crafted from ultra-thick premium cowhide with refined edge detailing, embodies understated luxury and exceptional craftsmanship.

With its compelling presence in Milan, KUKA Home is proving that Chinese brands are not only manufacturing powerhouses but also leaders in global design innovation. By reinterpreting Oriental aesthetics with contemporary flair, KUKA Home is forging a bold new chapter for Chinese home furnishing on the world stage. Looking ahead, KUKA Home remains committed to enriching lives through design and continuing to explore new possibilities for a better, more beautiful future.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250410174759/en/

Contacts:

KUKA Home Co.,Ltd.

www.kukahome.com

Jennifer Tao

taojing@kukahome.com
Fresh Creator Platform Klipi Debuts, with Faster Payouts, Full Control, Total Freedom

Klipi, a new platform designed for content creators, officially launches with industry-first 3-day global payouts, advanced monetization tools, and full control over brand and income - streamlined into one powerful, creator-first dashboard.

With no minimum balance to withdraw and over 50 ways to earn, Klipi empowers creators to monetize everything from VR/4K content and audio to custom shoutouts, digital products, and global merch - all while accepting crypto and offering instant access to funds through a free checking account and Visa debit card.

Designed for creators of all kinds, across every content vertical, Klipi supports multi-profile management under one account, making it easy to keep content separate, audiences distinct, and admin time low. Flexible pricing up to $4,999, 10 paid subscription tiers, wallet-only pricing, and AI-backed safety tools put creators in control of their business like never before.

This launch marks a significant shift in the creator economy by offering faster access to earnings, expanded monetization models, and scalable tools for creators operating across a range of audiences and content types.

"Our vision is simple: faster money, more freedom, less friction," said Klipi co-founder Jim Kay. "We're not just here to compete, we're here to close the gaps creators dislike about other platforms. That means better payouts, smarter tools and zero tolerance for surprise policy shifts."

Founders who join Klipi early will enjoy exclusive perks including early feature access, priority support and a limited-edition verification badge.

Visit hello.klipi.com to get started and follow Klipi at @klipiofficial on X | Instagram | TikTok

ABOUT KLIPI:

Klipi is a global creator platform built for speed, safety, and scale. Launched in 2025, Klipi empowers digital creators - across every niche, audience, and content type - with industry-leading 3-day global payouts, instant withdrawals, and over 50 monetization tools designed for financial independence and brand control.

Klipi supports a wide range of income streams, from mainstream to niche, including multi-tier subscriptions, pay-per-view content, VR and immersive media, audio and custom content, merchandise sales, goal-based funding, and personalized shoutouts.

Fans can pay by card or crypto, fund wallets up to $9,999, and transact with creators easily and globally - without re-entering payment details.

With built-in copyright protection, AI-assisted moderation, and DMCA takedown tools, Klipi prioritizes creator safety while ensuring full compliance with Visa, Mastercard, GDPR, CCPA, and global payment regulations. The platform, in partnership with its financial providers, also offers a free checking account and Visa card for instant access to earnings, with no minimum balance required for withdrawals.

Unlike other platforms, Klipi allows creators to manage multiple profiles from a single account, with no visible connection between them. Creators set custom pricing, target content by audience tier, and retain full flexibility over how and what they sell.

As an agnostic, creator-first platform, Klipi addresses the needs of creators underserved by existing tools - offering scalable monetization, flexible management features, and a streamlined financial ecosystem for creators everywhere.

To learn more or become a Founder Creator, visit hello.klipi.com.

Contact:

Jim Kay

Email: pr@klipi.com

SOURCE: Klipi.com
Regulatory News:

In accordance with Article L.233-8 II of the French Commercial Code (Code de Commerce) and Article 223-16 of the General Regulations of the Autorite des Marches Financiers (the French financial markets authority), Sopra Steria Group (Paris:SOP) hereby informs its shareholders that the number of shares and voting rights as at 31 March 2025 are:

Total number of shares: 20,547,701

Theoretical number of voting rights: 26,537,701

Number of voting rights that can be exercised: 25,522,033

Disclaimer

This document is a free translation into English of the original French press release. It is not a binding document. In the event of a conflict in interpretation, reference should be made to the French version, which is the authentic text.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250410346172/en/

Contacts:

Investor Relations

Sopra Steria Group

Olivier Psaume

investors@soprasteria.com

+33.1.40.67.68.16

Press Relations

Image Sept

Caroline Simon-Phelip

caroline.simon@image7.fr

+33.1.53.70.74.65
SES Space Defense welcomes Maj Gen Roger W. Teague, USAF (Ret), to Board of Directors succeeding Gen Kenneth Minihan

SES Space Defense, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SES, is pleased to announce the appointment of Maj Gen Roger W. Teague, USAF (Ret), to its Board of Directors.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250410256758/en/

Maj Gen Roger Teague, USAF (Ret)

Teague served over three decades in the U.S. Air Force, leading advanced satellite programs like MILSTAR and Space Based Infrared Systems (SBIRS). Teague commanded at the squadron, group and wing levels, and served in executive leadership positions at Headquarters U.S. Air Force and Air Force Space Command. After retiring in 2017, he held executive roles at Terran Orbital Corp., PredaSAR Corp., Boeing, and is a founding partner at Elara Nova Consulting.

"We are honored to welcome Maj Gen Roger Teague to our Board of Directors," said SES Space Defense President and CEO, David Fields. "His deep knowledge in space operations, strategic leadership, and national security will be invaluable as we continue our commitment to delivering best-in-class integrated space solutions for our U.S. government and military customers."

He is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, The University of Central Oklahoma, and Air University, with executive education from Harvard and other academic institutions.

"It's a privilege to join the Board of Directors at SES Space Defense, an organization at the forefront of delivering secure, resilient, and mission-ready space capabilities to support national security, said Maj Gen Roger Teague, USAF (Ret). "I look forward to working alongside an outstanding team committed to innovation and excellence as we continue advancing mission-critical solutions for the U.S. government and defense operations."

Teague will succeed Gen Kenneth Minihan, who announced his intention to step down as a member late last year. Mr. Minihan served on the SES Space Defense Board of Directors since 2009.

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About SES Space Defense

SES Space Defense is a wholly-owned subsidiary of SES and is exclusively focused on building, managing, and supporting the most advanced satellite network solutions for the U.S. Government. SES Space Defense uses a proven multi-operator network integration and management capability, a broad global terrestrial network, as well as access to SES's multi-orbit satellite fleet. It also offers U.S. Department of Defense customers the essential tools in cybersecurity for mission-critical operations, coupled with a proven track record in governance and compliance. SES Space Defense operates under a proxy board, enabling it to support classified projects, and it has participated in the U.S. Government satcom sector for nearly five decades. Further information can be found at: www.sessd.com.

About SES

SES has a bold vision to deliver amazing experiences everywhere on Earth by distributing the highest quality video content and providing seamless data connectivity services around the world. As a provider of global content and connectivity solutions, SES owns and operates a geosynchronous earth orbit (GEO) fleet and medium earth orbit (MEO) constellation of satellites, offering a combination of global coverage and high-performance services. By using its intelligent, cloud-enabled network, SES delivers high-quality connectivity solutions anywhere on land, at sea or in the air, and is a trusted partner to telecommunications companies, mobile network operators, governments, connectivity and cloud service providers, broadcasters, video platform operators and content owners around the world. The company is headquartered in Luxembourg and listed on Paris and Luxembourg stock exchanges (Ticker: SESG). Further information is available at www.ses.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250410256758/en/

Contacts:

For further information, please contact:

Melanie Delannoy

SES Space Defense

Vice President, Marketing Communications

Tel. +1 571 443 7993

melanie.delannoy@sessd.com
Investors Double Down on New Offerings and DC Authorium Office Opens Doors

Authorium , the cloud-based technology platform that automates and improves complex government processes, celebrates a momentous start to 2025. Investors infused an additional $8 million in the company, Authorium launched a new product that leverages generative AI to enable government teams to author high-quality statements of work, and Authorium opened an office in Washington, DC.

Authorium logo



Strong Investor Confidence Leads to $8M Investment

Today, Authorium investors have committed an additional $8 million to fast-track strategic initiatives including new hires across the United States, continuing research and development, and a national rollout of the public benefit corporation's newest products.

"Over the past year, Authorium has doubled the amount of government acquisitions that are processed on our platform - increasing from $25 billion in spring 2024 to $50 billion today and we're thrilled to continue that momentum with today's announcement," said Jay Nath and Kamran Saddique, Authorium Co-CEOs. "Government agencies from the Florida Department of Children and Families to the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs choose Authorium to streamline their administrative operations, including contract lifecycle management, financial workflows, and eProcurements."

"We are excited to continue to support Authorium's growth journey to enable governments to transform their critical administrative operations," said Daniel Geballe, Managing Director, SJF Ventures. "Beyond the glowing reviews from customers, Authorium remains laser focused on delivering exceptional service and bringing the best products to market."

"It's so critical for government technology companies to find the balance of offering a vision for the public sector of what can be, and meeting government teams where they are today - we are thrilled to support Authorium because they understand this concept and deliver with results," said Ron Bouganim of Govtech Fund. "Look at the work that went into modernizing processes at CalPERS, at becoming GovRAMP certified, and continuing to deliver new products to the market; this team understands how government works. They're willing to roll up their sleeves and help governments get things done - it's in their DNA - the majority of staff have worked in government themselves."

Authorium Introduces New Product: AuthorAI

Today, Authorium released AuthorAI, the technology company's proprietary, first of its kind AI-powered solution that reduces the burden of generating high-quality Statements of Work (SOW), built exclusively for the public sector. Trained on 15 million government procurement documents, this new offering enables government teams to drastically reduce the completion time to generate a high-quality SOW simply by typing a prompt describing the product or service they seek to procure.

Government teams can craft a high-quality SOW in minutes - with citations to original source documents - that may then be shared and revised across teams. The new offering is cost-effective and available for immediate purchase from Authorium and AWS Marketplace.

Authorium Opens Washington, DC Office

Authorium recently opened a physical office in the DC Central Business District, near Penn Quarter. Since the pandemic, Authorium staff in the region have worked remotely and traveled extensively to support government teams. With the opening of the new office, key staff, including the heads of both the revenue and client success teams, will now have dedicated space for increased in-person collaboration and customer meetings in our nation's capital.

In February 2025, Authorium Co-CEO Kamran Saddiquetestified just 30 miles east of the new office in Annapolis before the Maryland General Assembly, in support of the bipartisan-sponsored Procurement Reform Act of 2025. This crucial piece of legislation was passed earlier this week and is essential to improve government efficiency and service delivery, directly address the need to streamline antiquated processes, employ innovative approaches, and leverage technology to enhance Maryland's procurement processes.

About Authorium

Authorium is a no-code, cloud-based platform exclusively for government administrative operations. Our adaptable and seamless approach transforms unstructured data into structured data to increase efficiency and enable data-driven decision-making in record time. We automate complex processes, break down data silos, enable collaboration, connect to critical systems to ensure that everyone - from Project Specialists to Deputy Administrators - gains mission-critical insights. Government teams rely on us to support budget and grant administration, contract lifecycle management, HR processes, procurement, and legislative analysis. As a public benefit corporation, we serve the government workers that serve their communities. Learn more at authorium.com.

Contact Information

Authorium Press

Marketing

marketing@authorium.com

877-757-4982





SOURCE: Authorium
Exclusive G2G-endorsed AI Lab in Malaysia Will See Collaboration from Global Leaders in Blockchain, AI and Robotics

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Malaysia's leading digital services company MY E.G. Services Berhad ("MYEG") has signed an agreement with Guangxi Beitou IT Innovation Technology Investment Group Co., Ltd. ("Beitou IT Innovation") to jointly set up the Malaysia-China AI Innovation and Cooperation Centre as the Flagship China-ASEAN AI Lab toward realising the vision of the governments of Malaysia and China to collaborate on artificial intelligence. The exchange of agreement was witnessed officially by Governor of Guangxi Government Mr Lan Tianli and Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry YB Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz.

In conjunction with the signing of a Government-to-Government Memorandum of Understanding between the governments of China and Malaysia on AI development, MYEG and Beitou IT Innovation, a wholly-owned state-owned enterprise of the Guangxi Autonomous Region Government, have been selected to jointly establish a one-of-a-kind G2G lab that brings together leading AI companies from China and ASEAN to jointly develop localised AI products and to power cross-border applications.

Spearheaded by MYEG, the AI Lab will also see the participation of leaders in their respective fields such as China's Deepseek, robotics and drone companies DJI and Leju Robot, Huawei Technologies, Alibaba Group as well as Malaysian IT services provider Heitech Padu Berhad, among others.

Located at Zetrix Tower (formerly MYEG Tower) in Petaling Jaya, the AI Lab will focus on the convergence of Blockchain, Generative AI and robotics technologies with emphasis on cross-border applications and customisation of AI services according to local culture and values. The first service to be introduced will be the mutual recognition of national Digital IDs from Malaysia and China starting with Guangxi Province. This service enables citizens from Malaysia to use their MyDigital ID for various identity verification requirements in Guangxi province, especially for KYC requirements at financial institutions and various tourist attractions. At the same time, the digital ID of Chinese nationals will be similarly accepted for identity verification in Malaysia.

In providing impetus toward the success of this joint effort, the Guangxi provincial government has allocated a sum of RMB10 billion through an investment fund to seed the development of such projects under the China-ASEAN programme.

"As the leading digital technology group in Guangxi, we are proud to act as the bridge connecting China AI resources such as open source LLMs, AI applications and AI talents, and et cetera, with AI use cases across public private sectors, industries and academics in Malaysia and ASEAN. Working closely with our China and Malaysia partners, we are confident of increasing the overall productivities of Malaysia and ASEAN by leveraging the power of AI." said Beitou IT Innovation Group Chairman Lai Shuiping.

"MYEG is honoured to be selected by both countries to lead this important initiative. Blockchain, robotics and AI technologies are converging to provide the next wave of services and we are well positioned to offer state of the art next generation products. We look forward to expanding this partnership to other ASEAN countries," said MYEG Group Managing Director TS Wong.

MYEG has forged exclusive partnerships with major Chinese government agencies and related entities, including China Academy of Information and Communications Technology ("CAICT") and the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China, positioning Zetrix, its public layer-1 blockchain network, as the preferred platform for the adoption of game-changing real-world Web 3 and AI applications capable of revolutionising cross-border transactions.

About MY E.G. Services Berhad ("MYEG")

MYEG is Malaysia's premier digital services company. Having commenced operations in 2000 as the flagship e-government services provider, MYEG continues to play a leading role in driving technological change in the region, bringing a diverse and complete range of innovations spanning the online delivery of major government services to a variety of commercial offerings in the areas of immigration, automotive and financial services, among others. Committed to staying firmly at the forefront of the global digital revolution, MYEG has embraced the potential of blockchain technology to enhance all aspects of life and is actively pioneering its adoption across the region through its Layer 1 platform Zetrix. Besides its home market, MYEG's presence spans other key regional markets such as China, Philippines and Hong Kong SAR.

About Zetrix

Zetrix is a layer-1 public blockchain that facilitates smart contracts and delivers privacy, security and scalability. Zetrix's cryptographic infrastructure can be introduced to multiple industries to connect governments, businesses and their citizens to a global blockchain-based economy. Developed by MY E.G. Services Bhd, the cross-border and cross-chain integration with China enables Zetrix to serve as a blockchain gateway that facilitates global trade by deploying critical building blocks for Web3 services such as Blockchain-based Identifiers (BID) and Verifiable Credentials (VC).

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/myeg-and-beitou-it-innovation-to-establish-flagship-china-asean-ai-lab-302425860.html
Okeiro raises 10 Million to accelerate development of its Precision Medicine platform for Transplantation and Chronic Diseases

Paris, April 10, 2025 - Okeiro, a company specializing in precision medicine for transplantation and advanced chronic diseases, today announces a 10 million funding round to accelerate its deployment in France and internationally. This financing round is led by Alven, Forepont Capital Partners and Red River West.

Technology for point of care and clinical research

Okeiro1 is pioneering an advanced clinical decision support platform that leverages artificial intelligence to prevent organ failure (kidneys, lungs, heart, and liver). Kidney disease alone affects approximately 850 million people, is one of the leading cause of death worldwide, and accounts for 70% of all organ transplants, with over 250,000 patients remaining on waiting lists for life-saving transplants2, highlighting the urgent need for innovative solutions.

At the core of the platform is the groundbreaking iBox algorithm-a clinically validated predictive model, marked as a medical device and qualified as a surrogate endpoint by FDA and EMA-developed in collaboration with their strategic research partner at APHP and INSERM, France's premier medical research institution. This proprietary technology enables physicians to identify post-transplant complications, revolutionizing patient monitoring and treatment protocols and accelerating clinical trials timelines. Already implemented in leading transplant centers across France and benefiting thousands of patients, Okeiro's platform has achieved national reimbursement status through the French National Health Insurance, validating both its clinical utility and economic value within established remote monitoring frameworks.

Funding to Accelerate Growth and International Expansion

This funding will enable Okeiro to strengthen its presence in French hospitals where its solution is already deployed, accelerate expansion across Europe (United Kingdom, Germany, Spain), and prepare for entry into the US market this year. Part of the funds will also be used to develop new AI tools to further improve the precision of diagnostics, therapeutic recommendations, and acceleration of clinical research in end-stage chronic disease and transplant patients.

"We're grateful to our new investors for their strategic backing in this pivotal growth phase. Backed by our strong science and clinically validated AI models, Okeiro is set to transform transplant medicine globally. We'll deliver on our mission to create a new standard where breakthrough technology elevates patient care while accelerating clinical research for drug development in this critical field" declares Pierrick Arnal, CEO and co-founder of Okeiro.



"We're delighted to invest in Okeiro, whose groundbreaking algorithm predicts kidney transplant rejection years before occurrence. This innovation is so significant that regulatory agencies now accept it as a surrogate endpoint in clinical trials, dramatically reducing development costs and time-to-market for new therapies. Beyond transplantation, their technology shows promising applications for Chronic Kidney Disease. We're extremely impressed by the quality of science published in top medical journals by Prof. Loupy and Pierrick's leadership in addressing these massive unmet needs for patients and physicians" declares Dr. Ismail Kola, Partner at Forepont Capital Partner

" At Alven, we like to back clinical software companies with deep medical-grade IP targeting the US market and aligning industry vertical stakeholders around new game-changing platforms. In the wake of what we did with Cardiologs in cardiology a few years ago, we're thrilled to back Okeiro's team and help them scale their precision medicine solution and software business operations to become a major player in the chronic diseases category", adds Francois Meteyer, Partner at Alven.

"By 2040, Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) will rank 5th in global mortality, and is even more prevalent in the US with 15% of the population affected by some form of CKD vs 10% for the rest of the world. The deeptech startup Okeiro brings a powerful innovation to fight chronic diseases, with its product qualified late-2024 as a co-primary endpoint by the FDA"concludesLuc-Emmanuel Barreau, Partner at Red River West.

Large-Scale Clinical Study to Validate Clinical Impact

Okeiro is currently conducting a randomized clinical trial across 16 hospital centers in 6 countries (France, Germany, United Kingdom, Austria, Israel, Spain). The objective is to demonstrate the effectiveness of its technology by comparing results between physicians using the platform and a group of physicians applying standard care protocols. Interim results are very positive, and the study will be completed within a few months.

New Positioning and Redesigned Identity

Formerly known as Predict4Health, the company now adopts the Okeiro identity. This name, inspired by the Greek "Kairos" meaning "the critical moment," reflects Okeiro's mission: supporting healthcare professionals in their decisive decision, with the right information, to optimize patient care.

About Okeiro

Founded by a team of experts in medicine, data science, and artificial intelligence, Okeiro develops a precision medicine platform dedicated to chronic diseases and transplantation. Its ambition: to redefine the standard of care for patients with advanced chronic diseases and transplants by improving diagnosis, therapeutic recommendations, quality and safety of patient monitoring, and accelerating therapeutic innovation through data.

For more information: https://okeiro.com/en

Contact : contact@okeiro.com



About Alven

Alven is an early-stage venture capital firm backing heart-led entrepreneurs from seed to growth. With $2B assets under management, the firm operates out of Paris and London, backing more than 170 teams across Europe and the US over the last 20 years. Some of its portfolios include Stripe, Algolia, Dataiku, Qonto, Datadog

About Forepont Capital Partners

Forepont Capital Partners is a healthcare and life science venture capital firm based in New York with a strong presence in Europe. Forepont has developed partnerships with industry leaders, physicians, key opinion leaders, universities, hospitals and pharmaceutical groups, mainly in neurology. Forepont invests in early-stage companies whose science and technology are intended to positively impact the lives of patients. Forepont provides scientific, technological, financial and operational support to improve portfolio company performance, leveraging their talents with its know-how and global ecosystem. For more information: https://forepont.com/

About Red River West

Red River West is a transatlantic VC fund dedicated to supporting exceptional European technology companies with differentiated offerings for the US market. The fund is led by tech entrepreneurs and investors based both in Europe and the US who all share a track record of building and backing start-ups which became global leaders through EU to US expansion. Red River West believes Europe is home to a talented and driven pool of entrepreneurs. By providing significant financial firepower and hands-on support in Europe & the US, Red River West helps these entrepreneurs realize their full potential. For more information: www.redriverwest.com

1 Predict4Health changes its name to become Okeiro

2https://www.agence-biomedecine.fr/IMG/pdf/dp-chiffres-organes-tissus-2024_def.pdf

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BH Macro Limited - Transaction in Own Shares

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, April 10

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

10 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: 10 April 2025 Number of ordinary shares purchased: 15,000 Lowest price per share (pence) 396.00 Highest price per share (pence) 396.00 Trading venue London Aggregate volume per date per trading venue: 15,000 Weighted average price per day per trading venue (pence): 396.0000

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 336,134,294 Sterling Shares 39,606,417 Sterling Shares 27,132,086 Dollar Shares Nil Dollar Shares

From 10 April 2025, the total number of voting rights in the Company (rounded up to the whole number) is 515,090,211

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
Pershing Square Holdings, Ltd. (LN:PSH) (LN:PSHD) (the "Company") today provided further information regarding business being proposed at its Annual General Meeting of Shareholders ("AGM") due to take place on Thursday, 1 May 2025, at 10:00 AM (BST) at Trafalgar Court, Les Banques, St. Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 3QL.

Following seven years on the Board, Bronwyn Curtis, Senior Independent Non-Executive Director, will retire at the AGM and will not offer herself up for re-election.

The Board has selected Charlotte Denton as Senior Independent Non-Executive Director, subject to her re-election, with effect from the conclusion of the AGM.

Following a thorough selection process for prospective Board candidates, the Nomination Committee recommended that the Board submit Jean-Baptiste Wautier for election as an independent non-executive Director of the Company. Shareholders will be asked to vote on the election of Mr. Wautier at the AGM.

Mr. Wautier is an investor and philanthropist, resident in London, and co-founder of the Wautier Family Office, which was established in 2024. He is currently Chairman of luxury fashion house, GEDEBE, and a non-executive director at the architectural practice, Studio Razavi Partners, as well as Chair of the Investment Committee at Sci Ventures and Chairman of Aspire. Mr. Wautier is also a Senior Lecturer at Sciences Po University in Paris and an Executive Fellow at Adam Smith's Panmure House. Mr. Wautier began his career at Arthur Andersen before moving to Morgan Stanley. He then joined private equity firm, IK Partners, in 2000, before moving to BC Partners in 2004 where Mr. Wautier served as Chairman of the Investment Committee and then Chief Investment Officer in the United Kingdom between 2013 and 2023, and was a member of the Management Committee in the United Kingdom between 2018 and 2023, before leaving BC Partners in 2024. Mr. Wautier holds a Master's (Political Science and Government) and a Master of Science (Industrial Organisation) from Sciences Po and Universite Sorbonne Paris Nord, respectively.

Rupert Morley, Chairman of the Board, said: "The Board is pleased to recommend that shareholders elect Jean-Baptiste to the PSH Board. His extensive experience in private equity, mergers and acquisitions, board governance, and corporate finance will provide valuable perspectives to the Board."

Mr. Morley continued: "On behalf of the entire Board, I would like to thank Tope and Bronwyn for their many important contributions to PSH over the years. Their dedication and insight have been instrumental to the Board's work, and their impact will be felt for years to come. We wish them all the best."

This announcement is released in compliance with UKLR 6.4.6 and there is no further information to be disclosed under the requirements of UKLR 6.4.8.

The Company is continuing its search for additional Board candidates and expects to appoint another Director in 2025.

As previously announced on 2 April 2025, 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 and the approval to disapply pre-emption rights for any share issuance of 10% (as is customary in the London investment fund market). Shareholders will also now consider the election of one new Director, Jean-Baptiste Wautier, as well as the re-election of the existing Directors other than Tope Lawani and Bronwyn Curtis.

The additional resolution can be found in the Supplementary Notice of Annual General Meeting available on PSH's website, https://www.pershingsquareholdings.com/company-reports/notices-shareholders/, alongside the Notice of Annual General Meeting published on 2 April 2025.

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/20250410181474/en/

Contacts:

Media

Camarco

Ed Gascoigne-Pees Julia Tilley +44 (0)20 3781 8339, MediaInquiries@pershingsquareholdings.com
ContourGlobal inaugurated the Quillagua photovoltaic solar plant with 221 MWp of installed capacity and 1.2 GWh of storage.

Thanks to its innovative system, the plant can deliver solar energy to the grid at night, with over 6 hours of autonomy.

The company is also advancing with the construction of a similar facility in the Tarapaca region, the Victor Jara plant, with 231 MWp of PV and 1.3 GWh of batteries, which will begin operations in the second half of this year.

ContourGlobal's CEO, Antonio Cammisecra, and the Undersecretary of Energy, Luis Felipe Ramos, accompanied by the President of the National Electrical Coordinator, Juan Carlos Olmedo, along with local authorities and representatives from the electricity sector, celebrated this week the commissioning of the Quillagua plant, located in Maria Elena municipality, in the Antofagasta region.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250410189342/en/

Aerial View of ContourGlobal's Quillagua PV BESS plant, the largest of its kind in Latin America

Quillagua is a 221 MWp photovoltaic solar plant with a 1.2 GWh battery storage system, capable of delivering 200 MW for 6.2 hours after sunset, making it the largest solar plant coupled with battery storage system in Latin America.

This milestone marks the final stage before commencing commercial operation in the coming weeks and starting to fulfill its long-term clean power purchase agreement (PPA), ensuring the supply of solar energy at night and dispatching any surplus to the commercial market.

"We are proud to begin operations at Quillagua months ahead of schedule, bringing the sun's energy at night, and to share this moment with our partners, the community, and local institutions and authorities", stated Antonio Cammisecra, Global CEO of ContourGlobal.

Regarding the integration of long-duration batteries, Cammisecra emphasized that "this is key to stabilizing the grid, addressing excess daytime supply and peak demand challenges. We are deeply committed to this country, and, beyond storage, we are also exploring opportunities in wind power, diversifying our technological approach to meet the dynamic energy needs of Chile.

Quillagua is part of a larger development that includes another similar facility in the Tarapaca region. This is the Victor Jara plant, with 231 MWp of photovoltaic solar energy and 1.3 GWh of battery storage, which will be ready in the second half of the year, several months ahead of the initial plan.

Both projects, with a total capacity of 452 MWp solar and 2.5 GWh of battery storage, were acquired from Grenergy at the end of last year by ContourGlobal, marking the entry of the U.S. KKR-backed company into Chile. Once fully operational, this portfolio will generate about 1,300 GWh annually, positioning ContourGlobal as a key renewable operator in Chile, a country where the company intends to grow and invest.

This inauguration strengthens Chile's role as a pioneer in harnessing the solar potential of its regions and the Atacama Desert to develop energy storage battery systems (BESS) for long-duration energy storage projects. It represents a milestone in the energy transition of Chile and Latin America, in line with the rapid global expansion of battery storage, which, according to the IEA (International Energy Agency), reached 70 GW in 2024. Additionally, the combination of photovoltaic solar energy with storage is already surpassing other forms of generation in competitiveness, solidifying itself as the future technology for more flexible and lower-cost energy supply.

The construction of this ambitious solar project has created 313 direct jobs, involving workers from six nationalities, and 176 indirect jobs. It also included the installation of more than 452,000 solar panels, 5,000 solar trackers, 267 battery storage modules, 44 transformation centers, and 90 inverters, ensuring the creation of nearly 20 permanent jobs for its ongoing operation.

During the inauguration event, Luis Felipe Ramos, Chile's Undersecretary of Energy, reaffirmed the country's energy transition goals, emphasizing the contribution of Quillagua project to reaching the national target of 2 GW of storage capacity by 2030 and 6 GW by 2050.

Technical Details Quillagua (I and II) Status In operation Location Quillagua, Municipality of Maria Elena, Antofagasta Region Installed PV Capacity 221 MWp Installed BESS Capacity 200 MW x 6.2 hours Storage Capacity 1.2 GWh

About ContourGlobal - ContourGlobal, a KKR Company, is an established Independent Power Producer (IPP) developing, acquiring and operating electricity generation and storage assets worldwide. Following the recently announced transactions, the company elevated its installed capacity under management, in late development or construction to around 7.8 GW. The footprint of the company now extends to 20 countries across Europe, Africa, Asia, North and South America. With a current share of renewables capacity of almost 50%, including capacity under construction or development, the company has committed to speed up the decarbonization of its portfolio with a sustainable transition of its thermal fleet, the repowering of existing renewable assets and the organic development of new renewaprojects. ContourGlobal has a track record of 20 years of experience in partnering with communities, institutions and customers that benefit from its power supply through long-term contracts or innovative PPAs, coupled with energy management solutions.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250410189342/en/

Contacts:

Global Media Relations

Communications@ContourGlobal.com

ContourGlobal.com
WILLIAM CONNELLY, FUTURE SOCIETE GENERALE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, STARTING MAY 2026

Press release

Paris, 10 April 2025



During its session on 10 April 2025, the Societe Generale Board of Directors selected William Connelly for the Chairmanship as of the General Meeting which will be held on 27 May 2026, subject to his renewal as a Director by the General Meeting on 20 May 2025. He will succeed Lorenzo Bini Smaghi, who has been Chairman since 2015, and will have completed his third term.

This decision is the result of a selection process led by the Nomination and Corporate Governance Committee at the end of 2023 with the assistance of an independent consultant.

William Connelly has been a member of Societe Generale's Board of Directors since 2017. He has chaired the Risk Committee since 2019 and is a member of the Nomination and Corporate Governance Committee, positions he will hold until the 2026 General Meeting.

Lorenzo Bini Smaghi, Chairman of the Board of Directors, stated: "The choice of William Connelly as my successor confirms Societe Generale's commitment to the highest standards of governance, both in terms of method and substance. It ensures the independence of the role as well as its continuity, while bringing the highest level of expertise in the international banking and financial sector, along with experience in managing large companies, particularly in the technology sector."





Biography

William Connelly is a company director. In addition to his mandate as an independent director of Societe Generale since 2017, he currently is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Amadeus IT Group and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Aegon until the second half of 2025. He also served as an independent director of Singular Bank from February 2019 to April 2023.

William Connelly began his career in 1980 at Chase Manhattan Bank, where he worked for 10 years, before joining Baring Brothers from 1990 to 1995. He then held various executive positions within ING Group NV from 1995 until he became a member of The Management Board, where he was responsible for Wholesale Banking from 2011 to 2016. He was also the CEO of ING Real Estate from 2009 to 2015. He has gained extensive experience in financial services, particularly in corporate finance, financial markets, real estate, and lending.

William Connelly is a French citizen. He graduated with a degree in Economics from Georgetown University.

Press contact:

Jean-Baptiste Froville_+33 1 58 98 68 00_ jean-baptiste.froville@socgen.com



Societe Generale

Societe Generale is a top tier European Bank with around 119,000 employees serving more than 26 million clients in 62 countries across the world. We have been supporting the development of our economies for 160 years, providing our corporate, institutional, and individual clients with a wide array of value-added advisory and financial solutions. Our long-lasting and trusted relationships with the clients, our cutting-edge expertise, our unique innovation, our ESG capabilities and leading franchises are part of our DNA and serve our most essential objective - to deliver sustainable value creation for all our stakeholders.



The Group runs three complementary sets of businesses, embedding ESG offerings for all its clients:

French Retail, Private Banking and Insurance, with leading retail bank SG and insurance franchise, premium private banking services, and the leading digital bank BoursoBank.

with leading retail bank SG and insurance franchise, premium private banking services, and the leading digital bank BoursoBank. Global Banking and Investor Solutions, a top tier wholesale bank offering tailored-made solutions with distinctive global leadership in equity derivatives, structured finance and ESG.

a top tier wholesale bank offering tailored-made solutions with distinctive global leadership in equity derivatives, structured finance and ESG. Mobility, International Retail Banking and Financial Services, comprising well-established universal banks (in Czech Republic, Romania and several African countries), Ayvens (the new ALD I LeasePlan brand), a global player in sustainable mobility, as well as specialized financing activities.





Committed to building together with its clients a better and sustainable future, Societe Generale aims to be a leading partner in the environmental transition and sustainability overall. The Group is included in the principal socially responsible investment indices: DJSI (Europe), FTSE4Good (Global and Europe), Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index, Refinitiv Diversity and Inclusion Index, Euronext Vigeo (Europe and Eurozone), STOXX Global ESG Leaders indexes, and the MSCI Low Carbon Leaders Index (World and Europe).

In case of doubt regarding the authenticity of this press release, please go to the end of the Group News page on societegenerale.comwebsite where official Press Releases sent by Societe Generale can be certified using blockchain technology. A link will allow you to check the document's legitimacy directly on the web page.

For more information, you can follow us on Twitter/X @societegeneraleor visit our website societegenerale.com.

Attachment
Pro Stock Rising Star Gears Up for Las Vegas After First Career Round Win Against His Father, Eric Latino

The road to NHRA greatness continues for Matt Latino, as the promising young Pro Stock driver heads to The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the adrenaline-packed NHRA 4-Wide Nationals, part of the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, running Friday, April 11 - Sunday, April 13, 2025. Representing the elite KB Titan Racing team and proudly sponsored by Bear Grill, Matt arrives in Las Vegas carrying the momentum of a landmark win in Pomona.

At the previous stop in Pomona, CA, Matt Latino delivered a defining performance, qualifying with an impressive 6.53-second pass at 210 mph. His qualifying effort set the stage for an unforgettable family showdown: lining up against his father, Eric Latino, in Round 1 of eliminations.

What followed was a moment that every young racer dreams of-Matt captured his first-ever NHRA Pro Stock round win, and it just happened to be against the man who inspired his journey.

"It's hard to put into words," said Matt. "Winning my first Pro Stock round is something I'll never forget, but to do it against my dad makes it even more special. He's been my mentor and hero in this sport, and to share that moment with him was incredible."

Next Stop: Las Vegas and the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals

Now, with confidence running high, Matt heads to Las Vegas for the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals-a unique, high-pressure format where four drivers race simultaneously, demanding sharp reflexes and flawless execution. It's another big stage for Matt as he continues to make waves in his NHRA Pro Stock debut season.

"Las Vegas is going to be wild," Matt added. "Pomona gave me the push I needed. The 4-Wide format is intense, but I'm excited to take on the challenge with the KB Titan Racing team and keep this momentum going."

Bear Grill x KB Titan Racing: Powering Passion and Precision

As the official sponsor of Matt Latino and proud partner of KB Titan Racing, Bear Grill continues to celebrate the connection between high-performance racing and high-performance outdoor cooking.

"Matt's story resonates deeply with our brand-passion, precision, and performance at the highest level," said Fran Vivenzio, National Sales Manager at BearGrill.com. "We couldn't be prouder to support Matt as he carries the Latino family legacy forward. The energy and excitement he's bringing to the sport is exactly what Bear Grill stands for."

Bear Grill engages fans and technical enthusiasts alike by offering exclusive insights into the mechanics of Pro Stock racing and the art of precision grilling-proving that whether it's at the racetrack or at the grill, it's all about performance and craftsmanship.

Follow the Journey

Stay connected as Matt Latino and Bear Grill continue to turn up the heat this NHRA season. For exclusive updates, behind-the-scenes content, and race-day highlights, follow @BearGrillUSA on Instagram.

With his first round win behind him and his eyes set firmly on the future, Matt Latino is ready to ignite Las Vegas.

Contact Information

Jay McFadden

National Sales Director

jmcfadden@bear-grill.com

7757212606

SOURCE: Bear Grill LLC
Los Angeles, California--(Newsfile Corp. - April 10, 2025) - Singular Research has released an updated report on Myriad Uranium Ltd. (OTCQB: MYRUF), highlighting the Company's recent advancements, including favorable chemical assay results and strategic project expansions.

Myriad Uranium's latest chemical assays confirm that U3O grades are 20% higher than previously reported gamma grades, reinforcing the project's resource potential. Additionally, the Company announced a major expansion of its Copper Mountain Project Area and secured an option to acquire 100% of the Red Basin Uranium Project in New Mexico.

These developments, coupled with a favorable uranium pricing environment and increasing global demand for nuclear energy, position Myriad Uranium with significant tailwinds in the evolving uranium market landscape.

For further details, please refer to the full report by Singular Research by following the link here and below:

https://files.constantcontact.com/1683279a601/1a6d3866-8cdc-40c4-ba02-d6a37f3caf0e.pdf?rdr=true

About Singular Research

Singular Research provides independent, unbiased equity research focusing on undiscovered, undervalued small- and micro-cap companies with significant growth potential.

About Myriad Uranium

Myriad Uranium Ltd. is a uranium exploration company focused on developing high-quality assets in North America, with a mission to contribute to the growing demand for clean nuclear energy.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/248125

SOURCE: Singular Research
New worlds are arriving in Munster. Sandbox VR, the world's most immersive full-body virtual reality experience, is opening its seventh site in Germany and the second in North Rhine-Westphalia. Sandbox VR Munster, a portal to other worlds, is now open in the innovative Ufer Studios - offering breathtaking adventures for all ages.

With 59 locations worldwide to date, Sandbox VR offers an experience where up to six people at a time can immerse themselves in virtual worlds and experience them together. Using a unique combination of full-body motion capture and state-of-the-art virtual reality technology, players literally become part of the story equipped with a VR headset, haptic vest and sensors, players move around freely while interacting with each other.

The aim is to master various tasks together in the digital worlds and there's something for everyone. Those who want to prove themselves in a post-apocalyptic zombie world can fight for survival inDeadwood Mansion, Deadwood Valley and in the latest horror titleDeadwood PHOBIA Fantasy fans can look forward to the epic adventureSeekers of the Shard: Dragonfire, where they determine their own path as a knight, mage or ranger. Families can embark on a treasure hunt for Davy Jones' gold in a colorful pirate world and escape his curse.

Sci-fi fans can go on an adventure in the Netflix epicRebel Moon: The Descent, while those who prefer direct competition can fight in the arena of theUnbound Fighting League. An exclusive highlight: Squid Game Virtuals, developed in collaboration with Netflix a mini-game contest that requires team spirit, skill and nerves of steel.

There are four private rooms for virtual reality gameplay at Sandbox VR Munster, each offering space for groups of two to six people. Larger groups are split into teams ideal for team events, birthdays and corporate events for up to 60 people and more, or simply an unforgettable outing with friends. Each experience lasts about 40 minutes and is rounded off with personalized highlights videos.

Bookable now: experiences in Munster are now available to book at www.sandboxvr.com/muenster.

ABOUT SANDBOX VR

Sandbox VR is the world's premier destination for premium, location-based virtual reality games. The company has created the world's most immersive full-body VR platform and boasts exclusive games, including original and branded experiences, such as Squid Game Virtuals, created in collaboration with Netflix. Now operating in more than 55 locations and attracting over 100k players monthly, Sandbox VR is rapidly growing its global footprint with thriving corporate-owned locations and a robust franchising program. The company has been recognized as one of Fast Company's 2024 Most Innovative Companies and is the 129th fastest growing company in America on the 2024 Inc. 5000 list. Sandbox VR is headquartered in San Francisco, California with offices in Hong Kong and Vancouver. The company's latest round raised over $37 million from investors including Andreessen Horowitz, Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund, Gobi Partners, and Craft. Individual investors include Justin Timberlake, Katy Perry, Kevin Durant and Will Smith.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250407537158/en/

Contacts:

Dacyl Armendariz

Whipsmart Communications

sandboxvr@whipsmartpr.com
Burlington, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 10, 2025) - Tempus Capital Inc. (CSE: TEMP) ("Tempus" or the "Company"). In a bold move to address Toronto's ongoing rental housing crisis, Tempus Capital Inc., led by President and CEO Russell Tanz, has joined forces with Jordan Alexander King and Evan Ungar of TUK Developments Inc. to invest $100 million into "missing middle" real estate over the course of the next few years. This partnership aims to create spacious, family-friendly rental units that bridge the gap between high-rise condos and single-family homes, a segment that has been critically underserved in Toronto's housing market.

The Partnership's First Development: 10 Spacious, High-End Rental Units

The partnership's first project will introduce 10 luxury rental units in Toronto, designed to offer affordability without compromising on space and quality. The property was acquired in March 2025, with completion anticipated by September 2026. Each unit will span 1,100 square feet and feature three bedrooms plus a den, along with two full bathrooms. These thoughtfully designed homes cater to families and professionals seeking high-end finishes and modern amenities in a city where available rental options are often either too small or too expensive.

Addressing Toronto's Rental Housing Crisis

Toronto's rental market continues to struggle with record-low vacancy rates and rising rental prices. According to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), the city's vacancy rate remains below 2%, while average rents for a two-bedroom apartment have surged past $3,000 per month. The lack of mid-sized rental options has left many families with limited choices between small condos and unaffordable houses.

This initiative by Tempus Capital Inc. and TUK Developments aims to create housing solutions that support long-term renters, offering more space, better amenities, and affordability in prime Toronto locations. By focusing on missing middle housing, the partnership aligns with government efforts to boost multi-unit developments, contributing to a more sustainable and diverse rental market.

Beyond the first project, this partnership plans to invest substantial funds over the next few years to develop similar rental properties across Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). The vision is to deliver hundreds of new rental units that provide families and professionals with an alternative to high-density condos or out-of-reach homeownership.

"We believe Toronto needs more rental housing options that truly work for families and professionals," said Jordan Alexander King, co-founder of TUK Developments Inc. "By investing in missing middle real estate, we're creating homes that allow people to live comfortably in the city they love."

"This partnership is a game-changer for Toronto's rental market," added Russell Tanz, President and CEO of Tempus Capital Inc. "We are committed to building high-quality, well-designed rental communities that provide a real solution to Toronto's growing housing needs."

About Tempus Capital Inc.

Tempus Capital Inc. is a real estate investment firm focused on strategic acquisitions and development projects that deliver long-term value. With a strong track record in residential and commercial real estate, Tempus Capital aims to create sustainable, high-quality housing solutions in growing urban markets.

About TUK Developments Inc.

TUK Developments Inc., founded by Jordan Alexander King and Evan Ungar, specializes in innovative, high-quality real estate development. The firm is dedicated to creating modern, functional, and stylish housing solutions that meet the evolving needs of urban residents.

For more information, visit TUK Developments

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/248138

SOURCE: Tempus Capital Inc.
Emergency Roto-Rooter Puppy Rescue in Fresno, CA

What began as an ordinary workday quickly turned into an extraordinary rescue mission when Roto-Rooter plumbing technician James "Brad" Fox was dispatched to a South Fresno home on Tuesday. The job, initially described as a "puppy rescue operation," took a dramatic turn when Fox arrived to find not just one, but three puppies trapped under the house.

Roto-Rooter Technician Saves Puppies in Fresno, CA

Roto-Rooter technician, James "Brad" Fox, holds two of the three puppies he saved during his heroic rescue in Fresno, CA.

The homeowner, already anxious, explained that her three puppies had somehow fallen into what she believed to be a hole beneath the house and they could not get out. The homeowner led him to the spot, where he discovered a narrow access point with several panels removed. As Fox crawled under the house, the small barks of the puppies began emerging louder and louder.

Fox, undeterred by the challenging conditions, navigated through tight spaces between pipes and low-hanging floor joists. The crawlspace was so confined that he could only move by inching forward with his chest pressed to the ground, leaving just inches of clearance above.

Beneath the house, Fox discovered an abandoned basement that had been sealed off, hidden completely from the view above. It was in this space that the puppies had fallen. With no room to turn around, Fox carefully slid into the basement and, one by one, retrieved the puppies. After several short trips, the three puppies were safely returned to their owner.

WATCH THE RESCUE HERE: https://vimeo.com/1074105166

Fox, who was humbled by the experience, reflected, "This is why we show up every day. We're here to serve the community - and sometimes that means going the extra mile for those who can't ask for help themselves."

The puppies are now safe and sound thanks to Fox's quick thinking and dedication to helping those in need - whether they have two legs or four.

Contact:

Roto-Rooter Plumbing

Phone: 1-800-491-ROTO

Website: RotoRooterCA.com

Related Video

https://vimeo.com/1074105166

Related Video

https://vimeo.com/1074105166





SOURCE: Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup
As the Jewish community around the world prepares to observe Passover, PRAY.COM joins in honoring this sacred time of remembrance, reflection, and redemption.

Chosen People image

Chosen People Podcast cover image

Passover is a moment to pause and reflect on God's enduring faithfulness and the story of deliverance that has echoed through generations. PRAY.COM 's mission is to grow faith and cultivate community around the world, piercing through boundaries of culture and creed with the power of hope. This season reminds us of the power of that mission more than ever.

This year, PRAY.COM is especially grateful to celebrate its ongoing partnership with the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (The Fellowship). Together, PRAY.COM and The Fellowship have launched and grown " The Chosen People " - a cinematically produced podcast that follows the greatest heroes of the Old Testament, offering listeners across faith backgrounds a chance to learn, reflect, and connect with the deep roots of faith.

PRAY.COM is proud to announce that " The Chosen People " - distributed in partnership with iHeartMedia - will cross 3 million downloads during this Passover season. This milestone reflects both the hunger for meaningful faith-based content and the incredible impact of this collaboration with The Fellowship.

"At PRAY.COM , we create world-class technology that helps bring timeless truths to the next generation," said Steve Gatena, CEO of PRAY.COM. "Our partnership with the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews on 'The Chosen People' is a beautiful example of how storytelling can bridge traditions and bring people together in faith. This Passover, we celebrate not only the story of deliverance - but also the ways our faith communities are coming together to inspire and uplift each other in a digital age."

As the leading global media and technology company reshaping the way people encounter and engage their faith, PRAY.COM is honored to serve millions of people everyday with Bible teachings, daily devotionals, and digital resources. PRAY.COM serves people in 185 countries with its growing library of content that spans denominations, traditions, and generations. PRAY.COM is committed to being the place where people can come to grow their relationship with God - wherever they are.

This Passover, PRAY.COM invites everyone - Jewish, Christian, and seekers alike - to reflect on the power of deliverance, the importance of community, and the hope that faith brings to the world.

About PRAY.COM

Founded in 2016 with a mission to grow faith and cultivate community, PRAY.COM is the world's No. 1 app for daily prayer and Bible-based content. Reaching more than 200 million podcast downloads, PRAY.COM is the easiest way to incorporate prayer into your daily life. PRAY.COM provides encouragement and inspiration through daily devotionals, Pastor podcasts, and Bedtime Bible Stories. PRAY.COM founders are Steve Gatena, Michael Lynn, Ryan Beck, and Matthew Potter.? See more information about PRAY.COM at https://www.alarryross.com/praycom .?

SOURCE: PRAY.COM
Each year, 40 U.S. cities bring together female professionals for conversation and inspiration. Read about two Regions leaders who participated this year and discover what they gained from the experience.

By Kim Borges

Walking into a large room where you don't know a soul can be intimidating.

Brianna Hintz has been pushing past those fears a lot lately.

"I've been working to get myself out of my comfort zone," she said.

So, when Hintz uncovered a way to meet 150 women in less than three hours, she was all in.

The opportunity? Mentoring Monday, an annual speed networking event for female professionals. There are 40 Mentoring Monday events hosted nationwide by The Business Journals bringing women together to network, connect and inspire.

Hintz attended the Houston Business Journal's twelfth annual Mentoring Monday in February which connected 115 mentees with 36 mentors.

Regions Commercial Banking executive and Greater Houston market executive Caroline Verot Moore served as a mentor.

"This is the second time I've participated," said Verot Moore. "I've had a lot of mentors in my career, so for me, this event offers a chance to give back to the community."

Hintz, who moved to the Bayou City in January after graduating from the University of Minnesota and accepting a Marketing and Communications specialist role with a national crane rental company, wasn't exactly sure what Mentoring Monday would resemble.

"I initially didn't have many expectations," she said. "But when the bell started ringing, I got a little bit nervous."

And then, reassurance when Hintz saw Verot Moore.

"I scanned the room for smiling faces and went to her because she seemed very friendly and open," she said.

For the next seven minutes, Hintz, a fellow mentee and Verot Moore discussed the challenges of juggling professional and personal responsibilities.

My main takeaway was the realization balancing family and progressing in your career is doable. Brianna Hintz

"My main takeaway was the realization balancing family and progressing in your career is doable," Hintz said. "To see someone in a leadership role who has lived that was really inspiring for me. She's awesome."

Dr. Manahil Riaz, a licensed professional counselor and practice owner, had a better idea what to expect her second time as a mentee.

What drew her back for year two?

"Being a woman in business can very lonely," she said. "This event really helped me understand I'm not alone. It's important for us to have a community."

Riaz, a Regions client, especially enjoyed connecting with Verot Moore.

"My business partner and I have a business account with the bank and we're so grateful for Regions," Riaz said. "Caroline is so interesting, and her background growing up in France is fascinating. I moved here from Pakistan when I was seven, so we talked about changing languages."

The two also covered additional ground during their whirlwind conversation.

"I asked Caroline, 'Who are your mentors? Who did you look up to?'" said Riaz. "I like to know the people I admire also have people they admire. I want to know who their guiding lights are."

"It fills my cup to know there are other successful women in the room and I get to be in the same room with them." Dr. Manahil Riaz

During her conversations, Verot Moore shared the impact mentoring has made with her career. And she also shared another insight.

"I think sponsorship is equally important," she said. "It's having someone in your company who knows what you've done and can throw your hat into the ring when promotions are being discussed. Having a sponsor when you're not in the room and those conversations happen matters. It's our responsibility as women in leadership to help other women become leaders."

Hintz left Mentoring Monday with a stack of business cards - plus something more.

"It reinstilled my confidence in stepping outside my comfort zone," she said. "Everyone is human, everyone is excited to share about their experience. You can learn something from everyone and everything."

Riaz also had valuable takeaways.

"It fills my cup to know there are other successful women in the room and I get to be in the same room with them," she said. "I look to these mentors, and they tell me it's going to get easier. They also said, 'One day, you'll be sharing your stories with others.' Anything that can bring women together to talk about hardships is a wonderful thing."

"You know you already have one thing in common because you want to give back."



Caroline Verot Moore, Regions Commercial Banking executive and Greater Houston market executive

And if you think those seeking advice were the only ones who benefitted from Mentoring Monday?

Verot Moore would be the first to tell you that's not the case.

"The mentors get as much out of it as the mentees," she said. "I was able to make new connections in the community, which is always beneficial. We're all there for the same purpose. You know you already have one thing in common because you want to give back."

Mentoring Monday in Austin Regions Commercial Banking leader and Austin market executive Stephanie Perryman also participated in Mentoring Monday. It was her second time serving as a mentor. What did Perryman's experience resemble? "The energy in the room was undeniable," she said. "It's the kind of electric buzz that comes from being in a space where knowledge, encouragement and real talk are exchanged freely." While Perryman had many insightful conversations, one especially stood out. "I visited with a mentee who has the desire to launch her own company after working many years in the corporate sector," said Perryman. "Transitioning from the structure and predictability she's known to the unknown is both thrilling and daunting. We talked through the barriers she perceived were limiting her from making the leap to launch. We also discussed ways she can leverage people in her network to build her own personal board of directors and the importance of varying revenue streams with her business." "Every time I step into a mentoring role, I walk away with a fresh perspective, deeper understanding and a renewed sense of purpose. The exchange itself is a gift."



Stephanie Perryman, Regions Commercial Banking leader and Austin market executive Like Verot Moore, Perryman sees value for both mentor and mentee from Mentoring Monday. "Mentoring isn't just about giving - it's also about receiving," Perryman said. "Every time I step into a mentoring role, I walk away with a fresh perspective, deeper understanding and a renewed sense of purpose. The exchange itself is a gift."

Event images captured by Alexander's Fine Portrait Design/provided courtesy of the Houston Business Journal

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Regions Bank on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Regions Bank

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/regions-bank

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Regions Bank
The Barber Shop Marketing, the leading full-service advertising agency based in North Texas, was honored as Best Small/Mid-Size Agency by the Alliance of Women in Media (AWM-DFW) at the prestigious Awards of Excellence Gala, held on Thursday, April 3, 2025, at the Dallas Hyatt Regency Hotel.

The annual gala brought together the top media professionals from across the Dallas-Fort Worth area to recognize outstanding achievements in media, marketing, journalism, and communications. The Barber Shop Marketing stood out among a competitive field for its creative leadership, strategic innovation, and dedication to delivering measurable success for its clients.

"This award is a testament to the passion and talent of our team," said Amy Hall, President of The Barber Shop Marketing. "Being recognized by the Alliance of Women in Media is not only an incredible honor, but it also reinforces our commitment to empowering women in the media industry and pushing the boundaries of impactful storytelling."

With more than two decades of excellence, The Barber Shop Marketing has built a reputation for its hands-on approach, community-driven values, and powerful campaign execution across all media channels. The agency has partnered with a wide range of clients - from local businesses to national brands - delivering personalized, performance-driven results.

The Alliance of Women in Media (AWM) is a national, nonprofit organization of men and women who work in media and allied fields. Founded in 1951 as American Women in Radio and Television, AWM is proud to represent men and women engaged in the creation of high-quality media and related services. AWM harnesses the promise, passion and power of women in all forms of media to empower career development, engage in thought leadership and drive positive change for the industry and societal progress.

About The Barber Shop Marketing:

The Barber Shop Marketing is a full-service marketing and advertising agency in Dallas with category-leading clients including Berkeys Plumbing, AC & Electrical, Baker Brothers Plumbing, Air & Electric, City of Richardson, Smith Thompson Home Security, Town of Addison, and Bill Dickason Chevrolet Buick. Their specialization includes advertising, creative, media, digital, social media, public relations, and search optimization. For more information about The Barber Shop Marketing, For more information about The Barber Shop Marketing, visit www.thebarbershopmarketing.com or phone 214-217-7177. Follow The Barber Shop Marketing on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thebarbershopmarketing or on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-barber-shop-marketing.

Contact:

Dana Cobb

dana@thebarbershopmarketing.com

972.955.9747

SOURCE: The Barber Shop Marketing
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 10, 2025) - Live Energy Minerals Corp. (CSE: LIVE) (OTC Pink: GTREF) ("LIVE" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into an option agreement dated April 9, 2025 (the "Option Agreement") with an arm's length purchaser (the "Purchaser"), pursuant to which the Company has granted the Purchaser the exclusive option to acquire a 100% undivided interest in two mineral claims totaling approximately 5,355 hectares located in the Province of Saskatchewan (the "Property"). Pursuant to the Option Agreement, the Company has granted the Purchaser the exclusive right to acquire a 100% interest in the Property (the "Option").

To exercise the Option and acquire a 100% interest in the Property, the Purchaser must issue 5,500,000 common shares (the "Consideration Shares") to the Company within five (5) days of TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") approval and pay $50,000 in cash to the Company within three (3) years of the effective date of the Option Agreement.

The Company has granted the Purchaser the right (but not the obligation) to purchase a 3% net smelter return royalty (the "Royalty") held by an arm's-length third party (the "Royalty Holder") by issuing 5,500,000 Consideration Shares to the Royalty Holder (the "Royalty Buy-Back"), subject to TSXV acceptance.

No finder's fees were paid on this arm's length Option Agreement.

About LIVE Energy Minerals Corp.

LIVE is a mining exploration company actively engaged in exploring for and identifying new opportunities in clean energy minerals in North and South America. LIVE holds applications for a 100% interest in the uranium, vanadium, and molybdenum, Messa Top and Section 20 Mine projects located in the Colorado Plateau, USA. LIVE has also retained an interest in the McDermitt Lithium East Project, Nevada, USA. LIVE is focused on creating value for its shareholders by combining quality project with proven exploration strategies and a team driven to achieve exceptional outcomes.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the 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.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Often, but not always, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "estimates", "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.

Forward-looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to: statements regarding the terms of the Option Agreement, including the grant of the Option to acquire a 100% interest in the Property; the potential exercise of the Option by the Purchaser; the anticipated issuance of 5,500,000 common shares and the payment of $50,000 in cash as consideration; the timing of such issuances and payments; the Purchaser's right (but not obligation) to complete the Royalty Buy-Back; the anticipated issuance of an additional 5,500,000 common shares to the Royalty Holder in connection with such buy-back; and the receipt of all required regulatory approvals, including approval from the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV").

These forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, including the assumption that all conditions to the closing of the transactions contemplated under the Option Agreement will be satisfied, that the Purchaser will elect to exercise the Option and/or the Royalty Buy-Back, and that all required regulatory approvals, including TSXV approval, will be obtained in a timely manner.

The forward-looking information reflects management's current expectations based on information currently available and is subject to a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual outcomes to differ materially from those discussed or implied in the forward-looking information. Such risk factors include, but are not limited to: the risk that the necessary regulatory and third-party approvals will not be obtained; that the Option or the Royalty Buy-Back will not be exercised or completed on the terms contemplated in the Option Agreement or at all; changes in market conditions; volatility in commodity prices; actual exploration results; changes in project scope or development plans; availability of financing on acceptable terms; risks related to title, permitting and regulatory matters; general economic, market or business conditions; and other risks described in the Company's most recently filed management's discussion and analysis ("MD&A") and other disclosure filings available under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information are reasonable as of the date hereof, undue reliance should not be placed on such information. No assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all.

The forward-looking information contained in this news release is made as of the date of this release. The Company expressly 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 applicable law. New risk factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company to predict all such factors or assess the impact of each such factor on the Company's business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking information.

For further information, please contact us at info@liveenergyminerals.com.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/248137

SOURCE: Live Energy Minerals Corp.
For most of the movie the submersible named the Hydronaut was a full size prop that can be seen at the surface and underwater in relatively ...
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 10, 2025) - First Majestic Silver Corp. (NYSE: AG) (TSX: AG) (FSE: FMV) (the "Company" or "First Majestic") is pleased to announce the release of its 2024 Sustainability Report and the mailing of its meeting materials for the Company's upcoming 2025 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders (the "2025 AGM").

2024 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT

The Company's 2024 Sustainability Report has been prepared primarily in alignment with the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board ("SASB") reporting standards, and summarizes the Company's sustainability-related performance for the 2024 calendar year.

Record Safety Performance: Achieved the Company's best health and safety performance on record, including a 48% annual reduction in TRIFR and 70% annual reduction in LTIFR.

Inclusive Excellence: Invested in our own employees' futures, recording 16 inter-company transfers, 67 promotions to higher roles, and providing 33% of our mine site employees with skills-based training.

Carbon Reduction: Reporting our lowest carbon footprint on record, achieving a 33% annual reduction in carbon footprint per tonne of ore processed, and a total reduction in our carbon footprint of 44% compared to the baseline set out in our first sustainability report in 2019.

Community Involvement: Partnered with our local communities on impactful projects, investing over US$1.2 million in our communities during 2024. Strong community support is reflected in an 89% annual reduction in community complaints and no community-related technical delays in 2024.

ESG Recognition: The Company continued its trend of improvement within sustainability ratings and rankings, and by the end of 2024, we placed in the top 20% of the mining industry as ranked by ISS ESG, the top 34% by S&P Global, the top 41% by Sustainalytics, and the top 42% by the London Stock Exchange Group.

The 2024 Sustainability Report provides shareholders and stakeholders of First Majestic an annual progress report against our public sustainability commitments. The Company is pleased to share that in 2024 we met all of our sustainability targets and commitments and achieved our best carbon footprint and health and safety performance on record.

"Sustainability and Accountability are two of our core values at First Majestic," said Keith Neumeyer, President & CEO of First Majestic. "Last year, we built on our long history of responsible management by further applying these values, publicly sharing with all stakeholders our commitments to excellence in eight sustainability topic areas. I am pleased to share that we have met our targets across all these areas. I applaud everyone at First Majestic for their ability to commit and deliver on these goals and look forward to continuing to report on our progress."

For further performance data and information about how First Majestic manages sustainability-related areas of its business, the 2024 Sustainability Report and accompanying documents are available on the Sustainability Report Hub of the Company's website at www.firstmajestic.com/sustainability/report-hub/.

2025 AGM INFORMATION

The Company's 2025 AGM will be held on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. (Pacific Time) at the offices of Bennett Jones LLP, located at Suite 2500 - 666 Burrard Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 2X8.

As in prior years, the Company has adopted the notice and access model ("Notice and Access") under National Instrument 54-101 Communication with Beneficial Owners of Securities of a Reporting Issuer for the delivery to shareholders of record as of March 31, 2025 (the "Record Date") of the Notice of Meeting, Management Information Circular, Form of Proxy or Voting Instruction Form (as applicable) and our audited financial statements and management's discussion and analysis for the year ended December 31, 2024 (collectively, the "Meeting Materials") in connection with the 2025 AGM.

Under Notice and Access, instead of receiving printed copies of the Meeting Materials, shareholders receive a Notice and Access notification containing details relating to the 2025 AGM such as the date, location and purpose, as well as information on how they can access the Meeting Materials electronically. Using the Notice and Access method allows us to deliver the Meeting Materials to our shareholders in a more environmentally friendly and sustainable way that helps reduce paper usage and our carbon footprint, and it reduces our printing and mailing costs. However, shareholders with existing instructions on their account to receive printed materials will receive a printed copy of the Meeting Materials, and any other shareholders who wish to receive a printed copy of the Meeting Materials may follow the instructions set out in the Notice and Access notification that they will receive.

The Company has retained Kingsdale Advisors to assist anyone who is a First Majestic shareholder as of the Record Date with voting their shares. Once you have received the Meeting Materials in the mail, if you need assistance with voting your First Majestic shares, please reach out to Kingsdale Advisors by telephone at 1-866-851-3214 (toll-free in North America) or 1-647-577-3635 (text and call enabled outside of North America), or by e-mail at contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.

The Meeting Materials for the 2025 AGM may be found at the following website: www.FirstMajesticAGM.com. Please review the Meeting Materials for instructions relating to voting your First Majestic shares. You may also access the Meeting Materials by scanning the QR code below with your smart device:









2025 AGM Materials QR code

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1475/248157_377317f064981a93_002full.jpg

The Company looks forward to the support of its shareholders at the 2025 AGM, and notes that management recommends that shareholders vote "FOR" all resolutions that are set out in the Meeting Materials.

ABOUT FIRST MAJESTIC

First Majestic is a publicly traded mining company focused on silver and gold production in Mexico and the United States. The Company presently owns and operates four producing underground mines in Mexico: the Cerro Los Gatos Silver Mine (the Company holds a 70% interest in the Los Gatos Joint Venture that owns and operates the mine), the Santa Elena Silver/Gold Mine, the San Dimas Silver/Gold Mine, and the La Encantada Silver Mine, as well as a portfolio of development and exploration assets, including the Jerritt Canyon Gold project located in northeastern Nevada, U.S.A.

First Majestic is proud to own and operate its own minting facility, First Mint, LLC, and to offer a portion of its silver production for sale to the public. Bars, ingots, coins and medallions are available for purchase online at www.firstmint.com, at some of the lowest premiums available.

FIRST MAJESTIC SILVER CORP.

Keith Neumeyer, President & CEO

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian and United States securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words 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. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: the time and place of the 2025 AGM. 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. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements are discussed in the section entitled "Description of the Business - Risk Factors" in the Company's most recent Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2024 filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities under the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca, and in the Company's Annual Report on Form 40-F for the year ended December 31, 2024 filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission on EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar.

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. Accordingly, the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release and the Company disclaims, other than as required by law, any obligation to update any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, results, future events, circumstances, or if management's estimates or opinions should change, or otherwise.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/248157

SOURCE: First Majestic Silver Corp.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 10, 2025) - KO Gold Inc. (CSE: KOG) ("KO Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has issued convertible promissory notes for aggregate proceeds of C$200,000 (the "Convertible Notes"), pursuant to the loan agreement entered into on March 31, 2025, as announced on April 2, 2025.

The Convertible Notes bear interest at a rate of 12% per annum and are due six months from the date of closing. At any time prior to maturity, the principal and accrued interest may be converted into units of the Company (at the Lender's option) on the same terms as the private placement announced on March 27, 2025.

Further details regarding the loan agreements and terms of the Convertible Notes, including use of proceeds and security granted were previously disclosed in the Company's news release dated April 2, 2025. All securities issued pursuant to the Convertible Notes will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day from the date of issuance.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to sell any of the securities in the United States. The securities 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 unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

Qualified Person Statement

All scientific and technical information contained in this news release was prepared and approved by Paul Teniere, P.Geo., Vice President of Exploration and Director of KO Gold, and a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101.

About KO Gold Inc.

KO Gold is a Canadian junior exploration company listed on the CSE under "KOG". The Company's strategy is to acquire and explore highly prospective gold properties within the Otago Gold District in New Zealand. KO Gold has eight 100%-owned prospecting and exploration permits within the Otago Gold District for a combined land package of 740 km2. The Company's Smylers and Glenpark EPs are located adjacent to OceanaGold's Macraes Gold Mine and the Carrick EP hosts the historic Carrick Goldfield which holds promise as a significant gold deposit near Santana Minerals' Bendigo-Ophir Gold Project. KO Gold has spent over C$3M in exploration and drilling on its permits in the Otago Gold District over the past five years including RC and diamond drilling on its Smylers EP.

For further information, please contact:

The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. Neither the CSE nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan," "expect," "project," "intend," "believe," "anticipate," "estimate," "may," "will," "would," "potential," "proposed" and other similar words or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the intended use of proceeds. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made and are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual events or results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, the Company's receipt of all necessary approvals, market conditions, and the ability to use the proceeds as intended. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. The Company 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 applicable law. Actual events or results could differ materially from the Company's expectations or projections.

THIS NEWS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/248159

SOURCE: KO Gold Inc.
Onco-Innovations Limited (CSE:ONCO)(OTCQB:ONNVF)(Frankfurt:W1H, WKN: A3EKSZ) ("Onco" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that its subsidiary, Inka Health Corp. ("Inka Health"), has published a significant and novel study titled Quantitative Bias Analysis for the Assessment of Bias in Comparisons between Synthetic Control Arms (the "Study") published in JAMA Network Open[1] in March 2025, addressing a critical methodological gap in real-world oncology research. The Study[2], sponsored by F. Hoffmann-La Roche (Roche), the fifth-largest pharmaceutical company in the world by revenue[3], presents a novel approach to improving the validity of clinical comparisons drawn from real-world data. Specifically, it provides a method to adjust for unseen differences between patient groups that can lead to misleading results when randomized trials[4] are not possible.

As regulatory bodies increasingly turn to real-world evidence in evaluating new treatments[5], the Study contributes a significant tool for addressing underlying bias in real-world data sources, helping ensure that treatment effects observed outside of traditional trials can be interpreted with greater scientific rigor and confidence.

The Study was led by Alind Gupta, co-founder of Inka Health, in collaboration with Roche and internationally recognized experts in medical research, including Harvard Professor Miguel Hernan[6]. This research builds on Inka Health's efforts to address real-world challenges in oncology trial design, particularly in settings where traditional randomized trials are not feasible. Q-BASEL applies Quantitative Bias Analysis (QBA) to external control arm[7] (ECA) studies, which compare single-arm trial results to outcomes derived from historical or real-world data. These types of studies are increasingly used when randomized controlled trials are not feasible, such as in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (aNSCLC).

The Q-BASEL study emulated 15 treatment comparisons in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (aNSCLC) by using real-world patient data to recreate experimental arms from previously conducted randomized trials. The research team applied Quantitative Bias Analysis (QBA) after adjusting for known baseline differences, using evidence from medical literature, clinical trial data, and expert input to account for unmeasured or mismeasured factors. The Study then compared the results from these real-world emulations to the original randomized trial outcomes. The findings showed that applying QBA meaningfully improved the alignment between the two, demonstrating its ability to reduce bias and enhance the reliability of external control arm analyses.

By incorporating external evidence from clinical trials, expert opinion, and published literature, the QBA approach adjusts for potential bias introduced by unmeasured or mismeasured variables. In simpler terms, it helps account for hidden differences between patient groups that could otherwise lead to misleading comparisons. The Study showed that this method substantially improves the alignment of real-world data with randomized trial outcomes, offering a more reliable foundation for clinical decision-making and regulatory assessment.

The application of QBA in this context is particularly relevant as regulatory agencies such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration[8] (FDA), European Medicines Agency[9] (EMA), National Institute for Health and Care Excellence[10] (NICE), and Canada's Drug Agency [11] (CDA-AMC) continue to support the use of ECAs in evidence submissions. The methodology demonstrated in Q-BASEL offers a scalable solution with potential application across a broad range of therapeutic areas. Onco-Innovations and Inka Health intend to integrate this capability into Inka's SynoGraph platform, enhancing its ability to support pharmaceutical partners in optimizing real-world evidence strategies and advancing access to innovative treatments in settings where traditional trials remain challenging.

"By addressing a longstanding gap in the way we evaluate treatments using real-world data, this work brings us closer to making faster, evidence-based decisions in areas where patients often cannot wait for traditional trials. It also lays the foundation for how SynoGraph can support the next generation of real-world studies with greater methodological integrity. Integrating these tools into our platform enables us to help biopharma partners generate more credible evidence, streamline regulatory submissions, and expand access to innovative therapies in difficult-to-study cancer populations," said Alind Gupta, Co-founder of Inka Health.

About Inka Health

Inka Health is an AI-driven analytics company revolutionizing oncology research and drug development through advanced causal AI. Its proprietary platform, SynoGraph, leverages AI-powered causal inference to identify which cancer patients are most likely to respond to specific treatments, advancing precision medicine. By integrating diverse multimodal medical data-including genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics-SynoGraph uncovers hidden insights that can optimize treatment decisions and clinical trial design. With this cutting-edge technology, Inka Health helps pharmaceutical companies accelerate drug development, reduce trial failures, and bring life-saving therapies to market faster.

About Onco-Innovations Limited

Onco-Innovations is a Canadian-based company dedicated to cancer research and treatment, specializing in oncology. Onco's mission is to prevent and cure cancer through pioneering research and innovative solutions. The company has secured an exclusive worldwide license to patented technology that targets solid tumours, setting new standards in cancer treatment. Onco's commitment to excellence and innovation drives it to develop advanced therapies that improve patient outcomes and offer hope in the fight against cancer.

ON BEHALF OF ONCO-INNOVATIONS LIMITED,

"Thomas O'Shaughnessy"

Chief Executive Officer

For more information, please contact:

Thomas O'Shaughnessy

Chief Executive Officer

Tel: + 1 888 261 8055

investors@oncoinnovations.com

The CSE and Information Service Provider have not reviewed and do not accept responsibility for the accuracy or adequacy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements Caution. This news release contains forward-looking statements relating to the further development, potential commercialization and benefits of the Company's technologies, including SynoGraph, and the Company's other research initiatives, and the prospects of the Company, including its ability to safeguard its technologies, and the Company's business and plans generally, and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "potential", "should", "anticipate", "expects" and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this release are forward-looking statements that involve 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 failure to further develop, prove out or commercialize the Company's technologies, the failure to receive a patent or to otherwise safeguard the Company's intellectual property rights, the failure to successfully complete further trials and studies, and other risks detailed from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company will update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements as expressly required by applicable law.

[1] JAMA Network Open is an international, peer-reviewed, open access, general medical journal that publishes research on clinical care, innovation in health care, health policy, and global health across all health disciplines and countries for clinicians, investigators, and policy makers. (see https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/pages/for-authorsfa-about for more information)

[2] Gupta A, Hsu G, Kent S, et al. Quantitative Bias Analysis for Single-Arm Trials With External Control Arms. JAMA Netw Open. 2025;8(3):e252152. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.2152

[3] https://www.proclinical.com/blogs/2024-7/who-are-the-top-10-pharma-companies-in-the-world-2024

[4] Randomized trials, also known as randomized controlled trials (RCTs), are a type of study where participants are randomly assigned to different groups to compare the effects of different treatments or interventions. This random assignment helps ensure that groups are similar, allowing for a more fair comparison of treatment effects (see https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6235704/).

[5] The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's 2018 Real-World Evidence Framework explicitly outlines how RWE can be used to support regulatory decisions. The 21st Century Cures Act encourages the FDA to expand the use of RWE.(see https://www.fda.gov/media/120060/download for more information)

[6] Gupta A, Hsu G, Kent S, et al. Quantitative Bias Analysis for Single-Arm Trials With External Control Arms. JAMA Netw Open. 2025;8(3):e252152. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.2152

[7] In clinical trials, control arms are groups that receive either a placebo or standard treatment to compare against the experimental therapy.

[8] https://www.fda.gov/media/120060/download

[9] https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/about-us/how-we-work/big-data/real-world-evidence/data-analysis-real-world-interrogation-network-darwin-eu

[10] https://www.nice.org.uk/corporate/ecd9/resources/nice-realworld-evidence-framework-pdf-1124020816837

[11] https://www.cda-amc.ca/real-world-evidence-and-health-technology-assessment-past-present-and-future

SOURCE: Onco-Innovations Limited
Zug, Switzerland, April 10th, 2025, FinanceWire

Crypto Fund Trader (CFT), the industry-leading proprietary trading firm focused exclusively on crypto, is excited to announce a groundbreaking partnership with Bybit, a leading global cryptocurrency exchange.

This strategic collaboration establishes CFT as the original true crypto prop firm and sets a new standard for what traders expect from a prop trading firm.

A Historic Shift in Prop Trading

From April 21st, CFT will incorporate Bybit entirely onto its platform, offering better tools, unmatched liquidity, and a vast range of crypto pairsmore than any other prop firm in the business. The combination unites CFTs popular evaluation model with Bybits high-performance ecosystem, presenting traders with a faultless and powerful experience, tailored to the crypto market.

Key Benefits for CFT Traders:

 Over 715 Crypto Pairs: CFT traders have access to the largest selection of crypto pairs available on the market, unlocking new opportunities for each type of trading strategy.

 Improved Execution Speed: Bybits stable interface, now fully incorporated into CFT, delivers rapid, accurate, and secure trades.

 Better Liquidity: Bybits ample liquidity will drive all trades, ensuring transactions to be smoother than ever.

 Learning Support: CFT Academy will provide fresh tutorials and strategy materials to assist traders in making the most out of Bybits features and resources.

Exclusive Bybit Rewards for CFT Traders

In addition to the technical advantages, CFT traders will also receive special rewards, supplementing their trading experience. These rewards are designed to help traders reach their full potential while trading on the Bybit platform. These rewards will be special for CFT traders and will be arriving soon.

Transition to Bybit

The transition to Bybit is already underway, with a beta phase of access and migration channels provided throughout the month of April. On the 21st of April, trading on CFTs Crypto Futures Platform will fully switch over to Bybit, marking an important milestone towards the integration process. Other platforms such as MetaTrader 5 and CFTs platform will function as per normal.

Why This Partnership Sets CFT Apart

This alliance goes beyond a simple technical upgradeit makes CFT the only prop firm exclusively built for crypto traders. Bybits simple-to-use interface, combined with its superior infrastructure, gives a more professional and efficient trading experience.

The alliance also gives traders lower trading costs, higher liquidity, and quicker execution, giving them an edge. Through CFT Academys platform-specific training, any level of trader can accelerate learning and improvement.

Leading the Evolution of Prop Firms

With Bybits advanced exchange technology, CFT is transforming proprietary trading by making it more pro trader-like. This alliance isnt a milestoneits the beginning of a new era in prop firming business and service to their traders.

CFT is committed to shattering boundaries and fostering greater innovation through strategic partnerships and new features, and this Bybit alliance is an organic extension of that vision.

CFT and Bybit Introduce New Standards in Crypto Prop Trading

CFT, a proprietary trading firm focused exclusively on cryptocurrencies, is positioning itself as a new benchmark in the evolving landscape of digital asset prop trading. Through a strategic partnership with Bybit, the platform combines institutional-grade tools with an infrastructure tailored for both high-frequency scalpers and long-term crypto strategists.

The collaboration marks the development of a dedicated environment for crypto-focused prop traders, providing access to Bybits trading technology alongside CFTs proprietary model.

This initiative reflects a broader shift toward specialized infrastructure in the proprietary trading sector, aimed at supporting a new generation of digital asset traders.

For more information, users can visit: www.cryptofundtrader.com

Website: https://cryptofundtrader.com/bybit/

X: https://x.com/CFTradercom

YT: https://www.youtube.com/@cryptofundtrader

IG: https://www.instagram.com/cryptofundtrader/

Discord: https://discord.gg/kkTT9fVGZJ

Telegram: https://t.me/cryptofundtradercom

Email: [email protected]

About Cryptofundtrader:

Crypto Fund Trader offers its clients different platforms developed just for them to trade CFDs and Crypto Futures  now including an exclusive integration with Bybit, one of the worlds leading crypto exchanges. User Friendly Prop Trading platform where users can track and manage all their trading movements. They simulate real market conditions with spreads from 0 pips and with the lowest commission.

They have also affiliated with MetaTrader5, the most popular retail trading platform.

Contact

CFT Media Team

CFT Media Team

Cryptofundtrader

[email protected]

This is a paid press release and is distributed for general information only and is not intended to constitute investment advice.


Simplifyber, a Raleigh, North Carolina-based bio-based materials company, raised US$12m in Series A funding.

The round was led by Suzano Ventures, the corporate venture capital arm of wood pulp supplier, Suzano, alongside investors including At One Ventures, Techstars, Plug and Play Sustainability Fund, One Small Planet, Staddle Holdings, Collateral Good, M.I.H. Capital, Overlay Capital, Meliorate Partners, and others. This Series A round followed on from a US$4.2m Seed round completed in July 2022.

The company intends to use the funds to scale-up production capabilities and expand team, building on momentum following collaborations with brands including Danish fashion label GANNI, besides developing new applications.

Founded in 2021 and led by Maria Intscher-Owrang, CEO, Simplifyber has developed a novel process that bypasses many of the production steps required in traditional soft goods manufacturing, such as spinning, weaving, cutting, and sewing. The company has developed a proprietary natural fiber liquid known as Fybron, that can be injected into 3D molds to create a variety of soft goods, which in many applications is fully bio-based and biodegradable.

Simplifyber has already demonstrated the potential for its technology in the footwear industry. The companys first product  a shoe upper made from cellulose-based material  was unveiled at Paris Fashion Week in September 2024 through a collaboration with the brand GANNI.

FinSMEs

10/04/2025
Solix DePIN, a Munich, Germany-based developer of decentralized physical infrastructure networks, raised $29.5m in funding from Eclip Foundation.

This investment will accelerate the development of Solixs MODEL CONTEXT PROTOCOL (MCP) technology, which enables intelligent bandwidth sharing without affecting users internet experience.

Led by David Rodriguez, CEO, and Emily Richardson, Chief Technology Officer, Solix DePIN has created a platform where users can contribute their unused bandwidth and earn rewards through a simple browser extension.

The MODEL CONTEXT PROTOCOL at the core of Solixs technology represents a significant advancement in the DePIN space. This protocol connects AI models to real-time contextual data about internet usage, allowing for dynamic, intelligent decision-making on bandwidth allocation.

Solix currently boasts over 100,000 active users across more than 63 countries, processing approximately 275 TB of data daily.

FinSMEs

10/04/2025
Tailscale, a Toronto, Canada-based privider of VPN software using mesh networking technology, raised $160m in funding at a $1.5 billion valuation.

The round was led by Accel, with participation from CRV, Insight Partners, Heavybit, and Uncork Capital, angel investor George Kurtz  CEO of Crowdstrike, as well as Anthony Casalena  CEO of Squarespace.

The company intends to use the funds to expand operations and its development efforts.

Co-founded by Avery Pennarun, David Crashaw, David Carney and Brad Fitzpatrick, Tailscale provides a software platform that enables teams to secure private networks without weeks of setup and configuration with no upfront cost, minimal latency.

Tailscale can be installed on many types of servers including Linux, Windows, Android, and MacOS and also work on legacy systems.

FinSMEs

10/04/2025
A brothel ring involving wealthy Boston-area men has revealed shocking details. Rich clients, including businessmen, public officials and doctors paid up to $600 (Rs 51,625) an hour for sexual encounters at luxury apartments in Cambridge, Dedham, Watertown, and eastern Virginia. One of the accused is Anurag Bajpayee, CEO of Gradiant, a clean-water startup, who was arrested earlier this year read more

Anurag Bajpayee is accused of paying for sex in Boston. Image Courtesy: gradiant.com

A luxury brothel scandal involving rich clients has shocked the United States Boston city. As per reports, businessmen, public officials, doctors and lawyers paid up to $600 (Rs 51, 625) for sexual encounters at high-end apartments in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and other locations.

One of the alleged clients was the Indian-origin CEO of a top wastewater treatment firm, whose company has come out in his defence. The brothel network was busted in November 2023. This commercial sex ring was built on secrecy and exclusivity, catering to wealthy and well-connected clientele, former US Attorney for Massachusetts Joshua Levy said at the time.

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Lets take a closer look.

Whats the Boston brothel scandal?

The brothel ring operated out of rented high-end apartments in Cambridge, Dedham, Watertown, and eastern Virginia.

There are over 30 alleged johns linked to the luxury brothel scandal, as per The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) report. They are doctors, they are lawyers, theyre accountants, they are executives at high-tech companies, pharmaceutical companies, theyre military officers, government contractors, professors, scientists, Levy said at the time of the bust.

The men allegedly paid over $300 (Rs 25, 813) an hour for sex with Asian women at several posh apartments.

They chose these locations because they were trying to attract rich and powerful men who wanted to buy sex, said Leah Foley, US attorney for the District of Massachusetts.

According to the Cambridge police, 12 men paid for sex with Korean women at a Cambridge apartment complex.

For example, GFE refers to a girlfriend experience, and provides a more intimate experience and blurs the boundaries between a financial transaction and relationship, said Cambridge Police Lieutenant Jarred Cabral, as per CBS News. Typically including any and all sex acts.

The wealthy clients had to fill out applications and provide their IDs, work badges and personal references.

In March, Han Lee, the 42-year-old madam, was sentenced to four years in prison after she pled guilty to conspiracy to influence women into prostitution and money laundering.

Who are all named?

Anurag Bajpayee, CEO of Gradiant, a clean-water startup with a valuation of over $1 billion, was arrested in a prostitution sting in early 2025, reported New York Post.

He is alleged to have paid for sex workers at high-end brothels several times. The MIT-trained mechanical engineer was arrested in the Boston area on misdemeanour charges.

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Bajpayee, along with dozens of other men, were named in court documents last month. His company has come to his defence, saying in a statement to WSJ, We believe in the justice system and are confident that this will resolve favourably in due course. Unrelated to this, Gradiant will continue to pursue excellence in technological innovation and to strive towards our mission to ensure clean water for all society.

Bajpayee earned a spot on Scientific Americans annual Top 10 World-Changing Ideas list. He studied at La Martiniere College in Lucknow and went on to bag degrees from the University of Missouri-Columbia and MIT.

Gradiants Anurag Bajpayee, Steven Lam, Katie Dobbins, and Mark Danchak receive 2025 Edison Gold Award. Business Wire via AP

There are growing calls for the resignation of Cambridge City Councilor Paul Toner named among the alleged sex buyers. The 58-year-old apologised in March at a council meeting but said he would not resign. All Americans  including elected officials  are entitled to the right to due process, he said.

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In an apology to his loved ones, the married lawmaker said, I caused pain for the people I care about most. For that, I will be forever sorry. This is an ongoing legal matter, and I will not have further comment at this time.

Jonathan Lanfear, the chief executive of the biotech firm HiberCell, bought sex at least 10 times, as per WSJ. He is to be arraigned on a misdemeanour charge.

While attorneys of 13 men accused of buying sex fought hard to ensure their clients anonymity, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled the hearings to be made public.

Protest over the scandal

The high-end brothel bust has created a huge outcry. In March, the alleged clients were heckled by protesters as they left the Cambridge District Court.

You never hold the buyers accountable; you wont end the demand, Dr Stacy Reed Barnes, a sex work survivor, said, as per CBS News. You justify it, you rationalise it, and here we are today suffering some more. So, its not OK.

Many anti-sex-trafficking groups have also welcomed the courts ruling to make the hearings public and naming and shaming johns.

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I would hope that them getting named makes others think about twice what theyre doing, Ivette Monge, a survivor who works with the nonprofit Ready Inspire Act, told WSJ.

With inputs from agencies
China has issued a new risk alert for citizens planning to travel to the United States, urging them to fully assess the risks of travelling to the US and be cautious. The countrys Ministry of Education has also released an advisory for students considering studying there. The warnings come amid escalating tensions between the two countries following sweeping global tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump read more

China has released a fresh risk alert for its citizens planning to visit the United States.

The statement from the culture and tourism ministry advised citizens to fully assess the risks of travelling to the US and be cautious.

ALSO READ | What is Chinas ghost wedding tradition of marrying the dead?

The countrys Ministry of Education has also shared an advisory directed at students who are thinking about pursuing studies in the US.

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In this report, we explore the reasons behind Chinas decision to issue the travel advisory for its citizens, why it matters, and how it could impact the United States.

Why China issued travel warning for citizens visiting US

The Chinese government has issued a travel advisory for the United States due to rising tensions between the two countries caused by sweeping global tariffs introduced by US President Donald Trump.

In its risk alert, the ministry pointed to a deterioration of economic and trade relations as well as concerns over the security situation in the United States as key reasons behind the decision.

An electronic board displays the shares trading index in the Central Business District, in Beijing. AP

In light of worsening ChinaUS trade relations and security concerns in America, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism advises Chinese citizens to carefully assess the risks of travelling to the United States and proceed with caution, the ministry said in a notice on Wednesday.

This development came after a retaliatory measure by Beijing in response to fresh US tariffs, with China announcing an 84% duty on all American imports. The move unsettled financial markets and further intensified the trade conflict between the two economic giants.

Shortly after Chinas announcement, Trump responded by increasing tariffs on Chinese goods to 125 per cent, escalating the ongoing trade dispute that poses risks to global commerce.

ALSO READ | US-China trade war: Will India suffer from the fallout?

At the same time, Chinas Ministry of Education issued an alert to students, urging them to evaluate potential security issues related to studying in certain US states. This followed the passage of a new bill in Ohio.

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The bill, passed last month by the Ohio House of Representatives, contains elements viewed as unfavourable to China, including measures that seek to limit foreign influence, particularly in academic settings.

It also seeks to reduce support for diversity and inclusion initiatives and includes provisions restricting partnerships between American and Chinese universities.

Chinas updated travel advisory comes as several European nations, including Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Germany, France and the UK, have also revised guidance for citizens travelling to the US, amid concerns over the Trump administrations action against immigration and trans rights.

US-China trade escalation

Last Friday, China imposed a 34% tariff on all US imports, alongside export limits on rare earth minerals and a series of other retaliatory measures in response to Trumps Liberation Day tariffs.

US and Chinese flags and a label with the word 34% Tariffs are seen in this illustration. Reuters/File Photo

In response to Beijings countermeasures, Trump issued a warning and demanded that China withdraw the new tariffs or face an additional 50 per cent tariff.

On Wednesday, China responded to Trumps earlier 104 per cent tariffs by announcing a fresh round of levies - an 84 per cent duty on all goods imported from the US.

Later, Trump increased tariffs on Chinese products to 125 per cent the same day.

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Amid the turbulence in global financial markets, Trump has temporarily rolled back most of his tariffs on countries other than China for a period of 90 days.

China, however, was not included in this decision.

Blaming a lack of mutual respect, Trump said on social media that China had been treated differently because, unlike other nations, it had chosen retaliation over dialogue. He said that he paused the reciprocal tariffs for many countries as they had engaged in negotiations rather than striking back.

The back-and-forth tariff increases are another chapter in the ongoing US-China trade conflict - a battle that risks pushing up prices for American consumers and delaying Chinas efforts to revive its slowing economy.

The Chinese governments latest steps indicate its determination to resist pressure from Washington, even amid massive economic uncertainties.

Speaking to reporters later, Trump said he had scaled back on several global tariffs, excluding China, because the market turmoil had left people yippy and afraid.

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He added that while he was optimistic about eventual agreements, nothings over yet.

A Lululemon store next to Starbucks cafe inside a shopping mall, in Beijing. AP

Is China banning Hollywood films?

Amid the ongoing standoff between the two nations, reports have surfaced indicating that China may be considering a potential ban on Hollywood films.

Two influential Chinese bloggers recently posted identical messages detailing the possible steps authorities could adopt in response to Donald Trumps latest tariff escalations.

Among the possible actions are fresh tariffs on American agricultural exports and a ban on Hollywood film imports.

Bloomberg reported that options under discussion include reducing or banning the import of US films as part of broader retaliatory steps.

Even without a full ban, analysts expect a notable slowdown in the entry and promotion of American movies in the Chinese market.

Should Beijing move ahead with such a decision, Hollywood could face losses amounting to hundreds of millions in revenue. It may also limit international viewers access to some of the years most awaited releases.

With inputs from agencies
After US President Donald Trumps 104 per cent tariffs came into effect, Chinas reciprocal 84 per cent levies on American products will kick in today (April 10). This, experts note, will result in a trade war between the worlds two biggest economies with adverse effects for the world. April 10 will also see the defence chiefs of the Coalition of the Willing meeting in Brussels read more

China has pushed back again on US President Donald Trumps tariff policies by hiking its levies on US imports to more than 80 per cent. File image/Reuters

Brace yourself for a hectic Thursday (April 10).

A trade war looms between China and the US as Beijings 84 per cent tariffs on American products will take effect today. On this day, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will also visit South Africa. Additionally, the United Kingdom and France will host a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing in defence ministers format at the Nato headquarters.

On Thursday, delegates from the US and Russia will also meet in Istanbul as part of continued efforts to normalise embassy operations between the two countries.

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Heres what else to expect from the day.

Chinas tariffs on US products to kick in

On Thursday, Chinas 84 per cent reciprocal tariffs on American products will kick into effect. Last Friday, China had said that it would impose reciprocal 34 per cent tariffs on all imports from the United States. Then on Wednesday, it upped the ante by adding another 50 per cent, making good on a promise to strike back.

On April 2, Trump unveiled an additional 34 per cent tariff on all Chinese goods imported into the US. This practice of the US is not in line with international trade rules, seriously undermines Chinas legitimate rights and interests, and is a typical unilateral bullying practice, Chinas State Council Tariff Commission said in a statement announcing its retaliatory tariffs.

Interestingly, Chinas tariffs on US come a day after American tariffs of 104 per cent on Beijing kicked in. The harsh levy came as Trump warned the Xi Jinping-led country to take back its tariff plan.

Experts note that the tariffs slapped on each other by both nations will lead to a trade war with disastrous effects on the global economy.

Coalition of the Willing defence chiefs to meet

On Thursday, defence ministers from the Coalition of the Willing will gather in Brussels, under the leadership of their counterparts from the United Kingdom and France.

Discussions will continue this coming week as the Defence Secretary [John Healey] hosts the next meeting of Coalition of the Willing defence ministers in Brussels with his French counterpart on Thursday and chairs the Ukraine Defence Contact Group with his German counterpart on Friday, the statement reads.

For those unaware, the Coalition of the Willing is a reassurance force that will be made up of Western soldiers and eventually aim to be deployed on Ukrainian soil.

The seeds of the coalition were planted on February 17, when French President Emmanuel Macron convened a small meeting of leaders in reaction to the Trump-Putin phone call. Less than two weeks later, as Europe was reeling from the disastrous encounter that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had experienced in the Oval Office, Britains Keir Starmer hosted a second meeting of leaders in London, with a longer list of attendants. At the end of the closely watched deliberations, the prime minister publicly declared the birth of a Coalition of the Willing, co-led by Britain and France.

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Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Image: Reuters

Ukraines Volodymyr Zelenskyy to travel to South Africa

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will visit South Africa today and hold talks with South African leader Cyril Ramaphosa on finding a path to peace with Russia.

Zelenskyys visit on April 10 will be a continuation of Ramaphosas ongoing engagements with both Ukraine and Russia for an inclusive peace process, spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said.

South Africa has adopted a neutral position in the war and has attempted to act as a mediator between the sides, although with limited success. Ramaphosa led an African peace mission to Russia and Ukraine in 2023 and met with both Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Ramaphosa has held separate calls with both leaders since then.

US and Russia to hold talks in Istanbul

American and Russian delegations will meet in Istanbul today to solely discuss stabilising bilateral embassy operations.

The talks, which will take place at the Russian consulate in Turkeys capital, will not include any discussion of political or security issues, the US said. Ukraine is not, absolutely not, on the agenda, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said.

Speaking at a daily press briefing on Tuesday, Bruce said the negotiations would focus solely on the functioning of the respective embassies, not on normalising a bilateral relationship overall.

Over the past decade, Washington and Moscow have expelled numerous diplomats and restricted the appointment of new officials. Diplomatic ties were then all but severed after Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

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However, there has been a thaw in relations under the Trump administration.
Nairobi, Kenya (PANA)  The Police used teargas to disperse crowds, dignitaries, journalists and residents of Nakuru, Kenya's fourth city, who had gathered for the staging of a school drama festival on Thursday
On 10 April 1849, the safety pin, one of the modern worlds most bankable inventions, was patented, and the rights were sold for a mere $400. In 1970, Paul McCartney officially announced his departure from The Beatles, which led to the eventual disbanding of the group read more

American mechanic and inventor Walter Hunt sold the rights to the safety pin for just $400 and never earned anything else. Representational image/Pixabay

It was on April 10, 1849, one of the most useful inventions the modern life was patented. It was the safety pin, created by American mechanic and inventor Walter Hunt.

If you are a history geek who loves to learn about important events from the past, Firstpost Explainers ongoing series, History Today will be your one-stop destination to explore key events.

In 2001, the Dutch Parliament passed the Termination of Life on Request and Assisted Suicide (Review Procedures) Act, legalising euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide in the Netherlands. Meanwhile, the British band The Beatles broke up after one of the band members, Paul McCartney announced his departure from the band.

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Here is all that occurred over the years on April 10 across the world.

Safety pin was patented

April 10, 1849, is a huge day in history as the modern-day safety pin was patented on this day. Although later businessmen would make a fortune selling the ubiquitous devices, American mechanic and inventor Walter Hunt sold the rights to it for just $400 and never earned anything else.

Hunts design exhibited considerable ingenuity. His method involved forming the pin from a singular length of brass wire, which was then coiled to create a spring element. Crucially, the design incorporated a clasp component that served to encase the sharp terminus of the wire, effectively preventing inadvertent injury  a feature that directly informed its appellation as the safety pin. Although pins and clasps had existed before, this version of the pin offered both security and protection in a compact and affordable form.

The safety pin was created from a singular length of brass wire, which was then coiled to create a spring element. Representational image

Interestingly, Hunt sold the rights to his patent for $400, unaware of the inventions massive potential. Over the years, the safety pin became a household essential, widely used in sewing, baby care, first aid and even fashion. It gained symbolic status in punk culture and political movements, used to convey silent protest or unity.

Walter Hunt was a prolific but often under-recognised inventor. Though he also created the first lockstitch sewing machine, he failed to patent it in time. Nevertheless, his legacy endures through the safety pin, a small but mighty tool that remains virtually unchanged more than 175 years later.

Mercy killings became legal in the Netherlands

The Netherlands became the first country to permit euthanasia on April 10, 2001. It was on this day that the Dutch Parliament passed the Termination of Life on Request and Assisted Suicide (Review Procedures) Act, legalising euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide in the Netherlands.

The legislation, which came into force on April 1, 2002, established a legal framework permitting physicians to perform euthanasia without liability for prosecution given that they strictly adhere to the criteria. These criteria necessitate that the patients request for euthanasia is voluntary and the result of thorough deliberation, that the patient is experiencing suffering deemed unbearable with no foreseeable prospect of improvement and that all available and relevant alternatives have been exhaustively considered. Moreover, the legislation mandates a consultation with an independent medical practitioner to affirm that all due care criteria have been satisfied.

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Prior to this legislation, euthanasia in the Netherlands operated in a legal grey area. Although the practice was tolerated under strict guidelines developed through court rulings, there was no formal legal framework, leaving physicians vulnerable to legal repercussions. The 2001 Act codified these practices, providing legal clarity and protection for both patients and healthcare providers.

While the law sparked a debate on end-of-life care and patients rights worldwide, it set an example for other countries to consider or even adopt similar legislation. Since its implementation, the law has undergone evaluations and discussions to address ethical considerations and ensure that the practices align with societal values and medical ethics.

The Beatles broke up as Paul McCartney left the band

Paul McCartney , part of the British band The Beatles, announced that he will be taking a break from the band while promoting the release of his forthcoming solo album on April 10, 1970. The move did not come as a surprise for many as the cracks within the team had begun appearing by the late 1960s.

In the spring of 1970, the Beatles unity had diminished to a series of intricate business connections. The individual members were each focusing on their own musical pursuits, with no collective recording projects scheduled.

From left to right John Lennon, George Harrison, Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney arrive in Liverpool, England for the premiere of their movie A Hard Days Night. File image/AP

The death of their longtime manager Brian Epstein in 1967 further destabilised their unity. Arguments during recording sessions, particularly around the White Album and Let It Be, underscored growing discord, especially between McCartney and John Lennon. Lennon had already begun collaborating less closely.

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In a self-interview packaged with his solo album McCartney, Paul revealed he was no longer working with the band and had no plans to write or record with them again. Although John Lennon had privately decided to leave months earlier, it was McCartneys announcement that shocked fans and confirmed what many had feared.

This Day, That Year

In 2019, astronomers released the first-ever image of a black hole found in the centre of the massive galaxy M87.

Pakistan adopted its third constitution, shifting the role of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto from president to prime minister in 1973.

In 1925, American author F Scott Fitzgerald published The Great Gatsby, which became a literary classic.
Tushar Masand, an Indian national, urinated on a Japanese co-passenger, Hiroshi Yoshizane, aboard an Air India flight from Delhi to Bangkok. He has now been barred from flying with the airline for 30 days. This incident is part of a growing pattern of similar cases in recent years, often involving alcohol consumption read more

The incident took place on Air Indias AI-2336 flight from Delhi to Bangkok. Reuters/File Photo

Three years after the infamous pee-gate episode aboard an Air India flight, a similar incident has once again caused controversy.

The latest episode took place on Wednesday on Air Indias AI-2336 flight from Delhi to Bangkok.

The Indian national involved, identified as Tushar Masand, has been prohibited from flying with the airline for 30 days.

ALSO READ | Urinating on planes, starting brawls: Are Indian flyers suffering from air rage?

This incident contributes to a worrying trend, with several similar cases emerging in recent years, often linked to alcohol consumption.

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In this report, we explore the details of the latest incident, revisit the earlier pee-gate case, and social media reactions to the matter.

Pee-gate on Air Indias Delhi - Bangkok flight: Who is Tushar Masand?

Tushar Masand was on board an Air India flight from Delhi to Bangkok when he urinated on a Japanese co-passenger, Hiroshi Yoshizane.

Yoshizane, who is the managing director of Bridgestone India, has not filed any formal complaint regarding the incident so far.

Masand, aged 24 and seated at 2D, had consumed two glasses of single malt whisky before he stood up and urinated on the businessman seated in 1D, NDTV reported.

Masand urinated on a Japanese co-passenger, Hiroshi Yoshizane. Pixabay/Representational Image

He was immediately moved to seat 14C and issued a warning, while the crew assisted the affected passenger.

Yoshizane was later taken to the lavatory to change his clothes, and the captain was informed of the development.

Another passenger, identified as Matthew and seated in 1F, reportedly expressed unease and requested Masands removal from the business class cabin due to safety concerns, according to a report by Mint.

ALSO READ | 1 toilet for 300 people: The ordeal of Indians on Virgin Atlantic flight stranded in Turkey for 40 hours

What Air India said on the incident

In a statement, the Tata Group-owned airline confirmed the incident involving unruly passenger behaviour.

The crew followed all laid down procedures, and the matter has been reported to the authorities. In addition to warning the unruly passenger, our crew offered to assist an aggrieved passenger to take up a grievance with authorities in Bangkok, which was declined at the time, the airline said.

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However, it did not provide further details regarding the passengers conduct.

Air India said that its standing Independent Committee will be convened to assess the incident and decide on any potential action against the individual concerned.

The Tata Group-owned airline confirmed the incident in a statement. News18/File Photo

Air India continues to follow the SOPs as laid out by DGCA in such matters, the statement added.

When asked about the incident, Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu said on Wednesday that the ministry would take note of the episode and speak with the airline.

If there is any wrongdoing, we will take necessary action, Naidu said at an event in the national capital.

An airline official, citing the crews report, said, Masand immediately apologised for his behaviour. The pilot in command was promptly informed about the incident, who in turn informed the ground staff.

When questioned by the crew, both involved passengers declined to file a formal complaint. Not only Yoshizane, the airline asked all the business class passengers if they wanted to raise a complaint against Masand; however, all of them declined, a second official was quoted as saying Hindustan Times.

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Yoshizane remained calm throughout, whereas Masand repeatedly apologised to him. When asked if he wanted to pursue the matter, Yoshizane said that he didnt want to waste time after landing, the official added.

ALSO READ | Clogged lavatories on Air India flight: Do flyers need toilet training?

How social media reacted to the incident

Several users on social media expressed outrage over the incident, with many responding with sarcasm.

Kindly provide one adult diaper each to every passenger, one user joked.

Another wrote, If this continues then the day is not far off when diapers will be made mandatory for Indian travellers on international flights.

This is serious and unacceptable. Pilots should be given the authority to eject such passengers in air, a third user commented.

A fourth added, What sort of nonsense is this. What exactly are they drinking?

What happened in 2022 pee-gate?

The episode occurred on November 26, 2022, in the business class section of an Air India flight operating from New York to Delhi.

The person responsible, identified as Shankar Shyamnaval Mishra, urinated on a woman seated nearby during flight AI 102.

My clothes, shoes and bag were completely soaked in urine, the woman wrote in her complaint submitted the following day.

In 2022, a passenger named Shankar Mishra urinated on a woman in the business class section of an Air India flight. Reuters/File Photo

According to the woman, she requested the Air India staff for a different seat but was informed that no alternative was available. Instead, she was offered a crew members seat.

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She also claimed that the crew brought the man to her, despite her objections, so that he could offer an apology.

She described the journey as the most traumatic experience for her, adding that the airline provided only a partial refund for her ticket.

Following the incident, Air India set up an internal committee to look into the allegations made against Mishra.

Soon after this, Air India placed a temporary travel ban of 30 days on Mishra - the duration of which led to criticism after the incident became public.

He was taken into custody and later dismissed from his role at the American banking company Wells Fargo.
Accused of masterminding the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, Tahawwur Rana has been brought to India from the US. He landed in Delhi around 7 pm. Among the first to question him will be Sadanand Date  the same officer who was injured during the 26/11 attacks and showed remarkable courage during the massacre. Now the chief of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Date was among the first responders who confronted terrorists Ajmal Kasab and Abu Ismail during the operation read more

Date is a 1990-batch officer of the Indian Police Service (IPS) from the Maharashtra cadre. X

Tahawwur Rana, who has been accused of masterminding the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, has finally been brought to India.

He will now directly face the National Investigation Agency (NIA), headed by Sadanand Date.

Date, a senior officer who will lead the interrogation of the man believed to be one of the masterminds behind the Mumbai attack, was himself injured while taking on the terrorists during the incident.

ALSO READ | 26/11: When Ratan Tata stood on pavement outside Taj Hotel while hostages were rescued

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Rana was brought to India on a special flight from the United States after his attempts to block extradition through the courts failed.

In this report, we explore who Sadanand Date is, his efforts during the Mumbai attacks, and the crucial role the Date-led NIA is playing in the investigation against Tahawwur Rana.

1. Date is a 1990-batch officer of the Indian Police Service (IPS) from the Maharashtra cadre. He currently serves as the Director General of the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

2. Over the years, he has held major positions in the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), the Intelligence Bureau (IB), and Maharashtras Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), before taking charge at the NIA.

He currently serves as the Director General of the National Investigation Agency. X/@NIA_India

3. Date grew up in Maharashtras Pune and faced financial hardships early in life. His mother worked as a domestic help, and he supported the family by selling newspapers, NDTV reported.

4. A bright student, he cleared the UPSC exam and joined the IPS. He went on to specialise in economic and organised crime, earning a doctorate in economic offences from Pune University. He was also selected for the prestigious Humphrey Fellowship.

5. On the night of November 26, 2008, Date was among the first to respond to the terrorist siege in Mumbai and engaged the attackers in a direct confrontation.

6. His courage during the attacks earned him the Presidents Medal for Gallantry.

7. He also received the Presidents Police Medal for Meritorious Service in 2007 and the Medal for Distinguished Service in 2014.

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8. As Joint Commissioner of Police in Mumbai, Date initiated the setup of a lab to monitor social media content and established a dedicated centre for training officers in the Special Branch of the Mumbai Police, according to reports.

The Mumbai terror attacks in 2008 claimed 166 lives, including six Americans. Ten Pakistani militants launched coordinated strikes at key locations across the city, keeping Mumbai under siege for more than 60 hours.

Date, who suffered injuries during the attack, was among the first to face Ajmal Kasab and Abu Ismail during the operation.

ALSO READ | 26/11: How 9-year-old youngest witness was called Kasab ki beti

At around 9:30 PM on November 26, 2008, when the attacks began, Date was serving as the Additional Commissioner of Police, Central Region. Though the attacks took place in South Mumbai, outside his jurisdiction, he left his residence in Malabar Hill upon hearing the news and headed straight for the CST railway station.

Once at CST, he learnt that two attackers (later identified as Kasab and Ismail) had moved into the nearby Cama and Albless Hospital, a facility catering to women and children.

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On November 26, 2008, 10 armed terrorists belonging to Lashkar-e-Taiba sailed to Mumbai unleashing one of the most brutal attacks in the history of India. File Photo/Reuters

Fearing they might take hostages, he rushed to the hospital and spotted the terrorists firing from the rooftop. Date returned fire with his carbine, but the terrorists, positioned at a height, managed to avoid getting hit.

As he prepared to enter the building, Kasab tossed a grenade from the roof. It exploded just three feet away, killing Sub-Inspector Prakash More, who was accompanying him, NDTV reported.

Date and three other officers were injured in the blast. Despite his wounds, Date decided to remain on the scene and urged the other injured officers to leave and get medical help.

With the remaining personnel, he entered the hospital and reached the sixth floor, which led to the rooftop. From a position near the stairwell, he continued firing at the terrorists, holding them back for nearly 40 minutes.

Another grenade exploded close to him. The blast sent shrapnel into his legs and face, causing heavy bleeding.

Date briefly blacked out due to the explosion, which allowed Kasab and Ismail to flee. He suffered serious injuries to his eyes, throat, chest, right knee, and had deep wounds on his left ankle.

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Investigations later confirmed that one of Dates bullets had hit Abu Ismail, their leader. His efforts slowed the attackers, helped in the rescue of hostages, and left a key terrorist wounded.

In recognition of his bravery, Sadanand Date was awarded the Presidents Police Medal for Gallantry.

From 26/11 hero to leading Tahawwur Ranas investigation

Rana landed in Delhi at around 7 pm, and one of the first officials to question him would be the very officer who was injured during the 26/11 attacks and who showed courage in the face of danger.

Ranas extradition follows nearly two years of court proceedings in the United States. An extradition court gave its nod in May 2023. Rana fought the order through several legal channels, eventually appealing to the US Supreme Court in November 2024.

A painting made by students on the extradition of 26/11 Mumbai attack accused Tahawwur Rana from USA to India. File image/PTI

Seventeen years after the 2008 Mumbai attacks, with Tahawwur Rana now extradited from the US, attention shifts once again to Sadanand Date.

The NIA is the agency in charge of the case and will be responsible for pursuing prosecution against the Pakistani-Canadian accused of plotting the terror attack.

Speaking in an interview after the 2008 attack, Date said, The 26/11 attack is the most challenging incident of my career and will stay with me for life. I tried to do my best according to my abilities.

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Tahawwur Hussain Rana is in India after his extradition from the US. The key accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks is a Pakistani-origin Canadian national. Hours before the special flight carrying Rana landed in Delhi, the Pakistan government distanced itself from him. But the terror accuseds links to the neighbouring country cannot be ignored read more

Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a Pakistani-origin Canadian national who is a key accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, has been extradited to India from the United States. He was brought to Delhi on a special flight, accompanied by Indian intelligence and investigative officials.

Before Ranas plane landed in India, Pakistan distanced itself from him and confirmed his Canadian nationality. The Pakistan foreign ministrys spokesperson reportedly said on Thursday (April 9) that Rana, a former Pakistan army captain, has not renewed his Pakistani documents for over two decades.

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His Canadian nationality is very clear," Pakistans Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said.

Despite the Pakistan governments remarks, Ranas link to the South Asian country is well-established. Lets take a look.

Tahawwur Hussain Ranas link to Pakistan

Born in Chichawatni in Pakistans Punjab province, Tahawwur Hussain Rana served as a doctor in the Pakistan Armys medical corps.

He later moved to Canada in the late 1990s and obtained citizenship there.

Rana then relocated to the US, opening First World Immigration Services, a consultancy firm with offices in Chicago and other locations.

He was a childhood friend of David Headley, who got involved with the Pakistani terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). Headley, also known as Daood Gilani, is one of the main plotters of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.

As per ThePrint, Rana also had ties to other militant groups, including Al-Qaeda. His links to Pakistans former military personnel and their links to terrorist organisations have raised questions about Pakistans militarys connection to terrorist activities, particularly in India.

Security personnel guard outside the National Investigation Agency headquarters, in New Delhi, April 10, 2025, ahead of Tahawwur Ranas arrival. PTI

Sources in Indias intelligence establishment told The New Indian Express (TNIE) that Pakistan distancing itself from Rana is no coincidence. They say he has vital knowledge of Pakistans military and intelligence apparatus and their role in plotting the Mumbai terror attacks.

Pakistan fears Rana will spill the beans this sudden disavowal is nothing but strategic panic, a senior counter-terror official told the newspaper.

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Ranas role in 2008 Mumbai terror attacks

The 2008 Mumbai terror attacks left 166 people, including 20 security force personnel and 26 foreigners, dead and hundreds of others injured at multiple iconic locations in Indias financial capital.

Headley, who was arrested in October 2009 by US authorities, later became an approver in the case and is serving a 35-year sentence.

Rana was also arrested in October 2009 at Chicagos OHare airport for arranging material support for terrorist attacks in Mumbai and Copenhagen. Headleys testimony led to Ranas sentence of 14 years in US prison, followed by five years of supervised release.

In 2011, Rana was convicted for plotting an attack on the Danish newspaper Morgenavisen Jyllands-Posten, which had published cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad in 2005.

The same year, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed a chargesheet against nine persons, including Rana, for orchestrating and executing the Mumbai terror attacks.

As per the Mumbai polices chargesheet in 2023, Rana entered India on November 11, 2008 and stayed until November 21. During his visit, he was at the Renaissance Hotel in Mumbais Powai for two days. Rana, along with his wife Samraz Rana Akhtar, also reportedly visited Hapur in Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Agra, Kochi, and Ahmedabad, between November 13 and November 21, 2008.

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Headley had met Rana in the US in June 2006 and discussed their future action plans, investigation officials told PTI.

The Mumbai crime branch also discovered email communications between Headley and Rana. In one of the emails, Headley asked him about the email ID of Major Iqbal, an operative of the Pakistani intelligence agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and another accused in the 26/11 terror case.

Indias plans for Tahawwur Rana

Rana has been extradited to India after years of efforts to bring him from the US to face justice in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.

Ranas extradition came after he exhausted all his legal options in the US.

The 64-year-old will be taken to NIA headquarters in Delhi under tight security. He is to be interrogated in a high-security cell there.

Rana is later expected to be transferred to Delhis Tihar Jail.

With inputs from agencies
India is one step closer to achieving justice in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. After a long extradition process, Pakistan-born Tahawwur Rana, one of the main plotters of the massacre, is expected to arrive in India today. On arrival, the 64-year-old is likely to be presented before a Delhi court and then lodged at Tihar prison read more

26/11 Mumbai terror attacks mastermind Tahawwur Rana's arrival in India marks the end of a long extradition process with the United States. The 64-year-old is expected to be taken into custody on arrival and lodged at Tihar central prison in Delhi. File image/PTI

The road to justice is slow. Almost 17 years after the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai, Tahawwur Hussain Rana, accused of being the mastermind of the attacks, is being brought back to India from the United States to face the law.

According to officials, he is on a special flight to India from the US, with reports stating that he will mostly land this afternoon (April 10) after he exhausted all legal avenues to stop his extradition.

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But what happens to Rana after he touches down in India? What comes next? We get you the answers.

Ranas custody transferred to India

On April 6, a delegation of three senior officers from the National Investigation Agency (NIA), along with three officials from intelligence agencies, flew to the United States to take 64-year-old Rana into custody, who was being held at the Metropolitan Detention Centre in Los Angeles. The move came after they received confirmation of a surrender warrant, which is a legal order allowing a fugitive to be handed over to another country.

On Tuesday evening (April 8), Rana was handed over to Indian officials in Los Angeles with the US Federal Bureau of Prisons updating his status as not in BOP custody as of 04/08/2025. A Times of India report stated that a surrender warrant was signed by DIG (NIA) Jaya Roy, enabling swift coordination to bring him back.

Following this, a special plane carrying Rana took off from the US at 7:10 pm on Wednesday India time, according to an India Today report, and is expected to land in India today.

A Do Not Cross police barricade tape fixed near the National Investigation Agency building, in New Delhi. Tahawwur Rana, a co-conspirator in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, will land in India today from the United States. PTI

Rana to land in India, mostly to be lodged at Tihar

Once the plane carrying Rana lands in India, he is likely to be produced in the Patiala House special National Investigation Agency (NIA) Court where the NIA could seek his custodial interrogation. In anticipation, security has been tightened outside the courts premises with personnel from paramilitary forces and the Delhi Police being deployed. Moreover, thorough physical frisking and checking of visitors is being carried out to avoid any untoward incident.

VIDEO | Security tightened outside Patiala House Court in Delhi.



Mumbai terror attack case accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana, who is being extradited from the US, is likely to be lodged in a high-security ward in Tihar jail in Delhi when he reaches India. Necessary preparations pic.twitter.com/1yPEoPWWb7  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 10, 2025

It is also reported that trial court records related to the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai have been retrieved by the Patiala Court.

Once presented in court, Rana will be lodged at Delhis Tihar central prison. According to sources, preparations at the Tihar jail have been completed for Ranas stay there. Owing to the sensitivity of the case, discreet high-security arrangements have been put in place at the prison.

According to an Indian Express report, the Nayayik Abhiraksha Vahini of Delhi Police has been asked by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to send a jail van, along with pilot escorts, to the airport today. The Nayayik Abhiraksha Vahini, which ferries jail inmates from prison to courts, has been asked to send its personnel to the airport. Initially, it was told to send a team around 4 am, but that was later changed to 7 am, the source told Express.

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Earlier, there was some speculation that Rana would be lodged in Mumbais Arthur Road prison  the same where Pakistani terrorist Ajmal Kasab was kept before his execution in November 2012. However, as case proceedings will take place in Delhi, sources reportedly said that it would make more sense to keep Rana in the capital.

Tight security arrangements at the Patiala House Courts, in New Delhi before Tahawwur Rana is brought there. PTI

Centre appoints special public prosecutor

On Wednesday, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) also issued a gazetted notification appointing a special public prosecutor for the trial for three years. The notice said that advocate Narender Mann will be the special public prosecutor in the trial.

In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 15 of the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008 (34 of 2008), read with sub-section (8) of section 18 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS), the central government hereby appoints Narender Mann, advocate as special public prosecutor for conducting trial and other matters related to NIA case RC-04/2009/NIA/DLI on behalf of the National Investigation Agency before the NIA Special Courts at Delhi and Appellate Courts, for a period of three years from the date of publication of this notification or till the completion of trial of the said case, whichever is earlier, the notification said.

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An Indian soldier takes cover as the Taj Mahal hotel burns during gun battle between Indian military and terrorists inside the hotel in Mumbai in 2008. File image/AP

Ranas involvement in the 26/11 attacks

But how exactly is Rana linked to Mumbais 26/11 terror attacks? Born in Pakistan and even serving in the Pakistan Army Medical Corps, 64-year-old Rana moved to Canada in 1997 where he started running multiple businesses, including an immigration consultancy.

According to the NIA, Rana played a key role in the 2008 attacks; he allegedly assisted David Coleman Headley, his childhood friend and co-conspirator, in obtaining a visa to India and establishing a front office in Mumbai for reconnaissance activities.

Its believed that Rana knew about Headleys terror connections and even helped in planning targets like the Chabad House in Mumbai and National Defence College in Delhi. Additionally, the NIA chargesheet against Rana states that he had made trips to several Indian cities, including Mumbai, Delhi, Agra, and Kochi, just before the 2008 attacks. Phone records show he was in regular contact with Headley during the planning phase.

The NIA has charged Rana under sections relating to criminal conspiracy, waging war against the government of India, murder and forgery and relevant sections under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

In fact, his connection to the 26/11 attacks was established in 2016 when Headley in a deposition revealed that he was in touch with Rana and even took his permission to open a business office in Mumbai as a front for his activities.

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Indias extra-long wait for Rana

Ranas arrival in India, which is likely to happen today, is the result of a very long extradition process with the US.

Rana had been arrested in the United States in 2009 for involvement in terror-related activities, including a foiled plot to attack Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten. He was also convicted in the US for providing material support to the terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba.

Initially, the US did not grant Indias requests to extradite Rana. Washington said that Rana would first be required to serve his sentence in the United States.

However, things changed in 2020 when Rana was granted an early release on health grounds after testing positive for Covid-19. The Government of India revived its extradition request and requested Ranas re-arrest. He was subsequently arrested in Los Angeles in June 2020.

Then US President Joe Biden supported the extradition request and the case was heard by US District Court Judge Jacqueline Chooljian in Los Angeles. The US Attorneys office submitted that Rana met all the criteria for extradition. Rana, on the other hand, argued that he had already been acquitted of offences related to the Mumbai attack, and was protected by Article 6 of the extradition treaty between the US and India.

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The district judge, however, granted the extradition request on May 16, 2023. This was further upheld by the US Court of Appeals on August 15, 2024, and again by the Supreme Court on January 21, 2025.

On February 13, Rana filed an emergency application, seeking a stay on his extradition. However, that was denied, which eventually paved the way for India to bring him to the country.

With inputs from agencies
A research team at Stanford University has become the first to assemble a functioning brain circuit in a lab dish by combining different types of neurons grown from human stem cells, according to a report read more

Researchers created an assembloid by integrating four organoids that represent the four components of the human sensory pathway, along which pain stimuli signals are conveyed to the brain. Image Courtesy: Pasca Lab/Stanford

Scientists have successfully recreated in a laboratory the sensory pathway responsible for transmitting pain signals to the human brain, an achievement that represents a major step forward in understanding how pain is processed and could open the door to more effective treatments for chronic pain conditions.

According to a Financial Times report, a research team at Stanford University has become the first to assemble a functioning brain circuit in a lab dish by combining different types of neurons grown from human stem cells.

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The breakthrough, published Wednesday in Nature, marks a significant advance in synthetic biology and the replication of living tissues.

When exposed to sensory stimuli, the engineered brain circuit displayed waves of electrical activity. Notably, the application of capsaicin  the compound responsible for the heat in chili peppers  triggered a strong neural response, added the report.

Sergiu Pasca, who led the project, told the Financial Times that the findings could accelerate efforts to understand how the human nervous system processes pain, potentially paving the way for new treatments for neurological disorders.

Now that we can model this pathway non-invasively, without using animals, we hope to find better therapeutics for chronic pain, Financial Times quoted Pasca as saying.

The best drugs we have now are opioids, derived originally from poppy seeds thousands of years ago and highly addictive, he added.

According to the report, the team began by reprogramming skin cells into stem cells, then guided them using chemical signals to form four types of organoids  miniature 3D structures mimicking key regions of the human pain pathway, from skin sensory neurons to brain cortical neurons.

These organoids were placed side by side in a culture dish. Over about 100 days, they fused into a single synthetic brain circuit, or assembloid, nearly 1 cm long and containing around 4 million cells. Neural connections formed between the organoids, producing synchronised patterns of electrical activity, added the report.

You would never have been able to see this wavelike synchrony if you couldnt watch all four organoids connected, simultaneously, Pasca was quoted as saying.

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The brain is more than the sum of its parts, he added.

The synthetic brain circuits could be used to screen for better-targeted therapies for pain that tone down excessive waves of neurotransmission, without affecting the brains reward circuitry as opioids do, Pasca said.

The assembloids themselves cannot be said to feel pain, he emphasised: They transmit nervous signals that are processed by a second pathway going deeper into the brain and giving us the aversive, emotional component of pain.

While the breakthrough marks a significant step forward, project lead Pasca said the ethical considerations surrounding organoid research as scientists move toward creating more complex brain-like structures.

We are thinking very carefully about how this work proceeds, in the face of the immense need to understand psychiatric disorders and the risk of building something closer to a human brain, Financial Times quoted him as saying.

Guo-li Ming, a professor of neuroscience and psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania who was not involved in the study, praised the research for its ability to reveal aspects of human neural circuitry that animal models cannot replicate.

This model provides the opportunity to study the complex neural network activity linking sensory input to the cortex, which was previously not feasible, he told Financial Times.

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Stanford has filed a patent application for the assembloid technology but has yet to decide on commercialisation plans.

With inputs from agencies
A TikTok user named Poppy has revealed her ordeal of bleeding for over 1,000 days. She got her period in 2022, but it did not stop even after weeks. The 23-year-old finally found what was causing her incessant bleeding on day 950 read more

Periods are no treat. Those who menstruate have to bear cramps, mood swings, irritability, and fatigue for two to seven days. But can you imagine if those periods never stopped?

A TikTok user has shared a harrowing tale of bleeding for more than 1,000 days. Poppys nightmare began in 2022, with doctors also left puzzled by her condition.

Heres her story.

The never-ending periods

TikTokker Poppy started bleeding, normally, in 2022. However, her periods did not end. She consulted a doctor after three weeks and was told to take medications to stop the flow.

Spoiler alert: it didnt, Poppy said in a recent video.

After that did not help, she went back to her physician two weeks later. As per a New York Post report, Poppy underwent several tests, including a transvaginal ultrasound.

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Scans revealed small cysts on her ovaries which can lead to irregular bleeding in menstruators.

A TikToker revealed her ordeal of non-stop periods in a video. Representational/AI-generated image

My iron levels? Rock bottom. The cramps? Awful, Poppy said. All of my muscles hurt, my bones hurt. I have constant headaches, constant nausea.

Later, she was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). But the doctors said the type of cysts on her ovaries were not behind her incessant bleeding.

At this point, its been like three months that Ive been on my period, Poppy recalled.

The period puzzle continued for months

Poppy underwent a hysteroscopy  a scan where a thin tube with a camera on the end is inserted into the vagina and the uterus. As per DailyMail.com, doctors found polyps, suggesting this could be responsible for the bleeding.

However, it was eight months and Poppys periods had still not stopped. Doctors then ruled out polyps as the cause.

Poppy, a wheelchair user, was referred to another specialist, who put an intra-uterine device (IUD) into her uterus to put an end to the bleeding. More than a year went by but her bleeding had still not stopped.

Doctors were left befuddled as to what was causing her prolonged periods.

At this point, its been over a year. No one knows why Im bleeding, Poppy said. Ive had every test, every treatment, every medication they can offer me.

She was then advised an MRI and ultrasound but both were clean. The 23-year-old continued medications. As none of it worked, it started taking a toll on her mental health.

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My mental health has taken almost as big a hit as my physical health throughout this whole situation, she admitted. Theres been times where Ive not wanted to be here any more.

ALSO READ: What is period anxiety that is making women athletes ditch their white shorts?

A breakthrough, finally

It was on day 950 of her bleeding that Poppy came to know the cause of her nightmare.

A doctor suggested that her non-stop periods could be because of her bicornuate uterus, also known as a heart-shaped uterus.

While a uterus is usually shaped like an upside-down pear, a bicornuate uterus dips inward in the middle, making it look like a heart, as per Cleveland Clinic.

Speaking to DailyMail.com, OB/GYN Dr Dympna Weil explained how this causes long-term bleeding.

Ovarian function is unaffected. However, as we do tend to see more cases of bicornuate uteri also having endometriosis (a condition where cells from the uterine lining - the ones that grow and shed each month - are located in other places in the body, outside the uterine cavity).

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Due to endocrine or hormonal effects of this process, you can see abnormal bleeding.

A bicornuate uterus is highly rare, affecting just five per cent of women. Most do not discover the condition until they are pregnant or have had several miscarriages, as per Cleveland Clinic.

While many with bicornuate uterus have no symptoms, some might experience

painful periods, trouble during intercourse, irregular vaginal bleeding and pelvic pain.

A heart-shaped uterus sounds so cute until you realise it just kind of fks everything over, Poppy said. It can cause so many problems, and no one thought to mention it to me."

She said her condition was discovered on the first ultrasound she had but no one told her.

I have spent 950 days in absolute agony, spending my lifetime fking savings on period pads and period products, on new trousers, on new underwear, on new sheets, she added. I have cried every single day.

Poppy finally knows the answer to her problem. She is considering getting surgery to correct her heart-shaped uterus that would end her ordeal.

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With inputs from agencies
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) produced 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana before a court in New Delhi on Thursday night, hours after he was extradited from the US, and sought his 20-day custody read more

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) produced 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana before a court in New Delhi on Thursday night, hours after he was extradited from the US, and sought his 20-day custody.

The order has been reserved by the court on how many days of remand to be granted.

#WATCH | Delhi: 26/11 Mumbai attacks accused Tahawwur Rana brought to Patiala House Court. He arrived today in India, following extradition by the US. pic.twitter.com/CsezuC5aHA  ANI (@ANI) April 10, 2025

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NIA presented compelling evidence, including emails sent by Rana, to justify his police custody. The agency informed the court that custodial interrogation is crucial to uncovering the sinister plot.

Investigators will also examine Ranas role in orchestrating the deadly terror attacks.

NIA further said that, as part of the criminal conspiracy, accused No. 1, David Coleman Headley, had discussed the entire operation with Rana before his visit to India.

Anticipating potential challenges, Headley sent an email to Rana detailing his belongings and assets. He also informed Rana about the involvement of Ilyas Kashmiri and Abdur Rehman in the plot.

Earlier, Rana, 64, was formally arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) after landing at Delhis Palam technical area.

In a statement, the NIA said the extradition happened after years of sustained and concerted efforts to bring the key conspirator behind the 2008 mayhem to justice.

NIA Secures Successful Extradition of 26/11 Mumbai Terror Attack Mastermind Tahawwur Rana from US pic.twitter.com/sFaiztiodl  NIA India (@NIA_India) April 10, 2025

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With the active assistance of USDoJ, the US Sky Marshal, NIA worked closely with other Indian intelligence agencies, NSG through the entire extradition process, which also saw Indias Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Home Affairs coordinating with the other relevant authorities in the United States to take the matter to its successful conclusion, the statement added.

After completing the preliminary formalities, he is expected to be presented before the Patiala House court in Delhi.

Rana is likely to be placed in the high-security Tihar Jail in Delhi before potentially being transferred to Mumbai to stand trial, according to the NDTV report, citing sources.

Meanwhile, security has been stepped up outside Delhis Patiala House Court.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Devesh Mahla along with the local police was present at the spot to ensure that necessary security arrangements are present at the court where Rana will be produced, according to a PTI report, citing an official.

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Personnel from paramilitary forces and CISF have been deployed outside the court and a thorough physical frisking and checking of visitors is being carried out to avoid any untoward incident, the report added.

An NIA judge is expected to hear the matter.

Tihar Jail officials said all preparations have been made to lodge Rana in a high-security prison ward and they were waiting for court orders.

He faces serious charges, including criminal conspiracy, waging war against the government of India, murder, forgery, and violations under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

His extradition follows a meeting on Wednesday between Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Foreign Minister S Jaishankar, and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.

Shah described the extradition as a big success of Prime Minister Narendra Modis diplomacy.

Rana, a Canadian citizen of Pakistani origin, has been extradited to India, two months after US President Donald Trump announced the approval of his extradition during Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit. Trump labeled Rana as very evil, saying, He is going to be going back to India to face justice.

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Rana is accused of playing a key role in the 2008 Mumbai attacks, which resulted in 166 death. Pakistani-American terrorist David Coleman Headley, the primary suspect, testified that Rana provided logistical and financial support for the attacks.

The chargesheet alleges Rana assisted Headley in various ways, including establishing the Immigrant Law Centre in Mumbai. Headley traveled across India, representing the firm, while Rana visited India in November 2008.

In October 2009, the FBI arrested Rana in Chicago for supporting a foiled attack in Copenhagen and providing material support to Lashkar-e-Taiba, the group behind the Mumbai attacks. He was convicted in 2011.

Despite appealing against extradition due to health issues, including Parkinsons disease and a risk of aneurysm rupture, US courts rejected his petition.

The 2008 Mumbai attacks targeted multiple sites, including hotels and a Jewish center, with only one of the 10 terrorists, Ajmal Kasab, captured alive and executed in 2012.

With inputs from agencies
At the News18 Rising Bharat Summit, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh revealed Indias ambitious space roadmap  aiming to launch its own space station by 2035 and land an astronaut on the Moon by 2040. Retired US astronaut Scott Kelly endorsed Indias capabilities, saying success depends on sustained investment read more

Dr. Jitendra Singh (left) can be seen speaking CNN-News18's Anand Narasimhan during a session at the News18 Rising Bharat Summit held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on April 8-9, 2025. Firstpost

At the recent News18 Rising Bharat Summit held at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on April 8-9, Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, and other portfolios, outlined Indias ambitious roadmap for space exploration.

The plans include establishing the Bharat Antariksha Station by 2035 and landing an Indian astronaut on the Moon by 2040.

Singh announced that India aims to set up its own space station, named Bharat Antariksha Station, by 2035. This initiative reflects Indias commitment to becoming a significant player in global space exploration.

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Building upon the success of previous lunar missions, Singh detailed plans for a crewed mission to the Moon: We hope to land an Indian on the surface of moon by the year 2040.

This endeavour aims to position India among the select group of nations that have achieved human lunar exploration.

Retired US astronaut Scott Kelly, present at the summit, expressed confidence in Indias capabilities: Im confident if India decides that they want to land an Indian astronaut on the moon assuming you make the investment, its absolutely possible.

Former NASA astronaut and retired US Navy Captain Scott Kelly (left) speaks to Firstpost Managing Editor Palki Sharma at the News18 Rising Bharat Summit held on April 8-9, 2025, at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. Firstpost

His remarks highlight the global recognition of Indias potential in space exploration.

Singh provided updates on the Gaganyaan mission, Indias first human spaceflight programme: The first Indian astronaut is expected to travel to space by late 2024 or early 2026.

This mission is a critical milestone, demonstrating Indias ability to send humans to space and ensuring their safe return.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has a commendable history of achievements:

Chandrayaan missions : Chandrayaan-1 (2008) discovered water molecules on the Moon, while Chandrayaan-2 (2019) advanced lunar exploration despite a hard landing.

Mars orbiter mission (Mangalyaan): In 2014, India became the first Asian nation to reach Martian orbit and did so cost-effectively.

Future missions include Chandrayaan-4 and Mangalyaan-2, aiming to deepen lunar and Martian exploration.
Rana, a Pakistani-Canadian businessman, is accused of playing a key role in facilitating the 2008 attacks in Mumbai that left 166 people dead, including foreign nationals and security personnel read more

Union Home Minister Amit Shah addresses the Rising Bharat Summit in New Delhi on Wednesday. Image Courtesy: News18

Indian Home Minister Amit Shah has hailed the impending extradition of 26/11 Mumbai attacks accused Tahawwur Rana from the United States as a major diplomatic triumph for the Narendra Modi government.

Speaking at the News18s flagship Rising Bharat Summit 2025 on Wednesday (April 9), Shah described Ranas extradition as a big diplomatic success, while making a pointed comparison to the UPA government led by the Congress during whose tenure the 2008 attacks occurred.

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Those under whose regime these attacks happened failed to bring the perpetrators back and deliver justice, Shah said in conversation with Network18 Group Editor-in-Chief Rahul Joshi. But we remain committed to doing so.

Long road to extradition

Rana, a Pakistani-Canadian businessman, is accused of playing a key role in facilitating the 2008 attacks in Mumbai that left 166 people dead, including foreign nationals and security personnel.

He is alleged to have assisted co-conspirator David Coleman Headley in conducting surveillance of key targets in Mumbai, including the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel and the Chabad House Jewish Centre, which were later attacked by the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba.

Rana reportedly used his immigration services company as a front to enable Headley an American citizen of Pakistani origin to pose as a legitimate US businessman while gathering intelligence in India ahead of the assault.

After years of legal proceedings in the US, including resistance from his defence team, American courts approved Ranas extradition, concluding that there was sufficient evidence to establish his role in the Mumbai plot.

Shah framed the success as part of a broader push by the government to pursue those who have misused Indias land, disrespected its honour and mistreated Indian citizens, promising they would be tried under Indian law.

Ranas return is one of the most high-profile extraditions to India in recent years.

A grim legacy

The 26/11 attacks unfolded over nearly three days, starting on the evening of November 26, 2008. Ten heavily armed militants arrived by sea and launched coordinated strikes across Mumbai, including at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus railway station, the Taj Hotel, the Oberoi-Trident Hotel, and the Jewish Chabad House.

The attackers, directed in real-time from handlers in Pakistan, unleashed mayhem that killed 166 people and wounded hundreds more. Among the dead were hotel staff, commuters, tourists, and police officers. The siege was watched in horror across the world, and it marked a turning point in global perceptions of Pakistan-based militant groups.

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Ajmal Kasab, the only surviving gunman, was captured, tried, and executed in India. Headley, who testified in court in the US and later via video to Indian investigators, was sentenced to 35 years in prison in 2013 and is serving time in the US.
News and commentary on organized crime, street crime, white collar crime, cyber crime, sex crime, crime fiction, crime prevention, espionage and terrorism.
From giving a sneak peek into his day-to-day life to the new passed Waqf laws, Union Home Minister Amit Shah talked about a wide range of topics at the Rising Bharat Summit 2025 read more

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday discussed a wide range of topics at the Rising Bharat Summit with Network18s Editor-in-Chief Rahul Joshi.

From giving a sneak peek into his day-to-day life to the new Waqf laws, heres what the union minister talked about:

Rahul Joshi: Amit Bhai, welcome to Rising Bharat. Thank you very much for taking out this time. This is our final last session. Everyone is eager to listen to you. But this time I want to start in a different way. Yesterday, the Prime Minister came and he spoke for the first time about the Waqf bill. So I want you to listen to a clip and then we will answer the questions.

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(PM Modis video clip)

The thought of a separate country was not of ordinary Muslim families. But it was of a group of extremists, which some leaders of the Congress supported and nurtured. So that they can claim power alone. Friends, in this appeasement politics, Congress got power. Some extremist leaders got power and wealth. But the question is, what did the ordinary Muslim get? What did the poor and backward Muslim get? They got neglect. They got illiteracy. They got unemployment. And what did Muslim women get? They got injustice like Shah Bano where their constitutional right was at stake of extremism."

Rahul Joshi: Amit Ji, Modi ji said that the leaders of that time kept power over national interest. So I want to know from you, what people is Modi ji talking about? Which leaders got support of the extremists? Why did they do this? And for the partition, he says that the poor Muslims did not want the partition. Poor Muslims never wanted this.

Amit Shah: Everyone knows that when the Muslim League stood in the elections, and stood on the basis of the two-nation principle. Before the partition, the last elections of the local state legislatures. In that, the Muslim League was defeated in the part of Pakistan. The Muslim people did not want this country to be divided. And one thing Modi ji has said correctly that the leaders of the Congress at that time are responsible for the partition of the nation. Their policy of appeasement is responsible for the partition of the nation.

And even today, through your program, I want to say especially to the youth of the country that endure anything else, but appeasement is such a poisonous thing, which the youth generation should throw away from the country forever. Those who do the politics of appeasement, they put the nationals interest at stake. They compromise with the interests of the country because of the Waqf bank. And within the country, they do the work of seeding a new country. But Modi ji looks a little worried. I also want to tell the youth. That a lot of time has passed. Modi ji has been able to free this country from casteism, nepotism, and appeasement for 10 years. He has done the work of taking it towards the policy of development. Our youth generation has to move it forward. Decide on any party, the youth should have equal opportunities in the party. The policy of the party should not be in the interest of the party. It should be in the interest of the country. And the party should rise above casteism, discrimination, and language. It should be a party that cares for the country. Choose any party, vote for the one who is free from casteism, discrimination, and nepotism. And this is the true path to the development of our country and safety of our democracy.

Rahul Joshi: There were many leaders in Congress at that time. You did not answer my question. Which leaders were they?

Amit Shah: It would be very painful to single out. But Congress later made Prime Minister to Nehru Ji.

Rahul Joshi: So the signal is on his side.

Amit Shah: This is not a question of signal. In the end, the Prime Minister is the one who makes the decisions. If our leader is Modi, then Modi will be the Prime Minister. Congress made Nehru at that time. But I say this with certainty that you raise the youth of the country, bring anyone to the stage and ask, would you have taken partition at that time? Partition has not been done. The leaders of the Congress Party at that time have accepted partition. And I believe that no country can compromise with this.

Rahul Joshi: Lets move on to the second question. You say that you have brought the Waqf bill and ended injustice on Muslims. And the Muslim community says that there is no greater injustice than that.

Amit Shah: Mr. Rahul, do not make such a loaded statement in the name of the entire community. You will be in trouble. The Muslim community does not want injustice with them. A few politicians want it. I ask you a few simple questions. Currently, is there any compulsory provision for women in the law of the Waqf? Should they come or not? Should Muslim women in this country get a share in the Waqf Board and Waqf Council or not? 80% of the Muslim community is of the backward class. They are poor. In a way, they are OBC. Should they get representation in the Waqf Board or not? Shia, Agha Khani, Dawoodi Wara, Mohammadia, Ahmadia, all these Muslims do not have any representation. They are also Muslims. Why should they not get it? And the Congress Party talks about minorities. If we keep a minority within a minority, then we oppose it. This bill is a bill that represents every part of the Muslim community.

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Secondly, you must have seen the debate. Congress leaders used to say, what has gone wrong? I want to tell the people of this country through the TV18 program. From freedom to 2013, since Islam came to India, the amount of land in the Waqf was 18 lakh acres. All the Waqf before the Mughals came to India. Because in Delhi, the Waqf happened during the Sultanate period. And after the law of 2013 came, 21 lakh acres of land increased to 18 lakh acres. So this shows that in the law of 2013, you made such an arrangement that was not fair. You declared the land of anyone as a Waqf, whether it was the land of Hindus. The entire village was declared as a Waqf, where people are living. Some 1500 year old temples were declared as Waqf, where worship is done. How can this be done? And this was not before 2013. At the end of the 2014 election, the Congress Party worked to secure its vote bank.

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And I want to tell you, all the Muslim brothers must be listening to me. This is 39 lakh acres of land. Some argue that there is a graveyard, some say there is a mosque, some say there is a Dargah. All these are not more than 5%. What does revenue get from 39 lakh acres of land? What does it get today? 123 crore rupees. This is a land bigger than the railway and army. So where is it going today? Those who have gone back, they are doing corruption. Because the audit system is not right.

We have improved the audit system through the law. Through the law, we have given representation to every sect of the Muslim community. And they have a very big argument. That interfering in our religious matters. Brother Rahul, there can be no bigger lie than this. The Waqif makes the Waqf and the Mutawalli manages it. According to other religions, the Waqf is a trust. The trust is made by the one who makes it. The Waqf is made by the one who makes it. We have not provided any provision to keep non-Muslims in it.

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Rahul Joshi: But you have put two members in it.

Amit Shah: Those have been put in the board and the council.

Rahul Joshi: They say it is in the temple trust

Amit Shah: Listen to me. It is the temple trust. You cannot keep them in the temple trust. You cannot keep them in the Waqf either. But is the charity commissioner a compulsory for Hindus? It can be a Sikh, it can be a Muslim, it can be a Christian. I agree that it should not be kept in the temple trust. It should not be kept in the Waqf either. If the trust is a religious trust, then it should be in the hands of Hindus. If the Waqf is a property of Allah, then it should be in the hands of Muslims. But the trust, whether it is running according to the laws of charity or not, it is a business, it is a system. Where does religion come from? Even then, we have kept two in 22. We have kept two in 14. But tell me one thing. What I said earlier, the entire village has been made a Waqf. Some temples have also been made. So, is there a non-Hindu dispute over the property or not?

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Rahul Joshi: Yes.

Amit Shah: Yes or no?

Rahul Joshi: Yes.

Amit Shah: So, is there a party or not? If two Hindus look at it from the point of view of neutrality, then what will go wrong? That Hindus do not even have that much right in this country? This is a completely hollow thing, which the Congress has once again, to give basis to their ending existence, the policy of appeasement. And if that was all, then Priyanka ji did not even come to put a vote. Rahul ji did not even give a speech. If your party has a major policy, then what can be a bigger stage than the parliament? The biggest panchayat in the democratic system. Rahul ji did not even speak there. We had given 50% time to their party. 50%. And they say they do not let us speak. If it is the time of your party, then you will decide. You did not even speak. Now what can we do? Now we will shout. Then they say they do not let us speak. They do not let us speak. Rahul Gandhi could have spoken the whole time given to his party. Neither his party wants it, nor they want it.

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Rahul Joshi: The opposition party is also saying that the narrative that you are making, you also said it with a lot of courage in the Lok Sabha. Yesterday, the Prime Minister gave a great speech here. He is saying that this is a way to get close to Pasmanda Muslims and women, poor Muslims. But my question is a little larger. Do you think that Muslims will ever come with the BJP? Will any trust be built in the future so that you will get some votes from there too?

Amit Shah: Rahul ji, everything is not vote bank politics. If everything was for votes, we would not have been able to make such big decisions. Some things in the country have to be done to remove the wrong policy. And only those who can do who think of the country. And if these people think that our aim is to get votes from Muslim sisters, Pasmanda Muslims, Sia, Bohra, Agha Khani, Mohammadya. then why are you getting them angry? You also accept it. They argue to do it. They also know that it is not a matter of votes. It is a matter of arrangement.

Rahul Joshi: When the CAA bill was passed, there was a little violence in the country. Are you worried about this?

Amit Shah: It is very good that you have mentioned the CAA. I wanted someone to ask, no one asked. You asked, it was good. Rahul Gandhi and company shouted in front of the whole country that the citizenship of Muslims will be lost from CAA. Now two years have passed since the CAA was fully implemented. I challenge Rahul Gandhi to tell us if even one Muslim has lost their citizenship. The Congress Party has misled the whole country. The Indian Alliance has misled them that the citizenship of Muslims will be lost. Citizenship will be lost. Violence was committed in the country. Those were responsible for violence.

Rahul Joshi: Dont you think there is any such fear?

Amit Shah: Some must have understood it.

Rahul Joshi: Lets move on to another subject, delimitation. This issue has also been very hot in the last few months. Can you assure the southern states that there will be no shortage of seats due to delimitation?

Amit Shah: People from the South might not be able to understand with just my plain assurance. I want to say something. There is a Congress government in Himachal Pradesh. Is there anything happening for delimitation?

Rahul Joshi: No.

Amit Shah: In some states where the Indian Alliance is in power, is something happening regarding delimitation?

Rahul Joshi: No.

Amit Shah: Why is it happening only in Tamil Nadu?

Rahul Joshi: Elections are coming.

Amit Shah: Has the government declared delimitation?

Rahul Joshi: No.

Amit Shah: Have we made a delimitation act?

Rahul Joshi: No.

Amit Shah: Has a Supreme Court judge been appointed in the delimitation commission? No. So what is happening today? The people of Tamil Nadu have become against you due to rampant corruption. To cover this up, you are raising this issue. What is happening in bringing delimitation? Let me clarify. There is no need for the political parties of the southern states to worry. The BJP promises that no injustice will be done to anyone. Your pro-rata seats will be as it is.

Rahul Joshi: So if there are 750 seats, according to the pro-rata, their seats will be 180 seats.

Amit Shah: I have said this before. But they dont want to listen. If they shut down chaos, they will have to answer for corruption. They will have to answer for nepotism. They dont want all these in elections.

Rahul Joshi: So if there are 750 seats, the seats of Uttar Pradesh will also increase to 110-120 seats. This is a very big number.

Amit Shah: Rahul Ji, the delimitation commission has to make an act every time. Until now, the act had a life span of 25 years. Now there will be a new act. If there is a new act, it will be in the parliament. That is not a hidden thing. Before that, there will be all-party consultations. There will be an act. It will go to the committee. Even if it goes directly, then also there will be a discussion. There is nothing yet, you are doing such a chaos just because you want an issue in the election.

Rahul Joshi: I was saying that if there are so many seats in Uttar Pradesh, like Mr. Mayawati used to say that the state should be divided into four parts.

Amit Shah: They are doing it for the vote bank. You are doing it for TRP. The delimitation has not come yet, why are you raising this issue again and again?

Rahul Joshi: Delimitation can only happen when new census come. So, how will this happen? When will this happen? And in this, the issue of caste censors which the opposition is also demanding, what is your opinion on this?

Amit Shah: Last delimitation was also done on the basis of the 2001 census. This is not necessary. But whenever delimitation has to be done, how will it be done? On what basis will it be done? And how will it be done? All this becomes a law and is passed in the parliament, then the process of delimitation begins because it is the basis of our democracy. The parliament and our legislature assembly are collage of our democracy and they come from there. So, designing their constituency cannot be a more important task in democracy than this. And the law of the parliament is passed only after the approval of the President. And no party is involved in this. In this, a judge of the Supreme Court is in charge of this.

Rahul Joshi: One more big issue is One Nation One Poll. There has been a lot of discussion about it. You have done a lot of work in it. How will you be able to do this? To pass this, you need two-thirds majority. What other parties can join you? How are you seeing this matter? In this tenure, can we see something happening?

Amit Shah: Look, you are asking such a question, like, Gandhi JI asked for the country to be liberated, so someone asked him how to do it because it was the rule of the British. It is like this. Its like this, brother - weve taken our issue to the people, and were also holding programs among the public. In two or three years, the atmosphere will become such that no party will be able to oppose the idea of One Nation, One Election. Because, it is in the interest of the country. Can someone tell me - by holding elections again and again, spending money repeatedly, what exactly are we trying to do in this country? Why shouldnt elections be held all at once in this country? What is the reason? They say it is not constitutional. They dont argue. They just keep repeating the same one-liner over and over again that is it is not constitutional.

How is it not constitutional? If it is not, how did you conduct three elections? Until the Congress Party started to break the government, all the elections were conducted at the same time. And two or three states, four states became new, so the elections were conducted one after the other. To do it together, Congress dissolved the assembly. The same Congress Party is saying that it is against democracy. By dissolving the assembly of seven states, One Nation One Poll was conducted. And today they are opposing it. The people dont think like this. The people have their own way of thinking. The leaders themselves believe that if I say it, the people will believe it. And then when the results come, they say that there is a problem with the EVM. Actually, what you say, the people dont believe it.

Rahul Joshi: Now they are saying that you have also stolen the Maharashtra election.

Amit Shah: If they had won, what would they have said? We have been there for 10 years. In our 10 years, their Telangana government was formed. The government was formed in Chennai. It was formed in Bengal. It was formed in Himachal. How was it formed then?

Rahul Joshi: Speaking of Congress, I would like to ask you a question. The AICC session is going on. We are reading the news coming from there. The leaders believe that there are two kinds of thoughts. One is to abuse Modi, to speak against Modi, to stand behind Modi. And the other leaders believe that you should also put the alternative thought and alternative vision to people. What would you like to say about this?

Amit Shah: Look, this means that some sensible people are still there. Because it is the experience of so many years. From 2001 to 2025, the number of times Modi ji was abused, his mother also abused him, he also abused him. The number of times Modi ji was abused, he came out stronger. They dont know that our partys election is like a lotus which blooms in mud. It blooms more. We come out of the mud of abuses. They dont know that.

Rahul Joshi: Amit Ji, I am interviewing you after a long time. I spoke to you during the 2024 elections. I have a question for you. In 2024, you had a slogan, this time, beyond 400. The BJP got 240 seats. Where did it go wrong? Where did it go wrong in politics?

Amit Shah: Look, Rahul ji, I also believe that our seats have been reduced. It is a fact. But what they are saying, they were saying this and that. Tell me, if a player goes to play a match, no matter how the team is, no matter how the pitch is, what will he say? Will he say that he will lose today? We had 300 seats. We said 400. What is wrong in this? We always think that we will improve and we will. Even now, I say, we will win Tamil Nadu, we will win Bihar, and their dreams will be wiped clean.

Rahul Joshi: After 2024, you have also won three grand victories. You have won in Haryana very well. In Maharashtra, I was told by Mr. Fadnavis that he did not even think that so many seats would come and some many seats came. In Delhi, you defeated Mr. Kejriwals government. How did this happen? How do you bounce back?

Amit Shah: Look, in the elections, some false propaganda was done, some confusing talks were spread. This had some effect. Some votes were less. When the result came, everyone was upset that we did not do this right with Modi JI. And because of this, the support of the BJP has also increased. And with great force, the victories in these three states have stamped approval on Modi Jis work.

Rahul Joshi: You speak a lot in Hindi, so lets talk a little about a language issue. This is also related to the South.

Amit Shah: First, let me clarify a little. Im not a Hindi language speaker. I am Gujarati. I speak about Hindis favor, it is the propaganda of the opposition. I do speak about Indian languages. And I believe that this country has to stick to its culture, culture and history. So every language of the country has to be taken care of. And not just mine, every citizen of the country has a responsibility. Because a person can only think in their mother tongue. In their mother tongue, a person can do analysis, logic, based on which he can take decisions. And based on this, he can make an implementation plan. This whole process takes place in the mother tongue. But what can I do if some peoples mother language do not belong to here. I was born in India. So I speak about Indian languages. All this shouting and noise they make is pointless.

Let me tell you that before we came here, I want to make it clear, before we came here, the Congress Party for so many years pushed Hindi and English on the children of all languages. The UPSC test of IAS and IPS did not come in other languages. In 2015, Narendra Modi decided that you can give papers in Tamil, in Gujarati, in Marathi, and in Malayali. By 2020, the admission of CAPFs, their papers are written only in Hindi and English. Today it is written in 13 languages. We have entered Tamil, Gujarati, Marathi, Bengali. BJP has implemented this. You left it to English. In their time, there were no announcements in local languages at the local stations. That also we have implemented. In their time, medical and engineering compulsory had to be studied in English. We made it entry in local languages. Today, it has been done in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan. All the medical courses have been translated into Hindi. We will make arrangements to teach engineering in 13 languages before 2026.

Rahul Joshi: Is it wrong for DMK to say Hindi, Hindu, Hindustan? Is it wrong?

Amit Shah: Modi Ji had recently visited, and he said very clearly-if theres even a single DMK leader whose signature is in Tamil, then show me.

Rahul Joshi: They do it in English.

Amit Shah: Our states have translated medical and engineering courses in their language. They dont even start in Tamil. And they will talk about Tamil.

Rahul Joshi: One hot topic, which is not just a topic of India, but a topic of the whole world, is the topic of tariff. So, what will be the effect of this tariff war on India? Please explain this.

Amit Shah: Look, it would be too hasty to assess the impact. Tariff has not been imposed only on India. It has been imposed on many countries. A higher tariff has been imposed on our competitors than on us. So, what will be the impact of this? Its possible that our goods may be in greater demand, and arrangements might be made for our products to reach many countries. Its a very complex issue, and no one should try to assess its impact in such haste.

Rahul Joshi: The kind of panic thats being talked about. Do you think theres any such panic in India?

Amit Shah: No, I believe that the people of this country never fall into such panic. This is a bit of discussion in media only. So yes, there is an impact-its not that theres no impact-but gradually, things will stabilize

Rahul Joshi: Everyone wants to know. Some of my colleagues have also said that I must ask you-who will be the next president of the Bharatiya Janata Party? This has been a topic of discussion for a long time, its been in the headlines too, but no specific name has come out yet.

Amit Shah: It hasnt been decided yet.

Rahul Joshi: Not at all. How much time will it take? Your smile makes me feel like youre hiding something.

Amit Shah: No, nothing has been decided yet. Come on, the president of a party with 13 crore members cant stay hidden, right? The moment its destined, it will be made public. As soon as the nomination is filed, the name will be announced immediately.

Rahul Joshi: So why is it taking so long?

Amit Shah: Yes, it is taking time.

Rahul Joshi: I remember once I asked him a lot of questions-how many tickets will be given out, who will get what-and he said, When the time comes, youll be invited too, and then youll find out. Now, a fire broke out at the house of a Delhi High Court judge-specifically in the outhouse-and during the firefighting operation, a large amount of cash was recovered. So my question is: an image like this has come before the country. Are you satisfied with the action being taken behind this? What should be done? How can people be assured that everything is fair?

Amit Shah: Look, the traditions that have been followed so far, is that if an issue arises concerning a High Court judge, then it is the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court who has to take the decision. He has made a committee. We should have faith in the judicial process of the Supreme Court. Everything will be clear when the report comes. I just want to say that there was no delay in the decision to form a committee. And I hope that soon-since the public is also viewing this very seriously-that soon the committees report will be out, and after that, steps will be taken to ensure such incidents do not happen in the future. Through the Supreme Courts channel, this will be made public. Well also see, and you all should too.

Rahul Joshi: Now, a slightly related question regarding the judiciary. Theres been an ongoing issue about the appointment process in the higher judiciary. There was a talk regarding NJAC, but the Supreme Court struck it down as unconstitutional. Whats your opinion on this?

Amit Shah: Well, see, I cannot have a personal opinion because I am bound by a party. I dont hold any personal opinion. I can express my opinion within my party. The party takes a collective decision. Similarly, even in government, I dont have personal views. Personal views are only expressed when the Prime Minister calls for discussion, or when I present them in the Cabinet. Outside of that, the Cabinets decision is our decision. But yes, I believe that this incident has sparked a new debate. Theres considerable public interest. Lets wait and see what the committee says.

Rahul Joshi: You are saying that there should be a discussion after that.

Amit Shah: Well, the debate is already happening. Who can stop anyone from debating? But the clarity will come based on what the committee reports.

Rahul Joshi: Lets now move toward Jammu and Kashmir. You were there yesterday as well. When will statehood be granted? What do you think? And how do you assess the new government?

Amit Shah: Look, BJP is an all India based party. We have created a government under the leadership of two leaders in India. We created it under the leadership of Atal ji. And for a long time, we created it under the leadership of Modi ji. The BJP has never thought about who the state government belongs to when it is in power. Nor are we thinking about Kashmir. I went to review it yesterday. Mr. Omar was sitting with me. We had lunch together. His photo was also very good. And the way we behave with all the state governments is the same. But our stand is firm on the matter of security and separatism. We will not compromise on this. Nor will we let anyone do it.

Rahul Joshi: Recently, some minor infiltration incidents have surfaced in the Katwa region. Do you think this is linked to Pakistan-sponsored terrorism?

Amit Shah: No, no. Infiltration cant come from Russia, only from Pakistan. It can only happen from there. And theyve been doing this for years. But our countrys soldiers are very alert. The government is also alert. We wont let any major incident happen here. And if it does, we will take strict action.

Rahul Joshi: Lets move slightly towards the issue of illegal migration. Youve raised this matter several times, especially about Bangladesh, where this increased after a political upheaval. So what steps will you take to make it difficult and to control it?

Amit Shah: First of all, I would like to appeal to the people of Bengal: in the upcoming elections, please form a BJP government. This problem will end right there because Mamata ji accuses us of not monitoring the border properly. But how is the infiltration happening, and how are they traveling from Bengal to Delhi and Bengal to Jammu? What is the Indian government doing?

Everyone in the country knows that despite fencing the border, about 250 kilometers of it is such that fencing is simply not possible-there are drains, large rivers, difficult geographical conditions. And around 400 kilometers is such where the Bengal government is not giving us land for fencing. When you have about 600 kilometers of open border, stopping infiltration becomes very difficult-especially during heavy rains, cold, and summers, when the drains overflow and people cross through dense jungles.

But I want to raise a small question and make things clear for the people of this country. They come here in this country, whether Rohingyas or Bangladeshis, but where their voter card is being made, so that they travel all over India-from Uttarakhand to Kashmir? All these voter cards are being made in Bengals 24 Parganas district. Thousands of fake documents found on arrested Bangladeshis show the same district-its not even changed. Its all fake-voter cards, Aadhaar cards, everything-from 24 Parganas.

Now I want to ask Mamata ji, who is responsible for this? Okay, someone entered illegally, fine-the public will figure that out. But once someone enters a village, wouldnt the village patwari know that 25 new people have arrived? Wouldnt the local police be aware? Who is making their Aadhaar cards? Who is issuing their voter cards? She says that Aadhaar is under the central government, but the final authority is the District Collector, who is under your government. Even the Election Commissions local representative is the Collector, who again is under your government. These parties in the INDIA alliance have shown a vote-bank mindset in this matter.

Rahul Joshi: So what is the solution?

Amit Shah: Why was it stopped in Assam then? We will definitely find a solution. But I want to use this platform to tell the people of Bengal that theres a simple solution-just form a BJP government, and the solution will come automatically.

Rahul Joshi: What do you think? Will BJP form the government in the next election? Last time, you came very close but couldnt form the government. Even in the Lok Sabha elections, there was a setback.

Amit Shah: Look, we had four members earlier-we reached 77. The media, which includes you, often misses this point. Congress ruled for 27 years and went down to zero, but no one says they faced a setback. The Communist party, which ruled for 27 years, also went down to zero-still no mention of a setback. But we went from 4 to 77 in one election-thats almost a 20-times jump. Governments are formed like that, and weve formed many.

Rahul Joshi: Yes, 77 was a big achievement. You did perform very well. But I was saying that in the upcoming elections, people had high expectations from the last Lok Sabha polls. The seats were fewer this time.

Amit Shah: Naturally, there are fewer seats. But since then, we have expanded our organization a lot. Weve increased membership, even in dry areas. We have appointed full-time workers. We are looking at this seriously. Bengal is not just important for the BJP-it is important for the country. Its essential that either BJP or any nationalist party wins there. Thats why were focusing on Bengal.

Rahul Joshi: Now regarding the 25,000 annulments-Supreme Courts decision-Mamata ji is saying no ones job will go. She says, Lets see who dares to act.

Amit Shah: She can say anything. But I cant say I wont accept a Supreme Court decision. Otherwise, you will also take away the little hair that I have left.

Rahul Joshi: Muhammad Yunus says that there is a question in the context of Bangladesh. The interim leader says that the North-East states are landlocked states. And China has to do something through Bangladesh. There is market access all around the sea. How do you see this? How do you see his statement?

Amit Shah: Look, I just want to say that Narendra Modis government will not let anyone set their eyes on an inch of Indias land. There is no question of entry.

Rahul Joshi: I have asked you this question a couple of times. I will ask you again because this is a new tenure. In this third tenure, it is about the Pakistan Occupied Kashmir POK. What do you have to say about this?

Amit Shah: Look, Indias position is very clear. It has been clear for years that the Pakistan Occupied Kashmir is ours. As far as when it will come, that is the question. You also understand this much, Rahul, I cant declare a date or make a public strategy on public stage. But every Indian government is responsible for asserting that POK is ours. Its not just a claim - we have policy, historical documents, and legal standing.

Rahul Joshi: Pakistan says that India is behind the attacks in Balochistan. Whats your view?

Amit Shah: They cant handle it anymore, so theyll just keep saying something or the other. But their problem should be dealt with.

Rahul Joshi: But does India support the independence of the Baluch people?

Amit Shah: Look, there is no question of Indias support. The way the government is running in their country, there is dissatisfaction in some areas. We cannot repair this.

Rahul Joshi: There is a demand for a Hindu nation in Nepal. How do you see this demand?

Amit Shah: There is democracy there as well. Everyone does their own demands.

Rahul Joshi: Chinas stance is getting softened here. We see that the talks are increasing. Are there any hopes of investments from China?

Amit Shah: Look, I am not a media person. These statements do not determine the form of the country. We have a lot of issues. If a positive solution comes out, then it is a good thing.

Rahul Joshi: Tavurr Rana is being extradited - hell be here in a few days. Will the same happen for David Headley? Is there hope?

Amit Shah: The Modi government is committed to bringing to justice anyone who has harmed India, our citizens, or our honor. Tavurr Ranas return is a big diplomatic success for our government. During previous governments, those involved in bomb blasts were never brought back. Now, hell be presented before the courts and punished under the Constitution. This is a great achievement for the country.

Rahul Joshi: Amit Ji, you have made a big statement on Naxalism. What is its roadmap? How will it end? You have also given a time frame. Tell our viewers a little about it.

Amit Shah: Look, Naxalism was around 120 districts. Now, it is limited to 12 districts. Once upon a time, there was a dream of Pasupati to Tirupati. That dream has been shattered. Bihar has been liberated. Jharkhand has been liberated. Maharashtra has almost been liberated. Only a few districts are left. Madhya Pradesh has almost been liberated. Only a few districts are left. Telangana has been liberated. Andhra Pradesh has been liberated. Orissa has been liberated. Kerala has been liberated. Karnataka has been liberated. Now, only a few districts are left. And it has been a little late because the government of the Congress Party came five years in the middle.

When I say this, the Congress Party accuses me that you are a partisan in the fight against Naxalism. But I want to give an example. In 24, our government was formed in Chhattisgarh. From 24 to 25, a total of 436 Naxals were killed, 1,364 were arrested, and 1,400 surrendered. This is not even a total of even 15 years in Chhattisgarh. We have ended the security vacuum. In the last five years, we have built about 380 camps. And the soldiers of CRPF, the soldiers of ITBP, the soldiers of BSF, and the police of Chhattisgarh have been working hard in the dense forest, if I want to use the word, then Id say they have been working hard and are behind the Naxals.

Even now, I want to say through this platform: many have surrendered, laid down arms, returned to the mainstream, and are living peaceful lives. In the Northeast, 10,000 have surrendered. Weve signed 20 agreements. Terrorism in the Northeast has largely ended. But one thing is certain - by 31st March 2026, Naxal violence will be history. It is a firm commitment of our government to make India free from Naxalism.

Rahul Joshi: In one year. Amit ji, the activities of Khalistan are increasing in India. What is your opinion? And how capable is the Punjab government in controlling this with you?

Amit Shah: See, this is the primary responsibility of the Punjab government, but the central government also has a duty. Anyone who talks about breaking the country, under any name, will not be tolerated. We will crush it with full force. Thats the BJP governments approach.

Rahul Joshi: What role will BJP play in the upcoming Punjab elections? Will you ally with Akali Dal?

Amit Shah: Its said that Brahma created the universe, but even Brahma couldnt predict what will happen in Punjab elections - its such a complex scenario. But I hope that before the elections, the people of Punjab will reach towards a good decision and a government of full power will be formed.

Rahul Joshi: In Manipur, you are creating an atmosphere of talk between the two communities. How long will the Presidents rule remain?

Amit Shah: The Presidents rule has not been fully implemented. We have kept the assembly in a quiet state. We are trying to establish peace between the two communities. Some success has been achieved. The incidents have been stopped, but some success has been achieved in the talks as well. But I think there will be more.

Rahul Joshi: The nearest next election is in Bihar. What do you think in Bihar?

Amit Shah: NDA will form a government with the biggest majority in Bihar. There is no doubt about it.

Rahul Joshi: Will the seat sharing be the same as it was last time?

Amit Shah: Our party and our alliance will decide.

Rahul Joshi: Will Nitish Ji be the face of the election?

Amit Shah:

Nitish Ji is the Chief Minister. There is no doubt about it.

Rahul Joshi: Will he be the Chief Minister if you win?

Amit Shah: We are fighting the elections under the leadership of Nitish Ji.

Rahul Joshi: I would like to ask you some personal questions. I ask 2-3 questions every time. But this time

Amit Shah: What will you do by asking personal questions? Nothing will come out.

Rahul Joshi: I will still try. I have heard that you were born on the day of Sarad Poonam. People know you as Poonam Bhai for a long time. You were named late. What was the reason for this? Please tell us.

Amit Shah: My aunt had vowed that I would be named when I was 5 years old. Because I was born on the day of Poonam. Everyone used to call me Poonam. There is no big secret in this. It happens with every child in the village.

Rahul Joshi: I have heard a story from you. When you were 11 years old, your family wanted you to go to the US. So you left home and ran away.

Amit Shah: I will not leave India and go anywhere. I will stay here. I will fight here. And I will live here.

Rahul Joshi: Next year, 25 years will be completed in Modis governance. You have worked closely with him for a long time. Tell us something about this chemistry. How have you been working together for so many years? How do you complement each other?

Amit Shah: When two workers or leaders work together for a long time, you can understand each others work. You can understand each others way of thinking. You can understand each others nature. Whether it is Modi ji or me, we have to work according to our ideology. Our ideology is our guideline. That is why there is no discord. They also think for the ideology, the country and the constitution. I also think for the ideology, the country and the constitution. So there is no question of discord. When it comes to contributing to each other, we are definitely contributing to each other, but in a different way. I try to keep my colleagues with me to fulfill the goals set by Modi ji. This is my way of contribution. Modi ji is our leader. All of us workers who were trained with him, who worked under him-whatever small mistakes we made, Modi ji forgives and corrects them. In doing so, he contributes to making us complete. This is how we contribute to each other.

But the example you are giving of Narendra Modi and Amit Shah, there are thousands of workers in this country who are connected to Narendra Modi. From making a worker to thinking in a big way, Narendra Modi has done this process. Many of our leaders have done this. This is a very big party. And because of this, we lost many elections, but our party has never broken. We have lost elections. We have never become clean. Congress has lost elections in UP and got swiped away. Congress has lost elections in Bihar and got swiped away. We dont get swept away. This is the reason why our workers work for ideology. They work for the country. They work for the constitution of the country.

Rahul Joshi: Amit ji, one last question. If one day you have complete free time, you dont have to do anything, you dont have any meeting, you have complete free time, then what will you do?

Amit Shah: I have 8000 books. I have a lot to read. And I have a lot of interest in classical music that Im not able to give time to that. I will definitely read books. And I will read while listening to music.

Rahul Joshi: Amit ji, today you joined us. You answered all our questions. Thank you very much for coming to Rising Bharat.
The barriers that women face in the legal profession are an extension of societal barriers that they face and these societal barriers need to be addressed as well to facilitate womens entry in the legal profession, according to former Chief Justice DY Chandrachud read more

Former Chief Justice DY Chandrachud has said that the judiciary as well as the society need to lower entry barrierse so that more women may enter the legal profession.

In a conversation with Zakka Jacob and Ananya Bhatnagar at the News 18 Rising Bharat Summit 2025, Chandrachud said that barriers to women in entering the legal profession are part of the broader barriers that women face in the society.

The Indian judiciary has often been criticised for not having enough representation of women, particularly at the highest levels.

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As per the information shared by the government in the parliament, as of January 2023, only 13.6 per cent judges in the high courts were women and 15 Indian states had only 15.3 per cent women lawyers  the rest of the states apparently did not even have such data.

The barriers that women face in the legal profession are an extension of such societal barriers, said Chandrachud.

Women have disproportionate burden in society

Women have a very disproportionate burden in the family and society and that affects their ability to work, said Chandrachud.

The issue about creating a level playing field for women is not just an issue of the legal profession. It is an issue which has a broader social content. Take a very simple case where both spouses work and you have a child. Theres a parent teachers meeting. Who goes to those meetings? If the child falls sick and is down with measles for two weeks, who stays home? The mother. Who stays home when the woman is expecting a child and shes in advanced stage of pregnancy? Obviously the person whos carrying a child. Now, what happens the result of these societal inhibitions and barriers? said Chandrachud.

He further said, If a woman had a break for three or five years when the children were young, it becomes extremely difficult to get back at the same level as a male counterpart would be at.

Besides changing the social attitude, Chandrachud suggested that some institutional changes may also need to be made to address the situation, such as relaxing certain standards to facilitate more womens entry into the profession and taking into account the breaks in career they may have to take, such as for childbirth or taking care of a child in their early years.

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To be sure, such norms exist in the judicuary but not so much in the private sector that is a cause of concern, said Chandrachud.

We have standards and well-established rules which allow for maternity leave and leaves at different stages of a womans career, such as when a child is appearing for 10th board examination or 12th board examination. When you have structured rules which provide for a level playing field for women, women are able to really respond to the challenges of the profession. The problem arises in the unstructured private market in the legal profession where you have individual lawyers recruiting juniors, said Chandrachud.

As the issue is part of the broader societal issues affecting women, the solution goes beyond the legal profession, said Chandrachud.

He said, How do we ensure that we have a more socially responsible and socially responsibly profession? Thats therefore something which the law can do only to a certain extent. The law is not an answer to everything. The change has to come through and it has to take place within society.

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But there is silver lining

Even though the numbers for women lawyers and judges are poor and there exist several barriers, Chandrachud said that there is a silver lining as more and more women are joininig the judiciary at the grassroot level.

As per the India Justice Report 2022, 35 per cent of all judges at the district-level are women. The number is only expected to have grown since.

When talking about district courts, Chandrachud said that you would find that thats the place where the social barriers are being broken down.

At the district level, the recruitment is structured and based on competitive examinations and interviews, irrespective of the command over English as the local or regional language is the language of the courts, and gives a level-playing field to women, particularly for women, and you would find thats the place where the social barriers are being broken down, said Chandrachud.

At the highest levels, however, little appears to have changed. Since 1990, only 11 women judges have been appointed to the Supreme Court, according to the data shared with the parliament in January 2023. Currently, there is only one women judge BV Nagarathna in the Apex Court.

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Instead of drifting toward a China-centric foreign policy, President Dissanayake has taken a pragmatic and balanced approach, emphasising regional stability and shared interests, especially with India read more

(File) Sri Lanka's President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi shake hands during a photo opportunity ahead of their meeting at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on December 16, 2024. Reuters

When Anura Kumara Dissanayake was elected as the President of Sri Lanka on September 22, 2024, many in Indian strategic circles were deeply worried regarding the potential direction of his foreign policy. Given Dissanayakes ideological background in Marxist-Leninist politics, there were apprehensions in New Delhi that his leadership might bring Colombo closer to Beijing  a shift that would directly undermine New Delhis strategic and security interests in the Indian Ocean region and beyond.

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Indias concerns were not unfounded. Over the years, Beijing has strategically expanded its footprints in Sri Lanka through its BRI projects, strategic investments, and growing political engagement. Many of these projects, especially under the BRI, are believed to follow a civil-military fusion model, enabling both civilian and military use  raising legitimate security concerns for New Delhi.

Beijing has also been accused of employing debt-trap diplomacy and other predatory practices to gain control over strategic assets in vulnerable countries. The most notable example of this debt-trap diplomacy is the Hambantota Port in Sri Lanka itself, which was leased to China for 99 years after Colombo failed to meet its debt repayment obligations. This development enabled Chinese surveillance vessels to operate near Indias southern Coast, directly compromising Indias national security.

Despite, Indias repeated protests then, Chinese surveillance vessels such as the Yuan Wang 5 docked at Hambantota under the guise of replenishment, operating dangerously close to Indias southern coastline, which hosts many of its key research institutions, space centres, defence installations, and vital maritime routes crucial for Indias strategic and economic interests.

New Delhi, which made significant investments in Sri Lanka, supported it during the Covid-19 pandemic and the economic crisis, and assisted in its debt restructuring with many multilateral lending institutions, was concerned that a pro-China shift under Dissanayake would erode years of diplomatic goodwill and jeopardise Indias national security.

However, President Dissanayakes foreign policy moves have so far defied these initial apprehensions. After assuming office, he chose India for his first official foreign visit  an important gesture underscoring the significance attached to this vital bilateral relationship and reflecting a pragmatic, balanced approach. Since then, he has consistently reassured New Delhi of Sri Lankas sensitivity to its security concerns and has sought to strengthen mutual trust.

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In a major boost to bilateral ties, President Dissanayake recently hosted Prime Minister Narendra Modi in what was widely regarded as a watershed moment in this relationship. Modi was welcomed with a grand ceremonial reception at the historic Independence Square in Colombo, personally received by President Dissanayake. This marked the first time such an honour was bestowed upon a foreign leader at this iconic venue, which commemorates Sri Lankas independence from British rule in 1948.

In a further gesture of deep appreciation, Prime Minister Modi was conferred with Sri Lankas highest civilian honour  the Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana. This award recognised Modis exceptional efforts in bolstering the ties between the two nations, highlighting the spiritual and cultural heritage of both countries. This gesture, as Dissanayake declared, was a symbol of the enduring friendship and unwavering, multifaceted support that he Modi has consistently extended to Sri Lanka and its people.

PM Modi, in his remarks, echoed the spirit of friendship, stating: Tamil saint Thiruvalluvar saidwhat could be bigger protection against the enemy if not the shield of a true friend and his friendship? He added, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake had chosen India for his first foreign visit. Today, I am his first foreign guest here in Sri Lanka. It shows the depth of our special relationship. Sri Lanka has a special place in our Neighbourhood First policy and Mission SAGAR.

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The visit witnessed the signing of seven major agreements, including a significant five-year defence cooperation pact outlining a broader roadmap for deeper bilateral defence cooperation. This pact is referred to as an umbrella framework document that will make existing defence cooperation initiatives more structured. Both leaders emphasised the interconnected and interdependent nature of their security interests. Sri Lanka will not allow its territory to be used in any manner that could threaten Indias security interests, President Dissanayake reiterated.

Prime Minister Modi reciprocated this sentiment, expressing gratitude for Colombos sensitivity: I am grateful to President Dissanayake for his sensitivity towards Indias interests. Further elaborating on the assurance, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stated: The President of Sri Lanka stated very clearly that Sri Lankan territory will not be used or be allowed to be used in any manner that is inimical or detrimental to Indias interests neither Sri Lankas land nor the oceans around.

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Among the signed MoUs, energy cooperation stood out. India, Sri Lanka, and the UAE will jointly develop Trincomalee as a regional energy hub. A multi-product pipeline is also being planned to enhance regional energy connectivity. In a virtual ceremony, the two leaders laid the foundation stone for the 120 MW Sampur Solar Power Plant, a major step in Sri Lankas shift towards clean energy. The Sampur Solar Power Plant will help in Sri Lankas energy security. All the people of Sri Lanka will benefit from the agreements signed for building a multi-product pipeline and developing Trincomalee as an energy hub, Modi said.

The other agreements covered areas like health, digital infrastructure, grid connectivity, and multi-sectoral assistance for Sri Lankas Eastern Province. These initiatives are the result of ongoing discussions from President Dissanayakes December 2024 visit to New Delhi.

Conclusion

The trajectory of India-Sri Lanka relations under President Dissanayake has marked a significant departure from the early apprehensions rooted in ideological concerns. Instead of drifting toward a China-centric foreign policy, Dissanayake has taken a pragmatic and balanced approach, emphasising regional stability and shared interests. His outreach to India, reflected in high-level visits, strategic agreements, and public reassurances, has reinforced mutual trust and opened new avenues for cooperation across different sectors including defense, energy, health, and digital infrastructure.

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This expanding cooperation built on shared cultural values, civilisational heritage, and strategic convergence, demonstrates that ideological affiliations need not to constrain statecraft. Rather, it emphasises how regional partnerships, when built on mutual respect and sensitivity to each others security concerns, can act as powerful bulwark against external pressures, ensuring a stable and prosperous Indian Ocean region.

Dr Imran Khurshid is an Associate Research Fellow at the International Centre for Peace Studies (ICPS), New Delhi. He specialises in India-US relations, the Indo-Pacific studies, and South Asian security issues. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
The unprecedented airlift, involving around 600 tonnes of devices, showed Apples behind-the-scenes scramble to shield its lucrative US market from the financial fallout of Trumps sweeping tariff regime read more

Apple iPhones are seen inside India's first Apple retail store during a media preview, a day ahead of its launch in Mumbai, India, April 17, 2023. File Image/Reuters

Tech giant Apple has quietly chartered a series of cargo flights from India to the United States, ferrying as many as 1.5 million iPhones in a high-stakes logistical manoeuvre to beat a fresh wave of tariffs imposed by US president Donald Trump on imports from China, Reuters cited multiple sources as saying.

The unprecedented airlift, involving around 600 tonnes of devices, showed Apples behind-the-scenes scramble to shield its lucrative US market from the financial fallout of Trumps sweeping tariff regime, which has pushed import duties on Chinese electronics to a staggering 125 per cent.

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By comparison, iPhone imports from India are currently subject to a 26 per cent tariff, which remains temporarily suspended following Trumps decision this week to pause most non-China tariffs for 90 days.

The former president has consistently ratcheted up tariffs on Chinese goods in his bid to punish Beijing over trade practices a strategy that has sent shockwaves through global supply chains.

Apple wanted to beat the tariff, one source familiar with the planning said.

Green corridor for Apple at Chennai airport

In its rush to get iPhones into the US before new tariffs kicked in, Apple successfully lobbied Indian authorities to fast-track customs clearance at Chennai airport in Tamil Nadu one of its key manufacturing hubs. The process, which once took more than a day, was cut to just six hours under what insiders described as a green corridor arrangement.

The streamlined clearance model mimics Apples logistics playbook in parts of China, where the company has long relied on dedicated lanes to move goods swiftly through customs. Six cargo jets each with a 100-tonne capacity have reportedly flown out of Chennai since March, one of them just this week as the tariffs came into effect.

Calculations based on packaging weights suggest the total haul involved roughly 1.5 million iPhones, mostly iPhone 14 models, along with accessories.

Sunday shifts and tariff pressure

Apple has been trying to reduce its dependence on China, while ramping up manufacturing in India. The company has pushed for a 20 per cent surge in iPhone output in India in recent months, achieved by adding more workers and extending operations at Foxconns largest Indian plant to include Sundays normally a non-working day.

Two sources confirmed that the Foxconn facility in Chennai, which produced 20 million iPhones last year, is now running seven days a week to meet the demand.

Commercial customs data shows Foxconn shipments from India to the US soared to $770 million in January and $643 million in February a dramatic increase from the monthly range of $110 million to $331 million seen in the prior four months. Most of those shipments were offloaded at airports in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco.

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A gamble that paid off for now

The urgency behind Apples airlift is rooted in simple arithmetic. At a 125% tariff rate, the price of a high-end iPhone 16 Pro Max in the US would surge from $1,599 to roughly $2,300, according to projections by Rosenblatt Securities.

Analysts have warned such increases could curb demand and damage Apples US market share.

Trumps decision to pause non-China tariffs for 90 days buys Apple precious time, but the threat of long-term disruption remains. India now accounts for an estimated 20 per cent of all iPhone imports into the US, according to Counterpoint Research a figure that is likely to rise as the tech giant builds new factories with suppliers Foxconn and Tata, both of which are expanding operations across the country.

With inputs from Reuters
Musk, who went on to found his own AI company xAI in 2023, has been a vocal critic of OpenAIs current direction. He sued the company and its CEO Sam Altman last year, accusing them of abandoning its original nonprofit mission of developing AI for the benefit of humanity read more

Elon Musk and Sam Altman-led OpenAI are in a legal tussle thatcould have great implications for the AI race. File image/Reuters

OpenAI has launched a countersuit against Elon Musk, accusing him of waging a malicious and sustained campaign to undermine the company he helped found a decade ago. The lawsuit, filed in a federal court in California, is the latest twist in a high-stakes dispute over the future of one of the worlds most influential artificial intelligence (AI) firms.

In court documents filed on Wednesday, OpenAI alleged that Musk  who co-founded the company in 2015 but left before it became a household name  has used his social media platform X, legal threats, and even a failed takeover attempt to disrupt its work and stall its transition to a for-profit model.

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The company has asked the judge to block what it described as Musks unlawful and unfair interference and to hold him accountable for the damage he has already caused.

A billionaire feud over AIs future

Musk, who went on to found his own AI company xAI in 2023, has been a vocal critic of OpenAIs current direction. He sued the company and its CEO Sam Altman last year, accusing them of abandoning its original nonprofit mission of developing AI for the benefit of humanity. Instead, he claimed, OpenAI had become overly focused on commercial gain  a shift that Musk believes runs counter to the ethos upon which the company was built.

But OpenAIs leadership sees Musks actions differently. In its countersuit, the company pointed to what it described as a pattern of harassing legal claims, press attacks, and a sham bid to acquire its assets. Through press attacks, malicious campaigns broadcast to Musks more than 200 million followers on the social media platform he controls Musk has tried every tool available to harm OpenAI, the company wrote in its filing.

These moves, the firm says, are part of a broader effort by Musk to either slow the company down or gain control of its technology for his own business interests.

The filing referenced a $97.4 billion unsolicited takeover offer earlier this year from a consortium led by Musk  a bid that OpenAI rejected. In response, Musks lawyer, Marc Toberoff, said the board had failed in its duty to seriously consider the offer. Its telling that having to pay fair market value for OpenAIs assets allegedly interferes with their business plans, Toberoff said in a statement.

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Stakes rising in Silicon Valleys AI arms race

The legal wrangling comes as OpenAI races to complete its transition to a capped-profit model  a structure designed to attract commercial investment while limiting the financial return of shareholders. The move is crucial for securing up to $40 billion in new funding, a sum that would put OpenAI in pole position in the increasingly costly global AI race.

OpenAI has said it must finalise its new structure by the end of 2025 to unlock the full value of its current fundraising round. But it claims Musk is trying to derail that process, and it has now asked the court to prevent any further interference from him.

The countersuit adds a new layer of tension to a case already slated to go before a jury next spring.

However, OpenAI posted a sharp rebuke on X, the platform Musk owns: Elons nonstop actions against us are just bad-faith tactics to slow down OpenAI and seize control of the leading AI innovations for his personal benefit.
The Trump administration has backed off from its plan to ban the export of Nvidias H20 AI chips to China. The move comes amid growing demand from Chinese tech firms and after Nvidia promised fresh investments in AI infrastructure in the US, according to media reports. read more

Trump reverses plan to block export of Nvidias H20 chips to China after CEO attends Mar-a-Lago dinner. Reuters

The Trump administration has changed its decision to block the export of Nvidias H20 AI chips to China, NPR reported on Wednesday. The reversal came after Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang attended a dinner at Mar-a-Lago last week.

According to NPR, the US had been planning the export restrictions for months. The H20 chip is the most advanced AI processor that can legally be sold in China under current US rules, and the restrictions were set to take effect as early as this week.

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According to NPR, the Trump administration changed its plans after Nvidia promised to invest in new AI data centres in the US.

Neither the White House nor Nvidia responded to Reuters requests for comment.

Back in January, Reuters reported that the Trump administration was considering stricter limits on Nvidias H20 chip sales to China. The idea of restricting these chips had already been under review during former President Joe Bidens administration.

In February, Reuters reported a spike in H20 chip orders, driven by strong demand for affordable AI models from Chinese startup DeepSeek.

Chinese tech giants like ByteDance, Alibaba, and Tencent have reportedly placed over $16 billion worth of orders for Nvidias H20 server chips in the first three months of this year, according to a report by The Information last week.

In late January, US lawmakers John Moolenaar (Republican) and Raja Krishnamoorthi (Democrat) called for tighter restrictions on the export of Nvidias AI chips.

With inputs from Reuters.
The 125% reciprocal tariff announced by President Donald Trump on Wednesday will be added to the existing 20% tariff on Chinese goods, according to a report read more

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. Reuters File

The White House on Thursday clarified that goods coming from China to the US are now subject to at least a 145% tariff.

According to a CNN report, the 125% reciprocal tariff announced by President Donald Trump on Wednesday will be added to the existing 20% tariff on Chinese goods.

The White House said that the tariffs are cumulative, confirming earlier uncertainty over whether the new rate would be applied separately.

Trump has tied that 20% tariff to illegal immigration and the flow of fentanyl into the US, which hes accused China of playing a role in, added the report.

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Trump also hiked the tariffs on goods less than $800 coming from China to 120% as of May 2.

The move marks another escalation in US trade policy toward China even as President Trump earlier climbdown from a wider tariff onslaught against the rest of the world.

On Wednesday, Trump announced a 90-day pause on new tariffs for most countries but increased tariffs on China to 125% effective immediately, ratcheting up his tit-for-tat with Beijing.

Taking to Truth Social on Wednesday, Trump wrote, Based on the lack of respect that China has shown to the Worlds Markets, I am hereby raising the Tariff charged to China by the United States of America to 125%, effective immediately. At some point, hopefully in the near future, China will realize that the days of ripping off the U.S.A., and other Countries, is no longer sustainable or acceptable.

He said that more than 75 countries had asked for negotiations over the tariffs.

Conversely, and based on the fact that more than 75 Countries have called Representatives of the United States, including the Departments of Commerce, Treasury, and the USTR, to negotiate a solution to the subjects being discussed relative to Trade, Trade Barriers, Tariffs, Currency Manipulation, and Non Monetary Tariffs, and that these Countries have not, at my strong suggestion, retaliated in any way, shape, or form against the United States, I have authorized a 90 day PAUSE, and a substantially lowered Reciprocal Tariff during this period, of 10%, also effective immediately, he added.

Trumps decision to raise tariffs to 125% followed Chinas retaliation, which saw tariffs on U.S. imports increase to 84% in response to his earlier hike that pushed duties on Chinese goods to 104%.

The superpower standoff cast a heavy shadow over the relief that followed Trumps decision to back down from imposing steep tariffs on a wide range of countries  from European Union allies to Asian manufacturing hubs like Vietnam, and even small, remote island nations.

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While Trump kept a blanket 10% tariff in place for most countries, his decision to hold off on harsher measures against Europe led the EU to suspend its plans for retaliatory tariffs.

With inputs from agencies
Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a key accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, is being extradited to India from the United States to face trial. A special flight carrying the 64-year-old left the US on Wednesday evening. read more

Tahawwur Hussain Rana, one of Indias most wanted for his role in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, is being brought back to India to face trial. A special flight carrying him left the US on Wednesday evening, India Today reported citing sources.

Rana, 64, is expected to land in Delhi this afternoon, where he will be arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). He is being brought back by a joint team from the NIA and the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW).

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Sources said to India Today he will likely be presented in a Delhi court. Mumbai Police have not yet been officially told when he will be moved to the city. Rana faces charges of criminal conspiracy, waging war against India, murder, forgery, and violations under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

Canadian citizen of Pakistani origin

A Canadian citizen of Pakistani origin, Rana was based in Chicago and is accused of playing a major role in the 2008 attacks that killed 166 people.

David Coleman Headley, the main accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, had revealed that Tahawwur Rana helped with money and logistics for the plot. Headley had visited Mumbai before the attacks, pretending to work for Ranas immigration firm, to scout locations.

The FBI arrested Rana in Chicago in October 2009, a year after the attacks. He was charged for helping plan a failed attack on a Danish newspaper and for supporting the Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba, which carried out the Mumbai attacks. In 2011, Rana was convicted in the US and was recently held at a detention center in Los Angeles.

Trump calls Rana very evil; during joint press conference with Modi

During a joint press conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in February, US President Donald Trump confirmed the extradition, calling Rana very evil and saying he would be sent to India to face justice.

2008 Mumbai terror attacks

The 2008 Mumbai attacks lasted three days and targeted hotels, a railway station, and a Jewish center. The attacks killed 166 people. India has blamed Lashkar-e-Taiba for the assault, though Pakistan denies any involvement.
As the United States increases its economic pressure on China, President Xi Jinpings government is quickly changing its plans at home and around the world. With Donald Trump leading a strong push on tariffsraising taxes on Chinese products up to a huge 125 per centChina is recalibrating its strategy.

China has said it wont bow down to Trumps pressures. Its top leadership including Xi and Premier Li Qiang have held a flurry of meetings. Reports suggest Xi is renewing his regimes focus on readjusting Chinas economy, working more closely with nearby countries and presenting it as a reliable trade partner to the world when the US looks more aggressive in trade.

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Retaliation: A calculated counteroffensive

Beijings first reaction was to sharply raise tariffs on American products. Chinas Ministry of Finance increased the average tax on US goods to 84 per cent, up from 34 per cent before, according to the BBC. This decision came right after Trumps newest round of tariffs, which raised US taxes on Chinese imports from 104 per cent to 125 per cent. On his platform Truth Social, Trump said the increase was because China had shown a lack of respect, and said the new tariffs would start immediately.

Even though these moves look like back-and-forth reactions, experts say the real effects are more serious. Some analysts believe that if you add up all of Chinas tariffs over the yearsfrom both the Trump and Biden periodsthe actual tax rate on US goods might now be as high as, or even higher than, Americas 125 per cent rate.

The BBC also reported that Chinas latest actions came with a message calling for global unity against what it called trade tyranny. Chinas state newspaper, the China Daily, even suggested working together with Japan, South Korea and the European Union to stand up to the US economic pressure.

These moves arent just about moneythey send political messages too. By raising tariffs and at the same time calling for more countries to join its side, China wants to change how the world sees the situation: not just as a fight between the US and China, but as a global response to what it sees as unfair US trade actions.

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Seeking to invigorate domestic economy

Trumps new round of tariffs comes at a very tough time for Beijing. Chinas economy has been struggling to recover after Covid-19, with people spending less and factories producing less. To deal with this, Premier Li held a high-level meeting with economists and business leaders, showing that the government is urgently working on adjusting its economic plans.

According to Bastille Post Global, Premier Li said China needs more proactive and effective macroeconomic policies. He stressed the importance of putting current policies into action and creating new ones when needed. Li also shared a long-term plan that focusses on expanding and strengthening the domestic economic cycle, which means relying more on Chinas own economy instead of exports.

Lis comments show a bigger change happening in how China plans its economy. Instead of seeing outside problems like Trumps tariffs as one-time issues, Chinese leaders now see them as reasons to speed up deeper changes. They want to grow local demand, raise incomes and support industries from the supply side. This shows they know that the old days of big growth from selling to foreign markets are mostly gone.

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Li also said its important to stimulate the vitality of various market entities and create better development environments for Chinese businesses. This isnt just a quick fixits a flexible plan to help China stay strong in a world where the global economy is more divided.

Presenting China as a reliable partner

Along with its tough economic response, China is also using a smart soft power strategy to show itself as the more stable and trustworthy country in todays unstable world. The State Council Information Office published a white paper called Chinas Position on Some Issues Concerning China-US Economic and Trade Relations. This paper tries to show China as consistent and fair, while making the US look unpredictable.

According to Xinhua, the white paper says the US broke its promises under the Phase One trade deal, while China has scrupulously honoured its side of the deal. The paper also says the US is using tariffssome even linked to issues like fentanyl traffickingin a way thats coercive and hegemonic, meaning the US is using its power unfairly and going against global trade rules and fair market practices.

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What makes this message significant is who its aimed at. Its not just for people in Chinaits also for other countries and global trade partners who may be frustrated with Trumps unpredictable actions. In this story, China is trying to present itself as the protector of fair trade rules, while the US is shown as a troublemaker causing economic problems.

This shift in diplomacy could help China. As its exports are being affected by tariffs, gaining the trust of other trade partners is very important. The white paper is basically a message to the world: China, unlike the US, still wants to work together and keep the global economy stable for the long run. Its another matter that many countries are not willing to trust China on trade or strategy. For example, Australia has said it would not join hands with China in the current tariff wars over trust issues.

Neighbours are important

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As part of Chinas broader international efforts, President Xi is now putting more attention on building stronger relationships with nearby countries. At a recent major meeting on neighbuorhood diplomacythe first one since 2013Xi shared a detailed plan to improve ties with Chinas surrounding nations. According to Channel News Asia, Xi said its important to appropriately manage differences, strengthen supply chains and create a community of a shared future.

This new focus on the region comes at a key time. Southeast Asian countries like Vietnam and Cambodia are not just neighbourstheyre also becoming important parts of Chinas new export strategy. As Trumps tariffs hit Chinese goods, many Chinese companies are moving their factories to these countries. So, improving diplomacy with them is not only about politicsits also about business and logistics.

The official statement from Xinhua highlighted the importance of mutual trust, working together economically and coordinating on security. This plan goes beyond tradeits meant to help the whole region stay strong when facing outside economic problems.

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China has also reached out to India asking for unity against what it sees as unfair US actions. On April 9, the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi criticised the US tariffs, calling them an abuse that hurts the growth rights of countries in the Global South, Firstpost earlier reported. Embassy spokesperson Yu Jing said that China-India economic and trade relationships are based on complementarity and mutual benefit, and called for the two countries to stand together against US pressure.

Xi is also planning visits to Vietnam, Malaysia and Cambodia. This shows that China is making regional diplomacy a top priority. In a world where economic nationalism is rising, China sees strong relationships with its neighbours as a way to protect itself from growing tensions with the US.
A Bangladeshi court on Thursday issued a new arrest warrant against deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, her daughter Saima Wajed Putul and 17 others in a graft case, accusing them of procuring a residential plot through fraudulent means read more

A Bangladeshi court on Thursday issued a new arrest warrant against deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, her daughter Saima Wajed Putul and 17 others in a graft case, accusing them of procuring a residential plot through fraudulent means.

On Thursday, Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Zakir Hossain Galib accepted the charge sheet submitted by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

As the accused were absconding, the court issued arrest warrants against them.

Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Mohammad Zakir Hossain Galib issued the warrant accepting the ACC charge sheet in the case, the statutory graft agencys prosecutor Mir Ahammed Salam told reporters.

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He said the judge asked ACC to submit its investigation report on May 4 for hearing the charge involving the piece of leased out land by state-run Rajdhani Unyan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) in Purbachal area on the outskirts of the capital Dhaka.

The ACC filed the case against the deposed premier on January 12, 2025, and the other co-accused, mostly government officials.

According to the charge sheet, Putul had illegally influenced her then-prime minister mother Hasina to get the plot and apply to her instead of RAJUK, violating the laws, rules, policies and legal procedures regarding the allocation of plots in the Purbachal New City Housing Project.

The ACC alleged Putul had done that despite the fact that she and her family members owned a house or flat or housing facility in an area under the jurisdiction of RAJUK in Dhaka city.

Putul is serving as the South East Asian regional director for the World Health Organisation (WHO) based in New Delhi since November 1, 2023.

Bangladeshs International Crimes Tribunal earlier issued two identical arrest warrants against Hasina, her political colleagues and senior civil and military officials on charges like crimes against humanity.

But Thursdays warrant came just a day after the ACC said it launched a new inquiry into the alleged wastage of Taka 4,000 crore by Hasina, her younger sister Sheikh Rehana and a former official for Mujib Centenary celebrations.

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The ACC alleged that the amount it quoted was spent by the national exchequer.

He said the investigation into the matter, however, was underway as it began in January this year. Our team is currently collecting information from various organisations. Bangladesh observed the yearlong celebration coinciding with the 100th birthday of Bangladeshs founding father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 2020 while Hasinas Awami League was in power.

Rehana did not hold any official position in the past regime while the third man to be investigated by ACC is Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury, a former principal secretary to the government who served as the chief coordinator of the celebration after he retired from the government job.

ACC chairman Mohammad Abdul Momen earlier this week said there was no difference between the former premier and a typical corrupt individual and the process to bring back a corrupt fugitive is the same, whether its Hasina or anyone else.

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Hasina is also accused of numerous charges like mass murders and crimes against humanity, enforced disappearances while these cases were being filed with Bangladeshs International Crimes Tribunal.

The tribunal was formed originally to try hardened collaborators of Pakistan troops during Bangladeshs 1971 Liberation War and several of them were tried there and were executed as well subsequently after exhausting the appeal process.

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.

New Delhi has so far not responded to the request made by Bangladeshs interim government last year for the extradition of Hasina.
Despite US President Donald Trump pausing most of the tariffs on other countries, JPMorgan Chase has maintained that there is a possibility of a recession read more

Despite US President Donald Trumps pause on most tariffs, JPMorgan Chase has kept the possibility of recession this year at 60 per cent.

Hours after tariffs came into effect on Wednesday, Trump paused the rollout of 90 days. The pause gives nations time the chance to reach a deal with the United States to avoid tariffs. Even as stock markets soared at the announcements, JPMorgan did not change its projection.

Combined with the ongoing policy chaos on trade and domestic fiscal matters, along with the still-large losses in equity markets and hit to confidence, it remains difficult to see the US avoiding recession, said JP Morgan in a report on Wedmesday, according to CNN.

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Previously, Moodys had reaised the risk of recession in the wake of tariffs from 15 per cent to 40 per cent.

JPMorgan said that all else being equal, even though undoing draconian tariffs is a positive, the situation remains concerning.

However, not all else is equal and the net of where we stand remains concerning, said JPMorgan.

The bank said that even 10 per cent tariffs on all imports are a large shock that is equal to 7.5 times the trade war shock in 2018-19 in Trumps first term.

More shocking is the increase in China tariffs to an astounding 125 per centWe believe that the US war on trade is far from over, and today was merely the end of the beginning, said JPMorgan.

Last week, when Trump announced the most sweeping tariffs in nearly a century, JPMorgan raised the recession odds to 60 per cent.

JP Morgan said these tariffs are the biggest risk to the global outlook all year.

These tariffs are likely going to be through retaliatory tariffs by other countries, a slide in US business sentiment, and supply-chain disruptions, as per JP Morgan.

Last week, Trump imposed 10 per cent tariffs on all imports and slapped higher tariffs on group of countries. He slapped Vietnam with 46 per cent tariffs, China with 34 per cent tariffs (on top of 20 per cent tariffs already in place), Taiwan with 32 per cent tariffs, India and South Korea with 26 per cent tariffs, and Japan with 24 per cent tariffs, and the European Union (EU) with 20 per cent tariffs. He has since increased tariffs on China to 125 per cent.

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Previously, Moodys Chief Economist Mark Zandi had said that there does not appear to be any way to escape a recession.

Well see over the next few days how our trading partners respond to this. If they are more circumspect and cautious, then we can maybe breathe more easily. But if they retaliate in kind or close to it, I really dont see how we avoid a recession. These are big tariffs  25 per cent effective tariff rate, said Zandi in an interview with NewsNation.
Ursula Von der Leyen said the bloc would pause its countermeasures to give negotiations a chance, while warning that the EU stood ready to respond if talks failed to deliver a fair outcome read more

After US President Donald Trump made a U-turn on tariffs, EU said it'd halt its response to the levies for 90 days as well. Reuters

The European Union will hold off on imposing retaliatory tariffs on US goods for 90 days, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen announced on Thursday (April 10), in a move aimed at salvaging trade talks with Washington following Donald Trumps abrupt decision to delay sweeping duties on EU exports.

Von der Leyen said the bloc would pause its countermeasures to give negotiations a chance, while warning that the EU stood ready to respond if talks failed to deliver a fair outcome.

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The 27-member bloc had approved retaliatory tariffs on over 20 billion worth of American products on Wednesday  including soybeans, motorcycles, and cosmetics  following US duties on European steel and aluminium. However, a broader response to Trumps planned universal tariffs, including those on the automotive sector, remains in the works.

While finalising the adoption of the EU countermeasures that saw strong support from our member states, we will put them on hold for 90 days, the European Commission president said in a statement.

Fragile pause in a widening trade row

Trumps shock move to delay a raft of new tariffs by three months including a 20 per cent blanket duty that would have hit European exports hard has done little to ease transatlantic tensions, but Brussels appears eager to prevent an immediate escalation.

In an earlier statement, von der Leyen welcomed the delay as an important step towards stabilising the global economy, adding that the EU remains committed to constructive negotiations with the United States.

Nonetheless, the Commission president made clear that preparatory work on further countermeasures would continue. All options remain on the table, she said, signalling that Brussels would not shy away from a response should the US revert to a more aggressive trade stance.

Offer of compromise, but no retreat

The European Commission has floated a possible bilateral exemption deal with Washington  one that would remove tariffs on cars and other industrial goods on both sides.

But there is little indication yet that the US is prepared to take up the offer, especially with Trumps campaign increasingly leaning into economic nationalism ahead of the 2024 election.

With inputs from agencies
Unveiling a coalition agreement on Wednesday (April 9), Christian Democratic Union (CDU) leader Friedrich Merz appeared alongside his partners from the Social Democrats (SPD) and the Bavarian CSU, declaring that the talks had taken place amid growing global political tensions read more

Conservative leader Friedrich Merz of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) is likely to become the next German chancellor as early as May. Reuters

Germany is on the cusp of forming a new government after months of political deadlock. This expected breakthrough has not from domestic consensus, though.

Geopolitical and economic pressure, in the form of mounting threats from both Washington and Moscow, forced the countrys rival parties into action.

Unveiling a coalition agreement on Wednesday (April 9), Christian Democratic Union (CDU) leader Friedrich Merz appeared alongside his partners from the Social Democrats (SPD) and the Bavarian CSU, declaring that the talks had taken place amid growing global political tensions. He cited unpalatable threats to Germanys security and prosperity, pointing to Russian aggression and the economic turmoil caused by the United States, Financial Times reported.

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The new coalition could install Merz as chancellor as early as May, ending a long period of caretaker government and providing Europes largest economy with a functioning executive at a time of acute global instability.

Tariffs hasten political unity

While Merz had pledged to form a government within two months, events beyond Germanys borders accelerated the timeline. Trumps move to impose a 20 per cent tariff on European goods suspended for 90 days, but still looming threatened to tip the countrys sluggish economy into recession. The uncertainty was enough to prompt compromise between the CDU and SPD, two parties with often opposing views on taxation, welfare, and industrial policy.

The agreement comes against the backdrop of three years of economic stagnation. Analysts warn that the new tariffs, even if delayed, could wipe out the benefits of Merzs planned 1tn fiscal stimulus programme for defence and infrastructure.

Meanwhile, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is capitalising on voter dissatisfaction. After coming second in Februarys elections, it this week overtook the CDU in a national survey for the first time, heightening the urgency for the formation of a stable centrist government.

Mixed reviews for a compromised programme

The 146-page coalition agreement sets out the broad direction of government policy, including measures to slash corporate tax by five points from 2028 a CDU priority and raise the minimum wage to 15 per hour, fulfilling an SPD campaign promise. It also dismantles welfare benefits introduced by the previous SPD-led coalition. However, Merz failed to push through income tax cuts.

Critics were quick to note the lack of deep structural reforms. The plan promises more subsidies but identifies only modest savings, said Holger Schmieding, chief economist at Berenberg, adding that the programme falls short of the grand compromise between centre right and centre left which Germany needs to return to vigorous growth for good.

Still, the coalitions long-term impact could be meaningful. Schmieding said the measures would likely increase the countrys real GDP growth potential currently at just 0.4 per cent though probably not to the extent originally hoped.

Merz, for his part, promised further reforms, including a plan to reduce the size of the federal government by 2 per cent annually. He emphasised this would be done in a socially acceptable, sensible, and measured way, adding, in a pointed remark, Were not hiring Elon Musk here, referring to the US entrepreneurs role in cutting government staffing within the Trump administration.

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The SPD secured seven of 15 cabinet positions a strong outcome for a party that won just 16 per cent of the vote, its worst result since 1987. Key posts include the finance and defence ministries. Ministerial appointments will be announced following a vote by SPD members to approve the deal in the coming weeks.
British police have arrested the UK head of Greenpeace, alongside five other activists, after they poured 300 litres of blood-red dye into a pond at the US embassy on Thursday in protest against the US sale of arms to Israel read more

A man runs next to the US Embassy pond filled with red dye by Greenpeace activists, in protest against arms sales to Israel, in London, Britain, on Thursday. Reuters

British police on Thursday arrested Will McCallum, the UK head of Greenpeace, along with four other activists after they poured 300 liters of blood-red dye into a pond at the US embassy in protest against the US sale of arms to Israel.

According to The Guardian report, Greenpeace said McCallum had been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to cause criminal damage, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

Four other activists were also arrested near the embassy on suspicion of criminal damage and conspiracy to cause criminal damage.

Twelve activists from the campaign group poured non-toxic, biodegradable dye into a pond in Nine Elms, southwest London, using containers marked with Stop Arming Israel.

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The containers were transported to the embassy on bicycles equipped with trailers disguised as delivery bikes, added the report.

According to Reuters, the Met Police did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

These arrests are further proof that the right to protest is under attack in the UK. This protest used biodegradable pond dye that is designed to disperse and wash away naturally, The Guardian quoted Areeba Hamid, the co-executive director at Greenpeace UK, as saying.

We took this action because US weapons continue to fuel an indiscriminate war thats seen bombs dropped on schools and hospitals, entire neighbourhoods blasted to rubble, and tens of thousands of Palestinian lives obliterated. As the biggest supplier of weapons to the Israeli military, the US government bears a heavy responsibility for the horrors unfolding in Gaza, she added.

Israels military campaign in Gaza, which has resulted in over 50,000 deaths, was launched in response to Hamass attack on October 7, during which more than 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were killed and around 250 taken hostage.

Greenpeace UK is urging the UK and US governments to implement a complete arms embargo on Israel.

With inputs from agencies
Britain had banned the military wing of Hamas back in 2001. In November 2021, the ban was extended to the groups political wing as well, effectively banning Hamas in its entirety read more

Israeli hostages, from left to right, Eliya Cohen, Omer Shem and Omer Wenkert, show Hamas issued certificates as instructed by militants, before being handed over to the Red Cross in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, on Saturday. AP

Hamas has knocked on the doors of a court in the UK, urging the government to lift its ban on Hamas and roll back its proscription of the group as a terror organisation.

The Palestinian groups senior official, Moussa Abu Marzouk, has submitted a lengthy witness statement arguing that Hamas is a Palestinian Islamic liberation and resistance movement whose goal is to liberate Palestine and confront the Zionist project, according to a report by Drop Site News.

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When did UK ban Hamas?

Britain had banned the military wing of Hamas back in 2001. In November 2021, the ban was extended to the groups political wing as well, effectively banning Hamas in its entirety.

Banning the group made it a criminal offence for anyone to belong to or invite to the proscribed Hamas.

Hamas is an evil Iranian-backed terrorist organization, which kidnaps, tortures and murders people, including British nationals. They pose an ongoing threat to our security and to the peace and stability of the Middle East and they have weapons and training facilities that put lives at risk and threaten our interests. They show no respect for human rights, life and dignity and have oppressed people living in Gaza for too long, the government had said at the time.

Whats Hamass argument now?

Abu Marzouk has claimed that the October 7 attack was aimed exclusively at military objectives, inaccurately downplaying the targeting of civilians as minimal or largely carried out by individuals unaffiliated with Hamas.

He also accused Britain of being complicit in Israels genocide in Gaza, adding that Hamas does not pose a risk to the United Kingdom.

A legal team representing Hamas pro bonosince accepting funds from the group would be unlawful, argues in its filing that although Hamass actions meet the legal definition of terrorism under UK law, the same standard could also apply to the actions of the IDF, the Ukrainian military, and even British armed forces.
Three Lebanese political sources said that talks between Aoun and Hezbollah over the groups weaponry are expected to begin soon. A senior Hezbollah official said earlier that willingness to engage in talks was contingent on Israels full withdrawal and an end to military strikes read more

People visit the site damaged by an Israeli airstrike that killed Lebanon's Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, after the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Reuters

Hezbollah is prepared to enter into talks with Lebanons government on a national defence strategy, a senior figure in the Iran-backed group said on Thursday (April 10), signalling a rare openness to negotiation over its powerful and controversial weapons arsenal.

Hassan Fadlallah, a Hezbollah MP, said the group was in constant contact with President Joseph Aoun and was ready to take part in a dialogue that would focus on safeguarding Lebanese sovereigntyparticularly, he said, through the removal of remaining Israeli forces from Lebanese territory.

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We have expressed our readiness for dialogue to find a defence strategy for Lebanon, Fadlallah said in a televised address. We are in constant contact with President Aoun. When he calls for dialogue and sets national foundations for it, we are ready.

His comments come amid a significant shift in Lebanons political and security landscape following the devastating 2024 war between Israel and Hezbollah. The conflict, which broke out in the wake of the Gaza war, left the group militarily and politically weakened, suffering the loss of senior commanders, thousands of fighters, and the disruption of key supply lines following the fall of Bashar al-Assad in Syria.

A fragile detente?

President Aoun, who took office in January with the backing of the United States, has made the establishment of a state monopoly on arms a centrepiece of his mandate.

Three Lebanese political sources told Reuters that talks between Aoun and Hezbollah over the groups weaponry are expected to begin soonpotentially setting the stage for the most serious discussion in years about integrating or limiting Hezbollahs vast arsenal.

Hezbollah, which before the war was estimated to possess more than 150,000 missiles and rockets according to the CIA World Factbook, has long resisted such overtures. It has consistently framed its armaments as vital for the defence of Lebanon against Israeli aggression, pointing to decades of conflict along the southern border.

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But the outcome of the 2024 war appears to have reshaped the balance of power. Israeli forces pushed into southern Lebanon during the conflict and, while largely withdrawn, have retained control of five strategic hilltop positions. Israel has said it plans to transfer those positions to Lebanese forces once the security situation permits.

A senior Hezbollah official said week that the groups willingness to engage in talks about its weapons was contingent on Israels full withdrawal and an end to military strikes.

Internal pressures and external scrutiny

The question of Hezbollahs arms has long divided Lebanon. Supporters view the group as a bulwark against Israeli incursions, while critics argue that its weapons have undermined state sovereignty and drawn Lebanon into regional wars. In recent years, international pressureincluding from the US and Gulf Arab stateshas mounted for Lebanon to assert control over all armed groups operating within its borders.

Fadlallah used his speech to push back against suggestions that Hezbollah was using the Beirut port scene of the catastrophic 2020 explosion to smuggle weapons. These reports are false, he said, describing them as part of a disinformation campaign aimed at weakening the groups standing.

While the possibility of Hezbollah entering formal talks over its military role may raise hopes of a recalibration in Lebanese politics, it is also a sign of the groups weakened hand. With supply routes disrupted, popular support eroded, and its military capacity dented, Hezbollah faces a new reality in which its longstanding insistence on an independent arsenal may no longer be sustainable.

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Ksenia Karelina, a US-Russian dual national who was found guilty in Russia for donating a small sum to a US-based Ukrainian charity and was sentenced to 12 years in prison, was freed on Thursday as part of a rare prisoner swap between the US and Russia, according to a report read more

This photo released by the state-run WAM news agency shows Yousef al-Otaiba, the UAE ambassador to the US, left, standing next to US-Russian dual national Ksenia Karelina after her release at an airport in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on Thursday. AP

Ksenia Karelina, a US-Russian dual national who was found guilty in Russia for donating a small sum to a US-based Ukrainian charity and was sentenced to 12 years in prison, was freed on Thursday as part of a rare prisoner swap between the US and Russia, signaling a potential warming of relations between the two countries.

According to a Politico report, Karelina had been sentenced earlier this year after being found guilty of what Russian authorities called treasonous support of Ukraine.

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A former ballet dancer, Karelina became a US citizen in 2021 after marrying an American and relocating to Los Angeles.

In return, the United States released Artur Petrov, a German-Russian dual national who was arrested in Cyprus in 2023 at the request of US authorities. He faced charges related to the alleged illegal export of sensitive American microelectronics, added the report.

American Ksenia Karelina is on a plane back home to the United States. She was wrongfully detained by Russia for over a year and President Trump secured her release, Politico quoted US Secretary of State Marco Rubio as saying Thursday, adding Trump will continue to work for the release of ALL Americans.

The Wall Street Journal, which first reported the exchange, said it took place at Abu Dhabi airport and was arranged through a deal brokered by intelligence agencies.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe and a senior Russian intelligence official led negotiations for the swap, reported the journal, citing information from a CIA official.

Russias Federal Security Service confirmed the exchange later on Thursday.

This marks the second prisoner swap between the US and Russia since President Trump took office earlier this year.

In February, the Biden administration secured the release of American schoolteacher Marc Fogel  detained in Russia on drug charges  in exchange for Russian entrepreneur Alexander Vinnik.

With inputs from agencies
Kash Patel has been removed as the acting head of the ATF, weeks after reportedly not showing up at its facilities. He continues to serve as FBI Director. Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll has been appointed to take on both roles for now. read more

Kash Patel has been removed as the acting head of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), according to a report from NBC News.

Sources told NBC News that Patel hadnt been seen at an ATF facility for weeks. He has now been replaced by US Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll, who will take on both roles.

Patel, 45, still holds his position at the FBI.

Patel was sworn in as acting ATF leader on 24 February, just three days after being sworn in as FBI Director. It was unusual for one person to be appointed to lead two major Justice Department units simultaneously.

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A Justice Department official confirmed Patels removal to Reuters and said it had nothing to do with his job performance. However, no specific reason was provided for the move.

White House spokesperson Harrison Fields said Patels role at the ATF was always intended to be temporary while awaiting Senate confirmations. Director Patel is now doing an excellent job at the FBI and delivering strong results, Fields said.

Who is Daniel Driscoll?

Daniel Driscoll, 38, is the US Army Secretary. He leads the countrys largest military branch, which includes around 452,000 soldiers, many of whom are stationed overseas. He also manages major weapons and equipment programmes worth billions and oversees an Army budget of over $187 billion.
In a statement on Wednesday, USCIS said that it will start considering aliens antisemitic activity on social media and the physical harassment of Jewish individuals as grounds for denying immigration benefit requests read more

As US President Donald Trump continues with his crackdown against immigrants, the countrys Citizenship and Immigration Services announced that it will begin monitoring immigrants social media accounts for antisemitism. The news prompted some advocacy groups to push back, with many calling it an excuse to move a cruel, anti-immigrant, authoritarian agenda.

In a statement on Wednesday, USCIS said that it will start considering aliens antisemitic activity on social media and the physical harassment of Jewish individuals as grounds for denying immigration benefit requests. The authorities noted that the new rule will apply to individuals applying for permanent resident status, international students and aliens affiliated with educational institutions linked to antisemitic activity.

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There is no room in the United States for the rest of the worlds terrorist sympathizers, and we are under no obligation to admit them or let them stay here, said Tricia McLaughlin, the Department of Homeland Security assistant secretary for public affairs. Secretary [Kristi] Noem has made it clear that anyone who thinks they can come to America and hide behind the First Amendment to advocate for anti-Semitic violence and terrorism  think again. You are not welcome here, McLaughlin furthered.

The condemnation that followed

The announcement came at a time when US President Donald Trumps administration is conducting a crackdown on protesters demonstrating against Israels deadly war on Gaza. These regulations have prompted criticism from several advocacy organizations and progressive Jewish groups viewing the news as part of a campaign to repress legitimate speech under the guise of fighting hate.

The Nexus Project, which fights antisemitism and defends free speech, condemned the announcement in a statement on BlueSky. Treating antisemitism as an imported problem does not fight antisemitism. Using politically malleable language like terrorist sympathizer to go after immigrants does not fight antisemitism. Doing this while elevating antisemitism, as this administration is doing, does not fight antisemitism," the statement reads.

Similarly, Bend the Arc, a progressive Jewish organization, said: The Trump administration will begin screening immigrants social media for antisemitism. This will NOT fight antisemitism. This is simply using Jews as an excuse to move a cruel, anti-immigrant, authoritarian agenda. We refuse to be used this way.

Many also called out the Trump administrations love for Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who made back-to-back apparent fascist salutes during Trumps inauguration rally earlier this year. They also called out the Trump administrations affinity with Germanys far-right political party Alternative for Germany, or AfD.

With inputs from agencies.
The flight carrying Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a key accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terrorist attack, is expected to land in New Delhi after 6 pm on Thursday. Upon his extradition to India, he will face trial under Indian law. read more

The flight carrying Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a key conspirator in the 26/11 Mumbai terrorist attack, is likely to land in New Delhi on Thursday evening after 7 pm following his extradition, according to a report.

After arriving in India upon extradition, Rana is set to face trial in India under Indian law.

A joint team of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Research and Analysis Wing (Raw) is bringing Rana to India, according to CNN-News 18.

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The special flight carrying Rana departed from the United States on Wednesday evening. The final hurdle in his extradition was cleared on Monday when the US Supreme Court rejected his appeal against the extradition.

Rana is accused of facilitating the 26/11 attacks. He is accused of being a close associate of David Coleman Headley, one of the main plotters of the 26/11 attacks. He has been charged with criminal conspiracy, waging war against India, murder, forgery, and offences under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

Ahead of Ranas arrival in India, Delhis Palam area, where the airport is located, has been put under a tight security cover. Bullet-proof vehicles and commandoes have been deployed in the area.

Rana to be taken to NIA HQ

Upon his arrival in India, Rana will be formally arrested by the NIA and taken to the agencys headquarters in a bullet-proof and blast-proof vehicle, according to CNN-News 18.

Separately, India Today has reported that a high-security cell has been set up for Ranas interrogation in the NIA HQ. Later, he is expected to be produced in a court in Delhi.

Eventually, Rana is expected to be lodged in Delhis Tihar jail.

Rana is Canadian citizen of Pakistani origin

Rana is a Canadian national of Pakistani origin. He had served in the Pakistani Army as an officer before moving to Canada.

David Coleman Headley, one of the main conspirators in the 26/11 attacks, said that Rana provided financial and logistical support for the attacks. Headley had visited Mumbai before the attacks, pretending to work for Ranas immigration firm, to scout the target locations.

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Rana was arrested by the FBI in Chicago in October 2009, a year after the attacks. He was charged in the US for helping plan a failed terror plot against a Danish newspaper and for supporting the Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba, which carried out the Mumbai attacks. He was convicted in 2011 and was most recently held in a detention centre in Los Angeles.
Australia snubs Chinas proposal to unite against Tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump as Canberra avoids getting dragged into the tussle between China and the United States read more

Australia snubbed Chinas appeal to join hands to defend global trade against tariffs unleashed by US President Donald Trump. On Thursday, Ambassador Xiao Qian urged Australia and other trading partners to jointly respond to the changes of the world in an opinion piece written for a Sydney newspaper.

Under the new circumstances, China stands ready to join hands with Australia, Xiao wrote for The Sydney Morning Herald. However, Australias Defence Minister Richard Marles was quick to pour cold water on the idea and distanced Canberra from the treatment China is currently facing from the US.

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Were not about to make common cause with China, thats not whats going to happen here. I dont think well be holding Chinas hand, Marles told Australias Nine News. We dont want to see a trade war between America and China, to be clear, but our focus is on actually diversifying our trade," he added.

Australia doesnt want to get dragged into the matter

It is pertinent to note that Australia has been slugged with a blanket 10 per cent tariff on goods exported to the US. While China is Canberras largest trading partner, Australia does not want to attract more wrath from Trump, given his animosities with China.

On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump abruptly paused the highest tariffs on most countries after admitting they made the stock market nervous. However, the American leader doubled down on a spiralling trade war with China.

He announced that he was raising tariffs on China to 125 per cent because of a lack of respect. It is pertinent to note that US levies on Australia will remain unchanged despite the pause. However, some of the islands part of the Australian territory, like Norfolk Island, did get the relief.
At the News18 Rising Bharat Summit, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh revealed a little-known historical account  Pakistans first national anthem was written by Hindu poet Jagan Nath Azad on Muhammad Ali Jinnahs suggestion. Singhs remarks have reignited interest in the inclusive ideals envisioned during Partition and the emotional scars carried by contributors like Azad read more

Dr. Jitendra Singh can be seen speaking on a screen during a session at the News18 Rising Bharat Summit held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on April 8-9, 2025. Firstpost

At the News18 Rising Bharat Summit held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on April 8-9, Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, highlighted a lesser-known historical fact:

And one more fact, which is not much talked about is that on the 14th of August, the midnight when Pakistan was granted independence, the very first national anthem was written by a Hindu poet called Jagan Nath Azad.

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Singh elaborated that Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Pakistans founding father, formed a panel of poets to craft the nations inaugural anthem. Noticing Azads name among them, Jinnah remarked: Look, lets have this, we might send out a message.

Azads composition began with Sar Zameen-e Pakistan, dedicating it to the motherland. Dr. Singh noted: And then, of course, later on, it got changed. Then Hafiz Jalandhri wrote, Jo Aaj Kal Hai.

Jagan Nath Azad, born in 1918 in Isa Khel, Punjab, was a prominent Urdu poet and scholar of Allama Iqbals works. In August 1947, Jinnah reportedly invited Azad to pen the national anthem, aiming to promote inclusivity in the nascent nation.

Azad completed the anthem within five days, and it was promptly approved and broadcast on Radio Pakistan.

However, some historians question this narrative. A 2011 article in Dawn highlighted the lack of concrete evidence supporting Azads claim and noted that official records do not document an anthem broadcast during the independence ceremony.

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Several Pakistani researchers, including Aqeel Abbas Jafri in his book Pakistan ka Qaumi Tarana: Kya Hai Haqeeqat, Kya Hai Fasana, have challenged the claim on the grounds of lack of inconsistencies in Azads interviews.

Singh also recounted Azads personal experiences during the partition: He used to take quite a lot of sadist pleasure in narrating that when my national anthem was being composed, at that very moment, he was running away from there. Some of my Muslim neighbours came there and said, Sir, your anthem is playing  its a matter of great honour  but were afraid that with the riots going on here, something might happen to you, and we might not be able to protect you.

Azad was a noted expert on Allama Iqbal and continued to write and travel across the subcontinent for academic engagements, even after Partition.

Indian writer Jagan Nath Azad (1918-2004). Open Library

As Singh pointed out, it also reflected Jinnahs initial vision of an inclusive Pakistan, even if that vision later gave way to more conservative influences in the years that followed.

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In todays climate of polarised narratives, Singhs remarks serve as a poignant reminder of shared histories.
During a visit to Panama, Hegseth suggested that by invitation the United States could revive military bases or naval air stations and rotate deployments of US troops to an isthmus the United States invaded 35 years ago read more

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth attends a meeting with Britain's Defence Secretary John Healey (not pictured) at the Pentagon in Washington, DC, US, March 6, 2025. (Photo: Reuters)

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday floated the idea of US troops returning to Panama to secure its strategically vital canal, a suggestion quickly shot down by the countrys government.

During a visit to Panama, Hegseth suggested that by invitation the United States could revive military bases or naval air stations and rotate deployments of US troops to an isthmus the United States invaded 35 years ago.

He also said his country was seeking free passage through the canal for its Navy ships  which US President Donald Trump had said were severely overcharged and not treated fairly in any way, shape or form.

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Since coming to power in January, Trump has repeatedly claimed that China has too much influence over the canal, which handles about 40 percent of US container traffic and five percent of world trade.

His administration has vowed to take back control of the interoceanic waterway that the United States funded, built and controlled until 1999.

Hegseth on Wednesday suggested the slew of former US military bases that dot Panama could again be used to host US troops.

He said a deal signed with Panama this week was an opportunity to revive, whether its the military base, naval air station, locations where US troops can work with Panamanian troops to enhance capabilities and cooperate in a rotational way.

Hegseth cited the possibility of joint exercises but the mention of a rotational force is likely to raise the hackles of Panamanians, for whom sole ownership of the canal is a source of intense national pride.

The US has long participated in military exercises in Panama.

But a longer-term rotational force  like the one the US maintains in Darwin, Australia  is politically toxic for Panamas center-right leader Jose Raul Mulino.

His government quickly slapped down the idea.

Panama made clear, through President (Jose Raul) Mulino that we cannot accept military bases or defense sites, said Panama security minister Frank Abrego in a joint public appearance with Hegseth.

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Perceived threat

Hegseth also said the United States was seeking an agreement under which its warships could pass through the canal first, and free.

Jose Ramon Icaza, Panamas Minister for Canal Affairs, said we will seek a mechanism by which warships and auxiliary ships can have a compensation system for services, that is, a way to make them cost-neutral but not free.

The Pentagon chiefs two-day visit has been peppered with comments about China and its influence in Latin America.

He stated that the United States is not looking for war with China, but will counter Beijings threats to the region.

We do not seek war with China. And war with China is certainly not inevitable. We do not seek it in any form, the secretary said.

But together, we must prevent war by robustly and vigorously deterring Chinas threats in this hemisphere, the former Fox News anchor said in a speech.

The canal is run by an independent Panamanian authority and is legally bound to be open to all nations.

But Trump has zeroed in on the role of a Hong Kong company that has for decades operated ports at either end of the canal linking the Atlantic and Pacific.

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Hegseth asserted that China-based companies are also capturing Latin American land and infrastructure in strategic sectors like energy and telecommunications, and that China has too large a military presence in the hemisphere.

Make no mistake, Beijing is investing and operating in this region for military advantage and unfair economic gain, Hegseth said.

Under pressure from the White House, Panama has accused Hong Kong-backed Panama Ports Company of failing to meet its contractual obligations and pushed for the firm to pull out of the country.

On Wednesday the firm rejected an audit that said it had failed to pay $1.2 billion due under its concession.

The ports parent company CK Hutchison last month announced a deal to offload 43 ports in 23 countries  including its two on the Panama Canal  to a consortium led by US asset manager BlackRock for $19 billion in cash.

A furious Beijing has since announced an antitrust review of the deal.

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The United States invaded Panama in 1989 to oust dictator Manuel Noriega, killing more than 500 Panamanians and razing parts of the capital.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is likely to attend Russias Victory Day parade on May 9, which marks 80 years since the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II. read more

PM Modi to skip Russias Victory Day parade, Rajnath Singh likely to visit Moscow for May 9 event. Image: ANI

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is likely to attend Russias Victory Day parade on May 9, which marks 80 years since the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was invited to the event, but is unlikely to visit Russia, according to news agency ANI.

In December last year, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited Russia for the commissioning of INS Tushil in Kaliningrad. During the trip, he also paid tribute at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Moscow to honour Soviet soldiers who died in World War II, and met members of the Indian community.

Moscow invites PM Modi

Earlier, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko told the state-run Tass news agency that Moscow had invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the May 9 parade. He said the invitation had been sent and the visit was being discussed.

Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that Prime Minister Modi was invited to Russias Victory Day celebrations and said, We will announce our participation at the appropriate time.

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PM Modis Russia visits

Last July, Prime Minister Modi travelled to Moscow for the 22nd India-Russia summithis first visit to Russia in almost five years. Before that, he had visited Vladivostok in 2019 for an economic forum.

In October, he was in Kazan to attend the BRICS summit. During his most recent trip, Modi invited President Vladimir Putin to visit India.
We hope thatll lead to peace. Weve been very clear what Iran is never going to have as a nuclear weapon, and I think thats what led to this meeting, said Rubio during a Cabinet meeting chaired by President Donald Trump read more

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Thursday the United States will hold direct talks with Iran on Saturday to discuss Irans nuclear programme.

During a Cabinet meeting chaired by President Donald Trump, Rubio voiced hope that the talks will lead to peace.

We hope thatll lead to peace. Weve been very clear what Iran is never going to have as a nuclear weapon, and I think thats what led to this meeting, Reuters quoted Rubio as saying.

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The talks between US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Irans Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi are scheduled for Saturday in Oman.

Washington has indicated that the discussions will be direct, while Tehran maintains that they will be indirect, with Omans foreign minister facilitating the dialogue.

On Wednesday, Trump said that military action against Iran was absolutely an option if the talks did not lead to a deal, emphasising that time is running out to reach an agreement on Tehrans nuclear programme.

If necessary, absolutely, Trump told reporters when asked if military action was an option.

If it requires military, were going to have military. Israel will obviously be very much involved in that, be the leader of that, he added.

On Tuesday, Iran had responded to President Trumps announcement of direct talks, saying that the discussions will actually be conducted in an indirect format.

According to The Guardian report, Iranian officials, however, emphasised that the intentions of the negotiators hold greater significance than the format of the talks.

On Monday, Trumps revelation took Tehran by surprise, as he indicated that the failure of these talks would place Iran in great danger.

Iran had publicly been hesitant about the talks, saying it was ready for indirect discussions with the US but had not yet received a formal response regarding their status.

In a post on X, shortly after Trump announced the weekend talks during an Oval Office press conference, Araghchi referred to the discussions as both an opportunity and a test. He emphasised that the next move rests with the US.

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Speaking during a visit to Algiers, Araghchi said that format of the talks is not important but what is important is whether the parties are serious or not in the negotiations.

The form of negotiations is not important, whether they are direct or indirect. In my opinion, what is important is whether the negotiations are effective or ineffective, whether the parties are serious or not in the negotiations, the intentions of the parties in the negotiations, and the will to reach a solution. These are the criteria for action in any dialogue, The Guardian quoted Araghchi as saying.

Iran has not agreed to a formula that would transition indirect talks into direct negotiations, despite US expectations for such an evolution. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has vetoed direct talks, citing US sanctions and concerns from hardliners who view negotiations as a political trap.

Western powers accuse Iran of secretly pursuing a nuclear weapons programme by enriching uranium to levels of fissile purity they deem excessive for a civilian atomic energy initiative.

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In contrast, Tehran maintains that its nuclear programme is solely intended for civilian energy purposes.

With inputs from agencies
Zelenskyy said on Wednesday that Kyiv had details of 155 Chinese nationals who had been deployed to assist Moscows invasion, a day after claiming the Ukrainian army had captured two Chinese soldiers in the eastern Donetsk region read more

This handout video grab published on the official Telegram channel of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on April 8, 2025 shows, according to the Ukrainian president, one of two Chinese soldiers he said were captured by Ukrainian forces in the Donetsk region. Image- AFP

Russia on Thursday said that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was wrong to suggest that China is part of the war after he claimed that many Chinese nationals are fighting for Moscow.

Partner, friend, and comrade. China has always taken a very balanced position, so Zelensky is wrong, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters in a briefing call.

Beijing, similarly, slammed Zelenskyy for claiming that its citizens are fighting in the war, saying that he made irresponsible remarks.

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Zelenskyy said on Wednesday that Kyiv had details of 155 Chinese nationals who had been deployed to assist Moscows invasion, a day after claiming the Ukrainian army had captured two Chinese soldiers in the eastern Donetsk region.

Asked about Zelenskyys assertion on Thursday, Beijings foreign ministry told relevant parties to refrain from expressing irresponsible remarks.

We would advise the relevant parties to recognise Chinas role correctly and clear-headedly, ministry spokesman Lin Jian said at a regular news briefing, without mentioning Ukraine or Zelenskyy by name.

The development comes ahead of a meeting between Ukraine and the US next week, where Kyiv will push for a ceasefire. Despite China and Russia refuting Zelenskyys claim, the Ukrainian leader has said that his country is ready to release the captured Chinese citizens in exchange for Ukrainian POWs held in Russia.

A document shared with AFP by a senior Ukrainian official contained the alleged names and passport details of 168 Chinese citizens that Kyiv said had been recruited by Russias army, according to its intelligence.

With inputs from agencies
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer was defending Trumps tariff action in the House when Trump announced on his Truth Social platform that the administration had decided to postpone new duties on most countries with the exception of China read more

Chief of Staff of United States Trade Representative, Jamieson Greer, takes part in a meeting of Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT) of APEC ahead of November Presidential summit, at the Hotel Sheraton Miramar in Vina del Mar, Chile May 17, 2019. REUTERS/Rodrigo Garrido

US President Donald Trumps trade advisor was reportedly kept in the dark about plans to pause tariffs for 90 days until after they were announced on Wednesday.

According to a report by CNN, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer was defending Trumps tariff action in the House when Trump announced on his Truth Social platform that the administration had decided to postpone new duties on most countries with the exception of China.

Greer was asked exactly when he was told about the delay plans by Democratic Rep. Steven Horsford of Nevada, to which he replied, Well, I understood the decision was made a few minutes ago.

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It looks like your boss just pulled out the rug from under you and paused the tariffs, Horsford replied.

Greer mentioned that he became aware of the potential policy change on Wednesday morning. However, when pressed on whether he knew it was actually being implemented, he responded that the administration discusses all kinds of options.

Not sure whos running things

Meanwhile, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said in a post on X that Trump was with him and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent when Potus wrote one of the most extraordinary Truth posts of his Presidency.

Scott Bessent and I sat with the President while he wrote one of the most extraordinary Truth posts of his Presidency. The world is ready to work with President Trump to fix global trade, and China has chosen the opposite direction. pic.twitter.com/wNvg8NBnSR  Howard Lutnick (@howardlutnick) April 9, 2025

The confusion led Democratic Rep. Jimmy Gomez of California to say, We dont really know whos running things over there.

EU welcomes tariff pause

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday welcomed US President Donald Trumps decision to pause planned tariff increases as an important step towards stabilising the global economy.

Clear, predictable conditions are essential for trade and supply chains to function, the European Commission president said in a statement.

The European Union remains committed to constructive negotiations with the United States, she said, reiterating the blocs offer of a bilateral tariff exemption for cars and other industrial goods.

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With inputs from agencies
US President Donald Trump, in a move grabbing global attention, has announced a 90-day pause on his sweeping reciprocal tariffs, marking a sharp U-turn from his earlier policy. While making the announcement in a post on Truth Socal, Trump said, Thank you for your attention. read more

US President Donald Trump has announced a 90-day suspension of his reciprocal tariffs, which were introduced on his self-declared Liberation Day, taking a sharp U-turn on his previous policy. While making the announcement in a post on Truth Socal, Trump said, Thank you for your attention.

The move, aimed at easing global trade tensions and curbing panic, brought relief to stock markets across the world.

However, tariffs on Chinese imports have been increased to 125 per cent in response to Chinas recent hikes on US goods. Trump said the pause is intended to allow negotiations with over 75 countries and does not represent a retreat from his trade stance.

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Based on the lack of respect that China has shown to the worlds markets, I am hereby raising the tariff charged to China by the United States of America to 125 per cent, effective immediately. At some point, hopefully in the near future, China will realise that the days of ripping off the USA and other countries are no longer sustainable or acceptable, Trump said in a post on his social media platform, Truth Social.

On the other hand, since more than 75 countries have reached out to US officials  including the Departments of Commerce, Treasury, and the USTR  to find solutions to trade issues such as tariffs, trade barriers, currency manipulation, and non-monetary restrictions, and because these countries have, at my strong urging, not retaliated against the US, I have approved a 90-day pause. During this time, a reduced reciprocal tariff of 10 per cent will apply, effective immediately, Trump said.

Thank you for your attention to the matter, Trump wrote at the end of his post.

Critics, opponents call Trump a attention seeker

Nevertheless, Trump has consistently been criticised by opponents and analysts for being an attention seeker and a narcissist. According to reports, Trump has demonstrated a strong desire for public attention throughout his career.

His behaviour has been analysed by psychologists, with some suggesting that he exhibits traits associated with narcissism, characterised by grandiosity and a constant need for admiration.

Trump tariffs shift shows benefits of EU unity German chancellor-designate Merz

Friedrich Merz, who is expected to become Germanys next chancellor, said President Trumps 90-day pause on tariffs shows that Europes united stance on trade is working. He also called for tariff-free trade between the US and the EU.

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Europe is ready to defend itself, and this proves that staying united is our greatest strength, Merz told RTL.

A race for leading Europe

It is increasingly evident that French President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer, are vying for leadership in Europe, particularly in addressing continental security challenges.

This was apparent during the Ukraine crisis, when Trump threatened to suspend military and intelligence aid following a public spat in the Oval Office. A similar crisis unfolded during the Trump tariff standoff.
An employee at a China-listed export firm reported that the number of containers shipped daily to the US had dropped sharplyfrom 40 to 50 down to only 3 to 6due to the impact of the new tariffs read more

Gantry cranes stand near a cargo ship at Yangshan Port outside of Shanghai, China. Trump on Monday imposed an additional tariff across all Chinese goods, hiking the rate to 20 per cent. File image/Reuters

Heightened trade tensions between China and the US have spooked Chinese exporters who are reportedly abandoning shipments mid-voyage to avoid Trumps sweeping tariff costs. China has been singled out by the US president after he paused retaliatory tariffs for most nations on Wednesday.

A report by South China Morning Post says that industry insiders are bracing for the Long March, a metaphor used for anticipating more trouble in cross-Pacific trade due to Trumps tariff measures.

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The heightened tariffs against China took effect at the same time Thursday as retaliatory levies of 84 percent slapped on by Beijing on US imports.

Chinas commerce ministry warned the tariffs risked severely impacting the global economy, but stressed that the door to dialogue is open.

Shipments halted

An employee at a China-listed export firm reported that the number of containers shipped daily to the US had dropped sharplyfrom 40 to 50 down to only 3 to 6due to the impact of the new tariffs.

Weve halted all shipping plans from the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia. Every factory order is halted. Anything that hasnt been loaded will be scrapped, and the cargo already at sea is being re-costed, the employee told SCMP.

One client had informed the company that they are leaving goods on the water and handing them over to the shipping organisation as no one will buy them after the tariffs are imposed.

The company then returned to China to handle a barrage of cancellations, following which it instructed its staff not to take any more orders and suspend operations until tariffs stabilise.

The loss on every container we ship is now greater than the profit we used to make from shipping two. Whos going to keep doing this? the employee added.

China asks US to meet halfway on tariffs

China on Thursday urged the United States to meet it halfway as US President Donald Trump imposed more levies on Chinese goods but, in a huge relief to global markets, paused tariffs on other countries.

We hope the US will meet China halfway, and, based on the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, properly resolve differences through dialogue and consultation, Commerce Ministry spokeswoman He Yongqian said.

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At the briefing with UK negotiators from the trade department on Tuesday, businesses were told that 90 per cent of the deal had been agreed. Some of the outstanding issues that are still left to be agreed are related to whisky, cars and pharmaceuticals read more

The United Kingdom and India have agreed to almost 90 per cent of the free trade agreement which is currently being negotiated between the two nations. According to The Guardian, the UK is hoping that they will succeed in finalising the coveted trade deal with India, a booming economy of 1.4 billion people, this year.

A British government source told The Guardian that mobility, which involves visas for Indian workers has been one of the most contentious issues in the negotiations between the two nations. The source noted that the issue had been largely resolved. We are nearly there. We are as close as weve ever been, but conversations at the political level cut both ways, the source told the British news outlet.

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At the briefing with UK negotiators from the trade department on Tuesday, businesses were told that 90 per cent of the deal had been agreed. Some of the outstanding issues that are still left to be agreed are related to whisky, cars and pharmaceuticals.

Why the FTA matters

It is pertinent to note that the deal could mean dramatic tariff reductions on the UKs scotch whisky and car exports to India. Not only this, it will help both the British and Indian economies, which are currently exposed to the tariffs introduced by US President Donald Trump to find an alternative and reliant trade partner.

The source told The Guardian that the call between British negotiators and businesses took place before the meeting between the UKs Chancellor of the Exchequer and Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The two leaders are also negotiating a bilateral investment treaty, in parallel to the free trade agreement.

The bilateral treaty would establish legal protections for investments between the UK and India. On Tuesday night, Sitharaman attended a working dinner with Reeves and Keir Starmer. On Wednesday, she held talks with Jonathan Reynolds, the trade secretary, who travelled to New Delhi in February to formally relaunch the talks.

While addressing an event at the Indian High Commission before meeting the British leadership, Sitharaman said that India is seeking more bilateral trade agreements as a result of global uncertainties multiplying by the day.

Speaking to the reporters after the talks, the Indian finance minister said that there was a great sense of positivity and dedication to conclude the UK-India deal soon. Ministers announced a package of 128m in new export deals and investments with India after her visit. Meanwhile, Reeves noted that ministers were pursuing trade deals with countries including India because it was imperative we go further and faster to kickstart economic growth."

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The negotiations for an FTA between the two nations were launched by the UK, with many in the country considering it as a prize of Brexit. In January 2022. Successive Conservative governments sought to strike a quick deal with little to no success.

With inputs from agencies.
US Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr said that his agencys response to the measles outbreak should be a model for the world. However, experts raised alarms about the underreporting of the cases read more

US Health Secretary Rober F Kennedy Jr said on Wednesday that his response to a large measles outbreak in west Texas should be a model for the world. The remarks from the controversial politician came after Kennedys response to the outbreak had been widely criticized by epidemiologists and public health experts.

Not only this, the health secretary was boasting about his work in dealing with measles shortly after he attended the funeral of a third measles victim over the weekend. Experts argued that the political scion has failed to give a full-throated endorsement of an extremely effective vaccine, that cases appear to be severely undercounted and that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) officials were deployed late.

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The numbers continue to grow by the day, but  the growth rate has diminished substantially, Kennedy told reporters during a press conference while promoting his health agenda through the American Southwest. I would compare it to whats happening in Europe now, Kennedy continued, according to Politico. Theyve had 127,000 cases and 37 deaths. And so, what were doing right here in the United States is a model for the rest of the world.

Kennedy was referencing the figures released by the World Health Organization (WHO) in March which mentioned measles cases across 53 countries in Europe and Central Asia.

Experts react

Several experts highlighted that after RFK jr came into power, there was underreporting of the cases. Measles is the most contagious illness that we know of and it is preventable, said Susan Polan, associate executive director of the American Public Health Association. What were seeing now is a far, far undercount in terms of the actual number of cases," she added.

It is pertinent to note that before the current outbreak, the United States had not had a measles death since 2015. However, three people have now died as a result of the Texas outbreak, and nearly 500 people have gotten sick. Since measles has an average death rate of one to three per 1,000, public health officials believe cases are undercounted. Several doctors also mentioned that the measles vaccine is 97 per cent effective at preventing the disease.

While speaking to the press on Sunday, Kennedy said CDC staff would be redeployed to the outbreak in Texas. This week, Kennedy also said the best way to prevent measles is to get the vaccine. However, he continues to promote unproven therapies to cure measles on social media.

We should have had more people on the ground  this should have been a priority for weeks and weeks, said Polan. Measles was eliminated in the US back in 2000. However, anti-vaccine sentiments stoked for nearly a decade led to a dramatic increase in vaccine hesitancy.
The United States reiterated its concerns about the Russian Federations policy prohibiting the employment of local staff, which is the key impediment to maintaining for stable and sustainable staffing levels at the US Embassy in Moscow, the State Department said in a statement read more

The State Department on Thursday said that the US and Russian delegations continued their constructive discussions in Istanbul regarding rules that prohibit local staff from working at the embassy in Moscow.

The United States reiterated its concerns about the Russian Federations policy prohibiting the employment of local staff, which is the key impediment to maintaining for stable and sustainable staffing levels at the US Embassy in Moscow, the State Department said in a statement.

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The two sides also exchanged notes to finalise an understanding to ensure the stability of diplomatic banking for Russian and US. bilateral missions, the statement added.

In February, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the US embassy in Moscow barely operates due to being denied access to the banking system.

In July 2021, the US was forced to lay off nearly 200 locally employed staff following a Russian government measure that restricted the embassys ability to retain, hire, or contract Russian or third-country personnel, except for security roles.

According to Thursdays readout, the two sides discussed holding a follow-up meeting on these issues in the near term, as needed, with the date, location, and representation to be determined.

With inputs from agencies
The United States 25% tariff on goods it imports from Mexico and Canada that are not covered under the regions USMCA trade pact remains in effect, the official said. read more

A container ship is moored at Vanterm in the Port of Vancouver in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada March 12, 2025. File Photo / Reuters

The U.S. tariffs on goods imported from Mexico and Canada will not be affected by the 90-day pause on tariffs announced by President Donald Trump on Wednesday, a White House official said.

The United States 25% tariff on goods it imports from Mexico and Canada that are not covered under the regions USMCA trade pact remains in effect, the official said, adding that energy and potash from the two countries will also continue be tariffed at 10%.

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The bulk of goods from Mexico and Canada that are covered under the trade agreement have been excluded from the United States wide ranging tariff policies.
Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a key accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, is being extradited from the United States to India and is expected to land in Delhi this afternoon. Sources suggest he could be housed in Tihar Jails high-security Jail Number 2  the same facility where underworld don Chhota Rajan is currently lodged. read more

Will terrorist Tahawwur Rana be lodged in the same jail as gangster Chhota Rajan? File Photo

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is bringing 26/11 accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana from the United States to India on Thursday to prosecute him for 2008 Mumbai terror attacks killing 166 people.

Rana is expected to land in Delhi in the afternoon. His trial comes under the jurisdiction of Delhis Patiala House Court. It is not, however, clear yet whether Rana would be taken immediately to the court or presented before the court through video link or taken to the Special NIA Judges residence to seek custody.

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Reports, however, suggest that Rana could be incarcerated in Tihar Jails high-security facility. His extradition from the US to India has sparked significant interest in whether he will be housed in the same jail as notorious gangster Chhota Rajan.

Media reports quoting preliminary assessments by Delhi prisons authorities, Rana is likely to be housed in Jail Number 2 of Tihar Jail, the same facility where Rajan is currently lodged. This decision stems from Jail Number 2s unique three-tiered security apparatus  comprising Jail Security Guards, Central Reserve Police (CRP), and Tamil Nadu Police Force (TNPF) personnel  which is deemed necessary for managing high-risk individuals.

A recent security audit of the Jail Number 2 also indicates that Rana could be Rajans neighbour as prison inmates. However, this jail follows strict protocols and is likely to isolate Rana from inmates with conflicting ideologies, regional affiliations, or potential collaborative threats.

Rana to arrive today

Tahawwur Hussain Rana, one of Indias most wanted men for his alleged role in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.

According to India Today, a special flight carrying the 64-year-old left the US on Wednesday evening. A joint team from the NIA and the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) is escorting him back.

He is expected to land in Delhi on Thursday afternoon, where the National Investigation Agency (NIA) will take him into custody.

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Rana faces charges of criminal conspiracy, waging war against India, murder, forgery, and violations under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

Canadian citizen of Pakistani origin

Tahawwur Rana, a Canadian citizen of Pakistani origin, was based in Chicago and is accused of being involved in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks that killed 166 people.

David Coleman Headley, the main accused in the case, had revealed that Rana helped with funding and logistics for the plot. Headley had visited Mumbai before the attacks, posing as an employee of Ranas immigration firm, to scout target locations.

Rana was arrested by the FBI in Chicago in October 2009, a year after the attacks. He was charged with helping plan a failed attack on a Danish newspaper and for supporting the Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba, which carried out the Mumbai attacks. In 2011, he was convicted in the US and was most recently held at a detention centre in Los Angeles.
Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said at least 155 Chinese nationals are fighting for Russia in the ongoing war, accusing Beijing of turning a blind eye to the matter read more

Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that at least 155 Chinese nationals are fighting for Russia in the ongoing war, accusing Beijing of turning a blind eye to the matter. This week, Ukrainian officials released two dossiers naming, and in some cases picturing, Chinese men who were said to have signed up to fight for Russia. However, Kyiv did not suggest that Beijing, as a nation, was seeking to enter the war alongside Russia.

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On Wednesday, the Ukrainian president told reporters that he was not aware if China gave some kind of command to those now fighting for Russia. However, he did say Beijing must have been aware some people were joining another countrys military in return for payment.

We record that they [China] knew about it, Zelenskyy said. We record that these are Chinese citizens, they are fighting against us, using weapons against Ukrainians on the territory of Ukraine. Their motivation, money or not, politics, etcetera, is not yet known to me. But it will be known," he added.

US will be surprised: Zelenskyy

The Ukrainian leader noted that the United States was very surprised and believes this is unacceptable. The remarks from the Ukrainian leader came at a time when Washington and Beijing have been embroiled in a historic trade war. The document compiled by the Ukrainian intelligence pictured 3 Chinese soldiers aged between 19 and 45, with their passport details. Meanwhile, another dossier listed names, dates of birth, their Russian unit and in some cases, information about where they were recruited.

The Chinese issue is serious. There are 155 people with names and passport details  155 Chinese citizens who are fighting against Ukrainians on the territory of Ukraine, Zelenskyy said, adding: We believe that there are more, much more."

Meanwhile, remarks from the Chinese officials on the matter suggested that people were joining up on their own initiative. However, Beijing noted the idea that significant numbers were involved in the war was totally unfounded.

The Chinese government always asks Chinese citizens to stay away from conflict zones, avoid getting involved in any form of armed conflict, and especially refrain from participating in any partys military operations. Lin Jian, a foreign ministry spokesperson, said on Wednesday. China maintained that it is a neutral party in the conflict even though Russia makes heavy use of Chinese-made components in its arms industry, as does Ukraine.

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Russia uses TikTok to lure people

During the press briefing, Zelenskyy noted that Russia was seeking to recruit Chinese fighters by openly advertising on TikTok and other Chinese social networks. Zelenskyy argued that Beijing is aware of this. They [Chinese nationals] then travelled to Russia, typically Moscow, where they were first given medical examination over a three- to four-day period, he added.

The recruits are then given one or two months of training and asked to fight on occupied Ukrainian territory. They received official migration cards from the Russian authorities and were given access to an official payment system to receive money, the Ukrainian leader explained.

Apart from this, Kyiv also released the names of two Chinese prisoners who previously had been announced as being captured on the battlefield on Tuesday. They were identified as Wang Guangjun, born in 1991, and Zhang Renbo, born in 1998. the eastern European nation said it would be willing to exchange them for Ukrainian prisoners held by Russia.

With inputs from agencies.
China urges U.S. not to "whitewash" Japan's WWII militarism

Xinhua) 13:04, April 10, 2025

BEIJING, April 9 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese defense spokesperson on Wednesday said that certain people in the United States should not distort the facts of or "whitewash" Japan's militarism during World War II.

"This is a betrayal of the soldiers who died fighting fascists," Zhang Xiaogang, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, said when commenting on U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth's recent remarks claiming Japan as being indispensable in tackling "Chinese aggression" and complimenting the "valor" of Japanese soldiers in the Battle of Iwo Jima.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

"History shall not be forgotten, and right must not be confused with wrong," Zhang said.

The international community has long held fair judgment over who had launched wars, aggression or expansion and who had fought for peace during World War II, he added.

Zhang warned relevant countries against turning the Asia-Pacific into a "hunting ground" for geopolitical rivalry, urging them to stop instigating bloc politics and military confrontation, and to cease undermining the security and well-being of people in the region.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
MediaTek just announced the Dimensity 9400+ as the upgraded version of the Dimensity 9400 ahead of tomorrows MediaTek Dimensity Developer Conference (MDDC) 2025.

Faster CPU

It retains the second-generation TSMCs 3nm process tech and the second-generation all-large core CPU architecture, but the Arm Cortex-X925 core now operates at up to 3.73GHz compared to 3.62GHz while retaining 3 x Cortex-X4 performance cores clocked at 3.30 GHz and 4 x Cortex-A720 effeciency cores clocked at 2.4GHz.

Improved APU

The Dimensity 9400+ boasts improved AI processing over the previous generation. The MediaTek NPU 890 supports a wide range of LLMs across many regions around the world.

The chipset supports Mixture-of-Experts (MoE), Multi-Head Latent Attention (MLA), Multi-Token Prediction (MTP), and FP8 inferencing with faster reasoning speeds. It also offers 20% faster agentic AI performance with Speculative Decoding+ (SpD+).

GPU Improvements

The Dimensity 9400+ integrates a 12-core Arm Immortalis-G925 GPU. It brings opacity micromap (OMM) support for realistic effects. The Dimensity 9400+ also includes a new frame rate converter 2.0+ (MFRC 2.0+), which was developed in coordination with game developers to double effective FPS and enhances power efficiency by up to 40% when MFRC is utilized.

ISP

The chip retains the MediaTek Imagiq 1090 that enables HDR video recording across the entire zoom range. MediaTeks Smooth Zoom technology provides seamless capture of moving subjects while allowing users to isolate the image and audio they want in each scene, said the company.

Additional features

Expands phone-to-phone direct Bluetooth connections to 10km, extending 6.6x further than the Dimensity 9400.

Support for a BeiDou satellite connection, offering 33% faster TTFF (Time to first fix), even without cellular connectivity.

Wi-Fi 7 tri-band concurrency with five streams.

MediaTek Xtra Range 3.0, which delivers up to 30m greater Wi-Fi coverage.

MediaTek Dimensity 9400+ specifications

1x Arm Cortex-X925, 2MB L2 cache, up to 3.73 GHz + 3x Arm Cortex-X4, 1MB L2 cache + 4x Arm Cortex-A720, 512KB L2 cache

12MB L3 cache + 10MB SLC

Arm Immortalis-G925 MC12 GPU, New MediaTek Frame Rate Converter (MFRC) 2.0+ with up to 40% power saving, MediaTek Adaptive Gaming Technology (MAGT) 3.0

MediaTek NPU 890 (Generative AI, Agentic AI), 20% faster agentic AI performance with Speculative Decoding+ (SpD+)

TSMCs second generation 3nm process

WQHD+ at 180Hz, Tri-port MIPI for Tri-Fold Displays

Up to 320MP camera, Imagiq 1090

3GPP-R17, Sub-6GHz (FR1), 2G-5G multi-mode, 5G-CA, 4G-CA, 5G FDD / TDD, 4G FDD / TDD, TD-SCDMA, WDCDMA, EDGE, GSM

5G/4G Dual SIM Dual Active, Dual Data, SA & NSA modes; SA Option2, NSA Option3 / 3a / 3x, NR FR1 TDD+FDD, DSS, 256QAM VoNR / EPS fallback

GPS L1CA+L5+L1C, BeiDou B1I+ B1C + B2a +B2b, Glonass L1OF, Galileo E1 + E5a + E5b, QZSS L1CA + L5, NavIC L5

Wi-Fi 7 (a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be), Triple Band Triple Concurrency (TBTC), Bluetooth 6.0 with dual Bluetooth engine, 12Mbps

LPDDR5X 10667 9600Mbps memory up to 10.7Gbps,UFS 4 + MCQ

Availability

The first smartphones powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9400+ will be available in the market this month, said MediaTek.

OPPO has already confirmed that the Find X8s and X8s+ which will be introduced today in China will use the chip. The vivo X200s and realme GT7 will also use the chip.
motorola edge 60 STYLUS is all set to launch in India on April 15th. The company says that this will be the first phone in the segment to come with built-in stylus support.

This was introduced in the US moto g stylus 5G (2025) earlier this week, but this will Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 SoC with Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 SoC.

The phone will feature AI features like Sketch to Image, AI styling and Instant Shopping with Glance AI.

motorola edge 60 STYLUS specifications

6.7-inch (2712 x 1220 pixels) FHD+ 10-bit pOLED display, 120Hz refresh rate, up to 3000 nits peak brightness, Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection with Aqua Touch

Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 4nm 5G SoC with Adreno 710 GPU

8GB LPDDR4X RAM, 256GB UFS 2.2 storage, expandable memory up to 1TB with microSD

Android 15 with My UX, (2 OS + 3 Years SMR)

Dual SIM (1 Nano SIM + eSIM)

50MP rear camera with Sony LYT-700C sensor with f/1.88 aperture, OIS, 13MP ultrawide camera, macro option, f/2.2 aperture

32MP front camera with f/2.2 aperture

In-display fingerprint scanner

Stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos

Military-grade durability (MIL-STD-810H), Dust and water-resistant (IP68)

Dimensions: 162.1574.788.29mm; Weight: 191g

5G SA/NSA, Dual 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 ac (2.4GHz + 5GHz), Bluetooth 5.4, GPS, USB Type-C, NFC

5000mAh battery with support for 68W fast charging support, 15W wireless charging

Pricing?

The motorola edge 60 STYLUS will come in PANTONE Surf the Web and PANTONE Gibraltar Sea with a leather back and in single 8GB + 256GB model. Based on rumours, the phone will be priced at Rs. 22,999.
Iti doresti o presa libera si independenta, care nu da inapoi cand vine vorba de respectarea standardelor profesionale, refuza sa se lase cenzurata, sustine independenta justitiei, transparenta decizionala si valorile democratice. Alege sa o sustii.
Coloradan and former oil and gas lobbyist Kathleen Sgamma, who has spoken favorably about the idea of the Bureau of Land Management headquarters being located in Grand Junction, is no longer the nominee to serve as the director of that agency after the recent disclosure of comments she made that were critical of the Jan. 6, 2021, events at the U.S. Capitol and President Trumps role in them.

Sgamma, who long served as president of the Western Energy Alliance, had been scheduled to participate in a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee confirmation hearing Thursday morning but the committees chair, Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, announced she had withdrawn from consideration for the post.

While he didnt specify why, earlier this week the investigative watchdog group Documented found a memo Sgamma sent to Western Energy Alliance members on Jan. 7, 2021, the day after Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol in the waning days of his first administration.

I am disgusted by the violence witnessed yesterday and President Trumps role in spreading misinformation that incited it, she wrote, also later voicing disgust over rioting the prior summer that she said was routinely excused by most of the media and many politicians.

She added later, We wish President-elect Biden the best of luck in his goal to return to normalcy and moderation, even as we oppose policies that arent moderate or normal.

Sgamma, if confirmed, had been expected to try as BLM director to reverse Biden administration actions seen as anti-drilling, in pursuing Trumps agenda favoring strong domestic oil and gas production, including on federal lands.

The first Trump administration had moved the BLMs national headquarters to Grand Junction. Sgamma, speaking in a November 2020 Sentinel story about the possibility of that move being reversed by the incoming Biden administration, pointed to the bipartisan support the Grand Junction headquarters had among top Colorado elected officials. The Biden administration did end up moving the national headquarters back to Washington, but its possible that the new Trump administration could look again at the issue, and U.S. Rep. Jeff Hurd, R-Grand Junction, has introduced legislation that would move the headquarters back to Grand Junction.

In a Linkedin post Thursday, Sgamma said, I withdrew my nomination today, but I remain a passionate advocate for our public lands and was honored to be nominated by President Trump. I also appreciate all the support I received from ranchers, sportsmens and recreation groups, conservationists, tribes, states, counties, the energy, mining and timber industries, and many other stakeholders across the West. I remain committed to President Trump and his unleashing American energy agenda and ensuring multiple-use access for all.

Her future role wont involve serving as president of the Western Energy Alliance. Early this month the group announced that Melissa Simpson, whose prior work included a job in the previous Trump administration, will become its next president, effective April 16. Aaron Johnson, a spokesman for the Western Energy Alliance, said Thursday that Simpson is still coming on board next week and we look forward to her joining the team.

Meanwhile, David Bernhardt, who grew up in Rifle and served as Interior secretary during part of Trumps first term, suggested in a post on X that Sgamma bore responsibility for no longer being the nominee.

2 years go, in my book, I explained that individuals who know their views dont align with the president, and yet seek political appointments hoping such divergence will not be noticed cause needless harm and conflict, hindering the presidents agenda. Sad. Self-inflicted, Bernhardts X post said.

Alan Zibel, a researcher focused on oil and gas issues for the group Public Citizen, said in a statement, The withdrawal of Kathleen Sgammas nomination to lead the Bureau of Land Management appears not to be a reaction to her extensive experience representing fossil fuel companies, her contempt for environmental protections, or her dismissal of climate change as a meaningful problem. Instead, Sgammas unpardonable sin in Trumps world appears to have been maintaining a connection to shared reality and rejecting Trumps conspiracy theories about the 2020 election.

In Trumps authoritarian universe, the only thing that matters is loyalty, and his nominees must keep their sane instincts private. In a normal environment, a federal nominee might withdraw for saying something outlandish, controversial or insensitive. But this nominee appears to have withdrawn for saying something completely obvious  that a violent attack on the U.S. Capitol was morally repugnant.

Chelsie Miera, executive director of the West Slope Colorado Oil and Gas Association, said of Sgammas withdrawal as nominee, Im sad for the country to lose her leadership on public lands. She just has such expansive knowledge not just on industry but the spectrum of multiple uses on public lands. Its truly unique.

She said West Slope COGA hopes that whoever becomes the BLM director is someone from the West with a record of working on public lands issues, will carry forward Trumps mission to unleash American energy and is willing to work with all stakeholders.
A group of coal miners watch as President Donald Trump speaks at the White House shortly before signing executive orders on the coal industry on April 8. (White House livestream)
Sat Saturday

95 /64

More sun than clouds. Highs in the mid 90s and lows in the mid 60s.
Citing Russia, PACE urges resilience against 'foreign interference' aimed at undermining democracy in Europe

Council of Europe

Parliamentary Assembly

Strasbourg

9 April 2025

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has urged European countries to build resilience against "foreign interference" which aims to undermine democracy in Europe - calling for transparency in government and politics, stronger democratic institutions and an informed and educated citizenry which is alert to media manipulation tactics.

Approving a resolution based on a report by Zanda Kalnina-Lukasevica (Latvia, EPP/CD), the Assembly warned that Europe was being targeted by "intentional, covert and manipulative interference by foreign powers, their proxies or private actors" with the goal of undermining sovereignty, destabilising political systems and weakening public trust.

The Assembly noted the sharp escalation in hostile interference originating from Russia since the beginning of its full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine. It condemned attempts to disrupt electoral and democratic processes across Europe, describing this escalation as part of a broader pattern aimed at weakening the foundations of democratic societies.

Stressing that efforts to counter foreign interference must be grounded in respect for human rights, the parliamentarians advocated a "whole-of-society approach" - engaging governments, parliaments, local authorities, private enterprises, journalists, civil society and citizens alike. Among the specific recommendations made by the Assembly, it was underlined that resilient societies, strong democratic institutions, an active and informed civil society and transparent governance remained the most effective defence against foreign interference.

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Addressing Risks Associated with an Egregious Leaker and Disseminator of Falsehoods

Presidential Actions

Presidential Memoranda

April 9, 2025

MEMORANDUM FOR THE HEADS OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES

Miles Taylor was entrusted with the solemn responsibility of Federal service, but instead prioritized his own ambition, personal notoriety, and monetary gain over fidelity to his constitutional oath. While serving as an administrative staff assistant at the Department of Homeland Security, Taylor stoked dissension by manufacturing sensationalist reports on the existence of a supposed "resistance" within the Federal Government that "vowed" to undermine and render ineffective a sitting President. He illegally published classified conversations to sell his book under the pseudonym "Anonymous," which is full of falsehoods and fabricated stories. In so doing, Taylor abandoned his sacred oath and commitment to public service by disclosing sensitive information obtained through unauthorized methods and betrayed the confidence of those with whom he served. Where a Government employee improperly discloses sensitive information for the purposes of personal enrichment and undermining our foreign policy, national security, and Government effectiveness -- all ultimately designed to sow chaos and distrust in Government  this conduct could properly be characterized as treasonous and as possibly violating the Espionage Act, and therefore makes such employee ineligible for access to national secrets.

In his former position, Taylor relied upon various colleagues to facilitate his unethical laundering and release of sensitive Government data to advance his false narratives. It is therefore against America's interests to allow those associated with Taylor to access our Nation's secrets.

Accordingly, I direct the Attorney General, the Director of National Intelligence, and all other relevant executive department and agency (agency) heads to immediately take all action as necessary and consistent with existing law to suspend any active security clearances held by Miles Taylor, in addition to individuals at entities associated with Taylor, including the University of Pennsylvania, pending a review of whether such clearances are consistent with the national interest.

I further direct the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with any other relevant agency heads, to take all appropriate action to review Miles Taylor's activities as a Government employee. This review should identify any instances where his conduct appears to have been contrary to suitability standards for Federal employees, and where his conduct appears to have involved the unauthorized dissemination of classified information. Upon completing this review, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall prepare a report to be submitted to the President, through the Counsel to the President, with recommendations for appropriate remedial or preventative actions to be taken to protect America's interests.

This memorandum is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

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Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Addresses Risks Associated with Miles Taylor

Fact Sheets

The White House

April 9, 2025

RECLAIMING GOVERNMENT INTEGRITY: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed a Presidential Memorandum suspending any active security clearance held by Miles Taylor and his associates.

The Order directs the head of every federal agency to immediately suspend any active security clearance held by Taylor.

The Order also suspends any active security clearance held by individuals at entities associated with Taylor, including the University of Pennsylvania, pending a review of whether such clearances are consistent with the national interest.

Furthermore, the Order calls for a review of Taylor's activities as a government employee to identify any instances where his conduct appears to have been contrary to suitability standards for federal employees or involved the unauthorized dissemination of classified information.

ERADICATING GOVERNMENT BETRAYAL: President Trump is committed to ending the weaponization of government and believes that those who engage in such conduct should not have access to our nation's secrets.

Taylor is a bad-faith actor who weaponized and abused his government position, prioritizing his own ambition, personal notoriety, and monetary gain over fidelity to his constitutional oath.

While serving as an administrative staff assistant at the Department of Homeland Security, Taylor stoked dissension by manufacturing sensationalist reports on the existence of a supposed "resistance" within the federal government that "vowed" to undermine and render effective a sitting President.

Taylor published a book under the pseudonym "Anonymous," full of falsehoods and fabricated stories.

Taylor disclosed sensitive information obtained through unauthorized methods and betrayed the confidence of those with whom he served.

Taylor relied upon various colleagues to facilitate his unethical laundering and release of sensitive government data to advance his false narratives.

DRAINING THE SWAMP: President Trump is delivering on his promise to drain the swamp by rooting out inefficiency, corruption, and disloyalty.

President Trump already suspended the security clearances held by numerous other individuals who have engaged in conduct detrimental to American interests.

He is ensuring taxpayer funds do not go to anti-American activists and is declassifying records related to alleged government misconduct, providing transparency to the public.

The Trump Administration is aggressively investigating Biden-era programs that wasted billions of taxpayer dollars on inefficient and politically-driven projects, including canceling unnecessary government contracts and grants that do not serve the national interest.

President Trump is restoring trust in government by prioritizing loyalty to the Constitution and the American people over entrenched bureaucratic interests.

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Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Addresses Risks from Chris Krebs and Government Censorship

Fact Sheets

The White House

April 9, 2025

RESTORING TRUST IN GOVERNMENT: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed a Presidential Memorandum revoking any active security clearance held by Chris Krebs and his associates.

The Order directs the head of every federal agency to immediately revoke any active security clearance held by Krebs.

The Order also suspends any active security clearance held by individuals at entities associated with Krebs, including SentinelOne, pending a review of whether such clearances are consistent with the national interest.

Furthermore, the Order calls for a review of Krebs' activities as a government employee, including his leadership of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). The review will include a comprehensive evaluation of all of CISA's activities over the last 6 years and will identify any instances where Krebs' or CISA's conduct appears to be contrary to the administration's commitment to free speech and ending federal censorship, including whether Krebs' conduct was contrary to suitability standards for federal employees or involved the unauthorized dissemination of classified information.



ENDING GOVERNMENT CENSORSHIP: President Trump is committed to ending government censorship of Americans and believes that those who engage in such conduct should not have access to our nation's secrets.

Krebs, the former head of CISA, is a significant bad-faith actor who weaponized and abused his government authority.

Krebs, through CISA: Suppressed conservative viewpoints under the guise of combatting purported misinformation, and recruited and coerced major social media platforms to further its partisan mission. Covertly worked to blind the American public to the controversy surrounding Hunter Biden's laptop. Promoted the censorship of election information, including known risks associated with certain voting practices, and falsely and baselessly denied that the 2020 election was rigged and stolen, including by inappropriately and categorically dismissing widespread election malfeasance and serious vulnerabilities with voting machines. Skewed the bona fide debate about COVID-19 by attempting to discredit widely shared views that ran contrary to CISA's favored perspective.



ENSURING LOYALTY AND ACCOUNTABILITY: President Trump has made clear that loyalty to the United States must come before personal or partisan agendas, taking decisive action against those who misuse their undeserved influence to deceive the American public.

President Trump already revoked the security clearances held by intelligence officials who falsely claimed Hunter Biden's laptop was Russian disinformation during the 2020 election.

On Day One, President Trump signed an Executive Order to restore freedom of speech, dismantling federal programs that censored dissenting voices under the guise of combating misinformation, ensuring government serves the peoplenot partisan narratives.

That same day, President Trump signed an Executive Order ending the weaponization of the federal government.

These decisive actions underscore President Trump's pledge to ensure a transparent government that is loyal and accountable to the people.

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ADDRESSING RISKS FROM SUSMAN GODFREY

Presidential Actions

Executive Orders

April 9, 2025

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered:

Section 1. Background. Lawyers and law firms that engage in activities detrimental to critical American interests should not have access to our Nation's secrets, nor should their conduct be subsidized by Federal taxpayer funds or contracts. My Administration must also take appropriate and necessary measures to guard against the actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest that arise when the Government funds, engages with, or otherwise devotes resources to law firms and their clients that engage in conduct undermining critical American interests and priorities.

I have determined that action is necessary to address the significant risks, egregious conduct, and conflicts of interest associated with Susman Godfrey LLP (Susman). Susman spearheads efforts to weaponize the American legal system and degrade the quality of American elections. Susman also funds groups that engage in dangerous efforts to undermine the effectiveness of the United States military through the injection of political and radical ideology, and it supports efforts to discriminate on the basis of race.

Susman itself engages in unlawful discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of race. For example, Susman administers a program where it offers financial awards and employment opportunities only to "students of color." My Administration is committed to ending such unlawful discrimination perpetrated in the name of "diversity, equity, and inclusion" policies and ensuring that Federal benefits support the laws and policies of the United States, including those laws and policies promoting our national security and respecting the democratic process. Those who engage in blatant discrimination and other activities inconsistent with the interests of the United States should not have access to our Nation's secrets nor be deemed responsible stewards of any Federal funds.

Sec. 2. Security Clearance Review. (a) The Attorney General, the Director of National Intelligence, and all other relevant heads of executive departments and agencies (agencies) shall immediately take steps consistent with applicable law to suspend any active security clearances held by individuals at Susman, pending a review of whether such clearances are consistent with the national interest.

(b) The Office of Management and Budget shall identify all Government goods, property, material, and services, including Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities, provided for the benefit of Susman. The heads of agencies providing such material or services shall, to the extent permitted by law, expeditiously cease such provision.

Sec. 3. Contracting. (a) To prevent the transfer of taxpayer dollars to Federal contractors whose earnings subsidize, among other things, activities that are not aligned with American interests, including racial discrimination, Government contracting agencies shall, to the extent permissible by law, require Government contractors to disclose any business they do with Susman and whether that business is related to the subject of the Government contract.

(b) The heads of agencies shall review all contracts with Susman or with entities that disclose doing business with Susman under subsection (a) of this section. To the extent permitted by law, the heads of agencies shall:

(i) take appropriate steps to terminate any contract, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, including the Federal Acquisition Regulation, for which Susman has been hired to perform any service; and

(ii) otherwise align their agency funding decisions with the interests of the citizens of the United States; with the goals and priorities of my Administration as expressed in executive actions, especially Executive Order 14147 of January 20, 2025 (Ending the Weaponization of the Federal Government); and as heads of agencies deem appropriate. Within 30 days of the date of this order, agencies shall submit to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget an assessment of contracts with Susman or with entities that do business with Susman effective as of the date of this order and any actions taken with respect to those contracts in accordance with this order.

Sec. 4. Racial Discrimination. Nothing in this order shall be construed to limit the action authorized by section 4 of Executive Order 14230 of March 6, 2025 (Addressing Risks from Perkins Coie LLP).

Sec. 5. Personnel. (a) The heads of agencies shall, to the extent permitted by law, provide guidance limiting official access from Federal Government buildings to employees of Susman when such access would threaten the national security of or otherwise be inconsistent with the interests of the United States. In addition, the heads of agencies shall provide guidance limiting Government employees acting in their official capacity from engaging with Susman employees to ensure consistency with the national security and other interests of the United States.

(b) Agency officials shall, to the extent permitted by law, refrain from hiring employees of Susman, absent a waiver from the head of the agency, made in consultation with the Director of the Office of Personnel Management, that such hire will not threaten the national security of the United States.

Sec. 6. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or

(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

THE WHITE HOUSE,

April 9, 2025.

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Another two F-16 combat aircraft touch down at Kuchyna Air Base

Ministry of Defence of The Slovak Republic

02.04.2025

Another two Lockheed Martin-built F-16 Block 70 Fighting Falcon combat aircraft touched down on the runway at Kuchyna Air Base in the midday hours on Wednesday 2 April 2025. Their arrival brings the Slovak Air Force's fleet of F-16 fighter jets to five (5) of the fourteen (14) new aircraft on order from the United States.

Speaking on this occasion, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Robert Kalinak said: "With the arrival of two more F-16 fighter jets, we are reinforcing the protection of Slovak skies. We believe we will soon take full responsibility for protecting our airspace."

Both aircraft were delivered by air in two stages: a trans-Atlantic flight from the United States to Moron Air Base in Spain before their arrival into Kuchyna AB. These flights demonstrated the technical readiness of the aircraft. The aircraft are now undergoing certification and are getting ready for the Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) mission to defend SVK airspace, due as early as the summer of 2025.

On the SVK F-16 pilots, both trained and in training, Chief of Defence General Daniel Zmeko said: "We now have seven fully trained pilots who have been involved in initial test and certification flights for the delivered F-16s. Another six pilots will complete their F-16 Qualification Training in the United States this year, and, along with skilled ground crew and technicians, will then begin executing assigned Flight Training (FT) and Air Operations (AO) missions."

The F-16 Block 70 tactical multi-role fighter jet, the most advanced variant of the family of combat aircraft, represents an effective air combat platform, the full use of which - including defending SVK airspace - will require a new doctrinal approach to the planning and command and control (C2) capability for SVK air operations.

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Middle East conflict Germany stands by Israel - and is seeking to bring about a de-escalation

Germany - Federal Government

The Federal Government views the renewed escalation in the Gaza Strip with great concern. A ceasefire must be swiftly reinstated and strictly enforced. Hamas is urged to release all hostages. The goal must be to end the war.

Monday, 7 April 2025

Hamas launched an attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, firing thousands of missiles. Some 1,200 people were killed, and more than 200 hostages were taken, including individuals with German citizenship. "On the morning of 7 October, Israel woke up to a nightmare." This is how Federal Chancellor Scholz described the callous attack by the terrorist organisation Hamas on Israel. The suffering of the population on all sides is immeasurable, and the number of civilian casualties enormous, especially in the Gaza Strip.

Hope for ceasefire after agreement

Ever since the Hamas attack on Israel the Federal Government has persistently campaigned for a ceasefire. Federal Chancellor Scholz welcomed the agreement on a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages, among them German nationals. "The agreement must now be implemented consistently on a step-by-step basis: ultimately, all hostages have to be released," demanded the Federal Chancellor.

The longer the war lasted, the more obvious it became that while Israel had achieved many of its military goals in its fight against Hamas, the number of civilian victims and the suffering in the Gaza Strip are immense. Even after the first phase of the ceasefire comes to an end, it is essential to ensure that the residents of the Gaza Strip continue to receive reliable humanitarian and medical aid[HS1] . The Federal Government stands ready to provide further support.

Talks must now be held swiftly to secure the second phase of the ceasefire. A renewed escalation after the hard-won truce must be avoided at all costs. The goal must be a lasting end to the war. For this reason, Scholz emphasised: "Hamas is called upon to lay down their weapons once and for all. The Hamas terror must stop."

The Federal Government's thoughts remain with the hostages still in captivity and their families. Following the death of a German-Israeli mother and her sons, the Federal Chancellor stated on X: "Hamas has inflicted suffering and death on countless families. My thoughts are with all those who now have to come to terms with this terrible certainty."

Urgent humanitarian aid is needed for Gaza

The longer the war lasted, the more obvious it became that while Israel had achieved many of its military goals in its fight against Hamas, the number of civilian victims and the suffering in the Gaza Strip are immense. The people of Gaza urgently need humanitarian and medical aid - delivered consistently and reliably. The Federal Government stands ready to provide further support.

The situation in Gaza is growing worse with each passing day that aid fails to reach the region. Federal Chancellor Scholz emphasised this point at a joint press conference with Jordan's King Abdullah II: "This cannot and must not be allowed to continue," he said, adding that far too many people were suffering from hunger, from the ongoing brutal violence, and from the lack of medical care across the region.

Foreign Minister Baerbock: "We must not let this opportunity pass us by"

Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock likewise welcomed the agreement on a ceasefire: "The ceasefire has the potential to be a first step towards a genuine political process" and "we must not let this opportunity pass us by". A negotiated two-state solution remained the only solution that would allow Palestinians and Israelis to live in peace, security and dignity, said the Minister.

Support for the ceasefire in Lebanon

The Federal Government also continues to view with great concern the escalation of the Middle East conflict in Lebanon, in which numerous innocent civilians have been injured or killed. The ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah of November 2024 also offers hope, and this must now be implemented further: "It is crucial for everyone to stick to what has been agreed on so that those on both sides of the border can live in safety again," said the Federal Chancellor.

Foreign Minister Baerbock reaffirmed Germany's support for the Lebanese army and the people of Lebanon. The Lebanese army is now tasked with taking full control of the area south of the Litani River and ensuring stabilisation on the border with Israel.

The Federal Government stands firmly with Israel

In his government statement issued on 12 October 2023, the Federal Chancellor stated clearly: At this moment there is only one place for Germany: alongside Israel." Germany's history and the responsibility arising from the Holocaust made it Germany's perpetual duty to stand up for the existence and security of Israel, said Scholz. The Federal Government is acting in accordance with this principle. On the same day, the Bundestag expressed its cross-party solidarity with Israel.

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On the Thai Authorities' Arrest of Paul Chambers

US Department of State

Press Statement

Tammy Bruce, Department Spokesperson

April 8, 2025

The United States is alarmed by the arrest of U.S. citizen Paul Chambers in Thailand on lese majeste charges and the Computer Crimes Act, and we are closely monitoring the situation. The U.S. Department of State takes its responsibility to assist U.S. citizens abroad seriously, and we are in communication with Thai authorities regarding this case.

This case reinforces our longstanding concerns about the use of lese majeste laws in Thailand. We continue to urge Thai authorities to respect freedom of expression and to ensure that laws are not used to stifle permitted expression. As a treaty ally of Thailand, we will closely monitor this issue and advocate for the fair treatment of Paul Chambers.

Consular officers from the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok are providing all appropriate consular assistance to Mr. Chambers. We have requested access to him to ensure his well-being and to provide any necessary support.





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Trust-Building 'Fundamental to Fostering Stable, Prosperous Future for All Communities in Kosovo', Special Representative Tells Security Council

Meetings Coverage

Security Council

9894th Meeting (PM)

SC/16041

8 April 2025

Several Members Debate Future of UN Mission, Urge European Union Maintain Objective, Neutral Position between Pristina, Belgrade

The Security Council met today to consider the role of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Kosovo, with some members advocating for its restructuring or gradual drawdown, while others emphasized its ongoing relevance in supporting regional stability and facilitating dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina.

"Trust-building remains fundamental to fostering a stable and prosperous future for all communities in Kosovo," said Caroline Ziadeh, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), as she introduced the Secretary-General's latest report on the Mission (document S/2025/200) covering developments from 16 September 2024 to 15 March 2025.

UNMIK was established in 1999 through Security Council resolution 1244 (1999) to provide an interim civilian administration, following a brutal conflict in the Western Balkans and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's (NATO) military intervention. It now primarily focuses on political monitoring, facilitating intercommunal dialogue and regularly reporting to the Council, particularly on issues affecting peace and stability.

"Despite the continued challenges which reflect a sense of lack of confidence in institutions and concerns over intercommunal relations, UNMIK stands steadfast in its commitment to bridging divides," the Special Representative said, detailing the Mission's initiatives to promote interethnic dialogue and countering divisive narratives to "address the trust deficit", including the Barabar Centre, which hosted more than 100 events.

She welcomed the peaceful holding of a recent election in Kosovo, expressing hope for the timely formation of the next Government. However, she went on to voice concern about the closures of Serbia-run institutions there, and the consequences they are having on economic and social rights, especially for persons in vulnerable situations. "UNMIK will continue to closely monitor their impacts," she said, reiterating her call to refrain from unilateral actions and urge outstanding issues to be discussed constructively and in good faith within the European Union-facilitated dialogue.

She also voiced alarm over the destruction of religious symbols, most recently an attack on the Serbian Orthodox Church, as well as violence and security incidents in northern Kosovo.

Serbia, Kosovo Trade Accusations

Marko juric, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Serbia, underscored the need to protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of internationally recognized States, including his own. "I believe that today  whether we want to admit it or not  we are all aware of the consequences of the precedent set in 2008 by the unilateral declaration of independence of Kosovo," he said, noting that  since 2008, "we have seen an increasing number of situations questioning statuses of various regions, provinces, territories of sovereign countries, members of this Organization". He added: "In fact, in the aftermath of the Kosovo precedent, this very Security Council has been overwhelmed with dealing with the consequences thereof."

He then turned to Pristina's actions to "systematically dismantle institutions of Serbs throughout Kosovo and Metohija"; to hold elections in which conditions for Serb participation "were anything but free or fair"; and to initiate a "widespread campaign of persecution against prominent Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija for their participation in protests in late 2022". He underscored: "What [Albin] Kurti is doing to the Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija is not an act of care for citizens  it is targeted, deliberate and systematic ethnic revanchism." He added that, while Serbia will always support dialogue, "we must not forget that the 'di' in 'dialogue' stands for participation of two sides". Against these backdrops, "UNMIK's role is not only relevant, it is indispensable", he stressed.

Donika Gervalla-Schwarz of Kosovo then recalled the NATO intervention on 24 March 1999 "to stop a genocide in Europe". Now, 26 years later, she said that "the republic of Kosova is a true example of how international intervention against genocide, with sustained international support, has enabled the flourishing of a full European and Western democracy". However, she said that "Serbia has not changed very much  it continues trying to destabilize our democracy". It does this not only through rhetoric, but concrete, violent actions. On that, she spotlighted an armed incursion in 2023 led by Milan Radoicic  "a man publicly known to be linked to Serbia's political leadership".

This, she stressed, was an "act of open aggression against a neighbouring country, carried out by a military group with military training, equipment and logistics from Serbia". She also pointed to the November 2024 use of "military-grade explosives" against the Iber-Lepenc canal. "The objective was unmistakable, designed to terrorize our population, disrupt daily life and cause widespread harm," she stressed. Calling on Serbia to fully cooperate with international investigations and hand over Mr. Radoicic, she also called on UNMIK to "finally address the reality on the ground: Serbia's current regime continues to undermine peace  not only in Kosova, but throughout the region". She added that  given the current state of Kosova's development  "UNMIK no longer serves a purpose that justifies its continued presence".

European Union's Role

"The future of the Western Balkans is in our European Union," said the bloc's representative, speaking in his capacity as observer, welcoming that Belgrade and Pristina reaffirmed their commitment to dialogue facilitated by the Union and the process of normalizing their relations  essential conditions for the parties to join the European Union. He urged both sides not to risk losing this opportunity.

However, the Russian Federation's delegate questioned the European Union's role as an "honest broker". Brussels ignores the tragedy of anti-Serb ethnic cleansing in Kosovo and encourages Pristina to continue oppressing the Serbian population. "The [European Union] mediation has completely failed," he said, also warning against continued deliveries of military products to Kosovo from NATO countries in violation of resolution 1244 (1999). "Given the lack of progress in the settlement, the international community's attention to Kosovo should not wane," he said, rejecting any attempt to reduce the frequency or changing the format, of Council meetings on Kosovo. He also opposed reducing UNMIK's budget and personnel.

China's delegate also called on the European Union to maintain an objective, neutral position, underscoring the need for the United Nations and the Security Council to maintain their attention on the Kosovo issue and respect the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Serbia. Greece's delegate supported the continuation of UNMIK's mandate "as necessary", arguing that its coordination with the NATO-led peacekeeping force and the European Union rule of law mission in Kosovo is vital for achieving long-lasting peace and stability in the region. Similarly, Panama's representative said that UNMIK and the European missions on the ground remain crucial for progress towards peacebuilding in the region.

The representative of France, Council President for April, spoke in his national capacity to state that the Mission's mandate is "linked to the normalization of Serbia and Kosovo". He therefore expressed support for the Mission's extension.

Calls to Draw Down UN Kosovo Mission

However, "the time to draw down UNMIK has arrived", the representative of the United States said, recommending that the Mission transfer its functions to other UN agencies on the ground so the process towards ultimately terminating the Mission is deliberate and gradual, rather than sudden. Washington, D.C., is committed to rooting out unnecessary spending in international organizations. "UNMIK is a peacekeeping mission without peacekeepers, with 81 per cent of its budget going to staff salaries," he pointed out. Future meetings on UNMIK should be held in a closed format to foster a more candid and less performative discussion. These briefings should be further reduced to annual meetings, he added.

The United Kingdom is "a long-standing friend of Kosovo", said its representative, expressing its support for Kosovo's statehood, Euro-Atlantic aspirations and an inclusive and multiethnic democracy. Welcoming Kenya's recent recognition of Kosovo, he encouraged other States to do so if they haven't. With conditions on the ground that existed in 1999 now unrecognizable, "it is time for the Council to review UNMIK's role and responsibilities to ensure it can continue to effectively support security, stability and human rights in Kosovo in a way that reflects the world of 2025", he added. On that, the Republic of Korea's delegate said that a "more streamlined division of roles" between UNMIK and partners "could enhance overall effectiveness".

The representative of Denmark said that 10,000 Danish soldiers have served in Kosovo since 1999. She also emphasized that Denmark was among the first countries to recognize Kosovo as an independent State, adding: "We fully support its European path and integration in the international system." Concurring, the representative of Sierra Leone stated that accession to the European Union is the "most viable route" for Kosovo's development.

The representative of Slovenia welcomed the "peaceful, competitive and inclusive" parliamentary elections held in Kosovo in February as a "positive step forward in strengthening Kosovo's democratic credentials". He also highlighted the role of youth: "If for no one else, it is for Kosovo's youth that things need to start moving forward." The representative of Guyana welcomed a new election law designed to promote transparency and greater representation for women, but expressed concern over "reports of harsh rhetoric  including hate speech  and attempts to politicize key institutions".

Caution against Unilateral Actions

The representative of Algeria underscored: "Maintaining peace and security in Kosovo is critical to avoid any escalation of tensions." It is therefore important, he stressed, to refrain from any steps that could lead to escalation  "including unilateral actions that affect the socioeconomic situation of non-majority communities". Pakistan's delegate welcomed the European Union's continued efforts to facilitate dialogue, calling on Belgrade and Pristina to "demonstrate their sincere commitment to the political process", fulfil their obligations under relevant agreements and "refrain from unilateral actions that could escalate tensions".

"Lasting stability requires not only patience and sustained commitment but also the wisdom to choose diplomatic engagement over unilateral measures," stressed Somalia's representative.

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African Lion 25: Largest U.S.-led military exercise in Africa kicks off across four nations

By PHILIP REGINA April 9, 2025

VICENZA, Italy -- African Lion 25, U.S. Africa Command's premier annual exercise, officially kicks off April 14, 2025, in Tunisia, with activities in Ghana, Senegal, and Morocco beginning in May. With more than 10,000 troops from over 40 nationsincluding seven NATO alliesthis year's iteration will be the largest in the exercise's history.

Led by the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), AL25 enhances interoperability, strengthens readiness, and builds strategic partnerships through realistic, multi-domain training. Exercises span land, air, maritime, space, and cyber domains, supporting the shared goal of increased security and stability on the continent.

"African Lion 25 is AFRICOM's largest multinational, combined joint exercise in Africa. It demonstrates the capabilities of the total force by building strategic readiness and interoperability with our African partners and allies to deploy, fight, and win in a complex multi-domain environment," said Maj. Gen. Andrew C. Gainey, commanding general, SETAF-AF.

Core events include field training exercises, airborne and amphibious operations, special operations forces, HIMARS rapid insertion (HIRAIN), humanitarian civic assistance, and medical readiness engagements. New capabilities being tested include integrated cyber defense training and next-generation systems such as the Army's Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW).

Participating countries include Benin, Brazil, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, Cote d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Egypt, France, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Kenya, Liberia, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Netherlands, Nigeria, Portugal, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Spain, The Gambia, Togo, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and United States. Observers include Algeria, Belgium, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, India, Qatar, Republic of Congo, and Turkey, reflecting broad interest in regional military cooperation.

African Lion began in 2004 and has evolved into the U.S. military's most significant exercise on the continent. This year's events reinforce the U.S. commitment to enduring partnerships and demonstrate our ability to respond to crises and deter threats by promoting peace through strength.

For media inquiries or to request interviews or embed opportunities, contact:

SETAF-AF Public Affairs: setaf_pao@army.mil

DVIDS Feature Page: https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/AfricanLionEx

About African Lion

African Lion 25 is U.S. Africa Command's premier annual exercise, led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), that strengthens the U.S. military's ability to respond rapidly, operate forward, and train alongside allies and partners. Designed to address shared security challenges, African Lion 25 enhances readiness, reinforces strategic reach, and fosters innovative solutions.

About SETAF-AF

SETAF-AF provides U.S. Africa Command and U.S. Army Europe and Africa a dedicated headquarters to synchronize Army activities in Africa and scalable crisis-response options in Africa and Europe.

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Polish servicemembers train on moving U.S. Army APS-2 heavy construction vehicles

By Cameron Porter, 405th AFSB Public Affairs Officer April 9, 2025

POWIDZ, Poland -- Properly maintaining a 32,000-pound horizontal heavy construction vehicle is one thing but moving it can be another. Recently, and for the first time, Poland's 33rd Army Prepositioned Stocks Support Battalion conducted training on the loading and transporting of a U.S. Army D7 medium track-type bulldozer at the APS-2 worksite in Powidz.

The Polish Provided Logistics Support servicemembers conducted the training March 31 to April 4 at the worksite as part of a larger, more comprehensive APS-2 maintenance training program, which has been in motion there since the summer of 2024.

According to an informational briefing by Army Field Support Battalion-Poland, who has mission command of the Powidz APS-2 worksite, the 33rd APS Support Bn. PPLS servicemembers learned how to properly load the D7 bulldozer onto an M870 semitrailer lowbed construction equipment transporter before moving it to the APS-2 site's test track for a full operational assessment.

Since the middle of last year, the PPLS servicemembers from the 33rd APS Support Bn. have been engaged in a comprehensive maintenance training program at the Powidz worksite, both in the classroom and in the maintenance bays, led by instructors and field service representatives from U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command, U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command, Program Manager Abrams, Program Executive Office Howitzer and Tobyhanna Army Depot.

Thanks to the training, the 33rd APS Support Bn. PPLS servicemembers are gaining the knowledge, expertise and experience needed to properly maintain a wide range of U.S. Army APS-2 vehicles and equipment sets, while the Polish government funds their salaries, housing and administrative costs.

The knowledge the PPLS servicemembers gain from the U.S. Army-led training helps to ensure they'll be fully qualified to take over the maintenance mission at APS-2 Powidz in the months ahead. It's estimated that by 2026, the APS-2 maintenance mission at the site will transfer to PPLS, while command and control of the site will remain the responsibility of AFSBn-Poland, 405th Army Field Support Brigade. When this occurs, the U.S. Army is expected to reduce its financial costs at the site by about 90 percent.

"This joint training initiative sends a clear message of solidarity and commitment. It demonstrates the U.S. and Polish governments' dedication to strengthening defense capabilities to ensure regional stability and security," said John Glasgow, the AFSBn-Poland deputy to the commander.

"Providing this training to our NATO partners enhances their readiness and capability, which in turn contributes to the overall deterrence strategy," said Lt. Col. Omar McKen, the commander of AFSBn-Poland. "By improving their skills and integrating them into joint operations, we send a strong signal to potential adversaries that our forces are well-prepared and united."

The Powidz APS-2 worksite is comprised of 650,000 square feet of humidity-controlled warehouse space and a vehicle maintenance facility as well as supporting facilities. It houses and maintains a modernized Armored Brigade Combat Team's worth of APS-2 equipment to include various horizontal heavy construction vehicles and equipment pieces, plus several dozen M1A2 Abrams main battle tanks, nearly 200 other armored combat vehicles, and more.

The 405th AFSB's APS-2 program enhances U.S. Army Europe and Africa's capability to support the warfighter while simultaneously promoting stability and security in the region. Additionally, it helps to assure partners and allies that the U.S. is fully committed to the collective defense of Europe. By providing turn-key power projection APS-2 packages ready to employ at a moment's notice, the APS-2 program is a key component of U.S. Army Europe and Africa's power projection and warfighter readiness missions.

The 405th AFSB is assigned to U.S. Army Sustainment Command and headquartered in Kaiserslautern, Germany. The brigade provides materiel enterprise support to U.S. forces throughout Europe and Africa - providing theater sustainment logistics; synchronizing acquisition, logistics and technology; and leveraging U.S. Army Materiel Command's materiel enterprise to support joint forces.

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Head of State: The Reforms Bulgaria Is Undertaking to Join the OECD Are as Significant as Membership Itself

President of the Republic of Bulgaria

9 April 2025

The reforms Bulgaria is undertaking to join the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) are as significant for our country as membership itself. This is what President Rumen Radev said at a meeting with OECD Secretary General Mathias Cormann. The two held talks today within the Delphi Economic Forum.

President Radev stressed that Bulgaria's accession to the OECD is a key foreign policy goal for our country, which all responsible institutions are working consistently to achieve. Bulgaria has already completed 11 out of the 25 OECD accession reviews and is working towards the successful completion of the remaining ones by the end of the year.

For his part, Secretary General Cormann said that he shared the assessment of Bulgaria's good progress and noted that all three EU member states applying for OECD membership have the opportunity to finalise their reviews by the end of the year. He confirmed that the OECD Secretariat would continue to support the applicant countries within its capacity.

During the meeting, opinions were exchanged on the dynamics of the world and a general assessment was expressed that the tariff war, which is escalating by the day, will inevitably have social and economic consequences.

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Presidents Rumen Radev and Konstantinos Tasoulas: Bulgaria and Greece Share a Common Mission to Strengthen Stability in the Balkans

President of the Republic of Bulgaria

9 April 2025

In recent years, Bulgaria and Greece have raised bilateral cooperation in the development of energy and infrastructure connectivity to a new level. This was the common position of the presidents of the two countries, Rumen Radev and Konstantinos Tasoulas, who held a meeting today within the framework of the Delphi Economic Forum. The two agreed that Bulgaria and Greece share a common mission to strengthen stability in the Balkans and stimulate their economic development.

President Tasoulas highlighted the importance of the project for the construction of a multimodal transport corridor connecting Greek ports in the Aegean Sea with the Bulgarian ports of Burgas, Varna and Ruse. In this regard, President Radev expressed our country's interest in participating in the management of the ports of Alexandroupolis and Kavala.

Bulgaria and Greece today are an example of a strategic partnership, which can be a model for the development of our neighbours in the Balkans, Radev stressed. The Bulgarian head of state expressed his gratitude to his Greek counterpart for the support our country received for joining the Schengen land area adding that this, in turn, will contribute to a subsequent increase in the exchange of people, goods and services.

Rumen Radev also noted that the two countries have reached a level in their bilateral partnership that opens up qualitatively new opportunities such as expanding the infrastructure for the transmission of energy resources from South to North, as well as the joint construction of large data centres and gigafactories for artificial intelligence.

During the meeting, Konstantinos Tasoulas stressed the importance for the Greek side of reaching a bilateral agreement on the waters of the Arda River in connection with the upcoming irrigation season in Greece. President Radev expressed Bulgaria's readiness to approach this issue constructively in the spirit of the strategic relations between the two countries and respect for their interests.

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April 9, 2025

Release

Statement by Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell

Secretary Hegseth's visit to Panama resulted in historic wins for the Trump Administration and for the Panamanian people. Our nations have agreed to reestablish and enhance joint US-Panama military training centers and security force cooperation. Additionally, the United States has secured 'First and Free' canal passage for US military vessels, in adherence to the Treaty Concerning the Permanent Neutrality and Operation of the Panama Canal. Together, the United States and Panama stand shoulder-to-shoulder in our mutual commitment to address shared security challenges and to deter the Chinese Communist Party. We are taking back the Panama Canal from malign Chinese influence and protecting American interests. We look forward to continued collaboration with our Panamanian partners. Make the Americas GREAT AGAIN!



https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/4151039/

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April 9, 2025

Transcript

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Conducts Joint Press Engagement With Panamanian Public Security Minister Frank Abrego in Panama City

Panama City

SECRETARY OF DEFENSE PETE HEGSETH: Good afternoon. It's a privilege to be here in Panama. Minister Abrego, thank you for an incredibly productive visit. The same goes for our friend, President Mulino. President Mulino and his administration are a great ally of the United States. We are deeply grateful for the friendship of our Panamanian counterparts, your partnership and your leadership here in Panama and across the region.

We face shared security challenges and common threats. Together, we will deter them by increasing our defenses and achieving peace through strength. Since President Trump was elected, our two nations have done more to strengthen cooperation in a few months than we have in decades. And President Mulino, who we met with earlier, we have you to thank in large part for that as well.

We're partnering closely in three areas: first, securing our borders and stopping mass illegal migration. What Panama has done in the Darien Gap is incredible, crossings down 99 percent since a year ago. Second, we're countering violent cartels and criminal enterprises. And third, we're securing the Panama Canal and countering China's malign influence. The Panama Canal is key terrain that must be secured by Panama with America and not China.

To that end, that is why the United States and Panama have just signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperative security activities, and will be signing, just moments after this press conference, a joint declaration with the Minister of Canal Affairs on the security and operation of the Panama Canal, which is a framework for US warship and auxiliary ships to sail first and free through the Panama Canal.

These documents reaffirm our historic ties and outline how we will deepen our relationship and strengthen bilateral canal security cooperation. It also builds on the great work started by our Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, and his team. This memorandum of understanding will increase joint training exercises, operations and overall interoperability between our two forces, reestablishing rotational and joint presence at Fort Sherman, Rodman Naval Station and Howard Air Force Base. At Fort Sherman, reviving the Jungle School alongside Panamanian forces.

Our expanded security relationship will also enhance cyber cooperation, information sharing, bilateral security dialogs and canal infrastructure improvements. These steps are going to help Panama deter and counter malign activity in the areas surrounding the canal. Our countries reaffirmed our shared commitment to protecting Panamanian sovereignty from malign influence. And we recognize the foundational importance of our constitutional government, including respect for our neutrality treaty.

We've also been working closely with the Panama Canal Authority, and we will further increase our cooperation with each other. The Army  the US Army Corps of Engineers is one example. They were critical in building the canal over 120 years ago and have partnered closely with the Canal Authority for many years.

The Canal Authority will continue to pay the Corps of Engineers for their expertise and technical support. This will help ensure the canal's long-term sustainability. And this summer, the USNS Comfort, a naval hospital ship, will visit Panama and provide medical help and deepen bilateral relationships between our service members and our people.

Beyond our important bilateral relationship with Panama, I'm proud to be here to participate in the Central America Security Conference. So, thank you again, Minister Abrego, Admiral Holsey, Commander of US Southern Command, doing a fantastic job, for convening this important regional security forum. It was great to meet so many partners earlier this morning and last night and hear how we are working together, training together and exercising together.

In fact, right now partnering with Panama, we have two cruisers, two USS Coast Guard cutters, F-18 fighters, a US Marine Corps infantry company, over 1,000 US troops supporting partner operations in Panama. Together with Panama, we're focused on strengthening our security cooperation and countering malign influence.

The security of our hemisphere is a top priority for the United States Department of Defense. Our mission is simple, achieve peace through strength through an America first approach. As I've said before, America First does not mean America alone; rather, putting America First, a phrase coined by President Trump and advanced in our interests means making our alliances and partnerships make sense for the American people and our friends. As he says, it's common sense.

In this region as we put America first, we are putting the Americas first as well. We're doing this by confronting shared threats and shared challenges in this hemisphere starting, as President Trump has led the way, by securing our southern border, getting 100 percent operational control because border security is national security, and it starts at home.

We're doing this by stopping illegal migration, destroying transnational cartels and gangs, and ending the era of capitulation to coercion to the Communist Chinese. As I said yesterday, we are helping to take back the Panama Canal from Communist Chinese influence. Like our partners across Central America and South America, the United States wants a hemisphere that is secure, prosperous and full of sovereign nations.

This is not about globalism or foreign adventurism. This is a golden age of clear-eyed Americanism and shared national interests. We want this to be a golden age for our countries together and for this hemisphere. We want, in short, not only to make America great again, but to make the Americas great again.

And we will achieve these goals together standing shoulder to shoulder with our allies and partners with President Trump leading the way. So again, I want to thank President Mulino, Minister Abrego for being valued partners and for hosting us in your beautiful country. And with that, we look forward to your questions.

Q: [Untranslated]

PUBLIC SECURITY MINISTER FRANK ABREGO: [Untranslated]

SECRETARY HEGSETH: I appreciate the question. We certainly understand that the Panama Canal is in Panama, and protecting Panamanian sovereignty from malign influence is important. Which is why when President Trump says we're taking back the Panama Canal from Chinese influence, that involves partnership with the United States and Panama. And we're grateful that they've welcomed US troops on Panamanian soil by invitation through rotational joint exercises.

And that's what you'll see in the memorandum of understanding is an opportunity to revive whether it's the military base, naval air station, locations where US troops can work with Panamanian troops to enhance capabilities and cooperate in a rotational way. We welcome the opportunity to have an increased troop presence here alongside the Panamanians to secure the sovereignty of the Panama Canal.

Q: Are your plans to make it permanent?

SECRETARY HEGSETH: Ultimately, we look forward to a long relationship with the country of Panama and that would be in deliberation with the leadership of Panama.

UNKNOWN: Okay, I'm gonna go with [inaudible].

Q: Well, thank you, secretary. Thank you, minister. Two parts if I may. Number one, the Chinese responded quite aggressively to your trip saying  well, accusing the US of blackmail. So, I thought I'd just ask you, have you blackmailed anyone? And minister, do you feel blackmailed at all?

My second question is for the minister about Taiwanese sovereignty. This country has ceased to recognize Taiwan since 2017. Did Taiwan come up in your conversations this week? And is that something you'll pursue again? Thank you.

SECRETARY HEGSETH: Well, I don't know anything about blackmail  appreciate the question  but I do know about strength, peace through strength and deterrence. You're seeing strength from President Trump with tariffs, with reciprocal tariffs, recognizing that he's willing to protect American industries and American workers from unfair trade practices that have existed for decades, and no one stood up on behalf of America. President Trump is doing that in real time right now.

And at the Defense Department, whether it was our trip to the Indo-Pacific and the Philippines, Japan and Guam and elsewhere, or here in the Panama Canal and with our Panamanian partners, we're standing up to malign Chinese influence. And simply saying a strong America that deters that influence in our own backyard, in our hemisphere, is good for us, good for our partners and creates opportunities for freedom in the future.

So again, this is not about  we want peace, we seek peace, we don't seek conflict, but we believe that conflict does not come the stronger we are. And we're happy to speak it clearly, which President Trump has always been willing to speak that clearly, which is why we point out here clearly the malign influence of the Communist Chinese and their attempt to leverage it in the Panama Canal or Panama Canal area, which does not serve Panamanian interests or American interests. And that's something we will stand up for every day.

Q: [Untranslated]

PUBLIC SECURITY MINISTER ABREGO: [Untranslated]

SECRETARY HEGSETH: I appreciate the question. We're calling it, and we said in our statement yesterday, first and free  first and free for US and Panamanian vessels, military and auxiliary vessels, in partnership. That's why after this we're signing with the Minister of Canal Affairs.

But it is in keeping with the understanding of the Panama Constitution, with the authorities of the Panama Canal, so we've worked directly with Panamanian leadership, with the Canal authority to make sure it's arranged in such a way that it is first and free and is in keeping with their understanding. And that we'll be signing that framework, which is what it Is today, a framework, right after this press conference with the Minister of Canal Affairs.

But it was important to us that, in moments of contingency, our troops can travel first and free. We're grateful that our Panamanian partners are working with us on that. Absolutely. Thank you.

Q: Bill Stewart from Reuters. Good afternoon. Secretary Hegseth, did you provide assurances that the United States would not intervene militarily to take over the Panama Canal, or is that contingent on what happens with Chinese presence here in Panama? And your top general in Europe said yesterday, the United States should keep its military presence on the Continent as it is now.

Do you agree and are you considering relinquishing the [inaudible] post to a non-American? And to Minister Abrego, would Panama accept a permanent deployment of US troops or the establishment of a permanent US military base on Panamanian soil? And if not, why not? Thanks.

SECRETARY HEGSETH: I would just start by saying the only person that will make a determination about force structure of US troops in Europe will be President Trump, commander in chief. And we will continue to have ongoing discussions, including inside the context of Ukraine, Russia, negotiations, of what our force posture should be on the continent, that best addresses American interests and ensures burden-sharing in Europe as well.

To the question about Chinese influence, we are focused on working together with our Panamanian partners to ensure that malign Chinese influence is not allowed to take any additional hold and is in fact expelled from the Panama Canal and the Panama Canal area. And they've been very fruitful conversations throughout the ministration [ph].

PUBLIC SECURITY MINISTER ABREGO: [Untranslated]

SECRETARY HEGSETH: What the minister has said is what the media tries to do very hard is to divide us. And what we call that in the states, Mr. Minister, is fake news. So, thank you. Thank you.

UNKNOWN: [Untranslated]

https://www.defense.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/4150774/

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April 9, 2025

Transcript

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Delivers Opening Remarks at 2025 Central American Security Conference in Panama City

Central American Security Conference in Panama

SECRETARY OF DEFENSE PETE HEGSETH: Minister Abrego, Admiral Holsey, ministers, chiefs of defense, fellow troops of the United States, good morning to everybody. It is great to see all of you again. Got a chance to spend time with many of you last night. It's a privilege.

As you know, the security of the hemisphere that we share is a top priority for President Trump and for the United States Department of Defense. The security threats that we face right now are real and they are present. But together, we are making progress to stop mass illegal migration from around the world. We're making progress to stop violent cartels and criminal enterprises that are threatening our people and brutalizing our communities. And the era of capitulating to coercion by the Communist Chinese is over.

Their growing and adversarial control of strategic land and critical infrastructure in this hemisphere cannot and will not stand. To accomplish this, our countries cannot face these shared threats alone. We have to face them together. America will confront, will deter and, if necessary, defeat these threats alongside all of you, our close and valued partners. Our mission is simple: achieve peace through strength through an America first approach. We're doing this by restoring the warrior ethos, rebuilding our military and reestablishing deterrence. And we're doing all of this right here in Central and South America.

But as we state time and time again, America first does not mean America alone. Rather, putting America first means making our alliances and our partnerships make sense for the American people and for our friends. As President Trump often says, it's common sense.

To put America first, we will put the Americas first. We will do this by confronting shared threats across this hemisphere, serious threats that require a serious response. First, the United States will do whatever is necessary to achieve 100 percent operational control of our borders. Simply put, border security is national security, something President Trump has and continues to deliver on.

Border security in every country in this region is a shared challenge and must be a shared priority for all of us. And I had a chance to spend time, as I mentioned, with multiple ministers last night, who are just as committed to their own sovereignty and defense of their borders and assisting us in defense of ours.

Second, the Trump administration understands that transnational cartels and gangs enable and profit from chaos. They terrorize our people and our communities. So, President Trump has designated these groups as terrorist organizations, and we are unflinchingly treating them as such.

We also know that these same terrorist gangs and cartels, they profit from terrorizing your people and your communities. Cartels that ravage your lands, they control large swaths of territory in some of our countries, and their existence threatens yours and our sovereignty. Together, each for our own country, we will target and we will destroy those networks. And thank you again to every leader in this region cooperating with the United States to stop mass illegal migration and to accept returning migrants to your countries.

And third, as we look beyond our hemisphere, we have to recognize the threat that the China poses to our countries, to our people and to peace in this region. China-based companies are capturing land, critical infrastructure in strategic sectors such as energy and telecommunications.

China's military has too large of a presence in the Western Hemisphere. They operate military facilities and ground stations that extend their reach into space. They exploit national - natural resources and land to fuel China's global military ambitions. China's factory fishing fleets are stealing food from our nations and from our people.

Make no mistake. Beijing is investing and operating in this region for military advantage and unfair economic gain. We do not seek war with China, and war with China is certainly not inevitable. We do not seek it in any form. But together, we must prevent war by robustly and vigorously deterring China's threats in this hemisphere.

President Trump has made it clear that the Panama Canal and the canal areas cannot and will not be controlled by China. We are working closely with our partners in Panama to secure the canal and advance our mutual [Audio gap] directing the United States Naval Ship Comfort, it's a hospital ship, to deploy to Panama and to several countries in the region later this year.

We're also expanding training - military training, increased military education and exchanges, and conducting more robust joint exercises. We're going to increase cooperation to deter threats, to seize opportunities to bolster our shared defense.

That's what CENTSEC Panama 2025 is all about, friends standing shoulder to shoulder with friends. That's the reason I'm proud to be the first secretary of defense to attend CENTSEC, the first to be in Panama in over two decades. President Trump has made our hemisphere, our friends, our borders a high priority in his administration, and it will continue to be so.

Like all of you, the United States [Audio gap] of secure, prosperous and sovereign. This is not globalism or interventionism. Instead, this is a golden age of shared national interests. We want this to be a golden age for our countries and for this hemisphere.

We want, in short, to also make the Americas great again. Together, we will secure a prosperous and peaceful region for our people and a promising future for our kids and for our grandkids.

Thank you, and God bless all the countries assembled here. Thank you.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/4150307/

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April 9, 2025

By Matthew Olay, DOD News

Hegseth Says U.S. Partnering With Panama to Secure Canal, Deter China

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth today announced an expanded partnership between the U.S. and Panama to secure the Panama Canal in order to counter "China's maligned influence" in the region.

"The era of capitulating to coercion by the communist Chinese is over," Hegseth said while delivering prepared remarks earlier in the day.

"[China's] growing and adversarial control of strategic land and critical infrastructure in this hemisphere cannot and will not stand," he added.

Hegseth, who has been in Panama City for a three-day security conference with the host nation, later made the expanded partnership announcement during a joint press conference with Panamanian Public Security Minister Frank Abrego.

"The Panama Canal is key terrain that must be secured by Panama, with America, and not China," Hegseth said.

He added that, just prior to the news conference, the U.S. and Panama signed a memorandum of understanding related to cooperative security activities in the region and that the signing of an additional declaration related to the security and operation of the Panama Canal would be forthcoming.

That declaration, Hegseth said, would provide a framework for U.S. warships and auxiliary ships to travel "first and free" through the canal.

"These documents reaffirm [the U.S. and Panama's] historic ties and outline how we will deepen our relationship and strengthen bilateral canal security cooperation," Hegseth said.

He added that the signed MOU would pave the way for an increased level of joint training exercises between the two countries and improve overall interoperability between both nations' military forces by reestablishing a rotational joint presence at a handful of previously operational U.S. military installations.

Those installations include Rodman Naval Station and Howard Air Force Base, as well as Fort Sherman, where plans are underway to revive the jungle operations center so that U.S. and Panamanian troops can train side by side.

Hegseth said the expanded security relationship between the two countries would also include information sharing, enhanced cyber cooperation, bilateral security dialogues and canal infrastructure improvements.

"Our countries reaffirmed our shared commitment to protecting Panamanian sovereignty from maligned influence, and we recognize the foundational importance of our constitutional governments  including respect for our neutrality treaty," Hegseth said.

Signed Sept. 7, 1977, the Treaty Concerning the Permanent Neutrality and Operation of the Panama Canal stipulated that the U.S. would relinquish control of the canal by the year 2000 while also ensuring open and secure waterway access to all nations.

When asked whether the U.S. still recognizes Panama's sovereignty over the canal, Hegseth said that protecting Panamanian sovereignty from maligned influences in the region is essential.

"When President [Donald J.] Trump says, 'We're taking back the Panama Canal from Chinese influence,' that involves partnership with the United States," Hegseth said, adding that the U.S. is grateful that Panama has welcomed American troops onto Panamanian soil through the joint rotational exercise invitation.

"And that's what you'll see in the memorandum of understanding: it's an opportunity to revive ... locations where U.S. troops can work with Panamanian troops to enhance capabilities and cooperate in a rotational way," he said.

Presently, there are two U.S. Navy guided-missile cruisers, one U.S. Coast Guard cutter, four F-18 fighter jets, and over 1,000 U.S. service members  including a U.S. Marine Corps infantry company  training and exercising with the Panamanians, Hegseth said.

He added that the U.S. Navy would send the hospital ship USNS Comfort to Panama this summer to provide medical care and deepen bilateral relationships between the two countries.

In addition to partnering to secure the Panama Canal, Hegseth said the two countries are also working in tandem to counter violent cartels and criminal enterprises throughout the Americas, as well as securing their respective countries' borders.

As an example of the latter, Hegseth credited Panama with reducing illegal border crossings at the Darien Gap  a 60-mile land bridge connecting Central and South America  by 99% in the past year.

Calling the expanded partnership with Panama "a golden age of clear-eyed Americanism," Hegseth said that the U.S. and its partner nations throughout Central and South America seek a hemisphere that is secure and prosperous for its sovereign nations.

"We want this to be a golden age for our countries, together, and for this hemisphere," Hegseth said. "We want  in short  not only to make America great again, but to make the Americas great again."

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April 9, 2025

By C. Todd Lopez, DOD News

Socom: Changing Operational Demands Requires Acquisition Changes

Worldwide threats put the U.S. at risk and sometimes demand attention from U.S. Special Operations Command. To best meet those challenges, U.S. military acquisition needs to change, said Army Gen. Bryan P. Fenton, Socom commander.

"The character of war is changing faster than we've ever seen," he said today before the House Armed Services Committee's intelligence and special operations subcommittee.

"The innovation cycle now turns in days and weeks, not months and years. Our adversaries use $10,000 one-way drones that we shoot down with $2 million missiles  that cost-benefit curve is upside down," he said.

Fenton noted that this is the most complex asymmetric and hybrid threat security environment he has seen during his 38 years of service. Contending with these challenges demands more from special operations forces.

"[It] requires tough choices, forcing trade-offs, as we strive to balance an increase in operations readiness and the need for modernization," he said.

Fenton explained that over the past two years, for example, demand for Socom capabilities by combatant commands has increased by more than 35%, while at the same time, Socom has dealt with years of flat budgets.

To meet the demands of increased mission requirements and increasingly complex missions, he said Socom needs to improve its acquisition process.

"Our current acquisition procurement system ... I would just offer, it's outdated," he said. "It's glacial. I think it works in years and decades."

He added that the lessons learned from the conflict in Ukraine made it clear how the U.S. military acquisition process can be changed for the better.

"What we're seeing through the lens of Ukraine needs to be an acquisition ... and procurement system that is hyper-speed, supersonic," he said. "Because over there, we're watching the changes in minutes, hours and days, and that is a very stark contrast" to what the U.S. does.

Fenton said changes to the requirements process, including simplifying it, as well as changes to authorities, could help Socom quickly get what it needs.

"If I could say it so bluntly, take more people out of that system, get less hands on the requirements process," he told lawmakers. "Go from operator to commander and then acquisition."

Fenton also suggested how changes in funding could benefit acquisition within Socom.

Funding for systems comes in the form of operations and maintenance funds; research, development, testing and engineering funds; and procurement funds. The Defense Department can't easily move money between those budget lines, and that could be simplified, he said.

"I think there's a way to take a lot of that off, compress the multiple lines to just a couple, and really modernize there," Fenton said.

The general also asked for greater flexibility in how the department contracts new systems, particularly the option to increase the length of multiyear procurements.

"Give us an opportunity to think through multiyear processes," he said. "Two years might seem multiyear, I think, to all of us. Multiyear probably needs to be five to 10 years so we can move at the speed and evolution of what we're seeing out on the battlefield."

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April 9, 2025

By Matthew Olay, DOD News

Senior Leaders Say Special Ops Community Aligned With Joint DOD Mission

During a posture hearing on Capitol Hill yesterday, the two most senior leaders from the U.S. military's special warfare community explained how the special operations force's mission aligns with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's overall priorities for the joint force.

Colby Jenkins, performing the duties of the assistant secretary of defense for special operations and low-intensity conflict, and Army Gen. Bryan P. Fenton, commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, explained the community's priorities while testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Jenkins told the committee that special operations remain at the forefront of the nation's strategic priorities. Tasked with the most challenging and dangerous missions, SOF is the world's most lethal, adaptable and capable force.

"Our priorities for the SOF enterprise are squarely nested with Secretary Hegseth's priorities for the joint force: defend the homeland, strengthen deterrence and increase burden sharing with U.S. allies and partners," he added.

In his Jan. 25, 2025, message to the force, Hegseth listed reestablishing deterrence by defending the homeland and working with allies and partners to deter aggression as one of his three primary pillars for DOD to focus on going forward. The other two are restoring the warrior ethos and rebuilding the military.

"Our elite warriors deter adversaries by creating strategic asymmetric advantages and maintaining irregular warfare superiority, leveraging our close relationships with our foreign partners in critical regions," Jenkins said.

He explained that irregular warfare includes potent, non-kinetic strikes  such as information operations  that must be timed precisely.

"The coordination of information operations actually resides within SO/LIC. ... So, we have the unique opportunity to coordinate across the combatant commands; not only within DOD but also with sister agencies. ... [So, irregular warfare] is not just a SOF opportunity, it's a whole of Department of Defense opportunity," he added.

After Jenkins described SOF's aforementioned attributes, Fenton then discussed Socom's role in crisis response, including conducting anti-terrorism operations.

"Socom's crisis response mission is the nation's most lethal and surgical tool to eliminate threats to the homeland, rescue American citizens [and] protect diplomats, all at a moment's notice," Fenton said.

He explained that, in just the past three years, the frequency of presidentially directed crisis response missions has increased by 200%.

"Yet, for this sacred obligation, we will accept no risk in today's crisis response mission," he said.

Noting the Socom team makes up just 3% of the department's forces and less than 2% of the defense budget, Fenton pointed out that Socom forces in recent months have eliminated over 500 terrorists with the intent and capability to strike the homeland, as well as capturing an additional 600 with the aid of global SOF partners.

"Socom remains the world's premier special operations force. I pledge to always provide the nation with the best capability for the fiscal and personnel resources we receive. We will never compromise on standards and lethality," Fenton told the committee.

Jenkins added that the nation's security depends on a strong, agile, modernized and accountable SOF enterprise.

"With your support, we'll continue ensuring SOF is ready to deter, fight and win anytime, anywhere," he added.

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April 9, 2025

By C. Todd Lopez, DOD News

Supply Chain, Workforce, Advanced Manufacturing Will Help Navy Get Ships Faster

The Navy wants to be able to build one Columbia-class and two Virginia-class submarines a year and eventually expand that to 2.33 Virginia-class subs a year. At the same time, the Navy is working on getting more Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers into the fleet.

During a hearing yesterday before the Senate Armed Services Committee's seapower subcommittee, Navy leaders explained that the industrial base that manufactures those platforms will need a boost to begin production.

"The maritime industrial base program is leading efforts to reinvigorate the industrial base in order to expand shipbuilding capacity," said Matthew D. Sermon, the direct reporting program manager for the Navy's maritime industrial base program.

Sermon said getting things moving will include systematically expanding and reinforcing supply chain capacity, addressing workforce challenges and adopting advanced manufacturing capabilities.

"To do all of this, the Navy is working closely with our industrial base partners and has launched nearly 1,200 supplier development, workforce and advanced manufacturing projects in 40 states ... all of them focused on supporting businesses, improving throughput, and updating antiquated tooling and production processes," Sermon said.

Since 2018, the Navy has expanded parts delivery for submarines by more than 250%, but Sermon said this must double to meet the current needs of the nuclear Navy.

He added that in 2024, the Navy also supported industry efforts to recruit, train and retain over 12,600 employees as part of an effort to address labor shortages in skilled trades and naval engineering fields. And when it comes to advanced manufacturing, he pointed to the Navy's Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence in Danville, Virginia.

"[They've] already printed more than 270 parts, and this year, will partner with the advanced manufacturing industry to mitigate over 1,000 days of delay in parts availability," he told senators. "These efforts are on track to revolutionize critical parts procurement with the ability to print thousands of parts quickly and with unprecedented quality."

Efforts to strengthen the industrial base will, in turn, strengthen the Navy, including delivery of the Columbia-class SSBN, which is the top priority for the Navy right now, said Navy Rear Adm. Todd S. Weeks, the Navy's program executive officer for strategic submarines.

"The Columbia-class is the Navy's No. 1 acquisition priority and a critical once-in-a-generation recapitalization effort for this foundational leg of the nation's nuclear triad," he said. "The current Ohio-class SSBN force is reaching the end of its operational life and must be replaced to meet U.S. Strategic Command operational requirements."

While delays are expected in the delivery of the USS District of Columbia, the lead ship for the Columbia-class, Weeks said the USS Wisconsin, the second ship in the class, is expected to deliver on time.

"We have seen positive continued performance and productivity improvements over the lead ship," he said. "Wisconsin is approximately 5% ahead of where the lead ship was at the same point in time during her construction."

Weeks also said early procurement and construction activities are underway for the next five Columbia-class SSBNs, the largest, most powerful and most advanced submarine the U.S. has ever designed.

Navy Rear Adm. Jonathan E. Rucker, the Navy's program executive officer for attack submarines, told lawmakers the Navy has already taken delivery of 24 Virginia-class attack SSBNs, while an additional 14 are under construction now.

He said the Navy took delivery of the USS New Jersey and USS Iowa last year, for instance, and it is tracking the delivery of the USS Massachusetts and USS Idaho this year.

However, Rucker said delivery is not as fast as it needs to be.

"Our 2024 annual production rate of Virginia-class submarines per year was 1.13 compared to our need of 2.0," he said. "The main causes for this are workforce challenges, material and supplier delays and shipbuilder facilities and infrastructure issues  all of which are driving cost increases and schedule delays."

The Navy and industry, he said, are working together to address those challenges.

Navy Rear Adm. Casey J. Moton, the Navy's program executive officer for aircraft carriers, told lawmakers the USS Gerald R. Ford, the Navy's newest aircraft carrier, is getting ready to deploy on its second mission. It recently returned from its first mission, which included providing response support after the Hamas attack on Israel.

"Our future Ford-class aircraft carriers are under construction at Newport News Shipbuilding [in Virginia], where we continue working closely with the shipbuilder to address challenges and improve performance," he said.

Right now, the Ford remains the only ship in its class, but Moton said the next delivery will be the USS John F. Kennedy, which is 95% complete.

However, he added that delivery is "pressurized by remaining critical path work," including work on advanced weapons elevators and aircraft launch and recovery equipment.

Two other Ford-class ships under construction now include the USS Enterprise and the USS Doris Miller. Those vessels are benefitting from a shipyard innovation that allows them to be built concurrently in the same drydock.

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Defendants Charged Following Armed Coup Attack in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Wednesday, April 9, 2025

For Immediate Release

Office of Public Affairs

Three defendants transferred from the DRC to the U.S. and one other arrested in Utah after Armed Coup Attack to overthrow the DRC government

Note: View the criminal complaint.

A criminal complaint was unsealed today in the District of Utah charging Marcel Malanga, 22, Tyler Thompson, 22, Benjamin Zalman-Polun, 37, and Joseph Peter Moesser, 67, all U.S. citizens, with conspiring to provide material support and resources, conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction, conspiracy to bomb places of government facilities, and conspiracy to kill or kidnap persons in a foreign country, among other offenses.

Malanga, Thompson, and Polun are expected to make their initial appearances at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn, New York. Moesser is expected to make his initial appearance on April 10 at the federal courthouse in Salt Lake City. After their initial appearances in New York, it is expected that Malanga, Thompson, and Polun will appear in Salt Lake City, Utah, for further legal proceedings.

As alleged in the complaint, the defendants conspired to unlawfully carry out a coup d'etat in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The coconspirators conducted an armed military operation (Armed Coup Attack) specifically targeting DRC President Felix Tshisekedi and Deputy Prime Minister for the Economy Vital Kamerhe (Kamerhe), attacking both the Palais de la Nation (the official residence and principal workplace of the president) and Kamerhe's private residence in Kinshasa, DRC. Men wearing camouflage fatigues and armed with weapons attacked and entered the Palais de la Nation. Armed men also attacked Kamerhe's residence, which was riddled with bullet holes after the attack. At least six people died during the attack, including two police officers protecting Kamerhe's residence, and at least one innocent civilian. The goal of these rebel forces was to overthrow the DRC government, establish a new government known as the New Zaire, and install Christian Malanga, now deceased, as the president of the New Zaire.

Christian Malanga acted as a leader and organizer of these rebel forces. It was the goal of these rebel forces to topple the DRC government and to murder President Felix Tshisekedi, Kamerhe, and others, with the goal of installing Christian as the new president of the DRC. Marcel Malanga also held himself out as a leader of the rebel forces and identified himself as the "Chief of Staff of the Zaire army." Polun was Christian Malanga's chief of staff. Moesser was the explosives maker, explosives technician, and explosives supplier. Thompson was a soldier and drone specialist/operator.

Also as alleged in the complaint, Christian Malanga, Marcel Malanga, Thompson, Polun, and Moesser conspired to provide material support and resources including services, training, expert advice or assistance, communication equipment, weapons, explosives, and personnel to the rebel army which was formed to overthrow the DRC government. Further, the defendants conspired to acquire and use weapons of mass destruction during the Armed Coup Attack. The coconspirators planned to use bombs that could be deployed to their targets by drone(s). Targets included people, private residences, and public buildings. They also intended to attach a flamethrower device to a drone and use it as an incendiary device to light people on fire.

The defendants planned, scouted out targets, and identified victims for the Armed Coup Attack, with the purpose and intent to murder other persons, including high-level DRC government officials. They recruited others to join in the Armed Coup Attack as personnel for the rebel army and, in some cases, recruited personnel in exchange for money. The defendants also acquired and attempted to acquire explosive and incendiary devices with the purpose and intent to use such devices to target individuals, private property, and DRC government buildings. Coconspirators communicated with and procured destructive devices, to include carrier devices such as drones, explosives, incendiary devices, and delivery mechanisms, from businesses, private parties, and at least one individual associated with a foreign military to effectuate the Armed Coup Attack.

Additionally, they procured from businesses and private parties, military equipment to include firearms, ammunition, uniforms, communication equipment, and communication jamming equipment. The coconspirators planned to transport weapons, explosives, and resources from the United States to the DRC to effectuate the Armed Coup Attack, and they then transported weapons and resources to the DRC. Further, the defendants engaged in firearms and weapons training in the United States and in Africa to provide services and support during the conspiracy and Armed Coup Attack.

If convicted, the defendants face a maximum penalty of up to 15 years in prison for each count of conspiring to provide material support and resources; and up to life in prison for each count of conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction, conspiracy to bomb places of government facilities, and conspiracy to kill or kidnap persons in a foreign country. Additionally, if convicted, Malanga and Thompson each face a maximum penalty of up to 15 years in prison for each count of taking a firearm out of the United States to engage in a felony. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Sue J. Bai, head of the U.S. Department of Justice National Security Division, Acting U.S. Attorney Felice John Viti for the District of Utah, and Special Agent in Charge Mehtab Syed of the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office made the announcement.

The case is being investigated by the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office, with assistance by the FBI New York Field Office and the FBI's Legal Attache Office in Nairobi, Kenya, which oversees the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bryan R. Whittaker, Chief, National Security and Cybercrimes Section, and Jonathan Stowers of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Utah, and Trial Attorney Tanya Senanayake of the National Security Division's Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting the case. The Criminal Division's Office of International Affairs has also provided substantial assistance to the prosecution team.

A complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Topics: Counterterrorism

National Security

Components: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

National Security Division (NSD)

USAO - Utah

Press Release Number: 25-352

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DynCorp Agrees to Pay $21 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Lawsuit Alleging Inflated Costs on State Department Contract to Train Civilian Police Forces in Iraq

Wednesday, April 9, 2025

For Immediate Release

Office of Public Affairs

DynCorp International LLC (DynCorp) has agreed to pay $21 million to resolve False Claims Act allegations that it knowingly submitted inflated subcontractor charges under a State Department contract to train Iraqi police forces, known as the "CIVPOL" contract. DynCorp was a government contractor headquartered in Irving, Texas, and Falls Church, Virginia. Amentum, another government contractor with headquarters in Chantilly, Virginia, purchased DynCorp in November 2020.

The State Department awarded the CIVPOL contract to DynCorp in April 2004 to provide training for civilian police forces in Iraq. DynCorp was also tasked with supplying support for this effort, such as lodging for contractor personnel and various labor services. In a lawsuit filed in July 2016, the United States alleged that one of DynCorp's main CIVPOL subcontractors charged excessive, uncompetitive, and unsubstantiated rates for hotel lodging and guard, translator, driver, and supervisor services, and that DynCorp, contrary to its obligations as a government prime contractor, knowingly passed on those charges to the State Department for reimbursement.

"Federal contractors have a duty be fair and honest when doing business with the government," said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Yaakov Roth of the Department of Justice's Civil Division. "The Department will not tolerate those who use times of conflict and strife to enrich themselves at the expense of the American people."

"As the Trump Administration zeroes in on fraud, waste, and abuse, this office will continue to seek settlements with outside entities that are taking advantage of their U.S. government contract by either not providing what they promised or misusing the funds in other ways," said Interim U.S. Attorney Edward Martin Jr. for the District of Columbia. "This contractor was supposed to train civilian police forces to help the State Department provide some stability for a strategic partner. When you are given a government contract, you are taking money from the American people and this office will make certain you deliver on your promises."

"State Department contractors and subcontractors have a unique opportunity to serve their country and contribute to the safety and security of Americans across the globe," said Assistant Inspector General Robert J. Smolich for Investigations at the Department of State Office of Inspector General. "Today's settlement sends a clear message that those who seek to exploit State Department contracts in order to defraud American taxpayers will be held accountable for their actions."

The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of an effort by the Civil Division's Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Department of State's Office of Inspector General.

Trial Attorneys Ben Young and Jeff McSorley and Assistant U.S. Attorney Darrell Valdez for the District of Columbia represented the United States in this matter.

The case is captioned United States v. DynCorp International LLC, Case No. 1:16-cv-01473 (D.D.C.).

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: 25-359

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China Coast Guard monitors delivery of supplies to illegally 'grounded' Philippine warship at Ren'ai Jiao: spokesperson

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Apr 09, 2025 08:12 PM

The China Coast Guard spokesperson Liu Dejun stated on Wednesday that with the permission of the Chinese side, the Philippines dispatched a civilian ship to deliver supplies to its illegally "grounded" military vessel at Ren'ai Jiao. The China Coast Guard (CCG) conducted inquiries to confirm and monitored the Philippine vessel throughout the entire process.

China urges the Philippines to honor its commitments, stop sensationalizing the issue, and work with China to jointly manage the maritime situation, said Liu, adding that The CCG will continue to carry out law enforcement activities to safeguard its rights in the Nansha Qundao, including the Ren'ai Jiao and their adjacent waters.

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Children among 29 killed as Israeli airstrike destroys house in Gaza

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Apr 9, 2025

An Israeli airstrike has killed at least 29 Palestinians, including children, in a residential building in the Shujaiyya neighborhood of Gaza City, local health officials reported on Wednesday.

Medics said dozens more were injured in the attack, which targeted a multi-story building in the eastern part of Gaza City.

Many are still feared missing and trapped under the rubble. The airstrike also caused significant damage to surrounding buildings, according to medical sources.

In a statement released shortly after the attack, the Islamic Resistance Movement condemned the strike, urging Islamic and Arab nations to take immediate action to stop Israeli aggression.

Hamas said the attack was part of the "genocide and mad revenge" against Palestinians, saying it will not go unpunished.

The statement said that all those who remained silent in the face of these crimes or collaborated with the "criminal Zionists" will be brought to justice.

The resistance group also called on all Islamic and Arab countries to intensify pressure on Israel and its allies in Washington to end the ongoing war in Gaza, including by cutting diplomatic ties with Israel and closing their embassies.

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Yemeni army strikes U.S. warship and Israeli positions with drones

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Apr 9, 2025

The Yemeni Armed Forces have carried out new drone operations, targeting a U.S. warship in the Red Sea and an Israeli military site in Tel Aviv.

Brigadier General Yahya Saree, the spokesperson for the Yemeni Army, said in a statement on Wednesday that an operation was carried out against the Israeli military in the occupied region of Jaffa using a drone, which successfully achieved its objective.

Saree emphasized that the strike was "in support of the oppressed Palestinian people and their dear Mujahedeen, and in response to the ongoing war of genocide against our brothers in Gaza."

He said that the Yemeni nation is invincible and will stand firm in support of the oppressed Palestinians.

Additionally, the spokesperson announced that the Yemeni Army launched several drones toward "a group of enemy warships in the northern Red Sea," including the American aircraft carrier USS Harry Truman, and accurately hit the targets.

Yemen will never surrender to American aggression and will continue its operation against Israel until the regime ends its war and lifts the siege on Gaza, he reiterated.

The operation came after Al-Masirah TV reported that the death toll from a U.S. airstrike on the port city of Hodeida the day before had risen to 10.

The Health Ministry had earlier said four children and two women were among the dead.

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Deputy Secretary General Radmila Shekerinska meets with CEOs of the German Chemical Industry

NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

09 Apr. 2025

Meeting with CEOs of the German chemical industry on Wednesday (9 April 2025), Deputy Secretary General Radmila Shekerinska said that in today's turbulent world it makes perfect sense that NATO and industry work more closely together. She said that the brutal war in Ukraine and tensions in the Indo-Pacific region are part of an effort to weaken the West, along with acts of arson, sabotage and cyber-attacks, which aim to destabilise both Allied countries and companies.

Against this background, she said, the NATO Secretary General has set out three key priorities for the NATO Summit in The Hague, spending a lot more on defence, producing more capabilities, and doing more together for our security.

Ms Shekerinska said that there is a need to re-energise the defence industry and this means that industry needs to ramp up production and to put in extra shifts and new production lines, stressing that to stay safe, we must ensure we outpace our competitors.

The Deputy Secretary General said that security needs a whole-of-society response together with all NATO Allies across Europe and North America and with NATO's many partners, including other countries, organisations, members of academia, the private sector and citizens.

She highlighted that industry produces essential materials and medicines, and helps ensure the uninterrupted operation of industrial value chains. In turn, she said, industry can count on NATO to ensure industry can continue to operate in a safe environment.

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A look at the Defence news 31 March - 6 April

Netherlands Ministry of Defence

News item | 09-04-2025 | 17:37

Over the past four months, Dutch F-35 fighter aircraft intercepted 23 Russian aircraft while patrolling NATO's eastern flank. Portuguese F-16 aircraft took over their duties last week after the Dutch mission came to an end. The Royal Netherlands Air Force detachment, numbering four aircraft and around 150 military personnel, operated from Amari Air Base in Estonia. The Dutch fighters monitored the border of the NATO treaty area. Their duties also included the 'quick reaction alert' task, which is activated when an aircraft approaches NATO airspace without identifying itself.

Chinook transport helicopters finish job in Iraq

After hundreds of flights in Iraq, three RNLAF Chinook helicopters and a 100-strong air force detachment are returning to the Netherlands. The final operational flight was conducted early last week, bringing the unit's mission to an end. The transport helicopters had been flying for NATO Mission Iraq (NMI) and the anti-ISIS mission Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) under the name Task Force Lion since 1 June 2024.

Minister wants to make haste in scaling up support for Ukraine

Last week, Netherlands Minister of Defence Ruben Brekelmans and his EU counterparts visited Warsaw for the informal meeting of defence ministers, where they discussed EU support for Ukraine. Brekelmans stressed that, given the growing threats, it is essential for European countries to speed up their contributions to credible deterrence and defence. The European Commission's new Readiness 2030 White Paper for European Defence was also discussed. This document sets out the measures required to strengthen European defence.

Sweden also opts for Embraer aircraft

It was announced last week that Sweden is to purchase the C-390 Millennium aircraft, after joining the Austrian-Dutch agreement with the Brazilian firm Embraer. The contract allowed for the option of additional countries taking part. Together, the three signees will purchase 13 C-390 transport aircraft: the Netherlands is to purchase five, and Austria and Sweden will both buy four. This cooperation provides the countries with economies of scale in training, maintenance and sustainment. Furthermore, all 13 C-390s will have the same configuration, making it easier to operate together and exchange personnel.

Minister reports sharper conclusions by the committee on weapon deployment in Hawija

The Sorgdrager Committee is in part adjusting its conclusions on the Dutch deployment of weapons in Hawija. The committee informed the Ministry of Defence accordingly in writing last week. The committee is taking this step following the recent discovery and study of video footage from an F-16 aircraft that was in the area. The video footage was taken the morning after the attack, which took place on the night of 2 to 3 June 2015, and recorded the impact of the Dutch weapon deployment against an ISIS car bomb factory in Hawija. The minister has ordered internal and external investigations into how video footage of the weapon deployment could have gone missing for such a considerable amount of time.

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Incident-free resupply mission conducted anew in Ayungin Shoal

Philippine News Agency

By Priam Nepomuceno

April 9, 2025, 8:59 pm

MANILA -- As the country commemorates the 83rd Araw ng Kagitingan on Wednesday, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) announced that it has successfully completed another routine troop rotation and resupply (RORE) mission to the contingent manning the BRP Sierra Madre (LS-57) in Ayungin Shoal at the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

In a statement, the AFP said the RORE was carried out in close coordination with the Philippine Coast Guard and concluded without any untoward incident.

No other details regarding the mission were provided by the AFP as of this time.

"As the nation marks the 83rd anniversary of the Day of Valor, the AFP honors the courage and dedication of our soldiers aboard BRP Sierra Madre who continue to stand guard in the West Philippine Sea to uphold our sovereignty, sovereign rights and national interest," the AFP said.

The April 9 RORE is the seventh resupply mission without any untoward incidents since July last year.

The six others were conducted on July 27, 2024; Sept. 26, 2024; Nov. 14, 2024; Dec. 12, 2024; Jan. 24, 2025; and March 4, 2025.

This milestone continues to highlight the AFP's unwavering commitment to ensuring continuous logistical and operational support for its personnel despite the challenging security environment in the WPS. (PNA)

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PH, US troops beef up interoperability with warfighting drills

Philippine News Agency

By Priam Nepomuceno

April 9, 2025, 12:32 pm

MANILA -- Participants of the "Salaknib" exercises from the Philippine Army (PA) and the US Army Pacific (USARPAC) have conducted a series of drills that would increase interoperability between Filipino and American military units.

Army spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala, in a media statement Wednesday, said these drills, under the first phase of the exercises, include radio communication, field artillery live fire, sling load operations using helicopters, and medical evacuation.

He added that these "subject matter expert exchanges" (SMEEs), crucial in warfighting functions, took place in Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija.

Dema-ala also said PA and USARPAC signalers have trained to familiarize and operate each other's radio equipment. Participating Filipino and American units constructed an antenna in two separate locations to establish a line of communication between both systems.

On the field artillery live-fire training, Dema-ala said PA and USARPAC cannoneers exchanged tactics, techniques, and procedures, deepening their understanding of each other's operational approaches.

"The said training simulated the integration of both forces to enhance the overall effectiveness of ground operations, providing critical fire support to infantry and armored units," he added.

PA and USARPAC troops likewise conducted sling load operations to improve their skills in airlift and logistics.

Dema-ala said sling load operations could provide rapid movement of heavy, outsized equipment or emergency supplies directly to forces on the ground by bypassing surface obstacles and allowing for rapid relocation.

Aside from this, PA medics and their counterparts teamed up for a medical evacuation or MEDEVAC-focused SMEE.

"Both forces gained practical knowledge in MEDEVAC procedures, equipment handling, and patient transport techniques designed for combined operations in austere environments," Dema-ala said.

"Salaknib," which means "shield" in Ilocano, reflects the historical bond between the two nations dating back to World War II when Filipino and American troops fought side-by-side to defend freedom and democracy.

"Salaknib" Phase 1, scheduled from March 24 to April 11, is the 10th iteration of the annual military maneuvers between Filipino and American troops.

"Salaknib" Phase 2 is scheduled from May 19 to July 20. (PNA)

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OIC censures Israel for decision to close 6 UNRWA schools in al-Quds

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 09 April 2025 7:04 PM

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has condemned the Israeli regime for its decision to close six schools run by the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) in occupied al-Quds.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the 57-member bloc said Israel's decision was an illegal attempt to undermine UNRWA's role in the occupied city.

The organization called it a blatant violation of the UN Charter and Resolution 302 (IV), which established the agency's mandate in December 1949.

The OIC said the decision would deprive Palestinian refugee children of their fundamental right to education and seek instead to impose the Israeli curriculum.

Elsewhere, the OIC urged all states to support UNRWA with political, financial, and legal assistance to continue serving Palestinian refugees and protecting their rights, as outlined in UN Resolution 194.

On April 8, Israeli authorities notified the six UNRWA schools in the neighborhoods of Shuafat, Silwan, Sur Baher, and Wadi al-Joz that they would be closed within 30 days.

UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini said in a statement that Israel's orders were a "violation" of international law and the rules granting the UN operations protection from local jurisdictions.

"Some 800 boys and girls are directly impacted by these closure orders and are likely to miss finishing their school year," Lazzarini wrote.

Critics say hundreds of children are likely to be moved to schools teaching the Israeli curriculum, which could erase the Palestinian identity.

Israeli authorities moved to banish the UN agency from the occupied West Bank and East al-Quds early this year.

In 2024, Israel passed a law that prohibits the operations of UNRWA in East al-Quds and the West Bank.

Since October 2023, Israeli attacks have demolished or damaged numerous UNRWA schools and health centers in the Palestinian territories.

The Organization of American Historians (OAH) recently voted overwhelmingly in favor of a resolution that condemns Israel for its "scholasticide" in the besieged Gaza Strip.

The Israeli military has bombed and mostly destroyed all 12 universities in Gaza and hundreds of primary and secondary schools.

More than 200 heritage sites, including mosques, churches, and libraries, have been destroyed.

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US war on Yemen risks draining arms Pentagon would need to deter China: Report

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 09 April 2025 6:53 PM

US military officials have warned that the Trump administration's involvement in the Yemen war could deplete the Pentagon's weapon reserves, potentially undermining its ability to deter China in the event of an armed conflict in the Asia-Pacific region.

Commanders planning for a possible conflict with China are increasingly concerned that the US military will have to move long-range precision weapons from stockpiles in the Asia-Pacific region to West Asia as the US intensifies its bombing campaign in Yemen, The New York Times reported on Wednesday.

Congressional officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the problem, said that the Pentagon used up about $200 million of munitions in the first three weeks of its bombing campaign in Yemen.

The costs are much higher  well over $1 billion at this point  when operational and personnel expenses are taken into account, they added.

The Times reported last week that the month-long bombing campaign was much larger than the Pentagon had publicly disclosed.

It said US commanders believe that the Pentagon has had only limited success in destroying Yemen's Houthi Ansarullah movement's vast arsenal of missiles, drones, and launchers.

Navy and the Indo-Pacific Command were also "very concerned" about how fast the military was burning through munitions in Yemen.

The US launched its large-scale campaign of air and naval strikes against Yemen in March despite warnings by Trump's aides, including his Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, that the US must prioritize strengthening its forces in the Asia-Pacific to deter China.

The long-range weapons used in the Yemen campaign, including Tomahawk cruise missiles fired from warships, are exactly the kinds of weapons that US commanders say would be needed to counter an air and naval assault by the Chinese army in the South and East China Seas and the Pacific.

The officials say the weapons are in stockpiles in US military bases on Guam, in Okinawa, Japan, and elsewhere along the western Pacific.

The Pentagon has not yet had to dip into those stockpiles to bomb Yemen, but it might need to do so soon, they warned.

Over the past years, China has intensified military activities around Taiwan, including large-scale war games, as it continues to assert its sovereignty over the island while the Taipei government rejects Beijing's claims.

According to a report published by US intelligence agencies in March, China remains the top military and cyber threat to the US as Beijing was making "steady but uneven" progress on capabilities it could use to capture Taiwan.

China has the ability to hit the United States with conventional weapons, compromise US infrastructure through cyber attacks, and target its assets in space, the Annual Threat Assessment by the intelligence community said.

Beijing, it said, seeks to displace the United States as the top AI power by 2030.

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60,000 Palestinian children starve as Israel continues blockade of Gaza

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 09 April 2025 6:33 PM

As the Israeli regime continues the siege of the Gaza Strip, the ministry of health in the Palestinian territory has warned that at least 60,000 children suffer from severe malnourishment and related health complications.

The health ministry's statement came on Wednesday, a day after Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres rejected Israel's new proposal to control aid deliveries to Gaza.

Since March 2, the Israeli regime has closed off all crossings into Gaza and blocked the entry of essential supplies, including food, medicine, and water.

The health ministry has warned that "the lack of adequate nutrition and drinking water will compound health challenges, with the continued ban on vaccinations for children, especially polio vaccinations."

The siege has resulted in the closure of 21 nutrition centers and has disrupted care for the already severely malnourished children of Gaza, the ministry said.

According to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), Israel's ongoing siege of the region has had a "devastating impact" on children in the enclave.

"Safe water, food, shelter, and medical care have become increasingly scarce. The impact on children is devastating," UNRWA said.

"All basic supplies are running out ... It means babies, children are going to bed hungry. Every day without these basic supplies, Gaza inches closer towards very, very deep hunger," said Juliette Touma, Director of Communications at UNRWA.

Last month, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) reported that hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza are at risk of starvation because the activities of the Israeli military have disrupted food assistance operations across the war-torn region.

"WFP and partners from the food security sector have been unable to bring new food supplies into Gaza for more than three weeks," the Organization said in a statement.

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Death toll from US airstrikes on Yemen's Hodeida rise to 12

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 09 April 2025 5:39 PM

The death toll from US airstrikes on a residential neighborhood in Yemen's port city of Hodeida has risen to 12.

Yemeni media said the victims included six women and four children.

Dozens were also injured in the attack, which targeted the Hawak district on Tuesday.

Washington initiated its air campaign against Yemen on March 15 after Sana'a resumed retaliatory attacks on Israel in response to the regime's resumption of the campaign of genocide in Gaza.

Since then, there have been near-daily US strikes targeting Yemen's civilian infrastructure, including communication networks, power plants, and water reservoirs.

Washington has portrayed these strikes as an attempt to restore freedom of navigation in the waters around Yemen.

However, Yemen has rejected the US allegation that it poses a threat to international shipping in the Red Sea, saying it is solely targeting Israeli-linked ships.

The Yemeni military began targeting ships transiting the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, as well as those in the occupied territories, following the outbreak of the Gaza genocide in October 2023.

The Yemeni military spokesman Yahya Saree said on Wednesday that the military had downed a US drone, targeted an Israeli military site in the Tel Aviv area, and launched drones at the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman.

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Yemen conducts new retaliatory strikes on Israeli, US targets

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 09 April 2025 3:03 PM

Yemen's armed forces have conducted new airstrikes on US and Israeli targets in retaliation for Israel's US-backed campaign of genocide in the Gaza Strip.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Yemeni army said it "carried out a military operation against an Israeli military target in Occupied Yaffa [Tel Aviv], using a drone called 'Yaffa.'"

According to the statement, the Yemeni forces also conducted a drone attack against the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier in the north of the Red Sea.

The army said it will continue the retaliatory operations in support of the oppressed Palestinians until the Gaza war ends.

Since October 2023, Yemeni forces have carried out scores of operations in support of the war-hit Gazans, striking targets throughout the occupied Palestinian territories, in addition to targeting Israeli ships or vessels heading toward ports in the occupied territories.

In support of Israel, the US announced the formation of a maritime task force in the Red Sea in December 2023 to protect the passage of vessels bound for the Israeli-occupied territories.

The Yemeni forces responded by ramping up their strikes against strategic and sensitive Israeli and US targets.

The Yemeni forces paused their retaliatory strikes in support of the ceasefire that took effect in Gaza on January 19 before Israel broke it in March.

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Israel kills at least 38 Palestinians, including children, in airstrikes on Gaza

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 09 April 2025 1:55 PM

Israel has killed at least 38 Palestinians, including children, in airstrikes on several areas across the besieged Gaza Strip.

On Wednesday, Israeli warplanes bombed a residential house in the Shujaiyya neighborhood, the eastern suburb of Gaza City. Nearly 30 Palestinians were killed.

Dozens were also wounded in the attack on a multi-floor building.

Local health authorities said nine other Palestinians were killed in separate Israeli military strikes on other parts of the besieged Palestinian territory, raising Wednesday's death toll to 38.

Israeli warplanes also bombed the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza.

Some media reports said at least 80 Palestinians have gone missing.

The Israeli military said on Wednesday that warplanes had conducted airstrikes on 45 targets across Gaza in 24 hours.

The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas censured the massacre in Shujaiyya.

Hamas held the United States responsible for the Israeli campaign of genocide in Gaza.

"These ongoing massacres against our defenseless people, with full support from the complicit US administration, represent a shameful stain on the international community, which remains helpless and inactive in the face of one of the most horrific episodes of mass killing and organised genocide."

Hamas also censured mere statements by certain Arab countries with respect to the existing circumstances in Gaza.

"Heads of Arab and Islamic countries must take their historical and humanitarian responsibilities seriously and act urgently to apply pressure on the occupation and its backers in Washington to immediately halt the aggression, lift the siege, and hold the Zionist war criminals accountable for their actions."

Hamas also called for the severance of relations with Israel on a global scale.

"We call on countries that still maintain relations with the criminal Zionist occupation to sever those ties and close the embassies of this Nazi-like entity, in solidarity with our innocent Palestinian people who are enduring a brutal Zionist genocide."

"These brutal crimes, being perpetrated before the eyes of the world against innocent, defenseless civilians with the aim of extermination and sadistic revenge, will not go unnoticed and will not become time-barred."

"History will record all those who remained silent and complicit with the Zionist war criminals who committed them."

Health facilities in Gaza are in a devastating situation. Gaza's health ministry has said that almost 60,000 children are at risk of serious health implications due to malnutrition.

Israel resumed its campaign of genocide in Gaza on March 18 after a two-month truce and sent troops back into the blockaded Palestinian region. In the three weeks since, the health ministry in Gaza says Israeli military strikes have killed nearly 1,500 Palestinians.

Since late March, Israel has ordered Gazans out of territory around the edges of the strip to create what it describes as a security zone; residents fear the aim is to permanently depopulate swathes of territory.

Netanyahu has vowed to intensify the attacks as part of a broader plan aligned with US President Donald Trump's proposal to forcibly displace Palestinians from Gaza.

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Yemen shoots down another $30 million advanced US drone

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 09 April 2025 9:24 AM

Yemeni forces have shot down another advanced American MQ-9 drone engaged in "hostile missions" in the country's airspace, the military says.

"With the help of Allah Almighty, our air defenses were able to shoot down an American MQ-9 drone while it was carrying out hostile missions in the airspace of al-Jawf Governorate, using a suitable, locally manufactured missile," it said Wednesday.

"This is the third drone our air defenses have successfully shot down in ten days, and the eighteenth during the battle of Promised Victory and Holy Jihad in support of Gaza," it added.

The average unit cost of an MQ-9 is estimated at $33 million, which means the American loss from the downing of the drones in Yemen is already about $600 million.

On Saturday, the New York Times said the US military has used $200 million in munitions since it restarted its campaign against Yemen over two weeks ago - the success of which has been "limited".

According to the leading newspaper, the total cost of the campaign could likely surge past $1 billion by next week.

The downing, the statement said, is a response to the ongoing American aggression against Yemen and its horrific massacres against Yemeni people just hours after the US launched a number of deadly aerial attacks on various areas.

In the late hours of Tuesday, the United States carried out 22 fresh deadly airstrikes across several provinces around Yemen shortly after targeting the country, including the capital Sana'a, to dozens of similar aerial attacks.

The western province of al-Hudaydah was badly hit as eight civilians, including two children and a woman, were confirmed dead. At least 16 others were also injured, many of them critically.

American naval assets have come under intense Yemeni reprisal both in response to Washington's military adventurism and its complicity in the Israeli genocide in Gaza.

The Yemeni Armed Forces has said it will not stop attacks until Israel's ground and aerial offensives in Gaza end.

Yemeni forces have launched retaliatory strikes in support of Palestinians since Israel launched a relentless war on the besieged Gaza Strip in October 2023.

The US and its Western allies have escalated their aggression against Yemen after the country resumed its anti-Israel operations over the regime's resumption of the campaign of genocide in Gaza last month, with Yemeni outlets saying the American assaults have been hitting purely civilian targets, claiming the lives of dozens of non-combatants.

The statement affirmed the continued support of Yemeni forces for Gaza, saying they will keep on carrying out their missions to confront any aggression against the country.

"They are fully prepared to deal responsibly with any attempt to undermine our sovereignty, security, and stability, and our operations will not cease until the aggression against Gaza stops and the blockade is lifted."

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Ex-Israeli PM Olmert: Netanyahu inciting settler violence against Palestinians

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 09 April 2025 8:00 AM

Former Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert says Benjamin Netanyahu is inciting acts of violence and vandalism, known as price tag attacks, by Israeli settlers against Palestinians and their property.

Netanyahu, in his capacity as prime minister, "supports the heinous crimes committed by the Hilltop Youth in the Palestinian territories," Olmert told Army Radio on Tuesday.

The "Hilltop Youth," an extremist Israeli settler organization, is notorious for violent actions against Palestinians, which include shootings, arson, property destruction, and the creation of unauthorized outposts.

Members of the group have connections to right-wing political parties that shape Netanyahu's cabinet.

Olmert said Netanyahu and his regime are turning a blind eye to the settler violence against Palestinians.

Since the formation of Netanyahu's cabinet in late 2022, there has been a marked increase in assaults by illegal Israeli settlers on Palestinians, especially in the northern flank of the West Bank.

Various attacks on Palestinian property, including arson and graffiti, have become a daily occurrence throughout the occupied territories, particularly in the West Bank.

However, Israeli authorities rarely prosecute the Israeli settler assaults on Palestinians and their property and the vast majority of the files are closed due to deliberate police failure to investigate properly.

The Israeli military initiated its assault on the occupied West Bank on January 21, stating that the objective was to target the resistance fighters linked to the Jenin Battalion.

Israeli forces opened fire on a group of children in the West Bank on Sunday, killing a 14-year-old Palestinian-American boy and wounding at least two others.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health identified the victim as Omar Mohammed Rabea, and said he was shot near the town of Turmus Aya, northeast of the city of Ramallah.

Since the beginning of the war on Gaza in October 2023, more than 944 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli troops and settlers, more than 7,000 others injured in the West Bank.

Last July, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) declared that Israel's long-standing occupation of Palestinian territories is illegal, demanding the evacuation of all settlements in the West Bank and East al-Quds.

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US war machine takes Yemen under 22 new attacks; 16 killed, injured in al-Hudaydah

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 09 April 2025 12:01 AM

The United States has launched 22 fresh deadly airstrikes across several provinces around Yemen shortly after subjecting the country to dozens of similar aerial attacks.

Yemeni sources reported the new assaults on Wednesday, saying they targeted the capital Sana'a and the central province of Ibb among other places.

In the capital, eight new airstrikes were reported, though no immediate casualties have been confirmed yet. The strikes are believed to have hit critical infrastructure, further disrupting civilian life in the city.

In Ibb, three airstrikes reportedly targeted the communications network in what appeared to be an effort to dismantle civilian sites and sever lines of internal coordination.

Tragedy in al-Hudaydah; children among fatalities

The most devastating toll, however, was reported in the western province of al-Hudaydah, where six civilians, including two children and a woman, were confirmed dead. At least 16 others were also injured, many of them critically.

Rescue teams are, meanwhile, still working to remove the rubble and search for survivors in the aftermath of the bombardments.

Human rights groups say the targeting of al-Hudaydah, a densely-populated city that also serves as Yemen's main port and humanitarian lifeline, has raised serious concerns over the continued erosion of civilian safety and the flow of essential aid into the country.

The attacks took the overall instances of American aerial aggression towards the already impoverished country to some 50 within the past 24 hours.

Despite the United States own refusal to pinpoint the principal purpose of the escalation against Yemen that began last month, the aggression is widely viewed as a continuation of Washington's broader regional policy in support of the Israeli regime and its brutal war of genocide on the besieged Gaza Strip.

In solidarity with Gaza, Yemen's Armed Forces have been striking Israeli and Israeli-linked targets and American military assets in the Red Sea and beyond on numerous occasions.

Yemeni officials have described the operations as a legitimate response to the genocide, the US's support for it, and the American assaults on Yemen itself.

Despite its vast firepower, the Pentagon has failed to prevent Yemeni missile and drone operations.

On Sunday, CNN described the American campaign of aggression as an astronomically-expensive push that had fallen far short of deterring Yemen, which had even threatened to extend the scope of its retaliatory strikes.

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Tibetan exile govt seeks probe into death of Tibetan Buddhist abbot in Vietnam

Sources inside Tibet tell RFA that Tulku Hungkar Dorje's monastery is prohibited from holding memorial services for him.

By RFA Tibetan 2025.04.09 -- The Tibetan government-in-exile called Tuesday for an independent investigation into the death of an influential Tibetan Buddhist leader said to have died in Vietnam, where he was reportedly in hiding from the Chinese government.

On April 3, Lung Ngon Monastery in Gade county (Gande in Chinese), Golog prefecture, Qinghai province, issued a statement confirming that its abbot, Tulku Hungkar Dorje, 56, had died in Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh City on March 29 due to poor health. The monastery's statement gave no further details. His followers say he had been missing for eight months.

Chinese authorities' forbid the monastery and local residents from holding public memorial services and prayers for the abbot, underscoring the sensitivity of his death, three sources from the region told Radio Free Asia on Wednesday. The sources requested anonymity because they feared reprisals.

The Central Tibetan Administration - the exiled government based in Dharamsala, India - and human rights groups contend that Tulku Hungkar Dorje was arrested from his hotel room in Ho Chi Minh City on March 25 in a joint operation by local police and Chinese government agents. He was reportedly transferred to Chinese custody on March 28, where he mysteriously died the same day, they added.

"(This raises) serious concerns about cross-border security cooperation, transnational repression, and human rights violations that demand immediate and thorough investigation, as well as accountability from both Vietnamese and Chinese authorities," Tenzin Lekshay, spokesperson for the CTA, said.

Tulku Hungkar Dorje was a renowned religious teacher, philanthropist, and educator. He disappeared last August after he called at a public teaching that July for the preservation of Tibetan language and culture.

Rights groups say that Tulku Hungkar Dorje was also subjected to multiple rounds of interrogations before his disappearance after he did not fully comply with Beijing's wish to host the Chinese-appointed Panchen Lama, Gyaltsen Norbu, at his monastery.

He was also accused of failing to implement Chinese government policies in schools he had established for children of Tibetan nomadic families in Golog, sources in the region said. He had also composed a long-life prayer for Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, whom China regards as a separatist, they added. (The Dalai Lama actually advocates for a "Middle Way" that accepts Tibet's status as a part of China and urges greater cultural, religious, and language rights and freedoms under the provisions of China's own constitution).

Escape to Vietnam

Faced with mounting pressure from the Chinese government, Tulku Hungkar Dorje fled to Vietnam, where he was reportedly in hiding since September 2024 until the Chinese authorities arrested him in late March with the help of the Vietnamese government, Tibetan rights groups said, citing sources familiar with the matter in the region.

Lhamo Tashi, president of Dhomay Cholka Association, a non-governmental organization representing Tibetans from the historical Amdo region of Tibet, said: "Given the grave nature of these events, we call for an independent international investigation into the circumstances of Tulku Hungkar Dorje's death. Such an investigation must be conducted transparently, in accordance with international legal standards, and with full access for neutral observers in Vietnam."

The Vietnamese and the Chinese government did not immediately respond to RFA's requests for comment.

Beyond Tibet, Tulku Hungkar Dorje has a large following of Buddhist disciples across the world, including in the United States, Russia, Australia, Canada, and Vietnam. In Vietnam, his followers at the Longchen Nyingthig Center issued a short note lamenting his passing.

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in Tibetan Buddhism in Vietnam, with the establishment of multiple Dharma meditation centers, pagodas and even the world's largest Tibetan Buddhist Prayer Wheel that is located at Don Duong District, Lam Dong Province in southern Vietnam.

Experts say the visits by Tibetan Buddhist leaders in Vietnam are tolerated, sometimes even promoted. That's an unusual exception to communist party intolerance of religious groups that are not state-sanctioned and is perhaps meant to counter criticism of that policy. However, experts say Vietnam avoids any publicity around Buddhist leaders who are under the scrutiny of the Chinese government to avoid diplomatic problems with Beijing.

Suspicions of foul play

Ju Tenkyong, director of the Amnye Machen Institute, a Dharamsala-based Tibetan center for advanced studies, said that earlier this month, five Tibetan Buddhist monks from Golog's Lung Ngon Monastery and six Chinese government officials traveled to Vietnam to retrieve Tulku Hungkar Dorje's body, which is reportedly at Vinmec Central Park International Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City.

However, the five monks were barred from participating in an emergency meeting that was convened on April 5 at the Chinese Embassy in Vietnam, where only the six Chinese officials were allowed, he said. Nor were they allowed to view the body, despite being initially told they could do so, he added.

"The officials demanded that the monks sign documents confirming Tulku's death, but the monks refused, saying they could not sign until they had seen his body. The fact that the body was not shown to the monks and disciples raises serious suspicions of foul play," Tenkyong told RFA.

The Tibetan government-in-exile also called for the body of Tulku Hungkar Dorje to be immediately handed over to Lung Ngon Monastery to allow for proper last rites to be performed as per Tibetan Buddhist traditions.

"It is noteworthy that the suspicious death of Tulku Hungkar Dorje represents a troubling escalation in China's systematic targeting of influential Tibetan figures who promote Tibetan culture, language, and identity," said CTA spokesperson Lekshay. "His case highlights the ongoing suppression of human rights in Tibet, where people live under constant fear of arrest for the slightest expression of Tibetan identity."

Chinese authorities closely scrutinize prominent Tibetan Buddhist lamas and businessmen involved in philanthropy, as well as poets, writers, and religious teachers who advocate for the preservation and promotion of Tibetan language and culture. Such figures often face strict surveillance and are vulnerable to arbitrary detentions and long prison terms.

Photos thrown to the ground

The local sources who spoke to RFA on Wednesday said officials in Gade County, where the monastery is located, have instructed local township and village leaders to strictly prohibit Tibetans from sharing any images or information related to Tulku Hungkar Dorje online.

"Initially, the government told Lung Ngon Monastery they could hold memorial services, but fearing large public gatherings, they suddenly imposed restrictions," said one of the three sources.

Since April 2, authorities from Golog Prefecture and Gade County have been jointly conducting strict inspections at the monastery and surrounding villages, with police patrolling these areas day and night, the sources said.

"When the monastery school attempted to display Tulku's photo and hold memorial services, Chinese officials arrived, threw the photos on the ground and forcibly prohibited any religious activities," another of the sources said.

In its 2025 Annual Report, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) recommended that both China and Vietnam be designated as a 'Countries of Particular Concern' for engaging in systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom.

USCIRF said religious freedom in Vietnam remained poor in 2024, with the Vietnamese government continuing to wield its 2018 Law on Belief and Religion to strictly control religious affairs through state-sponsored religious organizations.

Edited by Tenzin Pema and Mat Pennington

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.

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Vietnam, US to start trade talks after Trump's 90-day easing of tariffs

The announcement follows Vietnam's offer to cut tariffs on US imports to zero.

By Mike Firn for RFA

2025.04.09

BANGKOK -- The U.S. and Vietnam have agreed to start talks on a trade deal, the Vietnamese government said Thursday, a possible sign of breathing space for some developing Asian countries as President Donald Trump escalates a trade war with China.

Vietnam's Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer met in Washington late Wednesday, the day that 46% U.S. tariffs on Vietnamese exports came into force along with higher tariffs on many other countries.

Hours later, President Donald Trump announced he was cutting duties for countries that were willing to negotiate to 10% for three months, but continued measures against China, which now faces a 125% tariff on its exports.

"Though the U.S. has decided to delay the imposition of tariff for 90 days, the two countries should start negotiations on a bilateral trade agreement," Phoc said, according to the Vietnamese government website.

An agreement would "create a long-term framework to promote stable and mutually beneficial economic and trade relations in line with the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries," Phoc said.

Talks on a technical level would start immediately, the statement said. There was no immediate comment by the U.S.

The two countries elevated their relations to the highest level, a comprehensive strategic partnership, during a 2023 visit to Hanoi by then-President Joe Biden.

On April 4, Communist Party General Secretary To Lam offered to cut tariffs on U.S. goods to zero in a phone conversation with President Trump and urged the U.S. to follow suit.

Trump's trade adviser Peter Navarro dismissed the proposal as meaningless because it wouldn't narrow a massive trade surplus. Navarro also accused Vietnam of "non-tariff cheating," in an interview on CNBC, citing shipments of Chinese goods being routed through Vietnam as one example.

Trump's announcement that he was cutting tariffs for more than 75 countries to 10% for 90 days helped ease concern that a global trade war would trigger a recession. Asian stocks surged on the back of strong gains on Wall Street. Japan's Nikkei 225 jumped nearly 9% in the morning and South Korea's KOSPI index headed more than 5% higher.

The partial reversal on tariffs is a signal that the U.S. will reward countries that don't retaliate.

Japan and South Korea are among the countries that "want to come to the table rather than escalate," said Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, The Associated Press reported.

He said the U.S. is planning "bespoke" negotiations with governments that are prepared to make concessions in return for a tariff reduction.

Edited by 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.

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EU Slaps Tariffs On $23 Billion Of US Goods In Response To Trump's Trade Barrage

By RFE/RL April 09, 2025

The European Union approved tariffs targeting around 21 billion euros ($23.2 billion) of US goods in retaliation for the 25 percent tariffs President Donald Trump imposed on the bloc's steel and aluminum exports.

A majority of the EU's 27 member states on April 9 voted in favor of the surcharges, some of which will take effect on April 15.

The products facing tariffs include diamonds, agricultural products, poultry, and motorcycles, as well as soybeans, which are a popular export of Louisiana, the US state that is home to Trump loyalist and House Speaker Mike Johnson.

The European Commission, the bloc's executive arm, said in a statement that the countermeasures can be suspended at any time "should the US agree to a fair and balanced negotiated outcome."

The move adds to the growing transatlantic trade war, with the United States also applying a universal 20 percent tariff on nearly all European exports as well as a separate 25 percent tariff on cars and some auto parts.

Trump has said he'll announce additional tariffs on lumber, semiconductor chips and pharmaceutical products. In total, Trump's new tariffs target around 380 billion euros' worth of EU goods.

The second round of EU tariffs will take effect on May 15, while a third wave is slated for December 1. Most of the targeted goods face a 25 percent tariff level, with a few categories set to face 10 percent.

EU leaders have voiced differing views in recent days about whether to exclude some items such as bourbon and wine. France and Italy, keen to avoid US countermeasures on their wine exports, appear to have won this battle.

Trump had threatened a 200 percent tariff on EU alcoholic drinks if US bourbon was hit.

Also excluded from Brussels' plans are items the EU relies on such as aircraft and parts, semiconductors, and fuel.

A decision not to put tariffs on pharmaceuticals matches the US approach. However, Trump has said separate tariffs will be imposed on the sector.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/eu-tariffs--us-goods- trump-trade-war/33378622.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.

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Latest Round Of Trump's Tariffs Take Effect

By RFE/RL April 09, 2025

Sweeping new tariffs on goods imported by the United States are took effect on April 9 under US President Donald Trump new trade policy, which he said is aimed at revitalizing American manufacturing.

The higher import tax rates on dozens of countries and territories include a massive 104 percent duty on Chinese goods and 20 percent on products from the European Union. The new tariffs come after 10 percent baseline tariff that went into effect on April 5.

White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said that Trump had not considered an extension or delay for the increases.

"He expects that these tariffs are going to go into effect," she said on April 8 hours before their midnight implementation.

Trump himself offered mixed signals about whether the tariffs will remain. While describing them as "permanent," he said representatives of the countries targeted were on their way to Washington to negotiate bilateral trade agreements.

"We have a lot of countries coming in that want to make deals," he said at a White House event on April 8. He said later that he expected China to pursue an agreement as well.

Trump's administration has scheduled talks with representatives of South Korea and Japan, two close allies and major trading partners. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is due to visit next week.

EU Executive Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is among those offering a mutual reduction of tariffs but also warned that countermeasures are still an option.

Trump announced the tariffs on April 2, calling it America's "liberation day" and saying it will 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."

The president complained bitterly in announcing the tariffs that the United States for decades had been mistreated by "friend and foe alike" on trade, creating a massive trade imbalance.

Stock markets around the world have sunk amid the rollout of the tariffs, which economists warn will raise prices for goods that US consumers buy each day -- particularly as the new tariffs build on some previous trade measures. The countries targeted also are likely to retaliate.

China already has, announcing a 34 percent tariff on all US goods. That matched the rate before Trump announced that the United States would impose a 104 percent of China starting on April 10.

China's Commerce Ministry called Trump's threat to escalate tariffs "a mistake on top of a mistake" that "once again exposes the blackmailing nature of the US."

Beyond levies on China, Trump imposed a steep 25 percent tariff on auto imports beginning on April 3 that was largely aimed autos made in Mexico and Canada to pressure them to take steps to control immigration and drug trafficking. These tariffs are on fully imported cars but are set to expand to applicable auto parts in the following weeks.

Canada responded with a 25 percent levy on auto imports from the United States that do not comply with the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement. Those tariffs also are slated to go into effect on April 9.

Steel and aluminum have also been targeted. Both metals are now taxed at 25 percent across the board under expanded tariffs that went into effect last month.

With reporting by AP and Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-trade-tariffs-europe- china/33378032.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.

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Secretary Rubio's Meeting with Uzbekistan Foreign Minister Saidov

US Department of State

Readout

Office of the Spokesperson

April 9, 2025

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Tammy Bruce:

Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Uzbekistan Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov met in Washington today, reaffirming U.S. support for Uzbekistan's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity and growing U.S.-Uzbekistan ties. Secretary Rubio welcomed Uzbekistan's decision to become a full member of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS and thanked Uzbekistan for their efforts to facilitate the return of their deportees from the United States. The United States looks forward to working with Uzbekistan on the modernization of safe nuclear energy technologies, enhancing investments between our two countries, and promoting cooperation in critical minerals and other sectors to further advance our strategic partnership.

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Deputy Secretary Landau's Call with El Salvador's Foreign Minister Hill

US Department of State

Readout

Office of the Spokesperson

April 9, 2025

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Tammy Bruce:

Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau spoke with El Salvador's Foreign Minister Alexandra Hill to discuss our strong and positive bilateral partnership. They addressed ongoing cooperation on illegal immigration and regional security, with Deputy Secretary Landau expressing gratitude for El Salvador's acceptance of over 240 members of Tren de Aragua and MS-13 removed from the United States. He also appreciated El Salvador's partnership in preventing illegal aliens, criminals, terrorists, and illicit drugs from reaching the United States.

Deputy Secretary Landau emphasized the importance of collaboration on 5G, cybersecurity, and AI, and stressed the need to prevent China from accessing El Salvador's critical infrastructure by only allowing trusted vendors.

Deputy Secretary Landau recognized El Salvador's important role in our region, including in providing medevac capability to the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti and the Salvadoran Navy's excellent cooperation to counter illicit narcotics trafficking.

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Fear and uncertainty are daily staples for Gaza's most vulnerable

9 April 2025 - In Gaza, ongoing Israeli military operations and the aid blockade have continued to add to daily fears and hardships being faced by those about to give birth in the devastated enclave.

That's the message from the UN World Health Organization, WHO, which said on Wednesday that mothers are going into labour amid dire conditions, putting their health and their babies' lives at risk.

It is now five weeks since Israeli authorities stopped all commercial and humanitarian relief supplies from reaching Gaza.

Medicines and other medical provisions "are rapidly running out", with blood units and other supplies for maternal and child health at critically low levels, UN aid teams report.

Unexploded weapons are also a major threat across Gaza and have added to the hardships caused by the total ban on relief entering the Strip, said Luke Irving, Chief of the Mine Action Programme in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT).

"People are scared" and focusing on day-to-day survival, "how they stay fed, how they stay watered - this is the reality in Gaza at the moment," he told UN News.

Guterres appeal

At UN headquarters in New York on Tuesday, UN chief Antonio Guterres issued a strong appeal for guaranteed aid access to the enclave.

He also repeated his call for a renewed ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, and for the release of all hostages still held inside Gaza.

The Secretary-General highlighted how the truce between the warring parties had resulted in the release of hostages and the distribution of lifesaving aid.

Today however, "as aid has dried up, the floodgates of horror have re-opened," Mr. Guterres insisted.

Malnutrition fears are real

Latest updates from UN agencies and partners issued confirmed that no aid has entered Gaza since 2 March. "Malnutrition, disease and other preventable conditions are expected to surge, increasing the risk of preventable child deaths," UNICEF warned.

Mass displacement has also returned to the enclave, with a full two-thirds of the Gaza Strip now designated as "no-go" zones by the Israeli military or placed under displacement orders. At least 390,000 people have been forced to move in the past three weeks.

Escalating Israeli bombardment of Gaza between 3 and 8 April has killed 287 Palestinians and injured 912, according to Gazan health authorities.

Between 7 October 2023 and 8 April 2025, the same authorities say that at least 50,810 Palestinians have been killed and 115,688 Palestinians injured.

The UN humanitarian affairs office (OCHA) meanwhile reported that rockets were fired from Gaza on 3 and 6 April towards Israel including one which struck the city of Ashkelon, injuring at least 12 Israelis.

Aid workers under attack

The number of aid workers killed since October 2023 has now risen to 412. In recent weeks, Israeli forces targeted and killed 14 staff on duty in Rafah from the Palestine Red Crescent Society, Palestinian Civil Defence and one from the UN Palestine refugee agency, UNRWA, prompting widespread condemnation from UN senior officials.

"It is a very, very, very challenging time and evidence would show me that we're not protected at the moment," said Luke Irving, Chief of the Mine Action Programme in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT).

Speaking to UN News, he appealed for stronger protection measures for colleagues trying to work in an active combat zone "because the people need it, civilians need it."

Relief supplies run down

Aid partners continue to warn that the nutrition situation is growing more dire by the day as stocks run low. Malnutrition screenings continue across Gaza but "supply shortages and movement restrictions - coupled with active hostilities and other challenges - are hampering their operations".

In March, for instance, only 50,000 children were screened for malnutrition, a decrease of more than a third, compared to February.

Relief teams are also struggling to access remaining stocks of ready-to-use complementary food in North Gaza governorate, amid ongoing hostilities and displacement orders. "In March, the distribution of these supplies was half of February's levels," OCHA said.

Fresh evacuation orders have pushed more families to Al Mawasi and areas west of Gaza City.

"Shelters for displaced people are overstretched: hygiene and sanitation conditions are collapsing, with water lacking and reports of flea and insect infestations," OCHA reported.

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Sudan war: UNHCR chief stresses need to help refugee hosts in Chad

9 April 2025 - As the brutal war in Sudan nears the two-year mark, thousands of people continue to flee into neighbouring countries, including Chad, UN refugee agency chief Filippo Grandi said on Wednesday.

Chad hosts 1.3 million forcibly displaced people, according to the UN agency, UNHCR despite it being one of the world's poorest countries. More than half of these vulnerable individuals are Sudanese who've fled the fighting between rival militaries which erupted in April 2023.

Speaking from the Chadian border with Sudan, Mr. Grandi described the continued fighting as "absurd".

He also condemned the ongoing "vicious human rights abuses" against civilians before calling for far greater international support for Sudanese refugees and their Chadian hosts.

The arrivals are mostly women and children - some of whom have been crawling exhausted across the border with barely any possessions, according to aid teams on the ground.

Funding crisis

The UN agency stressed once again that the crisis rocking humanitarian funding globally has only made matters worse.

Large cuts to overseas aid provision in the United States and elsewhere have made it impossible to pay teachers, the UN agency said.

Clinics and schools that protect women and children from violence and exploitation have been forced to shut down.

Some 8,500 displaced children in Chad are at risk of losing access to secondary education this year. If the cuts carry on into next year, more than 155,000 could be impacted.

Lost futures

"Children have dropped out of school," said Abdelrahim Abdelkarim, headteacher of a secondary school in Farchana refugee settlement in eastern Chad.

"Many students will take dangerous and illegal migration routes, attempting to cross the sea. Some may drown while others end up working in gold mines," he warned.

High Commissioner for Refugees Grandi has previously described the funding shortfall as "a crisis of responsibility" in which "the cost of inaction will be measured in suffering, instability and lost futures".

'Siege-like conditions'

And as funding dries up for Sudan, relief teams are scaling back or withdrawing - leaving vulnerable communities to fend for themselves as their homes turn to rubble.

Today, after nearly two years of fighting, attacks against civilians, displacement, and climate shocks have left nearly two-thirds of Sudan's 50 million people in need of aid and protection.

Speaking from the capital Khartoum, recently liberated from the opposition Rapid Support Forces by the Sudanese Armed Forces, Mohammed Refaat, Sudan Chief of Mission at the International Organization for Migration (IOM), said that he has seen the impact of insufficient funding in just the last few days.

"The people who were in these areas have been trapped in siege-like conditions with no escape, no hope and often forced to face unspeakable abuse," Mr. Refaat said, describing the destruction and suffering in the country as "immeasurable".

Little access to basic services

The power struggle between Sudan's rival generals  Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo of Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and Sudanese army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan  has killed tens of thousands of people and uprooted more than 12 million.

Both sides have been accused of atrocities and rights violations, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has previously reported.

Many families have returned to the capital now that the Sudanese Armed Forces are in control, but with little access to basic services, UN agencies have urged support to ensure relief.

Yet the crisis is far from over - and refugees continue to face hunger.

UN Children's Fund, UNICEF, has projected that more than three million children under the age of five will likely suffer from acute malnutrition this year.

In Zamzam refugee camp in North Darfur, the crisis is pushing families to eat what is normally used as animal feed. Children also lack water, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

People fleeing insecurity in Blue Nile state in southwest Sudan, are moving towards state capital Ed Damazine, with clashes and access blocked hampering relief efforts, OCHA reported.

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South Sudan: Conflict and hunger push millions to the brink

By Vibhu Mishra

9 April 2025 - Hunger in South Sudan's northeast has reached a critical tipping point, with nearly 7.7 million people facing severe food insecurity as conflict escalates, the UN's emergency food relief agency warned on Wednesday.

The situation is especially dire for returnees fleeing violence in Sudan, who now account for nearly half of those experiencing catastrophic hunger levels.

The influx of over 1.1 million displaced people into already fragile communities has overwhelmed resources and relief efforts, according to the UN World Food Programme (WFP).

With the pre-harvest lean season underway, conditions are expected to deteriorate further. WFP is calling on donors to step up support to avert a deepening humanitarian catastrophe.

"This is among the worst levels of food insecurity that we have ever seen in the country since the independence," Mary-Ellen McGroarty, WFP Country Director in South Sudan, told journalists in New York via video link from the country.

"We are witnessing the devastating impact of the conflict in driving hunger. Communities have fled with just the clothes on their backs, and already meager livelihoods and seasonal coping strategies are abandoned."

Years of volatility

South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011, but the world's youngest nation has been plagued by conflict and instability ever since.

A civil war erupted in 2013 between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and those aligned with his former deputy, Riek Machar. The war - marked by ethnic violence, mass atrocities and widespread humanitarian crisis - lasted until a fragile peace deal was signed in 2018.

There are fears of a relapse into the civil war following skyrocketing tensions between the South Sudanese leaders, including the reported house arrest of Mr. Machar at the end of last month.

Conflict and disease

The crisis extends beyond hunger with a cholera outbreak now underway in volatile Upper Nile state. In response, WFP has airlifted 35 metric tons of aid to affected areas, with additional stock awaiting transport once security conditions allow.

The agency also aims to deliver food assistance to more than 450,000 people in the region, focusing on those facing emergency (IPC4) and catastrophic levels (ICP5) of hunger, tracked by the UN-supported food security classification system known as the IPC.

However, active conflict is hampering aid efforts and food distributions have been paused in six counties due to active fighting and insecurity.

"[We and our] partners have the food ready to deliver and distribute once conditions allow," it said.

Women at the crossroads

As conflict spreads and hunger deepens, women and girls are bearing the brunt of the crisis. Many have been forced to flee insecurity multiple times.

Recurrent, relentless climate shocks are also taking a particularly heavy toll, leaving them at risk of being coerced into sex work, trafficked or sexually assaulted as they venture far and often alone in search of food, water and work.

To respond to growing needs, UN agencies - such as reproductive health agency, UNFPA - are operating safe spaces to provide not only shelter but also counselling, skills training and vital information on gender-based violence prevention.

Funding cuts have meant at least two safe spaces are set to close by May, leaving thousands of women and girls without access to support.

"In the face of this crisis, every dollar matters, every intervention counts, and every life saved is a step toward peace," said UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem.

UNFPA urgently needs $8.8 million to sustain lifesaving services but has received just a fraction of that amount.

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Egyptian Navy Assumes Command of CMF's Red Sea Task Force

US Navy

09 April 2025

From NAVCENT Public Affairs

MANAMA Bahrain -- The Egyptian Navy assumed command of the Combined Maritime Forces' (CMF) Combined Task Force (CTF) 153 from the Royal Australian Navy at a ceremony held aboard Naval Support Activity Bahrain, April 9.

Royal Australian Navy Capt. Jorge McKee handed over command to Egyptian Navy Cmde. Mohamed Rasmy at a ceremony presided over by U.S. Navy Vice Adm. George Wikoff, commander of Combined Maritime Forces.

The task force is responsible for maritime security in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

Under McKee's leadership the task force, comprised of 44 officers from 13 nations, collaborated closely with other CMF task forces, the Joint Maritime Information Center, and the U.S. Navy's Task Forces 55 and 59 to enhance maritime security in the Red Sea and Western Gulf of Aden.

McKee, who took command of CTF 153 in October, acknowledged Wikoff for his leadership of CMF and thanked all CMF task forces, as well as the crews of the aircraft and ships that patrolled for CTF 153.

"In CTF 153, our role has been to shine a light on the unseen - to find those who hide in the shadows and who exploit that darkness for just one reason - because they profit from it," McKee said during his remarks. "We have recently witnessed the consequences of long shadows over the sea. From spikes in shipping costs inflating the price of our daily needs, to the narcotics smuggled across the ocean and into our cities. Uncertainty and insecurity at sea here, reaches right into homes across the world."

Wikoff lauded McKee for his six month in command of the task force, observing that McKee, "took command of a task force that was already operating at a high level...and today you're turning over even stronger one. You provided reassurance and presence to mariners at sea, and you facilitated strong partnerships with industry, working so closely and building those relationships."

In his remarks, Rasmy provided a glimpse into the future of maritime security under his leadership of the task force.

"The importance of the sea is the same for all nations, regardless of the size of Navy they possess," he said. "The new multi-dimensional features of maritime security requires a new comprehensive and cooperative approach. The culture of information sharing must be advanced within all maritime partners as a cornerstone of integrating our collective efforts with the maritime shipping industry."

Wikoff commended Rasmy and highlighted Egypt's longstanding commitment to CMF.

"The CMF is fortunate to have the tremendous leadership of Egypt once again to lead one of our very important missions," said Wikoff. "The Arab Republic of Egypt has shown deep, deep commitment to its work, and we in the combined maritime forces, are very grateful for your continued leadership."

Established on April 17, 2022, CTF 153 is one of five task forces under CMF. Its mission is to deter and impede illicit non-state actors in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab and Gulf of Aden.

CTF 153's area of responsibility includes some of the world's most important shipping lanes, connecting the Mediterranean Sea with the Indian Ocean and the greater Middle East region.

Combined Maritime Forces, a 46-nation naval partnership headquartered in Bahrain, is the world's largest multinational naval partnership. It is committed to upholding the rules-based international order at sea, promoting security, stability and prosperity across approximately 3.2 million square miles of international waters, including crucial shipping lanes.

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Homecoming: Emory S. Land returns to Guam

US Navy

09 April 2025

From Seaman Apprentice Mario Reyes Villatoro

NAVAL BASE GUAM -- The submarine tender USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) returned to its homeport in Apra Harbor, Guam, April 9th, 2025. Emory S. Land's arrival marked the completion of its expeditionary submarine tender deployment, which began May 17th, 2024.

Emory S. Land conducted 17 port calls in the Indo-Pacific region over 11 months, strengthening relations with many allies and partners such as Australia, Japan, Republic of Korea, and Singapore. During its deployment, Emory S. Land played a pivotal role supporting Pillar 1 of the AUKUS security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

In the first half of deployment, Emory S. Land conducted a Submarine Tendered Maintenance Period, or STMP, with the Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS Hawaii (SSN 776) in HMAS Stirling, Western Australia, Australia, from Aug. 22 to Sept. 10, 2024. Royal Australian Navy Sailors who had been attached to the submarine tender since January 2024 took the lead on conducting repairs aboard Hawaii. The STMP was the first time Australians had ever performed maintenance on a nuclear-powered submarine in Australia. Emory S. Land Sailors also worked in conjunction with the Royal Australian Navy's Fleet Support Unit-West, which provides repair and maintenance services to the Australian fleet.

"It is an honor and pleasure to return home to Guam. The entire crew, military personnel and civil service mariners , have performed exceptionally well over the last 11 months and have lived up to the ship's motto "Tireless Worker of the Sea", and are ready to come home and enjoy quality time back at home with family and friends," said Capt. Kenneth Holland, the ship's commanding officer. "This whole deployment has been an incredible journey, to be able to form closer-ties with our allies and interact with the locals by hosting tours of our ship and taking part in community relation events. It's all been a wonderful experience."

Emory S. Land departed from its final port of the deployment, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia, on April 2nd, 2025. While in port, Emory S. Land provided logistical support to the Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS Minnesota (SSN 783).

"I was glad we returned to Darwin and got to enjoy Australia again, and it was a great to spearhead support for the nuclear submarine in Darwin for the first time in 27 years," said Chief Gunner's Mate Brett Peterman. "I can't wait to enjoy some rest and relaxation, and to spend time with the family, before getting back into supporting Guam deployed submarines."

During its deployment, Emory S. Land visited Darwin, Cairns, Sydney, Eden, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Perth in Australia; Sasebo and Okinawa in Japan; Palau, Busan, Brunei, Singapore, Thailand, and Subic Bay, Philippines. In each port, Emory S. Land Sailors conducted community relations events by assisting local school programs, participating in beach cleanups, sorting food at foodbanks, and much more.

"It was a unique opportunity to conduct so many community relations events across the region. Reflecting on our tour, I believe the real impact is learning about the difference we've made with our allies around the world during each event," said Religious Program Specialist Seaman Hunter Stewart. "The local community members were always grateful for our team."

Guam is home to the U.S. Navy's only submarine tenders, USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) and USS Frank Cable (AS 40), as well as four Los Angeles-class attack and one Virginia-class attack submarines. The submarine tenders provide maintenance, hotel services and logistical support to submarines and surface ships in the U.S. 5th and 7th Fleet areas of operation. The submarines and tenders are maintained as part of the U.S. Navy's forward-deployed submarine force and are readily capable of meeting global operational requirements.

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Readout of Acting Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jim Kilby Meeting with Chief of Staff of the Spanish Navy Adm. Antonio Pineiro Sanchez

US Navy - Press Release

09 April 2025

Acting Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jim Kilby met with Chief of Staff of the Spanish Navy Admiral Antonio Pineiro Sanchez for a formal bilateral engagement during the Sea-Air-Space 2025 maritime exposition in National Harbor, Maryland, today.

Chief of Naval Operations Spokesperson Cmdr. Desiree Frame provided the following readout:

Acting Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jim Kilby met with Chief of Staff of the Spanish Navy Admiral Antonio Pineiro Sanchez for a formal bilateral engagement during the Sea-Air-Space 2025 maritime exposition in National Harbor, Maryland, today.

The two leaders reaffirmed the strength of the partnership between the U.S. and Spanish navies and discussed opportunities to work together to increase interoperability with defense systems and through Live, Virtual, and Constructive training to enhance maritime security.

Kilby thanked Pineiro Sanchez for the Spanish Navy's support of U.S. ships and Sailors at Naval Station Rota to include expansion of helicopter maintenance and basing, and their partnership during exercise Formidable Shield, as well as their commitment to future exercises such as UNITAS 2025 and the International Naval Review 250 in celebration of the 250th birthday of the United States.

Spain is a vital NATO ally and shares a long-standing and strategic relationship with the United States.

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Hunger hotspots in South Sudan at tipping point as food insecurity nears record levels

World Food Programme

9 April 2025

JUBA, South Sudan -- Vulnerable families in the northeast of South Sudan are at a critical tipping point as conflict escalates and hunger nears record levels, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) warned today.

This is an update on food security and WFP operations in the affected regions.

Food Security Situation

As the pre-harvest lean season begins in South Sudan, almost 7.7 million people face levels of hunger categorised as crisis, emergency, or catastrophic (IPC3+). This is close to record highs.

Some 3.1 million of these people are in the conflict-hit Greater Upper Nile region in South Sudan's northeast.

The northern part of Greater Upper Nile region (Upper Nile state) is the most impacted by the escalation of conflict; one million people there face high levels of hunger.

More than 1.1 million people have fled to South Sudan since the beginning of the Sudan war, most arriving in Upper Nile. Almost half of those currently facing catastrophic (IPC5) levels of hunger in South Sudan are returnees from Sudan.

WFP is aiming to bring food assistance to more than 450,000 people in Upper Nile state, prioritizing those facing emergency and catastrophic levels of hunger (IPC4 + 5), but active conflict is slowing progress.

The United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS), managed by WFP, continues to provide passenger and cargo flights to conflict-affected locations in Upper Nile. This vital airbridge is essential to ensure support continues to reach people in Upper Nile state.

WFP has more than 9,000 metric tons of food - enough to feed more than one million people for a month - in the northern town of Malakal, with additional food in Bor and the capital Juba.

Upper Nile state has also been heavily impacted by a cholera outbreak. The WFP-led Logistics Cluster has airlifted 35 metric tons of cholera and WASH supplies to conflict-affected locations with another three metric tons ready for transport.

Another 148 metric tons of nutrition and shelter/protections supplies planned for river transport by the Logistics Cluster are currently in Malakal awaiting delivery when security allows.

Insecurity has forced WFP to pause distributions in six counties in the region for the safety of our staff, partners and the people we serve. WFP and partners have the food ready to deliver and distribute once conditions allow.

Increased tensions and fighting along the rivers used by WFP as supply routes is hindering the transport of food assistance for Upper Nile state.

The safety of staff, the people we support, and humanitarian supplies and assets, is paramount. We have no choice but to pause operations in areas where there is a risk to any of these.

WFP has a US$396 million funding shortfall for the rest of 2025.

WFP Response and Food Stocks

WFP is aiming to bring food assistance to more than 450,000 people in Upper Nile state, prioritizing those facing emergency and catastrophic levels of hunger (IPC4 + 5), but active conflict is slowing progress.

The United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS), managed by WFP, continues to provide passenger and cargo flights to conflict-affected locations in Upper Nile. This vital airbridge is essential to ensure support continues to reach people in Upper Nile state.

WFP has more than 9,000 metric tons of food - enough to feed more than one million people for a month - in the northern town of Malakal, with additional food in Bor and the capital Juba.

Upper Nile state has also been heavily impacted by a cholera outbreak. The WFP-led Logistics Cluster has airlifted 35 metric tons of cholera and WASH supplies to conflict-affected locations with another three metric tons ready for transport.

Another 148 metric tons of nutrition and shelter/protections supplies planned for river transport by the Logistics Cluster are currently in Malakal awaiting delivery when security allows.

Access challenges

Insecurity has forced WFP to pause distributions in six counties in the region for the safety of our staff, partners and the people we serve. WFP and partners have the food ready to deliver and distribute once conditions allow.

Increased tensions and fighting along the rivers used by WFP as supply routes is hindering the transport of food assistance for Upper Nile state.

The safety of staff, the people we support, and humanitarian supplies and assets, is paramount. We have no choice but to pause operations in areas where there is a risk to any of these.

Funding

WFP has a US$396 million funding shortfall for the rest of 2025.

# # #



The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

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Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Restores America's Maritime Dominance

Fact Sheets

The White House

April 9, 2025

REVITALIZING U.S. MARITIME POWER: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed a historic Executive Order to restore American maritime dominance.

The Order directs the creation of a Maritime Action Plan (MAP) to revitalize U.S. maritime industries. The MAP will provide a strategy with specific actions to restore and create sustained resiliency for the American maritime industry.

Up until now, government procurement processes and over-regulation have hindered private industry's ability to build vessels on time and on budgetthis Order reverses that trend.

It instructs the Secretary of Defense to assess options, including the Defense Production Act Title III authorities, to invest in and expand the Maritime Industrial Base. Such an action will help better utilize and leverage existing authorities to spur public and private investment in the Maritime Industrial Base.

The Order directs the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to make recommendations regarding China's anticompetitive actions within the shipbuilding industry.

It also directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to enforce collection of the Harbor Maintenance Fee and other charges on foreign cargo entering the United States to prevent circumvention via Canada or Mexico. This will put an end to a longstanding unfair practice, ensuring all cargoes entering the United States are assessed the proper applicable fees and generating additional revenue for investment into the maritime industry.

The U.S. government will work with our allies and partners to align trade policies to disrupt China's non-market practices in the international supply chain and logistics sectors.

The Order establishes a Maritime Security Trust Fund to provide consistent funding for maritime programs in addition to a shipbuilding financial incentives program to boost private investment in U.S. shipbuilding.

It develops Maritime Prosperity Zones to incentivize investment in waterfront communities and is to be modeled on President Trump's highly successful Opportunity Zone concept.

It expands Mariner training and education through an investment in the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and a plan for expanding training opportunities.

To ensure national economic security, the U.S. government will increase the fleet of commercial vessels trading internationally under U.S. flag as well as domestically between our ports.

The MAP will develop a strategy to ensure security and leadership of arctic waterways to address the growing presence of foreign nations in the region and the need for the United States to reestablish itself in the area.

The Administration will review ways to improve competition within the private sector for government projects and reduce costs to ensure taxpayer funds are being utilized most efficiently.

The Order directs the Secretary of Defense to conduct a review and issue guidance on the funding, retention, support, and mobilization of a robust inactive reserve fleet, to ensure we have adequate assured access to sealift capacity whenever needed for military operations.

RESURRECTING THE AMERICAN MARITIME INDUSTRY: After being weakened by decades of government neglect, President Trump is prioritizing the revitalization of the U.S. maritime industry to strengthen the nation's economic and national security as part of the America First Agenda.

0.2% of the world's ships are built by the United States, compared to 74% built by China.

0% of the containers used to move commodities around the world are built by the United States, compared to 96% built by China.

0% of the ship-to-shore cranes in the United States are built domestically, compared to 80% built by China.

Chinese state-owned software is being installed in port operations across the United States, with limited to no alternatives.

MAKING SHIPBUILDING GREAT AGAIN: President Trump cares deeply about revitalizing shipbuilding and strengthening America's maritime power.

During the joint address to Congress, President Trump vowed to "resurrect the American shipbuilding industry, including commercial shipbuilding and military shipbuilding." President Trump: "We used to make so many ships. We don't make them anymore very much, but we're going to make them very fast, very soon. It will have a huge impact."

To demonstrate the seriousness with which President Trump views this issue, he also established a new Office of Maritime and Industrial Capacity at the National Security Council in the White House.

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Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Reforms Foreign Defense Sales to Improve Speed and Accountability

Fact Sheets

The White House

April 9, 2025

ENSURING A RAPID AND TRANSPARENT FOREIGN DEFENSE SALES SYSTEM: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order to improve speed and accountability in the defense sales system. This Order:

Improves accountability and transparency throughout the foreign defense sales system to ensure predictable and reliable delivery of American products to foreign partners and allies in support of U.S. foreign policy objectives.

Reduces rules and regulations involved in developing and executing foreign defense sales to ensure they advance U.S. interests.

Promotes U.S. competitiveness abroad, revitalizes the defense industrial base at home, and delivers cost efficiencies for the United States and trusted our allies and partners.

Instructs the Secretary of Defense and Secretary of State to develop a list of priority partners for conventional arms transfers and prioritize end-items for potential transfer to those partners.

Instructs the Secretary of Defense and Secretary of State, along with the Secretary of Commerce, to submit a plan to the President within 90 days that improves defense sales transparency via accountability metrics; secures exportability as a requirement earlier in the acquisition cycle; and consolidates the sale approvals process.

ENABLING EFFECTIVE DEFENSE COOPERATION: President Trump is committed to ensuring America maintains the world's strongest and most technologically advanced military, supported by a robust network of capable partners and allies.

Developing a rapid and transparent foreign defense sales system that enables effective defense cooperation between the United States and our chosen partners is foundational to these objectives.

Streamlining the foreign defense sales process will inject credibility into U.S. defense cooperation efforts by reducing delays, improving efficiency, and enhancing the ability of allies to procure critical defense technologies in a timely manner, in turn facilitating more effective joint operations as well as greater burden-sharing.

In tandem, this mutually reinforcing approach will enhance United States warfighting capabilities by fostering stronger American supply chains, domestic production levels, and technological development.

The Trump Administration aims to strengthen allied burden-sharing, promote global stability, and enhance U.S. strategic influence in key regions. The Executive Order ensures that America and its allies remain well-equipped to counter emerging threats and promote peace and security around the world.



PRIORITIZING U.S. NATIONAL SECURITY: President Trump has consistently prioritized America's military greatness and the safety of the American people by investing in military readiness, strengthening national defense, and supporting the men and women who serve this great nation.

President Trump wants to build up the U.S. military and ensure that our forces remain prepared to meet any challenge. Under his leadership, our military is restoring a warrior ethos. Army recruiting has recently seen a massive surge, reflecting renewed enthusiasm for military service with President Trump back in office as Commander in Chief.

These reforms will drive the competitiveness of the U.S. defense industrial base and prioritize speed to minimize process delays.

The Trump Administration has prioritized cutting-edge military technologies, including the recently announced sixth-generation stealth fighter jet, the F-47.

President Trump has repeatedly stressed the need for increased burden-sharing by NATO allies.

President Trump signed an Executive Order to create the 'Golden Dome for America' missile defense system.

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EU countries approves initial retaliatory measures against U.S. tariffs

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 08:07, April 10, 2025

BRUSSELS, April 9 (Xinhua) -- European Union (EU) member states on Wednesday backed the bloc's first package of retaliatory measures against U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs.

In a statement, the European Commission condemned the U.S. tariffs as "unjustified and damaging, causing economic harm to both sides, as well as to the global economy."

According to media outlets Euractiv and Politico, 26 of the bloc's 27 member states voted in favor during Wednesday's session, signaling overwhelming support for fighting back against Trump's tariff measures.

The European Commission proposed the retaliatory duties on Monday, setting most of them at 25 percent. The tariffs target a range of U.S. imports in response to Washington's levies on steel and aluminum.

The list spans from agricultural to industrial products such as soybeans, poultry, tobacco, iron, motorcycles, dental floss, and both steel and aluminum. These goods totaled around 22 billion euros (24.36 billion dollars) last year.

The tariffs will be introduced in three stages. The first set, on goods like cranberries and orange juice, will take effect on April 15. A second round, covering items such as steel, meat, white chocolate, and polyethylene, will follow on May 16. The final phase, targeting almonds and soybeans, is scheduled for Dec. 1.

These steps mark the EU's initial response to the broader transatlantic trade dispute. In addition to metals, the Trump administration previously announced a 25 percent tariff on EU cars and a so-called "reciprocal" tariff of 20 percent on nearly all other EU imports.

The European Commission is expected to propose additional retaliatory measures against other U.S. tariffs as early as next week. "I expect that will happen early next week. Also early next week is the second phase of our response to U.S. tariffs, this time on cars and reciprocal tariffs," European Commission spokesperson Olof Gill told a press conference Tuesday.

The European Commission also repeated its preference "to find negotiated outcomes with the U.S., which would be balanced and mutually beneficial."

"These countermeasures can be suspended at any time, should the U.S. agree to a fair and balanced negotiated outcome," it said. (1 euro = 1.11 dollar)

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Senior US Military Figures Raise Alarm On Air Defense Weaknesses In NATO

By Ray Furlong April 10, 2025

Two former senior US military commanders have said Europe's aerial shield is not prepared to meet the scale of the threat from Russia, while the head of the US Navy's air and missile defense task force has told RFE/RL that intercepting incoming fire is "always a cat-and-mouse chase."

The comments come as European countries begin a massive rearmament program, agreed last month, with air defenses top of the shopping list.

"You see what has happened in big cities in Ukraine. This also would happen in some of the big cities of Europe," Philip Breedlove, former NATO supreme commander in Europe, told RFE/RL.

"If you're sitting out there thinking you're under some magic bubble like in the TV programs, that's not a good place to be," he added.

Russia's daily bombardment of Ukraine has graphically illustrated the importance of air defense.

According to an analysis in February by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington, Russia has launched a daily average of 24.3 missiles and drones at Ukraine since the beginning of their full-scale invasion in 2022. This is more than 25,000 in total.

The results have been power shutdowns, wrecked infrastructure, and mass civilian casualties. Russia has used a variety of missiles, from drones to modified Soviet-era glide bombs to cruise missiles. Likewise, there are varied forms of defense.

Commodore Mike Dwan, commander of US Navy Task Force 64, told RFE/RL that NATO's "overlapping fields of fire" provided a full range of cover.

Dwan is based with the Sixth Fleet in Naples, Italy, but was speaking from the US antiballistic missile facility in Redzikowo on Poland's Baltic coast. His command brings together this base, a similar one in Deveselu, Romania, and a flotilla of US destroyers operating out of Spain.

They use a system called Aegis to target ballistic missiles.

"We do so in the upper atmosphere, above 100 kilometers. All of those intercepts...are happening in space," Dwan said.

The system was successfully used twice last year against Iranian medium-range ballistic missiles targeting Israel. "We put into place the capability, the kill chain, that very much is like what we have here for a threat coming into NATO."

The system relies on a network of sensors, but this, says Breedlove, is also its weakness.

"There was this false feeling for a while that, OK, we got Deveselu, we got Poland, we got these two beautifully provided American capabilities, but, you know, these movies where you see these command centers and every missile fired is engaged -- it's fiction," he said.

Probability Of Kill

In a subject area rich with jargon, Breedlove referred to POK -- Probability Of Kill. This would range from 95 percent in areas with high sensor density to just 30 percent in other areas. Europe needs to "thicken the network," Breedlove said.

He would not be drawn on where.

"The nations absolutely know where they are. We've brought them into the missile simulation centers and shown them how this works."

At Redzikowo, there are three launchers each with eight missiles. Could its capacity be overwhelmed?

"It could very well" be overwhelmed, Dwan said.

"Here in Poland, we have our pre-planned responses for prioritized coverage, so does Romania and our destroyer systems at sea.... There's always a cat-and-mouse chase of how many are being fired and how many are we able to shoot down."

But Dwan stressed the importance of deterrence. If Aegis is unable to intercept a missile, it would be for another layer, such as a Patriot battery, to deal with.

"Layered defenses" would mean "any potential adversary really has to think not just twice, but maybe three or four times," before attacking.

Russia's Drone Threat

Breedlove said another key NATO vulnerability is defense against drones, an area in which Russia now has more experience.

"We have this pernicious amount of drone capability attacking [Ukraine] and the air defenses of America, much less Europe, are not prepared for this kind of warfare, the sheer numbers," he said.

"The enemy is now on steroids."

Ben Hodges, formerly head of the US Army in Europe, had a similar assessment when he spoke to RFE/RL last month.

"You know, we've never, ever had enough air defense to cover everything.... You prioritize what must be protected," he said. "There is no such thing as a total shield."

Hodges said NATO military planners would take the "typical day" data of Russian attacks in Ukraine "and apply it against the ports of Bremerhaven or Gdansk or Klaipeda in Lithuania, for example, and figure out, do we have enough air and missile defense? I'm not sure we do."

Germany spearheaded the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI) in 2022, after the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Bringing together 24 European countries, it aims to enable joint procurement of air and missile defense systems and encourage interoperability.

But some countries, such as France, Spain, and Italy, have not joined. France has criticized it for including non-European systems (such as Patriots) and components.

Air Power

Hodges said that NATO fighter jets offset some of Europe's weaknesses.

"Our air forces are a critical part of this. I think probably the growing amount of air power that we have, particularly with Finland and Sweden...will give us capabilities that Ukrainians currently don't have to counter Russian air and missile attacks."

Hodges added that air power was also a key US contribution to air defense. But Europe's efforts to boost its defenses come amid uncertainty over the ongoing US commitment to its security. So how would Europe fare without a US role?

"The biggest gap would be US Air Force, early warning, intelligence...and then the US contribution at NATO's air command at Ramstein."

Dwan's command is also clearly a key capability.

The ESSI envisages the use of Arrow-3 systems that can also intercept ballistic missiles. But this will take time, and these are also not produced in Europe, having been developed by Israel and the United States.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/nato-air-missile-defense- europe-russia-ukraine/33377040.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.

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Russo-Ukraine War - 09 April 2025 - Day 1141

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 General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that Ukrainian defenders continue to decisively thwart the Russian enemy's attempts to advance deep into Ukrainian territory, giving him an effective fire effect and exhaustion across the frontline.

Since the beginning of this day, there have been 111 combat clashes.

Russian zagarbniki made 62 aviation strikes using 105 kab. In addition, the Russians have engaged 1068 kamikaze drones and carried out almost 5000 shells on the positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements.

In the Kharkiv direction throughout the day, Ukrainian troops repelled four Russian attacks in the areas of vovchansk, glibokoye, kamaanka, figolivka. The two clashes are still ongoing.

In the Kupyansky direction, Ukrainian defenders repelled two assaults in the area of Zagrizovoye and Nova Kruglyakivka.

In the Lyman direction during the day, Russian zombies 21 times attacked the positions of Ukrainians in the areas of the settlements of Nadia, Katerynivka, Mirne, Sergiyivka, Nove, Kolodyazi and in the direction of Grekivka and Novomikhailivka. So far, there are 11 clashes.

Six Russian assault actions in the direction of Bilogorivka, Grigorivka and Verkhnyokamiansky were repelled by Ukrainian defenders in the Siver direction.

In the Kramators komu direction, there are currently two combat clashes near the Chasovoye Yar, one of which is ongoing until now.

In the Toretsky direction Russians attacked the positions of Defense Forces 15 times. The main efforts of the attack were concentrated near Toretsk, Friendship, Dachny, Leonidivka and Scherbinivka. There is currently one confrontation in progress.

Since the beginning of this day on the Pokrovsky direction, the Russian Zagorbnytsky units 26 times tried to break through Ukrainian defense near the settlements of Kalinove, Shevchenko, Green Field, Elizabethtivka, Andriyivka, Lisivka, Kotline, Kotlyarivka and Bogdanivka. Three clashes are ongoing so far.

Today in this direction Ukrainian warriors zneskodili 232 okupanti, 128 of them - irrevocable. Also destroyed one tank, six infantry fighting vehicles, one BRM, nine vehicles, four motorcycles, two satellite terminals, two cannons, one cannon, two motorcycles and one infantry fighting vehicle of the Russian occupiers.

In the novopavlivs komu direction, Russian forces attacked three times near konstantinopol and in the direction of n. p Bagatir. Two attacks have already been made.

In the direction of Gulyaipilsky, the Russian opponent carried out five attacks in the Novosilka district and in the direction of Shevchenko. Gulyaipole Russian occupiers attacked kabami and narami.

In the Orihiv direction, Ukrainian defenders repelled six Russian assaults in the area of Stepovoye, Malih Scherbakiv, Lobkovoye and Scherbakiv.

In the operational zone in Kurshini, units of the Defense Forces of Ukraine repelled 19 attacks of Russian invaders within a day. In addition, the Russian enemy launched 46 air strikes using 74 guided bombs and carried out 351 artillery shelling positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements, including eight from reactive salvage systems.

In other directions, the situation has not changed significantly.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that in Belgorod direction, units of the Sever Group of Forces hit formations of two mechanised brigades, one assault brigade, one air assault brigade, one coastal defence brigade, two assault regiments of the AFU, and four territorial defence brigades close to Krasnopolye, Petrushevka, Stepok, Turya, Okop, Ugroyedy, Miropolskoye, and Prokhody (Sumy region).

In Kharkov direction, Russian troops inflicted fire damage on manpower and hardware of one mechanised brigade, two motorised infantry brigades, one air defence regiment of the AFU, one territorial defence brigade close to Petrovka, Kovali, Volchansk, Zolochev (Kharkov region), and Kharkov.

The AFU losses were up to 120 troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, one UR-77 mine clearing vehicle, two motor vehicles, two field artillery guns, and one electronic warfare station.

The Zapad Group of Forces' units improved the tactical situation along the front line. Russian troops delivered strikes at manpower and hardware of one mechanised brigade of the AFU and two territorial defence brigades near Kirovsk, Yampol (Donetsk People's Republic), Dvurechanskoye (Kharkov region), Makeyevka (Lugansk People's Republic), and Serebryansky forestry.

The AFU losses were more than 200 troops, one Polish-made Dzik armoured fighting vehicle, five motor vehicles, and four artillery guns, including three Western-made ones. One ammunition depot was destroyed.

The Yug Group of Forces' units improved the tactical situation. Russian troops inflicted fire damage on formations of three mechanised brigades, one airmobile brigade of the AFU, and one territorial defence brigade near Grigorovka, Tarasovka, Zarya, Pleshcheyevka, and Kleban-Byk (Donetsk People's Republic).

The AFU losses were up to 300 troops, seven armoured fighting vehicles, six motor vehicles, three field artillery guns, and two electronic warfare stations. One materiel depot was destroyed.

The Tsentr Group of Forces' units took more advantageous lines and positions. Russian troops launched attacks on manpower and hardware of two mechanised brigades, one assault brigade, one jaeger brigade, two UAV brigades, one assault regiment, one UAV regiment, and one marine brigade near Lenina, Kotlino, Zeleny Kut, Yelizavetovka, Zverevo, Kotlyarovka, Udachnoye, Krasnoarmeysk, Bogdanovka, Muravka, Novosergeyevka, and Petrovskogo (Donetsk People's Republic).

The AFU losses were up to 435 troops, four motor vehicles, four artillery guns as well as U.S.-made: one M113 armoured personnel carrier, two HMMWV armoured fighting vehicles, and one MaxxPro armoured vehicle.

Units of the Vostok Group of Forces continued advancing into the depth of enemy defences. Russian troops delivered strikes at manpower and hardware of two mechanised brigades, one air assault brigade, and one jaeger brigade of the AFU near Shevchenko, Otradnoye, Poddubnoye, Bogatyr, and Karla Marksa (Donetsk People's Republic).

The AFU losses were up to 150 troops, one armoured fighting vehicle, one motor vehicle, two field artillery guns, including one U.S.-made 155-mm Paladin self-propelled artillery system.

The Dnepr Group of Forces' units took more advantageous lines and positions. Russian troops hit formations of one mountain assault brigade, two coastal defence brigades of the AFU, and one territorial defence brigade near Ponyatovka, Dneprovskoye (Kherson region), Novopavlovka, Kamenskoye, and Blagoveshchenskoye (Zaporozhye region).

The AFU losses were over 90 troops, one U.S.-made M113 armoured personnel carrier, two armoured fighting vehicles, nine motor vehicles, three artillery guns, two electronic warfare stations, one counter-battery radar station, and two ammunition depots.

Operational-Tactical Aviation, attack unmanned aerial vehicles, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces engaged an operational-tactical missile manufacture enterprise, production plants for unmanned aerial vehicles and their storage areas as well as clusters of manpower and hardware of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and foreign mercenaries in 149 areas.

Air defence systems shot down six U.S.-made JDAM guided bombs and 333 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles, including 158 drones out of the special military operation zone.

In total, since the beginning of the special military operation, the AFU losses amounted to 660 aircraft, 283 helicopters, 50,612 unmanned aerial vehicles, 601 anti-aircraft missile systems, 22,739 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,534 MLRS combat vehicles, 23,395 field artillery guns and mortars, 33,827 units of special 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.

During offensive actions, units of the Sever Group of Forces inflicted fire damage on formations of one mechanised brigade, one tank brigade, three air assault brigades, and one territorial defence brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine close to Gornal and Oleshnya.

Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, and Artillery strikes engaged AFU manpower and hardware close to Gornal, Oleshnya, Aleksandriya, Belovody, Vladimirovka, Vodolagi, Zhuravka, Loknya, Miropolye, Sadki, Yunakovka, and Yablonovka in Sumy region.

The AFU losses were over 230 troops, eight motor vehicles, two artillery guns, two mortars, four UAV command posts, and one ammunition depot.

Since the beginning of hostilities in Kursk direction, the AFU losses amounted to more than 72,990 troops, 405 tanks, 331 infantry fighting vehicles, 300 armoured personnel carriers, 2,260 armoured fighting vehicles, 2,652 motor vehicles, 597 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-battery warfare 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.





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ISIS Supporter Sentenced to Over 19 Years in Prison for Recruiting for ISIS, Obstruction, and Attempting to Flee Justice

Wednesday, April 9, 2025

For Immediate Release

Office of Public Affairs

Sinmyah Amera Ceasar, also known as 'Umm Nutella,' Initially Cooperated with Law Enforcement, but then Secretly Contacted ISIS Supporters, Deleted Evidence, Lied to Investigators, and Tried to Flee the Country Rather than Face Prison

A Brooklyn woman, Sinmyah Amera Ceasar, 30, a U.S. citizen, was sentenced today to serve 230 months in prison for three separately charged crimes: conspiring to provide material support and resources to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a foreign terrorist organization; obstructing justice while released on bail pending sentencing; and failing to appear for court as required when she attempted to flee the United States. Ceasar pleaded guilty to the material support charge in February 2017, to the obstruction of justice charge in March 2019, and to the failure to appear charge in October 2022.

"Today's re-sentencing marks the end of a righteous journey that began a decade ago," said Sue J. Bai, head of the Justice Department's National Security Division. "Terrorist organizations like ISIS rely on recruiters like Ceasar to attract, indoctrinate, and enlist new followers. The Department is committed to holding accountable those who seek to follow a similar path. Today was made possible by our prosecutors, staff, and members of the Joint Terrorism Task Force. We are grateful for their tireless pursuit of justice in this case."

"With today's sentence, Sinmyah Amera Ceasar, an unrepentant ISIS recruiter, will be incarcerated for a significant period of time to protect Americans here and abroad from her violent extremism," said U.S. Attorney John J. Durham for the Eastern District of New York. "Even after pleading guilty to providing material support to ISIS, the defendant continued to support terrorists, obstructed justice and fled from prosecution. This office, together with the FBI, the NYPD, and all the members of the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force, works tirelessly to pursue and hold accountable all those who support terrorism."

"Ceasar pleaded guilty to helping ISIS, yet she continued on the same path by communicating with other ISIS supporters, "said Assistant Director David J. Scott of the FBI's Counterterrorism Division. "Her actions demonstrate a failure to truly accept responsibility for her actions, and she ultimately cut off her electronic monitoring device and went on the run. Ceasar's efforts failed and with today's sentencing she is being held accountable for her criminal actions."

Between January 2016 and November 2016, Ceasar used numerous social media accounts to praise, promote, and support ISIS and violent jihad and to disseminate ISIS propaganda. Ceasar posted under a variety of names, including her nom de guerre, or war name, "Umm Nutella," which translates to "Mother of Nutella." Ceasar developed contacts with ISIS members overseas, recruited individuals in the United States to travel overseas to join and fight for ISIS, and used her contacts with ISIS facilitators to attempt to help at least five people from the United States join ISIS abroad. Ceasar also expressed her own desire to travel to ISIS-controlled territory to join the group and die as a martyr.

In November 2016, Ceasar was arrested at John F. Kennedy International Airport as she prepared to board an international flight, which was to be the first leg of her journey to join ISIS. Ceasar pleaded guilty in February 2017 to conspiring to provide material support and resources to ISIS and agreed to cooperate with the government's investigations of ISIS members and supporters.

In April 2018, Ceasar was released on bail, subject to court-ordered conditions of release. However, she violated those conditions, and her cooperation agreement with the government, by reconnecting with individuals she had identified to the government as supporters of ISIS. Ceasar attempted to conceal these communications from the government and the court, attempted to delete more than 1,000 electronic communications, and lied to the government about her conduct. The court revoked Ceasar's bail in July 2018. Ceasar pleaded guilty to obstructing an official proceeding in March 2019.

In June 2019, the late U.S. District Judge Jack B. Weinstein sentenced Ceasar to 48 months in prison for the material support and obstruction offenses, and the government appealed. In August 2021, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit vacated the sentence imposed by Judge Weinstein, calling it "shockingly low, and unsupportable as a matter of law," and sent the case back to the district court for resentencing.

While the appeal was pending, however, Ceasar completed serving this 48-month sentence in July 2020, and began serving an eight-year term of supervised release. Almost immediately after her release, Ceasar began to repeatedly violate the conditions of her supervision by downloading and using phone apps that she failed to report to the Probation Department, recontacting and communicating with ISIS supporters, soliciting funds from ISIS supporters, communicating with convicted felons, using extremist language, and deleting the evidence of her violations of these conditions of supervision.

In August 2021, after the Second Circuit issued its decision remanding her case for resentencing, Ceasar fled. On the day she was scheduled to appear before the Court, Ceasar removed her ankle bracelet location monitoring device, and fled New York City on a cross-country bus trip to New Mexico, setting off a nationwide fugitive investigation that led to her arrest in New Mexico two days later. The evidence established that Ceasar intended to escape the United States and travel to Russia, and that, while fleeing, she used an internet-based messaging application to contact an individual in Afghanistan to seek assistance to travel there. She sought assistance from the individual in Afghanistan in the hours after ISIS Khorasan carried out a bombing at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul that killed hundreds, including 13 members of the U.S. Armed Forces. In connection with her flight from prosecution, Ceasar ultimately pleaded guilty to her third separate felony offense, a charge of failing to appear before the court as required, in October 2022.

After being returned to custody at the U.S. Bureau of Prisons' Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn to await sentencing, Ceasar routinely violated Bureau of Prisons institutional rules, circumvented telephone and email monitoring and use restrictions, and continued to communicate and associate with other ISIS supporters.

The government's case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Ian C. Richardson, currently of the National Security Division, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew D. Reich of the Eastern District of New York's National Security and Cybercrime Section.

Topics: Counterterrorism

National Security

Components: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

National Security Division (NSD)

USAO - New York, Eastern

Press Release Number: 25-362

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Treasury Targets Key Leader of Violent Mexican Drug Trafficking Organization Implicated in Record-Breaking Seizure of Fentanyl

U.S. Department of the Treasury

April 9, 2025

WASHINGTON -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned Mexican national Jesus Alfredo Beltran Guzman, a key leader of the Beltran Leyva Organization (BLO),forplaying a significant role in the trafficking of illicit drugs, including fentanyl, cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine, into the United States. One of the most powerful drug trafficking organizations in the world, the BLO is heavily involved in the transportation and distribution of deadly drugs, including fentanyl, to the United States, and has been one of the largest suppliers of cocaine to the U.S. market for over two decades. OFAC carried out this investigation in coordination with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

"Beltran Guzman and the BLO have continued to operate with violent impunity, trafficking in deadly drugs, threatening communities, and targeting key officials, all while profiting from their criminal schemes," said Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent. "Treasury, in close partnership with our law enforcement colleagues, will continue to disrupt the operations of the cartels and their affiliates that enable the trafficking of deadly drugs like fentanyl across our border and in our communities."

Additionally, today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) issued a Financial Trend Analysis focused on patterns and trends identified in Bank Secrecy Act data linked to fentanyl-related illicit finance.

THE BELTRAN LEYVA ORGANIZATION

Since its inception, the BLO has been considered one of the most violent drug trafficking organizations to operate in Mexico, engaging in shootouts, murders, kidnappings, torture, and violent collection of drug debts to sustain its operations. In December 2009, gunmen killed the family of a Mexican marine following a military raid that killed Arturo Beltran Leyva, a leader of the BLO.

On December 3, 2024, the Mexican Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection conducted operations in the municipalities of Guasave and Ahome, in the Mexican state of Sinaloa, that resulted in the largest seizure of fentanyl in Mexican history, over a thousand kilos, and the arrests of two leaders of criminal cells linked to the BLO. Mexican officials believe the seizure was equivalent to 20 million doses of fentanyl.

The BLO was sanctioned pursuant to the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act (Kingpin Act) in 2008 and Executive Order 14059 (E.O. 14059) in 2021. The BLO is currently led by Fausto Isidro Meza Flores, a.k.a. Chapo Isidro, who was designated by OFAC in 2013 pursuant to the Kingpin Act as well as in 2021 pursuant to E.O. 14059. In February 2025, through its Narcotics Rewards Program, the U.S. Department of State offered a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Chapo Isidro and FBI added Chapo Isidro to its Ten Most Wanted Fugitive List.

"EL MOCHOMITO"

Jesus Alfredo Beltran Guzman (Beltran Guzman), also known as El Mochomito, is the eldest son of Alfredo Beltran Leyva, a U.S.-sanctioned drug trafficker and former leader of the BLO currently serving life in U.S. prison on federal drug trafficking charges. Beltran Guzman is the nephew of Joaquin Guzman Loera, a.k.a. El Chapo, the U.S.-imprisoned head of the Sinaloa Cartel. In 2016, Mexican federal police, working with the Mexican military, detained Beltran Guzman for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute and possession of military-grade firearms. While in prison, Beltran Guzman was accused of torturing and extorting prisoners, as well as continuing to pursue his drug trafficking operations.

Prior to and since his release from prison in 2021, Beltran Guzman, has been involved in the trafficking of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and fentanyl. He has primarily operated in an area known as the Golden Triangle, which includes the Mexican states of Sinaloa, Chihuahua, and Durango. In addition to drug trafficking, Beltran Guzman is believed to be responsible for the December 18, 2024 murder of Halexy Guadalupe, an agent who had served under Mexico's Secretary of Security and Civilian Protection, Omar Garcia Harfuch.

OFAC designated Beltran Guzman pursuant to E.O. 14059 for having engaged in, or attempted to engage in, activities or transactions that have materially contributed to, or pose a significant risk of materially contributing to, the international proliferation of illicit drugs or their means of production.

SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS

As a result of today's action, all property and interests in property of the designated person described above that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons 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, OFAC's regulations 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.

In addition, persons that engage in certain transactions with the individuals and entities designated today may themselves be exposed to sanctions or subject to an enforcement action. Non-U.S. persons are also prohibited from causing or conspiring to cause U.S. persons to wittingly or unwittingly violate U.S. sanctions, as well as engaging in conduct that evades U.S. sanctions. OFAC's Economic Sanctions Enforcement Guidelines provide more information regarding OFAC's enforcement of U.S. sanctions, including the factors that OFAC generally considers when determining an appropriate response to an apparent violation.

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.

For more information on the individual designated today, click here.

###

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HMAS Sydney leads Defence's support to Exercise Bersama Shield in Southeast Asia

Issued by Defence Media

9 April 2025

Australia's role as an active security partner in the Indo-Pacific will continue to strengthen, with the launch of Exercise Bersama Shield 2025.

The annual exercise, held in and around Malaysia, provides an opportunity for Five Power Defence Arrangements partners to strengthen professional relationships by improving interoperability in a high-end warfighting environment.

The exercise involves approximately 230 ADF personnel, including a Royal Australian Air Force C-27J Spartan and guided missile destroyer HMAS Sydney.

Over the next two weeks, ADF sailors, soldiers and aviators will work alongside military forces from Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, and the United Kingdom to undertake scenarios focused on the defence of Malaysia and Singapore, across multiple domains.

Chief of Joint Operations, Vice Admiral Justin Jones, AO, CSC, RAN said Exercise Bersama Shield was an important opportunity for Australia to exercise with Southeast Asian and regional partners.

"Exercise Bersama Shield provides us the opportunity to exercise in a contemporary and complex environment," Vice Admiral Jones said.

"This exercise will improve our integration and joint operations while making a meaningful contribution to security in our region."

Australia has continued to invest in the Five Power Defence Arrangements since their establishment in 1971.

The Arrangements are the only multilateral defensive arrangements of their kind in Southeast Asia and are Australia's longest-standing regional security mechanism.

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Australia - AIM-120C and AIM-120D Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles

NEWS | April 9, 2025

Media/Public Contact: pm-cpa@state.gov

Transmittal No. 25-10

WASHINGTON, April 9, 2025 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Australia of AIM-120C and AIM-120D Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles and related equipment for an estimated cost of $1.04 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.

The Government of Australia has requested to buy up to two hundred (200) AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM); and up to two hundred (200) AIM-120D-3 AMRAAMs. The following non-MDE items will be included: AMRAAM containers and support equipment; spare parts, consumables and accessories, repair and return support; weapons system support and software; classified software delivery and support; classified publications and technical documentation; transportation support; 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 $1.04 billion.

This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States. Australia is one of our most important allies in the Western Pacific. The strategic location of this political and economic power contributes significantly to ensuring peace and economic stability in the Western Pacific. It is vital to the U.S. national interest to assist our ally in developing and maintaining a strong and ready self-defense capability.

The proposed sale will improve Australia's capability to meet current and future threats by protecting and increasing aircraft survivability. Australia will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment and services 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 RTX Corporation, located in Tucson, AZ. 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 Australia.

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.

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Brazilian president says U.S. trade policy "won't work," accuses Trump of trying to dictate global rules

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 10:31, April 09, 2025

SAO PAULO, April 8 (Xinhua) -- Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Tuesday criticized the new tariff regime of the United States, saying Washington's attempt to reshape global trade under U.S. President Donald Trump "won't work" and violates the principles of multilateralism.

Speaking at an event in Sao Paulo, Lula condemned what he called Washington's unilateral approach to international trade.

"All of a sudden, one man thinks he can dictate the rules for everything that happens in the world," Lula said. "No one grabs hold of a fully loaded transatlantic ship and tries to steer it like this. It won't work."

Lula added that Trump's decision to impose "reciprocal tariffs" on other countries and regions ignores the reality of a multipolar world.

"There are nearly 200 countries," he said. "All of them want sovereignty and a harmonious process. Today, the most important thing is multilateralism."

The Brazilian leader also recalled the free trade rhetoric of the 1980s, when then U.S. President Ronald Reagan and U.K. Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher publicly opposed protectionism. Lula contrasted those earlier stances with what he viewed as the current protectionist turn of the United States.

The United States has been Brazil's second-largest trading partner since 2009, behind China. In recent weeks, the Trump administration raised import tariffs on Brazilian goods, including a 10 percent tariff on a broad range of products, following earlier hikes on steel and aluminum.

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April 9, 2025

By David Vergun, DOD News

China's Military Buildup Threatens Indo-Pacific Region Security

China is undertaking an unprecedented military buildup, developing a large and advanced arsenal of nuclear, conventional, cyber and space capabilities, said John Noh, performing the duties of assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific security affairs, who testified today at a House Armed Services Committee hearing in Washington.

China aims to dominate the Indo-Pacific region and displace the United States as the world's most powerful nation, Noh said, noting Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered the People's Liberation Army to be ready to invade Taiwan by 2027.

Noh said to counter this growing threat, the U.S. must reestablish deterrence in the Indo-Pacific region with combat-credible military forces, rebalance burden sharing with allies and partners and invest in the U.S. defense industrial base.

"Stronger allies lead to stronger alliances, and stronger alliances deter aggression and create dilemmas for our adversaries," he said.

Navy Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, said Indo-Pacom faces a confluence of challenges.

"Foremost among them is China's increasingly aggressive and assertive behavior. Their unprecedented military modernization encompassing advancements in artificial intelligence, [hypersonic missiles], space-based capabilities, among others, poses a real and serious threat to our homeland, to our allies and to our partners," he said.

In 2024, the PLA demonstrated growing capabilities through persistent operations against Taiwan, escalating by 300%, Paparo said. China's aggressive military actions near Taiwan are not just exercises; they are rehearsals.

While the PLA attempts to intimidate the people of Taiwan and demonstrate coercive capability, these actions can backfire, drawing increased global attention and accelerating Taiwan's own defensive preparations, Paparo said.

China is outproducing the United States in air, maritime and missile capability while also accelerating its space and counter-space capabilities, he said, adding that it poses real and serious challenges to U.S. military superiority but also presents opportunities for reform and for establishing enduring advantage.

There are also other threats in the region, Paparo said.

"North Korea's development of advanced nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles  including a new intercontinental ballistic missile capable of reaching the United States  poses a direct threat to our homeland and to our allies," he said.

Regarding Russia's influence in the region, Paparo noted that North Korea is receiving military support and assistance to advance its own military capabilities, and the growing military cooperation between Russia and China has added another layer of complexity and created a compounding challenge.

He said that Indo-Pacom is tasked with deterring threats and aiding regional stability while ensuring the ability to prevail in conflict. Last year, the command conducted 120 joint exercises, 20 of which were significant exercises with allies and partners.

"Though we face serious challenges, the joint force remains confident, resolute and determined to prevail. Deterrence remains our highest duty," Paparo said.

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China takes four measures against the US, showing strong resolve against coercion, pressure

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Apr 09, 2025 09:43 PM

China on Wednesday announced four separate measures against the US, including raising tariffs on US products, adding US entities to relevant lists and filing lawsuit at the WTO, shortly after the US imposed additional tariffs on China.

The almost simultaneous announcements of the strong measures fully demonstrate that China will never be intimidated by coercion or cowed by pressure, a Chinese trade expert said.

China will raise additional tariffs for imported goods originating in the US to 84 percent from 34 percent from Thursday, the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council announced Wednesday.

The move came after on April 8, the US further increased the so-called "reciprocal tariffs" on Chinese products exported to the US to 84 percent from 34 percent.

The US escalation of tariffs against China is a mistake on top of a mistake; it seriously infringes upon China's legitimate rights and interests and gravely undermines the rules based multilateral trading system, said the commission.

China urges the US to immediately correct its wrong practices, cancel all unilateral tariff measures against China, and properly resolve differences with China through equal dialogue on the basis of mutual respect, the commission said.

Also on Wednesday, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) announced the addition of 12 US entities to the export control list.

In order to safeguard national security and interests and fulfill international obligations such as non-proliferation, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Export Control Law of China and the regulations on export control of dual-use items, the MOFCOM said it has 12 US entities in the export control list and prohibit the export of dual-use items to them.

These entities may engage in activities that may endanger China's national security and interests, and any export operator shall not violate the above provisions, a spokesperson from the MOFCOM said.

In a separate statement, the MOFCOM announced to add six US firms, which include Shield AI, Inc, Sierra Nevada Corporation, Cyberlux Corporation, and Edge Autonomy Operations LLC, to its unreliable entity list, effective from Thursday, in accordance with relevant laws and regulations.

A spokesperson of the MOFCOM stated that these firms, in disregard of strong opposition from China, have either participated in arms sales to China's Taiwan region or have undertaken so-called military technology cooperation with the island, seriously harming China's national sovereignty, security, and development interests. China will hold them accountable according to relevant laws and regulations, the ministry said.

Also on Wednesday, a spokesperson for the MOFCOM announced that China has filed a lawsuit against the US over the US' latest tariff measures under the WTO dispute settlement mechanism.

The US tariff measures seriously violated WTO rules, and the 50 percent tariff increase is a mistake on top of a mistake, highlighting the unilateral bullying nature of the US measures, the MOFCOM said.

China will firmly defend its legitimate rights and interests in accordance with WTO rules, and firmly safeguard the multilateral trading system and the international economic and trade order, the MOFCOM said.

"China's countermeasures underscore the country's resolute stance against the US' trade protectionism and unilateralism, while demonstrating its firm commitment to upholding the fundamental principles of the multilateral trading system and safeguarding its developmental interests," Cui Fan, a professor at the University of International Business and Economics, told the Global Times on Wednesday.

"The Chinese people will never be intimidated by coercion or cowed by pressure," Cui said, while adding that "China is committed to deepening reforms and pursuing high-level institutional opening-up. It stands ready to work with all countries to advance inclusive and mutually beneficial economic globalization."

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'Compromises, concessions only embolden bullying': China pushes back against US defense chief's remarks on Panama Canal

Global Times

By Chen Qingqing Published: Apr 09, 2025 09:10 AM

Both the Chinese Foreign Ministry and the Chinese Embassy in Panama pushed back against recent remarks by US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth regarding the Panama Canal, urging the US to stop spreading disinformation, stirring up trouble, and falsely linking China to the canal as a pretext for advancing its own ambitions to control it.

During a visit to the Central American nation, Hegseth said on Tuesday that "the US will take back the Panama Canal from Chinese influence," Reuters reported.

China-based companies continue to control critical infrastructure in the canal area, Hegseth said. "That gives China the potential to conduct surveillance activities across Panama. This makes Panama and the US less secure, less prosperous and less sovereign."

Hegseth, following talks with Panama's government, vowed to deepen security cooperation with Panama's forces and said China would not be allowed to "weaponize" the canal by using Chinese firms' commercial relationships for espionage, according to Reuters.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian firmly rejected those remarks on Wednesday, stating that the US senior official maliciously attacked China, and vilified and sabotaged China-Panama cooperation, which once again lays bare America's bullying and hegemonic nature.

Lin stressed that it is so clear for all to see who wants to control the Panama Canal. The US should take a hard look in the mirror to find out who is threatening other countries' sovereignty, security and development.

The spokesperson also urged the US to stop spreading rumors and making trouble, and stop linking China to the Panama Canal issue with ill intention to find an excuse for America's attempt to control the canal. "Meanwhile, let me stress that compromise and concession does not protect sovereignty or win respect, but will only embolden the bully," Lin added.

In his inaugural speech in January, US President Donald Trump claimed without providing evidence that China controlled the 50-mile canal and vowed that the US will take back the waterway, which he said was "vital" to national security, NBC News reported on Wednesday.

The Chinese Embassy in Panama also made a solemn statement on Wednesday in response to the latest remarks made by Hegseth over the Panama Canal, urging the US to seriously reflect on its history of bullying and exploitation toward Latin America and the Caribbean, including Panama, and to stop distorting and smearing China.

China has never participated in the management or operation of the Panama Canal, nor has it ever interfered in canal-related affairs, said the statement.

China has always respected Panama's sovereignty over the canal and acknowledges that the canal is a permanently neutral international waterway. This position is clearly stated in official documents exchanged during the mutual visits of the two countries' heads of state, the embassy said.

While the US repeatedly accuses China of interfering with the canal, history tells a different story: The only time the canal was ever interrupted was due to a US invasion, the Chinese Embassy said.

It is clear who is truly upholding the canal's neutrality and prosperity, and who has been clamoring to "take back" the canal - justice lies in the hearts of the people, the embassy noted.

In November 2017, China and Panama signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Belt and Road cooperation. Thanks to this agreement, the two countries have enjoyed stronger policy support, increased investment, and broader public support, accelerating cooperation in trade and investment, infrastructure, finance and development aid. These efforts have yielded tangible benefits for Panama and its people, the embassy said.

The US has ignored facts and hyped up the so-called China threat, attempting to undermine China-Panama cooperation purely for its own geopolitical purposes - an act that fully exposes its hegemonic mindset. The world can clearly see who is engaging in coercion and exploitation, according to the embassy.

The embassy pointed out that the US-Panama relations should not be exclusive. Panama's decision to develop relations with China is a sovereign choice, and one that reflects the will of the Panamanian people. The US has no right to interfere, it said.

"We urge the US to seriously reflect on its history of bullying and exploitation toward Latin America and the Caribbean, including Panama, and to stop distorting and smearing China. Instead of spreading falsehoods and sowing discord, it would be better for the US to focus on how to truly contribute to the well-being of the region," the embassy said.

Panama President Jose Raul Mulino has denied that China has any influence in the operations of the canal, the AP said on Wednesday.

Mulino was also quoted as saying in the Reuters' report that the canal has been handled responsibly for world trade, including that of the US, and that "it is, and will continue to be, Panamanian."

Hegseth's remarks make it clear that the US does not regard Panama as a sovereign country worthy of respect, but rather as a pawn in its geopolitical game, and its policy toward Panama reflects a blatant disregard for Panama's sovereignty and a brazen interference in its internal affairs, with the aim of drawing Panama into Washington's pre-set strategy of strategic competition with China, Li Haidong, a professor at China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times on Wednesday.

"By attempting to drag Panama, and potentially other countries, into a great-power rivalry, the US risks creating further instability in the international order and deepening frictions and divisions between itself and other nations," Li said, noting that this tactic of coercion and manipulation, using its own choices and strength to impose its will on others, is bound to backfire.

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China strongly condemns certain US politicians for pushing bill targeting HKSAR trade offices in US

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Apr 09, 2025 01:47 PM

In response to certain US politicians once again pushing forward legislation that smears Hong Kong's autonomy and rule of law while calling for the revocation of privileges for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices (HKETOs) in the US, or even their closure, a spokesperson for the Commissioner's Office of Chinese Foreign Ministry in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) expressed strong condemnation and firm opposition on Wednesday.

The spokesperson emphasized that the HKETOs in the US are official institutions representing the HKSAR and play a positive role in promoting economic and trade exchanges and practical cooperation between Hong Kong and the US.

Their legitimate functions must not be unreasonably questioned, the spokesperson said.

Certain US politicians, driven by their own political self-interest, have blatantly smeared and slandered Hong Kong's trade offices, not only undermining normal HKSAR-US exchanges and cooperation, but also exposing their malicious intent to see Hong Kong unstable and unsuccessful, the spokesperson noted.

US lawmakers reintroduced a bill on Tuesday that could close Hong Kong's representative offices in America if the White House determines that Beijing has undermined the city's autonomy, an effort that failed in the previous congressional session, the South China Morning Post reported on Wednesday.

The bill would amend the US State Department's annual review of Hong Kong's semi-autonomous status to require the US president to explain to Congress why the three HKETOs in the country should retain or lose diplomatic privileges, the SCMP said.

The spokesperson stressed that China urges these US politicians to immediately pull back from the brink and stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs at once. If the US side insists on going its own way, it will face a resolute countermeasure from the Chinese side, the spokesperson said.

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China unveils newly revised regulations for marriage registration

Global Times

By Zhang Wanshi and Li Yawei Published: Apr 09, 2025 11:11 PM

China on Wednesday unveiled newly revised marriage registration regulations that are set to take effect on May 10. The new regulations aim to expand family support services, enable nationwide registration access, and optimize administrative procedures, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

Premier Li Qiang has signed a State Council decree to promulgate the revised regulations, which consist of six chapters and 28 articles and include major revisions to improve marriage services and ease registration, according to Xinhua.

One main revision of the regulations is that couples will no longer need to register marriages in the location of their hukou, or permanent household registration, according to Xinhua. The regulations also introduce nationwide marriage registration services to further improve accessibility. The Ministry of Civil Affairs will lead the coordination of a national marriage information database and establish a secure, accurate, and efficient information-sharing system with relevant agencies.

He Yafu, an independent demographic expert who has long tracked marriage registration data, highlighted the updates as key features of the revision, noting that they significantly simplify the process for individuals whose place of residence differs from their official hukou location.

Previously, the hukou was required for marriage registration to help prevent issues such as bigamy. However, with marriage registration information now integrated into a nationwide network, it is no longer necessary, and couples can register their marriages across provinces, He said.

Another update to the regulations is the inclusion of marriage and family support services. The regulations call on local governments at or above the county level to enhance guidance concerning marriage and family services, build systems for counseling support, and promote civilized marriage customs.

The goal is to foster harmonious family relationships and encourage healthy views on marriage, relationships, childbearing, and family values. Marriage registration offices are now tasked with providing such counseling services, leveraging both professionals and broader social resources in areas such as premarital education and the protection of women's rights.

He noted that mechanisms such as premarital counseling and conflict mediation play a role in reducing the divorce rate, as some divorces are filed on impulse.

The regulations also aim to optimize marriage registration services. Local authorities are required to improve service quality and standardize and upgrade registration venues for greater convenience. Registration offices should legally verify documents, conduct inquiries, and perform online verification of applicants' identities and marital status.

Registration of marriages has also been aligned with relevant legal provisions, while localities are encouraged to provide the parties concerned with services such as appointments and license ceremonies in conjunction with actual practice.

In 2024, the number of marriages registered nationwide was 6.106 million, according to data from the Ministry of Civil Affairs on February.

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China releases white paper on China-U.S. economic, trade relations

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 15:14, April 09, 2025

BEIJING, April 9 (Xinhua) -- China's State Council Information Office on Wednesday released a white paper titled "China's Position on Some Issues Concerning China-U.S. Economic and Trade Relations."

The Chinese government issued the document to clarify the facts about China-U.S. economic and trade relations, and elaborate the position of the Chinese side on relevant issues, according to the white paper.

The white paper came as rising unilateralism and protectionism in the United States have significantly impeded normal economic and trade cooperation between the two countries.

Since the beginning of trade friction in 2018, the U.S. side has imposed tariffs on Chinese exports worth more than 500 billion U.S. dollars, and has continuously implemented policies aimed at containing and suppressing China. Recently, the United States levied comprehensive additional tariffs on Chinese products, including tariffs citing the fentanyl issue as the pretext, "reciprocal tariffs," and an additional 50 percent on existing tariffs.

These measures -- revealing the isolationist and coercive nature of U.S. conduct -- run counter to the principles of the market economy and multilateralism, and will have serious repercussions for China-U.S. economic and trade relations, the white paper said.

In response to the U.S. moves, China has taken forceful countermeasures to defend its national interests, and has remained committed to resolving disputes through dialogue and consultation, with multiple rounds of consultations with the U.S. side to stabilize bilateral economic and trade relations, according to the document.

The Chinese side has always maintained that China-U.S. economic and trade relations are mutually beneficial and win-win in nature, the white paper said.

As two major countries at different stages of development with distinct economic systems, it is natural for China and the United States to have differences and frictions in their economic and trade cooperation. It is crucial to respect each other's core interests and major concerns, and find proper solutions to resolve the issues through dialogue and consultation, according to the document.

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Trump raises tariffs on China to 125% but pauses them for others

Stocks rally as Trump temporarily drops new tariff rates to 10% for all countries, except China.

By Taejun Kang for RFA

2025.04.09

TAIPEI, Taiwan -- U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 90-day pause on 'reciprocal' tariffs for many countries, with the exception of those against China, which he raised to 125%, just hours after Beijing hiked its retaliatory tariffs against the United States to 84%.

Stocks rallied sharply on the news on Wednesday, as Trump said he was temporarily reducing duties for more than 75 countries to a universal 10% during the three-month period, saying these countries had reached out to negotiate a solution and have not retaliated against the United States.

But the hikes on imports from China to 125% from 104% will be effective immediately, due to the 'lack of respect that China has shown to the world's markets', Trump said in a social media post.

"At some point, hopefully in the near future, China will realize that the days of ripping off the USA and other countries is no longer sustainable or acceptable," wrote Trump in a Truth Social media post.

Earlier on Wednesday, China hiked its retaliatory tariffs against the United States to 84% after President Trump's sweeping duties against 60 countries he deems the "worst offenders" on trade took effect at midnight.

"We are now experiencing a serious escalation in trade tensions between the two largest economies of the world. Both the U.S. and China are doubling down with retaliation against each other, with negative economic consequences for their businesses and citizens," said Wendy Cutler, vice president of the Asia Society Policy Institute.

While most countries were racing to negotiate reductions, China responded to the 104% tariffs imposed against it by Washington by jacking up duties on U.S. imports another 50% from the earlier planned 34%. Those higher tariffs take effect Thursday.

"The U.S. escalation of tariffs on China is a mistake on top of a mistake, which seriously infringes on China's legitimate rights and interests and seriously undermines the rules-based multilateral trading system," China's finance ministry said in a statement as it announced the 84% tariffs.

Beijing also imposed restrictions on 18 U.S. companies, mostly in defense-related industries, adding to the 60 or so American firms punished over Trump's tariffs, Reuters reported.

The trade battle between the U.S. and China, the world's two largest economies, threatens to slow the global economy and has fueled fears of recession.

Trump upended the global trade status quo last week, imposing a universal 10% tariff on all imports, effective April 5, and additional tariffs on dozens of countries deemed to have unfair trade practices, effective Wednesday.

Initially, the U.S. said it was imposing a 34% tariff on Chinese exports, which Beijing matched, prompting Trump to retaliate this week with another 50% tariff on China. Earlier in the year, the U.S. had imposed a 20% tariff on China, which it said was in response to fentanyl trafficking.

Speaking at a Republican Party dinner Tuesday, Donald Trump said the tariffs were "going to be legendary, in a positive way."

"Many countries ... have ripped us off left and right, but now it's our turn to do the ripping," he said.

Trump has described the tariffs as "somewhat explosive" and "amazing," claiming that import tariffs were already generating "almost US$2 billion a day" for the U.S.

China's foreign ministry reiterated Wednesday that Beijing will take "resolute and forceful" measures to protect its own interests.

"If the U.S. genuinely wants to resolve the problem through dialogue and negotiation, it should show an attitude of equality, respect and mutual benefit," foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said at a regular press briefing.

Lin said that "if the U.S. insists on fighting a tariff war and a trade war, China will "definitely fight to the end."

World leaders have rushed to negotiate, scheduling phone calls and sending delegations to Washington.

Many governments, including Vietnam and Taiwan, have offered concessions in hopes of avoiding the tariffs.

Trump said that 70 had approached the U.S. and that officials would begin talks with South Korea and Japan.

Stocks slumped in Asia on Wednesday, adding to the losses that have mounted in markets around the world since Trump announced the latest round of tariffs last week.

Edited by Stephen Wright and Mat Pennington.

Updated with the U.S. hiking tariffs against China to 125%, effective immediately, and announcing a 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs for most countries

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.

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China's commerce minister meets EU, ASEAN officials on opposing US 'reciprocal tariffs'

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Apr 10, 2025 10:11 AM

Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao met with representatives of EU and Malaysia - the rotating chair of ASEAN - via video, respectively. They had an in-depth and candid exchange of views on strengthening bilateral economic and trade cooperation and responding to the so-called reciprocal tariffs imposed by the US, the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) said on Thursday in statements.

During the commerce minister's meeting with the European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic on Tuesday, China and the EU agree to promptly initiate consultations to thoroughly discuss market access-related issues, create a more favorable business environment for enterprises, and immediately commence negotiations on price commitments for EVs, as well as explore investment cooperation in the China-EU automotive industry, according to MOFCOM.

Both parties supported the resumption of the China-EU trade remedies dialogue mechanism to address trade diversion issues and properly handle trade frictions. They also expressed their commitment to strengthening communication within the WTO framework, jointly advancing WTO reform, and upholding the multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core, according to the Ministry of Commerce.

Wang noted the positive signals from Chinese Premier Li Qiang's phone conversation with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday.

In his talks with Sefcovic, Wang expressed China's willingness to work with the EU in implementing leaders' consensus, enhancing dialogue, and deepening trade, investment, and industrial collaboration.

Wang pointed out that the US' so-called reciprocal tariffs severely infringe upon the legitimate interests of all nations, blatantly violate WTO rules, seriously undermine the rules-based multilateral trading system, and destabilize the global economic order.

"Such actions are a typical manifestation of unilateralism, protectionism, and economic bullying. China firmly opposes this and has taken countermeasures to resolutely safeguard its legitimate rights and interests," said Wang.

Wang warned that the latest US threat of 50 percent additional tariffs on China would only exacerbate tensions. "Trade wars have no winners, and protectionism leads nowhere."

Wang reiterated China's readiness for negotiations but China's response will continue to the end if the US goes ahead.

Wang stressed that under the current circumstances, China and Europe jointly upholding the rules-based multilateral trading system and adhering to trade liberalization and facilitation will inject greater stability and certainty into the world economy and global trade.

Sefcovic stated that the US tariff hikes have severely disrupted international trade, significantly impacting Europe, China, and vulnerable nations. While the US accounts for only 13 percent of global merchandise trade, the EU is willing to work with China and other WTO members to safeguard the normal functioning of global trade, according to MOFCOM.

The EU values its economic and trade relations with China and stands ready to enhance dialogue and communication with the Chinese side to expand two-way market access, investment, and industrial cooperation, said Sefcovic.

On Monday, Sefcovic said that the EU is prepared to deploy "every tool" to shield itself from the impact of US tariffs if negotiations fail, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

On Wednesday, Chinese Minister of Commerce held a video call with Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz, Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry of Malaysia (MITI), the ASEAN rotating chair in 2025, during which the two sides had an in-depth and candid exchange of views on enhancing China-Malaysia and China-ASEAN economic and trade cooperation and jointly responding to the so-called reciprocal tariffs imposed by the US.

Zafrul said that the MITI has already stated that the US government's policies are inconsistent with the principles of free and fair trade as stipulated by the WTO.

Malaysia fully respects China's position and stands ready to jointly uphold multilateralism and global trade development. It will engage in consultations with ASEAN members to collectively address the US "reciprocal tariffs" measures, said Zafrul, according to the MOFCOM' statement.

Malaysia will implement strong measures to mitigate the impact of the US tariffs imposed on Malaysia, Zafrul said on Monday, according to Xinhua.

Wang, during the talk with Zafrul, again expressed China's strong opposition to US tariffs and that China's response will continue to the end.

"The so-called reciprocal tariffs imposed by the US completely disregard the balanced outcomes achieved through years of multilateral trade negotiations and turn a blind eye to the fact that the US has long reaped enormous benefits from international trade. These measures severely undermine the legitimate rights and interests of all parties, including China and ASEAN countries, representing a typical act of unilateral bullying," said Wang.

Such US actions not only harm America's own interests but also endanger global economic development and the stability of industrial and supply chains, dealing a severe blow to the international trading system, Wang stressed.

The Commerce Minister stated that China stands ready to work with its trading partners, including ASEAN members, to enhance communication and coordination. Based on mutual respect, China will address respective concerns through equal dialogue and consultations, jointly upholding the multilateral trading system.

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China expresses grave concern over US' 'reciprocal tariffs' at WTO meeting, drawing broad support

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Apr 10, 2025 10:48 AM

China on Wednesday voiced grave concerns over the US' "reciprocal tariffs" and their detrimental impacts, urging the US to comply with the WTO rules to avoid adverse impact on global economic stability and the multilateral trading system at the first annual session of the WTO Council for Trade in Goods at Geneva, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

China's statement resonated well, with 46 WTO members echoing its stance during the meeting, expressing concerns with the US' "reciprocal tariffs" and calling on the US to comply with the WTO rules, Xinhua reported.

China pointed out that the WTO-centered multilateral trading system serves as the institutional foundation for global trade, and multilateral tariff commitment based on the most-favored-nation (MFN) treatment ensures that all WTO members conduct trade and cooperation in a transparent, predictable and non-discriminatory environment, Xinhua said.

However, US' so-called "reciprocal tariffs" far exceed the bound tariff rates the US committed at the WTO and that imposing discriminatory tariffs violates the MFN principle, which represents the US' unilateralism, protectionism, and economic coercion, Xinhua reported.

The US is the creator and a main beneficiary of multilateral trading system, and it is overly simplistic to evaluate the US' overall gains from international trade by assessing balance in goods trade, the Chinese side stated, according to Xinhua.

The "reciprocal tariffs" are a "misguided and counterproductive" approach that not only fails to resolve trade imbalances but will also backfire on the US itself, severely disrupting international trade order. There is no winner in a trade war. China calls on all WTO members to draw lessons from history, uphold and safeguard multilateral trade rules, and resolve differences through multilateral dialogue and cooperation, Xinhua reported.

The EU stated that US' "reciprocal tariffs" seriously undermine the fundamental principles of WTO and are ineffective in addressing trade imbalances. Other WTO members including the UK, Canada, Japan, and South Korea criticized that "reciprocal tariffs" disrupt international trade order, undermine the stability of global industrial and supply chains, and will harm the interests of producers and consumers across nations - including the US itself, Xinhua reported.

WTO members including Peru, Kazakhstan, and Chad condemned "reciprocal tariffs" for severely impacting economically vulnerable developing members, particularly the least-developed countries, and they stressed the critical importance of upholding fair, open, transparent, inclusive, and non-discriminatory multilateral trade rules for the interests of developing members, Xinhua said.

WTO members noted that the WTO-centered multilateral trading system has made significant contributions to global trade development and will continue to actively support its role. They urged all members to resolve disputes within the multilateral framework, according to Xinhua.

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Merz Announces New German Government, Cites Concerns About Russia, US Tariffs

By Ray Furlong April 09, 2025

Germany's Christian Democrat leader Friedrich Merz has announced that talks on forming a new coalition government have been completed, stating it would aim to take office in early May.

Merz noted the coalition talks took place amid "growing international political tensions," citing Russian President Vladimir Putin's ongoing invasion of Ukraine and US tariffs.

"The Russian aggressor, Putin, shows no willingness to end the war and to let the guns go silent. At the same time, economic uncertainties are growing enormously. Just this week, US government decisions have caused new turbulence," Merz said.

Merz will be the new German chancellor in a coalition with the Social Democrats, led by Lars Klingbeil, who is expected to be Finance Minister.

Support For Ukraine

As the new government was announced, its 144-page policy plan was published, pledging strong support for Ukraine.

"We will provide comprehensive support to Ukraine so that it can effectively defend itself against the Russian aggressor and assert itself in negotiations," it says.

Germany's outgoing government, which is led by the Social Democrats under Chancellor Olaf Scholz, has been a key supplier of military and economic aid to Ukraine since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022.

Merz, as opposition leader, has often called on it to be faster and bolder in this. But it's not clear what this will mean in practice.

During a recent visit to Berlin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy voiced the hope that the new government would supply Taurus cruise missiles -- a longstanding request. Merz, at the time, was noncommittal.

The new government is expected to significantly boost Germany's defense budget, although it's not clear by exactly how much.

Even before taking office, Merz has pushed a constitutional reform through the German parliament that means strict limits on government debt no longer apply to defense spending.

"Our security is currently more endangered than at any time since the end of the Cold War. The greatest and most direct threat comes from Russia," says the new coalition's policy document. It adds that "Putin's pursuit of power threatens the rules-based international order."

Trump Tariffs

There's no mention of the US president in the document.

But when Merz was asked about US ties by a foreign journalist, he switched briefly to English to say, "The message to Donald Trump is: Germany is back on track, Germany will fulfil the obligations in terms of defense."

Asked about US tariffs, Merz said Europe should seek a joint response. His words came hours after EU countries agreed a range of countermeasures, including staggered tariffs on selected imports from the United States beginning on April 15.

Merz is a lifelong transatlantacist who also spent four years working for the US investment company BlackRock. After his election victory in February, amid a tense start in ties between Europe and the new US administration, he said Europe must secure "independence" from Washington in terms of defense.

Still, the coalition agreement says the relationship with Washington is of "paramount importance."

"In trade policy, we seek close cooperation with all of North America. The trans-Atlantic economic area offers the best conditions for success in global competition," it states.

Iran's Nuclear Program

The document also reaffirms Germany's commitment to working with Washington and other Western partners to end Iran's nuclear program.

"We support international sanctions against the Iranian regime and will push for the Revolutionary Guards to be put on the EU list of terror organizations," it says.

The new government's domestic priorities include promises to boost growth via economic reforms and to crackdown on illegal immigration.

The new coalition needs to be approved by Social Democrat party members and the senior leadership of the Christian Democrats, before a confidence vote in parliament.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/germany-merz-trump-russia- ukraine-tariffs/33378635.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.

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China alerts outbound tourists to U.S. travel risks

Xinhua) 13:12, April 10, 2025

BEIJING, April 9 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism on Wednesday night released a notice urging Chinese tourists to fully assess the risks of traveling to the United States, and to exercise caution when traveling to the country.

The alert was issued in light of the recent deterioration of China-U.S. economic and trade relations, as well as the domestic security situation in the United States, the ministry said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Transcript of Weekly Media Briefing by the Official Spokesperson (April 09, 2025)

India - Ministry of External Affairs

April 09, 2025

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Good afternoon, friends. Let's start our conversation. So the floor is open. We start from here.

Vineeta Pandey, Asian Age Deccan Chronicle: Jaiswal ji, my name is Vineeta. I work for the Asian Age Deccan Chronicle. The question today is about Mr. Rana. Has he been handed over to Indian Agency? When is he likely to come? Can you just share the details about that?

Sakshi: Sir yehi ka hi followup aage Bharat mei kab aane ki sambhavana hain, aur kahan par unko filhal rakha jayega? Delhi mei ya isko lekar koi jankari?

[Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi] Sir, following up about the same, when is he expected to arrive in India, and where will he be kept for now? In Delhi? or is there any information regarding this?

Somya Jaiswal, Republic TV: Sir, this is Somya Jaiswal from Republic TV. Again a follow-up on Tahawwur Rana. Which airbase can we expect him to be landing on exactly? And what is expected post that?

Ayushi Agarwal, ANI: Sir, this is Ayushi Agarwal from ANI. My question is related to the recent conversation between our External Affairs Minister and his American counterpart. The US readout said that the reciprocal tariffs were discussed. So can you share some details on that? And also during the talks, was Rana's extradition discussed at all?

Keshav Padmanabhan, The Print: Sir, this is Keshav Padmanabhan from The Print. My question actually is regarding Bangladesh. Recently there was a circular which cancelled the trans-shipment agreement, which allowed the transport of Bangladeshi goods. So, I just wanted to have an understanding on whether this agreement was firstly discussed between PM Modi and Chief Adviser last week, and also sort of the understanding behind the cancellation of this, if you can share. Thank you.

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Okay. So let's deal with these questions first.

We have three questions on Mr. Rana. On that, you are all aware that the US Supreme Court rejected his plea, as far as the extradition of Mr. Rana is concerned. At this point in time, I don't have an update, but we will provide you an update at the appropriate time.

So, Ayushi, your question regarding what was discussed between External Affairs Minister and US Secretary of State. He discussed several issues. We also had put out the discussion points that included conversation on West Asia, regional development, some international development. They also discussed the importance of early conclusion of Bilateral Trade Agreement. So that was more or less what comprised the discussion between the two leaders.

Keshav, on Bangladesh, on the trans-shipment, this was a facility that was extended to Bangladesh in 2020. The trans-shipment facility extended to Bangladesh had over a period of time resulted in significant congestion at our Airports and Ports. Logistical delays and higher costs were hindering our own exports and creating backlogs. The facility, therefore, has been withdrawn with effect from 8th April 2025. And let me clarify here, I saw some reports. These measures do not impact Bangladesh's exports to Nepal and Bhutan transiting through Indian territory. So, that was, Keshav, for you.

Mohammad Ghazali, NDTV: Ghazali from NDTV. Just wanted to understand about the extradition request from Bangladesh for Sheikh Hasina. And the Press Secretary of the Chief Adviser, they are putting out a Facebook post. So, what is the response? What is the status? And also, India has been raising the issue of the persecution of minorities in Bangladesh, and that came up for discussion with the Prime Minister as well. So, are we satisfied with the response there? What is the status for all these 7-8 months since Sheikh Hasina was ousted from there?

Rishabh Madhavendra Pratap, Times Now: Good evening, Sir. Rishabh from Times Now. So, again on Bangladesh, I have a couple of questions. First, near the chicken neck at the 'Lalmonirhat', there is a Second World War era airstrip which is being redeveloped. The report suggests that with the help of Pakistani Air Force, J-17 aircrafts are to be operated from there. Is India aware of it and have we taken any step in this regard?

Again, when the Chief Adviser was in China, he spoke to the Chinese President about the Teesta water sharing, which is a bilateral agreement between India and Bangladesh. He wanted China to intervene. So, have we raked this up with Dhaka?

And third, after the meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Press Secretary of Chief Adviser came up with a long post on Facebook where he spoke about things like Prime Minister telling him that India is aware of the "mistreatment", of Muhammad Yunus by the former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Also, he says that on the issue of extradition, the response was not negative from India. So, if we can have more details on that.

Ileana, TASS News Agency: Good afternoon. Ileana from TASS News Agency. Recently, Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia said that visit by Shri Narendra Modi to Moscow for Victory Day is being worked out. Can you confirm this information? And also, will Indian Military contingent participate in the parade on Red Square on Victory Day? And will Shri Rajnath Singh come to Moscow for Victory Day? Thank you very much.

Shivam Patel, Reuters News: Thank you, sir. This is Shivam Patel from Reuters News. A query on trade talks. So, we are discussing trade deal with the EU, and also in talks with US. We expect both, or we anticipate both to be completed this year. Is there a certain timeline, whether one ... sort of the talks with EU are expected to conclude earlier than the US?

Secondly, China has also asked India to stand with it in the response to US tariffs. How does India view China's comments on that?

Huma Siddiqui, StratNews Global: Sir, I am Huma Siddiqui from StratNews Global. I have two questions. One is Prime Minister met with the Nepalese PM during the BIMSTEC. Did they discuss how Nepal is including certain parts of Uttarakhand in its 8th standard school books?

And my second question is Nithyananda, that "fake guru"; he has created a scandal in Bolivia by trying to buy land from indigenous people. So, if you have anything on that.

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Okay. So, Ghazali, coming first to your question. See, on the question of extradition, I have stated our position on this issue earlier, and I have no further comment to offer to you.

On your question of the minorities, this particular issue came up for discussion. We have conveyed our concerns regarding treatment of minorities, the kind of violence that has happened against them. And we have also highlighted ... and we have been doing this in several of our conversations, including when we had the meeting in Bangkok, that these violence and atrocities against the minorities cannot be just wished away, or said that they are because of political reasons, or they are media accusations. So, we think, we hope that the Bangladesh government will take strong action against those who are responsible for these atrocities.

Rishabh, you have several questions. One, of course, regarding the chicken's neck. We closely follow, as you know, all developments which have an impact on our security and we take action as appropriate.

On Teesta, there are 54 rivers which are shared between India and Bangladesh. Now, to discuss all relevant issues, water issues, we have a mechanism, a bilateral mechanism, which is called Joint Rivers Commission. We are ready to discuss all issues, provided that they are mutually agreed upon and provided that the overall environment is conducive for the same.

You also had a question regarding Teesta matters. Issues, again, concerning all 54 rivers between India and Bangladesh, including Teesta, are a bilateral matter between the two countries. Established institutional mechanisms, including, as I said, the Joint Rivers Commission, supported by technical level discussions, deal with all relevant water-related issues, and are bilateral in nature.

On the extradition, I gave you what our position is.

Ileana, regarding ... our Prime Minister has received invitation for participation in the Victory Day celebrations. We will be announcing our participation in Victory Day celebration at the appropriate time. As far as participation of Indian contingent is concerned, that again we will let you know as and when we have an update, and something to report to you.

Shivam, on trade talks, on 3rd, we had a detailed press release issued by the Ministry of Commerce, where India's position was made clear. We are studying the implications of the tariffs that have been announced... reciprocal tariffs ... and discussions, as you know, are ongoing between India and US trade teams for an expeditious conclusion of a mutually beneficial multi-sectoral Bilateral Trade Agreement. India values its comprehensive global strategic partnership with the U.S., and is committed to working closely with it. So we hope, you know, the Joint Statement when the Prime Minister went to Washington, D.C., ... the Joint Statement adopted then said that we would like to conclude this particular Agreement by fall of this year. So we are hopeful. Both teams are in discussion and hopefully we can close it.

On the other EU FTA, yes, there was a very high commitment on both sides that was made amply clear when the EU president was here. We also hope that these negotiations will also move fast and will be concluded in a manner that is mutually beneficial ... is balanced and mutually beneficial to both sides.

Huma, on, see, these border issues, etc., we have a bilateral mechanism with Nepal to discuss these issues. Now when you take some unilateral action, that doesn't mean that the situation on ground will change or the reality will change. So that is how we look at these border issues that you pointed out.

As far as the issue of "fake guru" is concerned, he is a private person. He speaks for himself. I don't have an update. I will have to get back to you as to if there are other issues which are involved. So far nothing has come to us.

Suhasini Haidar, The Hindu: This is Suhasini Haidar from The Hindu. I had two questions about the trade deal that you just referred to. The first is really how India ... you said that India is hoping to negotiate this Bilateral Trade Agreement. And is therefore not at present, I will just leave that there ... is negotiating this bilateral trade agreement. But given that there are countries that have Free Trade Agreements with the U.S. that have still been slapped by high tariffs, does India expect that these tariffs are going to be withdrawn? Is India asking for the tariffs that have been put on Indian exports to the U.S. that are already costing billions of dollars? Is that something India is asking for them to be withdrawn? And my second question is, and I can read it out to you if you want, but certainly very objectionable comments coming from U.S. President Donald Trump speaking in very pejorative language about countries that were negotiating bilateral trade deals with the U.S. or who wanted to ingratiate themselves with the U.S. President. I wondered if you had a response to that kind of statement. Thank you.

Yeshi Seli, Business India: This is Yeshi Seli from Business India. In the recently concluded BIMSTEC Summit that PM Modi met the Junta General of Myanmar, did he talk about the progress in the Kaladan Multimodal Transit Project, and did he also talk or express any concern on the safety of the Sittwe Port? And secondly, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is in London at present. There was a UK investors round table that she addressed yesterday, and she said that with the new government they are expecting the FTA to come out sooner than later. Any comments on that?

Rajesh Roy, The Associated Press: Hi Sir, I am Rajesh Roy from the Associated Press. I wanted to check for any updates or details or confirmations on U.S. Vice-President JD Vance's likely visit to India this month. Is it likely to be an Official, Private or a mix of both? Thank you.

Rezaul H Laskar, The Hindustan Times: Reza from the Hindustan Times. I just wanted to check about the Bangladesh Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus's remarks in China. Virtually leveraging India's landlocked North Eastern states to get Chinese investments. He, in fact, talked about extending China's influence to that region. How do we look at that given that the PM has said that the Northeast is central to the BIMSTEC. Thank you.

Krishna Pokharel, Wall Street Journal: Sir, this is Krishna Pokharel from the Wall Street Journal. Has India formally requested the US to pause the reciprocal tariff that is becoming effective from today?

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Okay, let's look at these questions first. On the trade deal, what I have to share is what we have put out in our press release that discussions are going on between both teams and we are looking at expeditiously concluding this Bilateral Trade Agreement that will address all the issues that are outstanding in India-U.S. trade relations right now.

The other question regarding President Trump's remarks, etc. We are engaged bilaterally for having concluding a Bilateral Trade Agreement and we look forward to that. And as I told you that we have a comprehensive strategic partnership with the United States and we are committed to further strengthening it.

Yeshi, your question regarding the meeting with the Senior General of Myanmar. This happened on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok. Post the meeting we had given a readout as to what transpired in the meeting. The leaders exchanged notes on India's relief assistance provided to Myanmar as part of Operation Brahma. The Senior General expressed his gratitude for the assistance being rendered by India. We also made ourselves clear on the importance of early restoration of democratic process through inclusive and credible elections in Myanmar. And we also put forth our views on advancing a Myanmar-owned and Myanmar-led transition towards a peaceful, stable, and democratic future.

Now having said that, development cooperation issues were discussed. We talked about the ongoing development projects in Myanmar, and also our readiness to do more on that account to help people there, and to foster our relations with the country.

On FTA, as I told you last time that the FTA talks with UK are in the process of being relaunched and both sides remain committed to taking it forward. If my memory serves me right, I think seven rounds have happened. This will be the eighth round and both sides are keen to conclude this, or take these negotiations forward so that we can have an early conclusion of the FTA talks.

But I would also refer ... if you have to take these questions to Ministry of Commerce which is actually leading these negotiations. So they will be in a better position to give you granular details that you are looking for.

Rajesh, on your question regarding the visit of the Vice President of the United States, as it happens with all visits on our side, we announce these visits at the appropriate time.

Reza, on Bangladesh, we had a meeting between our leaders in Bangkok. Post that meeting, we gave you a readout, a press release was issued where we made our points clear as to what is the approach of India. We want to have a positive and constructive relationship with Bangladesh. And we also therein listed out the issues that were discussed, and where we think that we must take things forward.

Krishna, your question was regarding ... [inaudible] ... coming back to what I said on the discussions, ongoing discussions on Bilateral Trade Agreement. We are having a discussion on Bilateral Trade Agreement. This is all-encompassing. We are discussing all trade issues that are required to be discussed.

Abhishek: Hi Sir, Abhishek this side. My question is President Trump had just tweeted, maybe he has put it on Truth that he is asking all the U.S. companies to come back to the USA with all the facilities and assurances and zero-tariff. And he had typically mentioned Apple to move back to U.S.. Apple has manufacturing bases in India also. So I mean, if so many US companies are given assurances to go back to USA, does that concern you?

And also, my second question is regarding one Indian citizen Amit Gupta who has been employee of a tech company in Qatar, has been detained for almost three months now. Could you please share what are the charges, and has he been able to access the consular relief from his side?

Sridhar Kumaraswami, Asian Age and Deccan Chronicle: Sir, Sridhar here from the Asian Age and Deccan Chronicle. I have two questions. First is this withdrawal of trans-shipment facilities to Bangladesh. Should it be seen as a fallout of what Mr. Yunus said in China regarding the landlocked status of our seven northeastern states? I mean one would have imagined that after the meeting between the two leaders, the ties would actually improve. But this seems to be going in the opposite direction.

And the second question I have is regarding Tahawwur Rana. In the past, India has given a commitment not to sentence convicts to death ... those who have been extradited, like Abu Salem, we gave an undertaking to Portugal. Is there something similar in this case or is there absolutely no legal restriction on how we deal with this man? Thank you.

Rishabh: Thank you for the second chance sir. I just wanted to have an update on Op Brahma. How much have we sent as assistance? How many soldiers are there from Indian Army or Indian military services? And what else are we trying to do in Myanmar to assist them in this hour of need, where we have lost more than 4,000 people in earthquake?

Sudhi Ranjan Sen, Bloomberg: Thank you sir. Sudhi Ranjan from Bloomberg. Sir, associated question on Tahawwur Rana. Sir India has also sought the extradition of David Coleman Headley, who was supposed to be a double agent for DEA. Has India given up that request, because nothing has been heard on it? Can you give us an update as to what is happening in that?

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Okay, first coming to Abhishek's question. Now as I told you. India and United States are very strong partners when it comes to trade relations, economic relations, investment relations, commercial relations and we hope that these relations will continue to foster and deepen. As far as trade issues are concerned, as I told you, we are in negotiation on a Bilateral Trade Agreement, and hopefully we will be able to address these issues and conclude expeditiously this particular agreement.

On the question of Amit Gupta, he has been detained in Qatar. We did request for consular assistance and our Embassy Officials met him on 28th March to inquire about his well-being. We are in touch with his family members. We are also in touch with his lawyers. He has been detained in a particular case and investigation in that particular case is currently ongoing. We also understand that there are some other Indian nationals who have also been detained in the same case or related case, and we are also in touch with them as also their family members, and they get regularly to call their families here, and they are fine. But more than that I would not be able to tell you at this point in time, because the investigations are on. But to let you know that our embassy is in regular touch with them, and is providing all possible assistance to those detained ... the Indians who have been detained including Mr. Amit Gupta.

Sridhar, on withdrawal, I told you exactly what is the reason why it has been withdrawn. The withdrawal has happened because it has led to lot of backlogs on our side. There are lot of delays, so because of those reasons as I told you, this particular facility has been withdrawn. It was given in the first place in 2020.

The other question you had about Tahawwur Rana. On Tahawwur Rana I have said what I had to say that insofar as extradition is concerned, we will provide you an update at the appropriate time. So that is where it is. You would have been following this particular issue and Supreme Court recently rejected his plea. That has paved the way for his extradition to India.

Rishabh, on Operation Brahma, as you are aware and all our friends are aware, we also had a Special Briefing on Operation Brahma. We had a devastating earthquake in Myanmar on 28th. On 29th, the first consignment as part of Operation Brahma left for Myanmar, for Yangon or Nay Pyi Daw. I do not recollect which one of the cities. But so far we have been able to extend around 650 metric tons of humanitarian assistance. These have been sent through seven Indian Air Force aircrafts and five Indian Navy ships.

We also sent, as you know, an 80-member NDRF team to undertake search and rescue operation. They have conducted their mission and finally they have returned home. In addition, the Indian Army has set up a field hospital in Mandalay.

They have 118 members, as in the doctors and paramedics who are supporting. So far they have treated more than 1,300 patients. And each day they receive around 250 patients who come for treatment to the hospital.

We also had the visit of the Senior General who came to the hospital to inquire the well-being of the patients there. And when the Prime Minister and Senior General met in Myanmar, the Senior General expressed his gratitude to India for the assistance that was rendered. We are also in touch with the Myanmar authorities as to what more is required. And we stand ready to support Myanmar with whatever assistance that will be requested from their side.

Sudhi, on Tahawwur Rana, I have said what I had to say. On David Coleman-Headley, I don't have an update. But as you know, it is an issue that has been ongoing. It is part of ongoing discussion. But as to where exactly it is, the extradition request, I will have to get back to you on that.

Manish Jha, Tv9 Bharatbarsh: Sir, Manish Jha hoon Tv9 Bharatbarsh se. Ek chota sa clarification chahiye. Jab aap Pradhan Mantri Modi ke Russia ki sambhavit yatra ko lekar jo aapne kahan, us se kya hum ye mane ki aapne unke daure ko kharij nahi kiya hain, appropriate time par aap announce karenge?

[Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi] Sir, I am Manish Jha from TV9 Bharatvarsh. I just need a small clarification  regarding what you said about Prime Minister Modi's possible visit to Russia, should we understand that you have not ruled out his visit, and that you will announce it at an appropriate time?

Manash Pratim Bhuyan, PTI: This is Manas from PTI. I am just pressing again on the trade issue a little more. Are we in touch with the U.S. to suspend the immediate impact of the reciprocal tariff? Because exporters are very concerned, and our exports are going down now. To provide some relief to the exporters, are we in touch with the U.S. to minimize the impact?

Second question is, in the wake of the global trade war, are we also receiving more requests from various countries to have trade deals or FTAs? Are we also looking at forcing many other FTAs apart from whatever negotiations we are having with the U.K. and U.S.?

Kallol Bhattacherjee, The Hindu: Kallol from the Hindu. My question is regarding the transshipment facility being suspended for Bangladesh. The point is, worldwide Indian trade and commerce activities are facing pressure, especially from the leading player, the United States. So in this set of circumstances, is it not common sensical for India to actually intensify regional trade with partners ... like overland trade partners, like Bangladesh and Nepal, and instead of building these new barriers like blocking the transshipment facilities for Bangladesh trucks?

Samira Hussain, BBC: Samira from the BBC. I want to also ask about trade. After the visit in Washington a couple of months ago, the Indian delegation walked away feeling pretty good about how those talks went, that perhaps they may be able to stave off some of these tariffs. That obviously didn't work out. But, India is still relying on this kind of soft negotiation with this Administration. At some point, is India going to try and get tougher, given that this Administration is not looking like it's going to honour any kind of other Free Trade Agreements that are already in existence?

Kadambini Sharma, Independent Journalist: Kadambini Sharma, Independent Journalist. Sir, jahan par Russia mei victory day parade mein naute ki baat ho rahi hain, aur PM ya phir raksha mantrike jane ki reports aa rahi hain, chahe abhi nahi hain. Toh iske pahle jo bhi bhartiya wahan par wahan ki sena mei fase hue the Ukraine war ko lekar, kya sabhi ki jo wapas aana chahte hain, kya unki wapsi ho rahi hain?

Aur dursa sawal ye hain ki baki jo free trade agreements ki baat chal rahi hain ... chahe woh UK se ho ya phir EU se ho, toh kya usmei ab jyada tezi lane ke koi charcha hain?

[Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi] Sir, at a time when there is talk of an invitation for the Victory Day parade in Russia, and there are reports about either the Prime Minister or the Defence Minister possibly attending  even though it is not confirmed yet; I wanted to ask whether all those Indians who were stuck there in the Russian army due to the Ukraine war and wish to return, are their returns being facilitated?

And my second question is regarding the ongoing discussions on Free Trade Agreements, whether with the UK or the EU. Is there any discussion on accelerating those talks further?

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Okay. Manish, pehle aapka jo sawal. Dekhiye bhartiya pradhan mantri ko Russia ki taraf se nauta aaya hain unke yahan jo vishesh karyakram hain 9 May ko us mei bhag lene ka. Jaisa maine ki kaha ki, kis prakar ka hamara wahan par participation hoga uske baare mei aapko hum avgat karaenge. Toh isse jyada mere pass mei abhi kehne ke liye kuch nahi hain.

[Approximate Translation: Answer in Hindi] Manish, regarding your first question  look, the Indian Prime Minister has received an invitation from Russia to participate in their special event on May 9. As I mentioned, we will inform you in appropriate time about the nature of our participation there. So, beyond this, I don't have anything further to say at the moment.

Manash, now your questions are very technical in nature. You know, I told you that discussions are going on. What you are asking is something that pertains to the domain of the negotiators, etc. Now, as far as exporters, yes, we are in talk with exporters and other stakeholders just to understand what sort of implication these tariffs are going to have, and what is the best way forward for it ... just to understand the kind of implications. Those conversations are happening.

Now, Kallol, your questions. You also, Manash, asked about FTAs. We are in Bilateral Trade Agreement ... right now, negotiations are going on with the United States. We also have in principle approval to relaunch the negotiations with UK and hopefully the next round of negotiations will happen soon. Similarly, there is a very high commitment on the side of ... even though it has taken several years... on both India and the EU to conclude an FTA agreement by the end of this year. So, it looks good. We are positive about these Free Trade Agreements.

Kallol, on trans-shipment. So, one thing ... let me, I would again repeat. This particular transshipment facility that has withdrawn, it has no impact on Nepal and Bhutan trade as far as Bangladesh exports are concerned. Just to answer your question on regional trade. There is a particular reason why it has been brought in because we are facing congestion on our side, and we have to create more space for our own exports.

Samira, again, trade talks, I have nothing more to add than what I just said that we are in discussion. Hopefully, once these discussions fructify, etc., at some point in time we will have more issues to inform you ... update you on.

Russia ke invitation ke bare mei maine bataya aapko Kadambini. Aur jahan tak sawal hain ki wahan par kitne log ... jo log wahan par Russia ki sena mei fase hue the usmei se kitne log wapas aaye hain. Iske baare mei kuch samay maine pahle jo bataya tha, uske baad mere pass koi aur update nahi hain usko aur jodne ke liye. Lekin kya sthithi hain ... kuch hi log rahe gaye the wahan par jinko nikalna tha aur prakriya chal rahi thi. Toh shayad woh bhi wapis aa gaye honge, mere pass iska pukta gyan nahi hain. Lekin mei aapko avgat karaunga.

[Approximate Translation: Answer in Hindi] Kadambini, I have already told you about Russia's invitation. And as far as your question regarding how many people  those who were stuck there in the Russian army  have returned, I had shared details about this some time ago. Since then, I don't have any further updates to add. But as per the situation, there were only a few people left there who had to be evacuated, and the process was underway  so perhaps they might have returned as well. I don't have confirmed information about this right now, but I will keep you informed.

Jackie: Sorry, I just wanted to go back to Bangladesh. We filmed some of the rescuing that your teams did there. You said that two weeks later you are still getting people into the field hospitals. Can I check what kind of injuries you are getting at the field hospitals? Sorry, not Bangladesh, Myanmar. Wrong country. What kind of injuries are you getting at the field hospitals where you are still working?

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: So, a lot of people, including children, they come with all sorts of injuries, cuts. Several of them have also been operated on. All sorts of injuries. So a range of injuries. And some 250 people come there on a daily basis. So far, as I said, 1,300 people. Possibly, if tomorrow you ask me, by the end of this evening, 1,500 or 1,600 people would have visited. It is being appreciated. An earthquake of this magnitude happens, you can imagine the kind of impact it has on people's well-being and the kind of injuries it brings in its wake. So, we are dealing with that, and our assistance is being very well appreciated by the people.

Shivam Patel, Reuters News: My question is on China.

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: See, as far as India-China issues are concerned, we have recently had the meeting of WMCC in Beijing. We also had foreign ministry level consultation at the Joint Secretary level. And post that, we put out a Press Release, giving you a sense of how the discussions are going. We have talked about people-to-people ties. We have talked about resumption of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. We have talked about direct flights. We have also talked about celebration of 75 years of diplomatic relations. And we have also discussed those issues. So, that is where it is. I would refer you to please have a look at our press release.

Thank you very much, ladies and gentlemen.

New Delhi

April 09, 2025

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U.S. issues new sanctions on Iran ahead of talks in Oman

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Apr 9, 2025

The United States Department of the Treasury issued new sanctions against Iran just two days after President Donald Trump announced plans for discussions with Tehran regarding its nuclear program.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Treasury identified five Iranian entities and one individual as targets for their alleged support of Iran's nuclear program. Among the designated groups were the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran and its subsidiary, the Iran Centrifuge Technology Company.

The sanctions also included Majid Mosallat, head of Atbin Ista Technical and Engineering Company, who the Treasury accused of aiding the procurement of foreign components for Iran's nuclear activities.

The new sanctions come as delegations from Iran and the United States are expected to hold their first round of talks in Oman.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Tuesday that a deal could be reached if the U.S. approaches the negotiations with goodwill.

While Trump has proposed diplomacy to "make a new deal" to replace the one he abandoned during his first term, he has simultaneously reinstated his "maximum pressure" campaign on Iran and threatened to bomb the country if no deal is reached.

Tehran has condemned the sanctions and the threats of military action, describing them as contradictory to Trump's offer of negotiations.

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Army completing advanced border fence to secure eastern borders: Commander

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Apr 9, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- The commander of the Army's Ground Force has announced progress in an advanced border fence in eastern Iran, saying that 70 kilometers of the project have been completed so far.

Speaking at a ceremony on Wednesday, Brigadier General Kioumars Heidari said the project would ensure sustainable security along Iran's eastern borders.

He said the Army's Ground Force is fully prepared to repel any threats using modern equipment and technology.

The commander also pointed to drone bases built in strategic border areas, adding that the Army has made progress in the design and production of operational drones.

He further said that new cutting-edge equipment would be unveiled on Army Day (April 18) in keeping with ongoing efforts to enhance its defense capabilities.

Brigadier General Heidari said these programs are important to improving border security and addressing any security threat.

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After humiliation at the White house, Netanyahu seems to dismiss U.S. negotiations with Iran

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Apr 9, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seems to reject the United States' choice to pursue negotiations with Iran, following a humiliating episode at the White House where his preferred option of military strikes on Iranian sites was snubbed.

"We agree that Iran will not have nuclear weapons," the Israeli prime minister said in a video statement on Tuesday, referring to Israel and the United States. "This can be done in an agreement, but only if... they go in, blow up (Iran's) facilities, dismantle all the equipment, under American supervision," he said, apparently suggesting that a potential agreement must envision the "blowing up" of Iranian facilities.

He added that if the talks drag on, "then the military option becomes inevitable."

Iran has scheduled indirect negotiations with the U.S. in Oman on Saturday. It has also warned that, while it is ready to resolve the dispute over its nuclear program through negotiations, any strikes against its nuclear facilities will be met with a devastating response.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has said a deal is possible if the United States shows goodwill.

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President Pezeshkian says Iran does not seek war and will not yield on nuclear gains

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Apr 9, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- President Masoud Pezeshkian has reaffirmed Iran's commitment to peaceful nuclear technology, emphasizing the country is neither seeking war nor will it compromise on its nuclear achievements.

Speaking at a ceremony marking National Nuclear Technology Day on Wednesday, Pezeshkian said Iran stands strong in the face of threats. "The more they threaten, the firmer we stand," he said.

"We are not seeking war, but we will stand strong against any aggression with the knowledge and power that our loved ones have created," he said.

Tensions have skyrocketed between Tehran and Washington in recent weeks, especially after President Donald Trump warned that there would be "bombing" against Iran if it refused to negotiate with the United States. On Monday, the U.S. president threatened once again that if the talks were unsuccessful, "Iran is going to be in great danger."

On March 7, Trump announced that he had sent a letter to Iran calling for negotiations. Tehran responded to the letter later that month, rejecting direct talks with Washington over its contradictory and hostile approach but remains open to indirect negotiations on its civilian nuclear program.

Rejecting Western accusations that Iran seeks nuclear weapons, President Pezeshkian said, "Who can set policy higher than the Leader of the Revolution [Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei], who has clearly declared we are not after atomic bombs?"

He further clarified the Leader's position on negotiations with the United States, saying Ayatollah Khamenei only opposes direct talks, given the animosity shown by U.S. state officials toward the Islamic Republic.

Earlier in the day, the president oversaw the unveiling of new nuclear achievements of the country's scientists.

"These are strategic and technological achievements in the fields of nuclear fuel cycle, health, healthcare, and industry that play an important role in the health of society and people's lives," Mohammad Eslami, the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, said at the unveiling ceremony.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei also commemorated the day, saying in an X post that safeguarding the achievements of the Iranian nation in the field of nuclear knowledge and its diverse peaceful applications is a national responsibility.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as in the past, will use all its capabilities to protect the rights of the Iranian nation in the nuclear field," he added.

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U.S. State Department confirms Witkoff will be in Oman on Saturday

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Apr 9, 2025

New York, IRNA -- U.S. Department of State spokesperson Tammy Bruce has said President Donald Trump's Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff will be in Oman for talks with Iran on Saturday.

"This is a meeting that's happening, right? On Saturday, there's a meeting. There's no negotiations," Bruce told reporters on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt repeated Washington's threats and claimed President Trump had reimposed crippling sanctions on Iran.

Trump made it very clear to Iran they have a choice to make, she added.

Earlier on Tuesday, Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi confirmed top Iranian and American officials will hold indirect negotiations in Oman on Saturday.

The announcement came after Trump said that the two sides were poised to begin direct talks on Tehran's nuclear program.

"We're having direct talks with Iran, and they've started. It'll go on Saturday. We have a very big meeting, and we'll see what can happen," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Monday, during a meeting with visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

He also threatened once again that if the talks were unsuccessful, "Iran is going to be in great danger."

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White House repeats claim that talks with Iran will be 'direct'; Tehran says otherwise

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Apr 9, 2025

New York, IRNA -- The White House has claimed that the upcoming Iran-U.S. talks in Oman will be "direct," after Tehran announced that the two sides will hold high-level "indirect" negotiations on Saturday.

"First of all, when it comes to Saturday, I won't get ahead of the president. He has said there will be direct talks with Iran on Saturday," White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Tuesday.

She was echoing U.S. President Donald Trump's claim that the two sides would begin "direct" talks in Oman.

"We're having direct talks with Iran, and they've started. It'll go on Saturday. We have a very big meeting, and we'll see what can happen," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Monday, during a meeting with visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

However, Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has said several times that the format of the negotiations would be "indirect".

On Tuesday evening, Araqchi said Washington has agreed to hold indirect negotiations.

"As long as 'maximum pressure' and threats exist, there is no ground for fair negotiations, and we will not hold direct negotiations," he said.

On March 7, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he had sent a letter to Iran calling for nuclear negotiations. Tehran responded to the letter later that month, saying it rejects direct talks with Washington over its contradictory and hostile approach but remains open to indirect negotiations.

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America has accepted indirect nuclear talks: Araqchi

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Apr 9, 2025

Algiers, IRNA -- Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has rejected the idea of holding direct negotiations with the United States as long as the "maximum pressure" campaign against Iran is in place, saying Washington has agreed to hold indirect negotiations.

Speaking at a meeting with Algerian elites and media figures in Algiers on Tuesday, Araqchi said bilateral talks should be conducted on equal footing, not under maximum pressure and military threats.

"As long as maximum pressure and threats exist, there is no ground for fair negotiations, and we will not hold direct negotiations," he said.

However, he hastened to add, the path to diplomacy is not closed, and "we have announced that we can negotiate indirectly with the United States."

Early on Tuesday, Araqchi announced via X that high-level "indirect" negotiations are slated to be held in Oman on Saturday between Tehran and Washington.

On March 7, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he had sent a letter to Iran calling for nuclear negotiations. Tehran responded to the letter later that month, saying it rejects direct talks with Washington over its contradictory and hostile approach but remains open to indirect negotiations.

Tensions have skyrocketed between the two countries in recent weeks, especially after Trump warned that there would be "bombing" against Iran if it refused to negotiate with the United States. On Monday, the U.S. president threatened once again that if the talks were unsuccessful, "Iran is going to be in great danger."

In his Tuesday meeting, Araqchi asserted that the Islamic Republic of Iran does not want war, but if necessary, "it knows how to defend itself well."

"At least the Americans know very well how far the Islamic Republic of Iran's defense power can reach," he said.

He also made clear that Iran does not seek nuclear weapons and any claims otherwise are "baseless."

"We are confident that our nuclear program is peaceful and we are ready to assuage any concerns in this regard through diplomacy," the foreign minister added.

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Iran and the European Union discuss the nuclear issue and the lifting of sanctions

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Apr 9, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Majid Takht-e-Ravanchi and Olof Skoog, European Union deputy foreign policy chief, have discussed nuclear issue, lifting sanctions against Iran, and the prospect of negotiations.

Takht-e-Ravanchi and Skoog decided to continue talks in different levels. Skoog has recently succeeded Enrique Mora.

Meanwhile, the fifth round of the Iran-Austria political consultations committee meeting was held in Vienna.

Takht-e-Ravanchi who was also invited to this meeting met Nikolaus Marschik, the secretary-general and deputy foreign minister of Austria.

The two sides discussed bilateral relations in political, economic, cultural, research, and consular fields, as well as the latest regional and international developments.

They also stressed their determination to develop all-out ties based on mutual respect and common interests.

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Iran's deputy foreign minister calls meeting with China and Russia constructive

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Apr 9, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi describes a trilateral meeting between Iran, China, and Russia as productive and constructive.

The meeting, which followed agreements reached by deputy foreign ministers in Beijing, convened officials from the three countries to discuss key issues, including Iran's nuclear program, sanctions relief, and United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231.

Gharibabadi emphasized Iran's ongoing engagement with all relevant parties and reaffirmed its commitment to diplomacy.

Meanwhile, Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia's representative to international organizations in Vienna, said on X, formerly Twitter, "China, Iran and Russia had a productive expert-level meeting in Moscow on issues related to the Iranian nuclear program, including prospects and challenges in this sphere."

Trilateral coordination seems to be very useful and valuable, he said.

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US imposes new sanctions on Iran ahead of Oman talks

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 09 April 2025 4:19 PM

Washington has imposed fresh sanctions on Iran over its peaceful nuclear energy program, the latest blatant move in the so-called maximum pressure campaign recently reinstated by the Donald Trump administration.

The bans, announced by the US Treasury Department on Wednesday, target five entities and one person based in Iran for what the department described as their support for Iran's nuclear program.

The Treasury said the designated groups include the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) and its subordinate, the Iran Centrifuge Technology Company.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent claimed in a statement that Iran's "reckless pursuit of nuclear weapons remains a grave threat to the United States and a menace to regional stability and global security."

The claim that Iran pursues nuclear weapons has been refuted in countless inspections of Iran's nuclear facilities by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

US intelligence agencies have also repeatedly confirmed that Iran does not seek nuclear weapons, the latest being a report by the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard published in March.

The fresh measure comes only two days after President Donald Trump announced that the US would hold talks with Tehran over its nuclear program on April 12.

Iran has repeatedly rejected any compromise while under pressure and said that the upcoming talks are meant to test the US resolve in settling the dispute over its nuclear program.

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Pezeshkian: Iran will never compromise on nuclear achievements

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 09 April 2025 11:39 AM

President Masoud Pezeshkian says Iran will neither back down from nor compromise on its nuclear achievements, rejecting military threats by the United States.

Pezeshkian made the remarks during the commemoration ceremony of National Nuclear Technology Day and the unveiling of the latest achievements in this industry, stressing that the more US threatens, the stronger Iran will stand.

"We seek peace and security, and we are open to dialogue, but based on dignity and pride. We will not back down from our achievements, nor will we compromise on them, and we will never allow anyone to prevent us from thinking or to prevent us from being innovative and creative," he said.

Pezeshkian also reiterated that Tehran does not seek nuclear bombs.

The West says "Iran wants to produce nuclear bombs. Who is more authoritative than Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, who has officially and publicly declared that we are not seeking to build nuclear bombs? You've verified it a hundred times, and you can verify it a thousand times more, but know this: we need nuclear science and nuclear energy in all fields," he stressed.

The president said Iran does not seek war but remains strong against any possible aggression.

"We are not seeking war, but with the knowledge and power that our dear ones have created we will stand strong in the face of any aggression. The more they strike us, the stronger we will become; the more they threaten us, the firmer we will stand. We are not aggressors, and we are not going to attack anyone," Pezeshkian stressed.

He also cited Ayatollah Khamenei's remarks that Iran is ready for negotiations but not directly, as the country does not "trust them", asking, "How can they sanction all our resources and communications on one side and then ask us to engage in dialogue?"

Elsewhere in his remarks, he touched on the landmark nuclear deal reached in 2015 between Iran and world powers, known as the JCPOA, from which the US unilaterally withdrew in 2018 and re-imposed the sanctions on Iran while Tehran was fully fulfilling its commitments under the deal.

"We lived up to our commitments under the JCPOA, but they were the ones who withdrew from it. We didn't want to leave. They threatened us every day. When they threaten us, we will inevitably respond," Pezeshkian noted.

"I am confident that we will be able to continue our path with strength, and with the dialogues that will take place, we will also solve these problems," he stressed.

High-ranking delegations from Iran and the US are scheduled to meet in the Omani capital of Muscat on Saturday to commence indirect negotiations on Iran's nuclear program and removal of anti-Iran sanctions.

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Iran marks Nuclear Technology Day by unveiling eight products

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 09 April 2025 11:25 AM

President Masoud Pezeshkian has visited an exhibition of nuclear achievements as Iran marked its National Nuclear Technology Day with the unveiling of eight products.

Iran's nuclear chief Mohammad Eslami, and a group of senior officials accompanied Pezeshkian during the visit to the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) in Tehran on Wednesday.

On display are Iran's achievements in fuel cycle, energy and electricity generation, production of heavy water and its derivatives, radiopharmaceuticals, plasma technology, application of radiation, and other relevant cutting-edge technologies.

It includes pavilions showcasing homegrown breakthroughs in the fields of airborne geophysics, exploration and operational projects of uranium mines, yellow cake production, uranium processing, production of pellets and fuel complexes, and the enrichment process.

One section is dedicated to introducing projects related to nuclear power plants, including the progress of the construction of Units 2 and 3 of the Bushehr nuclear power plant, a report on the electricity generation rate of Unit 1 of Bushehr, which is Iran's first nuclear power plant, a report on the construction of the Karoun nuclear power plant, the localization of the construction of power and research reactors, as well as the design and production of spare parts required for the Bushehr power plant.

Another section is devoted to the production of heavy water and deuterium compounds, the production of radiopharmaceuticals, nuclear measurement equipment, the development of plasma technology, the use of radiation in medicine and agriculture, blood irradiation, the production of industrial accelerators, and new technologies such as quantum and quantum technologies.

In recent years, Iranian scientists have made remarkable progress in the field of peaceful nuclear technology despite the sanctions imposed by the West.

It is the 18th year Iran is celebrating a national day to mark its achievements in the nuclear industry.

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Iran's foreign minister: Oman talks a 'test to gauge US seriousness'

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 09 April 2025 9:20 AM

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says Iran's talks in Oman on Saturday are an opportunity to test the seriousness of the United States which has a record of dealing in bad faith.

Addressing a group of intellectuals, scholars and media figures in Algiers where he was for an official visit on Tuesday, Araghchi stressed that the sole topic of the negotiations is the lifting of US sanctions on Tehran.

"The upcoming talks in Muscat are a new opportunity for diplomacy and a test to gauge the seriousness of the United States, which has a long history of non-commitment and unilateralism," he said.

"The nuclear issue, in the sense of providing clarity and assurance about the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of oppressive sanctions, is the only issue under discussion."

In an op-ed published in The Washington Post, Araghchi touched on the regular exchange of messages between Iran and the US, dismissing assumptions that they were symbolic.

"We view them as representing a genuine attempt to clarify positions and open a window toward diplomacy," he said, adding "Iran is ready to engage in earnest and with a view to seal a deal".

"We will meet in Oman on Saturday for indirect negotiations. It is as much an opportunity as it is a test. The model of engagement we propose is not novel," Araghchi said, dismissing US President Donald Trump's claim of direct talks.

"The United States itself is intermediating indirect talks between Russia and Ukraine  a much more intense and complex conflict entailing strategic, territorial, military, security and economic aspects," the minister wrote.

He said pursuing "indirect talks" is a strategic decision based on experience, not ideology, driven by deep mistrust and skepticismintensified by the US push to revive its so-called "maximum pressure" policy before engaging diplomatically.

Araghchi touched on the US military build-up in the region, warning that it could trigger a wider conflict while emphasizing Iran's readiness to defend itself.

"To move forward today, we first need to agree that there can be no 'military option,' let alone a 'military solution.' President Trump clearly recognizes this reality in urging a ceasefire as the first course of action to end the Ukraine conflict," he said.

Araghchi warned that expanding the US military presence in the region risks American lives and undermines diplomacy, adding that "Iran, backed by a proud and resilient nation, will never yield to pressure or coercion".

Araghchi reaffirmed Iran's compliance with the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the JCPOA, citing US intelligence assessments that Tehran is not pursuing nuclear weapons.

He stressed that Trump might not like the JCPOA, "but it contains one vital commitment: that 'Iran reaffirms that under no circumstances will Iran ever seek, develop or acquire any nuclear weapons.'"

Araghchi also criticized the US and EU for failing to implement their own commitments under the JCPOA, adding that any future agreement would require enforceable guarantees.

"There is a serious misconception that needs to be cleared up. Many in Washington portray Iran as a closed country from an economic point of view.

"The truth is that we are open to welcoming businesses from around the world. It is the US administrations and congressional impediments, not Iran, that have kept American enterprises away from the trillion-dollar opportunity that access to our economy represents," he said.

Pointing to a past agreement with Boeing as evidence of Iran's willingness to engage economically, Araghchi blamed US restrictions for the lack of business ties.

He said Tehran's offer for indirect negotiations, if coupled with genuine will on the part of the US, can move the way forward.

Diplomatic engagement has worked before, and Iran is ready to demonstrate its peaceful intent, while the US can prove its commitment to diplomacy by honoring any agreement, with mutual respect as the foundation, Araghchi said.

"The ball is now in America's court. If it seeks a genuine diplomatic resolution, we have already shown the way.

"If, instead, it seeks to impose its will through pressure, it must know this: The Iranian people respond decisively to the language of force and threat in a unified way. There is a chance for the United States to finally have a president of peace. Whether to seize that opportunity is a choice," he added.

In Algiers, Araghchi also underlined Iran's unwavering support for the Palestinian cause and resistance movements, condemned the Israeli occupation of Palestine and slammed recent aggression in the besieged Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank as genocide.

He also denounced Israel's attacks on Lebanon and Syria, as well as its involvement in the war on Yemen alongside the US, stressing that supporting resistance movements of the Palestinian and Lebanese people is a moral and legal duty for all nations.

Araghchi further emphasized that resistance is "the only viable way to confront Israeli expansionism and aggression."

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Iranian intelligence forces dismantle Takfiri terrorist network, seize cache of weapons in Kordestan

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 09 April 2025 6:53 AM

Iranian intelligence forces have dismantled a team of terrorists and seized a large cache of weapons and explosives in the country's western province of Kordestan.

According to a report published by Iran's Tasnim news agency, members of the terror outfit affiliated with the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group were identified and arrested before they could carry out any act of sabotage in the early days of the year in Kordestan thanks to the vigilance and alertness of provincial security intelligence forces.

The report said that the foreign-sponsored terrorists intended to carry out their operations during Nowruz celebrations marking the beginning of the Persian New Year in the western Iranian province.

The main goal of the extra-regional intelligence services and the terrorist groups under their command in the region is to destabilize the country and disrupt the unity between the religions and ethnicities of Iran, it added.

According to the report, a cache of weapons, munitions and communication equipment was also confiscated in this operation.

Over the past few years, Iran's security forces have dismantled many foreign-backed terror outfits along the western and eastern borders.

Back in October 2021, Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said its forces had wiped out a terrorist outfit in the country's northwestern city of Sardasht, which is close to the Iran-Iraq border.

Two terrorist outfits were disbanded a month earlier in separate operations conducted by the Intelligence Ministry and police forces in Iran's northwestern areas, during which two terrorists were killed, two others injured, and dozens arrested by the Iranian forces.

In July of the same year the country's security forces disbanded a Takfiri terrorist group that sought to carry out simultaneous terrorist attacks in several provinces in cooperation with intelligence services of two European and regional countries.

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Israel beats drums of war in run-up to Iran-US talks

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 09 April 2025 2:55 AM

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has revisited threats of deployment of military force against Iran's nuclear facilities, demanding physical destruction of the nuclear sites, a few days before the Islamic Republic and the United States are slated to engage in indirect talks.

The Israeli official made the call in a video address on Tuesday, alleging that the prospect of using military force was the only means of ensuring, what he called, Tehran's non-pursuance of "nuclear weapons."

He asserted that any agreement between the United States and Iran could only succeed if Iran's nuclear facilities were "blown up" and "dismantled" under American supervision.

"We agree that Iran will not have nuclear weapons," Netanyahu said, referring to his discussions with US President Donald Trump. However, he dismissed the prospect of a purely diplomatic path, saying things would only work if the United States took direct military action to eliminate Iran's nuclear capabilities.

"If we go in, blow up the [nuclear] facilities, dismantle all the equipment, under American supervision and American execution  that is good," he claimed.

"If that doesn't happen," he added, Iran could "drag out talks." "Then the option is military," Netanyahu alleged.

The Israeli premier also said he and Trump had discussed that scenario "at length."

The remarks flew directly in the face of the Islamic Republic's repeated assertions that it would neither pursue nor possess any such unconventional weapons as per clear moral and religious imperatives.

Netanyahu's comments followed a tense meeting at the White House, where he appeared publicly out of step with Trump on several major issues, including Iran, regional diplomacy, and trade.

During the meeting, he found out from Trump firsthand that Iran and the US were to engage in indirect talks.

Several major Israeli media outlets later said the Israeli delegation had "shock written all over their faces" after the announcement, saying Netanyahu had returned from the meeting "empty-handed" and "humiliated." One outlet even described the meeting as the "most failed" one to ever take place between an Israeli premier and a US president.

Nonetheless, Netanyahu tried to frame the visit positively, describing it as "very warm" and suggesting further announcements would be made in due time.

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Verify Or Dismantle? Trump's Iran Nuclear Dilemma

By Kian Sharifi April 09, 2025

US President Donald Trump surprised almost everyone when he announced in an Oval Office briefing -- with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sitting right beside him -- that high-level direct talks on Iran's nuclear program were scheduled for April 12 in Oman.

It is unclear whether Iran wanted to keep it quiet, but Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi felt the immediate need to clarify in the middle of the night Tehran time that talks would be indirect, contrary to what Trump had said.

Regardless of the format, both sides have framed the rendezvous as an exploratory meeting to see if negotiations can be held.

But beneath the headlines lies a deeper strategic debate: What exactly should the United States demand from Iran's nuclear program -- tight oversight or total dismantlement?

Trump has been clear about what Washington's end-goal is: Iran can never be allowed to have a nuclear weapon. What he hasn't explicitly talked about is whether that means imposing restrictions on Iran's nuclear program or completely dismantling it.

Instead, senior members of his administration have been doing the talking, but they've been sending contradictory messages.

Steve Witkoff, Trump's Middle East envoy who will be leading the US delegation in the Oman talks, said last month that Washington wants to "create a verification program so that nobody worries about weaponization of [Iran's] nuclear material."

The implication was that the United States wants to curb enrichment and establish an oversight mechanism to ensure Iran's nuclear program remains peaceful -- something that Iran claims has always been its intention.

But national-security adviser Mike Waltz struck a different chord days later, charging that the administration wants "full dismantlement," adding, "Iran has to give up its program in a way that the entire world can see."

What Should The US Aim For?

Proponents of full dismantlement of the nuclear program say it is the only surefire way to ensure Iran won't ever acquire nukes.

Behnam Taleblu, senior director of the Iran program at the Washington-based Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), argues Trump should not entertain arms control.

"Rather than seeking to limit Iran's atomic program, it should be forced to junk it altogether," Taleblu told RFE/RL.

He conceded that going for dismantlement is "high risk" but argued it is achievable and necessary through pressure such as stepping up sanctions and holding joint military drills with Israel.

Indeed, the US Treasury on April 9 announced sanctions on five entities and one person based in Iran for their support of Iran's nuclear program, including the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI).

And if talks are futile, Taleblu said, Trump should be ready to walk away.

"The Islamic republic will only seriously consider surrender if it knows America has a credible exit option," he added.

A major supporter of the complete dismantlement of Iran's nuclear program is Netanyahu, who has floated the idea of a "Libya-style agreement," which Tehran has long rejected.

Others argue that any demand for Iran to fully dismantle the program would be seen in Tehran as political suicide.

"US demands for full dismantlement or a 'Libya-style' deal that involves Iran breaking apart its entire nuclear program would be a nonstarter for Tehran," said Gregory Brew, senior Iran analyst at the New York-based Eurasia Group.

He argued that aiming for implementing a verification scheme to keep Iran's nuclear program in check "would, at the very least, provide a basis for further discussions."

But if Washington is intent on tearing down Iran's nuclear program, "talks will be over fast, and the risk of military escalation will go up," Brew added.

Is Iran Ready To Risk War?

The 2015 nuclear deal, which Trump withdrew from in 2018, formally expires in October. With it gone, the UN Security Council (UNSC) will lose the power to reimpose sanctions on Iran.

So, the West is running out of both time and patience.

Trump has warned Iran that it will bomb it if no agreement is reached. France, also a permanent member of the UNSC and a signatory to the 2015 deal, has expressed concern that the absence of a new agreement would make the prospect of military confrontation "almost inevitable."

The United States has been flexing its muscles and beefing up its military presence in the region. It has been launching air strikes against the Iran-backed Huthi rebels for weeks, using some of its most sophisticated hardware against a group that does not even have an air force to speak of.

"The deployments offer the United States a credible military threat that can serve to put more pressure on Iran," Brew said. "The United States is clearly signaling that it is prepared to escalate if talks fail or if Iran advances its nuclear program to weaponization."

The stakes for the regime are very high, he added.

But Taleblu believes the Islamic republic is ultimately risk-averse and won't want to risk a military confrontation.

"There are instances in history, admittedly not many, where the regime has significantly backtracked on a stated security goal it sunk significant capital into," he asserted. "In instances where Tehran senses strength and a willingness to grow penalties and impose costs over time that could meaningfully threaten the regime, it has backed down."

The stage is set for diplomacy in Oman. As the clock ticks, the question is who will blink first.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/us-iran-nuclear- talks-oman-april-2025-trump-netanyahu/33378386.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.

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New Sanctions Targeting Iran's Nuclear Program

US Department of State

Press Statement

Tammy Bruce, Department Spokesperson

April 9, 2025

Today, the United States is sanctioning five entities and one individual based in Iran that support key entities managing and overseeing Iran's nuclear program, including the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) and the AEOI-subordinate Iran Centrifuge Technology Company (TESA).

Today's action, which targets persons procuring or manufacturing critical technologies for TESA and AEOI, is taken in support of President Trump's maximum pressure campaign on Iran.

The United States will continue to hold accountable those who seek to support Iran's nuclear program, to include its proliferation-sensitive uranium enrichment activities.

The Department of the Treasury's action was taken pursuant to Executive Order 13382, which targets proliferators of weapons of mass destruction and their supporters.



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Trump Repeats Military Threat Against Iran Ahead Of Nuclear Talks

By RFE/RL April 10, 2025

US President Donald Trump has again threated to use military force if Iran does not agree to end its nuclear program and said Israel would be the "leader" of a potential military strike.

Trump told reporters on April 9 at the White House that "if necessary," the United States "absolutely" would use military force. He made the comments after being asked about talks between US and Iranian officials scheduled to take place this weekend in Oman and how long they may last.

"We have time," Trump said, adding that there's no definitive timeline for the talks to come to a resolution.

"When you start talks, you know if they're going along well or not," Trump said. "And I would say the conclusion would be when I think they're not going along well. So that's just a feeling."

Trump announced the talks on April 8 during an Oval Office briefing with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Netanyahu said he supports Trump's diplomatic efforts to reach a settlement with Iran. He added that Israel and the US share the same goal of ensuring that Iran does not develop a nuclear weapon.

Trump said that if the use of military force is necessary, "Israel will obviously be very much involved in that."

Both sides have framed the talks in Oman as an exploratory meeting to see if negotiations can be held. Trump said the talks would be "direct," while Iran has described the engagement as "indirect" talks.

The United States will not be "asking for much" at the talks, Trump said, repeating his oft-stated position that Iran "can't have a nuclear weapon."

The United States is increasingly concerned as Tehran appears to be closer than ever to having a nuclear weapon. Iran has long maintained that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.

The United States and other world powers in 2015 reached a comprehensive nuclear agreement that limited Tehran's enrichment of uranium in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. But Trump unilaterally withdrew the United States in 2018, calling it the "worst deal ever."

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth voiced hope that US-Iran talks could be resolved peacefully after Reuters reported on April 9 that as many as six B-2 bombers had relocated to a US-British military base on the Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia.

Asked if the B-2s were meant to send a message to Iran, Hegseth said: "We'll let them decide." He called the bombers "a great asset," telling reporters during a trip to Panama that they send a "message to everybody."

The US Treasury Department earlier on April 9 issued new sanctions targeting Iran's nuclear program. Five entities and one person based in Iran were designated for new sanctions in connection with their alleged support of Iran's nuclear program, the department said in a news release.

The designated groups include the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran and subordinates Iran Centrifuge Technology Company, Thorium Power Company, Pars Reactors Construction and Development Company, and Azarab Industries Company.

In his comments to reporters at the White House, Trump said the people of Iran "are so incredible," but the government is a "rough regime."

"I want Iran to be great," Trump said. "The only thing that they can't have is a nuclear weapon. They understand that."

With reporting by Reuters and AP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-nuclear-talks-israel- trump-hegseth/33379155.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.

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US to reportedly deploy large drones in Japan; expert warns of endangering regional stability

Global Times

By Xu Yelu Published: Apr 09, 2025 11:57 PM

US forces will reportedly deploy large reconnaissance drones in the southern Japanese prefecture of Okinawa for an indefinite period to enhance surveillance and information gathering, the Japanese Defense Ministry said Tuesday, Japanese media outlet Kyodo News reported. A Chinese analyst warned that the US deployment of drones and more weapons in Japan is part of constructing a military encirclement of China, which could destabilize the region.

MQ-4C Triton aircraft are expected to begin operating out of Kadena Air Base "within a few weeks," Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani told a press conference in Tokyo, Kyodo News reported. The Triton is a long-endurance unmanned aircraft with a wingspan of around 40 meters designed to fly at higher altitudes and cover wider areas than the smaller MQ-9 Reaper drones that have been stationed at the same air base since 2023.

However, after being informed of the deployment by the Defense Ministry, the Okinawa prefectural government expressed opposition to the plan as it could increase the base-hosting burden on local communities, Kyodo News reported.

This drone has three major characteristics: first, it has an ultra-long flight time, allowing multiple units to relay and achieve seamless monitoring of China's coastal areas; second, it possesses both reconnaissance and attack capabilities, enabling strategic close reconnaissance of the Taiwan Straits, East China Sea and South China Sea, as well as the ability to conduct long-range strikes against naval vessels; third, the sharing of intelligence between the US and Japan could create military synergy, with Japan seizing the opportunity to accelerate its militarization efforts, Song Zhongping, a military affairs expert, told the Global Times on Wednesday.

The US-Japan military alliance is, in essence, a military expansion strategy targeting China as its hypothetical adversary. Song warned of the move further destabilizing the region, and China needs to remain highly vigilant against this perilous trend, Song noted.

According to The Japan Times, the Japanese defense chief hinted that the deployment would provide a needed boost amid the uptick in Chinese military activity near the southwestern islands, noting that "the security environment surrounding our country is becoming increasingly severe."

On Wednesday, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte called on members of the alliance and its four Indo-Pacific partners to work more closely to outproduce Russia militarily and "outpace" technological rivals such as China to counter what he views as "existential" threats during his trip to Japan, according to the Japan Times.

Rutte's remarks reflect two underlying intentions: for the US, deploying drones and more weapons in Japan is part of constructing a military encirclement of China; for Japan, it is an opportunity to advance "military normalization" under the guise of the "China threat," Song said.

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Volunteer groups pause quake aid in Myanmar citing junta restrictions

Junta blocks rescue teams and aid groups from entering affected areas, said sources.

By RFA Burmese 2025.04.09 -- Junta restrictions on aid activities following central Myanmar's devastating 7.7 earthquake have driven some to postpone aid efforts, despite many communities being in critical need of support, volunteers told Radio Free Asia.

Junta authorities have been accused of blocking search and rescue teams and aid groups from entering affected areas in Sagaing and Mandalay regions, as well as Shan state, by using security checkpoints and strict registration requirements.

"They [aid groups] can't do anything. We're very upset that those who could help are being treated like this. Now, it's just the public looking out for each other," said an official from a volunteer group in Mandalay assisting in earthquake recovery, declining to be named for fear of reprisals.

"This isn't working for us, so we want to say that we have stopped."

Myanmar's March 28 earthquake killed more than 3,600 people and injured another 5,000, with 148 people still missing, the junta said in a statement published on Tuesday evening.

The earthquake coincided with violent clashes between insurgent groups and junta battalions that escalated in the years following the 2021 coup, causing the military to implement stricter policies around growing insurgent hotspots nationwide.

Another Mandalay-based group said they were being blocked from working by regional authorities after the junta's Deputy Chairperson Maj. Gen. Soe Win announced that aid organizations needed to submit requests for prior approval.

Charity organizations are also required to deliver basic supplies through regional junta authorities, the junta's Ministry of Public Health said in a statement published on Sunday, to the criticism of volunteers.

"If they want us to give it under them like they said, we can't give anything at all. We'll only donate if we can do it ourselves," said an official from another volunteer organization, declining to be named for fear of reprisals.

More than 10 aid groups across Sagaing and Mandalay regions and Shan state told RFA that they would be forced to temporarily stop their relief efforts.

One Mandalay resident raised his concern that junta actions may undermine aid groups and cause international organizations to rescind their support for earthquake victims if supplies can't make it to affected areas.

"My house collapsed. If I go to the community center for basic items I need, I can't get them like normal because the officers stole them," he said.

"The government hasn't been supporting us at all, and I don't know if any more charity will continue to come from them."

The junta has not released any additional information on the restrictions.

It said on Saturday that it would prevent groups from entering the country for "negative purposes by exploiting the earthquake."

International groups have urged the junta to loosen restrictions on entering earthquake-stricken areas to allow greater distribution of aid.

RFA called junta spokesperson Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun for more information on the restrictions, but he did not answer by the time of publication.

Translated by Kiana Duncan. Edited by Taejun Kang.

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.

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S. Korea's liberal opposition leader Lee resigns as party leader for expected presidential run

Global Times

By Xinhua Published: Apr 09, 2025 12:26 PM

Lee Jae-myung, chief of South Korea's main liberal opposition Democratic Party, resigned as party leader on Wednesday amid wide expectations for his presidential run.

Lee said at the party's supreme council meeting that he was grateful to party members, officials and lawmakers for achievements during his three-year party chairmanship.

The most-favored presidential hopeful noted that he would start something new soon, indicating his declaration to run for president in the near future.

He stressed that the difficulties people were currently experiencing would be overcome quickly by the help of "great DNA," with which people overcame the past hardships, pledging that he would be with people in the process.

A snap presidential election was set for June 3 following the constitutional court's removal of former President Yoon Suk-yeol from office on April 4 over his short-lived martial law imposition last December.

Lee, who lost the 2022 presidential election to Yoon by the narrowest margin, had been broadly viewed as the most powerful contender for the snap election.

According to a survey by local pollster Flower, 49.6 percent said they will vote for the Democratic Party's candidate in the next presidential election, while 29.5 percent were in favor of the ruling People Power Party's candidate.

Lee was the most favored as the Democratic Party's presidential candidate with a support rate of 85.5 percent.

The result was based on a poll of 3,004 voters conducted from March 17 to 20. It had plus and minus 1.8 percentage points in margin of error with a 95-percent confidence level.

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Meeting with ASI head Svetlana Chupsheva

Vladimir Putin held a meeting with Director General of the Agency for Strategic Initiatives Svetlana Chupsheva.

April 9, 2025

14:10

The Kremlin, Moscow

Director General of ASI Svetlana Chupsheva: Mr President, it seems it is becoming a pleasant tradition that during our meetings I present you with new tourist routes.

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: I will review them with interest.

Svetlana Chupsheva: Last time, I gifted you a collection of our new Russian tourist routes. This time, I would like to present you with our joint project with the Government of the Republic of Belarus on industrial tourism - Two Countries, Thousands of Factories. Please accept this.

Vladimir Putin: Is this industrial tourism?

Svetlana Chupsheva: Yes, it is indeed industrial tourism. Our friends and colleagues from the Belarusian Institute of Strategic Initiatives observed the implementation of our project in the Russian Federation and expressed keen interest. We held several meetings, visited their facilities, engaged with enterprise directors, and secured support from the Ministry of Industry of the Republic of Belarus. This initiative showcases 50 factories and enterprises from Belarus and Russia with shared histories, encompassing both cooperative and historical ties. I consider this a compelling tourism initiative for the citizens of our nations and for expanding future collaboration.

Vladimir Putin: Intriguing. Thank you, I will certainly examine it.

Svetlana Chupsheva: Thank you.

Dmitry Chernyshenko also actively supports all our tourism-related projects, which is why they are succeeding.

Mr President, today I would like to discuss two new programmes we are implementing this year.

The first is a programme for the development of core communities, spearheaded by the Government of the Russian Federation. We have contributed through public projects, entrepreneurial initiatives, and our solutions and best practices for enhancing the quality of life in small towns.

We have compiled an extensive atlas of effective infrastructure and service solutions for residential communities of varying sizes, tailored to maximise their efficacy. These solutions span transport, housing and utilities, urban improvement, education, and healthcare. Remarkably, many are offered free of charge by Moscow. While Moscow is a vast metropolis, numerous solutions - particularly digital ones - are fully adaptable to small towns and demonstrate proven effectiveness. For example, in healthcare: AI-driven clinical decision support systems and diagnostic imaging analysis.

In the Nizhny Novgorod Region, this has significantly improved diagnostic accuracy in medical institutions. Another example is joint procurement, which Moscow proposes to implement alongside individual municipalities or regions.

Take the Novgorod Region: by procuring medical equipment jointly with Moscow, Novgorod saved 500 million rubles for its regional budget. These substantial funds were reallocated by the regional leadership to other investment projects.

And we believe that these are very good decisions and practices that will be useful to Russian regions.

Vladimir Putin: They need to be applied across the country.

Svetlana Chupsheva: Yes. And in small towns as well. At the end of last year, we presented 80 effective solutions for the transport sector. This included practices from Moscow and other regions of Russia. It is very important that the heads of municipalities are already trying them out, assessing their effectiveness, starting from communities with 5,000 residents to those with 100,000 residents and more. We have been able to evaluate their performance already, and we hope that this work will be expanded as much as possible this year.

Mr President, in keeping with your instructions, we support projects to involve architectural and cultural heritage sites in economic circulation. For small towns, they certainly represent significant potential for promoting tourism and history.

Together with the Government of the Russian Federation (Maxim Oreshkin is personally involved in these projects), we are reviewing the applicability of such projects and the financial model for attracting investment, to ensure that these projects are of interest to investors.

We accomplished a great deal last year; this year, we are planning to work on support measures and ways to make these projects more attractive for investment. The agency has developed a number of model solutions, and today, we are actively cooperating with several pilot regions.

One project is a programme to provide medical care for participants in the special military operation. Mr President, this year is the Year of the Defender of the Fatherland.

Vladimir Putin: Military and civilian medicine?

Svetlana Chupsheva: Yes. We did our best to amass all the resources and competencies currently available in military hospitals, all the new technologies that are available in civilian and military medicine, and combine them in the centre of competence for civil and military medicine.

This project is supported by the Ministry of Defence and the Defenders of the Fatherland Foundation. We are implementing this project together with the Burdenko Military Hospital. The Society of Russian Surgeons is also providing support. This year, we plan to establish such centres in every federal district. They will mostly focus on surgery, particularly military field surgery, because, obviously, military medics have been accumulating unique experience and competencies.

Vladimir Putin: What facilities will they use?

Svetlana Chupsheva: The centres will open at existing regional hospitals. It is very important that, after treatment at military hospitals, after complex surgeries, our veterans can receive top-notch medical care and rehabilitation close to home, which is why we want such competencies in every region.

Vladimir Putin: Very important, I fully agree. Very important. Good, we will see what we can do.

<...>

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US, Russia Will 'Absolutely Not' Discuss Ukraine At Talks On Embassy Operations

By RFE/RL's Russian Service April 09, 2025

Russia and the United States are to resume talks on April 10 in Istanbul on the normalization of their respective diplomatic missions.

State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce told reporters on April 8 that delegations from Moscow and Washington will hold the second round of consultations focused on embassy operations.

Bruce said there would be no political or security issues discussed and stressed that the war in Ukraine would "absolutely not" be on the agenda.

"These talks are solely focused on our embassy operations, not on normalizing a bilateral relationship overall, which can only happen, as we've noted, once there's peace between Russia and Ukraine," she said.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova previously reported that the Russian delegation would be headed by Russian Ambassador to the United States Aleksandr Darchiyev, and the American delegation would be headed by Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Sonata Coulter.

The last time Washington and Moscow met in Istanbul was on February 27. Both sides described the first round of talks, which was held behind closed doors, as useful.

The American side said afterward that the meeting had defined steps to normalize the functioning of the diplomatic missions of the two countries. The Russian side said it had proposed the restoration of direct flights between the countries.

Years of tense relations led to restrictions on diplomatic work in the respective capitals. Many diplomats have been sent home by each side since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022.

US President Donald Trump has pushed for improved relations since returning to the White House in January.

Russia last week sent envoy Kirill Dmitriev to Washington at the invitation of Trump envoy Steve Witkoff. Dmitriev said after the talks that he saw a "positive dynamic" in relations between Moscow and Washington, but differences remain, and several more meetings are needed to resolve them.

He also said work was under way on restoring direct flights between Russia and the United States.

With reporting by AFP and dpa

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-diplomacy-talks- istanbul-embassy-darchiyev/33377660.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.

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Statement by the Delegation of the Russian Federation at the General Debate of the session of the United Nations Disarmament Commission, New York, 8 April 2025

9 April 2025 15:50

582-09-04-2025



Unofficial translation

Mr. Chairman,

I would like to congratulate you on your election to this responsible position and express our hope that under your leadership we shall keep the positive dynamics of the work of the UN Disarmament Commission (UNDC) and gain success in fulfilling the tasks it is entrusted with. The Russian delegation is ready to extend every support in this regard.

Mr. Chairman,

This year is marked by a number of important anniversaries directly related to the activities of the UNDC. This year we commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, which, according to various estimates, claimed lives of between 50 and 80 million people worldwide, including over 27 million citizens of the Soviet Union. In accordance with the UNGA resolution Eightieth anniversary of the end of the Second World War adopted unanimously at the Russia's initiative, a special commemorative session of the General Assembly will be held in May to honour all victims of that devastating war.

The defeat of Nazism laid the foundation for a new architecture of international relations, with the UN at its core. To this day, the UN remains the unique universal platform for elaborating collective solutions in response to global challenges, primarily in the area of international security and stability. It was the UN that established the foundation for a system of multilateral agreements in the field of arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation (ACDNP), where the key role belongs to the disarmament triad, including the UNDC.

Unfortunately, after 80 years the lessons of the Second World War axe being forgotten. Today we are witnessing a rapid degradation in the field of international security. The deeply self-serving and destructive course aimed at total geopolitical dominance and overwhelming military-strategic superiority adopted by the group of Western States over a certain historical period has manifested itself in the blatant violation of the principle of equal and undiminished security, as well as in a refusal to seek mutually acceptable solutions based on genuine multilateralism and mutual consideration of concerns.

These actions have pushed other States, determined to firmly defend their sovereign rights and the external security perimeter, to take compensatory measures and increasingly tough steps to neutralize the escalating threats against them. The conflict potential in the relations between States with the greatest military capabilities has been particularly dangerous: targeted and shameless infringement by some of them upon fundamental security interests of others has provoked the most serious strategic risks, including the threat of direct armed confrontation between nuclear powers.

The sphere of ACDNP also experiences this negative impact at full extent. The system of relevant agreements and arrangements, which has served as the main pillar of international security architecture for decades, is being undermined and partially collapsed.

In the current circumstances, the consolidated efforts of the international community to de-escalate, reduce tensions and rectify the situation with a view to long- term and reliable stabilization seem to be the obvious priority. However, at present in the international arena there is insufficient political will for joint work based on the equality of parties, balance of interests and respect for each other's concerns to address the root causes of crises and fundamental contradictions between States in the field of security. On the contrary, individual States or their associations assertively promote their priorities and agendas without any regard to the opinions of others. It is precisely for this reason that disarmament initiatives often fail to gain universal support and sometimes even contribute to further divisions within the international community.

We emphasize that any initiatives in the field of ACDNP must be aligned with military-political and military-strategic realities, since their acceptability and feasibility are directly linked to the state of security environment, which determines the limits of what is possible.

For years we have considered and still believe these approaches to be axiomatics, the fundamental elements of which are agreed by consensus at the international level, for example, in the final document of the UNGA First Special Session in 1978 and the Action Plan of the 2010 NPT Review Conference. However, recent discussions at specialized forums demonstrate that for some countries these understandings need to be proven again. All of this is far from encouraging.

Against the background of current international instability, preserving the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and ensuring its sustainability and effectiveness remain among our main priorities. Over the 55 years of its existence, the NPT has become a nearly universal international legal instrument that has proven its relevance to the entire international community. We look forward to constructive engagement with all State Parties intending to participate in the third session of the Preparatory Committee for the 2026 NPT Review Conference.

The establishment and operation of the Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zones (NWFZ) in various regions of the world, as envisaged under Article VII of the NPT, contributes to strengthening the non-proliferation regime. We welcome efforts to expand the geographic scope of NWFZs. Russia has consistently advocated for the establishment of the Middle East zone free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction (WMDFZ). Such a zone would serve as an effective way to strengthen regional security and the non- proliferation regime in the interests of all states in the Middle East without exception. As an observer, our country contributes to the work of the annual UN Conference on the Establishment of a WMDFZ in the Middle East. It is essential to ensure participation of all invited States in the Conference.

The entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) primarily depends on the USA. We regret that the United States has taken no substantive steps to ratify the Treaty since 1999, repeatedly covering itself with various excuses. At the same time, Washington continues to maintain the readiness of its Nevada test site refusing to abandon the idea of conducting a full-scale nuclear test as a part of modernizing its arsenal. We are closely monitoring the situation in this area: the resumption of tests by the US would become a prelude to lifting the voluntary restrictions declared by other nuclear powers. It was the imbalance in commitments with Washington that forced us to withdraw ratification of the CTBT in order to achieve parity. At the same time, Russia remains a State Signatory to the Treaty with all rights and obligations, and continues to participate fully in the TB Preparatory Commission.

Mr. Chairman,

Scientific and technological progress and modern technologies, including advancements in space technology, artificial intelligence and biotechnology provide great opportunities for humankind and are becoming an integral part of our daily lives. At the same time, they pose certain risks and challenges to international security and stability.

Russia attaches particular importance to the examination of scientific and technological developments relevant to the ACDNP. We believe it is essential to identify and analyse the risks associated with various research areas in order to reduce such risks to an acceptable level without compromising scientific and technological progress. Simultaneously, there is a need to raise awareness and promote the sharing of knowledge and advances that can help to strengthen international security.

We would like to welcome the launching of a discussion in the framework of the UNDC on new technologies in the context of international security and are ready to contribute to the substantive discussion on this pressing issue. At the same time, we proceed from the assumption that the discussion in the UNDC should not duplicate the consideration of issues related to new technologies that is already taking place in parallel dialogue formats. In particular, we consider the relevant Group of Governmental Experts (GGE) of High Contracting Parties to the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons to be the optimal format for discussing Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (LAWS). We believe that issues of preventing an arms race in outer space require further discussion within the framework of the relevant Open-ended Working Group (OEWG), as well as the biotechnologies and the establishment within the framework of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) of a mechanism for reviewing scientific and technological achievements in the biological sphere - in the Ad Hoc Working Group on Strengthening the BTWC.

Among promising topics we consider the issue of ensuring non-discriminatory access to new technologies and international co-operation in this field. Relevant proposals were made by delegations during the UNDC session in 2024 and met no objections.

Mr. Chairman,

We are convinced that the UN Disarmament Commission is capable of making a significant contribution to multilateral efforts in the area of disarmament and arms control, in accordance with its mandate. We count on the preparation of recommendations within Working groups.

Thank you for your attention.

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Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's interview for the NewmTASS educational media project, Moscow, April 9, 2025

9 April 2025 09:05

576-09-04-2025

Question: My name is Vasilisa Pankova. I am an 11-year school student and winner of the MediaClass-in-TASS_2.0 competition.

Sergey Lavrov: Congratulations!

Question: Mr Lavrov, thank you for finding the time for this interview.

This year, our country celebrates the 80th anniversary of Great Victory. I have participated in the competition with support from the National Centre for Historical Memory. While we in Russia cherish the memory of those who defeated Nazism during the Great Patriotic War, the West is attempting in every way to "forget" and distort our history. Is it worthwhile to "give them a shake" somehow?

Sergey Lavrov: We have sought to "give them a shake" for a number of years now. In fact, the tendency to cast a veil over history emerged long before the special military operation. There were active attempts to equate the winners and the vanquished and to undermine and smear the role of the Soviet Union.

Our contacts with German diplomats over at least the past seven or eight years increasingly revealed a conviction on their part - I am conveying what they tried to suggest, the implication - that they had paid everyone for everything and no longer owed anyone anything. That sounded an alarm bell.

And what we see right now is alarming indeed. Germany has openly opted for a remilitarisation by changing its Constitution. It will borrow 800 billion to carry out an arms programme within the next three or four years. The ideology of Nazism is increasingly coming to the fore in the Federal Republic, despite the constitutional bans and rulings of the Nuremberg Trials...

But this is not limited to Germany alone. The same is happening in the Baltic States that are just living on Russophobia. I think they can neither go to sleep, nor wake up unless they are animated by hate for Russia. There are also some other countries in this category. Generally speaking, we observe yet another "wave," where Europe is again up in arms against our country. (Looking at some faces, one is tempted to say that they are baring their teeth like rats.)

Before the Victory in the Great Patriotic War, the Second World War, every global tragedy began with the Europeans launching an aggression. Cases in point are rife. Suffice it to recall the Napoleonic wars, World War I, and World War II. It is only after World War II, when Europe was weak, that the Americans emerged as leaders of the "free world." So, it was their turn to start the majority of conflicts on this planet. Prior to the American period, however, Europe was the sole source of tragedy in the world.

During World War II, there was a number of countries, including Italy, Finland, and some others, which officially fought on the side of Adolf Hitler. Almost all other European countries, the so-called neutrals, contributed troops that participated in the fighting alongside the Wehrmacht. The French... Yes, there was a resistance movement in France. But, like in the majority of European countries, the official authorities in Paris obediently surrendered at discretion and lived on just as if nothing had happened. We will never forget the role played by the Resistance Movement in France. But it is just a solitary example. The official French forces took part in the fighting on the side of Hitler's Germany, including in a number of punitive operations. There are numerous instances of this sort. Now an anti-Russian "wave" is rising and attempts are being made to accuse the Soviet Union of starting the war. Their aim is not only to put Joseph Stalin on the same footing as Adolf Hitler but also represent the former as the only one to blame for what had taken place. This is certainly a highly alarming sign.

What is there behind this? Germany is undoubtedly out to regain its erstwhile grandeur, with the old Nazi instincts breaking out at the genetic level as something that might come in handy in this regard.

As for the rest of European countries, some of them want to finally delete from history the pages of their national disgrace, collaborationism and connivance at the Nazis, while others regard the Nazi ideology as a new tool for keeping their positions on the European political scene. We will fight this.

Forgetting history, forgetting national spiritual and moral values, forgetting national roots has become one of the main causes of what we are witnessing in Ukraine. The nation is being encouraged to forget its Russian roots and what Russia has done to liberate and develop the huge territory that makes part of what is now Ukraine. The Americans and Europeans have taken advantage of a crisis in the former Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic to bring to power an openly Russophobic, Nazi regime that has declared a war on its own people. They seized power in an illegal coup, declared recalcitrants to be terrorists, and started a real war against them with the use of the regular army, air force, and artillery. The West has connived at this regime's efforts to eradicate the entire Russian part of the history of these lands. But it was the Russians, namely Empress Catherine II, Prince Grigory Potemkin, and our other glorious predecessors, who developed these territories, built Odessa and other cities, as well as ports, factories and plants. The regime that came to power in a coup has decided to delete all this from the people's memory so as to do obediently the bidding of its Western puppet-masters that always dreamt to turn Ukraine into a direct military threat to our country. We must fight against this.

We have promoted for years a UN General Assembly resolution against the glorification of Nazism. Each year, the overwhelming majority of states vote for it. Over the last couple of years, however, the West has meanly attempted to kill this resolution by submitting amendments that put Nazism on the same footing as what is going on within the framework of the special military operation. But this did not prevent the resolution from remaining on the General Assembly agenda. It was approved again by an impressive margin of votes. This will continue in the future, too. We do the same work at UNESCO and other international organisations, such as the CSTO, the CIS, and the SCO.

All these things are important for preventing the recurrence of a situation where a half of Europe or even the whole of Europe would again be collected under the standard of Nazism and neo-Nazism and committed against our country, as, properly speaking, it is happening today. They began by pumping Zelensky full of weapons for him to gain a full "victory," to make Russia sustain a "strategic defeat" on the battlefield. Now, conscious that this will not work, they are saying that it is necessary to send their own forces to the "battlefield." I am referring primarily to the French and the British, who are just obsessed with this.

I hope that there are people that have not forgotten the lessons of history. Many European leaders (there are increasingly more of them) are beginning to understand that this new attempt is a dead end and a disaster. I am confident that voters will make their choice as they go to the polls next time.

Our policy is aimed to prevent the sacred memory from ever disappearing from history and the minds of all generations, including the future ones. It remains unchanged. We are confident of our historical, moral and human righteousness.

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Secretary Rubio's Meeting with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud

US Department of State

Readout

Office of the Spokesperson

April 9, 2025

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Tammy Bruce:

Secretary of State Marco Rubio met today with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud in Washington, D.C. The Secretary expressed thanks for Saudi Arabia's efforts to facilitate peace between Russia and Ukraine, increase economic and defense cooperation, eliminate the Houthi threat to the region, and restore freedom of navigation in the Red Sea. The Secretary and the Foreign Minister discussed diplomatic efforts in Gaza to release hostages and work towards a durable ceasefire in Gaza, in which Hamas is completely disarmed and disempowered.

The Secretary and the Foreign Minister also agreed that the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces must return to peace talks, protect civilians, open humanitarian corridors, and return to civilian governance. They discussed the importance of the U.S.-Saudi relationship and committed to explore ways to further strengthen that partnership.

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Minister of Foreign Affairs Meets with U.S. Secretary of State

Saudi Press Agency

Washington, April 10, 2025, SPA -- Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met Wednesday with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the State Department in Washington.

The two ministers reviewed the strategic relations between the two friendly countries and opportunities to strengthen and develop them in various fields.

They discussed ways to intensify coordination and joint action on regional and international issues of concern to both countries, including developments in Gaza Strip, Sudan, and Yemen, as well as the Russia-Ukraine crisis. They exchanged views on these issues and efforts being made to achieve international peace and security.

The meeting was attended by Saudi Ambassador to the United States Princess Reema bint Bandar bin Sultan and several officials.

-- SPA

00:52 Local Time 21:52 GMT

0006

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PLA exercises meant to show strength amid military purges: NSB chief

ROC Central News Agency

04/09/2025 04:47 PM

Taipei, April 9 (CNA) China's latest round of military exercises near Taiwan at the beginning of April was intended to show it could organize large-scale drills despite an ongoing military purge, Taiwan's top intelligence chief said Wednesday.

At a legislative hearing, National Security Bureau (NSB) Director-General Tsai Ming-yen () was asked by lawmakers about the significance of the latest People's Liberation Army (PLA) drills held near Taiwan on April 1 and 2.

Tsai said the NSB believed they were held as a countermeasure to the United States Department of Defense's renewed focus on the Indo-Pacific region with the aim of suppressing China.

That was clear, Tsai said, from the timing of the exercises, which were launched right after U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth concluded a trip to Hawaii, Guam, the Philippines, and Japan in late March.

Aside from targeting Washington, however, the two-day military exercises were also meant for domestic consumption amid recent reports of arrests of high-ranking PLA officials.

Tsai did not name the arrested PLA officials, but media reports say they include Central Military Commission Vice Chairman He Weidong () and PLA Eastern Theater Command Commander Lin Xiangyang (), both of whom were seen as loyal to Chinese leader Xi Jinping ().

The drills were meant to force the PLA to focus on military exercises instead of the ongoing military purge, in which top generals were arrested amid a power struggle and/or corruption allegations, according to Tsai.

Also, the drills showed the world that China was capable of launching large-scale exercises despite the ongoing purge, he said.

At the hearing, ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmaker Lee Kuen-cheng () also asked Tsai about the nature of the drills and why they did not have a name before they began.

Tsai described the two-day PLA exercises as a series of routine small-scale drills combined into one joint exercise. He acknowledged that it was "quite rare" to see Beijing name its military exercises not on their first day but on their second day.

The PLA's Eastern Theater Command announced on April 1 the beginning of joint exercises around Taiwan, as "a stern warning" to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces.

The next morning, the command, which has jurisdiction over the East China Sea and Taiwan Strait, further announced that it was conducting a "Strait Thunder-2025A" drill in parts of the Taiwan Strait before announcing the conclusion of the two-day joint combat exercises hours later.

(By Wu Shu-wei and Joseph Yeh)

Enditem/ls

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PRC security threat, Taiwan Strait peace, highlighted in Japan report

ROC Central News Agency

04/09/2025 11:50 AM

Tokyo, April 9 (CNA) Japan's annual diplomatic report released on Tuesday took aim at the growing security threat posed by the People's Republic of China (PRC) and reaffirmed the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

The 2025 Diplomatic Bluebook, which was presented by Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi at a Cabinet meeting, focused on the difficult international situation, including the security environment in East Asia and the PRC's growing military activity around Japan.

The report noted China's attempts to unilaterally change by force the status quo around the East China Sea, including the Japan-controlled Senkaku Islands, known as the Diaoyu Islands in Taiwan, and the South China Sea.

In its latest Diplomatic Bluebook, the Japanese government also expressed serious concern about growing military cooperation between China and Russia.

The report indicated that Chinese and Russian military aircraft both crossed into Japanese airspace in 2024.

Further south, the PRC conducted "coercive and intimidating maneuvers" in the South China Sea and carried out military exercises around Taiwan, the report said.

It stressed that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait was not only a guarantee for Japan's security, but also a cornerstone of stability for the international community.

Statements issued at meetings of G7 foreign ministers have also affirmed the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and called for the peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues since 2021, the report noted.

It also included the joint statement released after a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in Washington in February.

According to the statement, "the two leaders emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait as an indispensable element of security and prosperity for the international community."

"They encouraged the peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues and opposed any attempts to unilaterally force or coerce changes to the status quo," it said.

Japan's Diplomatic Bluebook normally records events from the previous year (the 2025 edition recorded events from January to December 2024), but this new edition included important events from early 2025, including Ishiba's meeting with Trump in February.

(By Yang Ming-chu and Evelyn Kao)

Enditem/ls

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Social media within scope of Chinese entry permit review: MAC official

ROC Central News Agency

04/09/2025 04:56 PM

Taipei, April 9 (CNA) The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) will take social media content into account when reviewing entry applications from Chinese nationals wishing to visit Taiwan, a senior official said Wednesday.

Speaking during a legislative meeting, MAC deputy head Liang Wen-chieh () confirmed that the agency, which handles cross-Taiwan Strait relations, had been looking into past social media comments or posts by Chinese nationals applying to come to Taiwan for short-term exchanges.

The process is aimed at screening for "remarks belittling Taiwan," Liang said, without specifying what such remarks entail.

The MAC official added that Chinese students were currently not subject to the agency's social media content screening.

Liang was responding to questions made by ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmaker Wang Yi-chuan (), who called for more restrictions on Chinese nationals to combat what he called "United Front" activities in Taiwan.

"The government has to have an attitude" on the issue, Wang said, noting that the United States had implemented a policy of screening visa applicants' social media comments for national security reasons.

Wang was referring to reports that the U.S. Department of State had ordered its overseas missions to scrutinize the social media content of certain foreign applicants for student and other types of visas.

DPP lawmaker Chuang Jui-hsiung (), on the other hand, spoke against any attempts by government agencies that would risk suppressing free speech in the name of safeguarding national security.

"Very strict standards and very clear laws" must apply if the government wishes to punish people for having certain political stances, Chuang said, while calling on the justice and judicial authorities to devise "clear legal provisions" for curbing war propaganda.

The DPP lawmaker added that a lack of clear legal boundaries would only brew controversy and ultimately create a "chilling effect" on Taiwanese society.

Wednesday's meeting was held against the backdrop of the expulsion of three Chinese spouses by Taiwan's National Immigration Agency last month, on grounds that they had made remarks on social media advocating China's "unification with Taiwan through military force."

(By Teng Pei-ju)

Enditem/ASG

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KMT head warns of Taiwan's economic challenges, many related to U.S.

ROC Central News Agency

04/09/2025 09:39 PM

Taipei, April 9 (CNA) Taiwan's current economic challenges are not limited to the imposition of U.S. tariffs, but also extend to American pressure on defense spending and currency valuation, as well as risks from holding too much U.S. debt, opposition Kuomintang (KMT) Chairman Eric Chu () said Wednesday.

Speaking at a meeting of the KMT's Central Committee, Chu said that April 9 -- when individualized steep U.S. tariffs on its trading partners took effect -- effectively represented "the death knell of global free trade."

"The era of globalization is over, and it is being replaced by the rise of protectionism," Chu said.

Chu noted that during his campaign and since taking office, U.S. President Donald Trump has frequently spoken of his plans to impose tariffs and demanded other countries increase their defense spending.

On the former, Taiwan was slapped with a 32 percent tariff, despite major investments in the U.S. by TSMC, moves to increase its national defense funding, and plans to increase purchases of American goods, Chu said.

As for national defense, Trump has promised US$1 trillion in defense spending in 2025, equivalent to 3.5 percent of U.S. GDP, and Taiwan may face pressure to reach similar spending levels, Chu said.

Beyond these, Chu said, there is also the issue of currency valuation.

"Taiwan will face strong demands [from the U.S.] to allow the Taiwan dollar to rise, which will deal a heavy blow to export-oriented industries," Chu said, adding that the government must be prepared to respond.

Meanwhile, Chu also pointed out risks connected to Taiwan's holdings of U.S. debt, which comprise 92 percent of the country's US$577 billion in foreign exchange reserves.

"How much of this will Taiwan be able to redeem?" he asked.

Chu said the NT$88 billion special budget proposed by the government this week to mitigate the impact of the U.S. tariffs and broader financial uncertainty was "only a drop in the bucket" of what is needed.

In addition to industry, the impact on labor and the consumer market also needs to be addressed by the special budget, Chu said, adding that the KMT would propose spending at least NT$200 billion.

More broadly, Chu argued that as an export-oriented country, the Republic of China (Taiwan) cannot make itself completely reliant on the United States, and should instead learn from the example of Singapore.

Only by not neglecting any markets can Taiwan get itself on a new road to prosperity, Chu said.

(By Liu Kuan-ting and Matthew Mazzetta)

Enditem/AW

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"Turkiye is becoming one of the founding actors of the new era"

Presidency of The Republic of Turkey

09.04.2025

Addressing AK Party's parliamentary group meeting, President Erdogan said: "Our country, which in the past was pushed off the mat in global competition due to various reasons, is now becoming one of the founding actors of the new era. We have already started to see the signs of this fact. As an influential country, whose attitudes, stance and discourse are carefully followed, Turkiye is more often referred to on every platform."

President and Justice and Development (AK) Party Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdogan made a speech at the party's parliamentary group meeting.

"TRADE WARS WILL APPARENTLY CAUSE A GLOBAL EFFECT"

Stating that countries everywhere, not just in Asia, Europe, or America, produce policies aimed at strengthening society and economy, and that preparations in a wide range of areas, from trade and security to defense and population rates, are underway for a new period, President Erdogan said: "Nearly all the actors of the international politics have embarked on new quests. Trade wars, triggered with customs tariffs, will apparently cause a global effect. It would be no exaggeration to say that a tornado, which will affect everyone, be them small or big, is coming. Our world is marching from a unipolar architecture to a multipolar one, especially in terms of economic and military capacities."

"TURKIYE IS MORE OFTEN REFERRED TO ON EVERY PLATFORM"

"We should see the subsequent reports in recent months as the portent of this new era. I would like to repeat pridefully that Turkiye is one of the countries which analyze and manage well this painful as well as historical period and which are strong both at the table and on the ground. Our country, which in the past was pushed off the mat in global competition due to various reasons, is inshallah now becoming one of the founding actors of the new era. We have already started to see the signs of this fact. As an influential country, whose attitudes, stance and discourse are carefully followed, Turkiye is more often referred to on every platform. Global actors acknowledge, sometimes voluntarily, but most of the time compulsorily, that no equation can be worked out without Turkiye, even if it can, it will not last long," President Erdogan said.

Also touching upon the goal of terror-free Turkiye, President Erdogan noted that they as the People's Alliance will hopefully finalize this process, which they are managing meticulously and patiently, in a manner that will lead auspicious outcome for Turkiye, and added: "Tomorrow, we will receive DEM delegation, and will both talk to them and reaffirm our will to reach our goal of terror-free Turkiye."

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PM call with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia: 9 April 2025

The Prime Minister spoke to His Royal Highness Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia earlier this afternoon.

9 April 2025

The Prime Minister spoke to His Royal Highness Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia earlier this afternoon.

The leaders started by discussing recent developments on global trade tariffs. The Prime Minister reiterated his commitment to working closely with international partners to maintain global economic stability. He added that the UK will continue to take a measured and calm approach.

The leaders discussed the importance of strengthening economic partnerships to provide further certainty for businesses, and agreed to build on the good progress so far on the UK-GCC Free Trade Agreement.

Turning to defence, the leaders agreed to continue work to deepen defence and security co-operation.

They agreed to keep in touch.

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Joint press release following the 10th meeting of the EU-Ukraine Association Council

European Council / Council of the European Union

Council of the EU

Press release

9 April 2025 17:50



On 9th April, the European Union and Ukraine held the 10th meeting of the EU-Ukraine Association Council in Brussels under the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement.

The Association Council reiterated its condemnation in the strongest possible terms of Russia's unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine, which constitutes a manifest violation of the UN Charter. The EU commended the courage and determination of the Ukrainian people and its leadership in their fight to defend the sovereignty, territorial integrity and freedom of Ukraine. The EU underlined its unwavering commitment to help Ukraine exercise its inherent right of self-defence against the Russian aggression and to build a peaceful, democratic and prosperous future.

The Association Council recalled the EU's objective to support Ukraine to reach a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on the principles of the UN Charter and international law. It welcomed the outcome of the US-Ukraine talks in Saudi Arabia, including the proposal for a ceasefire agreement. The Council stressed that the proposal of a ceasefire - if accepted by Russia - can be an important step in this direction and that it is now for Russia to show its willingness to achieve peace. The Council recalled that indiscriminate attacks are prohibited under international humanitarian law, and if they amount to attacks directed against civilians they may constitute war crimes. The Council stressed that recent Russia's brutal attack against residential neigbourhood in Kryvyi Rih that killed 20 people, including 9 children, may constitute a grave violation of the international humanitarian law and could amount to war crimes. The EU stressed that it is ready to play its full part in supporting the upcoming steps, together with Ukraine, the United States and other partners.

The Association Council welcomed the overall support provided to Ukraine by the EU and its Member States of almost EUR 144 billion since the start of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, including EUR 49.6 billion of military assistance. It welcomed also the training provided for the Ukrainian Armed Forces by the EU Military Assistance Mission, which has trained 73,000 Ukrainian troops so far.

The Council welcomed the continued financial assistance delivered through EU instruments. In this regard, it welcomed the disbursement of the third regular payment of nearly EUR 3.5 billion in 2025 under the Ukraine Facility, bringing total support under the Facility to approximately EUR 19.6 billion since its launch in March 2024. It also welcomed the disbursement of the third tranche of EUR 1 billionin macro-financial assistance under the ERA loan in 2025, bringing the total ERA support to Ukraine in 2025 to EUR 5 billion. Ukraine emphasized the key role of EU financial assistance in supporting its resilience and recovery.

Ukraine welcomed the decision of the G7 to approve a $50 billion loan for Ukraine in 2025 as a crucial step, and highlighted the EU's leadership in international efforts to support Ukraine's reconstruction.

Ukraine expressed its appreciation for the sixteen packages of EU restrictive measures and the Council reiterated that work will continue on sanctions, including by strengthening their implementation and preventing circumvention, and by adopting further sanctions.

The Council stressed that subject to EU law, Russian assets should remain immobilised until Russia ceases its war of aggression against Ukraine and compensates it for the damage caused by this war.

The EU reiterated its determination to address Ukraine's pressing military and defence needs including the delivery of ammunition and missiles, and its commitment to bolster Ukraine's ability to defend its independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty. The Association Council highlighted the strategic importance of intensifying work to further support and develop Ukraine's defence industry and to deepen its cooperation with the EU Defence industry, cooperation which has to be in line with modalities to be agreed and has to take into account the security and defence interests of all Member States, in accordance with the Treaties. The EU underlined that in line with Joint Security commitments between EU and Ukraine it remained committed to contributing, for the long term and together with partners, to sustainable support for Ukraine's security and defence , which will help Ukraine to defend itself, deter acts of aggression and resists destabilisation efforts in the future. The Association Council welcomed the opening of the EU Defence Innovation Office in Kyiv in September 2024 and the work towards its extension.

The Association Council stressed the firm commitment that Russia and its leadership must be held fully accountable for waging a war of aggression against Ukraine, and other most serious crimes under international law. The Association Council welcomed the agreement between legal experts on the technical documents, laying the foundation for the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine.

The Association Council emphasised the historic decision of the European Council of December 2023 to open EU accession negotiations with Ukraine. It recalled that the Council adopted the respective negotiating framework with Ukraine at the first Intergovernmental Conference on 25 June 2024 and that the European Council on 17 December 2024 reaffirmed its full and unequivocal commitment to the EU membership perspective of Ukraine. It welcomed the completion of the bilateral screening meetings of three clusters, looks forward to its conclusion and to the next steps in Ukraine's accession process by opening clusters, starting with the fundamentals cluster as soon as possible, when the conditions are met. Ukraine has reiterated its unwavering commitment to implement all opening benchmarks as provided by the negotiating framework immediately after the request of the EU side. The Council encourages Ukraine to continue on its path of reforms, which the EU will continue to support. The future of Ukraine and its citizens lies within the European Union.

Despite the ongoing war, trade between Ukraine and the EU has continued growing. The Association Council took note of the state of play of implementation of the Association Agreement and agreed to maximise the opportunities it offers to accelerate the gradual integration into selected EU policies, already before accession, in those sectors where Ukraine is set to achieve full regulatory alignment. Ukraine reaffirmed the importance of rule-based trade as well as keeping the scope and dynamics of trade between EU and Ukraine, which is highly beneficial for both sides. Ukraine is looking forward to the review of DCFTA under article 29(4) as soon as possible as well as working out bridging solutions in view of the expiration of the Autonomous Trade Measures (ATM).

This also concerns in particular the launch of the assessment for the conclusion of an Agreement on Conformity Assessment and Acceptance of industrial products (ACAA) for three sectors, which could in the future be expanded to other strategic sectors once Ukraine full aligns with the EU legislation; the progress towards granting of internal market treatment for roaming; and the acceleration of preparations by Ukraine to apply to join the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) scheme. The Association Council underlined the importance of the EU-Ukraine road transport agreement to facilitate bilateral trade, and welcomed the Joint Committee's decision on smart tachograph recognition - a step that will further improve transport connectivity.

The Association Council welcomed Ukraine's steady progress in implementing reforms under the Ukraine Plan, particularly in the areas of rule of law, judiciary and public administration, and encouraged Ukraine to continue decisively on this path, which is key for strengthening Ukraine's resilience and brings it closer to EU membership.

The Association Council welcomed progress towards the establishment of the new Public Administration Reform Sub-committee under the Association Agreement and the Joint Consultative Committee between Ukraine and the European Committee of the Regions. These two bodies will foster closer cooperation between the EU and Ukraine on key governance reforms, particularly in public administration and decentralisation.

The Association Council welcomed Ukraine's signature of the Joint Procurement Agreement for medical countermeasures.

The Association Council acknowledged the EU-Ukraine cooperation on space and welcomed the ambition of Ukraine to be ever closer associated to the Union Space Programme. It welcomed the signing of the agreement on participation of Ukraine in the Copernicus component, the Space Weather Events and Near-Earth Objects sub-components of the Union Space Programme.

The EU highlighted the contribution of the EU Advisory Mission in Ukraine to support Ukraine's civilian security sector reform in line with the EU accession agenda, accountability efforts, as well as law enforcement in liberated and adjacent territories.

The meeting was chaired by Denys Shmyhal, Prime Minister of Ukraine and the Delegation of the EU was headed by Kaja Kallas, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos participated in the meeting on behalf of the European Commission.

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Ukraine: Press remarks by High Representative Kaja Kallas after the EU-Ukraine Association Council

European External Action Service (EEAS)

09.04.2025

Brussels, 09/04/2025

EEAS Press Team

Check against delivery!



Good afternoon, everybody.

Prime Minister, dear Denys, it is a pleasure to host the 10th Association Council with Ukraine, and also my first with Ukraine - it is also my first with you.

I, of course, wish it was under different circumstances, but it is under the circumstances where Russia is still waging a war of aggression against Ukraine, and it shows no signs of abating.

Since Ukraine accepted the non-conditional ceasefire, Russia's attacks have only increased. Last weekend we saw the deadliest single attack on Ukrainian children since the start of the full-scale invasion. Our condolences for that.

Ukraine is fighting a war that only Russia wants to continue. The urgency of international support to Ukraine is also very clear. As [the] President of Ukraine recently reiterated, Ukraine urgently needs large calibre ammunition: 2 million rounds will be our contribution in this regard. We know that it is available on the market, we just need to get our act together.

The EU and our Member States can deliver this. Already this year, since we started reaching out to Member States, Ukraine is receiving more than 1 million rounds either in orders or in pledges. And I will definitely continue to work to reach this 2 million rounds this year.

In parallel, Ukraine will soon receive the rest from the first tranche of windfall profits, it is 1.4 billion from Russian immobilised assets. We aim for the second tranche, 2.1 billion, to be delivered gradually from the end of this month. The bulk of this 1 billion will support your own defence industry.

In the longer term, we are working towards the integration of the Ukrainian and the EU defence industries. So, companies in the European Union have a lot to learn from Ukraine in this regard. This includes from Ukraine's ability to build thriving and innovative drone industry while under attack, and from your strong industrial base that you built by encouraging hundreds of defence start-ups.

Our cooperation goes beyond the defence. Over the last decade, European Union and Ukraine have become closer and closer.

We see this today: for example, in your determination to fight corruption. We see this in the fact that, [in] less than 10 years, the EU has become Ukraine's largest trading partner, which shows that our companies believe in Ukraine.

We also see this in Ukraine's alignment of the Ukrainian foreign policy with the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy.

And today we signed also 5 new agreements with Ukraine. These cover everything from rebuilding Ukraine's energy infrastructure to participating in our Copernicus satellite programme.

Since the last EU-Ukraine Association Council, we have also made good progress in screening process of Ukrainian legislation for compatibility with European law. And this is the first stage of accession negotiations. Of course, Commissioner Kos will go for more detail about this. And there are no shortcuts on the path of Ukrainian membership in the European Union. But Ukraine, even in the middle of the war, has shown time and time again its dedication to the European path and the reforms.

Dear Denys, again it is a pleasure to welcome you here in Brussels for the Association Council and thank you for this meeting today.

It was already very clear, like the Member States reiterated, your future is in the European Union. So, we continue to work for this and we also continue to look forward greeting you as a member of European Union one day.

Thank you.

Link to the video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-270408

Q&A

Q. What are the obstacles for getting to 2 million rounds this year and given what you mentioned about continued Russian attacks on Ukraine, do you think it is useful that the US and Russia are continuing their negotiating process?

On your question on the 2 million rounds initiative: the good thing is that things are moving. We are seeing different Member States coming up with their announcements for the rounds. Recently, France announced 2 billion, Germany pledged 12 billion over next years, Sweden pledged 1.4 million, Belgium yesterday announced []1 billion. All together, we are already in calculating is providing over 50% of this Ukraine ammunition needs of this year, but of course it's 50%. We still need to work on that. What is the main obstacle? The main obstacle is of course money, the funding. We have done the Rearm [Europe Plan/Readiness 2030] and given the fiscal possibilities to do this, but it is up to the Member States to make the decisions.

Then, on your second question on the US and Russian negotiation process. So, it takes two to want peace, but it only takes one to want war and this is clearly what we see. Right now, Russia wants war and continues with these attacks that are horrendous and more serious than ever. Attacking children directly when no military buildings or military organisations [are] around, by attacking this civilian population. Therefore, Russia is clearly showing that they do not want peace. Now, the question is: what are we doing about this? And I think the right answer is to really put the pressure on the one who wants war, which is Russia, for them to actually want peace.

Q. I wonder if I could have your reaction to the developments that we heard yesterday from President Zelenskyy. He informed that the army had captured two Chinese citizens fighting alongside the Russian army inside Ukraine. They suspect other Chinese citizens might be involved in the war as well. What is your reaction to that? Because it is obviously very concerning and how do you think it could impact EU-China relations in this moment that they can work closer on trade?

Yes, we heard the news and of course we had the discussions also with the Prime Minister Shmyhal about this and asked: what do we know about this? And of course, it does not mean that the Chinese army is involved, but of course they can share the information that they know about this. What is clear is that China is the key enabler of Russia's war. Without Chinese support, Russia would not be able to wage war in the amount that they are waging this. We see that 80% of the dual use goods are actually entering Russia via China. We also see the North Korean troops present in Ukraine and the military equipment coming from North Korea to Russia [used in the] the war against Ukraine. It is clear that if China would want to really stop the support, then it would have an impact.

Q. If I may follow up on the China issue. We have seen the readout of the President's conversation yesterday with Chinese Premier Li Qiang asking him to engage in a peace solution, but in the readout there was no mention of China as key enabler of Russia's war. I am wondering if there is a tradeoff here: cooperation with China in front of the trade war of Mr. Trump on one side, and on the other side the issue of Russian war and if you are ready to fall for such a tradeoff.

These are a very difficult times that we are living in. We see United States and China really having this immense trade war. And, of course, what we see around the world is that everybody is looking for new trade partners. When it comes to Europe, 87% of the global trade is with third countries. That is the picture. Of course, everybody wants to diversify their portfolios. It is clear that China has been the key enabler of Russia's war of aggression. NATO has stated this also in their statements. Now, the question is: how are we getting this message across China? Definitely China wants to have good trading relations with Europe - as we are a very big market. We do not want the overcapacity to our market and at the same time we want this war to stop. That also requires cooperation from the Chinese side. This is the theatre where we have to operate and find solutions.

Thank you.

Link to the video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-270636

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Largest Estonian defence industry delegation wants to help Ukraine achieve victory

Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

09.04.2025

This week, a business delegation of Estonia's defence industry with representatives of nearly 30 companies is visiting Ukraine. Several business seminars and meetings are held, as well as a joint display of products and demonstrations in training areas. The visit is organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Estonian Embassy in Ukraine with the Ministry of Defence and the Estonian Defence and Aerospace Industry Association.

The business seminar was opened by Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur. An overview of Ukraine's defence cooperation and procurements and the situation on the frontline was provided by Deputy Defence Minister Valerii Churkin, Minister of Strategic Industries Herman Smetanin, Deputy Minister of Strategic Industries David Aloian, and Defense Procurement Agency Director Arsen Dzhumadilov.

Priit Kallakas, Director General of the Foreign Ministry's Business Diplomacy Department, said that this kind of visit had been organised for the second consecutive year and it was one of the largest business delegations in recent years. "Our defence industry companies are very interested in cooperation with Ukraine. Everybody understands that it is critical to be here now - to receive feedback on what is actually working on the battlefield and what is not working," Kallakas said.

He said the companies of both Estonia and Ukraine wanted to contribute to Ukraine's victory. "If it is not possible to attain superiority in manpower, it is crucial to achieve technological superiority. This is where our companies can offer their smart solutions and work with Ukrainians," he said.

The Estonian business delegation includes companies ranging from producers of drones and unmanned vehicles and developers of intelligence software systems to law firms and logistics companies specialising in the defence sector. Around ten of them are actively operating in Ukraine.

Kalev Koidumae, CEO of the Estonian Defence and Aerospace Industry Association, said the aim of the visit and the work of the association was to find new contacts, markets and opportunities for Estonian companies. "Right now, Ukraine is where the products of our sector are working. The products and systems created by our engineers are being tested here and this allows us to create solutions that actually work in modern warfare," Koidumae said.

He said that state support on these kinds of visits added credibility to companies and it was a joint effort by the sector and the state. "Thanks to the minister, the ministries and the embassy, high-level partners and local decision-makers are attending," Koidumae said, emphasising that Estonia's defence industry is part of Estonia's defence capabilities.

Estonian drone producer KrattWorks was also part of the delegation, having already launched its first cooperation projects in Ukraine. "For us, Ukraine is, above all, a test market where we can see how our technology works and how we can develop it further. Local units have tried our drones and we keep developing our products based on their feedback," Tonis Voitka, CEO of KrattWorks, said.

He said they were part of the visit in order to find new partners. "On a state-organised visit, we can establish contacts with potential partners and local state representatives we would not be able to approach otherwise," Voitka said.

The Estonian business delegation comprises Vegvisir, Jetflite, Front42, Marduk Technologies, Meridein Grupp, Milrem Robotics, Threod Systems, SensusQ, Defendec, TRINITI, Atalanta Systems, Lendurai, CybExer Technologies, Milmech Systems, 5.0 Robotics, KrattWorks, Englo, Strobil, Falconers, Jetflite, Defsecintel Solutions, Sorainen, CAFA Tech OU, Threod Systems, Baltic Workboats, Asax Innovation, Telearmy and Frankenburg Technologies.

The visit is funded from the instruments of the EU's NextGenerationEU recovery instrument.

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EU reaffirms unwavering support for Ukraine*

European Commission

Press release

Apr 9, 2025

Brussels

Today, the European Union is taking a series of steps to further bolster its support for Ukraine.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission: "Our commitment to Ukraine is firm as ever. We work across the board to strengthen the country and support a just and lasting peace on Ukraine's terms. Today's disbursement and agreements are also an investment in a shared common future. We are backing Ukraine's impressive reform efforts and deepening our tiesfrom space, security and defence to building a thriving business environment.   . We are with you."

Additional 1 billion of support under G7 loan

The European Commission has disbursed an additional 1 billion tranche of its exceptional Macro-Financial Assistance (MFA) loan to Ukraine, to be repaid with proceeds from immobilised Russian State assets in the EU, reinforcing the EU's role as the largest donor since the beginning of Russia's war against Ukraine. This payment brings the total MFA disbursements to Ukraine to 5 billion.

The EU's 18.1 billion MFA forms part of the G7-led Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration (ERA) initiative, which aims to provide around 45 billion in support to Ukraine. This funding addresses Ukraine's urgent budgetary needs, which have grown due to Russia's ongoing war of aggression. It will help Ukraine sustain military and reconstruction efforts, including the repair of critical infrastructure like energy, water, and transport systems.

The Commission stands ready to frontload the remaining MFA funds in line with the country's needs, as called for by the European leaders in the Special European Council in early March.

EU to deliver 2.1 billion in revenue from immobilised assets to be used for support to Ukraine

This week the Commission will receive 2.1 billion due in windfall profits generated from immobilised assets of the Russian Central Bank, held by the Central Securities Depositories. The receipt of this amount will mark the second transfer of its kind, following a first tranche delivered in July 2024. It covers revenues accumulated during the second half of 2024.

These funds come from assets of the Russian Central Bank which are immobilised under EU sanctions imposed in response to Russia's ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine. While the assets themselves remain blocked, the extraordinary revenues they generate over time are used to support Ukraine. The proceeds from this tranche will be channelled via the European Peace Facility (EPF), as agreed by the Council in 2024, and the Ukraine Facility to help strengthen Ukraine's defence capabilities and contribute to the country's recovery and reconstruction.

This measure is part of the EU's continued commitment to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes. Subsequent tranches will be provided to Ukraine principally to enable it to ensure the repayment of the funds it receives from the G7-led Extraordinary ERA initiative, while a limited portion will continue to be channelled through the EPF.

Tenth meeting of the EU-Ukraine Association Council

Today, the tenth meeting of the EU-Ukraine Association Council is taking place in Brussels. It will discuss political matters and bilateral relations.

During a restricted session, the EU and Ukraine will exchange views on the situation following Russia's war of aggression, focusing on the military, economic and humanitarian situation on the ground and the response to Russia's war.

They will then touch on wider global and regional issues. The meeting will also be the opportunity to discuss more on topics on the bilateral agenda. These include the implementation of the Association Agreement, since the start of Russia's war of aggression; the issue of reconstruction and reforms in Ukraine; and the EU financial assistance.

The meeting will be chaired by Denys Shmyhal, Prime Minister of Ukraine and the Delegation of the EU will be headed by Kaja Kallas, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

Five new EU-Ukraine agreements were signed today

In the margins of the Association Council between Ukraine and the EU, five agreements were signed today.

These include three finance contracts worth 300 million between the European Investment Bank and Ukraine, supporting key operations that address Ukraine's most pressing recovery needs. The funding will empower local actors to swiftly rebuild essential infrastructure such as water systems and energy-efficient facilities, alleviating pressure on government administration while ensuring effective delivery. Backed by the European Union through the Ukraine Facility, these projects reflect our steadfast commitment to Ukraine's recovery and long-term resilience. They will deliver tangible benefits to people and businesses across the country at a time when they are most needed.

In addition, the Commission signed an agreement on Ukraine's participation in the Copernicus component, as well as in the Space Weather Events and Near-Earth Object sub-components of the EU Space Programme. This agreement will bring significant benefits to Ukrainefor example, access to the future Space Weather service, which will protect Ukrainian satellites from disruptions caused by space weather events. It also plays a crucial role in post-war damage assessment and reconstruction, as the EU Space Programme includes some of the most advanced space technologies.

Ukraine also signed the agreement on the procure medical countermeasures against serious cross-border health threats, which allows all signatories, including the EU and other candidate countries, to jointly procure medical countermeasures. Ukraine will gain faster, more equitable, and often more affordable access to essential medicines and medical products, ensuring protection for their citizens and patients in times of health emergencies.

EU-Ukraine Business Summit

A major business summit co-hosted by the European Commission, the Ukrainian government, the Polish Presidency of the EU Council, and Italy, will also take place tomorrow and Friday. The EU-Ukraine Business Summit aims to support Ukraine's reconstruction and reform efforts, with over 700 stakeholders attending to discuss ways to strengthen the country's business climate and unlock investment.

On this occasion, European Commissioner Marta Kos and Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal will launch a new EU-Ukraine Business Partnership. This initiative seeks to deepen economic ties between the EU and Ukraine, accelerating the country's recovery and supporting its path to EU accession and integration into the EU Single Market.

During this event, the European Commission will also announce a new call for expressions of interest, encouraging EU companies to invest in Ukraine's reconstruction. The call will be open until October 10, 2025, and will include opportunities for joint ventures with Ukrainian partners. A press conference with Commissioner Marta Kos, Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine Olha Stefanishyna, and Minister for European Union of Poland Adam Szapka will take place on 10 April from 10:20 to 10:50, broadcast live on EBS+.

*Updated on 9 April 2025 at 16:45 CEST.

Quote(s)

Our commitment to Ukraine is firm as ever. We work across the board to strengthen the country and support a just and lasting peace on Ukraine's terms. Today's disbursement and agreements are also an investment in a shared common future. We are backing Ukraine's impressive reform efforts and deepening our tiesfrom space, security and defence to building a thriving business environment.   . We are with you. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission

While the EU helps Ukraine defend itself from Russia's aggression, we are supporting the country at every step on its accession path. From creating opportunities to connect the EU and Ukrainian business sectors, to bringing Ukraine into important EU programmes such as Copernicus, our relationship is only getting closer. Even in the midst of war, Ukraine has shown time and again its dedication to putting the work in. Today it is as clear as ever where Ukraine's future lies. Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission

The EU continues to provide the financial support Ukraine needs to continue its fight for survival in the face of Russia's brutal aggression. Today, we make the next 1 billion payment under the G7-led Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration (ERA) loans initiative. The EU has now provided Ukraine with 5 billion as part of its overall 18.1 billion contribution under this initiative. It also ensures that Russia pays for its aggression by using the proceeds of immobilised Russian state assets to repay the loans provided. Together with EIB Group, we also provided today a further 300 million to address Ukraine's urgent recovery and reconstruction needs. Valdis Dombrovskis, Commissioner for Economy and Productivity; Implementation and Simplification

I am delighted to sign today with the Ukrainian Ambassador to the EU, Mr. Vsevolod Chentsov, the EU-Ukraine Agreement on participation of Ukraine in the following components of the Union Space Programme: Copernicus, Space Weather Events and Near-Earth Objects. The implementation of this Agreement will benefit Ukrainians across different sectors, including agriculture, energy or urban planning, offering ultimately an important potential contributing to recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine. It will foster further cooperation and synergies while building on Ukrainian solid expertise in space technology. We are opening a new chapter of our cooperation in space activities, for which I and my team are excited about and are looking forward to work closely together. Andrius Kubilius, Commissioner for Defence and Space

The EU-Ukraine Business Summit marks another step in our united response to Russia's aggression and in reaffirming the European Union's resolute commitment to Ukraine's recovery, resilience, and European future. By launching the EU-Ukraine Business Partnership and convening key public and private stakeholders, we are mobilising strategic investment and laying the groundwork for Ukraine's integration into the EU Single Market. Today's signing of important EIB loans under the Ukraine Facility sends a clear signal: the EU is not only standing with Ukraine politically and militarily, but we are backing that support with real financial firepower. This is about more than reconstruction: it is about anchoring Ukraine firmly within the European family and accelerating its path to EU accession. Marta Kos, Commissioner for Enlargement

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New NATO-Ukraine Centre hosts resilience workshop to enhance cooperation and readiness

NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

02 Apr. 2025 - 03 Apr. 2025

Last updated: 09 Apr. 2025

The NATO Joint Analysis Training and Education Centre (JATEC) in Bydgoszcz, Poland held a workshop on total defence and resilience on 2-3 April 2025.

21 participants from six NATO Allies and Ukraine addressed topics including the security of critical services, strategic communications, transport and military mobility. The workshop aimed to enhance collaboration and inform future planning for NATO and Ukraine, identify key challenges and develop actionable strategies for Ukraine's long-term security and defence readiness. In the workshop, experts from several Swedish government agencies shared Sweden's approach to national resilience-building. This was complemented by NATO's pool of resilience civil experts, who offered experience and best practices from across the Alliance.

In 2024, Allies agreed to deepen cooperation with partners on resilience. The mutually beneficial work between NATO and Ukraine through JATEC directly contributes to this initiative. In the same year, Allies also agreed to continue supporting Ukraine, including by establishing JATEC. Opened in February 2025, JATEC is the first civil-military organisation to be jointly run by NATO and a partner nation. It analyses wartime experiences in Ukraine and provides NATO and Allies with insights on the latest battlefield developments, emerging technologies, lessons learned, and new education and training systems, as well as developing and testing new military concepts. JATEC's work will help to further strengthen Ukraine's defence sector, enhance its deterrence and defence, and reach full interoperability with NATO.

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Zelenskyy Targets Beijing After Chinese Fighters Captured In Ukraine

By Reid Standish April 09, 2025

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made headlines when he said on April 8 that Ukrainian forces had captured two Chinese nationals fighting with the Russian Army.

But are the two captured Chinese citizens proof that Beijing is sending soldiers to fight for Russia against Ukraine? The short answer is no.

Chinese nationals fighting in Ukraine are not new, and there is currently no public evidence showing the two captured men were sent by Beijing.

A few hundred Chinese nationals are thought to have traveled to fight as mercenaries with Russia's army, and there have been previous reports on Russian military groups on Telegram about Chinese citizens killed fighting alongside Russian forces.

A Russian Defense Ministry hospital database obtained exclusively by RFE/RL in February also showed Chinese mercenaries serving alongside Russian troops.

But the more important development that this episode represents for the war in Ukraine is the departure Zelenskyy's comments mark from the carefully balanced diplomatic tightrope Kyiv had been walking with China since Russia launched its full-scale invasion against Ukraine in 2022.

Beijing has been Moscow's strongest partner amid the war and has boosted Russia's war machine with stepped-up trade and a steady flow of militarily useful civilian goods. China, however, has stopped short of providing Russia weapons or military expertise.

As this has unfolded, Kyiv has largely refrained from criticizing China -- with a few exceptions -- as Ukraine has held out hope to potentially win over Chinese cooperation in a future peace deal.

What's Behind Zelenskyy's New Approach to China?

So what's changed for Zelenskyy? The most obvious is his relationship with Washington and lingering questions about future US military support for Kyiv.

His statements after the announcement of the two fighters being captured also show how linking the war more clearly to China may shift the needle for his dynamic with US President Donald Trump.

In his social media post on April 8, which included a video of a captured soldier describing a drone attack in Chinese, Zelenskyy said the involvement of Chinese nationals alongside Russian troops "is a clear signal that [Russian President Vladimir] Putin intends to do anything but end the war. He is looking for ways to continue fighting."

Speaking at a press conference later that day, the Ukrainian president went on to imply the two fighters were evidence of the international backing Moscow has behind it on the battlefield.

"This is another country that militarily supports Russia's invasion of Ukraine on the side of Russia. This is another one after Iran and the North Korean military," he said.

Ukraine's Role In The US-China Power Struggle

Beijing has been adamant that it doesn't have its own troops on the ground in Ukraine. The Chinese Foreign Ministry said on April 9 that it is currently verifying information about the two nationals with Ukraine and that it has always told its citizens to refrain from participating in military operations.

But Zelenskyy appears to be aiming to lump China together with North Korea, which has sent thousands of troops to fight with Russia, and Iran, which has provided Moscow with drones to bombard Ukrainian infrastructure.

This was pushed further when he said he had tasked Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha with contacting Beijing and summoning China's charge d'affaires posted at its embassy in Kyiv.

Taking to social media, Sybiha said that "Chinese citizens fighting as part of Russia's invasion army in Ukraine puts into question China's declared stance for peace and undermines Beijing's credibility as a responsible permanent member of the UN Security Council."

While Trump and senior US officials have floated the prospect of a reset with Moscow in exchange for ending the war, China remains in the US president's crosshairs -- and countering Beijing could also come at the expense of supporting Ukraine.

As laid out in a leaked internal Pentagon memo published by The Washington Post at the end of March, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said stopping a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan should be the top priority and doing so will require the Pentagon to "assume risk in other theaters" amid personnel and resource constraints.

It goes on to call for pressuring allies in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia to spend more on defense to take on a larger role in deterring other US adversaries like Iran, North Korea, and Russia so the United States can devote more resources to China.

With the future of Ukraine's relationship with the United States uncertain amid a push by Trump to reach a peace deal of the war as it enters its fourth year, Zelenskyy appears to be searching for his own China card to play.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/china-ukraine-soldier- russia-mercenary-army-war/33378620.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.

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Russian Drone Strikes On Ukrainian Cities Leave Dozens Wounded

By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service April 09, 2025

A Russian drone attack on the Ukrainian cities of Dnipro, Kharkiv, and Kramatorsk late on April 8 wounded more than two dozen people and damaged multiple residential buildings, local officials said.

Serhiy Lysak, governor of the Dnipropetrovsk region, said that "Dnipro suffered the most" from the overnight Russian attack, which wounded at least 15 people, leaving almost all of them in serious condition.

"People have cuts, shrapnel wounds, bruises, and head injuries. Some needed help due to severe stress," Lysak said.

Lysak added that the attack damaged 15 private houses and nearly two dozen cars. According to him, several business facilities, administrative buildings, and the city's infrastructure were damaged.

Ukraine's second largest city, Kharkiv, and the eastern city of Kramatorsk were also hit by the Russian drones.

Local authorities said more than 20 explosions were heard in Kharkiv, injuring at least two people.

Five others were injured in Kramatorsk, in the Donetsk region.

"An 11-year-old girl, her 34-year-old mother and a 55-year-old grandmother were wounded in the attack," said the head of the Donetsk Regional Military Administration, Vadym Filashkin.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for support from Ukraine's partners "to save as many people as possible."

"War does not abate from talks and statements, and Moscow ignores any diplomacy because they believe they have the liberty to do so," Zelenskyy said on X.

The Ukrainian Air Force said that it shot down 32 out of 55 drones launched by Russia overnight, with another eight "not reaching their targets."

Ukraine Claims 'Successful Actions'

Meanwhile, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a post on the Telegram that its air defense units destroyed 158 drones overnight, including 29 over the southern Rostov region.

Russia's aviation authority, Rosaviatsia, said that several airports in Russia's south were closed early on April 9 to ensure air safety.

Ukraine's top military commander, Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskiy, claimed that Kyiv had recently conducted "successful" strikes on Russian air bases.

"A few days ago, our successful actions destroyed a Tu-22M3 long-range bomber. It had just landed and our drone hit it," he told Ukrainian media outlet LB.ua.

Syrskiy claimed that the cost of such a plane could be as high as $100 million.

On the ground, according to the latest report by the US-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Russian forces are currently pursuing three different objectives in their attempt to capture the crucial city of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region.

"The situation immediately south and southwest of Pokrovsk remains extremely dynamic amid intensified Russian offensive operations," the report said.

With Russian forces spending the last 13 months trying to capture the city, the ISW further underlined that Ukrainian drone operations and localized counterattacks are continuing to complicate Moscow's advances in the area.

Earlier, this month, a unit of Ukrainian drone pilots stationed in Pokrovsk told RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service that they have become a high-value target for Russian forces.

On March 26, Zelenskyy said that Russian President Vladimir Putin was "trying to buy time and prepare for a spring offensive."

According to him, Russia was preparing a new offensive, particularly in the Sumy and Kharkiv regions.

Syrskiy said that offensive has already started.

"We are seeing an almost doubling of the number of enemy offensives in all major directions," he told LB.ua.

The ISW report said Russian forces also recently advanced in Russia's Kursk region, parts of which are controlled by Kyiv, and conducted a raid into Ukraine's neighboring Sumy region, but "likely did not establish new positions."

In the interview, however, Syrskiy again hailed Ukraine's surprise incursion into Kursk last August, saying the operation was "critical" to the defense of the Kharkiv region.

Late on April 7, Zelenskyy acknowledged publicly for the first time that Ukrainian troops are now holding new positions inside Russia -- this time in the Belgorod region.

"We continue active operations in the enemy's border areas and this is absolutely justified... Our main objective remains the same: to protect our land and our communities in the Sumy and Kharkiv regions," he said.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russian-drone-attack-ukraine- april-2025-dnipro-kharkiv-kramatorsk/33378220.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.

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Statement by Russian Defence Ministry

09.04.2025 (13:05)

In violation of the Russian-American agreements to cease strikes at energy facilities for 30 days from 18 March 2025, the Kiev regime continues its daily unilateral attacks against the Russian energy infrastructure.

In the past 24 hours, the Armed Forces of Ukraine have attacked Russian power facilities four times.

In Kursk region:

On 8 April, at 08:18, a deliberate fire attack of the AFU damaged overhead wires and disabled a high-voltage line of the Kurskenergo (Rosseti Centre's branch). Household consumers were cut off electricity in Bolshoye Soldatskoye, Bolshesoldatsky District.

On 8 April, at 13:20, a deliberate fire attack of the Armed Forces of Ukraine caused an overhead wire breakage and thus disabled a high-voltage line of the Kurskenergo (Rosseti Centre's branch). Household consumers were cut off electricity in Kamyshnoye and Krupets, Belovsky District.

In Zaporozhye region:

On 8 April, at 22:39, a Ukrainian attack UAV targeting the Botiyevsk wind power plant hit a wind power system. The station reduced the working capacity by 3.25MW.

In Rostov region:

On 9 April, at 03:50, a high-voltage line of the Rosseti South's branch - Rostovenergo was disabled due to damage caused by a Ukrainian UAV. About 400 household consumers were left without power in Kamensky District.

From 23:38 of 8 April to 1:26 of 9 April, the Armed Forces of Ukraine launched an attack using 8 UAVs against the Korenovskaya compressor station in Korenovsky District, Krasnodar region.

This compressor station provides power supply of the TurkStream export gas pipeline. The Korenovskaya station has a pumping capacity of 31.5 billion cubic metres of gas a year.

All AFU attack UAVs were shot down by air defence systems and fire groups. The station was not damaged.

This was the Kiev regime's deliberate attack on the international energy facility.

In addition, at 2:30 of 9 April, the Armed Forces of Ukraine launched an attack using two UAVs on the Temryuk gas distribution station, which provides gas supply to city and the port of Temryuk. Both UAVs were shot down at a safe distance from the station.

Thus, in violation of the Russian-American agreements to cease strikes at energy facilities for 30 days from 18 March 2025, the Kiev regime has practically never stopped attacks on the Russian power infrastructure even for a day.

Department for Media Affairs and Information

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Involving Chinese Citizens in This War Is Definitely Fueling a Larger Problem, and This Must Be Responded to in the Most Principled Way - Address by the President

President of Ukraine

9 April 2025 - 20:28

Dear Ukrainians!

The key developments of the day. A meeting of the Military Cabinet was held: with thorough reports from Syrskyi, Hnatov, and Drapatyi. All directions, all parts of the frontline were covered. Our positions, necessary supplies, and staffing. The maximum effort for stabilizing the situation, for our active actions and our active diplomacy. Today I have also discussed with the Minister of Defense of Ukraine our preparations for the upcoming Ramstein meeting, which is scheduled for Friday. Our top priority is air defense - above all, missile defense against ballistic threats. Ukraine needs at the very least ten systems that are sufficiently effective specifically against Russian ballistic missiles, and this is where Patriots are second to none. We have repeatedly raised this issue with the American side and with everyone in Europe who is in a position to help. We are counting on decisions. Just today, there were several air raid alerts across the country due to ballistic missile threats. In some parts of our country, people are virtually living under the constant threat of such attacks. And right now, the world lacks not the systems themselves - but only the political decisions needed to protect lives. The systems do exist. There are even enough Patriots in the world to guarantee protection from Russian terror once and for all. But this requires a political decision - a decision by our partners. The second priority at Ramstein is ensuring continued support throughout this year. Stability and predictability of aid are the things that disappoint the aggressor and actually incite toward diplomacy. We need to eliminate Putin's temptation  his hope that support for Ukraine will vanish. It won't. The support will continue. We need that signal, and we need a steady supply of defense assistance.

Also today, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine reported on his visit to Kryvyi Rih - the site of a brutal strike against children, civilians, and an ordinary city street. Representatives of 32 states - ambassadors and heads of missions - participated in the visit. I thank each country, and every diplomat, for this expression of support. It is vital that the world sees what is truly happening.

And one more thing. The Security Service of Ukraine is conducting initial procedural actions with captured Chinese nationals. They are now in Kyiv. Communicating with investigators. Providing information on how they ended up on the frontline, how they became involved in this international crime, this Russia's war against Ukraine. We also have information about other citizens of the People's Republic of China serving in the Russian army - with names, surnames, and details of the specific ways in which such soldiers became part of the Russian occupation contingent. We will use diplomatic channels to convey the necessary information to the Chinese side and, of course, to everyone in the world who has heard Beijing say that this war must not be further escalated or expanded. Involving Chinese citizens in this war is definitely fueling a larger problem. And this must be responded to in the most principled way. Reinforcing the occupation contingent while speaking of peace are mutually exclusive things. We also expect our partners to be principled - to be principled in their support of Ukraine. I thank everyone who is truly doing everything to end this war justly with lasting peace. I thank our warriors.

Glory to Ukraine!

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Andriy Yermak Holds a Phone Conversation with the National Security Advisor to the President of Ghana

President of Ukraine

9 April 2025 - 18:41

Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak held a phone conversation with the National Security Advisor to the President of the Republic of Ghana, Prosper Douglas Kweku Bani. Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Ihor Brusylo also participated in the conversation.

Andriy Yermak thanked Ghana for its support of UN resolutions condemning Russia's aggression against Ukraine.

"We aim to strengthen cooperation between Ukraine and Ghana. Ghana is one of Ukraine's most important and promising partners in West Africa. I believe that the recent opening of the Ukrainian Embassy in Ghana will facilitate further cooperation," he noted.

The Head of the Presidential Office emphasized that Ukraine is striving to achieve a just and lasting peace, but Russia is doing everything to prolong the war even further. In particular, Andriy Yermak pointed to the brutal Russian strike on Kryvyi Rih, which claimed the lives of 20 people, including nine children, as evidence of this.

In addition, he highlighted that our state remains a guarantor of global food security and continues to implement the Grain from Ukraine humanitarian initiative.

Andriy Yermak and Prosper Douglas Kweku Bani also discussed strengthening bilateral cooperation between Ukraine and Ghana in agriculture, digital transformation, food security, transportation, and education; they also agreed to intensify practical dialogue in the near future.

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Andriy Yermak Holds a Conversation with the Advisor to the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo

President of Ukraine

9 April 2025 - 18:23

Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak held a phone conversation with the Special Security Advisor to the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Desire-Cashmir Eberande Kolongele. Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Ihor Brusylo also took part in the call.

Andriy Yermak thanked the Democratic Republic of the Congo for supporting key UN resolutions condemning Russia's aggression against Ukraine.

"We respect the territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as we do that of all countries with internationally recognized borders. We adhere to a clear position that all states must strictly comply with international law without any exceptions," he emphasized.

The Head of the Presidential Office provided details of the daily Russian shellings of Ukraine, including a missile strike on Kryvyi Rih that claimed the lives of 20 people, nine of whom were children. Special attention was paid to the frontline situation: it remains difficult, although Ukrainian defenders are preventing the Russian Federation from achieving tangible success.

The parties also discussed Ukraine's diplomatic efforts to achieve a just and sustainable peace. Our state agreed to a ceasefire, but Russia has taken no steps indicating a willingness to move toward peace.

Andriy Yermak noted that despite the ongoing war, Ukraine remains a guarantor of global food security. The Grain from Ukraine humanitarian initiative has become a key tool in the fight against the food crisis. In total, over 290,000 tons of agricultural products have been delivered under this program to 13 countries in Africa and Asia, including the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Other important topics included the development of trade and economic cooperation in agriculture, energy, construction, and the implementation of infrastructure projects.

The Head of the Presidential office also highlighted the importance of opening the Embassy of Ukraine in Kinshasa and expressed hope for the opening of a DRC diplomatic mission in Kyiv. The parties agreed to maintain regular dialogue and give new impetus to the development of cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

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Presidential Office Hosts Discussion on Prospects for Deepening Military and Technical Cooperation with Partner Countries

President of Ukraine

9 April 2025 - 17:34

Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Ihor Brusylo held a meeting with the defense attaches of Ukraine's partner countries. The meeting was attended by representatives of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, the United Kingdom, Greece, Denmark, Estonia, Italy, Ireland, Canada, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, the Czech Republic, Sweden, Switzerland, Finland, and France.

The discussion focused on bilateral and multilateral military and technical cooperation.

The participants addressed the current state of international support for Ukraine's defense sector and the coordination of efforts within coalitions, including the Coalition of the Willing, and other formats of cooperation that play a significant role in ensuring the defense capabilities of our state.

"International unity and support are now crucial for our ability to resist aggression. We strive for maximum coordination and synchronization of our joint efforts in order to achieve greater effectiveness," Ihor Brusylo noted.

The military attaches of the partner countries confirmed their states' readiness to continue supporting Ukraine.

It was also agreed to maintain regular dialogue and coordinate joint actions aimed at strengthening Ukraine's defense capabilities and resilience.

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Regulated information

Nazareth (Belgium)/Rotterdam (The Netherlands), 10 April 2025  7AM CET

Fagron to present its upgraded growth strategy and mid-term financial targets at its Capital Markets Day 2025

Fagron, the leading global player in pharmaceutical compounding will host its Capital Markets Day 2025 today from 2PM CET. The event will include presentations from CEO Rafael Padilla and CFO Karin de Jong, as well as regional and functional leaders. The Company will provide an update on its strategic direction, financial ambitions and regional dynamics.

Compounding for Growth plan (2025  2030)^

Organic revenue CAGR at CER: high single digit to low double digits

REBITDA margin: c.21.0% by 2027, with a progressive increase through 2030

Operating Cash Flow conversion: 70%

Free Cash Flow conversion: 50%*

Capex as a percentage of revenue: 3.5%

Net debt to EBITDA mid-term target of 2.8x. Maximum leverage of 3.5x

Capital allocation strategy focused on value creation through a combination of organic investments, M&A and an attractive dividend policy





Rafael Padilla, CEO of Fagron:

Today we are setting out the next phase of our journey  a phase defined by strategic clarity, disciplined execution and financial ambition. We see a clear path to accelerating our growth profile. Over the 2025  2030 period, we aim to deliver high-single digit to low-double digit organic revenue growth CAGR, with margin expansion and sustained cash generation.

Regionally, we expect EMEA to grow in the mid-single digits, Latin America in the high-single digits, and North America in the low-mid teens. This reflects our strong market positioning, favorable underlying demand for personalized medicine, and strong execution capabilities across the organization. The acceleration is driven by faster growth in Compounding Services than B&E, while Brands will grow faster than Essentials.

We expect our REBITDA margin to reach c.21.0% by 2027, followed by a progressive increase through to 2030. Margin will be supported by Operational Excellence initiatives, higher contribution from our Global Brands Strategy and benefits of operating leverage.

We will maintain our high cash generating capabilities and remain disciplined on capital deployment with our Capex as a percentage of revenue at 3.5%. M&A remains a value creation engine and we remain focused on market consolidation, product capabilities and geographic expansion.

We have built strong foundations over the past few years and are well positioned to execute on our strategic priorities to create significant stakeholder value.

^Assuming no significant changes in current market conditions

*Free Cash Flow conversion excluding one-off Capex

Strategic Overview

Fagrons strategy for 2025  2030 is built around four clear priorities designed to strengthen its leadership in pharmaceutical compounding and drive sustainable value creation:

1. Strengthen global leadership in Essentials





Fagron will maintain its #1 position in the repackaging and distribution of pharmaceutical raw materials across core markets while driving operational excellence through SKU harmonization, sourcing optimization, and regulatory preparedness.

2. Accelerate growth in Brands





The Global Brands Strategy will be a key growth and margin driver, increasing its share of B&E revenue. The company is scaling proven Brands globally, supported by scientific validation, prescriber engagement, and infrastructure readiness.

3. Expand sterile compounding services





Fagron is investing in high-quality sterile capacity and capabilities across all regions, aiming to become a leading global platform for personalized sterile medicines. Facility upgrades, automation, and regulatory strength will underpin this expansion.

4. Optimize non-sterile compounding and registration business





In non-sterile compounding, the focus is on margin improvement through operational leverage, automation, and improved quality processes. The registration business will be further refined to support high-barrier, high-value market segments.

This strategy is supported by targeted investments, disciplined capital allocation, and a globally aligned leadership team focused on execution and long-term value creation.

Registration video webcast

Todays event can be followed via a video webcast. Registration for the webcast is available via this link. The presentation will be available to download from the Fagron website 12PM CET.

Further information

Ignacio Artola

Global Investor Relations Leader

Tel. +34 670 385 795

ignacio.artola@fagron.com

About Fagron

Fagron is a leading global company active in pharmaceutical compounding, focusing on delivering personalized medicine to hospitals, pharmacies, clinics, and patients in more than 30 countries around the world.

The Belgian company Fagron NV has its registered office in Nazareth and is listed on Euronext Brussels and Euronext Amsterdam under the ticker symbol FAGR. Fagrons operational activities are managed by the Dutch company Fagron BV, which is headquartered in Rotterdam.

Important information regarding forward-looking statements

Certain statements in this press release may be deemed to be forward-looking. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and are influenced by various risks and uncertainties. Consequently, Fagron cannot provide any guarantee that such forward-looking statements will, in fact, materialize and cannot accept any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or for any other reason.

In the event of differences between the English translation and the Dutch original of this press release, the latter prevails.

Attachment
NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN, INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OR REGULATIONS OF SUCH JURISDICTION

THIS IS AN ANNOUNCEMENT FOR THE PURPOSES OF RULE 2.12 OF THE IRISH TAKEOVER PANEL ACT 1997, TAKEOVER RULES, 2022 (THE IRISH TAKEOVER RULES)

10 April 2025

Kenmare Resources plc

Rule 2.12 Announcement

In accordance with Rule 2.12 of the Irish Takeover Rules, Kenmare confirms that, as at the date of this announcement, the Companys issued share capital comprises 89,228,161 ordinary shares with a nominal value of 0.001 each ("Ordinary Shares"). Kenmare does not have any Ordinary Shares which are held as treasury shares. In addition, there are options over 3,156,234 Ordinary Shares outstanding under the Company's restricted share plan (including accrued dividend equivalents). The Ordinary Shares are admitted to trading on the Official List of Euronext Dublin and the premium listing segment of the Official List of the FCA. The International Securities Identification Number for the Ordinary Shares is IE00BDC5DG00.

Enquiries:

Kenmare Resources plc +353 1 671 0411

Katharine Sutton

Investor Relations

Responsibility Statement

The Directors of Kenmare accept responsibility for the information contained in this announcement. To the best of their knowledge and belief (having taken all reasonable care to ensure such is the case), the information contained in this announcement is in accordance with the facts and does not omit anything likely to affect the import of such information.

Disclosure requirements of the Irish Takeover Rules

Under Rule 8.3(b) of the Irish Takeover Rules, any person 'interested' (directly or indirectly) in 1% or more of any class of 'relevant securities' of Kenmare must disclose all 'dealings' in such 'relevant securities' during the 'offer period'. The disclosure of a 'dealing' in 'relevant securities' by a person to whom Rule 8.3(b) applies must be made by no later than 3.30 pm (Irish/UK time) on the business day following the date of the transaction. A dealing disclosure must contain the details specified in Rule 8.6(b) of the Irish Takeover Rules, including details of the dealing concerned and of the person's interests and short positions in any 'relevant securities' of Kenmare.

If two or more persons co-operate on the basis of an agreement, either express or tacit, either oral or written, to acquire for one or more of them an interest in relevant securities, they will be deemed to be a single person for these purposes.

Disclosure tables, giving details of the companies in whose 'relevant securities' 'opening positions' and 'dealings' should be disclosed, can be found on the Takeover Panel's website at www.irishtakeoverpanel.ie.

'Interests' in securities arise, in summary, when a person has long economic exposure, whether conditional or absolute, to changes in the price of securities. In particular, a person will be treated as having an 'interest' by virtue of the ownership or control of securities, or by virtue of any option in respect of, or derivative referenced to, securities.

Terms in quotation marks in this section are defined in the Irish Takeover Rules, which can also be found on the Irish Takeover Panel's website. If you are in any doubt as to whether or not you are required to disclose a dealing or an opening position under Rule 8, please consult the Irish Takeover Panel's website at www.irishtakeoverpanel.ie or contact the Irish Takeover Panel on telephone number +353 1 678 9020.
THIS NEWS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Treatment.com AI Inc. (CSE: TRUE, OTC: TREIF, Frankfurt: 939) (Treatment) is pleased to announce, further to its news release of February 12, 2025, that it has closed the acquisition of 100% of the issued and outstanding securities of Rocket Doctor Inc. (the Transaction) pursuant to the terms and conditions of a Share Purchase Agreement dated February 11, 2025, as amended (the Definitive Agreement) with Rocket Doctor Inc. (Rocket Doctor) and the common shareholders of Rocket Doctor.

Rocket Doctor is a Canadian federally incorporated company with a US Delaware subsidiary, which aims to transform the way healthcare is delivered, through empowering doctors to start their own virtual practices, thereby providing citizens with quick access to high-quality, comprehensive medical care, powered by advanced devices and proprietary technology.

Dr. Essam Hamza, CEO of Treatment.com AI, comments: We are excited to now formally welcome the Rocket Doctor team. As you have seen from recent news releases, Bill and Harry have managed to build a very successful business which is rapidly growing across North America. As previously mentioned, we plan to implement Treatments planned AI Nurse, leveraging our Global Library of Medicine (GLM) and our newly announced conversational voice application, to enhance patient triage and onboarding ahead of Rocket Doctor appointments. This will not only help create efficiency and aid the practitioners on the platform, but also provide a proof of concept for future commercial sales of Treatments software.

Dr. William Cherniak, Co-founder and CEO of Rocket Doctor comments: Harry, the team and I have had the pleasure of getting to know Essam, Kevin and the Treatment team over the last few months. Bringing two companies together is always a challenging task, but I have been consistently impressed by the various skills, insights and positive attitudes of senior leadership. Its clear that we are all aligned in building and growing something sustainable and impactful that seeks to improve the lives of patients and physicians alike, while leveraging the most advanced technology in this ever evolving AI era. This is just the beginning, and were all more than excited to keep pushing onward and upward into the months and years ahead!

Transaction Overview

Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Definitive Agreement, Treatment has satisfied amounts owing under Rocket Doctors existing simple agreement for future equity (SAFE) and acquired 100% of the total issued and outstanding securities of Rocket Doctor (the Rocket Doctor Shares) for total consideration equal to (i) common shares of Treatment.com with a fair market value of USD$7,688,640, which were paid on closing (the Closing Consideration Shares) and (ii) subject to the achievement of certain 12 and 24 month milestones, Treatment.com shall issue additional common shares of Treatment with a fair market value of up to USD$6,902,560 payable to the holders of SAFEs and shareholders of Rocket Doctor in accordance with Rocket Doctors governance and security agreements (the Contingent Purchase Price Shares), and together with the Closing Consideration Shares (the Consideration Shares). The Closing Consideration Shares were issued at a deemed price of $0.65 per Closing Consideration Share and the Contingent Purchase Price Shares, if they become issuable, will be issued at a deemed price per Contingent Purchase Price Share equal to the 20-day volume weighted average price of Treatment.coms common shares on the Canadian Securities Exchange, subject however, to any minimum pricing requirements of the Canadian Securities Exchange.

The Closing Consideration Shares issued pursuant to the Transaction are subject to contractual escrow for a period of 28 months from the date of Closing, with 20% of such Consideration Shares being released every four months beginning on the date that is twelve months after the date of Closing.

Any Contingent Purchase Price Shares issuable upon achievement of the 12-month milestone, shall be subject to contractual escrow for a period of not less than 30 months whereby 20% of such Contingent Purchase Price Shares will be released on the date the 12 month milestone is achieved (the 12 Month Determination Date); 20% of such Contingent Purchase Price Shares will be released on the later of: (i) the 12 Month Determination Date; and (ii) 16 months from Closing; 20% of such Contingent Purchase Price Shares will be released on the later of: (i) the 12 Month Determination Date; and (ii) 20 months from Closing; 20% of such Contingent Purchase Price Shares will be released on the later of: (i) the12 Month Determination Date; and (ii) 24 months from Closing; and 20% of such Contingent Purchase Price Shares will be released on the later of: (i) the 12 Month Determination Date; and (ii) 30 months from Closing.

Any Contingent Purchase Price Shares issuable upon achievement of the 24-month milestone, shall be subject to contractual escrow for a period of not less than 32 months whereby 40% of such Contingent Purchase Price Shares will be released on the date the 24 month milestone is achieved (the 24 Month Determination Date); 40% of such Contingent Purchase Price Shares will be released on the later of: (i) the 24 Month Determination Date; and (ii) 28 months from the Closing; 20% of such Contingent Purchase Price Shares will be released on the later of: (i) the 24 Month Determination Date; and (ii) 32 months from Closing.

The Company is at arms length from Rocket Doctor and each of the security holders of Rocket Doctor. No change in management or the board of directors of the Company is being contemplated at this time. No finders fees were payable in connection with the Transaction. In connection with the Proposed Transaction, by virtue of acquiring Rocket Doctor, the Company assumed approximately C$627,000 in long term liabilities of Rocket Doctor.

In connection with the Transaction, the Company has extended Rocket Doctor a loan of C$750,000 which was advanced as follows: (a) C$75,000 on the execution of the Definitive Agreement; (b) C$75,000 on February 26, 2025; (c) C$75,000 on March 13, 2025; (d) C$75,000 on April 1, 2025; and (e) C$450,000 on Closing.

Furthermore, In connection with the Transaction and in accordance with the Companys stock option and restricted share unit plans (together, the Plans), the Company has agreed to grant an aggregate total of 900,000 stock options (Options) and up to 2,747,979 restricted share units (RSUs) to continuing officers and employees of Rocket Doctor.

The Options vest in equal installments on the four, eight, twelve, sixteen, twenty, and twenty-four month anniversaries from the date of issuance and are each exercisable for one common share of the Company at an exercise price of C$0.50 per share for a period of five years from the grant date. Each RSU is subject to vesting conditions based on the achievement of certain performance milestones. All Options and RSUs are subject to the terms of the Plans and applicable securities law hold periods.

About Treatment.com AI Inc.

Treatment.com AI is a company utilizing AI (artificial intelligence) and best clinical practices to positively improve the healthcare sector and impact current inefficiencies and challenges. With the input of hundreds of healthcare professionals globally, Treatment.com AI has built a comprehensive, personalized healthcare AI engine, the Global Library of Medicine (GLM). With more than 10,000 expert medical reviews, the GLM delivers tested clinical information and support to all healthcare professionals as well as providing recommended tests (physical and lab), imaging and billing codes. The GLM helps healthcare professionals (doctors, nurses or pharmacists) reduce their administrative burden; creates more time for needed face-to-face patient appointments; and enables greater consistency in quality of patient support. Treatment.com AIs GLM platform, through supporting healthcare professionals, allows for the inclusion of disenfranchised communities. To learn more about Treatments products and services: www.treatment.com or email: info@treatment.com

About Rocket Doctor Inc.

Rocket Doctor is a technology-driven digital health platform and marketplace that is breaking down obstacles that limit access to quality, comprehensive and cost-effective healthcare. Our proprietary software equips doctors with the tools to run successful practices in virtual and hybridized in-person/virtual models of care, enabling them to provide tailored care to patients in remote communities, particularly those in rural and Northern communities across Canada and on Medicaid in the United States. Leveraging large language models, AI/ML and wireless medical devices, Rocket Doctor is bridging the healthcare divide, connecting patients to equitable and accessible virtual healthcare services regardless of age, location, or financial status. This includes patients with potentially stigmatizing conditions such as substance use, mental health and otherwise.

To learn more about Rocket Doctors platform and services, visit www.rocketdoctor.io (U.S.) www.rocketdoctor.ca (Canada) or email media@rocketdoctor.io

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Dr. Essam Hamza, CEO

ehamza@treatment.com

For media inquiries, contact: media@treatment.com

Call: +1 (612) 788-8900 / Toll-Free USA/Canada: +1 (888) 788-8955

Cautionary Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on Treatment.com AIs expectations, estimates and projections regarding its business and the economic environment in which it operates, including with respect to the implementation of its shareholder communications initiative and the timing thereof. These forward-looking statements or information may relate to the potential issuance of the Contingent Purchase Price Shares upon Rocket Doctors achievement of the 12 and 24 month milestones. Although Treatment.com believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to control or predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements, and readers should not place undue reliance on such statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and Treatment.com undertakes no obligation to update them publicly to reflect new information or the occurrence of future events or circumstances unless otherwise required to do so by law.

The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
HONG KONG, April 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- GPTBots.ai, a leading enterprise AI agent platform, proudly showcased its cutting-edge AI solutions at The MarTech Summit Asia 2025, held in Singapore. The event brought together senior executives and decision-makers from diverse industries, all seeking innovative technologies to address their unique business challenges. GPTBots stood out as a trusted partner, offering tailored AI applications that empower enterprises to streamline operations, enhance customer experiences, and drive growth.

1. Enterprise Challenges, Tailored AI Solutions

At the summit, GPTBots engaged with senior leaders from some of the most prominent organizations in the region, each presenting specific challenges that required advanced, customized AI solutions. The discussions highlighted a key trend: off-the-shelf AI products often fail to meet the complex, unique needs of enterprise clients, making tailored solutions essential for success.

Among the many insightful conversations, three key scenarios stood out:

A Leading Travel Metasearch Company in Eastern Europe and Central Asia: The regional head for Kazakhstan shared their vision of creating an AI-powered digital travel advisor. Their goal is to integrate their companys mascot as an interactive digital persona, enhancing customer engagement and loyalty. GPTBots expertise in building AI agents with rich, personalized interfaces makes this vision achievable.

The regional head for Kazakhstan shared their vision of creating an AI-powered digital travel advisor. Their goal is to integrate their companys mascot as an interactive digital persona, enhancing customer engagement and loyalty. GPTBots expertise in building AI agents with rich, personalized interfaces makes this vision achievable. One of Southeast Asias Largest Conglomerates: A senior representative from their digital hub expressed the need for a highly automated marketing and customer data analytics solution. With their current systems lacking automation and advanced data capabilities, GPTBots, in collaboration with EngageLab, demonstrated how its platform could deliver an end-to-end solution to streamline operations and unlock the full potential of their customer data.

A senior representative from their digital hub expressed the need for a highly automated marketing and customer data analytics solution. With their current systems lacking automation and advanced data capabilities, GPTBots, in collaboration with EngageLab, demonstrated how its platform could deliver an end-to-end solution to streamline operations and unlock the full potential of their customer data. A Global Innovation Leader in Digital Experiences: A regional digital experience manager described their challenge of optimizing website content workflows across multiple countries. Their current process for extracting, localizing, formatting, and publishing content is entirely manual. GPTBots AI-powered solutions offer the potential to automate and accelerate this workflow, significantly improving efficiency and consistency across markets.



2. Why GPTBots Stands Out

The MarTech Summit Asia 2025 proved to be a platform where enterprises came with specific challenges and questions, seeking actionable solutions to unlock the power of AI in their organizations. GPTBots distinguished itself by offering:

Tailored AI Applications: Unlike generic solutions, GPTBots specializes in creating customized AI agents that address the unique needs of enterprise clients, from automating workflows to enhancing customer engagement.

Unlike generic solutions, GPTBots specializes in creating customized AI agents that address the unique needs of enterprise clients, from automating workflows to enhancing customer engagement. Enterprise-Grade Capabilities: With features like multi-language support, knowledge base integration, and seamless system compatibility, GPTBots ensures its solutions are scalable, secure, and ready to meet the demands of global businesses.

With features like multi-language support, knowledge base integration, and seamless system compatibility, GPTBots ensures its solutions are scalable, secure, and ready to meet the demands of global businesses. Proven Expertise: GPTBots ability to collaborate with industry leaders and co-create solutions for complex use cases underscores its position as a trusted partner in the AI space.



3. Driving the Future of Marketing Technology

As the MarTech Summit Asia 2025 concluded, it became evident that the future of marketing lies in the seamless integration of AI into every aspect of the customer journey. GPTBots is proud to be at the forefront of this evolution, helping businesses across industries harness the power of AI to drive efficiency, innovation, and growth.

For enterprises seeking to transform their operations with AI, GPTBots offers not just technology, but a partnership in navigating the complexities of digital transformation.

About GPTBots

GPTBots.ai is a leading AI development platform that empowers businesses to build and deploy enterprise-grade AI solutions. With a focus on customization, scalability, and ease of use, GPTBots enables companies to streamline operations, enhance customer experiences, and unlock new growth opportunities.

For more information, visit www.gptbots.ai.

Media Contact:

Silvia

Senior Marketing Manager

marketing@gptbots.ai




CORK, Ireland, April 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ExoraPad , the innovative AI-driven launchpad dedicated to tokenizing Real World Assets (RWA) and Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePIN) on the XRP Ledger, has reached a significant milestone by raising over 95,000 XRP in its ongoing presale.

The rapid inflow of contributions underscores ExoraPads rising popularity in the XRP community and among investors keen to secure early exposure to one of the most promising new platforms within the XRP ecosystem coupled with the fact the the Presale ends in a few hours.

Join ExoraPad Presale

Why ExoraPad Stands Apart in the XRP Ecosystem

Unlike conventional crypto projects, ExoraPad uniquely blends advanced artificial intelligence with blockchain technology, setting a new standard for transparency, efficiency, and security in token launches.

ExoraPad is purpose-built to empower innovative projects aiming to tokenize RWAs, including real estate, commodities, bonds, and infrastructure networks.

The result is an ecosystem attracting considerable attention from sophisticated investors and institutions eager for early access to secure, tangible asset-backed crypto opportunities.

Unmatched Utility of the $EXP Token

ExoraPads native token, $EXP, serves as the cornerstone of the platform, granting holders a range of benefits, including:

Early Priority Access: $EXP holders gain exclusive early entry into vetted projects focused on RWAs, DePIN, and innovative XRPL-based ventures, delivering significant first-mover advantages.



$EXP holders gain exclusive early entry into vetted projects focused on RWAs, DePIN, and innovative XRPL-based ventures, delivering significant first-mover advantages. Attractive Staking Rewards: Investors can stake their tokens for generous yields, ensuring a stable stream of passive income while strengthening the platform's tokenomics.



Investors can stake their tokens for generous yields, ensuring a stable stream of passive income while strengthening the platform's tokenomics. Fee Sharing and Token Buybacks: Holders directly benefit from a unique revenue-sharing structure. ExoraPad redistributes portions of platform fees to token holders and performs periodic token buybacks to sustain token value and market stability.



Buy $EXP Token

A Strong Developmental Roadmap

ExoraPad continues to deliver on critical milestones, building investor confidence:

Security Audit Completion: To uphold trust, the $EXP token and its associated smart contracts are currently audited by established blockchain security experts.



To uphold trust, the $EXP token and its associated smart contracts are currently audited by established blockchain security experts. Presale Success: With over 95,000 XRP raised, ExoraPad has convincingly surpassed its initial softcap, demonstrating strong investor belief in the project's vision and capability.



With over 95,000 XRP raised, ExoraPad has convincingly surpassed its initial softcap, demonstrating strong investor belief in the project's vision and capability. Launchpad Prototype Scheduled: The highly anticipated first prototype of ExoraPads launchpad UI will debut in Q2 2025, providing a tangible demonstration of its powerful, user-friendly interface and advanced analytics capabilities.



How to Join the ExoraPad Presale

Investors can still join the presale in its final hours:

Purchase XRP: Obtain XRP tokens from reliable exchanges.



Obtain XRP tokens from reliable exchanges. Create a Trustline: Set up an XRP-compatible wallet, such as the Xaman Wallet, and activate the $EXP token trustline.



Set up an XRP-compatible wallet, such as the Xaman Wallet, and activate the $EXP token trustline. Secure Your $EXP Tokens: Visit ExoraPads official presale page at https://exorapad.com/presale , send your XRP, and confirm your allocation.



Upon presale completion, $EXP tokens will be distributed directly to holders' wallets.

Last Chance to Participate

With the presale ending in a few hours, time is running out to secure $EXP tokens at presale prices.

Given the powerful narrative around asset tokenization and DePIN growth, ExoraPads upcoming exchange listing and platform demo are expected to amplify interest significantly.

Join Us.

Join Presale: https://exorapad.com/presale

Website: https://exorapad.com

Telegram: https://t.me/exorapad

Twitter/X: https://x.com/Exorapad

Documentation: https://docs.exorapad.com

Contact:

Noah Walsh

hello@exorapad.com

Disclaimer: This press release is provided by the ExoraPad. 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.

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TORONTO, April 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- VitalHub Corp. (the Company or VitalHub) (TSX: VHI) (OTCQX: VHIBF) is pleased to announce that it has agreed the terms and conditions of a recommended cash acquisition to acquire all of the issued and to be issued share capital of Induction Healthcare Group PLC (Induction) by way of a court-sanctioned scheme of arrangement (the Acquisition) under Part 26 of the Companies Act 2006. Under the terms of the Acquisition, each Induction shareholder will be entitled to receive 0.10 in cash for each Induction share held, valuing Induction at approximately 9.7 million.

Induction has released a Rule 2.7 announcement in the UK market in connection with the Acquisition, which shall be made available on the websites of Induction at www.inductionhealthcare.com and VitalHub at www.vitalhub.com, as well as on the Companys SEDAR+ profile at www.sedar.com. Please see the Rule 2.7 announcement for further information.

About Induction

Induction delivers a suite of software solutions that transforms care delivery and the patient journey through hospitals. Inductions system-wide applications help healthcare providers and administrators deliver care at any stage remotely as well as face-to-face  giving the communities they serve greater flexibility, control and ease of access. Inductions primary products are Zesty and Attend Anywhere.

Zesty is a patient engagement platform that transforms interactions between patients and care teams. Through integration with most leading hospital systems, it provides smart appointment management, paperless letters, digital questionnaires, patient information, and integrated video consultations. Zesty is currently installed in 20 Trusts across England. Zesty is expected to be Inductions main growth engine going forward.

Attend Anywhere is a platform that makes it simple, safe, and secure for healthcare organisations to offer video consultations as a normal part of day-to-day operations. Approximately 95 Trusts in England, and six Health Boards and one Trust in Wales are using Attend Anywhere.

For its year ended March 31, 2024 (FY24), Induction generated revenues of 14.4 million, gross margin of 78.4%, and an adjusted EBITDA (1) loss of 0.3 million. Zesty generated revenues of 4.9 million and Attend Anywhere generated revenues of 8.8 million (0.7 million of revenues from discontinued operations).

For the six-month period ended September 30, 2024 (H1 FY25), Induction generated revenues of 5.4 million, gross margin of 78.2%, and an adjusted EBITDA (1) loss of 0.9 million. Zesty generated revenues of 2.0 million and Attend Anywhere generated revenues of 3.2 million (0.2 million of revenues from discontinued operations).

Strategic Rationale

VitalHub views Inductions product set, in particular the Zesty platform, as highly complementary to its existing asset portfolio. The Company believes that successful integration of Zesty into VitalHubs existing verticals will broaden its product offering, result in group-wide efficiencies, and improve end-user experience leading to improved patient outcomes.

The Acquisition also brings the opportunity to offer additional products in the UK, European, Canadian, Middle Eastern, and Australian markets, and the Company believes that Induction presents a platform from which to grow its geographic reach, with all these regions being key strategic focus areas of both organic and future acquisitive growth for VitalHub.

The Company also believes that Induction would benefit from being part of a larger and well capitalised global enterprise, where strategic initiatives to improve the performance of the business can be implemented effectively, with appropriate support, capital, and assistance from the existing network of VitalHub.

Conditions and Other Details

Induction is a public limited company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales. It is intended that the Acquisition shall be effected by means of a court-approved scheme of arrangement (the Scheme) under Part 26 of the Companies Act. The Scheme must be approved both by the Induction shareholders and the Court. In particular, the scheme of arrangement requires approval from Scheme shareholders who are on the register of members at the Voting Record Time and who constitute a majority in number of Scheme shareholders who vote at the Court Meeting representing at least 75% in value of the Scheme shares which are voted at the meeting.

The Induction Directors will unanimously recommend Induction shareholders to vote in favour of the Scheme. VitalHub has received irrevocable undertakings to vote in favour of the Scheme from the Induction Directors who hold Induction shares and certain institutional shareholders in respect of a total of 41,655,303 Induction shares, together representing approximately 44.3% of Inductions issued ordinary share capital. The transaction is expected to close on or before July 31, 2025, with a long stop date of September 30, 2025.

VitalHubs legal advisor for the Acquisition is Edwin Coe LLP. VitalHubs financial advisor for the Acquisition is Cavendish Capital Markets Limited.

About VitalHub

VitalHub is a leading software company dedicated to empowering health and human services providers globally. VitalHub's comprehensive product suite includes electronic health records, operational intelligence, and workforce automation solutions that serve over 1,000 clients across the UK, Canada, and other geographies. The Company has a robust two-pronged growth strategy, targeting organic opportunities within its product suite and pursuing an aggressive M&A plan. VitalHub is headquartered in Toronto with over 500 employees globally, across key regions and the VitalHub Innovations Lab in Sri Lanka. For more information about VitalHub (TSX: VHI) (OTCQX: VHIBF), please visit www.vitalhub.com and connect with us on LinkedIn.

About Induction

Induction is a public limited company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales. Induction delivers a suite of software solutions that transforms care delivery and the patient journey through hospital. Inductions system-wide applications help healthcare providers and administrators to deliver care at any stage remotely as well as face-to-face  giving the communities they serve greater flexibility, control and ease of access. Purpose-built for integration with leading Electronic Medical Record (EMR) platforms, its products offer immediate stand-alone value that becomes even greater when integrated with pre-existing systems.

Contact Information

Christian Sgro, CPA, CA, CFA

Head of IR and M&A Specialist

(365) 363-6433

christian.sgro@vitalhub.com

Dan Matlow

Chief Executive Officer, Director

(416) 727-9061

dan.matlow@vitalhub.com

Cautionary Statement

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information generally refers to information about an issuer's business, capital, or operations that is prospective in nature, and includes future-oriented financial information about the issuer's prospective business and financial performance, and its financial position.

The forward-looking information in this news release includes discussion about the terms of the Acquisition, and about the business of Induction and its potential synergies with the Company and the potential for the international application of Inductions solutions. VitalHub has made certain material assumptions in making these forward looking statements, including but not limited to the Acquisition being completed on the terms and timing as currently contemplated, all conditions to the completion of the Acquisition being satisfied or waived, prevailing market conditions, general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties, and the ability of VitalHub and Induction to execute and achieve their respective and combined business objectives. There can be no assurances 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.

Actual results may vary from the forward-looking information in this news release due to certain material risk factors. These risk factors include, but are not limited to, the assumptions made with respect to such forward looking information, adverse market conditions, currency exchange fluctuations, the inability of VitalHub and Induction to successfully integrate operations, reliance on key and qualified personnel, and regulatory and other risks associated with the medical and technology industries in general. The foregoing list of material risk factors and assumptions is not exhaustive.

Readers, therefore, should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that the Acquisition will be completed or that it will be completed on the terms and conditions contemplated in this news release. The proposed Acquisition could be modified or terminated in accordance with its terms. Further, these forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and, except as expressly required by applicable law, the Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Non-IFRS Financial Measures

The Company has included both IFRS and certain non-IFRS financial measures to describe the performance of Induction. Non-IFRS financial measures are financial measures disclosed by a company that (a) depict historical or expected future financial performance, financial position or cash flow of a company, (b) with respect to their composition, exclude amounts that are included in, or include amounts that are excluded, from the composition of the most directly comparable financial measure disclosed in the primary financial statements of the company, (c) are not disclosed in the financial statements of the company, and (d) are not a ratio, fraction, percentage or similar representation. Non-IFRS ratios are financial measures disclosed by a company that are in the form of a ratio, fraction, percentage or similar representation that has a non-IFRS financial measure as one or more of its components, and that are not disclosed in the financial statements of the company.

These non-IFRS financial measures are not standardized financial measures under IFRS, and, therefore, are unlikely to be comparable to similar financial measures presented by other companies. Management believes these non-IFRS financial measures provide transparent and useful supplemental information to help investors evaluate financial performance, financial condition, and liquidity using the same measures as management. These non-IFRS financial measures should not be considered as a substitute for, or superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with IFRS.

(1) Adjusted EBITDA

Induction defines the non-IFRS financial measure "Adjusted EBITDA" as operating Loss from continuing operations before amortisation and non-cash foreign exchange adjustment, restructuring and non-recurring items. Adjusted EBITDA is used to assess normalized cash generated on a consolidated basis. Adjusted EBITDA is also a performance measure that may be used by investors to analyze the cash generated by Induction. Adjusted EBITDA should not be interpreted as an alternative to net income (loss) and cash flows from operations as determined in accordance with IFRS or as measure of liquidity.
Dublin, April 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "UAE Bus and Electric Bus Market Outlook to 2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The UAE Bus and Electric Bus Market was valued at approximately AED 5.2 Bn in 2023. The market is primarily driven by government initiatives to enhance public transportation systems and growing urbanization. The push for eco-friendly buses, alongside government projects, has further supported the market's growth.



Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah are the dominant cities driving the bus market in the UAE. Dubai, in particular, stands out due to its substantial population and infrastructure development, contributing to its strong market share. Dubai's RTA has invested significantly in bus fleets and routes, making it a key city for bus sales and services.



The UAE launched its Net Zero 2050 strategic initiative in 2021, aiming to be the first nation in the MENA region to attain net-zero emissions by 2050. This initiative aligns with the Paris Agreement, which urges countries to develop long-term strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and to keep the global temperature rise below 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels.



UAE Bus and Electric Bus Market Competitive Landscape



The bus and electric bus market in the UAE is witnessing significant growth, driven by the increasing demand for efficient public transportation solutions. Major manufacturers such as MAN Truck & Bus, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, Scania, and Iveco are well-positioned to capitalize on this trend due to their extensive experience in producing high-quality commercial vehicles.



UAE Bus and Electric Bus Industry Analysis

Market Growth Drivers

Increased Tourism and Major Events: The UAE, particularly Dubai and Abu Dhabi, is a global tourism hub, hosting millions of visitors each year. In 2023, Dubai welcomed around 14.36 million international visitors, significantly pushing the demand for public transportation options, including buses. Major events such as Expo 2020 (which extended into 2022) and ongoing cultural festivals have further increased the need for efficient transport solutions to accommodate tourists.

The UAE, particularly Dubai and Abu Dhabi, is a global tourism hub, hosting millions of visitors each year. In 2023, Dubai welcomed around 14.36 million international visitors, significantly pushing the demand for public transportation options, including buses. Major events such as Expo 2020 (which extended into 2022) and ongoing cultural festivals have further increased the need for efficient transport solutions to accommodate tourists. Growing Urban Population and Public Transport Demand: The UAE's urban population is rapidly increasing, leading to higher demand for efficient public transportation solutions. In 2023, the population of Dubai alone reached approximately3.5 million, with projections suggesting it could surpass5 million by 2030. This demographic shift is driving investments in public transport infrastructure, including buses, to accommodate the rising commuter base.

The UAE's urban population is rapidly increasing, leading to higher demand for efficient public transportation solutions. In 2023, the population of Dubai alone reached approximately3.5 million, with projections suggesting it could surpass5 million by 2030. This demographic shift is driving investments in public transport infrastructure, including buses, to accommodate the rising commuter base. Technological Advancements and Smart City Integration: The integration of smart technologies into the bus system is enhancing operational efficiency and improving passenger experience. In 2023, the RTA implemented a new smart bus system featuring real-time tracking and automated fare collection. This technology not only streamlines operations but also encourages more residents to utilize public transport.

Market Challenges

Harsh Climate Impacting Battery Performance: The extreme temperatures in the UAE can majorly affect the performance and lifespan of electric bus batteries. High ambient temperatures can lead to reduced efficiency, shorter operational ranges, and increased maintenance costs. In 2023, it was reported that battery performance could decrease by up to30%in extreme heat conditions, which poses a substantial challenge for electric bus operators.

The extreme temperatures in the UAE can majorly affect the performance and lifespan of electric bus batteries. High ambient temperatures can lead to reduced efficiency, shorter operational ranges, and increased maintenance costs. In 2023, it was reported that battery performance could decrease by up to30%in extreme heat conditions, which poses a substantial challenge for electric bus operators. Public Acceptance and Integration into Existing Systems: Despite the environmental benefits of electric buses, public acceptance remains a hurdle. Many residents are accustomed to traditional diesel buses and may be hesitant to switch to new technologies. Additionally, integrating electric buses into existing public transportation systems requires substantial changes in operations and infrastructure.

UAE Bus and Electric Bus Future Market Outlook



The outlook for the UAE Bus and Electric Bus Market, particularly regarding electric buses, is highly optimistic reaching a market size of AED 9.7 Bn in 2030. Driven by technological innovations, strong government support for sustainability initiatives, and increasing urbanization, the market is poised for robust growth. The combination of these factors positions the UAE as a leader in the transition towards cleaner and more efficient public transportation solutions in the region.



Market Opportunities

Integration of Renewable Energy Sources: The UAE's abundant solar energy resources present a significant opportunity to power electric buses sustainably. The "Shams Dubai" initiative aims for 25% of Dubai's energy needs to come from solar power by 2030, aligning perfectly with the deployment of electric vehicles. Innovations in energy storage technologies can further support the efficient use of renewable energy for public transportation systems.

The UAE's abundant solar energy resources present a significant opportunity to power electric buses sustainably. The "Shams Dubai" initiative aims for 25% of Dubai's energy needs to come from solar power by 2030, aligning perfectly with the deployment of electric vehicles. Innovations in energy storage technologies can further support the efficient use of renewable energy for public transportation systems. Technological Innovations in Electric Bus Design: The ongoing advancements in battery technology and smart transportation solutions are key drivers for the electric bus market. Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) are currently leading the market due to their proven track record in emissions reduction. The UAE's commitment to smart city initiatives allows for the integration of electric buses with advanced traffic management systems, optimizing routes and reducing energy consumption.

Key Topics Covered:



1. Executive Summary



2. Market Overview and Background

2.1 UAE Country Profile

2.2 UAE Mobility Analysis

2.3 Global Benchmarking: Electric Mobility Readiness in UAE

2.4 Overview of EV Market in UAE

2.5 EV Adoption Trends in UAE

2.6 EV Charging Infrastructure in UAE



3. Regulatory Environment

3.1 Steps Towards Sustainability

3.2 Certificate of Conformity

3.3 Distribution Channel

3.4 School Bus Regulations

3.5 Regulation for Transport Activities

3.6 UAE COP28: Major Announcements

3.7 UAE COP28: Major Developments

3.8 Challenges for Adoption of Electric Buses

3.9 Drivers for Adoption of Electric Buses



4. Market Size and Future Potential

4.1 Ecosystem: Major Supply-Side and Demand-Side Players

4.2 Ecosystem Major Bus OEMs and Distributors

4.3 Timeline of Electric Buses in UAE

4.4 EV Charging Infrastructure of Buses in UAE

4.5 Industry Analysis: Trends and Challenges

4.6 UAE Bus and Electric Bus Market Sizing, 2018-2023

4.7 UAE Bus and Electric Bus Market Sizing, 2023-2023

4.8 Market Segmentation by Type of Bus, 2023-2030



5. Market Fuel Type Analysis

5.1 Market Segmentation by Fuel Type, 2023

5.2 Emission Norms and Efficiency Standards

5.3 Global TCO Analysis Financial Implications

5.4 Market Segmentation by Fuel Type, 2030

5.5 Shift Towards Greener Alternatives and Electric Bus Development



6. Market Segment and Life Usage Analysis

6.1 Market Segmentation by End-Users, 2023-2030

6.2 Cross-Comparison of Major End-Users

6.3 Future Adoption of EV Technology



7. Competition Landscape

7.1 Market Share of Major Bus OEMs in UAE (by Fleet Size), 2023

7.2 Presence of Major Players across End-User Segments

7.3 Cross-Comparison of Top Bus OEMs in UAE (Fleet UIO, Business Model, Product Offerings, Pricing, Distribution, Avg. TCO, Avg. Profitability, Technology, USP)

7.4 Market Share of Major Electric Bus OEMs in UAE (By Fleet Size), 2023

7.5 Cross-Comparison of Major Electric Buses in UAE (Dimensions, Max. Speed, Battery, Range, Seats, Charging, Technology)

7.6 Cross-Comparison of Top Electric Bus OEMs in UAE (Market Share, Fleet Size, Business Model, Product Offering, Pricing, Distribution, Technology, Infrastructure)



8. Market OEM Strategies

8.1 Identifying OEMs for Partnership and Strategies

8.2 Cross-Comparison of Top Global OEMs from India, China, and Turkey (Countries of Operation, Product Offering, Service Offering, Business Model, Pricing, Technology, USP, Partnerships, Recent Developments, Future Expansion, Sales, Market Share)

8.3 Overview of OEM Strategies Deployed across the Middle East

8.4 OEM Strategies (Global Models, Local Models, Market Entry Strategies, Funding Strategy, Innovation Collaborations, Future Plans, and Roadmap)



9. Market Purchase and Financing Models

9.1 Financing Penetration in UAE Bus and Electric Bus Market

9.2 Restrictions and Eligibility

9.3 Cross-Comparison of Major Banks

9.4 Examination of Leasing



10. Market Aftersales

10.1 Revenue Streams and Business Models

10.2 Maintenance Models and Contracts

10.3 Volvo Maintenance Contracts

10.4 Service Levels in the Industry

10.5 Aftermarket Sales

10.6 Typical Infrastructure Required in a Workshop

10.7 Maintenance Cross-Comparison Between Diesel and Electric Buses



11. Market Entry Strategy Recommendations

11.1 Future Development of UAE Electric Bus Market

11.2 Whitespace Analysis

11.3 Market Entry Strategy: Organic Entry

11.4 Market Entry Strategy: Inorganic Entry

11.5 Market Entry Strategy: Market Positioning Tactics

11.6 Emerging Financial Models for Financing Electric Buses

11.7 Potential Financial Models for Financing Electric Buses

11.8 Evaluating Risks and Mitigation Strategies

11.9 Long-Term Strategy Roadmap



12. Industry Speaks

12.1 Interview with Rajesh Narayanan Exports Manager at Ashok Leyland

12.2 Interview with Business Excellence Manager from one of the Leading Dealerships

12.3 Interview with EV Head from one of the Leading Dealerships

12.4 Interview with Founder of a Leading Mobility Group



Company Coverage Includes:

Ashok Leyland

Mercedes-Benz

Volvo Buses

Hafilat Industries LLC

Yutong Bus Co., Ltd.

Scania AB

MAN Truck & Bus Middle East FZE

Hyundai Motor Company

BYD Motors Inc.

King Long United Automotive Industry Co., Ltd.

Cummins Inc.

Tata Motors

Faurecia

Siemens AG

Alstom

Lionsgate Motors

NFI Group

Proterra

Geely Group

Isuzu Motors Ltd.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/trntm9

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.
RAPALA VMC CORPORATION, Notice to general meeting, April 10, 2025 at 3:31 p.m. EET

The shareholders of Rapala VMC Corporation (Rapala VMC or the Company) are invited to the Annual General Meeting, which will be held on Thursday 8 May 2025 at 10:00 a.m. (EET).

The meeting will be held as a remote meeting in accordance with Chapter 5, Section 16, Subsection 3 of the Finnish Companies Act, in which shareholders fully exercise their decision-making powers by the use of telecommunications and technical means during the meeting in real time. Instructions on participation are provided in section C of this notice. The language of the Annual General Meeting is Finnish.

The shareholders may also exercise their voting rights by voting in advance. Instructions on advance voting are provided in section C. 6. of this notice.

A. MATTERS ON THE AGENDA OF THE GENERAL MEETING

At the General Meeting, the following matters will be considered:

1. Opening of the meeting

2. Calling the meeting to order

3. Election of persons to scrutinise the minutes and to supervise the counting of votes

4. Recording the legality of the meeting

5. Recording the attendance at the meeting and adoption of the list of votes

6. Presentation of the Financial Statements, the Consolidated Financial Statements, the Report of the Board of Directors, the Auditors Report and the Assurance Report on the Sustainability Reporting for the year 2024

Presentation of the CEOs review.

7. Adoption of the Financial Statements

8. Resolution on the use of the profit shown on the balance sheet and the distribution of dividend

On 31 December 2024, the Companys distributable equity totalled EUR 25,433,232 of which the net profit for the year 2024 was EUR 432,128.

The Board of Directors proposes to the Annual General Meeting that no dividend be paid based on the balance sheet to be adopted for the financial year which ended 31 December 2024 and the profit be retained and carried further in the Companys unrestricted equity.

9. Resolution on the discharge of the members of the Board of Directors, the CEO and the deputy CEO from liability for the financial year 2024

10. Consideration of the Remuneration Report for Governing Bodies

11. Resolution on the remuneration of the members of the Board of Directors

Shareholders representing approximately 43.24 per cent of the shares and votes in the Company propose to the Annual General Meeting that the annual remuneration to the members of the Board of Directors remain unchanged and the members be paid as follows: EUR 70,000 for the Chairman and EUR 25,000 for other members of the Board of Directors. It is proposed that Board members be paid EUR 1,000 per meeting for attendance at meetings of the Board and its committees. Board members remuneration will not be paid to Board members who have an employment or service contract with the Company.

12. Resolution on the number of members of the Board of Directors

Shareholders representing approximately 43.24 per cent of the shares and votes in the Company propose to the Annual General Meeting that the number of members of the Board of Directors be six (6).

13. Election of members of the Board of Directors

Shareholders representing approximately 43.24 per cent of the shares and votes in the Company propose to the Annual General Meeting that the current board members Emmanuel Viellard, Julia Aubertin, Vesa Luhtanen, Alexander Rosenlew, Pascal Lebard and Johan Berg be re-elected for a term that will continue until the end of the next Annual General Meeting.

The composition of the board of directors will be considered as a whole.

Further information on the proposed members and their independence is available on the Companys corporate website at https://investors.rapalavmc.com/en/investors/corporate_governance/board_of_directors.

14. Resolution on the remuneration of the auditor

The Board of Directors proposes to the Annual General Meeting that the remuneration of the auditor be paid according to the invoice approved by the Company.

15. Election of the auditor

The Board of Directors proposes to the Annual General Meeting that Authorised Public Accountants Firm Deloitte Ltd, which has informed the Company that Jenny Lindvall, APA, will serve as the responsible auditor, be elected as the Companys auditor for a term that will continue until the end of the next Annual General Meeting.

16. Resolution on the remuneration of the sustainability reporting assurer

The Board of Directors proposes to the Annual General Meeting that the remuneration of the sustainability reporting assurer be paid according to the invoice approved by the Company.

17. Election of the sustainability reporting assurer

During the financial year 2024, the Companys auditor, Authorised Sustainability Audit Firm Deloitte Ltd, acted as the Companys sustainability reporting assurer in accordance with the transitional provision of the Act Amending the Finnish Companies Act (1252/2023).

The Board of Directors proposes to the Annual General Meeting that Deloitte Ltd, Authorised Sustainability Audit Firm, be re-elected as the Companys sustainability reporting assurer. Deloitte Ltd has notified that Jenny Lindvall, ASA, will serve as the responsible sustainability auditor.

The term of the sustainability reporting assurer will continue until the end of the next Annual General Meeting.

18. Authorising the Board of Directors to resolve on the issuance of shares as well as the issuance of options and other special rights entitling to shares

The Board of Directors proposes to the Annual General Meeting that the Board be authorised to resolve on one or several share issues and the issue of option rights and other special rights entitling to shares as defined in Chapter 10, Section 1 of the Finnish Limited Liability Companies Act as follows:

The total maximum number of shares to be issued under the authorisation shall be 3,900,000 shares corresponding to 10.00 per cent of all current shares in the Company as at the date of this notice. The maximum number above concerns the share issue and the issue of option rights and other special rights entitling to shares. The authorisation can also be used for incentive arrangements for the management and key personnel; however, no more than 900,000 shares in total may be granted for this purpose.

The share issue may either be made against payment or without payment. The authorisation entitles the Board of Directors to issue the shares or option rights and other special rights otherwise than in proportion to the shareholdings of the shareholders (directed share issue) if the Company has a weighty financial reason to do so. The directed share issue may be without payment only if the Company has an especially weighty financial reason to do so and the interests of all the Companys shareholders are taken into consideration. The Board would be authorised to resolve on all terms and conditions of share issues and option rights and the issue of other special rights entitling to shares. The authorisation covers both the issuance of new shares and the transfer of the Companys own shares.

The Board of Directors proposes that the authorisation be valid until 30 June 2026. This authorisation will cancel the authorisation to resolve on the issuance of shares and special rights granted to the Board of Directors by the Annual General Meeting of 18 April 2024.

19. Authorising the Board of Directors to resolve on the repurchase of the Companys own shares

The Board of Directors proposes to the Annual General Meeting that the Board of Directors be authorised to resolve, in one or several instalments, on the repurchase of a maximum of 2,000,000 of the Companys own shares. The proposed maximum number of shares corresponds to approximately 5.13 per cent of the Companys total number of shares as at the date of this notice convening the Annual General Meeting.

The shares would be repurchased using the Companys unrestricted equity, and thus, the repurchases will reduce funds available for distribution. The shares can be repurchased for developing the Companys capital structure, for financing or carrying out corporate acquisitions or other business arrangements, to be used as a part of the Companys remuneration or incentive plan or to be otherwise transferred further or cancelled, for example.

In accordance with the resolution of the Board of Directors, the shares can also be repurchased otherwise than in proportion to the existing shareholdings of the shareholders as directed repurchases. The shares are repurchased at the market price of the shares quoted on the trading venues where the Companys shares are subject to public trading or at the price otherwise established on the market at the time of the repurchase. The Board of Directors is authorised to resolve on all other matters related to the repurchase of the Companys own shares, including how the shares will be repurchased. Among other means, derivatives may be used in acquiring the shares.

The Board of Directors proposes that the authorisation be valid until 30 June 2026. The authorisation will cancel the authorisation to resolve on the repurchase of the Companys own shares granted to the Board of Directors by the Annual General Meeting of 18 April 2024.

20. Closing of the meeting

B. DOCUMENTS OF THE GENERAL MEETING

The proposed resolutions above that are on the agenda of the Annual General Meeting as well as this notice are available on Rapala VMC Corporations corporate website at https://investors.rapalavmc.com/en/investors/corporate_governance/annual_general_meeting_2025.

The Financial Statements, the Consolidated Financial Statement, the Report of the Board of Directors, the Auditors Report, the Assurance Report on the Sustainability Reporting and the Remuneration Report for Governing Bodies for the financial year 2024, will be available on the above-mentioned website no later than on 17 April 2025.

The minutes of the meeting will be available on the above-mentioned website on 22 May 2025 at the latest.

C. INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PARTICIPANTS IN THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

1. The right to participate

Each shareholder who is on 25 April2025, the record date for the Annual General Meeting, registered in the shareholders register of the Company held by Euroclear Finland Oy has the right to participate and vote in the Annual General Meeting. A shareholder whose shares are registered in his/her Finnish book-entry account is registered in the Companys shareholders register. If you do not have a Finnish book-entry account, see section 3. Holder of nominee-registered shares.

Changes in shareholding after the record date of the Annual General Meeting do not affect the right to participate in the Annual General Meeting or the shareholders number of votes.

2. Registration

Registration for the Annual General Meeting begins on 11 April 2025 at 10:00 a.m. (EET). A shareholder entered in the shareholders register of the Company whose shares are registered in the shareholders Finnish book-entry account and who wishes to participate in the Annual General Meeting shall register for the Annual General Meeting by 30 April 2025 at 4:00 p.m. (EET), by which time the registration must be received. The registration for the General Meeting can be made:

a) Through the Companys corporate website at https://investors.rapalavmc.com/en/investors/corporate_governance/annual_general_meeting_2025.

Online registration requires strong electronic identification from the shareholder or the shareholders statutory representative or proxy representative using Finnish, Swedish or Danish online banking credentials or a mobile certificate.

b) By mail or email.

A shareholder who registers by mail or email shall send the registration and advance voting form available on the Companys corporate website at https://investors.rapalavmc.com/en/investors/corporate_governance/annual_general_meeting_2025 no later than on 11 April 2025 or corresponding information to Innovatics Ltd by mail to the address Innovatics Ltd, General Meeting / Rapala VMC Corporation, Ratamestarinkatu 13 A, FI-00520 Helsinki, Finland, or by email to agm@innovatics.fi.

If the shareholder registers for the General Meeting by mail or email to Innovatics Ltd, the delivery of the registration and advance voting form or the corresponding information before the end of the registration period shall be deemed a registration for the General Meeting, provided that the shareholders message includes the information mentioned on the form required for registration.

The requested information, such as the shareholders name, date of birth or possible business ID, telephone number and/or email address as well as the name, date of birth, telephone number and/or email address of the shareholders possible assistant and/or proxy representative must be provided in connection with the registration. The personal data given to Rapala VMC Corporation or Innovatics Ltd is used only in connection with the Annual General Meeting and the processing of related registrations.

Additional information on the registration and advance voting is available during the registration period by telephone from Innovatics Ltds telephone number at +358 10 2818 909 on weekdays from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon and from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. (EET).

3. Holder of nominee-registered shares

A holder of nominee-registered shares has the right to participate in the Annual General Meeting by virtue of such shares, based on which the shareholder on the record date of the Annual General Meeting on 25 April 2025 would be entitled to be registered in the shareholders register of the Company held by Euroclear Finland Oy. In addition, the right to participate in the Annual General Meeting requires that the shareholder on the basis of such shares has been temporarily registered into the shareholders register held by Euroclear Finland Oy at the latest by 5 May 2025 at 10:00 a.m. (EET). As regards nominee-registered shares, this constitutes due registration for the Annual General Meeting. Changes in shareholding after the record date do not affect the right to participate in the Annual General Meeting or the shareholders number of votes.

A holder of nominee-registered shares is advised to contact his/her custodian bank in good time to request the necessary instructions regarding the temporary registration in the shareholders register of the Company, the issuing of proxy documents and voting instructions, registration for the Annual General Meeting and advance voting from such shareholders custodian bank. The account management organisation of the custodian bank has to register a holder of nominee-registered shares who wishes to participate in the Annual General Meeting temporarily in the shareholders register of the Company by the time stated above, and if necessary, arrange voting in advance on behalf of the holder of nominee-registered shares within the registration period applicable to the holders of nominee-registered shares.

A holder of nominee-registered shares who has registered for the General Meeting may also participate in the remote meeting by the use of telecommunications and technical means in real time. In addition to the temporary registration into the shareholders register, the real-time participation in the remote meeting requires the delivery of the shareholders email address and telephone number and, if necessary, a power of attorney and other necessary documents to prove the right of representation by email to agm@innovatics.fi or by mail to the address Innovatics Ltd, General Meeting / Rapala VMC Corporation, Ratamestarinkatu 13 A, FI-00520 Helsinki, Finland, before the end of the registration period for the holders of nominee-registered shares, so that the holder of nominee-registered shares can be sent a participation link and password to participate in the remote meeting.

If a holder of nominee-registered shares has authorised his/her custodian bank to vote in advance on his/her behalf, the votes cast in this way will be taken into account as advance votes of the holder of nominee-registered shares at the General Meeting, unless the holder of nominee-registered shares votes otherwise at the General Meeting.

4. Proxy representative and powers of attorney

A shareholder may participate in the Annual General Meeting and exercise his/her rights in the meeting by way of proxy representation. The proxy representative of the shareholder may also vote in advance as instructed in section C. 6. of these instructions.

The proxy representative shall provide a dated proxy document or otherwise in a reliable manner demonstrate his/her right to represent the shareholder. Should a shareholder participate in the Annual General Meeting by means of several proxy representatives representing the shareholder with shares in different book-entry accounts, the shares by which each proxy representative represents the shareholder shall be identified in connection with the registration.

A proxy template is available on the Companys corporate website at https://investors.rapalavmc.com/en/investors/corporate_governance/annual_general_meeting_2025 no later than on 11 April 2025.

Any proxy documents are requested to be delivered primarily as an attachment in connection with the electronic registration and possible advance voting, or alternatively by mail to the address Innovatics Ltd, General Meeting / Rapala VMC Corporation, Ratamestarinkatu 13 A, FI-00520 Helsinki, Finland, or by e-mail to agm@innovatics.fi before the end of the registration period. In addition to submitting a proxy document, shareholders or their proxy representatives shall ensure that they register for the General Meeting in the manner described above in section C. 2. of these instructions.

Delivery of a proxy document and the registration and advance voting form mentioned in Section C. 2. b) to Innovatics Ltd before the end of the registration period is deemed a registration for the General Meeting, provided that they set forth the information necessary for the registration.

If a proxy representative represents more than one shareholder at the General Meeting, it is recommended to vote in advance. Even if the proxy representative represents more than one shareholder at the General Meeting, only one attendance link and password will be provided to the proxy representative for all shareholders the proxy representative represents. The proxy representative will therefore not need to log into the service separately on behalf of each shareholder but shall still ensure the exercise of shareholders rights by voting on behalf of each shareholder separately.

A shareholder may authorise a proxy representative by using the Suomi.fi e-authorisation service as an alternative to a traditional proxy document. The proxy representative is authorised via the Suomi.fi service at www.suomi.fi/e-authorizations (authorisation for Representation at the General Meeting). When registering for the General Meeting service, the proxy representative must identify themselves by using strong electronic identification, after which the proxy representative can register and vote in advance on behalf of the shareholder the proxy representative represents. Strong electronic identification requires a Finnish bank ID or mobile certificate. For more information on e-authorisation, please see www.suomi.fi/e-authorizations.

5. Participation instructions

Shareholders who have the right to participate in the General Meeting may participate in the meeting and exercise their shareholder rights during the meeting in full and in real time via remote connection.

Shareholders may exercise their right to request information during the meeting orally.

The remote connection to the General Meeting will be implemented through Inderes Oyjs virtual AGM service using the Videosync platform, which includes video and audio access to the General Meeting. Using the remote connection does not require software or downloads subject to a charge. In addition to an internet connection, participation requires a computer, smartphone or tablet with speakers or headphones for audio playback as well as a microphone for oral questions and comments. The following browsers are recommended for remote participation: Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari, and Opera. Shareholders are responsible for their internet connections and devices during the meeting.

The participation link and password for remote participation will be sent by email and/or SMS to the email address and/or mobile phone number provided at the time of registration by the day before the meeting, 7 May 2025, at 4:00 p.m. (EET) at the latest. It is recommended to log into the meeting system before the meeting starts.

Shareholders who have voted in advance can also participate in the General Meeting via the remote connection. The votes cast in advance will be taken into account in the resolution of the General Meeting, regardless of whether such shareholders participate in the General Meeting remotely or not. Shareholders participating in the meeting remotely will be able to change their advance votes during the meeting, should a vote take place.

For more information on the AGM service, additional instructions for proxy holders representing more than one shareholder, contact details of the service provider and instructions in case of possible disruptions, please visit https://vagm.fi/support and a link to test the compatibility of your computer, smartphone or tablet with the internet connection can be found at https://b2b.inderes.com/knowledge-base/compatibility-testing. It is recommended to consult the detailed attendance instructions before the start of the General Meeting.

6. Advance voting

Shareholders with a Finnish book-entry account may vote in advance on certain matters on the agenda of the General Meeting between 11 April 2025 at 10:00 a.m. and 30 April 2025 at 4:00 p.m. (EET) in the following ways:

a) Through the Companys corporate website at https://investors.rapalavmc.com/en/investors/corporate_governance/annual_general_meeting_2025. Shareholders can sign into the advance voting service the same way as to the electronic registration service referred to above in section C. 2. a) of these instructions.

b) By email or by mail sending the advance voting form available on the Companys corporate website at https://investors.rapalavmc.com/en/investors/corporate_governance/annual_general_meeting_2025 no later than on 11 April 2025 or corresponding information to Innovatics Ltd, by mail to the address Innovatics Ltd, General Meeting / Rapala VMC Corporation, Ratamestarinkatu 13 A, FI-00520 Helsinki, Finland or by email to the address agm@innovatics.fi. Advance votes must be received before the advance voting period expires.

If the shareholder participates in the General Meeting by voting in advance by mail or email to Innovatics Ltd, the delivery of the registration and advance voting form or the corresponding information before the end of the registration period shall be deemed also a registration for the General Meeting, provided that the shareholder's message includes the required information mentioned in both the registration section and the advance voting section of the form.

A proposed resolution that is subject to advance voting is considered to be presented unchanged in the General Meeting, and the advance votes are taken into account in a vote at the real-time General Meeting also in circumstances where an alternative resolution has been proposed concerning the matter. Taking the votes into account requires that the shareholders who voted in advance are registered in the Companys shareholders register maintained by Euroclear Finland Oy on the record date of the General Meeting. Unless shareholders voting in advance are present at the General Meeting in person or by way of proxy representation via remote connection, they will not be able to make counterproposals, vote for a possible counterproposal, or use their rights under the Companies Act to request information or a vote.

Holders of nominee-registered shares can vote in advance through their account operators. Account operators can vote in advance on behalf of the holders of nominee-registered shares they represent in accordance with the shareholders voting instructions during the registration period applicable to holders of nominee-registered shares.

7. Other instructions and information

Pursuant to Chapter 5, Section 25 of the Finnish Companies Act, a shareholder participating in the Annual General Meeting via remote connection has the right to request information with respect to the matters to be considered at the Annual General Meeting.

On the date of this notice convening the Annual General Meeting 10 April 2025, the total number of shares and votes in Rapala VMC Corporation is 39,000,000. On the date of this notice convening the Annual General Meeting, the Company holds 123,891 treasury shares. Pursuant to the Finnish Companies Act, shares held by the Company or its subsidiaries are not entitled to participate in the Annual General Meeting.

Helsinki, 10 April 2025

RAPALA VMC CORPORATION

Board of Directors

Additional Information

For additional information, please contact: Tuomo Leino, Investor Relations (tel. +358 9 7562 540)

About Rapala VMC Corporation

Rapala VMC Group is the worlds leading fishing tackle company with a largest distribution network in the industry. The Group is a global market leader in fishing lures, treble hooks and fishing related knives and tools. The main manufacturing facilities are in Finland, France, Estonia, and the UK. The Groups brand portfolio includes leading brands in the industry such as Rapala, VMC, Sufix, 13Fishing as well as Okuma in Europe. The Group, with net sales of EUR 221 million in 2024, employs some 1 400 people in approximately 40 countries. Rapala VMC Corporations share is listed and traded on the Nasdaq Helsinki stock exchange since 1998.

www.rapalavmc.com


LIMA, Peru, April 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Minera IRL Limited (Minera, the Company or we) (BVL:MIRL) (CSE:MIRL) provides a corporate update and outlines the steps being taken to complete the 2024 audit and file its annual consolidated financial statements, managements discussion and analysis, annual information form, and the required certifications (the Annual Filings).

Davidson & Company LLP (Davidson), ratified as our new auditors at the last Annual General Meeting, is currently conducting its first audit for the Company on a consolidated basis, including our Peruvian subsidiaries. This process involves collaboration with the auditors of our subsidiaries, adding complexity due to the need to align procedures between Canada and Peru.

As part of the 2024 audit, Davidson is also addressing the disclaimer of opinion issued by the Companys former auditors on the 2023 annual consolidated financial statements. This re-audit is necessary to ensure the accuracy of our financial statements and to meet the standards of National Instrument 52-107 Acceptable Accounting Principles and Auditing Standards. This approach to re-audit the 2023 financials also reflects our commitment to transparency as we advance negotiations with potential investors regarding the objective of completing a business transaction for our flagship Ollachea Gold Project.

While every effort was made to complete the audit and file on or before the prescribed filing deadline of March 31, 2025, the audit has taken longer than anticipated. Amid ongoing audit efforts, we have maintained  and continue to maintain  open communication with the British Columbia Securities Commission, which has issued a Failure to File Cease Trade Order (FFCTO) effective April 4, 2025, as defined in National Instrument 14-101 Definitions, and National Policy 11-207 Failure-to-File Cease Trade Orders.

We are fully committed to completing the audit as soon as possible and anticipate that we will be in the position to complete the Annual Filings on or before April 30, 2025.

We want to assure our shareholders that there is no underlying operational issue with the Company, and the FFCTO will be lifted promptly once the required Annual Filings are made. We appreciate your continued support as we work to resolve this matter.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Minera IRL Limited

Gerardo Perez

Executive Chairman

Diego Benavides

CEO and Director

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Minera IRL Limited

Susan Gabbie

Manager, Communications

+51 1 418 - 1230

Pedro Valdez

Head of Investor Relations

+51 1 418 - 1230

Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information

Certain information in this news release, including the Companys expectation that the audit will be completed as soon as possible and that the Annual Filings will be made on or before April 30, 2025, constitutes forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions. While management believes these assumptions and statements are reasonable in context, forward-looking statements are inherently subject to political, legal, regulatory, business and economic risks, unanticipated delays with respect to the accounting and audit process, and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. The Company cautions readers that forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Companys actual results and future performance to be materially different than those expected or estimated future results, performance or achievements and that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, results or achievements.

The Company assumes no obligation, except as may be required by law, to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances.
The Companys annual general meeting was held today at Hermans, Tivoli Friheden, DK-8000 Aarhus C, with approx. 600 people present.

Report by the Board of Directors

The Chairman of the Board of Directors presented the report on the Companys activities during the past financial year. The previously announced full-year guidance was reiterated; however, the unpredictable global situation naturally necessitates close monitoring of developments. The report was duly noted by the shareholders.

Approval of annual report, allocation of profit and discharge of liability

The annual report for 2024 including the Board of Directors recommendation for allocation of profit and the payment of a dividend of DKK 16 per share of nominally DKK 10 was approved as well as the customary resolution to discharge the Board of Directors and the Executive Management from liability.

Indicative vote on the remuneration report

The Companys remuneration report for 2024, which was presented for an indicative vote, was approved.

Proposals from the Board of Directors

The Board of Directors proposal of a revised remuneration policy for the Board of Directors and the Executive Management was approved.

The Board of Directors proposal to maintain the annual base fee to board members of DKK 400,000 for 2025 was approved.

The Board of Directors proposal to adopt an indemnification scheme for members of the Board of Directors and the Executive Management was approved, as well as the Board of Director's proposal to reflect the indemnification scheme in the Articles of Association.

Furthermore, the Board of Directors proposal to renew the authorisation to acquire treasury shares and the Board of Directors proposal to extend the authorisations to increase the share capital were approved.

Election of members to the Board of Directors

Jrgen Dencker Wisborg, Kenneth Skov Eskildsen, Kjeld Johannesen, Hans Martin Smith, Sren Sthr and Sisse Fjelsted Rasmussen were all re-elected as members of the Board of Directors.

Appointment of auditor

PricewaterhouseCoopers Statsautoriseret Revisionspartnerselskab was re-appointed as the Companys auditor in relation to statutory financial reporting and sustainability reporting in accordance with the recommendation from the audit committee.

Authorisation to the chairman of the general meeting

The shareholders authorised the chairman of the meeting, or whoever the chairman may be replaced by in his absence, to file the resolutions approved by the general meeting for registration with the Danish Business Authority.

Any other business

No other business was considered.

Constitution of the Board of Directors and composition of the board committees

Immediately after the general meeting, the Board of Directors elected Jrgen Dencker Wisborg as chairman and Kenneth Skov Eskildsen as deputy chairman of the Board of Directors.

The Board appointed Hans Martin Smith (chairman), Jrgen Dencker Wisborg and Sisse Fjelsted Rasmussen to the Audit Committee.

The Board appointed Jrgen Dencker Wisborg (chairman), Kenneth Skov Eskildsen and Kjeld Johannesen to the Nomination and Remuneration Committee.

Aktieselskabet Schouw & Co.

Jrgen Dencker Wisborg, Chairman of the Board of Directors

Jens Bjerg Srensen, President and CEO

Please direct any questions to President Jens Bjerg Srensen on tel. +45 86 11 22 22.

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TORONTO, April 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ETHWomen, a leading Web3 event championing inclusivity and female participation in Web3, returns for its third year on May 13, 2025, in Toronto, Canada. Presented by Blockchain Futurist Conference and Canada Crypto Week, ETHWomen continues its mission to empower women in blockchain by providing free access to educational panels, networking opportunities, and industry connections.

In an industry that remains heavily male-dominated, ETHWomen is designed to break barriers by fostering a welcoming environment for women interested in Web3whether they are developers, entrepreneurs, or simply curious about the space. The event encourages new talent to explore blockchain and cryptocurrency while also serving as a hub for women already making an impact to connect and collaborate.

Blockchain4Her, a global initiative led by Bitget to empower and uplift women in blockchain, has been announced as a platinum sponsor of ETHWomen. As part of the partnership, Blockchain4Her will host the ETHWomen Happy Hour  creating a supportive and welcoming atmosphere where women in Web3 can build connections, exchange knowledge, and drive innovation in the decentralized space.

Blockchain4her is proud to drive real-world impact and support women in technology through a special activation at ETHWomen. Attendees will receive custom B4H pins, and for each participant who wears one and shares it on social media, Bitget Wallet will donate $10 to a local womens charity. This initiative fosters solidarity and creates tangible impact, providing support for women in technology.

"Blockchain4Her is more than just an initiative  its a movement for real change. Our goal is to reshape the future of Web3, ensuring that women arent just participants but leaders at the forefront of innovation," said Gracy Chen, CEO of Bitget and initiator of Blockchain4her $10M initiative. "Through our sponsorship, we hope to empower women to come join us as we build bridges to a decentralized world that thrives on diverse voices."

Continuing the momentum of industry leaders supporting inclusivity in Web3, Unicoin, a next-generation asset-backed cryptocurrency, joins ETHWomen 2025 as a Platinum Sponsor, furthering its commitment to empowering women in Web3. As the official ETHWomen Stage Sponsor, Unicoin will help create a platform for influential voices shaping the future of blockchain.



ETHWomen 2025 will feature panels, discussions, and fireside chats led by top female leaders in Web3, including:

Lisa Loud  Executive Director, Secret Network

Jelena Djuric  Co-Founder & CEO, Noble

Elena Sinelnikova  Co-Founder, CryptoChicks & Metis

Annelise Osborne  Chief Business Officer, Kadena

Koleya Karringten  Executive Director, Canadian Blockchain Consortium

Amanda Wick  Founder & CEO, Association for Women in Cryptocurrency

Justyna Osowska  Founder, Women in Blockchain Canada

Jamie Jung  Co-Founder, Women in Web3 Korea

This uplifting event is supported by community partners including CryptoChicks, The Association for Women in Crypto, Growth for Girlies, and Shibwomenorganizations dedicated to inclusivity, education, and opportunities for women in blockchain.

Following ETHWomen in Toronto on May 13, 2025, the next edition will take place in Greater Miami, Florida, on November 5-6, 2025, expanding its mission of empowerment and innovation to a global stage. Registration is now open for both Toronto and Miami, welcoming women from all industries to dive into Web3, blockchain, AI, and the future of technology.

For more details and to secure your spot, visit ethwomen.com.

Media inquiries: Laura Leparulo  laura@futuristconference.com

Wire Service Contact:

IBN

Austin, Texas

www.InvestorBrandNetwork.com

512.354.7000 Office

Editor@InvestorBrandNetwork.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b4856b9a-542d-40fd-817a-94f59967f5a6
New York, NY, April 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A seminal study from researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and their collaborators in the United Kingdom, Belgium, Spain, the Netherlands, and Iceland has uncovered a new genetic cause of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). The discovery offers both closure and hope to potentially thousands of families worldwide who have long been searching for answers.

The study, published in the April 10 online issue of Nature Genetics [DOI: 10.1038/s41588-025-02159-5], reveals that mutations in a small, previously overlooked non-coding gene called RNU2-2 are responsible for relatively common NDD. Non-coding genes are genes that dont produce proteins but may still play critical roles in regulating cell functions.

Building on their landmark discovery of RNU4-2 / ReNU syndrome last year, the research team has identified the new, related disorder caused by mutations in the non-coding gene RNU2-2. RNU4-2 / ReNU syndrome and RNU2-2 syndromes share similarities, but patients with RNU2-2 syndrome tend to be more severely affected by epilepsy.

Our identification of RNU2-2 mutations as a cause of NDDs is particularly notable because it cements the biological significance of a class of small non-coding genes in NDDs, says the study's first author, Daniel Greene, PhD, Assistant Professor of Genetics and Genomic Sciences at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. These mutations tend to occur spontaneously, rather than being inherited from an affected persons parents.

NDDs are disorders that affect the development of the brain and nervous system. They include conditions such as intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder, and motor disorders. These NDDs, which often have a genetic basis, manifest in early childhood and can lead to lifelong challenges in learning, behavior, and communication. The current findings involve a newly discovered form of NDD.

We know from years of experience supporting patients and families with rare genetic conditions how receiving a diagnosis like this can be life-changing and the first step on the journey to putting in place the right support and care, says Sarah Wynn, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Unique, an organization that provides support, information, and a voice for all those affected by rare chromosome or gene disorders.

Advances in genetic sequencing, including whole-genome sequencing of more than 50,000 individuals by Genomics England, made the development possible. This enabled the researchers to identify the cause of the novel disorder as mutations in RNU2-2, a gene once thought to be inactive. The authors also identified a separate mutation in RNU2-2 that tends to arise in unaffected individuals as they age, which may have implications for age-related conditions.

We estimate that the prevalence of RNU2-2 disorder is approximately 20 percent that of RNU4-2 / ReNU syndrome, one of the most common monogenic types of NDD. This means there must be thousands of affected families worldwide, says senior study author Ernest Turro, PhD, Associate Professor of Genetics and Genomic Sciences at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

With a genetic diagnosis in hand, families can connect with others in similar situations, share valuable experiences, and gain a better understanding of how to manage the condition. This discovery also makes possible further research to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying the disorder, says Dr. Turro.

The paper is titled Mutations in the snRNA gene RNU2-2 cause a severe neurodevelopmental disorder with prominent epilepsy.

For the full list of authors, as well as details on funding and competing interests, please refer to the Nature Genetics paper: [DOI: 10.1038/s41588-025-02159-5].

About the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai is internationally renowned for its outstanding research, educational, and clinical care programs. It is the sole academic partner for the seven member hospitals* of the Mount Sinai Health System, one of the largest academic health systems in the United States, providing care to New York Citys large and diverse patient population.

The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai offers highly competitive MD, PhD, MD-PhD, and masters degree programs, with enrollment of more than 1,200 students. It has the largest graduate medical education program in the country, with more than 2,600 clinical residents and fellows training throughout the Health System. Its Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences offers 13 degree-granting programs, conducts innovative basic and translational research, and trains more than 560 postdoctoral research fellows.

Ranked 11th nationwide in National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding, the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai is among the 99th percentile in research dollars per investigator according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. More than 4,500 scientists, educators, and clinicians work within and across dozens of academic departments and multidisciplinary institutes with an emphasis on translational research and therapeutics. Through Mount Sinai Innovation Partners (MSIP), the Health System facilitates the real-world application and commercialization of medical breakthroughs made at Mount Sinai.

-------------------------------------------------------

Mount Sinai Health System member hospitals: The Mount Sinai Hospital; Mount Sinai Brooklyn; Mount Sinai Morningside; Mount Sinai Queens; Mount Sinai South Nassau; Mount Sinai West; and New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai.

About the Mount Sinai Health System

Mount Sinai Health System is one of the largest academic medical systems in the New York metro area, employing 48,000 people across its hospitals and more than 400 outpatient practices, as well as more than 600 research and clinical labs, a school of nursing, and a leading school of medicine and graduate education. Mount Sinai advances health for all people, everywhere, by taking on the most complex health care challenges of our timediscovering and applying new scientific learning and knowledge; developing safer, more effective treatments; educating the next generation of medical leaders and innovators; and supporting local communities by delivering high-quality care to all who need it.

Through the integration of its hospitals, labs, and schools, Mount Sinai offers comprehensive health care solutions from birth through geriatrics, leveraging innovative approaches such as artificial intelligence and informatics while keeping patients medical and emotional needs at the center of all treatment. The Health System includes approximately 9,000 primary and specialty care physicians and 11 free-standing joint-venture centers throughout the five boroughs of New York City, Westchester, Long Island, and Florida. Hospitals within the System are consistently ranked by Newsweeks The Worlds Best Smart Hospitals, Best in State Hospitals, World Best Hospitals and Best Specialty Hospitals and by U.S. News & World Report's Best Hospitals and Best Childrens Hospitals. The Mount Sinai Hospital is on the U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals Honor Roll for 2024-2025.

For more information, visit https://www.mountsinai.org or find Mount Sinai on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

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SAN DIEGO, April 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP announces that purchasers or acquirers of Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE: STZ) securities between April 11, 2024 and January 8, 2025, all dates inclusive (the Class Period), have until April 21, 2025 to seek appointment as lead plaintiff of the Constellation Brands class action lawsuit. Captioned Meza v. Constellation Brands, Inc., No. 25-cv-06107 (W.D.N.Y.), the Constellation Brands class action lawsuit charges Constellation Brands as well as certain of Constellation Brands top executives with violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

If you suffered substantial losses and wish to serve as lead plaintiff of the Constellation Brands class action lawsuit, please provide your information here:

https://www.rgrdlaw.com/cases-constellation-brands-inc-class-action-lawsuit-stz.html

You can also contact attorneys J.C. Sanchez or Jennifer N. Caringal of Robbins Geller by calling 800/449-4900 or via e-mail at info@rgrdlaw.com.

CASE ALLEGATIONS: Constellation Brands produces, imports, markets, and sells beer, wine, and spirits.

The Constellation Brands class action lawsuit alleges that defendants throughout the Class Period: (i) created the false impression that they possessed reliable information pertaining to Constellation Brands Wine and Spirits business; (ii) failed to improve mix, inventory, and sales execution; and (iii) failed to disclose that investments made in media spend and price promotions as well as adjustments in sales capabilities to support distributor partners had not been as effective as they claimed.

The Constellation Brands class action lawsuit further alleges that on January 10, 2025, Constellation Brands announced its third quarter fiscal year 2025 results, revealing a significant miss on sales performance in the Beer segment and an even steeper miss for the Wine and Spirits segment. On this news, the price of Constellation Brands stock fell.

THE LEAD PLAINTIFF PROCESS: The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 permits any investor who purchased or acquired Constellation Brands securities during the Class Period to seek appointment as lead plaintiff in the Constellation Brands class action lawsuit. A lead plaintiff is generally the movant with the greatest financial interest in the relief sought by the putative class who is also typical and adequate of the putative class. A lead plaintiff acts on behalf of all other class members in directing the Constellation Brands class action lawsuit. The lead plaintiff can select a law firm of its choice to litigate the Constellation Brands class action lawsuit. An investors ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff of the Constellation Brands class action lawsuit.

ABOUT ROBBINS GELLER: Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP is one of the worlds leading law firms representing investors in securities fraud cases. Our Firm has been #1 in the ISS Securities Class Action Services rankings for six out of the last ten years for securing the most monetary relief for investors. We recovered $6.6 billion for investors in securities-related class action cases  over $2.2 billion more than any other law firm in the last four years. With 200 lawyers in 10 offices, Robbins Geller is one of the largest plaintiffs firms in the world and the Firms attorneys have obtained many of the largest securities class action recoveries in history, including the largest securities class action recovery ever  $7.2 billion  in In re Enron Corp. Sec. Litig. Please visit the following page for more information:

https://www.rgrdlaw.com/services-litigation-securities-fraud.html

Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

Services may be performed by attorneys in any of our offices.

Contact:

Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP

J.C. Sanchez, Jennifer N. Caringal

655 W. Broadway, Suite 1900, San Diego, CA 92101

800-449-4900

info@rgrdlaw.com
Chicago, April 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Otus is proud to announce that President and Co-Founder Chris Hull has been named the 2025 EdTech Leadership Award winner in the Visionary category by EdTech Digest. The award recognizes individuals driving meaningful change in K-12 education through innovation, leadership, and impactsomething Hulls journey from teacher to tech leader exemplifies perfectly.

A former middle school teacher, Hull co-founded Otus over a decade ago with a simple but powerful goal: to give time back to educators and help every student succeed. Under his leadership, Otus has supported over 1 million students nationwide by helping educators make data-informed decisions, monitor progress, and personalize learningall with a single tool.

Everything we do at Otus comes back to one core belief: teachers are the heartbeat of student success, said Hull. Im honored by this recognition, but more importantly, Im proud of what our team continues to build for educators, students, and families. When we listen to teachers and design solutions around their needs, we create better outcomes for all learners.

During Hulls tenure, Otus has launched major platform initiativesincluding new AI-powered featuresand formed partnerships with leading edtech providers such as Discovery Education. These advancements have strengthened Otus ability to streamline assessment, data, and insights, ultimately helping educators track progress, close gaps, and personalize learning for each student.

Otus was also named a finalist in three EdTech Cool Tool Awards categories: Administrative Solution, Personalized Learning Solution, and Testing & Assessment Solution. To learn more about The EdTech Awards and see a full list of finalists and winners, visit edtechdigest.com/2025-finalists-winners.

About Otus

Otus, an award-winning edtech company, empowers educators to maximize student performance with a comprehensive K-12 assessment, data, and insights solution. Committed to student achievement and educational equity, Otus combines student data with powerful tools that provide educators, administrators, and families with the insights they need to make a difference. Built by teachers for teachers, Otus creates efficiencies in data management, assessment, and progress monitoring to help educators focus on what matters moststudent success. Today, Otus partners with school districts nationwide to create informed, data-driven learning environments. Learn more at Otus.com.

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WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y., April 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- National Fuel Gas Company (NYSE: NFG) today announced it will release its second quarter fiscal 2025 earnings results on Wednesday, April 30, 2025 after market close.

A conference call to discuss the results will be held on Thursday, May 1, 2025 beginning at 9:00 a.m. ET. Prepared remarks from the executive team are planned for approximately 20 minutes followed by a question and answer session.

All participants must pre-register to join this conference using the Participant Registration link.

A webcast link to the conference call will be provided under the Events Calendar on the NFG Investor Relations website at investor.nationalfuelgas.com.

A replay will be available following the call through the end of the day, Thursday, May 8, 2025. To access the replay, dial 1-866-813-9403 and provide Access Code 458634.

For additional information, contact:

Natalie Fischer, Director of Investor Relations (716) 857-7315

Kathryn Nikisch-Hoffman, Equity Plan Administrator (716) 857-7340

Karen Merkel, Media Contact (716) 857-7654

Email: nfg_investor_relations@natfuel.com

National Fuel is a diversified energy company headquartered in Western New York that operates an integrated collection of natural gas assets across four business segments: Exploration & Production, Pipeline & Storage, Gathering, and Utility. Additional information about National Fuel is available at www.nationalfuel.com.
PHILADELPHIA, April 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Imagine an empirically supported, non-surgical device that tightens your skin, evens out fine lines, and rejuvenates your youthful glow all from the comfort of your own home. Introducing Radiance One Handset, an innovative handheld device thats revolutionizing the way women tackle skin care. Using improved technologies like Radio Frequency, Red Light Therapy, and Microcurrent stimulation, Radiance One delivers long-lasting outcomes without the steep price tag or downtime of more invasive treatments. Its not just another skincare marketing ployits a game-changer in at-home anti-aging solutions.

Curious to know if Radiance One is worth the hype? You should be! With over 74,000 stellar reviews and thousands of women noting firmer, taut skin, its hard not to be captivated. In the sections that follow, well explore precisely how Radiance One works, what makes it different from everything else out there, and whether its the right choice for you. If youre serious about restoring your confidence and making an informed decision about your skincare, keep readingyoull want all the facts before you take the next step!

What Is Radiance One (Radiance One Handset Reviews)





Radiance One is a groundbreaking handheld device that blends radio frequency, red light therapy, and microcurrent technology to address the root causes of aging skin. Radiance One is a portable, FDA-approved device that is scientifically proven to deliver professional-grade results by utilizing five clinically tested wavelengths of light. Many Radiance One Reviews say it works by invigorating the synthesis of collagen and elastin, the vital proteins that keep skin firm and elastic while concurrently toning facial muscles. Formulated with simplicity and ease in mind, Radiance One is designed for home use, with just a 10-minute daily routine that can be incorporated into even the busiest schedules, promising a non-invasive option to more drastic measures like Botox or facelifts.

Harnessing the potential of radio frequency to soothingly warm the deeper layers of the skin, Radiance One Handset promotes the natural production of collagen and elastin, which are core to improving and enhancing youthful firmness. Radiance Ones red light therapy smoothes skin tone, minimizes inflammation, and aids fade age spots, whereas the microcurrent component provides a facelift without surgery by amplifying muscle tone. With impressive customer ratings and tremendously positive feedback, Radiance One has proven to be a powerful solution for many looking to regain a youthful and revitalized appearance.

Radiance One Handset is considered as the newest breakthrough skincare device that can effortlessly improve your skin from the comfort of your own home. Based on verified facts and data, Radiance One has an excellent rating of 4.95 out of 5.0 given by the consumers of Canada & USA because of its non invasive, easy to use, professional-grade results it delivers from the comfort of your home. Radiance One uses innovative red light therapy, microcurrent technology and therapeutic warming to deliver genuine results. These technologies work synergistically to provide a comprehensive skincare solution that targets multiple concerns like wrinkles and fine lines simultaneously.

In a market where many products promise the world yet deliver little, Radiance One distinguishes itself by combining three potent skin-reviving technologies into one easy-to-use device. Its build shows expertise in skin science and the prevalent struggles connected with aging, tackling issues that affect not only physical appearance but also self-confidence and general well-being. With statistics and user reviews backing its efficacy, Radiance One is more than just a cosmetic tool, its a step towards reclaiming the radiant and glowing skin that many feel is gradually fading away with time.

CLICK HERE TO BUY YOUR RADIANCE ONE FROM THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE AT MASSIVE DISCOUNT TODAY

What Are Unique Key Features Of Radiance One Handset Reviews (Radiance One Reviews)

Advanced Radio Frequency Technology: Radiance One incorporates improved radio frequency technology, providing soothing warmth deep into the dermis to activate collagen and elastin production. This process promotes the skins natural repair mechanism, improving firmness and elasticity. By uplifting these vital proteins, the device effectively alleviates the appearance of sagging skin and wrinkles. The repeated, controlled heat promotes a smoother texture, enabling you to achieve a more radiant, lifted look while reducing downtime and preventing surgical treatments.





Radiance One incorporates improved radio frequency technology, providing soothing warmth deep into the dermis to activate collagen and elastin production. This process promotes the skins natural repair mechanism, improving firmness and elasticity. By uplifting these vital proteins, the device effectively alleviates the appearance of sagging skin and wrinkles. The repeated, controlled heat promotes a smoother texture, enabling you to achieve a more radiant, lifted look while reducing downtime and preventing surgical treatments. Targeted Red Light Therapy: Using targeted red light therapy, Radiance One Handset offers an effective solution to brighten and revive the skins surface. This technology exudes accurate wavelengths penetrating the outer skin layer, minimizing dark spots and smoothing tone and texture. The red light activates cellular regeneration, reducing inflammation and enhancing a radiant glow. Frequent use visibly improves the complexion by softening fine lines and improving clarity, leaving a luminous and balanced appearance.





Using targeted red light therapy, Radiance One Handset offers an effective solution to brighten and revive the skins surface. This technology exudes accurate wavelengths penetrating the outer skin layer, minimizing dark spots and smoothing tone and texture. The red light activates cellular regeneration, reducing inflammation and enhancing a radiant glow. Frequent use visibly improves the complexion by softening fine lines and improving clarity, leaving a luminous and balanced appearance. Effective Microcurrent Muscle Toning: Radiance One utilizes the power of microcurrent technology to give a non-invasive facial lift by gently activating your muscles. This low-level electrical current tones and tightens the facial muscles, minimizing the appearance of fine lines and sagging skin. Over time, consistent use outcomes in a naturally lifted, sculpted look without surgical procedures. The microcurrent therapy accentuates the other treatments in the device, delivering a holistic approach to attaining revitalized skin.





Radiance One utilizes the power of microcurrent technology to give a non-invasive facial lift by gently activating your muscles. This low-level electrical current tones and tightens the facial muscles, minimizing the appearance of fine lines and sagging skin. Over time, consistent use outcomes in a naturally lifted, sculpted look without surgical procedures. The microcurrent therapy accentuates the other treatments in the device, delivering a holistic approach to attaining revitalized skin. Non-Invasive and Safe Anti-Aging Treatment : Radiance One Handset promises a safe, legit, non-surgical alternative to bank-breaking surgical procedures and injections. Integrating radio frequency, red light therapy, and microcurrent treatments, tackles multiple signs of aging simultaneously without downtime or discomfort. Formulated with user safety in mind, the device offers all therapies at optimal intensities to reduce risks while optimizing results. This exhaustive approach allows you to achieve skin tightness and texture without the complications of traditional cosmetic treatments.





: Radiance One Handset promises a safe, legit, non-surgical alternative to bank-breaking surgical procedures and injections. Integrating radio frequency, red light therapy, and microcurrent treatments, tackles multiple signs of aging simultaneously without downtime or discomfort. Formulated with user safety in mind, the device offers all therapies at optimal intensities to reduce risks while optimizing results. This exhaustive approach allows you to achieve skin tightness and texture without the complications of traditional cosmetic treatments. Compact and User-Friendly Design : Crafted with ease in mind, Radiance One features a sleek, handheld design that makes it user-friendly. Its miniature structure allows for easy use at home or on the go, guaranteeing that you can integrate anti-aging treatments into your everyday routine without hassle. The ergonomic shape fits well in your hand, allowing for smooth gliding over the skin. Whether youre a beginner or a seasoned skincare enthusiast, the simple controls and lightweight build make achieving a radiant appearance seamless.





: Crafted with ease in mind, Radiance One features a sleek, handheld design that makes it user-friendly. Its miniature structure allows for easy use at home or on the go, guaranteeing that you can integrate anti-aging treatments into your everyday routine without hassle. The ergonomic shape fits well in your hand, allowing for smooth gliding over the skin. Whether youre a beginner or a seasoned skincare enthusiast, the simple controls and lightweight build make achieving a radiant appearance seamless. Quick, 10-Minute Daily Treatment: Radiance Ones promise of evolutionary results in just 10 minutes a day makes it an intriguing option for busy individuals seeking to revive their skins. This quick daily treatment is formulated to blend into your schedule while offering a robust incorporation of radio frequency, red light therapy, and microcurrent perks. Users can notice noticeable improvements in skin tightness, texture, and overall radiance. This effective regimen promises a practical, time-saving solution to tackle aging signs.





Radiance Ones promise of evolutionary results in just 10 minutes a day makes it an intriguing option for busy individuals seeking to revive their skins. This quick daily treatment is formulated to blend into your schedule while offering a robust incorporation of radio frequency, red light therapy, and microcurrent perks. Users can notice noticeable improvements in skin tightness, texture, and overall radiance. This effective regimen promises a practical, time-saving solution to tackle aging signs. Affordable and Clinically-Backed Innovation: One of the most compelling features of Radiance One Handset is its cost-effectiveness combined with science-backed technology. Radiance One offers an affordable option for exorbitant treatments like Botox and facelifts while providing professional-grade outcomes at home. Its improved integration of radio frequency, red light therapy, and microcurrent has been developed to combat the root causes of skin aging. With thousands of enthralled users attesting to its success, Radiance One distinguishes itself as an accessible solution for achieving a youthful appearance.



Does Radiance One Handset Really Work? (Radiance One Reviews)

Radiance One handset legitimately works by using the power of three improved technologies; radio frequency, red light therapy, and microcurrent to give a detailed solution to aging skin. By soothingly warming the dermis, the radio frequency activates collagen and elastin production, the essential proteins responsible for skin firmness and elasticity. Concurrently, red light therapy evens out skin tone and reduces inflammation, whereas microcurrent technology imitates the natural electrical currents in your skin to lift and tighten the facial muscles. This multi-pronged approach produces a synergistic effect, delivering a non-surgical alternative to more drastic procedures like Botox or facelifts.

Users have reported visible advancement after integrating Radiance One into their daily routines. Countless have encountered firmer skin and minimized appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, with some even comparing its effects to rolling back years on their skins aging process. The devices convenience of usefrom its miniature, handheld design to the brief, 10-minute daily treatmentmakes it a convenient alternative for those seeking to enhance their skincare routine without the hassle of traditional, time-consuming procedures. Its effectiveness is reinforced by thousands of verified user reviews, which reported both immediate and long-term benefits.

While the outcomes may differ depending on individual skin types and conditions, the fundamental science behind Radiance One offers a strong foundation for its claims. The concept of activating collagen and elastin synthesis is deep-rooted in dermatological research, and incorporating this with red light therapy and microcurrent treatments boosts its impact. For those looking for a non-invasive solution to sagging, wrinkled skin, Radiance One gives a promising option that not only tackles the signs of aging but also amplifies general skin health, equipping users to reclaim confidence in their appearance.

Why Should You Buy the Radiance One? (Radiance One Reviews UK)





Radiance One isnt just another beauty gadgetits an innovative solution that combats aging skin at its core. Instead of wasting time and money on quick fixes, this transformative device harnesses the power of radio frequency, red light therapy, and microcurrent treatments to amplify collagen and elastin synthesis from within. With these three dynamic technologies working in tandem, Radiance One provides a non-invasive, yet functional experience that remarkably tightens, firms, and revives your skin, helping you restore that radiant glow without resorting to expensive Botox or invasive surgery.

What distinguishes Radiance One is its simplicity and efficiency, making improved skin care accessible right in the comfort of your home. In just 10 minutes a day, you can enjoy a professional-level treatment that tackles the root causes of sagging skin and wrinkles. Radiance One is manufactured in the United States by a group of skin enthusiasts & experts for busy individuals who need an effective, time-saving solution that fights aging without complex routines or downtime. With thousands of elated users reporting visible improvements, Radiance One is restating how we view skincare, equipping you to take control of your beauty routine with confidence.

Furthermore, after searching on the internet for customers complaints in the UK, USA, Australia and Canada, we found out that Radiance One Handset is generally safe for sensitive skin. However, its always recommended to perform a patch test first and consult with a dermatologist if you have specific skin concerns. Affordability and convenience are at the heart of the Radiance One Handset experience. Priced at an introductory offer thats remarkably lower than many high-end salon treatments, its an investment in your long-term skin health.

Why Is Radiance One Better Than Similar Products on the Market? (Radiance One Handset UK Reviews)

Radiance One stands out by blending three verified and advanced technologies; radio frequency, red light therapy, and microcurrent in one chic, handheld device. Unlike other products that lean solely on one approach, Radiance One is an innovative at-home skincare device that combines red light therapy, microcurrent technology, and therapeutic warming to target fine lines, wrinkles, uneven skin tone, and loss of elasticity.

In addition to its innovative technology, Radiance One provides a convenient, non-invasive solution that can be easily integrated into a daily routine. While invasive procedures like Botox or facelifts demand frequent visits, expensive treatments, and a lengthy recovery period, Radiance One offers a cost-effective and user-friendly alternative. With just 10 minutes a day, users can achieve a visible improvement in their skins firmness and textureall from the comfort of their own home. This simplicity, combined with its improved functionality, makes Radiance One an invaluable choice for anyone tired of the endless search for effective, non-surgical anti-aging solutions.

Finally, the overwhelmingly beautiful customer feedback attests to Radiance Ones superiority. With thousands of satisfied users noting firmer, more lifted skin and a revived youthful glow, Radiance One Handset has earned a strong reputation in the competitive world of skincare. The high ratings and remarkable reviews speak to its efficacy and dot its reliability and affordability, particularly when compared to high-cost cosmetic procedures.

What Are The Irresistible Benefits Of Using Radiance One (Radiance One Handset Review)





Enhanced Collagen and Elastin Boost: Radiance One prides itself on effectively activating collagen and elastin synthesis through its improved radio frequency and red light therapy. This process rejuvenates skin by enhancing firmness and elasticity, helping to reverse signs of aging. Charlotte LaCroix praised its ability to minimize fine lines and improve skin texture, describing the outcomes as truly worth every penny. Customers have encountered visibly tighter and more radiant skin, supporting the devices promise. The transformative technology penetrates deeply into the dermis, triggering natural revitalization processes that restore youthful vibrancy. With consistent use, users enjoy a significant boost in skin density and overall radiance remarkably.





Radiance One prides itself on effectively activating collagen and elastin synthesis through its improved radio frequency and red light therapy. This process rejuvenates skin by enhancing firmness and elasticity, helping to reverse signs of aging. Charlotte LaCroix praised its ability to minimize fine lines and improve skin texture, describing the outcomes as truly worth every penny. Customers have encountered visibly tighter and more radiant skin, supporting the devices promise. The transformative technology penetrates deeply into the dermis, triggering natural revitalization processes that restore youthful vibrancy. With consistent use, users enjoy a significant boost in skin density and overall radiance remarkably. Visible Anti-Aging Results : Radiance One provides visible anti-aging outcomes that transform skin appearance within weeks of consistent use. By using microcurrent technology, the device gently lifts facial muscles, minimizing deep wrinkles and evening out fine lines effectively. Paige Boswell remarked, This works!! Blew my mind at how fast I got results, pointing out the swift improvements observed by users. Customers report visibly tighter skin and a revived facial contour that restores confidence. The mixed effect of improved therapies produces a natural facelift effect, making Radiance One a powerful tool for combating aging signs. Its trusted performance has earned widespread praise from verified users, truly effective.





: Radiance One provides visible anti-aging outcomes that transform skin appearance within weeks of consistent use. By using microcurrent technology, the device gently lifts facial muscles, minimizing deep wrinkles and evening out fine lines effectively. Paige Boswell remarked, This works!! Blew my mind at how fast I got results, pointing out the swift improvements observed by users. Customers report visibly tighter skin and a revived facial contour that restores confidence. The mixed effect of improved therapies produces a natural facelift effect, making Radiance One a powerful tool for combating aging signs. Its trusted performance has earned widespread praise from verified users, truly effective. Non-Invasive & Convenient Home Treatment: Radiance One gives a non-surgical and convenient solution for attaining radiant skin without expensive procedures or disruptive appointments. The compact, handheld device incorporates radio frequency, red light therapy, and microcurrent in a user-friendly build that blends seamlessly into any daily routine. Users like Mary Vernon confirm, YES, this works. It's not subtle eitherthis device works VERY VERY well, attesting to its efficacy. The ease of use at home removes the need for expensive salon visits and intrusive treatments. Its safe, pain-free operation enables anyone to experience professional-grade skincare results without leaving the comfort of their home.





Radiance One gives a non-surgical and convenient solution for attaining radiant skin without expensive procedures or disruptive appointments. The compact, handheld device incorporates radio frequency, red light therapy, and microcurrent in a user-friendly build that blends seamlessly into any daily routine. Users like Mary Vernon confirm, YES, this works. It's not subtle eitherthis device works VERY VERY well, attesting to its efficacy. The ease of use at home removes the need for expensive salon visits and intrusive treatments. Its safe, pain-free operation enables anyone to experience professional-grade skincare results without leaving the comfort of their home. Cost-Effective and Accessible Solution: Radiance One offers an affordable alternative to expensive surgical procedures and recurring cosmetic treatments. At just $199 during the special offer, it provides remarkable results that are pocket-friendly. Customers appreciate that it removes costly salon visits and injections, making professional-grade skin care accessible for all budgets. Testimonials reveal a great satisfaction rate; for example, Doris Skylar humorously noted the pricing difference, while others raved about its effectiveness. The products competitive cost, with its improved technology, guarantees that attaining tighter, firmer skin is no longer a luxury. Instead, it becomes a smart, cost-friendly option for maintaining youthful vibrancy with proven outcomes.





Radiance One offers an affordable alternative to expensive surgical procedures and recurring cosmetic treatments. At just $199 during the special offer, it provides remarkable results that are pocket-friendly. Customers appreciate that it removes costly salon visits and injections, making professional-grade skin care accessible for all budgets. Testimonials reveal a great satisfaction rate; for example, Doris Skylar humorously noted the pricing difference, while others raved about its effectiveness. The products competitive cost, with its improved technology, guarantees that attaining tighter, firmer skin is no longer a luxury. Instead, it becomes a smart, cost-friendly option for maintaining youthful vibrancy with proven outcomes. Dramatic Skin Rejuvenation & Youthful Glow: Radiance One dominates in delivering dramatic skin revitalization that restores a youthful radiance and natural glow. Its combination of radio frequency, red light, and microcurrent therapies works synergistically to even out wrinkles and rejuvenate tired skin. Customer testimonials, such as Emma Emersons recommendation to replace expensive creams, emphasize its transformative impact. Users report enhanced skin texture, minimized age spots, and a noticeably refreshed complexion. The technologys ability to revitalize skin cells has proven effective for many, supporting the products credibility. With consistent use, the device not only minimizes visible signs of aging but also enhances overall skin health and confidence remarkably.





Radiance One dominates in delivering dramatic skin revitalization that restores a youthful radiance and natural glow. Its combination of radio frequency, red light, and microcurrent therapies works synergistically to even out wrinkles and rejuvenate tired skin. Customer testimonials, such as Emma Emersons recommendation to replace expensive creams, emphasize its transformative impact. Users report enhanced skin texture, minimized age spots, and a noticeably refreshed complexion. The technologys ability to revitalize skin cells has proven effective for many, supporting the products credibility. With consistent use, the device not only minimizes visible signs of aging but also enhances overall skin health and confidence remarkably. Quick and Noticeable Results: Radiance One is renowned for its quick and visible results, equipping users to see improvements within just 10 minutes a day. The devices transformative integration of therapies creates quick changes that refresh skin tone and texture. Reviewers like Sarah Dudley observed immediate tightening along her jawline, while others have reported significant fading of jowls and wrinkles. This fast-acting performance makes it an ideal choice for busy individuals looking for effective anti-aging care without lengthy procedures. Consistent use leads to progressively improved skin firmness and general radiance, empowering users with renewed confidence and satisfaction through a daily, efficient skincare routine beyond measure.





Radiance One is renowned for its quick and visible results, equipping users to see improvements within just 10 minutes a day. The devices transformative integration of therapies creates quick changes that refresh skin tone and texture. Reviewers like Sarah Dudley observed immediate tightening along her jawline, while others have reported significant fading of jowls and wrinkles. This fast-acting performance makes it an ideal choice for busy individuals looking for effective anti-aging care without lengthy procedures. Consistent use leads to progressively improved skin firmness and general radiance, empowering users with renewed confidence and satisfaction through a daily, efficient skincare routine beyond measure. Guaranteed Satisfaction and Long-Term Investment: Radiance One comes with a commendable satisfaction-or-refund guarantee that guarantees users its long-term benefits. With a 90-day, no-questions-asked return policy, customers feel protected investing in their skins future. The devices effectiveness and cost-friendliness have gathered positive reviews, with many happily sharing their experiences. Users like Ashley Burkowitz and Barbara Prust expressed high anticipation and satisfaction, confirming the products value. This risk-free trial period, with its improved technology, ensures that Radiance One is a smart, lasting investment in anti-aging skincare.



CLICK HERE TO BUY YOUR RADIANCE ONE FROM THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE AT MASSIVE DISCOUNT TODAY

Is the Radiance One Really Worth My Money? (Radiance One Reviews Australia)

Radiance One provides a cutting-edge solution for those battling the visible signs of aging. By integrating radio frequency, red light therapy, and microcurrent technology, this handheld device directly tackles the root causes of sagging, wrinkled skin. Instead of leaning on creams or invasive procedures, Radiance One activates your skins natural production of collagen and elastin, providing a non-surgical, at-home alternative that works to regain the skins firmness and radiance. This transformative approach not only addresses cosmetic concerns but also promotes the general health of your skin, making it a truly detailed solution for the aging process.

Additionally, the tremendous positive feedback from thousands of verified users speaks volumes about Radiance One Handsets effectiveness and reliability. Users have reported visible improvements in skin tightness, alleviated wrinkles, and a more radiant glowall achieved through a simple, 10-minute daily routine at home. Coupled with a bold 90-day money-back guarantee, Radiance One eliminates the risk from your skincare investment, guaranteeing that you only pay for results. In a market saturated with quick fixes and unverified claims, Radiance One comes forth as an authentic, science-backed solution that truly delivers on its promise to revitalize and rejuvenate aging skin.

How to Use Radiance One Handset (Radiance One Handset Reviews Canada)





Using the Radiance One Handset in Canada, Australia and USA is simple and can be easily incorporated into your skincare routine:

Cleanse : Start with a clean face, free of makeup and other products.





: Start with a clean face, free of makeup and other products. Apply Serum : For optimal results, apply a conductive gel or your favorite serum to your face.





: For optimal results, apply a conductive gel or your favorite serum to your face. Turn On : Power on Radiance One and select your desired treatment mode.





: Power on Radiance One and select your desired treatment mode. Glide : Gently glide the device across your face in upward and outward motions.





: Gently glide the device across your face in upward and outward motions. Treatment Time : Use Radiance One handset for 5-10 minutes per treatment area.





: Use Radiance One handset for 5-10 minutes per treatment area. Frequency: For best results, use 3-5 times per week.



Remember to always follow the manufacturers instructions and start with shorter sessions to allow your skin to adjust to the treatment.

Is Radiance One a Scam or Legit? (Radiance One Handset Reviews)

Based on our research and personal evaluation, we find that the Radiance One Handset is really legit, excellent and not at all a scam. Most of the users who have reviewed this device have nothing but praises. Radiance One isnt just another empty promise in the crowded market of anti-aging gadgets, its a technologically proven solution that harnesses radio frequency, red light therapy, and microcurrent to address sagging skin and wrinkles. Unlike many overblown products that simply coat the skin with temporary effects, Radiance One tackles the root causes of aging by activating collagen and elastin production deep within the dermis.

All available Radiance One Reviews in the USA , Australia, Canada and UK revealed it offers a non-invasive, painless, and easy-to-use solution for those seeking to improve their skins health and appearance. With its combination of advanced technologies and the convenience of at-home use, Radiance One represents a significant advancement in personal skincare.

Radiance One is a tailored treatment to restore your confidence, whether you are dealing with fine wrinkles, uneven skin tone, or breakouts. Every review unanimously agrees that Radiance One is a safe, effective, and time-efficient solution for those seeking healthier, more vibrant skin. With Radiance One, you're not simply buying a skincare product; you're investing in yourself. It's time to upgrade your skincare regimen and attain the gorgeous, youthful look you deserve.

The Radiance One Handset is a cutting-edge, handheld device designed to bring professional-grade skincare treatments into the comfort of your home. All Radiance One Handset Consumer Reports say this innovative tool combines three powerful technologies to address various skin concerns and promote a healthier, more radiant complexion. These testimonials, alongside the products transparent satisfaction-or-refund guarantee, indicate that Radiance One delivers on its promises and values customer trust. The positive buzz among a diverse range of users suggests a widespread appreciation for its effectiveness and legitimacy.

While every skincare solution may not yield identical outcomes for everyone, Radiance One stands as a reliable alternative amidst a sea of dubious claims. Its unique blend of verified technologies, supported by remarkable reviews and a robust money-back guarantee, makes it a trusted alternative to invasive procedures like Botox or facelifts. In an industry rife with short-lived trends and unsubstantiated promises, Radiance One comes out strong as a well-grounded, transformative solution for those seeking to revitalize their skin safely and affordably.

CLICK HERE TO BUY YOUR RADIANCE ONE FROM THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE AT MASSIVE DISCOUNT TODAY

Who Needs the Radiance One Handset? (Radiance One Reviews)





Aging Skin Sufferers : Those who are noticing fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin will benefit immensely from Radiance Ones ability to boost collagen and elastin production. This device targets the root causes of aging, providing a non-invasive way to restore a youthful, firmer appearance.





: Those who are noticing fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin will benefit immensely from Radiance Ones ability to boost collagen and elastin production. This device targets the root causes of aging, providing a non-invasive way to restore a youthful, firmer appearance. Busy Professionals: For those with hectic schedules who cant commit to frequent salon visits or invasive treatments, Radiance One offers a convenient at-home solution. It delivers noticeable skin tightening and rejuvenation in just 10 minutes a day, fitting effortlessly into any busy lifestyle.





For those with hectic schedules who cant commit to frequent salon visits or invasive treatments, Radiance One offers a convenient at-home solution. It delivers noticeable skin tightening and rejuvenation in just 10 minutes a day, fitting effortlessly into any busy lifestyle. Beauty Enthusiasts: Individuals who are always on the lookout for the latest in skincare technology will appreciate Radiance Ones cutting-edge combination of radio frequency, red light therapy, and microcurrent treatments. Its innovative approach makes it a must-have gadget for anyone eager to upgrade their beauty routine with proven, non-surgical results.





Individuals who are always on the lookout for the latest in skincare technology will appreciate Radiance Ones cutting-edge combination of radio frequency, red light therapy, and microcurrent treatments. Its innovative approach makes it a must-have gadget for anyone eager to upgrade their beauty routine with proven, non-surgical results. At-Home Skincare Aficionados: People who love pampering themselves with effective home treatments will find Radiance One both user-friendly and powerful. It provides professional-level skin rejuvenation without the need for expensive spa appointments, making it a perfect addition to any at-home beauty regimen.





People who love pampering themselves with effective home treatments will find Radiance One both user-friendly and powerful. It provides professional-level skin rejuvenation without the need for expensive spa appointments, making it a perfect addition to any at-home beauty regimen. Cost-Conscious Individuals : Those looking to avoid the high costs of Botox or facelift procedures can turn to Radiance One as an affordable yet potent alternative. With its one-time investment and long-lasting effects, users enjoy a premium skincare solution that wont break the bank.





: Those looking to avoid the high costs of Botox or facelift procedures can turn to Radiance One as an affordable yet potent alternative. With its one-time investment and long-lasting effects, users enjoy a premium skincare solution that wont break the bank. Tech-Savvy Innovators: Consumers who appreciate integrating advanced technology into their daily routines will be drawn to Radiance Ones state-of-the-art design. Its blend of modern treatment methods not only ensures visible results but also redefines the way we approach skincare at home.



Pros of Radiance One (Radiance One Reviews)

Stimulates natural collagen and elastin production effectively.

Smooth fine lines and wrinkles for youthful skin.

Non-invasive, no needles, pain, or downtime required.

Enhances skin care product absorption for better results.

Combines three advanced technologies in one compact device.

Affordable alternative to expensive in-clinic treatments.

Convenient to use from home, day or night.

Quick 10-minute sessions fit easily into daily routines.

Durable, user-friendly, and ergonomically designed for comfort.

Backed by a 90-day satisfaction or refund guarantee.

Radiance One is suitable for all skin types, even sensitive skin.

Promotes a lifted, firm, and radiant complexion naturally.

CONS (Radiance One Handset Review)

Not available in any physical store near you.

Special discounts might end anytime soon.

Results vary from person to person.

Supply is highly limited due to increased demand during this season.

How Much Does Radiance One Handset Cost?

Radiance One offers mouthwatering value, with a special first-time offer that makes improved anti-aging technology accessible to everyone. Here are some of the current deals:

Buy One Radiance One Handset + Bonus Skincare Guide for $199

(Originally priced at $399)

Enjoy an exclusive 50% discount that brings you transformative skin tightening and rejuvenation for less than a dollar a day over a year!

2x Radiance One Devices + 2 Bonus Skin Care Guides for $349

Save even more when you share the secret to radiant skin. This bundle is great for you and a loved one, providing substantial savings off the original combined price.

Radiance One Handset Reviews USA Consumer Reports

Charlotte LaCroix from the United States on March 05, 2025 reviewed: My sister has been complaining about how she started getting wrinkles on her face. So I surprised her on her birthday and bought a Radiance One Handset for her to try. After a week of experimenting, she fell in love with Radiance One Handset. She said it is very compact and very light, easy to carry around or during travel. She's been using the face lift mode massaging around her puffy eyes and around the face in general before sleep and after waking up. Although it has been a week, she notices that her eye bags are disappearing and her face is toner and brighter. Her co-workers have been complimenting her and she was very happy with the gift

Wilma Devon from Canada on March 21, 2025 reviewed: I purchased my Radiance One for skin tightening and increased collagen production. Ive only been using it for a couple of weeks but enjoy using it on my face and feel like Im pampering my skin when I use it. I notice my skin looks smoother and tighter after use. I like the vivid purple color, and the instructions were clear. I started on level one to get used to it and worked my way up to level 5

Mary Vernon from Australia on March 21, 2025 reviewed: I am impressed with the Radiance One Handset device. I used it for about a month now and I can see the difference on my skin that feels silky smooth and glowing after a few weeks. I started with a low intensity and slowly up to medium intensity. It helps me save money and time by going to a skincare clinic for facial treatment. I will recommend it to my friends and family.

Frequently Asked Questions (Radiance One Customer Reviews)

What Is Radiance One Handset?

The Radiance One Handset is a beauty instrument designed for anti-aging and facial rejuvenation. It combines multiple technologies to provide comprehensive skincare benefits in one convenient device.

How often should I use the Radiance One Handset?

For optimal results, we recommend using the Radiance One Handset for 5-20 minutes per day, 3-5 times a week. Consistency is key to achieving and maintaining the best results.

Is the Radiance One Handset suitable for all skin types?

Yes, the Radiance One Handset is designed to be safe and effective for all skin types. However, if you have any specific skin concerns or conditions, we recommend consulting with a dermatologist before use.

Do I need to use any products with the Radiance One Handset?

Yes, we recommend using a conductive gel or serum with the device to ensure optimal performance and smooth gliding over the skin. This also helps to enhance the effectiveness of the treatments.

How do I clean and maintain the Radiance One Handset?

Clean the device after each use with a soft, damp cloth. Ensure its completely dry before storing. Do not submerge the device in water. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.

How long does it take to see results?

While some users may notice immediate improvements in skin texture and tone, significant results typically become visible after 2-4 weeks of consistent use.

Is the Radiance One Handset safe to use around the eyes and mouth?

While the device is generally safe for facial use, we recommend avoiding direct contact with the eyes and mouth area. Always follow the user manual instructions for safe and effective treatment.

How long does the battery last, and how do I charge the device?

The Radiance One Handset features a rechargeable battery that typically lasts for several treatments on a single charge. To charge, simply connect the device to the provided charger and plug it into a power source. A full charge usually takes about 2-3 hours.

Who Makes Radiance One?

Radiance One has been meticulously engineered in collaboration with top estheticians and dermatologists in South Juniper, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA to deliver unparalleled skin tightening and anti-aging results.

Final Remarks On Radiance One Reviews

Radiance One emerges as a promising all-in-one solution for those looking to regain a youthful, radiant complexion without the need for invasive procedures or expensive salon visits. By blending radio frequency, red light therapy, and microcurrent treatments into one handheld device, it tackles the root causes of agingfading collagen and elastin productionwhile also offering an immediate lifting and smoothing effect.

Whether youre battling fine lines, sagging skin, or age spots, Radiance Ones transformative technology is formulated to rejuvenate your skins natural glow. If youre ready to invest in a device that promises and delivers noticeable outcomes in skin firmness and glow, Radiance One is worth considering. It provides a practical, non-invasive alternative for invigorating your skin, making it a standout option in todays saturated market of cosmetic solutions.

CLICK HERE TO BUY YOUR RADIANCE ONE FROM THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE AT MASSIVE DISCOUNT TODAY

Media Contact:

Project Name: Radiance One Handset

Contact Person: Courtney Barton

Brand website: https://radiance-one.com/

Email - cbarton@radiance-one.com

Company name: Radiance One

Address: 100 South Juniper, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA

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SAN FRANCISCO, April 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Swift Navigation, the leader in centimeter-accurate positioning for vehicle autonomy, robotics, and precision logistics, today announced that its Skylark Precise Positioning Service now delivers continuous 2-centimeter accuracy across all of Western Europe. The enhanced offering commercially launched today enables companies to deploy reliable, affordable consumer robots and digital mapping solutions at scale.

Autonomous robots and field mapping applications require precise and reliable positioning to operate safely and efficientlybut traditional RTK solutions often fall short. Robotics manufacturers are forced to deploy local base stations or rely on fragmented networks, which introduce coverage gaps, handoff issues, and inconsistent performance, delivering suboptimal user experiences. Similarly, field teams in utilities and construction need survey-grade accuracy without the burden and high cost of using professional-grade survey equipment.

Skylark addresses these challenges by delivering seamless accuracy across vast geographic areaseliminating the need to manage base stations or switch between multiple providers. Unlike conventional RTK networks that rely on isolated base stations or basic interpolation, Skylark uses a proprietary atmospheric model that dynamically compensates for ionospheric and tropospheric effects in real time. Its carrier-grade networkoperated by mobile network providers as critical infrastructureensures unmatched availability and reliability across entire regions.

For too long, RTK coverage has been fragmented and unreliable, forcing users to deploy their own base stations or switch between multiple providers plagued by frequent outages, said Holger Ippach, Executive Vice President of Product & Marketing at Swift Navigation. Skylark eliminates these obstacles by delivering uninterrupted coverage across all of Western Europe and beyond, delivering high accuracy wherever its needed.

Skylark already powers more than 10 million ADAS-enabled and autonomous vehicles worldwidean achievement announced in July 2024and is commercially deployed by some of the worlds largest commercial fleets and robotics manufacturers. Skylark is available in three variantsNx RTK, Cx, and Dxdesigned to meet varying requirements for accuracy, power consumption, data transmission, and cost.

With this latest enhancement, Skylark Nx RTK, the highest-precision option, now delivers continuous 12 cm accuracy across 28 countries comprising Western Europe and regional coverage across seven countries in Eastern Europe. Compatible with standard RTK receivers and supported by intuitive portals for credential management, licensing, and usage analytics, Skylark Nx RTK makes it easy to integrate high-precision positioning into existing devices and workflows.

For more information about Skylark and its variants, visit: swiftnav.com/products/skylark



ABOUT SWIFT NAVIGATION

Swift Navigation is a San Franciscobased technology company transforming precise positioning across industries. Its Skylark Precise Positioning Service delivers real-time, centimeter-accurate positioning at scale, enabling applications in autonomous driving, robotics, precision logistics, and V2X communication. Trusted by leading automotive OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, robotics companies, IoT system integrators, and mobile handset OEMs, Skylark powers more than 10 million ADAS-enabled and autonomous vehicles and devices worldwide. Learn how Swift is building the infrastructure for a safer, more connected future at swiftnav.com .

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Dublin, April 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Cold Chain Monitoring Market Opportunity, Growth Drivers, Industry Trend Analysis, and Forecast 2025-2034" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The Cold Chain Monitoring Market was valued at USD 6.7 billion in 2024, and is projected to reach USD 21.4 billion by 2034, rising at a CAGR of 14%.

The growth is driven by the rising demand for temperature-sensitive goods across various industries. With pharmaceuticals, food, and beverage sectors relying heavily on cold storage and transportation, businesses are increasingly adopting advanced monitoring solutions to ensure product integrity and regulatory compliance. As companies continue to expand their global supply chains, the need for real-time tracking technologies is becoming more critical than ever.



The integration of IoT-enabled sensors, RFID devices, and telematics solutions is transforming the industry, offering businesses unparalleled visibility and control over their logistics networks. Regulatory authorities worldwide are imposing stringent guidelines to maintain optimal storage and transportation conditions, further propelling investments in cutting-edge monitoring systems. The market is poised for continued expansion as companies focus on mitigating risks, preventing spoilage, and enhancing operational efficiency. The adoption of AI-powered analytics and cloud-based monitoring platforms is reshaping the industry, enabling real-time decision-making and predictive maintenance to prevent temperature-related disruptions.



The increasing reliance on temperature-controlled logistics is fueling market expansion, with businesses recognizing the importance of maintaining product safety and compliance with evolving regulatory standards. Companies are prioritizing the implementation of robust monitoring solutions to track environmental conditions in real time, ensuring that perishable goods remain within prescribed temperature thresholds. The adoption of smart monitoring systems is not only enhancing supply chain transparency but also reducing financial losses associated with product spoilage and recalls.



Segmented by components, the market consists of hardware and software solutions. The hardware segment generated USD 4.5 billion in 2024 and is set to grow at a CAGR of 14% throughout the forecast period. The increasing demand for temperature-sensitive logistics is driving the adoption of advanced hardware solutions, including sensors, RFID trackers, and telematics devices. These technologies provide real-time environmental data, enabling businesses to proactively address potential risks and maintain adherence to quality and safety standards. As the cold chain industry advances, companies are leveraging innovative hardware components to optimize efficiency and reliability, ensuring seamless operations across storage and transportation networks.



By temperature range, the market is categorized into frozen and chilled segments. The frozen segment accounted for 56% of the market share in 2024 and is expected to register a CAGR of 14% through 2034. The growing demand for ultra-low temperature storage solutions is accelerating adoption across industries that require strict thermal regulation, such as pharmaceuticals and biotechnology. Advanced monitoring technologies are playing a crucial role in preserving the efficacy and stability of temperature-sensitive products. As businesses strive to comply with rigorous storage requirements, they are investing in smart solutions that enhance traceability and minimize losses caused by temperature deviations.



North America led the global cold chain monitoring market with a 35% share in 2024, with the U.S. accounting for USD 2.1 billion in revenue. The region's strong market presence is attributed to the pharmaceutical sector's growing reliance on cold storage solutions to ensure product safety during transit. Strict regulatory guidelines in the U.S. emphasize the importance of maintaining temperature control, prompting companies to invest in advanced monitoring technologies. Additionally, the rising demand for fresh and frozen food deliveries through e-commerce platforms is accelerating the need for robust cold chain infrastructure. As businesses seek to meet evolving consumer expectations and regulatory mandates, investments in innovative monitoring solutions are expected to surge, reinforcing the reliability and security of temperature-sensitive supply chains.



Comprehensive Market Analysis and Forecast

Industry trends, key growth drivers, challenges, future opportunities, and regulatory landscape

Competitive landscape with Porter's Five Forces and PESTEL analysis

Market size, segmentation, and regional forecasts

In-depth company profiles, business strategies, financial insights, and SWOT analysis

Key Topics Covered



Chapter 1 Methodology & Scope



Chapter 2 Executive Summary

2.1 Industry synopsis, 2021-2034



Chapter 3 Industry Insights

3.1 Industry ecosystem analysis

3.2 Supplier landscape

3.2.1 Hardware providers

3.2.2 Software & platform developers

3.2.3 System integrators

3.2.4 Connectivity providers

3.2.5 Service providers

3.3 Profit margin analysis

3.4 Technology & innovation landscape

3.5 Patent analysis

3.6 Use cases

3.7 Cold chain logistics statistics

3.8 Key news & initiatives

3.9 Regulatory landscape

3.10 Impact forces

3.10.1 Growth drivers

3.10.1.1 Increasing demand for perishable goods

3.10.1.2 Stringent regulatory requirements imposed on the transportation and storage of temperature-sensitive products

3.10.1.3 Advancements in technology, IoT, and data analytics

3.10.1.4 Increasing focus on food safety and quality

3.10.2 Industry pitfalls & challenges

3.10.2.1 Infrastructure challenges in developing regions

3.10.2.2 High implementation costs and complexity

3.11 Growth potential analysis

3.12 Porter's analysis

3.13 PESTEL analysis



Chapter 4 Competitive Landscape, 2024

4.1 Introduction

4.2 Company market share analysis

4.3 Competitive positioning matrix

4.4 Strategic outlook matrix



Chapter 5 Market Estimates & Forecast, by Component, 2021-2034 ($Bn)

5.1 Key trends

5.2 Hardware

5.2.1 Sensors

5.2.2 RFID devices

5.2.3 Telematics

5.2.4 Networking devices

5.2.5 Others

5.3 Software

5.3.1 Real-time monitoring

5.3.2 Analytics and reporting



Chapter 6 Market Estimates & Forecast, by Temperature, 2021-2034 ($Bn)

6.1 Key trends

6.2 Frozen

6.3 Chilled



Chapter 7 Market Estimates & Forecast, by Logistics, 2021-2034 ($Bn)

7.1 Key trends

7.2 Storage

7.3 Transportation



Chapter 8 Market Estimates & Forecast, by End Use, 2021-2034 ($Bn)

8.1 Key trends

8.2 Pharmaceutical & healthcare

8.3 Food & beverage

8.4 Logistics & distribution

8.5 Chemical

8.6 Others



Chapter 9 Market Estimates & Forecast, by Region, 2021-2034 ($Bn)

9.1 Key trends

9.2 North America

9.2.1 U.S.

9.2.2 Canada

9.3 Europe

9.3.1 UK

9.3.2 Germany

9.3.3 France

9.3.4 Italy

9.3.5 Spain

9.3.6 Russia

9.3.7 Nordics

9.4 Asia-Pacific

9.4.1 China

9.4.2 India

9.4.3 Japan

9.4.4 South Korea

9.4.5 ANZ

9.4.6 Southeast Asia

9.5 Latin America

9.5.1 Brazil

9.5.2 Mexico

9.5.3 Argentina

9.6 MEA

9.6.1 UAE

9.6.2 Saudi Arabia

9.6.3 South Africa



Chapter 10 Company Profiles

10.1 Berlinger & Co

10.2 CargoSense

10.3 Cold Chain Technologies

10.4 Controlant

10.5 Descartes Systems Group

10.6 Digi International

10.7 ELPRO-BUCHS

10.8 Emerson Electric

10.9 Honeywell International

10.10 Infratab

10.11 Intelleflex

10.12 Monnit

10.13 ORBCOMM

10.14 Roambee

10.15 Sensaphone

10.16 Sensitech

10.17 Swisslog Holding

10.18 Testo SE & Co

10.19 Tive

10.20 Zebra Technologies



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/dxeunj

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 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Ground Source Heat Pumps - Industry Report" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The analysis conducted in the Global Ground Source Heat Pumps report is ideal for anyone wanting to:

Identify the market leaders

Spot companies heading for failure

Seek out the most attractive acquisition opportunities

Analyse industry trends

Benchmark their own financial performance

Using an exclusive methodology, a quick glance of this Ground Source Heat Pumps (Global) report will tell you the companies that have a declining financial rating, and those that have shown good sales growth.



Each of the largest 59 companies is meticulously scrutinised in an individual assessment and analysed using the most up-to-date and current financial data.



Every business is examined on the following features:

A graphical assessment and presentation of a company's financial performance

An independent financial valuation

Acquisition attractiveness - outlining a firm's takeover attractiveness

Four year assessment of the profit/loss and balance sheet

A written summary highlighting key performance issues

Subsequently, you will receive a thorough 100-page market analysis highlighting the latest changes in the Ground Source Heat Pumps (Global) market. This section includes:

Best Trading Partners

Sales Growth Analysis

Profit Analysis

Market Size

Rankings

You can utilise the findings within this report to assess the attractiveness of potential acquisitions, gain a better understanding of the market, and identify sound companies with whom to trade.



Key Topics Covered:



The report is split into two sections and uses both a written and graphical analysis - analysing the 59 largest Ground Source Heat Pumps companies.



The Ground Source Heat Pumps (Global) report contains the most-up-to-date financial data and the publisher applies these figures to create their unique and authoritative analysis.



The first section thoroughly scrutinises the market and this section includes the following:

Best Trading Partners: These are companies that are winning in both sales and financial strength

Sales Growth Analysis: This section reviews both the fastest growing and fastest shrinking company

Profit Analysis - Analysis of gross profit and Pre-tax Profitover the last ten years and a profitability summary comparing profits in the industry against small, medium and large companies

Market Size: Based on the largest 59 companies, this is a comparison between last year's market size and the most current figure

Rankings: The top 50 companies ranked by: Market Share, Sales Growth, Gross Profit and Pre-tax Profit

The next section focuses on company analysis and provides an in-depth analysis of the largest companies within the Ground Source Heat Pumps (Global) industry.



Each business is analysed using the publisher's unique model and culminates in the production of 'The Chart'. This model uses a series of charts to graphically analyse an individual company and measure its ability to achieve sales growth while maintaining financial strength.



'The Chart' is a quick and dependable method of analysing a company's financial well-being. It's simple to understand: a rising line is good news and a falling line is bad news.



Therefore, this company analysis will tell you if a company is:

Strong or heading for failure

Maximising their investments

Becoming burdened by debt

Getting the most from their resources

The Ground Source Heat Pumps (Global) analysis also provides you with full business name and address, name and ages of directors and registration address.



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ij28do

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.




LONDON, April 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Caddington Limited addressed recent developments in global trade tariffs, reaffirming its commitment to maintaining stable pricing and reliable supply chains for its customers.

"While tariff adjustments present challenges across the sector, Caddington remains well-positioned to adapt swiftly and responsibly," said a company spokesperson. "We continue to monitor the situation closely and are working proactively with our partners to minimize any impact on our clients."

Caddington Limited remains dedicated to transparency, resilience, and delivering value across all markets.

Financial Assets Manager: Elise Lim

Website: https://caddingtonlimited.com

Phone: +85258030614

Email: 389737@email4pr.com

Address: #38 Tai Hong Street, Aldrich Bay, Hong Kong4

Disclaimer: This press release is provided by Caddington Limited. 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 business advice. All investments carry inherent risks, including the potential loss of capital. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own due diligence 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 inaccuracies, misrepresentations, or financial losses resulting from the use or reliance on the information in this press release. Speculate only with funds you can afford to lose. In the event of any legal claims or concerns regarding 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 warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We assume no responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained herein. Any complaints, copyright issues, or inquiries regarding this article should be directed to the content provider listed above.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/dc4a1736-ff59-4ae3-9126-65f8731526bf
OKLAHOMA CITY, April 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Federman & Sherwood has launched an investigation into Harcourts Prime Properties following a recently reported data breach. On April 3, 2025, Harcourts Prime Properties officially notified the California Attorney Generals Office that their systems had been compromised. According to the companys disclosures, on March 20, 2025, Harcourts Prime Properties first became aware of a ransom demand posted on the Dark Web. The threat was accompanied by several leaked documents, which included Agent Information sheets containing sensitive data. Upon making this discovery, the company immediately implemented enhanced security measures and enlisted the assistance of cybersecurity experts to investigate the breach and prevent further unauthorized access.

Federman & Sherwoods investigation will seek to determine the full scope of the incident, including whether additional information may have been compromised and the extent of any exposure. As part of their efforts, Federman & Sherwood encourages any individuals or entities affected by the breach to remain vigilant and take all necessary steps to safeguard personal and financial information.

Harcourts Prime Properties has stated that it is fully cooperating with ongoing investigations and will continue to provide updates to impacted parties as more information becomes available.

The type of information potentially exposed includes:

Full Name

Social Security Number

Date of Birth

Other sensitive information

What is Harcourts Prime Property

Harcourts Prime Properties is a real estate brokerage firm and a member of the broader Harcourts network. Originating over 130 years ago, Harcourts has grown into an international brand offering a full range of real estate services, including residential sales, commercial sales and leasing, property management, and auctions.

Harcourts Prime Properties operates primarily in the United Statesparticularly in Californiawhere it provides clients with comprehensive real estate solutions and leverages the global resources and expertise of the Harcourts organization. The firms services encompass property listings, agent support, and ongoing market guidance to assist both buyers and sellers in navigating the real estate process.

If you received a data breach notice letter and wish to discuss this action, obtain further information, and/or participate in this litigation, please contact Federman & Sherwood either by email at info@federmanlaw.com or visit our firms website www.federmanlaw.com.

FEDERMAN & SHERWOOD

(405) 235-1560
TORONTO, April 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- At Womens Health Collective Canada (WHCC), we envision a future where every woman in Canada receives the high-quality care she deserves. Rooted in our mission to be Canadas foremost authority on womens health research and education, our work is dedicated to curating, translating, and advocating for evidence-based knowledge and information that empowers women and ensures they have access to the high-quality health care they deserve.

Womens Health Collective Canada represents the largest combined non-government source of funding for womens health research in Canada. We are committed to working with partners and policy makers to support policies that ensure womens health research receives the attention and resources it needs so women can get the care and support they deserve.

Current Challenge:

Today, womens health research accounts for 6.8% of total national research funding, despite women making up 50% of the population (Stranges, 2023). Historically excluded from clinical trials, women remain at greater risk for misdiagnosis, ineffective treatments, and adverse drug reactions  up to 75% of which occur in women (Rademaker, 2001). Heart disease, the leading cause of death for women, is both under-researched and underdiagnosed, while menopause-related health challenges push many women out of the workforce. The cost to the Canadian economy of unmanaged menopause symptoms alone is estimated to be $3.5 billion per year (Menopause Foundation of Canada, 2023).

Opportunity:

By prioritizing a comprehensive national strategy, targeted funding, and rigorous research accountability, we can create the conditions for transformational change that not only improves womens health but also builds a more equitable and prosperous Canada.

These policy actions ensure equity, reduce disproportionate care, eliminate preventable illness, thus empowering women to fully live, work, and contribute to society and the economy.

Policy Recommendations:

WHCC calls on all federal parties to commit to concrete action that will drive meaningful change for womens health. In doing so, Canada can become a global leader in womens health. The following policy priorities outline key areas where federal and provincial leadership are essential.

1. A National Strategy for Womens Health

Canada lacks a coordinated approach to addressing womens health inequities. A National Womens Health Strategy should set measurable goals for research, healthcare delivery, and policy reform, to ensure increased funding is strategic, focused and effective.

2. Increased Federal Funding for Womens Health Research

Womens health remains underfunded, leading to gaps in knowledge, treatment, and care. We urge the federal government to establish a dedicated funding stream and increase investment in research on conditions that disproportionately or uniquely affect women.

3. Enforcement of Sex and Gender-Based Research Standards in CIHR-Funded Studies

Compliance with sex- and gender-based analysis (SGBA+) in federally funded health research is inconsistent. Stronger enforcement and mandatory reporting on sex and gender differences will improve research quality and ensure findings translate into better care for women.

For more information or to support WHCC visit whcc.ca .

Contact:

Daniel St. Germaine, Director, Marketing, Communications & Brand | WHCC

daniel.stgermaine@whcc.ca

Sources

Menopause Foundation of Canada. (2023). Menopause and Work. Retrieved from https://menopausefoundationcanada.ca/menopause-and-work-in-canada-report/

Rademaker, M. (2001). Do women have more adverse drug reactions? American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2(6), 349-51.

Stranges, T. N. (2023). Are we moving the dial? Canadian health research funding trends for womens health, 2S/LGBTQ + health, sex, or gender considerations. Biology of Sex Differences, 14(40). Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1186/s13293-023-00524-9




MUHARRAQ, Bahrain, April 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Concordia, a monumental stained-glass installation by internationally celebrated artist Sir Brian Clarke, was unveiled at Bahrain International Airport by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain, earlier today Thursday 10 April 2025. Spanning 34 meters in width and 17 meters in height, it is one of the largest stained-glass installations in the world.



Concordia integrates multiple cultural influences into its design, creating a harmonious fusion of styles that reflect Bahrains role as a meeting point between East and West. The piece blends the mathematical precision of traditional Islamic geometric patterns with natural elements symbolic of Bahrains landscape such as jasmine flowers, dragonflies, and hawks. Additionally, the work draws from Western artistic traditions referencing medieval European tapestries and illuminated manuscripts from the Books of Hours.



The creation of Concordia required meticulous craftsmanship and a dedicated team. The glass was handblown in Germany by a team of 5 people, along with at least 5 assistants, over a period of 40 days. This meticulous process ensured the glass met the exacting standards necessary for the pieces intricate design. The installation, which took place at Bahrain International Airport was an engineering feat that spanned 43 days, including 37 working days and 296 total working hours.



At the heart of Concordia is the symbolism of nature. Clarke incorporates elements like jasmine, dragonflies, and hawks, which carry deeper cultural and spiritual meanings, while also aligning with the geometric ornamentation intrinsic to Islamic art. The design invokes the concept of paradise, shared by both Eastern and Western cultural traditions. The result is a profound dialogue between nature, culture, and history, encapsulated in a large-scale stained-glass masterpiece.



By fusing Islamic and Western artistic traditions, Concordia highlights Bahrains commitment to fostering cross-cultural exchange. Sited in an airportan inherently transitional spacethe artwork welcomes travellers from around the world and serves as a symbol of Bahrains open-mindedness, hospitality, and artistic ambition.



As airports are often the first point of contact for international visitors, Concordia offers a striking first impression of Bahrains cultural landscape. The installation challenges traditional perceptions of stained glass by incorporating modern techniques and symbolic abstraction, presenting a dynamic and contemporary interpretation of a historically significant medium.



His Excellency Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, the Minister of Finance and National Economy and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company (Mumtalakat), said: Concordia is more than a work of art  it is a symbol of Bahrains openness, hospitality, and ambition. This visionary masterpiece shines a light on Bahrains longstanding commitment to integrating our culture and heritage into national projects.



Sir Brian Clarke said, I have always had a dream of making a composition in a building on a great rectangular scale that is like a view through to another world. Its something that in some ways unites the two parts of the world, the one that I come from and this region. Everything I have ever learned about stained glass is in some ways is expressed in this window. I am very grateful that I am able to share my enthusiasms about paradise with anyone who sees this window.

Materials & Technical Execution

Dimensions : 34 meters (width)  17 meters (height)

: 34 meters (width)  17 meters (height) Materials : Handcrafted stained glass, assembled into 127 individual panels

: Handcrafted stained glass, assembled into 127 individual panels Weight: Each panel weighs approximately 250 kg, with the total weight of the installation being approximately 32 tons

Production & Craftsmanship



Time to Create : 2.5 years for design, fabrication, and installation

: 2.5 years for design, fabrication, and installation Team Involved : 21 people contributed to various aspects of the project, from design to execution

: 21 people contributed to various aspects of the project, from design to execution Material Sources : The glass was blown in Germany, a process involving 5 skilled artisans and at least 5 assistants, taking 40 days to complete

: The glass was blown in Germany, a process involving 5 skilled artisans and at least 5 assistants, taking 40 days to complete Installation & Engineering Feats: The installation process at Bahrain International Airport spanned 43 days, with 37 working days and a total of 296 working hours

To download press images visit: https://tinyurl.com/ukr6tjb9

Video download here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QqYIyCf3rM

For more information, please contact:

Global Communication Office

National Communication Centre of the Kingdom of Bahrain

Hotline: +97313111119

E-mail: communication@ncc.gov.bh



About Sir Brian Clarke

Sir Brian Clarke is one of the most celebrated stained-glass artists working today. Over his 50-year career, he has collaborated on projects and proposals with leading figures of architecture, from Zaha Hadid, I.M. Pei, Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers to Norman Foster. He has exhibited his stained glass and paintings across the world, and continues to create meaningful interventions into historic sites, both sacred and secular.



Having won a Churchill Memorial Trust Fellowship in 1974, allowing him to visit important stained-glass sites in France, Germany and Italy, in 1978 Clarke co-curated the seminal exhibition GLASS/LIGHT with artists John Piper and Marc Chagall, exploring the history and enduring relevance of stained glass. By the 1980s Clarke was working internationally and adapting his style and materials to each site. In Clarkes words, a complex multivalent space, redolent with symbols and imagery, requires a complex response. For both the Royal Mosque at the King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (1980-1982), and the refurbished Queen Victoria Street Arcade in Leeds, UK (1988-1990), Clarke turned to historic local tiling and glass for inspiration. Between 1992 and 1994, Clarke and architect Will Alsop collaborated on Le Grand Bleu, the headquarters and council chamber of the Hotel du departement des Bouches-du-Rhone in Marseille, France, cladding the building in suitably Mediterranean ultramarine tones. His architectural projects and paintings came to form a mutual inspiration. Clarke exhibited his structural paintings in major international shows, from Brian Clarke: Paintings 1976-1987 at Seibu Museum, Tokyo, Japan (1987), to 80 artistes autour du Mondial at the Galerie Enrico Navarro, Paris, France (1998).



His sensitivity to site and collective memory also informs his spiritual commissions, including the Holocaust Memorial Synagogue (Neue Synagogue) in Darmstadt, Germany (1988), the Cistercian Abbaye de la Fille Dieu, Romont, Switzerland (1996) and the Papal Chapel at the Apostolic Nunciature, London, UK (2010). For the 13th-century Linkoping Cathedral in Sweden (2005-2010), Clarkes windows incorporated photographs that reinterpreted Christian iconography, yet were adapted to fit and preserve the cathedrals original diamond-patterned 1850s windows, of great cultural and historical significance.



Clarke has continually innovated in his medium. For the Pfizer Pharmaceutical Headquarters, New York, USA (1995-1997), Clarke pioneered new techniques to reproduce his watercolour designs depicting medical and scientific imagery in molten glass. For his glass for the high-tech Al-Faisaliah Center, Riyadh (2000), Saudi Arabias first skyscraper, he used a new technique, constructing imagery using coloured dots, without the traditional leading used in stained glass. In 2005, Clarke reprised this technology for Lamina, a seminal stained-glass artwork installed at Gagosian Gallery, London, UK.

His recent stained glass often combines the figurative and the abstract, typically rooted in watercolour and collage designs observed from nature. This language in glass is epitomised by Ardath (2023), a monumental stained-glass artwork, first exhibited at Brian Clarke: A Great Light at Damien Hirsts Newport Street Gallery, London, UK in 2023. Similar motifs can be found in Clarkes colossal window, to be unveiled at Bahrain International Airport in 2024. Fusing eastern and western symbols, this window responds both to the sites immense scale, and Bahrains rich heritage.

He is an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects (1993), a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (1989) and an Honorary Liveryman at the Worshipful Company of Glaziers and Master Painters (2012). He is Sole Executor and Chair of the Estate of Francis Bacon (1998), and Chair and Executor of the Zaha Hadid Foundation (2016). In the Kings New Year Honours list 2024, he received a knighthood for his services to art  a title not known to have been given to a stained-glass artist before. In 2024, Clarke received the Freedom of the City of London for his outstanding contributions to art.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e1e2eac1-0242-441b-8fa5-e074247cded4

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2ff2d3ea-48d5-4ef0-9627-4a2e0d452652

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/56187f49-1ac6-448e-8497-c8a773a91d45

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8860cba8-c18d-4d42-99e0-496157a195f2

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f661b2ce-3124-4d42-951d-529e9feead8d
SINGAPORE, April 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Buzz, Singapore's first Agentic AI Licensed OTA with a "Discover Book Pay" all-in-one platform, today announced the global expansion of BAE (Buzz AI Experience) , the world's first AI-powered travel companion with an interactive avatar. Following successful launches in Singapore and Saudi Arabia, this groundbreaking technology is set to transform how travelers experience destinations worldwide.





BAE, a friendly virtual assistant designed to welcome and assist passengers with their travel needs.

Backed by Google, BAE serves as a personalized travel companion that evolves beyond traditional travel apps by offering real-time, location-aware recommendations and seamless booking capabilities. The AI companion learns user preferences to create tailored experiences that connect travelers with authentic local cultures, hidden gems, and like-minded explorers.

"The future of travel isn't just about destinationsit's about connections and experiences," said Bell Beh, Co-founder and CEO of Buzz. "BAE represents a fundamental shift from transaction-based travel to experience-based exploration. Our technology doesn't replace human interaction; it enhances it by breaking down barriers between visitors and local cultures."

Transforming Travel Through AI and Fintech Integration

Buzz's innovation extends beyond BAE to include BuzzPay, an AI-driven payment solution that addresses one of international travel's most persistent challenges: cross-border transactions. Initially launched to facilitate seamless payments for Asian tourists in the MENA region, BuzzPay integrates directly with BAE to create a frictionless journey from discovery to payment.

This integration represents Buzz's vision of digitizing places, people, and payments while transforming customer interactions and experiences. The company's proprietary technology stack enables travelers to navigate foreign destinations with the confidence of a local while maintaining the convenience of familiar payment methods.

Strategic Partnerships Fueling Global Expansion

Buzz's rapid growth stems from strategic partnerships with tourism authorities and technology leaders. Collaborations with the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) have provided real-world testing grounds for Buzz's innovations, while relationships with Google, Amadeus (the world's largest airline/hotel consolidator), and regional financial institutions have expanded the company's technological capabilities.

"Our partnerships with tourism authorities have been instrumental in refining BAE's capabilities," explained Beh. "Working directly with destinations allows us to create truly localized experiences while our technology partnerships ensure we remain at the cutting edge of what's possible in AI and fintech."

The company's innovations have earned recognition through prestigious programs including the Singapore Tourism Accelerator (2020), Saudi Tourism Accelerator (2022), Google AI Trailblazers program (2024) and recent features on Channel News Asia . Buzz's client roster includes luxury hospitality brands like Millennium Hotels & Resorts and Marina Bay Sands, along with government agencies across Singapore and Saudi Arabia.

Since 2021, Buzz has created over 3 million custom avatars and established multiple business-to-government (B2G) partnerships in Saudi Arabia and Singapore, cementing its position as the leading provider of AI-powered travel experiences in these regions. The company's next-generation approach combines the personalization of AI with the convenience of integrated fintech solutions, positioning Buzz at the forefront of travel technology innovation.

About Buzz

Buzz is a pioneering AI and fintech company transforming the travel landscape through its flagship products BAE and BuzzPay. It is also the only Online Travel Agent (OTA) licensed by Singapore Tourism Board (STB) . By digitizing places, people, and payments, Buzz creates seamless, personalized travel experiences that connect visitors with authentic local cultures. Headquartered in Singapore with operations across the MENA region, Buzz is committed to making travel more immersive, accessible, and enjoyable for a global audience.





Take flight with BuzzAR! Explore the world through augmented and virtual reality.

Press inquiries

Buzz

https://baechat.ai

Bell Beh | Co founder & CEO

Email: bell@buzzar.app

Phone: +65 9391 0999

Headquarters: 11 Beach Road #03-01 Crasco Building, Singapore 189675

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9b9bf637-b5c4-4c43-9d4f-a42f965901cd

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9b75c06a-295a-4247-b41a-19a4fd4a670a

A video accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/67214905-34cd-49a1-abba-ff131fb325bb
WEST COVINA, CA, April 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --



WCUSD Parent Stella Shakhbazyan Honored as 2025 CABE Parent of the Year





West Covina Unified School District is proud to announce that Mrs. Stella Shakhbazyan, a dedicated WCUSD parent and community advocate, was honored as the 2025 Parent of the Year at the recent California Association for Bilingual Education (CABE) Awards Luncheon.

The CABE Awards Luncheon annually celebrates the contributions of parents, educators, and leaders who champion the success of bilingual and multilingual learners across California. Mrs. Shakhbazyan was recognized for her exceptional commitment, leadership, and advocacy, which significantly impacted student achievement and family engagement within WCUSD.

Mrs. Shakhbazyan exemplifies what it means to be an engaged and compassionate partner in education, said Superintendent Dr. Emy Flores. Her dedication to empowering students, supporting educators, and uplifting our school community is truly inspiring. We are incredibly proud to see her recognized at the state level.

Throughout the year, Mrs. Shakhbazyan has been a strong voice for parents and a tireless supporter of multilingual education, contributing to district initiatives, community events, and parent leadership programs.

Our district is stronger because of parents like Mrs. Shakhbazyan, shared Board President Joe Magallanes. Her recognition by CABE reflects not only her remarkable efforts but also the deep value we place on family engagement in WCUSD.

Mrs. Shakhbazyans recognition at CABE highlights families' critical role in fostering a vibrant, inclusive, and supportive educational environment. WCUSD extends heartfelt congratulations and gratitude to Mrs. Shakhbazyan and all parents working alongside educators to support student success.

Attachment
PHILADELPHIA, April 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kaskela Law LLC announces that it is investigating Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. (NYSE: VSH) (Vishay) on behalf of the companys long-term investors.

Click here for additional information: https://kaskelalaw.com/case/vishay-intertechnology/

Since July 2024, shares of Vishays common stock have declined in value from a trading price of over $24.00 to a current trading price of below $12.00 per share, a decline of over 50% in value.

The investigation seeks to determine whether Vishay and/or the companys officers and directors violated the securities laws or breached their fiduciary duties to investors in connection with recent corporate actions.

Vishay shareholders are encouraged to contact Kaskela Law LLC (D. Seamus Kaskela, Esq. or Adrienne Bell, Esq.) for additional information about this investigation and their legal rights and options at (484) 229  0750, or by clicking on the following link (or by copying and pasting the link into your browser):

https://kaskelalaw.com/case/vishay-intertechnology/

Kaskela Law LLC exclusively represents investors in securities fraud, corporate governance, and merger & acquisition litigation on a contingent basis. For additional information about Kaskela Law LLC please visit www.kaskelalaw.com.

CONTACT:

KASKELA LAW LLC

D. Seamus Kaskela, Esq.

(skaskela@kaskelalaw.com)

Adrienne Bell, Esq.

(abell@kaskelalaw.com)

18 Campus Blvd., Suite 100

Newtown Square, PA 19073

(484) 229  0750

www.kaskelalaw.com

This notice may constitute attorney advertising in certain jurisdictions.
PHILADELPHIA, April 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kaskela Law LLC announces that it is investigating Workiva Inc. (NYSE: WK) on behalf of the companys long-term investors.

Click here for additional information: https://kaskelalaw.com/case/workiva/

Since January 2025, shares of Workivas common stock have declined in value from a trading price of over $113.00 per share to a current trading price of below $70.00 per share, a decline of over 38% in value.

The investigation seeks to determine whether Workiva and/or the companys officers and directors violated the securities laws or breached their fiduciary duties to investors in connection with recent corporate actions.

Workiva shareholders are encouraged to contact Kaskela Law LLC (D. Seamus Kaskela, Esq. or Adrienne Bell, Esq.) for additional information about this investigation and their legal rights and options at (484) 229  0750, or by clicking on the following link (or by copying and pasting the link into your browser):

https://kaskelalaw.com/case/workiva/

Kaskela Law LLC exclusively represents investors in securities fraud, corporate governance, and merger & acquisition litigation on a contingent basis. For additional information about Kaskela Law LLC please visit www.kaskelalaw.com.

CONTACT:

KASKELA LAW LLC

D. Seamus Kaskela, Esq.

(skaskela@kaskelalaw.com)

Adrienne Bell, Esq.

(abell@kaskelalaw.com)

18 Campus Blvd., Suite 100

Newtown Square, PA 19073

(484) 229  0750

www.kaskelalaw.com

This notice may constitute attorney advertising in certain jurisdictions.
SILVER SPRING, MD, April 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of our former Chief Executive Officer, Loressa Cole, DNP, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, FACHE.

Loressa was a beloved member of the American Nurses Enterprise family and left a lasting impact on our organization.

Dr. Cole served the American Nurses Enterprise as Chief Executive Officer from May 2018. to December 2023. During her tenure, she led the organization through the uncertainties and challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, started the organizations Racial Reckoning Journey, and strengthened the finances of the organization to be stronger than ever. Prior to her appointment as Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Cole joined the American Nurses Enterprise in 2016 as chief officer and executive vice president of the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

This is truly a very difficult time for the American Nurses Enterprise family, said American Nurses Chief Executive Officer, Angela Beddoe, It will take some time for the organization to come to terms with this profound loss. Loressa was a wonderful person, and her many contributions to organization, and the positive impact she had on those across the nursing family that had the opportunity to know and work with her. Loressa used to say that serving as the Chief Executive Officer of the American Nurses Enterprise was the pinnacle of her nursing career. And we were blessed to have her lead this organization for nearly 5 years.

Dr. Cole held numerous high caliber nursing roles during her career, including chief nursing officer and chief operating officer positions within the Hospital Corporation of Americas (HCA) Capital Division. While chief nursing officer at LewisGale Montgomery Hospital, she led the hospital to attain ANCC Magnet recognition. Among her many accomplishments, Dr. Cole served on the Virginia Nurses Association (VNA) board for several years, including as President of VNA from 2012-2014, and was the 2022 recipient of the Virginia Nurses Foundations Nancy Vance award, the highest honor given by VNA for exceptional leadership and achievements.

The American Nurses Enterprise will share more information as it becomes available.

About American Nurses Enterprise

American Nurses Enterprise unites the expertise and dedication of the American Nurses Association, American Nurses Credentialing Center, and American Nurses Foundation to champion nurses, advance standards of excellence and inspire transformative change. With a powerful legacy and forward-thinking vision, our influence spans federal and local levels working through state affiliates and partners to amplify the voice of nurses across all practices and specialties. Every day, we harness The Power of Nurses to increase the value of the nursing profession and transform the healthcare experience for all.
CALGARY, Alberta, April 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- News Release  TC Energy Corporation (TSX, NYSE: TRP) (TC Energy or the Company) will release its first quarter 2025 financial results on Thursday, May 1 at 6:30 a.m. MDT / 8:30 a.m. EDT and hold its 2025 annual meeting of common shareholders on Thursday, May 8, at 10 a.m. MDT / 12 p.m. EDT.

First quarter 2025 financial results

Francois Poirier, TC Energy President and Chief Executive Officer, Sean ODonnell, Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer, and other members of the executive leadership team will discuss the financial results and Company developments on Thursday, May 1 at 6:30 a.m. MDT / 8:30 a.m. EDT.

Members of the investment community and other interested parties are invited to participate by calling 1-833-752-3826 (Canada/U.S. toll free) or 1-647-846-8864 (International toll). No passcode is required. Please dial in 15 minutes prior to the start of the call. Alternatively, participants may pre-register for the call here.

Upon registering, you will receive a calendar booking by email with dial in details and a unique PIN. This process will bypass the operator and avoid the queue. Registration will remain open until the end of the conference call.

A live webcast of the teleconference will be available on TC Energys website at TC Energy  Events and presentations or via the following URL: https://www.gowebcasting.com/13942. The webcast will be available for replay following the meeting.

A replay of the teleconference will be available two hours after the conclusion of the call until midnight EDT on May 8, 2025. Please call 1-855-669-9658 (Canada/U.S. toll free) or 1-412-317-0088 (International toll) and enter passcode 6585702.

2025 annual meeting

TC Energy is also pleased to announce that it has filed its 2025 Management Information Circular, along with the related meeting and proxy materials, for its annual meeting of common shareholders (the Meeting) to be held on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at 10 a.m. MDT / 12 p.m. EDT. The Meeting will be held in a virtual-only format via live video webcast. The webcast, including the live question and answer session, will be recorded and archived for replay following the Meeting.

The 2025 Management Information Circular, including information on the business of the Meeting, is available on our website at www.tcenergy.com and under TC Energys profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on EDGAR at www.sec.gov.

For more information on participating in the live virtual meeting, please visit the annual meeting page on our website at 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

About TC Energy

Were a team of 6,500+ energy problem solvers connecting the world to the energy it needs. Our extensive network of natural gas infrastructure assets is one-of-a-kind. We seamlessly move, generate and store energy and deliver it to where it is needed most, to homes and businesses in North America and across the globe through LNG exports. Our natural gas assets are complemented by our strategic ownership and low-risk investments in power generation.

TC Energys common shares trade on the Toronto (TSX) and New York (NYSE) stock exchanges under the symbol TRP. To learn more, visit us at TCEnergy.com .

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This release contains certain information that is forward-looking and is subject to important risks and uncertainties (such statements are usually accompanied by words such as "anticipate", "expect", "believe", "may", "will", "should", "estimate", "intend" or other similar words). Forward-looking statements in this document are intended to provide TC Energy security holders and potential investors with information regarding TC Energy and its subsidiaries, including management's assessment of TC Energy's and its subsidiaries' future plans and financial outlook. All forward-looking statements reflect TC Energy's beliefs and assumptions based on information available at the time the statements were made and as such are not guarantees of future performance. As actual results could vary significantly from the forward-looking information, you should not put undue reliance on forward-looking information and should not use future-oriented information or financial outlooks for anything other than their intended purpose. We do not update our forward-looking information due to new information or future events, unless we are required to by law. For additional information on the assumptions made, and the risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ from the anticipated results, refer to the most recent Quarterly Report to Shareholders and Annual Report filed under TC Energys profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov.

-30-

Media Inquiries:

Media Relations

media@tcenergy.com

403-920-7859 or 800-608-7859

Investor & Analyst Inquiries:

Gavin Wylie / Hunter Mau

investor_relations@tcenergy.com

403-920-7911 or 800-361-6522

PDF available: http://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/0c6d0642-71b0-458e-815f-875a1bcf958b
TORONTO, April 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mattr Corp. (Mattr or the Company) (TSX: MATR) announced today in connection with the filing of its Management Proxy Circular (the Circular), that it will be hosting its Annual Meeting (Meeting) on May 15, 2025 at 2:00pm EDT. The Company will be conducting an administrative-only Meeting, held in a hybrid meeting format which can be accessed via live webcast at: https://meetings.lumiconnect.com/400-728-282-283 or in person in the Rouge Room at the Marriott Markham, 170 Enterprise Blvd., Markham, Ontario. Registered shareholders will have the opportunity to attend, ask questions and vote at the Meeting in real time through the live webcast or in person. Shareholders are encouraged to vote prior to the meeting using one of the methods described in the Circular, the form of proxy or other materials provided by an intermediary. Registered shareholders may also submit questions in advance of the meeting to meghan.maceachern@mattr.com.

Non-registered holders who have not duly appointed themselves as proxy may attend as guests but will not be able to vote. If you are a non-registered holder and wish to attend and participate in the Meeting either in person or via webcast, you should carefully follow the instructions set out on your voting information form and in the Circular relating to the Meeting, in order to appoint and register yourself as proxy, otherwise you will be required to login to the webcast as a guest.

Mattr has elected to use the notice-and-access provisions under NI 54-101 for the Meeting in respect of the mailing of the Meeting materials to registered and beneficial shareholders other than those who have explicitly rejected delivery by electronic means. The notice-and-access provisions are a set of rules developed by the Canadian Securities Administrators that reduce the volume of materials required to be physically mailed to shareholders by allowing a reporting issuer to post its proxy-related Meeting materials online.

Additional information on the Meeting, including with respect to the business to be covered, can be found in the Circular and the other Meeting materials as filed on www.SEDARplus.com and on the Companys website at Proxy Materials & Annual Financials | Mattr . For a more detailed business update, the Company encourages shareholders to listen to the Q1 2025 earnings call webcast which will take place earlier in the day, at 9:00am EDT, and can be accessed via the Companys website.

About Mattr

Mattr is a growth-oriented, global materials technology company broadly serving critical infrastructure markets, including transportation, communication, water management, energy and electrification. Its two business segments, Composite Technologies and Connection Technologies, enable responsible renewal and enhancement of critical infrastructure.

For further information, please contact

Meghan MacEachern

VP, Investor Relations & External Communications

Telephone: 437.341.1848

Email: meghan.maceachern@mattr.com

Website: www.mattr.com

Source: Mattr Corp.
San Diego, CA, April 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HUMBL, Inc. (OTC: HMBL), a U.S.-based holding company with a focus on technology, today announced the mutual unwinding of its previously announced $2 million Share Exchange Agreement and Master Distribution Agreement with NUBURU, Inc., effective immediately.

The decision was driven by HUMBL, Inc.s strategic focus on enhancing shareholder value and limiting further dilution in non-core segments of its business. The company is now fully directing its efforts toward expanding its newly announced joint venture with MultiCortex, LLC, a U.S. and Brazilian-based artificial intelligence company focused on high-performance computing and advanced inference systems.

We appreciated the early opportunities presented through the NUBURU initiative, but ultimately, our strategic roadmap is best served by focusing on long-term, high-value ventures like our joint venture with MultiCortex AI, said Thiago Moura, CEO of HUMBL. The MultiCortex AI joint venture has the potential to position HUMBL, Inc. at the intersection of AI growth between the U.S. and Latin America.

The MultiCortex AI collaboration marks the latest addition to HUMBL, Inc.s portfolio, aimed at creating more connected technology sales and development between the U.S. and Latin America.

About HUMBL, Inc.

HUMBL, Inc. is shifting toward a strategic holding company model under the leadership of CEO Thiago Moura, Principal of Ybyra Capital  a Brazilian holding company with diversified investments, such as commodities and mining.

The companys unique structure enables it to create two-way distribution pipelines throughout the United States and Latin America, leveraging Ybyra Capitals established regional presence to offer strategic partners immediate access to high-growth markets.

The company most recently announced a joint venture with a U.S. and Brazilian-based Artificial Intelligence (AI) company. MULTICORTEX | HPC FOR AI

HUMBL, Inc. (OTC: HMBL)

Investor Relations: IR@humbl.com

Media Contact: Media@humbl.com

Safe Harbor Statement

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact included herein are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are identified by the use of words such as anticipate, believe, estimate, expect, intend, plan, predict, potential, continue, may, will, could, and similar expressions. All forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in such statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties associated with the ability to achieve the anticipated benefits of the joint venture, competitive conditions, and general market dynamics. HUMBL, Inc. 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.
HOUSTON, April 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Targa Resources Corp. (NYSE: TRGP) ("Targa" or the "Company") announced today that its board of directors has declared an increase to its quarterly cash dividend to $1.00 per common share, or $4.00 per common share on an annualized basis, for the first quarter of 2025, consistent with previously disclosed expectations. This dividend represents a 33 percent increase over the common dividend declared with respect to the first quarter of 2024. This cash dividend will be paid May 15, 2025 on all outstanding common shares to holders of record as of the close of business on April 30, 2025.

The Company will report its first quarter 2025 financial results before the market opens for trading on Thursday, May 1, 2025, and will host a live webcast over the internet at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time (10:00 a.m. Central Time) to discuss its 2025 first quarter financial results.

Event Information

Event: Targa Resources Corp. First Quarter 2025 Earnings Webcast and Presentation

Date: Thursday, May 1, 2025

Time: 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time

Webcast: https://www.targaresources.com/investors/events or directly at https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/waa5bt3q

Replay Information

A webcast replay will be available at the link above approximately two hours after the conclusion of the event. A quarterly earnings supplement presentation and updated investor presentation will also be available at https://www.targaresources.com/investors/events.

About Targa Resources Corp.

Targa Resources Corp. is a leading provider of midstream services and is one of the largest independent infrastructure companies in North America. The Company owns, operates, acquires and develops a diversified portfolio of complementary domestic midstream infrastructure assets and its operations are critical to the efficient, safe and reliable delivery of energy across the United States and increasingly to the world. The Companys assets connect natural gas and NGLs to domestic and international markets with growing demand for cleaner fuels and feedstocks. The Company is primarily engaged in the business of: gathering, compressing, treating, processing, transporting, and purchasing and selling natural gas; transporting, storing, fractionating, treating, and purchasing and selling NGLs and NGL products, including services to LPG exporters; and gathering, storing, terminaling, and purchasing and selling crude oil.

Targa is a FORTUNE 500 company and is included in the S&P 500.

For more information, please visit the Companys website at www.targaresources.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this release are 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. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this release that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future, are forward-looking statements, including statements regarding our projected financial performance, capital spending and payment of future dividends. These forward-looking statements rely on a number of assumptions concerning future events and are subject to a number of uncertainties, factors and risks, many of which are outside the Companys control, which could cause results to differ materially from those expected by management of the Company. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, actions by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and non-OPEC oil producing countries, weather, political, economic and market conditions, including a decline in the price and market demand for natural gas, natural gas liquids and crude oil, the timing and success of our completion of capital projects and business development efforts, the expected growth of volumes on our systems, the impact of significant public health crises, commodity price volatility due to ongoing or new global conflicts, the impact of disruptions in the bank and capital markets, including those resulting from lack of access to liquidity for banking and financial services firms, and other uncertainties. These and other applicable uncertainties, factors and risks are described more fully in the Companys filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, and any subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. The Company does not undertake an obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Targa Investor Relations

InvestorRelations@targaresources.com

(713) 584-1133
Washington, DC, April 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --  Congressman Honors Youth-Led Democratic Movement in Bangladesh and Meets with Zahid F. Sarder Saddi to Discuss U.S. Support for Democratic Transition

In a significant move recognizing the ongoing democratic movements in Bangladesh, U.S. Congressman Darren Soto met with Bangladeshi activist and community leader Zahid F Sarder Saddi shortly after taking his oath of office for his fifth term in the House of Representatives. Saddi commended Congressman Soto for his steadfast leadership and consistent support of the Bangladeshi-American community in Floridas 9th District.

Rep. Soto reciprocated the appreciation, commending Saddi for his dedicated advocacy and instrumental role in conveying the interests and needs of the Bangladeshi people both overseas and within the United States. The Congressman acknowledged the critical influence of Bangladeshs 'Gen Z revolution' in challenging Sheikh Hasinas authoritarian regime and underscored the vital role democracy plays in shaping the future of the nation.

During a detailed discussion in his Congressional office with Saddi, Rep. Soto extended an invitation to the student leaders of the July-August movement in Bangladesh. These student leaders played a crucial role in the political upheaval that led to the fall of the Hasina government and her subsequent flight to India. As a gesture of global solidarity and recognition, Rep. Soto is extending an invitation to these young leaders to visit the U.S. Congress, where they will receive a Congressional Proclamation acknowledging their contributions to democracy.

Bangladeshi Americans have expressed profound gratitude to Congressman Soto for his steadfast commitment to empowering a peaceful and democratic future for Bangladesh. Over the past decade, Rep. Soto has built a strong reputation for advocating on behalf of Bangladesh, and his support during this transitional period is seen as vital in reinstating democratic governance in the country.

In a tweet following the meeting, Congressman Soto conveyed his appreciation to Zahid F Sarder Saddi for the visit and for providing crucial updates on the democratic transition in Bangladesh. He reiterated Americas support for the restoration of democracy in the South Asian nation, emphasizing the importance of upholding human rights and governance principles.

For nearly three decades, Zahid F Sarder Saddi has been a dedicated advocate for the Bangladeshi community, both in the United States and abroad. As a respected foreign affairs advisor, he has worked tirelessly to ensure that the voices of Bangladeshi-Americans and those living in Bangladesh are heard in the halls of U.S. Congress. Having previously served as the Foreign Advisor to former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, Saddi continues to provide critical geopolitical insights on the Indo-Pacific region. His collaboration with U.S. policymakers remains instrumental in promoting global democracy and human rights.

The invitation extended by Congressman Darren Soto marks a historic moment in recognizing the struggles of the Bangladeshi people and their fight for democratic restoration. As the world watches, the efforts of student leaders and advocates like Saddi underscore the ongoing movement toward greater political freedom and justice in Bangladesh.

About Zahid F Sarder Saddi



Zahid F Sarder Saddi is a prominent Bangladeshi politician, humanitarian, and advocate for Bangladesh and its people. He served as a Foreign Advisor to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, the Hon Begum Khaleda Zia. He was also appointed as a Special Envoy to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party-BNP. Zahid F Sarder Saddi works with several organizations and holds a special passion for helping the Bangladeshi community in the United States and around the world. He has been involved in the Bangladeshi American Society for over 25 years and works to carry the voice of Bangladeshi Americans to lawmakers. Zahid F Sarder Saddi has received numerous accolades, including a humanitarian award for his impactful work.

To learn more about Zahid F Sarder Saddi, please visit www.ZahidFSarderSaddi.com or reach out to Zahid F Sarder Saddi at info@zahidfsardersaddi.com.
Recently received the first deepwater port license from the U.S. Department of Transportations Maritime Administration to own, construct and operate an export liquefied natural gas project in the United States

Department of Energy approved a liquefied natural gas export permit extension, granting additional time to commence exports from offshore Louisiana.

HOUSTON, April 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Delfin Midstream Inc. (Delfin) today provided an update on key permits and approvals for its leading US based energy infrastructure project under development in Louisiana and offshore in the Gulf.

On March 21, 2025, Delfin LNG LLC (Delfin LNG), a subsidiary of Delfin, received a license from the Maritime Administration (MARAD) authorizing Delfin LNG to own, construct, operate, and eventually decommission a deepwater port, to export Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) from the United States.

The license was issued pursuant to the Deepwater Port Act of 1974 and MARADs 2017 Record of Decision and is in accordance with President Trumps Executive Order titled, Unleashing American Energy, signed January 20, 2025. The Delfin deepwater port project will be the first offshore LNG export project in the United States. The approval process involved MARAD and the U.S. Coast Guard working with approximately 15 cooperating federal agencies along with the States of Texas and Louisiana.

On March 10, 2025, the Department of Energy approved an LNG export permit extension for Delfin LNG, granting additional time to commence exports from the project. The permit extension, which had been delayed under the prior administration, was announced by Secretary Wright in his opening remarks at CERAWeek in Houston.

Dudley Poston, Delfin CEO, said: The level of support by the President of the United States and his administration for the development of critical energy infrastructure has been truly remarkable. The Delfin floating LNG project has the potential to be not just the first LNG export deepwater port facility in the United States, but a significant economic contributor and job creator over the long-term. We would like to express our deep appreciation for the significant work undertaken by Sean Duffy, U.S. Secretary of Transportation, and Chris Wright, U.S. Secretary of Energy.

Added Poston, We also share our appreciation for the governors of Louisiana and Texas for their significant involvement and contributions to this process. With clear vision and action, this administration has enabled a project that can significantly realign energy economics for the long-term benefit of the people of the United States.

Delfin is a leader in LNG export infrastructure utilizing low-cost floating LNG technology. The brownfield deepwater port that Delfin is developing requires minimal additional infrastructure investment to support up to three floating LNG vessels producing up to 13 million tonnes of LNG annually.

About Delfin

Delfin is a leading LNG export infrastructure development company utilizing low-cost Floating LNG technology solutions. Delfin is the parent company of Delfin LNG. Delfin LNG is a brownfield Deepwater Port requiring minimal additional infrastructure investment to support up to three FLNG Vessels producing up to 13.2 MTPA of LNG. Delfin purchased the UTOS pipeline, the largest natural gas pipeline in the Gulf of America. Delfin LNG received a positive Record of Decision from MARAD and approval from the Department of Energy for long-term exports of LNG to countries that do not have a Free Trade Agreement with the United States. Additional information is available at www.delfinmidstream.com.

Public Relations

Dan Gagnier

Gagnier Communications

Email: Delfin@gagnierfc.com
Investors can contact the law firm at no cost to learn more about recovering their losses

LOS ANGELES, April 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Portnoy Law Firm advises Elastic N.V. ("Elastic" or the "Company") (NYSE: ESTC) investors of a class action representing investors that bought securities between May 31, 2024 and August 29, 2024, inclusive (the "Class Period"). Elastic investors have until April 14, 2025 to file a lead plaintiff motion.

Investors are encouraged to contact attorney Lesley F. Portnoy, by phone 310-692-8883 or email: lesley@portnoylaw.com, to discuss their legal rights, or click here to join the case. The Portnoy Law Firm can provide a complimentary case evaluation and discuss investors options for pursuing claims to recover their losses.

On August 29, 2024, after market hours, Elastic reported its first-quarter fiscal 2025 financial results and lowered its annual revenue guidance to a range of $1.436 billion to $1.444 billion, down from the previous forecast of $1.468 billion to $1.48 billion and below consensus estimates of $1.48 billion. The company attributed the revision to a slower start to the year, with the volume of customer commitments impacted by segmentation changes [the company] made at the beginning of the year, which are taking longer than expected to settle.

Following this announcement, Elastics stock price dropped $27.45, or 26.5%, closing at $76.19 per share on August 30, 2024, resulting in significant losses for investors.

Please visit our website to review more information and submit your transaction information.

The Portnoy Law Firm represents investors in pursuing claims against caused by corporate wrongdoing. The Firms founding partner has recovered over $5.5 billion for aggrieved investors. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

Lesley F. Portnoy, Esq.

Admitted CA and NY Bar

lesley@portnoylaw.com

310-692-8883

www.portnoylaw.com

Attorney Advertising
Vancouver, April 9, 2025 - GoldQuest Mining Corp. (TSXV: GQC) ("GoldQuest" or the "Company") is deeply saddened by the tragedy that

occurred on Monday night at the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo. Unfortunately, the tragedy affected our GoldQuest family. It brings us great sadness to announce that the brother and sister-in-law of our CEO, Luis Santana, were in attendance that night, and both lost their lives. Our thoughts and prayers are with Luis and his family as they navigate this difficult time.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to ALL the families and friends of the victims, and our thoughts are with the people of the Dominican Republic during this difficult time. We also wish a speedy recovery to all those who were injured.

GoldQuest has operated in the Dominican Republic for over 20 years and has carried out exploration and development in many provinces, with our head office in Santo Domingo. We recognize that our Dominican colleagues are devastated by the news of the tragedy, and the Board offers full support to our Dominican team.

About GoldQuest

GoldQuest is a Canadian based mineral exploration and development company with projects in the Dominican Republic. GoldQuest is traded on the TSXV under the symbol GQC and in Frankfurt/Berlin with symbol M1W. The Company is well funded to carry out the exploration programs reported in this release and to advance the development of its Romero gold/copper discovery, also located in the Tireo Formation of the Dominican Republic.

Additional information can be viewed at the Company's website www.goldquestcorp.com.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors of GoldQuest Mining Corp.,

"Bill Fisher"

Chairman of the Board

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.

Forwardlooking statements:

Statements contained in this news release that are not historical facts are forwardlooking information that involves known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Forwardlooking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the past drill programs, the results of such drill programs and the interpretation of the results of the drill programs, further drilling, the timing of drilling and assay results, mineral resources at Romero and Romero South, the merits of the Company's mineral properties, future drill programs and studies, the Company's plans and exploration programs for its mineral properties, including the timing of such plans and programs, the Company's belief that Dominican Republic authorities will support the development of the Romero gold-copper project, and the allocation of funds for the BFS and the 2025 Program. In certain cases, forwardlooking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "potential", "likelihood", "appears", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "at least", "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", "should", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved".

Forwardlooking 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 forwardlooking statements. Such risks and other factors include, among others, risks related to uncertainties inherent in drill results and the estimation of mineral resources; commodity prices; changes in general economic conditions; market sentiment; currency exchange rates; the Company's ability to continue as a going concern; the Company's ability to raise funds through equity financings; risks inherent in mineral exploration; risks related to operations in foreign countries; future prices of metals; failure of equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; accidents, labor disputes and other risks of the mining industry; delays in obtaining governmental approvals; government regulation of mining operations; environmental risks; title disputes or claims; limitations on insurance coverage and the timing and possible outcome of litigation. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could affect the Company and may cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forwardlooking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. 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. Accordingly, do not place undue reliance on forwardlooking statements. All statements are made as of the date of this news release and the Company is under no obligation to update or alter any forwardlooking statements except as required under applicable securities laws. Forwardlooking statements are based on assumptions that the Company believes to be reasonable, including expectations regarding mineral exploration and development costs; expected trends in mineral prices and currency exchange rates; the accuracy of the Company's current mineral resource estimates; that the Company's activities will be in accordance with the Company's public statements and stated goals; that there will be no material adverse change affecting the Company or its properties; that all required approvals will be obtained and that there will be no significant disruptions affecting the Company or its properties.

For further information, please contact:

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/248007
Vancouver, April 10, 2025 - Independence Gold Corp. (TSXV: IGO) ("Independence Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce due to the ongoing success of the winter drill program, it has expanded the planned drill meterage from 10,000 metres ("m") to approximately 13,000 m. The 3Ts Project is located approximately 185 kilometres ("km") southwest of Prince George, British Columbia, and is comprised of thirty-one mineral claims covering approximately 35,486 hectares in the Nechako Plateau region of central British Columbia. The project is situated 16 km southwest of Artemis Gold Inc.'s Blackwater Mine and covers a low-sulphidation epithermal quartz- carbonate vein district, within which nineteen individual mineralized veins, ranging from 50 m to more than 1,100 m in strike length and with true widths up to 32 m have been identified.

The Company has completed approximately 10,000 m of diamond drilling in the winter drill program across multiple targets at the 3Ts Project, including the discovery of the Johnny and Larry Veins (see news releases dated March 20, 2025, and March 26, 2025), as well as resource drilling on the Tommy and Ted-Mint Vein Systems (please see news release dated August 18th, 2022, for further details; "Technical Report on the Mineral Resource Estimate Update for the 3Ts Gold Project, Omineca Mining Division, British Columbia, Canada", authored by Armitage and Miller). The expanded program allows for additional follow-up drilling on key mineralized zones identified to date with assay results pending.

"Expanding the program is a reflection of both the geological potential we are seeing and the efficient management of our exploration budget," commented Randy Turner, President and CEO of Independence Gold. "With this added meterage, we are in a strong position to advance priority targets and deliver meaningful results to our shareholders."

About Independence

Independence Gold Corp. is a well-financed mineral exploration company with holdings ranging from early-stage grassroots exploration to advanced-stage resource expansion in British Columbia and Yukon. The Company is positioned to add shareholder value through systematic project advancement, while management continues to evaluate additional gold and silver projects for possible acquisition. For additional information, visit the Company's website www.ingold.ca.

Andy Randell, P.Geo., the Company's Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed the technical information in this news release.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF INDEPENDENCE GOLD CORP.

"Randy Turner"

Randy Turner, President and CEO

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.

All statements in this press release, other than statements of historical fact, are "forward-looking information" with respect to Independence within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements with respect to the Company's planned drilling and exploration activities. The Company provides forward-looking statements for the purpose of conveying information about current expectations and plans relating to the future and readers are cautioned that such statements may not be appropriate for other purposes. By its nature, this information is subject to inherent risks and uncertainties that may be general or specific and which give rise to the possibility that expectations, forecasts, predictions, projections or conclusions will not prove to be accurate, that assumptions may not be correct and that objectives, strategic goals and priorities will not be achieved. These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to those identified and reported in Independence's public filings under Independence Gold Corp.'s SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Although Independence 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 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. Independence disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise unless required by law.



To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/248038
Highlights:

Confirmation of high-grade nickel mineralization with the following results: 1.73% Ni over 36.3 m in DDH 102503 (previously reported at 1.73% Ni) 2.81% Ni over 11.6 m in DDH 89300 (previously reported at 2.60% Ni) 2.32% Ni over 14.4 m in DDH 89299 (previously reported at 2.21% Ni) 2.42% Ni over 10.2 m in DDH 89296 (previously reported at 2.43% Ni) 2.08% Ni over 9.3 m in DDH 102510 (previously reported at 1.91% Ni) 2.92% Ni over 5.8 m in DDH 102501 (previously reported at 2.69% Ni)



The nickel resampling results correlate well with the historical data and no meaningful bias was identified between the two datasets

Saskatoon, April 10, 2025 - Core Nickel Corp. (CSE: CNCO) ("Core Nickel" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the results of the re-analysis of twelve historical diamond drill holes ("DDH") from the Company's 100%-owned Mel project (the "Project") in the Thompson Nickel Belt, Manitoba. The resampling program was completed, in part, to verify historical assay results and help define methods and the overall approach for an updated National Instrument 43-101 mineral resource estimate. Understood Mineral Resources ("UMR" or "Understood") was retained by Core Nickel to confirm historical nickel assay results.

The Mel project encompasses the Mel deposit ("Mel"), which is characterized by a historical mineral resource consisting of an indicated resource of 4,279,000 tons grading 0.875% Ni, plus an inferred resource of 1,010,000 tons grading 0.839% Ni, at a cut-off of 0.5% Ni.1

Misty Urbatsch, Chief Executive Officer, President, and Director of Core Nickel, commented, "We are very encouraged by the re-assay results as it confirms both the integrity of the historical data and high-grade core of the deposit. This gives us added confidence in the quality and accuracy of the historical resource as well as provides a solid foundation as we move toward a modern mineral resource estimate. Highlights such as 1.73% Ni over 36.3 metres and 2.81% Ni over 11.6 metres reflect the strength and continuity of mineralization at the Mel deposit. Based on the confirmation from the re-assay results, Mel has the potential to be one of the highest-grade undeveloped nickel deposits in North America.

Located just 20 kilometres from key infrastructure, including existing mines, mills with available capacity, rail access, and nearly 100% renewable hydroelectric power-Mel is well-positioned for further advancement as we continue to evaluate its development potential. Historical drilling at Mel over the past 50 years has focused on shallow depths averaging only 200 metres, with the near-surface deposit originally discovered in the 1960s at a depth of just 50 metres. The recently completed VTEM survey over Mel will help us image down to 400 metres depth and provide a better understanding of the geology at depth. While previous exploration has primarily targeted near-surface mineralization, we see compelling potential below 200 metres, particularly given that the neighbouring Thompson Mine operates at depths exceeding 1,000 metres within a similar geological setting."

Table 1. Comparison of Original and Re-Assay Nickel Results

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Confirmation of Historical Nickel Results

The nickel results from the resampling program were compared against the historical data through a variety of statistical techniques. It was determined the resampling results correlate well with the historical data and no meaningful bias was identified between the two datasets.

The resampled nickel grades were compared to the global original distribution (nickel grades of the entire deposit) to ensure representative grade ranges were selected for reanalysis (Figure 1). The histograms in Figure 1 show the selected samples are an appropriate representation of grades observed at the deposit.

Figure 1. Resampled and Global Original Nickel Histograms

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The historic and resampled results of the individual intervals were compared to validate the precision and accuracy of the historical results through histograms, quantile-quantile (Q-Q) plots, and scatter plots (Figure 2).

The two histograms (sample length weighted) and the summary statistics displayed in the histograms, such as mean, variance, min values, and max values, are nearly the same between the two distributions.

The Q-Q plot shows that the two distributions generally correlate with no significant bias. A Q-Q plot is a plot of the quantiles of two distributions against each other for comparison purposes.

The scatter plot and contained summary statistics demonstrates the datasets generally correlate and agree with one another: the blue trend line plots near the red reference line, a high Pearson correlation coefficient (p=0.95), a high coefficient of determination (R2 = 0.91), and no apparent grade-dependent bias.

Figure 2. Resampling and Original Nickel Results by Interval

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Figure 3: Nickel Intercept from Drillhole 89300 (2.81% Ni over 11.7 m)



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Figure 4. Nickel Intercept from Drillhole 102503 (1.73% Ni over 36.3 m)



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Mel Re-Assay Program

The Company selected previously sampled mineralized NQ core for re-analysis and maintained the sample intervals defined by the historical assays (also referred to as original results). The interval ranges between 0.1 m to 3.7 m with an average of 1.35 m. The samples were collected from previously halved NQ core that was further split into quarter core. The quarter core was placed in plastic sample bags pre-marked with the sample number along with a sample number tag. The other quarter was returned to the core box for long-term storage. The bags containing the split samples were then placed in rice bags with zip ties for transport to the Saskatchewan Research Council Geoanalytical Laboratories ("SRC") in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, by Core Nickel personnel.

In total, 310 samples from 12 drill holes were collected and analyzed (Table 2). Core Nickel inserted 17 blank samples and 17 certified reference material samples into the sample stream for quality control and quality assurance (QA/QC) purposes.

The samples were analyzed at SRC using a base metal assay (ICP3 Assay) for Ni, Cu, and Co, where an aliquot of sample pulp is digested in HCl:HNO3 and the digested volume is then made up with deionized water for analysis by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). The detection limit for Ni, Cu, and Co using this method is 0.001 wt%.

The samples were also analyzed for gold, platinum, and palladium using traditional fire assay methods. During fire assay an aliquot of sample pulp was mixed with standard fire assay flux in a clay crucible and a silver inquart was added. The mixture was fused in a fire assay oven. The fusion melt was poured into a metal form and cooled. The lead bead was recovered and put into the oven for cupellation until only the precious metal bead remained. The bead was parted in a solution heated in a boiling water bath until the silver dissolved. The solution containing the silver was decanted, leaving the gold, platinum, and palladium in the test tube. Aqua Regia was added to the gold, platinum, and palladium in the test tube and heated in the boiling water bath until the metals dissolved. The sample was diluted to volume and analyzed by ICP-OES. This method is suitable for all pulverized and core samples for the determination of gold. The detection limit for Au, Pt, and Pd using this method is 1 ppb. The Au, Pd, and Pt grades were converted from ppb to grams per tonne.

Table 2. Summary of Samples per Drillhole

Drillhole No. of Samples 89296 30 89299 30 89300 23 102501 18 102503 38 102506 44 102507 28 102508 39 102509 24 102510 18 102512 6 102514 12 Total 310

Table 3. Complete Re-assay Results from Historical Mel Core

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About Core Nickel

Core Nickel Corp. is a junior nickel exploration company that controls 100% of five projects in the Thompson Nickel Belt (TNB), a prolific nickel district located in Northern Manitoba, Canada (Figure 5). The five projects consist of approximately 27,000 hectares of land that is proximal to existing infrastructure, including highways, railways, major hydroelectric transmission lines, and operating mills.

Core Nickel has a large contiguous land package in the northern part of the TNB, situated approximately 15-20 km from the City of Thompson. Core Nickel's northern TNB land package consists of three projects: Mel, Hunter, and Odei River. The Mel project encompasses the Mel deposit, which is characterized by a historical mineral resource consisting of an indicated resource of 4,279,000 tons grading 0.875% Ni, plus an inferred resource of 1,010,000 tons grading 0.839% Ni, at a cut-off of 0.5% Ni.1 The target stratigraphy (Pipe Formation) that hosts the Mel deposit, and other deposits in the Thompson Nickel Belt, extend onto the Hunter and Odei River projects and drillhole intersections into the target stratigraphy on the Hunter project have successfully intersected anomalous nickel.

The Company also holds two projects in the central TNB near the community of Wabowden: Halfway Lake and Resting Lake. Both projects host the target Pipe Formation associated with known elevated nickel mineralization and are proximal to existing nickel deposits, mills, and other infrastructure.

Figure 5. Core Nickel Project Location Map

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The Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects for this news release is Caitlin Glew, P. Geo., Vice-President Exploration for Core Nickel Corp., who has reviewed and approved its contents.

References

1 (n.d.). https://www.canickel.com/satellite-deposits#satellited

2 "Technical Report on the Mel Deposit, Northern Manitoba" prepared for Victory Nickel Inc., Shane Naccashian (P. Geo.) of Wardrop Engineering Inc., March 9, 2007

Mel Historical Mineral Resource

Core Nickel Corporation is treating the 2007 Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) prepared for Victory Nickel Inc. by Shane Naccashian (P. Geo.) of Wardrop Engineering Inc. as a "historical mineral resource" under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") and the reader is cautioned not to treat it, or any part of it, as a current mineral resource. Core Nickel has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimate as a current mineral resource.

The historical MRE summarized above has been included simply to demonstrate the mineral potential of the Mel deposit and the Mel project. Core Nickel considers the 2007 MRE to be relevant to the further development of the project; however, is not treating the historical estimate as a current mineral resource. The historical MRE was calculated in accordance with NI 43-101 and CIM standards at the time of publication and predates the current CIM Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves (May, 2014) and CIM Estimation of Mineral Resources & Mineral Reserves Best Practices Guidelines (November, 2019).

To upgrade or verify the 2007 historical estimate as current, Core Nickel will need to complete a thorough review of all the 2007 historical MRE information and drill data, along with the incorporation of subsequent exploration work and results, which includes some drilling around the edges of the historical MRE subsequent to the publication of the resource. Additionally, a full review of the economic parameters utilized to determine current Reasonable Prospectus for Eventual Economic Extraction (RPEEE) would be required in order to produce a current MRE for the Property. Any future mineral resource will need to evaluate the open pit and/or underground potential taking into consideration the current cost and pricing conditions or constraints, along with continuity of the resource blocks.

Technical Disclosure

The historical results contained within this news release have been captured from Manitoba Integrated Mining and Quarrying System ("iMaQs") as available and may be incomplete or subject to minor location inaccuracies. Management cautions that historical results were collected and reported by past operators and have not been verified nor confirmed by a Qualified Person but form a basis for ongoing work on the subject projects.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

"Misty Urbatsch"

Misty Urbatsch

CEO, President and Director

Core Nickel Corp.

Contacts:

Also find us online:

www.corenickel.com

https://x.com/CoreNickel

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its regulations services accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-looking information

All statements included in this press release that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions made by the Company based on its experience, perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors it believes are appropriate in the circumstances. In addition, these statements involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties that contribute to the possibility that the predictions, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will prove inaccurate, certain of which are beyond the Company's control. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, the Company does not intend to revise or update these forward-looking statements after the date hereof or revise them to reflect the occurrence of future unanticipated events.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/248017
MONTREAL, April 10, 2025 - Auxico Resources Canada Inc. (CSE: AUAG) ("Auxico" or the "Company") has signed an option agreement with Concordia Silver Company S.A. de C.V. ("CSC") for the proposed sale of 100% of the shares of Auxico Resources S.A. de C.V. ("Auxico Mexico"), its wholly owned Mexican subsidiary.

The transaction supports Auxico's strategy to prioritize core assets, strengthen its balance sheet and advance its critical mineral projects in Colombia and Bolivia.

Transaction Summary

Under the agreement dated March 27, 2025, CSC has a 60-day option to acquire Auxico Mexico for total consideration of USD $666,666, payable in two tranches:

USD $222,222 upon execution of a definitive share purchase agreement, following a due diligence period; and

USD $444,444 upon full reinstatement of the Mineral de Zamora mining concession (Title No. 225182) by the Mexican Mining Authority.

Upon closing, CSC will assume all existing obligations of Auxico Mexico, including those related to the Zamora Property in Sinaloa, Mexico.

The transaction has been approved by Auxico's Board of Directors.

About Concordia Silver Company

Concordia Silver Company is a privately-held mineral exploration company specializing in the acquisition, financing, exploration and development of mineral properties in Mexico.

About Auxico Resources Canada Inc

Auxico is a Canadian company that was founded in 2014 and is based in Montreal, trading on the Canadian Stock Exchange (CSE) under symbol AUAG. Auxico is engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties in Colombia and Bolivia.

Additional information on Auxico can be found on the Company's website (www.auxicoresources.com) or on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) under "Auxico Resources Canada Inc."

The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release. Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains statements that constitute "forward-statements." Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements, or developments to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

Although the Company believes, in light of the experience of its officers and directors, current conditions and expected future developments and other factors that have been considered appropriate that the expectations reflected in this forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. When used in this press release, the words "estimate", "project", "belief", "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "plan", "predict", "may" or "should" and the negative of these words or such variations thereon or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information. The forward-looking statements and information in this press release include information relating to the planned studies, drill program and the development of the Minastyc, El Bento/Monte Verde or other Projects, its sampling programs, indications and other mining projects and prospects thereof, related to the Company's operations in Colombia and/or Bolivia. Such statements and information reflect the current view of the Company. Risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in those forward-looking statements and information.

By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

The forward-looking information contained in this news release represents the expectations of the Company as of the date of this news release and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date. Readers should not place undue importance on forward-looking information and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking information provided by the Company is not a guarantee of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking information as a result of various risk factors. These factors include, among others, uncertainties arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, and general economic conditions or conditions in the financial markets. The reader is referred to the Company's public filings for a more complete discussion of such risk factors, and their potential effects, which may be accessed through the Company's profile on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca). Except as required by securities law, the Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, events or otherwise.

SOURCE Auxico Resources Canada Inc.
Toronto, April 10, 2025 - KO Gold Inc. (CSE: KOG) ("KO Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has issued convertible promissory notes for aggregate proceeds of C$200,000 (the "Convertible Notes"), pursuant to the loan agreement entered into on March 31, 2025, as announced on April 2, 2025.

The Convertible Notes bear interest at a rate of 12% per annum and are due six months from the date of closing. At any time prior to maturity, the principal and accrued interest may be converted into units of the Company (at the Lender's option) on the same terms as the private placement announced on March 27, 2025.

Further details regarding the loan agreements and terms of the Convertible Notes, including use of proceeds and security granted were previously disclosed in the Company's news release dated April 2, 2025. All securities issued pursuant to the Convertible Notes will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day from the date of issuance.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to sell any of the securities in the United States. The securities 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 unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

Qualified Person Statement

All scientific and technical information contained in this news release was prepared and approved by Paul Teniere, P.Geo., Vice President of Exploration and Director of KO Gold, and a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101.

About KO Gold Inc.

KO Gold is a Canadian junior exploration company listed on the CSE under "KOG". The Company's strategy is to acquire and explore highly prospective gold properties within the Otago Gold District in New Zealand. KO Gold has eight 100%-owned prospecting and exploration permits within the Otago Gold District for a combined land package of 740 km2. The Company's Smylers and Glenpark EPs are located adjacent to OceanaGold's Macraes Gold Mine and the Carrick EP hosts the historic Carrick Goldfield which holds promise as a significant gold deposit near Santana Minerals' Bendigo-Ophir Gold Project. KO Gold has spent over C$3M in exploration and drilling on its permits in the Otago Gold District over the past five years including RC and diamond drilling on its Smylers EP.

For further information, please contact:

The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. Neither the CSE nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan," "expect," "project," "intend," "believe," "anticipate," "estimate," "may," "will," "would," "potential," "proposed" and other similar words or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the intended use of proceeds. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made and are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual events or results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, the Company's receipt of all necessary approvals, market conditions, and the ability to use the proceeds as intended. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. The Company 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 applicable law. Actual events or results could differ materially from the Company's expectations or projections.

THIS NEWS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/248159
Golden Cariboo Resources Ltd. (the "Company") (CSE:GCC) (OTC:GCCFF) (WKN:A402CQ) (FSE:3TZ) announces the private placement first announced on January 3, 2025 remains open.

Each $0.13 Unit will consist of one common share in the capital of the Company and one half of one share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"); Two half Warrants will equal one full share purchase Warrant, exercisable for a period of 3 years from the closing date, at exercise prices as follows: $0.18 in year one, $0.22 in year two, and $0.25 in year three.

The Company has sold 9,327,441 Units for gross proceeds of $1,212,567.30 in tranches 1 & 2. The private placement is subject to Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE") approval and all securities are subject to a four-month hold period. Finder's fees may be payable in connection with the private placement, all in accordance with the policies of the CSE. The proceeds from this private placement will be used for continued property exploration and for general working capital.

About Golden Cariboo Resources Ltd.

Golden Cariboo Resources Ltd. is rediscovering the Cariboo Gold Rush by proceeding with highly targeted drilling and trenching programs on its Quesnelle Gold Quartz Mine property which is bordered by Osisko Development (NSE:ODV/TSXV:ODV), partly intertwined with them at the north end of the Cariboo Gold Project, and located along a favorable corridor adjacent to the Spanish and Eureka thrust faults over a 94,899 hectare (234,501 acre) area. Historically, over 101 placer gold creeks on the 90-kilometer (56 mile) trend from the Cariboo Hudson mine north to the Quesnelle Gold Quartz Mine property have recorded production and successful placer mining continues to this day.

Golden Cariboo's Quesnelle Gold Quartz Mine property is 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) northeast of, and road accessible from, Hixon in central British Columbia. The Property includes the Quesnelle Quartz gold-silver deposit, which was discovered in 1865 in conjunction with placer mining activities. Hixon Creek, which dissects the old workings, is a placer creek which has seen small-scale placer production since the mid 1860s.

For further information please contact:

GOLDEN CARIBOO RESOURCES LTD.

"J. Frank Callaghan"

J. Frank Callaghan, President & CEO

Tel: 604-669-6463

VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE DETAILS

www.goldencariboo.com

LIKE AND FOLLOW

Instagram, Facebook, X (Twitter), LinkedIn

Neither the "CSE" Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Statements:

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 exemptions and approvals to complete the Offering; the expectation that the Company will complete the Offering on the terms disclosed, or at all; the expectation that the proceeds will be used for property exploration and for general working capital; the Company's exploration plans with respect to its Quesnelle Gold Quartz Mine property; and the anticipated participation of the insider in the Offering.

Such forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions of management, including, without limitation, that the Company will receive all necessary exemptions and approvals to complete the Offering; that the Company will complete the Offering on the terms disclosed, or at all; that the proceeds will be used for property exploration and for general working capital; that the Company will have the resources required to proceed with its exploration plans; that the Company will not run into regulatory or other barriers in carrying out its business plans; that the insider will participate in the Offering, on the terms and conditions and in the amount currently expected by management; and that the Company will be able to rely on the exemption from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements on the basis anticipated.

Additionally, forward-looking information involve 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 exemptions and 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 for property exploration and for general working capital; that the Company may incur unanticipated costs; that the Company may not have the resources required to pursue its exploration plans; 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; that the insider may not participate in the Offering on the terms and conditions and in the amount currently expected by management, or at all; and that the Company may not be able to rely on the exemption from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements on the basis currently expected. 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.


Haas F1 team denies rumours of financial strife

Formula 1's smallest team is playing down suggestions it may be in financial strife.

Estebon Ocon, Japanese GP 2025

 Haas

As global markets reacted with extreme volatility to the ongoing Donald Trump tariff saga, the Haas team's parent company Haas Automation issued a statement.

Tellingly, the letterhead also featured the Haas F1 Team logo, while the content alarmingly revealed that demand for Haas machine tools has seen a dramatic decrease .

Haas said it has reduced production, eliminated overtime, and halted hiring.

Since the statement was issued, Trump has paused the global tariffs - with the exception of China - for 90 days, revealing that most countries are willing to negotiate.

As for any impact on the Haas F1 team, a spokesman said: The team continues to operate as normal. There are no changes to the development process, recruitment, or other projects.

The tariff saga and major global market upsets come at a fascinating time in Formula 1, as the engine suppliers are scheduled to meet in Bahrain to discuss the potential return of V10 engines.

There may now also be a compelling financial case for hitting reverse gear on the radically-electrified new rules. Cadillac isn't yet eligible to vote because they haven't yet registered as an engine manufacturer, Auto Motor und Sport reports.

Particularly interesting, however, is that CEOs apparently attend to be present for the meeting, including Mercedes' Ola Kallenius and Gernot Dollner of Audi.

(GMM)
Star Assurance rewards customers

Business Desk Report Business News Apr - 10 - 2025 , 12:05

Star Assurance has rewarded 10 customers at the maiden draw of its 40 Reasons to Smile Promo, which forms part of its 40th anniversary celebration.

The first quarter draw which was held in Koforidua in the Eastern region brought together key stakeholders, including representatives from the National Insurance Commission (NIC), Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), customers and other executives of Star Assurance.

Conducted by the National Lottery Authority, each of the 10 lucky customers who were randomly selected won a cash prize of GH10,000.

The winners were contacted live during the event to confirm their participation and reward.

The 40 Reasons to Smile Promo, which runs from January 2025 to December 2025, was launched to reward customer loyalty.

Throughout the year, customers who buy or renew their existing Star Motor Insurance Policy, including Comprehensive, Third-Party, and Third-Party Extra automatically stand the chance of emerging as one of 10 winners to be rewarded with an amazing cash prize of GHS 10,000 each, in four quarterly draws.

The promo will climax in December 2025 with a grand draw where one lucky customer will win the ultimate prize of an all-expenses-paid trip to Dubai.

Speaking at the event, the Eastern Regional Manager of the National Insurance Commission (NIC), Esther Konadu Ofori, commended Star Assurance for its customer-first approach and consistency in delivering value.

She emphasized the importance of drivers partnering with credible insurance providers like Star Assurance, noting that insurance is a statutory requirement and avital tool for long-term financial protection.

Also present at the event was the Eastern Regional Chairman of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), Rev. Johnson Kyereh, who praised Star Assurance for its integrity and reliability.

Star Assurance has proven time and again that they are a trustworthy insurance company. I urge all drivers, cooperative unions of drivers and everyone here to take advantage of this exciting promo, he said.
AUDIO: Michelle Obama speaks on recent divorce rumors

cnn.com International News Apr - 10 - 2025 , 04:32 3 minutes read

Former first lady Michelle Obama discussed stepping back and making time for herself on a podcast released Tuesday, addressing her recent absences from political events and rumors of marital troubles.

Speaking of her life eight years out of the White House with two adult children, Obama said on the Work in Progress podcast with actress Sophia Bush that she now has the opportunity to control her own calendar and can now make a choice for myself.

I could have made a lot of these decisions years ago, but I didnt give myself that freedom, Obama said, Maybe even as much as I let my kids live their own lives, I use their lives as an excuse for why I couldnt do something.

She continued: And now thats gone. And so now I have to look at my  I get to look at my calendar, which I did this year, was a real big example of me, myself looking at something that I was supposed to do  you know, without naming names  and I chose to do what was best for me, not what I had to do, not what I thought other people wanted me to do.

The former First Lady notably skipped President Donald Trumps second inauguration, as well as the state funeral of former President Jimmy Carter in January.

She went on to discuss the guilt of saying no and how her recent choices to step away from certain responsibilities raised rumors of a possible divorce from her husband, former President Barack Obama.

I still find time to you know, give speeches, to be out there in the world, to work on projects. I still care about girls education. We, you know, the library is opening in a year from now. Certain things I am and am not doing with the library, Obama said.

She continued: Thats the thing that we as women, I think we struggle with like disappointing people. I mean so much so that this year people were, you know  they couldnt even fathom that I was making a choice for myself that they had to assume that my husband and I are divorcing.

The Obamas have been together for 32 years, according to a post from the former president on X in October.

The former first lady has been open about how Barack Obamas political ambitions and time in the Oval Office was tough on their marriage, writing in her book Becoming that it resulted in loneliness and exhaustion.

Since leaving the White House, Obama has spoken out against Trump and campaigned for Vice President Kamala Harris last year.

During one campaign stop in Michigan just days before the 2024 election, Obama said: Please, please do not hand our fates over to the likes of Trump, who knows nothing about us, who has shown deep contempt for us.

She added: Because a vote for him is a vote against us, against our health, against our worth.

Listen to the audio below;
Previous article: Ivory Coast threatens more expensive cocoa in response to US tariffs

Tariff war could cut US-China goods trade by 80%  World Trade Organisation

Beatrice Laryea International News Apr - 10 - 2025 , 19:59 2 minutes read

U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday raised tariffs on Chinese goods to 125 per cent, intensifying the ongoing trade dispute between the worlds two largest economies.

The Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala warned that the escalating tariff war could slash trade in goods between the U.S. and China by as much as 80%, with potentially severe ripple effects on the global economy.

The escalating trade tensions between the United States and China pose a significant risk of a sharp contraction in bilateral trade. Our preliminary projections suggest that merchandise trade between these two economies could decrease by as much as 80 percent, WTO Director General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said in a statement.

She said the United States and China accounted for three percent of world trade and warned that the conflict could severely damage the global economic outlook.

Even as he slapped further tariffs on China, Trump paused higher tariffs on the rest of the world for 90 days after dozens of countries reached out for negotiations.

Okonjo-Iweala warned that the world economy risked breaking into two blocs, one centred around the United States and the other China.

Of particular concern is the potential fragmentation of global trade along geopolitical lines. A division of the global economy into two blocs could lead to a long-term reduction in global real GDP by nearly seven percent, she said.

She urged all WTO members to address this challenge through cooperation and dialogue.

It is critical for the global community to work together to preserve the openness of the international trading system, said Okonjo-Iweala. WTO members have agency to protect the open, rules-based trading system. The WTO serves as a vital platform for dialogue. Resolving these issues within a cooperative framework is essential.

Hours earlier, Trump ramped up duties on Chinese goods to 104 percent, only to hike them further when China retaliated by raising tariffs on US imports to 84 percent.

In a social media post announcing the moves, Trump said China had been singled out for special treatment because of the lack of respect that China has shown to the Worlds Markets.

US stock markets had slumped around 10 percent in the past week as trade tensions grew, but they surged after Trump announced his pause.
Queenmother rallies new Akoto Lante Cluster of Schools Committee to champion academic excellence and sanitation

Jemima Okang Addae Education Apr - 10 - 2025 , 14:18 3 minutes read

The Queenmother of Asere Amartse-We, Naa Amorkor ShikaFutru I, has called on members of the School Management Committee (SMC) of the Akoto Lante Cluster of Schools to work collaboratively to establish a learning environment that empowers students.

She made this appeal while inaugurating 13 individuals to serve on the SMC on Thursday, 10 April. She stated that the committees aim was to promote academic excellence, creativity, and character development within the school environment.

As Chairperson of the newly inaugurated committee, the Queenmother emphasised the importance of shared responsibility. She urged all members to contribute their diverse perspectives and professional experience for the collective good of the school.

"I urge each of you to bring your unique perspectives, expertise and experience to the table. Lets work collaboratively to create a school environment that is conducive to learning, growth and success," she stated.

Naa Amorkor ShikaFutru I outlined the committees vision, which she said focused on creating a learning environment that promotes academic achievement, nurtures creativity, and instils strong moral values.

She added that the committees strategic goals included developing policies to support student well-being, enhancing transparency and collaboration, involving stakeholders, and consistently assessing the schools progress.

"Our vision is to create a learning environment that fosters academic excellence, creativity and character development. We aim to empower students with knowledge, skills and values necessary to succeed," she said.

She further explained that the overarching aim was to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and values they need to succeed, adding that the committee was committed to shaping the future of students and communities alike. She expressed eagerness to work with others to transform the school into a leading educational institution.

Oversight

The Basic Schools Coordinator at the Accra Metro Education Directorate, Ellen Adjaye-Gyamfi, noted that the Metro Directorate served as an oversight body for the SMCs, with the responsibility of ensuring alignment between school plans and broader educational policies.

She reiterated that schools belonged to the communities they served and considered the inauguration of the SMC a significant development. She expressed optimism that the newly formed committee would strive to meet the schools educational objectives.

Mrs Adjaye-Gyamfi added that the SMC had the potential to positively impact school development by being granted decision-making authority. She said she was hopeful that, with proper empowerment, the committee could help schools reach their full potential.

Challenges

The Head Teacher of St. Mary's Anglican Church & Primary School, Reverend Patricia Essuman, highlighted that the school faced serious challenges related to basic infrastructure, including waste disposal, drainage maintenance, and water access  essential needs for safeguarding students health and hygiene.

She appealed to the SMC to prioritise these urgent sanitation and water issues, stressing their direct impact on student welfare.

Rev Essuman further noted the financial strain the school experienced in managing such problems. She explained that the school had to allocate substantial funds to maintain water supply and drainage systems.

She emphasised the importance of ensuring water availability for the school, given that children needed clean water to wash their hands and use sanitary facilities.

"You have to provide water for the school, because you are dealing with children. They have to wash their hands. They have to ease themselves," she added.
Drier lunar far side offers insight on moon's evolution

Xinhua) 13:14, April 10, 2025

BEIJING, April 9 (Xinhua) -- The latest discovery from rock samples returned by China's Chang'e-6 lunar mission reveals that the moon's mantle contains less water on the far side compared to the near side, suggesting that the "hidden hemisphere," which always faces away from Earth, tends to be much drier.

Published in the journal Nature on Wednesday, a new study by Chinese scientists found that the water content in each gram of the thick rocky layer beneath the moon's far side surface is less than 2 micrograms, the lowest record ever reported.

Previous studies on samples from the lunar near side have shown that the water concentrations within the moon's interior could reach up to 200 micrograms per gram.

"Such concentration in the new study can be measured between 1 and 1.5 parts per million," said lead researcher Hu Sen, a professor from the Institute of Geology and Geophysics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

"Even the driest desert on Earth contains around 2,000 parts per million of water - over a thousand times more than what's found on the lunar far side surface," Hu explained.

The global scientific community widely believes that the moon was formed when a Mars-sized object collided with Earth 4.5 billion years ago. During this extremely hot impact event, the moon was thought to be depleted of water and other volatile elements.

Over the past two decades, there has been debate about whether the water content in the moon's mantle, the middle layer between its surface and its core, is abundant or scarce, and all the published estimates were derived from the near side samples of the moon.

The Chang'e-6 lunar probe launched in early May 2024, landed in the moon's South Pole-Aitken Basin and returned to Earth in late June with more than 1,935 grams of the first-ever samples from the less-known far side of the moon.

According to Hu, the moon samples used in this study weigh 5 grams, consisting of 578 particles ranging in size from 0.1 to 1.5 millimeters. These particles were carefully sieved and hand-selected, 28 percent of which were mare basalt fragments.

"These samples provide an opportunity to investigate the water abundance of the far side lunar mantle and to unravel potential differences between the moon's two sides," Hu said.

People on Earth can only ever see one lunar face because the moon takes about the same amount of time to rotate once as it does to complete a single orbit of Earth. As a result, scientists divide the moon into two hemispheres, namely the side that always faces us, known as the near side, and the one that is always turned away from us, which we refer to as the far side of the moon.

The moon's far side has long been considered quite different from its near side. The latest example is a study published in Nature in November 2024 by Hu's colleagues, based on lunar samples collected at the Chang'e-6 landing site. The study revealed that a unique volcanic event dating back 2.8 billion years had not been observed in previous samples obtained from the near side of the moon.

Other differences also appeared in geological structures, landscapes, chemical composition and crustal thickness.

For Hu and his team, the newly found disparity in the moon's internal water content is of great significance, which may offer a fresh insight into the moon's formation and evolution.

"The water content in the lunar rocks plays a crucial role in testing the hypothesis of the moon's origin," Hu said. "If the water concentration reaches as much as 200 parts in the moon's rocky layer, it could challenge the existing hypothesis of the impact origin, and scientists need to propose a new model to explore the starting point of the moon's formation."

The results of the new study shows that the lunar water content remains below this 200 parts threshold, thereby supporting the existing impact formation theory, Hu noted.

Francis McCubbin, the Astromaterials Curator at NASA's Johnson Space and a peer reviewer of the paper, called their work "a landmark study on the water abundance of the lunar far side."

China has plans to launch a number of new moon missions including building a permanent moon base and landing a taikonaut crew before 2030.

According to the scientists, the findings of this study also hold significant implications for future lunar exploration tasks, as water on the moon is key to long-term human settlement.

"Since the two faces of the moon feature distinct topographical characteristics, landing in areas with substantial terrain undulations may demand more advanced control technologies," Hu told Xinhua.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Czech President Petr Pavel opens Czech-built 71.5million hospital at Kpone

Benjamin Xornam Glover Apr - 10 - 2025 , 11:40 4 minutes read

The President of the Czech Republic, Petr Pavel, assisted by Ghanas Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has inaugurated a new 40-bed district hospital at Kpone in the Greater Accra Region.

The Czech-funded facility is expected to significantly enhance healthcare delivery for residents of the Kpone Municipality.

The commissioning ceremony, held on Wednesday, 9 April 2025, brought together several dignitaries including Nii Tetteh Otu II, Paramount Chief of the Kpone Traditional Area; Nii Tetteh Oglie II, Chief of Nmlitsakpo; Tatse Nii Laryea Akuetteh X, Chief of Katamanso; Joseph Akuerteh Tetteh, Member of Parliament for Kpone-Katamanso; as well as officials from the Ministry of Health, the Ghana Health Service, and the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council.

The project was made possible through funding totalling 71.5 million, secured from Erste Group Bank AG and Ceska Sporitelna a.s., with an export credit guarantee of 8.6 million provided by EGAP, the Export Guarantee and Insurance Corporation of the Czech Republic. Constructed by VAMED Health Projects CZ s.r.o, the Kpone District Hospital forms part of a broader initiative launched in 2020 by the Ministry of Health to construct 12 new health facilities.

These include hospitals in Jumapo, Nkwatia, Kwabeng, Achiase, and Adukrom in the Eastern Region; Suame, Drobonso, Sabronum, Manso Nkwanta, and Twedie in the Ashanti Region; and Mim in the Ahafo Region.

According to the Ministry of Health, five hospitals in the Eastern Region have already been handed over, while completed facilities in the Ashanti and Ahafo Regions are also expected to be operationalised soon.

The newly commissioned Kpone Municipal Hospital is a modern, well-equipped healthcare facility comprising an Outpatient Department with a Public Health Wing, a Surgical Suite with an operating theatre, recovery ward, and sterilisation unit, a Delivery Unit and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Laboratory, Pharmacy, and X-ray units, 40-bed inpatient wards for male, female, and paediatric cases, a Services Block with laundry, stores, and a cold room, staff offices, and on-site accommodation.

The facility also includes the supply and installation of modern medical equipment, a one-year post-completion maintenance plan, and staff training to enhance service delivery.

President Petr Pavel, in his remarks, expressed joy at the inauguration, describing the hospital as a vital contribution to humanity. I could not imagine anything more universally good than opening a hospital that would serve people in need, he said. He urged the staff to work hard and offer every person the best of care.

Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, highlighted the project as a continuation of efforts initiated during former President John Mahamas administration to increase access to quality healthcare.

The Kpone Municipal Hospital is one of 12 hospitals constructed and equipped under the previous government and a continuation of President Mahamas first-term initiative of increasing access to quality healthcare, he stated.

He criticised the politicisation of health infrastructure, saying, Our vision is to operationalise all commissioned hospitals to allow all communities to enjoy equitable access to quality healthcare.

The Minister also introduced the government's Free Primary Healthcare Initiative, aimed at removing financial barriers to care.

These investments demonstrate our Governments commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and advancing Universal Health Coverage, he said.

Mr Akandoh noted significant progress in health indicators, revealing that maternal mortality had decreased from 580 per 100,000 live births in 2007 to 310 per 100,000 in 2017. Likewise, under-five mortality improved from 111 per 1,000 live births in 2003 to 56 per 1,000 in 2017.

Yet, we recognise that much remains to be done. This Government remains steadfast in its efforts to expand access, improve quality, and reduce inequities in health service delivery, he added.

He also called on staff and local leaders to ensure proper maintenance and effective use of the facility.

Professor Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, Acting Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, said the facility would help save lives in emergencies and act as a disaster response centre.

He said it would also serve as a source of employment for both skilled and unskilled workers, while stimulating economic activity in surrounding communities.

The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo, described the hospital as a vital addition to the regions health infrastructure.

The inauguration of this facility marks a significant milestone not only for the people of Kpone but for the entire region, as it enhances access to quality healthcare delivery, she said.
Galamsey Crackdown: 2 Ghanaians, 3 Chinese nationals arrested in Assin North

GNA Apr - 10 - 2025 , 12:53 2 minutes read

Two Ghanaian nationals and three Chinese citizens have been arrested by the Central North Police Command Anti-Galamsey Special Taskforce for allegedly engaging in illegal mining activities along the River Fum at Assin Ayiteykrom, near Akonfudi in the Assin North District of the Central Region.

The suspectsKwabena Sakakba, 38; Douglas Nyamekye, 36; Ma Jian, 37; Ma Young, 31; and Ma Haibi, 54were apprehended during a dawn operation on Tuesday, April 8.

The taskforce also seized two excavators and a Toyota Hilux vehicle during the raid.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Francis Onyina of the Central North Public Affairs Directorate confirmed that the suspects are currently in police custody and will be arraigned in court in accordance with the law.

He added that efforts are underway to transport the confiscated excavators to a secure facility and trace their owners for possible arrest and prosecution.

ASP Onyina explained that the Command received intelligence on the illegal mining operations, which had severely polluted River Fum, a key water source for 88 surrounding communities.

Many farmers, particularly cocoa and vegetable farmers, depended on the river for spraying and irrigating their crops and drinking whilst on their farms, but could not do so due to illegal mining pollution.

As a result, he said the police moved to the site, but many of the illegal miners escaped regardless of their efforts.

ASP Onyina assured the public that the police remained committed to rooting out illegal mining activities in the area and urged perpetrators to desist from the illegal act voluntarily or face the law.

He also asked the public to support the police with timely and accurate information of to enable the police root out crime to nurture the peace of the area for growth and development.

GNA
Next article: Impeachment: President not obliged to seek response from CJ  A-G

Ghana, Czech take leap forward - Pledge stronger ties

Joshua Bediako Koomson Apr - 10 - 2025 , 09:57 3 minutes read

President John Mahama has called for deeper collaboration between Ghana and the Czech Republic to spur economic growth and improve the lives of the people.

He mentioned machinery, assembling of automotive components, advanced agro-processing technologies and the establishment of integrated supply chains as some of the sectors the two countries could partner to enhance value addition to benefit both economies.

The President said this when the Czech Republic, with its remarkable industrial heritage, technological expertise and spirit of innovation, joined hands with Ghana, which abounds in natural resources, coupled with its strategic location and dynamic young population, the two countries would benefit significantly.

Citing figures from the UN Country Database on international trade, President Mahama said that exports from the Czech Republic to Ghana reached $20.82 million in 2023, while Ghanas exports to the Czech Republic stood at approximately $1.12 billion.

This trade imbalance, rather than being a cause for concern, should represent a compelling opportunity for growth, diversification and mutual advancement, he said.

President Mahama was speaking at a Ghana-Czech Business Cooperation Seminar in Accra yesterday.

Present at the event was the President of the Czech Republic, Petr Pavel, who is on a three-day state visit to the country.

Also in attendance were some private sector players, government officials, and development partners from both countries who are exploring ways to strengthen bilateral trade and investment.

Economy

President Mahama said Ghanas GDP growth rate was projected at 4.2 per cent for 2025, adding that it was evidence of the countrys economic resilience and the sound policy direction of the government.

He said this, coupled with the countrys strategic position as a gateway to West Africa and host of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, further made Ghana an ideal partner for Czech businesses seeking access to the vast and growing African market of 1.3 billion consumers.

The President also said that Ghana was positioning itself as a manufacturing hub of West Africa, particularly in automobile assembling and agro-processing.

And with the country undergoing rapid digital transformation, including the recent repeal of the e-levy on electronic transactions, he said there was a role for Czech FinTech companies, cybersecurity experts and digital infrastructure developers in bridging Ghanas digital divide and promoting financial inclusion.

President Mahama further welcomed strategic partnerships with Czech companies to expand Ghanas healthcare infrastructure, enhance medical training programmes and develop the countrys pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity.

Additionally, he said sectors such as hospitality, sanitation and Ghanas burgeoning real estate market also presented immediate opportunities for Czech businesses to invest in.

Commitment

President Petr Pavel emphasised his commitment to partner President Mahama to facilitate efforts at investing in sectors ranging from food processing to satellite technology.

He said Ghanas exemplary democratic standards, vibrant civil society, robust economy, abundant natural resources and favourable agricultural conditions made the country a natural partner to the Czech Republic.

President Pavel further said that Ghanas consistent internal stability and its role in fostering regional peace and contribution to global stability in an increasingly unpredictable world made the country conducive for investment.

In these turbulent times, our shared values of partnership and friendship are more crucial than ever.

I encourage you all to transform goodwill into tangible results, and be rest assured, we stand ready to support you in achieving these outcomes, he added.
Next article: Gold Board to begin operations next month - Seeks collaboration with Gold Coast Refinery

Government to invest over GH2 Billion in healthcare infrastructure by 2028

Mohammed Ali Apr - 10 - 2025 , 12:10 3 minutes read

The government will invest over GH2 billion in healthcare infrastructure across the country by 2028, with GH200 million earmarked for projects in the 2025 financial year.

Part of this allocation will go towards the construction of a new medical training facility at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi.

Deputy Minister for Finance, Mr Thomas Nyarko Ampem, announced the plan at the launch of the 50th anniversary celebrations of the School of Medical Sciences (SMS) at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi.

According to Mr Ampem, the proposed four-storey building at KATH will include lecture halls, laboratories, simulation rooms, and a medical library.

The facility is intended to support medical education and research in the Ashanti Region and improve the training of future health professionals.

The Ministry of Finance, working with other stakeholders, is looking to provide the kind of healthcare infrastructure that responds to the changing needs of the population, Mr Ampem said.

The investment forms part of a broader government plan to enhance medical training and address long-standing infrastructure challenges in the health sector.

Mr Ampem noted that while Ghana has made progress in the doctor-to-population ratiofrom one doctor per 20,460 people in 1989 to one doctor per 5,000 people in 2021more work remains to be done.

He cited several completed projects as evidence of the government's ongoing efforts to improve access to healthcare. These include the 120-bed Adansi North District Hospital at Fomena, the Sekyere Kumawu District Hospital in the Ashanti Region, and the Urology and Nephrology Centre at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra.

Mr Ampem also stated that the government intends to complete the remaining projects under the Agenda 111 initiative, which aims to expand healthcare access through the provision of district hospitals and related facilities across the country.

These investments are not just about putting up buildings. Theyre about creating the right space for training, for research, and for building a health workforce that can meet the demands of a growing population, he said.

He called for support from the private sector, alumni of KNUST, and charitable institutions to contribute to strengthening medical training in the country.

Speaking as an old student of KNUST, Mr Ampem emphasised the importance of collective effort in achieving long-term progress.

As an alumnus, I understand the value of working together. Whether through funding or advice, everyone has a part to play in shaping the future of healthcare in Ghana, he said.

The upcoming training centre at KATH is expected to support the work of the School of Medical Sciences, which has played a leading role in medical education and training in Ghana since its establishment 50 years ago.
Government to reinstate wrongfully dismissed public sector workers  Minister

Mohammed Ali Apr - 10 - 2025 , 13:21 2 minutes read

The government is taking steps to reinstate public sector workers who were wrongfully laid off during the transition period following the change in administration, the Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, has said.

In an interview on Joy FM on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, Mr Pelpuo revealed that a special committee has been established to investigate the circumstances surrounding the dismissal of these employees.

The committee, co-chaired by the Employment Minister and a Deputy Chief of Staff, Nana Oye Bampoe, is currently reviewing the cases of 12,000 workers who were hired shortly before the change in government.

Dr Pelpuo explained that the investigation is aimed to verify the legitimacy of their appointments and ensure that those who were properly employed through the correct channels are reinstated without delay.

We are determined to make sure that no one who was legitimately employed through the correct public service procedures is unfairly removed from their position, Mr Pelpuo said.

We are working diligently to resolve this issue within the next week. This process is aimed at bringing clarity and fairness to those affected.

Mr Pelpuo also noted that some of the dismissals were due to irregularities, such as false documents and improper hiring practices.

He stressed that the government is committed to upholding fairness and transparency while addressing these issues.

The investigation will seek to identify those who were wrongly dismissed and those whose employment did not comply with established procedures.

We understand the impact this situation has on workers, particularly those who have been in service for a long time, Mr Pelpuo said.

The President has instructed that we thoroughly investigate these cases, and we will ensure the process is fair and impartial.

The Minister reaffirmed the governments efforts to improve employment practices in the public sector, adding that the welfare of Ghanaian workers remains a priority.
Next article: Govt in talks with ADB, NIB and Ecobank to clear debts owed to contractors

Health Minister raises alarm of over 66% of Ghanaian health workers considering jobs abroad

Mohammed Ali Apr - 10 - 2025 , 10:52 2 minutes read

Ghanas Minister for Health, Mr Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has disclosed that over two-thirds of the countrys trained health professionals are actively considering leaving the country, a development he described as deeply concerning.

Mr Akandoh made the remarks on 9 April 2025 during a National Policy Dialogue held in Accra, organised by the Ministry of Health in partnership with the World Health Organization.

The two-day forum was themed Transforming Ghanas Health Workforce for UHC: Align, Invest, and Sustain.

Over 66 percent of our health workers have expressed intentions to migrate, Mr Akandoh said.

If this is not addressed urgently, it could undermine our entire effort to provide equitable healthcare across the country.

According to him, economic factors and limited employment opportunities are the major reasons behind the growing interest in migration.

While the government has scaled up training of health professionals in recent years, poor working conditions, underemployment, and the absence of long-term incentives continue to drive many to seek better prospects abroad.

Mr Akandoh urged all stakeholders to reassess current workforce policies and adopt practical strategies that would improve retention.

We must be bold and rethink our approach to workforce planning, he said.

We cannot achieve our health goals if we continue to lose trained personnel to other countries.

In his welcome address, Chief Director at the Ministry of Health, Alhaji Hafiz Adam, acknowledged that while the country has seen growth in its public health workforce, the challenge lies in retaining staff and ensuring equitable distribution.

The public sector workforce density has increased from 16.56 to 41.92 per 10,000 people over the past two decades, he said.

But urban-rural imbalances and the threat of migration remain pressing concerns.

The meeting brought together senior officials from relevant ministries, private and quasi-government health institutions, professional associations, and development partners.

Discussions focused on how to improve health worker welfare, address imbalances in deployment, and create durable funding mechanisms to support human resources in health.

The Ministry of Health said outcomes from the dialogue will inform policy measures aimed at strengthening Ghanas capacity to meet its Universal Health Coverage targets.
Next article: Richard Boadi confirmed as Kumasi Mayor, tasked with decongestion and market reform

Previous article: No opposition MP was harassed by the state security agencies during our time -Ntim Fordjour

IGP leads team to Bawku after violent clash leaves one dead, others hurt

Jemima Okang Addae Apr - 10 - 2025 , 16:24 2 minutes read

The Inspector-General of Police, Dr Christian Tetteh Yohuno, has led a team comprising officers from operations, investigations, and intelligence units to Bawku in the Upper East Region to assess the security situation in the area.

According to a statement issued by the Ghana Police Service on April 10, 2025, the visit follows a violent confrontation between some local youth and the police, which resulted in the death of one individual, Fuseini Iddrisu, and left five others injured.

The injured include a police officer and an immigration officer, all of whom are currently receiving medical treatment.

The statement added that calm was restored to the area on April 9, through the joint efforts of the Police Service and the Ghana Armed Forces.

The police further disclosed that some of their properties were destroyed during the unrest.

These included two police vehicles, a rented police accommodation in Binduri, and the private residences of some police officers.

The Police Service reassured the public that security has since been heightened in Bawku and its surrounding areas, with joint Police and Military patrols actively ongoing.

While at Bawku, the IGP and his team will also commiserate with the deceased family, visit the injured persons on admission and reach out to officers who lost their properties as a result of the violence, the statement said.

The police reaffirmed their commitment to working collaboratively with the Ghana Armed Forces, traditional leaders, opinion leaders, and all relevant stakeholders to maintain peace, security, and order in Bawku.

Read the statement below
No opposition MP was harassed by the state security agencies during our time -Ntim Fordjour

Jemima Okang Addae Apr - 10 - 2025 , 16:30 2 minutes read

The former Deputy Minister for Education, Rev John Ntim Fordjour, has claimed that under the eight-year leadership of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, no opposition Member of Parliament (MP) was ever harassed by state security agencies for demanding investigations in the course of parliamentary oversight.

His statement follows an incident on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, where operatives from the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) reportedly stormed his residence in an attempt to arrest him.

The alleged attempt to arrest Rev Fordjour came after he raised concerns about two suspicious flights that landed at Kotoka International Airport under circumstances he believes point to possible drug trafficking and money laundering.

Rev Fordjour emphasised that during President Akufo-Addos tenure, even the harshest criticisms and calls for inquiries from opposition MPs were handled with tolerance and without intimidation.

"The level of intolerance demonstrated by President Mahama in his reaction to a press statement of the Minority Cause simply demanding probes into various matters of urgent and serious public interest, is unprecedented and a major setback in our democratic pursuit," he asserted.

He further claimed that the NIB officers entered his home without presenting a warrant, alleging that their actions were politically motivated and sanctioned by the current administration to intimidate him for raising legitimate concerns on behalf of the Minority Caucus.

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Next article: Government to reinstate wrongfully dismissed public sector workers  Minister

Previous article: Richard Boadi confirmed as Kumasi Mayor, tasked with decongestion and market reform

PURC boss pledges improved utility services on courtesy visit to Ashanti Regional Minister

Kester Aburam Korankye Apr - 10 - 2025 , 13:38 2 minutes read

The Executive Secretary of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), Dr Shafic Suleman, last week paid a courtesy call on the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene, as part of his official working tour of the region.

The meeting aimed to strengthen institutional collaboration and address critical challenges in water and electricity service delivery.

Dr Suleman expressed gratitude for the warm reception and congratulated the Minister on his appointment.

He highlighted PURCs commitment to proactive stakeholder engagement, identifying service bottlenecks, and implementing solutions. A key initiative includes the launch of a virtual stakeholder platform for real-time resolution of customer concerns.

Our approach emphasises stakeholder management to enhance utility services and consumer satisfaction, Dr Suleman said.

Dr Amoakohene welcomed the initiative and pledged full support for PURCs activities in the region.

Concerns

He raised concerns over poor communication from utility providers during outages, high tariffs, expensive prepaid meters, and limited access to potable water in rural areas.

He urged the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and other providers to adopt more transparent and responsive communication strategies.

The Minister endorsed Dr Sulemans proposal for a dedicated WhatsApp platform to facilitate real-time problem-solving among key stakeholders.

He reiterated his offices openness to continuous engagement, stressing that transparency and public involvement would reduce consumer dissatisfaction.

Dr Suleman assured that the concerns raised would inform PURCs regional strategy, emphasising Ashantis priority status for the Commission.

Delegation

Dr Suleman was accompanied by Alhaji Jabaru Abukari (Director, Regional Operations and Consumer Services), Dr Eric Obutey (Director, Research and Corporate Affairs), Leon Acquaye (Deputy Director, Southern Zone), Dr Robert Tia Abdulai Aziz (Head of Corporate Affairs), Peter Agbemefor (Assistant Finance Manager), and Godfred Ennin (Secretary to the Executive Secretary).

The Ashanti PURC team, led by Regional Manager Edward Boduah, also attended to support the Executive Secretarys regional tour.
Ukraine thanks Ghana for support

GraphicOnline Apr - 10 - 2025 , 13:01 2 minutes read

Ukraine has expressed deep appreciation to Ghana for its consistent support at the international level, particularly in backing United Nations resolutions condemning Russias invasion of the Eastern European country.

This came to light during a recent phone conversation between Andriy Yermak, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, and Prosper Douglas Kweku Bani, National Security Advisor to the President of Ghana.

The discussion was also joined by the Deputy Head of the Ukrainian Presidential Office, Ihor Brusylo. The details of the discussion was published on Ukraine's Presidential website.

Mr Yermak conveyed Ukraines gratitude to Ghana, stating: "We aim to strengthen cooperation between Ukraine and Ghana. Ghana is one of Ukraine's most important and promising partners in West Africa. I believe that the recent opening of the Ukrainian Embassy in Ghana will facilitate further cooperation."

He reaffirmed Ukraines commitment to achieving a just and lasting peace, but stressed that Russia was doing all it could to drag the conflict on. Citing a recent attack, he said: "Russia is doing everything to prolong the war even further."

He described a recent Russian missile strike on Kryvyi Rih, which claimed 20 livesincluding nine childrenas further evidence of Russias disregard for civilian life.

Beyond the security and humanitarian dimensions, the two officials discussed deepening bilateral ties across a number of strategic sectors. These include agriculture, food security, digital transformation, transport and education.

Ukraine, Mr Yermak noted, continues to play a key role in stabilising global food supply chains through its Grain from Ukraine humanitarian initiative.

The phone conversation also ended with an agreement to intensify practical cooperation between the two countries in the near future, with both sides pledging to translate goodwill into tangible partnerships.

The call follows a series of diplomatic efforts by Ukraine to strengthen relations with African nations and gain wider support for its peace agenda and post-war recovery efforts.
Next article: NACOC, Airports company refute allegations of illegal substances at KIA

Bawumia accuses government of using state institutions to 'harass opponents'

Graphic.com.gh Politics Apr - 10 - 2025 , 10:33 1 minute read

Former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has accused the government of using state security agencies to harass political opponents.

In a Facebook post on Wednesday, April 10, Dr Bawumia said he visited the MP after the incident and found him in high spirits and undaunted.

He urged members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to remain calm and law-abiding during this challenging time.

I wish to reiterate my earlier submission to the President, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, to rein in his security operatives immediately, he wrote.

State institutions must not be reduced to political tools used to harass and intimidate opponents. Ghanaians will not accept this descent into lawlessness and fear. Our democracy relies on due process and the rule of law.

Mr Bawumia's visit comes after NIB officials attempted to arrest Rev. Fordjour at his residence on Wednesday, April 9.

Some party executives who rushed to the residence of the MP claimed that the operatives did not present a warrant or formal charges, which led to intervention by several MPs.

The attempted arrest is tied to recent claims made by Rev. Fordjour regarding two suspicious flights that landed at Kotoka International Airport allegedly carrying drugs and cash.

Government spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu has dismissed these allegations as unfounded.
New Chinese flagships at the end of the year to have at least 7,000 mAh batteries

Batteries with silicon in them have appeared over the past few months in almost all Chinese flagship smartphones, and the new tech has enabled a much higher density compared to traditional Li-Ion batteries, which means we're currently in the middle of an arms race for cramming as many mAh into a cell as possible without making devices overly thick.

This will continue throughout this year, according to a new rumor from China. And, towards the end of the year, when Chinese companies release their next-generation flagships, those powered by the upcoming MediaTek Dimensity 9500 and the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite 2, the baseline battery capacity for a top of the line device will become 7,000 mAh.

vivo X200 Pro

That's 1,000 mAh more than the baseline was last year at around 6,000 mAh, and of course it's a very welcome bit of news in our book. Furthermore, some flagships will actually go up to 7,500 mAh, while mid-rangers will even reach 8,000 mAh - Honor may in fact be launching a phone with such a huge battery in less than a week.

Anyway, back to the late 2025 Chinese flagships: all of them are expected to be able to do 100W wired charging with those 7,000-7,500 mAh batteries, as well as 50W to 80W wireless charging. All of this amounts to the revolution in longevity that we've all been anxiously expecting, and so battery life has the potential to stop being an issue for everyone, including the most demanding users.

That is, of course, if you buy Chinese flagship smartphones or mid-rangers. Samsung, Apple, and Google seem to have completely missed the silicon battery train, at least for now.

Source (in Chinese)
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Google released the first beta of Android 16 ahead of its usual schedule in January, as this version of the OS will come out by the end of June, unlike its predecessors that all arrived in August or September or October.

Today OnePlus is releasing the second beta of Android 16 for the OnePlus 13. The build is only intended for advanced users and developers. Thus, it's not recommended if you have little or no experience with software development and are unfamiliar with flashing custom ROMs. It's also not recommended to do this on your primary device, as things could break.

There are a bunch of known issues, further underscoring the fact that this is an early development build. There is also a very real risk of bricking your phone, so if you still want to proceed, make sure you read the instructions at the Source linked below very carefully.

OnePlus 13

The build is not compatible with T-Mobile or Verizon carrier devices, and you do need at least 4GB of storage and 30% battery life left to proceed. The installation guide is linked at the Source below.

It's good to see that OnePlus is moving along with development of Android 16 for its flagship smartphone, hopefully this means we'll get a timely release once Google finalizes the new OS version. In the meantime, you can read our in-depth review of the OnePlus 13 to familiarize yourself with the device if you don't have it, or watch our video review above.

Source
Last year, Samsung posted an impressive tenfold increase in profit for the first quarter of the year on the back of strong Galaxy S24 sales, as well as favorable prices of memory semiconductors. The Q1 report for this year isnt ready yet, but the company just posted earnings guidance.

Estimates based on K-IFRS show that Samsung is looking at higher consolidated sales of around KRW 79 trillion (up from KRW 72 trillion in Q1 2024), but the operating profit stays the same as last year at KRW 6.6 trillion.

Samsung notes that K-IFRS requires specific numbers to be reported, but the press release also offers a range for consolidated sales, KRW 78-80 trillion, and operating profit, KRW 6.5-6.7 trillion. We will get the actual numbers soon, probably at the end of the month.

Here is how the first quarter of 2025 compares to the previous quarter and Q1 of 2024.

Consolidated figures based on K-IFRS (in trillion won) 2025 Q1 (guidance) 2024 Q4 2024 Q1 Sales 79 75.79 71.92 Operating profit 6.6 6.49 6.61

Source
Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold7 is coming this year, most likely in July. We've already heard that it would launch with Android 16 and One UI 8.0 on board, something made possible by the fact that Google moved up the new Android version's release timeframe to sometime in Q2 (April to June).

Today a new rumor claims to give us some more important details about what to expect from Samsung's next internationally-available book-style foldable. It will unsurprisingly be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy SoC just like the Galaxy S25 line.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 in leaked CAD-based image

It will also allegedly come with an improved under-display selfie camera, a "stronger display with new layers", whatever that means, improved water and dust resistance, a smaller crease, a bigger vapor chamber, and even upgraded speakers and a better vibration motor than its predecessor's.

But wait, there's more! The device is said to also be thinner, at 4.5mm unfolded, and sport bigger displays: 8" inner, 6.5" outer. Finally, it should get a 200 MP main camera, possibly the same one used by the Galaxy S25 Ultra.

That's quite a list of upgrades for a model line that hasn't seen a lot of them in recent years, so while it's not necessarily breaking any new ground, the Fold7 has the potential to put Samsung back on the foldable map when you compare this device to its Chinese competitors. That is, of course, if all of this pans out.

Source | Image source
(Editors note: This is the last of a three-part series about the new United Airlines direct service between Guam and Taipei.)

Thinking about hopping on a flight to Taipei? Theres lots to do.

United Airlines earlier this month launched twice-weekly direct flight service between Guam and Taipei, Taiwan, with fares starting at just $481 through next March.

The Pacific Daily News got a chance to scour the city and find the best spots to visit, courtesy of United Airlines and the Guam Visitors Bureau.

Its not an exhaustive list, but heres the Top 10 things to do in Taipei, in no particular order.

Get lost in a night market

Taiwanese people take their night markets seriously, and you can find anything from the most succulent street food to affordable clothing and goods, jewelry, and carnival games in any of the many night markets around Taipei.

Two of the most popular for international visitors are the Raohe and Shilin Night Markets.

Raohe is closer to the center of the city, and contains dozens of food options, most for just a few bucks all packed tight down one side street.

If you go to Raohe, grab a baked pork pepper bun, at the orange stall right by the entrance.

Shilin is on the north end of Taipei, and has a reputation for being one of the biggest night markets in the city. Theres more shopping, and more of everything at Shilin, but its easy to get turned around in the sprawling market.

In Shilin, drop by Hot-Star Large Fried Chicken, located under the main market sign, and grab a jumbo chicken cutlet.

Oldest street in Taipei

Considered the oldest street in Taipei, and located in the citys oldest district, the historic Dihua Street is lined with storefronts and old commercial buildings that date all back to the streets construction in the mid-1800s.

Dihuas close proximity to the river once made it an important trading center for fabrics, spices, rice, tea, dried goods and various ingredients for traditional Chinese medicineall of which are still readily available at the various old-school shops along Dihua. Locals flock there to pick up goods ahead of major holidays and festivals.

The charm of Dihua Street has also attracted newer, upscale shops, like London-born fragrance company Jo Malone and MAC Cosmetics, which opened up shop earlier this year in a building built in 1898.

Dihua is a great spot to grab a bite to eat, or pick traditional Taiwanese goods and memorabilia. If you visit at night, take a walk at the Dadaocheng Pier Plaza nearby, and eat dinner along the Tamsui River, which cuts through the heart of Taipei.

Stand atop Taipei 101

The jewel of Taipei and visible from across the cityscape, Taipei 101 is so-named for its 101 stories, which tower over every other skyscraper around.

Upon completion in 2004, Taipei 101 held the distinction of being the tallest building in the world. It held that record until 2010, when it was surpassed by the 162-storey Burj Khalifa in Dubai.

Visitors can get tickets ahead of time for the 89th floor observation deck, which hosts stunning views of Taipei, ideal spots for selfies and photos, and even a cafe and souvenir shop. Expect about a 20-minute wait in line just to get on the elevator.

On the 91st floor, you can get a birds eye view of the city with the wind in your hairon days when it isnt raining. Theres also a fully-visible, 660-ton wind-damper, a solid ball of stainless steel that stabilizes the skyscraper during earthquakes and high winds.

Taipei 101 is also a launching point for a major New Years Eve fireworks show each year. You can watch the display from the observation deck. However, youll probably have to book tickets more than a year in advance to grab a seat.

Visit National Palace Museum

Taipeis National Palace Museum hosts an unmatched collection of artifacts and artwork from mainland China, with treasures dating back to about 8,000 years ago.

Works of finest porcelain, bronze, jade and ivory are on display, along with artwork from the Ming and Qing Dynasty.

The museum rotates its nearly 700,000-artifact collection about every six months.

Notable artifacts include a prized solid-jade cabbage, and a Ming Dynasty porcelain cup depicting a rooster. A similar type of cup sold at an auction for $36 million in 2014.

Most of the artifacts were brought to Taiwan after the Chinese Civil War, when the government of the Republic of China relocated to Taiwan. About 3,400 boxes were brought from the Beijing Palace Museum and other areas of China.

Those treasures remained stored in a system of mountain tunnels in Taichung City, until the National Palace Museum opened in Taipei in 1965.

Go shopping in Xinyi

If youre the type to shop until you drop while on vacation and are looking for familiar mid-range and upscale items, check out the Xinyi Shopping District, located in the center of Taipei.

Xinyi is Taipeis financial center during working hours, but is also chock-full of malls and department stores with everything from H&M, Uniqlo, and Adidas to Saint Laurent, Balenciaga, and Patek Philippe on offer.

Discerning shoppers will find certain items for far cheaper than what youd see stateside, as well as special editions that are hard to come by in the U.S. If you bring your passport, many stores offer tax-free shopping.

At night, Xinyis plazas come alive with musicians and other street performers, and there are more than enough clubs, bars, and karaoke joints to keep you occupied.

Try the Maokong Gondola

If youre looking for a relaxing date or a fun excursion with the family, take a ride on the Maokong Gondola, which scales the Zhishan Mountain on the southeast edge of Taipei.

All-day passes go for about $10 USD and let you ride up and down the mountainside until 9 p.m. on weekdays and 10 p.m. on the weekends.

For about a buck more, you can ride in the crystal cabin with its see-through floor, though expect to wait longer in line for this.

Maokong offers great views of the city and surrounding jungle, and the mountain itself is hotspot for growing tea leaves. A number of walkways, eateries and award-winning tea shops dot the mountainside.

There are also a number of Daoist temples tucked away in the brush, but locals say that couples should beware of the Zhinan Templethe temple god is known for breaking up lovers.

When you find your way back down to the bottom of the mountain, the Taipei Zoo is just a few minutes away. Check out the giant panda!

Visit Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall

Dedicated to former Taiwan President Chiang Kai-Shek, this memorial hall and its iconic blue and white, marble and tile details are a beauty of traditional Chinese-style architecture.

Construction of the Memorial Hall started in 1976, about a year after the death of its namesake, Chiang, who led the Republic of China, from 1928 until he died. Also a general, Chiang fought the Japanese Imperial Army in its extended war with China. He led the relocation of the government of the Republic of China from the Chinese mainland to Taiwan.

The memorial hall hosts a larger-than-life statue of Chiang, a recreation of his old office, and a museum documenting the former presidents life and career, and the history of Taiwan.

It also sits on top of Taipeis scenic Liberty Square, a prominent public gathering space, which hosts both the Taiwan National Theater Hall and National Concert Hall.

Chiangs legacy, and as a result of the memorial hall, has been a point of controversy in Taiwan. The hall was briefly renamed in the early 2000s, and there have been calls to demolish or rededicate the hall in recent years.

Day trip to Wulai

About an hours drive outside Taipei is the Wulai scenic area, with its winding roads, staggering mountain vistas and abundant waterfalls.

In Wulai, you can visit and learn more about the Tranan Tribe, one of the 16 indigenous tribes of Taiwan that have lived mostly in the mountainside since the Dutch colonization of the island in the 1600s. About 600,000 members of these indigenous tribes still live in Taiwan today.

Tribes like the Tranan are Austronesian peoples, who are believed to have spread out from Taiwan about 5,000 years ago and became the ancestors of groups around the Pacific, including Filipinos and CHamorus.

If youre more in the mood for a getaway, theres also a number of hot spring resorts dotting the mountainside in Wulai. The natural mountainside hot springs were developed during Taiwans Japanese imperial period.

The simplest and cheapest way to get to Wulai from Taipei is through the municipal bus system.

Soup bun, hot pot

If youre more in the mood for full service dining, Taipei offers endless options.

The most famous eatery for travelers is probably Din Tai Fung, the international chain born in Taipei and known for its soup dumplings, or xiao long bao. Some of the locations in Hong Kong and elsewhere hold Michelin stars.

There are several Din Tai Fung locations in the city, though the original one now only does takeout, and is more of a visitor experience.

Two other must-try dishes include Taiwanese beef noodle soup, said to be the national dish of Taiwan, and hot pot. Numerous restaurants around the city specialize in both options.

Get yourself a check up

While youre running around, eating good food and having a good time, you might as well get yourself a checkup at one of Taiwans top-notch hospitals.

Taiwans government boasts the quality of its health care, which comes at reasonable prices.

There are several hospitals in Taipei that accept Guam insurance carriers.

Taiwan Adventist Hospital accepts all four major Guam carriers, as well as Tricare, and caters to international travelers who want to stop by to take advantage of their services.

Read more about it here.
A former Guam Housing and Urban Renewal Authority attorney has been ordered to pay $735,372 for allegedly filing 25 false claims for Section 8 rental payments over a decade ago, according to federal documents.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Developments Office of Hearings and Appeals, in a Nov. 15 order, assessed the maximum fine against former GHURA attorney and Section 8 landlord Mark Smith.

Smith in 2022 was acquitted of wire fraud and money laundering convictions related to the Section 8 federal housing program payments, and his attorneys asserted he never committed a crime.

On Thursday, Smith, through attorney Curtis Van de Veld, filed a petition for judicial review in the District Court of Guam, seeking to overturn the $735,372 fine from the federal government.

The petition asserts the orders were unlawfully withheld and unreasonably delayed, and violated Smiths rights under the law.

Prosecutors in 2017 accused Smith of transferring his rental properties to a friend, Glenn Wong, who allegedly remitted the Section 8 rental payments to Smith through bank transfers and other means.

The activity dated back to Smiths tenure as GHURA legal counsel between 2011 and 2013.

Federal Judge Ramona Manglona in 2022 acquitted Smith of all 34 charges brought against him and in August granted Smiths request to acquit him of all his charges.

But HUD brought a separate civil complaint against Smith back in 2017, under the federal Program Fraud Civil Remedies Act.

That civil claim was put on hold pending criminal actions against Smith, and came alive after the criminal case concluded, according to the Nov. 15 order from HUD.

The order points to details around the 25 false claims made by Smith as undisputed material facts.

Smith does dispute those facts, according to the order.

According to the order, Smith received a total of $266,436 worth of Section 8 housing payments from GHURA while also working as legal counsel for the agency between 2011 and 2013.

Smith was a Section 8 landlord owning 13 properties when he applied for the position as GHURA legal counsel in 2011, the order states. He did not disclose that at the time of application.

After it became known to GHURA management that Smith was a Section 8 landlord, Smith did not seek a waiver of a conflict of interest from HUD, despite being told to do so by GHURA more than once, the order states.

Smith did not seek a waiver from HUD until April 2013. He resigned about a month after submitting it, it states.

Instead of seeking a waiver in 2011, he transferred interests in the properties he owned to Wong, a close friend, and operated the apartments on Smiths behalf, the order states.

Section 8 payments were deposited by Wong into a bank account that Smith had access to, according to the order.

Through these arrangements, Respondent retained an undisclosed security interest in the rental properties, financial interest in the HAP contracts and HAP payments, and had direct access to the bank account where GHURA deposited Mr. Wongs HAP payments. Respondents law firm continued to manage the properties as it did before they were transferred, even though there is no record of the firm receiving compensation for doing so from Mr. Wong, it states.

According to the order, Mr. Wongs physical address as a landlord in GHURAs system was the address for Respondents law office, and tenants continued to pay their portion of the rent at Respondents law office without ever interacting with Mr. Wong. Mr. Wongs email address in GHURAs system was also the email address of Respondents legal secretary.

Smith was assessed a $532,872 payment, which is twice the amount of money he allegedly received for the 25 claims, and civil penalties totaling $202,500, according to the order.

It states Smith continues to practice law and acts as a landlord.

An appeal Smith filed with HUD in February was rejected.

Smiths Thursday petition states the orders were arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, and otherwise not in accordance with law.

They were contrary to constitutional rights, in excess of statutory jurisdiction, authority, and limitations, and short of statutory rights. The orders were without observance of procedure required by law. They were unsupported by substantial evidence and unwarranted by the facts, Smiths petition states.

It asserts that the decisions were based on whether Smith was a covered individual who was required by law to disclose any interests to HUD. Those regulations were unconstitutionally vague, the petition states.

The orders did not present adequate factual support, it adds.
A piece of property at the Jose D. Leon Guerrero Commercial Port that parties say is key for berthing Navy aircraft carriers and the flow of 90% of goods to Guam is now mired in a court battle as Port management moves to evict a longtime tenant.

Superior Court of Guam Magistrate Judge Sean Brown has already ordered longtime Port tenant Guam Industrial Services, which does business as Guam Shipyard, to vacate the Ports 20,000 square ft. Hotel Wharf and other properties by May 1.

Guam Shipyard, which provides ship repair and other services to the Navy, among other clients, is appealing Browns rulings to the Supreme Court of Guam, court documents show.

Filings from Port Authority of Guam legal counsel James Canto assert that Guam Shipyard is unlawfully occupying Hotel Wharf, which the Port wants to lease to Black Construction for work on the Glass Breakwater.

The Glass Breakwater is a critical piece of infrastructure that protects commercial and military ships from powerful waves while in Apra Harbor.

It was damaged by Typhoon Mawar, and Black Constructions parent company has bagged a major $571 million contract to fix the structure.

But attorneys for Guam Shipyard contend that the Port is using the eviction to shortcut complex issues over the lease of Hotel Wharf that must be resolved in a lawsuit, including thousands of dollars worth of advanced lease payments from the company, according to court documents.

Additionally, Guam Shipyard has been contracted by the Port to demolish and remove floating cranes, and by the Navy to construct heavy equipment used to dock aircraft carriers, Guam Shipyard compliance administrator Selina Ashland states in a signed declaration.

Both those projects require staging of heavy equipment, metal, and concrete that can only be done at Hotel Wharf, Ashlands declaration states.

Guam Shipyard has been extending month-to-month the lease for Hotel Wharf since 2017, according to the complaint filed by Canto.

According to Ashlands declaration, the company has been there since 2016.

Initial lease term

A copy of a May 2017 lease attached to the Ports complaint shows that Guam Shipyard only secured an initial lease term of 120 days. The document is signed by former Port general manager Joanne Brown and Ashland.

After that 120-day period, Guam Shipyard remained at Hotel Wharf on a month-to-month basis, under the old lease terms, the complaint states.

Beginning around April 2023, the company expanded into an extra 20,000 square feet of space without the Ports permission and without a separate lease agreement, the complaint states.

Guam Shipyard still occupied about 2,371 square feet as of Feb. 12, it states.

According to the complaint, Guam Shipyard is behind on an unspecified amount of rent and committed other lease violations. The company was given a notice to quit this past December, and told to move out by Feb. 5.

It did not move out, according to the Ports complaint.

Making room for Black Construction

Meanwhile, the Port is moving to rent out Hotel Wharf to Black Construction for repairs to the Glass Breakwater.

(Guam Shipyards) occupation prevents Glass Breakwater from being repaired and reconstructed, the complaint states.

Without that repair, the Breakwater is projected to imminently fail and suffer multiple breaches that will altogether prevent any sizable marine vessel from entering, exiting and berthing, at either the Port or Naval Base Guam, it states.

Blocking the importation of goods could imperil the literal survival of the people of Guam, it states.

Guam Shipyard on Feb. 19 moved to dismiss the complaint, arguing the dispute needed to move to a standard lawsuit, not an eviction proceeding.

The magistrate judge has already declined to throw the case out, a decision Guam Shipyard is appealing to the Supreme Court of Guam.

By filing this action as an unlawful detainer, PAG is attempting to shortcut this litigation and exploit the unlawful detainer laws to the detriment of (Guam Shipyard), the motion to dismiss states.

The Port oversimplifies what is a complicated, convoluted, and disputed lease, it states.

The Ports complaint had failed to provide an amount of rent due for Hotel Wharf, or for any other space occupied, the motion to dismiss states.

The reason for this is simple. PAG likely does not know what these amounts are, it states, adding that if the Port did, it would show that Guam Shipyard has paid in excess of what it owed.

The amount of rent due is a key dispute in the case.

The 2017 lease agreement puts the monthly rent due at $10,710.

Guam Shipyards attorneys contend theyve been paying $11,760 per month since December 2017, along with another $499,426.35 for additional space, docking fees and interest, which they say entitles them to continue renting under Guam law.

Court documents show the Port has backed off a claim for past due rent, since the initial filing of the lawsuit.

The magistrate judge, Brown, rejected arguments over advanced rental payments in a March 11 decision and order.

The Port indicated that the rental amount was increased over 8 the years of the lease which contradicts the claim of excess rent, Brown found.

Despite arguments from Guam Shipyard about additional lease issues, the court was required to limit consideration to the complaint and attached documents, he found.

Brown ruled that the Port had properly noticed Guam Shipyard to vacate the premises.

Brown on Feb. 25 ordered Guam Shipyard to vacate Hotel Wharf by March 23, and an additional property, called the Dong Yang site, by April 1.

Guam Shipyard on March 20 filed a motion to stay the eviction, pending an appeal of Browns decision to the Supreme Court of Guam.

Ashland wrote in support of the stay that Guam Shipyard and Black Construction could both fit on the Hotel Wharf property, according to a declaration filed with the court.

She added that Guam Shipyard had a contract with the Navy to build a number of 400,000-pound camels or floating barges that are critical to stabilize aircraft carriers berthing on Guam.

If evicted, it would be impossible to transport them by roadway, she said.

Bigger hardship

Port legal counsel Canto opposed the stay, and stated that Black Construction needed more space than Ashland represented.

Disruption of the Glass Breakwater presented a bigger hardship, Canto stated. He said hardship would fall on the entire island of Guam due to not being able to receive 90% of its imported groceries and goods.

Minute entries from March 21 and March 27 indicate legal counsel for the Navy was asked for input on the matter, though an official position was still pending.

Brown did agree to extend the deadline for Guam Shipyard to vacate to May 1.

Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Marianas announced emergency repairs on the Glass Breakwater started ahead of schedule.

In-water construction is slated to begin this August, and completion is scheduled for July 2029.
Guam Memorial Hospital on Wednesday certified 10 nurses after completing a Trauma Nursing Core Course.

The new federally funded initiative is designed to enhance the trauma care capabilities of GMHs emergency room nurses, equipping them with the skills to handle critical, life-threatening cases such as car accidents and gunshot wounds with confidence.

Once we have our own instructors, which has already been established, we will then start to train other nurses that are interested, and we can help all of Micronesia, and not just Guam, said Dr. Kwasi Nyame, GMH administrator and board-certified neurosurgeon.

The Trauma Nursing Core Course provides nurses with comprehensive training to manage trauma patients efficiently, ultimately improving patient outcomes.

GMH ER nurses will gain tools to improve trauma patient management, aiming for better patient outcomes in the ER.

This training has been going on for the past two weeks now, Nyame said. This is the second week of the training, and the plan is to train instructors so that those instructors can then train other new nurses.

Nyame said GMH aims to ensure that every nurse on Guam is trauma-certified by the end of the year.

The program, backed by a federal Technical Assistance Program grant, aims to strengthen the islands health care workforce in response to an increasing demand for specialized trauma care.

While the program has been available for several years in the U.S. Naval Hospital in Agana Heights, this marks the first time the training is being done locally in the public hospital.

Nurses also had to travel off-island for such specialized training. The newly available program is expected to improve both nurse proficiency and patient outcomes, benefitting the hospitals staff and the community at large.

The TAP grant offers technical assistance to health care facilities across the U.S. and its territories. GMH secured nearly $100,000 to fund the program, following a successful grant application by nurse administrators and planning staff.

Sheryl De Guzman, the unit supervisor of GMHs ER, said the idea for the TNCC program came about after attending an Emergency Nurses Association conference in Florida in 2015.

It sparked a desire to bring back new trends, equipment, and skills that could benefit our community, she said.

She emphasized the need for constant readiness at GMH, especially with the high number of trauma cases the ER handles.

We are the only (public) hospital on Guam, and we dont turn anyone away. We take care of everyone who comes through our doors, she said. With this program, we wanted to ensure our nurses are fully prepared, especially when it comes to trauma patients. Its about giving them confidence, knowledge, and skills to manage these high-pressure situations.

Pascale Bartlett, a staff nurse in the ER and a former TNCC instructor, said the program represents more than just professional development; its a way to boost morale and retain talent at GMH.

Our nurses work incredibly hard, and programs like TNCC show them that we value their work, Bartlett said. It helps prevent burnout and gives them something to look forward to, something that keeps them engaged and growing in their careers.

The TNCC program at GMH was made possible through a grant written by nursing administrator Dr. Lizelle Concepcion, De Guzman said.

The course is open not only to GMH staff but to nurses across the region, including those in nearby islands such as Saipan and the Marshall Islands.

GMH nurses Pauline Perez and Adam Pangelinan, who recently completed the TNCC, said they are now poised to take on instructor roles, helping to raise trauma care standards across the island.

Its definitely a good opportunity, and we feel blessed to have this ability to spread this knowledge, Perez said. Its not just to the nurses at GMH, but nurses all over the island, just so we can maintain island-wide, the same competencies as the stateside.

As the TNCC training progresses, Perez and Pangelinan hope it will inspire further opportunities for professional growth.

Modern medicine and nursing is changing all the time. If we can get more training, it makes us more up to date, more competent, and ultimately, were providing the best care for our patients, Pangelinan said.
GTA chief financial officer Joseph Shinohara received a My Boss is a Patriot Award from the Guam-CNMI Committee of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve.

He truly exemplifies the spirit of patriotism and the kind of support that makes a lasting difference in the lives of those who serve in the National Guard and Reserves, according to Josephine Blas, a Guam-CNMI ESGR committee member and awards coordinator.

The ESGR is a Department of Defense office established in 1972 to promote cooperation and understanding between Reserve Component Service members and their civilian employers, and to assist in the resolution of conflicts arising from an employees military commitment.

One of the components of the program is to recognize leaders who go above and beyond in supporting employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve.

Shinohara was nominated by Capt. Zach Damian, GTA legal counsel and a JAG officer in the Guam Army National Guard.

Joes genuine support of my military service was made clear weeks before I joined GTA and has continued since. As a soldier, with GTAs strong support, I can stay mission focused when I put on the uniform. Joe and GTA are the standard bearers for employer support of military service, Damian said in a statement.

The award was presented on April 4 at the GTA Headquarters in Upper Tumon, with Guam-CNMI ESGR volunteers and GTA executives in attendance.

GTA president and CEO Roland Certeza said supporting the military community is more than a responsibilityits a privilege.

Joes recognition reflects our companys values and deep commitment to the people of Guam, Certeza said.

As a locally rooted company with nearly 500 employees, GTA said it remains dedicated to fostering a workplace that supports service members and their families, recognizing the vital role they play in our island community.

GTA also said it will continue to stand alongside those who serve Guam and the nationon the job and beyond.
Guams public libraries remain open and operations are on status quo  at least for now  despite federal funding cuts and the Trump White Houses dismantling of the Institute of Museum and Library Service, IMLS.

States and territories like Guam rely on IMLS to fund museums and libraries.

The Guam Public Library System is feeling the impact of federal budget cuts as IMLS begins dismantling its operations, based on discussions of the GPLS board during their Wednesday night meeting.

GPLS interim director Ann Taitague informed board members that IMLS had already received notice of the cuts, triggering the start of operations dismantling.

Board members agreed that unless an official notification states that funding is no longer available, they should continue to operate under the assumption that they still have financial support.

I think right now theyre just disseminating, theyre just terminating all their staff, Taitague said. Well continue on as if we still have the money.

But Taitague and other board members couldnt answer questions yet just how much in federal funds Guams library system would lose or already lost as a result of IMLSs dismantling and federal funding cuts, and how much the government of Guam would need to come up with to sustain the public libraries operations.

The cuts are expected to severely affect grants and partnerships that rely heavily on federal funding.

Taitague said their program holds the biggest portion of the funding, and one particular grant is vital to the librarys ongoing operations.

As the library works within the constraints of reduced federal support, another board member suggested reaching out to Creative West, an organization the Council collaborates with, to explore potential funding options.

Were hoping that Creative West can redirect some of that money to the agency, Nicole Nelson, board member, said. Im having a meeting with them tomorrow morning, and Ill ask if they can help the libraries in this scenario. Ill email you guys right away once I hear back.

The cuts are part of a larger federal effort from the Trump White House to reduce government agencies, and are threatening critical funding for library services, board members said.

Taitague said while the library has maintained steady communication with IMLS, the process of managing that relationship is now in flux.

We normally communicate with [Bolls] at all times, but I believe she has submitted her termination already or shes asked to submit her termination based on this, Taitague said. So if we have any questions or concerns, we now must go into the reach and communicate with whoever picks up on the other end, reaches the federal email contact, recording that now, and hope somebody contacts in or responds back to us based on our concerning question.

This shift comes amid federal actions to dismantle one of seven independent government agencies mentioned in a recent executive order.

Board member John J. Rivera, during the board meeting, pointed out the need to keep the IMLS logo on materials despite uncertainty about funding.

My personal opinion is, leave the logo on, Rivera said, referring to the use of IMLS logos on ongoing projects. If the eyes are looking at us, and they see that IMLS logo is there, and were still using it, maybe theyll give us a turnaround or something.

Despite the uncertain future, board members remain optimistic. They plan to consult with their oversight chair and continue their efforts to secure additional funding for the library system.

Weve already submitted our impact statement to our oversight chair, Taitague said, referencing the statement submitted months ago in anticipation of these cuts. We were asked to submit it when we saw the cuts coming down.
Although those working in Guams hospitality industry may not agree, Guams economy is a prosperous one, said Roseann M. Jones, PhD, professor of economics and dean of the School of Business and Public Administration at the University of Guam.

Many of the industry-standard indicators support that notion, but especially construction and development related to the military buildup, though Jones doesnt like that narrow description.

I like to call it the rise of the defense sector, because its not just the military, its all of the contractors and the related businesses that come with it, Jones told the Pacific Daily News in an interview.

Jones believes this broadening of a defense sector which embraces cybersecurity and advances opportunities for businesses and students to find good-paying jobs in the local economy  and many do  is helping Guam offset losses in tourism.

So I think all in all, theres going to be differences of individual realities, but I think were doing well, Jones said.

It does not take long to realize that when Jones answers ones questions, the only things missing are classmates.

And although its been some time since Jones was in the classroom regularly, she remains an educator for life.

This is why Jones can, in 51.5 minutes, deliver master classes on a variety of topics, including the state of Guams economy, workforce industry trends, how to understand economics through grocery store visits, the president and tariffs, and why, in life but especially in macroeconomics, the law of supply and demand will always rule.

Some key indicators for Guams prosperous economy are job growth, the prosperity of the islands businesses, stability of Guams households, a fairly low unemployment rate, affordability of the economy for people to live and thrive and the migration paths of those who contribute to Guam.

Gig economy

Theres also another industry to consider, one thats been around for a while but only recently has become a household name: the micro-business industry.

It includes the growing gig economy, which exploded from obscurity during the pandemic. It could be a cottage industry 2.0, upgraded to remove physical walls, with bug fixes throughout. The paid version includes updated customer lists at a tap or a swipe.

It also encompasses the side hustles, the ultra-niche industries, the commerce between those who want unconventional goods and services and those who provide them.

They find each other easily through vast networks and in just days time, an industrious person becomes an entrepreneur.

This contributes to Guams low unemployment rate (percentage of population looking for a job but cant find one) of 3.6% for this two-week period, said Jones, and it does not include the significant number of people  about 50,000  who are able to work, not working and not looking.

She said generally speaking, graduates from UOGs SBPA find employment quickly, another excellent gauge of a thriving economy.

Its an exciting time, she says, because while any community benefits by being home to a stable industry, a new generation has elbowed their way into commerce to declare that they too, belong.

She said a recent incident  the near-demise of TikTok on U.S. soil  caused such an uproar from the vast microbusiness industry that country leaders had to change their plans.

On a side note, she had to give a nod of respect and understanding to the current class of graduates.

While graduates normally do their capstone courses, and hold fancy-schmancy cocktail mixers to raise money and network with the business community, this cohort wanted carwash fundraisers. And a prom.

A prom?! thought Jones. Carwashes? Here in the parking lot? Thats so...high school.

It wasnt the ideal money making picture she had of a class ready to earn the big bucks, but then she realized:

This was the class that missed out on those events. They wont get another chance to make those high school memories, she said.

She said that she relented and allowed the cohort to do what they wanted.

Tariffs, high prices

The new president with his forceful orders and unpredictable directives, has created mass confusion with tariffs proposed earlier this week, Jones said.

He put most tariffs on pause on Wednesday, and he has created uncertainty, said Jones.

Shes resisted an urge to get swept up by the drama and observed from afar instead.

What she understands: The proposed tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump dont affect the cost of goods sourced from Asia  for now, said Jones.

As an unincorporated territory, Congress has allowed Guam to set its own tariffs, as it has for the CNMI and the U.S. Virgin Islands but not Puerto Rico.

I see it as a quiet opportunity, she said.

It could be a time to invest in Asia imports and U.S. exports.

And while Guam may not see the price increases tomorrow or even this week, Jones can assure you that yes, when tariff hikes come into play, price hikes are a-comin.

We will see higher prices here in Guam, even from the others that can come here with less of a tariff issue. Unfortunately, well see that theres a price point thats gotten elevated because of the dominance of U.S. products there, she said. Why undercut that? Lets go with that price because well get more of a profit.

She said the costs for some goods may follow the trend of Guams gas prices, which go up or down, but are always duplicated across all gas stations, all the time.

As for what would be a good indicator that there is less uncertainty and the economy is stabilizing, she said to look no further than island leaders.

If at the top we see our leaders calming down? That they got what they want, they have the deal. And now were on to something else, especially on this topic of trade and tariffs, and whos a friend and whos an enemy? I think when that all settles  and Im not sure it will settle for a while  but I think that that would be the indicator, she said.

Or, on the other hand, maybe it wont. Maybe we get so used to the drama and the uncertainty, that it doesnt faze us. Its just the world we live in.
The president and vice president of the National Conference of State Legislatures will be on Guam this week to meet with local lawmakers, according to a release from the Office of Speaker Frank Blas Jr.

Since 1975, the National Conference of State Legislatures has offered bipartisan policy research, training resources, and technical assistance to state and territorial legislatures, according to the release.

All 50 states, two commonwealths, and three territories are members.

We are looking forward to Mr. Wayne Harper, Pro Temp President of NCSL and Vice President Arturo Perez to Guam this month, the speaker said in a statement.

Besides sitting on the NCSL, Harper is a member of the Utah State Senate.

While they are on Guam, they will be meeting with key officials, including Vice Speaker Ada and myself. We look forward to collaborating with them across many areas of their expertise, Blas added.

Legislative Executive Director Joanne Camacho on Wednesday said the NCSL leadership would fly down to Guam on Thursday, after meeting with lawmakers from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Perez and Harper will meet with legislative leadership on Thursday, and then have a sit down with all 15 members of the Legislature on Friday, according to Camacho.

The NCSLs signature event, the NCSL Legislative Summit, offers members a variety of opportunities to connect and collaborate with one another, the release from Blas office stated.
After hearing businesswoman and mother Maelonie Lani Tamondongs rough journey of trying to integrate adult and preschool care services under one roof, Sen. Tina Muna Barnes introduced a bill seeking to allow on Guam whats known as intergenerational daycare centers.

Intergenerational daycare centers provide care for both children and older adults in the same location.

Muna Barnes on Thursday once again spoke before the Guam Womens Chamber of Commerce, sharing updates on her new Bill 95-38, and urged them to show up at the public hearing set for Thursday, April 17.

Tamondong, owner of the Giving Tree Early Learning Center and Helping Hands Adult Daycare, developed Guams first intergenerational daycare  a model that provides care for both manamko and children under one roof.

She faced major regulatory obstacles while trying to launch her innovative business model, a concept thats absent in existing government regulations.

Although the Department of Public Health and Social Services initially supported the idea, Tamondong was later told the agency had no regulations for such a facility and might have to deny her license or shut it down entirely.

After making substantial investments into the facility based on earlier approvals, Tamondong was required to make last-minute changes, including reinstalling walls that had previously been cleared.

The senator shared with Guam Womens Chamber of Commerce attendees on Thursday that she introduced her bill on March 20, just a week after GWCCs legislative breakfast where Tamondong shared her journey.

I want to say that I really listened from the heart. And I said, what a wonderful way to bring our maina, our elders, and our children together to collaborate. And this was, for me, a win, win, Muna Barnes said.

Muna Barnes Bill 95-38 is co-sponsored by Sens. Joe San Agustin, Vince Borja, and Vice Speaker Tony Ada.

The measure seeks to allow existing childcare facilities to operate as intergenerational daycare centers.

It seeks to provide a formal definition of intergenerational centers in Guam law and sets specific regulatory requirements for their operation. It mandates collaboration between licensed childcare providers and DPHSS.

Im humbly asking all the women in this room, please, if you can, write a testimony. If you can, write your letter of support. You know what? We need to hear. Your voices need to be heard, Muna Barnes said.

She thanked Tamondong for her idea and for making sure small businesses voices are heard.

If this is what policymaking is all about  is hearing the ideas from our community  what better way than to hear it from here in the leadership here, Muna Barnes said. You guys create the business.
A 58-year-old man told police he had been smoking methamphetamine on the day that his vehicle struck and killed a woman crossing the street in Barrigada Heights, according to a magistrates complaint filed in Superior Court.

Daniel Gilbert Cruz Guerrero, 58, who said he was in the process of getting his drivers license, also told police he knew he hit something in the March 6 collision and had a feeling it was a person, the complaint stated.

Pedestrian Thillia L. Nathan, 51, was killed in the crash.

Guerrero was charged Thursday with vehicular homicide as a second-degree felony, leaving the scene of an accident with injuries as a third-degree felony, operating a motor vehicle without a license as a petty misdemeanor and imprudent driving as a violation.

At 7:07 p.m. March 6, police were called to a traffic crash on Route 16 near the Department of Revenue and Taxation. Police said Nathan was crossing the street when she was hit by a brown sedan traveling southbound on the inner lane.

The driver fled the crash site, and medics performed CPR on Nathan as she was taken to Guam Regional Medical City. She was later pronounced dead at the hospital.

A speed analysis determined Guerrero was traveling between 44 and 52 mph in the 35 mph zone, according to the complaint.

The analysis further concluded that if the transition from light to dark conditions were occurring, prudent drivers would typically reduce their speed due to limited visibility, the complaint stated. The lack of skid marks on the roadway suggests that (Guerrero) did not apply the brakes before, during, or after the collision with the pedestrian.

Guerreros brother brought him back to the scene, and the vehicle hed been driving during the accident was left at a residence in Mangilao, according to a news release from Guam Police Department.

Officers examined the 2014 Hyundai Elantra and found damage to the front of the vehicle, bloodstains on the windshield and hair fibers on the drivers door, according to the complaint.

Police also said they found a makeshift glass pipe containing crystal methamphetamine on the drivers seat.

During an interview with police, Guerrero admitted ownership of the pipe and said he had been smoking methamphetamine on the morning of the collision. He said his high from smoking methamphetamine typically lasts about two days, a day and a half, the complaint stated.

This statement further supports that (Guerrero) was likely still under the influence at the time of the crash, because he admitted to using the drug earlier that day, the complaint stated.

Guerrero denied that he was speeding at the time of the crash, and said he left the scene because he got scared and panicked, the complaint stated.
Shaenita Elayne Pangelinan was ordered held on $50,000 cash bail Thursday in connection with the abduction and assault of a man in Yigo last week, according to a magistrate's complaint filed in Superior Court.

Pangelinan was charged with kidnapping as a first-degree felony, aggravated assault as a second-degree felony, two counts of aggravated assault as a third-degree felony and destruction of evidence as a misdemeanor.

The felony charges carry a special allegation of possession and use of a deadly weapon in the commission of a felony.

If found guilty of all charges, she could face 141 years in prison.

Pangelinan, 26, was the third of three siblings taken into custody in the case.

Her brothers Jathan John Pangelinan Tedtaotao, 29, and Jeromy Moe John Pangelinan, 27, were taken into custody Sunday.

Tedtaotao, who was on pre-trial release at the time of the attack, has been charged with attempted murder, complicity to commit kidnapping, complicity to commit aggravated assault and destruction of evidence.

Jeromy Pangelinan remains at Guam Regional Medical City after a car chase and shootout with police. He has not been arrested or charged, but is in police custody.

At 4:30 p.m. April 2, police were called to a Yigo residence where they found an injured man who had been shot in the leg and beaten. He told police he had been sleeping at a friend's house when he was called outside by Shaenita Pangelinan and Tedtaotao. Tedtaotao was armed with a handgun, and Shaenita Pangelinan punched the man in the mouth with brass knuckles, according to the complaint.

The man was then forced into a car and taken to another location where the group was joined by Jeromy Pangelinan. Witnesses said the man was bound with zip ties while his assailants kicked him and punched him with brass knuckles, according to the complaint.

Tedtaotao fired the gun before fleeing in the car, and Jeromy and Shaenita fled on foot, according to the complaint.

Tips from the community led police to the Machanao, Dededo area on Wednesday, where Shaenita Pangelinan was found, police said.

She told police she enticed the man to get in the car, then hit him three times in the face with the brass knuckles. She said she threw the brass knuckles in the jungle after the attack, according to the complaint.
The Victim Advocates Reach Out, VARO, received the National Sexual Violence Resource Center's 2025 Visionary Voice Award, which recognized VAROs work to end sexual violence on Guam and in supporting the victims through the painful process of seeking justice.

VARO received the award at the Guam Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Family Violence proclamation signing on April 7 at the Guam Community College Multipurpose Auditorium.

The awards are presented annually in conjunction with Sexual Assault Awareness Month, a national campaign held each April to raise awareness about preventing sexual violence.

The Guam Coalition hosted their annual proclamation signing declaring April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Child Abuse Prevention Month, and National Crime Victims Rights Week.

"This award represents the best of community leadership in the movement to end sexual violence," said VARO executive director Julie Ulloa-Heath. "It is indeed an honor to recognize our 26 tireless and selfless volunteers and staff advocates for their dedication to our organization but more so to their commitment to assisting members of our community. We are small but mighty."

Ulloa-Heath said this award also speaks to community partners' hard work and dedication to the people of Guam.

"What you see here is our staff advocates, but they do enormous things for our community," VARO president Louisa Borja said. "VARO has served our island community for 44 years, and it is truly an honor to be here today to accept this award."

The full list of the 2025 Visionary Voice Award recipients will be announced later this month by the NSVRC. Annually, the award is given to over 20 individuals across the nation.

VARO is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing support services to victims of family violence, sexual assault, and other violent crimes. Established in 1982, VARO offers crisis intervention, advocacy, emotional support, and community education to help individuals and families heal from trauma and rebuild their lives.

The National Sexual Violence Resource Center, meanwhile, is the leading nonprofit in providing information and tools to prevent and respond to sexual violence. NSVRC works to address the causes and impact of sexual violence through collaboration, prevention efforts, and the distribution of resources.
With great concern, I am writing to raise awareness about the growing issue of drug abuse in Tonga.

As a student of the University of the South Pacific studying human rights, one of my assignments is to write a letter to express my concerns in one of the human rights issues in Tonga.

Drug use, especially by young people, is not only a public health problem  its a human rights problem.

Every individual is entitled to health and well-being, but substance abuse violates that human right  and tends to disrupt physical, mental and emotional welfare. In Tonga, families are grieving and communities are split.

Drug abuse is not exclusive to Tonga, but given the small size of the nation, it is even more urgent that we address this issue directly.

The rise in addiction has been attributed to a number of factors, including increased drug availability, a lack of knowledge about the dangers of substance use, and a lack of adequate rehabilitation services.

Some people use drugs as an escape, but in the long run, this short-term respite only makes things worse.

We need to stop the negative narrative about drug use and instead educate and support. Our first priority should be on investing in prevention programs in schools, better access to mental health services, and a culture of care that values rehabilitation instead of punishment.

We need to provide our young people with more resources and guidance to help them to incorporate these tools and make informed decisions, and as a society, we must create an environment in which they feel safe asking for help amongst their peers without fear of being criticized.

We need the government and relevant stakeholders to invest in a multi-faceted approach  treatment, education, and community support.

If given the proper treatment, we can salvage an addicted individual and, therefore, build a better, more productive society for generations to come.
April 10, 2025: Since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, there have been increasing Russian efforts to steal military technology and other valuable information from NATO countries. Norway was particularly subject to this because Norway, for a long time, was the only NATO member to share a border with Russia.

In the latest of a growing number of incidents, a Russian diplomat was caught while Harsharn Singh Tathgar, a Norwegian citizen originally from India, was turning over classified information in a restaurant. The PST Norwegian Security Police men who made the arrest did not realize that the Russian involved was a diplomat although that was revealed loudly and repeatedly when the PST men searched the Russian and his briefcase for the classified data. The Russian had diplomatic immunity and could not be arrested or, technically, searched. Tathgar worked for DNV GL, an international risk management firm based in Norway that did business with the Norwegian military, giving Tathgar access to classified material. Tathgar pleaded not guilty of espionage but did admit he was receiving money from the Russians for information. The PST had discovered that Tathgar had been doing this for several years.

This was the first time since 1984 that a Norwegian citizen was arrested for selling classified information to Russia. Its unusual for a Russian diplomat to be so directly involved in local espionage efforts. If caught the diplomat would be expelled and the staff size of the Russian embassy might be reduced. Normally the Russian are more careful when receiving classified information. One thing that is certain is the increasing Russian interest in Norwegian military affairs and technology developed by the many Norwegian firms that develop it.

Back in 2008 Norwegian counter-intelligence officials reported that Russian espionage had returned to Cold War levels. Russian espionage has increased worldwide since 2000, ever since former espionage chief Vladimir Putin took charge after he was elected president. He has since become president-for-life. Russia denies this increased espionage, as one would expect, but does defend the use of espionage to protect Russian interests. At first those interests appeared to be mainly economic, but since 2014 military secrets have been sought as well. While Russia depends on the more traditional forms of espionage, like recruiting agents in foreign countries, China has energetically gone the high-tech route, making increasingly effective espionage forays via the Internet. China also uses human spies a lot, but also relies on thousands of Chinese students, businessmen and tourists to pick up bits of intel that are put together back in China to produce useful results.

There was a sharp drop in Russian espionage during the 1990s, and one of the first renewed Russian targets was oil field technology. Norway is a leading developer of offshore oil drilling equipment and techniques, as well as military equipment and other high-tech items. Norwegians understood Russian interest in oil production tech but hoped that, after the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, the Russians would reduce their espionage efforts in Norway and the rest of Europe. That was the case for a short time before Russian rejoined other nations that were also after Norwegian technology, and had spies active in Norway but not to the extent of the Russians.
Our Office of Public Accountability is an independent, nonpartisan agency headed by a person elected by the voters of Guam. OPA audits government operations, ensuring accountability and transparency in how our taxpayer dollars are spent.

OPA conducts audits, evaluations, and investigations into various government programs and activities, producing reports that assess their effectiveness, efficiency, and compliance with laws and regulations.

Public Auditor Benjamin Cruz has made it known that government of Guam agencies have failed over the years to comply with hundreds of audit recommendations issued by OPA, with tens of millions of dollars in potential lost revenues.

The importance of following OPA findings can enhance accountability, and hold government agencies accountable for their actions and expenditures.

Agencies should address the deficiencies, improve operations, and ensure that they are serving the public effectively.

These audits are critical for policymakers and government agencies to make informed decisions regarding budget allocations, program implementations, and policy reforms. The data and analysis provided by OPA help shape legislation and improve government performance.

When agencies act on OPA recommendations, they demonstrate a commitment to ethical governance and responsiveness to taxpayer concerns.

OPA findings often highlight inefficiencies and waste in government programs. By implementing recommendations, agencies can optimize resources used, leading to cost savings and better delivery of service.

By following OPA findings, agencies can mitigate the risks, ensuring programs are resilient and capable of meeting their objectives.

OPA reports often include best practices and lessons learned from successful programs. By adopting these practices, agencies can enhance their effectiveness and improve outcomes for the public.

Legislative support to hold agencies accountable must be addressed. I would advocate for our legislators to support Bill 17-38 as introduced by Sen. Sabina Perez to enforce OPA recommendations through legislation.

In summary, OPA plays a crucial role in promoting accountability and transparency in government expenditures, waste and abuse, and implementing programs.

OPA findings are essential for improving government operations, enhancing public trust, and ensuring that taxpayer resources are used effectively.
This week Im in the CNMI, where I was invited to give a historical overview of the use of pugua or betelnut in CHamoru culture.

I was invited by the CNMI Tobacco-Free Recovery Leadership Academy, which asked me to do this presentation as part of their effort to distinguish between the cultural value of pugua to CHamorus, but highlight the dangers of tobacco and cigarettes, which has been increasingly mixed with pugua for people to chew since contact with Europeans centuries ago.

Guam, the CNMI and other Micronesian islands have some high rates of oral cancer, and one of the assumptions is that it might be due to the high levels of betelnut mixed with tobacco in different forms.

Pugua was something that the CHamoru people first brought with them to the Marianas close to 4,000 years ago, and it is something that remains a part of their lives, even if its meaning has changed.

For the presentation, I highlighted how pugua was one of the most important crops that CHamorus of the past, up until recently, used as a social connector or lubricator.

This was something that even the earliest Spanish visitors to the Marianas witnessed. For instance, when Fray Juan Pobre lived in Rota in 1602 for several months, he noted how important pugua was to CHamoru interactions.

He said, Whenever they happen to meet, they are very courteous to one another. If they are wearing woven hats, they take them off; then they share their wads of betel leaf, nut and lime, which they call sauos (saluu?), and which they always carry in small well-made baskets.

Should one meet another after his supply has been consumed, he will offer his good will and show him his little empty basket, thereby giving him to understand that it is all gone because he has shared it with many others. The other person will then offer his betel wad; if he has none, he will do the same as the first person.

The reference to the basket is possibly a saluu, a drawing of which was created by the Freycinet Expedition when it visited the Marianas in 1819. It is a finely woven basket with a long handle that goes over your shoulder. According to the notes from Freycinet, the French explorer who led the expedition, it was a basket, specially worn for festive occasions and meant to carry pugua.

Although the Spanish priests who colonized and converted the CHamoru people in the late 17th century were not anthropologists and ethnographers, and were not particularly interested in giving us detailed portraits of CHamoru culture in their reports, letters or accounts, we nonetheless see regular references to pugua as being something key in connecting individuals and clans.

When people meet while walking on a village trail, pugua is there. When entering someones house, pugua is there. When families are negotiating to have their children get married, pugua is there.

At large parties, the hosts hand out pugua. Even when peace is being discussed between villages or clans, pugua is also there.

Pugua remains a part of life in the Marianas today, but we often see it now through the eyes of the Western world and changes that have taken place because of colonization.

One good example of this, is through our teeth. CHamorus of the past regularly chewed pugua, causing their teeth to be stained. But we also know from Spanish accounts and from archeological evidence that teeth staining, the deliberate process of darkening them, was something CHamorus did as a practice of beautification. Darkened, stained teeth was considered beautiful.

This is dramatically different from life today, where we tend to think of white and flawless teeth as being more appealing and something which has teeth that have color or are stained red because they chew too much pugua as ugly.

For me, the issue of pugua and culture around it remains a personal one, as my grandfather, the late Tun Jack Lujan, the master blacksmith, made tiheras pugua, a type of scissors specifically meant for cutting open betelnut. In our family, we dont chew much pugua, but we have made tiheras pugua for others.

This type of conversation around pugua is an important one. The chewing of pugua is something that CHamorus have done for thousands of years.

The adding of tobacco to it has only been practiced for the past few hundreds years, and has become dangerous probably only in the past few generations.

How can we preserve something that has likely been part of our culture since our first days in the Marianas, and separate it from something that has become very ingrained and integrated as well, but causes such terrible health damage to the community?




Haiti - Insecurity : The ICRC paints a grim picture of the situation





According to Marisela Silva Chau, head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Haiti, between 80 and 85% of the territory of Port-au-Prince is currently in the hands of armed groups or gangs.



Regarding the Kenyan-led Multinational Security Support Mission (MMSS), which deployed an initial contingent of 200 troops to Haiti ten months ago after a nine-month delay, it currently has only 970 police and military personnel out of the planned 2,500 due to international funding difficulties. The majority of its members are Kenyan, but countries such as Jamaica, Belize, the Bahamas, El Salvador, and Guatemala have also provided officers.



"Other actors have also emerged, the so-called vigilance brigades, which are self-defense groups made up of members of the population and are attempting to contain the advance of the "Vivre Ensemble" coalition of armed groups," Silva Chau explained during a meeting with journalists in New York. According to the UN, 5,601 people died in 2024 as a result of armed gang violence in Haiti, 2,212 others were injured, and 1,494 were kidnapped, according to figures verified by the UN Human Rights Office https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-44014-haiti-flash-at-least-1-haitian-killed-injured-or-kidnapped-every-hour-in-2024.html



Furthermore, the head of the ICRC in Haiti noted that the number of internally displaced people more than tripled last year, from 300,000 to over a million, due to "the increase in clashes" between the authorities and gangs.



Silva Chau also shared United Nations data indicating a 1,000% increase in sexual violence in Haiti during the same period.



"Urgent action is needed to prevent sexual violence and ensure the safety and treatment of victims. Families and victims themselves need psychological support to overcome these traumatic experiences."



The ICRC has 55 permanent and 16 temporary staff deployed in Haiti, where they have participated in water distribution, sanitation, and tank installation work over the past year. They also serve as mediators with conflicting parties as human rights defenders, among other tasks.



"We are working to ensure the safety of people affected by armed violence and to ensure that they are not deprived of basic services," said Silva Chau, who highlighted the challenges faced by humanitarian workers working in Haiti.



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Justice : Former Mayor Jean Morose Viliena, of "Les Irois" sentenced in the USA





A Massachusetts jury convicted Jean Morose Viliena, former mayor of Les Irois, of immigration crimes for lying on his application for permanent residency.



Viliena falsely stated that he did not order, perpetrate, or materially contribute to extrajudicial and political killings or other acts of violence against the Haitian people.



Justice Departments Criminal Division Matthew R. Galeotti, said, "A jury found that Jean Morose Viliena lied his way into gaining entrance into the United States after committing unspeakable acts of violence in Haiti. [...] The Justice Department will not stand for human rights violators illegally entering and roaming the streets of our communities. Thank you to the brave victims and witnesses who helped our law enforcement partners and prosecutors begin to hold Viliena accountable for his crimes."



"The political corruption and violence that the people of Haiti endured at the direction of Jean Morose Viliena, is appalling," said Leah B. Foley, U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts. "The United States is not where you come to hide from your crimes..."



Viliena served as mayor of Les Irois, Haiti, from December 2006 to at least February 2010. As a candidate and mayor, Viliena was supported by a political machine called "Korega," which exercised its power throughout southwestern Haiti through armed violence. Viliena personally oversaw his municipal team and other armed supporters of Les Irois, allied with "Korega." Under his direct supervision, armed men implemented Viliena's policies through various means, including the targeting of residents of Les Irois with armed violence, explained Michael J. Krol, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New England Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol, who oversees HSI operations in all of New England.



On June 3rd, 2008, Viliena presented himself at the U.S. Embassy Consular Office in Port au Prince, Haiti, where he submitted an application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration, Form DS-230, in order to gain entry to the United States. The form specifically requires each applicant to state whether they are a member of any class of individuals excluded from admission into the United States, including those who have ordered, carried out or materially assisted in extrajudicial and political killings and other acts of violence against the Haitian people. Viliena falsely responded no, indicating that this category did not apply to him. Viliena thereafter swore to, and affirmed, before a U.S. Consular Officer that the contents of the application were true and signed the application. Thereafter, on or about June 4th, 2008, based upon Vilienas false representations in the Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Form DS-230, the U.S. Department of State approved Vilienas DS-230 application.



On or about July 14, 2008  as the result of the approval of his DS-230 application  Viliena gained entry into the United States and was thereafter granted lawful permanent resident status in the United States. As a further result, Viliena received a Permanent Resident Card, also known as a "Green Card." Viliena continued to possess a Permanent Resident Card and used such card on numerous occasions.



The charge of visa fraud provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Viliena is scheduled to be sentenced on June 20. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.



SL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - News : Zapping...





2 UTAG officers fatally wounded

Jose Rony (10th Class) and Job Silmon (11th Class), two divisional inspectors and trainers for the Departmental Law Enforcement Unit (UDMO), "[...] witnessed an attempted kidnapping while accompanying a colleague to the bank. The kidnappers opened fire on the police car," explained Lionel Lazarre, spokesperson for the Haitian National Police (PNH). The two senior officers were rushed to the hospital where they unfortunately succumbed to their injuries.



A coup in preparation ?

"Guy Philippe and Dimitry Herard are currently preparing a coup," warns Pierre Esperance, Secretary General and Executive Director of the National Human Rights Defense Network (RNDDH). Speaking on a radio station in the capital, he indicated that certain members of the Presidential Transitional Council are also implicated, notably the three advisors implicated in the alleged corruption case at the BNC (National Bank of Haiti) https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-43336-haiti-flash-the-ulcc-in-the-bnc-case-requests-criminal-actions-against-3-transitional-advisors-report.html



DGI : CFPB payment deadline extended

The Directorate General of Taxes (DGI) is extending until April 30, 2025, the deadline for payment of the property tax on built properties, rental tax, and leasing tax for the fiscal year. 2024.



Haiti's intervention at CELAC video

The 9th annual meeting of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) was held in Honduras. On behalf of Haiti and the Presidential Transitional Council, Leslie Voltaire spoke out firmly : "[...] our Nation needs a surge of solidarity, concrete actions to combat insecurity, and real support to rebuild hope. The time for rhetoric is over, but for commitment."







Desras' residence set on fire

Bandits set fire to the residence of former senator and minister, Dieuseul Simon Desras, in Saut d'eau.



FAO : Motorcycle Donation to the Ministry of Agriculture

To support the Ministry of Agriculture, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has donated several motorcycles to the offices of the Departmental Directorates of Agriculture in the Northeast and Center regions. This logistical reinforcement will enable better monitoring of humanitarian activities and support for beneficiaries in Haiti.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















April 10, 2025: Designing warships that will be used in the 2030s and 2040s is speculative but necessary to ensure that necessary preparations are made to incorporate new technologies when they do show up. Manufacturing stealth materials for ships requires shipbuilders to figure out how to install these upgrades while the navy has to establish training courses for sailors who will perform maintenance. Another item to account for is damage control training.

The U.S. Navy has resumed holding damage assessment exercises to prepare for handling ships damaged in future combat. The first exercise was conducted while towing a burned-out amphibious ship to the scrappers. A battle damage assessment team was put aboard the ship to record damage as they would in wartime. The assessors had never been on the ship before and were able to perform a realistic assessment. The subject ship was destroyed by a shipyard fire in July 2020 and decommissioned in April 2021. These assessment drills will be held in the future during exercises as part of SINKEX operations.

For most of the last century the U.S. Navy has conducted SINKEX training. In the last two decades about two ships a year were sunk, most off the coast of California or Hawaii. SINKEX enables the navy to test new theories on how vulnerable, or invulnerable, modern warships are and how effective new, or current, weapons are. With the advent of smaller, cheaper and more reliable sensors and broadcasting gear, it's possible to get a lot more data out of a SINKEX target and monitor the damaged ship as it is hit until it goes under. This leads to changes in ship design and damage control techniques. From now on the ship to be sunk will first be damaged by a smaller explosion and a damage assessment team put about to assess the damage. After that the SINKEX will be completed using ship or aircraft weapons.

The U.S. Navy is also behind schedule in completing planned maintenance, repairs and new construction shipyard work because of a shortage of shipyards and difficulty in finding qualified personnel. For warships you need shipyard workers to have special skills and qualified candidates are hard to find. Hiring temporary replacements means bringing in unskilled workers who can be trained for low skill jobs. Normally, some retirees could be persuaded to come back for an emergency but these experienced men are less and less available.

The navy did have a solution for this; the 2005 SurgeMain program where over 2,400 navy reservists were identified who had skills that could be used in the shipyards, where a lot of work was making major repairs on ships so the vessels can go back to sea. These are the kinds of repairs that the ship crew can handle but ships are brought into shipyards every few years so the many backlogged repairs can be done in less time because the ship is not at sea and most of the crew is not present.

In 2020 the SurgeMain program brought in 1,600 reservists but this only made up for about a quarter of the shortage. The labor shortage is also threatening some critical shipbuilding projects, like components for the new Columbia class Ballistic Missile Nuclear Submarines/ SSBNs where construction of the subs began in 2022. Before that a lot of key components were being built and work on these items had been delayed by the worker shortage. As it is the reservists were told that they could be on active duty for up to a year. The navy is still working on calculating how much the labor shortage will delay ships getting back to sea or even built.

Another problem with unskilled workers is accidents, some of them deliberate. For example, in 2012 there was a fire inside the USS Miami SSN Nuclear Attack Submarine while it was in the Portsmouth Maine Naval Yard for maintenance and upgrades. That blaze did $400 million in damage to the sub and seven people were injured. Two months later a shipyard worker was arrested for setting the fire. The accused worker, Casey J. Fury, admitted that he set the fire and another the next month, which was quickly extinguished. Fury wanted to get out of work early. Casey was seen near the second fire and that led to his being questioned more closely. Casey knew he had a problem and checked himself into a mental hospital for two days. The question arose about how someone like this was allowed to work on a nuclear submarine. It could be sloppiness, union politics, or fear of federal regulations as in a growing list of questions you cannot ask when hiring people. The U.S. Navy has been complaining about incompetent management of naval shipyards. That bad behavior is protected by politicians more interested in reelection than well run yards.

Another solution, first adopted in 2009, was to reduce the number of days ships are at sea by a third, in order to reduce the wear and tear on its ships, and to provide cash and port time for needed maintenance. The days-at-sea problems began with the end of the Cold War in 1991, as the navy sought to maintain the same high tempo of operations, and even increase it. That meant sending carrier and amphibious task forces out to sea for six- month cruises to distant parts of the planet more frequently than before. After September 11, 2001, the tempo of operations increased even more, to support the war on terror.

To support all this on smaller post-Cold War budgets, the navy downsized. In the 1990s, the US Navy decommissioned over 300 ships. In 1990, the navy was still trying to increase its warship strength to 600. With the end of the Cold War, and the threat of the huge but now disintegrating Soviet fleet, there were suddenly more crises and hot spots the navy felt it had to deal with. While only about a quarter of all ships were at sea during the Cold War, in the 1990s about a third were out there. This put more strain on sailors, as marriages fell apart and sailors got tired of the constant stress of sea duty.

In response, the navy has focused on building new ships that used 50-80 percent fewer sailors. This is not as extreme as it sounds, for commercial ships have been doing this for several decades. But the smaller crews have not arrived yet, because the new ships have proved too expensive to build. Meanwhile, the navy was putting off doing a lot of ship maintenance, especially tasks that required replacing lots of parts on engines and other mechanical and electrical systems. The result has been more ships failing inspections and having problems while at sea. The decision to cut days at sea, and catch up on maintenance, made sense.

All these earlier problems, and their solutions, led to the realization that there were not enough shipyards, qualified workers and damage assessment capabilities to deal with the problem.




The final round will take place at Cyber Security Nordic 2025, held at the Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre on 45 November. Finalists will present their pitches on 5 November, with the winning team receiving a 10,000 prize funded by the Finnish Fair Foundation.

Applications are now open for Pitch Finland Cybersecurity, a competition offering early-stage cybersecurity companies the chance to showcase their solutions to international investors and customers.

Organised by Cyber Security Nordic in collaboration with the Finnish Security Cluster (FISC) and the Finnish Business Angels Network (FiBAN), the competition is designed to accelerate the visibility and investment potential of emerging cybersecurity technologies.

Shortlisted companies will pitch to a panel of industry experts and investors from FiBAN. To qualify, the product or service must either be commercially available in 2025 or officially launched during the event.

Tiina Laisi-Puheloinen, CEO of FiBAN, said the cybersecurity sector remains stable despite broader economic shifts. The demand for digital security solutions continues to grow across governments, enterprises, and private users. This is an industry built on long-term relevance, she said.

Peter Sund, CEO of FISC, added that investor engagement is a critical part of driving growth in the sector. Pitch Finland offers early-stage companies valuable access to funding networks and industry exposure, he said.

Anssi Rajala, Business Manager for Cyber Security Nordic, called the competition a strategic addition to the conference. It gives a voice to startups working at the forefront of cybersecurity and enhances the events focus on innovation and investment, he said.

Finalists will be announced in early October. Pitches will take place on the CSN Gold Stage from 09:30 to 09:55 on 5 November. The winner will be revealed later that day on Stage One.

HT
The number of companies receiving support dropped by over 20% from the previous year, with around 14,600 recipients in total.

In 2024 , more than half of Finlands direct business subsidies were allocated to large companies, according to new figures released by Statistics Finland. A total of 1.1 billion in business support was granted during the year, of which 908 million was paid out.

Despite the wider distribution, the support remained heavily concentrated.

Fewer than 70 companies received over half of all disbursed subsidies, as well as over half of all granted support, said Tommi Veistamo, Senior Statistician at Statistics Finland. This means that less than one percent of all recipients accounted for over 50% of the total value of direct subsidies.

Direct business subsidies primarily benefit a small number of large-scale operations. The average amount of support per company in 2024 was 14,300.

Industrial companies received approximately half of all direct business subsidies, while service sector firms claimed around 40%. Within the industrial sector, metal industry companies dominated, receiving nearly 240 million in direct support.

In addition to direct subsidies, the state granted 2.9 billion in guarantees, representing an increase of nearly 800 million compared to 2023. Housing construction accounted for almost 2 billion of the guarantee total.

The data also revealed stark regional differences. Companies based in Uusimaa, which includes the capital Helsinki, received 383 million  the highest of any region. Pirkanmaa followed with 69 million. In contrast, South Karelia received the smallest amount, 8.9 million.

When adjusting for population and the number of business establishments, Central Ostrobothnia received the most direct support in mainland Finland. Lapland and Uusimaa also ranked high in relative terms.

In sparsely populated areas, the relatively large support amounts can often be attributed to energy-related funding. Single projects in wind and solar power, hydrogen production or biomass energy solutions can attract significant subsidies, Veistamo said.

The discrepancy between granted and paid subsidies arises from staggered disbursement schedules. Some support is spread across several years or may not be paid in full, depending on the progress or completion of the funded projects.

HT
by Austin Bay April 9, 2025

he best time to fight a war is when you can win it.

Believing America is still economically innovative and its domestic market the world's biggest, the Trump administration has declared war on Big Debt (U.S. national debt). It is simultaneously pushing for the rapid revival and "reshoring" of the nation's withered, spotty and dangerously offshored manufacturing infrastructure.

I'd like to hear the president call his economic battle what it is: a strategic war for national survival. Fight it now for 2035 is too late.

Big Debt is an old enemy I've essayed several times in the past two decades. In October 2013, I wrote a column assessing the threat Big Debt presented to maintaining a credible U.S. national defense. U.S. national debt on the day I wrote the column was right at $16.95 trillion.

Because it doesn't drop bombs, Big Debt could not be framed as an immediate crisis. Other issues obscured its threat. Collective blame -- we permitted it. Our Congress kept spending money we didn't have. Combating Big Debt also -- many thought, including me -- was a multi-administration effort. Defeating it would take more than a four- or eight-year presidency.

Today the debt is $36 trillion, approaching $37 trillion -- double 12 years ago when it already presented a national security risk capable of undermining America's ability to fight and win a major war.

War takes money. Ask China's great strategist Sun Tzu. Preparing for war takes money. Latin writer Vegetius is credited with this epigram: "If you want peace, prepare for war." If so, then waging peace takes money.

In modern terms, that means establishing and maintaining deterrence -- what Ike and Reagan called peace through strength.

I also hear an echo of Adam Smith's "Wealth of Nations" dictum: "defense ... is of much more importance than opulence" (opulence in his lingo meaning prosperity and wealth accumulation). In other words, the economist of free enterprise says intelligent humans should pay for security of sovereignty before all else. It takes money to develop, produce and maintain modern weapons, recruit, train and pay troops, stockpile war material, and once combat begins, respond to inevitable surprises, replace losses and meet the demands of the battlefield.

So ... if you go broke, you'll very likely lose.

America's enormous current national debt, combined with a shrunken domestic manufacturing base, creates a two-punch economic weakness that calls into question the U.S.'s ability to maintain 21st-century defense forces and sustain them in a multi-year, major war.

A few of the necessary questions: Can the U.S. afford to modernize its military forces? Can the U.S. afford to rebuild its industrial base, particularly its near-nonexistent ship building industry? And this gut check: Can the U.S. afford to wage a sustained major war, particularly against a shipbuilding power like Communist China?

Nuclear-armed mainland China is America's only real near-peer competitor. And all U.S. government policy actions -- economic, diplomatic, military, informational and cultural -- should reflect that fact.

Yes, China has economic weaknesses. But this fact stands: Defeating the threat of Big Debt is critical to both deterring and winning a strategic war for national survival.

Enter Donald Trump. He knew Big Debt was a problem, but his first term was crimped by COVID and the Hillary Clinton/New York Times/Left Media RussiaRussiaRussia hoax.

But he's back attempting to defeat the threat of Big Debt in less than one four-year term. To heck with multi-administration -- Trump says it's now or never, and with $37 trillion in the hole, he's right.

Moreover, he's tied the attack on debt to reviving the industrial base. How? By ending the post-World War II trade and aid program where the U.S. helped Europe, Japan and later South Korea rebuild -- the Marshal Plan became a permanent arrangement where America paid for defense, ran deficits and shared its wealth with its threatened allies.

The arrangement was justified through the end of the Cold War but isn't now. NATO's wealthy European nations can pay their fair share, but only a handful have. The EU's agriculture tariffs and subsidy policies penalize American farmers. Japan should open its market to American rice.

Trump's got a strategy to fight the war when we can still win it.
The 700-million-euro wind power project, led by Swedish energy company OX2, will see the Rajamaenkyla and Halsua wind farms come online by 2028 with a combined production capacity of 472 megawatts.

Amazon has signed a long-term deal to buy all electricity from two large wind farms being built on Finlands west coast, marking the regions most significant renewable energy investment in three years.

According to OX2, the development represents the biggest renewable energy investment in the Nordic countries since 2022.

While Amazon will not own the wind farms, it will purchase all the power they generate as part of its emissions offset strategy. The sites are located in the municipalities of Karijoki and Isojoki, with earthmoving and preparation already underway.

The agreement is part of Amazons wider efforts to reach carbon neutrality by 2040. It currently powers all of its European data centres with renewable electricity and has set up long-term contracts with nine other wind farms in Finland. With the two new additions, Amazons wind power agreements in the country now cover 772 MW.

Amazon does not plan to build a data centre in Finland at this time, the company confirmed.

The wind farm deal mirrors previous agreements by other tech giants. In 2019, Google entered into a similar long-term contract for electricity from the Mutkalampi wind farm in central Finland, which remains the largest in the country with 404 MW of capacity.

Amazon also owns nearly 800 MW of renewable capacity in neighbouring Sweden, where it operates several data centres.

In March, the company introduced a new carbon credit scheme aimed at its suppliers and corporate customers. These credits, generated through Amazons renewable investments, are offered to companies that have their own verified climate targets and report their emissions publicly.

While Amazon expands its renewable portfolio, its broader environmental initiatives have faced scrutiny. In February, the Bezos Earth Fund, established by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, withdrew funding from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), one of the main bodies verifying corporate climate claims. The move followed Bezoss participation in former US President Donald Trumps second inauguration.

Despite the controversy, Amazon continues to scale up its renewable energy operations globally. The Finnish wind farm deal signals sustained interest from large technology firms in the Nordic regions energy market, where consistent wind conditions and regulatory stability have made long-term power purchase agreements an attractive option for international buyers.

HT
According to new figures published on Thursday by the Finnish Tax Administration and partner agencies, the police registered 2,619 economic offences last year, a 10 percent rise from 2023 and the highest annual total on record. Offences committed by debtors and accounting-related violations made up 63 percent of all cases, up from 54 percent the previous year.

Authorities in Finland recorded a sharp increase in economic crime in 2024, with labour exploitation and bogus self-employment becoming permanent features of the countrys shadow economy.

Investigations show that so-called forced entrepreneurship has become a widespread practice in sectors such as construction, cleaning, car repair, and seasonal labour. This involves disguising employment relationships under the guise of entrepreneurship, shifting responsibility for employment costs onto the worker and enabling social security abuse.

Disguised employment has become embedded in labour-intensive sectors. It is part of a broader trend of exploiting loopholes in employment and taxation rules, said the Tax Administration in a statement.

Authorities also reported an increase in cases involving money laundering, identity theft, insurance fraud, and illegal cross-border money transfers. These complex schemes often require cooperation between agencies and can involve international actors, professional facilitators, and links to organised crime.

The construction, transport, hospitality, and seasonal work sectors were identified as high-risk areas, with foreign labour frequently involved in exploitative arrangements.

Bankruptcy and tax fraud on the rise

The number of bankruptcies surged in 2024, with 3,035 proceedings initiated  a 12.5 percent increase from the previous year. Corporate restructuring procedures also rose to 318 cases, up 3.9 percent.

The deterioration in financial conditions and rise in insolvency has driven more bankruptcy-related offences. These cases often require lengthy investigations and may not be resolved quickly, officials noted.

The Tax Administration carried out 612 shadow economy tax audits in 2024, recovering 125 million in taxes and penalties. Auditors reported that misuse of invoicing services, identity fraud, and digital payment systems have made enforcement more challenging.

Increased use of virtual banking and light entrepreneurship services has also contributed to the rise in unregulated labour and unreported income, particularly in informal and subcontracted roles.

Joint inspections and broader enforcement

A total of 1,928 inspections were conducted by the Regional State Administrative Agency (AVI) targeting companies employing foreign workers, marking an increase in coordinated operations involving multiple agencies.

Kela, Finlands social insurance agency, filed 562 criminal complaints related to suspected benefits fraud worth 4.3 million. These cases commonly involved forged documents and undeclared wages.

The Finnish Centre for Pensions reviewed the insurance arrangements of 3,691 employers and found errors affecting 1,540 employees across 268 businesses.

Customs officials also investigated 404 cases of tax fraud, much of it connected to cigarette smuggling. Seizure rates and reported cases rose significantly.

Prevention efforts and new tools

Authorities continue to implement a national action plan to combat the shadow economy and economic crime. The programme supports collaboration between agencies, promotes fair business practices, and enhances data sharing and oversight.

The Tax Administration warned that as economic pressures grow and bankruptcies rise, the risk of financial misconduct will remain high.

The latest figures are available on the Grey Economy and Economic Crime website maintained by multiple Finnish public authorities.

HT
The woman and her children, aged two and six, will now be moved to the nearby Joutseno open reception centre while their second application for asylum is processed.

The Eastern Finland Court of Appeal has ruled that a Nigerian woman and her two children must be released from the Joutseno detention centre, where they had been held for nearly two months following the rejection of their asylum claim.

The court stated that the legal conditions for keeping the children in detention had not been met. It also ruled that separating the children from their mother would not have served their best interests. Finnish law states that detention of children is only permitted as a last resort and for the shortest possible period.

The ruling overturns an earlier decision by a lower court that extended the familys detention. The woman previously told Yle that the experience felt "like being in prison".

The 27-year-old woman arrived in Finland last year from Italy, where she had originally travelled from Nigeria. She told authorities she fled Italy to escape an abusive husband after being forced into sex work. In her initial asylum application in Finland, she did not disclose her background as a victim of human trafficking.

The Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) rejected her application on the grounds that she already held a residence permit in Italy. However, her legal representative, Emmi Wehka-aho, has since submitted a new application, which includes information about her history of exploitation.

Speaking to Yle, Wehka-aho said she was satisfied with the Court of Appeals ruling. I am happy with the Court of Appeal's decision, which considered the matter from the children's point of view. The obligation to sign in, on the other hand, is unreasonable, she said.

While awaiting a decision, the family will be required to report to the Joutseno centre twice daily. A decision on the new asylum application is expected in the coming weeks.

The family previously lived in Pori, a city in western Finland, where they had started to establish a support network. According to Wehka-aho, they would prefer to return there if granted permission to stay.

The case has highlighted concerns over Finlands treatment of families in the asylum process, particularly the use of detention for children. The appeal courts decision underscores the legal requirement to consider the welfare of children above other factors in such proceedings.

HT
In the municipal race, the SDP leads the NCP by just 0.1 percentage points. In the county council contest, the gap is slightly wider at 0.3 points.

Finlands opposition Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the governing National Coalition Party (NCP) are virtually tied ahead of Sundays municipal and county elections, according to a new poll released by Yle .

With such a narrow margin, voter turnout is expected to play a decisive role in determining the final result.

The poll was conducted by research company Taloustutkimus and suggests that NCP supporters are more likely to vote than their SDP counterparts. Some 77 percent of NCP backers said they had already voted or were certain to vote, compared to 68 percent of SDP voters.

This is a difference that could be quite decisive in the elections, said Tuomo Turja, Research Director at Taloustutkimus. The National Coalition Party has traditionally had more loyal voters than the Social Democratic Party. Based on the poll, it seems that the NCP will fare better at mobilising its voters.

However, Turja also noted that such projections have their limits. In the last municipal election in 2021, a similar poll suggested a turnout rate of 76 percent among likely voters. The final turnout was 55 percent.

Support for the Finns Party, part of the current coalition government, has dropped significantly in the run-up to the election. In the municipal poll, the party has fallen behind the Centre Party by five percentage points. In the county council poll, the Finns Party trails in sixth place, behind the Left Alliance and the Greens.

This marks a sharp decline for the party, which finished second in the 2023 parliamentary elections. According to Turja, the drop is partly due to difficulties in energising its voter base outside national elections.

The pattern is the same that the Finns Party has seen in all elections other than parliamentary elections, Turja said. They [the parliamentary elections] deal with themes that speak to their supporters, and in other elections, the Finns Party has had quite a lot of trouble mobilising its own supporters to vote.

The Centre Party appears to be gaining from this decline, as does the NCP. One in four voters who supported the Finns Party in 2023 now say they are undecided.

The elections, set for Sunday 13 April, will determine the makeup of both municipal governments and regional councils responsible for health and social services. The dual structure is part of a recent reform aimed at streamlining public services.

Advance voting has already concluded, with final turnout figures to be confirmed after the polls close on Sunday evening.

HT
With opening of new lanes, I-26 in county is 'functionally complete'

Drivers have noticed small changes to Interstate 26 in recent weeks. There was big change of the interstate on Thursday.

Related Stories

The N.C. Department of Transportation opened new lanes on Thursday morning following an overnight closure to safely remove temporary traffic control. New lanes opened from the Fletcher-Mountain Home exit to Long Shoals Road.

The opening of the new lanes mark a major milestone in one of the largest transportation projects in western North Carolina history. The widening in Henderson County  a separate project from the widening in Buncombe County  is functionally complete and in its final pattern with final punch-list remaining.

This was a long time coming and has been needed for a long time, said Resident Engineer Mike Patton, who oversaw the project on a daily basis. I think this should solve a lot of problems for traffic for a long time to come. As work continues finishing toward Asheville, well have a long-term solution to problems that have been around for 20 years.

Construction began in the fall of 2019 when traffic on I-26 experienced heavy congestion resulting in unpredictable traffic slow downs for local and long-distance drivers through Asheville.

Crews from Archer-Wright Joint Venture and multiple sub-contractors rebuilt the interstate from the ground up in Henderson County. They replaced bridges on and over the interstate, they upgraded all aspects of drainage  from pipes and culverts to slopes and gutters  established new roadbed under the concrete, and built 62 lane miles of new interstate plus shoulders, guardrail and walls. They also constructed two new rest areas with expanded facilities and features.

We saw Covid. We saw material shortages. Weve seen a hurricane, Patton said. Weve seen a lot during the life of this project.



All new lanes on I-26 East heading to South Carolina were opened from Airport Road (Exit 40) to U.S. 64 (Exit 49) last Saturday morning. That stretch includes four lanes of travel from Airport Road to U.S. 25 (Exit 44) and three lanes from there to U.S. 64 (Exit 49).

New lanes on I-26 West from Hendersonville opened Thursday morning. There will be four lanes from U.S. 25 to Airport Road, three lanes from Airport Road to Long Shoals Road, and two lanes through the remaining construction zone up to Brevard Road.



Plenty of punch list tasks still remain in Henderson County including final grinding, installation of permanent pavement markings, snow-plowable markers, the addition of rumble strips, finishing of signs and other tasks. Many of them will require overnight closures in certain sections to safely complete the tasks.

Major construction continues between Long Shoals Road and Brevard Road. Construction of a new Blue Ridge Parkway bridge and the addition of a new interchange have altered the original timetable in Buncombe County.

Once the parkway bridge is complete, then I-26 can be completed leaving the new interchange as the remaining major operation. The addition of Exit 35  which will connect I-26 to Brevard Road near the North Carolina Arboretum  extends north section estimated functional completion date to late 2026.
Spam messages are a major nuisance in modern communication, but Google Messages is doing its best to deliver an easy solution to the problem.

The latest addition to Google Messages is an "Unsubscribe" button integrated into the app, through which users can quickly stop receiving automatic or unwanted text messages.

The New 'Unsubscribe' Button Will Wipe Your Worries About Spammy Texts

Google Messages already assisted users in blocking and reporting spam messages, but with this latest addition of the unsubscribe feature, things cannot get any simpler. When you get a promotion or automated message, the app now shows an "unsubscribe" option at the end of the message, Android Authority's Mishaal Rahman reported.

He added that when you click on this button, a quick pop-up appears requesting the reason you want to opt out.

This feature is part of Google Messages' continued drive to provide users with greater control over their messaging experience. The app has already been provided with features such as spam filtering, reporting features, and the option to unsubscribe from unwanted messages directly.

How Does the Unsubscribe Feature Work?

The process is simple and intuitive. As soon as you click the "unsubscribe" button, Google Messages sends an automatic "Stop" message to the sender, telling them to stop sending messages. You'll also be asked to select one of five reasons for opting out, which are:

Not signed up

Too many messages

No longer interested

Spam

Others

This added level of customization allows you to describe precisely why you're disengaging with the sender, making the process more personalized and streamlined.

Changing Your Mind? Resubscribe with Ease

One of the best aspects of the new unsubscribe feature is that it is not irreversible. If you want to change your mind, Google Messages has it easy.

When you unsubscribe, a notice reading "unsubscribe request sent" and a "Start" button will pop up in the bottom-right part of the message. This means users can resubscribe if they want to resume getting texts from the same sender.

Expanding to RCS Business Messages

This functionality is also being introduced for RCS Business Messages, a messaging platform for businesses to communicate more effectively with their consumers.

Apparently, only a few countries can benefit from the unsubscribe button at the moment. These include users living in Spain, Mexico, India, Germany, France, Brazil, the US, and the UK.
From the formulation of contemporary Zionism, the concept of the Two-State solution has been a cornerstone obligation. From both legal and historical perspectives, that obligation has not changed. However, todays realities beg the question: Does Israels survivability and longevity depend on implementation of the Two-State Solution? And, if so, how can a parallel Palestinian Arab state be formulated? With the goal of providing an historical perspective and assessment, Heritage will present a 6-part exposition on this timely, but controversial, subject. At certain stages of the expose, the a...
(JNS)  Gal Gadot joined luminaries like William Shatner, Jodie Foster and even Godzilla when she was honored with a star on the iconic Hollywood Walk of Fame  a first for an Israeli actress.

The mood at the tented, star-studded ceremony, held on Hollywood Boulevard outside of the El Capitan Theatre, was celebratory, and Hollywood icons heaped praise on her.

Vin Diesel, who co-starred with Gadot in several Fast & Furious franchise films, spoke during the ceremony of her strength and empathy.

I just love her so much, the action star said.

Hollywood director Patty Jenkins, who captured th...
Westgate Resorts announced with great sadness the passing of its founder and executive chairman, David Siegel, on April 5, 2025. He was 89.

Siegel was born May 3, 1935, to Sadelle and Sid Siegel, a grocer, who moved the family and grocery business to Miami in 1945. Siegel grew up in Florida where he graduated from Miami Senior High School in 1953, and later studied marketing and management at the University of Miami, before dropping out.

Siegel established Westgate Resorts in 1982 with its first property on an orange grove he owned in Kissimmee, Fla., and it has since become the largest privat...
(JTA)  The Nova music festival, where more than 350 people were murdered on Oct. 7, 2023, has quickly become one of the most visited tourist destinations in Israel.

More than 200,000 people per month visited the site, at Kibbutz Reim near the Gaza border, on average over the last six months, according to Keren Kayemeth LeIsraelJewish National Fund. If sustained, that pace would put Nova on track to draw more visitors than the Dead Sea or Tel Avivs Anu Museum, which focuses on the Jewish diaspora, each year.

Visitors to the site have included foreign dignitaries and celebrities as well as to...
After rebuffing U.S. President Trumps requests to absorb Palestinian civilians from Gaza, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi has said he is willing to temporarily absorb half a million Gazans, according to the Lebanese Al-Akhbar newspaper.

Sisi made the remarks during meetings with other Arab leaders in Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

After Sisi and King Abdullah of Jordan rejected Trumps request that they absorb 2 million Gazans during a planned reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, Egypt formulated its own proposal for rebuilding and governing Gaza.

The leaders of the two countries have rejected...
Many companies will suffer from the drastic effects of President Donald Trump's tariffs on imports, including Apple. For many years, China has been Apple's biggest partner in technological developments, especially in manufacturing, but recently, Trump's tariffs against Beijing have skyrocketed to 125%.

It is also worth noting that despite the US president issuing a 90-day pause on these tariffs, China is excluded from this list.

Which Apple Products May Be Affected by Trump Tariffs?

According to a report by 9to5Mac, Apple may have diversified its supply chain and manufacturing plants to different parts of Asia, but its biggest operations still center in China at present. With the massive tariffs imposed against Beijing, Apple's products are expected to have a significant price increase, and this may apply to different devices soon.

For the iPhones, the new iPhone 16e and the current iPhone 16 series, including its base, Plus, Pro, and Pro Max variants, are expected to be affected because of their Chinese manufacturing.

iPad models, including the Classic, mini (7th generation), M3 Air's 11-inch and 13-inch, and the M4 Pro's 11-inch and 13-inch variants, are also expected to undergo a price increase.

Lastly, Mac computers, such as the M4 mini and M4 Pro, iMac M4, MacBook Air M4's 13 and 15-inch, and the MacBook Pro M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max variants, are also in danger.

Trump's Tariffs for China Is Now at 125%

That being said, while the AirPods and Apple Watches are not affected by the 125% tariffs because they are not made in Mainland China, they are still set to be affected by tariffs slapped on Vietnam, where they are manufactured.

When Trump's tariffs took effect, it started with a base 20% tax against China, which rose to 54% and later to 104%. As of press time, it has been set to 125%.

President Trump's Import Tariffs vs. Tech

Reports have claimed that Apple is now rushing to stockpile iPhones in the US from their plants in China and India to potentially avoid the tariffs, but the company cannot avoid them forever as they have products set for release in the future.

It is not only prices that these Trump tariffs are affecting, particularly as many tech companies and manufacturers are already adjusting their releases in the United States to deal with these massive changes. Nintendo previously claimed that the company had to delay the release of its next-gen console, the Switch 2, because of the import tariffs that also include Japan.

There are also tech and gaming companies that are now opting to halt the sales of their devices in the United States for an unknown period as they try to avoid these tariffs. The likes of Framework, Razer, and more have chosen to stop the sales of their products in the US, while automotive companies like Jaguar Land Rover, Audi, and Stellantis halted their shipments to the country.
By Mike Wagenheim

(JNS)  Former hostage Amit Soussana was decorated with an International Women of Courage Award by the U.S. State Department on April 1 as she called for a global effort to free the remaining captives held in Gaza.

Soussana, who was sexually assaulted after being taken from her Kibbutz Kfar Aza home during Hamass rampage through southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, was the only one of the eight award recipients asked to give a keynote speech.

While I am here, my friends remain in the darkness, 543 long days and nights, said Sousanna, who has advocated globally for the remainin...
(JNS)  The Israel Defense Forces is seizing territory in the Gaza Strip in response to Hamass refusal to release the remaining 59 hostages, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed on Wednesday.

Last night in Gaza, we switched gears, the premier said in a Hebrew-language video statement. The IDF is seizing territory, striking the terrorists and destroying the infrastructure.

We are also doing something else. We are seizing the Morag Corridor, he said, calling the security strip an additional Philadelphi Corridor.

Netanyahu has repeatedly stressed the need for the IDF to re...
(JTA)  As Sen. Cory Booker broke the record for the longest Senate speech and made clear he was going for 25 hours, Jewish social media lit up with jokes.

This is the closest Cory Booker will get to experiencing Yom Kippur, tweeted Sami Sage, the co-founder of Betches Media, in one representative post.

As Jews do on Yom Kippur, Booker fasted during his entire Senate speech, consuming only a few sips of water. He also apologized for his and his partys errors that allowed Donald Trump to retake the presidency. And with the help of his Democratic colleagues, he also echoed the Yom Kippur expe...
(JNS)  Americas youngest adults continue to be an outlier in their views of Hamas and Israel, according to a poll released on Monday.

The Harvard Harris poll for March found that 48 percent of American 18- to 24-year-olds say they support Hamas over the Jewish state, making them the only age demographic for which Israel did not enjoy at least double-digit support over the terrorist group in the Gaza Strip.

By contrast, 93 percent of Americans 65 and older say they support Israel compared to just 7 percent who say they support Hamas. Overall, 77 percent of Americans say they support Israel co...
(JNS)  Avida Bachar, who lost his wife and 15-year-old son in the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist assault on Kibbutz Beeri near the Gaza border, called on the Israeli government to extend full sovereignty over Judea and Samaria to prevent another Oct. 7-like attack.

We must have full sovereignty here. If we dont, another Oct. 7 is just a matter of time, said the farmer, who lost a leg when a Hamas terrorist shot him during the cross-border assault.

Bachar made the comment during a tour of Samaria with Yossi Dagan, head of the Samaria Regional Council.

I wouldnt consider anyone else  ju...
(Israel Hayom via JNS)  A deeply concerning trend has emerged in Norway, where Jewish community members fear seeking medical care due to growing anti-Israel sentiment among healthcare workers. In an unprecedented letter to health authorities, Jewish leaders warn that community members are hiding their identities in medical settingsa situation not experienced since World War II.

The letter, signed by Marius Gaarder, chairman of the Jewish community in Oslo, and John Arne Moen from the Jewish community in Trondheim, raises alarming concerns.

Shortly after October 7, 2023, alongside growing...
(JNS)  The United States opposes the candidacy of the Palestinian Authority for the presidency of the United Nations General Assembly.

Riyad Mansour, the authoritys longtime permanent observer to the global body, is mounting a bid to helm the assembly presidency in 2026-27, despite the authority holding non-state observer status.

The 22-member, U.N. Arab Group, which passed the nomination onto the 55-member Asia Pacific Group, backs the nomination. The latter group holds the rotating slot for the presidency in two years, based on regional rotation, and no other candidates have emerged so...
(JNS)  The European Union presents itself as a defender of democracy, fairness and human rights. It claims to promote peace and cooperation among nations. However, when it comes to Israel, the European Union shows a clear bias that contradicts these ideals. Israel is a strong democracy yet faces unfair treatment.

In March 2024, Israel declared more than 1,900 acres of land in Judea and Samaria (commonly called the West Bank) as state property. The European Union strongly criticized this action, calling it illegal and threatening diplomatic consequences. Yet the group remains silent on far w...
Delta resumes flights to Israel

By JNS Staff

(JNS)  Delta Air Lines is restarting flights to Israel on Tuesday, becoming the latest major carrier to renew service suspended due to the Israel-Hamas war.

The moves comes two weeks after chief rival United Airlines resumed service to Tel Aviv, and ahead of the busy Passover and Easter travel season this month.

The Atlanta-based Delta said it is restoring its daily flights to Tel Aviv from New Yorks John F. Kennedy International Airport. The daytime service on Delta will add nearly 2,000 weekly seats on the popular New York-Tel Aviv route.

Chicag...
(JNS) - The Western Wall Heritage Foundation removed tens of thousands of prayer notes from Judaism's second-holiest site on April 2 in preparation for the Passover holiday, which starts on April 12.

Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, rabbi of the Western Wall and holy sites, oversaw the annual extraction of prayer notes, which will be buried alongside disposed sacred writings according to Jewish customs.

"The removal was carried out according to halachic guidelines, using gloves and disposable wooden tools to preserve the sanctity of the site and the personal nature of the notes," the Western Wall Heri...
(JNS)  Hundreds of Palestinians rallied last week in Beit Lahiya, in northern Gaza, chanting, among other things: Out, out, Hamas out! This is the first time masses of Gazans have openly called for the terrorist group to be removed from power. Protests against Hamas rule have since spread throughout the Gaza Strip. Good news, right?

But wait: Why have no pro-Palestinian protesters in the West stepped up to support these brave demonstrators? Why have no mass protests been held echoing Gazans demands that Hamas relinquish power?

No surprise, of course: Pro-Palestinian protesters in America a...
(JNS)  Among my various occupations, I am a tour guide, primarily for Christian groups. On Oct. 7, 2023, I was with a group of Christians from Norway and African countries. It was supposed to be the second-to-last day of their trip.

At breakfast in a hotel in Tiberias, I turned on my phone and started seeing WhatsApp videos, mostly of white pickup trucks driving through the streets of Sderot. I knew something unusual was happening, but I still didnt grasp the magnitude of the event. Slowly, more and more reports started coming in amid the uncertainty. If this was happening in Gaza, then what...
(JNS)  Among those who forcibly occupied Trump Tower recently to protest the deportation of a violent antisemite, were members of the Jewish Voice for Peace, who, along with other far-left groups like IfNotNow, have been parading support for Hamas since its Oct. 7 attack. The scene was a chilling reminder of the giant rift splitting American Jewry.

On one side of this rift are American Jews of all denominations, including secular ones, who love Israel as our ancestral homeland and the United States as the greatest country on earth.

On the other side are Jews who have embraced the globalist co...
Cambodia-China forum focuses on "iron-clad" friendship

Xinhua) 13:15, April 10, 2025

PHNOM PENH, April 9 (Xinhua) -- A Cambodia-China forum was held here on Wednesday with a focus on "iron-clad" friendship between the two countries in a new era.

Organized by the International Relations Institute of Cambodia (IRIC), a think tank under the Royal Academy of Cambodia, the forum brought together around 100 participants from government agencies, academic experts, researchers, university professors and students, among others.

Sok Sopheak, secretary of state for the Cambodian Ministry of Commerce, said the iron-clad friendship has laid a solid foundation for both countries to work together closely for mutual benefit, win-win cooperation and shared prosperity.

He said in terms of bilateral trade, the two countries have enjoyed annual two-digit growth for many years, and two-way trade volume has grown higher after the Cambodia-China Free Trade Agreement and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement entered into force simultaneously on Jan. 1, 2022.

Sopheak said under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), mega-infrastructure projects, including special economic zones, seaports, Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway, new Siem Reap and Phnom Penh International Airports, bridges, and roads, have been carried out in the Southeast Asian country.

"These key infrastructure projects have enhanced Cambodia's logistic performance and reduced trade costs," he said. "They have also promoted Cambodia's integration in the ASEAN Master Plan on Connectivity."

Hoeurn Somnieng, deputy secretary general of the Council for the Development of Cambodia, said Cambodia and China have also enjoyed fruitful results in private investment and developmental cooperation.

"China has been the largest source of foreign investment in Cambodia for many consecutive years," he said.

For developmental cooperation, currently, 14 projects under China's Official Development Assistance have been implemented in Cambodia, Somnieng said, adding that those projects include landmine elimination, national roads, bridges, reservoir, irrigation system, rural power grid, and submarine cable.

Sok Touch, president of the Royal Academy of Cambodia, said relations between Cambodia and China are currently at the highest-ever level in history.

"We are embarking on a new chapter of cooperation, trust and prosperity, and win-win cooperation and shared prosperity are driving factors for Cambodia-China iron-clad friendship to become stronger and more prosperous," he said.

Touch said Cambodia-China iron-clad friendship was "unbreakable" and was made based on the principle of mutual respect, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, win-win cooperation, and shared prosperity.

"China has become Cambodia's most important development partner, playing a key role in driving the kingdom's economic growth through massive investments in infrastructure, construction, trade, and other sectors," he said.

Touch said China's support has played and will continue to play a crucial role in helping Cambodia achieve its ambitious goals of becoming an upper-middle-income country by 2030 and a high-income country by 2050.

IRIC Director-General Kin Phea said as traditionally close neighbors and partners, Cambodia and China have forged and nurtured an unbreakable 'iron-clad' friendship that has weathered historical tests and difficulties.

He said China has made great contributions to Cambodia's socio-economic development and poverty alleviation.

"The Belt and Road Initiative has played a vital role in helping modernize Cambodia's transportation network, energy sector, and digital infrastructure," he said.

Chheng Kimlong, president of the Asian Vision Institute, said relations between Cambodia and China have been rooted in a very long history, and the ties have developed further by trust between leaderships of the two countries.

"We have seen a lot of practical cooperation projects ranging from infrastructure development to investment from China," he told Xinhua.

He said China has provided tremendous support to Cambodia's development under the BRI, the Global Development Initiative, and the framework of building a Cambodia-China community with a shared future in a new era.

"In short, the relations have been further deepened, expanded, enhanced, and broadened," Kimlong said.

Wu Jinhai, deputy general manager of China Road and Bridge Corporation Cambodia Office, said under the BRI, cooperation between China and Cambodia has been deepened, and enterprises have served as an important bridge to further promote this relationship.

He said since 2001, the company has helped construct numerous infrastructure projects, which have been the backbone of Cambodia's socio-economic development.

Wu said the Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway was "a successful example of China-Cambodia cooperation" and "a vivid epitome of joint development of the two countries."

You Yuansheng, general manager of China Huadian Lower Stung Russei Chrum Hydro-Electric Project (Cambodia) Company Limited, said China-Cambodia relations are based on mutual trust, mutual respect and equal treatment, and are rock-solid and unbreakable.

He said Chinese power companies have invested in and built thermal power, hydropower, photovoltaic and wind power projects in Cambodia, and participated in the improvement of national power grid.

"Close political, economic and trade relations between China and Cambodia have laid a solid foundation for energy cooperation between the two countries," he said, "China-Cambodia energy cooperation has effectively promoted Cambodia's energy transformation and growth."

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Washington State University (WSU) is bracing for significant budget cuts, with its Spokane campus facing reductions of up to 15%, as university leaders grapple with a perfect storm of financial challenges. Announced on Thursday, April 3, 2025, by WSU President Elizabeth Cantwell during an interview at WSU Spokane, the directive requires all 44 WSU units to draft proposals for cuts ranging from 1% to 10%, with the Health Sciences unit in Spokane singled out for deeper reductions. The move comes as the university contends with federal grant freezes, a state budget deficit, and declining enrollment, raising concerns about the future of its academic programs and research initiatives.

Cantwell, just three days into her presidency, emphasized the need for proactive planning. "The best option is to plan for different scenarios," she said, acknowledging that the exact impact on individual colleges and campuses remains uncertain. However, the Spokane campushome to WSU's medical school, nursing, and pharmaceutical sciences programsappears particularly vulnerable due to its unique financial pressures. With an annual budget of approximately $82 million, more than half of which supports the medical school, WSU Spokane is already projecting a $2 million deficit for 2025.

A Triple Threat to Funding

The university's financial woes stem from multiple fronts. Federally, President Donald Trump's freeze on federal grants, though temporarily halted by court challenges, has cast doubt on future research funding. WSU, which relies heavily on external sponsors, has secured $175 million in grants for its medical school over the past decade, supporting critical research in areas like addiction sciences, mental health, and neuroscience. Cantwell remains cautiously optimistic, noting, "Research at the scale we do it in the United States makes us economically great," but the university is preparing for a potential reduction in federal dollars.

At the state level, anticipated cuts to higher education funding are exacerbating the situation. Meanwhile, enrollment declinesmost notably at the College of Pharmacy, where student numbers have dropped by more than 50% since 2019-20are shrinking tuition revenue. Leslie Brunelli, WSU's Chief Financial Officer, highlighted the pharmacy school's struggles, stating, "When you take these three colleges and the Spokane administrative unit combined, we're facing a significant budget shortfall on an annual basis." Despite this, Spokane Chancellor Daryll DeWald expressed hope that pharmacy enrollment could rebound, citing the strong job prospects for graduates.

Strategic Cuts and "Program Optimization"

To address the looming deficit, WSU Spokane is exploring "program optimization," a strategy DeWald described as increasing efficiencies and collaboration among colleges. While specifics remain unclear, the approach suggests a focus on streamlining operations rather than outright program closures. Cantwell and university leadership are working to prioritize cuts, aiming to protect core academic and research missions. However, with reserve fundssuch as Pullman's $120 million and Vancouver's $30 millionoff-limits for covering shortfalls, the pressure is on to find sustainable solutions.

The medical school, despite its chronic debt (partly intentional, per Brunelli), remains a cornerstone of WSU Spokane's identity. Its research output and community impact underscore the stakes of these cuts, as reductions could ripple through healthcare education and innovation in the region.

What's Next for WSU?

As WSU leadership finalizes its budget plans, students and faculty await clarity on how these cuts will affect class sizes, program offerings, and research opportunities. Cantwell's early tenure will be tested by her ability to navigate this crisis while maintaining WSU's commitment to its land-grant mission. For now, the university is in a holding pattern, drafting contingency plans and hoping for relief from federal and state pressures.

The situation at WSU Spokane reflects broader challenges facing public universities nationwide, where funding uncertainties threaten academic stability. As the university community watches closely, the coming months will reveal whether WSU can weather this stormor if deeper sacrifices lie ahead.

Stay tuned to UniversityHerald for updates on WSU's budget decisions and their impact on higher education in the Pacific Northwest.
A respected academic at Georgetown University has been arrested and faces deportation, allegedly due to suspected links to Hamas and pro-Palestinian activism. But supporters of Badar Khan Suri say the real reason is far more personal: his wife's Palestinian background. His arrest marks yet another chapter in President Donald Trump's increasingly aggressive efforts to root out pro-Palestinian sentiment from US campuses, especially among foreign students on visas.

The move follows the high-profile detention of Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil earlier this month, both cases seemingly part of a broader policy shift targeting student visa holders involved in political activism supportive of Palestine.

Who is Badar Khan Suri?

Dr Badar Khan Suri is a Postdoctoral Fellow at Georgetown University's Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding, where he taught a course on 'Majoritarianism and Minority Rights in South Asia'. He holds a PhD in Peace and Conflict Studies and has long focused on state-building in ethnically diverse societies.

According to his legal team, Suri is being targeted not for any wrongdoing, but for his research focus and his family ties. 'If an accomplished scholar who focuses on conflict resolution is whom the government decides is bad for foreign policy, then perhaps the problem is with the government, not the scholar,' his lawyer stated, per Free Press Journal.

Despite having no criminal record and no formal charges filed against him, Suri's J-1 student visa was revoked, resulting in his sudden arrest by immigration authorities.

The Night-Time Arrest

Suri was detained on Monday night outside his home in Rosslyn, Virginia. Nermeen Arastu, one of his attorneys, described the incident as terrifying: 'ICE agents came in the night, took him captive, taking him from his wife and children.' Arastu told Reuters the officers were masked and heavily armed.

Suri is currently being held in Alexandria, Louisiana, awaiting an immigration court hearing. Despite the severity of the situation, no charges have been brought forward, and Georgetown University has confirmed that it is unaware of any illegal activity on Suri's part.

Accusations Without Evidence

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) claims that Suri's online activity promotes Hamas propaganda and antisemitism. DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin posted on X (formerly Twitter) that Suri is a 'foreign exchange student promoting Hamas propaganda' with alleged connections to a terrorist adviser.

She added that Secretary of State Marco Rubio believes Suri's 'activities and presence' in the US justify deportation. However, as The Times of India and multiple legal experts have noted, no evidence has been publicly presented to support these claims.

Suri's legal team argue that the accusations are politically motivated and meant to intimidate his wife, Mapheze Saleh, a first-generation American of Palestinian descent.

The Real Target: Suri's Wife?

Saleh previously worked at Al Jazeera and has expressed support for Gaza online. Her father, Ahmed Yousef, is a former adviser to Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. However, Yousef insists he left politics over a decade ago and has only met Suri twiceonce during a humanitarian mission to Gaza and once when Suri asked for permission to propose to Saleh.

'No administration official has put forth a shred of evidence that my client, Dr Khan Suri, has been involved or is affiliated with any known or suspected terrorist,' said Hassan Ahmad, one of Suri's attorneys, in an interview with CNN.

Since Suri's arrest, Saleh and her family have reportedly faced targeted harassment from far-right platforms, amplifying the personal toll of the ordeal.

Court Blocks DeportationFor Now

There was a moment of relief yesterday when a Virginia judge ruled that Suri 'shall not be removed from the United States unless and until the court issues a contrary order'.

Despite the court's decision, the damage has already been done. 'Our children are in desperate need of their father and miss him dearly,' Saleh said. 'As a mother of three children, I desperately need his support to take care of them and me.'

Trump's Ongoing Crackdown on Pro-Palestine Activism

Suri's arrest is just one in a wave of detentions since Trump returned to office. On 30 January, he signed an executive order aimed at cancelling visas of 'Hamas sympathisers' on US campuses. According to IBTimes UK, Trump announced, 'We will find you, and we will deport you.'

The order directs federal agencies to flag antisemitic threats, but the definition remains vague. Critics argue it is being used to conflate criticism of Israel with support for terrorism, and to silence pro-Palestinian voicesparticularly those on student visas.

Columbia University's Mahmoud Khalil Also Targeted

Suri's case echoes that of Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University student arrested earlier this month. Khalil, a lawful permanent US resident, was accused of supporting Hamas after participating in a campus protest. Immigration officials initially attempted to revoke his student visabefore learning he was a green card holder. Now, they are reportedly attempting to revoke his residency instead.

Both cases highlight a chilling precedent. As foreign students become collateral damage in America's geopolitical battles, critics warn the administration is weaponising immigration law to silence dissent.

A Precedent That Risks Silencing Free Speech

As Suri and Khalil await their legal fates, their stories serve as stark warnings about what happens when political ideologies are used to justify the erosion of civil liberties. By conflating peaceful activism with extremism, the US government is raising alarm bells across academic and human rights communities.

Whether this judicial stay for Suri will lead to justiceor is just a temporary reprieveremains to be seen. But one thing is certain: a line has been crossed, and the stakes for free speech, academic freedom, and human rights have never been higher.

Originally published on IBTimes UK
by David J. Lobina

No, this column is not a retrospective of Whats Left? How Liberals Lost Their Way, a book by the British journalist Nick Cohen, even though the title of that forgettable volume is apposite here (Ill come back to this below). Rather, my title is a reference to a conference that took place in Torino in 1992 under the title of What is Left?, though the post itself is meant as a revisit to Norberto Bobbios Destra e Sinistra (Left and Right, in its English edition), a short book from 1994 first thought up at the just-mentioned conference.

The more immediate background to Bobbios book, in fact, was the 1994 general election in Italy, when the post-fascist party Alleanza Nazionale (National Alliance) became part of the first Berlusconi Cabinet, the first time since the fall of Fascism that a party on the far right spectrum had entered an Italian government; this was also the background to Umberto Ecos overtly influential (in the US) Ur-Fascism article from 1995, as discussed here and here, though this context is mostly ignored in American commentary. In a way, then, this piece is a 30-year retrospective of the 1994-95 period; a 2024-25 edition, if you like.

Bobbios main objective in the book, I should say, was to argue for the relevancy of distinguishing between left- and right-wing ideas at a time in Italy when many commentators did not think it meaningful any longer; this was partly due to the post-war political arrangement in the country, with the Constitution outlawing fascist parties, the centrist and conservative Christian Democrats (Democrazia Cristiana) dominating politics and society for 50 years, and the Communist Party barred from any of the many coalitions formed during that time, despite the wide support it boasted. Bobbio strove to revive the debate around left and right ideologies by approaching the dichotomy in terms of how proponents of either the left or the right position themselves towards the issue of equality (or, rather, inequality), and it is this argument that I would like to revisit here.

I doubt many people will today think there is little difference between left- and right-wing politics, certainly not in the US and the UK; that being said, some of the current political commentary, especially in the US and the UK, can be confused and even absurd as to what constitute left and right policies. I dont think theres much need to chronicle in any detail some of the most outlandish political comments out there at present, but suffice to say that in the US it is not uncommon to see talk of Marxist judges and professors, with the Democrats portrayed as some kind of left-wing radical party, whilst in the UK Labour under Keir Starmer, the current Prime Minister, is often described as a socialist/radical party.

It is of course ridiculous to believe that actual Marxism has any major influence anywhere in the US, at universities or in the judicial system; the accusations regarding cultural Marxism is but a slur these days, and Jordan Peterson clearly demonstrating (here) that he knows nothing at all about Marxism is especially telling in this regard.[i] And likewise regarding Labour-as-a-socialist-party: Starmer is in the mould of a Blairite, New Labour type, which whatever else that means, it does at least certainly mean that Labour today is not a party opposed to capitalism  and, thus, most definitely not in favour of socialism.

The reference to capitalism can get us going here. In an interesting recent paper, Chiara Cordelli characterises capitalism, broadly, as a system where the means of production are privately owned, labour is hired for money wages, and the allocation of resources is determined through markets. Less roughly, what makes capitalism distinctive (and distinctly wrong), according to Cordelli, is its mode of investment, focused as it is on reproduction, an economic cycle that is of course directed by the owners of the means of production, and clearly not by the non-owners (the workers)  the result for non-owners is that they effectively have a rather limited ability to shape the future of their own lives, thereby lacking agency in specific ways. In this sense, at the very least, capitalism is not about equal opportunities and most certainly not about equal relationships between owners and non-owners. This is where we can bring in Bobbio.

As advanced, for Bobbio the distinction between left and right is a matter of how their proponents position themselves towards equality, with those on the right generally believing that human beings are more unequal than equal, with most inequalities natural in kind and thus largely ineliminable, and those on the left mostly believing that human beings are more equal than unequal, with most inequalities social rather than natural, and thus clearly largely eliminable. In this respect, the right has a tendency to increase, or at least not decrease, the degree of inequality in a society, and is moreover always against the idea of subverting (a certain understanding of) freedom for the prospect of more equal policies.

Freedom is equally important to both left and right politics and not really definitional of either; if there is a distinction to be had along these lines, is between political freedom and authoritarianism, a dichotomy that complements, and criss-crosses, the left-and-right axis. Simplifying somewhat, and following Bobbio still, there are moderate and extremist wings on both the left and the right, which we can identify in terms of how these wings approach the ideal of freedom, with Jacobinism as an example of an extreme-left position and Fascism and Nazism as extreme-right positions, the centre-left occupied by liberal socialism (or social democracy) and the centre-right by conservatism.[ii]

This, in turn, brings another distinction under the spotlight, this time between liberalism and conservatism (or, if you must, between progressives and traditionalists), which in many ways is not as clear-cut as seems to be prima facie  consider, for instance, that capitalism is neither a liberal nor a conservative idea per se (famously, John Stuart Mill advocated a socialist kind of market economy). And there is even more ideas to throw into the mix now, such as neoliberalism, radicalism, and libertarianism. So many word-concepts!

A recent piece by Percy Anderson offers some clarity, and surprisingly so (Anderson is not always the clearest or more focused of thinkers; in recent years, and in the London Review of Books alone, hes written very lengthy pieces about Brazil, India, and the European Union, some of it not very good)[iii]. Liberalism, to start here, and which started in France according to Anderson (he singles out Benjamin Constant, in particular), is a set of political doctrines around the right to private property, against arbitrary rule, and encompassing various individual liberties  liberty here understood in the modern sense of the word, which is to say as a freedom from external constraints or interference, and not in the ancient sense of freedom as a citizens active participation in public affairs, the latter a republican understanding of freedom (for what is worth, the term liberalism seems to have been coined in Spanish first, at the time of Spains 1812 Constitution, or so says Antoni Domenech in his magnum opus El Eclipse de la Fraternidad). Neoliberalism, for its part, is an economic doctrine for Anderson and not a political one, centred on cutting direct taxation, deregulating financial and labour markets, weakening trade unions, and privatising public services  an extreme take on capitalism, in some ways, and not particularly democratic.

Classical liberalism defended a rather limited suffrage, in contrast to what Domenico Losurdo calls radicalism, which advocated the equality of all men, across race and class, and thus was in favour of a universal suffrage (Losurdo identifies Mill, Marquis de Condorcet, and Immanuel Kant as radicals), the latter now a tenet of modern liberalism. Neoliberalism has been rather cavalier in this regard, though, sometimes even siding with authoritarian, far-right governments (as Anderson explains, Ludwig von Mises welcomed fascism and Friedrich Hayek favoured a small suffrage). Libertarianism, finally, has historically been a term that referred to anarchism, the latter often called libertarian socialism, in fact, but in the English-speaking world, or at least in the US, it is currently employed almost exclusively to refer to a right-wing, capitalist kind of doctrine.[iv]

To come back to Bobbio, and as alluded to earlier, he doesnt see liberalism or libertarianism as intrinsically left or right, but as possibly one or the other depending on the context, and this is certainly right; different strands of either can be placed on various possible axes, from the left-right spectrum to the moderate-extremist continuum. Theres also a geographical component to this, with liberal political parties in countries like Italy, Spain or France clearly on the right spectrum but far more centrist in the case of the United Kingdom and Germany, with the US in an altogether different position yet again.

Its all about the ideal of equality; or, rather, it is all about the attitude towards equality, as Bobbio insists. Equality is not an absolute ideal in any way, but a secundum quid ideal, a relative concept which necessitates working out what kind of rights we want to have and protect, and what kind of goods, including wealth, must be more equally shared, among whom, and under which criteria. The social liberalism typical of the left side of things would not only defend individual, economic, and political freedoms, for instance, but also social rights such as the rights to an education, to work, to health, etc. After all, the freedom a wealthy person enjoys is much greater than the freedom of a poor person and some recourse that goes beyond the minimum liberal doctrine according to which my freedom can only be curtailed insofar as it makes everyone elses freedom compatible must be forthcoming  it is hardly equal when the rich have access to better education, health, and jobs on the sole basis of their money, position in society, and general influence.

As a matter of fact, some proponents of classical libertarianism (which is to say a kind of socialism) saw the libertarian position as a natural development of classical liberalism (anarchism as the rightful heir to liberalism, that is) precisely because of the libertarian emphasis on a positive understanding of freedom  the ability to take control of ones life and realise ones potential. Thus, for Wilhelm von Humboldt the true end of Man [human beings, of course]is the highest and most harmonious development of his [their] prowess to a complete and consistent whole (p. 10 from The Limits of State Action), a position echoed in Bertrand Russells Proposed Roads to Freedom, and more recently by Noam Chomskys vision of a society as composed of spheres of self-realisation (p. 107 from here).

All this put together, then, for Bobbio the criterion to tell left- and right-wingers apart is their differing opinions regarding the ideal of equality, and the criterion to discern between moderate and extremist positions in each case is their attitudes towards freedom, including what kind of freedom to support. As argued, right ideologies tend to emphasise what they see as natural inequalities (perhaps in terms of class, yes, but today not in terms of race or sex, at least not always explicitly), thereby overemphasising, in a way, what divides people, whilst left ideologies stress that most inequalities are social and not natural, thus focusing more squarely on what unites rather than on what divides people.

And given, moreover, that left and right tend to support different kinds of freedoms  a negative kind in terms of constraints and interference on the right, and thus focused on the rights of the individual, a positive type in terms of self-realisation on the left, with a focus on cooperation and reciprocal dependence  these differences translate into the question of whether to support capitalism or socialism  and, if so, what kind in each case.

Contemporary political discourse around left and right policies in the US and UK these days is quite different. Let us put to one side the issue of private property, that terribile delitto for Cesare Beccaria, as well as the individual freedoms of belief, speech, thought, etc.[v] For a left worth its name, the issue is not about the personal property of a given individual, their house or car; the key issue is who owns the means of production and the uses these are put to. In the context of the UK, the Labour party under Tony Blair modified Clause IV from its Party Rule Book in 1995 in order to eliminate all mention of the common ownership of the means of production, distribution and exchange, a wording that clearly signalled the socialist ambition of the party up to that point, to be replaced for a democratic socialism defined solely in terms of a common set of values. This turned New Labour, for this was the rebranding at the time, into a centrist party, and even though the aspiration of New Labour to decrease some inequalities in the UK did distinguish it from the Conservative party, Blairs transformation has survived to this day and calling contemporary Labour a left-wing party is a bit de trop  there is no intention to even reform capitalism, let alone subvert it.

In the US, on the other hand, most of the talk on the supposed left side of politics is not even about equality, but about equity, the latter a concept to do with representation of different groups (in terms of race, sex/gender, etc.) in businesses, government, etc. in proportion to their existence in the general population, which in the event has mostly involved micro-interventions here and there to produce a more ethnically diverse elite. This has had the effect of replacing the issue of class with that of identity, and to leave inequality in the US mostly unchanged. Even though such trends are painted as progressive and therefore part of the left, the political theorist Enzo Rossi calls such positions more accurately as a case of radical liberalism (radlibs, he calls them on Twitter/X) and not a left undertaking, with Brian Leiter arguing that these trends are part of a neoliberal enterprise  as for the Democratic party, it is simply an aberration to see them as a left-wing party in a way, and here too Leiter is spot-on when he calls Democrats the prudent wing of the capitalist class.[vi]

Let us circle back to Chiara Cordellis article on capitalism to bring this long piece to an end. As explained earlier, in her article Cordelli argues that the most distinctive wrong of capitalism is that it makes most workers and citizens unfree (in addition to exploiting many workers, of course) in that most citizens lose agency over their own future under capitalism, the result of vastly unequal relationships in capitalist societies. In these very terms, Cordelli sees socialism as a project of reconciliation, a way for citizens to reappropriate their world; that is, disalienation as the right to share in the creation of ones future along with that of ones society, as Cordelli puts it, and this naturally means doing something about the ownership of the means of production, the sine qua non of doing away with inequality.

So there you have it, then: it is not really a left movement if capitalism is mostly left alone, and it is also not really a left movement if equality is also mostly left alone.

[i] It is really astonishing to see an academic humiliate themselves so thoroughly as Peterson did in this event, a debate with the philosopher Slavoj Zizek. He started the debate by admitting that he hadnt really read anything from Marx (or from Zizek) and then proceeded to give a sophomoric commentary on The Communist Manifesto, the shortest writing he was probably bothered to read for the event.

[ii] Ah, fascism. I of course exclusively mean the inter-war phenomenon in 1920-40s Europe by this term, and in particular the Italian kind, with militia-parties, extreme use of violence in the streets, anti-everything attitude, and the totalitarian intent to create a new Italy and new Italians as the main features. I most certainly do not think Trumpism has anything to do with fascism, despite the crude and manipulative generalisations by commentators such as Timothy Snyder and Jason Stanley (neither of these are actually experts on fascism, and one of them is fast becoming a charlatan, see here). Trumpism is more a combination of a mafia-style mentality (this post is from 2016, the Guardian is late to the party here), patrimonialism, and anarcho-capitalism, with the addition of a rather American strand of Christian nationalism  in fact, Trumpism is a very American phenomenon, full stop, even if authoritarian. The use and abuse of the term fascism is becoming shambolic by now; see, for one of the worst things I have read this year, Sophie Lewiss shameful accusation that some feminists are enabling fascism, echoing Judith Butlers equally execrable take on the matter.

[iii] A friend of mine and I used to joke that every time Anderson was eyeing a new holiday he would sit down and type out a long piece for the LRB on whatever topic took his fancy at the time (NB: the LRB is well-known for paying contributors rather well; lucky if you can get it).

[iv] I should add that this is also true of liberalism, as this concept very often receives different interpretations across Europe and the US (see, for instance, this exchange between European and American scholars on liberalism and socialism). In fact, I could write a whole entry on 3QD entitled Liberalism, Libertarianism, Fascism: Americans, give us back our word-concepts!, and maybe I will.

[v] In a 1957 article on what the left and the right share and do not share, which Bobbio references approvingly in his book, Luigi Einaudi stresses that left and right ideologies are indeed in agreement regarding individual freedoms in addition to accepting the need for the state to intervene in the economy as well as in many other domains; what they dont agree on is in relation to the ideals of equality and liberty, to labour the point I have been making here.

[vi] This, in addition, pinpoints Cohens hopelessness in relating the left and liberals in the title of the forgotten book of his I cited in the incipit.

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Tanzania's Confucius Institute marks Chinese Language Day with special performance

Xinhua) 13:17, April 10, 2025

DAR ES SALAAM, April 9 (Xinhua) -- Teachers and students learning Chinese language at the Confucius Institute at the University of Dar es Salaam on Wednesday celebrated Chinese Language Day by watching a special performance of "Journey to the West," a classic Chinese tale which features the Monkey King.

It is one of the most famous and beloved stories in China, enjoyed by people of all ages, said Musa Hans, the Tanzanian director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Dar es Salaam. Hans encouraged students to analyze the story and draw lessons from it so as to strengthen their Chinese language skills.

Due to China's rapid economic development and its growing influence in international affairs, the importance of learning the Chinese language has been recognized worldwide, Hans added.

"For my fellow Tanzanians, learning Chinese can open many employment opportunities," he noted, adding that speaking Chinese allows them to study in China in fields such as engineering, technology, medicine and many others, providing a solid foundation for future employment.

Zhang Xiaozhen, the Chinese director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Dar es Salaam, said the celebration helped deepen mutual understanding and cultural exchange between China and Tanzania.

Learning Chinese not only enhances communication skills but also builds a bridge for long-term cooperation between the two countries, Zhang added.

The UN Language Days, launched in 2010, celebrate multilingualism and cultural diversity and promote the equal use of the organization's six official languages, namely Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
A Hong Kong actor, 74, confirmed he is engaged to his 37-year-old girlfriend who is behind bars for forgery.

Lee Lung Kei, a veteran actor known for his work in television dramas including Sinister Beings and its 2024 sequel, Sinister Beings 2, confirmed that he and his longtime partner, Chris Wong, plan to marry following her release from prison in July.

Wong, who identifies herself as Wang Qingxia, pleaded guilty in 2024 to five charges of forgery in addition to three charges of making false statements to gain an entry permit and for overstaying in Hong Kong.

She was given a 25 month prison sentence.

Despite her incarceration, Lee said their relationship has only grown stronger.

He reportedly keeps a suitcase containing more than 410 handwritten letters from Wong, who began writing to him regularly during her time behind bars.

During a recent prison visit, Wong agreed to take their relationship to the next step.

"I am not hesitating anymore. I will marry you," Wong said, according to Lee.

The couple went public with their relationship in 2020, sparking conversations due to their 37-year age difference.

Lee has remained vocal in his support of Wong and is looking forward to their future together.

"I promised her that as soon as she gets out, I will take care of the marriage registration right away," he said.

Lee plans to present Wong with an engagement ring after her scheduled release on July 7.

Originally published on Kdrama Stars
A 15-year-old boy from New York has been charged with murder and attempted murder after allegedly fatally stabbing his grandmother and attacking his mother, who survived by pretending to be dead, according to police.

The tragedy unfolded on Monday night in Suffolk County, New York, when tensions inside the household escalated, ABC 7 New York reported.

Vanessa Chendemi, 36, had been increasingly worried about her son's recent behavior, including skipping school and isolating himself with his computer. That night, she confronted him and threatened to take the computer away, prompting her mother, 56-year-old Concetta Chendemi, to back her up, as reported by CBS New York.

The argument reportedly triggered a violent outburst. The teenidentified in court as Indigo Anguloallegedly grabbed kitchen knives and attacked both women. Vanessa was stabbed multiple times in the face and neck, but managed to survive by playing dead. After the teen left the room, she fled the house and flagged down a passing car for help.

Around 9:45 p.m., Suffolk County police officers arrived to find Concetta dead after sustaining stab wounds to her chest, stomach and leg. Meanwhile, Vanessa was rushed to the hospital and is expected to recover.

The teenager fled the scene but was captured by police roughly 90 minutes later, a few blocks away. He appeared in court the next day.

Angulo now faces charges of second-degree murder and attempted murder and is expected to be tried as an adult.

Originally published on Lawyer Herald
Ksenia Karelina, a Russian-American woman who had been serving a 12-year sentence for treason in Russia, is now free and en route to the United States, according to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

In a post on X Thursday, Rubio confirmed the news, stating, "American Ksenia Karelina is on a plane back home to the United States. She was wrongfully detained by Russia for over a year and President Trump secured her release."

Rubio also emphasized that President Trump would continue his efforts to secure the freedom of all American citizens detained abroad. However, it remains unclear whether Karelina's release was part of a broader prisoner swap agreement.

Karelina, who was 33 at the time of her conviction, had been sentenced in August after being found guilty of treason for donating just over $50 to a U.S.-based charity supporting Ukraine. Her trial took place in the same Yekaterinburg court where Wall Street Journal journalist Evan Gershkovich was convicted of espionage and handed a 16-year prison sentence last year.

Gershkovich was released in a landmark prisoner swap, which also saw the freedom of former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, Russian-American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, and prominent Putin critic and permanent U.S. resident Vladimir Kara-Murza. The exchange included a number of Russian citizens, including convicted assassin Vadim Krasikov, who were returned to Russia from various countries.

Karelina, a Los Angeles resident and amateur ballerina, became a U.S. citizen in 2021. She had traveled to Russia in January 2024 to visit her 90-year-old grandmother, sister, and parents. Initially planning to stay for only two weeks, the US did not learn of her detention until Feb. 8, 2024.

Her release marks the second time since Donald Trump resumed office that an American citizen has been freed from Russian custody. In February, Marc Fogel, an American teacher detained in Russia for over three years, was released in a swap for Russian money launderer Alexander Vinnik.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney called President Donald Trump's pause on global tariffs a "welcome reprieve" and said Ottawa will begin negotiations with Washington on a new economic deal after elections.

After days of turmoil in global markets, the mercurial US president abruptly announced Wednesday a pause for 90 days on tariffs on most countries except China.

Carney took to social media platform X and called it a "welcome reprieve for the global economy".

He added that Canada and the United States will "commence negotiations on a new economic and security relationship immediately following the Federal election" on April 28.

Tensions over trade and foreign policy have soured the relationship of the two traditionally close allies, who were also each others' biggest trading partners.

Canada was mostly spared in the latest round of Trump's tariffs but had already been targeted by US tariffs on steel, aluminum and automobiles.

It also began imposing a 25 percent tariff on certain US auto exports starting Wednesday, announced last week in retaliation to Trump's levies on imported autos and parts.

Trump on Wednesday also said that trade deals could be made with every country, which Carney warned in his X post could "result in a fundamental restructuring of the global trading system".

"In that context, Canada must also continue to deepen its relationships with trading partners that share our values, including the free and open exchange of goods, services, and ideas," he said.

Carney, who last month succeeded Justin Trudeau as prime minister, is from the Liberal Party, which is largely expected to win.

The Liberals trailed in polls earlier this year but pulled back thanks to a defiant stance to Trump's trade war, with their Conservative rivals seen as more accommodating to the U.S. president.
A 24-year-old gamer from Florida, has pleaded guilty to killing his father and shooting his mother in the head after being told to stop playing video games and "get a job."

The tragic events unfolded on December 7, 2024, when Joseph Voigt's parents confronted him about his lack of ambition and urged him to stop spending so much time playing video games, WFLA reported.

The situation escalated, and Voigt responded with violence, shooting his 63-year-old father, Marvin Voigt, in the driveway. He then shot his 58-year-old mother, Susan Voigt, in the head.

Despite the severity of her injuries, Susan managed to call 911, identifying her son as the shooter. Joseph had a history of legal trouble, including arrests for firing a weapon and battery, and was out on bond when the shooting occurred.

Following the shooting, authorities launched an intense manhunt for Joseph. After tracking his vehicle to Orlando, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop, arrested him, and brought him back to Polk County.

During questioning, Joseph admitted to the crime, claiming his father's criticism had driven him to anger. Originally facing charges of first-degree murder and attempted murder, Joseph changed his plea to guilty for second-degree murder and other related charges.

Meanwhile, Susan survived the attack, though she remains physically and emotionally scarred.

At present, Joseph is awaiting sentencing, which is expected to result in a prison term ranging from 26 years to life.

Originally published on Lawyer Herald
Accor, a global leader in hospitality, and Propreal Capital Partners, a leading real estate investment firm, are pleased to announce the signing of Sofitel Porto, set to open in 2028. This marks the second collaboration between Propreal and Sofitel, following the success of Sofitel Barcelona Skipper. Strategically located between Avenida dos Aliados and Rua de Santa Catarina, Sofitel Porto will elevate luxury hospitality in Portugal's vibrant and second-largest city.

Sofitel Porto will seamlessly blend the brand's signature style with Porto's rich cultural heritage. The 132-room luxury hotel, spanning approximately 11,000 m, will feature extensive public spaces, multiple dining concepts with potential partnerships with renowned Portuguese chefs, and a mix of tranquil and lively areas designed to cater to both international travellers and Porto's dynamic local community. Situated in the heart of the city, the hotel will also offer carefully designed green spaces that provide a refreshing natural element within the urban setting. The property's protected facade will be carefully preserved, while the interior design, led by renowned designer Lazaro Rosa-Violan, will highlight the building's identity, reflecting a sophisticated fusion of Portuguese artistry and French refinement. The meticulous restoration will focus on reviving the building's original splendour, showcasing exceptional artisanal details that celebrate the city's rich design traditions.

Accor identified a unique opportunity to expand its luxury hospitality footprint in Porto when Propreal Capital Partners secured this prime location. Sharing a common vision, the two partners continue to join forces to bring world-class hospitality experiences to key European destinations.

Sofitel Porto will be a flagship for the brand in the Iberian Peninsula, marking Accor's first luxury hotel in Porto and its second Sofitel in Portugal, alongside Sofitel Lisbon Avenida Liberdade. Accor already operates several hotels in the city under the Novotel, Mercure, and ibis brands.

Hotel website
IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG), one of the world's leading hotel companies, announces the signing of the first voco hotels in Turkiye. voco Antalya Konyaalt, in partnership with Pnarlar Kurumsal Hizmetler Turizm A.S, is expected to open in summer 2025, strengthening IHG's growth within Turkiye's expanding tourism sector.

voco hotels is IHG's fastest-growing premium brand, offering a hotel experience that is consistently thoughtful and distinct. Each property is characterised by its individual charm, providing guests with something different while also ensuring the reliability of a global brand.

Antalya, the 'Turkish Riviera', attracts millions of tourists annually with its city's rich heritage, stunning Mediterranean coastline and the scenic Taurus Mountains, making the city a highly desirable destination for leisure travellers.

voco Antalya Konyaalt will have 120 rooms and be located in the heart of Antalya. The hotel will provide a wealth of amenities designed to enhance the guest stay for both dining and socialising, including a stylish restaurant and bar, and a selection of meeting rooms will be available for business travellers. Guests will be able to indulge in a range of treatments at the on-site spa or make use of the well-equipped gym and outdoor swimming pool.

The signing of voco Antalya Konyaalt follows a number of other recent strategic announcements across IHG's brand portfolio in Turkiye. This includes the market's first Garner Hotels located in Istanbul and the brand entry of Vignette Collection with Istanbul Karakoy - showcasing IHG's diverse brand appeal and thoughtful expansion in the Turkish market.

IHG Hotels & Resorts has 33* open hotels in Turkiye, across five brands - Six Senses, InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn Express and Holiday Inn. voco Antalya Konyaalt will become the first voco in Turkiye, joining 12* pipeline properties across six brands (InterContinental, Vignette Collection, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn Express Holiday Inn and Garner) in the country and 19* voco hotels in Europe.

*Numbers as of 31 December 2024

Hotel website
The Dewberry Charleston announced the appointment of Brian Sommer as Managing Director. With more than 30 years of hospitality experience and leading teams at some of the finest luxury hotels in the United States and globally, Sommer will oversee all aspects of operations, including strategic planning, financial management and ensuring The Dewberry maintains its high standards of excellence across guest service and staff performance.

Most recently, Sommer served as the General Manager of Vintners Resort in Sonoma County, CA where he acted as a liaison for ownership and oversaw budget and quality control. He repositioned the hotel as a part of a 5-year strategy to grow sales and execute a multiphase renovation, increasing revenue within just 6 months on the job. A passion for all facets of hospitality, Sommer graduated from The University of Arkansas before entering the Culinary Institute of America to follow his passion for cooking. He began his career in food and beverage working in a series of managerial positions at Four Seasons New York and Four Seasons Resort and Club in Dallas, before serving as Director of Food & Beverage at Four Seasons Resort Nevis and Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach. Sommer returned to Four Seasons Resort and Club in Dallas to serve as the lead Catering Manager and Business Development Principal. Transitioning into larger leadership roles, Sommer held positions as General Manager for Hotel Les Mans and Managing Director at The Matheson and Roof 106 in Healdsburg, CA.

Sommer champions a culture of accountability and excellence through thoughtful communication and focuses on being a results-driven business operator at all the positions he takes on. Sommer believes community is a vital part of life and enjoys serving his workplace and community with the intent of leaving anywhere he travels better than how he found it. An avid outdoor enthusiast and lover of travel, in his free time, Sommer looks forward to connecting with other business leaders in the greater Charleston community and exploring all the Lowcountry has to offer.
Germantown, TN-based McNeill Hotel Company recently named hospitality industry veteran Chris Kontos to the position of Regional Director of Operations. MHC Vice President of Hotel Operations Jesse Kremer made the announcement.

In this role, Kontos will direct report to Kremer, and work closely with all general managers, assistant general managers, sales teams, housekeeping and other staff at individual hotels under his supervision. Operating goals will include adhering to a balanced scorecard approach, focusing on associate training and satisfaction, guest satisfaction, meeting brand standards and initiatives, and achieving financial success.

Kontos has more than 25 years of hospitality industry experience. Immediately prior to joining McNeill Hotel Company, Kontos served for ten years with Hotel Management Group as Regional Director of Operations of the Midwest and Carolina markets. His activities there included direct involvement in the development of Hyatt and Hilton branded hotels from pre-construction to grand openings.

Previously, Kontos worked with Cliffbreakers Hotel & Resort as General Manager; with CFI as Regional Director of Operations/General Manager and in Marketing & Sales; and with multiple Marriott properties in Illinois markets. Kontos earned a Bachelor in Business Administration at Lewis University in Romeoville, IL.
There is something dynamic, inspiring, and almost magical when you are sitting at the Women in Leadership (WIL) Days roundtable table; on your left, there is a senior executive of a renowned company, and on your right, another leader of the industry that you always dreamed of pursuing. Suddenly, all eyes and ears are on you as you share your perspectives of the world, and you feel HEARD.

However, the table configuration has not always looked like thiswith a mixture of students and industry professionals of both genders, cultures, and backgrounds, exchanging and learning from each other. In the past, not long ago, not everyone had the opportunity to speak up. The configuration has changed, and the WIL Day 2025 has proven the importance of intergenerational conversations on the future of work and inclusiveness at the workplace.

Leadership and Inclusion

WIL Day 2025 was nothing short of inspiring, enriching, thought-provoking, and relevant, as described by the CEO and Head of Territory for BNP Paribas Group in Switzerland, Ms. Enna Pariset, and the Chair of the Board of BlackRock Asset Management Switzerland Ltd, Dr. Mirjam Staub-Bisang.

Learning from the Past to Shape the Future

As we look toward the future of work, there is relevance in looking back into the past to see how the workplace has evolved. Based on Dr. Mirjam Staub-Bisangs experience, in the past, earlier generations rarely involved younger voices in conversations at the management level or in the competitive landscape of employment. Today, however, the GenZ seeks not only a seat at the table but also meaningful opportunities to be heard while expecting long-term stability in their careers and purpose in their work.

Enna Pariset, who manages over 1,200 people in Switzerland and hired 150 people in the past 2 years, noted the clear importance of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) topics for GenZ, with the new graduates often asking questions about company engagement during the interviews or at university graduate fairs.

In the past, women fought the battles for equality to open the doors for the new generation entering the workforce. Today, we walk through those doors with our own challenges, adapting to the ever-changing environments with new technology, balancing choices and options, and, more deeply, searching for a sense of purpose and belonging everywhere.

The Growing Demand for Inclusiveness

The demand for an environment of inclusiveness for all types of diversity (e.g. gender, age, cognitive and physical diversity) is growing. Hence, the need for companies to adapt to new ways of working, expectations, and giving and receiving feedback is emerging with the nonstop pace of change where tools for inclusiveness shape the workplace. But how do we figure out the type of social change that is happening and where the future of work is heading?

By listening, sharing, and building a bridge between curious young leaders of GenZ and seasoned professionals who have been shaping different industries.

Bridging the Gap Through Intergenerational Exchange

WIL Day 2025 has been described as an embodiment of reverse mentoring, a pertinent topic that sparked great importance in todays conversations, workplace, and life in general. There are not just more women leaders but more ages and voices that bring diverse perspectives to the table to show that it is valuable to include everyone.

Ms Pariset noted the importance of DEI policies in the workplace and highlighted that BNP Paribas (Suisse) SA received the Swiss LGBTI-label in 2024 for the second consecutive year.

The Importance of Role Models in Career Development

Dr. Staub-Bisang expressed that she lacked female role models growing up. Ms Pariset has always looked up to her mother who was an accomplished lawyer. Now, they find themselves as role models for us students, which is exactly what GenZ needs in order to understand that the possibilities are endless. We are encouraged to share our perspectives and curiosity; in return, we receive inspiring stories of valuable experiences and empowerment.

Embracing Change as the Only Constant

The only constant is change - what has changed in the past continues to evolve, and what is now will inevitably transform in the future. Dr. Mirjam Staub-Bisang, Chair BlackRock Switzerland and Senior Advisor

The logo of BNP Paribas is the bank for a changing world and Ms Pariset believes that embracing change is key to progress and success and as the CEO, she is often the one who initiates changes, saying that this is the way the world works, the winners are those who can anticipate change.

Although change can mean uncertainty, it is the only constant in every situation. And now more than ever, we can seek guidance in the lessons learned by our role models.

EHL Initiative

The WIL Initiative promotes ACTION by accompany promising individuals for growth, expanding network and opportunities for development, developing tailored solutions for companies, and creating innovative women-related projects.

About EHL Group

EHL Group is the global reference in education, innovation and consulting for the hospitality and service sector.

With expertise dating back to 1893, EHL Group now offers a wide range of leading educational programs from apprenticeships to master's degrees, as well as professional and executive education, on three campuses in Switzerland and Singapore. EHL Group also offers consulting and certification services to companies and learning centers around the world. True to its values and committed to building a sustainable world, EHL Group's purpose is to provide education, services and working environments that are people-centered and open to the world. www.ehlgroup.com

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DALLAS  Remington Hospitality, a premier hotel management company, is proud to announce its new role managing the luxurious Sofitel Chicago Magnificent Mile. Beginning in May 2025, the 415-room luxury property will transition from brand management to a franchise model under the existing master hotel management agreement with Braemar Hotels & Resorts.

This shift marks an exciting new chapter for the property, with Remington Hospitality poised to uphold and enhance the Sofitel brands legacy of refined, French-inspired luxury. Guests can continue to expect the sophisticated service, elegant design, and elevated experiences that have made the hotel a beloved fixture in downtown Chicago.

We are thrilled to welcome Sofitel Chicago Magnificent Mile to the Remington family. This property is an exciting addition to our growing luxury portfolio and further underscores our commitment to delivering world-class guest experiences in prime markets. Jason Reader, Chief Operating Officer of Remington Hospitality

Centrally located in the heart of the Gold Coast Historic District, the Sofitel Chicago Magnificent Mile is renowned for its elegant design and exceptional service, offering guests an elevated stay in one of the city's most vibrant neighborhoods. At Sofitel Chicago Magnificent Mile, guests can explore the citys rich history, iconic architecture, and diverse culinary scene. The hotels striking design seamlessly blends an avant-garde exterior with a sophisticated interior, offering a contemporary take on French heritage. Le Bar, a chic lobby-level lounge, serves seasonal cocktails and bites, while the state-of-the-art fitness center helps guests recharge before exploring the vibrant Magnificent Mile, just steps from the hotel.

Through its partnership with Braemar Hotels & Resorts, Remington Hospitality will leverage its expertise in service and operations to enhance the guest experience. By upholding the Sofitel brands values of refined luxury and attention to detail, Remington will ensure personalized service that makes every stay memorable. Additionally, all employees at the time of the transition will retain their roles as valued members of Remington Hospitality, maintaining continuity and consistency in service.

The addition of Sofitel Chicago Magnificent Mile strengthens Remington Hospitalitys commitment to strategic growth and expanding its luxury portfolio in top-tier markets.

About Remington Hospitality

Remington is a dynamic hotel management company providing genuine hospitality and expertise in property management. Founded in 1968, the hospitality group has grown into a strong, industry-leading service provider and today manages 135 hotels in 27 states and Washington, D.C., across 33 brands, including 16 independent and boutique properties. Remington believes its people are the ultimate source of competitive advantage. The organization has a reputation for consistently delivering outstanding results to owners, investors, brands, guests, and associates. As a result of our success, Remington has become the place Where Passionate People Thrive. Visit www.remingtonhospitality.com to learn more.
UN Tourism has advanced South-South cooperation in tourism development, putting into action the aims of the Punta Cana Declaration signed by its Member States from Africa and the Americas. Building on the success of the inaugural event, the 2nd UN Tourism Africa & The Americas Summit outlined concrete plans for achieving shared goals, focused on innovation, Technical Cooperation, enhanced connectivity, tourism investments and tourist confidence through security.

According to UN Tourisms data, both regions have bounced back from the impacts of the pandemic: in 2024, Africa welcomed 74 million international arrivals, 7% more than in 2019, and 12% more than in 2023. The Americas, meanwhile, welcomed 213 million, or around 97% of pre-pandemic arrivals. The Summit made clear the strong links between the two regions, both in terms of visitors between and within regions, as well as investment source markets and recipients.

This Summit is proof of the enduring commitment of Africa and the Americas to cooperate across borders and oceans. Our roadmap will advance inclusive growth and ensure that tourism remains a driver of shared prosperity. Above all, by focusing on training and skill-building, were giving people, especially youth, the means to succeed in todays competitive world. UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili

The Vice President of the Republic of Zambia, Mutale Nalumango, stressed the importance of shared connectivity and cooperation in the face of shared challenges. In remarks delivered by Minister of Tourism Rodney Sikumba, she said: The diversity of experiences and perspectives here today represents a treasure of knowledge which, if collectively harnessed, will enhance our capacity to advance the resilient tourism sector we envision.

South-South Development through Investments

Growing and directing investment into tourism is one of the key pillars of the Punta Cana Declaration. In Zambia, UN Tourism shared its achievements in this priority area. To date, 18 editions of the Tourism Doing Business Guidelines for investment have been published for destinations across Africa and the Americas. A further 10 are in development.

The Guidelines highlight the enormous potential for tourism investment within and between the regions. Between 2019 and 2024, Africa invested around USD 3.9 in 36 projects in the Americas, while Latin America and the Caribbean invested the same amount in 34 projects in Africa. With the aim of raising these levels, UN Tourism announced plans to organise a Biennial Africa-Americas Tourism Investment Conference. The Conference will bring together governments, financial institutions, private sector actors and development partners with the aim of boosting cross-continental investment flows and target investment around shared priorities.

A shared future: Growth through education

With over 50% of the tourism workforce under 25, the sector offers vast opportunities for young people, particularly in Africa  the worlds youngest continent  and the Americas. To put the education-focused aims of the Punta Cana Declaration into action, UN Tourism is advancing training in both regions. In Zambia, delegates were brought up-to-date with work in the Dominican Republic, where a collaboration with MIREX will provide training on diplomacy and tourism, to be launched this year.

Also at the Summit, delegates were given an update on the status of the planned Academy in collaboration with UN Tourism in Livingstone. The Academy will serve as a hub for specialist education and join UN Tourisms growing network of education centres. These include the International Academy for the Culinary Arts in Zimbabwe and a planned centre in the Dominica Republic, in collaboration with INFOTEP. Moving forward, UN Tourism will also aim to reach around 2,000 beneficiaries in both Africa and the Americas through its new WhatsApp courses for professional development.

Innovation to shape future of African-American tourism

Hand-in-hand with education, the Punta Cana Declaration places innovation at the centre of South-South cooperation for tourism development. In Livingstone, UN Tourism announced the pending launch of a first Start-Up Competition for the regions. The Bridges of Innovation challenge will seek out enterprises ready to address challenges in the areas of sustainability, inclusivity and digital transformation, with a focus on local communities.

Investment will also serve as the main aim of the first UN Tourism Thematic Office in Morocco. The Office will serve as a hub for innovation, with acceleration programmes for regional start-ups, research and development and for celebrating new talent through Tourism Tech Adventures.

Enhanced connectivity and tourist safety

The Punta Cana Declaration aims to address challenges hindering tourism growth through limited air connectivity. In Guatemala, UN Tourism has partnered with INGUAT to begin a joint Work Plan aimed at linking industry players to boost links. Alongside this, a planned 2nd Ministerial Conference on Tourism and Air Transport in Africa will be held in Angola in July, with a focus on AI and innovation for connectivity.

The Africa & Americas Summit also platformed UN Tourisms progress in elevating safety standards for tourists and so boosting confidence in travel to both regions. In Livingstone, delegates were brought up-to-date with progress in the Safety of Destinations Initiative (SAFE-D), designed to boost public-private collaboration and promote crisis preparedness.

About UN Tourism

UN Tourism is the United Nations agency responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism. An intergovernmental organization, UN Tourism has 160 Member States, 6 Associate Members, 2 Observers and over 500 Affiliate Members. The General Assembly is the supreme organ of the Organization. The Executive Council takes all measures, in consultation with the Secretary-General, for the implementation of the decisions and recommendations of the General Assembly and reports to the Assembly. UN Tourism headquarters are based in Madrid, Spain. The election for Secretary General will be in May 2025.
BANGKOK  The American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA) today announced a collaboration between Hospitality Technology Next Generation (HTNG), its hotel technology network, and the newly formed Japan Hospitality Technology Association (JHTA). This alliance will allow Japanese hotels to use HTNGs standardized interfaces to improve efficiency and make guest experiences more seamless and consistent.

JHTA was created in March 2025 to promote data standardization in Japan, advance the use of industry data, and support implementation of new technology, among other goals. Under the agreement announced today, JHTA will translate HTNGs globally adopted technology interoperability standards from English to Japanese for use in Japan. JHTA plans to create its own standard extensions to better support the specific needs of Japanese businesses.

HTNGs mission is to put the collective wisdom of hospitality technology leaders to work in solving common problems and unlocking global business potential. Our collaboration with JHTA represents a major advance in that mission. David Sjolander, CAE, Vice President of AHLA for HTNG Operations

Our collaboration with AHLA, representing Hotel & Lodging industry in the United States, will enhance our interoperability with global standards. We are thrilled to reinforce the international competitiveness of the Japanese Lodging and Tourism industry. Yuuki Kameoka, Director of JHTA

The collaboration was announced at the HTNG Connect: Asia-Pacific 2025 meeting in Bangkok, which brought hospitality technology professionals together from around the world to hear from top experts about trends in the sector.

About Hospitality Technology Next Generation (HTNG)

Part of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), HTNG the premier technology solutions association in the hospitality industry, HTNG serves members from hospitality companies, technology vendors to hospitality, consultants, media and academic experts. HTNG's members participate in focused workgroups to bring to market open solution sets addressing specific business problems. HTNG fosters the selection and adoption of existing open standards and also develops new open standards to meet the needs of the global hospitality industry.

Currently more than 400 corporate and individual members from across this spectrum, including world leading hospitality companies and technology vendors, are active HTNG participants. HTNG's Board of Governors, consisting of 22 top IT leaders from hospitality companies around the world, itself has technology responsible for over 3 million guest rooms and world-leading venues. HTNG publishes workgroup proceedings, drafts and specifications for all HTNG members as soon as they are created, encouraging rapid and broad adoption. HTNG releases specifications into the public domain as soon as they are ratified by the workgroups.
Grecotel Hotels and Resorts is the leading hotel chain in Greece dedicated to mastering the craft of welcoming luxury in the hospitality industry. With a portfolio of 40 luxury hotels and resorts and over 6,700 employees, the company delivers sophisticated lifestyle experiences for guests in the countrys most beautiful destinations. During our 45-year journey, our greatest asset and the key to our success has always been our people. Thats why our commitment lies in the continuous improvement and development of our services by building strong relationships with our guests, business associates, employees and the communities in which we operate. We are driven by our passion, as we constantly seek out challenges and identify new opportunities. We work hard to connect with our people and grow together. We are a place where talented people can make bold contributions towards excellence, a company where new ideas are shared!
In this weeks episode of Hotel Moment, Matthijs Welle, CEO of Mews, joins Revinate CEO and guest host Bryson Koehler to shine a light on the one thing hoteliers cant afford to ignore: hotel data security.

With bad actors attempting to access sensitive hotel and guest data from all fronts, its up to hoteliers to not only recognize those threats, but also educate their staff on the warning signs that signal vulnerable guest data.

Matt explains why protecting guest data is the most important responsibility for every hotelier, and why that responsibility becomes much easier by prioritizing clean guest data and limiting data access to relevant hotel departments.

Tune in and find out how to make smart tech investments that take a progressive approach to hotel data security, while facilitating guest communication in a safe and personalized manner.

Meet your host

As Chief Marketing Officer at Revinate, Karen Stephens is focused on driving long-term growth by building Revinates brand equity, product marketing, and customer acquisition strategies. Her deep connections with hospitality industry leaders play a key role in crafting strategic partnerships.

Karen is also the host of The Hotel Moment Podcast, where she interviews top players in the hospitality industry. Karen has been with Revinate for over 11 years, leading Revinates global GTM teams. Her most recent transition was from Chief Revenue Officer, where she led the team in their highest booking quarter to date in Q4 2023.

Karen has more than 25 years of expertise in global hospitality technology and online distribution  including managing global accounts in travel and hospitality organizations such as Travelocity and lastminute.com

Watch the video

Transcript

Matthijs Welle  00:00:00: We have to teach everyone who works at the frontline that has access to sensitive data how to protect that data. And you cant look at an IT department to do 100% protection. Yes, there are things you can put in place like Single Sign-On, like two-factor authentication, which make the gaps smaller. But its never 100% unless you really make your teams aware of it.

Intro  00:00:26: Welcome to the Hotel Moment Podcast presented by Revinate. The podcast where we discuss how hotel technology shapes every moment of the hoteliers experience. This podcast is hosted by Bryson Khoeler, Chief Marketing Officer of Revinate, and she is joined by leaders in the hospitality industry. Tune in as we explore the cutting-edge technology transforming the hospitality industry and hear from experts and visionaries shaping the future of guest experiences. Whether youre a hotelier or a tech enthusiast, youre in the right place. Lets dive in and discover how we can elevate the art of hospitality together.

Bryson Koehler- 00:01:04: Okay, well, good day, everybody. Im Bryson Koehler. Im the CEO of Revinate, and welcome back to the Hotel Moment. I am filling in for Karen today, and I have got the amazing pleasure of having Matt from Mews with me. Matt is the CEO of Mews, a longtime hospitality guy who has been in the industry for a long time. And, you know, Matt, welcome, and thanks for being with us today.

Matthijs Welle  00:01:29: Thank you for having me. You make me sound so old.

Bryson Koehler- 00:01:32: Well, you know, its really about experience, right? Ive been in the industry for a long time, too. So, you know, look, I think one thing would be great to hear from you is, like, how have you kind of seen the hospitality software landscape evolve since you first got engaged in the industry? And whats really exciting you today about the future of the hotel technology landscape?

Matthijs Welle  00:01:58: Yeah, so I came into hotels 20 years ago, and I did that on DOS systems, the blue screens, which back then we had iPhones. Its just that hotels had decided not to use that level of technology. And we just were like holding on for dear life to these DOS systems, these old legacy systems. And I remember the first time I saw one of them and theyre like, No, you dont use your mouse in these systems. You do everything with shortcut keys and were going to have to train you for a week in a back office room. And I thought that was just absolutely insane.

Bryson Koehler- 00:02:28: Long live the green screen.

Matthijs Welle  00:02:30: Yeah, its like I did love it. It was a great, great system, but it didnt allow you to do anything cool. It allowed you to run the business. And you see today that theres this landscape and weve just returned from a big trade show. And you see that the hole that normally hosted the big brands of Marriott and Hilton and Intercontinental suddenly became a tech hole. Because technology becomes almost more important. Nowadays, and what youre doing with the tech stack, then what brand you have on the roof. And I think thats the thing that excites me, that you can genuinely build a tech stack that is truly unique to your hotel, to your customers. And thats really what we tried to start 12 years ago with Mews and opening up that marketplace. And its just nice to see that thats happening now.

Bryson Koehler- 00:03:15: I think thats really well said. I think if I go back in my hospitality, you know, time machine, yeah, I mean, if you go back 20 years ago, you really needed the power of those big brands and the technology investments that they could make, you know, at global scale to give you the power that you needed to, you know, understand guests and loyalty and bookings and rate management and all of that. But if you fast forward to today. You really can go through that hall and put together an amazing technology stack.

Matthijs Welle  00:03:51: If you think about the brands, even still today, they pretty much dictate a core tech stack. And hoteliers dont want that. They are looking for freedom so that they can do the thing that they want to do. And thats where a lot of the more innovative hoteliers that have a big brand on the roof are considering whether they should strip that brand because they want the freedom and go for more of a soft brand potentially so theyd still get access to the systems. But it is encouraging to see that technology is so critical to entrepreneurs that they will rethink even the brand on the roof.

Bryson Koehler- 00:04:25: I think thats, yeah, absolutely. In fact, I continue to go around as Im talking to folks, and I place little $1 bets as to whether or not five years from now we think the, you know, penetration of brands overall, you know, is up, down or flat, you know, from where it is today. And I, you know, I continue to, you know, think that, you know, the power of those brands and the cost, and overhead of those brands is going to continue to be more and more difficult to sell to an asset owner. And the great things that, you know, Mews or Revinate or others are doing to give hoteliers a real opportunity to have the power of modern technology, you know, that really can help them outperform, drive direct bookings, drive better hotel performance, and frankly, have a better net operating income story than they would have otherwise. Its going to be an exciting few years, I think.

Matthijs Welle  00:05:26: I really think so. And I get excited because obviously as an industry, we talk a lot about how do I drive more revenue this year versus last year. And its hard, like its really hard, and you cant just increase your price every single year because people wont take it. So you got to get really creative. And that means doing maybe something, getting more return customers or driving up sales or driving cross sales or diversifying your offering with what you have. And thats the thing that were not used to. Were just used to just increasing the price and then hoping that people will buy it. And something is shifting.

Bryson Koehler- 00:05:58: Yeah. And I think that, you know, weve always had headwinds in the hospitality space, right? Whether its, you know, terrorism, you know, bird flu, SARS, housing downturns, economic crises, but they were short-lived. Right? We always return to the mean. The industry always returned to the mean. We always got back to the mean. And I think kind of whats been going on in the last, you know, 12, 16, 18, 24 months is a more long-term permanent structural shift. Structural shift in the cost of capital. Structural shift in the cost of labor, energy, insurance, food, whatever. These are real. These are permanent shifts. You know, were not the cost of capital is not going to return to the mean anytime soon. The cost of labor is certainly not returning to the mean anytime soon, right? So these things were, I think, in the past, we could just kind of just wait and see, wait it out and things will get back to normal soon. I dont think that thats going to happen this time. And I think the owners and management teams know that and now realize, wait a minute, technology is our friend. Weve really got to make these technology investments and we have to be smart about how we stitch them together to win in the current environment.

Matthijs Welle  00:07:23: Totally agree.

Bryson Koehler- 00:07:24: And, you know, other things, you know, you talked about the green screen. You know, the challenges that, you know, the green screen had in terms of usability and onboarding new people, and the training before you got really proficient. One of the benefits of that was, you know, in a more kind of point-to-point solution where it was harder for, you know, teams to fully be able to interact. We certainly didnt have people phishing user accounts on green screens back in the day.

Matthijs Welle  00:08:01: Well, they would hack the database, right? Theyd try to get into your back office database and steal the whole thing. And because thats become so much harder, the criminals have changed and morphed into a new kind of type of crime.

Bryson Koehler- 00:08:15: Yeah, I think its become so sophisticated today. The level of sophistication, I mean, these crime organizations, whether theyre state-sponsored or theyre kind of e-crime for-profit businesses, or theyre just hacktivists that are doing it for fun. I mean, these are very sophisticated, well-funded. Theyre running businesses. Theyve got P&Ls. They set budgets and targets. I mean, theyre really running businesses today.

Matthijs Welle  00:08:46: Yeah. Like, its really smart. Like, you know, if you remember a couple of years ago, youd get an email saying, Hey, come click on this link. That is not whats happening anymore. Its got so much more sophisticated. They are, you know, AdWords kings. They are bidding on your AdWords on Google, servicing your login pages, tricking your employees in hotels to hand over your logins, thinking that theyre on our login pages. These criminals are incredible. And the moment they get the logins, they get access to sensitive guest data. And then they start contacting guests. Like, Ive seen these WhatsApp messages going out to guests saying, Hey, Mr. Jones, youve got a reservation. Its on the 5th in our hotel XYZ. Unfortunately, your credit card failed. Could you pass us your credit card details? Its really, really good. And, you know, you get something that has your name in it. It has the hotel. It has your reservation. Youre like, yeah, this is probably the hotel. And we just have to fight this harder than ever.

Bryson Koehler- 00:09:47: We absolutely do. And, you know, I think the behavior shift is users that we have to go through. You know, we, I think for a long time, trained everybody that if you had antivirus on your machine, you were good.

Matthijs Welle  00:09:59: Yeah.

Bryson Koehler- 00:09:59: But one fascinating stat that I saw was that in 2024, last year, 79% of kind of hacker attacks were malware free. They were not software exploits. So, you know, only 21% of the attacks were things that, you know, people were downloading software that a traditional kind of antivirus would have picked up. You know, 79% were more what youre talking about. Its the social engineering side of this, which is much harder to detect if youre not a trained user yourself as an expert to detect these things. Its almost a new skill set. That you gotta put on your resume, which is Im a fishing detection expert, right?

Matthijs Welle  00:10:47: Yeah. And theres nothing, you know, ultimately its education. We have to teach everyone who works at the frontline that has access to sensitive data how to protect that data. And you cant look at an IT department to do 100% protection. Yes, there are things you can put in place like Single Sign-On, like two-factor authentication, which make the gap smaller, but its never 100% unless you really make your teams aware of it. And its a really long-term game that were playing. But its the same game that these criminals are playing. This is not a once-and-done attack. This will be life as it is from this moment forward. So we just have to do more to educate.

Bryson Koehler- 00:11:30: I saw also that when we think about like this is life moving forward, and that will continue to evolve. So phishing, which is, you know, using voice to call Matt and impersonate somebody, you know, to, you know, scam you. Those attacks were just between the first half of 2024, and the second half of 2024. So just last year, were up 442 percent. So theyre using AI now to, you know, really just continue to leapfrog. And so how do you think about, you know, how do we keep our users ahead of the curve? You know, the pace of technology being deployed in these malicious ways, is accelerating, almost, it seems faster than were able to keep up with educating our user community on how to spot them.

Matthijs Welle  00:12:29: Yeah, so we have whole tech teams now that just full-time think about this, whereas previously youd build a feature like two-factor authentication, and youre like, great, were good for a few years. Now they built that, and theyre already thinking about whats the next thing. And we built two-factor authentication, and we enforced it. And, for example, when you have an authenticator app on your phone, thats not even safe anymore. So we moved to Magic Links, and were moving to using biometrics to log in. And were always thinking, okay, theres a whole roadmap of security measures that were seeing. And every time we see a different vector with which the criminal is trying to access the system, were like, right, that needs to go in parity on my roadmap again. So tech companies need to have full-time teams that think about this deeply, which feels like such a waste of money if you think about it. Like theyre not innovating, theyre not doing things that make the system better. But ultimately, protecting the data is more important than anything else in the world.

Bryson Koehler- 00:13:25: Yeah, I think weve just since probably the kind of Q4 timeframe of last year have deployed over 70 product enhancements just related to security that are in many ways not perceptible to our users. Theyre not things that make the application better or make you

Matthijs Welle  00:13:47: It makes it even worse, right, if you think about it. Now you have to log in with two-factor authentication. And if youre at a reception desk, and you constantly log in, youre like, Oh, this is really annoying. So, you are almost  users are like, Oh, this is awful. But were just trying to protect your guests and your users.

Bryson Koehler- 00:14:06: Your brand, your hotel, right? Yeah, I think as we roll out Passkeys, and obviously all of the stuff that Mews is doing, Revinates doing, weve got hundreds of additional things that we know that we will work on this year. To your point, its full squads of engineers, you know, now working on this. I guess we just think that these things are kind of inevitable. What are some of the common mistakes that you see hoteliers make when it comes to managing guest data? And how much of that do you think technology can help? Like all this work that were doing and how much of it, you know, is going to come back to weve got to really make sure that we step up our game on staff training and education.

Matthijs Welle  00:14:55: Like the safest place to put guest data is definitely into a cloud system. You know, even though it is possible for someone to compromise the access data, nothing is safer than these cloud systems that are super well protected. But its also thinking about does everyone need access to all of this data, and really going through the user rights and making sure that only people that need it, like people in housekeeping, for example, who are on the floor, do they really need to know all of the guest data as well, and shielding that off in the right way and really bucketing what people have access to. And then saying, Okay, are we ready for Single Sign-On? Because Single Sign-On is probably one of the best ways to protect your company. But its a massive investment into your infrastructure, and making sure that youre really looking at every user. Are they set up for two-factor authentication or Single Sign-On, and have an IT department that is responsible for one, the system set up, but two, the education saying  Dont ever Google logins to access pages because that is where criminals are active. And Google sometimes helps us, but sometimes they dont. And when we see an ad that looks that,, that is malicious. So what they do is they promote an ad from a malicious company. Thats an ad company somewhere in Kazakhstan or in Russia that are bidding AdWords. And Googles like, yeah, thats a valid advertiser. Im like, yeah, they probably pay you. So theyre a valid advertiser to you. But to us, thats a criminal organization thats trying to capture credentials to our system. And its a really difficult conversation. So the best thing we can do is educate our team saying bookmark links to login pages on the computers, because if its bookmarked, youre not going out and Googling using email access. Like Magic Links is safer than authenticator apps. And its its just this. And this is morphing. And this means that someone in the hotel needs to be your champion. Someone whos passionate about this, who talks to the hotel employees regularly, that talks about security and educates the team members is a real critical skill that people need to have.

Bryson Koehler- 00:16:59: It absolutely is. I mean, weve had to register hundreds of domain names that were, you know, attempting to be used by the bad guys that were, you know, Revinate with two Es and Revinate.info, Revinate.cc, all of these variations that are slight misspellings, you know, to be able to then, you know, put those into those AdWords campaigns. Its all there when somebodys very busy. Theyve got a long line of, you know, guests in front of them. Theyre just clicking and trying to, you know, do their job efficiently. Its so easy to just click on the wrong thing. And weve got to continue to find ways to, you know, make it more visible and block that. And yeah, its frustrating when you see Google. You know, not being more active. At taking down some of this maliciousness.

Matthijs Welle  00:17:54: Yeah, and weve been now fighting with Google and the teams and trying to figure out who is the right person in Google that we speak to. And sometimes they do take it down. But if they leave up one of these links for a day too late, that might be one user that gets compromised. And then that gets access to one hotel. They download thousands of reservations and it impacts thousands of guests. So we really need to find more partnership across that part of the ecosystem because were all still Googling things. And validly so, we should all be trusting the software tools that we are deploying across our hotels.

Bryson Koehler- 00:18:29: Right. Yeah, because over a third of the kind of attacks from a data perspective last year across the whole landscape of the world were with valid credentials.

Matthijs Welle  00:18:39: Yeah.

Bryson Koehler- 00:18:41: These arent like, you know, the normal like hacker things that people think about where somebody has, you know, gotten in through an open port or an unpatched server. These are valid credentials being used by the bad guys. And they got those, you know, through these activities.

Matthijs Welle  00:18:58: Like the voice is so important because the AIs got so good so that when they have your login credentials and then, you know, normally what the next step would be is the two-factor token. They could call you with AI and say, Hi, Im just calling from your bank. Im seeing that youre logging into your bank. However, something is wrong with the tech. Could you just give me the two-factor code that weve just sent you? And youre like, oh, that sounds legit. They know that Im logging into my bank. Let me pass over this token. And I know that thats suspicious, but probably my parents, they dont know. Theyd be the first to hand it over.

Bryson Koehler- 00:19:31:

No. And, you know, I dont know how many times Ive had to, you know, help my parents unwind something. And its like, how many times are we going to fall for this? And its hard because, you know, I think instinctively we want to trust. We want to believe.

Matthijs Welle  00:19:46: We assume the best of people.

Bryson Koehler- 00:19:48: We want to assume the best intent. You know, now, as you think about, you know, the technology systems evolution, you know, the average hotel, the number of different locations that guest data used to be in, it seems as we get more sophisticated with great technologies like Mews, great technologies like Revinate, where were able to now really bring that data together and have a more common view of, you know, hotel operations, as well as hotel guest information. How do you see that playing into, is that better because were reducing the surface area of attack vectors that can be going after? Or does it create more challenges because you now have more data in those fewer systems? How do you see that landscape evolving?

Matthijs Welle  00:20:38: Like, I dont know where its going to go towards. I just think the data that we have, we need to have as clean as possible so that it becomes actionable because ultimately we shouldnt make data less interesting just so that criminals cant do anything with it. What I love is about how these integrations between, for example, Revinate and Mews has got so much stronger that we can merge profiles saying, that customer looks like that customer. Lets merge them so that we can get this real lifetime value of a guest and really understand, like why did they book an OTA this time, and then the second time they booked direct or the other way around and build action. So I think as tech companies, we shouldnt be influenced by what criminals are doing because we need to protect that, and thats where security teams come in. But we definitely need to get better at managing the data, and theres so much progress that Ive seen in the last two years alone about how guest profile data has been cleaned up and making it much more actionable so that all of the emails and the communication that we send out to guests is way more relevant because in a time of AI, people expect real personalization. Like the email that I get in my inbox should speak to me and what my needs are and contact me at the right time. So we definitely need to lean into cleaning up our data much, much more.

Bryson Koehler- 00:21:59: So how do you, what advice would you give to the average hotelier who, you know, is hearing this? Maybe they just came off of the show floor at ITB. Theyre seeing all of these technology opportunities, but maybe feeling a bit overwhelmed by the complexity of how they integrate. While keeping data security at the forefront, what advice do you give them?

Matthijs Welle  00:22:21: I always talk about first principles. And really, before you start to build a tech stack by just buying the first app that walks in your door, actually stepping away from the operation with a big whiteboard, with your more forward-thinking team members, and youre looking at four or five people that you step into a room and say, Okay, this is the vision of our brand. This is what wed like to achieve. And then start writing out what does that experience look like end-to-end from the moment we get in touch with the customer to the moment that theyve left, and then getting to return back to the hotel. And every brand should have a different strategy here. It shouldnt just be copying whatever the neighbor has done because your hotel is uniquely positioned. But first principles say, Okay, lets talk about the end experience that we would like to have. And then you look at the marketplace because at Mews, weve got 1,100 integrations. You could get lost in that thing. But if you know what youre looking for, you start having much more targeted conversations with the tech companies that youre engaging with. And it narrowly, that 1,100 integrations list very quickly narrows down to like a small list of 20 integration partners that you should have deep conversations with. But never start designing your tech stack by just deploying things. Always go from first principles and designing it from, what are you trying to achieve as a business?

Bryson Koehler- 00:23:46: I think thats very smart. And I think that, you know, when you find, you know, scaled technology players that have been doing this for a long time that have got the scale, you know, globally so that they kind of can see lots of different things going on. And then theyve got deep, you know, relationships like Mews and Revinate do. As an example, you have a little bit, I think, more confidence and trust that the, those integrations are solid, theyre sound, theyre backed by great engineering principles and theyre not into your point, a scatter shot of you know, lets go do a bunch of one-off thing? That then, you know, over time dont be, dont they, dont become maintained. Uh, and they just become another, you know, surface attack point that can be exploited down the road.

Matthijs Welle  00:24:44: Yeah, Like, and, and, it is really difficult, because theres so much noise out there. So one is obviously, if your goal is to drive revenue or your goal is to cost optimize, then thats where that first principles goes. And then you start looking at apps that can drive that because you need to start digging in, okay, what are our biggest costs and what are the biggest things that are holding us back? So thats really where you start. And then you start building the tech stack. But once you get close to some of these tech partners, speak to customers. I always encourage any customer that signs up with news to speak to our customers. And if you want to find someone, we have started really building lists that we can introduce customers to. I think references are so, so critical because whatever we say on our websites, and I dont want to say that were lying on our websites, but its marketing. And the real story comes from people that are in the trenches that are using these systems day in, day out. And I think its much more powerful to speak to a customer than to trust me because I want you to buy our software. But Ive much, rather have you hear that from a customer whos actually really enjoying it.

Bryson Koehler- 00:25:46: I totally agree. You know, I think, you know, the, the ability for that word of mouth. Um, and to your point, like, its not about just copying, but its about thinking through like, Who are the hoteliers that are solving similar problems, have a similar guest experience expectation, have a similar complexity of whether its food and beverage outlets or spa or, you know, ancillary? You know, the ancillary piece, like you talked about earlier, continues to be more important. We know that, you know, revenue from room nights alone is continuing to decrease overall in terms of total revenue per property, which really means that theres probably more data points over time. Theres more systems, theres more outlets, theres more, you know, interaction with, you know, other types of providers. And a hotel is really, you know, if you think about like the concierge desk back in the day. With that wall of flyers and posters and pamphlets of all of the things that the hotel could offer, as that all has become digitized in the systems. You know, being able to bring all of that together smartly and not have that create additional security challenges is why I think those, you know, kind of trusted relationships are so important. Absolutely. So as we wrap up, Matt, how are you going to continue to push Mews to be like that trusted partner helping hotels enhance their data security practices? You know, in this world that is, to your point, going to continue to get more sophisticated. The bad guys are continuing to move faster. Theyre adopting and deploying new techniques and new technologies by the day, by the hour. How are you seeing Mews set yourself up to be that trusted partner?

Matthijs Welle  00:27:42: So one, we will continue investing into our R&D, our research and development teams, making sure that we have a continuous investment into security because some of it is behind the screens work. We need to deploy the latest ways to log into the system, making sure that the data is protected. Theres an education piece that has to happen. And so I talk very publicly on LinkedIn about every new vector that we see. The moment we see a criminal shift the way that theyre doing the attack, Im like, great, let me record a video for people. Two minutes. Ill drop it out on LinkedIn. Our marketing team will take that and put it into an email campaign to our customers because it does move fast. We have to continue to talk about it. And unfortunately, no one wants to talk about this. Its not exciting stuff because its not the coolest AI feature, but it is so critical. And because its such a real threat thats happening today, we have to, as hotel technology companies, continue to iterate and continue to push this messaging in a fun way. So our login page has like a big, I think its a groundhog. Ive been corrected. Its not a beaver. Its a groundhog on it that says, Hey, does it look fishy? Or like we have these really fun interactions and we use our very creative design team to constantly remind people that they need to be very careful. And, you know, you cant have that static. So we regularly change out these images to the cutest animals that you can imagine that talk to you about criminals that are trying to, you know, attack you in some way. And youve got to be really creative. So on the one side, we invest and then we educate. We continuously, continuously educate customers about their security and the privacy of their guest data because protecting our guests is the most important thing we do.

Bryson Koehler- 00:29:31: I love that. And weve begun offering, you know, heres our security training that we put Revinators through. Were sharing that out and were saying, you know, use it. Use these materials, put your staff through them, and do it every month. Dont think that, you know, you can do it once a year. It wont stay top of mind.

Matthijs Welle  00:29:55: Like one of the things that we do is, or we try and do is, the moment you, because your IT controls who has access to the system. So if people dont complete the e-learning course, I would just kick them out until they complete the e-learning course. And its aggressive, but being attacked by criminals is much more aggressive than that. And eventually your team members will learn that if you every two months have an e-learning course thats iteratively changing because things are morphing, they will complete it. And if you once remove a user from the system or block them for a day, they will never do that again. And its really effective to make sure that people go through this very critical learning process.

Bryson Koehler- 00:30:36: Yeah, weve started to think about how do we do that as a part of onboarding. But then we also need to make sure because, you know, hotel staff is certainly kind of the front lines, certainly in some locations has a pretty high turnover rate. Youre constantly having to make sure that youre raising the bar. Raising the bar. Raising the bar. And weve just got to continue to push. So, you know, look, I think youve been a awesome spokesperson in the industry. I love what youve done on, you know, LinkedIn and other social outlets. Your passion for trying to wake us all up to the sophistication of what the bad guys are throwing at us. You know, theyre businessmen and businesswomen, and they are, you know, looking for the best ROI. And theyre going to go after the lowest common denominator. And if they can find, you know, an industry or a region or a brand that they think doesnt have good hygiene. Youre on a whiteboard somewhere.

Matthijs Welle  00:31:41: Yep. 100%.

Bryson Koehler- 00:31:42: And your name is there and theyre targeting you. And so your fastest way to get off the whiteboard. Is to raise your bar yourself and demonstrate that your team wont fall for these things. And obviously, weve got to continue to make the investments, as youve talked about. But its a team sport here to fight against the bad guys.

Matthijs Welle  00:32:08: Yeah. But thank you for hosting this. I think its an important conversation. And Im so happy to see CEOs like you step up to the conversation because it has to come from all angles. Because in the noise, people do sometimes miss it. And Im really glad that we can talk so openly about this.

Bryson Koehler- 00:32:24: Well, thanks, Matt. And hopefully when we get back together and we talk next time, maybe we can talk about how AI is helping drive better revenues and profits. But right now we got to play the protection game. So thanks for your time and thanks for all youre doing.

Matthijs Welle  00:32:38: Thank you.

Outro  00:32:44: Thank you for joining us on this episode of Hotel Moment by Revinate. Our community of hoteliers is growing every week, and each guest we speak to is tackling industry challenges with the innovation and flexibility that our industry demands. If you enjoyed todays episode, dont forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review. And if youre listening on YouTube, please like the video and subscribe for more content. For more information, head to revenate.com/hotelmomentpodcast. Until next time, keep innovating.

About Revinate

Revinate is a direct booking platform that leads the hospitality industry in driving direct revenue and increased profitability.

Our products and our people combine to give hoteliers the superpowers they need to crush their goals. With Revinate, hoteliers shift share away from OTAs and drive tangible results across an individual property or a portfolio. Our industry-leading, AI-powered customer data platform collects, unifies, and synthesizes data to give hoteliers a foundational advantage.

Hoteliers gain critical intelligence  guest lifetime spend, stay preferences, ancillary revenue, and more. With Revinate's Rich Guest Profiles data, hoteliers don't need to guess who their most profitable guests are or struggle to drive conversions across email, voice, messaging, and digital channels.

Revinate's direct booking platform and omnichannel communication technology powers 950+ million Rich Guest Profiles across 12,500+ hotels to drive over $17.2 billion in direct revenue.

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Economic Anxiety Alters American Travelers' Plans and Preferences - Image Credit Unsplash+



Growing economic insecurity among American travelers leads to changes in travel volume, destination preferences, and behaviors. With over half of travelers anticipating a recession, price sensitivity and factors such as reputation, food, and authenticity have become increasingly critical in travel marketing.

In the face of economic uncertainty, American travelers are adjusting their plans and behaviors. Over half of them, 52.1% to be precise, anticipate an economic recession soon. This expectation has led to a decrease in planned leisure trips, with an average of 3.8 trips anticipated in the next twelve months, down from 4.0 reported last month.

Despite the economic concerns, American travelers still exhibit a strong sentiment for travel, with nearly 87% expressing high excitement for travel in the next year. However, economic apprehension is causing shifts in their travel plans. A significant 68.6% of travelers admitted to making at least one adjustment to their travel plans due to economic concerns, with the most common changes being choosing more affordable destinations, using rewards programs to save money, traveling less frequently, and reducing spending on activities.

In response to the current economic climate, marketing travel relies heavily on price sensitivity. Travelers are notably sensitive to price changes, particularly in hotel rates. For example, a nightly rate of $50 higher than expected is a deterrent for 50.6% of travelers.

However, price is not the only factor influencing travel decisions. Reputation, in particular positive word-of-mouth, plays a significant role. Seeing negative opinions about destinations on review sites discourages 62.8% of travelers, while positive reviews encourage 69.2% of them.

Furthermore, authenticity and destination management impact travel decisions. Destinations described as hidden gems are highly appealing, with 73.1% of travelers viewing such a descriptor as a positive sign. Conversely, a lack of air service, a recent natural disaster, or anti-tourism sentiment can discourage potential visitors.

Food also emerges as a critical factor, with 54.1% of travelers favoring destinations known for their progressive food scenes. Additionally, almost half of the travelers prefer destinations with a variety of Michelin-starred restaurants.

For family travelers, their children's opinions are important. 57.6% see destinations their kids wouldn't be excited about as a deterrent. However, destinations where children would put their screens down appeal to 69.3% of these travelers.

In conclusion, as economic concerns continue to grow among American travelers, travel marketing strategies must evolve to address these concerns. Price sensitivity, positive reputation, food, and authenticity, among other factors, are becoming increasingly crucial in shaping travel plans and behaviors.

Discover more at Future Partners.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Center, TX - Image Credit HVS



HVS Brokerage & Advisory is offering potential investors an exclusive chance to acquire the 60-key Holiday Inn Express & Suites Center in Texas. The hotel presents significant upside potential for a more hands-on investor and is currently available at a price well below its replacement cost.

HVS Brokerage & Advisory, renowned for its advisory services, has brought forth an opportunity to acquire the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Center in Texas. The hotel has 60 keys and is characterized as a limited-service asset. The acquisition opportunity presents significant upside potential for investors interested in renovating and owning a hotel property. The asset's price is considerably below its replacement cost, making it an attractive option for potential buyers.

Since its acquisition in 2021, the hotel has been demonstrating impressive financials. The annual room revenue has averaged around $1,551,283, with 2024 ending at $1,563,812. Meanwhile, the gross operating profit (GOP) margin averaged at 33.5%, with net operating income (NOI) flow-through averaging 22.6%. The hotel is absentee-owned, indicating that a hands-on operator focusing on active revenue management and operational oversight could enhance performance and stimulate bottom-line growth.

In 2021/2022, approximately $1,300,000, or $15,000 per key, was spent to complete the Formula Blue property improvement plan (PIP). As a result of this investment, the incoming buyer is expected to face only minor PIP costs.

Based on the current pricing guide, the hotel asset can be acquired at $90,000 per key. This represents an attractive discount to replacement cost, suggesting a low basis and limited near-term capital exposure for the new investor. The rooms revenue multiplier (RRM) of 3.48x, based on the hotel's 2024 rooms revenue of $1,560,000, further adds to the deal's attractiveness.

The hotel is located in Center, Texas, which is a three-hour drive from Dallas and Houston. The energy and O&G industries support the region's economy, with major operators such as Aethon Energy, BPX Operating Company, and XTO Energy in the area.

The hotel is one of three upper-midscale hotels in the Center, Texas, lodging market, the other two being the Hampton Inn & Suites and Best Western Plus. The hotel's competitive positioning is strong given the limited brand saturation in the market and the consistent demand driven by the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) affiliation.

Upon completing the change-of-ownership PIP, a new investor can expect a long-term franchise license agreement with IHG. This enhances long-term brand security and benefits from the award-winning IHG Rewards Club loyalty program, one of the largest in the hotel industry.

Inquire at HVS.
Rendering of voco Antalya Konyaalt - Image Credit IHG Hotels & Resorts

IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed the first Voco hotels in Turkey, in partnership with Pnarlar Kurumsal Hizmetler Turizm A.S.

The hotel, Voco Antalya Konyaalt, is expected to open in the summer of 2025.

HG Hotels & Resorts (IHG) has announced the signing of its first Voco hotels in Turkey. The agreement is in partnership with Pnarlar Kurumsal Hizmetler Turizm A.S, with the hotel, Voco Antalya Konyaalt, projected to open in the summer of 2025.

Antalya, often called the 'Turkish Riviera,' draws millions of tourists yearly with its rich heritage, stunning Mediterranean coastline, and Taurus Mountains. This makes the city an attractive destination for leisure travelers.

Voco Antalya Konyaalt, located in the heart of Antalya, will feature 120 rooms and a range of facilities to enhance the guest experience. These include a chic restaurant and bar, meeting rooms for business travelers, an on-site spa, a well-equipped gym, and an outdoor swimming pool.

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The signing of Voco Antalya Konyaalt follows several other recent strategic announcements across IHGs brand portfolio in Turkey, including the first Garner Hotels in Istanbul and the brand entry of the Vignette Collection with Istanbul Karakoy.

Willemijn Geels, Vice President, Development, Europe, IHG Hotels & Resorts, noted the rising prominence of Antalya as a key leisure destination. Geels expressed excitement over bringing the Voco brand to the market and confidence in its flexible design approach suitable for conversions, adaptive reuse, and new builds.

Yusuf Yadoglu, Owner of Voco Antalya Konyaalt, expressed delight in partnering with IHG Hotels & Resorts to bring the vibrant Voco brand to Turkey. Yadoglu stated his confidence in Voco Antalya Konyaalt offering a unique and compelling hospitality experience, contributing significantly to the citys thriving tourism sector.

As of 31 December 2024, IHG Hotels & Resorts has 33 open hotels in Turkey across five brands. Voco Antalya Konyaalt will become the first Voco in Turkey, joining 12 pipeline properties across six brands in the country and 19 Voco hotels in Europe.
Mandarin Oriental Lutetia, Paris - Image Credit Mandarin Oriental

Mandarin Oriental, a leading hotel and resort group, has announced its official takeover of the management of the legendary Hotel Lutetia, now known as Mandarin Oriental Lutetia, Paris. This move expands the Group's presence in Paris, offering a unique hospitality experience on both sides of the River Seine.

Laurent Kleitman, Group Chief Executive of Mandarin Oriental, other members of the Group's senior leadership team, the Akirov family, owners of the hotel, and Jean Pierre Trevisan, Managing Director of Mandarin Oriental Lutetia, Paris, attended the official inauguration.

This addition allows Mandarin Oriental to offer two distinctive Palace experiences in Paris: an intimate, contemporary retreat on the Right Bank and a vibrant, heritage-rich icon on the Left Bank.

Laurent Kleitman, Group Chief Executive of Mandarin Oriental, expressed his delight over this new addition to the portfolio. He stated that Mandarin Oriental Lutetia, Paris, not only celebrates the rich heritage of the Left Bank but also epitomizes the vision for the future of luxury hospitality, where history, culture, and legendary service merge to create unforgettable experiences.

The Hotel Lutetia was founded in 1910 and has been a symbol of Parisian elegance and culture. Over the years, it has hosted luminaries such as Picasso, Matisse, Charles de Gaulle, and James Joyce. It underwent a comprehensive restoration led by renowned architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte and reopened in 2018.

Georgi Akirov, the hotel's owner, echoed Kleitman's sentiments and expressed his trust in Mandarin Oriental's management. He stressed their shared vision of honoring Lutetia's heritage while elevating the hotel to new heights of excellence.
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The public session at the Senior Center was attended by Fire Chief Thomas Sammons and Commissioner of Public Works Ricardo Morales, seen above helping attendees with phone questionaire.

Pittsfield Talks Hazard Mitigation

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  The city's updated Hazard Mitigation Plan is headed towards final review.



On Monday, community members and public officials mulled disaster preparedness at the Ralph J. Froio Senior Center. Pittsfield's 2019 plan is due for an update so the city stays eligible for grant funding and, of course, prepared.



"Mitigation planning is the foundation for establishing where the city would like to direct its risk reduction efforts, how it would like to build community resilience through the whole breadth of natural hazard events that it is at risk to. It brings people together and organizations to develop strategies, to build ideas for projects, to do things through, say, plans or regulations, outreach activities, and so on," said Darrin Punchard of Jamie Caplan Consulting.



"These hazard mitigation plans, 25 years ago, became a requirement for cities and towns across the United States in order to be eligible for certain grant programs."



Pittsfield recently partnered with Berkshire Medical Center for a nearly $2 million Hazard Mitigation Grant toward backup generators at the hospital.



"These are key grant funding programs that have come through the federal government, but in order to access and be eligible for that type of funding, you have to prepare these plans and update them every five years," Punchard explained.



"So that's the purpose of this plan document is really to build community resilience, but also, very importantly, maintain grant funding eligibility for the city."



The Hazard Mitigation Plan, last updated in 2019, focuses the city's limited resources on areas of greatest risk, helps build partnerships with organizations outside of the city, and increases public awareness. Punchard added that the plan can also align with other city objectives, but "saving lives and money, that's the main focus, of course, of hazard mitigation."



Also in 2019, the city went through a Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness, or MVP, process that heavily focused on risks posed by climate change.


Free Water Safety Program for Berkshire Middle Schoolers

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  A collaborative effort involving the Gladys Allen Brigham Community Center (GABCC), the Berkshire Family YMCA (BFYMCA), Linda Dulye of Dulye & Co., and Pittsfield Public Schools (PPS) has launched the Stop Youth Drowning: Safe Swim Berkshire Initiative.

This pilot program will offer free water safety instruction to middle school students during the 2025 spring break.

The program aims to address an increase in youth drownings in Berkshire County by providing essential water safety skills and knowledge. Instruction will be led by trained aquatic professionals at both the GABCC and BFYMCA, with half of the participants attending sessions at each location. Participants will receive swimsuits and daily lunch in a supervised environment. The program also intends to encourage participants to become peer advocates for water safety.

Jennifer Roccabruna, a Physical Education teacher at Pittsfield Public Schools, assisted with student recruitment and family communication. Pittsfield Public Schools provided logistical support for the pilot program.

The initiative was inspired by the drowning of a local young woman during a school trip in the summer of 2024. Linda Dulye is providing funding for the program in her memory.

According to Dulye, the program aims to build confidence and competence in and around water for young people, as well as provide opportunities for leadership and peer advocacy in safety.

"I instantly felt the need to take action. I approached the Y and Gladys Allen leadership with the idea to help our communitys youth build confidence and competence around water. These are life-saving skillsand they also give young people the chance to grow as leaders and peer advocates for safety, inspiring others to shed fears and learn to swim," said Dulye.

Aquatics professionals Prashad Abeysinghe (GABCC) and Claire Langlois (BFYMCA), along with Jennifer Roccabruna, designed the program's curriculum, which emphasizes safety, skill-building, and youth empowerment.

The GABCC stated that the program aims to reach middle school students who may miss out on traditional swim lessons, providing them with critical water safety skills and the opportunity to become safety advocates.

Jennifer Roccabruna emphasized the collaborative effort of the partners involved in making the program possible.

"We believe no child should lose their life due to a lack of access to water safety education," said Roccabruna. "This program empowers youth with the knowledge and skills to stay safe and support one anotherand its all thanks to a powerful team of partners who care deeply about our young people."

The Stop Youth Drowning: Berkshire Initiative seeks to expand beyond the pilot program to reach more youth and remove barriers to water safety education. The organizers are inviting local leaders and philanthropists to support the initiative.

Individuals interested in getting involved can contact Jennifer Roccabruna at jroccabruna2@pittsfield.net.
We Are China

Pear blossoms in full bloom in Dangshan, E China's Anhui

People's Daily Online) 15:07, April 10, 2025

Visitors enjoy an outing in a pear orchard in Dangshan county, east China's Anhui Province. (People's Daily Online/Zhang Jun)

As spring arrives, pear blossoms are in full bloom again in Dangshan county, east China's Anhui Province. Located at the junction of the four provinces of Anhui, Jiangsu, Shandong, and Henan, Dangshan county is renowned as the "World Pear Capital." It boasts contiguous pear orchards spanning over 1 million mu, as well as the old Yellow River course. With a forest coverage rate exceeding 70 percent, it is dubbed a "natural oxygen bar." The county has become a top-tier eco-cultural tourism destination in the country.

An aerial view of a scenic zone in Dangshan county, east China's Anhui Province. (People's Daily Online/Zhang Jun)

A view of a scenic zone in Dangshan county, east China's Anhui Province. (People's Daily Online/Zhang Jun)

Tourists in Hanfu appreciate pear flowers in Dangshan county, east China's Anhui Province. (People's Daily Online/Zhang Jun)

Pear blossoms in an orchard in Dangshan county, east China's Anhui Province. (People's Daily Online/Zhang Jun)

Visitors take photos in a pear orchard in Dangshan county, east China's Anhui Province. (People's Daily Online/Zhang Jun)

Visitors enjoy the view of a pear orchard in Dangshan county, east China's Anhui Province. (People's Daily Online/Zhang Jun)

Cloth strips are hung in the tree to pray for good fortune in a pear orchard in Dangshan county, east China's Anhui Province. (People's Daily Online/Zhang Jun)

Pear blossoms in an orchard in Dangshan county, east China's Anhui Province. (People's Daily Online/Zhang Jun)

Pear blossoms in an orchard in Dangshan county, east China's Anhui Province. (People's Daily Online/Zhang Jun)

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
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With any starring role in a blockbuster film comes a string of rejected actors.

Its difficult to imagine the Titanic without Leonardo DiCaprio as Jack, opposite Kate Winslets Rose.

Yet before DiCaprio was cast, Matthew McConaughey, Tom Cruise and Johnny Depp were all considered for the part.

Sometimes, actors make the decision to turn down a huge role, only to regret it later.

Other times, things simply dont go their way. Even the very best can still botch an audition.

Here are 13 memorable times a now-famous actor got rejected from a major film...

Emma Stone

open image in gallery Emma Stone could have been Alice in Tim Burtons Alice and Wonderland ( Getty )

The La La Land star said that she auditioned for the lead role in Tim Burtons Alice in Wonderland.

She told Timothee Chalamet in an actor-on-actor interview for Variety: Oh, my God, when I auditioned for Alice in Wonderland... not getting a Tim Burton movie is really devastating.

The part eventually went to Australian actor Mia Wasikowska.

Timothee Chalamet

open image in gallery Timothee Chalamet revealed that he tested for Spider-Man ( Getty )

In the same interview, Call Me By Your Name star Chalamet told Stone that he tested for a part in Spider-Man.

I went up for all these things, and tested for Spider-Man, and I didnt get it, and a Tim Burton movie, too, and these things werent happening," he said.

Chalamet has since landed a part in an adaptation of Roald Dahls story, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, as an early incarnation of inventor Willy Wonka. Burton previously directed Johnny Depp in the role for his 2005 film.

Ben Stiller

open image in gallery Ben Stiller attempted to get cast in My Cousin Vinny ( Getty )

In August 2022, Ben Stiller revealed that he had unsuccessfully tried to get cast in the hit 1990s comedy My Cousin Vinny.

I tanked my audition for My Cousin Vinny. It still haunts me to this day, said the actor during a Q&A.

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While he didnt reveal which part he was denied, fans have speculated that he was in line to play the role of Billy Gambini, which eventually went to Ralph Macchio.

Jake Gyllenhaal

open image in gallery Jake Gyllenhaal was in the running for a role in The Lord of the Rings ( Getty )

The Brokeback Mountain actor recalled bombing an audition for The Lord Of The Rings.

I remember going to this room. There was a lot of stage directions and no lines It was just like finding the ring and I remember I didnt really do it because I didnt really understand because there were no lines, Gyllenhaal told Jimmy Fallon.

So I sort of walked up, and opened [a box] up and I was like Is that good? Literally Peter Jackson was like *face palm*.

Taylor Launter

open image in gallery The Twilight star could have been the face of Disneys Camp Rock ( Getty )

Before the Jonas Brothers got their parts starring in Disneys Camp Rock, a different 2000s teen hearthrob was in the running for the role. "Taylor Lautner did audition, and we liked him a lot," director Matthew Diamond told Insider. "I think we kind of said he wasnt exactly right for the part."

The director said that they could "tell how talented he was" but he wasnt "quite Shane Gray enough".

"I remember thinking hes really good-looking and quite charismatic," Diamond added.

Even though Lautner didnt star in the Disney hit, he landed his iconic role playing Jacob Black in the Twilight franchise, which was released in the same year. The part of Shane Gray went to Joe Jonas, who played alongside his brothers Nick and Kevin.

Russell Crowe

open image in gallery Russell Crowe was said to have auditioned for My Best Friends Wedding ( Getty )

Russell Crowe once botched an audition for the 1997 romantic comedy My Best Friends Wedding  according to the films director at least.

Filmmaker PJ Hogan recalled in an interview with Vulture, that his first choice for the male lead had been Crowe, who he thought was probably the most amazing actor I had ever encountered.

To cast Crowe in the film, he needed Julia Robertss approval, so he invited the Gladiator star to a table read.

I dont know what went wrong, Hogan said. It was one of the worst table reads Ive ever experienced. Russell was seated opposite Julia. He gripped that script, and he stared at that script, and he didnt look at her once.

He read every line in a monotone. At one point, Julia was literally leaning over the table, staring, like, inches from Russells face, trying to make eye contact. And he wouldnt look at her.

Hogan added: At the end of the reading, Russell came up to me and said, I thought that went pretty well. And then I knew: Russell was not going to be in My Best Friends Wedding.

The role eventually went to Dermot Mulroney.

Matthew McConaughey

open image in gallery McConaughey could have starred alongside Kate Winslet in the Titanic ( Getty )

The Interstellar actor auditioned for Titanic and was ecstatic with how it went.

The audition went really well. Well enough where, when I was left, I was being slapped on the back ... well enough where you go outside and call your agent and say Oh, I nailed it," McConaughey said on a 2019 episode of Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen.

And there was a rumour that I got the role and didnt do it.. This is false, he added. Despite McConaugheys feelings about the audition, Leonardo DiCaprio landed the iconic role, and both actors will likely agree their respective careers turned out just fine.

Chris Klein

open image in gallery An audition tape surfaced revealing Kleins audition tape for Mamma Mia!' ( Getty )

In an audition tape video that resurfaced years later, American Pie star Chris Klein went for one of the main in roles in the hit Abba musical, Mamma Mia!.

In the tape, Klein can be heard singing Lay All Your Love On Me while auditioning to play Sky, Sophies lover. The role eventually went to Dominic Cooper.

John Krasinski

open image in gallery Chris Evans was chosen to play Captain America over John Krasinski ( Getty )

My agent called and said, Theyre going to go with Chris Evans, Krasinski told Variety about losing the role of Captain America in 2011.

And I remember I said, Yeah, look at him. Hes Captain America.

In an interview on The Ellen Show, Krasinski elaborated: "This is a true story. I was putting the suit on, and the [costume] guy was like, This is really momentous. And I said, Yes."

Reese Witherspoon

open image in gallery Reese Witherspoon could have played main character Cher in Clueless ( Getty )

There were many contenders for Cluelesss Cher Horowitz, including Angelina Jolie, who sent in an audition tape.

I met with Reese [Witherspoon] because everyone said, This girls amazing. Shes going to be huge," said Clueless director and writer Amy Heckerling.

I saw some movie where she [Witherspoon] had a southern accent. Maybe it was on TV, a movie of the week. But I did see some scenes of hers and went: Wow. Shes amazing. But Alicia [Silverstone] is Cher, she told Vanity Fair.

Alicia Silverstone went on to win Funniest Actress in a Motion Picture for her role in Clueless at the 1996 Academy Awards.

Tom Holland

open image in gallery Holland went on to be cast in Spider-Man: Homecoming ( Getty Images )

He may have beaten Chalamet to the Spider-Man punch, but Tom Holland has his own tale of casting woe.

The actor auditioned unsuccessfully to star in 2015s record-breaking sequel Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

I was like four or five auditions in, and I think I was auditioning for John Boyegas role, he said.

I remember doing this scene with this lady, bless her, and she was just a drone. So I was doing all of this like, We gotta get back to the ship! and she was just going, Bleep, bloop, bloop, bleep bloop.

I just couldnt stop laughing. I found it so funny. And I felt really bad, because she was trying really hard to be a convincing android or drone or whatever theyre called.

The Avengers star added: Yeah, I obviously didnt get the part. That wasnt my best moment.
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Hollywood director and writer James Toback has been ordered to pay $1.68bn in damages to 40 women who accused him of sexual abuse and other crimes over four decades.

Toback, who was among the first to be accused of sexual assault during the #MeToo scandal in 2017, was deemed by a New York jury on Wednesday (9 April) to have abused his power in the film industry to sexually assault women between 1979 and 2014.

The jurys decision marks the largest jury award since the advent of the #MeToo movement, as well as in New York state history.

Attorney Brad Beckworth, from the law firm Nix Patterson LLP, said in an interview that the plaintiffs believe such a large verdict will send a message to powerful individuals who don't treat women appropriately.

The decision stems from a lawsuit filed in Manhattan in 2022 after New York state instituted a one-year window for people to file lawsuits over sexual assault claims even if they took place decades ago.

The court had not yet released documentation of the verdict as of Wednesday night. Beckworth said the verdict included $280m in compensatory damages and $1.4bn for punitive damages to the plaintiffs.

This verdict is about justice, Beckworth said in a statement. But more importantly, Its about taking power back from the abusers  and their and enablers  and returning it to those he tried to control and silence.

Toback, who most recently had represented himself, issued a blanket denial, stating that any sexual encounter or contact between Plaintiffs and Defendant was consensual. He also argued that New York's law extending the statute of limitations on sexual abuse cases violated his constitutional rights.

The 80-year-old was nominated for an Oscar for writing 1991s Bugsy, which starred Warren Beatty, and his career in Hollywood has spanned more than 40 years.

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Accusations that he engaged in years of sexual abuse surfaced in late 2017, first reported by the Los Angeles Times just two weeks after the New York Times published a history of harassment claims against Harvey Weinstein, who in 2020 was sentenced to 23 years in prison for rape and sexual assault charges.

open image in gallery Filmmaker James Toback has been ordered to pay $1.68bn in damages to 40 women who accused him of sexual abuse and other crimes over four decades ( Getty Images for HBO )

In 2018, Los Angeles prosecutors said the statutes of limitations had expired in five cases they reviewed concerning Toback, and declined to bring criminal charges against him.

The plaintiffs then filed a lawsuit in New York a few days after the state's Adult Survivors Act went into effect. The lawyers said they discovered a pattern of Toback attempting to lure young women on the streets of New York into meeting him by falsely promising roles in his films and then subjecting them to sexual acts, threats and psychological coercion.

Mary Monahan, a lead plaintiff in the case, called the jury award validation for her and the other women.

For decades, I carried this trauma in silence, and today, a jury believed me. Believed us. That changes everything, she said in a statement. This verdict is more than a number  its a declaration. We are not disposable. We are not liars. We are not collateral damage in someone elses power trip. The world knows now what weve always known: what he did was real.

Karen Sklaire Watson, another plaintiff, said the verdict will make New York safer for women.

Were drawing a line in the sand: Predators cannot hide behind fame, money, or power, she said in a statement. Not here. Not anymore.

A request for comment sent by AP to an email address listed for him was not immediately answered.

In January, the judge in the case entered a default judgment against Toback, who had failed to appear in court when ordered to do so. The judge then scheduled a trial for only damages last month to determine how much Toback had to pay the women.

Additional reporting by Agencies
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Pulp have announced the forthcoming release of their first album in almost 24 years, and shared the lead single Spike Island.

Frontman Jarvis Cocker said that ideas for the new record, titled More, began back in 2023, when the band embarked on a reunion tour of a number of arenas around the UK.

He explained that they started with a new song, Hymn of the North, during soundchecks before debuting it live at the end of their second night at Sheffield Arena.

This seemed to open the floodgates, he said, [and] we came up with the rest of the songs on this album during the first half of 2024.

A couple are revivals of ideas from the last century. The music for one song was written by Richard Hawley. The music for another was written by Jason Buckle. The Eno family sing backing vocals on a song. There are string arrangements written by Richard Jones and played by the Elysian Collective.

Meanwhile, the idea for Spike Island apparently came from co-writer Jason Buckle, who attended the Stone Roses infamous Spike Island gig and was irked by a DJ who kept shouting, Spike Island, come alive!

open image in gallery Pulp in a new press photo as they announce their first album since 2001 ( Tom Jackson )

More was recorded over a period of three weeks by James Ford [Arctic Monkeys, Fontaines DC] at Orbb Studio in Walthamstow, London, starting on 18 November 2024.

This is the shortest amount of time a Pulp album has ever taken to record, Cocker said. It was obviously ready to happen.

A new press shot of the group shows that they are now a nine-piece, featuring Cocker, guitarist Mark Webber, keys player Candida Doyle and drummer Nick Banks alongside newer touring members.

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Cocker used the announcement to take a swipe at the looming threat of artificial intelligence (AI) for British musicians, who have been fighting against government proposals to let AI companies use copyright-protected work without the artists permission.

We hope you enjoy the music, he said. It was written and performed by four human beings from the North of England, aided and abetted by five other human beings from various locations in the British Isles. No AI was involved during the process.

open image in gallery Jarvis Cocker said no AI was used in the making of the album ( Kevin Winter/Getty Images )

The accompanying music video for Spike Island did, however, use AI in order to animate images made of the band for their 1995 Britpop classic Different Class.

Cocker said that all the moving images featured in the video are the result of me feeding in a still image and then typing in a prompt.

The weekend I began work on the video was a strange time, he said. I went out of the house and kept expecting weird transformations of the surrounding environment due to the images the computer had been generating. The experience had marked me. I dont know whether Ive recovered yet

More is dedicated to Steve Mackey, Pulps bassist who died aged 56 in March 2023.

The albums full tracklist is as follows:

1. Spike Island

2. Tina

3. Grown Ups

4. Slow Jam

5. Farmers Market

6. My Sex

7. Got To Have Love

8. Background Noise

9. Partial Eclipse

10. The Hymn of the North

11. A Sunset

Pulp will support the album with a UK and Ireland arena tour taking place from 7 June, kicking off at the OVO Hydro arena in Glasgow before heading to Dublin, London, Birmingham and Manchester, before concluding in their hometown of Sheffield at Tramlines Festival on 25 July.
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Soulja Boy has been ordered to pay $4 million to his former personal assistant after a jury in California found him liable in a civil case for claims of intentional infliction of emotional distress, sexual harassment and non-payment of wages.

The 34-year-old rapper, whose real name is DeAndre Cortez Way, was cleared on claims of false imprisonment and constructive discharge.

The plaintiff in the case has been identified only as a Jane Doe. In a statement to The Independent, her attorney Ron Zambrano said: Were happy our client was vindicated and the jury believed her claims of physical and sexual assault.

The trial, which took place in Santa Monica, saw the jury award the plaintiff just over $4 million in compensatory damages. The jury will next determine whether Soulja Boy must also pay punitive damages.

Zambrano continued: Were looking forward to moving on to the punitive damages phase of the case.

In a further statement, Zambranos colleague Neama Rahmani added: Todays verdict is just the beginning of justice for Soulja Boys victims, and other victims in the music industry.

Soulja Boy in Las Vegas in October 2024 ( Mindy Small/Getty Images )

In the lawsuit, Jane Doe claimed that she began working for Soulja Boy in late 2018. She alleged that the artist locked her in a room for three days against her will and raped her on numerous occasions.

At the start of her employment, she said Soulja Boy agreed to pay her $500 a week for services including cleaning his house, cooking, carrying personal belongings, styling his hair and handling travel arrangements. He never paid for these services.

Instead, the pair began a romantic relationship that quickly turned abusive, according to the lawsuit. She claimed he raped her for the first time in February 2019 before expressing remorse and giving her $1,000.

According to the suit, Doe believed she was in love with Way even as he continued to manipulate and assault her.

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In August of 2020, defendant Way attacked plaintiff so hard that she thought she was going to die. Plaintiff regained consciousness outside of defendant Ways home on the grass, and ran away from the home, according to the lawsuit. At this point, plaintiff moved out of defendant Ways home with none of her personal belongings.

She sought both compensatory and punitive damages as, according to the complaint, Way caused plaintiff numerous and serious physical and sexual injuries causing plaintiff to fear for her life.

Rape Crisis offers support for those affected by rape and sexual abuse. You can call them on 0808 802 9999 in England and Wales, 0808 801 0302 in Scotland, and 0800 0246 991 in Northern Ireland, or visit their website at www.rapecrisis.org.uk. If you are in the US, you can call Rainn on 800-656-HOPE (4673)
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Good things come to those who wait. And when it comes to Hacks, British audiences really have had to wait: season two aired on Prime Video in 2022 but its only this year that weve been able to (legally) enjoy further instalments. However, there is a silver lining to this lengthy delay. After the famine comes the feast. Its time to overdo it; to wallow in not one but two seasons of the sharpest comedy on television. The third season finally showed up (along with, helpfully for latecomers, seasons one and two) on Sky Max earlier this year. And now, season four is here, as savagely hilarious as ever.

Its surely beyond debate that misanthropic Vegas stand-up Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) and her jaded younger joke-writer Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder) are the most entertaining toxic, co-dependent double act on television. Whats also notable, though, is that in their love, their hatred, their fury and their mutual redemption, theyre performing a valuable societal service. As Western democracies continue to flail hopelessly through various depressing iterations of culture war, Deborah and Ava are that rarest of things: a boomer and a Gen-Zer teaching each other some valuable life lessons.

One of the reasons watching them together is such a pleasure is that in many ways, theyre both right. Deborah is deliciously cutting; an antidote to Zoomer prissiness. Ava is sensitive and attuned to all the right things. Ava is dragging Deborah in the right direction, even when she doesnt realise it. But Deborah is resplendently resistant, even as she moderates her own behaviour. Theres a brilliant, telling scene in season three where Deborah blows out a room full of previously esteemed older male comics because of their dumb sexism. Shes furious with the (absent) Ava, because she has ruined her evening by getting in her head. She has made her woke by osmosis.

But the truly glorious thing about Hacks is that every fibre of its being undercuts the hugging and learning impulse that sabotages many brilliant sitcoms. It is quite magnificently unsentimental. And if you thought that after seasons one to three, quite frankly, you aint seen nothing yet. Season four is brutal. At the end of season three (spoiler alert) Deborah betrays Ava. In return, Ava uses information about Deborahs behaviour to blackmail her into keeping her on as head writer on the super high-stakes prime-time chat show that Deborah  in fulfillment of a lifelong dream  is about to start hosting. Its an exquisite contrivance: the pair are simultaneously reliant on each other professionally and reaching new levels of toxic loathing in private.

In season three, Ava issues Deborah with an amusingly delicate list of demands underpinning their continuing collaboration. In true Gen Z fashion, she establishes boundaries (for a start, Deborah will no longer be allowed to make jokes about the size of Avas hands). By season four, the gloves are off. It generally takes a lot for American comedies to drop the c-bomb. But thats where we are. She just called you the c-word gawps poor, harassed manager Jimmy (Paul W Downs) at one point. And not in a cool RuPaul way but in an angry boomer way.

It gets better  that is to say, worse. Deborah might have to tolerate Avas presence on set but that doesnt mean she has to make nice. She starts taking the show in deliberately contrary, populist directions. She flaunts the progressive conventions Ava has started to establish, at one point refusing to hire a female comic because shes pregnant (If the position is still open in 18 years, she can have it). She launches a writers room road trip with a full frontal assault on Avas appearance (Youre not funny enough to dress like Adam Sandler). She tears up the rule book in front of Avas horrified eyes and its gripping and bracing to watch.

Generational warfare: Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder in Hacks ( Sky )

And yet, theres still love, all the more acute for being so thoroughly eviscerated. Much like the real-life culture wars, the relationship plays out as a series of cross-generational misunderstandings between two parties who need each other much more than theyd care to admit. And this is where Hackss resistance to mawkishness really pays off - the rare moments of tenderness feel truly earned and truly affecting as a result. When Deborah finds herself in A&E (it involves a gay club, a cage dance and some poppers), Ava drops everything and races to her side. As they sit in the hospital waiting room watching Deborahs show (which broadcast earlier), they instinctively, unconsciously link hands. Its a tiny, intimate moment, rendered seismic by its context.

Hacks is that most Gen Z of things: a meta comedy. It shows its workings and trusts its audience. Its also that most boomer of things  a gag show. It never forgets for a second that its supposed to be funny, and funny doesnt always care about your feelings. Accordingly, it achieves something both televisionally and culturally perfect. In its waspishness and its cleverness, in its cynicism and emotional acuity, its actually unifying. Its two generations - and indeed two whole value systems  talking to each other; getting on each others nerves; finding ways to get past that and try again. If that wasnt worth waiting a couple of years for, its hard to say what is.

Hacks is streaming now on Sky and NOW
Perhaps one of the most haunting things about the year my life came spectacularly crumbling down was the cot, propped up in the hallway, sealed up in its box. It belonged to my newborn son and became a symbol of how different things were just one year earlier, when we were happy. When we werent in financial ruin. It had been the happiest time in our relationship, but it was all taken away by one woman: my own mother.

I had never known my mum prior to receiving her email in late 2020. She said that her name was Dionne, formerly known as Theresa; that I was her son, and that Id been born in Germany before being taken away from her to England. It was true  I was brought up in St Albans  and, more than that, it was not common knowledge. I wrote back, Is this for real? No jokes, scams, etc?? The irony of that first exchange, now, is not lost on me.

I was right to be sceptical but, for a good time, Dionne seemed to be the real deal. Id never known anything about her. She was never mentioned by my father, a violent man who beat me as a child. As soon as I could, I threw myself into my career, working my way up to the top of the food industry as head pastry chef at Michelin-starred restaurants like Hakkasan, in Fitzrovia, London. I earned respect for my work and integrity. Life was good. Often I wonder where I might be now if Id never clicked reply to that email.

Still, I was curious of course. I tested her knowledge, asking her, for instance, what my middle name is. She replied with all the right answers. I started to trust her and, later, a DNA test did confirm she was my mother. The opportunity to meet a birth parent is, I suppose, an opportunity to know parts of yourself that were previously not only out of reach, but invisible. After 45 years, I was going to know who I was.

The feeling I had when we first met at a hotel in Liverpool, shortly after our initial exchange, was of being a child again. She was so welcoming, there was an instant connection between us. My partner, Heather, was heavily pregnant at the time and Mum, who seemed younger than her 85 years, was over the moon. Later, she would take me to one side to talk privately, where she confessed what had driven her to contact me: she had just six months to live. She had a brain tumour and marrow bone cancer.

Naturally, I wanted to spend as much time with her as possible, to find out about her as much as I could. Shed lived in Singapore, she said, and she had businesses all over the world: in farming, fruit, palm oil. There was no doubt in my mind that she was impressive: she spoke 18 languages, constantly took calls from her business associates around the world, showed me videos of her generosity and philanthropy, giving money to villages to help provide them with sustainable food sources. It turned out she was rich, too.

Dionne told me that she was the illegitimate daughter of the former Sultan of Brunei. Hard to believe? Yes. But then, when we visited The Dorchester hotel on Park Lane  owned by the Brunei royal family  everybody knew her enough that we got special treatment. At Rolls Royce, the head of sales told me that shed previously bought two Phantoms from them. She bought me gifts  expensive clothes, suits. A Land Rover, straight off the forecourt. For Heather, a brand new BMW.

Son, Im going to buy you a present, she told me, and take away 45 years of pain. After a violent childhood with my father, I felt something unusual  a sense of being cared for by a parent.

Yet, she is still dying. And, by the time my son was born two months later, I became acutely aware that I was being pulled in two different directions. I moved Mum in  it was my attempt to do right by everyone.

open image in gallery All I can do is keep speaking out and, ultimately, break Dionnes vicious cycle  one that almost broke me ( Netflix )

Things moved fast from there. Her wealth seemed infinite yet, the pandemic, she said, had made it difficult for her to move money around. She wanted to give my best friend millions, too. Things started to creep in that, at first, I thought little of: she asked me to pick up a 25,000 bill at one of her hotel stays in London. She was writing these loans down  95 per cent of the time she paid for everything and, besides, I believed her that it was all coming back to us and much, much more.

Shortly after my son was born, Mum and I went to Zurich, Switzerland, for a few days where she told me she was was entrusting me with her multi-million fortune. A few days there turned into a week, then weeks, then two months, the first of my sons life. The lawyers were delayed. The bank managers were delayed. When I insisted I needed to leave, she turned up the manipulative tactics: the illnesses, the guilt of abandoning her. My mind was warped by her; emotionally I was all over the place. I finally got home to the UK on Christmas Eve, to a home that was slowly but surely breaking, and scores of text messages from Mum, detailing her heartbreak that I left her.

In hindsight, it was the beginning of the end. But it wasnt until a few months later that I began to become suspicious. Those luxury cars? Shed given the hefty deposit, but the finance agreements  for upwards of 180,000  were all in my name, despite her transferring the cash to me each month. Until she wasnt.

open image in gallery Dionne Marie Hanna has been charged as a result of the Netflix documentary ( Netflix )

There were credit cards, too, that she convinced me to take out. Heather and my best friend  who Dionne had started calling grandson  talked and eventually confronted me. I had been trained, they said, by my own mother. Brainwashed. In a trance. I was still convinced. In many ways, I had to be  Dionne had caused so many arguments, so much distance between Heather and I that she and my son were now with her family in New Zealand. My home life was falling apart. I had to show them I was doing the right thing.

But my confidence was waning. And then another one of her victims reached out to me  Peng, in China, who had been scammed out of 150,000. Via Dionnes Ponzi scheme, it was Pengs money that we had been using in London. I started recording her, trying to record evidence of her cruel deceit. When I confronted her, she disappeared from my life, and I lost her all over again.

In fact, I lost almost everything. When Heather and I eventually split up over Dionnes malice, our home became just an empty house. I lost a lot of my dignity. When youre scammed out of thousands online, there can be some sympathy  youre seen as an innocent party. But when its your own mother, or anyone, playing with your vulnerabilities face to face, people think that you should have known it was too good to be true or see the red flags they can. It wasnt that simple. Not at all.

open image in gallery Hornigolds relationship with Heather, pictured, broke down as a result of his mothers deceitful con ( Netflix )

The years since have been some of the most difficult of my life. I had already suffered significant traumas: not only my difficult childhood but also losing two brothers in a car crash when I was 32. The thing is, men are brought up to get on with it. Were told that big boys dont cry, so we dont talk about our dark thoughts. Its easy to turn to drink when you feel you dont have a voice  to block out or soften reality with a nightly bottle of wine, because showing vulnerability would be a weakness. Its a vicious cycle. I now understand fully why these conditions contribute to the high levels of male suicide. I got to a point where I was thinking about ending my life: the thought of starting all over again, with 100,000 of credit card debt was too much to bear.

In the end, the successes in my career and colleagues kept me going  I co-founded Longboys, where I make and sell luxury long doughnuts, and plunged every ounce of energy I could into it. The disparity in how I was living before and after Dionne was enormous: one year youre jetting around the globe eating world-class food and drinking champagne, the next sleeping in fields at festivals trying to get a new business off the ground, knowing that its your last hope.

open image in gallery Hornigold has thrown himself into his chef work to help him cope ( Netflix )

Luckily it worked. I got some professional help and my work family, propped me up throughout all of it. The stress of Dionnes deception was too much for my and Heathers relationship to bear. Ive remained single since then and now I concentrate on making sure Im setting the best example I can for my son  of having integrity, being open with my emotions and encouraging others to speak up without shame.

Really, that is the point. There are so many others who have been ruined by Dionne  thats why I wanted to make the documentary about my experience for Netflix. She has now been arrested in Singapore as a result of the film  after watching it, three more people came forward to say that they too had been duped by her.

Often Ive wondered if its just me, that I attract this chaos; it seems to keep finding me. But Ive done a lot of soul-searching. Thats why Ive remained single since then  I needed to look inside and do some of that work. Its not just the external world that can cause you problems, but sometimes the people you attract as a result of your personality traits and unresolved trauma. Some who used to be in my life retreated after everything came crashing down. They were never friends, I realised  now I know that word is thrown around way too liberally.

For every bad thing that happens, theres always some good. For me, that means justice being served and being able to move forward a little wiser  I didnt get the dream come true when my mother found me. Instead, it became a living nightmare. Now, all I can do is keep speaking out and, ultimately, break Dionnes vicious cycle  one that almost broke me.

As told to Zoe Beaty
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Saturday Night Live, the US comedy series famously broadcast from New York, is crossing the pond for a brand new UK edition in 2026.

Sky announced that it will bring a British version of the long-running show to audiences in the UK and Ireland, marking the first time the programme will be produced outside the US.

The British version will retain the originals signature style  it will be aired live late at night and will feature a rotating roster of celebrity hosts, musical guests and a regular cast of top British comedic talent.

Hosts will open each show with a new variation of the catchphrase: Live from London  its Saturday night!

The American series has been on air since 1975 and has welcomed a long list of high-profile hosts over the decades, including Drew Barrymore, Taylor Swift, and Tom Hanks.

Across its nearly 50-year run, Saturday Night Live has also established a so-called Five-Timers Club  a nod to those who have hosted at least five times. Topping the list is Alec Baldwin, who holds the record with an impressive 17 appearances as host.

Saturday Night Live has also won more Emmy awards than any other show in history and is credited with launching the careers of Bill Murray, Eddie Murphy, Will Ferrell, and Tina Fey.

The UK debut of the show will be executive produced by Saturday Night Live creator Lorne Michaels, who will continue to oversee the US version simultaneously. Production will be handled by Broadway Video and Universal Television Alternative Studios UK team.

Alec Baldwin, 17-time host of SNL, with wife Hilaria Baldwin ( Getty Images )

Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO of Sky Studios, said in a statement; For over 50 years Saturday Night Live has held a unique position in TV and in our collective culture. We are thrilled to be partnering with Lorne and the SNL team to bring an all-British version of the show to UK audiences next year - all live from London on Saturday night!

Details including the UK cast, hosts, musical guests and exact premiere date are expected to be announced in the coming months.
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Survivor star Teeny Chirichillo has come out as a transgender man.

Chirichillo, 24, who competed on season 47 of the reality show, opened up about how public speculation about his gender identity affected him in a personal essay in Cosmopolitan.

The state of my life since Survivor has been full of uncertainty. I didnt come back to a spouse or a full-time career, like many of my castmates did, Chirichillo said.

People were theorizing about how the producers were going to adapt, within the parameters of historically gendered tribe divisions, to a nonbinary contestant. To me, he wrote.

The invasive questions about my biology, prompted by my androgyny, werent what made my shrunken stomach sink though  if anything, those are the posts I return to, he continued. What made me dizzy was the pressure for me to represent as the first openly nonbinary Survivor player.

He added: But on my backpack, wedged under the plane seat, was a pink ribbon  given to me by the production team  because Id never declared anything that would indicate I wasnt a cisgender girl. Before flying out, I made a choice: I wasnt ready to launch into labeling myself any which way for the first time on national television.

Chirichillo went on to admit he did open up to his cast a bit when they were filming in Fiji.

I told them about the top surgery consultation Id had a few days before I left America, about how my boobs were a part of my body that Id never wanted and how funny it was that my tits final act on Earth was running around a jungle lying to people, he wrote.

Season 47 began airing. And right away, my lack of clarity seemed to bleed through the screen and infect all of the commentators of the show with the same confusion I was feeling inside, Chirichillo continued. Queer and trans people were messaging me with preemptive gratitude, while I had guilty flashbacks to declaring myself as the leader of the all-girls alliance.

open image in gallery Teeny Chirichillo opens up about navigating his identity on television ( CBS )

At one point, Chirichillo decided to update his Instagram bio with the pronouns, she/they/he. However, this only prompted more outside noise.

How long can I whatever my way through it? My noncommitment to a label like nonbinary and my lack of attachment to the policing of my own pronouns is because, until right now, I had been a closeted trans guy, Chirichillo said.

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I dont expect everyone to reach the same level of ease with my gender that Ive arrived at after a lifetime of suppressing and then exploring the boyhood in my soul. But I know who I am, he added.

Chirichillos candid remarks come less than two months before Pride Month, a month-long celebration of the LGBTQ+ community and all its contributions.

Celebrations occur in June because of the Stonewall riots by gay rights activists against a police raid at the Stonewall Inn in Manhattans Greenwich Village on June 28, 1969.
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The White Lotus wasnt a walk in the park for the cast members after a seven-month shoot led to off-screen fights, according to Jason Isaacs.

Isaacs, who previously said friendships were both made and lost on the set of the HBO shows third season, revealed he was at the centre of some drama that occurred behind the scenes.

Fans of the show are now playing detective in the hopes of unearthing exactly what happened  and are resurfacing Isaacs past comments on the subject.

I cant pretend I wasnt involved in some off-screen drama, the British actor said, adding: There were times when things were not quite so fond.

The British Harry Potter star appeared in the series as Timothy Ratfliff, with the majority of his scenes involving his family members played by Parker Posey, Patrick Schwarzeneggar, Sam Nivola and Sarah Catherine Hook.

The actor toldThe Guardian: I was in some ways used to it, but within a couple of weeks my wife went, Some of these people are f***ing mad. I said, No, its just a bunch of actors away on location, love. Youve forgotten what its like.

Isaacs is married to Emma Hewitt, a BBC documentary maker he met in the 1980s.

He continued: It was a theatre camp, but to some extent an open prison camp as you couldnt avoid one other There are tensions and difficulties. I dont know if they spilled from on screen to off-screen, or if it would have happened anyway.

According to Isaacs, there were alliances that formed and broke, romances that formed and broke, friendships that formed and broke.

He attributed the breakdown of the relationships due to being away from family for a long period of time as well as the open bar and all the wildness being in Thailand allows.

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Jason Isaacs in 'The White Lotus' ( HBO )

For the show, the cast were expected to reside at the resorts where filming takes place for a full seven months, essentially quarantined in one place with just the shows cast and crew for company.

Isaac previously said the experience was a cross between high school and Lord of the Flies, telling Sharp: We never got away from each other!

He continued: Sometimes, it was two weeks of night shoots and then you see each other all day every day. In that time, its incredibly hot  not fun hot, holiday hot  were in costume and makeup, and were not meant to get a tan or lie by the pool, and you can only have so many massages.

Isaacs said that the intense filming process is intentional and creator Mike White wants to create a pressure cooker atmosphere, not just to the story we were telling, but to our own lives.
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A friend recently confessed that he felt Black Mirror had gone downhill since the episode with the prime minister and the pig. That episode, The National Anthem  in which a fictional PM must perform obscene acts of porcine gratification live on television  captured the zeitgeist perfectly. It was a late watercooler moment for linear TV, back in the days when Charlie Brookers pitch-black tech satire was still on Channel 4. It was also, it should be said, the shows first ever episode. Has it been in perpetual decline ever since?

On the evidence of this latest season, the answer is yes. Once again, the pot-luck nature of the show has given way to an overabundance of bilge. Too many episodes rely on logic-straining mechanics, too few have the emotional sucker punch of San Junipero or Be Right Back. The horror too, of episodes like Shut Up and Dance or White Christmas, has given way to a repetitive fear of digital imprisonment. In short, this latest season of Black Mirror just doesnt carry the same punch that it used to. The crown of televisions best techno-dystopian series, it feels, has been passed to shows like Silo, Squid Game, and, above all, Severance.

Common People 

Mike (Chris ODowd) and Amanda (Rashida Jones) are underpaid and struggling to conceive, yet are still happily married and deeply in love. But their lives change when Amanda is diagnosed with a brain tumour. With conventional medication unable to help her, Amanda's only chance is to use an experimental procedure pioneered by a tech start-up, Rivermind, which removes the cancerous tissue and replaces it with a synthetic version. Youre so pretty when youre alive, Mike tells Amanda, as he drives her home from the hospital, but soon enough, the perils of signing over a portion of your brain to an avaricious corporation begin to appear.

open image in gallery Chris ODowd and Rashida Jones in Common People ( Netflix )

In essence, Common People is about the subscription era, and our reliance on easily depreciated contracts. Amandas life-saving package looks good to begin with, but unexpected add-ons  range limits, excess sleeping times, uncontrollable spoken adverts  are used to push her towards a premium scheme. Thats a good target for Black Mirror to set in its sights. But as the narrative progresses, Mike becomes embroiled in a memecoin-style public humiliation livestream, as he struggles to fund Amandas care, and the whole thing loses focus and moves inexorably towards tragedy. Good Black Mirror episodes set up a premise and then subvert it, but Common People takes an interesting jumping off point and then progresses exactly as youd anticipate. The ending, in its striking bleakness, feels undeserved.

Bete Noire 

Maria (Siena Kelly) designs snacks for a confectionery company. At a taste test for her latest design (a miso jam hucklebuck) she notices a woman, Verity (Rosy McEwen), whom she used to go to school with. Verity was the class freak: a computer boffin about whom the popular girls, including Maria, spread a vicious rumour. But now Verity is beautiful and self-assured and inveigles her way into the company. As Veritys power over their colleagues grows, small things start to destabilise Marias reality. Please stop shouting at me, Verity whimpers to an even-voiced Maria, as she confronts her, yet her boss appears to unquestioningly believe anything Verity says. Whats going on?

open image in gallery Rosy McEwen in Bete Noire ( Netflix )

Theres something quite ambitious about the premise, what if technology could make gaslighting real?. It scratches at two big issues in society today: the prevalence of domestic abuse and the ability of Big Tech to facilitate harm. And yet, despite that interesting core idea, Bete Noire never really knows where to go. Creating the dynamic between two schoolgirl-turned-professional rivals robs it of the impact and urgency that it mightve had in a more realistic coercive relationship. And the question with Black Mirror is always whether they can stick the landing: in Bete Noire the central McGuffin is the sort of thing that Stewie Griffin, the fiendish baby inventor, wouldve cooked up in early episodes of Family Guy. It turns what couldve been a compellingly political episode into something entirely daft.

Hotel Reverie 

The golden age of British cinema has passed, but a Hollywood executive (played by Awkwafina) has a plan to revitalise an ageing studio. A new technology will allow an actor to enter the black and white world of a classic film, Hotel Reverie. Wheres my Casablanca? Wheres my Brief Encounter? hot American actor Brandy Friday (Issa Rae) yells at her agent. Well, its waiting for her in England. And so, she enters the Hotel to re-film a live version of the movie, alongside Emma Corrins wistful avatar/actress Dorothy, who played the heroine, Clara, in the original. But quickly the emotional distance required for this exercise gets eroded, and the technology itself proves buggier  and more dangerous  than anyone imagined.

Hollywood is well-known for its cynical repurposing of intellectual property. So, again, this is an area ripe for exploration. Corrin makes for an extremely convincing 1940s screen starlet, even if her chemistry with Rae never really has time to bubble. They dont quite unlock the longing of David Leans star-crossed lovers Alec and Laura, but the whiplash between the modern world of content production (please dont call it content, Harriet Walters studio head declares, it makes me heave.) and the dreamlike landscape within the old film is effective. Less effective is the attempt to ramp up the stakes by introducing convoluted technological nonsense that puts Brandys life at risk. The technology in Black Mirror has to be plausible, otherwise the eye is drawn to the stupidity rather than the moral parable, and Hotel Reverie finds this a tricky balance to strike.

Plaything 

An old man (Peter Capaldi) is arrested for attempting to steal a bottle of whiskey. A routine genetic check reveals that his DNA has been found all over an unidentified corpse dug up many years earlier. Who is this mysteriously gentle murderer? Who was his victim? And what role does Colin Ritman (Will Poulter, reprising his role from Black Mirror: Bandersnatch) and the chirruping digital Throng have to do with all this? The secret lies in this mans past as a video game reviewer who found himself the sole owner of what amounts to an avant-garde Tamagotchi. Having dedicated his life to raising this herd of autonomous thronglets  not obscene puppets like Sonic the Hedgehog, as the man puts it, but cute, mewing digital blobs  what is in store for their final act?

It's hard to write about Plaything with a straight face, and it mustve been even harder to make it without bursting into embarrassed giggles. Its just so fantastically stupid, yet played with utter po-faced seriousness. From Capaldis lank, greasy wig to the two completely underbaked interrogators assigned to the case, everything has the air of having been hastily cobbled together to fill a scheduling gap. Black Mirror has always been concerned with how much humanity we show towards Artificial Intelligences, but given this subject is also explored, less madly, in Hotel Reverie and USS Callister: Into Infinity, its hard to imagine what possessed the team to crowbar in this short, deranged slice of digital ham.

Eulogy 

Cantankerous retiree Phillip (Paul Giamatti) lives alone in a house on Cape Cod. When a package arrives asking him to help create an immersive memorial for a recently deceased ex-girlfriend, Carol, he finds himself sucked into a world of repressed memories. This full spectrum memory curation from a company called eulogy allows Phillip, alongside a guide (Patsy Ferran), to enter and explore photos from his past. Slowly, the time that Phillip spent with Carol  about which he has spent decades stewing  comes back to him, and his eyes are opened to revelations about the truth of their relationship.

open image in gallery Paul Giamatti journeys into the past in Eulogy ( Netflix )

The standout episode of this series, Eulogy, makes good use of Giamattis everyman charms, not to mention a plaintive premise that makes emotional truth, rather than narrative thrills, its driving impulse. The technology itself stays just the right side of plausible, and while the twists and turns are heavily signposted, they feel earned. The production team on Eulogy have also taken the time to lovingly evoke hippy culture of the 1970s, as present-day Phillip explores the sepia-tinged, smoke-filled photographs of his formative days. It is an unshowy episode  and not one likely to generate much social media chatter  but it demonstrates that Black Mirror can be more effective when placing the blame on humans rather than technology.

USS Callister: Into Infinity 

Back in 2017, Black Mirror released an episode called USS Callister which followed a group of digitised clones as they were enslaved on a spaceship by Robert Daly (Jesse Plemons), the tyrannical designer of Infinity, a planet-exploring VR game. Following the events of that episode, the crew are now captained by Nanette (Cristin Milioti) and are cruising the simulated galaxy, fighting for survival against savage teenage gamers. Its 30 million players versus the five of us, Nanette reveals. We are fucked. And yet, as the net starts to close in on Infinity's CEO James Walton (Jimmi Simpson) back in the real world, could Dalys bandits have a chance at a truer freedom?

USS Callister is often regarded as one of Black Mirrors best episodes, creating a strong, female protagonist and not succumbing to excessive despair. This follow-up  the first direct sequel in the shows history, though several episodes in this series carry notes from previous instalments  picks up the story just months after we last saw it. The continuation is well done, though it adds little to a story that was more evenly told back in 2017. With Daly already dead, USS Callister: Into Infinity refreshes its deus ex machinas, inadvertently watering them down in the process. Like so much of Hollywoods sequel-obsessed culture, this is a perfectly watchable episode, though it feels pointless. And for a show like Black Mirror, which has prided itself on a doomsterish prescience, being pointless might be the worst insult of all.

Black Mirror season seven is streaming on Netflix from 10 April
analysis

Vast amounts of renewable energy are needed to produce green hydrogen, a new form of energy made by splitting water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen using renewable power.

Green hydrogen is a type of clean energy that could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by replacing fossil fuels in energy-intensive industries. These industries include cement, fertiliser and steel production.

The scale of projected investments globally is huge. The Hydrogen Council, an association of major corporations including the multinational mining company Anglo American, Bosch engineers, the chemicals and engineering giant Linde and many others, lists 1,400 announced projects worldwide and announced investments of US$320 billion.

Read more: 'Global China' is a big part of Latin America's renewable energy boom, but homegrown industries and 'frugal innovation' are key

European governments are looking to import green hydrogen from countries like Chile and South Africa that have enough sun and wind to set up the huge power plants required. They're also planning to build a very large network of green hydrogen pipelines across the continent. By the 2030s, the amount of green hydrogen imported by the European Union may reach 10 million tonnes a year.

Chile needs green hydrogen so that it can stop using fossil fuels in copper mining. The country also wants to become a major exporter of green hydrogen derivatives, such as green ammonia and renewable methanol.

South Africa sees green hydrogen as an export opportunity but, more importantly, as a means to decarbonise its large heavy-industry and mining sectors, which depend on climate-damaging coal-based energy. The chemicals giant Sasol and the steel producer ArcelorMittal could be the first big industrial corporations to use green hydrogen.

However, both countries lack the billions of US dollars needed to set up green hydrogen industries. If they take out large-scale loans to help finance the projects, this could raise debt to unsustainable levels.

We are economists who have analysed policies, especially de-risking measures, to promote the green hydrogen industry in Chile and South Africa. De-risking means that the state guarantees attractive and reliable conditions to bring in private investors, also supporting them with low-interest credit.

By reviewing national strategy papers and further legislation, and through interviews with business people and politicians, we found that de-risking could actually be financially problematic for the two countries.

Read more: Green hydrogen is a clean fuel, but South Africa's not ready to produce it: energy experts explain why

Our research found that tax incentives and credits are questionable ways to support the industry. This is because they attract investment in green hydrogen projects without overcoming more fundamental economic and political insecurities. These deficiencies include the lack of infrastructure for green hydrogen, specialised local suppliers and market uncertainty regarding demand and prices.

We suggest that South Africa and Chile concentrate on creating a business environment favourable to foreign investment that also puts local firms and local labour on a firmer footing to participate in green hydrogen projects. There is also a need for countries in the global north to take on a bigger share of the financial risks involved with setting up green hydrogen projects.

Taking the risk out of building green hydrogen industries

Chile and South Africa have taken numerous steps to promote the green hydrogen industry. Chile's National Green Hydrogen Strategy provides a clear guideline on how to develop the industry. It identifies market opportunities and supportive measures that the state should take. University programmes in engineering and chemistry have been adapted to train the future workforce of the wider green hydrogen sector.

The Inter American Development Bank, the European Investment Bank, Germany's KfW Development Bank and the World Bank have contributed to Chile's US$1 billion Green Hydrogen Fund. The government is hoping to increase this fund to US$12.5 billion.

However, it will be essential to avoid taking on excessive liabilities because, in the worst case, loans provided to private companies that are not paid back may bankrupt the state.

In South Africa, the 2021 Hydrogen Society Road Map proposes that firms involved in green hydrogen production set up together in clusters. Existing special economic zones, which have dedicated infrastructure and other advantages for investors, are likely to become the locations of these clusters. University and other training programmes have been launched.

The Green Hydrogen Commercialisation Strategy sets out ambitious production targets, including exports of 1 million tonnes a year by the 2030s.

Again, a key issue is financing. South Africa's Just Energy Transition Investment Plan is based on a US$7 billion funding package from the UK and EU to grow the renewable energy sector.

The idea is that this amount will attract a bigger group of private sector investors to fund renewable energy, green industrialisation and decarbonisation projects. But only 4% of the US$7 billion consists of grants that do not have to be repaid. The bulk of the amount is made up of loans that could aggravate South Africa's already considerable debt burden.

What needs to happen next

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For countries in the global north to move away from fossil fuel energy, they'll need to buy green hydrogen from countries such as Chile and South Africa. So it is essential that these wealthier countries take on a larger share of the risks of setting up green hydrogen projects. This will help green hydrogen host countries to avoid being caught in a debt trap.

Wealthier countries could sign long-term purchase agreements. This would mean that green hydrogen producers in Chile and South Africa would be assured of having buyers at fixed prices. First steps in that direction have been taken by Namibia and Germany.

Our research emphasises the need to promote development in the countries that will produce and export green hydrogen. This must happen in addition to a more just international burden sharing. Rather than tax cuts and cheap loans, less expensive and more lasting measures need to be taken to facilitate participation of local players in green hydrogen projects. The creation of such benefits is also important to offset negative environmental and social effects of these projects.

Anthony Black, Professor, University of Cape Town

Glen Robbins, Research Associate, PRISM, University of Cape Town; Adjunct lecturer, Gordon Institute of Business Science, University of Pretoria, University of Amsterdam

Soren Scholvin, Professor, Universidad Catolica del Norte
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A former prosecutor, an opposition leader who survived an assassination attempt, and a supporter of impeached president Yoon Suk Yeol are among the candidates who have put their hat in the ring for the 3 June presidential election in South Korea.

The stage has been set for an election following the constitution courts unanimous verdict on Mr Yoons impeachment to remove the conservative leader from office over his decision to impose martial law in December last year.

Intense political polarisation is expected to turn the election into a head-to-head contest between Mr Yoons ruling People Power Party (PPP) and its main liberal opponent, the Democratic Party (DP), which currently controls the National Assembly.

The PPP faces an uphill challenge as it attempts to regain public trust and mend deep internal rifts triggered by Mr Yoons short-lived declaration of martial law that plunged the country into uncertainty and unprecedented political turmoil.

As of now, several candidates have declared their intent to run. The political parties are expected to launch primaries soon to select their presidential candidates in the coming days.

Here are some potential contenders for the presidential election.

Lee Jae Myung

The leader of the main opposition DP, Lee Jae Myung, is widely regarded as the frontrunner to win the elections. He declared his bid for the presidency on 10 April and vowed to fix inequality and spur economic growth in the country.

The 61-year-old Lee narrowly lost to Mr Yoon in the 2022 presidential election with a margin of 0.7 per cent of the votes polled.

open image in gallery South Korea's main opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung speaks is the frontrunner in the race to become president ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

Known for being outspoken and positioning himself as an anti-elitist, recent polls show him leading by significant margins, with some surveys indicating up to 40 per cent support as of December 2024.

On 2 January 2024, Mr Lee survived an assassination attempt during a visit to a construction site on Gadeok Island in Busan. He was stabbed in the neck but recovered after receiving prompt medical attention.

Mr Lee was among the lawmakers who rushed to the National Assembly on the night of Mr Yoon's martial law declaration to ensure parliament voted down the military order. Despite ongoing legal challenges, including trials for bribery and a past election law violation, he remains eligible to run and is a populist figure with strong backing from liberal voters.

Han Dong Hoon

The ex-leader of South Korea's ruling PPP is considered a top conservative contender in the race as he remains a particularly vocal critic of Mr Yoon's martial law declaration.

The 51-year-old prosecutor-turned-politician resigned in December as PPPs leader amid friction in the party for supporting Mr Yoons impeachment.

He has faced criticism among Mr Yoons supporters after he was accused of betraying the party and allowing Mr Yoon's impeachment by the National Assembly in December.

open image in gallery South Korea Lone Star

Mr Han declared his candidacy on 10 April and presented himself as the rival to Mr Lee.

Who can defeat Lee Jae-myung? Who does he fear the most? Mr Han asked at a press conference at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul. We must choose someone who can win. I will achieve a decisive victory, together with the people.

Mr Han, a former justice minister under Mr Yoon, entered politics as leader of the ruling People Power Party in December 2023, ahead of the 2024 general election. Once close to Mr Yoon due to their shared background as prosecutors, Mr Han later led the partys non-Yoon faction and reportedly clashed with him over candidate nominations.

Mr Hans relationship with Mr Yoon started to deteriorate earlier this year when he suggested that the first lady apologise over allegations of accepting a luxury Dior bag.

Ahn Cheol Soo

A former entrepreneur and a professor Mr Ahn has also announced his candidacy.

A veteran politician and former presidential candidate in 2012, 2017, and 2022 he positions himself as a "clean" candidate, emphasising economic growth through technologies like artificial intelligence.

open image in gallery Ahn Cheol Soo announces he will run for the presidential election, in Seoul ( REUTERS )

Mr Ahn fought the last three presidential elections, winning more than 21 per cent of the popular vote in 2017, but dropping out and endorsing other candidates in the other two.

Kim Moon Soo

The Minister of Employment and Labor under the Yoon administration, Mr Kim declared his intention to run on 9 April after he resigned from his position.

The former minister has been polling higher than other conservative contenders as he criticised the arrest of Mr Yoon and the impeachment hearings conducted by the Constitutional Court.

The 73-year-old is likely to be the oldest candidate to run in the elections, and his candidacy aims to consolidate the conservative base following Mr Yoons removal.

"I, Kim Moon-soo, will surely rein in Lee Jae-myung and the Democratic Party that are leading the Republic of Korea to chaos and destruction with their lies and sweet talk, he said.

Hong Joon Pyo

Another possible contender from the Peoples Power Party could be Hong, the mayor of the conservative stronghold Daegu.

He announced that he would resign as the mayor to compete with Mr Kim for the nomination.

The five-term lawmaker for the PPP and its predecessors lost the 2017 presidential election to Moon Jae-in. He is another PPP candidate who opposed Mr Yoons impeachment.

open image in gallery Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo, affiliated with the People Power Party ( EPA )

He has called for military reforms for the mordernisation of the armed forces and a volunteer military system to reduce the burden of conscription.

Parties are expected to hold primaries in the coming weeks, with official campaigning starting around 12 May. The election uses a single-round plurality voting system, meaning the candidate with the most votes wins, and the victor will take office immediately after the results are confirmed, without the usual two-month transition period.
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Authorities in Japans Nagano prefecture are on high alert after a bear attacked three people in Iyama, leaving two seriously injured.

The animal entered residential properties, broke through glass and attacked two men and a woman, local media reported.

The bear was last seen fleeing into a vacant house but was gone by the time authorities arrived, The Japan Times reported.

According to NHK Japan, the bear attack occurred at around 4.30pm local time on Wednesday.

The first victim was a 65-year-old man working in a shed on his property. The animal then entered a nearby home, injuring a 96-year-old man and a 66-year-old woman.

Police and fire officials told the news outlet that the men were believed to have suffered serious injuries but all three victims were conscious.

I was in the kitchen and heard a crashing sound. I wondered what it was and then saw a large black figure in the living room, one of the victims told Yomiuri Shimbun.

Prefectural data shows there were 1,430 bear sightings in rural communities in the year ending March  the second-highest figure in the past decade  along with 13 reported cases of bear-related injuries.

Last year, it was reported that several municipalities were turning to AI to tackle bear threats. In Hanamaki, a city in Iwate prefecture, AI-enabled cameras were installed at 23 sites to detect bears nearing urban areas. The system would alert city officials whenever it spotted a bear, and they would respond alongside police and local hunters.

Fluctuating harvests of staple foods for bears, combined with rural depopulation, have been identified as key factors behind the rise in their encounters with humans.

Experts have also pointed to the declining number of children in country towns and villages  whose naturally noisy presence once helped deter bears  as another contributing factor.

In early 2024, the environment ministry reported to an expert panel that there were 19,192 sightings of Asian black bears between April and October 2023, the highest figure ever, exceeding the 18,000 sightings logged in 2020.

Typically, bear sightings peak in June and decline through October, before rising again in subsequent months. However, in 2023, the numbers began climbing earlier, with some 6,000 sightings reported in October of that year alone, according to Nippon.
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After Ukraine, the US is looking at Pakistan in its continued hunt for rare minerals, Islamabad announced on Wednesday.

Pakistan has one of the worlds largest copper and gold deposits as well as rich quantities of lithium, a key component in batteries.

In return for past and future military and financial support in the war against Russia, the Donald Trump administration has been asking Ukraine for a deal that would give the US nearly half of the war-torn countrys revenues from critical minerals, oil and gas as well as stakes in key infrastructure like ports through a joint investment fund.

Now, American companies are looking at Pakistan for minerals. Their interest was conveyed to prime minister Shehbaz Sharif by Eric Meyer, senior official at the State Department Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, at a meeting in Islamabad, the government said in a statement.

This comes a day after Pakistan hosted a Minerals Investment Forum, an international summit aimed at attracting foreign investment in the countrys mining sector.

The summit saw participation from international companies such as Canadas Barrick Gold as well as government officials from the US, including Mr Meyer, the UK, Saudi Arabia, China, Turkey, and Azerbaijan.

A prospector searches for gold in Kabul river in Khairabad area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan ( AFP/Getty )

Mr Meyer acknowledged the potential of Pakistans mineral sector, the statement said, adding that American companies were keen to explore investment opportunities.

He reaffirmed Washingtons interest in expanding bilateral cooperation in trade, investment and counterterrorism.

Mr Sharif said Pakistan possessed mineral reserves worth trillions of dollars, offering immense opportunities for foreign investment that could help the debt-ridden nations climb out of its current financial morass and escape the burden of debt.

He also expressed Islamabads desire to strengthen ties with the Donald Trump administration.

He clarified, however, that Pakistan would not permit export of raw minerals. They expected foreign companies to process the extracted materials locally and export the finished products, he said.

In a statement issued later on Wednesday, Mr Sharifs office said he was sending a delegation to negotiate with the Trump administration over the US presidents newly imposed tariffs and discuss ways to enhance bilateral trade.

Pakistans major deposits of copper and gold are in the restive province of Balochistan, where an ethnic armed insurgency has seen violence spiral in recent years.
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A fire broke out in a three-storey building in Singapore on Tuesday morning, killing a 10-year-old Australian girl and injuring 21 others, including several young children.

The building, located on the River Valley Road in central Singapore, housed the Tomato Cooking School, where children from international schools were attending holiday classes.

Video footage showed children stranded on a ledge of the shophouse as thick black smoke poured from the windows. Passersby, including a Bangladeshi construction worker, helped rescue them using scaffolding and ladders.

Firefighters controlled the blaze, which started at about 9.45am local time, within 30 minutes. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) reported that flames had engulfed the second and third floors of the building before firefighters were able to bring the blaze under control within 30 minutes.

Members of the public, including construction workers, used metal scaffolding and a ladder to reach those stranded and brought a number of them to safety, the force said in a statement posted on Facebook.

Shakil Mohammad, a construction worker from Bangladesh who helped with the rescue, told The Straits Times that some of the children were on the verge of jumping from the building.

open image in gallery The building, located on the River Valley Road in central Singapore, housed a cooking school, Tomato Cooking School, where children from international schools were attending holiday classes ( 9 News Australia / YouTube. Screengrab )

The children wanted to jump. I told them, Dont jump! I will help you, Mr Mohammad said.

The Australian government confirmed the girls death and is providing consular support to her family. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is providing consular assistance to the family of an Australian who died in Singapore, said a DFAT spokesperson, according to 7News.

We send our deepest condolences to the family at this difficult time. Owing to our privacy obligations, we are unable to provide further comment, they added.

According to police, 22 people were taken to hospital  six adults aged between 23 and 55, and 16 children between six and 10 years old.

Around 80 people were evacuated from the shophouse and nearby buildings, local media said.

Besides the cooking school, the building also houses a theatre group and a robotics school, according to Channel News Asia.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, with initial reports pointing out that the fire could have started in the second-floor storage area.

The cooking school expressed sorrow and added that they were cooperating with authorities. We are deeply saddened and shocked by the fire that occurred at the shophouse, the school said. Our thoughts are with all the families and individuals affected during this difficult time.

The statement added: The circumstances that led to the fire are currently under investigation by the relevant authorities. We are providing our full cooperation and assistance with the ongoing investigation.

9 News Australia reported that there were a number of compliance issues with the building and only the first floor of the building was approved for use.
Is the British steel industry about to be nationalised again? The chancellor, Rachel Reeves, whod have to find the money to make such a deal, has pointedly said that all options are on the table, not ruling out state control as a possible solution. However, this Labour government has shown a marked reluctance to extend public ownership even to sectors where there are natural monopolies and such a step would be wildly popular  such as water and rail. According to Lisa Nandy, the latest cabinet minister to comment on the steel crisis, a commercial solution for British Steel is within reach. It will be a test of the government in more ways than one

Whats the background?

The Scunthorpe steelworks are now owned by the Chinese group Jingye, and trading as British Steel. They contain the last remaining blast furnaces in the UK, and thus the only means by which the country can make virgin steel as opposed to the recycled product made at Port Talbot (owned by Tata, an Indian conglomerate). The Port Talbot works are supported by a government subsidy, which paid for an electric arc furnace, obviating the need to use coking coal  but the steel thus produced isnt suitable for every purpose. The 25 per cent Trump tariff imposed on steel exports to the US adds to the challenges facing the UK industry. Some 2,700 jobs are at stake in Scunthorpe, and many more indirectly.

Why the rush?

Such is the dire financial state of affairs that iron ore and other raw materials are running short at Scunthorpe, and it will be difficult if not impossible to keep the two blast furnaces functioning. That could be in a matter of days. Jingye says the operation is no longer financially sustainable. The Chinese group said it has invested more than 1.2bn in Scunthorpe, but is suffering losses of up to 700,000 a day (by coincidence the kind of losses the old nationalised British Steel Corporation was suffering at a previous nadir in about 1980).

Is nationalisation inevitable?

It feels that way, at least for Scunthorpe, because of the constant need for public subsidy  the taxpayer is funding operations but without any direct control through an equity holding. Even so, every possible option would need to be exhausted before the government took responsibility for running an industry normally better suited to the private sector. It is being resisted, which is a little ironic given that opposition parties are all in favour

Recommended Talks continue to secure future of British Steel in Scunthorpe

Who wants to nationalise British Steel?

Not the Labour government if they can help it, because theres no money for it, and because theyve got a phobia born of the past association of the party with loss-making enterprises  socialism at its worst. Ironically, Reform UK, a bunch of post-Thatcherite rightists want it taken over on patriotic strategic grounds just in case theres a war with Russia (double irony for Nigel Farage there). The Liberal Democrats, not historically eager for state control of industry, now quite like the idea. Both Ed Davey and Farage are, it must be said, not averse to a bit of populism. For her part Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative leader, seems determined to pretend that some private sector solution can be found, even if thats obviously no longer true, so she will always oppose nationalisation.

Is state ownership of steel a good idea?

It could be. In principle, the huge programme of investment in infrastructure, housing and defence in the coming years could rescue the British steel industry. Government procurement would guarantee against losses, and the defence argument for self-sufficiency is also in play.

Was steel nationalised before?

Yes, twice. The Attlee government took public control of this key strategic concern, one of the commanding heights of the economy in 1951. The subsequent Conservative government reversed that in 1953, only for Labour to return to power and take it back into state control in 1967 as the British Steel Corporation. There is stayed until it was privatised in 1988, smaller, restructured and profitable. No other industry has faced quite so many changes of fortune...
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Donald Trump has repeatedly endorsed the idea of sending U.S. citizens to prisons in El Salvador, following a proposal from Salvadoran president Nayib Bukele, who is jailing dozens of deported Venezuelan immigrants in a notorious prison.

But the presidents desire is plainly illegal. There is no constitutional or statutory authority to exile citizens in foreign prisons, and banishing citizens from the country and incarcerating them abroad amounts to an unconstitutional assault on human rights, according to immigration law experts and constitutional scholars.

Trump and administration officials have not offered up any specific plans, or clarified whether he is only referring to naturalized citizens who were not born in the United States.

But Trumps suggestion that citizens can be imprisoned in foreign jails shows how absolutely critical it is for the courts to put an immediate stop to this extrajudicial imprisonment by foreign proxy, according to David J. Bier, director of immigration studies at the libertarian Cato Institute.

U.S. citizens may not be deported to imprisonment abroad, he told NBC News. There is no authority for that in any U.S. law.

Bukele has already agreed to jail dozens of immigrants summarily removed from the United States inside a notorious prison complex that human rights groups have labeled a tropical gulag following reports of abuse, torture and lack of medical attention for inmates in densely packed cells. Inmates there face the prospect of indefinite detention.

The State Department arranged a $6 million deal with Bukele  the self-described worlds coolest dictator  to jail hundreds of immigrants removed from the United States inside the Terrorism Confinement Center, or CECOT, despite U.S. law barring financial support in the form of units of foreign security forces that face credible accusations of human rights abuses.

Inside the Oval Office alongside Bukele on April 14, Trump said homegrowns should be next.

open image in gallery Salvadoran prison guards walk alleged gang members in handcuffs through El Salvadors Terrorism Confinement Center after they were deported from the United States on April 12 ( via REUTERS )

The homegrowns. You gotta build about five more places, he said. Its not big enough.

I just asked the president  its this massive complex that he built, jail complex  I said, 'Can you build some more of them please? As many as we can get out of our country, Trump told reporters.

Pressed on whether that means incarcerating American citizens in El Salvador, Trump said Im all for it.

Trump said he spoke with Attorney General Pam Bondi to determine how to legally deport and incarcerate American citizens out of the country.

Id like to go a step further. I said to Pam  I dont know what the laws are, we always have to obey the laws  but we also have homegrown criminals that push people into subways, that hit elderly ladies on the back of the head with a baseball bat when theyre not looking, that are absolute monsters, Trump told reporters. Id like to include them in the group of people to get them out of the country. But youll have to be looking at the laws.

But the law is already clear, according to legal experts.

It is pretty obviously illegal and unconstitutional, according to Ilya Somin, a professor at George Mason Universitys Antonin Scalia Law School.

Its constitutionally very problematic, if not illegal, University of Virginia immigration law professor Amanda Frost told TIME. It's a baseline right of citizenship that you can remain in the country.

Its also illegal to expatriate U.S. citizens for a crime, according to Lauren-Brooke Eisen, senior director of the justice program at the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law.

In fact, U.S. citizens can only be stripped of citizenship if they knowingly perform acts resulting in a voluntary relinquishment of citizenship such as a formal renunciation of nationality in the United States during a time of war or leaving or remaining outside the United States during a time of war or national emergency to avoid military service, according to Eisen.

open image in gallery During a White House meeting with El Salvadors president Nayib Bukele on April 14, Trump said he is all for jailing American citizens in that countrys prisons ( AFP via Getty Images )

Trump administration officials have been publicly mulling whether to send Americans to El Salvadors prisons since at least February.

There are obviously legalities involved. We have a Constitution, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said at the time. But its a very generous offer. No ones ever made an offer like that  and to outsource, at a fraction of the cost, at least some of the most dangerous and violent criminals that we have in the United States  But obviously, the administration will have to make a decision.

Bukele is undoubtedly trolling, but to emphasize again: this is so incredibly illegal that there's not even a hint of a possible way to do it under any circumstances whatsoever, Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, senior fellow at the American Immigration Council think tank, wrote at the time. It violates international law and the U.S. constitution. Period. End of story.

Trump later said he would be fine and very happy with sending incarcerated Americans to El Salvadors jails, which Elon Musk also called a great idea. On April 6, Trump told reporters he loves the idea of jailing American wise guys in El Salvador.

"I love that," Trump said. "If we could take some of our 20-time wiseguys that push people into subways and hit people over the back of the head and then purposely run people over in cars  if he would take them, I would be honored to give them.

Courts have affirmed constitutional protections ensuring Americans cannot be stripped of their citizenship for criminal convictions, meaning incarcerated citizens cannot be kicked out of the country, whether or not theyre imprisoned.

I know of nothing that would give the president the authority to force U.S. citizens serving federal prison sentences to serve their time in a different country's prisons, law professor M. Isabel Medina with Loyola University New Orleans College of Law told The Independent earlier this year.

There is also nothing in federal law that would give the Bureau of Prisons discretion to send citizens outside of the federal corrections system.

Thus, anyone enmeshed in the federal criminal justice system  certainly including the very very bad people Trump says he would like to send to prison in El Salvador  must be housed (and cared for) by the Bureau of Prisons, according to Cornell Law School professor Michael C. Dorf.

To be sure, the statute nowhere says that the federal Bureau of Prisons must operate all of its facilities in the United States, but crucially, it must operate, manage, and regulate all prisons or other facilities that house U.S. prisoners, Dorf writes. It might, in theory, be possible for the Bureau of Prisons to operate a prison on foreign soil, but if so, it would have to be a U.S. prison operating under U.S. standards. Shipping U.S. prisoners to a prison operated by a foreign sovereign  as Trump proposes to do  would be plainly unlawful.

Even if Congress tried to rewrite federal law to hand citizens to a foreign government, constitutional safeguards would still apply, according to Dorf.

Other than the lack of statutory authority, another complication would be application of the Eighth Amendment, procedural due process, First Amendment and other constitutional protections that federal prisoners are entitled to while serving their sentences, Medina told The Independent.

Because the constitutional authority to create federal crimes lies with Congress, not the executive, and because U.S. citizens may not be deported, even if imprisoned, it would appear to be illegal for the president to do this particularly without any statutory authority, she said.

Its also a scenario that Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor warned about in a dissent to the courts divided ruling that partially blocked the Trump administration from summarily deporting alleged Venezuelan members of Tren de Aragua under the Alien Enemies Act without a court hearing.

The implication of the Governments position is that not only noncitizens but also United States citizens could be taken off the streets, forced onto planes, and confined to foreign prisons with no opportunity for redress, she wrote. History is no stranger to such lawless regimes, but this Nations system of laws is designed to prevent, not enable, their rise.

This story was first published on February 2 and has been updated with developments
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Teachers and pupils have expressed their fears over plans by the Metropolitan Police to remove more than 300 specialist officers from long-held posts in London schools.

Headteachers have warned that pupils will be put at greater risk of violence and exploitation by gangs if the force presses ahead with its decision to withdraw 371 safer schools officers (SSOs) from their posts, starting from next month.

One pupil expressed fears that there will be more knives and drugs coming into school with nobody to actually stop it if the plans to transfer SSOs into neighbourhood policing teams goes ahead.

Scotland Yard has written to headteachers saying the decision was not made lightly, after warning it had been forced into tough choices amid a 260m budget shortfall, which is expected to result in 1,700 layoffs.

open image in gallery One pupil said more knives would find their way into schools if the officers were removed ( PA Archive )

The force argued that, in their new posts, the transferred officers will retain strong relationships with schools to ensure that any reports of knife crime can be dealt with quickly.

Arguing that the primary risk to young people exists outside the school grounds, for example, in the travel corridor between school and home, the force added: That is why we are changing our approach to ensure our efforts are focused on the wider community.

But in a joint letter, seen by The Independent, 15 headteachers from schools in northeast London have warned the Met that, without the support of safer school officers, vulnerable students may become prey to exploitation and, in turn, perpetrators of crime.

The headteachers warned that such officers play a critical role in ensuring the safety and well-being of students, adding: They are highly effective at addressing potential problems before they spiral out of control.

Knife crime rose 18 per cent in London to hit a record high of 16,521 offences during the year to September 2024, according to the Office for National Statistics.

Figures obtained by The Independent last year showed that police received 37 reports of attacks involving blades or sharp instruments during term time in London schools in 2023, and 173 regarding incidents of weapon possession, which can also include broken glass.

SSOs were first introduced to schools in 2009 and  by 2023  there were close to 1,000 operating across the UK, data obtained by the Runnymede Trust showed  with the charity warning at the time of a deeply concerning and normalised police presence.

Pointing to the Child Q scandal, in which a Black schoolgirl was strip-searched by police while on her period and without another adult present, after being wrongly suspected of carrying cannabis, the charity criticised the highly racialised and damaging impact excessive force can have inside a school setting, and called for the removal of SSOs.

But with such a move now set to happen en masse in London, Chris Hall, headteacher of Footsteps Trust in Haringey, told Sky News that SSOs had been very, very, valuable assets who had helped familiarise young people with the police in the most positive way.

open image in gallery Charities have previously criticised the damaging impact excessive force can have inside a school setting ( Ben Birchall/PA )

One 14-year-old pupil at the Footsteps Trust told the broadcaster that if anything happens outside of school you can tell them [SSOs] and let them know, warning: There will be more knives. There will be fighting, there will be drugs coming into school and no one will be there to actually stop it.

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson told the Evening Standard: Children should be able to travel to and from school and study without the fear of violence.

This is where we know young people are most at risk of violence and gangs, and it is where our officers will continue to be, ensuring that they are able to quickly respond to any incidents or concerns in the community.

Although officers will no longer be based in schools, they will join local policing teams where they will retain strong relationships with schools to ensure that any reports of knife crime can be dealt with quickly.

Officers will also work with local organisations and other youth based establishments to safeguard young people, prevent victimisation and reduce crime and anti-social behaviour beyond schools.
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A drug smuggler tried to hide 22.8m worth of cocaine under dry ice by pretending it was destined for a London hospital.

Bart Verschueren, 40, was caught after a vehicle was stopped at the Coquelles border control in France, with Border Force officers discovering the 285kg of Class A drugs.

To carry out his smuggling, Verschueren had duped an innocent part-time driver who was initially arrested on 5 May 2020, but subsequently released when it was discovered he had no knowledge of the plot.

His paperwork said his consignment of dry ice was for St Marys Hospital in Paddington, which he invented to avoid checks during the Covid-19 lockdown. The hospital was in no way connected to the dry ice.

open image in gallery The drugs were discovered under dry ice which had been listed for delivery at a hospital in London ( NCA )

Verschueren, of Sint-Katelijne-Waver, a municipality south of Antwerp, was convicted and jailed in Belgium for other drug trafficking offences he committed in 2020 and 2021.

He was subsequently extradited to the UK in August 2024 and charged with smuggling the 285kg of cocaine.

Despite denying the offence, he was convicted by a jury at Canterbury Crown Court in March and was jailed for 18 years on Thursday.

Jurors heard the same vehicle used for the failed smuggling attempt had successfully made it to the UK three times in the preceding weeks. He was therefore sentenced on the basis that he had trafficked at least 500kg of cocaine.

Peter Jones, NCA operations manager, said: The NCA works at home and abroad to protect the public from the threat of Class A drugs which wreck lives and our communities.

Bart Verschueren did everything possible to cheat justice. And he thought nothing of risking his drivers freedom. When he knew his vehicle had been stopped, he reported his driver missing in a bid to distance himself from the importation.
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An activist known as Stop Brexit Man, who is on trial for playing amplifiers outside parliament, told police their map illustrating where he could not use them was incorrect, a court has heard.

Steve Bray, 55, allegedly flouted a police ban by playing anti-Conservative and anti-Brexit edits of The Muppet Show and Darth Vaders theme tunes through the speakers on 20 March last year.

Police approached Mr Bray on the traffic island at around 11.20am, minutes before then-PM Rishi Sunak arrived ahead of Prime Ministers Questions, City of London Magistrates Court heard on Thursday.

They handed him a map and a notice that warned he is prohibited from playing the speakers in the controlled area under a by-law, the court heard.

The music resumed intermittently, and shortly after 12.33pm officers seized the speakers, the court was told.

Mr Bray, who is self-represented, is charged with failing without reasonable excuse to comply with a direction given under the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 re prohibited activities in Parliament Square.

He appeared to become emotional while cross-examining one of the officers who had attended shortly before Mr Sunak arrived, and said: There is relevance to us for timing.

Those couple of minutes, they mean a lot to us, he told PC Euan Varney.

open image in gallery Bray arrives at City of London Magistrates Court ( Lucy North/PA )

The Muppets and Darth Vader themes were used as the prime minister came in, which is what we always did for Rishi  apparently hes a Star Wars fan, he added.

Mr Bray, from Port Talbot, is known for playing music in protest around Westminster, including D:Reams Things Can Only Get Better at the gates of Downing Street when Mr Sunak announced the general election in the pouring rain this May.

Senior officers had asked two police constables to travel to the area and speak to Mr Bray about the amplifiers.

PC Varney, who handed Mr Bray the map and notice, told the court he had not previously been aware of the relevant law as he did not usually work in Westminster.

Body-worn footage featured Mr Bray, wearing a yellow and blue top hat, repeatedly telling police: Youve got the wrong map.

He said it was outdated and officers would learn that by asking someone higher up in the chain of command.

When told he was not allowed to play there, Mr Bray stuck his fingers in his ears and said: No its not, its not, not here  its not wrong here, the court heard.

I know what I cant do, he said, suggesting officers stick it where the sun dont shine before lighting a cigarette and looking away.

Wearing a blue and yellow top hat on the traffic island that was decorated with blue and yellow bunting, he asked the officer: Youre not normally here, are you? Youve got the wrong map, this is not the correct map.

If this is not the right map, you cant enforce it.

He told officers that he had been protesting in that area for four years and two years ago police seized his equipment.

Two days later, they called me up, apologised, and said its blocking up our evidence room, he said.

Two days later I came to collect it and they said we had got the wrong map, sorry.

Mr Bray said the officers superiors, or bronzes, were mistaken and added: Sunak is due in in four minutes, so if you let us do our thing, we would be grateful. We have come here to protest.

Its not as if were throwing ourselves into the road, throwing cans of paint.

Police later returned and seized two speakers and took them to Charing Cross police station without arresting Mr Bray.

Parliamentary assistant Charles Rivington, who worked for an MP at the time but would not specify their party, said protest music he hears through his office window makes him feel frustrated, definitely agitated, annoyed and distracted.

He said his job requires a lot of reading, and the noise prevented him from getting his work done in the time it usually takes him.

Giving evidence about the events of 20 March, Mr Rivington told the court he heard loud music from 9am to 5pm.

During cross-examination, Mr Bray said they had no amplifiers from about 12.30pm.

Mr Bray denies the charge and the trial continues.
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Experts have warned that Birmingham residents could be at risk of fraud as the ongoing bin strikes show no sign of ending.

Bin bags continue to pile up in the city as its council negotiates an end to strike action by refuse collectors over pay and jobs. The strikes began on 11 March and the city council declared a major incident on 31 March, citing public health concerns.

A waste management expert at BusinessWaste.co.uk has now warned that citizens are not only at risk from the environmental hazard but also from financial harm, as the piles of trash might attract bin raiders.

Bin raiders are people who look through rubbish that doesnt belong to them in order to find anything of value. This can be physical items, such as old credit cards, but they can often look for any documents with identifying details that can help them carry out financial scams.

open image in gallery Rubbish continues to pile up as the city council and Unite union have yet to negotiate an end to strike action ( Getty Images )

Mark Hall, the companys Birmingham waste management expert, said: Bin raiding is a common practice, and while many who do it are looking for unwanted valuable items to take, others are criminals hoping to find personal documents.

Birmingham council has revealed they believe there are 17,000 tonnes of waste on the streets, meaning theres ample opportunity for fraudsters. Shredding personal mail and other items containing your details is something wed recommend as standard anyway, but its now vital for Birmingham residents given the ongoing situation.

Information such as a name, address, contact information or financial details can allow people to commit fraud, blackmail or identity theft.

The company urged that while strike action is ongoing, its more important than ever to shred any materials that include personal details to prevent sensitive information from getting into the hands of criminals.

While a shredder is the easiest way to obscure private details, documents can also be torn up by hand or using scissors. The company said that shredded paper is often too small to be recycled, so it should be added to general waste or a compost pile.

open image in gallery The city council declared a major incident at the end of March, citing health concerns ( Getty Images )

The company added residents should ensure their social media profiles and online presence are well protected, as these profiles can allow scammers to piece together any information to access accounts or retrieve any details they are missing in order to commit fraud.

As well as checking social media, the experts recommended people keep a close eye on their bank accounts and emails to spot any suspicious activity early on and report it.

Since strike action began last month, residents say they have spotted rats the size of cats scurrying through the streets in broad daylight, and have complained of an overwhelming stench as black bin bags pour onto the street.

Locals claimed they have had to pay hundreds of pounds for private waste collectors to get their rubbish removed as the strike continues.

Following the latest round of talks with the union Unite on Tuesday, a Birmingham City Council spokesperson said: The talks with Unite were productive, but there are still a number of issues to resolve. We are looking forward to continuing with negotiations.

A Unite spokesperson said: Unite is continuing to engage in intensive talks with the council on behalf of our members in the refuse service. No resolution has yet been reached, but Unite has put forward a range of fair and reasonable solutions to bring this dispute to an end.
As the brutal war in Sudan nears the two-year mark, thousands of people continue to flee into neighbouring countries, including Chad, UN refugee agency chief Filippo Grandi said on Wednesday.

Chad hosts 1.3 million forcibly displaced people, according to the UN agency, UNHCR despite it being one of the world's poorest countries. More than half of these vulnerable individuals are Sudanese who've fled the fighting between rival militaries which erupted in April 2023.

Speaking from the Chadian border with Sudan, Mr. Grandi described the continued fighting as "absurd".

He also condemned the ongoing "vicious human rights abuses" against civilians before calling for far greater international support for Sudanese refugees and their Chadian hosts.

The arrivals are mostly women and children - some of whom have been crawling exhausted across the border with barely any possessions, according to aid teams on the ground.

Funding crisis

The UN agency stressed once again that the crisis rocking humanitarian funding globally has only made matters worse.

Large cuts to overseas aid provision in the United States and elsewhere have made it impossible to pay teachers, the UN agency said.

Clinics and schools that protect women and children from violence and exploitation have been forced to shut down.

Some 8,500 displaced children in Chad are at risk of losing access to secondary education this year. If the cuts carry on into next year, more than 155,000 could be impacted.

Lost futures

"Children have dropped out of school," said Abdelrahim Abdelkarim, headteacher of a secondary school in Farchana refugee settlement in eastern Chad.

"Many students will take dangerous and illegal migration routes, attempting to cross the sea. Some may drown while others end up working in gold mines," he warned.

High Commissioner for Refugees Grandi has previously described the funding shortfall as "a crisis of responsibility" in which "the cost of inaction will be measured in suffering, instability and lost futures".

'Siege-like conditions'

And as funding dries up for Sudan, relief teams are scaling back or withdrawing - leaving vulnerable communities to fend for themselves as their homes turn to rubble.

Today, after nearly two years of fighting, attacks against civilians, displacement, and climate shocks have left nearly two-thirds of Sudan's 50 million people in need of aid and protection.

Speaking from the capital Khartoum, recently liberated from the opposition Rapid Support Forces by the Sudanese Armed Forces, Mohammed Refaat, Sudan Chief of Mission at the International Organization for Migration (IOM), said that he has seen the impact of insufficient funding in just the last few days.

"The people who were in these areas have been trapped in siege-like conditions with no escape, no hope and often forced to face unspeakable abuse," Mr. Refaat said, describing the destruction and suffering in the country as "immeasurable".

Little access to basic services

The power struggle between Sudan's rival generals -- Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo of Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and Sudanese army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan -- has killed tens of thousands of people and uprooted more than 12 million.

Both sides have been accused of atrocities and rights violations, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has previously reported.

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Many families have returned to the capital now that the Sudanese Armed Forces are in control, but with little access to basic services, UN agencies have urged support to ensure relief.

Yet the crisis is far from over - and refugees continue to face hunger.

UN Children's Fund, UNICEF, has projected that more than three million children under the age of five will likely suffer from acute malnutrition this year.

In Zamzam refugee camp in North Darfur, the crisis is pushing families to eat what is normally used as animal feed. Children also lack water, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

People fleeing insecurity in Blue Nile state in southwest Sudan, are moving towards state capital Ed Damazine, with clashes and access blocked hampering relief efforts, OCHA reported.
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The Cabinet Office will lose almost a third of its staff as Labour seeks to shrink the Civil Service, the Government has announced.

Around 1,200 people will be made redundant under plans unveiled to civil servants on Thursday, with another 900 being transferred to other departments.

The 2,100 job cuts represent just under a third of the 6,500 core staff at the Cabinet Office, the strategic centre of the British state.

A Cabinet Office source said: Leading by example, we are creating a leaner and more focused Cabinet Office that will drive work to reshape the state and deliver our plan for change.

This Government will target resources at frontline services  with more teachers in classrooms, extra hospital appointments and police back on the beat.

Cat Little, permanent secretary at the Cabinet Office, told civil servants in an all-staff call on Thursday that the department would become more specialist and therefore better able to serve the public.

open image in gallery The Prime Ministers former chief of staff Baroness Sue Gray used her maiden speech in the House of Lords to urge caution on reducing the size of the Civil Service ( PA Wire )

Around 540 voluntary redundancy applications have already been accepted after the launch of a scheme in January, but the department is understood to expect more voluntary departures as teams are restructured over the coming months.

Thursdays announcement follows Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmers pledge to slash the cost of bureaucracy, reducing the size of the Civil Service and creating a more agile and productive state.

As well as abolishing quangos such as NHS England, ministers have committed to increasing the proportion of civil servants working in digital and data roles, creating a workforce fit for the future.

In last months spring statement, Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed plans to cut Civil Service running costs by 15% by the end of the decade.

Meanwhile, a poll published on Thursday by YouGov suggested 64% of MPs believed the Civil Service is too risk-averse and closed to new ideas, while 62% thought Whitehall worked too slowly.

Trade unions have warned against significant cuts to the Civil Service while the Prime Ministers former chief of staff Baroness Sue Gray used her maiden speech in the House of Lords to urge caution on reducing the size of the Civil Service.

A former civil servant herself, Baroness Gray said her old colleagues were central to the Governments and the nations mission to bring back growth into our economy and security to our society.
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The families of three teenagers killed in a head-on crash between a car and a bus near Heathrow Airport have paid tribute to their loved ones.

Harley Woods, aged 18, Star Tomkins and Jimmy Savory  both aged 17  were travelling in a silver Mercedes when it collided with the bus in Feltham at 11:55pm last Monday.

All three teenagers were pronounced dead at the scene on Bedfont Road  where both vehicles were found on fire  and a fourth person in the car was taken to hospital, the Metropolitan Police said.

open image in gallery Harley Woods' family said they were completely devastated by their loss ( Metropolitan Police )

Two passengers in the bus, which was an H26 service bound for Hatton Cross, were also taken to hospital, while other passengers were treated at the scene by paramedics, according to police.

Writing on GoFundMe, Stars loved ones said: It is with very heavy hearts that we share the unexpected passing of Star Tomkins, who passed away on the 1st of April 2025.

She was beloved daughter, sister granddaughter, niece and best friend. She had a heart of gold and be deeply missed by many.

open image in gallery Star Tomkins' family described her as having 'a heart of gold' ( Metropolitan Police )

The family are appealing for donations to allow them to give Star a send off she deserves and celebrate her life which was cut so short.

In a statement released by police, Mr Woods relatives said: We as a family are completely devastated by the loss of Harley. We ask if we can be left in peace to grieve and find a way through this.

Jimmys mother described him as our darling boy in a Facebook post, adding that all who knew and loved him will be welcome at his funeral later this month.

open image in gallery Jimmy Savory's mother described him as our darling boy ( Metropolitan Police )

Police said an investigation into the collision was ongoing, while an inquest opened and adjourned at West London Coroners Court on Tuesday.

The collision took place on a stretch of Bedfont Road, which is close to HMP Feltham and Heathrow Airport.

Firefighters sent crews from Feltham and Heston stations and the fire had been put out by 1.41am on Tuesday, officials said.

The London Ambulance Service said in a statement at the time: Our crews treated six people. Sadly, three people were declared dead at the scene. We took the other three patients to hospital.
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The daughter of a medical researcher murdered 30 years ago has launched an appeal for information to help bring her mother's killer to justice, fearing they may strike again.

Janet Brown, a 51-year-old mother-of-three, was found dead in her Buckinghamshire home on April 10, 1995. She had been bludgeoned to death.

Discovered at the foot of the stairs, naked, gagged, and handcuffed, detectives have ruled out a sexual motive. Despite the house being searched, nothing was stolen.

Thames Valley Police possess a DNA sample from the scene, believed to belong to the murderer. However, it has not matched anyone on the police database, leaving the case unsolved for three decades

More than 1,000 men have been screened and eliminated from the inquiry by the investigation team.

open image in gallery A driveway outside the house where Janet Brown, 51, was found at the foot of the stairs with fatal, blunt-force head injuries on April 10 1995 ( Thames Valley Police/PA Wire )

Mrs Browns oldest daughter, Zara Harden, said it was baffling why anyone would target their home and her 5ft 4in mother, who was alone and defenceless that night.

She said: Ultimately her killer, or killers, have so far gotten away with it.

We want to see them prosecuted, and not to have somebody who is extremely dangerous still be out there on the loose, who could commit other crimes and against other women or other people.

We just want to stop it happening again.

On the night she was killed, former midwife Mrs Brown, who was working as a researcher at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, was home alone.

Her older children Zara and Benedict, then 22 and 21, were living away, while her youngest daughter Roxanne, 17, had gone out to celebrate with a friend who had passed their driving test, and her husband Dr Grahaem Brown was in Switzerland working.

open image in gallery Mother-of-three Janet Brown, 51, was bludgeoned to death at her home in Sprigs Holly Lane, Radnage, Buckinghamshire on April 10 1995 ( Thames Valley Police/PA Wire )

The killer initially tried to cut a hole in the glass of a double-glazed patio door before smashing his way in. It is believed Mrs Brown was killed between 8.15pm and 10.15pm that night.

Her body was found the following morning by a builder and his son who were due to carry out work at the house.

Ms Harden said: Somebody must know something because there would have been a lot of blood.

She was handcuffed and beaten badly, literally bludgeoned to death.

It doesnt matter if a person didnt come forward at the time.

Its not too late.

The head of Thames Valley Polices Major Crime Investigation Review Team, Peter Beirne, said: I still believe there are people who have information or suspicions about this vicious murder.

I would urge anyone with names of people they think could be linked to Janets murder or anyone with information to make contact with the police or Crimestoppers.

Do you have a friend or loved one who acts strangely when this case is mentioned in the news, or someone who is obsessed with this investigation?

Any information whatsoever could help my team to finally solve this murder for Janets family.

We have a DNA profile that was left at the scene. It does not belong to the family, and we believe it could be a vital piece of evidence linking the killer to the scene.

If you have suspicions, it is very easy for our team to trace and request a DNA sample from the person you suspect, or a relative of theirs if they have perhaps passed away or have emigrated.

A reward of 20,000 is on offer for information given to Crimestoppers that leads to the arrest and conviction of the killer.

Anyone with information can contact police online or by calling 101, quoting reference 695 (4/8); or to remain anonymous Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or online.
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Nationwide is sending a 50 bonus payment as a thank you to its millions of members.

The Big Nationwide Thank You comes after the banking giant purchased Virgin Money UK in October, boosting its accounts by 2.3bn.

Nationwide has now confirmed that 12 million qualifying customers will receive their 50 by 30 April 2025. This will amount to over 600 million handed out in total.

The payments will go to members who had a savings or current account, or mortgage, at the end of last September. They must also have a payment into or from their current account or savings, or had a balance of at least 100, the company said.

open image in gallery Nationwide is now the countrys second largest provider of mortgages and savings accounts ( Getty Images )

The building society said in November that Virgin Money, which it bought the previous month, was worth more than the 2.8 billion takeover price.

At the time of the deal, chief executive Debbie Crosbie said the benefits would go towards improvements for customers.

The buyout was the biggest banking deal since the financial crisis. Following the deal, Nationwide is the countrys second largest provider of mortgages and savings accounts.

When it bought the lender, Nationwide also paused Virgin Moneys plans to close some of its branches, as part of a promise not to leave any town or city where there is currently a branch until at least 2028.

open image in gallery Sir Keir Starmer meets Nationwide CEO Debbie Crosbie during visit to the building societys head office ( via REUTERS )

Debbie Crosbie, Nationwide chief executive, said: Nationwide became even stronger when it bought Virgin Money and we are already improving services for its customers.

The Big Nationwide Thank You recognises the role our members played in building the financial strength that made the deal possible.

Nationwide is the worlds largest building society, and is connected to one in three households in the UK, manages one in ten current accounts, and has more than 25,000 employees and over 700 branches.

This new payment is the latest in a series of moves from Nationwide to return value to its members, following a 100 payment to almost 4 million eligible members in 2023 and 2024.

Since April 2023, it has returned over 3.5bn in member value including 729m through its Nationwide Fairer Share Payment.

The Thank You payment is separate to the Fairer Share payments scheme, which periodically returns some of its profits to members. Ms Crosbie confirmed she intends to reintroduce the payment later this year, subject to financial performance. In preparation, savers are advised to maximise their chances will just few easy steps.
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A police officer who has just become a father said hes looking to leave the force after feeling ashamed he could not be more present for the first few weeks of his sons life.

He is one of a number of officers who have come forward to share their stories after research found that forces are still lagging behind the private sector on paternity leave.

Freedom of information data from 36 forces found that only five forces offer two or more weeks of paternity leave on full pay, with the rest offering just one week of paternity leave on full pay followed by one week of statutory pay. Among those offering just one week full pay, 60 per cent of officers go back after one week.

The serving officer in one of Englands largest cities, who spoke to The Independent on condition of anonymity, described how his now five-month-old son was born a few weeks early with jaundice.

He was unable to go to all the follow-up medical appointments and was expected to be working while his newborn son was sick. He explained: My son was really poorly and I just didnt want to be there. I was at work but I didnt feel I was effective in any way.

My wife was at home but she was exhausted, shattered, and had a low mood. I felt so bad that I couldnt be there for her as much as she may have wanted me to or needed me to.

Though he was able to change his paternity leave dates, he only had one week of fully paid leave and couldnt afford to take a second week on statutory pay  which is 187.18 a week.

It was tough. Five months in, and I still look back and I feel a bit ashamed, he says. Im very quick to respond to the publics family problems, but I felt like I wasnt able to respond to my own family problems. I do feel ashamed. I feel like Ive missed on some parts of my sons start to life.

He explained that he had been looking for jobs outside of the police because he wanted to have more time for his family.

I would leave yesterday if given the opportunity. I have been looking for jobs. I wouldnt want to earn less than now, and Im looking for something with stability and I would be looking at the paternity conditions.

open image in gallery Many officers return to work one week after one week of paternity leave ( Getty )

When I joined the police over a decade ago, I didnt really think about that, but now Ive lost out on some valuable moments that I will never get back.

He said hes felt shame at his parenting class, with other dads shocked that he was back at work after just a week. The officer said he hoped that police forces would increase their paternity leave entitlements and pay fathers for that time.

Research conducted by Pregnant Then Screwed last year, which surveyed 35,800 parents, found that 63.7 per cent of fathers took two weeks or less paternity leave following the birth of their child.

A third of fathers reported being able to take more leave, but only half of these actually did so. Just 32.3 per cent of fathers who took two weeks or less felt they were ready to return to work physically after their paternity leave.

Though fathers in the UK are universally allowed to take two weeks off, some companies in the private sector offer more generous schemes. At consulting firm Deloitte, for example, all new parents are eligible to take 26 weeks of fully paid leave.

In the police, back office staff can sometimes be eligible for more paternity leave than frontline officers. In the Met, civilian staff are entitled to three weeks of paternity leave at full pay, compared to one week fully paid and one week statutory for officers.

Paternity leave for police officers is governed by regulations set by the Home Office. Acting Deputy National Secretary Mel Warnes, of the Police Federation of England and Wales, said: The lack of consistent access to family leave in the police service is a disgrace.

For over a decade now, police officers have fallen behind other employees owing to regulations not being amended.

George Gabriel, co-founder of The Dad Shift, a campaign group who collated the freedom of information data, said: Its no secret the police are struggling to hold onto officers, and if serving in the police means you hardly get any time with your kids and your marriage might break down, I can see why. If the police want to stop officers resigning, they need to look at supporting dads and other parents better - starting with giving them better paternity leave.

One wife of a police firearms officer told The Independent how her husband had to return to work a 12-hour nightshift just days after she gave birth to their son because their child arrived before the due date.

The police officer was not allowed to move his two weeks paternity leave earlier, despite his son arriving three weeks early with medical complications.

As a result he had to go back to work on the day that his wife Sarah returned home from hospital with their new baby - four days after she had given birth.

Sarah, whose name has been changed to avoid identifying the serving police officer, said that the strain of her husbands work schedule put a big strain on our relationship and that male police officers are ridiculed or challenged if they try and request flexibility to help with childcare.

She said her husband was able to book annual leave off for the first few days after their son, who is now five, was born.

We were home for the first time with a newborn baby who was poorly and he had to go and do a 12-hour night shift, carrying a firearm. he was obviously very tired, stressed and worried. It was really scary for both of us.

It was a big strain on our relationship because I was just on my own so much. It went beyond paternity leave. Theres an expectation in the police that you will miss birthdays, Christmas, parents evening - getting time off in the school holidays is a nightmare.

The Home Office has been contacted for comment.
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Royal Mail has unveiled its postbox of the future that is solar-powered, has a built-in barcode reader and a large hatch that can accept parcels bigger than letterbox size.

In a historic change to the iconic red pillar box, Royal Mail said the new futuristic looking postbox is to maximise choice and convenience for our customers as the number of letters people send declines but parcels trade continues to boom.

Customers can scan their packages using the barcode scanner - powered using solar panels on the black lid that aim to store energy when there is no sun - and put it in the large draw that will open.

They can then use the Royal Mail app to request proof of posting, a new feature recently introduced so that people can post small, barcoded parcels in a postbox.

open image in gallery Five postboxes will be trialed in Herfordshire and Cambridgeshire ( Royal Mail )

Five of the new postboxes are being piloted in Ware, Hertford and Fowlmere areas across Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire, before Royal Mail intends to roll them out across UK.

Emma Gilthorpe, CEO at Royal Mail, said: In making this historic change to our postboxes, our goal is to maximise choice and convenience for our customers. In an era where letter volumes continue to decline and parcels are booming, we are giving our iconic postboxes a new lease of life on street corners across the nation.

You can now drop your parcel in any postbox where it fits - you just need a label with a barcode.

Royal Mail hope the new postboxes will make it easier for people to send parcels using their services, as there are 115,000 postboxes in the UK, located within half a mile of 98 per cent of addresses. While the pillar boxes already accept parcels small enough to fit through a letterbox, thousands across the country could be adapted to accept larger parcels.

open image in gallery The parcel trade is booming while Brits are sending fewer letters than ever before ( Royal Mail )

The parcel boom shows no sign of dying as more Britons continue to use parcel courier services to buy and sell online. Research from Virgin Media O2 Business and Depop in December found that 23.8 million Britons were turning to online secondhand selling platforms.

As the cost of living increased, second hand shopping became more important for a quarter of shoppers, with one in five increasing their use of second hand shopping apps in the final quarter of 2024.

As well as updating their postboxes, Royal Mail has more than 21,000 locations where customers can drop off and collect parcels, including 1,000 lockers, 7,000 Collect+ stores, 11,500 Post Office branches, 1,200 Royal Mail Customer Service Points and 1,200 parcel postboxes.

The new postbox pilot comes before Royal Mails parent company, International Distribution Services, is set to be sold to Czech energy billionaire Daniel Kretinskys EP Group in a 3.57 billion deal.
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Extreme wildfire warnings remain in place during the warmer weather this weekend, while firefighters battle blazes in Scotland.

The Met Office said temperatures are expected to peak at 24C in London and southeast England on Friday, which would be the hottest day of the year so far after temperatures soared to 23.6C last Friday.

But fire brigades have warned people to remain cautious as the wildfire risk remains heightened due to low rainfall over the last few weeks.

Scottish Fire and Rescue extended an extreme wildfire warning for all areas of Scotland for Friday and Saturday. Firefighters continue to tackle a fire in Glen Rosa on the Isle of Arran, following blazes in Dumfries and Glasgow earlier this week.

open image in gallery A fire in Cumbernauld amid warmer weather across the UK on Friday ( Angela Hamilton/PA Wire )

Deputy assistant chief officer Kenny Barbour asked the public to exercise extreme caution and think twice before using anything involving a naked flame.

He added: "Responsible human behaviour can significantly lower the chance of a wildfire starting, so it is crucial that people act safely in rural environments and always follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code."

London Fire Brigade (LFB) also urged Londoners to avoid using barbecues as the risk of wildfires heightened in the capital.

LFB assistant commissioner Thomas Goodall said: The risk of wildfires in London currently is heightened and this risk increases with every day that passes without rainfall.

Earlier this week, firefighters also battled blazes in Northern Ireland. A Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said fire crews mobilised to 41 wildfire calls and firefighters continued to respond to wildfire incidents overnight.

At least 286 wildfires have hit the UK so far this year, more than 100 above the number recorded in the same period in 2022 - a year which saw record-breaking temperatures and unprecedented wildfire activity.

open image in gallery Temperatures will rise into the mid-twenties on Friday and could reach 24C at the highest ( Met Office )

LFB said it had seen a 48 per cent increase in calls last weekend when compared with the same weekend in 2024.

Dan Stroud, a meteorologist at the Met Office, said: The average for this time of year is around 13C, so its going to be about 10C above average on Friday.

Weve got high pressure at the moment which effectively acts like a force field.

It actually keeps fronts and clouds largely at bay and keeps conditions settled and dry underneath the area of high pressure.

The National Fire Chiefs Council warned over the weekend that it needs long-term and sustained investment to cope with climate change and increased demand on its services.

Mr Goodall said: A minority of the fires weve attended recently are believed to have been started deliberately.

open image in gallery Londoners were warned against barbecues as the wildfire warnings continue ( Jonathan Brady/PA Wire )

What might seem like harmless fun has the ability to turn into something much more serious, particularly given current weather conditions.

We know that people will undoubtedly want to be out enjoying the warm sunshine, particularly as we head into the weekend.

But were asking Londoners to behave responsibly to help reduce the risk of fires starting in the first place.

He continued: Over the Easter holidays, parents should ensure that their children understand the fire risks to help protect our open spaces.

We also urge Londoners to take steps to ensure they are not inadvertently starting a fire.

They can do this by not using barbecues in open spaces or on balconies, including disposable ones, to throw rubbish away, and to dispose of cigarettes carefully.

The UK saw a record-breaking March in terms of sunshine and dry spells. England enjoyed its sunniest March since records began in 1910, with many individual counties topping their sunshine duration records. It was the UKs third sunniest March on record and Wales second.

Rainfall fell below average as the UK recorded just 43 per cent of its average rainfall for the month.
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Vijay Mallya has lost his appeal against a UK bankruptcy order related to more than 1bn in debts owed to a group of Indian banks.

The decision marks a major legal setback for the embattled Indian tycoon, who has been fighting bankruptcy and extradition proceedings in Britain for years.

The High Court in London on Tuesday upheld a 2021 order that declared Mr Mallya bankrupt, rejecting his argument that the debts had effectively been repaid through the seizure of his assets by Indian authorities.

The bottom line, judge Anthony Mann ruled, is that the bankruptcy order stands.

The long-running case centres on loans made by a consortium of Indian banks, led by the State Bank of India, to Mr Mallyas now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines.

In 2017, the banks secured a ruling from Indias Debt Recovery Tribunal giving them 1.12bn based on personal guarantees made by Mr Mallya.

The ruling was later registered in the UK and formed the basis of the bankruptcy petition filed in 2018.

Mr Mallya challenged the petition, but the Insolvency and Companies Court ruled against him in July 2021. His subsequent appeals against that order have now been definitively rejected.

File. Indian tycoon Vijay Mallya leaves the High Court in London after attending an extradition hearing ( AFP/Getty )

TLT, the firm representing the banks, welcomed the ruling. This is a significant result for the banks, said Nick Curling, legal director at TLT, according to the Press Trust of India.

TLT are pleased to have delivered this outcome, having acted for the banks since 2017 in relation to the DRT judgment of 1.12bn obtained against Dr Mallya.

One of the key issues in the appeal was whether the banks held valid security over Mr Mallyas assets. The 2020 ruling by the Insolvency Court had concluded they did, rendering the bankruptcy petition partly defective under UK insolvency law.

The banks contested that decision. The High Court ruled in their favour, finding that their position on security was lawful and that the asset recoveries did not satisfy the debt under English law.

In 2021, the banks amended their petition to relinquish any security they might hold if the bankruptcy order were upheld. Mr Mallya opposed this amendment, arguing that it contravened Indian law and public policy. But the court dismissed this argument and upheld the amendment.

Mr Mallya, 69, is separately seeking to annul the bankruptcy order through a fresh application scheduled for a directions hearing in October. His legal team has vowed to continue the fight.

Mallya will, on this basis, pursue with vigour his application to annul the Bankruptcy Order in England in conjunction with proceedings in the Karnataka High Court to compel the banks to provide an accounting and come clean, Leigh Crestohl of Zaiwalla & Co, representing the Indian businessman, said.

Mr Mallya, who previously co-owned the Formula One team Force India and was once dubbed the King of Good Times in India, fled to the UK in 2016 amid mounting allegations of financial wrongdoing.

He is also contesting extradition to India, where he faces charges of fraud and money laundering linked to the collapse of Kingfisher Airlines in 2012.

Although his last formal appeal against extradition was rejected in 2020, the court noted that the order has still not been enforced.

Judge Mann observed that apparently Dr Mallya is still resisting extradition on other bases which have yet to be resolved.

Mr Mallya remains on bail in the UK while an undisclosed legal matter, believed to be related to an asylum claim, is ongoing.

Mr Mallya denies the allegations he faces in India.
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Rebekah Vardy has lost her latest challenge over spiralling legal costs in the Wagatha Christie libel trial as they grapple over a 1.8million bill for Coleen Rooneys lawyers.

Ms Vardy lost the high-profile libel action in 2022 and was previously ordered to pay the sum to cover 90 per cent of Ms Rooneys legal costs.

But lawyers for the media personality, who is married to Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy, disputed the amount, arguing in the High Court last month that Ms Rooney had deliberately understated her costs at an earlier hearing.

Ms Vardy's barristers previously told a costs judge that Ms Rooney and her legal team committed serious misconduct by understating some of her costs to attack the other partys costs. A judge found no misconduct had been committed.

Appealing that decision last month, Jamie Carpenter KC said Ms Rooney very substantially understated her legal costs by around 40 per cent in her budget in a document called precendent H 2021, in written submissions for Ms Vardy.

He said: "At all times throughout the costs budgeting process, Mrs Rooney concealed from Mrs Vardy and the court that the incurred costs in her precedents H were much less than her true incurred costs.

Mr Carpenter said a proportionate sanction for the alleged misconduct would be to limit the amount of Ms Rooneys legal costs up to August 2021 to be paid by Ms Vardy to 220,955.07.

In his written submissions, Benjamin Williams KC, for Ms Rooney, said her budget was properly and correctly completed and there was no tenable case of misconduct.

In a judgment handed down on Thursday, High Court judge Mr Justice Cavanagh dismissed Ms Vardys appeal, ruling Ms Rooneys lawyers did not commit misconduct.

In a 38-page ruling, he found that Judge Gordon-Saker had "ample material" to reach his decision, adding that there was "no valid basis for challenging on appeal the judge's conclusion".

He said: "The court was not persuaded that the claimant had proved that the defendant's legal advisers had deliberately misled the court, or the claimant, either by things said or things not said.

In 2019 Ms Rooney, who is married to former England captain Wayne Rooney, accused Ms Vardy, a former Im a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! contestant, of leaking her private information to the press on social media.

A judge found her claims were substantially true in July 2022, after Ms Vardy unsuccessfully sued her for libel in a high profile trial.

The judge later ordered Ms Vardy to pay 90 per cent of Ms Rooneys costs, including an initial payment of 800,000.

The hearing in October was told that Ms Rooneys claimed legal bill  1,833,906.89  was more than three times her agreed costs budget of 540,779.07, which Mr Carpenter said was disproportionate.

In a separate ruling on Thursday, Ms Vardy largely lost a bid for access to more documents in relation to costs.

Her lawyers asked the court in February to order Ms Rooneys team to hand over privileged documents, details about her claim for VAT, and further information about retainers between Ms Rooney and her solicitors.

Ms Rooneys lawyers resisted the bid, describing it as a fishing expedition.

On Thursday, Senior Costs Judge Mark Whalan said he was not persuaded Ms Vardys lawyers should be allowed to inspect VAT documents, or other privileged material.

But he ruled they should be allowed to see a redacted retainer between Ms Rooney and her solicitors.

Judge Whalan also ordered Ms Vardy to pay almost 11,000 of costs of the application, stating that he must conclude realistically that it is the defendant and not the claimant who had been successful.

After the rulings, a spokesperson for Ms Vardy said: In terms of the two judgments today, we are gratified disclosure has been obliged in one ruling whilst being respectfully disappointed that, in the other judgment, our appeal was not successful.

Now we just wish to move on and look to the future. We will be making no further comment at this time.
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Patients are facing a postcode lottery for GP appointments with one in 10 people waiting more than a month to be seen in some areas, new research shows.

The number of month-long waits hit a record high last year and in almost 95 per cent of areas there was an increase in people waiting 28 days or more.

The figures, compiled by the House of Commons Library, demonstrate the uphill battle facing Labour as it ramps up recruitment of family doctors in a bid to cut waiting times and ease pressure on the NHS.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting announced on Tuesday that an extra 1,503 GPs have been recruited since October, with the health secretary prioritising services closer to patients homes.

But the number of general practitioners per patient has fallen drastically in the past decade, leaving the system under significant strain.

Below, The Independent has mapped the regions where most patients are facing waits of a month or more for appointments:

The House of Commons Library research showed that 100 out of 106 sub-Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) saw the number of 28-day or longer waits for GP appointments jump in 2024 compared with a year earlier.

The starkest rise was in Sunderland, where there was a 51 per cent increase in month-long waits, followed by North East Lincolnshire with a 46 per cent jump and North Cumbria which saw a 38 per cent spike.

The research, commissioned by the Liberal Democrats, found Kent and Medway was the area with the most month-long waits in the country, with 781,000, rising by more than a fifth from 2023s level.

Derby and Derbyshire had the second highest number of month-long waits, with 722,000, up 14 per cent from a year earlier.

Meanwhile, more than one in 10 patients was forced to wait more than a month to see a GP in areas including Gloucestershire, Chorley and South Ribble, Derby and Derbyshire and Dorset last year.

Regionally, the south west had the highest portion of patients waiting 28 days or more for an appointment, with 7.7 per cent. Second worst was the north east and Yorkshire, followed by the east of England and the south east.

The Liberal Democrats said the figures revealed a reveal a stark postcode lottery that is leaving people in vast swathes of the country without the care they deserve. They called for patients to have a legal right to see their GP within seven days or 24 hours if in urgent need. The data measures the time between booking an appointment and it taking place. It includes instances where the patient requested a particular date.

The party said this could be done by recruiting 8,000 additional GPs.

Wes Streeting said 1,503 GPs have been recruited since October ( PA Wire )

The partys health and social care spokesman Helen Morgan said: Many already in pain are being forced into anxiety-inducing waits that only add to their suffering and leave them at risk of not getting the treatment they need in time.

Ms Morgan attacked the Conservatives over broken promises on the health service, accusing the Tories of running our local health services into the ground.

But she said: It is now the Labour government not showing nearly enough ambition to break this cycle of misery.

If we are going to give communities the local health care that they need, we have to go further and faster.

That means giving patients a legal right to see their GP within a week by ensuring there are 8,000 more GPs. Only then will we be able to rebuild our NHS and get patients the care they deserve.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: This data does not show waiting times for GP appointments  it shows the length of time between appointments being booked and taking place.

This government inherited GP services buckling after years of neglect but we have already taken urgent action to to fix the front door of the NHS.

By cutting red tape and boosting funding, we have already put an extra 1,503 GPs into general practice to deliver more appointments. The extra investment and reforms we have made will allow patients to book appointments more easily, help bring back the family doctor and end the 8am scramble.
Hunger in South Sudan's northeast has reached a critical tipping point, with nearly 7.7 million people facing severe food insecurity as conflict escalates, the UN's emergency food relief agency warned on Wednesday.

The situation is especially dire for returnees fleeing violence in Sudan, who now account for nearly half of those experiencing catastrophic hunger levels.

The influx of over 1.1 million displaced people into already fragile communities has overwhelmed resources and relief efforts, according to the UN World Food Programme (WFP).

With the pre-harvest lean season underway, conditions are expected to deteriorate further. WFP is calling on donors to step up support to avert a deepening humanitarian catastrophe.

Years of volatility

South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011, but the world's youngest nation has been plagued by conflict and instability ever since.

A civil war erupted in 2013 between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and those aligned with his former deputy, Riek Machar. The war - marked by ethnic violence, mass atrocities and widespread humanitarian crisis - lasted until a fragile peace deal was signed in 2018.

There are fears of a relapse into the civil war following skyrocketing tensions between the South Sudanese leaders, including the reported house arrest of Mr. Machar at the end of last month.

Conflict and disease

The crisis extends beyond hunger with a cholera outbreak now underway in volatile Upper Nile state. In response, WFP has airlifted 35 metric tons of aid to affected areas, with additional stock awaiting transport once security conditions allow.

The agency also aims to deliver food assistance to more than 450,000 people in the region, focusing on those facing emergency (IPC4) and catastrophic levels (ICP5) of hunger, tracked by the UN-supported food security classification system known as the IPC.

However, active conflict is hampering aid efforts and food distributions have been paused in six counties due to active fighting and insecurity.

"[We and our] partners have the food ready to deliver and distribute once conditions allow," it said.

Women at the crossroads

As conflict spreads and hunger deepens, women and girls are bearing the brunt of the crisis. Many have been forced to flee insecurity multiple times.

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Recurrent, relentless climate shocks are also taking a particularly heavy toll, leaving them at risk of being coerced into sex work, trafficked or sexually assaulted as they venture far and often alone in search of food, water and work.

To respond to growing needs, UN agencies - such as reproductive health agency, UNFPA - are operating safe spaces to provide not only shelter but also counselling, skills training and vital information on gender-based violence prevention.

Funding cuts have meant at least two safe spaces are set to close by May, leaving thousands of women and girls without access to support.

"In the face of this crisis, every dollar matters, every intervention counts, and every life saved is a step toward peace," said UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem.

UNFPA urgently needs $8.8 million to sustain lifesaving services but has received just a fraction of that amount.
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There are more than three times as many local election candidates named David as there are Sarahs, shock new figures laying bare the level of gender inequality show.

A breakdown of those standing to become councillors next month reveals the 11 most common names are all male, while just two of the 30 most common names are female.

Overall, just a third of local election candidates are women, a slight drop from the 34 per cent of candidates last year.

open image in gallery There are three times as many Davids as Sarahs standing for council seats in next months elections ( Getty Images )

And there are 20 times more all male ballots than all female ones, the figures revealed.

Charity 50:50 Parliament, which campaigns for greater female representation in politics, said the imbalance feels like banging our heads against a brick wall.

Equality in politics is essential  and whilst all parties talk the talk on levelling up their female candidates, the truth is in the numbers, and they arent walking the walk, chief executive Lyanne Nicholl said.

The charitys breakdown of candidates showed that just over one in five (22 per cent) of Reforms candidates are women, meanwhile just over a quarter (28 per cent) of Conservatives standing are women.

open image in gallery Just over a fifth of Nigel Farages local election candidates are women ( Owen Humphreys/PA Wire )

By contrast, almost half of Green Party (44 per cent) and Labour (43 per cent) candidates are women.

Ms Nicholl added: The idea that we might never reach gender parity is shocking; the political parties should be pulling out the stops to make things right, not burying their heads in the sand and hoping that selecting endless Davids will work out.

Its analysis of candidate data, in collaboration with the Democracy Club, found that the 11 most common names are David or Dave, John, Paul, Mark, Richard, James, Andrew, Michael, Peter, Stephen and Chris. The 12th most common, and first womans name on the list, is Sarah, with 80 candidates.

The next most common womans name is Jane, with just 49 Janes standing for election, making it 28th on the list.

Davids and Daves make up 3 per cent of all candidates, with 257 altogether.

Ms Nicholl said: Womens representation is as important in local politics as it is in national politics. Women are often more heavily impacted by local decisions and need to have a seat at the table. It is clear from the data that some parties are streets ahead on their gender balance, but not a single party has reached 50 per cent.

Labour, Reform UK and the Conservatives were asked to comment.
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Britain will send hundreds of thousands of military drones to Ukraine as it continues to fend off Vladimir Putins forces, with allies pledging a 450m funding boost for the country.

Ahead of a meeting of the 50-strong Ukraine Defence Contact Group on Friday, Britain announced that 350m of its 4.5bn Ukraine funding this year will be ploughed into the attack aircraft as well as repairs and maintenance of military equipment and vehicles.

The remaining 100m, to be announced by defence secretary John Healey at the contact groups meeting in Brussels, will come from Norway via the UK-led International Fund for Ukraine.

open image in gallery John Healey said 2025 is the critical year for Ukraine ( PA Wire )

Mr Healey said: The work of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group is vital to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position and pile pressure on Putin to help force him to end this terrible war.

We cannot jeopardise peace by forgetting the war, which is why todays major package will surge support to Ukraines frontline fight.

2025 is the critical year for Ukraine. Our job as defence ministers is to put into the hands of the Ukrainian war-fighters what they need. We must step up to deter Russian aggression by continuing to bolster Ukraines defences.

It comes a day after Mr Healey pledged a funding boost as he convened counterparts from the smaller coalition of the willing in the Belgian capital.

The group is aiming to establish a peacekeeping force in Ukraine once a peace deal is struck between Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky. But, following the meeting, Mr Healey said it is important not to forget the fighting is ongoing, warning that daily reality for millions of Ukrainians continues  drone attacks, missile strikes, brutal fighting on the front line.

open image in gallery Drone attacks have formed a key front in the war in Ukraine, with Russia sending repeated barrages of unmanned attack flights to Kyiv ( EPA )

Officials said the latest package of support will boost UK jobs and economic growth, with equipment and repair contracts connecting UK companies with Ukrainian industry.

As well as the military drones and funding for vital repairs, the close fight military package includes radar systems and anti-tank mines.

The package comes as US-brokered peace talks between Russia and Ukraine appear to have stalled, with Donald Trumps attention being taken up by the fallout from his global trade war.

The delay has raised questions about the practical progress made by the coalition of the willing, with the US still refusing to provide a crucial military backstop to any European-led peacekeeping force. Critics have also questioned the logic of making plans to enforce a peace deal it appears Putin has no plans of signing.

Russia has effectively rejected a US-backed proposal for a 30-day pause in hostilities.

Hosting the meeting in Brussels, Mr Healey said the group had clear objectives for Ukraine, including safe skies, safe seas, peace on land and a strengthening of Kyivs armed forces.

As the fighting continues, Russia carried out airstrikes against Kyiv earlier in the week while Ukraine claims to have captured Chinese nationals fighting for the Russian army.

Until Donald Trump became president in January, defence contact group meetings were chaired by the US defence secretary.

Since then, in a sign of the USs disengagement from European security, Mr Healey has taken over that duty, chairing his first such meeting in February.
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An Alabama teenager who survived a shark attack last year has called for a new alert system to protect others.

Lulu Gribbin, 16, was one of three people attacked by a shark on June 7, 2024, during a series of incidents off the Florida Panhandle. The attack resulted in the loss of her left hand and part of her leg.

On Wednesday, she urged Alabama lawmakers to support a proposed shark attack alert system.

Republican Representative David Faulkner's bill aims to create a system similar to Amber Alerts, notifying the public of unprovoked shark attacks in the area.

Ninety minutes before me, there was another shark attack a couple miles down the coast, Gribbin said. Had she known about that attack, she and her friend would not have ventured into the water that day, she said. This bill will help prevent future attacks and accidents.

While the proposal would only impact the Alabama coast, Faulkner hopes other states will pursue similar systems or that federal legislation would expand its use.

There had been a shark attack just down the beach, and yet she had no notice. And I felt like in this day and age, thats something we shouldnt let happen, Faulkner said.

open image in gallery Lulu Gibbin, 15, lost her hand and part of her leg in a shark attack along a Florida beach. ( CaringBridge )

The Alabama House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee advanced the bill Wednesday. It now moves to the full Alabama House of Representatives.

The bill, which would name the alert system for Gribbin, was changed to issue an alert only when an unprovoked attack occurred off the coast.

An earlier version would have allowed an alert for an imminent danger from sharks. There were concerns from beach communities that language was too vague and could lead to an excessive number of alerts, causing panic and potentially hurting the tourism industry.

Gribbin and her friend had been diving for sand dollars before the attack. They were riding the waves back to the beach when her friend screamed, shark!"

I saw a big shadow, but we all just started swimming for our lives, She recalled. She said she tried to remain calm, remembering that sharks were supposed to be attracted to frantic motion. Then the shark attacked her and her friend.

"My hand was bitten first. I remember just lifting it out of the water, and I was stunned because there was no hand there. I couldnt feel it because of all the shock I was in. Then the shark latched onto my leg," she recalled.

A man she describes as a hero ran to pull her from the water. She blacked out and came to on the shore where a doctor and other medical workers, who were on the beach that day, rushed to save her. I remember being focused just to keep my eyes open and to breathe, to just be able to make it to the hospital, she said.

open image in gallery Two doctors rushed to help a 15-year-old after she was bitten by a shark along Rosemary Beach in Florida ( South Walton Fire District )

Her lengthy recovery has been documented on social media. As she visited the Alabama Statehouse, people frequently stopped to ask for photographs and to tell her that her story has been an inspiration.

While sharks are commonly found in the waters off Alabama and Florida, shark attacks are rare, according to experts. There were 47 unprovoked bites last year worldwide, according to the University of Floridas International Shark Attack File.

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey on Wednesday urged lawmakers to approve the legislation, saying it will be an "added tool" to keep people safe.

Lulu is truly an inspiration and an awesome example of courage. Lets be Lulu strong and get this bill to my desk so I can sign it into law," Ivey said in a statement issued by her office.
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Just days after shrinking the number of routes available to customers, ultra-low-cost carrier Avelo Airlines will start a new government contract - chartering deportation flights out of Arizona for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency.

Starting May 12, Avelo will begin operating domestic and international deportation flights out of Messa Gateway Airport, the company said in a statement to The Independent.

Avelo, which began operations in 2021, said it agreed to charter the flights in order to provide the company with the stability to continue flying passengers and employing crew members.

We realize this is a sensitive and complicated topic, Avelo Airline founder and CEO Andrew Levy said.

open image in gallery Avelo Airlines began operations in 2021 and said they would assist the Department of Homeland Security in chartering deportation flights ( Getty Images for Avelo Air )

After significant deliberations, we determined this charter flying will provide us with the stability to continue expanding our core scheduled passenger service and keep our more than 1,100 Crewmembers employed for years to come, Levy added.

The airline is closing its base in Sonoma County on May 1, days before it begins deportation flights. A spokesperson for the airline said that was due to low demand and achieving necessary financial results there has proven more elusive than expected.

This means Avelos routes from the Bay Area to Boise, Idaho; Salt Lake City, Utah; Ontario, California; and Kalispell, Montana, will be cut.

Avelo plans to continue serving several routes in California, including Burbank, Las Vegas, Redmond and seasonally to Palm Springs.

A spokesperson for the airline said that it has nothing to do with DHS charters.

With the new flight operations underway in Arizona, Avelo said it would give current crew members the option to transfer to the new base as well as hire locally for flight attendants, pilots and aircraft technicians.

The Trump administration has promised to deport undocumented immigrants from the U.S. by any means necessary as part of President Donald Trumps mass deportation and anti-immigration plans. So far, the administration has conducted nearly 400 deportation flights.

open image in gallery The Trump administration has carried out more than 350 deportation flights since taking office ( US Department of Defense/AFP via )

More than 25,000 people have signed an online petition to pressure Avelo to cease its contract with the administration.

This isnt the first time Avelo has agreed to charter immigration flights with the government, however, it appears to be their first agreement regarding deportation flights.

The airline flew migrants from the border in Texas to various cities across the U.S. in 2022, including Westchester, New York and Jacksonville, Florida.

Regardless of the administration or party affiliation, as a U.S. flag carrier when our country calls and requests assistance our practice is to say yes. We follow all protocols from DHS and FAA, honoring our core value of Safety Always, a spokesperson for the airline said.
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A 23-year-old American tourist whose body was found on a Bahamas beach while on vacation with his family died from drowning, authorities have announced.

The Royal Bahamas Police Force identified the dead man as Dinari McAlmont of Bowie, Maryland, a Washington, D.C. suburb. He arrived on the island on April 4 with his family and stayed at The Reef at Atlantis resort. Officials found his body on the beach of Paradise Island a day later.

A pathologist performed a post-mortem examination and determined McAlmont died as a result of drowning. Police are awaiting the results of forensic toxicology analysis and investigations are ongoing.

Foul play is not suspected at this time, police said, adding the case is being handled by the coroners office.

On Tuesday, the victims mother, Michelle McAlmont, told Eyewitness News, a Bahamian outlet, that her sons body appeared to have been badly beaten, raising questions about what had happened to him.

Police contacted her around 1 a.m. Saturday and told her someone had reported her son to authorities after he allegedly spat on them.

Police showed her a photo of his body, revealing injuries on his face and sand in his hair. She made the comments before the post-mortem results were announced. Her family left the Bahamas on Monday and has retained legal counsel.

In a statement to CBS, the resort said: We are deeply saddened by the passing of one of our guests. Our condolences are with the guest's family and loved ones during this difficult time.

"The police authorities are carrying out an investigation of this tragic incident. We await the police's findings and will not comment on speculation."

open image in gallery Dinari McAlmont was staying at the Atlantis Paradise Island resort with his parents when his body was found lifeless on a beach over the weekend ( AFP via Getty Images )

McAlmont was an engineer at Lowcation Studios in Brentwood, Maryland. The company announced his death in a social media post on Tuesday, calling him a great friend and an all around incredible individual.

The statement added: He was deeply passionate about his work and always committed to bringing the ideas of artists to life. He was a true team player, always stepping up to lend an extra hand when needed and making sure to keep all of us laughing during team meetings. Its hard to imagine life in general and life at the studio without him.

Officials did not release additional details and said they were waiting for the results of the autopsy to continue the investigation.
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A Siemens executive visiting New York City from Spain was tragically killed alongside his family when the sightseeing helicopter they were riding in plummeted into the Hudson River on Thursday afternoon.

The victims included tech executive Agustin Escobar, his wife, Merce Camprubi Montal, a global manager at an energy technology company, and three children, in addition to the pilot. Four of those on board were pronounced dead at the scene, while another two died in a local hospital, authorities confirmed.

The children were 4, 8 and 10 years old.

Follow the latest updates in our blog

Around 3:15 p.m., the helicopter, a Bell 206 LongRanger, went down into the river that divides New York City from New Jersey. The helicopter took off from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport, according to FlightRadar24.

Speaking to CBS New York, Michael Roth, CEO of New York Helicopter, the company operating the charter, said he was left devastated by the crash.

I don't know anything about how this went down. The only thing I can tell you, we are devastated. My wife hasn't stopped crying since this afternoon. We're a small company. I'm a father and a grandfather, and we're just devastated. We have no clue what happened.

open image in gallery Agustin Escobar pictured with his wife, Merce Camprubi Montal, in 2018 ( Facebook )

open image in gallery Six people were aboard a helicopter when it crashed into the Hudson River near New York City ( @AvirbhawRakesh / X )

When questioned about the helicopter's condition, Roth said, We follow all the rules and more.

Videos of the incident circulated on social media. Some showed emergency boats surrounding the helicopter, which was upside down in the water. Other videos showed the helicopter falling upside down and hitting the water.

Avi Rakesh, who posted a video of the helicopter on X, said he witnessed one of the helicopter blades fly off.

"I don't know what happened to the tail, but it just straight up dropped," he told NBC News. "It dropped feet away from Holland Tunnel, and I can't imagine if it hit it."

Another witness, Peter Park of Jersey City, New Jersey, told the New York Times he heard a loud bang around the time of the incident and looked out the window to see the aircraft emitting black smoke. Park said he saw the helicopter's unattached blades falling into the river.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation, but experts believe the weather is unlikely to have contributed to the disaster.

Justin Green, an aviation lawyer and former Marine Corps helicopter pilot, said video of the crash suggested that a catastrophic mechanical failure left the pilot with no chance to save the helicopter.

Green said it is possible that the helicopters main rotors struck the tail boom, breaking it apart and causing the cabin to free fall.

They were dead as soon as whatever happened happened, Green said. Theres no indication they had any control over the craft. No pilot could have prevented that accident once they lost the lifts. Its like a rock falling to the ground. Its heartbreaking.

President Donald Trump spoke about the incident in a post on TruthSocial.

Terrible helicopter crash in the Hudson River. Looks like six people, the pilot, two adults, and three children, are no longer with us. The footage of the accident is horrendous. God bless the families and friends of the victims. Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy, and his talented staff are on it. Announcements as to exactly what took place, and how, will be made shortly!

open image in gallery Rescue workers quickly get to work trying to recover six people who were aboard the helicopter. A cause of the crash has not been released ( REUTERS )

open image in gallery It was some hours before the fuselage and cabin of the helicopter was lifted from the water ( REUTERS )

The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board announced in a statement that they were leading the investigation into the incident.

A Bell 206 helicopter crashed and is submerged in the Hudson River in New York City, the FAA and NTSB said.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams arrived at the scene roughly an hour and a half after the incident, calling it a heartbreaking and tragic crash.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said he was briefed on the crash, and the New Jersey State Police, as well as the Port Authority of New Jersey and New York, were supporting emergency responders in their efforts.

Prime Minister of Spain Pedro Sanchez described the crash as an unimaginable tragedy in a statement.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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A 64-year-old licensed practical nurse is facing federal charges after she allegedly grabbed a flight attendants genitalia while traveling from Las Vegas to North Dakota.

Jody Lynn Sherry-Berg was arrested Tuesday on one count of interference with flight crew members, according to federal court documents reviewed by The Independent.

The altercation occurred January 16 aboard an Allegiant Air flight from Harry Reid International Airport to Grand Forks International Airport, states an indictment unsealed April 8 in Minnesota federal court.

Sherry-Berg, a Bemidji, Minnesota, resident, did knowingly interfere with the performance of the duties of a male flight attendant identified in court filings as J.M., when she assaulted J.M. by grabbing J.M.s genitals, the indictment contends.

open image in gallery Jody Lynn Sherry-Berg was flying from Vegas to North Dakota at the time of the alleged incident ( Getty Images )

Attorney Jean Brandl, a public defender assigned to represent Sherry-Berg at her first court appearance, told The Independent that she was not at liberty to speak to you about the case.

Brandl declined to provide details of what led up to the altercation, which is not laid out in the indictment.

An Allegiant Air spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

A fellow traveler captured cell phone video of Sherry-Berg twice grabbing the flight attendants crotch, Fargo, North Dakota NBC affiliate KVLY reported at the time of the incident.

open image in gallery ( US District Court for the District of Minnesota )

Sherry-Berg was initially arrested upon landing by the Grand Forks Police Department on one count of providing false information to law enforcement. According to a probable cause affidavit in that case, Sherry-Berg at first gave responding officers a fake name, Alyssa Hoverson.

However, a search of Sherry-Bergs belongings turned up a Minnesota drivers license that revealed her true identity, the affidavit says.

The state charge was dropped on April 3, when the still-sealed federal indictment was handed down, court records show. Following her arrest this week, Sherry-Berg was released on a personal recognizance bond and ordered to stay away from her alleged victim and any witnesses who may be called to testify.

If convicted, Sherry-Berg faces up to 20 years in prison. She is scheduled to appear in Grand Forks federal court on April 21.
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A Las Vegas veterinarian has gone missing after he was accused of animal abuse.

Dr. Shawn Frehner is facing a criminal investigation after a woman alleged he abused her horse and shared a video that appears to show him kicking the horse. Now, hes missing and several local agencies are looking for him in Nevadas Lake Mead area.

The search for a missing individual at Lake Mead National Recreation Area remains ongoing, a National Park Service spokesperson told The Independent. The National Park Service is leading this multi-agency effort, with support from the Nevada Department of Wildlife, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, and volunteers from Red Rock Search and Rescue.

Last week, Shawna Gonzalez paid Frehner to give her horse anesthetic shots. But when he was treating the horse, Gonzalez alleges he kicked and choked the animal. Video she took of the incident shows Frehner apparently kicking the horse in the chin.

open image in gallery Frehner was hired by Shawna Gonzalez to treat her horse, but she captured him kicking the animal on video ( Shawna Gonzalez via KTLA )

I heard [my mother] yell, Oh my God. He just kicked him, Gonzalez told local outlet KTLA.

He rapped the horse around his neck three times, and he kicked him in the head, Gonzalez added. My daughter picked up the phone and hit record, and thats when she got him on videotape, kicking him.

Gonzalez says Frehner then left her property before the horse was standing again.

Frehner left my property before my horse was even up, Gonzalez told KTLA. My horse was still down for a good 45 minutes after he left, and before he left, there [where] several people that were there, and even they can state that he was kind of in a rush off my property.

Frehner denied that he purposely abused the animal in a social media post after Gonzalez shared the video online.

I did not blatantly haul off and kick this horse as it appears in the video. That was not my intention at all, Frehner wrote, according to KTLA. It was done simply to get the horse in a better position so that he could breathe and get up and move so I could again try to anesthetize.

He added: But yes I did kick him right in the chin and I very much do apologize and wish this never happened.

Gonzalez filed charges against Frehner with the Nye County Sheriffs Office, KTLA reports.

The office later confirmed that the vet is the subject of an investigation related to charges of felony animal abuse, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Frehner remains still missing while aerial, marine and ground personnel search for him near the countrys largest reservoir.

Frehners friend, Las Vegas resident Dania Spor-Orellana, told the Review-Journal she feels theres a lot more to this story thats not being told.

I hope and pray that they find him and that hes OK  everything else will work itself out, she added.

Anyone who was in the Hemenway Harbor Launch Ramp area on April 6 and may have additional information should contact the National Park Service, the agency urged.
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A family of five and the pilot have been identified as the six victims of a fatal helicopter crash in New York, after the aircraft plunged into the Hudson River.

The tourist helicopter broke apart midair on a trip around Manhattan before plummeting into the waters below on Thursday afternoon.

Agustin Escobar, CEO of Rail Infrastructure at Siemens Mobility, his wife, Merce Camprubi Montal, global commercialization manager at Siemens Energy, and their children Agustin, 10, Merce, 8 and Victor, 4, were all killed.

The helicopter pilot was named on Friday as Seankese Johnson, 36, a U.S. Navy veteran.

open image in gallery Agustin Escobar, and his wife, Merce Camprubi Montal, have been confirmed as the victims, along with their three children and the pilot ( Facebook )

Family members confirmed the identities of the children to the New York Times and added the couples daughter Merce would have turned nine Friday.

Salvador Illa, the governor of Barcelona confirmed to The Times, that They are a well-known family with connections to Barcelona Football Club.

Photos posted on the helicopter companys website showed the Spanish family smiling before they boarded the flight.

The Bell 206 helicopter took off from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport at 2:59 p.m., headed toward the Statue of Liberty. It then flew north along Manhattan, up the river to the George Washington Bridge, before turning south again. It went off the radar at 3:15 p.m.

Two passengers were reportedly alive when divers pulled them from the Hudson but later died, New York City police commissioner Jessica S. Tisch said at a news conference.

President Donald Trump has offered his condolences while confirming that the National Transportation Safety Board has launched an investigation.

Below we look at all we know about the victims of the crash so far.

Agustin Escobar

The father of the family who perished in the crash has been named as Agustin Escobar.

Escobar, 49, was born in Puertollano, a small city in central Spain, according to The New York Times.

He worked as the Global CEO of Rail Infrastructure at Siemens Mobility in a career that spanned over 27 years. He began his tenure in 1998 as the head of sales and project management of Power Automation systems in Madrid, working his way up to various management positions before being named Global CEO of Rail Infrastructure last October.

Previously, he served as the CEO of Siemens Spain. On his LinkedIn profile, Escobar said that he was now based in Berlin.

Just a day before the crash, Escobar posted about his companys latest rail project being launched in the UK.

open image in gallery Six people aboard the Bell 206 sight-seeing helicopter died in the crash Thursday ( AP )

What an inspiring example of investment in rail infrastructure and technology! Looking forward to seeing the innovation that will emerge from this new center, he wrote.

A Siemens spokesperson said in a statement to The Independent Friday: We are deeply saddened by the tragic helicopter crash in which Agustin Escobar and his family lost their lives. Our heartfelt condolences go out to all their loved ones.

Emiliano Garcia-Page, the Puertollano regions leader, said the city now mourns the loss of one of its most brilliant sons, as per a social media post.

Merce Camprubi Montal

Escobars wife has been identified as Merce Camprubi Montal. She worked for Siemens Energy in Barcelona as the global commercialization manager for the digital team.

According to several Spanish media outlets, Montal was the granddaughter of former FC Barcelona president, economist and businessman, Agusti Montal Costa (1969-1977) and the great-granddaughter of Agustin Montal i Galobart, who served at the club from 1946 to 1952.

Her brother, Joan Camprubi Montal, reportedly submitted his candidacy for the presidency of FC Barcelona in October 2024.

Before starting at Siemens as a regional sales manager in Catalonia, Spain, in April 2009, Montal studied at the Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya in Barcelona and the IESE Business School.

open image in gallery The helicopter fell from the sky into the river ( AP )

She formerly worked as the head of strategy and business development for the companys South America operation in Bogota, Colombia, from 2013 to 2018.

Her husband worked as the CEO of infrastructure and cities for South America from the same office at the time. Both moved back to Spain in 2018.

The mother of threes Facebook page showed happy family photos together with their young children. The most recent photo with two of her children pictured her smiling while embracing during a ski vacation.

An older photo from 2015 showed the couple sitting in a yacht in a sunny marina.

open image in gallery The couple both worked for Siemens at the Bogota office in Colombia before returning to Spain in 2018 ( Facebook )

Three children aged 10, 8, and 4

The couples three children were on board the tourist flight.

Family members confirmed the identities of the three children as Agustin, 10, Merce, 8 and Victor, 4.

Merce would have turned nine on Friday.

The family was staying at the Hotel Riu Plaza in Times Square, reports The Daily Beast.

Seankese Johnson, the helicopter pilot

The pilot, Seankese Johnson, 36, received his commercial pilots license in 2023, according to the Federal Aviation Administration, and had logged about 800 hours of flight time as of March, National Transportation Safety Board Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy told reporters on Friday.

Recently, he posted a photo on Facebook of him piloting a helicopter with Manhattan in the background. In 2023, he posted that he was flying a firefighting helicopter.

Long hours and painstaking work to get to this moment. Thank you for all the love and support from those whove helped me get here, Johnson wrote.

Johnson transitioned to aviation after a career in the Navy, the Associated Press reported.

He enlisted in 2006 and served until 2018, achieving the rank of Gunners Mate 2nd Class, Defense Department records show. He was stationed on the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan from 2007 to 2011 and in San Diego from 2011 to 2018, serving in the Special Warfare Unit, the Special Warfare Logistics Support Unit, and the Coastal Riverine Squadron.

open image in gallery The wreckage was captured being pulled from the Hudson overnight ( AP )

What went wrong?

Witness Bruce Wall told AP he saw the helicopter falling apart midair, with the tail and main rotor coming off. The main rotor was still spinning as it fell to the water, separated from the helicopter.

The Federal Aviation Administration identified the helicopter as a Bell 206, a model widely used in commercial and government aviation, including by sightseeing companies, TV news stations, and police. It was initially developed for the U.S. Army before being adapted for other uses. Thousands have been manufactured over the years.

The National Transportation Safety Board said was now investigating the crash.

Dan Rice, who frequently flies in the same model of helicopter as the one which plummeted into the Hudson River, has said it was obviously a catastrophic failure which caused the crash.

Speaking to CBS News, he said: "Obviously, a catastrophic failure of the aircraft. That's very obvious. Booms and noises like that indicate some sort of mechanical issue.

open image in gallery The NTSB is now investigating the horrific crash ( AP )

The owner of the tourist helicopter that crashed into the Hudson River this afternoon, killing all six people on board, including a family from Spain, told The New York Post hes devastated.

Its devastation, New York Helicopter Tours CEO Michael Roth said. Im a father and a grandfather and to have children on there, Im devastated. Im absolutely devastated.

The only thing I know by watching a video of the helicopter falling down, that the main rotor blades werent on the helicopter, a visibly shaken Roth said. And I havent seen anything like that in my 30 years being in business, in the helicopter business. The only thing I could guess  I got no clue  is that it either had a bird strike or the main rotor blades failed. I have no clue. I dont know.

President Donald Trump expressed his condolences to the family and friends of the victims and stated that Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and his department are investigating.

Terrible helicopter crash in the Hudson River. Looks like six people, the pilot, two adults, and three children, are no longer with us. The footage of the accident is horrendous. God bless the families and friends of the victims. Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy, and his talented staff are on it. Announcements as to exactly what took place, and how, will be made shortly!

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has commented on the unimaginable tragedy.

Sanchez said in a statement: The news reaching us today of the helicopter crash in the Hudson River is devastating.

Five Spaniards from the same family, three of them children, and the pilot have lost their lives.

An unimaginable tragedy. I share in the grief of the victims' loved ones at this heartbreaking time.
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Apple reportedly hurried 600 tons of iPhones  up to 1.5 million individual phones  out of India before President Donald Trump slapped the rest of the world with tariffs.

The tech behemoth chartered flights to India in order to snatch up as many phones as possible, likely to to try to build up its U.S. phone inventory.

Analysts have cautioned that the price of iPhone in the U.S. could spike as the tech company relies on Chinese-produced parts for its phones. Apple's main manufacturing hub is in China, which is currently facing a 125 percent tariff rate from Trump.

Indian imports face a 26 percent tariff rate, but Trump announced a 90-day moratorium on the import tax after he tanked global stock markets with his "Liberation Day" announcement.

Trump faced severe backlash after imposing the tariffs, even from other conservatives. Even Tesla CEO and head of the Department of Government Efficiency Elon Musk  one of Trumps biggest cheerleaders, and certainly the wealthiest  griped after he took a massive hit to his personal wealth due to the market reaction to the tariffs. Musk said he wanted to see the U.S. and Europe move toward a zero tariff policy, reportedly personally appealed to Trump to reverse the tariffs, and sniped at the presidents trade czar Peter Navarro on social media.

After doubling down on the tariffs a few times, Trump eventually relented and put a 90-day pause on tariffs. Instead he set a 10 percent tariff across the board, with the exception of China.

Apple sought to exploit this temporary opening to "beat the tariff," a source familiar with the company told Reuters.

Elon Musk at Trumps cabinet meeting on Thursday ( AP )

The source claimed that Apple lobbied the Indian authorities at Chennai airport to reduce the time it takes to clear customs from 30 hours to six.

Approximately six cargo jets filled with 100 tons of phones each have flown out of the region since March. Prior to "Liberation Day," Trump had already imposed a 20 percent tariff on China.

Apple sells more than 220 million iPhone a year across the world. Counterpoint Research estimates that about one-fifth of total iPhone imports destined for the U.S. are manufactured in India, rather than China.

The tech company has reportedly set a goal to increase production at its Indian iPhone plants by 20 percent. It hopes to attain that goal by adding new workers to its factories and by extending operations at its Foxconn India factor by running shifts on Sundays.

Two sources who spoke to Reuters confirmed that the Foxconn plant in Chennai is running shifts on Sundays. The plant produced 20 million iPhones last year.

Apple isn't the only company rushing to build up its U.S. inventory during the tariff pause. According to the New York Post, German luxury car builder Porsche noted to analysts on Thursday that its first-quarter results would be impacted due to "higher company-owned inventory shipped to the U.S. to beat the tariff deadline."

Porsche hasn't said if it plans to boost its prices in the US, but its rival, Ferrari, has already noted that it will kick the cost for its models up 10 percent to account for the tariffs.
Harare, Zimbabwe  ZANU-PF's practice of giving land to supporters has resulted in haphazard development, including houses in the middle of roads. But the strategy wins elections.

A political party card, not cash, got Alice Nasiyaya her first plot of land. In 2014, her brother-in-law tipped her off about a group that was distributing residential land in Harare, but their methods weren't by the book. All Nasiyaya had to do was prove she was a member of ZANU-PF, Zimbabwe's ruling party. She showed her membership card, got the land and built a house.

She claims that the people who originally allocated her land presented themselves as local ZANU-PF representatives, and she believed them. But that land, she learned later, was reserved by the city of Harare to be used for an airport expansion. And three years later, Harare City Council bulldozers came and leveled the house.

The ZANU-PF representatives went around on the day of demolition, collecting information about everyone who stayed in the area, and promising to relocate them to another place that was set aside for party loyalists like them. A year after, she says, those same ZANU-PF representatives found her another piece of land.

There, she built another house, where she still lives. Many others in her neighborhood have acquired land this way, she says.

In Zimbabwe, the ruling party has long used land promises as a tool for securing votes, creating a patronage system that trades land for political loyalty. While not new, the trend has become so widespread in informal neighborhoods like the one Nasiyaya lives in that it has spawned its own vocabulary: "emusangano," a Shona word meaning "land from the party."

But there's a flip side to these land giveaways: None of the people given properties have titles to the land where they've made their homes. The state has mastered the art of keeping people stuck, dangling the promise of title deeds every election year without delivering, says Reuben Akili, director of Combined Harare Residents Association.

"People have got that hope, and they will keep on voting," Akili says. Locals know that disloyalty could cost them the land. They could easily be kicked out, he says.

Land reforms to land giveaways

This patronage network is a spillover from past land policies. Former President Robert Mugabe issued sweeping and controversial land reforms in 2000, converting 6,000 large, white-owned farms into close to 170,000 black-owned farms, according to Human Rights Watch. But this was more than just land reform: Local people call this period the Third Chimurenga, or the third liberation struggle against colonial rule.

Much of the valuable peri-urban land on Harare's outskirts became state land, which ZANU-PF used as a political tool to gift well-connected party members, according to a national audit from 2003.

Part of the strategy was to build ZANU-PF voting blocs in the urban areas, where it was losing support. Instead of democratizing ownership of farmland and boosting crop production, the land reform became a vehicle for speculators to buy up cheap, newly available state land and resell it at a premium without accounting for the proceeds. At the same time, the Ministry of Local Government allocated some of that land to housing cooperatives, trusts and self-proclaimed "authorities" of state land, all on the basis of their connections to the ruling ZANU-PF party.

Since then, the process of land allocation has remained disorganized and unregulated.

Party officials deny illegally allocating land to supporters. Farai Muroiwa Marapira, director for information and publicity for ZANU-PF, calls the accusations false and unfounded.

"The president has been clear that he is a president for all Zimbabweans. Therefore, if land is to be distributed, it is done on non-partisan lines," he says.

Harare's city council -- which monitors land allocation and housing in the city -- has tried to intervene. Authorities in November 2024 vowed to demolish more than 5,000 homes, some of them built on land allocated to people based on their political affiliation. But this is not the first crackdown, and previous crackdowns haven't stopped the spread.

Informal settlements growing rapidly

This land allocation exacerbates the challenge of regulating infrastructure in informally-created neighborhoods. Homes are erected so haphazardly that some are built in the middle of roads, or directly on the banks of the Hunyani River.

About a third of Harare's residents live in informal settlements, according to a 2024 report by African Cities Research Consortium.

The process of buying state-owned land technically falls under the jurisdiction of local government councils. The government can give land to local authorities, who are authorized to sell it. But going through that formal channel is an onerous, slow and prohibitively expensive process. Some people have been on the waitlist to buy land through the local council for years or even decades.

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Plus, says Stanley Gama, the council's corporate communications manager, the city has run out of land to sell.

Even in cases when ZANU-PF land barons ask for money for land, it's cheaper than going through formal channels, says Nigel, who requested that just his middle name be used, for fear of retaliation. He has three pieces of land, which he says he bought cheaply because of his affiliation to the ruling party -- but he doesn't have titles to any of them. He says he paid under US$1,000 for what would typically cost between US$6,000 and US$9,000. Even if he loses the land, he says, he's saved money on what he would otherwise have paid in rent.

"If you attend youth meetings, you get the land free; but if you don't attend often, that's when you pay a small fee," he says.

Marapira, the ZANU-PF official, says the police can arrest people who sell land this way.

This will not work, says Akili, the Combined Harare Residents Association director.

"It is very rare to see them getting arrested, prosecuted and jailed," he says. "They are always linked to powerful people."

Linda Mujuru is a Global Press Journal reporter-in-residence based in Harare, Zimbabwe.
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The House voted on Thursday to pass a budget framework authored by Republicans in the Senate, after delays and negotiations between GOP leadership and hardline deficit hawks in their caucus.

Speaker Mike Johnson appeared at a joint press conference with Senate Majority Leader John Thune on Thursday as the two tried to convince holdout conservative Republicans to back a Senate budget framework which does not include language guaranteeing that committee chairs will find at least $1.5tn in spending cuts.

Congress is seeking to pass a budget framework for the upcoming year that would begin the reconciliation process, which will combine the Senate-passed legislation with a framework passed by the House in February to create one bill that would then be passed by both chambers.

Congratulations to the House on the passage of a Bill that sets the stage for one of the Greatest and Most Important Signings in the History of our Country. Among many other things, it will be the Largest Tax and Regulation Cuts ever even contemplated, President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social on Thursday.

open image in gallery Donald Trump congratulated the House after Thursdays vote. ( Getty Images )

Originally, the vote on the Senate framework was scheduled by the speaker to take place Wednesday evening. But after more than an hour of negotiations and delays on and off the House floor, Johnson pushed it to the next morning.

Congressional leaders struggled on Wednesday and into Thursday to win over that contingent of conservative deficit hawks, and a vote was pushed back again several times Thursday morning. But Johnson projected confidence, while a handful of conservatives whod previously been against the Senate framework seemed to indicate that their opposition was wavering.

I believe we have the votes, Johnson told reporters Thursday morning.

Voting on the resolution began shortly after 10:30am on Thursday. Johnsons prediction was correct: the measure passed, 216-214, shortly after 11:00am. Only two Republicans - Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Victoria Spartz of Indiana - voted against the resolution, alongside all Democrats.

I told you not to doubt us, a triumphant Johnson then gloated after the vote, according to Punchbowl.

open image in gallery Speaker Mike Johnson arrives at a press conference on Thursday, April 10, 2025. ( Getty Images )

By clearing this critical hurdle, House committees can now work in tandem with Senate committees to swiftly prepare their respective parts of the reconciliation bill, keeping us on track for markups during the next work period, the speaker of the House said after the vote.

He continued: We will not waver in our commitment to delivering a bill that reduces spending, secures the border, keeps taxes low for families and job creators, restores American energy dominance, reestablishes peace through strength, and makes government work better for all Americans.

The budget framework passed by the House in February includes steep cuts to nondefense spending that many experts say will not be doable without touching a major political landmine: Medicaid. The nations health insurance program for low-income families and persons accounts for nearly $1tn a year in spending.

Conservatives are more than happy to chop away at that number, and are eager for Elon Musks DOGE initiative to discover what it believes to be waste, fraud or abuse within Medicaid and other federal programs as Congress seeks to reach that $1.5tn spending cut floor. But Republicans in frontline purple districts are far less enthusiastic, with many outright saying they will vote against final passage of the budget if Medicaid service reductions or eligibility cuts are implemented as a result. The speak claimed it was possible to make the savings without major cuts to essential programs like Medicaid.

The plan also addresses a number of other priorities held by Trump, including a surge of funding for border security and the further construction of a wall across the southern border. Additionally, it would extend the 2017 tax cut legislation signed into law under Trumps first term, a favorite target of progressive groups which accuse the GOP of funding tax cuts that disproportionately benefited wealthier Americans with spending cuts that affect the poorest families in America.

In unifying behind this budget resolution, congressional Republicans are telling us they are serious about their agenda to rob everyday Americans in order to deliver a big payout to the ultra-wealthy in tax cuts. As they now work to actually write the bill that they intend to push through via the reconciliation process, which will deplete funding for health care, nutrition, and other critical human needs in order to line the pockets of CEOs and billionaires, they should know we are also serious in our efforts to fight back, the nonprofit consumer rights group Public Citizen said in a statement after Thursdays vote.

A number of conservatives who originally were opposed to the Senate resolution changed their votes on Thursday, even as many still had posts stating their opposition to (or, in some cases, their open derision of) the Senate plan near the top of their respective social media accounts.

Those flipped votes, including Chip Roy of Texas and Andy Biggs of Arizona, did not immediately release statements explaining their decisions after passage on Thursday.
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As President Donald Trumps back-and-forth on trade policies creates chaos in the financial markets, some fund managers are questioning the rationality of his decisions.

In the last few days, we have had many conversations with macro fund managers, Tom Lee, the head of research at the financial analysis firm FSInsights, wrote on Wednesday morning, before Trump backed down from most of his tariffs on U.S. trading partners.

And their concern is that the White House is not acting rationally, but rather on ideology. And some even fear that this may not even be ideology, he added. A few have quietly wondered if the President might be insane.

Lees comments were highlighted by The New Republic.

He blamed Trump for the economic consequences, adding that multiple officials have stated they do not want nor expect a recession. And there are enough economy-savvy advisors that they are aware of this. Moreover, the two-to-three percent fiscal stimulus needed to reverse a recession would negate any promised cuts to government spending.

This is a rational view, he wrote.

open image in gallery Some fund managers have questioned the reasoning behind some of Trumps tariffs. ( Getty Images )

Trump induced market volatility on Wednesday after he put in place significant tariffs on countries across the world before backtracking in the afternoon, instituting a 90-day pause on tariffs above a baseline of 10 percent on all countries apart from China. After China said it was setting an 84 percent tariff on the U.S., Trump responded by raising tariffs on the second-largest economy in the world to 125 percent.

After the pause was announced, the markets skyrocketed  the S&P 500 rose seven percent in minutes.

If stocks begin to fail here, this would point to the rising probability we are facing a prolonged period of tightening financial conditions, Lee wrote on Wednesday morning, ahead of Trumps backing down and putting in place a pause. Thus, the longer this volatility lasts, the greater the risk the US and the world are getting pushed into a needless recession.

Trumps tariff reversal came after he watched an interview on Fox Business with JP Morgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon, during which the bank boss said that a recession was a likely outcome of the new trade policies, according to the Washington Post. While noting that tariffs can be used to improve trade, Dimon pushed the president to give some time to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to strike deals with other countries.

open image in gallery Wall Street has had to react to volatile markets since the tariff announcements. ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

Im taking a calm view, but it could get worse, said Dimon.

Trump was asked by a reporter on Wednesday when he decided to put a pause on the tariffs.

I would say this morning. Over the last few days, Ive been thinking about it. Fairly early this morning, he said.

On Thursday, National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett said that the pause was based on good faith conversations and that there are roughly 15 countries that have made offers to the U.S.

The pause was based on good-faith conversations. I was on a call with the president and the president of Switzerland yesterday morning that was incredibly congenial, Hassett told reporters at the White House, according to CNN.

He added that he expects quite a movement of world leaders at the White House in the next few weeks.

Hassett noted that the U.S. Trade Representative has informed us that there are maybe 15 countries now that have made explicit offers that were studying and considering and deciding whether theyre good enough to present to the President.
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U.S. National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard has reportedly set up her own DOGE-like group to cut costs and investigate "weaponization" in the 18 agencies under her authority, according to a new report.

Gabbard's Director's Initiatives Group was established in adherence to an executive order signed by President Donald Trump to "bring about transparency and accountability" in the U.S.'s intelligence agencies, according to a press release from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, which was released on Tuesday.

We are already identifying wasteful spending in real time, streamlining outdated processes, reviewing documents for declassification, and leading ongoing efforts to root out abuses of power and politicization, the release said.

An official familiar with the situation told the Washington Post that the group was made up of 10 people from outside of the intelligence agencies who has been vetted by the White House.

U.S. National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard has created a DOGE-like group to cut costs and consider declassifying information within the U.S. intelligence community ( Getty Images )

The move comes two weeks after Gabbard told Congress that Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency had not pursued layoffs or program cuts in the ODNI. Gabbard's new group appears to be tasked, in part, with carrying out similar cost-cutting actions within the intelligence community.

Members of Gabbard's group have apparently been working at the ODNI's headquarters in McLean, Virginia, since February, according to the sources who spoke to the Post.

Gabbard and Senator Tom Cotton  who chairs the Senate Intelligence Committee  both said they want to slash costs at the ODNI, which employs approximately 2,000 people.

Though cuts may save some money, a significant portion of the $106bn allocated to U.S. spy agencies pay for resources like satellites and other high-end technology, in addition to difficult to cut staff like CIA case officers and analysts.

Members of the DIG have reportedly been tasked with also reviewing documents for possible declassification, including information related to the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. investigations into Russia's attempts to influence the 2016 presidential election, and Havana Syndrome, according to the ODNI.

At least 100 ODNI workers have opted to take an early resignation deal ahead of the DIG's actions.

According to the sources who spoke to the Post, at least 45 intelligence workers have resigned specifically because they fear they won't be able to do their jobs effectively under Gabbard and Trump's leadership.

They dont believe they can continue to carry out the core mission of keeping the nation safe, under these circumstances, the source reportedly said.

Gabbard has long been a critic of U.S. intelligence agencies, often implying that they were politicized. Her prior comments have reportedly contributed to the exodus of intelligence workers.

People arent skeptical of her because shes calling for more efficiency in the structure, a former official told the Post. Theyre skeptical of her over what positions she has taken over many years now.
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The House of Representatives passed a measure that would require proof of citizenship to register to vote, an effort to put into law one of Donald Trumps executive orders targeting elections.

The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, or SAVE Act, passed by a vote of 220-208, with four Democratic members joining all Republicans present on Thursday.

The bill sponsored by Republican Rep. Chip Roy proposes amending the National Voter Registration Act to require states to obtain proof of citizenship in person from people who are registering to vote or updating their voter registration.

Voting rights advocates have warned that the measure, if passed into law, could disenfranchise millions of eligible voters who do not have easy access to identification documents, and would upend how states register people to vote online or through automatic or same-day registration.

The measure  predicated on the GOPs baseless claims that noncitizens are fraudulently voting in federal elections  would disproportionately impact women and rural and disabled voters, according to election law experts.

The House has just passed one of the worst pieces of voting legislation in American history, said Michael Waldman, president of the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law. The Senate must stop it. The SAVE Act would put voting out of reach for millions of American citizens. It should not become law.

House Democrats Jared Golden, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, Henry Cuellar and Ed Case voted in support.

House Republicans overwhelmingly approved a measure that Democratic officials and voting rights groups are warning could disenfranchise millions of eligible voters with onerous voter registration rules ( Getty Images )

House Rep. Joe Morelle, the top Democrat on the Committee on House Administration, which oversees federal election administration, called the SAVE Act one of the most damaging voter suppression bills in modern history.

Theres no doubt that women, military members, and people of color will be disproportionately impacted, he said in a statement. The fight to stop this bill  to protect Americans sacred right to vote  is not over. I will do everything in my power to ensure every eligible American has access to the ballot box.

The president  who continues to baselessly insist widespread voter fraud manipulated the outcome of the 2020 presidential election  has separately signed an executive order that, among other things, similarly requires proof of citizenship when registering to vote.

House Republicans  with five Democrats  passed a version of SAVE Act in 2024, after House Speaker Mike Johnson joined Trump at Mar-a-Lago to tie the presidents anti-immigration agenda to election integrity. Elon Musk had even suggested that anyone who voted against the bill should be executed for treason. Those who oppose this are traitors, he wrote on X at the time. What is the penalty for traitors again?

Roughly 146 million people do not have a passport and 13 million U.S. citizens do not have ready access to citizenship documents, according to the Brennan Center.

Roughly 69 million married women would not able to use a birth certificate to prove their identity or citizenship status under the terms of the SAVE Act, according to the Center for American Progress.

Democratic secretaries of state have argued that the SAVE Act and Trumps executive order needlessly intervenes in local election administration while threatening to upend state and local policies that ensure eligible voters can participate.

The SAVE Act would make it virtually impossible for eligible Americans to register to vote by mail or online, which is allowed in at least 42 states.

It is already illegal for noncitizens to vote in federal elections, and federal law requires people to sign sworn statements verifying their citizenship and eligibility. Election officials are already able to review the paper trail to determine fraud, but adding additional proof-of-citizenship requirements for federal races  proposals that have previously been blocked in courts  would add additional burdens, according to state officials.

The measure amounts to a hasty power grab to allow politicians to choose their voters instead of voters electing their politicians, Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows told reporters before Thursdays vote.

We dont want unnecessary barriers and arbitrary deadlines to stand between Vermonters and the right to choose their officials, added Vermont Secretary of State Sarah Copeland-Hanzas.

It is a voter suppression tactic thats dressed up as some sort of reform, she said.
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The Trump administration has abruptly replaced FBI Director Kash Patel as acting director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll has been named interim head of ATF while continuing to lead the Army, a person familiar with the matter told The Independent.

Its an unusual dual position that Patel was similarly in when he was tapped to lead both the FBI and ATF in February.

No reason was giving for the change. Since being tapped as interim head of ATF, however, Patel had been a largely absent leader, only turning up to the agencys headquarters on a single occasion, The Washington Post reported. late last month. A source told Fox News Digital that Patel wanted to focus on running the FBI.

Driscoll, 38, was notified of his appointment while traveling in Europe on Wednesday, a U.S. defense official told Fox News Digital.

open image in gallery FBI Director Kash Patel has been replaced as acting director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives ( REUTERS )

Harrison Fields, a spokesperson for the White House, said in a statement: "Director Kash Patel was briefly designated ATF Director while awaiting Senate confirmations  a standard, short-term move. Dozens of similar re-designations have occurred across the federal government. Director Patel is now excelling in his role at the FBI and delivering outstanding results."

Patel is still listed as the agencys acting director on the ATF website.

Driscoll, a former Army officer, oversees operations, resource allocation and modernization for nearly one million Active, Guard and Reserve soldiers as well as more than 265,000 Army civilians.

Under his new title, Driscoll will temporarily oversee the law enforcement agency of roughly 5,200 employees.

open image in gallery Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll was reportedly tapped to replace Patel as temporary director of ATF ( U.S. Army )

ATF is a law enforcement agency within the Department of Justice that prevents and investigates federal offenses involving firearms, explosives, acts of arson, bombings and illegal tracking of alcohol and tobacco products, among other things.

It has been subject to scrutiny by Republicans for being overly regulatory of firearms.

President Donald Trump has yet to nominate a permanent head of ATF. Its unclear if he will.

Last month, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche proposed merging the ATF with the Drug Enforcement Agency in a memo obtained by Reuters.
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What seemed to begin as yet another way to own the libs is now backfiring on the Trump administration and one of its biggest allies in the MAGA social media ecosystem.

Earlier this week, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem let Libs of TikTok creator Chaya Raichik accompany her on an ICE raid in Arizona. While Noem was decked out in tactical gear and carried an assault rifle, Raichik donned a police vest and an ICE officer badge on the ride-along and posted exclusive footage of the arrests of supposed criminal illegal aliens to her social media platforms.

Just stop trying to glamorize the mission and put yourself in the middle of it as you cosplay ICE agent, which youre not, conservative podcaster Megyn Kelly exclaimed on Wednesday.

Noem, in particular, has come under fire in recent weeks  especially from the left  over her relentless media tour in which shes dressed up not just as an ICE agent but also play-acting as a Customs and Border Protection officer, a firefighter, and a pilot . The backlash grew more intense after she filmed an Instagram video at the infamous CECOT prison in El Salvador, which featured her wearing a $60,000 Rolex while standing in front of shirtless prisoners.

But this most recent stunt, which not only featured a pro-Trump influencer but also saw Noem apparently failing gun safety standards, seems to have been a bridge too far for the right.

Libs of TikTok creator Chaya Raichik shares photos of her "ride-along" on an ICE raid with DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. ( X/@chayaraichik10 )

Kristi Noem clearly doesnt understand that a cabinet secretarys job is not to cosplay, right-wing pundit John Cardillo tweeted. The job is to be in their office, making the agency more efficient, professional, and effective. The job is to be on Capitol Hill, ensuring the agency has resources to do its job.

Kelly, the former Fox News star who has become one of the top podcasters in the country, went even further with her criticism of Noem.

Can we talk about Kristi Noem and these ridiculous photo ops? Why does she have to keep doing this? Kelly wondered on her show this week.

I cant stand these photo ops, you guys. I think they diminish ICE, they diminish DHS, CPB. Shes not an agent! She is an administrative policy person appointed by Trump because she was very loyal to him, she continued. Stop with the glam! I mean, she looks like I look right now, but shes out in the field with her gun, being like were gonna go kick some a**! No one wants you there.

Raichik, who vaulted to conservative fame in recent years for her aggressive anti-trans social media posts, has also found herself in the line of MAGA fire for her part in the ICE raid photo-op. Much of that anger, it seems, is due to the far-right already growing a bit disenchanted with the administration deporting fewer migrants than President Joe Biden when they thought Trump would have already cleared out millions of immigrants.

This s**t enrages me. Deportation numbers are low, denying that is wrong, one ultra-conservative social media personality reacted. Instead, were bringing libsoftiktok along in a circus event.

Lara Logan, a former award-winning CBS correspondent who has morphed into an Alex Jones-level conspiracist, tweeted: Not sure what this is but if this is todays journalism we are not better off.

Conservative columnist T. Becket Adams, in the meantime, snarked that ICE raids tourism is a thing now, while a writer for MAGA website The Gateway Pundit remarked: This is just embarrassing. We dont need more influencer photo ops and cabinet members playing dress-up. We need this admin seriously focused on deportations.

Will Sommer, a senior reporter at The Bulwark who specializes in right-wing extremism, speculated about some of the reasons why the Libs of TikTok founder was suddenly taking so much heat for this PR stunt.

Why is Raichik getting raked over the coals? I think this reflects some fatigue on the right toward influencers, particularly those who are seen as pulling punches against the administration in exchange for access, he wrote.

Raichik was also at the White House for the Epstein-binders debacle, Sommer added. Altogether, the real diehards see her as part of a group of MAGA influencers who are trotted out occasionally to create the illusion that Trump is delivering for his base.

Despite the growing outcry from the right, though, Noem has suggested that shes not going to pare down on these photo-ops.

Every day I wake up and theres new criticisms. It's something different every single day, so I try not to pay attention to the noise, she told Fox News host Jesse Watters on Wednesday night. Obviously, Im guided by the folks that I work with every day to be appropriate for the situation that Im in and to take the same precautions they do.
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A Delaware judge ruled Wednesday that the conservative news outlet Newsmax Media defamed Dominion Voting Systems through its false reporting, which accused the voting machine company of rigging the 2020 U.S. presidential election.

Dominion is seeking $1.6 billion in damages to be determined by a Delaware jury in a trial scheduled to begin on April 28 in Wilmington, said Delaware Superior Court Judge Eric Davis.

The Denver-based company sued Newsmax in 2021 for airing false claims that Dominion machines had stolen the election from President Donald Trump, who was defeated by President Joe Biden.

Trump and his allies spent weeks after the vote making wild claims that the election was stolen, without ever presenting any credible evidence of fraud. President Trump still baselessly insists he won in 2020.

In a lengthy ruling, Judge Davis stated that Newsmax's assertions in its broadcasts  that Dominion aided in election fraud, manipulated votes using an algorithm, was linked to Venezuela, paid kickbacks to government officials, and was connected to voting irregularities in Dallas  were false and amounted to defamation.

Davis said that, in addition to damages, jurors must determine if Dominion is entitled to punitive damages, which can be awarded if Newsmaxs conduct is deemed willful and wanton.

A Dominion representative said in a statement to Reuters that the company was gratified by the court's thorough ruling.

A statement from Newsmax provided to The Independent said: Newsmax covered both sides of the 2020 election dispute fairly. At no time did it defame Dominion. This case represents a serious threat to free speech and a free press and Newsmax will defend itself vigorously at trial.

A banner for Newsmax Inc. is displayed during the company's IPO at the New York Stock Exchange ( REUTERS )

Shares of Newsmax fell more than 10% in late Wednesday trading, while broader stock indexes posted their biggest rally in years after President Trump announced a 90-day pause in tariffs against U.S. trading partners. At the close of trading, it stood at $34.71.

The company only debuted on the New York Stock Exchange last month after an initial public offering that raised $75 million. When the stock began trading, its value surged to more than $220 a share from an initial price of $10 before dramatically falling back.

Last year, Newsmax agreed to pay $40 million to settle defamation allegations made by Smartmatic, a voting machine company that also filed similar allegations. The company also had to issue a five-year cash exercise warrant for the voting machine firm to purchase 2,000 shares of preferred stock in the conservative cable channel.

Details of the settlement were revealed in the Newsmax investment prospectus, which also noted that there was an inherent risk to investors due to the ongoing defamation case brought by Dominion.

Dominion settled a similar defamation lawsuit with Fox News in 2023 for $787.5 million, just as the case was about to go to trial two years ago in front of the same judge. Smartmatic has also taken legal action against Fox News.

With reporting from Reuters
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Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is facing pushback from his Make America Healthy Again fans after endorsing the measles vaccine as the most effective way to prevent the spread.

Kennedy, known for his long history of making anti-vaccine statements, endorsed the MMR vaccine after visiting Texas, where a second child died from complications related to measles.

The most effective way to prevent the spread of measles is the MMR vaccine, he wrote on X.

open image in gallery Kennedy has touted conspiracy theories and misinformation about vaccines for years ( via Reuters )

The statement surprised many since it deviated from Kennedys long-standing skepticism towards established medical beliefs such as vaccine safety and efficacy, pharmaceuticals and more. Kennedys followers, who support his medical skepticism, criticized his sudden U-turn.

Whats the point of you writing an entire book about dangers of long term side effects of untested vaccines if you arent going to mention it once in power?, a follower named Jay Scott wrote.

You really make a great poster boy for Big Pharma. So much for MAHA. GROSS, a follower wrote.

Del Bigtree, Kennedys former communications chief and CEO of an anti-vaccine group, pushed back on his statement. Your post got cut off, he said. The MMR is also one of the most effective ways to cause autism.

Numerous studies have found that there is no link between the MMR vaccine and autism. Despite this, Kennedy has hired a vaccine skeptic to head up government research on vaccines and autism.

Mary Bowden, a doctor who was suspended from a hospital for promoting Covid-19 misinformation, told Kennedy, Im sorry, but we voted for challenging the medical establishment, not parroting it.

The anti-vaccine nonprofit Childrens Health Defense, which Kennedy founded and served as chairman, also distanced itself from his statement.

What he says does not speak for Childrens Health Defense in any way at this point, the organizations CEO Mary Holland said.

It is the first time Kennedy had promoted vaccines the start of a measles outbreak in Texas.

West Texas is currently the epicenter of a nationwide measles outbreak. There have been more than 500 cases as of April 10.

Kennedy did not endorse vaccines after the first child died; instead, he claimed he was sending vitamin A treatment to the epicenter of the measles outbreak. Doctors rebuff the claim that vitamin A can prevent a person from contracting measles, or be solely used to treat the disease.

Rather, people deficient in vitamin A could be at higher risk of developing complications or dying if they contract measles. While treating measles, doctors may administer vitamin A doses to help reduce any severe complications.

After Kennedy promoted the use of vitamin A, several children were treated for vitamin A toxicity.

open image in gallery The MMR vaccine is the most effective way to prevent the spread of measles with a 97 percent efficacy rate ( AP )

The American Public Health Association called Kennedy a danger to the publics health, citing his promotion of unscientific theories and reduction of funding and staff to treat public health crises.

Americans deserve better than someone who is trying to impose his unscientific and judgmental view of public health and science. We deserve better than RFK, Jr. He demonstrated his incompetence in only a few weeks, APHA Executive Director Georges Benjamin wrote.

Amesh Adalja, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, told the Wall Street Journal she was not convinced Kennedy has embraced vaccinations.

Its checking a box, Adalja said. He believes if Kennedy had changed his position on vaccines, he would enunciate the reasons for it.
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President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order targeting a former official in his first administration by stripping him of security clearances and ordering the Department of Justice to investigate his conduct, an unprecedented step that erodes decades of separation between the president and the exercise of criminal investigatory power by the federal government.

Trumps order targets Miles Taylor, a veteran of multiple Republican administrations who served as chief of staff to then-Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly.

Taylor infamously penned an anonymous New York Times op-ed  and later a book  describing efforts by Trump administration personnel to shield the government from Trumps worst instincts.

Speaking in the Oval Office as he presented the document for Trumps signature, White House Staff Secretary Will Scharf said the order strips Taylor of any active clearance that he has in light of his past activities involving classified information even though Taylors writings arent alleged to include anything classified at all.

Miles Taylor was a DHS official in the first Trump administration ( MSNBC )

It's also going to order the Department of Justice to investigate his activities, to see what else might come up in that context, given his egregious behavior during your previous administration, Scharf added.

Trump described Taylors best-selling book, A Warning, as a work of fiction and complained about the former DHS official being hired by CNN as a contributor after he outed himself as the anonymous books author after leaving government service.

You can't have that happen. If that happens to other presidents, it wouldn't, it wouldn't be sustainable for other presidents. I seem to be able to sustain. But if that happened to other presidents, and it's just unfair, and if it was a Democrat president, I'd say that's a terrible thing. A thing like that can happen. That's a terrible thing, and it's time to find out whether or not somebody can do that, he said.

I think it's a very important case, and I think he's guilty of treason if you want to know the truth, but we'll find out, he added.

Taylor, who authored a second book last year warning that Trump would use his position to target his perceived enemies if returned to power, told The Independent in a text message that hed predicted that Trump would go after him.

Dissent isnt unlawful. It certainly isnt treasonous. America is headed down a dark path, he said.

He added of Trumps latest action: Never has a man so inelegantly proved another mans point.
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Donald Trump told the world THIS IS A GREAT TIME TO BUY!!! minutes after Wednesday's opening bell on the New York Stock Exchange.

Then, moments before his announcement of a world-shattering 90-day pause on his trade tariff agenda sent Wall Street into overdrive, call volumes for various contracts spiked, the market rallied, and allegations of securities fraud and market manipulation roared across social media.

There is no public evidence the president or administration officials openly manipulated the markets, and White House officials have denied any wrongdoing. But Democratic members of Congress now want answers over what theyre seeing as potentially one of the biggest financial frauds in American history.

I dont think that it was a coincidence, Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said Wednesday.

I dont think that Trump just coincidentally said buy stocks and then shortly later made an announcement that dramatically inflated, and dramatically raised, a lot of these asset prices, the congresswoman told New Yorks Spectrum News.

She said she heard murmuring among House members that there may have been people on the floor who knew this was coming.

And Im very interested in seeing some of the stock disclosures that come out when those reports are due, and Im very interested in what members of Congress have been buying and trading stocks in the last 24 hours prior to this tariff announcement, she said.

AOC and Democratic members Steven Horsford, Mike Levin, Seth Magaziner, David Min and Joe Neguse have called on House Speaker Mike Johnson to request that every House lawmaker release their trading transactions from April 2-9.

It would be unconscionable for any member of Congress to use their personal position to benefit financially, especially in a time where Americans across the country are experiencing financial chaos, they wrote Thursday. The American people deserve to know if any representatives took advantage of their positions for personal gain.

open image in gallery Senator Adam Schiff is calling for a federal investigation to determine whether Trump, his family and administration allies engaged in insider trading ( AFP via Getty Images )

Lawmakers are also suggesting those conversations may have been happening during a National Republican Congressional Committee event on Tuesday night as the president delivered remarks in a tuxedo and told a crowd that foreign leaders were kissing my a** to drop tariffs against them.

He made $2.5 billion today, and he made $900 million, Trump told wealthy guests In the Oval Office the next afternoon.

The president himself holds a bulk of his net worth in his stake in Trump Media & Technology Group, the parent company for his Truth Social platform. The company trades under the ticker DJT  the presidents initials and the sign-off he used in Wednesday mornings Truth Social to buy.

The companys stock rallied after Trumps announcement of tha tariff pause, and closed the day climbing 21 percent.

Stock in Elon Musks Tesla also spiked 18 percent.

The president was bragging in the Oval Office about helping his wealthy buddies make a quick fortune off of his tariff flip-flop  this reeks of market manipulation, House Judiciary Committee ranking member Gerry Connolly said in a statement to The Independent. What Congress needs to find out now is who else in Trumps inner circle profited off this global grift while Americans watched their 401(k)s plummet?

open image in gallery The three major stock indexes closed high on April 9 marking one of the biggest rallies within the last five years after Trump told the world to buy before announcing a 90-day pause on his tariff agenda ( Getty Images )

Suspicion of unusual activity typically is reported by the markets to the Securities and Exchange Commission, which then determines whether enough evidence exists to build a case against a party.

Democratic Senator Adam Schiff was the first member of Congress to call for an investigation.

Schiff and Senator Ruben Gallego have formally requested that the federal government investigate potential insider trading and federal ethics violations.

They want to know whether Trump, his family or other administration officials engaged in insider trading or other illegal financial transactions, informed by advanced knowledge of non-public information regarding his changes to tariff policy, yesterday or at any time during this administration, the senators wrote in a letter to the White House on Thursday.

This sequence of events raises grave legal and ethics concerns, they said.

A spokesperson for Schiffs office told The Independent that nothing is off the table to get answers.

open image in gallery New York congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez wants House Speaker Mike Johnson to press members of Congress to disclose their stock history from the days leading up to Trumps announcement ( Getty Images )

Trumps surprise turn on Wednesday appeared to be news to the administrations own trade representative, who was in the middle of testifying to a House committee, deflecting allegations that the president purposefully manipulated the markets.

How are you in charge of negotiating if the president is tweeting about this from wherever the hell he is? Rep. Horsford asked trade ambassador Jamieson Greer. Did you know that this was happening?  Is this market manipulation? Why not? If it was a plan, if it was always the plan, how is it not market manipulation?

This could be an enormous scandal, Senator Chris Murphy said in a video on social media.

So the question is, who close to Trump knew he was going to suspend tariffs? Which of his Mar-a-Lago friends or his billionaire advisers were able to capitalize on that information? Why did Trump send out that post to his supporters earlier in the day? he said.

The chaotic nature of this tariff policy  gives ample opportunity for any individual who has early access to the White Houses change in position to make boatloads of money, either by investing at the right time or pulling their money out of the market at the right time, according to Murphy. This entire White House is one giant grift. Donald Trump and his friends are in power in order to use their access to power to make money. It stinks and we should get to the bottom of it.
El Obeid / Rashad / Ed Debba  Several people were killed in attacks by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) fighters across North Kordofan, South Kordofan, and Northern State this week, as indiscriminate shelling and drone strikes triggered mass displacement.

Five members of one family were killed and two others injured in an artillery attack by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on El Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan, on Tuesday. Iman Malik, director general of the ministry of health in North Kordofan, said in a press statement that the casualties occurred "as a result of indiscriminate shelling". She warned of increasing RSF violations against civilians through the use of artillery and drones.

Local activists also reported that several people were killed and others went missing during a joint attack by RSF and Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) forces in Rashad locality, South Kordofan, on Monday. The attack led to the mass displacement of residents to nearby villages, close to Um Barambita, human rights activist Hafez Ismail told Radio Dabanga. The region has been grappling with severe hunger for months.

In a separate incident on Tuesday, six members of another family, including two children, were killed in an RSF drone strike on Ed Debba in Northern State.
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On the same day a Delaware judge ruled that MAGA cable channel Newsmax had made false and defamatory statements about Dominion Voting Systems following the 2020 election, President Donald Trump signed an executive order targeting the law firm representing the voting software company.

Having already helped Dominion grab a landmark $787.5m settlement from Fox News over its election lies, Susman Godfrey is just the latest firm singled out for punishment by the president for assisting or employing Trumps political rivals.

In an executive order Trump signed at the Oval Office on Wednesday, the president is seeking to revoke the security clearances of the firms attorneys, slash federal contracts and limit their access to government buildings, making it extremely difficult for the agency to represent clients with any claims or business with the federal government.

During his signing ceremony, Trump told reporters, There were some very bad things that happened with these law firms. The president also boasted about law agencies capitulating in the face of his executive orders.

We signed with many law firms, the ones that we thought were inappropriate, and theyve all agreed to pay... We have another five to go, Trump declared while senior adviser Stephen Miller claimed that the administration was close to reaching a billion dollars in pro bono services from the targeted law firms.

This firm is very involved in the election misconduct, Miller added about Susman Godfrey.

Besides Susman Godfrey, Trump has sought to punish five other law firms with executive orders: Covington & Burling, Perkins Coie, Paul Weiss, Jenner & Block, and WilmerHale. While three of those agencies have chosen to fight and successfully obtained court orders blocking the presidents actions, other firms have caved and reached widely criticized agreements with the administration.

Paul Weiss, for instance, committed $40m in pro bono legal services to make the presidents executive order go away. Three other firms  Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom; Milbank LLP; and Willkie Farr & Gallagher  have reached pre-emptive deals with the administration in the hope of avoiding punishment.

Susman Godfrey, which recently signed an amicus brief in support of Perkins Coies challenge, indicated that it would fight the presidents order. Anyone who knows Susman Godfrey knows we believe in the rule of law, and we take seriously our duty to uphold it. This principle guides us now. There is no question that we will fight this unconstitutional order, the firm said in a statement.

The timing of Trumps memo targeting Susman Godfrey is curious as it coincided with Judge Eric M. Davis handing down several devastating pretrial rulings to Newsmax ahead of this months trial with Dominion, which is seeking $1.6bn in damages in its defamation suit against the right-wing network.

In his Wednesday night ruling, Davis stated that the voting machine company had presented clear and convincing evidence showing Newsmax had broadcast false information that would likely cause reasonable viewers to think significantly less favorably about Dominion than if the viewers knew the truth. Some of the most outlandish claims aired by Newsmax included outrageous conspiracy theories that the company was tied to the late Venezuelan dictator Hugo Chavez and flipped millions of votes from Donald Trump to Joe Biden.

He further noted that Newsmaxs on-air segments acknowledging the bogus claims in December 2020 showed that it was aware of the falsity of the election segments it aired. Additionally, Davis  much as he did in the Fox News case that eventually resulted in a massive settlement for Dominion  noted that the segments aired by Newsmax were not presented as pure opinion from its hosts and commentators, lessening the First Amendment protection for the network.

Still, as Davis granted Dominion the bulk of its motion for a summary judgment, he said it would be up to a jury to decide if the conservative channel intentionally acted with actual malice in broadcasting the smear against the firm.

Newsmax covered both sides of the 2020 election dispute fairly, a Newsmax spokesperson said in a statement. At no time did it defame Dominion. This case represents a serious threat to free speech and a free press, and Newsmax will defend itself vigorously at trial.

A Dominion spokesperson said: We are gratified by the courts thorough ruling.

The possibility of a settlement before the case reaches trial on April 28 remains high, especially in light of Daviss ruling. Newsmax settled a similar case with Smartmatic last fall for $40m, which it has to pay in full by June 30. Smartmatic also has a five-year cash exercise warrant to purchase 2,000 shares of preferred stock in Newsmax.

The past few weeks have been a dizzying ride for Newsmax, and not just with a highly expensive lawsuit hanging over its head. Just last week, the network publicly launched on the stock exchange and soon entered meme stock territory. Despite its less-than-stellar financial fundamentals, Newsmax soon saw its share prices soar to over $250, making the company briefly more valuable than Fox Corporation and other major media conglomerates.

Newsmax CEO Chris Ruddy, who was sitting in the Delaware court room last month while Dominions lawyers accused him of being personally liable for defamation, was for a time added to the billionaire class based on his holdings in the network.

While Newsmax stock prices have since plummeted back down to $34 a share as of Thursday morning, the networks valuation is still over $4bn and Ruddy has since been able to leverage the channel to strike a deal with investors. On Monday, Newsmax announced that it had reached a standy equity purchase agreement with Yorkville Advisors for up to $1.2bn.

While we are under no obligation to draw on the full amount, this action allows us to maintain a strong balance sheet while adding liquidity to our shares over time, Ruddy said about the deal. The new access to capital will also provide our team with the flexibility to respond to new opportunities and challenges in an efficient manner as we continue to grow Newsmax as the media landscape evolves.

Ruddy has also made it known that he has spoken to the president several times in recent weeks about Newsmaxs initial public offering, which saw him and his networks hosts and pundits ring the opening bell on the New York Stock Exchange  on the day the market had its worst day since the pandemic.

A spokesperson for Susman Godfrey did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the timing of the Newsmax ruling and Trumps executive order targeting the firm.
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Donald Trump has made no secret of his affinity for Russian president Vladimir Putins leadership style, and he got to experience it first-hand Thursday in a cabinet meeting that has been described as Kremlin-esque.

Just a day after President Trump backtracked on a disastrous tariff policy that sent global markets into turmoil, cabinet members lined up to massage the presidents ego with sycophantic language that would make North Korean newsreaders blush.

I think that what you have assembled in your vision is a turning point and an inflection point in American history. And so just being a part of that is the greatest honor, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, said, after calling the president family.

Kelly Loeffler, head of the Small Business Administration, had little to say about the many small businesses about to be made bankrupt by Trumps tariff chaos.

"Mr. President, on behalf of America's manufacturers, I want to thank you for standing up to the Chinese communist party and fighting for our main streets, for our workers ... Main Street is grateful for you," she said.

Trump sat stony-faced through each tribute, occasionally offering commentary when they were done.

open image in gallery President Donald Trump held at cabinet meeting at the White House. It quickly turned into a session where praise was showered upon the president ( REUTERS )

It was unclear if a memo had been sent around or if Trumps cabinet members are just beginning to understand what was required of them, but each followed suit and sprinkled their contributions with gratitude for his leadership.

Elon Musk thanked Trump for his fantastic leadership. Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security, thanked him for his leadership at the border.

Attorney General Pam Bondi told the president his favorite fairy tale about the election and sought to rewrite the Constitution on the fly, implying that he should have control of the U.S. governments budget, rather than Congress.

You were overwhelmingly elected by the biggest majority, she said, repeating a lie that the president has often told. The Americans want you to be president because of your agenda, and the courts are ruling that you have the authority to determine how the money of this country will be spent. That's what the American citizens wanted, and that's what they're getting, she said.

Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick was keen to make the president feel better about his capitulation on tariffs on Wednesday by assuring him that many as-yet unnamed nations are trying to negotiate new trade deals with the United States.

open image in gallery Elon Musk, from right, and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer attend a cabinet meeting at the White House. Musk thanked Trump for his fantastic leadership ( AP )

They have come with offers that they never, ever, ever would have come with but for the moves that the President has made, demanding that people treat the United States with respect. We're getting the respect we deserve now, he said.

Halfway through the meeting, a pedestrian joke from the president prompted a burst of laughter from everyone that seemed to shake the table.

After Trumps cabinet had finished giving their updates, Trump spoke at length in response to questions from a White House pool that had been carefully selected and bolstered by friendly outlets, as it is in Moscow.

He described the rebound from his self-induced downturn as the biggest day in history and warned there would be transition difficulty.

The president appeared eager to move on from his attempt to impose tighter government control over the economy, and with it isolation from the global market, perhaps looking forward to a giant military parade that is rumored to be in the works for this summer - all to celebrate his birthday.

Sound familiar?
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President Donald Trump says his TikTok deal is still on the table, even after Chinese officials backed out on account of his tariffs.

Trump said Wednesday a potential deal for ByteDance  TikToks Chinese parent company  to divest and keep the app available in the U.S. is still on the table. However, several reports earlier this week claimed the deal was derailed by the presidents slew of new tariffs on China.

"We have a deal with some very good people, some very rich companies that would do a great job with it, but we're going to have to wait and see what's going to happen with China," Trump said from the Oval Office. "It's on the table, very much."

This week, Trump hiked tariffs on Chinese goods to 125 percent, while Chinese officials retaliated with 84 percent tariffs on American goods. The president announced a 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs for all other countries.

open image in gallery President Donald Trump says a deal to save TikTok is still on the table after his tariffs caused a deal to fall through last week ( AP )

Last week, Trump and his team brokered a deal in which new investors would own 50 percent of a new TikTok entity, while Chinese owners would retain less than 20 percent, The New York Times reports.

Beijing was comfortable with the deal, the Times reports, and a draft executive order outlining the it was circulating by Thursday. But then, ByteDance called the White House and said Beijing is backing out, citing Trumps tariffs on China, according to the outlet.

As a result, Trump signed an executive order Friday yet again extending the TikTok sale deadline, this time to June 19. At the time, Trump attributed the extension to a row over tariffs: The report is that we had a deal, pretty much, for TikTok, not a deal but pretty close, and then China changed the deal because of tariffs.

He then praised the tremendous progress his administration had made on a deal but said it requires more work to ensure all necessary approvals are signed. However, The Hill reports existing investors, new investors, ByteDance and the White House had all signed off on it before Beijing backed out.

This comes after Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said last month that Trump doesnt like to ask for extensions and wants to get it done in the timeframe that he has.

open image in gallery The future of TikTok remains uncertain after Trumps tariffs caused Chinese officials to walk away from a draft deal. ( AFP via Getty Images )

Under a bipartisan bill passed and signed by then-President Joe Biden last year, ByteDance must sell TikTok to a U.S.-based company, or the app will be banned from U.S. servers such as the App Store and Google.

Trump signed an executive order giving TikToks parent company ByteDance until April 5 to either divest or be banned from American app stores on his first day in office. Trumps order marked an extension from the original January 19 deadline, which Biden said he wouldnt enforce as it was his last full day in office.
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Australia has rebuffed Chinas offer to join hands in the wake of the Trump tariffs as Beijing tries to boost trade and undo some damage from the 125 per cent levies on Chinese goods in the US.

We dont want to see a trade war between America and China to be clear, but our focus is on actually diversifying our trade. We are doing a lot more in Southeast Asia, in countries like Indonesia, which is a massive potential market on our doorstep, deputy prime minister Richard Marles said during a TV interview.

I dont think well be holding Chinas hand, Mr Marles said.

Prime minister Anthony Albanese also brushed off the suggestion of joining hands with China but used a more conciliatory approach: Our trade relationship with China is an important one. Trade represents one in four of Australian jobs and China is by a long distance our major trading partner.

These trade issues affect 20 per cent of the global market. 80 per cent of trade does not involve the United States. There are opportunities for Australia and we intend to seize them.

The comments come after Chinese ambassador to the country, Xiao Qian, wrote in a newspaper editorial that Beijing and Australia should work together to defend international trade.

Under the new circumstances, China stands ready to join hands with Australia and the international community to jointly respond to the changes of the world, Mr Xiao said in an op-ed published in the Sydney Morning Herald.

The only way to stop the hegemonic and bullying behaviour of the US in harvesting the whole world is to strengthen solidarity and collaboration, and to jointly resist, the ambassador wrote in an op-ed for the Nine Group newspaper.

A weak compromise will only allow the US to sabotage the international order and rules even more wantonly, dragging the world economy, which has already embarked on the track of a stable recovery, into a quagmire and an abyss, he said.

Mr Marles, speaking with Sky News, said: We are not going to be holding hands with China in respect of any contest that is going on in the world.

File. Albanese also brushed off the suggestion of joining hands with China amid US tariffs fallout ( via REUTERS )

Meanwhile, Australias top economic regulators held an emergency meeting on Wednesday to assess how the US tariffs might weaken Chinas growth and, in turn, reduce demand for Australian exports.

However, treasurer Jim Chalmers remained confident that the Australian economy would continue to grow.

Beijings diplomatic gesture follows a Chinese naval live-fire exercise in the Tasman Sea as the Chinese Navy circled the Australian coast in February, and comes amid tensions over promises from both Labor and the Coalition to terminate a Chinese companys long-term lease on the Port of Darwin, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.

In 2015, the Northern Territory government leased the Port of Darwin to Chinese-owned Landbridge Group for 99 years, approved during Malcolm Turnbulls tenure. This led to a national security debate in the country.

In February, Mr Marles, who also holds the defence portfolio, told Australian Broadcasting Corp radio in Perth about the live fire exercise by the Chinese Navy: To be clear, we werent notified by China. What China did was put out a notification that it was intending to engage in live firing. By that, I mean a broadcast that was picked up by airlines or literally ... commercial planes that were flying across the Tasman.
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A woman gave birth to another mothers baby after a fertility care clinic mixed up their embryos.

Monash IVF, which operates across Australia, discovered the mistake in February after the birth parents asked for their remaining embryos from the Brisbane clinic to be transferred to another IVF provider.

An investigation confirmed that an embryo from another woman had been incorrectly thawed and implanted in the birth parents, the Herald Sun reports.

Monash IVF said the incident was due to human error and that it follows strict laboratory safety procedures to protect embryos.

Instead of finding the expected number of embryos, an additional embryo remained in storage for the birth parents, the company said in a statement to the news outlet.

Monash IVF apologised to the birth parents, who were notified within a week of the discovery. Australian media reported that the families involved - who have not been identified - are outraged and considering legal action.

On behalf of Monash IVF, I want to say how truly sorry I am for what has happened, Monash IVF chief executive Michael Knaap said in the statement, adding that the company would continue to support the patients. All of us at Monash IVF are devastated and we apologise to everyone involved. We have undertaken additional audits and were confident that this is an isolated incident.

An independent investigation is taking place into what happened, with the IVF clinic committed to fully implementing any recommendations made.

The error comes after Monash IVF settled with more than 700 former patients for $56 million in August over allegations it destroyed embryos in faulty genetic screening.

open image in gallery The class action claimed that about 35 percent of the embryos the provider classified as abnormal due to faulty testing were actually normal ( Jochen Tack/Alamy Stock Photo )

The class action claimed that about 35 percent of the embryos the provider classified as abnormal due to faulty testing were actually normal. Monash IVF Group said it had not admitted liability but confirmed it had settled the case through mediation.

Chair of the Australian and New Zealand Infertility Council Association Rebecca Kerner told Australian broadcaster ABC she was shocked by the Brisbane clinic incident.

My heart goes out to the poor families involved in this horrible mix-up, Ms Kerner said. The Queensland Department of Health said it had also been made aware of the incident as the new ART regulator.

We will work with Monash IVF to reinforce safeguards in their Queensland clinics and ensure any risks are identified and mitigated.

The ART Act was passed last September following an investigation into ART providers in Queensland by the states ombudsman.

The ombudsman report found that the collection, storage, identification and distribution of gametes and embryos was the issue with the highest number of complaints.
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A controversial bill that had set off New Zealands largest-ever Maori rights protest was heavily defeated in parliament on Thursday.

The Treaty Principles Bill died in its second reading, being voted down by 112 to 11, a crushing defeat that had been widely anticipated.

Politicians on the floor and in the gallery broke into song as they celebrated, while the speaker, Gerry Brownlee, tried to maintain control and even removed one man from the gallery.

The proposed law sought to redefine the terms of the nations founding treaty between Maori tribes and the British crown signed 180 years ago.

The bill gained wide attention after a video of the nations youngest legislator, Maori member Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke, tearing up a copy of the proposed legislation and leading a haka dance in parliament went viral.

Massive protests against the bill saw tens of thousands of New Zealanders gather outside the parliament on 19 November.

This bill hasnt been stopped, this bill has been absolutely annihilated, Ms Maipi-Clarke said on Thursday.

We had two choices: to live or to die. We chose to live.

open image in gallery Parliamentarians celebrate as the Treaty Principles Bill is rejected ( AP )

The bill was proposed by the right-wing Act Party to define the principles of the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi, considered New Zealands founding document for upholding Maori rights. The treaty promised the tribes broad rights to retain their lands and protect their interests in return for ceding governance to the British.

The bill aimed to replace long-established principles created by courts and the parliament to guide the relationship between the crown and Maori tribes with a new set of rules.

Act Party leader David Seymour had said the bill was an opportunity for parliament, rather than the courts, to define the principles of the treaty, including establishing that every person is equal before the law.

The party argued the current principles misrepresented the original intent of the 1840 treaty, creating a two-tier system where Maori had distinct political and legal rights compared to non-Maori.

The Act Partys were the only members to vote in favour of the bill on Thursday.

open image in gallery Controversial bill died in second reading on Thursday ( AP )

Mr Seymour vowed to continue the fight. I believe this bill or something like it will pass one day because there are not good arguments against its contents, he said on social media.

Former prime minister and Labour leader Chris Hipkins called Mr Seymours bill a stain on this country and called out the ruling coalition for helping spread the myth of Maori privilege.

He said it was a grubby little bill born from a grubby little deal.

What is most offensive is the way that the Act Party and the political right have twisted the narrative to fit a racist agenda, Willie Jackson, leader of the Labour Maori caucus said.

It is and always has been about legal rights Maori have in their contract with the crown.

open image in gallery Maori haka chants ring out during a protest against the Treaty Principles Bill on 19 November 2024 ( AFP via Getty )

The defeat of the bill was widely expected as it was not supported by other members of the governing coalition and faced opposition from other parties as well.

The bill received an overwhelming 300,000 responses when it was opened for submissions early this year, with 90 per cent opposing it.

A parliamentary committee then recommended the bill not proceed.

open image in gallery Members of the Maori community march in a protest rally in Wellington ( AFP via Getty )

Christopher Luxon, the prime minister, was not in the parliament for the second reading of the bill. He had agreed to support it under a political deal with Mr Seymour that handed him power to lead a coalition government. However, he had said there was nothing in the bill that he liked.

Finding himself without enough seats to govern after the 2023 election, Mr Luxon had negotiated support from two smaller parties, including Mr Seymours, in return for political concessions.

National MP and Maori-Crown relations minister Tama Potaka called it a cremation day for the bill. Its dead, its gone and it will be buried, he told Radio New Zealand.
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German police are investigating the stabbing of a man on a Berlin tram early Thursday morning.

The victim was attacked around 2.30am on the M2 tram at Karl-Liebknecht-Strae in the city's Mitte district.

An argument broke out between the two men moments before the stabbing, police sources told the Berliner Morgenpost. During the argument one man pulled out a knife and stabbed the other, they added.

The victim was left bleeding heavily in the carriage, while the suspect opened the doors and fled on foot, BILD reports. The suspected knifeman is still at large.

Police swiftly attended the scene and the injured man was treated for a stab wound to the upper arm. The victim was taken to a hospital by an ambulance crew and an emergency doctor, the Berliner Morgenpost reported.

The incident comes after knife-free zones were implemented earlier this year in three Berlin areas - Gorlitzer Park, Kottbusser Tor and Leopoldplatz - where knife crime is disproportionately high.

Last night's case shows once again what a placebo the three knife ban zones are, Benjamin Jendro of the Berlin police union GdP said.

Knife violence is a city-wide problem, and many young men in particular seem to have one in their pockets.

The trade unionist said the solution is a general ban on carrying knives with fines and consequences.

The general view of knives must change in our society and that would be a clear signal that would help in the long term.

Police are investigating the incident and searching for the perpetrator.

We are analysing all available material for this, a police spokesperson told the Berliner Morgenpost.

Video footage from the tram made available by The Berlin Transport Authority (BVG) is thought to be amongst the evidence being analysed.
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About 155 Chinese mercenaries are fighting for the Russian military against Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky has claimed.

The Kremlin is recruiting Chinese people via social media  and Beijing knows it, according to Ukrainian intelligence, Mr Zelensky said.

He said Kyiv was trying to assess whether the recruits were receiving instructions from the Chinese government.

In China, officials branded the allegations "totally unfounded".

Ukraine says there are many more Chinese nationals fighting for Russia following the capture of two soldiers ( Zelensky/Telegram )

But Mr Zelensky said intelligence chiefs had the details of 155 Chinese citizens fighting for the Russian army, adding: We believe that there are many more of them.

He showed journalists documents that he said listed the names, passport numbers and personal information on the recruits, including when they arrived in Russia for military training and departed for service.

On Tuesday the Ukrainian leader announced the military had captured two Chinese men fighting alongside the Russian army on Ukrainian soil in the eastern Donetsk region, saying there were significantly more of them. It was the first time Ukraine had made such a claim about Chinese fighters in the war.

On Wednesday, he said Ukraine was willing to exchange the two prisoners of war for Ukrainian soldiers held captive in Russia.

He stopped short of saying the Chinese government authorised the mercenaries' involvement in Ukraine, but said Beijing officials were aware of Russia's campaign to recruit Chinese mercenaries  although he provided no evidence.

China has provided strong diplomatic support for Russia since it launched its war on Ukraine in February 2022.

It has also sold Russia machinery and microelectronics that can be used to make weapons, Western officials say, in addition to providing an economic lifeline through trade in energy and consumer goods.

But China is not believed to have knowingly provided Russia with troops, weapons or military expertise.

A spokesperson for China's foreign ministry said earlier the government had always required its citizens to avoid areas of armed conflict and "especially to avoid participating in the military operations of any party".

Spokesperson Lin Jian said China had played a "constructive role in politically resolving the Ukraine crisis".

US officials have accused Iran of providing Russia with drones, and North Korea of sending thousands of troops and ammunition.

Mr Zelensky said US officials expressed surprise when informed of the presence of Chinese mercenaries in Ukraine.

US State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said on Tuesday that reports of Chinese citizens fighting on behalf of Russia were disturbing.

China is a major enabler of Russia in the war in Ukraine, Ms Bruce said.
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The Chinese prisoner has a fearful expression as his Ukrainian captors train a video camera on him. He speaks in Mandarin, the common language of his homeland. His green uniform is like any regular soldiers. But is it proof that China is fighting alongside the Russian army?

This is a hybrid war and while China has not disputed the facts, the boundaries of truth are cloaked in deniability. The incident  astutely publicised by Ukraine just as America is in a trade showdown with China  has illuminated the shadows of a very modern conflict.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said his troops captured two Chinese citizens after a skirmish in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine. They found identity documents, bank cards and other evidence of their nationality. In most armies that would be a severe security lapse.

Zelensky said his men engaged with a unit of six Chinese combatants. The fate of the other four was not mentioned. Andriy Kovalenko, a member of the National Security and Defence Council, called the captured fighters mercenaries but gave no more information.

open image in gallery Volodymyr Zelensky said his troops captured two Chinese citizens after a skirmish in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine ( Zelensky/Telegram )

One explanation is that the men are simply soldiers of fortune who caught a plane to Russia to escape boredom and penury at home. Just days ago, the correspondent of Le Monde in China, the highly experienced Harold Thibault, published an interview with a 37-year-old truck driver named Fen who went to seek adventure until he was wounded by a drone.

Back in China, sipping tea, he told Thibault that he did not care about the rights and wrongs of the war. A search of a popular Chinese social media app, Douyin, revealed 40 accounts of men who had joined the Russian forces. Fen said there were hundreds.

It is plausible that there are tens of thousands of trained soldiers hanging around in civilian life with not much to do. President Xi Jinping has spent heavily to modernise the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) but he has also ruthlessly thinned its ranks. It is a leaner force with less manpower and more warfighting technology.

That lends weight to a second explanation, which is that Chinese military intelligence is using mercenaries to collect battlefield information on tactics and weapons systems that the PLA wants. It has not fought a conventional ground war since 1979 when then paramount leader Deng Xiaoping ordered an invasion of Vietnam which ended in a fiasco.

So real-time observation in combat is priceless. The campaign in Ukraine, with its reliance on drones, cruise missiles, air defences, tracking and interception, is a model for the sort of warfighting the PLA would experience in an invasion of Taiwan.

In addition, battlefield conditions yield performance assessments which the Russians might prefer to keep secret even from their supposed friends. And it is clear from Zelenskys statement that the six Chinese combatants were operating as an organised unit, presumably including Russian speakers for communications and perhaps eavesdropping.

China has supplied the Kremlin with significant quantities of machine tools, drone and turbojet engines and technology for cruise missiles, microelectronics, and nitrocellulose, which is used in rocket fuel, US officials in the Joe Biden administration said in April 2024.

A third and less subtle explanation is simply that China is staging a brazen, barely covert intervention in the war. It has history on this. A US diplomat in Beijing once told me that sometimes Chinese strategy is as subtle as the ancient arts of war taught by Sun Tzu but sometimes its a kick in the face.

open image in gallery President Zelensky speaks at a press conference in Kyiv on 8 April 2025 ( AFP via Getty )

In the Korean War of 1950 to 1953, Mao Zedong sent hundreds of thousands of volunteers to fight American, British and other forces under the United Nations flag who were defending capitalist South Korea. Among the mass casualties was Maos own son.

China also sent covert aid to North Vietnam and to Viet Cong guerrillas in South Vietnam, helped the Khmer Rouge take over Cambodia and waged a twilight struggle against both the Soviet Union and the West across Indochina until Deng called a halt to Cold War adventurism at the end of the 1970s.

Its leaders are well schooled in complexity and state deceit. So they will have been unworried when the Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha summoned Chinas charge daffaires in Kyiv to condemn this fact and demand an explanation.

China is verifying the information with the Ukrainian side, a spokesman for Chinas foreign ministry, Lin Jian, told reporters.

Let me stress that the Chinese government always asks Chinese nationals to stay away from areas of armed conflict, avoid any form of involvement in armed conflict, and in particular avoid participation in any partys military operations.

Unlike the words of President Trump, it would be wise to take this statement literally but not seriously.

Michael Sheridan, longtime foreign correspondent and diplomatic editor of The Independent, is the author of The Red Emperor published by Headline Press at 25.00
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Hungary has suggested a "biological attack" may be behind the countrys first foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in more than half a century.

The World Organisation for Animal Health said the outbreak, which was first detected on a cattle farm in the northwest near the border with Austria and Slovakia last month, has triggered border closures and the mass slaughter of cattle.

By Thursday, animal health authorities had inspected nearly 1,000 farms across Hungary. Of those, only four farms in the affected northwestern region returned positive results.

"At this stage, we can say that it cannot be ruled out that the virus was not of natural origin, we may be dealing with an artificially engineered virus," Prime Minister Viktor Orban's chief of staff Gergely Gulyas said at a media briefing.

Gulyas said he could not rule out that the virus outbreak was the result of a biological attack, without giving information on who might be responsible.

He also said that suspicion was based on verbal information received from a foreign laboratory and that their findings have not yet been fully proven and documented.

Cars drive through a disinfectant mat during the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease ( REUTERS )

Hungary's cattle stock numbered 861,000 head based on a livestock census in December, little changed from levels a year earlier.

That constituted 1.2 per cent of the European Union's total cattle stocks, official statistics showed.

Foot-and-mouth disease poses no danger to humans but causes fever and mouth blisters in cloven-hoofed ruminants such as cattle, swine, sheep and goats, and outbreaks often lead to trade restrictions.

Thousands of cattle had to be culled as the landlocked country tried to contain the outbreak, while Austria and Slovakia have closed dozens of border crossings after the disease also appeared in the southern part of Slovakia.

"Everyone was just standing there, crying and saying that this cannot be true, that this was impossible," said Paul Meixner, an Austrian-Hungarian dual citizen who owns one of the affected farms in Hungary.

While his business has taken a 1.5 billion forint ($4.09 million) loss after culling 3,000 cattle and other livestock, Meixner has vowed to rebuild.

"In two weeks, we will start harvesting and storing the hay," he said. "We need the fodder for next year."
Abu Dhabi / the Hauge / El Geneina  A senior United Arab Emirates (UAE) official has dismissed Sudan's case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) as a 'farcical action', accusing the de-facto Sudan government of distorting the truth.

Dr Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the President of the UAE, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, launched a fierce defence of his country's position in an op-ed published by The National, a UAE-based English-language newspaper, ahead of Thursday's public hearings at the ICJ in The Hague.

Sudan filed the case on March 6, accusing the UAE of violating the Genocide Convention by supporting the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which stands accused of mass atrocities against the Masalit people in West Darfur, from April to November 2023.

In June 2023, Radio Dabanga reported the shocking testimony from Mujeebelrahman Yagoub, the Assistant Commissioner for Refugees in West Darfur, who states that corpses were piling up in the streets, with entire families exterminated and buried in mass graves.

The West Darfur Doctors Union echoed the horror, stating, "What happened in Rwanda in 1994 is now being repeated in El Geneina."

Human Rights Watch further reported that the ethnic cleansing in West Darfur's capital of El Geneina had claimed the lives of thousands and left hundreds of thousands displaced as refugees.

"We unequivocally condemn the atrocities committed by both parties and call for their immediate cessation," Gargash wrote, while rejecting Sudan's claims.

He called the legal move "a political game and publicity stunt - an attempt to drag a longstanding friend of Sudan and Africa into the conflict they themselves have fuelled."

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"This follows the SAF's absurd actions at the UN Security Council, which were similarly built on fabrications, falsehoods and fiction," he added.

The case alleges the UAE provided military, financial and political support to the RSF in its war with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), which began in April 15 2023, a claim supported by UN monitors but repeatedly denied by the UAE.

During the UN Security Council's 9,611th meeting in April last year, Sudan's Permanent Representative, El Harith Idriss Mohamed, directly alleged UAE involvement. In response, the UAE dismissed the accusations and evidence as "baseless allegations."

Gargash urged both sides to return to peace talks. "This war can end today if both sides agree to disengage and accept the repeated offers for talks made by the international community and trusted partners."

The UAE is expected to contest the admissibility of the case at the hearings.
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The bustle of daily life in Ukraines Sumy makes it hard to believe that its people have faced a constant threat of death since Russia invaded their country three years ago.

Just days ago, Putins forces targeted the city centre in back-to-back missile strikes, killing 35 people and injuring over 100. It marked the deadliest attack on Ukrainian civilians this year.

Neighbours chatted in their apartment blocks, watching children play games in the courtyards. Pausing to look up, they would see the buzzing of attack drones and the familiar sounds of Ukrainian air defences before going back to their strange routine which is quickly becoming usual.

open image in gallery Smoke rises from an explosion following a Russian drone strike on Sumy, Ukraine, 14 April 2025 ( AP )

Sumy is only 18 miles from the border of Russias Kursk region, where Ukrainian soldiers continue to hold on to the strip of territory they took in a surprise offensive last summer. Residents of the city say there has been an increase in attacks in recent weeks, but none as devastating as Sundays airstrike which targeted a busy intersection.

It came just over over a week after a separate missile strike killed 20 people on the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih. Russia says its forces were targeting a meeting of soldiers in the attack which killed nine children, but evidence has not been provided to support the claim.

The attacks on their cities has left many Ukrainians wondering where the next will occur and cast a shadow over the ongoing ceasefire talks being brokered by the United States. The talks have produced only muted results, as Russia insists on conditions Ukraine deems impossible and Kyiv believes Moscow's forces are gearing up for a fresh offensive.

The attack ended some lives and shattered others

To the people of Sumy, the talks seem far-removed from their daily struggles.

As some of the victims of Sunday's attack were laid to rest on Tuesday, Viktor Voitenko, 56, described how he ended up paralyzed in a hospital bed. He was working as a security guard when the second missile hit and shattered his spine. As he spoke, his wife Hanna, 40, lovingly applied his deodorant  a simple act he could no longer perform.

open image in gallery The mother of Olena Kohut, who was killed in the deadly Russian attack on Sumy, during a farewell ceremony, 15 April 2025 ( AP )

Mention of the ceasefire negotiations conjured a weary smile from her. Its empty talks. They dont move anywhere. It seems to be public relations to me, Hanna Voitenko said. Nothing happens to bring comfort to regular people.

Her husband offered his own take: They are stalling for time.

Work, errands and planned family visits brought the victims of Sundays attack to the intersection of Petropavlivska Street and the state university on Sunday morning.

Asia Pohorila, 20, was working at a cafe and thinking about whether to buy pastries after her shift when the first missile strike left her in shock and bleeding profusely from her legs. On Tuesday, the times 10:20 and "10:23" were still scrawled in marker on her thighs, noting when medics applied tourniquets to them.

A teen springs into action

Maryna Illiashenko and her 13-year old son, Kyrylo, heard the sound of that first blast ricochet across the center city as they waited for a bus.

They were headed to visit his grandmother, but the teenager was more excited about wrestling practice later that afternoon. Undeterred, they boarded the bus when it arrived a few minutes later. One stop later, the second missile crashed a few feet from from the vehicle, scorching nearby cars, burning passengers alive, killing the bus driver and causing shrapnel to rain down. Three fragments tore through Kyrylos scalp and scratched Marynas face.

Enveloped in smoke and debris, the teen leaped out of the shattered bus window and pried open the locked door from outside, saving half a dozen trapped passengers, witnesses said.

open image in gallery A woman cries during farewell ceremony of Olena Kohut, who was killed in the deadly Russian attack on Sumy, Ukraine, 15 April 2025 ( AP )

I dont want to think about this as a new type of reality for Sumy city. We can clearly see that our frontline cities are being erased, Oleh Strilka, a spokesperson for the city's State Emergency Service, said while standing outside the collapsed facade of the university building, where the second missile struck.

The most painful thing for me is our children. Why do they need to suffer? he asked. I dont want our 13-year-old kids becoming heroes.

Liudmyla Shelukhina, 70, was waiting in a neighbors house for a haircut. She was standing in line in the kitchen when the windows suddenly shattered.

She said the fridge she was next to saved her life. I would have been decapitated."

Dont be so dramatic, joked her husband, Viktor, a former soldier. Their son was hospitalized in the attack.

No relief for first responders

Rescue workers like Dmytro Shevchenko, 31, have to be prepared to head to the scene of the next attack at all times. He was among the first to arrive at the university grounds on Sunday. Most people he found were too badly injured to help, he said, wiping away tears.

He holds on to little hope that ceasefire talks will bear fruit. I just dont believe in it, he said.

The childrens hospital where Kyrylo Illiashenko is recovering bears the scars of repeated drone attacks. More than 100 windows were shattered only two weeks ago when a massive drone attack struck nearby, said Chief Dr. Ihor Zmislya.

As workers cleared rubble from the sites of the missile strikes Tuesday and Kyrylo expounded on his favorite computer games, an explosion sounded in the distance. From the teen's hospital window, plumes of smoke could be seen rising from a nearby railway line.

This is our reality, said Zmislya. It happens all the time.
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Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russia of systematically recruiting people from China to fight its deadly war in Ukraine, deepening the row over Chinese fighters.

Two Chinese citizens were caught among Russias ranks in Ukraines war-torn Donetsk region, Mr Zelensky announced on Tuesday, before claiming that there are more than 150 Chinese fighters currently among Russias ranks.

The allegations have prompted a furious response from Beijing, which on Thursday warned Kyiv and its allies not to make irresponsible remarks after previously decrying what it described as Mr Zelenskys baseless claims that there were more fighters.

open image in gallery The Ukrainian president said there are more than 155 Chinese fighters in Ukraine ( Zelensky/AFP/Getty )

In a post on social media, Mr Zelensky said on Thursday, referring to the captured men: It is crystal clear that these are not isolated cases, but rather systematic Russian efforts, in particular on the territory and within the jurisdiction of China, to recruit citizens of that country for the war.

Alongside a video of an interrogation with one of them, Mr Zelensky added that everything necessary must be done to ensure that Russia has no such and similar opportunities to prolong and expand the war.

Beijing has attempted to position itself as a peacekeeper amid efforts to bring the war to an end, despite having declared a no-limits partnership with Russia.

I would like to reiterate that China is not the initiator of the Ukrainian crisis, nor is China a participating party. We are a firm supporter and active promoter of a peaceful settlement of the crisis, foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Thursday.

We urge the relevant parties concerned to correctly and soberly understand the role of China and to not release irresponsible remarks, he added.

open image in gallery Zelensky discussed the capture of Chinese citizens during a press conference alongside Belgian PM Bart de Wever ( Reuters )

Mr Zelensky had initially said the Ukrainian security services were working to assess whether the Chinese recruits had been receiving instructions from Beijing, adding that Kyiv believes they were recruited by Russia on social media.

But the Kremlin has backed Beijings account, denying any involvement of the Chinese authorities.

This is not the case, spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said of Mr Zelenskys claim that China was being drawn into the conflict. China takes a balanced position. China is our strategic partner, friend [and] comrade. Zelensky is wrong.

Keith Kellogg, Donald Trumps special envoy to Ukraine and Russia, said he is not convinced yet that the Chinese personnel identified as fighting on behalf of Russia against Ukraine are more than mercenaries or volunteers.

Theres an axiom in the military, the first report is always wrong, Kellogg said during an appearance on Wednesday at Georgetown University.

And this is one of those. Lets sit back and see how this plays out because it could be volunteers, he said.

open image in gallery Keith Kellogg said he is not convinced the Chinese fighters are anything more than mercenaries or volunteers ( Getty )

Mr Kellogg noted that Ukraine also has volunteers from other countries, including the United States, fighting on its behalf. He added that the early reports of Chinese personnel are not on par with North Koreas deployment of thousands of troops to the front lines.

The developments came as 30 countries convened in Brussels, looking to press ahead with plans to deploy troops in Ukraine in the event of any future peace agreement.

The meeting at Nato headquarters  the first between defence ministers representing the coalition of the willing  comes after a visit to Kyiv last week by senior British and French military officers. Its expected to work on fleshing out an agreement reached at an earlier meeting between leaders.

British defence minister John Healey, who opened the meeting said: We must put more pressure on President Putin to end his war.
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At least 23 people, including eight women and as many children, were killed in an Israeli attack on a residential building in Gaza Citys Shujaiya neighbourhood, local health authorities and Al Ahli Hospital confirmed.

The Israeli military claimed that it had targeted terror operatives while accusing Hamas of using civilian infrastructure to carry out attacks.

The death toll from the Shujaiya massacre has risen to 23 martyrs, including eight children and eight women, Gaza s civil defence agency spokesman Mahmud Bassal told AFP, adding that more than 60 people were wounded.

There are still people trapped under the rubble.

Ayub Salim, 26, a Shujaiya resident, told the French news agency that he witnessed the attack on the four-storey block. He said the area, overcrowded with tents, displaced people and homes, was hit with multiple missiles.

Shrapnel flew in all directions, he said and described a terrifying and indescribable scene. Dust and massive destruction filled the entire place, we couldnt see anything, just the screams and panic of the people. He said that people were torn to pieces.

Even now, emergency crews are still transporting the dead and the injured, he said. It is truly a horrific massacre.

Israel ended a nearly two-month ceasefire with Hamas on 2 March, completely halting the flow of food, fuel and medicines into the besieged Palestinian territory and resuming massive airstrikes two weeks later.

The renewed Israeli bombardment has displaced nearly 400,000 Palestinians, the United Nations said.

The health ministry, run by Hamas, reported on Wednesday that the latest wave of Israelis had killed at least 1,482 people, bringing the total number of deaths since the war began in October 2023 to 50,846.

People head towards their homes in the Shijaiyah neighbourhood, Gaza City, on 28 January 2025 ( Middle East Images/AFP via Getty )

The Israeli military claimed that it had targeted a senior Hamas operative allegedly responsible for attacks originating from the Shujaiya area, though it did not identify the individual or share additional information.

Hamas condemned the strike on Wednesday as one of the most heinous acts of genocide.

The terrorist Zionist occupation army has committed a bloody massacre by bombing a densely populated residential area filled with civilians and displaced people, the group said in a statement. These ongoing massacres against our defenceless people  with full support from the American administration which is complicit in the aggression  represent a stain on the conscience of the international community.

Meanwhile, French president Emmanuel Macron said France aimed to move towards recognising a Palestinian state in the coming months, with the goal of doing so by June.

In an interview aired on France-5 on Wednesday, Mr Macron said the timeline aligned with an international conference on implementing a two-state solution, which France and Saudi Arabia were set to co-host.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Washington this week to meet US president Donald Trump. While they both expressed concern for the Israeli hostages still held by Hamas, they offered few details on any potential deal to pause the fighting.

Mr Trump reiterated his desire to end the fighting but proposed a controversial postwar plan for Gaza involving population transfer, by force or voluntarily, an idea welcomed by Israel but rejected by Washingtons Middle East allies.

Mr Netanyahu, meanwhile, was under mounting pressure from his domestic political allies to continue the war in Gaza until Hamas was fully defeated.

Additional reporting by agencies.
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China has issued a travel warning for its citizens visiting the US, citing rising tensions over trade and concerns about public safety, in a move that could deepen hostilities between the worlds two largest economies.

The advisory by the culture and tourism ministry on Wednesday urged citizens to fully assess the risks of travelling to the US and be cautious in view of the deterioration in trade relations and domestic security situation in the United States.

The education ministry echoed this caution, advising students looking to study in the US to be alert to safety concerns and recent policy changes in the North American country targeting academic exchanges.

The advisory came amid a dramatic escalation in the ongoing trade war triggered by US president Donald Trumps imposition of sweeping tariffs on the Asian giant.

open image in gallery People visit The Bund promenade along the Huangpu river in Shanghai ( AFP via Getty )

After Mr Trump imposed a new tariff of 34 per cent on China earlier this month, taking the total to 54 per cent, Beijing retaliated with a 34 per cent levy on American goods. Mr Trump announced an additional 50 per cent tariff after China vowed to fight to the end and refused to withdraw its retaliatory levy, taking the effective tariff to 104 percent.

In response, Beijing on Wednesday imposed an additional 50 per cent duty on US imports. A few hours later the White House raised the tariff on Chinese goods to 125 per cent.

Based on the lack of respect that China has shown to the Worlds markets, I am hereby raising the tariff charged to China by the United States of America to 125%, effective immediately, Mr Trump posted on his social media platform Truth Social.

At the same time, the president declared a 90-day suspension of tariffs on countries that had not retaliated against his levies, leaving in place a 10 per cent import duty on almost every country except China.

Chinas foreign ministry accused the US of economic coercion.

The US is seeking hegemony in the name of reciprocity, sacrificing the legitimate interests of all countries to serve its own selfish interests. This is typical unilateralism, protectionism and economic bullying, spokesperson Lin Jian said.

The abuse of tariffs by the United States is tantamount to depriving countries, especially in the Global South, of their right to development.

open image in gallery Donald Trump speaks with motor racing officials and champions at the White House on 9 April 2025 ( AFP via Getty Images )

The US, on the other hand, has a level 2 travel advisory in place for China, advising its citizens to exercise increased caution, a softening of the level 3 reconsider travel warning issued previously.

The trade war between China and the US, escalated by Mr Trumps levies, has rattled global markets and raised fears of an economic slowdown.

The Chinese finance ministry described the American tariff hikes as a mistake on top of a mistake and accused the US of undermining international trade norms.

Until they make a deal with us, thats what its going to be, Mr Trump told supporters in a speech earlier this week. I think that they will make a deal with us at some point. China will. They want to make a deal, they really do ... they just dont know how to get it started.
Activists have poured 300 litres of blood-red dye into a pond at the US embassy in London, protest against US arms sales to Israel.

12 Greenpeace activists tipped the non-toxic dye from containers with stop arming Israel on the front, which were transported to the high-security embassy on trailers disguised as delivery bikes.

Co-executive director of Greenpeace, William McCallum was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to cause criminal damage, along with 5 other activists.

The charity has called for the UK and US governments to announce a total arms embargo on Israel.
No one should look back at the last week and forget that millions of people, perhaps more, were and will be directly worse off thanks to Donald Trump.

People watched their pension funds gyrate in value and liquidated their savings in panic at what was happening. There were people across the world whose businesses lost orders and who, especially in China and America, will continue to suffer hardship. Behind the stock market indices, the breathless reporting and Trumps cynical, shameless, reckless grandstanding lie the lives of traumatised, blameless people.

It may be some consolation that Trump himself has been humiliated. In a very crowded field of disasters, and with the sole exception of the attempted insurrection of 6 January 2021, this was Trump at his very worst.

When he emerged from his capitulation at the hands of the capital markets, he was characteristically brazen about what had just happened, even hubristic. The bond traders, it would seem, are more effective at protecting the rights and prosperity of the American people than their Congress, their courts and their media combined. They are the last guardrail left against the autocratic ways of President Trump, and at least here they were successful.

When in trouble, Trump usually weaves some fantasy to convince himself and his followers that hes been right all along. Some were at it again after the great tariff experiment was over, claiming it was all part of Trumps plan. Of course, it wasnt  and Trump even admitted as much: Youve gotta have flexibility.

He was abandoning the supposedly revolutionary policy just as those charged with executing it were defending it to a Senate committee on the media. When Trump makes a clown of himself, he takes everyone else down with him.

It was, in its way, even grimly amusing to watch. Trump rambled and blathered his way through the embarrassing and costly failure. The tariffs were supposed to bring in trillions of tax revenue, to bring back jobs, to reinvigorate manufacturing, to end the rape of Americas industrial base, and to make America wealthy again (not all of which could ever have been logically consistent aims, in any case). Instead, it turns out it was all a ploy to end tariffs  in which case there would be no wave of tax revenues, and the Vietnamese will carry on making cheap Maga hats, with no silly import taxes on top.

Trump had the audacity to try to claim credit for the big rise in stock prices after hed ditched his flagship Liberation Day tariff campaign, and it was he who caused stock markets around the world to crash. Hes like a guy who deliberately lets his dog maul your kid and then expects thanks that he drove you to the hospital so quickly.

The dog, a vicious and retrograde return to extreme protectionism, has been locked up for a few months rather than euthanised. We hope it wont be let out again. But in the meantime, amid the relief, we should remember that Trump has effectively frozen trade with China. The worlds two biggest economies are still engaged in an unprecedented trade war, tariffs generally have been left higher, and that means the world remains at risk of recession.

The fact is that the uncertainties generated by Trumps chaotic presidency will continue to depress investment as well as trade. And there was absolutely no need for it. Trump did not inherit some disaster from Joe Biden, as he keeps saying, but a healthy, fast-growing economy, with stock markets riding high, boosted by Trumps arrival and some misguided hopes that he wasnt as irrational (as experience should have taught us) as he really is.

Its tempting to see this as a sort of emperors clothes story, a moment in the Trump presidency when he was revealed for the charlatan he is. Because we like to add the suffix -gate to such seismic events  thank you, Watergate  you might even call it Tariffgate.

Yet we should all know, from three presidential campaigns, his first term in office and the experience of the last few weeks, that Trump is still what he always has been  and the only reason we should ever get shocked by what he does is if we forget that weve been in this rodeo, or something quite like it, before.

He did, after all, have a go at raising tariffs and provoking a trade war in 2018, though certainly not on this scale. But we know what his instincts are: hes been publicly advocating them since he became a celebrity in the 1980s.

The great tariff disaster serves as a warning that in this, his second term, Trump is more dangerous and more ambitious than first time round  and we can see how he is using the presidency and the instrument of executive orders to go after his enemies, most notably by ordering the Department of Justice to organise a witch hunt against Chris Krebs, an administration official who said the 2020 presidential election was secure and not rigged.

The more we see of Trump, the less impressive he becomes. We can, or should, see all too clearly that Trump is not the great dealmaker, or the man who can play poker like no other, or some kind of grandmaster of strategy. Those who worked with him last time around  including his vice president, Mike Pence  warned us about him. His secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, came out of a meeting in despair at having to deal with this moron. An aide repeatedly says now that: Some people seem to think Trumps playing chess, when most of the time the staff are just trying to stop him from eating the pieces.

Elon Musk has seen the light  one benefit of the tariff fiasco. So has Ted Cruz and some other congressional Republicans. It would be nice to think that this will prove to be a turning point, but the Maga mind virus remains highly resistant to treatment by reason or bitter experience, and the Republican Party is still more or less a religious cult led by a megalomaniac.

We still have another four years of this. The pantomime is far from over  but the bond vigilantes are acting as our guardian angels.
McKeever Hotel Group has bought the landmark City of Armagh Hotel, a modern 103-bedroom hotel with views of the historic city which serves as the religious capital of Ireland.

The hotel has a significant conference business as it has the capacity to cater for up to 1,200 delegates, which was the largest conference capacity in Northern Ireland attached to a hotel.
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
AI will help revolutionise law work, as it will many industries. Photo: Getty

A majority of in-house lawyers surveyed in Ireland say they were satisfied in their jobs, but said a major concern is the role of AI in the legal profession.
The Land Development Agency (LDA) has said that it can deliver up to 15,000 homes over the next five to 10 years if it were to focus on least-constrained land.
Theatre preview

The Inside of His Head is hardly the catchiest title  but it was the first one that Arthur Miller considered when assembling his classic American tragedy, Death of a Salesman. He had his reasons. Millers original set design idea, he explained to the New Yorker magazine in 1999, was showier and perhaps trickier than a basic Brooklyn apartment building.

That was at a time when I thought of staging it where the curtain would go up, and youd see the interior of [Willy Lomans] skull, said Miller. And they would be walking around inside of him, all these people. But it seemed so mechanical that I gave it up.
Concern over east Cork solar farm plans heighten as meeting hears area is ground zero for the tech

Inch residents oppose 250 megawatt farm at Greenhills that 'threatens our rural way of life

A sign opposing the development stands outside Inch Community Hall

Kevin Galvin Thu 10 Apr 2025 at 10:53

A local group in East Cork set up to oppose a large-scale solar farm proposed in their area say they are prepared to employ the efforts of a professional planner in a bid to block the development.
Trinity student scoops main accolade at National Student Media Awards

An award named in memory of UL journalism student Joe Drennan was launched at the National Student Media awards (Smedias) last night.

University College Dublin student John OConnor took home the inaugural Joe Drennan RSA Award, which is awarded for journalism related to road safety in memory of the late student who died in a hit-and-run incident in October 2023.

The 25th ceremony saw Trinity College Dublin student Kate Byrne named Journalist of the Year. Ms Byrne was nominated last year in the category and was also nominated this year for the European Commission Award for Journalism Relating to European Issues.

The event featured presenters Miriam OCallaghan, Sharon Tobin, Miss Universe Ireland 2024 Sofia Labus, and Dublin Lord Mayor Emma Blain.

Mr Drennan was himself a previous Smedia winner before his death at just 21.

Joe was an absolute force to be reckoned with, said student journalist and friend of Joe, Molly Cantwell.

Ms Cantwell, who worked with him on the Limerick Voice student paper in 2023, said he was a phenomenal journalist.

Joe Drennan

I am as emotional at the dedication as I was when it was announced at last years awards, said Ms Cantwell said. While everyone who knew him and loved him  and Im sure many who have simply heard stories of his infectious energy - wish that this award was not in his memory, I am so grateful that the Smedias have chosen to honour him this way. We miss you so much, Joe.

There were 36 categories on offer, from short film to feature writer of the year, at the Mansion House ceremony.

Trinity College Dublin took centre stage at the Smedias, taking home nine awards among the 36 categories.

University College Dublin and Technological University Dublin each won four awards, while University College Cork, Queen's University Belfast, and the University of Galway secured three awards each.

University of Limerick took home two awards. Other Munster institutions also enjoyed success, with TUS Limerick and Limerick College of Further Education earning an award each, South East Technology University took two awards and another award going to the Institution of Art, Design and Technology.

Etc. magazine from University College Cork took home the award for Best Layout and Design of the Year and was also nominated for Small College or Society Publication of the Year.

Editor-in-chief Chloe O'Connell said: We were so grateful even to be nominated and have our hard work recognised at a national level. With the majority of the team in their final year of college or studying a Masters, Etc. has been a valuable creative outlet whilst balancing our academic workload.

Jamie Ryan, a student of Technological University Dublin, headed home with three awards.

This article was amended on April 10 to correct the spelling of Chloe O'Connells name.

This article was amended on April 11 to correct the spelling of John O Connors name.
Army chaplain embraces teen who stabbed him and tells him I forgive you as boy pleads guilty

In emotional scenes, Fr Paul Murphy addressed boy in court and told him he forgave him as the teen told him: Im sorry

Fr Paul Murphy who was stabbed in an incident in Galway last year pictured leaving the Criminal Courts of Justice this afternoon (Picture: Collins Dublin)

Alison ORiordan Thu 10 Apr 2025 at 15:40

A Defence Forces chaplain who was repeatedly stabbed by a teenage boy motivated by "a radicalised Islamic mindset" today told his attacker that he forgives him, with the priest and the defendant later embracing in the courtroom.
A former Irish employee of a major US software company who has admitted acting as a spy for a rival multi-billion dollar firm has avoided going to prison for contempt of court.

Ex-Rippling global payroll compliance manager Keith OBrien did a factory reset of his phone and later destroyed it with an axe and threw the remnants in a drain after he was served with a High Court order on March 14 requiring him to preserve his electronic devices.
Irishman is arrested in US and accused over $1m repair scam targeting elderly homeowners

Affidavit claims John OBrien is member of an organised crime group and in America illegally

Irishman is arrested in US and accused over $1m repair scam targeting elderly homeowners

Shane Phelan Thu 10 Apr 2025 at 03:30

An Irishman has been arrested in the US amid allegations he is part of a criminal group that has tricked or tried to trick property owners out of more than $1m (908,000) for unnecessary repair work.
Leading gangster jailed over savage torture incident is suspected of ordering feud attacks from prison

On Tuesday gardai arrested the 29-year-old gangster in jail, and are also holding his partner, who is aged in her 20s

Mountjoy Prison in Dublin. Photo: Caroline Quinn

Ken Foy Wed 9 Apr 2025 at 19:50

A violent criminal serving a jail sentence over a savage torture incident is suspected of directing several attacks as part of a west Dublin feud from behind bars.
The interactive online tool will provide information about flights to and from the airport and how they may affect the local community.

The portal combines location-specific data with user-friendly dashboards, which will help members of the public living close to Dublin Airport to analyse the noise above their homes.

DAA CEO Kenny Jacobs said: "We know that airport operations impact the community around us and we take that seriously. We have to strike a balance between operating a major international airport and ensuring Ireland has the connectivity it needs, with the needs of those living close to the airport.

Dublin Airport

Today's News in 90 seconds - 10th April 2025

"Thats always going to be difficult, but we are constantly working to minimise the impact and listen to community feedback.

The tool relies on technology used in 25 airports worldwide such as Gatwick and Toronto Pearson. Users will be able to get a detailed analysis of the noise situation at their location, offering insight into noise levels and the potential to compare with other locations.

The operator has spent more than 20 million to date on noise-mitigation measures. This includes providing a voluntary buy-out option to several homeowners close to the airport, offering a 30pc premium on current market value along with additional reimbursements.

The cost of insulation has been covered for other houses along with the instalment of noise monitors, insulation works at local schools and penalising older, noisier planes that use Dublin airport.

The airport operator also supports community groups through its 10 million Dublin Airport Community Fund, which distributed 500,000 to more than 100 local groups last year and will do so again in 2025.

Mr Jacobs said: We are committed to being good neighbours and to contributing positively to the community through the jobs and economic impact we create and by listening to community concerns.

Independent research conducted for DAA by Red C in 2024 showed community sentiment towards Dublin Airport is generally very positive. There is support for the expansion of Dublin Airport among local residents, with nearly 80pc of respondents approving.

Mr Jacobs said: Our 2024 community survey showed strong support for the airport, but highlighted people want more transparency, openness, and access to information. By providing accurate and timely information online, we can continue to build stronger relationships with our neighbours and address their concerns more effectively.
However, construction, tech and finance are all sectors seeing hiring confidence

Employers are resorting to quiet redundancies to scale back their workforces as economic uncertainty has begun to hit hiring plans.

The latest Morgan McKinley Ireland Quarterly Employment Monitor reveals a growing trend of stealth job cuts as caution has crept in amid global turmoil due to Donald Trumps tariffs rhetoric and the potential impact of artificial intelligence (AI).

It also reveals growing concerns about AI-generated CVs as some job candidates fail to meet expectations.

Quiet redundancies, or stealth job cuts, are referring to discreet changes in workforce structures that arent formally announced, which include non-renewal of contracts, rescoping of roles or silent phasing out of certain positions, said Trayc Keevans, an FDI director at Morgan McKinley.

As well as the non-renewal of contracts, she said employers might merge roles without announcing it publicly, or decide against replacing workers who had left. These changes might not show up immediately in official headline employment figures, she said.

Supply-chain and procurement hiring dipped slightly in the first three months of the year. This was driven by the return of some operations to the US, according to the report.

Ms Keevans said some life-sciences employers were evaluating their supply-chain and procurement operations, and what would make sense in light of the tariff plans.

These individuals are now facing longer periods of unemployment than would have been the case in previous market cycles

While we cant definitively link all cautious hiring behaviour to the timing of the US tariff announcements, its clear that many employers anticipated disruption and opted for a more measured approach to workforce planning, with global supply-chain and procurement roles being the most visibly impacted areas, she said.

In addition to a decline in virtual supply-chain hub operations being established here, we are seeing some multi-national firms repatriate elements of their supply-chain functions to the US, leading to the displacement of senior professionals in Ireland.

These individuals are now facing longer periods of unemployment than would typically have been the case in previous market cycles.

Despite having extensive expertise, many are finding it challenging to re-enter the workforce at the same level, as companies remain cautious in their rehiring strategies and prioritise transformation readiness over like-for-like replacements.

More people are using AI to unrealistically enhance their CVs. Stock image/Getty

She said several factors were influencing this cautious hiring approach, including global economic uncertainty, regulatory changes and the adoption of AI-driven transformation.

Despite the subtle shift in workforce strategy in relation to shedding staff, the report said that, overall, the professional jobs market had been holding firm in the face of economic headwinds.

It refers to a cautiously optimistic start to the year. Professional job opportunities rose by 2pc since last year and by 7pc on the previous quarter.

The number of professional jobseekers rose by 16pc compared with the same quarter last year. However, this represented a 4pc drop compared with the final three months of last year.

The report noted that the national unemployment rate dropped to 3.9pc by the end of last month, down from 4.5pc at the close of last year.

However, with new US tariffs and signs of stealth job cuts emerging across multiple industries, that resilience could soon be tested, it said.

Ms Keevans said the employment picture was increasingly complex  the data showed clear evidence of hiring confidence in sectors including technology, financial services and construction.

Reports of mismatches between CV and candidate performance are becoming more common

That said, employers are navigating a complex matrix of influences  from economic headwinds and evolving global regulation to the accelerating role of AI and shifting expectations around workplace culture, she said.

An emerging trend this quarter was the prevalence of quiet redundancies or non-renewals, scaled-back team structures and discreet workforce adjustments that are not immediately visible in headline figures.

While its too early to pinpoint the exact drivers, the combination of global economic uncertainty, AI-led transformation and anticipation around US tariffs suggests companies are shifting from reactive hiring to more cautious, long-term workforce planning, she said.

Many candidates were using AI to enhance or create CVs, but employers had raised concerns that they did not always accurately reflect the individuals encountered at interviews.

Reports of mismatches between CV and candidate performance are becoming more common, placing pressure on screening processes and the assessment of authenticity, Ms Keevans said.

Meanwhile, the recruitment firm reported that organisations were adjusting how they talk about diversity and inclusion. The report said multinationals had quietly pulled back on formal DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) budgets or job titles.
More than one person knew this was wrong, who cried stop?  HSE chief Bernard Gloster on spinal scandal

The health service CEO has appealed for calm amid calls for the board of Childrens Health Ireland to resign, something he says would cause bigger problems

HSE chief Bernard Gloster addressing delegates during the Siptu conference in Wexford today. Photo: Jim Campbell

Padraig Byrne Wexford People Thu 10 Apr 2025 at 18:34

The CEO of the HSE has conceded that it has been a difficult week for the organisation and that mistakes were made in the wake of revelations involving Childrens Health Ireland (CHI).
Taoiseach Micheal Martin has said there is no Heneghan deal after a press release from Independent TD Barry Heneghan claimed investment for Beaumont Hospital was the result of a deal secured by him.

Mr Heneghan was one of four Regional Independent Group members who engaged in government negotiations but were not given ministerial positions.

The Dublin Bay North TD, along with Michael Lowry, Gillian Toole and Danny Healy-Rae, were the centre of the speaking rights row, because they wanted to be considered opposition TDs and not Government TDs.

This was despite comments made in the media, including from Michael Lowry who said the group would support the Government in good and bad days.

Independent TD Barry Heneghan. Photo: Gerry Mooney.

Today's News in 90 seconds - 10th April 2025

Mr Martin has always maintained no deals were made with these TDs. But the release from Mr Heneghan quotes his current adviser Finian McGrath as saying the investment was a result of the Heneghan deal.

It is great to see the HENEGHAN DEAL coming to fruition, long may it continue, Mr McGrath said in the release.

When asked today whether there were constituency deals made, the Taoiseach said there were none.

There is no constituency deal. There is no Heneghan deal. To be fair to Finian, you would have form in the odd bout of hyperbole, the Taoiseach said.

The bottom line is, are you seriously suggesting investment in the A&E in Beaumont Hospital constitutes some part of a deal?

I mean, that was on track. You don't get announcements like that in a capital programme unless there's a lot of proprietary work in advance in respect of the design and so on like that. So that's an investment that we welcome.

Mr Heneghan was responding to the announcement that more than 240m would be allocated for infrastructure projects in Beaumont Hospital and St Josephs Hospital in Raheny.

The Taoiseach said announcements like these were part of a significant journey. He added that while Mr Heneghan has obviously prioritised Beaumont Hospital, the allocation announcement was not part of a deal.

In response to the Taoiseachs accusation that he had form in the odd bout of hyperbole, Finian McGrath, who is a former minister for disabilities, said the Taoiseach was well aware that during formation talks, a new A&E for Beaumont Hospital was number one for Mr Heneghan.

The Taoiseach very well knows that I was present during the talks with him and with the Tanaiste. I've been campaigning on that for years, and that was item one. And when it came to the one on one negotiations in the room with him, and the Taoiseach is well aware of this, he said, Yes, we can agree to that and what we do is we wait until the HSE service plan comes out.

The Taoiseach agreed to it at the time. He might see it as in the Programme for Government, but we in the northside, we included it in our deal, so we refer to it as the Heneghan deal. So if that's sowing confusion, that's OK by me.

Mr McGrath said that the new A&E was one of the projects he had been working on while in government between 2016 and 2020 and that it did not happen then because the government collapsed.

The former minister added that, since then, governments haddone nothing about it for four years.

Enter Barry Heneghan a few months ago, and now item one on his priority list was Beaumont Hospital and now it's out, Mr McGrath said. So the answer the question is, Beaumont Hospital would not be happening only for Barry Heneghan.

On the Taoiseachs comments, Mr McGrath said the Taoiseach needed to loosen up.

He knows me for the last 30 years, Mr McGrath said.He also knows that when you're doing deals with government, you have to push hard and fight hard.

Asked whether the was a deal done during formation talks, Mr Heneghan said he needed to see his key priorities addressed.

"Im not supporting Fianna Fail and Fine Gael for the craic, Mr Heneghan said. "There are key priorities for me and there are some shared priorities for me that me, my team and Fianna Fail and Fine Gael do have in common. I do believe the Taoiseach did see the need for the key investment into Beaumont Hospital which Ill happily welcome.
Congential dislocation of the right hip in a 2 and a half-year old child, seen on a frontal pelvic x-ray. (Photo by: BSIP/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

The total of 561 children being recalled for assessment over possibly unnecessary surgery is "only the tip of the iceberg", TDs have been told.

Pearse Doherty of Sinn Fein, who first raised concerns over hip dysplasia operations at Children's Health Ireland, said the current audit was for 2021-2023 only.

But he said Sinn Fein was being contacted by parents concerned about surgeries and recommended ops from a decade and further ago.

And he said the indications from the developing scandal were that the numbers of paediatric patients involved "may be thousands".

Congential dislocation of the right hip in a 2 and a half-year old child, seen on a frontal pelvic x-ray. (Photo by: BSIP/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Today's News in 90 seconds - 10th April 2025

He said one family who were told their child needed hip surgery then sought a second opinion in 2016 - nine years ago, and five years before the opening of the current audit timeframe.

They were told by a specialist in Northern Ireland that not only did the child not need an operation but the child didn't even have the condition.

"We've come across other cases where this condition didn't exist [in the children diagnosed with hip dysplasia], Mr Doherty said.

Children whose parents declined the recommended surgery were "now thriving", he said. In the case from 2016, the youngster was "currently enrolled in gymnastics", he said.

He said former Health Minister Stephen Donnelly had been informed about the matter a year ago, but parents were only finding out about the limited audit in recent times.

Mr Doherty said there was "a pattern of broken behaviour" when it comes to Children's Health Ireland, referring to the "damning" report this week on how unauthorised springs were implanted into three children during spinal operations.

"It's the same hospitals, over and over again - and this Government is standing back and acting as a spectator in all of this."

He added: "We're talking about the possibility of young children being put under the knife and their bones being sawed into - traumatic surgery for children between the ages of one and seven.

"It's beyond the worst nightmare of any parent, and why were these parents kept in the dark by the Government for so long?

"What we don't know is how many children are actually affected - it's hundreds, maybe thousands. Just how bad is this? Because we're being contacted by parents whose children's cases reach back a decade and further.

"The emails and the phone calls just keep coming. It's looking like 2021 to 2023 is only the tip of the iceberg. It goes way beyond those two years, he said.

Education Minister Helen McEntee, responding for the Government, saying there was "no information" back from the audit yet.

But she added: "I think we have all been absolutely appalled... it is absolutely unimaginable. If this is something that stretches back further, that is something that needs to happen here."

Ms McEntee, referring to positive developments, commented: "We can't throw out the baby with the bathwater."

She said new Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill had just met with the new CEO of Children's Health Ireland.

Ms McEntee said: "She has been very clear that if any further measures need to be taken, if any further expansion of any review - or audit - needs to be taken, if any changes need to be made in our hospitals to make sure that children are safe, that they are protected, and this does not happen to a single other child, then that is exactly what she will do.

She added that Ms Carroll MacNeill would be supported fully by government in that regard.

Separately, Aontu leader Peadar Toibin told Ms McEntee that 161 paediatric operations had been cancelled at Crumlin and Temple Street hospitals in the last three years.

Nine involved heart operations and 10 were for serious orthopaedic conditions. He said there were just 23 paediatric intensive care beds at Crumlin and only nine at Temple Street.
Willie Mullins-trained Nick Rockett paraded through Carlow town after Aintree triumph

Patrick Mullins on Nick Rockett celebrates as they are welcomed home to Carlow during homecoming celebrations in Leighlinbridge yesterday. Photo: Sportsfile

The Grand National trophy, won by Patrick Mullins on Nick Rockett, trained by Willie Mullins, is pictured during homecoming celebrations in Leighlinbridge, Co Carlow. Photo: Sportsfile

Jockey Patrick Mullins rides his horse Nick Rockett through Leighlinbridge as crowds welcome the pair home after their triumph in the Grand National. Photo: Matt Browne/Sportsfile

Legendary trainer Willie Mullins has described the feeling of watching his son Patrick ride home the Aintree Grand National winner as magic.

Race-winning horse Nick Rockett was paraded before a crowd of hundreds of people in Carlow last night as they welcomed home the Mullins family after their glorious victory over the weekend.

Willie and Patrick Mullins were joined by owner Stewart Andrew as Leighlinbridge was bathed in warm sunshine.

Mullins horses also came second, third, fifth and seventh in the historic chase.

The homecoming celebrations started began as three horses  Nick Rockett, I Am Maximus, Grangeclare West  arrived in the Mullins-branded green truck in front of a local hotel before parading over the famous bridge in town.

"Were absolutely delighted with the reception we got. Let the party begin and everyone enjoys themselves, Willie Mullins said, greeting the crowds.

The Grand National trophy, won by Patrick Mullins on Nick Rockett, trained by Willie Mullins, is pictured during homecoming celebrations in Leighlinbridge, Co Carlow. Photo: Sportsfile

Willie and Patrick Mullins took time to take pictures with everyone, posing with the winning horses and the trophies displayed at the table.

After the spectacular win, Willie Mullins (68), who trained the winner, said it was fantastic to see his son ride to victory in one of national hunt racings most prestigious races last weekend.

The champion trainer in the UK and Ireland told the Irish independent: I don't think I've ever had a feeling like it. To have your son ride the Grand National winner, on a horse trained by you  magic. No feeling like it.

"I had done my first communion with Sadie and then was in first class with her

"It was extraordinary. I was just trying to breathe. I couldnt ever shout or roar. I said: Here, there's this moment. We just wished my mother was there and my father.

He also has spoken of the profound double emotional impact of the victory  not only was the winner ridden by Patrick, but the late Sadie Andrew  the co-owner of Nick Rockett  was a childhood friend who died from cancer in 2022.

I had done my first communion with Sadie and then was in first class with her. And then she moved away to England, got married and didn't see her for six years.

And then met her one day at the race, and she said to Stewart: I must buy a horse and have Willie train it. And this happens to be the horse.

And unfortunately, she got bad health news and was dead quite shortly after the horse first ran. So it was very quick, the way it happened, but there we are. It made the whole thing very poignant, he added.

Mr Mullins said theyd had a fantastic day down here in the village.

The amount of people that have come from all over the place. I've met people from England here, people from the north and south.

It's amazing where people have come from at such short notice. And the weather gods have been good to us. Its been fabulous.

Owner Stewart Andrew said it was a feeling he could not explain when he saw Nick Rockett cross the finish line first on Saturday night.

Its like having a ride on a magic carpet and you don't want to get off it. The party is just still going on. The Rockett man took us all to the moon, really.

Nick Rockett winning the Aintree Grand National

Its probably an ambition that Ive had since I was a child. To win it, its like an unbelievable achievement for either horse, Willie, Patrick, and then the owners. Its like everybodys dream come true.

Ive owned horses for over 30 years and I had some nice and good horses, but [Nick Rockett] is number one. He probably brought a lot of joy to a lot of people.

You only have to look at the crowds here today and everybodys backed him, everybodys turned out money on him, so its been good for everybody.

You couldnt write this, this is just history in the making

Over here in Ireland, especially over in Bradford where I come from, everybody over there has backed him, they're still partying and enjoying it. It means a lot that everybody else can enjoy a little bit that Im enjoying.

Willies wife and Patricks mother, Jackie Mullins, said she was proud of the Grand National win, adding: In your wildest dreams, you wouldnt dream it.

She said the atmosphere at the homecoming is wonderful, and it's a real community get-together.

The sun is shining and everyones in good spirits, a very special time, she added.

Meanwhile, Susan Roe, Willies cousin, who joined the festivities, said the Mullins Grand National win feels very special and surreal.

Were always so incredibly proud of all the Mullinss achievements. They're such an amazing team and they've been amazing to the village, for the employment of people around the area, and they're such good people. They deserve it, they work very, very hard.

We can always see this glamorous side of it when were out and everything. We don't get to see behind the scenes when it's such hard work. They keep working so hard.

Its very special. And I hope [Willie's parents] Maureen and Paddy are looking down very, very proud because it was very emotional for Willie and Jackie.

You couldnt write this, this is just history in the making. I think the atmosphere here says it all when you see the number of people from all walks of life.

You can see the support there is for him in this area. People have travelled from all counties in Ireland to come here, she added.
RTEs mid west correspondent Cathy Halloran has announced she will retire from the broadcaster next month.

The Dublin native said is looking forward to a gentler pace of life.

Ms Halloran will retire from the broadcaster after 38 years, with 31 of those years as the station's correspondent in the mid west.

She joined RTE News in October 1987 where she reported for radio and TV news on a wide variety of news stories, including the Tribunal of Inquiry into the Beef Industry at Dublin Castle from 1990.

Ms Halloran began her journalism career in the 1980s with The Farmer Magazine and went on to report for the Connacht Tribune newspaper in Galway.

She was appointed as RTE's mid west correspondent in 1993.

Cathy Halloran. Photo: RTE

Today's News in 90 seconds - 10th April 2025

Speaking about her retirement, she told RTE: "It's been a roller coaster of a career during almost four decades working for RTE News, the bulk of them as Mid West Correspondent, and has given me a 'Page One Lead' on the stories making history and impacting the lives of citizens and their families and communities across this very busy part of the country."

She added: "There were also the stories of joy and those of ordinary people doing extraordinary things which were part of the daily mix of content from the region.

Ms Halloran reported on the first directly elected mayor in Limerick and told RTE that Limerick had "led the way in the biggest change in local government since the foundation of the state".

In a post on X she said: Today some news of my own I have decided to exit my working life in RTE News & retire early. A massive thank to so many who have shared their stories Princes Presidents & People  an honour & thanks so much to my talented colleagues especially the team in the regions.

Ms Halloran, who lives in Limerick city with her partner Nicky Woulfe and their son John Michael, is now looking forward to a slower pace of life.

She told RTE she felt the time was right to retire and to "look forward, hopefully, to some healthy and fulfilling years ahead when the pressure of work and the tyranny of time will be replaced by a gentler pace of life".

Her late father Danno Halloran was also News Editor in RTE from the mid-1960s to the 1980s, while her uncle David Halloran was former Deputy Group Editor of the Irish Independent until his retirement in 2007.
Teachers at English language school in Dublin made redundant after refusing to accept lower-pay contracts

Workers at Academic Bridge were also asked to take a hit on holidays and lunch breaks

Teachers protest at an English language school in Dublin over redundancies

Amy Molloy Thu 10 Apr 2025 at 03:30

Teachers at an English language school in Dublin city centre have staged a protest after they were made redundant because they refused to accept new, lower-pay contracts.
Staff at Academic Bridge in Gardiner Place have reported delays in receiving their monthly wages since new ownership took over and were recently informed that they would have to accept a reduction in pay.
Ruined apartment buildings in the abandoned town of Maryinka, which was destroyed in the course of Russia's war in Ukraine. Photo: Reuters

China may have not sent a single soldier or bullet to Russia  but it has single-handedly kept Vladimir Putins war machine afloat.

Beijings role in the more than three-year-long invasion was thrust into the limelight when Kyiv revealed that it had captured two Chinese nationals fighting alongside Russian forces. Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraines president, said it was evidence of a third country directly supporting Moscows attack on his country.

A video shared on his social media feeds purported to show a Chinese man, wearing military uniform and with his hands tied, being held in custody. Among the documents found on one of the Chinese fighters was a Russian military contract that tied the 33-year-old, from the eastern province of Henan, to one years service as a private.

Another document revealed how the man had arrived at Moscows Sheremetyevo airport on February 8 on a visa obtained two weeks before. He had been issued with a Russian social security number and tax code.

In the initial furore, Western officials said there was no evidence that this was a state-sponsored deployment by Beijing. Their assessment could be backed up by the fact that purported video evidence showed Chinese men within the Russian ranks sporting Moscow-issued uniforms and cheap tactical gear.

The only regular soldiers known to have officially entered the war have come from North Korea, and their presence has been restricted to Russian territory in the Kursk region.

In response to the accusations, China denied that it had contributed troops towards Russias war in Ukraine, rejecting the claims as groundless.

This still does not take away from the fact that Beijing has played a major role in the conflict. Chinas official position is clear. Xi Jinping, the Chinese president, says his country did not start the Ukraine war and is not a party to or a participant in it.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Russian president Vladimir Putin. Photo: Getty

Wang Yi, Chinas top diplomat, told the Munich Security Conference that China was not directly concerned in the conflict, but was not standing idly by.

In 2023, in an attempt to show its neutrality, Beijing tabled what it said was a 10-point peace plan to end the war. But Kyiv and its Western backers accused China of parroting Russian talking points, including an immediate ceasefire cementing Moscows control over some Ukrainian territory.

At a summit in Washington last summer, Nato allies said China was a decisive enabler. Western officials reached this conclusion because of the sheer scale of trade between China and Russia.

In 2023, China saved a reported $10bn by purchasing crude oil from sanctioned countries, including Iran and Russia, according to an Atlantic Council report. In 2024, some 108.5 million metric tons were imported from Russia, including through pipelines and sea deliveries, equivalent to nearly 2.17 million barrels per day, according to Chinas General Administration of Customs. While much of this is below the usual market value, it is enough to keep much-needed funds to fuel Putins war machine.

When the former US president Joe Biden slapped sanctions on 183 vessels linked to Russias shadow fleet in February, volumes dropped significantly. But instead, Chinese coal imports from Russia rose 10pc between January and February.

Chinese support has, as we know, for quite some time been a very important part of Russias ability to continue producing weapons for use in this war

Lin Jian, from Chinas foreign ministry, said: It is reasonable for Chinese companies to carry out normal economic and trade co-operation with countries around the world, including Russia.

The two countries share what they have described as a no-limits friendship, which was formalised in a recent partnership treaty.

Putin and Xi have met at least four times since the beginning of the war, including a state visit by the Russian president to Beijing that was his first foreign trip after re-election in May last year. The pair celebrated the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the countries in Russias Kazan last October.

China has supplied Moscow with various dual-use technologies, including drones, that are used on the battlefield. China provides nearly 80pc of the dual-use items Russia needs to sustain the war, Tammy Bruce, of the US State Department, said. Continued co-operation between these two nuclear powers will only further contribute to global instability and make the United States and other countries less safe, less secure and less prosperous.

Ruined apartment buildings in the abandoned town of Maryinka, which was destroyed in the course of Russia's war in Ukraine. Photo: Reuters

It is said Donald Trumps efforts to end the war in Ukraine and normalise relations with Russia are about breaking this link.

China is a major supplier of computer numerical control machines, which are key to the production of missiles and other arms manufacturing. It accounts for about 70pc of the precision machine tools sold to Moscow, essentially keeping Russias sanction-stricken defence industry afloat, according to Western officials.

Theres certainly still very much a relationship there that is important for the Russian defence industrial base and the trajectory of that, I would say, has remained pretty consistent, said a senior Nato official.

Chinese support has, as we know, for quite some time been a very important part of Russias ability to continue producing weapons for use in this war. Its also absolutely critical for Russias ultimate reconstitution plans that Putin has for after the war ends.

Philip ShetlerJones, a senior research fellow on IndoPacific security at the Royal United Services Institute, said: As with so many issues, this is seen from Beijing through the lens of Chinas struggle with America.

In time, it may prove China forfeited some of its own legitimacy as a trustworthy global leader for short-term gain, but so far it has not been made to pay any price for its support to Vladimir Putin.

China may plead neutrality  but, in the shadows, it is one of the wars most significant participants.
Donal Fallon: After Molly Malone gets her makeover, lets move her to a more fitting site

Given its history of female street traders, a certain northside location might be a more apt spot for our controversial fishmonger

TDs Tony Gregory and Christy Burke at the protest in O'Connell Street to support the Dublin Street Traders in 1985. Photo: Independent News and Media/Getty

Donal Fallon Thu 10 Apr 2025 at 17:00

There has been plenty of talk about Molly Malone over recent weeks, but little mention of Jeanne Rynhart, the woman behind the fishmongers statue. Significantly, it isnt just one of the few depictions of a woman to be found on a walk through the capital, but its also a rare example of a female sculptors work on our streets.
Mary Kenny: Womb-transplant baby is a source of joy but scientific advances always bring the risk of exploitation

Questions raised about what will happen next in the ever-developing field of fertility

Grace and Angus Davidson with their daughter Amy Isabel. Photo: PA

Mary Kenny Thu 10 Apr 2025 at 03:30

Would you, female reader, donate your womb to your sister so she could have a baby? It would be quite the challenge.
When I was a boy in the 1960s, I thought America was the greatest country in the world: US president John F Kennedy, Muhammad Ali, Neil Armstrong, Geronimo, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Lucille Ball, skyscrapers, fast cars, private detectives.

As I got older, I began to realise that all was not as it seemed: the genocide of indigenous Americans, slavery, political assassinations, the Vietnam War, Watergate  the image of greatness became increasingly tarnished.

I find it hard now to remember back to the time when images of JFK and Pope John XXIII hung next to the picture of the Sacred Heart in kitchens the length and breadth of Ireland.

Seeing the newspaper headlines day after day of late makes it impossible for me to believe America can ever be great again; at best, it was an illusion.

Chris Fitzpatrick, Dublin 6

Oval Office theatre is quite compelling, if you ignore the bluster and falsities

There was a time when the customary Oval Office sit-down with visiting foreign leaders was monotonous and fairly predictable, something akin to a forum in which both the president and their contemporary could reaffirm things everybody already knew. Not so with Donald Trump.

The 45th/47th US president has turned the affair into a kind of carnival  a long and winding show in which he talks about everything, anything and even a bit more.

The latest instalment, which co-starred Benjamin Netanyahu, took place in the White House on Monday.

Mr Trump churned through the different subjects, covering everything from the market turmoil arising from his tariffs to the war in Gaza, Russias bombardment of Ukraine and talks over Irans nuclear programme.

He quoted numbers that dont exist, repeated historical falsities regarding the foundation of the EU and even deferred on one occasion to his defence chief Pete Hegseth, who answered obsequiously to address the situation facing the Houthi rebels in Yemen.

If youre into it, its wildly entertaining stuff, and it might even be funny to some if it werent all so serious.

It must be said, however, that while the Trump administration has clamped down on media freedoms in certain respects, it also allows unprecedented access to the most powerful individual on the planet, and these rambling Oval Office sit-downs play a crucial part.

Mr Trump should be commended for this  but very little else.

Thomas Conway, Ballina, Co Tipperary

Reduce tariffs to zero so that we can strive towards a better, fairer world order

I wholeheartedly agree with your editorial (EU should hold its nerve and shift focus beyond United States, April 8).

In reality, you cant completely ignore the US market, but shifting focus also leads to diversification, and that is positive.

The EU also needs to shift focus away from Trumpian economics of high tariffs to counter trade deficits.

Retaliation with higher tariffs is useless. Its like a punter chasing a losing streak. I believe the EU should, with the stroke of a pen, reduce tariffs on US imports to zero for a significant range of goods.

Ursula von der Leyen said the EU stood ready to negotiate a zero-for- zero tariff pact for industrial goods. So why wait? Just do it and negotiate later.

Tariffs are, as we believe, bad for world trade, so why have any?

Aidan Roddy, Cabinteely, Dublin 18

China is not backing down as Trump tries to bully the worlds smaller nations

I note China has vowed to fight to the end as US president Donald Trump threatens to impose further tariffs on Chinese goods.

I think China has sent very clear signals about its position, with its recent military exercises around Taiwan, which was a most extreme and radical move by the Chinese.

Its fascinating to hear Mr Trump claiming hes a big admirer of Chinese president Xi Jinping. Trump says they both respect and understand each other.

It seems to me that Xi Jinping is not buying into this obsequious and unctuous rhetoric, in that he is not playing around here as he assumes the role of Chinese protector.

We are now seeing Chinas leader standing up to this US bully. I do think China is doing this as a sort of gesture for all the smaller nations. It seems to me the Chinese are not going to back down on this.

I think they have a reading of Trump, in that they can call his bluff. I believe they are convinced they can actually reach some kind of an accommodation with the US president regarding this trade war.

John OBrien, Clonmel, Co Tipperary

Proposal to hit medicines with major tariffs on a whim is deeply shameful

Donald Trump has announced that he, or really the US, will impose a major tariff on pharmaceuticals.

The word major is vague, but it can be suggested that it will be in the 30pc to 50pc range, rather than the general 10pc.

This is shameful. In an ideal world, any necessary medicine would be free, but thats not realistic  so the best that can be hoped for is cheap and readily available. Costs should be minimised, not subjected to extra tariffs at the whim of an individual.

Our savings may be taking a hit, but thats not likely to be life-changing, whereas decreased access to medicine will cost lives.

Dennis Fitzgerald, Melbourne, Australia

AI fears aside, technology can also deliver the news with a welcome warmth

Like Ian ODoherty, (I may hate technology, but AI genuinely scares me  and you should worry too, Irish Independent, April 9), I remember the terror of frozen bank accounts and remote controls that defied reason.

But unlike Ian, Ive decided not to be terrified by artificial intelligence.

Why? Because if AI ever truly learns from humans, it will one day open the fridge, forget what it came for and stand there bewildered until it gives up and goes back to bed.

One of the blessings of technological progress is that I can now read the Irish Independent on my iPad at 3am without having to wait for the local newsagent to open and then drive into town in the cold, clutching a coat over my pyjamas.

So, yes, technology can be maddening  but its not all dystopia. Sometimes its just convenience with a warm mug in hand.

Enda Cullen, Tullysaran Road, Armagh
Paula Ryan is desperate to leave her apartment on Mary Aikenhead Place

A Cork woman says her daughter is being forced to shower at a disability service, as her council flat simply isnt fit for purpose.

Paula Ryan, whose 18-year-old daughter Sophie was diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome at childhood, says she has been without a regular hot water supply for two years, and has to fill her own bath with hot water from a boiling kettle in order to wash herself.

Sophie, meanwhile, gets a shower three times a week at the Cope Foundation, where she attends Monday through Friday, which Paula says is taking a toll on her self-esteem.

Theyre very good in Cope Foundation, Paula tells the Irish Independent from her living room. For the last two weeks her key worker has been allowing her to use the showers above, because Sophies conscious going into school about her own hygiene. She cant get down there on her own, so shes paying over a hundred euro a week on taxis.

Paula says that she has been flagging issues with the apartment in Mary Aikenhead Place in Gurranabraher for over two years with Cork City Council and her local TDs, and despite multiple visits from repairmen to fix the boiler, she says that the work only ever lasts for a fortnight, before the boiler breaks again.

Theres no hot and cold water coming out of this, Paula says, as she gestures to the taps in her bathroom in the apartment, which she moved into a number of years ago to be closer to her mother, who lives upstairs but is now suffering from dementia.

They dont come on at all, and theres only cold water coming out of the shower.

A plumber and another fella came up about three years ago, and told me that its a plumbing issue, and that all of the piping in the bathroom needs to be replaced, and to apply for a walk-in shower, because Sophie has mobility issues.

The Irish Independent went to see Paula on a warm spring evening, the type of weather that would allow for shorts and a t-shirt, however a small electric heater was on to keep the constant threat of cold out of the living room. Ryan says that the apartment doesnt have adequate insulation, and with the heater not working, she and her disabled daughter are resorting to electric heaters, extra blankets, and hot water bottles in a bid to keep themselves warm overnight.

Large patches of mould are growing on the walls of Sophies bedroom, despite Paula paying over 125 euro a week on different heating sources, in an apartment she says desperately needs to be insulated.

Me and Sophie get disability, and with that Id spend about 30 a week on the pre-pay power, plus I put 50 a week into the gas every Wednesday, and then Im paying 50 a week to a coal merchants to light the fire."

Paula moved into the apartment as part of a swap with another tenant.

Paula was looking to downsize, as well as to be close to her mother, who is now in the advanced stages of dementia, and will require full-time care in a Nursing Home shortly.

Two years on, I was after getting built-in cupboards, and I had mould paint put on the ceiling, and last year needed to get a carpenter in at another 400 a week to do more work to the kitchen countertops after the damage from the damp.

I had two guys from the engineering department of the council come to the house just after January of last year, and they said they would be onto the foreman and come back to me. I havent heard from them since. The cold tap in the kitchen doesnt work, and the hot tap only gives out cold water.

Some of the mould growing in Sophie's bedroom

Its an ordeal for Paula, who herself is a recovering alcoholic, and says the conditions are having a substantial effect on both her and her daughter, who suffer from mental health issues. Paula says daughter Sophie is lucky to have survived having been starved of oxygen at childbirth, is developmentally delayed, and that the house is no place for either of them.

Paula has been now told that the necessary works to the house  including introducing hot water, a walk-in shower, and a railing to help Sophie navigate the steep staircase leading from the road down to the ground-floor apartment  wont be started until the coming winter, and on the advice of Sophies Occupational Therapist, Paula has now applied for a transfer.

Local housing activist William OBrien has also petitioned on Ryans behalf, and says that the situation she finds herself in is unacceptable.

"Many parents, like Paula, face declining health due to poor housing and feel overlooked by Cork City Council, which silences their concerns about upgrading their homes, said OBrien

The stress from unsuitable living conditions harms children's mental health. Families and organizations like Cope emphasize the urgent need for better support systems and maintenance processes, particularly for disabled individuals. It's essential to advocate for accountability and compassionno parent should have to boil water for a bath in 2025.

"I have seen Paula doing her best to provide for her daughter's hygiene needs, there's many outstanding repairs around their home to bring it up to standard.

"It's simply cruel on them, and I hope that a more suitable housing solution is provided to improve this family's well being.

I thought I was doing the right thing by moving, but I shouldnt have been down here, Paula said, holding back tears, but I feel like Ive made a mistake, Ive only made things worse. I want a fresh start.

Were paying 50 a week on rent, I just want the basic human rights of hot water, to shower her, and a bit of heat. Im just sick of it.

Im trying to be her voice, because she cant speak up for herself.
The Health and Safety Authority has confirmed that it is investigating a fatal workplace accident that took place in Cork last week.

The incident, which is believed to have taken place last Thursday (April 2), occurred when a man fell from a height.

The man, who is understood to have been in his 50s, sustained head injuries and was rushed to Cork University Hospital, where he later died.

The HSA says it is aware of the incident and iscurrently examining the circumstances.

The authority stated no further information is currently available.
I had to plan my life around pain  Donegal woman diagnosed with Endometriosis forced to leave Ireland for treatment

Jayde Quigley, a 25-year-old from Ballybofey, endured a decade-long struggle with undiagnosed endometriosis before traveling to Romania and Greece for treatment after exhausting all options in Ireland

Jayde Quigley has suffered with Endometriosis for ten years.

Emma Ryan Thu 10 Apr 2025 at 14:39

A Donegal woman who has been suffering with Endometriosis for ten years and was forced to leave Ireland to receive medical treatment has spoken out about living with the disease.
Astronomers' dark energy breakthrough sheds new light on cosmic accelerated expansion

Xinhua) 16:45, April 10, 2025

BEIJING, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Chinese and foreign astronomers have achieved a breakthrough in dark energy research, offering fresh insights into the physical mechanisms behind the accelerated expansion of the universe.

The findings, announced by the National Astronomical Observatories of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (NAOC) on Wednesday, suggest potential new physics beyond the standard cosmological model.

Dark energy remains one of the most profound mysteries in modern physics. Since the discovery of accelerated cosmic expansion in the late 1990s, scientists have attributed this phenomenon to an enigmatic cosmic component called dark energy. Yet its true nature remains a mystery.

Scientists have mapped the cosmic composition through studies on cosmic microwave background radiation, supernova explosions, gravitational waves, and baryon acoustic oscillations. Ordinary matter accounts for only about 5 percent of the universe, while the rest is unknown dark matter (27 percent) and dark energy (68 percent), said Zhao Gongbo, deputy director of the NAOC.

Dark energy is a broad concept that could represent either a tangible energy component or an unknown physical mechanism. "While we cannot yet explain its fundamental essence, we have identified certain properties -- such as pressure and density -- which produce observable effects. These effects allow us to constrain its proportion and behavior," Zhao noted.

The standard cosmological model interprets dark energy as a static vacuum energy. While successfully explaining a large number of cosmological observations for over two decades, recent advancements in observational precision have exposed inconsistencies among different datasets under this framework, challenging its completeness and opening avenues for alternative theories.

Leading this quest is the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI), a global collaboration that maps the universe's 3D large-scale structure by measuring redshifts of tens of millions of celestial objects utilizing a 4-meter optical telescope.

The Galaxy Survey and Cosmology Group at NAOC, led by Zhao, and the Wide-field Survey and Galaxy Physics Group at NAOC, led by Zou Hu, have been involved in the DESI project for over a decade.

In the latest study, Zhao's team, leading the DESI collaboration, has achieved significant breakthroughs in the dynamical properties of dark energy.

By employing a novel methodology independently developed by the researchers, the team conducted an in-depth analysis of the latest cosmological distance measurements from DESI observations, combined with data from supernovae and cosmic microwave background radiation. Their findings revealed that the equation of state for dark energy changes as the universe evolves.

This result confirms the previous conclusion of the DESI collaboration derived through distinct analytical approaches, that dark energy is likely to have dynamic properties. The conclusion implies that dark energy may not be a constant vacuum energy, but rather exhibits more complex evolutionary behavior.

The study not only pioneers new research pathways for unraveling the physical essence of dark energy but also provides pivotal clues for constructing a more comprehensive theoretical framework in cosmology.

This represents a landmark breakthrough for astronomy, Chang Jin, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and president of the University of Science and Technology of China, emphasized the significance of the findings. It signals that dark energy research has entered a new phase, with significant potential for advancements in both observational techniques and theoretical frameworks, he added.

The research team developed novel analysis methods for dark energy in the study. By integrating DESI's latest measurements with supernova and cosmic microwave background radiation data, researchers achieved mutual corroboration across multiple observations, significantly enhancing the reliability of the analysis and conclusions, Zhao said.

Dragan Huterer, professor of physics at the University of Michigan and a member of the DESI collaboration, hailed the research as "an important stepping stone in our understanding of dark energy."

Zhao stated that his research team will continue conducting refined analyses using the complete observational data from DESI. Collaborating with international peers, they aim to perform more comprehensive and rigorous examinations of dark energy's dynamical properties through high-precision measurements and enhanced theoretical models.

The NAOC also pledged to strengthen partnerships with leading global astronomical institutions, actively promote the application of emerging technologies like big data and deep learning in astronomical research, and accelerate the development of next-generation observational platforms and core instruments.

DESI is an international project with more than 900 researchers from over 70 institutions around the world and is managed by the US Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab).

DESI is supported by the DOE Office of Science and by the National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center, a DOE Office of Science national user facility. Additional support for DESI is provided by the U.S. National Science Foundation; the Science and Technology Facilities Council of the United Kingdom; the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation; the Heising-Simons Foundation; the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA); the National Council of Humanities, Sciences, and Technologies of Mexico; the Ministry of Science and Innovation of Spain; and by the DESI member institutions.

The DESI collaboration is honored to be permitted to conduct scientific research on I'oligam Du'ag (Kitt Peak), a mountain with particular significance to the Tohono O'odham Nation.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
The artist behind a pair of vibrant new shelters at a Galway beach has explained how the stunning landscape of the area inspired the murals.

Galway City Council recently installed two shelters at Ballyloughane Beach in Renmore, with spectacular murals painted by local artist, Ro (Ronan J Connor).

The murals painted on the shelters portray the sun setting in Galway Bay in blues and yellows  complimenting views of the Bay and the beach, which is a popular location for swimming, walking, windsurfing and kite surfing.

Ronan said that he had always admired the landscape of the area and explained how it served as the inspiration behind the mural.

He said: Throughout my many travels to college at ATU, I always admired the stunning landscape and sky of Ballyloughane Beach.

Whether it be dramatic, moody hues of greyscale or clear blue skies, there was always a certain beauty that stopped me in my tracks. Many of them bringing the vision of the land beyond with a bright light of sun sharing warmth and positivity.

The new shelters at Ballyloughane Beach Photo:Andrew Downes, xposure

My hope is this panoramic skyscape is a contemporary vision of natural beauty which the public can share.

The shelters will be added to Ballyloughane beachs facilities including toilets, picnic tables, cycle parking, car parking, ramp access to the beach and a popular walking loop at the headland, where the Buaile Bo cows graze over winter. Lifeguards are on duty during the summer months.
CCTV footage of Michael Mike Gaine who is missing from Kenmare since last Thursday, March 20. This is the last captured sighting of the Kerry farmer in Centra in Kenmare.

Kerry farmer Michael (Mike) Gaine who has been missing for three weeks. The community are baffled by his disappearance.

Three weeks ago on March 20, Kerry farmer Mike Gaine, went to his local shop and bought phone credit.

He was captured in the shop on CCTV and that is the last recorded sighting of the 56-year old who it appears vanished into thin air.

He left the shop in his Bronze coloured RAV 4, registration 152KY366. This was found in his farm yard just off the N71 at Carraig East, Kenmare. He was officially reported missing on Friday, March 21.

His disappearance has baffled investigating gardai who are continuing to examine all options. While foul play has been considered there is no direct evidence of any crime. It remains an unusual missing persons case.

Mr Gaine's phone and wallet was found in the jeep in his yard which has added to the mystery around this case.

His sudden disappearance seen as completely out of character

Despite one of the most extensive searches carried out in Kenmare and Kerry there has been no sighting of Mr Gaine or any information as to what happened the popular farmer.

In a media statement today, Thursday, April 10, Gardai said that over the past three weeks they have carried out extensive searches and enquiries coordinated from an incident room at Killarney Garda Station.

"An Garda Siochana has conducted daily searches since the March 22 centred on Michael Gaine's farmyard at Carrig East, Kenmare, Co. Kerry, surrounding lands, water sources and roads, they said in an update on the missing persons case.

An Garda Siochana has been assisted by the Civil Defence (Kerry and Cork), Irish Coast Guard Units (Glenderry and Iveragh), Irish Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 115, Kerry Mountain Rescue, Search and Rescue Dog Team, Kerry Fire Service and 200 civilian volunteers.

Since the April 1, 2025 further assistance has been provided by the Irish Defence Forces, both permanent and reserve members from the 12th Infantry Battalion, Limerick, the 3rd Infantry Battalion, Kilkenny and the 1st Field Engineer Company, Cork.

Defence Forces personnel were deployed to search the wooded and marsh areas, utilising their experience, skills and capabilities in mountainous terrain, rugged landscape, and dense forest and undergrowth.

An Garda Siochana has deployed specialist Garda members to assist in the search including the Garda Water Unit, Divisional Search Teams and members undertaking investigative actions including statement taking and CCTV/ dash-cam collection.

To date An Garda Siochana has undertaken nearly 230 formal jobs/enquiries, taken nearly 100 witness statements and recovered approximately 1,500 hours of CCTV/dash-cam footage, their update stated.

Despite the extensive enquiries carried out so far An Garda Siochana has not discovered what happened to Michael on March 20, they said.

An Garda Siochana continues to keep Michaels family informed and support his family through a Family Liaison Officer.

A further media briefing will be held on Friday, April 11.

Cllr Teddy OSullivan Casey said that as the weeks have moved on there is even deeper concern in the community. He said everyone is thinking of the family and hoping they get closure.

"It is just unbelievable, people are baffled and are wondering what happened. It is very hard on the family as they have no answers. There is deep concern in the community, he said

Several hunting weapons were found in a cave and like all avenues being examined but it appears unlikely they are of any significance.

Friends have appealed for any information to help bring Mike home' and gardai have made several appeals for information all to no avail.

With hopes of finding the 56-year-old fading and with no idea of what could have happened to him, his family and friends are facing an even more unimaginable loss.

Kerry farmer Michael (Mike) Gaine who has been missing for three weeks. The community are baffled by his disappearance.

Today's News in 90 seconds - 10th April 2025

The mood in the town has turned even sombre as the weeks have passed and the disappearance continues to remain a mystery.

As Mike remains missing the family have had to sell some cattle and sheep to ensure they are looked after adding to the heightened emotions faced by them and the community.

Michael is described as being approximately 5 feet 10 inches tall with a stocky build, brown/grey hair and a bushy beard.

When last seen, Michael was wearing an orange woolly hat, black fleece, blue jeans and black boots.

Gardai are seeking anyone with any information whatsoever to come forward and they would like camera footage, including dash-cam or CCTV, or any other images (video or still) from Thursday March 20 and Friday, March 21 in the Kenmare town / Molls Gap (N71/ R568) area to provide that imagery to the Garda investigation team.
Kicking off on Saturday morning, April 12, the truck cavalcade will light up Edenderry at 3am, and other villages along the route, before crossing the finishing line in Kanturk at 8.15am

A cavalcade of trucks decorated with lights will dazzle spectators as they snake their way from Edenderry to Kanturk in Cork in the early hours of Saturday morning.

The Light Up The Night Edenderry to Kanturk Truck Run is being run in aid of four charities supporting mental health.

Kicking off on Saturday morning, April 12, the truck parade will light up Edenderry at 3am, The Heath (4am), Moneygall (5am), Birdhill (6am), Charleville (7am), Mallow (7.45am), before crossing the finishing line in Kanturk at 8.15am. All are welcome to rise early and line the route to see what is sure to be an impressive sight.

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Yet again this year we are going to do our truck run from Edenderry to Kanturk, said a spokesperson. We look forward to seeing everyone again this year and thank you for the continued support. Were gearing up for an unforgettable night in Kanturk, and weve had a few people ask - yes, we are accepting cheque donations.

If you'd like to support this amazing cause but can't make it on the day, cheques can be made payable to Edenderry Light Up Run. Every donation helps us make a brighter impact - thank you for your continued support.

Donations can also be made online at a gofundme.com page called Light Up The Night Edenderry to Kanturk. So far, about 1,400 has been raised for mental health awareness.

The event is in aid of SOSAD Ireland, Crohns and Colitis Ireland, Limerick Treaty Suicide Prevention and Cystic Fibrosis at University Hospital Limerick.
Fairstone Ireland has announced its third strategic partnership of 2025, joining forces with Gilroy Gannon Financial Services (GGFS), a leading financial planning and wealth management firm based in Sligo. This milestone marks Fairstones ninth partnership in Ireland and following on from the recent partnership with BRM Financial Services.

Gilroy Gannon Financial Services has cultivated a strong reputation for excellence over more than two decades, offering tailored financial planning, retirement strategies, and wealth management services. Through this strategic partnership, GGFS will rebrand under the Fairstone name, seamlessly integrating into its client-centric model while maintaining the same trusted team and high-quality, independent financial advice.

Greg McGreal will continue to lead the firm, supported by the entire GGFS team. Notably, this partnership applies exclusively to Gilroy Gannon Financial Services and does not extend to Gilroy Gannon Chartered Accountants (GGCA), which remains an independent entity. GGCA will continue to provide accountancy, audit, taxation, and business advisory services without any changes to client operations.

Paul Merriman, CEO of Fairstone Ireland, remarked: We are thrilled to welcome Greg and the team at Gilroy Gannon Financial Services to Fairstone. This partnership represents another significant step in our growth journey, reinforcing our ambition to be Irelands leading financial planning and wealth management firm. Expanding into Sligo strengthens our ability to support clients across Ireland with top-tier financial solutions.

Building on a highly successful 2024 - during which Fairstone partnered with three financial planning firms - this latest partnership elevates Fairstone Irelands total assets under management (AUM) beyond 1.8 billion, marking another milestone in its expansion.

Commenting on the partnership Greg McGreal, Managing Director of Gilroy Gannon Financial Services commented: Joining forces with Fairstone is an exciting new chapter for our firm. Our core mission has always been to empower clients in achieving their financial goals, and this partnership enables us to enhance our bespoke financial planning offerings through Fairstones vast resources and expertise.

Anthony ODriscoll, Head of Mergers & Acquisitions at Fairstone Ireland: Gilroy Gannon Financial Services perfectly aligns with Fairstones approach to professional, client-focused wealth management. Our partnership model provides financial advisory firms with the backing of a dynamic corporate partner while delivering enhanced benefits for both clients and firms. We look forward to working closely with Greg and the entire GGFS team.
Declan Little, Karen Woods, Ciaran Fallon, Maria Couchman, Hedda Dick, and Brian McGarraghy with their Winners Award for the Native Woodland Conservation Award. Pic: Shane O'Neill, Coalesce.

A Sligo family who enjoy the benefits of living beside a forest have scooped an award.

John Normanly and Maria McDonnell from Ballincurry took home the RDS Silvicultural Excellence Award at the RDS Forestry Awards which celebrate the work of individuals, farm families and organisations who are enhancing the economic, environmental, and social development of Irish agriculture and rural communities.

And, there was a second Sligo winner with Hazelwood in Sligo receiving the Native Woodland Conservation Award.

John Normanly and Maria McDonnell and their daughter, Cho, enjoy living beside their mainly broadleaf forest. We enjoy spending time in the forest environment, be it working or leisure, among the trees our hands planted and tended, and we are now using the thinnings as the sole energy source to heat our home.

John added: We were so very fortunate to win outright , for our own, forest the RDS, Silvicultural Excellence Award 2025 and hope to use this occasion to promote the positive benefits of trees and forestry in our region and indeed in our broader society . We are also reviving the Sligo/Leitrim Forest Owners Group as a support for forest owners.

The Silvicultural Excellence Category recognises excellence in the management of broadleaf, conifer, coppice or mixed forest where timber production is the main management objective.

Hazelwood is Coilltes beautiful rare alluvial woodland where extensive restoration works have been undertaken over the last 5 years with the goals to maintain the native habitat, enhance biodiversity value, control invasive species and monitor the impact of the restoration measures.

The Native Woodland Conservation Award recognises excellence in the conservation and management of native forests and semi-natural woodlands which are regarded as ancient or long-establishes, and managed in a sustainable way that is both beneficial to biodiversity and the local economy.

Declan Little, Karen Woods, Ciaran Fallon, Maria Couchman, Hedda Dick, and Brian McGarraghy with their Winners Award for the Native Woodland Conservation Award. Pic: Shane O'Neill, Coalesce.

Speaking at the awards, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and the Marine, Noel Grealish TD, said: These awards provide recognition to outstanding individuals, farm families and organisations who have excelled in enhancing the economic, environmental, and social development of Irish agriculture and their rural communities.

The awards commend farmers dedicated to sustainable breeding programmes and their commitment ensures that future generations of livestock are healthier, more productive, and increasingly carbon efficient. I want to congratulate all category winners, and I am delighted to be present to celebrate and highlight the most productive and efficient farmers and livestock in the country.

The RDS thanked sponsors and partners for their support and dedication to the Awards; the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Teagasc, Woodlands of Ireland, The Heritage Council and the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

The RDS Finding Common Ground festival is a key initiative driven by the RDSs enduring mission to inspire, enable and empower positive change in Irish society. Recognising the urgent need to address the intertwined challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss, this two-day festival strategically leverages the RDSs broad reach and meaningful connections across its key programme areas  arts, agriculture, enterprise, equestrianism, and science  to foster a vital cross-sectoral dialogue.

The Finding Common Ground festival is specifically designed to explore how Ireland can sustainably harness the benefits of its natural resources and the circular bioeconomy, with the overarching ambition of leaving the world in a better state than we found it.
Planning permission has been refused for 25 homes in Ardmore, Co Waterford, in an area known The Heritage, Dysert

Planning permission has been refused for 25 homes in Ardmore, County Waterford, after concerns were expressed by local residents.

Hollycourt Developments Ltd applied to Waterford City and County Council on April 17, 2024, for permission to build a residential development at The Heritage, Dysert (Townland), Ardmore, Co Waterford.

The plans consisted of the construction of 25 residences comprised of three two-bedroom houses, 16 three-bedroom houses and six four-bedroom houses.

Provision was made for all ancillary site development works including access, roads, footpaths, car parking, drainage and services connections, landscaping, and public and private open spaces.

The proposed development would have connected into and be accessed via the existing Heritage estate roadway. Proposed improvements to the roadway included a raised table, two new pedestrian crossings and an extension of the roadway which included a turning area.

The plans attracted submissions from nearby residents. Solicitor Gary Kingston, acting on behalf of The Heritage Residents Association, said the group had grave concerns in relation to the roads and services currently serving The Heritage development, which presumably will also serve the new development.

At present, there are 26 houses within The Heritage development, but should planning permission be granted to Hollycourt Developments Ltd, this will effectively double the number of houses from 26 to 51.

The residents believe that the roads and services presently in situ will in no way be able to cater for such an increased demand and pointed out that, the current roads and services are unable to cater for the existing development of 26 houses.

The residents pointed out that less than 50pc of the public lights are currently working within the development, and that a reserve water pump is no longer functioning, and only one pump is presently in situ to serve all 26 houses.

In recent times, the houses have been left without any water supply as a result of ongoing difficulties with the pump and there is a constant leak of water from the pumphouse. As a result, the residents are absolutely satisfied that the existing water pumping arrangement will in no way be able to service any additional houses.

Concerns were also expressed over roadways within the development, which have not been finished and the road surface is failing. The foundations for the roadway are also failing and the roadway is collapsing in some areas.

The residents expressed concerns that the roads, as they presently stand, will in no way be sufficient to serve the intended development and there were concerns that construction vehicles which will have to enter the development site over the existing roadway, will cause further untold damage to the roads.

Mr Kingston maintained that the initial permission for 26 houses was granted subject to various conditions, some of which have still not been complied with, in excess of 20 years later.

It was a matter for the council to ensure compliance with the conditions it imposed. The County Council have not done so and therefore, our clients believe that it would be wholly inappropriate for the County Council to grant permission for a further development of the site while existing conditions have not been fully complied with, added Mr Kingston.

Permission was refused for the project on Wednesday, April 2.
Active Tribe, an activity fitness and wellness facility in Courtown has won the sustainability category at the National Small Business Awards.

The awards celebrate the achievements of small businesses in Ireland and recognise the important and vital contributions of this sector to the Irish economy.

Active Tribe was one of 44 finalists and five emerging new businesses selected from hundreds of applications received for the 2025 programme.

Sligos VOYA was named as the overall winner. VOYA products can be found in over 42 countries, in some of the most luxurious spas, hotels and retail outlets in the world.

While presenting the awards, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism, and Employment, Peter Burke said: These companies represent the pinnacle of small business excellence in Ireland. Our overall winner, along with all finalist and category winners, deserve recognition for their outstanding innovation, creativity, and invaluable contribution to the Irish economy.

SFA Director, David Broderick added: I am delighted that we are continuing to grow a programme that positions the small business brand as the backbone of the Irish economy. Congratulations to all the finalists each of whom represent the very best in small business and all are winners. Small businesses are present in every village, town and city and contribute enormously to economic activity and community engagement.

The awards prize package for all finalists is valued at 50,000 each and included a strategic management masterclass; participation in the SFA Business Connect event in February last, media exposure in a special supplement published with the Irish Independent. The category winners were also presented with a trophy and free membership of the Small Firms Association for one year.

The Sustainability Awards is sponsored by Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI).
Brave Waterford dad rescues man from River Barrow in New Ross

The Minister for Mental Health, Mary Butler TD, is being called upon to make changes to how people are assessed when they present at Accident and Emergency Departments while suffering from mental health illnesses.

Charlie Costello with his son, CJay.

Jessica O'Connor New Ross Standard Thu 10 Apr 2025 at 06:00

A father of one bravely jumped into the River Barrow in New Ross on Tuesday, April 1, to help rescue a man.
A film and television industry event in Wexfords National Opera House will open doors and break down barriers for those hoping to break into the world of entertainment. Hosted by Women in Film & Television Ireland (WFT Ireland), in partnership with Bodecii Film and Screen Wexford, Lights, Camera, Access: From Script to Screen takes place on April 25, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Encouraging writers, directors, producers or emerging creatives to attend, Screen Wexford said this free event is designed to bring the industry to you, regardless of where youre based or your level of experience.

The day begins with the Wexford Screen Writers Academy offering a masterclass on demystifying funding applications.

"This session will help make the industry more transparent and accessible, providing practical guidance for getting your projects funded and off the ground, according to Screen Wexford..

This will be followed by a case study on the BBC NI and Virgin Media series Dead & Buried, featuring screenwriter and novelist Colin Bateman (Divorcing Jack, Murphys Law), executive producer Ben Grath, and BBC NIs Eddie Doyle. Hosted by director Laura Way, the panel will provide an inside look at how a TV drama gets commissioned and made.

In the afternoon, the spotlight turns to the production process of From Beyond the Pale 3, WFT Irelands third instalment of a series championing regional filmmaking. The session opens with a case study on FEED, a film shot in Gorey, Co Wexford last year by local screenwriter Marco van Belle.

Following this, producer Fiona Kinsella will present a panel discussion with the team behind Producing from Beyond the Pale 3l, with guest speakers from TG4, Screen Ireland, the WRAP Fund, Screen Wexford, and others. The panel will explore how regional film offices, local funding bodies, and industry supports are shaping a more inclusive and decentralised Irish screen landscape  and what more can be done.

The day wraps up with a networking reception, where filmmakers, writers, producers, and industry experts can meet, collaborate, and share ideas in a relaxed setting.

More than just a networking day, Lights, Camera, Access is a practical, inspiring, and empowering event for anyone dreaming of a career in film and television, said Screen Wexford.

Tickets available from the National Opera House and WFT Ireland. For the live stream, please visit screenwexford.com
Wicklow County Council is pushing ahead with the controversial development of the N11/M11 Bus Priority Interim Scheme (N11/M11 BPIS), despite huge local opposition to the plans which would see the closure of a vital Bray exit.

More than 100 protestors rallied outside County Buildings in Wicklow town on Monday to voice their opposition to the plan to close the Herbert Road junction from the N11 into Bray, which is the preferred option to facilitate a new bus corridor from Dublin City Centre.

The protestors gathered ahead of the meeting of Wicklow councillors, many of whom joined the protest and spoke in the chamber that afternoon in support of the residents.

Despite the calls for the scheme to be paused for a review, WCC announced it is progressing with its development, which is in partnership with Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), the National Transport Authority (NTA) and the Department of Transport.

The council said it is committed to ensuring that the closure of each direct access point is considered carefully and the implementation of any major road improvement features will improve journey times for the residents of east Wicklow.

Regarding the contentious Bray exit, WCC said it will only accept the closure of Herbert Road based only on this closure being coupled with and facilitated by the major upgrade of Junction 7 Bray South (Hills Garage to Kilcroney Lane), and added that currently, Junction 7 Bray south experiences severe congestion, and it is acknowledged that currently Herbert Road provides an alternative route that bypasses this current congestion.

A temporary closure of the Herbert Road junction, in 2023, which caused traffic chaos locally, was alluded to and the council said it is something that it aims to avoid.

"That situation has very much informed the preferred option that now includes a major upgrade at Hills Garage/Junction 7 to a fully grade separated junction including new slip roads and underpass, it said.

"These upgrades will relieve queuing and congestion on the N11, Killarney Road and Southern Cross Road and while accommodating rerouted traffic from Herbert Road.

Overall the preferred option will alleviate congestion of the N11 and greatly improve accessibility to the N11 at Bray South. This will benefit the journey times for road users that rely on the N11 for daily commuting, whether that be by car or bus, without unduly impacting upon locals in the Herbert Road area.

The scheme is nearing the conclusion of Phase 2 (Options Selection) with the publication of the Option Selection Report, updated on Thursday, April 10, available on n11m11bpis.ie

The Phase 2 preferred option will be used at Phase 3 (Design and Environmental Evaluation) as the basis on which the project design will be developed.

Wicklow County Council anticipates that following the publication of the Phase 2 Options Selection Report that the Phase 3 Design and Environmental Evaluation will be progressed during 2025/26, with the statutory approval phase following thereafter.
President Donald Trumps suspension of higher tariffs will come as a relief to many businesses in Ireland, none more so than the whiskey industry, with Irish distillers at one point last week facing the threat of a whopping 200pc tariff if the EU didnt repeal a tax on US bourbon.
Wicklow man and former soldier Martin Corbett with his dog Pepsi. Photo: Joe Byrne

Wicklow man Martin Corbett didnt plan on being an inspiration, and life gave him more than enough reasons not to be. A former soldier, a double amputee, and a dialysis patient, he knows what it means to lose, but also what it means to live.

When Martins black labrador Pepsi, trained by Dogs for the Disabled, came into his life, the Defence Forces veteran found a new helper and companion who would always be there for him, through thick and thin.

Shes the best dog, and does everything for me, Martin said.

She picks things up, takes the clothes out of the washing machine, and shes always there when I get home from hospital. Pepsi is my heart.

Intent on giving back to the organisation that changed his life, Martin is hosting a fundraising music night in aid of the Cork-based charity, which pairs dogs with people living with physical challenges.

Taking place in OKeeffes Pub in Knockananna, on Sunday, April 20 at 8pm, the free event will have a donation bucket and a raffle, with the promise of traditional Irish music  some of which will be played by Martin on his beloved button accordion.

Ill be playing myself, and therell be a few songs, a bit of craic, and a lot of dancing, I hope, Martin joked.

Its all about the joy.

Wicklow man and former soldier Martin Corbett with his dog Pepsi. Photo: Joe Byrne

Today's News in 90 seconds - 10th April 2025

That joy hasnt come easy to Martin, who has lived a life of service and setbacks. He spent 28 years in the Irish Defence Forces, including deployments with the United Nations in the Middle East, driving armoured personnel carriers and keeping a steady hand under pressure.

After leaving the military because of medical issues, his health declined further. He then lost his sister, his closest support, and was placed in a nursing home while still in his 40s, a decision Martin said was the wrong move for me. I was too young. I felt like Id lost everything.

He managed to return home and live independently, but in 2017, a vascular condition led to the amputation of both lower legs, leaving Martin in utter shock.

My toes went black, and the doctors told me theyd have to go, he recalled.

After that, I was back in my house, stuck. Carers coming and going. I felt like a prisoner in my own home.

Martin had always been resourceful and, after watching a documentary on prosthetics, he got a referral, passed his assessments, trained at the National Rehabilitation Centre in Dun Laoghaire, and was fitted with prosthetic legs  giving him a second chance at mobility that changed everything.

It was during a music session at OKeeffes pub in Knockananna, the same pub hosting his fundraiser, that Martin met a woman named Colette and her dog Paddy, a black Labrador from Dogs for the Disabled, and Martin was immediately smitten.

I fell in love with that dog straight away and I thought, I want a dog just like that, Martin said.

Despite the three-year waiting list, Martin applied anyway. While waiting, his health took another hit, this time kidney failure, and he was placed on dialysis three days a week.

Its draining, like a prison sentence, Martin explained.

But I try not to let it stop me. I still go to music sessions. I still live.

In a rare stroke of luck, the waiting list moved faster than expected and Martin was called in for an interview and met Pepsi, Paddys sister.

I didnt even know they were related, and that was a lovely surprise, Martin reflected.

Shes been with me since March 2024, and shes changed everything.

Martin now lives independently in Tinahely. He drives his own car, with hand controls and a lift for his wheelchair. He brings Pepsi everywhere, and she is far more than a helper. Shes his companion.

Shes so loyal, so kind. I live alone, but Im never alone, Martin commented.

Wicklow man and former soldier Martin Corbett with his dog Pepsi. Photo: Joe Byrne

In between dialysis appointments in Tallaght Hospital, Martin fills his days with music, painting, and writing his memoir.

I paint a bit  not great, but I enjoy it, Martin joked.

I put them up around the house. And Im writing a story of my life. Ive seen a lot. I want to share it.

He hopes to inspire others, especially those facing health challenges, loss, or loneliness.

When people have difficulties, you have to try to focus on the things that make you happy, he continued.

Get out. Meet people. Do what you love. You have to focus on the happy things.

Martin is currently fighting one more battle and chasing one more dream as he awaits his kidney transplant. Although he has his hospital interview this month, the wait could be a year or two, but hes hopeful.

I got lucky before  maybe Ill get lucky again, he said.

Until then, he has Pepsi, his music, his friends and his focus is on the good things in life.

If youre near Knockananna on Sunday, April 20, drop into OKeeffes. There are no tickets, and no pressure  just a few songs, a few laughs, and a man whos earned every single one of them.
Members of the Kiltegan Community Network and the local community gathered recently to present Baltinglass Hospital with a cheque for 4,000 raised at their festive tractor run fundraiser.

A highlight of the social calendar in west Wicklow, last years tractor run saw the community pull together in stormy conditions to keep the tradition going, with over 200 tractors, lorries, trucks, cars and bikes decorated in all manner of flashing Christmas lights and ornaments enchanting the huge crowd that gathered for the procession of vehicles.

Kiltegan Christmas Tractor Run organisers and Baltinglass Hospital residents and staff, including Seamus Nolan, Valerie Byrne, Miriam Slater, Frank Bermingham, Philip Hanbidge, Emma Redmond, Angela Rafferty, Mairead Jackson, Pearer Daly, Joan Jackson, Linda Cliff, George Cliff, Gerry Boland, Killian O' Keeffe, Sheila Cullen and Gus Kinsella. Photo: Joe Byrne

Funds raised at what was the fourth annual run were divided between the Baltinglass Hospital Patient Comfort Fund and the Kiltegan Community Centre Fund.

Praising all the volunteers and local businesses that contributed to the hugely successful fundraiser, joint-chair of the Kiltegan Community Network (KCN) Damien Byrne said: We were delighted to be able to donate 4,000 to Baltinglass Hospital, thanks to a huge community effort at the tractor run.

Its a fair amount of money, especially under the serious circumstances. There was a storm the same weekend, and there was no power in the village. With the help of the community, we got generators and were able to light up the hall and host the run.

We had a huge amount of vehicles involved, decorated with lights and different aspects of Christmas, between Christmas trees, lights, reindeer and Santa.

The run was only made possible by the great support and sponsorship we received from local businesses, volunteers and gardai.

A huge thanks to everyone who contributed to the day and helped raise funds that will be put to very good use in the community.
Meet the best chef in Wicklow  Sophie Woodroofe

Sophie Woodroofe has come up through the cheffing ranks to become a star in the kitchen, as she tells reporter David Medcalf

Sophie Woodroofe at Roundwood Stores. Photo: Leigh Anderson

David Medcalf Wicklow People Thu 10 Apr 2025 at 08:00

So, Sophie Woodroofe, you have just been named Wicklows best chef under the Irish Restaurants Awards scheme. At the mention of the honour, the aforementioned Sophie Woodroofe breaks into a smile. It seems that she is a modest person who is not taking the accolade too seriously.
Need to know how to wear this seasons popping pastels? Sarah Caden asks an expert

I know pastel colours are having a make-up moment, but how do I make them work without making myself washed out?

This years spring/summer make-up collections are full of pastels, from fresh pale mints to dreamy lilacs, fizzing peaches and pale, pretty pinks. Lovely as they are to look at on catwalks and cosmetic models, a lot of us will struggle to see how they fit into our real lives and onto our real faces.

Pastel make-up conjures images of 1960s Twiggy make-up, in chalky shades and matte textures that are unforgiving of age or imperfection. So is it possible to update our look with a pop of pretty pastels, or is any attempt going to look like a garish grab at girlishness?

I think whats different about this pastel trend now is that its colourful and wonderful, and its what I would call pastel warm, rather than pastel cold, says Mary Greenwell, the make-up artist who has worked with the likes of Christy Turlington, Cindy Crawford, Princess Diana and Jennifer Lawrence, and has collaborated with Chanel for 20 years.

But its also that formulations have improved so much and are very wearable. They go on very easily, so you dont have to be scared of these colours. Just remember to build the colour, rather than going on directly with lots of it. Rather than putting a lot on a brush, I use my fingers for everything and that allows you to start with a little and then build it up to the effect you want.

Where is a good place to start with pastels, if they seem a bit daunting?

Greenwell says that a pastel-coloured eye liner in a vivid green or a purple can be a great entry to this kind of trend. Its not an add-on to your regular look, she advises, but a standalone shade. So dont line first with black or brown when using liner, and if your pastel pop is an eye shadow, do not apply it beside or over your usual eye shades.

Use these as your normal make-up because anything underneath, like your usual beige or browns, will kill the wonderful magic of the pastel.

How do I choose a pastel eye shadow so it doesnt look like I have an eye infection?

Blue is a fantastic colour to wear, but never wear blue eyeshadow if you have blue eyes, or youre going to kill that natural colour, says Greenwell. Im loving the more purple shades that will enhance green, blue, hazel and brown eyes.

A purple will also stand out beautifully because its not a natural eye colour and so will create an arresting effect. So can any of us work the blues, pinks and peaches around the eyes?

If you have dark eyes, you can wear them Greenwell says, But on anyone with light-coloured eyes, like me, they will look ridiculous.

What about pastel lip colours, whats the best way to wear them?

Use a lip liner, says Greenwell. I think the trend of having a slightly brown lip liner with something soft is a really pretty look. Do a nice outline and dont bring it too much into the centre of the lips or it will affect the colour of the pastel. Having the lip liner showing doesnt bother me.

There is an age limit on pale lips, Greenwell concedes, as colour fades and lips can also become thinner. You want your mouth to pop rather than be pale, she says.

Is there an age limit overall when it comes to making pastels work?

Greenwell says no, that any age can carry off the pastel trend, its just a matter of how and where we choose to wear it. So if applying these pops of prettiness to eyes and lips seems too much of a stretch, the answer is, oddly enough, to apply a wash of it all over.

The purples and mauves, the peaches and pinks, they are so beautifully warm, Greenwell says. You can use these on the cheeks, as a highlighter or a very soft blush. These colours are beautiful on the cheekbones and then blended up into the side of the eyes. They are really pretty, but dont leave your forehead looking all pale. Use something like a pink-gold up across the forehead and up into the hairline so it balances and blends together and your face works as a whole.

No matter where you put your pastels, however, Greenwell insists you must not forget your mascara, to ground the look and define the eyes.

For me, mascara is the best product ever invented and this trend works really well with loads of mascara.

Chanel Jeux de Lumieres Multi-Use Eyeshadow and Highlighter Palette, 85, Chanel counters

Chanel Jeux de Lumieres Multi-Use Eyeshadow and Highlighter Palette, 85, Chanel counters

The star product of Chanels spring/summer collection, this four-pan palette is one you can use anywhere  eyes, cheeks and even on shoulders, collarbones and decollete for a light-catching hint of almost unexpected colour. Ideal one-stop on-trend make-up for summer suitcases.

14 Day Mani Hema-Free Nail Polish in Butter, 11, 14daymanicure.com

14 Day Mani Hema-Free Nail Polish in Butter, 11, 14daymanicure.com

If you wont put pastels anywhere near your face, nails are the easy way to tap into this trend. From an Irish-owned brand with everything youll need for an at-home gel manicure, this pale buttercup shade is part of their Gentle Gels selection for the sensitive nails.

Mac Colour Excess Gel Pencil Eye Liner in Commitment Issues, 24, Brown Thomas

Mac Colour Excess Gel Pencil Eye Liner in Commitment Issues, 24, Brown Thomas

The rich colour is courtesy of what Mac calls Tattooline Tech, which means it goes on true and lasts and lasts. There is excellent glide to this gel pencil, with no drag on eyelids, which is crucial with an eye-popping lavender like this.
Prince Harry at court for his appeal against the rejection of his legal challenge to the UK governments decision to take away his police protection in Britain. Photo: Reuters

He is challenging the dismissal of his High Court claim against Britains Home Office over the decision of the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) that he should receive a different degree of protection when in the UK.
Ksenia Karelina has been released in a prisoner swap between the US and Russia (AP)

Moscow freed a Russian-American woman convicted of treason in exchange for a Russian-German man jailed on smuggling charges in the US, a prisoner swap that was completed on Thursday as the two countries met to repair ties.
LATEST | Death toll nears 200 in Dominican Republic nightclub tragedy

Roof collapse at nightclub in Santo Domingo kills 184Emergency operations will shift from rescue to body recoveryFamilies of the deceased begin their funeral services

Rescue workers search for survivors at the Jet Set nightclub after its roof collapsed during a merengue concert in Santo Domingo. Photo: AP

Paul Mathiasen Thu 10 Apr 2025 at 07:45







A devastating roof collapse at a popular nightclub in the capital of the Dominican Republic has claimed at least 184 lives, authorities said late on Wednesday, as the search for survivors turned increasingly grim.
Lebanese leader Joseph Aoun plans talks over groups arsenal, sources says

As calls for Lebanons Hezbollah to disarm gain momentum, a senior official said the group is ready to hold talks with the Lebanese president about its weapons if Israel withdraws from south Lebanon and stops its strikes.
The bombs still havent killed Rehab Akhras and her family. But if the checkpoints that Israel has sealed off since the start of March are not opened soon, she says hunger surely will.

Six weeks since Israel completely cut off all supplies to the 2.3 million residents of the Gaza Strip, food stockpiled during a ceasefire at the start of the year has all but run out. Emergency meal distributions are ending, bakeries are closed, markets are empty.
In a major foreign policy shift, French president Emmanuel Macron said Paris could recognise a Palestinian state as early as June, at a UN conference in New York. If this took place France would become the first permanent member of the UN Security Council to do so, potentially creating a rift with Israel ally Donald Trump.
How scary market freak out forced Donald Trump to cave in on tariffs

Trump limits tariffs on most nations for 90 days but raises them for China

Heather Long Washington Post Thu 10 Apr 2025 at 09:42

President Donald Trump is driving the US economy into a recession. The early signs are already apparent with autoworker layoffs in Indiana and Michigan, a stock market sell-off in recent days and Americans pulling back on spending. But as Trumps tariffs took effect in the wee hours of Wednesday morning, something even more alarming occurred: panic in the bond markets.
Livermore, CA (94550)

Today

A few passing clouds. Low 51F. WSW winds at 15 to 25 mph, decreasing to 5 to 10 mph. Higher wind gusts possible..

Tonight

A few passing clouds. Low 51F. WSW winds at 15 to 25 mph, decreasing to 5 to 10 mph. Higher wind gusts possible.
India Gains Temporary Relief as Trump Suspends Reciprocal Tariffs for 90 Days

US President Donald Trump has announced a temporary halt in the implementation of reciprocal tariffs for most of Americas global trading partners, introducing a 90-day suspension that applies to all countries except China.

In a statement issued on April 9, 2025, Trump confirmed that over 75 countries, including India, had reached out to US officials to initiate diplomatic discussions aimed at resolving the tariff dispute. He stated that he had authorized a limited pause on the imposition of reciprocal tariffs. This decision offers temporary relief to Indian exporters, who had been bracing for a 26 percent duty on goods entering the US market.

Nevertheless, it is important to note that the baseline tariff of 10 percent, which came into force on April 5, remains in effect and continues to apply to all countries, including India.

Base tariff to remain in place

While the 26 percent duty rate on Indian goods has been put on hold for 90 days, several tariffs announced by the US administration will continue to apply:

A general 10 percent tariff on all imported goods, which has been effective since April 5, 2025.

Sector-specific 25 percent tariffs targeting steel, aluminum, and automobile imports have been in force since April 2.

Canada and Mexico remain subject to a 25 percent tariff on any products not covered under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which was established during Trumps first term.

Rethinking a comprehensive FTA with the US

According to the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), India should proceed cautiously when considering a comprehensive free trade agreement (FTA) with the US. The think tank warns that such a deal could compromise Indias policy autonomy and adversely affect sensitive sectors like agriculture, automobiles, and pharmaceuticals.

GTRI founder Ajay Srivastava has recommended India pursue a zero-for-zero tariff agreement limited to 90 percent of industrial goods while excluding sensitive categories like agriculture and automobiles. He added that India should prioritize ongoing FTA talks with the European Union (EU), the UK, and Canada and explore value chain partnerships with countries like China, particularly in chemicals, machinery, and electronics.

Indian exporters rush against the US tariff deadline

Prior to the announcement of a halt on reciprocal tariffs on India, several reports indicated heightened activity among exporters attempting to preempt the financial impact of the new tariff regime. Many Indian traders had accelerated shipments to the US in a bid to avoid the increased duties before enforcement deadlines took hold.

According to a Business Standard report published on April 9, 2025, Indian exporters dealing in high-value goodsparticularly smartphones, engineering products, and automobile componentsrushed to expedite shipments in hopes of clearing customs before the higher duty rates were enforced.

The last-minute surge in trade activity reportedly led to a notable uptick in cargo movement at Indias busiest ports and airports. As per industry watchers, Indias outbound cargo volumes rose sharplyby as much as 18 to 22 percent over the past weekas exporters raced against time.

The urgency was further driven by a specific clause in the original US executive order on the reciprocal tariff released on April 2, 2025. It stipulates that those goods loaded onto vessels or already in transit before 12:01 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time on April 9, 2025 (equivalent to 9:30 a.m. IST), and subsequently cleared for consumption in the US, would not be subject to the newly imposed tariffs. This loophole prompted a wave of early shipments, with some exporters even altering logistics strategies to fast-track consignments before the cutoff.

READ: US Hikes Tariff on Indian Imports to 26%: All You Need to Know

Central governments response and strategy

Indias central government is reportedly closely monitoring the situation. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry stated on April 3, 2025, that it is assessing the potential effects of the measures introduced by the US administration. Additionally, the commerce department, under the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has initiated discussions with Indian exporters and industry stakeholders to understand how the newly imposed tariffs might impact trade. Reports state that officials have underscored the importance of a measured response, emphasizing alignment with the broader vision of keeping the Indian economy resilient and stable amid the tumultuous global trade scenario.

India has, so far, not announced any retaliatory action against the US but has stated that it is examining both the short-term effects and potential long-term opportunities that may emerge.

Key takeaway

As the reciprocal tariffs come to a halt for 90 days, both countries find themselves at a critical juncture. The pause opens the door to renegotiation and dialogue. For Indian exporters, however, the immediate priority remains adapting to the new duty rates swiftly and minimizing the impact of the new US tariff barrier.
A manhunt that shaped a generation. A mission that shook the world. And now, a story finally told.

American Manhunt: Osama bin Laden OTT Release Date - After being delayed for weeks without any official explanation, Netflix is finally set to drop its most intense documentary yet, American Manhunt: Osama bin Laden, on May 14. The much-anticipated three-part series dives deep into the worlds most secretive and high-stakes military operation, the hunt for the man behind 9/11.

The wait is over, and the silence was deliberate

Originally expected to release back on March 10, the documentary vanished off Netflixs schedule without a trace. But now we know why. This isnt just a rush job about an old news story. The makers took time, not to just tell us what happened, but to really show us how it happened, and what it cost. However, their official word hinted that the delay was due to scheduling conflicts.

What is American Manhunt really about?

You might think you already know the story: 9/11, years of intelligence work, and the final raid in Abbottabad, Pakistan. But this series is more about the people in the background - CIA operatives, analysts, military officers, and even politicians - who carried the burden of finding one man for ten long years. And when they did find him the world changed again.

American Manhunt stands apart because it brings out the voices that were never in front of cameras. Youll hear from intelligence officials who lived with the pressure daily. People who were haunted by doubts. Who had to ask themselves every night: Are we doing the right thing? Are we even close?

There are no narrators here. No dramatized recreations. Just real people, telling real stories, with real footage from one of the most watched, most secretive military missions in history. This ones directed by Mor Loushy and Daniel Sivan.

For more news and updates from the world of OTT, as well as celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.
Predator: Killer of Killers OTT Release Date - The Predator franchise is going in a whole new direction this time, animated and set across different periods. Titled Predator: Killer of Killers, this exciting new movie is all set to stream on June 6, 2025. You can catch it on Hulu if you're in the U.S., and on Disney+ (JioHotstar in India) if you're watching from outside the U.S.

What is Predator: Killer of Killers all about?

Unlike previous Predator movies, this one isnt a single story but an anthology, which means its made up of three short stories. Each one is set in a different time and place, and each features the Predator facing off against warriors from that era. Basically, the film explores what happens when the Predator goes head-to-head with some of the fiercest fighters in human history.

Here are the three stories:

Viking Age: A fierce Viking warrior and her son are out for revenge, but they cross paths with the Predator. Feudal Japan: A ninja and his samurai brother are in the middle of a power struggle until the Predator crashes their fight. World War II: A pilot in the middle of war stumbles across something far worse than enemy planes - yes, the Predator.

Team behind Predator: Killer of Killers

Predator: Killer of Killers is directed by Dan Trachtenberg, the same filmmaker who gave us the well-received Prey in 2022. Hes working alongside Josh Wassung to bring this animated version to life. The animation is handled by The Third Floor. The writing is done by Micho Robert Rutare, based on a story he crafted with Trachtenberg.

Why is it animated?

Good question. According to Trachtenberg, animation gave them more creative freedom to tell these larger-than-life stories. Hes also said that the action in this film is very graphic and intense, which works well in animated form. So yes, while it's a cartoon in style, its very much not for kids. The voice cast of Predator: Killer of Killers includes Lindsay LaVanchy, Louis Ozawa Changchien, Rick Gonzalez and Michael Biehn (yes, from Aliens and The Terminator)

Predator: Killer of Killers is just the beginning of the franchises expansion. Later in the year, a live-action movie titled Predator: Badlands starring Elle Fanning will be released in November 2025. So if youre a fan of the Predator universe, theres a lot to look forward to.

For more news and updates from the world of OTT, as well as celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.
Gigi Hadid just dropped peak mum content, and honestly, were obsessed. During her recent appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,

The model, 29, opened up about a heartwarming and hilarious evening out with her daughter at Medieval Times in New Jersey  and revealed a surprisingly down-to-earth highlight from the action-packed night.

Speaking to Fallon, Hadid said that Khai was all in for the medieval adventure. Khai got very into it, she laughed, explaining that they even prepped in advance. The night before, I'm like, Khai, these things are really cool. I think we have to dress up lets go on YouTube and see what Medieval Times is.

Gigi Hadid with her daughter Khai. (Credit: Instagram)

It was all about the chicken

The show might have been packed with jousting knights and clashing swords, but Khai had one very unexpected favourite: the chicken. Yes, really. You can make kids a hundred different things in a week, and we get there and why is her favourite chicken the one at Medieval Times? Gigi laughed. She ate so much chicken!

Hadid admitted she wasnt sure how her daughter would react to the loud, theatrical vibe of the venue  but Khai was totally unfazed. She fully embraced it, Gigi said, clearly proud of her fearless little one.

While Khai leaned into her princess look, Hadid opted for practicality. I didnt go over the top, she said, referring to herself as the princess keeper of hand sanitiser, wipes, and crayons.



Gigi and Zayns co-parenting journey

Gigi Hadid also spoke out about what co-parenting is really like with her former partner, Zayn Malik. In an interview with Vogue UK, she shared how they figured things out after ending their relationship while co-parenting their daughter, Khai.

Gigi Hadid, Zayn Malik with their daughter Khai. (Credit: Instagram)

Hadid shares her daughter Khai with Malik. The couple split in 2021, but there seems to be no drama around co-parenting, Hadid shared to Vogue Weve arrived at a place of love and camaraderie The main focus is raising Khai with mutual respect.

Whats next for Gigi Hadid?

When shes not running her wholesome mum life, Gigi is still on her fashion hustle  managing her knitwear brand, Guest in Residence, shutting down red carpets, and she recently filmed the latest season of Next in Fashion.

Regardless of her busy schedule, though, its clear that chicken dinners and medieval role playing with Khai are the visible highlights in her life at this point in time.
Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a Pakistani-origin Canadian national accused of being involved in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, has been brought back to India. He landed in Delhi after 2 pm today via a special flight. This development has come after the US Supreme Courts recent dismissal of his emergency application seeking a stay on extradition. A team of officials from Indias National Investigation Agency (NIA) had travelled to the US earlier this week to escort him. Ranas return to Indian soil is being seen as significant milestone in the long and complex legal process that began more than a decade ago.

Who is Tahawwur Rana and what is his alleged role in 26/11?

Tahawwur Hussain Rana is a Pakistani-born Canadian businessman and a known associate of David Coleman Headley, a key conspirator in the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Headley, a US citizen and operative of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), conducted extensive reconnaissance missions in Mumbai to facilitate the deadly assault that claimed 166 lives and lasted for nearly 60 hours.

26/11 attack in Mumbai | Credit: X

The attack involved 10 heavily armed Pakistani terrorists targeting multiple locations including the CST railway station, the Taj and Oberoi hotels, and the Chabad House, a Jewish centre. Rana was accused of helping Headley in planning and coordinating these attacks. Although a US jury acquitted Rana in 2011 on charges directly related to the 26/11 attacks due to lack of evidence, Indian authorities continued to pursue his extradition based on supplementary findings.

In December 2011, the NIA named Rana as one of nine accused in its chargesheet related to the Mumbai attack. In 2023, Mumbai Police also added his name to a supplementary chargesheet as part of its extended investigation into the case.

Timeline: How the legal process unfolded over the years

The road to Ranas extradition has been long and was full of numerous legal interventions in the United States. Here's a detailed timeline of key developments:

3 October 2009: FBI arrests David Headley.

18 October 2009: Tahawwur Rana is arrested and indicted by the FBI.

March 2010: Headley pleads guilty to 12 charges, including involvement in the Mumbai attacks.

9 June 2011: US jury convicts Rana in a separate terror case related to Denmark but acquits him of 26/11 charges.

17 January 2013: Rana is sentenced to 14 years in a US prison.

28 August 2018: NIA court in India issues arrest warrant against Rana.

9 June 2020: Rana is granted compassionate release in the US due to health concerns amid COVID-19.

10 June 2020: US government requests arrest under India-US extradition treaty.

21 July 2020: US court orders detention pending extradition.

13 August 2020: India submits additional documentation on Ranas role in the attacks.

16 May 2023: Magistrate Court in California clears Ranas extradition.

10 August 2023: District Court in the US rejects Ranas appeal against the extradition order.

18 August 2023: Proceedings are paused as Rana appeals in US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

15 August 2024: Appeals court upholds the extradition ruling.

13 November 2024: Rana approached the US Supreme Court for a stay.

16 December 2024: US government opposes Ranas petition.

21 January 2025: US Supreme Court dismisses the petition.

28 February 2025: Rana filed another application to halt extradition.

11 February 2025: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio authorized his surrender to India.

2 March 2025: Rana filed a fresh application referencing a UK extradition hearing.

7 March 2025: Rana renewed emergency plea to be heard by Chief Justice John Roberts.

7 April 2025: US Supreme Court dismissed the renewed emergency application, clearing the way for extradition.

Political and diplomatic reactions

The extradition of Rana has triggered responses from multiple political quarters and governments. The Pakistan foreign office has clarified that Rana hasnt renewed his Pakistani documentation in the past 20 years and currently holds Canadian citizenship.

Meanwhile, Indian political figures have attributed the success of this extradition effort to the current governments stance on terrorism. BJP MP Manoj Tiwari said the extradition reflects the Narendra Modi government's "zero tolerance" approach to terrorism. He claimed that earlier administrations did not take such extradition efforts seriously.

According to him, Before 2014, the governments wanted to save such people. Today, due to the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Tahawwur Rana is being extradited, and the punishment for his actions will be decided in the country's court.

Trial and legal proceedings in India

With Rana now on Indian soil, the legal proceedings in connection with his role in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks are expected to begin soon. The NIA, which played a key role in building the case and securing the extradition, will likely present him before a special court designated to hear terror-related cases.

According to the 2011 NIA chargesheet and supplementary charges filed later, Ranas involvement includes facilitating David Headleys reconnaissance trips and using his business as a front to assist LeT activities. These documents form the foundation for the upcoming trial.

Tahawwur Rana is accused of helping plot the 26/11 | Credit: X

Indian investigative agencies may now seek to confront Rana with the evidence gathered over the years, including details provided by Headley during his confession. Since seven of the remaining accused are believed to be in Pakistanincluding two ISI officersRanas testimony and cross-examination could offer valuable insights into the larger network behind the attacks.


ARMY, one of the biggest fandoms in the world and the devoted fans of global boy group BTS, has been eagerly awaiting the reunion of the seven membersJin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook. With only two months left until the final member's discharge, the excitement for a full-group reunion this June is at an all-time high.

However, amid this anticipation, a resurfaced photo of BTS leader Kim Namjoon aka RM military base in Hwacheonlocated near the border between North and South Koreahas sparked criticism and raised concerns about the harsh living conditions he has been enduring.

No bed for BTS RM?

A photo from K-media Yonhap News showed RM lying on a basic wooden frame bed, uncomfortable for someone of his size, with his legs hanging off the edge. Fans quickly expressed frustration, pointing out the harsh living conditions RM has been enduring. This image reignited discussions about his discomfort, with fans recalling his emotional Weverse posts, speculating that the tough conditions at the Hwacheon base are fueling his eagerness for his military service to end.

BTS Jin spoke about military

While some fans criticized the government for not improving conditions at the base, others pointed to Jin's comments from Kian's Bizarre B&B on Netflix, where he mentioned that military sleeping arrangements had been upgraded. This led some to believe conditions had improved universally. However, fans clarified that Jin was likely referring to other camps, as the barracks of Jin, Jimin, Jungkook, and J-Hope were upgraded before the pandemic. The situation at RM and Taehyung's bases remains unclear.

ARMY react

One fan remarked, "Hwacheon base, where Namjoon is stationed, is the closest to North Korea, with harsh living conditions. Like other bases, it hasn't even been upgraded. No mattress, legs hanging off, -20 degrees."

Ain't no fvcking way Namjoon has been sleeping on a damn wood board everyday. Hwacheon base on which Namjoon is stationed is the closest to NK with the harshest living conditions and like other bases it's not even upgraded. No mattress, legs hanging off, -20 degrees. FVCK MAN https://t.co/uGjRxlrqlM pic.twitter.com/gfJq4XwiwP  nush (@namgiseokbase) April 9, 2025

Another ARMY said, "This is the last photo of that person... Did Hwacheon really not have a bed?"

       ? pic.twitter.com/NsLaA1ZZ2a   (@jooniefighting) April 9, 2025

One fan tweeted, "NO WONDER HE WANTS TO LEAVE SOOOOO BAD!!! NAMJOON, PACK YOUR BAGS, LETS F*CKING GOOOOO."

NO WONDER HE WANTS TO LEAVE SOOOOO BAD !!!!!! NAMJOON PACK UR BAGS LETS FUCKING GOOOOO  https://t.co/A2eEwWv8uN  jilliana  (@gyucheol_jpeg) April 10, 2025

BTS reunion

The group is expected to reunite in 2025 after all members complete their mandatory military service, with Hybe CEO stating that the group will need time for preparation and production before resuming activities.

The members RM Suga, Jimin, V, and Jungkook are currently serving in the South Korean military and will be out by June 2025, around their group's anniversary. Jin and J-Hope have already returned from their military service and have started their solo projects.

For all the latest K-drama, K-pop, and Hallyuwood updates, keep following our coverage here.
After breaking streaming records with their almost too-hot-to-handle tangled romance, Nick and Noah will return for what has been teased as 'The Final Chapter' in the Culpables trilogy. Our Fault (Culpa Nuestra)the third and final instalment in the Spanish film series starring Nicole Wallace and Gabriel Guevaranow has a release window, and yes, Prime Video has dropped a brand-new teaser trailer to offer a sneak peek into the firestorm that is coming to you sooner than you'd expect.

Our Fault (Culpa Nuestra) teaser trailer is out now!

Nicole Wallace (Noah) and Gabriel Guevara (Nick) are back to finish what they started, and they welcome you back to their 'Wicked Game'. The teaser trailer, dropped by Prime Video, doesnt give too much awaybut it doesnt have to.

The teaser opens with a moment that says everything without a single word. Noah spots Nick across the room at a party. Her eyes linger after spotting the familiar face. But Nick walks right past her, cold and unreadable. After everything that unravelled in Your Fault (Culpa Tuya), its no surprise, but it doesn't make it easier for Noah, does it?

Still, with Noah and Nick, it's never that simple. They're step-siblings, but their history runs deeper than just family ties. Despite heartbreak and betrayal, there's unfinished business they cant just walk away from even if they tried.

The teaser then cuts to Noah sitting in the passenger seat of Nicks car. Shes stealing glances at him, clearly tempted by his mere presence.

And in the next shot, we see them at their home, with Nick gripping Noahs arm, holding on just long enough to hint he's not ready to let her go.

Our Fault (Culpa Nuestra) release window: When to watch the final part of the Spanish romance?

While theres no exact date yet, Prime Video has confirmed that Our Fault is slated for October, 2025. That gives fans a few more months to go through the precious instalmentsMy Fault (Culpa Mia) and Your Fault (Culpa Tuya)if they haven't already.

What to expect from Our Fault (Culpa Nuestra)?

Credit: Prime Video

The final film picks up after the heartbreaking ending of Culpa Tuya, where trust was shattered and loyalties questioned. After Nick feels betrayed by Noah, he hurts her enough to take a step back. Misunderstood and misguided, Noah, though unwillingly, ends up damaging her relationship with Nick beyond repair.The new part is expected to see them confront and address the differences that harmed their relationship. Will they ever be able to look past the hurt they have caused each other? And if yes, will their parents finally admit it was "our fault"? Well, October can't come any sooner!

For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.
Criminal prosecutions against citizens and businesses in Greece with outstanding debts to the state will be suspended, provided their debts are subject to official repayment plans, according to a new amendment submitted by Minister of National Economy and Finance Kyriakos Pierrakakis.

This provision, which is part of a broader bill concerning capital

markets, aims to provide relief to thousands of debtors who have been facing legal action despite adhering to their repayment obligations.

It replaces a previous law that triggered prosecutions against individuals and companies with debts exceeding 100,000, even when they were consistently making installment payments, and continuing until their debts were fully settled.

The amendment specifies that prosecution will be suspended for debtors who are either enrolled in a debt settlement program through legislation, court ruling, or administrative decision, or subject to an official debt collection suspension.

This suspension will remain in effect for the duration of the repayment plan or the collection freeze.

Under the new regulations, if overdue debts are settled within four months, tax authorities will not refer the case to a prosecutor.

If the four-month period has passed but a referral has not yet been made, no referral will take place. In instances where a referral has been made but no charges have been filed, the prosecutor will be notified by the tax authorities.

Furthermore, if charges have already been filed, proceedings will be halted by a court decision.

The amendment also establishes that in cases where debts are fully repaid, the offense is considered extinguished.

However, if a debtor defaults on their agreed-upon arrangement, authorities are required to notify the prosecutor and provide an updated debt statement.

Importantly, this regulation applies retroactively, extending to cases where sentences have already been handed down.

In these situations, the enforcement of the penalty is either postponed or interrupted if it is already in progress.

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Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias on Wednesday urged the European Union to urgently invest in rebuilding its defense industrial base, warning that the bloc lacks both the capacity and culture to keep pace with modern threats and warfare innovations.

Speaking at the College

of Europe , Mr. Dendias pointed to the rapid production of unmanned aerial vehicles by Russia Iran , and Turkey , stating that Europe possesses the knowledge but not the means to match that scale

He argued that European defense must advance significantly, not by replicating the past with large ships and tanks, but by adopting new technologies and creating a unified innovation ecosystem.

Europe doesnt produce a stealth aircraft.

The only available option today is the American F-35, Mr. Dendias said. So for Greece, purchasing the F-35 is the only path. There are excellent European aircraft like the Rafale and the Eurofighter Typhoon, but they are not stealth.

Mr. Dendias envisioned a future battlefield dominated by a single piloted fighter jet, surrounded by swarms of drones conducting combat operations.

He stressed that building such capabilities requires more than financial resources; it demands a cultural shift across the continent.

He said Europes push for defense autonomy is not intended to replace NATO but to complement it. These can coexist, Mr. Dendias added, noting that Europe deprioritized defense for decades and is now a decade away from achieving meaningful autonomy.

He stated that even if orders for ships or submarines began today, they would not be delivered for at least eight to twelve years.

He estimated that true defense autonomy would require significantly more than 150 billion and warned that even with funding, current structures are not capable of delivering results quickly enough. Its a long-term project, he said, and we must work effectively to achieve it.

Mr. Dendias defended the United States' role as a crucial ally, stating that despite political changes, Washington remains a key pillar of global stability and democracy. Europe must be ready in the meantime, but I am not prepared to write off the United States, he said.

Regarding the war in Ukraine, he cautioned that the European Union is far from capable of mounting a military deployment in the region on its own.

He said Greece maintains large armed forces relative to its economy and possesses more heavy tanks than the United Kingdom, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Luxembourg combined.

However, he suggested Greece could contribute to mine-clearing operations in Ukraine if such an effort arises.

Mr. Dendias emphasized that Europe cannot accept armed invasion as a legitimate means of resolving disputes. If we accept that, humanity returns to the Middle Ages, he said.

He warned that the modern battlefield has changed entirely, with the war in Ukraine transforming military requirements.

Were not just talking about reform  this is total reform, he said.

Addressing military service, Mr. Dendias said citizens must serve in the defense of democratic values, not just professional soldiers. The citizen must protect their country and the values of the European Union. I know that might not make me popular, but it is necessary.

Currently, the EU is conducting two naval operations, both named in Greek: Operation IRINI off the coast of Libya and Operation ASPIDES in the Red Sea. But when asked if Europe is prepared to meet growing hybrid threats, Mr. Dendias was direct: We are not ready.

Europe must continue to prepare, he added, especially as hybrid warfare joins land, sea, and air as a central theater of conflict.

Earlier in the day, Mr. Dendias met with Federica Mogherini, former EU foreign policy chief and rector of the College of Europe, and Professor Konstantinos Filis, Director of the Institute of International Affairs.

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Greece is a strong member state of the European Union and of NATO, and it is a country that has strategic relations with the United States it wants to deepen, and a country that can now jointly formulate European policies, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said during his conversation with journalist and author Robert D. Kaplan at the 10th

Delphi Economic Forum on Thursday

In terms of the tariffs by the new American government on European products, the Greek prime minister said that it is in Greece's interest to support free trade, and expressed satisfaction that US President Donald Trump decided on a 90-day freeze of tariffs. A trade wawr between the European Union and the US would only have losers, he said, adding that the 90-day freeze should be utilized for an honest discussion. He added also that there is no logic to adding tariffs to products that do not affect the US production base such as olive oil, olives, and feta.

Mitsotakis also spoke of the political situation in Greece, where a strong center-right party is ruling while the rest of the opposition is fragmented. This means there is no balanced political system, leaving space for populism, which is a constant danger.

He then expressed the certainty that as his government fulfils its campaign promises and wages and job openings increase in Greece, the future will be brighter because the country is in a strong fiscal state that the average citizen realizes, and this will lead to victory in the 2027 elections.

The government today enjoys a strong parliamentary majority, which is appreciated by foreign investors, the PM added.

Greek- Turkish relations

Speaking about Turkiye, Mitsotakis said that Greece is condemned by geography to live with its neighbor and the only difference between the two countries is the delimitation of the Exclusive Economic Zone and that of the continental shelf.

The PM said that as the differences on the continental shelf had not been resolved in 50 years, he was not optimistic it would be resolved in the near future, but that did not mean that the two countries could not talk and cooperate in sectors that promote the relations of both countries. One of the examples he mentioned was the 7-day visa for Turkish nationals to take holidays on 12 Eastern Aegean islands, which has been successful and not just from an economic point of view. At the same time, he said, Greece needs to have a reliable deterrent capability against Turkiye, and that is why the Greek Armed Forces are being strengthened while Greece also promotes the strategic autonomy of the European Union.

Mitsotakis said he had met several times with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, as it was important to keep communication channels open.

Relations with Trump

However, the premier said, Greece's foreign policy did not end at relations with Turkiye, but Greece is developing relations of a strategic nature with Israel, Egypt, and the Gulf countries, it explores the possibility of natural gas deposits off southern Crete with American giants like Exxon and Chevron, and wants to talk sincerely with all players in the East Mediterranean. It is in Greece's interest to work toward a safe and prosperous East Mediterranean, he underlined.

Asked what his relationship with American President Donald Trump was, Mitsotakis said that Greece and the US have a strategic relation, he has collaborated with President Trump during his first term, and he believes that the cordial relationship they have can continue. The PM said it was his duty to work with Trump, it was positive they knew each other, and he was interested in working on a relationship that has strategic depth. Greece has common interests with the US, the importance of Greece in terms of geopolitical and economic terms is great for the US, and this is recognized by both US parties, something that was evident as well during Mitsotakis's address at Congress in the spring of 2022, he added.

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Kaduna Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has secured the conviction and sentence of seven internet fraudsters before Justice R.M. Aikawa of the Federal High Court, sitting in Kaduna State.

The convicts are: Paul Emmanuel Tumba (a.k.a Cynthia Ebuka), Gabriel Fidelis (a.k.a Diana Siako), Rotji Makwin Gonchor (a.k.a Sofia Marcelor), Danboyi John (a.k.a Ana Martins), Agbaje Abbas Olaleken, ( a.k.a Dave Smith Vegas), Solomon Ameh, (a.k.a Scott Phillips) and Wisdom Mundi Luka (a.k.a Loredana Calinescu).

READ MORE: Court Jails Two Lagos Drivers For Attacking LASTMA Officials

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They were prosecuted on separate one-count charges each, bordering on impersonation and possession of fraudulent documents, obtaining by false pretence and retention of proceeds of crime.

The suspects all pleaded guilty to their charge when they were read to them, following which prosecution counsel, Y.J Matiyak and M. U Gadaka prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly, while the defence counsel pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy, stating that the defendants have become remorseful for their actions.

In his ruling, the Presiding Judge, Justice R.M Aikawa, convicted and sentenced Tumba to two years imprisonment or to pay 500,000 fine. He also forfeited the sum of 300,000 and his Infinix Smart 7 phone to the Federal Government, being the proceeds and tool of his crime, respectively.

The judge convicted and sentenced Fidelis to five years imprisonment or to pay 500,000 fine. In addition, he forfeited the sum of 970,000 and Infinix Hot 5oi to the Federal Government, being the proceeds and tools of crime.

Another suspect, Gonchor, bagged two years imprisonment or to pay a 500,000.00 fine. He also forfeited his Samsung Galaxy S9, being the tool of his crime in favour of the federal government.

John was convicted and sentenced to two years imprisonment or to pay a 500,000.00 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira) fine. In addition, he forfeited the sum of $450 (Four Hundred and Fifty US Dollars) and ash-coloured Honda Accord car, being the proceeds of his crime and an iPhone 15 and a HP laptop computer, being the tools of his cybercrime to the federal government.
Following the passing of her father, Dr. Victor Omololu Olunloyo, on Sunday, April 6, 2025, Kemi Olunloyo, his daughter, has openly disassociated herself from the Olunloyo family.

Through a string of emotional and candid posts on social media, Kemi Olunloyo announced that she no longer considers herself part of the Olunloyo family and made it clear she would not be receiving any condolences over her fathers death.

On Wednesday, April 9, Kemi took to Facebook to express her feelings about the fractured relationship she had with her father, shedding light on long-standing tensions within the family.

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I am uploading video statements on my fathers death on TikTok. I am NOT part of the Olunloyo family anymore, and I told you in 2024 that I would never return to Nigeria, even if my parents died, she said.

In her post, Kemi elaborated that her choice to cut ties with the Olunloyo family stemmed from years of both emotional and physical abuse.

She accused her late father of being a poor parent who dismantled the family structure.

READ MORE: Before 2027, You Must Either Get Married, Pursue PhD, Or Move Out  Kanayo O. Kanayo To Daughter On Birthday

She said, My father, Victor Omololu Olunloyo is two different people. He was one person to the world; he was another person to the family. My father destroyed our family unit; my father tortured us as kids. He tortured us emotionally and physically. My father ruined the family unit.

My father marketed me as his favourite daughter and child to the world; he also marketed himself to me as that. But I was far from being his favourite. My father used me for a lot of things. My father did a lot for all of us. When I said used me, he took advantage of my own positive energies.

My father was into juju heavily. My father was into occult practices and I called my father out on his 80th birthday. After I called him out, he went to Pastor (EA) Adeboye that he wanted to become born-again and he did.

Despite the hardships, Kemi mentioned that she had forgiven her father for his past actions, though the emotional wounds from their relationship continue to affect her.

I have forgiven my Dad for everything he did. Yet, she lamented, You dont know whats going on in my family and I dont know whats going on in your family.

Kemi blamed much of the familys unrest on the relationship between her father and one Ronke Sonaike, who later became Aderonke Omololu Olunloyo. She claimed that when Ronke became pregnant with her fathers child, it caused a significant rift within the family.

Kemi reflected on her mothers initial opposition to her fathers polygamous lifestyle, sharing her perspective on the matter.

My mother married an intellectual, a man who got his Ph.D. at 26 years old. And he turned into a polygamist. Not that polygamists are not good, but the way it happened to my family, she said.

Recounting further events, Kemi said, When Ronke came into our family, my father started all manners of occult things. Its too long. Its too painful.

Kemi also accused Ronke of attempting to poison her mother, an act that nearly cost her mothers life and led to her hospitalisation.

While reflecting on the familys challenges, Kemi expressed the sorrow of losing her brother, Tayo, who passed away in 2021 at the age of 51.

Kemi blamed her fathers actions for sabotaging her brothers potential, suggesting that his influence had a negative impact on Tayos life.

I know that Im special and I know what God brought me here for. They wanted to kill my story but they didnt but they killed Tayo; they killed my brothers child. My brother that died at 51 who was in the Ali Must Go car with me; remember he lost about half of his brain and was paralyzed for 43 years and lived with seizures and no livelihood. Tayo was buried after he died in 2021. Tayo would have been a great mathematician. They ruined his destiny, she added.

Kemi also spoke about the difficult time during her fathers final years, when his health began to deteriorate after he suffered a stroke in 2021.

Kemi alleged that her stepmother limited family access to Dr. Olunloyo, making it challenging for anyone to communicate with him during his final days.

Towards the end of Daddys life, nobody had access to him after the 2021 stroke. They couldnt talk to Daddy on the phone because Ronke did not give anybody access.
Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski helped Barcelona to a 4-0 win over Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.

Lewandowski scored twice and Raphinha had a goal and an assist, leaving the spanish club in a strong position to reach the semi-finals for the first time since 2019.

Lamine Yamal also scored as Barcelona dealt a commanding blow to the German sides hopes of advancing.

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The return match is next Tuesday at Dortmund, who lost last seasons final to Real Madrid.

Raphinha added to his Champions League-leading tally by shooting the ball into the open net in the 25th minute for his 12th goal in the competition this season, before setting up Lewandowskis first goal of the night three minutes after half-time.

The Polish then netted his 11th Champions League goal with a first-time effort midway through the second half, before Yamal completed the scoring.

READ MORE: UCL: Declan Rice Bags Two Free-Kick Goals As Arsenal Shock Real Madrid

Also on Wednesday, French club, Paris Saint-Germain came from a goal down to beat Premier Leagues Aston Villa, 3-1.

Villa took the lead against the run of play when Morgan Rogers netted in the 35th minute.

But just four minutes after Villas opener Desire Doue equalised for PSG.

Four minutes into the second half Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scored to make it 2-1 before Nuno Mendes scored in the 92nd minute to end the tie 3-1 to the recently crowned Ligue 1 title winners.
The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a suspected thug, Friday Onu, after a viral video captured him assaulting a female commercial driver, Yetunde Amole, along the Lekki-Epe Expressway.

In the viral video, Amole appeared visibly battered, with facial bruises and torn clothing, as she appealed to human rights groups, transport unions, and concerned individuals to speak up for her.

The assault, which happened on Monday near the Oriental Hotel, triggered widespread outrage across social media platforms.

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Benjamin Hundeyin, the command spokesperson, confirmed Onus arrest in a statement issued on Wednesday. He said that officers from the Maroko Division had captured him soon after the incident.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect was caught attempting to steal Ms Amoles car battery, Hundeyin said.

READ MORE: Hotel Owner Murdered In Ondo

When she confronted him, he responded with a violent attack, which was captured on video and widely circulated.

He noted that Onu became sick while in detention and was immediately taken to the Falomo Police Hospital, where he remains under medical care and police supervision.

The Command assured the public that Onu would be brought before the court once he is declared medically fit.

We commend the courage of Ms. Amole in standing up to her attacker, Hundeyin stated.

The Lagos State Police Command remains committed to ensuring justice is served and to protecting all residents, especially those vulnerable to such brazen acts of violence.

While recounting the incident, Amole said she picked up the suspect near the under-bridge by the Oriental Hotel after he told her he was going to the Nigerian Law School.

She became suspicious when she saw him tampering with her car battery through the rear-view mirror.

I got down and confronted him, she said in the video. When I asked what he was doing, he denied everything. Thats when he started beating me.

While filming outside the Maroko Police Station, Amole continued to urge authorities, womens rights organisations, and commercial transport unions to take action.

I buy tickets, I pay my dues. Look at how Ive been treated. If I dont have anyone to fight for me, God will, she added.
Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has disclosed that it took him a full year to decide to join the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in 2013.

He wanted to ensure that the partys values aligned with his vision for the state, a decision that involved careful consideration of APGAs goals and the direction he envisioned for Anambra.

Soludo, who had already established a strong reputation in various sectors, including economics and policy-making, emphasized the importance of aligning with a party that genuinely represents the peoples interests. His decision to join APGA came after thorough discussions with key party leaders, marking a crucial turning point in his political journey.

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He made this revelation on Wednesday in Awka while welcoming 15,000 members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Anambra who defected to APGA. The first political party I joined was the PDP and I was the flag bearer in the 2010 governorship election in Anambra. During that time, I worked with many of you.

It took me one year to take the decision to join APGA in 2013 and when I joined they disqualified me as governorship candidate but I persisted because I knew it was my last bus stop.

Today, I am a governor and the national leader of APGA. APGA is the first progressive party in Nigeria, registered in 2002.

It is not just a political party but a movement in Anambra, where everybody is equal and no one is left behind.
Police officers remove crime scene tape after a shooting at the Lonnie Young Recreation Center on April 1. Read more

A 23-year-old man who police say shot an 18 year old in the chest at an East Germantown recreation center, leaving him in critical condition, turned himself in to police Thursday morning.

Anthony T. Smith, 23, surrendered at 12:30 a.m., less than a day after U.S. Marshals announced on X they were joining the search for Smith, police said.

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Smith shot the teen twice in the chest outside the Lonnie Young Recreation Center on the 1100 block of East Chelten Avenue, police said. He faces charges of aggravated and related crimes,

At the time of the shooting. U.S. Marshals said, Smith was out on bail for a 2023 shooting in Eastwick.

Gunfire erupted at the playground near the rec center just after 5:40 p.m. April 1, police said. After the victim was found with gunshot wounds, he was taken to Jefferson Einstein Philadelphia Hospital.

A weapon was recovered and police found 11 9mm shell casings at the scene.

The shooting broke out as dozens of concerned residents gathered nearby to talk about safety after an earlier shooting at a rec center in East Mount Airy. Hundreds of people packed the Finley Recreation Center to speak to state, city and law enforcement officials about a shooting that left three teens injured there days earlier.

On March 29, shots rang out at the Finley center, on the 900 block of East Upsal Street, after an argument between two groups of young people turned violent, police said.

Police released security video showing the shooting at the Finley Recreation Center and have asked the public for help in identifying the gunman.
Philadelphias jail population has reached its lowest level in recent memory  the result of a behind-the-scenes effort that has quietly reduced the number of people incarcerated in city-run facilities by more than 20% over the last six months.

Fewer than 3,700 people were in city custody as of this week, according to data from the Philadelphia Department of Prisons  the lowest tally in at least a decade, and more than 50% lower than the 8,000 people who were jailed in 2015.

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Just as notable, the reduction comes after the jail population had remained steady for nearly four years. Between January 2021 and September 2024, city figures show, the number of people in custody had consistently been between 4,300 and 4,800.

The recent drop is among the most significant short-term fluctuations over the last 10 years. One similar downturn was in 2020, at the onset of COVID-19  a dip that was short-lived. Others were in 2018, after District Attorney Larry Krasner was sworn in on a promise to curb incarceration, and in 2016, when the city received a $3.5 million grant to reduce the number of people behind bars.

In contrast to some of those changes, however, this reduction comes as gun violence in the city continues to plunge. Homicides and shootings are both rivaling their lowest paces in Philadelphia history, police statistics show  meaning that if the trends hold, the city in 2025 could see record-low levels of both violence and incarceration.

The reduction resulted in part from an ongoing class-action lawsuit filed in 2020 over what prisoners called inhumane and dangerous conditions in the jails. After a federal judge overseeing the suit said last year that the city was not sufficiently addressing a long-standing lack of staff in its facilities, officials came to believe that an alternative way to tackle the issue was to reduce the number of prisoners for staff to oversee.

We realized what the problem is and were trying to work on it and fix it  federal lawsuit or not, said Michael Resnick, commissioner of the Philadelphia Department of Prisons.

As a result, the citys courts and jails, the Philadelphia District Attorneys Office, and the Defender Association of Philadelphia went on to collaborate on initiatives that were specifically designed to lower the jails head count.

One of them, overseen by Municipal Court Judge Karen Simmons, is a monthly program in which she holds emergency bail hearings to determine whether people recently placed in custody can or should be released to await trial.

A lot of these people are very poor, said Kenny Young, the supervisor of the district attorneys emergency bail review program. Its a poverty tax. Theyre just sitting in jail. Whos helping them? So we said, Well, what can we do? 

Simmons has also been seeking to resolve trials for low-level misdemeanors more quickly. Many cases used to linger for months, with defendants sitting in jail as their hearings were delayed multiple times. Simmons has tried to stop that, telling prosecutors they either need to move the cases forward or withdraw the charges, said Elisa Downey-Zayas, director of the Alternative Sentencing Unit at the Defender Association.

And in Common Pleas Court, Judge Rose Marie DeFino-Nastasi has taken steps to expedite reviews of cases in which people are held for probation-related issues.

David Rudovsky, an attorney involved in the class-action suit, credited the federal judge overseeing it, U.S. District Judge Gerald McHugh, and the local officials who went on to develop new initiatives that have fueled the jails rapid population decrease. Defendants in city jails are typically housed on bail before trial or due to violations of probation or parole.

And although there are still significant safety issues to resolve in the jails, Rudovsky said, almost none of them could have been addressed without first confronting the imbalance between staffers and prisoners.

Im hoping were getting to a point where its going to be a more permanent situation, he said.

Past reductions

Philadelphia has worked to reduce its jail population before.

In 2016, the city received a $3.5 million grant from the MacArthur Foundation to trim the number of people in custody by 34%. At the time, it had the highest per capita incarceration rate of any big city in the country  fueled by a system-wide penchant for holding large numbers of pretrial detainees.

Krasners election two years later led to further reductions, as he instructed his prosecutors to stop charging certain low-level offenses and stop requesting cash bail for others.

And at the onset of the COVID pandemic in 2020, officials began working to curb transmission of the virus behind bars by identifying prisoners who might qualify for early release.

Each of those instances led the citys jail population to fall from a height of about 8,000 people in 2015 to around 4,500 by 2021.

But beginning in 2020, the jails began experiencing a significant staffing crisis, with hundreds of corrections officers retiring, quitting, or simply not showing up for work. At times, units were completely unstaffed, and those who did report for their shifts reported harsh working conditions, including unpredictable and mandatory overtime.

Chaos in the jails soared. In one 22-month stretch, more than 25 people died behind bars, an Inquirer investigation found  a combination of homicides, suicides, and drug overdoses. The jails mortality rate at one point was 77% higher than the national average.

In an attempt to retain some sense of order, prisoners were often locked in their cells for 23 hours per day. But locks were often easily hacked, and violent episodes continued.

Against that backdrop, lawsuits were filed targeting what plaintiffs called inhumane and dangerous conditions.

And although the city committed to address problems including staffing shortages and prolonged lockdowns in an April 2022 settlement agreement, McHugh, the federal judge, found the city in contempt last year, saying its efforts to honor the agreement were insufficient.

He ordered the city to pay $25 million into a fund dedicated to improving the jails, rapidly ramp up staff recruiting and retention efforts, and explore options for reducing the number of people in custody.

While the jails are still understaffed, with 850 sworn staff positions sitting vacant, the agency has hired about 170 people since last year and retention among correctional officers has improved, Resnick said.

Quicker screenings

Some of the solutions to the head count reduction have been fairly straightforward. The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, for example, previously ran only one bus per month from the city jails to a state prison. Now, the state is making twice as many trips.

The number of people waiting to be transferred to begin their sentences has since dropped from about 120 people to 20, Resnick said.

The Defender Association has been at the forefront of the work, particularly in getting people with substance abuse issues into treatment programs more quickly.

Traditionally, incarcerated people in addiction had to go through a detailed screening for certain services and diversion programs before they could be transferred out of the jails. And there was often a six- to 10-week wait to receive the evaluation, known as a Forensic Intensive Recovery, or FIR, screening, said Andrew Pappas, pretrial managing director for the defenders.

Sometimes, he said, people would finally get an appointment but would not be taken to the facility because of the jail guard shortage, and they would go back to the bottom of the wait list.

The citys FIR program also has not had a Spanish speaker on staff, prolonging those defendants wait times, he said.

Now, Pappas said, staff at the Defender Association are doing the evaluations themselves and have identified alternative programs that do not require a FIR  allowing people to move into treatment more quickly.

No quick fix

Keeping the jail population low requires constant work from all agencies, officials say. For Pappas and Downey-Zayas, that has meant taking the lists of incarcerated people home at the end of a workday and reviewing them late into the night.

Its not sustainable long-term, but I think were all here because we care about our clients being in jail, and none of us wants anyone else to die or be hurt in jail, Downey-Zayas said.

They said the city needs to hire a full-time attorney to review the cases and petitions long-term. They would like to have the emergency bail hearings weekly, but theres not enough staff, Pappas said.

The defendants who are candidates for those hearings are typically people held on bail at or below $100,000 and without any outstanding issues requiring them to be held. But that population is constantly in flux because new people are arrested and added to the system every week.

Other stubborn challenges complicate the issue, said Resnick, the prisons commissioner. The average stay in the jails is 260 days, which he called far too long for a county jail. About 60% of those in custody require maximum security, and about 600 people there are charged with murder.

On the flip side, he said, about 45% of people coming to the jails are gone within two weeks. He wants to look more closely at this population to see if there is a way to divert them from ever arriving, or to expedite their release.

It begs the question, he said, why they are here in the first place.
With no public discussion, the Community College of Philadelphia board of trustees voted Thursday not to renew the contract of longtime president Donald Guy Generals and placed him on immediate paid administrative leave.

All 13 of 15 board members present for the public meeting, which was preceded by an executive session, voted in favor. Absent were Rob Dubow, the citys director of finance, and State Rep. Morgan Cephas (D., Philadelphia).

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Generals said that he was expecting the nonrenewal, but that being placed on leave was a surprise.

Im stunned, said Generals, who noted that he plans to consult with his attorney. I think it was retaliatory.

The board in a statement said the college would appoint an interim president in the coming days, but did not say specifically why Generals was ousted.

As always, the boards sole priority is to ensure we are providing a superior educational experience for our students, serving as responsible stewards of college resources, and creating opportunities for all Philadelphians, the statement said. Please know that we have a plan to ensure that the transition to new leadership is as seamless as possible.

The board thanked Generals for his service.

Generals, 69, has led the college for more than a decade, and his current contract is due to expire in June; the boards vote keeps him on paid leave through that time. In an interview this week, Generals acknowledged the board was planning to not renew his contract and called the move unjustified, citing his record.

Board president Harold T. Epps earlier this week declined to comment through a spokesperson.

Ellyn Jo Waller, president of the colleges foundation board, its fundraising arm, said she resigned from the post Thursday in protest.

I am shocked and appalled, she said. I cant serve alongside a board that could act in this manner. I feel like that compromises my integrity. Its reckless for the students. We have a graduation coming up. We dont have a president. We have a gala coming up. We dont have a president.

The board in its statement said it acted with a high degree of transparency and consideration.

Thats not correct, Waller said. Im baffled.

Several people spoke in support of Generals at Thursdays meeting, calling him a transformational leader who helped the college excel.

Loraine Ballard Morrill, director of news and community affairs at iHeartMedia, called him a tireless advocate who has opened the engines of equity and innovation and social change.  His legacy at Community College is one of hope, access, and excellence. Hes built bridges where there were once barriers.

Before the vote, Andrea Sanders, an executive committee member of the colleges foundation board, asked the trustees for a little bit of transparency, saying she was aware only of Generals work.

I am listening to hear why this is an issue, why his contract is up for nonrenewal, she said.  What is going on here?

The board offered no explanation.

Generals, who has led the college since 2014, said earlier this week that the board told him in December of its intent not to renew his contract, even though he said he got an above-average evaluation with no problems noted other than some vague interpersonal issues with board members.

He touted his accomplishments, including the colleges progress in enrollment since the pandemic, fundraising, and recent settlement of contracts with the faculty and staff union  which avoided a strike. Union members this week voted by a 99% margin to approve the new contracts.

Generals contended on Wednesday that the board had held three meetings to discuss his contract without proper notice or disclosure in violation of the states sunshine law. The board in its statement Thursday said all deliberations were in compliance with the law.

Mayor Cherelle L. Parker has not responded to a request for comment through a spokesperson. The city provides funding for the college.

Under his contract, the board has to give Generals 60 days notice and a years pay if members vote to terminate him without cause, he said. Generals earned $278,100 last year and received a 5% increase in September.

Generals came to Philadelphia from Mercer County Community College in New Jersey, where he was vice president for academic affairs.

His early tenure was rocked by contentious contract negotiations with the faculty and staff union that dragged on for more than half of his first five years.

But he went on to lead the college through the pandemic  he noted that there were no layoffs during that time and that employees continued to get raises even though the college saw a drop in enrollment.

Since the pandemic, enrollment has rebounded to 12,400 credit students and 1,381 noncredit students this spring, the highest among community colleges in Pennsylvania, Generals said.

Generals said he was getting calls from people around the city, offering support.

A lot of people are reaching out, he said.
When Marshall Allens New Dawn was released on Valentines Day, it was hailed as an unprecedented event  the debut solo album by a 100-year-old jazz legend.

That feat has more to do with marketing than music. Setting aside the countless albums Allen recorded during his seven-decade tenure as a member of the Sun Ra Arkestra, and the half-dozen Arkestra albums released under his leadership since he took over the band in 1995 (including the 2020 Grammy-nominated Swirling), there have also been a slew of sessions released under Allens name or in collaboration with other improvisers.

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The claim, however, was good enough for the folks at Guinness World Records, who have officially certified Allen as the oldest person to release a debut album (male).

Semantics aside, it is undeniably miraculous that the indefatigable Marshall Allen strolled into Germantowns Rittenhouse Soundworks studio two days after celebrating his centennial, and crafted an album as full of delights and eccentricities as New Dawn. All the more so that on Wednesday night he was on stage at World Cafe Live, celebrating the albums release just a month and a half shy of turning 101.

Allen, clad in his Arkestran finery of sequined gold cap and multihued cape, took the stage to rapturous applause, introduced by baritone saxophonist, flutist, and clarinetist Knoel Scott.

An Arkestra member since 1979, and a longtime resident of the ensembles legendary house in Germantown, Scott was the driving force behind the recording of New Dawn along with German producer Jan Lankisch.

Scott reprised his role at World Cafe, directing the 10-piece ensemble featuring Marshall accompanied by Scott, trumpeter Cecil Brooks, guitarist Bruce Edwards, bassist Radu Ben Judah, drummer George Gray, and a string quartet led by violinist Owen Brown.

Between playing Allens uncanny melodies and blowing blustery solos on his baritone, Scott dashed across the stage, guiding the string players into an impromptu vamp or attuning the rhythm section to a sudden shift in mood or tempo.

It couldnt be easy. An inveterate improviser, Allen is never one to stick to a plan, always subject to the whim of the moment. After Scott announced the albums title track and brought out vocalist Ayanna Wildgoose, Allen essayed a lovely, breathy solo on alto sax. Then he wandered over to the string section, engaging the quartet in a back and forth and transforming the song into Sun Ras mesmeric ballad Springtime Again.

Sun Ra, the Arkestra founder, who died (or left the planet, in the bands cosmic parlance) in 1993, continues to maintain a spiritual influence on all of Allens work, and the diverse predilections that formed the big bands idiosyncratic sound. All that was on display throughout Wednesdays show.

The concert, like the album, began with African Sunset, a hazy percussion-and-strings piece evocative of 60s exotica, that revealed that this band was Arkestra-like in its ability to veer wildly between the ramshackle and the transcendent.

That was followed by Are You Ready, a stomping number indebted to early rock and roll, propelled by Edwards Chuck Berry-esque guitar riffs. The raucous tempo spurred Allen to some of his most blistering altos of the night, drawing his trademark screams and bellows from the sax with a piercing ferocity undimmed by age.

Sonnys Dance is an off-kilter bebop tune that provided a space for Allen to duet with Edwards, matching electric guitar runs with his EWI (electronic wind instrument), a synthesized sax from which Allen summons all manner of swoops, bleeps, and echoes. The African-inspired groove of Boma, Scott explained, stemmed from Allens work with the late Nigerian drummer Babatunde Olatunji, with whom he collaborated when he could slip off when Sun Ra wasnt looking.

As the accolades pour in, Allen shows no sign of slowing. Later this month hell be anointed an NEA Jazz Master at the Kennedy Center, in a class that also includes Philadelphia native Marilyn Crispell.

Hell be back on stage in Philly on May 23 at Solar Myth, which has become a second home for him since he stopped traveling upon doctors orders. In recent years hes led an ever-changing series of all-star small bands under the name of Ghost Horizons, a compilation album of which will be his next release in May.

Wednesdays 90-minute set culminated with the classic Angels and Demons at Play, which Allen cowrote with Sun Ra, and which has been a staple of Arkestra sets for decades.

On Wednesday, the incantatory tune stretched to 15 minutes with vocals by Rochelle Thompson. It was a celebratory finale for an artist who well deserves celebrating.
File photo of Crozer-Chester Medical Center in December. A hearing will continue Thursday on ways to save it and Taylor Hospital from closing. Read more

Talks on how to meet Prospect Medical Holdings demand for $9 million to keep Crozer-Chester Medical Center and Taylor Hospital open for another two weeks are expected to continue Thursday.

We have been assured a closure notice will not be issued today, the Pennsylvania Attorney Generals Office said in a statement Wednesday after two meetings involving Prospect, government officials, and others.

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A lawyer for the bankrupt Prospect Medical told a judge Tuesday that Prospect would start closing the two Delaware County hospitals at 12 a.m. Thursday if $9 million wasnt provided to cover an upcoming payroll.

Since the for-profit California company filed for bankruptcy in January, the health system has received an infusion of $40 million to pay the systems 3,200 employees. Prospect has said in court that it doesnt have the money to do so and has repeatedly said it will close the hospitals if more money doesnt come in.

During Tuesdays bankruptcy hearing, a lawyer for Prospect said that the $9 million Prospect was demanding was just the start. More money would be needed to develop a long-term solution, if an entity emerged to acquire the facilities.

The office of Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and the state attorney general have been working on a plan for at least 18 months to get Crozer back under nonprofit ownership, as it was before Prospect bought it in 2016.

But Crozers losses and liabilities are too daunting for any existing nonprofit to acquire the system. Efforts to form a new nonprofit backed by a consortium of local nonprofit health systems have not been successful.
In fall 2021, Tytianna Hawthorne received a phone message from an investigator with the Philadelphia Department of Human Services: Someone may have abused her 1-year-old daughter.

The investigator was acting on a confidential tip to ChildLine from a caller who said a photo of SuLayah on a social media account showed hookah charcoal burn marks on SuLayahs inner thighs.

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Hawthorne, a first-time mother at 20, had spent time in foster care herself and had no love for the system. She also knew DHS had the power to take away her child. She hoped that the evident good health of her daughter, SuLayah Williams, would speak for itself, and she called the investigator back.

She told the investigator she first discovered the marks when her daughter returned after a weekend visit with her father. She treated them with Neosporin. Hawthorne said that money was tight, and that she and her daughter had been living with family members and friends.

The marks were barely visible, a DHS record noted, and the mother and daughter were clearly bonded. Still, the investigator wanted a medical examination.

SuLayah had not been burned, a doctor reported, according to records reviewed for this article. She had impetigo, a common childhood skin infection that can flare up and look like a burn.

On his next visit to Hawthornes home in Strawberry Mansion, the investigator said he was concerned that although SuLayahs impetigo had subsided, Hawthorne had not yet purchased the antibiotic cream prescribed at Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia.

Then to Hawthornes surprise, a woman named Danaejah Harper joined the meeting.

Hawthorne and Harper had met years earlier, during a stay at a group home.

Youre my sister, Harper told her at the time. We have the same father.

Hawthorne had not believed her because they didnt look alike. In the years since, they occasionally ran into each other, including at LOVE Park after SuLayah was born. Harper insisted on calling SuLayah my niece.

I didnt think she was my sister and didnt want anything to do with her, Hawthorne said in an interview last spring.

Then the DHS investigator said something that chilled her.

I have enough evidence now that I could take your daughter into the foster care system, she recalled him saying. But if you can place the child elsewhere, with someone I can trust, we dont need to get the courts involved.

The offer the DHS investigator made falls in the category of voluntary arrangements.

Some parent advocates report that such voluntary placements can allow kids to return home far more quickly than formal foster care. But parents report feeling coerced into accepting the agreements: Place the child here, they are told, or well take them into foster care.

When the DHS investigator made this offer, Harper said she would care for SuLayah.

Hawthorne had little time to weigh her options and lacked an understanding of what each choice entailed: Technically, voluntary arrangements allow parents to retain all legal rights to their children and keep them out of foster care. That is a powerful lure. But in practical terms, accepting a voluntary agreement cedes power to the child welfare agency to dictate every aspect of a childs life without court supervision or the mandated provision of needed services.

Child welfare researchers call this hidden foster care because agencies gain the same level of control over children and families without ever taking legal custody.

In the crush of the moment, like many parents, Hawthorne felt overwhelmed. Legal custody, however, struck her as the primary goal. So she consented.

The case was then passed to the citys community umbrella agency (CUA) system, a network of privately contracted agencies that have responsibility for overseeing children and families after a DHS investigation.

About 14 months later, SuLayah was dead, allegedly kicked to death after Harper left her home for work. Her roommate and partner, Diamond Joyner, was charged with first-degree murder. Her trial is set for June.

Hawthorne arrived at the hospital only in time to cry her goodbyes.

No reason for removal

Earlier this year, a lawyer representing SuLayah Williams estate filed a wrongful-death suit naming both Harper and Joyner as defendants.

Accusing them of an almost-two-year effort  to steal SuLayah Williams, as they stated they wanted to start a family of their own and could not, the attorney, A.J. Thomson, wrote that no evidence  supports the contention by Danaejah Harper that she is related in any way to Tytianna Hawthorne.

In an interview last year, Thomson also blasted DHS for taking SuLayah from her mother over the failure to buy antibiotic skin cream only to place her in the home where she would be killed.

I really just couldnt believe what I was seeing, Thomson said, and I kept thinking, Imagine if some white family on the Main Line was treated this way. It would never happen.

Kara Finck, a University of Pennsylvania professor of family law, suggests that Hawthorne and her daughter were separated due to poverty.

In a case like this, said Finck, who directs Penns Interdisciplinary Child Advocacy Clinic, the child and her mother could have better been treated as a case in need of support services.

Case managers developed significant evidence that Hawthorne had the capacity to parent her daughter, according to a review of more than 1,000 pages of DHS documents in her case file. SuLayah received regular doctors visits and vaccinations, achieved typical child development milestones, and was in good health. One woman Hawthorne and SuLayah lived with said the young mother sought her help applying for benefits for her daughter.

Child welfare agencies are supposed to identify these strengths and build on them, said Toshira Maldonado, a former CUA case manager. But you know that kind of service takes time, and too often the system doesnt want to invest that kind of time.

What Hawthorne most needed from DHS was help with housing and employment services.

The voluntary arrangement DHS imposed on Hawthorne allowed DHS  and the CUA  to invest minimal time and resources in the case while maintaining control over SuLayah Williams life.

Voluntary placements and civil rights

By law, SuLayah and her mother appear to have been owed services. As DHS case files note, Hawthorne had an IQ of 70, qualifying her for a cognitive disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

This should have entitled them to more services, Finck said, not less.

Her cognitive ability also suggests the agencys use of a voluntary safety plan was particularly inappropriate, confronting her with an immediate choice she might have needed time to process.

SuLayahs case was overseen for the longest period of time by Northeast Treatment Centers, defendant in a separate lawsuit filed by Thomson that was settled last summer. (Under the terms of the settlement, Hawthorne and Thomson are not permitted to speak about the case. Interviews with them for this article took place before then.)

The files in the case reveal a series of failures to serve Hawthorne and ensure her daughters safety. Designating the case voluntary likely did the most damage.

From an agency perspective, the math is simple: If her daughter had been officially entered into court-approved foster care, DHS would have owed Hawthorne an array of services to reunite her with her daughter.

Under the terms of a voluntary arrangement, Hawthorne was owed nothing.

Numerous documents indicate Hawthorne should have engaged mental health services but without information about a contracted agency that was to provide them.

Hawthorne said in interviews last spring that she was never offered anything at all. Family advocates said the lack of named providers in the files suggests Hawthorne was merely told she should seek services.

Attorney Marcia Lowry, who led a successful lawsuit against New Jersey that triggered reforms there 20 years ago, said that voluntary agreements present problems. They hide the number of families the agency is dealing with and reduce the amount of services theyre obligated to provide.

DHS also appears to be operating in a legal gray area.

State law describes voluntary placement agreements as taking place for no more than 30 days before DHS must either reunite the family or take the case into dependency court.

Under any such arrangement, DHS must create a safety plan to govern the childs living arrangement.

However, according to local dependency attorneys, DHS no longer engages in voluntary placement agreements, instead categorizing all such arrangements as voluntary safety plans  which sounds like a mere semantic difference but carries massive legal ramifications.

Legally, these voluntary safety plans are a much greater concern, said Temple family law professor Sarah Katz, because they can go on indefinitely, the parents are often not made aware of their rights, and the government takes as much control of the child as they would if they had them in their custody. Its essentially a total denial of parental rights.

Hawthorne and her daughter SuLayah faced this exact predicament  life in hidden foster care, under government control but outside of court oversight.

Though SuLayah was never officially in DHS custody, her life was under its control. Parents can choose to terminate the agreement at any point, but sometimes do not understand this or fear that DHS will then take the child into government custody. And in Hawthornes case, her rights were routinely ignored.

In May 2022, according to court documents, Hawthorne texted her case manager that she did not want her daughter placed with Harper any longer. I dont want her with her.  I dont want her around my child.

No change was made.

Then in June 2022, Hawthorne texted SuLayahs case manager to ask if she could visit her daughter for her birthday.

According to Katz and Finck, both DHS and the CUA had no legal authority over Hawthorne and her daughter. However, the case manager texted her back: No.

Legally, Hawthorne could have gone to see SuLayah at any time. But because she did not want to risk seeing her daughter swept into foster care, she complied.

Were seeing these cases in the clinic a lot, Katz said. When either DHS finally seeks custody of the child, or if a parent just gets tired of waiting to be reunited with their child, takes their child back, and forces DHSs hand.

Katz said she is concerned because the notion that these plans are voluntary is laughable. The parents comply the whole time out of fear of DHS.

Plus, shes also seeing many voluntary arrangements persist for months before coming before a judge.

How many of these cases, Katz wondered, are never making their way into custody or dependency court?

DHS wont say. The agency has denied Right-to-Know requests seeking records about voluntary safety plans, including any document that notes how many it conducts annually.

The SuLayah Williams case file totaled 1,117 pages worth of DHS documents, with the vast majority of those pages covering the period of time when she was in a voluntary arrangement. DHS, however, responded that it does not track the number of such plans as a statistic.

Nationally, researchers estimate that 250,000 kids are in hidden foster care each year. DHS Commissioner Kimberly Ali said in an email that the sharp reduction in foster care placements, which are down almost 60% since 2017, has nothing to do with the agencys use of voluntary safety plans.

Katz said the citys reported reduction in foster care cases could be driven in part by the use of voluntary plans. I fear were bringing down the number of kids in foster care by denying families their due process rights, she said.

Thomson, Hawthornes attorney, said last spring: These are poor Black mothers and poor Black kids. The system is just set up so that child welfare workers have too much power.

Unlimited visits

After her daughters killing, Tytianna Hawthorne did the only things she could still do to care for her.

She sought custody of her remains and held her funeral.

Hawthornes experience reflects a tragic twist on the way many families experience the child welfare system. Nationally, only about half of families separated by foster care are allowed to live together again, typically within a year, and achieve what the system calls reunification. In Philadelphia, that number has fallen below 40%.

In the wake of her daughters death, Hawthorne tried to remember when they were together and happy: SuSu, as she called her, watching Doc McStuffins on TV, learning to dance, and appearing unnaturally smart for her age.

Some days the sadness ran so deep, Hawthorne could barely function. But she was capable of recognizing her own needs and advocating for her daughter.

The last time she saw SuLayah, the little girl lay in a hospital bed, dying. But when asked if she would be willing to share anything she said to the little girl, she protected their last memory.

No, she stated.  Im gonna leave that private.

Some months after her daughters death, she texted a picture.

The image was a headstone shed secured: SuLayah M. Williams. June 27, 2020-Feb. 4, 2023. Forever in Our Hearts.

The stone includes an image of a large teddy bear, carved into the marble, with a bow tie and its arms spread, as if ready for a hug.

No one can stop her from visiting.
Two girls, ages 8 and 10, have died after a fire destroyed two homes and damaged four others in Millville, Cumberland County, authorities said Thursday night.

Millville Mayor Benjamin Romanik said in a statement that the fire started late Wednesday night on the 300 Block of South Fourth Street by Railroad Avenue, and by the time firefighters arrived, two houses were already in flames.

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The fire quickly spread, completely destroying two homes and damaging four other ones. Unfortunately, there were two fatalities. In addition, over twenty people lost their homes, Romanik said.

Another official said the fatalities were the two girls.

Authorities said that the fire caused two homes to fully collapse.

No injuries were reported to firefighters, who continued to battle the fire Thursday morning.

Authorities said firefighters efforts to extinguish the fire were complicated by water-supply issues, as they needed hundreds of feet of hose to hook up to a fire hydrant. The closest fire hydrant was broken, authorities said.

Additionally, the collapse of two of the houses caused breaks in the natural gas line, authorities said, and began feeding the fire with gas.
In the nearly three months since the city launched its Neighborhood Wellness Court  the new fast-track court program for people in addiction arrested in Kensington  only two people have successfully completed drug treatment.

Nearly two-thirds of the more than 40 people brought before the court since late January dropped out of treatment within days, then failed to appear at follow-up hearings, according to an Inquirer review of the cases.

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But Mayor Cherelle L. Parkers administration says those numbers do not define the programs success, and it has asked City Council to approve about $3.7 million in additional funding to expand it.

The additional money, officials said, would allow the court to operate five days per week, instead of one, and hire seven new staff members to oversee it.

Parker and her team have touted the court as a key part of their goal to shut down the open-air drug market in Kensington and restore a neighborhood that, for years, has been overrun with public drug use, drug dealing, and homelessness.

But the data out of the early, pilot phase of the court have raised questions about its effectiveness and, for some, underscored the challenges of trying to force people in addiction, many with complex physical and mental health issues, into treatment before they might be ready.

It raises red flags about consent, red flags about effectiveness, certainly about expense, Councilmember Nicolas ORourke said during a budget hearing this week. Frankly, its hard to reconcile.

During the hearing, Adam Geer, head of the Philadelphia Office of Public Safety, which oversees wellness court, declined to share data on the program with Council. He would not say how many people have successfully completed treatment or how many dropped out, emphasizing that it is too early to judge the program by numbers alone.

In an interview Wednesday, he said his team needs to meet with the court to review the data and determine which cases could be considered successfully completed.

As of this week, police had arrested about 70 people during the Wednesday morning sweeps for wellness court. Not everyone picked up makes it to court  some have outstanding bench warrants and are transferred to jail, while others are taken to a hospital.

Still, Geer said, he did not want to share data on the court until it reaches the six-month mark.

ORourke, of the progressive Working Families Party, said he was frustrated by the lack of transparency and called it disrespectful to the budget process.

Youre asking for money now, not later, he said. There are questions members have, and we are expecting answers now.

How the court works

Wellness court, which launched in January, is designed to connect people in addiction with same-day treatment and resources. Every Wednesday morning, police walk through Kensington in search of people who appear to be in addiction, stumbling into the street or sleeping on the sidewalk, and arrest them. They are typically charged with public drunkenness or obstructing a highway, which are summary offenses.

Previously, police only could issue written citations, akin to a traffic ticket, for these crimes. But Parker signed an order in January allowing officers to take people into custody.

People are first brought to a resource center at B Street and Lehigh Avenue, where they are evaluated by a nurse and an addiction specialist. Attorneys from the Defender Association of Philadelphia work to clear any outstanding warrants that would typically send them to jail. Then, they are connected with a city-contracted attorney to represent them in court.

Finally, they are brought before a judge inside the nearby police district. They are offered the opportunity to immediately go to rehab or face a summary trial for their crime. If they opt to go into treatment, and complete the program, their cases are dismissed and expunged.

Few have asked for a same-day trial. Those found guilty have so far been ordered to pay fines and court fees ranging from about $200 to $500.

Most people have opted to go into treatment, which includes their choice of intensive, inpatient rehab, or outpatient services. But very few have made it through, the data show. Many drop out within just a few days. One man fled before he was even met by an intake worker at the facility.

Only two have successfully completed the terms of their treatment, and both are now being housed at Riverview, the new transitional housing complex built by Parkers team on State Road, said Christian Colon, their defense attorney contracted by the city.

On Wednesday, one of those successful cases, a 43-year-old mother of three, stood before the court, smiling. Two months ago, she said, she was homeless and addicted to opioids in Kensington. Now, she said, she was nearly 60 days sober, had a place to live, and was rekindling her relationship with her sons.

I really want it this time, she said of staying sober.

Her resolve and perseverance were rare for wellness court, where most people do not return. Many brought before the court are chronically homeless. Some appear to nod off, and are shaking and sweating during their proceedings.

Geer said it is unrealistic to believe that everyone in the court will successfully complete treatment. Every contact officials have with people in addiction matters, he said, and increases their likelihood of entering treatment.

The notion that neighborhood wellness court is going to sweep in and take in people in the worst throes of addiction, and theyll get this one hit and be successful and go straight to Riverview, thats not realistic, he said. Its not pragmatic or what we would expect from any other system.

At Tuesdays Council hearing, Geer said the citys existing diversion programs are more likely to send people to jail. Police, he said, will continue to enforce laws and make arrests in the neighborhood.

Without wellness court, he said, those who are arrested are more likely to be charged with misdemeanors, and go to a cold cell inside the local police station that does not have a nurse, that does not have a housing specialist  that does not have a behavioral health specialist. It doesnt have any of that. They just go to the cell.

That, ORourke said, was troubling.

I was disturbed by the idea that, as the head of public safety, that if we dont just give you money, while youre not answering our questions, youre just going to lock everybody up.

He added: That is not the sort of representation that we need to be having coming out of our city if we are serious about providing care.

Parker has asked Council to approve $2.7 million for the court operations, and $2.8 million for the B and Lehigh resource center to run 24/7, plus $1 million for the Defender Association to provide full-time support.

In total, the administration is asking Council to allocate $78.9 million for Geers office, which was established last year as a way to centralize the citys myriad public safety programs outside traditional policing.

Its just a sliver of what the administration is requesting in its efforts to stabilize Kensington. Parker has asked Council to approve $300 million over five years to support construction and operations at the city-run drug addiction recovery house in Northeast Philadelphia.

ORourke said he and his colleagues want to see the efforts succeed.

The idea is not to see the administration fail, he said. We know its part of a concerted effort, a symphony of force and care and provision theyre putting together to address the disease of addiction.

But, he said, they deserve answers to their questions.

Staff writer Anna Orso contributed to this article.
After years of critical understaffing, violence, and deaths within Philadelphias jail complex, voters will decide in May whether to install a prison oversight board to monitor the facilities and make recommendations for reform.

Oversight is desperately needed, said City Councilmember Nicolas ORourke, describing a visit to the Northeast Philadelphia complex last summer when he observed a man bleeding profusely in his cell. The man had been crying out for help for hours, ORourke learned.

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Speaking at a news conference Wednesday, he said his message to voters was that they can help fix it: Lets meet the low bar of constitutional treatment.

The measure, one of three questions on the ballot on May 20, is the culmination of a three-year legislative process. Former Councilmember Helen Gym introduced the proposal in 2022 in response to Inquirer reporting on the jails crisis, as well as what she said was a community outcry over prison conditions.

Councilmember Isaiah Thomas, who took over the legislation, said his office has learned important lessons from the citys troubled Community Police Oversight Commission that will enable the board to operate effectively.

The board would have subpoena power, authority to make unannounced visits to the prisons, and a projected $1.3 million budget. Thomas anticipates it would have four members selected by Council, four by the mayor, and one by the city controller. Other details are yet to be determined.

Prisons Commissioner Michael Resnick, speaking at the departments City Council budget hearing Wednesday, said he was not opposed to oversight.  The public has the right to know what it is that we do.

He added that the prisons, which house 3,500 people awaiting trial or serving short sentences, already have a lot of oversight, including from the Pennsylvania Prison Society and the courts.

In fact, jails have been under court oversight for 32 of the last 43 years, noted Tom Innes of the Defender Association of Philadelphia.

The department is currently being monitored by order of a federal judge, who last year found the city in contempt and ordered officials to set aside $25 million to remedy conditions.

The monitors most recent report, released in March, noted the city was still not fulfilling its commitments. But the monitor said conditions had improved in the prison, thanks to a modest staffing increase and a nearly 30% decrease in the number of people incarcerated.

Eric Desiderio, president of Local 159 of District Council 33, which represents city correctional officers, said the union is cautiously open to the oversight board, with one condition.

The union, he said, should be able to select one of the board members  somebody that has correctional experience, that knows the operations and the policies and the procedures, of how things should be ran.

Six people died in the jails last year, but that was a significant improvement from the pandemic-era death toll.

But Resnick said staffing increases and improved processes are saving lives, including increased medical rounding on housing units, and outfitting newly admitted prisoners with medical monitoring devices.
My husband and I bought a Tesla Model 3 in 2018, before I knew much about Elon Musk.

My hubby is a big-time techie and was the one who really wanted it. Im not a car person, so I didnt give it much thought before we went to the dealership. To me, it was just a cool electric car with a lot of nice features. I was fascinated by the touchscreen.

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Now, would I buy a Tesla again? Theres absolutely no way, not as long as Musk is the companys CEO. In the meantime, I still drive the car. Its convenient. Its reliable. I dont think of it as a swasticar, as some have branded it.

Sure, we could sell it, as Tesla Takedown demonstrators have urged owners to do. And we might one day, even though it could get more difficult as time goes on. We just havent made that move yet. We arent in a rush, especially since our selling it wont impact Musk.

This is actually our third electric car. We are big EV fans. (Previously, we drove Chevrolet Volts, which are driven by an electric motor with a gas engine backup.) Its an environmental thing for us. A full charge at home allows us to drive the Tesla about 200 miles and costs only about $12.75. Also we have spent just $326 for maintenance since we purchased it, not including a new set of tires.

We intend to keep driving our vehicle at least until the situation gets sorted out with all of the new tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump.

As for Musk, he has inflicted an unconscionable amount of damage on the federal government in his role as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). In return, the Tesla brand has suffered unprecedented brand damage.

America may never look at the brand the same way it did before Musk started shutting down entire government agencies, firing tens of thousands of federal workers, and cutting hundreds of millions in medical research. And now comes word DOGE may even be using artificial intelligence to spy on workers, according to Reuters.

Musk deserves every bit of ire he attracts. The bulk of his fortune is tied up in his 13% ownership of Tesla stock. It has lost roughly half its value since reaching a high of about $480 in December. The worlds richest man admitted recently that his role with DOGE is costing me a lot. Tesla sales are way down, as is the stock price. (Full disclosure: My husband owns Tesla stock.)

Ive been thinking about this ever since protesters started raising awareness with their boycotts of the Tesla brand.

Most participants in these protests are law-abiding and nonviolent. But some have targeted Tesla dealerships and charging stations with dangerous, destructive, and illegal actions.

And, increasingly, theyve targeted Tesla drivers.

Thats uncalled for  and Im not just saying so out of self-interest.

No one knows what a car owners individual circumstances are. Not every owner can run out and unload their vehicles the way the actress Bette Midler recently did, calling it a symbol of racism, greed, and ignorance. Its just not that simple for every consumer. Especially now that tariffs are expected to impact the price of new (and even used) cars and trucks.

Some drivers may agree with the demonstrators and fully intend to sell or trade in their Teslas, but may not have gotten around to it yet (and Tesla is reportedly no longer accepting Cybertruck trade-ins).

At the end of the day, replacing a car that is running fine may rank lower on someones priority list than the hundreds of other demands they may be juggling.

But now, Tesla drivers have to think twice about where they can drive or park their vehicles for fear of getting harassed or having their car vandalized.

I totally get the anger at Musk. Harassment and vandalism that target people who already own Teslas? Thats misdirected. It would be great if people channeled that into something constructive  like actually turning out to vote in next years midterm elections.
Hours after a right-wing challenger was removed from the GOP primary ballot for Delaware County council on a Thursday last month, the county party issued a statement decrying the behavior of a small but vocal minority that claimed to represent Republican values.

The prior weeks, the statement noted, had brought out the best and the worst in the suburban GOP as this small group leveled preposterous accusations, unlawful recordings, countless lies, and attempts at intimidation.

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The actions of a few, while disconcerting, have in many ways brought our party of 150,000 registered Republicans closer, sharpened our focus, and strengthened our resolve, the statement said.

By the following Monday, the post was deleted.

Party chair Frank Agovino said he deleted the post after around 400 comments had been made by a handful of people arguing in the comments section.

Once a powerful machine that ran the suburban county for generations, Delaware County Republicans have not held a seat on the countys governing board since Democrats took control of all five council seats in 2020.

Two of those seats are on the ballot this year, and, on the heels of a 23% property tax increase, GOP leaders believe the 2025 election represents the partys best chance yet to regain a seat on the governing board.

But that chance to regain power has yielded a chaotic primary fight that has highlighted tensions and divisions within the party, some that have festered since the 2020 election when conspiracy theories about election fraud caught fire among right-wing GOP activists.

The struggle has been largely contained to social media where establishment Republicans say it will have little bearing on their race against Democrats in November. But others worry its created a distraction that threatens to harm a party that must appeal to both conservatives and moderates to win.

In Delaware County, and across the U.S., establishment Republicans have struggled to contend with the extreme right wing of the party that is deeply aligned with President Donald Trump and often takes an all-or-nothing approach to conservative issues while continuing to promote debunked conspiracy theories about election fraud.

Agovino, who has chaired the Delco GOP since 2022, said inner-party fights reflect a loss in civility in politics in both parties.

I dont begrudge anybody for having energy and wanting to be part of the process but we have to do it together, Agovino said. Even this small group of people, if you sat them down one by one, chances are that we would probably agree on 80% of things.

A right-wing activist vies for a spot on the ballot

In Delaware County, each partys candidates for public office are often decided before voters cast a ballot in the May primaries. The county parties hold private nominating conventions where candidates pitch themselves to a collection of party leaders for a coveted endorsement.

That endorsement gives candidates a major advantage in closed party primaries that tend to discourage unendorsed candidates from throwing their hats in the ring.

This year, Delaware County Democrats are supporting incumbent council member Richard Womack and County Controller Joanne Phillips. After a messy endorsement process and the withdrawal of one of the partys initial picks, the Delco Republicans threw their support behind former Upper Darby Council member Brian Burke and former county worker Liz Piazza.

Charlie Alexander, a right-wing activist who has spread conspiracy theories about undocumented immigrants, announced he would run in the primary against the establishments picks after he was not nominated for the party endorsement.

Alexander pitched his candidacy on the idea that he was a newcomer with new ideas but also on a claim that the Delco GOP had tried to buy him out of the race with the promise of a job leading a county department and he had refused, proving he couldnt be bought.

He quickly gained the support of Leah Hoopes, who is known in Delaware County for making false claims of election fraud and has repeatedly clashed with party leaders in recent years.

Bill Ruane, the person Alexander said tried to buy him out of the race, holds no official position in the party and maintains that Alexander took their conversation out of context. He has sent a cease-and-desist letter to Alexander and Hoopes.

Since the GOP nominating convention in February, Alexander and Hoopes have become increasingly antagonistic toward party leadership. Hoopes also persistently attacked one candidate, Tasliym Morales, online until she dropped out of the race. She has continued regularly posting in support of Alexander and criticizing party leaders, referring to the party as a uniparty. The posts often resulted in accusatory online sparring as establishment Republicans, including Val Biancaniello, a state committee person, have added their own posts critical of Hoopes and Alexander.

Hoopes declined to answer questions and in an email was critical of The Inquirers coverage.

Alexander said his primary concern with the county GOP is that it pays just as good for the Delaware County GOP to take second place as it does first place, but he declined to elaborate further.

Agovino, who said he didnt want to call out specific people, said the attacks the GOP is facing online have left him flabbergasted.

Theyre preposterous allegations, he said. I dont really understand where any of it comes from.

Legal challenges and an uncertain candidacy

The antagonism between Alexander and establishment Republicans reached a new height last month when three Republicans, represented by a prominent GOP law firm in Delaware County, challenged Alexanders candidacy. A county judge sided with the challenge, knocking Alexander from the ballot for insufficient paperwork.

The petitioners and their attorney did not respond to requests for comment. But Agovino said the GOP was not part of the case and tends to stay at arms length from such petitions.

In several court filings, Alexander argued his removal from the ballot was politically orchestrated and that by denying his petitions the judge in the case was a political enabler of election manipulation. He has an appeal pending before the Commonwealth Court.

I think they are trampling all over election integrity right now by pursuing this because Charlie is the one that did not follow the rules and file  [his statement of financial interest] in the first place, Biancaniello said.

Last month Alexander said he would run a write-in campaign if he wasnt able to gain ballot access. But in an interview earlier this month, Alexander said he was no longer sure of his path forward but was confident that he would win his appeals.

A long shot, a distraction, or a threat?

Alexander, in his postings online, has suggested Republicans are trying to knock him off the ballot because they fear his candidacy. However, no polling exists in the race and, historically, Alexanders campaign represents a long shot as an unendorsed candidate.

Thus far, Alexanders campaign tactics have focused on social media and other marketing, he said. Online engagement, recognition in the streets, and the more than 1,500 signatures he gathered for his candidacy indicate he has a strong base of support, he noted.

He cites the existence of burner accounts attacking him online as evidence that establishment leaders are concerned.

Im just operating as I was raised to with integrity and authenticity and, unfortunately, Delaware County GOP lacks both, Alexander said.

But Agovino, Piazza, Burke, Ruane, and other GOP leaders dont see Alexander as a threat.

Theyre bigger in their own minds and in their own social media than they really are in society, Ruane said.

After the GOP primary on May 20, Burke, the former Upper Darby council person, said concerns over Delaware Countys financial health are certain to unite Republicans.

When we hit May 21, I think youre gonna see Delaware County residents come together looking for a change, Burke said.

Alexander said Monday he had not decided whether he would support Republican candidates if he werent a nominee. State law allows him to file to run as an independent in the general election or wage a write-in campaign.

At the end of the day, Agovino said, the intraparty arguments and accusations will ultimately be meaningless in a local election cycle where voters arent paying attention yet.

I only think its a distraction if some of those people decide to vote for Democrats or not vote at all, he said.

Meanwhile, the primary lays bare disputes that continue to fester within the party.

Joy Schwartz, a county committee person and 2023 candidate for county council, said the sparring has highlighted frustration among grassroots activists who, like her, feel that they are not listened to and dont like the fact that party leaders pick candidates rather than leaving it to primary voters. The squabbles, she said, will continue until either the GOP bylaws and practices change or grassroots activists leave the party.

Both Leah and Charlie have been brutally honest in their remarks against GOP primary endorsements and they have both drawn criticism for being excessively salty and divisive in their online posts, Schwartz said in a statement. But are they wrong?

Biancaniello, who insists those on the far right dont represent the will of most Republicans, said the past few weeks had painted a picture of divisiveness that could harm the party in the long run.

With all of this drama it does make it more difficult to get highly qualified candidates to step into the arena, she said.
Former Judge Patrick Dugan (center), who is running for Philadelphia district attorney, stands alongside union leaders who are support his campaign. At left is Brian Pollitt, Transport Workers Union of America (TWU) Local 234 President, and at right is Michael Bresnan, International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) Local 22 President. Unions have played a major role in Dugan's fundraising success. Read more

Former Philadelphia Judge Patrick Dugan is far outpacing District Attorney Larry Krasner in fundraising  bringing in twice as much cash  as he tries to unseat the citys progressive top prosecutor, according to campaign finance reports filed this week.

Dugan has a bevy of unions to thank for that, most notably the Philadelphia Building and Construction Trades Council, a juggernaut political power in the city that is backing his underdog campaign against Krasner, a two-term incumbent.

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The campaign finance reports filed Tuesday show how support from organized labor is fueling Dugan. All told, unions gave his campaign about $217,000 this year, accounting for nearly half the overall amount he raised. Krasners report shows that, despite winning several union endorsements, he has not yet raised any money from organized labor.

Dugan still faces steep odds. Krasner is a national figure in the progressive prosecutor movement who has been in office for seven years, and Dugan has acknowledged that he does not have the same level of name recognition as the incumbent, especially in an off-year election when voter turnout is typically low.

But campaign cash can be used to pay for advertisements and television commercials, a key way to reach voters in the final six weeks ahead of the May 20 primary election. Dugan has significantly more money to spend on campaigning, with about $427,600 in the bank as of April 1 compared with Krasners $164,800. Neither candidate is running television ads yet.

In a statement, Dugans campaign said the support of the building trades has in the past tipped the scales for candidates, a nod to the groups backing of Mayor Cherelle L. Parker, who was elected in 2023.

Im proud of the support we have garnered to make Philadelphia a safer city, Dugan said in the statement. I am running for District Attorney because I believe Philadelphia deserves better than Mr. Krasner has offered.

 READ MORE: Philly labor unions are split over who they want to be district attorney

Anthony Campisi, a spokesperson for Krasner, said their campaign is powered by ordinary people, adding that more than 1,000 individual donors contributed an average of $200 each to elect Krasner.

We know that working families, and not special interests and billionaires, are the backbone of our campaign, Campisi said. We feel confident that we will have more than enough financial resources to get Larrys message out there and to turn out voters on Election Day.

 READ MORE: DA Larry Krasner says Philly is safer and freer as he seeks a third term. Will voters buy in?

One outstanding question is whether either candidate will have help from outside interests looking to influence the race. Any infusion of outside resources could dwarf the campaigns spending, because independent expenditure groups, also known as super PACs, can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money.

Krasner, who was elected in 2017 and reelected in 2021, has in the past raised only middling amounts of money compared with his opponents. But his message made its way to voters those years in part through advertisements paid for by independent political action committees, including one funded by billionaire philanthropist and Democratic megadonor George Soros.

The incumbent prosecutor and outspoken critic of President Donald Trump has also made plenty of enemies. Elon Musk, the billionaire adviser to Trump who poured millions into Pennsylvania during the presidential campaign, has suggested his America PAC may target progressives across the country.

It is not yet clear if either billionaire will get involved in the race.

Most of Dugans money came from PACs and unions

In the first three months of the year, Dugans campaign brought in $466,600, significantly out-raising Krasner, who brought in nearly $182,000. Dugan had already entered the year with more money in his campaigns coffers after raising about $40,000 more than Krasner did in 2024.

More than half of Dugans money raised over the last three months came from political action committees, the vast majority of which were affiliated with unions. (One PAC that was not affiliated with a union was the political arm of Wawa, which contributes often to political candidates and gave Dugan $3,000.)

 READ MORE: Patrick Dugan wants to cap his military and judicial career by becoming Phillys top prosecutor. Can he win?

Ryan Boyer, the business manager of the Philadelphia Building and Construction Trades Council and cochair of Dugans campaign, said he is confident the former judge can mount a serious challenge in the final six weeks with the help of organized labor and its get-out-the-vote operation.

I wont say it will be an easy task, but its very doable, Boyer said. We believe in our candidate and our message, and we have the resources to get his message out.

Dugan also received contributions from some notable figures in the citys legal and business circles, including prominent personal injury attorney Robert Mongeluzzi and workers compensation lawyer Samuel Pond, each of whom gave $3,700, the maximum amount allowed under the citys campaign finance law. (Josh Kopelman, a venture capitalist and the chair emeritus of The Inquirers board, also gave Dugan the maximum amount.)

Several of Dugans donors have themselves run for office before, including Michael Untermeyer, who was a candidate for district attorney in 2017, and State Rep. Jared Solomon, a Northeast Philadelphia Democrat who has been critical of Krasner and had considered running for district attorney.

Solomon, who contributed $500 to Dugans campaign, is the only elected official in the city to publicly back Dugan thus far.

Krasners money largely came from individuals

For his part, Krasners entire fundraising haul came from individual donors, and he logged more small-dollar contributions than Dugan. Less than 5% of Dugans money came from donors who gave $250 or less. Meanwhile, donors contributing $250 or less accounted for a quarter of Krasners fundraising.

Krasners campaign is likely to report money from PACs in its future fundraising disclosures. He has been endorsed by several labor unions that a campaign spokesperson said are likely to donate in the coming weeks.

And on Wednesday, Krasner won an expected endorsement from the progressive Working Families Party, which often contributes directly to endorsed candidates.

The group said in a news release Wednesday that it will organize its members, supporters, and voters across the city to support Krasner.

The Working Families Party stands firmly behind District Attorney Larry Krasner in this race, Sergio Hyland, a criminal justice organizer for the Pennsylvania arm of the Working Families Party, said in a statement. We are proud to endorse him and support his unwavering commitment to transformative criminal justice reform.
Philadelphia Managing Director Adam K. Thiel on Wednesday told City Council that the administration had a lot of candidates to lead the Office of Immigrant Affairs. Read more

Mayor Cherelle L. Parkers administration this week will begin interviewing candidates to be the executive director of the Philadelphia Office of Immigrant Affairs, a high-profile post that has been vacant since the unexpected resignation of Amy Eusebio days after President Donald Trump took office in January.

Philadelphia Managing Director Adam K. Thiel on Wednesday told City Council that the administration had a lot of candidates to lead the office, and that interviews were set to start Thursday evening.

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We want to make sure that we get the best person for that very critical role, Thiel said at a hearing on the city budget.

Eusebios unexpected departure created a vacancy in an office meant to be a liaison to Philadelphias immigrant community, just as Trump returned to the White House with an agenda that included mass deportations and taking punitive actions against organizations and local governments that seek to aid immigrants.

Her replacement will have to strike a delicate balance between fulfilling the offices mission  to promote the well-being of Philadelphias immigrant communities, according to the citys website  and staying in line with Parkers cautious approach to the second Trump administration.

Parker, a moderate Democrat, has avoided directing combative rhetoric at Trump, likely to avoid putting Philly in the presidents crosshairs, and she has faced pressure to be more vocal.

But she has said all existing city policies aimed at protecting immigrants remain in place  most notably, Philly is a so-called sanctuary city, meaning it declines to assist federal immigration enforcement  and Thiel reiterated that commitment Wednesday while being questioned by lawmakers.

What were proposing is to continue the suite of services that we provided as a city with city funding, Thiel said.

 READ MORE: Mayor Parkers administration says Phillys sanctuary city policy remains despite threats from Trump

Councilmember Jamie Gauthier asked Thiel whether the administration would consider a proposal to increase funding for immigrant legal services and move those functions out of the administration and into the Defender Association of Philadelphia, which operates independently from the mayors administration and employs public defenders well-versed in serving clients with varying immigration statuses.

Parkers proposed city budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1 includes a $450,000 increase for the Office of Immigrant Affairs to boost funding to nonprofits that provide legal counsel for immigrants. Advocates have pushed for an even greater increase, to $1.3 million.

Thiel said the administration was open to negotiating funding levels and would consider moving legal services to the public defenders office. But he said the administration will wait until Parker names a new executive director before making a decision, adding that those questions would be the appointees first order of business.

Thiels comments largely echoed what Parkers chief of staff, Tiffany W. Thurman, said at a hearing last month about the potential move to the defenders office.

Were not opposed to it, but were not gonna make a decision until we have the OIA director in place, Thurman said.

The resignation of Eusebio, who was appointed by former Mayor Jim Kenney to lead the immigration office in 2019, left a major gap at the agency tasked with serving the citys immigration population, including the estimated 50,000 people in Philadelphia without legal immigration status.

Gauthier, one of Councils more progressive voices, on Wednesday urged the administration to respond to Trump with more urgency.

You mentioned we have the same supports in place, Gauthier said to Thiel, but the world isnt the same. The world has changed a lot in the last three months, and theres terror in the immigrant community.

Thiel said the city will continue to track the White Houses moves but noted that the federal governments interaction with Philly residents is not something that is within our ability to control.

 READ MORE: How much could Philly lose if Trump cuts funding to cities? Heres what you need to know.

Councilmember Rue Landau, also a progressive Democrat, held a hearing earlier this year probing the citys preparedness for Trumps second term.

For a lot of us, what is happening to marginalized communities throughout Philadelphia is deeply, deeply felt, Landau said. Its painful, its scary, its terrifying, and we would hope that our city can respond in a way thats not erratically emotional.

Staff writer Anna Orso contributed to this article.
Toll Brothers, the Fort Washington-based luxury home builder, bought the former home of St. Basil Academy, an all-girls Ukrainian Catholic school in Jenkintown, seen here in 2021. The company intends to demolish the existing buildings and construct 150 carriage homes for residents 55 and older. Read more

Toll Brothers has purchased the site of a former Catholic school in Jenkintown and plans to start construction on a 55+ community on the property.

The Fort Washington-based home builder paid $9.5 million, according to Montgomery County officials, for 46 acres that was the longtime home of St. Basil Academy. The 90-year-old Ukrainian Catholic girls school closed during the pandemic, citing declining enrollment and financial pressures.

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According to Abington Township records, Toll Brothers plans to demolish the existing buildings at 711 Fox Chase Rd. and construct 150 carriage homes, a pool, and a clubhouse on the property, as first reported Monday by the Philadelphia Business Journal. Demolition could begin as soon as next week, according to the Glenside Local, citing a letter sent to nearby residents.

Toll Brothers February purchase came at a precarious time for home builders.

The company  which calls itself Americas Luxury Home Builder  fell short of sales and earnings projections in the first quarter of fiscal year 2025. In a February interview, CEO Douglas C. Yearley Jr. said he attributed the miss to lower asset values and a delay in the pending sale of an apartment property that is now expected to close later in year.

But new challenges loom for the industry. President Donald Trumps tariffs on imports are expected to drive up the cost of home building, according to the National Association of Home Builders, a trade group that represents more than 130,000 residential construction professionals.

In February, before all of Trumps tariff plans were announced, Yearley expressed optimism, telling The Inquirer: The long-term outlook for the new home market is very positive, especially for our luxury niche.

Toll Brothers did not return a request for comment for this article as of Wednesday afternoon.

For the Sisters of Saint Basil, the sale of the school property is a godsend.

As of February, when ownership was transferred, two dozen sisters of Saint Basil still lived at the orders motherhouse across the street from the closed school. The women have an average age of 84, with virtually zero income to help cover their increasing medical costs and other needs, they said in a statement posted to their chapters website.

The sale to Toll Brothers will allow the Sisters to pay for their health care and other basic living expenses for the next several years, the sisters wrote. A portion of the proceeds from the transaction will be tithed to support Sisters of Saint Basil around the world, the Ukrainian Catholic Church, and community organizations.
Sampson said the insurance sector is heavily dependent on globally sourced materials such as steel, lumber and machinery  all of which could become more expensive under the proposed tariffs, according to a report by Auto Body News.
The APCIA also said the proposed shift could be especially burdensome for low-income drivers who may face higher premiums under a liability-based system. The concern is that some may be priced out of coverage entirely, increasing the number of uninsured motorists, the report added.
The company also disclosed that C$30 million net pretax losses from storms in the UK were attributed to its exited home insurance operations. These losses will be recorded within the underwriting results for discontinued lines, according to the company.
More than a decade later, the effects are still being felt. Many carriers scaled back or pulled out altogether, making it harderand more expensivefor builders to find coverage. And while the bill was meant to protect the industry, brokers like Beninati say it also added uncertainty to an already complex market.
The Department of Justice recently recovered approximately $5.3 million for a union hit by a business email compromise (BEC) scheme.

The judgment was the result of a civil forfeiture complaint filed by the United States in June 2024 seeking the forfeiture of the funds.

As alleged in the complaint, in January 2023, a workers union based in Dorchester, Massachusetts, was defrauded out of $6.4 million after it received a spoofed email that appeared to be from its investment manager. The email misled the workers union into transferring the funds to the wrong bank account, which was controlled by a third party.

After the workers union sent the payment, the fraudulently obtained funds were transferred through several intermediary bank accounts, with some funds transferred, or attempted to be transferred, to a cryptocurrency exchange and to various foreign bank accounts located in Hong Kong, China, Singapore, and Nigeria.

Investigators also traced proceeds of the scheme to seven domestically held bank accounts, the contents of which were subsequently seized.

The Justice Departments Criminal Division; the U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts; and the U.S. Secret Service made the announcement. The Secret Service investigated the case.
Starting in the 1980s, New York law enforcement and health officials fielded sexual abuse complaints from the young patients of a respected pediatrician who ran his practice out of a basement office in his home on Long Island.

But Stuart Copperman was never charged with any crime, and it was only as he approached retirement in 2000, at the age of 65, that he was stripped of his medical license over the complaints.

Now, 25 years later, more than 100 of his former patients have some vindication in their yearslong fight: a court has ordered him to pay a total of $1.6 billion.

The Rev. Debbi Rhodes, who was awarded $25 million, says the completion of the litigation in late March in state Supreme Court brought a mix of relief and frustration.

Im not sure if hes facing justice. He kind of got away with it for all these years, the 63-year-old Episcopal priest in Las Vegas said by phone. But to have a court say, definitively, I believe you. To hear that  thats heavy medicine right there.

A Manhattan lawyer who has represented Copperman over the years didnt respond to multiple messages seeking comment in recent days.

Copperman has steadfastly denied the allegations, suggesting he was simply being thorough in his examinations, which his former patients say were typically conducted after he had ushered their parents out of the room.

Some of the women filed complaints with local police and medical boards over the years, but no criminal charges or disciplinary actions were ever imposed, according to Rhodes lawsuit and others. Then a state medical board revoked his license after hearing from six accusers.

Statute of limitations laws, however, prevented Coppermans accusers from filing lawsuits until passage of New Yorks Child Victims Act, a 2019 law that temporarily allowed people to file suits over sexual abuse they suffered long ago as children.

The Catholic Church and other major institutions have reached huge settlements to resolve sexual misconduct claims, but lawyers for the women say their litigation has resulted in one of the largest cumulative awards against a single individual in the U.S.

For decades, these women were silenced and dismissed, said Kristen Gibbons Feden, a Philadelphia lawyer representing the women. Now, they cannot be ignored.

Copperman never responded to the litigation

The Long Island court ruled for the women because Copperman never responded to the litigation. But some of the special referees, in assessing damages, said they believed the women.

The psychological scars from the abuse suffered by Plaintiff are profound and permanent, wrote William Bodkin in awarding $27 million to a woman identified as Jane Doe T.A. in April 2024.

Here, there can only be outrage at Coppermans reprehensible conduct, he wrote in Rhodes $25 million judgment in December 2024.

The last of the 104 awards were handed down March 28, with amounts ranging from $500,000 to $32 million, according to Michael Della, a Long Island-based attorney also representing the women.

The women also sued local hospitals and health care networks, but those claims were dismissed.

Nobody can grow if they are living in shame

Like many of the accusers, Rhodes says Copperman sexually abused her during routine visits at his home office in Merrick, some 35 miles (56 kilometers) east of Manhattan. She says the abuse started in 1968 when she was 7 years old, and led to an eating disorder and alcohol and drug problems at an early age.

Rhodes says she speaks openly and often about her childhood trauma as part of her ministry, which includes working with prison inmates. She still wrestles with anxiety, depression and other mental health impacts.

Nobody can grow if they are living in shame. Nobody can really change, said Rhodes, who has two now-grown children and whose husband is also an Episcopal priest. Im not even sure you can love if youre living in shame.

The Associated Press typically does not name people who say they have been sexually assaulted unless they come forward publicly, as Rhodes has.

Another woman who was awarded $27 million but declined to be named said revisiting childhood trauma during her deposition was painful but, in a way, healing.

It feels good to know that someone heard us, the woman, identified in the litigation as Jane Doe A.W., said in a phone interview. People now understand the magnitude of what he did.

Lawyers for the women say they have retained a collections specialist to begin pursuing compensation from Copperman.

But Rhodes and other plaintiffs say theyve accepted the possibility they may never see much, if any. Copperman is now 89 years old and lives in South Florida.

Im not sure what justice looks like even if I got a million dollars tomorrow, Rhodes said. For me, its about saying to other women who are facing this that someone will listen to you. I wasnt believed for a very long time. Dont stay silent. Speak your truth.

Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Trends New York
The Army has made changes to how its helicopters use a safety system that broadcasts aircraft location and has reduced the number of flights over Washington following a collision with a passenger jet that killed 67 people, the head of Army aviation told The Associated Press on Tuesday.

Investigators are still determining why the Army helicopter and the American Airlines jet collided near Ronald Reagan National Airport on Jan. 29, but the Federal Aviation Administration has data showing an alarming number of close calls around the airport.

The safety system, called ADSB, short for Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast, has become a flashpoint as some have pointed to the likely lack of use by the Black Hawk helicopter that night as a potential cause of the crash.

The ADSB-out part of the system is designed to help air traffic controllers and nearby planes better track an aircrafts location with position updates every second. But it can also allow anyone  including a plane enthusiast on the ground  know precisely where a helicopter or airplane is located. Army helicopters in the past have turned off the system for many missions because they were deemed sensitive.

The Armys head of aviation, Brig. Gen. Matthew Braman, said there now will be fewer flights with the ADSB-out data turned off.

And also fewer VIP flights

In the months since the crash, the Army has halted the vast majority of flights it was conducting for general officers ranked three stars and above, to ferry them from the Pentagons helipad to regional locations.

It has only resumed limited flights for the defense secretary, deputy defense secretary and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, while a limited number of other senior military leaders can fly from Virginias Fort Belvoir, Braman said.

The Armys 12th Battalion is one of 28 agencies that used the low-altitude helicopter routes around Ronald Reagan National Airport. That includes the Department of Defense, individual military services, local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, emergency medical services, the National Guard, Coast Guard and others.

Changes to ADSB-out policy

Before the collision, the Army was exempt from broadcasting ADSB-out data during sensitive missions, according to an August 2024 memo obtained by the AP. Those missions could include ferrying a senior leader or training for an emergency where transmitting a landing location could expose sensitive tactical information on reaction plans. The Army still has that exemption, but is making changes to how it flies so the exemption wont be used as often, Braman said.

In past training and evaluation flights  such as on the night of the crash  crews combined normal flight routes with practice landings at sensitive locations. That meant they had to fly with ADSB-out switched off for the whole flight, according to the memo.

Now crews are separating normal training and evaluation flights from flights that rehearse the classified continuity of government mission, Braman said. That reduces the number of flights where ADSB-out data will be turned off.

If they are not going to one of those sensitive locations it should 100% be on, Braman said.

Its assumed the three Army crew who were killed in the crash were flying with ADSB-out turned off, but crash investigators have not concluded that yet, he said.

The other part of the system, ADSB-in, pulls in location data from nearby planes and helicopters. Few Army aircraft had ADSB-in, due to the cost, and were not required to have it. The Army has now authorized the purchase of 1,600 ADSB-in systems for its helicopter fleet.

Army says the helicopters location was still known

Even if ADSB-out was off, the Black Hawks transponder was in use and transmitting its position, Braman said.

The FAA says ADSB-out data is more precise than the radar data communicated by a transponder, which depending on the mode in use can shield some aircraft information. The night of the crash, the Black Hawk was transmitting in three transponder modes  A, C, and S  which combined gave the helicopters identity, location and altitude. There was no question where that aircraft was, Braman said.

There was no point during the flight where the jet and the airport control tower could not see the Black Hawk, he said.

I think theres still a perception out there  I know there is  that the aircraft with ADBS-out in that segment around DCA were invisible. And that is so far from the truth, Braman said.

As a result of the crash, the FAA has permanently closed a route along the Potomac River that directly intersected the flight path for the runway where Januarys collision took place.

Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Aviation
An ad for TotalEnergies SE inflated the oil companys investments in renewable energy, misleading consumers, the UKs advertising regulator ruled on Wednesday. Another commercial for Shell, which promoted its investments in EV charging stations and renewable energy, as well as its offshore gas, was acceptable, it found.

The two rulings offer some insight into what the Advertising Standards Authority considers admissible when making green claims. The independent body has been weighing in on energy company ads, arguing they must give an accurate impression of the advertisers overall business activities, rather than just promoting the renewable energy aspects.

The UKs advertising rules prohibit misleading marketing. For green claims, that can include misleading by omission, where accurate claims can break the rules if they dont tell the full story about a companys environmental impact.The recent decisions make it clear that in order to tout green initiatives, oil companies will need to mention their more carbon-intensive business as well.

These cases helpfully demonstrate where the ASA draws the line when considering whether an advertiser who is promoting its green credentials does so in a way that avoids giving a misleading overall impression about the environmental impact of their business, a spokesman for the regulator said in an email.

The ASA trawls the internet to find ads in violation of its rules, and in other cases, it reviews examples submitted by the public. It looked into the TotalEnergies and Shell ads after receiving complaints from Adfree Cities, a campaign group, among others.

On Wednesday, the ASA said a video ad TotalEnergiesposted on the social media site X in May promoted the companys support for clean energy startups, but failed to give a complete picture of its business activities, which mostly still focus on oil and gas. The 30-second ad featured Nash Renewables, a startup that participated in an accelerator program run by TotalEnergies, and its work to optimize the design of wind and solar farms.

Data about the share of the business that focused on low-carbon activities compared to fossil fuels was material information that should have been included, the regulator said in its ruling. The promotion should not appear again, it added.

A spokeswoman for TotalEnergies said in an emailed statement the company acknowledges the ruling.

In its Shell decision,also issued on Wednesday, the ASA said the companys TV commercial made it clear that it mostly invests in oil and gas. In its representations to the regulator Shell said it had deliberately included more information about those investments after a previous ruling. In 2023 ASA banned ads from Shell Plc, Repsol SA and Petronas International Corp, arguing they failed to offer a balanced picture of the companies fossil fuel and renewable energy-based investments.

On Wednesday the regulator also okayed a magazine ad for Barclays Investment Bank promoting its advice on low-carbon and nature-based investments. The banks marketing was aimed at a business and expert audience interested in the services of the investment bank specifically, the regulator said, and therefore was unlikely to be taken as a claim about the companysbroader environmental impact.

Veronica Wignall, co-director at Adfree Cities, said the regulator was failing to protect consumers from misinformation by allowing the Shell ad and accused the ASA of endorsing greenwashing.

The group is among campaigners calling for fossil fuel companies to be banned from advertising altogether, following similar bans for sectors like the tobacco industry. A spokesman for the ASA said its two rulings set out clearly its reasons for different judgements in the two cases.

Photograph: TotalEnergies headquarters in Paris, France. Photo credit: Benjamin Girette/Bloomberg

Related:

Copyright 2025 Bloomberg.

Topics Energy Oil Gas
Soaring levels of civil unrest and political violence are a key concern for businesses of all sizes as well as for their insurers, according to a report published by Allianz Commercial.

The impact of civil unrest or strikes, riots and civil commotion (SRCC) activity is the political risk and violence exposure that companies fear most, with more than 50% of businesses ranking SRCC as their main worry, said the report, titled Political violence and civil unrest trends 2025.

The report derives much of its data and conclusions from the Allianz Risk Barometer 2025, an annual survey of global businesses, which revealed in January that political risks and violence have been a top 10 global risk in four of the past five years  2025, 2024, 2023 and 2021.

Businesses with multi-country exposures are showing a greater interest in political violence coverage, but we are also seeing greater engagement from the SME and mid-corp space about these risks, a true reflection of increasing concern in this segment.

Part of the problem for businesses is the unpredictability of the size, location and length of these incidents, said the Allianz Commercial report, explaining that unlike other perils, such as flood or windstorm, it is difficult to prepare in the same way to mitigate losses and build contingency and business continuity plans.

Political violence activity can affect businesses in many ways, the report indicated. In addition to endangering the safety of employees and customers, those in the immediate vicinity of unrest can suffer business interruption losses and material damage to property or assets, while indirect damage can be inflicted on companies in the form of loss of attraction or denial of access to their premises.

Excluding the ongoing social unrest in the Balkans and Turkey, Allianz noted, there have been over 800 significant anti-government protests in more than 150 countries, with more than 160 significant events taking place during 2024 alone. The report said that 18% of these protests lasted for more than three months.

Allianz research shows that in the top 20 countries for frequency of protest and riot activity around the world during 2024, there were more than 80,000 incidents, with India, the US, France, Germany, Turkey, and Spain among the top hotspots.

As unrest can now spread more quickly and widely  thanks in part to the power of social media  economic and insured losses from such activity can be considerable, said the Allianz Commercial report.

The patterns of protests and violence over the last 10 years has shown that targets such as government buildings, transport infrastructure, retail premises and distribution centers for critical goods can be specific but, often, businesses are victims of their locality and their footprint.

Rising Insurance Losses

Insurers are also very concerned about the increase in the frequency and severity of SRCC events.

Events such as riots in Chile and South Africa and the Black Lives Matter unrest in the U.S. have resulted in insured losses well in excess of US$10 billion over the past decade, surpassing other levels of political violence and terrorism insurance claims, the report confirmed.

In certain hotspot territories, losses can rival or surpass those from natural catastrophes, while in others, although the direct impact may be minor, events can still trigger long- lasting changes in the societies they affect, it added.

Religious and Political Terrorism

The report went on to discuss the major threat of religious and political terrorism from political extremists who are motivated by both far-right and far-left ideologies.

Far-right motivated terrorism is considered by many to be the fastest growing or most prominent domestic security threat, Allianz said, pointing to analysis from the International Observatory for Studies on Terrorism (OIET), which shows there were well in excess of 100 reported terrorism and right-wing extremist incidents during 2024, driven primarily by events in the US (with 76 incidents) and followed by Germany (with 19 incidents).

Meanwhile, far left extremists are increasingly targeting individuals or companies who they see as contributing negatively towards issues such as capitalism, climate change or inequality, the report said.

More frequent and severe actions during 2025 and beyond can be anticipated. In addition, extremists are increasingly acting on their own, making them harder to track, disrupt and prevent. In addition, extremists are increasingly acting on their own, making them harder to track, disrupt and prevent, Allianz Commercial said.

Risk Management and Insurance

Turning to the risk management and insurance techniques that can help businesses mitigate against the political violence peril, the report noted that almost all property classes of insurance offer some degree of SRCC coverage, and as a result, businesses are showing increasing interest in buying stand-alone coverages.

Businesses with multi-country exposures are showing a greater interest in political violence coverage, but we are also seeing greater engagement from the SME and mid-corp space about these risks, a true reflection of increasing concern in this segment, according to Tim McGain, a regional head of Property at Allianz Commercial, who is quoted in the report.

Business interruption has been ranked as a top two risk for the past decade in our annual Allianz Risk Barometer, said Srdjan Todorovic, head of Political Violence and Hostile Environment Solutions, Allianz Commercial.

The causes of business interruption losses can range from natural catastrophes to manmade causes and malicious risks such as political violence, terrorism, sabotage or cyber events, sanctions, tariffs, trade wars and actual wars, Todorovic added.

It would therefore be negligent for large companies to not consider political violence and terrorism exposures in the same vein as they are considering the impact that natural catastrophes might have on their operations. Political violence perils need to be factored into business interruption, continuity and planning, he warned.

Risk Mitigation Suggestions

The report went on to offer suggestions from Allianz Commercials risk experts about what companies can do to safeguard their assets and employees, while ensuring business continuity in the event of unrest or a political violence incident. The list follows here:

Stay abreast of news on planned protests and government policies and implement a business continuity plan (BCP) in advance if you do not have one in place already.

Revise and update your BCP if needed. Your BCP and your business processes might need amending if a regime introduces new requirements or if there is a risk of sanctions.

Retail businesses on high streets (or main streets) should increase security and/or reduce inventory, including those with high-value assets, those that are multinational or foreign-owned, petrol stations, pharmacies, and banks. Consider temporary relocation of inventory or assets if you are highly likely to be affected.

Implement increased security measures at distribution center. Prepare for moving more services online to support business continuity.

Protect your supply chains by ensuring diversity of geography and companies.

Review your insurance policies. Property policies may cover political violence claims in some cases, but insurers also offer specialist coverage to mitigate the impact of strikes, riots and civil commotion via the specialist political violence market.

Related:

Topics Trends Allianz
U.S. President Donald Trump issued an executive order on Tuesday that aims to block the enforcement of state laws passed to reduce the use of fossil fuels and combat climate change.

The move is the latest in a string of efforts by Trumps administration to pump up domestic energy output and push back against largely Democratic-led policies to curb carbon emissions. It came just hours after Trump, a Republican, issued orders to increase coal production.

The order directed the U.S. attorney general to identify state laws that address climate change, ESG initiatives, environmental justice and carbon emissions, and to take action to block them.

Many states have enacted, or are in the process of enacting, burdensome and ideologically motivated climate change or energy policies that threaten American energy dominance and our economic and national security, the order said.

Trump specifically cited laws in New York and Vermont that fine fossil fuel companies for their contribution to climate change, Californias cap-and-trade policy, and lawsuits by states that have sought to hold energy companies accountable for their role in global warming.

The two Democratic governors who co-chair the U.S. Climate AllianceKathy Hochul of New York and Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexicosaid states could not be stripped of their authority and would not be deterred by the executive order.

We will keep advancing solutions to the climate crisis that safeguard Americans fundamental right to clean air and water, create good-paying jobs, grow the clean energy economy, and make our future healthier and safer, they said in a joint statement.

The Alliance is a group of 24 governors dedicated to climate action.

The American Petroleum Institute, an oil and gas trade group, praised the order.

We welcome President Trumps action to hold states like New York and California accountable for pursuing unconstitutional efforts that illegally penalize U.S. oil and natural gas producers for delivering the energy American consumers rely on every day, API Senior Vice President Ryan Meyers said in a statement.

Photo: Photographer: Gary Hershorn/Corbis News/Getty Images

Topics Climate Change
The acting chief of the top federal agency for protecting worker rights has signaled a pivot toward prioritizing President Donald Trumps campaign to stamp out diversity, equity and inclusion programs in the private and public sectors.

The initial steps taken by Andrea Lucas, acting chief of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, have earned her strong backing from the Trump administration, which has moved against DEI through embattled executive orders that dismantled programs at federal agencies and threatened investigations and stiff financial penalties for federal contractors that engage in illegal diversity-related practices. Trump recently nominated Lucas, who has long been an outspoken critic DEI practices she argues result in discriminatory employment preferences, to a new five-year term as commissioner.

But former Democratic EEOC officials and prominent civil rights groups have accused Lucas of taking shortcuts that supersede her authority and they have urged employers to be wary of her directives and guidance, if not altogether ignore them.

The most recent flashpoint involves two technical assistance documents issued by the EEOC along with the Department of Justice attempting to clarify what might constitute DEI-related Discrimination at Work and providing guidance on how workers can file complaints over such concerns.

Related: Viewpoint: EEOC Documents on DEI Programs Increase Pressure on Employers

The documents take broad aim at practices such as training, employee resource groups and fellowship programs, warning such programsdepending on how theyre constructedcould run afoul of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits employment discrimination based on race and gender.

The documents followed letters that Lucas sent to 20 prominent law firms demanding information about diversity fellowships and other programs she claimed could be evidence of discriminatory practices.

A group of 10 former Democratic commissioners and counsels released its own letter Thursday warning the legal community the DEI documents give the misleading impression that common programs are fraught with legal peril and dismissed them as reflecting Lucass personal opinion. The letter offered counter-guidance on how employers should continue implementing training and other practices that EEOC policy documents encourage to prevent discrimination.

Last month, seven of the same former EEOC officials sent Lucas a letter warning that she appeared to exceed her authority with her demands for information from the 20 law firms without first launching a formal investigation. A group of prominent civil rights organizations went a step further in their own letter to Lucas, urging the law firms to ignore her demands because they have no legal obligation to reply.

This isnt how the EEOC works. No single commissioner  not even the Chair  has the authority to send threatening letters demanding private information from employers, said Noreen Farrell, director of Equal Rights Advocates, one of the civil rights organizations that signed onto the response led by the National Womens Law Center. The EEOC Chair cant just rewrite decades of settled civil rights law with a hastily written memo.

Jenny Yang, a former EEOC commissioner under former President Barack Obama, said Lucas letters to the 20 law firms were without precedent at the EEOC, which initiates most investigations in response to complaints filed by workers. In very rare cases, a commissioner can file their own charge against an employer but it wouldnt be made public and would require the commissioner to provide evidence of possible discrimination under penalty of perjury, Yang said.

Law firms  including some of the 20 targeted by Lucas  are already coming under pressure to change their approach to diversity and inclusion in response to separate Trump executive orders designed to punish them for taking on the presidents rivals as clients and other actions that have angered him. For example, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom recently learned that the president intended to issue an order targeting it over its pro bono legal work and its diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. The firm has consequently agreed to review its hiring practices, among other things.

The 20 law firms targeted in Lucas letters did not respond to questions from The Associated Press about whether they intended to respond to her demands. Lucas did not respond to request for comment on the DEI technical assistance documents, and the EEOC declined to say whether the law firms have any legal obligation to respond to her letters or whether they would face any penalty for not doing so.

But Lucas, a Republican who was first appointed to the EEOC in 2020, has long argued that she is not reinterpreting civil rights laws but rather sounding the alarm that many companies have adopted DEI practices that cross the line into discrimination. Lucas has argued the EEOC has turned a blind eye to risky company practices, which she said proliferated especially after the 2020 racial justice protests that followed the police killing of George Floyd.

Far too many employers defend certain types of race or sex preferences as good, provided they are motivated by business interests in diversity, equity, or inclusion., Lucas said in a statement announcing the new technical assistance on DEI.

Many employers are likely to take heed of her warnings as the EEOC signals that it will be become a powerful ally to workers claiming discrimination stemming from DEI practices.

Anuradha Hebbar, president of CEO Action for Inclusion & Diversity, an arm of the influential Society for Human Resource Management, said the EEOC has especially makes clear that companies should avoid fellowships, internships and other programs that are only open to women or certain racial groups.

Stefan Padfield of conservative think tank National Center for Public Policy Research praised the EEOCs the shift as a much-needed course correction that will open the floodgates for complaints against DEI practices that should be deemed illegal.

Lucas has acknowledged that she cannot unilaterally change some of the agencys guidelines and policies that may contradict Trumps slew of executive orders, though the EEOC has already moved to drop seven lawsuits alleging discrimination against transgender and nonbinary people in response to a presidential order declaring the government would only recognize the male and female genders.

Changing such policies  including the EEOCs five-year strategic enforcement plan that pledges support for DEI  would require a majority vote by the agencys five commissioners. But Trump recently fired two of those commissioners  both Democrats  before their terms expired in a move that upended 60 years of precedent for an agency established by Congress as independent and bipartisan.

In their letter Thursday, the former EEOC officials accused Lucas of cherry-picking rare instances of discrimination to convey the message that training and other DEI practices are inherently risky when in fact most are legally sound.

Our federal civil rights offices and officials should not be intimidating or discouraging employers who are working to advance these goals, the letter said.

Photo: (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)

Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
The Hanover Insurance Group announced a collaboration with Hagerty to provide specialized insurance for classic cars.

Hanover Collector Car, powered by Hagerty, combines the total account protection The Hanover is known for with Hagertys expertise in collector vehicle claims and valuation services.

The product is offered through The Hanovers independent agents in Michigan and Illinois to new and existing customers. The company expects to expand this offering to more states in the future.

Related: Collectors Feel Relief as Classic Cars Evade Trumps Auto Tariffs

The Hanovers relationship with Hagerty allows us to strengthen our total account offerings and ease of doing business, with the outstanding claims experience our customers expect  backed by experts who really understand this unique market. Its the best of both worlds, said Brad McCreedy, vice president of personal lines strategy at The Hanover.

We look forward to working with The Hanover and their exceptional independent agent partners to achieve our mutual goal of protecting more of these cars, added Nick Cassell, Hagertys vice president  insurance business partner.

Topics Auto
Drill, baby, drill may be Texass unofficial motto, but store, baby, store is becoming more accurate.

The Lone Star State may be the heart of Americas oil and gas map, but its quickly becoming the biggest installer of a technology key for renewables development: battery storage.

Last year, some 4 gigawatts of battery capacity  enough to power around 3 million homes  switched on in the state, besting the pace of similar projects in California for the first time. Before Donald Trump imposed 125% tariffs on key battery market China, Texas was set to add more than double the states total storage capacity in 2025, according to a Bloomberg Green analysis of federal energy data.

Big batteries are addressing some of the biggest issues facing the electric grid that now has the most renewable capacity in the nation. On the supply side, they can hold the glut of wind and solar power generated across the state. On the demand side, they are helping meet the surging needs of new residents and a growing number of electric vehicles and server stacks in data centers.

What weve done over the past couple years is really build a new industry that has proven it can execute at scale, said Randolph Mann, chief executive officer of esVolta LP, a battery startup that expects to flip the switch on at three new plants in Texas by July. Were doing it in a way thats environmentally beneficial and were able to execute that pretty quickly.

Consider the states energy picture in the past seven days, an average week of mellow spring weather in the Lone Star State. When demand peaked around 5 p.m. local time, almost half of Texass electricity came from solar and wind. As the sun set, the big batteries started discharging the electrons theyd socked away during the day when the wholesale price of electricity hovered near zero. Storage served more than 7% of the states electricity demand for 25 hours of the week, typically around 7 p.m., when Texans were watching TV, doing laundry and plugging in their cars for the night. Though natural gas remains the states primary source of electricity, batteries are steadily tamping down the demand peaks that call for fossil fuel turbines to spark to life.

Whats more, batteries can forestall energy disasters such as blackouts, something the state is no stranger to in recent years. During a series of heat waves last summer, the extra storage saved consumers from some pretty bad situations, according to Woody Rickerson, chief operating officer at the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, which manages the states grid.

Batteries are still catching up to renewable energy in Texas. The state has about 64 gigawatts of wind and solar capacity, but only about 7.4 gigawatts of storage.

While California and a host of other states are actively cultivating battery storage with subsidies and deployment goals, the infrastructure boom in Texas is largely a result of the free market, according to BloombergNEF analyst Isshu Kikuma. The driver is actually the project economics, he explained. Some of the utilities actually use energy storage to replace fossil fuel assets and batteries make it so you can just make money.

The cost of building battery plants has dropped by nearly half since 2017, according to BNEF.

The recently implemented tariffs on China are going to have a strong negative impact on the battery industry, though. Without tariffs, BNEF estimated that the cost of industrial storage was set to fall 13% to $204 per kilowatt-hour this year. Now, a turnkey system will cost $266 per kilowatt-hour, a 17% increase compared to last year.

While Trump has said some nations including Vietnam are keen to negotiate over tariffs as theyre on pause for 90 days, China has moved to retaliate and Trump has escalated. The differing reactions and uncertainty are set to be a drag on the industry where more than two-thirds of imported batteries come from China.

Texass battery boom could be throttled by other policy decisions. Battery companies and the utilities that increasingly rely on them are worried Congress will cancel a 30% federal tax credit for solar and storage projects as part of his pledge to scrap climate-focused subsidies. Former President Joe Biden signed a law to incentivize battery makers to set up shop in the US, but it will take years to ramp up production facilities. (That incentive may also be in danger of getting removed or watered down.)

Meanwhile, Texas lawmakers are weighing a plan to require half of new power capacity to come from sources other than battery storage, a policy shift that would prop up the natural gas industry.

We need to have pretty good clarity of what our capital costs are and have clarity over time because were building assets that take five-plus years to develop, said esVoltas Mann. I get that theres some uncertainty, but having volatility from tariffs on a day-to-day, week-to-week, month-to-month basis is pretty rough.

Photo: A battery storage complex in Houston. Photographer: Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle/Getty Images

Copyright 2025 Bloomberg.

Topics USA Texas
A 911 dispatch center is not necessarily part of a countys emergency services department and is not covered by a secondary liability insurance policy, a federal appeals court found this week in a decision that will cost Travelers several million dollars.

The court opinion highlights how local government structure can affect insurance coverage and underscores the liability that emergency dispatchers hold when fielding calls from residents in the midst of a crisis. And like many consequential insurance lawsuits, the outcome was determined in large part by the rules of the English language and the wording of the policies.

The case is The Travelers Indemnity Co. vs. American Alternative Insurance Co. Travelers wrote a general liability policy for Surry County, North Carolina. American Alternative, a Munich Re subsidiary, wrote separate liability coverage for the countys emergency services department. Both policies provided $1 million in primary coverage and millions more in excess coverage.

In 2019, a fire broke out at an apartment complex in Dobson, not far from Mt. Airy, North Carolina. A trapped resident in a second-floor apartment called 911 and asked if she should bust the window to let the smoke out. The 911 dispatcher for the county advised her to leave it closed, fearing more breeze would fan the flames.

As smoke filled the apartment, the caller and three others died from smoke inhalation, the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals explained in the April 8 opinion. The residents estates sued Surry County and the 911 dispatchers, claiming negligence.

At the countys insistence, the court said, Travelers settled the suits and paid the countys general liability policy limits  $9 million altogether. Travelers then sued American Alternative, seeking at least a 50% contribution for the loss.

American Alternative argued that it owed no coverage since its policy covered only the Surry County Emergency Services department  not the 911 dispatch center. A federal district court judge found that American Alternative policy provided primary coverage of $1 million for the dispatchers advice and alleged negligence, but nothing on the excess coverage.

Travelers and American Alternative both appealed.

The 4th Circuit appellate panel overturned the lower court, noting that Travelers attorneys argument had reached too far. The insurers lawyers had contended that the American Alternative policy covered the emergency services department and its incidental operations. The 911 call center should be considered an incidental operation of the emergency department, attorneys with the Hedrick Gardner law firm argued.

The appeals court judges disagreed, noting that the policy covered incident operations, yes  but only those operations incidental of the emergency services.

The preposition of, which introduces the prepositional phrase, functions to indicate belonging or a possessive relationship,' the appeals court opinion explained. Thus, as used here, of indicates that the listed services belong to or are in a possessive relationship with Emergency Services.

Those incidentals may include refueling fire trucks, restocking ambulances, or retrieving a dog from a well or a cat from a tree, the court noted.

The key is that Emergency Services employees are performing or supervising each of those tasks, the judges wrote. Its employees, by contrast, did not field the 911 calls that formed the basis for liability here, so AAICs policy did not cover that liability.

Attorneys for Travelers and American Alternative could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

The outcome of the appeal will not apply nationwide. The National Emergency Number Associations survey shows that some two-thirds of 911 call centers are managed by some form of public safety entity. About 25% are considered independent agencies and 4% are part of state government and another 4% are managed by private companies.

The National Association of State 911 Administrators does not keep track of dispatchers or departments that have been sued for alleged negligence or advice to callers. Some jurisdictions allow criminal charges to be brought against dispatchers, an official said.

Topics Liability
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP)  After days of deluges overfilled rivers to near-record levels across Kentucky, residents were anxious Tuesday to return to their flooded homes and assess whats salvageable, even as stubbornly high waters kept some of them waiting even longer.

Susan Williams returned to her rural Franklin County home with her four dogs and three cats. She left Sunday while the waters kept rising. Now, her house and a neighbors looked like they were on an island in brown waters.

Williams and some friends loaded her animals onto a small boat and paddled back and forth, dropping them off at the house built by her parents.

Its my world. Its my little paradise, Williams said about her home.

Water was slowly receding in flooded Frankfort, and officials hoped that by the end of Wednesday, most could get back into their homes, Gov. Andy Beshear said at a news conference.

Beshear urged people to wait if they couldnt get to their homes without driving through water.

Remember, even as much as we love our stuff  and sometimes its memories and photographs that are impacted  its our lives and the lives of our family and friends that matter, Beshear said.

Officials warned of flooding expected along the Ohio River in Henderson and Owensboro into next week, with swift water rescue teams at the ready.

Officials in Frankfort diverted traffic, turned off utilities to businesses and instituted a curfew as the Kentucky River crested Monday just short of a record set in 1978. Water service has been restored, but wastewater isnt back up yet, Beshear said.

Inundated rivers are the latest threat from persistent storms that have killed at least 23 people, including 10 in Tennessee. At least 157 tornadoes struck within seven days beginning March 30, according to a preliminary report from the National Weather Service.

Flood danger remains elsewhere, including parts of Tennessee, Arkansas and Indiana.

Waiting for the water to recede

Louisville, Kentucky, Mayor Craig Greenberg said Tuesday that no further evacuations were expected along the Ohio River, which is expected to crest Wednesday before the water begins receding. He said the Louisville Fire Department and others had helped 66 people evacuate a hotel surrounded by water.

Beshears office said more than 800 customers still had no access to water and nearly 4,000 were under boil water advisories.

Over the past several days, many of the 110 residents of Monterey, Kentucky, had left their homes. Steve Carter lives on a hill outside town and sheltered his father-in-law, who lives in the flood zone where the water remained high on Tuesday.

This is the worst Ive seen it since Ive been around, Carter said. Right now, its to the point theres not much to be done. Now people are just waiting for the water to recede so they can start the cleanup process.

A small distiller in Frankfort turned its stills back on Tuesday and was back to making bourbon.

At Glenns Creek Distilling, the flooding narrowly avoided the main distillery, but a neighboring 26,000-square foot (2,415-square meter) warehouse remained underwater. Owner David Meier got back in on Tuesday, but he said it could take another day for the water to recede to check equipment and some bourbon barrels. Whether barrels that went underwater would have to be destroyed, he doesnt yet know.

And so we might as well do what we can do here in the meantime, Meier said. Keep making bourbon.

Kentucky preps for another cleanup

Its the latest severe weather to cause deaths and widespread damage in Kentucky. Two months ago, at least 24 people died in a round of storms that swelled creeks and covered roads with water. Hundreds had to be rescued, and most of the deaths were caused by vehicles getting stuck in high water.

A storm in late 2021 spawned tornadoes that killed 81 people and leveled portions of towns in western Kentucky. The following summer, historic floodwaters inundated parts of eastern Kentucky, leaving dozens more dead.

Deadly storm systems also battered the state in 2023 and last year, spawning straight-line winds, possible tornadoes and powerful thunderstorms.

Wanona Harp has been staying at a friends house across the street and boating to her flooded home in Lockport, Kentucky, to tend to her dogs, rabbits and chickens that she moved to higher ground.

Harp said some homes are completely inundated in Lockport, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) east of Louisville.

You can just barely see of the top of them, she said. Some of them are just completely underwater.

Back in Frankfort, a neighborhood was setting up tables for cleaning supplies on Tuesday ahead of the next massive cleanup.

The first assignment for the crew of neighbors: a couple of homes on higher ground with flooded basements.

As soon as we can get in there, well help them clean out and just kind of go downstream, said Carly Cockley, who expects a mucky mess on her homes first floor.

Photo: James Harp Jr. in Lockport on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Since Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent imposition of sanctions by the coalition of countries supporting Ukraines independence and territorial integrity, the economic relationship between Russia and China has evolved significantly. The partnership is characterized as symbiotic but highly asymmetrical, with China becoming an essential partner for Russia. China provides crucial markets for Russian exports, as well as access to critical inputs, while Russia, in turn, plays a secondary role. For China, Russia is a beneficial, yet non-essential partner, as it capitalizes on commercial ties without committing to a deep, full partnership. For China, Russia is an ideological ally to challenge US primacy and the current international order.

Both Russia and China are discontent with the current multilateral order (Gabuev, 2024), though with different motives. Russia has long been advocating for a multipolar world and increasingly isolationist policies, seeking to reduce its reliance on the West. In contrast, China, which has benefited significantly from the existing multilateral system, aims to claim a greater role on the global stage, rather than seeking to dismantle it entirely. China continues to engage actively in trade with the EU, the US and other global powers, while Russias global presence has been significantly scaled down, particularly by sanctions following its invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Russias ability to sustain its war effort against Ukraine and challenge the international order depends largely on Chinese support, especially in evading sanctions and accessing critical technology. Without Chinas assistance, Russia would struggle to finance the war or secure the resources necessary for military operations (Bunzel & Ribakova, 2024). However, this dependence comes with risks. Although China does not formally endorse Western sanctions, it is cautious about transactions that might expose Chinese businesses to penalties or damage broader commercial interests, particularly its access to the EU and US markets.

Since Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, bilateral trade between Russia and China has surged to record levels (Perry, 2025). Both nations benefit from their new no limits partnership (Joint Statement, 2022), though not equally so. For Russia, China has become an essential trading partner, overtaking Europe in importance, while for China, Russia remains a relatively unimportant market. In exchange for its energy and commodities (Hilgenstock et al., 2023), which are critical to Russia, but not indispensable for China, Russia receives Chinese consumer goods, cars and technological imports (Leahy et al., 2024).

While trade flows are booming, investment from China to Russia remains modest. Chinese companies have opportunistically capitalized on the withdrawal of Western competitors from Russia. However, despite bold announcements of planned investments totaling US $200 billion (Skan, 2024), most cooperation projects, including large-scale ventures like the Power of Siberia 2 pipeline, exist only on paper. While there has been some progress in areas of financial and payment system linkages, cooperation in these sectors, and even trade transactions, has been significantly hindered by the USs threat of secondary sanctions.

With Russias ability to transact in dollars and euros severely restricted by sanctions, the Chinese yuan has steadily grown in prominence in the Russian economy. The combined share of currencies of countries unfriendly to Russia declined from 87% to 18% for exports and from 67% to 18% for imports between January 2022 and December 2024. Nearly 90% of the transactions are reportedly settled in yuan and rubles, as President Putin announced in December 2024. Nonetheless, the threat of US secondary sanctions on Chinese banks, as outlined in an executive order issued in December 2023, resulted in a slowdown in Russia-China trade in 2024. Exports from China to Russia decreased by approximately 1% in the first half of 2024, while Russian exports to China grew only modestly.

The Russia-China relationship, though strategically important, is fraught with tensions. Russia feels like a junior partner, frustrated by its shift from being a major exporter of high-value goods to China to primarily exporting energy and commodities. This dissatisfaction is compounded by Chinas reluctance to invest in Russia and its hesitancy to challenge Western sanctions. Russia is also concerned about the growing influence of the yuan. Meanwhile, China faces its own challenges in the relationship. Russia is a relatively small market for China, and Chinas diversified energy strategy reduces its reliance on Russian exports. Leading Chinese companies are cautious about risking global market access by deepening ties with Russia, especially given Western sanctions. China is also wary of Russias growing ties with North Korea, which could complicate its regional strategy, and historical border issues between the two nations remain unresolved.

Sanctions are a crucial tool in economic statecraft but are not a guaranteed solution for geopolitical conflicts (Itskhoki & Ribakova, 2024). Their effectiveness depends on clear objectives, comprehensive enforcement and realistic goals. Sanctions are more impactful when applied decisively and comprehensively, as gradual implementation allows target countries to adapt. The sanctions imposed on Russia since 2014, particularly after its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, highlight these complexities. While they caused significant costs, the continued energy exports and the gradual timing of sanctions, along with enforcement gaps, limited their effectiveness. Russias economic size and global commodity market integration further diluted their impact, showing that larger, economically integrated nations can mitigate sanctions better than smaller ones.

The involvement of nations like China, but also Turkey and the United Arab Emirates, which helped Russia circumvent sanctions, underscores the difficulty of maintaining a unified sanctions regime. This reveals the trade-off between vague sanctions designed to signal intent and those with clear objectives and strict enforcement. In the context of an all-out conflict, sanctions with specific targets, firm enforcement and secondary sanctions on third-party nations are likely to be more effective. Ultimately, sanctions must be carefully tailored to achieve specific, attainable outcomes to maximize their impact.

The Russia-China relationship is symbiotic but asymmetrical  essential for Russia, but only a secondary concern for China, which takes advantage of Russias vulnerabilities. While China currently acts as Russias lifeline, after a potential settlement in Ukraine and the removal of sanctions, Russia may find itself deeply indebted to China, compelled to offer support in return.

References

Bunzel, T., & Ribakova, E. (2024, December 9). The Russian Economy Remains Putins Greatest Weakness. Foreign Affairs.

Gabuev, A. (2024, December 6). Can Trump Split China and Russia? Foreign Affairs.

Hilgenstock, B., Ribakova, E., Shapoval, N., Babina, T., Itskhoki, O., & Mironov, M. (2023, April 26). Russian Oil Exports Under International Sanctions. Social Science Research Network.

Itskhoki, O., & Ribakova, E. (2024). The Economics of Sanctions: From Theory into Practice. Brookings Institute.

Joint Statement of the Russian Federation and the Peoples Republic of China on the International Relations Entering a New Era and the Global Sustainable Development. (2022, February 4). China Aerospace Studies Institute.

Leahy, J., Waluszewski, K., & Seddon, M. (2024, May 15). China-Russia: An Economic Friendship That Could Rattle the World. Financial Times.

Perry, M. (2025, January 13). China-Russia 2024 Trade Value Hits Record High  Chinese Customs. Reuters.

Skan, O. (2024, December 19). Investments in Russian-Chinese Business Projects Exceeded 200 Billion Dollars. garant.ru.
Sometimes films about Romans tell us much more about the current world than we would dare to admit. In Monty Pythons Life of Brian, there is a scene where anti-Roman revolutionaries ask rhetorically: What have the Romans ever done for us? only to list, with increasing reluctance, the aqueducts, sanitation, roads, irrigation, medicine, education, wine, public baths and public safety.

For decades, the European Union has been cast  at least among its champions  as an undisputed force for good. Peace, prosperity, democracy, social progress  all wrapped up in a neat technocratic bow. But today, many European citizens are channelling their inner Judean Peoples Front, grumbling: What has the EU ever done for us? The grand project of unity and stability is now viewed in many quarters as an out-of-touch overseer, blind to the grievances of those who no longer feel they belong. The Romani ite domum moment of Monty Python fame is being transformed into a growing continental cry of Eurocrati ite domum: Brussels bureaucrats, go home.

This discontent is not merely rhetorical. It is reshaping the European political landscape with alarming speed. The numbers tell their own story. Support for hard Eurosceptic parties  those proposing the demise of the EU or questioning basic European principles, such as the primacy of European law over national law  reached close to 15% of the vote in national legislative elections in 2023. If we add the softer Eurosceptic parties, the vote in that same year for parties opposed to further EU integration stood at 28.5%. Today it is very likely to be around one-third of the total vote. In four countries  Hungary, Italy, Poland and France  Eurosceptics command or approach an outright majority. They already govern or participate in government in Hungary, Italy, Slovakia and the Netherlands, play kingmaker in Sweden, and are the largest party in Austria and Poland. Given the current trend, they will soon be knocking at the doors of power in many other European countries. And the profile of their voters matters. The strongest surge of support for Euroscepticism is found in the hard right, whose electoral weight now stands at 25% of the electorate and exceeds that of the 1930s; a historical parallel that should give us pause.

What explains this widespread discontent? Traditionally, the rise of discontent has been based on cultural explanations (Norris & Inglehart, 2019); on the revolt of individuals  often men, often ageing, often white, often with low levels of education  who increasingly feel ill at ease with a Europe that is far more cosmopolitan and diverse than the one they grew up in. These are people who, according to sociologist Arlie Hochschild (2018), feel like strangers in their own land. Territorial explanations also abound. The battle lines pit thriving, globalised cities against stagnating towns, suburbs and rural areas (e.g. Rodden, 2019). However, one explanation that is gaining significant traction is that of long-term economic stagnation and decline. Many places in Europe are stuck in what is increasingly known as a development trap. As defined by my colleagues and myself (Diemer et al., 2022), a place is in a development trap when it is unable to retain its economic dynamism in terms of income, productivity and employment, while also underperforming its national and European peers on these same dimensions. There are 60 million Europeans living in places where the GDP per capita in real terms today is below that of the year 2000. About one-third of the EU population lives in places that have been falling slowly behind. The incidence of development traps is particularly strong in France, Italy, Greece and Croatia, though they can be found in virtually every country in the EU.

And, in contrast to what happens, for example, in the US, when a place in Europe falls into a development trap, it stays trapped for long periods of time. Economic stagnation has become a structural feature in many parts of Europe. People living in these places that increasingly dont matter (Rodriguez-Pose, 2018) are driving the rise of Euroscepticism. The Eurosceptic vote is a consequence of a reaction of communities in which individual losses are strongly identified with collective losses. It is fundamentally linked to the geography of decline (Rodriguez-Pose et al., 2024); to places that have witnessed considerable economic, employment and demographic decline over the long term. The Great Recession of 2008 may have ignited the fuse of their reaction, but the discontent has roots that are far deeper.

So, what is to be done? Can this growing Euroscepticism  the gravest threat to the European project since its inception  be stemmed? Many advocate that, if the driver is cultural, there is a need to engage in cultural wars. But engaging in Kulturkampf is a dangerous game; one that risks deepening the fractures already running through European societies.

A more pragmatic response lies in tackling long-term economic decline. Many of the voters that have shifted towards Eurosceptic positions live in places that have fallen through the policy cracks: too rich to attract the attention of the European cohesion policy; too static and unglamorous to be at the centre of national policies. Yet, these places still have significant economic potential that remains untapped (European Commission, 2024). It is not as if the drivers of the industrial revolution and of much of the prosperity during the 20th century have lost their economic mojo overnight. The problem is largely territorial and requires a response of equal ambition. If concentrated economic decline continues unchecked, the political consequences will be seismic. This is no longer a debate about economics. It is about the very survival of the EU.

Yet, our decision-makers wring their hands over declining global influence, about competitiveness, defence, climate change, the digital transition. All of these, of course, are highly pressing concerns. We certainly need a more competitive Europe, able to defend itself and lead the fight against climate change. But let us not delude ourselves. All these priorities will become academic if Euroscepticism continues its march towards outright dominance. Without an EU that can survive in its current form, there will be no more competitive, more secure or greener Europe; there will be no well-functioning single market. There will simply be a very different Europe from the one that has been built over the last 70 years. If Trumps acolytes seize even more power than they already have  or even just continue to reshape the political discourse, without even having to win  we will return to the fragmented continent of old; one involving national rivalries, illiberal regimes and greater economic irrelevance.

And so, we return to Rome. In Ridley Scotts Gladiator, a frail yet wise and triumphant emperor, Marcus Aurelius, asks his most trusted general, Maximus Decimus Meridius, why he fights for the Empire. Maximus replies Ive seen much of the rest of the world. It is brutal and cruel and dark. Rome is the light! On the other side of the Atlantic, events are already proving just how brutal and cruel and dark the world can become. The EU is imperfect, certainly. It is flawed and in need of reform. But it is also the most successful attempt at peace, prosperity and democracy the continent has ever known. And all the alternatives on the table are far, far worse. So, we must fight for it. And we must act fast. Rome is the light! Europe is the light!

References

Diemer, A., Iammarino, S., Rodriguez-Pose, A., & Storper, M. (2022). The Regional Development Trap in Europe. Economic Geography, 98(5), 487509.

European Commission. (2024). Forging a sustainable future together  Cohesion for a competitive and inclusive Europe  Report of the High-Level Group on the Future of Cohesion Policy. Publications Office of the European Union.

Hochschild, A. R. (2018). Strangers in their own land: Anger and mourning on the American right. The New Press.

Norris, P., & Inglehart, R. (2019). Cultural backlash: Trump, Brexit, and authoritarian populism. Cambridge University Press.

Rodden, J. A. (2019). Why cities lose: The deep roots of the urban-rural political divide. Basic Books.

Rodriguez-Pose, A. (2018). The revenge of the places that dont matter (and what to do about it). Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society, 11(1), 189209.

Rodriguez-Pose, A., Dijkstra, L., & Poelman, H. (2024). The Geography of EU Discontent and the Regional Development Trap. Economic Geography, 100(3), 213245.
Europe has become the battleground for the tech war between the United States and China. It started off with Chinas ambitious Made in China 2025 programme in 2015, perceived by the US as a threat to its technological leadership and global military dominance. Over the last ten years, US governments have tried to restrict Chinas further rise as an economic and technological power with a series of containment measures. During the first presidency of Donald Trump (2017-2021), China hawks became the drivers of US-China relations. They will have a stronger position in Trumps second term (2025-2029). They are now not only increasing tariffs and tech restrictions but aiming at complete decoupling. Without the participation of its allies in massive cutoffs from China, the US decoupling strategy will not be successful. Among US allies, member countries of the European Union play a crucial role. The EU single market offers huge marketing potential for US products and services.

In Europe, the geopolitical conflict between the US and China, with its strong focus on tech supremacy, triggered a discussion about how European countries could remain competitive and whether more tech sovereignty is needed. Due to Europes high dependency on US technology and military security, the setting up of a regulatory environment that protects European values and improves industrial competitiveness might present a challenge for EU policymakers. Moreover, given the close economic and tech cooperation of many EU member countries with China, it is questionable whether they are willing to join an anti-tech alliance with the US against China and replace their current de-risking policy with complete decoupling.

This paper starts with a discussion of the differences between the EU and the US with respect to values and strategic interests. It then studies the EUs position in future technologies and the need for stronger competitiveness, followed by an analysis of the EUs quest for tech sovereignty and the reaction of the US. Finally, it covers the context of US-China decoupling.

EU-US divides over values and strategic interests

With Trumps return in 2025 and his America First agenda, US-Europe divides over values and strategy have resurfaced. Leblond and Vannier (2024) point to major differences in three critical policy areas: defence and security, climate change, and trade and technology. To address the last of these, the EU-US Trade and Technology Council (TTC) was founded in 2021. It focused on five key fields of cooperation: export controls, foreign direct investment screening, secure supply chains (especially regarding semiconductors), technology standards, and cooperation on artificial intelligence (AI) and global trade challenges. Ten working groups were set up on the following topics: technology standards cooperation, climate and clean tech, secure supply chains, ICT security and competitiveness, data governance and technology platforms, misuse of technology threatening security and human rights, export controls cooperation, investment screening cooperation, promoting SME access to and use of digital technologies, and global trade challenges.

The TTC was supposed to improve bilateral cooperation. Although it was the EU that took the initiative, both sides were motivated to team up with a long-term focus of promoting joint standards around emerging technologies to better meet the challenges of Chinas rise as a tech power. Following Scott and Barigazzi (2021), from the perspective of the US, the TTC was primarily an instrument for pushing back against China through transatlantic cooperation in the field of trade and technology standards. The comment by former White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan regarding the USs motivation confirms this view, emphasising that the TTC will focus on aligning our approaches to trade and technology so that democracies and not anyone else, not China or other autocracies, are writing the rules for trade and technology for the 21st century (Scott & Barigazzi, 2021).

Between 2021 and 2024, six ministerial TTC meetings were held, chaired by high level EU and US officials. In addition, the TTCs working groups served as channels of communication and diplomacy on a regular basis. Although the factsheet of the TTCs performance since 2021 shows an impressive list of bilateral activities and achievements (European Commission, 2024b), critics perceive a mixed record. The deterioration of the international political environment triggered by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine led to a strong focus on security and resilience. Domestically, for example, changes in climate policy in both the EU and the US impeded the implementation of transatlantic green trade policy measures. That the TTCs ambitious goals were not met is also ascribed to the broad scope of topics and the inadequate organisational structure that failed to sufficiently engage stakeholders (Belton & Gruening, 2025).

Whether the TTC will continue its work under the Trump presidency remains unclear given recent US policy decisions on AI governance, deregulation and tariffs. An example of the latest policy measure on AI is Donald Trumps executive order (EO) on Removing Barriers to American Leadership in Artificial Intelligence published on 23 January 2025 (The White House, 2025), which replaced the EO of former president Biden of 30 October 2023, entitled Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence (The White House, 2023). Comparing the two policy documents, critics see a significant shift away from the Biden Administrations focus on oversight, risk mitigation and equity in favour of deregulation and support for AI innovation that should enable the US to maintain its global dominance. The Trump Administrations new deregulatory policy on AI governance contrasts sharply with the precautionary approach pursued by the EU. The EUs Artificial Intelligence Act of 2024 (EUAIACT) stresses safety, transparency, accountability and ethics. In principle, US companies that do not comply with EUAIACT standards will not have access to the European market (Carrillo et al., 2025).

At the AI Action Summit in Paris in February 2025, US Vice President JD Vance criticised that US business could not compete on the European market because of the restrictive regulatory framework for AI. He warned that America cannot and will not accept foreign governments tightening the screws on US tech companies (The American Presidency Project, 2025). At the summit, 62 countries and the EU signed a voluntary commitment to developing and making AI open, inclusive, transparent, ethical, safe, secure and trustworthy (Elysee, 2025). The US and the United Kingdom did not sign the document (Birchard, 2025). The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, used the AI Action Summit in Paris to announce that the EU plans  after establishing a secure legal framework for AI  to support the commercial development of AI with increased funding over the coming years to catch up with the US and China (Birchard, 2025).

The EU has, however, fallen behind the US not just in AI but in most future technologies. This is one of the conclusions Mario Draghi, former president of the European Central Bank and Italian prime minister, presented in his report on The Future of European Competitiveness to the European Parliament in September 2024. The following section presents findings from various databases that show Europes weakness in advanced and future technologies, underlining the urgent need for a new industrial strategy in Europe.

The EUs weak position in future technologies

Although Europe has several leading countries in science and technology, the EU has fallen behind the US and, in some fields of science and technology, behind China. According to data on innovation in 133 countries, the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) shows that five countries (Sweden, Finland, the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark) out of the EU27 belong to the top ten global leaders in the 2024 innovation index. The non-EU member countries Switzerland and the UK, rank first and fifth, respectively, among the top ten. The Global Innovation Index (GII) captures performance across four key stages of the innovation cycle  investment in science and innovation, technological progress, technological adoption and socioeconomic impact of innovation (WIPO, 2024).

The findings of the European Innovation Scoreboard (EIS) confirm the major challenges the EU is facing on science and technology development. In 2023, only 12 EU countries performance in the digitalisation dimension was above average, while 15 countries performed below average, including Germany. From 2017 to 2024, the EIS recorded a decline in the EUs intellectual assets as a share of international patent and design applications. Compared to the EUs global competitors, the EIS found lower investment in research and innovation (R&I), especially by the private sector, in the EU (European Commission, 2024a).

When it comes to emerging technologies, the report on Weak Signals in Science and Technology 2024 finds that the US and China are the leaders in producing scientific knowledge across most clusters of twelve emerging technologies. The EU plays a strong role in research and related scientific publications for some of the twelve emerging technologies, namely, digital twins, AI and machine learning, therapeutics and biotechnologies, energy and environment, and agriculture. China and the US are leading in patenting for all twelve categories of emerging technologies, which include advanced materials and advanced manufacturing, aerospace, mobility and transport, information and communication technologies, medical imaging, and quantum cryptography. The report also noted that the European research and development (R&D) ecosystem appears fragmented, with many strong but small-sized actors lacking critical mass. While Chinas R&D ecosystem exhibits specialisation across most of the twelve clusters of emerging technologies, the European ecosystem is assessed as focusing only on AI and machine learning (Eulaerts, 2025).

Against the background of the EUs weak position in emerging technologies and resulting low productivity, the Draghi report defines major areas for action. Out of this comprehensive study covering two volumes, only some points can be addressed in this contribution. The report represents a diagnosis of where Europe stands and recommendations for policymaking focusing on three policy actions. First, Europe needs to close the innovation gap with the US and China on advanced technologies. The Draghi report points to the problem that EU companies are mostly specialised in mature technologies that offer less opportunity for breakthroughs and spend less on R&I compared to US companies. To unlock their innovative potential, companies should not only invest more but also integrate AI into existing industries. Other challenges relate to inconsistent and restrictive EU regulations that hinder innovative companies from scaling up in Europe. Second, the Draghi report suggests a joint plan for decarbonisation and competitiveness given the interdependence of energy prices and the ability to compete internationally. Therefore, energy prices should be reduced and made less volatile. While decarbonisation offers commercial opportunities, EU companies face strong Chinese competition. Taking the various clean technologies into account, the report recommends a differentiated approach according to sectors and technologies. Third, the report sees a need to increase security and reduce dependencies. This action centres on secure supply chains of critical raw materials and technologies, as well as on developing the EUs defence capability. To better coordinate national policies among the EU member countries, the report advises introducing a factual EU foreign economic policy based on European values that considers the situations of middle- and low-income member countries (Draghi, 2024).

The Draghi report offers a wide range of in-depth analysis and recommendations that are designed to bring about the necessary changes to the EU. One of the underlying principles in the report is the quest for tech sovereignty, which is mentioned explicitly a few times. Although the EU faces a competitive disadvantage in some digital sectors, the report emphasises, for example, that it is important that EU companies maintain a foothold in areas where technological sovereignty is required, such as security and encryption (sovereign cloud solutions) (Draghi, 2024, p. 24). While the report acknowledges the dominance of US cloud providers, it states that the EU must find a middle way between promoting its domestic cloud industry and ensuring access to the technologies it needs (Draghi, 2024, p. 34). Everett et al. (2024) point to the reports suggestions of several regulatory initiatives that should bring about sovereignty objectives, especially for critical technologies. These include a new EU cloud and AI development act, better interplay between the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the AI Act, as well as recommendations around digital networks. It is not surprising that the discussion on EU tech sovereignty receives criticism from the US.

The EUs quest for tech sovereignty

The composition of the new European Commission demonstrates that the Draghi reports recommendations are being taken seriously. For the first time in the history of the EU, one of the six vice presidents in the European Commission has been tasked with responsibility for tech sovereignty together with security and democracy, as well as for the digital and frontier technologies portfolio (European Commission, 2024c). Over the next five years, Henna Virkkunen has to work through a long list of topics that have a direct impact on the EUs tech sovereignty, for example, development of an Apply AI Strategy that improves industrial uses and public services, development of an EU Cloud and AI Development Act together with an EU-wide cloud policy and a long-term EU quantum chips plan, and presenting a European Data Union Strategy.

Critics often equate tech sovereignty with protectionism. The way the Draghi report and the European Commission are embedding this principle into the overall industrial policy, however, works like a frame for innovation policy. In their paper on tech sovereignty as additional rationale for innovation policy, Edler et al. (2023) argue that technology sovereignty should be conceived as state-level agency within the international system, i.e. as sovereignty of governmental action. The authors define tech sovereignty not as an end in itself, but as a means to achieving the central objectives of innovation policy  sustaining national competitiveness and building capacities for transformative policies. For Edler et al. (2020), tech sovereignty encompasses the ability of a state or a federation of states to provide the technologies it deems critical for its welfare, competitiveness, and ability to act, and to be able to develop these or source them from other economic areas without one-sided structural dependency. In sum, the main characteristic of tech sovereignty following Edler et al. is the ability of governments to act independently in the global tech system, not following an isolationist policy but cooperating with robust and reliable national, regional and international networks.

Comments by Foss (2025) from Think Tank Europa follow a similar line of argument, stressing that a majority of planned tech initiatives focus on enabling innovation by building digital infrastructure. He expects that the Data Union Strategy, for example, will help the EU leverage high-quality data as a source of competitiveness. The Digital Network Act, too, will have the potential to improve connectivity and bring the EU closer to achieving its Digital Decade goals.

Building a EuroStack as a core technology infrastructure for Europe which covers semiconductors, networks, AI, cloud computing, the Internet of Things, data platforms and digital ID, is another concept discussed to increase the EUs digital sovereignty. According to the authors of the study EuroStack  A European Alternative for Digital Sovereignty (Bria et al., 2025), this initiative presents an ambitious vision for Europes digital future, overcoming the blocs heavy reliance on external technologies. Currently, more than 80% of Europes digital infrastructure and technologies are imported and about 70% of foundational AI models are developed in the US (Borak, 2025; Bria et al., 2025).

The EUs focus on tech sovereignty is criticised by various experts and organisations in the US, such as the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), a think tank supported by many US tech companies, and increasingly from big tech companies directly (Meyers, 2025). Robert Atkinson, president of the ITIF, for example, argues that the EUs discriminatory regulations have led to a loss of revenue for US industries. He complained that [i]n its bid for tech sovereignty, the EU has been aggressively targeting U.S. firms and industries, with unfair protectionist policies (Atkinson, 2024). As counter measures, Atkinson suggests updating Section 301 of the Trade Act to address digital trade, using ICT service reviews against European companies, imposing taxes to offset the EUs digital service taxes and limiting US data flows to the EU. As defensive measures, he recommends, for example, limiting EU access to federal procurement opportunities, investigating critical exports and excluding European firms from the US defence industrial base. Although Atkinsons policy recommendations seem to be excessive, they demonstrate the range of potential sanctions the US government can apply against EU companies.

US anti-China tech alliance  What is Europes role?

With Trumps sweeping tariffs on EU imports in March 2025 and his threat to escalate a global trade war with further tariffs on European goods, the US-EU bilateral economic relationship reached its lowest point. That Trump would withdraw from the World Health Organization and the Paris Climate Agreement once back in office had been expected by many observers in the EU. His bullish policies vis-a-vis Europe, other US NATO allies and Ukraine, however, came as a shock. It signaled to US allies that they can no longer rely on the US. Moreover, according to Steve Tsang (2025), Trumps foreign policy is also strengthening Chinas argument that the US will use the liberal international order to put America first, establishing an order that is unfit for the twenty-first century and needs to be changed.

US policy on China under Trump 2.0 is expected to be even more aggressive than that of his first term, but also more transactional and less predictable (China Briefing, 2025). In The Presidents 2025 Trade Policy Agenda, China is addressed as the single biggest source of our countrys large and persistent trade deficit and a unique economic challenge (United States Trade Representative [USTR], 2025). This document refers to the trade agreement Trump negotiated with China in his first term (Phase One Agreement) and announces that the USTR will assess Chinas compliance with this agreement, focusing on technology transfer, intellectual property and innovation, and other unfair practices. The assessment will also be used for discussion in the US Congress on Chinas Permanent Normal Trade Relation (PNTR) status.

The revocation of Chinas most favored nation status, followed by the phasing out of the import of essential goods, were listed as the first steps in decoupling from China in the Republican Partys 2024 platform. With the ambitious aim to build the greatest economy in history, the platform also listed blocking Chinese investment in US real estate and industry, and encouraging US companies to leave China and bring critical supply chains back to the US. Additional goals include saving the US auto industry, the Buy American and Hire American concepts, and restoring the American Manufacturing Superpower (Kwan, 2025).

Given the growing frictions across the Atlantic over trade and technology on the one hand and the US decoupling approach vis-a-vis China on the other, Europe has little incentive to follow Trumps China policy. In contrast, a more pragmatic relationship with China offers not only better market conditions for European companies but also cooperation in areas of global importance such as climate change and AI governance. Chinas rise as a science and technology power is one of the most important developments, contributing to the worldwide increase of knowledge (Xie et al., 2014). International data show that China has made tremendous progress in some specific fields of science and technology, making the country an attractive partner for the EU in future technologies. However, the relationship between the EU and China should be better balanced and Europe might be better off continuing its de-risking policy towards China, reducing overdependency on some Chinese imports, protecting the EU against unfair competition from China and strengthening Europes technological and industrial capacities.

References

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Birchard, R. (2025, February 11). How EU wants to change AI, big tech image amid US pressure. Deutsche Welle.

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Irish actor Chris ODowd has described working on the show Black Mirror as like getting to play for Liverpool for a season.

Charlie Brooker's dark, satirical anthology series Black Mirror returns to Netflix today for a seventh series of six brand-new episodes.

ODowd stars alongside American actress Rashida Jones in the first episode of the series, titled Common People.

Describing the show as iconic, ODowd commended Charlie Brookers creativity and approach to the storyline.

He doesn't get stuck in a mold. He's constantly trying to create something new all the time. Even this show, which has gone on for years, it's different every week. He's so adept at comedy and so extraordinarily adept at drama and tragedy, he said.

He has a lot of strings to his bow and he treats people well, and that can go a long way. He's a very talented f**ker.

Speaking about what attracted him to sign on and play the role of Mike in episode one of the Black Mirror series, ODowd said he had watched a few of the episodes from last season before he knew it would come his way and thought it was really strong.

I had seen Joan is Awful a few weeks before, and I just thought it was so clever and funny. So, the initial draw was to be part of a show like that, it's an institution already and almost like its own style of television, which is cool, he said.

I've known Charlie, just to say hello to, since we were both working at Channel 4, 15 to 20 years ago. I love what he does. Then I read it, and I thought it was gorgeous. It's such a brilliant arc. It's very unusual to have so much to play with.

You get to do all of the happy rom-com stuff with Rashida, and then this dystopian world with Tracey Ellis Ross. It was a bit of a no-brainer in terms of getting involved. It's an incredibly dark episode. Charlie described it as a jet black comedy.

Speaking about working alongside Rashida Jones, who plays his on-screen partner, Amanda, ODowd said: We had worked together before, so we knew each other going in, which made it much easier. But I really loved working with her this time.

Chris ODowd stars alongside American actress Rashida Jones in the first episode of the series, titled Common People.

Its funny when you haven't worked with somebody in years, and you realise you still just trust each other. She's such a talented performer, but also a very easy person to be around. That made it feel very easy, I suppose.

Nobody's trying to impress each other or anything. It's just trying to make everything feel real. I think it comes across like we're close, and that's all you want to get across. She's beautiful and it's such a gorgeous performance.

Speaking about her time working with ODowd, Jones described him as such a fantastic actor and said that while people love him from his comedy, hes a trained, deep, and complex actor  and he gets to do all that here.

Hes so great to work with because he's emotionally available to whatever's happening. If somebody was just playing the comedy, you wouldnt care as much, because you have to really believe these people love each other and that they're willing to do the worst things ever for each other, that they're both stuck in this intractable situation together, she said.

But they never turn on each other, and that's so romantic. Their lives are completely upended and yet they never betray each other, and he really does sell that devotion.

Speaking about the cast of series seven, writer of the show, Charlie Brooker, said: The cast is sensational on this. When actors are asked what attracted them to the project, the stock answer is well you dont say no to Black Mirror. Brooker described it as gratifying and thrilling that many of the worlds best actors want to work on the show.

From my perspective, its great because a great actor always makes the writing seem better. It elevates the writing, he said.

Once you know who is cast, you can tailor what youre writing to the actor. I see the characters in my head before anyone else does, so when I am writing, I have things floating around and sometimes you sort of cast someone, you imagine someone.

Sometimes youre not sure. But I find that once we cast someone, I cant remember who it was I was picturing when I sat down to write; its like it was always them.

Dorothy has always been Emma Corrin. Paul Giamatti was always the lead in Eulogy, even if I couldnt have known that when I sat down to write.

"It never ceases to amaze me how much they bring those characters to life in a way that retrospectively goes back and overwrites what I thought in the past.

Its a thrill working with great actors, it makes everything better.
Almost 104m has been approved under the HSE capital plan for healthcare projects in Cork as part of a record spend on the building and equipping of facilities this year.

Overall, the HSE capital plan sees 1.33bn allocated to building projects in 2025.

It was approved by health minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill on Wednesday who described the sum as a record spend.

Plans to build surgical hubs nationally were first announced in December 2022 with an 18-month turnaround time predicted. However so far only one of the six has opened.

Approving the HSE capital plans on Wednesday, health minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill described the national 1.33bn healthcare building budget as 'a record'. File picture: Niall Carson/PA

This year 173.29m has been allocated to continue this work including on the Cork University Hospital (CUH) site. Waterford and Limerick will see progress on hubs in these areas.

However, the plan only refers to complete construction for the north Dublin site.

210m for new children's hospital

Some 210m is allocated for the ongoing works at the new children's hospital in Dublin.

The plan includes the family accommodation unit.

Projects in Cork, Midleton, Bantry, and Blarney

The Cork funding comes to 103.8m and includes a replacement ambulance station in Midleton.

The Cork University Dental School had been expected to relocate to a new site under previous plans. However this document refers to refurbishment of the existing school which shares a campus with CUH.

Elsewhere, Bantry hospital receives 1.15m for expansion a 12-bed stroke rehabilitation unit.

Fine Gael TD Colm Burke welcomed the plans particularly the 7.5m going to Mallow to expand the hospital there and build a new ambulance base among other improvements.

He also highlighted 4m going to Blarney for a new neurorehabilitation unit. This site had been previously earmarked for a new nursing home.

Investment of 8.61m in Kerry projects

Healthcare in Co Kerry will receive 8.61m through the HSE capital plan, with the bulk of this going to University Hospital Kerry.

The plans include a new site for the womens health team, a new obstetrics operating theatre, expansion of the high dependency unit and an extension to the cancer care unit.

HSE to invest 107m in Limerick

Patients in Limerick will benefit from 107.5m in spending, with the bulk of this going on works at University Hospital Limerick.

This includes money for continued building of new wards to address overcrowding.

These new units include a 16-bed inpatient ward unit, phase one of a new hospital block including basement car parking and shell space at level 0 and level 1.

Funding of 10.6m is also allocated for a new ward block  4x24 beds  to go over the existing emergency department.

Clare projects include Ennis and Kilrush

Co Clare will receive 6.03m in all.

The largest single allocation is 2.65m for building a residential addiction treatment facility to replace the existing facilities at the Bushy Park centre in Ennis.

Other funds include 1m for upgrades to St Senans nursing home in Kilrush and 640,000 for expansion at Ennis hospital.

Plans for Nenagh and Clonmel in Tipperary

Tipperary North will receive 1.9m including 950,000 for expanding services at Nenagh hospital.

The new 50-bed unit replacing St Conlons nursing home is set to receive 750,000 following its controversial temporary re-purposing as a step-down unit linked to UHL.

In Tipperary South, patients will see benefits from money from 3.58 including funding for a new ambulance base at Clonmel.

Tipperary University Hospital, also in Clonmel, will receive 330,000 to expand the emergency department and open a new ward block.

40.8m plan for University Hospital Waterford

Waterford is set to receive 45m including 40.8m for works at University Hospital Waterford.

The hospital money includes 37m for the surgical hub which will have two operating theatres and other supports.

The Cabinet also separately approved 611,000 in funding as part of plans to expand the cardiac service at UHW to a 24/7 service.
The father of Irish actor Colin Farrell has passed after battling a long illness.

Eamon Farrell, aged in his 80s, passed peacefully on Wednesday in the loving care of his family at Beaumont Hospital.

Late of Glasnevin and formerly of Castleknock, Mr Farrell was the former proprietor of Health Matters and a former footballer for Shamrock Rovers.

He is survived by his "beloved" wife Eileen, and his children Colin, Catherine, Claudine, and Eamon.

"Sadly missed by Rita, step-children William, Keith, Sandra, Aidan, Deborah, Karl, Ciaran and Gary, grandchildren James, Ellen, Henry, Stella and Oscar, in-laws and partners, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and friends," his death notice reads.

He will be reposing at his home in Glasnevin on Friday evening with his funeral Mass to take place on Saturday.
THE boss of the Land Development Agency (LDA) was briefed to prepare for questions on the difficulties in getting state agencies to part with valuable land and whether the agency should get a slice of the Apple tax funds.

A Q&A document prepared for the CEO John Coleman also warned about queries over how affordable affordable homes really are.

The briefing was prepared ahead of the launch last September of 51 new homes at Shanganagh Castle Estate in Dublin. It said Mr Coleman should be ready to answer questions on whether it was challenging to get other state agencies to hand over unused land for development.

The suggested answer said: No. We are developing a steady pipeline of state-owned land with more sites becoming available.

In our Report on Relevant Public Land we identified a series of sites with the potential to deliver a high number of homes, but we were clear at the time that this document was the start of a discussion with the state bodies involved to explore the possibility of using the lands in question for housing.

At the time of the launch, Sinn Fein had suggested the abolition of the Land Development Agency with councils funded to build homes instead.

The Q&A suggested saying: I don't believe that abolishing the LDA would make sense. You can see first-hand here today the value of [us] in delivering high quality homes at scale.

On whether the agency should get a chunk of the 14 billion Apple tax windfall, the briefing said they were ready to increase targets for housing if asked.

A suggested answer said: Funding is a matter for government, and I note that housing has been mentioned as one of the sectors that could be prioritised when it comes to the upcoming budget and any decision on the Apple money.

However, I am heartened by recent remarks by the minister and the Tanaiste about potentially using some of that money to further capitalise the LDA.

The LDA CEO was also advised to be prepared for questions around whether the homes being launched were really affordable.

The Q&A response suggested was: If you take the example of the 51 affordable purchase homes, a two-bed can be purchased for 334,600 when the Local Authority equity share is taken into account.

This is significantly below the cost of similar new homes on the open market, so the buyer in this case is getting an excellent high-quality, brand new, A-rated home in a super development in a wonderful location at an affordable cost.

The briefing said the value was undeniable when compared to market prices in the same location with new two-bed houses costing around 550,000 and three-bed homes starting at 565,000.
Court evidence of an Islamist-inspired knife attack by an Irish boy on a military chaplain indicate that distressing events in his life combined with online radicalisation fuelled by violent jihadist videos and propaganda.

The youth had a lot of content on his devices and notebooks about the Islamic State terror group, including beheadings.

He had a particular interest in Mohammed Emwazi or Jihad John, a British national known for such atrocities in Syria.

The boy, now aged 17, has pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of Fr Paul Murphy at the entrance of Renmore Barracks, Galway city, on August 15, 2024.

Then aged 16, he repeatedly knifed the priest, who was wearing civilian clothes, with an eight-inch hunting knife, inflicting seven serious wounds on Fr Murphy's left and right arms and hands.

CCTV videos shown in the Central Criminal Court depict someone approaching the priest as he stopped his jeep outside the gates of the barracks.

Detective Sergeant Paul McNulty of Galway City Garda Station said that, according to the priest, the boy said: Excuse me, sir, do you have a minute to talk to me?

When Fr Murphy lowered his window about halfway, the boy took out a knife and lunged at him and started stabbing.

CCTV images show Fr Murphys jeep moving forward, through the gates, but his attacker held onto the moving vehicle and continued to stab, until the car came to a stop some 20 metres inside.

It was only when soldiers shouted at the attacker to stop and fired five warning shots that he became distracted.

Other personnel brought him to the ground and gardai were called.

When gardai searched him they found a scabbard for a large knife attached to the inside of his tracksuit bottoms.

He told gardai: Thats the cover for my knife.

Det Sgt McNulty said the weapon, found at the scene, was a hunting knife with an eight-inch serrated blade.

It was purchased online and delivered to the boys home, where he lived with his mother, in November 2023.

Action 'in protest' at Irish Defence Forces

During an initial interview, the boy told gardai that his action was in protest at the Irish Defence Forces and their work in Mali and all the stuff in Islam.

The detective explained that Irish forces served in the West African country as trainers for the State army and left the country by September 2023.

When gardai searched the family home on foot of a court warrant in the early hours of August 16, they saw a poster in the boys bedroom with Arabic writing proclaiming 'Allahu' Akbar or God is Great.

Det Sgt McNulty said there was also an Islamic State flag and a notebook with writing in it, including graphic sketches depicting beheadings.

Micheal Delaney SC, prosecuting, put it to the detective that the accused reverted to the Islamic faith at age 15, which the garda said was correct.

While not explained in court, revert is often used in Islam to describe a convert and the act of converting to Islam.

Mr Delaney said the boy regularly attended Friday prayers at a mosque.

Three devices  a laptop, mobile phone and ipad  were taken away for forensic examination and production orders were made to Google, TikTok, and Instagram for the boy's social media posts.

'Radicalised Islamic content'

Mr Delaney said it was sufficient to say that the analysis identified a lot of content of a radicalised Islamic mindset.

Det Sgt McNulty said there was content in the boy's devices supporting the IS terror group, adding there was content of particularly graphic beheadings and IS propaganda videos.

These included videos featuring Mohammed Emwazi or Jihad John, a British national infamous for his atrocities against hostages in Syria.

Det Sgt McNulty said the boy had a phone on him when arrested, but refused to give the PIN to access it.

The garda said the boy did talk about mental health issues he was experiencing, namely depression and anger issues. He said the boy said: I lose control of myself."

He said when asked was depression or anger involved in the attack, the boy said: That wasnt depression, that was anger. I dont know what made me do it.

The garda said the boy hadnt intended to target a priest and that it was totally indiscriminate  and just wanted to attack a member of the Defence Forces.

Det Sgt McNulty told Sean Gillane SC, for the defence, that the boy had no convictions and was not known to gardai.

Mr Gillane said the end of 2023 was difficult for his client in that his parents marriage broke down, his father left the home, and his mental health suffered during 2023 and into 2024.

He said he had undiagnosed autism, which had only been identified recently on foot of a court direction for an assessment.

He said the boy found it difficult in school and was a bit isolated.

Sought an online 'community'

Mr Gillane said that as his parents were divorcing, his client sought an online community, but said the people he found were the opposite of a community.

He said his client became further and further isolated and that the online material increased his radicalisation with its poisonous belief system, and that the boy was vulnerable.

Mr Gillane said all of this appears to have led to the catastrophic actions that day, a revenge attack on the Defence Forces based on "misconceived" notions.

He said the diagnosis of autism spectrum might assist the court in its understanding, citing the rigidity of thinking, fixated thinking and impulsive actions  but added this did not excuse the boy's actions.
The Government has reinstated powers to revoke naturalized Irish citizenship in serious cases.

Justice minister Jim OCallaghan confirmed he signed an order giving effect to the change, after more than four years where no revocations were possible.

A Supreme Court decision in 2021 found that there was a lack of safeguards in the previous process and that revoking citizenship under former laws was unconstitutional.

This essentially has prevented any citizenship revocation processes from taking place since.

However, legislation passed in 2024 made a number of changes to the system to address the Supreme Court ruling.

The new changes will see individuals who have their citizenship revoked given 28 days to make representations to the Justice Minister over their citizenship. After this, individuals will have 14 days to request a further inquiry into the decision.

These inquiries will see an independent committee, chaired by a retired judge from either the Circuit, High Court, Court of Appeal or Supreme Court, assess appeals.

These committees will also have two ordinary members, who are appointed by the Justice Minister.

In a statement, Mr OCallaghan said the powers of citizenship revocation for naturalized citizens are important and necessary.

Where citizenship has been obtained fraudulently or when an individual poses a serious risk or threat to the State, it is essential that the power to remove the citizenship which has been granted to them is there, Mr OCallaghan said.

The order is not designed to disadvantage or be punitive against naturalised Irish citizens.

"It does, however, provide repercussions and remedy when citizenship is acquired by fraudulent means, or when a person poses a serious threat to our society.

Revocation of Irish citizenship is only undertaken in the most serious of circumstances and I am aware that the loss of citizenship has serious consequences.

The powers have been reinstated since April 7, after the commencement order was signed.

Concerns have been repeatedly raised over the proposals, however, with the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) writing to former Justice Minister Helen McEntee over the laws.

In particular, it criticised the haste by which the Government opted to pass the changes, citing the lack of scrutiny in the Dail over amendments which came to the bill.
It was a moment that stunned and moved court practitioners hardened by years of dealing with murder and rape cases.

The sight of Fr Paul Murphy reaching out to his attacker and placing his left hand on the boys shoulder and talking intimately with him, with the boy placing his hand on the priest's back, stopped people in their tracks.

The priests left arm had suffered the brunt of deep wounds from an eight-inch hunting knife, with a serrated blade, that the then 16-year-old boy used in an Islamist-inspired attack.

The boy, now 17, sustained his onslaught over some 90 seconds and a distance of 25 metres, inflicting seven serious injuries, partially severing the arms, though none were fatal.

Fr Murphy, aged 53, told the Central Criminal Court that a religious intercession protected him that night and that his "guardian angel" also intervened.

The attack took place at around 10.40pm on August 15, 2024, at the entrance to Renmore Barracks, Galway city, where Fr Murphy, a Defence Forces chaplain, was based.

The court heard the boy, who pleaded guilty to attempted murder, had been radicalised online by Islamic State propaganda.

Emotional victim impact statement

During an emotional victim impact statement to Mr Justice Paul McDermott, Fr Murphy turned around to the boy seated behind him and said: As a man of faith, I am in the business of forgiveness, and I offer to you, the young man standing accused before me, the forgiveness that will hopefully help you to become a better person.

The boy, who had been looking intently at the priest, leaned towards him and said: Im sorry.

Fr Murphy twisted around in the witness box to face the boy: I believe you are 17 now, so you will hopefully have another 80 years of living on this earth.

My hope and prayer is that you will use whatever resources are put at your disposal, in prison or beyond, to learn a better way of living and that you will use your energy and your talents to make our world a better place for all to live.

The boy leaned forward again and said: Thank you.

Fr Murphy continued: Life is for living and for loving, and, I promise you, your life will find its ultimate joy when you live honourably and love generously.

The impact statement followed evidence from Detective Sergeant Paul McNulty, who went through CCTV footage showing much of the attack.

In it, Fr Murphys jeep stopped outside the gates to the barracks, when someone approached his drivers door and said he wanted to ask him a question.

When the priest lowered his window about halfway, the boy took out a knife and lunged at him and started stabbing.

CCTV images show Fr Murphys jeep moving forward through the gates, but his attacker held onto the door and continued to stab, the images showing his arm raising into the air and driving down repeatedly.

The car went out of view and eventually came to a stop 20m inside. However, the assault continued.

Soldiers shouted at the attacker to stop and fired five warning shots into the air, distracting the boy long enough for personnel to tackle him to the ground.

'An appalling crime'

Fr Murphy said his attacker came to kill him and that if his driver window had been fully down, he would be dead.

He told Mr Justice McDermott that while he can personally forgive his attacker that he had committed an appalling crime.

Fr Murphy said: He has offended our State; he has offended the Irish Defence Forces, and he has offended every soldier who has walked through the gate of our barracks, because it could have been any one of them who was stabbed.
A 37-year-old man was arrested and charged with burgling the home of his own in-laws and stealing seven bottles of whiskey from their house.

Kenneth Duggan denies carrying out this crime and also denies carrying out another burglary elsewhere later that same day.

Detective Garda Killian OConnell objected to bail being granted to the accused who appeared by video link from prison.

It was alleged that on March 15, 2025, he carried out both crimes, Det. Garda OConnell said, adding that because of the nature of the alleged offences and the defendants alcohol and drug addiction difficulties, there was an objection to bail.

The first charge relates to March 15 at his in-laws home at Muskerry Estate at 10am that morning. The second count relates to 2.30pm that day at Wellington Road where there was an alleged burglary and the accused was allegedly caught in possession of property stolen from the house when he was in the back garden of the house.

Shane Collins-Daly, solicitor, said Mr Duggan disputed the charges and would be pleading not guilty to both offences. He said the defendant was arrested near the scene at Wellington Road but was not involved in the burglary but that he was often at the home of his wifes parents, with permission.

Mr Collins-Daly said: Mr Duggan would be a frequent visitor to the house. He said he was at the property with permission and did have alcohol and was drunk and was found later that day very intoxicated. He tells me he had permission to be there and therefore was not a trespasser.

Bail application

Mr Duggan, with an address at Atherstone, Spurhill, Togher, Cork, said he is not addicted to drugs and he would not commit any other offences.

Mr Collins-Daly said: He is presumed innocent and protests his innocence and he would be in custody for months if refused bail waiting for DPP directions."

Sergeant Aisling Murphy said the gardai would not agree to any conditions on which the accused could be released. Judge Mary Dorgan said she was granting the accused bail on his own bond of 400, an independent surety of 1500  of which 850 in cash is to be lodged.

He was put on a curfew to be home nightly from 10pm to 7am, ordered to sign daily at Togher garda station between 9am and 1pm, and 3pm to 9pm, and finally to stay out of Wellington Road. He was remanded in custody with consent to bail to April 14.
A Catholic priest who survived an Islamist-inspired knife attack by a 16-year-old boy today turned to the youth in court and said he 'forgave' him.

The boy, now aged 17, leaned towards Fr Paul Murphy and replied, I'm sorry.

The moving scenes occurred as Fr Murphy, a Defence Forces chaplain, was giving his victim impact statement in the Central Criminal Court.

The boy, who can't be identified because he's a minor, pleaded guilty last February to the attempted murder of the priest at Renmore Barracks, Galway City, on 15 August.

The boy's parents sat beside their son during the hearing. The mother sat beside him after Fr Murphy turned to him to say he forgave him.

Sean Gillane, SC, for the defence, thanked Fr Murphy for his magnanimous and eloquent statement.

He told Mr Justice Paul McDermott that his client had just received a diagnosis of autism, following a court request for an assessment.

He said features of this can include "rigidity of thinking, fixated thinking and impulsive actions".

He said this diagnosis did not excuse his actions, but he hoped the court would take it into account in trying to understand them.

He also said his parents divorced in 2023 and his father moved out, and that he found this difficult.

Mr Justice McDermott said he had a lot to consider and adjourned sentencing to April 29. The boy continues to be remanded at Oberstown Childrens Detention Centre.

'Frenzied attack'

The court previously heard that an analysis of the boys devices showed content supporting the so-called Islamic State terrorist group.

Fr Murphy, an army chaplain, had stopped his car outside the barracks to gain entry at 10.35pm on 15 August 2024 when he encountered an individual.

He pressed a button to roll down his window and said the accused lunged at him with what was an eight-inch hunting-style knife, later recovered from the scene.

The court heard the chaplain had seven deep lacerations to his arms which required surgery, as well as minor cuts to his body and face.

Gardai believe Fr Murphy, aged 52, saved his own life by continuing to drive his car forward through the gates, where the sentry on duty fired warning shots into the air and other personnel went to subdue the attacker.

Gardai believe the boy radicalised himself online with jihadist material and relatively quickly made the decision to move to the next stage of attempting to kill someone.

Two days after the attack, Galway District Court heard that the attack was frenzied and that gardai believed the accused held a radical Islamist mindset.

Last October, at Galway District Court, the boy was charged with attempted murder and intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to Fr Murphy.

Defence Forces chaplain, Fr Paul Murphy, who was stabbed in an incident in Galway last year, pictured leaving the Criminal Courts of Justice this afternoon after giving a victim impact statement. Picture: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin.

The court heard that the DPP had directed the boy be sent forward for indictment at the Central Criminal Court.

The boys defence solicitor, Jack Donohue, asked the judge to direct a psychological report on his client. Judge Adrian Harris granted the request.

Last February, at the Central Criminal Court, the boy pleaded guilty, and the following month the court ordered that the boy be assessed for autism ahead of his sentencing.

Mr Justice Paul McDermott made the direction after hearing that a psychologist at Oberstown Detention Centre, where the boy has been held on remand, recommended such an assessment.

The judge said this was in addition to any other reports that the psychologist at Oberstown deemed necessary.

Fr Murphy is a highly popular chaplain attached to the 1st Infantry Battalion. He is due to travel to Lebanon next month with the 126th Infantry Battalion.

He joined the Defence Forces in 2014 and has previously travelled to both Lebanon and Syria.

From Waterford City, he went to De La Salle Secondary School before studying at the nearby St Johns College, attached to the Diocese of Waterford and Lismore.

He was ordained in 1996 and served for a time in St Benildus, beside his old school, before moving to Clonmel, Co Tipperary. He spent six years in Dunhill and Fenor Parish in Co Waterford and then in Tramore, just outside the city, where he stayed until 2013.

"Paul is a gentle, kind, soft-spoken man, and a great chaplain," a friend and colleague said of him.

'I am in the business of forgiveness'

Read Father Murphy's full victim impact statement below.

Fr Paul Murphy leaving court after sentence hearing of boy who has pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of the Defence Forces chaplain at Renmore Barracks, Galway, in August 2024. Picture: Cormac O'Keeffe

Your Honour, thank you for the opportunity to say a few words today.

I only went for a swim.

On Thursday, 15th August 2024, I returned from the swimming pool as I did most nights. But this night was different. I observed the usual security protocols when approaching a military installation; I turned off my headlights and turned on my cars interior light.

Someone approached my drivers side window, and once I lowered the window, he immediately started trying to kill me with a knife. Knowing not to touch the long blade which was shining before my eyes, I grabbed his wrists with my two hand,s but, having the advantage of standing outside the car, he was able to pull back, breaking my grip, and started stabbing me again.

In an attempt to escape the piercing knife, I drove ahead, crashing through the gates of the barracks, while my assailant kept pace with me and continued to try to rob me of my life. When my car came to a natural stop at a kerb, I struggled to fend off my attacker through the open window, and subsequently through my open door, until our duty soldiers intervened and overpowered the aggressor.

While I can remember each gory detail, I believe the attempted murder lasted only about 90 seconds.

Much has been written about this case, and news stations around the world covered it extensively. One interesting observation is that from a few articles that people sent me, I felt that I was watching my own funeral. By changing one or two key words, these news reports read as my obituary. Mercifully, they read positively.

I did not see or hear much news, nor read much online or in the papers, but one angle proffered was that the poor priest was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Your Honour, if it wasnt me it would have been someone else, and I am convinced, without a shadow of a doubt, that I was the right person, in the right place, at the right time.

That night was filled with blessings.

I arrived back at barracks about 15 minutes later than usual, having chatted with friends outside the pool after my swim; it was the exact moment I needed to be at the gate. I had a certain protection in my car which was written-off in the attack.

When I pushed the button for my window to open, it only opened two-thirds of the way down. If it had opened fully, I would be dead. There were many other blessings witnessed at the gate and inside the compound, but, in the interests of State security, I will not be detailing them here.

Its safe to say that, except for the fact that one human being came to kill another, every other aspect of that incident was a blessing.

The 15th of August is celebrated annually throughout the Catholic world as the Solemnity of the Assumption of Our Lady into Heaven. While Our Blessed Lady had her place in Heaven assured, Heaven wasnt ready for me that night! That night was also the vigil of the anniversary of the death of the Irish Jesuit, Fr Willie Doyle, an Army Chaplain who was killed in battle in the First World War.

Investigations are ongoing to see if Fr Doyle should be canonised as a saint, and we had been praying for his intercession in our Garrison Church, one hundred metres from where I was attacked. I felt his intercession that night.

Our Lady of the Rosary is the Patroness of Oglaigh na hEireann / The Irish Defence Forces, and my Rosary beads was beside me in my car. Above my head, a visor-clip with my Guardian Angel witnessed the proceedings, and I survived the potentially fatal assault. I had excellent top cover and I was going nowhere that night.

I had excellent ground cover too. Pte Shanahan, the gate-policewoman, was the first to witness the violent attack, before Pte Geraghty, the armed guard on the beat at the time of the incident, alerted the other members of the guard team.

Cpl Padden took charge and, along with Pte Geraghty, approached the scene, shouted verbal warnings, and fired warning shots, before the courageous soldier physically took down the assailant, notwithstanding the potential harm to himself. Others ran to the scene to assist with the detention of the attacker, and to stem the flow of blood from my severed arms with expert first-aid treatment and welcome reassurance.

Along with the divine top cover, I had exceptional ground cover too, and I am forever grateful to those who saved my life that night. In time, I expect that the Defence Forces will recognise the courage, bravery and gallantry of those who were intimately connected to the horrific events of that fateful night.

In the weeks following the attack I was blessed to have the support of so many friends in Dun Ui Mhaoiliosa: soldiers who assisted me at home, medics who dressed my wounds every day and accompanied me to hospital appointments, doctors who covered all angles in ensuring that my recovery was on the right track, chefs who prepared and cut my food for me into bite-sized pieces so that I could maintain the dignity of feeding myself, and others who looked out for my well being and who did everything they could to help me get over the attempt on my life.

While acknowledging our honourable soldiers, it would be remiss of me not to mention the professionalism of so many others who were involved: the Gardai (including the Armed Response Unit and the detectives), the ambulance paramedics and advanced paramedic, the hospital staff in the Emergency Room, X-ray staff, porters, surgical and plastics teams, theatre and ward staff, and the other support staff.

The physiotherapists also played a major role in helping me to regain use of my left hand, in particular. Not all heroes wear capes; most of them wear ordinary uniforms to work every day and I, for one, am eternally grateful for them.

My family and friends, and the local community in Renmore, while shocked and angry about what happened, were outstanding in their care and support. I regret that, to this day, I still have not seen, never mind respond to, many of the thousands of encouraging messages that have come my way.

So, what has changed now? How has this impacted my life? As one could imagine, I was unable to celebrate Holy Masses for almost three months after the attack, and I could not drive either, due to my injuries and the loss of my car. I am more cautious about whom I open my car window to nowadays.

As I approach the barracks, which is my home, I am cautious about potential dangers lurking in the area, especially when I am walking. Now, when I go to our Garrison Church every night to pray and to prepare for the following mornings Mass, I lock the door behind me and am extra-vigilant when leaving the church into the darkness outside.

In truth, the whole military environment has changed, not only in our barracks but in all our installations. The attack on me wasnt personal so I dont feel particularly vulnerable, but, with good reason, I cannot rule it out from happening again. Sometimes, when one man fails in a mission, another takes up the mantle and, with that in mind, I will probably never fully feel free.

On the advice of many friends and comrades, I have undertaken counselling sessions, which, along with my physiotherapy, is ongoing. I have not regained the strength in my left arm that I previously enjoyed and I have lost sensation in much of my left forearm.

Your Honour, I am of a certain age now. I have done first aid and ambulance work with the Order of Malta for over forty years. I have been a priest for almost twenty-nine years and in the army for over eleven years. Out of all the members of our Defence Forces, I was best placed to take the knife that night.

I feel that I can contextualise the events of 15th August in my life in a way that would be much more difficult for a young soldier starting out in adulthood. And I thank God every single day that the knife tore through my skin, and not through the body of one of my comrades. I consider it an honour and a privilege to carry those scars until my dying day.

As a man of faith, I am in the business of forgiveness, and I offer to you, the young man standing accused before me, the forgiveness that will hopefully help you to become a better person. I believe you are 17 now, so you will hopefully have another 80 years of living on this earth.

In this, the Churchs Jubilee Year of Hope, my hope and prayer is that you will use whatever resources are put at your disposal, in prison or beyond, to learn a better way of living and that you will use your energy and your talents to make our world a better place for all people to live.

Life is for living and for loving, and I promise you, your life will find its ultimate joy when you live honourably and love generously.

Your Honour, we all have to take responsibility for our actions and while I can personally forgive my attacker, the fact remains that he has committed an appalling crime. He has offended our State; he has offended the Irish Defence Forces and he has offended every soldier who has walked through the gate of our barracks, because it could have been any one of them who was stabbed.

Every crime warrants an appropriate punishment and every sentence should serve as a deterrent to others from perpetrating similar crimes. It falls to you to give sentence in this case, and, assuming that it will be custodial, length of years is not what interests me.

My only desire is that the young man before you would learn to see the error of his ways and, when the time comes, return to society to make a positive contribution to the world as a wholesome, happy, and loving person.

I am just an ordinary priest and, while I am honoured to bear the wounds that scar my skin, I would be much happier to have avoided the limelight of this process. May it please the Lord above that the events which have led us to today may educate us all about the over-arching need for love, forgiveness and hope in our world.
In 1983, Brian Stack, the chief officer in Portlaoise Prison, was shot and fatally wounded after leaving an event in Dublin.

The Provisional IRA were long suspected of this attack but for many years, the organisation denied any responsibility.
Ukraine has expanded on its claim that significant numbers of Chinese nationals are fighting for Russias invading army.

It says it has gathered detailed intelligence on more than 150 mercenaries Moscow allegedly recruited through social media.

In China, officials have called the allegations totally unfounded.

The Ukrainian accusation and Chinese denial come as the US strives to secure a ceasefire in the war which has lasted for more than three years.

Russian attacks continue to hit areas such as Dnipro (Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP)

President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Tuesday that the Ukrainian military had captured two Chinese men fighting alongside the Russian army on Ukrainian soil. It was the first time Ukraine had made such a claim about Chinese fighters in the war.

On Wednesday, Mr Zelensky said he was willing to exchange the two prisoners of war for Ukrainian soldiers held captive in Russia. Without providing evidence, Mr Zelensky said officials in Beijing were aware of Russias campaign to recruit Chinese mercenaries. He stopped short of saying the Chinese government authorised the mercenaries involvement in Ukraine.

Mr Zelensky said Ukraine has the last names and passport data for 155 Chinese citizens fighting for the Russian army and that we believe that there are many more of them. He shared with journalists unverified documents listing names, passport numbers and personal details of the alleged Chinese recruits, including when they arrived in Russia for military training and departed for service.

Our military has captured two Chinese citizens who were fighting as part of the Russian army. This happened on Ukrainian territoryin the Donetsk region. Identification documents, bank cards, and personal data were found in their possession.



We have information suggesting that pic.twitter.com/ekBr6hCkQL  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) April 8, 2025

China has provided strong diplomatic support for Russia since it launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. It has also sold Russia machinery and microelectronics that it can use to make weapons, Western officials say, in addition to providing an economic lifeline through the trade in energy and consumer goods.

China is not believed to have knowingly provided Russia with troops, weapons or military expertise.

US officials have accused Iran of providing Russia with drones, while American and South Korean officials say North Korea has sent thousands of troops and ammunition to help Russia on the battlefield.

With the US and Europe having provided substantial military support and diplomatic heft for Ukraine, the war has to some degree become a contest between power blocs.

Tensions between the US and China have deepened in recent years. Disputes have centred on geopolitical influence, technology and trade  and recently escalating import tariffs between the countries have shaken global financial markets. Mr Zelensky said US officials expressed surprise when informed of the presence of Chinese mercenaries in Ukraine.

US President Donald Trump is trying to follow through on a campaign promise last year to swiftly end the war in Ukraine.

US State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said at a briefing in Washington on Tuesday that reports of Chinese citizens fighting on behalf of Russia were disturbing.

China is a major enabler of Russia in the war in Ukraine, Ms Bruce said. China provides nearly 80% of the dual-use items Russia needs to sustain the war, she claimed.

The European Unions foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, also called Beijing the key enabler of Russias war.

Dual-use goods are entering Russia via China, she said in Brussels, adding: Its clear that if China would want to really stop the support then it would have an impact.

China has increased sales to Russia of machine tools, microelectronics and other technology that Moscow in turn is using to produce missiles, tanks, aircraft and other weaponry for the war, according to a US assessment last year.

The Kremlin has effectively rejected a US proposal for an immediate and full 30-day halt in the fighting in Ukraine. The Kyiv government has consented to it. Both sides are believed to be preparing spring-summer military campaigns.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said in Beijing that China has played a constructive role in politically resolving the Ukraine crisis.

Mr Lin told a daily news briefing on Wednesday that the Chinese government always asks Chinese citizens to stay away from conflict zones, avoid getting involved in any form of armed conflict, and especially refrain from participating in any partys military operations.

Ukrainian soldiers fire a multiple launch rocket system in the Zaporizhzhia region (Andriy Andriyenko/Ukraines 65th Mechanised Brigade via AP)

His comments appeared to indicate that the captured Chinese had joined Russias ranks on their own initiative. Both Russia and Ukraine allow foreign soldiers to enlist.

China has previously put forward a vague peace plan that was swiftly dismissed by most observers.

In the meantime, both countries have kept fighting a war of attrition along the front line and targeted each other with long-range strikes.

The city of Kramatorsk in Ukraines eastern Donetsk endured a massive drone attack overnight, regional head Vadym Filashkin said, injuring an 11-year-old girl, her mother and her grandmother.

Ukraines air force said Russia launched 55 Shahed and decoy drones at the country overnight.

The Russian Defence Ministry said that air defences downed 158 Ukrainian drones over 11 Russian regions overnight but reported no casualties or damage.

Several Russian regions temporarily suspended flights at their airports because of the attack, however, and some Ukrainian drones reached Russias Orenburg region in the southern Urals located nearly 745 miles east of the Ukrainian border, the Defence Ministry said.
US President Donald Trump has said Israel would be the leader of a potential military strike against Iran if Tehran does not give up its nuclear weapons programme.

Mr Trump made the comments before this weekends scheduled talks involving US and Iranian officials in the Middle East sultanate of Oman. Mr Trump earlier this week said the talks would be direct while Iran has described the engagement as indirect talks with the US.

If it requires military, were going to have military, Mr Trump said. Israel will obviously be very much involved in that. Theyll be the leader of that. But nobody leads us, but we do what we want to do.

The United States is increasingly concerned as Tehran is closer than ever to a workable weapon. But Mr Trump said on Wednesday that he does not have a definitive timeline for the talks to come to a resolution.

When you start talks, you know, if theyre going along well or not, Mr Trump said. And I would say the conclusion would be what I think theyre not going along well. So thats just a feeling.

President Donald Trump, left, and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (Ben Curtis/AP and Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader via AP)

The US and other world powers in 2015 reached a long-term, comprehensive nuclear agreement that limited Tehrans enrichment of uranium in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. But Mr Trump unilaterally withdrew the US from the nuclear agreement in 2018, calling it the worst deal ever.

Iran and the US, under former president Joe Biden, held indirect negotiations in Vienna in 2021 aimed at restoring the nuclear deal. But those talks, and others between Tehran and European nations, failed to reach any agreement.

Meanwhile, the US Treasury Department earlier on Wednesday issued new sanctions targeting Irans nuclear programme.

Five entities and one person based in Iran are cited in the new sanctions for their support of Irans nuclear programme. The designated groups include the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran and subordinates Iran Centrifuge Technology Company, Thorium Power Company, Pars Reactors Construction and Development Company and Azarab Industries Co.

I want Iran to be great, Mr Trump said on Wednesday. The only thing that they cant have is a nuclear weapon. They understand that.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian again pledged on Wednesday that his nation is not after a nuclear bomb and even dangled the prospect of direct American investment in the Islamic Republic if the countries can reach a deal.

The comments by the reformist leader represent a departure from Irans stance after its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, in which Tehran sought to buy American planes but in effect barred US companies from coming into the country.

His excellency has no opposition to investment by American investors in Iran, Mr Pezeshkian said in a speech in Tehran, referring to Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. American investors: Come and invest.
The leaders of Mexico and Brazil have pledged to move together to strengthen trade between their nations, Latin Americas two biggest economies.

Wednesdays move counters US President Donald Trumps shifting positions on global tariffs, which have thrown markets into chaos.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva met on the sidelines of a regional summit in Honduras, where leaders strategised how to respond to Mr Trumps tariffs and escalating deportations, among other issues.

Me reuni hoje pela manha com a companheira presidenta do Mexico @Claudiashein. Conversamos sobre a conjuntura economica na America Latina e Caribe, e no mundo. Decidimos estreitar ainda mais as relacoes entre nossos dois paises promovendo agendas periodicas entre nossos governos pic.twitter.com/cFulL8Rqe7  Lula (@LulaOficial) April 9, 2025

We decided to further strengthen relations between our two countries by promoting regular meetings between our governments and the business sectors of Brazil and Mexico, Mr Lula said on X.

The meeting of 11 heads of state and 20 representatives from Latin America and the Caribbean, a bloc known as the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, was marked by a call to put aside differences in the face of global tensions.

Today, more than ever, is a good time to recognise that Latin America and the Caribbean require unity and solidarity, Ms Sheinbaum said during the summit.

Mr Trump on Wednesday suspended his global tariffs for 90 days on most countries other than China, which was hit with increased 125% tariffs, another escalation in the trade war between the two countries.

Even with the pause in tariffs, resentment still simmers among many trading partners and US allies, who have started to look for other reliable trade alternatives in the face of uncertainty under the Trump administration.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum gives a morning press conference at the National Palace in Mexico City (AP/Marco Ugarte)

Adding to the economic turmoil are also larger frustrations over Mr Trumps deportation tactics, increasingly the subject of legal scrutiny and human rights criticisms, and moves by his administration that some say infringe on the sovereignty of foreign nations.

That has spanned from US defence secretary Pete Hegseth saying that Chinese presence in the Panama Canal represents a security threat, to recent reports that the Trump administration is studying the possibility of drone strikes against Mexican cartels, which Ms Sheinbaum has sharply rejected.

We do not agree with any kind of intervention or interference, she told reporters on Tuesday in her morning news conference.
Asian shares surged in early Thursday trading, with Japans benchmark jumping more than 2,000 points almost immediately after the Tokyo exchange opened.

The jump came as investors welcomed US President Donald Trumps decision to back off on most of his tariffs.

Analysts had expected the regional comeback given that US stocks had one of their best days in history on a euphoric Wall Street on Wednesday, where investor hopes had run high that Mr Trump would tone down the tariffs.

On Thursday, Japans benchmark Nikkei 225 jumped 8.8% in morning trading to 34,510.86, zooming upward as soon as trading began.

NEW TRUTH SOCIAL FROM PRESIDENT TRUMP:



125% TARIFF ON CHINA

90-DAY PAUSE & LOWERED 10% RECIPROCAL TARIFF FOR OTHER COUNTRIES



EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY pic.twitter.com/Gt5Bd6276m  The White House (@WhiteHouse) April 9, 2025

Australias S&P/ASX 200 soared 5.1% to 7,748.00. South Koreas Kospi gained 5.2% to 2,412.80.

Hong Kong and Shanghai markets were set to open soon. The Hang Seng index has fallen considerably in the last five days, and could be set for a rebound like the other regional indexes.

Stephen Innes, managing partner at SPI Asset Management, called the reaction from fear to euphoria.

Its now a manageable risk, especially as global recession tail bets get unwound, and most of Asias exporters breathe a massive sigh of relief, he said, referring to the tariffs on China, which Mr Trump has kept.

On Wall Street, the S&P 500 surged 9.5%, an amount that would count as a good year for the market.

It had been sinking earlier in the day on worries that Mr Trumps trade war could drag the global economy into a recession. But then came the posting on social media that investors worldwide had been waiting and wishing for.

A currency trader prepares to work near the screens showing the Korea Composite Stock Price Index and the foreign exchange (AP/Lee Jin-man)

I have authorised a 90 day PAUSE, Mr Trump said, after recognising the more than 75 countries that he said have been negotiating on trade and had not retaliated against his latest increases in tariffs.

Treasury secretary Scott Bessent later told reporters that Mr Trump was pausing his so-called reciprocal tariffs on most of the countrys biggest trading partners, but maintaining his 10% tariff on nearly all global imports.

China was a huge exception, though, with Mr Trump saying tariffs are going up to 125% against its products.

That raises the possibility of more swings ahead that could stun financial markets.

The trade war is not over, and an escalating battle between the worlds two largest economies can create plenty of damage. US stocks are also still below where they were just a week ago, when Mr Trump announced worldwide tariffs on what he called Liberation Day.

But on Wednesday, at least, the focus on Wall Street was on the positive.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average shot to a gain of 2,962 points, or 7.9%. The Nasdaq composite leaped 12.2%.

The S&P 500 had its third-best day since 1940.
Coleen Rooneys lawyers did not commit misconduct after being accused of deliberately understating some of her costs in her high-profile Wagatha Christie libel battle with Rebekah Vardy, a UK high court judge has ruled.

Mrs Vardy unsuccessfully sued Mrs Rooney in 2022, with the two now in further dispute over how much Mrs Vardy should pay in legal costs as a result.

In October last year, a specialist costs judge ruled Mrs Rooneys lawyers did not commit misconduct after they were accused by Mrs Vardys legal team of understating some of her costs.

The appeal must fail on the basis that the judge was entitled to reach the conclusion that he came to

Mrs Vardy appealed against the decision last month, claiming it constituted serious misconduct, while Mrs Rooneys lawyers claimed the challenge was misconceived.

In a ruling on Thursday, UK high court judge Mr Justice Cavanagh dismissed the appeal.

He said: The appeal must fail on the basis that the judge was entitled to reach the conclusion that he came to.

In 2019, Mrs Rooney, the wife of former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney, accused Mrs Vardy of leaking her private information to the press on social media, which Mrs Justice Steyn found in July 2022 was substantially true.

The judge later ordered Mrs Vardy, the wife of Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy, to pay 90% of Mrs Rooneys costs, including an initial payment of 800,000.

A hearing last October was told that Mrs Rooneys claimed legal bill  1,833,906.89  was more than three times her agreed costs budget of 540,779.07.

Jamie Carpenter KC, for Mrs Vardy, said that this was disproportionate, and that the earlier understatement of some costs was improper and unreasonable and used to attack the other partys costs.

Mrs Vardy unsuccessfully sued Mrs Rooney for libel (Jonathan Brady/PA)

Senior costs Judge Andrew Gordon-Saker said that while there was a failure to be transparent by Mrs Rooneys legal team, he found on balance and, I have to say, only just that they had not committed wrongdoing.

In written submissions for the appeal against the decision last month, Mr Carpenter said Mrs Rooney very substantially understated her costs by around 40% in her budget, known as a precedent H, in 2021, and that the amount Mrs Vardy should pay should therefore be reduced.

Benjamin Williams KC, for Mrs Rooney, said in his written submissions that her budget was properly and correctly completed and there was no tenable case of misconduct.

In a 38-page ruling, Mr Justice Cavanagh found that Judge Gordon-Saker had ample material to reach his decision, adding that there was no valid basis for challenging on appeal the judges conclusion.

He said: The court was not persuaded that the claimant had proved that the defendants legal advisers had deliberately misled the court, or the claimant, either by things said or things not said.

There had been a misjudgment in the form of a failure to be more transparent about the basis upon which the defendants figures for incurred costs had been prepared, but that was as far as it went.

The judge was entitled to make the evaluative judgment that this did not amount to unreasonable or improper behaviour, especially as he was so well-placed to form a view about practice in relation to costs.
The European Union will pause its first countermeasures against U.S. tariffs after President Donald Trump temporarily lowered the hefty duties he had just imposed on dozens of countries, European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said on Thursday.

The bloc was due to launch counter-tariffs on about 21bn of U.S. imports from next Tuesday in response to Trump's 25% tariffs on steel and aluminium. It is still assessing how to respond to U.S. car tariffs and the broader 10% levies still in place.

"We want to give negotiations a chance," von der Leyen said on X. "While finalising the adoption of the EU countermeasures that saw strong support from our Member States, we will put them on hold for 90 days."

Trump's sudden decision on Wednesday to pause most of his hefty new duties brought relief to battered global markets and anxious global leaders, even as he ratcheted up a trade war with China.

His turnabout, which came less than 24 hours after steep new tariffs kicked in, followed the most intense episode of financial market volatility since the early days of the covid-19 pandemic.

US stock indexes shot higher on the news, and the relief continued into Asian and European trading on Thursday.

Before Trump's U-turn, the upheaval had erased trillions of dollars from stock markets and led to an unsettling surge in US government bond yields that appeared to catch the US president's attention.

President Donald Trump speaks during an event with auto racing champions at the South Portico of the White House Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in Washington, (Pool via AP)

Meanwhile, China rejected what it called threats and blackmail from Washington.

Trump kept the pressure on China, the world's No. 2 economy and second-biggest provider of U.S. imports with an increase of tariffs on Chinese imports to 125% from the 104% level that kicked in on Wednesday.

He also signed an executive order aimed at reducing China's grip on the global shipping industry and at reviving US shipbuilding.

TRADE WAR WITH CHINA

China will "follow through to the end" if the US insists on its own way, Commerce Ministry spokesperson He Yongqian told a regular press briefing. China's door was open to dialogue, but this must be based on mutual respect, the ministry said.

Beijing may again respond in kind after imposing 84% tariffs on U.S. imports on Wednesday to match Trump's earlier tariff salvo.

Trump, who claims the tariffs aim to fix US trade imbalances, said a resolution with China on trade is also possible. But officials have said they will prioritize talks with other countries as Vietnam, Japan, South Korea and others line up to try and strike a bargain.

China's yuan hit its lowest against the dollar on Thursday since the global financial crisis.

EU PAUSE

In Europe, euro zone government bond yields jumped, spreads tightened, and markets scaled back their bets on European Central Bank rate cuts after Trump's latest announcement. European shares surged.

Trump's move was an important step towards stabilising the global economy, von der Leyen said, before announcing a pause in the EU's own counter-tariffs.

But she warned they could be brought back in.

"If negotiations are not satisfactory, our countermeasures will kick in. Preparatory work on further countermeasures continues," she said, before adding: "As I have said before, all options remain on the table."

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stands prior to a meeting with Iceland's Prime Minister Kristrun Frostadottir at the EU headquarters in Brussels, Wednesday, April 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)

Trump's reversal on the tariffs imposed on other countries is also not absolute. A 10% blanket duty on almost all US imports will remain in effect, the White House said. The announcement also does not appear to affect duties on autos, steel and aluminium that are already in place.

The US tariff pause also does not apply to duties paid by Canada and Mexico, because their goods are still subject to 25% fentanyl-related tariffs if they do not comply with the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement's rules of origin.

The EU had been due to impose extra tariffs on US imports including maize, wheat, motorcycles, poultry, fruit and clothing. Those are now suspended.

Elsewhere, India was among countries that said it wants to move quickly on a trade deal with the United States.

UNCERTAINTY

Despite the reprieve, some central bankers and analysts remained cautious.

European Central Bank policymaker Francois Villeroy de Galhau, speaking of the pause in the tariff hike, told France Inter Radio it was "less bad news" than before, but uncertainty remained and that was a threat to trust and growth.

After saying his plans wouldn't change, Trump indicated that the near-panic in markets that had unfolded since his April 2 announcements had factored into his decision to suspend the tariffs.

"You have to be flexible," he told reporters.
New Zealand legislators dealt an overwhelming defeat to a controversial proposed law seeking to redefine the countrys founding treaty between Maori tribes and the British Crown.

The Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi bill was rejected by Parliament in a 112 to 11 vote in Wellington on Thursday, halting its progress to a third and final vote.

Cheers and applause erupted before legislators and the public sang a waiata  a traditional Maori song  after the result was announced.

This bill has been absolutely annihilated

The sweeping reinterpretation of the 1840 treaty signed by British representatives and 500 Maori chiefs during New Zealands colonisation was never expected to become law.

But the measures provoked a fraught debate about Indigenous rights and last November prompted the biggest race relations protest in the countrys history.

But its defeat did not spell the end for scrutiny of Maori rights in New Zealand law.

 What is the Treaty of Waitangi?

The Treaty guides the relationship between the government and Maori, with its meaning established through decades of legislation and court rulings.

It promised tribes broad rights to retain their lands and protect their interests in return for ceding governance to the British.

But two versions of the document were signed  one in English and one in Maori  and while both promised Maori the rights and privileges of British citizens, the documents differed on what authority the chiefs were ceding.

Crown breaches of both created steep disenfranchisement for Maori, who still face stark inequities.

Since an Indigenous protest movement surged in the 1970s, Treaty considerations have been a growing part of New Zealand law.

Members of parliament celebrate as the Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi bill was rejected in a 112 to 11 vote in Wellington, New Zealand (Robert Kitchin/AP)

Redress efforts have bolstered a dwindling Maori language and culture  now experiencing a resurgence  and resulted in billion-dollar settlements for stolen Maori land.

 What did the Treaty Principles Bill say?

The bill sought to end the 185-year conversation about the Treatys meaning by enacting in law particular definitions for each clause and specifying that any rights should apply to all New Zealanders.

Its author, libertarian legislator David Seymour, who is Maori  has decried what he said were special rights and privileges on the basis of race.

In his speech to lawmakers Thursday, Seymour said New Zealanders should all have the same rights and duties.

He urged legislators outside his party to break ranks and endorse the bill. None did.

 What did opponents say?

Parliamentary opposition leader Chris Hipkins lambasted the bill as a stain on this country and accused its supporters of spreading the myth of Maori special privilege.

He cited the disadvantage of Maori on almost every metric  including higher rates of poverty and ill-health and lower life expectancy.

A student opposing the Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill sits outside New Zealands parliament in Wellington (Charlotte Graham-McLay/AP)

The Treaty of Waitangi is not about racial privilege or racial superiority, said opposition legislator Willie Jackson.

It is and always has been about legal rights Maori have in their contract with the Crown.

Parliament received 300,000 written submissions from members of the public  more than a proposed law had ever received before  90% of them opposed to the measures.

This bill has been absolutely annihilated, said Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke, an opposition legislator from Te Pati Maori, the Maori political party.

Ms Maipi-Clarke faces disciplinary proceedings at Parliament for her protest of the bills first vote last November, when she tore up a copy of the measures while performing a haka  a Maori chant of challenge  as she and colleagues walked towards Mr Seymour.

The legislators refused to attend a hearing on their conduct this month, because they said Parliament does not respect tikanga  Maori cultural protocols.

 Why did the measures get so far?

Despite its unpopularity, the proposed law passed its first vote due to a quirk of New Zealands political system that allows tiny parties to negotiate outsized influence for their agendas.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon agreed his legislators would endorse the bill at its first reading to fulfil a political deal with Mr Seymour that handed Mr Luxon power.

Without enough seats to govern after the 2023 election, Mr Luxon negotiated support from two minor parties, including Mr Seymours, in return for political concessions.

They included Mr Luxons early support for the Treaty Principles bill, although the New Zealand leader always said he would later oppose it.

Mr Luxons opponents on Thursday derided his political dealings.

 What happens next?

The Treaty Principles Bill was not the only measure Mr Luxon agreed to that will scrutinise the Treatys influence on New Zealand law and policy.

Another of Mr Seymours initiatives, already enacted, directed public agencies to stop targeting policies to specifically redress Maori inequities.

Mr Luxon also agreed to consider and either replace or repeal mentions of the Treaty of Waitangi throughout most New Zealand laws.
Sudan has told the United Nations top court that the United Arab Emirates is breaching the genocide convention by arming and funding the rebel paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces, in a case vigorously contested by the UAE.

The north-east African country is asking the International Court of Justice to issue emergency orders, known as provisional measures, including telling the UAE to do all it can to prevent the killing and other crimes targeting the Masalit people during Sudans two-year civil war.

The genocide against the Masalit is being carried out by the Rapid Support Force, believed to be Arab from Darfur, with the support and complicity of the United Arab Emirates, acting justice minister Muawia Osman said in his opening statements at The Hague-based court.

This is not a legitimate legal action; it is a cynical and baseless PR stunt, designed to distract from the Sudanese Armed Forces own appalling record of atrocities

In a briefing ahead of the hearing, a top official at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs told journalists the case was baseless.

This is not a legitimate legal action; it is a cynical and baseless PR stunt, designed to distract from the Sudanese Armed Forces own appalling record of atrocities, Reem Ketait said.

Ms Ketait will make arguments on behalf of her country later on Thursday afternoon.

Both Sudan and the UAE are signatories to the 1948 genocide convention.

The United Arab Emirates, however, has a caveat to part of the treaty which legal experts say makes it unlikely that the case will proceed.

The ICJ has previously said that this kind of reservation is allowed and is a barrier to a case going forward. The court is most likely to say the same thing in this case, meaning that this case will not go forward, Melanie OBrien, an associate professor of international law at the University of Western Australia and an expert on the Genocide Convention, told The Associated Press.

Sudan descended into a deadly conflict in mid-April 2023, when long-simmering tensions between its military and paramilitary rebels broke out in the capital, Khartoum, and spread to other regions.

Both the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese Armed Forces have been accused of abuses.

The UAE, a federation of seven sheikhdoms on the Arabian Peninsula and a US ally, has been repeatedly accused of arming the RSF, something it has strenuously denied despite evidence to the contrary.

Conflict Observatory, a monitoring group which is funded by the US State Department and has been monitoring the war in Sudan, has identified aircraft it says carried UAE arms transfers to the RSF.

Those flights went through Marechal Idriss Deby international airport in Amdjarass, Chad.

The UAE says the purpose of the flights was to support a local hospital.

In January, the US Treasury Department announced that RSF leader Mohammad Hamdan Daglo Mousa, also known as Hemedti, had been targeted for sanctions along with seven RSF-owned companies in the United Arab Emirates, including one handling gold likely smuggled out of Sudan.

That came as the US declared the RSF rebels are committing genocide.

The war has killed more than 24,000 people and driven over 14 million people  about 30% of the population  from their homes, according to the United Nations.

An estimated 3.2 million Sudanese have escaped to neighbouring countries.

The Sudanese Armed Forces have broadly retaken Khartoum from the RSF.

Last month, the military said it had recaptured Khartoums international airport.
Thursday, Apr 10th, 2025 (1:00 am) - Score 440

Infracapital-backed broadband operator and UK ISP Fibrus, which is building a full fibre (FTTP) network across rural parts of Cumbria (England) and Northern Ireland, has this week re-launched their Community Fund for 2025 with a pot of 120,000 to invest across a variety of rural community groups within the operators network patch.

So far Fibrus have already allocated 175,000 to local groups across Northern Ireland and 120,000 to 68 local groups across Cumbria  all since 2021. But this weeks announcement means theyll be continuing this sponsorship throughout 2025 with more funding and a focus on addressing digital poverty and fostering inclusivity within rural communities. The grants are worth up to 2,000 for each organisation selected.

NOTE: Fibrus is backed by a total investment of around 893m, including 320m of committed debt, 200m in current and committed equity funding and 373m of government funding (e.g. 23m FFNI, 200m Fibrus is backed by a total investment of around 893m, including 320m of committed debt, 200m in current and committed equity funding and 373m of government funding (e.g. 23m FFNI, 200m Project Stratum  up to 82,000 premises by June 2025 in N.Ireland  and the c.150m Project Gigabit contract for 53,500 premises in Cumbria  Hyperfast GB ).

The operators network currently reaches over 400,000 UK premises and has connected 100,000 customers.

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Linda McMillan, Chief People Officer at Fibrus, said: The local community is at the heart of everything we do at Fibrus, from our day-to-day work to our sponsorships and community engagement. The Fibrus Community Fund 2025 will see another 60,000 go to deserving clubs and organisations, helping us bridge the gap in becoming a fully digital inclusive society. We are delighted to bring Full Fibre broadband to areas that have been notoriously hard to reach and are extremely proud to continue working with Community Foundation NI to expand our rural communitys digital literacy and connectivity through this fund.

If you are part of, or know of, a club or organisation that could benefit from funding, the next round of the Fibrus Community Fund is now open and will close on Friday, 9 May.

Learn more about the Community Fund Northern Ireland here.

Learn more about the Community Fund Cumbria here.
Thursday, Apr 10th, 2025 (1:31 pm) - Score 10,240

Mobile network operator O2 (Virgin Media) has today warned that theyre still seeing significant inbound roaming traffic on their legacy 2G and 3G networks in the UK. This comes ahead of their rapidly approaching plan to withdraw the service from 1st October 2025.

As most people will already know, O2 and other mobile operators are currently already in the process of switching off their older 2G and 3G mobile (mobile broadband) networks (here and here). O2s move to withdraw 3G is due to reach completion by the end of 2025, while it will take several years to completely retire 2G as it remains necessary for various devices (e.g. Energy Smart Meters) and as a fallback in areas of poor 4G and 5G signals.

NOTE: The UK government and all major mobile operators are jointly aiming to phase-out existing 2G and 3G signals by 2033 ( The UK government and all major mobile operators are jointly aiming to phase-out existing 2G and 3G signals by 2033 ( here ).

The change will free up radio spectrum so that it can be used to further improve the network coverage and mobile broadband speeds of more modern 4G and 5G networks, as well as future 6G services. The switch-off will also reduce the operators costs and power consumption.

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As part of these changes, O2 last year revealed that they would also be withdrawing inbound roaming services from their 2G and 3G networks on 1st October 2025 (here). This reflects the service that allows users from other operators to access O2s local network and services. But theres always a risk that, in some limited areas and circumstances, this could contribute to localised problems with securing basic mobile / voice coverage.

However, despite O2s earlier notification, the operator has today warned that they are still seeing significant inbound roaming traffic on their 2G and 3G networks. If your organisation does not take action now to check all your connected devices, it could lead to the loss of any services, said Paul OSullivan, Director of Wholesale Mobile at VMO2.

Paul OSullivan said: Weve proactively reached out to business customers, trade groups, Government bodies, and key industries  ensuring they are informed and preparing accordingly. As part of this, we are working closely with the Telecare Services Association (TSA), Ofcom and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) to equip the telecare industry and critical national infrastructure providers with clear information on what they need to do now. Many telecare providers have already migrated to 4G devices, and the TSA is helping us identify the other SIMs that are yet to migrate. We also contacted key roaming partners, the international providers whose customers indirectly roam on our network. Letters have been sent to trade organisations to help spread the word, and weve engaged in discussions with Government and Ofcom to share our plans and the support that were providing to our customers and the companies who use our network. Despite these efforts, we are still seeing significant inbound roaming traffic on our 2G and 3G networks. Many organisations may already have established migration plans, with ambitions to activate them closer to October. But, for those that havent, its crucial to act now. Only other network operators can facilitate roaming on our network  which by definition means anyone doing so isnt our customer. This creates enormous barriers to us identifying and contacting the specific organisations or devices still relying on these networks. Thats why were urging all organisations  whether youre a Virgin Media O2 customer or not  to check your connectivity solutions and devices by speaking to your provider.

The situation could become awkward for O2 if they reach the deadline and find that the level of inbound roaming traffic is still significant, although at this stage theres no indication of a delay being planned.
Thursday, Apr 10th, 2025 (10:24 am) - Score 1,720

The LSBUD (Line Search Before You Dig) organisation, which offers an online asset search facility to UK civil engineering firms for underground pipes and cables, has said that Northern Irelands underground pipes and cables will be safer than ever before after Virgin Media (O2) and Mutual Energy joined their platform.

The operators both just became the first members of LSBUDs platform in Northern Ireland, which is said to be helping to protect UK infrastructure, workers, and the public from avoidable utility strikes (i.e. damage to infrastructure, not union activity). At present more than 12,000 kilometres of underground assets are registered on LSBUD across NI.

By registering, these founding Members can now provide detailed asset maps to anyone looking to take on an excavation project, which should help to protect both their own networks and those doing the digging.

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Richard Broome, Managing Director of LSBUD, said: Were so pleased to be welcoming the first Members in Northern Ireland to our growing network. With existing Members and Users pushing for us to expand our services into Northern Ireland, following the success our service has had in the UK, the move marks a major milestone for the safe digging community. We would like to thank our founding Members Mutual Energy and VMO2 for being so proactive in their pursuit of safety. The impact of a strike can have serious ramifications, from expensive repairs and disrupted services through to reputational damage and risk to life. By joining our established service, not only are they protecting their assets from costly damage, but also keeping those people digging around them safe. Safe digging is for all.

But this approach does appear to compete a bit with the UK Governments ongoing development of a National Underground Asset Register (NUAR) for England, Northern Ireland and Wales, which represents a new digital map of underground pipes and cables (broadband, power, water etc.)  also intended to help reduce accidental damage.


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Ksenia Karelina, a US-Russian ballet dancer who had been detained in Russia for 12 years on charges of treason, has been set free and is currently en route to the United States.

According to her lawyer, her release was part of a prisoner swap arranged between Russia and the US.

American Ksenia Karelina is on a flight back home to the United States. She was wrongfully detained by Russia for more than a year, and President Trump ensured her release, tweeted US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on X.

He noted that US President Donald Trump will keep advocating for the release of ALL Americans.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the United States released Arthur Petrov, a German-Russian citizen, in return. Petrov had been arrested in Cyprus in 2023 at the request of Washington for allegedly exporting sensitive microelectronics.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe and a high-ranking Russian intelligence official facilitated the discussions for the swap, as reported by the WSJ, citing an unnamed CIA officer.

Ratcliffe was at Abu Dhabi airport, where the exchange took place, to welcome Karelina as the US assumed custody of her, according to sources familiar with the proceedings, the report indicated.

A CIA spokesperson informed the publication that this exchange highlights the significance of maintaining communication channels with Russia, even amidst severe challenges in our bilateral relations.

While we are disappointed that other Americans continue to be wrongfully detained in Russia, we view this exchange as a constructive step and will persist in advocating for their release, she added.

Ksenia Karelina is on a flight back home to the United States.

She had been wrongfully detained by Russia for over a year, and President Trump facilitated her release. @POTUS will keep working for the release of ALL Americans.

 Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) April 10, 2025

Russia has yet to officially confirm the exchange, marking the second such incident since Trump returned to office in January.

Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin have since sought to rebuild closer relations between their nations, which were heavily strained due to Moscows invasion of Ukraine.

Numerous discussions between the two nations have occurred, with a new round of negotiations commencing today in Istanbul aimed at reinstating some embassy operations that were reduced following the invasion of Ukraine.

Ms. Karelina, a resident of Los Angeles, was serving a 12-year sentence for allegedly donating around $50 to a pro-Ukraine charity.

Born in 1991, the ballet dancer and spa worker was arrested in Yekaterinburg in January 2024 during a visit to her family. She faced charges of treason.

Russias Federal Security Service accused her of raising funds for Ukraines military, which they claim were used to purchase equipment, weapons, and ammunitioncharges she refuted. Her advocates maintain that her donations were directed towards a US-based organization providing humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

Mr. Petrov was charged by US authorities with illegally exporting electronic parts to Russia for military purposes, violating sanctions imposed by Washington due to the conflict in Ukraine.

In mid-February, following a conversation between Putin and Trump, Russia released Kalob Wayne Byers, a 28-year-old US citizen who had been detained at a Moscow airport for bringing cannabis-infused treats.

Additionally, Washington and Moscow exchanged US teacher Marc Fogel for Russian computer expert Alexander Vinnik earlier in February.

The most significant prisoner swap since the Cold War occurred on August 1, 2024, facilitating the release of journalists, including WSJ reporter Evan Gershkovich, and opponents imprisoned in Russia, in exchange for alleged Russian spies held in the West.

Numerous US citizens remain imprisoned in Russian facilities, while Washington criticizes the hostage-taking process aimed at securing the release of Russiansoften accused spiesheld in the West.
A Maori folk song echoed through New Zealands parliament following the lawmakers decision to defeat a bill that many feared would undermine Indigenous rights.

The controversial Treaty Principles Bill aimed to redefine the tenets of New Zealands founding document, which was signed by Maori chiefs and British representatives in 1840.

Numerous critics perceived it as an attempt to roll back the special rights granted to the countrys 900,000 Maori population.

The parliament voted against the bill, with a tally of 112 opposed and only 11 in support.

Last year, over 35,000 demonstrators flooded the capital, Wellington, to protest against the bill, marking one of the largest protests in the countrys history.

David Seymour, a government minister and leader of a minor party within New Zealands governing coalition, was the chief architect of the bill.

Minister for Regulation David Seymour

The bill aimed to limit the special rights provided to Maori, as stated by Mr. Seymour, who is a vocal opponent of affirmative action.

According to the bill, Maori have been granted political and legal rights, as well as privileges, not available to non-Indigenous New Zealanders due to how the countrys founding treaty has been interpreted.

The Treaty of Waitangi, signed in 1840, was intended to establish peace between 540 Maori chiefs and British colonizers.

Its principles continue to be the foundation for promoting partnership between Indigenous and non-Indigenous New Zealanders and safeguarding the interests of the Maori community.

Maori individuals are significantly more likely to suffer from early mortality, live in poverty, or end up incarcerated.

Earlier this year, a government committee received over 300,000 public submissions regarding the Treaty Principles Billthe highest number ever recordedof which 90% expressed opposition.
Restrictions on the Military Serve as a Dealbreaker in Ukraine Truce Negotiations

Ukraine has indicated to the US that any restrictions on the size of its armed forces or on its militarys overall preparedness would be a red line, according to a senior Ukrainian official, as Donald Trump attempts to negotiate a resolution to the conflict with Russia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed a desire for limitations on the size of Ukraines military.

Additionally, he has insisted that Ukraine must abandon its aspirations to join NATO and that Russia should maintain control over four Ukrainian regions that it claims as its own.

This is a principled stance from Ukraine  no one, especially not the aggressor country Russia, can dictate to Ukraine the configuration of its armed forces, stated senior official Pavlo Palisa in a Reuters interview.

Pavlo Palisa mentioned that Ukraine is adhering to an agreement not to target Russian energy facilities.

A well-prepared military would serve as Ukraines best defense against renewed Russian attacks, should a ceasefire or peace agreement be established, he noted.

I can speculate on the motivations of the Russian Federation  perhaps they aim to prepare for easier future engagements, but that wont be the case. Our priority is to learn from past experiences well, Mr. Palisa added.

During an initial meeting with US officials in Saudi Arabia, Ukraine consented to an unconditional 30-day ceasefire proposed by the US, after which Washington resumed military assistance and intelligence sharing with Ukraine after a brief hiatus.

However, Russia stated that significant conditions needed to be resolved before a ceasefire could be achieved.

Both parties subsequently agreed to suspend attacks on each others energy infrastructure, but have since accused one another of violating this agreement.

Ukraine indicated it might engage in a new round of negotiations with US officials next week.

Ukrainian officials have reported sharing evidence of Russian strikes on energy facilities with the United States, with Mr. Palisa asserting that Ukraine is complying with the agreement.

Mr. Trumps administration is advocating for a swift conclusion to the large-scale war initiated by Russia in February 2022, though a lasting peace deal seems far from being realized.

Hostilities continue, and Ukraines chief general has stated that a new Russian offensive is already underway in the countrys northeast, where Russia claims to have captured another village in the Ukrainian region of Sumy.

These Russian assertions came after Ukrainian officials reported that 12 individuals were injured in a drone strike on the central industrial city of Nikopol.

In a social media statement, Russias defense ministry declared that its forces had liberated the village of Zhuravka, just beyond the Ukrainian border.

These claimed advances in Sumy illustrate the broader challenges faced by the Ukrainian army, which has been gradually losing ground in Russias Kursk region since launching a surprising incursion last August.

The aftermath of a Russian drone assault on Dnipro.

Ukraines highest-ranking military official, Oleksandr Syrsky, warned earlier this week that Russian forces have initiated an offensive in Sumywhere they are advancing since displacing Ukrainian troops from most of the western Kursk regionand the adjacent Kharkiv region.

The governor of the central Dnipropetrovsk area reported that Russia had launched a drone attack on Nikopol, leaving a 16-year-old boy in serious condition.

This strike followed overnight Russian attacks on Kyiv and the southern Black Sea region of Mykolaiv that left around a dozen people injured.

AFP reporters in the capital heard air raid sirens and explosions resonating through the city during the assault. The air force stated that Russia had employed 145 drones, including the Iranian-designed Shahed, with 85 being intercepted by air defense systems.

Officials released images of rescue personnel in Mykolaiv assisting the injured from the attack and sifting through rubble.

Aside from the issues surrounding its armed forces, Ukraine has reiterated that it will never recognize Russian sovereignty over Ukrainian land, but has publicly accepted that regaining certain territories by military means may not be feasible.

Russian forces are attempting to encircle the strategically significant city of Pokrovsk.

Besides ensuring a robust Ukrainian military, Mr. Palisa underscored the necessity of security guarantees from Ukraines US and European partners to deter future Russian maneuvers.

The United States has yet to commit to providing security guarantees; however, some European nations have discussed forming a so-called coalition of the willing that could deploy troops to strengthen deterrence.

Mr. Palisa anticipates that Russia will escalate its attacks later this month and in May.

The official believes that Russias offensive may focus on the eastern city of Pokrovsk, but could also extend to the eastern fronts near Kupiansk and Lyman, as well as the southeastern fronts of Zaporizhzhia and Novopavlivka.

In my opinion, the absolute priority now will be the Pokrovsk direction, he stated.

Russian forces are working to encircle the strategically critical city of Pokrovsk to enhance their goal of achieving total control of Ukraines Donetsk region.

Russia currently holds approximately one-fifth of Ukrainian territory.

Meanwhile, Ukraine faces uncertainty regarding the future of US military aid.

A lack of new assistance may ultimately affect the supply of missiles for its Patriot air defense systems, in addition to its offensive HIMARS and ATACMS systems.

Earlier this month, Mr. Palisa stated that Ukraine had not yet discussed additional aid with the US, but the topic could be broached as ceasefire negotiations progress.

Ukraine is channeling resources into developing its own air defenses, he mentioned, adding that several nations have consented to transfer licenses and technical documents for the production of certain equipment domestically.

The process is progressing, and quite dynamically, he concluded.
Six Fatalities in Helicopter Crash into Hudson River in New York

A tourist helicopter has crashed into the Hudson River in New York City, resulting in the tragic deaths of all six individuals onboard, including three children, according to New York Mayor Eric Adams.

The victims reportedly included a family from Spain, comprising the pilot and five passengers, as stated by Mr. Adams during a press conference.

The helicopter, part of a New York Helicopters tour, took off at 2:59 PM but lost control shortly after, striking the water upside down near Lower Manhattan around 3:15 PM and becoming submerged, officials reported.

Onboard were the pilot, two other adults, and three children, as revealed by an official to the media.

Divers from the New York City Police and the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) assisted in recovering the victims from the water. Four individuals were declared dead at the scene, while two others were transported to nearby hospitals, where they later succumbed to their injuries.

Officials confirmed that the helicopter crashed into the water in an inverted position.

The Federal Aviation Administration identified the helicopter as a Bell 206. Both the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board will conduct an investigation, with the NTSB taking the lead.

A spokesperson for the New York City Police indicated that police boats had been involved in the rescue operations on the Hudson River.

The incident occurred in the river off the Tribeca neighborhood, and New York police advised residents to anticipate emergency vehicles and traffic delays in the vicinity.
Ann Arbor (Informed Comment)  French President Emmanuel Macron visited El Arish in Egypt on Tuesday to see refugees from Gaza with his own eyes. He then announced that France would recognize the State of Palestine, probably in June.

Mohamed Bouhafsi at French public television reports on remarks of French President Emannuel Macron on Gaza and the Palestine issue. Bouhafsi pointed out that Macrons visit is the first time a leader had traveled to the frontier between Egypt and Palestine. He was accompanied by Egyptian President Abdelfattah al-Sisi. Macron went to a hospital, where he met many children who were victims of Israeli bombing raids.

Macron said, My presence is a way of saying that one does not have the right to forget Gaza. I saw, and it was overwhelming, children and adults. Some had a look that held something . . . beyond the pain of grief. When you havent . . when, deep down, youve gone beyond humanity and, when you want to survive.

The president continued, A young woman was injured in her spinal cord and remained in the rubble from September to March. Her gaze was was not one of suffering. She had lost all her brothers and sisters. In front of her mother-in-law, who was there and who had lost five children and grand-children . . . Her gaze was not one of pain. It was not even one of rage. She wanted to return to that land. When you reach that level . . . The immense responsibility taken on by those who do that, it is to build generations who have grown up with resentment.

Bohafsi described how Macron visited the Red Cross offices. Its perishable stocks of aid are blocked from delivery by Israel. Since March 18, when Israel unilaterally ended the ceasefire and restarted its intense bombardment of Gaza, he noted, 1500 Palestinian civilians have been killed. The reporter observed that Macron was pressing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to change his strategy.

Macron said, I am among those rare leaders who have never ceased talking to him, and who have always accepted profound disagreements. We have a disagreement on humanitarianism and the relationship to life. We have a strategic disagreement. I dont think that it serves the security of Israelis to have them believe that the response should only be securitized. It is the same story he has been telling for fifteen years and it isnt true. There is October 7. The response has to be political. Our role is on the side of humanity. It must respect the Israeli prime minister and the Israeli people, but it must also attempt to tell him that what he is doing is not in accord with international law.

It is a crime. These are not their values, Macron said.

Bouhafsi says that Macron spoke not only with al-Sisi but also with Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman of Saudi Arabia. The French president rejects any future role for Hamas in Gaza. But he does not want to hear about the displacement of the population for the sake of the inhumane Riviera projects proposed by US President Donald Trump.

Macron said, There cannot be forced displacement. We are not going to once again make women and men stateless. We must construct a solution. It isnt a matter of real estate. A simplistic approach wont help.

Macron said he had remonstrated with Trump on this issue, though he understood the American presidents impatience. He said it would be wonderful if the issue one day saw an extraordinary breakthrough, adding,

Our responsibility is to save lives, to restore peace and to negotiate a political framework. If that doesnt exist, no one will invest. Today, no one would put a dime into Gaza.

Bouhafsi said that Macron also spoke of the urgency of returning hostages and the bodies of dead hostages to Israel from Gaza. He called for a daily struggle against those who would import the conflict into France.

Macron pointed out that France has the biggest Jewish community [around 440,000] of any country in Europe. But, he said, France is also the European country with the largest number of residents of Middle Eastern and North African origin [perhaps six million of Frances 65 million people]. He said France was the European country with the largest Muslim population. He added, All the ingredients were present for us to explode after October 7. I am very proud of us.

He said it is important to combat antisemitism, which he averred had broken out in France after October 7. He complained that some young people on social media expressed the view that to be for Gaza meant to be against Israel. He said it was right to be outraged, and that he himself is outraged, but that it isnt right to essentialize anyone. Our unity, he said, is the Republic. That is, you cant have the French republic if its Arab and Jewish citizens give in to shortcuts and foolishness, i.e. ethnic stereotyping.

Asked about French recognition of Palestine, Macron said, We must move toward recognition. In the coming months, we will go there. I will not do it for the sake of unity or to please anyone. I will do it because it is just. I want to participate in a collective dynamic. It will allow those who defend Palestine to recognize Israel in turn, to be clear in fighting against those who deny the right of Israel to exist, as is the case with Iran, and will allow us to engage in collective security in the region.

Macron added, In June, with Saudi Arabia, I would like to convene a conference.



. French President Emmanuel Macron. File. European Parliament via https://www.flickr.com/photos/36612355@N08/51830991330/. Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.. H/t Wikimedia Commons.

Bouhafsi finishes up his segment with a brief interview with former center-right French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin, who opposed the Iraq War and tangled with George W. Bush. The reporter asked him about recognizing Palestine.

De Villepin answered, It is the only way to transform this tragedy into politics. To exit violence and to reenter the realm of political responsibility. I salute the pathway that the president of the Republic is offering between now and the June conference. I am happy with the gesture he made in traveling to the vicinity of Gaza and the words he used. For the past 18 months, we have all been able to see whats happening in Gaza. We can see this tragedy unfolding daily before the indifference of too many states, including in the EU, and too many leaders. We must put an end to all this. We must break free from this escalation where Israel is being led by a government, despite the resistance of its people.

If France took this step, it would join Spain, Ireland and Norway, all of which recognized Palestine in May 2024 in response to Israels defiance of the International Court of Justices ruling against any invasion of Rafah, then the last functioning city in Gaza, where a million refugees from the north of the Strip were huddled. Rafah has now been razed to the ground.

Earlier, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland and Iceland had all recognized Palestine. Indeed, 147 UN member states now recognize the State of Palestine as a sovereign state, out of 193 United Nations members. That is more than 75% of all UN members.

The Macron interview is fascinating in that it suggests two main motives for the French initiative. One is to calm tensions inside France between its substantial Jewish and Muslim populations. France recognizes Israel and its government is very pro-Israel, leaving millions of French Arabs and Muslims feeling unrepresented. Macron wants to fix that alienation without giving up close relations with Israel, and recognizing Palestine is the symbolic gesture he feels he can make in this regard.

The other implicit motivation is maintaining Frances traditionally close relations with Arab countries, some of them its former colonies.
April 10, 2025  TheNewswire  Montreal, Quebec, Canada - Beauce Gold Fields (Champs DOr en Beauce) (TSX Venture: "BGF"), referred to as "BGF" or the "Company," is pleased to announce it has received from Quebecs Ministry of Natural Resources (MRNF) an ATI Authorization for its planned diamond drilling campaign and bulk sampling program targeting high-priority zones along the antiform Saddle Reef structure. This structure is identified as the likely source of historical placer gold deposits on the Beauce Gold property, located in southern Quebec.

Patrick Levasseur, President and CEO of Beauce Gold Fields, stated: We are excited and eager to start drilling and conduct bulk sampling on promising targets along the structure believed to be the source of the regions historical placer gold deposits."

The Company will mobilize a drill rig to commence the program this spring, followed by the mobilization of heavy equipment for the bulk sampling part of the program. The authorization for impact exploration work is valid for a period of two years, until April 1, 2027.



High-Priority Drill and Bulk Sampling Targets

The Company has selected targets based on its 2023 drilling and trenching program, which confirmed gold mineralization within the axis of a domed outcrop. Subsequent IP and geological studies have identified an 8 km-long antiform Saddle Reef structure. Geochemical studies suggest that this structure is the likely source of historical placer gold deposits in Saint-Simon-les-Mines to the southwest.

In this first phase, Beauce Gold Fields plans to drill seven holes, totaling 500 meters, across two key zones: the Giroux Zone and the Grondin Zone. Additional drilling phases will be planned based on results from these zones, as well as from IP Anomalies Three and Four (see BGF press release dated December 10, 2024).

Giroux Zone

Location: At the headwaters of Giroux Brook, a tributary of the Gilbert River. This brook played a central role in 19th-century industrial-scale placer gold mining.

Planned Activities: A trench, 150 meters in length, will be excavated to expose mineralized zones where overlapping soil and IP anomalies suggest antiform structure signatures. Two exploratory drill holes will be conducted, with additional holes planned based on field results.



Grondin Zone

Location: In the northwest corner of the Beauce Gold property in Beauceville, Quebec.

Details: This 600-meter-long section of the structure lies above drill hole GR 23-01, drilled in 2023 (BGF press releases: November 1, 2023, and January 18, 2024). Findings from GR 23-01: The drill hole crossed a 36-meter-long mineralized zone and intersected three distinct gold zones between depths of 11 and 24 meters. One of the zones returned assays of 1 meter at 8.5 g/t and 5.4 g/t Au over 2.2 meters. Mineralization is associated with stockwork containing sulfides and shows strong deformation, which led to core loss, particularly toward the end of drilling. Planned Activities: New holes will verify gold mineralization beyond a depth of 40 meters and test areas along the structures strike on either side of hole GR 23-01.



Jean Bernard, BSc, Geo, a qualified independent person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this release.

Non-brokered private placement

The Company will proceed with a non-brokered private placement of 7,500,000 units at $0.04 per unit for gross proceeds of $300,000.

Each unit will be comprised of one (1) common share and one common share purchase warrant of the company which will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one common share of the capital stock of the company at a price of $0.08 for a period of 24 months from the date of closing of the placement.

The placement is conditional upon the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, including the approval of the TSX Venture exchange. The proceeds of the offering will specifically be used for general corporate purposes.

The placement will be offered to accredited investors in accordance with applicable securities laws. In connection with the placement, the company may pay finders' fees, as permitted by the policies of the exchange. Each share issued pursuant to the placement will have a mandatory four-month- and-one-day hold period from the date of closing of the placement. The company anticipates that insiders may subscribe for units and their participation could exceed 25 per cent of the offering.

No more than 10% of the proceeds of the placement can be used for Investor Relations Activities. No amount of the proceeds of the placement is for payments to Non-Arms length parties of the company nor for payments to persons conducting Investor Relations Activities.

About Beauce Gold Fields

Beauce Gold Fields is focused on exploring and developing the largest placer gold district in eastern North America. The Companys objective is the trace old placer gold workings back to a bedrock source to uncover economic lode gold deposits. The Companys flagship property is the Saint-Simon-les-Mines gold project, site of Canadas first gold rush that pre-dates the Yukon Klondike. The Beauce region hosted some of the largest historical placer gold mines in Eastern North America that were active from 1860s to the 1960s It produced some of the largest gold nuggets in Canadian mining history (50oz to 71oz). (Source Sedar: 43-101 Report - Beauce July 4th 2018, Author B. Violette)

Beauce Gold Fields is currently drilling recently discovered antiform systems that is believed to have contributed to the development of extensive auriferous placer deposits in Beauce. The Companys geological model suggests that placer gold within the Beauce Gold paleochannel, including the renowned large nuggets from the 19th century, formed in stressed quartz pockets within layered domed Axis of Antiforms, exemplified by Saddle Reef formations. Notable global Saddle Reef formations include the Bendigo gold fields in Australia (over 60 million ounces) and the high-grade Dufferin deposit in Nova Scotia.

Beauce Gold Fields website www.beaucegold.com

Disclaimers:

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements containing the words "may", "plan", "will", "estimate", "continue", "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "in the process" and other similar expressions which constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements reflect the Company's current expectation and assumptions, and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, our expectations regarding mineral exploration. Such statements reflect the current views of the Company with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and other risks detailed from time-to-time in the Company's on-going filings with the securities regulatory authorities, which filings can be found at www.sedar.com. Actual results, events, and performance may differ materially. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements either as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws.

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.

For further information contact

Patrick Levasseur, President and CEO Tel: (514) 262-9239

www.beaucegold.com
Highlights:

RC Drilling Has Recommenced at Gran Pilar's Expansion Zone Next Phase of 1,500m Planned, Potential to Expand Follow-up on Initial Scout Drilling Success 3.1m of 19.4 g/t Au, within 106.6m of 0.6 g/t Au (JES-24-101) 16.8m of 0.4 g/t Au and 6 g/t Ag (JES-24-102) Target Area Spans 675 meters Over Northern Zone Results Pending for Three Core Holes



CALGARY, AB / ACCESS Newswire / April 10, 2025 / Tocvan Ventures Corp. (the "Company") (CSE:TOC) (OTCQB:TCVNF) (WKN:TV3/A2PE64), is pleased to announce drilling has restarted at the Gran Pilar Gold Silver Project in mine-friendly Sonora, Mexico. Drilling will focus on the 100% controlled expansion area where recent scout drilling returned significant mineralization highlighted by 3.1 meters of 19.4 g/t Au within 106.6 meters of 0.6 g/t Au, just six meters from surface (12.2 meters downhole). Drilling started the evening of April 7th, over 100 meters are completed already in the first drill hole. Results are pending for three core holes.

"We are excited to be back drilling the expansion zone where recent results returned high-grade gold at surface." commented, CEO Brodie Sutherland. "Following up on our success, testing the northern edge of known mineralization with drilling will provide us with further insight on the resource potential. There remains a large untested area to the north and east where we will continue to push expansion. In addition, the northern alteration zone five kilometers away, remains open for exploration where a separate mineralized system has the potential to add further discovery upside. We look forward to updating our shareholders with continued drill results and advancements in permitting for production."

Figure 1. 3D Long Section of the Main Zone and the new Expansion Target to the north (left side of image).

Figure 2. Planview map of the Main Zone area and immediately north where recent RC drilling has discovered the extension of mineralization along parallel trends. Recent drill results are highlighted. Below, Photos from RC Drilling at Gran Pilar.

Figure 3. Gran Pilar Project Overview, > 22km2 of prospective ground with two primary targets: South Block, the direct extension and expansion of the historic Main Zone defined by an expanding vein field of untested drill targets; North Block a 3.2-km by 1.5-km pyrite and clay alteration zone that coincides with high-grade gold-silver, the area remains largely untested.

Pilar Drill Highlights:

2024 RC Drilling Highlights include ( all lengths are drilled thicknesses ): 42.7m @ 1.0 g/t Au, including 3.1m @ 10.9 g/t Au 56.4m @ 1.0 g/t Au, including 3.1m @ 14.7 g/t Au 16.8m @ 0.8 g/t Au and 19 g/t Ag

2022 Phase III Diamond Drilling Highlights include ( all lengths are drilled thicknesses ): 116.9m @ 1.2 g/t Au, including 10.2m @ 12 g/t Au and 23 g/t Ag 108.9m @ 0.8 g/t Au, including 9.4m @ 7.6 g/t Au and 5 g/t Ag 63.4m @ 0.6 g/t Au and 11 g/t Ag, including 29.9m @ 0.9 g/t Au and 18 g/t Ag

2021 Phase II RC Drilling Highlights include ( all lengths are drilled thicknesses ): 39.7m @ 1.0 g/t Au, including 1.5m @ 14.6 g/t Au 47.7m @ 0.7 g/t Au including 3m @ 5.6 g/t Au and 22 g/t Ag 29m @ 0.7 g/t Au 35.1m @ 0.7 g/t Au

2020 Phase I RC Drilling Highlights include ( all lengths are drilled thicknesses ): 94.6m @ 1.6 g/t Au, including 9.2m @ 10.8 g/t Au and 38 g/t Ag; 41.2m @ 1.1 g/t Au, including 3.1m @ 6.0 g/t Au and 12 g/t Ag ; 24.4m @ 2.5 g/t Au and 73 g/t Ag, including 1.5m @ 33.4 g/t Au and 1,090 g/t Ag

15,000m of Historic Core & RC drilling. Highlights include: 61.0m @ 0.8 g/t Au 21.0m @ 38.3 g/t Au and 38 g/t Ag 13.0m @ 9.6 g/t Au 9.0m @ 10.2 g/t Au and 46 g/t Ag



Pilar Bulk Sample Summary:

62% Recovery of Gold Achieved Over 46-day Leaching Period

Head Grade Calculated at 1.9 g/t Au and 7 g/t Ag; Extracted Grade Calculated at 1.2 g/t Au and 3 g/t Ag

Bulk Sample Only Included Coarse Fraction of Material (+3/4" to +1/8")

Fine Fraction (-1/8") Indicates Rapid Recovery with Agitated Leach Agitated Bottle Roll Test Returned Rapid and High Recovery Results: 80% Recovery of Gold and 94% Recovery of Silver after Rapid 24-hour Retention Time



Additional Metallurgical Studies:

Gravity Recovery with Agitated Leach Results of Five Composite Samples Returned 95 to 99% Recovery of Gold 73 to 97% Recovery of Silver Includes the Recovery of 99% Au and 73% Ag from Drill Core Composite at 120-meter depth.



Based on management's strong belief in the project's potential, the Company is outlining a permitting and operations strategy for a pilot facility at Pilar. The facility would underpin a robust test mine scenario with aims to process up to 50,000 tonnes of material. Timelines and budget are being prepared with the aim of moving forward with the development early in 2025. With gold prices hitting all-time highs, the Company believes the onsite test mine will provide key economic parameters and showcase the mineral potential of the area. In 2023, the Company completed an offsite bulk sample that produced important data showcasing the potential to recover both gold and silver through a variety of methods including heap leach, gravity and agitated leach (see August 22, 2023, news release for more details).

About Tocvan Ventures Corp.

Tocvan's advancing gold-silver projects are located in the mine-friendly jurisdiction of Sonora, Mexico. Through ongoing exploration programs, Company is unveiling the high-potential at its Gran Pilar Gold-Silver Project where it holds 100% interests in over 21 square kilometers of prospective area and a majority ownership (51%) in a one square kilometer area shared with Colibri Resources. The Company also holds 100% interest in the Picacho Gold-Silver project in the Caborca Trend of northern Sonora, a trend host to some of the major gold deposits of the region. Management feels both projects represent tremendous opportunity to create shareholder value.

Tocvan has approximately 59 million shares outstanding.

Quality Assurance / Quality Control

Rock and Drill samples were shipped for sample preparation to ALS Limited in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico and for analysis at the ALS laboratory in North Vancouver. The ALS Hermosillo and North Vancouver facilities are ISO 9001 and ISO/IEC 17025 certified. Gold was analyzed using 50-gram nominal weight fire assay with atomic absorption spectroscopy finish. Over limits for gold (>10 g/t), were analyzed using fire assay with a gravimetric finish. Silver and other elements were analyzed using a four-acid digestion with an ICP finish. Over limit analyses for silver (>100 g/t) were re-assayed using an ore-grade four-acid digestion with ICP-AES finish. Control samples comprising certified reference samples and blank samples were systematically inserted into the sample stream and analyzed as part of the Company's robust quality assurance / quality control protocol.

Soil Samples were shipped for sample preparation to ALS Limited in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico and for analysis at the ALS laboratory in North Vancouver. The ALS Hermosillo and North Vancouver facilities are ISO 9001 and ISO/IEC 17025 certified. Gold and multi-element analysis of soils was completed by aqua regia digestion and ICP-MS finish using a 50-gram nominal weight. Over limit gold values greater than 1 g/t were re-assayed with a more robust aqua regia digestion ad ICP-MS finish. Over limit analyses for silver (>100 g/t) were re-assayed using an ore-grade four-acid digestion with ICP-AES finish. Control samples comprising blank samples and certified reference materials were systematically inserted into the sample stream and analyzed as part of the Company's robust quality assurance / quality control protocol.

Brodie A. Sutherland, CEO for Tocvan Ventures Corp. and a qualified person ("QP") as defined by Canadian National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this release.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements



Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release contains "forward-looking information" which may include, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future. Forward-looking information in this news release includes statements regarding the use of proceeds from the Offering. Such forward-looking information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words and 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.

These forward-looking statements, and any assumptions upon which they are based, are made in good faith and reflect our current judgment regarding the direction of our business. Management believes that these assumptions are reasonable. Forward-looking information involves 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 information. Such factors include, among others, risks related to the speculative nature of the Company's business, the Company's formative stage of development and the Company's financial position. 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 information 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 information.

For more information, please contact:

TOCVAN VENTURES CORP.

Brodie A. Sutherland, CEO

820-1130 West Pender St.

Vancouver, BC V6E 4A4

Telephone: 1 888 772 2452

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

STAY CONNECTED:

LinkedIn: TOC LinkedIn

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Web:tocvan.com
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 10, 2025) - Founders Metals Inc. (TSXV: FDR) (OTCQX: FDMIF) (FSE: 9DL0) ("Founders" or the "Company") announces the appointment of Barry Macdonald to the Company's Board of Directors as an Independent Director.

Founders' President & CEO, Colin Padget, commented, "We are pleased to welcome Barry to Founders' Board of Directors. His extensive experience in finance and corporate governance will be invaluable as we continue to grow."

Mr. Macdonald is a Fellow of the Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia and retired Partner at PwC with over 40 years of experience in strategic governance, international tax, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate finance. He is the current Board Chair of the Simon Fraser University UniverCity Real Estate Trust, and Truvera Trust & Mortgage Corporation. Mr. Macdonald was the 2018/19 Chair of the Board of the Chartered Professional Accountants of B.C. where he led its board of 17 Directors governing 35,000 members. He is currently on the B.C. Executive of the Institute of Corporate Directors.

The Company also announces the results from the Annual General Meeting ("AGM") held on April 8th, 2025, in Vancouver, British Columbia. Shareholders approved the election of all Directors and the new appointment of Barry Macdonald. The reappointment of MS Partners LLP as the Company's auditors and the stock option plan were also approved by shareholders. A total of 41,676,989 shares were voted, representing 41.94% of the Company's issued and outstanding common shares at the record date of the AGM. The following table provides detailed results of the voting.

Table 1: Voting Results for Election of Directors

Nominee Votes For Votes Withheld Percentage For Colin Padget 41,676,356 633 99.99% Barry Macdonald 41,676,356 633 99.99% Nicholas Stajduhar 38,696,953 2,980,036 92.85% Kevin Vienneau 41,174,956 502,033 98.79% Christopher Taylor 40,376,553 1,300,436 96.88%

About Founders Metals Inc.



Founders Metals is a Canadian-based exploration company focused on advancing the Antino Gold Project located in Suriname, South America, in the heart of the Guiana Shield. Antino is 20,000 hectares and has produced over 500,000 ounces of gold from surface and alluvial mining to date1. The Company is fully financed for up to 60,000 metres of drilling in 2025.

1 2022 Technical Report - Antino Project; Suriname, South America. K. Raffle, BSc, P. Geo & Rock Lefrancois, BSc, P.Geo.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS,

Per: "Colin Padget"

Colin Padget

President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director

Contact Information

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, without limitation, statements regarding the use of proceeds from the Company's recently completed financings and the future or prospects of the Company. 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". Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to business, market, and economic risks, uncertainties, and contingencies that may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by 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, other factors may 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. 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 discussion and analysis. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

All material information on Founders Metals can be found at www.sedarplus.ca.
Vancouver, British Columbia - TheNewswire - April 10, 2025: Headwater Gold Inc. (CSE: HWG) (OTCQB: HWAUF) (the "Company" or "Headwater") is pleased to announce the acquisition of the Whiskey gold project located in Mineral County, Nevada. Whiskey is an epithermal gold project situated in the highly endowed Walker Lane belt near Headwaters Spring Peak and Lodestar projects, which are being advanced through earn-in agreements with Newmont Corporation (Newmont).

Highlights:

Strategic Location: The Whiskey project is positioned in heart of the Walker Lane gold belt, 20 kilometres east of the Borealis Mine and the Companys Spring Peak project;

High-Grade Surface Mineralization: Recent rock chip sampling by Headwater returned gold grades of 19.2 g/t Au, 18.5 g/t Au and 14.6 g/t Au from the High Proof target with no known drilling ever completed in the area; and,

Positive Historical Drilling: Historical shallow drilling at the East Rye and West Rye targets intercepted broad zones of epithermal gold mineralization, including 59.7 metres grading 0.85 g/t Au (RS-6) and 10.7 metres grading 0.52 g/t Au (W-83-5).

Caleb Stroup, the President and CEO of the Company, states: "Whiskey is a high-quality addition to our portfolio of 100% controlled Nevada gold projects, giving our shareholders direct leverage to any exploration success we generate. Strategically located near our Spring Peak and Lodestar projects, where we are advancing major earn-in agreements with Newmont, Whiskey covers a large, well-preserved epithermal system with multiple distinct target types ranging from high-grade gold in basement structures to classic low-sulfidation epithermal targets developed in rhyolite domes. The combination of known high-grade surface mineralization, encouraging historical drill results and large areas of untested potential under shallow cover makes Whiskey a very exciting exploration opportunity. We look forward to systematically advancing the project with a focus on defining and testing high-priority targets.

Project Overview:

Whiskey was acquired through a combination of two option agreements to acquire a 100% interest in pre-existing claims held by private parties and the staking of additional mining claims by Headwater, resulting in the consolidation of a land package covering 216 unpatented lode claims on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land. The project covers a preserved epithermal system exposed in an erosional window beneath a thin veneer of post-mineral basalt cover. Surface mapping and sampling have identified three primary target areas:

High Proof Target: High-grade, fault-hosted gold mineralization hosted in basement rocks, where recent rock sampling by Headwater returned values up to 19.2 g/t Au. No known historical drilling has been completed in the area.

East Rye and West Rye Targets: Broad zones of chalcedonic silica alteration developed above rhyolite flow domes, with highly anomalous epithermal pathfinder elements (mercury, arsenic and gold) at surface. Historic shallow drilling returned gold intercepts in both areas, including 59.7 m grading 0.85 g/t Au from 48.77 m (including 12.2 m at 1.79 g/t Au) in RS-6 and 10.7 m grading 0.52 g/t Au from 33.53 m in W-83-5.

The project area exhibits excellent district scale potential with large zones of preserved alteration extending beyond the historical drill-tested areas. The broader mineralized system remains largely open in terms of prospectivity to the north, east and south under shallow post-mineral basalt and to the west under alluvial cover.

Figure 1: Whiskey project location in relation to Headwaters Spring Peak and Lodestar properties which are under earn-in agreements with Newmont.

Figure 2: Simplified geological map of the Whiskey project showing primary target areas.

Previous Exploration

Intermittent exploration has taken place on the Whiskey property since 1971, with operators including Conoco, US Minerals Exploration, Homestake, Combined Metals Reduction, Santa Fe Minerals and Newmont. In addition to surface sampling and geologic mapping, 48 shallow exploration holes have been drilled on the property, of which Headwater has assay and collar location data for 41 of these holes. Drilling was focused on the outcropping exposures of silicified rhyolite in the eastern and western portions of the property, with very little exploration completed on trend under post-mineral cover rocks, or following-up other known anomalies on the property. The average hole depth of historic drilling is 97 metres, with a maximum depth of 191 metres. Historical surface sampling includes 801 soil and 614 rock samples1. The historic surface sampling and mapping also focused on the exposures of silicified rhyolite, with only scattered sampling of the intrusion-hosted veins and other altered rocks on the property. In December of 2024 and January of 2025, Headwater collected 74 rock samples on the property, targeting silica alteration and veining. At the High Proof target, selective sampling of fracture zones and historic workings confirmed the presence of high-grade gold mineralization in granitic basement rocks. Gold mineralization is associated with quartz-sulfide alteration in northwest-striking fracture corridors.

Headwater Exploration Plans

Headwater recently completed a reconnaissance rock sampling program and has completed property-wide gravity, airborne magnetic and radiometric geophysical surveys, the results of which are currently being interpreted. The next steps at Whiskey will include upgrading the geological map, integrating new geophysical and geochemical datasets and prioritizing drill targets for initial testing of high-grade zones. The project location on BLM land facilitates streamlined permitting and year-round access to the project.

Figure 3: Brecciated volcanic rocks with silica and iron oxide alteration at the Whiskey project.

Acquisition Terms

Headwater consolidated the Whiskey project through two exploration lease and option to purchase agreements (each, an Agreement) with separate private arms length vendors, securing the right to acquire 100% interests in pre-existing project claims (the Vendor Claims). Each Agreement provides for an initial payment of US$4,000 and, beginning on the third anniversary, annual minimum payments of US$10,000. Annual payments increase by US$5,000 per year until US$30,000 is payable on the seventh and each succeeding anniversary over a twenty-year term. These minimum payments may be credited towards the purchase price of US$1,500,000 under each Agreement should the Company elect to exercise its option to purchase a 100% interest in the Vendor Claims. The Vendor Claims under each Agreement are subject to a 2.0% net smelter return (NSR) royalty, of which the Company may purchase 1.5% of the NSR for US$2,000,000 and reduce the royalty to 0.5%.

Headwater has also located an additional 134 100% owned unpatented mining claims contiguous to the Vendor Claims, consolidating the district.

About Headwater Gold

Headwater Gold Inc. (CSE: HWG, OTCQB: HWAUF) is a technically driven mineral exploration company focused on the exploration and discovery of high-grade precious metal deposits in the Western USA. Headwater is aggressively exploring one of the most well-endowed and mining-friendly jurisdictions in the world with a goal of making world-class precious metal discoveries. Headwater has a large portfolio of epithermal vein exploration projects and a technical team of experienced geologists with diverse capital markets, junior and major mining company backgrounds. The Company is systematically drill testing several projects in Nevada and in August 2022 and May 2023 announced significant transactions with Newmont where it acquired a 9.9% strategic equity interest in the Company and entered into earn-in agreements on several of Headwaters projects, including Spring Peak and Lodestar. In September of 2024, Centerra Gold Inc. acquired a strategic 9.9% interest in the Company through a non-brokered private placement at a premium to market.

Headwater is part of the NewQuest Capital Group which is a discovery-driven investment enterprise that builds value through the incubation and financing of mineral projects and companies. Further information about NewQuest can be found on the company website at www.nqcapitalgroup.com.

For more information, please visit the Company's website at www.headwatergold.com.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Caleb Stroup

President and CEO

+1 (775) 409-3197

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For further information, please contact:

Brennan Zerb

Investor Relations Manager

+1 (778) 867-5016

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Qualified Person

The technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Scott Close, P.Geo (158157), a Qualified Person (QP) as defined in National Instrument 43-101  Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

1Historical drill intercepts and historical surface geochemistry included in this release were sourced from drill logs, assay certificates and internal company reports generated by previous operators. These results have not been independently verified by Headwater and are treated by the Company as historical in nature and not current or NI 43-101 compliant.

Analytical Methods

Headwater rock samples were delivered to Bureau Veritas (BV) facilities in Sparks, Nevada. Samples were prepared by crushing and grinding via BV method PRP70-500 to obtain a 500g sub-sample. Geochemical analyses including fire assay were carried out at ISO 17025:2017 accredited Bureau Veritas laboratories in Vancouver, British Columbia. Pulps were assayed for 59 elements via method MA250 using a 25g sample after a four acid near total digest with an ICP-MS finish. Gold was assayed by fire assay using BV method FA330 with a 30g sample charge and ICP-ME finish. For samples containing greater than 10 g/t gold, the overlimit protocol is to determine gold concentration by gravimetric finish. Results of the laboratory's quality control program which includes reference materials, analytical blanks, and analytical replicates are monitored by Headwater.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes certain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, forward-looking statements) within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein including, without limitation, statements regarding future capital expenditures, exploration activities and the specifications, targets, results, analyses, interpretations, benefits, costs and timing of them, Newmonts anticipated funding of the earn-in projects and the timing thereof, 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. 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 statements. Such risks and other factors include, among others, risks related to the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, including the Companys exploration plans and the proposed expenditures for exploration work thereon, the ability of the Company to obtain sufficient financing to fund its business activities and plans, the risk that Newmont will not elect to obtain any additional interest in the earn-in projects in excess of the minimum commitment, the ability of the Company to obtain the required permits, changes in laws, regulations and policies affecting mining operations, the Companys limited operating history, currency fluctuations, title disputes or claims, environmental issues and liabilities, as well as those factors discussed under the heading Risk Factors in the Companys prospectus dated May 26, 2021 and other filings of the Company with the Canadian Securities Authorities, copies of which can be found under the Companys profile on the SEDAR+ website at www.sedarplus.ca.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements, except as otherwise required by law.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 10, 2025) - ACME Lithium Inc. (CSE: ACME) (OTCQB: ACLHF) (the "Company", or "ACME") is pleased to announce that it has signed a purchase agreement for a 90% interest in 31 unpatented lode mining claims comprising the Cimarron Gold Project ("Project") in Nye County, Nevada from Crestview Exploration Inc. (CSE: CRS) ("CRS"). The Project is a high grade, highly prospective exploration opportunity with a drill-indicated historic gold resource, and a second target area with mineralized drill intercepts that remain open in several directions.

ACME's 90% interest in the Project will be acquired for aggregate consideration of US$149,000 in cash and 1,000,000 Shares (collectively the "Purchase Price"), delivered as follows:

ACME has paid CRS the sum of US$124,000 and will issue 500,000 Shares on closing; and ACME will pay to CRS an additional US$25,000 and deliver an additional 500,000 Shares within six months of closing.

Upon payment of the Purchase Price in full, ACME will own a 90% interest in the Project, and CRS will own a 10% interest in the Project. Thereafter, ACME will be responsible for all exploration and development costs of the Project up to and until such time as it has received a Preliminary Economic Assessment pertaining to all or any part of the Project (the "Trigger Date"). Until the Trigger Date, ACME will have full discretion as to operations involving the Project, including any disposition thereof.

After the Trigger Date a joint venture will then be formed between ACME and CRS and an accompanying definitive agreement governing the same will be entered into by the Parties for further ownership and development of the Project (the "Joint Venture"), which agreement will include the following basic terms:

Initial ownership will be held 90% by ACME and 10% by CRS;

Each party will be responsible for its pro-rata share of expenses from and after the Trigger Date;

ACME's deemed capital contributions to the Joint Venture as of the Trigger Date ("ACME's Contributions") will be the aggregate amount it has paid toward the Purchase Price hereunder together with all costs and expenditures subsequently incurred toward exploration and development of the Project (with an amount equal to 10% thereof as administrative costs); and CRS's deemed capital contributions as of the Trigger Date will be an amount calculated as: ACME's Contributions / 0.9 - ACME's Contributions;

ACME will be the operator of the Project; and will be solely responsible for determining work programs and budgets, and will continue to have full discretion as to operations involving the Project, including any disposition thereof;

Following the Trigger Date, any failure of a party to contribute its pro-rata share of expenses will result in dilution of such party's interest; and

At any time, ACME may acquire one-half of CRS's interest, being 5% in the Joint Venture (to hold a 95% interest) for USD $500,000.

The 31 claims are subject to a 2.5% net smelter royalty (NSR) being retained by Nevada Select Royalty Inc. on production from (i) 13 claims and any property within a one mile area of interest; and (ii) 18 claims staked by Crestview.

THE PROJECT

Located at the north end of the San Antonio Mountains in the historic San Antonio (Cimarron) Mining District, the Project is approximately eighteen miles north of Tonopah in Nye County, Nevada. It comprises 31 unpatented lode mining claims near the historic San Antonio Mine workings and immediately adjacent ground. The prospect has drill ready targets, subject to permitting, and offers a significant opportunity to establish a NI43-101 compliant gold resource.

Regionally, the Project is at the intersection of two prominent gold trends: the Walker-Lane trend which runs approximately NW and hosts a number of mines including Bullfrog, Goldfield, and Rawhide; and an approximately NNE trend of gold mines including Manhattan, Gold Hill, and Kinross's "world-class" Round Mountain, which is located 28 miles away, and recorded over 15 million ounces of gold as of 2021.

Project Highlights:

The Project includes an extensive historic record of drill results (190 holes), with high grade intercepts which included 11 meters of 4.46 g/t, 23 meters of 4.49 g/t and 46 meters of 3.94 g/t

Past drilling outlined a historic gold resource starting at surface of approximately 50,000 ounces (1987 non NI43-101 compliant)

The Project has good access near infrastructure and has a number of drill sites already built

Mineral intercepts remain open in several directions

The target is a shallow, low sulfidation oxide gold system with strong structural control.

Figure 1: Location Map

Exploration by both major and junior mining companies from 1980 through 2004, including Newmont and Echo Bay, identified gold mineralization in three discrete areas in the immediate Cimarron Mine area.

Sampling of surface outcrops and underground adits by previous explorers reported gold assays from quartz-adularia-quartz veining as high as 107 g/t and 30.2 g/t (3.12 and 0.88 oz/ton, respectively). Table 1 lists examples of high-grade assays collected by the various mining groups (Bullion River Gold Corp., Feb. 2004).

Table 1: Historic High Grade Rock Chip Samples

(Bullion River Gold Corp. Fact Sheet, 2004)

Drill testing by Newmont, Budge Mining Ltd, Echo Bay, and Romarco demonstrated continuity of lower grade gold mineralization in three discrete mineralized areas at Cimarron, as shown in Table 1 and tabulated in Table 2 (resources non-compliant NI43-101). Higher grade gold intercepts were not uncommon or restricted to any particular explorer.

Table 2: Selected Drill Intercepts in Resource and Target Areas

(Bullion River Gold Corp. Fact Sheet, 2004)

Echo Bay estimated a total gold resource in 1987 of over 50,000 ounces of gold within a block of about 1,500,000 tons of material in the West, East and Central Zones combined.

Table 3 Historic Resource Estimate*

* (polygonal calculation - A.F. Budge (Mining) Ltd. - 1986)

This resource is not considered to be compliant with NI 43-101 standards. Additional drilling with application of proper standards and check assays would be required to verify this historical estimate. A qualified person has not done sufficient work to classify the estimate as a current mineral resource or mineral reserve. ACME is not treating this historical estimate as a current mineral resource or mineral reserve.

In 2021, Crestview drilled 4 diamond core holes in the known resource area. All of the holes intercepted anomalous mineralization. SA-01 and SA-03 were drilled approximately 200 meters apart and each intercepted significant zones of gold mineralization which may represent a wide area of oxide, heap-leachable gold mineralization starting at or near surface.

Table 4: Summary of 2021 Drilling Results

Cimarron represents a high quality early-stage exploration project with a drill-indicated historic resource and a target area with mineralized drill intercepts that remain open in several directions.

CORPORATE UPDATE

ACME intends to complete a consolidation of its authorized and issued common shares on the basis of one (1) post-consolidated common share for each three (3) pre-consolidation common shares (the "Consolidation").

On a pre-Consolidation basis, the Company currently has 77,972,727 common shares issued and outstanding. Following the Consolidation the Company expects to have approximately 25,990,909 post-Consolidation common shares issued and outstanding. No fractional common shares will be issued because of the Consolidation. Any fractional common share resulting from the Consolidation will be rounded up in the case of a fractional interest that is one-half (1/2) of a common share or greater, or rounded down in case of a fractional interest that is less than one half (1/2) of a common share, and no cash consideration will be paid in respect of any fractional common share rounded down to the nearest whole common share.

All outstanding stock options and share purchase warrants of the Company will also be adjusted by the Consolidation ratio and the respective exercise prices of outstanding options and share purchase warrants will be adjusted accordingly.

The Company believes that the Consolidation will provide the Company with greater flexibility for the development of its business and the growth of the Company, including financing arrangements.

In conjunction with the Consolidation, the Company will be adopting a new name subject to the approval of the CSE.

The Consolidation and name change are subject to the approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE). In accordance with the Company's Articles, neither the Consolidation nor the name change will require shareholder approval. The record date and effective date of the Consolidation and name change, and the new CUSIP and ISIN numbers, will be disclosed in a subsequent news release.

ACME Lithium intends to complete a private placement financing of up to CAD$800,000. The CEO of ACME has loaned the Company CAD$180,000 to complete the Cimarron transaction which will be repaid from the proceeds of the financing.

ACME will retain its current lithium property interests for future development, and will focus in the near term on the advancement of the Cimarron Gold Project.

Qualified Person

Scientific and technical information contained in this document has been reviewed and approved by Bill Feyerabend CPG who is a "Qualified Person" as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101").

About ACME Lithium Inc.

ACME Lithium is a mineral exploration company focused on acquiring, exploring, and developing battery and precious metal projects in partnership with leading technology and commodity companies in North America. ACME is advancing and developing a lithium brine resource at Clayton and Fish Lake Valley, Nevada and has entered into a strategic exploration agreement with leading partner at a group of projects in the pegmatite region of Shatford, Birse and Cat-Euclid Lakes in southeastern Manitoba.

Neither the CSE nor its regulations service providers accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. This news release contains certain statements which may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws ("forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "could" or "should" occur and in this news release include but are not limited to the attributes of, timing for and expected benefits to be derived from exploration, drilling or development at ACME's project properties. Information inferred from the interpretation of drilling, sampling and other technical results may also be deemed to be forward-looking statements, as it constitutes a prediction of what might be found to be present when and if a project is actually developed. There is no assurance that (i) the acquisition of the Cimarron Project will close on the terms outlined above, or at all; (ii) all of the conditions required to close the acquisition will be satisfied; (iii) the concurrent private placement will be completed; or (iv) that CSE approval to the acquisition will be received. ACME's project location adjacent to or nearby lithium projects does not guarantee exploration success or that mineral resources or reserves will be defined on ACME's properties. Exploration, development, and activities conducted by regional companies provide assistance and additional data for exploration work being completed by ACME. These forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: risks related to fluctuations in metal prices; uncertainties related to raising sufficient financing to fund the planned work in a timely manner and on acceptable terms; changes in planned work resulting from weather, logistical, technical or other factors; the possibility that results of work will not fulfill expectations and realize the perceived potential of the Company's properties; risk of accidents, equipment breakdowns and labour disputes or other unanticipated difficulties or interruptions; the possibility of cost overruns or unanticipated expenses in the work program; the risk of environmental contamination or damage resulting from the Company's operations and other risks and uncertainties. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Unless otherwise indicated, the market and industry data contained herein is based upon information from industry and other publications and the knowledge and experience of management. While we believe that this data is reliable, market and industry data is subject to variations and cannot be verified with complete certainty due to limits on the availability and reliability of raw data, the voluntary nature of the data gathering process and other limitations and uncertainties inherent in any statistical survey. We have not independently verified any of the data from third-party sources referred to in this news release or ascertained the underlying assumptions relied upon by such sources. All technical and scientific disclosure pertaining to our mineral property interests in this news release have been reviewed by a Qualified Person, meaning an individual who is an engineer or geoscientist with at least five years of experience in mineral exploration, mine development or operation or mineral project assessment, or any combination of these; has experience relevant to the subject matter of the mineral project and the technical report; and is a member or licensee in good standing of a professional association.

NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. WIRE SERVICES
63.8 to 116 ppm Gallium in Zinc Concentrates grading 53 to 58%

TUCSON, AZ / ACCESS Newswire / April 10, 2025 /Western Alaska Minerals Corp. (the "Company" or "WAM") (TSXV:WAM) is pleased to announce that significant gallium ("Ga") values were identified in high-grade zinc concentrates generated through recent first-pass metallurgical test work on mineralized materials from the Waterpump Creek ("WPC") Inferred Resource (2.38 M ton high-grade sulfide mineralization grading 279 g/t silver, 11.2% zinc, and 9.8% lead)at its 100% owned Illinois Creek Project in western Alaska (See Press Release of April 2, 2024).

This marks the Company's first report of gallium - which has been designated the United States' #1 critical mineral due to its high risk of supply disruption. Gallium values ranging from 63.8 to 116 ppm were reported in assays of zinc concentrates grading 53 to 58% zinc, generated from sulfide-rich drill core composites ranging from 14.5 to 23.7 ppm gallium head grade. Individual assay results outside of these composites range from 41.1 to 63.9 ppm gallium. Analyses confirm that gallium resides within the zinc mineral sphalerite. Further metallurgical testing is planned and will be reported once in progress.

Highlights:

Zinc concentrates grade from 53 to 58%

Total zinc in the Inferred Resource is 591 million pounds (295,000 tons)

Gallium gradesrange from 63 to116 ppm galliumin zinc concentrates (Table 1)

"With gallium now recognized as the United States' top Critical Metal, we are particularly encouraged to have first-pass metallurgical results show such strong gallium values in potentially marketable grades of zinc concentrate at Waterpump Creek. Producing gallium-rich zinc concentrates like these may be a pivotal opportunity for WAM to benefit from fast-track permitting incentives en route to providing a domestic supply of these two critical minerals," said CEO Kit Marrs. "We are pleased to see that the concentrates grade well over the 50% threshold for salability, and with the overall high grades at Waterpump Creek we could probably produce significant volumes of both gallium and zinc. The new high grade gallium assays indicate areas to focus on in WPC and farther south where we believe sulfides continue into WPC South."

Dr. Peter Megaw, advisor to Western Alaska Minerals adds, "It is unusual to see gallium grades this high in the periphery of any CRD system, so we are ramping up efforts to quantify gallium, and its common Critical Metal associate indium, throughout the project."

Waterpump Creek Zinc and Gallium Metallurgy:

The WPC Inferred Resource includes gallium-rich sphalerite and silver-rich galena as its principal minerals and metals. The WPC Inferred Resource of 2.38 M tonnes of high-grade sulfide mineralization grading 279 g/t silver, 11.2% zinc, and 9.8% lead was completed and reported on February 22, 2024. Metallurgical testing has been completed on composites taken from 8 selected drill holes. The results reported here are assays of three concentrates reported by ALS Metallurgy Kamloops (March 19, 2025). Additional metallurgical test work is planned for the evaluation of gallium deportment. Results will be reported when available. See below for more metallurgical details.

Table 1: Waterpump Creek Zinc and Gallium Metallurgical Results

High-Grade Gallium Drill Core Assays:

In addition to the zinc concentrate results in Table 1, WAM is re-analyzing select WPC drill core samples by ICP-MS methods for gallium. The first batch of results returned values ranging from 41.1 to 63.9 ppm gallium (Table 2). The second batch of results is expected in Q2 2025. These intercepts were not included in the representative composites reported in Table 1; however, these results in Table 2 highlights that zones of high-grade zinc and gallium exist within the WPC Inferred Resource.

Table 2: First ICP-MS Gallium Assays from Waterpump Creek Deposit Drill Core

Metallurgical Context on WAM's Gallium Analyses

Metallurgical testing of Waterpump Creek drill core and the results reported here are assays of three concentrates reported by ALS Metallurgy Kamloops on March 19, 2025. Three metallurgical composites were generated from sulfide-rich drill core coarse assay rejects from various intervals and depths from 8 WPC drill holes drilled during the 2022 season. Composites represented intercepts between 24.8 and 36.1 meters (drill core lengths) through the WPC mineralized body, and these composites are considered representative of the WPC Inferred Resource. The composites were delivered to ALS labs in Kamloops, British Columbia. ALS Metallurgy used standard metallurgical testing methods for lead, zinc, and silver recovery.

The composites had gallium head grades ranging from 9.45 ppm to 23.7 ppm gallium and concentrate grades in potentially saleable zinc concentrates ranging from 63.8 to 116 ppm gallium. Composite 5 had gallium grades of 23.7 ppm gallium which translated into a zinc concentrate grading 116 ppm gallium (Table 1) using conventional flotation techniques to recover zinc. Composite 5 consists of material from drill holes WPC22-20 and WPC22-22 which represent 35.4m of drill core intercept within the deposit. Additional metallurgical test work is planned for the evaluation of gallium deportment. Results will be reported when available.

For more information about gallium, refer to the USGS Gallium fact sheet (https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2013/3006/pdf/fs2013-3006.pdf) and the USGS report, Chapter H of Critical Mineral Resources of the United States - Economic and Environmental Geology and Prospects for Future Supply (https://pubs.usgs.gov/pp/1802/h/pp1802h.pdf).

Targeting Additional High-Grade Silver at Waterpump Creek South

Moving forward, Western Alaska Minerals will focus on precious metals and critical minerals, so the 2025 exploration program will be primarily directed at targeting discovery of the southern extension of the high-grade WPC silver-lead-zinc resource in the Waterpump Creek South area (see Figure 1). The WPC Inferred Resource includes gallium-rich sphalerite and silver-rich galena as its primary minerals and metals and remains open to the south across the 4700N fault. The Waterpump Creek South target presents the highest potential for significant expansion of our existing resource base.

Figure 1. Waterpump Creek Resource and WPC South Target Area

National Security and Potential Fast-Track Development Implications:

Gallium: Top-ranked U.S. critical mineral due to its high supply risk and essential role in technology and defense applications1

Zinc: An important US Critical Mineral due to its essential role in infrastructure and renewable energies2

Domestic Supply: Claim package covers >73,000 acres on State of Alaska land; all claims are 100% owned by WAM with no underlying royalties - a clean asset.

Direct contribution to U.S. defense and technology sector mineral independence: Alaska-based reporter, Shane Lasley recently published, "Alaska, which happens to host 49 out of the 50 U.S. critical minerals and some of the nation's richest deposits of copper and gold, stands to benefit from Trump's push for increased domestic minerals production and his overall vision of unleashing Alaska's extraordinary resource potential." 3

Executive Order: Potential to fast-track development of domestic critical mineral supply chains further to a Critical Minerals Executive order, issued by the U.S. Government (March 20, 2025)

1https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/R47982

2https://www.usgs.gov/centers/national-minerals-information-center/zinc-statistics-and-information#:~:text=Zinc%20is%20necessary%20to%20modern,products%20to%20rubber%20and%20medicines.

3https://www.miningnewsnorth.com/story/2025/03/28/news/trump-order-adds-to-alaska-mining-tailwinds/9009.html

Qualified Person

The Qualified Person who reviewed and approved the technical disclosure in this release is Andrew West, Certified Professional Geologist, a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101. He is a Certified Professional Geologist with the American Institute of Professional Geologists (AIPG CP-11759). Mr. West was WAM's VP Exploration from 2023 to April 2025.

His review verified the technical data disclosed, including geology, sampling, analytical and QA/QC data underlying this news release, including reviewing the reports of ALS, methodologies, results, and all procedures undertaken for quality assurance and quality control in a manner consistent with industry practice.

Jeffrey B. Austin, P.Eng., of International Metallurgical and Environmental Inc., a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, registered in British Columbia, has reviewed and approved the metallurgical results.

About WAM

Western Alaska Minerals (WAM.V) is pioneering North America's next major silver and critical minerals district at the Illinois Creek Project, a prolific 8-km mineral corridor hosting two stand-alone deposits with a new Warm Springs discovery zone in between. The IC project claims cover a 100% owned land package of 73,535 acres (115 square miles or 29,758 hectares), located approximately 38 kilometers by road to the region's marine highway, the Yukon River.

Anchored by the high-grade silver mineralization of the Waterpump Creek zone, 75 Moz @ 980 g/t AgEq (Inferred), open to the north and south and the historic Illinois Creek mine, 525 Koz AuEq - 373 Koz @ 1.3 g/t AuEq (Indicated), 152 Koz @ 1.44 g/t AuEq (Inferred), WAM's 100% owned carbonate replacement deposit shows significant exploration potential across its entire length.

Headquartered in both Alaska and Arizona, WAM brings together a team with a proven track record of large-scale mine discoveries.

On behalf of the Company

"Kit Marrs"

Kit Marrs

President & CEO

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Phone: 1-520-200-1667

For further information, please contact:

Vanessa Bogaert, Director of Corporate Communications/IR

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Or visit our website at: www.westernalaskaminerals.com

Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward Looking Information

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. "Forward-looking information" includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future. Generally, but not always, forward-looking information and statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or the negative connotation thereof 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" or the negative connation thereof.

Such forward-looking information and statements are based on numerous assumptions, including among others, Although the assumptions made by the Company in providing forward-looking information or making forward-looking statements are considered reasonable by management at the time, there can be no assurance that such assumptions 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 plans or expectations include risks relating to market conditions, metal prices, and risks relating to general economic, market or business conditions, uninsured risks, regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of personnel, materials, and equipment on a timely basis, accidents or equipment breakdowns, unanticipated environmental impacts on operations and costs to remedy same, and other exploration or other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information or implied by 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 forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.

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.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / April 9, 2025 / Arras Minerals Corp. (TSXV:ARK) (OTCQB:ARRKF) ("Arras" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has closed its previously announced brokered and non-brokered private placements (please refer to the Company's March 20, 2025 news release). A total of 18,941,177 common shares ("Shares") were issued at a price of $0.85 per Share (the "Issue Price"), for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately C$16.1 million (the "Offering"). The Offering was oversubscribed with key participation from both new and existing shareholders, including Teck Resources Limited ("Teck").

The brokered portion of the Offering (the "Brokered Offering"), pursuant to which the Company issued 15,119,708 Shares, was completed through a syndicate of agents (the "Agents") led by Haywood Securities Inc., and including Ventum Financial Corp., Canaccord Genuity Corp. and SCP Resource Finance LP. The Company experienced significant interest in the Offering and subsequently upsized the non-brokered portion of the Offering (the "Non-Brokered Offering"). Pursuant to the Non-Brokered Offering, the Company issued 3,821,469 Shares at the Issue Price. A major participant in the Non-Brokered Offering was Teck, which increased its ownership interest in the Company to approximately 9.9%.

Darren Klinck, President & Director, commented, "We are very pleased to close this upsized financing and would like to thank current and new shareholders for their continued support of the Company. This marks another important step for Arras as we have added a number of new institutional shareholders to the share register. The Company is fully-financed for our planned Phase 2 exploration program at the Elemes Project and we now have significant flexibility to adjust and expand priorities well into 2026. Activities in Kazakhstan are ramping up and we are currently preparing to commence work programs later this month."

The Shares issued under the Brokered Offering were offered to purchasers pursuant to: (i) the accredited investor exemption (the "Accredited Investor Exemption") under National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions ("NI 45-106"), and (ii) the listed issuer financing exemption ("LIFE Exemption") under Part 5A of NI 45-106, in all the provinces of Canada, except Quebec. The Shares issued under the LIFE Exemption are not subject to a statutory hold period pursuant to applicable Canadian securities laws. The Shares issued under the Accredited Investor Exemption are subject to a statutory hold period expiring on August 11, 2025. Purchasers under the Brokered Offering received a 1:1 ratio of Shares issued pursuant to the Accredited Investor Exemption and Shares issued pursuant to the LIFE Exemption. In connection with the Brokered Offering, the Agents received a cash commission of 6.0% of the gross proceeds raised from the Brokered Offering.

The Company will use the net proceeds from the Offering to fund exploration and advancement of the Company's projects in Kazakhstan, and for general corporate purposes as further described in the Company's offering document under the LIFE Exemption dated March 20, 2025.

The securities offered pursuant to the Offering have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, United States persons absent registration or any applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

Certain related parties of the Company participated in the Offering. The issuance of Shares to related parties is considered to be a related party transaction within the meaning of TSX Venture Exchange Policy 5.9 and Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company has relied on the exemptions from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 (and Policy 5.9) as the fair market value of the Shares issued to such persons does not exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization.

About Arras Minerals Corp.

Arras is a Canadian exploration and development company advancing a portfolio of copper and gold assets in northeastern Kazakhstan, including the Elemes copper-gold porphyry project and the Option Agreement on the Beskauga copper and gold project. The Company has established the third-largest license package in the country prospective for copper and gold (behind Rio Tinto and Fortescue). In December 2023, the Company entered into a strategic alliance with Teck Resources Limited ("Teck") in which Teck may sole fund a US$5 million generative exploration program over a portion of the Arras license package in 2024-2025. The Company's shares are listed on the TSX-V under the trading symbol "ARK" and on the OTCQB under the trading symbol "ARRKF".

On behalf of the Board of Directors

"Darren Klinck"

Darren Klinck

President and Director

INVESTOR RELATIONS:

+1 604 687 5800

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Further information about the Company can be found on the Company's website at https://www.arrasminerals.com.

Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/arrasminerals

Follow us on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/arrasminerals

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.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements and information herein, including all statements that are not historical facts, contain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such forward-looking statements or information include but are not limited to statements or information with respect to the proposed use of proceeds from the Offering. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements or information can be identified by the use of words such as "will" or variations of that word and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will", "could" or are "intended to" be taken, occur or be achieved.

With respect to forward-looking statements and information contained herein, the Company has made numerous assumptions including among other things, assumptions about general business and economic conditions, the prices of gold and copper, the expected use of proceeds from the Offering, and anticipated costs and expenditures. The foregoing list of assumptions is not exhaustive.

Although management of the Company believes that the assumptions made and the expectations represented by such statements or information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that a forward-looking statement or information herein will prove to be accurate. Forward-looking statements and information by their nature are based on assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. These factors include, but are not limited to: risks associated with the business of the Company; business and economic conditions in the mining industry generally; the supply and demand for labour and other project inputs; changes in commodity prices; changes in interest and currency exchange rates; risks relating to inaccurate geological and engineering assumptions (including with respect to the tonnage, grade and recoverability of reserves and resources); risks relating to unanticipated operational difficulties (including failure of equipment or processes to operate in accordance with specifications or expectations, cost escalation, unavailability of materials and equipment, government action or delays in the receipt of government approvals, industrial disturbances or other job action, and unanticipated events related to health, safety and environmental matters); risks relating to adverse weather conditions; political risk, geopolitical risk and social unrest; changes in general economic conditions or conditions in the financial markets; and other risk factors as detailed from time to time in the Company's continuous disclosure documents filed with Canadian securities administrators. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
TORONTO, April 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Blue Moon Metals Inc. (Blue Moon or the Company) (TSXV: MOON) is pleased to announce a maiden mineral resource estimate (MRE) for the Sulitjelma volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) deposit (the Sulitjelma Project), located in Nordland, Norway, which has been summarized in an independent Technical Report (the Technical Report) prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101  Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (NI 43-101), which will be filled on SEDAR+ within 45 days after the current announcement. The Sulitjelma Project is situated within a significant mining district known for its copper deposits, with historical production between 1891 and 1991 of 26 Mt of 1.80% Cu with additional zinc, sulfur, gold and silver credits (Nordrum, F.S., 1999. Minerals from the Sulitjelma Copper Mines, North Norway).

The MRE includes 17 million tonnes grading 1.06% Cu and 0.21% Zn in the inferred category over three deposits, supporting the project's potential for further growth. The resource estimate does not include gold, silver or sulfur which were historically recovered and considered by-product credits. The Company plans to advance the project through additional exploration and technical studies to further evaluate its economic viability.

Blue Moon will initially focus on the Rupsi and Dypet deposits where the company has received Norwegian Government approval in Q1 2025 to extend an existing historical mine tunnel into the deposit by up to 1 km. The tunnel extension and the completion of 10,000 m of underground drilling are part of the recommendations in the technical report with a budget of 37 MNOK (~US$3.4M). Exploration activities will focus on the exploration target to showcase its mineral potential. Current underground workings are in good condition, ending approximately 200 m from the resource estimate outline. Blue Moon plans to extend the underground drift towards intercepts such as 19.30 m apparent true thickness grading 1.05% Cu, 0.64% Zn & 8.0 g/t Ag (DH-RD-OLD-010) later this year. Figure 1 outlines the existing 400 m long tunnel that will be extended, and the location of the mineralization at the Rupsi and Dypet deposits.

Figure 1: Interpreted model of the current estimation from Rupsi deposit including the projected exploration adit

The CEO of Blue Moon, Christian Kargl-Simard stated: "With 100 years of production history, this resource estimate is the first NI 43-101 resource on this VMS district, in which Blue Moon holds the most important concessions. Blue Moon has the exclusive option to buy the historical processing plant infrastructure for a nominal value of 1 NOK (~US$0.1) and has access to numerous historical mining tunnels for efficient underground exploration. While the Rupsi deposit will be the focus of exploration to start, with historical intercepts such as 3.2 m apparent true thickness grading 6.82% Cu and 0.85% Zn, we think there are many other interesting targets in the district that could potentially result in several mining centres in due course. We think Blue Moon can bring back mining in this district, with a much more efficient and modern practice by the end of this decade, with exciting regular drill results. The addition of gold, silver, sulfur and cobalt in a future resource would also increase the strategic nature of the deposit. We plan to start underground development in Q3-2025.

Mineral Resource Estimate

Table 1: Sulitjelma Constrained Resource Evaluation Statement

Inferred Resources By Zone Sub-Totals Region Zone Tonnes

(kt) Cu

(%) Zn

(%) Cu_Eq

(%) APT*

(m) Tonnes

(kt) Cu

(%) Zn

(%) Cu_Eq

(%) Rupsi / Dypet 2 4,188 1.45 0.35 1.50 5.2 3 1,499 0.95 0.19 0.98 5.5 5 2,188 0.82 0.37 0.88 15.7 6 410 1.40 0.24 1.43 3.6 7 126 0.77 0.15 0.79 2.4 8 484 0.89 0.11 0.91 6.8 9 163 2.01 0.25 2.05 2.5 10 201 1.39 0.36 1.45 2.9 9,258 1.19 0.31 1.24 Hankabakken II 2 3,031 0.88 0.07 0.89 4.2 3 1,471 0.86 0.05 0.86 3.1 5 453 1.00 0.02 1.00 9.1 4,955 0.88 0.06 0.89 Sagmo 2 455 1.15 0.19 1.18 3.6 3 193 1.56 0.14 1.58 6.4 5 2,205 0.89 0.15 0.91 4.1 2,853 0.98 0.16 1.00 Total 17,066 1.06 0.21 1.10 6.1

* Apparent True Thickness

Notes:

1. CIM definitions were followed for MRE.

2. All resources reported are categorized Inferred; there are no Measured or Indicated resources.

3. A minimum mining thickness of 2.2 m was applied in making the MRE constraint wireframes.

4. The MRE constraint wireframes were generated using a preliminary MSO, based on a cut-off grade of 0.60% CuEq, related to potential underground mining.

5. Assumed parameters for the cut-off grade and CuEq calculations included: Prices: US$4.20/lb Cu, US$1.25/lb Zn

Processing recoveries: 92% Cu, 57% Zn

Payabilities: 96.5% Cu, 86% Zn

6. The copper equivalent (CuEq) calculation is as follows: CuEq = Cu grade + (Zn grade x 0.16)

7. For the cut-off grade calculation, the assumed total operating cost was $50/t of ore.

8. A global density value of 3 t/m3was assumed.

9. Rounding may result in apparent summation differences between tonnes, grades and metal content; not considered material.

10. Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability.

The MRE for the Sulitjelma Project is classified entirely as Inferred Mineral Resources in accordance with NI 43-101. Inferred Mineral Resources are considered too speculative geologically to have economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as Mineral Reserves. There is no certainty additional drilling will result in the conversion of Inferred category material to either Indicated or Measured categories, or that the project will be economically viable.

This MRE work was carried out and prepared in compliance with NI 43-101, and the mineral resources in this estimate were calculated using the CIM Standards on Mineral Resources and Reserves, Definitions and Guidelines prepared by the CIM Standing Committee on Reserve Definitions and adopted by the CIM Council in May 2014. The Technical Report will be filed on SEDAR+ within 45 days. Conforming with guidelines for reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction, constrained evaluations were completed using a Mineable Shape Optimiser (MSO) to generate wireframes. This MRE of the Sulitjelma deposit is summarised in Table 1.

For the Sulitjelma deposit, complete sets of data from 601 historic diamond drillholes have been collated, covering 78,144 m. Of these, 286 diamond drillholes have intersected mineralization within the three deposits which have had their resources estimated in the current study. 51 of these holes were drilled from surface, with the other 235 holes being drilled from underground.

The geologic continuity of Sulitjelma Project VMS mineralization is well established through core drilling and a full set of drill sections that guided 3D modelling of geology and structure to develop wireframe models. The Mineral Resource estimate considers a combination of lithological and grade domains. The following select, historic drilling results are significant intersections (reported in apparent true thickness) from either surface or underground drilling results from the deposits that comprise the Sulitjelma project:

Rupsi deposit (surface drilling)

DH-RD-OLD-010 with 19.30 m @ 1.05% Cu, 0.64% Zn & 8.0g/t Ag from 721.00m

including 7.00 m @ 2.27% Cu, 1.52% Zn & 17.2g/t Ag from 721.00m

DH-RD-OLD-012 with 47.10 m @ 0.54% Cu, 0.13% Zn from 752.00m

including 12.00 m @ 0.82% Cu & 0.06% Zn from 790.00m

DH-RD-OLD-001 with 3.42 m @ 4.03% Cu & 0.22% Zn from 393.35m

DH-RD-OLD-001 with 9.40 m @ 1.39% Cu & 0.15% Zn from 485.20m

DH-RD-OLD-004 with 11.40 m @ 1.23% Cu & 0.23% Zn from 547.50m

DH-RD-OLD-008 with 3.20 m @ 6.82% Cu & 0.85% Zn from 625.00m

Hankabakken deposit (underground drilling)

DH-HK-OLD-123 with 8.60 m @ 1.30% Cu, 0.02% Zn

DH-HK-OLD-300 with 11.70 m @ 1.21% Cu, 0.07% Zn

DH-HK-OLD-306 with 10.10 m @ 1.13% Cu, 0.06% Zn

Sagmo deposit (underground drilling)

DH-SG-OLD-30 with 6.20 m @ 1.42% Cu & 0.11% Zn

DH-SG-OLD-34 with 9.40 m @ 1.69% Cu & 0.00% Zn

DH-SG-OLD-36 with 15.80 m @ 1.60% Cu & 0.24% Zn

The compiled historic drilling data was then used to develop a sectional interpretation of mineralized vein intersections, based on a cut-off of 0.6% CuEq. The interpreted zones within each deposit in general have been extrapolated a maximum distance of approximately 100 m beyond the furthest intersection, both laterally and down-dip, from the outer-most drillhole intersections. The drilling grid spacing used was generally 200-250 m so the extrapolation distance is half of the typical grid spacing.

Three different block models were developed for the Rupsi, Dypet, Hankabakken and Sagmo deposits. For each deposit, the same modelling methodology was applied. A digital terrain model (DTM) was generated, based on the center points on each drillhole intersection. Apparent true thickness measurements were then estimated and used to develop a three-dimensional block model of each zone. Composite grades of copper and zinc were then estimated, based on inverse-distance squared weighting. The previously exploited areas within each mine site were allocated as mined by using perimeters from historical mine plans. These mined areas were therefore excluded from the current resource estimate.

Geology  Mineralization

Rupsi/Dypet deposit

The Rupsi/Dypet deposit is interpreted to correlate with the Hankabakken level and is the northwesternmost deposit in Sulitjelma. Mineralization is characterized by various styles such as massive and semi-massive sulphides, disseminations and veins (stringers) within a chlorite-biotite rich hydrothemal breccia. Two-fold phases have formed a recumbent elongated antiform with ore enrichment in the fold hinge zone. In terms of alteration, the Rupsi deposit manifests an abnormal enrichment in potassium relative to the surrounding strata. The K feldspar-biotite-chlorite  albite core is enveloped by a more typical chloritic alteration zone characterized by an increasing Fe/(Fe d- Mg) ratio away from the deposit.

Hankabakken deposit

The Hankabakken mine was worked on two different ore bodies, Hankabakken I and II. Hankabakken II is a blind deposit, located some 500 m NW from Hankabakken I. The thickness of the ore bodies was generally 3 m - 5 m and commonly exhibited increasing Cu-content towards the hanging wall.

Sagmo deposit

In the Sagmo deposit, Cu is markedly enriched toward the footwall of the orebody and there is some evidence of Zn and Pb being enriched toward the hanging wall. This may suggest that this orebody is not inverted. Considerable change in the Cu/Zn/Pb ratios of various rock types is also borne out by the associated alteration lithologies. The biotite schists immediately subjacent to the massive ore plot tightly into the Cu corner of the Cu-Zn-Pb ternary diagram. The massive ore is slightly Zn rich. The disseminated host rocks contain a large component of laterally dispersed sulphides that fill a broad area with Cu/Zn ratios ranging between 75:25 to 10:90. Chlorite schists distant to the ore contain appreciably more Zn than Cu, whereas amphibolites which have been leached of Cu but only minimally of Zn show Zn enrichment.

Exploration Plan

Blue Moons exploration program for Sulitjelma project is designed to expand known mineralized zones and enhance MRE confidence through a systematic approach to drilling. A key component of the plan is the refurbishment of, and a one-kilometer extension of the historic Rupsi exploration draft, providing improved underground access for detailed mapping, sampling, and drill platform development.

Technical staff are planning to evaluate, confirm, and extend the existing MRE through a series of sectional drill fans that are part of a 10,000 m exploration drilling program. The drilling program will be complemented through soil and core geochemistry, which shall be analyzed using the ioGAS software platform. It is anticipated that results will aid greatly in vectoring towards additional VMS mineralization. Additionally, geological mapping, geophysical surveys, and relogging of historical drill core will occur in 2025 to further refine the geological model and optimize drill targeting. This integrated approach to exploration at Sulitjelma Project is expected to significantly advance the understanding and potential of the project

QAQC

A thorough review of available information on the Sulitjelma Project yields very little quality control and quality assurance (QAQC) data that is available regarding sample preparation, laboratory analytical procedures, including the performance standards, blanks and duplicates. There is also no information available about chain of custody security procedures from the historic drilling activities. However, it is presumed that the prior operators conducted both sampling and analytical procedures in accordance with the industry best practices of the time.

Data Verification

Very little information is available on the sample preparation, analysis and security procedures from the historic drilling activities, which occurred in the evaluated areas between 1952 and 1988. The fact that so much Sulitjelma core is still in reasonable condition at the NGU core archive at Lkken demonstrates the sound procedures which must have been in place when the original samples were taken. There are no records describing the assay methods used. However, from examination of the compiled assay data, the limits of detection appear to have been 0.01% Cu and 0.01% Zn.

Blue Moon provided full access to all facilities and personnel during the visits. The QP also completed checks of:

 Surface collar elevation data relative to surface topography data.

 Drillhole data integrity.

 Drillhole data against pre-existing plans and cross-sections.

 Additional density measurements of Sulitjelma core samples, taken during February 2025.

The QP has reviewed the available sample data and corresponding information, and although there is a lack of QAQC information available, is of the opinion that the data available for the Mineral Resource estimation are of sufficient quality to estimate mineral resources for an Inferred category, in accordance with CIM guidelines.

Qualified Persons

The Technical Report on the Mineral Resources of the Sulitjelma Project, Norway, was prepared solely by Qualified Person (QP) Adam Wheeler (C.Eng., Eur Ing, FIMMM), an independent mining consultant.

Adam Wheeler has been involved with the Sulitjelma Project since 2021. He conducted a site visit on December 2, 2024 and reviewed drill core from the project at the NGU core storage facilities in Lkken, Norway on December 3, 2024.

The technical and scientific information of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Mr. Dustin Small, P.Eng., a non-Independent Qualified Person, as defined by NI 43-101. It has also been reviewed by Mr. Wheeler (C.Eng., Uur Ing, FIMMM), the independent QP.

About Blue Moon

Blue Moon is advancing 3 brownfield polymetallic projects, including the Nussir copper-gold-silver project in Norway, the NSG copper-zinc-gold-silver project in Norway and the Blue Moon zinc-gold-silver-copper project in the United States. All 3 projects are well located with existing local infrastructure including roads, power and historical infrastructure. Zinc and copper are currently on the USGS and EU list of metals critical to the global economy and national security. More information is available on the Companys website (www.bluemoonmetals.com).

For further information

Blue Moon Metals Inc.

Christian Kargl-Simard

CEO and Director

Phone: (416) 230 3440

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Neither 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.

CAUTIONARY DISCLAIMER - FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release includes forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian and U.S. securities laws. All statements included herein that address events or developments that we expect to occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking information may in some cases be identified by words such as will, anticipates, expects, intends and similar expressions suggesting future events or future performance. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: the anticipated results of the Technical Report; the filing of the Technical Report and the timing thereof; the Companys plans to advance the project through additional exploration and technical studies; the initial exploration focus area and timing of anticipated exploration activities; the recommended work program and budget thereof; the refurbishment and extension of the existing historical mine tunnel; the recommended exploration drilling program; the exploration plan; management statements regarding Blue Moon bringing mining back to the district; the plan to start underground development and the timing thereof.

We caution that all forward-looking information is inherently subject to change and uncertainty and that actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. A number of risks, uncertainties and other factors could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking information or could cause our current objectives, strategies and intentions to change, including but not limited to: that the anticipated results of the Technical Report will not be realized; that the Technical Report may not published at all or within the expected timeframe; that the Company may not advance the project at all or through the anticipated additional exploration and technical studies; the initial exploration focus area may differ from the anticipated; the exploration activities may not commence at all or within the anticipated timing thereof; the recommended work program and budget thereof may not be realized; the existing historical mine tunnel may not be refurbished and extended; the recommended exploration drilling program may not be commenced or completed; the exploration plans may differ from the anticipated; that Blue Moon may not bring mining back to the district; that the underground development may not comment at all or within the anticipated timing thereof. Accordingly, we warn investors to exercise caution when considering statements containing forward-looking information and that it would be unreasonable to rely on such statements as creating legal rights regarding our future results or plans. We cannot guarantee that any forward-looking information will materialize and you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this forward-looking information. Any forward-looking information contained in this news release represents managements current expectations and are based on information currently available to management and are subject to change after the date of this news release. We are under no obligation (and we expressly disclaim any such obligation) to update or alter any statements containing forward-looking information, the factors or assumptions underlying them, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. All of the forward-looking information in this news release is qualified by the cautionary statements herein.

Forward-looking information is provided herein for the purpose of giving information about the Sulitjelma Project and its expected impact. Readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes.

A comprehensive discussion of other risks that impact Blue Moon can also be found in its public reports and filings which are available at www.sedarplus.ca.
TORONTO, April 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NexGold Mining Corp. (TSXV: NEXG; OTCQX: NXGCF) (NexGold or the Company) is pleased to provide drill results from the ongoing 25,000-metre diamond drill program at the Goliath Gold Complex. Results have been received for recent drilling at both the western end of the Goliath Deposit (Goliath West) and the Far East Prospect (Far East), located eight kilometres east of the Goliath Deposit.

Selected drill intercepts from Goliath West are provided in Table 1 and include:

10.25 g/t gold and 2.81 g/t silver over 4.78 metres, including 80.30 g/t gold and 13.60 g/t silver over 0.53 metre and including 6.28 g/t gold and 3.10 g/t silver over 0.50 metre in drill hole TL24-689;

3.05 g/t gold and 2.06 g/t silver over 10.80 metres, including 2.40 g/t gold and 3.49 g/t silver over 3.24 metres and including 29.30 g/t gold and 5.70 g/t silver over 0.75 metre in drill hole TL25-692;

0.69 g/t gold and 0.98 g/t silver over 19.84 metres, including 12.20 g/t gold and 7.10 g/t silver over 0.50 metre and including 1.07 g/t gold and 0.87 g/t silver over 3.50 metres in drill hole TL25-695; and

1.32 g/t gold and 1.10 g/t silver over 7.00 metres, including 8.19 g/t gold and 3.70 g/t silver over 1.00 metres in drill hole TL24-694.

Selected drill intercepts from Far East are provided in Table 2 and include:

1.71 g/t gold and 11.47 g/t silver over 6.02 metres, including 9.82 g/t gold and 56.90 g/t silver over 0.50 metre in drill hole TL24-685;

0.79 g/t gold and 2.70 g/t silver over 12.25 metres, including 3.92 g/t gold and 2.70 g/t silver over 1.00 metres and including 3.96 g/t gold and 9.50 g/t silver over 1.00 metres in drill hole TL24-684;

0.89 g/t gold and 1.28 g/t silver over 8.75 metres, including 3.34 g/t gold and 0.70 g/t silver over 0.75 metre and including 2.69 g/t gold and 2.10 g/t silver over 1.00 metres in drill hole TL24-686A and;

0.91 g/t gold and 8.21 g/t silver over 6.04 metres, including 1.66 g/t gold and 6.60 g/t silver over 1.00 metres in drill hole TL24-684.

Kevin Bullock, President and CEO of NexGold, commented: The high-grade gold mineralization at Goliath West represents potential extensions of the deposit below the planned open pit. These results could be used in a future mineral resource update to potentially expand the size of the open pit mineral resource at the Goliath Project, while drill results at Far East demonstrate the potential for further discovery at the Goliath Gold Complex. The expansion of mineralization at both Goliath West and Far East is also significant because of the proximity to the proposed processing plant at the Goliath Project, where potential mineral resources could be processed in the future, thus adding longevity to the project life. Building a pipeline of future mill feed beyond the current Feasibility Study work is an important part of our strategy for long term development of the Goliath Gold Complex and creating long term value in the Project.

Goliath West Results

Drilling at Goliath West included 3,759 metres of diamond drilling in nine drill holes (TL24-688 to TL25-696). This drilling was designed to extend the known mineralization of both the Main and C Zones down dip of past drilling and below the open pit proposed in the prefeasibility study for the Goliath Gold Complex (dated February 22, 2023). The drill holes were also designed to investigate the potential continuation of a high-grade shoot down-plunge of previously-announced (February 2, 2022) high-grade gold mineralization, which included 9.55 g/t gold over 5.50 metres including 24.40 g/t gold over 1.50 metres and including 8.60 g/t gold over 1.50 metres (TL21-559) (Figures 1 and 2). All holes were successful in intersecting the intended zones with elevated gold values. In addition, gold mineralization was found in the deepest holes drilled (TL25-695 and TL25-696), extending the maximum depth at the west end of the deposit from 300 metres to approximately 450 metres from surface. Gold mineralization in this area remains open at depth.

Table 1: Highlighted drill intercepts from drilling at Goliath West Hole ID Zone From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Gold (g/t) Silver (g/t) TL24-689 Hanging wall 160.00 164.78 4.78 10.25 2.81 including 162.18 162.71 0.53 80.30 13.60 and including 163.50 164.00 0.50 6.28 3.10 TL24-689 Main 263.00 272.30 9.30 0.39 1.42 including 271.80 272.30 0.50 1.88 5.90 TL24-690 C 272.00 276.00 4.00 1.23 0.86 including 272.00 273.00 1.00 4.07 1.10 TL25-691 C 354.00 366.00 12.00 0.77 0.78 including 354.00 355.00 1.00 3.33 0.70 and including 361.00 362.00 1.00 3.27 1.80 TL25-692 Main 281.45 292.25 10.80 3.05 2.06 including 284.45 287.69 3.24 2.40 3.49 and including 289.50 290.25 0.75 29.30 5.70 TL25-692 C 327.00 340.25 13.25 0.30 0.92 including 329.00 330.00 1.00 1.19 2.10 and including 339.25 340.25 1.00 1.06 0.60 TL25-693 C 336.39 340.50 4.11 0.88 2.82 including 336.39 337.00 0.61 1.58 14.30 and including 339.90 340.50 0.60 2.72 1.20 TL25-694 Hanging wall 150.78 156.00 5.22 1.12 1.49 including 150.78 151.50 0.72 3.95 1.70 and including 152.00 153.40 1.40 1.14 3.27 TL25-694 C 254.00 261.00 7.00 1.32 1.10 including 254.00 255.00 1.00 8.19 3.70 TL25-695 C 517.85 537.69 19.84 0.69 0.98 including 518.50 519.00 0.50 12.20 7.10 and including 531.00 534.50 3.50 1.07 0.87 TL25-696 C 549.00 559.00 10.00 0.38 1.20

Note: Reported intervals are drilled core lengths and do not indicate true widths. True widths are estimated at between 70-100% of core length. For duplicate samples, the original sample assays are used to calculate the intersection grade. All grades are uncapped.

Far East Results

Drilling at Far East included 2,328 metres of diamond drilling in six drill holes (TL24-682 to TL24-687), designed to follow-up on previous drilling that outlined a zone of gold and silver mineralization over a strike length of 600 metres and down to a depth of 200 metres (Figures 3 and 4). The current drill results are significant in that they intersected gold and silver mineralization immediately below the previously-announced (February 29, 2024) gold mineralization that included 0.54 g/t gold over 42.90 metres and 1.13 g/t gold over 7.90 metres (TL23-663) and have successfully extended mineralization down dip by 170 metres from that hole to a new maximum depth of approximately 300 metres from surface. Gold mineralization in this area remains open at depth and along strike to the southwest. Gold and silver mineralization at Far East is hosted within similar host rocks, alteration and sulphide mineralization (pyrite, sphalerite) as that at the Goliath Deposit.

Table 2: Highlighted drill intercepts from drilling at the Far East Prospect Hole ID From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Gold (g/t) Silver (g/t) TL24-682 242.20 253.00 10.80 0.25 6.40 TL24-682 331.00 332.00 1.00 2.45 3.30 TL24-683 313.61 321.00 7.39 0.34 6.98 including 318.00 319.00 1.00 1.18 3.20 TL24-684 221.50 224.50 3.00 0.90 19.33 TL24-684 231.50 242.25 10.75 0.23 10.04 TL24-684 295.75 308.00 12.25 0.79 2.70 including 299.00 300.00 1.00 3.92 2.70 and including 307.00 308.00 1.00 3.96 9.50 TL24-684 329.50 335.54 6.04 0.91 8.21 including 330.50 331.50 1.00 1.66 6.60 TL24-685 289.61 300.73 11.12 0.38 6.96 including 300.23 300.73 0.50 1.48 15.40 TL24-685 309.48 315.50 6.02 1.71 11.47 including 310.50 311.00 0.50 9.82 56.90 TL24-686A 334.25 343.00 8.75 0.89 1.28 including 334.25 335.00 0.75 3.34 0.70 and including 336.00 337.00 1.00 2.69 2.10 TL24-687 296.85 309.00 12.15 0.38 4.61 including 297.50 298.00 0.50 2.04 20.20 and including 299.00 300.00 1.00 1.23 14.70

Note: Reported intervals are drilled core lengths and do not indicate true widths. True widths are estimated at between 80-100% of core length. For duplicate samples, the original sample assays are used to calculate the intersection grade. All grades are uncapped.

Ontario Junior Exploration Program

Drilling at Far East was supported by the Ontario Junior Exploration Program which provides financing to exploration projects to help boost mineral exploration, growth and job creation in the province, particularly in northern and Indigenous communities. The Company has received $200,000 to cover eligible costs related to the program.

QA / QC

The Company has implemented a quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) program to ensure sampling and analysis of all exploration work is conducted in accordance with the CIM Exploration Best Practices Guidelines. The NQ diameter drill core is sawn in half with one-half of the core sample dispatched to a third party analytical laboratory, Activation Laboratories Ltd. Facility, located in Dryden, Ontario for sample preparation and fire assay. The other half of the core is retained for future assay verification and/or metallurgical testing. The sample is then sent to Activation Laboratories Ltd. facility located in Thunder Bay, Ontario for Aqua Regia ICP analysis with silver assays reported from this analysis. Other QA/QC procedures include the insertion of blanks and Canadian Reference Standards for every tenth sample in the sample stream. A quarter core duplicate is assayed every 20th sample. The laboratory has its own QA/QC protocols running standards and blanks with duplicate samples in each batch stream for all analysis. Additional checks are routinely run on anomalous values including gravimetric analysis and pulp metallic screen fire assays. Gold analysis is conducted by lead collection, fire assay with atomic absorption and/or gravimetric finish on a 50-gram sample. Check assays are conducted at a secondary ISO certified laboratory (in this case AGAT Laboratories located in Mississauga, Ontario) following the completion of a program.

Corporate Awareness and Marketing Agreement

NexGold also announces that it has entered into a corporate awareness agreement with Quantum Ventures Inc. (the Consultant) dated April 9, 2025. Pursuant to the agreement, the Consultant has been engaged to provide certain services, including advising with regard to media creation, online awareness strategies and introduction to relevant business contacts and appropriate strategic partners. The agreement will remain in effect for a period of two (2) months, commencing on April 15, 2025, and is subject to extension by mutual agreement of the parties. In accordance with the terms and conditions of the agreement and as consideration for the services provided by the Consultant, the Company has agreed to pay the Consultant a fee of C$175,000. The Company and the Consultant act at arms length, and the Consultant has no present interest, directly or indirectly, in the Company or its securities, or any right or present intent to acquire such an interest. The Consultant is based in British Columbia.

The Agreement is subject to approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. The Consultant has agreed to comply with all applicable securities laws and the policies of the Exchange in providing the services to the Company.

Qualified Person

Paul McNeill, P.Geo., VP Exploration of NexGold, is considered a Qualified Person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects and has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical disclosure contained in this news release on behalf of NexGold.

About NexGold Mining Corp.

NexGold Mining Corp. is a gold-focused company with assets in Canada and Alaska. NexGolds Goliath Gold Complex (which includes the Goliath, Goldlund and Miller deposits) is located in Northwestern Ontario and its Goldboro Gold Project is located in Nova Scotia. NexGold also owns several other projects throughout Canada, including the Weebigee-Sandy Lake Gold Project JV, and grassroots gold exploration property Gold Rock. In addition, NexGold holds a 100% interest in the high-grade Niblack copper-gold-zinc-silver VMS project, located adjacent to tidewater in southeast Alaska. NexGold is committed to inclusive, informed and meaningful dialogue with regional communities and Indigenous Nations throughout the life of all our Projects and on all aspects, including creating sustainable economic opportunities, providing safe workplaces, enhancing of social value, and promoting community wellbeing.

Further details about NexGold, including a Prefeasibility Study for the Goliath Gold Complex and a Feasibility Study for the Goldboro Gold Project, are available under the respective issuer profiles of the Company and Signal Gold Inc., on www.sedarplus.ca and on NexGolds website at www.nexgold.com.

Contact:

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. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains or incorporates by reference forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable U.S. securities laws. Except for statements of historical fact relating to the Company, certain information contained herein constitutes forward-looking information including, but not limited to information as to the Companys strategic objectives and plans, potential for, and results from, further discoveries, timing of exploration activities and expected initiatives to be undertaken by management of the Company in identifying exploration and development opportunities. Generally, forward-looking information is characterized by the use of forward-looking terminology such as plans, expects or does not expect, is expected, budget, scheduled, estimates, forecasts, intends, is projected, anticipates or does not anticipate, believes, targets, or variations of such words and phrases. Forward-looking information may also be identified in statements where certain actions, events or results may, could, should, would, might, will be taken, occur or be achieved.

Forward-looking information involve known or unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those projected by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others: the plan for, and actual results of, current exploration activities; risks relating to the ability of exploration activities (including drill results) to accurately predict mineralization; reliance on third-parties, including governmental entities, for mining activities; the ability of NexGold to complete further exploration activities, including drilling at the Goliath Gold Complex and Goldboro Project deposits; the ability of the Company to obtain required approvals; the results of exploration activities; risks relating to mining activities; and those factors described in the Companys Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2023 and in the Companys most recent disclosure documents filed under the Companys SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Although management of the Company 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 not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. 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, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The forward-looking information contained herein is presented to assist shareholders in understanding the Companys the Companys plans and objectives and may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information contained herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.






Thursday, April 10, 2025 - Trade Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanyas girlfriend, Mary Biketi, has offered Kenyans a rare and candid glimpse into her relationship with the former Kakamega Governor, revealing how she fiercely guards her territory.

Speaking in a candid interview on Radio Jambo, Mary said she often scrolls Oparanyas phone to block women trying to get close to him.

There are times I go through his phone and block whoever needs to be blocked. *Kuna tudem tudem, jamani hawawezi kosa. Bado wasichana wanamtaka. I block, block, block. Wale wa nje wabaki nje,* she said with a laugh, adding that she doesnt have any issues with Oparanyas past relationships, including his wives.

However, she made it clear that her efforts are specifically targeted at any new women attempting to slide into his DMs.

Some, she says, send juicy photos in a bid to catch his attention.

Some even send inappropriate pictures, which is unfortunate. At times, I play along and respond just to understand their intentions; they want to meet him and try to seduce him, she revealed.

Yes, they might be more attractive, have better figures, or be more educated, but I block them. He told me he's happy with the women he already has, she confidently stated.

Mary also shared the story of how she first met Oparanya, stating that they met at Wilson Airport.

We crossed paths at Wilson Airport while heading to Kisumu, as we were on the same flight. I didnt know him before, but he sat next to me, and from there, the rest is history, she added.

Watch the video of her interview on Radio Jambo.

CS OPARANYAs insecure trophy girlfriend, MARY BIKETI, reveals how she deals with women who try to hit on him! Reveals how they met pic.twitter.com/L2vT30moYd  DAILY POST  (@dailypost_ke) April 10, 2025

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Thursday, April 10, 2025 - The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has expressed deep concern regarding the alarming rise in false missing persons reports filed at various police stations across the country.

Some of these reports, upon thorough investigation, have been revealed to be fabricated claims rather than genuine cases of missing persons, indicating a concerning trend of conspiracy.

In a case filed at Akila Police Station, Zain Tarip claimed that his nephew, Idd Mubarak Rashid, a Mombasa based businessman, went missing on the night of April 3rd, 2025.

Rashid reappeared on April 9th, 2025, claiming he had been abducted by two men and held against his will.

Upon investigative interviewing, detectives uncovered the truth: Rashid had actually eloped with his girlfriend, whom his uncle is not happy with him marrying.





Similarly, on April 4th, 2025, Nusu Roba Wako was reported missing.

A crack team of detectives smoked Wako out of her hideout with her boyfriend, Doyo Gufu, and were subsequently taken into custody at Langata Police Station.

Investigations have since revealed that Wako had also eloped with the boyfriend and gone incommunicado.

According to DCI, some of these fabricated missing person cases receive media coverage, leading to the dissemination of false information to the public.

In light of these incidents, members of the public are urged to refrain from filing false missing persons reports, as such actions divert attention and resources from real cases.

Individuals found perpetrating these hoaxes will face the full extent of the law.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Thursday, April 10, 2025 - Former U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama has finally addressed the swirling divorce rumours and her recent absence from the public eye.

In a candid chat on the Work in Progress podcast with actress Sophia Bush, the mother of two opened up about why shes been more low-key lately.

Now 61, Michelle says post-White House life has been about reclaiming her time.

I now have the opportunity to control my own calendar, she shared.

I could have made a lot of these decisions years ago, but I didnt give myself that freedom.

With daughters Malia (26) and Sasha(23) grown, Michelle admitted shes learning how to choose herself.

Her absence from recent public events, including former President Jimmy Carters funeral and not attending Donald Trumps second Presidential inauguration, sparked talk of marital issues.

However, Michelle, married to Barack for 33 years, made it clear: shes simply prioritising herself - not avoiding her husband.

I chose to do what was best for me, not what I had to do, not what I thought other people wanted me to do, she said.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Thursday, April 10, 2025 - Siaya Governor James Orengo has thrown his weight behind students of Butere Girls High School following their bold protest at the National Drama Festival in Nakuru.

The students were set to perform their controversial Echoes of War play, which delves into themes of governance and the 2024 Gen Z-led protests, at Kirobon Girls High School.

However, at 8 a.m., the students took to the stage, sang the national anthem, and exited without staging the play.

According to sources, the students were denied access to a public address system and an audience - circumstances widely viewed as calculated efforts to sabotage their presentation.

The students later took to the streets of Nakuru in protest.

However, their peaceful demonstration was met with police teargas, drawing widespread criticism.

In a show of support, Governor Orengo took to X (formerly Twitter), quoting a landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling: Neither students nor teachers shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate.

He added, Hongera Butere Girls High School.

Orengos sentiments were echoed by ODM Party Secretary General, Edwin Sifuna, who issued a strongly worded statement condemning the Governments handling of the situation.

"The country has watched with disbelief the unfolding drama in Nakuru, where the government has seemingly been intimidated by a student play," said Sifuna.

"This regime has exposed its own insecurities by attempting to stifle the voices of young, uniformed girls expressing themselves artistically."

Sifuna also decried the mistreatment of journalists and attendees at the event, demanding that authorities allow Butere Girls to stage their play without interference.

The controversy has sparked a national conversation on freedom of expression and the role of art in political discourse.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Thursday, April 10, 2025 - Former United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary General and playwright, Cleophas Malala, has spoken out after being held at Eldama Ravine Police Station for over eight hours following his dramatic arrest on Wednesday evening.

Malala, who wrote the controversial play Echoes of War, performed by Butere Girls High School, condemned the Governments response to the production, terming it a direct attack on freedom of expression.

Speaking to the media, Malala expressed shock and disappointment over the deployment of police at Kirobon Girls Secondary School in Nakuru, where Butere Girls were rehearsing for the 63rd edition of the National Drama Festival.

We are very disappointed by how the government is handling this matter.

I empathise with the students of Butere Girls who had dedicated themselves to nurture their talents and expose the evil deeds of this country, Malala said.

He revealed that 15 students scheduled to perform remained unaccounted for and accused the Government of using security forces to intimidate participants and suppress dissent.

Drama festivals have long addressed diverse themes. It is unfortunate for the State to victimise young souls, he added.

Malala insisted that the play was not inciteful, but a creative work highlighting the struggles of Gen Z and their call for accountability, universal healthcare, and good governance.

No formal charges have been brought against me, he said, adding that even the Nakuru police leadership had not explained his detention.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Thursday, April 10, 2025 - In 2016, Mama Rachel Ruto was exposed on social media for using her powers to frustrate former Butere Girls High School Principal Dora Okaalo.

According to reports, Ksh 25 million was donated to the school by a Princess from Saudi Arabia.

The money was meant for development and deposited into the schools alumnus account, where the Principal was the chief signatory.

Mama Rachel, an alumnus of the school, wanted the Principal to transfer the money to a different account and appear as if she is the one who donated it.

When the Principal refused, she was transferred to Nyakach Girls within three days after Rachel Ruto conspired with rogue officials from the Ministry of Education.

In two years, she was transferred thrice and then fired.

She later fell into depression and succumbed to cancer.

The former Butere Girls High School Principal died a frustrated woman, and Rachel Ruto was blamed for her woes.

Check out the post.

The Kenyan DAILY POST
1 of 1

Industry Embraces High-Tech Shift as Union Industry Minister Urges Focus on AI and Innovation; BizConnect Responds with XploR



khaskhabar.com : Thu, 10 Apr 2025 11:20 AM

New Delhi/Bengaluru, In a compelling call to action in early this month, Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal urged startups and companies to focus on pioneering advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) machine learning, robotics, semiconductors, and other cutting-edge technologies. Aligning the vision of the union government, the industry has geared up to enter into global race in high-tech fields. In a recent move BizConnect, a Bengaluru-based innovator in industrial communication, responded the call of action with the introduction of its immersive tech vertical XploR for multiple sectors of the Indian industry. The high-tech solution XploR aims to revolutionize how Indian industries market, sell, and train using advanced 3D, augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and extended reality (XR) solutions.





BizConnects XploR initiative resonates with the Union Governments push for technological leapfrogging, offering tools that enable Indian manufacturers, automotive firms, energy providers, and retailers to simplify complex product demonstrations, shorten sales cycles, cut operational costs, and boost digital engagementchallenges Goyal implicitly addressed in his critique of outdated priorities. For instance, in manufacturing and heavy engineering, XploRs 3D animations and XR kits allow companies to showcase machinery internals and workflows without shipping bulky equipment, a practical step toward the high-tech and sustainable innovation.





Highlighting the relevance and importance of XploR, Sanjeev De, CEO of BizConnect, said, We are enabling Indian businesses to leapfrog into global selling standards. Success stories like WIKAs use of XploR to replace physical machinery at expos and Endress+Hausers enhanced training via 3D demos illustrate how Indian firms are already adopting these technologies, reducing costs and carbon footprintsoutcomes that support the governments dual goals of innovation and self-reliance.





Similarly, in the automotive sector, virtual showrooms and interactive vehicle models reduce logistical burdens, aligning with the ministers call to emulate global leaders like Germany and Japan, where such technologies are standard.





With XploR, Indian industries can compete globally, market more effectively, and embrace digital transformation responsibly. Earlier, we carried entire units and models to expos; now, we just carry a headset or touch screens. Its efficient and more impactful," said a beneficiary of XploR who represents a big automation company.





The energy and infrastructure sector benefits from simulated smart grids and equipment demos, supporting the vision of preparing India for future-ready industries, while retail applications like AR try-ons elevate customer engagement.





Moreover, XploRs focus on cost reductionslashing demo logistics by up to 70%and sustainability, through less reliance on printed materials and travel, reflecting an emphasis on economic efficiency and domestic resourcefulness.





We want Indian companies to sell with confidence, train with clarity, and communicate with creativity. With XploR, were giving them the tools the world is already usingcustomized for Indias industrial and retail sectors. Its not just the futureits the present, and were proud to lead it, concludes Sanjeev De.





Across leading economies like Germany, USA, Japan, and South Korea, companies have fully adopted XR. Indias time is now.


James Cox

US president Donald Trump has announced a 90-day pause on tariffs "effective immediately".

The pause excludes China - which is seeing tariffs rise to 125 percent.

US stocks have jumped after Mr Trump's announcement.

Global markets surged following the development, but the precise details of Mr Trumps plans to ease tariffs on non-China trade partners are not immediately clear.

It appears to be an attempt to narrow what had been an unprecedented trade war between the US and most of the world to a showdown between the US and China.

9.45pm

Tanaiste Simon Harris said US president Donald Trumps suspension of higher tariffs will come as a relief to many businesses in Ireland.

The Tanaiste was speaking following a meeting with US commerce secretary Howard Lutnick in Washington DC.

Mr Harris said his meeting with Mr Lutnick, a key critic of the Irish Governments fiscal policies, which occurred shortly after Mr Trumps announcement, was timely, valuable and substantive.

_________________________________________

9.05pm

Tanaiste Simon Harris says Ireland will be a voice for calm, constructive engagement on tariffs.

In a statement, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade says he had a "valuable exchange" with US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick in Washington today.

They discussed Donald Trump's latest announcement, EU-US trade and the pharmaceutical sector.

_________________________________________

9pm

European leaders have been reacting to the news that tariffs are going to be paused.

It's not clear yet if the EU will be exempt from the revised 10 per cent tariff that was announced today.

Germany's likely next chancellor Friedrich Merz says the pause is evidence a united European approach to trade is having a positive effect.

Polish prime minister Donald Tusk says they should make the best of the next 90 days adding that maintaining close transatlantic relations is a common responsibility of Europeans and Americans regardless of temporary turbulences.

__________________________________________

8.40pm

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the walk back was part of a grand negotiating strategy by Mr Trump.

President Trump created maximum negotiating leverage for himself, she said, adding that the news media clearly failed to see what President Trump is doing here.

She said: You tried to say that the rest of the world would be moved closer to China, when in fact, weve seen the opposite effect, the entire world is calling the United States of America, not China, because they need our markets.

___________________________________________

8pm

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer says nobody knows what's going on right now.

"Every day becomes worse and worse and worse in terms of the chaos, in terms of the unpredictability, and in terms of the logic. The only victim is the American public... the American consumer, the American citizen, the American business."

___________________________________________

6.39pm

Mr Trump made the announcement on his social media network, Truth Social.

In the post, Mr Trump claimed China has shown "a lack of respect to World Markets", as the country raised tariffs on the United States in response to the president's tariffs.

US secretary of the treasury Scott Bessent has been speaking outside the White House in the past few minutes.

Despite the rollback from the Trump administration, Mr Bessent tried to claim the tariffs had been a success.

"It has brought more than 75 countries forward to negotiate. It took great courage for him to stay the course until this moment and what we have ended up with here... do not retaliate and you will be rewarded."

Mr Bessent added that the markets didnt understand Mr Trumps tariff strategy.

The market didnt understand, those were maximum levels. The countries can think about those levels as they come to us to bring down their tariffs, their non-trade barriers, he told reporters at the White House.

He said Mr Trump created maximum negotiating leverage for himself and the Chinese have shown themselves to the world as the bad actors.

Speaking earlier on Wednesday, Taoiseach Micheal Martin said the tariffs were already having a negative impact on Irish business. - Additional reporting from Reuters and Press Association
By Jonathan McCambridge and Cillian Sherlock, PA

Tanaiste Simon Harris said US president Donald Trumps suspension of higher tariffs will come as a relief to many businesses in Ireland.

The Tanaiste was speaking following a meeting with US commerce secretary Howard Lutnick in Washington DC.

The US president announced on Wednesday he would be delaying tariffs on most nations for 90 days while raising his tax rate on Chinese imports to 125 per cent.

US president Donald Trump has announced a pause on higher tariffs for 90 days (Niall Carson/PA)

He posted the announcement on his Truth Social platform, but the precise details were not immediately clear.

Mr Harris said his meeting with Mr Lutnick, a key critic of the Irish Governments fiscal policies, which occurred shortly after Mr Trumps announcement, was timely, valuable and substantive.

He said We discussed that announcement and the likely next steps.

I welcomed the fact that the President has announced the suspension of the higher tariffs announced on April 2 for a period of 90 days.

This, I know, will come as a relief to many businesses in Ireland.

The Tanaiste said further engagement and clarification is required on the details of the US announcement.

He added: We also had an opportunity for a substantive engagement on pharma and I outlined the mutually beneficial role that the sector plays for Ireland and the United States.

During the meeting, I also outlined the dynamic interconnected economic relationship between Ireland, Europe and the United States.

I conveyed our commitment through the EU to comprehensive negotiations that would address a broad range of issues.

Mr Harris said the meeting confirmed his view that there is an openness on the part of the US to engage in a process of negotiations.

He added: I outlined my view that Ireland, as part of the EU, wants to play a constructive role and will continue to be a voice for calm and measured engagement in the time ahead.

Mr Harris said he had updated EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic on his meeting with Howard Lutnick (Liam McBurney/PA)

During an appearance on RTE, Mr Harris was asked if 90 days is enough for the EU to negotiate a deal with the US.

He said: I spoke to (EU Trade Commissioner) Maros Sefcovic straight after the meeting to update him on the details from our discussion with Secretary Lutnick.

I think 90 days is a significant period of time.

Whether its enough remains to be seen, and it is important that theres still clarifications needed.

It looks like, for example, the higher rate on cars and steel and aluminium is likely to remain.

He added: 10 per cent tariffs still arent good. Tariffs are bad, so we need to be cautious in relation to this.

But crucially, what this has done is provide the space that the European Commission, European member states and Ireland has been calling for.

Its been a big part of our diplomatic and political effort over the last while to try and create space for real and meaningful engagement.

And I did also take the chance to talk to the secretary about the two-way relationship between Ireland and the United States.

And I must say, he spoke favourably in relation to the Irish economic model and our economic success to date.
THE good folk in Kildare town pulled all the stops last weekend to raise money for the Irish Cancer Societys Daffodil Day in the Silken Thomas pub and restaurant.

It started on Friday morning, and went til Monday, said Patrick Murphy, one of the driving forces behind the campaign in the town.

Weve been doing this now since 2013 when it started as a coffee morning, and its grown since then, he said.

My husband Paul Robinson was diagnosed then with Chronic Lymphatic Leukemia, he was getting his treatment in Tallaght Hospital, and he felt he wanted to give something back, said Patrick, explaining the origins of the campaign in Kildare town.

So we approached Caroline Kelly the manager of the Silken Thomas about doing a coffee morning back then.

We also went for a sponsored walk to St Brigids Well, and planted daffodils.

We raised 3,000 that first year, and this year so far I have deposited 11,324, and thats just from Kildare town!

We also had a group of women called the Dream Believers who were collecting outside Tescos.

We had a raffle as well on Monday where all the businesses from around the town donated prizes, we also had the collection boxes in all the shops, and with all the people collecting, thats what weve got so far.

I want to mention all the other businesses around  not just Silken Thomass  but there are so many Im afraid to in case I forget one!

The town is fantastic when it comes to Daffodil Day, he concluded.

Nina Carberry, Val White, Patrick Murphy, Lisa Dunne and Mary Wilson

Eddie Tierney, Susan, Martina and Ciaran Wynne

Daffodil Day in the Silken Thomas bar in Kildare town
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Television presenter Baz Ashmawy has made an urgent appeal to the people of Kilkenny for help with an upcoming DIY SOS: The Big Build Ireland project in Mooncoin, South Kilkenny.

The team is desperately seeking a skilled joiner to create bespoke furniture and fittings for a special build taking place from Tuesday, April 29 to Thursday, May 8.

The project will help provide nine-year-old Aoibhinn OHanlon, her two siblings, and her parents Sharon and John with their first family home. The new build is designed to allow Aoibhinn to live independently alongside her family.

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Aoibhinn was born with a severe form of spina bifida and hydrocephalusconditions that bring significant challenges for her and her loved ones around the clock, seven days a week.

The callout is specifically aimed at joiners and furniture makers, but the team also encourages anyone who knows someone suitable to tag them or pass on the message.

Those able to help are asked to contact the DIY SOS team urgently at diysoskilkenny@gmail.com or by phone at 083 126 3130.

FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS, CLICK HERE
Work are progressing on the amalgamation of the Presentation primary school and the boys primary school.

Last year, Kilkenny Live reported single co-ed primary school is set to be established in Castlecomer with a fully mixed school to cater for students from junior infants to sixth class.

The position of principal has been advertised, and the interview process will select a candidate to lead the new school.

Dialogue continues with the Department of Education on the necessary work within the building and to prepare the building for the new school.

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Castlecomer Presentation Primary School and Castlecomer Boys School jointly requested Bishop Coll, patron of both schools, to sanction the process of amalgamation of the two schools. This request followed consultation with the stakeholders  boards of management, teachers, pupils, and parents.

Bishop Coll replied to the boards earlier and granted this request, as has the Department of Education. Bishop Coll has also approved Scoil Iosagain as the name for the proposed coeducational school which will emerge from the proposed amalgamation. The name will now be forwarded by the Patron to the Department of Education and the process will continue.

FOR MORE NORTH KILKENNY NEWS, CLICK HERE
Residents and community members gathered at the intersection of West Boulevard and Ash Street Wednesday evening, in protest of Columbia's Ash Street Improvement Plan.

The proposed plan would remove 111 trees and cut into people's yards to build new sidewalks and bike lanes.

Designs include an eight-foot-wide sidewalk on the north side of Ash Street, a five-foot-wide sidewalk on the south side, a continuous bike lane, and flashing beacons at intersections, according to the city. The changes would be made along Ash Street between Clinkscales Road and First Street.

The group who organized the protest, Pedestrians for Ash say they want to see changes to the existing plan.

The group's requests include preserving the trees along Ash Street, installing speed bumps to reduce speeding, painted cross walks and pedestrian crossing signs, and repairing existing sidewalks instead of expanding or adding new ones.

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Many attendees at Wednesday's protest live near where the Ash Street Improvement Plan would be implemented, like resident Mark Wright. Wright said he feels the city hasn't taken residents' concerns to heart.

"I feel like we got a lot of cold shoulder from the city staff," Wright said. "[They should] come up with some innovative solution, and I've gotten the distinct vibe that innovation is not a priority for the city in this project."

The city held an interested parties meeting last month, nearly three years after the last meeting was held for the project in July 2022. Columbia Public Works and engineers said they were looking for more feedback from the public to possibly change their original plans.

Columbia Engineering Supervisor Allison Anderson said residents will have another chance to have their voice heard again later this year.

"Council had directed us to do another public hearing which we hold at council," Anderson said. "So that would probably be late spring early summer."

The city's plan for Ash Street would be funded by a quarter-cent sales tax that was approved back in 2015.
The Missouri Family Health Council, the state's only Title X family planning organization, announced in a news release April 1 that its federal funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has been "temporarily withheld."

HHS requested "documentation within 10 days to assess compliance with grant terms and conditions," according to a written statement given to KOMU 8, with the 10th day being Thursday, April 10.

MFHC executive director Michelle Trupiano said there is an established process for noncompliance  and that funding is not withheld from grant recipients in that process.

"This is outside of that process. Funding should not be withheld," Trupiano said. "We are always willing to have conversations with the federal government, and we want to ensure compliance with all the rules and regulations, especially if things are changing, but we have received no guidance from HHS in regards to any specific changes to how Title X regulations work."

Sixteen organizations nationwide received notification last week about their funding being frozen starting April 1.

2:05 Federal funding withheld from Missouri's only Title X family planning organization Last year, the Missouri Family Health Council received just under $8.5 million to fund contraceptive services and cancer screenings.

"Some Title X grantees received notification that their grants were paused pending a compliance review," the statement from HHS said. "Each of the organizations with grants on hold received a detailed letter explaining the reason for the pause in funding and requesting documentation within 10 days to assess compliance with grant terms and conditions."

Trupiano said the letter MFHC received was "not that detailed" and that HHS has requested information regarding policies and procedures, specifically with hiring and personnel practices. She said the organization will respond to all the requested information.

"The supposed compliance issue was a job posting that has diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging as part of the work of our organization," Trupiano said. "It was from 2023, so it wasn't on our website anymore anyway. And that's many of the instances for us and for other health centers that have these supposed 'compliance concerns'  they're referencing things that have happened, in some cases, over five years ago."

Trupiano said the pause of funding isn't in line with previous methods of dealing with non-compliance  and that there has been no laws changed recently addressing Title X funding.

"Clearly this feels like a political attack ... they're coming after our birth control, and (it) doesn't actually have anything to do with any compliance concerns," Trupiano said. "This feels like just the beginning of many more potential negative impacts that will come."

Trupiano and other members of MFHC were at the state Capitol on Wednesday to advocate for "proactive" health care legislation as Senate Joint Resolutions 8 and 33 pass through committees to bring abortion restrictions back up for vote. Though state lawmakers are not involved in the federal Title X funding, Trupiano said the organization would be asking lawmakers to "respect the will of the people on a variety of the ballot initiatives that they are trying to overturn."

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"This is going to have a devastating impact on health centers throughout the state," Trupiano said. "Over the last week, we've been working closely with health centers to both: first, respond to HHS's request for additional information, which is due tomorrow, but also to talk to them about what we can do to ensure that their clinics stay open."

Trupiano said that the 52 clinics under the MFHC umbrella in both Missouri and Oklahoma "rely on this funding" to provide access to contraception, STI testing, Pap smears and cancer screenings. In 2024, the MFHC served about 35,000 Missourians and close to 10,000 Oklahomans.

Emily Wales, the CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Plains, which operates in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma, said the organization's priority is "making sure patients are able to access services in a timely fashion."

"At this point, we are still operating like we are in the Title X program because we are," Wales said. "We haven't been notified that we are terminated or suspended, but it is truly a hardship for us to continue providing services without any funding available from the federal government for a program we are still in."

Though services are still available at Title X locations like the Columbia Planned Parenthood, Wales said patients are unsure about the status of the program and access to health care.

"We're doing a lot of explaining and also a lot of apologizing, because people are entitled to care that they are worried they're not able to get right now," Wales said.

Wales said Planned Parenthood has not yet made decisions like deciding what services to cut due to finances and that the organization is not planning to suspend services at this time. Trupiano said smaller clinics in rural areas could be the "strongest" impacted if funding continues to be withheld.

"Planned Parenthood has been denied participation in the Medicaid program," Wales said. "So there are patients who come in who ... expect that they'll be able to use their Medicaid at Planned Parenthood, and we're their provider of choice because they trust us, they know we provide high-quality care, and when they find out they can't use Medicaid, we're still able to see them through the Title X program. Right now, people are worried that that's not an option to them."

Though patients have expressed concerns, Planned Parenthood Great Plains is still able to provide access under Title X, at this time.

"We're still there, we're still providing services, we're still honoring the Title X program's commitment to patients because we're a provider through that program. But it is increasingly hard," Wales said. "It means that we are now going to donors asking them to supplement services that patients are entitled to receive through a federal program that's not being funded."

The waiting period is hard for health care organizations  and confusing for the patients.

"Unfortunately, we are really good at apologizing (to patients) on behalf of politicians who are interfering in this care," Wales said. "We do that already in the abortion context, especially in Missouri right now. ... We are leading conversations right now with, 'You may not think that there is funding available, but there is, and we're still here to support you. You may have come in before and had financial support, we are still doing those same programs, we just aren't sure how long they are going to last.'"
Missouri Independent is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Missouri Independent maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jason Hancock for questions: info@missouriindependent.com.
A 54-YEAR old man was brought before a sitting of Portlaoise District Court today (Thursday 10 April) on a charge of threatening to kill or to cause serious harm to then Taoiseach Simon Harris last year.

Michael Murray with an address at the Midlands Prison, Portlaoise was before the court charged with allegedly carrying out the offence, from an unknown location within the state on 26 June.

Garda Brian Thompson said that when Mr Murray was charged and cautioned with the offence, he replied: I never threatened to kill Simon Harris.

Asked by Judge Andrew Cody if he had legal representation Mr Murray said that he had instructed his solicitor John Shanley to be present at the hearing but he could not attend but could do so in seven days.

Gda. Thompson said the Director of Public Prosecutions had instructed the case be conducted by trial on indictment and that it would take six weeks to prepare a book of evidence.

Judge Cody asked Mr Murry what sentence he was serving at present, to which he replied 39 years.

Judge Cody initially remanded Mr Murray on his own bail to 22 May for a service of a book of evidence and to allow him to have his solicitor present. However, Mr Murray said that he was not seeking bail but a remand for one week, so that Mr Shanley will be present, and applications will be made before a district court in relation to my case.

Judge Cody then went on to remand Mr Murray in custody to Tullamore District Court on 16 April to appear by video link.

I want to be produced Judge, Mr Murry said, to which Judge Cody replied No. By video link.
A PARKING system aimed at preventing traffic congestion in Mountrath has collapsed, because everyone knows when a traffic warden will visit the town.

The two-hour parking limit in the Market Square area, which was introduced four years ago, is widely ignored according to local councillors.

One said that parking in the town has become a free for all again, while another said a traffic warden would have to be a magician to keep on top of illegal parking.

Cllr James Kelly told a council meeting that people have returned to their old ways in Mountrath, as everyone knows what day and time one of the councils two traffic wardens will arrive.

The new parking bye-laws have not had an effect. They know when the traffic warden will be there and they have gone back to parking in the town all day, Cllr Kelly told the April meeting of Borris-in-Ossory/Mountmellick Municipal District.

Changes to the parking bye-laws in 2021 introduced a two-hour parking limit in the town centre, with fines issued if drivers were caught staying longer.

Cllr Kelly said: Vehicles are being parked in the town for the full day again, with people going to work in Dublin or whatever. There is no deterrent now.

The Independent councillor made his comments after proposing that Laois County Council provide bollards and markings on the footpath and road at the entrance to Wallis Street in Mountrath, to address the issue of illegal parking.

Cllr Kelly said that the junction of Wallis Street and Shannon Street is a particular problem, with a new development in Wallis Street and the busy library and credit union. He said: It has turned into a free for all there.

Cllr Conor Bergin agreed and said: All along Shannon Street is very congested and people are taking parking spaces meant for residents. Anything done to alleviate this would be very welcome, all the way from Shannon Street to the link road.

Cllr Ollie Clooney outlined a similar problem in Durrow, saying that a traffic warden would need to be a magician to keep up with it but fines must be issued, because you need to have a stick as well.

He said: When the signs went up first in Durrow, it was a great success but now it has gone back to the way it was.

Cllr John King from Rathdowney felt the cost of fuel had led to more car-pooling and cars being left in local towns all day. He said: If theyre fined, they might not do it a second time.

In reply to Cllr Kellys proposal, senior engineer Rory OCallaghan said the councils area office would address the parking issue at the Wallis Street junction with Shannon Street.
Ryan Dunne

A 34-year-old man who successfully appealed his conviction for conspiring to steal the getaway car used in a credit union robbery in which a garda was shot dead will now face a fresh trial.

We are of the opinion that the balance of justice lies with permitting a retrial, said Ms Justice Tara Burns at the Court of Appeal on Thursday, rejecting an argument by James Flynn (34) that it would be unfair to send him for a retrial given he has been in custody since July 2021.

Mr Flynn, with an address in Ravensglen, Newry, Co Down, was originally charged with conspiracy to steal cars at various locations in the North East.

He was further charged with participation in the robbery of the Lordship Credit Union in Bellurgan, Co Louth, on January 25th, 2013 in which Aaron Brady shot and killed Det Gda Adrian Donohoe.

The three-judge, non-jury Special Criminal Court acquitted Mr Flynn of the robbery charge but amended the conspiracy indictment to find him guilty of conspiring to steal the Volkswagen Passat used as the getaway car from a property in Clogherhead, Co Louth in January 2013.

The three-judge Court of Appeal subsequently found that the decision by the Special Criminal Court to amend the indictment after Mr Flynns three-month long trial had finished and without consulting either the prosecution or defence legal teams, was a breach of Mr Flynn's right to constitutional natural justice.

In those circumstances, the court quashed his conviction. The Director of Public Prosecutions then sought for the court to order a retrial on the original count on the indictment, while the appellant said that if there were to be a retrial, the appropriate offence to be retried was the amended offence.

Lawyers for Mr Flynn argued that it would be unfair to send him for a retrial given he has been in custody since July 2021, when the Irish authorities brought extradition proceedings against him in the United Kingdom.

It was also submitted that the court had no jurisdiction to order a retrial on the original conspiracy charge because Mr Flynn had already been acquitted of that charge.

In delivering the Court of Appeals judgement today, Ms Justice Burns said that the court had already found that the Special Criminal Courts amendment of the charge against Mr Flynn was unlawfully made.

She noted that the appellant had been sentenced to eight years in prison, backdated to reflect his time in custody. She said that as he had spent almost four years in custody, he had not fully served the sentence imposed on him. The court found that the period of time already served was not a reason for not ordering a retrial.

In relation to a submission by the appellant that the memory of witnesses will have faded since the alleged offence over 12 years ago, Ms Justice Burns said that 12 years was not an inordinate amount of time. She said the trial court can deal with issues arising from a lack of detail.

The appellant also submitted that there had been a delay in prosecuting the matter, but Ms Justice Burns noted that Mr Flynn had challenged his extradition from the UK to Ireland, meaning that not all of the delay could be laid at the DPPs door.

Serious criminal offending was alleged against the appellant arising from which there is an important public interest in permitting a retrial of this matter so that it can be brought to a valid final verdict, she said.

Ms Justice Burns ordered a retrial of the appellant in respect of the indictment as originally charged against him.

Mr Flynn has been in custody since July 15th, 2021 when he was held in the UK pending extradition proceedings.

In the Special Criminal Court's judgement following Mr Flynn's trial in 2023, Mr Justice Tony Hunt said that "a lot more evidence would be needed" to prove the charge of conspiracy to commit burglaries to the standard of beyond a reasonable doubt.

Mr Justice Hunt said the evidence established beyond a reasonable doubt that Mr Flynn was an active member of the gang that carried out the robbery and that he was intimately involved with Brady and another man involved in the theft of the getaway car.

The court found that Mr Flynn conspired with two others to steal the Passat, basing its finding on CCTV footage alleged to have shown Mr Flynn's distinctive BMW 5-series acting suspiciously in the early hours on the morning of the theft near to where the Passat was stolen.

Following the Court of Appeal's decision to permit a retrial, Mr Flynn appeared before the Special Criminal Court where his barrister, Bernard Condon SC, said his client is "most anxious" to apply for bail.

Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo remanded Mr Flynn in custody for a bail hearing on April 28th.
Jared Isaacman discusses a private human spaceflight mission at a news conference Aug. 19, 2024, at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The nominee for NASA's top job outlined his vision for space exploration, highlighting Mars, during a Senate hearing Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in Washington, D.C. AP File Photo/John Raoux

The nominee for NASAs top job, billionaire spacewalker Jared Isaacman, outlined his vision for space exploration on Wednesday that prioritizes sending astronauts to Mars without giving up on the moon.

Its imperative that we do both, Isaacman told senators.

President Donald Trump nominated Isaacman to become NASAs 15th administrator late last year. If confirmed, the tech entrepreneur would become the youngest person to lead the space agency and among only a handful of administrators to have actually rocketed into orbit.

The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee gathered in Washington, D.C., for the nomination hearing. Besides Isaacman, nine other experienced space travelers were in the audience, including NASAs next moon crew and passengers who flew on private spaceflights with him.

Isaacman assured the senators that he would not give up on the moon and wants the U.S. to beat China in landing astronauts there.

I didnt say we shouldnt go to the moon, he said. Whats taking so long to get back to the moon and why does it cost so much money? I absolutely want to see us return to the moon.

Moon and Mars expeditions can be developed in parallel. I dont think these are either-or, he added. NASA can afford both under current funding, he said, without elaborating.

Isaacman, 42, has already flown in space twice, buying his own trips with SpaceX, and performed the worlds first private spacewalk last September. An experienced jet pilot, he made his fortune with a payment processing company he started as a high school dropout in his parents basement, now called Shift4.

The company is based in Center Valley in Lehigh Countys Upper Saucon Township. Isaacmans Wikipedia page says hes a resident of Washington Township, Warren County.

He acknowledged in his testimony Wednesday that he is not a typical nominee for this position.

I have been relatively apolitical; I am not a scientist and I never worked at NASA, he said. I do not think these are weaknesses.

The space agency and others were anxious to hear Isaacmans stand on the moon and Mars for human exploration, given his close association with SpaceXs Elon Musk.

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, the committees chairman, urged the need to stay the course with NASAs plans to return astronauts to the moon.

An extreme shift in priorities at this stage would almost certainly mean a red moon, ceding ground to China for generations to come, Cruz said.

NASA has been pitching the moon as the next logical step for astronauts for years. The Artemis program aims to send a crew around the moon next year and land astronauts near the moons south pole as early as 2027. Lunar bases are planned this time around, not just quick visits like the ones during NASAs Apollo missions in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Artemis has been slow going and expensive, especially for NASAs Space Launch System rocket. Its only blasted off once so far  in 2022 without a crew.

Musk favors Mars as a destination, as he ramps up more test flights out of Texas for Starship, the worlds biggest and most powerful rocket. By making Starship reusable, he intends to dramatically lower costs of getting people and equipment to the red planet.

NASA has chosen Starship for its first two astronaut landings on the moon under Artemis, named after Apollos twin sister in Greek mythology.

When asked if Musk has contacted him since his nomination about how to manage NASA, Isaacman replied, not at all. Isaacman then was questioned how he would protect against undue influence from Musk, given SpaceXs billions of dollars worth of contracts with NASA.

I absolutely want to be clear, Isaacman said. My loyalty is to this nation, the space agency and their world-changing mission.

Isaacman said he supports continuing the International Space Station through 2030, as currently planned by NASA. Musk suggested earlier this year that the space station should be dumped as soon as possible in order to focus on Mars.

When pressed by senators again before the hearing ended, Isaacman said the space station should keep going until its replaced by private outposts in orbit.

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Councilwoman Taiba Sultana is urging Easton City Council to introduce an ordinance that would support immigrants in the city.

Sultana detailed the welcoming city ordinance at city councils committee meeting on Tuesday. Its aimed at fostering inclusivity and supporting immigrants and refugees in Easton. She has discussed it with city council before, and members have been against introducing it as an ordinance.

The policy would promote integration and community building, ensuring that all residents, regardless of immigration status, have access to city services.

The welcoming policy is to actively promote inclusivity and support for immigrants and refugees. That represents our neighbors, co-workers, classmates and friends, Sultana said.

She clarified that a welcoming city policy is not a sanctuary city policy, which focuses on protection from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. She said it focuses on integration, community involvement and fostering trust with law enforcement.

According to the United States Census Bureau, 14.1% of Easton residents are foreign-born, and 22.5% speak a language other than English at home. The Latino community makes up 24.5% of the population.

Sultana said immigrants contribute to the local economy and enrich the community culturally. The policy would help them feel safer reporting crimes without fear of deportation.

It will lead to a safer neighborhood for everyone, she said.

The ordinance would ensure Easton provides services regardless of immigration status, which Sultana said is a practice already in place. It protects residents information from being shared unless required by law or court order. Under the ordinance, Eastons official employees or agencies would not cooperate with ICE without a court order or warrant.

Sultana addressed concerns that the policy might make Easton a target for immigration enforcement, stating that other cities, like Allentown, have adopted similar policies without negative repercussions.

ICE operates around the clock, which means we are already vulnerable, she stated.

She also highlighted that the ordinance would protect Easton from legal risks associated with improperly detaining individuals for immigration enforcement. She referenced the case of Galarza v. Szalczyk in Allentown, where U.S.-born citizen Ernesto Galarza was wrongfully detained for three days after ICE questioned his immigration status.

The case was settled against Allentown and Lehigh County for about $150,000.

My concern with this is nothing more than giving our undocumented residents a false sense of security, Councilman Frank Pintabone said.

He added that while the ordinance formalizes current practices, it doesnt provide new protections. He said there are no consequences if local officials were to share an individuals immigration status with federal authorities.

We do treat everybody properly, regardless of what their status is, Pintabone said. However, if someone were to take it upon themselves after hours to share information and we find out about it, theres nothing we can do to stop it, punish it, deter it.

Vice Mayor Ken Brown agreed the ordinance would create a false sense of security for undocumented residents. He said he has never heard from minority communities that they feel unsafe in the city.

He added that Easton is not above the law.

We work with the law, and it doesnt matter if we pass an ordinance or resolution. If the federal government comes in, they supersede us. If the state comes in, they supersede us, Brown said.

Sultana said the ordinance would not supersede any law, but would codify actions the city is already taking.

Easton resident Mark Rosenzweig voiced strong support for the ordinance, stating that many residents live in fear of deportation.

This kind of ordinance, previously dismissed by council, is not merely a symbolic gesture. Its a critical and necessary act of civic responsibility, legal clarity, and moral courage, he said.

He argued that the ordinance would demarcate law enforcement interaction with federal immigration enforcement and prevent local agencies from supporting an increasingly punitive, often unlawful and profoundly immoral immigration agenda.

We need public pressure, letters, turnout and solidarity. We need to show that this is not the vision of one council member or one group.

Pintabone recommended a resolution rather than an ordinance, which would state that the city does not agree with mass deportations and separation of families.

Its also not telling people that we can do something that we cant do. And thats the issue with the ordinance, he said.

Chelsea Kun can be reached at ckun@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Instagram at @chelsealehighvalley.
Gardai continue to appeal to the public for assistance in tracing the whereabouts of 56-year-old Michael Gaine who was reported missing from his home near Kenmare, Co. Kerry on Friday 21st March 2025.

Michael was last seen in Kenmare town, on Thursday 20th March, three weeks ago today.

Michael bought phone credit in Centra, Kenmare at 9.48am. Michael then left in his bronze coloured RAV4 registration 152 KY 366. This vehicle was found parked in Michael Gaines farmyard, just off the N71 at Carrig East.

Michael is described as being approximately 5 feet 10 inches tall with a stocky build, brown/grey hair and a bushy beard.

When last seen, Michael was wearing an orange woolly hat, black fleece, blue jeans and black boots.

Over the past three weeks An Garda Siochana has carried out extensive searches and enquiries coordinated from an incident room at Killarney Garda Station.

An Garda Siochana has conducted daily searches since the 22nd March 2025 centred on Michael Gaine's farmyard at Carrig East, Kenmare, Co. Kerry, surrounding lands, water sources and roads.

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An Garda Siochana has been assisted by the Civil Defence (Kerry and Cork), Irish Coast Guard Units (Glenderry and Iveragh), Irish Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 115, Kerry Mountain Rescue, Search and Rescue Dog Team, Kerry Fire Service and 200 civilian volunteers.

Since the 1st April 2025 further assistance has been provided by the Irish Defence Forces, both permanent and reserve members from the 12th Infantry Battalion, Limerick, the 3rd Infantry Battalion, Kilkenny and the 1st Field Engineer Company, Cork. Defence Forces personnel were deployed to search the wooded and marsh areas, utilising their experience, skills and capabilities in mountainous terrain, rugged landscape, and dense forest and undergrowth.

An Garda Siochana has deployed specialist Garda members to assist in the search including the Garda Water Unit, Divisional Search Teams and members undertaking investigative actions including statement taking and CCTV/ dash-cam collection.

To date An Garda Siochana has undertaken nearly 230 formal jobs/enquiries, taken nearly 100 witness statements and recovered approximately 1,500 hours of CCTV/dash-cam footage.

An Garda Siochana continues to keep Michaels family informed and support his family through a Family Liaison Officer.

Despite the extensive enquiries carried out so far An Garda Siochana has not discovered what happened to Michael on the 20th March 2025.

Michaels family have still had no contact from him and his family and An Garda Siochana are extremely concerned for his well-being.

The missing persons investigation into the disappearance of Michael Gaine is ongoing and active.

Gardai are seeking information from anyone who can assist us in bringing Michael back to his family.

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 20th March and Friday 21st March in the Kenmare town / Molls Gap (N71/ R568) area to provide that imagery to the Garda investigation team.

An Garda Siochana continues to appeal to any person who may have any information on Michael's whereabouts to contact Killarney Garda Station on 064 667 1160, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.

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Transport for Ireland (TFI) have announced an expansion of a Tipperary bus route to include Laois.

Route 854 will run from Ballybrophy train station to Silvermines main street crossroads, with new stops and times.

Route 854 will now operate eight daily return services between Monday and Saturday with two services extending to Ballybrophy Rail Station and six services extending to Silvermines.

On Sundays & Public Holidays, the route will operate four daily return services, with two service extending to Ballybrophy Train Station and four services extending to Silvermines.

The route is now as follows:

Ballybrophy railway station

Roscrea South, opposite St. Cronin's

Roscrea Castle street, opposite the castle

Shinrone, opposite the post office

Cloughjordan, at the Roman Catholic church

Moneygall village centre

Barack Obama Plaza

Toomervara, opposite the community centre

Nenagh retail park

Nenagh, Pearse street

Nenagh railway station

Silvermines, main street crossroads

Pictured: A TFI local link bus

The enhanced route will provide peak-time and evening services and will offer improved connectivity to Ballybrophy Rail Station, Nenagh Rail Station and regional bus services. The route will also provide enhanced connectivity for the towns and villages of Silvermines, Cloughjordan, Moneygall, Toomevara and Shinrone.
A derelict former AIB bank branch on the Main Street in Portarlington has gone up for sale prompting a call for it to be put to community use.

The landmark property had fallen into a state of disrepair leading to Laois County Council placing it on the derelict sites register and planning to buy via a Compulsory Purchase Order.

Described by many in Portarlington as an eye sore, as result of its dereliction, Auctioneer Matt Dunne said the imposing Georgian Building is crying out to be restored.

The current owners, even though they are builders themselves and spent a fortune obtaining planning permission for ten apartments, have decided to sell as they concentrate on bigger projects, Mr Dunn told the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

Following a recent inspection, he said he was blown away with how beautiful a building the former residence is and he thinks the adjoining kiosk (the former AIB bank) with its ornate ceiling would make a beautiful restaurant.

If a private buyer comes along, and decides to restore it, it will be a labour of love and to ease their pain they may qualify for up to 70,000 in grants (the vacant property refurbishment grant) and as the building is listed / protected it may also qualify for Heritage Grants, said Mr Dunne. MORE BELOW PICTURE

The house was constructed in 1780, Georgian style renowned for symmetry, brick facades and tall windows. It was first occupied as a spacious, rectory house with the addition of the kiosk in the late 19th century. The latter served as a busy office for the community until it became a Laois branch of the AIB bank in the 1950s.

The house with its five bays and two storeys over basement accommodation is well laid out, with many of the original features still intact such as the winding stairs.

According to Mr Dunne, in the not-too-distant future the development lands to the rear will be built upon, most probably as a shopping centre (all Zoned Town Centre) and this building standing on 0.25 acres will be as valuable to the back as it is to the front.

He said hopefully the buyer will want to painstakingly restore the building as a Georgian masterpiece and it may even feature on an episode of RTEs The Great House Revival.

Mr Dunne said his clients are anxious to sell and with a disclosed reserve of only 125,000 for the house and bank and 25,000 for the adjoining development site, someone is going to get a bargain.

Mr Dunne said anyone seeking an appointment to view can contact info@mattdunne.ie / 087 258 6247.

Meanwhile, Local Independent Cllr Aidan Mullins said he would like Laois County Council to consider purchasing the former bank building.

I am hoping the council will buy it. We could have it for community use. There are groups in the town crying out for space, said Cllr Mullins.

READ ALSO: Council says CPO next step for derelict Laois bank

He believed the council had been preparing to obtain the property by Compulsory Purchase Order(CPO).
A viral Tiktok trend has taken over the cinema world as Jack Black stars in new Minecraft movie which has hit screens across the country, and has brought chaos along with it!

Cineworld, believe it or not, has allocated a special day, on April 13, which will allow people to "clap, cheer and shout" during the screening of Minecraft, but they still warn what type of behaviour won't be tolerated.

This has followed an uproar of chaos during Minecraft screenings in cinemas, particularly in the UK, where major disruption is caused with screaming, shouting, spilled drinks, and popcorn flung everywhere during one particular scene.

There has even been incidents in the UK where police were called due to disruptive behaviour.

In a recent article it said, "A cinema has issued a notice to Minecraft movie customers and warned 'the police will be called' over disruptive behaviour caused by a new viral TikTok trend."

The TikTok trend, known as "Chicken Jockey" is explained by Sheknows.com. as the writer explained her trip to watch the movie with her three boys.

The writer said she finally understood the "Chicken Jockey!" reference when "suddenly, here it comes: a baby zombie riding a chicken. And right along with Steve, it seemed like the entire theater  including my kids  erupted in a raucous shout of CHICKEN JOCKEY! The pieces fell into place, and I laughed right along with them, finally understanding what theyd meant."

She continued to explain that "in the past few days there have been a ton of chicken jockey moments going viral on TikTok and X, and theyre showing a lot more than people clapping. Kids (well, presumably kids) jumping out of their seats, things being thrown (popcorn! slushies!), and  in at least one instance  cops coming to escort people out for their unruly behavior."

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Ritz Multiplex in Co. Tyrone had to release a statement online in regards to the disruptive behaviour which said, "We are saddened and disappointed that we have had to make a post like this, but no-one should have to tolerate such behaviour. We want everyone to enjoy their cinema experience. Please respect our cinema, our customers, and our staff."

This has since received criticism among cinema go-ers hoping to see the Minecraft film.

On the other end, Cineworld who has allocated a special day allowing cinema go-ers to take part in part of the trend, has received a lot of mixed comments from social media users.

Some are delighted with the allocated day for "Chicken Jockey" behaviour, others told Cineworld to "stop encouraging this!"

Minecraft fans!  Want a screening where clapping, cheering, and shouting I AM STEVE is absolutely encouraged?



Join our Chicken Jockey 4DX screenings of #AMinecraftMovie on April 13.



Have fun, but don't go full Creeper. No throwing, no mess, and no filming the screen! pic.twitter.com/u5M6XiH1p0  Cineworld (@cineworld) April 8, 2025

One person commented, "hopefully it is being monitored by staff on the "normal" screenings. I dont want to bring my child to a screaming annoying screening where you can't actually enjoy the film because people want to join in on a pointless TikTok trend."

Another person said, "Glad to see this. Although I get the throwing popcorn and stuff is over the top its nice to see people enjoying a film. Hell if you let tone deaf people sing out loud through Wicked people should be allowed to clap etc.".
A Sinn Fein TD for Kildare South has said that families in the area are desperate over securing special class or special school places.

Shonagh Ni Raghallaigh was addressing Minister of State at the Department of Education, Deputy Michael Moynihan in the Dail on Tuesday April 8 2025.

Deputy Ni Raghallaigh asked for the Minister for Education to provide an update on the number of new special classes and special schools sanctioned for September 2025.

She further asked if the Minister would guarantee these will be open and fully resourced by September 2025, and if she would make a statement on the matter.

Deputy Ni Raghallaigh said: As a former primary school teacher of nearly 20 years, with at least eight of those in special education, and now as Sinn Fein's spokesperson on special education, I am deeply concerned for the many families in Ireland who are struggling to secure appropriate school places for their children.

Last week alone, I was contacted by six different families in South Kildare desperate because they have been unable to secure an appropriate place for their children in a special class or school. These are not isolated incidents.

Parents from across the State have been campaigning relentlessly for years and there is still no sufficient action from the Department.

The Sinn Fein TD for South Kildare said that the failure of government left parents with no alternative last week but to take to the streets to sleep rough in the hopes that their voices would be heard.

While the numbers of new special classes and schools being planned for September are welcome, she said, a commitment was needed that they will actually be opened.

Responding to Deputy Ni Raghallaigh, the Minister of State confirmed that up to an additional 2,700 specialist places, made up of 400 new special classes for, on average six children each, and 300 special school places will be provided for the coming 2025-2026 school year.

Deputy Moynihan added: The NCSE has sanctioned more than 375 new special classes to date, and I think the figure could be up to 390. It is engaging intensely with schools and patron bodies to confirm additional classes as soon as possible.

Working groups are also progressing the establishment of five new special schools and capacity is being increased in a number of existing special schools, particularly in Cork and Dublin.

On top of this, there will be well in excess of 1,200 places available through the normal annual movement of students progressing and graduating. There also remains special classes with vacant places in some areas of the country.

The Minister of State confirmed that there are now close to 4,000 places available for the coming school year, and pointed out the government's commitment to supporting children with special educational needs.

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Tanaiste Simon Harris said President Donald Trumps suspension of higher tariffs will come as a relief to many businesses in Ireland.

Irelands deputy premier was speaking following a meeting with US commerce secretary Howard Lutnick in Washington DC.

The US president announced on Wednesday he would be delaying tariffs on most nations for 90 days while raising his tax rate on Chinese imports to 125%.

He posted the announcement on his Truth Social platform, but the precise details were not immediately clear.

Mr Harris said his meeting with Mr Lutnick, a key critic of the Irish governments fiscal policies, which occurred shortly after Mr Trumps announcement, was timely, valuable and substantive.

He said We discussed that announcement and the likely next steps.

I welcomed the fact that the President has announced the suspension of the higher tariffs announced on April 2 for a period of 90 days.

This, I know, will come as a relief to many businesses in Ireland.

The Tanaiste said further engagement and clarification is required on the details of the US announcement.

He added: We also had an opportunity for a substantive engagement on pharma and I outlined the mutually beneficial role that the sector plays for Ireland and the United States.

During the meeting, I also outlined the dynamic interconnected economic relationship between Ireland, Europe and the United States.

I conveyed our commitment through the EU to comprehensive negotiations that would address a broad range of issues.

Mr Harris said the meeting confirmed his view that there is an openness on the part of the US to engage in a process of negotiations.

He added: I outlined my view that Ireland, as part of the EU, wants to play a constructive role and will continue to be a voice for calm and measured engagement in the time ahead.

During an appearance on RTE, Mr Harris was asked if 90 days is enough for the EU to negotiate a deal with the US.

He said: I spoke to (EU Trade Commissioner) Maros Sefcovic straight after the meeting to update him on the details from our discussion with Secretary Lutnick.

I think 90 days is a significant period of time.

Whether its enough remains to be seen, and it is important that theres still clarifications needed.

It looks like, for example, the higher rate on cars and steel and aluminium is likely to remain.

He added: 10% tariffs still arent good. Tariffs are bad, so we need to be cautious in relation to this.

But crucially, what this has done is provide the space that the European Commission, European member states and Ireland has been calling for.

Its been a big part of our diplomatic and political effort over the last while to try and create space for real and meaningful engagement.

And I did also take the chance to talk to the secretary about the two-way relationship between Ireland and the United States.

And I must say, he spoke favourably in relation to the Irish economic model and our economic success to date.
Gardai have carried out searches at a number of locations across Ireland and seized devices as part of an international operation targeting the sharing and distributing of child sexual abuse material

The searches were co-ordinated by the Online Child Exploitation Unit within the Garda National Protective Services Bureau and conducted by gardai attached to Divisional Protective Services Units.

Nine locations were searched and 18 devices have been seized as evidence.

A spokesperson said investigations into these seizures are now underway and a number of arrests will be made in due course.

Led by the Polish National Police in conjunction with Europols Joint Cybercrime Action Taskforce (JCAT) and 11 member states, Operation FEVER has led to 166 arrests across Europe.

Of these, 111 people have so far been arrested for sharing and distributing child sexual abuse material.

Those arrested were identified to have produced paedophile films and images, run paedophile forums online, shared or possessed child sexual abuse material and in many cases were suspected of having physically abused children.

Police officers attached to European police services with the support of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), National Crime Agency (NCA), the Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the US National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) have conducted more than 770 searches in Europe.

These searches have secured the seizure of more than 594,000 files with illegal content contained on more than 6,000 digital media platforms.
Almost nine out of 10 teachers in primary and secondary-level education are experiencing moderate to high levels of burnout, a new study has found.

The Dublin City University (DCU) study on teacher occupational wellbeing in Ireland indicates burnout is a significant issue across the education sector.

The initial findings indicated a significant proportion of respondents report moderate to high burnout levels, highlighting the urgent need for intervention and support.

The first-of-its-kind research in Ireland also found 42% said they were unlikely to remain as teachers.

The research shows 86% of teachers who responded reported moderate to high levels of personal burnout while a similar figure (85%) reported experiencing moderate to high levels of work-related burnout.

Teachers were asked to record their self-rated mental health over the past year and 28% of respondents rated it as poor or very poor.

The survey was undertaken from November last year until February 2025.

When asked if they received any training (pre-service or in-service) on managing their personal wellbeing and mental health, 83% of participants indicated they had not.

When asked to rate their own mental health, 17% of teachers who reported poor/very poor mental health also feel this negatively influenced their ability to engage in teaching and learning with pupils.

Survey results also indicated there are no strong correlations between burnout and age, gender, having a child or children or teaching experience.

The findings implies burnout levels may be influenced by other systemic and organisational factors, such as workload, parental expectations, organisational issues, challenges in working with pupils with special educational needs (SEN) and school expectations and school culture, rather than demographic or experience-related factors.

When asked if they are likely to remain in the profession long-term, 42% indicated they were unlikely to stay as teachers.

The research was undertaken by Dr Sabrina Fitzsimons, Dr Pia OFarrell and Professor Catherine Furlong in DCUs centre for collaborative research across teacher education (Create), with more than 1,000 teachers participating, making it the largest in-depth study of the subject in Ireland.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recognises burnout as an occupation-related phenomenon caused by prolonged and unmanaged workplace stress.

According to the WHO, it has three key features: emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation and reduced personal accomplishment.

Burnout has significant implications for the education sector in Ireland, which is already grappling with attracting people into the profession and, thereafter, retaining them.

The authors of the ongoing research said it aims to improve teacher wellbeing and retention by identifying significant causal factors of burnout and poor mental health in teachers.

Dr Fitzsimons, DCU Create co-director, said: The research demonstrates the need for a comprehensive policy response to teacher occupational wellbeing.

We must take the poor wellbeing of teachers seriously and, therefore, there should be a co-ordinated approach to prioritise and address the structural factors contributing to teacher burnout.

It is hoped that a shift in mentality from understanding burnout as an individual issue to a systemic issue will arise from the findings of this study.

Dr OFarrell said: This Irish research is particularly relevant at this time given the persistent concern of teacher supply, policy churn and the evolving curriculum landscape of primary and post-primary education.

The new primary curriculum, currently being rolled out, marks a significant shift in teaching and learning approaches. Simultaneously, changes to the senior cycle are set to begin implementation from September.

These developments are occurring alongside the rapid integration of AI in education, which will significantly impact teachers approaches to teaching and assessment in the current junior cycle and the upcoming senior cycle reforms.

Prof Furlong, DCU Create co-director, said: Teaching in Ireland has a long tradition of being a highly-valued profession, a rewarding vocation, and that is evidenced by the continually high numbers entering teacher education courses around the country.

However, as concerns about retaining teachers within the profession grow, these initial results highlight the urgent need to acknowledge and address the reality of the occupational wellbeing of teachers.

The issues identified in this study demonstrate the impact of the ongoing failure to address key systemic issues, such as under-resourcing, growing class size and pupil needs, alongside competing and conflicting demands.

These initial findings will be presented at the Educational Studies Association of Ireland (ESAI) conference 2025 this weekend.
An off-duty firefighter has become a local hero after he rescued a person from the River Liffey while out shopping for an engagement ring.

In a post on Facebook, Dublin Fire Brigade posted a picture of the firefighter Tom O'Reilly and a post hailing him for his quick thinking,

"Off duty Firefighter/Paramedic Tom O'Reilly, who was in town to collect a wedding ring with his fiance Lauren, sprang into action last night when he saw a person in the River Liffey.

"Tom threw a life "ring" (soz) and brought the person into the quayside. From rings to rescue."

Hundreds of people were quick to comment under the post congratulating and thanking Tom for his service, one comment said,

"Well done Tom that woman knows she's on a winner with a lad like you best of luck with your future wife and wedding plans."

While another said,

"well done Tom. Congratulations on your engagement. That's one to tell the grandchildren. Thank you for your valuable service. May you and your soon to be wife enjoy many happy years together."

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Irish parents have been warned against giving their babies honey amid fears they could contract botulism, a rare from of infant food poisoning that can be fatal.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland issue the warning and advice on their website, warning that "infant botulism is a very rare neuroparalytic disease that can occur in babies under one year of age."

They explain that it occurs when an infant swallows spores of a particular bacterium (Clostridium botulinum) which grow and produce a neurotoxin in the infants intestine.

"In most adults and older children, this would not happen because the natural defences which have developed in their intestines would prevent the growth of these spores. In some infants, these defences have not yet developed, and so this gives the infection a chance to get a foothold and produce the toxin," the FSAI added.

Honey can be contaminated with these Clostridium botulinum spores and "is the only food implicated in infant botulism," a statement on their website read.

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"International surveys have shown approximately 2 to 7% of honey samples contain C. botulinum spores. Parents and caregivers should not give honey to infants less than one year of age. Honey should never be added to baby food, given to sooth a cough or used on a soother to quiet a fussy or colicky baby. Concerned parents should discuss alternative methods for quieting their baby with their public health nurse or family doctor."

To date, one case of infant botulism has been reported in Ireland. Exposure to turtles or to turtle feed was identified as being the most likely source because reptiles can carry harmful bacteria.

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) recommends that they should not be kept as pets in households where there are children under the age of five.

"In addition to the Irish case, in 2010, three cases were reported in the United Kingdom, which is highly unusual for this rare disease. All three cases had a history of being given honey," the FSAI explained.

The symptoms of infant botulism begin with "constipation, followed by lethargy, listlessness, poor feeding, difficulty swallowing, drooling, loss of head control and progressive weakness.

"The lack of energy and coordination may lead to the infant appearing 'floppy' and 'loose-limbed'. In severe cases paralysis and difficulty breathing may occur, which can be fatal," the explainer read.

In terms of treatment, the FSAI says "good supportive care in a hospital is the mainstay of treatment, which involves tackling the symptoms. The respiratory failure and paralysis that occur with severe botulism require the infant to be kept breathing on a ventilator for maybe several weeks. The vast majority of patients recover without long-term consequences."
The key message from this summit is clear, Dean (standing) told journalists yesterday. We do not need inspiration; we need empowerment.
In this building, we work together to serve the people of Liberia, Finance Minister Ngafuan said, highlighting the collective effort required for the countrys progress. It is not just about doing your job; its about the ultimate delivery. If you only do your part and ignore others, we may fail.
Flashback of students in the MCSS protest recently over unpaid volunteer teachers and discrepancies in the management of school staff.
Liberias Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mme. Sara Beysolow Nyanti along with Deputy Foreign Minister and Acting Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia, Mr. Waleed A. Elkhereiji
Reform in Government and Private Sector Public Relations and Corporate Communications: The Case of Liberias PR & Communication Challenges
A MEDICAL devices company in Limerick has announced a major 3 million investment aimed at significantly reducing its carbon footprint at its local facility, in a move that aligns with national climate goals.

The investment will fund a suite of renewable and energy-saving technologies at Cook Medical's Castletroy site, including a one megawatt (MW) ground-mounted solar array, 1.2MW of heat pumps, an upgrade of electronically commutated fans, and a new energy management system.

The new technologies will help to increase the operational efficiency of the facility in Castletroy, eventually offsetting approximately 50% of carbon emissions. This project is expected to offset up to 269 tonnes of carbon annually, and over its 25-year life cycle it will remove a total of 6,725 tonnes of carbon. Coupled with the procurement of additional green energy technologies, this will result in the removal of 60% of the carbon from the Cook Ireland site.

This project is supported by the Irish Government through IDA Ireland. Minister for Enterprise Tourism and Employment Peter Burke said:

For almost 30 years, Cook Medical has been present in Ireland and todays announcement of a 3 million investment in renewable and energy-saving technologies is fantastic news. The combined plans are expected to offset 50% of their carbon emissions, which is in line with the Climate Action Plan to halve Irelands emissions by 2030.

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"It is really encouraging to see initiatives being taken by companies focused on carbon reduction measures, sustainability and protecting the environment for future generations. I wish Cook Medical success with these plans and all their future endeavours.

Bill Doherty, executive vice president and managing director of Cook Medical Europe, commented:

"We are committed to making sustainable choices across our business and reducing our impact on the environment. By integrating solar panels into our operations, were able to enhance our efficiency while also reducing our carbon footprint.

"The company is committed to enhancing and maintaining the biodiversity of its site and will continue to safeguard the environment in its plans. In addition to reseeding native wildflowers in all areas under construction, the company will also preserve walking tracks and spaces for wildlife."

CEO of IDA Ireland Michael Lohan added:

This proposed project will position Cooks Irish operations as an exemplar with its global network, and as a key location of subject matter expertise around energy management systems. Strongly aligned to the National Climate Action Plans Enterprise Pillar and IDA Irelands sustainability targets, we wish Cook Medical every success with this initiative which has far reaching potential.

Upon completion of this project, Cook Ireland will reduce its annual import of electricity by 19% and release that capacity back to the grid. A 70% reduction in the annual use of natural gas consumption is expected from the installation of the heat pumps.

A planning application has been submitted to Limerick City and County Council. If successful, construction on this project is expected to begin in due course.
BISHOP Brendan Leahy has said the growing discourse surrounding assisted suicide is frightening.

Speaking during his homily at mass from University Hospital Limerick, last Sunday, Bishop Leahy explained:

"It aims at people precisely when they are most vulnerable in their decision-making powers.

Bishop Leahy also made a particular reference to caring for people for whom the prognosis is not positive and that discussions on assisted suicide is a step too far.

Expanding pastoral care services in healthcare facilities across this island and ensuring palliative care for those at the end of life, are essential steps in upholding and defending human dignity.

The immense deeds of healthcare workers are not always recognized and should not be drowned out by crises in healthcare, Bishop Leahy said on the Jubilee Year Day of the Sick.

He added that we must remember the sick and those who suffer in silence, the lonely, the anxious, and those battling depression or mental illness.

But, he said, we must equally remember those who dedicate their lives to caring for the sick, especially doctors, nurses, paramedics, chaplains, carers and all working in hospitals, hospices and homes.

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If we think back to COVID, the courage and bravery of health staff, particularly in the early days when the world was terrified as the death-toll soared, they went to work each and every day not knowing what the impact on their lives would be. If anyone needs reminding, have a look at the St Johns Hospital House of Courage video which gives an insight into just how awfully hard that was. Here at UHL and other healthcare settings around the country, thats the courage, dedication and care that we see, Bishop Leahy said.

What healthcare workers did during COVID should have been the watershed for everyone to never forget just how they truly are frontline heroes caring for the sick. Yet they continue to grapple with inadequate resources but do so unrelenting in their vocation to help others.

Bishop Leahy said that healthcare workers always keep the light on, no matter what the challenge, even when they are themselves exhausted.

"A nurse told me last year that when she started out in nursing school, the religious sister who was training them said to the class, you must love the sick because it is not easy to be with people who are sick when they are tired, worn down, short perhaps in patience.

So much credit is due to those involved in healthcare. Perhaps we dont always recognise their great work. Stories about this or that shortage makes big news. We know the phenomenon that one tree falling makes more noise than a whole forest growing," Bishop Leahy stated.

Healthcare is to be valued. As Pope Francis constantly reminds us, healthcare must not become solely focused on economics and scientific advancements at the expense of the human dignity of the patient."
Tributes have poured in following the death of Irish actor Colin Farrells father Eamon Farrell, who sadly passed away on Wednesday following a long illness.

Eamon, late of Glasnevin, formerly of Castleknock, Dublin, was the beloved husband of Eileen, the loving father of Eamon, Catherine, Claudine and Colin and beloved brother of the late Tommy, Maureen and Sean.

The beloved father and grandfather is a former Shamrock Rovers player, playing in the 1960s with his brother Tommy. He was part of Rover's 1962 FAI Cup winning team, while his brother Tommy won the League and Cup double in 1964.

Shamrock Rovers have paid tribute to Eamon with a heartfelt post on social media along with an old picture of Eamon wearing his Rovers jersey.

The post said,

"Eamon joined Rovers in 1960 at 18 years of age from the famous schoolboy nursery club Home Farm.

"A half back who was a minor and schoolboy Ireland international, Eamon played alongside his older brother Tommy during his time at Milltown. Both were on the team that beat Shelbourne in the FAI Cup final in 1962 played in front of an attendance of 32,000.

"Ar dheis De go raibh a anam."

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shamrock Rovers Football Club (@shamrockroversofficial)

Colin, most well known for his roles in In Brugge, The Lobster and most recently Penguin, has said he always dreamed of following in his father's footsteps when he was a young boy.

Farrell played for is local team Castleknock Celtic as a teenager, saying, "I played until I was about 15 and I thought it was what I wanted to do. And then I realised I'd do something less meaningful...like acting."

More tributes have been paid on RIP.ie, from those who knew and fondly remembered Eamon, with many remembering him as "A tur Gentleman", "A fantastic friend", and "Great craic".

Eamon will be reposing at his home in Glasnevin on Friday evening, April 11, from 6pm to 8pm for family and friends.

Funeral Mass on Saturday morning, April 12, at 10am at the Church of Our Lady of Victories, Ballymun Road, followed by cremation at Glasnevin Crematorium at 12.20pm approximately.

Funeral Mass can be viewed online at  https://olv.ie/webcam/

Cremation service at  https://www.mcn.live/cameras/glasnevin-cemetery

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The long war in the Democratic Republic of Congo has displaced millions of people

South Africa is better able than most African countries to offer refuge to those displaced by the long war in the Democratic Republic of Congo. So why aren't we doing so?

The fighting in the DRC since 1996, as ethnic wars have spilled over from neighbouring Rwanda, has claimed six-million lives. Since January this year the war has escalated, as rebels supported by Rwandan forces have taken major towns in the resource-rich eastern part of the country.

The DRC itself is home to over half-a-million foreign refugees, mostly from South Sudan, the Central African Republic, Burundi, and Rwanda. Most live in camps outside urban centres, with inadequate access to food, healthcare, shelter, and education.

However, the vast majority of DRC's refugees are not foreigners but Congolese who have been displaced internally. About 5.6-million Congolese refugees still live within the DRC. Of those, 70% come from the eastern provinces of North Kivu, South Kivu, and Ituri, where the Rwandan-backed M23 militia are most active.

A further one-million people have fled the country completely, mostly to Uganda, where more than 560,000 DRC refugees are living. Since the flare-up of fighting in 2025, however, most refugees are fleeing to Burundi. Over 65,000 people have crossed the border into Burundi since January, peaking at 9,000 in a single day. In a move welcomed by both the DRC government and the UN, Burundi has granted prima facie (assumed to be true unless proven otherwise) refugee status to DRC asylum seekers.

South Africa's role

Of the African countries providing asylum to Congolese refugees, South Africa has more resources and a more robust system than most. Yet South Africa has taken in relatively few DRC refugees - with the total at only 45,000 by the end of 2024.

In comparison to the rest of Africa, South African refugee law is relatively liberal. The Refugee Act, in particular, allows freedom of movement within the country, freedom of association, the right to work, and access to healthcare and education.

But public sentiment towards refugees is often less welcoming. Some South Africans view immigrants as a threat, contributing to increased crime rates and burdens to state welfare. The problem is not limited to the general public: xenophobia is an issue in institutions like SAPS and the Department of Home Affairs (DHA). The Human Rights Commission has reported harassment from the police, with immigrants of all sorts, whether they are refugees or economic migrants, exposed to bribery and extortion.

Asylum seekers and refugees have reported xenophobia at the DHA. One particular area of concern is DHA's handling of asylum seeker visas (also called "section 22 visas"). These visas allow the holder to remain in the country while their refugee status is being determined. The visa is only valid for six months, after which the applicant must re-apply. However, the number of asylum seekers processed has steeply declined over the last decades, according to the Scalabrini Institute. This has created a backlog, meaning people wait for years for a decision on their refugee status. Each time applicants are forced to reappear, they risk xenophobia from officials.

Some applicants have reported being made to have multiple (and illegal) interviews with DHA officers where money is extorted from them. Some applicants for a section 22 renewal are told to leave the country without being given a reason. Asylum seekers have been arrested at DHA offices and forcibly deported. The new Minister of Home Affairs, Leon Schreiber, takes pride in the number of foreigners deported, boasting that the Department had tripled deportations from 2023.

This makes proper integration into South African society near impossible. Finding regular employment is difficult as employers can't be sure the applicant won't be deported. As a result, refugees are forced into the informal labour market, where they aren't protected by labour law. Congolese refugees have been described as being in a state of "protracted temporariness," where they cannot be sure of their status and face deportation or imprisonment. This places a huge emotional burden on people who have already been forced to flee their homes.

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The South African Constitution provides that everyone in the country, whether they are citizens or asylum seekers, has the right to basic human dignity. Additionally, the 1951 Refugee Convention, to which South Africa is a signatory, requires states to help asylum seekers navigate the asylum process. Yet, as long as xenophobia remains entrenched in the institutions intended to provide assistance, like the DHA and SAPS, vulnerable people will continue to be exploited.

Nick Fabre is a writer at the People's Legal Centre. Views expressed are not necessarily those of GroundUp.
There is no Heneghan deal or constituency-specific deal with independents, Taoiseach Micheal Martin has said.

Mr Martin was responding to a press release issued by Dublin Bay North TD Barry Heneghan, who welcomed 240 million euros of investment in Beaumont Hospital and St Josephs Hospital Raheny.

The press release quoted former minister for disabilities and an adviser to Mr Heneghan, Finian McGrath, as saying: It is great to see the HENEGHAN DEAL coming to fruition, long may it continue.

The Taoiseach has denied that constituency-specific promises have been made to independents supporting the Fine Gael-Fianna Fail government.

Members of the Regional Independent Group and Kerry brothers Michael and Danny Healy-Rae said their constituents will see the benefits of their support for the Government.

Asked about Mr McGraths reference to a Heneghan deal, Mr Martin said the hospital funding was not part of any deal.

There is no constituency deal, there is no Heneghan deal, the Fianna Fail leader said.

To be fair to Finian, he would have form in the odd bout of hyperbole, but the bottom line is are you seriously suggesting investment in the A&E in Beaumont Hospital constitutes some part of a deal?

I mean, that is on track, you dont get announcements like that in a capital programme unless theres a lot of preparatory work in advance in respect of the design and so on like that.

So thats an investment that we welcomed, obviously, what we want to do.

He added: I think he has prioritised it, its not a part of any deal, but he has obviously prioritised it, Id say he welcomes the fact that its now happening.

But as I said, these investments have a significant journey as we all know.
Ryanair has apologised after sending a disabled man's wheelchair to the wrong country in a major mix-up.

Cian Cleary, is very upset as his family watch him lie in a bed waiting for the return of his lost wheelchair due to the mistake by Ryanair.

Aine, Cian's aunt, told Newstalk how the Irish airline had put the wheelchair, which he is fully dependent on, on the wrong flight.

Aine said it started as "he hands over his wheelchair to the support services with Ryanair to make sure that his wheelchair doesnt go into the hold with normal luggage, it goes in with more fragile luggage to arrive and be at his destination when hes lifted off at his arrival airport.

Cian was travelling with his family and as they all arrived in Portugal, the family were told that his wheelchair was not there.

Aine said that the Ryanair staff in Lisbon "had very little interest" and were not able to directly contact their colleagues in Dublin except via email.

After three-hours at Lisbon Airport, my sister eventually got a transport wheelchair which is a wheelchair not for Cians needs - because hes got a very high injury, from chest level," Aine told Lunchtime Live.

After spending all day on chatbots and trying to get through to Ryanair, the family just gave up and Aine said that Cian has been very upset ever since.

She said that "you don't just go to the shop and buy a new wheelchair, it's six months in the making."

A woman who works in lost and found at Dublin Airport rang to tell them the wheelchair had been flown to Leeds-Bradford and has since been sent back to Dublin, Aine explained.

READ NEXT: Ryanair say Irish passengers making 'false claims' over extra charges for baggage

She added that seeing her nephew lying in bed, waiting for the return of his wheelchair breaks my heart.

Being in another wheelchair has consequences for his skin and his general well being. We need someone to take action, get the wheelchair on the next flight to Lisbon so at least he has it, she said.

Apologies and whatever can come afterwards; right now, he needs his wheelchair.

Ryanair have responded to the debacle. In a statement, they said: We have checked this case involving Mr Cleary. Ryanairs ground handlers failed to deliver the wheelchair to the aircraft. We apologise sincerely for this service failure in Dublin Airport.



"Once Ryanair was made aware of the error, Ryanair contacted this passengers mother informing her that the wheelchair would be flown to Lisbon Airport on the next available flight, confirming the time of arrival and the address the wheelchair would be couriered to.



"Ryanair apologises to Mr Cleary, and we have spoken to the ground handlers at Dublin Airport to ensure that it does not recur.
Bharti Airtel-owned Bharti Hexacom has put on hold its deal to sell 3,400 towers for 1,134 crore to Indus Towers, following an intervention by state-owned Telecommunications Consultants India Ltd, which holds a 15% stake in the company.

TCIL asked the company to start a fresh process that meets its requirements as a public sector undertaking, Bharti Hexacom said in an exchange filing late on Wednesday.

The management and the Board of Bharti Hexacom remain convinced about the business logic and merit of the proposal. However, in keeping with the highest standards of corporate governance and transparency, it has been agreed to put the current proposal in abeyance and undertake a fresh exercise in consultation with TCIL, the company said in the filing.

Also Read | Bharti Hexacom: Airtel in a small pack A PSU has to exercise abundant caution while selling its assets It has to follow due process involving valuation, inviting offers and approval with the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management while selling assets. That could be the reason TCIL intervened in the transaction, said Shiju PV, a senior partner at IndiaLaw LLP.

According to Shiju, failure to follow such a process may lead to allegations and future investigations.

However, analysts said Hexacom would not want to sell its tower assets via a bidding process because Indus Towers is also a subsidiary of Bharti Airtel and companies outside Airtel's ownership may express their interest in purchasing the towers.

Kept in abeyance Bharti Airtel and Bharti Hexacom finalised a deal with Indus Towers in February to transfer 16,100 telecom towers through a slump sale. Bharti Airtel was to sell about 12,700 towers worth 2,174.6 crore, while Bharti Hexacom was to sell 3,400 towers for 1,134.1 crore. Indus Towers has completed the tower sale deal with Bharti Airtel.

Indus Towers informed the exchanges that the sale/transfer of passive infrastructure business undertaking by Bharti Hexacom to the company has been kept in abeyance.

Also Read | Telecom towers to remain core biz, EV foray to get double-digit returns: Indus Indus Towers operated a portfolio of 234,643 towers and 386,819 co-locations as of December 2024. The company competes with Brookfield-owned Altius, which has over 257,000 towers.

TCIL, established in 1978, is an engineering and consultancy firm focused on delivering Indian expertise in telecommunications and information technology. Its strengths lie in switching, transmission, cellular services, rural telecom, optical fibre backbone networks, IT, and networking solutions.
Thampy Koshy, the managing director and chief executive officer of the Open Network of Digital Commerce (ONDC), has stepped down from his role after a three-year stint, leaving the board comprising 10 members temporarily in charge of the body, two people with knowledge of the development told Mint.

Koshy's final day will be June 30 and the board has no immediate plans to find a replacement, said a third person with knowledge of the matter on condition of anonymity.

Confirming the development, ONDC said, Koshy has expressed his desire to step down while helping on with the change. The MD & CEO responsibilities have been transitioned to an executive committee with Koshy available to the board over the next 3 months for advise.

ONDC has witnessed remarkable growth in under three years, surpassing 200 million transactions and making strong strides toward its mission of democratising e-commerce in India. As with any dynamic and evolving organisation, a leadership change is currently underway, ONDC added.

This comes a month after ONDCs chief business officer Shireesh Joshi resigned after three years citing personal reasons. R S Sharma, a former mission director of UIDAI, stepped down as the non-executive chairperson of ONDC in December last year after serving four months, as per a report by The Economic Times.

Also read: ONDC targets GeM and PLI beneficiary business for growth

The management changes come at a crucial point for ONDC. While it will continue to focus on 8 major domains which include food and beverage, grocery, and financial services, ONDC is cautious of not spreading itself too thin across categories, said the third person quoted above.

Koshy was an executive director at the National Security Depository Limited (NSDL) for 14.5 years before joining consulting firm EY as Partner for over a decade.

Indias digital commerce backbone Started in December 2022 as a public infrastructure initiative by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), ONDC was formed with the intention of creating an all-inclusive e-commerce platform that serves the public aim of linking the entire country for wide economic participation. To this end, it focused on breaking e-commerce monopolies by standardizing marketplaces, promoting local suppliers, and streamlining logistics.

It has since wanted to position itself as the 'UPI of e-commerce,' emphasising its role as a network rather than a platform. Last month, ONDC logged a total of over 16 million orders in March alone, according to its LinkedIn post.

ONDC has expanded its domains over the years. Mint reported in October that it is gearing up to roll out a new initiative to deliver groceries and other items within 30 minutes to two hours as quick commerce grows in popularity in the country. In August, ONDC announced its entry into sachetised insurance and investment products such as mutual funds.

But the journey hasn't been without hurdles. It struggled to scale up some non-food categories like fashion, personal care and grocery, underscoring the complexities of democratising e-commerce in a country where less than 10% of the population shops online.

Some network participants also reportedly re-aligned their ONDC strategies by pulling away from non-performing areas. Payments app PhonePe pulled out of non-food categories except unreserved ticket bookings early last year.

However, Koshy clarified that the network empowers brands to choose their growth strategies based on their strengths.
TCS Q4 Result: IT bellwether Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) on Thursday, April 10, announced its March quarter (Q4FY25) results, reporting, among other things, a slight decline in profit, a modest rise in revenue from operations and a final dividend for the last financial year.

The company surpassed the $30 billion revenue milestone and underscored that a strong order book reinforces confidence in its long-term resilience.

We are pleased to cross the $30 billion in annual revenues and achieve a strong order book for the second consecutive quarter," said K Krithivasan, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director.

"Our expertise in AI and digital innovation, coupled with the unmatched knowledge of customer context and global scale, makes us the pillar of support for our customers in this environment of macroeconomic uncertainty," Krithivasan said.

Let's take a look at six key highlights of TCS' March quarter scorecard.

TCS Q4 result: Key takeaways 1. What are the revenue, profit and margin figures? According to the company's exchange filing, TCS' consolidated profit after tax (PAT) for Q4FY25 stood at 12,224 crore. It was 1.7 per cent down from the profit of 12,434 crore reported for the corresponding quarter of the previous financial year.

Consolidated revenue from operations for the quarter stood at 64,479 crore, growing 5.3 per cent year-on-year against 61,237 crore in the same quarter last year.

In constant currency (CC) terms, the company's revenue increased 2.5 per cent year over year. The company's operating margin for the quarter stood at 24.2 per cent, while net margin was 19 per cent.

For the last financial year (FY25), TCS's revenue rose 6 per cent YoY and, in CC terms, 4.2 per cent YoY to 2,55,324 crore. Operating margin for FY25 came at 24.3 per cent, and net margin stood at 19 per cent.

2. Regional markets lead among domains Growth among different domains was led by 'regional markets and others' which grew 22.5 per cent YoY in CC terms, followed by 'energy, resources and utilities' which grew 4.6 per cent YoY. The BFSI segment grew 2.5 per cent YoY in CC terms. The 'technology and services' domain grew 1.1 per cent YoY in CC terms.

However, the segments of 'communication and media' degrew 9.8 per cent YoY in Q4. The 'life sciences and healthcare' domain degrew 5.6 per cent and the 'manufacturing' domain degrew 2.9 per cent YoY.

3. All geographical markets see growth except North America Among markets in different geographical regions, barring North America, which degrew 1.9 per cent YoY in CC terms, all saw healthy gains.

Indian market led among geographies, growing at a solid pace of 33 per cent YoY, followed by MEA (Middle East and Africa), which saw a YoY growth of 13.2 per cent.

Markets in Asia Pacific (up 6.4 per cent), Latin America (up 4.3 per cent), continental Europe (up 1.4 per cent) and the UK (up 1.2 per cent) also grew.

4. Headcount TCS said its workforce stood at 6,07,979 as of March 31st. The employee base includes 35.2 per cent women and 152 nationalities.

IT services attrition was at 13.3 per cent for the last twelve months.

Our trainee onboarding in FY25 was 42,000 as planned. We won the Enterprise-Wide Top Employer Certification from the Top Employers Institute. This milestone builds on TCSs achievements as a Global Top Employer for 2025, marking an unbroken record of receiving this distinction over a decade," said Milind Lakkad, Chief HR Officer, TCS.

"We continue to enjoy the pride of place as the employer of choice and the industry-best retention rate by prioritising a culture of professional and personal growth, wellbeing, and purpose-driven engagement for our associates, said Lakkad.

5. TCS financial dividend for FY25 TCS proposed a final dividend of 30 per share to be approved at the annual general meeting.

6. Deal wins TCS' said it saw a strong total contract value (TCV) performance at $39.4 billion for FY25 and at $12.2 billion for Q4.

Here are some of the key deals of the company:

TCS announced a strategic partnership with Google Cloud to enhance its AI and GenAI offerings for customers in the communication, media, and information services industry.

It signed an agreement to modernize the depository system of Muscat Clearing and Depository (MCD), Omans central securities depository.

TCS partnered with The Cumberland Building Society in the UK to modernize its core banking ecosystem.

Announced collaborative engagement with MassRobotics, the largest independent robotics hub in the world dedicated to advancing robotics and connected devices.

A large North American convenience retailer has selected TCS AI powered 'Clever Energy' to accelerate their net zero journey.

Read more stories by Nishant Kumar
Mumbai: It took less than a year for everything to unravel.

In August 2024, Indias second largest business-to-consumer (B2C) logistics firm, Ecom Express, filed for an initial public offering. Valuation: nearly 7,500 crore.

This month, the company was sold to its biggest competitor, Delhivery, for less than half that amount.

In between, both the companies had an awkward spat via stock exchange filings. Ecom Express had claimed in its draft prospectus that it performed better than the much bigger Delhivery on some key metrics, including cost per parcel. Delhivery countered it by saying Ecom Express may be lying about its numbers.

None of it matters now. Earlier in the year, Ecom Express put its public offering plans on pause and began downsizing aggressively. And by April, it was sold. The biggest reason for its decline is well known: more than half of Ecom Express revenue came from a single client that most in the industry say is Meesho, the tier-II and -III focused e-commerce platform. In February 2024, Meesho launched its own in-house logistics arm called Valmo and reportedly stopped using Ecom Express services for most of its shipments. Bereft of its biggest client, Ecom Express quickly spiralled downwards and could not stick the landing on the best way out: a public listing. Acquisition was the next best outcome for its investorsthe list includes PE firm Warburg Pincus and impact fund British International Investment.

It is clear why Ecom Express needed a deal with Delhivery, even at a paltry valuation. With a deal size of 1,407 crore, Ecom Express is selling for roughly 0.6x enterprise value-to-sales (EV/sales), based on its financial reporting for FY24.

But whats in it for Delhivery? The market leader has been struggling with profitability and poor market performance since it listed in May 2022. Can acquiring Ecom Express help it navigate the shifts in Indias e-commerce logistics business?

Shaky rationale

Analysts tracking this segment of logisticsB2C third party (3PL) surface logisticsare divided. A spokesperson for Delhivery declined to comment, saying the company is still waiting for approval from the Competition Commission of India for the deal. An Ecom Express spokesperson declined to comment, too.

Equities brokerage firm Emkay wrote in a note this week that acquiring Ecom Express could help Delhivery save significant costs.

We expect significant cost synergies to accrue over the next 12-18 months, as Delhivery could rationalize the overlapping network infrastructure like sorting hubs, processing, delivery centers" the report stated. The combined entity would command ~55-60% market share of the 3PL B2C express market, dwarfing the immediate peer by ~3x."

Other major firms in this segment of the logistics business include XpressBees, formerly the in-house logistics arm of baby products e-commerce marketplace FirstCry, and Shadowfax. Besides these, legacy courier companies also do some express B2C deliveries for online sellers, such as Blue Dart Express and Allcargo Gati.

There are several advantages to Delhivery from this deal," another senior equities analyst tracking the firm told Mint requesting anonymity. First, the competition in this segment is reduced. That means the pricing disruption that was going on will also be reduced. After the merger of these two firms, the only major player left will be XpressBees. Both of them will figure out that there is no point depressing prices anymore," the analyst explained.

With massive funding fuelling competition for the B2C logistics pie, firms in the business had begun undercutting each other over the last couple of years. This became more pronounced after Meesho started Valmo. Its hard to call out exactly how much prices fell across the board, but in general, these firms could not pass on any of their rising input costs to their customers," the analyst quoted above said.

That was one of the reasons why both Delhivery and Ecom Express have been struggling with losses, although the former turned its fortunes around, starting FY25.

Some analysts tracking the sector say there is little long-term value in the deal.

Yes, this is a nice deal and no doubt Delhiverys market share will go up," Rajarshi Maitra, associate director at equities research firm InCred Research Service told Mint. But this market share will not move up by a lot. Ideally, the deal should reduce your cost per parcel and per unit of volume shipped. Right now, the cost per parcel in express delivery for both companies seem to be similar even though Delhiverys volumes are 1.8x higher than that of Ecom Express. Even their Ebit margins (earnings before interest and taxes) excluding other income, are similar," he added.

The implication here is that given the significant overlap in the business, it is difficult to see what more value Delhivery can squeeze out of the already flailing Ecom Express. When it deferred its public listing in February this year, the company had fired at least 500 employees and shut down major hubs, delivery centres and stopped serving about 3,000 pincodes in an attempt to cut costs, Mint had reported. There may not be much more room for cost cutting.

Although Delhivery is nearly three times bigger in size, consulting firm Redseer estimated that its cost per shipment was significantly higher than that of Ecom Express. In a report from August 2024, prepared for Ecom Express IPO, Redseer stated that the cost per shipment for Ecom Express express delivery was 39.65 in FY24 and nearly 56 for Delhivery. (Note: cost per shipment was calculated as the difference between the revenue and Ebitda of Delhiverys express delivery business, divided by the total number of express shipments in the year). Ebitda is earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization.

However, Delhivery contested this and other benchmarks that Ecom Express offered potential investors in its draft IPO documents. In September last year, Delhivery filed a note with the BSE that accused Ecom Express of misrepresenting these numbers. The key accusation it made was that the company was likely counting return to origin or RTO orders twice, thus inflating its total number of shipments in a year and artificially bringing down its costs per shipment. It also alleged that Ecom Express was inflating the number of pincodes it serves, far exceeding the total number of pincodes in India altogether, as per government records.

Ecom Express did not address these allegations. But given this background, how much efficiency or economies of scale can Ecom Express bring to the table for Delhivery?

Bad history

Besides, InCreds Maitra points out, Delhiverys last major acquisition was a drag on the companys performance. In August 2021, it bought Bengaluru-based SpotOn Logistics, a part-truckload (PTL) business that delivered goods to several businesses by clubbing together their relatively small orders into larger trucks. Delhivery was already running a PTL business which it planned to merge with SpotOn to expand the vertical.

The acquisition ran into trouble.

The overall process of integrating the infrastructure and the network took longer than we originally expected," Delhiverys co-founder and chief executive officer, Sahil Barua, had told investors in an earnings call in August 2022.

View Full Image For Delhivery, integrating Ecom Express will come with its own set of challenges.

In FY24, SpotOn made losses worth 24.9 crore on revenue from operations of 230 crore. Delhivery had invested 1,512 crore in the business in FY24, as per its annual report. In February, Delhiverys board finally approved a resolution to merge both businesses with the parent firm.

As InCreds Maitra also said, Delhiverys acquisition of SpotOn has not paid off yet. Consider this: Delhiverys revenue from the part-truckload business fell from 1,692 crore in FY22 to 1,546 crore in FY24 while tonnage in PTL freight tonnage was 1,429 thousand tonnes, lower than FY22, per the companys annual report.

This, despite the big headroom for growth in the truckload delivery business. In the report quoted above, Redseer said that the full- and part-truckload logistics business is highly fragmented" with three-fourths of the segment run by owners of small fleets of smaller, run-down trucks. Compared to the B2C e-commerce logistics, which is largely organized as of FY24, FTL and PTL logistics invite limited organized competition with ~90-92% and ~60-70% unorganized markets respectively," the report said.

Integrating Ecom Express will come with its own set of challenges, although unlike SpotOn, its business is nearly identical to Delhiverys core express deliveries business.

There will be some drag on Delhiverys numbers for a couple of quarters although the extent of the impact remains to be seen," the equities analyst quoted above told Mint. My sense is that Ecom Express is losing about 10 crore a month. With that high a burn, there will be some impact on the books. Delhivery will have to cut costs quickly," the analyst added.

There will be some drag on Delhiverys numbers for a couple of quarters. An analyst

Corporate overheads will be among the first costs to go, the analyst said, because they were 5-6% of the companys revenue last year. Besides, there will be overlapping warehouses, fleets, and fulfillment centres that Delhivery will have to streamline. In short: Delhiverys financial turnaround may suffer in the short-term, perhaps a quarter or two.

Shifting sands

Despite these challenges, consolidation in this new age logistics segment has been scant. In fact, just this February, Barua had made it clear to investors in an earnings call that there were slim opportunities to buy assets in the business.

Volumes are highly concentrated for most of our competitors and so its not clear what value we should ascribe to those volumes," Barua said. Its better to let discipline enforce itself. So, well wait and watch. If the right consolidation opportunity becomes available at the right price, then obviously, Delhivery is a natural consolidator in the market. But I dont believe its necessary for us to try to force anything at this point in time."

Two months later, he had clinched Ecom Express in a distress deal.

View Full Image Ecom Express business quickly spiralled downwards after a client loss.

It is interesting to see that consolidation among these players is happening now and not earlier," Maitra said. E-commerce logistics was considered a sunrise sector and funding was relatively easy to come by. None of the big players were keen to take each other on."

According to data from financial research platform Tracxn, XpressBees and Ecom Express have raised more than $300 million each over several rounds of funding with participation from prominent global investors including PE firms Warburg Pincus, Blackstone, and TPG.

Now, the bigger threat to 3PL providers is existing e-commerce players. First, Amazon, Flipkart and later Meesho brought their logistics operations in-house, leaving the likes of Delhivery and Ecom Express in the lurch. Now, for the past two-three years, Ekart and Amazon Shipping Services are also successfully expanding into third party logistics, offering their shipping services to direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands and independent sellers.

If Amazon has 30-35% market share and Ekart is the same, then Delhivery at best has about 23-25% share of this market (before acquiring Ecom Express)," InCreds Maitra said. But Amazon India and Flipkart have very strong parentage. Both Amazon and Walmart can continue to burn money," he added.

The bigger threat to 3PL providers is existing e-commerce players. First, Amazon, Flipkart and later Meesho brought their logistics operations in-house, leaving the likes of Delhivery and Ecom Express in the lurch.

Besides, quick commerce has also started eating into e-commerces share of consumer goods sales. Amazon (Now) and Flipkart (Minutes) are both late entrants to this business dominated by Blinkit, Zepto, and Swiggy Instamart. But these platforms are expanding their inventory to high-value items including fashion and electronics.

Meanwhile, vertical quick commerce platforms such as Swish (food delivery) and Slikk Club (fashion) are raising VC funding and some D2C brands are beginning to offer quicker deliveries in big cities. 3PL logistics firms have spotted an opportunity in serving this client base, hoping to beat Amazon and Ekart in the race.

Earlier this year, Delhivery started a pilot for quick commerce two-hour deliveries in Chennai, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru with two core customers" and another 15 planning to go live. The company plans to set up not more than 50 dark stores in each of the top eight metro cities where quick-commerce is growing fastest.

But, Delhiverys Barua warned investors in a February earnings call that this may not become a vast money-making segment anytime soon. In one year, Barua said, Delhivery could only scale logistics for quick commerce to 80-100 crore.

Ecom Express, along with smaller rivals including Shadowfax, already began setting up infrastructure for non-grocery quick commerce deliveries last year, The Economic Times reported in August. Ecom Express assets for this segmentsuch as dark stores in the citycould be of value for Delhivery but it is unclear how much of its warehousing and dark store network the company shut down to control costs earlier this year.

In the long run, all third party B2C logistics firms will have to think hard on new growth triggers. Indias e-commerce story is moderating as it becomes bigger; new last-mile opportunities, such as quick commerce, may not be as lucrative; in-house logistics arms can easily take away business from 3PL firms.

In this industry, we are reaching, in some senses, a reckoning," Barua had told investors in the February earnings call. The reality is that incremental capital flow into this industry is now going to be severely constrained. And I think in the interest of sustaining themselves as going concerns, the competition is going to have to look at their business models."

Delhivery will have to do the same as well. Ecom Express may be among its biggest acquisitions, but it alone may not deliver the company to a more lucrative future.
Advent International-backed lending startup KreditBee is merging its two India entities as it prepares for a local listing next year, two people with knowledge of the development said.

The move comes after the Bengaluru-based startup shifted its domicile to India after dissolving its Singapore parent, these people said.

KreditBee has paid around $100 million in tax to move its headquarters to India, the second of the two persons cited earlier said, both of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Finnovation Tech and KrazyBee, the two Indian entities having mirror shareholdings, are getting merged. This is in line with the preparation that needs to be done ahead of listing in India," the first person said.

Read more: Will Pallias game plan for Wipro secure Rishad Premjis legacy?

The management had invited investment banks to help them prepare a roadmap for listing in India, and the bankers have asked the company to merge the entities to clear regulatory requirements as part of that process, the second person said.

The Reserve Bank of India mandates lending entities to be domiciled in India ahead of local listings. Now with the flip-back done and the two entities likely to merge by end of the current financial year, the stage would be set for listing. A formal appointment of bankers for the IPO will happen only next year," this person added.

When contacted, Madhusudan Ekambaram, the co-founder and CEO of KreditBee, declined to comment.

The company, which raised $200 million in a funding round led by US-based private equity firm Advent International in January 2023, is expected to raise a pre-IPO round in the second half of current financial year.

In October-December this year, the company will raise a pre-IPO round, paving way for partial exits from some early backers and also bring on board long-term investors," the second person added.

Investor backing

KreditBee's investors include Advent International, Premji Invest, Motilal Oswal Alternates, MUFG Bank, TPG-backed NewQuest Capital Partners, and Mirae Asset Ventures. The new funding round is likely to be upwards of $100-150 million, with the company targeting a $500 million IPO raise," the first person said.

KreditBee was last valued at $700-800 million in 2023.

Read more: Accor, InterGlobe look to inject audacity, vision into their hospitality ties, eye 300 hotels by 2030

As per news reports, Finnovation Tech Solution, the parent company of lending platform KreditBee, saw a 26.5% rise in profit to 126.4 crore for the financial year ended 31 March, 2024, from 99.92 crore in the previous year. KrazyBee, the non-bank lending arm of the company, saw its net profit more than triple to 200.3 crore in FY24.

KreditBee joins a long list of profitable startups that are looking to tap buoyant Indian capital markets and help their existing investors find exits. Companies such as Groww, Razorpay, Udaan, Meesho, Zepto, PhonePe, PineLabs are either in the process or likely to begin their journey to list here by flipping back to India.
Boutique hospitality company Araiya Hotels & Resorts is scaling up its portfolio with 10 propertiesof which four are being developedin six states by the end of this year.

Araiya Hotels ultimately aims to expand to 40 properties over the next five years, founder Amruda Nair told Mint exclusively on the sidelines of hospitality conference HICSA 2025. Nair is the granddaughter of CP Krishnan Nair who established The Leela Group.

As part of the expansion, Araiya Hotels has tied up with Pune-based real estate company Blue Billion to develop three greenfield sites in Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Rajasthan. One of the other planned properties is a tented resort in Mount Abu, Rajasthan, under the Araiya brand, which will open in 2026. An additional conversion project in the state will be announced shortly.

The company is working with developers on greenfield projects  entirely new hotel projects  which it helps shape from the ground up. It also partners with them to rebrand and manage existing properties.

While Araiya Hotels has been nimble in expanding its business, it is picking up pace only now, Nair said. The company works on an asset-light hotel, tapping both greenfield and existing properties. Under the asset-light approach, companies run hotels through management contracts instead of owning them, allowing for capital-efficient growth without investing in them.

The companys brands include Soul by Araiya, Araiya, Essence by Araiya and the Araiya Anthology collection. The Araiya Palampur is located in Kangra Valley in Himachal Pradesh. Kinwani House in Uttarakhand is set to open in May as part of its Anthology collection. Another hotel will be in Gir in Gujarat, which will open this month.

Nair, drawing from her Leela heritage and past ventures like the Middle East-based Aiana Hotels, told Mint the legacy insight and entrepreneurial agility is helping her scale up the company in a highly competitive market.

Once at the helm of Hotel Leelaventure Ltd, the Nair family ceded control as mounting debt led to a series of asset sales. In 2019, the companys key properties in New Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai and Udaipur were sold to Brookfield Asset Management in a 3,950 crore deal. While the Leela brand is owned by Brookfield and now known as Schloss Bangalore Ltd, the family retains ownership of its Mumbai hotel.

New-age hotel companies

Like Araiya, a new wave of hotel companies such as Alivaa Hotels, Brij Hotels, Signum Hotels and Cygnett Hotels have joined the hotel management business in the past few years, adopting asset-light and more flexible models for quicker growth.

Alivaa, backed by Ananta Capital, has signed about half a dozen properties within a year of its existence and aims for 50 in five years by leasing hotels instead of owning them. Brij focuses on luxury stays under 30 rooms and plans to scale from nine to 50 hotels through revenue-share deals.

Signum, which pivoted to operating leases post-pandemic, is expanding in India and abroad and recently tied up with Wyndham Hotels. Cygnett is expanding its 25-property portfolio in tier-II cities. These companies appeal to first-time owners seeking returns without the rigid terms of legacy chains.

Also Read | Here's why Marriott International is bullish on Indian hospitality

Under Nair's Soul by Araiya brand, the company is developing resorts in Dharamshala, Ambardi, Tapola (New Mahabaleshwar), and Avas. In Kerala, a property in Paithalmala is scheduled to open in Q4 of 2025.

A new hotel in Dehradun under this brand and two othersan existing safari destination and a greenfield propertyare expected soon, Nair said.

I see immense potential for discovery in India, which will be the cornerstone of our growth strategy rather than merely focusing on scaling," said Nair. Our hotel flag in Jawai or a plantation in the Northeast would be a natural extension."

Spirituality and wellness

The company's expansion strategy revolves around specialist circuits that include hill stations, wildlife destinations, spiritual routes, and heritage locations. The company plans to manage its growing footprint through a cluster management structure, supported by regional sales offices in Mumbai, New Delhi, Gujarat and Punjab.

Spiritual travel is emerging as a key theme.

Unique experiences are coming and these blend spirituality with wellness. It will help us effectively attract the younger domestic travellers seeking more meaningful holidays," Nair said.

The Gir hotel combines wildlife with visits to the Somnath temple, while its Palampur caters to travellers going to Baijnath temple and Tashi Jong monastery.

Also Read | Is it an office or a hotel? Investors repurpose spaces as sellers hold out

The company aims to deliver boutique lifestyle stays with a focus on distinctive design, hyper-local experiences, personalised service, and a close connection to local culture.

Our insights as hotel owners have enabled us to connect with first-time hotel owners who may not have hospitality as their core business," said Nair. Although our meticulous selection process may slow us down, we are confident that we will achieve our goal of 40 properties within the next five years."

Indias organised hotel sector is expected to cross 300,000 rooms by 2029, with over 100,000 rooms likely to be added, driven by growth in religious tourism, rising income levels, and major infrastructure developments, according to the India Hotel Market Review 2024 by Horwath HTL.

As per the report, hotel operators could respond to shifts in consumer behaviour by pushing for higher occupancy levels, aiming to increase the current 68-70% rates to 80% or more in key business hubs.
Prada struck a $1.38 billion deal to buy smaller rival Versace from US-based Capri Holdings on Thursday, April 10, in a move that unites two of the biggest names in Italian fashion and offers the prospect of enhanced revenues. Prada is seeking to expand, having defied a slowdown in luxury demand, while Versace has been operating at a loss in recent quarters.

With its bold, baroque-style prints, owning Versace will attract customers to Prada, known for its minimalist style. "There are no overlaps in creativity or customers," said Lorenzo Bertelli, marketing director and a family member who controls Prada. The merger strengthens Italy's luxury industry, led by French conglomerates, the biggest of which is Louis Vuitton owner LVMH.

"We will provide (Versace) with a strong platform, reinforced by years of ongoing investments and rooted in longstanding relationships," Prada Chairman Patrizio Bertelli said in a statement. Bertelli is the husband of Prada designer Miuccia Prada, and the couple are leading shareholders in the company.

Prada-Versace deal: Key Metrics Prada Chief Executive Andrea Guerra told analysts that the acquisition is a long-term project aimed mainly at expanding revenues rather than cost-savings. It follows the announcement on March 13 that Donatella Versace was stepping down as the brand's chief creative officer founded by her late brother Gianni in 1978.

The price Prada has agreed to pay for Versace, which includes debt, is a big discount to the roughly $2.15 billion debt that Capri, then known as Michael Kors, paid for Versace in 2018 when the Versace family and Blackstone sold it.

Amid declining sales, it sought a buyer and opened exclusive negotiations with Prada at the end of February. Capri, which also owns Jimmy Choo and Michael Kors, had to accept a reduced price from Prada amid the market turmoil caused by US tariffs.

"This transaction reflects our commitment to increase shareholder value, strengthen our balance sheet and power the future growth of Michael Kors and Jimmy Choo," said Capri CEO John Idol. Prada said it had committed to 1.5 billion euros of new debt to fund the deal, which is expected to close in the year's second half.

The deal comes as several acquisitions and initial public offers have been scuttled in the wake of a global equity sell-off and fears of a global recession triggered by US President Donald Trump's new tariffs this month.

Prada's new direction The Versace acquisition marks a major shift in the group's strategy. It comes two years after Guerra was appointed at the helm, a role previously held by Patrizio Bertelli and Miuccia Prada. Prada traces its roots back to a leather goods shop founded in Milan by Miuccia Prada's grandfather in 1913.
Nakuru  Controversy marred the Kenya Schools and Colleges National Drama and Film Festival on Thursday after members of the public and journalists were blocked from accessing the festival venue at Kirobon Girls High School, where Butere Girls High School was scheduled to perform its highly anticipated play Echoes of War.

The play, which delves into themes of governance and the 2024 Gen Z-led protests, has drawn considerable attention and scrutiny.

On Day 4 of the festival, fresh restrictions were introduced, including a blanket ban on photography, video recording, and live streaming of performances--halting coverage that had been ongoing since the festival began.

"There will be no audience, no video, no photography, and no shooting at all," a source involved in covering the event told Citizen Digital. "Even KICD won't stream it live. All cameras, including those for local production partners, have been barred."

Echoes of War was initially disqualified from the Western Region Drama Festivals under unclear circumstances, but a High Court ruling later overturned the decision and ordered its inclusion in the national festival lineup.

The play was scheduled for performance at 6:15 PM, but delays saw the students access the venue around 7:30 p.m.

Scriptwriter and former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala, who penned the production, was blocked from entering the school for final rehearsals on Wednesday.

By Wednesday evening, he claimed police had surrounded his vehicle and threatened him with arrest.

At around 9 PM, officers lobbed teargas canisters to disperse journalists who had camped outside the school gate to cover the unfolding standoff.

- Police Shame -

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The Nakuru Journalists Association (NJA) condemned the police assault on journalists, describing the attack as an unlawful assault on press freedom, and demanded an immediate investigation.

Teargas canisters were lobbed directly at the reporters, putting their lives at risk and serving as an attempt to intimidate the press.

Among those affected were Maryanne Nyambura (Citizen TV), Peter Kimani (KTN), Robert Maina (Inooro TV), Joseph Kipsang, Kennedy Gachuhi (Standard Group), and Evans Asiba (Citizen TV).

"This reckless action endangered lives and was a clear attempt to intimidate the press," said Joseph Openda, Chairperson of the NJA. "Such continued harassment is a dangerous trend and poses a serious threat to press freedom."

Despite earlier promises from the Inspector General that journalists would be protected while on duty, the police in Nakuru dragged the name of the National Police Service through the mud after shamelessly lobbing tear gas at six journalists unprovoked and in full view of the public.
United States Steel Corp. shares posted their biggest drop in two months, a day after US President Donald Trump reiterated his long-held position that he doesnt want to see the steelmaker owned by a Japanese company.

Shares in US Steel sunk more than 10% Thursday in New York, marking the biggest intraday decline since early February, before trimming losses. The stock was down 7% at $41.98 as of 11:12 a.m.  still well below Nippon Steel Corp.s $55-a-share offer to buy the iconic American steelmaker.

The drop followed Trumps Wednesday afternoon comments in the Oval Office that pointed to the US producers rising steel orders as evidence that the company doesnt need any investment right now. Trump also said he doesnt want US Steel bought by any other place  apparently referring to other foreign buyers.

Investors in the past week had boosted US Steel shares to the highest level since March 2024 on hopes that Trump would reverse a decision by his predecessor to block Nippon Steels bid to buy the US company. Trump ordered another national security review of the proposed deal on Monday, with the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States told to submit its report within 45 days.

I mean, if you go back to US Steel from 90 years ago, it was incredible, it was the No. 1 company in the world for a long time, Trump said Wednesday. Thats why we dont want to see it go to Japan, and we love Japan but US Steel is a very special company.

Its the latest twist in a more-than year-and-a-half saga in which the fate of US Steels future has been left in the lurch. US investors and policymakers viewed Nippon Steels $14.1 billion offer as a home run, not thinking twice that one of Americas closest allies in the post-war era would trigger national security concerns.

But Trump and former President Joe Biden, both part of a generation that grew up knowing US Steel as one of the most iconic US companies that exemplified Americas 20th century economic power, never indicated they were comfortable with Nippon Steel owning the steelmaker. Despite Trumps latest comments, the decision still may ultimately come down to whether the Cfius panel again finds national security concerns.

2025 Bloomberg L.P.
Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra celebrated the creation of the largest Miyawaki forests in Kutch, Gujarat, highlighting the notable contributions of Dr Radha Krishna Nair. This 470-acre forest, home to over 300,000 native trees, exemplifies successful environmental initiatives and showcases the potential of the Miyawaki afforestation method.

In a post on social media platform X, he shared a video of a regenerated forest in Kutch, the largest Miyawaki forest in the world. I knew what a Miyawaki forest was but had no idea about Dr Nair and how he had created the worlds largest such forest in India. At a time when the US has taken sustainability off its priority list, I am just grateful that we have such heroes amongst us, Anand Mahindra wrote.

In the video shared by Mahindra, the narrator reflected on the role of Dr RK Nair.

This is a Miyawaki forest made possible by the state government's environmental initiatives and the vision and hard work of Dr Radhakrishna Nair, the green hero of India, the narrator said.

These forests offer Green Tower reduced temperatures, enhanced biodiversity and hope for a sustainable future, with each year turning out to be hotter than the last. We need state-backed environmental initiatives like Miyawaki Forest now more than ever, the narrator added.

Who is Dr RK Nair? The Kutch forest spans over 470 acres and is known as the largest Miyawaki forest in the world. This milestone is a part of the broader environmental initiative helmed by Dr RK Nair through his non-profit organisation, Enviro Creators Foundation, which has established more than 100 Miyawaki forests across India since 2014.

Originally from Kasargod, Kerala, Dr Nair started his journey through the Enviro Creators Foundation by restoring a small forest of 1,500 trees in 2014. Reportedly, Nair has helped create more than 100 Miyawaki forests.
New Delhi: The central government has stepped in to work with export bodies to identify new markets and limit disruptions to outbound shipments for sectors vulnerable to US tariffs such as gems & jewellery and marine products, according to two people familiar with the matter.

The 26% additional tariff on Indian exports announced by the US took effect on Wednesday. Gems & jewellery and marine products are heavily reliant on the US market due to better price realisations and high volumes, even though exports from India in both categories have been falling over the past three years.

We are working on a diversification strategy to expand trade ties in Europe, the Middle East, and East Asia," said the first person cited above on condition of anonymity. This is being done in close consultation with industry stakeholders."

The second person said that Indian missions overseas are being engaged to explore export opportunities. They have been asked to hold roundtables with industry leaders in different countries to build connections and identify potential markets," the second person said.

Also read | The tariff timeline: How Trump 2.0 policy is reshaping global trade

Queries emailed to the ministries of commerce and external affairs remained unanswered till press time.

Diversification not so easy

However, industry leaders see it as a challenge. Developing new markets takes time and requires significant effort," said Vipul Shah, former chairman of the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC). With reciprocal tariffs being imposed across the globe, the ripple effect could be seriousit may even trigger a global recession."

Potential alternative markets include countries in the Asia-Pacific region such as Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia as well as the Middle East. Industry players are also looking at strengthening their presence in the domestic market to offset external risks.

The move is good, but there are several challenges associated with it. Exploring different markets will definitely help in the growth of the sector," Shah said, suggesting that suspending the tariffs until the finalisation of the Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) with US would help in protecting the industry.

The first round of face-to-face discussions to finalise the contours of the Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) concluded on 29 March, after beginning on 26 March, with the US delegation led by Brendan Lynch, assistant US trade representative for South and Central Asia. The next round of talks will be held virtually.

Also read | India races to buy time as tariff war flares

In contrast, Uttar Pradeshs trade minister Nand Gopal Gupta 'Nandi' asserted that the current global scenario presents an opportunity. Along with increasing Uttar Pradesh's share in the countrys exports, we are working towards the swift implementation of the new export promotion policy 202530 to make Uttar Pradesh a one-trillion-dollar economy," the UP minister told Mint.

Worries for exporters

Indian shrimps, a key component of the countrys marine exports, have a significant buyer base in the American market, making the sector particularly vulnerable to the sudden tariff escalation. The US alone accounts for 33% of Indias overall shrimp exports worldwide.

Material that is packed and kept at various stages of preparation is a big concern for us," said K.N. Raghavan, secretary general of the Seafood Exporters Association of India, adding that the association is negotiating with buyers to manage the situation.

This is the peak farming season. Sowing happens in January and February, while harvesting takes place from April to June. With this uncertainty, exporters may not be able to buy seafood from farmers, which could disrupt the entire supply chain," Raghavan said.

Also read | In US-China trade war, Indian tyre makers could be collateral damage

He added that Vietnam, which imports raw material from India to process and re-export to the US, has now put shipments on hold due to uncertainty. Vietnam faces an even higher duty of around 46%, making things more difficult."

While India exports to over 120 countries including China, Japan, the European Union (EU) and other Southeast Asian markets, Raghavan said, the US remains the most important in terms of pricing".

Falling exports

Indias exports of gems and jewellery to the US have been on a consistent downward trajectory, dropping from $14.56 billion in FY22 to $12.54 billion in FY23, and further to $9.91 billion in FY24. In the current fiscal, shipments stood at $8.99 billion till February 2025, reflecting continued pressure on one of the country's most valuable export segments.

A similar trend is visible in marine product exports to the US, which declined from $3.32 billion in FY22 to $2.58 billion in FY23 and $2.50 billion in FY24. In the current financial year, exports were valued at $2.44 billion till February 2025.

Also read | Trump's tariffs to shake up engineering and electronic goods exports

Gold jewellery and polished diamond exportsworth $11.9 billion last yearare expected to drop by $1.82 billion due to the new 30.2% tariff, significantly reducing the attractiveness of Indian gems in the US market, as per a GTRI report released on Monday.

On the impact of the steep hike in tariffs, Global Trade Research Initiative's (GTRI) co-founder Ajay Srivastava said, Were likely to see sharp declines in some sectors while others may benefit from trade diversion, especially where Chinese goods have been penalised even more heavily."
India must avoid signing a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the United States, as President Donald Trump's paused tariffs for 90 days to ensure trade negotiations, ANI reported citing the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI).

Signing an FTA may require India to make harmful trade-offs with the US. Hence, India must opt for a limited "Zero-to-Zero" tariff deal on 90 per cent of industrial goods. Europe is currently offering this deal that states an exemption from tariffs on industrial products, including cars.

Avoid a comprehensive FTA with the US as it would force India to make damaging concessions. It's a deal that would cost India more than it gains. Restrict to Zero for zero deal on 90 per cent industrial Goods. Europe has offered similar deal to the US, GTRI said.

Impact of full FTA on India It also cautioned that a full FTA with the US can become a costly mistake and hurt key sectors of India.

The FTA could weaken the minimum support price (MSP) system for farmers, bring genetically modified food imports, reduce agricultural tariffs, change patent laws to extend drug monopolies and let US e-commerce giants sell directly to Indian consumers.

These changes will impact farmer incomes, threaten food security and biodiversity, affect public health, and hurt small retailers. Cutting down farm tariffs could impact the livelihoods of many.

Reducing duties on automobiles may have an impact on India's auto industry as well that contributes nearly one-third to the manufacturing output of the country.

Also Read | Team Trump Explains Why They Paused Tariffs On Everyone But Punished China

Trade with other partners GTRI further criticised the practice of providing unilateral trade concessions to the US and suggested entering into FTAs with the European Union, United Kingdom, and Canada and exploring partnerships with China and Russia.

Additionally, it recommended strengthening trade ties with Japan, South Korea, and ASEAN countries. It highlighted the potential of both India and China to build joint product value chains in sectors such as chemicals, machinery, and electronics.
NEW DELHI : India is expected to sign deals with customs authorities of Singapore, South Africa, and possibly the UK by the end of the June quarter to streamline customs processes for accredited exporters and importers as part of efforts to boost cross-border trade, said an official of Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC).

The CBIC will also work out a similar deal with the European Union (EU) authorities once the proposed bilateral free-trade agreement (FTA) is signed, according to Naveen Kumar Jain, chief commissioner at the CBIC's Directorate of International Customs (DIC).

The idea is to sign agreements to mutually recognize the country-specific accreditation programmes in India and these countries for their accredited exporters, importers, and logistics players.

Once done, the privilegesquicker clearance of shipments at ports, lower inspection rate, quicker tax refunds, facility for deferred duty payment and acceptance of self-declaration of origin of goodsIndia gives to its accredited merchants and logistics players will be accorded to them in the partner country as well.

This highly valued accreditation scheme is called the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programme in India. Once another country signs a mutual recognition agreement, or MRA, with India, an Indian accredited exporters customer in that country, who may not himself be accredited under the scheme in that country, will also be accorded these benefits there. MRAs are believed to improve the ease of doing business and give a fillip to bilateral trade.

The CBIC is currently in the process of operationalizing an MRA India has with the US, Jain said, adding that the US has conveyed some additional technical requirements under the deal. One of the requirements is that Indian AEO holders have to comply with the IT security parameters of the US systems.

Jain spoke to Mint on the sidelines of an industry outreach programme the CBIC held on Tuesday with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) to step up efficiency in international trade and to help expand coverage of the accreditation scheme.

India exported goods worth $ 14.4 billion to Singapore in 2023-24, its fifth-largest export market after the US, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Netherlands, and China. The UK is Indias sixth-largest export market, with shipments touching nearly $13 billion in 2023-24.

Besides the US and the UAEthe two largest export markets for India, the CBIC has signed mutual recognition agreements with Russia, Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand, and South Korea. India exported goods worth $77.5 billion to the US and $35.6 billion to the UAE in 2023-24, showed data available from the commerce ministry.

Addressing trade barriers

India is exploring more mutual recognition agreements with other countries for the AEO programme and is also seeking to extend its benefits to more Indian businesses amid heightened uncertainties in international trade. The US administration, on 10 April, announced a surprise 90-day pause on additional reciprocal tariffs on its trade partners that have not retaliated, including India.

The new tariff of 27% on India stands suspended now, but US President Donald Trump said on social media that a substantially reduced tariff of 10% is now effective for these countries. China, which retaliated to US tariff action, now faces an additional tariff of 125%.

Jain said India is keen to have an MRA with the EU as well. I can say that we must have MRA with the EU also. As of now, we do not have it because the EU wants the FTA before signing the MRA. India is negotiating the FTA with them. Once the FTA is in place, we will also have the MRA," said Jain.

Separately, India is negotiating an MRA with the UK. Talks are at an advanced stage in the case of the UK. I mentioned about South Africa and Singapore. The UK may be the third one we may be signing very shortly," said Jain.

Our AEO programme is 14 years old, and it is a very robust programme. We have around 6,000 AEOs under three tiers and another tier for logistics operators involved in import and export," Jain said.

The CBIC is holding about 20 outreach programmes every year in different parts of the country, Jain said. The AEO programme implemented under the aegis of the World Customs Organizations framework for global supply chain security, seeks to step up efficiency in international trade, cut logistics costs for businesses and improve predictability.

Low enrollment

Despite the tangible benefits, enrolment in the AEO scheme remains relatively low compared to the total number of import-export businesses in India, which exceeds 200,000 active traders, the CII said in a statement shared with Mint on the joint outreach programme.

Regarding the possibility of mutual recognition of the AEO programme by India and China, Jain said, With China, we do not have an MRA as of now. However, we have a joint action plan with BRICS nations. Under that, we are negotiating with Brazil, South Africa, Russia, and of course, BRICS now has more countries. An MRA with China may also come in due course. As and when it happens, it will be under the BRICS umbrella."

The CBICs DIC is also working closely with other government agencies like the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) to integrate their clearances into the AEO fast-track framework. This collaboration is expected to further streamline the regulatory environment and reduce dwell time at ports.
Sao Paulo, Brazil will prioritise trade negotiations with the United States to address the tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump as it continues to expand commercial agreements with other countries as a way to offset the impact, a top foreign trade official has said.

The guidance from the minister and Vice President is to negotiate, negotiate, negotiate, Foreign Trade Secretary Tatiana Prazeres said at an online event hosted by the Brazil-China Business Council on Thursday. We have an open dialogue with US authorities."

Brazilian imports to the United States have faced a 10% tariff since last week. Steel, one of Brazil's key exports to the US, has been subject to a 25% tariff since March.

The United States is Brazil's second-largest trading partner, behind China. In 2024, the US trade surplus with Brazil reached $28.6 billion in goods and services.

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has said publicly that Brazil doesn't rule out retaliation but remains committed to dialogue with the US.

Brazilian officials from the Foreign Ministry and the Ministry of Industry and Development have held meetings with the Trump administration for over five weeks, according to a top official who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak publicly.

Talks began after the US imposed the 25% tariff on Brazilian steel. Brazil has argued that it is a key supplier of semi-finished steel to the US, underscoring the integrated nature of the trade: for example, the same ships that bring US coal to Brazil return carrying semi-finished steel, critical to the American industry. Brazilian officials have also warned that penalising Brazil could strengthen Asian competitors, particularly those backed by China.

When the 10% tariff was announced on April 2, Brazilian officials felt a certain relief, as they believed the weeks-long negotiations may have helped avoid a worst-case scenario of higher tariffs.

Still, the extra taxes have raised concern and uncertainty.

Brazil's top exports to the US include crude oil, aircraft, coffee, cellulose and beef. Orange juice exports are also expected to be significantly affected, as the US accounts for the majority of the exports.

Prazeres said Thursday the US trade war could bring some opportunities. In the past, during the first version of the trade war, we saw an increase in Brazil's soybean exports to China. But that's not the scenario we hope for, because the risks are very significant, she said.

Brazilian authorities are also tracking the potential impact of a surge in Asian exports that are no longer reaching the US market. We are monitoring significant, atypical changes in trade flows, Prazeres added.

While continuing talks with the US, Brazil is also working to expand its trade agreements with other countries and blocs. Prazeres highlighted recent deals signed between the Mercosur bloc and Singapore in 2023, and the European Union in 2024. The EU agreement has yet to be ratified by member countries in both regions.

Last week, VP Alckmin said the trade tensions triggered by Trump's tariffs could help accelerate the conclusion of the MercosurEuropean Union agreement. SCY SCY
After being hospitalised and released multiple times, Raul Carlos was again admitted to Beira Central Hospital, this time in critical condition, in December 2024. He is a patient who adhered well to his [tuberculosis (TB)] treatment. He was hospitalised, underwent treatment, and finished the treatment. Even so, he did not improve, said Dr Paulo Jose, a general practitioner at the hospital.

TB affecting the lungs is one of the main illnesses Dr Paulo sees in the emergency room at Beira Central Hospital, followed by tuberculosis in other parts of the body and opportunistic infections like pneumonia and meningitis and sepsis. Diagnosing and treating TB correctly is crucial to ensure that patients recover and survive and to prevent the further spread of the disease. Sometimes, however, patients have contracted drug-resistant TB, which is far more difficult to treat. Doctors have to identify and prescribe the specific treatment that will help cure the specific drug-resistant TB the patient is suffering from.

Raul came to the hospital with an advanced HIV diagnosis and without much hope, according to Lina Balane, an MSF doctor who has worked in Beira for the past 6 years focusing on advanced HIV. Raul really touched us, she added. He has a brother who looks just like him they call themselves twins and the brother would always come to us, pleading, Doctor, please do something. I cant bear to see him like this.

Like with all our patients, we started investigating what was happening to him. We realised he was suffering from severe side effects from his medication, but also  those medications werent working because he had drug-resistant tuberculosis. It was tough to diagnose.

Now able to sit up and talk, Raul described his experience: There were times when I had to be bathed by others, times when I couldnt do anything. I couldnt move. I felt very unwell when the illness began. Then, I got worse. I arrived here being carried. They kept changing [the medication] with the doctors each time to try and find the right treatment, but I always had the same problem; I would go home and return with the same issue.

The doctors searched for answers. Like with all our patients, we started investigating what was happening to him. We realized he was suffering from severe side effects from his medication, but also those medications werent working because he had drug-resistant tuberculosis. It was tough to diagnose, said Balane.

In Mozambique, the initiation of second-line treatment for drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) is guided by standardized national protocols and the expertise of healthcare professionals. While specific procedures can vary, it is common in many countries for cases of multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) to be reviewed by specialized committees or expert panels to ensure appropriate treatment plans are developed. These committees assess diagnostic results, such as drug susceptibility testing, and consider individual patient factors before approving the initiation of second-line therapies. This collaborative approach helps optimize treatment outcomes and manage potential risks associated with complex TB cases.

Dr Balane and Dr Joses teams worked closely to prepare a comprehensive case presentation for the specialized TB committee. This involved gathering Rauls diagnostic results, including drug susceptibility tests, clinical history, and treatment options, to ensure a thorough review. Once the committee assessed the case and granted approval, Raul was promptly enrolled in the second-line.

Treatment regimen, marking a crucial step in managing his drug-resistant tuberculosis. "This time, we discovered the problem...They kept looking for the right medication. They encouraged the other doctors to keep searching for the correct treatment. Thats the medication Im taking now, said Raul. Now I can do what I couldnt before. Sit alone. Walk a little. Theres been an improvement. Just the fact that I have the strength to sit and to be here giving an interview is thanks to the treatment.

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Rauls rapid improvement was like magic for his doctors. We had to do a lot of advocacy to get the right drugs for drug-resistant TB and finally start treating him. The next day, Raul was like a different person. Once we were able to give him the medication he really needed, he began to regain his level of consciousness. He started to regain strength and an appetite. He began to communicate. He could sit up on his own [and] take a few steps. He started to get better, said Balane.

MSF has been present in Beira since 2014, providing sexual and reproductive health care, including HIV testing and treatment and termination of pregnancy to vulnerable and stigmatized groups, such as sex workers, men who have sex with men and at-risk youth. MSF also provides sexual and reproductive health services and treatment for patients with advanced HIV in local health centres and at Beira Central Hospital.
DONALD TRUMP has blinked. Little more than 12 hours after his radical regime of reciprocal" tariffs took effect, he has put most of them on pause for 90 days. Mr Trump said this was in recognition of the fact that more than 75 countries had engaged with his administration in negotiations, working together to address Americas complaints about global trade. The convulsing Treasury market may also have aided his decision. Mr Trumps announcement provided immediate relief to markets, with stocks and commodity futures surging, as the delay alleviated fears about imminent economic damage.

Since Mr Trumps Liberation Day" announcement on April 2nd of sky-high tariffs, everyone from investors to diplomats had settled on the profoundly unsettling conclusion that the president was dead-set on trying to remake the global trading system, heedless of the economic and financial consequences. That belief, as much as the tariffs themselves, was driving global markets into a tailspin. Businesses were beset by uncertainty. Consumer sentiment was tanking. And economists were issuing increasingly dire forecasts for a recession this year. With his abrupt reversal, Mr Trump has revealed that he is not in fact completely impervious to the fallout from his trade policies.

Nonetheless, the pause in tariffs is far from a full ceasefire. Three worries stand out. First, the president made one giant exception to his benevolence, vowing that he would raise tariffs on Chinese products to 125%, up from 104% a dozen hours earlier, which itself was up from his announcement of 34% a week ago. The special punishment stemmed from the Chinese governments temerity to go tit-for-tat in retaliating against Mr Trumps tariffs. China had shown a lack of respect" to the worlds markets, he said on his social-media platform.

Second, Mr Trumps pause only applied to reciprocal" tariffs, the extra levies imposed on countries that have high bilateral surpluses in their trade with America. Left in place is the baseline of a 10% universal tariff on all imports bar a few products. Some exceptions, notably cars, face a higher tariff of 25%, announced last month. Others, including pharmaceutical products and semiconductors, could soon be hit with their own tariffs. The result is that, even while pulling the world back from the brink of a cataclysmic trade war, Mr Trump has still, in the space of two months, raised Americas average tariff rate to its highest in nearly a century. The countrys average effective tariff rate has gone from roughly 3% to about 20% during that time.

A final worry is that Mr Trump has promised only a delay, not a full suspension of his reciprocal" plan. Judging by Mr Trumps on-again, off-again approach to tariffs on Canada and Mexico, there is reason to think he will revive his threat of higher tariffs before the 90 days are up. The next time round, investors are likely to treat his hawkish rhetoric with more scepticism. But if that means that market reactions are relatively muted, Mr Trump will only have more leeway to press on.
Bank holidays today: All public and private banks across India, including the State Bank of India (SBI), are closed today, on April 10, for Mahavir Jayanti, April 12 for second Saturday, and April 13 for Sunday weekly off holiday. Take a look at the details and bank holiday schedule for April 2025 here.

Notably, the second and fourth Saturdays and every Sunday in each month are holidays for all banks. Keep an eye out for the extended weekends due to this as April 14 and 15 are also bank holidays in some states for Ambedkar Jayanti and state-specific festivals such as Bengali New Year, Bohag Bihu, and Himachal Day, respectively.

In addition to the common national and gazetted holidays, banks in India could have local holidays and festivals off, as required. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) releases its annual, official bank holiday list in January. Please ask your nearest local bank branch for their confirmed holiday schedule for 2025.

Bank Holiday Today & This Week  April 10, 12, 13 April 10 (Thursday)  Mahavir Jayanti (Birth of Lord Mahavir)  Banks will be closed in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Telangana.

April 12 (Saturday)  Second Saturday of the month  Public and private banks pan-India will be closed on this day.

April 13 (Sunday)  Sundays are non-working days for all public and privates banks across India.

April 14 (Monday)  The day marks Ambedkar Jayanti  birth anniversary of Dr BR Ambedkar, along with various regional New Year celebrations such as Vishu, Bihu, Tamil New Year, and more.  Thus banks will remain closed across many states, including Mizoram, Madhya Pradesh, Chandigarh, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, New Delhi, Chhattisgarh, Meghalaya, and Himachal Pradesh.

April 15 (Tuesday)  Bengali New Year, Himachal Day, and Bohag Bihu  Banks will remain closed for services in Assam, West Bengal, Arunachal Pradesh, and Himachal Pradesh to observe these state-specific festivals.

Also Read | Bank holidays in April 2025: Banks to remain closed on THESE days in your state

Upcoming Bank Holidays This Month  April 2025 We take a look at all the upcoming bank holiday dates this month:

April 18 (Friday)  Good Friday marks the crucifixion of Jesus Christ  Banks will remain closed for services in states including, Tripura, Assam, Rajasthan, Jammu, Himachal Pradesh, and Srinagar.

April 20 (Sunday)  Easter Sunday  Sundays are non-working days for all public and privates banks across India.

April 21 (Monday)  Garia Puja  Banks will remain closed in Tripura, to observe the local tribal festival.

Also Read | Weather today: IMD issues orange alert for heatwave in Madhya Pradesh

April 26 (Saturday)  Fourth Saturday of the month  Public and private banks pan-India will be closed on this day.

April 27 (Sunday)  Sundays are non-working days for all public and privates banks across India.

April 29 (Tuesday)  Bhagwan Shri Parshuram Jayanti, the birth anniversary of Lord Parshuram, the sixth incarnation of Vishnu  Banks will remain closed for services in Himachal Pradesh.

April 30 (Wednesday)  Basava Jayanti, honouring Basavanna, the founder of the Lingayat sect, and Akshaya Tritiya, considered an auspicious day for wealth and prosperity  Banks will be closed in Karnataka and other states.

Can You Use ATMs, Online Banking During Bank Holidays? Yes, you can use ATMs, mobile banking, online banking, and bank apps for daily transactions even during bank holidays, unless a bank sends specific notification regarding maintenance timings or technical issues. However, the Negotiable Instruments Act deals with the issuance of cheques and promissory notes and transactions involving these instruments will not be available during the holidays.
Port Louis: Investments into solar energy in developing countries have fallen 20% on an annual basis so far this year despite the need for energy transition. That warrants enhanced collaboration among all stakeholders, including the private sector, governments and regulators, according to International Solar Alliance (ISA) director-general Ashish Khanna.

Entrepreneurs of Africa and Asia-Pacific can significantly contribute towards providing technological ideas to be deployed for energy transition in other parts of the world, Khanna was quoted as saying in a statement.

Also Read | An Opec for solar energy is a bad idea: This Chinese idea is best dropped

International Solar Alliance, in partnership with Business Mauritius, launched a two-day SolarX Accelerator Programme in Mauritius on Tuesday. The programme, aimed at supporting, empowering, and guiding startups focused on solar energy and renewable technologies, has brought together 35 startups from across Asia and Asia Pacific region to accelerate the development and deployment of innovative solar solutions.

To facilitate collaboration among the private sector, government, regulators, and stakeholders, SolarX was first launched in Africa, followed by the APAC region. This approach is critical, especially considering that overall investment in clean-tech solar energy has decreased by 20% in developing countries compared to last year," Khanna said. The SolarX Global Accelerator 2025 aims to address this challenge by connecting entrepreneurs with investors, providing tailored mentorship, fundraising training, and access to financing opportunities, he said.

Also Read | Solar energy faces cloudy prospects on warehouse rooftops

We are confident that the entrepreneurs from the Africa and Asia-Pacific (APAC) regions will contribute to a valuable transfer of technological ideas, which can aid the energy transition in various countries," he said. For example, a solution developed in Nigeria could have practical applications in India, and a solar application in Fiji could work across all the islands in the Pacific."

Khanna, a former World Bank executive, took charge as the ISA DG last month.

Also Read | Success in solar energy may be a curse for Chinese panel manufacturers

Kevin Ramkaloan, chief executive officer at Business Mauritius, said that the SolarX Accelerator brings to the forefront three key priorities of the business community: energy transition, innovation, and unlocking new markets on the continent.

Business Mauritius is an industry body that represents over 12,00 local businesses.

Launched by the International Solar Alliance (ISA) with Invest India at COP27 in 2022, the SolarX Startup Challenge aims to foster entrepreneurship to develop scalable solar solutions across ISA member countries. It bridges the gap between solar potential and deployment by empowering local innovators, enhancing regional capacity, and advancing clean energy transitions.

By crowdsourcing cost-effective solutions, the challenge aims to accelerate the global shift to renewable energy while fostering local entrepreneurship and building capacity across the solar value chain.

The International Solar Alliance is a global initiative launched in 2015 by India and France at the COP21 in Paris, with 123 members and signatory countries. It aims to work with governments to improve energy access and security worldwide and promote solar power as a sustainable transition to a carbon-neutral future.

(Rituraj Baruah is in Mauritius on the invitation of International Solar Alliance)
Mumbai: When the world reeled under President Trump's reciprocal tariff announcement on 3 April, the Indian pharmaceutical industry was relieved as it escaped the initial round of sweeping levies. Then Trump threatened that pharma won't be spared either, renewing anxiety. Still, one corner of the sector offers hope.

Companies focusing on the Indian pharmaceutical market are likely to offer a hedge against the ongoing tariff woes even though the fate of the broader sector remains uncertain, according to analysts.

Shares of India-focused Mankind Pharma Ltd, Alkem Laboratories Ltd, Abbott India Ltd and JB Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Ltd have fallen only 3-5% since the reciprocal tariffs were announced. With only 10% revenue exposure to the US, Torrent Pharmaceuticals has fallen around 4%.

By comparison, Aurobindo Pharma Ltd, Divi's Laboratories Ltd, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd and Granules India Ltd have each tumbled around 6-10% in the last five trading sessions. US accounts for 30-50% of their revenue.

As growth in the US generics business plateaus because of weaker demand and stiffer competition, Indian pharma companies have been increasingly tapping the domestic market for branded medicines and health products, which has plenty of room to grow," said Prashant Nair, lead pharma and healthcare analyst at Ambit Capital. Even without tariffs, it would be better (for investors) to be India-focused as US generics is a very cyclical business and valuations of those stocks are not cheap."

The Trump administration has imposed tariffs on various trading partners, including a 27% levy on major Indian exports to the US. He also wants to claw back drug manufacturing. According to a Nuvama Institutional Equities report, the US imports $110 billion worth of pharmaceutical products from Europe.

Also read | Indian pharma companies escape Trumps reciprocal tariffs, for now

The $50-billion Indian pharmaceutical industry exports $10 billion worth of drugs to the American market, mostly cheaper generics.

Deserve higher valuation

Against this backdrop, domestic-focused companies deserve a higher valuation because of their inherent business stability and better growth prospects compared to US generic drug manufacturers, said Tausif Shaikh, Indian pharma and healthcare analyst at BNP Paribas.

A Centrum Broking report expects the majority of the brokerage's portfolio earnings growth for the March quarter (Q4FY25) to be led by domestic formulations, growing 12% year-on-year versus a 5% rise in US sales.

Amongst the domestic-focused companies, those catering to chronic treatments like cardiology and anti-diabetes are more positively placed and expected to outperform the domestic market in Q4," Sumit Gupta, healthcare analyst at Centrum Broking, told Mint.

The industry's domestic focus was also evident in mergers and acquisitions in the past 18 months, according to Shaikh from BNP Paribas.

We haven't seen significant M&As or investments (from domestic players) in the US market recently. Companies are aware that they need to invest more in India," he said. They are either going through in-licensing or chasing inorganic growth to increase their presence in the domestic market since the global side is volatile right now."

Not all is lost

To be sure, there is still no clarity on tariffs on drug exports to the US. However, the tariffs wont spell complete doom and gloom for all Indian drug exporters. Companies with a bigger share of biosimilars, specialty medicines and niche generics in their US portfolios are better positioned to weather the tariff pain, said experts.

Indian pharma companies have a 47% and 15% share in generics and biosimilar prescriptions, respectively, in the US, according to IQVIA data. By volume, 89% of the American market is generics and the remaining 11% is branded, said the Nuvama report. By value, however, generics account for 9% versus 91% for branded drugs.

I would imagine Sun (Pharmaceutical Industries) is better positioned as a big part of its US business is specialty products where pricing power is higher than generics," said Nair from Ambit Capital.

A Kotak Institutional Equities report, however, said that while the limited availability of substitutes will act as a moat for Sun Pharma, already high prices for its specialty products could make it more challenging for it to pass on higher costs to US patients.

Also read | New introductions and price growth driving pharma market growth

According to Sreeram Ramdas, vice president at Green Portfolio PMS, complex generics like biosimilars and injectables command 40-60% gross margins compared with 15-25% for commodity generics.

Hence, it would be easier for companies with operating margins greater than 25% to absorb any tariff shock while maintaining their market shares," he said. We could see a limited 200-400bps (basis point) erosion on the overall margins of the biggest Indian US generic manufacturers."

India imposes about 5-10% tariffs on pharma products imported from the US. If the tariff burden in the US is anything above 10%, most experts anticipate Indian companies to pass it on to distributors, insurance providers and US consumers.

Large players with existing manufacturing facilities in the US, such as Piramal Pharma Ltd, Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Ltd, Sun Pharma and Aurobindo Pharma, are better insulated from tariffs even though the cost of manufacturing generics in the US is significantly higher, they said.

In the medium term, it would be the mid and small-scale manufacturers that would lose market share in the US as their capability to build capacities in the US is no match against the giant manufacturers," said Ramdas. De-risking the supply chain by establishing facilities outside India will drive higher valuation multiples for domestic pharma companies."
New Delhi: Indias electronics exports could more than double to $50 billion per year by 2030 as part of the countrys efforts to take a high seat in the global electronics supply chain, according to three senior industry executives who regularly consult the ministry on the electronics sector.

This surge is expected to be driven by the IT ministrys push for raising the share of locally manufactured components for smartphones, laptops, as well as semiconductor chips, both by local as well as foreign companies.

On Tuesday, Union IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said Indias annual electronics exports to the world crossed 2 trillion ($23 billion) in FY25. This marks a 54% growth over FY24," he said, adding that electronics production has grown 5x at a compounded annual rate of more than 17% over the past decade. Exports grew even faster, rising 6x since 2015 at a CAGR of over 20%," the minister said.

Now, the three executives cited above said Indias latest moves can help the country continue this pace of growth, crossing what one of them said is an important milestone" as trade tensions globally, and especially between the US and China, continue to escalate.

Also read | Centre mulls maximising electronics earnings amid uncertainty over Apple exports

The three big reasons why India is stepping up its push to bring more electronics manufacturers to the country are to insulate itself from geopolitical disruptions, increase its importance in the global electronics supply chain, and ramp up Indias net exports to the world," one of the executives cited above said on condition of anonymity.

This person added that electronics is an obvious candidate driven by the demand for cutting-edge technology in all industries, for which key component makers need to be present in India. The current set of incentives can have a big impact in attracting foreign companies to set up shop locally," the executive said.

Incentive scheme

As part of the incentive scheme notified by the ministry of electronics and information technology (Meity) on Tuesday, the Centre will offer companies ranging up to 10% of annual turnover for electronics components mostly used in smartphones, and up to 25% of capital expenditure incurred in locally building equipment and machinery used in the electronics industry.

Also read | Electronics maker Indkal Tech looks set to raise $100 million by June

The net incentive outlay will span $2.7 billion across six years. A key part of the scheme is the eligibility for foreign companies to access these incentives.

The exact contours will be chalked out for foreign companies by keeping in mind Indias best interests," Vaishnaw said. Details of how the foreign incentives will work will be revealed later."

Each of these moves will cumulatively help India cross $50 billion in annual electronics exports within five years, each of the above-cited executives said. Vaishnaw, without putting a figure, said that exports of electronics will grow more than its past decades growth".

As per these officials that Mint spoke with, Indias electronics exports have been pegged to grow at 17% CAGR until 2030. Stakeholders said that the growth pace, while being consistent with the past decade, is more important than before.

Also read | Why Indias electronics sector is least at risk from Trump's tariff scrutiny

Achieving 17% annual growth at an industry size of nearly $25 billion is a far bigger task than doing it over the past decade, when Indias export of electronics were practically non-existent," the second executive cited above said, also requesting anonymity.

Once achieved, electronics exports alone will account for 10% of Indias overall electronics economy, which is pegged to cross $500 billion in net annual revenue by 2030.

Ankush Wadhera, managing director and partner at consulting firm Boston Consulting Group (BCG) India, said Indias current incentives scheme will certainly" help generate greater domestic value. More importantly, it will help India establish a more sophisticated electronics supply chain in the country, which in the long run will drive greater value of exports," he said.

Ashok Chandak, president of industry body India Electronics and Semiconductor Association (Iesa), told Mint that ramping up exports could be a crucial thing going forward. Even if the domestic consumer economy is not soaring, focusing on exports can help India fill that gap and push for its targeted economic growth in the long run," Chandak said.

Also read | Electronics manufacturing firms tipped to outperform indices this year

The move is important for India in attempting to close the huge gap with China. On 6 February, data released by Chinas ministry of industry and information technology (MIIT) said that in 2024, it exported 143 million laptops, 814 million phones, and over 298 billion integrated circuits. These exports cumulatively amounted to net export revenue of $2.2 trillion for China.

Indias export value, thus, accounts for around 1.5% that of Chinas.
IT giant Microsoft Corp. is mulling another round of layoffs next month, with company leaders discussing cuts to middle managers and exploring ways to increase the ratio of coders to non-coders on projects, according to Business Insider.

While the exact number of job cuts remains unclear, the report suggests it could impact a significant portion of a team.

Microsoft Team Ratio At Microsoft, discussions are reportedly focused on reducing the PM ratio on some teamsreferring to the ratio of product or program managers to engineers.

According to the media report, which cited a company official, the job cuts would require team managers to meet specific budget targets and maintain a defined team-based ratio.

Low Performers At least some Microsoft leaders are considering terminating those who received an Impact 80 or lower score in performance reviews for two consecutive years, the report said.

The IT company evaluates employees on a scale of 0 to 200called the ManageRewards slider.

Based on ratings, it is decided how much an employee would get in stock awards and cash bonuses.

On the scale, 0, 60, and 80 are lower performers, 100 is the middle range, and 120, 140, and 200 are higher performers.

Earlier this year, Microsoft laid off around 2,000 employees it deemed low performers.

Microsoft dismisses two employees Meanwhile, this week, Microsoft dismissed two employees who disrupted an event celebrating the companys 50th anniversary.

Ibtihal Aboussad, who had urged the company to axe the Israeli government as a customer, interrupted a speech by Microsoft consumer artificial intelligence chief Mustafa Suleyman.

Later, Vaniya Agrawal disrupted a question-and-answer session featuring Microsoft Chief Executive Officer Satya Nadella and his two predecessors, Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer.

The event staff asked both employees, who worked as software engineers at the company, to leave the venue.
Port Louis: The International Solar Alliance (ISA) on Thursday signed the Country Partnership Framework (CPF) with the government of Mauritius, paving the road for collaboration in terms of developing a solar power roadmap in the country and creating the required regulatory frameworks to support the sector.

Also Read | Solar investments down 20% in developing countries, says ISA

A statement from the Gurugram-headquartered ISA said that the framework provides a structured approach to ISA and the government of Mauritius to collaborate on solar energy initiatives in the country and support its energy transition journey. Mauritius is the first African country and the fourth globally to sign the framework, after Bangladesh, Bhutan and Cuba. The framework duration is three years and can be renewed based on mutual consent.

Barakat Ahmed, regional programmes head for Africa operations of ISA, and Zeenat Guness-Goolbar, permanent secretary of the ministry of energy and public utilities, representing the government of Mauritius, took part in the framework signing.

Also Read | ISA working with member states for securing critical minerals: Ajay Mathur

The CPF will be followed by developing a country-driven, needs-based Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) that aligns with the national priorities of the island nation. It will include the development or review of solar roadmaps, the development of facilitative regulatory frameworks to promote the deployment of solar-based applications, capacity-building on technical, regulatory, and financing needs of the Mauritius.

Under the framework, a Solar Technology Application Resource Centre (STAR-C) will be set up and solar rooftop installations will also be scaled in the country, along with floating solar projects, and solar water pumping systems, among others. The use of solar power for production of green hydrogen will also be promoted and supported under the framework.

Also Read | International Solar Alliance to increase VGF for solar projects to 35%

Commenting on the development, Ashish Khanna, director Ggeneral, ISA, said: The CPF is a strategic initiative by ISA to formulate a programmatic medium-term engagement of ISA and its member countries with the support of Indian minister of new and renewable energy as president and French minister of international cooperation as co-president."

He noted that that the CPF would lead to co-development of a detailed Country Partnership Strategy, adapting to evolving challenges and opportunities within the solar energy sector of Mauritius, through a clear action plan to enable private investments in solar backed by policy and regulatory support from the government.

"This would facilitate technological innovations in areas like floating solar and solar ferry to be made available to Mauritius," Khanna said.

Zeenat Guness-Goolbar said: "Energy, and in particular, solar development, has a high place on the governments agenda. With ISA, our collaboration has matured, and we look forward to deepening this partnership through the signing of the framework agreement."

The signing comes as a culmination of a week-long series of activities, which included the Global SolarX Accelerator Programme, which hosted 35 startups from ISAs cohort of 50 solar startups that have emerged winners from the SolarX Startup Challenge editions hosted since 2022 across the Asia-Pacific and Africa regions, including India.

The accelerator is aimed at helping startups enhance their business acumen and equip them with the necessary tools for scaling their operations and offers participants access to world-class mentors, investors, and experts in various fields, including business development, financing, and market access.

(Rituraj Baruah is in Mauritius on the invitation of International Solar Alliance)
Though 10% tariffs remain applicable, the Wednesday announcement has given India room to pursue trade negotiations with the US, which industry stakeholders believe can help smartphone makers such as Apple Inc. continue to use India as a key manufacturing destination.

It's important for India to retain Apple's manufacturing. As of 2024, Apple exported over $10 billion worth of iPhones from India to its global markets, including the US, according to three industry analysts Mint spoke with.

Earlier this week, Union electronics and information technology minister Ashwini Vaishnaw pegged Apples iPhone exports from India even higher at $17 billion. On 8 April, the ministry of electronics and information technology (Meity) notified a scheme to incentivize manufacturing of electronics components in India, offering up to 10% in incentives to component manufacturersadding up to $2.7 billion over six years. India's total electronics exports stood at $23 billion in 2024, according to Vaishnaw.

Homegrown Tata Electronics Pvt. Ltd and Taiwanese company Foxconns India joint venture Bharat FIH Ltd are key suppliers to Apple. Other electronics manufacturing services (EMS) firms that export to the US, as per reports on the EMS sector by Morgan Stanley and Macquarie, include Indias largest contract manufacturer Dixon Technologies (India) Ltd, Syrma SGS Technology Ltd, and Kaynes Technology India Ltd.

The silver lining

Now, amid a pause in Trumps imposition of total reciprocal tariffs of 27% on India, experts see a silver lining: India can continue pursuing a bigger role in the global electronics supply chain.

On Thursday, Mint reported that India is targeting exports of over $50 billion in smartphones by 2030a goal in which Apple will play a pivotal role since the iPhone maker alone accounts for over 60% of the countrys smartphone exports to the world.

Ashok Chandak, president of industry body India Electronics and Semiconductor Association (IESA), said while Trumps tariff pause is a tactical recalibration rather than a fundamental policy shift", the move offers a strong opportunity driven by Indias push to establish a holistic ecosystem of electronics assembly firms, component and semiconductor manufacturing".

At a premier level, both Trump and Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi have expressed willingness to increase trade. While a big company like Apple would want to diversify its supply chain as much as possible, the 90-day pause is a welcome move as it offers both India and the US to assess the situation and address price hike concerns. Overall, this leaves Indias electronics ecosystem at a strong spot for the time being," he added.

Meanwhile, the ministry of commerce is working on negotiations with the US government to increase trade between the two nations, according to two people aware of the matter. While industry stakeholders have been called to offer comments on key challenges and Indias needs, talks of a potential bilateral trade treaty remain a work in progress.

On Wednesday, Trump, too, acknowledged that India is in talks with the US for better trade relations. His comments on handling US companies have also offered a respite, which showed in the same-day performance of US markets and indices.

Trump said at a press conference that he would take a look" at the idea of exempting certain US companies from the impact of his import tax duties from nations around the world, including India. Ill take a look at it as time goes by. There are some (companies) that by the nature of their business will get hit a little bit harder, and well take a look at that," Trump said. When asked if there would be a criteria for such exemptions, he said, Just instinctively."

The comments have boosted Apples shares in the US, which had declined by 23% since Trumps 2 April tariff announcements. In Wednesdays trading hours, Apples share surged 15% in a single day, recovering a significant part of its decline over the past week.

For Apple in India, this could mean not disrupting its plan to make a quarter, or over 60 million of its iPhones in the country by 2028. Coupled with a push to generate greater domestic value from electronics manufacturing in India, this could offer a major boost to Indias electronics sector in the long run.

On edge

Caution, however, remains in the market. Navkendar Singh, associate vice-president at market researcher IDC India, said the abject uncertainty under Trumps administration is Indias biggest concern", even though there may be near-term benefits for India with the tariff pause.

Even if Trump decides to pull back on tariffs, he may decide the very next day to increase tariffs drastically if he feels unhappy with anything related to India, or any other nation for that matter. It is this uncertainty that will continue to keep Apple and Indias electronics industry on the edge, and things are unlikely to change right away," Singh said.
Stock market news: The main stock indices in India, Nifty 50 and Sensex, are likely to experience a boost in trading sentiment on Friday due to an impressive rally in international markets following US President Donald Trump's announcement to suspend tariff increases for 90 days, with the exception of China. The Indian stock market was closed on Thursday in observance of Shri Mahavir Jayanti.

Trump has announced a three-month halt on reciprocal tariffs for countries that are not retaliating, marking a surprising reversal after the record-high tariffs he previously imposed triggered a slide in global stock markets.

Global markets reacted with enthusiasm following Trump's decision to freeze his aggressive tariff increases for three months.

In Asian markets, Tokyo's Nikkei 225 index surged by 9.13%, South Korea's Kospi rose by 6.60%, Hong Kong's Hang Seng increased by 2.06%, and the Shanghai SSE Composite index grew by 1.16%. European markets also welcomed the news, trading significantly higher.

Nifty 50 and Sensex reported a decline on Wednesday, which mirrored a downturn in global markets driven by US President Donald Trump's tariffs, as the anticipated rate cut and dovish approach from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) did not enhance market sentiment.

The Nifty 50 dropped by 0.61% to settle at 22,399.15, while the Sensex fell by 0.51% to conclude at 73,847.15.

Pranay Aggarwal, Director & CEO of Stoxkart, mentioned that Indian markets may witness some recovery the following day, spurred by optimistic expectations from this 90-day suspension.

Despite the temporary relief provided by this pause, sectors directly affected by the tariffs, like pharmaceuticals and seafood exports, still face difficulties.

Investors are encouraged to keep a close eye on ongoing trade discussions and specific sector updates to navigate this period of global uncertainty.

Nifty 50 Outlook by Osho Krishan, Sr. Analyst, Technical & Derivatives, Angel One The market breadth has exhibited a slight inclination towards bearish sentiment, as bullish participants have opted to adopt a more reserved stance in light of the upcoming mid-week holiday. The appearance of a small-bodied candlestick, emerging after two days of significant price fluctuations, suggests a developing sense of stability among domestic investors, who are carefully assessing their positions.

However, the technical dynamics of the Nifty 50 index, resting near a descending trendline, signal a potentially challenging environment for market participants. Given this context, it is prudent to maintain a cautious approach until the overall market conditions show signs of stabilization.

On the levels front, the bullish gap located around 22,300-22,250 is anticipated to serve as a protective barrier against potential declines, effectively mitigating the impact of adverse market trends. This is further supported by the critical support level at 22,000. On the upper end, a series of resistance levels can be identified, beginning with the sloping trendline near 22,500-22,600, followed by the bearish gap at 22,700-22,850. A definitive breakthrough above these resistance levels could restore investor confidence and indicate a positive shift in market sentiment.

As we proceed, it is imperative to acknowledge the prevailing global uncertainties, in conjunction with the commencement of the quarterly domestic earnings season. The earnings report from IT giant TCS will play a pivotal role in shaping the market outlook in the immediate future. Consequently, it is advisable to remain well-informed about both global and domestic developments to achieve a comprehensive understanding of the broader economic landscape.

Stocks To Buy on Friday - Osho Krishan On stocks to buy on Friday, Osho Krishan of Angel One recommended two stocks -ACC Ltd, and Colgate Palmolive (India) Ltd.

ACC Ltd ACC has shown impressive growth, climbing nearly 200 points in the last few trading weeks. This surge has been accompanied by an increase in average trading volumes, which suggests that market interest is building and points to the possibility of a reversal in its trend. Also, the stock has surpassed its 51 DEMA after a long period. Additionally, the 14-period RSI has risen above its previous swing high, reinforcing the bullish momentum surrounding the stock. Overall, these technical indicators suggest that ACC may be entering a period of sustained growth, making it an intriguing option for those looking to invest.

Hence, we recommend to BUY ACC around 1,980-1,960 keeping a stop loss of 1,870 for a potential Target of 2,150.

Colgate Palmolive (India) Ltd Colgate Palmolive has encountered substantial challenges and a downward trend in the trading market over the past several months. However, a notable shift has recently occurred, as the stock has started to gain momentum and has approached the 50-day exponential moving average (DEMA) after an extended period of decline. This development indicates a potential early sign of a countertrend. Furthermore, this bullish pattern is supported by significant trading volumes, which enhance the overall positive outlook. Additionally, the 14-period Relative Strength Index (RSI) has surpassed its previous swing high, confirming a higher high formation and reinforcing the bullish sentiment.

Hence, we recommend to BUY Colgate Palmolive around 2,500 keeping a stop loss of 2,400 for a potential Target of 2,700.
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Also Read | Applying for a credit card? Take a decision after considering these 6 factors

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Also Read | How to maximise travel rewards with credit cards in 2025?

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As Earth Month unfolds, The Green Connection and Natural Justice are speaking out against yet another push to expand fossil fuel development  despite mounting evidence that such projects accelerate climate change and destroy ecosystems. On 4 April 2025, the organisations officially objected to an application for exploratory oil and gas surveys in Blocks 9 and 11B/12B of the Outeniqua Basin, raising concerns over environmental damage, community impacts, and economic sustainability. Notably, TotalEnergies EP South Africa (TotalEnergies) has already abandoned the project, yet Main Street 1549 (Pty) Ltd  a largely unknown player in the oil and gas space  is now taking over the project. But, at what cost to South Africans?

The Green Connection's Strategic Lead, Liziwe McDaid, says that she questions the move. She says, "If a global giant like TotalEnergies deems the project too costly and risky, on what basis should South Africans believe that Main Street is up to the task? If TotalEnergies, with all its resources, has pulled out, we have to ask, is this project even viable and are previous concerns now being ignored? But more importantly, why does government continue to make decisions which appear to prioritise short term profits over longer term economic sustainability. When will we finally prioritise good governance in order to prioritise justice in the just transition to sustainable energy?"

The Mossel Bay coast is home to one of the world's fastest ocean currents, making it highly vulnerable to oil spills. Beyond the technical difficulties, the real threat lies in what happens if something goes wrong. A spill here could devastate South Africa's marine biodiversity, disrupt fisheries, and harm coastal tourism  industries that sustain thousands of livelihoods from Mossel Bay to Cape Town and all the way up the West Coast.

"The government and corporations claim this project will create jobs, but the truth is these projects create only a handful of highly specialised jobs while displacing thousands of sustainable, long-term livelihoods. And let's not forget, even if oil is discovered, first extraction would likely only happen in 2035. By then, global markets will likely have moved away from fossil fuels, and South Africa will be left with stranded assets," McDaid explains. "This isn't just about the environment; it's about the livelihoods of thousands of small-scale fishers, tourism operators, and coastal businesses who rely on clean and healthy oceans. A spill could wipe out entire industries."

Senior Legal Fellow at Natural Justice, Rantsho Moraka warns, "The government cannot claim to support climate action while simultaneously approving fossil fuel projects that could harm South Africans in the long run. Climate disasters are worsening  floods, droughts, and storms are already displacing people and threatening food security. Our government must start making decisions that align with long-term sustainability and people's constitutional rights. Yet, the government continues to entertain fossil fuel projects that threaten the very communities that they are under a constitutional obligation to protect and support."

The world's leaders are being compelled by climate science and international law to urgently divest from fossil fuels. Oil and gas wells will eventually dry up  then what happens to the workers, communities, and infrastructure dependent on them? Instead of leaving people stranded in an uncertain future, South Africa should invest now in a just energy transition  one that ensures job and food security, economic resilience, and energy access for all.

The Green Connection's Warren Blouw says, "With a Government of National Unity, we had hoped for the opportunity for some kind of leadership reset, where new decision-makers break free from past fossil fuel dependency. We urgently need decision-makers who see the value  for all citizens  of a sustainable, just, and economically sound energy strategy, and are willing to commit to it. This means ensuring that Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) are thorough, transparent, and align with constitutional rights  including the rights of future generations to a safe and liveable planet. Even if our government ignores the global trend, the world is moving away from fossil fuels. Soon, there will be no market left for South African oil and gas."

"The science is clear : to combat climate change, we must stop all new fossil fuel projects. South Africa cannot afford another year of outdated, short-sighted energy decisions because these have resulted in disruptive loadshedding and unaffordable, inaccessible electricity. As we enter the second quarter of 2025, we must ask: are we repeating the same mistakes or are we shifting toward real solutions?" says Blouw.

"A just transition is not just an environmental issue  it is an economic and social justice imperative," McDaid emphasises. "If we act now, we can build a future where more South Africans have secure jobs in sustainable sectors, building resilient communities that live in harmony with the Earth, using our shared resources in responsible ways. For this we need a government that prioritises people over profit."

The Green Connection says, "South Africa stands at a crossroads  continue down the path of short-term fossil fuel profits that only benefit a few or embrace a just, people-centred energy transition that secures long-term sustainability. We call on leaders, especially in this moment of political change, to reject harmful offshore drilling and prioritise a future powered by clean energy. Because the real question is not just who is pushing these projects, but why are they still on the table?"

Affected small-scale fishers from Mossel Bay and up the West Coast are also concerned:

Chairperson of Greater Kwa-Nonqaba Development Forum (GKwaDF), Bongani Swartbooi says, "Public participation should be inclusive and transparent. The rushed and selective approach taken by SLR undermines the very essence of community engagement. The Draft Scoping Report cannot be accepted under these conditions  it must be redone with genuine input from all affected communities. It is unacceptable that only certain communities were prioritised in this process. True public participation means ensuring that all voices are heard, not just those that are convenient. The Greater Kwa-Nonqaba Development Forum stands firm in demanding a fair and inclusive approach."

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Small-scale fisher from Mossel Bay, Osborn Jansen says, "Our ocean is our livelihood, culture, and heritage. The way we see it is, oil and gas companies are coming here to destroy our natural habitats, with no consideration of those who live and depend on it."

Ernest Titus of Lamberts Bay Small-Scale Fishers says, "What is disheartening is that these big oil and gas companies are not doing all this oil and gas exploration, in their own oceans, they just want to destroy ours - for profit"

George Johnson of West Coast Guriqua San Counsel Head of Fisheries says, "Our ocean is our livelihood and cultural inheritance. To us, it more than just water  it sustains us spiritually but also economically. These oil and gas companies want to put that all at risk. We say "No!" to all of this, because we all know that there are other alternative sources they can explore. We call on all our young people to stand up and protect our ocean, because once it is gone it will be gone forever. We need a more ethical and inclusive public participation and approach to all this."

Andries Booysen of Kleinbegin Fishing Co-op in Elandsbaai says, "The sea is our source of sustenance, it has been in our past, is in our present and should also be protected so it can be in our future too. We do not want all this oil and gas in our coastal towns and oceans."
At least 25 people were killed in lightning strikes and hailstorms in several districts of Bihar on Thursday, April 10, as rains continued to last parts of the state, a statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said. As many as 13 persons had died in lightning strikes in four districts.

Most deaths were reported in Nalanda, followed by other districts. While Nalanda registered 18 deaths, Siwan witnessed two, and one each in Katihar, Darbhanga, Begusarai, Bhagalpur and Jehanabad.

With as many as 25 deaths reported from several districts of Bihar, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar condoled the loss of lives due to lightning and hailstorms and announced an ex gratia of 4 lakh each for the next of kin of the deceased.

On Wednesday, April 9, as many as 13 were killed  five people were killed in Begusarai, four in Darbhanga, and three in Madhubani, while Samastipur recorded one fatality.

The official statement dated April 9 read, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is deeply saddened by the death of 5 persons in Begusarai, 4 in Darbhanga, 3 in Madhubani and 1 in Samastipur due to lightning and has expressed his deep condolences to the affected families.

The Chief Minister said that he is with the affected families in this hour of disaster. The Chief Minister has directed to immediately give an ex-gratia grant of four lakh rupees to the families of all the deceased, it added.

CM Nitish Kumar also appealed people in Bihar, to stay indoors, owing to the bad weather conditions amid the orange alert issued by the weather department, IMD, in several districts of the state.

The Chief Minister has appealed to the people to be fully alert during bad weather. In case of bad weather, follow the suggestions issued from time to time by the Disaster Management Department to protect against lightning. Stay indoors and stay safe during bad weather, the official statement read.
Former Facebook executive Sarah Wynn-Williams testified before a Senate committee on Wednesday, accusing the social media giant of working hand in glove with the Chinese government to censor its platforms.

According to an AP report, Wynn-Williams said in her prepared testimony, We are engaged in a high-stakes AI arms race against China. And during my time at Meta, company executives lied about what they were doing with the Chinese Communist Party to employees, shareholders, Congress, and the American public.

Custom tools for China Wynn-Williams served as director of global public policy at Facebook, now Meta, from 2011 until she was fired in 2017.

In her written remarks, she said she witnessed that the company provided "custom built censorship tools" for the Chinese Communist Party, which allow user data, including that of American users, to be accessed by the CCP, and remove the account of a Chinese dissident.

Meta deleted the Facebook account of a prominent Chinese dissident living in the US, bowing to pressure from China to do so.

However, Meta said the account, belonging to billionaire Guo Wengui, shared personally identifiable information such as people's passport numbers, social security numbers, national ID numbers and home addresses and was removed because this violated Facebook's rules.

Wynn-Williams also alleged that Llama, Meta's artificial intelligence model, was used to help DeepSeek. DeepSeek is a Chinese AI company whose AI model was shown to be competitive with OpenAI's ChatGPT at a fraction of the cost.

Meta betrayed American values Throughout those seven years, I saw Meta executives repeatedly undermine US national security and betray American values. They did these things in secret to win favor with Beijing and build an 18 billion dollar business in China, Wynn-Williams said in her prepared remarks.

She also said that Meta ignored warnings that building a physical pipeline between the US and China would provide China with backdoor access to US user data. These plans  called the Pacific Light Cable Network  never materialised, but Wynn-Williams said that was only because lawmakers stepped in.

Meta says divorced from reality "Wynn-Williams testimony is divorced from reality and riddled with false claims. While Mark Zuckerberg himself was public about our interest in offering our services in China and details were widely reported beginning over a decade ago, the fact is this: we do not operate our services in China today, Meta said in a statement.

This hearing comes after Sarah Wynn-Williams in her memoir Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism unveiled the toxic inner workings of Facebook. The memoir published on March 11 become a bestseller in its first week, The Bookseller reported.
An Air India Express pilot suffered a cardiac arrest at Delhi airport shortly after safely operating a Srinagar-Delhi flight on Wednesday evening, April 9, 2025. An airline spokesperson confirmed the pilot's death.

We deeply regret the loss of a valued colleague due to a medical condition. Our thoughts are with the family during this time of profound grief," Air India Express spokesperson said in a statement.

"We are extending all possible assistance to them as we all cope with this tremendous loss. We request all concerned to respect privacy at this time and avoid unnecessary speculation while we commit to assisting the relevant authorities in due process," the spokesperson said.

The pilot, in his late 30s, operated the flight from Srinagar to Delhi and was not feeling well after landing at the Delhi airport. He was taken to a hospital but passed away, a source told news agency PTI.

Multiple sources told the Hindu that the Air India Express pilot, Armaan, vomited inside the airline after landing in Delhi in a flight from Srinagar.

The pilot reportedly had a cardiac arrest at the despatch office of the airline at the IGI airport. He was rushed to a hospital where he was declared brought dead.
A City Civil and Sessions Court in Bengaluru has sharply rebuked Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa after he skipped a scheduled hearing in the Renukaswamy murder case on Monday, April 7, due to severe back pain.

However, on Tuesday evening,Darshan was seen at the screening of his movie, Vamana, in Bengaluru.

On the day of the hearing, Darshans legal counsel informed the court that the actor could not appear due to severe back pain.

The court had expressed displeasure and reiterated that personal appearance was mandatory for all accused in the case, rejecting the notion that high-profile individuals could seek exemptions without valid legal justification.

The court also cautioned that such absences should not become routine, especially in a case of this magnitude.

Co-accused actress Pavithra Gowda, along with several others, were present in court for the hearing.

During the court hearing, Darshans lawyer also sought the release of 75 lakh in cash that was confiscated during a raid on his residence in connection with the investigation.

The court said it would hear the Income Tax departments response before deciding on the matter.

The next date of hearing has been fixed on May 20.

The defence also filed a separate plea seeking the return of mobile phones that were seized during the course of the investigation.

Renukaswamy murder case The case pertains to the death of Renukaswamy, a 33-year-old resident of Chitradurga, whose body was found near a stormwater drain in Bengaluru in June 2024.

According to the initial probe, Renukaswamy had been kidnapped, assaulted, and allegedly murdered by a group of men allegedly on instructions of Darshan and others.

It is alleged that Renukaswamy had sent abusive messages to actress Pavithra Gowda on social media, which provoked the attack.

He was allegedly lured to Bengaluru, detained, and tortured before he succumbed to his injuries.
Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a key conspirator behind 2008 mayhem, was successfully extradited and arrested, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) said on Thursday, as a special flight carrying the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks mastermind arrived in Delhi.

NIA said that Rana was escorted to New Delhi by teams of NSG and NIA, comprising senior officials, on a special plane from Los Angeles.

The NIA investigation team at the airport arrested Rana, a Canadian national of Pakistani origin living primarily in Chicago (US), soon after he emerged from the airplane, after completing all the necessary legal formalities, said the agency.

Rana has been accused of being involved in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks in which over 160 people were killed.

With the coordinated efforts of Indias Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Home Affairs, the NIA said, Along with the relevant authorities in the United States, NIA worked closely with other Indian intelligence agencies through the entire extradition process.

Rana has been brought to India after his last-ditch attempt to evade extradition failed as the US Supreme Court justices rejected his application.

As many as 166 people were killed after a group of 10 Pakistani terrorists went on a rampage on November 26, 2008, in a coordinated attack in India's financial capital.

Here is NIA's full statement The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday successfully secured the extradition of Tahawwur Hussain Rana, the mastermind of the deadly 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, after years of sustained and concerted efforts to bring the key conspirator behind the 2008 mayhem to justice.

Rana was being held in judicial custody in the US pursuant to proceedings initiated under the India-US Extradition Treaty for his extradition. The extradition finally came through after Rana exhausted all legal avenues to stay the move.

The District Court for the Central District of California had ordered his extradition on 16th May 2023. Rana then filed multiple litigations in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, all of which were rejected. He subsequently filed a petition for a writ of certiorari, two habeas petitions, and an emergency application before the US Supreme Court, which were also denied. The extradition proceedings were initiated between the two countries after India eventually secured a surrender warrant for the wanted terrorist from the US government.

With the active assistance of USDoJ, the US Sky Marshal, the NIA worked closely with other Indian intelligence agencies, NSG through the entire extradition process, which also saw Indias Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Home Affairs coordinating with the other relevant authorities in the United States to take the matter to its successful conclusion.

Rana is accused of conspiring with David Coleman Headley @ Daood Gilani, and operatives of designated terrorist organisations Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Harkat-ul-Jihadi Islami (HUJI) along with other Pakistan-based co-conspirators, to carry out the devastating terror attacks in Mumbai in 2008. A total of 166 persons were killed and over 238 injured in the deadly attacks.

Both LeT and HUJI have been declared as terrorist organisations by the Government of India under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.''

Who is Tahawwur Rana? Tahawwur Rana, a Pakistani-Canadian national, was convicted in the US for being an operative of the banned terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and providing material support to the group responsible for the Mumbai attacks that killed over 160 people in multiple terrorist attacks that began on November 26, 2008, and lasted for three days.

On April 7, the Supreme Court of the United States rejected Tahawwur Rana's plea to stay his extradition to India. Rana filed an emergency application with Chief Justice John Roberts on March 20, 2025, seeking a stay on his extradition.

"The application for stay addressed to The Chief Justice and referred to the Court is denied," the SC order dated Monday, April 7, stated.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to visit Varanasi on April 11 to inaugurate development projects worth 3,884 crore. He will also travel to Madhya Pradesh. Here's what on his agenda:

Also Read | Varanasi teen alleges gang rape by 23 men over 7 days; police arrest 6 people

PM Modi's 50th visit to Varanasi PM Modi is expected to reach Varanasi's Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport at 10 am on April 11. He will stay for approximately two and a half hours.

PM Modi will head directly to Mehdiganj for a public meeting after landing.

BJP Kashi Zone president Dilip Patel, speaking to ANI, confirmed the news: The Prime Minister of India and the famous Parliamentarian of Varanasi, the Honorable Prime Minister, is arriving in his Lok Sabha Constituency this time for the 50th time.

Also Read | Varanasi-bound IndiGo flight diverted to Sambhajinagar after elderly woman dies

He said, "We are informed about the arrival of the Honorable Prime Minister at around 10 o'clock. And from there Honorable Prime Minister will go directly to Mehdiganj Gram Panchayat after completing the assembly service from Babatpur Airport."

 3884-crore projects The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has reportedly invited over 50,000 people to the public meeting, where PM Modi will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for various projects worth 3884 crore.

Key projects include a major underpass tunnel on NH-31, development of the airport area, and educational institutions like a government degree college and a polytechnic.

PM Modi is expected to address the gathering for about 20 minutes, starting at around 12:30 PM on April 11.

Patel further detailed the scope of these projects, noting, The key project under the 3884 crore initiative includes a major underpass tunnel on NH-31, worth about 6500 crore. Other projects include water schemes, colleges, parks, a police hostel, and a flyover in Maruwadi.

Also Read | Bhojpuri carols mark Christmas celebrations at this Varanasi church | Watch

Other projects include the development of an airport area, a water mission, a government degree college, a polytechnic college, a hockey stadium, a police transit hostel, and barracks at Ram Nagar Police Line, along with road widening and a flyover in Maruwadi.

According to reports, on his arrival, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is going to lay the foundation stone of many development projects in Purvanchal, including Varanasi.
The Allahabad High Court Justice Sanjay Kumar Singh said the woman herself invited trouble and was responsible for an alleged act of rape, while granting the bail to the accused. The survivor claimed that she was intoxicated and met the man at a bar. He raped her twice in his relative's apartment after she had agreed to go to his place for rest, she said, Live Law reported.

She was responsible A bench of Justice Sanjay Kumar Singh remarked, This Court is of the view that even if the allegation of the victim is accepted as true, then it can also be concluded that she herself invited trouble and was also responsible for the same. Similar stand has been taken by the victim in her statement. In her medical examination, her hymen was found torn but doctor did not give any opinion about the sexual assault."

The bench added the survivor, as an MA student, was capable enough to comprehend the morality and significance of her act as revealed by her in a First Information Report (FIR).

Also Read | Yashwant Varma takes oath as HC judge, barred from work amid cash row

Survivor claims the intoxicated accused touched her inappropriately According to the survivor, she, out of her own choice, went to a bar in Delhi along with three female friends, where they took alcohol, following which she became intoxicated.

She further alleged that she was at the bar until around 3:00 am, and during her time there, the accused stood firm in telling her to accompany him to his house. As she required support due to her condition, she agreed to go with him to rest. She further alleged that the man touched her inappropriately during the journey and, instead of taking her to his residence in Noida as she had anticipated, he took her to a relatives apartment in Gurgaon, where he allegedly raped her.

The counsel of the accused, while seeking the bail, argued that even if all the allegations are considered to be true, it is not a rape case but may be a case of consensual relationship between both the parties involved. The arguments stated the accused has been staying in jail since December 2024, with no criminal history to his credit, and that if he is let go on bail, he will not take the advantage of bail and will cooperate in ensuring the prompt resolution of the case.

Also Read | IIIT Allahabad student dies on birthday after messaging mom. Know what happened

Additional Government Advocate for the State disagreed the prayer for bail of the applicant in the wake of the FIR, but he did dispute the above factual aspect of the matter as stated on behalf of the applicant.
Tahawwur Rana Extradition: Tahawwur Hussain Rana, the key accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, arrived in India on a special flight on Thursday, April 10, after the US Supreme Court rejected a plea against his extradition.

The flight carrying Tahawwur Rana landed in Delhi at around 6:30 pm. A multi-agency team had gone to the US to bring him to India.

Rana has been brought to India after his last-ditch attempt to evade extradition failed as the US Supreme Court justices rejected his application.

In a statement, the National Investigation Agency said, NIA successfully secured the extradition of Tahawwur Hussain Rana, the mastermind of the deadly 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, after years of sustained and concerted efforts to bring the key conspirator behind the 2008 mayhem to justice.

The agency further added that Rana was being held in judicial custody in the US pursuant to proceedings initiated under the India-US Extradition Treaty for his extradition.

The extradition finally came through after Rana exhausted all legal avenues to stay the move, added NIA.

Who is Tahawwur Rana Rana, 64, is a Pakistan-born Canadian national and close associate of one of the main conspirators of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, David Coleman Headley alias Daood Gilani, a US citizen.

What Happened on 26/11/2008 On November 26, 2008, 166 people were killed after a group of 10 Pakistani terrorists went on a rampage, carrying out a coordinated attack on a railway station, two luxury hotels and a Jewish centre, after they sneaked into India's financial capital Mumbai using the Arabian sea route.

US, British and Israeli nationals were among those killed in the attack.

In November 2012, Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone surviving terrorist among the Pakistani group, was hanged to death in Yerawada Jail in Pune.

Tahawwur Rana likely to be lodged in Delhi's Tihar jail Tahawwur Rana is likely to be lodged in a high-security ward in Tihar jail, and all necessary preparations have been made in the jail, PTI reported, quoting sources.

Rana, 64, is a Pakistan-born Canadian national and close associate of one of the main conspirators of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, David Coleman Headley alias Daood Gilani, a US citizen.

Extradition is a big success On Wednesday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah termed Rana's extradition a big success of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government.

Tahawwur Rana's extradition is a big success of Prime Minister Modi's diplomacy, the home minister said.

Special public prosecutor appointed The Centre has appointed a special public prosecutor to conduct a trial in the case related to the Mumbai terror attack case accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana, who is being extradited from the US and is expected to arrive here on Thursday.
Amid key accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks Tahawwur Hussain Rana all set to top arrive India on Thursday evening and to be brought at the NIA headquarters in Delhi once he lands, Delhi's Jawaharlal Nehru (JLN) Metro Station's gate number 2 has been closed and public movement around the area has been restricted as part of precautionary measures, reported PTI.

According to the details, Tahawwur Rana is a Pakistani-Canadian national, and a key accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, in which 166 people were killed.

Rana is being brought to India on a special US aircraft, a Gulfstream G550, after the US Supreme Court rejected his final appeal against extradition.

A Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) spokesperson said, "Gate No. 2 of the JLN Metro Station, the one closest to the NIA building, will remain closed as a precaution."

The gate will remain closed till further orders from the Delhi Police, he also said.

However, metro train services will continue as usual and all other entry and exit points at the station will remain open for commuters, the spokesperson added.

Who is Tahawwur Hussain Rana? Rana is a Pakistani-Canadian national, a key accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. He is known to have links to Pakistan's Army and its Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

He is a co-conspirator of the November 2008 terrorist attack in Mumbai and the first of nine named accused in a chargesheet filed by the NIA in December 2011 as part of its probe into the 26/11 terror attack.

He will also undergo a trial at a special NIA court in Delhi. His case will be heard at the Patiala House Court.

After the US Supreme Court dismissed Ranas emergency application on 1 April 2025, he is being extradited to India. Decurity around the Patiala House Court, where a special NIA judge will hear the matter, was beefed up.
Waqf Act: The Supreme Court's three-judge bench consisting of CJI Sanjiv Khanna, Justices PV Sanjay Kumar and KV Viswanathan will hear 10 pleas challenging the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 on April 16. This comes after All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) Member of Parliament Asaduddin Owaisi filed the lead petition in the matter. It is listed as item 13, Bar and Bench reported.

Indian Union Muslim League, AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan, DMKs A Raja, Muslim clerics body Samastha Kerala Jem-iyyathul Ulama, All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) and Association for Protection of Civil Rights are some of the petitioners.

What do petitions say? According to Indian Express, AIMIM's Owaisi stated the act is manifestly arbitrary, perpetuates discrimination on the grounds of religion, violates the Shariat Act and strips the Muslim community of the right to manage its own religious institutions.

A PTI report stated DMK moved the top court through its general secretary A Raja, which believes, despite widespread opposition, the Waqf Amendment Bill, 2025 was passed by the union government without proper consideration of the objections raised by the members of the JPC and the other stakeholders, adding it infringes and prejudices the rights of nearly 50 lakh Muslims in Tamil Nadu and 20 crore Muslims in the different parts of the country.

The AIMPLB spokesperson, SQR Ilyas, in a press release, said the petition firmly objected to the amendments passed by Parliament for being "arbitrary, discriminatory and based on exclusion". It mentioned the amendments not only infringe upon the fundamental rights enshrined in Articles 25 and 26 of the Indian Constitution but also clearly indicate the government's intent to assume full control over the administration of Waqf properties, thereby marginalising the Muslim minority from overseeing their own religious endowments.Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution ensure freedom of conscience, the right to practice, propagate religion, and the right to set up and manage institutions for religious and charitable purposes, it further said.

Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind also filed a petition, alleging it was a "dangerous conspiracy" to deprive Muslims of their religious freedom.

Jamiat in its petition stated the law was a "direct attack on the country's Constitution, which not only provides equal rights to its citizens but also grants them complete religious freedom".

A religious organisation of Sunni Muslim scholars and clerics in Kerala, Samastha Kerala Jamiath ul Ulema, believes the act was a "blatant intrusion" into the rights of a religious denomination to manage its own affairs in the religious matter.

NGO Association for the Protection of Civil Rights also submitted a petition in the top court challenging the constitutional validity of the Act.

AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan asked the law to be declared as unconstitutional, being violative of Articles 14, 15, 21, 25, 26, 29, 30 and 300-A of the Constitution, PTI reported.

The Centre on Tuesday filed a caveat in the apex court, requesting to be heard before any orders are passed on the pending writ petitions challenging the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025.

Waqf (Amendment) Bill in parliament The Waqf (Amendment) Bill came into force on April 8, Tuesday after President Droupadi Murmu's assent to it. The Lok Sabha started the13 hours and 53 minutes debate and saw 288 members supporting it and 232 opposing it, while the upper house had 128 members voting in favour and 95 against it.
As Malawi braces for the pivotal 2025 general elections, the political arena is abuzz with familiar faces eyeing the top seat. Among them is Atupele Muluzi, leader of the United Democratic Front (UDF) and son of former President Bakili Muluzi. While his ambition is no surprise, it raises a serious question: Is another presidential run by Atupele in Malawi's best interest--or even in the UDF's?

A closer look at Atupele's political journey, the UDF's crumbling legacy, and the current political climate suggests that this bid may be more about personal legacy than national progress. Simply put, the UDF stands to gain far more by rebuilding its parliamentary strength than gambling on a presidential race it is almost certain to lose.

The Rise and Fall of the UDF: A Legacy in Decline

In the 1990s, the UDF was a powerhouse that championed the end of one-party rule and ushered in a new era. Under Bakili Muluzi, it secured 85 seats in 1994 and peaked at 93 in 1999. But its fall was just as dramatic. Bingu wa Mutharika's 2005 exit to form the DPP triggered mass defections, crippling the party's base.

Since then, the UDF has become a political shadow of its former self. By 2009, its seats in Parliament dropped to 17. Under Atupele's leadership from 2012, the downward spiral continued: 13.7% in the 2014 presidential race, 4.67% in 2019, and a diminished presence in Parliament. In the 2020 rerun election, he played second fiddle to Peter Mutharika--and still lost.

Atupele Muluzi: The Legacy That Won't Let Go

Atupele Muluzi is no stranger to high-profile politics. He has held cabinet positions in multiple administrations, but his political relevance remains tightly bound to his father's legacy. That legacy, while once hailed, is now tainted by allegations of corruption and mismanagement.

His association with an era marked by financial scandals casts a long shadow. Even if Atupele himself hasn't been directly implicated in wrongdoing, voters are increasingly skeptical of dynastic politics. In a time when anti-corruption sentiment is at an all-time high, his surname could be more of a liability than an asset.

Moreover, his track record as UDF leader doesn't inspire confidence. Over a decade at the helm, and the party has only shrunk--politically, financially, and ideologically.

The UDF Today: A Party on Life Support

The UDF's financial woes, shrinking support base, and poor electoral performance point to a party in disarray. It now lacks the organizational muscle, national appeal, and strategic direction needed to run a meaningful presidential campaign. Even in its stronghold--the Southern Region--its influence is fading. Atupele's loss of his once-safe Machinga seat speaks volumes.

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While the party has a policy platform addressing food security, energy, and corruption, the public is unlikely to forget that these were the same issues the UDF struggled to handle in power. And with no fresh faces or bold new ideas, the party risks becoming irrelevant.

A Crowded Field and a Narrow Path

With the MCP and DPP poised to dominate the 2025 race, Atupele's presidential bid looks like a long shot. Recent Afrobarometer surveys show the public is deeply disillusioned with the economy and governance--but that discontent is more likely to shift votes between the two major parties than boost the UDF.

In this landscape, the UDF could play kingmaker--if it had any real parliamentary clout. Instead, it risks being a noisy but inconsequential player. Without a serious base or a clear path to victory, Atupele's run may stretch already thin resources and further damage the party's credibility.

The Smarter Move: Rebuild, Don't Run

It's time for Atupele Muluzi to make a bold, strategic decision: Step aside from the 2025 presidential race and focus on reviving the UDF from the ground up. The party's long-term survival depends on it.

Malawi needs strong, diverse voices in Parliament--not another legacy campaign chasing lost glory. By pouring energy into winning more seats, building alliances, and cultivating fresh leadership, the UDF can begin to reclaim relevance.

The 2025 elections should be a turning point--not for Atupele's ambition, but for the UDF's reinvention.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has been granted 18 days remand of 26/11 Mumbai attacks accused Tahawwur Rana by a special NIA court on Friday, April 11. The NIA had produced Tahawwur Hussain Rana before the court on Thursday night, seeking his 20-day custody, hours after he was extradited from the United States.

Tahawwur Rana was brought to Delhis Patiala House Court under tight security, accompanied by a convoy that included a jail van, an armored SWAT vehicle, and an ambulance. He was presented before Special NIA Judge Chander Jit Singh.

During the arguments, the investigation agency cited evidence including various emails between him and David Headley, arguing that Tahawwur Rana's custody was necessary to interrogate and unearth the larger conspiracy behind the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.

The NIA also stated during arguments that as part of the criminal conspiracy, David Headley discussed the entire operation with Tahawwur Rana before his visit to India and also sent an email to Tahawwur Rana detailing his belongings and assets.

Who represented Tahawwur Rana and NIA? While senior advocate Dayan Krishnan and special public prosecutor Narender Mann represented the investigation agency.

Advocate Piyush Sachdeva from Delhi Legal Services Authority spoke for Tahawwur Rana. Piyush Sachdeva was provided to the 26/11 accused by the court.

What did US say about Tahawwur Rana's extradition? Speaking of the successful extradition of Tahawwur Rana, US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said the US was proud of the dynamic between the two countries as they continue to work together to combat global terrorism.

On April 9th, the United States extradited Tahawwur Hussain Rana to India to face justice for his role in planning the horrific 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks. These attacks resulted in the tragic loss of 166 lives, including six Americans, that shocked the entire world.
Being good with money doesnt always help with health insurance claims  just ask Paisa Vaisa podcast host Anupam Gupta. Even he wasn't spared by insurance scammers and now he is wondering if health insurance is even worth it.

In a series of social media posts, Gupta, who's also a chartered accountant (CA) and the author of The Wisest Owl: Be Your Own Financial Planner, pointed at coercive and long investigation processes for clearing insurance claims.

Gupta alleged that in order to process his health insurance claims, two private investigators landed at his doorstep, and the process made him reconsider if having insurance is even worth it. He said this happened on April 7, with no prior intimation.

Have you recently made a health insurance claim? Were you asked to give your Google Timeline data? I have! I am shocked that health insurance companies now hire investigation agencies to verify reimbursement claims, Gupta wrote on LinkedIn.

Private Investigators Checking Insurance Claims? Yes, Says This CA Recounting his experience on X on April 9, Gupta shared: Two private detective investigators came to my house to verify a health insurance claim that we made. I am now wondering if health insurance is even worth it. Here's my story.

On Monday 7th April morning, while I was on a call, I got four missed calls. When I called back, I was told Sir, I am standing outside your building regarding your health insurance claim. Please let me in. There are two of them. I give them consent to come home because I need my claim passed, right? he said.

According to Gupta, these investigators demanded the following:

All documents for his claims. When we said we already submitted the originals to the health insurance company they said, we want copies. Luckily we had one set. He took photos of all the file, he said.

A Google timeline data to prove that location and time are as stated in the claim. We said, we don't share location to Google and won't to you, Gupta wrote of the demand.

Credit card statement to prove the payment.

Photos of the house.

Call with someone from their agency who enquired about all possible details and much more regarding the claim, Gupta said.

Process Took An Hour, Said its Common Practice Now According to Gupta, the whole process took close to an hour and ended with a signed declaration for documents that they did not share. He implied that they felt they had no choice but to comply, stating: Of course, they were polite and obviously we consented to all of this. We need our claim passed, right?

The investigators told them that all health insurance companies do this and showed Gupta other declarations on his mobile phone to prove that this is now common industry practice, he added.

I give up really. I know that faking documents comes naturally to us, whether it is fake donation receipts, fake petrol bills, etc. So putting fake claims to health insurance companies is par for course, right guys? he asked.

Insurance Company Did Not Give Advance Warning Gupta was sarcastic about not receiving prior intimation about the visit from his insurance company, saying: I was not contacted by my health insurance company at all. These guys just landed up outside my building. But that's obvious right? If you give advance warning then I will certainly do a scam lol.

He added, I'm not naming the insurance company because if this is standard industry practice, then who to blame? I myself would have signed on some T&C in my policy that allows Hercule Poirot and ACP Pradyuman to investigate my claim.

On LinkedIn, he also questioned how bad things have gotten that anyone can claim he represents an insurance company and barge into my house? And if not, then my claim might just get rejected?
The US-China trade war is literally brewing a storm in a coffee cup. A LinkedIn user recently reflected on the unexpected and possible impact of the trade war after discovering Cotti Coffee. This Chinese chain has expanded to over 10,000 locations globally and offers cheaper coffee than Starbucks.

In the post, the user wrote, Dont know about you, but I wouldnt want to risk a trade war with China. Honestly, I thought they were just good at the important tech stuff. Phones. Cars. Semiconductors..

The user who found Cotti Coffee in a Dubai mall was struck by its prices and the quality of the coffee.

Today, while I was walking through a mall in Dubai, I came across a Cotti Coffee right next to a Starbucks. Was intrigued. Walked in. Everything was priced at around 10 AED. Thats 230. Cheaper than coffee in a coffee shop in India. Was intrigued again, he said.

Asked for their special. Took a sip. Really liked it. So what is this place? Was really really intrigued, the user added.

About Cotti Coffee He gave details about Cotti Coffee, a Chinese startup launched in 2022.

A Chinese coffee chain that people say is cheaper and better than Starbucks. Three sips in, I kinda agree the user added.

Cotti Coffee has opened more than 10,000 stores across 28 countries in less than three years.

And you want to engage in a trade war with these guys? Forget bringing manufacturing back to your backyard, theyve taken the coffee out of your kitchen, the LinkedIn user said.

Also Read | The Art of European Coffee: Brewing That Defines Authenticity

Coffee culture in China He also highlighted that China does not have a coffee culture, as it has long been known for tea consumption. Nevertheless, the country is rapidly developing a thriving coffee industry.

And just to be clear, China has never had a coffee culture. Its been more of a tea drinking country. Think about it, they are building stuff theyre not that into, and still absolutely smashing it, the post read.

This post comes at a time when trade relations between the United States and China are under strain.

On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump announced that the US had hiked tariffs on China to 125%. This move was to counter the tit-for-tat move, where China announced an 84% tariff on US goods, setting off a trade war between the two superpowers.

Netizens react Several social media users echoed the sentiments of the post and praised China for taking over the coffee industry as well.

One of the users commented, It's interesting to see that whatever these guys do, they give it their 1000%. It's never, 'ok let us also do something in coffee'. It's more like how do we make them doubt their existing coffee brand and then dethrone it [sic].

Tea loving folks taken coffee seriously. Remembered old saying which I used hear from some learned folks that, they take wheat and make chapatis and sell to us [sic], added another.

Bro theyre not just building tech, theyre brewing empires, one of the users said.
President Donald Trump on Thursday, April 10, announced that the United States was close to getting all Israeli hostages being held in Gaza back to Israel. Donald Trump also claimed that he was dealing with both Israel and Hamas, but he gave no other details about the talks.

Getting close to getting hostages in Gaza back, Trump announced, adding that he was dealing with both Hamas and Israel to secure peace in the region.

Donald Trump had met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Monday, April 7, and emphasised that end of war in Gaza was not-too-distant future.

When asked on his election promise to end war in Gaza, Donald Trump said, I would like to see the war stop, and I think the war will stop at some point, that won't be in the too-distant future.

The US President had also said that the progress was on to secure release of all prisoners held by Hamas in Gaza.

The development has come as Israel Defense Forces (IDF) detonated 35 buildings and tunnels in a 24 hour period in military operations in Gaza overnight and this morning.

An IDF Spokesperson said, IDF forces continue to operate in the Gaza Strip and destroy dozens of terrorist infrastructures in the area, the Air Force attacked approximately 35 terrorist targets over the past 24 hours.

Over the past 24 hours, the forces eliminated a number of terrorists, located and destroyed terrorist infrastructures and continued to operate to establish operational control in the area.
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced that he had authorised a 90-day pause and a lowered reciprocal tariff of 10 per cent during the three months of truce amid trade wars-induced market meltdown.

President Trump, however, announced that the US had hiked China tariffs to 125 per cent. No other president would have done what I did. Somebody had to do it. Trump justified his tariff policies to reporters on Wednesday, US time.

The announcement means a delay. The worries, however, remain. Trump's block came a day after his administration's sweeping tariffs against around five countries, including India, came into force, triggering trade disruptions and fears of a global economic recession.

Who is advising Trump on tariffs? In December 2024, Donald Trump, then the President-elect, picked Stephen Miran as the chair of his Council of Economic Advisers (CEA).

The CEA advises the president on economic policy and comprises three members, including the chair. The council assists in preparing an annual report that gives an overview of the country's economy, reviews federal policies and programs, and makes economic policy recommendations.

Miran, a Treasury Department adviser in Trump's first administration, is often called the mind behind Trump's economic policies, including the tariffs.

Miran has argued that fears over trade tariffs that Trump imposed and delayed for now are overblown. Tariffs deserve some extra attention. Most economists and some investors dismiss tariffs as counterproductive at best and devastatingly harmful at worst. Theyre wrong, Miran said this Monday.

One reason the economic consensus on tariffs is so wrong is because nearly all of the models that economists use to study international trade assume either no trade deficits at all, or assume that deficits are short-lived and quickly self-correct through currency adjustments, he said in his remarks at Hudson Institute think tank.

According to standard models, trade deficits will cause the US dollar to weaken, which reduces imports and boosts exports, eventually wiping out the trade deficit, Miran said.

If that happens, tariffs may be unnecessary, because trade will balance itself over time and, in this view, intervening with tariffs can only make things worse,

Who is Stephen Miran? Miran graduated from Boston University in 2005, studying economics, philosophy, and mathematics. He received a PhD in economics from Harvard University in 2010, where he was a student of Martin Feldstein, an eminent American economist who chaired the CEA during the US President Ronald Reagan administration in the 1980s.

In the report A users guide to restructuring the Global Trading System, Miran pointed to Trumps application of tariffs on China in 2018-2019, which he argues passed with little discernible macroeconomic consequence,

Miran was a senior strategist at multi-billion dollar global investment management firm, Hudson Bay Capital Management before becoming the 32nd chair of the US CEA. Miran is also co-founder of the asset management firm Amberwave Partners, and an adjunct fellow at the Manhattan Institute.

Miran served as an advisor of economic policy for the Department of the Treasury from 2020 to 2021, during Steven Mnuchin's tenure as secretary of the Treasury.

Users Guide In a report published by Hudson Institute in November titled, A users guide to restructuring the Global Trading System, Miran argued that the root of the economic imbalances lay in persistent dollar overvaluation that prevented the balancing of international trade.

No other president would have done what I did. Somebody had to do it.

He had mentioned several tariff scenarios that, he said then, could be applied under a second Trump administration while arguing that they could still be effective despite some potential negative impacts. That precisely seems to be happening now.

Also Read | Trump transforms tariff war into high-stakes showdown with China

In the essay, Miran pointed to Trumps application of tariffs on China in 2018-2019, which he argues passed with little discernible macroeconomic consequence,

The effective tariff rate on Chinese imports increased by 17.9 percentage points from the start of the trade war in 2018 to the maximum tariff rate in 2019, Miran said in the essay.

Revenue is a nice side effect Miran said in his April 7 statement, available on the White House website, that it is important to note here that tariffs are not levied simply to collect revenues.

For example, the Presidents reciprocal tariffs are designed to address tariff and non-tariff barriers and other forms of cheating like currency manipulation, dumping, and subsidies to gain unfair advantage. Revenue is a nice side effect, and if it is used in part for lowering taxes, it can help turbo-charge competitiveness improvements that boost US exports, he said.

Miran's demands from other nations Miran sparked a row with his remarks at the Hudson Institute by calling for other nations to take on a greater share of costs that he claims the United States has unfairly shouldered. He emphasised the importance of "burden sharing" by other nations to counter what he termed unfair barriers to trade.

Miran suggested various ways of sharing the burden, such as accepting the tariffs without taking retaliatory action, purchasing more American goods, and increasing defence spending.

Some of the measures that Miran said he believed should be adopted by other nations include:

Tariff acceptance: Countries should allow the US to impose tariffs on their exports without retaliation. This, he said, would help fund American public goods.

Market access: Miran suggested that foreign governments should open their markets and purchase more US products.

Defence spending: According to Miran, allies should increase their defence budgets and buy more US-made military equipment.

Direct contributions: He also suggested that foreign governments could make financial contributions to the US Treasury to offset security and economic costs.
US President Donald Trump announced a 90-day 'pause' on reciprocal tariffs for all countries but China. Trump raised tariffs on Chinese products to 125 percent after Beijing announced a new round of retaliation.

The details were not immediately clear, but the Trump administration said the US would keep his 10% baseline tariffs on most countries. Stocks immediately made steep gains after Trumps reversal.

"I have authorised a 90 day PAUSE, and a substantially lowered Reciprocal Tariff during this period, of 10%, also effective immediately," Trump posted on Truth social media.

Trump's turnabout on Wednesday came less than 24 hours after steep new tariffs kicked in on most trading partners. It followed the most intense episode of financial market volatility since the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Here's all you need to know about Trump tariff delay:

1. What happens now? Countries, that were hit with the reciprocal duties that went into effect Wednesday, will now be taxed at the earlier 10% baseline rate applied to other nations, with the exception of China, a White House official told Bloomberg.

US tariffs on steel, aluminum and automobiles remain at their current rates, the official said.

Meanwhile, tariffs of 10% or 25% on Canadian and Mexico goods, with the exception items covered by the North American trade pact, will also stay the same, the official added.

According to the official, EU imports face a 10% tax even though the bloc announced retaliation on the metals tariffs because the EU measures have not yet been implemented.

2. Why Trump hiked tariff rate ONLY for China Trumps decision to raise import taxes even further on China came after Beijing announced plans to retaliate with an 84% duty on American goods set to begin Thursday.

The Trump administration took particular aim at China over its trade practices and its combative approach to the presidents tariff plans.

Based on the lack of respect that China has shown to the Worlds Markets, I am hereby raising the Tariff charged to China by the United States of America to 125%, effective immediately, Trump said in a social media post.

Trump later told reporters that he announced a 90-day pause for the people who didn't retaliate because I told them if they retaliate, we're going to double it...And that's what I did with China because they did retaliate.

Later, the White House posted on X, DO NOT RETALIATE AND YOU WILL BE REWARDED.

On Wednesday, China had slapped 50% tariffs on US goods, raising levies from 34% to 84%, and retaliating against President Donald Trumps punishing new round of tariffs, which pushed up duties against Chinese goods to 104% a day before.

3. 'China wants to make a deal' Trump told media on Wednesday that "China wants to make a deal. They just don't know how quite to go about it." He added, " [Chinese President] Xi is a smart guy and well end up making a very good deal.

He called the Chinese leader one of the smartest people in the world and a man who knows exactly what has to be done, he loves his country.

The US president later predicted that Chinese President Xi Jinping or his team would come to the table for negotiations despite their defiant posture. Well get a phone call at some point, and itll be off to the races, Trump said.

Itll be a great thing for them. Itll be a great thing for us. Its going to be a great thing for the world and for humanity," Trump was quoted by Bloomberg as saying.

Also Read | Team Trump Explains Why They Paused Tariffs On Everyone But Punished China

4. Countries in talks with US after 90-day pause Trump said that more than 75 countries had contacted his administration to negotiate on trade barriers and have not, at my strong suggestion, retaliated in any way, shape, or form.

Vietnam and the US have agreed to start negotiations on a reciprocal trade agreement after talks in Washington. Meanwhile, the UK will continue negotiations coolly and calmly.

South Korea's acting President Han Duck-soo said on Thursday that the government would seek to advance negotiations with the US over tariffs in a bid to shake off the burden, the Yonhap News Agency reported.

A Japanese official also said that the country will continue to urge US President Donald Trump to review his tariff measures.

5. A country-by-country look after the 90-day pause Here is a look at the full list of tariffs Trump originally threatened  and the new updated rate country by country:

Country Original tariff Revised tariff China 34% 125% European Union 20% 10% Vietnam 46% 10% Taiwan 32% 10% Japan 24% 10% India 26% 10% South Korea 25% 10% Thailand 36% 10% Switzerland 31% 10% Indonesia 32% 10% Malaysia 24% 10% Cambodia 49% 10% United Kingdom 10% 10% South Africa 30% 10% Brazil 10% 10% Bangladesh 37% 10% Singapore 10% 10% Israel 17% 10% Philippines 17% 10% Chile 10% 10% Australia 10% 10% Pakistan 29% 10% Turkey 10% 10% Sri Lanka 44% 10% Colombia 10% 10% Peru 10% 10% Nicaragua 18% 10% Norway 15% 10% Costa Rica 10% 10% Jordan 20% 10% Dominican Republic 10% 10% United Arab Emirates 10% 10% New Zealand 10% 10% Argentina 10% 10% Ecuador 10% 10% Guatemala 10% 10% Honduras 10% 10% Madagascar 47% 10% Myanmar 44% 10% Tunisia 28% 10% Kazakhstan 27% 10% Serbia 37% 10% Egypt 10% 10% Saudi Arabia 10% 10% El Salvador 10% 10% Cote dIvoire 21% 10% Laos 48% 10% Botswana 37% 10% Trinidad and Tobago 10% 10% Morocco 10% 10% Algeria 30% 10% Oman 10% 10% Uruguay 10% 10% Bahamas 10% 10% Lesotho 50% 10% Ukraine 10% 10% Bahrain 10% 10% Qatar 10% 10% Mauritius 40% 10% Fiji 32% 10% Iceland 10% 10% Kenya 10% 10% Liechtenstein 37% 10% Guyana 38% 10% Haiti 10% 10% Bosnia and Herzegovina 35% 10% Nigeria 14% 10% Namibia 21% 10% Brunei 24% 10% Bolivia 10% 10% Panama 10% 10% Venezuela 15% 10% North Macedonia 33% 10% Ethiopia 10% 10% Ghana 10% 10% Moldova 31% 10% Angola 32% 10% Democratic Republic of the Congo 11% 10% Jamaica 10% 10% Mozambique 16% 10% Paraguay 10% 10% Zambia 17% 10% Lebanon 10% 10% Tanzania 10% 10% Iraq 39% 10% Georgia 10% 10% Senegal 10% 10% Azerbaijan 10% 10% Cameroon 11% 10% Uganda 10% 10% Albania 10% 10% Armenia 10% 10% Nepal 10% 10% Sint Maarten 10% 10% Falkland Islands 41% 10% Gabon 10% 10% Kuwait 10% 10% Togo 10% 10% Suriname 10% 10% Belize 10% 10% Papua New Guinea 10% 10% Malawi 17% 10% Liberia 10% 10% British Virgin Islands 10% 10% Afghanistan 10% 10% Zimbabwe 18% 10% Benin 10% 10% Barbados 10% 10% Monaco 10% 10% Syria 41% 10% Uzbekistan 10% 10% Republic of the Congo 10% 10% Djibouti 10% 10% French Polynesia 10% 10% Cayman Islands 10% 10% Kosovo 10% 10% Curacao 10% 10% Vanuatu 22% 10% Rwanda 10% 10% Sierra Leone 10% 10% Mongolia 10% 10% San Marino 10% 10% Antigua and Barbuda 10% 10% Bermuda 10% 10% Eswatini 10% 10% Marshall Islands 10% 10% Saint Pierre and Miquelon 10% 10% Saint Kitts and Nevis 10% 10% Turkmenistan 10% 10% Grenada 10% 10% Sudan 10% 10% Turks and Caicos Islands 10% 10% Aruba 10% 10% Montenegro 10% 10% Saint Helena 10% 10% Kyrgyzstan 10% 10% Yemen 10% 10% Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 10% 10% Niger 10% 10% Saint Lucia 10% 10% Nauru 30% 10% Equatorial Guinea 13% 10% Iran 10% 10% Libya 31% 10% Samoa 10% 10% Guinea 10% 10% Timor-Leste 10% 10% Montserrat 10% 10% Chad 13% 10% Mali 10% 10% Maldives 10% 10% Tajikistan 10% 10% Cabo Verde 10% 10% Burundi 10% 10% Guadeloupe 10% 10% Bhutan 10% 10% Martinique 10% 10% Tonga 10% 10% Mauritania 10% 10% Dominica 10% 10% Micronesia 10% 10% Gambia 10% 10% French Guiana 10% 10% Christmas Island 10% 10% Andorra 10% 10% Central African Republic 10% 10% Solomon Islands 10% 10% Mayotte 10% 10% Anguilla 10% 10% Cocos (Keeling) Islands 10% 10% Eritrea 10% 10% Cook Islands 10% 10% South Sudan 10% 10% Comoros 10% 10% Kiribati 10% 10% Sao Tome and Principe 10% 10% Norfolk Island 10% 10% Gibraltar 10% 10% Tuvalu 10% 10% British Indian Ocean Territory 10% 10% Tokelau 10% 10% Guinea-Bissau 10% 10% Svalbard and Jan Mayen 10% 10% Heard and McDonald Islands 10% 10% Reunion 10% 10%
The Donald Trump administration will deny immigration benefits for antisemitic activity on social media and harassment of Jews, a federal agency announcement on Wednesday stated.

Today, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will begin considering aliens antisemitic activity on social media and the physical harassment of Jewish individuals as grounds for denying immigration benefit requests, the federal agency said.

The order comes into effect immediately, and the social media activities of immigrants who request benefits, including those who apply for lawful permanent resident status, foreign students and people affiliated with educational institutions, will be verified.

The agency will consider social media content that indicates endorsing, espousing, promoting, or supporting antisemitic terrorism, antisemitic terrorist organisations, or other antisemitic activity as a negative factor while granting immigration benefits.

Who are extremists? To describe extremists, USCIS referred to those who support antisemitic terrorism, violent antisemitic ideologies and antisemitic terrorist organisations. It also named Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Hezbollah.

There is no room in the United States for the rest of the worlds terrorist sympathizers, and we are under no obligation to admit them or let them stay here, said DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin. Sec. Noem has made it clear that anyone who thinks they can come to America and hide behind the First Amendment to advocate for anti-Semitic violence and terrorism  think again. You are not welcome here.

The latest order comes after a notice from the Department of Homeland Security was released stating that social media handles of people applying for benefits such as green cards or citizenship would be collected. This notice raised concerns from immigration and free speech advocates as it was seen as a measure to expand the government's reach in social media surveillance.

Also Read | House passes No Rogue Rulings Act to limit judicial power against Trump's orders

However, the practice of social media surveillance for immigration is in place for more than a decade since Barack Obama's second term as the US President.
After Donald Trump imposed a punishing 125 per cent tariff on Chinese goods, Beijing on Thursday warned that American tariffs go "against the whole world", reported AFP.

Speaking to reporters, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said, as AFP quoted, "The US tariffs seriously damage the rules-based multilateral trading system, and seriously impact the stability of the global economic order."

If the US side truly wants to resolve issues through dialogue and negotiation, it should show an attitude of equality, respect, and mutual benefit. If the US side disregards the interests of the two countries and the international community and insists on waging a tariff war and a trade war, China's response will continue to the end, Lin said.

"This is a blatant act that goes against the will of the world and goes against the whole world," he added.

China not interested in a fight On Thursday, the Chinese foreign ministry said in reply to questions about the US tariffs that the country is not interested in a fight but will not fear if the United States continues its tariff threats.

"The US cause doesn't win the support of the people and will end in failure," Lin Jian said at a regular press conference, as quoted by Reuters.

He further noted that China would not sit back and let the legitimate rights and interests of the Chinese people be deprived.

Earlier in the day, China's commerce ministry said China is open to dialogue with the US; however, this must be based on mutual respect and equality.

When asked whether the world's two largest economies have started tariff negotiations, China's commerce ministry spokesperson He Yongqian told a regular press briefing, "Pressure, threats and blackmail are not the right way to deal with China."

"China will follow through to the end if the US insists on its own way," he said.

China reaches out to other nations China is currently reaching out to other nations in an attempt to form a united front and compel Washington to retreat.

On Wednesday, President Trump backed off his tariffs on most nations for 90 days and said countries were lining up to negotiate more favourable conditions.

China has retaliated with 84 per cent tariffs on US goods, which took effect on Thursday.

So far, China has focused on Europe, with a phone call between Premier Li Qiang and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

China is willing to work with the EU to jointly implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of China and the EU, strengthen communication and exchanges, and deepen China-EU trade, investment and industrial cooperation, the official Xinhua News Agency reported.

Australia on Thursday declined China's proposal to work together to counter US tariffs.

Referring to the Chinese ambassador's proposal for countries to "join hands" on trade, Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles told Sky News, "We are not going to be holding hands with China in respect of any contest that is going on in the world."

"We are not doing that. What we are doing is pursuing Australia's national interests and diversifying our trade around the world."
European Union on Thursday put tariff retaliation against the US on hold for 90 days to match President Donald Trumps pause, but warned that if negotiations are not satisfactory, the countermeasures will kick in.

Trump imposed a 20 per cent levy on goods from the EU. In retaliation, the European Union (EU) said it would apply tariffs on more than 20 billion euros of US goods, including soybeans, motorcycles, and beauty products.

However, with Trump backing down on tariffs with a 90-day pause for most countries, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a decision to put tariff retaliation on hold for the same period.

"We took note of the announcement by President Trump. We want to give negotiations a chance. While finalising the adoption of the EU countermeasures that saw strong support from our member states, we will put them on hold for 90 days," said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in a statement on X.

Further, she warned that if negotiations are not satisfactory, our countermeasures will kick in, and added, "Preparatory work on further countermeasures continues. As I have said before, all options remain on the table.

Just a few hours before the EU announced a 90-day pause, the European Commission President welcomed Donald Trumps announcement to pause reciprocal tariffs and said that it was an important step towards stabilising the global economy.

Clear, predictable conditions are essential for trade and supply chains to function. Tariffs are taxes that only hurt businesses and consumers. Thats why Ive consistently advocated for a zero-for-zero tariff agreement between the European Union and the United States. The European Union remains committed to constructive negotiations with the United States, with the goal of achieving frictionless and mutually beneficial trade, she added.

On Wednesday, Trump announced a 90-day pause for most countries but slapped even more levies on China.

"I have authorized a 90 day PAUSE" on higher tariffs that took effect on Wednesday," Trump said on his Truth Social network.

The US President said he took the decision after more than 75 countries had reached out to negotiate over the tariffs.

"Based on the lack of respect that China has shown to the World's Markets, I am hereby raising the Tariff charged to China by the United States of America to 125 percent, effective immediately," Trump said.
Prince Harry's lawyer warned on Wednesday that the Duke of Sussex's "life is at stake" over changes to his security after he stepped down from royal duties.

The lawyer's statement came as Prince Harry returned to London's Royal Courts of Justice on Wednesday for his appeal about changes to his protection in Britain.

He challenged the decision of the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures, known as Ravec, that he should receive a different degree of protection at public expense while in the UK after he stepped down as a working royal and moved abroad.

Harry, King Charles' younger son, is trying to overturn a decision by the Home Office  the ministry responsible for policing  which decided in 2020 he would not automatically receive personal police security while in Britain.

Prince Harry appeared at the high court in London in this regard for a second day on Wednesday

"One must not forget the human dimension to this case: there is a person sitting behind me whose safety, whose security and whose life is at stake," his lawyer Shaheed Fatima told the court as Harry watched on.

She had said in court filings made public on Tuesday that al Qaeda had recently called for Harry to be murdered and that he and his wife Meghan had been involved in "a dangerous car pursuit with paparazzi in New York City" in 2023.

Prince Harry stepped back from his royal duties in 2020 and now lives in California with his American wife Meghan and their two children.

His challenge was rejected last year, with the High Court ruling the decision was lawful, but he was granted permission to appeal.

Harry, 40, regularly conferred with his legal team on the final day of the two-day hearing, at times shaking his head, as the government's lawyers argued that it was the right decision to adopt a "bespoke" approach to his security.

"The basis for the decision-making and the bespoke approach being adopted was that it had positive advantages from a security assessment point of view," James Eadie, representing the Home Office, said.

After part of Wednesday's hearing concerning specific security arrangements was heard in private, Fatima said the case was incredibly important to him.

"His presence here and throughout this appeal is a potent illustration, were one needed, of how much this appeal means to him and his family," she said.

While Harry had been told he was getting "a special bespoke process ... he knows and has experienced a process that is manifestly inferior in every respect", Fatima added.
The days of sexual predators roaming the streets should be a thing of the past, says Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Kenny Morolong.

The Deputy Minister said this during his visit to the family of a seven-year-old girl who was allegedly raped in Ipelegeng Township, Schweizer Reneke in the North West.

"We are encouraged that despite the matter being reported in December 2024, an arrest has finally been affected. The days of sexual predators roaming on our streets should be a thing of the past," the Deputy Minster said.

The Deputy Minister also expressed concerns on the failure of the police to act swiftly in a case that constitute a direct violation of the rights of the child while also describing the alleged incident as barbaric and diabolical.

He is expected to engage Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on his concerns and observations made during engagements with law enforcement agencies.

The Deputy Minister will also engage the Minister of Social Development on psychosocial support for the alleged victim and her family.

Morolong was accompanied by the Provincial leadership of the South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) represented by the Provincial Chairperson and Provincial Secretary, Tshepo Khoza and Mogomotsi Mosheshe respectively.

The Deputy Minister and SANCO leadership also visited the local Ipelegeng police station.
As part of Juliens auctions event titled Princess Dianas Style & A Royal Collection, which will be held on June 26 (Thursday) at 10:00 am Pacific Time at The Peninsula Beverly Hills, more than 200 items of Diana, Princess of Wales, will be up for the auction providing a window into a moment in history.

The collection will also be on exhibition at The Museum of Style Icons (Mosi) in Ireland's Newbridge from mid May until mid June 2025.

The bidding will begin on May 20 consisting of a range of Dianas garments with a purpose of celebrating her style and preserve her legacy. In addition to it, there will be a collection of garments and artefacts from British royal history comprising items once worn by the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Queen Elizabeth II, the Queen Mother and other members of the royal family that goes as far back as the 19th century.

According to news agency PA Media, co-founder and executive director of Juliens Auctions, Martin Nolan, said, Princess Diana holds a special place in the heart of Juliens Auctions, and we are honoured to continue to preserve her legacy telling her story through the pieces that defined her elegance, grace, glamour and spirit. This collection is the most significant offering of her wardrobe ever presented at auction, each item a window into a moment in history and a tribute to a woman whose humility and style and personal warmth continues to inspire the world.

Earlier, Juliens Auctions sold one of Dianas gowns for a whopping 1.14 million US dollars (889,000), and in 2024, a pair of her shoes got 390,000 US dollars (304,000) at auction.

The Museum of Pop Culture (Mopop) will host an exhibition before sale to provide members of the public the opportunity to view the items before it goes under the hammer in a new partnership with Juliens Auctions. This collection celebrates Princess Dianas enduring influence as a cultural and fashion icon. Her style, grace, and humanitarian spirit continue to resonate across generations, said Michele Y Smith, chief executive of Mopop.

Who was Diana, Princess of Wales? Diana was born on July 1, 1961 and died on August 31, 1997. She was a member of British Royal family. She was the mother of Princes William and Harry and first wife of Charles III (then Prince of Wales). Her activism and glamour, which made her a global personality.

She performed royal duties on behalf of the Queen and represented her at functions across the Commonwealth realms. Diana was admired in the media for her style, beauty, charm, beauty, and later, her distinctive approach to charity work.
Pakistan on Thursday asserted that it has nothing to do with the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack accused Tahawwur Rana, who was formally arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in Delhi after his extradition from the United States.

According to a report by PTI, Pakistan claimed that Rana is a Canadian national and has not renewed his Pakistani documents for over two decades.

While responding to a question during his weekly press briefing in Islamabad, Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said, as quoted by PTI, "He is a Canadian national, and as per our record, he has not renewed his Pakistani documents for over two decades."

Rana, born in Pakistan in 1961, served in the Pakistan Army Medical Corps, before migrating in the 1990s to Canada, where he was given citizenship.

The case against Rana Tahawwur Rana is known to be associated with Pakistani-American terrorist David Coleman Headley who was one of the main conspirators of the 26/11 attacks. Headley conducted a recce of Mumbai before the attacks by posing as an employee of Ranas immigration consultancy.

A total of 166 people, including six Americans, were killed in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks in which 10 Pakistani terrorists laid a more than 60-hour siege.

Tahawwur Rana was convicted in the US for being part of the banned terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operatives and providing material support to the group responsible for the Mumbai attacks.

Rana is accused of plotting the attack and has been extradited from the US to India on Thursday.

After he was extradited to India, the NIA formally arrested him from Delhi's IGI airport. He was escorted to New Delhi by teams of NSG and NIA, comprising senior officials, on a special plane from Los Angeles.

The NIA investigation team at the airport arrested Rana, a Canadian national of Pakistani origin living primarily in Chicago (US), soon after he emerged from the airplane, after completing all the necessary legal formalities, said the agency.
Cities dont get any cooler than Manhattan, New York City . My favourite is the midtown area, purely for the spectrum of human life it displays. Within just a couple of miles, you will find both Billionaires Row and homeless people, Mortons Steakhouse and street-side food carts, Radio City Music Hall and buskers making music off buckets. But the sharpest contrast is seen between shoppers exiting Bergdorf Goodman with shopping bags slung on shoulders while nearby, cops chase away peddlers of counterfeit designer-label bags.

Recently, when Sam Altman of OpenAI changed his profile picture to an AI-generated Studio Ghibli-style rendering of himself, millions of similar images mushroomed all over social media. The latest update to OpenAIs GPT-4o model had turned the Japanese studios artistic genius and incredible skill into a cheap digital toy. Since then, Ghibli-style imagery has gone viral. Proponents of AI imitation art have argued that Ghiblis creativity is being democratized and fans can thus engage with it in novel ways.

Hayao Miyazaki, Studio Ghiblis 84-year-old co-founder, is widely recognized for his role in greatly elevating the art of animation. His signature stylemarked by lush, hand-drawn landscapes, vibrant colours and expressive charactersturns animation into a medium of unparalleled beauty and aesthetic brilliance. His films have won every major award, including another Oscar last year. In a 2016 interview, Miyazaki had famously reacted to an AI animation demo with visceral disgust, emphasizing why art had to have soul and labour.

Back then, AI generated animation looked horribly unnatural. Current AI technology is different. With good prompting, it is indistinguishable from original artworks. In other words, it deserves more than cursory attention.

The police action in New York against forged luxury goods is directed at what is clearly an illegal trade. The logos and names on those counterfeit bags are trademarked brand identifiers. When someone sells a fake bag with such a label, its not just copying a style, its passing off a product as originating from the brand, diluting its valuean action that is explicitly illegal under the US Lanham Act.

In this context, some have argued that an AI Ghibli art generator causes neither a trademark nor copyright violation. The latter protects specific works of art, such as individual films or clips, but not broad styles. Landmark cases like Feist Publications vs Rural Telephone Service (1991) were settled on the premise that abstract ideas or styles (such as impressionism or anime) cannot be copyrighted, only their concrete expressions can.

Also Read: Anthropic scores win in an AI copyright dispute with record labels

On close scrutiny, you will notice that many counterfeit goods do not actually say Louis Vuitton or sport this luxury brands iconic LV logo. They just look similar. An LM, for example, can look the same without technically infringing LVMHs trademark. It turns out that is illegal too. Under US and EU laws, infringement stems from any likelihood of a reasonable consumer mistaking a fake for the real deal. The police crackdown on peddlers therefore is justified by their intent to deceive.

Just like those LM bags, an AI-generated Miyazaki-style image too could deceive an unfamiliar consumer. Online counter-arguments cite differences between physical goods and expressions of art, apart from a lack of legal precedence. Both of these arguments are weak. The frank truth is that respect for foreign intellectual property rights in the US is spotty at best.

The goods-versus-expressions argument gets shattered at any dinner in America where Wagyu steak from Kansas is served along with Korbel California champagne. That the originals are meant to come from Japan and France doesnt seem to strike anyone.

In the 2023 Hollywood strike, AI was a central point of contention. The Writers Guild of America demanded that writers works shouldnt be used as source material to train AI models. The screen actors guild took issue over the digital likenesses of performers being created from their past screen appearances.

While the final settlement left many issues for future legal battles, Hollywood studios did agree to demote AI to a worker-controlled tool. This outcome sets a precedent for recognizing the threat that technology poses with algorithms impersonating artists.

Evolution put humans on top of the biological order because of our cognition and ability to create rules-based societies. With AI here for good, we must also create guidelines that will keep us on top. A future 3D printer that could recreate lookalikes of designer goods at will, in a manner that doesnt openly break laws, would surely face a storm of litigation, lobbying pressure and law-enforcement crackdowns. Thats only fair to those who design and create these products. In the same vein, it is now time for us to protect the legacy of creators who toil to create works that are worth re-creating.

I should confess that Im personally a big fan of AI. My company is evaluating many interesting AI initiatives we hope to work with. But if AI does not set off in its early days with fair trade as a guiding principle, it will soon find itself at odds with society at large. Weve never had trouble working out royalty regimes. To start with, we should at least figure out what licence fees OpenAI should pay Studio Ghibli for using its artworks to train its AI models. We can talk about royalties for generated images later.

The author is founder and CEO, August Media Group.
The Congress party will not allow the BJP to gain a foothold in Telangana at any cost, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy said while addressing the AICC meeting in Ahmedabad on Wednesday.

"From the land of Vallabhbhai Patel, I am saying only one thing. Under the leadership of Sonia Gandhi, we will not let the BJP enter Telangana. We will stop them," Reddy said.

He also appealed to Congress workers and Gandhi followers to ensure the defeat of the BJP across the nation.

"With a strong resolve from here, we are going to defeat the BJP in Telangana. I am appealing to every Congress worker and Gandhi follower to take the responsibility of defeating the BJP in the coming days from here. All of us should defeat Godse's descendants and Modi," Reddy commented.

"Standing in the land of Gujarat, I resolved to stop the BJP from entering Telangana. The Telangana region was liberated from Nizam's rule under the leadership of former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and former Union Home Minister Vallabhbhai Patel. It is the reason Telangana people maintain a relationship with the Gujrat people and the descendants of Vallabhbhai Patel."

The Telangana chief minister further remarked that his government fulfilled Rahul Gandhi's promises by waiving 21,000 crore in farm loans and conducting a caste census.

"Rahul Gandhi embarked on Bharat Jodo Yatra covering 4,000 km from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, promising caste census, crop loan waiver, job creation for youth, and women's welfare. During his padayatra in Telangana, Rahul Gandhi also made the promise of caste census, waiver of farm loans, jobs, and women's welfare," Reddy said.

BJP Hits Back Hitting back at Revanth Reddy, BJP leader andUnion Minister of State for Home AffairsBandi Sanjay Kumar said the BJP is "only getting stronger" and called the Congress an "endangered species".

In a post on social media platform X, Bandi Sanjay said: "Telangana CM couldn't make Congress win in his native Mahabubnagar--lost to a BJP MP. He couldn't hold his sitting seat in Malkajgiri--again lost to the BJP. He came third in Kamareddy, defeated directly by a BJP MLA. Even in the MLC polls, Congress lost to the BJP [sic]."
Apples Global Operations: Beyond the American Label  Shayne Heffernan $AAPL $SPY $FXI

By Shayne Heffernan, April 11, 2025

Apple, often seen as an American icon with its headquarters in Cupertino, California, operates on a deeply global scale. This article examines the hard facts of Apples production, revenue booking, cash reserves, and international sales, revealing a company far more international than its US roots suggest. These dynamics impact markets like $AAPL, $SPY, and $FXI, offering key insights for investors.

Apples Production: A Global Supply Chain Breakdown

Apples manufacturing is predominantly overseas, with China leading the way. Approximately 80-90% of iPhones are assembled in China through partners like Foxconn, Pegatron, and Wistron. Macs and iPads follow a similar pattern, with 55% of Macs and 80% of iPads produced in China. India has emerged as a growing hub, producing $14 billion worth of iPhones in the last fiscal year, accounting for 14% of total iPhone production, a figure that doubled from the previous year. Apple aims to increase this to 25% by the end of 2025. Vietnam contributes to production, particularly for AirPods and Apple Watches, though exact percentages are unavailable. In the US, less than 5% of Apples total production occurs, mainly for high-end components and some Mac assembly, such as microchips from a TSMC factory in Arizona. Smaller production facilities exist in Brazil and Taiwan, but their contributions are minimal.

Revenue Booking: Strategic Use of Low-Tax Jurisdictions

Apple books a significant portion of its international revenue through subsidiaries in low-tax jurisdictions to minimize tax liabilities. European sales, which totaled $101 billion in 2024 (26% of Apples $391 billion revenue), are often routed through Ireland, where the corporate tax rate is 12.5%. This strategy has faced scrutiny, with the European Union challenging such tax arrangements. In contrast, the Americas, primarily the US, accounted for $167 billion (43% of revenue), Greater China contributed $67 billion (17%), Japan added $24 billion (6%), and the rest of Asia-Pacific brought in $29 billion (7%).

Apples Cash Stockpile: Offshore Holdings

Apples cash and marketable securities stood at $162 billion in 2024. Historically, a large portionaround 70%was held offshore to avoid high US taxes on repatriated profits, often in low-tax jurisdictions like Ireland and the Channel Islands. Following the 2017 US tax reforms, Apple repatriated $252 billion, paying a one-time tax of $38 billion. As of 2024, an estimated 40% of its cash remains outside the US, likely in tax-advantaged regions, allowing Apple to retain more profits.

International Sales: A Global Market

Apples sales are heavily weighted toward international markets. In 2021, 67% of its revenue came from outside the US, a trend that continued into 2024. The Americas generated $167 billion (43% of total revenue), with the US contributing approximately $137 billion (35%). This means 65% of Apples products, by revenue, are sold outside the US, with Europe, Greater China, Japan, and Asia-Pacific driving significant demand.

Implications for Investors

Apples global operations influence several markets. Its international sales and production in China tie $AAPL to $FXI, as trade tensionslike the recent 125% US tariffs on Chinese importscould disrupt supply chains. The $SPY, heavily weighted toward Apple, benefits from its global revenue but faces risks from these tensions. Investors should monitor Apples diversification efforts, such as increased production in India, and its tax strategies, which could face further regulatory challenges in Europe.
The family of a woman who drowned alongside a Meigs County deputy is suing a GPS navigation company, saying it led the officer into the Tennessee River where they drowned in February of 2024.

The lawsuit claims that Meigs County Deputy Robert Leonard was using Garmin GPS when taking Tabitha Smith to jail.

It claims that the GPS system showed a bridge across the river that didn't exist, causing Leonard to drive into the river.

Smith was in custody and handcuffed in the rear of the patrol vehicle after an altercation on a nearby road. Leonard was enroute to take Smith to the county jail before the crash.

Garmin responded to the lawsuit saying the company is not liable for damages and the accident was due to negligence.

The company is asking for the lawsuit to be dismissed.

Smith's family has also filed a civil lawsuit against the county and the estate of Leonard.
Granard Booktown is returning for its third year with another exciting lineup in store for attendees across the county and country.

The festival will be kicking off this Friday, April 11 at 5pm with Conor Gearty, a professor of Human Rights Law at LSE and an Honorary Kings Counsel and Peter Geoghegan.

At 6pm Rebecca Tallon de Havilland can be seen in Fays Bar, Seamus ORourke will be featured in the Library at 7pm. The remainder of the Booktown weekend will be see contributions from poets, playwrights, authors and journalists who have given so much to the written word.

Each day will feature a special guest as the last speaker of the day. This Friday, renowned Irish author Claire Keegan will be speaking at 8 pm in the school hall of Granards Sacred Heart National School.

Claire Keegan is best known for her book Small Things Like These which was recently adapted to the silver screen and starred Oscar-winning actor Cillian Murphy.

Also Read: Wedding Bells: Marriage celebrations as Longford couples say I do

The film was highly successful and highly awarded. Claire has studied in New Orelans, saw her first collections of stories published in 1999 and has been nominated and won multiple prestigious awards for literature time and time again.

Anyone interested can attend her conversation with acclaimed Irish writer Sinead Gleeson.

Saturday will see another special guest make the journey to Granard Book town.

Carole Cadwalladr, the renowned Pulitzer-nominated journalist with the Guardian, the Observer, and Cambridge Analytica investigator.

She is the recipient of multiple journalistic awards, and for those interested can be found in conversation with renowned Irish journalist Bryan Dobson this Saturday evening at 8pm in Sacred Heart National School.

Also Read: Longford and Roscommon clubs to clash in Henry Kenny Memorial Match this Sunday

Last but not least, the esteemed Irish author, John Banville will be sitting down with Belinda McKeon at 6:30 pm in Sacred Heart National School.

John Banville has written dozens of award-winning works of literature. He is the winner of the Booker Prize for his 2005 novel The Sea. His infamous crime series featured Dublin pathologist Quirke under the pseudonym Benjamin Black has solidified him as one of the juggernauts of the Irish Crime genre.

Along with these special guests the festival will be providing a whole host of writers throughout the weekend that are absolutely not to be missed. The programme is available on the Granard Booktown website as are tickets.
Longford County Council has been shortlisted for two awards at the upcoming Health and Safety Excellence Awards 2025: the Health and Safety Excellence Award  Public Sector category and the Mental Health and Wellbeing Initiative of the Year category.

The Health and Safety Excellence Awards by BusinessRiver recognises outstanding achievements in health and safety practices across Ireland.

This years awards take place on Thursday, April 17 in the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Santry, Dublin.

Longford County Council uses several initiatives to implement workplace health and safety.

The council has a strong track record in the Health and Safety Excellence Awards having won the Public Sector category in 2023 and 2024 as well as being nominated for the overall Grand Prix award in 2023.

Also Read: Longford Journalist Peter Geoghegan: A watchdog for democracy

Longford County Council, Bord na Mona, Derrinlough Wind Farm and Uisce Eireann are the three finalists in the Public Sector category in the 2025 awards.

The council has also been shortlisted in the Mental Health and Wellbeing Initiative of the Year category in recognition of several impactful initiatives it runs within the organisation to promote positive mental health and wellbeing among employees.

These initiatives include programmes such as health screening, Couch to 5k Running Challenge, Winter Flu Vaccinations, Staff Appreciation Day, and a Retired Employee Christmas Party.

The programmes also supported the National No Smoking Day, National Day of Reading, Pride Month, Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Mental Health Awareness Month through information sessions and sharing of materials.

Longford County Council Cathaoirleach Cllr Mark Casey said, Longford County Council has continuously demonstrated a commitment to health and safety by chairing safety meetings, being involved in the audit process, conducting safety inspections, leading by example, and promoting a positive health and safety culture. Indeed, a recent audit report from the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) reported Longford County Councils safety culture as a strength. The auditors pointed out that positive safety culture cascades from the top down through the layers of the organisation. It is fantastic to see this work being recognised.

Also Read: Longford schools under pressure due to the absence of special schools in Leitrim

Longford County Council Chief Executive Paddy Mahon said, In Longford, a focus on mental health and wellbeing is central to workplace safety and this is prioritised by the council. The work of both our Health and Safety team and the Health and Wellbeing team has had an overwhelmingly positive impact on the organisation as a whole and on each employee, it is great to have this work recognised nationally with these awards.
Darragh Coady is a local wordsmith who has just released his first collection of poems this month.

His journey as a poet started only a few years ago but he has been a writer all his life, drawing inspiration from the world around him that feeds to the heart of his work.

When asked about when his journey as a poet began Darragh said, A little over three years ago. I fell into poetry by accident.

I went to a John Cooper Clarke gig. Manchester Poet Mike Garry was on first and blew my head off with his set. I knew poetry was something unique but I didnt know it could be that.

I left the gig knowing I wanted to start performing my work in front of audiences and began writing material that would question the norm and cut close to the bone.

While this performance was a catalyst for Darragh's poetry he has always loved writing and has dipped his toe in all avenues of the craft.

Also Read: Granard gears up once again for Booktown festival

My love of words has strong ties with music and goes back to when I was writing songs and poems in my teens. I wrote fiction mostly and it takes a long time to write novels. The beauty of poetry is that you can condense an entire story into one poem, he expressed.

There are many things that fuel Darraghs work, he explains how he channels them into his pieces and how they drive him as a poet.

People I meet. Society. Injustice. Love and heartbreak. Taboo subjects are a big one. Ireland and the world. Im driven by a head full of ideas and the only way to get them out is to write them down, a bit like taking out the trash.

You dont want the bin overflowing, he joked, Performing has helped me up my game massively. When people come back to you and tell you how they can relate to what youre saying, you take a step back and think, maybe Im doing something right here after all.

I believe that poetry is the last great vehicle left to us to communicate and express how we feel, especially now when we live in an age where censorship is king and were being too conditioned to no longer think for ourselves.

Also Read: Longford Journalist Peter Geoghegan: A watchdog for democracy

For Darragh, this is the process of his poetry, he is driven by a head full of ideas, as he said above.

There was never a process, he explained, Everything fell just right, as though I was being guided by someone else. The whole thing has been surreal.

Surreal is right, as now Darragh is enjoying the excitement of publishing his first book, Menageries.

I published my first poem two years ago. That was a special moment. Then another and another. Lightning kept striking and a friend asked, why not put a book out? I never gave it much thought. I think in terms of music a lot.

Also Read: Longford schools under pressure due to the absence of special schools in Leitrim

And indeed he does, in fact, it seems that a particular Beatles album greatly inspired Menageries inception.

Sgt Pepper has thirteen tracks so my friend dared me that if I reached 13, Id have to put something out. Ive surpassed that and now the bill has come due. Menageries is me keeping a promise and scratching off another one on the to-do list.

For those wishing to see Darragh perform some of his work, he will be at the Granard Booktown Festival this weekend on Saturday, April 12, for Poetry & Pints at Fay's Bar. He will also be doing his own show at W.A.L Fest Longford on May 5.

I never thought of it as a profession or anything more than sharing an odd poem at an open mic, but something has happened over the last two years.

In the short space of one year Ive headlined in Paris, been to Berlin and performed at Electric Picnic. I never thought I would progress beyond a fantasy in my head.

No matter how far Darragh travels his home is always in his heart.

Longford is always in my heart and words. Theres a poem in Menageries called Go tell the Man, its an ode to a much loved and missed Longford Character, Joe-Dick Hackett.

The town reflects a lot in everything I create, so for now Ill leave it to the pages of this book to show you, concluded Coady.

Menageries is available directly from the author wherever you find him or reach out via Facebook or Instagram.
Well done to all students who represented Lanesboro Community College at SciFest held in TUS, Athlone on April 9.

The school is indeed very proud of each student who put so much work and effort into their projects. This effort was amply rewarded on the day with our students winning many of their categories.

Congratulations to Ronan Lyons who won Best Project Award for his project which was entitled CAPILL: Compliance Aid Promoting Independent Living Long-Term.

Also read: Longford and Roscommon clubs to clash in Henry Kenny Memorial Match this Sunday

Ronan also won every category which included Boston Scientific Medical Devices Award, Intel Technology Award and 1st Place Senior Technology Award.

Ronan now represents LCC at the National SciFest finals to be held in Dublin next November.

Well done also to Joice Jiju and Sebastian Cummins who won the Boston Scientific Medical Devices Runner- Up Award for their project entitled Awar: Advance Warning Auditory Response.

Also read: Hopes high that former power station site can become major jobs hub for Longford

A fantastic achievement for our students and their teachers, they all are indeed great ambassadors for Lanesboro Community College.

Also read: Strongwomen at Longford gym enjoy unique sport and special camaraderie
Longford man Patrick Donohoe has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of Animal Health Ireland (AHI).

Patrick will join Carrick on Shannon based AHI in July and departs Lakeland Dairies, where he serves as Chief Corporate Affairs Officer and is a member of the co-ops Senior Leadership Team.

Patrick has served in a range of leadership roles in the agriculture sector over the past decade.

Prior to Lakeland Dairies, Patrick served as Special Advisor to the former Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, led the merger process of LacPatrick Dairies with Lakeland Dairies, and was News Editor with the Irish Farmers Journal.

Also read: 30 Years: Longford Backstage Theatre celebrates three decades in the arts

Commenting on his appointment, Patrick said, Im really excited to be appointed the new CEO of AHI and I cant wait to get started. We are at a critical juncture for our industry, and animal health is pivotal to the continued success of our multi-billion-euro industry.

There are hugely talented and committed people in AHI, and I am looking forward to putting cutting-edge research into practice and communicating effectively with farmers, vets and industry on the huge benefits of fostering positive health practices.

Also read: Dalton is delighted to be returned to Longford County Council

Our industry, made up of excellent farmers, skilled vets and innovative companies, is the envy of the world and I know AHI can support its further development. I firmly believe that AHI is at the forefront of futureproofing the industry.

James Lynch, Chair, Animal Health Ireland said, Having proven himself at the highest levels of government and agri-business, Patrick brings with him a unique perspective in terms of the commercial and practical aspects of our industry. Im confident that he will ensure that AHIs strategic initiatives are implemented and delivered for the benefit of farm families, the industry, consumers, and animal health.

Also read: Longford Journalist Peter Geoghegan: A watchdog for democracy

The success of Irish agriculture is built on the bedrock of healthy livestock. To ensure that we retain our competitive edge in an ever-evolving trade landscape, a healthy livestock population is critical. Patrick will ensure that AHI continues to provide the knowledge, education, and coordination necessary for the effective control of non-regulated diseases, including Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD), Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR), and Johnes Disease. He will also drive the success of other key critical programmes such as Beef HealthCheck, Pig HealthCheck, Parasite Control, CellCheck, and CalfCare.

Patrick replaces interim CEO Dr Sean Brady who Mr Lynch said has been an effective custodian and driver of the AHI business over the last three months and will continue in that role until Patricks arrival in July.
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) today reported that seven Closure Orders were served on food businesses during the month of March for breaches of food safety legislation, pursuant to the FSAI Act, 1998 and the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020.

The Closure Orders were issued by Environmental Health Officers in the Health Service Executive (HSE) and by officers of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI).

Among the reasons for the Enforcement Orders in March were evidence of rodent infestation, dead rats in traps, live mice running around the warehouse of a business including the office, no hot water available for food handlers, drains completely blocked with foul wastewater along with failure by staff to demonstrate any knowledge of food safety management procedures.

Five Closure Orders were served under the FSAI Act, 1998 on:

China Palace (Restaurant/Cafe), 11 Main Street, Roscommon

Stela Foods (Wholesaler/Distributor), Unit 2, Greenhills Business Park, Drogheda, Louth

Yomari Foods Ltd (Take Away), Main Street, Boyle, Roscommon

Stela Food Stores (Wholesaler/Distributor), (Closed Area: Closure of Stela Food Stores building (excluding the three 40 foot fixed containers and one 40 foot container attached to mobile trailer outside the building), Unit 8, Ringwood Centre, Damastown Close, Mulhuddart, Dublin 15

Republic of Grill (Take Away), Wickham Way Market, Wickham Street, Limerick

Two Closure Orders were also served under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020 on:

Eddie Rockets (Restaurant/Cafe), Point Village, East Wall Road, Dublin 1

PY Fast Food Food Stall, Trading on Moore Street, Dublin 1

Greg Dempsey, Chief Executive, FSAI, stated that it is the legal requirement of all food businesses to ensure full and continuous compliance with food safety regulations.



Enforcement Orders, particularly Closure Orders and Prohibition Orders, are only served where there is a serious and immediate risk to consumer health, or where there are persistent and significant breaches of food law, and not for minor infractions.

In many of the Closure Orders issued this month, there was a clear absence of the most basic food safety procedures, alongside high levels of pest activity and poor hygiene standards.

Staff working in food businesses must be trained and/or supervised, so that they can carry out their work in line with food safety requirements. It is essential that all food businesses implement and maintain a robust food safety management system to prevent such violations.

There can be no excuse for putting consumers health at risk through negligent practices and failing to comply with the legal requirements. Food businesses have a legal responsibility to ensure the food they sell or serve is safe to eat, concluded Mr Dempsey.

Read the full reports on each business Here

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Local News, Crime

By Long Island Published: April 09 2025

FBI and the Nassau County Police Department were seen actively searching the wooded property, drawing attention and concern from local residents and passersby.

A significant law enforcement presence was reported Wednesday evening at the Underhill Preserve, an 81-acre nature preserve nestled in the heart of Jericho, Long Island. Authorities from both the FBI and the Nassau County Police Department were seen actively searching the wooded property, drawing attention and concern from local residents and passersby.

Law Enforcement Presence Draws Attention Near Jericho High School

The operation began in the early evening hours near Cedar Swamp Road, directly across from Jericho High School. Witnesses reported a flurry of activity, including crime scene investigation vehicles, marked and unmarked police cars, and numerous uniformed officers, along with plain-clothed agents combing the grounds.

Several crime scene search units from Nassau County were parked along the roadside and seen entering the dense brush with flashlights and equipment. Drones were also observed flying overhead, suggesting aerial reconnaissance or surveillance.

FBI Takes the Lead

While Nassau County police initially responded to press inquiries, they quickly deferred all questions to the FBI, indicating that the federal agency is likely leading the investigation. As of press time, the FBI has not issued a public statement or responded to inquiries about the nature or scope of the search operation.

This lack of official comment has fueled speculation, as residents wonder whether the investigation is tied to a cold case, ongoing criminal investigation, or missing person.

Its not every day you see this kind of presence here, said one Jericho resident who wished to remain anonymous. Underhill is usually quiet. Families walk here. Now were seeing officers with tactical gearits unsettling.

What Is Underhill Preserve?

The Underhill Preserve is one of Nassau Countys lesser-known yet ecologically significant green spaces. It was purchased in 2002 through a joint effort by the State of New York, Nassau County, and the Town of Oyster Bay, as part of a broader initiative to preserve open space and protect Long Islands natural resources from overdevelopment.

The preserve consists of rolling hills, forested areas, and wetlands. It is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including migratory birds, deer, foxes, and other small mammals. Trails crisscross the preserve, making it a popular destination for local hikers, joggers, birdwatchers, and nature enthusiasts.

Underhill Preserve also plays an important role in stormwater management and groundwater recharge, filtering rainwater that seeps into Long Islands aquifersan important detail considering how reliant the region is on underground water supplies.

A History of Preservation and Controversy

The preservation of the Underhill land was met with praise at the time of purchase. However, over the years, the site has also been subject to debate and controversy. There have been occasional discussions about development projects, trail expansions, and even past incidents involving illegal dumping and trespassing.

The preserves locationbordering residential neighborhoods, a high school, and a major roadway (Route 107)adds to its complexity. While valued for its environmental importance, the preserve has also, on occasion, attracted late-night visitors, partygoers, and, as some residents have claimed, "mischief."

In the past decade, the site has rarely been in the news. Wednesday nights law enforcement activity marks the most significant event at the preserve in recent memory.

Community Concerns and Speculation

As word of the investigation spread across local social media platforms and community groups, residents have expressed concern for public safety and sought answers.

Is there someone dangerous on the loose? asked one commenter in a Jericho Facebook group. Was something buried there? Are they looking for evidence in an old case? asked another.

At this time, law enforcement has not issued any alerts or public safety warnings, suggesting there is no immediate threat to the community. However, the scope of the search, coupled with the FBIs involvement, points to a potentially serious or long-running investigation.

Some speculators have pointed to a possible connection to missing persons cases, while others suggest that the operation could be part of a wider federal investigation involving Long Island or the greater New York metropolitan area.

Not the First High-Profile Search on Long Island

This is not the first time federal authorities have conducted a major search in a wooded area on Long Island. In recent years, multiple high-profile investigationsranging from MS-13 gang activity to cold-case homicideshave led law enforcement to secluded areas like state parks, beaches, and nature preserves.

Notably, the Gilgo Beach serial killings investigation, which eventually led to the arrest of Rex Heuermann, saw authorities scouring marshlands, parks, and beaches for human remains and evidence. That case taught Long Islanders that places often thought of as peaceful and scenic can sometimes conceal disturbing secrets.

While it remains unknown if the Underhill Preserve search is connected to any similar high-profile case, the methodical search effort and multi-agency involvement suggest that this is more than a routine investigation.

The Role of Nature Preserves in Law Enforcement Investigations

Nature preserves like Underhill often present both opportunity and challenge for law enforcement. Their secluded, wooded environments can be ideal for hiding evidence, but theyre also logistically difficult to search due to rough terrain and limited access roads.

Additionally, preserves are considered environmentally sensitive, requiring law enforcement teams to balance investigative needs with conservation concerns. Specialized canine units, forensic botanists, and cadaver dogs are sometimes deployed in these searches, particularly when the investigation involves missing persons or potential gravesites.

It is currently unknown if any specialized search units or cadaver dogs were deployed at Underhill.

What Happens Next?

For now, the community waits for answers. With both Nassau County Police and the FBI remaining tight-lipped, it is unclear how long the investigation at Underhill Preserve will continue, or what investigators are hoping to uncover.

Given the scale of the search, its possible that more information will be released in the coming days as the agencies conclude their fieldwork or if significant findings are made.

LongIsland.com will continue to monitor the situation closely and will provide updates as they become available.

If you live near the preserve or were in the area during the time of the search and have relevant information or footage, you are encouraged to contact local law enforcement or the FBIs tip line.

Stay up-to-date with this developing story by joining the LongIsland.com Breaking News Alerts here
Rubdown Rumble: East Northport Massage Parlor Busted in Wild RaidTwo From Flushing Charged in Prostitution Sting

Crime

By Long Island Published: April 09 2025

Ling Li, 40, of Flushing, was charged with two counts of Unauthorized Practice of a Profession, a felony, and two counts of Prostitution, a misdemeanor.

Suffolk County Police today arrested a man and a woman during a massage parlor raid in East Northport.

In response to numerous community complaints, Second Precinct Investigative Unit officers, in conjunction with the Town of Huntington Fire Marshal and Building Department, conducted an investigation into Tranquil Spa, located at 165 Larkfield Road, and arrested two employees.

Ling Li, 40, of Flushing, was charged with two counts of Unauthorized Practice of a Profession, a felony, and two counts of Prostitution, a misdemeanor. Jian Lin Zhang, 56, of Flushing, was charged with Promoting Prostitution 4th Degree and Criminal Nuisance 2nd Degree, both misdemeanors.

Both Li and Zhang were issued Desk Appearance Tickets and are scheduled to appear at First District Court in Central Islip on a later date.

The Town of Huntington issued several summonses and violations to the business.

A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Local News

By Chris Boyle Published: April 10 2025

Southampton Town Officials Volunteer to Serve as Guardians for Long Island Veterans.

Honor Flight Long Island, the iconic volunteer-run veterans organization, is proud to announce that our Spring Flight to Washington, D.C. is scheduled for Saturday, May 3, 2025. This flight will take 45 Long Island veterans to visit their military memorials, meet with service branch representatives, commiserate with fellow veterans and exchange stories. Honor Flights mission is to honor fellow Long Islanders who served in the United States Armed Forces to preserve our freedoms, by providing free, one-day trips so they can visit their D.C. memorials.

Bill Jones of Southampton, the President of Honor Flight Long Island, stated: Our Spring Flight includes 31 Vietnam War veterans who will receive long overdue recognition and thanks for their service. Theyll be accompanied on this flight by 14 elder comrades, veterans of the Korean War. What this flight really represents is a Big Hug to ALL our veterans from Honor Flight, their families and supporters, who make such flights possible, Jones said. Bill Jones is a U.S. Army veteran and West Point 1972 Graduate.

Honor Flight Long Island is honored to have the following Southampton Town officials on our flight who will serve as Guardians for our veterans, Jones said. They are Ann Welker, Suffolk County Legislator, 2nd District and former Southampton Town Trustee, Theresa Kiernan, Southampton Town Tax Receiver, and Marietta Seaman, former Southampton Town Clerk. Southampton Town has supported Honor Flight since its inception in 2007, and we are enormously grateful for its support, he added.

A second major donation from the Hicksville Veterans Association to Honor Flight Long Island, will pay for the cost of all veterans on this flight. According to Vinny Morreale, Chairman of the Hicksville Veterans Association and a Vietnam veteran, 10 of our members were honored by an Honor Flight in the Spring of 2022 and were overwhelmed by the experience. We are so proud and delighted to sponsor this May 3rd flight for our fellow veterans, he said.

At the request of the Association, this flight Is hereby designated In Honor of Jamie Bowden, who Is the magician who puts these flights together, and her dad, Vietnam Veteran, Gary Cunningham, USMC 1964-1968 (Jamie proudly served as her Dads Guardian on the Spring 2022 flight). Bill Jones said Honor Flight Long Island is humbled by this generous donation. Thank you, Vinny and your members, this donation means a lot in our continuing mission to honor Long Islands veterans, Jones said.

Thanks to Honor Flight, these 45 veterans will take a free, early-morning Southwest flight to Washington, D.C. Departing from Islip MacArthur Airport at 10:50 a.m., veterans and their guardians will visit the Korean War and Vietnam War Memorials, Arlington National Cemetery for a Changing of the Guard, plus the Air Force and Iwo Jima Memorials and possibly other sites of interest.

Welcoming our Heroes on their return home-

Veterans return to Islip that evening at 10:55 p.m., for a rousing welcome by the Nassau County Firefighters Pipes and Drums Band, plus thunderous applause from family, friends and supporters! There is no organized ceremony, but everyone is invited to come and welcome our veterans at MacArthur. The suggested arrival time for supporters who wish to participate, is one hour prior to the return flight #4096 , returning to Islip at 10:55 pm. So be there at 9:55 p.m. *Please check the Southwest website in case of any delays. Check https://www.flymacarthur.com/southwest-airlines .

Next up is the Veterans Reunion on Saturday, August 2, 2025, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at the American Airpower Museum, Hangar 3, 1230 New Highway, Farmingdale, NY. The reunion runs from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The public is welcome to attend for FREE . AAM opens at 10:30 a.m. and everyone is encouraged to come early and enjoy the exhibits before and after the reunion. For information about AAM, call (631) 293-6398 or email www.americanairpowermuseum.org . Our great patriotic reunions are always free and open to the public!

Come and cheer our heroes during their Ceremony of Honors, as each receives a personalized Tribute Journal full of photos taken during their D.C. trip. This great patriotic event includes speeches by HFLI President Bill Jones and AAM President Jeff Clyman. The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla Band will play a popular patriotic medley known as the Armed Forces Salute, featuring the six official musical themes of the U.S. Armed Forces: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air and Space Forces, and Coast Guard. Free refreshments for all provided by Honor Flight!
Local News

By Chris Boyle Published: April 09 2025

14 landmarks Will Illuminate Blue In Honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month.

During National Crime Victims' Rights Week, and Child Abuse Prevention Month, Governor Kathy Hochul today announced 14 State landmarks will be lit blue tonight to raise awareness of the states prevention efforts to protect children and families. Governor Hochul previously issued a proclamation recognizing April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in New York State.

My top priority is ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all New Yorkers - especially our children, Governor Hochul said. By working together, we can ensure every child has the opportunity to thrive in a safe and nurturing environment. I am committed to elevating the voices of survivors, and supporting families and advocates, as well as law enforcement, as we work to advance bold initiatives to prevent child abuse in New York State.

This year's theme for the month is Supporting Child and Family Well-Being to highlight key prevention tools that can help assist and strengthen families, ultimately preventing child abuse and neglect. Among those tools are Family Opportunity Centers and Family Resource Centers located throughout New York State, and the OCFS HEARS helpline.

Office of Children and Family Services Commissioner Dr. DaMia Harris-Madden said, OCFS is dedicated to supporting evidence-based and innovative initiatives to prevent child abuse through prevention services and supports that fortify families and foster healthy environments for children. We are fortunate to live in a state where our Governor proactively leads from the heart and mind, unequivocally supporting the protection of all New Yorkers, particularly those who are the most vulnerable. Governor Hochul's many commitments include investments in the Family Opportunity Centers and Family Resource Centers, located throughout the state. These centers are intended to empower families and improve protective factors such as parental resilience, social connections, and access to resources.

In addition to issuing the proclamation, Governor Hochul directed that 14 State landmarks and buildings be illuminated in recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month.

The landmarks and buildings illuminated tonight, April 9, include:

One World Trade Center

Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge

Kosciuszko Bridge

The H. Carl McCall SUNY Building

State Education Building

Alfred E. Smith State Office Building

Empire State Plaza

State Fairgrounds  Main Gate & Expo Center

Niagara Falls

The Franklin D. Roosevelt Mid-Hudson Bridge

Albany International Airport Gateway

MTA LIRR - East End Gateway at Penn Station

Fairport Lift Bridge over the Erie Canal

Moynihan Train Hall

Governor Hochul continues to support family and childhood initiatives designed to increase protective factors that reduce the risk of child abuse or maltreatment. In her 2025-2026 Executive Budget, Governor Hochul proposed a $9.2 million increase in funding for the New York State Child Advocacy Centers (CACs)  more than double the previous annual funding. Child Advocacy Centers provide a child-friendly, safe, supportive environment for child victims of abuse/neglect and their non-offending caretakers.

Additionally, New York State has continued to support Family Opportunity Centers and Family Resource Centers, which are located at nonprofit social services organizations and public schools and aim to improve family well-being by enhancing social connections, knowledge of parenting and child development, and parental resilience, and by providing concrete supports such as food assistance, housing support and connections to quality physical and mental health care. The Family Opportunity Centers launched through a collaboration between OCFS and the New York State Education Department (NYSED).

In addition, another key prevention and family strengthening tool is the OCFS HEARS line (Help, Empower, Advocate, Reassure and Support), which is designed to connect families to community resources offering help with housing, food, health care and more. Anyone can call 1-888-55HEARS (1-888-554-3277) Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. 4:30 p.m.

About the New York State Office of Children and Family Services

The Office of Children and Family Services serves New York's public by promoting the safety, permanency and well-being of children, families and communities. The agency provides a system of family support, juvenile justice, youth development, child care and child welfare services and is responsible for programs and services involving foster care, adoption and adoption assistance, child protective services, preventive services for children and families, and protective programs for vulnerable adults.
Local News

By Chris Boyle Published: April 10 2025

The individual believed to be responsible is in law enforcement custody and there is no threat to the community.

On Wednesday April 10, 2025, members of the Nassau County Police Department assisted the FBI with removing human remains from the area of Underhill Preserve in Jericho in furtherance of an investigation being conducted by the FBI.

The remains appear to have been present for several years and law enforcement has a preliminary identification of the deceased which will be confirmed by further testing.

The individual believed to be responsible is in law enforcement custody and there is no threat to the community.
Israeli soldiers operate in the Morag Corridor, an area between Rafah and Khan Younis in southern Gaza. (IDF)

The Israeli military is proceeding systematically and slowly to consolidate control over southern Gaza. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) sent more units into the territory and is aiming to cut off Rafah. In the first days of April, the IDF announced it would take control of the Morag Corridor separating Rafah from Khan Younis. Now, Israeli units are operating in the corridor and are seeking to clear Rafah of remaining Hamas infrastructure and fighters.

The IDFs new operation in Gaza started on March 18. On April 4, the Israeli military noted that its 401st Armored Brigade is operating in the territory and working to expand the security perimeter and dismantle Hamas terrorist infrastructure. The next day, the IDF said that the 36th Division was also fighting in Gaza, tasked with clearing the Morag Corridor using its 1st Golani Brigade (infantry) and 188th Armored Brigade. As part of the activity, the divisions troops are operating in Rafah to locate and dismantle remaining terrorist infrastructure in the area, the IDF added.

The types of operations the IDF is conducting are similar to those used last year to target Hamas units. For instance, the 1st Golani Brigade has been operating in Rafah to dismantle remaining terrorist infrastructure in the area, including buildings used by terrorists, and observation and firing positions, the IDF said on April 8. In Shabura, another sector of Rafah, the IDF said the 84th Givati Brigade is also conducting similar sweeps of terrorist infrastructure.

It appears Hamas has mostly withdrawn in the face of the Israeli advance. The terrorist group may have as many as 20,000 fighters, some recruited over the last year after it suffered significant blows from the IDF throughout 2024.

The level of fighting in Gaza appears significantly reduced from last year. The Times of Israel noted that little to no fighting has taken place in the Gaza Strip since the Israeli military resumed its offensive against the Hamas terror group several weeks ago. Doron Kadosh, the military correspondent of Israels Army Radio, visited Gaza on April 9 and reported that the amount of contact with the enemy on the line is zero, and the IDF eliminates Hamas members from a distance when opportunities arise. The Israeli advance has been characterized as slow at the expense of achievements.

Israeli media reports indicate that there are still two Hamas battalions in Rafah and three in Khan Younis. In addition, The Jerusalem Post reported, based on security sources, that only 25 percent of the Hamas tunnels have been destroyed in Gaza in 18 months of fighting, presenting a continuing challenge for Israel.

The IDF is now focused on clearing Rafah of the remnants of Hamas after most civilians were evacuated from the area. IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir visited southern Gaza on April 8 and told Israeli troops, You have returned to operate in the Gaza Strip, in areas where IDF troops are operating for the first timeI expect you to defeat Hamass Rafah Brigade and to achieve victory wherever you operate. Israeli forces are seeking to operate to establish operational control in the area, the IDF said on April 10.

The Israeli military has also continued targeted strikes on Hamas commanders in Gaza. On April 7, the IDF announced it had eliminated Hamas terrorist Hassan Abdel Fattah Mohammed Aslih in Khan Younis, noting he had infiltrated Israeli territory and participated in the murderous massacre carried out by the Hamas terrorist organization on October 7th. On April 9, the IDF said it eliminated Haitham Razek Abd al Karim Sheikh Khalil, the commander of Hamass Sheijaiya Battalion. The previous commanders of this battalion were killed in March 2025 and December 2023.

Although recent fighting in Gaza has been relatively light compared to a year ago, one incident in particular has led to controversy about the new operation. On March 23, Israeli troops in the Tel al Sultan area of Rafah fired upon a convoy of Palestinian Red Crescent Society ambulances that also included a UN car and fire truck. Fifteen people were killed. The Red Crescent and other groups called for an investigation, the BBC noted on April 6.

On April 7, the IDF completed a preliminary inquiry into the incident and said its findings indicated that the troops opened fire due to a perceived threat following a previous encounter in the area, and that six of the individuals killed in the incident were identified as Hamas terrorists. The IDF has not commented on the identities of the other nine individuals killed in the incident.

Reporting from Israel, Seth J. Frantzman is an adjunct fellow at FDD and a contributor to FDDs Long War Journal. He is the senior Middle East correspondent and analyst at The Jerusalem Post, and author of The October 7 War: Israel's Battle for Security in Gaza (2024).
For fans of science fiction, fantasy, and horror, Luxcon is a must. Featuring cosplay, workshops, roleplaying sessions, quizzes, auctions, and more, its a place for fandoms and pop culture enthusiasts from all over the Grand Duchy.

When: Saturday, 12 April & Sunday, 13 April

Where: Forum Geesseknappchen, Hollerich, Luxembourg

Cost: Daypass: 5 / Weekend Pass: 9

/ Free for under 12s

Bring the kids along to a weekend Easter Safari across the capital city. Over two hours, youll be able to discover hidden animals on this guided tour - including lions, lizards, and even a fabled unicorn.

When: Sunday, 13 April, 14:30

Where: Starts at Place Guillaume II

Cost: Adults: 18 / Children 4 to 12 years old: 9 / Children under 4: Free

The Luxembourg Center for Architecture is ready to present its newest exhibition, Our New Housing, this weekend. Based on Celine Zimmers doctoral thesis, it tackles the question of housing on a political and institutional level - and proposes an affordable solution sans speculation.

When: Opens Sunday, 13 April, 18:00 till Saturday, 7 June

Where: Luxembourg Center for Architecture, Luxembourg City

Cost: Free

This is the last chance to catch the variety of glass creations, exemplifying innovation and sustainability, which are currently on display at Subtile Showroom-Gallery. The work by Glass Variations and La Gadoue have recently garnered a lot of recognition by the likes of French National Furniture, and will certainly be worth a look.

When: Until Saturday, 12 April

Where: Subtile Showroom-Gallery

Take part in this rambunctious pub quiz next Friday with categories such as General Ignorance, Name that Tune, and Roast the Host. Check out Carlitos Comedy Clubs upcoming programme, too - they have a ton of fun-looking events coming up next week.

When: Friday, 11 April, starts 18:00

Where: Carlitos Comedy Club

Cost: 10,25 per ticket

Mudam celebrates the arrival of spring next week with a free party! Make the most of music, dance, and elevated temperatures at the modern art museum on Wednesday next week - and make sure to check out their current exhibitions, too.

When: Wednesday, 16 April, 18:00 to 23:00

Where: Mudam

Cost: Free
With the release of the Mac Studio in March, Apple also released its fastest processor ever. However, that chip, the M3 Ultra, is only available in the Mac Studioits not available in the higher-end Mac Pro. Apples flagship Mac, once dubbed the worlds fastest personal computer, still runs the M2 Ultra chip that was released in 2022.

That leaves the Mac Pro as a glaring oddball in its Mac lineup. Its an expensive tower computer starting at $6,999 with an out-of-date chip. Does this mean the tower Mac has come to an end? Perhaps, but there is a glimmer of hope, if you want to believe.

Mac Pros history in limbo

Apple has a history of leaving the Mac Pro in limbo. When the Mac Studio was first released in 2022, the Mac Pro didnt get an update and eventually became the last Mac with Intel CPUs. At that time, it was still possible to get an Intel Mac Pro that was technically faster than the M1 Ultra Mac Studio, but you had to pay a premium for Xeon CPUs and graphics card upgrades that were clearly on the way out.

The Mac Pros Apple silicon update finally came in 2023 when it got an M2 Ultra chip alongside the Mac Studio. Apple didnt change much about the Mac Pro other than its chip, though it took away the ability to add aftermarket RAM and graphics. The 2023 Mac Pro is essentially a machine for users who need PCIe expansion cardsa specialized market, but one that positions the Mac as a top-tier creative workstation.

Apple introduced the first M-series Mac Pro in 2023 at WWDC. Foundry

But since the M2 Ultra offered the same performance in the tiny Mac Studio and the tower of the Mac Pro, the questions about the Mac Pros viability persisted. Its very existence doesnt make sense, especially for a company that prides itself on maintaining profit margins and managing production costs. Apple doesnt release data on individual units sold, but it seems hard to believe that the Mac Pro, which starts at a price tag thats $3,000 more than the Mac Studio, sells in high enough quantity to justify its place in the lineup.

But the Mac Pro has come back from the dead before. The current design with Intel chips was released in 2019, six years after the ill-received cylindrical Mac Pro. That long gap was disrupted in 2017, when Apple announced that the Mac Pro would get the modular design it still uses today. So, a languishing Mac Pro isnt new, and its history feeds into speculation about its viability.

Mac Studio in the spotlight

Whats different this time is the introduction of the Mac Studio in 2021. Its launch suggested that the Mac Pro was on the way out, and with updates in 2023 and 2025, Apple has established the Mac Studio as a smaller Mac Pro with the fastest M-series chip. In fact, if speed is your top priority, the fastest Mac you can buy isnt even the Mac Pro right nowits M3 Ultra Mac Studio.

Granted, the Mac Pro is the only option for a Mac user who needs expansion slots, but at least with its prior iterations, you were guaranteed to get the fastest chip, too. With the launch of the M3 Ultra, expansion is the only justification to get the Mac Pro, making its specialized status even more specialized.

This isnt the first time Apple targeted the higher-end workstation market with a small, compact computer with limited upgradability. The Mac Studio is something of a rebirth of the 2013 cylindrical Mac Pro. Both have compact, space-saving designs and the fastest chips. Both have a lot of ports for connecting devices. Both are workstations for demanding users but not the most demanding users.

Apple was quite proud of the 2013 Mac Pro; at its unveiling, Apples Phil Schiller famously quipped, Cant innovate anymore, my ass. The Mac Studio is similarly innovative and its easy to assume it will take the place of the Mac Pro at some point. It doesnt help that there arent any Mac Pro rumors that point to any specific specifications, new tech, design tweaks, or anything else. The only rumor to speak of is a mention that it might arrive later this year, but a tentative spot on the release schedule isnt reassuring.

What the future holds

So if the Mac Studio is the workstation value model, Apple has an opportunity to reposition the Mac Pro instead of letting it fade away. Ive always thought that this Mac in particular should be a showcase for that latest (if not cutting edge) tech. It should always have the fastest CPU, the beefiest GPU, the latest Thunderbolt, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth iterations, and whatever else Apple can do (what the heck, put a C1 in it!). And it should be updated frequently regularly with whatever the latest thing is. Its not a machine that just anyone can afford, but so what? Apple can afford to have a low-volume selling Mac that has the main purpose of flexing muscle. The fact that you can buy it is a bonus.

Its also the only Mac made in the U.S. As announced back in 2019, the Mac Pro is manufactured in Austin, Texas, and includes components designed, developed and manufactured by more than a dozen American companies for distribution to US customers. With tariffs threatening to upend Apples pipeline, a U.S.-made computer could be a boon to Apples bargaining position.

As Macworld columnist Jason Snell recently hypothesized, Apple could also have bigger plans for its chips that would require the available cooling space within the Mac Pro. Reports have said that Apple is working on a server chip for online AI processing, and perhaps after Apple will unveil this chip alongside a reimagined Mac Pro. It might seem like a long shot, but the Mac Pro has been reborn so many times, a glimmer is all Mac Pro fans need to keep hope alive.
Three million years after she walked the Earth, the face of Lucy - one of humanity's most important ancestors - has been brought to life like never before.

Thanks to a detailed digital reconstruction led by Brazilian 3D designer and forensic facial reconstruction expert Cicero Moraes, we now have a clearer, more scientifically accurate view of what this iconic early human may have looked like.

Moraes described the experience of visualizing Lucy's face as a powerful reminder of humanity's long evolutionary journey.

"Seeing Lucy's face is like glimpsing a bridge to the distant past, offering a visual connection to human evolution," Moraes told The Telegraph.

The discovery that changed human history

Lucy was first discovered in 1975 in Ethiopia by American paleontologist Donald Johanson. At just over three feet tall, the nearly complete skeleton of this female Australopithecus afarensis fossil shocked the world.

Named after the Beatles' hit song "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds", she provided clear evidence that our ancestors were walking upright far earlier than previously believed - approximately 3.2 million years ago.

Before Lucy's discovery, many scientists thought that larger brain size came before the development of upright walking. However, Lucy disproved that theory, showing that bipedalism developed long before brain expansion.

While many artists and scientists have attempted to recreate Lucy's appearance over the years, Moraes believes his reconstruction is one of the most realistic yet.

Blending science and art to recreate the past

To create this new version of Lucy's face, Moraes and his team used digital scans of her skull and incorporated data on soft tissue thickness from modern chimpanzees. These primates have brain sizes similar to that of Australopithecus afarensis, making them ideal models for this project.

Moraes also based Lucy's skin tone, hair texture, and other details on paleoanthropological evidence suggesting that she lived in a hot, dry climate in what is now Ethiopia.

The result is a striking face that blends human and ape-like features. She has a flatter face compared to chimpanzees, a less pronounced brow ridge, and a jawline that is more advanced than earlier primates but still distinct from modern humans.

"It has a less pronounced brow ridge than in chimpanzees, though still distinct from modern humans," Moraes explained, noting that while the reconstruction faced some limitations due to incomplete cranial fragments, it provides an accurate visual interpretation based on current knowledge.

Moraes also shared that Lucy's physical build reflected a life both on the ground and in the trees. Her upper body was well-suited for climbing, while her lower limbs showed clear adaptations for walking upright.

"The reconstruction, blending science and art, allows us to imagine what she might have looked like 3.2 million years ago, enriching both public and scientific understanding of our ancestors," Moraes said. "It's a reflection of technological progress that makes an extinct being tangible."

A pioneer in bringing history to life

Cicero Moraes has worked on numerous historical reconstructions, creating digital faces for figures ranging from King Tutankhamun to a historically inspired version of Santa Claus. But the recreation of Lucy's face holds special significance.

This project not only brings humanity face-to-face with its evolutionary past but also reminds us of how much there is still to learn about our origins.

Lucy's new digital image stands as both a scientific achievement and a tribute to the enduring curiosity that drives researchers to uncover the stories of those who came before us.
Bostons Nora Nelson, 24, during her February arraignment for the stabbing death of Joseph Donohue, 65, of Charlestown. (Libby ONeill/Boston Herald)

The lawyer for a 24-year-old woman accused of killing her boyfriend  an attorney  on his Charlestown houseboat in February is now pushing for a mental competency evaluation before trial.

Boston attorney Ian Davis filed the motion on Wednesday night, just hours before his client, Nora Nelson, appeared in the Charlestown Division of Boston Municipal Court on Thursday morning.

Nelson was charged with murder on Feb. 6, in connection with the death of Joseph Donohue, 65, of Charlestown. The 24-year-old had answered the door of Donohues houseboat for police the night of Feb. 2, when Donohues stabbed and bloodied body was found on the bow patio wrapped in a tarp.

Nelson was taken into custody at the scene on unrelated warrants, and has been held without bail since her arraignment on the murder charge in February.

Nelson stood quiet and reserved at the stand in court on April 10, her eyes scanning the judges bench in front of her.

Judge Lisa Grant accepted Davis motion for an evaluation of Nelsons competency to stand trial, and scheduled a further probable cause hearing for May 5.

Miss Nelson, and her person and her mental health  thats important to us," Davis said outside of the courtroom on Thursday. He declined to elaborate on the specific mental health concerns for his client.

But Nelson absolutely still maintains her innocence, Davis said, and her defense is willing and able to fight the case when it proceeds to Superior Court, after Nelsons expected indictment of murder.

Donohues family has chosen to remain private since his death, but released a statement after he was identified in February.

Our family is heartbroken by this unimaginable loss. Joe was a wonderful family member, a cherished friend and a trusted colleague. Always generous and kind, he dedicated his life and career to helping others, the statement read.

He is loved and will be deeply missed. Were grateful for the love and support weve received, and we kindly ask for privacy during this difficult time.

Aliyah Warren, Nelsons best friend from childhood in Memphis, Tenn., previously told MassLive that Nelson seemed to be going through a mental health crisis the last time the pair saw each other, six months before Donohue was killed.

She just wasnt my sister ... it was kind of hard to sit there, her eyes were just dead, Warren said, adding that Nelson was wearing odd clothes and seemed like she wasnt there.

Warren was hoping for a mental health evaluation for Nelson as her case continues, because she knows something is wrong.

Im going to keep loving my sister because thats what she needs. She needs love ... But at the same time, I have to let the system do their job and just pray that they give her a mental evaluation so they can see that something is wrong, Warren previously said.
Smashed Up is a joint business venture by Union Square Donuts and Boston Burger Company. The collaborative concept specializes in doughnut burgers and sandwiches. David Cifarelli

Two renowned businesses in the Boston area have teamed up to create the ultimate sweet and savory collaboration.

Boston Burger Company and Union Square Donuts debuted Smashed Up at Union Square Donuts Brookline location earlier this year.

Smashed Up is intended to bring customers the most unhinged (and absolutely delicious) creations yet, including the Hot Honey Fried Chicken on a Honey Glazed Donut and Smashburger on a Maple Bacon Donut that were officially added to the menu in March.

While doughnuts and burgers might not seem like they have much in common, the owners of each business believed there was just enough overlap for them to join forces.

Of course were very different companies, but were both in the business of making people happy, said Josh Danoff, co-founder of Union Square Donuts.

Its like gluttonous pleasure, but its something you want to try, added Paul Malvone, co-founder of Boston Burger Company. Its intriguing. You want to come out and try one.

Smashed Ups menu items are inspired by either of the companys pre-existing food items.

For example, Union Square Donuts has had a chicken and waffles doughnut over the years. This served as an inspiration for the Hot Honey Fried Chicken sandwich that uses a Honey Glazed Donut as a bun. The sandwich is made with a fried chicken breast thats brushed with sriracha honey and stacked with pickles for an added crunch and tang.

Chicken and honey, I mean, it goes together, Danoff said. So that one just kind of made sense.

Smashed Up is a joint business venture by Union Square Donuts and Boston Burger Company. The collaborative concept specializes in doughnut burgers and sandwiches. David Cifarelli

Meanwhile, Boston Burger Company has specialized in smash burgers for years, as it is a regular option for customers on its menu. This combined with Malvones love for bacon jam was the perfect recipe for Smashed Ups Smashburger. The sandwich comes with two patties, onions, cheese and bacon jam on a Maple Bacon Donut from Union Square Donuts.

Again, sweet savory comes together, Malvone said, with Danoff adding, They balance each other out really nicely.

Smashed Up is a joint business venture by Union Square Donuts and Boston Burger Company. The collaborative concept specializes in doughnut burgers and sandwiches. David Cifarelli

An overwhelming majority of people have been pleased with Smashed Up, with Malvone saying that 99% of comments on social media have been positive.

A lot of people are like, oh the thing we didnt know we needed, Malvone said, referring to the online comments.

The two doughnut burger options, now that we have the chicken and the burger, thats created a lot more buzz and people are like, oh my God, we got to get this. Were going to try this, he said.

Malvone has more than 30 years of restaurant experience under his belt, 17 with Boston Burger Company alone. Thats roughly the same number of years that Danoff has in the restaurant industry as well. He started Union Square Donuts with his brother in 2013 and opened the Brookline location in 2016.

The idea for Smashed Up originated roughly a year and half ago when Danoff and Malvones mutual colleague presented the idea to both entrepreneurs.

The concept didnt originally offer doughnut burgers when it opened roughly two months ago. It simply had a counter for burgers and another for doughnuts. This initially confused customers, as it is fairly uncommon to see a burger joint and doughnut shop under one roof.

However, after roughly a month open, Danoff and Malvone started thinking of how to merge the concepts into one as customers jumped back-and-forth between both lines.

It was just this natural progression to where we are now, Danoff said.

Smashed Up is a joint business venture by Union Square Donuts and Boston Burger Company. The collaborative concept specializes in doughnut burgers and sandwiches. David Cifarelli

Smashed Up focuses on being a fast-casual eatery by serving high-quality food in a short timespan. It takes roughly five minutes to cook patties for the smash burger or fry a piece of chicken for the sandwich. This process is also expedited because Union Square Donuts products are all baked ahead of time and ready to be used as burger or sandwich buns.

In addition to this new venture allowing each business owner to flex their creativity, Smashed Up reminds Danoff and Malvone of the days when they first opened their restaurants.

There was definitely a part of it that was like taking a step back to kind of early days, Danoff said.

When we first started everythings new and fresh and youre kind of naive in this beautiful way where youre just trying stuff and doing it and seeing what sticks and seeing what works, Danoff said, adding that Smashed Up is going to give us that freedom to be able to test stuff in a very controlled and a small way and that freedom to be how you were when you first opened your business.

Malvone agreed that Smashed Up has ignited a fire within him to test out new items that, in his experience, have historically become crowd favorites. He also believes Smashed Up inspires customers to try things they wouldnt normally try. Therefore, Malvone and Danoff hope to keep customers on their toes by consistently introducting new and innovative products.

We barely just made it to spring and my head has already started thinking, Im like, how am I going to turn an apple cider doughnut into an item on our menu? Malvone said. Its something small, but were thinking about it six months in advance.

Smashed Up is a joint business venture by Union Square Donuts and Boston Burger Company. The collaborative concept specializes in doughnut burgers and sandwiches. David Cifarelli

Right now Malvone is working on bringing Frappuccinos to Smashed Up, which he is itching to make happen. He said there is a machine ready to go, so its only a matter of time before people can get a rich and creamy drink with their doughnut burger. Malvone could not provide an exact launch date, but he said it will probably happen sooner than later.

We talked about doing a doughnut fraps at one point, Malvone said. And then we said, oh yeah, well get it open first, lets get our feet wet. A whole two months, and already our feet are soakedWere like okay, lets get the fraps in there Im there now and keep pushing."

This really shaped up as a win-win, Danoff added. Both brands are helping each other out and working collaboratively.

Boston Burger Company also sells doughnuts even after Union Square Donuts closes its half of the store, so customers craving a late-night sweet treat can still get their fix.

Smashed Up is located at 409 Harvard St., Brookline. The store is open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Jarvis Cocker of the band Pulp performs at the Hollywood Palladium, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello) Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP

A band that became an integral part of the Britpop movement will release a new album for the first time in 24 years.

Pulps album More will be released on June 6, the band wrote in an Instagram post Thursday.

The band has already released Spike Island as the lead single off More. Fans can listen to the song on any streaming platform and pre-order More on Pulps website.

More will be Pulps first album since 2001s We Love Life.

The album was recorded over three weeks by James Ford in Walthamstow, London, starting on November 18th, 2024, Pulps frontman Jarvis Cocker wrote in the Instagram post.

This is the shortest amount of time a Pulp album has ever taken to record in the modern era, he added. It was obviously ready to happen.

Cocker said More started to materialize during Pulps tour in 2023. The band had practiced a new song called Hymn of the North during sound checks and eventually played it at the end of their second night at Sheffield Arena.

This seemed to open the floodgates: we came up with the rest of the songs on this album during the first half of 2024. A couple are revivals of ideas from last century, Cocker wrote in the Instagram post. These are the facts. We hope you enjoy the music. It was written & performed by four human beings from the North of England, aided & abetted by five other human beings from various locations in the British Isles. No A.I. was involved during the process. 

Cocker added that More is dedicated to Steve Mackey, Pulps later drummer who died in 2023.

This is the best that we can do, Cocker wrote. Thanks for listening.

Formed in Sheffield, England in 1978, Pulp has released seven studio albums to date, starting with 1983s It.

While the band struggled to find initial success, Pulps fame grew in the U.K. in the mid-1990s with the albums His n Hers (1994) and Different Class (1995).

Different Class spawned four top 10 singles, including the No. 2 hits Common People and Mis-Shapes/Sorted for Es & Wizz. The album also topped the UK Albums Chart and won the Mercury Prize.

Pulp continued its success with 1998s This Is Hardcore. The album also debuted at No. 1 in the U.K. and was nominated for the Mercury Prize.

At the bands peak, Pulp headlined the Pyramid Stage of the Glastonbury Festival twice and were regarded among the Britpop big four alongside Oasis, Blur and Suede.

Pulp took a decade-long break after releasing We Love Life. The band has reunited several times and released the song After You in 2013.

More features 11 tracks. The album will be available on LP, CD and cassette, including several limited-edition vinyl formats that will only be available on Pulps website.

The full track list is below:
The headquarters of the U.S. Department of Education, March 12, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File) AP

WASHINGTON (AP)  The Education Department has withdrawn from an agreement to address disparities in discipline for Native American students at a South Dakota school system, saying it was wrongly rooted in efforts to promote diversity, equity and inclusion.

The decision reflects a shift in interpretation of anti-discrimination laws under President Donald Trumps administration, which is planning to review other agreements the departments Office for Civil Rights has struck with school systems around the U.S.
An MBTA train crashed into a semi-truck in Canton on Wednesday, prompting police to shut down Pine Street. Courtesy of the Canton Police Department.

One person was hurt after an MBTA commuter rail train crashed into a tractor-trailer driving through Canton on Wednesday, the Canton Fire Department told Boston.com.

The Canton Fire Department arrived at the crash at around 1:40 a.m. after they learned that the Stoughton Line train had struck a tractor-trailer, according to a statement obtained by the news website.

The truck was coming from Bolivar Street, driving along Pine Street, heading toward Stoughton, when the train hit the truck, Canton Fire Chief Wendell Robery said in the statement. Luckily, the driver is OK.

Police closed Pine Street with an unknown timeframe on the reopening, Canton police said in a short statement on Facebook at 2 p.m. The post included several pictures of the train wedged against the truck.

In a 7 p.m. update, Canton police wrote that MBTA and utility crews were still working in the area and that work was expected to continue overnight.

Update: Pine St. has reopened. 7pm, work will continue overnight. Still no time frame on the fix. MBTA and Utility... Posted by Canton Police Department on Wednesday, April 9, 2025

One person was hurt with minor injuries, while the truck driver was not hurt, Canton fire officials told Boston.com.

Let this serve as a reminder to pay close attention at Cantons many railroad crossings, Robery said in the statement obtained by Boston.com. Luckily, there were no major injuries this time, but this could have been much worse.

Stoughton Line passengers were picked up by shuttle buses after the incident, an MBTA spokesperson told MassLive.

MBTA Transit Police are investigating the incident, MassLive confirmed with Canton police on Wednesday.

MassLive reached out to the MBTA Transit Police and the Canton Fire Department for more information.
A Massachusetts family is leaning on each other and the community after a tragic car crash claimed the life of one cousin and left another fighting for his life in the ICU.

Were just in a really bad place and any help that people can give, were so grateful for prayers and words of encouragement  support, even if its not financial, said their aunt Jean Calvert-McClure. Especially these days, we really have to lift each other up and hold each other up.

Kayden Coombs, 18, and his cousin, Killian Salsman, 17, were involved in a single-car crash on Route 28 north in Falmouth at the 55.6 mile marker around 4 p.m. on March 28, Massachusetts State Police said in an email. Coombs  who was driving the car  was rushed to a nearby hospital and declared dead.

Salsman has remained in the ICU since the crash. He had multiple broken bones, including to his pelvis and leg. He had facial injuries and will require multiple surgeries.

Another passenger was also taken to a nearby hospital with life-threatening injuries, state police said.

Salsman has already had one of the surgeries and had a couple of good days, his aunt told MassLive. But then he had another setback.

No one should bury their kid. No one should see their kid go through this, Calvert-McClure said.

A GoFundMe is hoping to raise $20,000 for Salsmans family so his parents can focus on his recovery and supporting his younger brother, Tavian, without the added stress of financial difficulties.

As of Thursday, it has raised about $6,000.

Salsmans parents have been able to take time off of work to focus on their son. But the recovery wont be short.

They still have bills to pay. They have another son to feed, and so thats why I started the GoFundMe, Calvert-McClure said, adding that his parents didnt want it at first.

But, she added, everybody needs help sometimes.

Their journey wont end when Salsman is able to leave the hospital. Theyll have to modify their home due to a number of stairs, his aunt said.

For now, theyre leaning on each other and the community.

Were a tight family. Were really tight, she said, her voice cracking.

A GoFundMe was also created for Coombs' family to focus on grieving and supporting each other.

As of Thursday morning, it raised more than $19,000 with more than 200 donations. The fundraisers goal is $20,000.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for standing with us, for lifting us up, and for reminding us that we are not alone, Coombs mom Kristie Rego wrote on Facebook. Your support has been a true blessing, and we are forever grateful.

Coombs was remembered for embracing the world with kindness and laughter.

Kayden was a beacon of love, joy, and wisdom far beyond his years. With a heart as big as the sky, he embraced the world with kindness, laughter, and an unshakable warmth that touched everyone he met. Kaydens humor could brighten even the darkest days, and his natural charisma made him a magnet for love and friendship, his obituary read.

Family and friends said his time on Earth was far too short. Still, the impact he made will never fade.

His Spirit lives on in the hearts of all who were lucky enough to know him, a reminder that love, kindness, and authenticity are the greatest legacies of all, the obituary read.
More than two dozen international students across at least ten higher education institutions in Massachusetts have seen their visas revoked in recent weeks, setting off a wave of anxiety on campuses across the state.

Those institutions include Tufts University, Harvard University, the University of Massachusetts Amherst, the University of Massachusetts Boston, Northeastern University, Emerson College, Boston University, Berklee College of Music, Bridgewater State University and Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

The student visa revocations are part of nationwide action coming down from the Trump administration.

The panic can be acutely felt in Massachusetts, where there are more than 82,300 international students enrolled in higher education, according to data from the Presidents Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration.

Thats 18.3% of Massachusetts 449,000 college students, or nearly 1 in 5. Its the fourth-largest number of international students in the country.

Read more: Trump administration revokes 3 student visas at Berklee College of Music

In 2024, international students contributed nearly $4 billion to Massachusetts economy, per analysis done by the Washington, D.C.-based International Educational Exchange.

That same analysis found India, China, South Korea, Canada and Vietnam are the leading places of origin from where international students come to Massachusetts to study.

@masslivenews Several hundred people packed a park near Tufts University on Wednesday, March 26 and rallied in show of support for Rumeysa Ozturk, a Ph.D. student arrested by masked federal agents off-campus the day before. #fyp #tuftsuniversity #massachusetts  original sound - MassLive News

Mass. schools with the most international students

According to the International Educational Exchange, the commonwealths schools with the most international students by sheer number during the 2023/2024 year were the following:

Northeastern University  21,023

Boston University  12,853

Harvard University  7,805

Massachusetts Institute of Technology  5,344

University of Massachusetts Amherst  5,160

At Berklee College of Music, international students represent 40% of all students, and they hail from 100 different countries. Thats believed to be one of the largest percentages of a student body in the state.

Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. Google Maps Street View

Healey says Trump needs to answer for student visa terminations

In New Bedford on Monday, Gov. Maura Healey told TV reporters shed queried the Trump administration on why they are revoking student visas with no due process.

Its something the Trump administration needs to answer for, she said.

One of the first public revocations occurred when Tufts University doctoral student Rumeysa Ozturk was arrested on March 25 by six masked federal immigration agents in Somerville in apparent retaliation to an op-ed article she co-authored in support of the Palestinians in Gaza in the schools newspaper in 2024.

That same day, her F-1 student visa was revoked without prior notice.

Colleges and universities say they arent being notified directly about student visa revocations, but rather, are discovering them via proactive checks of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcements Student and Exchange Visitor Information System database.

The reasons behind the ongoing student visa terminations remain unclear. Some have been attributed to particular political beliefs, speech or activism allegedly demonstrated by the individuals, while other students have had past minor scrapes with the law. For many, there is no evident reason.

What the State Department says

A U.S. State Department spokesperson told MassLive due to privacy, visa confidentiality and other considerations, the agency generally will not comment on actions related to specific cases.

The spokesperson did say, though, that when considering revocations, the State Department looks at information that arises after the visa was issued that may indicate a potential visa ineligibility under U.S. immigration laws, pose a threat to public safety, or other situations where revocation is warranted.

This can include everything from arrests, criminal convictions, and engaging in conduct that is inconsistent with the visa classification, to an overstay, the spokesperson said.

The State Department is not generally required to notify a visa holder that their visa has been revoked, the spokesperson added, but the agency does so when we determine it is practicable.

The Trump Administration is focused on protecting our nation and our citizens by upholding the highest standards of national security and public safety through our visa process, the spokesperson said.

MassLive reporter Juliet Schulman-Hall contributed to this story.
In what could be an indicator for future court rulings on student visa revocations, a federal judge in New Hampshire ruled this week that a Dartmouth College student can temporarily remain at the Ivy League school conducting his research despite his visa being terminated by the Trump administration.

Xiaotian Liu, a 26-year-old computer science doctoral student from China, sued the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the U.S. District Court of New Hampshire on April 7 after he discovered his F-1 visa was revoked without warning.

During an emergency court hearing on Wednesday, Judge Samantha Elliott said she would issue a temporary restraining order, allowing Liu to stay in place and continue his research at Dartmouth, until further legal proceedings scheduled for later this month.

International students are a vital community in our states universities, and no administration should be allowed to circumvent the law to unilaterally strip students of status, disrupt their studies, and put them at risk of deportation, Gilles Bissonnette, legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union of New Hampshire, said in a statement.

Nationwide action on student visa revocations

Lius visa revocation is part of nationwide action coming down from the Trump administration focusing at international students at higher education institutions. In Massachusetts, more than two dozen international students across at least ten higher education institutions have seen their visas revoked in recent weeks, for example.

Its unknown how many student visas have been revoked nationwide, but Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said the number is likely more than 300.

We do it every day, Rubio said at a press conference last month. Every time I find one of these lunatics, I take away their visas.

Read more: Trump administration revokes 3 student visas at Berklee College of Music

The reasons behind the ongoing student visa terminations remain unclear. Some have been attributed to particular political beliefs, speech or activism allegedly demonstrated by the individuals, while other students have had past minor scrapes with the law. For many, there is no evident reason.

One of the first public revocations occurred when Tufts University doctoral student Rumeysa Ozturk was arrested on March 25 by six masked federal immigration agents in Somerville in apparent retaliation to an op-ed article she co-authored in support of the Palestinians in Gaza in the schools newspaper in 2024.

A U.S. State Department spokesperson told MassLive the agency looks at information that arises after the visa was issued that may indicate a potential visa ineligibility under U.S. immigration laws, pose a threat to public safety, or other situations where revocation is warranted.

This can include everything from arrests, criminal convictions, and engaging in conduct that is inconsistent with the visa classification, to an overstay, the spokesperson said.

Lius lawsuit in New Hampshire

In his lawsuit, Liu, who is being represented by the ACLU of New Hampshire and law firm Shaheen & Gordon, argued his abrupt visa termination without notification deprived him of due process.

Dartmouth College, located in Hanover, New Hampshire, informed Liu of the revocation via email after discovering it in the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcements Student and Exchange Visitor Information System database, the same way most schools are coming upon impacted students.

Lius attorneys have argued hes done nothing to merit a visa revocation, and that without reasoning provided, it is unlawful. He has never committed a crime, traffic violation, nor has he participated in any protest in the U.S. or elsewhere, they said.

The lawsuit complaint states Liu previously obtained a 4.0 grade point average in his masters program at Wake Forest University in North Carolina.

Prior to Wednesdays ruling, the student visa termination meant Liu could not pursue his Ph.D. program and was no longer authorized to work as a research assistant. He also faced the possibility of immediate detention and deportation.

The Boston Globe reported that, during Wednesdays hearing, Assistant U.S. Attorney Raphael Katz said he could not confirm whether federal officials had terminated Lius student status intentionally or inadvertently. He said he was working with legal counsel from ICE to gather details.
Chelsea police arrested a Boston man on Tuesday on charges related to intentionally detonating a homemade explosive near a residential walkway earlier this week.

Dorchester resident Douglas MacMillan, 40, is facing charges of possession of an incendiary device and malicious explosion in connection with an explosion that happened in the vicinity of 1016 Revere Beach Parkway on Monday, Chelsea police said in a press release. No one was injured in the explosion, but it caused a significant public disturbance.

Investigators determined that the device was purposefully ignited and left to explode next to a tree located between apartment complexes, police said. They identified MacMillan as a suspect using security video from the scene.
In an effort to escape the financial burdens of President Donald Trumps on-again, off-again tariffs, one of the worlds largest tech companies chartered millions of its phones out of India.

According to a Reuters report, Apple flew 1.5 million iPhones  about 600 tons worth  out of India. Individuals familiar with the arrangement told Reuters reporters that Apple Wanted to beat the tariff.

The tech giant anticipated a large hit on Chinese imports and increased its production in India to avoid substantial price hikes.

The Indian government has reportedly made arrangements to shorten the travel time of Apple imports out of the country. India has flown out six cargo jets, each carrying 100 tons of iPhones since March.

Apple began manufacturing products in India in 2017. About a fifth of iPhones are estimated to be produced in India, according to a Bloomberg report.

The majority of iPhones are still made in China. However, the number may decrease depending on the longevity and severity of Trumps tariffs.

Initially, Trumps administration imposed a 26% tariff on India. However, on Wednesday, it suspended Indias tariff and most tariffs on other countries for 90 days.

China stood as the sole exception to the tariff halt, as the U.S. opted to intensify its tariff against the competing global superpower by 125%.

CBS financial analysts estimate the cost of iPhones manufactured in China to rise by 56% under Trumps new tariff policy.
The United States has revoked the visas of four international students at Worcester Polytechnic Institute and 13 students at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, university officials confirmed.

WPI learned of the students visas being revoked through its daily monitoring of a government database known as SEVIS, the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, according to a statement from WPI President Grace Wang obtained by MassLive on Thursday.

We do not know the reasons for these decisions, the statement read.

University officials are working with the students to help them receive legal representation and figure out their next steps regarding their study programs, Wang said. The university looks at its SEVIS system regularly and will seek out students whose visa status shows a change.

We understand that international students may feel anxious about their visa status, Wang said. ... In this climate of uncertainty, I want to assure WPIs international students, staff, and faculty: You are welcome here. You belong here. WPI is here to support you.

WPI encourages all international students to familiarize themselves with their legal rights and can expect the International Student and Scholars Office and Talent and Inclusion to reach out to ensure that all documentation is up to date. The university said it has provided a recording of a Know Your Rights seminar to its international students.

The revocations of 13 students visas at UMass Amherst as of Thursday include the initial five visas that were revoked last week, a university spokesperson told MassLive. University Chancellor Javier Reyes told the campus community that the university learned of the first five revocations Friday night. This information was also found through the universitys SEVIS system. Federal authorities did not inform the university.

We are connecting these students to on- and off-campus resources, including personal outreach from leadership within the Office of the Provost, Student Affairs and Campus Life, and the Office of Global Affairs, Reyes said in a statement. We also continue to work with the UMass Office of General Counsel and the Attorney General of Massachusetts to ensure that we do everything within our power to protect our community.

Attracting students from every corner of the globe, higher education in the United States has always been the envy of the world, Reyes continued. Like so many others, I came to the United States to study through the student visa program. We came to better ourselves, better our communities, and better the country that welcomed us as scholars.

In an updated statement on Sunday, Reyes confirmed that UMass Amherst did not play any role in the federal administrations unilateral action in terminating the status of our UMass Amherst students

The revocations have no known connection with either the campus federally mandated participation in active OCR Title VI complaint processes or with students engagement in activism, Reyes follow-up statement read.

These incidents follow the Trump administrations crackdown on colleges and universities.

Almost three months into his second term, President Donald Trump has assigned an antisemitism task force to investigate how cities have responded to antisemitism on campuses and threatened to withdraw or withdrawn federal funding to universities. International students who have protested against the war in Gaza have also been detained by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, with their student visas revoked.

One of the first public revocations occurred when Tufts University doctoral student Rumeysa Ozturk was arrested on March 25 by six masked federal immigration agents in Somerville in apparent retaliation to an op-ed article she co-authored in support of the Palestinians in Gaza in the schools newspaper in 2024.
The first guest I met at our MassLive Tech Breakfast in Harvard Square said that they normally wouldnt get up for an early morning gathering, but that Scott Kirsner was worth it.

He wasnt the only one. About thirty guests joined me and Scott (MassLives Innovation Columnist) for a breakfast conversation about innovation and economic development.

It was an impressive group of C-suite executives, top administrators from schools around the region, as well as top government officials. The conversation spanned an array of topics from tariffs to entrepreneurship.

Ill be honest. I thought I would leave the event depressed. Instead, I left feeling inspired and uplifted. Thats because one of the major themes of the morning was how Massachusetts can be leader even during these challenging times.

The group pushed one another to think about ways that we can reimagine higher education, ensure greater economic opportunity for a broader swath of people, and use our deep smarts with tech to ensure that were building a stronger Commonwealth for all.

The morning reminded of just how powerful we can be when we come together to imagine a brighter future even during difficult moments. I needed this jolt of positivity. It also showed me that the news, which is at the heart of MassLives mission, can be an impetus for change.

Enjoy the photos, and thanks to everyone for participating in our conversation.

Sincerely,

Joshua Macht

President, MassLive.com
President Donald Trump, abetted by tech billionaire Elon Musk, has decimated government institutions, leaving states such as Massachusetts scrambling to make up the difference, the top Democrat in the state House said Thursday.

With the assistance of the Musk-helmed Department of Government Efficiency, Trump is wreaking havoc on programs that millions of vulnerable Americans rely on, cutting funding for cancer and Alzheimers research, and slashing veterans benefits, state House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano, D-3rd Norfolk, told business leaders during an appearance before the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce in Bostons Back Bay.

Cuts to [National Institutes of Health] research funding would be particularly devastating for Massachusetts, as the commonwealths institutions have been among the top recipients of that funding in this country in previous years, the Quincy Democrat said in remarks as prepared for delivery.

As much as $15 billion in federal support to Massachusetts is on the line, Mariano said in his prepared remarks, reflecting that the state once had a predictable partner in former President Joe Biden  but no more.

Musk himself has actually said that he thinks the cuts havent gone far enough, and the next step will be to consider significant cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, Mariano told business leaders.

During a question-and-answer session with chamber president and CEO James E. Rooney after his speech, Mariano was asked how policymakers on Beacon Hill could deal with the shifting funding winds in Washington.

Buy lottery tickets, he joked, before sketching out the chambers broader approach to spending and funding under the second Trump administration, acknowledging that lawmakers could not know whats happening in the future.

We could be back in September and October making changes, he continued. Well just have to see.

Fighting off a cold, Mariano quipped that he was following the advice of U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., to attend as many crowded public events as possible.

Were trying to reach herd immunity, he joked, to laughter from the crowd.

Mariano, in remarks that stretched to 27 minutes, also touted the work of a newly formed House committee tasked with understanding the state-level impact of Trumps federal funding cuts. A similar effort is underway in the state Senate.

The senior leaders Thursday appearance at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Boston came the day after the majority-Democrat chamber approved a plan to spend $1.3 billion in Millionaires Tax money, pumping new funding into schools and hundreds of millions of dollars more into the MBTA.

It also came days before the chamber rolls out its own budget plan for the new fiscal year that starts July 1.

The Houses companion to the $62 billion fiscal blueprint that Democratic Gov. Maura Healey rolled out earlier this year does not raise broad-based taxes or include fee hikes, Mariano said.

That appears to put a stake through Healeys proposals to lift a sales tax exemption on candy sales and other small fee increases included in the administrations spending plan.

Legislative leaders have already said they oppose Healeys proposed assessment on prescription drugs.

The Houses budget also continues funding for free school meals for all public school students. And it provides another year of funding for meeting our commitment towards the full implementation of the Student Opportunity Act, which helps districts close achievement gaps between students.

The document also will include more than $1 billion for early education and care programs, Mariano said, according to his prepared remarks.

Speaking to reporters after the event, Mariano declined to put a number to the Houses spending plan. But he did say it likely would be lower than Healeys proposal. Asked if he could say how much lower it might be, he quipped, I dont have a calculator.

As Healey did the day before, Mariano slammed Trumps reckless trade war that has caused the stock market to plummet, with huge price increases  I dont have to tell you all that. You know it. And Trump has magnanimously said he couldnt care less about.

Flanked by business leaders on Wednesday, Healey denounced the chaos caused by Trumps trade war  even with the 90-day pause the Republican White House had announced, which caused markets to surge after days of record losses.

The pause doesnt matter, the Arlington Democrat said, because we are still left in a state of chaos and uncertainty.

This is why people cannot deploy capital. They cant invest in their workforce, Healey continued.

On Thursday, Mariano told business leaders that the White Houses tariffs could cost state residents " hundreds of millions of dollars in additional energy costs, a challenge that will be further exacerbated by his executive order that put a pause on all new offshore wind development."

Worse, Trump is attempting to do much of this unilaterally, in defiance of the separation of powers principle that is outlined in the Constitution, and with seemingly no regard for the damage that hes doing in the process, Mariano said.

And while his supporters may think its necessary and justified, the White Houses actions, its little more than more than a political strategy designed to take advantage of the anger that so many voters often feel towards government, he said.
Gov. Maura Healey, flanked by Cabinet secretaries and business leaders, speaks with reporters following a closed-door roundtable discussion about tariffs on April 9, 2025. (Chris Lisinski/State House News Service)

Gov. Maura Healey was partway through a closed-door meeting with Cabinet secretaries and business leaders about the impact of sweeping tariffs when President Donald Trump suddenly reversed course and paused most of his plan.

But Healey and the other attendees expressed little relief about the about-face, and the governor warned that consumers and employers still face economic chaos and uncertainty.

The pause doesnt matter, Healey said, because we are still left in a state of chaos and uncertainty.

This is why people cannot deploy capital. They cant invest in their workforce, Healey told reporters, flanked by attendees of the State House meeting she convened.

Healey met with a range of high-profile Massachusetts industry group leaders one week after Trump announced massive tariffs on many of the nations trading partners, a move that prompted major upheaval in the stock markets and warnings about recessionary impacts.

Just after 1:15 p.m. Wednesday, Trump posted to Truth Social announcing a 90-day pause on the higher tariffs he rolled out, replacing them in that span with a universal 10 percent tariff rate. However, the move did not apply to China. Trump instead increased the tariff rate there to 125%.

Well, I thought that people were jumping a little bit out of line. They were getting yippy, Trump replied when asked about the pause, according to The New York Times. They were getting a little bit afraid.

Healey said she learned about the presidents change in plans during her roundtable meeting because she got a message on [her] phone.

She argued that under the tariffs that remain in place, especially on China, everyone still is going to continue to experience higher prices, higher costs.

The fact remains: we do not know what is going to happen next. This is causing considerable harm to our residents, to our economy and to our businesses, she said. At the end of the day, I wish somebody could reach the president and get him to stop, because enough is enough. We cannot continue to have our economy in Massachusetts and around this country held hostage. We cannot continue to gamble with peoples livelihoods. There really is no excuse for this chaos.

Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao hinted the administration will roll out some specific programs to address the current tariff issues through quasi-public agencies like the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative.

Healey also pointed to quasi-public agencies as tools at our disposal. She declined to provide details about what her team has in mind.

Were going to have more to say on that very, very shortly, she replied when asked if the administration would create new programs or instead try to connect more businesses with existing programs.

In addition to Hao, the governor was joined at the press conference by Administration and Finance Secretary Matthew Gorzkowicz, Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce CEO James Rooney, Associated Industries of Massachusetts President Brooke Thomson, Retailers Association of Massachusetts President Jon Hurst, Mass. Business Roundtable President JD Chesloff, Black Economic Council of Mass. President Nicole Obi, and ALX President Eneida Roman.

Several of the industry leaders offered their own warnings about the economic impact from Trumps approach to tariffs. Rooney said the uncertainty is paralyzing for businesses.

Thomson recounted an industrial contractor in western Massachusetts who started the year believing 2025 would be their best year on record.

We thought we had left some of the uncertainty behind us in 2024. Now that that individual hit the third month, [they] started to really see some retraction from some of the folks that they were doing business with, Thomson said. Now, by the first week in April, 50% of their contracts are on hold. 50%. That is completely devastating to a business that is small- and medium-sized.

Lets be honest -- even some of our larger employers, the conversation now that they are having is, can they stay open? Can they keep their workers? she added.

Trumps approach to tariffs and pledges to pursue major federal spending cuts have raised major concerns among state budget-writers, who rely on billions of dollars in federal funding.

Healey filed a $62 billion fiscal year 2026 state budget proposal on Jan. 22, two days after Trump took office and before he put in motion many of his most dramatic policy changes. House Democrats next week will roll out their redraft of Healeys plan, which covers the fiscal year that begins July 1.

Weve got a responsibility to make sure that anything that I sign is within revenue and what we can sustain, Healey replied Wednesday when asked if she would be open to signing a final budget with a smaller bottom line than she proposed.
President Donald Trump plans to make Americas showers great again through an executive order signed this week.

In an order signed by the president Wednesday, Trump lifted a Barrack Obama administration water pressure restriction.

The Obama-era order restricted multi-nozzle showers from discharging over 2.5 gallons of water per minute. As part of the Obama administrations Energy Conservation Program, the order was put in to help reduce national water waste.

I like to take a nice shower to take care of my beautiful hair, President Trump said to reporters in the White House before signing the order, according to The Washington Post. I have to stand in the shower for 15 minutes until it gets wet.  Its ridiculous.

In a fact sheet released after the signing, federal officials wrote the executive order rolls back an Obama-era overregulation that choked the American economy.

The sheet added that both the Obama and Biden administrations spent too much time defining the showerhead and nozzle

Were going to get rid of those restrictions. You have many places where they have water, they have so much water they dont know what to do with it, President Trump wrote. But people buy a house, they turn on the sink, and water barely comes out. They take a shower, water barely comes out. And its an unnecessary restriction.

Nearly a week ago, on Friday, April 4, President Trump rolled back another environmental policy. The Trump administration announced that it removed environmental safeguards ahead of national parks to bolster future logging projects.
Red Sox starter Lucas Giolito pitches during a Grapefruit League game against the Philadelphia Phillies at JetBlue Park at Fenway South in Fort Myers, Florida on March 11, 2025. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) Getty Images

BOSTON  After making his second rehab start for the Worcester Red Sox Wednesday night, Lucas Giolito is eager to return to the Boston starting rotation. But he also realizes thats beyond his control.

Giolito tossed 3.1 innings for the WooSox, allowing one run on three hits. He fanned three and walked three, throwing 64 pitches.

Im progressing through, getting my innings and my throws in, said Giolito Thursday. I look forward to coming back and helping this team out; been looking forward to that for a long time. So I just have to keep working through these rehab games.

Next up for the Red Sox righthander is a third start, slated for Tuesday for Worcester.

Id love to throw just one more and then come back, said Giolito. But its not my decision. So whatever the guys upstairs have (planned) for me, Im going to do.

Giolito had some difficulty with his delivery early on Wednesday commanding his fastball and changeup, requiring him to throw 30 pitches in the first inning.

But I was able to get my slider pretty dialed in, said Giolito, so I was happy about that. Im looking forward to my next one, when I can just put everything together. But a lot of the times you go out there, you dont have everything working every single game, so it was a little test, battle I was able to get out of a tough situation (in the first inning) and was able to get all my ups in, so it was good.

Giolito was sidelined during spring training when he suffered a slight hamstring strain on the very first pitch he threw in Grapefruit League play. The hamstring is healed now, as is his elbow after undergoing an internal brace procedure some 13 months ago which caused him to miss all of last season.

For now, its about building arm strength.

The hamstring has not been on my mind for a long time, said Giolito. Its all about building the innings.
A total of 12 international students attending Worcesters Clark University had their visas revoked by federal authorities, according to an email sent by a university spokesperson.

The email, which was sent to Clark students and faculty on Thursday, says the school found out about the revocations by monitoring a database known as the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).

At this point, we have confirmed that federal authorities have revoked the visas and/or terminated their record in SEVIS of 12 of our international students, the letter reads. We do not know for certain the reason for these actions.

The letter reads that the federal government normally notifies institutions and students if a students visa has been revoked. No such notification has occurred, according to the letter.

Our Office Global Engagement (OGE) and the International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) has been in close contact with our students to provide support, the email reads. OGE and ISSO are working directly with impacted students to ensure they understand their basic legal rights, help them obtain legal representation, and plan for continuing their studies.

Staff at Clark is encouraging all international students to keep their personal documentation up to date and be familiar with responsibilities under their visas.

Additionally, Clark joined 85 other higher education institutions and organizations throughout the United States in signing an amicus brief in AAUP v. Rubio  a case challenging the federal governments revocation of visas and detentions of non-citizen students and scholars.

Clark University is the second Worcester university to report student visa revocations in the span of 24 hours.

Four international students attending Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) had their visas revoked, according to a statement from WPI President Grace Wang obtained by MassLive on Thursday.

Like Clark, WPI learned of the revocations through SEVIS and does not know the reason for the revocations.

Just a couple of weeks ago, we came together for Gala, a beautiful celebration of the deep connection we have at Clark with our international students and how, through our individual uniqueness, we are stronger and better as a community. One community, the Clark letter reads. To all who have come to Clark from around the world  students, faculty, and staff  know that you are welcome and appreciated, and that we are here to support you.

The revocations come as the Trump administration continues to crack down on colleges and universities.

Just three months into his second term, President Donald Trump assigned an antisemitism task force to investigate how cities have responded to antisemitism on campuses and threatened to withdraw or withdraw federal funding to universities.

International students who have protested against the war in Gaza have been detained by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and had their student visas revoked.

On March 25, Tufts University doctoral student Rumeysa Ozturk was arrested by six masked federal immigration agents in Somerville as part of an apparent retaliation to an op-ed article she co-wrote supporting Palestinians in Gaza in the schools newspaper in 2024.

More than three dozen international students across at a growing number of higher education institutions in Massachusetts have seen their visas revoked in recent weeks.

In all, nearly 1 in 5 higher education students in Massachusetts is an international student.
Text messages and social media posts between four men showed they knew each other prior to a shooting that left one of the men and his mother dead in their Worcester apartment, according to court documents.

In Worcester District Court on Thursday, Attleboro resident Jeffrey Toney, 29, was charged with two counts of murder in connection with the double shooting that killed Evan Landry and his mother Tracy Landry at Tatnuck Square Apartments on Brookside Avenue on the night of Nov. 21, 2024.

Weymouth resident Shaquille Watford, 33, was scheduled to be arraigned on similar charges Thursday morning. After his name was called, a corrections officer told Judge David Despotopulos that Watford was not on the vehicle meant to take him from Suffolk County Jail to Worcester District Court.

That afternoon, Watford was arraigned on a murder charge and a judge ordered he be held without bail, a spokesperson for Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early Jr. told MassLive on Thursday.

Fall River resident Sheldon Thorpe, 22, was also charged with two counts of murder in connection with the Landrys deaths among other gun-related charges. He appeared in Worcester District Court for his arraignment on Monday and pleaded not guilty. He was ordered he be held without bail, according to court documents.

Thorpe and three accomplices left Stoughton in a 2023 Toyota Rav-4 with a New Jersey license plate, court documents stated. They arrived at the Tatnuck Square Apartments on Brookside Avenue at around 5:11 p.m. on Nov. 21, 2024, according to video obtained by police.

The suspects walked into the apartment, with one carrying an assault rifle, and seven shots were heard, police said in their reports. Both of the Landrys were struck several times. Following the shooting, the suspects took the apartment carrying large bags to the Toyota waiting for them outside, police said. It is unclear what was in the bags.

Then, at around 6:19 p.m., officers were dispatched to the apartment building, police wrote. The 911 caller told police that they heard loud banging and thought it was at their door.

Police arrived to find the mother and son with gunshot wounds. Tracy Landry was pronounced dead, while Evan Landry was hospitalized and later pronounced dead at the hospital.

The apartment showed signs of a struggle, with money and packages containing a green leafy substance, believed to be marijuana lying on the floor, police said. Some items appeared to be missing from the apartment. Shell casings were also found on the floor, discharged by the assault rifle.

Police identified the three suspects through witness descriptions, text messages and social media posts shared between the suspects and Evan Landry, video footage taken near the apartment complex, the GPS location of the Toyota and fingerprints found at the Landrys apartment.

Police arrested Thorpe in Bostons Dorchester neighborhood on Monday. Watford was arrested in Weymouth on April 3 on charges related to the Worcester shooting and other outstanding warrants, police said. Toney had been previously arrested on other charges.

Judge Timothy Bibaud entered a not-guilty plea on Toneys behalf for two charges of murder. Bibaud ordered Toney be held without bail.

Thorpe, Toney and Watford are all next scheduled to appear in court on May 22.
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Pat McGovern from Robeen is no stranger to the stage, having performed major roles in various Ballinrobe Musical Society shows as well as various other music and drama ventures over the years. This Friday night (April 11) will see him launch his debut album at a special show in The Kirk, Hollymount, at 8pm.

This wonderfully crafted eleven-track album (cover pictured) entitled Somebody Special was recorded in LaunchpadLK studio in Limerick and all proceeds are in support of The Irish Pilgrimage. The title track was composed by Don Stiffe from Galway and was previously recorded by Matt Keane.

The album also features The Broad Majestic Shannon, Katie Daly, Hard Times, Rainy Night In Soho, Will You Go Lassie Go, Will You Meet Me On Clare Island, Scorn Not His Simplicity, Beeswing, The Old Man, and a selection of reels.

Pat is joined on this superb recording by all four members of the local band, The Rambling Rogues, featuring Paul Clesham, Maria Hughes, Michelle Rattigan and Sharon McCabe, as well as Niall Hughes from Hollymount and Pats daughter, Aisling McGovern.

The intricate and evocative design and artwork for the CD and delightfully presented booklet was created by Catherine Flynn and her husband, Paul.

Music has always featured strongly in the life of Pat over the years. His eclectic tastes in music know few boundaries and range from Leonard Coen to Hank Williams, Liam Clancy and Phil Coulter as well as traditional Irish songs and music.

Perhaps it was his close association with the Irish Pilgrimage Trust that eventually tipped the scales in favour of going into the studio to record an album. Music, song and dance are a big part of our annual Easter trip to Lourdes and I had this idea to utilise music to celebrate and promote the goals of The Trust, said Pat who floated the idea last autumn among his fellow musicians and friends, one of whom is his daughter Aisling.

The group enthusiastically embraced the idea, and the recording is dedicated to all of the special people involved in any capacity with The Irish Pilgrimage Trust. Five of the seven featured on the recording have served as volunteers with the Pilgrimage Trust in Lourdes.

The Irish Pilgrimage Trust is in existence for over fifty years. It has a thirty-two county footprint and is comprised of groups of volunteers who take children and young adults with additional needs to Lourdes for a week-long holiday each Easter.

READ MORE: Mayos special Lourdes connection

A huge amount of time, voluntary effort and creative energy has been invested in this unique project. It is an effort borne of love and passion for music and a very noble cause.

All of us who worked on the album have endeavoured to put our own interpretation and unique stamp on each number. It is our dearest wish that everyone who purchases Somebody Special will garner as much joy from listening to it as we all did creating it while also supporting this most worthy cause, says Pat.

Somebody Special will be widely available through the following retail outlets from this coming weekend: Hollymount Store, Ballintubber Stores, Martin Murphys, Ballinrobe, Mace, Castlebar road, Ballinrobe, Corrib Oil, Ballinrobe, Hunts Service Station, Claremorris, and Centra, Claremorris, or by contacting Pat on 085 1742082. A digital download of the album will also be available through the online music distribution platform, Bandcamp.
Mayo man Luke Gibbons has seen his stellar work in climate campaigns for legislative change recognised with nominations in the Remy Martin Irish Man of the Year Awards.

Luke will be present at the ceremony in May, where he has been nominated alongside the likes of Paul Mescal and Ronan Keating.

READ MORE: 'Lovely' - Mayo jeweller reacts to apology from rugby fan who was sick in doorway

Luke, a native of Claremorris, has a list of accolades as long as your arm. His research revolves around how company directors in Ireland, the United States, and Great Britain are legally obliged to tackle climate issues.

The 2024 Young Mayo Person of the Years work has seen him awarded with a scholarship from one of the pinnacles of academic studies, Harvard Law School, where he has collaborated with the likes of Hillary Clinton and Jacinda Ardern, former New Zealand Prime Minister.

At the forefront of Mr Gibbonss message is the overarching duty of high-emitting corporations to shoulder the burden of climate action.

He is also the founder of Ireland America Young Professionals Group, who provide Irish immigrants in America with free access to accommodation and job supports.

His stellar 2024, therefore, has seen him nominated in a multitude of categories at this years Man of the Year event.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Luke James Gibbons (@fabuluke_)

The first category where youll spot Lukes name is The Community Champion 2025. Also nominated for the award are Paul Mescal, of Normal People and Gladiator acclaim, and musician Ronan Keating.

Next up is The Educational Excellence Award. Among the names on this shortlist are leading academic professors from around the country, including Maynooth University's Professor Joseph Coughlan.

The third category that Mr Gibbons has his hat in the ring for is The Humanitarian Hero. Ronan Keating pops up in this section as well, alongside Irish Sevens rugby international Greg OShea, of Love Island fame, and former Ireland and Munster prop Donncha O Callaghan.

Lastly, you have the Rising Star award. This is a stacked list as well, with Paul Mescal, Olympic gold medallist Daniel Wiffen, and TikToker Ryan Mar.

Speaking after his quadruple nomination, Luke Gibbons expressed his pride and excitement.

READ MORE: Mayo boxer looks to maintain unbeaten pro record on DAZN card

It feels a bit like the Oscars being on a list with the likes of Paul Mescal," he said. "I found out when checking my phone while out for a walk. I will just go to enjoy the night, its an honour just being nominated.

The proud Mayo man also expressed his honour in representing the county in an event of this magnitude.

Ill be representing Mayo with pride," he said. "Its a chance to celebrate all the great things Irishmen are doing, and Im looking forward to a brilliant night with some inspiring people.

The event will take place on Friday, May 23, in the Radisson Blu Hotel, Cork. Those wishing to book tickets to the black-tie event can contact mary.reale@histyle.ie.
A MAYO detective has admitted that 'smishing' scams whereby scammers use text messages to fraudulently obtain bank account details to steal money are rampant.

Detective Garda William Grant made the observation at a sitting of Castlebar District Court which heard that a then 18-year-old Mayo man allowed his bank account to be used to hold 9,250 which was stolen from a bank account in Galway.

Dion Tropman (23) of 33 Hollow Grove, Castlebar appeared before the court after admitting to the charge of money laundering and allowing his Bank of Ireland account to be used to hold money stolen in a smishing text message scam.

The court heard that on June 25, 2021 a person in Galway replied to a text message which he believed to be from the Bank of Ireland and provided his bank account details. As a result, 9,250 was taken from his bank account.

READ: Planning granted for 32 house development in Mayo county town

Det Garda Grant explained that following an investigation by Bank of Ireland, Mr Tropman's account in Castlebar was identified as the beneficiary account. The bank managed to recoup 750 but was at a loss of 8,500. The injured party was fully refunded by the bank.

Mr Thropman subsequently transferred the 8,500 into a Binance Cryptocurrency account which he had set up himself and this was subsequently transferred into a Bitcoin account.

Detective Garda Grant explained that the instigator of the fraud was the owner of the Bitcoin account but this person has yet to be identified by gardai.

When questioned by gardai, Mr Tropman told them that the person who instigated the fraud sent Snapchat messages asking people to allow their bank accounts to be used to hold money and he responded. He told gardai that he was informed that if he provided his bank details he would be given 50.

Detective Garda Grant confirmed that Mr Tropman did not send the text message to the injured party and confirmed that he was a 'money mule' and not the main beneficiary of the fraud.

'Needed a few pound'

He also confirmed that these types of scams are now rampant but the Bank of Ireland has an excellent fraud department and this fraud offence was triggered when the money from Mr Tropman's account was transferred to a cryptocurrency account.

In his evidence Mr Tropman explained that he was 18 and homeless at the time and agreed to allow his bank account to be used as he 'needed a few pound'. He claimed he believed that only 1,000 would be transferred into his account.

Mr Tropman told Judge Deirdre Gearty that he felt shame on his part for what he did and was willing to pay back the money if he was given the opportunity.

The court was told that Mr Tropman had a troubled adolescence and was in and out of care homes but has no previous convictions and has not come to the attention of the gardai since.

His solicitor Mr Gary Mulchrone told Judge Gearty that his client had made a full and frank admission of guilt and understood what he did was his fault. He added he has a good employment history to allow him to pay the money back.

Probation Bond

Judge Gearty commented that these types of crimes were getting more common and while the injured party was refunded in full, the seriousness of what happened should not be minimised because the bank is at a loss.

She accepted that Mr Tropman was only 18 at the time and gave him credit for co-operating with the garda investigation and that he was willing to pay the loss to the bank.

Judge Gearty said she would impose a 12 month Probation Bond on the condition he remains of good behaviour and repays back 5,000 to the Bank of Ireland within 12 months.
by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, April 10, 2025

The Brandtech Group announced Thursday a collaboration to integrate Googles video-generation model Veo 2 into its generative AI (GAI) marketing platform, Pencil.

David Jones, Brandtechs founder and CEO, described 2025 as the year of exponential scaling" for GAI, emphasizing the transformative impact of Veo 2.

Were witnessing a seismic shift in whats possible for brands," he stated. "By integrating Veo 2, we are providing our clients with the most advanced video generation tool available."

Rebecca Sykes, Brandtech Group Partner and head of emerging tech, believes text-to-video will completely change the industry with the ability to make GAI-based TV commercials for clients through Veo 2.

The integration of Veo 2 into Pencil Pro allows brands to access Googles models  including Gemini for text generation, Imagen 3 for image creation, and Google Clouds ABCD framework for asset analysis  within one interface.

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Powered by Google Cloud, the suite of tools enables marketers to generate and deploy high-quality, AI-driven content.

Google marketing teams trialled Pencil in more than 50 unique pilot projects. From nearly 80,000 generations, about 25,000 final assets were produced.

The ads delivered reductions in time and costs of between 20% and 30% for high-end creative executions, and between 80% and 90% savings for mass-scale executions.

Powered by Google Cloud, the suite of tools enables marketers to generate and deploy high-quality, AI-driven content.

Japan Airlines (JAL) relies on the partnership by deploying Googles Veo 2 and Gemini models to improve on its passenger experience. Select flights in 2025 will feature evocative, AI-generated films designed to inspire travelers with visuals of Japanese destinations.

Brandtech's Jellyfish created the marketing initiative for Japan Airlines.

Seatback monitors in the project explore destinations to inspire travel as generative AI brings a future itinerary to life. The initiative was made possible by the exceptional realism, detail, and control offered by Veo 2, which creates high-quality video from text and image prompts.

Gemini with Google Cloud were used to script and curate the content. The entire creative process  from concept to final production  was completed in less than 15 hours by a hybrid team from Brandtech group companies Jellyfish and Pencil.

Aside to integrating Veo 2, Brandtech and its group company Jellyfish will make Pencil Pro available in Google Clouds Marketplace, allowing Googles clients and partners to access its capabilities.
by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, April 10, 2025

A federal judge has refused to sign off on a deal that would have paused X Corp's ad-boycott lawsuit against Amazon's Twitch until January 2026.

The deal, unveiled in court papers filed Monday by Elon Musk's X Corp., would have required Twitch to meet certain conditions by the end of the year. X Corp. didn't disclose the details of those conditions.

X Corp. requested that U.S. District Court Judge Jane Boyle in Wichita Falls, Texas, stay its lawsuit against Twitch until January 10, 2026, by which time X Corp. would either officially seek to dismiss all claims against Twitch, or both companies would file a status report.

On Thursday, Boyle rejected that request, writing that it would be inefficient to keep the case on her docket for nine months after the parties reached a settlement.

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While parties can structure settlement terms in any manner they see fit, the Court must efficiently manage its docket, she wrote in a brief order denying the motion to pause the proceedings.

Boyle added that if X Corp. and Twitch have settled the matter, she will stay proceedings for no more than 45 days, to give the companies time to finalize terms.

It's not yet clear whether X Corp. and Twitch will now renegotiate their settlement, or proceed with litigation.

If the companies continue to litigate, Twitch must file an answer to X Corp.'s complaint by no later than May 14.

The dispute dates to November, when X Corp. added Twitch as a defendant to a lawsuit alleging that the World Federation of Advertisers and its now defunct brand safety initiative, Global Alliance for Responsible Media (GARM), sparked a massive advertiser boycott that cost the company billions in ad revenue. Other current defendants include rsted, Mars, CVS, Abbott, Colgate, Lego, Nestle, Pinterest, Shell, and Tyson.
by Teresa Buyikian , April 10, 2025

One coffee chain just got a new kick in its marketing ass -- so to speak.

This week Iain Douglas joined Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii as the companys first chief brand officer. The purveyor of premium Hawaiian-grown coffee, the company currently has approximately 130 stores open across the U.S.

Douglas was most recently vice president of strategy and brand development at business consultancy ArchPoint Group, where Bad Ass was a client.

"This isn't the first time that Iain Douglas has injected some Badass influence here at Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii," said Scott Snyder, CEO of Bad Ass in the announcement, citing Douglas' consultant work as helping to shape the brand's evolved DNA and accelerate both franchisee and brand expansion.

Douglas previous beverage experience includes stints as vice president of E&J Gallo Winery; senior vice president at the Mark Anthony Group, parent to White Claw and Mikes Hard Lemonade; and CMO at Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits. He also served as vice president of global strategy and brand development at VF Corporation, where he expanded several brands including The North Face, Vans, Timberland and Wrangler.

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Originally launched on the Big Island of Hawaii in 1989, Bad Ass specializes in premium coffee from the Kona region and also sources from Kauai and Maui.
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. At Oklahoma Childrens Hospital, a new wave of care is replacing judgment with hope  offering mothers and their newborns exposed to substances in the womb a fighting chance, not just for survival, but for a future full of support, connection, and love.().Oklahoma Children's Hospital has enhanced the discharge process forpatients through a project funded by the American Academy of Pediatrics, focusing on best practices and soothing techniques for mothers and babies.A collaborative project aims to provide continuity of care for mothers and babies affected by substance use. The team, includingand supporting the family at home.The team reinforces soothing strategies in the hospital, such as providing a "and teaching caregivers to console fussy babies. They also emphasize safe sleep at home, encouraging caregivers to use a crib or "" instead of letting babies sleep with parents.University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center is implementing Little STAR, an early intervention program for babies exposed to prenatal substances, preparing caregivers for potential negative outcomes. Services continue up to, part of a national effort to improve neonatal abstinence syndrome care.Source-University of Oklahoma
Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol created cinematic magic with their unforgettable onscreen chemistry in Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, setting a timeless benchmark for romance in Indian cinema. Their portrayal of Raj and Simran became emblematic of love stories for generations of moviegoers. Now, this legendary pairing is set to be immortalised in a truly special way  a statue capturing their iconic pose from the film is set to be unveiled at Londons Leicester Square.

 YRF Mark Williams, deputy chief executive at Heart of London Business Alliance, aid, Its fantastic to have the opportunity to add to our trail Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol, who are such titans of international cinema. He added, The statue is a fitting tribute to the global popularity of Bollywood and a celebration of Londons rich diversity. Akshaye Widhani, CEO of Yash Raj Films quoted, Were thrilled to be the first Indian film to be represented in Scenes in the Square. It also marks 30 years of DDLJ, a film that has spread love and joy globally and shows the cultural impact it has had in the U.K.

 YRF Trade Analyst Taran Adarsh wrote, Yash Raj Films' iconic blockbuster Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge will be immortalised with the first-ever bronze statue honouring #Indian cinema in #London's #LeicesterSquare, set to be unveiled in Spring 2025. This landmark tribute, featuring Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol in an unforgettable pose from the film, marks the beginning of the #30YearsOfDDLJ celebrations. A timeless symbol of love and legacy, #DDLJ continues to make history.

The reactions Users are excited about the event and said that it will be a proud moment for Indian cinema. One user commented, Legacy of our beloved #KING who has been admired by all over the country for his enormous contribution to the Indian cinema. Pride moment for all of his lovers as well as haters.

Another user commented, This is truly iconic! From the mustard fields of Punjab to the heart of LondonDDLJs magic knows no borders. A beautiful tribute to a timeless love story that defined a generation. Cant wait to see Raj & Simran standing tall in Leicester Square!

One user reacted, This is history in the making! SRK & Kajol's iconic moment from DDLJ will forever be etched in London's Leicester Square. Truly a tribute to love, legacy, and Indian cinema!
Not all actors in Bollywood have it easy before they make it big. No matter how talented one is, many have had to struggle before they earned a name in films. Some have had to do different kinds of jobs in order to make a living. Early Struggle One such actor is Vipin Sharma. The man had at one time could not afford Rs. 10 for a train ticket and even cut and cleaned raw meat despite being a vegetarian. At one point he even gave up acting and moved to Canada where he had to take up odd jobs to survive. But his life changed after he attended a workshop there.

 YouTube "After attending the workshop in Canada, I realised that there is nothing else in my life except acting, and I cant do anything else. So I threw all my belongings on the street in Toronto and bought a one-way ticket back to India," he told The Lallantop, as per DNA. "I was a highly dissatisfied person, and I used to argue a lot. I did not like giving a bribe to reserve seats on a train, I did not like the overall surroundings, and I had a lot of anger within me because I used to wonder why our society was like this, and having grown up in a slum made it very difficult. I was a rebellious person, and I once pulled the emergency chain on a train, and I was made to get down at a random station at night. They said, 'If you cant afford 10 rupees for a sleeper berth, then you dont deserve to travel by train,'" he added.
Pay disparity for female actors has long been a contentious issue in Bollywood. However, Tillotama Shome recently shared an experience that not only highlights her resilience as an actress but also showcases her unwavering principles and strength of character. In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, Tillotama said, It was in stark contrast to a director I once worked with who paid me very low. At the wrap party, we were all talking when someone asked me, What would be something that you really are lusting for?' I mentioned a particular car that cost a certain amount, and said, If I do a film where Im paid this much, I could buy that car. The director then said, Im so sorry to break this to you, but youre never going to earn that kind of money. Its unfair, but thats how this industry is. Youre very talented, but unfortunately, youll never make that much. He said it in a tone that felt like he meant wellbut it stayed with me.

 Instagram/Tillotama Shome The Lust Stories actress added, Then came my next film, which was everything I could dream of creatively. I knew Id never get a role that good again, but I still negotiated for four months. I fought for the money, and eventually, I got paid double the amount Id mentioned at that party. When the contract was finalised, I messaged that director and said, By the way, I just closed a deal and was paid this much. Thought you should know before you tell another actor what they can or cant do. That moment meant a lot to me. Im grateful I have friends who see my worthbecause sometimes, potential is invisible. And true friendship is about recognising what the world cant yet see. Tilloatama broke down in tears while narrating this story. You can watch the full interview here:

Users are lauding Tillotama for her journey. One user commented, Kudos to her for not taking no for an answer and going after what she wants !! Seeing her cry so bitterly about the comment made by the director (but the unfortunate reality of the industry in a way) made me think about how hard it is for these character actors to survive in the industry.

 Reddit/BollyBlindsNGossip Another user commented, Everyone needs to rise up against this ridiculous tactical of Bollywood. All these spine less producer, directors will literally lick feet of Alia Ranbir Suhana etc in public while they tell actual talent to remain confined. How dare they? If it's not ok to vandalize comedy studio where is your spine now i ask? Bollywood needs to get rid of its parasites immediately.

 Reddit/BollyBlindsNGossip One user wrote, More power to her and people like her who have to struggle so much to get what they truly, truly deserve. Even actor Gulshan Devaiah praised the actress for her courage. He wrote, This entire business is based on perception & how you can navigate/negotiate your way through it. Requires faith in self, courage and patienceBravo TillotamaShome Youre an inspiration in more than one way.
The Marine Corps' new littoral regiment is less than two years old and growing as the service contends with how to resupply and sustain it in the vast Pacific region, where China's military influence is casting an increasing shadow.

Col. Peter Eltringham, commander of the 12th Marine Littoral Regiment, said in an interview with reporters Tuesday that logistics will be a key challenge that Marines will have to overcome, given the proliferation of drones, missiles and China's reach. The regiment was established in late 2023 and recently received the final element of its three-unit concept last month, Military.com previously reported.

The 12th MLR, one of the service's latest answers to China's Pacific aims and the region's vast environment, is uniquely capable of providing the Marine Corps a low-profile, rapid-response unit designed to be "hard to find," Eltringham said.

Read Next: Army Secretary Tapped to Also Lead ATF in Unusual Dual Role

But as the service contends with abysmally low readiness rates for the Navy's amphibious warships, which are meant to transport Marine expeditionary units and supplies to the fight in the Pacific, the 12th MLR intends to remain "dispersed" across the region's countless archipelagos and isles to support combat operations there.

With that, comes the challenge of logistics, which Eltrigham said "is going to be complicated by the adversary's ability to influence" the Pacific.

Marines tasked with explosive ordnance disposal, supply, engineering and beach landing support can "become a target" should they be seen during a major conflict with China, given that Beijing's wartime aims would include disrupting supply chains and maritime routes.

"Those challenges are very real," Eltringham said, alluding to China's ability to potentially deploy drone swarms and ballistic missiles directed at supply lines and other key capabilities. "I need them to be survivable," he added, alluding to the Marines tasked with logistics and other support roles amid a potential conflict in the Pacific.

The 12th MLR is made up of three subordinate units: a littoral combat team; anti-air battalion; and a logistics battalion, which would work in remote areas to resupply and support the other teams.

"Military logistics will be imperative for operational readiness and sustainment in any potential conflict with the Peoples Republic of China," according to a Georgetown University Center for Security Studies article from last year. "Successful logistics in the Indo-Pacific requires speed and resilience as the region is a dispersed archipelago of states plagued by the People Liberation Army's military aggression."

Military.com previously reported on the 3rd MLR, one of the other new units oriented toward a Pacific fight, and leaders noted last year that logistics was a critical part of their training and required Marines to use the environment around them to thrive.

The 12th MLR is no different, according to Eltringham.

"They put us in a situation where we are without communication or without logistical resupply for sustained periods of time, so that we've got to be ready, and those Marines have got to be ready to remain sustainable -- internal to themselves -- for prolonged periods of time," he said.

"That's working locally," he added. "That's working within the environment that they have," noting that true "jungle warfare training" will give them the ability to do that "until we can get to them."

Eltringham said that the logistics team will have to work its supply missions from airfields, expeditionary airfields, landing sites, beach zones, ports and other various locations as the broader unit is dispersed across the Pacific.

The 12th MLR is based out of Okinawa, Japan, and is known to the Marine Corps as a "stand-in force," meaning that -- unlike most Marine expeditionary units -- the MLR remains in the Pacific theater.

Eltringham also said that Marines in the region would be aided by the Autonomous Low-Profile Vessel, or ALPV -- dubbed the "narco-boat" -- for resupply. Military.com previously reported that Marines training in the area were also using platoon water purification systems, or PWPS, a piece of equipment that can produce up to 15 gallons of water per hour from sources found in the environment.

"I think what we owe those Marines is the ability to train on that gear and then be able to adapt as quickly as possible," Eltringham said. "Because I think we can all anticipate the constraints provided in that contested environment."

Related: Marine Corps Adds First Anti-Ship Missile Battery to Okinawa as Part of Recent Littoral Plan
The Veterans Benefits Administration -- the arm of the Department of Veterans Affairs that adjudicates disability compensation claims -- has processed more than 1 million filings this year and is on track to complete 2.5 million total by year's end, which is roughly a half-million more than it processed in 2024, according to officials.

The department announced in late February it had reached the 1 million claims mark two weeks earlier than in 2024 despite receiving a 16% increase in applications last year.

During a House Veterans Affairs subcommittee hearing Wednesday, VA officials said claims processors are running "8.5% ahead of this time last year," largely because the department has improved training for adjudicators and is implementing new programs that facilitate the process.

Read Next: Army Secretary Tapped to Also Lead ATF in Unusual Dual Role

According to Kenneth Smith, the VA's assistant deputy undersecretary for field operations, a new scheduling assistant program uses technology to determine whether an exam or additional medical opinion is necessary, which helps avoid unnecessary delays, and improvements to the Veterans Benefits Management System -- the database that organizes and holds claims -- will go into effect in 2026 and further reduce errors.

"While significant progress has been made, we recognize the need for continuous improvement and adapting to evolve [to meet the] needs of those we serve," Smith said.

As of April 4, the VBA had 923,355 pending claims, with roughly one-quarter of those considered "backlogged," or older than 125 days old.

Even as the VA receives roughly 10,000 new claims a day, it is completing an average 11,000 a day, decreasing the inventory and providing time to work on the backlog, according to Smith. Since the end of February, the VA has reduced the number of 125-day-old or older claims by nearly 20,000, according to VA data.

Lawmakers on the House Veterans Affairs Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs subcommittee called the hearing to find out what the VA is doing to accelerate its claims processes and manage the companies that conduct disability claims exams.

Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Morgan Luttrell, R-Texas, said he has seen cases in which claims processors make the same mistakes over and over, resulting in deferrals and "months- or yearslong delays."

He also noted that a report last year by the VA Office of Inspector General found the department spent $1.4 million on unnecessary claims exams from April through September 2023.

"The VA is such a wonderful working machine. I say that wholeheartedly. It has its problems, it does, and we should forever be changing in order to keep up with the wants and needs of our veterans, because as we're moving into the younger generations -- our generation of warfighters are coming into the VA -- and there's a lot of us," Luttrell said.

Smith said a significant change that will help is a planned upgrade to the VA's National Work Queue, which metes out claims to adjudicators. According to Smith, the VA is using data analytics and predictive modeling to prioritize claims and will distribute them to employees based on complexity, urgency, and employee experience and skill level beginning in 2026.

Changes to the work queue also will allow employees to request additional work if they have completed what they already were assigned -- a functionality that Jim Swartz, who represents VA workers for the American Federation of Government Employees, said is badly needed.

"One of the most insistent complaints from the claims processors is they don't have enough work to meet the performance metrics, and most waste time asking for more work," Swartz said.

The planned upgrades to claims processing come as VBA employees face possible layoffs this summer. VA officials have said they want the department to return to 2019 staffing levels of 399,957 employees, roughly 80,000 fewer than it has now.

Rep. Morgan McGarvey of Kentucky, the ranking Democrat on the subcommittee, pledged to work with fellow subcommittee members to support the VA's efforts for the veterans but also help its employees do -- and keep -- their jobs.

"It means equipping and empowering the employees who serve the veterans. We need them to be able to do their best work without unnecessary limits or undermining their importance to the system," McGarvey said.

Related: The VA's Hiring Spree: A Lot of Psychiatrists
WASHINGTON  The Army said it has reenlisted three active duty soldiers who were discharged for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine, as it works to implement President Donald Trump's executive order that troops be rehired and given back pay.

However, the Army said Thursday that it hasnt recently reenlisted more than 20 reservists, contradicting statements it made earlier this week. Instead, the correct total is three active duty soldiers and zero reservists.

Army officials said they mistakenly provided the wrong number to The Associated Press when asked repeatedly over the past week how many soldiers have come back to the service since Trumps order.

The numbers provided were soldiers who rejoined the National Guard after the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act, which rescinded the COVID-19 mandate  not for Soldiers who rejoined after the EO, the Army said in a statement Thursday. The Army is committed to maintaining the highest standards of accuracy and transparency. We regret this error.

The three active duty soldiers reenlisted by the Army is still more than all of the other services. None of the others has brought in any service members under the new plan.

All, however, are reaching out to former troops who were discharged for refusing to obey a lawful order to take the vaccine.

The Marine Corps, Air Force, Army and Navy set up new websites on Monday to provide information for service members looking to reenlist. And they are sending letters and emails and making calls to those who were discharged.

Trump has argued that the vaccine mandate wrongly pushed troops out and suggested that many would return. In an executive order signed a week after he took office, Trump said the vaccine mandate cost the military some of our best people and he vowed to rehire every patriot who was fired from the military with  backpay.

Those who may have been attracted by the offer of back pay will likely get far less money than they initially thought when Trump announced his plan. Under the details of the Pentagon offer, any wages earned during their time as civilians would be deducted from the back pay total, along with other payments they may have received.

The Pentagon made the COVID-19 vaccine mandatory in August 2021 for all service members, including those in the National Guard and Reserve. Then-Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said getting the vaccine was critical to maintaining a healthy, ready force. The Pentagon dropped the mandate in January 2023.

It comes as the Pentagon last week formally increased the new minimum service commitment from two to four years for those discharged for refusing a lawful order to take the vaccine.

A Feb. 7 memo sent to the secretaries of the military services said troops would be required to sign up for two years. But a memo signed April 1 by Jules Hurst III, who is doing the job of defense undersecretary for personnel, said reinstatement will not be afforded to those who are unwilling or unable to return to active service or active status, as applicable, for four years.

According to the new memo, there is an exception for anyone who would have been eligible for retirement within two years of the date they were originally discharged. Those service members also can reenlist for at least two years.

Roughly 8,200 troops were discharged for refusing to obey the vaccine order. They have been allowed to rejoin since 2023, but that did not include any back pay. Just 113 reenlisted.

The Army and Marine Corps have been sending out emails, texts and phone calls to service members for several weeks. The Navy and the Air Force had been waiting for the additional guidance.

The Army did not have estimates on how much it has given the soldiers in total back pay.

Those eligible for back pay could get an amount that includes their basic salary, bonus payments, cost-of-living allowances and some health benefit costs. But that total will be reduced by any wages, veterans benefits, separation payments, debts and other amounts that were earned during that time.

Everyone who wants to reenlist must meet all military standards, including health, fitness and moral requirements. Service members have until Feb. 28, 2026, to seek reinstatement.

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This story was first published on April 7, 2025. It was updated on April 10, 2025, to correct, based on corrected numbers provided by the Army, how many soldiers have rejoined the service since Trump's executive order. Three active duty soldiers have reenlisted but no reservists. The Army had said more than 20 reservists reenlisted.
The Coast Guard has permanently relieved the commander of Coast Guard Sector San Diego following an investigation into allegations of a toxic work climate at the unit.

Capt. James Spitler was temporarily reassigned in October along with the sector's command master chief, Michael Dioquino, for "loss of confidence" in their leadership.

According to the service, Spitler was relieved permanently on Tuesday, while Dioquino was permanently relieved in January.

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District Eleven Commander Rear Adm. Joseph Buzzella recommended the dismissal following an investigation into failures of "leadership, judgment and integrity," according to the service. Pacific Area Commander Vice Adm. Andrew Tiongson supported the dismissal, which was approved at the Coast Guard Headquarters level.

In October, District Eleven public affairs officer Lt. SondraKay Kneen said leadership had received reports from personnel at the unit of unfair treatment and complaints regarding "actions against staff" that were "unfair and inappropriate" and "interfered with work performance or created an unwelcome work environment."

Sector San Diego spans more than 165,000 square miles, including 120 miles of the Pacific coast and the maritime border between California and Mexico. The region has been a focus of increased Coast Guard and Navy presence amid a crackdown by the Trump administration on migrants and drug smuggling operations.

According to the Coast Guard, the service has tripled the number of deployed forces, including cutters, aircraft and tactical teams, to the southern border.

The Navy destroyer USS Spruance also is deployed to the area for border operations with a Coast Guard law enforcement detachment team on board.

In late March, the Spruance and the Coast Guard Cutter Forrest Rednour worked together to intercept a "suspect vessel" carrying 13 people.

In a separate incident, the Spruance rescued 18 people in a vessel taking on water 50 miles southwest of San Diego. The individuals were transferred from the Spruance to Coast Guard Sector San Diego in a Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk, according to the Navy.

And on Saturday, the Coast Guard Cutter Terrell Horne, the Spruance and other Department of Homeland Security enforcement teams intercepted a drug smuggling vessel carrying eight people 27 miles west of San Diego, according to the Navy and Coast Guard.

"The U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard partnership on display in the maritime domain highlights our commitment to national security priorities," Gen. Gregory Guillot, the head of U.S. Northern Command, said in a news release April 1.

Coast Guard officials declined to disclose the service status of Spitler or Dioquino. Spitler has 28 years in the service; Dioquino has served for nearly 30 years.

Capt. Patrick Dill, chief of incident management for District Eleven, temporarily assumed command of Sector San Diego in October.

Dioquino was not investigated, but he was relieved due to loss of confidence in his ability to fulfill his responsibilities as the command's senior enlisted leader, Kneen said.

Related: Coast Guard Secretary? The Trump Administration Is Planning a Big Redesign of the Service.
Israel controls more of Gaza than at any point during the war, part of a plan that officials increasingly describe as leading to a full military occupation.

Israel calculates this new strategy would improve its chances of definitively uprooting Iranian-backed Hamas. But taking control of the Palestinian enclave for the first time in two decades would be a high-stakes gamble  it would risk increasing the death toll in Gaza, siphoning more reserve soldiers away from an economy stifled by war, and further isolating Israel.

It also raises the odds of protracting a war that has already lasted 18 months and shows no sign of ending soon.

Plans were drawn up last month by the new military chief Eyal Zamir and approved by Defense Minister Israel Katz, said senior officials familiar with the road map who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Full implementation hasnt been approved by the Cabinet, but plans are advancing step by step with Israel ramping up pressure on Hamas to return hostages while limiting the likelihood of harming them in the process. According to accounts by four Israeli officials as well as former officials close to the governments thinking, the direction appears increasingly clear.

The only way to eradicate Hamas is to conquer Gaza, said Amir Avivi, a retired brigadier general in close touch with military leaders and the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Asked about the armys plan, a spokesman for the Israel Defense Forces said its operating within international law on goals set by the government.

The return of Netanyahus long-time ally Donald Trump to the White House has added to the calculus.

The former [Israeli] chief of staff and defense minister opposed this, as did the Biden administration, Avivi said. The current ones believe its the right thing to do, and we have the backing of the Trump administration now.

On Monday at a White House press conference with Netanyahu, Trump said he couldnt understand why Israel gave up Gaza in 2005 as part of a peace plan with the Palestinians.

Evidence of the plan is in plain sight. Returning to war last month after a nearly two-month truce, Israel expanded the buffer zone around the coastal enclave and officials including Netanyahu said troops are increasing their control of the strip and keeping it.

During the first 15 months of the war, Israeli troops took control of cities but mostly retreated. Now, there are no plans to leave.

Large areas are being seized and added to Israels security zones, leaving Gaza smaller and more isolated, Katz said Wednesday in a visit to the newly announced Morag Corridor, a strip of land running parallel to the Egyptian border that will cut off the southern city of Rafah. All of Rafah will be evacuated and turned into a security area.

Netanyahu and his closest aides say their model is the multi-year Allied occupations of Germany and Japan after World War II. Political systems there were dismantled under foreign control and democracies put in their place. The goal, they say, is to have unaffiliated Gazan technocrats alongside outside Arab help running civilian affairs while Israel controls the strips security, similar to what happens in the Palestinian West Bank.

Some experts in and outside Israel, however, say the new approach to Gaza is the result of a failure to eradicate Hamas so far. And they point to numerous foreign occupations  Israels in Lebanon, the U.S. in Vietnam and Afghanistan  as blood-stained calamities.

Yossi Kuperwasser, a retired brigadier general who now heads the Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security, says abating concerns along Israels northern borders are partly behind the shift.

After the attack of October 2023  when thousands of militant operatives crossed into Israel, killing 1,200 people and abducting 250  Israel was wary of committing too many forces to Gaza and leaving its northern front exposed to Iranian-sponsored militias, such as Hezbollah in Lebanon, rallying in support of Hamas.

Last fall, Israel eliminated the leadership of Hezbollah  which like Hamas is designated a terrorist organization by the U.S. and many other countries  and weakened Irans offensive and defensive capabilities. The Syrian regime of Bashar al-Assad, a key Iranian ally, has collapsed.

Hostages remain a big barrier to military intervention. A full-scale attack risks killing the two dozen thought to be alive in Gaza. A recent poll showed 70% of Israelis want the focus to be on hostages before any further fighting with Hamas. Talks for a new ceasefire allowing the exchange of more hostages for Palestinian prisoners continue via mediators Qatar, Egypt and the U.S.

Moreover, hundreds of days of reserve duty have taken a heavy toll on companies, careers and families.

Netanyahu and his closest aides, however, firmly believe that there can be only one result of the Oct. 7 attack on Israel: the disarming and elimination of Hamas from Gaza, even at the cost of a limited number of hostages.

Uprooting the militant group is no easy task. Hamas has long had military and financial backing from Iran and is deeply embedded in the native population as the governing body of Gaza for nearly two decades.

Trying to topple it will likely come at a heavy human cost. More than 50,000 Gazans have been killed already, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, and vast portions of the strip, where 2.2 million people live, have been damaged or destroyed.

Placing Israeli troops among the population will pose risks to both. As Ilan Goldenberg, who was a senior Mideast adviser in the Joe Biden White House wrote, the local population will never trust the IDF, and so Hamas will be able to continue to recruit, hide amongst the population, and fight a prolonged and costly insurgency for Israel.

Avivi, the former general, isnt worried. He says when the ground is prepared and the IDF calls up tens of thousands for a full-scale attack on Gaza, 99% of reservists will come.

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With assistance from Tom Fevrier and Rachel Lavin.

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Just days after Vice President JD Vance's March visit to Pituffik Space Base in Greenland, the installation commander sent out an email to the base distancing it from Vances criticism of Denmark and its oversight of the territory, Military.com has learned.

Col. Susan Meyers, the commander of the 821st Space Base Group who also oversees the Pentagon's northernmost military base, sent a March 31 message to all personnel at Pituffik seemingly aimed at generating unity among the airmen and Guardians, as well as the Canadians, Danes and Greenlanders who work there, following Vance's appearance. She wrote that she "spent the weekend thinking about Friday's visit -- the actions taken, the words spoken, and how it must have affected each of you."

"I do not presume to understand current politics, but what I do know is the concerns of the U.S. administration discussed by Vice President Vance on Friday are not reflective of Pituffik Space Base," Meyers wrote in the email, which was communicated to Military.com.

Read Next: Coast Guard Permanently Relieves Commander of Sector San Diego

The emailed remarks, confirmed as accurate to Military.com by the Space Force, mark a rare pushback within the ranks of the Trump administration's repeated criticism and critiques of NATO members and longtime allies. A source familiar with the email said it was sent to all base personnel, including those from Denmark and Greenland on the installation.

Meyers became the commander of Pituffik's 821st Space Base Group in July, according to a Facebook post about the change of command ceremony.

"I commit that, for as long as I am lucky enough to lead this base, all of our flags will fly proudly -- together," Meyers' email message to the base read.

Vance traveled to Greenland and spoke at the space base on March 28.

President Donald Trump and Vance have repeatedly spoken about their desire for the U.S. to take control of Greenland, which is a territory of fellow NATO member Denmark. Both Trump and Vance have also said they support the Greenland people's right to self-determination, though polling has suggested a vast majority of residents there do not want to become part of the U.S.

Trump has said, in reference to U.S. control of the Danish territory, that it is "a good possibility that we could do it without military force" but added "I don't take anything off the table."

Vance, during his visit to Pituffik, criticized Denmark, claiming that incursions by China and Russia had put the territory at risk.

"Our message to Denmark is very simple," Vance said during his visit to the space base. "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 of this incredible, beautiful landmass."

An opinion poll in January from Verian found that 85% of Greenlanders do not want to leave Denmark to join the U.S. A Yahoo News poll taken last month showed that 49% of Americans opposed the idea of annexing Greenland, with only 19% in favor and the remaining 32% undecided.

Taylor Van Kirk, the press secretary to the vice president, told Military.com that Vance was "grateful to visit Pituffik Space Base and for the opportunity to meet with our brave servicemen and women" and reiterated support for Trump's vision for Greenland.

"President Trump has made his vision for an enhanced security footprint in the Arctic abundantly clear, and the vice president is committed to implementing the president's agenda," Van Kirk said in an emailed statement to Military.com. "This includes strengthening the partnership and cooperation between the United States and Greenland, which is critical for both American national security and the safety of our partners worldwide.

The U.S. military has long had a presence in Greenland. Back in the mid-1940s, a Danish-American radio station was set up near what is now Pituffick Space Base, according to a fact sheet from the 821st Space Base Group.

By 1951, a defense agreement between Denmark and the U.S. led to the creation of the Thule Defense Area. Thule Air Base was renamed in 2023 to Pituffik Space Base -- to show its new service branch affiliation, as well as reflect the traditional Greenlandic name for the former settlement where the base was built, Military.com previously reported.

That past defense agreement was brought up by Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lkke Rasmussen in a video shared on social media following Vance's appearance at Pituffik. Rasmussen said he respected Vance's call for a greater U.S. military presence in Greenland but did not appreciate the rhetoric.

"Many accusations and many allegations have been made and, of course, we are open to criticism, but let me be completely honest: We do not appreciate the tone in which it is being delivered," he said in the video. "This is not how you speak to your close allies, and I still consider Denmark and the United States to be close allies."

The Space Force did not respond to Military.com questions sent Wednesday morning asking about additional context for Meyers' email. It was not immediately clear whether Meyers was still serving as commander of the 821st Space Base Group following her email.

Department of Defense Chief of Staff Joe Kasper told Military.com in an emailed statement that "civilian control of the military is a bedrock principle of our armed forces. Actions to undermine the chain of command or to subvert President Trump's agenda will not be tolerated at the Defense Department."

The Trump administration has gone on a widespread purge of high-ranking military officers and commanders.

Last week, Trump fired Air Force Gen. Tim Haugh, the director of the National Security Agency who also oversaw Cyber Command.

Vice Adm. Shoshana Chatfield, who served with NATO, was fired this week in what appeared to be part of that purge. Officials in Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's office on Monday did not immediately confirm the move or offer a statement on why Chatfield was relieved or by whom.

Other high-profile military leaders who have been fired since Trump took office -- without any public reason given -- including Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Charles "CQ" Brown, the Navy's top leader Adm. Lisa Franchetti, and Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. James Slife.

Related: US Air Base in Greenland Gets New, Inuit Name
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates  Suspected U.S. airstrikes in Yemen overnight into Thursday killed at least three people, while the death toll in an earlier attack rose to 13 dead, the Iran-backed Houthi rebels said. The rebels meanwhile aired footage they said showed the debris left after shooting down yet another American MQ-9 Reaper drone.

The 13 killed in strikes Tuesday night around Hodeida's al-Hawak district made it one of the deadliest single incidents in the ongoing American campaign, the rebels said. Another 15 people were wounded. The Houthis described the majority of those killed as women and children, without providing a breakdown.

The area is home to the city's airport, which the rebels have used in the past to target shipping in the Red Sea.

Since its start, the intense campaign of U.S. airstrikes targeting the rebels over their attacks on shipping in Mideast waters  related to the Israel-Hamas war  has killed over 100 people, according to casualty figures released Wednesday by the Houthis.

Footage aired by the rebels' al-Masirah satellite news channel showed chaotic scenes of people carrying wounded to waiting ambulances and rescuers searching by the light of their mobile phones. The target appeared in the footage to be a home in a residential neighborhood, likely part of a wider decapitation campaign launched by the Trump administration to kill rebel leaders.

Early Thursday morning, the Houthis said airstrikes targeting the al-Sabeen District in the south of the rebel-held capital, Sanaa, killed at least three people. The area is home to al-Sabeen Square and a major mosque that has been a gathering point for months for Houthi demonstrations against the war in the Gaza Strip. Other strikes hit the capital as well.

More airstrikes hit Kamaran Island in the Red Sea, the Houthis said.

The U.S. military's Central Command, which oversees American military operations, did not acknowledge the strikes. That follows a pattern for the command, which now has authorization from the White House to conduct strikes at will in the campaign that began March 15.

The American military also hasn't been providing any information on targets hit. The White House has said over 200 strikes have been conducted so far.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, speaking in the Oval Office on Monday during a visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, warned that America was not going to relent in its campaign targeting the Houthis.

Oil shipments targeted as US drone reportedly shot down

On Wednesday, the State Department said the U.S. will not tolerate any country or commercial entity providing support to foreign terrorist organizations, such as the Houthis, including offloading ships and provisioning oil at Houthi-controlled ports. That likely will further squeeze the rebels, who already have had problems in their territory with bad gasoline destroying vehicle engines.

The Houthis also aired footage of the burning wreckage of what they described as an MQ-9 Reaper drone shot down in Yemen's al-Jawaf governorate. One man poked at the debris with a stick as those gathered chanted the Houthis' slogan: God is the greatest; death to America; death to Israel; curse the Jews; victory to Islam.

Central Command said it was aware of the report of the shoot down, but declined to answer further.

The Houthis say they shoot down the drones with locally made missiles. The Houthis have surface-to-air missiles  such as the Iranian missile known as the 358  capable of downing aircraft.

Iran denies arming the rebels, though Tehran-manufactured weaponry has been found on the battlefield and in sea shipments heading to Yemen for the Shiite Houthi rebels despite a United Nations arms embargo.

General Atomics Reapers, which cost around $30 million apiece, can fly at altitudes over 40,000 feet (12,100 meters) and remain in the air for over 30 hours. They have been flown by both the U.S. military and the CIA for years over Afghanistan, Iraq and now Yemen.

The Houthis claim theyve shot down 22 MQ-9s over the country over the years, with 18 downed during the rebels campaign over the Israel-Hamas war.

The U.S. military hasnt acknowledged the total number of drones it has lost there.

US airstrikes under Trump more intense than those under Biden

An AP review has found the new U.S. operation against the Houthis under President Donald Trump appears more extensive than that under former 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 U.S. campaign shows no signs of stopping, as the Trump administration has linked its airstrikes on the Houthis to an effort to pressure Iran over its rapidly advancing nuclear program as well.
For eight agonizing months, Alleta Sullivan clung to the slimmest of hopes that her five sons somehow survived the sinking of the USS Juneau in late 1942.

When Navy Secretary Frank Knox officially declared the warship's 687 missing sailors and officers dead in August 1943, Sullivan -- who reportedly battled depression earlier in her life -- could have easily fallen into a tailspin of despair. Instead, even before Knoxs confirmation, she had already been doing what her sons would have wanted.

She and her husband, Thomas, were supporting the war effort the best they knew how while coping with any parents worst nightmare -- five times over.

"The boys always wrote me to 'keep my chin up,'" Alleta Sullivan once said. "After their ship went down, I remembered what they said and made up my mind to see what I can do to help win the war -- to kind of carry on for their sake."

Alleta Sullivan gives a mighty whack with a champagne bottle, spraying Lt. Mel Venter, left, while launching the destroyer USS The Sullivans at the Bethlehem Shipyard in San Francisco, April 4, 1943. (AP Photo)

Despite the largest loss of life sustained by one family in the U.S. Navy's history, Alleta and Thomas were determined to honor their sons' memory. Their eldest boys, George and Frank, served in the Navy from 1937 to 1941 and were out of the service when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, precipitating the United States' entry into World War II. The surprise bombing killed a close family friend stationed on the USS Arizona, prompting not only George and Frank to reenlist but also their brothers -- Joseph, Madison (also known as Matt) and Al -- to join the military to help avenge his death.

The brothers were best friends who enjoyed nothing more than spending time together. Even though the Navy usually separated brothers during wartime, it was not strictly enforced so the sea service relented when the Sullivans insisted on serving on the same ship. The brothers were assigned to the USS Juneau, a recently commissioned light cruiser that -- as part of a task force of naval vessels -- was sent to support the Marines at Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands.

The Juneau arrived there on Nov. 12, 1942, and early the next morning, a Japanese submarine fired a torpedo intended for the USS San Francisco, a heavy cruiser. It struck the Juneau instead, killing 17 sailors and severely damaging its keel. The crew rushed to fix as much damage as possible, and although the warship was down 12 feet by the bow, it rejoined other naval ships as they made their way to the Allied military base at Espiritu Santo for more repairs.

En route there, the Japanese attacked again shortly before noon on Nov. 13. They fired four more torpedoes at the San Francisco, all of which missed their intended target. One of the missiles, though, tore through the Juneau with catastrophic results. The battered cruiser sank in less than 20 seconds as pieces of the cruiser and body parts shot into the air. Some debris landed a half-mile away.

This Oct. 25, 1941, photo -- provided by the U.S. National Archives -- shows the USS Juneau afloat just after being launched in Kearny, N.J. (U.S. National Archives via AP)

Frank, Joseph and Matt Sullivan died instantly, and Al drowned the next day after surviving the initial blast, according to witnesses. George was alive and clinging to a life raft that he shared with seaman second class Allen Heyn. George would often cry out for his deceased brothers, desperately seeking a response that never came, Heyn said. After four days, George -- anguished, delirious, fatigued and hungry -- told Heyn he was going to take a bath.

"He took off all his clothes and got away from the raft a little way, and the white of his body must have flashed and showed up more because a shark came and grabbed him and that was the end of him," said Heyn, one of the 10 crew members who were ultimately rescued. "I never [saw] him again."

Meanwhile, in the Sullivans' hometown of Waterloo, Iowa, unconfirmed rumors about the brothers' fate swirled around the community. With five gold stars hanging in their family's home, Alleta and Thomas desperately wanted to believe their sons -- ranging in age from the eldest, 27-year-old George, to the youngest, 20-year-old Al -- were alive. "Maybe they'll show up somewhere, someday soon," a distraught Alleta said.

Unfortunately, they never did. The Navy declared them officially missing in mid-January 1943, and President Franklin Roosevelt sent a letter of condolence. One of the Juneau's survivors wrote to the Sullivans, erasing any doubt about whether the brothers would make it home.

"I am afraid all hope is gone for your boys," he wrote in his letter. "I don't know whether a letter of this sort helps you or hurts. But it's the truth. I saw it."

Even while awaiting word about their sons, Alleta Sullivan did what she believed was her patriotic duty. In February 1943 -- barely more than two months after the Juneau sank -- she kept her commitment to travel to Portland, Oregon, to christen the USS Tawasa. She did not stop there. Accompanied by her husband, Alleta refused to allow her grief to slow her down, appearing at more than 200 manufacturing plants and shipyards to boost morale and support the military.

Vice President Henry Wallace, right, greets Thomas and Alleta Sullivan, whose 5 sons died in the sinking of their cruiser SS Juneau at the Battle of Guadalcanal, on Feb. 3, 1943, in Washington, D.C. (AP Photo)

The Sullivans traveled across the country and spoke to more than a million workers, their words proving so impactful that it was said that factory production usually increased after one of their visits. Those interactions benefited Alleta as well, allowing her not to dwell on her grief because she was constantly on the move.

In 1943 -- the same year that the Sullivans' only surviving child, Genevieve, enlisted in Women Accepted for Voluntary Emergency Service, or WAVES -- Alleta christened the USS The Sullivans, a Fletcher-class destroyer.

Alleta remained an especially poignant symbol of what military families sacrifice during wartime. It was not uncommon for sailors -- some of whom knew her sons -- to drop by the family's home to express their condolences. Alleta welcomed them inside and often insisted on preparing a home-cooked meal to express her appreciation.

In those visits, Alleta never tired of hearing the appreciation for their boys service, realizing anew that they did not die in vain. Their mother made sure of it.

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One might think that betraying both the world's most notorious terrorism group and the West's most well-funded intelligence agency would be a shortcut to an early grave. The man who did it, however, is still alive. He gave the FBI its first look at the group that came to be called al-Qaida, all while giving special operations training to the mujahideen. Ali Mohamed may not have been the most famous terrorist in history, but he was certainly one of the most consequential.

Born into a devout Muslim Egyptian military family in 1952, Mohamed grew up close to Egypt's border with Israel. Israeli border guards would radicalize him as a teen, sowing the seeds of who later become Osama bin Laden's mole in the U.S. government's most secretive forces. It would be a series of miscommunications in the CIA, FBI and the Army that not only allowed him to come to the United States, but also join the Army's Special Forces, work as an agent of foreign terror organizations and write the al-Qaida training manual later used by the 9/11 hijackers.

Ali Abdel Saoud Mohamed, aka Ali Abul Saoud Mustafa, aka Ali Aboualacoud, aka Abu Omar, aka Haydara, aka Ahmed Bahaa Adam, aka Abu Mohammed ali Amriki, aka Ali Nasser Mohamed Taymour, aka Abu Osama, aka Bakhbola, aka Bili Bili ... the list goes on.

Mohamed's early life was nothing really extraordinary for a young man of his background. He graduated from high school in 1970, but was already convinced he needed to take his fight to the enemies of Islam. He would later tell the FBI that he didn't need a fatwa against the United States, because it was so clearly the enemy. His jihadi career began when he joined the Egyptian army in 1971 and became a special operations intelligence officer. He also, like many of his fellow officers, joined the terror group Egyptian Islamic Jihad. It was the Islamists in military intelligence that planned the assassination of President Anwar Sadat in 1981 and put assassin Khalid Al-Islambuli in the position to do it. Mohamed was taking a special foreign officer's class at Fort Bragg in North Carolina when Sadat was killed.

Read Next: 'Race Against Terror': CNN's Jake Tapper Details the Extraordinary Investigation into an Al-Qaida Fighter's Murder of US Troops in Combat

Despite his tenure in the Egyptian army and his extensive training, Mohamed was too religious for Egypt's leaders and left the service in 1984. His leader in Islamic Jihad, Ayman al-Zawahiri, ordered him to work for the national airline so he could acquire air piracy countermeasures. That mission accomplished, his next assignment was to infiltrate a Western intelligence agency. It didn't take long, but Mohamed bungled it from the start, according to a West Point biography of Mohamed.

With its operations in the Middle East in jeopardy from Beirut to Baghdad, the CIA needed to step up its game. So when Mohamed came to the CIA's Cairo station in 1984 looking to volunteer his services, he was almost immediately accepted. The agency sent him to Hamburg, Germany, to infiltrate a Hezbollah-connected mosque there, but he quickly outed himself to the imam as a CIA plant. His handlers might not have known, were it not for the other CIA plant they had in the mosque. Mohamed's betrayal was reported, he was dropped from the CIA's rolls and the agency tried to bar him from ever entering the United States. That ban was not enforced, and he was not only able to enter the U.S. the next year, he was able to join the U.S. Army.

At 34 years old, the former Egyptian special forces soldier was still in solid shape. He outperformed all the other recruits in his unit during basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and was sent to the Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg, where he eventually became the supply noncommissioned officer for the 5th Special Forces Group. In 1988, he went on leave to Afghanistan, where he fought the Soviet Union with the Afghan Mujahideen. Mohamed didn't try to hide it; he even returned with Red Army belts from dead Russian troops as a gift for his commander.

Osama bin Laden fighting the Soviet Union in 1980s Afghanistan.

It was around this same time that al-Zawahiri, still Mohamed's boss in Islamic Jihad, formed al-Qaida with Osama bin Laden and fellow Egyptian Mohammed Atef. Mohamed, however, was passing classified Army Special Warfare Center materials to Islamic Jihad members in New York and New Jersey while training them to fire small arms. The documents he passed included top-secret SOF training manuals, U.S. Navy docking center locations, and the exact locations of American special operations units. But Mohamed wasn't just passing along these manuals; he was also writing one of his own.

In the late 1980s, he wrote the official al-Qaida training manual "Military Studies in the Jihad Against the Tyrants," based on his own special operations training in the U.S. and Egypt. Some 180 pages long, it consists of ideology along with detailed instructions on everything from forming a sleeper cell to counterfeiting currency. He left active duty shortly after and joined the Army Reserve in California, where he'd married an American woman. For nearly a decade after leaving the service, he would be involved in every major al-Qaida operation.

Mohamed's work began with providing in-person training to al-Qaida fighters in Afghanistan and Pakistan. At the same time, he became a criminal informant for the FBI when he revealed a Hamas document-forging ring inside the United States. As part of al-Qaida's Africa Corps, he provided security for bin Laden's move from Afghanistan to Sudan in 1991 and also his return in 1996. He also trained al-Qaida's entire leadership in modern U.S. Army combat operations during this time period.

In the 1990s, he set up the cell that would bomb the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania and trained the Somalis who fought American intervention in Mogadishu (and the "Black Hawk Down" incident) all while moving and raising money in the United States for al-Qaida operations abroad. He also trained those involved in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing and the New York City landmark bomb plot, a one-day plan to blow up bridges, tunnels and important symbols inside the city. It was only after the bombing of the American embassies in Nairobi, Kenya, and Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania, that Ali Mohamed was finally arrested. His most stunning achievement to this point was how he'd managed to evade capture for so long.

A rescue team looking for survivors of the bombing of the US-American embassy in the aforementioned building and the collapsed Ufundi building in Nairobi, Kenya. (Israel Defense Forces)

After getting caught revealing his CIA ties to Hezbollah in Germany, he was placed on watch lists by both the CIA and the U.S. State Department, but it was alleged that the CIA clandestinely sponsored his entry. The Army documents he leaked to Islamic Jihad were scooped up by U.S. authorities when they raided the NYC apartment of the alleged landmark bomber El-Sayyid Nosair, but were overlooked even during his 1991 trial. Mohamed also failed a lie detector test when he first tried to infiltrate the FBI in 1990. The FBI failed to even administer a test when Trans World Airlines reported that he was arrested in Rome for carrying luggage with secret compartments.

In 1993, he was caught lying to Canada's RCMP about his friend and fellow al-Qaida operative's fake passports. Finally, the FBI caught up with him after the Canadians reported the incident. This was when Mohamed gave the U.S. its first look at the al-Qaida network, describing bin Laden's plans to overthrow the Saudi government, its training camps in Sudan and even the anti-hijacking training he provided to terrorist fighters. But this report was reportedly lost in a Defense Department reorganization. Still, despite failing a polygraph, Mohamed was again set free.

It wasn't until 1997 that he admitted the full extent of his activities with al-Qaida to American authorities. He told the FBI and U.S. attorneys about his direct work with bin Laden, training the Somalis fighting Americans in Mogadishu and scouting locations for potential terror attacks. He was allowed to walk free yet again, but the FBI began to monitor his phone and movements inside the United States. In the aftermath of the 1998 bombing of the American embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, he was secretly arrested and has been held without trial ever since at an unknown location. It is alleged that he is cooperating with the fight against the al-Qaida network and remains the greatest unanswered question in the Global War on Terrorism.

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People check out the buck pole at Jerome Country Market on the opening day of the firearms deer season on Monday, Nov. 15, 2021 in this MLive file photo. State game regulators in 2024 introduced limits on special hunts before the regular season for youth and hunters with disabilities meant to encourage the harvest of does, but they may now roll them back. J. Scott Park | MLive.com

LANSING, MI - Michigan may walk back controversial changes to early deer hunting seasons reserved for youth and hunters with disabilities before they take effect.

In 2024, state game regulators limited the special liberty and independence hunts to be antlerless only beginning in the fall of 2025, prohibiting participants from shooting bucks.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer watches as President Donald Trump signs executive orders in the Oval Office at the White House on April 9, 2025. (Getty Images) Anna Moneymaker

WASHINGTON, DC  President Donald Trump pledged this week to save Lake Michigan from invasive carp during an Oval Office visit by Michigans Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Republican state House Speaker Matt Hall.

Trump, speaking from the Resolute Desk while signing several new executive orders, also teased the possibility of new fighter jets at the Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Macomb County during the visit by Michigan leaders Wednesday, April 9.

Trump praised Whitmer as a very good person during what the governors office called a surprise invitation to the Oval Office thats drawing fire from Democrats.

Trump indicated support for keeping Selfridge open, strong, thriving before turning his focus to an infrastructure project in Illinois that would keep invasive silver and bighead carp out of the Great Lakes, where they threaten to outcompete native species and injure boaters and anglers.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is redesigning the Brandon Road Lock and Dam, a chokepoint in the Illinois waterway system, with new fortifications that aim to prevent the fish from spreading through the Great Lakes via Lake Michigan.

Whitmer and Hall discussed the project with Trump during an earlier private meeting, which the governors office said also covered the recent northern Michigan ice storm and tariffs.

Were also working on a certain fish thats taking over a beautiful lake called Michigan, right? And thats a tough one, Trump said, motioning Hall forward to speak.

Hall thanked Trump for caring about Michigan before criticizing former Democratic presidents over the carp issue and Selfridge, where state officials have been advocating for infrastructure enhancements and new missions.

We couldnt get Joe Biden to do anything about either one of these issues, particularly Selfridge Air Force Base, said Hall. Itll be critical to Michigans economy and our security when youre able to deliver us another mission there.

But on the Asian carp  you know, for years when Obama was there, we could never get anyone to do anything about this invasive species. Its going to destroy our Great Lakes. You know how important recreational fishing and so much of that is to our to our state. Because of your work, were hopeful that well get a solution there and well get that barrier built so we can protect our Great Lakes, Hall said.

While Brandon Road project has moved much slower than advocates would prefer, efforts to fortify the lock and dam took concrete steps forward under the Biden administration. The first construction contracts on the project were awarded in December and initial funding for construction was appropriated under the 2022 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

The initial draft plan was initially released in September 2017 after a delay during the onset of the first Trump administration.

Engineering work began in 2021 under an agreement with the state of Illinois, which has subsequently stalled the project launch this year by delaying a property transfer while it seeks assurances the federal government will fund the effort.

Groundbreaking had been scheduled in February, but Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker paused the states involvement as the Trump administration began withholding unrelated federal grants as part of its widespread efforts to cut and re-prioritize spending.

Michigan and Illinois agreed to cover the entire non-federal share of the $1.2 billion project, which amounts to $114 million. Michigan is paying $64 million; Illinois $50 million.

The delay was not discussed in front of cameras Wednesday.

Trump expressed surprise at the cost of the project, which would use a combination of features such as flushing, acoustics, bubble curtains and electricity to deter fish while still allowing barge traffic up and down the Des Plaines River. Trump described the plans as a pretty gruesome method of deterrence.

He called the carp very powerful fish.

I assume they jump out of the water. They jump at the fishermen. I mean, Ive never seen anything like it, Trump said. Has this gotten into any of the other lakes yet? Because you would think it would be pretty easy, because theyre all sort of connected.

Whitmer spoke up.

Thats why were working so hard to make sure that, you know, we work with the Army Corps and erect a barrier so that the Asian carp cant get into Lake Michigan. Itll devastate the ecosystem, the economy, tourism, and its 20 percent of the worlds fresh waters in the Great Lakes. Mr. President, which is why its so important that, as a nation, we protect the pristine waters, Whitmer said.

I assume the lakes are all interconnected, right, so at some point theyre going to be in the other lakes, and so were going to work hard on that, Trump replied. I spoke with the Army Corps of Engineers and they have a method  its a pretty gruesome method, but its a method and I think they know what to do, so were going to work on that very hard.

Trump continued. Its sort of a bipartisan thing, when you get right down to it. Its a very expensive thing, actually. It cost a lot. I looked at the numbers, I said, well But, we have to save Lake Michigan, because these fish, that they eat everything in the way  including the other fish. They eat everything. Are people endangered by the fish?

Hall spoke up.

Theyre going to eat all the fish there. We wont be able to fish anymore and thats a big deal. In Lake Michigan, theres a lot of fishing, recreation  so its going to be a problem there. But youre right. Its bipartisan, sir, but youre the one taking action on these issues. We couldnt get Biden to do it on Selfridge. This thing has been delayed for, what 15 years, where we were trying to do it. It started under Obama, where we were trying to do it. He wouldnt do anything about it. So, we appreciate you paying so much attention to this and taking action.

Trump gave credit to Whitmer and U.S. Rep. John James, R-Shelby Township.

The governor, in all fairness, called me about it. I had seen it and she called me. John James called me. We spoke with your office, and its, you know, I want to put that down, Trump said. Really is bipartisan.

The orders Trump signed Wednesday call for reviving domestic shipbuilding, easing military equipment exports and reversing rules limiting water pressure in showerheads. They also target former federal officials and law firms Trump perceives as enemies by revoking security clearances and directing the Justice Department to open investigations.

On Thursday, project advocates thanked Whitmer for getting Trumps attention on the carp project and said they hope it helps end the impasse with the state of Illinois.

I really hope that the state of Illinois views this as a positive step in making it really clear what the will of the region is on moving this project forward, said Joel Brammeier, CEO of the Alliance for the Great Lakes in Chicago.

Related stories:

Trump mistrust prompts halt to carp project

Trump floats new fighter jets at Selfridge

Corps awards first carp construction contract

Trump calls Whitmer a very good person
President Donald Trump praised Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer as a very good person who has done an excellent job during a visit to the Oval Office on April 9. (Devin Anderson-Torrez | MLive.com)

President Donald Trump praised Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer as a very good person who has done an excellent job during a visit to the Oval Office on April 9.

Trump held an executive order signing in the Oval Office that Whitmer attended after delivering a speech on points of agreement with Trumps economic policy and tariffs.

During her address, Whitmer said American consumers and manufacturing are the big loser when it comes to tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada.

Now treating our allies, our North American neighbors, like adversaries is going to cost all of us, Whitmer said. Its not just going to cost that relationship but every American consumer. Its probably going to cost a lot of auto jobs and make the cost of buying auto, much less blueberries from Mexico, go up.

And so the big loser in this is American manufacturing, it is the American consumer.

The speech came before Trump paused tariffs for most nations for 90 days. In the same breath, tariffs on Chinese imports were increased to 125%.

Related: Trump backs down, pauses tariffs on most nations for 90 days, raises taxes on Chinese imports

Whitmers visit to the Oval Office comes after many Democratic Party leaders criticize Trump for the reciprocal tariffs he announced on April 2.

Related: Michigan AG on Trump: No common ground with a wannabe king

Whitmer was joined by Republican House Speaker Matt Hall.

A spokesperson for Whitmer said she was surprised that she was brought into the Oval Office during President Trumps press conference without any notice of the subject matter, Associated Press journalist Seung Min Kim reported.

Her presence is not an endorsement of the actions taken or statements made at that event, the spokesperson said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Tappan Middle School is pictured. A 24-year-old man will stand trial for repeatedly approaching an 11-year-old girl on her way home from school. (File photo) Jenna Kieser | jkieser@mlive.com

ANN ARBOR, MI  A 24-year-old man will stand trial for repeatedly approaching an 11-year-old girl on her way home from school.

Edward Newland was bound over on one count of stalking a minor by 15th District Court Judge Karen Valvo after a Feb. 11 preliminary hearing. Valvo ruled there was not enough evidence to send Newland to the circuit court on a charge of accosting a child for immoral purposes, but agreed he could stand trial for stalking a minor.
OTTAWA COUNTY, MI  Should county commissioners use the official county letterhead and logo when writing letters expressing their own personal views?

The issue was hotly debated at the Thursday, April 10, Ottawa County planning and policy committee meeting, after one commissioner recently sent a letter to Grand Valley State University President Philomena Mantella requesting that the university change its concealed weapons policy.

RELATED: Ottawa County leader takes flak for allegedly carrying gun on college campus

At the top of the letter, which can be viewed here, Commissioner Joe Moss used the official Ottawa County letterhead and logo, sparking concerns among several residents and elected officials about whether his letter could be construed as being the directive of the county.

A week later, commissioners Allison Miedema and Sylvia Rhodea also sent letters to Mantella using the Ottawa County letterhead, both urging GVSU to end all diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts and protect womens sports.

The letters from Moss, Miedema and Rhodea  who are all part of the ultra-conservative political faction Ottawa Impact  led to debate on social media about whether they had misused the county letterhead.

Board of Commissioners Chair John Teeples said he felt the letters created confusion in the community, as they could be misconstrued as representing the views of the entire board.

While elected officials have a right to express their personal views, Teeples argued they should be clear about speaking on their own behalf. Using the countys letterhead indicates they are speaking on behalf of the county, he said.

The logo, in my mind, is an intellectual property asset of the county, Teeples said during a discussion at the countys planning and policy committee meeting Thursday.

Itd be no different than an automobile thats licensed to the county. None of us have the authority to just go and take the automobile, let alone use the intellectual property asset, the logo, without authorization.

Rhodea and Miedema said they felt the matter had been blown out of proportion. They both argued that elected officials have a right to express their opinions, and that it is appropriate for commissioners to use the logo when representing their constituents.

Theres no reason why we, as elected representatives, shouldnt be using a logo to the county that we were elected to represent, Rhodea said.

I dont think youre giving our citizens enough credit I think they can tell that when there is a name on the letter, that the letter is coming from that name.

Rhodea claimed that other commissioners only took issue with the letters because of their content, not because of the letterhead. She framed it as a DEI issue and argued that their letters only came under scrutiny because they differ from the accepted belief system.

This is a matter of individuals wanting to exert control and squash the voices of other individuals, Rhodea said.

However, Commissioner Doug Zylstra, the boards lone Democrat, pointed to section 3.1 of the boards rules, which states that no individual Commissioner can represent that they are taking any action or making any decision on behalf of the Board.

Zylstra noted that he has previously held back on issuing statements with other commissioners on certain politicized matters, such as the June 2020 killing of George Floyd, because he didnt want to appear as though he was speaking on behalf of the board.

Once we start saying, I want to speak to this issue individually, I think not only does it break (section) 3.1, but it breaks the idea of the board as a unit, he said.

Commissioner Jim Barry said he believes commissioners have a right to say that they want, but not if it implies the authority of county government."

I dont really think this has anything to do with DEI, he said. Its just who appears to be speaking for the board.

Teeples suggested that the board add guidelines for logo usage to the boards bylaws, which could include disclaimers or require using personalized letterheads.

Commissioner Phil Kuyers, the chair of the committee, suggested that the full board continue the discussion at a future meeting.

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Four international students at Western Michigan University have had their SEVIS status terminated, according to school officials. (MLive file photo)

KALAMAZOO, MI  Four international students at Western Michigan University have had their Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) status terminated without notification, officials stated.

That means their right to remain in the country has been legally terminated.

U.S. government officials this month have taken action to remove some international students studying at U.S. higher education institutions from a system known as ... (SEVIS) and/or revoke their visas, the school said in a statement.

Termination of SEVIS status can lead to visas being revoked and students being asked to leave the country.

RELATED: Trump administration has revoked visas or legal residency of 22 University of Michigan students, grads

One of those four students has already had their visa revoked, a WMU spokesperson told Kalamazoo Gazette/MLive on Wednesday, April 9.

Whether individuals will ultimately have their visas revoked is under the purview of the U.S. Department of State, officials stated in an announcement posted Wednesday on the WMU website.

Neither the university nor the students received any notification from federal officials of the SEVIS terminations, the announcement states.

Depending on the type of termination, there can be a grace period before a student must leave the U.S. or apply for reinstatement, per the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

The SEVIS terminations were discovered last week by WMU staff members who routinely monitor the system, officials stated. Staff then informed the affected individuals that their SEVIS record had been terminated.

University officials have not stated whether there has been a reason why the status of the four students was terminated.

WMU staff members are assisting the four students in exploring options and will continue to monitor SEVIS for record terminations, officials stated.

As shared in a recent message to international students, any student who is unsure of their SEVIS or visa status or has other questions should contact WMU International Student & Scholar Services.

One of our institutions points of pride is that our campus reflects the worlds people and cultures, the statement from the university reads. We remain committed to being a global campus and to welcoming and supporting students and scholars from around the world.

WMU enrolls approximately 2,100 international students in the United States and abroad, officials stated. At WMU, just the four students have had their SEVIS status terminated, to date.

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KALAMAZOO, MI  Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said its important to recognize Donald Trump is the duly elected president of the United States.

That doesnt mean he isnt beholden to the Constitution or the judiciary branch, she said to a packed town hall, Wednesday, April 9, at Western Michigan Universitys Fetzer Center.

The things the president and executive branch can do must be done within the confines of the law, she said. You have the ability to grow policy, but you cant do it by violating the constitution.

Since Trump took office on Jan. 20, Nessel has made Michigan party to nine lawsuits against the federal government.

A 10th may be filed on Thursday, claiming the federal government is in breach of contract, by pulling previously-awarded funding from schools, she said.

Existing lawsuits range from challenging Trumps Inauguration Day executive order limiting birthright citizenship to a suit claiming the appointment of Elon Musk to head up DOGE violated the Appointments Clause of the U.S. Constitution.

The U.S. Constitution, Nessel said, simply cannot be undone by the swipe of ones sharpie.

You might remember that we have three coequal branches of government, she said. I dont know that the president fully grasps that.

I dont even know that Congress knows.

Each of the lawsuits Nessel filed has to do with separation of power issues. The calculus behind whether she decides to file or become party to a lawsuit is based on two things  whether the policy has been advanced illegally and if it is harmful to the state or people of Michigan, she said.

According to Nessel, the lawsuits have cost the state $2,433 to date. Some, if successful, would save the state billions, she said.

Nessel and 20 other state attorneys general filed suit in late January, challenging the Trump administrations policy that froze federal funding on everything from Medicaid to Head Start programs to SNAP benefits, disaster relief, roads and more.

Another suit, filed in February, challenges the administrations policy to cut billions in medical research funding, which was already awarded to universities and medical facilities. That included $181 million to the University of Michigan and $27 million to Michigan State University.

Another suit, filed in April, is over the termination of over $11 billion in public health grant funds. That includes $379 million in grant funds, already awarded and owed to the state for mental health, substance abuse treatment, CDC funding and more.

Another April suit is over the federal dismantling of the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the Minority Business Development Agency and the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.

If the latter suit is unsuccessful, Michigan could lose $4.75 million in federal library funding, small businesses would lose access to new grants and union workers would have a harder time securing rights, Nessel said.

Residents of this state give over $30 billion to the federal government every year in the form of these programs, she said. So, I guess my question is If they are going to cut off all the federal funding to the state, what the hell are we doing April 15? Why are we paying taxes to the federal government if none of that money is going to come back to us?

One major issue with the federal cuts is that Michigan, like other states, does not have the money to backfill these federal cuts, said state Rep. Julie Rogers, D-Kalamazoo, who was the host of Wednesdays town hall. Forty-two percent of Michigans budget is paid for by federal dollars, she said.

State Rep. Julie Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) introduces Michigan State Attorney General Dana Nessel at a town hall at Western Michigan University's Fetzer Center in Kalamazoo, Michigan on Wednesday, April 9, 2025. Ryan Boldrey | MLive.com

There are so many of these things that, had the president decided to do this legally, he could have, Nessel said. He could say, Hey House and Senate, create a bill to eliminate this and Ill sign it.

But he doesnt do that, because he doesnt have the votes, because many of these (ideas) are wildly unpopular, even with his own party.

One issue where there has not been a lawsuit from state attorneys general yet is over the recent wave of revoked visas of hundreds of international students across the country, including at multiple universities in Michigan.

RELATED: International students have been a lifeline for Michigan schools. What happens if they leave?

The issue is one that is being evaluated, Nessel said.

Unfortunately, there are not the same kind of due process considerations for someone who is here on a visa as someone whos even here undocumented, she said. That complicates this and makes it much easier for the state department to just come in and snatch somebodys visa away.

There is seemingly no rhyme or reason as to why this is happening, she said, adding these are not the types of people who normally have visas revoked.

It is a scary time to be an international student, she said. What bothers me, among the many things that upset me, is that these young people came here seeking an education. They paid for the education that theyre receiving and there seemingly are no rules for the federal government. Theres no guidelines. Theres no, Here are the expectations for you if you come here on a student visa. So, that is a very troubling set of circumstances.

Nessel said she wished she had instructive advice she could give international students, but the issue is one that appears to be very arbitrary.

When you have a country that is governed in a way where nobody knows what the rules are, thats not a democracy, she said. Its not even a sustainable form of government.

RELATED: Thousands in Michigan join nationwide protests over Trump-Musk billionaire power grab

Other lawsuits Michigan is involved with have to do with the mass firings of tens of thousands of federal workers, the unconstitutional dismantling and elimination of the department of education and the challenging of an executive order that imposes sweeping voting restrictions nationwide.

Nessel said while some early rulings have been beneficial at the district and circuit court levels, she believes they may eventually get overturned by higher courts in ways that will make her unhappy.

On the other hand, she said, I think we are going to see some instances where they say, No. This is too far. You cant completely violate federal law and undermine the Constitution.

And I have to say this, if they dont, its really the death knell of the courts.

Nessel, who also participated in a town hall on Sunday, April 6, in Detroit with state Rep. Stephanie Young (D-Detroit), will host another town hall with state Rep. Joey Andrews (D-St. Joseph) Thursday evening in Benton Harbor.

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Soils & Structures in Norton Shores plans to join three existing buildings with three separate additions, bringing the entire building to 14,710 square feet. Photo by Kayla Tucker

NORTON SHORES, MI  City planners on Tuesday, April 8, unanimously approved an application from engineering and consulting firm Soils & Structures to expand its headquarters at 6480 Grand Haven Road in Norton Shores.

The company plans to join three existing buildings with two 3,600-square-foot structures and add another 3,240-square-foot structure on the south end. The entire building will be 14,710 square feet, according to the site plan.

Soils & Structures has been headquartered in Norton Shores since 1990 and has offices in Ann Arbor, Traverse City and Rudyard in the Upper Peninsula, according to its website.

The company for several years had been eyeing another site in Norton Shores for expansion, but during the COVID-19 pandemic it chose to reevaluate the potential of its current site to meet its needs, Ted Woodcock, planning and zoning administrator for the city of Norton Shores, said.

We are happy to see a Norton Shores business stay in Norton Shores and expand and invest here, he said.

Soils & Structures did not immediately respond to questions at the time of publishing.

Professional engineer William Hohmeyer founded Soils & Structures in his home in 1974. The firm provides services such as structural and geotechnical engineering, construction material testing and pavement design.

The company has had a hand in a wide range of projects, including Adelaide Pointe in Muskegon, West Ottawa Public Schools Performing Arts Center in Holland and Gentexs chemistry lab in Zeeland.

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WASHINGTON, D.C.  The U.S. Senate confirmed former chair of the Michigan Republican Party Pete Hoekstra as the new ambassador to Canada in a 60-37 vote Wednesday, April 9.

Hoekstra, who served as ambassador to the Netherlands during the first term of President Donald Trump, will serve in his new role as Trumps tariff policy and rhetoric have strained relations between Canada and the U.S.

In a statement, though, Hoekstra said Canada was our most valuable trading partner, our largest source of foreign investment, and our largest source of energy imports.

We share the longest border in the world  more than 5,500 miles, fostering longstanding friendships between the American and Canadian people, he said. As ambassador to Canada, I will work with the Canadian government to review and strengthen our strong trading partnership, secure our borders, confront the deadly threat of fentanyl to our citizens, and build our national security cooperation.

Hoekstras confirmation earned bipartisan support. No Republican senator voted against the confirmation. The support from Democrats included both of Michigans senators, Gary Peters and Elissa Slotkin.

The confirmation vote came about one month after the Senates confirmation hearing, when Hoekstra told lawmakers that Canada shouldnt be even jokingly referred to as the 51st state.

It was a comment that seemed to contrast the rhetoric of the man who nominated Hoekstra. Since taking office in January, Trump has repeatedly said Canada should become the 51st state of the U.S. He also called now-former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus political associates nasty, adding to tensions between leaders on both sides of the border.

New Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in March said that Canadas old relationship with the United States is over.

It is clear that the United States is no longer a reliable partner, Carney said. It is possible that, with comprehensive negotiations, we will be able to restore some trust, but there will be no turning back. We will need to dramatically reduce our reliance on the United States. We will need to pivot our trade relationships elsewhere.

The Netherlands-born Hoekstra, 71, was elected from 1993-2011 to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives, in Michigans 2nd District, which largely covers the region represented today by Republican John Moolenaar.

While in Washington, D.C., Hoekstra served as chairman of the U.S. House Intelligence Committee from 2004-07.

The Republican also was a candidate for Michigan governor in 2010 before he was defeated in the primary election by fellow GOP member Rick Snyder, who won the seat later that year.

Hoekstra, a Holland resident, also was a candidate to represent Michigan in the U.S. Senate, but was defeated by Democrat Debbie Stabenow in 2012.

Hoekstra served as chairman of the Michigan chapter of the GOP from January 2024 to February 2025, putting him in a key leadership position in a key swing state during the election cycle that returned Trump to the White House. Michigan voters favored Trump in the November 2024 election.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
President Donald Trump teased F-16s and F-35s could be coming to Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Macomb County. (Pool via AP) AP

President Donald Trump on Wednesday said he will work with Michigan leaders to keep Macomb Countys Selfridge Air National Guard Base open, strong, and thriving.

I think were going to be successful, Trump said during an executive order signing in the Oval Office. Weve got some good feedback from Pete Hegseth at the Department of Defense. Theyre talking about F-16s, theyre talking about F-35s and, you know, et cetera.

Its a great piece of property, its a great location, and its a great state.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Republican state House Speaker Matt Hall met with Trumps cabinet Wednesday in the Oval Office where they discussed a handful of issues relevant to Michigan, including the future of Selfridge and keeping the invasive Asian carp out of Lake Michigan.

Hall during the meeting thanked Trump for his commitment to Selfridge and the Michigan economy.

Weve been working a long time. We couldnt get Joe Biden to do anything about either one of these issues, particularly Selfridge Air Force Base, he said. Itll be critical to Michigans economy and our security when youre able to deliver us another mission there.

Whitmer also brought up the importance of strengthening the military and commercial aviation industry.

At the state level, were doing our part, she said. Were making bipartisan investments in Selfridge Air National Guard Base, a key defense hub and economic anchor that supports thousands of jobs and hundreds of military families in Macomb County.

Trump also praised Whitmer as a very good person who has done an excellent job and noted the bipartisan nature of the Selfridge project.

Were going to get it done, and were all going stand there together and cut a ribbon, he said.

RELATED: Trump praises Whitmer as very good person during Oval Office visit

Trump then joked Whitmer and Hall must, get along pretty well, which prompted some laughter in the room.

About 70% of the time, Whitmer replied.

Prior to meeting Trump on Wednesday, Whitmer warned American consumers and manufacturing are the big loser when it comes to U.S. tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada.

Now treating our allies, our North American neighbors, like adversaries is going to cost all of us, Whitmer said. Its not just going to cost that relationship but every American consumer. Its probably going to cost a lot of auto jobs and make the cost of buying auto, much less blueberries from Mexico, go up.

RELATED: U.S. consumers, manufacturing are the big loser in tariffs on Canada, Mexico, Gov. Whitmer says

She gave those remarks during a talk with former FOX News anchor Gretchen Carlson in D.C. The speech came before Trump paused tariffs for most nations for 90 days but increased tariffs on Chinese imports to 125%.

Whitmer also brought up the importance of Selfridge during her State of the State address in February, calling the base a bipartisan defense project that needs our attention.

The base supports thousands of local jobs and hundreds of military families, she said. Its home to some of the nations most elite pilots. They complete all kinds of missions, including protecting our border from drugs and crime.

Whitmer during her speech said she met with Hegseth in D.C. about supporting a fighter mission at Selfridge.

Lets support our brave men and women in uniform at Selfridge in our next budget and work with our federal partners to save Michigan jobs and protect our national security, she said.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer looks on as President Donald Trump signs an executive order in the Oval Office of the White House on Wednesday. (Saul Loeb | AFP - Getty Images) Saul Loeb | AFP - Getty Images

Five years ago President Donald Trump dismissed Gov. Gretchen Whitmer as the woman in Michigan and Half Whitmer amid a spat over handling the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Wednesday, Trump said he was honored to have Whitmer in the Oval Office as his guest and signaled he would help Michigan keep invasive Asian carp out of Lake Michigan and bring new fighter jets to Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Macomb County.

Shes really done an excellent job, he said. Very good person.

While Whitmer scored potential wins for Michigan, the optics of the Democratic governor, a potential 2028 presidential contender, receiving praise from the target of the partys fury drew criticism from some Democrats.

To compound matters, Whitmer was on the sidelines during the televised Oval Office event while Trump ordered investigations into a former administration official who challenged his 2020 election claims and another who was critical of his first term, according to CNN.

Just a f---ing disaster, one Democratic operative given anonymity told NBC News of the Oval Office meeting. It feels like it removes some of the momentum she had as a politically savvy swing-state Dem.

Whitmer and Republican House Speaker Matt Hall were originally supposed to meet with Trump in private to discuss Selfridge, tariffs, Asian carp and more.

Whitmers team said she didnt expect to be part of a press conference. They tried to distance her from Trumps actions.

The governor was surprised that she was brought into the Oval Office during President Trumps press conference without any notice of the subject matter, said Whitmer spokesperson Stacey LaRouche. Her presence is not an endorsement of the actions taken or statements made at that event.

Related: Trump praises Whitmer as very good person during Oval Office visit

At a time when many Democratic voters are urging their leaders to do more to fight Trump, not compromise with him, the reaction on social media and elsewhere varied.

Some posted pictures of Whitmer sidelined in the Oval Office, hands clasped and looking dour, saying she looked like she was being held hostage or called into the principals office, while others said Trump was trolling Whitmer by including her in the press conference and that his praise was inauthentic.

Trump, in his feral way, trolled Whitmer, and she displayed terrible political instinctsor just utter carelessnessby letting herself get within a zillion miles of him and a camera, said Richard Yeselson, a labor strategist who serves on editorial board of Dissent Magazine. Not a wartime consiglieri.

Some others said Whitmer was doing what it takes to advance Michigans interests, like with Asian carp and supporting Selfridge. Still more said it hurt her credibility as a potential 2028 presidential candidate.

Related: Trump floats idea of new jets for Selfridge air base in Michigan

David Dulio, a political science professor and director of the Center for Civic Engagement at Oakland University, said the apparent thawing in the relationship between Trump and Whitmer stands in contrast to what other Democratic leaders are doing, like the historic 25-hour speech recently levied by New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker against the Trump administration.

Its certainly a different tack than other Democrats have taken, most notably on the national level, Cory Booker, Dulio said. He was responding in his big Senate speech to the calls for Democrats to fight with the president more, and I think some of the blowback that shes gotten in the last 18 hours demonstrates that not all Democrats are good with it.

Whitmer, whose final term as governor ends in 2026, is widely seen as a likely candidate in the 2028 presidential election. Whitmer continues to deny she plans to run for the White House.

Dulio said he doesnt expect the Wednesday meeting to be politically damaging to Whitmer.

This is one brick on a path that is filled with hundreds in the road to 2028, should she choose to do that, he said. I think the national story and the pushback from Democrats is a blip, if that, and I think the benefits of being able to come back to Michigan and tout help with the health of Lake Michigan and potentially bringing a new mission to Selfridge far outweigh any criticisms.

Whitmer has split with most other national Democratic figures in her approach to Trump this term. Instead of rallying protest against the president like some other Democrats, shes sought to find common ground on the economy, jobs and other issues important to Michiganders.

One issue Whitmer has been most critical on has been Trumps tariffs on Mexico and Canada, which she said will damage the states auto industry and harm American consumers and manufacturers.

Despite Trumps scaling back of some tariffs on Wednesday, the 25% tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada remain.

Related: U.S. consumers, manufacturing are the big loser in tariffs on Canada, Mexico, Gov. Whitmer says

Earlier Wednesday, Whitmer told former FOX News anchor Gretchen Carlson that, like many Democratic voters, she too is as anxious and angry about a lot of the policies that are coming out of Washington, D.C. right now.

But Whitmer highlighted the need to work with those in power to do whats best for Michigan, saying, If youre not at the table, youre on the menu.

My oath to the people of Michigan is to continue to show up even when it means Im going to get my lunch handed to me, she said. Im going to keep showing up and keep fighting for the people of Michigan no matter who is at the other side of the table. Thats my job and Im going to do it until my last day as governor.

Dulio said Whitmers common ground approach with Trump has a two-fold benefit.

By avoiding direct criticism and seeking common ground, Whitmer creates opportunities for cooperation and advancing Michigans interests, such as securing support for Selfridge and addressing invasive Asian carp, Dulio said.

Related: Trump tells Whitmer he will save Lake Michigan from invasive carp

While Whitmer isnt necessarily cozying up to Trump, her willingness to work with someone she disagrees with could be beneficial in winning over independent voters, Dulio said. This could be particularly important if she decides to run for president in 2028.
Gremlins: The Wild Batch season 2 returns Thursday, April 10 with five all-new episodes streaming on Max.

Gremlins: The Wild Batch season 2 returns April 10 on Max / Image courtesy of Max on YouTube

About the show:

The Max Original animated prequel series, Gremlins: The Wild Batch, returns Thursday, April 10 with a five-episode midseason premiere. Continuing on with season 2  set one year after season 1  Gizmo, Sam, and Elle are headed from Shanghai to San Francisco in an adventure complete with even more magic, mystery and Mogwai mayhem. teases the Warner Bros. synopsis.

Featured members of the cast going forward are Simu Liu, Ming-Na Wen, James Hong, BD Wong, Izaac Wang, AJ LoCascio, Gabrielle Nevaeh, and George Takei  with John Glover, Michael Paul Chan, Ronny Chieng, Keith David, Will Forte, Kelly Hu, Jimmy O. Yang, and more appearing as guest stars.

Where to watch:

Max - With plans starting at $9.99/month, register for Max to stream hit HBO movies, series, and more. Max also offers bundle subscription options with Hulu and Disney+. Choose the Max Bundle to access Hulu, Disney+, and Max starting at $16.99/month.

Watch the trailer:
Archisha Yadav is a sub editor with 1.5 years of experience in writing news articles on topics like education, jobs, and politics. She specialises in crafting simple, clear, and engaging stories that are easy to understand and hold the readers interest, making complex topics accessible and relatable to a larger audience.

Archisha Yadav

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"Ive lived their lives", says Rashmika Mandanna on portraying Srivalli, Yesubai and other roles

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Centre sees no immediate need to notify new Labour Codes as states fall in line

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India seeks concessions on agri products in return for auto tariff cuts in trade deal with US

Adrija Chatterjee is an Assistant Editor at Moneycontrol. She has been tracking and reporting on finance and trade ministries for over eight years.

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

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Nearly half of India's poorest districts have seen a faster decline in multidimensional poverty

Ishaan Gera

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Govt to step up vigil on re-routing of Chinese goods via India to dodge Trump tariffs

Adrija Chatterjee is an Assistant Editor at Moneycontrol. She has been tracking and reporting on finance and trade ministries for over eight years.

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Danish Khan is the editor of Technology and Telecom. He was previously with the Economic Times and has tracked the sector for 14 years.

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Tushar Goenka is a breaking news reporter who focuses on startups. Interested in venture capital, quick commerce, e-commerce, food delivery and D2C.

Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day

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Chartist Talks: Hedged's Rahul Ghose explains why he is betting on these 2 largecaps in this market correction

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Top 5 credit cards for airport lounge access in India and abroad: Which one suits your travel style?

Manisha Lal Khandpur

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Trump's tariffs on China might just make your smartphone, fridge, TVs cheaper: Here's how

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26/11 mastermind brought back: All about Tahawwur Rana, his links with David Headley & confession that nailed him

J. Kumar is an author, journalist and a political commentator based in in Mumbai who writes on crime and Maharashtra politics. Views are personal and do not represent the stand of this publication.

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26/11 Mumbai terror attack accused lands in Delhi, to be taken to Patiala court

Chhabi Kala

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Amit Shah on his childhood nickname: 'I was called Poonam because...'

Priyanjali Ghose

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'Another thumbs up for Assam': Himanta Biswa Sarma cites two rating agencies to highlight state's growth story

Siddharth Chakravorty

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'Have nothing but praise for India': Former Israeli envoy Mark Sofer hails Tahawwur Rana's extradition

Siddharth Chakravorty

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'He is Canadian': Pakistan distances itself from Tahawwur Rana

Yeeshu Yadav

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Arindam Roy

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Instruct banks to use Marathi or MNS will intensify stir: Raj Thackeray in letter to IBA

Sonalee Borgohain

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NIA releases first visuals of Tahawwur Rana, 26/11 plotter taken to special court

Siddharth Chakravorty

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Pakistan blames India for Balochistan because they can't handle it: Amit Shah

Sonalee Borgohain

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Rahul Gandhi vows to 'break the wall' of 50% cap on reservation

Chhabi Kala

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Tahawwur Rana, 26/11 mastermind, lands in India: Timeline of extradition of 2008 Mumbai attack accused from US

Siddharth Chakravorty

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Tahawwur Rana extradition Live: CGO complex outside NIA office abuzz with activity amid tight security

The CGO complex area, which houses several government offices, outside the NIA headquarters was abuzz with activity on Thursday evening as mediapersons made a beeline to report on the extradition of key Mumbai terror attack accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana from the US amid tight security.

The roads outside and around the National Investigation Agency (NIA) office wore a deserted look, as security personnel cordoned off the entire area and restricted any kind of vehicular movement.

Entry and exit from Gate No. 2 of the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Metro station near the NIA office was also barred. (PTI)
Tahawwur Rana to land in Delhi shortly: Which jail will lodge the Mumbai attack accused?

Priyanjali Ghose

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Siddharth Chakravorty

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Branding and politics in the age of Gen AI

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Priyanjali Ghose

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Lokendra Sharma is a Research Analyst with the High-Tech Geopolitics Programme at the Takshashila Institution. Views are personal and do not represent the stand of this publication.

Namrata Agarwal

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Ankita Sengupta

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Shubhi Mishra

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Who is Anurag Bajpayee? Lucknow-educated CEO arrested in US luxury brothel scandal

Shubhi Mishra

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Can crashing icy asteroids into Mars make it habitable? Here's scientist's new plan

Sheetal Kumari

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Sheetal Kumari

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Scientists may have finally discovered the mysterious animal that carries mpox

Sheetal Kumari

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BGMI maker Krafton accused of selling user data for Rs 2,000 each on Telegram

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Ankita Chakravarti

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DPDP Act will not restrict disclosure of personal information in RTI: Ashwini Vaishnaw

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Google starts rolling out April 2025 security update, here's why you should install it right away

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1/11 If youve ever dreamed of waking up to misty mountains, river whispers, and postcard-worthy panoramas, these Indian villages are where those dreams come true. Far from the hustle of tourist-packed cities, these lesser-known gems offer unmatched beauty, peace, and the kind of soul-stirring views that stay with you long after you've left. Whether youre chasing Himalayan sunrises, coastal cliffs, or river island calm, here are 10 scenic Indian villages you simply must experience at least once. (Image: Canva)

2/11 1. Mawlynnong, Meghalaya  Where Cleanliness Meets Cloud Forests

Welcome to Mawlynnong  a fairytale village in Meghalaya where every lane is lined with flowers and the air feels like its been filtered by the gods. Often hailed as the cleanest village in Asia, its bamboo sky bridges and emerald-green surroundings will make you feel like you've stepped into a nature lovers utopia. (Image: Canva)

3/11 2. Zuluk, Sikkim  Curves, Clouds, and Kanchenjunga

Nestled on a winding stretch of the historic Silk Route, Zuluk is a serpentine wonder. As you zigzag along its 32-hairpin bends, the scenery changes from cloud-draped valleys to jaw-dropping mountain vistas. And when the morning sun kisses the snowy peaks of Kanchenjungapure magic. (Image: Canva)

4/11 3. Chitkul, Himachal Pradesh  India's Last Village Before Tibet

Tiny wooden cottages, a glacial river, and the raw, rugged beauty of the Himalayas  Chitkul is the last Indian village before the Tibetan border, and it feels like the edge of the world. Everything here moves at mountain pace, and thats exactly why youll fall in love. (Image: Canva)

5/11 4. Khonoma, Nagaland  Eco-Warriors Paradise

This stunning Naga village doesnt just look good  it lives sustainably too. Khonoma has preserved its forests, wildlife, and tribal legacy with fierce pride. Tucked between rolling hills and rice terraces, it's a place where tradition, conservation, and beauty go hand in hand. (Image: Canva)

6/11 5. Malana, Himachal Pradesh  Myths, Mist, and Majestic Peaks

High in the Parvati Valley sits Malana  a mysterious village with its own ancient laws and legends. Isolated, intriguing, and surrounded by spellbinding Himalayan landscapes, Malana offers both solitude and curiosity in equal measure. (Image: Wikipedia)

7/11 6. Kalap, Uttarakhand  The Village Time Forgot

If youre looking to disappear off the map for a while, head to Kalap  a remote village in Garhwal so beautiful, even the clouds linger longer. Think pine forests, meadows stretching to the horizon, and silence so pure you can hear your own heartbeat. (Image: Canva)

8/11 7. Majuli, Assam  The Island in the River

Floating quietly in the Brahmaputra, Majuli isnt just a villageits a way of life. With its vibrant monasteries, handloom traditions, and endless green landscapes, this river island invites you to slow down and reconnect with something ancient and beautiful. (Image: Canva)

9/11 8. Komic, Spiti Valley  Where Heaven Meets the Road

Welcome to Komic, one of the highest motorable villages on the planet. Set against Spitis stark, high-altitude desert landscape, this village offers an almost Martian kind of beauty. Think endless silence, fossil-filled cliffs, and monasteries older than memory. (Image: Canva)

10/11 9. Lamayuru, Ladakh  Indias Moonland

Lamayuru looks like it belongs on another planet. Carved by wind and time, its lunar-like landscapes sit beneath impossibly blue skies, watched over by one of Ladakhs oldest monasteries. Its eerie, peaceful, and utterly unforgettable. (Image: Canva)
We are Chinese: Beijing vows not to back down as Trump hikes tariffs to 125%

Pradeep Tripathi

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White House: Do not retaliate and you will be rewarded as Trump pauses tariffs

Pradeep Tripathi

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Explained: The current tariff rate and the reason behind Trump's 90-day pause

Arindam Roy

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Tahawwur Rana likely to be kept in Tihar Jail's 'Anda Cell', says media reports; know about Indias harshest prison wing

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It's time to strengthen South-South cooperation: Bangladeshi economist Pub Date:25-04-10 09:36 Source:Xinhua

A Bangladeshi economist has urged a strengthened Global South to unite in promoting multilateralism under the United Nations. Editor:Qin Shuying

Related News GLOBALink | Malaysia-China Kuantan Industr... EconomyInFocus | Robot industry thrives in... China Focus: China launches giant tunnel b... China's foreign trade capable of dealing w...
Zaldy Dandan is a recipient of the Best Editorial Writer Award of the Society of Professional Journalists, and the CNMI Humanities Award for Outstanding Contributions to Journalism. His four books are available on amazon.com/.
Drugs and guns found in casino hotel room -- ACSO photo View Photo

Jackson, CA Two men were arrested after staff discovered a large amount of methamphetamine in their Amador County casino hotel room and vehicle, along with two guns.

On Tuesday, April 8th, at around noon, Jackson Rancheria Casino and Hotel Security alerted the sheriffs office regarding hotel staff finding suspected drugs in one of their rooms. When deputies arrived, they learned the two unidentified men had checked out shortly before.

Minutes later, casino security notified the deputies that the suspects were in the casino parking garage, about to leave again. Deputies were able to stop the men and handcuff them without incident.

A search of their vehicle turned up baggies of drugs indicative of sales and two firearms. Investigators noted that one of the firearms had previously been reported as stolen. In total, nearly one pound of suspected methamphetamine was found.

The suspects are from Southern California and were booked on multiple drug- and weapons-related charges.
With legal changes on the horizon, we take a three-part look at the cannabis industry and re
Between lessons, lectures and extracurricular activities, young people everywhere lose themselves in daydreams of stardom, imagining crowds roaring as they score a buzzer-beater or fans cheering as they shred a wicked solo. Few experience the realization of these fantasies as acutely as Los Angeles rockers The Linda Lindas. Before even graduating high school, they opened for Green Day and Paramore, worked on a movie with Amy Poehler and garnered praise from the likes of Kathleen Hanna, Rage Against the Machine and Sonic Youth.

After a public performance of their breakout hit Racist, Sexist Boy went viral in 2021, the quartet of Bela Salazar, Eloise Wong and sisters Lucia and Mila de la Garza signed to Epitaph Records and released their debut album Growing Up. Released in October, their second album No Obligation exhibits an exponential growth in the groups musical chemistry. While the lyrics often directly reflect the experience of being a young person, its not hard for anyone to find themselves in songs like Once Upon a Time, which is about strategies for navigating conflict, or even the groovy Spanish-language track Yo Me Estreso that features Weird Al Yankovics accordion licks. With riffs and runs that harken to classic punk and riot grrrl records and an electric attitude, The Linda Lindas prove they are not to be underestimated. Theyve grown up since Growing Up, and they arent afraid to show it.

We were a lot more intentional with what we were doing, says Lucia on a call that includes the whole band ahead of their April 15 show at The Basement East. We really wanted to show people  after doing a lot of touring on Growing Up, we had gotten a lot more experience and kind of gotten a better idea about what we wanted out of our second album. And because our first album kind of came out straight out of the pandemic  the writing process was super isolated, and we knew that we wanted to have a lot more collaborative writing on the second album. We knew that we wanted to have a lot more intention with our live sound on the second album.

Wong chimes in, noting that her contributions to Growing Up are some of the first songs shes ever written.

With No Obligation, I had a better idea of how I wanted my songs to sound, Wong says, and how I wanted to sound on them  and how I envisioned them.

We like to take advantage of the difference in our voices, adds Salazar, and also the quantity of voices that we have.

No one deserves the pressure of being called the voice of a generation, but The Linda Lindas certainly provide a valuable perspective into the mind of Gen Z. They are funny, friendly and fiercely impassioned about important causes like racism and sexism. And if you disagree, you can get lost.

I feel like on a personal level, were not, you know, speaking for our generation, Lucia says, but I do think that we are kind of naturally all living in this time [when] we feel its very important to be truthful and speak up about things that matter to us.

Though they might address prescient fears and relatable frustrations, the group doesnt just do it to make a statement. They do it for themselves.

I think music provides an outlet to express a lot of those things, says Wong. Its nice to be able to, like, yell onstage and just get everything out.

In a time when so much pressure comes from social media and internet culture to perform and present your life in the most digestible way, The Linda Lindas arent folding. Like the rockers before them, they are making a mess  a beautiful, fun mess. And like their idols, they are paving the way for the next generation of punk. They have no obligation to be role models or muses, but they are inspiring their multigenerational fan base anyway.

Sometimes I see little kids in the front row, and well start playing, and they look shocked  or like, in awe or scared, says Mila. Its awesome to watch.

Its really special, especially seeing kids that are really into loud music, adds her sister Lucia. The ones that are brave enough to dance around or be loud too.
Nashville Earth Day 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, April 19, at the Centennial Park Bandshell nashvilleearthday.org

April 22 will mark the 55th annual Earth Day  an occasion inspired in part by the catastrophic 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill and born out of the environmental activism movement of the 1960s.

Here in Nashville, the Centennial Park Conservancy will host its annual Earth Day celebration on Saturday, April 19, at the Centennial Park Bandshell. The free event will include a tree giveaway, kids activities, an electric-vehicle car show, exhibitors, vendors, speakers, a guided yoga class and more. Attendees can expect food trucks, beer, wine and cocktails, along with musical performances from artists including Scene faves Erin Rae and Kyshona.

In this weeks Earth Day-inspired Green Issue, youll find details about the sustainability efforts at Germantowns Neuhoff District, conservation of Middle Tennessees exceptionally biodiverse Duck River, the effects of forever chemicals on the environment, and restoration of Tennessee State Universitys Tiger Bay Wetlands in North Nashville. In the online version of this weeks issue, you can also find an updated version of our Green Directory, originally complied in our 2022 Green Issue  a roundup of eco-friendly shops, services and nonprofits in Nashville. D. PATRICK RODGERS, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
It doesnt take a hydrologist, geologist or biologist to sell a pristine river carrying a steady current through green meadows lush with clover.

 When settlers came in, the prime land was right next to the river. You had the water, you had direct access, you could fish and hunt, explains Van Ayers, a Bedford County farmer whose family has lived near the Duck River for more than a century.

What was obvious to early Tennesseans  and the Indigenous peoples who lived with the river millennia before white settlers  has recently become the grist for water reports, conservation recommendations and lawsuits that codify the Ducks flowing benefits.

Twenty years ago, Congress tasked each state with compiling a report on potentially threatened or endangered wildlife. In 2015, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency included the Duck River in its Wildlife Action Plan as one of the states key natural habitats lacking sufficient conservation protections. According to the report, the river supported 151 species of fish, 51 species of mussels and 22 aquatic snail species. The Duck has received particular attention for its thriving freshwater mussels, a sensitive and delicate bivalve that signals exceptional water quality. Humans started to get in the way.

More people means more water, a pumping-and-treating job that falls to local municipalities facing pressure to accommodate the past decades population boom in Middle Tennessee. When the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation approved a water withdrawal permit to Marshall County in August 2021, lawyers got involved. The municipality appealed TDECs water withdrawal limit, prompting intervening suits from the Southern Environmental Law Center representing the Tennessee Wildlife Federation and The Nature Conservancy.

More permit requests followed, from public utilities in Columbia, Bedford County and Coffee County.

The Duck River is facing immense pressure from Middle Tennessees fast-paced growth, the SELC wrote in 2024 as it prepared another round of lawsuits to limit water withdrawal. The SELC has been known to refer to the Duck as the crown jewel of Tennessees river system. Eight utilities want to drastically increase the amount of water they take from the river. The utilities seek to increase their daily water consumption by 19 million gallons, for a total of 73 million gallons of water to be pumped from the river each day.

Gov. Bill Lee joined the Duck River hype train in November. Lee issued an executive order delegating conservation efforts to a Duck River Watershed Planning Partnership through 2026, including water-loss limits and habitat restoration efforts. He wants to preserve canoeing, fishing and mussel-tagging for future generations, according to the accompanying announcement video that features Lee engaged in various scientific and recreational pursuits in fishing couture. The initiative is the most that Lee, who hems and haws about the existence of climate change, has ever done for the environment. Most of todays conservatives continue to focus on the preeminence of preserving nature for human enjoyment, like hunting and hiking, over communicating honestly with voters, even as the environments ongoing destabilization becomes more obvious and severe.

+3 John Guider Wants to Save the Duck River The photographer and conservationist will soon launch a three-and-a-half-week journey down the endangered waterway

The order aids efforts to keep water in the Duck and earned a shoutout from the SELC, which drew an immediate connection to climate change via last summers drought and a subsequent rash of dead mussels.

The attention has given way to popularity. Navigating one of Tennessees cool, winding rivers stands alongside climbing, hiking, fishing and hunting as a choice outdoor recreation activity. Nashvillians have long enjoyed the Harpeths winding curves on Davidson Countys western edge. Now the Duck is a destination day trip for river enthusiasts.

Thirty years ago, you could float the river and see no one, says Ayers. Now its just packed  people buy a kayak from Walmart and pack a cooler full of beer. Its an easy, inexpensive way to get outside.

Ayers mentions a string of recent drownings and the ongoing struggle to find balance between public benefits and the public good. I think the states still lacking to some extent on monitoring with the TWRA, he says, definitely on the real heavy weekends, to the point that they have a boat in the river and are writing tickets.
Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances were once considered miracles of human convenience. They can prevent eggs from sticking to pans, make coats waterproof and provide foam to fight challenging fires.

The chemicals  also known as PFAs or forever chemicals, due to their persistence in the environment and the human body  often come from industrial sources, wastewater treatment plants and construction materials. But they can even be found in toilet paper, pharmaceuticals, pesticides and some cosmetics. Many of them are toxic, and many of them accumulate in the body, says Scott Banbury, lobbyist with the Tennessee chapter of environmental conservation group the Sierra Club.

Scotchgard, its amazing, Banbury tells the Scene. I can spray it on my couch and it wont get stained. But [people were] not realizing that, later on down the road, well find out that this isnt really good for people or animals and ecosystems. Its hard to walk it back. Its a big industry with a lot of money.

Its challenging to show causation  after all, you cant just feed someone PFAs and see what happens  but according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, exposure to PFAs is associated with increases in cholesterol, a lower antibody response to some vaccines, changes in liver enzymes, and even kidney and testicular cancer. Plus, PFAs have been linked to pregnancy-induced hypertension and decreases in birth weight.

One way PFAs get into the water and land is through sludge  all of the solids left over after wastewater treatment plants screen the water out. For years, advocacy groups like the Sierra Club have been working to pass legislation to more strictly regulate the sludge (also known as biosolids, or more colloquially as shit), which is often dumped in rural areas of the state to fertilize the land.

The group brought a bill again in this years legislative session, sponsored by state Sen. Janice Bowling (R-Tullahoma), in an attempt to regulate the biosolids.

Under Senate Bill 1263, Grundy County  a rural area that sees a lot of biosolid dumping  would be able to enforce Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation rules requiring the biosolid to be spread within a certain period of time, and if its applied to grazing land, animals would not be able to graze right away. The bill has made more headway this year than in previous years, passing the Senate Energy, Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee before being rolled to the 2026 session in the House.

Meanwhile, a competing bill that would prevent regulation of PFAs is making its way through the legislature. Senate Bill 880 would prohibit state agencies from instituting regulations on pollutant waste until officials prove an exposure to the toxin caused manifest bodily harm to people.

Maine became the first state in the country to ban the spreading of biosolids in 2022 due to PFAs. Late last year, Texas farmers entered a lawsuit claiming biosolids poisoned their livestock and land.

Because of the type of bonds that make up these chemicals, they are currently impossible to break down. The ultimate solution is to keep PFAs out of products unless theyre absolutely necessary. But that lofty goal will take time, according to Dan Firth, Holston Valley chair of the Sierra Club Tennessee chapter.

The goal right now is really to bring awareness to the problem, says Firth. Youve got to start somewhere. If youre not testing it, and youre not looking for it, all youre doing is ignoring it.

For some rural Tennesseeans, its hard to ignore  it stinks.

A lot of counties across Tennessee have been very concerned about land application of biosolids, says Banbury. Its a nuisance. They come and dump the sewage sludge out on property. Theyre supposed to spread it out right away so that it starts to actually incorporate itself into the soil. Unfortunately, the companies that do it are sometimes lazy, and they just dump it on the property, and it sits there in a stinky pile for a long time.
A bill that would allow school boards to prohibit undocumented students from enrolling in public schools  one of the most divisive bills of this legislative session  passed the Senate on Thursday.

The Republican-led bill (HB 793/SB 836) would permit local school boards in Tennessee to deny enrollment or charge tuition to children who cannot provide documents that establish their legal immigration status. The legislation has been met with fierce opposition from Democrats and some Republicans and resulted in in numerous protests at the Capitol in recent months.

+4 Protester Arrested as Lawmakers Debate Bill Targeting Undocumented Students Legislation heading for Senate floor following discussion of its financial impact

Much of Thursdays Senate debate included members of both parties saying the legislation goes against the teachings of the Bible and will negatively impact children.

Sen. Ferrell Haile (R-Gallatin) was one of several Republicans who crossed party lines to oppose the bill. I believe that we are punishing children for the wrongdoing of their parents, Haile said. I dont think thats the proper way to do this.

Sen. Page Wally (R-Savannah) also spoke against the bill, citing the harm it could cause students. Children should not be a part of this policy debate, Wally said. They should not be caught in the crossfire.

Supporters of the bill say it will save Tennessee money, though no evidence has been shown that it will. Opponents argue that undocumented families already pay into public schools through sales and property taxes. Undocumented families in Tennessee pay $900 million in tax revenue annually, according to a report from the American Immigration Council.

The bills Senate sponsor Sen. Bo Watson (R-Hixson) said that while the federal immigration system needs to be reformed, he thinks its the responsibility of states to take action when it has a fiscal impact.

This debate  is the part of the fabric of a larger debate that this country is engaged in when it comes to immigration, particularly illegal immigration, which is the result of decades of enforcement and purposeful underenforcement, Watson said. I ask for your support of this legislation on a financial basis and to protect the fiscal interest of our state.

Sen. Charlane Oliver (D-Nashville) said the legislation could worsen poverty, homelessness and crime in Tennessee and is unfair to students whose families cannot afford tuition.

The legislation poses a challenge to Plyler v. Doe, a 1982 U.S. Supreme Court decision upholding the right to public education for students regardless of immigration status.

Earlier this week, more than 240 Tennessee pastors, Christian leaders and faith-based organizations issued a letter urging legislators to vote against the bill. The Tennessee Small Business Alliance has also condemned the legislation, calling it fiscally irresponsible.

The bill is set to be heard in the House Finance, Ways and Means Subcommittee on April 14.
Rethinking warfare, power and the myths that shape the world: Andrei Martyanovs The Real Revolution in Military Affairs

In "The Real Revolution in Military Affairs," Andrei Martyanov challenges flawed assumptions in U.S. political science, arguing that American policymakers often overlook the brutal realities of war and sanctions faced by other nations, such as Iraq and Libya.

The book highlights how U.S. foreign policy misjudges adversaries, driven by aggressive rhetoric and simplistic narratives, leading to reckless and counterproductive outcomes.

Martyanov rejects the idea of inevitable conflict between rising and established powers, calling it an oversimplification that ignores nuclear deterrence and modern geopolitical complexities.

Unlike traditional views focused on technology, Martyanov frames RMA as a comprehensive shift  integrating new tech, doctrines and strategies  making warfare more precise and interconnected.

The book urges a reassessment of military dominance as a goal, advocating for a historically informed, pragmatic approach to international relations in an era of rapid change.

Andrei Martyanov's "The Real Revolution in Military Affairs" offers a critical examination of modern warfare, global power shifts and the misconceptions that influence contemporary geopolitical thought.

The book challenges conventional wisdom, particularly within American political science, arguing that many of its foundational assumptions are flawed or outdated. Martyanov begins by engaging with John Mearsheimer's "The Great Delusion," which critiques liberalism's inability to define a universal "good life" due to the world's cultural and circumstantial diversity.

However, Martyanov extends this critique further. He highlights how Mearsheimers analysis remains limited by its focus on nationalism while neglecting the economic forces driving liberal aggression.

A central theme in Martyanovs work is the disconnect between American political thought and the harsh realities faced by much of the world. Unlike many American political scientists, who have not endured the brutalities of sanctions or the devastation of war, Martyanov emphasizes that survival itself is the most fundamental aspect of a "good life."

He points to historical examples such as the sanctions on Iraq in the 1990s, which resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of children, and the destruction of Libya in 2011 under the pretext of humanitarian intervention. These cases reveal how American foreign policy often operates under misguided assumptions, failing to grasp the life-and-death stakes for affected populations.

Martyanov also critiques the American tendency to misunderstand adversaries, a flaw noted by commentators like Daniel Larison. U.S. policymakers frequently misjudge the intentions of rival nations, constructing simplistic or fantastical narratives about their opponents. This misperception is compounded by a political culture that rewards aggressive rhetoric while sidelining nuanced analysis. The result is a foreign policy that is often reckless and counterproductive.

One of the most persistent myths in American geopolitical discourse is the Thucydides Trap, a concept popularized by Graham Allison. The idea suggests that rising powers inevitably clash with established ones, as Athens did with Sparta.

Martyanov, however, dismantles this notion, pointing out that Chinese paramount leader Xi Jinping himself has explicitly rejected it. Even among Russia's pro-Western liberals, the concept is met with skepticism. Martyanov argues that the Thucydides Trap is more of a "political scientist's trap"  an oversimplification that ignores the complexities of modern warfare, particularly the deterrent effect of nuclear weapons.

The book then shifts to the core of its argument: the Revolution in Military Affairs (RMA). Unlike traditional views of military evolution, which focus solely on technological advancements, Martyanov presents RMA as a holistic transformation encompassing new technologies, operational doctrines and organizational adaptations.

This revolution has dramatically altered the nature of warfare, making it more precise, interconnected and dependent on advanced systems. The U.S. has made significant progress in this domain, particularly in precision-strike capabilities. But Martyanov cautions that these advancements must be measured against those of capable adversaries, not weaker opponents.

Martyanov's analysis underscores that modern warfare is no longer about sheer numbers or brute force but about technological superiority and strategic integration. The lessons of history, while valuable, must be applied with caution, as the dynamics of conflict have fundamentally changed. The RMA is not just a shift in tools but in the very character of war, requiring a deeper understanding of both military science and geopolitical realities.

Ultimately, "The Real Revolution in Military Affairs" calls for a reassessment of long-held assumptions about power, conflict and global order. Martyanov warns against the pursuit of military dominance as a self-defeating strategy, advocating instead for a more nuanced and historically informed approach to international relations. In an era of rapid technological change and shifting power balances, his book serves as a crucial guide for rethinking the future of warfare and the pursuit of stability in an increasingly complex world.

Watch this video about Andrei Martyanov's book "The Real Revolution in Military Affairs".

This video is from the BrightLearn channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

Brighteon.ai

Brighteon.com
Chinas aggressive space militarization demands urgent U.S. response, warns top general

Chinas rapid military space expansion poses the most immediate threat to U.S. security, warns Space Force chief Gen. Chance Saltzman.

Beijing operates 347 military satellites, half its orbital fleet, surveilling U.S. forces globally with advanced sensing and jamming tech.insa

Chinas arsenal includes anti-satellite missiles, lasers, and grappling-arm "killer satellites," rehearsing space warfare tactics like orbital "dogfighting."

The U.S. lags in space defense funding, risking vulnerabilities as China escalates electronic warfare and debris-generating strikes.

Experts urge immediate action  boosting Space Force budgets, resilient satellite networks, and clear deterrence policies  to counter Chinas dominance.

Chinas breakneck expansion of military space capabilities, including anti-satellite missiles, laser weapons, and orbital "dogfighting" satellites, represents the "most immediate threat" to U.S. national security, warns Gen. Chance Saltzman, chief of the U.S. Space Force. In startling testimony before Congress, Saltzman revealed that Beijing now operates 347 military satellites  nearly half its 700-satellite fleet  to surveil U.S. forces globally, underscoring an urgent need for America to fortify its defenses in this contested domain.

A "mind-boggling" threat

Testifying before the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, Saltzman described Chinas advancements as a "powerful destabilizing force" that could cripple U.S. communications, navigation, and intelligence systems in a conflict. "Space has become a warfighting domain," he emphasized. Beijings arsenal includes ground-based missiles to physically destroy satellites, high-powered lasers capable of blinding or damaging sensors, radio-frequency jammers to disrupt military communications, and robotic "killer satellites" with grappling arms to disable adversaries

"By the mid-to-late 2020s, we expect them to deploy systems high enough in power that they can physically damage satellite structures," Saltzman warned in written testimony. His assessment follows Chinas abrupt 7% increase in military spending this year, much of it directed toward space warfare.

The PLAs orbital battlefield strategy

Chinas Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) views space control as pivotal to dominating a potential Indo-Pacific conflict, particularly over Taiwan. "Intelligence suggests the PLA likely sees counterspace operations as a means to deter and counter U.S. military intervention in a regional conflict," Saltzman noted. Disturbingly, China has already demonstrated its aggression: In 2022, it used a robot-armed satellite to tow a defunct spacecraft  a dry run for disabling enemy assets.

Equally alarming are Beijings orbital "dogfighting" drills. Space Force has tracked Chinese satellites executing "unusual, large, and rapid maneuvers" in geostationary orbit. "They are practicing tactics, techniques and procedures to conduct on-orbit operations from one satellite to another," said Gen. Michael Guetlein, Saltzmans deputy. Such maneuvers suggest China is rehearsing for space-based combat, a scenario once relegated to science fiction.

Meanwhile, Chinas electronic warfare capabilities are expanding. The PLA now jams U.S. satellite signals routinely, including protected military frequencies, and is developing even broader spectrum interference tools.

Americas dangerous complacency

Despite Chinas advances, U.S. investment in space defense lags. Saltzman lamented Congresss "out of sight, out of mind" attitude, noting the Space Force faces more unfunded missions than funded ones. While China fields quantum satellites and reusable launch vehicles, the U.S. lacks equivalent systems.

Compounding the problem, debris from Chinas 2007 anti-satellite test  condemned globally  still clutters orbit, endangering spacecraft. Another strike could render key orbital pathways unusable.

Dominance through deterrence

In order to counter China's aggression in space, experts urge immediate action. First, Space Force funding must be boosted, and the Pentagon should prioritize the development of next-generation satellites, resilient architectures, and directed-energy defenses. Additionally, innovation should be accelerated by embracing private-sector partnerships to match Chinas rapid prototyping. Lastly, deterrence policies need to be clarified, establishing red lines against attacks on U.S. satellites and backing these lines with credible retaliation protocols.

"The modern battlefield has to account for the space domain," Saltzman declared. Failure to act, he warned, risks ceding orbital supremacy to China.

Chinas space ambitions are not merely theoreticalthey are operational, fast-evolving, and directed squarely at America. As Saltzmans testimony makes clear, the U.S. must shed complacency and treat space as the ultimate high ground in 21st-century warfare. The alternatives  a blinded military, severed communications, and a hobbled economy  are unthinkable. Congress and the Pentagon must act now to ensure Americas freedom to operate in space remains unchallenged. The stakes are nothing less than our national survival.

Sources for this article include:

ZeroHedge.com

FoxNews.com

SpaceNews.com
Chinas counter-tariff strategies: A new chapter in the U.S.-China trade war

President Donald Trump announced an additional 50% tariff on Chinese goods unless China withdraws its 34% counter-tariff, escalating the ongoing trade conflict.

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce vowed to "fight to the end" and is preparing countermeasures, rejecting U.S. demands.

Influential bloggers revealed Beijings potential retaliatory actions, including: higher tariffs on U.S. agricultural products (soybeans, sorghum); a ban on U.S. poultry imports and restrictions on service-sector trade; suspension of fentanyl cooperation and possible ban on American films; and investigations into intellectual property benefits for U.S. firms.

Financial markets showed volatility, with concerns over impacts on U.S. farmers, Hollywood and global supply chains.

Past trade tensions suggest potential for negotiations, but current escalations risk further economic disruption. The next steps will shape global trade dynamics.

In a significant escalation of the ongoing trade war, President Donald Trump threatened China with an additional 50% tariff on goods imported into the U.S. if Beijing did not withdraw its 34% counter-tariff. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce responded swiftly, vowing to take "countermeasures" and stating that it "will fight to the end" of the trade war. Two influential Chinese bloggers, Liu Hong and Ren Yi, have since leaked a set of potential countermeasures that Beijing is considering. These measures, if implemented, could have far-reaching implications for both countries and the global economy.

The tariff threat and China's response

On Monday, President Trump announced that the U.S. would impose an additional 50% tariff on Chinese goods unless Beijing withdrew its 34% counter-tariff. This move came as a response to China's earlier "reciprocal" tariffs, which were imposed in retaliation for Trump's initial round of tariffs. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce was quick to respond, stating that China would "never accept" the U.S. demands and would "fight to the end" to defend its interests.

Leaked countermeasures

Two top Chinese bloggers, Liu Hong, a senior editor at Xinhuanet, and Ren Yi, known by his social media handle Chairman Rabbit, have leaked a set of potential countermeasures that Beijing is considering. These measures, which are attributed to sources familiar with the matter, include:

Significantly increase tariffs on U.S. agricultural products: China is considering significantly increasing tariffs on U.S. agricultural products such as soybeans and sorghum. This move could severely impact U.S. farmers, who have already been hit hard by the trade war. Prohibit the import of U.S. poultry meat: Citing concerns over avian influenza outbreaks in the U.S., China is considering banning the import of American poultry to ensure food safety for its citizens. Suspend China-U.S. cooperation on fentanyl: In response to the U.S. threat to impose another 50% tariff, China is considering suspending its cooperation with the U.S. on fentanyl-related issues. This move is particularly significant given the ongoing opioid crisis in the U.S. Countermeasures in the services trade sector: China is considering restricting U.S. companies from participating in procurement and limiting business cooperation, such as legal consulting. This could have a significant impact on U.S. service exports, which currently enjoy a trade surplus with China. Ban the import of American films: China is studying the possibility of reducing or even banning the import of American films. This could affect the U.S. film industry, which relies heavily on the Chinese market for revenue. Investigate intellectual property benefits of U.S. companies: China is considering investigating the benefits that U.S. companies have gained from intellectual property in China, potentially leading to legal actions and increased scrutiny.

Market reactions and economic implications

The leaked countermeasures have already had an impact on financial markets. According to Goldman analyst Shubham Ghosh, some headlines, including "Consumption boost, leadership onshore willing to front-load stimulus, PBOC vowing sufficient funding," helped stabilize Asian equity markets. However, the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index pared its advance to less than 1% as trading resumed after the mid-day break, indicating market uncertainty.

The potential measures could have significant economic implications. For instance, the U.S. agricultural sector, which has already been struggling, could face further challenges if China increases tariffs on soybeans and sorghum. Similarly, the U.S. film industry, which has been expanding its presence in China, could suffer if Beijing decides to ban American films.

Historical context and future prospects

The current trade war is part of a broader pattern of economic and political tensions between the U.S. and China. The relationship between the two countries has been strained since the early 2010s, with issues ranging from intellectual property theft to unfair trade practices. The Trump administration has been particularly vocal about these issues, leading to the imposition of tariffs and other trade restrictions.

However, the situation is not without precedent. In 2018, during the first major trade war between the U.S. and China, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce also vowed to "fight to the end." Despite the tough rhetoric, both sides eventually entered into talks, leading to the Phase One trade deal in January 2020. This historical context suggests that while the current tensions are high, there is still a possibility for negotiation and resolution.

Conclusion

The latest round of tariff threats and countermeasures highlights the deep-seated economic and political tensions between the U.S. and China. While the leaked countermeasures from Beijing are concerning, they also underscore the high stakes involved for both countries. As markets react and the global community watches, the coming days and weeks will be crucial in determining whether the two nations can find a path to de-escalation or if the trade war will continue to intensify. The outcome will have significant implications for the global economy and the balance of power between the world's two largest economies.

Sources include:

ZeroHedge.com

Bloomberg.com

Modernity.news
So much for Democrats caring about immigrant children being separated from their parents, they just want those VICIOUS GANG MEMBERS brought back

Democrats Undermining Security & Climate Goals Accused of sabotaging electric vehicles (contradicting climate claims) and demanding the return of deported criminal gang members, despite previous outcries over family separations.

Framed as hypocritical and violence-supportive, with actions like destroying Teslas and advocating for violent deportees. Trumps Aggressive Cartel Strategy Proposing drone strikes on Mexican cartels (designated as FTOs) and deploying military surveillance, guided-missile destroyers, and SIGINT operations.

Exploring unilateral action if Mexico doesnt cooperate, aiming to dismantle cartel command structures and finances. Cartel Threat & Escalating Conflict Cartels allegedly operate heavily in the U.S. with advanced weapons (drones, missiles, suicide vests) and plan attacks on critical infrastructure.

Warning of a potential "Mexican Vietnam" quagmire if the border isnt secured via drones/robotics and naval control. Democrats Opposing Trumps Measures Portrayed as opposing all efforts to curb cartel violence, illegal immigration, and child trafficking, while allegedly tolerating/encouraging chaos (e.g., assassination plots, anti-police rhetoric).

Accused of prioritizing political power over national security.

Democrats and Liberals in America have a two-part agenda that seems vital to their existence right now, and those are destroying all electric vehicles and bringing back criminal gang freaks that were deported by Trump. Obviously, they never believed in climate change, because destroying the vehicles that were supposed to save earth from sure global warming destruction are now being destroyed in the name of, well, something weird.

And though the deranged Dems and lunatic Libs screamed for four years during the first Trump administration that immigrant children were being separated from their parents by the horrific dictator of America, now they are demanding he return the child rapists and human trafficking gangsters who have been deported. Go figure.

The Demon Dems and Libtards love violence, so blowing up Tesla vehicles and screaming for the return of violent South American gang members seems right up their alley (pun intended). Now Trump is weighing drone strikes on Mexican cartel terrorists to help save America from the 4-year terrorist insurgence propagated by the Biden Regime and every Democrat in the country.

Trump weighs drone strikes on Mexican cartel terrorists amid major hemispheric defense push

Following two months of U.S. military surveillance flights over cartel-controlled areas in Mexico, the Trump administration is now discussing targeted drone strikes against cartel leadership and networks, according to six current and former U.S. officials. Heres the plan so far:

Designation & Strategy: Mexican cartels have been labeled Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs), justifying military-intelligence operations.

Cooperation vs. Unilateral Action: Officials are exploring strikes with Mexicos consent, but unilateral covert action remains an option if needed.

Increased SIGINT Operations: Signals intelligence activities over Mexico have surged in recent months, alongside deployments of guided-missile destroyers near the southern U.S. border.

Broader Hemispheric Defense: The U.S. aims to dismantle cartel command structures, with possible future actions against Mexican banks to disrupt cartel finances.

Risks & Alternatives: Fear of a power vacuum has led to debates on whether drone strikes or hybrid warfare tactics (e.g., turning cartels against each other) would be more effective.

The administration has not finalized plans, but escalating operations signal a more aggressive approach to combat cartels as a national security threat. The Democrats completely oppose all of this. How dare Trump try to put an end to violence in America, the flood of illegal immigrants, the trafficking of children in and out of the country, child slavery, illegal voting for Democrats, and the robbing of our social security system.

Democrats cherish violence. Its all they have left. They tried to assassinate Trump twice. Elon Musk receives over 15,000 death threats daily just for figuring out how the Democrats have wasted trillions of dollars. No more laws and no more police, the Democrats scream. No more ethics and no more values for America, they demand. Save the cartel and the murderers, the Dems demand. Keep the fentanyl flowing, they cry. Here's a map of the cartels and drug trafficking/trade:

Trump Derangement Syndrome is at an all-time high right now. Its like a new pandemic. Tune your apocalypse dial to Preparedness.news for updates on real news about surviving the Democrat-led government aggression, lies, and propaganda that comes at us every day now.

Sources for this article include:

Censored.news

NaturalNews.com

TheGatewayPundit.com

ZeroHedge.com
Global military spending has ALMOST DOUBLED since the early 1990s

Global military expenditure has nearly doubled since the early 1990s, increasing from about $1.3 trillion in 1993 to nearly $2.4 trillion in 2023, with a significant 6.8 percent increase in 2023, marking the steepest year-on-year rise since 2009.

The region of Asia and Oceania has seen a 277 percent increase in military spending from 1993 to 2023, driven by tensions in the South China Sea, the threat from North Korea and regional security challenges.

European military spending has significantly increased, especially following the war in Ukraine, as nations bolster their defense capabilities, reflecting heightened security concerns and a need for military preparedness.

The Americas, led by the United States, remain the highest spending region, with the U.S. accounting for $916 billion, or 37 percent of the global total, emphasizing its commitment to military dominance and addressing threats.

The U.S., China, Russia, India and Saudi Arabia are the top military spenders, with notable increases in spending driven by regional ambitions, modernization and security threats. Ukraine's spending has also surged to $64.8 billion in 2023, reflecting the impact of the conflict with Russia.

In a stark reflection of shifting global priorities and rising tensions, global military spending has nearly doubled since the early 1990s, according to the latest data from the SIPRI Military Expenditure Database.

The total expenditure on defense  including equipment, personnel, operations, and maintenance  surged from approximately $1.3 billion in 1993 to nearly $2.4 billion in 2023. (Related: Global military spending hits record-high $2.24 trillion amid ongoing conflict in Ukraine, heightened tension in Taiwan)

"World military expenditure increased for the ninth consecutive year in 2023, reaching a total of $2.443 billion. The 6.8 percent increase in 2023 was the steepest year-on-year rise since 2009 and pushed global spending to the highest level SIPRI has ever recorded," the SIPRI Fact Sheet stated. This significant increase underscores the complex and evolving nature of international relations and national security strategies.

The region of Asia and Oceania has emerged as the leading force behind this surge, with a staggering 277 percent increase in military spending from 1993 to 2023. Factors contributing to this dramatic rise include escalating tensions in the South China Sea, the ongoing threat posed by North Korea and strategic realignments to address regional security challenges.

Europe has also seen a significant uptick in military spending, particularly in the wake of the ongoing war in Ukraine. The conflict has prompted European nations to bolster their defense capabilities, leading to a marked increase in military budgets. In 2023, Europe's military spending was notably higher than in previous decades, reflecting the region's heightened sense of vulnerability and the need for stronger military preparedness.

Despite the overall doubling of global military expenditure, the Americas remain the highest spending region, with total expenditures reaching 967 billion in 2023. The United States, the world's largest military spender, accounted for 916 billion, or 37 percent of the global total. This substantial investment underscores the U.S. commitment to maintaining its military dominance and addressing emerging threats, both domestically and internationally.

Key players and emerging trends

The distribution of military spending reveals the dominance of a few key players on the global stage:

United States : With a budget of $916 billion, the U.S. continues to lead in military spending, reflecting its role as a global superpower and its focus on maintaining a strong military presence worldwide.

: With a budget of $916 billion, the U.S. continues to lead in military spending, reflecting its role as a global superpower and its focus on maintaining a strong military presence worldwide. China : The second-largest spender, China invested $296 billion in its defense efforts in 2023. This growth is driven by China's ambitions for greater regional influence and the modernization of its armed forces, particularly in areas like cyber warfare and missile technology.

: The second-largest spender, China invested $296 billion in its defense efforts in 2023. This growth is driven by China's ambitions for greater regional influence and the modernization of its armed forces, particularly in areas like cyber warfare and missile technology. Russia : In response to geopolitical tensions, particularly the conflict in Ukraine, Russia's military spending reached $109 billion in 2023, highlighting its strategic focus on expanding capabilities and asserting its presence.

: In response to geopolitical tensions, particularly the conflict in Ukraine, Russia's military spending reached $109 billion in 2023, highlighting its strategic focus on expanding capabilities and asserting its presence. India : With a military budget of $83.6 billion, India ranks among the top five worldwide military spenders, motivated by threats from neighboring countries and a spotlight on defense modernization.

: With a military budget of $83.6 billion, India ranks among the top five worldwide military spenders, motivated by threats from neighboring countries and a spotlight on defense modernization. Saudi Arabia: Ranking fifth, Saudi Arabia's military expenditure of $75.8 billion is affected by regional conflicts and the need to secure its borders against different threats.

Notably, Ukraine has emerged as the eighth-largest military spender globally, with a defense budget of $64.8 billion in 2023. This dramatic increase is a direct response to the ongoing conflict with Russia, emphasizing the urgent need for military capabilities and the significant impact of war on national defense priorities.

The near doubling of global military spending since the early 1990s has far-reaching implications for both domestic and international politics. The increased budgets reflect not only national security concerns but also the complexities of global power dynamics, alliances and potential conflicts.

The upward trajectory of military spending reflects deep-rooted issues concerning national security, geopolitical stability, and the global balance of power. As nations continue to adjust their strategic approaches, the implications ripple across borders, influencing everything from diplomacy to trade and international conflict resolution. The data from SIPRI underscores the need for a nuanced understanding of the factors driving these increases and the potential consequences for the global community.

Follow NationalSecurity.news for more news about military spending.

Watch this clip that features the Top 10 countries by military spending.

This video is from the TruthAndFreedom1 channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

India choosing to buy Russias advanced fifth-generation Su-57 fighter jet over costly American F-35s.

U.S. diverts $95M in military aid from Egypt to Lebanon amid human rights concerns and regional security needs.

Chinas new hypersonic weapon could tip the scales in future conflicts in Taiwan and the South China Sea.

Sources include:

ZeroHedge.com

SIPRI.org [PDF]

Statista.com

DigitalPhablet.com

Brighteon.com
Miami police officer accidentally shot colleague, sparking DEI and training concerns

On March 2, 2024, Miami Beach Officer Shenaqua Stringer mistakenly shot fellow Officer Fabio Bolanos during an encounter with an unarmed man holding a lighter (misidentified as a gun), reigniting debates over police training and judgment.

Despite the severity of the incident, Stringer faced no suspension and was quietly reassigned, sparking criticism of preferential treatment compared to male officers in similar cases.

Critics argue the case highlights inadequate de-escalation training and systemic risks from diversity initiatives that may lower physical/operational standards, while advocates stress proper training can mitigate such risks.

The incident reflects nationwide tensions between reform-driven diversity efforts and maintaining rigorous policing standards, with critics warning against prioritizing ideology over public safety.

State lawmakers are considering stricter firearm protocols, and Officer Bolanos may sue the city for negligence, underscoring the cases role in ongoing debates over police accountability and reform.

On March 2, 2024, Miami Beach Police Officer Shenaqua Stringer accidentally shot fellow Officer Fabio Bolanos during a chaotic encounter with an unarmed man holding a cigarette lighter  mistaken for a firearm. The incident, captured on bodycam footage, has reignited debates over policing standards, the risks of rushed diversity incentives, and whether departments prioritize ideological quotas over public and officer safety. While no criminal charges were filed, the fallout raises urgent questions about training, accountability and systemic failures in law enforcement.

The incident: A breakdown in judgment and control

The chain of events began when Miami police received a 911 call about a man possibly armed with a handgun on the Venetian Causeway. Officer Stringer, an eight-year veteran, arrived first. Surveillance footage shows the man  later confirmed to be experiencing a mental health crisis  reaching into his pocket. Stringer drew her weapon, believing he possessed a firearm. When Officer Bolanos arrived to assist, a physical struggle ensued.

Amid the scuffle, Stringers firearm discharged, striking Bolanos in the leg. "You fed up his leg. Hes bleeding a lot," the suspect exclaimed as Bolanos writhed in pain. The wounded officer was rushed to the hospital but has since recovered. Investigators later confirmed the "gun" was a metallic lighter.

Critics argue the episode reflects inadequate de-escalation training and poor situational assessment. "This wasnt a split-second mistake by a seasoned cop," remarked a law enforcement analyst. "It was a preventable disaster."

Administrative fallout: A "quiet reassignment" raises eyebrows

Despite the gravity of the incident, Stringer faced no suspension. Miami Beach Police spokesperson Christopher Bess confirmed she was reassigned pending an internal affairs probe  a move critics label as leniency. "Business as usual for DEI hires," fumed a police union insider.

The Miami Herald reported that Stringers role change followed protocol for officers involved in firearm discharges, but skeptics question whether political correctness influenced the outcome. By contrast, similar incidents involving male officers have resulted in immediate suspensions or resignations.

DEI in law enforcement: A reckoning long overdue?

The incident has intensified scrutiny of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in policing. While proponents argue DEI fosters community trust, opponents cite recurring cases where lowered standards  particularly in physical fitness and stress-testing  endanger lives.

"Women are not the same as men," said a retired police captain. "When force and split-second judgment are required, biological differences matter." Data from the National Institute of Justice shows female officers are statistically more likely to be injured in altercations, though advocates counter that proper training mitigates risks.

The debate echoes past controversies, such as the 2021 case of Kim Potter, who mistakenly used her firearm instead of a Taser. Stringers case, however, adds fuel to claims that departments prioritize optics over competency.

Broader implications: Policing in the post-ACLU era

The Miami debacle underscores a systemic tension between reform demands and operational realities. Police agencies nationwide face pressure to diversify while maintaining rigorous standards. Yet incidents like this erode public confidence and embolden critics of "woke policing."

Miamis mayor has sidestepped questions about policy changes, but state legislators are drafting bills to mandate stricter firearms protocols. Meanwhile, Officer Bolanos may sue the city, alleging negligence.

The Stringer-Bolanos incident is more than a procedural failure  its a microcosm of Americas fraught policing landscape. While diversity remains a laudable goal, sidelining meritocratic standards risks tragic consequences. As cities grapple with rising crime and thinning officer ranks, Miamis misstep serves as a cautionary tale: Public safety cannot be sacrificed at the altar of ideology.

For now, the internal investigation grinds on. But for many, the verdict is already clear: When politics dictate policing, everyone loses.

Sources include:

Revolver.news

Yahoo.com

LawandCrime.com
U.K.s Crime and Policing Bill 2025 reignites facial recognition controversy

The United Kingdom's Crime and Policing Bill 2025, now at the Committee stage, grants police access to over 50 million driver's license photos for facial recognition searches.

The bill revives a dropped Conservative plan, with Labour justifying it as necessary to combat crime, terrorism and violence against women.

Big Brother Watch warns that the bill enables mass biometric surveillance, risking misidentification and unjust tracking of innocent citizens.

Russia plans a 2025 rollout of facial recognition payments via 2 million terminals, linked to its state biometric database (UBS).

Both systems face criticism for enabling government overreach, with Russia already using facial recognition to monitor activists.

The United Kingdom's Crime and Policing Bill 2025, introduced in February by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, has reached the Committee stage in the House of Commons, reigniting fierce debate over its expansion of facial recognition powers.

Crime and Policing Bill 2025, now just two steps away from moving to the House of Lords, seeks to bolster law enforcement capabilities, including granting police access to over 50 million driver's license photos for facial recognition searches. (Related: Mastercard rolls out payment system that uses FACIAL RECOGNITION technology.)

Under the proposed changes, police, the National Crime Agency (NCA) and the Independent Office for Police Conduct could gain sweeping access to driver's license information, including photos, for facial recognition searches.

The bill resurrects a contentious provision from the previous Conservative government's Criminal Justice Bill, which was abandoned in 2024 following backlash. The Labour administration has framed the measure as essential to tackling "the epidemic of serious violence and violence against women and girls," as well as enhancing police powers against antisocial behavior, crime and terrorism.

However, non-profit organization Big Brother Watch argued that Clause 95 of the bill, which empowers the Home Secretary to authorize access to driver's license data for policing purposes, opens the door to mass biometric surveillance. The organization warned that the move could lead to routine biometric tracking of millions of law-abiding citizens with little transparency or oversight.

Big Brother Watch has likened the plan to creating a "permanent, automated police lineup", where innocent individuals could be wrongly flagged by error-prone facial recognition systems. "Not only would this be an unprecedented breach of privacy, but would also put innocent citizens at risk of misidentification and injustice."

Russia to implement nationwide facial recognition payment system this 2025

In relation to the Crime and Policing Bill 2025, Russia is also planning to implement a nationwide facial recognition payment system this 2025.

"The project roadmap has already been established, and the network launch is slated for the second half of 2025. We are developing a biometric payment standard, based on which other market participants will be able to launch their biometric services," said Sberbank Senior Vice President Dmitry Malykh.

The initiative, a collaboration between Sberbank and the National Payment Card System (NSPK), will expand upon the existing Face Pay platform. Approximately two million biometric payment terminals are expected to be installed nationwide, allowing users to register their facial data via banking apps and make purchases at any terminal, regardless of their bank.

Beyond payments, the government envisions the system facilitating age verification for restricted purchases and contactless hotel check-ins. There are also discussions about incorporating cryptocurrency transactions. The system will be linked to Russia's Unified Biometric System, a state-controlled database that consolidates biometric data for identification and authentication.

But critics warn of the system's potential for mass surveillance, given that Russia has previously used facial recognition to monitor political activists.

FutureTech.news has more stories on the dystopian measures of governments and law enforcement to surveil citizens.

Watch the video below that talks about government agencies that were caught lying about the facial recognition program.

This video is from MyPodcastDropped2320 channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Biden signs executive order expanding use of digital IDs in application process for public benefits.

ABSURD: UN calls for widespread adoption of digital ID systems to combat climate change.

Redefining personal freedoms: U.K. to launch digital driver's licenses amid push for online age verification.

What will you do when you can't buy or sell anything on the internet without your UN-mandated digital identity chip?

Fairway grocers in NYC now using facial recognition to profile customers.

Sources include:

Reclaimthenet.org 1

Reclaimthenet.org 2

Brighteon.com
Why didnt Ukraine warn the U.S. about Trumps would-be assassins weapon quest?

Donald Trump Jr. publicly condemned Ukraine for failing to alert U.S. authorities about Ryan Wesley Rouths attempt to procure military weapons from Ukrainian contacts to assassinate his father, calling it a "much bigger deal" than Ukraines lack of gratitude for U.S. support.

Routh, a pro-Ukraine activist and convicted felon, tried to buy an RPG and Stinger missile via encrypted messages to kill Donald Trump, citing his desire to prevent Trumps election. He was arrested near Mar-a-Lago in September 2024 with an AK-47 and surveillance gear.

The incident has strained U.S.-Ukraine relations, raising questions about transparency in international security cooperation, as Ukrainian authorities did not inform the U.S. about Rouths weapons request.

Following multiple assassination attempts on Trump, Congress has pressed for reforms, citing lapses in coordination  especially after a shooting in Pennsylvania where a gunman evaded detection. Trump has demanded full disclosure from the Secret Service about the attacks.

Routh faces a potential life sentence; his trial may reveal further details about the plot. The attempts underscore heightened security challenges for political leaders and the need for improved threat response protocols.

Donald Trump Jr., son of President Donald Trump, has publicly criticized Ukraine for failing to inform U.S. authorities about Ryan Wesley Routh's attempts to acquire military weapons from Ukrainian contacts to assassinate his father. The criticism comes as Routh, a pro-Ukraine activist, faces federal charges after being arrested near Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida in September 2024.

In a tweet posted on Tuesday, Trump Jr. expressed his frustration, writing, "If you think it's bad that Ukraine never said thank you for everything the United States has done for them, the fact that they seemingly did not tell us that this sociopath literally tried to buy arms from them to assassinate my father seems like a much bigger deal. Wonder why?!?"

Background on Ryan Routh

Routh, a convicted felon, had attempted to join the Ukrainian military in 2022 but was unsuccessful. Despite this, he remained active in the conflict, reportedly working to recruit ex-Afghan soldiers to fight for Ukraine. According to court documents obtained by Fox News, Routh used an encrypted messaging app in August 2024 to contact an individual he believed to be a Ukrainian weapons supplier. He requested a Russian RPG grenade launcher and a U.S.-made Stinger missile, explicitly stating his intention to prevent Trump from being elected.

The assassination attempt

Routh's messages revealed his explicit motives: "I need the equipment so that Trump don't [sic] get elected," he wrote. He also claimed that obtaining such weapons would be easy due to the chaos of war, adding, "one missing would not be noticed." However, Routh never received the weapons he sought. He was arrested near Mar-a-Lago with a rifle and remains in custody. His trial is scheduled for September, and he faces a potential life sentence if convicted.

Trump Jr.'s criticism and broader implications

Trump Jr.'s criticism of Ukraine highlights the growing tension between the two countries, particularly in light of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the significant support the U.S. has provided. The failure of Ukrainian authorities to alert their American counterparts about Routh's weapons request raises questions about the reliability and transparency of international intelligence sharing, especially in matters of high-profile security threats.

Congressional scrutiny and Secret Service reforms

The assassination attempts on Trump have also led to intense scrutiny of the Secret Service. A congressional task force probing the incidents called for reforms in its final report, released in December 2024. The July incident in Butler, Pennsylvania, where a gunman opened fire from a rooftop, raised significant concerns about coordination between local and federal law enforcement. Critics pointed to failures in communication that allowed the gunman to position himself undetected.

President Trump's demand for information

In a recent interview with the New York Post, President Trump demanded that the Secret Service provide him with "every bit of information" about the two assassination attempts, stating that the agency has "held it back long enough." The Secret Service Chief of Communications, Anthony Guglielmi, responded, "Any information held by the Secret Service will be provided to the president, without exception."

Trump's order came after he expressed a desire to understand the motives and methods of the attackers. "I want to find out about the two assassins," he said. "Why did the one guy have six cellphones and why did the other guy have [foreign] apps? No more holding back because of [Joe] Biden. I'm entitled to know. And they held it back long enough. No excuses."

Conclusion

The assassination attempts on Donald Trump have not only raised serious security concerns but have also highlighted the need for improved international intelligence sharing and coordination. As the trial of Ryan Routh approaches, more details about his alleged plot are expected to emerge, potentially shedding light on the broader implications of these incidents. The scrutiny of the Secret Service and the demands for transparency from the Trump administration underscore the ongoing challenges in ensuring the safety of high-profile political figures in an increasingly complex and interconnected world.

Sources include:

RT.com

BigNewsNetwork.com

Newsweek.com
WHO conducts a 2-day pandemic simulation called Exercise Polaris  bringing together 350 predatory health groups worldwide

WHO conducts a two-day pandemic simulation, Exercise Polaris, involving over 15 countries and 20 health agencies.

The exercise tests a new global coordination mechanism for health emergencies, bringing together predatory public health officials and organization that seek to implement a bio-surveillance state.

These simulations, advertised as preparedness, actually mask global bio-terror propaganda campaigns and totalitarian pursuits.

These simulations are designed to maximize compliance with predatory vaccine programs that are already in development.

Psychopaths at WHO failed to get their bird flu pandemic in 2024 and 2025, and are trying to come up with new ways to submit populations to their plans.

A new global control apparatus is trying to take shape

In a world still reeling from the aftermath of the COVID-19 scandal and a barrage of unlawful mandates, the World Health Organization (WHO) has once again taken center stage with a two-day pandemic simulation, Exercise Polaris. This latest drill, involving over 15 countries and 20 regional health agencies, has reignited debates about the true intentions behind such exercises. Health freedom advocates point out that these simulations are not merely about preparedness but are part of a broader agenda to exert control over global health narratives and policies. The same planning took place in 2019, right before the release of COVID-19.

Exercise Polaris, held last week, was designed to test the WHOs Global Health Emergency Corps (GHEC), a framework aimed at strengthening countries emergency workforce, coordinating the deployment of surge teams and experts, and enhancing collaboration between nations. According to the WHO, the exercise involved more than 350 health emergency groups connected worldwide, simulating an outbreak of a fictional virus that spread across the globe.

Participating countries included Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Ethiopia, Germany, Iraq, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mozambique, Nepal, Pakistan, Qatar, Somalia, Uganda, and Ukraine. Participating regional and international health agencies included the Africa CDC, European CDC, IFRC, IOM, UNICEF, the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network, the Emergency Medical Teams initiative, Stand-by partners, and the International Association of National Public Health Institutes.

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, emphasized the importance of global cooperation, stating, "Exercise Polaris shows that global cooperation is not only possibleit is essential." However, this rhetoric of unity and preparedness is met with skepticism by those who see the WHO as a global terrorist organization, particularly in light of the COVID-19 scandal. The obfuscation of the virus's origins and the push for gain-of-function research and predatory vaccine programs have raised serious ethical concerns.

The timing of Exercise Polaris is particularly noteworthy, given the history of similar simulations. In mid-October 2019, just months before the COVID-19 outbreak, Johns Hopkins University, the World Economic Forum (WEF), and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation organized Event 201, a pandemic exercise that eerily predicted the emergence of SARS-CoV-2. This so-called coincidence has led to widespread speculation about the role of these organizations is to create bio terror propaganda campaigns in advance and develop power structures that can coerce people to line up for new medical experiments.

These simulations are not coincidental but are part of a premeditated strategy to create the conditions for bio-surveillance and the implementation of unlawful medical mandates. The Biden's regime's focus in 2024, on preparing for a bird flu pandemic, further fuels these concerns, suggesting a pattern of orchestrated terror responses masquerading as preparedness.

The real threat: control, not viruses

Dr. Mike Ryan, Executive Director of WHOs Health Emergencies Programme, claimed that Exercise Polaris "showed what is possible when countries operate with urgency and unity supported by well-connected partners." However, if the lessons of the COVID-19 scandal have taught us anything, it is that global "readiness" often serves as a facade for control rather than genuine protection.

The real threat, as history has shown, is not the next virus but who gets to declare it and prepare the vaccines for it. The WHO's role in declaring public health emergencies and guiding global responses has been fraught with controversy. The organization's close ties to pharmaceutical companies and the CCP, and its opaque decision-making processes have raised questions about its true motives.

As the world continues to grapple with the aftermath of the COVID-19 scandal, the WHO's latest simulation, Exercise Polaris, serves as a stark reminder of the need for transparency and accountability in global health governance. The obfuscation of the virus's origins and the push for gain-of-function research and predatory vaccine programs represent a grave threat to human rights and human dignity. De-funding WHO is a start, but dismantling the WHO should be a wartime objective to protect the world from the totalitarian controls and bio-terror propaganda emanating from this hell hole.

Sources include:

JonFleetwood.substack.com

WHO.int

Enoch, Brighteon.ai
British lawmaker and Trump critic ARRESTED for child sexual offenses

British lawmaker Dan Norris of the Labor Party, a vocal critic of Donald Trump, was arrested on allegations of rape, child sexual offenses, child abduction and misconduct in public office with offenses spanning two decades.

The 65-year-old Norris, a former child protection officer, was released on conditional bail pending further investigation. He has been suspended by the Labor Party and stepped down as chairman of the League Against Cruel Sports.

Norris served under British Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown and recently defeated Conservative Jacob Rees-Mogg in the 2024 general elections. His arrest has raised scrutiny of Labor's vetting processes.

Norris previously compared Trump to disgraced ex-PM Boris Johnson, accusing both of law-breaking and dishonesty in a June 2023 social media post.

Norris arrest follows that of ex-Labor MP Ivor Caplin, detained in a January pedophile sting after allegedly engaging in online sexual communications with a child, which was broadcast live on social media.

Law enforcement officers in the United Kingdom have arrested a Member of Parliament (MP) and staunch critic of U.S. President Donald Trump over child sexual offenses.

MP Dan Norris, representing North East Somerset and Hanham in the House of Commons, was taken into custody Friday, April 4. An educator by profession, he was also a former child protection officer trained by the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. Norris, 65, was released on conditional bail pending further investigation.

The lawmaker's arrest stemmed from allegations of rape, child sexual offenses, child abduction and misconduct in a public office. The allegations span two decades as per the Avon and Somerset Police, with most offenses reportedly occurring in the 2000s and a rape accusation dating to the 2020s.

Norris served under former British Prime Ministers (PMs) Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, and represented the Wansdyke constituency before it was abolished. He defeated Jacob Rees-Mogg of the Conservative (Tory) Party during the 2024 general elections to represent North East Somerset and Hanham.

The Labor Party swiftly suspended Norris upon learning of his arrest, which meant that he cannot join the party in the House of Commons. "We cannot comment further while the police investigation is ongoing," a spokesperson for the party told the BBC on Saturday, April 5. Aside from this, Norris stepped down from his position as chairman of the League Against Cruel Sports.

From social media rants to handcuffs: The stunning downfall of Norris

Norris' career has been marked by vocal criticism of Trump. In a post on X from June 2023, he compared Trump to disgraced former British PM Boris Johnson, a Tory.

"[Johnson] broke the law. He diminished Britain's influence and credibility. He lied," Norris' post read. "Even as he exits, he continues to show no contrition. The similarities with Trump are stark."

The arrest of Norris comes months after a Labor colleague of his was apprehended, with the arrest streamed to tens of thousands of viewers. In January, former Hove MP Ivor Caplin was detained in a pedophile sting.

Footage of Caplin's arrest, broadcast live on social media to over 36,000 viewers, showed officers handcuffing him for allegedly engaging in online sexual communications with a child. According to the Sussex Police, their arrest of the MP was done to "protect a vulnerable person  namely a child." Incidentally, Caplin  who represented Hove between 1997 and 2005  was suspended from the party weeks before his arrest. (Related: MASK OFF: Former British lawmaker and LGBT advocate Ivor Caplin ARRESTED in pedophile sting operation.)

The arrests of Norris and Caplin unfold against a backdrop of growing scrutiny on the United Kingdom's handling of sexual crimes, particularly those involving political figures. As investigators probe Norris' alleged crimes, the Labor Party faces renewed scrutiny over its vetting processes.

Head over to Evil.news for more similar stories.

Watch this clip of former Hove MP Ivor Caplin being arrested by Sussex Polie for attempting to meet a minor.

This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Trans former NH lawmaker faces federal charges for allegedly using daycare connections to generate child exploitation images.

Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist arrested for possession of AI-generated child pornography.

Irony and hate crimes: Local U.K. politician arrested for DEFENDING FREE SPEECH.

Sources include:

TheNationalPulse.com 1

BBC.com

TheNationalPulse.com 2

Brighteon.com
Chinas Taiwan invasion could come sooner than expected as experts warn of imminent military strike

China may invade Taiwan within six months, using military drills as invasion rehearsals.

Taiwans semiconductor dominance makes global supply chains vulnerable to severe disruption.

Chinas military tests prefabricated invasion barges, signaling rapid strike capabilities.

Bidens open-border policies could allow China to exploit U.S. domestic vulnerabilities during a crisis.

A 2027 invasion could overwhelm Taiwan before U.S. forces respond, requiring immediate preparedness.

As tensions between the U.S. and China reach a boiling point, some defense experts warn that Beijing may be preparing for an invasion of Taiwan within the next six months  with others citing 2027  using aggressive "grey zone" warfare tactics disguised as military exercises.

The stakes couldnt be higher: Taiwans dominance in semiconductor production means global supply chains, U.S. military readiness, and consumer electronics would face unprecedented disruption. Meanwhile, Chinas belligerent posturing and the fallout from the Biden administrations open-border policies have fueled fears of coordinated sabotage on American soil. The looming crisis validates conservative warnings about the dangers of weak foreign policy and unchecked Chinese aggression.

Grey zone warfare and military rehearsals

Chinas recent military drills around Taiwan  marked by missile launches, cyber disruptions, and naval blockades  arent mere exercises but dress rehearsals for an invasion, according to U.S. Indo-Pacific Commander Admiral Samuel Paparo. Retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Chuck DeVore outlines three potential invasion scenarios: a suffocating naval blockade, a lightning strike on Taiwans infrastructure, or a "doomsday" multi-front assault on U.S. bases and the American homeland.

Leaked intelligence suggests China has even tested prefabricated barges that could rapidly deploy troops onto Taiwans shores, circumventing natural defenses. "This equipment is a bridge and a port combined into one," warned Chinese state media commentator Wei Dongxu, signaling Beijings readiness for a swift, decisive invasion.

Open borders put our national security in jeopardy

Conservatives have long warned that the Biden administrations porous southern border could be exploited by foreign adversaries. Those fears now appear chillingly prescient. Under DeVores "doomsday scenario," thousands of military-aged Chinese men  who entered the U.S. amid Bidens border crisis  could collaborate with cartels to launch domestic attacks while American forces are tied up in the Pacific.

The parallels to history are grim. In 1917, Germanys infamous Zimmerman Telegram sought to lure Mexico into a U.S. conflict as a diversion. Today, China could employ similar tactics, exploiting Americas vulnerabilities to split its focus. U.S. forces could lose control of the southern border, and there's the potential for sabotage of power grids and transport hubs.

Trade wars and military ambitions

Chinas trade retaliation against U.S. sanctions underscores its long-term strategic goal: dominance, not cooperation. President Trumps tariffs are designed to weaken Chinas economic leverage while protecting critical industries. Analysts like Ben Thompson argue that Taiwans semiconductor monopoly makes it the ultimate prize for Beijing, whose invasion would trigger an "exponential" economic collapse surpassing COVID-era disruptions. "A war over Taiwan would put all of these to shame," Thompson wrote.

Trumps aggressive stance on China now appears justified, with Beijings ambassador to the U.S. ominously declaring in 2024 that China was prepared for "any type of war."

The 2027 timeline: A point of no return?

Taiwans defense ministry has identified 2027 as a likely invasion window, aligning with Xis military modernization deadlines. Recent war games suggest China could seize Taipei within days using overwhelming missile strikes and cyberattacks. The islands defenses, though robust, may not withstand a sudden blitz before U.S. forces could respond.

"They usually carry out testing through exercises before officially entering mass production," warned Chieh Chung of Taiwans Institute for National Defense, referencing Chinas rapid military advancements.

Urgent need for strength and preparedness

Americas best deterrent lies in military readiness, strong alliances, and secure borders. The Trump administrations focus on rebuilding U.S. naval power and bolstering Pacific partnerships  coupled with tough trade policies  created a bulwark against Chinese expansion. Today, restoring that resolve is critical.

As Beijing dangles between invasion and intimidation, the world watches nervously. The only way to avoid catastrophe is through unshakable resolve, strategic economic decoupling, and a return to America-first security priorities. Failure to act could mean losing Taiwan, and with it, the free worlds economic and technological future.

Sources for this article include:

LawEnforcementToday.com

The-Independent.com

NYTimes.com

BusinessInsider.com
DOJ expands probe into Jan. 6 prosecutions amid Supreme Court review of key obstruction law

Acting U.S. Attorney Ed Martin is investigating his predecessors use of the obstruction statute (18 U.S.C.  1512(c)(2)) against January 6 defendants. Critics argue the law was misapplied to nonviolent protesters, calling it politically motivated prosecutions that diverted resources from violent crime in D.C.

The Supreme Court is reviewing Fischer v. United States, which challenges the DOJs broad interpretation of the obstruction statute. A narrow ruling could undermine over 300 January 6 cases, including Trumps, and weaken the DOJs narrative of the Capitol breach as an "attack on democracy."

Martins probe has sparked partisan conflict, with Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) blocking his confirmation, accusing him of aligning with Trumps agenda. Conservatives argue Schiffs move aims to shield Democrats from scrutiny over alleged prosecutorial overreach.

Critics compare the misuse of the obstruction law to past abuses like Japanese internment and post-9/11 surveillance expansions. Legal experts warn that stretching laws beyond their intent erodes public trust in the justice system.

The Supreme Courts decision and Martins probe could force the DOJ to drop charges or renegotiate plea deals if 1512(c)(2) is struck down. The outcome will test the rule of law amid political polarization and shape accountability for the Capitol breach.

The legal battles surrounding the January 6, 2021, Capitol breach took a dramatic turn as Acting U.S. Attorney for D.C. Ed Martin announced an expanded investigation into his predecessors use of a controversial obstruction statute against protestors. The development comes as the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to review Fischer v. United States, a case challenging the application of 18 U.S.C.  1512(c)(2)  a felony obstruction charge central to hundreds of Jan. 6 prosecutions, including President Donald Trumps. The probe, coupled with judicial skepticism of the laws scope, raises questions about accountability, prosecutorial overreach and the judicial legacy of the Capitol riot cases.

The 1512 Project: Scrutinizing "lawfare" in Jan. 6 prosecutions

Acting U.S. Attorney Ed Martin has dubbed his inquiry the "1512 Project," referencing the obstruction statute critics argue was misapplied to justify felony charges against nonviolent Capitol protestors. Martin alleges his predecessor, Matthew Gravesappointed under President Biden  weaponized the charge to pursue "political prosecutions," diverting resources from violent crime in Washington, D.C.

In a March 2025 post on X, Martin accused Graves of prioritizing political hoaxes over public safety, stating: He used our $ to chase political hoaxes while the people of DC were terrorized by thugs with guns. That Biden prosecutor chose politics over the people of DC.

The expansion of the probe signals a potential reckoning for prosecutors who relied on 1512(c)(2), with Martin comparing the tactic to the internment of Japanese Americans during WWII.

Supreme Courts pivotal role: Is the obstruction law constitutional?

The Supreme Courts decision to review Fischer v. United States could upend over 300 Jan. 6-related cases. The law, originally designed to criminalize evidence tampering, was stretched to cover disruptions of congressional proceedings  a move already rejected by U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols in two 2022 rulings. Nichols argued the statute doesnt apply to allegations of obstructing electoral vote certification.

Legal experts warn a narrow interpretation by the high court would undermine the DOJs Jan. 6 strategy, including charges against Trump. Former federal prosecutor Andrew McCarthy noted: If 1512(c)(2) falls, the governments narrative of an unprecedented attack on democracy collapses with it.

Political firestorm: Schiff blocks Martins confirmation

The probe has ignited partisan clashes, with Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) placing a hold on Martins nomination to permanently lead the D.C. U.S. Attorneys Office. Schiff accused Martin of demolishing the firewalls between the DOJ and Trumps political agenda, citing his dismissal of charges against Jan. 6 defendants he once represented.

Schiffs statement called Martin a one-man wrecking ball using his office to chill free speech, while conservatives countered that the delay aims to shield Democratic allies from scrutiny. Critics, like commentator Cash Loren, dismissed Schiffs move as fear-driven: Criminal Schiff belongs in prison, and he knows it.

Historical parallels: Prosecution, precedent and public trust

The case echoes past debates over prosecutorial discretion, from the Alien and Sedition Acts to the post-9/11 expansion of surveillance laws. Martins comparison to Japanese internment  a policy later deemed a civil rights violation  frames the 1512 charges as another abuse of wartime-style panic.

Legal scholar Jonathan Turley warned: When prosecutors stretch laws beyond their intent, they invite backlash that weakens faith in the justice system. The Jan. 6 cases, he argued, risk becoming a partisan battleground rather than a defense of constitutional order.

What comes next?

With the Supreme Courts ruling pending and Martins probe expanding, the legal and political fallout could redefine accountability for Jan. 6. If 1512(c)(2) is struck down, the DOJ may face pressure to drop charges or negotiate plea dealswhile Republicans push for broader investigations into alleged prosecutorial misconduct.

The clash over Jan. 6 prosecutions encapsulates a broader struggle over justice, power and narrative. As the Supreme Court weighs the fate of a contentious law and Martins inquiry unfolds, the outcomes will test the durability of legal norms in an era of deepening polarization. For the hundreds charged under 1512(c)(2), the stakes are even higher: their cases may hinge not on their actions that day, but on whether the system itself adhered to the rule of law.

Sources include:

100percentfedup.com

wltreport.com

TheEpochTimes.com
House passes SAVE Act to require citizenship proof for voting in federal elections

The House passed the SAVE Act, requiring proof of citizenship for federal voter registration in a 220-208 vote.

The bill mandates verifying citizenship via documents like passports or birth certificates and allows lawsuits for non-compliance.

Republicans argue the bill prevents fraud, while Democrats claim it could disenfranchise voters despite 84% public support.

Four Democrats supported the bill, signaling rare bipartisan agreement on election integrity concerns.

The Senate faces a tough battle over the bill, with legal challenges likely if it becomes law.

In a decisive move to protect the integrity of American elections, the House of Representatives passed the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act on Thursday, a bill that requires documented proof of citizenship for federal voter registration. The legislation, introduced by Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX), passed in a 220-208 vote, with four Democrats crossing the aisle to support the measure. The bill now heads to the Senate, where its fate remains uncertain but its implications are undeniable.

For years, concerns over non-citizen voting have simmered, with Republicans arguing that lax voter registration processes create vulnerabilities for fraud. The SAVE Act seeks to eliminate those risks by mandating in-person proof of citizenship for new registrants and compelling states to remove ineligible voters from existing rolls. The move comes as a direct response to President Donald Trumps executive order on election integrity, reinforcing GOP efforts to ensure only American citizens participate in the nations most sacred democratic process.

A common-sense safeguard

The SAVE Act amends the National Voter Registration Act, requiring states to verify citizenship through documents such as a U.S. passport, a REAL ID-compliant drivers license indicating citizenship, or a certified birth certificate. The bill also allows citizens to sue election officials who fail to enforce these requirementsa provision designed to hold states accountable.

"I find it both laughable and preposterous that the same people who, for the past four years, forced you to carry a vaccine passport to dine in a restaurant, hold a job, or get on a flight are now opposing common-sense legislation requiring individuals to show proof of American citizenship to vote in elections," said Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ), a co-sponsor of the bill. His remarks underscore a central Republican argument: If proof of identification is required for daily activities, why not for voting?

Polls support this reasoning. A 2024 Gallup survey found that 84% of Americans favor requiring proof of citizenship for first-time voter registration, showcasing broad bipartisan agreement on the issue. Yet despite overwhelming public support, Democratic leaders have framed the bill as a voter suppression tactic, a claim that Republicans dismiss as hypocritical fearmongering.

Democrats resist, despite rare bipartisan support

While the vast majority of House Democrats opposed the bill, fourReps. Ed Case (HI), Henry Cuellar (TX), Jared Golden (ME), and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA)joined Republicans in voting yes. Their defections signal that even within the minority party, some recognize the necessity of election safeguards.

The opposition argues that non-citizen voting is already illegal under federal law and that documented cases are exceedingly rare. Democrats contend that strict documentation requirements could disenfranchise eligible votersparticularly women, minorities, and low-income individualswho may struggle to obtain birth certificates or other forms of ID.

Republicans counter that the existing attestation systemwhere voters swear under penalty of perjury that they are citizenslacks enforcement teeth.

Legal hurdles and the path forward

The SAVE Act faces an uphill battle in the Senate, where Democrats still hold enough seats to filibuster. However, Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) has introduced a companion bill, setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown. Should it become law, the legislation would likely face court challenges, as previous state-level attempts to verify citizenship have been blocked by federal judges.

Republicans argue that a national standard is crucial to override inconsistent state policies. For example, 36 states already request or require voter ID, but rules vary widely. Meanwhile, liberal-leaning states like New York and Washington issue REAL ID-compliant drivers licenses regardless of immigration status, raising concerns that such documents could be misused for voter registration.

President Trump has championed the SAVE Act as part of his broader election integrity agenda. "This legislation is a crucial step towards ensuring our elections are fair and honest," Gosar declared, framing the issue as a matter of national sovereignty.

The passage of the SAVE Act marks a pivotal moment in Americas ongoing debate over election security. While Democrats warn of disenfranchisement, Republicans insist that verifying citizenship is fundamental to preserving democracy. The Senates next move will determine whether this legislation becomes lawor stalls in partisan gridlock. But one thing is clear: In an era of record illegal immigration and fraying public trust, the push for election integrity is only growing stronger.

For now, the SAVE Act stands as a testament to the GOPs commitment to ensuring that only American citizens shape the nations future at the ballot box. As Rep. Roy asserted, "This serves as a critical first step to ensure that we maintain election integrity throughout our country." Whether it becomes the law of the land depends on the resolve of those tasked with defending the republic.

Sources for this article include:

InfoWars.com

NYPost.com

NBCNews.com

FoxNews.com
Chemtrails unveiled: How the CIA and Big Business are manipulating the weather for profit

Peter Kirby reveals a long-running, secretive program involving aerial spraying of toxic materials (chemtrails), likening it to the WWII-era Manhattan Project. The CIA, private corporations and government agencies are key players, using coal fly ash (rich in harmful chemicals) for large-scale weather manipulation.

Aerial spraying dates back to the 1940s, documented in books like Clouds of Secrecy and In the Name of Science. The program evolved from military weather control projects (e.g., MKUltra) and uses electromagnetic energy, influenced by Nikola Teslas research.

The CIA suppresses public awareness through media manipulation (e.g., Operation Mockingbird) and corporate ties (e.g., Dresser Industries, Halliburton). Ex-CIA director John Brennan openly supported atmospheric spraying, confirming agency involvement.

Stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI) and particulate dispersal worsen wildfires (e.g., California), harm ecosystems and threaten human health. Particulates act as incendiaries, drying forests and increasing fire risks, while also contaminating soil and water.

Kirby demands a national ban on geoengineering and a grand jury investigation into involved entities (MIT, Raytheon, UN agencies). The program endangers food security, public health and the environment, requiring urgent public scrutiny and legal action.

In a groundbreaking interview on the "Back to the People" podcast, researcher and activist Peter Kirby has brought to light a decades-long covert operation involving the spraying of toxic materials into the atmosphere, known colloquially as "chemtrails." Kirby, the author of Chhttps://expose-news.com/2025/04/08/chemtrails-are-real-and-the-cia-are-the-key-players/emtrails Exposed: A New Manhattan Project, argues that this operation, akin to the original Manhattan Project, is a large-scale, secretive scientific endeavor with significant environmental and health implications. The key players, according to Kirby, include the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), private corporations and various government entities.

The science and history of chemtrail spraying

Chemtrail spraying, a form of geoengineering, has been a subject of controversy and skepticism for years. However, Kirby's research provides compelling evidence that these operations are real and have been ongoing since World War II. One of the primary substances being sprayed, according to Dr. J. Marvin Herndon, is coal fly asha by-product of coal-fired power plants. This material, rich in silica, aluminum oxide and calcium oxide, is abundant and readily available, making it a preferred choice for large-scale spraying.

The history of aerial spraying dates back to the 1940s, with documented instances in books like "Clouds of Secrecy" by Dr. Leonard Cole and "In the Name of Science" by Andrew Goliszek. Kirby emphasizes that these operations have been conducted without public consent or awareness, raising significant ethical and legal concerns.

The CIA and geoengineering: A history of secrecy and control

The CIA's involvement in geoengineering is a critical aspect of Kirby's research. He asserts that the CIA, through its control of corporate media and historical operations like Operation Mockingbird, has played a pivotal role in keeping the chemtrail program secret. Kirby points to former CIA head John Brennan's advocacy for spraying tens of thousands of tonnes of toxic materials annually as a clear indication of the agency's involvement.

The CIA's influence extends beyond media control. Kirby suggests that the agency has ties to companies like Dresser Industries, which produce electrostatic precipitators used in the spraying process. He also believes that the CIA operates in a supranational capacity, working with the United Nations (UN) and its various climate-related agencies to advance geoengineering agendas.

Weather modification techniques and their potential dangers

Geoengineering techniques, including stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI), are being sold to the public as a solution to climate change. However, Kirby warns that these programs are based on flawed science and pose significant risks to the environment and human health. The manipulation of weather patterns through the use of particulate matter and electromagnetic energy can lead to severe consequences, such as increased storm intensity and the creation of high-pressure zones that can trigger wildfires.

For example, Kirby explains that the combination of dry conditions, high winds and particulate matter can create a perfect storm for wildfires. The particulate matter, acting as an incendiary, can coat trees and other surfaces, making them more prone to ignition. This has been particularly evident in California, where forests are dying and wildfires are becoming more frequent and intense.

The military origins and evolution of weather control

The roots of geoengineering and weather modification can be traced back to military projects aimed at gaining strategic advantages. The U.S. government has a long history of experimenting with weather control, including programs like MKUltra, which explored the use of mind control techniques. The current geoengineering efforts are a continuation of these military initiatives, now cloaked in the guise of climate intervention.

Kirby highlights the ancient practice of weather control, from diverting rivers to causing landslides, and how modern technology has advanced these capabilities. The use of terms like "climate control" instead of "weather control" is seen as a way to downplay the potential dangers and reduce public scrutiny.

The need for a national ban on geoengineering and an official investigation

Kirby calls for a national ban on geoengineering to halt the spraying of toxic materials and hold those responsible accountable. He advocates for the establishment of a grand jury with subpoena power to investigate the private companies and government entities involved in these activities. Corporations like Dresser Industries, Halliburton and Raytheon, along with scientific institutions like MIT and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories, are among those Kirby believes should be scrutinized.

The environmental and health impacts of chemtrails are profound. Kirby's research shows that the spraying of toxic materials is destroying the marine layer, altering weather patterns and causing health problems. Farmers are reporting contaminated soil and water, leading to reduced crop growth and a threat to the world's food supply.

In conclusion, the chemtrail program, as exposed by Peter Kirby, represents a significant and urgent issue that demands public attention and action. The manipulation of the atmosphere for profit and control is a violation of public trust and a threat to the planet's well-being. As Kirby emphasizes, it is time for the public to demand answers and for those responsible to be held accountable. The future of our environment and health depends on it.

Sources include:

TheExpose.com

Amazon.com
Meta whistleblower exposes Zuckerbergs secret China dealings in betrayal of U.S. security

A former Meta executive testified that the company secretly aided Chinas AI and military advancement while censoring dissidents.

Meta provided China with AI briefings under "Project Aldrin," boosting Beijings military capabilities.

Mark Zuckerberg was accused of prioritizing profit over U.S. security, shifting allegiances for business gain.

Meta attempted to silence the whistleblower with legal threats and financial penalties.

The revelations raise concerns about Big Techs loyalty, prompting bipartisan calls for investigations and antitrust action.

In bombshell congressional testimony that could redefine Silicon Valleys fraught relationship with Beijing, former Meta executive Sarah Wynn-Williams accused the tech giant of systematically undermining U.S. national security to court favor with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

Under oath before the Senate Judiciary Committee on April 9, Wynn-Williamsonce Facebooks director of global policyrevealed how Mark Zuckerbergs company secretly briefed China on advanced AI technology, censored dissidents at Beijings request, and built an $18 billion business while misleading Congress and the American public. The revelations, met with bipartisan outrage, expose what critics call a glaring hypocrisy: Silicon Valley elites preaching American values while enriching adversaries.

Lying to Congress and the American public

We are engaged in a high-stakes AI arms race against China, Wynn-Williams declared in her opening statement. During my time at Meta, company executives lied about what they were doing with the Chinese Communist Party to employees, shareholders, Congress, and the American public.

Her testimony, corroborated by internal documents and her memoir Careless People, alleges Meta began providing CCP officials with strategic briefings on AI as early as 2015 under Project Aldrin, a covert initiative to enter Chinas market. These disclosures, she claimed, directly aided Beijings military AI ambitions, including its controversial DeepSeek model. Shockingly, Wynn-Williams said Meta even developed censorship tools for the CCP and deleted the account of exiled billionaire dissident Guo Wengui after pressure from Beijing. Meta denies the claims, insisting it removed Guos account for violating policies against sharing personal dataa justification met with skepticism by lawmakers.

Zuckerbergs shifting "costumes"

Wynn-Williams reserved her sharpest criticism for Zuckerberg, portraying him as a shape-shifting opportunist. This is a man who wears many different costumes, she testified. When I was there, he wanted the president of China to name his first child, he was learning Mandarin, he was censoring to his hearts content. Now his new costume is MMA fighting or free speech. We dont know what the next costume is gonna be, but it will be something different. Its whatever gets him closest to power.

The timing of her claims is explosive. As Zuckerberg and other tech CEOs now reportedly seek favor with President Trumps reelected administrationthrough Mar-a-Lago visits and donationsthe whistleblowers account suggests their loyalty lies not with America, but with profit. The greatest trick Mark Zuckerberg ever pulled, she said, was wrapping the American flag around himself while he spent the last decade building an $18 billion business [in China].

Silencing dissent, endangering security

Metas response to Wynn-Williams has only fueled accusations of authoritarianism. The company secured an emergency ruling to block her from promoting Careless People, invoking an eight-year-old separation agreement. Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) revealed Meta threatened her with $50,000 penalties for each public mention of the companyeven truthful testimony. Facebook is attempting her total and complete financial ruin, Hawley charged. Meta clarified the fines applied only to contract breaches, not congressional testimony, but the optics validated long-held conservative concerns about Big Techs suppression of dissent.

Democrats joined the condemnation. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) called Metas tactics the height of hypocrisy for a supposed free speech champion. Meanwhile, Wynn-Williams warned that Metas actions have tangible consequences: Theres a straight line you can draw from these briefings to the recent revelations that China is developing AI models for military use, relying on Metas Llama model.

A reckoning for Big Tech?

The scandal lands as the FTC prepares to force Meta to divest Instagram and WhatsApp in a landmark antitrust trial. Hawley pledged a full-scale investigation into whether Meta violated U.S. privacy laws and a 2012 FTC consent decree. The American people are going to be pretty outraged that Mark Zuckerberg sold out America to China, Blumenthal added.

For now, Wynn-Williams defiancedespite Metas legal threatshas struck a chord. Her book surged to Amazons Top 10, and her testimony echoes prior whistleblowers like Frances Haugen. Yet the stakes are higher than corporate accountability: with AI dominance critical to global power, Metas alleged collusion with China underscores a dire need to realign Silicon Valleys priorities with national security. If Congress fails to act, the consequences could haunt America for decades.

Sources for this article include:

DailyMail.co.uk

BBC.com

FoxBusiness.com

NYPost.com
Moon and Mars: Trumps NASA nominee pledges dual focus in Senate hearing

Jared Isaacman, NASA nominee, pledged to prioritize both the Artemis program (returning to the moon by 2024) and a future human mission to Mars, emphasizing the need to counter Chinas lunar ambitions by 2030.

Despite Artemis program delays and the over-budget SLS rocket, Isaacman supports the current plan as the fastest path forward but acknowledges the need for more cost-effective long-term solutions.

Isaacman has strong backing from commercial space companies, but his ties to SpaceXs Elon Musk raised concerns about conflicts of interest, which he sidestepped during questioning.

Unlike Musks call to deorbit the ISS by 2027, Isaacman supports extending operations until 2030 to maximize its scientific value in microgravity research.

The hearing underscored efforts to balance bold exploration goals with fiscal responsibility, ensuring U.S. space leadership amid global competition and private sector collaboration.

President Donald Trumps nominee to lead NASA, billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman, faced a Senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday, where he pledged to prioritize both a human mission to Mars and the ongoing Artemis program aimed at returning to the moon. The hearing, held by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, delved into the balance between these ambitious goals and the potential influence of SpaceX CEO Elon Musk on NASAs future direction.

A dual focus on moon and Mars

Isaacman, CEO of payment processing company Shift4 Payments and a private astronaut who has flown to space twice on SpaceX missions, emphasized that NASA can pursue both lunar and Martian objectives simultaneously. We will prioritize sending American astronauts to Mars, and along the way, we will inevitably have the capabilities to return to the moon, he stated in his opening remarks.

This dual focus is a strategic move to address the growing competition with China, which aims to send its own astronauts to the moon by 2030. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas), chairman of the committee, underscored the importance of maintaining American leadership in space. An extreme shift in priorities at this stage would almost certainly mean a red moon, ceding ground to China for generations to come, Cruz warned, displaying a poster illustrating the potential scenarios for 2030.

Balancing priorities and addressing concerns

Isaacmans testimony came amid concerns about the Artemis programs cost overruns and schedule delays. The Space Launch System (SLS), a key component of the Artemis program, has already exceeded 20 billion in development costs, with only one uncrewed test launch conducted in 2022. Analysts estimate the program could cost well over 40 billion if completed through planned missions.

Despite these challenges, Isaacman expressed his commitment to the current plan. This is the current plan. I do believe it is the best and fastest way to get there, he said, referring to the SLS and the Orion spacecraft. However, he also acknowledged the need for more efficient and cost-effective solutions in the long term. I dont think its the long-term way to get to and from the moon and Mars with great frequency, but this is the plan we have now.

Industry support and political scrutiny

Isaacmans nomination has received strong support from the space industry, with executives from 24 space companies and venture funds endorsing his appointment. Mr. Isaacmans remarkable success as a space entrepreneur uniquely positions him to foster collaboration between NASA and the burgeoning commercial space sector, the endorsement letter stated.

However, his ties to Elon Musk, who has been critical of NASAs traditional contracting model, raised questions about potential conflicts of interest. Isaacman was evasive when asked about Musks role in his nomination, stating, My meeting was with the President of the United States.

The role of the international space station

Another contentious issue discussed during the hearing was the future of the International Space Station (ISS). Elon Musk has called for the ISS to be deorbited in 2027, a position that angered some lawmakers. Isaacman, however, committed to continuing ISS operations until its current retirement date of 2030. I do not believe we should deorbit it now. I think we need to make the most use of the space station while we have it and figure out what we can accomplish in the unique environment of microgravity, he said.

Conclusion

Jared Isaacmans confirmation hearing highlighted the complex balance between ambitious space exploration goals and practical considerations of cost and efficiency. His commitment to both the Artemis program and a human mission to Mars, along with his support for the ISS, suggests a strategic approach to maintaining American leadership in space while fostering innovation and collaboration with the private sector. As the Senate deliberates his nomination, the future direction of NASA and the broader implications for U.S. space policy remain at the forefront of national and international discussions.

Sources include:

YourNews.com

SpaceNews.com

ReutersviaAOL.com
Over 30 pieces of evidence on how the climate scam is collapsing

The climate scam is imploding right now. Of course there are still plenty of remaining pockets of climate cultism, but the whole movement is crumbling.

(Article by Tom Nelson republished from ClimateDepot.com)

Its the most massive scientific fraud in human history, and it will take significant time to completely die, but make no mistake: It IS dying.

In no particular order, here are some updates on the climate scam implosion. Please keep scrolling.

We have come a *long* way since Nancy Pelosi and Newt Gingrich sat down to endorse Al Gores climate scam in 2008!

After discovering so many massive, high-profile COVID lies in recent years, large numbers of people are asking themselves What else are they lying about?, and the answer is just about everything.

Elites tried for the Great Reset but they got a Great Awakening.

Read more at: ClimateDepot.com
The media playbook for measles looks a lot like its COVID playbook  this time, kids are the pawns

There are moments in the history of a movement that test its resolve. For the medical freedom movement, this is one of those moments.

(Article by Mary Holland republished from ChildrenHealthDefense.org)

We are in the midst of another full-on attack by the pharmaceutical-industrial complex, aided and abetted by a beholden mainstream media united around its allegiance to a $69 billion vaccine industry.

Five years ago, we fought back as our government, Big Media and Big Pharma orchestrated and executed a COVID-19 fear campaign  a campaign built on lies, deception and censorship  and then parlayed the publics fear into dangerous and deadly medical mandates and hospital protocols that continue to cause profound harm.

The upside to COVID-19 global disaster?

It opened the eyes of millions more people to the dangers of shoddily tested vaccines, regulatory agency hubris and one-size-fits-all medicine.

As our movement has grown exponentially, so has our threat to Big Pharma.

In response, were seeing the same tactics rolled out again. This time, its measles. This time, children are the pawns in pharmas playbook.

Childrens Health Defense (CHD) stood strong and stayed true to our mission during COVID. Were standing just as strong now. We remain just as committed now to the truth, informed consent and medical freedom as we were during the pandemic.

As pharma ramps up its measles playbook, our No. 1 job is to dismantle the vaccine industrys lies  broadcast far and wide through the industrys most reliable and faithful megaphone: mainstream media.

The media would have you believe that measles is a deadly disease. But any suggestion that MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccines are safer than measles infection isnt supported by facts.

In fact, between 2000 and 2024, nine measles-related deaths were reported to the CDC. During the same period, 141 deaths following MMR or MMRV vaccination were reported in the U.S. to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS)  suggesting the MMR vaccine can be deadlier than measles.

The media echo the same familiar refrain: The MMR vaccine is overwhelmingly safe.

In fact, the MMR vaccine is associated with serious health risks. The package insert for Mercks MMRII says, M-M-R II vaccine has not been evaluated for carcinogenic or mutagenic potential or impairment of fertility.

Research also shows the MMR vaccine causes febrile seizures, anaphylaxis, meningitis, encephalitis, thrombocytopenia, arthralgia and vasculitis. In 2004, researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that boys vaccinated with their first MMR vaccine on time were 67% more likely to be diagnosed with autism compared to boys who got their first vaccine after their 3rd birthday.

The media insist theres no viable treatment for measles  hence prevention, with the MMR vaccine, is the sole solution.

In fact, as CHD reported, doctors in West Texas are successfully treating measles with budesonide and vitamin A. Even the World Health Organization recommends vitamin A.

Yet some hospitals and doctors are refusing to treat measles patients with budesonide. Texas health officials rejected pleas by a treating physician to endorse the treatment and get the word out to hospitals about its effectiveness.

Sound familiar?

We saw this identical playbook with COVID. Media parroted public health officials claim that the vaccine alone would save us  while discouraging, ridiculing and even outright sanctioning the use of ivermectin, hydroxychloroquine, budesonide and other treatments known to reduce COVID severity and death.

Last month, a 6-year-old child in West Texas died after developing pneumonia while recovering from measles. Media seized the opportunity to disparage the parents, members of a Mennonite community, for not vaccinating their child.

As our science and CHD.TV teams uncovered  after enlisting experts to review the childs medical records  the little girl died not from measles, as media claimed, but from a tragic medical error.

In fact, the hospital properly diagnosed the little girls pneumonia  a community-acquired pneumonia that, when treated properly is not life-threatening. Unfortunately, the doctors failed to use the standard antibiotic indicated for treating her pneumonia until it was too late.

Even after CHD exposed the accurate cause of death, The New York Times reported the 6-year-old died from measles  and accused us of making unfounded claims about the death.

Last week, a second child in West Texas died. The media and Texas health officials reported the death as measles pulmonary failure. CHD is working with the childs parents to analyze her medical records. We will report, accurately, on what we find.

The media have accused CHD and the health freedom movement  or anti-vaxxers as reporters love to call us  of weaponizing the tragic death of the 6-year-old who died because of a medical error. (We should point out that death by medical error is not uncommon in the U.S. Its estimated that at least 250,000 people die every year as a result of the wrong diagnosis or treatment, making it the third-leading cause of death).

The death of any child, for any reason, is heartbreaking. But in this case, who are the real weaponizers?

If media are genuinely concerned about childrens lives, where are the reports on childrens injuries and deaths from COVID-19 vaccines? From MMR vaccines? From the other 14 shots on the CDC-recommended schedule?

Last month, CHD reported on the senseless death of a 1-year-old roughly 12 hours after the childs pediatrician insisted on administering six shots of 12 vaccines at once.

Where were the headlines deploring this childs death, denouncing the childs pediatrician? Where were the reports on the known dangers of catching up babies and children on vaccines?

As the media remain radio silent on the carnage inflicted on innocent children by a powerful, greedy industry and its minions in Congress, CHD is honoring the legacy of these children by reporting the facts, telling the truth and insisting on the rights of parents to make independent, informed medical decisions.

This latest round of attacks on the health freedom movement is a measure of pharmas fear. We are winning. Pharma knows it.

We have no intention of backing down from the facts: Vaccines cause serious injuries, including death. As Big Pharma and Big Media wage a renewed battle for the hearts and minds of parents, we must strengthen our resolve, we must stay true to our mission.

Our children deserve nothing less.

Read more at: ChildrenHealthDefense.org
Trump Admin freezes $1 Billion from Cornell, $790 Million from Northwestern amid antisemitism probes

Federal funding to Cornell and Northwestern Universities is now frozen due to Title VI investigations into alleged antisemitic discrimination.

Cornell professor who praised Hamas attack allowed back into classroom, sparking outrage.

Northwestern and Cornell defend research contributions while facing federal scrutiny for promoting antisemitism.

In trying to protect Jewish students from "hate," federal authorities are crossing free speech boundaries.

The Trump administration has taken unprecedented action against elite universities allegedly fostering antisemitic environments, freezing 1 billion from Cornell University and 790 million from Northwestern University in federal grants and contracts. This crackdown follows Title VI civil rights investigations into the schools handling of Jew-hatred on campuses, particularly after pro-Hamas protests and rhetoric erupted following the October 7, 2023, terror attacks on Israel.

The move underscores a broader national battle over free speech, academic freedom, and taxpayer-funded institutions enabling extremism. With universities like Cornell defending professors who celebrate terrorism  while simultaneously receiving millions in taxpayer money  the question remains: Should the government be bankrolling institutions that fail to protect Jewish students? Should the federal government be dictated safe spaces on college campuses in the first place?

Cornell protects a professor who glorified Hamas

Cornell faced national outrage after radical history professor Russell Rickford called Hamas massacre of Israelis "exhilarating" and "energizing"  statements he later half-heartedly apologized for. Yet, despite widespread condemnation, Cornell refused to fire him, citing "academic freedom" and allowing him to return to teaching this semester. The universitys leadership insisted his comments, though "reprehensible," were made as a private citizen, not in the classroom.

Meanwhile, Jewish students feel the university has abandoned them while continuing to cash in on federal research grants. Junior Amanda Silberstein, vice president of Cornellians for Israel, called the decision "ridiculous," warning it would embolden other professors to promote extremism.

Is research in jeopardy?

Cornell and Northwestern officials claim the funding freeze hampers life-saving research, including defense, cybersecurity, and medical studies. But critics argue this is a smokescreen to deflect from their failure to protect Jewish students from discrimination. Northwestern, for example, stated its researchers developed the "worlds smallest pacemaker"  implying the freeze will hurt medical advancements. But should government money keep flowing to institutions that allow open hostility toward Jewish students? Should the federal government be involved in policing speech at all and funding these research programs?

This funding freeze isnt isolated. Columbia, Princeton, and Brown have also lost hundreds of millions for similar violations, signaling the Trump administration's hardline stance. The administration is leveraging Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which bars federal funding to institutions that tolerate discrimination  including religious-based bigotry.

The future college experience looks to include government imposed censorship

Some warn withholding funds sets a dangerous precedent, potentially chilling political speech on campuses. Others argue universities have weaponized "free speech" to shield antisemitism under the guise of activism. The controversy also raises ethical questions:

Should professors promoting violence maintain academic immunity?

Does federal funding come with an expectation of moral accountability?

Will this trigger deeper scrutiny of DEI programs that fuel campus tensions?

Will the colleges push for more free speech, in light of Israeli policies becoming genocidal toward Palestinians?

The freeze on federal funding for Cornell and Northwestern underscores the tense balance between protecting free speech and curbing hate speech on campuses. While universities argue that their academic freedom is under threat, the reality is that taxpayer dollars should not subsidize institutions that fail to protect students from discrimination. However, government intervention risks setting a dangerous precedent, allowing political bias to dictate which speech is permitted  potentially chilling legitimate debate. The solution is not blanket censorship but holding universities accountable when they enable hostility under the guise of activism. Academic freedom must not be a shield for hate, nor should federal funding serve as a tool to impose ideological conformity. Ultimately, universities must uphold both liberty and safety  without relying on government overreach or sacrificing intellectual diversity. The path forward demands nuanced policies, not reactionary financial penalties that may stifle legitimate discourse alongside extremism.

Sources include:

NYPost.com

Statements.Cornell.edu

NYPost.com
As trade war with China heats up, Trump hints that the US could use the most powerful weapons in the world

As the trade war with China heats up, US President Donald Trump hints that the US could use "the most powerful weapons in the world" - alluding that the US has leverage that hasn't previously been brought to the negotiating table. Since taking office, the Trump Administration has been trying to acquire sources of rare earth elements. From Ukraine to Greenland, the Trump Administration could gain access to robust rare earth production, cutting into China's market, which they currently dominate.

China dominates 80% of global rare earth production, giving it leverage in trade disputes and national security threats.

President Trumps strategic shift reduces U.S. reliance on Chinese rare earth elements, crucial for tech and military industries.

Historical parallels show resource control has decided warscould rare earths be the next battlefield? -

Or is Trump hinting at more sinister approaches to winning the tariff war?

Chinas rare earth monopoly: A weaponized supply chain

For decades, America has slept soundly under the illusion of global trade harmony while China quietly monopolized the worlds most critical resources: rare earth elements. These unsung heroes power everything from military missiles to iPhones, yet Washington has allowed Beijing to control the supply chainuntil now. Behind the scenes, President Trump has been executing a long-term decoupling strategy, rerouting U.S. dependence away from China to allies and even domestic sources. But is this too little, too late? Or is America finally waking up to a silent economic war thats been raging for years?

China didnt just stumble into dominanceit was a calculated conquest. By flooding the market with artificially cheap exports in the 1990s, Beijing drove competitors out of business, then seized control of 93% of global rare earth production by 2010. Today, despite minor diversification efforts, China still processes nearly 80% of these critical minerals. The U.S. defense industry relies on Chinese rare earths for advanced weaponry, including hypersonic missiles, stealth jets, and AI-driven warfare systems. Why does this matter? Because in 2010, when Japan detained a Chinese fishing captain near disputed islands, Beijing cut off rare earth exports overnight, sending Tokyo scrambling. The message was clear: control the resources, and you control the world.

Trumps counterattack: Domestic mining and covert ops

Trumps solution is twofold: ramp up domestic extraction and forge alliances with alternative suppliers. In 2020, he signed an executive order declaring a national emergency over U.S. reliance on foreign rare earths. Behind closed doors, intelligence agencies allegedly sabotaged Chinese mining operations in Africa while funding startups like MP MaterialsAmericas only major rare earth mine. Some reports suggest clandestine deals with Australia and Vietnam to counter Chinas grip. But skeptics warn this is a desperate gambitthe U.S. lacks the refining infrastructure, and China could cripple American tech overnight by tightening exports.

When Trump boasted of "weapons nobody knows about," was he referring to hypersonic arms reliant on rare earths? Pentagon insiders suggest America has been stockpiling tungsten and neodymiumkey components in directed-energy weapons and electromagnetic railguns. Chinas recent export curbs on gallium and germanium (crucial for semiconductor chips) signal it wont hesitate to weaponize supply chains if the trade war escalates. If the U.S. loses access, next-gen fighter jets, Patriot missiles, and quantum computers could grind to a halt. Yet few in Washington seem alarmedwhy?

In 1956, when Egypts Nasser nationalized the Suez Canal, Britain and France went to warnot just for territory, but for control of a strategic chokepoint. Today, rare earths are the Suez Canal of the 21st century, and China holds the keys. If Trumps efforts fail, America may face a technological dark age, forced to kneel before Beijings raw material supremacy. Or will a black ops breakthrough, unseen since the Manhattan Project, tip the scales?

Sources include:

RT.com

PMNewsNigeria.com

Time.com
Trump signs executive orders to revitalize coal industry, boosting energy security

President Donald Trump signed executive orders to bolster the coal industry, including a two-year exemption from strict EPA regulations (MATS) for certain coal plants, aiming to prevent premature closures and stabilize energy production.

The administration argues coal plants are vital for national security and grid reliability, providing 16% of U.S. electricity. Closures could risk shortages and increased foreign energy dependence.

Trumps policies prioritize economic growth in coal-dependent regions (e.g., West Virginia, Kentucky) while maintaining air/water standards. Past actions include repealing the Clean Power Plan and enacting the Affordable Clean Energy rule.

Opponents, including the NRDC and Democratic governors, warn of increased pollution and climate harm, calling the orders "reckless" and vowing to resist them with state-level clean energy policies.

The orders signal a pro-coal shift, but long-term success depends on balancing industrial revival with market trends favoring cleaner energy (natural gas, renewables). The debate over U.S. energy policy continues.

On Tuesday, April 8, President Donald Trump signed a series of executive orders aimed at revitalizing the coal industry, a move that he claims will enhance national security and economic stability. The orders, which include a two-year exemption from stringent environmental regulations for certain coal-fired power plants, are part of Trump's broader strategy to reverse the decline of coal and reassert America's energy dominance.

A strategic move to secure energy independence

President Trump's executive actions are designed to address what he perceives as an overreach by environmental advocates and the previous administration, which he argues has jeopardized America's energy reliability and national security. The centerpiece of these actions is a proclamation that grants a two-year reprieve from the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) for certain coal plants. This move is intended to prevent the premature closure of these plants, which are crucial for maintaining the stability of the national electrical grid.

Key points of the proclamation:

Relief from MATS: Coal plants will be allowed to comply with a less stringent version of the MATS rule for two years, providing them with the necessary time to either upgrade their facilities or develop viable alternative technologies.

Coal plants will be allowed to comply with a less stringent version of the MATS rule for two years, providing them with the necessary time to either upgrade their facilities or develop viable alternative technologies. Grid stability: The administration emphasizes that coal plants are essential for grid reliability, contributing about 16% of the nation's electricity generation. The closure of these plants could lead to electricity shortages and increased reliance on foreign energy sources, posing a significant risk to national security.

Balancing environmental standards with economic growth

President Trump has consistently advocated for a pragmatic approach to environmental policy, one that supports economic growth while maintaining high standards for air and water quality. This philosophy is reflected in his previous actions, such as the repeal of the Obama-era Clean Power Plan and the implementation of the Affordable Clean Energy rule in 2019. These measures were designed to preserve jobs and support the coal industry while addressing emissions in a feasible manner.

Historical Context:

Decline of coal: The coal industry has been in decline for decades, with its share of U.S. electricity production dropping from about 50% in the early 2000s to around 16% in 2023. This decline is largely due to the rise of cheaper and cleaner alternatives, such as natural gas and renewable energy sources.

The coal industry has been in decline for decades, with its share of U.S. electricity production dropping from about 50% in the early 2000s to around 16% in 2023. This decline is largely due to the rise of cheaper and cleaner alternatives, such as natural gas and renewable energy sources. Economic impact: The closure of coal plants has led to job losses in coal-mining communities, particularly in states like West Virginia, Kentucky and Wyoming. Trump's actions are seen as an attempt to mitigate these economic impacts and support the livelihoods of coal miners and their families.

Challenges and criticisms

Despite the administration's optimistic outlook, the move to revitalize the coal industry faces significant challenges and criticism from environmental groups and some state governments. Critics argue that the continued use of coal is detrimental to public health and the environment, contributing to air pollution and climate change.

Reactions:

Environmental groups: Organizations like the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and the Center for Biological Diversity have condemned the executive orders, warning that they will lead to increased pollution and health risks. Kit Kennedy, managing director for power at the NRDC, stated, "What's next, a mandate that Americans must commute by horse and buggy? Trump's coal orders take his worship of dirty fossil fuels to a gross and disturbingly reckless new level."

Organizations like the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and the Center for Biological Diversity have condemned the executive orders, warning that they will lead to increased pollution and health risks. Kit Kennedy, managing director for power at the NRDC, stated, "What's next, a mandate that Americans must commute by horse and buggy? Trump's coal orders take his worship of dirty fossil fuels to a gross and disturbingly reckless new level." State governments: Democratic governors, such as New York's Kathy Hochul and New Mexico's Michelle Lujan Grisham, have criticized the orders as an illegal attempt to usurp states' rights to act on climate change. They vow to continue advancing clean energy policies and protecting the environment.

Conclusion: A path forward for American energy

President Trump's executive orders represent a significant shift in U.S. energy policy, prioritizing the coal industry and domestic energy production. While the administration argues that these actions are necessary to ensure energy security and economic stability, they also highlight the ongoing tension between environmental concerns and industrial interests. As the nation navigates this complex landscape, the success of Trump's strategy will depend on its ability to balance these competing priorities and adapt to the evolving energy market.

The coming months will be crucial in determining the impact of these executive orders on the coal industry and the broader energy sector. Whether the measures will lead to a sustainable resurgence of coal or merely delay the inevitable transition to cleaner energy sources remains to be seen. However, one thing is clear: the debate over America's energy future is far from over.

Sources include:

TheNationalPulse.com

WhiteHouse.gov

CBSNews.com

APNews.com
Mysterious underwater pyramid off Japan could rewrite ancient history

Peter Kirby reveals a long-running, secretive program involving aerial spraying of toxic materials (chemtrails), likening it to the WWII-era Manhattan Project. The CIA, private corporations and government agencies are key players, using coal fly ash (rich in harmful chemicals) for large-scale weather manipulation.

Aerial spraying dates back to the 1940s, documented in books like Clouds of Secrecy and In the Name of Science. The program evolved from military weather control projects (e.g., MKUltra) and uses electromagnetic energy, influenced by Nikola Teslas research.

The CIA suppresses public awareness through media manipulation (e.g., Operation Mockingbird) and corporate ties (e.g., Dresser Industries, Halliburton). Ex-CIA director John Brennan openly supported atmospheric spraying, confirming agency involvement.

Stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI) and particulate dispersal worsen wildfires (e.g., California), harm ecosystems and threaten human health. Particulates act as incendiaries, drying forests and increasing fire risks, while also contaminating soil and water.

Kirby demands a national ban on geoengineering and a grand jury investigation into involved entities (MIT, Raytheon, UN agencies). The program endangers food security, public health and the environment, requiring urgent public scrutiny and legal action.

A submerged stone structure off the coast of Japan, known as the Yonaguni Monument, has reignited debates about the origins of ancient civilizations. Discovered in 1986 by local diver Kihachiro Aratake, the 90-foot-tall formation, with its sharp-angled steps and flat terraces, has puzzled researchers for decades. If confirmed as man-made, this underwater "pyramid" could predate the Egyptian pyramids and Stonehenge by thousands of years, potentially rewriting the history of human engineering and architecture.

Discovery and initial reactions

The Yonaguni Monument, located 82 feet below sea level near the Ryukyu Islands, was initially dismissed as a natural formation. However, its striking resemblance to a man-made structure has led to intense scrutiny and debate. Photojournalist Ken Shindo, who works for the influential Kyodo-Tsushin News Agency, has been a vocal proponent of the monument's artificial origin. Shindo, who has spent years documenting the site, is convinced of its man-made nature. "Some people say it's a freak of nature, but they haven't spent time on it like I have. I'm absolutely certain it's man-made," Shindo stated.

Scientific investigations and controversies

Professor Masaaki Kimura, a marine seismologist at the University of Ryukyus, has been studying the Yonaguni Monument since 1994. His extensive research, including surveys, sampling and measurements, suggests that the structure was hewn out of solid bedrock when the site was above water. Kimura's findings indicate that the monument could be over 10,000 years old, placing its construction during the last Ice Age. "If sea-level rise were the only factor to take into account, then provisional calculations would indicate a date of inundation of around 10,000 years ago," Kimura explained.

However, not all experts agree. Dr. Robert Schoch of Boston University, a geologist, argues that the monument is a natural formation. "When viewing photographs of the Yonaguni Monument, many people immediately have the impression, due to the regularity of the stone faces of the steps and the sharp angles made by the rock, that this is an artificial structure," Schoch admitted. "However, by no means do I feel that this is an absolutely closed case."

The debate on the Joe Rogan experience

The debate over the Yonaguni Monument gained widespread attention after a heated discussion on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast. Author Graham Hancock, known for his research on lost civilizations, and archaeologist Flint Dibble presented opposing views. Hancock, who believes the monument is man-made, pointed to photographs showing what he described as human-made arches, megaliths, steps, terraces and a carved rock "face." "To me, Flint, its stunning that you see it as a totally natural thing, but I guess weve just got very different eyes," Hancock said.

Dibble, on the other hand, remained skeptical. "Ive seen a lot of crazy natural stuff and I see nothing here that to me reminds me of human architecture," he countered. The exchange highlighted the ongoing controversy and the need for further scientific investigation.

Implications for ancient history

If the Yonaguni Monument is indeed man-made, it would challenge the current understanding of ancient human capabilities. The conventional wisdom holds that the ability to construct large, complex structures evolved alongside the development of agriculture around 12,000 years ago. However, the Yonaguni Monument, if confirmed as artificial, would suggest that advanced engineering skills existed much earlier.

This discovery could also provide insights into the lost civilizations that may have thrived during the last Ice Age. The monument's potential age aligns with other ancient structures, such as Gobekli Tepe in Turkey, which dates back to around 9500 BC, and Gunung Padang in Indonesia, believed to be over 16,000 years old. These findings collectively challenge the notion that early human societies were primitive and incapable of sophisticated construction.

Conclusion

The Yonaguni Monument remains a tantalizing enigma, with its origins still hotly debated. Whether it is a natural formation or a man-made structure, the monument continues to captivate researchers and the public alike. If proven to be artificial, it could rewrite the history of ancient civilizations and offer a glimpse into a lost world of advanced engineering and architecture. As the debate continues, the Yonaguni Monument stands as a testament to the enduring mysteries of our past, inviting further exploration and discovery.

Sources include:

DailyMail.com

NewYorkPost.com

Express.co.uk
Zelensky claims Ukraine seized Chinese fighters for Russia as conflict risks widening

Ukraine claims to have captured Chinese nationals fighting for Russia, but evidence remains unverified.

Zelenskys accusations ignore Ukraines own reliance on foreign fighters, exposing hypocrisy.

China denies involvement, suggesting the men may be volunteers like those in Ukraines forces.

The timing raises suspicion of a distraction from Ukraines military setbacks and weapons shortages.

False or exaggerated claims risk escalating tensions amid growing international involvement in the war.

The Ukrainian governments announcement that it captured two Chinese nationals allegedly fighting for Russia has ignited fresh geopolitical tensions  but the details remain murky, and the motives behind the revelation raise serious questions.

Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky declared Tuesday that forces in the Donetsk region seized the individuals, presenting bank cards and identification as supposed proof. Yet the timing of these claims, combined with Kyivs own reliance on foreign fighters and lack of independent verification, suggests this may be less about exposing the truth and more about manufacturing global outrage.

Double standards in foreign fighters

Zelensky demanded that China explain the alleged presence of its citizens in Russian ranks, calling the situation a sign that Moscow seeks to "continue fighting." Yet this moral grandstanding ignores a glaring contradiction: Ukraine openly operates its own International Legion, recruiting mercenaries from abroad, including former U.S. military personnel. If foreign combatants are a war crime when fighting for Russia, why does Kyiv get a pass? Western media rarely scrutinize this hypocrisy.

China, for its part, swiftly denied state involvement. Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian stated Beijing "has consistently urged its citizens to stay away from conflict zones" and is now verifying the claims. Some Western officials privately admit they see no evidence of state sponsorship in the captured men, implying they may be volunteers  much like those in Ukraines foreign brigades. But unlike the uncritical amplification of Ukrainian claims, skepticism is routinely applied to Russian or Chinese statements.

A convenient distraction?

The announcement follows reporting that North Korean troops are actively deployed alongside Russian forces, while South Korea considers sending its own personnel in response  further internationalizing the conflict. Meanwhile, the New York Times confirmed in March that U.S. troops are covertly operating in Ukraine, a fact alternative media like InfoWars reported years earlier. Why does Zelensky spotlight two alleged Chinese fighters while downplaying Americas deeper involvement?

Critics argue this could be a calculated move to pressure Beijing amid worsening U.S.-China relations. By framing China as complicit, Kyiv may be laying groundwork for stronger Western sanctions  a tactic previously used to justify escalating arms shipments. But with Ukraines military struggling against Russian advances and morale collapsing among its own troops, the narrative also distracts from Zelenskys domestic failures, including reports of weapons shortages and mass surrenders.

The broader stakes: A world war in the making?

The bigger concern is whether such claims are pushing the conflict toward a perilous tipping point. With NATO members indirectly engaged, North Korean boots on the ground, and now accusations against China, the risk of a wider war grows. Yet Western medias reflexive parroting of Ukrainian assertions  without the skepticism reserved for adversaries  only fans the flames.

Zelenskys demand for a global "response" plays into a troubling pattern: labeling dissent as treason, cracking down on political opposition, and silencing journalists. If these Chinese nationals are merely individuals and not government proxies, their capture is a propaganda win for Kyiv but a reckless gambit geopolitically. Meanwhile, the Guardian notes Ukraine itself broadcasts footage of bound prisoners, violating Geneva Convention protections against "public curiosity."

Whos really escalating the war?

Until independent investigators verify Ukraines claims, this incident reeks of opportunism. By inflaming tensions with China while ignoring its own foreign fighters, Zelensky risks turning a regional war into a global crisis. The mainstream medias complicity in amplifying unvetted claims only deepens the danger. In a conflict already marred by disinformation, the world cannot afford to take Kyivs word at face value  especially when the stakes are this high. The real story isnt two alleged mercenaries; its how easily truth becomes collateral damage in wartime.

Sources for this article include:

InfoWars.com

CNN.com

TheGuardian.com
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Tulane University researchers have developed a first-of-its-kind handheld diagnostic device that can deliver rapid, accurate tuberculosis diagnoses in under an hour, according to a study published in Science Translational Medicine.

The smartphone-sized, battery-powered lab-in-tube assay (LIT) provides a cost-effective tool that can improve TB diagnoses, particularly in resource-limited rural areas where health care facilities and lab equipment are less accessible. Over 90% of new TB cases occur in low- and middle-income countries.

This point-of-care device is the first to detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) DNA in saliva, in addition to blood and sputum samples. Saliva is easier to obtain than blood or sputum, and the ability to non-invasively obtain samples that yield accurate results is critical for successfully testing children. More than 1 million children fall ill with TB each year and more than half go undiagnosed or unreported, according to the World Health Organization.

Tuberculosis is the world's deadliest infectious disease, infecting an estimated 10 million people a year. The current resurgence of TB cases, exacerbated by recent disruptions in healthcare services, underscores the urgent need for effective, accessible diagnostic tools.

TB remains a critical public health concern in low-income countries and diagnosis using a cheap, simple test like we've developed is needed not only to treat patients with TB but prevent further spread of the disease. An estimated 4.2 million TB cases were undiagnosed or unreported in 2021, largely due to limitations and costs of testing in areas with high disease burden." Tony Hu, PhD, Senior Author, Weatherhead Presidential Chair in Biotechnology Innovation and Director of the Tulane Center for Cellular & Molecular Diagnostics

Current testing devices are larger, expensive and require either extensive on-site technology or shipment of samples to a laboratory elsewhere. The LIT test is designed to offer a low-cost TB testing solution, with each device costing less than $800 and less than $3 per test. In comparison, another commonly used TB testing device costs at minimum $19,000 and the cost per test is around $100 in certain countries.

In the study, the LIT device demonstrated high accuracy in testing blood samples from children in the Dominican Republic, outperforming the more expensive machine  81% sensitivity compared to 68%  and meeting the WHO criteria for TB diagnostics. Blood serum-based testing  testing that utilizes the liquid part of drawn blood after coagulation  is particularly important in children and patients living with HIV who often cannot produce sputum. The LIT assay results suggest that blood samples could be used to monitor TB treatment progress, as they closely align with the improvement in patient symptoms.

"This system reduces the expertise and equipment required for TB diagnosis which is essential for point-of-care application," said lead author, Brady Youngquist, a graduate student in the Tulane University Center for Cellular and Molecular Diagnostics. "Saliva-based testing for TB is particularly exciting because it can be easily obtained in all patients and can be used for portable testing without the need for blood draw. And sputum is often not produced in children and patients living with HIV, a common co-infection."
First, some good news: In late 2023 and early 2024, significantly fewer U.S. physicians reported symptoms of job burnout than they did a few years earlier.

The not-so-good news: Their burnout rates remain stubbornly high compared with those of other American workers.

It's concerning because we know from studies published by our research team at Stanford and elsewhere that objective turnover increases and that physicians are more likely to reduce their clinical work hours when burnout is higher. And it comes at a time when we're already projected to be facing large workforce shortages in medicine, including problems with access to care." Tait Shanafelt, MD, chief wellness officer at Stanford Medicine

Shanafelt is the lead author of a study about physician burnout published April 9 in Mayo Clinical Proceedings.

It's the latest in a series of studies that have provided a snapshot of physician burnout, depression and work-life integration in the United States every three years since 2011. For comparison, researchers evaluate a sample of other American workers at the same intervals.

The studies are not only vital to understanding trends in physician well-being relative to the U.S. workforce but also to gauging the impact on the health care delivery system: On top of its workforce implications, evidence suggests that physician burnout worsens the quality of patient care, increases the risk of medical errors and decreases patient satisfaction.

The Association of American Medical Colleges predicts the United States will face a deficit of 86,000 physicians by 2036. Mitigating the effects of occupational stress in medicine has become a national priority, with the American Medical Association, National Academy of Medicine and the U.S. surgeon general all undertaking efforts to address its underlying causes.

Shanafelt, a professor of hematology and the Jeanie and Stew Ritchie Professor, initiated the series, the first of which was published in 2011. He and his colleagues also published the findings of an off-cycle survey in 2021 - at the height of the pandemic - showing the highest prevalence of burnout and lowest satisfaction with work-life integration in the series' history. (That particular study did not compare the burnout rates with those of other American workers.)

Since then, job satisfaction among doctors appears to be improving. In the most recent study, 45.2% of respondents reported at least one symptom of burnout compared with 62.8% in 2021, 38.2% in 2020, 43.9% in 2017, 54.4% in 2014 and 45.5% in 2011.

To conduct the study, surveys were sent to physicians between Oct. 19, 2023, and Feb. 26, 2024. Of 9,5079 doctors invited to participate in the survey, 7,643 responded. The ages and genders of the respondents were roughly proportional to those of physicians nationwide.

The physicians were scored on emotional exhaustion and depersonalization - the sense of being detached from work and unfeeling toward patients, respectively - using scales of the Maslach Burnout Inventory, a scientifically developed measure of burnout. The researchers calculated the percentage of respondents manifesting burnout based on a high score in the in one or the other category, or in both.

Women at greater risk

Of the respondents, 58.6% identified as men and 39.6% identified as women, a gender breakdown that approximately mirrors the profession nationally. Burnout rates differed between sexes, with female physicians at risk by about 27% more than male physicians after adjusting for age, specialty and other factors, the study found. Also, doctors in several specialties, including emergency medicine and general internal medicine, were at heightened risk for burnout. This is particularly concerning, Shanafelt said, given that these specialties are often patients' first point of contact with a health care system.

The investigators used a probability-based sample of nonphysician workers from the general population to compare with a sample of the physician respondents. After adjusting for age, gender, relationship status and work hours, physicians were 82.3% more likely to be experiencing burnout than U.S. workers in other occupations.

"Many physicians still love what they do, but they just can't keep doing it at this pace in the current practice environment, with its administrative burdens and regulatory burdens, and the proliferation of asynchronous messaging with patients through the electronic health record," Shanafelt said, referring to patients' online correspondence with a doctor. "So physicians are, in essence, just saying, 'I can't keep working this way.'"

Lotte Dyrbye, MD, chief well-being officer at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, is the study's senior author. Researchers from the Mayo Clinic and American Medical Association also contributed to the study.

The study was funded by the Stanford Medicine WellMD and WellPhD Center, the American Medical Association, and the Mayo Clinic Program on Physician Well-Being.
A Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) researcher is developing a new class of medical adhesives by bringing together hydrogels and glue-like polymers to safely and reliably connect human tissues to therapeutic devices implanted in the body, such as pacemakers, insulin pumps, and artificial joints.

Jiawei Yang, an assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering who is affiliated with the Department of Biomedical Engineering, has received a prestigious $644,659 CAREER Award from the National Science Foundation to create bioadhesives that can provide strong, stable adhesion and comply with the mechanical demands on biological tissues.

Medical devices and human beings are made of very different materials. Medical devices are mostly made of hard materials, such as metal or plastic. Human tissue is generally soft and wet. There is a critical need for better adhesives that are soft and wet, like human tissues, to knit together tissues and devices. Better adhesives can work better with the body and would significantly improve healthcare and quality of life for patients." Jiawei Yang, Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Yang will develop bioadhesives with two layers-a transparent solid hydrogel layer and a clear liquid adhesive layer. Yang will develop a modular system of hydrogels that are tailored to the mechanical properties of target tissues and polymers that can merge with human tissues. Together, the hydrogel-polymer bioadhesives will provide fast, strong, stable, and deep adhesion in the body.

As part of his five-year project, Yang will collaborate with Dr. Steffen Pabel at Massachusetts General Hospital to develop a hydrogel heart patch loaded with medications to treat atrial fibrillation, a type of irregular heartbeat. He also will create education and research programs about hydrogels for children and college students. PhD student Jiatai Sun will work on the project with Yang.

"There are many potential applications for new bioadhesives," Yang said. "They might be used to pair with electrodes that are implanted in the body to treat Parkinson's disease or manage and treat heart failure. They also could be combined with therapeutic agents to heal damaged cartilage or generate healthy new tissues."

Hydrogels are materials composed of water and networks of polymers, which are very large molecules. Wound dressings, contact lenses, and absorbent materials in diapers are all examples of hydrogels.

Hydrogel bioadhesives have been mostly used in emergency medicine to temporarily patch injuries, close wounds, and seal tissues. Yet they are less suited to long-term use in the body, specifically in implantation, because they cannot provide strong and stable adhesion while matching the mechanical properties of target tissues in the body, Yang said.

"Mechanical properties of human tissues vary significantly. Brain tissue is extremely soft and needs an extremely soft hydrogel, while a hydrogel used with cartilage needs to be stiff enough to flex and bear weight," Yang said. "One size does not fit all when it comes to bioadhesives."

CAREER Awards support early-career researchers at colleges and universities as they launch their professional activities and lay the groundwork for future research. Yang joined the WPI faculty in 2024 after earning his PhD at Harvard University and working as a research fellow at Boston Children's Hospital and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a serious issue affecting thousands of people in the U.S. every year. For military service members, the impact is even more profound. Since 2000, over 492,000 cases of TBI have been reported, making it one of the defining injuries of modern warfare, according to the U.S. Department of Defense. Many veterans have experienced multiple TBIs, raising concerns about long-term effects on brain health. Given the subjective and nonspecific nature of symptom presentation, treatment and prognosis can be difficult.

Researchers from UTSA, the South Texas Veterans Health Care System and UT Health San Antonio are combatting this challenge thanks to a grant from the San Antonio Medical Foundation.

Jeffrey Howard, associate professor of public health at UTSA, Alicia Swan, director of rehabilitation research at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and Sara Mithani, assistant professor at the UT Health San Antonio School of Nursing, will receive a $200,000 grant to provide insights that could revolutionize the treatment of TBI in veterans.

Using medical records, clinical assessments, surveys and other resources, the team plans to identify sub-types of TBI in veterans and to analyze associations between those TBI profiles and biomarker, behavioral and clinical outcomes. Ultimately, they will translate those findings into a dashboard that clinicians can use to treat patients with TBI.

We want to create that immediate feedback loop to translate these findings to something that can be used by the actual clinicians who are treating these patients. The dashboard would be interactive, and the clinicians would be able to see useful data trends." Jeffrey Howard, associate professor of public health at UTSA

The team is working with data from a sample of 3,000 veterans, but there's a challenge to overcome.

The current classification for TBI is based on only a few symptomatic issues. Additionally, this classification doesn't always account for repeated exposures or severity, so treatment plans sometimes fail.

"There's so much variability in terms of how patients recover, what their symptoms are and how that translates into subsequent health risks later on," Howard said. "We are using other kinds of data, like biomarkers and neurological assessments, to come up with a better way to classify TBI patients into more clinically meaningful groupings with a more physiological basis."

With this innovative plan, the team hopes to provide the insights to create more personalized plans for clinicians to adopt.

As the PI for the research program, Howard primarily will be responsible for the development of the informatics dashboard prototype. Swan will work with the VA to recruit a panel of clinicians who will provide feedback on the dashboard, and Mithani will provide the clinical relevance and oversight to the project.

"Addressing the complexities of TBI requires a collaborative effort across institutions," said Mithani. "By combining clinical expertise, biomedical research and data-driven approaches, we can develop innovative solutions that truly impact the lives of veterans."

The San Antonio Medical Foundation awards up to five collaborative grants each year to foster and encourage health care and bioscience research organizations to partner in new initiatives. The team hopes that with time and after feedback and fine-tuning, this clinical dashboard can be applied to a wider population of those suffering from TBI.

By redefining how clinicians understand and treat brain trauma in veterans, this innovative project offers hope to a population that sometimes falls through the cracks. For veterans who have struggled with memory loss, chronic pain or the fear of a future shaped by neurodegeneration, this treatment represents more than medical progress.

"Addressing the complexities of TBI demands a unified effort. By leveraging the strengths of multiple institutions, we can accelerate discovery, refine treatment strategies and ultimately improve care for those who have served," Mithani said.
Your Next Phone, Fridge, TV Might Cost Less, Thanks To Trumps China Tariffs

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Last Updated: April 10, 2025, 11:17 IST

With US tariffs squeezing Chinese exports, surplus inventory is pushing Chinese firms to offer discounts, opening doors for price talks

With the trade spat between China and US, experts believe Indian firms may benefit from the resulting trade disruption.

Several Chinese electronic component manufacturers are offering discounts of up to 5 per cent to Indian companies as trade tensions between the US and China escalate, according to a report by The Economic Times on April 10. The move could make consumer electronics such as phones, TVs, and appliances more affordable in India.

Indian electronics manufacturers are reportedly considering passing on part of the cost savings to consumers in a bid to boost demand, the report said.

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The latest developments follow a rapid escalation in the US-China trade conflict. On April 2, President Trump imposed steep reciprocal tariffs on Chinese imports. China retaliated with a 34% tariff on American goods, prompting the US to raise its tariffs to 104%, and then to 125% on April 9. In contrast, Trump announced a 90-day pause on tariffs for countries that did not retaliate, triggering a global market rally.

Amid the uncertainty, Indian firms could stand to gain. With Chinese exports to the US under pressure due to high tariffs, manufacturers in China are left with surplus inventory, making them more open to price negotiations.

This opens up opportunities for Indian importers to renegotiate component prices," Kamal Nandi, head of the appliance business at Godrej Enterprises Group, told the publication.

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Avneet Singh Marwah, CEO of Super Plastronics, told The Economic Times that the oversupply has caused panic among Chinese firms. As Indian companies place fresh orders starting May-June, some of the negotiated discounts are likely to be passed on to consumers," he said.

This comes shortly after the Indian government approved a Rs 22,919 crore Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for passive electronic components on March 28, aimed at boosting domestic manufacturing and reducing dependency on imports.

About the Author Aparna Deb Aparna Deb is a Subeditor and writes for the business vertical of News18.com. She has a nose for news that matters. She is inquisitive and curious about things. Among other things, financial markets, economy, a... Read More Aparna Deb is a Subeditor and writes for the business vertical of News18.com. She has a nose for news that matters. She is inquisitive and curious about things. Among other things, financial markets, economy, a... Read More

First Published: April 10, 2025, 11:17 IST
Italy's Prada Agrees To Buy Rival Versace For USD 1.38 billion

Published By :

AFP

Last Updated: April 10, 2025, 19:18 IST

Prada will acquire Versace from Capri Holdings for 1.25 billion euros, creating a luxury group with over six billion euros in revenue. The deal aims to compete with LVMH and Kering.

In 2018, Capri paid 1.83 billion euros (then $2.1 billion) to acquire Versace, which was previously owned 80 percent by the Versace family and 20 percent by the US investment fund BlackRock. (Photo: AFP)

Italian fashion house Prada announced Thursday it had reached a deal with US group Capri Holdings to buy its flashy rival Versace for 1.25 billion euros ($1.38 billion).

The acquisition will create a luxury group with revenues of over six billion euros that could better compete with industry giants such as the French conglomerates LVMH and Gucci owner Kering, amid a slowdown in the sector worldwide.

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We are delighted to welcome Versace to the Prada Group and to build a new chapter for a brand with which we share a strong commitment to creativity, craftmanship and heritage," Prada group chairman and executive director Patrizio Bertelli said in a statement.

In 2018, Capri paid 1.83 billion euros (then $2.1 billion) to acquire Versace, which was previously owned 80 percent by the Versace family and 20 percent by the US investment fund BlackRock.

Amid declining sales at the Milan-based label, it put Versace up for sale, and began exclusive negotiations with Prada at the end of February.

Capri, which also owns Jimmy Choo and Michael Kors, had to accept a reduced price from Prada amid the market turmoil caused by US President Donald Trumps tariffs.

The Financial Times reported that the price was initially expected to be about $1.6 billion but had been negotiated downwards in recent days.

Last month, Donatella Versace stepped down as creative director after more than 30 years, a move widely seen as a prelude to the accord.

She took over in 1997 following the murder of her older brother Gianni, who founded the label in 1978.

But on April 1 she was replaced as creative director by Dario Vitale, who has overseen soaring sales at Miu Miu, Pradas sister brand targeting a younger clientele.

Donatella Versace, who turns 70 in May, is now the labels chief brand ambassador.

 Long journey 

While still a label associated with the jet set, some of Versaces luster has waned in recent years.

It posted $193 million in revenue in its fiscal 2025 third quarter, down 15 percent.

By contrast, Prada, under the creative helm of Miuccia Prada, the 76-year-old granddaughter of group founder Mario, is in robust health.

Despite the global slowdown in sales of luxury goods, Pradas net profit jumped 25 percent to 839 million euros in 2024, with revenues up 15 percent to 5.4 billion euros.

Andrea Guerra, Pradas group chief executive officer, said on Thursday that Versace had huge potential" but warned there was work to do.

The journey will be long and will require disciplined execution and patience. The evolution of a brand always needs time and constant focus," he said.

The deal, funded through 1.5 billion euros of new debt, is expected to close in the second half of 2025.

 Complementary addition 

The two fashion labels have starkly different styles, with Versaces exuberance contrasting with Pradas sophisticated minimalism.

Prada said its new acquisition constitutes a strongly complementary addition" to its portfolio.

It said Versace will maintain its creative DNA and cultural authenticity", while benefitting from Pradas industrial capabilities, retail execution and operational expertise".

The deal bucks the trend of recent years, which has seen major names in Italian fashion such as Gucci, Fendi, and Bottega Veneta fall under the control of their French competitors.

Prada will be able to bring light back into a brand that was dying and infuse it with new life," Antonio Bandini Conti, a design consultant, told AFP.

However, a previous attempt to expand the Prada portfolio  which also includes luxury footwear brands Car Shoe and Churchs  offers a cautionary tale.

In 1999, the family group acquired the German brand Jil Sander and the Austrian label Helmut Lang before selling them in 2006 as they were weighing down its financial results.

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In 2000, Prada jointly acquired a 51 percent stake in the Roman label Fendi with LVMH, but sold its 25.5 percent stake to the French luxury giant a year later.

With the Versace acquisition, I see a risk for Prada to become distracted from its core business," Luca Solca, an analyst at Bernstein, told AFP.

About the Author Saurabh Verma Saurabh Verma covers general, national and international day-to-day news for News18.com as a Senior Sub-editor. He keenly observes politics. You can follow him on Twitter --twitter.com/saurabhkverma19 Saurabh Verma covers general, national and international day-to-day news for News18.com as a Senior Sub-editor. He keenly observes politics. You can follow him on Twitter --twitter.com/saurabhkverma19

Location : Italy

First Published: April 10, 2025, 19:18 IST
SEBA HSLC Result 2025 Date: Assam Class 10th Results To Be Released Soon, Here's How To Download Scorecards From sebaonline.org

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: April 10, 2025, 10:07 IST

Assam SEBA HSLC Class 10th Result Date 2025: SEBA will release the date and time of declaration of the Assam Board Class 10th results on sebaonline.org.

Assam SEBA HSLC Result 2025: Class 10th board result scorecards will be reeleased on sebaonline.org. (Representative image/File)

Assam SEBA HSLC Class 10th Result Date 2025: The Board of Secondary Education, Assam (SEBA) will soon declare the results for the Assam Board Class 10th Exams 2025. Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma has urged the students and parents to remain patient as the board will declare the Assam HSLC Result 2025 as soon as it is prepared.

I would like to inform all parents and students that the HSLC examination results will not be released tomorrow. Once the results are ready, the board will announce them promptly. Please remain patient," Sarma wrote on X.

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Students must note that the SEBA will release the official date and time for the declaration of the Assam Board Class 10th Result 2025. Once declared, students who appeared for the exams will be able to download their SEBA HSLC Result 2025 through the official website- sebaonline.org.

Where To Check Assam HSLC Result 2025?

results.sebaonline.org

resultsassam.nic.in

How To Check Assam SEBA HSLC Result 2025?

Step 1: Visit the official websites  sebaonline.org

Step 2: On the homepage, click on the Assam HSLC Result 2025"

Step 3: Fill in the required information in the designated fields, including the roll number and captcha. Then, click on the Submit button.

Step 4: The result will appear on the screen.

Step 5: Verify your results and consider printing a copy for future reference.

Assam SEBA HSLC Class 10th Result 2025: Previous Year Result

The HSLC Examination 2024 was held from February 16 to March 4, and the results were announced within 45 days of the exams conclusion. A total of 4,19,078 students appeared for the exams, including 1,87,904 boys, 2,31,164 girls, and 10 transgender students.

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The overall pass percentage stood at 75.70%, with boys achieving a pass rate of 77.28% and girls at 74.41%. Among transgender students, 80% successfully cleared the exam. The districts of Chirang, Nalbari, and Baksa emerged as the top-performing regions this year.

Anurag Doloi from Jorhat secured the top rank in the Assam HSLC Exam 2024 with a score of 593 marks, followed by Jharna Saikia from Biswanath district, who scored 590 marks. 1,05,873 students earned a first division, 6,392 students received distinction and 20,552 students were awarded star 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 10, 2025, 08:46 IST
Mirriam Tose Majome  The imposing stone monument of Great Zimbabwe in Masvingo is evidence of an ancient sophisticated civilisation.

The ruins bear silent witness to a painful history. Among the most poignant symbols of this history are the eight Zimbabwe Birds, iconic soapstone sculptures, seven of which were systematically plundered by British colonisers.

These birds, more than mere artifacts, are vital embodiments of the Zimbabwean heritage, connecting us to our ancestors and our national identity. Today, we reiterate: "We want our bird back!" -- a call to the last of the birds that is still out in the wilderness.

The story of the Zimbabwe Birds is a stark narrative of theft and cultural erasure.

Cecil John Rhodes, the quintessential imperialist and his emissaries, viewed these treasures as trophies of conquest and not as symbols of a thriving civilisation.

His private museum at Groote Schuur in Cape Town is a repository of stolen wealth, and continues to house the last of these sacred birds, a constant reminder of colonial plunder.

In 2003, a glimmer of hope emerged when the top part of one stolen bird was returned from Germany after a long sojourn throughout Europe where it miraculously survived both the First and Second world wars.

It was received on behalf of the people of Zimbabwe by the late former President Robert Mugabe amid great aplomb and ceremony.

This symbolic victory validated our claim and highlighted the importance of cultural restitution.

However, the bird remaining in Rhodes' private museum represents an unfinished chapter, a symbol of the ongoing denial of our cultural rights.

Our demand for the return of the confiscated Zimbabwe Bird is not an isolated plea.

It echoes the broader call for the repatriation of stolen art and artifacts across Africa.

From the Benin Bronzes to the Ethiopian treasures of Maqdala, Western museums hold the spoils of imperial conquest.

Western archaeologists continue to freely excavate our historical sites, yet African archaeologists would never be allowed to dig for Tudor relics at Windsor Palace or old French art at Notre Dame.

This exposes deep-seated double standards and our folly as Africans for allowing it as much as our foolishness for sometimes agreeing to be bribed with useless trinkets in exchange for our most treasured works of art.

The Louvre Museum in Paris ranks as the second greatest museum of imperial collection after the British Museum, benefiting initially from the loot of archaeological expeditions in Egypt and the Middle East.

Collecting historical artefacts from the colonies became so popular in Britain that guide-books were published to assist amateur collectors and looters of foreign art.

Throughout the 18th century, English aristocrats, professional and merchant classes pillaged and moved objects from other parts of the world to England where they are still held in private collections or in museums

The argument that these artefacts are "better preserved" in Western institutions is a patronising justification for cultural theft, which perpetuates the myth of African inferiority.

It is deemed that we do not have the sophistication to appreciate our own art that we created and preserved for centuries.

The return of our cultural heritage is not about revenge or symbolic repossession.

It's about acknowledging historical injustice, rectifying past wrongs, and building a future based on respect and equality.

The last Zimbabwe Bird, kept against its will in a foreign land, is a silent witness to the ongoing struggle for decolonisation. Its presence in Rhodes' private museum is a constant reminder of this unfinished business. Its return would symbolise healing and a victory for cultural justice.

Zimbabweans and Africans at large should continue demanding the return of our stolen treasures.

We should not rest until the last Zimbabwe Bird, and all other stolen artifacts, return home. There were many other artefacts stolen from Great Zimbabwe apart from the birds.

Some of them are in South Africa while others are in British Museums.

In February, the Netherlands announced that it would return more than 119 Benin bronze statues looted from Nigeria's Benin City by British troops in the 19th century. Germany returned 20 of them in 2022, but the British Museum holds more than 900 of the statues, and refuses to give them back, despite protests and demonstrations by Nigerians outside the museum.

The British Museum conveniently hides behind an obscure colonial era law passed by its own Parliament, which vests permanent ownership of looted artefacts to Britain.

The call for the Zimbabwe Bird's return is a call for justice, recognition, and respect.

It echoes across the continent, demanding that the world acknowledges the legacy of colonial plunder and the urgency of cultural restitution. The theft of our cultural heritage was not a mere transaction; it was a violent act of cultural disruption.

It severed our connection to our past, distorted our present, and robbed us of our future.

The Zimbabwe Bird, and other stolen artifacts, are not just lifeless objects; they are living links to our ancestors, repositories of our collective memory, and symbols of our national identity.

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The return of these treasures is not just about righting a historical wrong; it is about restoring our dignity. It is about affirming our right to our own history, our own culture, and our own identity.

It is about recognising that our cultural heritage is not a commodity to be traded or a trophy to be displayed, but a vital part of our being.

We call upon the Rhodes Trustees, and indeed, the international community, to recognise the moral imperative of restitution.

We call upon them to acknowledge the historical injustice that was perpetrated against our people and to take concrete steps to rectify the wrongs of the past.

The return of the Zimbabwe Bird would not only be a victory for Zimbabwe; it would be a victory for all of Africa. It would send a powerful message that the era of colonial plunder is over and that the time for cultural restitution has come.

We want our bird back as a symbol of healing from past wrongs and closure.

We want it back as we start to realise that we also need to start putting ourselves first.

Miriam Tose Majome is a lawyer and a Commissioner with the Zimbabwe Media Commission. She writes in her personal capacity, and can be contacted on [email protected]
Bihar Civil Court Clerk Result 2025 Announced, Over 42000 Clear Prelims; What's Next?

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: April 10, 2025, 17:38 IST

Bihar Civil Court Clerk PT Result: A total of 42,397 candidates have cleared the exam. Through this recruitment drive, a total of 3325 vacancies will be filled in the organisation.

Selected candidates will proceed to the written examination round next (Representative/File)

The Bihar Civil Court has announced the results of the Preliminary Test (PT) for the Clerk recruitment exam 2025 today, April 10. A total of 42,397 candidates have cleared the exam. While the result of a total of 2,374 candidates were declared invalid due to non-compliance with instructions. Through this recruitment drive, a total of 3325 vacancies will be filled in the organisation.

The candidature of five candidates bearing roll numbers  531283, 531289, 668954, 668949, and 668955 has been cancelled, as found indulged in malpractices.

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In view of resolution of the Centralized Selection & Appointment Committee dated 05.04.2025 duly approved by the Honble Court, the category wise breakup of number of vacancies i.e. 3325 with cut-of marks and number of qualified candidates for the Written Test prepared on the basis of marks obtained by the candidates in the preliminary test held on 22.12.2024 in connection with appointment to the post of Clerk pursuant to the Employment Notice No. 01/2022 are as follows" reads the official notice.

Bihar Civil Court Clerk Result 2025 Out: Check Cutoff Marks

Bihar Civil Court Clerk Result 2025: How To Download?

Step 1: Visit the official website of Bihar Civil Court at districts.ecourts.gov.in/patna

Step 2: Search and click on the result link on the homepage.

Step 3: Provide the necessary login information and hit submit.

Step 4: The result will be displayed on the screen.

Step 5: Download and print a copy for future reference.

Bihar Civil Court Clerk Result 2025: Whats Next?

Selected candidates will proceed to the written examination round next. The exam will be conducted in Patna, and the exact date will be announced soon on the official Civil Courts, Patna website. Candidates are advised to keep track for further notification on the official website.

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ALSO READ | DRDO Apprentice Recruitment 2025 Registration Begins: Eligibility, Stipend, Application Link And More

The Bihar Public Service Commission recently announced the BPSC 70th Mains Admit Card 2025 release date. The main examination hall ticket will be issued on April 12, 2025. Candidates who are set to take the exam can download the admit card by visiting either of the official websites at bpsc.bih.nic.in or bpsconline.bihar.gov.in. The BPSC 70th CCE Mains exam 2025 will be held on April 25, 26, 28, 29, and 30.

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 10, 2025, 17:20 IST
From Sahyadris To The Seas, Shivaji Maharajs Expansion That Reshaped Indian History

Published By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: April 10, 2025, 17:18 IST

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj reshaped Indias military and political landscape through his southern campaigns, battles against the Portuguese, and strategic naval expansion.

From Sahyadris To The Seas, Shivaji Maharajs Expansion That Reshaped Indian History. (File Pic)

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the founder of the Maratha Empire, was a strategic genius who reshaped the political and military landscape of India. His expansion into South India, battles with the Portuguese, and the establishment of a powerful naval force marked significant milestones in his reign. His relentless pursuit of Swarajya (self-rule) laid the foundation for a formidable empire that would later challenge the Mughals and European colonial powers.

Shivajis Vision For Expansion

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From a young age, Shivaji was driven by the goal of liberating his homeland from foreign rule. His military campaigns began in the Sahyadri Mountains, but over time extended deep into the Deccan Plateau and eventually reached the coastal and southern regions of India. His leadership transformed the Marathas into a dominant force that, by the 18th century, ruled vast territories from Attock in the west to Cuttack in the east.

The Southern Conquests

Shivajis foray into the southern territories began after securing his stronghold in Maharashtra. His campaigns in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu significantly expanded the Maratha influence.

The Capture of Jinji and Vellore (1677): Recognising the strategic importance of these forts, Shivaji led a well-planned offensive, ensuring Maratha dominance in South India.

Alliance with Golconda: While advancing south, he allied with the Qutb Shahi Sultanate of Golconda, gaining access to superior artillery and additional forces.

Karnataka Campaign: With a force of 30,000 cavalry and 40,000 infantry, Shivaji stormed through Karnataka, capturing over 100 forts and securing vital trade routes.

Establishment of Gingee as a Maratha Capital: After his conquest, the fort of Gingee later became a crucial stronghold under his son, Rajaram.

Shivajis southern expansion not only strengthened the Maratha Empire but also positioned it as a major power capable of resisting both Mughal and European influences.

Battles Against The Bijapur Sultanate

Shivajis conflict with the Bijapur Sultanate was central to his rise as a powerful ruler.

Torna Fort (1646): His first military success came with the seizure of Torna Fort, marking the beginning of his struggle for independence.

Battle of Pratapgad (1659): In a legendary encounter, Shivaji defeated Afzal Khan, a powerful Bijapur general, using his famous Wagh Nakh (tiger claw) in a decisive pre-emptive strike.

Siege of Panhala (1660): Besieged by Siddi Jauhar, Shivaji cleverly escaped and fought the Battle of Pavan Khind, where his commander Baji Prabhu Deshpande sacrificed his life to ensure Shivajis safe retreat.

Final Campaign Against Bijapur (1677): Following the death of Ali Adil Shah II, Shivaji exploited the political instability to seize key territories, further weakening the Sultanate.

Confrontation With The Portuguese

The Portuguese had long been a dominant force along the western coast of India, controlling vital ports like Goa, Daman, and Diu. Shivaji, recognising the need to curb their influence, launched a series of strategic assaults.

Commercial Conflicts: Tensions escalated in the 1660s when the Portuguese imposed heavy taxes on Maratha traders.

Battle for Bardez (1667): To challenge their authority, Shivaji launched an attack on the Bardez region in Goa, disrupting Portuguese expansion.

Capture of Basrur (1675): A decisive victory against the Portuguese saw Shivaji capture and plunder Basrur, a key trading port.

Despite their European weaponry and naval strength, the Portuguese were unable to contain Shivajis growing power.

ALSO READ: Wars That Stretched Across Centuries: 7 Conflicts That Lasted Over 100 Years

Establishing Naval Supremacy

Shivaji was one of the first Indian rulers to recognise the significance of naval warfare. His maritime strategy ensured coastal security and challenged European sea powers.

Building a Strong Fleet (1657): Shivaji commissioned the construction of warships such as Gurabs (fast attack boats) and Galbats (larger warships).

Naval Bases: He fortified key coastal locations, establishing strongholds at Sindhudurg, Vijaydurg, and Khanderi to defend against Portuguese, Dutch, and Siddi threats.

Command of the Arabian Sea: His naval prowess allowed him to disrupt Portuguese and Mughal trade routes, securing economic independence for the Marathas.

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Legacy Of A Visionary

Shivaji Maharajs legacy extends far beyond his military triumphs. His strategic acumen reshaped Indias political dynamics, while his naval innovations laid the foundation for Maratha maritime supremacy, later expanded by commanders like Kanhoji Angre. By the time of his passing on 3 April 1680, he had established the Marathas as a dominant force, ensuring his enduring legacy as a visionary ruler, brilliant strategist, and fierce challenger to the Mughal Empire.

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 10, 2025, 17:16 IST
How Working Professionals Can Build A Fulfilling Career In The Social Sector

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: April 11, 2025, 11:22 IST

Know how working professionals are shifting from corporate careers to the social sector for purpose, impact, and long-term fulfilment.

Working professionals are increasingly transitioning from corporate roles to the social sector in search of purpose, impact, and meaningful change. (Representative image/File)

For many working professionals, success is traditionally defined by promotions, pay rises, and climbing the corporate ladder. Its a familiar routinewake up, commute, work a 9-to-6 job, and return home. Five days a week are dedicated to deadlines, meetings, and deliverables. The weekends bring a well-earned breaktime for friends, family, and personal hobbies. Life seems well-balanced. But in the quiet moments, a question lingers: Am I doing something beyond my own success? Am I contributing to something larger than just myself?

The corporate world offers financial security, structured career growth, and prestige, but for some, there may not be a sense of fulfilment. Long hours, high stress, and a results-driven environment can leave individuals searching for meaning beyond profits and goals.

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A career in the social sector allows one to address real-world issues, contribute to social change, and see the direct impact of ones work. Many professionals feel greater satisfaction in working on areas such as education, healthcare, rural development, gender equality, environmental sustainability, etc., rather than just meeting business goals year after year.

For those contemplating a career transition, several entry points can make the shift smoother and more structured:

Social Sector Fellowships

Several organisations offer fellowships tailored for working professionals looking to make a meaningful shift into the social sector. These programmes offer immersive, hands-on experience in grassroots development, insight into policy implementation, and opportunities to work closely with NGOs, government agencies, or social enterprises. One such opportunity is the SBI Youth for India Fellowship.

Sanjay Prakash, MD & CEO of SBI Foundation, said, The SBI Youth for India Fellowship is a strategic pathway for working professionals to transition from the corporate world to the development sector. Over a 13-month immersive journey, fellows get the opportunity to apply their skill and knowledge to tackle critical challenges ranging from food security, rural livelihoods, alternate energy, technology, womens empowerment, and environmental sustainability. The Fellowship provides robust mentorship, networking opportunities, and partnerships with NGOs dedicated to sustainable development."

This blend of practical experience and strategic insight fosters lasting change at the grassroots level while cultivating leadership qualities that empower professionals to drive change with resilience, purpose, and a deep understanding of development challenges. Additionally, fellows gain access to a global network of SBI Youth for India alumni, opening doors to invaluable collaborations, insights, and lifelong connections in the development sector. If you are driven by a desire to make a meaningful impact, consider leveraging your expertise to transform communities.

Social Entrepreneurship

For those who want to build solutions from the ground up, starting a social enterprise is an option. Social entrepreneurs create sustainable business models that address issues like access to education, healthcare, and livelihood opportunities.

Siddharth Daga, Founder of NeoMotion and a Shark Tank India participant, talks about his Youth for India Fellowship journey that led him to shift his career to the social sector, saying, Transitioning from a field engineer to a social entrepreneur through the help of the SBI Youth for India Fellowship was a defining experience. Working in rural India helped me understand real-world challenges and the need for innovative assistive technology. This journey shaped my vision for NeoMotion, where we empower individuals with mobility solutions that enhance independence and dignity."

Shuvajit, the Founder of ImpactOnus, also shared his experience, stating, Back in 2011, while searching for work that mattered to me, I came across the SBI Youth for India Fellowship. For the first time, I truly could empathise with others whose lives were different from mine. This shaped my perspective on social change and has guided my career ever since. Now, in the third year of my entrepreneurial venture, ImpactOnus, I apply these values to develop smart and creative learning and skilling solutions for NGOs, foundations, and corporations."

Unlike conventional careers, which are often measured by pay hikes and promotions, a career in the social sector is about making a long-term difference. Every effortwhether it is to ensure quality education for underprivileged children, improve rural healthcare, or address climate changecontributes to a larger goal.

NGOs and Non-profits

Many professionals transition by taking up roles in established NGOs or non-profit organisations. Positions in programme management, fundraising, communications, and research allow individuals to leverage their corporate skills while contributing to a larger cause.

Anvi Mehta, a former journalist who left her well-settled job at a leading media house and began her journey in the social sector.

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As a journalist, I wrote about social issues but felt my words lacked impact. Seeking deeper change, I joined the Youth for India Fellowship, spending 13 months in a remote village. It taught me patience, perseverance, and empathy. Now, in development communications, I balance earning a living with my passion for meaningful storytelling," Avni shared.

In India, where social challenges remain vast, working professionals stepping into the social sector are not just choosing new careersthey are shaping a more inclusive and equitable future. Their work not only benefits marginalised communities but also offers them a sense of fulfilment and a deeper connection to the people and causes they serve. It is time that working professionals seek out areas that offer fulfilment and consider making a pivot to spaces where they can make a meaningful contributionthe social sector can certainly be one such area.

About the Author Archit Gupta Archit Gupta is a Chief Sub-Editor at News18.com and a seasoned education journalist specialising in reporting on education and employment. He has covered a variety of education-related stories, including high-... Read More Archit Gupta is a Chief Sub-Editor at News18.com and a seasoned education journalist specialising in reporting on education and employment. He has covered a variety of education-related stories, including high-... Read More

First Published: April 10, 2025, 14:35 IST
JEE Main 2025 Session 2 Answer Key: How To Download Provisional Key When Released?

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: April 10, 2025, 10:17 IST

JEE Main 2025 Answer Key: The Session 2 answer key will be available soon on the official website at jeemain.nta.nic.in.

JEE Main 2025 session 2 answer key soon at jeemain.nta.nic.in. (Representational/ PTI Photo)

JEE Main 2025 Session 2 Answer Key: The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducted the JEE Main 2025 Session 2 exam from April 2 to 9. The provisional answer key will soon be released on the official website: jeemain.nta.nic.in.

NTA will also upload the question papers and students recorded responses along with the answer key. This will help candidates estimate their scores before the official results are announced.

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If any student finds a mistake in the provisional answer key, they can object by paying a small fee for each question. The official notification will share the complete process to challenge the answer key.

Once the objection window closes, subject experts will review all challenges. If a mistake is found, the final answer key will be updated. The final result for JEE Main 2025 Session 2 will be declared based on this revised answer key.

How To Download JEE Main 2025 Session 2 Answer Key?

Follow these steps to check and download the JEE Main 2025 Session 2 answer key:

Step 1: Visit the official website: jeemain.nta.nic.in

Step 2: Click on the Session 2 answer key download link available on the homepage

Step 3: Log in using your application number and password or date of birth

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Step 4: View the provisional answer key, question paper, and your recorded responses

JEE Main is conducted for admission to undergraduate courses in Engineering, Architecture, and Planning at various government and private institutions across India. It also acts as the qualifying exam for JEE Advanced, which is required for admission to the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs).

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 10, 2025, 10:08 IST
Karnataka SSLC Result 2025 Date: Where And How To Check KSEAB Class 10 Results

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: April 10, 2025, 11:43 IST

Karnataka SSLC Result 2025 Date and time will be announced soon. The results will be declared at karresults.nic.in.

Karnataka SSLC result 2025: Know where to check KSEAB Class 10 results when declared. (Representative image/File)

Karnataka SSLC Result 2025 Date: The Karnataka School Examination and Assessment Board (KSEAB), which declared the 2nd PUC (Class 12) Exam 1 results on April 8, is now expected to release the SSLC (Class 10) board exam results next. The board will announce the Karnataka SSLC Result 2025 result date and time through an official notice. Like the 2nd PUC results, KSEAB is likely to hold a press conference for the SSLC result too.

During the result announcement, the board will share key information such as the total number of students who appeared, overall pass percentage, performance by gender, and the names and marks of top scorers.

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Once announced, students can check their marks on the official website, karresults.nic.in. They are also advised to keep checking the boards website, kseab.karnataka.gov.in, for the latest updates.

Earlier, KSEAB had released the provisional answer keys for all SSLC subjects. The objection window to raise concerns closed at 5:30 pm on April 6.

How To Check Karnataka SSLC Result 2025?

Step 1: Visit the official website of the Board at karresults.nic.in.

Step 2: Click on the SSLC result link on the homepage.

Step 3: Enter your registration number and other required details.

Step 4: Submit the information and view your result.

ALSO READ: KEAM 2025 Admit Cards To Be Released Today: When & Where To Download Hall Tickets

The SSLC (Class 10) exams in Karnataka were conducted from March 21 to April 4, 2025. The exams were held in a single shift every day  from 10 am to 1:15 pm. The schedule began with first language papers and ended with NSQF (National Skills Qualifications Framework) subjects.

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Students who may not perform well in this attempt need not worry. The Karnataka board conducts the Class 10 and 12 final exams in three phases, giving students two more chances to improve their scores.

With the SSLC and 2nd PUC Exam 1 now completed, the next phases  Exam 2 and Exam 3  will be held later this year, as per the boards academic plan.

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First Published: April 10, 2025, 11:43 IST
What Options Does China Have Other Than Retaliatory Tariffs To Strike Back At Trump? Explained

Curated By :

News18.com Edited By: Shilpy Bisht



Last Updated: April 10, 2025, 14:35 IST

China might take other measures such as imposing tariffs on US poultry and agricultural products, banning Hollywood films, targeting US services sector and halting fentanyl cooperation to hit back at Trump

As US, China try to inflict pain on each other, the rest of the world is seen as collateral damage in their trade war. (AP File Photo)

The trade war between the US and China spiralled when Beijing imposed an additional 50% tariff on imports from Washington on Wednesday, hiking its duties on American imports to 84%.

The tit-for-tat escalation came after President Donald Trump levied 104% tariffs on Chinese imports, which went into effect from April 2. Later, on Wednesday, Trump jacked up the overall US tariff on Chinese goods to 125%, even as he paused higher targeted tariffs on other countries for 90 days while keeping a 10% baseline tariff in place for all countries.

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How Did China React To Trump Additional Tariffs?

Chinas foreign ministry on Thursday issued a statement, reprimanding the US for the tariffs. US tariffs seriously damage rules-based multilateral trading system, and seriously impact the stability of the global economic order. This is a blatant act that goes against the will of the world and goes against the whole world," foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said during a press briefing.

On Wednesday, Chinas Customs Tariff Commission said in a statement that the worlds two biggest economies should resolve differences through equal dialogue based on mutual respect."

I dont think they can match in the economic realm, because the relationship is so unbalanced," Rick Waters, the Singapore-based director of the Carnegie China think tank told NBC News. So, what they tend to do is move into adjacent realms to exact a price."

So, What Are Chinas Options?

Currency Devaluation: Domestically, a currency devaluation would be the simplest way to cushion the tariffs impact but that could trigger capital outflows. It could also alienate trade partners China may try to court in other markets such as Europe and Asia. China has so far allowed very limited yuan depreciation.

Export Tax Rebates: More subsidies, export tax rebates or other forms of stimulus could be on the cards, but this also risks exacerbating industrial overcapacity and fuelling more deflationary pressures. Analysts have advocated for years for policies that would boost domestic demand.

Tariffs On US Poultry: China could greatly increase tariffs on U.S. agricultural products, or even stop importing them completely. Soybeans, which are crushed to make protein-rich animal feed ingredients and vegetable oils, have been at the heart of the U.S.-China trade dispute for some time. US exports of soybeans to China fell 75% after China imposed a retaliatory 25% tariff on them in 2018, during Trumps first-term trade war with Beijing.

Hollywood Movies: China is the crucial market for Hollywood films. Though China has a cap on the number of foreign movies that can appear in its theatres, it could ban Hollywood films altogether. There were no Hollywood films among Chinas 10 highest-grossing movies in 2023, in stark contrast to 2012, when seven of the top 10 highest-grossing movies were US-made, according to Maoyan, a Chinese movie-ticketing and data platform.

Services Sector: China could target US services sector by excluding American companies from government procurement processes or restricting their cooperation with Chinese firms. US lists China as its fifth-largest export market for services, according to a report by Chinas State Council. The US has long accused china of stealing intellectual property. But Beijing could investigate US companies in China in order to protect them.

Fentanyl Cooperation: China and US have made progress on cooperation on fentanyl, some of which originate in China and then processed into opioid in Mexico before being smuggled into the US. Cooperation on fentanyl restarted as a result of a November 2023 summit between then-US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping, after a two-year hiatus. But China could bring that cooperation to a halt in response to Trumps tariffs, as per NBC News.

What Would A Deal To De-Escalate Look Like?

With Washington and Beijing trying to inflict increasing pain on each other and the rest of the world seen as collateral damage in their trade war, it is hard to imagine how a grand deal to de-escalate would look like.

Economists say Trumps goal of balancing trade with China is unfeasible in the short-to-medium term, given that one side is the worlds leading producer while the other is the biggest consumer.

China, which was hit earlier this year by a 20% tariff hike justified by fentanyl precursors rather than its trade surplus, is confused about Trump demands and rejects attempts of containment, even as it declares readiness for talks.

Thousands of protesters gathered in Washington and other cities across the US at the weekend to protest Trump, who is also facing heavy criticism from Wall Street for the global market turmoil his tariffs caused.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is unlikely to face similar resistance in his tightly controlled country, and can line up monetary and fiscal stimulus for later this year to ease some of the social stress if needed.

How Much Is The Trade Between US And China?

Trade between the worlds two largest economies is enormous. Sales of Chinese goods to the US last year totalled more than $500 billion  16.4% of the countrys exports, according to Beijings customs data.

And China imported $143.5 billion in goods from the US in 2024, according to the office of the US Trade Representative.

That trade was dominated by agricultural products, primarily oilseeds and grains, according to the US-China Business Council. Oil and gas, pharmaceuticals and semiconductors are also among major US exports to China.

Chinas trade surplus with the US reached $295.4 billion last year, according to the US Commerce Departments Bureau of Economic Analysis.

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According to analysts, US tariffs could take a significant chunk out of Chinas GDP, which Beijings leadership hope will grow 5% this year.

(With inputs from Reuters and AFP)

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 10, 2025, 14:35 IST
Why Are Millionaires Fleeing London? Is Dismantling Of Non-Dom Tax Regime The Reason? Explained

Curated By :

News18.com Edited By: Shilpy Bisht



Last Updated: April 10, 2025, 16:52 IST

Reports suggest the exodus of super-rich could be attributed to tax rises under the Conservative and Labour governments, failure to recover from the 2008 recession, Brexit and the fall in the value of the pound

The development comes as changes to Britains 200-year-old 'non-dom' tax regime take effect. (Shutterstock File Photo)

London is seeing a bigger exodus of wealthy people than any other city in the world except for Moscow, new data suggests. The UK is no longer among the five richest cities in the world.

The development comes as changes to Britains 200-year-old non-dom" tax regime take effect. It also occurs in the backdrop of a debate in the UK over the implementation of a wealth tax.

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An annual report on global wealth revealed that London lost 11,300 dollar millionaires in just 12 months. This includes 18 centimillionaires  an individual with a net worth of $100 million or more (78 million)  and two billionaires. London currently has 215,700 dollar millionaires.

The study, which was conducted before Donald Trump announced his trade tariffs, showed that London is one of just two cities, alongside Moscow, to have fewer millionaires than it did a decade ago.

Why Are Millionaires Leaving London?

Reports suggest that the decline has been attributed to tax rises under the Conservative and Labour governments, failure to recover from the 2008 recession, economic uncertainty following Brexit and the fall in the value of the pound.

Chancellor of Exchequer Rachel Reeves crackdown on non-doms  people who live in the UK but have their permanent tax address registered abroad  has also sent millionaires packing.

Lisa Nandy, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport of the United Kingdom, told Sky News, The report points to a variety of factors that have led to that, most specifically Brexit, and one of the things that were committed to doing as a government is making sure that we get a far better deal with the European Union that make sure that we can continue to support British business.

So, in my area, for example, weve got significant problems, as has the EU, because music artists arent able to tour from the UK and the EU and vice versa. Now thats not good for anybody, so closer cooperation is in peoples interests."

The Standard quoted Andrew Amoils, Head of Research at New World Wealth, blaming capital gains tax and estate duty for the super-rich relocating to destinations such as Paris and Dubai.

Its worth noting that most of the companies on the FTSE 100 were started by centimillionaires, so the loss of these individuals has a massive impact on an economy."

The growing dominance of America and Asia in the global hi-tech space has caused wealthy tech entrepreneurs in the UK to reconsider their base location."

Overhaul Of Non-Dom Tax Regime

A new system replacing the lucrative non-domicile" tax status took effect on April 6, requiring those with a permanent home abroad but living in the UK, to pay the same tax as everyone else.

The UK in 2022-2023 had around 74,000 people with non-dom status, as per BBC.

In lieu of the non-dom regime, the new system will be based on residence and allows preferential tax rules to apply only for the first four years of overseas income, compared to 15 years in the previous tax structure.

Matthew Braithwaite, client partner at law firm Wedlake Bell, told The Telegraph, The non-dom reforms have led to a spike in millionaires leaving the UK, but the tax environment has become more hostile to foreign investors over the last 10 years."

There were tweaks to the non-dom regime in 2017 which made it harder, as well as Brexit. The way people can migrate to the UK has become complicated.

The curtailment of business property relief under Labour is also off-putting. The threat of inheritance tax on your business is significant. These individuals will either leave or make sure not stay for more than 10 years so that they dont come into the scope [of inheritance tax]."

Peter Ferrigno, director of tax services at Henley & Partners, told Fortune, Any foreign national in the UK for more than 10 years would then be caught by that [the 40% inheritance tax], and as all structures to avoid this, such as trusts, have been caught as well, then the only solution is to leave,"

But the Labour government has dismissed the claims that the UK tax system is burdensome.

The Telegraph quoted a treasury spokesman as saying, Our tax system is fair and progressive, and keeps the UK an attractive place to live while ensuring everyone who is a long-term resident in the UK pays their taxes here."

How Many Millionaires Left London?

London, which now has 215,700 millionaires, is one of only two cities in the top 50  the other being Moscow  that has fewer rich individuals than a decade ago.

In total, the capital has lost 12% of its wealthiest residents since 2014, while Moscow has lost 25%.

As per the Standard, many millionaires have left the Russian capital due to the Western sanctions and political instability amid Vladimir Putins 2022 illegal invasion of Ukraine.

However, in absolute terms, London has lost more millionaires than anywhere else, with about 30,000 departing the city over the past 10 years, compared with 10,000 fleeing Moscow.

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Despite London losing so many wealthy individuals, it still ranks as the fourth most expensive city to live in, with property prices per square metre higher than anywhere else other than Hong Kong, New York and Monaco.

From the 1950s to early 2000s, Britain, and London in particular, was one of the worlds top destinations for migrating millionaires and it has been popular among rich families from mainland Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.

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 10, 2025, 16:44 IST
26/11 Mumbai Attacks Accused Tahawwur Rana Brought To India, Arrested By NIA

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: April 11, 2025, 00:14 IST

Rana, identified as one of the masterminds of the deadly 26/11 attacks, has been charged with criminal conspiracy, waging war against the government of India, murder and forgery and under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

26/11 plotter Tahawwur Hussain Rana seen with NIA officials after his extradition in New Delhi. (IMAGE: SOURCED)

Tahawwur Rana Extradition: In a major breakthrough, Tahawwur Hussain Rana, one of the key accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, was extradited to New Delhi from the United States on Thursday. He was produced before a Special National Investigation Agency court in New Delhi after he was arrested by the NIA.

Rana Produced Before Delhi Court, Order Reserved

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Rana, who was brought to the national capital from the United States on Thursday evening, was produced before NIA judge Chander Jit Singh, who heard the arguments on the terrorists custody proceedings, news agency PTI reported.

The court has reserved the order after hearing the arguments.

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Senior advocate Dayan Krishnan and special public prosecutor Narender Mann represented the NIA, while Rana was provided legal aid counsel by the Court.

He was brought in a cavalcade of multiple vehicles, including jail van, armoured Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) vehicle and an ambulance. Ahead of the production of Rana before the court, the Delhi Police removed mediapersons and members of the public from the court premises, citing security concerns.

During the hearing, NIA said that as part of the criminal conspiracy, David Headley had discussed the entire operation with Tahawwur Rana before his visit to India. Anticipating potential challenges, Headley had sent an email to Rana detailing his belongings and assets.

26/11 Mumbai Terror Attack Plotter Tahawwur Rana Taken In NIAs Custody, First Photo Surfaces

The probe agency has sought 20-day custody for Rana from the Court.

The terrorist arrived on a special flight escorted by a joint team of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW).

NIA Formally Arrests Rana

The investigative agency formally arrested" Ranaa Canadian citizen of Pakistani origin who had been living mainly in Chicagosoon after he stepped off the plane, following all required legal procedures.

The NIA said the extradition was facilitated with active assistance from the US Department of Justice and US Sky Marshal, with Indian intelligence agencies, the NSG, the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Home Affairs playing key roles in the coordination process.

The NIA team had travelled to the US after US Supreme Court dismissed Ranas review plea seeking an emergency stay on his extradition to India.

What Are The Charges Against Rana?

Rana, identified as one of the masterminds of the deadly 26/11 attacks, has been charged with criminal conspiracy, waging war against the government of India, murder and forgery and under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

He is accused of conspiring with David Coleman Headley, also known as Daood Gilani and operatives of Pakistan-based terror groups Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Harkat-ul-Jihadi Islami (HUJI) to execute the attacks that killed 166 people and injured over 230 in Mumbai in November 2008, the NIA said in its press release.

In its charge sheet filed in December 2011, the NIA accused Rana, David Headley and six others of planning and executing terror attacks in India. It included statements of 134 witnesses, 210 documents and 106 emails, including one from David Headleys wife who congratulated" him for his graduation and also said that she saw the show (broadcast of the terror attack) all day". Headley and Rana were in constant communication in the run-up to the 26/11 attacks, emails accessed by NIA showed.

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He is expected to be lodged in Tihar Jail in the national capital.

(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 10, 2025, 23:43 IST
26/11 Mumbai Terror Attack Plotter Tahawwur Rana Taken In NIA's Custody, First Photo Surfaces

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: April 10, 2025, 21:01 IST

Rana, who is identified as the mastermind of the deadly 26/11 attacks, is expected to be lodged in Tihar Jail in the national capital

The image, shared by the NIA, shows Rana with three officers from the central probe agency, shortly after his arrival at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport.

The first photo of Tahawwur Rana, one of the key accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, has surfaced after he was brought to New Delhi from the United States on Thursday evening.

Rana arrived on a special flight escorted by a joint team of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW).

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The image, shared by the NIA on X, shows Rana with three officers from the central agency shortly after his arrival at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) in the national capital.

In a statement, the NIA said Rana was escorted to New Delhi by teams from the NIA and National Security Guard (NSG), including senior officials, on a special flight from Los Angeles.

NIA formally arrest Rana

The NIA added that their investigation team have formally arrested" Ranaa Canadian citizen of Pakistani origin who had been living mainly in Chicagosoon after he stepped off the plane, following all required legal procedures.

The NIA secured Ranas extradition following years of sustained and concerted efforts and after the terror masterminds last-ditch efforts to get a stay on his extradition from the US failed.

Rana was being held in judicial custody in the US pursuant to proceedings initiated by the NIA under the India-US Extradition Treaty.

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Rana, identified as one of the masterminds behind the deadly 26/11 attacks, has been charged with criminal conspiracy, waging war against the government of India, murder and forgery and under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. He is expected to be lodged in Tihar Jail in the national capital.

(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 10, 2025, 20:41 IST
26/11 Mumbai Terror Attacks: David Headley Cannot Be Extradited To India Due To This Reason | Exclusive

Reported By :

News18.com Edited By: Pragati Ratti



Last Updated: April 10, 2025, 12:29 IST

The US prioritises retaining control over individuals with valuable intelligence, even if it impedes India's pursuit of justice.

File Photo of David Coleman Headley.

Investigations into the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks case remain incomplete without David Headley, but extraditing him is impossible due to his deal with the US, top intelligence sources have told CNN-News18. A mix of legal, diplomatic, and strategic reasons ensures the US will never extradite him. The US prioritises retaining control over individuals with valuable intelligence, even if it impedes Indias pursuit of justice.

Headleys 2010 plea agreement with US authorities prevents his extradition to India, Pakistan, or Denmark, as part of his cooperation deal, sources said. This agreement, which is legally binding, spared him from the death penalty in exchange for his testimony against co-conspirators like Tahawwur Rana, sources added. As a protected witness, Headleys confessions about the Mumbai attacks and his connections to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Pakistans ISI made him an essential asset for US investigations.

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According to sources, the US believes that extraditing Headley would compromise ongoing intelligence operations and future prosecutions. Evidence suggests that Headley had prior connections to US agencies like the DEA and FBI as an informer, possibly granting him implicit protection, as per sources. Leaked documents indicate that US intelligence monitored the 26/11 plot but did not act preemptively. Extraditing him could expose sensitive intelligence-gathering techniques and his dual role as a terrorist and informant, sources say.

Headleys plea deal ensured he would not face capital punishment, a condition India could not accept due to its firm stance on terrorism-related offences, like in the case of Ajmal Kasab, sources said. The US refusal to extradite Headley stems from legal agreements, strategic intelligence interests, and diplomatic caution. In contrast, Tahawwur Ranas extradition highlights the effectiveness of Indian government negotiations, according to sources.

About the Author Manoj Gupta Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18 Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18

First Published: April 10, 2025, 12:29 IST
Vice President Kembo Mohadi yesterday met with a delegation of investors in Bulawayo to discuss investment opportunities in the Matabeleland region.

During his engagement, he stated that the Government was committed to enhancing the ease of doing and will look into the proposals tabled, which are set to bring significant development.

The investor delegation from MAEC 87 International is keen to unlock more opportunities through a loan and a grant, which will see the three provinces of Matabeleland, Bulawayo, Matabeleland North and South directly benefiting with the rest of the country reaping spin-offs from the venture once approved.

Emerging from the closed-door meeting with the investors, VP Mohadi, without delving much into the details, gave a brief of their private discussions.

"We had an engagement with investors that are interested in funding the development of the corridor, the Trans Limpopo Corridor from Beitbridge up to Victoria Falls hence we had the three Ministers of State for Matabeleland South, Minister of State for Bulawayo Metropolitan and the Minister of State as represent for Matabeleland North," said VP Mohadi.

"We deliberated on that. They (investors) have a fund that they think they can advance to us. But there are certain technicalities that we have discovered of how we would have wanted it done".

As the Second Republic focuses on transforming the economy towards Vision 2030, the Trans-Limpopo Spatial Development Corridor, a development initiative that is aimed at unlocking economic potential between Zimbabwe and South Africa, is one of the prime areas of interest.

It also seeks to ensure that the two countries engage and deliberate to improve the livelihoods of people positively.

VP Mohadi highlighted that the investment opportunities will further be analysed before a decision to bring them on board is made.

"So, we have adjourned and we have said to the Reserve Bank Governor and the funders themselves, the people advancing the loan, go and sit down and come and give us a position tomorrow (today) as to which is the legal or the right way to do this," he said.

The investors pitched their proposals including funding modalities before the VP, Ministers of State for the three provinces where development will take place, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe representative and other key representatives to this initiative.
Bihar Labourer Wins Rs 1 Crore On Dream11, Becomes Millionaire Overnight

Curated By :

Translation Desk-Local18

Last Updated: April 10, 2025, 10:34 IST

Anand Kushwaha, a labourer from Bihar, won Rs 1 crore on Dream11, transforming his family's life. They plan to build a house, start a business, and invest in education

Anand's fortune changed dramatically when he won Rs 1 crore on Dream11, an online gaming platform he had been playing for the past two years. (Local18)

A labourer from Bihars Chhapra has become a millionaire overnight. Anand Kushwaha from Parsa in Ekma block in Bihar experienced a windfall thanks to the internet. While the internet offers numerous opportunities and risks, for Anand, it brought an unexpected fortune.

Facing financial struggles, Anand moved to Bangalore to work as a labourer. His mother, Dhanesara Devi, still works in others fields, and his father, Raja Ram Kushwaha, sells vegetables to support the family. The family lives in a three-room house without a proper roof, surviving in dire conditions.

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Despite these hardships, Anands fortune changed dramatically when he won Rs 1 crore on Dream11, an online gaming platform he had been playing for the past two years. Initially, Anand kept his participation in Dream11 a secret, especially after losing Rs 22,000. However, upon winning the substantial amount, he immediately informed his father.

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Anands father, Raja Ram, was initially sceptical but was soon convinced when neighbours began visiting to congratulate them. The win has brought immense joy to the family. They plan to use the money to build a proper house and start a business, ensuring they no longer have to work as labourers in another state. This newfound wealth will also be invested in the education of the younger family members, promising a brighter future.

Dhanesara Devi, speaking to Local 18, expressed her relief and happiness. She highlighted the familys struggle with poverty and shared her hope that this windfall would transform their lives. The familys immediate plans include constructing a new house and opening a shop where Anand and his father can work, thereby alleviating their financial difficulties.

Location : Bangalore, India, India

First Published: April 10, 2025, 10:34 IST
Delhi Court Stays Probe Order Against Kapil Mishra In 2020 Riots Case Till April 21

Last Updated: April 10, 2025, 06:53 IST

Senior advocate PK Dubey, appearing for Kapil Mishra, argued the magisterial courts order 'encroached upon' the jurisdiction of a special court dealing with the matter by directing a further investigation.

Law Minister Kapil Mishra (Image Credits: X)

A Delhi court on Wednesday stayed till April 21, an order for further probe against Law Minister Kapil Mishra for his alleged role in the February 2020 riots.

Special judge Kaveri Baweja stayed the order after Mishra moved court with a plea against the magisterial court verdict.

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The court also issued notice to complainant Mohammad Ilyas, on whose plea the magistrate ordered the FIR, and asked him to respond by April 21, the next date of hearing.

"I have considered the submissions of senior counsel for the petitioner and also gone through the impugned order. Let notice of the revision petition be issued to the respondents returnable on April 21, 2025. The record of the court of ACJM (additional chief judicial magistrate) be also requisitioned for the next date fixed. In the meantime, the operation of the impugned order shall remain stayed till the next date of hearing," the court said.

The complaint alleged on February 23, 2020, Mishra and his associates, in connivance with the police, blocked the road at Kardampuri and started breaking the cars of Muslims and Dalits during the alleged riots which broke out after passing of CAA.

Senior advocate P K Dubey, appearing for Mishra, argued the magisterial courts order "encroached upon" the jurisdiction of a special court dealing with the matter by directing a further investigation.

Dubey, appearing alongside advocates Siddhesh Kotwal, Paritosh Anil and Manya Hasija, urged the court to stay the magisterial courts order, saying Mishra was a public figure and "a sword was hanging at his neck" with an "injury" being caused every day.

Special public prosecutor Amit Prasad, appearing for Delhi Police, also sought setting aside of the trial court order, saying, "Allegations of Mishra being involved in the riots cropped up so many times. We (Mishra) have probed and come to conclusion that his involvement was not found." Delhi Police had opposed the complaint against Mishra before the trial court, saying that he had no role in the riots.

The police had informed the court during the arguments on the petition that "a plan" was being "hatched to shift the blame on Mishra".

Mishras role was already investigated in the larger conspiracy behind the riots, it said.

"The chats of the DPSG (Delhi protest support group) show that the chakka jams were planned well in advance, as early as February 15 and 17, 2020. Police investigation had revealed that a plan was hatched to shift the blame on Mishra," the police added.

ACJM Vaibhav Chaurasia on April 1 said that a cognisable offence was prima facie" found that needed to be investigated.

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It is clear that Mishra was in the area at the time of alleged offence further probe required," the magistrate said.

He was hearing arguments on a plea filed by a Yamuna Vihar resident Mohammad Ilyas, seeking registration of the FIR, which was opposed by Delhi police, claiming that Mishra had no role in the riots.

Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: April 10, 2025, 06:53 IST
Double Jeopardy And Diplomacy: How India Secured Tahawwur Rana's Extradition From US?

Reported By :

CNN-News18 Edited By: Mallika Soni



Last Updated: April 10, 2025, 11:19 IST

Tahawwur Rana Extradition: The US Department of Justice accepted Indias submissions which countered Tahawwur Ranas defence of double jeopardy.

Tahawwur Rana

Tahawwur Rana is set to land in India and face trial in the Mumbai 26/11 terror attack case after being extradited from the United States. The US Supreme Court rejected Tahawwur Ranas plea to stay his extradition to India stating, The application for stay addressed to The Chief Justice and referred to the Court is denied."

Union Home Minister Amit Shah asserted that securing the extradition of Tahawwur Rana is a big success" of Prime Minister Narendra Modis governments diplomacy.

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Read more: From Abu Salem To Ravi Pujari, A Look At Indias High-Profile Successful Extraditions

It is the responsibility of the Indian government to bring back all those who have misbehaved with the land and people of India under the law of the country. The return of Tahawwur Rana is a big success of the Modi governments diplomacy, because the governments under whose rule the bomb blasts took place could not bring him back," the office of Amit Shah said in a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).

How India Secured Tahawwur Ranas Extradition?

The US Department of Justice accepted Indias submissions which countered Tahawwur Ranas defence of double jeopardy", CNN-News18 has learnt.

New Delhi snubbed Tahawwur Ranas argument in which he claimed that his prosecution in India is double jeopardy citing sections of the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. India argued before the US that double jeopardy is decided on the basis of the crime and not the conduct of the accused, sources told.

Read more: Tahawwur Ranas Extradition From US: What Happens After 26/11 Accused Lands In India?

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CNN-News18 learnt that Indias diplomatic presence and position in the world as well as friendly relations with the United States helped in quick extradition of Tahawwur Rana.

In February, US President Donald Trump met PM Narendra Modi and announced in a joint press conference that Tahawwur Rana would face justice in India.

About the Author Ananya Bhatnagar Ananya Bhatnagar, Correspondent at CNN-News18, reports on various legal issues and cases in lower courts and the Delhi High Court. He has covered the hanging of the Nirbhaya gang-rape convicts, JNU violence, De... Read More Ananya Bhatnagar, Correspondent at CNN-News18, reports on various legal issues and cases in lower courts and the Delhi High Court. He has covered the hanging of the Nirbhaya gang-rape convicts, JNU violence, De... Read More

First Published: April 10, 2025, 11:19 IST
'Entitled, Toxic, Unreal Expectations': NRI Claims 'Burnout' At Indian Company In 2 Weeks

Curated By :

News18.com Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee



Last Updated: April 10, 2025, 20:04 IST

The man, who shared his ordeal with the NRI community on Reddit, said he misses the work culture in the US, and should have taken up the offer from his previous job to move to Paris for one-and-a-half years

In his Reddit post, the man claimed that he was forced to leave his previous job in the US and find a new one due to visa issues. (Image for representation)

An Indian professional working in the United States is now regretting his decision to move back home due to the toxic" work culture he has to endure in his new job.

The man, who shared his ordeal with the NRI community on Reddit, said he misses the work culture in the US, and should have taken up the offer from his previous job to move to Paris for one-and-a-half years. He claimed to have suffered a burnout" at the Indian workplace only after two weeks.

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According to a report published in Hindustan Times, he said he was forced to leave his previous job and find a new one due to visa issues. He said he chose India over the Paris move so that he does not have to face US immigration authorities again after 1.5 years.

I had an option of moving to Paris for 1.5 years and then return to the US but I didnt want to be at the mercy of US immigration again, especially in the current circumstances. I begged and pleaded with my company to let me work from India but they didnt budge," he was quoted as saying by HT.

He further said his decision to move back to India and live with his parents had left him extremely frustrated" due to the work environment at his new workplace.

Its been 2 weeks and Im already feeling burnt out. I hate it here. Initially, I wasnt missing the US at all. The freedom, the weekend lifestyle, those never appealed to me anyway and Ive accepted like traffic and pollution. But, after work, Im feeling extremely frustrated and almost regretful that I should have chosen the Paris option instead," he was quoted.

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The man further said at his previous workplace, he liked his job and colleagues. But, his co-workers at the new job were extremely entitled" while battling toxic, long work hours, unreal expectations", he claimed.

Even though some days were hectic, the people made it feel worth it. I actively decided on being with my parents and moving back home since are theyre getting older. But now feels like if I make the wrong choice. I dont know, I feel so torn and frustrated with people here," he was quoted.

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 10, 2025, 20:04 IST
First Memory Is A Sense Of Horror: As Tahawwur Rana Lands In India, 'First Responder' Maj Gen Abhay Gupta Recalls 26/11 Attacks | Exclusive

Reported By :

CNN-News18

Last Updated: April 10, 2025, 20:13 IST

Maj Gen (retd) Abhay Gupta, who led a National Security Guard (NSG) team to the financial capital in a first response to the terror strike, said the point person of the attacks was David Headley, while the one pulling the strings was Rana

Maj Gen (retd) Abhay Gupta. File pic/News18

As 2008 Mumbai attacks accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana landed in Delhi on Thursday following his extradition from the United States, CNN-News18 spoke with Maj Gen (retd) Abhay Gupta, who led a National Security Guard (NSG) team to the financial capital in a first response" to the terror strike.

The first memory that I get is a sense of horror because when we walked into all these buildings and hotels, there was what is called a bloodbath," Maj Gen Gupta said. There were signs of that especially in the area of Taj Hotel in Mumbai near the swimming pool and the corridors around that in the Oberoi towards the dining areas from where people had run away and subsequently in the Nariman House, which is called Chabad House by the Jews. When we had eliminated the terrorists and entered there, it was a pitiful sight."

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When the attacks began, said Maj Gen Gupta, he was in Dehradun. But my subordinate, who was command officer for operationsI got in touch with. I started passing instructions from there. There was a delay factor in the government decision-making system, after which orders were passed to Mr Dutt (then-NSG chief) to mobilise," he said. However, in anticipation, our counterterrorist force in Manesar was already put on alert and we, roughly, have a response of about 80 to 100 people in that team. So they loaded up and they moved."

Unfortunately, he recollected, there is a tollgate between Manesar and Delhi. Once the local police gave us clearance and cleared the road, the bottleneck at that tollgate took quite some time. We were there at Palam airport, somewhere around 1.32 at night. And the Air Force aircraft was being fueled up because they put in fuel as per the destination and other flying parameters. Then the flight took off," he said. It may be worth recalling that Mr (Shivraj) Patil was the home ministeraccompanied by Mr DuttThey all boarded, and they landed in Bombay around 4,30 in the morning. They were then ferried by bus, and Mr Dutt and others went to the police headquarters, their control room, and they were briefed there. They went on site around 6 in the morningbetween 6 and 6.30, the MARCOS, the Navy commandosfrom them the situation was taken over and NSG operation started."

Asked about the speed with which the government of the day reacted, Maj Gen Gupta said it went as per the procedure. The Maharashtra government initially approached the military authorities there, local authorities. They were told to seek their clearance from the ministries. In the meantime, the police assessment was recalibrated, and it was seen as a terror attack. And then, within Delhi, it was decided that the best force to handle it would be the counterterrorist force that is NSG," he said.

The point person" of the attacks was David Headley, while the one pulling the strings was Rana, said Maj Gen Gupta. And the persons who were then pulling strings for both of them were sitting in Pakistan, either terrorists or IS," he said. We know that the victims who suffered at the hands of the 10 terrorists and their relatives still rue the day that Headley came and did a recce, which was fully supported and guided by Rana. So it (the roles of Rana and Headley) was very crucial, and we as NSG saw this when we encountered the terrorists in the hotels as well as at Chabad House. To give you an example, their knowledge of the Chabad HouseThey knew that only one staircase existed. The lift was not working. They blasted the ground floor segment leading up to the first floor, and the stairwell would have been a deathtrap for NSG to climb through. So that was the degree of detail."

Similarly was the situation at Taj Hotel, he said. We saw barricades made with tables and other things, behind which they took position and kept firing," said Maj Gen Gupta.

And what lessons did India learn? To give an example, immediately the police force geared up for counterterrorism and in NSG we train the police also in commando operations," said Maj Gen Gupta. There were requests sent to us, and in turn, we took that extra step forward, and we sent our training teams to Punjab, to Rajasthan, and other places, as well as increase their allotment of seats in our ongoing coursesI think now nearly every state has got a specialised counterterrorist force."

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The second thing, he said, was surveillance within Mumbai itself. Increased awareness took place in this regard. Similarly, if you see the coastline, the coastal security was beefed up, as well as police and various measures were taken there," he said.

As far as Headley is concerned, said Maj Gen Gupta, his testimony is in the public domain as he gave it in the American courts.

About the Author Manoj Gupta Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18 Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18

First Published: April 10, 2025, 20:02 IST
Indias Top Rappers Sign Up To Break Down Barriers Between Hearing And Deaf Communities

Last Updated: April 10, 2025, 16:41 IST

The Right Sign is a nationwide movement to mainstream Indian Sign Language (ISL) through the cultural power of music and digital storytelling

More than just a creative campaign, The Right Sign also includes an educational module: a 40-phrase ISL tutorial taught by the artists themselves. Pic/News18

In a groundbreaking collaboration between technology, music, and advocacy, VerSe Innovation, Signing Hands Foundation, Wondrlab, and Lucifer Music have launched The Right Sign  a nationwide movement to mainstream Indian Sign Language (ISL) through the cultural power of music and digital storytelling.

At the core of this initiative are four popular Indian rappers  Indeep Bakshi, V-Town Chronicles, Enkore, and Y-ASH 1HUNNED  who have re-released their hit music videos (Alone, Flex, Dhalta Chand, and Jo Dekha Wo Likha), replacing conventional hand signs with authentic ISL expressions. The campaign is designed to break down barriers between the hearing and deaf communities by making sign language visible, relatable, and accessible.

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More than just a creative campaign, The Right Sign also includes an educational module: a 40-phrase ISL tutorial taught by the artists themselves. This aims to empower audiences to communicate with the deaf community and spark curiosity about learning sign language.

Were launching The Right Sign not as a moment but a movement," said Samir Vora, chief marketing officer, VerSe Innovation. With the scale of our platforms like Dailyhunt and Josh, we see an opportunity to turn cultural influence into a force for inclusion. This is just the beginning."

Alok Kejriwal, founder and CEO of Signing Hands Foundation, added, ISL is more than a tool  its identity, expression, and connection. VerSes initiative is a meaningful step towards creating true representation and acceptance."

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The idea was born from a cultural insight. Young people mimic gang signs in music videos without knowing their meaning. Yet most remain unaware of Indian Sign Language," said Amit Akali, CCO at Wondrlab. We wanted to flip that  and make signs truly meaningful."

Artists wholeheartedly embraced the vision. Enkore shared, Learning ISL was transformative. It added a whole new layer to how I express through music." Astarif of V-Town Chronicles added, Rap is raw, its real. Using it to elevate ISL just made perfect sense."

About the Author Mayuresh Ganapatye Mayuresh Ganapatye, News Editor at News18.com, writes on politics and civic issues, as well as human interests stories. He has been covering Maharashtra and Goa for more than a decade. He previously worked with... Read More Mayuresh Ganapatye, News Editor at News18.com, writes on politics and civic issues, as well as human interests stories. He has been covering Maharashtra and Goa for more than a decade. He previously worked with... Read More

First Published: April 10, 2025, 16:41 IST
Jilted Lover Sends Over 300 Cash-On-Delivery Parcels To Ex-Girlfriend In Bizarre Revenge Plot

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: April 10, 2025, 16:32 IST

The police initially suspected her colleagues' involvement in the impersonation, but later found out it was her ex-boyfriend.

The woman lodged a complaint with Lake Town police station last month for facing relentless harassment (Representative image)

In a bizarre incident, a jilted lover was held for allegedly harassing his ex-girlfriend with over 300 cash-on-delivery orders over four months, which led the woman to file a harassment complaint.

The victim, a 24-year-old bank executive, had lodged a complaint with Lake Town police station of relentless harassment as the accused stalker was sending multiple cash-on-delivery packages, resulting in distress and her accounts being blocked by e-commerce platforms like Amazon and Flipkart, Times of India reported.

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As per the report, the police initially suspected her colleagues involvement in the impersonation, but later found out it was her ex-boyfriend, identified as 25-year-old Suman Sikdar.

A resident of Nadia, Sikdar knew the woman for years.

As per the report, the duo broke up recently. However, unable to bear this, Sikdar started sending bulk parcels to her as an act of revenge. He said the woman loved online shopping and often demanded gifts from him, which he couldnt afford,

The man confessed to making the parcel bookings and harassing her with texts and calls from unknown numbers. He said the woman loved online shopping and often demanded gifts from him, which he couldnt afford. He was under the impression the woman left him for his inability to provide for her, and hence he started harassing her with the bulk delivery of parcels," an officer said as quoted by the news outlet.

The victim woman said that the issue started in November last year, shortly after her breakup, when she had to return several hundred parcels.

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All of them were cash-on-delivery products, and they range from tablets and mobile phones to dresses and small gift items. Throughout February, there were multiple deliveries of Valentines Day gifts and other products each day. I had frequent tiffs with delivery agents who negatively rated me, and when I took the matter up with the e-commerce platforms, they blocked my account," said the woman, who works at the Lake Town branch of a nationalised bank.

Sikdar was produced before a Salt Lake court on Wednesday, where he was granted bail, the report added.

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 10, 2025, 16:32 IST
PM Modi Writes To Chinese Prof Wang Zhicheng, Praises Him For Promoting Yoga, Indian Cultural Traditions In China

Reported By :

CNN-News18

Last Updated: April 11, 2025, 00:26 IST

Prof Wang is the chief editor of the Yoga Library series of books, and his translations of ancient Indian texts, including the Bhagavad Gita and the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, have become the subject matter of more than a hundred virtual lectures that have received widespread acclaim in China

Prof Wang Zhicheng with Consul General Pratik Mathur in Shanghai. File pic/X

Deepening cultural exchanges with China, with initiatives like the upcoming 10th International Day of Yoga celebrations in cities like Shanghai, marks the growing influence of yoga and Indian culture within Chinese society. The Consul General of India in Shanghai, Pratik Mathur, handed over a letter from the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, to Prof Wang Zhicheng of Zhejiang University. In his letter, PM Modi has recognised his remarkable contributions to the promotion of yoga and Indian cultural traditions in China. The ceremony took place at the prestigious Zhejiang University campus in Hangzhou, marking a significant moment in the strengthening of cultural ties between India and China, which are celebrating the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year.

The influence of yoga and Indian culture extends beyond physical exercise, resonating deeply within Chinese society. Prof Wang is the chief editor of the Yoga Library series of books, and his translations of ancient Indian texts, including the Bhagavad Gita and the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, have become the subject matter of more than a hundred virtual lectures that have received widespread acclaim in China.

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During Prime Minister Modis visit to Hangzhou for the G20 Summit in 2016, Prof Wang personally presented his translation of the Bhagavad Gita to the PM. Prof Wangs efforts have significantly contributed to the growing popularity of yoga in China, where it has emerged as a widely embraced practice for physical and mental well-being. Over the past decade, yoga has gained immense traction across Chinese cities, with millions participating in classes, workshops, and events such as the International Day of Yoga. In Zhejiang Province alone, cities like Hangzhou, Wuyi, and Jiaxing have hosted large-scale yoga gatherings, drawing thousands of enthusiasts. This surge reflects yogas integration into Chinese lifestyles, blending harmoniously with traditional practices like Tai Chi and promoting a holistic approach to health.

Prof Wang has noted a rising interest among young Chinese in Indian philosophical traditions, which emphasise mindfulness, balance, and inner peace and values that align with Chinas own cultural heritage. His work has bridged these ancient civilisations, fostering mutual respect and understanding. Consul General Mathur praised Prof Wangs unstinting efforts towards popularising Indian culture," highlighting how yoga has become a powerful medium for cultural diplomacy. Yogas popularity in China is a testament to its universal appeal and its ability to bring our peoples closer together."

First Published: April 11, 2025, 00:26 IST
26/11 Mumbai Terror Attack Accused Tahawwur Rana's Flight Lands In Delhi

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: April 10, 2025, 19:09 IST

The 64-year-old is expected to be lodged in Tihar Jail in Delhi. Sources said that he will be arrested by the National Investigation Agency

Tahawwur Rana landed in New Delhi on Thursday. (File photo)

Tahawwur Hussain Rana, who is accused of plotting the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai, reached New Delhi on Thursday evening, a day after a multi-agency Indian team left from the United States with him on a special flight.

Rana, who is identified as the mastermind of the deadly 26/11 attacks, is expected to be lodged in Tihar Jail in Delhi, sources informed, adding that he will be arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). A joint team of the NIA and the Research and Analysis Wing reportedly brought him back.

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The team had travelled to the US after the countrys Supreme Court dismissed Ranas review plea seeking an emergency stay on his extradition to India.

According to the officials, high-security cells in Tihar Jail in the national capital and Arthur Road prison in Mumbai have been prepared for high-risk detainee. The NIA has also recently obtained a court order on the transfer of his case from Mumbai to Delhi.

Rana has been charged with criminal conspiracy, waging war against the government of India, murder and forgery and under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

READ MORE | Tahawwur Rana Extradition LIVE: 26/11 Attacks Plotter To Land By Noon Today, Likely To Be Lodged In Tihar Jail

What Are The Charges Against Tahawwur Rana?

Tahawwur Rana, a Pakistani-origin Canadian businessman, is known to have been an active operative of the terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). He played a pivotal role in facilitating travel documents for David Headley, who conducted reconnaissance of key targets in Mumbai, which were later attacked, killing 164 people, including six Americans.

The NIA charge sheet against Tahawwur Rana- filed in December 2011- accused him, David Headley and six others of planning and executing terror attacks in India.

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The charge sheet included statements of 134 witnesses, 210 documents and 106 emails, including one from David Headleys wife who congratulated" him for his graduation and also said that she saw the show (broadcast of the terror attack) all day".

David Headley and Tahawwur Rana were in constant communication in the run-up to the 26/11 attacks, emails accessed by NIA showed.

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 10, 2025, 14:41 IST
Last Updated: April 11, 2025, 00:07 IST

Canadian-Pakistani Tahawwur Hussain Rana, 62, is one of the key conspirators of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. (File Photo)

Tahawwur Rana Extradition Highlights: Tahawwur Rana, a co-conspirator in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, landed in India on Thursday (April 10), a day after a multi-agency Indian team left from the United States with him on a special flight on Wednesday.

The team had travelled to the US after the countrys Supreme Court dismissed Ranas review plea seeking an emergency stay on his extradition to India.

According to the officials, high-security cells in Tihar Jail in the national capital and Arthur Road prison in Mumbai have been prepared for a high-risk detainee. The NIA has also recently obtained a court order on the transfer of his case from Mumbai to Delhi.

The agency has sought his custodial interrogation after it produced him before the court. Rana is facing the trial in the Mumbai terror attacks case.

Follow LIVE updates:
Local banks have been actively mobilising millions of dollars in lines of credit for on-lending, primarily to productive sectors of the economy, to supplement local deposits.

According to recent financial publications from various banks, almost all institutions have active lines of credit available for drawdown and some are currently exploring opportunities to secure more.

Old Mutual Zimbabwe (OMZIL), through its banking subsidiary CABS, reported mobilising a cumulative US$160 million in lines of credit in 2024.

The group's focus in the first half of the year will be on deploying this capital to various projects of national interest.

Financial services group CBZ Holdings stated that its banking unit, CBZ Bank, raised US$93 million in lines of credit in 2024, which supported key sectors of the economy.

NMB Holdings, on its part, indicated that the bank is on track to draw down US$100 million from different providers of offshore lines of credit in 2025. In 2024, the bank secured over US$65 million in direct funding and trade finance limits from offshore Developmental Finance Institutions (DFIs).

Bankers Association of Zimbabwe (BAZ) president Mr Lawrence Nyazema explained that banks have obtained and continue to seek lines of credit to bolster what are essentially stagnant deposit levels.

"These funds are primarily used to support the productive sector, where banks are struggling to meet the demand for credit facilities," he said.

"Total market deposits have averaged between US$3 billion and US$3.5 billion, hence the necessity to secure additional funding from external sources, with lines of credit being one such avenue."

However, Mr Nyazema clarified that these lines of credit represent a cost rather than a primary source of earnings.

"They come with costs of almost 10 percent, and banks barely realise a significant margin when they on-lend. Their efforts are geared towards ensuring continued support for economic activity despite a challenging environment," he noted.

At an analyst briefing last month, Old Mutual Zimbabwe chief executive Mr Samuel Matsekete, affirmed the group's strong commitment to investing in and supporting the development of the economy.

"Over the past year, we mobilised an additional US$60 million, bringing our total to approximately US$160 million," he said.

"Our primary focus in the first half will be to deploy that cumulative US$160 million effectively. We have also observed the need for some modifications based on customer demand."

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Mr Matsekete highlighted that the group has made several investments in areas such as renewable energy and infrastructure value chains within agriculture, mining, and tourism, among others.

Financial analyst, Mr Malone Gwadu, opined that the reliance on lines of credit indicates a substantial demand for funding to facilitate economic activity.

"Businesses across all sectors require funding to further capacitate their operations through working capital for farmers, asset financing for manufacturers, receivables financing for miners during export periods, as well as non-funded lines like letters of credit and guarantees that enhance trade between companies in different jurisdictions, particularly in light of the ACFTA agreement," he explained.

He also suggested that lines of credit have the potential to become a significant earnings stream and serve as a coping mechanism for local banks facing the current tight liquidity situation in the market.
Tahawwur Rana: How A Pakistani Doctor Became A Convict In 26/11 Mumbai Terror Attacks Case

Curated By :

Translation Desk

Last Updated: April 10, 2025, 15:56 IST

Tahawwur Hussain Rana, alleged 26/11 Mumbai attacks co-conspirator, is an ex-Pakistani Army doctor who aided the terror networks via his immigration business.

Tahawwur Rana was extradited to India for alleged role in 26/11 Mumbai attacks. (File Image)

Tahawwur Hussain Rana, alleged co-conspirator in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, arrived in Delhi on Thursday afternoon on a special plane after he was extradited from the US. A Pakistani-born doctor who once donned the uniform of the Pakistan Armys medical corps, Ranas transformation from a healer to a facilitator of terror reads like a chilling dossier of fanaticism, covert intelligence, and global intrigue.

Born in Pakistans Sahiwal district in Punjab province, he grew up under the influence of a father who insisted he pursue medicine, even as Tahawwur Rana nursed dreams of joining the security services. He eventually earned his medical degree and was commissioned into the Pakistan Armys medical wing.

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By 1998, Rana left the army and moved to Canada, allegedly at the behest of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). There, he established an immigration services business, which investigators believe doubled as a front for espionage and surveillance. His Canadian citizenship came not from altruism or ambition in the field of medicine, but rather as part of a broader strategy to build global mobility and access  tools that would later become useful in facilitating terror networks.

LIVE | Tahawwur Rana Extradition: 26/11 Mumbai Attacks Plotter To Be Taken To NIA HQ Under 3-Layered Security

Eventually, Rana relocated to Chicago, where he expanded his business and opened an office. It was there that he connected with David Coleman Headley, an American of Pakistani descent and a central figure in the Mumbai attacks. Their partnership later proved critical to Lashkar-e-Taibas reconnaissance efforts in India.

Headley, now serving a prison sentence in the United States, confessed to conducting surveillance on the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel and other targets in Mumbai at Ranas behest. He used Ranas immigration business as a cover to travel and operate with ease. Investigators believe Rana, fully aware of Headleys activities, was complicit in planning the logistics of the attacks that killed over 170 people in November 2008.

Rana himself traveled to India on a tourist visa, accompanied by his wife, Samraj Rana Akhtar. During his visit, he toured Delhi, Mumbai, Agra, Kochi, and Ahmedabad. Though posing as a doctor, officials now believe Rana was conducting preliminary reconnaissance under the radar.

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What sets Rana apart is not just his betrayal of his medical oath, but the cold calculation with which he shifted roles  from military doctor to alleged ISI asset, from immigration consultant to terror logistics coordinator. US authorities first arrested him in 2009 on separate charges related to a foiled terror plot in Denmark targeting the Jyllands-Posten newspaper. During that investigation, links to the Mumbai case surfaced. Though his cooperation with US authorities was limited, Indian intelligence agencies were granted brief access to question him while he was in American custody.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has long considered Rana a key cog in the machinery that enabled the 26/11 attacks. After a prolonged legal battle, the US courts on Wednesday, April 9, cleared the path for his extradition to India.

First Published: April 10, 2025, 15:56 IST
Tahawwur Rana To Be Grilled On Pakistan's Role In 26/11 Mumbai Terror Attacks: What NIA Wants To Know

Reported By :

News18.com Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee



Last Updated: April 10, 2025, 22:21 IST

During his questioning, the NIA will likely confront Tahawwur Rana with emails sent by him, co-conspirator David Headley and Pakistani army officials, as the agency suspects that he was Headley's principal handler

Security personnel stand guard outside the NIA headquarters, in New Delhi on April 10. (Image: PTI/Ravi Choudhary)

The NIA is likely to seek more evidence about Pakistans involvement in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks during the custodial interrogation of Tahawwur Hussain Rana, who was arrested as soon as he touched down in Delhi on Thursday.

Tahawwur Rana is one of the key accused in the multiple terror attacks that took place in 2008. India successfully extradited him after his last-ditch attempt to evade the action failed as the US Supreme Court justices rejected his application.

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During his questioning, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) will likely confront Rana with emails sent by him, co-conspirator David Coleman Headley and Pakistani army officials. The agency suspects that the 64-year-old Pakistani-born Canadian citizen was Headleys principal handler.

One of the masterminds, his extradition comes 17 years after the terror attacks sent shockwaves across India. The NIA on Thursday successfully secured the extradition of Tahawwur Hussain Rana, the mastermind of the deadly 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, after years of sustained and concerted efforts to bring the key conspirator behind the 2008 mayhem to justice," the NIA said in a statement.

HOW TAHAWWUR RANA REACHED INDIA

American authorities handed over Rana, who is a Canadian citizen, to a team of the National Security Guard (NSG), who secured him throughout the flight to India.

A dummy code was generated for the special aircraft to avoid detection on one-source flight trackers. The Prime Ministers Office (PMO) monitored the flight movement on a real-time basis.

ALSO READ | First Memory Is A Sense Of Horror: As Tahawwur Rana Lands In India, First Responder Maj Gen Abhay Gupta Recalls 26/11 Attacks

DAVID HEADLEYS PRINCIPAL HANDLER?

The NIA suspects that Rana was the principal handler for co-conspirator and childhood friend David Headley, who helped expose his role in the terror attacks. Officials said his role could have been much more than just providing fake documents for Headleys visa.

The NIA will likely seek more evidence about Pakistans official involvement in the attacks, while Rana may be confronted with emails sent by him, Headley and Pakistani army officials. He could also be asked about his own India visit in November 2008, and possible sleeper cells at locations he visited like Hapur, Delhi and Mumbai.

WHAT WILL THE LEGAL BATTLE LOOK LIKE?

While the NIA has appointed special public prosecutor Narender Maan and senior advocate Dayan Krishnan to helm its case against Rana, it will be interesting to know who defends the 26/11 suspects.

According to media reports, for now, Delhi legal service lawyer Piyush Sachdeva has been appointed to defend Rana. But given the high-stakes legal battle, his defence move in Delhi will be closely watched by agencies.

BIG WIN FOR INDIA

Union Home Minister Amit Shah called Ranas extradition a big diplomatic win for India. Former Home Secretary GK Pillai expressed confidence that he will be convicted.

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Pillai, as home secretary, had overseen the NIA teams visit to the US to question Headley, whose revelations gave fresh insight into Ranas role in the conspiracy. Former officials hailed the extradition as a mark of Indias professional investigation, which passed the test in the Supreme Court of the US.

Loknath Behera, the then inspector-general of NIA who had questioned Headley, said, Getting Rana extradited is a great achievement. It was not an easy task."

About the Author Arunima Arunima is Editor (Home Affairs) and covers strategic, security and political affairs. From the Ukraine-Russia War to the India-China stand-off in Ladakh to India-Pak clashes, she has reported from ground zero ... Read More Arunima is Editor (Home Affairs) and covers strategic, security and political affairs. From the Ukraine-Russia War to the India-China stand-off in Ladakh to India-Pak clashes, she has reported from ground zero ... Read More

First Published: April 10, 2025, 21:21 IST
Trained To Heal, Turned To Kill: The Rise And Fall Of Tahawwur Rana

Reported By :

CNN-News18 Edited By: Karishma Jain



Last Updated: April 10, 2025, 19:37 IST

Tahawwur Ranas journey from military doctor to 26/11 Mumbai attacks conspirator exposes how Pakistans institutions bred terror from within.

Tahawwur Rana landed in New Delhi on Thursday. (File photo)

Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a former doctor and an alumnus of Pakistans prestigious Hasan Abdal Military College, once wore the military uniform with pride. Today, he stands extradited to India on terror charges, accused of plotting and helping Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed orchestrate the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai. Rana reached New Delhi on Thursday evening, a day after a multi-agency Indian team left from the United States with him on a special flight.

The Pakistani establishment can no longer deny its involvement in the 26/11 attacks. Two Abdalians  Rana and David Headley  were on their rolls. Ranas extradition now offers India a rare opportunity to unravel deeper state-sponsored terror links.

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Born in Chichawatni, Punjab, Pakistan, Rana hailed from an influential family  his father was a principal in Lahore. His two siblings pursued prominent careers: one as a psychiatrist in the Pakistan military, and the other as a journalist for The Hill Times in Canada.

According to sources, Ranas radicalisation was heavily influenced by his military school network and ideological leanings. Cadet College Hasan Abdal, where he met David Headley, boasts an alumni network called the Abdalians," which included military officers and extremists like Ilyas Kashmiri  both linked to Al-Qaeda and Lashkar-e-Taiba.

Rana served as a Captain in the Pakistan Army Medical Corps before retiring in 1997. His time in uniform likely exposed him to the deep-rooted anti-India sentiments within Pakistans armed forces.

Following his marriage to a fellow doctor, Rana immigrated to Canada in 1997. He acquired Canadian citizenship in 2001 and later moved to Chicago, where he ran First World Immigration Services and a halal slaughterhouse. This immigration consultancy would become a key front for David Headleys terror missions in India.

Rana facilitated Headleys reconnaissance of targets like the Taj Hotel and Chabad House in Mumbai. He helped secure visas, set up a Mumbai branch of their consultancy, and fabricated documents to aid terror planning. Not just logistics, Rana also funded Headleys trips and maintained communication with ISI handler Major Iqbal.

His links with terror groups were extensive. Rana exchanged messages with militants like Ilyas Kashmiri, circulated Al-Qaeda propaganda videos, and had close ties with ISIs Major Iqbal and Sajid Mir, key players in coordinating the 26/11 attacks. Through Ilyas Kashmiri, Rana expanded his global terror reach and deepened his association with Al-Qaeda and Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami (HuJI).

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Ranas case stands as a stark reminder of how Pakistans military institutions and extremist ideologies intertwine to fuel global terrorism  a network now one step closer to being fully exposed.

The 64-year-old is expected to be lodged in Tihar Jail in Delhi, sources informed, adding that he will be arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). A joint team of the NIA and the Research and Analysis Wing reportedly brought him back.

About the Author Manoj Gupta Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18 Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18

First Published: April 10, 2025, 19:37 IST
UP Woman With 3 Children Converts, Marries Class 12 Student In Temple

Last Updated: April 10, 2025, 07:08 IST

Shabnam sought and obtained a divorce from Taufiq on Friday last week. Later, she converted to Hinduism and adopted the name Shivani.

A 30-year-old woman married a 12th-grade student in a temple ceremony in Uttar Pradeshs Amroha district. (Image: X)

A 30-year-old woman with three children converted to Hinduism and married a 12th-grade student in a temple ceremony in Uttar Pradeshs Amroha district on Wednesday, police officials said.

According to Hasanpur Circle Officer Deep Kumar Pant, the woman, Shivani, was previously known as Shabnam. She has no living parents and has been married twice before. UP is a state that has an anti-conversion law in place.

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The Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021 bars religious conversion through force, deceit or any other fraudulent means. Police said they are currently reviewing the circumstances surrounding the marriage, but no legal complaints have been filed so far.

The circle officer said that Shivani first married a man in Meerut, but the marriage ended in divorce. She then married Taufiq, a resident of Saidanwali village, who was left disabled after a road accident in 2011.

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Recently, she developed a relationship with a boy in Class 12 and aged around 18. Subsequently, Shabnam sought and obtained a divorce from Taufiq on Friday last week. Later, she converted to Hinduism and adopted the name Shivani.

Shivas father, Dataram Singh, a Saidanwali resident, told reporters that he supports his sons decision and that the family is happy if the couple is happy. "We only hope that both live together peacefully," he said.

Location : Uttar Pradesh, India, India

First Published: April 10, 2025, 07:01 IST
Who Is David Coleman Headley? All You Need To Know About His Link To 26/11 Accused Tahawwur Rana

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: April 10, 2025, 10:29 IST

David Coleman Headley is currently serving a 35-year sentence in a US prison for terrorism-related offenses connected to the Mumbai attacks.

File Photo of David Coleman Headley.

As India is gearing up to extradite Tahawwur Hussain Rana, accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, from the United States, his associate, David Coleman Headley, has also garnered attention. Headly was a key conspirator in the 2008 bombings that resulted in the deaths of 166 people, including 20 security personnel and 26 foreigners, across multiple locations in Mumbai.

A joint team from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) is set to extradite Rana (64) after the Supreme Court of the United States dismissed his review plea seeking an emergency stay on his extradition to India. The development comes nearly 16 years after his arrest by the FBI.

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Who Is David Coleman Headley?

Headley, an American of Pakistani descent, has already pleaded guilty to his involvement in the attacks that paralysed Mumbai for almost three days.

He is currently serving a 35-year sentence in a US prison for terrorism-related offenses connected to the Mumbai attacks and a planned assault on a Danish newspaper. India has repeatedly sought his extradition, but US authorities have refused, citing his cooperation deal.

Headley was born as Daood Sayed Gilani in Washington DC to Sayed Salim Gilani and his American wife, Alice Serrill Headley. His father was a prominent Pakistani diplomat and broadcaster.

Headley spent his early years in Pakistan and did his schooling from a boarding school before moving to the US, where he worked as a barman at his familys pub in Philadelphia. He established links with the Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).

Later in 1998, he was sentenced to two years in prison for smuggling heroin into the US from Pakistan.

Following his release, Headley began working with the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), carrying out undercover surveillance operations in Pakistan.

Headley, between 2002 to 2005, attended five LeT training camps in Pakistan. Following this, he travelled to India several times (reportedly five to eight times) on the instructions of Lashkar commanders to conduct surveillance leading up to the Mumbai attacks in 2008.

Pakistani-American terrorist was in touch with 2008 Mumbai terror attacks plotter Tahawwur Hussain Rana and reportedly called him 231 times during his visits to India ahead of the 26/11 attacks.

He was then arrested in 2009 by US authorities in Denmark. He later pleaded guilty to terrorism charges. During his custody, he cooperated with the investigators and gave detailed insights into LeT operations and Pakistans role.

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 10, 2025, 10:29 IST
SHOCKING! Darshan Watches Movie In Theatre With Witness In Fan Murder Case, Skips Court Proceedings

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: April 10, 2025, 15:23 IST

Kannada actor Darshan, accused in a fan murder case, sparked controversy by visiting a Bengaluru theatre with a key witness. Legally, an accused on bail cannot meet witnesses.

Darshan has resumed shooting for his upcoming film Devil.

Kannada actor Darshan, who is an accused in a fan murder case, has sparked a controversy once again. Recently, the actor visited a movie theatre in Bengaluru to watch the recently released film, Vamana, which stars Dhanveer Gowda in the lead. As reported by IANS, the actor was seen limping while entering a mall in Bengaluru, where a large number of fans had gathered and were chanting slogans in his praise. While Darshan arrived at the mall around 8 pm, he watched the entire movie for three hours.

However, what has sparked a major controversy is something else. Darshan was also accompanied by a key witness in the murder case as he watched the film. In a photo that has surfaced on social media, Darshan was seen seated in a theatre with the witness. Legally, an accused, who is out on bail, is not allowed to meet a witness involved in the case. As reported by IANS, the Karnataka state police is now likely to take action against Darshan.

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Interestingly, on April 8, a Bengaluru court was also hearing the fan murder case when Darshans counsel had submitted a petition seeking exemption from appearance. Via his legal team, the actor claimed that he was suffering from back pain and would therefore not be able to visit the court.

However, the judge gave a stern warning to the actor and made it clear that no excuses for his absence would be entertained.

For the unversed, Darshan was arrested by the Bengaluru police from Mysuru on June 11, 2024. Police officials were investigating his involvement in the Renuka Swamy murder case. Renukaswamy was found dead at Sumanahalli Bridge in Bengaluru on June 8, 2024. Darshan had claimed that Renukaswamy was vulgar and a menace to an orderly society." It was also alleged that the fan used to send nude photos to women.

Darshan was granted bail in December 2024.

(With inputs from IANS)

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 10, 2025, 15:23 IST
Deepika Padukone's Bengaluru vs Mumbai Dilemma Sparks Online Debate: 'It's Very Difficult To Choose'

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: April 09, 2025, 22:58 IST

Deepika, who was last seen in Singham Again as DCP Shakti Shetty, has not yet announced her next project post-motherhood.

Deepika Padukone and her family.

Bollywood star Deepika Padukone, who recently stepped into motherhood with the birth of her daughter Dua, is back on Instagram with a thoughtful reflection that has left fans smiling. In a candid new video, the Pathaan actress opened up about a dilemma shes asked about often, choosing between Mumbai and Bengaluru.

The video, shared on Wednesday evening, begins with Deepika getting her hair styled. When someone behind the camera asks if she misses Corner House, a popular dessert spot from her hometown, Deepika smiles and replies, I do miss it but Im actually in a way glad there isnt one in Mumbai because that would require different level of will power."

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She then addresses the much-asked question head-on: Bombay or Bengaluru?"

Her answer is equal parts nostalgic and grounded. Whenever I come back to Bangalore, it feels like home, you know, because this is where Ive lived a large part of my life. This is where Ive grown up, my friends, my school, my college, so all of those formative years and those experiences have all been here," she shares.

But her love for Mumbai runs just as deep. Bombay again because professionally, thats where my life began and thats where home is now, and the energy in Mumbai is very very different so, its very difficult to choose one over the other. But I feel like both cities have really influenced my 39 years."

The post also includes a heartwarming montage of unseen photos from Deepikas childhood, school, and college years in Bengaluru, interspersed with throwbacks from her modelling days in Mumbai.

Captioning the video, she wrote: A question I get asked ever so oftenBengaluru or Mumbai?"

Deepika, who was last seen in Singham Again as DCP Shakti Shetty, has not yet announced her next project post-motherhood. However, industry buzz suggests that the makers of Kalki 2 are keen on having her return for the sequel.

About the Author Shrishti Negi Shrishti Negi is a journalist with over eight years of experience in the media industry. She leads the Entertainment desk at News18.com. She writes breaking news stories, generates feature ideas, edits copies, ... Read More Shrishti Negi is a journalist with over eight years of experience in the media industry. She leads the Entertainment desk at News18.com. She writes breaking news stories, generates feature ideas, edits copies, ... Read More

First Published: April 09, 2025, 22:58 IST
Karan Kundrra, Tejasswi Prakash In Dubai Bling? Actors Shoot For Something Special | Exclusive

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: April 10, 2025, 13:44 IST

Karan Kundrra and Tejasswi Prakash are set to appear in Dubai Bling, currently shooting in Dubai. The couple, who own a luxurious apartment in Dubai, are also rumored to be getting married this year.

Karan Kundrra and Tejasswi Prakash fell in love with each other in Bigg Boss house.

Karan Kundrra and Tejasswi Prakash are one of the most loved couples and there is no doubt about it. The two never fail to surprise their fans and often treat them with something new. Now, it looks like Karan and Tejasswi are planning to bring the biggest surprise ever to their followers across the world.

News18 Showsha has exclusively learnt that Karan Kundrra and Tejasswi Prakash will soon be seen in Dubai Bling. The couple is currently in Dubai, where they are shooting for the globally popular show. However, it remains unclear if Karan and Tejasswi will be participating in Dubai Bling or will just be making a special appearance in one of the upcoming episodes. However, there is no official confirmation from the actors side as of now.

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Yes, Karan and Tejasswi are in Dubai and they are shooting for Dubai Bling. The two enjoy a massive fan following and were therefore approached by the makers of the show. Their appearance in Dubai Bling will be a treat for their fans," a source close to the couple said.

It should be noted that Karan and Tejasswi also own a luxurious apartment in Dubai. The couple purchased their first house together in Dubai in 2022. Talking about the new house, Tejasswi had previously called it her sapno ka mahal (dream house)."

Meanwhile, Karan and Tejasswi, who fell in love with each other in the Bigg Boss 15 house, are also rumoured to be getting married soon. Recently, Tejasswis mother also confirmed the same. She appeared on Celebrity MasterChef when she was asked by Farah Khan, Shaadi kab hogi?" To this, the actress mother confirmed that her daughter will tie the knot this year only. Issi saal ho jaaegi," she said. While Farah Khan congratulated Tejasswi Prakash following the confirmation, the actress was seen blushing and said, Aise kuch baat nahi hui hai".

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 10, 2025, 13:44 IST
Kaveri Kapur Says Dad Shekhar Kapur Never Yells At Her On Masoom 2 Set: He Has High Standards | Exclusive

Reported By :

News18.com Edited By: Shrishti Negi



Last Updated: April 10, 2025, 04:15 IST

Kaveri Kapur says while she has watched Masoom more than once, it's not her most favourite film directed by dad Shekhar Kapur.

Masoom (1983) marked Shekhar Kapur's directorial debut.

Last year, Shekhar Kapur announced a sequel to his critically acclaimed film, Masoom. The announcement came more than 40 years after the first film starring Naseeruddin Shah and Shabana Azmi released. The second part will have a fresh storyline while keeping the core essence of the 1983 film intact. Along with Naseeruddin and Shabana, it will star Manoj Bajpayee and Shekhars daughter Kaveri. Masoom 2 will mark Kaveris second acting outing after her debut film, Bobby Aur Rishi Ki Love Story.

Now, in an exclusive chat with News18 Showsha, Kaveri talks about working on the film and her experience of collaborating with her father on a film for the first time. Its [prep] going really good. It has been fun to have that back and forth with my dad and have him take my input on the script. It has been a really fun process," she tells us. While Kaveri labels him as a tough filmmaker, shes quick to add that its his kindness and compassion that is making her experience of working on Masoom 2 truly special.

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So, how is the Mr India and Bandit Queen director on set? On set, hes tough but in a very empathetic way. He has high standards and emotional intelligence too. He knows how to bring a certain performance out of an actor depending on their personality. Will he make me work really hard? Yes. Will he yell at me? No. Because he knows that its not going to work on me as different actors need different approaches. So, overall, it has been really fun," says Kaveri.

What shes also kicked about is the opportunity to share screen space with thespians like Naseeruddin, Shabana and Manoj. Though daunted, Kaveris choosing to look at the silver lining. Im very, very excited to learn from his whole experience and even the senior actors that Im going to be working with. Its a little intimidating but Im sure that Ill be able to absorb a lot," she states. But a big revelation comes our way when Kaveri reveals that Masoom isnt her most favourite film helmed by her dad. Ive watched Masoom twice. But my favourite film that dad has directed is Elizabeth [starring Cate Blanchett]," she shares.

A while back, Shekhar spilled the beans on Masoom 2, which marks his return to Hindi films after more than three decades. I was traveling from Dubai to Delhi, and I realised I had left the Masoom 2 script on the plane seat. But I got it back and a flight attendant wrote me a note saying that Masoom was a very good film, and this one will be just as good. So, see, it came back even after being left behind, there must be something to it. Its destiny At that time [1983], I was very new to the industry, a complete naive, and I really want to know how did I do it," he told ANI.

About the Author Titas Chowdhury Titas Chowdhury is a Principal Correspondent at News18 Showsha. She writes about cinema, music and gender in cinema. Interviewing actors and filmmakers, writing about latest trends in showbiz and bringing break... Read More Titas Chowdhury is a Principal Correspondent at News18 Showsha. She writes about cinema, music and gender in cinema. Interviewing actors and filmmakers, writing about latest trends in showbiz and bringing break... Read More

First Published: April 10, 2025, 04:15 IST
Nushrratt Bharuccha Thanks PM Modi For Rescue From Israel At Rising Bharat Summit: 'Truly Honoured'

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: April 11, 2025, 01:36 IST

In 2023, Nushrratt found herself stranded in war-hit Israel while attending the Haifa International Film Festival.

Nushrratt Bharuccha meets PM Modi at Rising Bharat Summit.

Nushrratt Bharuccha recently had a heartfelt encounter with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during CNN-News18s Rising Bharat Summit in New Delhi. The actress, who was among the Indian citizens stranded in Israel during the 2023 conflict, took to her Instagram to share her gratitude and pictures from their meeting.

Truly honoured and deeply grateful for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet Honble Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the CNN-News18 Rising Bharat Summit," Nushrratt wrote. It was an incredible privilege to thank you in person, Modi Ji, for your unwavering leadership and the swift action taken by your government to bring back Indian citizens, including myself, stranded in Israel during the recent conflict."

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She added a message in Gujarati, saying, Aap no aa mulakat badal khub khub aabhar Maari mate aa zindagi bhar ni yaadgir reh se," expressing her deep appreciation for the opportunity to meet him.

A video from the summit shows Nushrratt greeting PM Modi with folded hands. In the brief yet emotional exchange, PM Modi can be heard telling her, Bahut sankat tha aapke liye acha hua aapne turant message kar diya." Nushrratt responded warmly, saying, Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart."

In 2023, Nushrratt found herself stranded in war-hit Israel while attending the Haifa International Film Festival. She was rescued after a tense period and returned home safely. Speaking at the Rising Bharat Summit on Tuesday, she reflected on the incident and the trauma she experienced.

It was a situation nobody can prepare you for. Even books cannot teach you how to act in situations like that. In just 12 hours, I learnt what feeling helpless meant. We think we are very smart, well-educated people. But life hits you with a situation where none of these things matter," she said.

Describing it as the most difficult time of her life, Nushrratt shared, Those were the toughest few hours of my life. I did not think that I would be able to see my family or friends again. I was going through the flashes. I thought this was it, it was done."

She concluded by thanking PM Modi and Indian authorities for ensuring the safe return of all Indian citizens.

About the Author Shrishti Negi Shrishti Negi is a journalist with over eight years of experience in the media industry. She leads the Entertainment desk at News18.com. She writes breaking news stories, generates feature ideas, edits copies, ... Read More Shrishti Negi is a journalist with over eight years of experience in the media industry. She leads the Entertainment desk at News18.com. She writes breaking news stories, generates feature ideas, edits copies, ... Read More

First Published: April 11, 2025, 01:36 IST
Fidelis Munyoro - Chief Court Reporter  The sun had long set on that fateful October evening in 2018, but darkness seemed to have settled deeper in the heart of Chimani Tsambola, who was consumed by betrayal, rage and sorrow.

The air was heavy, with the scent of damp earth and tobacco fields at Dudley Estate in Marondera, about 74 kilometres east of Harare, but inside Chimani, a storm raged--a tempest of emotions that had been brewing for weeks.

His marriage to Portia Masaiti had been a tumultuous composition of love and suspicion.

The music had stopped, leaving only the deafening silence of heartbreak.

Portia had left.

Chimani told himself it was infidelity that had driven her away, but deep down, he knew it was more than that. She had grown weary of the accusations, the fights and the oppressive weight of a love that had curdled into something unrecognisable.

She had taken refuge in a small kitchen in the compound of a neighbouring farm, her children by her side, trying to piece together a life that no longer included him.

But Chimani could not let go. He refused to let go. The iron bar was cold in his hands as he walked through the night.

He had no invitation, no right to be there, but he was drawn to her like a moth to a flame, even though he knew it would only end in destruction.

The house stood silent under the starlit sky, its walls a fragile barrier against the storm he carried within. He pushed the door open, and there she was, Portia, the woman he had once loved beyond reason, now a stranger to him.

She did not scream. Maybe she saw the pain in his eyes, or maybe she knew there was no use.

The first blow fell like thunder. A crack against her skull that echoed in the night. She stumbled, but Chimani did not stop. Each swing of the iron bar was a punctuation mark in a sentence of fury he had been writing in his head for days.

The blood splattered against the walls, painting a grotesque canvas of his anguish. When the bar finally fell from his trembling hands, Portia lay still, her lifeless body crumpled on the veranda.

He stared at her for a moment, his breath ragged, his vision blurred by tears he did not know he was shedding. Then, as though possessed by a force beyond his control, he lit a match.

The flames grew quickly, consuming the home that had sheltered Portia, her secrets, and perhaps her lover. The fire roared into the night, a sign of his despair and madness.

When the neighbours arrived, drawn by the light of the inferno, it was too late.

Portia's body lay cold and broken; the house reduced to smouldering ruins. The iron bar that had stolen her life was discarded near the cattle kraal, a silent witness to the horror that had unfolded.

Chimani was nowhere to be found.

For days, he hid. The tobacco fields became his sanctuary, the mountains his solace.

He told himself he was haunted by evil spirits, that something beyond his control had guided his hand. But the reality was simpler and harsher.

He could not face what he had done. When the police finally caught him, Chimani was gaunt, his eyes hollow, his soul weighed down by the enormity of his crime.

In the courtroom, the stories unravelled. He spoke of self-defence, of being attacked by Portia's alleged lover, Douglas Mazengera.

He claimed he had acted to save himself, that he had not meant to kill her estranged wife. But the evidence told a different story. The iron bar, the blood-streaked walls, the deliberate act of setting the house ablaze, all of it painted a portrait of premeditated violence.

The witnesses spoke of his jealous, his anger, the ominous way he had taken the children to his mother's home days before the murder, as if clearing the stage for the tragedy that was to come.

In his judgment, Justice Munamato Mutevedzi's words were heavy; each syllable a nail in the coffin of the life Chimani had known.

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"This murder typifies the belief held by some men, who apparently have an inflated value of their worth, that 'if I can't have you, then no one will."'

Chimani's head hung low as the sentence was pronounced last week on Thursday: 35 years in prison for the murder of his wife, for the fire that consumed more than just a house--it consumed lives, futures and hope.

In the quiet of his cell, Chimani sits alone, the weight of his regrets heavier than the iron bar he had wielded that night. He sees Portia's face in his dreams, not as it was in those final moments, but as it had been when they first met, smiling, radiant, full of life.

He hears her laughter, the laughter that had once been his greatest joy, now a haunting echo of what he had destroyed.

And so, the years stretch before him, a barren landscape of time, each day a reminder of the life he took, the love he lost and the man he became in the grip of his rage.
Opinion | Trump Tariffs Topple Markets, But India Can Prevent Trade War

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: April 09, 2025, 17:13 IST

Given Indias relationship with the US, it has the potential to play a pivotal role in initiating such conversations

US President Donald Trump (AP Image)

The government, which was designed for the people, has gotten into the hands of the bosses and their employers, the special interests. An invisible empire has been set up above the forms of democracy," said former US President Woodrow Wilson, who was the architect of multilateralism through the League of Nations.

His presidency coincided with the progressive era in American history, a time marked by significant socio-political reforms. He guided the U.S. economy through World War I, during which the Congress enacted a series of laws designed to grant the President emergency powers, with the Trading With the Enemy Act of 1917 (TWEA) being the most notable.

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The demands of wartime prompted the President to implement sanctions and economic restrictions, leading to the enactment of TWEA. This legislation empowers the President to manage or limit all trade between the United States and its adversaries during wartime.

Throughout the 20th century, the Congress increasingly conferred emergency powers to the President through various statutes, including TWEA. Enacted in 1917, TWEA was intended to regulate international dealings with enemy nations following the U.S. entry into World War I. In the 1930s, the Congress broadened the act to enable the President to declare a national emergency even in peacetime, thereby granting extensive authority over both domestic and international transactions.

From 1945 to the early 1970s, TWEA became a primary tool for imposing sanctions as part of the US Cold War strategy. Presidents utilised TWEA to obstruct international financial transactions, seize assets held by foreign nationals within the U.S., restrict exports, adjust regulations to prevent gold hoarding, limit foreign direct investment in American companies, and impose tariffs on all imports into the United States. The International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) further extends the Presidents authority to regulate economic transactions.

TRUMP AND IEEPA

In his initial term, Trump threatened to implement tariffs on Mexico, utilising his powers under the IEEPA. In May 2019, he announced plans to impose a 5 per cent tariff on all goods imported from Mexico, with the intention of gradually increasing this tariff to 25 per cent unless Mexico took substantial measures to address the illegal migration crisis."

By June 2019, Trump retreated from this threat after the United States and Mexico reached an agreement aimed at reducing the influx of migrants at the southwestern border. However, he did exercise this authority to impose sanctions on other nations. Trump utilised IEEPA to target Venezuelas state-owned oil company, aiming to weaken President Nicolas Maduros government by cutting off its primary source of revenue. Additionally, he applied the law to sanction Iran in response to what his administration described as aggressive actions by Tehran.

In June 2020, Trump invoked the law again to authorise sanctions against senior officials at the International Criminal Court following the courts investigation into potential war crimes committed by American forces in Afghanistan. During his second term, in February 2025, he once more employed this Act. A presidential statement indicated that, in response to the emergency posed by the extraordinary threat of illegal immigration and drug trafficking, President Donald J Trump would implement a 25% additional tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico, along with a 10% additional tariff on imports from China.

Notably, energy resources from Canada would be subject to a reduced 10% tariff. This decisive action was taken to hold Mexico, Canada, and China accountable for their commitments to curb illegal immigration and prevent the influx of harmful substances such as fentanyl into U.S. territory.

NATIONAL EMERGENCY AND TRUMP TARIFF

On April 2, 2025, President Trump declared a National Emergency under the IEEPA. He stated that foreign trade and economic practices have led to a national emergency, prompting him to implement tariffs aimed at bolstering the United States international economic standing and safeguarding American workers. In accordance with the Act, the President established a 10 per cent tariff applicable to all countries.

The European Union will face a 20% tariff from the US, while Vietnam will incur a 46% tariff, Japan a 24% tariff, South Korea a 25% tariff, India a 26% tariff, Taiwan a 32% tariff, and Thailand a 36% tariff.

China, which recorded the largest trade surplus with the US in 2024 at $295 billion, will be subject to a 34% reciprocal tariff. The rationale behind these tariff measures is supported by a 2024 economic analysis, which indicated that a global tariff of 10% could potentially boost the economy by $728 billion, generate 2.8 million jobs, and raise real household incomes by 5.7%.

MARKETS HIT

The Nikkei experienced a significant decline of 7.83%, while the Hang Seng plummeted by 13.22%. The BSE decreased by 2.95%, and the Sensex dropped by 3.24%. The Stoxx 600 index fell by 4.5%, and Germanys DAX declined by 4.13%. In the UK, the FTSE 100 saw a decrease of 4.38%, and Frances CAC fell by 4.78%. Meanwhile, Spains IBEX index dropped by 5.12%.

In a troubling development for Indian markets, investors lost Rs 14.3 lakh crore, marking the most significant decline in 10 months. Since the introduction of the tariffs, the total market capitalisation of companies listed on the NSE has decreased by 24.29 lakh crore rupees over the course of three trading sessions.

WAY FORWARD

The Indian economy is currently facing challenges due to reciprocal tariffs imposed by the United States. It is essential for India to engage in discussions with the US to prevent a trade war. Traditional sectors, particularly those related to Indian agriculture and marine products, should be exempt from these reciprocal tariffs.

Swiftly finalising outstanding trade agreements with various economies, including the UK and the European Union, will aid in diversifying our export markets. Given the restrictions from the US market, it is likely that the European Union will adopt similar measures to enhance its access to Indian markets, which could benefit their businesses but may negatively impact the domestic economy.

The United States remains a significant importer of Indian seafood, with imports valued at approximately US$2,549.15 million, representing 34.53% of the total value. Currently, a tariff of 34.26% is applied to Indian marine products, which includes an anti-dumping duty of 2.49%, a countervailing duty of 5.77%, and a reciprocal tariff of 26%. This situation may provide a competitive edge to countries like Ecuador.

The decision of the President to invoke powers under IEEPA is surely to be tested under the law, however, the decision may take time, and damage may be done. It is crucial to initiate discussions aimed at addressing the existing tariff challenges in global trade.

India should seek concessions on its agricultural and marine product exports to effectively navigate this crisis. The overarching influence of the invisible empire that has been set up above the forms of democracy can only be countered through collaborative efforts among governments worldwide, facilitated by ongoing discussions and dialogues.

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Given Indias relationship with the US, it has the potential to play a pivotal role in initiating such conversations.

Adarsh Kuniyillam is a Parliamentary and Policy Analyst and has the experience of working under various Members of Parliament. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.

First Published: April 09, 2025, 17:13 IST
Right Word | How Sindh Is Fighting An Existential Battle Against Pakistans Canal Project

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: April 09, 2025, 13:02 IST

The people of Sindh have consistently raised concerns that their resources, particularly water, are being exploited in a manner that disproportionately benefits Punjab, Pakistans most populous and agriculturally prosperous province

The province of Sindh in Pakistan has been embroiled in ongoing protests for several months. (X/@HaleemAdil)

The province of Sindh in Pakistan has been embroiled in ongoing protests for several months, involving a wide spectrum of society, from political parties and civil society organisations across the spectrum to ordinary citizens, including women and children. Although the protests were sparked by and are focused on a contentious canal project proposed by the federal government along the Indus River, the root of the crisis lies in the long-standing systemic discrimination and neglect faced by Sindhis at the hands of the Pakistani state.

The people of Sindh have consistently raised concerns that their resources, particularly water, are being exploited in a manner that disproportionately benefits Punjab, the countrys most populous and agriculturally prosperous province. The federal governments recent proposal to construct a canal to irrigate the arid lands of Cholistan in southern Punjab has heightened fears of further diversion of Indus water, thereby exacerbating the already severe water crisis in lower-riparian Sindh.

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Among the protesting groups is the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), which governs Sindh but is also a part of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharifs ruling coalition at the federal level, raising concerns about the potential fracture of the alliance.

The canal project is part of the broader Green Pakistan Initiative (GPI), which was launched in July 2023 with the aim of modernising the countrys agricultural sector. Agriculture is vital to Pakistans economy, contributing approximately 25 per cent to its GDP and providing employment to around 37 per cent of the population. However, outdated practices and infrastructural shortcomings have led to declining productivity, which is where the GPI seeks to intervene. The initiative aims to introduce modern technologies and equipment into farming, provide farmers with fertilizers and high-yielding seeds, transform barren lands into arable fields, and attract both domestic and foreign investment.

The project seemed promising until President Asif Ali Zardari, who hails from Sindh and is also the co-chairman of the PPP, approved the construction of six strategic canals" deemed essential for agricultural development and food security in July 2024. Of these six canals, two are proposed for Sindh, two for Balochistan, and two for Punjab. While five of these canals are planned to be constructed over the Indus River, the Cholistan Canal, the largest of the six, will be built along the Sutlej River. The Pakistani government asserts that the water for the Cholistan canal will not impact Sindhs allocated share, as it will draw on surplus floodwaters from the Sutlej during the monsoon, in addition to river water from Punjab.

It is important to note that under the 1960 Indus Water Treaty between India and Pakistan, the waters of the eastern riversSutlej, Beas, and Raviare controlled by India, while Pakistan has control over the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab rivers. Over the years, Indias extensive water extraction and dam construction, particularly on the Sutlej River, combined with the impacts of climate change, have led to a significant decline in the average water flow from these rivers into Pakistan. As an example, environmental expert Naseer Memon, based in Islamabad, informed Al Jazeera that, between 1976 and 1998, the average flow [of the eastern rivers of the Indus Basin] was 9.35 million acre-feet (MAF). From 1999 to 2022, it has dropped to just 2.96 MAF."

In light of this, critics of the canal project challenge the logic behind Islamabads proposal, arguing that it is unrealistic to expect the Cholistan canal to meet its water requirements solely from the monsoon flows of the Sutlej. They contend that the canal will inevitably divert water from the Indus Basin, thereby threatening the water security of downstream Sindh.

This is not the first instance of Sindh raising objections to federal policies concerning water management in the country. The proposed hydroelectric Kalabagh dam, initially suggested in the 1970s, has yet to be realised due to strong opposition from Sindh and other parties. In an attempt to address ongoing intra-provincial water disputes and ensure fair water distribution, the Water Apportionment Accord of 1991 was introduced. However, the Indus River System Authority (IRSA), established to implement the accord, has developed a complex and ambiguous framework, resulting in ongoing conflicts between provinces over the interpretation of its provisions.

The lack of transparency and perceived impartiality within IRSA was evident in February 2025, when it issued a Water Availability Certificate for the Cholistan canal, affirming that sufficient water was available for the project, despite objections raised by Sindhs representative on the authority. Furthermore, Sindhi members of the IRSA had previously protested against the opening of the Chashma Jhelum Link Canal and Taunsa Panjnad Link Canal in Punjab, fearing they would further reduce water availability for Sindh. However, a 2022 report revealed that the authority had granted permission for Punjab to utilise water from these canals.

On March 13, the Sindh Assembly passed a unanimous resolution, tabled by Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, opposing the canal project until an agreement had been reached with all provincial governments and the concerns of all stakeholders had been addressed. The Cholistan canal, which, according to Nabi Bux Sathio, Vice President of the Sindh Chamber of Agriculture, would destroy 12 million acres of agricultural land in Sindh to irrigate just 1.2 million acres of desert in Punjab," is being perceived by the people of Sindh as an existential threat to their lives and livelihoods. The province is still grappling with the aftermath of the catastrophic 2022 floods, which devastated around 4.4 million acres of agricultural land and claimed nearly 800 lives.

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Additionally, Sindh is among the most severely affected by climate change, with large areas of coastal land becoming infertile and gradually being engulfed by the Arabian Sea. On April 1, the PPP announced the second phase of the protests, urging the public to maintain continuous pressure. However, given the historical pattern of the Pakistani establishment overtly and covertly favouring the politically and economically dominant Punjab at the expense of other provinces, coupled with the authoritarian nature of the state, the likelihood of the federal government abandoning the canal project and addressing Sindhs concerns seems remote. What remains to be seen is the potential impact this dispute may have on the stability of the coalition government at the Centre and the overall political stability of Pakistan.

The writer is an author and a columnist. His X handle is @ArunAnandLive. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views

First Published: April 09, 2025, 13:02 IST
Straight Talk | Indias Startup Manthan: Founders Must Dream Big, Babus Must Step Aside

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: April 09, 2025, 15:01 IST

While the world is changing fast, Indian bureaucrats are failing to keep up with the times. They must realise that India has a narrow window of opportunity, and that if they do not mend their ways, the countrys growth story will plateau before it really takes off

Piyush Goyals comments, intended as a call for deeper innovation in sectors like EVs, AI and semiconductors, much like China's tech leap, were met with mixed reactions.

DREAM BIG OR DIE TRYING

The Samudra Manthan yielded many products, among them  the elixir of eternal life (amrita) and poison (halahala). Over the past week, India has witnessed a similar manthan, albeit not in the ocean. Are startups putting their best foot forward, or are they merely targeting low-hanging fruits? Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal gave Indian startups a reality check, comparing their operational areas to those of Chinese startups.

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The difference was stark and for all to see. If China is focusing on high-tech research, Indias startups are predominantly trying to outdo each other in salesmanship. While China is pouring billions into hard tech R&D, many Indian startups remain fixated on faster deliveries and better cashback offers. That makes you a business and an entrepreneur, but not a startup in the truest sense of the word, especially not in the world that is now taking shape.

Many startup founders have taken offence at Piyush Goyals remarks. The ministers statements have been misconstrued as an indictment of Indian business owners, or startup founders, as they like to be called. What many of these founders do not appreciate is the frankness of the government in giving them a much-needed and timely reality check.

Donald Trump has turned global trade on its head. The world economy faces uncertainties it has not seen in decades. The US and Chinas power competition is heating up, and the world order is changing. In this context, India has a limited window of opportunity to strike gold. We have the potential and scale to benefit from supply chains shifting away from China. What we do not appear to have is a candid exchange of views between the government and businesses, especially startups.

Piyush Goyals remarks at the Startup Mahakumbh last week, however, signal the beginning of a new era in Indias growth story. The government has shown its willingness to share candid views with business owners, while also being receptive to the feedback that comes in as a natural consequence of such debates. Unfortunately, many founders do not appreciate this spirit. Its unrealistic to expect a government deeply invested in the startup ecosystem to only offer praise and not a reality check when needed.

Some founders, like Aman Gupta of Shark Tank fame, have appreciated Piyush Goyals candour. In an X post, Gupta said, Its not every day that the government asks founders to dream bigger. But at Startup Mahakumbh, thats exactly what happened. He believes in us. His point was simple: India has come far, but to lead the worldwe need to aim higher."

Candour, however, is a two-way street. After all, Piyush Goyals remarks stirred an intense debate on social media. While social media was predictably flooded with knee-jerk reactions, there were several founders sharing their genuine angst  and India must not just take their concerns seriously, but address them as soon as possible.

For example, a founder from Madhya Pradesh penned his thoughts on social media and called the governments attention to the challenges still faced by Indian startups. Many others have pointed out similar challenges, and the larger theme that has emerged out of this conversation is this: Indian bureaucrats are making life hell for many startups. Needless to say, the last thing India needs is its bureaucracy sabotaging our growth story.

STARTUPS NEED LIFT-OFFNOT RED TAPE

Red tapism is the enemy of innovation. The babu-psyche of Indian bureaucrats is perhaps the biggest hurdle most founders have to navigate their way around. While the world is changing fast, Indian bureaucrats are failing to keep up with the times. They must realise that India has a narrow window of opportunity, and that if they do not mend their ways, the countrys growth story will plateau before it really takes off.

Here, the government must take the initiative to drive a simple message across the bureaucracys rank and file  get out of the way, make life easier for startups and play the role of a facilitator instead of an inhibitor.

Having said that, the onus still lies on startup founders. They must stop capitalising on low-hanging fruits, dream big and think smart. Indias focus needs to turn from inward-facing, consumption-driven startups to those that invest in deep tech research and development, and creating intellectual property with global applications. The ambition should be to build companies that are not just unicorns in valuation but pioneers in innovation, capable of competing on the world stage and contributing significantly to Indias strategic autonomy and economic resilience.

This requires a fundamental shift in mindset  moving beyond optimising logistics for groceries to tackling challenges in areas like artificial intelligence, semiconductors, biotechnology, advanced materials, and renewable energy. It demands patient capital, a higher tolerance for failure, and a long-term vision that transcends quarterly targets.

While China is investing heavily in new and emerging technologies that will shape the planets future, Indias founders are focusing on domestic consumption through quick commerce. For instance, Huawei shocked the world in 2023 by unveiling its Mate 60 Pro smartphone, powered by a domestically developed 7nm chip despite US sanctionsan indication of Chinas determined push toward semiconductor self-reliance. Simultaneously, China is pouring billions into artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and biotechnology through state-backed initiatives like the Made in China 2025" and China Standards 2035" plans, positioning itself as a technological superpower of the future.

That being said, India isnt without its deep-tech torchbearers. Bengaluru-based Agnikul Cosmos is building modular, 3D-printed rockets designed to launch small satellites with unprecedented flexibilityshowcasing innovation in both design and manufacturing. Another standout is SankhyaSutra Labs, which develops high-fidelity physics-based simulation software, critical for aerospace, defence, and industrial R&D. Then theres Digantara, also based in Bengaluru, which is working on real-time space situational awarenessan increasingly vital capability as Earths lower orbit becomes crowded with satellites and debris.

These ventures represent the kind of moonshot thinking India needs more of: solving hard problems, building IP, and carving out a presence in frontier tech domains.

The governments role, catalysed by candid conversations like the one initiated by Goyal, must be to create an enabling environment. This means actively dismantling bureaucratic obstacles, providing targeted support for R&D, fostering university-industry collaboration, and ensuring policy stability. If startups are expected to aim higher, the system must provide a launchpad, not an obstacle course.

Piyush Goyals remarks, while sparking controversy, are proving instrumental in achieving a crucial objective: initiating an overdue, frank conversation between the government and Indias startup founders. This candid exchange  where ministerial critiques meet founder frustrations about administrative obstacles  is precisely the kind of dialogue needed. It moves beyond mutual platitudes to identify real friction points.

Therefore, this ongoing manthan of views, highlighting both the need for higher ambition and the systemic impediments to it, should be embraced by all stakeholders not as conflict, but as a healthy, necessary step towards building a genuinely supportive and globally competitive innovation ecosystem in India.

This open feedback loop, where businesses can publicly air grievances and provide critical input to policymakers, is a testament to the strength of Indias democratic framework  a stark contrast to countries like China, where such direct public critique and dialogue between the state and private enterprise is far less common and usually invites the Communist regimes wrath. Debate and discourse are Indias inherent strengths, which is why Piyush Goyals remarks and startup founders grievances must be taken in stride by all stakeholders.

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India has the brainpower, the ambition, and a government willing to listen. Now, it needs startups bold enough to build whats hardand a system ready to back them.

Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.

About the Author Sanbeer Singh Ranhotra Sanbeer Singh Ranhotra is a producer and video journalist at Network18. He is enthusiastic about and writes on both national affairs as well as geopolitics. Sanbeer Singh Ranhotra is a producer and video journalist at Network18. He is enthusiastic about and writes on both national affairs as well as geopolitics.

First Published: April 09, 2025, 15:01 IST
Write Mind | The Silent Toilers: A Jains Lament In A Noisy Bharat

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: April 09, 2025, 21:00 IST

The Navkar Mahamantra Divas, as Modi framed it, isnt Jain aloneits a call to anyone listening, a nudge towards unity without force

Jains flourish within the nations shared ethos. (PTI File)

On April 9, 2025, the Jain International Trade Organization (JITO) summoned the world to Vigyan Bhavan in Delhi for the Vishwa Maha Navkar Mantra Divas. Its no random date9, a number resonant with meaning in Jain thought, reflects the nine tenets of our philosophy, a quiet allusion to wholeness.

At 8am, just before the dawn of Mahavir Jayanti, voices from over 100 nations rose in unison, threading the Navkar Mantra into the aira chant thats less a performance and more a plea for peace and compassion, a mending of fractured realities.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to X not long ago, his words casting a rare spotlight on this gathering. He called the mantra a vesselof spirituality, humility, brotherhood, and non-violencevalues that dont clamour for attention but settle deep, cutting through the clamour of division to nurture something calmer.

Join in, he urged, not for rituals sake, but to honour the fragile threads binding us all. This isnt some fleeting moment; its a whisper against the din, a stubborn echo of what we Jains hold dear.

I stand here, a Jain in Bharats swirling mosaica speck within a speck, a microminority dwarfed by louder tides. Our voice is a murmur, soft against the clang of identities jostling for space, some with brazen trumpets, others with quiet swagger. We dont roar; we endure.

Our tale isnt carved in conquest or clamour but etched in the slow, steady drip of resiliencea faith born of Sanatan Dharmas ancient roots, honed by the Tirthankaras into a blade of ahimsa and self-restraint. For centuries, weve labourednot with swords or slogans, but with calloused hands and restless minds. Weve spun businesses from nothing, poured wealth into schools, and lifted Bharats frame with a purpose so understated it barely registers. Gujarats buzzing markets bear our mark; Rajasthans still classrooms hum with our care. Taxes paid on time, no favours begged, no hands outstretchedwe build our temples as refuges, not pulpits. Our belief is a compass tucked close, not a flag hoisted high. So why does our quiet feel like a stranger amid the crowd?

The Navkar Mahamantra Divas, as Modi framed it, isnt Jain aloneits a call to anyone listening, a nudge towards unity without force. The mantra doesnt bully or beg; it lingers, asking you to look inward, to let peace spill outward. Thats usunobtrusive, open, deliberate. Yet I wonder why this way of being slips past notice.

Take the Muslim community, Bharats second-largest thread in the weave. Their numbers carry weight, their history runs deepthey could lead with a grace that turns heads. Too often, though, its grievance that shapes their song, not gratitude. Protests flare over laws, demands for special carve-outs rise, and rights are shouted louder than duties lived. Meanwhile, we Jains stitch together hospitals, seed trusts, and keep the machine runningsilent, smoothno streets choked with our voices, no fabric torn by our hands.

Lets be fair: not every Muslim fuels discord, just as not every Jain embodies perfection. But it is time to demonstrate and ratify this hypothesis. Individuals vary, but collective tendencies persist. Personal laws, Waqf boards, and a fixation on separateness mark their discourse in ways that contrast sharply with other minorities. Bharat strives to harmonise its diversity, yet why must one groups assertions so often eclipse the silent progress of others? We Jains flourish within the nations shared ethos, our faith a guide for personal conduct, not a bludgeon for public policy. Our ancestors, like theirs, were steeped in Sanatan Dharmas timeless wisdom, yet many Muslims seem drawn to distant ideals of the Arab world, sidelining the heritage that unites us. Why this drift toward petulance? Why the impulse to stake claimsboth literal and symbolicwhen coexistenceand not conflictcould bridge our differences?

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Malice isnt mine to carrymy faith forbids it. What I hold instead is a hope, stubborn and plain: that every thread, from the thinnest to the thickest, might weave together, not tangle apart. Instead, I nurture a vision: that all communities, from the smallest to the largest, might labour in tandem rather than in tension. On 9 April, as the Navkar Mantra hums across borders, let it shake us awake to whats possible. Bharat, with its wild, beautiful sprawl of souls, deserves that mucha harmony, not a howl.

Yuvraj Pokharna is an independent journalist and columnist. He tweets with @iyuvrajpokharna. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.

About the Author Yuvraj Pokharna Yuvraj Pokharna is a Surat-based author and media panelist who vociferously voices his opinions on issues of Hindutva, Islamist Jihad, politics, policies, and sometimes mules over books. He can be followed on I... Read More Yuvraj Pokharna is a Surat-based author and media panelist who vociferously voices his opinions on issues of Hindutva, Islamist Jihad, politics, policies, and sometimes mules over books. He can be followed on I... Read More

First Published: April 09, 2025, 20:58 IST
As Amit Shah Visits Tamil Nadu, Alliance Talks With AIADMK On Top Of Agenda

Reported By :

CNN-News18

Last Updated: April 11, 2025, 01:04 IST

Sources have indicated to CNN-News 18 that Amit Shah is likely to meet former Tamil Nadu chief minister Edappadi Karuppa Palaniswami (EPS), ex-deputy speaker of Lok Sabha Munisamy Thambidurai, and other leaders on Friday

Union home minister and senior BJP leader Amit Shah. (File image/PTI)

Arriving in Chennai late on Thursday night, union home minister Amit Shah will be engaged in a full day of activities in Tamil Nadus capital city on Friday.

Shah is scheduled to meet S Gurumurthy, an RSS ideologue and the editor of the Tamil magazine Thuglak. Gurumurthy has been instrumental in the BJPs understanding of Tamil Nadu politics. He played a significant role in attempting to influence Rajinikanth to enter active politics, though this ultimately did not materialise.

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In addition to this meeting, the minister is scheduled to hold a press conference in Chennai on Friday afternoon.

However, the most crucial aspect of his visit will be his ability to hold discussions with AIADMK leaders regarding a potential alliance. Sources have indicated to CNN-News 18 that Amit Shah is likely to meet former Tamil Nadu chief minister Edappadi Karuppa Palaniswami (EPS), ex-deputy speaker of Lok Sabha Munisamy Thambidurai, and other leaders.

This will be the second round of meetings of the BJP with the AIADMK in the past month. A couple of weeks ago, leaders from late CM J Jayalalithaas party also met the BJPs top leadership in the national capital.

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Recent developments, including the announcement by BJPs Tamil Nadu president K Annamalai that he is not in the running for state leadership, align with the demands made by the AIADMK. This comes after the public discord between leaders of both sides in the state, indicating that the BJP is looking to forge an alliance. Tamil Nadu is slated to have assembly elections next year. Other tie-ups, including one with the PMK, are also expected to take shape once a formidable alliance between the BJP and the AIADMK is secured.

The BJPs central leadership, led by Amit Shah, has been directly challenging the ruling DMK-Congress alliance leaders. Whether on the issue of the three-language policy and Hindi imposition" or the concerns surrounding delimitation, there has been a swirling war of words between the two sides.

First Published: April 11, 2025, 01:04 IST
'Did Nothing, Fed Biryani To Kasab': Piyush Goyal Jabs Congress Amid Tahawwur Ranas Extradition

Last Updated: April 10, 2025, 16:02 IST

Rana, 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks accused, is being extradited to India after a prolonged legal battle in US. He is expected to be housed in Delhi's Tihar Jail

Union Minister Piyush Goyal expressed his gratitude to PM Narendra Modi for fulfilling the long-pending demand for justice. (File photo)

As Tahawwur Rana, the key accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, is set to arrive in India following his extradition from the United States, senior BJP leaders hailed the development as a historic moment of justice and took the opportunity to criticise the previous UPA government for failing" to take tough action against terrorism.

Union Minister Piyush Goyal, speaking to reporters from the premises of the iconic Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai  one of the main targets of the 2008 attacks  expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for fulfilling the long-pending demand for justice.

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The hotel where we are standing was attacked by terrorists during the Congress government. People lost their lives in this hotel, but the Congress government did nothing to ensure strict punishment for the accused. In fact, the one who was caught was also fed biryani by Congress," Goyal said, referring to Ajmal Kasab, the lone surviving attacker who was arrested and later executed.

It was PM Modis firm resolve that those who raised their eyes on our country should be given the harshest punishment. Today, every Indian is proud of the Prime Minister. Especially all of us Mumbaikars are grateful to him that we will punish those people who carried out violent attacks on our country, on Indian soil, under Indian law," he added.

Rana, a 64-year-old Canadian national of Pakistani origin and a close associate of David Coleman Headley, is being extradited to India after a prolonged legal battle in the US. He is expected to be housed in Delhis Tihar Jail under high security and will be taken into custody by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai echoed Goyals sentiments, stating that the current government under Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah has taken resolute action against all those who tried to harm India.

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, stringent action has been taken against the people who have worked against the country. All anti-national forces have been dealt with proper action," said Rai.

Terrorism has been almost completely wiped out under the Prime Ministers leadership. Those who attempted to destabilise India over the past 14 years are facing justice today. No anti-national will be spared," he added.

BJP national spokesperson Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi also slammed the Congress-led UPA government, accusing it of being soft on terrorism.

Unlike during the UPA tenure, whoever is an enemy of India and has committed a crime against the country, action will be taken against him under Indian law," Naqvi said while speaking to IANS.

This is not Congress tenure. In contrast, now, whoever has committed a crime against the country, action is being taken under the strictest legal provisions," he asserted.

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Rana is expected to be presented before a Delhi court shortly after his arrival. He faces multiple serious charges, including criminal conspiracy, murder, waging war against the Government of India, and violations under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

Upon landing in India, Rana will be taken into custody by a joint team of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), which have been coordinating his extradition. He is expected to be produced before a Delhi court shortly after his arrival.

First Published: April 10, 2025, 16:01 IST
Maharashtra Congress Plans State-Wide Agitation Against Mahayuti For Delaying Municipal Elections

Reported By :

News18.com Edited By: Apoorva Misra



Last Updated: April 10, 2025, 09:07 IST

State chief Harshvardhan Sapkal was also of the opinion that the issue of Aurangzebs tomb was created just to deviate the attention of people from real issues during the last budget session

Harshvardhan Sapkal brought attention to two ongoing issues in Maharashtra --- water shortage and inflated electricity bills. (X @INCHarshsapkal)

The Maharashtra Congress is planning to launch a state-wide agitation against the Mahayuti government for not conducting the long-pending elections of municipalities, with state chief Harshvardhan Sapkal calling it a ploy to avoid decentralisation of power.

Speaking to CNN-News18, Sapkal said: BJP doesnt like the decentralisation of power. They are firm believers in centralisation, hence they are against holding elections for local bodies in the state."

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Sapkal was also of the opinion that the issue of Aurangzebs tomb was created just to deviate the attention of people from real issues during the last budget session. There is no place for diversity in RSSs idea of India. Whatever doesnt fit in their idea of India, they want to demolish or destroy. In fact, they have objections to many things which are part of Hindu religion. Such statements are nothing but a cover-up for their own deeds."

The state chief brought attention to two ongoing issues in Maharashtra  water shortage and inflated electricity bills. Criticising the Jal Jeevan Mission of the central government, he called it a scam and said: This scheme has not reached the needy. This government has not even investigated this scam. If you see the water crisis in rural Maharashtra, it is severe and requires immediate attention."

Sapkal termed Fadnaviss ambitious Jalyukt Shivar project another scam to loot the treasury and fool people. This scheme is nothing but another way of looting peoples money. What they couldnt achieve via Jal Jeevan Mission, they tried to attempt via Jalyukt Shivar. But now this government has found another way to loot money from people with a new scandal called the Smart Electricity Bill. As per the report from ground zero, people are getting inflated bills which are 30-40 per cent higher than what they used to get earlier."

Sapkal added: Fadnavis had promised to cut the electricity tariff, which he did, but within a few days, people started getting inflated bills."

The Congress leader also said the Mahayuti government does not respect democratic values, and is thus trying to suppress the voice of the Opposition inside the assembly.

The BJP government at the Centre and in the state is more interested in bulldozer politics instead of parliamentary democracy. They want to bulldoze our voice, the questions we raise. They turn a blind eye towards the Opposition. In such a scenario, we want people to also participate and make them hear the real issues. Unless we get peoples support, this government is not going to listen to us. Provision for giving space to opposition parties is not there in this government."

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On the question of the Governors role in democracy, Sapkal reacted: It will be better if we dont speak about the last Governor who disrespected Mahatma Phule, sidelined the constitutional process, and conducted early morning swearing-in. We met the Governor a few days back with a fact-finding report on the Nagpur violence."

The Congress party has given charge of the state to Sapkal at a crucial juncture, given that the party had faced defeat in assembly elections and the morale of the cadre is down. In such a scenario, for the next five years, Sapkal has a plan to strengthen the party by engaging in an ideological fight with the BJP.

About the Author Mayuresh Ganapatye Mayuresh Ganapatye, News Editor at News18.com, writes on politics and civic issues, as well as human interests stories. He has been covering Maharashtra and Goa for more than a decade. He previously worked with... Read More Mayuresh Ganapatye, News Editor at News18.com, writes on politics and civic issues, as well as human interests stories. He has been covering Maharashtra and Goa for more than a decade. He previously worked with... Read More

First Published: April 10, 2025, 09:07 IST
PMK Founder Ramadoss To Take Up Party Reins, Relegates Son Anbumani As Working President

Last Updated: April 10, 2025, 17:26 IST

The rejig in the party has to be made taking into consideration the 2026 Assembly election.

Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) founder Dr S Ramadoss (File)

In a sudden development, Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) founder Dr S Ramadoss, on Thursday announced taking up the complete reins of the party and relegated his president son Anbumani as working president.

The rejig in the party has to be made taking into consideration the 2026 Assembly election, he said.

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The announcement was, however, met with opposition in Thindivanam in the state where a section of party workers supporting Anbumani staged an agitation demanding the reinstatement of junior Ramadoss as party president.

The Vanniyar-dominated PMK, formed in 1989, has five MLAs in the 234-member state Assembly. During the 2021 Assembly election, the party contested 23 seats in alliance with the AIADMK and won five.

It parted ways with the AIADMK and firmed up a poll pact with the BJP in 2024 and unsuccessfully contested the Lok Sabha election.

"I have formulated an action plan taking into account the 2026 Assembly election. In order to execute them, I consider it necessary to restructure the PMK," Ramadoss said.

"I am making this announcement wholeheartedly. As founder of PMK, I am taking up the position as its president and appoint Dr Anbumani Ramadoss as the working president," senior Ramadoss told reporters at his Thailapuram residence near here.

His son, a former union minister, will strive for the partys victory in the poll, he added.

Ramadoss further said that former president G K Mani will be honorary president.

His dramatic announcement comes ahead of Union Home Minister Amit Shahs visit to Chennai.

On December 29, 2024, Anbumani had openly opposed his father appointing P Mukundan, Ramadoss grandson, as PMKs youth wing secretary. Mukundan is son of Gandhimathi, Ramadoss eldest daughter.

At the media briefing today, 85-year-old Ramadoss said he was imprisoned for spearheading protests seeking rights and was lodged in central prisons in the state.

"This took a toll on my health. I regained my health with the active cooperation and support of my party workers," he added.

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Asked if the PMK would continue its alliance with the BJP for the next Assembly election, Ramadoss replied, "I have become the founder-president only today. A decision will be made in consultation with the partys legislators, governing council and executive committee members." Meanwhile, BJP state chief K Annamalai initially declined to comment on the leadership change announcement as it was the internal affairs of the PMK.

However, he told reporters, "we hope the two leaders (Ramadoss and his son) will make a good decision and strengthen the NDA and strive for the people of Tamil Nadu."

First Published: April 10, 2025, 17:26 IST
'Soft Corner...': BJP Fires Salvo At Congress Over Prithviraj Chavans Legal Demand For Tahawwur Rana

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: April 10, 2025, 20:35 IST

BJP accused Chavan of prioritising the rights of terrorists over those of the victims of the Mumbai attacks

Former Maharashtra Chief Minister and Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan. (PTI file photo)

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday slammed senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan over his comments on the legal rights of Tahawwur Rana, a key accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, who has been extradited to India from the US.

Reacting sharply to Chavans remarks, the BJP accused the Congress of having a soft corner for terrorism" and claimed that this mindset is the real reason why terrorists got away till now".

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Chavan, who is also the former chief minister of Maharashtra, raised concerns over the extradition process, suggesting that, like Ajmal Kasab, Rana should be granted a fair trial.

Kasab, a Pakistani gunman who was one of the only surviving attackers from the 26/11 assault, was executed in 2012 after being convicted.

Speaking to the media, Chavan said, We demand that just like there was a proper trial under Indian laws for Kasab, he had the right to speak for himself and have a lawyer  he was given a lawyer and he had the opportunity to appeal in High Court as well as Supreme Court."

#WATCH | Mumbai: On 26/11 Mumbai attacks accused Tahawwur Ranas extradition to India, Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan says, Rana has not confessed to his crime, while David Coleman Headley has admitted to have played a role. So, the American Government decided to make pic.twitter.com/6DCmQnHhRD ANI (@ANI) April 10, 2025

The Congress leader further remarked that Rana should be given the same rights and face a fair trial, adding, He (Rana) should be given legal rights and he will have to accept whatever punishment is given to him. A kangaroo court will not function in our country."

BJPs Response

In response, the BJP rebuked Chavans remarks and accused the Congress of prioritising the rights of terrorists over those of the victims of the Mumbai attacks.

BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla stated, Congresss is concerned about human rights of Afzal, Yakub and Tahawwur not those of victims of 26/11. This soft corner for terrorism is real reason why terrorists got away till now.. but under New India  Modi Govt drags the terrorists back even from Paatal."

On a day when we must spare a thought for Human Rights of Victims of 26/11Congress stalwart Prithviraj Chavan saysWe demand that just like there was a proper trial under Indian laws for Kasab, he had the right to speak for himself and have a lawyer  he was given a lawyer pic.twitter.com/qVXV1gsGee  Shehzad Jai Hind (Modi Ka Parivar) (@Shehzad_Ind) April 10, 2025

Tahawwur Ranas Flight Lands In Delhi

Rana, a Canadian citizen of Pakistani origin, was extradited to India from the United States to face trial for his role in the 2008 terror attacks, which claimed 166 lives. Rana arrived in New Delhi on Thursday evening, a day after a multi-agency Indian team flew to the United States to bring him back.

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Rana is expected to be lodged in Tihar Jail in the national capital. Sources told News18 that he will be arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

ALSO READ: 26/11 Mumbai Terror Attack Accused Tahawwur Ranas Flight Lands In Delhi

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 10, 2025, 20:04 IST
Chinese Govt Officials Taunt Donald Trump With Memes As US Slaps 145% Tariffs

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: April 10, 2025, 23:18 IST

Chinese government officials took to X, a social media platform banned in China, to taunt US President Donald Trump over reciprocal tariffs.

US President Donald Trump holds an executive order about tariffs increase in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, US. (IMAGE: REUTERS)

Chinese government officials along with Chinese social media users took to AI-generated memes to troll US President Donald Trump as his steep tariff hike targeting Chinese goods, which took effect Thursday, brings Washingtons additional rate on many products to 145 percent.

Chinas foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning on Thursday posted a meme on X suggesting that Donald Trumps tariffs had caused the cost of his Make America Great Again" hats to spike by over 50 percent.

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The image showed a red MAGA cap with a Made in China" tag. However official merchandise is manufactured in the United States. Some unofficial versions, however, may be produced in China.

Chinese embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu on Thursday re-shared a meme first posted on the social media app Rednote showing MAGA hat prices more than doubling under Trumps tariffs.

AI-generated memes mocking Trumps Liberation Day" tariffs have also gone viral across Chinese platforms and X. Some show overweight Americans working in factories, supposedly making Tesla products, in a jibe to Trumps push for revived domestic manufacturing.

Chinese memes on American re-industrialization rolling in. lol the music.  pic.twitter.com/GZE2jHDgWZ Gabor Gurbacs (@gaborgurbacs) April 7, 2025

One such clip of Americans, who are depicted as overweight, in a textile mill has racked up nearly 20 million views and more than 227,000 likes on X.

Another meme making the rounds mocks Trumps bizarre 10 percent tariff on the uninhabited Heard and McDonald Islands, showing penguins protesting the move.

The latest 125 percent figure on China, aimed at addressing practices Washington has deemed unfair, contains notable exclusions.

It excludes products like steel and aluminum imports, as well as autos, which Trump slapped separate 25 percent tariffs on under separate regimes.

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The number also does not apply to goods such as copper, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, lumber, and energy products  some of which Trump has signaled plans to target separately too.

All of this paints a more complicated picture of tariff levels, even as tensions soar between Washington and Beijing.

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

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 : Beijing, China

First Published: April 10, 2025, 23:18 IST
Gibson Mhaka  For Mr Shepherd Madanhire (93) from Gokwe North's Matambo Village under Chief Chireya, a former prison guard who served under the Rhodesia Prison Service and courageously risked his life to protect political prisoners, notably President Mnangagwa, during their time at Khami Remand Prison, the forthcoming Independence Day celebrations carry a profound meaning.

He views the upcoming Uhuru celebrations as a pivotal opportunity, representing a chance to finally fulfill his long-cherished wish: to reunite with his former inmate, now the President of Zimbabwe, after 53 years.

Mr Madanhire, born on March 9, 1932, and President Mnangagwa first met around 1967 when Zimbabwe's first citizen was serving a life sentence at Khami Remand Prison. President Mnangagwa and other prisoners of his ilk were, at that time, classified by the regime as "most dangerous terrorists".

They were isolated from other prisoners in a special section of single cells and automatically placed in the infamous "D" category.

They were the proverbial bad apples that the regime feared would spoil the bunch if they were allowed to mingle with other prisoners.

The President had been arrested in Salisbury's Highfield Township in 1965 for being part of the Crocodile Gang that carried out sabotage activities against the Rhodesian regime after receiving military training in China.

As preparations for the forthcoming Independence Day celebrations at Nembudziya Growth Point in Gokwe North gain momentum, Zimpapers Politics Hub delved into its archives, seeking hidden gems from the district, and fortunately managed to contact Mr Madanhire, who is indisputably one of Gokwe's unsung heroes.

This remarkable individual played a courageous role in the liberation struggle by risking his life by smuggling letters and vital information from political prisoners like President Mnangagwa during his time at Khami Prison.

In a telephone interview, Mr Madanhire expressed immense excitement upon learning that the Independence Day celebrations would be held at Nembudziya Growth Point, particularly because his former Khami Remand Prison inmate, President Mnangagwa, would be leading the national event.

Despite his advanced age, he fervently prayed that the commemorations would present the perfect opportunity to reunite with his erstwhile inmate.

He reminisced about their lighter moments behind bars, sharing anecdotes of their unlikely friendship, and expressed a long-held desire to meet the President since he became Zimbabwe's number one citizen.

"It has always been my long-held wish to meet President Mnangagwa since he became President. I first met him many years ago, when he was an inmate at Khami Remand Prison in 1967, where he was incarcerated.

"When I heard that the Independence Day celebrations would be held at Nembudziya Growth Point, I was very excited.

"This is something we have cherished, and we never expected such an event to happen in Gokwe. Many thanks to President Mnangagwa for bringing the celebrations to Gokwe, which is often regarded as a backward district," said Mr Madanhire.

He said that despite his old age and difficulties walking, he believed that if he received assistance with transport to Nembudziya, he would consider it the perfect opportunity to meet President Mnangagwa again.

"I had been trying to engage some party officials (ZANU PF) from the constituency to assist me in meeting him, but without success. However, I believe that since he is coming to Nembudziya Growth Point to lead the independence celebrations, if I manage to get transport, it will be a perfect opportunity to meet him.

"Despite the good relationship we had, it was unfortunate that I couldn't bid him farewell, as my job and life were at risk. I have not met him since the 1960s. My long-cherished wish is to meet him. It would be truly wonderful to meet him and reminisce," he said.

In an earlier interview at his rural home in April 2022, Mr Madanhire shared part of the story of President Mnangagwa's long years behind bars, during which he served a life sentence for contravening Section 37 (1) (b) of the notorious Law and Order Maintenance Act.

"It was around 1967 when I came face-to-face with a young Emmerson Mnangagwa. I was a prison guard at Khami Maximum Security Prison, where he was serving a life sentence. I met him through one of my relatives, Ishmael Dube, who was also a political prisoner there. The two -- Emmerson and Ishmael -- were friends.

"When I first met the young Emmerson Mnangagwa, I was immediately taken by his ready smile and the gentleness in his eyes. He was down-to-earth and courteous," Mr Madanhire said then.

An elder with an encyclopaedic knowledge of all landmarks in the Rhodesia Prison Service, Mr Madanhire said he had too many stories to tell about President Mnangagwa, adding that the President's experiences at Khami Prison deserve to be in a book.

"Not many prison officers during that time can say they shook hands with him. Very few have encountered him personally since he was classified by the regime as most dangerous," he said.

"I saw his suffering and near desperation when I used to stand behind him during the few visits his relatives were allowed and I could also see the anguish in him each time I talked to him or deliver a letter from his relatives and friends. After a while, even though he was a political prisoner, a friendship grew between us. It was a friendship behind bars and I never dreamt that one day he was going to be the country's President".

He also details how he came to do "favours" for President Mnangagwa, smuggling his letters from prison, which were demonising the colonial regime and posting them.

Mr Madanhire broke the rules to allow President Mnangagwa to communicate with relatives while he was behind bars.

"One of the most cruel rules was that prisoners should never write or receive letters containing subversive statements. Inmates were initially prohibited from writing about prison conditions. But he (President Mnangagwa) could write and receive such letters through me. At times, he was worried that I would get caught and be punished.

"It was quite a risky exercise, and I didn't want many people to know about this. It was also one of my main duties to censor the letters that were being written by political prisoners. I also accommodated his relatives at my house whenever they came to visit him," explained Mr Madanhire.

"I would also smuggle newspaper cuttings into cells of these political prisoners so that they could read about the liberation struggle," he added.

Mr Madanhire said many ex-political prisoners who were serving their jail sentences together with President Mnangagwa remembered him from their time inside as one of those rare phenomena: a prison officer with a heart.

"Other political prisoners I remember very well who served during the same time with him (President Mnangagwa) are Boniface Madzimbamuto, John Mashakada, John Mukoko, Saunders Mahwite and Ishmael Dube, who I said was his close friend," said Mr Madanhire.

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He said he also connected a lot of political prisoners to some charitable organisations that helped them pay for their studies.

Mr Madanhire who retired in the late 70s, showed off a medal he was given upon his retirement from the Rhodesia Prison Service. It is one of his most prized possessions.

He said that before he retired, he had asked for a transfer from Khami Prison to Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison after one of the prison officers discovered that he was allowing letters from political prisoners to pass without being censored.

To show that he is a decades-long admirer of President Mnangagwa, Mr Madanhire also showed off the poster of President Mnangagwa for the 2018 Harmonised Elections, which was hanging on the walls of his living room.

He also narrated how the Smith regime was ruthless to political prisoners, with some being hanged in a barbaric fashion.

"Political prisoners like President Mnangagwa were ill-treated. The living conditions were terrible, and the cells were too small and we would allow them outside early in the morning for very few minutes for exercise and bathing.

"During those few minutes, they were also expected to clean their toilet buckets. This is one of the reasons I risked my life smuggling letters for these political prisoners who were so determined that one day they would fight white rule in the country," said Mr Madanhire.

He said that although he was a prison guard, he loved politics.

Mr Madanhire seemed to have resigned to the fact that life is a just a clock that is counted down until one finally gives up and breathes his or her last. His wife Herena died in 2005. Four of his eight children are also late.

The old man lives with his grandchildren.
Kathiawadi Horse 'Prithvi' Sold For A Whopping Rs 11.51 Lakh To Bihar Breeder

Curated By :

Translation Desk

Last Updated: April 10, 2025, 18:38 IST

A Kathiawadi horse named Prithvi, bred by Rajubhai Rada in Junagadh, was sold for Rs 11.51 lakh to a breeder in Bihar.

Kathiawadi horse 'Prithvi' was sold for Rs 11.51 lakh.

Once the pride of royal stables, the majestic Kathiawadi horse continues to command awe and admiration, not just in Gujarat but far beyond its native terrain. In a remarkable testament to the enduring legacy and rising demand for this regal breed, a horse breeder from Junagadh has sold one of his prized stallions for a whopping Rs 11.51 lakh to a buyer in Bihar.

The horse, an 11-year-old named Prithvi, was bred and raised by local horse enthusiast Rajubhai Rada, who has devoted his life to preserving and promoting the Kathiawadi lineage. Speaking to Local 18, Rajubhai shared his lifelong passion for horses, a legacy passed down from his father. Horses are like family to me," he said. We take care of them not just as animals, but as companions steeped in tradition."

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The Kathiawadi horse, known for its distinct curved ears, endurance, and graceful gait, has a history as rich as its appearance. Once favoured by Maharajas and Nawabs for both battle and ceremonial purposes, the breed is now gaining renewed attention among equine aficionados across the country. What was once a symbol of royal prestige is now sought after by breeders and racers alike.

Rajubhais stallion Prithvi, now en route to Patna, was purchased by a prominent horse breeder from Bihar, who aims to use the stallion to strengthen the bloodline and promote the Kathiawadi breed. This isnt just about a purchase," Rajubhai explained. Its about carrying forward a legacy. The fact that someone is willing to pay more than what most would spend on a luxury car shows the growing respect for Kathiawadi horses."

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To ensure a safe and stress-free journey, a specially equipped ambulance has been arranged for Prithvi, who will take four days to reach his new home. Such careful arrangements underscore the value and reverence with which these animals are treated by their caretakers.

Interestingly, while demand for the Kathiawadi breed is soaring in other states, their presence in Gujarat  their land of origin  has dwindled. Once commonly seen in villages and royal processions, these horses are now a rarity even in Kathiawad, the region from which they derive their name.

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 10, 2025, 18:38 IST
After Trump's U-Turn, EU Puts Counter-Tariffs On Hold For 90 Days

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: April 10, 2025, 16:26 IST

The European Commission paused counter-tariffs for 90 days after President Trump halted most US tariffs. EU President Ursula von der Leyen called it a step towards stabilizing the global economy.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. (Reuters File Image)

The European Commission will suspend a planned package of tariffs on US goods for 90 days to give negotiations a chance", EU President Ursula von der Leyen announced on Thursday after President Donald Trumps temporarily halt on most US tariffs.

While finalising the adoption of the EU countermeasures that saw strong support from our Member States, we will put them on hold for 90 days," the European Commission president said. If negotiations are not satisfactory, our countermeasures will kick in."

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Von der Leyen earlier described the halt on reciprocal tariffs as an important step towards stabilizing the global economy. Clear, predictable conditions are essential for trade and supply chains to function."

I have authorized a 90 day PAUSE," Trump said on Wednesday, after recognising the more than 75 countries that he said have been negotiating on trade and had not retaliated against his latest increases in tariffs. Countries subject to the pause will now be tariffed at 10%. The EUs rate was 20%, but it was not entirely clear how the 27-nation bloc would be impacted.

China was not included. Trump further jacked up the tax rate on Chinese imports to 125%.

Before Trumps announcement on Wednesday, EU member countries voted to approve retaliatory tariffs on $23 billion in goods in response to his 25% tariffs on imported steel and aluminum. The EU, the largest trading partner of the U.S., described them as unjustified and damaging."

Members of the EU  the worlds largest trading bloc  repeated their preference for a negotiated deal to settle trade issues, and von der Leyen underscored that commitment, with the goal of achieving frictionless and mutually beneficial trade."

Still, the head of the EUs executive branch  which negotiates trade deals and disputes on behalf of the member countries  said that Europe intends to diversify its trade partnerships.

She said that the EU will continue engaging with countries that account for 87% of global trade and share our commitment to a free and open exchange of goods, services, and ideas," and to lift barriers to commerce inside its own single market.

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Together, Europeans will emerge stronger from this crisis," von der Leyen said.

(With inputs from AP, AFP)

About the Author Saurabh Verma Saurabh Verma covers general, national and international day-to-day news for News18.com as a Senior Sub-editor. He keenly observes politics. You can follow him on Twitter --twitter.com/saurabhkverma19 Saurabh Verma covers general, national and international day-to-day news for News18.com as a Senior Sub-editor. He keenly observes politics. You can follow him on Twitter --twitter.com/saurabhkverma19

Location : Brussels, Belgium

First Published: April 10, 2025, 16:20 IST
China Issues Travel Alert For Citizens Visiting US Amid Donald Trump's Tariff Rift

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: April 10, 2025, 12:30 IST

Chinese tourists were asked to assess the risks of traveling to the US and travel with caution amid rift with the United States over tariffs imposed by Donald Trump.

China President Xi Jinping

China issued a risk alert for citizens traveling to the US amid the ongoing tariff tension between Washington and Beijing, as per a statement from the culture and tourism ministry.

Chinese tourists were asked to assess the risks of traveling to the US and travel with caution, citing recent deterioration of China-US economic and trade relations and the domestic security situation in the US", the ministry said.

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In light of worsening ChinaUS trade relations and security concerns in America, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism advises Chinese citizens to carefully assess the risks of traveling to the United States and proceed with caution," the ministry said.

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Chinas Ministry of Education also warned the countrys students about assessing security risks related to studying in certain US states."

This comes as US President Donald Trump announced a 90-day pause on his reciprocal tariff plans for countries, except China. The Trump administration imposed a sweeping 125% tariff on all goods imported from China in retaliation for Beijings 84% tariffs on all American goods.

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 10, 2025, 12:30 IST
Dancer For Smuggler: Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump Complete Another Prisoner Swap

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: April 10, 2025, 17:52 IST

This is the second swap since US President Donald Trump returned to the White House.

Arthur Petrov, a dual German-Russian citizen arrested in 2023 at the request of the US for allegedly exporting sensitive microelectronics, sits in a plane during a prisoner swap for Ksenia Karelina between Russia and the United States, in Abu Dhabi. (IMAGE: REUTERS)

Russia and the United States exchanged prisoners on Thursday, releasing US-Russian ballet dancer and spa worker Ksenia Karelina in exchange for Arthur Petrov, a Russian-German citizen.

American Ksenia Karelina is on a plane back home to the United States. She was wrongfully detained by Russia for over a year," Rubio wrote on social media platform X, adding that Trump will continue to work for the release of ALL Americans."

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The Wall Street Journal reported that, in exchange, the United States released Petrov, who was arrested in Cyprus in 2023 at Washingtons request for allegedly exporting sensitive microelectronics.

Ballet dancer and spa worker Ksenia Karelina, who had been detained in Russia for 12 years on treason charges, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said.

Karelinas lawyer, Mikhail Mushailov, told news agency AFP that the exchange took place in Abu Dhabi and, as of a couple of hours ago, she was already flying out of Abu Dhabi."

Karelina, who was born in 1991 and lived in Los Angeles, was serving a 12-year prison sentence for having donated around $50 to a pro-Ukraine charity.

She was arrested in the Urals city of Yekaterinburg in January 2024 while on a trip to visit her family. She was charged with treason."

Russias Federal Security Service accused her of collecting funds for Ukraines army that were used to purchase equipment, weapons and ammunition"  charges she denied. Her supporters say she donated to a US-based organisation that delivers humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

A CIA spokeswoman told the paper that the exchange shows the importance of keeping lines of communication open with Russia, despite the deep challenges in our bilateral relationship."

While we are disappointed that other Americans remain wrongfully detained in Russia, we see this exchange as a positive step and will continue to work for their release," she said.

Russia has yet to confirm the swap, which would be the second since Trump returned to the White House in January.

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Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin have since pushed for a restoration of closer ties between the two countries that were severely damaged by Moscows invasion of Ukraine.

Several meetings between the two sides have taken place, with a new round of talks beginning on Thursday in Istanbul on restoring some of the embassy operations that were scaled back following the Ukraine invasion.

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 10, 2025, 17:52 IST
'Stupid, Incompetent': Trump Blasts Past Presidents, Says China Tariffs Should've Been Hiked 'Years Ago'

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: April 10, 2025, 08:14 IST

Donald Trump blamed previous US presidents for not acting against China, as he announced a steep tariff hike on China to 125 per cent. He said this should have been done before Obama.

US President Donald Trump speaks to the media (Photo: AFP)

As US President Donald Trump announced raising tariffs on China to 125 per cent because of a lack of respect", in an interaction with the media, he said the step should have been taken years ago.

Trump also blamed previous Presidents and said they had been stupid", incompetent" and did not have the courage" to do so.

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I blame the people sitting right at this desk, right behind this desk or another desk for being stupid and not having the courage. This should have been done years ago," Trump said in response to a media query on the trade war with China.

This should have been done before (Barack) Obama, not only (Joe) Biden. This started with the World Trade Organisation which was owned by China, it was owned and paid by China. They considered them a nation that was undeveloped, they said they were a developing nation, we are a developing nation too if you think about it," the US President said.

I blame the people sitting at this desk more than I blame China. If China can get away with taking hundreds and billions and trillions of dollars because of people here that were stupid, they were stupid people, may be corrupt, I dont know how you can be that stupid, how you get to be the president and then youre stupid."

But they certainly werent courageous and they allowed this to happen, and with Japan and with many other countries they took advantage of us," Trump said.

VIDEO | In response to a media query on trade war with China, US President Donald Trump (@POTUS) says, I blame the people sitting right at this desk, right behind this desk or another desk for being stupid and not having the courage. This should have been done years ago, this pic.twitter.com/i2op7VZIOT Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 10, 2025

TRUMP CALLS CHINA BIGGEST ABUSER IN HISTORY

In another statement, on the trade war with China, and announcing a 90-day pause on new tariffs, Trump said China is the biggest abuser in history and that somebody had to take this step against it.

Well, I thought that people were jumping a little bit out of line because we have a big job to do. No other president would have done what I did, no other president, I know the presidents, they wouldnt have done it, not only with China, but China is by far the biggest abuser in history," Trump said.

Somebody had to do it, they had to stop, it was not sustainable unless China made a one trillion dollars of trade with the United States its not right, and now Ive reversed it, its for a short period of time, but were making two billion dollars a day."

Im honoured to have done it, and we have a tremendous amount of spirit from other countries, including China, China wants to make a deal, they just dont know how quite to go about it, theyre proud people," Trump said.

Somebody had to do what we did. I did a 90-day pause for the people who didnt retaliate because I told them if they retaliate, were going to double it. And thats what I did with China because they did retaliate, so well see how its gonna work out." Trump said.

I think its going to work out amazing. I think that our country is going to be at the end of a year or shorter, but I think were going to have something that nobody would have dreamt possible. I am very happy that I have done it," he added.

#WATCH | On announcing a 90-day pause on new tariffs and raising China tariffs to 125%, US President Donald Trump says, Well, I thought that people were jumping a little bit out of line. No other president would have done what I did. Somebody had to do itThey had to stop pic.twitter.com/kuScirggOc ANI (@ANI) April 9, 2025

TRUMP SLAMS NANCY PELOSI, SAYS IT TAKES GUTS

Responding to a question on former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, that they have been talking about tariffs for decades, Trump said, Chuck Schumer, Nancy Pelosi, everybody knew you had to do it, but they never had the guts to do it. It does take guts."

Even takes guts for a country to go through it, thats why I say be cool, its gonna work out, and it is working out, may be faster than I thought, but I said its gonna take a little conditioning, its a transition to greatness. People investing in our country, theyre gonna do better than theyve ever done before," he added.

JUST IN: President Trump calls out Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi for not having the guts to take on China like he is doing.Reporter: How come when Schumer and Pelosi want tariffs, everythings hunky dory, but when President Trump wants tariffs, all h*ll breaks loose? Trump: pic.twitter.com/kbBDFWrLd1  Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) April 9, 2025

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On Wednesday, Trump raised the tariff rate for China to 125 per cent, effective immediately, from the previously announced 104 per cent tariff that had kicked off earlier on Wednesday.

China also announced an additional import levy on US goods, imposing an 84 per cent tariff from Thursday.

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 10, 2025, 07:41 IST
He Is A Canadian National: Pakistan Distances Itself From 26/11 Plotter Tahawwur Rana

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: April 10, 2025, 16:06 IST

Tahawwur Rana is a Pakistani national who also has Canadian citizenship and was very close to Lashkar-e-Taiba, Pakistan Army and ISI.

Tahawwur Rana was extradited to India for his role in 26/11 Mumbai attacks. (File Image)

The Pakistan foreign office on Thursday quickly distanced itself from 26/11 Mumbai attacks accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana and said Rana is a Canadian citizen.

Tahawwur Rana has not renewed his Pakistani documents in the last two decades. His Canadian nationality is very clear," the Pakistan foreign office said in a statement.

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Rana has been extradited from the US, he was being held there since his arrest in October 2009 along with David Coleman Headley, the co-conspirator, who is being held in a separate case.

Rana, a Pakistani-Canadian businessman, is wanted in India for his alleged involvement in the 2008 attacks that killed 166 people, including security personnel and foreigners. He is accused of facilitating the coordinated strikes on Indias financial hub by conducting reconnaissance missions and providing support to David Coleman Headley.

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He allegedly used his immigration services company as a front to help Headley pose as a US national while gathering intelligence in India. After years of legal battles, US courts approved his extradition to India, citing his role in the conspiracy.

The 26/11 Mumbai attacks were among the deadliest terror strikes in Indias history, causing 166 deaths and injuring hundreds. For nearly 60 hours starting November 26, 2008, 10 Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists targeted multiple locations across the city, including the Taj Hotel, CST railway station, and the Jewish Chabad House. The attacks, orchestrated from Pakistan, sent shockwaves around the world. Ajmal Kasab, the lone surviving gunman, was tried and executed in India.

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 : Islamabad, Pakistan

First Published: April 10, 2025, 16:01 IST
Hungary Probes Bioterror Link After First Foot-And-Mouth Outbreak In 50 Years

Published By :

Reuters

Last Updated: April 10, 2025, 20:29 IST

The foot-and-mouth disease outbreak has led Hungary to close its borders and carry out mass slaughter of cattle in certain regions.

A member of the epidemic authorities fills a container with disinfectant liquid during the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Dunakiliti, Hungary. (IMAGE: REUTERS)

Hungary on Thursday suggested a biological attack" as a possible source of the countrys first foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in more than half a century, which has triggered border closures and the mass slaughter of cattle in the northwest.

Hungary reported a first case of foot-and-mouth disease in over 50 years on a cattle farm in the northwest near the border with Austria and Slovakia last month, the World Organisation for Animal Health said, citing Hungarian authorities.

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Animal health authorities had made checks at nearly 1,000 farms across Hungary by Thursday, with only four in the affected northwestern region returning positive results.

At this stage, we can say that it cannot be ruled out that the virus was not of natural origin, we may be dealing with an artificially engineered virus," Prime Minister Viktor Orbans chief of staff, Gergely Gulyas told a media briefing.

Responding to a question, Gulyas said he could not rule out that the virus outbreak was the result of a biological attack, without giving information on who might be responsible.

He also said that suspicion was based on verbal information received from a foreign laboratory and that their findings have not yet been fully proven and documented.

Hungarys cattle stock numbered 861,000 head based on a livestock census in December, little changed from levels a year earlier. That constituted 1.2% of the European Unions total cattle stocks, official statistics showed.

Foot-and-mouth disease poses no danger to humans but causes fever and mouth blisters in cloven-hoofed ruminants such as cattle, swine, sheep and goats, and outbreaks often lead to trade restrictions.

Thousands of cattle had to be culled as the landlocked country tried to contain the outbreak, while Austria and Slovakia have closed dozens of border crossings, after the disease also appeared in the southern part of Slovakia.

Everyone was just standing there, crying and saying that this cannot be true, that this was impossible," said Paul Meixner, an Austrian-Hungarian dual citizen, who owns of one of the affected farms in Hungary.

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While his business has taken a 1.5 billion forint ($4.09 million) loss after culling 3,000 cattle and other livestock, Meixner has vowed to rebuild.

In two weeks, we will start harvesting and storing the hay," he said. We need the fodder for next year."

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 : Budapest, Hungary

First Published: April 10, 2025, 20:29 IST
Indian-American CEO Arrested In Luxury Brothel Scandal, Paid Rs 50,000 An Hour For Sex With Asian Women

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: April 10, 2025, 10:06 IST

Boston Luxury Brothel Scandal: Anurag Bajpayee was among dozens of individuals named in court documents accused of paying hundreds of dollars per hour for sex work.

Boston Luxury Brothel Scandal: Indian-origin CEO of clean water startup Gradiant Anurag Bajpayee was arrested. (Image Credit: X)

Boston Luxury Brothel Scandal: Indian-origin CEO of clean water startup Gradiant Anurag Bajpayee has been arrested in the United States for allegedly paying for services at high-end brothels. Anurag Bajpayee was among dozens of individuals named in court documents accused of paying hundreds of dollars per hour for sex work, as per a report in the New York Post.

The elite client list included doctors, lawyers, public officials, and government contractors, as per the report. The investigation revealed that the men allegedly paid up to $600 per hour for sex with predominantly Asian women.

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Anurag Bajpayee is the CEO of Gradiant. He has a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from MIT and began his career with research roles at MIT and the University of Missouri. Following his arrest, Gradiant faced internal pressure, including calls for Anurag Bajpayees resignation.

The company issued a statement defending its CEO and said, " We believe in the justice system and are confident that this will resolve favourably in due course. Unrelated to this, Gradiant will continue to pursue excellence in technological innovation and to strive towards our mission to ensure clean water for all society."

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 : Boston, Massachusetts, USA

First Published: April 10, 2025, 10:06 IST
Joe Biden Was Unaware Of What Was Happening, His Aides Scripted Everything, New Book Claims

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: April 10, 2025, 14:06 IST

As per the book, former White House chief of staff Ron Klain revealed that Joe Biden was "fatigued, befuddled and disengaged".

US President Joe Biden

Former US President Joe Bidens aides in the White House cut off outside access to him which ultimately worsened his cognitive function, a new book claimed.

The White House stopped Joe Biden from socializing even with those he regarded as friends and allies, the book titled Uncharted: How Trump Beat Biden, Harris, and the Odds in the Wildest Campaign in History" claimed.

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The author of the book Chris Whipple wrote, Even Bidens acquaintances were kept at bay. Bill Daley, former White House chief of staff to Barack Obama, paid frequent visits to one of the presidents senior advisors in the West Wing. I went to the White House a dozen times, he told me. Never once did somebody say, Oh, come on in and see the president. Never. Everything was scripted."

Although some in the White House disagreed with this strategy as one White House aide even suggested walling Biden off from the world was a grave mistake."

They were afraid he might say the wrong thing or might feed the mental acuity narrative, he told me. And so he started seeing fewer and fewer people. They allowed his faculties to atrophy. But I think, like knives, they have to be sharpened. They get sharpened by rubbing them up against steel. And they dont get sharpened by sitting in a drawer," the author wrote.

Joe Biden Was Fatigued And Befuddled

As per the book, former White House chief of staff Ron Klain revealed that Joe Biden was fatigued, befuddled and disengaged" before his debate with President Donald Trump in June.

At his first meeting with Biden in Aspen Lodge, the presidents cabin. He was startled. Hed never seen him so exhausted and out of it. Biden was unaware of what was happening in his own campaign. Halfway through the session, the president excused himself and went off to sit by the pool," the book claimed.

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The author also said that Joe Biden sounded semi-coherent" during the interview, which occurred weeks before Biden withdrew his candidacy.

Stephanopoulos questioned the president gently, like a grandson. Afterward, when I asked the ABC anchor by email for his impressions, he replied: Heartbreaking up close," the author wrote.

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 10, 2025, 14:06 IST
'Next Pandemic Could Arrive Tomorrow': WHO Chief Issues Dire Warning

Curated By :

Translation Desk

Last Updated: April 10, 2025, 16:27 IST

WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros warns the next pandemic is inevitable, urging global preparations and a legally binding agreement for readiness and equitable resource access for all nations

The immense devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the need to strengthen the global health security system, a matter that governments must prioritise without delay. (AI-Generated)

The World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has issued a stark warning that has reverberated globally: the next pandemic is not a matter of if, but when. It could emerge in 20 years or even tomorrow, but its arrival is inevitable. This grave proclamation has sent shockwaves around the world.

Reiterating his stance during a WHO meeting, Dr Ghebreyesus emphasised that the next global pandemic is an unavoidable scientific certainty, not merely a theoretical possibility. Therefore, countries must commence preparations to address this looming challenge immediately.

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Governments Overlooking The Lessons From The COVID-19 Pandemic

Dr Ghebreyesus highlighted that governments are currently sidelining the threats posed by pandemics, preoccupied with other pressing concerns such as economic and geopolitical crises. As the world grapples with wars and economic instability, both populations and governments are beginning to regard COVID-19 as a relic of the past. However, he stressed that the next pandemic will not wait for these issues to be resolved; it could strike at any time.

Dr Ghebreyesus reminded the audience of the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which officially claimed 7 million lives, although WHO estimates the true figure to be over 20 million. The economic repercussions were equally severe, with the pandemic costing the global economy $10 trillion. This immense devastation has underscored the need to strengthen the global health security system, a matter that governments must prioritise without delay.

Urgent Need For A Pandemic Agreement

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Dr Ghebreyesus emphasised the urgent need for a pandemic agreement in anticipation of the next outbreak. Such an agreement would commit governments worldwide to a collaborative approach for pandemic preparedness and response. He called for a legally binding international framework focused on the prevention, protection, readiness, security, and management of global epidemics. This agreement should ensure equitable access to facilities and resources for all nations, regardless of their economic status, while respecting national sovereignty.

Dr Ghebreyesus urged United Nations member states to progress towards signing a comprehensive, universal agreement. Addressing representatives from various countries, he reminded them of the progress made over the past three and a half years and encouraged them to finalise the agreement.

Location : Switzerland

First Published: April 10, 2025, 16:27 IST
Farmers with agricultural land disputes have been encouraged to approach the Zimbabwe Land Commission provincial offices for assistance in resolving these disagreements prior to application for their title deeds.

This comes as 2 518 farmers had submitted applications to acquire the title deed document by March 31.

In a recent notice to beneficiaries of the land reform programme, the Zimbabwe Land Commission (ZLC) said Government had commenced the issuance of agricultural land title deeds to holders and their offices were ready to help in dispute resolutions to smoothen the process.

"As stipulated in section 297(1) (d) of the Zimbabwe Constitution Amendment (o. 20) Act of 2013, the Commission shall investigate and determine complaints and disputes regarding the supervision, administration and allocation of agricultural land.

"As such, farmers with agricultural land disputes are therefore encouraged to approach the ZLC provincial offices across the eight agricultural provinces for assistance in resolving these disputes prior to application for their title deeds," said ZLC.

To lodge disputes and complains to the ZLC, farmers should bring offer letters, copy of identification document (ID) and letters of administration (if it involves a deceased state).

Details of the other party to the dispute should be availed, including phone number and home address as well as war veteran identification card (in case of war veteran status).

The move by ZLC augments the recent Government move to decentralise the title deed processing system for farms aimed at streamlining service delivery and bringing land tenure services directly to farmers under the one stop system.

The decentralisation strategy will involve establishing title deeds offices equipped to handle applications and issue documents in various provinces.

This will reduce the need for farmers to travel long distances to Harare, saving them time and resources.

The Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, has introduced a one-stop centre dedicated to the issuance of title deeds.

This initiative aims to assist holders of valid offer letters, A2 permits, 99-year leases, A1 Settlement Permits, A1 Temporary Permits, and ALSA leases.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Zimbabwe Food and Agriculture By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

The one-stop centre will process title deeds for surveyed farms within three days for farmers who pay the purchase price in cash.

Those who pay the purchase price within 90 days will be considered as making a cash payment upon deposit, allowing them to collect their title deeds after full payment is completed.

Farmers seeking mortgage arrangements will also benefit from this initiative, as the Government is finalising modalities with selected banks to facilitate this service.

The title deed issuance programme, spearheaded by the Land Tenure Implementation Committee (LTIC), aims to solidify the "irreversibility of land reform" by ensuring that land becomes bankable, registrable and transferable.

Government aims to curb multiple farm ownership, facilitate family inheritance, and provide exit strategies for those opting out of farming.

The land tenure system, officially launched by President Mnangagwa on December 28, 2024, is designed to grant full ownership rights to beneficiaries.
Prince William And Prince Harry Pleaded With King Charles Not To Marry Camilla: Just Dont

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: April 10, 2025, 14:53 IST

Prince Harry earlier wrote in his memoir that he and his brother Prince William were skeptical about the idea of King Charles' marriage to Camilla.

Prince William And Prince Harry are seen,

Prince Harry and Prince William were not supportive of their father King Charles marrying Camilla, the Duke of Sussex wrote in his memoir Spare. King Charles and Queen Camilla celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary on April 9 but Prince Harry earlier wrote in his memoir that he and his brother were skeptical about the idea of their marriage.

Prince Harry said that they were resistant to the idea of their father getting married after King Charles divorce from their mother Princess Diana in 1996. Princess Diana died in a car crash in 1997.

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Prince Harry wrote that he and Prince William were worried about the scrutiny that the marriage would bring towards them.

What Prince Harry Said About King Charles Marrying Camilla

Prince Harry wrote, Willy and I agreed that Pa deserved better. Apologies to Teddy [the Kings childhood teddy bear], Pa deserved a proper companion. That was why, when asked, Willy and I promised Pa that wed welcome Camilla into the family. The only thing we asked in return was that he not marry her."

He added, You dont need to remarry, we pleaded. A wedding would cause controversy. It would incite the press. It would make the whole country, the whole world, talk about Mummy, compare Mummy and Camilla, and nobody wanted that. Least of all, Camilla. We support you, we said. We endorse Camilla, we said. Just please dont marry her. Just be together, Pa."

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Prince Harry also slammed Camilla as he wrote that she began to play the long game, a campaign aimed at marriage."

Charles and Camilla announced their engagement in February 2005 and tied the knot in April that year.

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 : London, United Kingdom (UK)

First Published: April 10, 2025, 14:53 IST
The Obamas Are Not Divorcing But Michelle Once Revealed She Was Cheated On And Lied To

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: April 10, 2025, 14:35 IST

Michelle Obama revealed that before she met Barack Obama, she had dated men who were less sure of themselves and what they wanted.

Barack Obama and Michelle Obama are seen.

Former US First Lady Michelle Obama dismissed rumours surrounding her divorce with Barack Obama in a podcast with actress Sophia Bush. As Michelle Obama talked about her life after leaving the White House on the Work in Progress" podcast, she reflected on the importance of prioritising herself- something she was unable to do while raising her two adult daughters.

Michelle Obama said, I could have made a lot of these decisions years ago, but I didnt give myself that freedom. Maybe even as much as I let my kids live their own lives, I use their lives as an excuse for why I couldnt do something."

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She added, And now thats gone. And so now I have to look at my  I get to look at my calendar, which I did this year, was a real big example of me, myself looking at something that I was supposed to do  you know, without naming names  and I chose to do what was best for me, not what I had to do, not what I thought other people wanted me to do."

When Michelle Obama Revealed She Was Cheated On

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The former first lady revealed in her book titled The Light We Carry, that before she met Barack Obama, she had dated men who were less sure of themselves and what they wanted." Among those men was a player or two," people who were nice to look at and exciting to be around, but who were often peering over my shoulder, trying to see who else was in a room, what further connections could be made", she wrote.

She said that at the time she had been cheated on and lied to a few times" by early loves" however Barack Obama was direct and clear about what he wanted."

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 10, 2025, 14:35 IST
Trump's China Tariff Ignites An Economic Standoff: What Next? Would Beijing Negotiate?

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News18.com

Last Updated: April 10, 2025, 10:47 IST

Donald Trump hiked China tariffs to 125 per cent, suggesting he completed an unfinished business from his first term. To his earlier tariffs, China hit back with 84 per cent retaliatory tariffs.

Xi Jinping and Donald Trump (Getty Image)

Donald Trump abruptly paused tariffs on most countries but upped the ante on a brutal trade war with superpower rival China.

Beijing hit back with retaliatory tariffs of 84 percent on US imports, which came into effect at 12.01 pm (0401 GMT) on Thursday, the latest salvo in an escalating standoff between the worlds two largest economies.

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In his response to questions on why he raised China tariffs to an eye-watering rate of 125 per cent, Trump said the move was because Beijing retaliated with tariffs on US goods, a move he described as showing a lack of respect".

However, a deeper dive into the move suggests Trump has, indeed, finished an incomplete job he took up during his first term at the White House, and in fact, the US President also said, We didnt have the time to do the right thing, which were doing now."

According to a report with BBC, China, in 2012, increased trade with the United States, and that resulted in boosting the global growth of China, thus providing an endless supply of cheap goods.

It also helped the country prepare new factory workers to work in accordance with the global supply chains, and providing lucrative opportunities to multinational corporations.

Within a few years, China surpassed the United States to become the worlds biggest market for Rolls Royce, General Motors and Volkswagen, the report claimed.

This, in turn, allowed the Chinese to plan a political reform and helping their country to transition into a consumer society. However, as China saw the growth of its ruling Communist Party, it planned on to become more dominant.

In the latest, Chinas policy blueprint Made In China 2025, set out a huge state-backed vision of becoming a global leader in a number of key manufacturing sectors.

And now, China produces 60 per cent of the worlds electric cars  a large proportion of them made by its own homegrown brands  and 80 per cent of the batteries that power them, claimed the report.

So, now Trump is back, with this tit-for-tat escalation on levies.

According to the report, Trumps first-term trade war broke the mould and shattered the consensus. His successor, President Joe Biden, kept much of his tariffs on China in place.

SO WHAT NEXT?

It would be interesting to watch if China now takes up to negotiate with the United States, or completely overhauls its export-driven economic model.

Chinas vision of its economic strength  one based on strong exports and a tightly protected domestic market  is now closely bound up with its idea of national rejuvenation and the supremacy of its one-party system.

Its tight control over the information sphere means it will be unlikely to drop its barriers to American technology companies, for example, the report says.

However, Beijing may decide not to negotiate if it believes the United States believes in free trade, more so because Donald Trump talks about the benefit of a protectionist barrier for America, which, China may believe to be the primary purpose of imposing tariffs.

How the ongoing trade war between the two countries shape up largely depends on how China reacts to the hiked tariff.

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Meanwhile, US Treasury Secretary Bessent, on being asked about removing Chinese stocks from US exchanges, said, everything is on the table".

Trump also predicted that trade deals will be made with all countries, including China, which has for now refused to roll back retaliatory tariffs on US goods.

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 10, 2025, 10:47 IST
Will US Attack Iran If No Nuclear Deal Is Reached? Donald Trump Says 'Absolutely'

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News18.com

Last Updated: April 10, 2025, 07:40 IST

Donald Trump said that there was "not much time" to reach an agreement on Iran's nuclear program.

US President Donald Trump

US President Donald Trump said military action against Iran was absolutely" possible if talks on a nuclear deal failed. He said that there was not much time" to reach an agreement on its nuclear program.

When asked if military action was an option, Donald Trump said, If necessary, absolutely. If it requires military, were going to have military. Israel will obviously be very much involved in that, be the leader of that."

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What Pentagon Chief Said On Iran

The comments by the US President come after the Pentagon chief said that it is for Iran to interpret whether the recent deployment of the B-2 bombers to a US-British base in the Indian Ocean is intended as a message.

As many as six B-2 bombers were relocated in March to a US-British military base on the Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia amid rising tensions with Iran.

When asked if the B-2 deployment was meant as a message to Iran, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said, Well let them decide. Its a great asset  it sends a message to everybody. President Trumps been clear  Iran should not have a nuclear bomb. We very much hope  the President is focused on doing that peacefully."

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The US has accused Iran of secretly trying to develop nuclear weapons by enriching uranium to levels beyond what is needed for civilian energy purposes although Tehran insists its nuclear programme is purely for generating electricity and other peaceful purposes.

Iran had reached a deal in 2015 with then-US President Barack Obama as well as the UK, France, China, Russia and Germany as per which the country would limit its nuclear activities and allow inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) into the country in return for sanctions relief. In 2018, Donald Trump abandoned the deal as he said that it did too little to stop Irans potential pathway to a nuclear bomb.

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 10, 2025, 07:33 IST
Your US Visas, Green Cards Will Be Cancelled For These Social Media Posts

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: April 10, 2025, 10:25 IST

US Visa: Posts considered anti-Semitic will include social media activity in support of militant groups classified by the United States as terrorists.

US Visa: The policy will be implemented immediately and will apply to student visas and permanent resident "green card" applications to remain in the United States.

US immigration authorities said that they will deny visas and residence permits to people who post anti-Semitic content on social media. Posts considered anti-Semitic will include social media activity in support of militant groups classified by the United States as terrorists, including Hamas, Lebanons Hezbollah and Yemens Houthis.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has made it clear that anyone who thinks they can come to America and hide behind the First Amendment to advocate for anti-Semitic violence and terrorism  think again. You are not welcome here," department spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin said.

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The US Citizenship and Immigration Services will consider social media content that indicates an alien endorsing, espousing, promoting or supporting anti-Semitic terrorism, anti-Semitic terrorist organizations or other anti-Semitic activity as a negative factor", the statement said.

The policy will take effect immediately and apply to student visas and requests for permanent resident green cards" to stay in the United States.

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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said last month that he has stripped visas for some 300 people and that non-US citizens do not have the same rights as Americans.

The Donald Trump administration has canceled visas for students inside the United States over Gaza protests. The most high-profile deportation case is Mahmoud Khalil, who led protests at Columbia University in New York.

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 10, 2025, 10:25 IST
A 63-year-old man was critically injured after he was hit by a flying gas pump hose, police in Toronto say. Police say a man tried to drive his Mercedes-Benz E500 away from a Shell station in the city's west end Monday evening with the gas nozzle still attached, the Toronto Sun reports. "When the gentleman ... drove away, the gas hose ripped from the pump and unfortunately struck the man in his 60s, causing him to fall," Constable Ashley Visser tells CP24.
April generally isn't peak season for Grinchy activity, but President Trump's tariffs may have already ruined Christmas for some Chinese exporters and their American customers. Producers of Christmas decorations in China say US buyers are normally finalizing their orders at this time of year, but with the trade war escalating, they haven't heard from many of the American clients their businesses rely on, Reuters reports. "So far this year, none of my American customers have placed any orders," said Qun Ying, who runs an artificial Christmas tree factory. "Of course it's about the tariffs," he says. "Maybe American customers won't buy anything this year."

America gets around 87% of its Christmas decorations from China, and around half of China's Christmas exports go to the US. If the US tax on imports from Chinawhich Trump upped to 125% on Wednesday afternoonremains in place, Christmas decorations this year will be a lot more expensive for many Americans, if they can even find them in stores, Reuters notes. Trump may have visions of American Christmas decoration factories dancing in his head, but Jami Warner, executive director of the American Christmas Tree Association, says the industry can't just switch to US suppliers for artificial Christmas trees.

"They certainly can't be made in the United States. There's no manufacturing, the technology isn't here, the labor market isn't here," Warner tells Reuters. Warner, who estimates that 80% of the Christmas trees displayed in the US are artificial, mostly made in China, is saddened that the industry has been caught in the middle of the trade war. "What our members make and sell are not strategic products," she says. "We're not threatening. We're a happy, joyful business. We'd like to stay in that joyful business."
An American Airlines flight from New York City's JFK Airport made it almost halfway to Milan on Monday night before it was forced to turn back. Passengers say they were initially told that Flight 198 was turning back after four hours because of a technical problem, but it was clear that the real problem was an unruly passenger. "We kind of noticed a scuffle in the back. They were asking around if there were any police officers or Army members, or somebody who could help because there were no air marshals on," passenger Krystie Tomlinson tells CBS News . She says a man charged at flight attendants and, at one point, tried to barge into the pilot's cabin.

"Apparently, the whole thing started because of a meal choice they didn't get," Tomlinson says. She says the man was also apparently angry that he wasn't allowed to sit in an exit row because he had a baby with him. On the way back to New York, "the guy was still in the back of the plane unprotected, unrestrained, which was a little bit scary considering we had a plane full of 300 people and there was no air marshal on board, and we've got this crazy man in the back," passenger Michael Scigliano tells CBS.

Passengers say the airline wasn't much help when they landed back in New York at 3:30am on Tuesday. "I asked to use the American Airlines lounge to breastfeed and change. They said you can go in if you pay $79," Tomlinson says. At 11amsome 16 hours after the first flight took offthey were able to board another flight to Milan. In a statement, the airline confirmed that the flight was forced to turn back because of a "disruptive passenger." "The safety and security of our customers and team members is our top priority and we thank our customers for their understanding," the airline said.
Trucks and workers have started cleaning up the Keystone oil pipeline spill in rural North Dakota, with the cause of the break and the timeline of the effort still unclear. The pipeline ruptured Tuesday morning in the southeastern part of the state and was shut down within two minutes by an employee who heard a mechanical bang, the AP reports. An aerial photo released Wednesday shows a black, pondlike pool of oil suspended in a partially snowy field that's traversed by tire tracks. A farmer said he could smell the scent of crude oil, carried by the wind. The situation:
Officials are warning children not to go looking for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles after three kids and two dogs had to be rescued from a maze-like storm drainage system in Colorado over the weekend. Authorities were sent searching for the group after they reportedly entered the underground system in the Security-Widefield area and got lost, the Security Fire Department said Monday. Located after an "extensive search," the children and dogs were safely extracted via a manhole in the street, more than a half-mile from the spot they'd entered the system, officials said, per ABC News.
Writer-director James Toback, among the first big names to be accused of sexual abuse in the #MeToo movement of 2017, has been ordered to pay what is reportedly the largest sex assault penalty in New York history, per Variety . Twenty women testified in person and another 20 spoke via video deposition during a seven-day trial in New York, which the 80-year-old Toback did not attend, resulting in a default judgment against him. A six-person jury then convened to decide damages, awarding a combined $1.68 billion$280 million in compensatory damages and $1.4 billion in punitive damagesto the victims.

Tobackwho's been accused of sexual assault or harassment by hundreds of women, including Selma Blair and Rachel McAdamsdenied the claims against him, saying all sexual activity was consensual. Some accusers brought a lawsuit in December 2022 after New York suspended the statute of limitations for sexual assault for one year. They said Toback coerced women into meetings he framed as interviews or auditions, then sexually assaulted them at locations around New York across four decades, between 1979 and 2014, per the Los Angeles Times. After two failed attempts to have the case dismissed last year, Toback stopped participating entirely.

Now, "this will be his legacy," lead plaintiff Mary Monahan tells the Times. In a statement to Variety, Monahan says the verdict is a declaration that victims are "not liars" and "not collateral damage in someone else's power trip." "We were all so ashamed. You just don't talk about it, not even to your family. So to be heard with such humanity and then receive this award ... I can't tell you how healing that feels," plaintiff Marianne Hettinger tells the Times. Victims say the case was about justice, not a financial award, though Ross Leonoudakis, a member of the trial team, says "we'll try to recover it," per Variety.
Some Democrats are calling foul on President Trump's abrupt tariff pause, which caused stock prices to soardays after the announcement of the tariffs led to the worst market plunge in years. Sen. Adam Schiff of California called on Congress to investigate whether the president engaged in market manipulation or insider trading, noting, "Family meme coins and all the rest of it are not beyond insider trading or enriching themselves. I hope to find out soon." Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia also told Time something seemed shady: "When my own barber asks me whether Donald Trump is selling short or doing this to try to make money for himself, it shows that a lot of people are pretty suspicious about what's going on."
A US-Russian dual national imprisoned in Russia on treason charges was freed Thursday in a prisoner exchange with Washington, the woman's lawyer and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, per the AP . Ksenia Karelina, also identified in the media as Ksenia Khavana, is "on a plane back home to the United States," Rubio said in a post on X. She was arrested in the Ural Mountains city of Yekaterinburg in February 2024 and convicted of treason later that year on charges stemming from a donation of about $52 to a charity aiding Ukraine. The US authorities have called the case against her "absolutely ludicrous."

Karelina was among a growing number of Americans arrested in Russia in recent years as tensions between Moscow and Washington spiked over the war in Ukraine. Karelina, a former ballet dancer, reportedly obtained US citizenship after marrying an American and moving to Los Angeles. She was arrested when she returned to Russia to visit her family last year. Russia's Federal Security Service, or FSB, accused her of "proactively" collecting money for a Ukrainian organization that was supplying gear to Kyiv's forces. The First Department, a Russian rights group, said the charges stemmed from a $51.80 donation to a US charity aiding Ukraine.

Karelina's lawyer, Mikhail Mushailov, said on Instagram that she was flying to the US from Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, where the exchange took place. It was first reported by the Wall Street Journal, citing a statement from CIA director John Ratcliffe, who it said was on hand for the exchange at an airport in Abu Dhabi. The WSJ said that the US in exchange freed Arthur Petrov, a dual German-Russian citizen, who was arrested in 2023 in Cyprus at the request of the US for allegedly exporting sensitive microelectronics to Russia. There was no immediate confirmation from the Russian or US authorities.
In a major shake-up in the fashion world, the Prada Group is set to acquire Versace from Capri Holdings for $1.4 billion, merging iconic Italian style with Prada's global influence. This strategic move promises a powerful synthesis of two luxury fashion titans, poised to reshape industry dynamics. The acquisition, approved by the boards of both companies, will be funded through new debt, with the final closing expected in the second half of the year, the AP reports. "Versace will maintain its creative DNA and cultural authenticity, while benefitting from the full strength of the Group's considerable consolidated platform, including industrial capabilities, retail execution and operational expertise," Prada said in a statement.

Versace, known for its bold designs, will retain its creative identity while benefiting from Prada's operational expertise. Gianni Versace founded the brand in 1978. Capri Holdings, which also owns Michael Kors and Jimmy Choo, acquired it in 2018 for $2 billion but struggled to position it in the era of "quiet luxury." Last month, Dario Vitale was named creative director, succeeding Donatella Versace, the late founder's sister.

The New York Times describes the deal as a "sign of faith in the continued value of Made in Italy" during world trade turmoil. "It's a bold and ambitious move by Prada," says Robert Burke, founder of the consulting firm Robert Burke Associates. "The acquisition would position Prada to diversify its portfolio and compete on a larger global stage."
Ksenia Karelina was all smiles Thursday as she touched down in the UAE after more than a year in Russian custody. The US-Russian ballerina sentenced to 12 years for treason following a small donation to a US nonprofit offering aid to Ukraine will be even happier now that she's on a plane back to the US. More:



Big smile: The Emirati foreign ministry posted a photo of Karelina beaming beside Yousef al-Otaiba, the UAE ambassador to the US, at an airport in Abu Dhabi, where she was released Thursday, per People.

The Emirati foreign ministry posted a photo of Karelina beaming beside Yousef al-Otaiba, the UAE ambassador to the US, at an airport in Abu Dhabi, where she was released Thursday, per People. Heading home: "President Trump secured her release," Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Thursday on X, noting Karelina, also known as Ksenia Khavana, was "on a plane back home to the United States," per CBS News.

"President Trump secured her release," Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Thursday on X, noting Karelina, also known as Ksenia Khavana, was "on a plane back home to the United States," per CBS News. 'Overjoyed': In a statement, Karelina's fiance, boxer Chris van Heerden, said he was "overjoyed," per People. "She has endured a nightmare for 15 months and I cannot wait to hold her," he added. He also expressed gratitude to Trump, per the New York Times.
China announced more countermeasures against the US, and losses for stocks accelerated after the White House clarified that it will tax Chinese imports at 145% , not the 125% rate Trump had earlier written about. The swings also hit the bond market despite a better-than-expected report on inflation. The AP reports that the Labor Department said consumer prices rose just 2.4% in March from a year earlier, down from 2.8% in February. That's the lowest inflation figure since September.

"Trump blinks," UBS strategist Bhanu Baweja wrote in a report about the president's decision on tariffs, "but the damage isn't all undone." Even if the tariffs on Chinese imports were to get negotiated down to something like 50%, and even if only 10% tariffs remained on other countries, Baweja said the hit to the US economy could still be large enough to hurt expected growth for upcoming US corporate profits. "Everything is still very volatile, because with Donald Trump, you don't know what to expect," said Francis Lun, chief executive of Geo Securities. "This is really big uncertainty in the market. The threat of recession has not faded."

China, meanwhile, has reached out to other countries around the world in apparent hopes of forming a united front against Trump, the AP reports. Warner Brothers Discovery, the company behind A Minecraft Movie, dropped 12.5% for one of Wall Street's sharpest losses after China said Thursday it will "appropriately reduce the number of imported US films." The Walt Disney Co.'s stock sank 6.8%. A spokesperson for the China Film Administration said it is "inevitable" that Chinese audiences would find American films less palatable given the "wrong move by the US to wantonly implement tariffs on China."
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE FIRST QUARTER ENDED FEBRUARY 28, 2025

Sales of $441.7 million , up by 8.6%, driven equally by internal growth and acquisitions. In Canada , sales reached $241.6 million , up 4.1%. In the United States , sales totalled US$139.8 million , up 7.6%, representing 45% of total sales.

of , up by 8.6%, driven equally by internal growth and acquisitions. EBITDA of $42.4 million , up 5.0% - EBITDA margin of 9.6%.

of , up 5.0% - EBITDA margin of 9.6%. Net income attributable to shareholders of $13.9 million , or $0.25 per diluted share.

of , or per diluted share. Solid financial position as of February 28, 2025 - working capital of $613.2 million - ratio of 2.9:1.

as of - working capital of - ratio of 2.9:1. Expansion : five new acquisitions since the beginning of the fiscal year, including one after the end of the first quarter, representing approximately $50 million in annual sales.

: five new acquisitions since the beginning of the fiscal year, including one after the end of the first quarter, representing approximately in annual sales. Quarterly dividend of $0.1533 per share payable on May 8, 2025 to shareholders of record as at April 24, 2025.

MONTREAL, April 10, 2025 /CNW/ - (TSX: RCH) "Richelieu has strongly started the 2025 fiscal year with five new acquisitions and an 8.6% increase in sales. This result is all the more appreciable given that the first quarter is historically the weakest period of the year and the renovation market conditions remained relatively stagnant during the period. Our market development initiatives, combined with contributions from acquisitions, the diversification of our market segments, and our added value of our service offering, contributed to this performance. We made significant progress in the manufacturers' market, where sales grew by 9.9%, including 5.1% internal growth, reaching $385.1 million. In the hardware retailers and renovation superstores market, sales remained stable compared to Q1 2024, at $56.6 million. We are currently making significant investments to install new in-store displays and add new product lines in order to boost sales to retail customers. We see these initiatives are starting to bear fruit, with sales growth in this market in Canada."

MAIN TRADEMARKS (CNW Group/Richelieu Hardware Ltd.)

"I am also pleased with of our recent acquisitions completed since the beginning of the year: The acquisition of Mill Supply, which operates two centres in the Maritime provincesone in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, and the other in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. This acquisition strengthens our presence in this market and complements our two existing centres in Dartmouth. In fact, it had long been one of our priorities. The acquisition of Darant Distributing allows us to enter the strategic Colorado market. Midwest Specialty Products reinforces our presence in the Minneapolis area, where we are already established, while also adding product lines such as quartz and other decorative surfaces. Modulex Partition, a distributor of Division 10 products, enables us to expand our presence in these product categories in the strategic markets of New Jersey and the Greater New York area. Finally, the acquisition of Rhoads & O'Hara Architectural, a specialist in exclusive architectural panels, working closely with architects, designers, and high-end commercial woodworking."

"Despite the headwinds expected from the tariffs imposed by the US government, Richelieu is well-positioned to navigate these changes, with less than 20% of its products imported from China to the U.S. where alternative products are already sourced from other countries," mentioned Mr. Richard Lord, President and Chief Executive Officer.

EXPANSION: ACQUISITIONS AND CONSOLIDATION OF CENTRES

During the first quarter, Richelieu completed the following acquisitions:

Mill Supply , on December 1, 2024 , in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia and Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island ;

, on , in and ; Darant Distributing , on January 6, 2025 , in Denver, Colorado ;

, on , in ; Midwest Specialty Products , on January 13, 2025 , in Minneapolis, Minnesota ; and

, on , in ; and Modulex Partition on February 4th , in Hillside, New Jersey .

on , in . Subsequent to the first quarter, on April 1 st, 2025, Richelieu completed the acquisition of Rhoads & O'Hara Architectural Products, a distributor of architectural panels and related products, in Vineland, New Jersey .

These new acquisitions not only add approximately $50 million in annual sales, but also enhance the Corporation's presence in strategic markets, diversify its product offering, and create new synergies.

In addition, during the quarter, to meet the needs of future growth and continue to deliver top-tier customer service, the Corporation completed its project to consolidate two distribution centres in the Vancouver area into a single 140,000 sq. ft. facility serving the manufacturers' market.

RESULTS FOR THE FIRST QUARTER ENDED FEBRUARY 28, 2025

For the first quarter ended February 28, 2025, consolidated sales amounted to $441.7M, compared to $406.9M for the first quarter of 2024, an increase of $34.8M, or 8.6%, driven equally by internal growth and acquisitions. In currency comparable to that of the first quarter of 2024, the increase in consolidated sales would have been 5.6% for the quarter ended February 28, 2025.

The following table provides an overview of Richelieu's sales in its two main markets for the quarters ended February 28, 2025 and February 29 2024 :













Quarters ended February 28 and February 29 2025 2024  % (in millions of dollars, except exchange rates) Total Internal Acquisitions Consolidated 441.7 406.9 8.6 4.3 4.3 Manufacturers 385.1 350.3 9.9 5.1 4.8 Retailers 56.6 56.6    Canada 241.6 232.1 4.1 2.4 1.7 Manufacturers 195.3 188.0 3.9 1.8 2.1 Retailers 46.3 44.1 5.0 5.0  United States in US$ 139.8 129.9 7.6 0.3 7.3 Manufacturers 132.5 120.5 10.0 2.3 7.7 Retailers 7.3 9.4 (22.3) (23.9) 1.6 United States in CA$ 200.1 174.8 14.5



Average exchange rates 1.431 1.345



















Earnings before income taxes, interest and amortization (EBITDA) for 2025 first quarter was $42.4M, up $2.0M or 5.0% from the corresponding quarter of 2024, primarily driven by higher sales. The EBITDA margin was 9.6%, compared with 9.9% for the corresponding quarter of 2024, mainly due to lower margins from our recent business acquisitions and marketing costs for new product lines with our retailer customers.

Net earnings for the first quarter of 2025 were $14.7M, a decrease 5.2% from the prior year. This decrease is mainly due to the $2.0M increase in amortization expense, resulting from the increase in property, plant, and equipment, as well as right-of-use assets in connection with the expansion projects and business acquisitions made during the previous fiscal year and the first quarter of 2025. Additionally, net financial expenses increased by $1.2M, primarily due to the rise in utilized credit lines. Including non-controlling interests, net earnings attributable to the Corporation's shareholders were $13.9M, a decrease of 8.6% from first quarter of 2024. Net earnings per share were $0.25 basic and diluted, compared to $0.27 basic and diluted for Q1 2024, a decrease 7.4%.

FINANCIAL POSITION

Total assets were $1.48B as at February 28, 2025, compared to $1.39B as at November 30, 2024, an increase of 6.2%. Current assets increased by 4.8% or $43.5M from November 30, 2024. Non-current assets increased by 8.6% mainly due to the addition of right-of-use assets.

As at February 28, 2025, the bank overdraft, net of cash and cash equivalents, was $56.0M, compared to net bank overdraft of $12.3M as at November 30, 2024. The Corporation had working capital of $613.2M with a ratio of 2.9:1, compared to $612.9M (ratio of 3.1:1) as at November 30, 2024.

SHARE CAPITAL

As at February 28, 2025, the Corporation's share capital consisted of 55,299,103 common shares [55,218,678 shares as at November 30, 2024]. For the three-month period ended February 28, 2025, the weighted average number of diluted shares outstanding was 55,487,500 [56,530,470 in 2024].

DIVIDENDS

On April 10, 2025, the Board of Directors approved the payment of a quarterly dividend of $0.1533 per share to shareholders of record as at April 24, 2025, payable on May 8, 2025. The declared dividend is designated as an eligible dividend within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada).

MAIN TRADEMARKS

PROFILE AS AT FEBRUARY 28, 2025

Richelieu is a leading North American importer, manufacturer and distributor of specialty hardware and complementary products. Its products are targeted to an extensive customer base of kitchen and bathroom cabinet, storage and closet, home furnishing and office furniture manufacturers, residential and commercial woodworkers, door and window, and hardware retailers including renovation superstores. Richelieu offers customers a broad mix of high-end products sourced from manufacturers worldwide. Its product selection consists of over 145,000 different items targeted to a base of more than 120,000 customers who are served by 116 centres in North America  49 distribution centres in Canada, 64 in the United States and three manufacturing plants in Canada, specifically, Les Industries Cedan Inc., Menuiserie des Pins Ltee and USIMM UNIGRAV Inc., which manufacture a variety of veneer sheets and edge banding products, a broad selection of decorative mouldings and components for the window and door industry as well as custom products, including a 3D scanning centre.

Notes to readers  Richelieu uses earnings before interest, income taxes and amortization ("EBITDA") because this measure enables management to assess the Corporation's operational performance. This measure is a financial indicator of a corporation's ability to service its debt. However, EBITDA should not be considered by an investor as an alternative to operating income, net earnings, cash flows or as a measure of liquidity. Because EBITDA is not a standardized measurement as prescribed by IFRS, it may not be comparable to the EBITDA of other companies. Richelieu also uses adjusted cash flows from operating activities, which are based on net earnings plus the amortization of property, plant and equipment, intangible assets and right-of-use assets, deferred tax expense (or recovery), share-based compensation expense and financial costs. These additional measures do not account for net change in non-cash working capital items to exclude seasonality effects and are used by management in its assessments of cash flows from long-term operations. Therefore, adjusted cash flows from operating activities may not be comparable to those of other companies. Certain statements set forth in this report (generally identified by terms such as "may", "could", "might", "intend", "expect", "believe", "estimate" or comparable variants) constitute forward-looking statements which, by their very nature, remain subject to other risks and uncertainties as set forth in the Corporation's annual and quarterly reports. Although management considers these assumptions and expectations reasonable based on the information available at the time they are provided, such assumptions and expectations could prove inaccurate and actual results could differ materially. Richelieu is under no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements made herein to account for future events or circumstances, except as required by applicable legislation. The unaudited interim consolidated financial statements, accompanying notes and interim MD&A for the first quarter of 2025 will be available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com and on the Corporation's website at www.richelieu.com.

www.richelieu.com

April 10, 2025, CONFERENCE CALL AT 3:30 P.M. (EASTERN TIME)

Financial analysts and investors interested in participating in the Corporation's earnings conference call, scheduled for April 10, 2025, at 3:30 p.m., can dial 1-800-990-4777 a few minutes before the start of the call. For those unable to participate in real-time, a recording will be available starting April 10, 2025, at 5:45 p.m. until midnight on April 17, 2025. Simply dial 1-888-660-6345 and enter the access code: 79241# to access the recording. Journalists are invited as listeners.

Photos are available on www.richelieu.com

SOURCE Richelieu Hardware Ltd.

For information: Richard Lord, President and Chief Executive Officer; Antoine Auclair, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer, Tel: (514) 336-4144
HIGHLIGHTS

Revenues of $339.6 million , up by $8.6 million from the previous fiscal year.

, up by from the previous fiscal year. Net income of $56.8 million , up by $19.2 million or 50.9% from the previous fiscal year.

, up by or 50.9% from the previous fiscal year. Cash flow from operations of $55.1 million for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2025 .

for the fiscal year ended . The Corporation's order backlog (1) totalled $293.1 million as at January 31, 2025 , excluding the new orders totalling $120.0 million announced on February 26, 2025 .

TERREBONNE, QC, April 10, 2025 /CNW/ - ADF GROUP INC. ("ADF" or the "Corporation") (TSX: DRX) recorded revenues of $339.6 million during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2025, compared with $331.0 million the previous fiscal year.

Gross margin, as a percentage of revenues (1), went from 22.0% for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2024, to 31.6% for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2025. This variation as a percentage of revenues is explained by the level of fabrication activity compared to the previous fiscal year, thus generating a better absorption of fixed costs and also by the improvement in internal efficiency gained by the investments in automation made in recent years at ADF's plant in Terrebonne, Quebec.

Adjusted earning before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (2) (adjusted EBITDA) for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2025, totalled $91.3 million, which is $35.4 million or 63.2% higher than at the same date a year earlier.

For the fiscal year ended January 31, 2025, ADF posted net income of $56.8 million ($1.84 per share basic and diluted) compared with net income of $37.6 million ($1.15 per share, basic and diluted) a year earlier.

As at January 31, 2025, the Corporation had a working capital (1) of $109.2 million, practically unchanged from the same date a year earlier. In addition, the Corporation generated cash flow from operating activities totalling $55.1 million during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2025. The Corporation closed the fiscal year ended January 31, 2025, with $60.0 million in liquidity compared to $72.4 million on January 31, 2024, including the full buyback for cancellation of 3,487,589 Subordinated Voting Shares, for a total cash consideration of $54.6 million during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2025.

As at January 31, 2025, the Corporation's order backlog (1) stood at $293.1 million excluding the new orders totaling $120.0 million announced on February 26, 2025, compared with $510.9 million as at January 31, 2024. The majority of projects in hand will be progressively carried out by the second semester of the fiscal year ending January 31, 2027.

Financial Highlights

Fiscal Years Ended January 31, 2025 2024 (In thousands of Canadian dollars, and dollars per share) $ $ Revenues 339,632 331,023 Adjusted EBITDA (2) 91,289 55,939 Income before income taxes expense 78,407 46,406 Net income for the fiscal year 56,790 37,622  Basic and diluted per share 1.84 1.15 Cash flows from operating activities 55,056 77,860





(In thousands) Number Number Average number of outstanding shares (basic and diluted) 30,852 32,640

The order backlog, gross margin as a percentage of revenues and working capital are additional financial measures. Refer to the "Non-IFRS and Other Financial Measures" section herein for the definition of these indicators. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-IFRS financial measure. Refer to the "Non-IFRS Financial Measures and Other Financial Measures" section of this press release for the definition of this indicator

Work-Sharing Program

Given the projects in the pipeline and the fabrication schedule, the Corporation has applied for and will soon received authorization from Service Canada to implement a Work-Sharing program for some of its employees at its fabrication plant in Terrebonne, Quebec. The program would come into effect on April 14, 2025, and would allow some employees to benefit from the Employment Insurance program to compensate for reduced working hours. This program, as already discussed with the union executive, will be submitted to a vote of its unionized employees on April 12, 2025. This program would allow ADF to closely manage its costs until the fabrication phase of the recently announced projects begins. As a result, approximately 200 employees would see their working hours reduced between 50% and 60% ; hours which would be compensated by the government program.

Outlook

"Although we announced $120.0 million in new contracts at the very beginning of the current fiscal year, the uncertainty caused by the imposition of U.S. tariffs is delaying the conclusion of new commercial agreements, and in this context, we are compelled to analyze certain contingency measures, including the implementation of the Work-Sharing Program at our plant located in Terrebonne, Quebec. In this sense, we can already confirm that revenues for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2026, will be down, mainly in the first quarters, and that our margins will also be affected by the direct and indirect impacts of U.S. tariffs," said Mr. Jean Paschini, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer.

"Rest assured, as ADF has always done for nearly 70 years now, that our decisions will be made based on the Corporation's continued sound and prudent growth," concluded Mr. Paschini.

Dividend

On April 9, 2025, ADF Group announced the payment of a semi-annual dividend of $0.02 per subordinate voting share and per multiple voting shares, which will be paid on May 15, 2025, to Shareholders of Record as at April 24, 2025.

Conference Call with Investors

A conference call with investors is scheduled for Thursday, April 10, 2025, at 10 a.m. (Montreal time) to discuss the results of fiscal year ended January 31, 2025.

To join the conference call without operator assistance, you can register with your phone number on https://emportal.ink/42IwHZF to receive an instant automatic reminder.

You can also join the conference call with operator assistance by dialing 1-800-990-4777 a few minutes prior to the conference call scheduled start time.

A replay of this conference call will be available from 1:00 p.m. on April 10, 2025, until April 17, 2025, by dialing 1-888-660-6345, followed by access code 49276 #. The conference call (audio) will also be available at the www.adfgroup.com. Members of the media are invited to join in listening mode.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, 2025

ADF Group Inc.'s Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be held on:

Date: June 10, 2025

Time: 11 a.m.

Location: Imperia Hotel and Suites

2935 de La Piniere Boulevard, Terrebonne, Quebec

Results for the first quarter ended April 30, 2025, will also be released at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

About ADF Group Inc. | ADF Group Inc. is a North American leader in the design and engineering of connections, fabrication, including the application of industrial coatings, and installation of complex steel structures, heavy steel built-ups, as well as in miscellaneous and architectural metals for the non-residential infrastructure sector. ADF Group Inc. is one of the few players in the industry capable of handling highly technically complex mega projects on fast-track schedules in the commercial, institutional, industrial and public sectors. The Corporation operates two fabrication plants and two paint shops, in Canada and in the United States, and a Construction Division in the United States, which specializes in the installation of steel structures and other related products.

Forward-Looking Information | This press release contains forward-looking statements reflecting ADF's objectives and expectations. These statements are identified by the use of verbs such as "expect" as well as by the use of future or conditional tenses. By their very nature these types of statements involve risks and uncertainty. Consequently, reality may differ from ADF's expectations.

Non-IFRS Financial Measures and Other Financial Measures | Are measures derived primarily from the consolidated financial statements but are not a standardized financial measure under the financial reporting framework used to prepare the Corporation's financial statements. Therefore, readers should be careful not to confuse or substitute them with performance measures prepared in accordance with IFRS. In addition, readers should avoid comparing these non-IFRS financial measures to similarly titled measures provided or used by other issuers. The definition of these indicators and their reconciliation with comparable International Financial Reporting Standards measures issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ("IFRS Accounting Standards") is as follows:

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA shows the extent to which the Corporation generates profits from operations, without considering the following items:

 Net financial expenses;

 Income taxes expense;

 Foreign exchange losses, and

 Depreciation and amortization of property, plant and equipment, intangible assets, and right-of-use assets.

Net income is reconciled with adjusted EBITDA in the table below:

Fiscal Years Ended January 31, 2025 2024 (In thousands of Canadian dollars) $ $ Net income 56,790 37,622 Income taxes expense 21,617 8,784 Net financial expenses 1,116 2,573 Amortization 6,160 5,800 Foreign exchange loss 5,606 1,160 Adjusted EBITDA 91,289 55,939

Gross Margin as a Percentage of Revenues

Gross margin as a percentage of revenue indicator is used by the Corporation to assess the level of profitability for a given period based on the project mix for that same period. This indicator is subject to fluctuations in project prices and also in the operational efficiency of the Corporation. The indicator of gross margin as a percentage of revenues results from dividing gross margin by revenues.

Order Backlog

The order backlog is a measure used by the Corporation to assess future revenue levels. The order backlog includes firm orders obtained by the Corporation, either through a firm contract or a formal notice to proceed confirmed by the client. The order backlog disclosed by the Corporation therefore includes the portion of confirmed contracts that have not been put into production.

Working Capital

The working capital indicator is used by the Corporation to assess whether current assets are sufficient to meet current liabilities. It is therefore equal to current assets, less current liabilities.

All amounts are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise specified.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION

As at January 31, 2025 2024 (In thousands of Canadian dollars) $ $ ASSETS



Current assets



Cash and cash equivalents 59,983 72,379 Accounts receivable 83,910 77,844 Current income taxes assets 1,586 115 Contract assets 26,491 44,862 Inventories 13,489 13,534 Investment taxes credit 834 3,112 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 3,271 3,730 Total current assets 189,564 215,576 Non-current assets



Property, plant and equipment 91,886 86,615 Right-of-use assets 22,119 21,173 Intangible assets 4,328 3,925 Deferred income tax assets  266 Other non-current assets  1,050 Total assets 307,897 328,605 LIABILITIES



Current liabilities



Accounts payable and other current liabilities 50,236 55,441 Current income taxes liabilities 6,454  Contract liabilities 11,484 46,168 Derivative financial instruments 7,198  Current portion of lease liabilities 821 827 Current portion of long-term debt 4,177 3,040 Total current liabilities 80,370 105,476 Non-current liabilities



Long-term debt 38,208 42,138 Lease liabilities 2,423 2,839 Deferred income taxes liabilities 17,449 15,876 Other non-current liabilities 135 146 Total liabilities 138,585 166,475 SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY



Capital stock 61,754 68,127 Contributed surplus 6,179 6,435 Accumulated other comprehensive income 15,536 8,283 Retained income 85,843 79,285 Total shareholders' equity 169,312 162,130 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity 307,897 328,605

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

Fiscal Years Ended January 31, 2025 2024 (In thousands of Canadian dollars, except the number of shares and the amounts per share) $ $ Revenues 339,632 331,023 Cost of goods sold 232,391 258,102 Gross Margin 107,241 72,921 Selling and administrative expenses 22,112 22,782 Net financial expenses 1,116 2,573 Foreign exchange loss 5,606 1,160

28,834 26,515 Income before income taxes expense 78,407 46,406 Income taxes expense 21,617 8,784 Net income for the fiscal year 56,790 37,622 Earnings per share



 Basic and diluted per share 1.84 1.15 Weighted average number of outstanding basic and diluted shares (in thousands) 30,852 32,640

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Fiscal Years Ended January 31, 2025 2024 (In thousands of Canadian dollars) $ $ Net income for the fiscal year 56,790 37,622 Other comprehensive income (loss):



Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations (a) 7,253 176 Comprehensive income for the fiscal year 64,043 37,798





a) Will subsequently be reclassified to net income.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY



Capital

Stock Contributed

Surplus Accumulated

Other

Comprehensive

Income Retained

Income Total (In thousands of Canadian dollars) $ $ $ $ $ Balance, February 1, 2023 68,127 6,435 8,107 42,316 124,985 Net income for the fiscal year    37,622 37,622 Other comprehensive income   176  176 Comprehensive income for the fiscal year   176 37,622 37,798 Dividends    (653) (653) Balance, January 31, 2024 68,127 6,435 8,283 79,285 162,130



Capital

Stock Contributed

Surplus Accumulated

Other

Comprehensive

Income Retained

Income Total (In thousands of Canadian dollars) $ $ $ $ $ Balance, February 1, 2024 68,127 6,435 8,283 79,285 162,130 Net income for the fiscal year    56,790 56,790 Other comprehensive income   7,253  7,253 Comprehensive income for the fiscal year   7,253 56,790 64,043 Repurchase and cancellation of shares (6,373) (256)  (49,308) (55,937) Dividends    (924) (924) Balance, January 31, 2025 61,754 6,179 15,536 85,843 169,312

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Fiscal Years Ended January 31, 2025 2024 (In thousands of Canadian dollars) $ $ OPERATING ACTIVITIES



Net income for the fiscal year 56,790 37,622 Non-cash items:



Amortization of property, plant and equipment 4,917 4,612 Amortization of right-of-use assets 745 753 Amortization of intangible assets 498 435 Loss (gain) on derivative financial instruments 7,403 (1,168) Non-cash foreign exchange gain (5,298) (176) Share-based compensation 1,386 4,576 Income taxes expense 21,617 8,784 Investment tax credit (1,601)  Net financial expenses 1,116 2,573 Interest income 2,590 1,363 Others (362) (583) Net income adjusted for non-cash items 89,801 58,791 Change in non-cash working capital items (1) (24,855) 19,162 Income taxes paid (9,890) (93) Cash flows from operating activities 55,056 77,860 INVESTING ACTIVITIES



Acquisition of property, plant and equipment (8,283) (5,768) Acquisition of intangible assets (810) (720) Others 384 222 Cash flows used in investing activities (8,709) (6,266) FINANCING ACTIVITIES



Repurchase and cancellation of shares (54,574)  Repayment of the long-term debt (3,076) (2,296) Payment of lease liabilities (700) (686) Dividends paid (924) (653) Interest paid (2,795) (3,053) Cash flows used in financing activities (62,069) (6,688) Impact of fluctuations in foreign exchange rate on cash and cash equivalents 3,326 280 Net change in cash and cash equivalents during the fiscal year (12,396) 65,186 Cash, and cash equivalents, beginning of fiscal year 72,379 7,193 Cash and cash equivalents, end of fiscal year 59,983 72,379

(1) The following table sets out in detail the components of the "Change in non-cash working capital items":

Fiscal Years Ended January 31, 2025 2024 (In thousands of Canadian dollars) $ $ Accounts receivable 159 13,589 Contract assets 20,210 (2,217) Inventories 456 (2,849) Prepaid expenses and other current assets 118 (1,213) Accounts payable and other current liabilities (9,398) 10,749 Contract liabilities (36,389) 1,113 Others (11) (10) Change in non-cash working capital items (24,855) 19,162

Segmented Information

The Corporation operates one operational sector, being, the non-residential construction industry, primarily in the United States and Canada. This sector includes the following areas of expertise: the design and engineering of connections, fabrication, including industrial coating, and installation of complex steel structures, heavy steel built-ups, as well as miscellaneous and architectural metalwork.

Fiscal Years Ended January 31, 2025 2024 (In thousands of Canadian dollars) $ $ Revenues



Canada 40,836 36,060 United States 298,796 294,963

339,632 331,023

As at January 31, 2025 2024 (In thousands of Canadian dollars) $ $ Non-current assets (1)



Canada 68,624 69,359 United States 49,709 43,404

118,333 112,763

(1) The non-current assets mainly include property, plant and equipment, intangible assets, right-of-use assets, investment tax credits and others non-current assets.

Revenues from external clients were allocated to each country on the basis of the project's location.

During the fiscal year ended January 31, 2025, 78% of the Corporation's revenues was realized with two (2) clients, each representing 10% and more of its revenues (69% with four (4) clients during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2024).

The following table presents the breakdown of revenues for each of these clients:

Fiscal Years Ended January 31, 2025 (1) 2024 (1) (In thousands of Canadian dollars) $ $ Client A  45,739 Client B 170,351  Client C  42,086 Client D  92,240 Client E 93,383 48,723

263,734 228,788





(1) From the United States.

SOURCE ADF Group Inc.

Jean Paschini, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer; Jean-Francois Boursier, CPA, Chief Financial Officer, Telephone: (450) 965-1911, Website: www.adfgroup.com
TORONTO, April 10, 2025 /CNW/ - The Toronto chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC/Toronto) applauds the winners of the 2025 OVATION Awards honouring communications excellence across the Greater Toronto Area.

IABC Toronto Celebrates 40 Years of Communications (CNW Group/IABC/Toronto) The 40th Annual IABC Toronto OVATION Awards will take place on May 8 at the historic Hart House at the University of Toronto (CNW Group/IABC/Toronto)

The 40th Annual IABC/Toronto OVATION Awards will take place on May 8, 2025 at the historic Hart House at the University of Toronto (St. George Campus), from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. This year's celebration will feature a cocktail receptionan evening of networking, and recognition of the GTA's most talented professional communicators. "This year we proudly celebrate the 40th anniversary of the IABC/Toronto OVATION Awards. For four decades the chapter has recognized excellence in communications, and we're honoured to continue showcasing the incredible work done by professional communicators across the GTA," said Chris Lee, President, IABC/Toronto.

Submissions were reviewed against the Global Standard of the Communications Profession using the IABC Seven-Point Scale of Excellence. This year's winners represent outstanding work across multiple disciplines, including corporate communications, public relations, marketing, internal communications, media relations and AI.

"We're excited to celebrate this milestone year and recognize the winners, judges and volunteers who are bringing this year's event to life. Congratulations to all the winners - your work represents the best in our industry." said Amie Silverwood, Executive Vice President, IABC/Toronto.

This year, attendees can expect a cocktail reception at the historic Hart House at the University of Toronto. Join us on May 8 to find out who wins the coveted Best of the Best Judges Choice Awards and the Awards of Distinction for:

Small Agency of the Year

Mid-Size Agency of the Year

Large Agency of the Year

Communication Department of the Year

Not-for-profit Communication Department of the Year.

The celebration will also recognize the Bobbie Resnik Student of the Year and Volunteer of the Year, celebrating emerging talent in the industry.

View the complete list of the 2025 IABC/Toronto OVATION Awards .

"We want to bridge the legacy of IABC/Toronto OVATION Awards with the next generation of communicators. This year's event is not only about celebrating excellence, but also about creating opportunities for connection and recognition within the communication industry," added Mohammad Akkawi, Vice President, OVATION Awards.

To learn more about IABC/Toronto OVATION Awards and join the celebration with professional communicators across the GTA, visit: #OVATION25 .

About IABC/Toronto

IABC/Toronto is the largest chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators. The chapter supports its community of communication professionals with innovative thinking, shared best practices, in-depth learning and career guidance.

Follow IABC/Toronto on LinkedIn , Twitter , Instagram , Facebook and YouTube for the latest information on programs, awards, professional development and networking opportunities.

Related Links

SOURCE IABC/Toronto

Media inquiries: IABC/Toronto Office, [email protected]
SIGN UP FOR THE DAILY JWR UPDATE. IT'S FREE. (AND NO SPAM!) Just click here.

Once, the United States was an uncontested superpower capable of fielding a military more powerful and more advanced than any other. No longer. Instead, a rival has emerged that poses a serious and credible threat to America and its allies.

Today, China boasts revisionist intentions evident through its buildup of the world's largest navy and its aggressive maritime behavior toward its neighbors  and American partners  the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam. China relentlessly challenges Taiwan's security, and it continues to modernize and militarize at a pace unseen since the height of the Cold War.

Meanwhile, China increasingly challenges the United States, putting it at risk of becoming a second- or even third-tier nuclear power.

The longer this fact is ignored, the more perilous the situation becomes. American strategic deterrence is in crisis  a fact highlighted in "Breathtaking: China's Race to Nuclear Dominance," a Heritage Foundation documentary that interviews elected officials, former senior policymakers, and senior military commanders to explain the grave reality in clear, accessible terms.

It begins by providing viewers with the necessary historical context. How did the United States reach such a dire point? And how did China, our greatest adversary, gain such power?

To those questions, Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., provides a simple answer: America was complacent.

After the Cold War, Americans fell for the fallacy that Russia was contained and that liberal democracy would inevitably prevail across the globe. Of course, that isn't how things turned out.

As Rebeccah Heinrichs, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, explains, American focus shifted largely to extremist groups following 9/11, making Middle Eastern terror groups the focus of the U.S. national security establishment. The United States underestimated the possibility of another cold war, much less one with a nuclear-armed, revisionist, and authoritarian China.

Now, the U.S. faces the consequences of its misdirected focus and two decades of complacency.

Through a lack of foresight, the federal government allowed for the mass dismantlement of the U.S. nuclear arsenal, which is now roughly 85 percent less than what we fielded at the height of the Cold War. Worse still, the arsenal that remains is vastly outdated: the newest warhead is over 35 years old.

In 1991, the U.S. removed its nuclear forces from South Korea, and during the Obama administration, we retired the Pacific theater submarine-launched nuclear Tomahawk missile. For three and half decades, the United States has underinvested, and the consequences are clear: depleted national defense.

Compare this to China, which has tripled its nuclear arsenal over the past five years. By 2030, it's expected to field over 1,000 warheads, says Robert Joseph, former Under Secretary of State.

Yet quantity isn't the only disparity between the U.S. and China arsenals. According to Robert Peters, a senior research fellow at Heritage, diversity within the arsenal is just as critical.

There are two types of nuclear weapons, strategic and tactical. The former are the massive, city-destroying weapons that people often think of. The latter have less explosive power and are designed for use on smaller targets like a single aircraft carrier or military base.

Tactical weapons give a nation the ability to respond to limited strikes with low-yield nuclear weapons that are comparable to strategic weapons  but far less destructive. Thus, an arsenal that combines both strategic and tactical weapons offers far more options in terms of scale of attack.

China's arsenal includes a significant number of modern tactical nuclear weapons. In contrast, most American tactical weapons are deployed across Europe, and the rest are kept across the United States.

Currently, the U.S. is entering year 15 of its nuclear modernization program, and it has yet to build a single additional nuclear weapon. All the while, China consistently refuses to engage in any kind of arms control or even risk reduction talks with the United States.

This problem demands a solution. "Breathtaking" suggests several clear paths forward.

First, the U.S. must modernize its nuclear arsenal (which will, in turn, require a reformed and equipped defense industrial base).

Second, the U.S. must diversify its existing arsenal with an increased number of tactical nuclear warheads that can be deployed to the Western Pacific theater.

Third, the U.S. must prioritize the security of the homeland by developing a lethal air and missile defense system like that proposed by the administration's Golden Dome for America plan.

By acting with urgency and tact, the U.S. can meet the challenge of China's nuclear expansion and provide the security, peace, and prosperity the American people deserve.

Wilson is a Senior Policy Advisor for defense budgeting at The Heritage Foundation.

(COMMENT, BELOW)




TORONTO, April 10, 2025 /CNW/ - With Canadians heading to the polls on Monday, April 28, the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO) has launched a bold, non-partisan ad campaign across Ontario to promote civic engagement and encourage voting rooted in core Canadian values.

"This election is decisive for Canada's future," says RNAO President NP Lhamo Dolkar. "Nurses are standing up for the wellbeing of all people and the health of our planet  and we are urging Canadians to vote for health and sovereignty."

RNAO's ads  featured in daily and community newspapers, on radio, and across digital platforms  deliver a powerful message:

As nurses, we know what's at stake in this federal election.

Health is a resource for everyday living. Health care is a universal human right.

We believe in equity, diversity and inclusion, and stand for truth and reconciliation  not intolerance and division.

We believe in social justice  not tearing down health and social programs.

We believe in strong democratic institutions  not eroding trust through misinformation and polarization.

We believe in a livable planet for future generations  and that means urgent climate action.

We stand with Canada.

Our Canada.

Our sovereignty.

Our health.

Vote for it!

"This is the most consequential election in recent history," says Dr. Doris Grinspun, RNAO's CEO. "Our future and security are on the line. The chaos, division and threats to democracy unfolding south of the border are seeping into Canada. We must firmly reject that path and protect what defines us  and that starts with voting and urging everyone you know, to vote."

The campaign is grounded in RNAO's federal election platform  the first to be issued by a Canadian health organization, released early in January. It includes recommendations in five critical areas: nursing, health care, the social and environmental determinants of health, fiscal capacity, and income and wealth inequality.

"Nurses understand that health depends both on access to care and the conditions in which people live," Dolkar says. "RNAO's platform reflects a nursing-driven vision for a healthier, more equitable and sustainable Canada. The direction we take hinges on our choices at the ballot box."

RNAO is calling on its more than 54,400 members  and all Ontarians  to act:

Review RNAO's platform and campaign resources

Connect with local candidates, ask tough questions and post on social media

Talk with family, friends and neighbours about the issues and why voting matters

Mobilize like never before  our democracy and wellbeing depend on it

Most importantly, cast a ballot through advance polls, Elections Canada offices or on election day

Remind others to get out and cast their vote

"The flaws in our electoral system may force difficult decisions," cautions Grinspun. "But voting is not only a right  it's a crucial responsibility. Strategic voting may be necessary, as core values  and our sovereignty  are at risk. We urge everyone to make informed, values-based choices."

"Choose a leader who embodies values, preparation, courage and unity  someone who can lead us through a time of great challenge," urges Dr. Claudette Holloway, RNAO's immediate past president. "Let's vote  and bring others with us. Together, we can make our voices heard and build a stronger Canada."

The Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO) is the professional association representing registered nurses, nurse practitioners and nursing students in Ontario. Since 1925, RNAO has advocated for healthy public policy, promoted excellence in nursing practice, increased nurses' contribution to shaping the health system, and influenced decisions that affect nurses and the public we serve. For more information about RNAO, visit RNAO.ca or follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

SOURCE Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario

For more information, please contact: Madison Hietkamp, Communications Officer/Writer Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO) 1-800-268-7199 ext. 274 416-408-5645 [email protected]; Marion Zych, Director of Communications, Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO), 1-800-268-7199 ext. 209, 416-408-5605, 647-406-5605 (cell), [email protected]
The iconic Speyside distillery will celebrate the Canadian launch with a cocktail party and reveal on April 10th, featuring the exceptional new single malt

TORONTO, April 10, 2025 /CNW/ - The Glenlivet, the iconic Speyside single malt Scotch whisky, has launched the oldest permanent expression from its distillery to date: The Glenlivet 40 Year Old. A true testament to The Glenlivet's pioneering legacy and following the brand's 200th anniversary last year, this new, elevated single malt is creatively finished in seasoned sherry casks, bottled at cask strength at 46.9% ABV.

The Glenlivet Introduces Its Oldest Permanent Expression: The Glenlivet 40 Year Old (CNW Group/Corby Spirit and Wine Limited (Communications))

To celebrate the launch of its oldest permanent expression in Canada, The Glenlivet will host a dinner and cocktail event celebrating the brand's rich heritage and tradition and conducting a first tasting of the new expression. The Glenlivet 40 Year Old is the newest addition to The Glenlivet Collection, which consists of a range of approachable expressions, from The Glenlivet 12 Year Old to The Glenlivet 21 Year Old. The collection offers something for every taste, from those who enjoy their whisky neat to Canadians looking for a perfectly balanced whisky cocktail.

The new single malt Scotch whisky has been matured and refined for at least 40 years, meticulously nurtured by The Glenlivet's team of cask experts, past and present. Finally, under the watchful eye of The Glenlivet Cask Master Kevin Balmforth, this permanent new expression was carefully finished in custom casks from the heart of Jerez in Spain. These were seasoned with a bespoke blend of Oloroso and Pedro Ximenez sherries, ensuring they would harmonize perfectly with the depth and maturity of this Single Malt whisky, elevating it to a masterpiece worthy of its age.

"The Glenlivet 40 Year Old represents more than four decades of dedication and craftsmanship from our team," commented Kevin Balmforth, The Glenlivet Cask Master. "It's thanks to the efforts and foresight of my predecessors who laid down the foundation of this whisky 40 years ago that we're able to showcase the trailblazing spirit of The Glenlivet with the introduction of such a special and highly aged permanent expression after such a monumental year."

The choice of cask finish and extensive maturation period together pays testament to The Glenlivet's unwavering commitment to quality and craftsmanship within whisky making. The final flavour profile brings an impressive depth of flavour and extraordinary taste experience with rich notes of poached plums and charred orange, dark cherries, warming spice and braised red apples. The finish is rewardingly long and sweet.

"Last year, we proudly marked 200 years of The Glenlivettwo centuries of pushing boundaries and setting the standard for Speyside single malt whisky," said Maura Cowan, Vice President, Marketing, Corby Spirit and Wine. "The 40 Year Old is a testament to The Glenlivet's storied heritage, and we invite Canadians to raise a glass with us as we celebrate this exceptional new single malt."

The exceptional new single malt is presented in an elongated bottle inspired by The Glenlivet's original, 200 year old glass silhouette and housed inside a sleek and elegant copper-coloured presentation container  inspired by the copper stills used at The Glenlivet Distillery. It also features the distinct profile of founder George Smith and a burst of colour in the form of The Glenlivet's signature teal.

The Glenlivet 40 Year Old, bottled at cask strength annually, will be available in Canada in select retailers at RRP $7,500 CAD. The new expression will be a regular listing, but the initial shipment to Canada will only contain 36 bottles. For more information, visit www.theglenlivet.com or follow @theglenlivet .

THE GLENLIVET 40 YEAR OLD TASTING NOTES:

Nose: The nose is met with rich and fruity aromas, with notes of homemade strawberry jam and raisins. Luscious dark cherries are complemented by cinnamon, nutmeg and a hint of sweet, toasted oak.

Palate: On the palate, the whisky offers sweet layers of poached plums and charred orange that progress to yet deeper notes of dark chocolate, braised red apples and sweet liquorice.

Finish: Enjoy a long, sweet and rich finish with a warming spice.

ABOUT THE GLENLIVET

Created by George Smith in 1824, The Glenlivet is renowned for its heritage as a visionary within the single malt category. With a commitment to outstanding quality and workmanship within single malts, The Glenlivet is dedicated to continuing this legacy and has led innovation within single malt in recent years. Standout initiatives include the release of The Glenlivet Code, a mystery single malt, and the creation of The Glenlivet Founder's Reserve, a great representation of the distillery's signature style. The Glenlivet has also recently launched its newly renovated brand home to open up Speyside to the world. Using innovative technology combined with exclusive bottlings, immersive tours, and whisky tastings, The Glenlivet Brand Home brings visitors an experience like no other. From exploring the art of whisky making and showcasing rare editions, to reflecting The Glenlivet's heritage throughout the interiors, the visitor experience pays homage to being the original mark of quality for Speyside single malt.

www.theglenlivet.com @TheGlenlivet

ABOUT CORBY SPIRIT AND WINE

Corby Spirit and Wine Limited is a leading Canadian manufacturer, marketer and distributor of spirits, wines and ready-to-drink (RTD). Corby's portfolio of owned-brands includes some of the most renowned brands in Canada, including J.P. Wiser's, Lot 40, and Pike Creek Canadian whiskies, Lamb's rum, Polar Ice vodka, McGuinness liqueurs, Ungava gin, Cabot Trail liqueur, Chic Choc Spiced rum, The Foreign Affair wines, and Ace Beverage Group's Cottage Springs, Cabana Coast, Liberty Village, and Good Vines. Through its affiliation with Pernod Ricard S.A., a global leader in the spirits and wine industry, Corby also represents leading international brands such as Absolut vodka, Chivas Regal, The Glenlivet and Ballantine's Scotch whiskies, Skrewball whiskey, Jameson Irish whiskey, Codigo 1530 and Olmeca Altos tequilas, Beefeater gin, Malibu rum, Kahlua liqueur, Mumm champagne; and Jacob's Creek, Wyndham Estate, Stoneleigh, Campo Viejo, and Kenwood wines. Corby is a publicly traded company based in Toronto, Ontario, and listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the trading symbols CSW.A and CSW.B. For further information, please visit our website or follow us on LinkedIn , Instagram , or Twitter .

SOURCE Corby Spirit and Wine Limited (Communications)

For further information: Laura Velez - Manager, External Communications & Public Relations, Corby Spirit and Wine, [email protected]
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.
A knife-wielding man accused of making threatening phone calls about schools in Atlantic County on Wednesday was arrested in a neighboring county on an NJ Transit bus, police said.

Herbert L Myers, 42, of Egg Harbor Township, was charged with second-degree false public alarms and third-degree terroristic threats, according to statement from the Township of Hamilton Police Department.

The department said it received a phone call from a man, later identified as Myers, who was making threats against schools located in the Mays Landing section of town.

Nearby schools were notified and took enhanced security measures and officers from the department and the Atlantic County Sheriffs Office were posted in and around the area of those schools, police said.

Myers was identified as a suspect and he was later located on an NJ Transit bus in Vineland, authorities said.

He was confronted by detectives on the bus and found to be in possession of a knife, the department said.

The passengers and driver were safely evacuated and the area around where the bus was stopped was shut down until the detectives were able to get Myers to surrender, investigators said.

Myers was being held in the Atlantic County Justice Facility pending the results of his detention hearing, officials said.

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Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com.
A 52-year-old Virginia man was arrested Wednesday and charged with sexually assaulting a child in New Jersey last year.

Jose G. Sanchez is charged with aggravated criminal sexual contact and endangering the welfare of a child, the Bergen County Prosecutors Office said Thursday.

Sanchez assaulted a child under 16 in Allendale in November, officials said. Allendale police contacted the prosecutors office on March 21 and investigation began.

Sanchez, of Berryville, was a taken into custody in his Virginia hometown. He is being held in the Clark County jail in Virginia and will be extradited to New Jersey.

Attorney information wasnt immediately available.

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Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com.
Three people from New Jersey admitted taking part in a scheme in which they illegally obtained $35 million in small business loans through hotel-flipping.

Mehul Mike Khatiwala, Rajendra Parikh, and Jennifer Watkins pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud, the U.S Attorneys Office for Maryland said.

The three created shell companies and lied on applications to get government-backed loans between August 2018 and February 2020, the U.S. Attorneys Office for Maryland said.

The trio conspired to buy hotels using fake companies before quickly selling them to another company they also controlled.

Khatiwala, 43, of Voorhees, was the owner and managing member of Delaware Hotel Group LLC (DHG), and an operator of GMK Consulting LLC (GMK) and KPG Hotel Management in Mount Laurel.

Parikh, 64, of Monroe, was an owner of KPG. Meanwhile, Watkins, 48, of Marlton, worked as a project coordinator for DHG and managing member of Forza Consulting LLC, a hotel consulting and loan brokerage company located in Marlton.

The SBAs Section 7(a) Program guarantees and insures roughly 75% to 85% of the loans, and requires that the small borrower invest a certain amount of their own money into the business to qualify for the loan.

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Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com.
An 18-year-old New Jersey resident died in the hospital two weeks after he was shot on a Camden city street.

Zaheer Whye, of Camden, was pronounced dead in Cooper University Hospital on April 4, the Camden County Prosecutors Office said in a statement on Thursday.

Whye was shot by an unknown person near the intersection of South 7th Street and Ware Street on March 20. Police were responding to a report of shots fired in the area when they found the victim suffering from gunshot wounds about 6:30 p.m., authorities said.

Detectives are still working to identify a suspect in the shooting.

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Nicolas Fernandes may be reached at nfernandes@njadvancemedia.com.
If you asked a random group of people the No. 1 event theyd love to skip, it would be a funeral.

But funerals serve a key purpose, as a ritual of honor and acknowledgment that someone (or something) you care about is not returning. And they arent just reserved for people and pets; they can also be for the memory of a 456-foot-tall green rollercoaster that stood tall at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson for 20 years.

Kingda Kas death date was on Feb 28, when the structure went to the big theme park in the sky (was torn down in epic fashion).

On Monday, more than 80 enthusiasts piled into the Wonderville Bar in Brooklyn to pay their respects to the other Jolly Green Giant that once propelled riders up to 128 mph in a massive arc with the largest drop in the world, at 418 feet.

Kingda Ka Funeral at Wonderville in Brooklyn, NJ Photo Credit: Murjani Rawls Murjani Rawls

Among the three-hour (yes, three-hour) grieving sessions, there were laughs, jokes, and tears. Its more than losing an attraction. Riding Kingda Ka was bragging rights for those who withstood the many delays and closures.

Funeral organizer Evan Schwartz told NJ Advance Media that losing spaces we hold dear comes with its own set of emotions.

I think we have a funny tendency to attach emotions to objects, places, and objects, such as clothing and toys, said Schwartz. The coming-of-age I just beat the Kingda Ka, I just rode the tallest roller coaster in the world moment means a lot. When these things that we dont physically own and belong to us get taken away, it is a form of mourning that contributes to our understanding of the world.

The arcade room was basked in green light in honor of the color of the rollercoaster, with a big screen, podium, and mic stand for those who would partake in the hour-long variety show to perform. Artwork depicting Kingda Ka at its height was for sale, and part of the proceeds went to cancer research.

Songs of loss and a ... death doula?

The night began with a five-minute memorial video that included dramatic, sad music set to footage from the 2005 National Geographic documentary about the beast. From there, poetry was read, chronicling the theme of loss. Someone came up and sang Andrew Lloyd Webbers Memory. With gusto.

Peter DiDonato from the YouTube channel Theme Park Crazy provided an extensive PowerPoint presentation on the history of Kingda Ka. There was even a death doula who briefly spoke about how its common to mourn over the loss of places and objects we hold dear. While the odes to the rollercoaster in Shakespearian prose were entertaining, the bread and butter of the funeral came during the open mics.

A betrayal

Twenty people shared their stories about their experiences for over an hour, which shared some commonalities. They were initially scared to ride it, but when they did, they expressed that it was one of the wildest experiences ever. Kingda Ka was Jersey pride, a one-time record-breaking rollercoaster, and a space where riders could indulge in a controlled death-defying stunt (Take that, Tom Cruise).

As the stories continued, it was clear the sentimental value attached to every seat, wire, and wheel. In several instances, attendees spoke about lost family members, how riding Kingda Ka with their loved ones made them feel, and the shock of hearing it was being torn down through the grapevine.

Kingda Ka Funeral at Wonderville in Brooklyn, NY Photo Credit: Murjani Rawls Murjani Rawls

To them, it felt like a betrayal. Once they heard of the alleged closing date in November 2024, they raced to Fright Fest to ride it one last time. One person held up pictures taken from an iPod Touch because they lost their flip phone during the ride. A couple of others expressed regret that they never got to conquer the enormous ride.

Its one thing to know there are roller coaster super fans out there. Its another to witness how this shared experience has encapsulated hopes, dreams, melancholy, hilarity, and reflection within the hearts of a sizable group of people.

Six Flags said in 2026 they would be opening a multi-world-record-breaking launch roller coaster. Once its fully formed, people will come from all across the state and world to ride it, and new memories and stories will form.

Until then, people will tell the story of a green monstrosity where you could see the skyscrapers of New York and Pennsylvania at its apex.

Did it sometimes fail to get over the loop and roll back? Yes. Not all the things we cherish are perfect. But that, too, is what gave Kingda Ka its undeniable charm.

As went the nights main slogan, Long live the King.

Related coverage:

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Murjani Rawls may be reached at mrawls@njadvancemedia.com and followed on Twitter at@MurjaniRawls.
UPDATE: 6 people, including 3 kids, killed when tourist helicopter crashes into Hudson River

A helicopter crashed into the Hudson River off the shores of Jersey City on Thursday afternoon, killing several occupants, authorities said.

The Associated Press is reporting that six people on board the helicopter were killed in the crash.

The aircraft crashed just after 3:15 p.m., a U.S. Coast Guard spokesperson told NJ Advance Media.

Footage posted on social media showed the helicopter in pieces as it fell into the river, with the main body of the craft tumbling uncontrolled and slamming upside down into the water.

The Federal Aviation Administration said in a preliminary statement that the craft was a Bell 206, a light turbine helicopter that can carry up to six people. The National Transportation Safety Board, NTSB, is investigating.

Police and fire departments from Hoboken and Jersey City were on scene with marine units and were being assisted by authorities from New York City.

Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla thanked the citys first responders in a post on X, offering condolences to the families affected by the tragic loss.

Gov. Phil Murphy said in his own X post that he had been briefed by law enforcement on the crash, and that New Jersey State Police was assisting on the scene.

An NYPD officer pulls wreckage from the Hudson River near Jersey City following a helicopter crash that killed multiple people on April 10, 2025. (Photo by Larry Higgs | NJ Advance Media)

Authorities established a two-mile safety zone around the Holland Tunnel extending across the entire river.

Initial witness reports and images shared on social media appeared to show the wreckage floating in the water just south of Newport Park in Jersey City.

The helicopter had disappeared beneath the waterline by 4 p.m.

The average temperature of the river this time of year is around 45 degrees, according to a government website.

It was not immediately clear how many people were aboard the craft when it went down, nor what their condition was.

Archil Srivastava, whose 19th floor apartment faces the Hudson River, said they were at their desk when they heard a loud snap and the sound of helicopter wings slowing down.

I immediately looked outside, and saw the tail and the body separating and falling into the river, they said. I did not see any third object, so I dont think it crashed into anything. Just the tail snapped on its own.

Another witness, Urja Pandya, said the helicopter was black and did not appear to crash into anything.

I saw the helicopter flying towards the southern end of Jersey and it was pretty close to the river than other helicopters I have seen in the area, they said.

Soumya Gupta described a similar scene, saying that they heard a loud bang, saw the helicopter spinning around and around before crashing into the river at full speed.

Its back blades were broken into several pieces and were falling into the river.

Ferry service will be impacted on the river north of Jersey City, the Coast Guard said on social media.

Helicopter crashes in the Hudson River are rare but not unheard of. The last was in 2019, a nonfatal incident in a 34-year-old pilot, the only person aboard the downed craft, escaped with a minor hand injury.

In 2019, nine people were killed over the river when a sightseeing helicopter carrying a group of Italian tourists collided with a private plane.

There were 78 helicopter crashes in the United States last year, resulting in 26 deaths.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription.

- Staff Writer Larry Higgs contributed to this report.

AJ McDougall may be reached at amcdougall@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on X at @oldmcdougall.
Mayor Ras Baraka speaks during the Make the Road New Jersey, the NJ Alliance for Immigrant Justice and others, demonstration against a new ICE immigrant detention center at Delaney Hall in Newark, NJ on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. Ed Murray| For NJ Advance Media

Welcome to this weeks newsletter!

Recently, I interviewed Jennifer Marie Long, a retired transgender military sergeant, who expressed outrage over President Trumps executive order aiming to ban transgender individuals from serving in the military. She called it discriminatory and harmful to the LGBTQIA+ community and military readiness. A federal judge later blocked the order, asserting that it violated transgender service members constitutional rights, with advocates emphasizing that anyone willing to serve their country should have the opportunity, regardless of their gender identity. Read more about it in my article: LGBTQ advocates condemn attempts to ban transgender from the military.

Reporter Steve Strunsky penned an article on Newark Mayor Ras Barakas announcing that the city is suing to block the opening of an immigrant detention center, alleging that its operators, the GEO Group, violated city and state laws by failing to obtain construction permits and submit to required inspections. The citys lawsuit follows a stop-work order on the Delaney Hall facility, which is set to operate under a contract with ICE and comes amid growing opposition to the facility from local officials and immigrant rights groups. Read more in Steves story: Newark mayor says city is suing ICE to block immigrant detention center.

Food and Culture reporter Karim Shamsi-Basha took us inside Taco Caballito Tequileria in Cape May in his column Mexican street food in Cape May? Who knew! In it, Karim explains how the restaurant offers a unique twist on Mexican cuisine with 70 artisan tequilas and street foods elevated to delicious main courses. The restaurant serves dishes like Mexico City guacamole, lime-rice bowls, and flavorful Mexican street fries, transporting guests to the heart of Mexican street food culture.

Reporter Vashti Harris wrote about five-time Grammy Award-winning artist Erykah Badus excitement over her upcoming album and love for touring and creating unique experiences for her audiences. Badu was recently honored with the Music Icon Award during the Billboard Women in Music event, where she reflected on her journey and expressed gratitude for her role as a woman in music. Read more in Vashtis article: Erykah Badu says working on new album feels natural after 15-year hiatus.

If you missed it, reporter Murjani Rawls wrote about Joe Rizzutos Main Street Donuts in Matawan and how it became the target of an alleged hate crime when a local man attempted to steal a Pride flag, threatened to burn down the shop, and made Nazi salutes. Despite the disturbing incident, the community rallied around Rizzuto and his business, with the outpouring of support leading to increased demand and goodwill. Read more in Murjanis article: After terrifying incident, N.J. donut shop stands tall in face of hatred.

I hope you guys enjoyed this weeks newsletter. See you back here next week!

Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription.

Deion Johnson may be reached at djohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Instagram at @DeionRJohnson or X @DeionRJohhnson
A cow rests near a park bench and trash bins on August 12, 2002 on Australia's remote Norfolk Island, which has a population of 2,188 people. The tiny place was slugged with a tariff of 29%  19 percentage points higher than the rest of Australia. AP Photo/Rick Rycroft, File. AP Photo/Rick Rycroft, File

Like every other journalist in this country, and the world, I should be writing about the tariffs and the collapse of our world economy.

But I decided to stay away from this red-hot issue and allow political experts to fight it out, and boy, are they fighting. Conservative and liberal sides of the media, along with the ones in the middle, are praising or condemning the recently instituted tariffs and their debatable results.

Besides, you come to this column for a bright ray of sunshine in a dark and gloomy world, right?

So, I promise you will get to the end of this column and smile, or maybe even lol out loud. (Thats what I called it for years before one of my children corrected me: Babba (Father in Arabic). Its just lol. You dont say out loud!

I blame that one on the fact that English is my second language, plus my absent mind that somehow manages to function. Those mess-ups in English have endured despite living here for four decades.

Just last week, I was at a restaurant with a few friends. One asked me how everything was -- Ive been extra busy recently with various life matters.

I answered with all seriousness, All is good. Lots of balls in the fire.

My friends burst out laughing. And one said, You mean, lots of irons in the fire. Balls are in the air.

HA? Whatever. English is insane, and just to honor that fact, this column will be about nutso words in English that make foreigners like me helpless.

You have your skedaddle (Move), cattywampus (Askew), kerfuffle (Commotion), lollygag (Waste time) and bamboozle (Trick). But did you know that some common words have stumped me?

For example, the word that means rear end (Im not sure I can write that one here) is possibly the most complicated word in the English language. Just watch comedian Ismo below list the contradictory and insane ways this word is used. I spit my coffee out of my mouth watching this video!

Another common word that will surprise you is run, which has 645 meanings, according to the English Oxford Dictionary. Here are a few:

Run around like a chicken with its head cut off - to act in a frantic way.

Run a tight ship - to manage something efficiently.

Make a run for it - to flee or escape.

In the long run - eventually.

Run into someone - to meet someone unexpectedly.

Run someone down - to criticize or belittle someone.

Run someone over - to injure someone with a vehicle.

Run up a bill - to incur a debt.

Run rings around someone - to outwit someone.

Then, of course, you can have The runs, and we all know what that means!

Besides its strange words, English pronunciation is a whole other challenge. Dont even get me started. How did colonel become kernel? And literally -- Ive been in the States for 40 years, and I still cant say literally like Americans do. I pronounce every letter; you jumble them up!

My all-time favorite? Silent letters! I have one word regarding silent letters: Why?!

Those are letters that you write but never pronounce. Examples are: autumn, gnaw, muscle and mnemonic. Again, why?

All good. I dont mind the English Language. I make my living by using it to understand this bizarre world. However, Im only close friends with 25 letters of the alphabet. I dont really know Y.

Karim, Seriously!
Multiple rescue boats were seen on video in the Hudson River Thursday afternoon at the scene of a fatal helicopter crash off Jersey City.

The Associated Press is reporting that six people on board the helicopter were killed in the crash, which happened after 3:15 p.m.

Footage posted on social media sites showed the helicopter in pieces as it fell into the water, with the main body of the craft falling uncontrolled and landing upside down.

The Federal Aviation Administration said in a preliminary statement that the craft was a Bell 206, a light turbine helicopter that can carry up to six people. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating.

Initial witness reports and images shared on social media appeared to show the wreckage floating in the water just south of Newport Park.

Numerous emergency responders were on the scene, including fire and police from Jersey City, Hoboken and New York.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription.
Naomi Elkins, who is accused of killing her two toddlers in Lakewood, agrees to remain detained pending trial before Superior Court Judge Guy P. Ryan at Ocean County Courthouse in Toms River, NJ Monday, July 29, 2024. Tanya Breen/Asbury Park Press

A Lakewood mother who killed her two young children was found not guilty by reason of insanity last week. This verdict, however, is far from the get out of jail free card it may sound like.

Naomi Elkins, 27, was charged with murder after being accused of drowning her daughters, ages 1 and 3, in her Ocean County home last June.

Last Tuesday, Superior Court Judge Guy P. Ryan found that Elkins had committed the crime beyond a reasonable doubt.

But he acquitted her of criminal responsibility, agreeing that her disturbed mental state at the time prevented her from understanding what she was doing, or that it was wrong.

An insanity acquittal, as its known, means that a defendant wont go to prison. But they wont walk free, either. Instead, they are involuntarily committed for mental health treatment, typically in a secure state institution.

In Elkins case, Ryan ordered her sent to a secure psychiatric hospital for two lifetimes, one for each daughter.

Each life term equates to 75 years under state law, the judge said, according to the Asbury Park Press.

New Jersey, like roughly half of the United States, recognizes and relies on the so-called MNaghten rules, standards based on an 1843 criminal case involving a Scottish woodcutter named Daniel MNaghten.

Suffering from paranoid delusions, MNaghten assassinated a civil servant he mistook for his real target, British Prime Minister Robert Peel.

He was found not guilty on grounds of insanity by a jury, an unprecedented verdict that caused a public outcry.

The case forced British legislators to establish the MNaghten rules, which hang the definition of legal insanity on a defect of reason from disease of the mind.

Under the rules, if that defect kept a defendant from understanding the nature of their crime, or that it was wrong, only then can they be proved not guilty by reason of insanity.

It is an uncommon defense and exceedingly difficult to prove. An influential 1991 study found that less than 1% of criminal defendants plead insanity, and that only about a quarter of those pleas result in an insanity acquittal.

At Elkins 90-minute trial, the only witness  psychologist Gianni Pirelli  testified that she was undoubtedly psychotic when she killed her children and did not understand that her actions were wrong.

Pirelli, who said he interviewed Elkins for a total of 11 hours, said shed been grappling with mental health issues since at least 2018, according to the Asbury Park Press.

Severe postpartum psychosis led Elkins to believe it was her job to bring about the coming of the Messiah and thought that if she destroyed her children, she would be destroying all the evil in the world, Pirelli said.

Elkins stabbed her younger daughter in the stomach before holding her underwater in a bathtub for several minutes, according to court records. She then drowned her older daughter in another bathroom.

After her arrest, Elkins told police that shed killed her children for religious reasons, according to court records.

Pirelli said he believed Elkins, who sat calmly through his testimony, needed intensive in-patient treatment at a secure facility, the Press reported.

Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer later said the state agreed with Pirellis conclusion that Elkins was insane at the time of her crime.

Its not even a close call, Billhimer said.

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.
A Prospect Park councilman was arrested Wednesday on multiple felony charges accusing him of gambling, racketeering, money laundering and conspiracy, court records show.

The specific details of the allegations against Anand Shah, a 42-year-old Democratic councilman elected to a third term in 2022, were not immediately available.

Shah was incarcerated at the Morris County jail Wednesday night, records show.

Neither the New Jersey State Police, New Jersey Attorney Generals Office nor the Passaic County Prosecutors Office immediately responded to requests for more information.

Records show the charges were brought by a State Police investigator.

Shah could not be reached for comment and it was unclear if he had an attorney representing him.

Prospect Park Mayor Mohamed T Khairullah said in a statement that Shahs arrest was unrelated to his duties in municipal government.

While we do not yet know the full scope or outcome of the legal process ahead, I want to reaffirm that this administration holds all public officials to the highest standards of ethics and accountability, Khairullahs statement said. Our commitment to lawful and transparent governance remains firm.

Khairullah asked the public to allow the legal process to proceed without speculation and to respect his privacy.

Our focus as a municipal government continues to be serving our residents with integrity, unity, and purpose, the mayor added.

Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription.

Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com.
Conservative pundit Megyn Kelly tore into Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem for her cosplay as an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer.

Kelly, a vocal supporter of Trump, criticized Noem for her photoshoots alongside law enforcement officers and accused her of hindering the administrations crackdown on immigration. She said while she believes Noem is doing an amazing job as head of the Department of Homeland Security, her ridiculous photo ops with ICE agents undermine the agency.

Just stop trying to glamorize the mission and put yourself in the middle of it as you cosplay ICE agent, which youre not. I cant stand these photo ops, you guys. I think they diminish ICE. They diminish DHS, CPB. Shes not an agent!, Kelly said on The Megyn Kelly Show. She is an administrative policy person appointed by Trump because she was very loyal to him. Fine, but stop with the glam.

It is not helpful to Team Trump in these courts everyday to have the DHS Secretary be like, I think he did human trafficking and next thing you know that guys in El Salvador in prison



Megyn reacts to Kristi Noem's latest cosplaying and saying she "thinks" he's a human pic.twitter.com/WUIN9Q1W0a  The Megyn Kelly Show (@MegynKellyShow) April 10, 2025

Kelly urged Noem to stop tagging along on immigration raids, suggesting that she could be putting peoples lives in danger.

No one wants you there. First of all, nobody ever wants the extra lady who doesnt actually belong. They just dont. Pro tip as somebody who whose brother is a cop: they dont want you there, even if you know youre an attractive lady ... they dont want you, she said.

There are lives on the line. They may say that you can come because youre DHS Secretary, but these guys are going to be much safer if you have nothing to do with it, and sure enough, she went on one of these raids and somebody tried to kick her. Shes looking for an opportunity to have that happen, she added.

Noem frequently posts photos and videos of herself dressed in law enforcement attire, often with her hair and makeup done. She was previously criticized for wearing a $60,000 Rolex watch during her recent visit to the high-security El Salvador prison.

We will not be deterred by leaks. If you come to this country and break our laws, we will hunt you down.



Successful enforcement operation this morninggetting MS-13 members, 18th Street gang members and perpetrators of sexual crimes off our streets. pic.twitter.com/67iqcFJw6x  Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) March 4, 2025

Our CBP K-9s are on the front lines of finding deadly drugs, smuggled humans, and keeping our law enforcement safe. pic.twitter.com/nr9WIz6wxR  Kristi Noem (@KristiNoem) March 17, 2025

Most recently, she received backlash for holding a gun that was pointed toward an ICE agent during a social media video. U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) accused her of not knowing how to hold a gun and said she was trying to cosplay as an agent.

Kristi Noem doesnt know how to hold a gun or run the Department of Homeland Security, he wrote on social media platform X.

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Lori Chavez-DeRemer attends a hearing of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee on her nomination for Secretary of Labor, Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) AP

Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer made an explosive unemployment fraud claim during a Cabinet meeting on Thursday without citing any evidence.

Chavez-DeRemer told President Donald Trump on Thursday that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) found thousands of people older than 115 years old have collected unemployment benefits since 2020. Despite claiming that nearly 25,000 people were collecting unemployment benefits fraudulently, Chavez-DeRemer did not identify a single individual.

Unemployment insurance fraud, that trust needs to be whole for the American people when we need it, we need it for who deserves it. Thats not what were seeing in the numbers we saw last night, again exposed by our partners DOGE at the Department of Labor. Since 2020 over $400 million of payments have gone out already, she said on Thursday.

And when you hear these numbers, apparently in the United States, we have over almost 25,000 people who are over 115 years old, who are collecting $59 million that we have sent out to people. Talk about fraudulent behavior, she continued.

Mr. President, 28,000 people between one and five years old have collected fraudulent payments at the tune of $254 million has gone out. And lastly, 10,000 people who have not been born yet, 15 years into the future, $69 million and they havent even been born yet, she said.

Lori Chavez-DeRemer: "Since 2020, over $400 million of payments have done out already and when you hear these numbers -- apparently in the US we have almost 25,000 who are over 115 years old who are collecting $59 million that we have sent out to people. Talk about fraudulent pic.twitter.com/8AAUEJa1mk  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 10, 2025

The DOGE account on social media platform X posted those same claims about insurance fraud on Wednesday, but provided no further details about the potential fraud. DOGE, spearheaded by tech billionaire Elon Musk, has made widespread claims about abuse and fraud in the federal government but has provided little evidence in connection to its findings.

Musk also weighed in on the latest DOGE claim.

Your tax dollars were going to pay fraudulent unemployment claims for fake people born in the future! This is so crazy that I had to read it several times before it sank in, he wrote on X.

Your tax dollars were going to pay fraudulent unemployment claims for fake people born in the future!



This is so crazy that I had to read it several times before it sank in. https://t.co/U5qqcyUgzo  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 10, 2025

Many social media users pointed out that DOGE has not provided evidence about this unemployment fraud claim. While instances of unemployment benefits fraud have been reported, it is unclear whether DOGEs claims are proof of actual fraud or potential data entry errors.

One user wrote: They said Talk about fraudulent yet not one single fraudster has been arrested. Innocent fathers are sent to max security prisons in El Salvador but not one single arrest for Social Security Fraud??

Prove it!, wrote another user.

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Recognizing that victims of sexual assault often feel isolated, a new website has debuted in New Jersey that will deliver more information about how many investigations are pending and eventually, provide real-time information about pending cases.

Last week, the state Attorney Generals Office launched part one of the Safe Kits database, which shows how many victims samples have been submitted and tested to aid in a criminal investigation.

By August, victims will be able to track their kits through the chain of custody  from the time of collection at a healthcare facility to the transfer to a local law enforcement agency and submission to a laboratory for processing and testing, according to the law Gov. Phil Murphy signed in January.
Newark Mayor Ras Baraka speaks at a rally in the city Tuesday protesting President Donald Trump's cuts. Michael Dempsey | For NJ Advance

Some of New Jerseys biggest progressive groups have joined forces to back Newark Mayor Ras Baraka in the states crowded race for governor.

The joint endorsement from six advocacy organizations and labor unions  first reported Thursday morning by NJ Advance Media  comes exactly two months before the June 10 primary. Thats when voters will decide the Democratic and Republican nominees in this years battle to succeed term-limited Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy.

Baraka is one of six candidates running on the Democratic side, and the coalition said hes the right choice in the Garden States first gubernatorial election since the elimination of the county line. A judge last year blocked the controversial system, which used to give party-backed candidates top placement on primary ballots  a tool that made it easier for them to win and one critics said empowered party bosses for decades.

The coalition argues Baraka, running to become New Jerseys first Black governor, is the best-positioned to take advantage of this historic opportunity by appealing directly to voters and can bring together a multi-racial movement of working-class voters from every corner of the state to help reshape the states politics.

Weve worked with Ras since his first mayoral run, and well be going all in to help him win and deliver transformational policies that will bring down costs for working families, said Antoinette Miles, state director of the New Jersey Working Families Party, one of the groups involved.

The coalition also includes Make the Road Action New Jersey, the Rutgers AAUP-AFT union, Local 32BJ of the the Service Employees International Union, New Jersey Citizens Action, and the Workers United LDFS Joint Board.

The support could give Baraka a boost against a pair of rivals in the Democratic primary: U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill, a more moderate politician who is considered the frontrunner, and Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, who has been elbowing Baraka for the races progressive lane.

Sherrill is backed by some of the states top Democratic leaders and would likely be the faraway favorite were the county line still in place. But Baraka has been a surprise in the primary, running just behind Sherrill in head-to-head polling and most county nominating conventions. He has stirred some progressives with unabashedly left-leaning policies and criticism of President Donald Trump.

Also Thursday, Sherrill scored the endorsement of a former Democratic colleague in Congress: ex-U.S. Rep. Tom Malinowski. Hes also a favorite of progressives.

Of all the fine Democrats whove stepped forward to run for governor of New Jersey this year, Mikie stands out for me as the right person for this moment  the person who best embodies the spirit of the 2018 Blue Wave in which we were both elected, and who understands how to make New Jersey part of a Blue Wall of states standing up to Trump, Malinowski said.

A Fairleigh Dickinson University poll from last month showed Baraka with the most name recognition and favorability among the six Democratic gubernatorial hopefuls but also the largest percentage of voters with a negative view.

Fulop, meanwhile, has also rallied progressives with his own left-leaning policies and sharp criticism of the Democratic establishment in the wake of the county lines demise. But some party insiders have felt he and Baraka run the risk of canceling each other out.

The groups behind Thursdays endorsement are also expected to spur their members to help get out the vote for Baraka, which could be critical in a low-turnout primary.

The road to victory in November runs through working class communities and voters of color, said Nedia Morsy, state director of Make the Road Action. To turn the tides of voter apathy, we need a strong champion. ... Mayor Baraka is that champion.

Baraka called the endorsement an historic show of unity and said its part of a movement to transform our state from the ground up.

We have a once-in-a-generation chance to deliver real, lasting change for working people, the mayor said in a statement.

Also running in the Democratic primary are: U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer, New Jersey Education Association President Sean Spiller, and former state Senate President Steve Sweeney.

The five candidates in the Republican primary are: contractor Justin Barbera, state Sen. Jon Bramnick, former state Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, former Englewood Cliffs Mayor Mario Kranjac, and former radio host Bill Spadea.

The two winners will face off in the Nov. 4 general election.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription.

Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on X at @johnsb01.
Doctor Odyssey has gained a loyal following with its outrageous medical cases and steamy interpersonal drama, but is the ABC series returning for a second season?

Doctor Odyssey has not yet been renewed for season 2. Disney Television Group president Craig Erwich spoke honestly about the future of the show during an interview with Variety published earlier this month.

We love Doctor Odyssey. Were still having creative conversations about the show with [series cocreator] Ryan [Murphy] and evaluating. Ryan is very busy, Erwich said. Ultimately, were going to take our lead from Ryan about what that next chapter of Doctor Odyssey looks like. But were having creative conversations about it right now. Hes an amazing partner.

ABC has already renewed several other series for the 2025-2026 season, including The Rookie, Greys Anatomy, Shifting Gears, and High Potential, making the delay in Doctor Odysseys renewal more conspicuous.

The Doctor Odyssey season 1 trailer set a record for broadcast series by racking up 77.8 million views in 48 hours. But according to a March Deadline report, ratings have fallen since the September 2024 premiere, and the show is expensive to make. Declining viewership and high production costs could play a role in ABCs decision about Doctor Odysseys future.

Warning: Spoilers ahead for season 1 of Doctor Odyssey.

Doctor Odyssey stars Joshua Jackson as Dr. Max Bankman, a confident doctor on a luxury cruise ship. Nurse practitioner Avery Morgan (Phillipa Soo) and nurse Tristan Silva (Sean Teale) work alongside him to treat a never-ending supply of bizarre maladies on the boat.

In addition to the medical crises, the show also documents Dr. Maxs unusual dynamic with his subordinates, which eventually culminates in a threesome and an unintended pregnancy.

I was really proud of it, Jackson said of the shows handling of the threesome during a December 2024 interview with Deadline. Theres still so much constriction from the censorship laws in the States about what you can put on broadcast television, so I was really proud of us that we were able, with all of the rules  and we didnt break any of the rules  to get what I think was a really effective scene about the sexy piece of a threesome, which is more about the power dynamic than it is about the bump and the grind.

Doctor Odyssey airs Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET on ABC. Episodes are available to stream on Hulu the next day.

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The death toll is mounting from the roof collapse at a Dominican Republic nightclub early Tuesday.

And Hall of Fame pitcher Pedro Martinez is worried that his family is among the 218 people officials said Thursday have died. Martinez, who was born in Manoguayabo, said Wednesday on Instagram that he has not heard from family members.

We are all affected, he said. I still have family members who are still in the rubbles and we dont know what happened to them. But we just want to be strong, like we have always been. Were a country that prays a lot and remains united all the time, so I just hope everybody has the same courage.

Martinez did not specify which family members were still unaccounted for.

Authorities confirmed former New York Mets and New York Yankees pitcher Octavio Dotel and former major league utility player Tony Blanco were among the dead. Also killed was Nelsy Cruz, the governor of the Monte Cristi province in the country and sister of seven-time MLB All-Star Nelson Cruz.

(Dotel) was a friend, a brother, a father, Mets outfielder/designated hitter Starling Marte told NJ Advance Media on Tuesday. We talked all the time about all kinds of things. He taught me so much. I feel so much for his family and wish them strength.

The Jet Set club was packed with musicians, professional athletes and government officials when dust began falling from the ceiling and into peoples drinks early Tuesday. Minutes later, the entire roof collapsed. Concrete slabs killed some instantly and trapped dozens of others on a dancefloor where hundreds had been dancing to a lively merengue concert.

It is with a heavy heart that it is my turn to actually send condolences to all our family members and the people here in the United States who have family over there, Martinez said. Were all sad.

The Associated Press contributed to this report

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As a newcomer to New Orleans, I've been struck by just how many events, festivals and things to do there have been in my first couple of month
Chef Nina Compton opened her first restaurant in New Orleans after coming to the city to compete on a season of Top Chef. Now shes got three restaurants, and she just released a cookbook, Kweyol / Creole, which traces her life and love of food, from her home in St. Lucia to other major points in her career, including Montego Bay, Jamaica, and Miami, though there were many stops along the way, including British boarding school and top fine dining kitchens in New York. Kweyol / Creole is a personal account, and it shares experiences and dishes from the four major cities of her career. There are daily staples, some cocktails and signature dishes, like the goat curry with sweet potato gnocchi she serves at Compere Lapin. For more information, see @ninacompton on Instagram.

Gambit: In the book, you say becoming a chef is about more than learning skills, its about finding your voice. How did that work for you?

Nina Compton: For me, becoming a chef started off taking care of my family, making my family happy by cooking. Then realizing that I could cook for other people and hopefully make them happy as well. That was the entry into cooking.

But now, I remember when we got the opportunity to open the restaurant, Compere Lapin. People asked, What kind of cuisine are you going to cook? Nobody had ever asked me that because I had always worked under other chefs and cooked their food.

Being on Top Chef there were no boundaries, and that made me more creative as a chef. Each step, I evolved. I was on TV cooking Caribbean food. I felt like we had a place at the table as well, as Caribbean people. It was: How do we show people the beauty of Creole cuisine, and my interpretation of Creole cuisine in St. Lucia and ending here in New Orleans? The book is a journey of the four different chapters of Creole cuisine in how it evolved and the influences in it.

Gambit: How do you describe the variety of food in the Caribbean?

Compton: I always tell people the Caribbean has different influences from all over the world. Each island is very different. When you look at who colonized each area, they each have a different influence. Lets take Barbados. There isnt a lot of Indian or East Indian influence there, whereas in St. Lucia we have a lot. And the same thing in Trinidad.

So its about who came before us. Everybody wants to know where their family is from. How did mangos end up in St. Lucia? How did breadfruit end up there? You find all these things, and its really a huge history lesson. I think people are paying attention more. I think people have a huge sense of pride when they know their background. As the years have come along, we have more technology to find that information.

Caribbean food is not just about jerk chicken and rice and peas. Its really about different influences. Talking about Cuban food, Haitian food, just the different influences all the islands have and showcasing the different elements.

The Miami chapter was instrumental. Theres a lot of Caribbean influence in Miami. I wanted to talk about that as well, because it switched into more of a Latin Afro-Caribbean lens. Talking about Cuban, Dominican, Puerto Rican food. Everybody is basically incorporated in this book. Everybody gets a shout-out about how beautiful their cuisine is.

In the Caribbean, everybody has plantains, everybody has mangos. But everybody treats them differently. For example, green plantains: We didnt fry them. Now we do, because everybody has caught on to how good they are. Seeing the different interpretations of how people treat them was eye-opening.

In the Caribbean, lots of people have a specialty. I talk about this guy Juicy Black, who does only cornmeal porridge. Thats all he does. Its a thing thats common: Somebody only makes one dish, and theyre great at it. So why do something else?

Thats a Caribbean mentality: Doing a small menu, and when they sell out, they sell out. I see a lot of these memes on Instagram. People say, Oh, when we go to this Jamaican restaurant, theyre always out of the oxtails. But its like, Hey, I made a really great batch, and thats all we have. In the Bahamas, there are places that only serve conch. Theres no chicken, theres no snapper, its just that. When you see those kind of things, it makes it more special, because theyre putting all their heart, all their energy into that one dish.

Gambit: What kinds of recipes did you want to include in the book?

Compton: I wanted to document the dishes that people know, say for example, jerk chicken and rice and peas, but also dishes that are more if you know, you know. With the green fig (green banana) and saltfish, if you are from St. Lucia, you know that dish. I wanted to stay true to those things. There are a lot of people who go to the Caribbean and dont eat like a local. I want people to come and be like, Hey, I want to try this. Its encouraging people to go and try to get the saltfish, or the callaloo, something that is not the regular culprits. Cow heel soup is a dish that people request all of the time.

The recipe for milk punch is the recipe that my dad made every Christmas. Having that and my moms soursop and my grandmothers tea sandwiches and my sisters cookies  those are recipes that when I go home, I want to make sure I get them every single time.

I want people to have fun with it. And dont make it a coffee table book. With the recipes in the book, I wanted them to be for the home cook. We wanted to have a beautiful book with vibrant colors that really grab people, but I want people to understand Caribbean culture. Theres a lot of depth in there. I really want people to enjoy our cuisine.
Early on April 10, New Orleans police were alerted to an armed man in the 900 block of Royal Street. After a four-hour standoff, the suspectbelieved to be connected to an earlier double homicide in the 1700 block of Rousserlin Streetwas apprehended using non-lethal munitions. Nobody was injured, NOPD said.
After voters failed to pass an amendment last month that would have made one-time stipends Louisiana teachers received last year a permanent part of their salaries, Gov. Jeff Landry wrote in an open letter Tuesday that the state must "return to the drawing board" to find ways to boost educator pay.

Pictured: Gov. Jeff Landry speaks Tuesday, March 25, 2025, during a meeting of the Rotary Club of Shreveport at Shreveport Convention Center in Shreveport, La.
Starting next year, Louisiana high schoolers who achieve "mastery" or above on a state civics exam will receive a foil seal on their diplomas recognizing their accomplishment. The state's Superintendent of Education said its aim is to encourage more students to get engaged in the political process.
'Those students can be bigger celebrities on campus than athletes,' Walter Kimbrough, ex-Dillard University president, said of fraternities, 'so there are students who are like 'I'm going to do whatever I need to do to be in one of those groups.''
The head of a Mandeville-area psychiatric hospital said that hospital personnel acted properly to report an incident this week in which the facility's former medical director is accused of striking a 14-year-old patient.

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office arrested Dr. Garrick Klaybor Wednesday evening and booked him on a count of cruelty to the infirmed, the Sheriff's Office said. A warrant had been issued for Klaybor following the incident Sunday night at Northlake Behavioral Health and he turned himself in, authorities said.

Klaybor, 39, spent the night in the St. Tammany Parish Correctional Center. He was released on Thursday morning after posting $10,000 in bail, according to the Sheriffs Office.
JENA -- An immigration judge on Friday agreed with the Trump administration that Mahmoud Khalil, the Columbia University student activist and legal permanent resident who is accused of speaking out at the expense of U.S. foreign policy, is deportable.
Alumnis Multi Academy Trust has successfully conducted a transformative educational trip to Normandy, France, for Year 5 and 6 students from its nine schools.

The residential trip, funded through the Turin Grant, provided students with an opportunity to explore key historical sites, immerse themselves in French culture, and learn about historical events firsthand.

Students visited iconic landmarks such as the Bayeux Tapestry, which depicts the Norman Conquest of England, the British War Cemetery, and Arromanches, where they reflected on the D-Day landings of World War II.

The trip also included a visit to Mont Saint-Michel, a stunning architectural and historical site.

Rachael Sharpe, Director of Education at Alumnis Multi Academy Trust, said: The residential trip to Normandy was an unforgettable experience for our Year 5 and 6 students. We are incredibly proud of the success of this trip, and I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to all those who helped make it possible. Not only did they have the opportunity to visit significant historical sites, but they were also able to experience the culture of France in a way that classroom learning simply cannot replicate.

The students stayed in a French chateau, where they practiced their French skills and enjoyed social activities like movie nights, discos, and crepe-making.

Alumnis Multi Academy Trust has said it continues to prioritise providing enriching experiences that help students grow academically, socially, and culturally.
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As tariff-spooked shoppers begin pulling back on spending, Walmart Inc. is prepping for a worsening economy by using its massive footprint to keep prices low and hunt for ways to take market share.

On Wednesday, the world's largest retailer said in a statement that it still sees net sales growing 3% to 4% this year. That forecast accounts for tariffs, unlike its previous outlook from February.

Walmart, which has historically performed well in economic downturns, plans to absorb potential price hikes fueled by President Donald Trump's escalating trade war and take a short-term financial hit to keep products affordable. The company widened the range of its outlook for operating income for this quarter, acknowledging that its actions may weigh on the bottom line, but didn't provide new guidance.

"History tells us that when we lean into these periods of uncertainty, Walmart emerges on the other side with greater share and a stronger business," John David Rainey, Walmart's chief financial officer, said in the statement.

Walmart shares declined less than 1% at 8:52 a.m. New York time. The stock was down 9.5% year-to-date through Tuesday's close.

The company's shift in guidance for operating income points to "pressure points," D.A. Davidson & Co. analyst Michael Baker wrote Wednesday in a research note.

"Walmart's signal to invest in prices could be a strategy to gain share and grow shares, but could squeeze profit in the near term," Baker said.

The Trump administration is imposing sweeping tariffs that threaten to increase prices on everything from spirits and apparel to electronics and cars. Trump's plans sparked a market selloff over the past week, wiping out trillions of dollars in global equity value and stoking concerns about a recession. The latest country-specific tariffs took effect on Wednesday morning.

Earlier Wednesday, Delta Air Lines Inc. pulled its forecast due to uncertainty surrounding global trade. Delta, the first airline to report earnings this quarter, sowed caution with investors by saying revenue has "flat-lined" as confidence dims among consumers and businesses. The carrier plans to update its outlook later in the year as visibility improves.

Walmart is seen as a barometer for consumer sentiment due to its size and exposure to a broad swath of US shoppers. The company previously said it's accustomed to tariffs and has a diverse supply chain with about two-thirds of items sourced in the US. Executives say they'll work closely with vendors to keep prices low.

 'Fluid Environment'

Company executives are hosting a two-day event with Wall Street analysts in Dallas, where they have touted their progress with supply chain efforts. Kicking off the event Tuesday, Walmart Chief Executive Officer Doug McMillon said the retailer will focus on keeping prices as low as possible.

"It's clearly a fluid environment," McMillon told analysts and reporters Tuesday. "While we don't know everything that's going to happen for us, we do know what our priorities are."

Walmart will also look to manage inventory and expenses, he said, adding that the company has navigated through turbulent periods.
DYER  As members of the Dyer Republican Organization filled the back room of a local pizza joint Tuesday night for a fundraiser that included a raffle to win an AR-15 and a handgun, a gathering of about a dozen people organized on the sidewalk across the street to make their opposition to the fundraiser known, mainly to the raffle's first prize.

People from several groups, including Democrats for Dyer and the local chapters of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America and Indivisible, gathered Tuesday to share their displeasure.

The standoff had been in the works ever since the Republican organization first advertised the gun raffle in late February as part of its "Pizza and Politics" dinner at John's Pizzeria, 1209 Sheffield Ave.

"They could've picked a different gun," said Anne Turner, the team lead for Northwest Indiana's chapter of Moms Demand Action.

Turner, of Winfield, sent Dyer Republican Organization secretary Bob Starkey a message via Facebook on Feb. 27 asking him why the organization selected an AR-15 to raffle off. Starkey also serves as Dyer Town Council President.

"We are quite concerned your group is raffling off an AR-15 for a fund raiser," Turner wrote to Starkey. "Can you tell me why this gun was chosen? Due to the recent events in NWI of gun tragedies, we would hope your raffle would promote something else."

In a reply message, Starkey said his organization selected two types of firearms that would bring the most interest and value to a fundraiser.

"While we (have differing) opinions on firearms and the varying level of control people find acceptable, our fundraiser is geared towards those interested in the prizes," Starkey wrote.

Winners did not walk away from the event with a firearm  they didn't even have to be present at the fundraiser or the drawing to win if they'd purchased tickets prior to Tuesday's festivities.

Instead, the winners will pick up their prizes at the South County Gun Company in Schererville  after they pass the same federal and state background checks required to purchase a firearm, Starkey said.

On Tuesday evening, roughly a dozen people, some of whom came from outside Dyer  even outside Lake County  stood in a line facing the pizza restaurant holding signs mostly advocating for a federal and statewide ban of AR-15s.

Many demonstrators took particular issue with the location of the event, just a few hundred feet from Protsman Elementary School. The protesters said the auctioning of an AR-15 so close to a school didn't sit right with them because of past school shootings that have involved the use of the same style of firearm.

According to a study published by the National Institutes of Health, from 1990 to 2016 approximately 85% of the weapons used in school shootings were handguns, 6% were shotguns and about 9% were rifles.

"The whole idea of an assault rifle in a community or in any non-military context is repulsive to me," said Lori Ryser, one of the protesters. "There is no reason to have an assault rifle other than to kill as many people as you can at one time, and the fact that they're raffling one off is, to me, making a mockery of the minimal gun laws that we do have."

Ryser, from Dyer, was a teacher at Lowell High School and Crown Point High School from 1995 to 2015. She said she had to take part in lockdown drills and all kinds of training for an active shooter.

While Starkey acknowledged that AR-15s are often associated with mass shootings, he said he believes the issue to be far more nuanced.

"There are handguns and shotguns and knives and blades," Starkey said. "This is what I would say for folks who are concerned about an AR-15 (and) gun violence: Firearms are just tools, whether they look mean and scary, like the ones we see on TV or the ones that our warfighters use... And for those people that go and do evil things, it's a tool of evil."

Starkey said he believes both Republicans and Democrats need to be better about addressing mental health, which he said is a more believable cause of mass shootings than the particular firearms used in them. But he stopped short of admitting there was also work to be done to address gun legislation.

"The AR-15 is not going to send you into a public space and shoot people," he said. "Some type of mental health crisis is causing you to do that. In my opinion, any type of ban on a firearm is more or less a token gesture. If that's the only goal, then we're not addressing the real issue, which, again, is some form of mental health crisis that we have."

The two guns raffled off Tuesday were valued at a total of approximately $1,500, Starkey said. The fundraiser was the organization's first-ever gun raffle. Its leaders had seen similar raffles before and thought auctioning off two firearms would be a good way to raise money.

"A lot of our supporters are firearms enthusiasts, Second Amendment enthusiasts," Starkey said, "and so we thought that was a good raffle."

Lake County Councilman Randy Niemeyer, R-Cedar Lake, was present at the event said he entered the firearms raffle. Starkey estimated about 250 total tickets were sold.

Niemeyer, also chairman of the Lake County GOP, said Tuesday night the cause of gun-related crime is not the guns themselves.

"It's a cultural rot," he said. "It's a lack of focus on good traditional American values, families, structure in homes, structure in communities. It doesn't come from law-abiding citizens like me."

Tuesday's protesters saw the root cause differently.

"I'm not a gun hater," said Jef Jarecki, of Dyer. "I have good friends with guns, I've shot guns before. But I do believe in common sense gun laws. Back when the Second Amendment was created, they had muzzle loaders. They didn't have automatic, semi-automatic rifles. I don't see a point to that."

According to a 2023 Pew Research Center study, approximately 58% of U.S. adults were in favor of stricter gun laws.

"We're not saying that we're all perfect, but what we're trying to say is there should be an end to this kind of violence that's carried out by these weapons," said Tamara Browne, of Chesterton. "And (people) should be able to go to school and be safe. Or be at a bus station or taking the South Shore Line and feel safe."
House Republicans Passed a New Budget. Heres Whats in It.

The House passed a budget Thursday that is different in major ways from the version it passed in February. It would allow Republicans to cut taxes by more, trim spending by less and increase the federal debt by far more.

The budget itself is spare on policy details. But Congress still needs to write specific legislation that follows its basic instructions if it wants to achieve President Trumps goal of reshaping taxes and spending through one big, beautiful bill.

Heres whats in the budget  and how it differs from the previous version.

Extending the 2017 tax cuts

$3.8 trillion $3.8 trillion* *and $17 trillion more from 2035-55 $3.8 trillion $3.8 trillion* *and $17 trillion more from 2035-55 Each square represents $25 billion. Amounts shown are 10-year totals.

Both budgets would extend parts of the 2017 Trump tax cuts. But the new version would allow lawmakers to make the cuts lasting, while the earlier version would require them to expire again in 10 years. That means that, while their costs are the same initially, the new version could increase federal deficits and debts by much more after 2034.

To make lasting tax cuts possible, the new budget uses an unconventional accounting maneuver known as the current policy baseline, which assumes the 2017 tax cuts dont expire after this year even though the law that created them says they will. Its still unclear whether the move complies with the Senates special rules for budget legislation, but lawmakers decided to use the baseline without consulting the Senate rules expert in advance.

Additional tax cuts allowed

$700 billion $1.5 trillion $700 billion $1.5 trillion Each square represents $25 billion. Amounts shown are 10-year totals.

Both budgets would allow Congress to make additional tax cuts. The new version allows for larger cuts and increases the chances that Republicans will adopt expensive tax policies favored by President Trump, like the elimination of taxes on tips.

Spending cuts required

$2 trillion $4 billion $2 trillion $4 billion Each square represents $25 billion. Amounts shown are 10-year totals.

The old version of the budget required extensive spending cuts, up to $2 trillion, with a large share assigned to the House committee that oversees the Medicaid program. The new budget requires far less on paper, though congressional leaders say they still intend to pass substantial spending cuts as part of their final legislation.

House conservatives who are concerned about the federal debt objected to this vagueness and declined to vote for the resolution until Speaker Mike Johnson and the Senate majority leader, John Thune, made public assurances that, despite the budgets vague targets, the process will cut federal spending by at least $1.5 trillion over a decade.

But the new version makes it much harder to know how big the cuts will be or what programs will be cut to hit that target. Some Republican senators have expressed concern about the effects of big Medicaid cuts on their states, and the more flexible targets could make it easier to avoid major cuts without upending the entire bill.

Spending increases allowed

$300 billion $521 billion $300 billion $521 billion Each square represents $25 billion. Amounts shown are 10-year totals.

The old budget called for increased spending on defense and border security. The new budget would allow larger increases.

Potential effect on the debt

$3.4 trillion $6.9 trillion* *and $38 trillion more from 2035-55 $3.4 trillion $6.9 trillion* *and $38 trillion more from 2035-55 Each square represents $25 billion. Amounts shown are 10-year totals. Potential debt effects include higher interest payments.

The new version, as written, could add nearly $7 trillion to the debt over the next 10 years including interest, and more in years after. That high number reflects the uncertainty of the spending cuts. Lawmakers will probably choose to cut spending by more than $4 billion over the decade, but we dont yet know by how much.

Debt limit increase

$4 trillion $5 trillion $4 trillion $5 trillion

There is one major sign that lawmakers expect to increase the deficit more with this version: It would raise the debt ceiling by a larger amount than the February version. The debt ceiling limits how much money the federal government is allowed to borrow.

Republicans want to pass a major package of policy changes using a special reconciliation process that could pass without any Democratic votes in the Senate. The budget lays out the required targets for that process.
Nina Gill

LaVoieHealthScience hires Nina Gill as SVP, PR & communications. Gill was most recently SVP at 10Fold Communications. She has also served as VP at both TEAM LEWIS and FleishmanHillard. At LaVoie, Nina leads data-driven strategic communications programs for clients in earned and paid media, website, multi-channel management, content, internal, SEO/GEO, executive media, and spokesperson training. She will also be responsible for leading staff and developing talent. Her people management and client retention skills speak for themselves, and we look forward to having her on our leadership team, said LaVoieHealthScience president and CEO Donna LaVoie.

Kimber Foster

Visit Fort Worth, the citys official destination marketing organization, brings on Kimber Foster as VP of marketing and communications. Foster joins Visit Fort Worth from Visit Greater Palm Springs, where she served as director of Palm Springs tourism. She has also served as director of marketing and communications for the Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau, and advertising and communications manager for Destination El Paso. At Visit Fort Worth, Foster will lead marketing, communications and public relations efforts, including brand development, advertising strategy and digital initiatives. She will also serve on the organizations leadership team. Kimbers deep expertise in destination marketing and strategic communications, combined with her passion for Texas tourism, will be instrumental in elevating Fort Worths profile on a national and international stage, said Visit Forth Worth president and CEO Bob Jameson.

Heidi Cooley

The Lovesac Company, a tech-driven company that designs, manufactures and sells furniture, appoints Heidi Cooley as chief brand and marketing officer, effective April 23. Cooley comes to the company from Crocs, where she most recently served as CMO. She was previously VP marketing at Sports Authority. In her new post, Cooley will lead all aspects of marketing, eCommerce and brand strategy. The company is aiming to have its products in three million households by 2030. With a remarkable track record of brand-building and a deep understanding of todays consumer, she brings exactly the kind of leadership and creativity we need to fuel this next phase of growth into new product categories, said Lovesac CEO Shawn Nelson.
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Irish Cattle and Sheep Association Beef Chair John Cleary, from Killeigh, has said that while the inclusion of beef farmers in the new National Dairy Beef Weighing Scheme (NDBWS) is a step in the right direction, it does not go far enough in providing meaningful support for beef finishers.

While the 20 per calf payment for beef farmers taking on dairy-bred progeny is welcome, it falls far short of what is needed. It also compares unfavourably to the potential 40 per calf available to dairy farmers through the combination of the Dairy Beef Welfare Scheme and the NDBWS. This disparity is deeply unfair and fails to recognise the essential role of beef finishers in the supply chain, he said.

Mr Cleary said he is calling on the Department of Agriculture to introduce a dedicated support measure for finishing cattle aged 12-24 months to ensure fairness across the sector. For too long, beef finishers have been overlooked in support schemes. ICSA has consistently argued that farmers who commit to rearing and finishing cattle beyond 12 months - particularly those focused on earlier finishing - must be properly supported. Finishing cattle earlier aligns with environmental targets, but it comes at a significant cost and requires a serious financial commitment. If the government is serious about reducing emissions and improving beef sector sustainability, then targeted support for earlier finishing must be a priority.

Early finishing is not cost-neutral - it requires substantial investment in feeding, management, and resources. Farmers who take on this challenge should not be left to carry the financial burden alone. In our recent budget submissions ICSA proposed a Beef Carbon Efficiency Payment to assist farmers in feeding and weighing cattle between 12-24 months, with the goal of encouraging earlier finishing, up to a maximum of 150 animals. This must now be given serious consideration by Minister Heydon in the next budget. It is completely unacceptable that beef finishers continue to be excluded from meaningful budget supports, he said.

Mr Cleary said ICSA will continue to push for a fair and balanced approach to beef support schemes and will demand recognition of the vital contribution of all beef farmers, particularly those finishing cattle efficiently.
THE National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI), which represents organisations working with young people nationwide, has launched its Local Champions initiative for 2025. The campaign aims to ensure increased investment in young people and youth work locally and nationally. Aisling Maloney and Charlie Beaudelot from Offaly have been selected as Local Champions for Offaly-Laois.

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 Offaly are engaging with TDs John Clendennen, Tony McCormack and Carol Nolan.

Charlie said "I am beyond excited to use my experience and joy to demonstrate the value of youth work and the positive impact it has had on my life - thanks to organisations such as SpunOut, Comhairle na nOg, and of course NYCI, there is incredible and important work being completed on a local and national level. I look forward to highlighting this work to local representatives to ensure that youth work gets the attention it deserves when budget time comes."

Aisling said: Im really looking forward to meeting our local politicians and sharing with them some of the amazing experiences Ive had with Tipperary Comhairle na nOg, Templemore and Thurles Youth Projects, and Roscrea Scouts. Theres so much important work happening in our local area to support young people and I want to make sure that our local representatives carry that message to the national level, so that youth work in our area and beyond gets its fair share come budget time.

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.
AS the National Spring Clean marks 26 years, An Taisce is calling on communities in County Offaly to come together and tackle Irelands litter problem to protect biodiversity and help fight climate change!

Registrations for the National Spring Clean are well underway and 2025s campaign is on track to be the biggest yet with almost 3,000 participants registered to date. Registrations will remain open throughout the month of April, and An Taisce is inviting individuals and community groups in Offaly to sign up and take part.

Operated by An Taisce, funded by the Dept. of Environment, Climate and Communications and sponsored by Mars Wrigley, the National Spring Clean is Irelands largest anti-litter campaign, rallying thousands of volunteers each year.

Throughout the month of April, communities from across Ireland will take part in the National Spring Clean to tackle the problem of litter in local areas and to see the benefits of a litter-free environment. Over the past 26 years, the campaign has seen thousands of participants of all ages volunteer their time, with of an estimated 50,000 tonnes of litter removed from Irish streets, parks, and coastlines to date.

Last year, 5,430 groups registered to carry out clean-ups throughout the country, collecting an estimated 2,725 tonnes of litter. 35% of all waste collected during the 2024 National Spring Clean was recycled, as the campaign continues to highlight the importance of a circular economy and waste reduction.

This emphasis is further supported by schemes such as the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), which was launched last February. According to an Irish Businesses Against Litter (IBAL) survey, the introduction of the DRS saw a near 50% reduction in the prevalence of plastic bottles and cans in 500+ sites monitored across 40 counties. In February this year, the DRS reached a milestone of 1 billion returned containers. However, overall litter levels remain high with smoking related litter which includes cigarettes butts and vapes on the rise.

Minister of State in the Department of Climate, Environment and Energy Alan Dillon TD, Alan Dillon said: Every year, the local volunteers continue to demonstrate the fantastic community spirit and desire to make a positive contribution to the local environment, by participating in An Taisces National Spring Clean. I look forward to seeing the great sense of community again this year and hope to see record attendance.

National Spring Clean Manager, Emlyn Cullen, commented: Thanks to the contribution of our volunteers, the National Spring Clean has been hugely successful in tackling litter over the last 26 years. With the launch of the 2025 National Spring Clean campaign, we are looking forward to yet another fantastic year of community spirit positively impact on local environments and biodiversity. There is still time for people to register and get involved so we hope you will feel inspired to join in the clean-up.

Mars Wrigley Ireland Corporate Affairs Manager, Anne Sheeran added: Mars Wrigley Ireland is proud to support another year of the National Spring Clean, which is a fantastic initiative, empowering individuals to make a positive impact on their communities. As an organisation, we remain committed to playing our part in the delivery of a cleaner planet, by supporting important initiatives such as the National Spring Clean to help deliver a cleaner, greener future for everyone. Good luck to everyone taking part in the 2025 campaign!

To make sure that each community clean up can run as smoothly as possible the National Spring Clean has also provided various downloadable information packs on their website for their volunteers to read. The clean-up information pack containing details on how to organise an event, health and safety information, litter facts, useful contacts, media and publicity advice, a guide on how to recycle and information on litter and the law.

An Taisces National Spring Clean is inviting people to visit the website www.nationalspringclean.org and register for a free clean-up kit.
A 50-year-old man who befriended a teenage girl on Snapchat and sexually exploited her, giving her money and alcohol in exchange for sexual favours, has been jailed for three years.



Dublin Circuit Court heard David Slattery of Priory Square, Celbridge, County Kildare, took the then 16-year-old girl to a hotel on two occasions, bought her a vape, mobile phone credit, food and alcohol, gave her cocaine once and engaged in sexual activity with her several times.



When his home was searched by gardai, two child sexual exploitation images and two videos which had been sent to him from another teenage girl were discovered on Slattery's device, the court heard.



Slattery, a married father of two, pleaded guilty to one count of obtaining a child for sexual exploitation and one count of possessing child sexual abuse material, known in law as child pornography, on dates in 2023. The pleas were entered on the basis that Slattery believed that both girls were 17 years old at the time, defence counsel said.



He has three previous convictions for minor road traffic offences.



The child who sent Slattery the photos and videos was tracked down by gardai, but didn't want anything to do with a criminal investigation, the court heard. She was aged around 13 at the time.



Sentencing Slatter on Wednesday, Judge Martin Nolan said his behaviour was serious, noting he broke the law and preyed upon the injured parties.

READ ALSO: Drunk Irish tourists in European hotspot warned amid local law and big pub measures

The judge noted the mitigation, but said Slattery must suffer a prison term for what he did, imposing a sentence of three years.

Garda Cillian Duffy told the court that Slattery's child exploitation offending came to light when he was pulled over by a garda in relation to a road tax issue for his Mercedes while the girl was a passenger on August 28, 2023.



When the garda queried the relationship between them, Slattery claimed the girl was his daughter's friend and he was dropping her home.



However, Slattery was unable to provide an address and the girl was unable to provide a name for Slattery's so-called daughter. As a result, the garda called for a female garda to talk to the girl and her parents were called.



At the garda station, she seemed unwilling to talk in the presence of her father, so the female garda asked if she would like to speak in private. The girl then confided that Slattery had befriended her on Snapchat that summer, that she was 16 years old but had told him she was 17 and that he gave her money in return for sexual stuff.



The girl was later interviewed by specialist gardai over three occasions in which she outlined how Slattery bought her fast food, alcohol, a vape, mobile credit and brought her to a hotel on two occasions. In one hotel, he rubbed cocaine in her gums and tried to have sex with her, eventually having anal sex with her.



On the second occasion in a hotel, he left her two 50 notes on the desk after engaging in further sexual activity with her.



In her victim impact statement which was read out by Fiona McGowan BL, prosecuting, the now 17-year-old girl said her family treated her differently after the crime came to light and made her feel like it was her fault.



She said she has been robbed of her safety and sense of trust, left with memories she doesn't want and scars that will live with her forever.



I was a victim and a child just looking for a friend, she said. That friend just wanted to use me, but as a child, I didn't see it like that.



She said that counselling has helped her realise that what Slattery did was wrong and that she should not be feeling bad for him. The victim was in court for the sentence hearing.



I don't know what justice looks like for someone like me, she said. I don't know if anything can undo the pain caused to me. But I deserve to be acknowledged. I deserve to be heard.



In relation to the child sexual abuse material which was seized during a search of Slattery's home in September 2023, the court heard the two images and two videos contained explicit material of a 13-year-old child. Slattery believed she was 17, the court heard.

READ ALSO: Devices seized by gardai investigating international distribution of child sex abuse images

Slattery was arrested in March 2024 and made no comment other than to say he thought the girl he engaged in sexual activity with was over the age of consent.



Giollaiosa O Lideadha SC, defending, said Slattery was extremely remorseful for his actions, with letters of apology handed in to the victim and the court. In the letter, Slattery said he was a man with no moral compass at the time of the offending.



A letter from Slattery's wife outlining his childhood circumstances was also handed in to court.



The court heard that Slattery had a cocaine addiction at the time. Defence counsel said he has since rehabilitated himself and has helped others in their recovery from drug addiction.



He has a good work history working for a family business, among other businesses, the court heard.
Israel is doing to the Palestinians the same thing the Nazi's did to the Jews in the Warsaw Ghetto during WW2, forcing evacuations of Jews into smaller and smaller, supposedly safe, zones with posted deadlines for getting out (often with just the clothes they were wearing and whatever they could fit in their pockets) before they sealed off these neighborhoods. There isn't a lot of difference. The terror of it is the same, the icy calculatedness of it is the same, and the way the world is turning away, pretending not to notice, is the same.

The designated safe blocks (in Warsaw) became more and more crowded and unliveable. Eventually of course, no place was safe, and that was the whole calculus of the Nazi equivalent of the Israeli's "General's Plan", to keep moving Palestinians around until there is no place left for them to go. But maybe by that time nothing will matter anyway. To an outsider, Gaza has become a ghetto. This is what you might expect from a people who have not individuated, by which I mean, their shadow is running amuck. It is running the government and I would bet you anything it is manifesting in the dreams of Israelis. It has to be.

During the third Reich, a significant crosscut of Germans were having the same dream, of a fire burning in a public venue that is being largely ignored even as it grows and spreads. That is a great metaphor for collective psychic trauma. I would bet anything that Israelis are literally having the same nightmare without realizing it.

This does not bode well for anyone. But don't expect the United States to call them out. Our shadow is global in scale and dwarfs Israel's.
This article originally appeared at TomDispatch.com. To receive TomDispatch in your inbox three times a week, click here.

In his second term in office, Donald Trump has had a few problems so far carrying out his promises to deport a zillion nonwhite immigrants. But give him credit. He did successfully deport one of them, the South African ambassador to the United States, Ebrahim Rasool. Born in Apartheid South Africa (like, of course, Elon Musk) into a Muslim family of mixed English-Javanese-Dutch-Indian heritage, he grew up classified as "coloured" in the grim Apartheid system of that time. As a young boy, his family was even evicted from their home after the area was declared part of a "Whites-only" suburb. He would indeed join the anti-Apartheid movement and even serve prison time thanks to that.

Now, in some strange sense, he's been sentenced again -- by President Trump and (assumedly) Elon Musk. He's been quite literally tossed out of the United States, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio labelling him a "persona non grata" and a "race-baiting politician" (for his criticisms of President Trump as leading a "White supremacist movement" at home and abroad).

Mind you, this is the president who cut all aid to South Africa over supposed "unjust racial discrimination" against White Afrikaners (no matter that, though only 7% of the population, they still own more than 70% of that country's private farmland) and who, while putting his administration's energy into tossing non-White immigrants out of this country, has welcomed just one significant group of foreigners, promising them refuge here (not that they need it) with a program called "Mission South Africa." I'm talking, of course, about White Afrikaners!

What a strange planet we now find ourselves on, don't you think? And if you wonder just how deeply strange it is, let TomDispatch regular Aviva Chomsky take you into a world -- ours, as it happens -- that, as she points out, is only growing ever more colonial (at least in Washington) as the years pass, whether you're talking about Donald Trump's reactions to South Africa, Israel, and the Palestinians, or immigrants of just about any sort in this country. Tom

Trump Faces Palestine

The Colonial View of the World Never Dies

By Aviva Chomsky

In the colonial view of the world -- and, in its own strange fashion, Donald Trump's view couldn't be more colonial -- White European colonizers were embattled beacons of civilization, rationality, and progress, confronting dangerous barbaric hordes beyond (and even, sometimes, within) their own frontiers. Colonial violence then was a necessary form of self-defense needed to tame irrational eruptions of brutality among the colonized. To make sense of the bipartisan U.S. devotion to Israel, including the glorification of Israeli violence and the demonization of Palestinians, as well as the Trump administration's recent attacks on Black South Africa, student activists, and immigrants, it's important to grasp that worldview.

On the Caribbean island of Barbados, Great Britain's 1688 Act "For the Governing of Negroes" proclaimed that "Negroes" are of a barbarous, wild, and savage nature, and such as renders them wholly unqualified to be governed by the Laws, Customes, and Practices of our Nation: It is therefore becoming absolutely necessary, that such other Constitutions, Laws and Orders, should be" framed and enacted for the good regulating or ordering of them, as may both restrain the disorders, rapines, and inhumanities to which they are naturally prone and inclined."

When I read those words recently, I heard strange echoes of how President Trump talks about immigrants, Palestinians, and Black South Africans. The text of that act exemplified what would become longstanding colonial ideologies: the colonized are unpredictably "barbarous, wild, and savage" and so must be governed by the colonizing power with a separate set of (harsh) laws; and -- though not directly stated -- must be assigned a legal status that sets them apart from the rights-bearing one the colonizers granted themselves. Due to their "barbarous, wild, and savage nature," violence would inevitably be necessary to keep them under control.

Colonization meant bringing White Europeans to confront those supposedly dangerous peoples in their own often distant homelands. It also meant, as in Barbados, bringing supposedly dangerous people to new places and using violence and brutal laws to control them there. In the United States, it meant trying to displace or eliminate what the Declaration of Independence called "merciless Indian savages" and justifying White violence with slave codes based on the one the British used in Barbados in the face of the ever-present threat supposedly posed by enslaved Black people.

That grim 1688 Act also revealed how colonialism blurred the lines between Europe and its colonies. As an expansionist Europe grew ever more expansive, it brought rights-holding Europeans and those they excluded, suppressed, or dominated into the same physical spaces through colonization, enslavement, transportation, and war. Enslaved Africans were inside the territory, but outside the legal system. Expansion required violence, along with elaborate legal structures and ideologies to enforce and justify who belonged and who never would, and -- yes! -- ever more violence to keep the system in place.

Ideas Still with Us

The legacies of colonialism and the set of ideas behind that Act of 1688 are still with us and continue to target formerly colonized (and still colonized) peoples.

Given the increasingly unsettled nature of our world, thanks to war, politics, and the growing pressures of climate change, ever more people have tried to leave their embattled countries and emigrate to Europe and the United States. There, they find a rising tide of anti-immigrant racism that reproduces a modern version of old-fashioned colonial racism. Europe and the United States, of course, reserve the right to deny entry, or grant only partial, temporary, revocable, and limited status to many of those seeking refuge in their countries. Those different statuses mean that they are subject to different legal systems once they're there. In Donald Trump's America, for instance, the United States reserves the right to detain and deport even green-card holders at will, merely by claiming that their presence poses a threat, as in the case of Columbia University graduate and Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, arrested in New York but quickly sent into custody in Louisiana.

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Bulacan, Philippines - December 9, 2024 - Cloudstaff, a global provider of premier remote staffing solutions, solidified its position as an industry leader by hosting a spectacular year-end party held at the Philippine Arena, the world's largest indoor arena. The event on December 7 drew an impressive 27,000-strong audience which included employees, their family, and friends, customers, and industry partners, for an unforgettable night of music and celebration. 
Smurfit Westrock operates 560 packaging facilities and mills around the world, including this site in France. Nick Morrish/Smurfit Westrock

Seventy-two people working at Smurfit Westrocks North Portland cardboard box plant will lose their jobs when the company begins shutting down the facility in June.

Smurfit Westrock notified state workforce officials of the pending closure Tuesday. The company, based in Ireland, did not explain its decision and did not respond to a request for additional information.
Students line up to re-enter the building after a recent recess period at Sabin Elementary School in Portland. State lawmakers are working out the details of a new bill designed to give the state expanded powers to intervene with struggling school districts. Photo by Julia Silverman

Details are solidifying on a sweeping effort under consideration by the Legislature to commit each Oregon school district to meet measurable academic growth targets in hopes of improving stalled learning among the states 545,000 public school students.

The proposal is a centerpiece of Gov. Tina Koteks education agenda and was introduced last month with great fanfare. But it quickly ran into skepticism from some schools lobbyists. Its early drafts lacked specificity, they said, and they questioned the Oregon Department of Educations ability to manage such an overhaul.
Oregon state schools chief Charlene Williams speaks at a Martin Luther King Jr. Day assembly at Thurston High in Springfield. Williams notified the U.S. Department of Education on Thursday that Oregon will not comply with a recent order from the Trump administration to shut down diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in public schools. Courtesy of Springfield Public Schools

Oregons state schools chief said Thursday that the state will not comply with the Trump administrations ultimatum to shut down diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in its public schools or risk losing federal funding.

There is no circumstance where it is okay to leverage childrens resources as a political tool, Charlene Williams wrote in her response to the demand from federal education officials, sent to school leaders nationwide last week. Oregonians paid for and deserve those federal investments.

Oregon believes it is already in compliance with federal law that prohibits discrimination based on race, color or national origin and has repeatedly certified that to the U.S. Department of Education, including in 2023 and 2024, Williams wrote. In addition, if the Trump administration wishes to change rules around equity and inclusion, it would need to go through required rule-making processes, she wrote.

In her letter, she called the administrations requests duplicative, unnecessary and unduly burdensome and questioned both the federal governments authority to issue such demands and its lack of clarity about which specific programs and activities it believes are out of line.

At stake is more than $1 billion a year that Oregon schools receive from the federal government, including money that is set aside for schools that serve high percentages of students from low-income families, known as Title I funding. Thats about 14% of the states overall schools budget.

The state echoed the stance a handful of other Democratic-learning states have already taken, including Washington, Pennsylvania, New York and Minnesota.

Like those other states, Oregon is particularly in the crosshairs of the Trump administration because it has invested in programs aimed at helping students of color whose academic outcomes are much lower than their white and Asian American counterparts. Examples of such programs in Oregon include multimillion dollar initiatives known as plans for student success, grants for aspiring teachers and administrators of color and the integration of ethnic studies into its social sciences standards.

Oregon remains fiercely committed to its values of diversity, equity and inclusion and we celebrate our differences and common humanity, Williams wrote in her letter.

The Trump administrations contention is that rather than account for historical inequities, such programs unfairly advantage one race over another, and must be discontinued. Federal education officials have relied to a significant extent on a 2023 Supreme Court decision that outlawed race-based affirmative action admissions programs at college and universities. That ruling makes no mention of K-12 schools.

Legal experts say the law is on Oregons side.

Derek Black, an education law professor at the University of South Carolina who has both advised Democratic presidents and been enlisted by Republicans to testify against former President Obamas education initiatives, said the Trump administration is making demands that do not have anything to do with evidence of legal violations.

[The US Department of Education] sent out a document that articulates a world view of how we ought to deal with race, Black said. But you cannot demand that someone else adopt your world view when your world view is not consistent with the law. If the states were engaging in things that were clearly in violation of the Constitution or the Civil Rights Act of 1964, then the Trump administration would be in a better position.

Under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, the federal government is explicitly prohibited from dictating or requiring curriculum to states or school districts, Black added, and freedom of expression is protected by the First Amendment.

It is an issue of whether we as Americans are free to discuss and debate things or whether the federal government can determine what we can discuss, he said. That is a loyalty pledge to the administrations racial world view. No person in the history of this country has ever exercised or even claimed to have such power.

Williams blunt response is a contrast to the more measured approach that Oregon universities have taken in response to threats from the federal government to curtail their research funding because of their DEI initiatives. For example, when the University of Oregon was told it was under investigation for its partnership with a nonprofit that seeks to diversify the faculties in colleges of business, UO issued a carefully worded statement saying that it believed it was in compliance with the law but would review policies and practices in light of the order.

Oregon school district leaders in recent days have been grappling with the potential of the Sophies choice hanging over them, should the Trump administrations orders eventually prevail over inevitable court challenges.

The opposite of diversity, equity and inclusion is uniformity, inequity and exclusion  a world view that is anathema to her districts values, Salem-Keizer Superintendent Andrea Castaneda told her school board on Tuesday night. Abandoning such values is inconceivable, she said. Yet the district relies on $80 million in federal funding to support its students, she said, and the loss of that funding would harm many of the students that its cultural and linguistic diversity initiatives support.

We cannot plan for a reduction of that scope, she said. I do not believe that school systems should be at the center of a political fray. And I do not believe that entitlement funds that belong to our children should be the collateral that is held against us in order to (make us) comply with an unclear legal standard.

If school districts were to lose such funding, they would almost certainly have to shed teachers and support staff.

We understand the threats from the federal government have real, tangible impacts, Portland Association of Teachers president Angela Bonilla said this week. We know that any loss of federal funding will deeply impact our schools at a time when we are already facing the pain of large class sizes, high needs and less staff  We have to fight.

Gov. Tina Kotek has been relatively low profile thus far in her response to Trump administration edicts, particularly in contrast to her predecessor, former Gov. Kate Brown, who was among the most outspoken governors during Trumps first term. But in a statement released Thursday, Kotek, whose titles include superintendent of public instruction, said she had directed the Oregon Department of Education to hold the line.

We will not tolerate this unwarranted and unlawful attempt to take away resources promised to Oregon students and paid for by the tax dollars we sent to the federal government, Kotek said.

 Julia Silverman covers K-12 education for The Oregonian/OregonLive. Reach her via email at jsilverman@oregonian.com
Seating at Oregon State University's stadium is shown here in 2023. Sean Meagher/The Oregonian

Federal officials have ordered the removal of nearly two dozen international students across Oregon  including from both flagships state universities and two Portland institutions.

The largest count was at Oregon State University, where 13 student visas have been revoked, a spokesperson said Thursday.

Portland Community College and Portland State University also each confirmed three revocations. PSU said one of the students had recently graduated but was residing under a work authorization.

The University of Oregon reported four visa revocations earlier this week, saying that each was due to unspecified criminal charges.

That means 23 total students must leave the country in two weeks or risk arrest and deportation.

Portland Community College, PSU and OSU said they had received no communication from federal authorities explaining why the students lost their F-1 visas.

OSU spokesperson Rob Odom wrote in a campus-wide email that the university was now checking for revocations more frequently given the suddenness of these federal agency-initiated actions.

International students and employees who otherwise maintain their immigration status are typically not at risk of having their immigration status terminated suddenly, arbitrarily or without notification, he said.

Oregon State has roughly 2,500 enrolled international students this year.

In a campus message, PSU President Ann Cudd vowed to hold firm to PSUs status as a sanctuary campus.

This is deeply troubling, she wrote.

PSU has about 750 international students, plus 450 recent graduates whose visa status was extended due to a work authorization.

PCC spokesperson James Hill noted that, in past years, visa terminations were usually initiated by schools for non-compliance, rather than by the federal government.

PCC has more than 300 international students.

It is not clear why the OSU, PSU and PCC international students lost their legal permission to study here. Federal officials have cited pro-Palestinian activism as well as non-political criminal activity as reasons for visa revocations.

Many Oregon universities were rocked by protests last year. In Corvallis, students chained themselves to a central administrative building in a five-day lock out, while protesters in Portland occupied PSUs main library for three nights, inflicting about $750,000 in property damage.

A look at the inside of Branford Price Millar library after pro-Palestinian protesters occupied it for three nights. Maxine Bernstein | Staff

Across the country, several high profile pro-Palestinian student activists have been detained by immigration authorities. National news sources have estimated the total number of visa revocations personally approved by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio at somewhere between 150 and 300.

A spokesperson for Lewis & Clark College, Lori Friedman, said that while none of the schools 158 international students had lost their visas so far, fears were mounting among the student body.

A number of students remained on campus during spring break rather than risk not being able to return, she said.

Officials at Oregon Health & Science University, Southern Oregon University, Western Oregon University, Eastern Oregon University, Mt. Hood Community College, Clackamas Community College, Lane Community College, Rogue Community College, Linn-Benton Community College, Chemeketa Community College, Reed College, George Fox University, Pacific University, Willamette University, Linfield University and the Oregon Institute of Technology also reported no visa revocations.

The University of Portland declined to answer the newsrooms query.

Central Oregon Community College is not currently authorized to enroll international students, according to a spokesperson.

Other Oregon colleges and universities didnt immediately respond to requests for comment.

Zane Sparling covers breaking news and courts for The Oregonian/OregonLive. Reach him at 503-319-7083, zsparling@oregonian.com or @pdxzane.

Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe.
Dave Widmayer, another Portlander, will be among the players competing on the "Jeopardy!" episode that airs Thursday. Jeopardy Productions, Inc.

Jeopardy! continues what has turned out to be a Portland-centric week with Thursdays episode, in which Dave Widmayer, a Portland trivia host and chemist, will try to score a win.

Widmayers appearance follows a strong showing by Mike Dawson, a Portland technology manager who went into the Jeopardy! episode that aired Wednesday as a three-time champ, with a total of $57,000.

Unfortunately, Dawsons winning streak ended with the Wednesday Jeopardy! game.

Dawson entered Final Jeopardy in third place, with a total of $2,400.

The Final Jeopardy category was Around the World. The clue: An online article about this landmark said, The stones themselves look like they are crying and mentioned tears of...pain, hope and joy.

Dawson guessed the Martin Luther King, Jr. memorial, which was incorrect. His wager of $2,398 left him with $2.

Courtney Martin was in second, with a total of $4,200. Martin had the correct response with, What is the Wailing Wall? in Jerusalem. She wagered $601, increasing her total to $4,801.

Andrew Hayes was in first place going into Final Jeopardy, with a total of $25,200. His answer, What is Mount Rushmore? was incorrect. But he wagered $0, which left him with the winning total, $25,200.

The Jeopardy! episode that airs Thursday will feature Hayes, a law student originally from Tupelo, Mississippi; Widmayer; and Kat Donahoe, a chemist from Modesto, California.

Jeopardy! airs at 7 p.m. weekdays on KATU-TV.

 Kristi Turnquist covers features and entertainment. Reach her at 503-221-8227, kturnquist@oregonian.com and @Kristiturnquist and https://bsky.app/profile/kristiturnquist.bsky.social

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Thousands of students from the across the Portland-area walk out to join a global strike to fight climate change. Mark Graves/The Oregonian Mark Graves

President Donald Trumps newest executive order takes aim at climate change laws and policies adopted by states and local jurisdictions and could put an array of Oregon programs at risk.

The executive order, issued Tuesday night, commands Attorney General Pam Bondi to take all appropriate action to stop the enforcement of state and local laws, regulations, causes of action, policies and practices that address climate change, environmental justice and carbon or greenhouse gas emissions reductions  many of which underpin Oregons aggressive climate goals.

These State laws and policies are fundamentally irreconcilable with my Administrations objective to unleash American energy, Trump says in the order. They should not stand.

The order also specifically calls out Climate Superfund laws and climate lawsuits that seek to make fossil fuel companies pay for costs associated with responding to climate-related extreme weather events. The order also includes a call to halt attempts to collect carbon penalties or carbon taxes.

Oregons signature Climate Protection Program, which the state restored last November after a legal challenge, would be a likely target. The program requires ever-increasing reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from the states natural gas utilities, suppliers of gasoline, diesel, kerosene and propane and large industrial plants.

Other programs the federal government may challenge include Oregons 100% clean energy law, which requires investor-owned utilities in the state to transition to all clean electricity by 2040; the coal-to-clean law that phases out coal from the states electricity supply by 2030; and the Clean Fuels Program to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels.

Also at risk could be energy efficiency programs, solar incentives and electric car and truck rebates.

At the local level, the Trump administration could target Portlands effort to phase out petroleum diesel, Multnomah Countys climate lawsuit that seeks to recover the costs of responding to the heat dome and other climate disasters from fossil fuel companies, the countys and citys clean energy, electrification and energy efficiency requirements and Ashlands pollution fee on new natural gas hookups, among others.

The order also mentions existing climate Superfund laws in New York and Vermont that aim to make polluters pay for climate change-related damages based on their share of greenhouse gas emissions. Oregon legislators are working to pass a similar law.

Sen. Khanh Pham, D-Portland, one of the chief sponsors of Oregons Climate Superfund bill, called Trumps order the actions of a petro-dictator and despot.

He says that the U.S. Attorney General is going to stop states like Oregon from implementing our existing laws, passed by our duly elected officials, to protect the fossil fuel industrys profits, Pham told The Oregonian/OregonLive.

Oregon environmental groups called the order blatantly unconstitutional and said states have the right to pursue clean electricity sources like wind and solar projects, to create green jobs and help local residents become better prepared for extreme weather events.

This executive order is yet another clear attempt by President Trump at the behest of the fossil fuel industry to override and silence the will of the people. If allowed to stand, it would mean not just higher bills and local job loss but also more pollution for our families and destructive wildfires across Oregon and the rest of the country, said Meredith Connolly, director of policy and strategy at Climate Solutions, a Northwest-based nonprofit focused on clean energy.

Connolly urged Gov. Tina Kotek, Attorney General Dan Rayfield and the state Legislature to stand firm in protecting state and local climate laws.

Kotek said she would do just that.

Combating climate change requires collaboration and long-term work  not deregulating polluters. The science is clear. Climate change is real and our state programs are critical to protecting our environment for generations to come. I will continue to fight for the longstanding values of Oregonians, Kotek said in a statement.

My administration, through coordination with other states, is committed to the clean energy transition, modernizing our energy grid, and helping lower energy bills for low-income Oregonians, she added.

Its unclear how Trumps order would be carried out.

Legal experts immediately questioned its validity, pointing out that the Constitution recognizes that federal and state governments each have authority and an executive order doesnt change that.

The lines between state authority and federal authority are well-understood, and the U.S. Attorney General cannot stop enforcement of state or local laws simply because the Administration has different policy preferences, Greg Dotson, a professor at the University of Oregon School of Law, told The Oregonian/OregonLive via email.

But even if Trumps order cant undo state or local laws, it could lead to litigation or to the federal government threatening to withhold funding from states and cities, leading to a chilling effect on local climate policy, experts said.

Trumps order requires Bondi to submit a report on recommended executive and legislative actions within 60 days.

 Gosia Wozniacka covers environmental justice, climate change, the clean energy transition and other environmental issues. Reach her at gwozniacka@oregonian.com or 971-421-3154.

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NEW YORK  Facing a deadline from an immigration judge to turn over evidence for its attempted deportation of Columbia University activist Mahmoud Khalil, the federal government has instead submitted a brief memo, signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, citing the Trump administrations authority to expel noncitizens whose presence in the country damages U.S. foreign policy interests.

The two-page memo, which was obtained by The Associated Press, does not allege any criminal conduct by Khalil, a legal permanent U.S. resident and graduate student who served as spokesperson for campus activists last year during large demonstrations against Israels treatment of Palestinians and the war in Gaza.

Rather, Rubio wrote Khalil could be expelled for his beliefs.

He said that while Khalils activities were otherwise lawful, letting him remain in the country would undermine U.S. policy to combat anti-Semitism around the world and in the United States, in addition to efforts to protect Jewish students from harassment and violence in the United States.

Condoning anti-Semitic conduct and disruptive protests in the United States would severely undermine that significant foreign policy objective, Rubio wrote in the undated memo.

The submission was filed Wednesday after Judge Jamee Comans ordered the government to produce its evidence against Khalil ahead of a hearing Friday on whether it can continue detaining him during immigration proceedings.

Attorneys for Khalil said the memo proved the Trump administration was targeting Mahmouds free speech rights about Palestine.

Pressed for evidence against Mahmoud Khalil, government cites its power to deport people for beliefs. In this file photo, student negotiator Mahmoud Khalil is seen at a pro-Palestinian protest encampment on the Columbia University campus in New York. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey, File) AP

After a month of hiding the ball since Mahmouds late-night unjust arrest in New York and taking him away to a remote detention center in Louisiana, immigration authorities have finally admitted that they have no case whatsoever against him, the attorneys, Marc Van Der Hout and Johnny Sinodis, said in a joint statement.

There is not a single shred of proof that Mahmouds presence in America poses any threat, they added.

A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson, Tricia McLaughlin, did not respond to questions about whether it had additional evidence against Khalil, writing in an emailed statement, DHS did file evidence, but immigration court dockets are not available to the public.

Khalil, 30, was arrested March 8 in New York and taken to a detention center in Louisiana. He is a Palestinian by ethnicity who was born in Syria. Khalil recently finished his coursework for a masters degree at Columbias school of international affairs. He is married to an American citizen who is due to give birth this month.

Khalil has adamantly rejected allegations of antisemitism, accusing the Trump administration in a letter sent from jail last month of targeting me as part of a broader strategy to suppress dissent.

Knowing fully that this moment transcends my individual circumstances, he added, I hope nonetheless to be free to witness the birth of my first-born child.

Though Rubios memo references additional documents, including a subject profile of Mahmoud Khalil and letter from the Department Homeland Security, the government did not submit those documents to the immigration court, according to Khalils lawyers.

The memo also calls for the deportation of a second lawful permanent resident, whose name is redacted in the filing.

The Trump administration has pulled billions of dollars in government funding from universities and their affiliated hospital systems in recent weeks as part of what it says is a campaign against antisemitism on college campuses, but which critics say is a crackdown on free speech. To get the money back, the administration has been telling universities to punish protesters and make other changes.

The U.S. government has also been revoking the visas of international students who criticized Israel or accused it of mistreating Palestinians.

At the time of Khalils arrest, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, Tricia McLaughlin, accused the activist of leading activities aligned to Hamas, referring to the militant group that attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.

But the government has not produced any evidence linking Khalil to Hamas, and made no reference to the group in their most recent filing.

--Jake Offenhartz/The Associated Press
I watched local news televising Oregonians protesting President Donald Trump and Elon Musk, (People gather across Oregon to protest Trump policies, April 5). Where were these same people for the last four years as the previous administration drove America to her knees?

I would love to see them protest Oregon government as we slowly die just on the taxes this state has. We now have two legislators pushing for more transportation taxes, (Oregonians likely to see higher transportation taxes next year, lawmakers announce, April 3).

Among the ideas for raising $1.9 billion per biennium for the state highway fund, they propose increasing the 40-cent-per-gallon gas tax another 20-cents per gallon by 2032; a $66 increase in vehicle registration fees; and a $90 increase in title fees. They also have suggested increasing the weight-mile tax by 16.9%; this tax on truckers drives up shipping costs and prices for everyday goods. And they would add a 1% system use fee to the price of each vehicle when it is purchased.

To support transit, one proposal would nearly double the statewide transit payroll tax from 0.1% to 0.18%, taking more out of your paycheck. To support rail, they want a new a new 3% sales tax on tires, hitting families and businesses alike. They would increase the bike sales tax, which would rise from $15 to $24.50 per bike. And a road user fee would tax drivers by the miles they drive, rather than the gas they buy. Electric vehicle drivers would have to enroll in the program starting next year.

The architects of this proposal can be reached at Sen.ChrisGorsek@oregonlegislature.gov and Rep.susanmclain@oregonlegislature.gov

Judy Fralia-Mantello, Seaside

To read more letters to the editor, go to oregonlive.com/opinion.
President Donald Trump holds a signed an executive order during an event in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) AP

Sean Horan and three of his partners are going on a trip to Mexico this month. They want to see Mayan and Aztec sites and will spend almost two weeks exploring the countrys cultural heritage, from Mexico City to Cancun.

Horan has been excited to see the countrys archeological sites for years, he said, and is thrilled the trip is finally happening. Its returning to the United States that hes a bit worried about. Two of Horans boyfriends are transgender men and a third is nonbinary  and none have passports that match their gender identities.

One of Horans partners attempted to get the gender on his passport updated this year, but was turned down following an executive order that President Donald Trump issued on the first day of his second term banning people from changing their gender markers away from their sex assigned at birth.

If youre traveling on a passport that says female but you very readily appear male, that could potentially lead to problems, Horan said. Hes concerned about his groups chances to get back in the country without issue and without unreasonable harassment.

Horan is among the 33% of Portland area residents who say theyve been directly affected by at least one of Trumps executive orders as the president rolls out edicts at a breakneck pace. Trump signed more than 100 executive orders by the end of March  more than an order a day.

Economically, I think were all impacted by executive orders regarding tariffs, Horan said. For him, thats in addition to having the people you love feeling like their identities are invalidated by fiat.

The poll of 600 registered voters in the three-county Portland area was conducted March 6 to March 13 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points, with higher margins of error for subsets of respondents. It was commissioned by The Oregonian/OregonLive and conducted by Portland-based DHM Research. Survey participants were reached by telephone or text, and the demographics of respondents was tailored to be representative by age, gender, race, education, income and political party.

Democrats and voters not affiliated with either political party were far more likely to say theyd been impacted by an executive order than Republicans. Some 43% of Democrats said Trumps orders had impacted them, compared to 33% of non-affiliated voters and just 10% of Republicans.

The finding held steady across racial lines: 33% of white respondents said theyd been impacted as did 34% of people of color. More women said theyd been impacted by executive orders than men. Of the sliver of poll takers who identified as transgender or nonbinary, 10 said Trumps executive orders had impacted them and two said they had not.

A Portlander who works for the Transportation Security Administration and asked not to be named because she fears retaliation from the federal government said executive orders have impacted both how she works and how she feels about going to work.

Transportation security agents have lost the right to bargain for contracts under president Trump. The Department of Homeland Security said last month that it was ending collective bargaining for employees. The Trump administration later broadened that move through an executive order seeking to end collective bargaining for workers across the government, including those employed by the Centers for Disease Control and Department of Veterans Affairs. The American Federation of Government Employees says that would strip union rights from more than a million federal workers.

Morale was already low among TSA employees whose daily jobs entail dealing with passengers who often disagree with the policy or procedures they have to implement, the Portland worker said. Though the job wears on employees health, TSA agents have to fight for mental health days and are scrutinized for taking too much sick leave, she said. The collective bargaining agreement used to help protect workers and advocate for that work-life balance, the employee said. Now workers feel unprotected.

It just takes away so much from us on top of already having this very difficult job thats wearing on you, the employee said.

Criticism from federal leaders, who in a news release announcing the end of bargaining accused the TSA of assigning more workers to union activity than passenger screening, adds yet another burden, the Portland worker said. She and other TSA agents come to work because they want to prevent a terrorist attack. But to hear from government leaders that the agency is full of fraud and corruption negates everything that weve done, she said.

All of our respect and our rapport is at risk  because leadership in government right now is spouting all of this stuff about how terrible we are, she said. It makes it harder to serve the public.

Salem Proctor, a 24-year-old transgender resident of Hillsboro, said they havent felt personally impacted by the presidents executive orders yet, but that they feel a clear stigma from the Trump administration against anyone who falls outside of a gender binary.

Proctor was in the process of seeking hormone therapy when Trump got elected but stopped trying to arrange that gender-affirming care because they feared being hunted down by the government.

The people around me, the people I love, the people I care about are terrified by the prospect of these executive orders that the Trump Administration is pushing for being used to oppress people from LGBTQ orientations, specifically trans people, they said.

Nick and Jessica Sweeney, who live in Southwest Portland, are feeling the impacts of presidential actions in both of their places of work.

Jessica Sweeney is a grant manager for Lewis & Clark College in Portland. Some of its faculty members conduct research thats funded directly by federal grants. The college has had at least one grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities canceled before the professor working on the grant could finish her study, she said. The endowment has canceled most of its grants because its resources are being diverted to further President Trumps priorities, the New York Times reported last week. The Lewis & Clark professor was studying gun ownership among Liberals, Sweeney said.

Federal grants available to people in higher education, typically published on a listserv that broadcasts once a week, have dwindled to a trickle, Sweeney said. In the week before Trumps inauguration, the list included nearly 50 grant opportunities, she remembers. Lately theyve included just four or five.

Ive been so pleased to be in a position where Im part of making these awards possible. They really do make the world a better place, Sweeney said. Its mind-boggling just to see (the president) take away really important initiatives that are not just good for Portland and Oregon and the United States, but for the world at large.

Her husband, Nick Sweeney, is dealing with a different challenge: tariffs. He is the product director for footwear at a company that makes protective equipment and apparel. Trumps declaration that the U.S. would impose sweeping tariffs on foreign goods has sent footwear production into a tailspin in the last two weeks, Nick Sweeney said.

Until recently, the company he works for sourced all of its footwear from China. He moved some of that production to Cambodia when Trump was elected, understanding that tariffs might come.

But he didnt have any idea the import taxes would reach the current threshold, Sweeney said. New tariffs that took effect on Wednesday hiked taxes on Chinese goods to more than 100%.

Sweeney is trying to move all of his China-based manufacturing elsewhere. Hes looking into American manufacturing companies, but demand will almost certainly surge as others do the same, he said. The U.S. doesnt have the footwear infrastructure or the workers that the industry demands, Sweeney said. He estimated it could take 10 years to build needed factories, and even then, many Americans have better job options than stitching boots.

Sweeneys company has simply stopped buying shoes from overseas until it can move production out of China, he said. Building manufacturing infrastructure in Cambodia and Vietnam will take time, he said, and in the meantime, there are going to be a lot of shoes that we cant sell.

Sweeney is busier than ever as he scrambles to solve production issues. But his company has laid off several people since Trump took office as it anticipates an economic slowdown, he said. If or when that slowdown manifests, more people are likely to lose their jobs, he said.

I think that these tariffs are going to hurt every single person in the world, Sweeney said. And the closer you are to poor on the wealth scale, the harder its going to hit.

Sami Edge covers higher education and politics for The Oregonian. You can reach her at sedge@oregonian.com or (503) 260-3430.
Officers have recommended criminal charges for the private security guards who helped drag a woman by her arms out of a Republican town hall in Coeur dAlene and battered other people at the February event, according to newly released police reports. A member of the public shown on video helping the security team also faces charges.

The mayhem that spurred nationwide headlines began after Teresa Borrenpohl was booing and loudly commenting to lawmakers speaking at the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee event held at Coeur dAlene High School. Then-unidentified men in black jackets grabbed her, pulled her to the floor and dragged her out as she screamed, video shows.

The men, who at the time refused to say who they were, were working as private security officers for Lear Asset Management, a California company formed in 2012 that gained publicity for its raids on illegal marijuana grows in Mendocino County.

The five Lear employees  Paul Trouette, Alexander Trouette, Christofer Berg, Russell Dunne and Jesse Jones  are considered suspects in the criminal investigation into the town hall after police allege they touched or physically removed Borrenpohl and several other attendees, according to reports released Wednesday on the Coeur dAlene Police Department website.

Lear did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Meanwhile, despite Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris physically engaging with two people at the event, he is not considered a suspect, according to the police reports  only an involved party. Investigators wrote that he declined an interview through his attorney.

Norris was poised to face an independent investigation into his conduct after the town hall to see if his actions violated any policy. Sheriffs Office Lt. Jeff Howard said Wednesday he was told by Norris attorney not to release the identity of the agency conducting the investigation.

Norris attorney, Kinzo Mihara, could not be reached for comment Wednesday .

Police also recommended a battery charge against Michael Keller, who officers say inserted himself into the altercation and pushed Borrenpohls friend. Keller also had a firearm at the time, reports say, so police recommended charging him with possessing a weapon on school property.

Coeur dAlene Chief Deputy Prosecutor Ryan Hunter said in an email Wednesday that he received the investigation reports last Friday and they are pending review. He didnt have an estimate on when the review would be finished.

How it all began

Investigators recommended several battery and false imprisonment charges against the men for allegedly grabbing and restraining Borrenpohl, the man sitting next to her other attendees. Police listed Alexander Trouette only as an accessory, as there is no footage of him touching or removing anyone, according to the reports.

The spark that led to the fracas was when Borrenpohl shouted, Is this a town hall, or a lecture? at the emcee.

Norris confronted her, identified himself and told her to leave or she would be escorted out. When she didnt comply, video shows Norris grabbed her arms and tried to pull her from her chair.

In videos of the altercation, Borrenpohl is heard saying, Please dont touch me to which Norris responds, Do you want pepper spray? Lets go.

Norris then gestures to the security team. The men walk over and grab Borrenpohl, telling her to cooperate as Norris stood by, seen holding his phone as if hes recording video.

According to witness footage, Borrenpohl can be heard screaming repeatedly, Who are these men? and, Who are these guys? as one man told her to cooperate.

Both men then pull her to the floor and grab her by her arms and legs. The men roll her over and drag her by her arms out the door as she continued to ask people who the men are, the video shows.

Police wrote in reports the security members were wearing tactical-type pants and long-sleeved black jackets with no security markings or badges that would indicate they were security, which is a violation of city code. Lears license to operate within the city was revoked because of that violation.

Borrenpohl told police she had bruising all over her body; a sore neck, shoulder and elbows; and abrasions on her hands and back from the incident.

As Borrenpohl is dragged away, people in the crowd sneer and yell out to her, Bye, Teresa and, Remove the trash.

The emcee, Ed Bejarana, calls Borrenpohl a little girl and says opposing voices are meaningless as others cheer him on, video from the town hall shows.

Marc Stewart, KCRCC precinct committeeman, told police he believed Bejarana was inciting the crowd during the event and saw a group of men pulling Borrenpohl out of the auditorium and her clothes were coming off, revealing her bra.

After the altercation, Borrenpohl was cited for alleged battery based on the limited information police knew at the time because she bit one of the men as he dragged her away. The private security officer she bit told police he wanted to press charges against her because she left a mark on his skin, the reports say.

But after further reviewing evidence, the city prosecutors office decided to drop the battery charge in the interest of justice and careful consideration of the law, Hunter said previously.

Stewart said the event was intended to be a question-and-answer session, but only a few questions were asked of the legislators, according to reports. Borrenpohl was dragged out almost one hour into the town hall, he told police.

One Coeur dAlene police investigator noted in his reports that most of Borrenpohls statements were one sentence and didnt disrupt the flow of the town hall. The cheers sustained by the audience were more of a disruption than any statement that Teresa made, the officer wrote.

Coeur dAlene Police Chief Lee White also told The Spokesman-Review in February, You can restrict behavior, but you cannot restrict content, making a nod to Borrenpohls First Amendment rights to free speech.

According to the police reports, Gregg Johnson also yelled at Norris around the same time to leave Borrenpohl alone. Norris responded, Youre out, too and said Johnson was going to jail for refusing to leave the auditorium because he was concerned about Borrenpohls wellbeing.

Norris grabbed Johnsons arms and pushed his hands multiple times to get him to leave, the reports say.

Prior to being removed physically by Norris, Gregg had not been warned for his conduct, was not told why Norris wanted him to leave, nor was he ever told by Norris why he was going to take Gregg to jail, the investigator wrote.

Law enforcement still dont know whether Norris was given authority to trespass anyone at the town hall because he declined to speak to police, the reports say.

If Norris were to be charged with a crime like battery, the only official who would be able to arrest him would be the county coroner, according to an outdated law from the 1800s. The law was enacted before Idaho was even a state.

More people join the fray

As security tried to drag Borrenpohl out of the auditorium, videos show Keller pushing and blocking Borrenpohls friend, Megan Dardis-Kunz, who was trying to get close to Borrenpohl to support her, according to police reports.

Dardis-Kunz told police she and her friends, Tamara Sines-Kermelis and Borrenpohl, were met with hostility the moment they got to the event. Dardis-Kunz said she was wearing a sweatshirt that said something akin to destroy American fascism, and that the sweatshirt was eliciting angry comments and looks from other attendees, according to reports.

When Borrenpohl was pulled from her seat, Dardis-Kunz said she went around the aisle so Borrenpohl could see her and feel supported. When she walked toward Borrenpohl, a man, who police believe was Keller, pushed her and then grabbed her arms, blocking her from proceeding toward her friend, she said.

Dardis-Kunz told Keller not to touch her and she was trying to get her friend, but Keller told her something like, No, youre not, Dardis-Kunz told police.

She told Keller he was not her dad and he cannot tell her what to do, and Keller replied that she was not his wife. Those comments were confirmed with video footage, reports say.

The exchange with Keller continued until she walked away, fearing the man or others at the meeting might hurt her if she stayed, she told police.

Police viewed videos provided by Sines-Kermelis and Dardis-Kunz, as well as others, like those posted on social media. They show Borrenpohl in the aisle of the auditorium as Dardis-Kunz tried to get close to Borrenpohl, but Keller blocked and pushed her with the side of his body.

Keller is shown pushing Dardis-Kunz backward with his hip and hand. One video shows Dardis-Kunz appearing to punch the man in the arm and telling him not to touch her.

He then turns to face her and continues to have a verbal exchange until Dardis-Kunz walks away. A witness told police she recalled the man in the flannel shirt, believed to be Keller, having a revolver on his hip.

Someone mentions a gun being in the auditorium, and soon after, officers talk about an older man walking to his vehicle to put his gun away, according to an officers body camera footage. Norris says there was a man with a firearm and then pointed to Keller, who is seen through the windows on the sidewalk.

Police wrote that one or two other people were carrying firearms and were asked to leave the school grounds, but those people did not insert themselves into the incident like Keller did.

Police attempted to speak with Keller, and his attorney, Michael Palmer, told police he advised Keller not to speak and would follow with a letter, according to reports.

Meanwhile, one woman who chose to record Borrenpohl, and did not attempt to touch or insert herself into the altercation, was told by Paul Trouette to back away. She did, but he pushed her down the hallway, tried to turn her around, zip tie her hands and then touched her breast, she said in the report .

She was not physically interfering or blocking their actions with Teresa. She had not been trespassed or asked to leave the meeting, the officer wrote in his report.

Security companys involvement probed

Reports indicate Lear had no contract with the KCRCC.

At this time there is no credible evidence that a contract between the KCRCC and LEAR exists to provide protection, police wrote.

When interviewed by police, a Lear member said they were trying to get a contract made but felt rushed by the organizers. The police officer who drafted the report also noted there were mixed messages from different KCRCC members as to whether Lear was hired to provide security at the event.

An operations plan listed Paul Trouette and Berg as supervisors and Jones, Alexander Trouette and Dunne as guards.

Part of the plan stated: Warn those who are disruptive in the meeting to cease, or they will be removed or (sic) the direction of the Chair.

The company claims it was only engaging with audience members at the direction of Norris, and they were under a direct lawful order by Sheriff Norris they could not lawfully refuse.

--By Alexandra Duggan and Garrett Cabeza, The Spokesman-Review

 2025 The Spokesman-Review (Spokane, Wash.). Visit www.spokesman.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Kristi George, a Keizer resident, testified before a legislative committee that police told her they could do nothing about fake naked images of her and her daughter that a former family friend posted online because Oregon law doesn't apply. Screenshot of Oregon Legislature's livestream

A bill that could make Oregon the 32nd state to criminalize or otherwise penalize people who seek to humiliate, hurt or harass others by creating AI-generated naked images of them and sharing them publicly passed its first legislative hurdle this week.

House Bill 2299, which a committee unanimously approved, is headed for the House floor. It would update state law, which only explicitly makes it a crime to maliciously circulate naked or sexually explicit photos or videos of another person if the images are real.

Since the original so-called revenge porn law passed 10 years ago, backers of this sessions bill say the use of AI and deep fakes has surged exponentially. They note that it now can take just a few minutes for someone with ill intent to use a photo lifted from social media to produce realistic-looking images of another person saying or doing anything  in any state of undress.

The bill would include these fake images in the states existing crime of unlawful dissemination of an intimate image.

A proposal that would have reclassified the crime as a felony upon first offense died in committee this week. The proposal also would have created a new crime  second-degree unlawful dissemination of an intimate image  for anyone who disregards the risk of harm to victims when they spread sexual or naked images, even if they say they didnt intend to. The bills supporters said that would have closed a loophole in the law that has allowed some alleged perpetrators to avoid prosecution.

Rep. Annessa Hartman, a Gladstone Democrat and chief sponsor of the bill, said the culprits often claim they didnt intend to hurt anyone and they meant it as a joke or a way to brag about someone they once had a relationship with.

I want you to think about what it would feel like for you to wake up one morning and find that image of you spreading across the internet, Hartman told the House Judiciary Committee during a public hearing in February. And imagine your face placed onto the body of someone else, made to look as though youre engaging in acts you never consented to. Imagine your colleagues seeing it, your family, your children.

Hartmans voice broke with emotion.

This is not hypothetical, she continued. This is happening to thousands of people, and almost exclusively to women and girls right now. Without clear laws in place, victims are being told there is nothing that can be done and to me that is unacceptable.

Hartman later told The Oregonian/OregonLive that she hasnt been targeted by anyone sharing false images of herself, but she is a survivor of sexual assault and carries very deeply about all survivors.

Numerous examples of unwanted and explicit fake images have surfaced in Oregon and across the nation.

Kristi George, a Keizer resident, told the committee that a former family friend used a slightly older technology  photoshopping  to paste images of her and her then 14-year-old daughters faces onto photos of naked and mutilated bodies in 2008. He then posted them on websites with fictitious stories about his rape, torture and murder of them, she said. Since then, George said, she has collected about 400 photos across 20 websites for police and the FBI, but investigators told her they were powerless.

I was just told I should stay away from this man, George said. There wasnt enough to charge this individual. They consistently told me that the cyber laws had not caught up with the internet.

Last time she checked, the photos are still on at least one website, George said.

Tuesday, on the same day House Bill 2299 passed out of its Oregon committee, a federal bill dubbed the Take It Down Act advanced out of its committee to the full U.S. House of Representatives. The act would require social media and other websites to remove non-consensual intimate photos and video  including those generated by AI  within 48 hours of being notified by the victim.

That proposed legislation is being fueled by stories like that of a 16-year-old Kentucky boy who died by suicide in February after family members say someone threatened to circulate explicit fake photos of him unless he paid up.

Thirty-one states, including California and Washington, have laws that criminalize or outline civil penalties for the non-consensual sharing of naked or sexual images of other people, according to Public Citizen, a consumer advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C. All 19 other states, including Oregon, are currently considering laws, it said.

Oregons bill has attracted bipartisan support. Along with Hartman, Rep. Kevin Mannix, a Republican from Salem, and Rep. Susan McLain, a Democrat from Forest Grove, are chief sponsors of the bill. Eight other lawmakers from both sides of the aisle also have signed on.

This story was updated at 12:10 p.m. April 10 to correct that the version of the bill that passed out of committee doesnt increase the severity of this crime or create a new second-degree classification of it.

 Aimee Green is covering the Oregon Legislature this session. Reach her at 503-294-5119, agreen@oregonian.com or on Bluesky.

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At a Senate hearing Wednesday, former Washington congressional candidate Joe Kent brushed off or refused to answer questions about a controversial group chat disclosing details of a U.S. military strike.

He also stuck by his past claims that the FBI may have secretly instigated the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on U.S. Capitol, saying the intelligence community under Trump is looking into whether elements of the government were involved.

Kent was nominated by President Donald Trump in February to lead the National Counterterrorism Center. On Wednesday, he sat for a confirmation hearing before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.

While he faced hostile questioning from Democrats on Wednesday, Kents confirmation appeared to be set to advance, with the committee chair saying hell move it soon to a vote.

Kent drew bipartisan praise at the hearing for his two decades of military service as a Green Beret combat veteran. He served in Iraq and was awarded six Bronze Stars. After leaving the Army in 2018 he worked as a CIA officer.

Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., the chair of the Intelligence Committee, praised Kent as a soldier and a patriot and the right person to lead the counterterrorism center. He noted the personal sacrifice Kent endured when his first wife, Navy cryptologist Shannon Kent, was killed by a terrorist bombing in Syria in 2019.

Kent, in his opening statement, broadly endorsed the counterterrorism priorities of the Trump administration, including efforts to go after brutal drug-trafficking cartels fueling the fentanyl crisis and slamming the Biden administration for allowing violent extremists to flow unchecked across the U.S. Mexico border.

Democrats on the panel did not dispute Kents qualifications for the counterterrorism role. But some questioned his judgment, citing his participation in the Signal group chat that exploded into a scandal after Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, revealed hed been accidentally added to the chat, which included specific details about the plans for attacks on Houthi militia.

Kent repeatedly downplayed or declined to answer questions about the Signal discussion.

Did you use a personal phone or a government phone during that chat? asked Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., the ranking Democrat on the intelligence panel.

Theres currently ongoing litigation, senator, so I really cant give any more details, Kent responded.

Im pretty disappointed by that answer, Warner said. He asked if Kents phone had been scanned to ensure it didnt have any malware on it.

We followed all the security procedures and took all security precautions, Kent said.

He repeatedly cited a lawsuit filed by American Oversight, a liberal watchdog group, as a reason to not answer questions about the Signal chat. The lawsuit alleges Trump officials violated open-records laws by using the civilian phone app to discuss military plans.

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, also questioned Kent over the Signal chat, asking whether it concerned him that one of the people on the chat had been in Russia while participating.

We know that Russia is trying very hard to penetrate our communication systems, Collins said.

Kent said there was no classified information discussed so it was not a concern to me.

Kents history of sharing conspiracy theories about the Jan. 6 2021 Capitol attack during his runs for Congress also was raised at his hearing.

As a Trump-endorsed candidate, Kent repeatedly shared articles from far-right websites claiming government agents  rather than Trump supporters  were to blame for the attack. He also repeated false claims that Trump, not Joe Biden, had actually won the 2020 election.

Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Arizona, asked Kent about his past comments on Twitter that the FBI and the intelligence community were involved in planning and directing the riot  is that correct?

Sounds like something I said, yeah, Kent responded.

And what evidence do you have for that claim? Kelly asked.

Kent cited multiple confidential human informants for the FBI and law enforcement that were in the crowd that day. He said agents of the Washington, D.C., field office may have been involved.

Kelly asked Kent to provide the committee with evidence for his claims.

The FBIs inspector general, after a four-year investigation, acknowledged that the bureau had informants in D.C. at the Jan. 6, 2021 protests, which tried to halt the certification of Bidens win. But the inspector general report concluded there was no basis for claims that federal agents instigated the criminal assaults on police or the Capitol that day.

With Republicans in control of the Senate, there was little indication at the hearing that Kents nomination would be derailed. Cotton said he intends to bring Kent up for a confirmation vote when the Senate returns from a break later this month.

The counterterrorism center coordinates U.S. strategy against terrorism and maintains a national database listing known and suspected terrorists. It operates as a partnership of organizations including the CIA, FBI and Defense Department.

Kents nomination for the post came after he lost his second bid for congress in Southwest Washingtons 3rd Congressional District. He lost to U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Washougal, in a rematch of their 2022 contest, in which she flipped the Republican-leaning district for Democrats in one of the nations biggest upsets.

Visit www.seattletimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Supporters of Christine Drazan, one of Oregon's most prominent Republican elected officials, sit at her 2022 election night party. This week, the chairman of the Oregon Republican Party resigned following a media report exposing his lengthy legal track record. Dave Killen/The Oregonian

Jerry Cummings, a pastor from Columbia County who was elected to chair the Oregon Republican Party in February, quietly resigned Wednesday after media reports exposed his legal record.

The Oregon Journalism Project first reported Tuesday that Cummings had been accused in recent lawsuits of failing to make payments on bank loans totaling $93,000 and withdrawing more than $17,000 from a separate bank account that didnt have that amount of money available. The media organization also detailed lurid accusations from Cummings years-long divorce and custody case that did not result in him being charged with any crime.

The next day, Cummings announced his resignation in an emailed statement to the party. In the statement, the pastor said he chose to step down because the allegations detailed in media reports would be a distraction to the work of the party.

The Oregon Journalism Project first reported Cummings resignation. The pastor did not respond to multiple requests for comment from The Oregonian/OregonLive.

In his statement, Cummings denied the allegations related to the divorce and custody case but did not address the more recent accusations from multiple banks. He wrote that his resignation would help protect his children from reliving the messy and painful divorce.

My children are now young adults, he wrote. And beginning the cycle of he said/she said with their mother is not something I want to put them through in public forums.

Cummings also indicated, without providing evidence, that a member of the Republican party was interested in attacking party leaders.

I cant honestly say that stepping down as chairman will be what is best for the party as it may embolden enemies from within and without to keep doing this to us, Cummings said. What I do know is that my position as chairman is not more important than my position as a dad.

The state partys vice chair, Connie Whelchel, has replaced Cummings as chair, according to the party.

In a statement provided to The Oregonian/OregonLive Thursday, Whelchel said the party was grateful for Cummings leadership during his brief tenure and said the party leadership team had not known of the deeply troubling information that recently came to light.

These revelations were not known to the executive committee or party leadership prior to their publication, and they are in no way reflective of the values or standards we hold, she wrote. While these developments are deeply unfortunate, they will not derail our mission.

 Carlos Fuentes covers state politics and government. Reach him at 503-221-5386 or cfuentes@oregonian.com.

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Dan Handelman testifies in front of the Portland City Council in 2010. He died Wednesday at age 60. LC- The Oregonian

Dan Handelman, a longtime police accountability advocate in Portland whose encyclopedic knowledge of officer misconduct and exacting commitment to accountability nudged mayors, vexed police and endeared him to activists, died Wednesday.

He was 60.

Jason Renaud, a mental health advocate who was a close friend of the exceedingly private activist, confirmed the news. Handelman had spent the past week in a local hospitals intensive care unit after he suffered a stroke, according to Renaud.

Dan was a brave steward of police reform, Renaud said. He always was an advocate for good government. He was always fair-minded. He had his opinions and he had his convictions but he was smart and he kept us all heading in a good direction.

Handelman was a co-founding member of Peace and Justice Works, a Southeast Portland nonprofit. He was most known for leading Portland Copwatch, a project from the nonprofit that had him attend nearly every Portland public meeting related to police work and testify in public settings and before the City Council. He also helped publish a newsletter three times a year, dubbed The Peoples Police Report, documenting the actions of Portland police.

Portland Police Chief Bob Day said Handelman was deeply knowledgeable about the bureau and called him a tireless advocate for the community. We offer our sincere condolences to all affected by his loss, he said.

His work across decades was transformational, said Debbie Aiona, a volunteer with Portlands League of Women Voters who frequently partnered with Handelman on his efforts.

Most recently, Handelman helped with the creation of a new oversight board for Portland police after voters overwhelmingly approved the adoption of a new system. Handelman served as a member of the police accountability commission, and he sat on at least three previous city committees tasked with analyzing the police oversight system.

More than two decades ago, Handelman was part of a workgroup selected by Mayor Vera Katz that served as a civilian oversight body, known then as the Police Internal Investigations Auditing Committee. The body was later replaced by the Independent Police Review, which still serves as the intake center for community complaints on Portland police officers.

Laurels for his work came from other police officials as well on Wednesday. Sgt. Aaron Schmautz, president of the Portland Police Association union, said he recalled Handelman speaking publicly about police issues as far back as his own childhood.

Rarely do people work to support a cause so long and so ardently, Schmautz said. It is impossible to imagine navigating Portlands perspectives on public safety without input from Mr. Handelman.

Handelman also helped co-found Flying Focus Video Collective, where he helped produce programs on police issues in Portland. He was a member of the steering committee of the Albina Ministerial Alliance Coalition for Justice and Police Reform.

Ashlee Albies, counsel for the alliance, called Handelman an institution, who was clear and consistent in his push for police reforms. This is such a tremendous loss to our community, she said.

 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.

 Beth Slovic is an editor on the public safety and breaking news team. Reach her at 503-221-8551 or bslovic@oregonian.com.

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April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. Each April, communities across the country unite to raise awareness about sexual violence and stand in support of survivors. At OU, this national observance is a time to reaffirm our commitment to fostering a safe and supportive campus for all.

As part of this effort, OU is highlighting the work of OU Advocates, a free, confidential, 24/7 support service for students, staff and faculty impacted by sexual assault, dating or domestic violence, stalking, or sexual harassment.

What OU Advocates Offers

OU Advocates is staffed by trained professionals who provide trauma-informed care and personalized support, including:

 Emotional Support: One-on-one, confidential assistance to help survivors feel heard, validated and supported

 Safety Planning: Personalized strategies to enhance safety and navigate next steps

 Resource Navigation: Guidance connecting with university and community resources, including reporting options

 Accompaniment Services: Support during medical or forensic exams, law enforcement interviews, court proceedings and university meetings

Campus Support and Contact Information

OU Norman

 24/7 Helpline: (405) 615-0013

 In-person Support: Oklahoma Memorial Union, 900 Asp Ave., Suite 370

 Office Hours: Monday  Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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

OU Health Sciences Center (OUHSC  Oklahoma City)

 24/7 Helpline: (405) 615-0013

 In-person Support: HSC Student Union, 1106 N. Stonewall Ave., Suite 300

 Office Hours: Monday  Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

OUTulsa

 Business Hours Helpline: (918) 660-3163

 After-Hours/Weekend Helpline: (918) 743-5763

 In-person Support: OU-Tulsa Student Affairs, Founders Student Center, Room 1C76

 Office Hours: Monday  Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

OU Advocates operates under the Office of Advocacy & Education, which also offers prevention-based trainings focused on gender-based violence, substance misuse, and sexual health education.

Whether you're looking for support, guidance, or simply a safe space to talk, OU Advocates is here  day or night, whenever you need it.

For more information or to request a training session, email oae@ou.edu or visit OU Advocates.
By Andrew Sanford | News | April 9, 2025

Ryan Coogler is one of the most exciting directors in recent memory. His debut film, Fruitvale Station, hit me like a Mack truck. It was devastating and beautiful. Creed made me cheer and cry in the theater as it buzzed with energy. I dont have to tell you how much of a cultural phenomenon 2018s Black Panther was. Then, Coogler did the absolute best he could with its sequel, managing to tell a story while dealing with unimaginable grief. His career is one Ive felt privileged to follow. So you better believe Im amped through the roof about his new horror movie, Sinners.

I know very few details about Sinners! Everything Ive mentioned in the previous paragraph has implicitly led me to trust Coogler. To that end, I have not watched a single trailer for his new film. I know it takes place in the 1930s, has vampires, and Michael B. Jordan will play twins. While I wish Jordan would stop going to bat for Jonathan Majors, Ill be seeing this movie as soon as I can. Everything about it sounds fantastic, and my excitement has doubled now that Ive read Coogler wax poetic about his horror influences.

Sinners will be the directors first horror film. When he was recently interviewed at Deadline, he was asked about his go-to horror. Cooglers answer? Steven Spielberg. I consider Spielbergs work in the horror space to be a bit of a North Star, he explained. And it is complicated with him, right, because he hasnt out and out made a horror movie before. But I would classify Jaws as a creature feature horror film, and Jurassic Park as well. Jurassic Park is a stealth horror movie. Pretty rad! And Coogler isnt the only director to look to Spielberg as a horror influence, as we saw with Jordan Peeles Nope.

Coogler also listed a more recent horror influence when he asked the interviewer if he had ever seen Green Room. If you are reading this and havent seen Green Room, go fix that immediately. If you need more than my recommendation, heres Ryan Cooglers. [I]t is basically like the house of horrors movie played for real over 24 hours. This semi-pro punk band gets stuck in a venue in rural Oregon thats owned by neo-Nazis that are led by Patrick Stewart. And it is brilliant, bro. That about sums it up! The movie is tense and terrifying and has one of the most intense injuries/wounds I have ever seen onscreen.

The Black Panther director also enjoyed the realistic injuries from the film, as he brought the person behind them over to Sinners. And the makeup effects are so stark that I hired the guy that did them, for Sinners, Coogler noted. A guy named Mike Fontaine, whos exceptional, a savant. Hes the guy who put the penguin prosthetics on Colin Farrell for that show. I cant think of a bigger compliment to a movie than I hired the people who worked on it to make mine. My eyes will never view a trailer for Sinners. This stuff is more than enough of an appetizer.

As if all of this wasnt enough, Coogler also praises John Carpenter. He loves The Thing and Halloween. Oh, and hes a fan of Robert Rodriguezs work on From Dusk Till Dawn and The Faculty. I dont want to say anything too controversial and Im sure Dustin will get some emails about this but dang it it needs to be said. I think Ryan Coogler is a very talented director and his new horror movie, Sinners, is probably going to rule. There! Glad I got that off my chest.
Sofidel Enters Stalking Horse Asset Purchase Agreement to Acquire Certain Assets of Royal Paper

Sofidel will acquire four facilities across Arizona and South Carolina, specifically one paper mill in Gila Bend (AZ), two converting facilities in Phoenix (AZ), and one converting facility in Duncan (SC). Sofidel will acquire four facilities across Arizona and South Carolina, specifically one paper mill in Gila Bend (AZ), two converting facilities in Phoenix (AZ), and one converting facility in Duncan (SC).

April 10, 2025 - Sofidel announced its entry into a Stalking Horse Asset Purchase Agreement (APA) to acquire certain assets of Royal Interco, LLC ("Royal Paper").

Based in Phoenix, Arizona (USA), Royal Paper is a privately owned, fully integrated manufacturer of retail branded and private label high-quality bath tissue, paper towels, facial tissue and napkins.

Pursuant to the terms of the asset purchase agreement, Sofidel will acquire four facilities across Arizona and South Carolina, specifically one paper mill in Gila Bend (AZ), two converting facilities in Phoenix (AZ), and one converting facility in Duncan (SC). The Gila Bend paper mill alone represents an annual production capacity of approximately 61,000 metric tons.

Pursuant to the terms of the asset purchase agreement, Sofidel will make employment offers to a significant portion of Royal Paper's skilled employees. Sofidel is committed to integrating such employees seamlessly into its operations, ensuring continuity and stability.

On April 8, 2025, Royal Paper (and certain of its wholly-owned subsidiaries) filed voluntary petitions to reorganize under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. Through the chapter 11 proceeding, Royal Paper is conducting an auction process for the sale of these assets pursuant to section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code.

Sofidel and Royal Paper have reached agreement on a "stalking horse bid", subject to higher and better offers and bankruptcy court approval, as well as other customary closing conditions, including the receipt of any required regulatory approvals.

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton is serving as legal counsel and Lazard is serving as sole financial advisor to Sofidel.

The Sofidel Group, headquartered in Porcari (Lucca, Italy), is one of the leading manufacturers of tissue paper. Established in 1966, the Group is active in 12 European countries and the U.S. with over 9,000 employees and a production capacity of 1,852,000 metric tons per year (these numbers also include the acquisition of ST Paper and Clearwater Paper's tissue operations in the U.S. in 2024).

SOURCE: Sofidel
Oklahoma lawmakers proposed new legislation that would preserve the rights of religious foster parents, and it has moved forward from an Oklahoma House committee.

State Rep. Denise Crosswhite Hader said that the proposal, known as Senate Bill 658, simply clarifies that no one can be excluded from the list of people who can be considered for a foster parent based on religious or moral beliefs.

Protecting Religious Foster Parents

The bill, originally introduced by State Sen. Julie Daniels and Crosswhite Hader, states that the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (DHS) cannot require any current or prospective adoptive or foster parent to "affirm, accept, or support any government policy regarding sexual orientation or gender identity that conflicts with the parent's sincerely held religious or moral beliefs as a condition for eligibility to adopt or foster."

Additionally, the proposed legislation requires state officials to take "into account the religious or moral beliefs of a particular adoptive or foster child, or his or her family of origin." This will be in place when they are determining where they would place a child, according to OCPA.

The proposal comes despite lawmakers acknowledging that there have been no widespread reports of religious families being excluded from the pool of foster parents in Oklahoma. However, this is not the case in many other states across the country.

For example, under California state law, prospective foster parents are required to proactively "affirm" a child's chosen gender identity or sexual orientation. The California Policy Council reported that the law has resulted in a so-called "purge" of Christian foster parents across the state as they were being "systematically excluded" from the state's foster care system.

Adhering to LGBT Ideology

The Oklahoma bill comes as Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed House Bill 2311, which prohibited the state from requiring prospective foster families to adhere to LGBT ideology. This happened as other states have prevented religious Americans from serving as foster parents due to their views on the issues, the Christian Post reported.

In her veto message, Kelly said that the Kansas Department of Children and Families' top priority should be the best interest of foster kids. She added that legislations similar to the one she vetoed stray away from this focus.

The governor added that children who are in need of care already struggle against various challenges. She said she would not sign legislation that could potentially complicate their lives even further. Kelly expressed concerns that the bill could expose Kansas to frivolous lawsuits, as per the Kansas Reflector.
Oregon police discovered a harrowing scene where a mother and her three young kids were found dead inside a building in an apparent isolated incident.

The incident comes after deputies responded to a home in Cornelius at around 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday following a 911 call and found four people deceased. The individuals were identified as a 37-year-old woman and her three kids, aged two, five, and seven years.

Mother and Three Kids Found Dead

School officials said that the five-year-old child was a kindergartener and that the seven-year-old was a second-grader at Cornelius Elementary School. Deputy David Huey, a spokesperson for the sheriff's office, said that so far, no arrests have been made in connection with the incident.

Authorities believe that the deaths appear to be part of an isolated incident and that there is no danger to the public. During a media briefing, Huey was seen visibly emotional talking about the incident, saying that it was difficult to talk about, according to ABC News.

Cornelius Police Chief Mitch Coley said that the community has been shaken to its core following the news of the incident. He added that the investigation is still ongoing, which means that details of the matter are still limited for now.

The police chief said the incident marks a deeply emotional time for everyone in Oregon, including neighbors, friends, and first responders. Coley asked the community to come together with compassion and care.

An Isolated Incident

The person who talked to 911 called authorities after returning to his home and finding the bodies. Neighbors also said that the family just recently returned to the home after they were displaced by a fire, People reported.

One neighbor, Casey Dennis, said that the mother was taking her kids to school back and forth every day, which made them seem like just another family in the neighborhood. They added that a couple of months ago, the family suffered from a fire that broke out in their former home, which cut off their electricity.

Others added that the victims were somewhat isolated in the community because of a language barrier but described the kids as always smiling and waving to them. Another neighbor, Heather Murphy, said that while the family was not part of normal communications in the neighborhood, they were still a part of the community nonetheless.

Murphy also said that the family's children all had bright and smiling faces and that they were very memorable to the community, as per KKTV.
When you surf, you leave many different traces. For example, servers and web services store information about you in cookies and super-cookies. The more often you use a providers service, the more accurate their picture of you becomes. And the better the providers are networked with each other, the more information they have at their disposal to create surfing profiles.

Take Amazon, for example. The web giant suggests articles to you based on previous searches. Your purchasing behavior or product research is always recorded and analyzed. This means you receive purchase suggestions in the form of advertising banners for products that you have previously searched for on another site. The data collection mania of web services can also be disadvantageous for you when it comes to dynamic pricing. The product price adapts to demand. This can mean that you end up paying a higher price.

Data slinger IP address

The biggest traitors are your browser and your IP address. The latter is automatically given when you surf so that the server with the website knows where to send its data. This is necessary, but anyone can use the IP address to find out at least your approximate location. We therefore present various ways in which you can surf the Internet as anonymously as possible.

Analyzing your IP address is only one of several identifiers that can be used to track you on the Internet. However, your IP address is the most important common feature that website operators and advertising providers can access. This is why IP address protection requires special attention when it comes to improving your privacy. This is where a virtual machine can be very useful.

The VM helps you to simply surf the net using a cloak of invisibility whenever you want to be as unrecognized as possible  for example when shopping online, searching for information or accessing private content. For everyday page views such as visiting news sites, streaming music and films, you dont usually need the protective shield. You can carry out these activities without the VM on your host PC.

Disguise the VMs online data traffic with a VPN

VPN providers such as Windscribe not only allow the use of an encrypted VPN connection, but also make it possible to bypass geo-IP blocks with corresponding servers. IDG

A tried and tested means of travelling on the internet reasonably undetected is via a VPN tunnel (Virtual Private Network). Here, the data packets are not sent directly from your virtual machine to the target server, but are routed via a VPN server.

The advantage is that the log files of the servers visited do not store your IP address, but that of the VPN server. In addition, the data sent via a VPN tunnel is also encrypted, which makes it more difficult for third parties to intercept it.

To access the Internet with a stealth connection, all you need to do is install the software provided by the provider in the VM. We recommend the VPN services from Nord VPN, Cyberghost, and Surfshark. Windscribe is free with a volume of 10 GB per month.

VPN providers usually not only enable IP masking, but also the circumvention of geo-IP blocks. Such measures are intended to prevent users from certain countries from using services  usually video streaming  that are either not available or only available to a limited extent in their countries.

However, if you go online with your IP address, which identifies you as a user from Germany via a VPN server with a US IP address, you are considered an American for the target server.

More privacy when surfing

If the IP address of the PC is changed and disguised, you are not only cheating the advertising industry. Instead of one visitor accessing ten pages, you will appear in the servers log files as ten visitors who have each accessed one page. The Tor Browser, which connects to the Tor network, is recommended for this. It disguises the actual IP address through intermediate proxy servers.

The packets no longer take the shortest route from you to their destination, but go via intermediate stations. The Tor node to which you are connected knows your IP address, the second and third nodes no longer do, and certainly not the destination server. The Tor network is structured in such a way that each intermediate station only knows the IP address of its predecessor. This makes it difficult to trace the sender of a packet.

Tor also has disadvantages. Depending on utilization, the surfing speed becomes significantly slower. Even an overloaded intermediate station can slow things down. And as with all networks, it can only be so secure as long as it is not compromised. After all, if surveillance agencies manage to spy on a Tor node, it is not possible to de-anonymize a user.

Secure and anonymous with Tails

Tails is a live Linux system based on Debian that places particular emphasis on privacy and anonymity. To this end, Tails has the aforementioned, particularly secure Tor browser. In addition, there are other programs such as the e-mail client Thunderbird, the messenger Pidgin, the graphics programs Gimp, and Inkscape as well as the office package Libre Office.

Three versions of Tails are available for download on the manufacturers website https://tails.net/. You can choose between a USB image for later use on USB data carriers, an ISO image for burning to DVD, and an ISO image for use in a virtual machine from Virtualbox or Vmware Workstation or Player.
Whenever Tablo issues a big software update for its latest over-the-air DVRs, I always hope itll finally make them worth recommending again.

So after reading about what Tablo called a MASSIVE update for its Roku app, I was excited to give the system another try. Previous Tablo models once topped our list of the best over-the-air DVRs for cord-cutters, but the fourth-generation version has been too buggy and unreliable to recommend.

My attempt to give Tablo another shot quickly went off the rails, though, as the aforementioned Roku update introduced a connection error that made the app unusable. While the bug doesnt affect everyone, its indicative of the recurring issues Tablo users have experienced with the latest hardware and corresponding software. Im still hoping Tablos close to turning the corner and living up to its promises, but its not quite there yet.

What is Tablo again?

A fourth-generation Tablo DVR connected to a flat-panel antenna. The E.W. Scripps Company

A quick refresher: Tablo is an over-the-air DVR that lets you record local channels from an antenna. But Instead of plugging directly into your TV, the Tablo DVR streams video to other devices on your home network. Set it up wherever you get the best antenna reception, and you can watch through the Tablo app on Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Google TV/Android TV, LG TVs, and Samsung TVs. (Theres also a mobile app for iOS and Android.)

For newcomers, the concept can be tricky to understand, but the advantage is that a single antenna and DVR can feed multiple televisions throughout the home, with no extra equipment beyond what you use for streaming. The same recordings are available across all TVs, and you can watch without switching inputs away from your streaming device.

In 2022, The E.W. Scripps Company, a major broadcaster, acquired Nuvyyo, the company behind Tablo, and it oversaw a complete rewrite of Tablos software, which debuted on its fourth-gen DVR in 2023. While the up-front price is similar to previous models$130 for a dual-tuner model, $160 for the quad-tuner versionit no longer carries subscription fees, and it adds a lineup of free streaming channels that you can record as well.

The new Tablo can record both over-the-air stations and a selection of free streaming channels. Jared Newman / Foundry

On paper, its a slam dunk. Most other over-the-air DVR solutions cost a lot more, and some require complicated DIY equipment setups. Tablo is simpler and has an unbeatable price.

So its all the more disappointing that things dont work as they should. In my review, I ran into a long list of bugs and glitches, and the device had a tendency to go offline without warning. Last year, I ran into the same issues after setting up the device again, and its been sitting in my gadget drawer ever since.

Tablos new Roku app issues

Jared Newman / Foundry

Everything seemed to be going smoothly when I installed the Tablo again earlier this week. Device setup happens through Tablos mobile app, and within minutes it was pulling in live TV from my antenna.

But when I opened Tablos Roku app, it never got past the Connecting to your Tablo loading screen. I tried uninstalling and reinstalling the app, rebooting the Roku, switching to a different Roku player, and rebooting the Tablo itself. The app refused to load every time.

Laura Slater, a Tablo spokeswoman, says Tablo is aware of the problem, which has also been reported by other users on its forums. Tablo expects to have a fix out next week, but affected Roku users are out of luck until then. Thats a week of total downtime for a bad software update.

The update is a substantial one, with features that bring the Roku app into parity with other platforms. Theres now a mini guide for flipping through channels from the playback screen, for instance, and a new left sidebar for navigation.

But if you cant get the app working, theres no way to roll back. The only workarounds are to switch to a different streaming device (Tablos Fire TV app worked fine for me), or to use AirPlay or screen mirroring to send video from a phone. (I tried the former, but it wasnt a great experience, with the video out of sync with the audio).

This isnt the first time Tablo issues have prevented users from accessing their antenna streams. Last September, a prolonged server outage disabled live TV playback, even though over-the-air TV shouldnt require internet at all. Tablo says its working on offline support, but in the meantime it had more server outages in January. In November, Rokus OS 14 update removed support for AC3 Surround Sound passthrough, in turn preventing live TV playback on Roku devices. Tablo had to scramble to release a fix that let users disable surround sound entirely.

Improvements are coming

Current Roku issues aside, Slater says Tablo has done a lot of recent work to improve connectivity in Tablos firmware, apps, and back-end server connections. Ill be checking to see if those claims hold up in the coming weeks.

But the bigger updates may come over the summer. Thats when Tablo plans to launch offline playback support and offer its new firmware as an optional upgrade for older DVR models. (Tablo originally planned to make that upgrade available in the fall of 2023.)

Perhaps all this means that Tablo will finally be ready for prime time in the months ahead. For the sake of all over-the-air DVR enthusiasts, I hope its not another false start.

Sign up for Jareds Cord Cutter Weekly newsletter for more advice on navigating the post-cable era.
A 41-year-old man arrested in Lebanon County has been charged in the indecent assault of a girl in the city, the county district attorneys office reported.

Jose Ivan Rodriguez Santos partner runs a daycare center out of a North Fifth Street, Lebanon, home, the DA said. Authorities didnt say whether the child attended the center.

The investigation started last month when Lebanon County detectives say they were notified of the possible sexual assault of an 8-year-old.

The child told investigators that Rodriguez Santos touched her vaginal area on more than one occasion with his hands and his penis.

Rodriguez Santos was charged with indecent assault, unlawful contact with a minor, corruption of minors and indecent exposure.

He was arrested on April 4 and is jailed in lieu of $250,000 bail.

The Lebanon County DA is asking anyone whose children attended the daycare center in the 400 block of N. 5th Street in Lebanon to report any issues to Detective Ryan Adams at (717) 228-4403.
A one-time substance abuse counselor charged with third-degree homicide in connection with a 2024 drug overdose death in Cumberland County has waived her preliminary hearing on the case.

Samantha K. Pack, 30, with a last known address of Elizabethville, Dauphin County, was arrested last week in connection with the death of Ronald S. Martin Jr. Her hearing was scheduled for 9 a.m. Thursday.

Martin, 61, a longtime employee at Visaggios Restaurant in Silver Spring Township, was found dead in his rented room at that property on Dec. 27, 2024.

Pack was questioned by Silver Spring police after they used witness testimony, surveillance camera footage, phone records and other evidence to identify her as a person of interest in the case.

Police said Pack admitted to seeing Ron on the day of Dec. 24, going to a nearby Sheetz and hanging out with him in his motel room.

Phone records showed Pack texted Martin on Dec. 24 asking him if he wanted drugs, according to arrest records in the case.

Martin texted back that he did and would pay her for them.

As the investigation progressed, police said Pack told them she bought two bags of heroin for Martin that day after he sent her funds via a cellphone application, according to the affidavit.

After delivering the drugs to Martin, Pack said, she saw him snort the contents of one of the baggies off the back of his cellphone as they drove to the Sheetz store.

Pack said Martin seemed fine after doing the drugs and going back to his motel room, court documents said.

Pack said she then left Martins motel room, but returned a short time later to get a forgotten vape pen and found Martin asleep and snoring on the bed.

Pack said she tried to rouse Martin and said his name as he made weird snoring noises, court documents said. She said she turned Martin onto his side before leaving.

Police have said they also have a witness who told them 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 through the phone calling Martins name.

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.

Thats one of several reasons, Det. Cody Phillips said Thursday, that Pack is been charged with third-degree murder, which is not ordinarily charged in drug overdose cases.

Samantha knew what to do in these overdose situations, Phillips said.

Packs LinkedIn Profile states that she was a case manager and certified recovery specialist and had worked for several years at Gaudenzia and Hamilton Health Center, two Harrisburg addiction treatment providers.

It was not immediately clear when Packs work in that field ended, though Phillips said it may have been as recent as 2023.

Recovery specialist refers to a specific training for people with a personal, lived experience of their own recovery from addiction. These professionals are often seen as particularly helpful in serving as supporters and mentors to people battling substance abuse.

According to the Pennsylvania Certification Board, Pack received her certification in February 2018, but it had lapsed as of February 2024.

Pack waived her preliminary hearing - an initial court appearance where magistrate judges weigh whether a case has merit to go to criminal court - remotely from Cumberland County Prison, where she has been held since her arrest.

After the waiver, Magisterial District Judge Kathryn Silcox set bail for Pack at $100,000, with conditions that she agree to electronic monitoring, undergo intensive outpatient drug treatment, random drug testing and have no contact with any known drug dealers or users.

Were going to turn this around and move you in a different direction, Silcox said.

In a statement shared after Pack signed off, her attorney Alan Ross said:

This is a tragic situation, and our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of the individual who passed away. At this time, we are still gathering facts and working to understand the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

Our client maintains their right to due process, and we urge the public not to jump to conclusion before all the facts are known.

Ross declined comment when asked to provide some context for Silcoxs remarks.

According to toxicology reports from Martins autopsy, the victim 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.

In addition to murder, Pack is charged with drug delivery resulting in death, involuntary manslaughter, criminal use of a communication facility, theft, drug possession/delivery offenses and tampering with evidence.

Her next court appearance, a formal arraignment in county court, is scheduled for June 23.

PennLive staff writer Jenna Wise contributed to this report.
The parrot in question is an African grey, pictured here. (Getty Images) Getty Images/500px

A New York woman got stuck in Puerto Rico thanks to her pet parrot, Plucky.

Fortunately  after nearly a week  she and the African grey have returned home.

People reports that 76-year-old Bronx resident, Maria Fraterrigo, was barred from her Frontier Airlines flight on Saturday after an error was made transporting Plucky, whos an emotional support parrot.

Fraterrigo told WCBS-TV how she was informed by airline employees  despite having no trouble getting Plucky on her flight to Puerto Rico  If you want to get on the flight, get rid of the bird.

I have been traumatized, she said. Its like I am abandoned. My medicine is home, doctors appointment. Everything is just a nightmare.

According to CNN Travel, Fraterrigos trip to Puerto Rico was the first time she had been back to the island since her husbands death in 2019. Plucky was actually a gift from her son, Robert, to help her with her grief.

We are currently investigating the matter and are in contact with the customer and her family to assist her in returning home as soon as she can present all of the government-mandated documentation, Frontier told CNN via statement.

As a matter of standard policy (as noted on our website) we do not normally transport parrots on our aircraft.

Fortunately, an update from ABC 7 confirms that Fraterrigo and Plucky are got a flight home together on Wednesday night.

Details of the twos return are still pending as of the publishing of this report.
A fourth grader is in trouble after he borrowed his parents' truck to drive himself to school after missing the bus. Mlive.com file photo

Maybe they were serving tacos in the school cafeteria that day.

A nine-year-old boy in Kansas drove his parents truck to school on Wednesday after he missed the school bus.

KAKE reports that police in Maize received a call Wednesday morning about a young boy driving a white pickup. After traveling to the scene, they were then redirected to the nearby school, Pray-Woodman Elementary.

Once there, police learned the boy had taken his parents white Chevy truck to make the three-mile trip between his house and the school.

The boy told police his dad was already at work and his mom was out of town, so he took the truck because he didnt want to miss school, Fox News said.

Sgt. Braden Blackburn told news outlets that the youth parked better than most people park.

This was a new one for us, he added.

There were no collisions or traffic issues and police did not write any tickets. Blackburn said that hes sure hes in tons of trouble with his parents.
A Maryland man was found dead on a private beach in the Bahamas while vacationing with his family last weekend. Canva/Katherine Rodriguez

A Maryland man was found dead on a private beach in the Bahamas while vacationing with his family last weekend.

Dinari McAlmont, 23, was found dead on the shore of Paradise Island near Nassau, Bahamas, on April 6, only about 12 hours after he had arrived on the island with his parents.

The family was staying at a resort called The Reef at Atlantis for a weekend trip, People reported. McAlmont left his parents during dinner to retrieve a jacket and never returned. His parents filed a missing person report hours later when they couldnt track his location using their phones.

The Royal Bahamas Police Force said during a news conference on Wednesday that the cause of death was drowning. They added that they are still awaiting the results of a toxicology exam and that foul play is not suspected.

McAlmonts mother, Michelle McAlmont, however, strongly disagrees with the police ruling, saying that her son was beaten.

There is foul play, she said to FOX 5. Because of all the bruises and you can see when somebody is abused and hit at, yes, and that is why I am saying that.

We are deeply saddened by the passing of one of our guests, the resort said to Fox News in a statement. Our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time. We are fully cooperating with the authorities as they conduct their investigation.
The state House has again passed a bill that would give a cost-of-living raise to roughly 59,000 retired teachers and state employees whose pension benefits have been held flat since 2002.

The issue is one of the many idiosyncrasies of the State Employees Retirement System (SERS) and the Pennsylvania School Employees Retirement Systems (PSERS), the pension funds that provide retirement pay for state government workers and local school district teachers, respectively.

In 2001, Pennsylvania passed Act 9, which gave significant ongoing benefit boosts to current public employees  and which caused significant problems once the increased costs were fully phased in amid the 2008 financial crisis.

Those who had already retired, however, received only a one-time increase to their pension payouts in 2002. For the past 23 years, those retirees have not seen any further increases in their pension checks, even as inflation has reduced the power of a 2002 dollar to about 56 cents today.

There are 37,294 pre-Act 9 retirees who are still alive and would qualify to receive benefits from PSERS, according to the funds actuarial data. Their average age is 84, and their average pension benefit is $19,219 per year.

Benefits and demographics for the 21,596 surviving pre-Act 9 SERS retirees are roughly similar  although those numbers can change quickly between financial reporting periods.

In the 17 months since the House passed the same bill last session, roughly 10,000 pre-Act 9 beneficiaries have died, according to bill author Rep. Steve Malagari, D-Montgomery County.

Thats 10,000 individuals who didnt get the help they so deserve because some on the other side of the building here decided not to act, Malagari said, referencing the Republican-controlled Senate not taking action on the bill before the 2023-24 session expired.

We love to talk about supporting the aging population and taking care of those who take care of us. Now is the time to do that, Malagari continued, adding that inflation does not retire. Neither should our responsibility to those who served the public good.

Malagaris bill would increase pension benefits for pre-Act 9 retirees on a sliding scale of between 15% and 24.5%, with those who retired in the year immediately before Act 9 receiving the lowest boost, and those who retired before July 1982 receiving the largest. The cost of these benefits is to be amortized into the pension math over a period of 10 years.

The bill passed Wednesday afternoon on a vote of 131-to-72, with all the chambers Democratic majority and a handful of Republicans in favor.

Many GOP members expressed financial concerns, given that the added costs are not included Gov. Josh Shapiros budget proposal.

This is something that we must work on when we see the big picture of the budget. Governor Shapiro did not present this in his budget proposal, said Rep. Jesse Topper, R-Bedford, the Republican floor leader, and as such we have not identified how it will be paid for.

Topper said his father is a retired teacher who is among the pre-Act 9 retirees in question.

To say I do not respect the work that he did  either in raising me or the job he did for thousands of students throughout his career  simply based on the fact that I do not know where the money is coming from to pay for this piece of legislation is inaccurate, Topper said.

Pension fund financing is based on a number of tricky projections  namely how long a given population of retirees will live, how much money working employees will be contributing and what benefit theyll accrue, and how well the funds investments will do.

Based on current estimates, the added benefits would increase the states total unfunded pension liability by about $979 million. The first year of rolling this into the pension calculations would increase the 2026-27 fund contributions by $100.5 million for PSERS and another $45.2 million for SERS.

The new benefits would continue to be amortized into the actuarial math over a decade, with the marginal cost in any given year varying depending on actual fund experience. Not all of those costs would be borne by the state budget, given that a little less than half of the PSERS contributions would come from school districts.

Some Republicans also questioned why the state would spend the money on workers who have both a pension and Social Security benefits.

Why are we giving it to people who already make twice as much as the others? The most impoverished seniors are the ones that only have Social Security, not the ones that have Social Security and a PSERS pension or a SERS pension, said Rep. Brad Roae, R-Crawford County.

But the fact that federally funded benefits are paltry, Democrats said, shouldnt be used as an excuse to not increase state-funded benefits for those who need it.

I think its a false choice, said Rep. Emily Kinkead, D-Allegheny County. We need to get beyond this rhetoric that says some benefits to some people is an offense to others.
Retired West Chester University President Christopher Fiorentino will take over on Friday afternoon as interim chancellor of Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education while it conducts a national search for a permanent successor to departing Chancellor Dan Greenstein. Photo provided by Pa.'s State System of Higher Education Photo provided by Pa.'s State System of Higher Education
Editors Note: This article was updated at 3:55 p.m. to correct that the woman who was saved is the victims mother.

A woman died in a house fire in Perry County Wednesday night after pushing her mother outside to safety, according to fire officials.

Shermans Dale Fire Chief Mike Minich said the woman found in the backyard, in her 80s, was flown to a burn center where, she is being treated.

Her daughter, in her 60s, was found dead inside the home. She had saved the older woman, then went back inside the burning home, possibly to try to save their dog, Minich said.

The victims names were not released. Property records showed two women lived at the home, ages 67 and 89.

Fire crews from Shermans Dale and four other departments in Perry and Cumberland counties were dispatched around 7:20 p.m. to the first block of Barrick Hill Road in Carroll Township after receiving a report of the fire.

Police said they received reports indicating two people were trapped inside the home.

Rescuers arrived to find home fully engulfed in flames. The fire appeared to have started in the bedroom.

It was challenging for fire crews to find the woman who had gone back inside because the main floor was filled with flames, which burned away the majority of the floor. During a secondary search, they discovered the woman in the hallway bathroom.

Crews found the dog under a table amid the fire. The dog was given oxygen after being removed from the burning home, Minich said. Fire crews were told Thursday morning the dog survived.

Fire crews were able quickly douse a vehicle parked in front of the home before the flames could touch it. On Thursday, the headlights of the vehicle were slightly melted from the heat.

Its unclear if the home had smoke detectors. However, Minich said crews didnt hear any smoke detectors ringing when they arrived at the scene.The damage rendered the home uninhabitable.

Minich said its the first fatal house fire the township has had in seven years.

With the community being rural, he said the fire department relies on water tanks to battle house fires. Four tankers provided water for firefighters Wednesday night.

The fire was under control before 9:20 p.m. and the scene was cleared around midnight, he said. On Thursday morning, hot spots were still producing light smoke from the home.
At a time in which individuals and business entities that are devoid of courage are succumbing right and left to the demands and whims of President Donald Trump, Pennsylvania is privileged to have a governor who is having none of it.

Josh Shapiro, the leader who as attorney general and the governor has consistently defended our democracy from destruction, stated recently that the president has injected chaos into literally every hour of every day and that the widespread Trump tariffs are the dumbest economic decision I have ever seen a president make.

The governors unvarnished words are accurate and laudable.
Pat McAfee on set. Alabama and Texas fans swarm Tuscaloosa to watch ESPN "College GameDay" and "SEC Nation" before kickoff on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (Ben Flanagan / AL.com)

PITTSBURGH -- Pat McAfee addressed the impending lawsuit against him by Mary Kay Cornett, an 18-year-old Ole Miss student who says McAfee ruined her life.

McAfee referenced a rumor in late February regarding the father of an Ole Miss frat student allegedly having a sexual relationship with his sons girlfriend, who was a member of a sorority.
Cheyenne, Wyo.  April 8, 2025  Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability, but knowledge is power when it comes to prevention. Thats why Cheyenne Regional Medical Center is excited to host its annual Stroke Symposium: Know Stroke, An Ounce of Prevention on May 10, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Blue Community Events Center, 2401 E. Pershing Blvd. A in Cheyenne. Doors open at 8 a.m., and registration is $25 per attendee.

This years symposium brings together top medical experts from Cheyenne Regional for informative and interactive discussions on stroke prevention, risk factors an...
Wyoming FBLA Wraps Up 2025 State Leadership Conference in Laramie

LARAMIE, WY (March 1921, 2025)  More than 545 high school students, advisers, and volunteers from across the state gathered at the University of Wyoming College of Business for the 2025 Wyoming Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) State Leadership Conference. The event brought together the states brightest young business leaders for three days of competitive events, leadership development, networking opportunities, and professional growth.

This conference really shows what Wyomings future business leaders are capable of," said Andrew Borgialli, Wyoming FBLA State Chairperson. "Our st...
Actually, the birds are coming to the Pine Bluffs Library. On April 18th the Rocky Mountain Raptors Rehabilitation Program is coming to the library for a kind of show and tell of the types of raptors that inhabit the Rocky Mountain area. This group is out of Ft. Collins and travel around to different schools, and civic functions.

Since 1987, the Rocky Mountain Raptor Program (RMRP) has served the northern Colorado region through lifesaving raptor rescue, rehabilitation and research, and life-changing conservation education.

Their community-based team of raptor rehabilitation experts, Colorad...
Laramie, Wyoming (March 19-21, 2025)- 545 members of the Wyoming Future Business Leaders of America from Pine Bluffs High School had the opportunity to attend and compete at the 2025 FBLA State Leadership Conference. Throughout the conference, members had the opportunity to make connections with members across the state, network with business professionals, showcase their talents and skills, and become better leaders within their schools and communities. This conference provided members with various educational workshops, inspiring and powerful keynote speakers, and the opportunity to get invo...
"My Journey to Becoming a Hospitalist"

When I first moved to Brookings, the primary care physicians took care of their own patients in the hospital. We would round on patients in the morning before clinic or try to sneak over during lunch or after clinic. While I loved taking care of patients in the hospital, it was hard to juggle the responsibilities of both giving my attention to the patients in the hospital while seeing people in the clinic. Any time the hospital nurse had a question; my clinic nurse would have to interrupt a clinic visit or wait for me to between patients. This could lead to some less-than-ideal times where I w...
As you might have heard from the news or local gossip that the Sentinel Missile Project was on hold. The Air Force held a Town Hall Meeting in the Events Center last Tuesday to address concerns and questions. Present was Major General Connor who is the Director of the project, He factually said that "the Sentinel Missile Program is moving forward." He then explained the need for the new system, "to keep up with the way the technology is advancing. The way that those that would take away our way of life is using it." He said, "the current silos were built in the 50's and 60's. The new systems a...
Pay No Rake on Tournaments at 888poker During RakeLESS Sunday on April 13

Matthew Pitt Senior Editor Copy link

Many online poker grinders say you should never miss a Sunday because that's when tournaments tend to have the juiciest prize pools. You should not miss Sunday 13 April at 888poker because you'll pay no rake on any tournament between 5:00 p.m. and 11:59 p.m. GMT thanks to RakeLESS Sunday.

RakeLESS Sunday is the latest in a long line of 888poker promotions designed to give something back to the players. Between 5:00 p.m. and 11:59 p.m. GMT, 100% of every buy-in will go into the prize pool, with 888poker taking not even a single cent in tournament fees!

Furthermore, 888poker is boosting the RakeLESS Sunday tournaments' guarantees by 10%, which means you get to play for bigger prizes for less.

RakeLESS Sunday Schedule

Expand the table below to see the full schedule of RakeLESS Sunday tournaments you can sink your teeth into.

Time (GMT) Time (BST) Event Name Buy-in 5:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. $8,800 RAKELESS Sunday  Sunday Big Shot 215 $215 5:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. $1,650 RAKELESS Sunday  Micro Rollers Mystery Bounty $2.20 5:15 p.m. 6:15 p.m. $5,500 RAKELESS Sunday  Sunday Mystery Bounty 8.80 $8.80 5:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. $33,000 RAKELESS Sunday  Sunday Mystery Bounty 55 $55 5:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. $1,650 RAKELESS Sunday - Galaxy Big Shot 11 $11 5:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. $165 RAKELESS Sunday  R&A 6-Max Turbo 0.50 $0.50 6:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. $110,000 RAKELESS Sunday  Mystery Bounty Main Event $109 6:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. $13,200 RAKELESS Sunday  Sunday Mystery Bounty Big or Small $22 6:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. $7,700 RAKELESS Sunday  Micro Rollers Sunday Mystery Bounty $5.50 6:15 p.m. 7:15 p.m. $1,100 RAKELESS Sunday  Micro Rollers Mystery Bounty $1 6:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. $33,000 RAKELESS Sunday  Sunday Big Shot 525 $525 6:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. $550 RAKELESS Sunday  Turbo PKO 11 $11 6:45 p.m. 7:45 p.m. $33 RAKELESS Sunday  Turbo 0.10 $0.10 7:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m. $2,200 RAKELESS Sunday  R&A 1 $1 7:00 p.m 8:00 p.m. $275 RAKELESS Sunday  R&A 1 $1 7:15 p.m. 8:15 p.m. $385 RAKELESS Sunday  Deepstack Turbo 3.30 $3.30 7:30 p.m. 8:30 p.m. $3,300 RAKELESS Sunday  Big Shot $109 $109 7:30 p.m. 8:30 p.m. $2,200 RAKELESS Sunday Galaxy Big Shot 22 $22 7:30 p.m. 8:30 p.m. $1,650 RAKELESS Sunday Micro Rollers Big Shot 5.50 $5.50 7:45 p.m. 8:45 p.m. $330 RAKELESS Sunday  R&A 4.40 $4.40 8:00 p.m. 9:00 p.m. $2,750 RAKELESS Sunday  Late PKO Rumble 16.50 $16.50 8:00 p.m. 9:00 p.m. $1,320 RAKELESS Sunday  Turbo 55 $55 8:00 p.m. 9:00 p.m. $330 RAKELESS Sunday - Micro Rollers Mystery Bounty Turbo $2.20 8:30 p.m. 9:30 p.m. $1,650 RAKELESS Sunday  Late PKO Rumble 11 $11 9:00 p.m. 10:00 p.m. $330 RAKELESS Sunday  Micro Rollers Mystery Bounty Turbo $1 9:00 p.m. 10:00 p.m. $220 RAKELESS Sunday  Late 1 $1 9:30 p.m. 10:30 p.m. $2,200 RAKELESS Sunday  Micro Rollers Late Mystery Bounty $5.50 9:30 p.m. 10:30 p.m. $2,200 RAKELESS Sunday  Late PKO Rumble 55 $55 9:30 p.m. 10:30 p.m. $2,200 RAKELESS Sunday  Mystery Bounty Turbo 16.50 $16.50 9:30 p.m. 10:30 p.m. $385 RAKELESS Sunday  Frenzy R&A Turbo 0.99 $0.99 9:30 p.m. 10:30 p.m. $330 RAKELESS Sunday  SNAP PKO 6-Max $2.20 9:30 p.m. 10:30 p.m. $110 RAKELESS Sunday  R&A Turbo 0.50 $0.50 10:00 p.m. 11:00 p.m. $1,650 RAKELESS Sunday  Late PKO Rumble 22 $22 10:00 p.m. 11:00 p.m. $550 RAKELESS Sunday  Micro Rollers Mystery Bounty $3.30 10:30 p.m. 11:30 p.m. $3,300 RAKELESS Sunday  Late Big Shot 109 $109 10:30 p.m. 11:30 p.m. $1,100 RAKELESS Sunday  Turbo 8.80 $8.80 10:45 p.m. 11:45 p.m. $220 RAKELESS Sunday  Late Turbo 1 $1 11:00 p.m. 12:00 a.m. $1,100 RAKELESS Sunday  Later PKO Rumble 11 $11 11:15 p.m. 12:15 a.m. $220 RAKELESS Sunday  Late Deepstack Turbo 3.30 $3.30 11:30 p.m. 12:30 a.m. $1,320 RAKELESS Sunday  Late PKO Rumble 6-Max 55 $55 11:30 p.m. 12:30 a.m. $550 RAKELESS Sunday  Late Super Knockout 2.20 $2.20 11:45 p.m. 12:45 a.m. $55 RAKELESS Sunday  Turbo 0.50 $0.50

Why not add even more value to your 888poker session on April 13 by combining RakeLESS Sunday with the Galaxy of Aces promotion? The Galaxy of Aces will award over $300,000 in prizes by the time it concludes on May 17. That's a little over a month away, so you still have plenty of time to get involved and win some prizes.

You should also join the free PokerNews Discord server because its members can play in a series of PokerNews-exclusive 888poker freerolls. Ironically, the next one is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. BST on April 13! Good luck.

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Florida Man Busted for Laundering $800K from Illegal Poker Games | PokerNews Podcast #886

Chad Holloway PR & Media Manager Copy link

In the 886th episode of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway, Mike Holtz, and Kyna England discuss the Florida man who was arrested for allegedly laundering $800K from illegal poker games. That led to a larger discussion on policy over such games and whether law enforcement is doing justice by cracking down.

They then share results from Doug Polk's $100K 'Code Doug' Challenge, including a big hand he played against Eric Persson; highlight recent tournament winners such as Shannon Shorr, Francis Anderson, and Missy Bartleme; Jesse Lonis crushing the recently-completed PGT PLO Series; and highlights from Chad's trip to the Eastern Poker Open near Boston.

Plus, get a preview of Alexandra Botez on the Life Outside Poker podcast, Kyna's thoughts on a poker player being on Netflixs Million Dollar Secret, and remembering Keith Hall & Stan Shrier, who both passed away within the past week.

Finally, they ask the question: Are you excited for the WSOP?

The podcast is sponsored by the #1 free-to-play WSOP app. Remember to use the bonus code "POKERNEWS" if you download and play for an extra 1,000,000 in chips!

A new PokerNews Podcast will drop weekly every Thursday at 8a PT / 11a ET / 4p UK time. Remember to subscribe to our YouTube channel so you do not miss an episode!

Tell us who you want to hear from. Let us know what you think of the show  tweet about the podcast using #PNPod, and be sure to follow Chad Holloway on X.

Time Stamps

Subscribe to the PokerNews Podcast on Apple Podcasts here! You can also find us on Spotify as well as our new page on SoundCloud!

Check Out Past Episodes of the PN Podcast Here!

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Editor and Publisher

Brandon Roberts is Publisher and Managing Editor of Summerville Communications Inc., which prints The Summerville Journal Scene and The Berkeley Independent. He has worked as an editor for more than two decades in his native Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia and North Carolina before coming to Summerville.
Charleston, SC (29403)

Today

Watching the tropics. Partly cloudy skies during the evening giving way to a few showers after midnight. Low 76F. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Watching the tropics. Partly cloudy skies during the evening giving way to a few showers after midnight. Low 76F. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%.
Columbia, SC (29201)

Today

A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible early. Some passing clouds. Low 72F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible early. Some passing clouds. Low 72F. Winds light and variable.
Business Reporter

Andy Tsubasa Field covers business and development for The Post and Courier's Columbia bureau. He has reported on business for the Albany Times Union, general assignment news in Bridgeport for the Connecticut Post, Kansas state politics for the Associated Press and city hall for the Bismarck Tribune.
Reporter

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Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D), a potential 2028 presidential candidate, sought Wednesday to distinguish herself from fellow Democrats who have been strongly criticizing President Donald Trump and his tariffs, offering a more nuanced assessment during a speech emphasizing bipartisanship in Washington.

The speech came ahead of an expected meeting with Trump at the White House, her second since Trump returned to office.

Whitmer made clear that she disagreed with Trump's sweeping and abrupt use of tariffs, saying it has been "really tough" on her state and the auto industry that powers its economy. But she withheld more pointed criticism of the president, saying she understood the "motivation" behind his tariffs and agreed that Americans "need to make more stuff in America."

"As I've said before, I'm not against tariffs outright, but it is a blunt tool," Whitmer said. "You can't just pull out the tariff hammer to swing at every problem without a clear, defined end goal."

Whitmer delivered her speech hours before Trump raised tariffs on imports from China to 125 percent while pausing many new levies on goods from other nations, sending the stock market surging.

Her remarks, which also included several references to working with Republicans, came at a time when polls show that many Democrats want their leaders to do more to stand up to Trump. She stood by her approach in a Q&A with journalist Gretchen Carlson after the speech, promising to defend Michiganders' rights but also work to ensure she has a "seat at the table."

"I'm not going to cede the opportunity to talk about something important to my state," she said.

Another Democrat who is considered a possible White House contender, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, directly rebuffed Whitmer's speech.

"The 'tariff hammer' winds up hitting your own hand rather than the nail," Polis wrote on X. "Tariffs are bad outright because they lead to higher prices and destroy American manufacturing."

Other possible White House contenders have denounced Trump's tariffs in similarly uncompromising terms. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker has called tariffs a "Trump Tax on Working Families," while Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the party's 2024 vice-presidential candidate, has adopted similar language while bashing the president's grasp of trade issues.

"[Trump] has been on this tariff thing forever, and every economist, conservative or liberal, will tell you they just simply don't work," Walz said last week on MSNBC. "We use them strategically, but he doesn't fundamentally understand how trade works."

Whitmer faces a more politically complex situation in Michigan, a state that Trump won twice and that is home to the United Auto Workers, the influential union whose leader, Shawn Fain, has been vocal in support of Trump's tariffs. She spoke positively of Fain on Wednesday but said she thinks "the longer-term concern is the loss of UAW jobs and the pain that's going to be inflicted in the short term."

Whitmer clashed with Trump during his first term, especially during the coronavirus pandemic, but she has sought to maintain a working relationship during his second term. She first met with Trump at the White House about a month ago and previously sat next to him during a February dinner there for the National Governors Association.

During the dinner, Whitmer emphasized their shared goals of boosting manufacturing jobs in the United States while making her case about the harm tariffs could cause for automakers and other manufacturers in her state, according to people familiar with the conversation who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to divulge details of a private conversation. She urged Trump to keep the lines of communication open as they discussed a future meeting at the White House.

Days later, the White House announced that Trump was granting a one-month exemption on tariffs that affected imports from Mexico and Canada for some vehicles built in North America after a call with the "big 3" automakers: Ford, General Motors and Stellantis.

Whitmer's Wednesday speech in Washington - as well as her other travels outside Michigan - has helped fuel speculation about her White House ambitions. Asked Wednesday whether she will run for president in 2028, she replied quickly.

"No, no," the governor said, arguing that she would have given a similar speech back home.
Abby Ann Ramsey covers Florence and the Pee Dee for The Post and Courier. She graduated from the University of Tennessee in her hometown of Knoxville before moving to South Carolina.
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We've conducted research and analyzed American Hartford Gold reviews, product offerings, and customer complaints, and compared them to competitors.DALLAS, TX / ACCESS Newswire / April 10, 2025 / American Hartford Gold (AHG) is a popular precious metal investment company that has been in business since 2015. The company assists people in investing in gold, silver, platinum and palladium, particularly for their retirement plans.[Click here to request a free gold IRA guide from American Hartford Gold]They offer a fast and simple method to open a precious metals IRA, as well as provide complete rollover assistance and guidance. You can choose from a broad range of gold, silver, and platinum products that are approved for IRAs.The costs to open a gold IRA with American Hartford Gold are low: only $50 to set up your account and $100 each year to maintain it. If you want your metals kept separate in secure, IRS-approved vaults, there's an additional $150 fee every January.ProsThey're currently giving away up to $15,000 in free silver if you pass the eligibility criteria.American Hartford Gold is an established company with thousands of positive reviews. They've earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and recommended by Bill O'Reilly.They won't charge you for storage or account management in your first year.They'll match prices from other companies to ensure you get a good deal.Selling your metals back to them comes with no fees.They've been highlighted on major networks like Newsmax, Forbes, RSBN, and Fox News.ConsHigh investment minimum to open a gold IRA ($10,000).Account opening, storage and annual fees.American Hartford Gold AlternativesAmerican Hartford Gold is a reputable, respected company. However, if you're looking for alternatives, you might want to check out Augusta Precious Metals and Goldco.Augusta Precious Metals (9.8/10 according to 2,381 reviews)Augusta Precious Metals is recommended by Investopedia, Forbes, Money Magazine and has a stellar reputation online. The company requires a minimum investment of $50,000, so it might not be the best choice for low-balance investors. However, if you're willing to invest $50,000 or more, the company offers better customer service (lifetime account support, education, and step-by-step rollover guidance), waives all fees, and offers a one-on-one educational web conference with a Harvard-trained economist.[Click here to request a free gold IRA kit from Augusta Precious Metals]Goldco (9.7/10 according to 1,859 reviews)Goldco is another popular gold IRA company with excellent ratings across the board. Unlike Augusta Precious Metals and American Hartford Gold, it doesn't have an investment minimum, which makes Goldco's services accessible to a wide audience of investors. The company is recommended by Sean Hannity, Chuck Norris, and Dennis Quaid and might be worth a look if you're looking for an American Hartford Gold alternative.[Click here to request a free gold IRA kit from Goldco]AHG Company OverviewBased in Los Angeles, California, American Hartford Gold provides a variety of IRA-approved bullion and collectible coins, including options in gold, silver, and platinum. The company has sold over $2 billion worth of precious metals to customers so far, and Inc. magazine has called them one of the fastest-growing businesses in the country.If you decide to invest with the company, your precious metals will be safely stored at well-known locations like Delaware Depository, International Depository Services (IDS), or Brinks Inc.If you'd like your precious metals delivered to your doorstep or want to invest in a tax-friendly account like an IRA or 401(k), they make it easy. Setting up a gold IRA with them involves three simple steps, and it's usually done in three business days with just one phone call.They put a lot of effort into helping customers understand investing. They offer a free guide about gold and silver, plus a section on their website with market news and charts. That section has plenty of articles to teach you about precious metals.American Hartford Gold Reviews & ComplaintsAmerican Hartford Gold has a 4.7 star rating on TrustPilot, and is accredited by the Better Business Bureau where it holds an A+ rating. AHG is also a BBB-accredited business, which means it meets the BBB standards of trust regarding trustworthiness, integrity, transparency, and responsiveness. American Hartford Gold doesn't have any major public scandals or lawsuits in its history.This is the only precious metals company trusted and recommended by Bill O'Reilly, Rick Harrison and Piers Morgan.[Click here to request a free gold IRA guide] from American Hartford Gold and become eligible for $15,000 in free silver.Here are some recent American Hartford Gold reviews and complaints:BBB Rating: A+ and 4.89 star review based on 649 customer reviews;BBB Complaints: 23 complaints resolved in last 3 years;BCA Rating: AA and 5 star rating based on 15 customer reviews;BCA Complaints: 2 complaints resolved in the last 3 years;Trustpilot: 4.7 star rating based on 1,197 customer reviews.American Hartford Gold Products and PricingAmerican Hartford Gold offers a diverse selection of precious metal products, including gold, silver, and platinum coins and bars, tailored for investors looking to diversify their portfolios or set up a gold IRA. Here's a breakdown of their offerings:Gold Products: Investors can choose from coins like the Gold American Buffalo, Gold American Eagle, and Gold Canadian Buffalo.Silver Products: Options include the Silver Canadian Gyrfalcon and the Silver American Eagle.Platinum Products: Available coins are the Platinum American Eagle, Platinum Austrian Philharmonic, and Canadian Platinum Maple Leaf.Notably, American Hartford Gold does not offer palladium coins or bars. Pricing information is also absent from their website, requiring customers to call a toll-free number to get details.The most popular products are the American Eagle, Canadian Maple Leaf, and St. Helena Sovereign. However, the lack of transparent pricing online can be inconvenient and may deter some potential buyers. For the latest pricing, customers are directed to contact the company or visit their product page.Premium Coins vs. Standard Bullion Coins - Understanding the DifferenceWhen selecting coins for a gold IRA, the variety of IRA-approved options can feel daunting. A key decision is choosing between premium coins and standard bullion coins. Here's what sets them apart.Premium CoinsCharacteristics: These coins meet IRA purity standards but are part
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 10, 2025 / AOD Federal Credit Union, 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 AODFCU.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?On August 9, 2024, AOD Federal Credit Union became aware of a security incident on its network. Upon detection, AODFCU 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 data stored in AODFCU's systems between August 8 and August 9, 2024. AODFCU conducted a comprehensive review of the impacted data to determine what information was compromised and identified affected individuals. On March 4, 2025, AODFCU 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, Social Security number, driver's license number, and financial information (e.g., account number, creditor debit card number).On March 28, 2025, AODFCU filed a notice with the Texas Attorney General and began sending out notice letters to the impacted individuals on March 25, 2025.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 AODFCU, 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
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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 10, 2025 / Arkansas Heart Hospital, LLC 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 Arkansas Heart Hospital.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?On March 15, 2025, Arkansas Heart Hospital became aware of a security incident involving a vendor's system. Upon detection, Arkansas Heart Hospital 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 patient information contained within electronic medical records processed by the vendor during the hospital's transition to a new electronic medical record system. The vendor's investigation revealed that the unauthorized access occurred between January 22, 2025, and February 20, 2025. Based on the available information, Arkansas Heart Hospital believes that individuals who received care at its facilities between January 1, 2022, and January 31, 2025, may be impacted. Arkansas Heart Hospital conducted a comprehensive review of the impacted data to determine what information was compromised and to identify affected individuals.Upon information and belief, the following types of sensitive personaland protected healthinformation may have been compromised:name, address, phone number, email address, date of birth, Social Security number, treatment/diagnosis information, prescription information, provider name, medical record/case number, health insurance information, and other details (sex, ethnicity, language, maiden name, marital status, religious, death/deceased status, and living will indicator).On March 21, 2025, Arkansas Heart Hospital filed a public disclosure and is currently working to obtain address information to send notice letters to the affected 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 Arkansas Heart Hospital, 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
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESS Newswire / April 10, 2025 / National plaintiffs law firm Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP encourages investors in Atkore Inc. ("Atkore" or the "Company") (NYSE:ATKR) who purchased Atkore common stock between August 2, 2022, and February 3, 2025, inclusive (the "Class Period") to contact us immediately regarding a pending securities class action against Atkore. The deadline to apply to be lead plaintiff is April 23, 2025.Class Period: August 2, 2022 - February 3, 2025Lead Plaintiff Motion Deadline: April 23, 2025Case information: https://lieffcabraser.com/securities/atkore/ Contact us: Email or text investorinfo@ lchb.com or call 1-800-541-7358Atkore, headquartered in Harvey, Illinois, is a manufacturer of electrical, safety, and infrastructure products, including polyvinyl chloride ("PVC") water pipes and electrical conduit pipes.The action alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Atkore and certain of its senior executives failed to disclose to investors that: (1) the Company was engaged in an anticompetitive price-fixing scheme that kept the price of its PVC pipes artificially inflated even after COVID era supply chain issues had resolved; (2) Atkore received substantial, unsustainable financial benefits from its anticompetitive actions; and (3) the Company's poor quarterly financial results were due to it and its co-conspirators refusing to lower their artificially inflated prices even after foreign competitors were able to reenter the market and price PVC appropriately.On May 7, 2024, Atkore announced lowered guidance for fiscal year 2024, noting that "pricing environment could be challenged in the second half of 2024." On this news, Atkore's stock price fell 12.5% from its closing price of $176.40 per share on May 6, 2024, to close at $154.34 per share on May 7, 2024, on heavy trading volume.On July 23, 2024, after the market closed, Atkore announced that its Vice President, then-CFO, and Chief Accounting Officer, defendant David P. Johnson, had submitted his resignation, effective August 9, 2024.On July 24, 2024, asset management firm ManBear released a report claiming that Atkore was engaged in an industry-wide price fixing scheme which had "massively inflated pipe prices" and "appear[ed] to defy economic logic, remaining at extremely elevated levels despite normalized supply chains." On this news, Atkore's stock price declined 8.53% from its closing price of $145 per share on July 23, 2024, to close at $132.63 per share on July 24, 2024.On August 6, 2024, after the market closed, Atkore reported adjusted earnings per share that fell short of the average analyst estimate and lowered its outlook for fiscal year 2024 adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income per diluted share. In the corresponding earnings call, Atkore's President, CEO, and Director, defendant William E. Waltz Jr., stated that "[p]ricing was softer than expected due to the slower end markets, particularly for our PVC conduit business." On this news, Atkore's stock price fell 14.7% from its closing price of $118.46 on August 5, 2024, to close at $101.05 per share on August 7, 2024, on extremely heavy trading volume.On February 4, 2025, before the market opened, Atkore announced disappointing financial results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2025, reporting net sales of $661.6 million which was significantly below analysts' estimates. In addition, Atkore reduced its earnings guidance for 2025. During the Company's earnings conference call with analysts and investors later that day, Atkore CFO, defendant John M. Deitzer, revealed that Atkore's "plastic pipe and conduit product category declined mid-single digits during the quarter," and attributed the Company's lowered 2025 guidance to Atkore's PVC business, stating "roughly $75 million or 3/4 of that is on the PVC side." On this news, the price of Atkore common stock fell 19.56% from its closing price of $79.72 per share on February 3, 2025, to close at $64.13 per share on February 4, 2025, on extremely heavy trading volume.About Lieff CabraserLieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP, with over 125 attorneys in offices in San Francisco, New York, Nashville, and Munich, Germany, is an internationally-recognized law firm committed to advancing the rights of investors and promoting corporate responsibility. Repeatedly recognized as a "Plaintiffs' Powerhouse" by Law360, Lieff Cabraser has litigated some of the most important civil cases in the United States, and has assisted clients in recovering over $129 billion in verdicts and settlements. For over 50 years, Lieff Cabraser has remained committed to ensuring access to justice for all.Source/ContactSharon LeeLieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP415 956-1000 slee@ lchb.com SOURCE: Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 10, 2025 / Ciuni & Panichi, 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 Ciuni & Panichi.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?On November 3, 2024, Ciuni & Panichi became aware of a security incident involving unauthorized activity in an employee email account. Upon detection, Ciuni & Panichi 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 certain sensitive personal information within its systems. Ciuni & Panichi conducted a comprehensive review of the impacted data to determine what information was compromised and to identify affected individuals. This review was completed on January 21, 2025.Upon information and belief, the following types of sensitive personalinformation may have been compromised:name of individual, Social Security number, and date of birth.On March 27, 2025, Ciuni & Panichi filed a notice with the Attorney General of New Hampshire and started mailing 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 Ciuni & Panichi, 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
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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 9, 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=142132&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
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LONDON, GB / ACCESS Newswire / April 10, 2025 / Freemarket, a leading cross-border payments platform, is pleased to announce its partnership with Axiym, a liquidity solutions provider dedicated to offering businesses seamless access to instant liquidity. This collaboration aims to enable businesses to optimise capital efficiency, reduce reliance on pre-funding, and accelerate business growth with greater financial flexibility.Through this partnership, Axiym's Embedded Liquidity Engine, built on and supported by Avalanche, is natively integrated with Freemarket, allowing clients to access instant liquidity in USD and EUR directly within their Freemarket accounts. By reducing the traditional constraints of SWIFT pre-funding models, businesses can now operate with increased speed, reliability, and efficiency in their cross-border transactions."Liquidity is a critical challenge for businesses looking to scale, and our partnership with Axiym directly addresses this pain point," said Andy Lyons, Head of Sales at Freemarket. "By integrating Axiym's innovative liquidity solutions into our platform, we're empowering businesses with the financial flexibility they need to grow their businesses and serve their customers without the burden of pre-funding constraints." Axiym is committed to helping businesses thrive by providing fast, embedded, and transparent liquidity solutions. Through its real-time liquidity access and AI-driven credit scoring, Axiym ensures that businesses can scale with confidence while optimising cash flow management."At Axiym, we believe that businesses deserve the freedom to grow without being held back by capital constraints," said Farhad Rassul, Chief Business Officer at Axiym. "Our partnership with Freemarket marks a significant step forward in delivering seamless, real-time liquidity to businesses, allowing them to focus on expanding their reach and serving their customers effectively." Freemarket's commitment to providing cutting-edge payment infrastructure, coupled with Axiym's expertise in liquidity management, creates a powerful synergy that will drive innovation and efficiency in the sector.For more information about how Freemarket and Axiym are revolutionising liquidity access for businesses, visit www.wearefreemarket.com and www.axiym.io Businesses should carefully assess their needs and seek independent advice before relying on cross-border payments services.-ENDS-Notes to editorsAbout Freemarket Freemarket is a tech-enabled, relationship-led payments provider, helping businesses move money seamlessly across their network and beyond. Our platform enables businesses to trade, pay, and receive with efficiency, unlocking new opportunities for growth.With a trusted network of banking, NBFI and fintech providers, Freemarket provides secure, borderless payment solutions designed to help businesses scale, save, and succeed.FreemarketFX Limited is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) - Firm No.585093.FreemarketFX Ireland Limited is authorised and regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland (Firm No. C456818).About Axiym Axiym is a liquidity solutions provider dedicated to helping businesses optimise capital and reduce pre-funding requirements. Through its Avalanche powered Embedded Liquidity Engine and AI-driven credit scoring, Axiym offers real-time liquidity access, enabling businesses to manage cash flow efficiently and drive business growth.Contact InformationKatie BarryMarketing Managerkatie.barry@wearefreemarket.com +447849758982SOURCE: Freemarket
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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 10, 2025 / Laborers' International Union of North America, Local Union 1184, 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 Local 1184.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?On November 17, 2024, Local 1184 became aware of a security incident on its secure computer system. Upon detection, Local 1184 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 used information obtained from sources other than the Local Union to gain access to Local 1184's computer system and subsequently infected the system with ransomware. Local 1184 conducted a comprehensive review of the impacted data to determine what information was compromised and identified affected individuals. On November 18, 2024, Local 1184 regained control of its system. Subsequently, Local 1184 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, Social Security number, membership numbers, telephone numbers, home address, email address, and work dispatch records. On March 31, 2025, Local 1184 filed a notice with the California 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 Local 1184, 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
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 10, 2025 / Amherst College, 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 Amherst College.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?Amherst College recently experienced unauthorized access to its email and payroll system. Upon detection, Amherst College launched an investigation with the assistance of third-party cybersecurity experts to determine the nature and scope of the incident. On March 3, 2025, the investigation determined that an unauthorized party had viewed and possibly copied sensitive personal information. Amherst College conducted a comprehensive review of the impacted data to determine what information was compromised and identify affected individuals.Upon information and belief, the following types of sensitive personal information may have been compromised: name, and Social Security number. On March 28, 2025, Amherst College filed a notice with the Attorney General of Massachusetts 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 Amherst College, 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: 2025-04-10 18:32:33

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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 10, 2025 / JPW Industries, 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 JPW.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?On February 3, 2025, JPW Industries became aware of a security incident on its computer network systems. Upon detection, JPW launched an investigation with the assistance of third-party cybersecurity experts to determine the nature and scope of the incident. The investigation determined that a computer virus had locked certain computer systems, and an unauthorized third party may have viewed and copied sensitive personal information. JPW conducted a comprehensive review of the impacted data to determine what information was compromised and identified affected individuals, which concluded on March 14, 2025.Upon information and belief, the following types of sensitive personal information may have been compromised:name, Social Security number, driver's license or other government-issued identification number, and financial account information (account number, credit or debit card number, along with security/access codes).On April 1, 2025, JPW filed a notice with the New Hampshire 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 JPW, 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: 2025-04-10 18:32:37

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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 10, 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
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 10, 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: 2025-04-10 02:00:38

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TWIN CITIES, MN / ACCESS Newswire / April 9, 2025 / Marnie Thies ofproviolin.comexplores the different components of teaching advanced violin students. She discusses the methods she uses to cultivate technique and musicality. Marnie Thies Violin Lessons explains her approach to teaching key elements of violin playing, such as enhancing left-hand dexterity, refining bow arm technique, developing continuous vibrato alongside various speeds of vibrato to convey different emotions, and sight-reading. These skills are developed through targeted exercises that aim to improve left hand fluidity, and the bow arm.For advanced students, lessons focus on further refinement of left-hand dexterity. This technical aspect is addressed by using "The School of Violin-Technics" Volume One by Schradieck. This method book develops left-hand strength, agility, and speed, particularly improving finger coordination and evenness across all fingers, including the pinky. There are many amateur and professional violinists that use Schradieck on a daily basis to keep their fingers in the left hand moving in an agile manner. Marnie Thies's former violin teacher, Mary West, played from this book when she was 87!Thies further develops finger dexterity through accelerated three-octave scales, incorporating bow control and metronome work. To improve bow arm technique and even bow distribution, Marnie Thies has students divide the bow evenly for each note (e.g., half bow for two notes, one-third for three notes).Another aspect that Marnie Thies addresses in her lessons is bowing technique, particularly bow distribution (also known as bow division). Bow distribution refers to using an equal or appropriate amount of bow for each note when playing multiple notes on a single bow stroke.In violin playing, a down bow moves from the frog (the part of the bow held by the player) toward the tip, while an up bow moves from the tip back toward the frog. Proper bow distribution is crucial for producing a consistent tone and ensuring each note is clearly heard.To develop control and precision in bow distribution, Marnie Thies Violin Lessons teaches an exercise where students pause the bow between notes when playing multiple notes in a single bow stroke. This helps students become more aware of how much bow they are using and reinforces muscle memory in the right arm.Thies acknowledges that this exercise can be challenging, as students often use too much bow at the frog and tip, making the sound uneven. To address this, she places visual markers (such as tape) on the bow or instructs online students on where to place the tape themselves. These markers serve as a visual and tactile guide, helping students develop more precise bow control.Other advanced bowing exercises include studies from Sevcik's "Forty Variations, Op. 3." These exercises focus on various off-the-string bow strokes which are important for playing more advanced repertoire. Practicing these variations further facilitates the fluidity, precision and confidence needed to navigate more challenging music. In addition to bowing techniques, Thies also emphasizes the importance of vibrato in her lessons.One of the main techniques Thies incorporates into her lessons is continuous vibrato, a hallmark of expressive violin playing. She stresses its significance by explaining that vibrating on every note enhances tone through a richer sound thereby creating greater emotional depth helping students play with a more refined sound. Vibrato becomes particularly important for advanced students who aim to bring a greater level of musicality to their performances. Marnie Thies ensures that her students master this skill as a critical part of their technical development.How does Marnie Thies of Marnie Thies Violin Lessons suggest that her students practice having vibrato on every note?Marnie Thies advises her students to cultivate continuous vibrato by mentally preparing before each note, ensuring that vibrato is applied instinctively. Over time, this repetition builds muscle memory in the left hand, making vibrato a natural and deeply ingrained part of their playing.Another component of vibrato involves varying its speed, which is key to expressing emotion. A slower, wider vibrato conveys a calm emotion, while a faster, narrower one communicates intensity. To help students develop this skill, Marnie Thies assigns exercises with various rhythms, including eighth notes, triplets, 16th notes, and 32nd notes. These exercises allow students to master vibrato at different speeds, adding depth to their playing and helping them match the emotional nuances of the music. This control also improves their overall musical expression and versatility.In addition to vibrato, Marnie Thies prioritizes sight-reading practice for students preparing for auditions, such as youth orchestra auditions, which often involve playing higher notes and tackling complex rhythms. To enhance sight-reading skills, she incorporates position-based exercises designed to improve accuracy in higher registers. Thies also integrates the use of flashcards and tuners, helping students practice pitch recognition and precise finger placement. This targeted approach builds confidence and precision while reinforcing accuracy across all violin positions, a crucial component of advanced musicianship. Violin positions, determined by the left hand's placement on the fingerboard-the ebony strip of the violin-allow players to navigate the fingerboard and access higher notes with ease.Through Marnie Thies's methodical approach, she ensures that students are equipped with the skills needed for superior violin playing. By nurturing the development of solid technical foundations from the very beginning, Thies helps her students navigate obstacles, build confidence, and reach their full potential.At the time of this article, Marnie Thies Violin Lessons offers lessons to students aged five and older, as well as adults, in St. Paul, Minnesota, serving students in the surrounding areas of Falcon Heights and North Oaks. She also gives online violin lessons. To observe the progression of her online student who studied exclusively with Marnie and acquired vibrato solely through online lessons, please visit her online violin lessons page atproviolin.com . If you are interested in lessons with Marnie, she can be reached through her website.CONTACT:Marnie Thies of Marnie Thies Violin LessonsEmail: marnie78t@ gmail.com SOURCE: Marnie Thies Violin Lessons
PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-10 19:00:53

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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 10, 2025 / Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) between February 3, 2022 and February 3, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important April 14, 2025 lead plaintiff deadline.SO WHAT: If you purchased Merck securities during the Class Period 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 Merck class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=34975or 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 14, 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 firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, throughout the Class Period, defendants provided investors with material information concerning Merck's expected revenue of $11 billion from sales of Gardasil by 2030. Defendants' statements included, among other things, confidence in Merck's purported ability to utilize successful consumer activation and education efforts on the benefits of Gardasil in order to drive demand and capitalize on eligible populations for vaccination, resulting in confidently optimistic reports and forecasts of Gardasil's growth in China. Defendants provided these overwhelmingly positive statements to investors while, at the same time, disseminating materially false and misleading statements and/or concealing material adverse facts concerning the true state of Gardasil's demand in China; notably, that Merck lacked visibility into demand for Gardasil in China among eligible and otherwise targeted populations, resulting in the inflated inventory of its distributor, Zhifei. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.To join the Merck class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=34975 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 investor's 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 or 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 FloorNew York, NY 10016Tel: (212) 686-1060Toll Free: (866) 767-3653Fax: (212) 202-3827 case@ rosenlegal.comwww.rosenlegal.com SOURCE: The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
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GOTEBORG, SE / ACCESS Newswire / April 10, 2025 / Smart Eye (STO:SEYE)(OTC PINK:SMTEF)(FRA:SE9) - Smart Eye Aktiebolag (publ), reg. no. 556575-8371 (the "Company" or "Smart Eye"), with its registered office in Gothenburg, gives notice of the Annual General Meeting to be held on Tuesday 13 May 2025 at 16.00 at the address, Masthamnsgatan 3, floor 3, SE-413 27 Gothenburg. Registration starts at 15.30.NOTIFICATION, ETC.NotificationShareholders who wish to participate at the Annual General Meeting shall: firstly, be entered in the share register maintained by Euroclear Sweden AB no later than on Monday 5 May 2025 (for nominee-registered shares, also see "Nominee-registered shares" below), secondly, notify the Company of their intention to participate at the Annual General Meeting no later than on Wednesday 7 May 2025, by mail to Smart Eye Aktiebolag (publ), AGM 2025, Att. Mats Benjaminsson, Masthamnsgatan 3, floor 3, SE-413 27, Gothenburg, Sweden or by e-mailto arsstamma@ smarteye.se The shareholders shall in their notice to attend state name, personal identification number or company registration number, shareholding, address, phone number and, as applicable, information about any advisors (maximum two), proxies or representatives. Information delivered upon notice to attend will be processed and used only for the Annual General Meeting. See below for further information on processing of personal data.Nominee-registered sharesTo be entitled to participate in the Annual General Meeting, a shareholder whose shares are held in the name of a nominee must, in addition to providing notification of participation, register its shares in its own name so that the shareholder is recorded in the share register relating to the circumstances on Monday 5 May 2025. Such registration may be temporary (so-called voting right registration) and is requested from the nominee in accordance with the nominee's procedures and in such time in advance as the nominee determines. Voting right registrations completed by the nominee not later than Wednesday 7 May 2025are taken into account when preparing the share register.Proxy, etc. Shareholders who intend to be represented by proxy shall issue a dated power of attorney for the proxy. If the power of attorney is executed by a legal person a certified copy of the certificate of registration or equivalent should be attached. The power of attorney may not be older than one year, however, it may be older provided that the power of attorney according to its wording is valid for a longer period, although, not more than five years from its issuance. The certificate of registration must not have been issued earlier than one year before. The power of attorney in original and, where applicable, the certificate of registration should be submitted to the Company to the address set forth above well in advance of the Annual General Meeting. A proxy form is available on the Company's website, www.smarteye.se PROPOSED AGENDA1.Opening of the Annual General Meeting.2.Election of Chairman at the Annual General Meeting.3.Preparation and approval of the voting list.4.Approval of the agenda.5.Election of one or two persons to approve the minutes.6.Determination as to whether the Annual General Meeting has been duly convened.7.Submission of the annual report and the auditors' report and the consolidated financial statements and the auditors' report for the group. In connection thereto, a presentation by the CEO.8.Resolution regardinga.adoption of the income statement and the balance sheet and the consolidated income statement and the consolidated balance sheet,b.allocation of the Company's profits or losses in accordance with the adopted balance sheet,c.discharge of the members of the Board of Directors and the CEO from liability.9.Determination of the number of members of the Board of Directors, deputies, auditors and deputy auditors.10.Election of members of the Board of Directors, Chairman of the Board of Directors and auditor.The Nomination Committee's proposal:a.Anders Jofelt (re-election)b.Lars Olofsson (re-election)c.Mats Krantz (re-election)d.Cecilia Wachtmeister (re-election)e.Magnus Jonsson (re-election)f.Maria Hedengren (new election)g.Andreas Anyuru (new election)Election of the Chairman of the Board of Directors.The Nomination Committee's proposal:h.Anders Jofelt (re-election)Election of the auditor.The Nomination Committee's proposal:i.Ohrlings PricewaterhouseCoopers AB (new election)11.Determination of fees for members of the Board of Directors and auditor.12.Principles for the appointment of the members of the nomination committee.13.Resolution to adopt a long-term incentive programme in the form of performance-based share options for employees within the Smart Eye group and resolution on a directed issue of warrants.14.Resolution to carry out a directed issue of warrants to Smart Eye and approval of subsequent transfer of warrants.15.Resolution to authorise the Board of Directors to resolve on new share issues.16.Closing of the Annual General Meeting.THE NOMINATION COMMITTEE'S PROPOSALS UNDER ITEMS 2, 9, 10, 11 AND 12The Nomination Committee, consisting of Anna Magnusson (appointed by Forsta AP-fonden), chairman, Malin Bjorkmo (appointed by Handelsbanken Fonder), Mary Irwin (appointed by the family Krantz) and Linda Jofelt (appointed by the family Jofelt) has submitted the following proposals.Item 2 - Election of Chairman at the Annual General MeetingThe Nomination Committee proposes that Anders Jofelt, or in his absence, the person designated by the Nomination Committee, is elected Chairman of the Annual General Meeting.Item 9 -Determination of the number of members of the Board of Directors, deputies, auditors and deputy auditorsThe Nomination Committee proposes that the Board of Directors shall consist of seven (7) ordinary members without deputies.The Nomination Committee proposes that a registered accounting firm is to be appointed as auditor.Item 10 -Election of members of the Board of Directors, Chairman of the Board of Directors and auditorThe Nomination Committee proposes that Anders Jofelt, Lars Olofsson, Mats Krantz, Cecilia Wachtmeister and Magnus Jonsson are re-elected as well as new election of Maria Hedengren and Andreas Anyuru as members of the Board of Directors. All elections for the period until the end of the next Annual General Meeting. Further, the Nomination Committee proposes that And
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 10, 2025 / Plaisted 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 Plaisted.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?In September 2024, Plaisted experienced a network disruption that prompted an immediate investigation with the assistance of third-party cybersecurity experts. The investigation determined that certain employee files were accessed without authorization around September 4, 2024. In response, Plaisted initiated a comprehensive review of the impacted files to determine what specific types of personal information were present and to identify affected individuals. This review concluded on February 11, 2025. Following the review, Plaisted verified address information to ensure proper notification could be provided. That process concluded on March 21, 2025.Upon information and belief, the following types of sensitive personalinformation may have been compromised:name, Social Security number, driver's license or other government identification number, account number, 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.On March 26, 2025, Plaisted filed a notice with the New Hampshire Attorney General and began mailing data breach notification 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 Plaisted, 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
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PHILADELPHIA, PA / ACCESS Newswire / April 10, 2025 / Kehoe Law Firm, P.C. is investigating potential securities fraud claims on behalf of investors ofReady Capital Corporation ("Ready Capital") (NYSE:RC).On March 6, 2025, a class action complaint alleging violations of federal securities laws was filed against Ready Capital in federal court on behalf of investors who acquiredReady Capital stock between November 7, 2024 and March 2, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period").Investors who acquired Ready Capital stock during the Class Period and incurred financial losses are encouraged to completeKehoe Law Firm's Stockholder Information Request Formorsend us a messageto contact an attorney to learn more about the class action and receive a free, no-obligation legal evaluation.For direct inquiries, Ready Capital shareholders should contact Michael Yarnoff, Esq., (215) 792-6676, Ext. 804, myarnoff@ kehoelawfirm.com , info@ kehoelawfirm.com Additional information can be obtained at https://kehoelawfirm.com/ready-capital-stock-rc/ Lead Plaintiff Deadline - May 5, 2025Ready Capital investors have until May 5, 2025 to seek appointment as lead plaintiff. The lead plaintiff typically has the largest financial interest and meets the adequacy and typicality requirements. Investors do not need to serve as lead plaintiff to share in any potential recovery.ABOUT KEHOE LAW FIRM, P.C.Kehoe Law Firm, P.C.is a nationally recognized, plaintiff-side class action firm dedicated to protecting investors and consumers from fraud and misconduct. Our attorneys have served as Lead or Co-Lead Counsel in major securities cases, recovering over $10 billion for institutional and individual investors.Our firm litigates securities fraud, fiduciary breaches, unfair mergers and acquisitions, and antitrust violations, while also representing whistleblowers and advocating for victims of data breaches, consumer fraud, vehicle and product defects, employment law violations, retirement plan mismanagement, and other corporate and business misconduct. With a results-driven approach, we pursue justice and substantial recoveries for those we represent.This press release may constitute attorney advertising.SOURCE: Kehoe Law Firm, P.C.
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ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA / ACCESS Newswire / April 9, 2025 / Barton Gold Holdings Limited (ASX:BGD) (Barton or the Company) advises that the attached presentation is due to be presented today at the RRS Gather Round Conference.A copy of this presentation can be accessed on the ASX website, the investor section of Barton's website, or directly by clicking here.Authorised by the Managing Director of Barton Gold Holdings Limited.For further information, please contact:Alexander ScanlonManaging Director a.scanlon@ bartongold.com.au +61 425 226 649Jade CookCompany Secretary cosec@ bartongold.com.au +61 8 9322 1587About Barton Gold Barton Gold is an ASX, OTCQB and Frankfurt Stock Exchange listed Australian gold developer targeting future gold production of 150,000oz annually, with ~1.7Moz Au JORC Mineral Resources (64.0Mt @ 0.83 g/t Au), brownfield mines, and 100% ownership of the region's only gold mill in the renowned Gawler Craton of South Australia.*Competent Persons Statement & Previously Reported Information The information in this announcement that relates to the historic Exploration Results and Mineral Resources as listed in the table below is based on, and fairly represents, information and supporting documentation prepared by the Competent Person whose name appears in the same row, who is an employee of or independent consultant to the Company and is a Member or Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM), Australian Institute of Geoscientists (AIG) or a Recognised Professional Organisation (RPO). Each person named in the table below has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and types of deposits under consideration and to the activity which he has undertaken to quality as a Competent Person as defined in the JORC Code 2012 (JORC).ActivityCompetent PersonMembershipStatusTarcoola Mineral Resource (Stockpiles)Dr Andrew Fowler (Consultant)AusIMMMemberTarcoola Mineral Resource (Perseverance Mine)Mr Ian Taylor (Consultant)AusIMMFellowTarcoola Exploration Results (until 15 Nov 2021)Mr Colin Skidmore (Consultant)AIGMemberTarcoola Exploration Results (after 15 Nov 2021)Mr Marc Twining (Employee)AusIMMMemberTunkillia Exploration Results (until 15 Nov 2021)Mr Colin Skidmore (Consultant)AIGMemberTunkillia Exploration Results (after 15 Nov 2021)Mr Marc Twining (Employee)AusIMMMemberTunkillia Mineral ResourceMr Ian Taylor (Consultant)AusIMMFellowChallenger Mineral ResourceMr Dale Sims (Consultant)AusIMM / AIGFellow / MemberThe information relating to historic Exploration Results and Mineral Resources in this announcement is extracted from the Company's Prospectus dated 14 May 2021 or as otherwise noted in this announcement, available from the Company's website at www.bartongold.com.au or on the ASX website www.asx.com.au . The Company confirms that it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the Exploration Results and Mineral Resource information included in previous announcements and, in the case of estimates of Mineral Resources, that all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the estimates, and any production targets and forecast financial information derived from the production targets, continue to apply and have not materially changed. The Company confirms that the form and context in which the applicable Competent Persons' findings are presented have not been materially modified from the previous announcements.Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information This document may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "expect", "target" and "intend" and statements than an event or result "may", "will", "should", "would", "could", or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions. Forward-looking information is subject to business, legal and economic risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among other things, risks relating to property interests, the global economic climate, commodity prices, sovereign and legal risks, and environmental risks. Forward-looking statements are based upon estimates and opinions at the date the statements are made. Barton undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements for events or circumstances that occur subsequent to such dates or to update or keep current any of the information contained herein. Any estimates or projections as to events that may occur in the future (including projections of revenue, expense, net income and performance) are based upon the best judgment of Barton from information available as of the date of this document. There is no guarantee that any of these estimates or projections will be achieved. Actual results will vary from the projections and such variations may be material. Nothing contained herein is, or shall be relied upon as, a promise or representation as to the past or future. Any reliance placed by the reader on this document, or on any forward-looking statement contained in or referred to in this document will be solely at the readers own risk, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements due to the inherent uncertainty thereof.* Refer to Barton Prospectus dated 14 May 2021 and ASX announcement dated 4 March 2025. Total Barton JORC (2012) Mineral Resources include 909koz Au (30.8Mt @ 0.92 g/t Au) in Indicated category and 799koz Au (33.2Mt @ 0.75 g/t Au) in Inferred category, and 3,070koz Ag (34.5Mt @ 2.80 g/t Ag) in Inferred category as a subset of Tunkillia gold JORC (2012) Mineral Resources.SOURCE: Barton Gold Holdings Limited
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 10, 2025 / Special Tree, Ltd., 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 Special Tree.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?On September 28, 2024, Special Tree became aware of a security incident on its IT network. Upon detection, Special Tree 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 accessed sensitive personal and protected health information between September 28, 2024, and September 30, 2024. Special Tree conducted a comprehensive review of the impacted data to determine what information was compromised and identified affected individuals, which concluded on March 13, 2025.Upon information and belief, the following types of sensitive personal information may have been compromised: name, Social Security number, driver's license number, and financial account information. On March 31, 2025, Special Tree filed a notice with the Attorney General of Massachusetts 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 Special Tree, 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
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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / April 9, 2025 / Star Copper Corp. ("Star" or the "Company") (CSE:STCU) is pleased to announce that it has completed a non-brokered private placement (see news release dated March 31, 2025 and March 3, 2025), issuing a total of 10,000,000 units of the Company ("Units") at a price of $0.25 per Unit for gross proceeds of $2,500,000 (the "Offering"). Each Unit consisted of one common share of the Company and one common share purchase warrant, with each warrant exercisable to acquire one common share of the Company at a price of $0.32 per share for a period of 24 months from the date of issuance. The proceeds of the Offering will be used for project evaluation, general working capital purposes and to satisfy existing property commitments and payables.All securities issued pursuant to the Offering are subject to a statutory hold period of four (4) months and a day from issuance.An insider of the Company subscribed for a total of 200,000 Units under the Offering, which is a "related party transaction" within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The issuance to the insider is exempt from the valuation requirement of MI 61-101 by virtue of the exemption contained in section 5.5(a) as the Units purchased do not exceed more than 25% of the market capitalization of the Company and from the minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 by virtue of the exemption contained in section 5.7(b) of MI 61-101 in that the fair market value of the securities distributed in the final tranche is not more than $2,500,000.None of the securities sold in connection with the Offering are registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and no such securities were offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.About Star Copper Corp. (CSE:STCU)(OTC PINK:STCUF)(FWB:PP0)Star Copper is focused on contributing to the green economy by finding and developing copper resource assets in stable jurisdictions. The Company is positioned to earn a 60-per-cent interest in the Indata copper-gold project located in north-central British Columbia. After the acquisition of Cavu Energy Metals, the Company has acquired 100% of the Star copper-gold porphyry project in the Golden Triangle of British Columbia, as well as the 100% owned Quesnel project in the middle of the Quesnel Trough, host to a number of alkalic copper-gold porphyry deposits running northwest across western British Columbia. The company also holds a 100% interest in the Copper-Molybdenum Okeover project north of Powell River.For more information visit https://starcopper.com/ On Behalf of the Board of Directors of Star~Darryl Jones~Darryl JonesCEO, President & DirectorStar Copper Corp.Contact Star CopperInvictus Investor Relations+1 (604) 343.8661 walter@ invictusir.com Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking StatementsThis news release contains forward-looking statements and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "anticipate", "expects" and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the terms and completion of the Offering. 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 but are not limited to market conditions and the risks detailed from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company will update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements as expressly required by applicable law.SOURCE: Star Copper Corp.
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Highlights:RC Drilling Has Recommenced at Gran Pilar's Expansion ZoneNext Phase of 1,500m Planned, Potential to ExpandFollow-up on Initial Scout Drilling Success3.1m of 19.4 g/t Au, within 106.6m of 0.6 g/t Au (JES-24-101)16.8m of 0.4 g/t Au and 6 g/t Ag (JES-24-102)Target Area Spans 675 meters Over Northern ZoneResults Pending for Three Core HolesCALGARY, AB / ACCESS Newswire / April 10, 2025 / Tocvan Ventures Corp. (the "Company") (CSE:TOC)(OTCQB:TCVNF)(WKN:TV3/A2PE64), is pleased to announce drilling has restarted at the Gran Pilar Gold Silver Project in mine-friendly Sonora, Mexico. Drilling will focus on the 100% controlled expansion area where recent scout drilling returned significant mineralization highlighted by 3.1 meters of 19.4 g/t Au within 106.6 meters of 0.6 g/t Au, just six meters from surface (12.2 meters downhole). Drilling started the evening of April 7th, over 100 meters are completed already in the first drill hole. Results are pending for three core holes."We are excited to be back drilling the expansion zone where recent results returned high-grade gold at surface." commented, CEO Brodie Sutherland. "Following up on our success, testing the northern edge of known mineralization with drilling will provide us with further insight on the resource potential. There remains a large untested area to the north and east where we will continue to push expansion. In addition, the northern alteration zone five kilometers away, remains open for exploration where a separate mineralized system has the potential to add further discovery upside. We look forward to updating our shareholders with continued drill results and advancements in permitting for production." Figure 1. 3D Long Section of the Main Zone and the new Expansion Target to the north (left side of image).Figure 2. Planview map of the Main Zone area and immediately north where recent RC drilling has discovered the extension of mineralization along parallel trends. Recent drill results are highlighted. Below, Photos from RC Drilling at Gran Pilar. Figure 3. Gran Pilar Project Overview, > 22km2 of prospective ground with two primary targets: South Block, the direct extension and expansion of the historic Main Zone defined by an expanding vein field of untested drill targets; North Block a 3.2-km by 1.5-km pyrite and clay alteration zone that coincides with high-grade gold-silver, the area remains largely untested.Pilar Drill Highlights:2024 RC Drilling Highlights include (all lengths are drilled thicknesses):42.7m @ 1.0 g/t Au, including 3.1m @ 10.9 g/t Au56.4m @ 1.0 g/t Au, including 3.1m @ 14.7 g/t Au16.8m @ 0.8 g/t Au and 19 g/t Ag2022 Phase III Diamond Drilling Highlights include (all lengths are drilled thicknesses):116.9m @ 1.2 g/t Au, including 10.2m @ 12 g/t Au and 23 g/t Ag108.9m @ 0.8 g/t Au, including 9.4m @ 7.6 g/t Au and 5 g/t Ag63.4m @ 0.6 g/t Au and 11 g/t Ag, including 29.9m @ 0.9 g/t Au and 18 g/t Ag2021 Phase II RC Drilling Highlights include (all lengths are drilled thicknesses):39.7m @ 1.0 g/t Au, including 1.5m @ 14.6 g/t Au47.7m @ 0.7 g/t Au including 3m @ 5.6 g/t Au and 22 g/t Ag29m @ 0.7 g/t Au35.1m @ 0.7 g/t Au2020 Phase I RC Drilling Highlights include (all lengths are drilled thicknesses):94.6m @ 1.6 g/t Au, including 9.2m @ 10.8 g/t Au and 38 g/t Ag;41.2m @ 1.1 g/t Au, including 3.1m @ 6.0 g/t Au and 12 g/t Ag ;24.4m @ 2.5 g/t Au and 73 g/t Ag, including 1.5m @ 33.4 g/t Au and 1,090 g/t Ag15,000m of Historic Core & RC drilling. Highlights include:61.0m @ 0.8 g/t Au21.0m @ 38.3 g/t Au and 38 g/t Ag13.0m @ 9.6 g/t Au9.0m @ 10.2 g/t Au and 46 g/t AgPilar Bulk Sample Summary:62% Recovery of Gold Achieved Over 46-day Leaching PeriodHead Grade Calculated at 1.9 g/t Au and 7 g/t Ag; Extracted Grade Calculated at 1.2 g/t Au and 3 g/t AgBulk Sample Only Included Coarse Fraction of Material (+3/4" to +1/8")Fine Fraction (-1/8") Indicates Rapid Recovery with Agitated LeachAgitated Bottle Roll Test Returned Rapid and High Recovery Results: 80% Recovery of Gold and 94% Recovery of Silver after Rapid 24-hour Retention TimeAdditional Metallurgical Studies:Gravity Recovery with Agitated Leach Results of Five Composite Samples Returned95 to 99% Recovery of Gold73 to 97% Recovery of SilverIncludes the Recovery of 99% Au and 73% Ag from Drill Core Composite at 120-meter depth.Based on management's strong belief in the project's potential, the Company is outlining a permitting and operations strategy for a pilot facility at Pilar. The facility would underpin a robust test mine scenario with aims to process up to 50,000 tonnes of material. Timelines and budget are being prepared with the aim of moving forward with the development early in 2025. With gold prices hitting all-time highs, the Company believes the onsite test mine will provide key economic parameters and showcase the mineral potential of the area. In 2023, the Company completed an offsite bulk sample that produced important data showcasing the potential to recover both gold and silver through a variety of methods including heap leach, gravity and agitated leach (see August 22, 2023, news release for more details).About Tocvan Ventures Corp.Tocvan's advancing gold-silver projects are located in the mine-friendly jurisdiction of Sonora, Mexico. Through ongoing exploration programs, Company is unveiling the high-potential at its Gran Pilar Gold-Silver Project where it holds 100% interests in over 21 square kilometers of prospective area and a majority ownership (51%) in a one square kilometer area shared with Colibri Resources. The Company also holds 100% interest in the Picacho Gold-Silver project in the Caborca Trend of northern Sonora, a trend host to some of the major gold deposits of the region. Management feels both projects represent tremendous opportunity to create shareholder value.Tocvan has approximately 59 million shares outstanding.Quality Assurance / Quality Control Rock and Drill samples were shipped for sample preparation to ALS Limited in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico and for analysis at the ALS laboratory in North Vancouver. The ALS Hermosillo and North Vancouver facilities are ISO 9001 and ISO/IEC 17025 certified. Gold was analyzed using 50-gram nominal weight fire assay with atomic absorption spectroscopy finish. Over limits for gold (>10 g/t), were analyzed using fire assay with a gravimetric finish. Silver and other elements were analyzed using a four-acid digestion with an ICP finish. Over limit analyses for silver (>100 g/t) were r
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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / April 10, 2025 / Xebra Brands Ltd. ("Xebra" or the "Company") (CSE:XBRA)(OTCQB:XBRAF)(FSE:9YC0), a trailblazer in the Mexican cannabis sector and the sole company legally permitted to cultivate, manufacture, operate, and sell cannabis (-1% THC) in Mexico, is excited to announce the launch of a formal Request for Proposal (RFP) process. This initiative seeks to form 5 to 12 agricultural partnerships with companies and authorities across diverse growing regions in Mexico to cultivate cannabis under federal authorization.A National Call for Cannabis Cultivation PartnersXebra continues to progress on the legal groundwork while moving into commercial execution, the Company is issuing a public call for proposals from experienced agricultural companies, landowners, and municipal entities with the capability and interest to partner on cannabis cultivation projects. These joint initiatives will mark the first wave of federally compliant cannabis farming operations in the country."Entering commercial operations marks a historic milestone for Xebra and for the cannabis industry in Mexico," said Rodrigo Gallardo, Interim CEO of Xebra Brands. "By launching this RFP, we are not only opening the door for regional growers to participate in a federally licensed and structured cannabis market-we are laying the groundwork for a transformative new chapter in the country's agricultural economy." RFP Overview and TimelineThe RFP will remain open from June 1, 2025 until August 31, 2025. Proposals will be reviewed through a structured evaluation process, with selected partners announced in fall 2025.The RFP submission package outlines all requirements and evaluation criteria, which include:Land Information: Location, size, access to infrastructure, water availability, and suitability for cannabis.Legal Readiness: Ability to operate in compliance with COFEPRIS and municipal agricultural guidelines.Operational Experience: Track record in high-value crop cultivation, including greenhouse or open-field management.Project Proposal: Business model (joint venture, lease, etc.), proposed investment, and projected yield capacity.Environmental Responsibility: Sustainability practices and community development plans.Security Protocols: Site security, access control, and regulatory compliance safeguards.Implementation Timeline: Readiness for immediate development and planting schedules.Driving Forward a Legal Cannabis EconomyThis initiative represents the first economic agricultural call-to-action under Mexico's federal cannabis framework, solidifying Xebra's leadership in the space and laying the groundwork for a thriving, legally compliant cannabis economy.About Xebra Brands:Xebra Brands Ltd. is a global cannabis company focused on the development and commercialization of cannabis-based products and assets. In Mexico, Xebra holds the only full federal authorization to legally cultivate, process, and sell cannabis (-1% THC). The Company is committed to building a national network of compliant cultivation partners and introducing high-quality cannabis products to both domestic and international markets.ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD:Rodrigo GallardoInterim CEOFor more information contact:1(888) XEBRA 88omar@ xebrabrands.com Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements", as such terms are defined under applicable securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words and 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. Forward-looking statements herein include, but are not limited to, statements with respect Strategy 2025 and the Company's growth strategy into the CBD market, the roadmap to accelerate growth in the North American CBD market, the Company's expected growth pillars of Cultivation, Manufacturing and Retail and the planned business activities under each such pillar, that the Company is actively seeking to amend current provisions under the Company's Mexican cultivation licences that limit cultivation scale, the aim to collaborate with major agricultural institutions in Mexico for large-scale, low-cost outdoor cannabis cultivation, expectations with respect to the Company's legal proceedings in Mexico, including the results and timing thereof, the expectation that Chapingo University will initiate pilot projects once confined site approval is granted, the anticipation for the importation process the two CBD products, which were manufactured in partnership with Restorative Botanicals, to be completed by April 2025 and the expectation for launch shortly thereafter, the Company's plans for e-commerce partnerships with Amazon Mexico and Mercado Libre is Mexico and the intention to leveraging expertise from a major U.S. e-commerce partner for market expansion and that the Company is seeking partnerships with CBD brands and that such partnerships may expedite the Company's path to self-sustainability.These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond Xebra's ability to predict or control and could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Specific reference is made to Xebra's most recent annual management discussion and analysis on file with certain Canadian provincial securities regulatory authorities for a discussion of some of the factors underlying forward-looking statements, which include, without limitation, the inability of Xebra to retain the authorizations granted by COFEPRIS, the inability to successfully complete financings on terms acceptable to Xebra or at all, the inability to generate sufficient revenues or to raise sufficient funds to carry out its business plan; changes in government legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments in various countries; risks associated with agriculture and cultivation activities generally, including inclement weather, access to supply of seeds, poor crop yields, and spoilage; compliance with import and export laws of various countries; significant fluctuations in cannabis prices and tr
Cheetah trafficking in the Horn of Africa has reached crisis levels. Research has documented at least 1,884 incidents involving around 4 000 live cheetahs and cheetah parts related to the illegal wildlife trade from Africa to the Arabian Peninsula between 2010 and 2019.

A more recent study sheds light on how baby cheetahs are smuggled from the Horn of Africa to Gulf countries and sold as exotic pets. The illicit trade has increased significantly  since 2020, annual figures are 60 per cent higher than in the previous decade.

The Cheetah Conservation Fund says around 300 cubs are illegally captured each year in Ethiopia, northern Kenya, Somalia and Somaliland to supply the illicit cheetah trade.

As predators, cheetahs help maintain ecosystem health by ensuring predator-prey balance, which prevents overgrazing and supports biodiversity. The latest estimates suggest that only 2,290 cheetahs remain in the Horn of Africa wildlands. Both CITES and the International Union for Conservation of Nature list the animals as vulnerable and at risk of extinction.

Consequently, the international trade in wild-caught cheetahs for commercial purposes is prohibited, with exceptions granted to Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe through annual quotas for hunting trophies and live specimens.

Despite the trade ban, cheetahs face significant risks in East Africa. Cubs are trafficked to meet growing demand in the Middle East, where owning a cheetah is a prestigious status symbol. Instability, enforcement gaps and high poverty levels in the Horn combine to enable rampant cheetah trafficking across East African borders.

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Baby cheetahs are sold in Somalia for about $78. The practice has been linked to local farmers who share land with these animals or encroach on their natural habitat. When cheetahs kill livestock, farmers make up their losses by catching and selling cubs, says the International Fund for Animal Welfare.

Criminal groups transport the cubs to Somalia by motorcycle, exploiting porous borders and circumventing enforcement efforts. From Somalia, they are shipped to Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Yemen, where they are sold to exotic pet collectors and private zoos for up to KES3.8 million (almost $30,000) each.

Many die before they reach their destination, mainly due to poor conditions and inadequate care, the Cheetah Metapopulation Initiatives Vincent van der Merwe told the ENACT organised crime project.

Cheetah cubs are sold to exotic pet collectors and private zoos for up to KES3.8 million (almost $30,000) each.

Social media, e-commerce sites and mobile applications enable this cross-border crime. A 2024 report by TRAFFIC, a non-governmental organisation dedicated to ensuring that wildlife trade is legal and sustainable, found that 70 per cent of online trade in cheetahs happened on social media.

Somaliland has become a conduit for the illegal wildlife trade. Its geographical proximity to the Arabian Peninsulas wealthy consumer markets for exotic wildlife, as well as weak regulations, rampant poverty and inadequate environmental awareness, all facilitate the trafficking.

Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia also contribute to the trade, primarily through corrupt practices. In October 2024, The East African noted the role of corrupt border officials in promoting illegal sales.

70 per cent of online trade in cheetahs happened on social media.

Cheetah trafficking continues despite efforts to combat wildlife crime. These include initiatives like the Horn of Africa Wildlife Enforcement Network, founded in 2017 by the regions Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) members. Cheetah ownership has also been banned in destination countries such as the UAE, which took the step in 2016.

Cheetah trafficking is a complex issue requiring sustainable cross-border solutions. The International Fund for Animal Welfare calls for stronger collaboration between national law enforcement agencies in the Arabian Peninsula and the Horn of Africa.

Given the high levels of poverty in the Horn, sustainable income opportunities must be offered to reduce the incentives for individuals and communities to get involved in cheetah trafficking. Bringing local communities into conservation efforts will raise awareness about the environmental and economic benefits of protecting cheetahs and provide livelihood options through tourism initiatives.

Better pay for wildlife conservation workers may close a gap exploited by criminal groups. This aligns with findings that public officials living in difficult socioeconomic conditions may tolerate, condone or participate in East Africas illegal wildlife trade to supplement low salaries.

Anti-poaching initiatives must be strengthened through better training for law enforcement officials and using technology such as drones, to monitor protected and affected areas. Several examples in Africa show that poaching can be effectively reduced in this way.

Changing consumer behaviour through awareness campaigns that target both sellers and buyers of cheetah cubs is equally important. In the Middle East, for example, campaigns should focus on educating the public about the ethical and environmental implications of owning exotic pets and how depleted animal populations harm the home ecosystem.

The cultural perception of cheetah ownership could be reshaped through celebrity endorsements of wildlife conservation initiatives and collaborations with social media influencers who advocate for protecting endangered species.

Governments, international bodies and tech companies should together develop tools for detecting and removing illegal wildlife trade listings online. Social media platforms and e-commerce websites must also be held accountable for failing to prevent illicit trading on their sites.

Laurie Marker and Shira Yashphe of the Cheetah Conservation Fund told ENACT that regional bodies like IGAD should initiate joint projects against wildlife trafficking between governments in East Africa and the Gulf. Specifically, they noted that stronger laws against cheetah trafficking are needed, along with regional protocols to ensure member states adherence.

Valtino Omolo, Research Officer and Willis Okumu, Senior Researcher, ENACT, Institute for Security Studies (ISS) Nairobi

ENACT is funded by the European Union and implemented by the Institute for Security Studies in partnership with INTERPOL and the Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime.

(This article was first published by ISS Today, a Premium Times syndication partner. We have their permission to republish).

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The African Digital Economy & Inclusivity Conference (AFDEIC 2025) is set to bring together government officials, policymakers, business leaders, tech innovators, academics, and development partners to discuss Africas digital economy and the role of artificial intelligence in fostering inclusive growth.

The event themed: AI and Africas Digital Economy: Leaving No One Behind is scheduled to hold in Abuja from 12 to 14 August.

The organisers, in a statement, said the discussion would explore strategies to bridge Africas digital divide, strengthen fintech ecosystems, and drive broadband expansion amid the projection that the digital economy will contribute $180 billion to Africas GDP by 2025 and exceed $712 billion by 2050.

Despite rapid growth in fintech, e-commerce, and AI-driven solutions, a 2022 report by the International Telecommunications Union found that 73 per cent of rural Africans lack internet access, limiting their ability to benefit from digital financial services and e-learning platforms.

According to the organisers, AFDEIC, the pan-African digital economy conference, is not just a dialogue but a gathering where stakeholders will develop actionable solutions that address Africas digital challenges and unlock the continents potential for socio-economic achievement through inclusive policies, ensuring that no one is left behind in digital transformation.

Discussions will cover AI and big data for economic growth, digital identity systems for cross-border trade, and gender and youth inclusion in the digital workforce. aOther sessions will focus on cybersecurity threats, regulatory challenges, and strategies for expanding broadband and mobile internet access in underserved regions.

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The event will feature high-level keynote sessions, panel discussions, and workshops on AI ethics, blockchain applications, cybersecurity best practices, and digital entrepreneurship, the statement said.

It said investment and networking forums will provide opportunities for startups, tech firms, and policymakers to connect with investors and development partners.

A technology exhibition will also showcase innovations from African startups, research institutions, and global tech companies.

Speakers are expected to include top government officials, executives from major technology firms and fintech startups, representatives from international development organisations, and thought leaders in digital innovation and policy.

Commenting on the conference, team lead, AFDIEC organising committee, Adedayo Oketola, said, Despite rapid fintech, e-commerce, and AI-driven advancements, Africa still faces significant digital infrastructure gaps.

Many rural Africans lack internet access, with millions still unable to benefit from digital financial services and e-learning platforms. This disparity hinders the equitable distribution of opportunities associated with the digital economy and draws attention to the urgency for targeted interventions.

AFDEIC 2025 would be a defining moment for Africas digital economy, offering stakeholders an opportunity to engage with policymakers, explore AIs role in economic inclusion, and forge strategic partnerships that could drive investments in digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, and fintech.

The inclusion of AI in Africas digital strategy has the potential to revolutionise various sectors, from healthcare to agriculture, education, and governance.

AI applications, combined with big data, can provide unprecedented insights and drive evidence-based decision-making. For instance, AI-powered solutions can optimise agricultural productivity, improve public health responses, and enhance financial services.

However, the adoption of AI in Africa is not without challenges. Limited access to advanced computing resources, concerns about data privacy, and the risk of exacerbating existing inequalities are critical issues that require attention.

AFDEIC 2025 will explore how AI can be harnessed responsibly and equitably to accelerate development across the continent, Mr Oketola added.

Another critical focus area of AFDEIC, according to the statement, is cybersecurity, an increasingly pressing concern in the digital age. As Africas digital economy grows, so do the risks of cyberattacks, data breaches, and financial fraud.

Addressing these threats requires comprehensive strategies that include robust legal frameworks, capacity building for cybersecurity professionals, and fostering a culture of digital security awareness.

AFDEIC 2025 will provide a platform for stakeholders to share best practices and innovative solutions to enhance Africas resilience against cyber threats, he added.

The Marketing Lead, AFDEIC, Adetoun Tade, said governments, private sector leaders, development organisations, and investors have been invited to participate as partners, exhibitors, and sponsors.

The African digital landscape is evolving rapidly, with AI, mobile payments, and blockchain technology reshaping industries from banking to healthcare.

AFDEIC is where to stay ahead of digital trends that will define Africas economic future. Businesses interested in showcasing innovations, hosting workshops, or exploring investment opportunities in Africas digital economy are encouraged to take part, she said.

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The Director-General of the World Trade Organization, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has warned that escalating trade tensions between the United States and China could lead to an 80 per cent collapse in merchandise trade between the two countries and a long-term split in the global economy.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Mrs Okonjo-Iweala described the ongoing tariff measures between the worlds two largest economies as a severe threat to the global economic outlook, particularly for developing nations.

The escalating trade tensions between the United States and China pose a significant risk of a sharp contraction in bilateral trade. Our preliminary projections suggest that merchandise trade between these two economies could decrease by as much as 80%.

This tit-for-tat approach between the worlds two largest economies  whose bilateral trade accounts for roughly 3% of global trade  carries wider implications that could severely damage the global economic outlook, she said.

The WTO, she said, is concerned about the potential fragmentation of global trade, warning that a division of the global economy into two blocs could lead to a long-term reduction in global real GDP by nearly 7%.

While the negative macroeconomic effects will be most acute in the United States and China, the impact will ripple across other economies, especially among the least developed countries.

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Trade diversion remains an immediate and pressing threat, one that requires a coordinated global response, she said.

Calling for diplomacy, Mrs Okonjo-Iweala urged WTO members to step in to de-escalate the dispute through multilateral engagement.

It is critical for the global community to work together to preserve the openness of the international trading system. WTO members have agency to protect the open, rules-based trading system. The WTO serves as a vital platform for dialogue. Resolving these issues within a cooperative framework is essential.

The WTO had earlier raised concerns over the potential impact of recent tariff measures announced by the United States, forecasting a 1 per cent contraction in global merchandise trade volumes for 2025.

Background

President Donald Trump, on 2 April, announced a 10 per cent baseline tariff on all imports, starting 5 April, along with higher duties for countries seen as trading unfairly. Nigerian exports to the US will now face a 14 per cent tariff.

These reciprocal tariffs are due to take effect on 9 April. President Trump described the measures as part of his strategy to promote economic independence and reduce the US trade deficit, particularly in relation to countries like China and the European Union.

Following global backlash, he suspended the tariff hikes for most countries but singled out China for harsher treatment, raising tariffs on Chinese goods to 125 per cent.

China responded, slapping 84 per cent tariffs on U.S. imports, blacklisting American firms and launching regulatory probes targeting US businesses operating in its market.

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Nollywood actress Ann Njemanze has filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja against the Federal Trade Registrys decision to revoke her Domitilla trademark ownership.

The dispute revolves around her registration of the iconic film titled Domitilla, a name that has long been associated with the 1996 film produced by veteran filmmaker Zeb Ejiro.

The 1996 film tells the story of a young woman navigating the harsh realities of life as a Lagos prostitute. Ms Njemanze starred in the titular role.

The film also featured notable actresses, including Sandra Achums, the late Ada Ameh, and Kate Henshaw.

On 10 March, Ms Njemanze revived a suit she filed in 2023 in an appeal against the judgement delivered by the Registrar of Trademarks, Shafiu Yauri, who ruled in favour of filmmaker Zeb Ejiro, the original producer of Domitilla, a film in which Ms Njemanze starred in 1996.

In the Tribunals decision dated 4 May 2023, the Registrar nullified all documents previously issued to Ms Njemanze regarding the trademark ownership of Domitilla, declaring that she acted in bad faith by registering the name.

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The petitioner (Ejiro) has been using Domitilla for a long time; even the respondent acted in the film named Domitilla for the petitioner, Mr Yauri stated.

Citing Section 22 of the Trademarks Act, the Registrar said the office had the statutory power to correct errors and revoke wrongly issued trademarks.

The tribunal cancels any document that might have been issued to the applicant; they were all published in error, he ruled.

But in her originating motion filed at the Federal High Court (Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/774/2023), Ms Njemanze, through her legal counsel, is seeking to overturn the tribunals ruling.

She argues that the tribunal erred in law by entertaining a petition that had become statute-barred and favouring prior use over lawful registration.

Prayers

Ms Njemanze asks the court to set aside the Trademark Tribunals ruling.

She demands that the court reinstate her as the registered owner of the Domitilla trademark.

Ms Njemanze requests that the court order the Registrar to reissue her registration certificate.

She asks the court to rectify all records to reflect her legal ownership of the mark.

Claims

In her affidavit dated 2 June 2023, the actress said she began registering Domitilla & Device in September 2020 under Class 41, receiving both an acknowledgement form and a trademark acceptance letter.

She stated that the application was published in the Trademark Journal on 21 October 2021, giving two months for opposition filings.

However, she claimed the petition filed by Mr Ejiro was only submitted on 13 February 2023over a year beyond the statutory window.

The petitioner is merely an unregistered user who never applied for the trademark. I paid the prescribed fees, was assigned RTM No: 38983, and expected my certificate before this dispute was raised, Ms Njemanze stated.

She also argued that the tribunal wrongly inferred bad faith based solely on her past acting roles in the Domitilla films rather than on legal merit.

Ms Njemanzes appeal raises five grounds, including the misapplication of Sections 18(1) and 18(7) of the Trademark Act and reliance on outdated legal principles.

The court has yet to fix a date for the hearing.

Njemanze faces legal hurdles as defence opposes consolidation of Trademark cases

On 26 March, Ms Njemanzes lawyer, Benjamin Aguegbodo, asked the trial judge, Friday Ogazi, for an adjournment in the ongoing infringement case at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi.

Mr Aguegbodo told the court that the move is to consolidate two separate trademark-related suits at the Federal High Court in Abuja and Lagos.

Also, Ms Njemanzes lawyer informed the court that a letter requesting consolidation had been sent to the Chief Judge in Abuja.

The court adjourned the case to 30 June, pending the Chief Judges response.

However, in a letter addressed to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, the defence counsel representing the defendants in suit FHC/L/CS/541/2023 and the 1st respondent in suit FHC/ABJ/CS/774/2023 opposed the application for consolidation.

The defence argued that Ms Njemanzes lawyer attempted to merge the two matters in bad faith without proper notice.

The defence said the Abuja case, currently under appeal, stems from a decision by the Trademark Tribunal, which Ms Njemanze is contesting. At the same time, the Lagos matter involves a separate trial on alleged trademark infringement.

The defence lawyer, Rockson Igelige, further maintained that despite the adjournment, they were yet to be served with a copy of the request forwarded to the Chief Judge.

We were not included or copied in the correspondence and only learned of it during the hearing in open court, the defence counsel wrote, urging the Chief Judge to disregard the consolidation request.

They stated that the cases differ in subject matter, legal reliefs sought, and causes of action, arguing that the appeal in Abuja cannot be merged with an infringement trial in Lagos.

Ms Njemanze had filed the Abuja appeal under Order 53, Rule 2 of the Federal High Court Rules, 2019, exercising her legal right to challenge the Trademark Tribunals decision.

However, the defence insists that her non-appearance in multiple hearings and attempts to consolidate the suits may be delaying tactics.

The Federal High Courts Chief Judge has yet to decide whether the two cases should be consolidated.

Background on Domitilla

Domitilla is a crime drama that follows the life of Domitilla Junior, a young woman involved in a web of romantic and criminal escapades for survival.

The films plot intensifies as Domitilla and her group of prostitute friends find themselves implicated in the mysterious death of a politician, leading them to fight to clear their names.

The movie, a cultural milestone in Nigerian cinema, featured a stellar cast, including Njemanze, Sandra Achums, Kate Henshaw, the late Ada Ameh, and the late Enebeli Elebuwa. The film propelled many of its cast members into stardom.

In 2023, Netflix released Domitilla: The Reboot, a franchise reboot, rekindling interest in the franchise and further fueling the dispute over the films trademark ownership.

The case is ongoing, and the Federal High Court has not set a hearing date.

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As the scorching heatwave continues to grip many parts of the country, the arrival of April offers a glimmer of hope. Citizens eagerly anticipate the rains, expected to bring much-needed relief from the oppressive heat, yet another visible sign of climate change.

However, for residents of Ayetoro, a coastal community in Ilaje Local Government, Ondo State, April brings not relief but renewed anxiety. For them, it marks the beginning of a dreaded season, one defined by fear, uncertainty, and despair, as rising sea levels trigger the annual cycle of sea incursion that has plagued the community for years.

Ayetoro has long been in the spotlight as a symbol of climate vulnerability and government neglect. For decades, the community has suffered the twin crises of climate change and infrastructural deficit.

In 2020, Premium Times published an in-depth report highlighting the devastation caused by persistent sea incursions. Since then, several civil society organisations and media outlets have continued to raise awareness and advocate for urgent action.

Yet, five years later, meaningful intervention remains elusive. Despite the outcry, the situation on the ground has hardly improved, as noted by the communitys traditional ruler and spiritual leader, His Royal Highness, Oba Oluwambe Ojagbohunmi (JP), the Ogeloyinbo of Ayetoro community. As the high-risk period approaches once again, the monarch shared his deep concerns in a recent interview with Premium Times, shedding light on the continuing turmoil facing his people.

Excerpt:

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PT: While climate change is undoubtedly a contributing factor to the current crisis in Ayetoro, we recognise that the root cause of the problem lies in the lack of proper infrastructure. Despite the federal government allocating funds for shoreline protection, the contractor has failed to deliver, and the community continues to suffer. We believe that the contractors neglect has caused more harm than the effects of climate change. Im checking in with you now to ask: how is Ayetoro doing? How have things been since our last publication?

Ojagbohunmi: Thank you. Between 2020 and March 2025, the soil erosion and sea incursions that have been happening in Ayetoro for the past 15 years continue unabated. And there has not been any tangible respite coming from the government and its agencies. Between 2020 and now 2025, Ayetoro has lost another 170 buildings. And these buildings are peoples homes, they are peoples shops and also some small industries remaining that we inherited from our fathers. The main street as of 2020 was half damaged was eroded. We could still move around because the main street is the unifying street that connects all the other 45 streets of the community. There are 45 streets in the community now. The main street is 80 per cent gone. The only place remaining is the ancestral palace that was built in 1960.

It is from that palace to just about 150 meters that is left of the original broad street. The rest are all wiped out into the sea. People have relocated. Some people have relocated more than three times. After the sea destroyed their homes, they tried to salvage the little things they could get. They lost a house of 10 rooms and built a smaller one with five rooms. The flood usually comes at night and the waves will be so high, as high as six feet below sea level. We know when it wants to strike, and we know the months that are critical. But we do not have accurate weather reports or sea reports as to know the date or the week. So we only prepare a long time preparation that once it is the month of February, April, August and September, we try to encourage and advise women and children who are close to the sea in those vulnerable places to try and look for places to stay for that period. We have our local emergency team that always rushes to the scene when it is happening. But their effort is like a drop in the ocean because if 30 houses are being destroyed in the middle of the night, how many can you save? So our efforts have been in the area of saving lives first.

So, the sea encroachment continues unabated. Promises by the government at various levels continue, and we are not tired. We continue to cry, we continue to speak to the media, and we continue to write on social media. Last year we had a series of peaceful demonstrations in conjunction with Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa. They came down to Ayetoro. We had people come out in thousands to demonstrate and vent our pain and our suffering under the hashtag of Save Ayetoro Now and I, specifically, led the demonstration. I was in the sun all day, marching around and singing. We mandated all our people who had Android phones to post on their walls and to share to the government at all levels.

So, between 2020 and 2025, we are still facing sea incursions, and the sea is still hitting places. We are at the last stage of our patience now because we have been shifting northwards away from the sea. Now, we do not have land where we can shift to if what happened the last two years should happen this year. Last year, April was very devastating. I was crying in my room. There was nothing. I was helpless. I was just looking through the window of my room, seeing women and children shouting in the middle of the night, carrying a few things they could carry. Another April is here. We dont know what will happen because it was worse last year.

What we observed is that the sea level continues to rise higher and higher because we have our local way of marking it using our building. Like when it came last year, we marked it that this is where it got to. Every year, it increases, and the oil exploration continues unabated. There are about four oil companies taking oil from the shores of Aiyetoro. We can see them and their gas flaring in the evening. These companies are Cavendish, Agip Nigeria Limited, Chevron and Consolidated Oil.

There is no relationship connection, or social responsibility from these four oil companies to the Ayetoro community. None of them can point to any project or workshop or health awareness or health benefit or whatever that they have done for the community. Everything the community had was built by our local fishermen fathers. In its heyday, it had the highest per capita income of all towns in Africa. It is a small town of about 15,000 people and has over 50 industries, so much so that nobody went out to look for jobs. People were coming from other places to learn and to seek jobs here. And the community could feed everybody three square meals without having to look for help or look for anybody.

This is the only time we need government help. We voted despite operating a community of communism, and the community was paying tax in bulk because as a closed system, the government could know the number of people that were there. There is no agency or arm of government of this Federal Republic of Nigeria that is not aware of our crisis.

Thanks to the advocacy of NGOs and the effort of the journalists. They have all reported this on various media and the government at all of these levels had come to inspect to see for themselves. They all saw the devastation and consoled and told us that efforts to do embankment or to restore the land are in the pipeline.

The government usually visits us in large numbers at different capacities. Starting from the local government, the chairman and the executive, the House of Assembly committee on environment and other relevant committees on ecology and all that. We have had the visit of Deputy Governors, Niger Delta Develpment Commission (NDDC), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Federal Ministry of Environment, we have had more than three or four different Committees of Senate that are related to natural disasters, climate change and ecology. They have all visited.

Let me not fail to say that contracts were awarded. The first one was in 2003 which shows that Ayetoro is more than 20 years old. The contract was awarded in 2003 to Gallet Nigeria Limited at the cost of 1.6 billion. Till now, we dont know who Gallet is. We dont know who owns it. And we did not see their visit or any sign of them. So when we didnt see anything, we went back to our drawing board. We continued to agitate and to write petitions and to write articles. Six years later, by this time, it was only the land, our coastal land, that was being taken away. Then, we saw it coming because were measuring the rate at which it was taking this one. Now we knew that with time, it would get to the residential area again.

The first contract was awarded by NDDC, which was the same year NDDC was created. It was among the first things that NDDC did when they came on board during Obasanjos administration in 2009.

Again, the same NDDC re-awarded the contract: Ayetoro Embankment project to Dredging Atlantic at the cost of N6.5 billion. The contractors sent engineers, they did soil test analysis and they said the design given to them by NDDC was for them to sandfill, to reclaim what has been lost. They said they were looking for sand. We told them that the whole of this area is mud. Thats why the sea is so violent, and thats why its so easy for it to pack them away, that before they can get sand they will have to travel close to 40km towards Lagos, but within the same local government. They said they did not have the equipment to go that far. Eventually, they said they saw sand in the neighboring community, and they laid their pipes there. We were all thanking God, believing that the solution had come.

After a few days of collecting sand, they said the sand had finished. The sand was not even enough to push the sea. They were still trying to gather it at the seashore, it was just a few square meters of sand that was about 8ft high, 10 meters square. That was the beginning of the problem for the project.

At one time, they said if sand would not work, since they couldnt get it, they will use a system that they call a geotube. A Geotube is like a wave breaker that they will put along the seashore so that instead of the wave slamming against the mud and packing it like a floater, they pump air into a tube like the tire of a motor, but not so strong. So when they brought the thing, they said its from Holland. We told them, based on our local knowledge, because we had made a series of efforts, to try to use local technology to stop the wave. We have built different kinds of walls and defenses. The waves always pulled them down. We told them it would not work. They said they are the expert, and thats what they wanted to use. At the end of the day, it was within a week that they laid the tube. They didnt lay it to the earth. And for the whole length of the community it was just about 300 metres or 200 metres of the tube that they laid. Within a week the sea had broken them into pieces and pushed the whole thing on shore. So that was it. The contractor had to leave, and they left some equipment there for many years before they came to carry everything. This was the second time and the contractor said there was a design format NDDC gave them.

If they had not insisted on sand as what they should use, they probably would have pumped mud, which was readily available. So it was back and forth between NDDC and the contractor. After some time, we didnt hear anything. Here we are, many years after, and between 2009 till date, there has not been any tangible effort. Recently, we had a new governor who was sworn in February and comes from our local government. He has promised, and he has even sworn that the job will be done. So thats the place we are now and we are hoping and praying, and we are always monitoring and sending delegates to constantly remind him of his promise. He has told us that the state does not have the resources to do it again, that they will have to do some kind of cooperation or collaboration with the federal government or its agency in this regard.

PT: I think that brings a bit of relief. And like you said, we do hope that this time around, too, it doesnt go the other way other promises have gone. While we wait for this, April is just here. Whats the hope for the people? What are the plans or the next step?

Ojagbohunmi: I sincerely do not know what I can do to stop April from happening because April has come to be the worst of such attacks. When it is happening, it is like war. It is like the community is under siege, and we are at war. Its usually very serious when its happening. So we dont know what we can do. We can only hope and pray and get ready to save our women and children. We always make sure we save our people, save their lives. Then one other thing, we also try and do a lot of defending fathers and mothers who labored to build that place. We realised that since this devastation started, at the level it demolishes their houses, many of them are just dying. And weve come to realise that they are depressed.

As a community leader, I engage with the health practitioners first. I bring in doctors from our side in collaboration with the nurses. We have free health checkups. Give them drugs. Three sicknesses have become prevalent in the community. Number one is BP. High blood pressure is so serious, and I can understand. Somebody who has lost his home, who has become a refugee in his or her own life. Why would they not be thinking? The second one is ulcer. Almost everybody has one. I dont know why its so prevalent. Maybe its due to all of this pressure, too. The third one is arthritis. Maybe its because we are too close to the sea, Once sea level rises, the whole community is hot because the sea water is very warm, very, very warm..

PT: I know you have said a lot of things, and we can only hope for better days because its been a long time coming for Aiyetoto. In all of these, is the community considering relocation should the effort to secure support fails?

Ojagbohunmi: This question has been asked by a lot of concerned people. I have been asked directly, but the government has not made such a proposal to us. They have been promising us that it will be done. As a leader, I will not consider a relocation. The ***(sic) can force us to relocate but I would rather wait for that to happen than be the one advocating for relocation. The reason is that we see the land as a promised land. We see its not just a place where we sleep and eat. There is a specific instruction and there are specific reasons why our fathers came there. This was because of what they stood for. They were preaching against all kinds of idolatry, fetish things. Then majorly it was mainly against the killing of twins. The killing of twins did not stop in Ilaje and its environs in the 40s. It has stopped in other parts of Nigeria through the effort of that message. The campaign did not get to our side because our side is a bit far from the rest. So this was the mandate and the inspiration that formed the apostolic movement that established Aiyetoro. About three people from different places. One was a cherubim and seraphim member. One was a Jehovahs Witness. Another one was the son of a herbalist. Within the same year, they had the revelation that God was calling them to start preaching against the killing of twins.

So they started in their various communities and it was a tug of war. Somehow people started comparing what they were saying and they were able to connect to each other. And they now formed a Christian movement. So many of them, as they were expanding in number, people felt that this new religion, strange religion, thats what they call it, was a threat to the traditional religion that they were practicing because they see twins as abominations. So if you are a mother, if you are a pregnant woman, you will be praying, your husband will be praying with you that you should not have twins.

Eventually, the land became successful, and it became a safe haven for people that are persecuted or people who are labeled. So now, after 78 years, how do we go back to our origin? Our way of life is even different. Very, very different. People within the same tribe in the community will tell you they are different.

PT: What are your final thoughts?

Ojagbohunmi: This community is our home. Its a place of refuge for the persecuted and the oppressed. It has given birth to so many other Christian communities in Nigeria, in Africa. Yes. It is the first religious settlement before Canaan Land, Redeem and so many others in our area. Its a reference point for so much research on communal living and unique ways of life. We should not be allowed to go extinct. We must preserve this legacy. The technology of sea embankment is not rocket science. Its been done in many places. In Rivers and Balyesa states and recently its been done in Eko Atlantic. Save Aiyetoro Now!

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The Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has said that the continent is facing an alarming convergence of public health crises, with outbreaks of Mpox, cholera, and climate-related emergencies.

The centre said the situation was destabilising health systems in multiple countries.

It also raised concern over the growing Mpox burden, highlighting Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Burundi as epicentres of the continents Mpox crisis.

Jean Kaseya, director-general of Africa CDC, said this on Thursday during the Weekly webinar media briefing.

Mr Kaseya said that Uganda alone accounted for 50% of Africas Mpox cases in the past six weeks.

According to him, the country vaccinated over 20,000 persons in a week after receiving 100,000 Mpox vaccine doses.

He, however, said that challenges persisted in active case search, contact tracing, and follow-up, especially within sexual networks driving the outbreak.

We are amid multiple layered health emergencies. Uganda is battling a surging Mpox outbreak, while floods, cholera, and other epidemics are testing the limits of Africas preparedness, he said.

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We must invest in resilient health systems, empower our National Public Health Institutes, and rethink how we finance health in Africa.

He said there were 117,678 suspected and 26,927 confirmed Mpox cases continent-wide since 2024.

He noted that over one million doses of the Mpox MVA-BN vaccine have been mobilised and shipped to 10 African countries.

He, however, said testing gaps persist, with fewer than 50 per cent of suspected cases being tested.

A socio-behavioural study is underway to better understand the dynamics of Mpox transmission, especially in urban slums and semi-urban communities such as Mbarara City and Masaka City, he said.

Beyond Mpox, Mr Kaseya said cholera outbreaks had intensified in Angola, South Sudan, and other countries, driven by climate shocks like flooding and cross-border insecurity.

He said that Angola reported 10,949 cases and 408 deaths as of April.

South Sudan recorded 18,624 cases and 397 deaths this year alone. In DRC, recent torrential rains submerged health centres, disrupted water supply and power, and displaced thousands, he said.

Africa CDC warned that climate-related hazards are rapidly escalating Africas vulnerability to infectious diseases.

He said that Africa CDC is implementing a new vision titled Rethinking African Health Financing in a New Era to address the multi-pronged crisis,

According to him, the vision advocates domestic health financing reforms, blended and innovative financing models, anti-corruption and impact-driven fund utilisation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that as Africa looks ahead, the emphasis is on emergency response and building resilient, self-reliant systems that can withstand future pandemics, climate disasters and economic shocks.

READ ALSO: WHO unveils new guidance to strengthen mental health systems

The WHO declared Mpox as a global public health emergency in August 2024, for the second consecutive year, following the spread of a new variant from the DRC to neighbouring countries.

Mpox, a viral infection transmitted through close contact, caused over 59,000 reported cases and 1,164 deaths across 20 African countries in 2024.

(NAN)

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The Katsina State Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs has announced the successful rescue of 10 kidnap victims comprising six women and four men. The victims were were abducted from the communities of Kiroro, Kabbi, and Dogon Marke by armed bandits.

Acting on credible intelligence received from community members, a well-coordinated joint operation was launched by the Katsina State Community Watch Corps (C-Watch) and the Nigeria Police Force in Musawa Local Government Area at approximately 10:00 pm on 8 April.

According to a statement by the Katsina State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasir Muazu on Wednesday said the operation, which took place in Gidan Marke, resulted in the neutralisation of one bandit and the safe rescue of all kidnapped victims, who have since been reunited with their families.

This successful rescue operation justifies the effectiveness of the community intelligence gathering and the growing synergy between Katsina security agencies.

The Ministry, on behalf of Governor Dikko Umaru Radda commend the brave men of the Nigeria Police Force and the Community Watch Corps for their swift action and professionalism in this operation, Mr Muazu stated.

The commissioner emphasized that the state government remains resolute in its commitment to protecting citizens from criminal elements.

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More importantly, he said the onslaught against the enemies of the state will be sustained and intensified adding that the state government would continue to deploy all necessary resources to ensure the safety and security of all communities across Katsina State.

We also urge citizens to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies, as community cooperation remains vital in the ongoing fight against banditry and abduction, Mr Muazu stated.

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The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Western Zone, has condemned the governing council of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) for clearing the Vice-Chancellor, Abayomi Fasina, of sexual harassment allegations levelled against him by a university staffer, Folasade Adebayo.

In a statement signed by SSANU National Vice President and Chairman Western Zone, Abdussobur Salaam, the union said the councils decision has set a negative precedent in the Nigerian University system.

SSANU said it has reasons to believe that the investigation into the allegations was compromised. The union did not, however, provide details or evidence regarding how the investigation was compromised.

The union called for the dissolution of the university council, for lacking in integrity.

The Western Zone of SSANU is not shocked and had indeed anticipated the outcome of the meeting of the Governing Council of the Federal University, Oye Ekiti, held on Tuesday, 8 April 2025, it said in a statement.

It is, however, sad to note that the decisions of the governing council as conveyed in the press release has laid a bad precedent and a new low for the Nigerian University system with the grasp at straws in the desperate attempt to protect the villain while further victimising the victim. Yet, what did we expect? Can a cockroach be innocent in a gathering of fowls?

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We further demand that an independent panel be set up to investigate this gross miscarriage of justice, while Abayomi Fashina be placed on suspension until the end of this process, it said.

Sexual harassment allegations

Mrs Adebayo, a former Director of Works at the university, had accused the Vice-Chancellor, Mr Fasina, a professor, of sexually harassing and victimising her after she repeatedly rejected his advances.

She provided an audio recording of Mr Fasina pestering her for an alleged illicit relationship, which she said began sometime in 2023.

In the recording obtained by PREMIUM TIMES late last year, Mr Fasina could be heard telling Mrs Adebayo that he would make her happy as long as she made him happy.

Let me tell you, Im dying inside for you, he said, in a mix of Yoruba and English.

When she asked him to stop, he dismissed her saying, Youre only speaking grammarSomeone said they like you and youre saying (something else).

Just make me happy, Sade (Mrs Adebayo). Listen, I beg you in the name of God, make me happy, I will make you happy. I wont say more than that. And things will work out fine, he added.

Mrs Adebayo said her continuous refusal led to Mr Fasina victimising her by issuing unwarranted queries, demoting her and criticising her work ethic.

FUOYE Council clears VC

On Wednesday, the university council cleared Mr Fasina of the allegations after reviewing the report of an investigative committee set up to look into the allegations in February.

In a statement by FUOYE Registrar, Mufutau Ibrahim, the university asked the accuser, Mrs Adebayo, to apologise within seven days.

The university council also asked SSANU, which pushed for an investigation into the matter, to apologise within seven days. It also noted that the SSANU-FUOYE Chairperson, Benjamin Faleye, and Secretary, Ayomikun Aluko, were found culpable of misconduct for making the allegations public.

Although their initial suspensions were lifted, the council ordered that both forfeit half of their salaries for the duration of the suspension.

The council also criticised Mrs Adebayo for recording a private conversation with the VC without his consent, describing the action as unethical.

SSANU reacts

SSANU criticised the council for its conclusion on the recording, wondering why the council focused more on determining why the recording was made and not the contents of the recording.

The union wondered why the council saw nothing wrong with the Vice-Chancellor pestering his married subordinate for a sexual relationship.

We are taken aback that rather than focus on the contents of the recordings, the governing council attempted to gaslight the public by querying why the recordings were made and concluding it was for the purpose of blackmail, it said.

SSANU also refuted the councils reference to an investigation by the Nigerian Police Force, noting that the police probeconducted by the anti-fraud unitwas unrelated to the sexual harassment claims and instead focused on allegations of financial misconduct.

To further claim that Folashade Adebayo never made any complaint of sexual harassment against Abayomi Fasina is a barefaced and brazen lie, the union said.

READ ALSO: FUOYE panel investigating VC set to release report

Citing what it described as a compromised process, SSANU rejected the sanctions issued against Mrs Adebayo, who was accused of bringing the universitys name into disrepute.

The union also condemned the disciplinary measures taken against its FUOYE branch leaders, Comrades Benjamin Faleye and Ayomikun Aluko, describing them as punitive actions against whistle-blowers.

The motive of demanding for letters apologies within a seven day frame is not lost on us, as the intent is to automatically dismiss them from service if this is not done, and knowing quite well that as unionists, they would not succumb to apologising for an offence not committed.

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Former President Muhammadu Buhari has said he left power with the same physical assets he had before assuming office in 2015.

He also disclosed that the President Bola Tinubu administration renovated his private residence in Kaduna after he left office in 2023.

Mr Buhari said these while receiving the governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC), under the aegis of Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), who paid him a visit at his Kaduns residence, a statement by his media aide, Garba Shehu, said on Wednesday.

The former president handed over power to President Tinubu on 29 May, 2023, after eight years in office.

He was the first president produced the APC and was in power between 29 May, 2015 and 29 May 2023.

Though an indigene of Daura in Katsina State North-west Nigetia, Mr Buhari has been spending his retirement in Kaduna.

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Asset declaration

In September 2025 few months after assuming office, Mr Buhari, a former military ruler and the first opposition candidate to win Nigerias presidential election, disclosed the asset he had through a statement by the presidency.

Known for his spartan lifestyle at the time, the former president said he had N30 million, five houses, two undeveloped plots of land, farms, an orchard, ranch, livestock, including 270 cattle, 35 sheep, five horses, a variety of birds and a number of economic trees.

In 2019 upon assuming office for his second term, Mr Buhari said in a statement by the presidency, that his assets had changed but not significantly.

There are no new houses, no new bank accounts at home and abroad and there are no new shares acquired, the statement said.

Advice on governance

According to Mr Shehu in the statement, Mr Buhari urged the state governors to adopt a citizen-centric approach to governance.

He said leadership presents both challenge and opportunity, stressing that balancing the two will significantly advance the countrys progress.

Mr Buhari also advised leaders to accord importance to the welfare of the people rather than themselves.

He cited his personal example of leaving office with the same physical assets he had before he became president.

Mr Buhari expressed confidence in the progress being made by the governors elected on the platform of the APC, reiterating his call for continued dedication to the nations progress.

He thanked the governors for the visit, saying that while he had worked with several of them, some others were new to him.

Mr Buhari also appreciated the Tinubu-led administration for renovating his home in Kaduna, saying while the building looked very much the same externally, so much improvement was made inside.

Gratitude and enduring respect

In his remarks, Chairman of PGF, Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, said that their visit was to greet the former president on the occasion of the recent Eid-el-Fitr.

Mr Uzodinma said that the visit was also to convey the governors gratitude and enduring respect to Mr Buhari for his immense contributions to Nigerias democracy and strengthening of APC.

Many of us recall with pride the principled role you played in the founding of APC. That legacy continues to shape our partys identity direction.

We are especially gratified to hear your public affirmation, only a few weeks ago, that APC remains your party of choice. That declaration could not have come at a better time.

It reaffirmed your place as a pillar of our movement and provided reassurance to members of our party. Mr President, you are pan-Nigerian, he said.

Mr Uzodinma further stated that Mr Buharis legacy in Nigerias history was secure, adding that he remained the only opposition candidate in the countrys history to have defeated an incumbent.

You did not only win power, you governed with calm resolve and handed over, with honour, to another APC president. For this, we are extremely grateful, he said.

The governor stated that the Buhari-led administration gave expression to APCs core principles through his focus on security, economic recovery and anti-corruption.

Your efforts reclaimed territory from insurgents, extended social investment programmes, like the Conditional Cash Transfer and School Feeding Programme, and ushered in road and rail revolution that is still bearing fruit.

Programmes such as the Anchor Borrowers Scheme directly impacted on food security.

You taught us to produce what we eat and eat what we produce. You brought dignity to governance and deepened the progressive ethos of our party, he said.

Mr Uzodinma said that today, APC was being renewed and repositioned under M Buharis worthy successor, Mr Tinubu.

He described Mr Tinubus leadership as bold, reform-driven and unshakably committed to progress.

The governor said that the former presidents public endorsement of Mr Tinubu in his recent birthday message was a powerful symbol of continuity and humility.

Your Excellency, today we honour you, not just for your past service but for the enduring values you represent.

We ask you to continue to support and guide us as we take the next steps to deepen progressive politics across the nation, and ensure that APC continues to be in power for a more prosperous Nigeria, Mr Uzodinma said.

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The Nigerian government warned on Thursday that about 1,249 communities in 30 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are at high-risk of flooding this year, as the rainy season when such flood disasters occur gradually intensifies in some parts of the country.

The warning comes as many Nigerians are still recovering from the flood disasters that devastated numerous states last year.

Joseph Utsev, Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, on Thursday in Abuja, warned about high-risk flooding during the 2025 flood outlook presentation by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).

Mr Utsev said that flooding is one of the worst natural disasters in Nigeria, with climate change exacerbating its occurrence.

According to the NIHSA cited by the minister, a total of 2,187 communities in 293 LGAs fall within the moderate flood risk states as Abia, Benue, Lagos, Bayelsa, Rivers, and Jigawa are key states expected to be affected most by the flooding.

Mr Utsev added that the hydrological services agency also launched its community-based predicting initiative to furnish the general public with location-specific information and community-focused forecasts about flooding, weather and others all over the nation.

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1,249 communities in 176 local government areas LGAs across 30 states and the FCT fall within high-risk flood zones this year, while an additional 2,187 communities in 293 LGAs face moderate flood risks, TheCable quoted the minister as saying.

As part of this years Annual Flood Outlook (AFO), NIHSA adopted a new and effective approach to flood forecasting mechanism to ensure that critical risk information is clearly understood and actionable for vulnerable communities.

Recognising that early warning is only impactful when properly communicated, the flood prediction has been refined to provide not only seasonal and monthly forecasts, but location-specific and community-focused forecasts.

The minister also announced the rollout of several initiatives like the national flood insurance programme (NFIP)  an insurance project aimed at protecting vulnerable households, farmlands, and livestock.

He said that Kogi and Jigawa states are the pilot states for the flood insurance programme.

The official added that another initiative called integrated climate resilience innovation project (I-CRIP) meant to improve food security, energy production, and water resources use through climate-smart strategies, and the Nigeria FLOOD project  for flood control and river management are also some of the key governments efforts for effective flood control.

Nigerias perennial flooding disaster

Nigeria has faced devastating flooding incidents exacerbated by climate change in the last few years.

Hundreds of people have died, businesses crippled, and homes, farms, schools, hospitals, among others, have been destroyed. The floods have worsened the lingering socio-economic crisis in the country, where citizens are witnessing their worst cost of living crisis in a generation.

Experts have argued that Nigerias perennial flood disaster can be addressed by deploying water harvesting technology, channeling excess waters to recharge the shrinking Lake Chad and dredging major water pathways nationwide.

Some of the disastrous flooding incidents have been blamed on failure of the governments and the people in the vulnerable areas to heed to warnings or inadequate preparation for it.

In some cases, the governments at both the federal and state levels failed to demonstrate enough political will to implement policies or provide alternative options to people in the flood-prone areas.

In September 2024, residents of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, were hit by a devastating flood, which submerged many homes following the alleged breakdown of Alau Dam that has been filled to capacity for about one week.

Similarly, in the same year, agrarian communities in Borno, Jigawa, Kano, Bauchi, and Adamawa, which produce major staples such as rice, maise, wheat, onions, and cowpea, were among the flood-worst hit states, with a significant impact on local food security.

According to flood data on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) dashboard, as of 14 October, over 180,000 farms had been affected by floods this year. NEMA said more than 300 lives were also lost and more than 713,000 people displaced.

Last year, the federal government approved N108 billion for the 36 states to tackle flooding.

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Ebonyi Command, says it seized 55.947 kilogrammes of illicit substances and arrested 112 suspects in early 2025.

The State Commander, Peter Ogar, disclosed this during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abakaliki.

He explained that the arrests and seizures occurred across various locations in Ebonyi between January and March 2025.

According to him, the command also counselled 59 suspects 45 males and 14 females  aged between 21 and 76.

In total, we arrested 112 suspects, comprising 85 males and 27 females, aged between 16 and 76, Mr Ogar said.

He said the arrests included drug users, traffickers and dealers.

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He listed the seized drugs as 43.582kg of Cannabis Sativa and 0.004kg of Tramadol tablets.

He also mentioned 0.400kg of tramadol 100mg (1,189 capsules) and 0.207kg of diazepam (988 tablets).

Others include 11.2kg of monkey tail, 0.054kg of methamphetamine, and 0.020kg of bromazepam (46 tablets), he added.

He said 0.244kg of pentazocine (84 ampoules) and 0.014kg of heroin were also recovered during the operations.

The seized drugs weighed 55.947 kilogrammes, including other assorted psychotropic substances.

Mr Ogar said four people were convicted within the period under review.

He also said the command arrested a suspect with a locally made pistol during a raid.

The suspect was handed over to the police for appropriate investigation and further action, he said.

Mr Ogar reaffirmed the commands commitment to combating drug abuse in Ebonyi.

He called for stronger support from stakeholders to help reduce drug-related activities across the state.

Mr Ogar said the command had organised several workshops and campaigns in all the 13 local government areas of Ebonyi targeting young people and secondary school students.

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The spokesperson of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State, Kennedy Peretei, has resigned, citing party chieftains hijacking the party for personal and selfish gains.

In a letter to the Chairperson of the PDP, Arogbo 1 Ward, Ese-Odo Local Government of Ondo, Mr Peretei blamed the leaderships indifference toward winning elections.

He wrote: Ive decided to quit the PDP, as its supposed leaders have no real intention of winning any elections, now or in the future.

Its difficult working with individuals focused solely on personal gain, using the party as a political marketplace every election cycle.

Mr Peretei said he had served as the State Financial Secretary (19992003) and State Publicity Secretary from 2020 till date.

Ive contributed significantly, yet the same people have gripped the party tightly, causing repeated electoral failures over three cycles, he stated.

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He likened the partys current state to one in an intensive care unit, now heading toward the morgue.

He criticised those using the PDP as a financial lifeline, urging them to find alternative means of livelihood.

To those surviving on election funds and patronage, I advise finding second addresses to live more meaningful lives, not as political bandits or Yes men, he said.

(NAN)

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The United States (U.S.) and Panama say they are working on an agreement that would give US Navy vessels free and priority access to the Panama Canal.

The US Defence Secretary, Pete Hegseth, said this during a visit to the Central American country on Wednesday.

The Minister of the Panama Canal, Jose Icaza, said that, while his country could not legally grant special passage rights to any single nation, the two countries were discussing a mechanism of compensation for services.

The talks came as President Donald Trumps administration sought to reduce what it saw as growing Chinese influence in the canal, a statement Panama rejects.

Mr Trump has repeatedly claimed that the waterway should return to US control.

Mr Hegseth said the US was determined to secure the Panama Canal against Chinas malign influence during a joint news conference with Panamas Minister of Public Security, Frank Abrego.

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Mr Hegseth said that Washington welcomed the opportunity to have an increased troop presence in the country alongside Panamanian forces to help secure the canals sovereignty.

When he was asked by a reporter whether the US recognised Panamas sovereignty over the canal, he said: We certainly understand that the Panama Canal is in Panama.

Protecting Panamanian sovereignty from malign influence is important, which is why, when President Trump says were taking back the Panama Canal from Chinese influence, that involves partnership with the US and Panama, Mr Hegseth said.

Both governments also agreed to strengthen military cooperation, the ministers said.

The Panama Canal was built by the US in the early 20th century, but the sovereignty over the canal zone was fully returned to Panama at the end of 1999.

(dpa/NAN)

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The management of WikkiTimes, an accountability news platform focused on northern Nigeria, has reported that its website experienced cyber-attacks and was taken offline on 8 April.

Speaking with PREMIUM TIMES on Wednesday, WikkiTImes managing editor Aminu Adamu said the platform started experiencing the attacks on Monday and swiftly notified its technical team about it.

According to Mr Adamu, the platform eventually went down, and the technical team was only able to restore it in the early hours of Wednesday.

Its really sad that people are targeting us because of the work we do. But the good news is that our work is really giving some people somewhere sleepless nights.

Undaunted

Were unperturbed. Were undeterred and were determined to continue to hold power to account whether its political leaders, traditional or religious leaders, well keep doing our job honestly in the interest of our people and humanity, Mr Adamu said.

Mr Adamu said the latest incident was not the outlets first time it had been targeted.

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He said the attack might have been triggered by its reports which didnt go down well with some people.

Again, we also published many stories including investigations that were unpalatable to authorities especially in Bauchi State. So, this might be the consequences of such reports, but we arent sure, the managing editor said.

He added that the cyber-attack is a sign that the outlet was making waves and giving some people a headache. He further asserted that despite the attack, WikkiTimes would keep doing its job in the interest of the people.

The editor of the Bauchi-based platform said despite the satisfaction the positive impact of the platforms works aimed at fostering democracy and transparency in the country offered, the effect of the attacks on it could be devastating.

Its really sad. Sometimes youll be demoralised but one has to prepare for such challenges because of the kinds of work we do, he said.

The platforms latest cyber-attack is the latest in the series of backlashes, including legal retributions, it has received following its critical reports.

In May 2024, the newspaper was sued following its story accusing Nigerian lawmaker Mansur Manu Soro, who represents Darazo-Ganjuwa in the House of Representatives, of using a briefcase company, Sahel Global Desert Energy Ltd, to carry out fictitious constituency projects worth millions of Naira.

Mr Soro has denied the allegations.

Reacting to the issue, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) called on Nigerian authorities to discontinue the criminal proceedings against the journalists.

CPJ said that the government should reform the laws that criminalise the press.

Nigerian journalists must be allowed to investigate allegations of corruption without fear of imprisonment, said CPJ Africa Program Coordinator Muthoki Mumo, in Nairobi. The criminal proceedings against WikkiTimes journalists Haruna Mohammed Salisu and Yawale Adamu should never have ended up in court and should be discontinued without delay.

Recently, a popular Nigerian social media skit maker, Bello Galadanci, also known as Dan Bello, said he collaborated with WikkiTimes, which prides itself on as an accountability journalism newspaper, to expose financial irregularities allegedly linked to Abdullahi Bala Lau, the leader of the Islamic religious group, Jamaatu Izalatil Bidah Wa Iqamatus Sunnah (JIBWIS).

Meanwhile, JIBWIS denied the allegations in a statement posted on its Facebook page, describing them as false and misleading. The group accused Dan Bello of spreading misinformation to tarnish its leaders reputation.

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Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, says the federal government will launch an e-visa system and digital landing/exit cards to enhance national security.

He disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja when he received a delegation led by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

According to Mr Keyamo, the e-visa system will enable applicants to submit visa requests online and upload required documents electronically.

He added that the manual landing and exit cards would be digitalised, requiring visitors to pre-fill their information before travelling to Nigeria.

What we are doing here today reflects this governments commitment to cooperation between ministries with overlapping mandates.

Today is another example of inter-ministerial collaboration. This specifically concerns the introduction of the e-visa system, he said.

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He said further details would be given by Mr Tunji-Ojo, and that relevant agencies such as Immigration, NCAA, and FAAN would fully support the initiative.

Mr Keyamo emphasised that there was no objection to the programme, which primarily falls under the Interior Ministry.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Interior stated the automation system will commence on 1 May.

He noted that the e-visa application will be free and is designed to simplify entry into Nigeria while boosting national security.

Mr Tunji-Ojo explained the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) will manage landing and exit cards, which travellers must complete online before boarding.

Coordinating and issuing regulations to airlines is naturally the NCAAs responsibility, Mr Tunji-Ojo said.

He revealed a central visa approval centre already exists at Immigration headquarters, with trained officers and integrated global criminal record checks.

Better background checks will be conducted for travellers entering Nigeria. We aim to eliminate bottlenecks and ensure a transparent visa process.

Our goal is to open Nigerias borders without compromising security. Both Interior and Aviation ministries have critical roles in this, he said.

(NAN)

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The Lagos State Governance Advisory Council (GAC) has received Abdul-Azeez Adediran (a.k.a. Jandor), a former PDP chieftain and visioner of the Lagos4Lagos Movement, into the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Mr Adediran, the 2023 Lagos State governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), defected to APC in March.

In a statement issued by his spokesman, Gbenga Ogunleye, on Thursday in Lagos, Mr Adediran said he was received by GAC members led by Tajudeen Olusi.

In a significant show of unity and goodwill, Dr. Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran, Jandor, was warmly received by the Lagos State Governance Advisory Council (GAC) Chairman, Prince Tajudeen Olusi; Badagry Division Apex Leader of APC and fellow GAC member, Chief Rabiu Oluwa; Sen. Ganiu Olanrewaju Solomon and Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro.

According to Mr Adediran, the reception took place in Saudi Arabia.

The meeting, which held during the Umrah pilgrimage, served as a symbolic moment of engagement between key stakeholders in Lagos politics, emphasising the importance of unity.

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This encounter reflects a shared commitment to the progress and unity of Lagos State, underscoring the enduring values of collective responsibility and synergy in the furtherance of the vision of the ruling party, Mr Adediran said.

NAN recalls that Mr Adediran resigned from PDP on 3 March, alleging indiscipline and betrayal by party leaders.

Mr Adediran, who leads the Lagos4Lagos Movement and was once an APC governorship aspirant, had defected to PDP from APC in 2021.

(NAN)

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The Presidency has withdrawn the list of appointees it released earlier today, saying there were errors.

Sunday Dare, the special adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, made this known in a post on X.

We have noticed a number of errors in the list of appointments tweeted. We are sorry. We will provide an updated list later. Thank you, he posted.

Mr Dare had posted a list of 152 appointees with North-west having the largest number. The banditry-ravaged region is closely followed by South-west which has 29 presidential appointees.

Although Mr Dare did highlight the errors in the list, PREMIUM TIMES observed that names of appointees including that of the Chief Of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, were missing.

The South-east region was at the bottom of the list, with 16 appointees.

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Although Mr Dare did not explain why the list was released, it may not be unconnected with the accusation of nepotism against President Tinubu.

Some Nigerians have repeatedly said the president has favoured his zone, South-west in the appointments made since assuming office in May 2023.

See the list of the appointees released by the presidency.

South-west:

1. Bosun Tijani

Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy

2. Wale Edun

Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy

3. Bunmi Tunji-Ojo

Minister of Interior

4. Adebayo Adelabu

Minister of Power

5. Dele Alake

Minister of Solid Minerals Development

6. Dr. Jumoke Oduwole

Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment

7. Adegboyega Oyetola

Minister of Marine & Blue Economy

8. Olayemi Cardoso

CBN Governor

9. Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja

Chief of Army Staff

10. Kayode Egbetokun

Inspector General of Police

11. Zaccheus Adedeji

Chairman, FIRS

12. Adeola Ajayi

Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS)

13. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi

Comptroller-General of Customs

14. Olanipekun Olukoyede

Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)

15. Kayode Isiak Opeifa

Managing Director, Nigeria Railway Corporation

16. Oluwasegun Faleye

Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund

17. Vincent Olatunji

(NSITF)

18. Raji Kazeem Kolawole

Managing Director /CEO, Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT)

19. Bayo Onanuga

Director General, National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI)

20. Sunday Dare

Special Adviser on Information and Strategy

21. Tope Kolade Fasua

Special Adviser on Public Communications Orientation

22. Peju Adedajo

Special Adviser to the President on Economic Matters (Office of the VP)

23. Temitola Asekunle-Johnson

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Investment & Privatisation (Office of VP)

24. Mariam Temitope

Senior Special Assistant to the President, Job Creation & NSMEs (Office of VP)

25. Tunde Rahman

Senior Special Assistant to the President, Regional Development Programmes

26. Moremi Ojudu

SSAP on Community Engagement

27. Tope Ajayi

SSA, Media and Public Affairs

28. Segun Dada

Special Assistant, Social Media

29. Demola Oshodi

SSA, Protocol

North-central:

1. Shuaibu Audu

Minister of Steel Development

2.Muhammed Idris

Minister of Information

3. Zaphanian Jisalo

Minister of Special Duties

4. Lateef Fagbemi

Minister of Justice

5. Joseph Utsev

Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation

6. Nentawe Yilwatde

Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction

7. Imaan Sulaiman Ibrahim

Minister of State, Police Affairs

8. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi

Minister of State, Agriculture and Food Security

9. Bashir Bayo Ojulari

GMD, NNPC Limited

10. Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed

Director General, National Intelligence Agency

11. Dr. Idris A. Sulaimon

Director General, Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC)

12. Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi Commandant General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps

13. Engr. Jaji O. Abdulganiyu Controller General of the Federal Fire Service

14. Kemi Nandap

Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service

15. Haruna Y. Usman

Chairman, Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority

16. Dangajere Shuaibu Bawa Jaja Managing Director, Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority

17. Dr. Amos Gizo Yadukso

Chairman, Lower Benue River Basin Development Authority

18. Engr. Ninga Terese

Managing Director, Lower Benue River Basin Development Authority

19. Abiodun Essiet SSAP on Community Engagement

20. Gimba Kakanda

Senior Special Assistant to the President, Research and Analytics (Office of the VP)

21. Isaq Ahmed Ningi,

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Digital media & Emergency Management

22. Mr. Aliyu Audu,

Special Assistant to the President, Public Affairs

23. Sen. Ibrahim Oloriege

Chairman, NHIA

24. Tunde Ajibulu,

Deputy Executive Secretary (Services), UBEC

25. Sunday Sylva Togo Echono Executive Secretary, TETFUND

North-east:

1. Abubakar Kyari

Minister of Agriculture and Food Security

2. Idi Mukhtar Maiha

Minister of Livestock Development

3. Saidu Alkali

Minister of Tranportation

4. Yusuf Tuggar

Minister of Foreign Affairs

5. Muhammad Ali Pate

Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare

6. Ibrahim Gaidam

Minister of Police Affairs

7. Uba Maigari Ahmadu

Minister of State for Regional Development

8. Ahmadu Musa Kida

NNPCL Non-executive Chairman.

9. Nuhu Ribadu

National Security Adviser

10. Mohammed Buba Marwa Chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency

11. Hajiya Hafsat Bakari

CEO, Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit

12. Prof. Abdu Dauda

Chairman, Chad Basin Development Authority

13. Tijjani Musa Tumsa

Managing Director, Chad Basin Development Authority

14. Alh. Sanusi Mohammed Babantanko

Chairman, Upper Benue River Basin Development Authority

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A former Governor of Rivers State, Ada George, has accused the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, of masterminding the declaration of emergency rule in the oil-rich state.

Mr George served as Rivers governor from 1992 to 1993 and is currently the chairperson of Rivers Elders and Leaders Forum.

President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the state last month and suspended all elected officials, including Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

The president cited the oil pipeline attack and the protracted political crisis in the state caused by the political feud between Messrs Fubara and Wike as the reason for declaring the emergency rule.

But Mr George, at a press briefing on Wednesday, accused Mr Wike of masterminding the state of emergency in the state.

The FCT Minister is the architect of all these things, Mr George said, according to a report by Channels TV.

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He could set ablaze states where the governors did not share his views. And that is exactly what I think he is trying to do in Rivers State. Enough is enough. We will not allow him to set Rivers State ablaze anymore, Mr George added.

Appointment of sole administrators for LGs illegal  George

Rivers State administrator, Ibok-Ete Ibas, announced on Tuesday the appointment of sole administrators for the 23 local government areas in the state.

Mr Ibas, a retired vice admiral of the Nigerian Navy, also replaced the chairperson and the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission members.

Mr George told reporters that the appointments of sole administrators for the local councils was illegal and vowed to challenge it in court. He claimed the appointments were made after Mr Wike allegedly met with Mr Ibas.

He (referring to Mr Wike) was reported to have been here on the 7 April, Monday evening, traversing the whole place, visiting the military administrator. Then, following that, this announcement came through.

The appointment of sole administrators is unconstitutional. There are laid down legal processes for constituting local government leadership. This action undermines those principles.

We cannot go physical but we will resist in any form that will attempt to disrupt or disorganise this state. We will go to court where necessary. We have cases in court at the moment, and we will continue, Mr George said.

Mr George now speaks like children  Wike

Reacting to the allegation of masterminding the emergency rule in Rivers, Mr Wike said that the former governor, Mr George, was speaking like children who lost their most priced toys.

In a statement on Thursday, Mr Wikes spokesperson, Lere Olayinka, said it was funny that Mr George, whom he claimed was among those clapping for Governor Fubara for withholding lawmakers salaries, was now talking about who should be blamed for the state of emergency in the state.

When Fubara was orchestrating the burning and demolition of the Rivers State House of Assembly, supposed elders like Ada George were hailing him. They were telling him it was normal for three members to run a House of Assembly of 32 members, with 11 as a quorum of one-third that can sit and 22 as two-thirds that can pass budgets.

When the president intervened in the crisis and resolutions signed by all parties, this same Ada George described the Presidents intervention as executive rascality.

READ ALSO: Ibas appoints sole administrators for Rivers local councils

He (Ada George) went further to say that the intervention by the President contravened the doctrine and practice of separation of powers and unilaterally suspended the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. They were everywhere calling the President a meddlesome interloper and hailing Fubara, the minister said.

Mr Wike said Governor Fubaras lawlessness resulted in the imposition of emergency rule in the state. He added that elders who had failed to act like real elders are sobbing like children.

The minister said that the moment an elder takes sides when they should be neutral in a conflict between two children, such an elder has lost the right to intervene and resolve the conflict.

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The Nigerian government has mandated that all federal tertiary institutions make their vacancies and recruitment public.

The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, asked the universities, polytechnics and colleges of education to publish their vacancies in at least one national daily newspaper, on their websites and in other relevant academic and professional journals.

In a statement by the ministrys spokesperson, Folasade Boriowo, the minister said the directive followed the waivers granted to some of the institutions to recruit more staff into their folds after they raised concerns about manpower shortage.

This directive aims to ensure a transparent, open, and competitive recruitment process that offers equal opportunity to all eligible Nigerians, the statement said.

The minister also asked the institutions to submit their recruitment needs to the education ministry for review by the Committee on Waiver and Recruitment.

The Ministry has put in place adequate mechanisms to ensure compliance and will not hesitate to apply sanctions against any institution that fails to adhere to this directive, the statement added.

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Similar directive

Mr Alausa recently directed heads of public tertiary institutions to publish key institutional data on their official websites.

The minister mandated all the institutions to publish, in full, the breakdown of their annual budgetary allocation on personnel cost, overhead cost and capital expenditures, and their research grant revenue including from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).

The minister also asked the institutions to provide their current total student population, categorised into undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Increasing transparency

In both directives, the minister said it was borne out of the need for increased transparency by the university.

A recent research shows how financial secrecy by Nigerian universities affected their ability to access global grants, despite their financial struggles.

The report, which surveyed 64 Nigerian universities, concluded that the culture of secrecy reinforces external perceptions that Nigerian universities are high-risk partners that are unprepared to manage international grants or major research funding.

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As education systems around the world evolve with technological advancements, an education expert, Ayoola Akinyeye, has called for deeper reforms to embed artificial intelligence (AI) into Nigerias education curriculum.

In a recent interview with journalists in Lagos, Mrs Akinyeye, the Director of Schools at Chrisland Schools, Lagos, emphasised the need to integrate AI into the curriculum to better prepare students for a technology-driven future.

She urged Nigerian educators and policymakers to learn from countries that have successfully integrated AI into their education systems, like China, Finland, and the United Arab Emirates.

This call for reforms comes weeks after the federal government announced a nationwide AI training initiative for 6,000 senior secondary school teachers.

Launched by the Ministry of Education through the National Senior Secondary Education Commission, the programme, which was flagged off in February in Abuja, aims to enhance teaching methods and better equip students for a technology-driven future.

The world is undergoing a technological revolution, and Artificial Intelligence is at its core, said Education Minister Tunji Alausa at the launch.

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Mr Alausa said AI is no longer a futuristic concept but a present-day reality, transforming industries, economies, and societies.

Global best practices

Reflecting on the limitations of Nigerias current curriculum, Mrs Akinyeye noted that many schools use a mix of the Nigerian and British curricula.

She, however, stressed that mere adoption without localisation can limit the relevance and impact of education on students.

Mrs Akinyeye explained that Chrisland has begun to adopt a hybrid approach  combining the depth of the British curriculum with the scope of the Nigerian system  while ensuring all content is contextualised for local realities.

In primary school, we adopt the British curriculum for English because it has a stronger scheme of work. But we contextualise the stories and methods to reflect our environment, she said.

The Nigerian maths curriculum is quite rigorous. So, were keeping that but borrowing advanced methodologies from the UK to deepen students understanding.

According to her, the major flaw in the Nigerian curriculum is its lack of depth, explaining that the international systems often cover fewer topics but with more exploration.

What Nigeria lacks in depth, we have in scope, she noted, suggesting that the best approach is to give the Nigerian curriculum the depth of the Britishs.

Bridging gap

To bridge these gaps, Mrs Akinyeye revealed plans to develop a custom curriculum known as the Chrisland Curriculum Plus, which will be AI-driven and technology-centric.

The initiative will be designed by the Chrisland Teachers Academy, a new institution the school group is setting up to train teachers.

She said, We are setting up the Chrisland Teachers Academy. With the chain of 16 schools, its almost a no-brainer that we have a teachers academy. The Teachers Academy is going to have the sole responsibility of designing a curriculum that has AI embedded.

Im not talking about simply doing a task and using AI; Im talking about a curriculum that has AI/tech as the core. To do that, we need to learn lessons from China. We need to learn lessons from Finland.

We need to learn lessons from Dubai, whether you like it or not, and see how they have pivoted the educational system using AI and tech.

Educational institutions adopting AI

While national efforts to embrace AI are gaining momentum, leading educational institutions are also stepping up.

Also in February, the University of Lagos (UNILAG) announced plans to introduce a policy document on the ethical use of AI in academic activities.

During a three-day workshop on ethics in higher education at the university, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academics and Research, Bola Oboh, revealed that the new policy aims to promote critical thinking while discouraging academic dishonesty such as plagiarism.

READ ALSO: Niger shuts two schools over gang clashes

The policy is designed to enhance critical thinking rather than fostering plagiarism and academic indolence, Ms Oboh said.

The workshop, facilitated by Russell Porter, a Fulbright Specialist Awardee and Deputy Ethics Officer at Texas A&M University, underscored the growing importance of AI in educational ethics.

Recently, the Vice-Chancellor of the African School of Economics (ASE), Mahfouz Adedimeji, and the Managing Director of Galaxy Backbone Limited, Ibrahim Adeyanju, also called for the responsible integration of AI to improve educational outcomes across Africa.

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The University of Abuja (UniAbuja) has promoted 45 academic staff to professorial rank, the university said in a statement.

The statement, signed by its spokesperson, Habib Yakoob, noted that the promotion was announced by the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Patricia Manko, a professor, at the 188th Regular Senate of the University held on Tuesday, 8 April.

According to the statement, the promotions were approved by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairperson of the universitys governing council, Olanrewaju Tejuoso.

It added that Mr Tejuoso approved the promotions pending its ratification by the council when fully constituted.

President Bola Tinubu appointed Mr Tejuoso as Pro-Chancellor in February after he sacked the former Pro-Chancellor, Sadiq Kaita, a retired Air Vice Marshal, over the controversy that erupted following the recruitment of a Vice-Chancellor.

Mr Tinubu also removed the Vice-Chancellor appointed by Mr Kaita-led council, Aisha Maikudi, a professor. He appointed Patricia Manko, a professor, as acting Vice-Chancellor for the period of six months.

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Promotion

According to Thursdays statement, 20 of the staff were promoted to the rank of Professor while 25 others were elevated to the rank of Associate Professor.

The staff promoted were from various disciplines, which include Geography and Atmospheric Sciences, Social Sciences, Veterinary Medicine, Management Sciences, Education, Sciences, Engineering, Medicine, and Arts.

Those promoted to the rank of professor in various fields and specialisations are Ishaya Sunday (Environmental Resource Planning); Gabriel Omeiza (Food Safety and Veterinary Public Health); Simon Ubah (Theriogenology); Maria Apochi (Science Education  Biology); Akinola Babatunde (Social Studies Education); Grace Olowonefa (Educational Administration and Planning); Comfort Olanrewaju (Zoology  Public Health Parasitology); Kolawole Adebayo (Applied Chemistry); Ogedengbe Onimisi (Human Physiology) and Kamoru Salami (Process Intensification and Reaction Engineering).

Others are Samson Adeniji (International Relations); Sheriff Ibrahim (International Relations); Saleh Sadiq (Finance); Emmanuel Anigilaje (Paediatrics  Nephrology); Musa Olaofe(Islamic History and Ethics); Richard Onalo (Cardiology); Zubairul Islam (Geographical Information System/ Remote Sensing); Andrew Abue (Anatomy  Physical Anthropology); Fatima Kyari (Opthalmology) and Ugheoke Iyenagbe (Production / Industrial Engineering).

Vice-Chancellor speaks

While congratulating the newly promoted staff, Ms Manko, the Vice-Chancellor described them as hardworking academics who were committed to the advancement of knowledge in their various fields of endeavour.

She said: In view of pending promotions, we sought the permission of the Council Chairman, who magnanimously granted approvalon behalf of the Council and subject to ratificationfor the announcement of those who received positive external assessments and were promoted to the ranks of Professor and Associate Professor.

This is a well-deserved recognition of your dedication, resilience, and hard work. Your promotions not only reflect your individual accomplishments but also serve to showcase the universitys commitment to the academic development and progress of its staff.

But this is just the beginning of what the world will expect from you in terms of advancing the course of knowledge, engaging in more groundbreaking research, and inspiring the next generation of scholars and leaders. This administration will continue to give you support and ensure that all those who merit such elevation get it as and when due.

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" " It's not uncommon to see kiwi "caution" signs when driving around certain parts of New Zealand. Photo by Stas Kulesh / Getty Images

The kiwi bird: a small, flightless bird with some seriously strange features! Native to New Zealand, this bird in the world is unlike any other, with hair-like kiwi feathers, nostrils at the tip of its beak and a highly developed sense of smell.

In fact, this odd little avian might be one of the most distinctive and well-known features of the New Zealand islands. Like the native kiwi fruit (after which it was named), it is small but exceptional and internationally recognized.
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, demanding a thorough investigation and prosecution of suspended Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over her recent claims of a plot to assassinate her.

In the petition dated 3 April, and copied to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, Mr Akpabio described the allegations as criminally defamatory and called for immediate legal action to preserve public peace and his personal safety.

Akpoti-Uduagans allegation of assassination attempt

Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan, while addressing her supporters during a homecoming gathering on 1 April, accused Mr Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello of plotting to have her assassinated.

She claimed that the alleged plot was due to an unsuccessful attempt to initiate her recall from the Senate.

The embattled senator also said she had already reported the matter to the IGP before publicising the issue.

On the 13th of March at 10:00 pm, mind you, two days before that, Akpabio had called Governor Ododo on the phone to commence my recall, but Ododo told him it would be impossible. Ododo told Akpabio that the recall will be impossible because the masses are with me. But Akpabio was not satisfied, so he called Yahaya Bello. I was informed of everything.

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The meeting was on two folds. They told him to commence my recall and that he was going to fund it. The second thing he said was that he should try and kill me. I didnt make this public, but I have written to the IG of the Police.

Akpabio told Yahaya Bello that he should make sure that killing me does not happen in Abuja, that it should happen here so that it will look as if it was the people that killed me here, the senator alleged.

However, the police have yet to comment on whether they received the notification from Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan.

Akpabio denies, demands justice

In the petition, Mr Akpabio denied the allegation, describing it as defamatory and an attempt to incite public unrest and endanger his life.

I write to formally bring to your attention and seek immediate investigation and prosecution of a criminally defamatory and malicious statement made against me by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, a suspended member of the Nigerian Senate on the 1st of April 2025 and which was widely publicised on radio stations, televisions and newspapers, including the social media.

In the public outburst at Kogi State while addressing her audience, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan falsely alleged that I instructed the former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, to assassinate her in Kogi State instead of Abuja with the intent of making it appear that her constituents were responsible for her death.

This statement is not only a heinous lie but a reckless and deliberate attempt to damage my reputation, endanger my life and security, and incite political unrest, the petition reads.

The senate president stressed that the allegation is politically motivated and that Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan made the statement without any evidence with the aim of portraying him as a villain on both national and international stages.

I categorically state that this allegation is entirely false, unfounded, and politically motivated. It is a calculated act of blackmail and character assassination, designed to portray me as a political villain, and the statement was made without any shred of truth or supporting evidence, the petition said.

Mr Akpabio claimed that Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghans motive was to incite the public against him.

Her motive was clear, which was to incite the public, manipulate sentiments, and malign my person and office in the eyes of the Nigerian people and the international community.

The severity of this false allegation, and the fact that it has gained public traction, makes it necessary that law enforcement agencies treat it with the urgency it deserves, he added.

Demand for legal action

Mr Akpabio urged the IGP to initiate a formal investigation into the matter and to prosecute Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan under laws relating to criminal defamation, incitement, false accusation, and actions likely to breach public peace.

Akpoti-Uduaghan responds to Akpabios petition

When contacted by PREMIUM TIMES on Thursday, Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan said she had responded to Mr Akpabios petition.

I have responded to the petition. I did that yesterday, 9 April. What am I wasting time for? I stand by what I said. I am not mincing words. He (Akpabio) should respond to my own petitions. I wrote two petitions one on 25 March and one on 31 March and I have written a supporting witness statement but he has not responded. I have responded to his petition.He too should respond to my own, Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan said in a telephone interview.

The senator said she was taking all possible and lawful steps because she does not want her life to be wasted like those of others.

My greatest fear is to be killed and the matter swept under the carpet. Many have been killed and nothing happened. Funso Williams was killed, nothing happened, Bola Ige was killed and nothing happened. It is better I cry out. I pray that the police will do the right thing, she said.

Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan said she had applied to the police for her security to be restored and that she is awaiting the response of the Force.

The Senate had on 6 March suspended Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan, a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), for six months for breaching the Senate rules following her conduct in the chamber on 20 February over sitting arrangement.

Her suspension was recommended by the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, which probed her conduct and found her guilty.

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Senators and members of the House of Representatives from the North-east geopolitical zone have condemned the exclusion of their region from the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) programme.

The lawmakers under the aegis of the National Assembly Caucus of the North-east Geopolitical Zone said they are worried that none of the six states in their region was included in the agricultural initiative, despite the is vast agricultural potential.

Leader of the Caucus, Danjuma Goje, said this on Thursday while addressing journalists after its emergency closed-door meeting at the National Assembly complex, Abuja.

The North-east states are Adamawa, Taraba, Borno, Yobe, Bauchi and Gombe.

The SAPZ initiative

The SAPZ initiative was launched in 2022 with a total funding package of $538 million. The project is aimed at revitalising Nigerias agricultural sector by creating agro-industrial hubs across selected regions.

It is primarily funded by a consortium of partners, including the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the Nigerian government.

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The AfDB, being the key financier and technical lead of the project, contributed $210 million, while the IsDB and IFAD committed $310 million and the Nigerian government $18.05 million.

Vice President Kashim Shettima flagged off the construction of the SAPZ project in Kaduna on 8 April.

The first phase of the project includes eight states, namely Kaduna and Kano in the North-west zone, Kwara and FCT in the North-central, Ogun and Oyo in the South-west, Cross River in the South-south and Imo in the South-east.

The processing zones are designed to address critical gaps in the agricultural value chain, such as poor infrastructure, lack of access to markets, and minimal value addition.

The SAPZ is expected to reduce Nigerias annual post-harvest losses estimated at N3.5 trillion, create jobs, and boost food security by developing processing factories, storage facilities, power and transport infrastructure, and training centres.

Exclusion of states in the North-east from the project

During the press briefing, Mr Goje, a former governor of Gombe State, who spoke on behalf of other senators, expressed concerns over the exclusion of the North-east from the $538 million project.

Despite its enormous agricultural potential, the North-east is conspicuously missing from the list of states allocated the processing zones, he said.

The senator emphasised the regions importance in Nigerias agricultural landscape with the claim that it has an expansive landmass, a favourable climate, and significant contributions to livestock and crop production.

Geographically, the North-east is the largest geopolitical zone in the nation, covering nearly one-third of Nigerias total area of 272,451 km2 (105,194sq mi). Our potential in all aspects of the agricultural sector cannot be overemphasised.

Our region, the North-east, is known for its enormous livestock and crop growth, contributing significantly to our countrys economic well-being and Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

It is against this backdrop that we are extremely worried that our zone is excluded from the SAPZ programme, regarded as a presidential priority project and a direct response to the longstanding challenges facing Nigerias agricultural value chain, including poor infrastructure, limited access to markets, and low-value addition, he said.

Mr Goje appealed to the federal government and the implementing partners to accommodate North-eastern states in the SAPZ project.

We appeal for the immediate inclusion of the North-east Geo-political Zone in the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ). This is not only for fairness and inclusivity but for the actualisation of the lofty ideals of the present administration to industrialise Nigerias agricultural sector and create sustainable jobs in the country, he said.

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Nigerian journalist and media entrepreneur Kadaria Ahmed has established a scholarship scheme to support indigent students at Lagos State University (LASU) in honour of the late Rotimi Sankore.

The Rotimi Sankore Scholarship Award is open to undergraduate students of Communication and Media Studies, particularly those interested in a future career in developmental and data journalism.

Announced in a statement by the Rotimi Sankore Scholarship Award Panel, the initiative aims to assist students who have completed at least one academic session at LASU and can demonstrate both academic excellence and financial need.

According to the call for applications, the scholarship will cover tuition and accommodation costs.

Applicants must submit a 200-word personal statement explaining why the selection panel should consider and nominate them, alongside supporting documents to [email protected] on or before 1 May 2025.

The panel stated that only shortlisted candidates will be invited for a physical interview.

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This is not the first time Ms Ahmed, through her media company Daria Media, is investing in journalism-focused education.

Daria Media also runs an annual scholarship scheme, the Mamman Marshal Scholarship for Women in Journalism (MMSWJ), which awards six female student journalists from institutions such as Bayero University, Lagos State University, and the University of Uyo.

The scholarship, established in honour of Ms Ahmeds father, covers tuition and accommodation and aims to support women aspiring to build careers in journalism.

The new scholarship commemorates the life and legacy of Rotimi Sankore, known for his commitment to data-driven journalism on health, governance, and policy issues.

About Rotimi Sankore

Born on 6 June 1968, Mr Sankore was a renowned Nigerian journalist, media trainer, and social development advocate who worked across radio, print, and development sectors.

He was known for his work in both national and international media, having contributed to notable publications like The Guardian UK, The News, and Global Index on Censorship.

Mr Sankore played a key role in advocating womens rights, gender equality, and democratic governance.

He co-founded the Womens Rights Project of the Civil Liberties Organisation and worked with various African womens groups to promote policy changes.

Mr Sankore played a significant role in developing and adopting the Gender Protocol of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and advocating for the ratification of the African Unions Protocol on the Rights of Women in Africa.

READ ALSO: Amnesty International demands probe into police assault on journalists during 7 April protest

Mr Sankore also served as the Executive Director of the Africa Centre for Development Journalism (ACDJ), where he championed data-driven journalism on health, governance, and policy issues.

He passed away on 12 April 2024 after a battle with cancer.

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The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has imposed sanctions on eight Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) for failing to comply with the monthly energy caps for unmetered customers between July and September 2024.

The sanctions include over N628 million fine and a directive to issue a credit adjustment to affected customers by the overbilling by 15 May.

It said the affected DisCos include Abuja, Eko, Enugu, Ikeja, Jos, Kaduna, Kano, and Yola.

The commission said the sanction is in compliance with section 34(1)(d) of the Electricity Act 2023, which underscores its unwavering commitment to regulatory compliance and consumer protection within the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry.

Pursuant to section 34(1)(d) of the Electricity Act 2023 (EA 2023), the commission has sanctioned eight (8) Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos)  Abuja, Eko, Enugu, Ikeja, Jos, Kaduna, Kano, and Yola, for failing to fully comply with the monthly energy caps issued by the Commission between July- September 2024 (2024/Q3), the commission said.

In 2020, the commission issued the Order on Capping of Estimated Bills (Order No:NERC/197/2020) and subsequently issued monthly energy caps which aimed to align the estimated bills for unmetered customers with the measured consumption of metered customers on the same supply feeder.

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In its statement on Thursday, the commission said a review of DisCos billing of unmetered customers for July  September 2024 (2024/Q3) revealed non-compliance with the monthly energy caps issued by the commission.

The non-compliant DisCos have been sanctioned to pay fines amounting to six hundred and twenty-eight million, thirty-one thousand, five hundred and eighty-three naira and ninety-four kobo (N628,031,583.94), which is equivalent to 5 per cent of the naira value of the gross overbilling for the period under review

The commission has also mandated the DisCos to issue commensurate credit adjustments to all customers affected by the overbilling by 15th May 2025  the end of the April 2025 billing cycle.

The commission reaffirms its commitment to regulatory compliance and consumer protection within the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry, the statement said.

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Its a most unlikely crime scene. I travelled by road from the Benin airport to Uromi, Esanlands most significant town, for a wedding about three years ago.

The fear of kidnappers is a constant worry for road users. I was nervous for nearly four hours of the taxi ride, especially as we turned off the busy Agbor Road and veered onto narrow, lonely roads meandering through many forested small towns and villages.

I was nervous. When the driver ran into a pothole, and a loud noise suggested we might have lost a wheel or something, I insisted he should keep moving, as long as the car could still move, until we later discovered it was the wheel cover.

Entering Uromi

It was not until we passed Ubiaja, the hotspot between Biafran and Federal troops during Nigerias civil war and cultural capital of Esanland, and reached Igueben, the rusty town of one of Nigerias famous politicians, Tom Ikimi, about 20 minutes drive from Uromi, that I started breathing easy. It was my first visit to Uromi, a town I had known and heard about since my teenage years.

Memories from the Past

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My earliest memory of this town was when my mother worked as a cook at St. Theresas Hospital, Kirikiri Ajegunle, Lagos, owned at the time by Dr. Okoli, an Igbo man, and his wife, a nurse and an Esan from Uromi. Occasionally, when there was some social event in Uromi, the Okolis took my mum along to cook, and she returned with plenty of palm oil, large tubers of yam, and fresh fruits.

But theres another memory of Uromi apart from my mothers work and travels. Its the historical significance of this town in the old Benin Empire. More contemporary references might be about the exploits of some of Uromis notable people, such as the three Anthonys  Enahoro, Olubunmi-Okogie and Anenih  whose footprints in politics and liberation theology cannot be easily forgotten.

Innocence Lost to Rage

Yet, these notable persons were inspired by the towns extraordinary heritage of struggle and resistance to oppression. Uromi resisted the expansionism of the Benin Empire during Oba Ozoluas reign and fought the British colonial invaders.

Though many of the towns original settlers are believed to have come from central Nigeria, migrants from other places also settled there, highlighting its tolerance for visitors and diverse heritage as the town grew into one of Esanlands most important agricultural trading posts.

That diversity, enterprise and welcoming spirit now seem like a story from a bygone era. After the tragic killing of the 16 travellers reportedly going to Kano to observe the Eid on March 28, the town has lost its innocence. For a long time, it will be remembered not as that place my mother frequented as a cook or the homestead of Enahoro, one of Nigerias greatest patriots and nationalists, but as a crime scene.

Agony of Bereavement

The heartbreaking story of Hauwa Bala (whose husband, Isah, was among the Uromi 16) who went into premature labour upon hearing of her husbands tragic death or Sadiya Saadu, who lost a brother and a nephew will haunt the community, as will the stories of each of the dead, and indeed the unfolding horror in Uromi now under siege and a brutal crackdown. The security services are poised to forget their complicity and instead crush the town in a mocking search for justice.

Journey to Anomie

How did we get here? Kidnapping and banditry have grown from a fringe business to a N2.23 trillion naira industry, and hardly any part of the country is spared this misery. In the last 10 years, clashes among rival cult gangs have been rife in Edo State, as have been reports of severe violence as a result of farmer-herder clashes. One report said in 2020, Edo was the third most affected by violence in the Niger Delta after Delta and Rivers States.

Violent clashes between farmers and herders have led to significant loss of lives. In February alone, 27 farmers in Edo were reportedly killed by herdsmen. This figure is only a tiny part of the bloody trail that often includes grotesque stories of rape, murder and wantonness wrecking many farming communities across the country as herders roam southwards for pasture.

Politicians Fake Outrage

While the affected communities writhe in anguish, official response, especially by politicians and the police, has ranged from chewing the microphone with empty promises of justice to sheer indifference and, in fact, alleged complicity in supplying weapons to the herders in some cases. Weve seen this repeatedly across the country, from Uromi in Edo to towns in Benue and Plateau States.

When the state, expected to guarantee security and maintain law and order, abdicates its responsibility, turns a blind eye or becomes complicit, people take the law into their own hands. What happened in Uromi on March 28 is one of the tragic outcomes.

The appearance of shock and outrage amongst politicians and the security services is hypocrisy disguised as empathy. They can fool themselves all day long. Unless they begin to rebuild trust in communities and people  whether farmers or herders  can see that there are consequences for breaking the law, Uromi will not be the last tragic crime scene.

Citizens Dilemma

Yet, while many communities are under attack, residents are on their own. The Supreme Court recently gave a judgment upholding the death sentence on Citizen Sunday Jackson and criminalising self-defence even in the face of a clear threat to life. The judgment is an absurdity that compounds the dilemma of communities coping with security services often unwilling, unable or unavailable to protect citizens.

If unarmed Jackson had known that self-defence against herdsman Boua Bururo, who stabbed him seven times on his farm, would not avail him, that if he didnt die by his attackers knife, he would have still been killed by the law, he might have surrendered to his attacker. What a fate!

What kind of society gives the victims the short end of the stick? If communities cannot trust that the police can defend them and courts will not provide justice, self-help prevails. As things stand, respect for life and private property rights is endangered, and to pretend otherwise is to enable jungle justice further.

No Excuses

What happened to the Uromi 16 stands condemned, but sadly, the fake outrage by politicians obscures the history behind the tragedy. It neither guarantees that a proper investigation will be done and the perpetrators brought to justice, nor does it assuage current tensions and paranoia in many communities across the country.

Open, unrestrained must stop. The Federal Government must also fast-track community/state policing, which will hopefully use modern surveillance tools and techniques to prevent and fight crime. The current security system is unfit for purpose.

Burden of Kindness

Im sorry for the truck driver who, after driving past the stranded passengers early on, turned back nearly two kilometres to pick up the Uromi 16 and other stranded passengers from the roadside. Even though he escaped the mob attack in Uromi, he now lives with the guilt of a bloody reward for his act of kindness, the tragic consequence of a society where trust and compassion have declined.

Neither the Uromi I read about in history nor the one my mother visited is the same as the present crime scene. Something is broken, and false outrage wont fix it.

Azu Ishiekwene is the Editor-in-Chief of LEADERSHIP and author of the new book, Writing for Media and Monetising It.

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The Founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, Jim Ovia, has been admitted to the prestigious Freedom of the City of London in a distinguished ceremony which held at the Mansion House, City of London on Monday, 7 April, 2025. This prestigious accolade is a testament to Mr Ovias exceptional contributions to the global financial landscape, unwavering commitment to fostering economic development, and dedication to philanthropic

endeavours that have positively impacted countless lives.

The Freedom of the City of London, a time-honoured tradition dating back to the 13th century, is one of the oldest surviving ceremonies in the United Kingdom. Historically, it granted freemen certain rights and privileges within the city. Today, it stands as a symbolic recognition of individuals who have made outstanding contributions to London or the wider society. This honour places Mr Ovia among a distinguished group of recipients, which includes notable figures from various fields such as Nelson Mandela, Bill Gates, Sir Winston Churchill, Desmond Tutu, Harry Kane, Morgan Freeman and Ian Wright.

Commenting on his new status as a Freeman of the City of London, the distinguished honoree, Jim Ovia, said It is indeed a great honour to be admitted to the prestigious Freedom of the City of London. This is not just a recognition of my personal achievements, but also a testament to the tireless efforts of the entire Zenith team who have worked diligently to establish our institution as a leading force in global finance. I am proud to be part of a legacy that celebrates innovation, excellence and the spirit of entrepreneurship. I dedicate this to the people of Nigeria and Africa who continue to inspire me with their resilience and determination. I look forward to continuing to play a role in shaping the economic landscape of our great continent and beyond.

Joining the nation in congratulating Mr Ovia, President Bola Tinubu, through a press statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, commended Mr Ovia for being a distinguished ambassador of the nations private sector. He described the honour as a fitting recognition of his exceptional contributions to business, innovation, and technology, as well as for his role in shaping Nigerias financial landscape and strengthening economic ties between Africa and the rest of the world.

According to him, This honour is a testament to your unwavering commitment to excellence, your pioneering role in the growth of the financial services sector in Nigeria, and your visionary leadership that continues to inspire generations. As an accomplished entrepreneur and advocate of innovation-driven development, your recognition in the City of London affirms the global relevance of Nigerian excellence and enterprise.

Dignitaries at the ceremony include Former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo; Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-olu; Governor of Delta State, Mr Sherrif Oborevwori; Governor of Enugu State, Dr Peter Mbah; President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote; Minister of State for Finance, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mrs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Oba of Oniru, Oba Abdulwasiu Lawal; Group Managing Director, TGI Group of Companies, Rahul Savara; Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, and His Eminence John Cardinal Onaiyekan, who joined Zenith Bank Executives in celebrating this significant milestone.

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This well-deserved recognition rides on the back of many other prestigious awards that Mr Ovia has received for his outstanding contributions to banking, education and philanthropy including conferment of Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) and National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM) Award in 2022 by the Federal Government of Nigeria. He was also named the Banker of the Year in 2007 and Titan of the year in 2024 by

ThisDay Newspaper, and received the African Business Leader Award from the Africa- America Institute. He received honorary degrees from the University of Lagos as well as from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and was recognised by Forbes Africa as one of the most influential figures in banking.

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The Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah has appealed to nursing students in the state not to leave after graduation to curb brain drain in the states health sector.

Mr Mbah made the appeal during the 2024/ 2025 Maiden Matriculation Ceremony of the Nursing College, Enugu on Thursday.

He said rather, they should consider the huge resources the state was committing in training of students studying nursing and midwifery and give back to the state after graduation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that 240 nursing students matriculated comprising 120 each from the Parklane and Awgu campuses following the upgrade of the college to Higher National Diploma awarding institution.

Mr Mbah, represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Chidiebere Onyia, said japa syndrome is completely against the policy of the state, who had been spending reasonable amount in training them.

We dont train you and after spending all that money in infrastructure and the first opportunity you get you leave our healthcare facilities, he said

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One thing we are very particular is how we improve the service conditions so that when you go through the effort of getting your certificate, you dont leave our state.

That is why we are training beyond just academics so that you see that this is service and if any of you can go back to our budget in 2024 and 2025, the highest investment is in education and health, Mr Mbah said.

He explained that the states effort in upgrading the institution and ensuring that students are exposed to the best learning techniques, medical equipment and technology, is in fulfillment of its campaign promise of building a healthy society.

The bold move and the can-do spirit initiative of the administration, that led to guaranteeing the future of the people and transforming the state into a hub of medical tourism.

This led to the accreditations of the college and other medical institutions by Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), he stressed.

Mr Mbah disclosed that the journey started with the invitation of the first batch of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) officials to accredit the School of Midwifery.

This step, he noted, was critical and allowing students to get indexed after two years of delay, a process that officially certified them as Student Nurses and enabled their enrollment in the NMCN professional exams.

Building on this success, the State Government took even bolder steps by inviting officials from both the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and the NMCN to oversee the upgrade of the former School of Nursing to the prestigious collegial status.

This transformation required considerable investment and commitment, which the government wholeheartedly provided.

The growth reflects the governments dedication to broadening access to quality nursing education across the state, the governor, he added.

Commending Mr Mbah for the fortification of the health sector with ultra-modern medical facilities, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Yomi Jaye, said Enugu State is one of the first states in the federation to key into the collegial status.

This, he explained, led to awarding of students with multiple certificates such as Ordinary National Diploma, Registered Nurse, Registered Midwifery and HND.

READ ALSO: FG trains 120 researchers to strengthen cancer research

He said with the upgrade of the college, its admission now moved from 50 to 240 students which he revealed would increase in next session to complement 260 Primary Health Centres being built by the state government.

He added that the state was already putting in place world-class facilities at the Enugu State University of Science and Technology Teaching Hospitals, Enugu International Hospital and as a deliberate step of curbing the Japa syndrome.

In her opening remarks, the Acting Provost of the college, Nkechi Ani, highlighted some of the notable achievements of the governor since assumption of office to include upgrade of infrastructure and construction of a fully-equipped ICT centre.

Others are frequent staff training and development, entrepreneurship training in digital and software skills, international course in the University of Washington and provision of other logistics for staff and students.

Speaking on behalf of the students, Rita Ogbodo, said with Governor Mbahs intervention which led to the upgrade of their school to college, they now earned four different certificates after their training.

(NAN)

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As local councils move forward with evictions, the situation has become even more dire, charity organisers desperately warn.

Rough sleepers at Eddie Hyland Park in Lawnton, Queensland had their tents torn up and dismantled. Source: Nourish Street Inc

All Australians deserve a roof over their head and every person, regardless of their circumstances, has the right to a safe place to call home.

That's the message from Beau Hayward, founder of the Brisbane-based charity Nourish Street, after eight tents, formerly the homes of rough sleepers, were removed from Eddie Hyland Park in Lawnton this week.

People living in the tents say they were given an hour to retrieve their belongings on Wednesday before council excavators moved in and tore the tents down. Speaking to Yahoo News, Beau warned the "mental health toll of this crisis" has become "overwhelming" among those affected by the authorities' decision to evict the tent dwellers.

Much like most of Australia, Queensland is facing a devastating housing affordability crisis, with more people than ever resorting to drastic action, such as sleeping in tents or their cars, as cost of living pressures continue to disproportionately impact the country's most vulnerable.

Excavators were used to remove tents from the park. Source: Nourish Street Inc

What's happening to the homeless population in and around Brisbane?

In Queensland, the City of Moreton Bay council announced back in February it would soon make it illegal for homeless people to camp on public land as the area grappled with an increasing number of rough sleepers.

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It also made changes to the homeless persons framework to prohibit rough sleepers from having pets and to exclude people living in vans as homeless. The move saw certain rough sleepers face a potential infringement penalty of $806.

In March, Brisbane's Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner followed suit, giving rough sleepers across the city's parks 24 hours to pack up their things and leave. Both announcements were met with widespread condemnation among charities and mental health advocates, who lashed out at what they described as "cruel" and "heartless" decisions.

Beau said due to the ongoing housing crisis, "marked by a severe lack of affordability", individuals and families had been left with "no viable options".

"As local councils move forward with evictions, the situation has become even more dire, with housing services overwhelmed and facing a significant backlog of referrals," he told Yahoo. "For many of those affected, this means facing an uncertain future with very few options available.

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"Lives are being disrupted, and the dignity and sense of belonging that come with having a home are being stripped away. It is crucial to remember that, regardless of their circumstances, these individuals are human beings deserving of basic rights, including the right to shelter."

Police were deployed to monitor the tent city's removal. Source: Nourish Street Inc

Authorities urged to respond with compassion

A spokesperson for the City of Moreton Bay said the council cannot legally issue move-on orders but can remove tents and belongings if someone breaches a compliance notice.

"On Wednesday, we removed two abandoned tents and associated waste. With the consent of one individual, we dismantled their tent and meticulously supported them with gathering their personal items," the spokesperson said.

"The occupant confirmed what was valuable and what items they did not wish to keep, that Council could remove. The valuable items have been stored for later collection.

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"On Thursday, we removed another two abandoned tents and associated rubbish at these two sites. We also engaged with the people today who have not complied with orders from several weeks ago to stop illegally camping on public land. With their consent, we dismantled their tents. They declined all offers to store their belongings.

"Due to the significant amount and unsanitary nature of the rubbish, this could not be done by hand, so an excavator was used to ensure public health for Council Officers and members of the community was maintained.

"Council can confirm that the Department of Housing has previously engaged with all people in the park."

All individuals at Eddie Hyland Park, who had been issued with a compliance notice, have also again been offered the opportunity to access specialist homelessness services. Council officers have not issued Penalty Infringement Notices, the spokesperson said.

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Beau said he'd been told housing had been "offered to everyone", but on Thursday, he hadn't seen the proof.

"This is simply not the truth," he said. "Many people are still waiting for safe housing solutions, not camping on the streets. They are navigating a broken system in search of stability and support.

"We stand firm in our commitment to support those experiencing homelessness and advocate for everyone to have a safe place to call home.

"As we move forward, we urge our community and decision-makers to recognise the urgent need for systemic change. Everyone deserves the chance to find a home, and together, we can work toward solutions that provide real support and hope for those in need."

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

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SHANGHAI, April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Absa, in partnership with UnionPay International (UPI), is launching contactless payments to UnionPay cardholders across South Africa, thereby strengthening its commitment to offering a seamless and secure payments experience. The collaboration ensures that customers with UnionPay cards can enjoy an even faster and more convenient checkout experience at thousands of retail stores nationwide.

With digital payments becoming increasingly popular, shoppers expect quick and hassle-free ways to pay. By enabling contactless technology, Absa ensures that customers can simply tap and gowhether they are grabbing a coffee, shopping for groceries, or making fashion purchases. The functionality eliminates the need for cash or a PIN entry for qualifying transactions.

"As Africa's biggest merchant acquirer, we are always looking for ways to improve the payment experience for consumers," said Chris Wood, Managing Executive for Product at Absa Business Banking. "Our collaboration with UnionPay International aligns with the growing consumer preference for contactless payments and will empower clients to transact in a fast and secure way. It will also enable Absa merchants to offer contactless payment options to more customers."

As part of this initiative, more than 44,000 payment devices across South Africa will now accept UnionPay contactless payments, including major retail chains, supermarkets, restaurants, and independent stores. This extensive acceptance network ensures that both local and international UnionPay cardholders can experience seamless transactions at their favorite shopping destinations.

"We are thrilled to partner with Absa Bank to bring the power of contactless payments to South Africa, marking a significant milestone in our commitment to digital innovation. This collaboration enhances the payment experience for both domestic and international cardholders, offering seamless, secure, and fast transactions. By expanding contactless acceptance, UnionPay is not only improving convenience but also empowering consumers to experience the future of payments today. As we continue to innovate, we are excited about the future of digital payments in South Africa and beyond, and we remain dedicated to providing solutions that benefit both businesses and consumers, fostering a more connected and efficient global payment ecosystem."

This collaboration reinforces Absa's commitment to providing world-class financial solutions and supporting the growing demand for digital payments in South Africa. Customers can use their UnionPay contactless cards at participating retailers.

About Absa

Absa Group Limited ('Absa Group') is listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and is one of Africa's largest diversified financial services groups.

Absa Group offers an integrated set of products and services across personal and business banking, corporate and investment banking, wealth and investment management and insurance.

Absa Group owns majority stakes in banks in Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania (Absa Bank Tanzania and National Bank of Commerce), Uganda and Zambia and has insurance operations in Botswana, Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa and Zambia. Absa also has offices in China, Namibia, Nigeria and the United States, as well as securities entities in the United Kingdom and the United States, along with technology support colleagues in the Czech Republic.

For further information about Absa Group Limited, visit www.absa.africa.

About UnionPay International

UnionPay International (UPI) is focused on the growth and support of UnionPay's global business. In partnership with more than 2600 institutions worldwide, UnionPay International has enabled card acceptance in 183 countries and regions with issuance in 84 countries and regions. UnionPay International provides high quality, cost effective and secure cross-border payment services to the world's largest cardholder base and ensures convenient local services to a growing number of global UnionPay cardholders and merchants.
ADP Honors Academy Bank with a 2025 HCM Distinction Award in Talent at Work category

Bank earns national distinction for commitment to improving employee experience and cutting-edge recruitment strategies

KANSAS CITY, Mo., April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Academy Bank  a full-service community bank and wholly owned subsidiary of Dickinson Financial Corp.  has been recognized as a prestigious 2025 HCM Distinction Award winner by ADP, a leading global human capital management (HCM) technology provider. Honored in the Talent at Work category, Academy Bank accepted the award during ADP's recent 40th annual Meeting of the Minds conference in March.

ADP bestows the awards to a select group of large employers leveraging HCM technology to drive organizational agility, build people-centric cultures, lead workplace innovation, enable global performance, and deliver enhanced candidate and employee experiences. Organizations were selected from a highly competitive pool of applicants that demonstrated a strong commitment to HCM excellence.

As the Talent at Work Award Winner, Academy Bank was recognized for driving continuous improvement and performance across the talent journey, creating greater efficiencies, optimized resources, and an enhanced experience for candidates and employees. ADP determined Academy Bank stood out from the large field of companies competing for the award by demonstrating exceptional leadership in workplace innovation, agility and people-centric culture.

"At Academy Bank, people are at the heart of everything we do," said Jane Strohm, senior vice president of human resources. "While AI and technology continue to evolve, banking remains a relationship-driven industry. The strides we've made in reducing turnover, increasing retention, and enhancing our core HR systems are all designed to attract and retain top talent. These efforts wouldn't be possible without the right tools and a commitment to innovation."

A key initiative in Academy Bank's talent strategy was the redesign of its career website, developed in partnership with ADP. The revamped platform showcases the bank's brand and culture to potential applicants, offering a professional and engaging experience that aligns with the organization's brand promise.

The upgraded platform also integrates real-time recruiting and compensation benchmarking tools, allowing Academy Bank to track job openings, hiring timelines and salary competitiveness at the national and regional levels. This data-driven approach ensures Academy Bank is offering competitive wages for top talent in a particular area, which undoubtedly contributed to the organization growing 25% over the past decade.

"I'm incredibly proud of this recognition," said Teresa Ascencio, executive vice president, chief administrative officer. "It reflects the dedication of our HR team in driving meaningful change within our organization. By continuously innovating, we are not only strengthening our workforce, but also enhancing the experience for both our employees and our clients."

Academy Bank remains committed to fostering a dynamic and inclusive workplace, where top talent is supported with forward-thinking tools and strategies. As the organization looks to the future, it will continue investing in initiatives that elevate the employee experience and position Academy Bank as an employer of choice in the financial industry.

For more information about Academy Bank's career opportunities, visit https://myjobs.adp.com/academybankcareers/cx.

About Academy Bank

Academy Bank is a full-service commercial bank with $2.9 billion in assets and more than 75 banking centers in Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Arkansas and Missouri. Academy Bank provides a wide range of financial solutions for business and individuals, including commercial and business banking, treasury management and mortgage services. Academy Bank is privately held and family-owned by Dickinson Financial Corporation, a $4.0 billion holding company headquartered in downtown Kansas City, Missouri. Academy Bank's sister bank, Armed Forces Bank, headquartered in Leavenworth, Kansas, proudly serves active and retired military and civilian clients around the world with more on-base locations than any military bank in the country. For more information, visit www.academybank.com

Member FDIC

SOURCE Academy Bank
The partnership and $100 million investment positions Aiper to scale operations and solidify its role as a leading player in smart pool cleaning technology by uniting complementary strengths to deliver enhanced solutions to a broader customer base

BARCELONA, Spain, April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Aiper, a global leading player in cordless robotic pool cleaning, announces an agreement for a new financing round totaling $100 million. Led by Fluidra, a prominent force in the global pool industry, this round marks the beginning of a strategic alliance between the two companies.

As part of this collaboration, Aiper and Fluidra will combine their complementary strengths to grow the largely unpenetrated pool cleaning market, accelerate innovation, reach more customers, and confirm Aiper as a leading player in the industry.

Partnering with a leader in the Professional Pool Channel

With over 50 years of experience, Fluidra is a global leader in pool equipment and connected solutions in the pool and wellness sector. Its portfolio of trusted brands, such as AstralPool, Zodiac, Jandy, and Polaris, are well-established across Europe, North America, Latin America and APAC, serving both residential and commercial pool segments.

An opportunity for growth, this strategic collaboration enables Aiper to broaden its consumer base  helping to achieve a full omnichannel presence  and receive support for its European distribution network, patented technologies, and extensive industry resources. Through this partnership, Fluidra will also be in a position to expand its product range within the professional channel.

As a leading brand in online direct-to-consumer channels, Aiper is now available in over 7,000 stores through key retailers across Europe and North America. Support from this partnership with Fluidra will help drive the company's global expansion.

Redefining the Robotic Pool Cleaning Ecosystem

The robotic pool cleaner market is entering a new era. Aiper, leveraging proprietary cordless technology, AI-driven capabilities, and intelligent water quality management, has continued to demonstrate strong operational excellence  thus solidifying the company as a leading force in the industry. The partnership between Aiper and Fluidra will redefine the global robotic pool cleaner market ushering in a more dynamic, competitive landscape. By combining cutting-edge technology, complementary distribution networks, and operational efficiency, this alliance will transform the industry's ecosystem, accelerating a transition to a market that is scalable, brand and innovation-driven, and globally unified to reach ever more consumers and ultimately shape the future of the industry.

Pioneering the Future of the Smart Yard Globally

Looking ahead, Aiper is setting its sights on the broader smart yard ecosystem. With this funding and partnership in place, the company is well-positioned to pioneer a new generation of product solutions that redefine modern pool and yard care.

"This is an exciting moment for Aiper," said Richard Wang, Aiper Founder and CEO. "Joining forces with Fluidra, a global industry leader, gives us an incredible opportunity to accelerate our innovation and growth. We share a passion for pushing the boundaries of intelligent pool cleaning and, together, we're poised to redefine what's possible. With Fluidra's global reach and capabilities, we're more confident than ever in our ability to deliver smarter, more efficient pool cleaning and yard solutions. Currently, we're focused on deepening our presence in Europe and North America while actively expanding into emerging markets across the Middle East, Latin America, and Asia-Pacific. Our goal is to build a truly global smart yard ecosystem."

For more information about Aiper visit Aiper.com and follow Aiper on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X.

SOURCE Aiper
ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill., April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE: AJG) will release its first quarter 2025 earnings after the market closes on Thursday, May 1, 2025. A printer-friendly format will be available on the company's website shortly thereafter.

In conjunction with this release, J. Patrick Gallagher, Jr., Chairman and CEO, will host a conference call on Thursday, May 1, 2025 at 5:30 pm ET/4:30 pm CT.

The conference call will be broadcast live through Gallagher's website at www.ajg.com and a conference call replay will be available on the company's website approximately two hours after the broadcast. The replay can be accessed by going to Investor Relations and clicking on Events & Presentations.

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE: AJG), a global insurance brokerage, risk management and consulting services firm, is headquartered in Rolling Meadows, Illinois. Gallagher provides these services in approximately 130 countries around the world through its owned operations and a network of correspondent brokers and consultants.

Contact:

Ray Iardella

VP - Investor Relations

(630) 285-3661  [email protected]

SOURCE Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.
ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill., April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. today announced it has completed the previously disclosed acquisition of San Francisco, California-based Woodruff Sawyer.

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE:AJG), a global insurance brokerage, risk management and consulting services firm, is headquartered in Rolling Meadows, Illinois. Gallagher provides these services in approximately 130 countries around the world through its owned operations and a network of correspondent brokers and consultants.

Investors: Ray Iardella, VP - Investor Relations Media: Paul Day, Senior Media Relations Manager

630-285-3661/ [email protected] 630-285-5946/ [email protected]

SOURCE Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.
New physician addition strengthens the practice's commitment to patient-centered care in North Atlanta.

ATLANTA, April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Articularis Rheumatology Specialists of Atlanta (ARS Atlanta) is pleased to welcome Douglas White, MD, PhD to its distinguished team of physicians at its Sandy Springs location. With an extensive background in clinical care, academic research, and leadership in the field of rheumatology, Dr. White brings a wealth of experience to support patients in Sandy Springs and the surrounding Atlanta metro communities.

Dr. White joins Dr. Nandini Setia, who together with their clinical team offer a full spectrum of diagnostic and treatment services for patients managing autoimmune, inflammatory, and musculoskeletal conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, gout, and osteoporosis. Located in the heart of Sandy Springs, the practice serves patients throughout North Atlanta, including Dunwoody, Roswell, and East Cobb.

"We're honored to have Dr. White join the Articularis team," said Dr. Gregory Niemer, board-certified rheumatologist and Articularis Healthcare Group co-founder. "His deep expertise, patient-first philosophy, and commitment to advancing rheumatologic care make him an incredible addition to the Sandy Springs practice and to the Atlanta community."

Prior to joining ARS Atlanta, Dr. White served as Chair of Rheumatology at Gundersen Health System in Wisconsin for 15 years, where he led its rheumatology research lab and held adjunct faculty roles at the University of Wisconsin. His academic work has been widely published in prestigious journals such as "Nature" and "Arthritis & Rheumatology." Dr. White has also served in national leadership roles with the American College of Rheumatology, including president, treasurer, and chair of the committee on rheumatologic care.

"I'm excited to continue my journey in rheumatology with Articularis in Atlanta," said Dr. White. "This community values personalized, high-quality care, and I'm proud to be part of a team that puts patients first every day."

Articularis Rheumatology Specialists will soon serve Atlanta patients in two convenient locationsa second practice location will open in Smyrna this month and will be led by Dr. Ferhana Najam. ARS Atlanta is a practice of Articularis Healthcare Group (AHG), the nation's leading rheumatology specialty group. AHG supports private practice rheumatologists with operational services and administrative expertise so they can focus on delivering exceptional patient care.

About Articularis Rheumatology Specialists

Articularis Rheumatology Specialists (ARS) is a premiere provider of comprehensive rheumatology care for patients living with autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. As a practice of Articularis Healthcare Group, the nation's leading independent rheumatology group, ARS and its board-certified medical care teams combine cutting-edge treatments with compassionate care. With locations in Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee, ARS serves communities with a patient-centered approach to improve health outcomes and quality of life. Learn more at www.arshealthcare.com.

SOURCE Articularis Rheumatology Specialists
MEXICO CITY, April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE: ASR; BMV: ASUR) (ASUR), a leading international airport group with operations in Mexico, the U.S. and Colombia, announces that its annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2024, has been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. ASUR has also published its 2024 Sustainability Report, which discusses the company's environmental, social, governance performance.

You can access PDF versions of ASUR's 2024 Form 20-F and its 2024 Sustainability Report at its Investor Relations website www.asur.com.mx.

Investors can receive a printed copy of the report free of charge by calling The Bank of New York Mellon at 1-212-815-2838.

About ASUR

Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S.A.B. de C.V. (ASUR) is a leading international airport operator with a portfolio of concessions to operate, maintain, and develop 16 airports in the Americas. These comprise nine airports in southeast Mexico, including Cancun Airport, the most important tourist destination in Mexico, the Caribbean, and Latin America, and six airports in northern Colombia, including Jose Maria Cordova International Airport (Rionegro), the second busiest airport in Colombia. ASUR is also a 60% JV partner in Aerostar Airport Holdings, LLC, operator of the Luis Munoz Marin International Airport serving the capital of Puerto Rico, San Juan. San Juan's Airport is the island's primary gateway for international and mainland-US destinations and was the first and currently the only major airport in the US to have successfully completed a publicprivate partnership under the FAA Pilot Program. Headquartered in Mexico, ASUR is listed both on the Mexican Bolsa, where it trades under the symbol ASUR, and on the NYSE in the U.S., where it trades under the symbol ASR. One ADS represents ten (10) series B shares. For more information, visit www.asur.com.mx.

SOURCE Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S.A.B. de C.V.
The bodies of six protected wedge-tailed eagles were found around a tree near Junee. Source: WIRES

An Aussie farmer has made a horrific discovery underneath a dead tree in a quiet paddock. The woman had been searching for an injured wedge-tailed eagle on her NSW Riverina property on Sunday morning when she spotted six more of the birds mysteriously lying dead on the ground.

Video shot by wildlife rescue organisation WIRES highlights the strange placement of the dead birds. Some had fresh blood on their feathers, while others had begun to rot. The group's raptor coordinator, Shelly Rozsa, suspects they were dumped on the ground over several weeks before the farmer realised.

It was very quiet, very dry, and very sparse out there, she told Yahoo News.

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The eagles were really well spread out. Three were in a line, which is very unusual, and they all faced down. They were all young birds. You would never get that many in one area. It was horrific.

The birds were gathered together and photographed, then assessed by an expert medical team who found evidence they'd been shot. The discovery left wildlife rescuers in the region shocked and angry.

Related: 'Haunting' cry heard on Aussie island for first time in 50 years

Why are experts so worried about the eagle discovery?

Wedge-tailed eagles are Australias largest bird of prey and have a wingspan that can reach close to three metres. Because of their size the bird's populations are sparse, and on average they only raise one chick to adulthood a year.

The discovery of so many dead juvenile eagles on the Eurongilly farm has experts worried about the regions population.

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They dont sexually mature until theyre about seven years old. This would make a massive impact on the species in that area, Shelly said.

We put so much work into looking after these guys [when theyre injured] and getting them back out in the sky. So to find something like this is just heartbreaking.

The wedge-tailed eagles were found scattered across a paddock in the NSW Riverina. Source: WIRES

What happened to the one injured eagle?

WIRES located the seventh eagle that the farmer had been searching for, but it was in a bad way and riddled with maggots. Sadly, they had no option but to euthanise the bird.

It would have been too cruel to try and save it. The wing was half destroyed, and so was its leg, Shelly said.

The bodies of dead eagles were found riddled with shot, while the surviving bird had to be euthanised. Source: WIRES

Eagle find sparks police investigation and prison warning

During routine X-rays of the birds, vets discovered the birds were riddled with shot.

While some farmers illegally shoot eagles because they have the ability to kill lambs, overall losses caused by the species are extremely low. And they provide an important role in controlling feral pests like rabbits and even foxes.

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In a statement, NSW Police confirmed officers attached to Riverina Police District are now investigating the weekend incident and searching for those responsible.

Wedge-tailed eagles are a protected species in Australia and  if convicted offenders can face fines or up to two years imprisonment, a police spokesperson said.

The eagles were discovered on Dollar Value Road, Eurongilly, around 22km southeast of Junee. Theyve urged anyone who has seen anything suspicious or knows who is responsible to contact Junee Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment?  Get our new newsletter showcasing the weeks best stories.
The Ceremony Will Also Salute the Previous Year's Top Composers for Film, TV and Visual Media on May 14th in Beverly Hills

LOS ANGELES, April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- BMI announced today that acclaimed composer, producer and recording artist Atticus Ross will be honored with the BMI Icon Award at the 41st Annual BMI Film, TV and Visual Media Awards on May 14th in Beverly Hills, CA. The Academy Award, Golden Globe and GRAMMY Award-winning composer will be receiving this honor for his outstanding body of work across film and television. The ceremony will also salute the composers of the previous year's top-grossing films, top-rated primetime network television series, and highest-ranking cable and streamed media programs. The evening will be hosted by BMI President and CEO Mike O'Neill and BMI Vice President, Creative, Film, TV & Visual Media, Tracy McKnight.

2025 BMI Film, TV & Visual Media Awards

"Atticus Ross' unique ability to merge innovative sounds with cinematic storytelling has left an indelible mark on the industry, and we're thrilled to recognize his extraordinary talent and achievements with the BMI Icon Award," said McKnight. "His exceptional contributions continue to inspire and shape the future of music in film and television." McKnight added, "We're also so proud to be celebrating our BMI family of award-winning, distinguished composers, highlighting their excellence across music in film, TV and visual media."

Ross is a multifaceted musician, composer and producer who has garnered widespread acclaim over his decades-long career. Best known for his longstanding collaboration with Trent Reznor, Ross has made a mark on both film and television scoring, and rock music. His work with Reznor has resulted in some of the most memorable film scores of the past decade, including The Social Network, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Gone Girl, Waves, Soul, Mank, Bones & All, Empire of Light, Queer and Challengers. Across their filmography, Reznor and Ross have won two Academy Awards, a BAFTA Award, three Critics Choice Awards, three Golden Globe Awards and two GRAMMY Awards, in addition to countless other nominations. Their work in television includes Ken Burns and Lynn Novick's lauded 18-hour documentary The Vietnam War and the Emmy-winning score to HBO's Watchmen. Ross is also notable for his collaborations with his brother Leopold Ross and wife Claudia Sarne on movies such as The Book of Eli and Triple 9, and series like Black Mirror and Dear Mama. Most recently, his work on Shogun alongside Leopold and co-composer Nick Chuba garnered much acclaim, including two Emmy nominations and a GRAMMY nomination.

Beyond film, Ross is also a prominent figure in the music world as a key member of the band Nine Inch Nails, joining in 2016 as the band's sole official member alongside founder Trent Reznor. In 2020, Nine Inch Nails were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Later this year, the band will embark on a sold-out global arena tour. They are also set to score Disney's highly anticipated Tron: Ares, their first score under the Nine Inch Nails moniker. In addition to their musical endeavors, Ross and Reznor launched With Teeth, which encompasses film and TV production, products, and a music festival, further expanding their creative influence across various industries.

Ross has won 19 BMI Awards throughout his career for his scores on notable films and TV programs. In receiving this honor, Ross joins a prestigious list of BMI Icon Award recipients including Terence Blanchard, Mychael Danna, Alexandre Desplat, Ramin Djawadi, Harry Gregson-Williams, James Newton Howard, Christopher Lennertz, Thomas Newman, Rachel Portman (PRS), Mike Post, Alan Silvestri, Brian Tyler and John Williams, among others.

ABOUT BMI:

Celebrating over 80 years of service to songwriters, composers, music publishers and businesses, BMI is a global leader in music rights management, serving as an advocate for the value of music. BMI represents the public performance rights in over 22.4 million musical works created and owned by more than 1.4 million songwriters, composers, and music publishers. The Company negotiates music license agreements and distributes the fees it generates as royalties to its affiliated writers and publishers when their songs are performed in public. In 1939, BMI created a groundbreaking open-door policy becoming the only performing rights organization to welcome and represent the creators of blues, jazz, country, and American roots music. Today, the musical compositions in BMI's repertoire, from chart toppers to perennial favorites, span all genres of music and are consistently among the most-performed hits of the year. For additional information and the latest BMI news, visit bmi.com, follow us on X and Instagram @BMI or stay connected through BMI's Facebook page. Sign up for BMI's The Weekly and receive our e-newsletter every week to stay up to date on all things music.

SOURCE Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI)
SHANGHAI, April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Belief BioMed ("BBM") and Takeda China today jointly announced that BBM-H901 (generic name: Dalnacogene Ponparvovec Injection), has been officially approved by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for the treatment of adult patients with moderate to severe hemophilia B (congenital coagulation factor IX deficiency). As the first approved hemophilia B gene therapy in China1, BBM-H901 is developed and manufactured by BBM, and Takeda China is responsible for its commercialization in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau. The two parties will integrate their respective resource advantages to accelerate the provision of this breakthrough gene therapy to patients and jointly open up a new landscape in the field of hemophilia B treatment.

Dr. Xiao Xiao, Co-founder, Chairman and Chief Science Officer of BBM, said: "BBM has always been committed to R&D and innovation in the field of cutting-edge gene therapy, and is dedicated to filling unmet medical needs. The approval of BBM-H901 is an important milestone in the development of BBM. As the first hemophilia B gene therapy drug independently developed in China1, BBM-H901 will provide a new treatment option for hemophilia B patients, which is expected to provide patients with an innovative treatment solution and help them return to a normal life. BBM will work together with Takeda China to accelerate the rapid implementation of this innovative therapy. In the future, BBM will strive to accelerate the overseas commercialization process of BBM-H901, hoping to benefit more hemophilia B patients. "

Sean Shan, Senior Vice President of Takeda Pharmaceutical and President of Takeda China, said: "Takeda is honored to collaborate with BBM to bring the first locally developed hemophilia B gene therapy1 to the Chinese patients with hemophilia B. The approval of BBM-H901 will further enrich our portfolio in hemophilia and rare disease areas, and will help more patients to benefit from innovative treatments. In the future, Takeda China will continue to deepen our strategic cooperation with local partners, to accelerate the commercialization of more breakthrough therapies, ensure China's medical innovation can benefit more patients and contribute to the high-quality development of China's rare disease industry."

Hemophilia B is an inherited bleeding disorder caused by the deficiency of factor IX (FIX)2. For a long time, patients can only rely on prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC) or FIX as a replacement therapy3,4. Persistent and frequent bleeding can easily lead to damage of joint structure and function, resulting in a high disability rate5. This not only brings great physical pain and inconvenience to patients, but also comes with the risk of infection, blood clots, etc.3,4. The high medical treatment costs also bring a heavy and constant economic burden on the patient's family.

BBM-H901, based on a recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vector, can deliver the optimized human coagulation FIX gene into liver cells of patients. Then, coagulation FIX is continuously expressed and secreted into the bloodstream using the host cell gene transcription system, thereby promoting coagulation.

Professor Zhang Lei from the Blood Disease Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (Institute of Hematology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences), leading investigator of the registered clinical study of BBM-H901, said: "The traditional treatment of hemophilia B requires frequent intravenous injections, and the factor level fluctuates with the half-life of exogenous coagulation factors. Some patients are also at risk of developing inhibitors, leading to reduced treatment effectiveness. The approval of BBM-H901 has brought revolutionary hope to Chinese patients with hemophilia B. By a single dosing, the risk of bleeding and joint damage can be reduced, and patients are back to a normal life. We believe that with the continuous breakthrough of scientific research and the accumulation of clinical experiences, the treatment of hemophilia will enter a new era and patients will enjoy a higher quality of life."

In 2019, the first Investigator-initiated Trial (IIT) of BBM-H901 was launched. In 2022, the research results of IIT were successively published on international authoritative journals, The Lancet-Hematology and The New England Journal of Medicine5,6. Ten adult patients with moderate to severe hemophilia B were included in the study, with a median follow-up of 58 weeks after gene therapy, achieving a mean FIX activity of 36.9 IU/dL (one Stage Assay actin FSL aPTT reagent). There were no serious adverse events (SAEs) during the follow-up process, and there were no grade 3-4 adverse events (AEs)5. The long-term follow-up results of more than 3 years were orally presented at the 2024 International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) Congress. Compared with the published data in 2022, the patient's FIX activity remained stable at all follow-up nodes. No drug-related SAEs, thrombotic events, nor inhibitors were observed8.

In August 2021, the Investigational New Drug (IND) application of BBM-H901 was approved in China. In August 2022, BBM-H901 obtained the Breakthrough Therapy Designation by the Center for Drug Evaluation, the National Medical Products Administration7, and later on Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In 2024, BBM-H901 obtained the Rare Pediatric Disease Designation (RPDD) from the FDA and the Advanced Therapy Medical Products (ATMP) from the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

In December 2024, BBM released the results of the Phase III clinical study at the 66th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH). The results showed that after 52 weeks of follow-up, the mean annualized bleeding rate (ABR) of the participants was 0.6, the average FIX activity reached 55.08 IU/dL (one Stage Assay SynthaSIL aPTT reagent), and the average number of infusions of FIX drug decreased from 58.2 times/year before gene therapy treatment to 2.9 times/year after that. Twenty-one of the 26 participants (80.8%) had no bleeding events after treatment, and all participants had no SAEs8. The study is still in the process of continuous follow-up.

###

About Belief BioMed

Belief BioMed Inc. (BBM) is a global biotech company that integrates the research and development (R&D), manufacturing and clinical application of gene therapy products. The company is committed to providing innovative and more effective gene therapies for severe genetic and chronic diseases through safe and efficient viral vector technology. BBM has developed hundreds of key vector technologies, including HEK293 cell suspension serum-free culture process and full-scale chromatography purification process, and has established a commercial production platform for gene therapy drugs. The company has been building up its capabilities in a variety of fields including novel AAV capsids targeting different tissues, efficient transgene expression cassette design, and advanced clinically applicable vector manufacturing process. It has also established an extensive R&D pipeline covering a wide range of unmet clinical needs in different therapeutic areas such as hemophilia, DMD, Parkinson's disease, osteoarthritis, etc. Several product pipelines have entered clinical studies or submitted Investigational New Drug (IND). The Biologics License Application (BLA) of a gene therapy for the treatment of adult patients with hemophilia B, has been approved by the NMPA of China. For more information, visit www.beliefbiomed.com.

About Takeda

Takeda is focused on creating better health for people and a brighter future for the world. We aim to discover and deliver life-transforming treatments in our core therapeutic and business areas, including gastrointestinal and inflammation, rare diseases, plasma-derived therapies, oncology, neuroscience and vaccines. Together with our partners, we aim to improve the patient experience and advance a new frontier of treatment options through our dynamic and diverse pipeline. As a leading values-based, R&D-driven biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Japan, we are guided by our commitment to patients, our people and the planet. Our employees in approximately 80 countries and regions are driven by our purpose and are grounded in the values that have defined us for more than two centuries. For more information, visit www.takeda.com.

Medical Information

This press release contains information about products that may not be available in all countries, or may be available under different trademarks, for different indications, in different dosages, or in different strengths. Nothing contained herein should be considered a solicitation, promotion or advertisement for any prescription drugs including the ones under development.

[1] Up to April 2025. https://www.nmpa.gov.cn/yaopin/index.html [2] Thrombosis and Hemostasis Group, Chinese Society of Hematology, Chinese Medical Association / Hemophilia Treatment Center Collaborative Network of China. Chinese guidelines on the treatment of hemophilia (version 2020). Chin J Hematol..2020;41(4):265-271 [3] Mortensen GL,et al. Haemophilia. 2018;862872 [4] Srivastava A, et al. Haemophilia. 2020;001158.P95 [5] Xue F, et al. Lancet Haematol. 2022 Jul;9(7):e504-e513 [6] Xue F, et al. N Engl J Med. 2022 Oct 27;387(17):1622-1624 [7] https://www.cde.org.cn/main/xxgk/listpage/da6efd086c099b7fc949121166f0130c [8] Feng Xet al. 2024 ASH. Poster 3582

SOURCE Belief BioMed
BRIDGEWATER, N.J. and BENGALURU, India, April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Biocon Biologics Ltd (BBL), a subsidiary of Biocon Ltd (BSE code: 532523, NSE: BIOCON), today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (U.S. FDA) has approved Jobevne (bevacizumab-nwgd), a biosimilar Bevacizumab for intravenous use. JOBEVNE, a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody used to treat several different types of cancer, is a biosimilar to the reference product Avastin (bevacizumab). JOBEVNE is a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitor that binds with VEGF and blocks the interaction with its receptors to prevent angiogenesis  combating cancer by restricting blood supply to the tumor.

The approval of JOBEVNE expands Biocon Biologics' biosimilar oncology portfolio in the United States, which also includes OGIVRI (Trastuzumab-dkst) and FULPHILA (Pegfilgrastim-jmdb). The Company also markets Bevacizumab in Europe (approved February 2021) and Canada (approved November 2021) under the name ABEVMY.

The U.S. FDA has approved Jobevne (bevacizumab-nwgd) from Biocon Biologics to treat several different types of cancer. Post this

Shreehas Tambe, CEO & Managing Director, Biocon Biologics Ltd., said: "The U.S. FDA approval of JOBEVNE (bevacizumab-nwgd) is a significant milestoneour seventh biosimilar approved in the U.S. and a strong addition to our robust oncology portfolio. It underscores the depth of our scientific expertise and commitment to expanding access to high-quality, affordable biologics. We look forward to working with all stakeholders to bring more treatment options to patients."

In the U.S., sales of bevacizumab were approximately $2.0 billion in 2023.**

Biocon Biologics is a leading global player in biosimilars and insulin production and has achieved many "firsts" in the industry including the first to receive approval of a trastuzumab in the United States, OGIVRI (Trastuzumab-dkst), as well as FULPHILA (Pegfilgrastim-jmdb) and the first U.S. approval of an interchangeable biosimilar for SEMGLEE (insulin glargine). Serving over 5 million patients annually, Biocon Biologics has a comprehensive portfolio of in-market and in-development biosimilar products across multiple therapies, including seven approved biosimilars in the United States and six in Canada, with a robust development pipeline of 20 biosimilar assets, including insulins and monoclonal antibodies spanning multiple therapy areas.

About JOBEVNE:

The approval for JOBEVNE (bevacizumab-nwgd) was based on a comprehensive package of comparative pharmacokinetic, safety, efficacy, nonclinical, structural, analytical and functional data, which confirmed that JOBEVNE is highly similar to Avastin (bevacizumab).

The data demonstrated that there were no clinically meaningful differences between JOBEVNE and Avastin in terms of pharmacokinetics, safety, efficacy, and immunogenicity.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE:

JOBEVNE is a vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitor indicated for the treatment of:

Metastatic colorectal cancer, in combination with intravenous fluorouracil-based chemotherapy for first-or second-line treatment.*

Metastatic colorectal cancer, in combination with fluoropyrimidine-irinotecan-or fluoropyrimidine-oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy for second-line treatment in patients who have progressed on a first-line bevacizumab product-containing regimen.*

Unresectable, locally advanced, recurrent or metastatic non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer, in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel for first-line treatment.

Recurrent glioblastoma in adults.

Metastatic renal cell carcinoma in combination with interferon alfa.

Persistent, recurrent, or metastatic advanced cervical cancer, in combination with paclitaxel and cisplatin, or paclitaxel and topotecan.

Epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer: in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel, followed by JOBEVNE as a single agent, for stage III or IV disease following initial surgical resection in combination with paclitaxel, pegylated liposomal doxorubicin, or topotecan for platinum-resistant recurrent disease who received no more than 2 prior chemotherapy regimens in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel or carboplatin and gemcitabine, followed by JOBEVNE as a single agent, for platinum-sensitive recurrent disease



* Limitations of Use: JOBEVNE is not indicated for adjuvant treatment of colon cancer.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS:

Gastrointestinal Perforations and Fistula: Discontinue for gastrointestinal perforations, tracheoesophageal fistula, Grade 4 fistula, or fistula formation involving any organ

Surgery and Wound Healing Complications: In patients who experience wound healing complications during JOBEVNE treatment, withhold JOBEVNE until adequate wound healing. Withhold for at least 28 days prior to elective surgery. Do not administer JOBEVNE for at least 28 days following a major surgery, and until adequate wound healing. The safety of resumption of bevacizumab products after resolution of wound healing complication has not been established. Discontinue for wound healing complications of necrotizing fasciitis.

Hemorrhage: Severe or fatal hemorrhages have occurred. Do not administer for recent hemoptysis. Discontinue for Grade 3-4 hemorrhage.

Arterial Thromboembolic Events (ATE): Discontinue for severe ATE.

Venous Thromboembolic Events (VTE): Discontinue for Grade 4 VTE.

Hypertension: Monitor blood pressure and treat hypertension. Withhold until medically controlled; resume once controlled. Discontinue for hypertensive crisis or hypertensive encephalopathy.

Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES): Discontinue.

Renal Injury and Proteinuria: Monitor urine protein. Discontinue for nephrotic syndrome. Withhold until less than 2 grams of protein in urine.

Infusion-Related Reactions: Decrease rate for infusion-related reactions. Discontinue for severe infusion-related reactions and administer medical therapy.

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: May cause fetal harm. Advise females of potential risk to fetus and need for use of effective contraception.

Ovarian Failure: Advise females of the potential risk.

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF): Discontinue JOBEVNE in patients who develop CHF.

Please refer to full Prescribing Information for Jobevne (bevacizumab-nwgd) for more information. To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Biocon Biologics at 1-833-986-1468 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

JOBEVNE is a trademark of Biosimilars Newco Limited, a Biocon Biologics Company.

OGIVRI, FULPHILA, SEMGLEE and ABEVMY are registered trademarks of Biosimilars Newco Limited, a Biocon Biologics Company.

BIOCON BIOLOGICS and the Biocon Biologics Logo are registered trademarks of Biocon Biologics Limited.

All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

**Sales projections are based on Biocon Biologics' analysis of IQVIA 2023 data.

About Biocon Biologics Limited:

Biocon Biologics Ltd. (BBL), a subsidiary of Biocon Limited, is a unique, fully integrated, global biosimilars company committed to transforming healthcare and transforming lives. It is capitalizing on its 'lab to market' capabilities to serve millions of patients across 120+ countries by enabling affordable access to high quality biosimilars. The Company is leveraging cutting-edge science, innovative tech platforms, global scale manufacturing capabilities and world-class quality systems to lower costs of biological therapeutics while improving healthcare outcomes.

Biocon Biologics has commercialized nine biosimilars from its pipeline of 20 products in key emerging markets and advanced markets like U.S., Europe, Australia, Canada, and Japan. It's pipeline has several biosimilar assets under development across diabetology, oncology, immunology, ophthalmology, and other non-communicable diseases. The Company has many 'firsts' to its credit in the biosimilars industry. As part of its environmental, social and governance (ESG) commitment, it is advancing the health of patients, people, and the planet to achieve key UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Website www.bioconbiologics.com; Follow us on X (formerly Twitter): @BioconBiologics and LinkedIn: Biocon Biologics for company updates.

Biocon Limited, publicly listed in 2004, (BSE code: 532523, NSE Id: BIOCON, ISIN Id: INE376G01013) is an innovation-led global biopharmaceuticals company committed to enhance affordable access to complex therapies for chronic conditions like diabetes, cancer and autoimmune. It has developed and commercialized novel biologics, biosimilars, and complex small molecule APIs in India and several key global markets as well as Generic Formulations in the US, Europe & key emerging markets. It also has a pipeline of promising novel assets in immunotherapy under development.

Website: www.biocon.com; Follow-us on X (formerly Twitter) @bioconlimited and LinkedIn: Biocon for company updates.

Forward-Looking Statements: Biocon

This press release may include statements of future expectations and other forward-looking statements based on management's current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects upon Biocon and its subsidiaries/ associates. These forward-looking statements involve known or unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations include, amongst other: general economic and business conditions in India and overseas, our ability to successfully implement our strategy, our research and development efforts, our growth and expansion plans and technological changes, changes in the value of the Rupee and other currency changes, changes in the Indian and international interest rates, change in laws and regulations that apply to the Indian and global biotechnology and pharmaceuticals industries, increasing competition in and the conditions of the Indian and global biotechnology and pharmaceuticals industries, changes in political conditions in India and changes in the foreign exchange control regulations in India. Neither Biocon, nor our Directors, or any of our subsidiaries/associates assume any obligation to update any particular forward-looking statement contained in this release.

SOURCE Biocon Biologics Ltd.
Market Growth Driven by Rising Corporate ESG Commitments, Government Regulations, and Consumer Demand for Environmentally Responsible Products

REDDING, Calif., April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a new market research report titled "Biodiversity and Natural Capital Credit Market by Type (Biodiversity Credits {Habitat Conservation, Restoration}, Natural Capital Credits {Carbon Sequestration}, Hybrid/Bundled Credits), and Geography - Global Forecast to 2032", published by Meticulous Research, the global biodiversity and natural capital credit market is projected to reach $37.55 billion by 2032, growing at a robust CAGR of 26.1% from 2025 to 2032. This expansion is driven by the increasing recognition of the importance of biodiversity preservation and the growing demand for carbon-neutral and environmentally sustainable products.

Browse in-depth scope of Biodiversity and Natural Capital Credit Market Report:

109  Tables

23  Figures

130  Pages

For more comprehensive insights, download the FREE report sample:

https://www.meticulousresearch.com/download-sample-report/cp_id=6154

KEY MARKET DRIVERS AND TRENDS

The market is experiencing rapid growth due to increasing corporate commitments to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals, particularly those focused on biodiversity and ecosystem protection. Government policies and international frameworks like the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework are also encouraging the development of biodiversity and natural capital credit markets. Additionally, advancements in technology, such as AI, remote sensing, and blockchain, are improving the transparency and verification of biodiversity credits.

GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES

There are substantial opportunities in the integration of carbon markets with biodiversity and natural capital credits, the expansion into marine and freshwater ecosystems, and the development of biodiversity-linked financial instruments. The increasing application of technology for biodiversity monitoring and verification is also expected to enhance market growth.

There is a significant opportunity to integrate biodiversity credits with carbon offset markets. As both biodiversity and carbon sequestration efforts contribute to environmental protection, the bundling of these credits can enhance the market's reach and appeal. This creates a more unified, comprehensive environmental credit market.

Furthermore, much of the focus has been on terrestrial ecosystems, there is growing recognition of the importance of marine and freshwater environments in maintaining global biodiversity. The expansion of credit markets into these ecosystems provides a vast untapped opportunity for growth.

As the market matures, the development of financial products tied to biodiversity credits, such as bonds or funds, can open up new investment channels. These products could attract a broader investor base, including institutional investors and hedge funds.

Additionally, technologies such as satellite imaging, AI-based monitoring systems, and blockchain can streamline the process of tracking and verifying biodiversity credits. These advancements are expected to reduce the cost and increase the transparency of credit certification processes, leading to greater market confidence and participation.

Get Insightful Data on Regions, Market Segments, Customer Landscape, and Top Companies (Charts, Tables, Figures and More)- https://www.meticulousresearch.com/product/biodiversity-and-natural-capital-credit-market-6154

MARKET CHALLENGES

Despite strong growth, the market faces challenges such as the lack of standardized measurement methodologies, high transaction costs, and concerns regarding the long-term effectiveness of conservation projects. Fragmented regulations and verification challenges could impede market progress.

One of the most pressing issues is the lack of consistent and standardized methodologies for measuring biodiversity outcomes. Without a universal framework for assessing biodiversity impacts, the market can face difficulties in ensuring the reliability and effectiveness of credits.

Furthermore, the process of acquiring and trading biodiversity and natural capital credits can be complex and costly. High transaction fees, combined with the need for expert verification and monitoring, can deter smaller companies from participating in the market. Reducing these costs will be critical to increasing market adoption.

SEGMENT INSIGHTS

The global biodiversity and natural capital credit market is segmented by credit type (biodiversity credits {habitat/ecosystem conservation credits, species conservation credits, restoration credits, avoided loss credits}, natural capital credits {carbon sequestration, watershed services, soil quality improvement, and pollination services} and hybrid/bundled credits {combined carbon and biodiversity credits, ecosystem service packages, and landscape-level conservation credits) and geography. The study also evaluates industry competitors and analyzes the market at the country and regional levels.

Market by Credit Type

By 2025, biodiversity credits are anticipated to lead the biodiversity and natural capital credit market landscape. This dominance is driven by several factors, including the growing awareness of the importance of preserving ecosystems and mitigating the effects of climate change and human activities on biodiversity. Furthermore, the increasing investments from both governmental and private sectors in safeguarding natural habitats. As regulatory frameworks across various regions become more aligned with biodiversity conservation objectives, there is a growing push to integrate these credits into corporate sustainability strategies. Companies are increasingly adopting biodiversity credits as part of their environmental responsibility efforts, recognizing the need to balance business growth with environmental stewardship. Global initiatives like the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) have further emphasized the importance of ecosystem conservation, making biodiversity credits a critical component of international conservation agendas.

On the other hand, the hybrid/bundled credits segment is expected to experience the highest growth rate during the forecast period, reflecting the increasing recognition that comprehensive, ecosystem-based solutions can simultaneously address climate change and biodiversity loss. These hybrid credits allow businesses, governments, and other stakeholders to purchase a single credit that covers multiple environmental aspects, providing a more integrated and effective approach to sustainability. The demand for bundled credits is growing as they offer a streamlined solution for organizations looking to meet diverse environmental goals, such as carbon emission reductions and biodiversity protection. The ability to bundle different types of credits appeals to a wide variety of participants, including corporations that want to adopt a more holistic sustainability strategy and governments implementing cross-sector environmental policies.

The rise of collaborative efforts between environmental organizations, businesses, and governments is further fueling the growth of hybrid credits. These partnerships are accelerating the development and adoption of bundled credits, driving the transition towards more integrated ecosystem service management. As the global focus shifts to broader environmental impact solutions, hybrid and bundled credits are set to become key drivers in achieving the shared goals of biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation, making them an essential tool for a more sustainable future.

Request a customized research analysis tailored to your specific requirements: https://www.meticulousresearch.com/request-customization/cp_id=6154

GEOGRAPHIC MARKET INSIGHTS

Regionally, Europe is expected to lead the market by 2025, supported by its robust environmental regulations and growing corporate sustainability efforts. The European Union's stringent environmental policies and commitment to biodiversity preservation are driving the adoption of biodiversity credits among companies. Moreover, European countries are actively working toward meeting international biodiversity protection goals, encouraging further market growth.

Furthermore, the increasing collaboration between governments, corporations, and environmental organizations across these regions will further fuel the growth of the biodiversity and natural capital credit market. In Europe, the emphasis on achieving carbon neutrality and integrating nature-based solutions into climate strategies has created a favorable environment for biodiversity credit adoption. Initiatives like the European Green Deal and the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 are playing a pivotal role in fostering this market growth, encouraging businesses to align their operations with sustainability goals.

In addition, North America and Asia-Pacific are anticipated to show strong growth in the coming years. North America's significant corporate investments in ESG initiatives and government policies targeting biodiversity protection will support market expansion. In North America, while the U.S. is leading in corporate investments in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives, Canada is also taking proactive steps to preserve its vast natural resources. This includes the introduction of policies that incentivize biodiversity conservation and the reduction of environmental impacts.

Meanwhile, Asia-Pacific, driven by rapidly growing economies like China, India, and Japan, is expected to see a surge in demand for biodiversity and natural capital credits as governments in these regions implement more environmentally focused policies. These rapidly growing economies are seeing the rise of corporate responsibility and the integration of sustainability into business models, which is driving demand for biodiversity and natural capital credits. Governments in these regions are progressively adopting more stringent environmental policies, focusing on sustainable development, and integrating biodiversity protection into their national development plans. As a result, there is a growing recognition of the need to balance economic growth with environmental preservation.

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COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Several companies are actively involved in the biodiversity and natural capital credit market, utilizing strategies such as partnerships, acquisitions, and new product offerings to expand their market presence. Key players include environmental agencies, financial institutions, and conservation organizations that provide certifications, verification, and credit trading platforms.

Some of the prominent players that adopted these growth strategies are Terrasos SAS (Colombia), BioCarbon Partners LP. (Zambia), Ekos Kamahi Ltd. (New Zealand), Climate Asset Management Limited (U.K.), Biodiversity Solutions Ltd (Uganda), EcoEnterprises Fund (U.S.), Zero Imprint Ltd. (U.K.), New Forests Advisory Pty Limited (Australia), GreenVest (U.S.), Wildlife Works Services (U.S.), Nature Metrics Ltd (U.K.), GreenCollar Group (Australia), Earthbanc (Denmark), DGB GROUP N.V. (Netherlands), The Landbanking Group (Austria), ClimateTrade (Spain), CreditNature Ltd (U.K.), and South Pole (Australia).

Related Reports:

Environmental Monitoring Market

Sustainable Manufacturing Market

Environmental Testing Market

Agricultural Biologicals Market

Water and Wastewater Treatment Market

About Meticulous Research

We are a trusted research partner for leading businesses worldwide, empowering Fortune 500 organizations and emerging enterprises with market intelligence designed to drive revenue transformation and strategic growth. Our insights reveal future growth opportunities, equipping clients with a competitive edge through a versatile suite of research solutionsincluding syndicated reports, custom research, and direct analyst engagement. Each year, we conduct over 300 syndicated studies and manage 60+ consulting engagements across eight major sectors and 20+ geographic markets, all to deliver targeted business insights that help our clients lead in a rapidly evolving global market.

With a strong focus on problem-solving for complex business challenges, our research enables organizations to navigate change with assertion, aligning it with strategic pathways for sustainable growth. By identifying innovative and effective solutions, we empower leaders to make impactful decisions that drive operational excellence and fuel innovation. We are committed to crafting insights that enhance business performance and help our clients unlock new revenue opportunities, positioning them for long-term success in the competitive global marketplace.

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SOURCE Meticulous Market Research Pvt. Ltd.
NEW YORK, April 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ --

Why: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces the filing of a class action lawsuit on behalf of purchasers of securities of Bakkt Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: BKKT) between March 25, 2024 and March 17, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important June 2, 2025 lead plaintiff deadline

So what: If you purchased Bakkt securities during the Class Period 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 Bakkt class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=5546 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] 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 June 2, 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 firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

Details of the case: According to the lawsuit, during the Class Period, defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) misrepresented the stability and/or diversity of its crypto services revenue; (2) failed to disclose Bakkt's Crypto services revenue was substantially dependent on a single contract with Webull; (3) misrepresented its ability to maintain key client relationships; and (4) as a result of the foregoing, defendants' positive statements about Bakkt's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the Bakkt class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=5546 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] 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 investor's 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 or 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

[email protected]

www.rosenlegal.com

SOURCE THE ROSEN LAW FIRM, P. A.
The Awards Program Recognizes Breakthrough Achievements in the Global Clean Technology Industry, Speaking to Caelux's Market Leadership

BALDWIN PARK, Calif., April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Caelux , a pioneer in utilizing perovskites to make solar energy more powerful and cost-effective, is honored to announce today that the company has been named the 2025 CleanTech Breakthrough Award's Solar Technology Company of the Year . The CleanTech Breakthrough Awards is a prestigious program by Tech Breakthrough , a global platform dedicated to recognizing innovations in competitive technology sectors. Companies are evaluated by an independent panel of industry experts seeking to recognize the world's most innovative organizations in the energy, climate, and clean technology industries.

The second annual CleanTech Breakthrough Award acknowledges and celebrates the notable companies, products, and individuals who are driving sustainability, innovation, achievements, and environmental consciousness in the ever-evolving clean technology, climate, and global energy sectors. Evaluation is determined by several key factors including innovation, performance, ease of use, functionality, value, and impact in the solar energy technology industry.

This award validates Caelux's unwavering commitment to creating solutions that make solar energy more powerful and cost-effective to enable the next generation of solar innovation. Caelux is an energy technology disruptor making significant strides to deploy industry-scale solutions through energy innovation to build US energy innovation and independence. The company focuses on how advancements in perovskite technology evolve solar power by way of efficiency, improved quality, reduced costs, and enhanced performance. Because cost is a barrier to entry for many would-be solar adopters, Caelux has provided affordable and powerful solutions, allowing for broad implementation.

"As the solar technology industry experiences rapid growth and innovation, we are incredibly honored to be named this year's CleanTech Breakthrough Award for Solar Technology Company of the Year," said Scott Graybeal, CEO of Caelux. "At Caelux, we're focused on innovation first, prioritizing AI development to contribute not only to the advancement of solar energy, but also to local workforce development and economic growth."

Caelux's groundbreaking product, Caelux One , enables up to 30% more power and reduces installation costs by 20%. The product accelerates the proliferation of lower-cost solar panels, all while seamlessly integrating into existing photovoltaic module manufacturing processes. With Caelux One, the company provides the simplest path for silicon photovoltaic module companies to leverage advanced perovskite technology to boost their product's performance.

To learn more about Caelux, visit https://caelux.com .

About Caelux

Caelux 's proprietary technologies improve the performance of any new crystalline silicon module, making solar energy more powerful and cost-effective. Headquartered in Baldwin Park, California, Caelux is at the forefront of the emerging science of perovskites, a special class of nanomaterials. Its flagship product, Caelux One, is an innovative product that integrates seamlessly into existing PV module manufacturing processes, boosting performance, reducing installed costs, and accelerating the proliferation of solar. For more information, visit www.caelux.com or connect on LinkedIn .

Press Inquiries:

Kristen Aikey

JMG Public Relations

212-206-1645

[email protected]

SOURCE Caelux
DALLAS, April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Carstens, Allen & Gourley, an award-winning technology and IP law firm, today announced the submission of its recommendations to the U.S. government as part of the Request for Information (RFI) on the development of a national Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Plan. The law firm's proposals, focused on fostering innovation and ensuring legal clarity, are designed to promote responsible AI development while addressing existing regulatory hurdles.

The firm's recommendations are built around key areas that will support AI adoption across industries, minimize unnecessary regulatory barriers, and ensure the U.S. maintains its competitive edge in global AI development. The following key proposals were submitted:

Safe Harbor Exemption for Data Transfers to Third-Party LLMs: To address the uncertainty businesses face regarding the legality of transferring customer data to third-party Large Language Model (LLM) instances, the firm advocates for the creation of a safe harbor exemption. This exemption would facilitate AI adoption by ensuring businesses can freely engage with third-party LLMs, provided they meet established criteria, without violating state-specific data privacy regulations. Revision of USPTO Policy on AI-Generated Inventions: The firm urges the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to revise its policies to include protections for inventions discovered or created by AI systems. Allowing protection of inventions discovered using AI is consistent with past practice of providing protection for accidental discoveries and would encourage further innovation. Clarification of Copyright Protection for AI-Generated Works: The firm recommends that the U.S. Copyright Office revise its policy to allow works generated by AI to be registered so long as a human provides the essential elements of creativity and originality. This change would ensure that AI-generated works can be appropriately protected under copyright law, where a human provides creative input. Tax Incentives for AI Data Center Investments: The firm proposes that the AI Action Plan include tax incentives designed to encourage investment in the construction and development of AI data centers. These incentives would prioritize AI infrastructure over other capital projects, driving innovation and attracting investment into AI technologies. Review of Legacy Technology Laws: To facilitate AI adoption, the firm calls for reviewing existing laws and regulations created before the rise of AI technology. If these laws are found to be unnecessarily burdensome or restrictive, they should be updated to accommodate the unique needs of AI development. Creation of a Federal AI Act: In the firm's view, the U.S. needs a comprehensive federal Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act) to provide consistent regulation of AI technologies. This Act should balance innovation with responsibility while preventing states and local governments from creating conflicting and overly restrictive laws that could stifle AI growth. Federal Agency to Coordinate AI Policy: While awaiting the creation of the AI Act, the firm recommends that a single federal executive agency or liaison be appointed to coordinate federal and state policies on AI. This agency would ensure consistency, monitor regulatory developments, and address complaints related to unnecessarily complex or burdensome regulations that conflict with Executive Order 14179 or the AI Action Plan.

"Our firm's recommendations are designed to create a clear, efficient, and innovation-friendly regulatory environment for AI," said Vincent Allen, managing partner at Carstens, Allen & Gourley. "We believe these changes will accelerate AI adoption while ensuring that protections for privacy, intellectual property, and investment are maintained. The U.S. has the opportunity to lead the world in AI development, and it's crucial that our legal framework supports, rather than hinders, this potential."

Carstens, Allen & Gourley looks forward to further engagement with policymakers and industry stakeholders to refine these recommendations as the AI Action Plan takes shape.

About Carstens, Allen & Gourley

Carstens, Allen & Gourley is a distinguished intellectual property and technology law firm with offices in Dallas and Denver. For over 25 years, we have been leaders in safeguarding our client's intellectual property rights worldwide and providing general legal counsel to technology companies. Our firm supports clients, including venture-backed startups, with comprehensive strategies in patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. We have a global commercial litigation and dispute resolution practice that includes state and federal court litigation, international arbitrations, international transactions, and pre-litigation dispute resolution. Our award-winning team is dedicated to delivering top-tier legal services to clients across the globe. For more information, visit https://www.caglaw.com/ .

Contact:

Jessica Mularczyk

Chapman Communications Group

[email protected]

508-498-9300

SOURCE Carstens, Allen & Gourley, LLP
ST. LOUIS, April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC), a leading healthcare enterprise committed to helping people live healthier lives, announced today that its Nevada subsidiary, SilverSummit Healthplan, Inc. (SilverSummit), has been selected by the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services to provide services for its Medicaid managed care program. For the first time the program will include expansion of Medicaid Managed Care into rural and frontier service areas, communities that were previously fee-for-service. Subject to state approval, the five-year contract is expected to begin January 1, 2026, with a possible two-year extension.

"We're grateful for the opportunity to help expand access to affordable, quality healthcare in Nevada, and we're looking forward to building upon our existing provider and community partnerships in the state to deliver local solutions to Medicaid members," said Chief Executive Officer of Centene, Sarah London. "It's an honor to be entrusted with this important work that is consistent with our mission to transform the health of the communities we serve, one person at a time."

SilverSummit Healthplan has served Nevada Medicaid members since 2017 and currently serves over 100,000 members. Starting January 1, 2026, SilverSummit will continue to serve Medicaid members providing managed care services including primary care, telehealth, pharmacy, maternal and behavioral health, while expanding provider networks and empowering local care organizations to reach Nevadans in rural and frontier counties.

"Since being awarded the Nevada Medicaid contract in 2017, SilverSummit has worked diligently to meet our mission of helping our Nevadan members live healthier lives," said SilverSummit Healthplan President and CEO, Eric Schmacker. "Reaching urban, rural and frontier residents requires thoughtful, comprehensive healthcare solutions, and we are honored to be selected to continue our commitment to the State, our community partners and especially our members."

Ambetter from SilverSummit HealthPlan, SilverSummit's marketplace offering, was also one of three bidders selected by the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services for its marketplace public option, the Battle Born State Plan (BBSP). Effective January 1, 2026, the five-year contract includes a potential two-year extension and is expected to cover 16,000 individuals in the first year.

About Centene Corporation

Centene Corporation, a Fortune 500 company, is a leading healthcare enterprise that is committed to helping people live healthier lives. The Company takes a local approach  with local brands and local teams  to provide fully integrated, high-quality and cost-effective services to government-sponsored and commercial healthcare programs, focusing on under-insured and uninsured individuals. Centene offers affordable and high-quality products to more than 1 in 15 individuals across the nation, including Medicaid and Medicare members (including Medicare Prescription Drug Plans) as well as individuals and families served by the Health Insurance Marketplace.

Centene uses its investor relations website to publish important information about the Company, including information that may be deemed material to investors. Financial and other information about Centene is routinely posted and is accessible on Centene's investor relations website, http://investors.centene.com/.

About SilverSummit Healthplan

SilverSummit Healthplan (SilverSummit) is a managed care plan that provides Medicaid and marketplace health insurance to the people of Nevada. Established in 2017, SilverSummit exists to improve the health of its members through focused, compassionate and coordinated care. SilverSummit is a Centene Corporation company. For more information, visit www.silversummithealthplan.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

All statements, other than statements of current or historical fact, contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. Without limiting the foregoing, forward-looking statements often use words such as "believe," "anticipate," "plan," "expect," "estimate," "intend," "seek," "target," "goal," "may," "will," "would," "could," "should," "can," "continue" and other similar words or expressions (and the negative thereof). Centene Corporation and its subsidiaries (Centene, the Company, our or we) intends such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe-harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and we are including this statement for purposes of complying with these safe-harbor provisions. In particular, these statements include, without limitation, statements about expected contract start dates and terms, our expected future operating or financial performance, changes in laws and regulations (including but not limited to, renewal and modification of the enhanced advance premium tax credits associated with the Marketplace product), market opportunity, competition, expected activities in connection with completed and future acquisitions and dispositions, our investments and the adequacy of our available cash resources. These forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are based on numerous assumptions and assessments made by us in light of our experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, business strategies, operating environments, future developments and other factors we believe appropriate. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are subject to change because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future, including economic, regulatory, competitive and other factors that may cause our or our industry's actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are based on information available to us on the date hereof. Except as may be otherwise required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements included in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, after the date hereof. You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, as actual results may differ materially from projections, estimates, or other forward-looking statements due to a variety of important factors, variables and events including, but not limited to: our ability to design and price products that are competitive and/or actuarially sound including but not limited to any impacts resulting from Medicaid redeterminations; our ability to maintain or achieve improvement in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Star ratings and maintain or achieve improvement in other quality scores in each case that could impact revenue and future growth; our ability to accurately predict and effectively manage health benefits and other operating expenses and reserves, including fluctuations in medical utilization rates; competition, including for providers, broker distribution networks, contract reprocurements and organic growth; our ability to adequately anticipate demand and timely provide for operational resources to maintain service level requirements in compliance with the terms of our contracts and state and federal regulations; our ability to manage our information systems effectively; disruption, unexpected costs, or similar risks from business transactions, including acquisitions, divestitures, and changes in our relationships with third party vendors; impairments to real estate, investments, goodwill, and intangible assets; changes in senior management, loss of one or more key personnel or an inability to attract, hire, integrate and retain skilled personnel; membership and revenue declines or unexpected trends; rate cuts, insufficient rate changes or other payment reductions or delays by governmental payors and other risks and uncertainties affecting our government businesses; changes in healthcare practices, new technologies, and advances in medicine; our ability to effectively and ethically use artificial intelligence and machine learning in compliance with applicable laws; increased healthcare costs; inflation and interest rates; the effect of social, economic, and political conditions and geopolitical events, including as a result of changes in U.S. presidential administrations or Congress; changes in market conditions; changes in federal or state laws or regulations, including changes with respect to income tax reform or government healthcare programs as well as changes with respect to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act (collectively referred to as the ACA) and any regulations enacted thereunder, including the timing and terms of renewal or modification of the enhanced advance premium tax credits or program integrity initiatives that could have the effect of reducing membership or profitability of our products; uncertainty concerning government shutdowns, debt ceilings or funding; tax matters; disasters, climate-related incidents, acts of war or aggression or major epidemics; changes in expected contract start dates and terms; changes in provider, broker, vendor, state, federal, and other contracts and delays in the timing of regulatory approval of contracts, including due to protests and our ability to timely comply with any such changes to our contractual requirements or manage any unexpected delays in regulatory approval of contracts; the expiration, suspension, or termination of our contracts with federal or state governments (including, but not limited to, Medicaid, Medicare or other customers); the difficulty of predicting the timing or outcome of legal or regulatory audits, investigations, proceedings or matters, including, but not limited to, our ability to resolve claims and/or allegations made by states with regard to past practices on acceptable terms, or at all, or whether additional claims, reviews or investigations will be brought by states, the federal government or shareholder litigants, or government investigations; challenges to our contract awards; cyber-attacks or other data security incidents or our failure to comply with applicable privacy, data or security laws and regulations; the exertion of management's time and our resources, and other expenses incurred and business changes required in connection with complying with the terms of our contracts and the undertakings in connection with any regulatory, governmental, or third party consents or approvals for acquisitions or dispositions; any changes in expected closing dates, estimated purchase price, or accretion for acquisitions or dispositions; losses in our investment portfolio; restrictions and limitations in connection with our indebtedness; a downgrade of our corporate family rating, issuer rating or credit rating of our indebtedness; the availability of debt and equity financing on terms that are favorable to us and risks and uncertainties discussed in the reports that Centene has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). This list of important factors is not intended to be exhaustive. We discuss certain of these matters more fully, as well as certain other factors that may affect our business operations, financial condition, and results of operations, in our filings with the SEC, including our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. Due to these important factors and risks, we cannot give assurances with respect to our future performance, including without limitation our ability to maintain adequate premium levels or our ability to control our future medical and selling, general and administrative costs.

SOURCE CENTENE CORPORATION
Kansas City shows its strength as a leading design city with 25 inspiring events,

which kick off on Earth Day April 22

Open to the public, tickets are available at kcdesignweek.org;

KC Design Week offers both free and paid events

KANSAS CITY, Mo., April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Center for Architecture & Design (CfAD) will host KC Design Week April 22-30, a series of creative, thought-provoking events that offer the community unique opportunities to learn about all areas of design. Since 2010, KC Design Week has informed, connected and inspired thousands of design enthusiasts through programs featuring experts from fields such as architecture, graphics, interiors, products, landscape architecture, planning and urban environments. KC Design Week is open to the public, and tickets may be purchased online at kcdesignweek.org.

"Our dedicated committee volunteers of design professionals invest nine months of creativity and passion into planning, culminating in 25 inspiring events over the course of just nine days!" said Dawn Taylor, executive director for CfAD, a nonprofit organization.

Held each spring, organizers plan KC Design Week to include Earth Day (April 22), as it provides the perfect backdrop to showcase the commitment to sustainable design across design disciplines. This year's KC Design Week kicks off on Earth Day with the following sustainability events:

Full Circle: Rethinking Sustainable Furniture - Millions of tons of furniture end up in landfills every year. How are manufacturers working to change this? Beyond reducing waste, how does sustainable furniture design add value to our spaces and businesses? Join industry experts who are leading the charge in sustainable furniture design as they discuss the innovations that are shaping the industry and how sustainable design can come full circle.





- Millions of tons of furniture end up in landfills every year. How are manufacturers working to change this? Beyond reducing waste, how does sustainable furniture design add value to our spaces and businesses? Join industry experts who are leading the charge in sustainable furniture design as they discuss the innovations that are shaping the industry and how sustainable design can come full circle. Brew & Renew - Join us for an inside look at Boulevard Brewing Co.'s commitment to eco-friendly practices and learn how each pint is brewed with the planet in mind. During this guided tour, Boulevard will showcase the company's zero-landfill facilities, Ripple Glass partnership and see firsthand how the brewery integrates eco-friendly practices into beer production. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of sustainable brewing practices and how small changes can make a big environmental impact.

KC Design Week celebrates the value of design in our lives  from buildings to products and landscapes  and highlights its societal impacts. The week-long event draws an average annual audience of 1,800 individuals from the Kansas City metro and surrounding areas. Thousands of graphic designers, architects, industrial designers, interior designers, university students and faculty, advertising professionals, urban planners and design enthusiasts attend KC Design Week events that sell out every year.

"Participants will gain valuable new skills and hear from top design professionals on topics applicable to their lives, careers, and work," said Maggie Newlin, senior graphic designer at HDR, Inc. and co-chair of KC Design Week. "Every year, I'm truly amazed by the quality of speakers and the impact of the events."

KC Design Week curates new, distinctive events each year at a range of price points. CfAD and the KC Design Week committee believe reasonable ticket prices are key to enabling people to attend multiple events during the week. In addition, KC Design Week remains committed to offering free events each year. This year, 11 of the 25 events are free to reach an even broader audience. Visit kcdesignweek.org for the full schedule.

"We've curated an exceptional lineup of engaging and exciting events," said Peggy Bennett, managing partner at GastingerWalker& and co-chair of KC Design Week. "It's inspiring to see the incredible talent on display and to learn how design plays a vital role in shaping the culture of our Kansas City community."

Multi-Discipline Approach

KC Design Week is unique in the United States, if not the world, by virtue of its multi-disciplinary approach. It is produced by seven distinct design organizations comprising the Center for Architecture & Design, which include:

American Institute of Architects Kansas City (AIA Kansas City)

American Institute of Graphic Arts Kansas City (AIGA Kansas City)

American Society of Landscape Architects, Prairie Gateway Chapter (PGASLA)

Industrial Designers Society of America Kansas City (IDSA-KC)

International Interior Design Association Mid-America (IIDA M-A)

Kansas City Metropolitan Section of the American Planning Association (KCAPA)

Society for Experiential Graphic Design Kansas City (SEGD KC)

Members from each of these seven organizations plan KC Design Week. Each organization sends up to three representatives to serve on the planning committee, and in 2025 three organizations (AIA Kansas City, AIGA Kansas City, and IIDA Mid-America) comprise the co-chair leadership of KCDW. This ensures balance and variety in programming.

"KC Design Week showcases the incredible design talent across Kansas City to the entire community," said Brooke Craig, AIA, associate principal at Populous and co-chair of KC Design Week. "What I love most is seeing the diverse range of people who attend, each bringing their own backgrounds and unique perspectives."

About Center for Architecture & Design

Launched in 2014, Kansas City's Center for Architecture & Design (CfAD) is a 501(c)6 nonprofit organization that plans programs and experiences that spotlight creativity and engage a wide community audience in discussions about architecture and design. CfAD's seven individual professional design organizations unite to teach design thinking to all ages, celebrate the achievements of good design, and help Kansas City reach its full potential. CfAD's signature annual program is KC Design Week. Visit www.cfadkc.org to learn more.

SOURCE Center for Architecture & Design (CfAD)
LOS GATOS, Calif., April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In a continued display of strategic growth and strength following its return to full independence, Christie's International Real Estate Sereno proudly welcomes Christina Khosrowabadi, a top-producing agent with over $140 million in sales since 2022.

Her arrival follows the high-profile addition of the Gummow Brothers team in January and further underscores the firm's momentum in attracting Northern California's most accomplished and values-driven real estate professionals.

Christies International Real Estate Sereno proudly welcomes Christina Khosrowabadi, a top-producing agent with over $140 million in sales since 2022.

A second-generation REALTOR and lifelong Silicon Valley resident, Khosrowabadi brings a proven track record of success and deep experience in the region's competitive real estate market. She joins from Side, bringing with her Redefine Real Estate  the boutique firm she founded, renowned for crafting luxury, design-driven spec homes throughout Silicon Valley. Redefine offers a unique service platform for both investors and end users by combining expert real estate representation with integrated design and construction management  a comprehensive, concierge-level approach that is rare in the marketplace.

Christie's Sereno, Northern California's largest locally owned and operated brokerage, with over 650 agents and projecting $6.5 billion in 2025 sales, continues to attract the region's top professionals committed to exceptional service and long-term client relationships.

"We are honored to welcome Christina to Christie's International Real Estate Sereno," said Chris Trapani, Co-Founder and CEO. "She is a standout in every sense  sharp, thoughtful, and fiercely committed to her clients. Christina represents the type of agent we are proud to align with: established, forward-thinking, and rooted in values that reflect our culture."

Licensed in 2007 and earning her broker associate designation in 2014, Khosrowabadi has built a thriving business rooted in a simple but unwavering principle: the client's needs come first. Known for her professionalism, tenacity, and personalized approach, she has consistently ranked among the top producers in the region, setting sales records in communities such as San Jose, Los Gatos, Willow Glen, Saratoga, and Campbell.

In addition to her impressive sales volume, Khosrowabadi is a trusted mentor to new agents and a respected leader who has successfully managed a busy office while maintaining her elite production levels. Her business is fueled almost entirely by repeat clients and referrals  a testament to the level of trust she builds with every transaction.

"For me, success isn't about numbers or accolades  it's about making the process easier for my clients and helping them achieve something meaningful," said Khosrowabadi. "Christie's Sereno aligns with everything I value: integrity, independence, and a community-driven mindset. I'm excited to be part of a brokerage that supports agents in doing their best work."

The addition of Khosrowabadi reflects Christie's Sereno's continued focus on partnering with accomplished professionals who are shaping the next chapter of real estate throughout Northern California  through leadership, service, and innovation.

"Christina brings an exceptional mix of experience, care, and purpose to her work," added Ryan Iwanaga, Co-Founder and Chief Experience Officer. "She's the kind of professional who elevates everyone around her  clients, colleagues, and the broader community. We're proud to welcome her to our company."

About Christie's International Real Estate Sereno

Founded in 2006, Christie's International Real Estate Sereno is the largest locally owned and operated independent real estate company in Northern California, with 20 offices and over 650 agents in San Francisco, the Peninsula, East Bay, Santa Cruz, Marin, Wine Country, Tahoe, Sierra Foothills, and Central Coast, projecting over $6.5 billion in sales volume in 2025.

Christie's International Real Estate Sereno is ranked among the top five brokerages in the nation for both per-agent productivity and the highest average sales price. The company offers highly curated support resources, and provides agents with concierge services to strengthen client relationships. Its agent-driven Sereno 1% For Good Charitable Foundation is changing lives in local communities, and to date, has generated nearly $6.5M in charitable donations to over 580 organizations.

SOURCE Christie's International Real Estate Sereno
Inside, the store was continuing to sell iPhones and Macbooks, but out on the street there was carnage as migratory tree martins flew into the window.

Witnesses watched as dozens of tree martins flew into Apple's Adelaide storefront on Wednesday night. They estimate hundreds have struck glass over the last week. Source: Supplied

A brightly-lit Australian Apple store selling iPhones and Macbooks has become the location of nightly carnage involving native wildlife that's leaving shoppers shocked. As flocks of migratory tree martins plummet from high in the sky to roost in trees at dusk, dozens are missing their mark and instead faceplanting hard into the brightly lit shopfront.

For over a decade, around 10,000 migratory tree martins have flocked to Leigh Street, one of Adelaides most popular cafe strips. While their presence has delighted bird lovers, the city council has been less than impressed, claiming droppings from the problem birds are a serious risk to public hygiene, and so it netted their trees to drive them away.

But the decision created an entirely new problem for the birds after they arrived from the tropical north this season. Unable to roost in their preferred habitat, theyve been forced to an even busier location, Rundle Mall. The birds spend their days high in the sky, catching insects, then fly down to roost in large groups as fast as they can to avoid predators like peregrine falcons.

Local rescuer Rachel is one of a handful of volunteers who have begun standing in front of the Apple store to collect the dead and dying tree martins. She estimates 30 are dying every evening and morning as the birds disperse. As they started coming into care around the city a week ago, she fears hundreds have already collided with the windows around Rundle Mall.

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Its a lot of birds. They come down fast and dont see the windows. I feel traumatised, disgusted and really upset, she told Yahoo News.

Related: New York City map reveals horrifying bird strike statistic

Another rescuer named Alyia watched on as dozens of shoppers excitedly gathered on the street to watch the birds fly into the nearby trees, but the mood changed after they began to hit the glass.

"People were there filming in amazement at the sheer amount of birds, but they quickly dispersed after the birds started hitting the windows. They stopped filming and walked off because it was horrific," she told Yahoo News.

"I saw two birds nearly stepped on. I screamed at one guy to stop him, because he didn't realise what he was about to do. And he looked back in absolute shock."

Shoppers shocked by bird carnage in front of Apple store

Extensive video shot on Wednesday night shows the store closing for the day as the birds strike the glass. Passing shoppers appear stunned, and some rush to help as the carnage unfolds. Rescuers do their best to collect the birds and assess them for damage. "This is as horrible as I thought it would be," one says. "This is actually breaking my heart," another later adds.

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Some birds die immediately, others need to be euthanised, a handful go into care with trained rescuers, a lucky few fly away, but the fate of others is unknown. Some were hitting the windows and falling onto roofs and we couldnt get to them, others were able to fly off again, Rachel explained.

US-based Apple has dimmed storefront lights in its home country to lessen its impact on migratory birds. But Rachel claims her pleas to the companys management in the Adelaide store have fallen on deaf ears. Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Yahoo, so it remains unclear what it will do to mitigate the problem tonight.

The situation in Adelaide is believed to have been occurring for at least five days, and rescuers estimate hundreds of birds may have been affected. On Thursday, Adelaides City Council told Yahoo News it has been discussing ways to respond to the problem.

The City of Adelaide became aware of increasing bird strikes against windows within Rundle Mall in the past week. We have been discussing mitigation measures with retailers, including trialling new lighting, it said in a statement.

The situation is being closely monitored by City of Adelaide staff and government environmental agencies.

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Some birds have died instantly, while others were taken into care. Source: SA Native Animal Rescue

Bird expert 'saddened' by Adelaide bird deaths

Birdlife Australias Sean Dooley told Yahoo News news of the carnage had left him quiet sad. Its so rare to have such good numbers of a native species using a dense urban setting as a roosting site. Its very unusual, he said.

Collisions with windows are common in the United States, particularly in Chicago and New York City where large building have been built in the middle of migratory pathways birds have used for thousands of years. But in Australia, most native birds are territorial, and so window strikes are less of a problem.

Bright storefronts confuse birds, particularly when its reflective. They dont see the windows as as a solid object, they just see sky, so they continue to fly, Dooley said.

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In the evening, lights inside stores can disorientate birds, preventing them from understanding where they are spatially in relation to the moon.

The more buildings are lit up, the more likely birds are to blunder into them, Dooley added.

The birds were forced to relocate after the City of Adelaide placed nets on their traditional roosting trees. Source: Supplied

Authorities had considered birds a 'shining case' of wildlife in a city

Green Adelaide, an urban sustainability group run by the state government, confirmed it was aware of the recent challenges faced by tree martins flocking to Rundle Mall which are caused by reflections in business windows.

We are deeply saddened by the resulting injuries and fatalities for the species. We consider Adelaides tree martins a shining case for how our city can be wild, a spokesperson said in a statement.

We are actively engaged in discussions with the City of Adelaide and welcome collaborative opportunities to enhance welfare outcomes for these birds.

Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment?  Get our new newsletter showcasing the weeks best stories.
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Ryan Companies US, Inc., a national commercial real estate solutions provider, and City of Hope, one of the largest cancer research and treatment organizations in the U.S., celebrate the opening of City of Hope's newest location at One Scottsdale Medical. The approximate 30,000-square-foot facility is on the first floor of the Class-A, multi-tenant 101,136-square-foot medical building. City of Hope will offer medical oncology exams, infusion treatments, radiation oncology, and lab and imaging services, including mammography and ultrasound. City of Hope Cancer Care Scottsdale brings 50+ jobs to this location, expanding access to premier care in the Scottsdale community.

"Bringing City of Hope to Scottsdale and it's residents, is another example of how we are making hope a reality for all touched by cancer," said Dr. Kevin Tulipana, president, City of Hope Cancer Center Phoenix. "The level of personalized, leading-edge care that our physicians and staff provide is nation leading and we want everyone to have access. That is why we have expanded our footprint throughout Arizona and why we are dedicated to serving everyone."

City of Hope Cancer Care Scottsdale will expand City of Hope's footprint in Arizona, joining City of Hope Phoenix, a comprehensive cancer hospital in Goodyear; outpatient care clinics in North Phoenix and Gilbert; and the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), a Phoenix-based affiliate of City of Hope and nonprofit medical research institute dedicated to conducting groundbreaking research with life-changing results.

"City of Hope's arrival in north Scottsdale will significantly elevate access to world-class cancer care in this market at a time when it is needed more than ever," said Jaime Northam, senior vice president of healthcare development, Ryan Companies. "Patients will also benefit from the accessibility of this core community location; the comforts of the space's innovative design and the leading-edge research and technology City of Hope brings to treat cancer."

Conveniently situated just north of the Loop 101 and surrounded by three area hospitals, including HonorHealth Scottsdale Thompson Peak Medical Center directly across the street, One Scottsdale Medical offers exceptional access to healthcare services. The surrounding area also includes retail centers, several restaurants, a hotel, and residential communities. Inside, the building is thoughtfully designed with 16-foot floor-to-ceiling heights, a grand main lobby entrance and two covered drop-off and pick-up canopies, all aimed at enhancing the patient experience and providing more aesthetic appeal of the building.

One Scottsdale is a 120-acre mixed-use development which is planned to include 2.86 million square feet of commercial space, 2,000 residential units, and 400 hotel rooms.

One Scottsdale Medical was built and developed by Ryan, and designed by Ryan A+E, Inc., the design studio of Ryan.

To learn more, visit https://www.cityofhope.org/.

About Ryan Companies

Founded in 1938, Ryan Companies offers comprehensive commercial real estate services as a national developer, designer, builder, capital markets advisor and real estate manager with a focus on creating places for people to thrive. Ryan work spans a wide range of sectors and product types including healthcare, industrial, mission critical, mixed-use, multifamily, office, retail, and senior living. Built on the foundation of integrity, honesty and community, Ryan has grown to over 1,700 team members in 17 offices and has completed projects in nearly every state. For more information, visit ryancompanies.com.

About City of Hope

City of Hope's mission is to deliver the cures of tomorrow to the people who need them today. Founded in 1913, City of Hope has grown into one of the largest cancer research and treatment organizations in the U.S. and one of the leading research centers for diabetes and other life-threatening illnesses. City of Hope research has been the basis for numerous breakthrough cancer medicines , as well as human synthetic insulin and monoclonal antibodies. With an independent, National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center at its core, City of Hope brings a uniquely integrated model to patients spanning cancer care, research and development, academics and training, and innovation initiatives. City of Hope's growing national system includes its Los Angeles campus, a network of clinical care locations across Southern California, a new cancer center in Orange County, California, and treatment facilities in Atlanta, Chicago and Phoenix. City of Hope's affiliated group of organizations includes Translational Genomics Research Institute and AccessHope . For more information about City of Hope, follow us on Facebook , Twitter , YouTube , Instagram and LinkedIn .

About One Scottsdale

One Scottsdale is situated at the premier intersection of the Loop 101 and Scottsdale Road and extends north to Thompson Peak Parkway. One Scottsdale will feature retail, restaurants, Class A-office space, hospitality and residential. The property is a joint development partnership between DMB Associates and its partners.

Media Contact:

Seth Pines

Ryan Companies, US, Inc.

[email protected]

SOURCE City of Hope
Funding will support home rebuilding, debris removal, mental health services and other community needs

Grants of $25,000 each awarded to 20 high-impact local nonprofits focused on long-term recovery

CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of its commitment to supporting a full recovery in western North Carolina following Hurricane Helene, Duke Energy Foundation today announced $500,000 in new funding to 20 local nonprofits.

The organizations receiving funding are meeting expansive community needs, including completing structural repairs, building new homes and rebuilding damaged ones, removing storm debris, providing mental health services, rehabilitating waterways and more.

Making an impact

The Mountain Strong Yancey and Mitchell County Relief Team, which established a field hospital in the aftermath of the storm, is now meeting the community's long-term needs, including repairing private access roads damaged by flooding.

"This support will have a direct and meaningful impact on our community, allowing us to repair critical access ways and back roads that serve multiple families and connect residents to essential locations including grocery stores, schools and medical clinics," said Carol Tyler, who serves as the group's president. "Reliable infrastructure is the backbone of a resilient community, and with this funding, we will be able to ensure safer, more dependable routes for those who rely on them daily."

Asheville-based GreenWorks is helping property owners who do not qualify for traditional disaster assistance programs remove flood debris.

"Many property owners who still need help with flood debris removal do not have the resources needed to clean up their properties," said Eric Bradford, director of operations. "Duke Energy's support will help fill that gap and meet the needs of many residents who suffered damage from Hurricane Helene."

The big picture

Six months after Hurricane Helene's impact, Duke Energy continues working to rebuild infrastructure, protect grid reliability and assist customers and communities as they recover.

"In the face of Helene's historic damage, we have been in awe of the resilience and teamwork of our mountain communities," said Kendal Bowman, Duke Energy's North Carolina president. "As we work to restrengthen the electric grid in western North Carolina, we will continue joining together with nonprofit partners to help build back our communities piece by piece."

A video update from Bowman on Duke Energy's approach to grid restrengthening and long-term recovery in western North Carolina is available here.

Grant recipients

A list of all organizations receiving $25,000 grants can be found below.

All Souls Counseling Center

Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity

Asheville Greenworks

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western North Carolina

Camp Grier

Community Housing Coalition of Madison County

Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina

Friends of the Land of Sky Regional Council

Haywood Waterways Association

Henderson Housing Assistance Corporation

Mountain Aid Project

Mountain Housing Opportunities

Mountain Strong Yancey & Mitchell County Relief Team

Riverlink

Rutherford Housing Partnership

Transylvania Habitat for Humanity

United Way of Asheville & Buncombe County

United Way of Haywood County

Western Carolina Rescue Ministries

YMCA of Western North Carolina

Duke Energy Foundation

Duke Energy Foundation provides more than $30 million annually in philanthropic support to meet the needs of communities where Duke Energy customers live and work. The Foundation is funded by Duke Energy shareholders.

Duke Energy

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America's largest energy holding companies. The company's electric utilities serve 8.4 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 54,800 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas utilities serve 1.7 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky.

Duke Energy is executing an ambitious energy transition, keeping customer reliability and value at the forefront as it builds a smarter energy future. The company is investing in major electric grid upgrades and cleaner generation, including natural gas, nuclear, renewables and energy storage.

More information is available at duke-energy.com and the Duke Energy News Center. Follow Duke Energy on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook, and visit illumination for stories about the people and innovations powering our energy transition.

Contact: Garrett Poorman

24-Hour: 800.559.3853

Twitter: @DukeEnergyNC

SOURCE Duke Energy
EarthDaily Constellation Unlocks the Power of Broad-Area Change Detection to Deliver Unmatched Value Across High-Impact Industries

VANCOUVER, BC, April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- EarthDaily Analytics ("EarthDaily"), a global leader in Earth Observation (EO) data and analytics, today announced a major milestone in the development of its groundbreaking 10-satellite EarthDaily Constellation: the company has successfully integrated its first payload with one of Loft Orbital's Longbow satellite buses and completed spacecraft-level environmental testing. This achievement marks a significant leap forward and clears the way for the first EarthDaily Constellation satellite to launch into orbit this summer.

EarthDaily will deliver unmatched data and insights that push the boundaries of whats possible in EO - Don Osborne Post this Where precision meets performanceEarthDailys satellite undergoes thermal testing at Loft Orbitals facility in Golden, CO, simulating the harsh conditions of space to ensure mission readiness and data integrity from day one.

The EarthDaily Constellation is poised to redefine Earth Observation in the AI era, unlocking the power of broad-area change detection and daily global revisit. Upon deployment, the EarthDaily Constellation will provide high-quality insights of critical value to high-impact industries, unlocking operational efficiencies, identifying and mitigating emerging and unrealized risks, and understanding the world at a scale and depth previously unavailable in the market.

"We are driven by a mission to empower industries and governments with the tools they need to make informed, transformative decisions," said Don Osborne, CEO of EarthDaily Analytics. "The EarthDaily Constellation will deliver unmatched, high-quality data and insights that push the boundaries of what's possible in Earth Observation. Years of planning, groundbreaking science, and cutting-edge innovation come to life in this extraordinary spacecraft. Having reached this critical milestone, we are on the path to fundamentally transforming how our planet is monitored and understood, ultimately empowering our clients to better achieve their most critical objectives."

EarthDaily is partnering with industry leaders like Loft Orbital, ABB, and SpaceX to deliver its EO solutions with reliability, innovation, and cost-efficiency. The constellation leverages Loft's Longbow satellite platform, which is based on the flight-proven Airbus Arrow bus platform.

"The successful integration and testing of this first satellite is a testament to Loft's space infrastructure model and the strong partnership we've established with EarthDaily Analytics. We can't wait to get to the pad later this year and start unlocking the full potential of the EarthDaily Constellation," said Alex Greenberg, COO of Loft Orbital.

ABB, a leading global engineering firm with a best-in-class presence in EO instrumentation, is providing and integrating EarthDaily's high-precision optical imaging payloads. With experience supporting cutting-edge space missions such as the NASA/NOAA Joint Polar Satellite System, as well as a range of innovative private sector satellite projects, ABB brings proven capability to this commercial-first initiative.

"It's been an exciting journey developing this revolutionary Earth Imaging payload in close partnership with the EarthDaily teamone designed to deliver exceptional image quality and data accuracy," said Marc-Andre Soucy, Space and Defense Systems Director at ABB Measurement & Analytics Business Unit.

The EarthDaily Constellation overcomes key limitations of both legacy systems and modern cubesat constellations, providing daily, science-grade imagery that simplifies complexity, mitigates risk, and supports critical decisions at global scale.

About EarthDaily Analytics:

EarthDaily Analytics is a global leader in Earth Observation, providing data and insights that empower industries and governments to make informed decisions for a more resilient future. With the launch of its groundbreaking EarthDaily Constellation, the company is revolutionizing how we monitor, understand, and interact with our planet.

Contact:

For More Information

Visit: www.earthdaily.com/constellation

Contact: Bryan Degnan, IGB Group ([email protected]; +1-646-673-9701)

SOURCE EarthDaily Analytics
PARIS, April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- EKINOPS (Euronext Paris: EKI) (FR0011466069 - EKI), a leading supplier of telecommunications solutions for telecom operators and enterprises, reports its Q1 2025 consolidated revenue (January 1 to March 31, 2025).

m - IFRS

Non-audited consolidated data 2024 2025 Change Q1 revenue 28.3 28.5 +1 %

Ekinops (PRNewsfoto/Ekinops)

In Q1 2025, Ekinops' reported consolidated revenue of 28.5 m, showing a slight increase of +1% vs. Q1 2025, in line with Group's expectations, despite a marked decline in activity in North America (-20%). Excluding North America (which accounted for 20% of total activity during the period), Ekinops' sales grew by +7% in Q1 2025. At constant exchange rates, quarterly revenue remained stable compared to the same period last year.

Access sales up +11% in Q1, decline in Optical Transport

In line with FY 2024, sales for Access solutions grew by +11% in Q1 2025, driven by strong growth in EMEA region (Europe - excluding France - Middle East & Africa), particularly in Germany, and continued growth in France. Sequentially, Access activity saw a +19% increase in Q1 2025 vs. Q4 2024.

On the other hand, sales of Optical Transport equipment decreased by -16% in Q1 2025, still impacted by telecom operators' cautious investment and inventory clearing policies in a challenging market environment.

Driven by network function virtualization solutions, SD-WAN, and service offerings, Software & Services saw a +17% increase in revenue for the quarter. Software & Services now account for 18% of the Group's total revenue in Q1 2025, compared to 15% a year earlier and 18% for FY 2024.

Sales growth in France and EMEA in Q1 2025, decline in North America

FY 2025 begins with a strong performance for Ekinops in France, with quarterly revenue up +4%, following a strong 2024 (+15% in Q1 and +18% for the full year). In its domestic market, Ekinops continues to benefit from solid sales growth of Access solutions (+9%). By end-March 2025, France accounted for 44% of the Group's total revenue (vs. 43% a year earlier). Internationally, Ekinops reported a slight -2% decline in sales at the start of the year, which now represent 56% of its total activity (vs. 57% a year earlier and 59% in FY 2024).

In North America, quarterly sales totaled 5.6 m, vs. 7.0 m a year earlier. However, sales remained stable compared to Q4 2024. As in 2024, the U.S. market continues to be marked by a cautious approach from operators, amid slowing bandwidth demand growth and a lack of new network rollouts by telecom operators. This region now accounts for 20% of the Group's quarterly revenue, vs. 25% a year earlier.

Following the end of FY 2024, the EMEA region (Europe - excluding France - Middle East & Africa) saw a significant increase in activity (+21% in quarterly sales), driven by double-digit growth in both Access solutions and Optical Transport equipment. Ekinops generated 36% of its business in EMEA in Q1 2025, vs. 30% a year earlier and 37% for the full FY 2024.

The Asia-Pacific region accounted for less than 1% of activity in Q1 2025 (vs. 3% a year earlier and 2% in FY 2024).

Outlook

Q1 2025 performance is in line with Ekinops' expectations, with a continued slowdown in North America, solid growth in France, and strong progress in EMEA, both in Access and Optical Transport.

By continuing to focus on a recovery in the telecom market while implementing the first actions of the new strategic plan, Bridge, Ekinops aims to gradually return to growth in 2025, particularly in North America, amid a market environment that remains complex and demanding.

Impact of new U.S. tariffs

In light of the announcement of new U.S. tariffs, Ekinops is exploring various options to adapt its commercial strategy. The company generates approximately 20% of its revenue in the United States.

Ekinops reminds that all manufacturing and assembly operations for the equipment sold in the U.S. are carried out exclusively in Europe, at its own production facility in Belgium (Louvain) or through three leading industrial partners (Electronic Manufacturing Services or "EMS"), all of which have production sites in France or the European Union.

Ekinops is thus one of the few global suppliers to manufacture its equipment in Europe, whereas a significant portion of the production of some major global telecom equipment manufacturers is based in Asia.

Full financial calendar can be found here.

All press releases are published after Euronext Paris market close.

EKINOPS Contact

Didier Bredy, Chairman and CEO

[email protected]

Investors

Mathieu Omnes, Investor relation

Tel.: +33 (0)1 53 67 36 92

[email protected]

Press

Amaury Dugast, Press relation

Tel.: +33 (0)1 53 67 36 74

[email protected]

SOURCE Ekinops
NEW YORK, April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ --

Why: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces an investigation of potential securities claims on behalf of shareholders of Eldorado Gold Corporation (NYSE: EGO) resulting from allegations that Eldorado Gold may have issued materially misleading business information to the investing public.

So What: If you purchased Eldorado Gold securities you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. The Rosen Law Firm is preparing a class action seeking recovery of investor losses.

What to do next: To join the prospective class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=37849 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action.

What is this about: On February 5, 2025, Eldorado Gold issued a press release in which it provided an update on the construction progress on its Skouries Project. In pertinent part, this announcement stated that "[a]s previously disclosed, labour market tightness in Greece, particularly pronounced in construction, has continued to limit the availability of key construction personnel at Skouries, resulting in a slower ramp-up of the workforce and delayed progress in certain areas of the Project." Further, Eldorado announced that "[f]irst production at Skouries is now expected in the first quarter of 2026, followed by commercial production expected in mid-2026."

On this news, the price of Eldorado Gold stock fell 11.2% on February 6, 2025.

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. 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 firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

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

[email protected]

www.rosenlegal.com

SOURCE THE ROSEN LAW FIRM, P. A.
Powered by Informer AI, "Ask Gumby" marks a paradigm shift in how higher education institutions deliver student support and engagement

RALEIGH, N.C., April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Entrinsik, a leader in business intelligence and data analytics solutions, has announced the launch of "Ask Gumby" at California Lutheran University (CLU), a cutting-edge AI assistant that is redefining how institutions support students and faculty across campus. Built on Entrinsik's powerful Informer AI platform, "Ask Gumby" delivers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, intelligent, personalized answers to academic and administrative questions directly within the university's MyCLU App/Portal.

The phase one rollout launches Friday, April 11, as part of the 40th anniversary celebration of CLU's Pearson Librarya symbolic moment uniting tradition with innovation. A full campus-wide deployment is scheduled for fall 2025.

This initiative sets a new standard for student expectations and AI literacy in higher education Post this

"At Entrinsik, we're committed to developing solutions that transform how institutions leverage their data to enhance student success, and we've been proud to be associated with the Cal Lutheran team and able to provide them the data backbone upon which they build all of their amazing campus-wide solutions," said Brad Leupen, chief executive officer of Entrinsik. "This initiative sets a new standard for student expectations and AI literacy in higher education. Students are already integrating AI into their experiences, and Entrinsik is committed to ensuring that these advanced solutions are accessible and deployable today, not just a promise for tomorrow."

The groundbreaking AI assistant, which was first revealed at Ellucian Live 2025, represents a significant advancement in Entrinsik's higher education solutions portfolio. Seamlessly integrated into CLU's existing "MyCLU" App/Portal, "Ask Gumby" leverages Entrinsik's powerful Informer and Informer AI technology to provide immediate, contextually relevant answers to student and faculty inquiries across academic and administrative domains.

"At Cal Lutheran, our AI journey started by articulating a vision for what a proper Higher Ed AI solution needed to be," said Justin Barkhuff, director of enterprise applications, California Lutheran University. "Entrinsik quickly stood out as the only real path forward, and they've been the perfect partner. We couldn't have done it without them, and the results speak for themselves. In a world where Higher Ed is being upended by AI, Cal Lutheran and Entrinsik have created a model for others to follow. We expect significant, measurable impacts on operational effectiveness, enrollment, retention, student support, and learning outcomes."

The platform's sophisticated AI engine, built on Entrinsik's data analytics engine, allows it to understand context, learn from interactions, and deliver increasingly accurate, relevant support. Students can now ask about anything from course requirements to financial aid, class schedules, academic policies, or even the wait time at Starbucks  receiving immediate, trusted answers based on real-time institutional data.

"By integrating AI into business intelligence, we've provided educational institutions like CLU with a powerful tool to transform how they utilize their data, said Madhavi W. Chandra, chief product officer at Entrinsik. This innovation supports students throughout their academic journeys by delivering timely and accurate information, fostering a more integrated, less fragmented experience. The framework that CLU has, not only gives students a level of support that has been unachievable to this point but also allows for proactive communication back to the student, and that's huge."

By analyzing patterns in student inquiries, the Entrinsik-powered solution can proactively address common challenges before they become barriers to academic progress, creating an unprecedented level of support for the entire campus community.

"Entrinsik has proven to be more than just a vendor  they operate as a true extension of our Cal Lutheran ITS team," said Zareh Marselian, chief information officer at California Lutheran University. "We've worked with many technology partners, but few deliver with the same level of responsiveness and commitment. Ask Gumby represents the realization of a vision we've held for years which is to provide our campus with intuitive, intelligent, and governed technology that truly supports our mission. This is about more than just access to information; it's about delivering answers that are secure, accurate, and grounded in institutional truth."

Following Friday's launch, Entrinsik and Cal Lutheran will continue piloting and enhancing advanced capabilities within "Ask Gumby", including student tutors and instructor assistants, as they prepare for full deployment in fall 2025. This initiative showcases what's possible when AI is implemented strategically and responsibly in higher ed, setting a precedent for innovation, partnership, and long-term impact.

To learn more about AI in higher education from Entrinsik, visit: https://entrinsik.com/informer/ai-for-higher-ed/.

About Entrinsik

Entrinsik develops innovative software solutions that help organizations harness the power of data. For more than 40 years, Entrinsik has been a leader in business intelligence, analytics, and data management. Its flagship BI platform, Informer, empowers organizations to transform raw data into actionable insights through self-service data discovery, visualization, and reporting  all under a secure, audited framework that meets SOC 2 standards, ensuring data security, governance, and compliance. Headquartered in Raleigh, NC, Entrinsik serves thousands of clients in various industries, including higher education, manufacturing, healthcare, insurance, and financial services. To learn more about Entrinsik and its platforms, visit https://entrinsik.com/

About California Lutheran University:

Founded in 1959 and federally recognized as a Hispanic-Serving Institution since 2016, California Lutheran University is home to over 2,200 undergraduate and 1,000 graduate students. Our students come from 58 countries and represent many faiths and spiritualities. Our dedicated, accomplished faculty teach in small classes, guiding our students as they grow into open-minded leaders who are strong in character and judgment, confident in identity and vocation, and committed to service and justice. Everyone at Cal Lutheran is committed to helping students pursue their passions, discover their purpose and transform their communities. Learn more at CalLutheran.edu.

SOURCE Entrinsik
Company to Participate in Upcoming Conferences

WASHINGTON, April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Evolent Health, Inc. (NYSE: EVH), a company focused on achieving better health outcomes for people with complex conditions, today announced it will release its first quarter 2025 financial results on Thursday, May 8, 2025, after market close, with a conference call to follow at 5 p.m. ET.

Shareholders and interested participants may listen to a live broadcast of the conference call found on Evolent's investor relations website, https://ir.evolent.com.

Analysts interested in asking questions during the live call should dial 855.940.9467, or 412.317.6034 for international callers, and reference the "Evolent call" 15 minutes prior to the call.

An audio playback of the conference call will be available on Evolent's investor relations website for 90 days after the call.

Upcoming Investor Events

Additionally, Evolent announced that its executive management team will participate in upcoming investor conferences.



A live audio-only webcast and replay for these events will be available on the "Events and Presentations" section of Evolent's investor relations website. Presentation webcast times will be posted on the website as they become available.

Needham 20 th Annual Technology, Media and Consumer Conference to be held virtually on May 12, 2025 .

Annual Technology, Media and Consumer Conference to be held virtually on . RBC Global Health Care Conference at Intercontinental Barclay in New York, New York on May 21, 2025 .

on . William Blair 45 th Annual Growth Stock Conference at the Lowes Hotel in Chicago, Illinois on June 3, 2025 .

45 Annual Growth Stock Conference at the Lowes Hotel in on . The Citizens JMP Medical Devices and Healthcare Services Forum at the Boston Harbor Hotel in Boston, Massachusetts on June 17, 2025 .

About Evolent



Evolent (NYSE: EVH) specializes in better health outcomes for people with complex conditions through proven solutions that make health care simpler and more affordable. Evolent serves a national base of leading payers and providers and is consistently recognized as a top place to work in health care nationally. Learn more about how Evolent is changing the way health care is delivered by visiting https://ir.evolent.com.

Contacts:

[email protected]

SOURCE Evolent Health, Inc.
Fair Trade veteran to lead growth, emphasizing people and planet

OAKLAND, Calif., April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Board of Directors of Fair Trade USA (FTUSA) today named Felipe Arango Chief Executive Officer of the award-winning nonprofit organization. He has served as FTUSA's Chief Operating Officer and the Interim-CEO since FTUSA's founder stepped down in September 2024.

Arango brings a unique combination of leadership and expertise at the intersection of social capitalism, sustainability, and the fair trade movement. As a social entrepreneur and activist, he began his career in his home country of Colombia more than 25 years ago working with rural and Indigenous communities to improve livelihoods.

He served as a fair trade auditor and trainer for eight years, leading to an impact career spanning three decades. He has partnered with The World Bank Group, International Finance Corporation, the United Nations, and advised corporate partners and leading global brands on sustainable development and supply chain management. He has advanced global frameworks aimed at shifting finance toward nature-positive outcomes and designed green taxonomies for sustainable investment across the Americas.

Arango also served as global CEO at BSD Consulting - a pioneering international network of consultancy firms partnering with industry and brands to advance solutions for sustainable development and innovative models of responsible business globally. His direct knowledge of the experience of producers, coupled with his credibility in partnering with leading industry experts, brands, and retailers, will be instrumental as he leads FTUSA into its next chapter.

"I am thrilled to have the trust of the Board, the staff, and all of our partners in taking on the CEO role for such an impactful organization." Arango said. "As we move into the future, we will do so committed to walking alongside farmers, workers, fishers to eliminate poverty and protect nature. They are the protagonists of the Fair Trade movement and along with our conscious consumers, business partners, and funders, we are enthusiastic about the future of Fair Trade Certified."

Arango brings his passion for nature-positive solutions and biodiversity to Fair Trade USA and plans to advance the environmental promise of Fair Trade.

"As both a Board member and former President of Fair Trade USA, I couldn't be prouder to support Felipe as he steps into the CEO role, said Larry Ruff, FTUSA board member. "I am excited about the power and potential of Fair Trade USA. Felipe's passion and deep expertise in designing models that invest in both people and planet promise to keep the organization on the front lines of solving the most pressing issues of our time."

Arango steps into the role at a time of global uncertainty across industries, financial markets, supply chains, the climate, income disparities, and other pressing social issues - all factors considered by the Board of Directors in their search and selection for Fair Trade USA's next CEO.

"Felipe will continue positioning the organization for transformative growth and impact at scale," said Ricardo Crisantes, FTUSA board chair. "Over his tenure with Fair Trade USA, Felipe has demonstrated strong leadership and trust across the business, with our staff, and with producer and industry partners. He has already earned a reputation for forward-thinking solutions, deep empathy and consideration, and a strong vision for where Fair Trade USA will go over the coming years."

Arango is a proud husband, and father to two daughters. He holds bachelor's degrees in political science and business administration from Boston University as well as accreditations from FLO-CERT, Social Accountability International, Global Reporting Initiative and Integrated Reporting, among others.

About Fair Trade USA

Fair Trade USA, a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is the leading certifier of Fair Trade products in North America. Its award-winning, rigorous, and globally recognized sustainable sourcing certification programs improve livelihoods, protect the environment, and build resilient, transparent supply chains. The trusted Fair Trade Certified label on a product signifies that it was made according to stringent Fair Trade standards. Fair Trade USA is building an innovative model of responsible business, conscious consumerism, and shared value to eliminate poverty and enable sustainable development for farmers, workers, their families, and communities around the world.

Contact:

Fair Trade USA Public Relations

[email protected]

SOURCE Fair Trade USA
GUANGZHOU, China, April 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Fangzhou Inc. ("Fangzhou" or the "Company") (06086.HK), a leading Internet healthcare solution provider, emerged as the sole digital health innovator invited to the Modern Industrial System Development Summit hosted by the Guangzhou Industrial Development Research Institute on April 1, 2025. At the closed-door forum, executives from Alibaba, Baidu, academia, and government agencies discussed strategies to position Guangzhou as a national leader in domain-specific large language AI models, a key component of China's "new quality productive forces."

Dr. Xie Fangmin, founder, chairman, and CEO of Fangzhou commented, "At Fangzhou, we are dedicated to advancing domain-specific AI models which are able to solve real-world healthcare challenges while maintain the highest standards of safety and efficacy."

Comprehensive Safety Architecture

At the summit, Fangzhou's executive unveiled the Company's groundbreaking approach to ensuring medical AI accuracy and reliability. To address critical risks such as flawed symptom assessments or false drug information, Fangzhou has engineered an innovative three-tiered safety system. The security framework leverages a "robust knowledge database + multi-model collaboration + stringent safety controls," aiming to reduce hallucinations and mitigate risks by ensuring data source integrity, optimizing model training, and validating outputs.

Blueprint for Vertical AI Leadership

At the summit, Fangzhou proposed a two-tiered approach to accelerating Guangzhou's development of domain-specific AI expertise. On the R&D front, Fangzhou recommended strengthening interdisciplinary talent development in medical AI, fostering high-impact use cases, and accelerating technology commercialization. For industry deployment, the strategy should focus on bolstering infrastructure, emphasizing practical use cases, and fostering ecosystems, with targeted support for specialized and innovative companies.

AI-Powered Expansion and Forward-Looking Strategy

Fangzhou's expansion plans are closely tied to its implementation of AI models such as DeepSeek-V3 and strategic collaborations with Tencent Health and Tencent Cloud, aimed at advancing AI-enabled healthcare solutions. The Company intends to enhance its technological strength and accelerate the commercialization of its innovations, ultimately aiming to provide better experiences for both patients and users.

About Fangzhou Inc.

Fangzhou Inc. (06086.HK) is China's leading online chronic disease management platform, serving 49.2 million registered users and 223,000 physicians (as of December 31, 2024). The Company specializes in delivering tailored medical care and precision medicine solutions. For more information, visit https://investors.jianke.com.

About the Modern Industrial System Development Summit

The Modern Industrial System aims to establish Guangzhou as a hub for strategic sectors like AI and biotech by 2025. Vertical-specific models are prioritized under China's 2024 State Council AI guidelines to counter "homogeneous competition" in generic AI.

Media Contact

For further inquiries or interviews, please reach out to:

Xingwei Zhao Associate Director of Public Relations Email: [email protected]

Disclaimer: This press release contains forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those anticipated due to various factors. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these statements.

SOURCE Fangzhou Inc.
COLUMBUS, Ohio, April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In a significant legal development, the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas has ruled that Dr. William Husel's defamation lawsuit against Mount Carmel Health System, Trinity Health Corporation, and former executive Edward Lamb may proceed to trial. The court denied the defendants' motion for summary judgment on the defamation claim, finding that sufficient evidence of defamation has been presented such that key issues in the case must be decided by a jury. As alleged in the Complaint, following Trinity Health Corporation and the other defendants' calculated and knowingly false media campaign, Dr. Husel was indicted on 25 counts of murder on June 5, 2019. Shortly before trial, the prosecutors dropped 11 counts in the indictment. Dr. Husel was then acquitted on all 14 remaining counts on April 20, 2022.

Dr. Husel intends to prove at trial that as part of the discovery process in the defamation case, Trinity Health Corporation was forced to disclose internal communications revealing a sinister plot by hospital executives to depict Dr. Husel and several nurses as "villains" and concocting a plan to defame Dr. Husel because criminal "indictments would be helpful" for Mount Carmel's position. Dr. Husel learned that these executives hired multiple public relations firms which developed a communications strategy to convince the public that Dr. Husel was a killerwhile knowing that to be false. Trinity Health Corporation's strategy was intended to turn public sentiment in favor of Mount Carmel and away from Dr. Husel and nurses that had selflessly cared for patients for years.

"Dr. William Husel was a devoted and empathetic physician, offering compassionate end-of-life care to patients." Post this

The trial will highlight the sophisticated campaign of false and misleading information was able to deceive both the general public and law enforcement (who relied on the Trinity Health Corporation's purported expertise) leading to Dr. Husel's arrest and indictment as Dr. Husel alleged in the complaint. Dr. Huselknowing full well the false allegations made against himfiled his defamation lawsuit in December 2019, while still under indictment for 25 counts of murder and before the start of his trial in which he was acquitted. Among the issues at trial will be Dr. Husel's allegations that Mount Carmel and its executives defamed him following a sham "investigation" into his care of critically ill patients.

Counsel for Dr. Husel, Ford O'Brien Landy LLP, stated, "Dr. William Husel was a devoted and empathetic physician, offering compassionate end-of-life care to patients and their families during their most vulnerable moments. We intend to prove that in a calculated and callous act of corporate greed, one of the nation's largest hospital corporations launched a ruthless smear campaign against him (and other innocent nurses and dedicated health care professionals), knowingly distorting the truth, and sacrificing Dr. Husel's reputation and career to protect their own financial interests.

Now, after years of suffering and perseverance, Dr. Husel's case will proceed to trial, offering a long-overdue opportunity for justice, and a chance to expose the powerful forces that conspired to destroy this honorable man's life. We expect the jury's verdict to send a powerful message to corporations who in the future might be tempted to destroy the lives of innocent employees for their own gains." Dr. Husel is represented in the action by Robert Landy, Anjula Prasad, and Adam Ford.

A trial date has been set for June 2, 2025.

Media Contact:

Katherine Jaskot

[email protected]

SOURCE Ford O'Brien Landy LLP
Councils are continuing to crack down on illegal camping across Australia.

Illegal campers will cop a hefty fine if caught doing the wrong thing by the Central Coast Council in NSW. Source: Courier Mail/Liam Kidston & Suzanne King via Sunshine Coast News

The crackdown on illegal camping rages on as one Aussie council announced this week that anyone caught repeatedly doing the wrong thing can now face penalties of up to $110,000.

Stricter rules have come into effect on the NSW Central Coast ahead of the Easter weekend, with authorities on Monday saying there will be increased ranger patrols and new signage in place to catch out campers setting up and sleeping somewhere they shouldn't be.

On-the-spot fines ranging between $110 to $2,200 will be handed out for illegal camping activity and repeat offenders could face a whopping $110,000 penalty.

"The message is simple  if youre visiting the Central Coast, plan ahead and book an approved campsite," the Central Coast Council wrote on its website this week.

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Illegal camping can lead to environmental damage and litter, as well as result in safety concerns in public areas. It is for these reasons the council reviewed and updated overnight parking restrictions to enforce no camping permitted in key locations between 10pm and 5am in the local government area, and why it is approaching the overall issue with stricter enforcement.

In the case where an illegal camper is homeless, council said rangers will direct them toward specialist homelessness services.

Councils not messing around with illegal camping

The move by the Central Coast Council is the latest step taken by a council to firmly crack down on illegal camping, with authorities across the country taking action to stamp out the practice.

Councils are being relentless in their approach to illegal camping. Source: TikTok/jesse.and.cami & NewsWire

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In other parts of the country, councils have enforced four-hour parking restrictions where car parks were inundated with camper vans and caravans, and the Town of Cambridge council in Perth even went as far as turning off the hot water at beach showers in a bid to reduce the number of campers using the amenities there.

A new campground worth $200,000 was announced in the resort town of Exmouth in Western Australia in a bid to provide alternative accommodation as illegal camping activity increased in the area.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Major Upgrade to JudyAI Offers Chatbot, Narrative Summaries, Clio Case Management System Integration, Subscription Pricing

ROCKLIN, Calif., April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- TBIGemini Legal, a leading legal services, technology, and publications provider, today announced its Spring release of Gemini Legal JudyAI artificial intelligence (AI)-powered medical records indexing software. This release expands the number of ways law firms, especially those in need of cost-effective ways to speed up case preparation, can access human-level accurate medical records indexing while reducing costs.

Industry-Leading Pricing

New subscription pricing gives small firms more fiscal predictability while also reducing the staff hours and costs required for traditional human indexing. Subscription packages are aligned to typical case volumes in smaller firms or departments, though larger subscription packages are also available upon request.

Standard subscription plans are:

Starter  $250 /month for up to 2,500 pages, then $0.15 per page, billed annually

/month for up to 2,500 pages, then per page, billed annually Growth  $500 /month for up to 6,000 pages, then $0.15 per page, billed annually

/month for up to 6,000 pages, then per page, billed annually Pro  $1,000 /month for up to 15,000 pages, then $0.15 per page, billed annually

The new subscriptions extend the Gemini Legal policy for industry-leading pricing for JudyAI, which already features a pay-per-use option with a minimum charge of $7.50 per upload and $0.15 per page processed.

Web App Chatbot

The new release also expands functionality of the JudyAI website application with a chatbot assistant. This feature reduces time-to-result even further by allowing users to use text chat to organize and retrieve information from patient records. The ability to quickly identify and categorize key details helps improve efficiency and accuracy of case preparation.

Narrative Summaries

To help extract relevant information faster from the huge quantities of data in modern medical records, JudyAI now includes a narrative summary capability. These concise, yet thorough, accounts of a patient's medical history cover diagnoses, treatments, and key events. Clients can now turn otherwise complex volumes of data into more easily understandable, more actionable information without committing additional staff time.

Clio Case Management Integration

JudyAI now also extends the value of the Clio case management system, thanks to integration via application programming interfaces . This integration allows JudyAI and the Clio software to communicate with each other, exchange data, and improve functionality. As a result, legal teams can access and manipulate the fast, accurate medical records indexing outputs of JudyAI within their familiar case management ecosystem. Additional integrations are available upon request.

"Gemini Legal has always been focused on reducing the burden of non-litigation tasks," said Alex Solo, vice president of AI technology. "The latest release of JudyAI continues that tradition, bringing the benefits of AI into smaller firms and helping them reduce the time and effort to prepare for cases. And thanks to our aggressive new subscription pricing, we can provide our clients with affordability without compromising quality."

Fast, Accurate Indexing with JudyAI

JudyAI allows users to process and manage vast volumes of medical records via an easy-to-use interface and receive indexes in a fraction of time and about half the cost compared to traditional methods.

Created for in-house use at Gemini Legal, JudyAI had already successfully indexed more than 300,000 pages of medical records before it was offered for direct use by clients. Since then, it has been used by hundreds of law firms, processing over 13 million medical record pages and summarizing 2.1 million medical appointments. The result is an AI algorithm with better than 95 percent accuracy.

Time-to-result is also dramatically reduced with JudyAI. It takes only 30 minutes to index 500-page medical records rather than the days it takes humans to review and summarize that much data.

About Gemini Legal

For more than 20 years, Gemini Legal has been helping law firms win cases and improve the efficiency of their case management processes with innovative software, industry-leading services, and useful publications. We streamline time-intensive litigation tasks, particularly in the areas of workers' compensation, personal injury, employment, and family law. Learn more at Gemini.Legal.

SOURCE Gemini Legal
MCKINNEY, Texas, April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The recent earthquake in Myanmar has left a tragic impact, claiming over 3,000 lives and a growing number of injured and missing. A powerful 7.7 magnitude quake struck near Mandalay on March 28, resulting in severe devastation.

When Afghanistan fell to the Taliban in 2021 Global Catalytic Ministries' robust underground church network served as command center to rescue 3,000 lives and shelter families in over 30 safe-houses.

Earthquake Devastates Myanmar's Underground Church | (GCM TEAMS ON THE GROUND NOW) In deep jungles, congregations gather in secret, worshiping against all odds. 108 home underground churches planted and 287 believers baptized just this year in Myanmar; their unwavering faith stands in stark contrast to the violence and upheaval surrounding them.

Following the catastrophic earthquake, Myanmar faces unprecedented challenges. Global Catalytic Ministries stands ready with its crisis response experience. Trained teams are prepared to act in Myanmar, where the underground church is eager to deliver vital aid and hope. In fact, the crucial work has already begun.

The current situation in Myanmar is critical. Watch the urgent update now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rb0MqG1gbF0

The underground church leaders in Myanmar are under grave threat from a government hit list that endangers their very existence. Since the 2021 coup, the toll has been devastating with 144 believers martyred and 16 leaders still missing. While tragedy surrounds, their faith and resilience in Christ remain unwavering, shining through their commitment to fellowship and prayer.

Despite ongoing dangers from corruption and military conflicts, Global Catalytic Ministries deploys a silent yet efficient operation, similar to their work in Afghanistan. Well-prepared teams have begun to provide critical support to all those affected.

In August 2021, the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan led to unimaginable turmoil for those left behind, particularly the Afghan Christians who showed remarkable faith under dire circumstances. Despite the severe persecution they faced, they clung to their mission of sharing the gospel amid overwhelming darkness.

With fear gripping communities as young girls were forcibly taken and families were shattered, Global Catalytic Ministries emerged to provide essential support to these vulnerable believers.

Global Catalytic Ministries launched over thirty safe houses since the fall of Kabul. These facilities served as sanctuaries, guiding thousands toward new beginnings and sharing the gospel that brought many to Christ.

Global Catalytic Ministries' mission is centered on uniting faith and action addressing both urgent needs and spiritual desperation. Guided by James 2:14-17, the ministry ensures that everyone receives the love of Christ through its hands.

Since 2011, Global Catalytic Ministries bravely navigates perilous regions and witnessing incredible faith despite severe persecution. Films like Sheep Among Wolves I & II capture the hope and resilience encountered in these efforts.

As past experiences are reflected upon, these lessons guide the actions of Global Catalytic Ministries in Myanmar today.

The recent earthquake has plunged Myanmar into chaos, and the need for support is more urgent than ever. The teams on the ground are valiantly overcoming difficulties posed by a corrupt military; ensuring aid reaches those who need it most. Just as they stood firm for their brothers and sisters in Afghanistan, they now rally for the underground church in Myanmar.

Support is vital in delivering essentials to communities devastated by this disaster. Time is of the essencejoining this mission will provide much-needed assistance and hope to the persecuted believers of Myanmar.

Send Critical Aid to the Persecuted Church in Myanmar Today

https://catalyticministries.com/support-myanmar/

Media Contact:

Mike Patino CEO

305.803.1104

[email protected]

SOURCE Global Catalytic Ministries
Michigan's directive supports statewide College Promise program's ongoing commitment to educational and economic opportunity

OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich., April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive directive to increase access to skills training and higher education for young men. The directive, which was signed at a College Promise convening at Oakland Community College, underscores Michigan's ongoing commitment to providing greater educational access and economic opportunity, which the Governor highlighted in her recent State of the State address.

The directive empowers the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) and the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) to conduct targeted outreach to men across the state and inform them about programs and resources that can support them as they pursue skills training and higher education. Studies indicate that educational disparities that affect men and boys could begin as early as preschool and continue throughout students' lives. Resources and programs specifically designed to address the needs of this population will contribute to long-term economic opportunity and prosperity for individuals and families across Michigan.

Rosye Cloud, interim Chief Executive Officer of College Promise, praised the directive, saying, "We cannot undervalue the critical role young men play in the economy. Michiganders are taking proactive steps to ensure that employers are connected with skilled talent, strengthening both families and communities in the process. That includes ensuring young men have access to affordable, high-quality education and workforce trainingthrough initiatives like College Promiseso they can gain the skills, credentials, and support they need to succeed in today's economy and beyond."

This initiative is part of a broader bipartisan movement where governors are leading the charge to increase economic opportunities and support the growing demand for skilled talent. The Michigan directive will activate partnerships between the state government, educational institutions, and workforce development organizations. It also calls for better leveraging data to coordinate government resources for male studentsincluding fathersto meet their basic needs and support their mental health, education, and workforce development goals.

"Here in Michigan, we have been working hard to reduce costs and make it easier for folks to achieve their goals," said Governor Whitmer. "But too many men don't have the resources they need to succeed. That's why I'm proud to sign this executive order that will ensure more Michiganders are aware of and can access key programs that will lower the cost of education, ensuring more men can get a good paying job and put more money back in their pockets. I'll keep working with anyone to make sure that everyone can make it in Michigan. Together, let's get it done."

The Governor's action builds on Michigan's existing statewide Promise program, Community College Guarantee, one of 38 similar statewide programs across the country. These programs provide students with no-to-low-cost access to community colleges and statewide training programs, enhancing student success and expanding economic opportunities.

Earlier this week, College Promise announced a new initiative to develop evidence-based recommendations for similar programs nationwide. The project will leverage data from six states with legislative mandates to collect data on student parents, including Michigan, Minnesota, Illinois, Oregon, Texas, and California.

"College Promise is committed to expanding economic opportunity for all Americans by increasing access to credentials of value, in-demand training, and affordable pathways for degrees. Promise programs offer students support systems they need to succeed," said Cloud.

"We work with states, employers, higher education institutions, and sector leaders to align educational pathways with the skills and credentials most needed for the workforce of the future. The directive Governor Whitmer signed today helps Michigan do just that. This is one of the first such efforts to provide life-changing opportunities to people and communities nationwide, which we hope will spur similar efforts nationwide."

About College Promise

College Promise is a national, nonpartisan, non-profit organization that aims to ensure all students in the United States can access the education, training and, support necessary to achieve their educational and economic aspirations. Founded in 2015, College Promise has grown to a network of more than 450 Promise Programs (+730%) in all 50 states, aligned to more than 1,700 colleges and universities. College Promise works with organizations nationwide to provide scholarships covering tuition, fees, and other educational costs, along with essential support services that equip students to succeed on their college and career journeys. For more information about College Promise and its mission, visit collegepromise.org .

Media Contacts:

Elizabeth Meyer  843.408.8645

[email protected]

Michelle Cooper  516.241.9063

[email protected]

SOURCE College Promise
HOUSTON, April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- GreatFence.com, Inc., a national leader in custom aluminum fencing and gates, is celebrating 20 years online with the release of its seventh-generation e-commerce website. Known for its 100% Made in the USA, rust-free aluminum products and reliable nationwide delivery, the company continues to modernize the way customers shop for fencing online.

GreatFence.com celebrates 20 years with a new e-commerce website for aluminum fencing and gates. Ornamental aluminum gate design by GreatFence.com, built for strength, style, and curb appeal.

Founded in 2004 by Ronny Richker, GreatFence.com, Inc. has become a trusted source for residential, commercial, and industrial-grade aluminum fencing and gates in the United States. The newly launched website, released in December 2024, delivers faster load times, mobile-first navigation, expanded quoting tools, and a streamlined, secure checkout  making it easier than ever to design, customize, and order fencing online from any device.

"We're incredibly proud to hit the 20-year mark," said Ronny Richker, Founder and Owner of GreatFence.com, Inc. "This website reflects everything we've learned about serving customers and simplifying the buying experience for high-quality fencing."

Key features of the platform include:

Fast on-site search for product filtering

Simple navigation by fence grade (residential, commercial, industrial)

Made-to-order custom width support

DIY installation resources

Secure online ordering and financing options

Live delivery lead times and updated tracking

All products are built to order, rust-free, and backed by a lifetime warranty. GreatFence.com, Inc. ships direct to homes and businesses anywhere in the USA.

Customers can explore the company's full product line, including aluminum fence panels, built for strength, style, and ease of installation.

About GreatFence.com, Inc.

Founded in 2004, GreatFence.com is a national e-commerce provider of 100% Made in the USA aluminum fencing and gates. All products are manufactured to order, rust-free, and built for easy DIY installation. Backed by a lifetime warranty, GreatFence.com, Inc. ships directly to homeowners and contractors across the United States.

Media Contact:

Ronny Richker

Founder & Owner

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 888-379-1312

Website: https://www.greatfence.com

SOURCE GreatFence.com, Inc.
PHILADELPHIA, April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Children's Brain Tumor Network (CBTN) welcomes Hassenfeld Children's Hospital at NYU Langone as a new member institution. Dr. Jessica Clymer, director of the pediatric neuro-oncology program at Hassenfeld Children's Hospital, will serve as CBTN principal investigator.

"My team and I at Hassenfeld Children's Hospital are thrilled to collaborate with other CBTN institutions as we unite our efforts to advance pediatric brain tumor research and provide the best care for our patients and families," said Dr. Clymer.

This partnership with CBTN allows specialists at Hassenfeld Children's Hospital to give children and families affected by brain and spinal cord tumors the option to contribute biological samples to CBTN, with the goal of understanding brain tumor biology through research. This collaboration is essential for advancing pediatric brain tumor research, as no single medical institution can gather enough samples alone to drive meaningful progress in the field.

The pediatric neuro-oncology team sees patients at the Stephen D. Hassenfeld Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, part of Hassenfeld Children's Hospital in Manhattan, and is one of New York City's oldest pediatric tumor centers. Since 2005, NYU Langone's pediatric brain tumor research has been supported by the Making Headway Foundation. In 2019, the foundation partnered with Hassenfeld Children's Hospital and CBTN by funding a role to support pediatric brain tumor sample management at the center.

"We are so proud to play an important part in this collaboration as it directly connects to our mission of providing care and comfort for children with brain and spinal cord tumors while funding medical research geared to better treatments and a cure," said Daniel Lipka, Executive Director of Making Headway Foundation.

Jena Lilly, Executive Director of the Children's Brain Tumor Network, added, "We're thrilled to welcome Hassenfeld Children's Hospital to CBTN. Together, we are amplifying our efforts to advance pediatric brain tumor research and bring renewed hope to children and families in need of better treatments and brighter futures."

About Children's Brain Tumor Network (CBTN)

CBTN is a global research initiative that accelerates pediatric brain tumor treatments. With 34 member institutions, CBTN has collected over 82,000 biospecimens and enrolled 7,900 participants, creating the largest childhood brain tumor data repository. Its advanced platforms enable real-time collaboration to improve outcomes for children with brain tumors. Learn more at cbtn.org.

Contacts:

Bobby Moulder

[email protected]

(484) 258-8539

Katie Ullman

[email protected]

646-483-3984

SOURCE Childrens Brain Tumor Network
Cambridge Innovation Institute Expands Event Coverage via Healthegy to Include Aesthetics, Retina, and Ophthalmology Conferences

NEEDHAM, Mass., April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Cambridge Innovation Institute (CII), a leader in delivering cutting-edge information through events and publishing, and Healthegy, a leading digital media and events company, are expanding their partnership to combine efforts on the Aesthetics Innovation Summit (AIS), Retina Innovation Summit (OIS Retina), and Ophthalmology Innovation Summit (OIS).

Healthegy has been a leader in creating opportunities for innovation and growth in ophthalmology and aesthetics. Now, these three Healthegy Summits find a natural home in CII's Venture, Innovation, and Partnering division (Cambridge VIP). Cambridge VIP comprises unique, executive-level events that are designed to encourage interaction and networking to accelerate business growth. These three summits will be the first events covering aesthetics, retina, and ophthalmology to be hosted by Cambridge VIP.

This trio of events will continue under the leadership of Craig Simak, Founder & Former CEO of Healthegy, and now an Executive Director at CII. Simak says, "I am excited to be joining the CII organization after several years of getting to know their leadership team and realizing their strengths were our weaknesses. We now have the staff and resources to raise the bar even higher and produce exceptional events together."

Benjamin Lakin, PhD, CEO of Cambridge Innovation Institute, says, "Our relationship with Craig Simak and the Healthegy team began six years ago when we acquired their DHIS event and Medtech Conference. Since then, we have learned a lot from each other as mutual advisors, and the synergy that could be achieved by combining forces became apparent. I am delighted to be working with Craig and his team directly, and I look forward to the growth he will bring to our Cambridge VIP division."

Firas M. Rahhal, MD, OIS Advisor and Co-Chair, says, "OIS has long been the leader in bringing together all the key stakeholders in ophthalmology innovation, product development, and finance. The partnership with Cambridge [Innovation Institute] will bring significant additional resources and expertise that will propel the OIS [conference] to even greater levels."

About Cambridge Innovation Institute

(www.CambridgeInnovationInstitute.com)

Since its founding in 1992, Cambridge Innovation Institute (CII) has been delivering cutting-edge information through events, publishing, and training to leading commercial, academic, government, and research institutes across the life sciences and energy industries. CII is committed to high-technology solutions for the future.

Cambridge Innovation Institute (CII) is comprised of three divisions, including Cambridge Healthtech Institute (CHI), focusing on advances in life sciences and healthcare, Cambridge EnerTech (CET), covering renewable technology, and Cambridge VIP (CVIP), dedicated to venture- and innovation-led conferences. CII is also the parent company to Barnett International as well as several publications.

SOURCE Cambridge Innovation Institute
SALT LAKE CITY, April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah (the U) broke ground on its second Comprehensive Cancer Center on Tuesday, April 8, advancing construction of a new facility wholly dedicated to delivering prevention, hope, and healing to cancer patients. Situated in Vineyard, in the heart of Utah County, the Huntsman Cancer Institute site will reduce travel time by more than an hour each way for thousands of patients. The new facility will expand capacity for research, care, education, and training that are needed as the state of Utah and the surrounding region experience significant population growth.

"Twenty-five years ago, on what was once an empty hillside, Jon M. and Karen Huntsman had a vision to build a Comprehensive Cancer Center with unparalleled care and state-of-the-art science. Today, we are proud to be embarking on the next phase of that journey," says Mary Beckerle, PhD, chief executive officer of Huntsman Cancer Institute. "At our new location in Vineyard, we will bring comprehensive cancer care closer to the communities we serve, will advance innovative cancer research, will train the next generation of scientists and health workers, and will support our communities to live the healthiest lives possible--all the while working to eradicate cancer from the face of the earth."

More than 450 guests attended the celebration, including Utah County patients, donors, state and local representatives, members of the community, students, and Huntsman Cancer Institute clinicians, scientists, and staff. The event was held adjacent to the future home of the Huntsman Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center in Vineyard, close to Utah Lake in the heart of Utah County. Site work began in November 2024 to prepare the land for utilities, roads, and other necessary infrastructure. The groundbreaking ceremony marks the next step in advancing vertical construction on the site.

Huntsman Cancer Institute chose Vineyard for this location to ease the travel burden for patients in central and southern portions of the state. Last year, more than 40,000 patient visits from Utah County and adjacent areas were hosted by Huntsman Cancer Institute. The journey these patients made and the services they accessed were utilized to inform the clinical programs offered in Phase 1A of Huntsman Cancer Institute Vineyard. These will include multidisciplinary cancer clinics, radiation oncology, comprehensive cancer imaging, endoscopy, infusion and pharmacy, wellness and integrative health, screening and early detection, and an acute care clinic.

"The Vineyard location represents the seamless integration of world-class research and compassionate clinical care," says Bob Carter, MD, PhD, CEO of University of Utah Health, and senior vice president for health sciences. "Every breakthrough fuels better treatments, every innovation brings new possibilities, and every patient remains at the heart of our mission--reaffirming our place as a top-tier academic medical center dedicated to saving lives."

Research and innovation are the signature strengths of Huntsman Cancer Institute, and the Vineyard location will offer access to clinical trials, computational science and data analytics programs that harness the power of AI in cancer discovery, student training with Utah Valley University and Brigham Young University, and new mechanisms to treat and prevent cancer for people living in communities far from a major medical center.

"At the University of Utah, the research isn't just part of our mission--it's the engine that drives transformative change," says University of Utah President Taylor Randall. "The new Huntsman Cancer Institute in Vineyard represents a bold step toward realizing a future where cancer will be a thing of the past. By expanding access to cutting-edge cancer care and research, especially for patients in Utah's rural and frontier communities, we're delivering on our promise to improve lives across the state and beyond."

Andrea and James Clarke, community leaders and long-standing supporters of Brigham Young University, Utah Valley University, and the U, are among those lending their support for this project, which was referred to as "Project Unite" in early planning days in reference to the aspiration to bring together people and organizations from across the state to work together in advancing cancer innovations in Utah.

"Project Unite is a great description of the collaboration between Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah, Utah Valley University, and Brigham Young University that will come to life with the new Huntsman Cancer Institute Vineyard location," say Andrea and James Clarke. "As alumni, donors, and trustees of these amazing institutions, we're proud to support this transformational project that will advance cancer research, provide top-notch training for future health care professionals, and offer world-class care to Utah residents and the greater Mountain West."

Huntsman Cancer Institute is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in the Mountain West and provides specialized cancer care for patients from Utah, Nevada, Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho. The region is growing rapidly, and the need to ensure residents of communities across Utah and the larger Mountain West access to treatment was an important factor in the decision to develop a second Comprehensive Cancer Center site.

"Utah is leading the way in better health and outcomes, and I have every confidence the insights gained right here in Utah, at Huntsman Cancer Institute, will impact cancer care worldwide," says Utah Governor Spencer Cox. "This new investment by Huntsman Cancer Institute in Vineyard is responsive to both the needs of our growing communities and will enhance lifesaving insights and innovations that will transform health here at home and around the world."

The total cost of the Huntsman Cancer Institute Vineyard Phase 1A facility and site development is $400 million with additional programmatic investment. This is the largest single investment in the history of Huntsman Cancer Institute. The project was catalyzed in June 2023 thanks to a lead matching gift of $75 million from the Huntsman Family Foundation. It was soon followed by transformational gifts and contributions from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the State of Utah, Flagship Companies, and Woodbury Corporation.

As of the groundbreaking, 75% of the funding for the new facility has been secured. Huntsman Cancer Foundation is confident that their passionate community of donors will help complete the needed funding.

"My parents invested in improving cancer outcomes by funding the Huntsman Cancer Institute 30 years ago," says Peter Huntsman, chairman and CEO of the Huntsman Cancer Foundation. "Huntsman Cancer Institute's vision in the new fields of research, such as DNA and immunotherapies, will help change cancer outcomes for a generation. Today, we make the investment that will shape the next generation of care and research and hopefully bring an end to cancer."

Other founding supporters to date include the David and Tawnya Bearss Family, Bertin Family Foundation, Andrea and James Clarke, Clyde Companies, the Kahlert Foundation, Robert and Susan Kimsey, Julie M. and David S. Layton Foundation, John and Stacy Lippert, and the Dave and Rachel Weidman Family.

"Our support for the new Huntsman Cancer Institute in Vineyard is deeply personal to our family. I lost both my mother and grandfather to colon cancer both at a young age, and my father-in-law also passed away from cancer," says founding donor David Bearss. "This gift from our family is a tribute to their lives and a commitment to a future where fewer families face the heartbreak of cancer. We are proud to support world-class cancer research and care right here in Utah."

Huntsman Cancer Institute's Comprehensive Cancer Center in Vineyard will open to patients in fall 2028. Layton Construction was selected as the contractor on the 272,000-square-foot facility, which was designed by Architectural Nexus, alongside campus design and landscape architecture partner Sasaki. The facility is located within the Utah City development in Vineyard, Utah.

About Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah

Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah is the National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center for Utah, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, and Wyoming. With a legacy of innovative cancer research, groundbreaking discoveries, and world-class patient care, we are transforming the way cancer is understood, prevented, diagnosed, treated, and survived. Huntsman Cancer Institute focuses on delivering the most advanced cancer healing and prevention through scientific breakthroughs and cutting-edge technology to advance cancer treatments of the future beyond the standard of care today. We have more than 300 open clinical trials and 250 research teams studying cancer. More genes for inherited cancers have been discovered at Huntsman Cancer Institute than at any other cancer center. Our scientists are world-renowned for understanding how cancer begins and using that knowledge to develop innovative approaches to treat each patient's unique disease. Huntsman Cancer Institute was founded by Jon M. and Karen Huntsman.

This news release was issued on behalf of Newswise(TM). For more information, visit http://www.newswise.com.

Media Contacts: Nina Earnest

Public Affairs Associate

[email protected]

SOURCE Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah
HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- On behalf of the I-CAR Board of Directors, Jennifer Goforth, Board Chair, announces the appointment of Kyle G. Thompson as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) & President, effective May 5, 2025. This announcement comes as John S. Van Alstyne, who has led I-CAR for 15 years, is set to retire later this year as previously planned, following the official announcement of his retirement in April 2024.

Kyle G. Thompson will be Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and President of I-CAR, effective May 5, 2025 John S. Van Alstyne, who has led I-CAR for 15 years, is set to retire later this year.

Since joining I-CAR in December 2010, Van Alstyne has been instrumental in shaping the organization's relevance, growth, vision, and success. Under his leadership, I-CAR expanded and reshaped its product and service offerings, achieved financial stability, and made a lasting impact on the collision repair industry.

"It has been an incredible privilege to lead I-CAR over the past 15 years, and I'm deeply proud of the work we've accomplished as a team on behalf of the industry," said Van Alstyne. "As an industry we are more broadly performing complete, safe and quality repairs and more connected because of the dedication of our team and the support of our partners. I have full confidence in Kyle's leadership and the future of I-CAR under his guidance."

During Van Alstyne's tenure, I-CAR reinvested over $57.9 million into initiatives to better serve the industry. He also led significant growth in I-CAR Gold Class shops, nearly quadrupling the number of credentialed shops to over 10,000 by the end of 2024. He's also leaving I-CAR as an operationally excellent employer of choice, well positioned to successfully serve the industry into the future. These accomplishments have created value for industry stakeholders and played a key role in ensuring the safety of the driving public.

Kyle Thompson, who served on I-CAR's Board of Directors for nine years and assumed the chairmanship in 2020, is no stranger to the organization. Under Kyle as board chair, I-CAR earned accreditation from the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET), the only such accredited organization in the collision repair industry. He also championed the opening of the Chicago Technical Center and launch of I-CAR's Talent Programming Initiative, both of which are and will significantly benefit the industry.

"John's leadership has been transformative for I-CAR, and we are incredibly grateful for his tireless efforts in shaping the organization into what it is today," said Goforth. "As we transition to a new era with Kyle as CEO, we are confident in his ability to continue building on the solid foundation John has laid. Kyle's deep industry experience and commitment to I-CAR's vision and mission make him the ideal person to lead the organization forward."

Thompson's longstanding commitment to I-CAR was recognized when he was awarded the organization's prestigious Founder's Award in 2023. The Founder's Award honors individuals for their unwavering commitment to upholding and advancing I-CAR's vision and mission. With a distinguished 31-year career in the collision repair industry, with both insurers and collision repair facilities, he is uniquely qualified to lead I-CAR into its next chapter.

"I am both honored and excited to step into the CEO role at I-CAR," said Kyle. "John has left an extraordinary legacy, and I'm committed to continuing the important work he leaves behind. I look forward to collaborating with our dedicated team, industry partners, and stakeholders to ensure that I-CAR remains a trusted leader in advancing consumer safety, technical education and related services, and serving our industry with excellence."

About Kyle Thompson

Kyle G. Thompson holds an MBA from the University of the Incarnate Word. With a 31-year career in the collision repair industry, with both insurers and collision repair facilities, and as a prior I-CAR Board Member and Board Chair, Thompson brings valuable leadership experience and a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the sector. His passion for the industry's advancement and his strategic vision will be key assets as he assumes the CEO & President role at I-CAR.

About I-CAR: Founded in 1979, I-CAR is a not-for-profit education, knowledge, and solutions organization designed to support the evolving needs of the Collision Repair Inter-Industry. I-CAR, which is accredited by IACET (The International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training) is focused on improving the quality and safety of auto collision repair for the ultimate benefit of both the industry and the consumer. For more information, please visit www.i-car.com

SOURCE I-CAR
WASHINGTON, April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Investment Company Institute (ICI) President and CEO Eric J. Pan released the following statement in response to the U.S. Senate confirming Paul Atkins as Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC):

"ICI congratulates Paul Atkins on his confirmation as the next SEC Chairman. He is a champion for investors and the markets, possessing a deep understanding of the critical role regulated funds play in our financial ecosystem. We hope Chairman Atkins will take swift action on policies recommended by ICI in the interest of 120 million American investors. These policies include actions that will allow funds to have both ETF and mutual fund share classes, improve access for retail fund investors to private markets strategies, and reform the fund proxy system. We also thank Mark Uyeda for his service as acting chairman. In his few months as acting chair, Uyeda acted decisively in addressing several immediate issues important to funds and making sure the SEC is in a better position to solicit input and feedback from market participants."

Contact: [email protected]

SOURCE Investment Company Institute
BOSTON, April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Intrinsic Therapeutics, a medical technology company driving to change the standard of care for lumbar discectomy patients with large annular defects by reducing reoperations for reherniations by 81% with its Barricaid Annular Closure Device, today announced the appointment of Keith Valentine as President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Valentine will also join the Board of Directors and will begin his role in early May.

Keith Valentine, New President and Chief Executive Officer of Intrinsic Therapeutics

Mr. Valentine has over thirty years of executive leadership and commercialization success at high-performing, growth-stage spine and orthopedics companies. After starting his career holding numerous roles with increasing levels of responsibility at Medtronic Spine and Biologics, he was a senior executive at NuVasive from 2001 until 2015. Mr. Valentine served as President from 2004 through 2015 and helped establish the company's position as one of the most innovative and high-growth companies in the spinal implant industry. He then served as President and Chief Executive Officer at SeaSpine until its merger with Orthofix, where he continued as Chief Executive Officer until his departure in 2023.

"After enjoying decades in and around spinal fusion procedures, I'm incredibly excited to lead a dedicated and experienced team that will passionately transform conservative spine care. Intrinsic has the opportunity to meaningfully improve the early spine care continuum and enable a collaborative partnership with spine clinicians for the best patient outcomes. This is a blue-ocean market opportunity that only the Intrinsic Team gets to define and expand," commented Keith Valentine as to some of his motivating factors in joining Intrinsic.

"We are thrilled to welcome Keith Valentine as Intrinsic's new Chief Executive Officer," stated Ryan Drant, Chairman of the Board at Intrinsic Therapeutics. "Keith has a demonstrated track record of generating outstanding growth commercializing innovative spinal implants in his previous senior roles at NuVasive and SeaSpine. With Barricaid's CPT-1 code becoming effective in January 2026, Keith brings the right combination of energy, leadership skills and spine industry experience to maximize the Barricaid opportunity and help hundreds of thousands of patients annually avoid unnecessary disc reherniations and related surgeries," He continued, "On behalf of the Intrinsic board I also want to thank Cary Hagan for his leadership, strategic thinking and exceptional determination over more than a decade while leading the company through the achievement of important milestones including Barricaid's PMA approval and the granting of a CPT-1 code."

About Barricaid

Barricaid is a proprietary technology designed to prevent reherniation and reoperation in patients with large annular defects following lumbar discectomy surgery. Barricaid has been implanted in more than eleven thousand patients and is supported by clinical studies in 8 distinct patient populations, including two randomized controlled trials and six single armed trials. A multicenter level I RCT demonstrating superior outcomes to discectomy alone with 5-year results was published in JAMA. A new category 1 CPT Code for Bone Anchored Annular Closure, including the Barricaid Annular Closure Device was recently approved and will go into effect on or after January 1, 2026.

For full benefit-risk information, please visit www.Barricaid.com

Barricaid is a registered trademark of Intrinsic Therapeutics, Inc.

SOURCE Intrinsic Therapeutics, Inc.
CCTV: Recently, President Xi Jinping sent a message of congratulations to the ninth Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), noting that China-Latin America relations have entered a new stage that features equality, mutual benefit, innovation, openness, and benefits for the people. He also welcomed CELAC member states to attend the fourth Ministerial Meeting of the China-CELAC Forum in Beijing. Could you share more information with us?

Lin Jian: Latin America and the Caribbean is an important part of the Global South and active participant in and contributor to global governance. CELAC is an important platform for regional countries to strengthen solidarity and coordination in addressing global challenges. In July 2014, President Xi Jinping and leaders of LAC countries jointly announced the establishment of the China-CELAC Forum. The inaugural ministerial meeting of the forum was successfully held in Beijing in January 2015, marking the official launch of the forum. Over the past decade, the forum has flourished with increasingly mature mechanisms and has become an important platform for enhancing political mutual trust, aligning development strategies, and promoting people-to-people connectivity between China and LAC countries. It has played a positive role in bringing the China-Latin America relations into this new stage that features equality, mutual benefit, innovation, openness, and benefits for the people.

As changes of the world, of history, and of the times unfold at an unprecedented pace and uncertainties, instabilities and unpredictability in the world are notably increasing, the fourth ministerial meeting of the forum will enable the two sides to discuss development strategies, jointly address challenges, amplify the Global Souths collective voice for solidarity and self-reliance, and provide stability and positive energy for a world of turbulence. China and LAC countries are actively advancing preparations for the meeting, and relevant information will be released in a timely manner. Please stay tuned.

AFP: President Donald Trump has paused tariffs now on most countries but has raised duties on China to 125 percent. He also said China has shown a lack of respect and what is Chinas response to this treatment? And will China announce further rises in its own tariffs on U.S. imports?

Lin Jian: The U.S. uses tariff as a weapon to exert maximum pressure for its own selfish gains, which severely hurts the legitimate rights and interests of all countries, violates the WTO rules, sabotages the rules-based multilateral trading regime, and destabilizes the global economic order. The U.S., in defiance of global criticism, is pitching itself against the rest of the world. China has taken necessary countermeasures against the U.S.s bullying acts in order to safeguard its own sovereignty, security and development interests, and more importantly, to uphold international fairness and justice and the multilateral trading regime, and protect the common interests of the international community. A just cause enjoys the support of many. Americas move that goes against the trend of the times will find no support and end up in failure.

Let me stress once again that tariff and trade wars have no winner. China does not want to fight these wars but is not scared of them. We will not sit idly by when the Chinese peoples legitimate rights and interests are denied or when the international trade rules and the multilateral trading regime are undermined. If the U.S. is determined to fight a tariff and trade war, Chinas response will continue to the end. If the U.S. puts its own interests over the public good of the international community and sacrifices all countries legitimate interests for its own hegemony, it will for sure meet stronger opposition from the international community.

AFP: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that Ukraine knows the personal details of 155 Chinese nationals who are fighting for Russia in its invasion of Ukraine. China yesterday denied that large numbers of citizens have been recruited by the Russian army. Does China therefore think that President Zelenskyy is somehow lying or mistaken?

Lin Jian: Let me reaffirm that China did not start the Ukraine crisis, nor is China a party to it. We firmly support and actively strive for peaceful settlement of the crisis. The Chinese government always asks Chinese nationals to stay away from areas of armed conflict, avoid any form of involvement in armed conflict, and in particular avoid participation in any partys military operations. We call on the relevant party to be right and sober about Chinas role rather than make irresponsible remarks.

Anadolu Agency: About the tariff issue, U.S. President Donald Trump said China wants to have a deal but they dont know how quite to go about it. What do you think that means? And are there any contacts between the U.S. and China on the issue? (A similar question was asked by Reuters.)

Lin Jian: The U.S. is still abusing tariffs on China. China firmly rejects and will never accept such hegemonic and bullying move. Intimidation, threat and blackmail are not the right way to engage with China. If the U.S. truly wants to talk, it should let people see that theyre ready to treat others with equality, respect and mutual benefit. If the U.S. decides not to care about the interests of the U.S. itself, China and the rest of the world, and is determined to fight a tariff and trade war, Chinas response will continue to the end.

The Paper: Since the outbreak of the earthquake in Myanmar on March 28, China has made an all-out effort to assist in Myanmars rescue and relief work, which is well received by the people in Myanmar and the international community. Could you share more details on Chinas assistance and next steps?

Lin Jian: Since the outbreak of the earthquake, Chinese rescue forces have rallied around and saved lives against time. China was the first country that announced emergency assistance to Myanmar, sent rescue forces to the country, and set up settlement centers in the affected areas. The Chinese rescue team found the first trapped survivor. More than 30 rescue teams of over 600 members rushed to Myanmar for rescue work and we offered several batches of supplies, which demonstrates Chinas speed, contribution and kindness. This is warmly welcomed and appreciated by the people in Myanmar.

Myanmars disaster response work has moved to epidemic prevention and control, as well as recovery and reconstruction. As a friendly neighbor and pauk-phaw brother, China has decided to send another batch of emergency humanitarian supplies, which include the most needed refined oil, prefabricated houses, operating rooms, medicines, and vaccines. China will also dispatch medical and epidemic prevention experts for treatment and disinfection, as well as experts to examine, assess, reinforce, and repair affected buildings and cultural relics.

A merciless disaster brings the best out of humanity. China will continue to promote the China-Myanmar pauk-phaw friendship, uphold the spirit of the China-Myanmar community with a shared future, help the people in Myanmar overcome difficulties and rebuild their homes.

EFE: Whats Chinas response to U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent saying that Spain getting closer to China is like cutting your own throat?

Lin Jian: Speaking of cutting the throat, the U.S. threat and blackmail against the rest of the world with tariffs is a real attempt to choke the throat of other countries and bully them into making a compromise or concessions.

The relationship between China and Spain is a vital component of the relations between China and the EU. Last year, the total trade between China and Spain topped US$50 billion and Spains exports to China grew by 4.3 percent. In recent years the bilateral cooperation on the new energy industry has boosted green and low-carbon development. The two countries maintain communication in the multilateral cooperation and jointly uphold the international system with the UN at its core and the WTO-centered multilateral trading system. Just like the friendly ties between China and other countries, the cooperation between China and Spain always serves as a driving force for both countries economic growth delivers tangibly for the two peoples, and contributes to world stability and development.

AFP: Id like to return to President Zelenskyys comments from yesterday and he was very specific when he was talking about the number, the Chinese nationals allegedly fighting for Russia, 155 Chinese nationals. Im wondering if that number had been raised privately with Chinese diplomats. Is China in the process of verifying the actual number of its citizens that are allegedly fighting as mercenaries for Russia in its invasion of Ukraine? And President Zelenskyy also said that the actions of these citizens in Russia show that Moscow is attempting to drag China into the Ukraine war. Whats Chinas response to that?

Lin Jian: Regarding your question, I have nothing to offer. Let me stress that, on the Ukraine issue, China holds an objective and just position and always calls for deescalation and ceasefire while promoting peace talks, as the world can see. The relevant party needs to be right and sober about Chinas role and refrain from making irresponsible remarks.

AFP: China has reminded its nationals to make a full assessment of the risks before traveling to the United States. Can you elaborate or provide any details about the potential threats that Chinese nationals may face there, which have prompted this guidance?

Lin Jian: The situation you mentioned is caused by the U.S.s hegemonic and bullying acts of exerting maximum pressure. These actions have weakened the social and public foundations of China-U.S. relations and have hindered exchanges and cooperation between the two countries in multiple fields. China will continue to take strong measures to safeguard its own legitimate rights and interests.

Reuters: Trump has signed an executive order that levies U.S. port docking fees on any ships whose fleet has Chinese-built or Chinese-flagged vessels and thats aimed at reducing Chinese dominance of the global shipping industry. Do you have any comment on that?

Lin Jian: The development of Chinas shipbuilding industry is a result of companies tech innovation and active participation in market competition, which greatly contributes to global trade and the stable and secure operation of the global industrial and supply chains. Various U.S. studies show that the U.S. shipbuilding industry lost its competitive advantage many years ago due to over-protection. Blaming the U.S.s own industrial woes on China lacks factual basis and economic common sense. Americas domineering practice of unilateralism and protectionism will find no support but only push up global maritime shipping costs, destabilize global industrial and supply chains, harm the interests of all countries, and ultimately fail to revitalize the U.S. shipbuilding industry.

The Voice of Viet Nam: As far as I know, Chinese leader will start his visit to Viet Nam, Malaysia and Cambodia next week. Against the backdrop of a complex and volatile international landscape, is there any special objective for this visit? Will any cooperation agreements be signed in Viet Nam?

Lin Jian: China and Southeast Asian countries, including Viet Nam, are good neighbors connected by mountains and rivers and sharing close cultural bond. We are also good partners with intertwined interests and a shared future. Regarding the specific visit you asked about, I have no information to share at the moment. Please stay tuned.
The local council and the state's transport department were unable to say what it was, but police have now revealed what the camera is targeting.

Drivers were scratching their heads over what the high-tech camera was in Adelaide. Source: Reddit/Lazy-Deer8500

The appearance of a high-tech camera erected on the footpath along a busy road in one Australian capital city has puzzled drivers, leaving many questioning what it was.

A curious driver posted images of the camera online and wondered whether it was a speed camera they had just passed on Montacute Road in Hectorville, in Adelaide's northwest. The camera was accompanied by two orange cones, but no apparent signage.

"There is definitely no operator in sight," the driver who shared the images said.

Many Aussies chimed in with suggestions on what it could be, with plenty unsure about the unmarked device. Most suspected it was a speed camera, however the driver who spotted it said the location hadn't been marked on the daily list of speed cameras something the South Australian authorities regularly do in order to update road users.

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"They always have these in the hills, behind bushes and stuff. These aren't often listed on the 'daily speed camera' locations," one motorist wrote, while others suggested "camouflage netting" is usually thrown over cameras to make them hidden.

"Whatever it is, you can be rest assured that it won't be good for anyone driving past it," another motorist complained.

The driver was unable to see an operator or any signage. Source: Reddit/Lazy-Deer8500

Police confirm purpose of roadside camera

When approached by Yahoo News, the City of Campbelltown Council said it was not aware of what the camera was. South Australia's Department for Infrastructure and Transport was also unable to provide an answer.

However South Australia Police revealed to Yahoo News it was indeed a mobile speed camera and said it was used by a human operator.

"The equipment pictured is an existing SA Police mobile speed enforcement camera and had an operator present," a spokesperson told Yahoo News. "The type of speed detection camera pictured is not a new piece of equipment for SA Police."

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SA Police confirmed the particular mobile speed camera's location wasn't listed publicly and authorities do this for good reason.

"Not all speed cameras are listed. A portion are listed  this is so a generalised speed reduction occurs across the state and to change driver behaviours, rather than people just slowing down for where they know the cameras will be. This reduces speed, reduces road trauma and provides safer roads for all South Australians," the spokesperson said.

The mobile speed camera itself isn't required by law to be visible and neither is the operator. Signage is also not a requirement, unlike it is in NSW.

A driver who allegedly passed the speed camera at a later time claimed they saw a "ute down the street parked", while others called out the behaviour as "sneaky".

Tension rises over stricter road surveillance in Australia

Authorities across the country continue to crackdown on road surveillance as road fatalities hit a 12-year high. More than 1,300 people died on Australian roads in 2024 in comparison to 1,258 in 2023, according to research conducted by the federal Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics.

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However, the tightening of rules has many drivers feeling frustrated as some find themselves incorrectly accused of wrongdoing, further perpetuating the idea of some motorists that authorities' behaviour is a bid to "revenue raise".

A whopping $9.5 million in fines were issued to drivers in one year in Tasmania, with the released data ruffling feathers among drivers. However, authorities have doubled down on their stance  do something wrong, cop a fine.

"The consequences for drivers caught speeding, illegally using their phone or not wearing a seatbelt are costly and include being fined or, in serious cases, losing their licence," Tasmania's Department of State Growth previously told Yahoo News.

This sentiment is echoed across state and territory jurisdictions.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

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DENVER, April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- KSL Capital Partners, LLC ("KSL"), a leading alternative investment firm, today announced the final closing of its latest tactical opportunities fund, KSL Capital Partners Tactical Opportunities II, L.P. ("Tac Opps II"), with total capital commitments of $1.44 billion, including contributions from the General Partner. The fund reached its hard cap, significantly exceeding its initial $1 billion target, and attracted strong support from a diverse group of institutional and private investors, including public pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, foundations, asset managers and family offices.

"We are proud to have earned the confidence of both new and returning investors," said Dan Rohan, Partner and Head of Tactical Opportunities. "Our Tac Opps strategy was established to provide strategic partnership capital to highly differentiated travel and leisure businesses, and we are excited to expand those partnerships through Tac Opps II."

"Over the past 30 years, we have worked to build a longstanding reputation for excellence in travel and leisure investing," said Eric Resnick, Chief Executive Officer of KSL. "Through our equity, credit and tactical opportunities vehicles, our investors and partners benefit from three synergistic strategies, which offer a continuum of solutions across the capital stack."

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP acted as legal counsel to KSL and the fund.

About KSL Capital Partners

KSL Capital Partners, LLC is a private equity firm specializing in travel and leisure enterprises in five primary sectors: hospitality, recreation, clubs, real estate and travel services. KSL has offices in Denver, Colorado; Stamford, Connecticut; New York, New York; and London, England. KSL invests across three primary strategies through its equity, credit and tactical opportunities funds. KSL's current portfolio includes some of the premier properties in travel and leisure. For more information, please visit www.kslcapital.com.

Media Contact

Kate Thompson / Erik Carlson

Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher

[email protected]

(212) 355-4449

SOURCE KSL Capital Partners
SEATTLE, April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Laboratory Services Cooperative (LSC), a non-profit organization based in Seattle, Washington, is encouraging individuals to take precautionary measures to protect their information following a security incident.

LSC provides lab testing services to select Planned Parenthood centers. If you, or someone whose healthcare bills you pay for, visited one of these centers and had lab tests done or were referred for lab tests, your information might be part of this incident.

Please be advised that this incident did not involve all Planned Parenthood centers. It specifically may have impacted only those centers that received lab testing services from LSC. It is important to note that LSC began providing services to these centers at different times, with some partnerships starting as recently as the past few years. For a list of states where LSC partners with Planned Parenthood centers, individuals can visit the FAQ section of LSC's website notice available at https://www.LSCIncidentSupport.com.

On October 27, 2024, LSC identified suspicious activity within its network. In response, LSC immediately engaged third-party cybersecurity specialists to determine the nature and scope of the incident and notified federal law enforcement. The investigation revealed that an unauthorized third party gained access to portions of LSC's network and accessed/removed certain files belonging to LSC.

LSC promptly initiated a review and engaged a third-party vendor to help identify whose information may be potentially involved and to what extent.

In February 2025, LSC received the initial results of the data review, revealing that certain LSC patient and worker-related data might be affected.

The specific information involved is not the same for everyone. It depends on the individual's relationship with LSC but may include contact details such as name, address, phone number, and email, along with one or more of the following categories:

Medical/Clinical Information : This may include information such as date(s) of service, diagnoses, treatment, medical record number, lab results, patient/accession number, provider name, treatment location, and related-care details.





: This may include information such as date(s) of service, diagnoses, treatment, medical record number, lab results, patient/accession number, provider name, treatment location, and related-care details. Health Insurance Information : This may encompass plan name, plan type, insurance companies, and member/group ID numbers.





: This may encompass plan name, plan type, insurance companies, and member/group ID numbers. Billing, Claims, and Payment Data : This could involve claim numbers, billing details, bank account details (including bank name, account number, and routing number), billing codes, payment card details, balance details, and similar banking and financial information.





: This could involve claim numbers, billing details, bank account details (including bank name, account number, and routing number), billing codes, payment card details, balance details, and similar banking and financial information. Additional Identifiers : This may include Social Security Number, driver's license or state ID number, passport number, date of birth, demographic data, student ID number, and other forms of government identifiers.

For LSC workers, the information involved may also include details about their dependents or beneficiaries if that information was provided to LSC.

The confidentiality, privacy, and security of information maintained by LSC remains its top priority. As a precaution, LSC has hired third-party cybersecurity specialists to monitor the dark web for any information that may have been accessed or taken without authorization during this incident. The dark web is a hidden part of the internet where unauthorized activities and data exchanges often happen.

The cybersecurity specialists hired by LSC are using tools and techniques to scan various dark web forums, marketplaces, and other platforms. As of this writing, they have not found any evidence that information involved in this incident is on the dark web.

LSC has set up a website to help individuals learn more about the incident and to provide resources to protect their information. These resources include free credit monitoring and medical identity protection services through CyEx Medical Shield Complete. To learn more or to sign up for these services, please visit https://www.LSCIncidentSupport.com. Any updates regarding the incident will be posted on https://www.LSCIncidentSupport.com, so individuals are encouraged to visit it periodically.

LSC has also established a dedicated call center for individuals to call with any questions or concerns. The toll-free call center can be reached at 1-855-549-2662, available Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM ET.

Individuos pueden obtener informacion relacionada con este incidente en espanol llamando al centro de llamadas gratuito exclusivo de LSC al 1-855-549-2662.

SOURCE Laboratory Services Cooperative
Register today for the April 16 webinar, featuring cutting-edge biotech, plant biology, and airborne pollutant research sponsored by the ISS National Lab and NASA

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla., April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory and NASA will host a webinar to discuss upcoming research and technology development projects launching on SpaceX's 32nd Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) mission for the agency. This webinar will showcase some of the innovative research heading to the space station and how it benefits humanity while driving a sustainable market economy in low Earth orbit (LEO). The webinar is scheduled for Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at 1 p.m. EDT.

SpaceX CRS-32 is slated to launch on a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft no earlier than 4:15 a.m. EDT on Monday, April 21, 2025, from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

During the webinar, Michael Roberts, chief scientific officer for the ISS National Lab, and Jennifer Buchli, chief scientist for NASA's ISS Program, will provide programmatic insights and updates. The following speakers will then join them to highlight specific research projects on this mission:

Improving Janus Base Nanomaterial Production in Microgravity : University of Connecticut researcher and Eascra Biotech co-founder Yupeng Chen , along with co-founder Mari Anne Snow , will discuss their research exploring how microgravity improves the production of Janus base nanomaterials (JBNs). These nanomaterials, which consist of molecules that self-assemble into structures that mimic human DNA, could be used to treat diseases like osteoarthritis and cancer. In space, where gravity-driven forces like sedimentation are significantly reduced, the team can manufacture JBNs with a more uniform structure, leading to better therapeutic outcomes. This ISS National Lab-sponsored project builds on previous investigations and is funded through NASA's In-Space Production Applications program.





: researcher and Eascra Biotech co-founder , along with co-founder , will discuss their research exploring how microgravity improves the production of Janus base nanomaterials (JBNs). These nanomaterials, which consist of molecules that self-assemble into structures that mimic human DNA, could be used to treat diseases like osteoarthritis and cancer. In space, where gravity-driven forces like sedimentation are significantly reduced, the team can manufacture JBNs with a more uniform structure, leading to better therapeutic outcomes. This ISS National Lab-sponsored project builds on and is funded through NASA's In-Space Production Applications program. Genetically Modified Tomatoes in Space: Major Travis Tubbs from the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA) and Heath Mills , co-founder of ISS National Lab Commercial Service Provider Rhodium Scientific, will discuss a project that is part of a series of investigations developed and supported by the U.S. Air Force and USAFA. The project will examine how genetically modified tomato plants grow in the space environment. The team hopes to gain a better understanding of how genetic modifications and gene expression changes influence root and shoot development. Results from this project will be compared with results from investigations on the Polaris Dawn and SpaceX Crew-9 missions, which featured the same Rhodium plant growth hardware. Findings could provide insights into the production of crops on long-duration space missions or in high-radiation environments.





from the (USAFA) and , co-founder of ISS National Lab Commercial Service Provider Rhodium Scientific, will discuss a project that is part of a series of investigations developed and supported by the U.S. Air Force and USAFA. The project will examine how genetically modified tomato plants grow in the space environment. The team hopes to gain a better understanding of how genetic modifications and gene expression changes influence root and shoot development. Results from this project will be compared with results from investigations on the Polaris Dawn and SpaceX Crew-9 missions, which featured the same Rhodium plant growth hardware. Findings could provide insights into the production of crops on long-duration space missions or in high-radiation environments. Monitoring Aerosol Pollutants in Space : Claire Fortenberry , research aerospace engineer at NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland , will discuss an investigation on aerosol monitors , which continuously monitor airborne pollutant particles such as dust inside the space station. These monitors are essential for maintaining safe air quality on future missions in LEO and beyond. Results could help researchers select the monitors used on future missions to protect crew health and mission success.





: , research aerospace engineer at NASA's Glenn Research Center in , will discuss an investigation on , which continuously monitor airborne pollutant particles such as dust inside the space station. These monitors are essential for maintaining safe air quality on future missions in LEO and beyond. Results could help researchers select the monitors used on future missions to protect crew health and mission success. Studying the Impact of Space Radiation on Plant Biology: Sarah Wyatt , researcher from Ohio University will discuss a NASA-sponsored experiment assessing the effects of space radiation on the genome and telomere activity in Arabidopsis thaliana, a model organism for studying plant biology. Telomeres are repetitive DNA sequences that protect the ends of chromosomes, which become shorter every time a cell divides and serve as markers of plant survivability. Understanding how space radiation affects telomeres could help scientists better equip plants and other organisms for the stress of long-duration missions.

The webinar will be available on Zoom for media. Media who would like to participate must register for Zoom access no later than one hour in advance.

A livestream of the webinar will also be available on the ISS National Lab Livestream page. The public can participate by submitting questions during the webinar using #ISSNationalLab on social media. Following the webinar, a recording will be available on the ISS National Lab YouTube channel . Additional information about investigations launching on SpaceX CRS-32 will be made available in the coming days on our launch page .

Join us to learn more about the exciting investigations heading to the space station to advance science and benefit humanity. To learn more about ISS National Lab-sponsored science and its impact on Earth, visit our website .

Download a high-resolution image for this release: NASA SpaceX Launch

About the International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory:

The International Space Station (ISS) is a one-of-a-kind laboratory that enables research and technology development not possible on Earth. As a public service enterprise, the ISS National Laboratory allows researchers to leverage this multiuser facility to improve quality of life on Earth, mature space-based business models, advance science literacy in the future workforce, and expand a sustainable and scalable market in low Earth orbit. Through this orbiting national laboratory, research resources on the ISS are available to support non-NASA science, technology, and education initiatives from U.S. government agencies, academic institutions, and the private sector. The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) manages the ISS National Lab, under Cooperative Agreement with NASA, facilitating access to its permanent microgravity research environment, a powerful vantage point in low Earth orbit, and the extreme and varied conditions of space. To learn more about the ISS National Lab, visit our website .

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, CASIS accepts corporate and individual donations to help advance science in space for the benefit of humanity. For more information, visit our donations page .



International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory

Managed by the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS)

1005 Viera Blvd., Suite 101, Rockledge, FL 32955  321.253.5101  www.ISSNationalLab.org

SOURCE International Space Station National Lab
Leviton invested $25 Million into its Network Solutions Fuquay-Varina, N.C. fiber optic cable manufacturing plant to double its size.

BOTHELL, Wash., April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Leviton's Network Solutions Business Unit today announced that it has completed the $25 million expansion project in its Fuquay-Varina, N.C. manufacturing facility. The project, started in 2022, effectively doubles the size of the facility allowing Leviton to support ever growing demand for its fiber optic cabling solutions.

Fiber Factory Expansion Ribbon Cutting: Donald Hendler (Chairman of the Board), Karen Berry (Senior Director of Operations, Leviton Fuquay Varina, NC), Daryoush Larizadeh (President and Chief Executive Officer), Ross Goldman (Chief Operating Officer Leviton Network Solutions, Chief Sustainability Officer, Leviton)

The Fuquay-Varina, N.C. site manufactures a wide range of multimode and single-mode cabling products used to connect local area networks in a variety of applications including commercial enterprises, data centers, industrial and harsh environments. The company held a ribbon cutting event on April 9, 2025 to celebrate this milestone achievement with company executives, local government officials, and Leviton's local employees.

"We are very proud of the work our team did to make this project happen. Leviton's Network Solutions business unit is the data side of our business and strategic to our future growth and success," said Daryoush Larizadeh, Leviton's President and CEO. Larizadeh went on to say; "We expect the demand for fiber optic cabling systems to grow for many years to support bandwidth intensive applications like AI and Augmented Reality. Leviton's commitment to North Carolina goes back to 1965, and today we have 3 factories including this expanded Fuquay-Varina location. The local government officials supported us every step of the way and the area has a very skilled work force, which is essential for us to be successful."

"As a global division, this investment is very strategic for us," said Ross Goldman, Chief Operations Officer, Leviton Network Solutions and Chief Sustainability Officer, Leviton. Goldman went on to say; "Doubling the size of our North Carolina factory not only allows us to support our US based customers with fiber optic cabling solutions for years to come, but we can also more effectively support demand from outside the US as well."

Blake Massengill, the mayor of Fuquay-Varina, attended the company's ribbon cutting event and said, "the Town of Fuquay-Varina is grateful for Leviton's commitment to investing in our region, which will have far-reaching benefits not only for the local economy but also for the state. Leviton is a global company that chose Fuquay-Varina, NC - with its highly skilled workforce and business-friendly environment - as the site to manufacture fiber optic cabling to support IT networks in the US and throughout the world. We thank Leviton for their investment in the region and we look forward to building a long-lasting partnership with the company."

More information on Leviton's global fiber optic cabling systems can be found on the company's website, please visit leviton.com/ns .

About Leviton Network Solutions

Leviton Network Solutions is a single-source global manufacturer of copper and fiber cabling systems. Leviton solutions are used in data centers, businesses, schools, hospitals, government facilities and commercial mixed-use markets around the world. All Leviton products are engineered to exacting standards, offer industry-leading performance and are backed by the industry's best service and support. IT management, builders, contractors, and other industry professionals consistently rank Leviton products as the most preferred brand in the industry. We can expand your network possibilities. Learn more at leviton.com/ns or linkedin.com/showcase/levitonns. European customers can visit leviton.com/ns/emea or linkedin.com/company/Leviton-ns-eu.

About Leviton

Every day, Leviton builds what's next to light, power, and connect everyday spaces to meet the needs of its residential, commercial and industrial customers globally. From controls, to lighting, to electrical, to networking, Leviton's relentless innovation for more than a century enables our customers' lives to be easier, safer, more efficient, productive and sustainable. Driven by its commitment to its customers, the ingenuity of its employees, and the safety and quality of its products and solutions, with Leviton, the FUTURE IS ON. For more information, visit http://www.leviton.com/, www.facebook.com/leviton, www.twitter.com/leviton, or www.youtube.com/Levitonmfa.

SOURCE Leviton
"The most important principle we must uphold is putting the customer first."

- LG Corp. Chairman and CEO Kwang Mo Koo

SEOUL, South Korea, April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- LG hosted the 2025 LG Awards at LG Academy (LG's Corporate University) in Icheon, South Korea, celebrating standout examples of customer value innovation. This year's event marked a milestone with the unveiling of the first-ever LG Awards Hall of Fame, created to honor past winners.

LG Corp. Chairman and CEO Kwang Mo Koo(back row, first from left), poses for a commemorative photo with customers and award recipients at the LG Awards held on April 9 at LG Academy in Icheon. LG Corp. Chairman and CEO Kwang Mo Koo, delivers a congratulatory speech at the LG Awards held on April 9 at LG Academy in Icheon. LG Corp. Chairman and CEO Kwang Mo Koo, congratulates and encourages the winning teams at the LG Awards held on April 9 at LG Academy in Icheon.

Now in its seventh year, the LG Awards was launched in 2019 to recognize products and services that have meaningfully improved customers' lives. Since its inception, the awards have honored 492 teams and more than 4,000 individual contributors.

*Award recipients by year: 2019(321), 2020(480), 2021(448), 2022(593), 2023(769), 2024(724), 2025(680).

More than 500 people attended the ceremony, including LG Corp. Chairman and CEO Kwang Mo Koo, executives from across LG, customer representatives, and award recipients. An additional 1,000 employees joined the event via livestream, adding to the celebratory atmosphere during each award announcement.

LG Corp. Chairman and CEO Kwang Mo Koo : "The most important principle we must uphold is putting the customer first."

"We created the Hall of Fame here at LG Academy to honor the results of your innovation," said Chairman Koo. "The names and projects that will be added in the years to come will serve as a source of inspiration and guidance for all LG employees."

During his remarks, he also emphasized LG's long-term vision: "Our journey to deliver differentiated value for the future will always continue, and the most important principle we must uphold is putting the customer first. Let's continue to build on LG's DNA of challenge and change, push toward new industry-firsts, and build a future where LG is loved even more deeply by customers."

An LG spokesperson also commented on the broader business context: "At a time of growing global uncertainty, including rising trade barriers, there are many strategic paths to consider. But this moment reaffirms that our top priority must remain relentless innovation for the customer."

New Hall of Fame created at LG Academy promotes a culture of innovation that touch the hearts customers

The inaugural LG Awards Hall of Fame installation displays plaques engraved with the names and award-winning projects of past recipients of the "Customer Impression Grand Award."

The Hall of Fame is located in the lobby of Yeonam Hall at LG Academy in Icheon, the company's main training center. It is where employees, from entry-level to executive, receive education in core values, management philosophy, and job-related skills. The location is designed to help all LG members naturally engage with examples of customer-driven innovation. The 31 members of this year's three Grand Prize-winning teams personally mounted their plaques, commemorating their contributions to customer value.

LG is also creating dedicated display spaces within each affiliate's office to recognize their own LG Awards winners. Major meeting rooms will feature the names of grand prize recipients to inspire pride and motivation across teams. In addition to receiving plaques, winners are awarded cash prizes and opportunities to participate in overseas workshops.

The 2025 LG Awards were judged through an open evaluation process involving both customers and employees. For the first time, customer evaluations went beyond individuals to include group feedback, incorporating perspectives from homemakers, professionals, international consumers, and the MZ generation. LG employee participation in the judging process also saw a major jump, rising from 10,000 last year to more than 14,000 this year, underscoring the growing enthusiasm for the awards.

87 teams recognized for customer experience innovation, from air conditioner with Clean View feature to AI that prevents voice phishing

This year's awards honored 87 teams and 680 individuals. Recipients included three Customer Impression Grand Award winners in the categories of Individual and group; 39 teams received the Customer Satisfaction Award, and 45 were recognized with the Customer Empathy Award. Evaluation criteria included whether the innovation exceeded customer expectations, whether it delivered a meaningful improvement in customers' lives, and whether the project had the potential to be scaled into product processes or best practices.

In the Individual category, Seong Kuk Moon of LG Electronics received the grand prize for developing the Clean View feature, which makes air conditioner hygiene easier for users. With the press of a button, users can open the unit to inspect and clean the interior, addressing long-standing concerns over cleanliness and maintenance. The innovation also includes a "Viewcase" at the base of the product, allowing users to display books or picture frames, reflecting thoughtful design for modern living spaces. The Clean View feature has been already been applied to current models, contributing to strong sales and helping LG maintain the top market share in the air conditioner segment.

In the group category, the grand prize went to LG Energy Solution's Infrastructure FA Technology team. They developed a logistics solution using autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) to manage frequent equipment changes and fluctuating material flow at battery production facilities. In group category, the grand prize was also awarded to the Optical Solutions Division at LG Innotek for its contributions to advancing camera module technology.

Other notable winners include LG AI Research, which received the Customer Satisfaction Award for its generative AI model EXAONE 3.5, and LG Uplus, which introduced, ixi-O, a real-time voice phishing detection technology that can answer calls on behalf of users to block scams.

LG Chem also received the Customer Empathy Award for developing the world's first automotive sunroof film capable of both achieving a black tint and supporting segmented control. HSAD was also honored for its post-proposal initiative, which marked a first in the advertising industry where the company voluntarily continued ideation even after a project had formally ended.

SOURCE LG Corp.
Exclusive 100th anniversary gift box will be given away to 100 lucky fans for 100 days

NEW YORK, April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- On the heels of officially crossing the 100-year mark on April 3, Loacker announces the launch of an exclusive gift box in partnership with Giada De Laurentiis and Giadzy, the lifestyle and ecommerce platform by Giada. Starting today, April 10, the 100th day of the brand's 100th anniversary year, the Loacker x Giadzy by Giada De Laurentiis Limited-Edition Gift Box will be given away to 100 lucky fans for 100 days, giving Americans the chance to celebrate the pure ingredients and delicious flavors of the iconic wafers Giada grew up eating in Italy.

The Loacker x Giadzy by Giada De Laurentiis Limited-Edition Gift Box will be given away to 100 lucky fans for 100 days. Post this In a limited-edition gift box, specially curated by Loacker and Giada De Laurentiis, giveaway winners will receive Giadas favorite Loacker products, Giadzys bestselling olive oil and a signed copy of Giadas new cookbook, Super-Italian.

"Loacker wafers were a beloved part of my childhood in Italy, which makes this partnership especially exciting for me," said Giada De Laurentiis. "This special box is filled with my absolute favorites  from Loacker's signature wafers, made with pure, simple Italian ingredients like 100% Italian hazelnuts, to Giadzy's bestselling olive oil and a signed copy of my new cookbook, Super-Italian. It's a true celebration of authentic Italian flavors and traditions. Sign up for your chance to win  I can't wait for you to experience a taste of la dolce vita!"

Curated by Giada, this special box is a tribute to the rich flavors of Italian cuisine and culture. Winners will have the opportunity to savor Giada's favorite Loacker products made with the finest ingredients like 100% Italian hazelnuts, drizzle Giadzy's bestselling olive oil on their favorite meals and explore new recipes in a signed copy of Giada's new cookbook, Super-Italian, which teaches readers how to cook with healthy Italian superfoods and minimally-processed ingredients to eat like an Italian.

Box contents include:

"We're thrilled to commemorate our 100th anniversary month through this one-of-a-kind gift box featuring Giada's favorite Loacker treats," said TJ Rooney, president of Loacker USA. "For 100 years, we've been dedicated to creating snacks made from pure ingredients that make it easy to indulge mindfully in everyday joyful moments and special occasions. We can't wait to surprise 100 lucky fans with the opportunity to experience the authentic flavors of Loacker as we celebrate 100 years of quality, tradition and premium ingredients, with more surprises to come with Giada."

The Loacker x Giadzy by Giada De Laurentiis Limited-Edition Gift Box is one of several surprises planned for Loacker's 100th anniversary year. Other upcoming surprises include signature recipes from Giada that will exclusively feature Loacker products, VIP appearances and more. All surprises are meant to honor the "pure goodness" that has defined Loacker's wafers and chocolate specialties for a century.

In addition to surprises, the integrated partnership will tell a story about Giada's love for Loacker  and the brand's focus on quality and taste above all else for 100 years  with vibrant and authentic content appearing across paid, earned, owned and social channels.

To enter to win the Loacker x Giadzy by Giada De Laurentiis Limited-Edition Gift Box, fans can visit the website linked here and follow the steps indicated. Each week, seven participants will be drawn at random for 100 days, until July 18, 2025. Winners will be notified via email. There is a limit of one prize per person or household and no transfer, cash redemption or substitution of prize is allowed except at the sole discretion of Loacker. See the website for additional rules and regulations.

To stay updated on partnership details, fans can check the Loacker and Giadzy websites or follow Loacker on Instagram @ loackerusa .

To learn more about Loacker, visit loackerusa.com . To learn more about Giadzy by Giada De Laurentiis, visit giadzy.com .

About Loacker

Loacker is an Italian family company known for its delicious wafers, patisseries and chocolates. Founded in the heart of the Italian Alps 100 years ago, Loacker USA is proud to be partnering with Giada De Laurentiis in 2025 to celebrate a century of pure goodness.

The geography of Loacker's origins (Mount Sciliar in the South-Tyrolean Dolomites of the Italian Alps) is meaningful because it embodies the natural values of the brand and unique sourcing of ingredients. Since the company was first founded, the Loacker family has always had the highest level of respect for their natural surroundings. From 100% Italian hazelnuts freshly roasted by Loacker in-house to authentic vanilla pods from Madagascar, Loacker aims to create the best taste using high-quality ingredients.

"Che bonta!" means Pure goodness! with every bite, since 1925. For all this time, Loacker has been offering the pure, natural goodness and pleasure of their magnificent creations. This long confectionary tradition started with Alfons Loacker, who first started making wafers in his little pastry shop in Bolzano, Italy. Not much has changed since then: Loacker now makes all their delicacies at 1000 meters above sea level, high up in the mountains in Auna di Sotto (IT) and Heinfels (AT), using only carefully selected ingredients, with no trace of any artificial flavorings, added colors or preservatives, and pack their snacks fresh out of the oven to preserve their full fragrance. But, to achieve perfection, goodness demands more than this, which is why Loacker is constantly committed to greater social and environmental sustainability. Because, at Loacker, goodness is a choice. To learn more about Loacker, visit loackerusa.com or follow Loacker on Facebook , Twitter , Instagram , Pinterest , YouTube and TikTok .

About Giadzy

Launched in 2016 by Emmy award-winning personality Giada De Laurentiis, Giadzy is a lifestyle and e-commerce platform that brings the best of Italy  including its least-known yet most delicious food products  directly to your home. Along with Italy-inspired lifestyle tips on entertaining and food, and blogs covering wellness, beauty, and style, Giadzy showcases a wide range of pantry products, personally curated by De Laurentiis including Giadzy's own line of specialty products, from mostly small, family-owned producers whose goods are only available in certain regions of Italy. Visit the site at giadzy.com . Follow on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube and TikTok.

About Giada De Laurentiis

Giada De Laurentiis is an Emmy award-winning television personality and NBC Today Show contributor, and the author of 11 New York Times bestselling cookbooks, including her latest cookbook, Super-Italian. Her growing restaurant empire includes GIADA and Pronto by Giada in Las Vegas, and Luna and Pronto by Giada in Scottsdale. She is also the founder of the lifestyle and e-commerce platform Giadzy.com , which offers recipes, travel and entertaining content, and hand-selected Italian products. Follow along on social media @giadadelaurentiis and @thegiadzy.

Media contact:

Lauren Kotschevar

[email protected]

SOURCE Loacker
Global initiative addressing personalised and preventative health to be launched during the event

ABU DHABI, UAE, April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- With rising global demand for more personalised and effective healthcare solutions, the Department of Health - Abu Dhabi (DoH) , the regulator of the healthcare sector in the emirate, is hosting global leaders in health, research, policy, and technology to address the challenge of helping people to live not just longer, but healthier lives.

Longevity and precision medicine driving the agenda at Abu Dhabi Global Health Week Footer

During the upcoming Abu Dhabi Global Health Week (ADGHW), a global initiative aimed at advancing longevity science and precision medicine will be released, expected to set a new standard for international collaboration, innovation, and investment in next-gen medical technologies.

The initiative is designed to drive the widespread adoption of personalised healthcare approaches and promote research into extending healthy lifespans. This call to action comes at a pivotal moment, as global life expectancy has more than doubled to 71 years, yet the gap between healthspan and lifespan has widened to 9.6 years, meaning many people spend nearly a decade of their lives in poor health as a result of chronic diseases.

Speaking ahead of the event, H.E. Mansoor Ibrahim Al Mansoori, Chairman of DoH stated "We are delivering personalised and preventive health solutions that empower people to live longer, healthier, and more fulfilling lives. Because health knows no boundaries, we are inviting the world to co-create the next era of health, underpinned by collaboration, driven by data and transformative technology such as AI. From Abu Dhabi to the world, we are building an intelligent, integrated health system that scales globally and serves locally."

With world-class research institutions, strategic investments, and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven medical advancements, Abu Dhabi is transforming the healthcare industry by advancing research, enabling strategic global partnerships, and ensuring equitable access to healthy life-extending medical innovations. The emirate's focus on AI-powered medical research is enhancing disease prediction and precision therapeutics, further solidifying its position as a leader in healthcare innovation.

This global leadership is built on a foundation of concrete action. Abu Dhabi's commitment to healthy longevity is already translating into impact. The emirate recently licensed the Institute for Healthier Living Abu Dhabi (IHLAD) as the world's first Healthy Longevity Medicine Centre, offering AI-enabled, personalised care to extend healthy lifespan, manage chronic diseases, and support mental well-being and lifestyle transformation. This was followed by the launch of the Healthy Longevity Innovation Forum and the introduction of the region's first regulatory framework for longevity-focused medical centressetting a new benchmark for healthcare governance. Together with initiatives like the Healthy Longevity Symposium hosted by the Khalifa University and a growing network of global research partnerships, these efforts firmly position Abu Dhabi at the forefront of reimagining how societies approach aging, prevention, and extended health spans. The initiative, developed with and for the world, will create a roadmap that advances AI-powered diagnostics, genomics-based healthcare, and personalised treatment strategies, ensuring more people can benefit from extended healthy lifespans.

Key highlights to expect:

Launch of a global consensus document on longevity and precision medicine Commitments from international stakeholders to advance AI-driven healthcare solutions Frameworks for integrating genomics-based approaches into mainstream medical practice Policy recommendations and regulatory pathways to facilitate longevity innovation Global strategies for ethical, equitable, and responsible medical advancements

The initiative will be a highlight of ADGHW, scheduled to take place from 15  17 April 2025. The three-day event provides a platform to exchange insights, address critical healthcare challenges, and build partnerships that drive meaningful progress in global health and well-being. The event is expected to attract more than 200 speakers, 15,000 visitors, 1,900 delegates and 150 exhibitors from 90 countries.

Further details regarding the initiative will be announced at ADGHW.

ADGHW is a major government initiative from DoH and serves as a platform for innovation and collaboration under the theme 'Towards Longevity: Redefining Health and Well-being.' It places a strong emphasis on community-driven health and well-being, with a proactive approach centred around preventive, personalised, and holistic care.

Four core themes will guide discussions and initiatives: Longevity and Precision Health; Health System Resilience & Sustainability; Digital Health & AI; and Investment in Life Sciences. By convening diverse stakeholders from around the world, ADGHW is a community without borders that seeks to advance the future of health and well-being.

About Abu Dhabi Global Health Week:

Abu Dhabi Global Health Week (ADGHW) is a major government-led initiative by the Department of Health  Abu Dhabi (DoH). It drives transformative innovation and collaboration under the theme 'Towards Longevity: Redefining Health and Well-being'. ADGHW serves as a year-round 'always-on' platform with a proactive approach centred around preventive, personalised, and holistic care. Held with and for the world, ADGHW is a platform for open, inclusive exchange, and joint action.

ADGHW welcomes entrepreneurs, policymakers, researchers, innovators, and investors to transform ideas into action, and collaborate around topics like advancing precision care and building a resilient technology-driven ecosystem. ADGHW 2025 proudly collaborates with key strategic partners, including Foundation Partner, M42 and Global Health and Longevity Champion, PureHealth. Additional exhibitors and sponsors include Burjeel, GSK, Johnson & Johnson, Lilly, Microsoft, Novo Nordisk, Viatris, Novartis, Roche, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Deloitte, Gilead, Juvenescence, NYU Abu Dhabi and Pfizer, united in their commitment to advancing the future of healthcare and life sciences.

For more information on ADGHW, visit https://www.adghw.com/

For media registration visit, https://www.adghw.com/forms/media-registration/

For ADGHW media inquiries or interview opportunities, please contact:

Maroun Farah, Senior Media Relations Manager, Weber Shandwick

E: [email protected]

T: +971 55 166 2557

About the Department of Health  Abu Dhabi (DoH):

The DoH is the regulatory body of the healthcare sector at the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and ensures excellence in healthcare by monitoring the health status of the population. DoH defines the strategy for the health system, monitors and analyses the health status of the population and performance of the system. In addition, DoH shapes the regulatory framework for the health system, inspects against regulations, enforces standards, and encourages adoption of world-class best practices and performance targets by all healthcare service providers in the Emirate. DoH also drives programmes to increase awareness and adoption of healthy living standards among the residents of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi in addition to regulating scope of services, premiums and reimbursement rates of the health system. For further information on DOH, visit https://www.doh.gov.ae/ and follow on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube.

For DoH media inquiries, please contact: Mariam Al Marzooqi

[email protected],

+971 50 536 6660

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SOURCE Abu Dhabi Global Health Week (ADGHW)
UVALDE, Texas, April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Lyte Fiber, LLC ("Lyte") is proud to announce plans to launch a next-generation, multi-gigabit regional fiber network anchored by an initial buildout in Uvalde, Texas.

Lyte, a Texas-based company, is investing nearly $10 million to bring its resilient, high-speed technology to Uvalde  marking a major step forward in enhancing the city's digital infrastructure.

"I want to thank Lyte Fiber for its investment in our community and support in bringing a competitive source of high-tech internet service to our citizens," said Mayor Hector Luevano. "The services provided by Lyte will undoubtedly be of great value and benefit to Uvalde and our neighboring communities."

Construction in Uvalde is beginning in April, with the first customers expected to be online early this summer. In the initial phase, Lyte will connect over 6,500 homes and businesses, installing around 90 miles of fiber optic cable throughout the city.

"We're not just building a network  as fellow Texans we're proud to be investing in Uvalde's future," said Lyte CEO Carter Old. "Our mission is to deliver fast, dependable internet designed to grow with the community for decades to come. Uvalde deserves the best, and that's what we're here to build."

Uvalde serves as a central hub in Lyte's broader effort to expand broadband access across South Texas. The company is investing an additional $9+ million to build fiber networks in Carrizo Springs, Crystal City, and Pearsall. This regional initiative showcases Lyte's long-term commitment to transforming connectivity in the area with next-generation infrastructure.

What distinguishes Lyte is its fiber-ringed network architecture with backup power supplied to every cabinet. This design guarantees robust, reliable, and redundant service that provides multi-gigabit speeds, ensuring communities like Uvalde and others stay connected when it matters most.

Construction to the nearly 8,000 homes and businesses throughout Carrizo Springs, Pearsall and Crystal City will begin by early summer, with residents in those communities expected to come online by later in the summer.

In addition to expanding internet access, Lyte is pledging 1 percent of its annual profits to support local nonprofits, youth programs, and community initiatives.

"Uvalde is a strong and resilient place  we see that spirit and want to be a part of it," Old said. "We're here to deliver more than just broadband. We're here to build lasting relationships that support this community's and the greater region's success."

For more information or to sign up for service, visit www.lytefiber.com or call 888-GET-LYTE (888-438-5983).

About Lyte Fiber

Founded in 2023 in Houston, Texas, Lyte Fiber is dedicated to providing the fastest and most reliable home and business fiber optic internet to communities across Texas and beyond. Formed in partnership with SDC Capital Partners, a leading digital infrastructure investment firm, Lyte was started by internet industry veterans passionate about offering a best-in-class customer experience, building a great workplace, and connecting Texas communities. As part of its commitment to each community it serves, Lyte pledges a 1 percent giveback to local charities and causes annually. For more information, visit www.lytefiber.com.

SOURCE Lyte Fiber
Diamond Certified Resource announces the delivery of the 2025 Diamond Certified Directories, which feature in-depth rating profiles of top rated local companies throughout the Greater San Francisco Bay Area.

PETALUMA, Calif., April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Diamond Certified Resource has started mailing the 2025 Diamond Certified Directory to 820,000 quality-seeking homeowners, select local business owners, property and apartment managers, and insurance and real estate agents throughout the Greater San Francisco Bay Area.

There are nine unique editions: Sonoma County, Marin County, San Francisco, Alameda County, Contra Costa County, Santa Clara County, San Mateo County, Solano/Napa Counties, and Monterey/San Benito/Santa Cruz Counties.

The 2025 Diamond Certified Directory features in-depth rating profiles of top rated local companies throughout the Greater San Francisco Bay Area.

Quality-seeking consumers love using the annual Diamond Certified Directory to find top rated companies in their local areas. There are over 150 local service industries represented in the directory, including auto repair, dentistry, remodeling, landscaping, roofing, plumbing, eye care, electrical, pest control, solar, HVAC, painting and much more.

Each Diamond Certified company is represented with a full-page profile that includes a researched article and business philosophy, a capabilities table with key information, graphical depictions of actual rating results, and verbatim survey responses from real customers.

The Unique Diamond Certified Rating Process

Only companies that score Highest in Quality and Helpful Expertise earn Diamond Certified and are profiled within the popular directory of top rated local companies, which is now in its 22nd year of annual printing. What really separates Diamond Certified ratings from all others is that a large, random sample of each company's customers are surveyed by phone to get the most accurate ratings and verify only real customers are responding. By surveying from a company's entire customer base, Diamond Certified Resource ensures that every company's research results truly represent its customer satisfaction level. And each Diamond Certified company is backed by mediation and the Diamond Certified Performance Guarantee.

Diamond Certified Resource has 181,000 Diamond Certified Preferred Members (always free) who, in addition to getting the annual Diamond Certified Directory print edition delivered to their mailboxes, get these great benefits: a member hotline to talk to a real local person for help, a double Diamond Certified Performance Guarantee, exclusive digital downloads and more. Membership is always free and quality seekers who love quality local companies can join on the home page of www.diamondcertified.org by selecting "Get your FREE Diamond Certified Directory here."

Diamond Certified Resource's ratings are based on scientific research and focused on proving quality and expertise. Unfortunately, many crowd-sourced review sites are plagued with fake, manipulated, cherry-picked, and non-customer reviews that produce inaccurate and often inflated rating scores. That's why the Diamond Certified Directory has become such an important resource over the last 20-plus years. It's designed for those who care about quality work done by companies that prioritize Quality and Helpful Expertise.

Founder and CEO Greg Louie credits much of the Diamond Certified Directory's success to its physical presence in an increasingly digital world. "People love our blue directories because they can hold them in their hands, turn pages and find local companies that are great to do business with," he says. "The gold-embossed Diamond Certified seal on the cover is a powerful signal of the quality local companies that are presented inside."

Quality-seeking consumers use the Diamond Certified Directory to find top rated companies for a wide variety of auto, home, health and professional projects. "When I need a company, I look at the Diamond Certified Directory before anything else," affirms Rosanna Papageorge, a Diamond Certified Preferred Member. "I don't have to sift through lists of different services or randomly look through the internetthese are quality companies."

Many Diamond Certified companies see an immediate increase in calling activity when the Diamond Certified Directory is released each year, which translates to more business transactions. "We often hear from customers who found us through the Diamond Certified Directory, and those opportunities may have never come up [otherwise]," says Darcy Quinn, owner of A and P Moving, Inc. "Diamond Certified gives us the opportunity to get in front of customers who have a greater appreciation for hiring a quality local company."

Diamond Certified Resource recently produced a video about the 2025 Diamond Certified Directory that's currently rotating on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram. The video features helpful information about navigating the directory's many features and includes a QR code for viewers who want to order a free copy.

To order a free copy of the Diamond Certified Directory in your area, visit www.diamondcertified.org.

It's easy to find top rated companies in the San Francisco Bay Area and Other Areas on Diamond Certified Resource.

Alameda County

Contra Costa County

Fresno County

Los Angeles County

Marin County

Monterey County

Napa County

Orange County

Placer County

Sacramento County

San Benito County

San Francisco

San Joaquin County

San Mateo County

Santa Clara County

Santa Cruz County

Solano County

Sonoma County

Yolo County

Yuba County

About American Ratings Corporation

American Ratings Corporation (ARC), the creator of Diamond Certified Resource, the source for consumers who love quality local companies, rates local companies by surveying only their verified real customers to produce the country's most accurate ratings of local companies. It also creates deeply researched company reports and consumer guides that give consumers the best companies plus the best advice for choosing a local Auto, Home, Health or Personal service type of company.

Only companies rated Highest in Quality and Helpful Expertise earn Diamond Certified and are backed by their Performance Guarantee. All their deeply researched reports and guides are available for free at diamondcertified.org. They also produce an annual, full-color, printed Diamond Certified Directory with 840,000 copies published in 9 geographic zones in the Greater San Francisco Bay Area. Each April, these are mailed for free to their 182,000 Diamond Certified Preferred Members and selected homeowners and companies.

SOURCE American Ratings Corporation
$11.7 billion Merit continues to grow, recently completing its thirty-fourth acquisition

ATLANTA, April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Merit Financial Advisors ("Merit"), a Georgia-based financial advisory firm that specializes in financial planning and wealth management solutions for high-net-worth individuals and families and those navigating life transitions, announced today it has joined Fidelity's Wealth Advisor Solutions ("WAS") program .

"Merit is honored to join Fidelity's WAS program. With our expanding national footprint and dedication to exceptional service, we look forward to the opportunity to support Fidelity's retail clients," said Rick Kent, Founder and CEO of Merit.

Through WAS, Fidelity will introduce high-quality prospective clients who are looking for personalized services to Merit advisors. Merit has custodied with Fidelity since 2016.

"We're thrilled to expand our relationship with Fidelity," said Kay Lynn Mayhue, President of Merit. "Joining the WAS program and providing financial advice to Fidelity's retail client base will help accelerate Merit's mission of enriching the lives of those we serve."

Earlier this month, Merit completed its second-largest acquisition to date when it partnered with Sanctuary Wealth Management. The acquisition established the firm's presence in Idaho and increased its assets by $1.6 billion. This is Merit's thirty-fourth acquisition since taking a minority investment in December 2020 from Wealth Partners Capital Group ("WPCG") and a group of strategic investors led by HGGC's Aspire Holdings platform.

About Merit Financial Advisors

Merit Financial Group, LLC, doing business as Merit Financial Advisors ("Merit"), is a national wealth management firm that supports both the independent broker-dealer and RIA models. Merit exists to enrich the lives of those they serve, and its mission is to revolutionize the client experience by building the RIA of the future. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Merit has over 40 offices throughout the U.S. and managed $12.27 billion in assets as of December 31, 2024 ($9.9 billion in advisory, $2.05 billion in brokerage assets, and $332 million in assets under advisement). For more information, please visit www.meritfinancialadvisors.com . Investment advice offered through Merit Financial Group, LLC, an SEC registered investment adviser.

About Wealth Partners Capital Group

Wealth Partners Capital Group (WPCG) is a financial services holding company, which invests in and partners with select leading wealth management firms. WPCG assists its partner firms by identifying and integrating like-minded wealth advisers who seek access to expanded business capabilities, strategic growth and/or customized transition solutions. For more information, please visit www.wealthpcg.com .

About HGGC

HGGC is a values-driven, partnership-focused private investment firm. The firm's ecosystem of investors, operators, and professionals are united by the shared mission to develop leading enterprises and build long-term value together. HGGC invests in technology, business services, financial services and consumer enterprises generally valued between $200M  $1.5B+. The firm is based in Palo Alto, CA and manages over $6.9 billion in cumulative capital commitments. Since its inception in 2007, HGGC has completed more than 700 platform investments, add-on acquisitions, recapitalizations, and liquidity events with an aggregate transaction value of over $80 billion. HGGC makes investments in RIAs via its Aspire Holdings platform, which is targeting $300 million of total investment in the space. More information, including a complete list of current and former investments, please visit www.hggc.com .

SOURCE Merit Financial Advisors
Victorian drivers caught breaking the law will soon receive an instant electronic fines before they've even reached their destination.

Drivers in Victoria caught breaking the law will soon receive an electronic on-the-spot fine instead of a paper infringement. Source: Getty

Millions of drivers will need to be on alert after one Aussie state revealed it will soon be handing out electronic on-the-spot fines to those caught breaking the road rules.

The new technology being rolled out across Victoria allows police to issue roadside infringements via email or text message through an app on their mobile phone, which also provides information about a drivers history, penalty amounts, demerit points and due dates.

When stopped by an officer, a driver will be asked to provide their email address or phone number to receive the electronic penalty infringement notice (ePIN) immediately. It means drivers will have their fine before they've even reached their destination.

Given Victoria Police typically issues about 350,000 roadside paper infringements every year, the technology  which is expected to be rolled out across the force by June  will free up more officers for other tasks, authorities said.

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The ePINs application simplifies the process for our police and members of the community, making it quicker and easier to issue and receive infringement notices, Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Wendy Steendam said.

Reducing the time required for police to complete paper-based administration means we can dedicate more time to policing and community safety.

Victoria Police said anyone caught providing a false email or phone number to an officer will be caught. Source: Getty

The move comes roughly one year after the state urged its more than four million road users to download a digital version of their drivers licence.

With Victoria now introducing digital licences and a lot of traditional paperwork now digital, introducing electronic infringements is a natural and timely progression for the force, Steendam added.

However, the project hasnt gone off without a hitch. The BPAY option has been temporarily withdrawn after 2,000 fines were sent out during the trial with the wrong payment address, The Herald Sun reports.

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Drivers warned against providing false details to police

The digital on-the-spot fines were trialled by the State Highway Patrol from early February until Monday, during which 5,143 ePINs were issued. Drivers will still be given 28 days to either pay or object to the infringement.

Paper infringements will still be mailed out if a driver does not want to provide an email or phone number, or they doesnt possess them, or if the officer suspects they are lying.

Police Minister Anthony Carbines warned those who are caught bending the truth will be caught. Its actually an offence for anyone to provide false information to police, he told The Herald Sun. Theyll use their body-worn cameras when theyre having an engagement with the member of the public.

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If misinformation is given, then it will obviously bounce back, and it will then be issued to the residential address that we have associated with their licence.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
The awards, organised in collaboration with B Lab Spain and GSMA Foundry, recognise technological projects with a sustainable vision

The 17 finalists, selected among 157 candidates, will gather on the 12th of June in Barcelona to discover the winners of this first edition of the MWCapital Awards

BARCELONA, Spain, April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Mobile World Capital Barcelona (MWCapital), in collaboration with B Lab Spain and GSMA Foundry, has announced the 17 finalist projects for the first edition of the 'MWCapital Awards: Technologies for a Sustainable Future'. This new awards programme recognises the most innovative projects that leverage technology to drive the transition towards a more sustainable and inclusive future. Aligned with the United Nations' 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the initiative celebrates creativity, innovation, and tangible impact  supporting a responsible and global digital transformation. The winners will be revealed during a dedicated ceremony on 12 June at Torre Glories, Barcelona.

MWCapital Awards

The call for entries, which closed in March, attracted 157 applications from 34 countries, reflecting strong global interest in technology solutions with social and environmental impact. The finalists, from 11 countries, represent a wide range of actors including startups, corporations, public institutions, non-profit organisations, and research or academic bodies.

From advancing energy sustainability to protecting biodiversity, early disease detection, and combating misinformation, the finalist projects reflect a strong commitment to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. By leveraging technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, big data, nanotechnology, and the Internet of Things, these solutions demonstrate the power of digital transformation in building a more resilient and equitable world.

AI for Selective Fishing ( Spain )  Satlink's an AI-enhanced device that enables sustainable fishing by differentiating tuna species under Fish Aggregating Devices. (SDG 14 - Life Below Water)

( )  Satlink's an AI-enhanced device that enables sustainable fishing by differentiating tuna species under Fish Aggregating Devices. (SDG 14 - Life Below Water) BraiN20 ( Spain )  Time is Brain S.L. is a real-time brain monitoring device revolutionizes stroke care with continuous functional data. (SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-Being)

( )  Time is Brain S.L. is a real-time brain monitoring device revolutionizes stroke care with continuous functional data. (SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-Being) Data-Driven City for Citizens ( Finland )  Tampere's smart city initiative integrates AI and digital twins to enhance urban sustainability and citizen participation. (SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities)

( )  smart city initiative integrates AI and digital twins to enhance urban sustainability and citizen participation. (SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities) Embrace the Forest ( Brazil )  Umgrauemeio's wildfire management software, Pantera, leverages AI for prevention, detection, and impact analysis to mitigate CO2 emissions. (SDG 13 - Climate Action)

( )  Umgrauemeio's wildfire management software, Pantera, leverages AI for prevention, detection, and impact analysis to mitigate CO2 emissions. (SDG 13 - Climate Action) Gov.pt - Portuguese Digital Wallet ( Portugal )  It is a national app that digitizes official documents and streamlines access to public services. (SDG 16 - Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions)

- ( )  It is a national app that digitizes official documents and streamlines access to public services. (SDG 16 - Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) H2SAREA ( Spain )  Nortegas' project integrates green hydrogen into natural gas networks, contributing to decarbonization and climate neutrality. (SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure)

( )  Nortegas' project integrates green hydrogen into natural gas networks, contributing to decarbonization and climate neutrality. (SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) Julieta ( Colombia )  Developed by Salva Health S.A.S, this AI-powered, portable device enables early disease detection without radiation or specialized personnel, making healthcare more accessible in underserved regions. (SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-Being)

( )  Developed by Salva Health S.A.S, this AI-powered, portable device enables early disease detection without radiation or specialized personnel, making healthcare more accessible in underserved regions. (SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-Being) Kyiv Digital ( Ukraine )  The Kyiv City Council's smart city app enhances urban services and citizen safety. (SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities)

( )  The Kyiv City Council's smart city app enhances urban services and citizen safety. (SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities) Luchando contra la desinformacion ( Spain )  Universidad Politecnica de Madrid offers an AI-powered tool that combats misinformation, supporting journalists, fact-checkers, and public institutions. (SDG 4 - Quality Education)

( )  Universidad Politecnica de offers an AI-powered tool that combats misinformation, supporting journalists, fact-checkers, and public institutions. (SDG 4 - Quality Education) Natura 2000 Passport ( Portugal )  Palombar's initiative raises awareness about biodiversity preservation within the Natura 2000 network. (SDG 15 - Life on Land)

( )  Palombar's initiative raises awareness about biodiversity preservation within the Natura 2000 network. (SDG 15 - Life on Land) Nut4Health ( Mauritania )  SIC4Change's blockchain-driven initiative fights malnutrition, supporting thousands of vulnerable families and aiming for global expansion. (SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-Being)

( )  SIC4Change's blockchain-driven initiative fights malnutrition, supporting thousands of vulnerable families and aiming for global expansion. (SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-Being) PDApp ( Spain )  Fundacio Espigoladors' digital platform streamlines agri-food surplus management, reducing food waste and supporting circular economy principles. (SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production)

( )  Fundacio Espigoladors' digital platform streamlines agri-food surplus management, reducing food waste and supporting circular economy principles. (SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production) Saving Norway's Endangered Atlantic Salmon ( Norway )  Huawei's AI-powered system sorts invasive species from rivers to protect the Atlantic salmon population. (SDG 14 - Life Below Water)

( )  Huawei's AI-powered system sorts invasive species from rivers to protect the Atlantic salmon population. (SDG 14 - Life Below Water) SIMPaCT ( Australia )  Western Sydney University's IoT-driven smart irrigation system optimizes urban cooling and water efficiency. (SDG 13 - Climate Action)

( )  Western IoT-driven smart irrigation system optimizes urban cooling and water efficiency. (SDG 13 - Climate Action) Tecnologia con Proposito ( Spain )  Samsung Electronics Iberia's AI-driven accessibility initiatives support individuals with ALS, ASD, and speech disorders. (SDG 10 - Reduced Inequalities)

( )  Samsung Electronics Iberia's AI-driven accessibility initiatives support individuals with ALS, ASD, and speech disorders. (SDG 10 - Reduced Inequalities) Victoria, Vaso Linfatico Artificial ( Mexico )  Universidad Panamericana's nanotechnology-based implant addresses secondary lymphedema in breast cancer patients. (SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-Being)

( )  nanotechnology-based implant addresses secondary lymphedema in breast cancer patients. (SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-Being) Xworks AI ( United Kingdom )  Uses AI to transform waste into valuable secondary raw materials, advancing circular economy goals. (SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production)

MWCapital Awards Jury and Evaluation Process

During the next phase a jury of national and international experts in sustainability, technology, and social innovation will evaluate the 17 shortlisted projects to select one winner per category, plus the Barcelona Horizon Award.

Among the experts participating in this first edition are John Hoffman, CEO of GSMA Ltd.; Irene Kaggwa, Director General of the Uganda Communications Commission and representative of ITU's GIGA initiative; Antonio Torralba, professor at MIT; and Xavier Sala i Martin, Professor at Columbia University.

The panel also includes Lucas Hunter, Interim Executive Director at B Lab Spain; Carlos Mataix, Director of the Innovation and Technology for Development Centre at Universidad Politecnica de Madrid; Pilar Roch, General Director of AMETIC and Xavi Pont Martin, co-founder of Ship2B, among others. Public administrations and the foundation's founding partners will also take part in the evaluation panel.

This diverse and multidisciplinary group ensures a robust evaluation process, considering the innovation, scalability, and potential for real-world impact of each project. The six winners will be selected based on their ability to leverage technology to address social and environmental challenges aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Among the six selected winners, one project will be awarded up to 50,000 to pilot its solution in Barcelona, based on its potential for local impact in the city.

A platform for global visibility and collaboration

The MWCapital Awards ceremony will take place on 12 June 2025 in Torre Glories, Barcelona. During the event, the six winning projects will be announced, recognised for their level of innovation and their ability to drive positive change through technology.

Winners will have the opportunity to present their solutions at MWC26 Barcelona, gaining international visibility and access to strategic partnerships, funding, and collaboration opportunities. Additionally, the special prize "Barcelona Horizon Award" highlights the tangible impact of the MWCapital Awards within the city, where the winning project will implement the pilot. With this initiative, MWCapital aims to inspire a global movement around responsible innovation and strengthen Barcelona's role as a hub for technology with impact.

About Mobile World Capital Barcelona

Mobile World Capital Barcelona is a public-private foundation that promotes the digital development of society to build a more inclusive, equitable and sustainable future through the humanistic use of technology. MWCapital contributes to positioning Barcelona as a global benchmark in the digital field and to consolidating MWC's legacy throughout the year, promoting initiatives in the field of technology transfer, the promotion of digital talent, and the development of innovative technological projects with social impact. MWCapital hosts MWC in Barcelona, is the founder of 4YFN and connects the international community of developers with the Talent Arena Project.

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2660889/MWCapital_Awards.jpg

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2289657/Mobile_World_Capital_Barcelona_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Mobile World Capital Barcelona
Complimentary Launch Party on May 9 to Showcase New Treatment

REMSEN, Iowa, April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- If you are looking for the latest treatment for depression without medication, pain, or downtime, Modified Wellness Center in Remsen is the first center in the Sioux City, Iowa area to offer EXOMIND, a noninvasive brain stimulation treatment to improve mental health and emotional wellbeing.

Modified Wellness is a premier wellness center in Remsen, offering a comprehensive range of services to enhance your personal wellness journey, whether it's for burning fat, building muscle, incontinence, IV hydration, aesthetics, or overall health.

EXOMIND is leading-edge therapy that treats symptoms of depression and other mental health issues

With EXOMIND, the applicator is placed on the head and uses magnetic pulses to stimulate or suppress brain activity. To maximize results, doctors recommend a treatment twice a week for three weeks.

"EXOMIND strengthens the brain's ability to adapt and reorganize itself leading to elevated mood, renewed motivation and greater emotional resilience," said Jade Bunkers-Groh, RN, certified nurse and founder of Modified Wellness.

"The device has many other benefits as well," says Merritt Groh, PA-C, physician assistant and Medical Director of Modified Wellness, who has a 15-year background working in emergency rooms. "Research shows that 100 percent of patients experienced reduced food cravings and, on average, reported a four-to-five-pound weight loss after six treatments."

In addition to EXOMIND, Modified Wellness provides patients with cutting-edge technologies to enhance physical wellness. Emsculpt NEO uses muscle activation and heat to burn up to 30 percent fat and build up to 25 percent muscle in hard-to-treat areas, including the abdomen, buttocks, arms and thighs. Modified Wellness also offers Emface, a non-invasive muscle activation treatment that boosts collagen production and tightens facial skin.

EMSELLA is a device using muscle activation to strengthen the pelvic floor. Patients sit fully clothed in the EMSELLA chair for 28-minute treatment sessions. The procedure has a 98% patient satisfaction rate for restoring bladder function, enabling them to enjoy daily activities without concern of leakage.

To celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month in May, Modified Wellness is offering an EXOMIND launch party on Friday, May 9, 12-5 p.m., at 145 S. Washington St. Remsen, IA. Attendees can demo EXOMIND and other technologies as well as enjoy refreshments, raffle prizes, and elite pricing TO RSVP: call or text: 712-541-7112.

www.modifiedwellness.biz

Facebook: Modified Wellness

Instagram: @wellnessmodified

SOURCE Modified Wellness
Equity investment into Kimmeridge's SoTex HoldCo marks Mubadala Energy's U.S. market entry and ambitious expansion strategy

Kimmeridge's highly scalable upstream gas and LNG business comprises currently producing upstream gas assets and a pre-FID LNG project

ABU DHABI, UAE and NEW YORK and HOUSTON, April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Mubadala Energy, the Abu Dhabi headquartered international energy company, has today signed an agreement with Kimmeridge, the energy-focused alternative asset manager, to acquire a 24.1% interest in Kimmeridge's SoTex HoldCo LLC ("SoTex"), via the issuance of new equity.

Mubadala Energy Enters Major U.S. Upstream Gas and LNG Operation with Kimmeridge

SoTex holds two portfolio companies: Kimmeridge Texas Gas, which operates an upstream unconventional gas business in the Eagle Ford in South Texas, and Commonwealth LNG, which owns the 9.3 million metric tons per year (MTPA) pre-FID LNG liquefaction and export facility strategically located at the mouth of the Calcasieu Pass in Louisiana. Through SoTex, Kimmeridge is building America's first integrated gas independent to deliver low-cost natural gas from wellhead to water and meet burgeoning demand for responsibly-produced LNG across global markets.

Kimmeridge Texas Gas' current net production is over 500 MMcfe/d which is expected to grow organically to 1.5 Bcfe/d by 2031, while Commonwealth LNG is finalizing key pre-FID workstreams ahead of taking FID later this year with first offtake from the LNG plant planned for 2029.

Dr Bakheet Al Katheeri, Chairman of the Mubadala Energy Board and Chief Executive Officer, UAE Investments Platform, Mubadala Investment Company, commented: "Through this partnership and our entry into the U.S., we are to further build on our leading role in building energy champions that deepen our position in the global economy. We are delighted that Mubadala Energy has finalized this equity investment with Kimmeridge to enable the development of key gas projects in the U.S. Gulf Coast. As the company's first major investment in the U.S., this transaction positions Mubadala Energy for accelerated growth across the gas value chain in one of the world's most important and attractive energy hubs."

Marking Mubadala Energy's entry into the U.S. market, this significant equity investment is an important moment in Mubadala Energy's international expansion. It bolsters the company's ambitious growth plans to invest across the gas value chain in key energy hubs around the world and acts as a major addition to its existing global gas portfolio. Moreover, with the company's goal of playing a proactive role in the energy transition by supporting major gas projects as a bridge to a lower carbon energy future, this investment is in line with the UAE's 2050 net zero ambition.

Commenting on the investment, Mansoor Mohamed Al Hamed, Managing Director and CEO, Mubadala Energy, said: "As our first major investment in the U.S. this transaction offers a significant platform for future growth in one of the world's most important energy hubs. The investment also highlights our strong position to accelerate our expansion across the gas value chain and build on our strategic international portfolio. We're excited about the long-term opportunities this partnership offers, in line with our strategy to play a proactive role in the energy transition and grow our global gas portfolio."

Ben Dell, Managing Partner of Kimmeridge, added: "Mubadala's investment and unwavering support represent a significant milestone in the realization of our wellhead-to-water strategy, accelerating Commonwealth LNG's path to Final Investment Decision. We extend our sincere gratitude to the Mubadala Energy team for their invaluable partnership and collaboration as we work together to drive energy innovation and accelerate the transition to a cleaner, more sustainable energy future."

With U.S. LNG supply expected to grow to approximately 33% of the global market by 2050*, this investment is a strategic play in one of the world's most important gas hubs. In addition, world class infrastructure and a highly liquid M&A market ensure attractive long-term prospects in the region, supported by energy demand trends in areas such as AI data center development.

The transaction is subject to customary regulatory filings and approvals before closing.

Notes to Editor

*Wood Mackenzie data

About Mubadala Energy:

Mubadala Energy is an international energy company, headquartered in Abu Dhabi. With a diversified portfolio of operated and non-operated assets spanning 11 countries, its primary geographic focus is in the Middle East and North Africa, Russia and Southeast Asia.

Mubadala Energy is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mubadala Investment Company, which is owned by the Government of Abu Dhabi. The company's portfolio is around 70 per cent gas, with an average working interest production of approximately 370,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day.

In line with Mubadala Energy's commitment to play an active role in the energy transition, the company is expanding across the gas value chain and actively pursuing opportunities in new energy sectors.

For more information, please visit www.mubadalaenergy.com

About Kimmeridge

Founded in 2012 by Ben Dell, Dr. Neil McMahon and Henry Makansi, Kimmeridge is an alternative asset manager focused on the energy sector. The firm is differentiated by its direct investment approach, deep technical knowledge, active portfolio management, proprietary research and data gathering.

For more information, please visit www.Kimmeridge.com

Media Contacts:

Kimmeridge:

U.S.

Daniel Yunger / Hallie Wolff / Emma Cloyd

[email protected]

917.574.8582 / 917.842.1127

Middle East

[email protected]

Mubadala Energy:

UAE: Paul Slinger, Head of Communications, [email protected], Farah Al Shamaa, [email protected], Bobbie Davies, [email protected]

US: [email protected]

SOURCE Kimmeridge
Equity investment into Kimmeridge's SoTex HoldCo marks Mubadala Energy's U.S. market entry and ambitious expansion strategy

Kimmeridge's highly scalable upstream gas and LNG business comprises currently producing upstream gas assets and a pre-FID LNG project

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates, NEW YORK and HOUSTON, April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Mubadala Energy, the Abu Dhabi headquartered international energy company, has today signed an agreement with Kimmeridge, the energy-focused alternative asset manager, to acquire a 24.1% interest in Kimmeridge's SoTex HoldCo LLC ("SoTex"), via the issuance of new equity.

Mubadala Energy Logo Mubadala Energy Enters Major U.S. Upstream Gas and LNG Operation with Kimmeridge Kimmeridge Logo

SoTex holds two portfolio companies: Kimmeridge Texas Gas, which operates an upstream unconventional gas business in the Eagle Ford in South Texas, and Commonwealth LNG, which owns the 9.3 million metric tons per year (MTPA) pre-FID LNG liquefaction and export facility strategically located at the mouth of the Calcasieu Pass in Louisiana. Through SoTex, Kimmeridge is building America's first integrated gas independent to deliver low-cost natural gas from wellhead to water and meet burgeoning demand for responsibly-produced LNG across global markets.

Kimmeridge Texas Gas' current net production is over 500 MMcfe/d which is expected to grow organically to 1.5 Bcfe/d by 2031, while Commonwealth LNG is finalizing key pre-FID workstreams ahead of taking FID later this year with first offtake from the LNG plant planned for 2029.

Dr Bakheet Al Katheeri, Chairman of the Mubadala Energy Board and Chief Executive Officer, UAE Investments Platform, Mubadala Investment Company, commented: "Through this partnership and our entry into the U.S., we are to further build on our leading role in building energy champions that deepen our position in the global economy. We are delighted that Mubadala Energy has finalized this equity investment with Kimmeridge to enable the development of key gas projects in the U.S. Gulf Coast. As the company's first major investment in the U.S., this transaction positions Mubadala Energy for accelerated growth across the gas value chain in one of the world's most important and attractive energy hubs."

Marking Mubadala Energy's entry into the U.S. market, this significant equity investment is an important moment in Mubadala Energy's international expansion. It bolsters the company's ambitious growth plans to invest across the gas value chain in key energy hubs around the world and acts as a major addition to its existing global gas portfolio. Moreover, with the company's goal of playing a proactive role in the energy transition by supporting major gas projects as a bridge to a lower carbon energy future, this investment is in line with the UAE's 2050 net zero ambition.

Commenting on the investment, Mansoor Mohamed Al Hamed, Managing Director and CEO, Mubadala Energy, said: "As our first major investment in the U.S. this transaction offers a significant platform for future growth in one of the world's most important energy hubs. The investment also highlights our strong position to accelerate our expansion across the gas value chain and build on our strategic international portfolio. We're excited about the long-term opportunities this partnership offers, in line with our strategy to play a proactive role in the energy transition and grow our global gas portfolio."

Ben Dell, Managing Partner of Kimmeridge, added: "Mubadala's investment and unwavering support represent a significant milestone in the realization of our wellhead-to-water strategy, accelerating Commonwealth LNG's path to Final Investment Decision. We extend our sincere gratitude to the Mubadala Energy team for their invaluable partnership and collaboration as we work together to drive energy innovation and accelerate the transition to a cleaner, more sustainable energy future."

With U.S. LNG supply expected to grow to approximately 33% of the global market by 2050*, this investment is a strategic play in one of the world's most important gas hubs. In addition, world class infrastructure and a highly liquid M&A market ensure attractive long-term prospects in the region, supported by energy demand trends in areas such as AI data center development.

The transaction is subject to customary regulatory filings and approvals before closing.

Notes to Editor

*Wood Mackenzie data

About Mubadala Energy:

Mubadala Energy is an international energy company, headquartered in Abu Dhabi. With a diversified portfolio of operated and non-operated assets spanning 11 countries, its primary geographic focus is in the Middle East and North Africa, Russia and Southeast Asia.

Mubadala Energy is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mubadala Investment Company, which is owned by the Government of Abu Dhabi. The company's portfolio is around 70 per cent gas, with an average working interest production of approximately 370,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day.

In line with Mubadala Energy's commitment to play an active role in the energy transition, the company is expanding across the gas value chain and actively pursuing opportunities in new energy sectors.

For more information, please visit www.mubadalaenergy.com

About Kimmeridge

Founded in 2012 by Ben Dell, Dr. Neil McMahon and Henry Makansi, Kimmeridge is an alternative asset manager focused on the energy sector. The firm is differentiated by its direct investment approach, deep technical knowledge, active portfolio management, proprietary research and data gathering.

For more information, please visit www.Kimmeridge.com

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2661995/Mubadala_Energy_Kimmeridge.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2661996/Mubadala_Energy_Logo.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2662043/Kimmeridge_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Mubadala Energy
FAIRFAX, Va. and PALO ALTO, Calif., April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- QBurst has announced the appointment of Arun Kumar Ramchandran ("Rak") as the new Chief Executive Officer. Multiples Alternate Asset Management (Multiples) recently acquired a controlling stake in QBurst with an investment of ~USD 200 million.

Arun Kumar Ramchandran, CEO QBurst Multiples Alternate Asset Management Logo (PRNewsfoto/Multiples Alternate Asset Management)

Rak brings 25 years' leadership experience in technology driven digital transformation and consulting. Across his professional journey, he has built and grown businesses in challenging market conditions, having worked with a wide range of clients from startups to F500 enterprises across industries. He is passionate about emerging technologies and AI.

Rak was last at Hexaware Technologies where he was the Global Business Unit Head for the fast growing High Tech and Professional Services Vertical. He was also leading the GenAI unit that is playing a pivotal role in shaping the company's GenAI vision, offerings and execution across business units, service lines, and client portfolios, and has led their Digital Transformation service line in the past. Prior to Hexaware, Rak played leadership roles at Capgemini (Leader of Application Services Strategic Sales, and Sogeti NA) and at Infosys (Leader of Life Sciences and Strategic Global Sourcing business units).

Commenting on his appointment, Rak said, "I am honored and excited to be stepping in as the CEO of QBurst at this important inflection point in its growth journey. QBurst is a digital engineering business providing cutting-edge technology solutions to a blue-chip client base across the US, Japan, South Africa, Europe and Middle East. With the convergence of disruptive changes and shifting environment across technology, industries, and regulations, a focused and differentiated firm like QBurst has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to break away from the pack and create a new technology and engineering services firm and delivery model for the AI-driven future."

Renuka Ramnath, Founder & CEO of Multiples and Manish Gaur, MD of Multiples, said, "QBurst has had an extraordinary journey, driven by a strong founding team and a relentless focus on supporting large digital transformation programs of its customers. As it enters its next phase, we are bringing in exceptional talent to amplify its impact and expand its global reach. Rak's success in building and growing global businesses aligns very well with our desire to build QBurst into a scaled, differentiated AI-led platform."

Rak is based out of Palo Alto in Silicon Valley, CA. He is an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay and the Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta.

About QBurst

QBurst is a global product development and consulting company with over 20 years of experience. Founded in 2004, QBurst has presence in 21 cities across 11 countries and employs 3,500+ professionals globally. QBurst serves a diverse, worldwide clientele across a broad range of industries, offering comprehensive digital solutions. QBurst capabilities span a wide spectrum of digital solutions, encompassing cloud enablement, data and AI development, digitalization services (including mobility, CRM, and enterprise solutions), end-to-end product development leveraging microservices architecture, DevOps, and cybersecurity best practices, digital marketing strategies, and SaaS implementations. QBurst maintains strategic and technology partnerships with industry majors such as Microsoft, Amazon, Salesforce, Google, Adobe and Strapi to deliver value-added services to our global client base. QBurst has been recognized by industry analysts such as Deloitte, Dun & Bradstreet, Statista, Economic Times and Financial Times as one of the fastest growing technology companies in India and the Asia Pacific.

About Multiples Alternate Asset Management

Multiples is India's leading Alternate Asset Management company distinguished by its long and successful experience of partnering with entrepreneurs. Multiples has backed 35 enterprises to build aspirational, distinctive, and responsible businesses. Multiples identifies opportunities that benefit from big shifts in its chosen sectors and partners with exceptional entrepreneurs and management teams in creating transformational growth.

Multiples focuses on core sectors of financial services, pharma and healthcare, consumer and technology and more recently the green economy. Some of Multiples' distinctive investment partnerships include ACKO, Delhivery, Dream Sports, Encube, India Energy Exchange, Kogta Financial, Licious, Milltec, MoEngage, PVR, Quantiphi, TI Clean Mobility, Vastu Housing Finance, and Zenex.

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2662020/QBurst_CEO_Arun_Kumar_Ramchandran.jpg

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2614523/5154802/Multiples_Logo.jpg

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2614522/5154800/QBurst_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Multiples Alternate Asset Management Private Limited
Exclusive G2G-endorsed AI Lab in Malaysia Will See Collaboration from Global Leaders in Blockchain, AI and Robotics

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Malaysia's leading digital services company MY E.G. Services Berhad ("MYEG") has signed an agreement with Guangxi Beitou IT Innovation Technology Investment Group Co., Ltd. ("Beitou IT Innovation") to jointly set up the Malaysia-China AI Innovation and Cooperation Centre as the Flagship China-ASEAN AI Lab toward realising the vision of the governments of Malaysia and China to collaborate on artificial intelligence. The exchange of agreement was witnessed officially by Governor of Guangxi Government Mr Lan Tianli and Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry YB Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz.

MYEG Group Managing Director, TS Wong (second from the left) signing the partnership agreement with Beitou IT Innovation Group Chairman, Lai Shuiping (right), witnessed by the Malaysian Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, YB Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz (first from the left)

In conjunction with the signing of a Government-to-Government Memorandum of Understanding between the governments of China and Malaysia on AI development, MYEG and Beitou IT Innovation, a wholly-owned state-owned enterprise of the Guangxi Autonomous Region Government, have been selected to jointly establish a one-of-a-kind G2G lab that brings together leading AI companies from China and ASEAN to jointly develop localised AI products and to power cross-border applications.

Spearheaded by MYEG, the AI Lab will also see the participation of leaders in their respective fields such as China's Deepseek, robotics and drone companies DJI and Leju Robot, Huawei Technologies, Alibaba Group as well as Malaysian IT services provider Heitech Padu Berhad, among others.

Located at Zetrix Tower (formerly MYEG Tower) in Petaling Jaya, the AI Lab will focus on the convergence of Blockchain, Generative AI and robotics technologies with emphasis on cross-border applications and customisation of AI services according to local culture and values. The first service to be introduced will be the mutual recognition of national Digital IDs from Malaysia and China starting with Guangxi Province. This service enables citizens from Malaysia to use their MyDigital ID for various identity verification requirements in Guangxi province, especially for KYC requirements at financial institutions and various tourist attractions. At the same time, the digital ID of Chinese nationals will be similarly accepted for identity verification in Malaysia.

In providing impetus toward the success of this joint effort, the Guangxi provincial government has allocated a sum of RMB10 billion through an investment fund to seed the development of such projects under the China-ASEAN programme.

"As the leading digital technology group in Guangxi, we are proud to act as the bridge connecting China AI resources such as open source LLMs, AI applications and AI talents, and et cetera, with AI use cases across public private sectors, industries and academics in Malaysia and ASEAN. Working closely with our China and Malaysia partners, we are confident of increasing the overall productivities of Malaysia and ASEAN by leveraging the power of AI." said Beitou IT Innovation Group Chairman Lai Shuiping.

"MYEG is honoured to be selected by both countries to lead this important initiative. Blockchain, robotics and AI technologies are converging to provide the next wave of services and we are well positioned to offer state of the art next generation products. We look forward to expanding this partnership to other ASEAN countries," said MYEG Group Managing Director TS Wong.

MYEG has forged exclusive partnerships with major Chinese government agencies and related entities, including China Academy of Information and Communications Technology ("CAICT") and the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China, positioning Zetrix, its public layer-1 blockchain network, as the preferred platform for the adoption of game-changing real-world Web 3 and AI applications capable of revolutionising cross-border transactions.

About MY E.G. Services Berhad ("MYEG")

MYEG is Malaysia's premier digital services company. Having commenced operations in 2000 as the flagship e-government services provider, MYEG continues to play a leading role in driving technological change in the region, bringing a diverse and complete range of innovations spanning the online delivery of major government services to a variety of commercial offerings in the areas of immigration, automotive and financial services, among others. Committed to staying firmly at the forefront of the global digital revolution, MYEG has embraced the potential of blockchain technology to enhance all aspects of life and is actively pioneering its adoption across the region through its Layer 1 platform Zetrix. Besides its home market, MYEG's presence spans other key regional markets such as China, Philippines and Hong Kong SAR.

About Zetrix

Zetrix is a layer-1 public blockchain that facilitates smart contracts and delivers privacy, security and scalability. Zetrix's cryptographic infrastructure can be introduced to multiple industries to connect governments, businesses and their citizens to a global blockchain-based economy. Developed by MY E.G. Services Bhd, the cross-border and cross-chain integration with China enables Zetrix to serve as a blockchain gateway that facilitates global trade by deploying critical building blocks for Web3 services such as Blockchain-based Identifiers (BID) and Verifiable Credentials (VC).

SOURCE MYEG
An Icon of Contemporary Pop Art Unveils His Latest Masterpieces at the Prestigious DTR Modern Galleries in SoHo

Opening Reception: May 2, 2025 | 69 PM

NEW YORK, April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- This spring, DTR Modern Galleries, one of the most respected and enduring forces in contemporary art on the East Coast, will proudly present Made in Americaa landmark solo exhibition by internationally celebrated artist Nelson De La Nuez, known globally as The King of Pop Art. Opening May 2nd, 2025, in SoHo, New York, the exhibition represents not only a return, but a triumphant reintroduction of De La Nuez's artistic vision of a new body of work including originals and sculptures, to one of the world's most discerning cultural capitals.

Nelson De La Nuez King of Pop Art Made in America Book Release Podcast Nelson De La Nuez, King of Pop Art at Pop Land Studios, Upcoming Solo Show "Made in America" at DTR Modern Gallery NYC "Luxury Life" Original Contemporary Art on Wood Also Available as a Unique Mixed Media Framed, Artist Nelson De La Nuez copyright

An Artist of Distinction

A fixture of private and institutional collections for decades, Nelson De La Nuez is not merely a painterhe is a cultural architect. His works are held in prestigious collections including those of Hollywood's elite, Fortune 500 CEOs, and international tastemakers. His collaborations span the spheres of luxury fashion, design, hospitality, and his art is owned in major corporate collections such as Delta Airlines. De La Nuez has exhibited at major art fairs around the world and has been featured in elite media outlets for his unparalleled ability to blend critical social commentary with the accessible allure of pop culture.

Made in America: A Monumental Return

With Made in America, De La Nuez unveils a powerful new body of work that explores the symbols and contradictions of the American Dream. Known for his ability to balance glamour and grit, the artist transforms familiar iconsvintage advertisements, high-end logos, fast food emblems, and starlet silhouettesinto thought-provoking visual statements that ask us to look deeper into what we idolize, consume, and crave. His lifelike sculptures of delectable donuts and cakes are enough to make one drool. The artists newly released large coffee table book, "Made in America: The Contemporary Pop Art of Nelson De La Nuez," will be available for purchase and signing at the NY gallery during the reception. It is a 338 page hardback book that is perfect for art enthusiasts and collectors, as it is a beautiful addition to any art/design book collection or coffee table decor.

This artwork is not nostalgia for nostalgia's sake. This is a reframing of American mythology through the lens of wit, irony, and unapologetic glamour.

DTR Modern Galleries: A Legacy of Excellence

Founded in 2006, DTR Modern Galleries has built an unmatched reputation for curating and representing blue-chip and globally celebrated artists. With flagship galleries in New York, Boston, Palm Beach, and Washington, D.C., DTR Modern continues to shape the future of contemporary art by bringing museum-quality exhibitions to the public and placing iconic works in some of the world's most prestigious collections.

To host a solo exhibition for Nelson De La Nuez is both an honor and a continuation of the gallery's legacy of excellence. This partnership represents the gallery's ongoing commitment to presenting art that challenges, delights, and resonates with the zeitgeistwhile upholding the highest standards of curatorial and cultural value.

A Cultural Milestone

Made in America is more than an exhibitionit is a moment. A convergence of prestige, provocation, and pop sensibility at its finest. For collectors, curators, and connoisseurs of culture, this exhibition offers a rare opportunity to engage with the newest works of a living legend whose career has helped define the visual language of modern America.

Opening Night Reception with Artist:

May 2nd, 2025 | 69 PM

DTR Modern Galleries | 458 West Broadway | SoHo | New York City

On View Through May 30th, 2025

Source, Media, Press & VIP Collector Inquiries:

 [email protected]

 www.dtrmodern.com

 Instagram: @dtrmodern @kingofpopart

For Artist Interviews/Media Requests:

Contact Stacy 626-827-7774/ [email protected]

SOURCE DTR Modern Gallery NY
Local Business Offers a Revolutionary Alternative to Traditional Floor Sanding and Refinishing

SOUTH CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- ReCoat Revolution, the industry leader in fast and mess-free floor refinishing, is thrilled to announce the grand opening of its newest location in South Charlotte, North Carolina. With its innovative "Clean" approach to floor restoration, ReCoat Revolution provides homeowners and businesses with a seamless solution to revive their floors without the hassle, dust, or downtime associated with traditional refinishing methods.

Ryan Steele, owner of ReCoat Revolution of South Charlotte, prepares to cut the ribbon for his grand opening.

"Our goal is simple: to treat our customers' properties as if they were our own," said Ryan Steele, owner of the new South Charlotte location covering Belmont, Dilworth, Weddington, Steele Creek, and the surrounding areas. "South Charlotte is a community that appreciates both innovation and preservation, and we're excited to bring our game-changing service to homeowners and businesses looking to refresh their floors without the mess."

ReCoat Revolution's unique refinishing process allows floors to be restored in a fraction of the time it takes traditional methods, using advanced coatings that provide long-lasting durability. The eco-friendly process eliminates the need for harsh chemicals and excessive sanding, making it a safer and more sustainable option for property owners.

The expansion into South Charlotte is a special milestone for Ryan, who has lived in the area for 20 years and enjoys visiting Hope Community Church. "Making homes a place of peace and satisfaction is my passion. The old expression out of sight, out of mind is true for many things in life, but our homes are always in our view. It's often the simple things like bringing our floors back to their original glory that give us the joy back in our homes, and that's such an important thing for the place where we raise our families," added Ryan.

With the transformative magic of the Clean ReCoat Process, you can restore your floors, revitalizing their longevity and your home's beauty. ReCoat Revolution is now open for bookings in South Charlotte, with services available for residential and commercial properties. For more information or to schedule a free consultation, visit www.recoatrevolution.com/southcharlotte.

About ReCoat Revolution:

ReCoat Revolution provides customers with exceptionally quick, professional cleaning and refinishing for their floors. We choose to serve others as we would want to be served, pursuing every opportunity for individual and collective growth, developing our God-given talents and strengths.

At ReCoat Revolution, we aim to set a new standard for customer service in the home service industry through our ground-breaking refinishing services. We aim to exceed our customers' expectations for their floor cleaning and refinishing - one floor at a time.

SOURCE ReCoat Revolution of South Charlotte
Ad Council and Alzheimer's Association's campaign highlights early warning signs that can be mistaken for normal aging, with emphasis on reaching Black Americans, who are twice as likely to develop the disease

NEW YORK, April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Ad Council, in partnership with the Alzheimer's Association, today launched new public service advertisements (PSAs) to help people recognize the early signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias in their loved ones. The new suite of PSAs are the latest in the award-winning "Some Things Come with Age" campaign, which continues to encourage pre-care partners to learn about the early warning signs of Alzheimer's. The latest PSAs focus on Black Americans, who are twice as likely to develop the disease.

"The Alzheimer's Association is proud to partner with the Ad Council on this important campaign," said Katie Evans, Chief Programs and Mission Engagement Officer, Alzheimer's Association. "Black Americans face a higher risk of Alzheimer's disease and are often diagnosed later in the disease's progression. This campaign encourages families to initiate conversations sooner when they notice potential signs of Alzheimer's or another dementia. Early detection and diagnosis provide the best opportunity for care, management and treatment of the disease."

The most recent data from the Alzheimer's Association shows that 19% of Black Americans ages 65 and older are diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, compared to 10% of white Americans. The new PSAs aim to resonate with Black adults who have family members 55 and older, an age when early symptoms of the disease may begin to appear. The PSAs emphasize early warning signs that could indicate Alzheimer's and how these signs differ from normal aging. The creative content encourages families to have conversations about early detection by offering resources and tools at 10signs.org.

Since June 2019, the Ad Council and the Alzheimer's Association have partnered on multiple efforts to promote early detection of Alzheimer's and encourage family members to talk about visiting a doctor together. Creative iterations have been developed for distinct audiences, most recently for Hispanic Americans, who are also at increased risk for Alzheimer's.

The new creative, created and produced pro bono by VML, seeks to educate all pre-care partners by focusing on familial love, wisdom, and core memories made with older family members, while emphasizing why it's important to have a deeper understanding of the early signs of Alzheimer's. By highlighting subtle signs like having trouble completing familiar tasks or frequently forgetting important dates or events, the PSAs raise awareness around cognitive and behavior changes that aren't normal aspects of aging. In addition to the full suite of assets, this new work also includes a three minute long-form video showcasing an in-depth look at relational bonds, further spotlighting the important role pre-care partners have in recognizing the early warning signs in loved ones and preserving their family's wisdom.

"We're deeply honored to support the launch of this crucial campaign, focused on early Alzheimer's detection within the Black community," said John Marchese, executive director of VML Health. "We believe that by communicating honestly and openly, we can empower individuals and families with the information they need to recognize the early signs and seek help. Alzheimer's affects so many of us, and we're inspired to contribute to a healthier future for our community."

According to Ad Council research conducted in the final quarter of 2024, individuals who were aware of the ad campaign were approximately three times more likely to say they had learned the difference between the signs of aging and signs of Alzheimer's disease than individuals not aware of the campaign.

"Alzheimer's is one of the most pressing health issues of the moment, especially as the national population of people over 55 continues to grow," said Heidi Arthur, Ad Council chief campaign development officer. "That's why we're so proud to partner with the Alzheimer's Association and VML to create this inspiring work, which will help all people with aging family members across the country recognize the signs and help them to get care and support for their loved ones."

The PSAs will appear across the country in donated media, with initial committed support from LatiNation, Meta, SiriusXM Media, The New York Times and UrbanMD TV, among others. In addition to donating media, LatiNation is creating a suite of videos and articles to run on their broadcast and digital and social platforms, and SiriusXM Media's Studio Resonate developed the radio PSAs in English and Spanish that will run nationally and on their channels.

This new iteration builds on the success of the "Some Things Come with Age" creative developed in 2023 by Lopez Negrete, which was selected as "Multicultural Health Care Advertising Campaign" winner in the 2024 ANA Multicultural Excellence Awards, as well as a winner in the 2024 Hispanic Marketing Council Strategic Excellence Awards for "Best Hispanic Cultural Insight" and "Impactful Multicultural Research."

The campaign's website, 10signs.org (10senales.org in Spanish), offers tools and resources to help families learn the early warning signs of Alzheimer's, and what is considered signs of normal aging. The site also contains resources on tips for facilitating conversations about cognition, benefits of early detection and diagnosis, a discussion guide for use with doctors and health providers, and other information.

About the Alzheimer's Association

The Alzheimer's Association is a worldwide voluntary health organization dedicated to Alzheimer's care, support and research. Our mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia  by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's and all other dementia. Visit alz.org or call 800.272.3900.

About the Ad Council

The Ad Council convenes creative storytellers to educate, unite and uplift audiences by opening hearts, inspiring action and accelerating change. For more than 80 years, the nonprofit organization and its partners in advertising, media, marketing and tech have been behind some of the country's most iconic social impact campaigns  Smokey Bear, Friends Don't Let Friends Drive Drunk, Tear the Paper Ceiling and many more. To learn more or get involved, visit AdCouncil.org, join the Ad Council's communities on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn, and view campaign creative on YouTube.

About VML

VML is a leading creative company that combines brand experience, customer experience, and commerce, to create connected brands that drive growth. The agency is celebrated for its innovative and award-winning work with blue chip client partners including AstraZeneca, Colgate-Palmolive, Ford, Microsoft, Nestle, The Coca-Cola Company, and Wendy's. VML is recognized as a Leader by Forrester Wave reports for Commerce Services, Marketing Creative and Content Services, and is a Strong Performer in the Forrester Wave: CX Strategy Consulting Services. It was also named a Leader in IDC MarketScape: Adobe Experience Cloud Professional Services and a Visionary in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Digital Experience Services. VML's specialist health network, VML Health, is also one of the world's largest and most awarded health agencies. VML's global network is powered by 26,000 talented people across 60-plus markets, with principal offices in Kansas City, New York, Detroit, London, Sao Paulo, Shanghai, Singapore, and Sydney.

VML is a WPP agency (NYSE: WPP). For more information, please visit www.vml.com, and follow along on Instagram, LinkedIn, and X #WeAreVML.

SOURCE The Ad Council
SANTA ANA, Calif., April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Almost half (44%) of large employers are considering switching to Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements (ICHRAs) in the upcoming year to rein in healthcare costs, according to SureCo's " 2025 State of ICHRA Report " report, sponsored by key partner Oscar Health. If crushing tariffs and a looming recession materialize, employers will feel even more pressure to control spend. Over one-third of large employers already say they're facing annual premium increases exceeding 10% for 2025, and 44% are unable to absorb yet another increase. ICHRAs offer relief by saving large groups an average of 23% on premiums through a defined contribution model, which can be triggered at any point throughout the year.

The highly anticipated report fills a critical gap in understanding how companies with 150-2,500 employees adopt and implement ICHRAs. It includes first-to-market insights on ICHRA member election behaviors, plan preferences, and stakeholder sentiments.

Over one-third of large employers already say they're facing annual premium increases exceeding 10% for 2025, and 44% are unable to absorb yet another increase. Post this

"Our data challenges the notion that ICHRAs are only viable for small businesses," said Matthew Kim, CEO of SureCo. "Enterprise organizations are ushering ICHRAs into the mainstream by bringing scale, purchasing power, and healthy risk pools to the individual market. They're reshaping the entire health insurance ecosystem in ways that benefit every stakeholder while providing much-needed financial predictability in these uncertain economic times."

Key Findings:

Plan Satisfaction: 94% of employers say switching to ICHRA was the right decision. 91% report employee satisfaction with their plans.

94% of employers say switching to ICHRA was the right decision. 91% report employee satisfaction with their plans. Increased Adoption: 35% of brokers now recommend ICHRAs to their clients up from 25% last year. The percentage of brokers who have moved a client to an ICHRA has almost doubled.

35% of brokers now recommend ICHRAs to their clients up from 25% last year. The percentage of brokers who have moved a client to an ICHRA has almost doubled. Carrier Loyalty: 73% of returning ICHRA members stay with their original carrier, demonstrating strong brand loyalty.

73% of returning ICHRA members stay with their original carrier, demonstrating strong brand loyalty. Premium Plan Selection: 46% of ICHRA members choose gold-level plans, compared to 13% of marketplace shoppers, providing carriers with higher revenue per member.

ICHRA, a policy established during Trump's first term, has gained bipartisan support. A strong majority of employers (85%) and insurance brokers (79%) anticipate a favorable political climate for ICHRAs in the next 12-24 months, which will likely fuel further large-group adoption.

Download the complete State of ICHRA 2025 report at sureco.com/2025-ichra-report to discover what's driving enterprise adoption and how ICHRA is transforming American health insurance.

Media Contact

For more information about the State of ICHRA 2025 report or to schedule interviews with SureCo executives Matthew Kim (CEO), Erik Wissig (COO), or Adam Pines (Chief Growth Officer), please contact:

Lindsey Unterberger

VP of Marketing, SureCo

[email protected]

About SureCo

SureCo is a leading health benefits technology company specializing in Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements (ICHRA) for large employers. The company's Enrollment Platform provides a seamless experience for employers transitioning to an ICHRA and for employees selecting individual market plans.

SOURCE SureCo
As councils crackdown on rubbish dumping and litter, advocates say all Australians have a role to play in ensuring the survival of our ecosystems and wildlife.

A lizard has been freed after becoming stuck in a Fanta can, right beside a huge sign which warns against littering. Source: TikTok/hiluxdawg

Conservationists are repeating their pleas to the public to be mindful of their wastage and to never discard rubbish while out in nature, after sad footage emerged of a native lizard with its head stuck in a Fanta can in the bush.

The video, captured in Queensland and posted online this week, shows a lizard with its head firmly stuck inside the can, ironically right beside a huge billboard that warns against littering. A local man was passing by and came to the little animal's aid, freeing the lizard in just under a minute using pliers.

"That's why we don't litter, guys," the man said, adding in the video caption that the lizard eventually escaped harm-free. Responding to the upsetting incident, Malene Hand, WWF-Australias No Plastics in Nature Policy Manager, said the impact pollution continues to have on our animals is both horrifying and heartbreaking, and serves as yet another reminder that our careless actions can have devastating consequences for native animals.

"The impact of littering on our Australian wildlife is shocking," she told Yahoo News.

After a considerate bystander stepped in to free the little reptile, the WWF has warned against the 'shocking' impact on our animals. Source: TikTok/hiluxdawg

Why is it so important to dispose of rubbish properly everywhere we go?

While in this instance the lizard was trapped inside a can, Malene said one of the most problematic types of litter in the natural environment is plastic, "which has been found everywhere in Australia, even in our most remote coastal areas".

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"Littered plastic kills Australian wildlife," she said. "Sea turtles eat plastic bags they have mistaken for jellyfish, while whales, dolphins and sea birds are dying with stomachs full of plastic. Just recently, scientists found that young Australian seabirds are suffering from organ failure and brain damage from eating plastic bottle caps, clothes pegs, balloon clips, and smaller plastics.

"We are also seeing as many as two-thirds of hermit crabs using artificial shells made from plastic, mostly bottle lids, instead of snail shells."

Australians consume a lot of single-use plastic  the second-highest in the world  with up to 145,000 tonnes of single-use plastic leaking into Australia's environment every year, Malene added.

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"Fortunately, there is a lot we can do to stop this from happening," she said.

"We can replace single-use plastics with reusable options. Switching from single-use items like plastic water bottles, coffee cups and plastic bags to reusable items can have a big impact. We know that reducing our reliance on single-use plastics will reduce the amount of litter in our environment and, critically, the devastating impacts on Australian wildlife."

Across the nation, the impact of pollution on wildlife has become increasingly visible, with more frequent reports of animals becoming entangled in, or ingesting human rubbish.

Native species, such as birds, reptiles, and marine life, are particularly vulnerable to litter and chemical runoff. As population growth and consumer demand continue to rise, experts warn that Australia must move faster to adopt circular economy principles and strengthen environmental protections to prevent irreversible damage.

Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment?  Get our new newsletter showcasing the weeks best stories.
The Best and Brightest program, hosted by NABR, highlights companies for promoting employee well-being, worksite health, and wellness.

"These elite winners have set a high standard for companies across the nation, demonstrating that prioritizing employee wellbeing leads to a thriving workforce environment," said Jennifer Kluge, President and CEO of NABR and the Best & Brightest Program. "Their dedication to enhancing the employee experience makes them stand out as one of the nation's elite leaders."

Through its "365 Passport to Wellness" program, NYCM emphasizes the importance of maintaining a balanced and all-encompassing wellness routine by incentivizing participation in the program and tracking employee progress all year long.

"We are honored to have been named one of NABR's "Elite" Winners for the first year since our Program's inception," said NYCM Insurance 365 Passport to Wellness Program coordinator, Chelsea Hunter. "Our Wellness Program would not be what it is today without the passionate, dedicated, and hard-working employees we have participating in the program. This is truly a "Gold Star" standard that we feel we have achieved for a program that is such an integral part of our everyday culture here at NYCM."

To learn more about NYCM Insurance's award-winning wellness program, click here .

About NYCM. NYCM Insurance is a property and casualty insurance carrier that has been providing coverage to residents and businesses in New York since 1899. With a team of over 975 employees, and a network of over 1,400 independent agents, NYCM Insurance is dedicated to providing superior service and a quality customer experience to their over 645,000 customers. Insurance lines include Home, Auto, Umbrella and Business.

Contact Kelly Pylinski, Brand Management Division Manager

[email protected]

800-234-6926

SOURCE NYCM Insurance
PHILADELPHIA, April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Berger Montague PC advises investors that a securities class action lawsuit has been filed against Solaris Energy Infrastructure, Inc. ("Solaris" or the "Company") (NYSE: SEI) on behalf of purchasers of Solaris securities between July 9, 2024 through March 17, 2025, inclusive (the "Class Period").

Investor Deadline: Investors who purchased or acquired Solaris securities during the Class Period may, no later than MAY 27, 2025 , seek to be appointed as a lead plaintiff representative of the class. To learn your rights, CLICK HERE .

Headquartered in Houston, Solaris develops equipment used in the oil and gas industry. On July 9, 2024, Solaris announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Mobile Energy Rentals LLC ("MER"). Solaris completed the MER acquisition on September 11, 2024.

On March 17, 2025, investors learned the truth when Morpheus Research published a report alleging that MER had been "a ~$2.5 million revenue equipment leasing business based out of a condo with zero employees, no turbines, and no track record in the mobile turbine rental industry." The report revealed that one of MER's co-owners was a convicted felon who was involved in a "$800 million gas turbine scandal that included allegations of bid rigging [and] corruption."

On this news, Solaris' stock price fell $4.15, or nearly 17%, to close at $20.46 per share on March 17, 2025.

To learn your rights or for more information, CLICK HERE or please contact Berger Montague: Andrew Abramowitz at [email protected] or (215) 875-3015, or Peter Hamner at [email protected] .

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, however, affected by the decision whether or not to serve as a lead plaintiff. Communicating with any counsel is not necessary to participate or share in any recovery achieved in this case. Any member of the purported class may move the Court to serve as a lead plaintiff through counsel of his/her choice, or may choose to do nothing and remain an inactive class member.

Berger Montague, with offices in Philadelphia, Minneapolis, Delaware, Washington, D.C., San Diego, San Francisco and Chicago, has been a pioneer in securities class action litigation since its founding in 1970. Berger Montague has represented individual and institutional investors for over five decades and serves as lead counsel in courts throughout the United States.

Contact:

Andrew Abramowitz, Senior Counsel

Berger Montague

(215) 875-3015

[email protected]

Peter Hamner

Berger Montague PC

[email protected]

SOURCE Berger Montague
Global public relations agency focusing on animal welfare wins gold for its work with The Orangutan Project

KNOXVILLE, Tenn., April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Orange Orchard, an internationally-known public relations agency with a focus on animal welfare, announced today it has won the gold award for the best Public Service Campaign for a Small Agency in the 2025 Merit Awards Marketing & Communications category.

Orange Orchard has won the 2025 Merit Award for Public Service for its work helping The Orangutan Project boost its brand name and reputation in North America (photo provided by The Orangutan Project).

The PR agency won the award based on its work with The Orangutan Project (TOP), an Australian-based non-profit organization founded in 1998 to protect orangutans and their habitats. Since 2019, Orange Orchard has helped TOP expand its reach into the United States and Canada so it could grow its donor base.

"Working with such a phenomenal organization like The Orangutan Project and promoting all the good they do for orangutans is already a reward," said Orange Orchard founder and CEO Heather Ripley. "But being honored for the work the team here at Orange Orchard has put into boosting TOP's brand recognition is especially meaningful because it illustrates the reason we do what we do. Bringing awareness to animal welfare and conservation efforts around the world is why Orange Orchard exists, and we're humbled to be recognized for our work."

After bringing Orange Orchard on board to raise its awareness level, TOP has appeared in several North American news outlets, including People, Salon, One Green Planet, Animals Today Radio, and Conservation Magazine. The PR agency was also responsible for securing an interview with TOP's founder, Leif Cocks, on Canadian CTV News in Vancouver.

The coverage increased TOP's donations by more than $2 million and allowed them to fund conservation projects that protected nearly 12,000 orangutans in nearly 2 million acres of land during the 2022-2023 fiscal year.

Created in 2022, the Merit Awards are designed to recognize the efforts put forth by global industries and the markets they serve. The Merit Awards acknowledges companies that have contributed to the continued growth of their markets worldwide. Currently, there are seven awards programs that are open to all organizations operating within each of the categories.

The Merit Awards' judges include respected journalists, executives, consultants, entrepreneurs, educators and the Merit Awards staff. Each submission is carefully read, reviewed and judged based on the content and/or materials provided.

Inspired by her love for animals, Ripley founded Orange Orchard, a division of Ripley PR, in 2018 to promote and advocate for animal-friendly brands. The company has a proven track record of getting results on behalf of animal-friendly organizations and providing a range of services that include corporate communications, brand promotion, media relations, and more.

For more information about Orange Orchard, visit www.orangeorchardpr.com or call 865-977-1973.

About Orange Orchard

Orange Orchard is a division of Ripley PR, a global public relations agency using a blend of strategic business accounting and creative public relations branding to deliver measurable results. Orange Orchard was established to promote animal-friendly products, brands and initiatives. The team's knowledge and experience in building global brands helps forward-thinking and socially and environmentally conscious businesses and nonprofit foundations create a cleaner, healthier and more compassionate world. For more information visit www.orangeorchardpr.com or call 865-977-1973.

About the Merit Awards

The Merit Awards, created in 2022, honor individuals and organizations who have demonstrated outstanding achievements in shaping and advancing their industry. Currently, seven awards programs are open to all organizations operating within each of the categories. Judges include respected journalists, executives, consultants, entrepreneurs, educators, and the Merit Awards staff. For more information, visit https://www.merit-awards.com/.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Heather Ripley

Orange Orchard

(865) 977-1973

[email protected]

SOURCE Orange Orchard
CINCINNATI, April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Valor Exterior Partners, a portfolio company of Osceola Capital, is pleased to announce the successful acquisition of Doing It Right Roofing & Siding, expanding Valor's presence in Pennsylvania. Founded in 1984 and headquartered in Pittsburgh, Doing It Right is a provider of roofing, siding, and other exterior home services to residential homeowners in the Pittsburgh metropolitan area. This partnership marks Valor's fourth acquisition since the platform's launch in September 2024.

Simultaneously, Valor has also announced the opening of its first de novo location in Cincinnati, expanding the platform's presence in Ohio. The Cincinnati MSA, with characteristics similar to the markets that Valor already operates in as well as the site's colocation with corporate headquarters, is a strategically important and attractive greenfield opportunity for Valor.

Jerry Arteaga, CEO of Valor, said, "We are excited to welcome the Doing It Right team to the Valor family. With a proven track record of over four decades in delivering high-quality exterior home services, Doing It Right shares Valor's commitment to excellent customer service, and we're eager to expand our presence in Pennsylvania. We also look forward to serving homeowners in Cincinnati through the opening of our new location."

Ben Moe, Managing Partner at Osceola Capital, said, "Both the acquisition of Doing It Right and the launch of Valor' s Cincinnati site support the company's strategy, both from an inorganic and organic growth perspective, to establish itself as the leading provider of roofing and other exterior home services in the Greater Northeast. We will continue to pursue additional partnerships in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Great Lakes regions to further expand Valor's geographic footprint and service offering."

About Valor Exterior Partners

Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Valor Exterior Partners is a provider of exterior home services to residential homeowners. The Company specializes in the installation, repair, replacement, and maintenance of roofing, siding, windows, doors, skylights, insulation, and decking. For more information, please visit www.valorexteriorpartners.com.

About Doing It Right

Founded in 1984, Doing It Right is a provider of roofing, siding, and other exterior home services to customers in the greater Pittsburgh area. For more information, please visit www.roofingcontractorpittsburgh.com.

About Osceola Capital

Osceola Capital is a Tampa-based private equity firm that invests in lower middle-market services companies, typically with EBITDA of $2 million to $10 million. Osceola has extensive experience partnering with management teams to execute buy-and-build strategies and drive long-term value creation. Visit www.osceola.com to learn more. Contact Kurt Schwab at [email protected] regarding new add-on opportunities.

Media Contact

Joseph Priest

Schifino Lee

[email protected]

914-261-9917

SOURCE Osceola Capital
"PenFed believes the best way to serve Puerto Rico is to continue to empower the next generation to achieve their financial dreams," said PenFed Credit Union President & CEO James Schenck. "We remain committed to investing in the development of Puerto Rico's young future leaders and are grateful for the support of EVERFI and Carmen Belen Veiga High School as we promote financial literacy and encourage students to create a brighter future for themselves and their communities."

PenFed and EVERFI have had a strategic partnership for the past seven years to bring critical financial education to over 4,000 public and private K-12 school students in 27 schools across Puerto Rico at no cost to the schools. PenFed provides students with access to EVERFI's proven curriculum teaching them how to make smart financial decisions and achieve success in life. The program teaches students about savings and checking, building and maintaining healthy credit, planning for major purchases, investing and retirement, and funding higher education.

PenFed leaders, including PenFed financial center managers, wealth managers, and mortgage managers participated in a "speed networking" activity with students who recently completed the EVERFI financial education program. During the activity, students had the opportunity to ask PenFed leaders and community volunteers questions as part of small group conversations tying back to the critical skills taught in the curriculum.

This year's financial literacy event is the fifth PenFed and EVERFI have held in Puerto Rico. In previous years, PenFed held events at both private and public schools in San Juan.

Following these activities, PenFed announced two students were awarded a scholarship in the amount of $1,250 in recognition of their work throughout the Tu Dinero, Tu Sueno program.

"PenFed's unwavering commitment to enhancing financial literacy in Puerto Rico is truly commendable. Every student deserves access to quality financial education and the opportunity to build a secure financial future," said Ray Martinez, CEO, EVERFI. "By providing these essential tools, we are empowering students to take control of their financial destinies and create a brighter, more prosperous future. We are honored to collaborate with PenFed in this transformative initiative, ensuring that every student has the chance to achieve their financial dreams."

PenFed currently serves members in Puerto Rico with financial centers in San Juan, Hatillo, Ponce, Mayaguez and on the United States Army Garrison Fort Buchanan. PenFed opened a Bilingual Service Center in Guaynabo in 2022 and plans to open a new financial center in Humacao this summer.

About PenFed Credit Union

Established in 1935, Pentagon Federal Credit Union (PenFed) is America's second-largest federal credit union, serving 2.9 million members worldwide with $31 billion in assets. PenFed Credit Union offers market-leading certificates, checking, credit cards, personal loans, mortgages, auto loans, and a wide range of other financial services with members' interests always in mind. PenFed Credit Union is federally insured by the NCUA and is an Equal Housing Lender. To learn more about PenFed Credit Union, visit PenFed.org, like us on Facebook and follow us @PenFed on X. Interested in working for PenFed? Check us out on LinkedIn. We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

About EVERFI

EVERFI is an international technology company driving social impact through education to address key societal challenges like financial wellness, mental health, workplace conduct, and more. Founded in 2008, EVERFI has reached millions of K-12 and adult learners worldwide with its transformative digital educational content. Through a unique third-party payer model, EVERFI provides K-12 schools in the U.S. with access to essential educational resources at no cost, ensuring that students everywhere gain vital life skills. Recognized as one of the World's Most Innovative Companies by Fast Company and featured on Fortune Magazine's Impact 20 List and the GSC EdTech 150, EVERFI continues to shape the future of digital learning. To learn more about EVERFI, please visit everfi.com or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or X/Twitter @EVERFI.

SOURCE PenFed Credit Union

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Mary Ballin, Beth Bosworth, Eric Jardine, Doug Wheat Latest Advisors to Complete Path to Partnership Program at Advisor-Owned Firm

SAN FRANCISCO, April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Perigon Wealth Management, LLC ("Perigon"), a rapidly growing independent wealth management firm with offices across the country and approximately $8.7 billion in client assets as of Dec. 31, 20241, announced four advisors have completed the firm's Path to Partnership Program designed to reinforce the firm's advisor-led, advisor-owned philosophy and structure.

"The Path to Partnership Program was launched to identify passionate and dedicated Perigon advisors who embodied the culture and spirit of the firm and allow them to earn an ownership stake in Perigon over time," said Perigon CEO Arthur Ambarik. "Perigon's strength lies in its advisors, the technology and investment support we provide and the flexibility to grow and succeed."

This program was developed to allow advisors an avenue to earn a partnership stake in the firm. The Path to Partnership is a multi-week program to grant certain 1099 advisors the opportunity to have an ownership stake in the firm.

Perigon's newest partners are:

Mary Ballin , a Wealth Advisor who opened Perigon's East Bay office, has over 20 years of industry experience and holds both a CFP designation and a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst designation. She leads a team of women who help other women going through major life transitions including divorce or the death of a spouse. Ballin joined Perigon in 2020.





, a Wealth Advisor who opened Perigon's East Bay office, has over 20 years of industry experience and holds both a CFP designation and a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst designation. She leads a team of women who help other women going through major life transitions including divorce or the death of a spouse. Ballin joined Perigon in 2020. Beth Bosworth , a Wealth Advisor who also oversees Perigon's financial planning endeavors. She is part of the Atlanta office, a CFP  and has more than 15 years of wealth management experience. Bosworth joined Perigon in 2021.





, a Wealth Advisor who also oversees Perigon's financial planning endeavors. She is part of the office, a CFP and has more than 15 years of wealth management experience. Bosworth joined Perigon in 2021. Eric Jardine , a Wealth Advisor / Operations in Perigon's Bay Area office who brings more than 20 years of investment and technology experience to his role. Jardine manages portfolios and has implemented reporting, planning and CRM systems to inform advisors of strategic decisions to support their growth.





, a Wealth Advisor / Operations in Perigon's Bay Area office who brings more than 20 years of investment and technology experience to his role. Jardine manages portfolios and has implemented reporting, planning and CRM systems to inform advisors of strategic decisions to support their growth. Doug Wheat , a Wealth Advisor in Perigon's Massachusetts office who joined the firm in 2024. Wheat has more than 15 years of wealth management experience including experience with impact investing.

Ballin added, "Perigon provides each advisor a lot of autonomy to drive individualized success, along with the support needed to be successful. We don't just talk about growth  we make it happen. The firm's Path to Partnership program is just one way Perigon turns ambition into opportunity."

Perigon is an advisor-led firm that has added teams and offices across six major markets since December 2021. In January, the firm welcomed Constellation Wealth Capital as a strategic investor. Perigon was named one of Financial Advisor Magazine's Top 50 Fastest Growing RIAs and included on the 2024 Forbes Top RIA list.2

About Perigon Wealth Management

Perigon Wealth Management, LLC is a registered investment advisor. Founded, owned and led by lifelong financial advisors, Perigon Wealth Management is an independent RIA firm that strives to provide clients with peace of mind by identifying and implementing clear and customized plans to achieve the financial objectives necessary to realize their life goals. Additionally, Perigon Wealth Management offers financial advisors who join its platform a robust and flexible program that accommodates the widest possible array of affiliation structures and business models. With approximately $8.7 billion in client assets as of Dec. 31, 2024, Perigon Wealth Management is passionate about accelerating the business growth of its financial advisors and simplifying their operations, without sacrificing their independence. For more information, please visit https://perigonwealth.com .

Custody, clearing and certain brokerage services are offered by Folio Investments, Inc., which conducts business as Goldman Sachs Custody Solutions (GSCS). GSCS is an SEC-registered broker-dealer and member FINRA/MSRB/SIPC. Neither this material nor any of its contents shall constitute an offer, solicitation, or advice to buy or sell securities.

Global Banking & Markets ("GBM") and its personnel are employees of Goldman Sachs & Co LLC and the structured notes, lending products, and custody services are GBM-sponsored products and services. GBM is not a part of Asset & Wealth Management or of Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. ("GSAM"). Statements and representations made by GBM or GSAM should not be construed as investment advice.

Media Contact:

Donald Cutler or Lorene Yue

Haven Tower Group

424 317 4864 or 424 317 4854

[email protected] or [email protected]

1Perigon provides investment advisory and related services for clients nationally; Perigon will maintain all applicable registrations and licenses as required by the various states in which it conducts business. For more information, please visit www.perigonwealth.com or the Security and Exchange Commission's ("SEC's") website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov and search with Perigon's CRD# 131037.

2Learn more about Financial Advisor Magazine's Top 50 Fastest Growing RIAs at https://www.fa-mag.com/userfiles/00000000002023_IMAGES_ALL/FA_ISSUES_2023/06_FA_JULYAUG_2023/2023_RIA_Ranking_Online0810.pdf and Forbes" Top RIA ranking methodology at https://www.forbes.com/sites/rjshook/2024/10/08/methodology-americas-top-ria-firms-2024/#:~:text=The%20Forbes%20ranking%20of%20America's,diligence%20interviews%2C%20and%20quantitative%20data.

SOURCE Perigon Wealth Management
MINNEAPOLIS, April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Plus Relocation, a global leader in personalized mobility solutions, is excited to formally announce its partnership with Helix Sleep ("Helix"), a leading direct-to-consumer sleep brand known for its individualized, high-quality mattresses. Since 2020, the two companies have been working together to enhance the relocation experience by helping employees settle into their new homes, one great night's sleep at a time.

Plus Relocation | Point C Helix

During the development of Point C, Plus's credit-based benefit selection technology, the team discovered a recurring insight. Many relocating employees would rather purchase a new mattress at their destination than go through the hassle of shipping their existing one across the country or internationally. This insight led Plus to Helix.

"Helix has been an outstanding partner in helping us deliver a more thoughtful and personalized relocation experience," said Tracey Gatlin, Senior Vice President, Global Services & Supply Chain at Plus Relocation. "They have worked closely with us to offer tailored discounts and recommend the right products to meet our employees' needs. Together, we've turned a common pain point into a source of comfort and convenience."

Since the beginning of the partnership, Helix has created custom discount programs and collaborated with Plus to identify sleep products that best support employees during times of transition. With a streamlined online shopping experience, rapid fulfillment and delivery, and high-quality mattresses designed for individual needs, Helix is helping relocated employees feel more at home, faster.

"We are proud to partner with Plus Relocation to support people during one of life's most stressful experiences," said Adam Tishman, Co-Founder & President of Helix. "Moving can be a taxing process, and quality sleep is essential during times of change. Our shared commitment to personalization makes this partnership a natural fit, allowing us to provide employees with a sleep solution tailored to their needs, so they can settle into their new spaces feeling rested, comfortable, and at home."

As the relationship continues to grow, Plus and Helix remain committed to creating innovative solutions that enhance the mobility journey and support employees where they need it most: at home.

About Helix

Helix is an innovative direct-to-consumer sleep brand launched in 2015 with the goal of bringing better sleep to consumers through individually personalized mattresses. Each mattress is designed to support body type, sleeping position, and feel preference using proprietary sleep technology. Helix celebrates the power of personal preferences and individuality while focusing on outstanding product quality. The brand also offers free shipping directly to your doorstep, a 100-night trial, and value-based pricing on its full line of premium products.

Helix is a part of 3Z Brands, a vertically integrated manufacturer, wholesaler, retailer, and direct-to-consumer distributor of award-winning sleep products. Operating a portfolio of best-in-class sleep brands, 3Z designs and assembles its high-quality mattresses on demand from their Arizona Dream Factory, with expertise in mattress engineering supported by advanced equipment and patented materials.

@helixsleep

About Plus Relocation

Plus Relocation designs and implements completely personalized mobility solutions with flawless execution for companies of all sizes, including some of the most-recognized brands on the planet. We've been in business since 1968, and our innovative, game-changing approach has propelled us to a full-service, global mobility powerhouse with offices located around the world. Our tri-regional model allows us to deliver seamless mobility services in more than 175 countries.

To learn more, please visit www.plusrelocation.com.

Contact: Stephanie Ottenbacher

[email protected]

+1.952.562.8970

SOURCE Plus Relocation
RED VINES Candy celebrates National Licorice Day by sharing a little peace, love and vines. Post this

When the National Confectioners Association and Licorice International established National Licorice Day on April 12th, 2004, it was unlikely they could foresee the many, many ways this delicious day would be celebrated over the course of the next two decades.

Prior year celebrations included things like a 2017 "Made in California" tour, where a customized Red Vines VW bus made its way around California to deliver candy. In 2020, the brand launched a nationwide drawing contest, resulting in 30 lucky artists' work being featured on the inner tray of Red Vines Original Twists packaging.

2025 Celebrations

This year, the RED VINES  candy brand is once again living up to its brand purpose of sharing peace, love and vines, but in a few brand-new ways.

Though National Licorice Day has always been an opportunity to engage licorice candy fans and consumers, this year the brand extended an extra bit of sweetness to a handful of community partners across all manufacturing locations for parent company, American Licorice Co. , including Indiana, California, and Texas.

Custom Red Vines jars were printed for each partner, and members of the American Licorice leadership team were onsite to present these special jars (along with a few extra sweets & treats) to organizations like Boys & Girls Club of La Porte County , Dunebrook , and The Pax Center food bank.

The brand also challenged another one of its partner organizations, Future Black Leaders, INC. , to come up with some new and creative ways to celebrate the day with Red Vines candy.

For the Fans

The brand wasn't going to forget about the longtime fans who've been enjoying Red Vines candy for over 70 years . Red Vines fans will be challenged to take a photo with their favorite candy at a sporting event, and from the submissions, 10 winners will be chosen to receive a special Red Vines bundle.

Visit @redvinescandy on Instagram or Facebook for more information about this year's giveaway.

American Licorice will also be offering special discounts and promotions on their online store, featuring many of the classic Red Vines candy favorites.

What's Next?

Though National Licorice Day falls but once a year, American Licorice Company continues to work on new and exciting innovations across all their brands - Red Vines being no exception. The company recently introduced the newest evolution for the Red Vines brand, with the creation of a new line of items under the sub-brand, Vines.

The first item to launch is Vines Gummy Peaces , soft and chewy gummy candies in a variety of tropical flavor combinations that are part of the brand's vision of the next generation of candy under the legacy Red Vines brand. And, they're another new and delicious way to keep sharing peace, love and vines for years to come.

About Red Vines Candy

RED VINES  candy is the deliciously rewarding treat that has been making special moments even sweeter for generations. For over 70 years, the Red Vines brand has delivered exceptional flavor that sets itself apart from the competition. Made in small batches, using artisanal techniques passed down through five generations, Red Vines candy has a rich heritage built on dedication to consistent quality, flavor, and freshness. Whether you pick-up our classic tray at the movie theater or pack up the iconic jar for a family picnic, Red Vines candy continues to be an essential part of celebrating life's sweet moments for decades.

About American Licorice Company

Family-owned and operated since 1914, the American Licorice Company is one of the original licorice manufacturers in the United States, and one of oldest privately held candy companies in the industry. American Licorice seeks to bring happiness in every bite with the best-selling brand of licorice candy in the western United States, Red Vines candy. In 1990, American Licorice Co. was one of the first candy companies to expand into the sour candy market with the launch of SOUR PUNCH candy. American Licorice is headquartered in La Porte, IN and has a production facility in Union City, CA.

SOURCE American Licorice Company
PEACHTREE CITY, Ga., April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Rinnai America Corporation, a leader in innovative, energy-efficient tankless water heaters, commends the U.S. Senate for passing the bipartisan Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution, SJ Res 4, which overturns a Department of Energy (DOE) rule that would have effectively banned non-condensing tankless water heaters. This decision not only protects American jobs but also preserves consumer choice and fosters continued energy efficiency innovation.

Frank Windsor, President of Rinnai America Corporation, stated, "Today's vote is a significant victory for American jobs, consumers, and energy efficiency. We applaud the Senate for their leadership in safeguarding U.S. manufacturing and ensuring consumers continue to have access to affordable, energy-efficient products that reduce long-term costs. We remain committed to our investment in U.S. manufacturing and innovation."

The DOE's proposed rule under the former Biden administration threatened to eliminate hundreds of jobs at Rinnai's $70 million manufacturing facility in Griffin, Georgia. With the Senate's support for the CRA, these jobs-and the long-term growth of American manufacturing-are now secure.

Rinnai would like to express its sincere gratitude to all the lawmakers in both the House and Senate who voted in favor of the CRA.

"We would also like to thank President Donald Trump and U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright for their unwavering support in championing American jobs and manufacturing," said Windsor. "Their leadership has been instrumental in protecting consumer choice and affordability."

"Georgia Congressman Brian Jack played a pivotal role in shepherding the bill through both chambers of Congress and in securing Presidential support," Windsor added. "His tireless advocacy has safeguarded jobs in his district, preserved consumer choice in appliances, and protected energy-efficient products in the marketplace."

Texas Senator Ted Cruz led the efforts in the Senate to support this critical resolution, and Rinnai is deeply grateful for his leadership.

"Senator Cruz's unwavering commitment to protecting American jobs, consumers and energy efficiency has been vital in this effort," said Windsor.

Rinnai extends its appreciation to Georgia Senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock for their bipartisan support.

"Senators Ossoff and Warnock demonstrated true bipartisan leadership," said Windsor. "Their dedication to safeguarding Georgia's workforce and protecting businesses like Rinnai has made a meaningful difference. We are incredibly grateful for their continued advocacy for Georgia's manufacturing sector."

Rinnai's non-condensing tankless water heaters are up to 50% more energy-efficient than traditional storage tank models, providing significant savings for consumers. The DOE's rule would have pushed consumers toward less efficient storage tanks, increasing costs. Had the rule remained, consumers would have faced a $665 price hike per unit, plus up to $1,000 in installation costs, resulting in an additional $235 million in costs to families, particularly impacting low-income households and seniors.

Rinnai remains committed to providing innovative, energy-efficient solutions that benefit consumers, the environment, and the economy. We are thankful for the Senate's leadership in safeguarding these important priorities.

About Rinnai:

Rinnai America Corporation, a subsidiary of Rinnai Corporation in Nagoya, Japan, was established in 1974 and is headquartered in Peachtree City, Georgia. Rinnai Corporation manufactures gas appliances, including tankless water heaters, a wide range of kitchen appliances, and heating and air conditioning units. As the technology leader in its industry, Rinnai is the largest gas appliance manufacturer in Japan and has the highest efficiency of any tankless water heater brand in the United States and Canada. Annual corporate revenues, including those of its subsidiaries, are in excess of $3.3 billion. With a global perspective to create 21st-century products for the home and business, Rinnai Corporation commits itself to safety and Creating a healthier way of living. For more information about Rinnai's entire product line, visit www.rinnai.us.

Copyright 2025. All rights reserved. Rinnai and Creating a healthier way of living are the registered trademarks of Rinnai Corporation used under license by Rinnai America Corporation.

SOURCE Rinnai America Corporation
ARLINGTON, Va., April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- RiskSpan, a leading provider of innovative analytics and risk management and data analytics for loans, securities and private credit, is pleased to announce the addition of two distinguished industry veterans, Howard Kaplan and Susan Mills, to its Advisory Board. Their appointments further strengthen RiskSpan's ability to provide forward-thinking insights and trusted solutions across the structured finance and expanding private credit landscape.

Howard Kaplan Susan Mills

Howard Kaplan brings over 35 years of global financial services leadership experience, including 28 years as a partner at Deloitte & Touche, where he served for over a decade as the Managing Partner of its Securitization Practice and, as the global lead client partner, advised some of the world's most complex financial institutions, including Goldman Sachs and MasterCard. He is widely recognized for his ability to build client trust and deliver exceptional results across a wide range of professional services.

Kaplan currently serves on the Advisory Board for Union Home Mortgage and recently served as Board Chair for the Structured Finance Association (SFA), where he also chaired the SFA Executive, Nominating and Compensation Committees, and was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his distinguished service and contributions to the structured finance industry.

"Howard's breadth of structured finance expertise, combined with his knowledge of governance, risk, and regulatory issues, is unparalleled," said Bernadette Kogler, RiskSpan CEO. "His leadership in both professional services and our industry's leading trade association will offer RiskSpan's clients strategic perspective at a time when the financial landscape is evolving rapidly."

Susan Mills brings over three decades of leadership in the residential mortgage finance sector. She currently serves as Managing Director and Head of RMBS Capital Markets and Originations at Academy Securities, where she has led the firm's significant expansion as an underwriter in new issue RMBS transactions. Mills also sits on the Board of Directors at Chimera Investment Corporation, contributing to its Nominating and Governance and Risk Committees.

Before joining Academy, Mills had a long and accomplished career at Citigroup, where she led several residential mortgage businesses, including warehouse lending, non-agency securitization and contract finance, as well as sourcing institutional capital for residential opportunities. She has earned a reputation for innovation, execution, and ethical leadership, testifying before the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission and playing a key role in post-crisis rebuilding efforts in mortgage finance.

"Susan's extensive experience in mortgage-backed securities and her track record of strategic leadership at some of the industry's most important institutions will bring invaluable insights to RiskSpan," noted Kogler.

RiskSpan's Advisory Board provides strategic guidance as the company continues to expand its platform to serve the needs of private credit investors and risk managers across asset-backed sectors.

About RiskSpan

RiskSpan delivers a single analytics solution for structured finance and private credit investors of any size to confidently make faster, more precise trading and portfolio risk decisions and meet reporting requirements with fewer resources, and less time spent managing multiple vendors and internal solutions.

Learn more at www.riskspan.com .

SOURCE RiskSpan
A worker at the pool in the Whitsundays told Yahoo the incident was "certainly a crowd disperser".

A worker said the pool was unusually quiet following the deadly intruder on Wednesday. Source: Facebook/Lucy Kilgannon

An uninvited guest sent a crowd of swimmers scrambling at a Queensland pool on Wednesday after it decided to join in on the fun. Locals families spotted the highly-venomous 1.5 metre eastern brown snake sunbathing at the Proserpine Swimming Pool and Water Park, in the Whitsundays, before it suddenly slithered into cool water just around lunchtime.

It came into the property and scared of quite a lot of people because it was very big, a worker at the pool told Yahoo News Australia. Its certainly a crowd disperser thats for sure.

Footage captured by Lucy Kilgannon, who had taken her young children for a swim during the school holidays, shows the snake furiously darting across the lanes in the 50 metre lap pool as revellers watch on in shock.

The area is one of Australia's most popular tourist destinations, but the crowds certainly weren't sticking around for this.

The snake was eventually handled by a professional. Source: Facebook/Lucy Kilgannon

The mum told The Courier Mail two men armed with pool noodles helped usher it away from onlookers.

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After sliding all the way across, the snake then made its way through a mesh fence and into the caravan park next door.

Then the manager from the caravan park kind of cornered where it hid behind some bags of soil. And so we just waited there, watched to see whether it would come out  but it didnt  until the snake catcher came, the pool worker said.

So that was good. We knew exactly where it was so we could protect the people of the caravan park and the swimming pool.

The eastern brown was later relocated  but its brief appearance seems to have left a lasting impression. Theres no one at the pool today, the worker laughed while speaking to Yahoo on Thursday. He said the lack of visitors was probably more likely due to the morning cold snap, as locals are very familiar with snakes.

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Recently, there have been numerous sightings and encounters.

Quite a few snakes have been seen here and everywhere around town, they said. Theyre coming out for a sort of last ditch to get some food before they hibernate for the winter. They're quite lively and quite threatening.

There has reportedly been an increase in snake bites in the Whitsunday region this year compared to last, with a man and woman rushed to hospital in seperate incidents in February.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
DALLAS, April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Rogers-O'Brien Construction (RO) is strengthening its leadership in advanced manufacturing facility construction, delivering high-performance environments that support semiconductor fabrication, pharmaceutical production, clean energy manufacturing, and other high-tech industries.

RO delivered a 180,000 SF industrial facility with extreme precision, engineering around 150-foot-long pits, 30-foot-tall tilt-walls, and a million-pound equipment load.

As the demand for industrial manufacturing facilities, cleanroom construction, and mission-critical infrastructure surges across Texas, RO is supporting clients with custom-built environments engineered for uptime, flexibility, and full operational readiness. These purpose-built facilities are tailored to the technical standards of modern manufacturing.

With active projects and pursuits in Dallas, Houston, Austin, San Antonio, and Waco, RO's team is building complex manufacturing spaces that include ISO-certified cleanrooms, controlled environments, and specialty gas and chemical production areas. Whether it's semiconductor and AI chip manufacturing, EV component assembly, or biotech lab construction, RO understands the rigorous requirements of each build.

"Manufacturers need more than a general contractor," said Max Kogan, Client Director. "They need a construction partner who not only understands tool install coordination, MEP-intensive systems, and the real-world performance expectations of a modern manufacturing plant, but who also has the resources and in-house expertise to deliver these complex projects."

RO's experience spans design-build delivery, high-tech industrial construction, and lab testing and validation facilities. The company is frequently selected for its ability to meet tight schedules while navigating complex systems like HVAC for cleanrooms, temperature and humidity control, and high-volume utility demands.

As advanced manufacturing continues to reshape the Texas economy, Rogers-O'Brien is building the infrastructure that powers it. From semiconductor fabs and pharmaceutical production lines to EV charger manufacturing facilities and specialty chemical labs, RO is helping clients move from groundbreaking to full production faster and with confidence.

To learn more about Rogers-O'Brien's work in advanced manufacturing construction, visit r-o.com.

About Rogers-O'Brien Construction

Founded in 1969, Rogers-O'Brien Construction (RO) has over 50 years of experience in making clients successful. With headquarters in Dallas, Texas, and offices in Austin, Houston, Waco, and San Antonio, RO is a leading general contractor in Texas. Our expertise spans a wide range of industries and market sectors, including corporate office buildings, hospitals and healthcare facilities, multifamily housing, public infrastructure, worship centers, senior living communities, mission-critical data centers, higher education institutions, K-12 schools, industrial projects, advanced manufacturing, science and technology labs, hospitality venues, retail spaces, and both renovations and new construction projects.

For more information, please visit r-o.com.

SOURCE Rogers-O'Brien Construction Co
BOSTON, April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Rubin and Rudman is pleased to announce that Lauren DeMatteo has been promoted to partner. DeMatteo is a member of the firm's Trusts and Estates group, where she focuses her practice on elder law, special needs planning, estate planning, and trust and estate administration.

Lauren DeMatteo has been promoted to partner at Rubin and Rudman in Boston.

In her over eight years of practicing law, DeMatteo has earned a reputation as a trusted advisor who helps clients make informed decisions to achieve their individualized goals. Her work includes designing and implementing estate plans, guiding clients through long-term care planning and supplemental needs planning, and representing individuals and families in guardianship and conservatorship proceedings. She has specific expertise in the intricacies of elder law and the complex legal issues that come with incapacity and disability.

"We are excited to welcome Lauren into our partnership ranks," said John J. McGivney, Managing Partner at Rubin and Rudman. "She is an incredibly thoughtful, hard-working, and talented attorney who has proven herself to her clients and peers, and we look forward to her continued contributions and leadership in her new, well-deserved role."

DeMatteo is a member of the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (MassNAELA), the Massachusetts Bar Association (MBA), and the Boston Bar Association (BBA), where she previously co-chaired the Elder Law and Disability Section (2021-2023). She was a Class II Graduate of the New England Fellows Institute of the American College of Trust and Estates Counsel (ACTEC). She has been named a Boston Magazine Top Lawyer for Elder Law (2022-2024), a Best Lawyer Ones to Watch for Elder Law (2023-2025), and a Massachusetts Rising Star (2019-2024). She earned her J.D. from New England Law in 2016 and her Honors B.A., cum laude, from Saint Anselm College in 2013.

About Rubin and Rudman LLP

Founded over a century ago, Rubin and Rudman is a full-service law firm with over 100 lawyers in Boston, Massachusetts. With a diverse mix of practices, Rubin and Rudman serves national and international companies, including large public companies and closely held businesses; real estate developers; biotechnology, pharmaceutical and medical device makers; regulated industries, public entities and municipalities; insurance companies and their insureds; educational and other institutions; non-profit organizations; families and high net worth individuals. Rubin and Rudman also has suburban offices in Andover and Woburn, Massachusetts. Web: www.rubinrudman.com.

Contact:

Amy Blumenthal Kristen Weller Blumenthal & Associates Chief Marketing & Growth Officer 617.879.1511 617.330.7189 [email protected] [email protected]

SOURCE Rubin and Rudman
PITTSBURGH, April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) Software Engineering Institute (SEI) today announced the opening of registration and a call for presentations for Secure Software by Design . The two-day, on-site event will feature panel discussions and presentations on August 19 and 20 at the Cooperative Plaza Conference Center in Arlington, Virginia.

The SEI has been in the forefront of secure software development, promoting a shift-left approach whereby security weaknesses are addressed, prevented, or eliminated earlier in the software development cycle, saving time and money. Building on this approach, the third annual Secure Software by Design event seeks to promote deliberate, intentional engineering processes that integrate security into the entire software lifecycle, rather than addressing security in individual stages as one-off activities. The lifecycle approach is especially important for software deployed in national security contexts, and it speeds delivery of more secure software to warfighters and other end users.

The two-day event in August will promote security as an integral aspect of the entire software lifecycle. Post this

The purpose of the Secure Software by Design event is to improve the state of this holistic secure development approach. The SEI will bring together thought leaders from industry, academia, and government for presentations and discussions on all aspects of secure software systems development.

The event organizers invite submissions for presentations on application threat modeling, development of security requirements, secure software architectures, continuous deployment of capability and DevSecOps, secure development platforms and pipelines, software assurance, secure coding practices, software testing, and more. The deadline for submissions is July 18.

For more information about registration and the call for presentations , visit the event website at https://resources.sei.cmu.edu/news-events/events/secure-software-by-design/index.cfm .

Thank you to our collaborator, CMU CyLab Security and Privacy Institute .

About the Carnegie Mellon University Software Engineering Institute

Always focused on the future, the Software Engineering Institute (SEI) advances software as a strategic advantage for national security. We lead research and direct transition of software engineering, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence technologies at the intersection of academia, industry, and government. We serve the nation as a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and are based at Carnegie Mellon University, a global research university annually rated among the best for its programs in computer science and engineering. For more information, visit the SEI website at https://www.sei.cmu.edu.

SOURCE Carnegie Mellon University Software Engineering Institute
Partnership highlights Sinch's success bringing easy-to-use conversations inbox to business messaging

STOCKHOLM and BOSTON, April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Sinch (Sinch AB (publ) - XSTO: SINCH), which is pioneering the way the world communicates through its Digital Customer Communications Cloud, has been recognized an Essential App for HubSpot. The announcement strengthens the strategic partnership between the two companies and coincides with the launch of HubSpot's new Custom Channels API, which allows businesses to integrate communication channels from trusted partners like Sinch directly into the HubSpot Conversations Inbox.

This milestone reflects Sinch's ongoing commitment to co-innovation, making it easier for businesses to reach and engage customers in more personalized, efficient, and impactful ways. As a launch partner for the Custom Channels API, Sinch now enables customers to seamlessly manage RCS, SMS and MMS communications alongside email, chat, and social messaging - all in one unified inbox.

"It's a testament to our focus on bringing the best communications tools to businesses using HubSpot," said Chris Thompson, VP, Ecosystems at Sinch. "Our product and partner teams have worked closely with HubSpot to create an inbox environment that meets the needs of today's businesses. The partnership we have with HubSpot has led to opportunities like this, and we're proud to play a key role in shaping the future of customer engagement."

With the new integration, businesses can now track, manage, and respond to text messages within HubSpot's Conversations Inbox, offering teams a single, organized location for all customer communications. This level of visibility and centralization improves internal collaboration and drives more responsive, personalized experiences.

"By supporting this integration, we're helping businesses keep track of their communications for even better customer engagement," Thompson added. "We're excited to strengthen our partnership with HubSpot and continue delivering exceptional messaging experiences that empower businesses worldwide."

Sinch believes in helping businesses build real connections with their customers, directly from the platforms they know and use every day, like HubSpot. Being named an Essential App reflects the long-standing relationship between Sinch and HubSpot, which is built on shared values of customer-first innovation and trusted collaboration. This recognition also highlights Sinch's mobile messaging expertise and the vital role it plays in expanding and enriching the HubSpot ecosystem.

For more information about Sinch's SMS & MMS integration with HubSpot visit https://sinch.com/integrations/hubspot/

CONTACT:

For more information please contact:

Janet Lennon, Director of Global PR & Communications

[email protected] |1.206.914.6175

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

The following files are available for download:
Collaboration Aims to Build a World-Class Integrated Refining and Petrochemical Complex

YANBU INDUSTRIAL CITY, Saudi Arabia, April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- On the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Yanbu Refinery joint venture, China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation ("Sinopec," HKG:0386) and Saudi Arabian Oil Company ("Aramco") signed a venture framework agreement ("VFA") to advance the Yanbu Refinery Expansion Project.

Sinopec and Aramco Sign Venture Framework Agreement to Expand Yanbu Refinery.

The project will leverage existing facilities to construct new units, including a large-scale mixed feed steam cracker of 1.8 million metric tons per year ethylene plant, a 1.5 million ton per year aromatics plant with associated downstream polyolefin units, enhancing integrated refining and petrochemical synergies and fostering an innovative, full-industry-chain ecosystem. Upon completion, the expansion will significantly boost production capacity for high-end petrochemical products, support Saudi Arabia's industrial diversification strategy, and meet growing global market demand.

"The Yanbu Refinery stands as a testament to the strong friendship between China and Saudi Arabia, delivering robust economic benefits and advancing the petrochemical industry's modernization," commented Zhao Dong, Sinopec Group President. "This expansion will unlock greater synergies between Sinopec and Aramco, creating a world-leading integrated refining and petrochemical enterprise with global competitiveness. Together, we will contribute to a low-carbon energy transition."

Aramco President & CEO Amin H. Nasser emphasized, "The Yanbu expansion agreement deepens Aramco's strategic partnership with Sinopec. By prioritizing product innovation and diversification, we aim to reinforce Saudi Arabia's leadership in the global energy and chemicals landscape while positioning Yanbu as a premier integrated refining and petrochemical hub."

The Yanbu Refinery, a flagship collaboration under Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 and China's Belt and Road Initiative, is located in Yanbu Industrial City, Saudi Arabia. The Yanbu Refinery spans 5.2 million square meters and processes 430,000 barrels per day of Saudi heavy crude oil, producing high-quality refined products and value-added chemicals for global markets. As a pivotal energy hub in the Middle East, the refinery has driven Saudi Arabia's industrial modernization and international engagement.

The expansion project marks a new chapter in the partnership, combining technological innovation and industrial chain optimization to upgrade traditional energy cooperation models and explore sustainable development pathways.

The expansion project will integrate new ethylene, aromatics, and polyolefin units with existing infrastructure, elevating the complex's refining-petrochemical integration capabilities and expanding production of high-performance materials. It will also incorporate advanced technologies and green innovations to support Saudi Arabia's economic diversification and decarbonization goals.

SOURCE SINOPEC
Globally acclaimed developers bringing 26 oceanfront estate residences to life with world-class amenities, masterfully curated fixtures, and choice of interior design packages

Renderings linked here

MIAMI, April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Starwood Capital Group, a private investment firm with a core focus on global real estate, and Fontainebleau Development, a premier real estate development group specializing in large-scale lifestyle developments within the hospitality, retail, residential, and commercial sectors, are raising the bar for South Florida luxury living with the development of 1 Homes Jupiter Island. 1 Homes Jupiter Island consists of 26 oceanfront estate residences  from three to four bedrooms  ranging from 4,000 to 6,000 square feet. Groundwork foundation has commenced in preparation of going vertical at the 1 Homes Jupiter Island site.

Created in partnership with a controlled affiliate of Starwood Capital and Starwood Hotels & Resorts, a sustainable hotel brand management company founded by Starwood Capital Chairman and CEO Barry Sternlicht, and designed by Miami's award-winning Swedroe Architecture and Fanny Haim & Associates, 1 Homes Jupiter Island is now selling in a pristine oceanfront location in Jupiter, just 30 minutes from Palm Beach. Residences will be furniture-ready with a masterfully curated selection of fine fixtures and finishes.

"This is a groundbreaking opportunity. Our first 1 branded residential project without a 1 Hotel but with the personalized touches of our acclaimed hotel brand. We approached 1 Homes Jupiter Island with a simple thought: the world is beautiful, and it's our responsibility to celebrate and to preserve it," says Starwood Capital Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Barry Sternlicht. "This philosophy guides every aspect of our work.

"From the thoughtful design to the interconnection with the stunning nature around it, this development embodies our commitment to creating spaces that honor both luxury and sustainability. Partnering with Fontainebleau Development, a leader with an unparalleled track record of creating iconic luxury condominium homes, ensures that our shared vision will be brought to life with expertise and precision."

Designed to capture the beauty of the region's indoor and outdoor lifestyle, 1 Homes Jupiter Island residences feature expansive terraces, sweeping ocean and intracoastal views, and amenities  brought to life by two of the most respected developers in the industry, with a shared vision and expertise that raises the standard for luxury living.

"This partnership brings together decades of expertise, industry leadership, and a shared commitment to excellence," says Fontainebleau Development Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey Soffer. "We are honored to partner with Starwood Capital in this landmark achievement to make their first foray into oceanfront residential development.

"It is a privilege to collaborate with such an esteemed team to bring 1 Homes Jupiter Island to life. Together, we are creating a destination that honors the natural beauty and exclusivity of this region, and setting a new standard for luxury living in South Florida."

1 Homes Jupiter Island residences feature custom kitchens with a rich palette of sophisticated materials and lustrous finishes hand-selected European and American stones, and complemented by modern luxuries such as energy-efficient premium appliances and state-of-the-art home automation. The three penthouses and two beach residences  the pinnacle of oceanfront luxury  are the ideal blend of nature, luxury, and seamless design. Each penthouse features a private rooftop terrace with a summer kitchen and hydrotherapy spa, while the beach residences boast oversized terraces with private pools, perfect for entertaining. With smart home technology, extended ceilings, and refined finishes, every space is designed for effortless comfort and a distinct coastal lifestyle.

"Much like our prestigious SeaGlass residences on Jupiter Island, 1 Homes Jupiter Island has been created with meticulous attention to detail and thoughtful design, including exquisite natural materials and finishes, each home has been crafted to surpass every expectation," adds Fontainebleau Development President of Residential Jim Cohen. "From the airy, light-filled interiors to the contemporary comforts throughout, these residences offer an unmatched level of sophistication.

"This is the rarest opportunity to enjoy oceanfront living, as development on Jupiter Island's sand is very limited. Our vision for 1 Homes Jupiter Island is fully aligned with those looking for exclusivity and luxury in a secluded setting. We are proud to bring the community to Jupiter Island, in one of the most private areas with unprecedented natural beauty."

Located at 300 Beach Road, Tequesta, FL 33469, 1 Homes Jupiter Island will offer residents a secluded and carefree atmosphere, with a luxury beachfront swimming pool, private cabanas, summer kitchens, and state-of-the-art wellness enhancements, promising unique and unforgettable ocean experiences.

For more information about 1 Homes Jupiter Island, visit 1homesjupiterisland.com, call (561) 935-9010, or e-mail [email protected].

About Starwood Capital Group

Starwood Capital Group is a private investment firm with a core focus on global real estate. The Firm and its affiliates maintain 16 offices in seven countries around the world, and currently have 5,000+ employees. Since its inception in 1991, Starwood Capital Group has raised over $80 billion of capital, and currently has ~$115 billion of assets under management. Through a series of comingled opportunity funds and Starwood Real Estate Income Trust, Inc. (SREIT), a non-listed REIT, the Firm has invested in virtually every category of real estate on a global basis, opportunistically shifting asset classes, geographies and positions in the capital stack as it perceives risk/reward dynamics to be evolving. Starwood Capital also manages Starwood Property Trust (NYSE: STWD), the largest commercial mortgage real estate investment trust in the United States, which has successfully deployed over $98 billion of capital since inception and manages a portfolio of over $26 billion across debt and equity investments. Over the past 33 years, Starwood Capital Group and its affiliates have successfully executed an investment strategy that involves building enterprises in both the private and public markets. Additional information can be found at www.starwoodcapital.com.

About Starwood Hotels & Resorts

Starwood Hotels & Resorts, an affiliate of global private investment firm Starwood Capital Group, is a sustainable hotel brand management company that operates 1 Hotels, a nature-inspired lifestyle brand that launched in 2015 with properties in South Beach and Manhattan and now includes Brooklyn Bridge, West Hollywood, Sanya (China), Toronto, San Francisco, Nashville, the recently opened Hanalei Bay flagship property and the brand's first European property in Mayfair (London) with projects in development in Austin, Cabo San Lucas, Paris, Copenhagen, Elounda Hills (Crete), Riyadh, Melbourne, Seattle and San Miguel de Allende; Baccarat Hotels & Resorts, a luxury brand that made its debut in March 2015 with the opening of its flagship property in New York, with projects under development in Rome, Florence, Dubai, Riyadh, Brickell (Miami), and Maldives; and Treehouse Hotels, which premiered in London in 2019 and with projects under development in Manchester, Silicon Valley, Brickell (Miami), Adelaide and Riyadh. Leveraging its marketing, design, operational and technological expertise, SH Hotels & Resorts is the force behind some of the most groundbreaking and dynamic hotel brands in the world.

About 1 Hotels

As a mission driven luxury lifestyle hotel brand inspired by nature, 1 Hotels cultivates the best of sustainable design and architecture, together with extraordinary comfort and an unrivaled level of service. 1 Hotels - which launched in 2015 with the opening of exclusive properties in Miami's South Beach and Manhattan's Central Park; followed by Brooklyn, located on the East River, in February 2017; West Hollywood, on Sunset Boulevard, in June 2019; Sanya (China) in 2020; Toronto in 2021; San Francisco and Nashville in 2022; and in 2023, the Hanalei Bay flagship property and Mayfair (London), the brand's first European property - is inspired by a simple idea: those that travel the world should also care about it. It is, after all, 1 world. 1 Hotels upholds this vision by channeling nature through design and culinary partnerships while connecting with the local community and taking sustainable steps to make a big difference. The brand is expanding with properties under development in Austin, Cabo San Lucas, Paris, Copenhagen, Elounda Hills (Crete), Riyadh, Melbourne, Seattle and San Miguel de Allende. Additional information can be found at 1hotels.com.

About Fontainebleau Development, LLC

Fontainebleau Development is one of the country's premier real estate development and hospitality groups, with a diverse portfolio that includes properties in the hospitality, gaming, residential, retail, commercial, and luxury services sectors. The company builds, owns, markets, and operates their properties, providing expertise in each stage of a project's life cycle with a relentless focus on delivering the best quality in everything they do. Fontainebleau Development has established a diverse portfolio of premier assets such as Big Easy Casino, Fontainebleau Las Vegas, Fontainebleau Miami Beach, JW Marriott Turnberry Resort & Spa, Hilton Downtown Nashville, and numerous residential landmarks such as Turnberry Ocean Club, Turnberry Ocean Colony, Porto Vita, the Tresor and Sorrento towers at Fontainebleau Miami Beach. The company has also built nine residential towers in Las Vegas, including Turnberry Towers and Signature (in partnership with MGM Resorts International). Its luxury services division includes Fontainebleau Aviation, Turnberry Yacht Club & Marina, Turnberry Isle Country Club, and some of the highest grossing and well-known nightlife, dining and health and wellness destinations in the world. Over a 70-year history, Fontainebleau has been involved in over 100 projects representing in excess of $38 billion in total transaction value.

SOURCE Fontainebleau Development
eCampus.com's full-service online bookstore platform will improve the student experience through access to low-cost course materials coupled with a customer-focused campus retail experience.

LEXINGTON, Ky., April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- eCampus.com has been selected as SUNY Brockport's official course materials partner, delivering a full-service online bookstore platform alongside managing and operating the SUNY Brockport campus store. The enhanced campus store and online bookstore are slated to launch in summer 2025. SUNY Brockport, part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system, is located in Brockport, NY. This new partnership focuses on providing convenient and affordable access to course materials via a personalized online storefront , in addition to a customer-focused retail experience for the entire SUNY Brockport community.

SUNY Brockport Partners with eCampus.com to Launch Campus Store and Online Bookstore Focused on Student Success

SUNY Brockport joins five other SUNY system schoolsCanton, Cobleskill, Cortland, Morrisville, and Oneontain selecting eCampus.com as their comprehensive course materials provider. However, Brockport is the first to combine this partnership with campus store management. eCampus.com was selected after a comprehensive evaluation process demonstrated that the company best supports SUNY Brockport's mission to enhance the student and faculty experience. Key advantages of the program include excellent customer service, a wider range of affordable options, and the capability to meet growing demands for digital content. Students will have access to new, used, and rental textbooks, as well as access to a variety of digital materials. Additionally, students can utilize an exclusive Marketplace, which allows them to buy textbooks and course materials from third-party sellers at discounted prices. eCampus.com will also provide 24/7 dedicated customer support.

eCampus.com's systems will integrate seamlessly with Banner, SUNY Brockport's Student Information System, to create a tailored ordering process using Single Sign-On (SSO). This unified approach will allow students to conveniently order course materials during registration, streamlining the process as they sign up for classes. Additionally, eCampus.com will offer free shipping to the SUNY Brockport campus store, offering students the convenience of in-store pickup for their course materials.

Through eCampus.com's intuitive adoption platform, faculty are empowered with the academic freedom to research and select the most suitable content, regardless of publisher or platform. The platform also provides powerful adoption metrics and a student readiness dashboard, offering real-time insights into student purchasing behaviors. This allows both administrators and faculty to make informed decisions that foster student success.

eCampus.com will also extend its expertise in retail management by assuming the operation of SUNY Brockport's physical campus store, reimagining the space with expanded SUNY Brockport-branded merchandise. The refreshed campus store will reopen in the summer of 2025 with a new name, SUNY Brockport Campus Store. The store will offer a wide range of apparel, accessories, and gifts designed to fit every budget. It will also serve as a convenient course materials service center to support students with all their textbook and course material needs, including order pickup, seasonal buyback and rental return events, and on-site customer support.

"We are excited about eCampus' online model for providing the course materials that students need in the format they want at the best price possible, and for their strategy to source popular and affordable merchandise for our campus community," said BASC Executive Director, Bill McNamara. "We look forward to this partnership and to seeing our faculty, staff, alumni, and students proudly sporting SUNY Brockport apparel from our campus store!"

About eCampus.com

eCampus.com is a premier online retailer of textbooks and digital course materials. Consistently exceeding industry standards, eCampus.com's mission is to provide the easiest, fastest, and most affordable way for K-12 and higher education students to buy, rent, or sell textbooks and digital content. Founded on July 2, 1999, eCampus.com reshaped the textbook industry by taking the traditional college bookstore online. Remaining an edtech leader in future-proof course material solutions, eCampus.com serves over 375 schools, colleges, and universities. Their comprehensive course material solutions suite includes full-service online bookstores, inclusive access and equitable access programs, and expert campus store operations and management. Through products that simplify the adoption, management, and procurement of course materials, eCampus.com propels student success by delivering the right course materials, at the right time, and the right price. Learn more at ecampus.com and ecampushighered.com .

Press Contact:

Tiffaney Lavoie

859-514-6885

https://www.ecampus.com/

SOURCE eCampus.com
THE WOODLANDS, Texas, April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- TETRA Technologies, Inc. ("TETRA" or the "Company") (NYSE:TTI) announced today that it will release first quarter 2025 results after the closing of the market on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. On April 30, 2025, TETRA will host a conference call at 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss the results. Brady M. Murphy, President and CEO, and Elijio V. Serrano, Senior Vice President and CFO, will host the call.

TETRA invites you to listen to the conference call by calling the toll-free phone number 1-800-836-8184. The conference call will also be available by live audio webcast. The news release will be available on the Company's website prior to the conference call. A replay of the conference call will be available at 1-888-660-6345 conference number 17932#, for one week following the conference call and the archived webcast will be available through the Company's website for thirty days following the conference call.

Company Overview

TETRA Technologies, Inc. is an energy services and solutions company focused on developing environmentally conscious services and solutions that help make people's lives better. With operations on six continents, the Company's portfolio consists of Energy Services, Industrial Chemicals, and Critical Minerals. In addition to providing products and services to the oil and gas industry and calcium chloride for diverse applications, TETRA is expanding into the low-carbon energy market with chemistry expertise, key mineral acreage, and global infrastructure, helping to meet the demand for sustainable energy in the twenty-first century. Visit the Company's website at www.onetetra.com for more information or connect with us on LinkedIn.

SOURCE TETRA Technologies, Inc.
BARGERSVILLE, Ind., April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Prominently featured in The Inner Circle, Paul Delbert Winchester, MD is acknowledged as a Top Pinnacle Neonatologist for his contributions in Neonatology.

Dr. Winchester, an esteemed neonatologist with a career spanning over four decades, has made significant contributions to the field of neonatology and pediatric care. His dedication to the well-being of infants and children has earned him recognition as a leading expert in the field.

Paul Delbert Winchester, MD

Currently serving as the Professor of Neonatology at the Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health in Indianapolis, and attending Neonatologist at St. Francis Hospital, Indiana, Dr. Winchester has been at the forefront of neonatal acute care since 1981.

Dr. Winchester is renowned for his innovative and comprehensive approach to clinical care. His emphasis on understanding patients' medical histories and a strong focus on preventive measures has set him apart as a practitioner who goes above and beyond to ensure the well-being of the young patients under his care.

His educational journey began with a Bachelor of Arts in experimental psychology from Stanford University in 1970. He continued to excel academically, earning a Master of Arts from the University of Michigan in 1972 and a Doctor of Medicine Internship and Residency in pediatrics in 1979, and Fellowship in Neonatology 1981 at the University of Colorado Medical Center in Denver. The board-certified physician is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and is currently affiliated with Indiana University School of Medicine as a Clinical Professor and Riley Hospital, Eskenazi Hospital, Francis Hospital, Indianapolis, as medical staff. The doctor is board-certified in pediatrics and neonatal and perinatal medicine; is a PALS provider; and is an NRP Instructor/provider.

Throughout his career, Dr. Winchester has achieved several remarkable milestones. Notably, he holds the distinction of being the first neonatologist to practice outside of Denver, Colorado. He developed the first Level III NICU outside of Denver in Colorado in 1981, which tripled survival rates in very low birth-weight babies in 6 months; developed Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Program with Marsha London, RN at Beth-El School of Nursing, Colorado Springs; was a member of the First Neonatal Transport Team for Fort Carson Army Mast Helicopters, as well as Mayo Fixed Wing medical transports; Neonatal Fellowship (Beth Murdoch) program with Bill Haye, MD CUMC; Resuscitation and intubation labs for Southern Colorado Family Practice Program in Pueblo, Colorado.

Dr. Winchester has made several significant contributions to the field of neonatology making him a world-renowned physician. Dr. Winchester developed the first High Frequency Ventilator in Colorado with designs incorporated into commercial HFJV now in use; introduced High Frequency Ventilation to Colorado, Kansas and New Hampshire; was awarded a March of Dimes grant to begin the first Prematurity Prevention Program in Colorado in 1982 along with Maria Carlos and Robert Creasy MD; had the first reported use of prenatal steroids in preterm labor mothers <28 weeks gestation, which doubled survival rates and cut severe IVH rates in half; was the first to use post-natal steroids to treat BPD in Colorado which was adopted by Gordon Avery Washington Children's Hospital; helped develop ultrasound as a diagnostic test for neonatal intraventricular hemorrhage along with Carol Rumack, MD; developed clinical care flow sheet which is under the Baby's Benefit copyright; and discovered that preterm birth is heritable. Dr. Winchester adds that he developed Paul's three rules: 1) if you have it you've always had it 2) if you have it, your family has it 3) if you have it you "marry" it, (choices of place to live, place to work, profession, likes and dislikes, are all informed by your genome).

Among his great accomplishments, Dr. Winchester, along with colleague Rodney Levine NIH, is credited with making the groundbreaking discovery in Kansas City that a phenol-based germicide used to clean bassinets was a cause for newborn jaundice. He also organized mentorship programs for Blue Valley High School and Shawnee Mission School District and entered into a congressional agreement with manufacturers (Merk) to not market to newborn care facilities.

In New Hampshire, he discovered that prenatal steroids influence the post-menstrual day of discharge from the NICU by accelerating physiological maturity with Robert Darnell Dartmouth Medical Center. During his time in Indiana the doctor discovered that the two leading causes of Infant Death (birth defects and preterm birth) both peak in the months of peak pesticides in US surface waters and went on to discover that 93-99% of pregnant Hoosier mothers are exposed to the weed killer glyphosate (GLY) (aka Round Up), and that higher levels of glyphosate shorten pregnancies, which leads to premature birth in some and reduces fetal growth. After Winchester and colleagues finding that a majority of US Women are exposed to glyphosate, the CDC and other investigators confirmed the findings and added additional adverse effects to the list including the additional impact of AMPA (the main metabolite of glyphosate) , masculinization of female genitals and predisposition to fatty liver disease.

With collaborator Mike Skinner from WSU, Dr. Winchester found that GLY induces epigenetic changes in exposed offspring which translated into "heritable" diseases such as obesity, perinatal mortality, and multiple disorders and has contributed numerous abstracts and presentations for more than 20 years to the annual Academic Society for Pediatrics, formerly SPR. He has a plethora of grants that have made much of his research possible. Dr. Winchester's work history includes serving as the Director of Neonatology at Memorial Hospital in Colorado Springs from 1981 to 1990 and a faculty role at the University of Colorado, where he shared his expertise by teaching clinical pediatric coursework from 1985 to 1986. He has more than 40 years practicing in Neonatology, founding two level III NICUS at Memorial Hospital in Colorado Springs, Colorado and Overland Park Regional Medical Center in Kansas where he directed four NICUS including one at Elliot Hospital, NH and St. Francis Hospital, IN.

He is an esteemed member of numerous professional organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics where he is distinguished as a Fellow; District VIII Perinatal Medical Society; Subspecialty Board Neonatology at the American Academy of Pediatrics; and was a clinical instructor at the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Colorado and the University of Kansas (KUMC). Dr. Winchester has also received numerous distinctions and awards during his illustrious career including: Stanford Management Intern (SNIP) of the Year Award in 1968; graduated with honors from Stanford University in 1970; is a recipient of the Franklin P. Gengenbach Award for Best Pediatric Student in 1974-1975; March of Dimes "Make a Difference" Award in Greater Kansas City in 1991; Red Shoes Award at Riley Hospital in 2005; Indiana Public Health Association's Tony and Mary Hulman Achievement Award for Health Science Research in November 2013. The Top Doc Award in the Indianapolis Monthly Magazine in 2014, 2016-2021; Castle Connolly Top Doctor Award in 2016.

Dr. Winchester is a highly sought-after professional and expert in the field and has served in many other capacities during his career including being a member of the NAS Multi-disciplinary Task Force at St. Francis Medical Center; founded and supported the Annual Perinatal Conference "Growth and Challenge" in Colorado Springs, Colorado; and supported as Clinical Advisor Research Fellowship by Amira Bastawisi, MD-Risk Factors for Premature Birth in Colorado Research tool developed by P.S. Winchester and Elizabeth Kyre. He has been an invited lecturer at numerous conferences including The Iowa Governor's Conference on Public Health where he was the keynote speaker and the Indianapolis Healthy Babies Consortium Meeting as a featured speaker. As a renowned researcher, with presentations from 2001-2024 at annual Academic Pediatric Society Meetings. Dr. Winchester has countless IRB's adding to the body of work supporting neonatal care and other medically relevant studies. He is both a mentor to numerous trainees, students and professionals and at the forefront of Pediatric and Neonatology research and development, saving countless lives and improving the odds for hundreds of infants and mothers.

The doctor is a consummate supporter of the community including Greenwood High School Honors Biology Research Program with Becky Kehler (now in Sarasota County Schools, Fla). He worked with the Marion County Prosecutor's Office as a consultant and has supported Johnson County 4-H Fair as a Grand Champion in Artistic Painting.

Looking ahead, Dr. Winchester envisions a future filled with continued growth and success in the field of neonatology and pediatrics. He is pursuing the next steps in protecting pregnant women from unwanted chemicals now contaminating them while pregnant. He explained, "our discovery of glyphosate in most pregnant women is just one of a litany of chemicals now found in every life form on the planet. The capacity of these chemicals to alter the DNA of our offspring, inducing diseases across generations, is the next big challenge which we heretofore weren't aware of. Infertility is the worst of these chemicals' effects since it will lead to the inability of the human race to reproduce naturally if not altered." The doctor added that, "the privilege of treating sick newborns comes with the responsibility to find the origin of their diseases: preterm birth, birth defects, fetal growth restriction and their impact of cognitive and physical development of our children. Most chronic diseases today have their origins in ancestral environmental contaminants through epigenetic fetal changes. We are perfecting the means of keeping preterm babies alive, but they should never have to be born premature or sick in the first place. Our next big step is to provide the pharmacological, proteomic, probiotic, nutritional and medical, and psychological means to prepare women and their spouses for an optimal state of health before they become pregnant. This will include chemical surveillance, epigenetic and genetic surveillance and counseling, and may, one day, include modifiers for both genetic and epigenetic risk variants." Dr. Winchester's current primary research focuses on the role that prenatal herbicides impact the pregnancy, fetal development and long-term neuro-psychological development of exposed offspring including the potential role these contaminants have on childhood conditions such as autism spectrum disorder and attention, anxiety, depression disorders. His other research interests also include Physiological Maturation of the Neonate and Readiness for Discharge; III Neonatal Data Systems, Computerization of OB/Neonatal Data Base; and Sleep Study Program at Overland Park Regional Medical Center.

Aside from Dr. Winchester's incredible career and influence in the medical field, he is a former athlete excelling in many sports including football where he was an All-State Athlete at Bozeman Senior High School and Division Champion in wrestling for Pacific Coast Small Colleges in 1967 at Lewis and Clark. He grew up on Winchester Angus Cattle Ranch in Bozeman, Montana. The doctor has more than 4 decades of extraordinary experiences, collaborating with national and international professionals. He has lived in Ankara, Turkey, studied in Tours, France and Edinburgh, Scotland, and speaks French, Spanish, and some German. While Dr. Winchester's professional achievements are indeed noteworthy, he considers his most gratifying accomplishment to be the extraordinary success of his four children, 3 grandchildren and counting, and wife, Deb, who remains his most important partner in life.

Reflecting on his journey, Dr. Winchester acknowledges the influence of his parents, Burl Winchester and Carolyn Winchester; Mark Winchester MD (brother); Band director Percy Bronson; 4th grade teacher Mrs. Knoll; Wrestling and Football Coach Tom Le Prouse; Bozeman Senior High School; Del Weber, former President of California Teachers Association; Gordon Bower PhD Professor, Stanford University; Cy Gilbert director, Plans Programs American Airlines; Robert Bjork PhD Professor UCLA; Patrick O'Meara MD and Sharon Langendorfer MD at the University of Colorado Medical Center; Thomas Bouchard, University of Minnesota (Minnesota Twin Study); Ernie Beal MD Elliot Hospital; William Edwards MD, Dartmouth Medical School; James Lemons MD , former Chief Division of Neonatology Riley Hospital for Children and Indiana University School of Medicine, and early teachers who encouraged his pursuits. He also pays tribute to Dr. James A. Lemons, MD, the Chair of the Neonatal Department at the Indiana University School of Medicine, as a significant mentor who shaped his career along with his wife, Deb Winchester.

Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, [email protected]

SOURCE The Inner Circle
WASHINGTON, April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Prominently featured in The Inner Circle, Uma Lele is acknowledged as The Pinnacle of Excellence for her contributions to Global Leadership in Agricultural and Rural Development.

Dr. Uma Lele has established herself as a pioneering voice in agricultural economics, with a distinguished career spanning over five decades. Her contributions to research, policy analysis, and global development have had a lasting impact on agricultural and rural advancement worldwide.

Uma Lele

Dr. Lele spent more than 30 years at The World Bank, where she served in numerous roles, including economist, chief of development strategy division, Senior Advisor, leading policy evaluations on global partnerships and of the world bank's forestry strategy. Her work has helped shape development programs across multiple continents, with a strong focus on food security, water resource management, and rural economies. In addition to her time at the Bank, Dr. Lele served as a Graduate Research Professor at the University of Florida between 1991 and 1995, where she also directed international studies.

Her academic path began at Ferguson College/Savitribai Phule Pune University, followed by a master's and Ph.D. in agricultural economics from Cornell University which she completed in 1965, She was the first woman to earn a doctorate in the field of agricultural economics, at the age of 24. Her research continued at home for a few years while she raised a son, before joining the World Bank in 1971 as economist.

Dr. Lele also served as President of the International Association of Agricultural Economists from 2018 to 2021, She was the first woman to hold the post since the organization's founding in 1929. In this role, she championed global collaboration and advanced the professional development, particularly of young women agricultural economists.

Her accolades include an honorary doctorate from Stellenbosch University in 2023, the Clifton R. Wharton Jr. Emerging Markets Award from Cornell University, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Indian Society of Agricultural Economics, and the Dr. M. S. Swaminathan Award from the Trust for Advancement of Agricultural Sciences.

Looking ahead, Dr. Lele has continued expanding mentorship of young professionals, publishing further research on agriculture and sustainability, and fostering stronger international partnerships in agricultural and rural policy.

Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, [email protected]

SOURCE The Inner Circle
The movement is growing nationwide as Aussies face soaring living costs, with high grocery prices and rents driving some to seek alternative ways to cope.

Dumpster divers across Australia have been issued a stern warning to strictly stick to what's allowed under the law or risk landing in serious hot water.

The trend has been gaining momentum nationwide as Australians grapple with soaring living costs, pushing some to search for alternative ways to get by.

The process involves sorting through garbage in bins outside of supermarkets and shopping centres to find products that have been discarded, but are still edible or usable. Whether it be fruit and vegetables, tinned goods, or even homewares, an increasing number of Australians swear by the contentious tactic. A growing online community post their pilfered produce and reclaimed goods, while sharing hotspots of where large bins remain unlocked.

Last year, a Sydney dumpster diver claimed it had been years since she'd paid for groceries. Similarly, an Adelaide man said up to "80 per cent" of his food is found in bins around South Australia. "All I buy is my soy milk and bananas once a week," he told Yahoo News, while everything else comes from the bins of major retailers and food businesses.

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One local in Lismore, NSW, conducts "workshops" showing others how to find the "insane amount of perfectly good food that is thrown away". "You can save hundreds of dollars from one dumpster dive," he previously told Yahoo.

In previous years, Brendan has found major boxes of Easter chocolates. Source: BIG B ADVENTURE/YouTube

Dumpster diver's incredible haul as warning issued

Dumpster diver Brendan, who proudly shares his exploits on his YouTube channel, told 9News this week he'd found camping equipment, brand new fishing rods, homewares, pots and pans, watches and clothing that had "never been used, with minimal damage". He once found a giant haul of seemingly undamaged Easter chocolates as retailers discarded them after the holiday sales  something many divers will likely be on the lookout for at the end of the month.

However, a fresh warning has been issued to 'skip scavengers', reminding them that while rummaging through bins isnt always illegal, the law does draw a clear line  only items that have been genuinely discarded can be snatched up. "If you've taken an item that's not been genuinely abandoned, you could face serious charges, such as stealing," lawyer William Kennedy told Nine.

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Crucially, it is illegal to remove goods from areas like behind-store loading docks or storage zones if they havent been thrown away, even if they appear unwanted. Entering private property, whether it be homes or businesses, without permission can also lead to trespassing charges.

How can dumpster divers be prosecuted?

According to Sydney-based criminal lawyer Avanish Singh, if it's in the bin, it's effectively fair game.

"If items have been placed in a bin for disposal, then the item will be taken to be 'abandoned'  this means that someone who takes an item from a bin cannot be charged with stealing as the item is no longer capable of being stolen," he explained to Yahoo.

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"The previous owner has effectively relinquished ownership of it. However, if a person enters onto an enclosed private land  for example, through a gate or over a fence  then they are trespassing."

While some bins may be located in public spaces, many are actually on private property, such as in loading docks, behind locked gates, or in fenced-off areas. In those cases, entering to access the bin could still be considered trespassing, even if the contents of the bin are deemed abandoned and therefore not able to be stolen under the law.

Another Aussie dumpster diver previously told Yahoo he not only finds food but once found two working smart TVs thrown away. Source: Supplied

A Sydney dumpster diver's previous food haul. Source: Facebook

So while taking items from a bin itself might not be theft, accessing the bin could still be unlawful if you're on private property without permission. Thats where most dumpster divers run into legal trouble  not over what's taken, but over where it's taken from.

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Putting aside the legal concerns, there may also be several health implications that can arise from dumpster diving. Perishable items like meat, dairy and prepared foods can quickly spoil if not stored properly, leading to a risk of foodborne illnesses such as salmonella. Contamination from mould, pests, or cleaning chemicals is also a possibility, especially if food is mixed with non-edible waste.

Injuries can occur from sharp objects, broken glass or electrical materials, and though many divers take precautions, including the use of gloves and masks, there are definite risks involved.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

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Five-Year Performance of 250% Through March 31, 2025 Relative to 154%

for Benchmark Wilshire 2500 Growth and 135% for the S&P 500

NEW YORK, April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Tanaka Capital Management today announced that according to LSEG Lipper, the TANAKA Growth Fund (TGFRX) achieved the following rankings in its Multi-Cap Growth category of mutual funds through March 31, 2025: #2 out of 355 funds for Year-to-Date, #3 out of 327 funds for 3-Years, and #5 out of 297 funds for 5-Years.

"We are pleased with the TANAKA Growth Fund's continued strong returns, gaining 6.7% year-to-date through March versus declines of 4.3% for the S&P 500 and 9.2% for the Fund's benchmark Wilshire 2500 Growth index," said Graham Tanaka, President of Tanaka Capital Management. "The Fund's outperformance was driven by our individual stock-picks that we selected based on company- and industry-specific growth opportunities and their potential to be less dependent on economic activity and the broader market. We remain encouraged by the outlook for these holdings despite the broader macro uncertainty and continue to believe that stock picking and active portfolio management will be key to outperforming in today's market."

"Our core investment approach of balancing bottom-up stock-picks, Platform Growth companies tied to secular themes such as the Digital Revolution and Clean Energy Transition, and more stable blue chip holdings has proven to be a durable, winning strategy for the Fund and its shareholders through a variety of market environments and has garnered the Fund top 5 rankings for the last 3- and 5-Years by LSEG Lipper," said Benjamin Bratt, Vice President of Tanaka Capital Management as well as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Compliance Officer of the TANAKA Growth Fund. "As we look out to the next 3-5 years, we continue to search for new names to keep the portfolio fresh and remain focused on identifying disruptive companies that are flying under the radar and have the ability to generate above-average multi-year growth."

Available for Business Media Interviews for Expertise in Technology, Biotech and other Durable Growth Stocks

Graham Tanaka has made numerous television appearances on CNBC, Bloomberg Television, Reuters Television, and Yahoo Finance Live and been quoted in the Wall Street Journal and numerous other business publications due to his expertise in discovering platform companies that can grow significantly for many years. He is available for interviews with business media seeking his expert commentary and his investment views.

The TANAKA Growth Fund is currently open to new mutual fund investors. Investors can call 1-877-4TANAKA directly . The Fund is also available through Fidelity, Charles Schwab, TD Ameritrade, Vanguard, Wells Fargo, UBS, LPL Financial Services, Pershing, and Janney Montgomery Scott.

About Tanaka Capital Management

Founded in 1986, Tanaka Capital Management is the advisor to the TANAKA Growth Fund and also provides individually tailored investment management to high-net worth individuals, pension plans and endowments. The firm's investment philosophy reflects the view there are always misunderstood companies in the marketplace. It is our job to find these companies and validate whether they can deliver durable growth for our investors in the years ahead. Tanaka Capital Management is also accepting new clients for privately managed accounts. For more information or to contact us, please visit www.tanaka.com.

The Fund's past performance does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment in the Fund will fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance of the Fund may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Performance data current to the most recent month end may be obtained by calling 1-877-4TANAKA.

The Fund's prospectus contains important information about the Fund's investment objectives, potential risks, management fees, charges and expenses, and other information. Please read and consider it carefully before investing or sending money. You may obtain a current copy of the Fund's prospectus by calling 1-877-4TANAKA.

LSEG Lipper - A London Stock Exchange Group Company, is a nationally recognized organization that ranks the performance of mutual funds within a universe of funds that have similar investment objectives. Rankings are historical with capital gains and dividends reinvested.

Contact:

Peter DeNardo

CapComm Partners (financial communications/investor relations)

[email protected]

+1 (415) 389-6400

SOURCE Tanaka Capital Management
ATLANTA, April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Trudell Trailer Sales, acquired by Cox Automotive in 2022, proudly announced its name change to Midwest Great Dane, leveraging the Great Dane brand deeper in the Midwest market. As one of the largest Great Dane dealer groups in the country, Midwest Great Dane and Northeast Great Dane create consistency across the dealerships, unlocking greater value for their teams and clients.

Photo courtesy of Fleet Services by Cox Automotive.

With more than 50 years of partnership with Great Dane, the new name further reinforces the strong and long-standing relationship between the two companies. Northeast Great Dane, recognized as the 2024 Great Dane Dealership of the Year, plans to build on that success with the Midwest Great Dane team.

Midwest Great Dane will continue selling new trailers and truck bodies in the same Great Dane market, covering Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan. Additionally, the team will continue selling used trailers, rentals, parts and services.

"Fleet Services by Cox Automotive is coming together as one, powerful organization in the trucking industry," said Patrick Brennan, Senior Vice President, Fleet Services by Cox Automotive. "As a key element of this evolution, we will continue our decades-long partnership with Great Dane. We have grown into one of the largest Great Dane dealer groups in the country and one of the most successful. This name change further unifies our best-in-class team and drives an enhanced client experience."

"The brand evolution to Midwest Great Dane marks an exciting new chapter for our partnership," said Rob Ulsh, Vice President, Dealer and International Sales for Great Dane. "By aligning more closely with the Great Dane brand, it creates consistency across their dealerships. Together, we're better positioned to deliver unparalleled value, expertise, and service to our customers throughout the Midwest."

The team will continue their decades-long dedication to customers' fleets in the Midwest, providing top-of-the-line equipment and service. Additionally, the Northeast and Midwest Great Dane teams will continue partnering with Fleet Services by Cox Automotive's 1,500+ elite technicians for scheduled and unscheduled maintenance and FleetNet America's industry-leading service provider network, further differentiating Cox Automotive's solutions to fleet customers.

About Cox Automotive

Cox Automotive is the world's largest automotive services and technology provider. Fueled by the largest breadth of first-party data fed by 2.3 billion online interactions a year, Cox Automotive tailors leading solutions for car shoppers, auto manufacturers, dealers, lenders and fleets. The company has 29,000-plus employees on five continents and a portfolio of industry-leading brands that include Autotrader, Kelley Blue Book, Manheim, vAuto, Dealertrack, NextGear Capital, CentralDispatch, and FleetNet America. Cox Automotive is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises Inc., a privately owned, Atlanta-based company with $22 billion in annual revenue. Visit coxautoinc.com, or connect via @CoxAutomotive on X, CoxAutoInc on Facebook, or Cox-Automotive-Inc on LinkedIn.

About Great Dane

Great Dane was founded 125 years ago, and our storied history is part of the very fabric of our country. As a leading manufacturer of high-performance commercial transportation equipment, including dry and refrigerated trailers and truck bodies, as well as steel, aluminum, and combo platform trailers, Great Dane is a driving force in trailer technology, sustainability, quality, safety, and customer service. With corporate offices in Savannah, Georgia and Chicago, Illinois, Great Dane also has eleven manufacturing plants strategically located throughout the United States. Our company's network of corporate-owned service centers and full-line independent dealers offers a broad range of distribution points for new and pre-owned trailers and aftermarket services across North and South America. Visit Great Dane online at Greatdane.com.

SOURCE Fleet Services by Cox Automotive
AUSTIN, Texas, April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- TrueDialog, of enterprise-grade SMS texting solutions, today announced the launch of its native integration for Microsoft 365 . This powerful new offering directly embeds TrueDialog's robust messaging capabilities within Microsoft Teams, Outlook, and related applications, enabling businesses to seamlessly send both individual and mass text messages without leaving their familiar Microsoft environment.

The TrueDialog for Microsoft 365 integration provides users with comprehensive features, including contact management, message templates, real-time delivery status, and keyword toolsall fully accessible within the MS 365 ecosystem. This integration addresses the growing need for unified communication workflows, allowing organizations to engage with customers and employees more efficiently and effectively.

"We are thrilled to bring the power of TrueDialog directly into the Microsoft 365 environment," said John Wright, CEO of TrueDialog. "Nearly half of all businesses rely on Microsoft 365 daily, and our native integration eliminates the friction of switching between platforms. By meeting our clients where they already work, we deliver a seamless communication experience that enhances workplace efficiency and strengthens customer engagement."

This strategic integration provides TrueDialog with a significant competitive advantage by offering a unique solution in the SMS marketplace. By natively embedding its technology within Microsoft 365, Teams, and Outlook, TrueDialog removes adoption barriers and positions itself as an essential extension of an organization's communication infrastructure.

The TrueDialog MS 365 integration offers a compelling value proposition, including:

Workplace Efficiency : Access TrueDialog's messaging capabilities directly within Teams and Outlook, creating a unified workspace and eliminating the need to switch between applications.

: Access TrueDialog's messaging capabilities directly within Teams and Outlook, creating a unified workspace and eliminating the need to switch between applications. Direct Customer Engagement : Leverage high-impact SMS and MMS communications, which have superior open and response rates compared to traditional email.

: Leverage high-impact SMS and MMS communications, which have superior open and response rates compared to traditional email. Simplified Workflow : Seamlessly transition between 1-to-1 conversations and mass messaging campaigns from a single, intuitive interface.

: Seamlessly transition between 1-to-1 conversations and mass messaging campaigns from a single, intuitive interface. Enhanced Personalization: Target specific audiences with tailored messages by leveraging existing contact data across both Microsoft and TrueDialog platforms.

Key features of the TrueDialog for Microsoft 365 integration include:

A Native Microsoft Experience : Fully integrated within MS 365, Teams, and Outlook, maintaining TrueDialog's intuitive interface and functionality.

: Fully integrated within MS 365, Teams, and Outlook, maintaining TrueDialog's intuitive interface and functionality. Cross-Platform Compatibility : Designed for both Classic and New versions of MS 365 products.

: Designed for both Classic and New versions of MS 365 products. Unified Platform : Conduct both individual and mass messaging campaigns from a single, integrated platform.

: Conduct both individual and mass messaging campaigns from a single, integrated platform. Real-Time Messaging Status : Track message delivery with TrueDialog's intuitive double-check mark system.

: Track message delivery with TrueDialog's intuitive double-check mark system. Advanced Customization : Utilize TrueDialog's custom attributes for highly personalized messaging.

: Utilize TrueDialog's custom attributes for highly personalized messaging. Keyword Management : Create and manage keywords directly within Microsoft applications.

: Create and manage keywords directly within Microsoft applications. Unified Contact Access : Seamlessly search across SMS Conversations, Outlook Contacts, Teams Contacts, and TrueDialog Contacts.

: Seamlessly search across SMS Conversations, Outlook Contacts, Teams Contacts, and TrueDialog Contacts. On-Demand Support: Access TrueDialog's award-winning Customer Success Team directly within the application.

TrueDialog for MS 365 is the only enterprise-grade SMS platform fully embedded in Microsoft 365. It delivers unified messaging, native contact access, and real-time communication at scaleall without leaving the Microsoft workspace. This innovative integration is poised to transform how businesses communicate within the Microsoft ecosystem.

Related:

About TrueDialog

TrueDialog is a leading business SMS solutions provider. It empowers businesses of all sizes to send targeted text messaging to create material connections with prospects and customers. Customers in Marketing, Customer Success, and Sales use its award-winning platform to communicate effectively with consumers to drive business metrics. TrueDialog is trusted by thousands of brands, including Coca-Cola, Girl Scouts, Hilton, Kansas City Chiefs, Northern Tool, SubjectWell, and Tulane University. For more information, visit TrueDialog.com .

SOURCE TrueDialog
NORTHBROOK, Ill., April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Hilco Real Estate, LLC announces June 12, 2025, as the bid deadline for two well-established assisted living facilities: The Courte at Citrus Heights in Citrus Heights, California and The Landing on Dundee in Wheeling, Illinois.

The Courte at Citrus Heights: 6825 Sunrise Blvd., Citrus Heights, CA; The Landing on Dundee: 156 W. Dundee Rd., Wheeling, IL

Located just 17 miles from downtown Sacramento, The Courte at Citrus Heights is a modern 27,768 SF, 48-unit memory care facility with a strong 87% occupancy rate. Built in 2016 and zoned RD2, Restricted Density Multiple Dwelling, this thoughtfully designed property prioritizes comfort, independence and accessibility for residents. The Courte incorporates research-approved memory care programs rooted in the research of Maria Montessori and Dr. Cameron Camp, enhancing cognitive function and resident engagement.

As part of the Sacramento metropolitan area, Citrus Heights benefits from the region's robust healthcare network. Healthcare and social assistance account for 13.7% of Sacramento's workforce, supporting long-term demand for specialized care. Additionally, The Courte at Citrus Heights is ideally located near leading medical providers, including the California Medical Center, just one block away; UC Davis Medical Group; Mercy San Juan Medical Center; and the 4-star Medicare facility, Citrus Heights Post Acute. With its access to neighboring medical facilities, well-established reputation and high occupancy rates, the Courte represents a high-value asset with considerable potential for efficient use and strong revenue growth, making it an exceptional opportunity for investors aiming to expand their portfolio in northern California.

The second offering is a five-story, 86,789 SF assisted living and memory care facility in Wheeling, Illinois, The Landing on Dundee. The modern community, built in 2019 in a northern suburb of Chicago, features diverse floor plans across 100 units to accommodate the various needs of its residents. To create an apartment-style living experience, this property includes 27 private studios, six semi-private studios, eight studios, 54 one-bedroom units and five two-bedroom apartments. Residents also enjoy the numerous luxury amenities such as a spa, salon, bar, lounge, coffee shop and fitness center, along with 24/7 medication staff and in-house physical, occupational, speech and pharmacy services. With 80% occupancy and MXT, Mixed-Use Transitional District, zoning, this comprehensive medical care site offers investors and operators flexibility to enhance its potential and possibly incorporate additional retail or commercial services, creating opportunities to develop an all-inclusive senior living community with expanded amenities and conveniences.

Wheeling, like Citrus Heights, has a strong healthcare and social assistance sector, making it the second-largest employment industry in the village. The suburb provides access to a skilled workforce and convenient access to major hospitals in the area, including NorthShore Medical Center, Endeavor Health and Advocate. Wheeling also benefits from being located across two Illinois counties  Cook and Lake. In Cook County, 16.6% of the 5.1 million residents, or nearly 850,000 people, are aged 64 or older, while in Lake County, this demographic makes up 16.5% of the estimated 718,000 residents, totaling approximately 118,000 individuals.

With strong occupancy rates, healthy operations and proximity to top healthcare providers, The Courte at Citrus Heights and The Landing on Dundee present compelling investment opportunities in assisted living and memory care. Each community is being sold individually and offers a turnkey solution with modern amenities, efficient management and growing demand for senior care in their respective regions.

Daniel Miggins, vice president at Hilco Real Estate Sales, stated, "Acquiring a turnkey investment in the assisted living sector offers immediate operational cash flow, reduced startup risk and an established resident base. With senior housing demand consistently rising, investors have an opportunity to enter a high-growth industry with long-term stability."

Steve Madura, senior vice president of Hilco Real Estate Sales, added, "The Courte at Citrus Heights and The Landing on Dundee are fully operational communities with skilled staff and proven management systems, ensuring a seamless transition for new ownership. With demographic trends proving the demand for senior housing, these properties represent rare opportunities for investors looking to expand their portfolio."

These properties are being sold individually. Bids must be received on or before the deadline of June 12, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. (CT) and must be submitted on the Letter of Intent (LOI) available for review and download from Hilco Real Estate's website.

Interested buyers should review the terms of sale for requirements to participate in the sale process available on Hilco Real Estate's website. For further information, please contact Stephen Madura at (847) 504-2478 or [email protected], Daniel Miggins at (646) 984-4580 or [email protected] and Michael Kneifel at (847) 201-2322 or [email protected].

For further information on the property, sale process and terms or to obtain access to due diligence documents, please visit HilcoRealEstate.com or call (855) 755-2300.

About Hilco Real Estate Sales

Successfully positioning the real estate holdings within a company's portfolio is a material component of establishing and maintaining a strong financial foundation for long-term success. At Hilco Real Estate Sales (HRE), a Hilco Global company (HilcoGlobal.com), we advise and execute strategies to assist clients seeking to optimize their real estate assets, improve cash flow, maximize asset value and minimize liabilities and portfolio risk. We help clients traverse complex transactions and transitions, coordinating with internal and external networks and constituents to navigate ever-challenging market environments.

The trusted, full-service HRE team has secured billions in value for hundreds of clients over 20+ years. We are deeply experienced in complex transactions including artful lease renegotiation, multi-faceted sales structures, strategic asset management and capital optimization. We understand the legal, financial, and real estate components of the process, all of which are vital to a successful outcome. HRE can help identify the most viable options and direction for a company and its real estate portfolio, delivering impressive results in every situation.

SOURCE Hilco Real Estate
WASHINGTON, April 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- U-Store, a family-owned self-storage company with a legacy spanning five decades, proudly celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Founded in 1975 by partners Harry S. Sellers, a U.S. Navy officer and Bernard Fensterwald Jr., DC Attorney, U-Store has grown from a single location in Daytona, Florida, to a trusted brand with nine locations across Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Florida. Both Harry Sellers and his son Richard Sellers were involved early on in the Self Service Storage Association (SSSA) in the Southeast Region. The entities include U-Store Management Corporation as well as its various U-Store limited partnerships.

The first location was selected on a family vacation, and from there the company evolved into a multi-generational company with properties located in three states and the District of Columbia. The growth of the company has been a journey that has included an acquisition of a storage business in the basement of a building in San Francisco (later sold), a property acquired during the Savings & Loan Crisis in the early 1980's from the Resolution Trust Corporation (RTC), and several others in suburban Maryland and Baltimore in the 1990's. Throughout its history, three generations of the Sellers and Fensterwald families have grown and managed the U-Store brand, maintaining a steadfast commitment to customer service and convenient storage solutions. In addition to developing the family business, Richard Sellers, Co-Owner and President of U-Store was instrumental in creating and developing both the Virginia Self Storage Association (VASSA) and Maryland Self Storage Association (MDSSA).

"Reaching 50 years in business is a milestone that speaks to the family's dedication and the loyalty of our customers," said Richard Sellers. "Partnering with Self Storage Plus has allowed us to enhance our operations while staying true to the values that have defined U-Store for half a century."

With nearly 500,000 square feet of storage totaling 6,450 units, U-Store locations feature a wide variety of unit sizes, drive-up access, climate-controlled options, and video security monitoring. Customers continue to benefit from Self Storage Plus's industry- leading management, seamless online rental system, and customer-first approach.

Since 2022, U-Store has been managed by Self Storage Plus, a leading third-party management provider in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern U.S. The addition of U-Store's nine locations marked a historic milestone for Self Storage Plus, becoming the company's largest management assignment at that time. "When U-Store joined our portfolio, it was a defining moment for Self Storage Plus," said Noah Mehrkam, CEO of Self Storage Plus. "We remain committed to honoring U-Store's legacy while continuing to deliver exceptional service to its customers."

About Self Storage Plus:

Self Storage Plus is proud to serve the storage needs of local communities with over 95 locations across Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, Florida, Alabama, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C. Our core purpose is to give our customers Room to Pursue Life. For more information about Self Storage Plus, or to rent or reserve your unit online, visit www.selfstorageplus.com

SOURCE Self Storage Plus
BIRMINGHAM, Ala., April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Vulcan Materials Company (NYSE: VMC) will host its first quarter 2025 earnings conference call on Wednesday, April 30, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. CT (10:00 a.m. ET). Financial results will be released before the NYSE market opens.

The Company invites investors and other interested parties to listen to the live webcast of the conference call at www.vulcanmaterials.com. To participate by phone, call 800-343-4136 approximately 10 minutes before the scheduled start. For international calls, the number is 203-518-9843. The conference ID is 4926462.

A replay of the webcast will be available after the call at the Company's website.

Vulcan Materials Company, a member of the S&P 500 index with headquarters in Birmingham, Alabama, is the nation's largest supplier of construction aggregates  primarily crushed stone, sand and gravel  and a major producer of aggregates-based construction materials, including asphalt and ready-mixed concrete. For additional information about Vulcan, go to www.vulcanmaterials.com.

Investor Contact: Mark Warren (205) 298-3220

Media Contact: Jack Bonnikson (205) 298-3220

SOURCE Vulcan Materials Company
SANTA CRUZ, Calif., April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- West Coast Community Bank (WCCB) is pleased to announce Matthew March has joined as Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer (CIO). March will lead the Bank's technology strategy, enhance cybersecurity initiatives and oversee information systems and innovation efforts. He maintains his office at the Bank's 75 River Street location in Santa Cruz, Calif.

Matthew March, EVP Chief Information Officer, West Coast Community Bank

March brings more than 25 years' experience in financial services and technology sectors with deep expertise in strategic IT leadership, cybersecurity, regulatory compliance, digital transformation and innovation, and team leadership and development. His priority is enabling organizations to optimize operations, enhance IT governance and improve the client experience through leading-edge, secure technology solutions.

"We're thrilled to have Matthew join the Bank," said Krista Snelling, WCCB President and Chief Executive Officer. "He brings a deep knowledge of information technology, digital transformation and cybersecurity that will benefit our clients and support the security of our infrastructure and success of the Bank. He's a welcome addition to the leadership team and we look forward to his contributions."

"It is an honor to join West Coast Community Bank at such an exciting time in the Bank's growth," said March. "I look forward to bolstering the strength of the company's technology infrastructure and driving digital enhancements. I share the Bank's commitment to innovation, security and operational excellence, and I am eager to collaborate with our leadership team."

March joins WCCB from Sunwest Bank, where he also served as Chief Information Officer. His extensive experience includes CIO roles at Pacific Premier Bank, Colony American Finance and Carrington Mortgage Holding, LLC, as well as the roles of Information Officer and Chief Administrative Officer at Banc of California.

In addition to his professional achievements, March has a strong record of community engagement. He served as Chair of the Carrington Charitable Foundation, supporting more than 100 charitable organizations nationwide. He also launched a technology mentoring initiative in partnership with the California Conservation Corps youth program in Los Angeles and spearheaded a donation program providing refurbished laptops and monitors to schools, Boys and Girls Clubs and other nonprofit organizations.

March studied Computer Science with a minor in Mathematics at California State University, Chico. He has also served as a volunteer adjunct professor at several community colleges in California. In addition to his academic and professional pursuits, March is a published author and frequent industry speaker, and he recently filed his second technology patent.

ABOUT WEST COAST COMMUNITY BANK

Founded in 2004, West Coast Community Bank (formerly Santa Cruz County Bank and its division, 1st Capital Bank) is the wholly owned subsidiary of West Coast Community Bancorp, a bank holding company. The Bank is a top-rated, locally operated and full-service community bank headquartered in Santa Cruz, Calif. with branches in Aptos, Capitola, Cupertino, King City, Monterey, Salinas, San Luis Obispo, Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley and Watsonville. West Coast Community Bank is distinguished from "big banks" by its relationship-based service, problem-solving focus and direct access to decision makers. The Bank is a leading SBA lender in Santa Cruz County and Silicon Valley. As a full-service bank, West Coast Community Bank offers competitive deposit and lending solutions for businesses and individuals; including business loans, lines of credit, commercial real estate financing, construction lending, asset-based lending, agricultural loans, SBA and USDA government guaranteed loans, credit cards, merchant services, remote deposit capture, mobile and online banking, bill payment and treasury management. True to its community roots, West Coast Community Bank has supported regional well-being by actively participating in and donating to local nonprofit organizations. Visit wccb.com for more information.

SOURCE West Coast Community Bank
VANCOUVER, BC, April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - Western Copper and Gold Corporation ("Western" or the "Company") (TSX: WRN) (NYSE American: WRN) is pleased to provide an update on several infrastructure initiatives supporting the development of its Casino Copper-Gold Project ("Casino Project").

Sandeep Singh, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated: "Infrastructure is obviously a key piece of the puzzle to bring the Casino Project into production. Reciprocally, the Casino Project is an important lynchpin to improve the infrastructure of the Yukon and the neighboring north. The required initiatives will take time to unfold, but we are pleased with the overall direction of travel with respect to infrastructure and with the Yukon government's commitment to sustainable mining.

Further, these past several weeks have clearly been disruptive and volatile from an overall economic standpoint. But that volatility has also underscored two specific positive aspects of the Casino Project. First, we have often said that the copper-gold commodity mix makes our project highly resilient. That resilience has shown itself to be incredibly valuable in the last year as the gold price has risen nearly US$750 per ounce. Second, we believe that the groundswell of support politically for mining, and a growing understanding of its role in a more self-reliant Canadian economy, also bodes well for the Casino Project."

B.C.-Yukon Grid Connect Project

On September 17, 2024, Natural Resources Canada ("NRCan") conditionally approved $40 million in funding to advance pre-feasibility work for a high-voltage transmission energy corridor connecting the isolated Yukon electrical grid to the North American grid in British Columbia. Western is pleased to report that the conditions for this funding have been met by the Yukon Development Corporation ("YDC"), an entity of the Government of Yukon, which included a 25% YDC funding commitment over and above the $40 million from NRCan. Subsequently, a contribution agreement with NRCan was officially signed in Ottawa on February 14, 2025, where project planning activities have since commenced. With its significant industrial load, the Casino Project is central to the concept behind the grid connection  its advancement signals confidence in the Casino Project's potential and its role in shaping the Yukon's future infrastructure. While Western continues to advance LNG as the Casino Project's base case power solution, the Company looks forward to working alongside YDC and First Nations to help make the grid connection a success.

Yukon Resource Gateway Project

On March 22, 2025, the Government of Yukon announced the inclusion of the Dempster Highway in the Yukon Resource Gateway Project ("Gateway Project"), expanding the scope of the initiative to include Arctic security and regional connectivity. Whilst positive for the Yukon, a portion of funding previously allocated to the Casino Copper-Gold Access Road has been redirected to support this near-term priority. Western remains in close collaboration with the Yukon government, and discussions on future funding are expected to advance as the project moves through the environmental assessment process, which includes the road.

Port of Skagway Transportation Study

Western has completed an updated transportation study evaluating options for shipping concentrate from the Casino Project to the Port of Skagway ("Skagway"). The study, conducted in collaboration with the Municipality of Skagway and the Government of Yukon, assessed both bulk and containerized transportation methods, assessed infrastructure requirements at Skagway, and provided feasibility-level capital and operating cost estimates across multiple scenarios. Several promising transportation alternatives were identified, with costs broadly in-line with, or lower than, the Company's 2022 feasibility study estimates.

ABOUT WESTERN COPPER AND GOLD CORPORATION

Western Copper and Gold Corporation is developing the Casino Project, Canada's premier copper-gold mine in the Yukon Territory and one of the most economic greenfield copper-gold mining projects in the world. For more information, visit www.westerncopperandgold.com.

The Company is committed to working collaboratively with our First Nations and local communities to progress the Casino Project, using internationally recognized responsible mining technologies and practices.

On behalf of the board,

"Sandeep Singh"

Sandeep Singh

President and CEO

Western Copper and Gold Corporation

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news 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. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "plans", "projects", "intends", "estimates", "envisages", "potential", "possible", "strategy", "goals", "opportunities", "objectives", or variations thereof or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements herein include statements regarding the timing, funding, and progress of infrastructure initiatives, including the B.C.-Yukon Grid Connect Project, the Yukon Resource Gateway Project, and transportation options to the Port of Skagway. These statements are based on current information and interpretations, which may evolve as discussions with governments continue and additional technical and environmental work is undertaken.

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual events to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such statements. Such factors include but are not limited to the risk of unforeseen challenges in advancing the Casino project, potential impacts on operational continuity, changes in general market conditions that could affect the Company's performance; and other risks and uncertainties disclosed in the Company's annual information form and Form 40-F for the most recently completed financial year and its other publicly filed disclosure documents.

Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable, including but not limited to the timely advancement of infrastructure initiatives, the continued support and collaboration of the Yukon government and other stakeholders, the availability of funding for such initiatives, and such other assumptions and factors as set out herein, and in the Company's annual information form and Form 40-F for the most recently completed financial year and its other publicly filed disclosure document.

Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, other factors may cause results to be materially different from those anticipated, described, estimated, assessed or intended. These forward-looking statements represent the Company's views as of the date of this news release. There can be no assurance that any forward-looking statements will 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 intend to and does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements other than as required by applicable law.

SOURCE Western Copper and Gold Corporation
Morgan Kohan and RJ Hatanaka Shine in an Emotional Second Episode, "So Long, Not Goodbye"

NEW YORK, April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Great American Family is celebrating a major win as Season 2 of "When Hope Calls" premiered last Sunday. TV critics and fans are enthusiastically proclaiming the return of the series which has been on hiatus since 2019 until Great American Media brought it to streaming service Pure Flix and linear television, Great American Family with six new episodes in Season 2. Episode 2, "So Long, Not Goodbye", drops onto Pure Flix today and premieres on Great American Family, Sunday, April 13 at 8 p.m. ET.

Meet Morgan Kohan who plays Lillian Walsh in the highly popular series "When Hope Calls."

"When Hope Calls" is the sequel to TV's #1 hit series, "When Calls the Heart," both family series inspired by bestselling faith novelist, Janette Oke.

In Episode 2, "So Long, Not Goodbye," original series stars Morgan Kohan who plays "Lillian Walsh," and RJ Hatanaka who plays "Mountie Gabriel," put their long-distance love to the test when Lillian must leave Brookfield for London to help her sister Grace through a difficult pregnancy.

Kohan and Hatanaka's characters crossed through the "When Calls the Heart" universe briefly five years ago when fans were introduced to the two sisters (Kohan and Jocelyn Hudon) and to Mountie Gabriel who leaves Hope Valley and settle in the old west town of Brookfield. Lillian and Gabriel's moment is bittersweet as Lillian puts family first to be with her sister knowing it may be a long time before she is reconnected with her Mountie hero.

In Episode 1, "A New Beginning," fans were introduced to new characters: lawyer Nora Anderson (Cindy Busby), Mountie Michael Fletcher (Christopher Russell), Hannah Lawrence (Sarah Fisher), Mountie Jim Reynolds (Trevor Donovan). Fans were also reconnected to series regulars Tess Stewart (Wendy Crewson), Ronnie (Neil Crone), Nurse Maggie (Hanneke Talbot), and prospector Sam (Jon McLaren).

In Episode 1, Nora Anderson has some personal business in Brookfield, which has her paying a visit to the orphanage to meet with Lillian. Lillian finds out she has something she has dreamed of her entire life  a family. Turns out Nora is Lillian's aunt who discovered her sister's family after her sister and brother-in-law passed away. Nora never knew she had nieces (Lillian and Grace) and through reconciliation, Nora and Lillian realize they are family forever. As Lillian prepares to leave the country to help Grace, Nora stays on to run the orphanage. Mountie Fletcher earns his reputation early in Brookfield after saving a child' life. Maggie's parents arrive from Europe and immediately show disdain for Sam and his intentions as having a prospector be suitor to Maggie was not in their plans.

When Hope Calls  Season 2  Episode 2  Exclusive Clip  Texted

https://f.io/uxJG9xyy

When Hope Calls  Season 2  Episode 2  Exclusive Clip  Textless

https://f.io/U15xhyfb

Viewers wrote hundreds of enthusiastic reviews, including:

"Loved itI've been waiting for its return & was happy, happy, happy! Thank you, Great American Family!"  Becky Adams Tislow

"Well, I am hooked again. I love this series. I look forward to more surprises. I think Cindy Busby and Christopher Russell are both great additions!"  Willa Foret

"I LOVED, LOVED it!! Look forward to the entire series and how it unfolds!!"  Pam Mckee

"Loved the premiere! But I can tell you right now that 6 episodes will NOT be enough!!"  Nancy Bolden

"What a great first episode! Can't wait until next week! Thanks for another great family-friendly show, Great American Family!!!"  Lisa Jacobucci Boyle

ABOUT GREAT AMERICAN MEDIA

Great American Media is home to a family-friendly portfolio of brands including Great American Family, Great American Pure Flix and Great American Faith & Living. As the flagship linear TV network, Great American Family features original Christmas movies, rom-coms and classic series that celebrate faith, family and country. Great American Pure Flix is a leading faith and family streaming service that inspires, uplifts and entertains with content that you can confidently stream with the entire family. Other platforms include, Great American Faith & Living, the unscripted companion to Great American Family that celebrates faith, family, and country every day and every season; Great American Adventures and Pure Flix TV, FAST channels (free ad-supporting streaming TV). Great American Media was established in June 2021 by Bill Abbott and a group of US-based family offices.

Visit us at https://www.greatamericanfamily.com/

Channel Finder: https://www.greatamericanfamily.com/channel-finder

Facebook: /greatamericanfamilytv

Instagram: / greatamericanfamily

X (formerly Twitter): / gafamilytv

MEDIA CONTACT:

Pam Slay

Network Program Publicity & Talent Relations

818.415.3784

[email protected] | [email protected]

SOURCE Great American Family
If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this





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Washington, April 10 : Vice President of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), Tariq Saleh, urged the international community to bolster support for the Yemeni government in countering threats posed by the Houthi militias.

Saleh made the remarks during a videoconference meeting with US Ambassador to Yemen Steven Fagin, where they discussed matters of mutual interest, including "the ongoing American military campaign to undermine the terrorist Houthi militias and deter their threats to navigation," according to a statement released by Saleh's office on Wednesday.

Saleh warned that Yemen continues to serve as "a platform for the activities of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps," stressing the need to "translate the international community's awareness of this threat into tangible support for the legitimate Yemeni government."

"Ending the threats posed by Iran's proxies in Yemen (the Houthi group) requires strong international support for the Yemeni government to complete the battle to restore the state," Saleh said.

For his part, Fagin reaffirmed the US commitment to supporting the PLC, highlighting that his country would continue its efforts to undermine the Houthis' military capabilities until they cease their threat to maritime security in the Red Sea, reports Xinhua news agency.

The US diplomat also underscored the importance of unifying ranks to address the security and humanitarian challenges facing Yemen, according to the statement.

Saleh, the nephew of former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, commands the elite National Resistance Forces, also known as the Guards of the Republic, stationed along Yemen's western coast near the strategic Red Sea port city of Hodeidah.

The Houthis, who control much of northern Yemen, including the capital Sanaa, have been engaged in conflict with the internationally-recognized government since 2014.

In March, the Houthi group resumed attacks on Israeli-linked interests following the collapse of the Gaza ceasefire deal, claiming that their operations aim to end the Israeli offensive in Gaza and facilitate the return of humanitarian aid to Palestinian territories.

On March 15, the US military resumed airstrikes on northern Yemen, with the stated objective of deterring Houthi attacks targeting Israel.
Aden : , April 10 (IANS) Vice President of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), Tariq Saleh, urged the international community to bolster support for the Yemeni government in countering threats posed by the Houthi militias.

Saleh made the remarks during a videoconference meeting with US Ambassador to Yemen Steven Fagin, where they discussed matters of mutual interest, including "the ongoing American military campaign to undermine the terrorist Houthi militias and deter their threats to navigation," according to a statement released by Saleh's office on Wednesday.

Saleh warned that Yemen continues to serve as "a platform for the activities of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps," stressing the need to "translate the international community's awareness of this threat into tangible support for the legitimate Yemeni government."

"Ending the threats posed by Iran's proxies in Yemen (the Houthi group) requires strong international support for the Yemeni government to complete the battle to restore the state," Saleh said.

For his part, Fagin reaffirmed the US commitment to supporting the PLC, highlighting that his country would continue its efforts to undermine the Houthis' military capabilities until they cease their threat to maritime security in the Red Sea, reports Xinhua news agency.

The US diplomat also underscored the importance of unifying ranks to address the security and humanitarian challenges facing Yemen, according to the statement.

Saleh, the nephew of former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, commands the elite National Resistance Forces, also known as the Guards of the Republic, stationed along Yemen's western coast near the strategic Red Sea port city of Hodeidah.

The Houthis, who control much of northern Yemen, including the capital Sanaa, have been engaged in conflict with the internationally-recognized government since 2014.

In March, the Houthi group resumed attacks on Israeli-linked interests following the collapse of the Gaza ceasefire deal, claiming that their operations aim to end the Israeli offensive in Gaza and facilitate the return of humanitarian aid to Palestinian territories.

On March 15, the US military resumed airstrikes on northern Yemen, with the stated objective of deterring Houthi attacks targeting Israel.
Brussels, April 10 : The European Commission unveiled the AI Continent Action Plan, aimed at streamlining artificial intelligence (AI) regulations and accelerating the development of AI infrastructure, as part of efforts to ensure the European Union (EU) remains competitive in the global AI race.

Henna Virkkunen, executive vice-president for tech sovereignty, security and democracy of the Commission, on Wednesday, said that the plan focuses on reducing regulatory burdens and ensuring the implementation of the AI Act is simple and innovation-friendly.

The European Union has long positioned its digital regulatory framework as a global standard for governance. However, its rigorous oversight, particularly in the field of AI, has drawn criticism from major technology firms, who argue that excessive regulation could suppress innovation and hinder industrial growth.

As outlined in the plan, the EU will prioritise the development of large-scale AI data and computing infrastructure. Key measures include improving access to high-quality data, advancing algorithm development, promoting AI adoption across strategic sectors, and enhancing education and training in AI-related skills.

The Commission's statement noted that 13 AI factories have already been established across Europe and the EU plans to support the creation of AI Gigafactories, massive facilities equipped with approximately 100,000 AI chips and four times the capacity of current AI factories.

Last year, the EU launched a call for setting up Artificial Intelligence (AI) Factories to boost the development of AI technology.

Al Factories will be created around the network of European High-Performance Computing (EuroHPC) supercomputers and will be available to a range of European users, such as startups, industry and researchers, the European Commission had said.

President of the EC Ursula von der Leyen had said that Al Factories will help secure the EU's position at the forefront of this transformative technology.

Al Factories will help Al developers train their large generative Al models by using the EuroHPC supercomputers and providing access to data, computing and storage services.
New Delhi, April 10 : As India awaits the arrival of the flight carrying Tahawwur Rana to the national Capital on Thursday, the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack accused is most likely to be lodged in Tihar Jail.

The 64-year-old Rana, who is being extradited from the US to stand trial in India for his role in the Mumbai terror attacks that left scores dead, is likely to be lodged in a high-security ward in Tihar jail in Delhi when he reaches India, sources said on Thursday.

All necessary preparations for holding the terrorist have already been made in the jail, they said.

The Pakistan-born Canadian national who is a close associate of one of the main conspirators of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks David Coleman Headley alias Daood Gilani, a US citizen, is expected to land in Delhi today.

A special chartered flight carrying Rana left the US on Wednesday, April 9, marking a significant moment in India's pursuit of justice for the 2008 terror attack that killed 166 people.

Rana is being extradited from the US after a protracted legal battle and after exhausting all avenues to stall his move to India.

Sources revealed that upon arrival, Rana will be taken into custody by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which is coordinating his extradition along with the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW). He is likely to be presented before a Delhi court soon after.

Rana has been charged under multiple Sections, including criminal conspiracy, waging war against the Government of India, murder, forgery, and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The Mumbai Police, however, have not yet received an official communication regarding his transfer to the city.

Apart from being the associate of David Coleman Headley, Rana is believed to have had close links with Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba.
Surat, April 10 : As many as 118 workers fell ill after consuming contaminated water at a diamond-cutting unit in Surat's Kapodara area, prompting the police to register an attempt to murder case and initiate a high-level investigation, according to officials on Thursday.

The incident occurred at the Anub Gems factory located in the Millennium Complex near Hirabaug, where over 150 workers are employed in diamond processing.

According to police, several workers began complaining of dizziness after drinking water from a factory-installed cooler. A foul smell was soon detected in the water, and the matter was brought to the attention of the factory management.

The situation escalated quickly as the health of the affected workers deteriorated, prompting an emergency response.

Police were informed, and upon reaching the site, investigators discovered a suspicious packet of Celphos, also known as aluminium phosphide -- a highly toxic chemical -- near the water cooler. One packet was found opened, while another remained sealed.

Following the discovery, factory authorities arranged immediate medical attention for all workers. Of the 118 affected individuals, 104 were taken to Kiran Hospital and 14 to Diamond Hospital. Two workers were admitted to the ICU in serious condition, while the others were treated in general wards for minor complaints.

Confirming the severity of the incident, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) V.R. Patel told IANS, "The Kapodara Police Station received the complaint this afternoon. A total of five investigation teams have been formed. They are examining CCTV footage from the premises and checking for suspicious activity. The aluminium phosphide packet found near the water cooler is also under scrutiny, and we are tracing its packaging number to identify the buyer."

"This is a serious matter. Based on the evidence and testimonies, a case of attempt to murder has been registered under Section 109(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and further investigation is underway," he added.

One of the factory workers, speaking to IANS, recounted the timeline of events, stating, "We noticed something odd when the water started smelling strange. Later, the manager informed us that an aluminium phosphide packet had been found near the cooler, and we immediately stopped drinking the water."

Another worker told IANS, "There was a strong foul smell in the water. When the managers investigated the cause, they discovered a Celphos packet near the water cooler. As workers began to fall ill, they were taken to hospitals, and the police were informed."

"While we were working, several employees began to feel dizzy. We also noticed a foul smell coming from the water, and a packet of Celphos was discovered. The workers were immediately moved to the hospital. We have no idea why someone would do this," another worker told IANS.
Chennai, April 10 : Actor Arjun Das, who plays the antagonist in director Adhik Ravichandran's action entertainer, 'Good Bad Ugly', featuring Ajith Kumar in the lead, has admitted that he is "nervous, excited, eager and so much more" as the film gears up to hit screens on Friday.

Chennai, April 10 (IANS) Actor Arjun Das, who plays the antagonist in director Adhik Ravichandran's action entertainer, 'Good Bad Ugly', featuring Ajith Kumar in the lead, has admitted that he is "nervous, excited, eager and so much more" as the film gears up to hit screens on Friday.

Taking to his timeline on Instagram, Arjun Das, who has now emerged as one of Tamil cinema's favourite young heroes, posted a long letter, just hours before the film's release.

He worte,"Just a few hours to go. I'm nervous, excited, eager and so much more. When I started off at D'one with the marketing and promotions for Ajith Sir's movies, I never thought I would act alongside him. But after so many years, it's finally happening.

"I still remember, back at D'one, how we used to stay up all night to reach the theatre early in the morning to go for theatre rounds and observe the audience's response. I'll be doing that again starting today, as the same D'one boy, with the only difference being that I'll get to see your response when I share the screen with Sir," he wrote.

The actor then thanked actor Ajith Kumar, his fans and director Adhik Ravichandran.

"Thank you for putting your faith in me Ajith sir. It has been an absolute honour. I will cherish every single day of working with you, your kindness, your generosity, the conversations, the jokes, the cappuccinos, the drives and all the advice. I've said this before and I'm saying it again - This one is because of you and for you. I truly hope I get to collaborate with you again," he said.

To Ajith Sir's fans, the actor said, "Thank you so much for all the warmth and love. I'm truly grateful. I hope you all have an absolute blast watching Good Bad Ugly."

To director Adhik Ravichandran, Arjun Das said, "Adhik brother - thank you from the bottom of my heart. I wish you nothing but the best. Don't forget your promise. See you in theatres in a few hours!"

'Good Bad Ugly' features Trisha along with Ajith in the lead. It also has a series of powerful performers like Arjun Das, Prabhu, Prasanna and Sunil in pivotal roles.

Music for the film is by National Award winning music composer G V Prakash. Cinematography for the film is by Abinandhan Ramanujam and editing is by Vijay Velukutty. Stunts for the film have been choreographed by Supreme Sundar and Kaloian Vodenicharov.

--IANS

Mkr/
Seoul, April 10 : South Korea's former Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung declared his presidential bid for the June election on Thursday, vowing to become "the best tool" to serve the people.

Lee considered the front-runner in the June 3 presidential election triggered by the ouster of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, announced his bid a day after he stepped down from the party chairmanship, reports Yonhap news agency.

"I do not just want a country that only carries the name 'Republic of Korea,' but I want to help build a real Republic of Korea," Lee said in a 10-minute video message. "Such a Korea is created by its people and I hope to become a great tool -- the best tool -- of our great people."

He identified economic polarisation as the root cause of the social conflicts in the country, pledging to restore economic growth through large-scale investments while helping improve people's livelihoods.

Lee also vowed to pursue foreign policies that prioritise national interests, stressing the importance of the alliance between South Korea and the United States and trilateral cooperation involving Japan.

Officials said he will hold a press conference at the National Assembly on Friday to present his vision for the nation and announce the members of his election campaign.

Lee has been leading in early opinion polls, though he is at the heart of several scandals, including a land development scandal in Seongnam, south of Seoul.

Lee lost the presidential race to Yoon by a thin margin in 2022.

Meanwhile, former President Yoon Suk Yeol is scheduled to leave the presidential residence on Friday at the earliest to return to his private residence in southern Seoul, officials said on Thursday, following his removal from office last week.

"Yoon's departure from the presidential residence is expected within this week," said an official at the presidential office, adding it will be between Friday and Sunday.

The Presidential Security Service (PSS) has reportedly completed organising a private residence security team of about 40 people for Yoon. Under the current law, Yoon can receive protection from the PSS for up to 10 years.

Yoon's private residence is located at the Acrovista apartment complex in Seocho-dong, southern Seoul, and he previously stayed there for six months, even after his presidential inauguration in May 2022.

Yoon and his wife, Kim Keon Hee, are reportedly considering moving to another private residence in the capital area later because they own as many as 11 pet dogs and cats, and the presence of security guards may cause some inconveniences for neighbours.
New Delhi, April 10 : The Central government has appointed Advocate Narendra Mann as the Special Public Prosecutor for the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack case hearing.

The Ministry of Home Affairs issued a gazette notification on Wednesday in this regard.

The notification, which is signed by Joint Secretary Adhijit Sinha, says that Mann has been appointed for a period of three years or till the completion of the trial of the said case, whichever is earlier,

"In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 15 of the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008 (34 of 2008), read with sub-section (8) of section 18 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS), the Central Government hereby appoints Narender Mann, Advocate, as Special Public Prosecutor for conducting trial and other matters related to NIA case RC-04/2009/NIA/DLI on behalf of the NIA before the NIA Special Courts at Delhi and Appellate Courts, for a period of three years from the date of publication of this notification or till the completion of trial of the said case, whichever is earlier," the notification states.

The development comes as the Mumbai terror attack case accused, Tahawwur Hussain Rana, who is also said to be one of the masterminds, lands in India.

Rana, 64, was extradited from the US nearly 16 years after his arrest for his role in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.

As per sources, he will land in Delhi and is likely to be lodged in a high-security ward in Tihar jail.

All necessary preparations for holding the terrorist have already been made in the jail, sources said.

Sources said that on Wednesday evening, the Nayayik Abhiraksha Vahini of Delhi Police, which ferries jail inmates, was asked by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to send a jail van, along with pilot escorts, to the airport on Thursday.

The sources also said that the Delhi Police Special Cell has been placed on alert, and SWAT commandos have been deployed at the airport. Security has also been beefed up at the NIA headquarters in the national capital.
Chennai, April 10 : AIADMK General Secretary and Leader of the Opposition in Tamil Nadu, Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS), is set to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Chennai on Thursday, along with senior leaders K.P. Munusamy and S.P. Velumani.

The meeting follows a prior discussion between EPS and HM Shah held in New Delhi on March 25.

With the 2026 Assembly elections on the horizon, both parties are reportedly exploring possibilities for renewed cooperation.

Interestingly, expelled AIADMK leader and former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam has also sought an appointment with HM Shah during his visit to Chennai, further heightening political intrigue.

Sources close to Palaniswami say that the senior AIADMK leadership has stayed back in Chennai over the weekend, rather than returning to their native districts  a deviation from their usual practice when the Assembly is not in session.

The reason is that they are awaiting communication from the BJP's national leadership regarding the high-stakes meeting with the Home Minister.

Adding to the tension within the AIADMK is the recent discreet meeting between senior party leader K.A. Sengottaiyan and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

These meetingsheld in both Delhi and Chennai over a span of 10 dayshave reportedly created an uneasy atmosphere within the party.

Sengottaiyan, who has publicly expressed dissatisfaction with Palaniswami in recent months, is seen by some as attempting to open an independent line of communication with the BJP.

A source from the Palaniswami camp remarked, "They are keen to bring up several concerns, including engagement with Sengottaiyan, during their discussion with HM Shah."

HM Shah's visit is packed with political significance.

Apart from AIADMK-related discussions, he is also expected to hold meetings with senior BJP functionaries as the party gears up for the Assembly polls.

With multiple political threads converging, HM Shah's visit is seen as a potential turning point for the BJP's strategy in Tamil Nadu and for the future of its alliance with the AIADMK.
New Delhi, April 10 : A high-level interrogation team of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) will question Tahawwur Rana, the key accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, soon after his arrival in India, sources said on Thursday.

The team will comprise two Inspector Generals (IG), one Deputy Inspector General (DIG), and one Superintendent of Police (SP). The sources said that Intelligence Agency officials would also question him.

In view of the sensitivity surrounding the case, Delhi Police's elite SWAT unit has been deployed to ensure the secure movement of National Investigation Agency (NIA) officials.

Additionally, the Special Cell of Delhi Police has been placed on high alert, while SWAT commandos have been stationed at the airport to manage security.

As part of the elaborate security arrangements, the responsibility of maintaining the outer security cordon has been entrusted to the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and local police teams.

Sources confirmed that all necessary steps have been taken to ensure safe transit and custody of the high-profile terror suspect. Security has also been increased at the NIA headquarters in the national capital.

The 64-year-old Pakistan-born Canadian national is being extradited from the US after a prolonged legal battle. A special chartered flight carrying him departed from the US on April 9 and is expected to land in Delhi any time. Upon his arrival, Rana will be formally arrested by the NIA and is likely to be produced in a Delhi court shortly after.

According to sources, Rana is expected to be lodged in a high-security ward in Tihar Jail. Authorities have already made extensive preparations to hold him securely within the prison complex.

Rana, a close associate of David Coleman Headley alias Dawood Gilani -- the main conspirator in the 2008 Mumbai attacks -- has been charged under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including criminal conspiracy, waging war against the Government of India, murder, and forgery, along with charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

Despite the progress, Mumbai Police are yet to receive formal notification regarding his transfer to the city for trial proceedings. Rana is also suspected of having close ties with Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the banned terrorist organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba, which was responsible for orchestrating the attacks that claimed 166 lives.

The joint operation to extradite Rana has been coordinated between the NIA and the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), marking a critical moment in India's ongoing efforts to bring the masterminds of the 26/11 attacks to justice.
Tegucigalpa, April 10 : Colombian President Gustavo Petro called on Latin America and the Caribbean to act as a "guiding light" for multilateralism in a world increasingly troubled by division and unilateralism.

Petro on Wednesday appealed at the 9th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) held in Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras.

"We must decide whether we help each other or retreat into loneliness," Petro said. "We can either face the world alone, as in One Hundred Years of Solitude, or we can act as a united humanity and support one another."

The summit was attended by over a dozen heads of state and delegations from the bloc's 33 member countries. Honduras formally handed over CELAC's rotating presidency to Colombia, reports Xinhua news agency.

Additionally, Honduran President Xiomara Castro urged greater unity among Latin American and Caribbean countries to better respond to the United States' "exclusionary economic reorganisation" of the world.

Speaking at the opening of the 9th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), Castro said regional integration is now "more urgent than ever."

"We cannot continue walking separately when the world is reorganising itself without us," said Castro, warning that "the old neoliberal order is collapsing, and major powers like the United States are redrawing their economic map without considering those being left behind."

Castro urged CELAC members to unite in confronting shared regional challenges such as new US tariffs and migration policies.

More than a dozen regional leaders and representatives from CELAC's 33 member states attended the summit, where Honduras formally handed over the bloc's rotating presidency to Colombia.

Leaders are expected to adopt the Tegucigalpa Declaration, a roadmap for deeper political and economic integration across the region.
New York/New Delhi, April 10 : Byju's Alpha, a special purpose financing vehicle established by Byju's in the US to receive proceeds of a $1.5 billion Term Loan B, has sued Byju Raveendran, co-founder and his wife Divya Gokulnath for "orchestrating theft of $533 million".

New York/New Delhi, April 10 (IANS) Byju's Alpha, a special purpose financing vehicle established by Byju's in the US to receive proceeds of a $1.5 billion Term Loan B, has sued Byju Raveendran, co-founder and his wife Divya Gokulnath for "orchestrating theft of $533 million".

Byju's Alpha said that following the $533 million judgment of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware against Riju Ravindran and Byju's ultimate corporate parent in India, the company has now filed a lawsuit against Byju Raveendran, his co-Founder and wife Divya Gokulnath, and his consigliere (advisor), Anita Kishore.

The lawsuit states that each of them co-orchestrated and executed a lawless scheme to conceal and steal $533 million of loan proceeds (the 'Alpha Funds'), according to a press release.

"On the heels of the Delaware Bankruptcy Court's recent judgment against his brother and companies, this action is being brought to now hold Byju Raveendran, the former CEO of BYJU's Alpha, and two more of his co-conspirators  namely his co-founder and close business associate  accountable for their roles in masterminding the theft of more than half a billion dollars," said the ad hoc group of term loan lenders of Byju's Alpha's Term Loans.

They further stated that "it is clear that Byju, Divya, and Anita deliberately hid the assets of BYJU's Alpha and repeatedly were deceptive about the location of the money in order to steal funds rightfully owed to the Lenders".

"In light of the Court's recent decision, there can be no doubt that they acted unlawfully and tried to cover their tracks, breaching fiduciary duties and making numerous misrepresentations, among other misconduct, in the process. If it is not abundantly clear to them by now, Byju and his cohorts will soon learn that the laws of the United States are immutable, and they can either choose to live the rest of their days as international fugitives or face the music and return the money they stole," stated ad hoc group of term loan lenders of Byju's Alpha.

Starting in March 2022, mere months after receiving the Term Loans, Byju's Alpha, then under the control of the Byju's enterprise, defaulted on the credit agreement.

In April, Byju's allegedly began the first in what was a series of systematic and unlawful fraudulent transfers of the Alpha Funds. Byju's Alpha, including Byju and his brother Riju Ravindran personally, conceded defaults had occurred by entering into numerous amendments and forbearances to the credit agreement.

"In an effort to hide their tracks, Byju, Divya, and Anita repeatedly misrepresented and contradicted themselves regarding the use and location of the $533 million Alpha Funds," the press release added.

On March 15, 2024, Byju's issued a statement in response to a preliminary injunction ordered by the Delaware Bankruptcy Court whereby the Court froze the Alpha Funds  preventing their further use or movement.

In the statement, Byju's represented that "the said funds are safely parked in one of our subsidiaries and, as per the order, it will rightfully remain there."

On October 9, 2024, Byju issued a declaration under oath to the Delaware Bankruptcy Court swearing that the Alpha Funds had been spent.

In its lawsuit, Byju's Alpha is seeking an award of damages for Byju's breach of fiduciary duties; an award of damages for Byju's, Divya's, and Anita's aiding and abetting of the breach of others' fiduciary duties; an accounting of the Alpha Funds; an award of damages for conversion and civil conspiracy; reimbursement of all attorneys' fees, costs, and expenses; reimbursement of interest expenses; and any other relief that the court may deem just, proper, or equitable.

IANS

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Dhaka, April 10 : Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has raised concern over the lack of clear directives from the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government regarding the parliamentary election date. The party also claimed that the government was deliberately delaying the elections.

BNP alleged that the interim government's failure to provide a roadmap for the upcoming national elections has also created doubt among the public, as local media reported on Thursday.

While the interim government has announced that the election may be held between December 2025 and June 2026, BNP wants the election to be held by December 2025.

Meanwhile, demanding a swift announcement of the election roadmap, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir will lead a delegation to meet with Chief Advisor Yunus on April 16, reports the leading Bangladeshi newspaper, The Dhaka Tribune.

"We will certainly want a specific roadmap for the upcoming national parliamentary election from the chief adviser before December," said BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed, addressing reporters on Wednesday.

"Since there's been some confusion due to differing statements from various sides on different issues, we'll urge him (Yunus) to clarify the matter. So that the sense of uncertainty and instability among the people is removed, political stability is restored, and economic activities gain momentum," he added.

Yunus reiterated on Wednesday that, depending on the extent of reforms the interim government will be implementing, the next parliamentary elections could be held either in December 2025 or in June 2026.

"If political parties agree on a shorter reform process, elections could take place in December. But if a more extensive reform path is chosen, the election can be held by June," he said during a meeting with Baroness Rosie Winterton, the UK trade envoy to Bangladesh, held at the State Guest House Jamuna.

Earlier, in a televised address to the nation on March 25, Yunus stated that the elections would be held between December 2025 and June 2026. He added that the Consensus Commission is actively gathering opinions on reforms from all political parties.

A senior BNP leader stated that there is a deliberate effort to extend the tenure of the interim government and delay the elections. The party has warned of instability and "strong resentment" among the people if elections are not held by December.

The BNP has expressed doubts about the possibility of national parliamentary elections in December. The party's senior leaders alleged a "conspiracy" to delay the polls.

The much-flaunted unity of the political outfits in Bangladesh, which was on full display during the ousting of the democratically elected Awami League government led by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024, is fading gradually.

With the country plunging into crisis over the last seven months, several political leaders who had earlier backed Yunus are now criticising him openly, especially over the long delay that has been witnessed in holding national elections.
New Delhi, April 10 : India's goods and services exports have crossed a record $820 billion in financial year 2024-25, which represents a close to 6 per cent increase over the corresponding figure of $778 billion for the previous financial year, despite the economic uncertainties in global markets, according to data compiled by the Commerce Ministry.

New Delhi, April 10 (IANS) Indiaas goods and services exports have crossed a record $820 billion in financial year 2024-25, which represents a close to 6 per cent increase over the corresponding figure of $778 billion for the previous financial year, despite the economic uncertainties in global markets, according to data compiled by the Commerce Ministry.

The figures were revealed at a meeting held by Commerce and Industry Minister (CIM) Piyush Goyal with the Export Promotion Councils and industry bodies here to discuss the emerging trade scenario.

The minister complimented the exporters for the all-time high achievement in exports in spite of multiple headwinds, including the Red Sea crisis, Israel-Hamas conflict spilling over to the Gulf region, continuation of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and slow growth in some developed economies. The Minister lauded the exporters for their resilience and efforts.

During the meeting, CIM Goyal also apprised the exporters regarding ongoing discussions with the US for a mutually beneficial multi-sectoral Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA). The talks were kicked off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was one of the first global leaders to agree on the BTA in his meeting with President Trump in February 2025.

The minister assured the exporters that the government will work to provide a conducive environment to enable them to successfully navigate the recent changes in the global trade environment.

He said the country is working in a proactive manner and exploring solutions which are in the best interest of the nation. The team working on BTA is exploring the right mix and the right balance, and he exhorted the exporters not to panic and look at the silver lining in the present scenario. He assured that the team is working with speed but not in undue haste to ensure the right outcome for the country.

Goyal said that different countries are approaching tariff imposition differently. However, as far as India is concerned, there is a potential for an increase in manufacturing and, creation of additional jobs because it can attract big players in the global supply chain as India has been able to establish itself as a trusted and reliable partner and with a predictable business-friendly destination.

Various Export Promotion Councils, representing a wide array of sectors, presented their views and outlook in light of the emerging challenges in global trade and requested the government to take proactive measures to support the export industry in these challenging times.

The meeting was attended by Export Promotion Councils, Industry bodies and officials from Commerce and line ministries.
Kolkata, April 10 : The salary portal for the teaching and non-teaching staff in West Bengal Government schools continues to show on the payrolls the names of the 25,753 staff members whose jobs were terminated following an order by a Division Bench of the Supreme Court last week.

The current payroll list on the portal, which is updated between the first and 10th day of each month, remains the same as last month.

The individual school authorities have no role to play either in the addition or deletion of names from the portal, explained a headmaster of a state-run school in South 24 Parganas district.

"The authority of individual school management in the matter is just restricted to giving inputs on the portal on any change in the Provident Fund or Income Tax structure of any teaching or non-teaching staff attached to the school concerned.

"The individual school authorities are yet to receive any notification from the West Bengal School Service Commission regarding the fate of the staff attached to the respective schools whose jobs have been terminated following the apex court's order," confirmed the headmaster on strict condition of anonymity.

One reason why the payroll list in the said portal has remained unchanged could be that the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE), had earlier this week, approached the Supreme Court seeking a modification to the April 3 order by the apex court's Division Bench.

The Division Bench of the Chief Justice of India (CJI), Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar, upheld an earlier order by the Calcutta High Court's Division Bench of Justice Debangsu Basak and Justice Shabbar Rashidi last year, cancelling a total of 25,753 appointments made by the WBSSC.

In the petition, the WBBSE has made an appeal that till the time the fresh recruitment process, as directed by the court last week is completed, those candidates who have been identified as "genuine" should be allowed to work.

However, despite the payroll list in the portal remaining unchanged as of now, there is confusion among the job losers on two counts.

The first point of concern is whether the name continuing in the portal will ultimately end in credit of the current month's salary to their respective bank accounts on the month-end.

The second confusion is that even if the current month's salary is credited, how long would that continue for, because if the West Bengal government continues to pay salaries to the job losers it will tantamount to violation of the apex court order and hence contempt of court.
Seoul, April 10 : South Korea and the United States signed a new joint wartime operations plan (OPLAN) last year to counter evolving North Korean military threats, the commander of US Forces Korea (USFK) said.

Gen. Xavier Brunson made the remarks in a written statement to the House Armed Services Committee on Wednesday, as Seoul and Washington have been deepening security coordination to deal with advancing North Korean nuclear and ballistic missile threats. He also leads the South Korea-US Combined Forces Command (CFC) and UN Command (UNC).

"Last year, we took a significant step forward in our combat readiness when the new combined Operations Plan was signed," Brunson said.

"Over the past several years, alliance planners worked diligently to construct and develop this plan, constantly testing and validating its concepts through execution during our bi-annual FS and UFS exercise events," he added, referring to regular South Korea-US exercises, Freedom Shield and Ulchi Freedom Shield.

The new OPLAN, reportedly named "OPLAN 5022," is thought to have replaced OPLAN 5015. The previous OPLAN was known to focus largely on addressing conventional North Korean attacks -- a reason why calls surfaced for the South and the US to include the nuclear and other dimensions of the North's threats in its contingency plan.

Brunson said that in response to North Korea's "increasingly sophisticated" weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and missile capabilities, the new OPLAN better prepares CFC prior to armed conflict.

"We will continue to use this plan, refine it, conduct exercises, and develop our OAIs to support it," he said. "As we continue to shape and refine our exercise program in accordance with our new OPLAN, we look for additional opportunities to improve integration and interoperability."

OAI stands for operations, activities and investments.

In December 2021, the defence chiefs of South Korea and the US approved Strategic Planning Guidance (SPG), a basic document to set the tone for an updated or new OPLAN, as a new plan was needed to reflect advances in the North's weapons programs, including its refined nuclear arms, hypersonic missiles and submarine-launched ballistic missiles, reports Yonhap news agency.

The previous SPG was based on the 2010 strategic guidance, which observers said was outdated given that it did not take into account substantial progress that Pyongyang has made in its dogged push to develop new weapons, including intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).

In March 2022, the top generals of the allies signed the Strategic Planning Directive, a military document directing the update of OPCON -- a key procedure meant to accelerate the process of rewriting contingency plans.

During a House committee hearing on the day, Brunson underlined the "positional advantage" of stationing American forces on the Korean Peninsula amid lingering questions over whether the Trump administration would consider a potential USFK troop realignment or drawdown to focus more on threats from China and less on North Korean challenges.

"I think what we have to recognise is that the way we are organised, the way that we posture ourselves in the region, we ought not to seek credit for it, but we ought to at least acknowledge the fact that we are in all the places that we need to be," he said.

"Capacities aside, the capabilities that are resident within the KTO presently are right where they need to be."

KTO stands for the Korean Theater of Operations, the area of responsibility for USFK.

In his written statement, he reaffirmed that America's "unwavering" commitment to South Korea remains "steadfast," as he pointed out that North Korea's nuclear, biological and nuclear weapons programs as well as "formidable" ballistic and cruise missile forces pose a threat to the US mainland, US forces in the Indo-Pacific and allies.

Noting a deepening military alignment between Russia and the North, Brunson warned that Moscow's expanded cooperation will enable advancements of Pyongyang's WMD program over the "next three to five years."

The general also said that his command expects the North to work toward securing capabilities for hypersonic glide vehicles and multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs) in the coming year -- advanced systems that many fear will pose a significant challenge to the allies' missile defence efforts.

Casting the mutual defence treaty with Seoul as the "linchpin" for regional stability, the commander stressed that the treaty "does not specifically name an adversary" -- a mention that signalled his view that the alliance can take a broader regional role beyond its longtime focus on North Korean threats.

"That fact is even more relevant in today's strategic environment and in this region, where authoritarian collusion presents evolving and growing threats to US and ROK interests in the region," he said. ROK is short for South Korea's official name, the Republic of Korea.

Brunson also noted that US investment in South Korea's security has yielded returns.

"Economically, the ROK, backed by American strength, has grown to support nearly 450,000 American jobs and 2,100 US companies located in Korea and in the United States," he said. "Militarily, ROK contributions reduce the US costs by as much as 18 per cent across all military expenditures."

He said South Korea provides over $500 million annually to USFK's military construction needs, adding that Korean labour contributions in support of American military activities reach around $412 million.

Moreover, Brunson highlighted UNC's role in regional security.

"One of the things that we are looking at presently is an ability to continue to partner alongside others, like those in the UNC -- those 18 nations that make up that command -- to continue to build partnerships, which will strengthen not only our capacity in the region but also be an indicator of our resolve therein," he said.

Established under a UN mandate to restore peace following the outbreak of the 1950-53 Korean War, UNC now serves as a key organisation to observe the Armistice Agreement that halted fighting in the conflict. Seoul and Washington have agreed to increase their membership for regional security.

The commander raised the prospects of South Korea's role in the US military's maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) work.

"The ROK invests heavily in acquiring US defence technologies, which allows for multi-domain interoperability in a dynamic security environment," he said. "As a result, the ROK is familiar with an increasing number of major US platforms, allowing the potential performance of MRO work."
New Delhi, April 10 : Retired Mumbai Police Inspector Hemant Bavdhankar, who, along with his team, took on the 26/11 terror attack accused and caught Kasab, has welcomed the extradition of Tahawwur Rana from the US, saying it is India's significant achievement and congratulated the NIA for the feat.

Talking to IANS, Bavdhankar said, "For Rana's extradition, we presented our case in the US Supreme Court, and the court accepted it. We made our case, after which the court handed Rana over to us."

"Every Indian will want that Rana be tried in the court here and given the strictest punishment.. This will fulfill the wish of every Indian, and their wish is that he should be tried in an Indian court and get strict punishment ..." he further said.

Hitting out at Pakistan, Bavdhankar said, "The 26/11 Mumbai attacks left Pakistan exposed. Pakistan, through LeT and ISI, carried out the attack. I hope the other accused of the attack will be punished."

Remembering the unfateful day of 26/11, he shared how, along with his 15 colleagues, Tukaram Omble and Bhaskar Kadam, he fought the terrorists.

Recalling the sequence of events, he said, "I was on the front with Bhaskar Kadam. When we asked the accused to surrender, they shot at us, and was retaliated. I shot at Abu Ismail. Kasab deboarded from the car, after which Tukaram Omble, who was positioned behind the barricade, came out to catch hold of Kasab. Kasab fired indiscriminately with his AK-47 at Tukaram Omble, but despite that, he didn't loosen his grip on Kasab."

Pointing out the sacrifice of Omble, he said: "If Omble had loosened the grip over Kasab, we all would have got martyred."

On his retirement as just a senior Police Inspector and not getting a one-step promotion as promised by the then MVA government to heroes of the terror attack, Bavdhankar said it is not important; what is necessary is congratulating the NIA team.

A high-level interrogation team of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) will question Tahawwur Rana, the key accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, soon after he arrives in India.
Mumbai, April 10 : Mumbai has emerged as one of the most competitive leasing markets for data centres in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, a report showed on Thursday.

The Knight Frank report also highlighted Chennai as another emerging data centre destination in India. The city is drawing attention due to its strategic coastal location, which offers robust connectivity and disaster resilience, making it attractive for hyperscalers and enterprise-grade operators looking for diversified infrastructure.

Navi Mumbai's 90 MW data centre has been developed specifically to support hyperscalers like AWS.

According to Shishir Baijal, Chairman and Managing Director, Knight Frank India, the data centre industry in the country is experiencing unprecedented momentum, driven by rapid digitalisation, policy support, and a growing appetite for cloud-based services.

"Cities like Mumbai and Chennai are emerging as key anchors in the global data centre map, offering scalable infrastructure, power availability, and robust connectivity. As demand from hyperscalers and large enterprises intensifies, India is well-positioned to become a regional hub for digital infrastructure investment," he mentioned.

Asia-Pacific (APAC) is projected to grow by 4,174 MW (32 per cent), with 45.9 billion pounds in investments.

Alongside established hubs like Tokyo and emerging locations such as Johor, Malaysia, Mumbai, and Chennai are witnessing increased interest, offering cost advantages, regulatory support, and growing colocation ecosystems.

Globally, the data centre industry is expected to grow by 46 per cent by 2027, adding 20,828 megawatts (MW) in capacity. This expansion could scale up to 177 per cent by 2030, backed by a projected 229 billion pounds in capital expenditure.

This surge is driven by soaring demand for digital infrastructure to support AI, cloud computing, and enterprise digital transformation.

North America remains the dominant global market, with 11,638 MW in new capacity, reflecting a 54 per cent growth rate and a staggering 128 billion in capital being deployed to support this expected growth.

Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) is set to expand by 4,529 MW (44 per cent), requiring a 49.8 billion pounds investment. European markets are experiencing a shift towards secondary hubs such as Milan and Madrid, primarily driven by power constraints in core markets like Frankfurt and London, said the report.
Patna, April 10 : A sudden shift in weather has wreaked havoc across multiple districts of Bihar, leading to 19 deaths in 48 hours and widespread damage to crops and property.

The calamity, triggered by freak thunderstorms, hailstorms, and lightning, has impacted both lives and livelihoods.

According to official reports, at least 19 people have lost their lives in the last 48 hours.

This includes five deaths in Begusarai, five in Darbhanga, three in Madhubani, two each in Saharsa and Samastipur and one each in Lakhisarai and Gaya district of Bihar.

The storms, accompanied by hail and strong winds, caused extensive damage to Rabi crops, especially wheat, mango, and litchi, in Darbhanga, Madhubani, Samastipur, Muzaffarpur, Sitamarhi, Shivhar, and East Champaran.

Local farmers are reporting large-scale losses just weeks before harvest.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has expressed deep condolences over the loss of lives and directed officials to provide an ex-gratia grant of a4 lakh each to the families of all the deceased.

District administrations have been instructed to assess crop damage and prepare relief measures.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that rain, lightning, and thunderstorms are likely to persist across Bihar until April 12, with some regions expected to experience hailstorms and strong winds.

The ongoing cyclonic circulation triggered by a low-pressure area over the west-central Bay of Bengal is influencing the severe weather pattern.

The IMD has also issued an alert for the next five days, cautioning residents in vulnerable districts.

Districts likely to be affected include Gopalganj, Siwan, Saran, Muzaffarpur, Vaishali, Darbhanga, Samastipur, Madhepura, Saharsa, Purnea, Katihar, Bhagalpur, Khagaria, Banka, Munger, Jamui, Sheikhpura, Begusarai, Patna, Nalanda, Nawada, Jehanabad, and Gaya.

The weather turned drastically on April 8, as stormy winds and sudden heavy rains disrupted normal life in several areas, including Patna, where evening showers brought relief from the summer heat but also caused disruptions.

The Meteorological Department has urged people across Bihar to stay indoors during storms, avoid open fields during lightning, and secure loose objects. Authorities are monitoring the situation and coordinating emergency response efforts.
New Delhi, April 10 : With Tahawwur Rana's extradition, India will have a key link to nail Pakistan's connection to the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.

Pakistan has all along been denying its involvement despite a series of dossiers presented by the Government of India. But now, Rana's interrogation and trial will certainly unveil the plot that was backed by Pakistan.

Rana's involvement in the conspiracy behind the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai was established by his childhood friend and another key accused in the terror case, David Coleman Headley, alias Daood Sayed Gilani.

Headley appeared before a special court in Mumbai through video conference from an undisclosed location in the US in 2016, where he revealed his Pakistan links.

Headley said he was in constant touch with Rana and even took his permission to open a business office in Mumbai as a front for his activities.

The National Investigation Agency had in its charge sheet said that Rana provided logistics, financial and other assistance to Headley and others involved in plotting terror attacks in India.

During his deposition through video conference, Headley answered questions from Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam on how the 26/11 attacks were planned and executed. His statement made Rana's role very clear, leaving no room for questions.

Rana was convicted in the US for his links to Lashkar-e-Taiba and helping plot an attack against a Danish newspaper that printed cartoons of Prophet Muhammad. The court, however, cleared him of the charge of plotting the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. Rana was acquitted in the Mumbai case, but the trial exposed his links with Headley.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) had said in a statement (January 2013) after Rana's conviction in 2009 that he had admitted to the terror activities of Lashkar and the Mumbai attacks.

"In a post-arrest statement in October 2009, Rana admitted knowing that Lashkar was a terrorist organisation and that Headley had attended training camps that Lashkar operated in Pakistan. Headley testified that he attended the training camps on five separate occasions between 2002 and 2005. In late 2005, Headley received instructions from members of Lashkar to travel to India to conduct surveillance, which he did five times, leading up to the Mumbai attacks three years later that killed more than 160 people and wounded hundreds more," the FBI statement mentioned.

The statement gives the details of how the plan was executed. "In the early summer of 2006, Headley and two Lashkar members discussed opening an immigration office in Mumbai as a cover for his surveillance activities. Headley testified that he traveled to Chicago and advised Rana, his long-time friend since the time they attended high school together in Pakistan, of his assignment to scout potential targets in India. Headley obtained approval from Rana, who owned First World Immigration Services in Chicago and elsewhere, to open a First World office in Mumbai as cover for his activities. Rana directed an individual associated with First World to prepare documents supporting Headley's cover story and advised Headley how to obtain a visa for travel to India, according to Headley's testimony, as well as e-mails and other documents that corroborated his account."

The statement mentions that in late 2008 and early 2009, he reviewed with Rana how he had performed surveillance of the targets attacked in Mumbai.
Jammu, April 10 : Firing resumed on Thursday between the joint security forces and the terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur district.

Officials said that fresh firing started between the security forces and the terrorists in the Joffar area of the district this morning. The encounter had broken out on Wednesday.

Joint forces had strengthened the cordon around the encounter site during the night to ensure that the terrorists were prevented from escaping under the cover of darkness.

Reports said that a local confirmed to security forces that three terrorists dressed in black had entered his house around 8 p.m. Wednesday and left around 11.30 p.m. when the security forces started the operation against them. A gunfight had later started between joint forces, and the terrorists in Joffar are falling under the jurisdiction of the Ramnagar police station.

"As the teams of police and the security forces moved in, they were fired upon by the terrorists triggering an encounter, which is now going on," the officials said.

It must be mentioned that on March 23, an encounter took place in Sanyal village of Kathua district, barely 4 km inside the International Border.

The encounter spread to Safiyan Jakhole village, where two terrorists were killed, and four policemen died.

The joint forces extended the area under the 'seek and destroy' operation to higher reaches of the Kathua and Rajouri districts. There was a brief exchange of gunfire between the forces and the terrorists in the Billawar area of the Kathua district.

Reports said five terrorists had infiltrated into the Indian side of the International Border, and the same group was engaged in a gunfight in Sanyal and Safiyan Jakhole villages. Two terrorists were killed in the Safiyan Jakhole area.

Recently, Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired the security review meeting in Srinagar. He gave clear orders to eradicate terrorism and restore complete peace in the union territory.
Mumbai, April 10 : Bollywood sisters Shilpa and Shamita Shetty celebrated National Siblings Day by reflecting on their enduring bond-a relationship that has stood the test of time, filled with love, support, and shared memories.

Mumbai, April 10 (IANS) Bollywood sisters Shilpa and Shamita Shetty celebrated National Siblings Day by reflecting on their enduring bonda relationship that has stood the test of time, filled with love, support, and shared memories.

On Thursday, both actresses took to their respective Instagram handles to share heartfelt posts featuring their candid photos and cherished memories. In the caption, the sister duo reflected on their strong relationship, which has withstood both the highs and lows of life. In the photos and videos, Shilpa and Shamita can be seen laughing together and posing for the camera, radiating warmth and joy. In one of the gym videos, they are seen lying on the floor and laughing. In another candid moment, Shilpa is lovingly pulling Shamita's cheeks. One of the heartwarming images captures Shilpa hugging Shamita as they pose together for the camera.

For the caption, the duo wrote, "US..against the world, through thick and thin! Tunki and Munki Forever Happy siblings day #TunkiMunki #SisterBond #Gratitude."

Shilpa and Shamita share a strong bond and often post photos with each other on social media.

On February 2, the 'Dhadkan' actress penned a sweet birthday post for her Tunki on her 46th birthday. Shilpa Shetty shared an adorable video on Instagram, showering her love on Shamita. The heartwarming clip showcased beautiful moments between the sisters, from being the ultimate gym buddies to the perfect travel companions. In the caption, Shilpa referred to the birthday girl as her "safe place, biggest cheerleader, and forever best friend."

The 'Hungama 2' actress captioned the post, "Happy Birthdaaaayyyy to the one who shares my DNA and my secrets! As you blow out the candles, may all your dreams and aspirations come true. We love you more than you could ever know, my Tunkialways and forever. Whatever happens, I got your back! Stay blessed and happy always!@shamitashetty_official."

In response to the heartfelt message, Shamita Shetty lovingly replied, "Love you, Munki."

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
New Delhi, April 10 : Spiritual leader Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev has paid rich tributes to Lord Mahavir on the occasion of his Jayanti, describing him as a timeless symbol of inner striving and spiritual transcendence.

In a post shared on X on Thursday, Sadhguru hailed the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism as a figure who recognised the deeper essence of life at an early age.

"Mahavir  a Prince who realised early that it is not conquest but compassion that makes life an inclusive process. An embodiment of striving and transcendence who continues to be greatly revered more than two millennia after his time," the founder of the Isha Foundation wrote in the post, adding the hashtag #MahavirJayanti.

Mahavir Jayanti, one of the most important festivals in Jainism, commemorates the birth of Lord Mahavir, who is believed to have been born in 599 BC.

He is revered for his teachings on non-violence (ahimsa), truth (satya), celibacy (brahmacharya), non-possessiveness (aparigraha), and non-stealing (asteya), which continue to guide followers even today.

Lord Mahavir's life has inspired millions, not only within the Jain community but also among spiritual seekers across other sections of society. His emphasis on inner discipline, renunciation, and the pursuit of liberation through self-realisation remains central to Jain philosophy.

Earlier, President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended their greetings to the nation on the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti.

Taking to X, President Murmu wrote, "On the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti, hearty congratulations and best wishes to all the countrymen, especially the people of the Jain community. The embodiment of non-violence and peace, Lord Mahavir showed humanity the path of truth, and renunciation."

"Let us all take a pledge to work for the welfare of the entire world by following the path shown by him," she added.

In a post on his X handle, PM Modi said, "We all bow to Bhagwan Mahavir, who always emphasised non-violence, truth, and compassion. His ideals give strength to countless people all around the world. His teachings have been beautifully preserved and popularised by the Jain community. Inspired by Bhagwan Mahavir, they have excelled in different walks of life and contributed to societal well-being."

On Wednesday, PM Modi participated in the Navkar Mahamantra Divas at Delhi's Vigyan Bhawan and chanted the 'Navkar Mahamantra' with people from more than 108 countries.
Mumbai, April 10 : Bollywood actress Preity Zinta has shared a heartfelt post on social media, reflecting on her emotional and long-awaited visit to the Golden Temple in Amritsar.

The 'Soldier' actress revealed that she had tried to visit the sacred site multiple times over the past few years, but each time, something prevented her from making the trip. However, this time, she felt it was meant to be. In her heartfelt post, Preity also shared how she knelt in surrender, allowing her heart to open up in the serene and spiritual surroundings of the Golden Temple. She expressed immense gratitude to the temple management for maintaining a sparkling clean environment and for serving the delicious Kada Prasad.

The actress also posted a video capturing the peaceful and spiritual atmosphere of the temple, where Preity can be seen soaking in the serenity and beauty of the holy site. For the caption, the Veer Zaara actress wrote, "I attempted to go to the Golden Temple many times in the past few years but every time something happened and the plan got cancelled. This time was different. Baba ji summoned me & all roads opened up. It was on the auspicious day of Ram Navami that I had the good fortune of seeking his blessings at the Golden Temple."

"I was exhausted after so much travel, no sleep & jet lag but the moment I entered the temple, everything faded away & a deep sense of gratitude & belonging enveloped me. The collective energy & faith of everyone present was magical. My heart opened up as I knelt down in surrender & the world faded away. My heartfelt gratitude to the temple management for keeping the premises sparkling clean & for the delicious Kada Prasad. Dil Se thank you to all those people patiently waiting in line for greeting me with wonderful smiles & good wishes #Goldentemple #Magical #Waheguru #Gratitude #Ting," Preity added.

On the professional front, Preity Zinta is making her return to the silver screen with Lahore 1947, where she will star alongside Sunny Deol. The upcoming period action film, directed by Rajkumar Santoshi, is produced by Aamir Khan. The film, set against the backdrop of the partition of India in 1947, also stars Shabana Azmi, Ali Fazal, and Karan Deol.
Los Angeles, April 10 : Hollywood star Tom Hiddleston has cryptically shared what's next for his character Loki in the upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe epic "Avengers: Doomsday." Los Angeles, April 10 (IANS) Hollywood star Tom Hiddleston has cryptically shared what's next for his character Loki in the upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe epic "Avengers: Doomsday."

While speaking with ComicBook, Hiddleston shared his excitement to reunite with the Russo Brothers for their latest installment in the Marvel franchise, reports variety.com.

"(I'm) very, very excited," Hiddleston said.

"It's really remarkable that I can talk about it because mostly I'm in a position of knowing and not being able to say anything  It's been an extraordinary chapter of my life playing Loki, and it's not over yet," added Hiddleston, who first portrayed the Norse god of mischief in 2011's "Thor."

The actor, who started his film career with Joanna Hogg's films Unrelated in 2007 and Archipelago in 2010, went on to reprise the role in "The Avengers" (2012), "Thor: The Dark World" (2013), "Avengers: Age of Ultron" (2015), "Thor: Ragnarok" (2017), "Avengers: Infinity War" (2018) "Avengers: Endgame" (2019) and "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania" (2023).

He is just one of the many familiar faces planning to return for "Avengers: Doomsday."

Other confirmed cast members include Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson, Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes, the Winter Soldier, Paul Rudd as Scott Lang/Ant-Man and more.

There are also several actors returning from the "X-Men" universe, which is making its official merge with the MCU for "Doomsday."

The cast of Marvel mutants includes Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Kesley Grammer as Beast, Alan Cumming as Nightcrawler, James Marsden as Cyclops and Rebecca Romijn as Mystique.

After "Doomsday" hits theaters on May 1, 2026, Marvel will release the sequel, "Avengers: Secret Wars," in 2027.

The studio also has two tentpoles planned for 2025: "The Fantastic Four: First Steps," which releases July 25, and "Thunderbolts," which debuts May 2.
Islamabad, April 10 : Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has agreed to send a high-level delegation to the United States, which will offer lower tariffs and increased market share, amid concerns that new tariffs could significantly reduce Islamabad's exports to Washington.

As per government sources, the delegation would propose a reduction in tariffs on at least 55 products, along with an increased market share and also address the US' non-tariff concerns related to the ban on social media platform 'X'.

"These lowered tariffs would be largely in line with the tariffs availed by China under the bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA)," it said.

Sharif's decision comes after US President Donald Trump's enhanced tariff announcement led to some Pakistani exporters receiving halt requests from their buyers in Washington.

Stating that the US-Pakistan trade relations span decades, Sharif said: "The government is keen to further strengthen the trade partnership with the US."

Economic think-tanks have estimated a loss of at least $564 million after the US announced a 29 per cent tariff on Pakistani goods.

According to a policy think tank Tabadlab, "The 29 per cent increase in tariffs on Pakistani goods will cause about $564 million loss in exports to the US during first year 2025-26. In an unlikely worst-case scenario, the losses may jump to $2.2 billion."

The trade war between the US and China escalated further after Beijing retaliated and imposed an additional 34 per cent tariff on US goods in response to US' 104 per cent duties imposed on Chinese goods.

The US has also imposed additional 29 per cent tariffs on Pakistani goods to reverse the $3 billion trade deficit.

The US has maintained that it has serious reservations and concerns, which include non-tariff barriers to trade and online restrictions, including a ban on social media platform aXa.

Sharif has been briefed about and presented with an alternative course of action by the Steering Committee and Working Group to handle the expected tough situation developing due to additional tariffs by the US.

Sharif's delegation, which would comprise prominent businessmen and exporters, will formulate a strategy to negotiate with Washington and offer a mutually beneficial course of action for the future, the sources added.

"The government plans to offer lower tariffs on around 55 product lines with special benefits to be proposed on cotton, petroleum products and soybeans.

"The tariffs on cotton imports are already nil and the government plans to assure the US authorities of additional imports of the commodity," said the government sources.

"Pakistan's plan includes seeking a reversal to the pre-April-4th position or bringing down the additional tariffs to the levels of its competitors like Egypt and Turkey," the sources added.
Aden : , April 10 (IANS) Approximately 30 per cent of Houthi military capabilities have been destroyed in US strikes over recent weeks, Yemeni Information Minister Moammar al-Eryani said.

Al-Eryani said on social media platform X that recent US operations have specifically targeted "the Houthi group's military capabilities, particularly infrastructure associated with ballistic missiles and drones," which the group has used to target international shipping in the Red Sea, the Bab al-Mandab Strait, and Gulf of Aden.

According to local media reports, the US military has conducted more than 365 airstrikes on Houthi targets over the past four weeks.

Yemen's government said that the airstrikes primarily targeted fortified positions and military storage facilities in Houthi-controlled areas across Saada, Sanaa, Amran, and Hodeidah provinces.

Meanwhile, the Houthi group and residents confirmed that various residential areas and civilian entities were also targeted by American warplanes.

The Houthi-run health authorities said in a statement on Wednesday that 107 civilians were killed and 223 others injured since the US military resumed airstrikes in northern Yemen on March 15.

In the statement carried by Saba News Agency, Anis Al-Asbahi, spokesperson for the health authorities, "strongly condemned" what he termed "US crimes against Yemeni civilians," saying, "These crimes reveal the extent of the moral decline of the United States."

He stressed that the US strikes have failed to "break the will of the Yemeni people, who continue to support the Palestinian cause and stand with the oppressed Palestinian people."

However, the Yemeni government views the current situation as a favourable opportunity to restore state authority, according to al-Eryani.

The Houthis, which control much of northern Yemen, including the capital Sanaa, have been fighting against the internationally-recognised government since 2014, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Houthi group resumed attacks on Israeli-linked interests in the region in March following the collapse of the Gaza ceasefire deal, claiming its operations aim to put an end to the Israeli offensive in Gaza and facilitate the return of humanitarian aid to Palestinian territories.

On March 15, the US military restarted airstrikes on northern Yemen, aimed at deterring the Houthi group from targeting Israel.

The latest round of US airstrikes took place on Tuesday night, targeting the Red Sea port city of Hodeidah, Sanaa, and the provinces of Amran, Dhamar, and Ibb. The airstrikes on Hodeidah alone killed 10 people and injured 16 others, mostly women and children, according to local health authorities.

The US military has yet to comment on the incidents but vowed in recent statements that it will continue striking Houthi targets until the group stops operations against Israeli targets and vessels in the Red Sea.
Kannur, April 10 : It was an unprecedented rescue operation, never seen before in Kerala's Kannur district, when authorities toiled hard and people lent support. The conclusion brought happiness all around, and people thanked each other for the success.

The victim in distress was a sparrow caught in a glass showcase of a textile shop. The shop at Ullikal near here was locked under the directions of the Kerala High Court following a legal tangle between a few people and has not been opened for the past six months.

As per reports, the desperate chirping of a bird had caught everyone's attention, and the matter reached Kannur District Collector Arun K. Vijayan. He immediately directed the Ullikal local body secretary to see what could be done to rescue the sparrow.

Vijayan, after getting to know the details, spoke to the officials in the Kerala High Court on Thursday. The High Court then passed on the information to the Kannur district judge.

At 10.30 a.m., the Kannur district judge, Nissar Ahamed, came to the spot along with local government officials and directed the shop to be opened.

In a matter of 15 minutes, the two locks were opened, and then the glass door leading to the showcase was also opened.

The rattled sparrow, sensing some danger, tried to flutter away, as one of the rescuers caught hold of it

As the man came out of the shop, the officials and the crowd roared and cheered. The man then raised his hand and gently released the sparrow to its freedom. The sparrow took to the skies and then sat on the branch of a tree.

"I would like to thank the locals and then the media that brought this to the attention of authorities. The authorities also acted quickly, and this became a reality," said Ahamed.

Reports said that it was first on Wednesday that the locals noticed that a small sparrow had got trapped in between the shutter and the glass showcase.

First, the locals spoke to the local Fire Force and then the Forest officials, but since being entangled in a High Court directive, both these agencies expressed their inability to lend help.

Later, the locals somehow managed to give water and foodgrains through the little space on a side of the showcase. The locals pointed out a very small opening on one side of the shutter through which the sparrow had fallen in it, and despite its best efforts, it failed to come out through the same opening.
Juba, April 10 : South Sudan's Opposition party, the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO) appointed Stephen Par Kuol as the interim Chairman, replacing First Vice President Riek Machar, who is still under house arrest.

Kuol, a member of the SPLM-IO political bureau and minister of peacebuilding in the transitional unity government, said during a consultative meeting with party members in Juba, the capital of South Sudan, that he was elected to steer the Opposition party forward in the absence of Machar, who was detained on March 26.

Members of the party's National Liberation Council approved Losuba Ludoru Wongo as the deputy chairman and Agok Makur Kur as the secretary-general.

Kuol assured that the Opposition party remains committed to the implementation of the 2018 revitalised peace agreement signed to end years of conflict, despite claims by Nathaniel Oyet Pierino, the now-exiled Deputy Chairman, that the peace deal had collapsed.

He said the SPLM-IO interim leadership has delinked itself from Pierino, who has been critical of the move to appoint the new leadership, Xinhua news agency reported.

However, Pierino accused the leadership under Kuol of being compromised by the Sudan People's Liberation Movement party led by President Salva Kiir, with the intention to replace Machar.

Kuol said party members have called for the immediate release of Machar and other senior members of the party still in detention. He urged parties to end all military offensives to create an environment conducive to peaceful dialogue.

The meeting to establish the interim leadership was largely boycotted by top SPLM-IO officials, including the party's Secretary-General Regina Kaba and Machar's wife, Angelina Teny, who is also the country's interior minister.

Lam Paul Gabriel, spokesperson for the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army-in-Opposition (SPLM/A-IO), the armed wing of the party, said they would not support the decision to appoint the interim leadership of their party.

"The SPLM/A-IO is under the full command and control of Riek Machar and in his absence, Nathaniel Oyet Pierino is in charge," Gabriel said in a statement on Wednesday.
New Delhi, April 10 : T Koshy, the founding Managing Director and CEO of the government-backed Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), has stepped down from his role.

An executive committee will now take charge of the e-commerce platform going forward. ONDC confirmed the development in a statement and said that the organisation is currently going through a leadership change.

"ONDC has witnessed remarkable growth in under three years, surpassing 200 million transactions and making strong strides toward its mission of democratising e-commerce in India. As with any dynamic and evolving organisation, a leadership change is currently underway," it said.

The company added that Koshy had expressed his desire to step down, but he will continue to assist during the transition phase.

He will be available to the Board over the next three months in an advisory capacity. In the meantime, the responsibilities of the Managing Director and CEO have been handed over to the executive committee.

"The roles of MD and CEO have now been handed over to an executive committee, while Koshy will remain available to the Board in an advisory role for the next three months," the statement added.

It also said that ONDC continues to perform well and is progressing steadily towards achieving its key milestones.

Launched in 2021, ONDC is a government-supported initiative aimed at making digital commerce more inclusive and accessible, especially for smaller players.

It is a not-for-profit organisation (NGO) that provides a standardised platform for sellers, logistics providers, and payment gateway operators to voluntarily join and offer their services.

Meanwhile, the government-backed firm announced last month that it has officially crossed the 200 million transaction mark, further cementing its position as a transformative force in India's digital commerce space.

According to the company, it took nearly 20 months -- from January 2023 to August 2024 -- to complete the first 100 million transactions.

However, in just the past six months, ONDC has added another 100 million -- a rapid surge in adoption.
Kochi, April 10 : Soon after arriving from the special session of the AICC meeting in Gujarat, Leader of Opposition in the Kerala Assembly V. D. Satheesan on Thursday said the Congress-led UDF is fully geared for the upcoming Nilambur Assembly by-election.

The Nilambur seat fell vacant after two-time LDF-backed independent MLA P.V. Anvar resigned in January over CM Pinarayi Vijayan's refusal to probe alleged illegal dealings of top police official M. R. Ajith Kumar and Vijayan's political secretary P. Sasi.

Anvar, who was once a vocal critic of the UDF, has now aligned himself with the Congress-led front.

He even travelled to Kolkata, where he met West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and was subsequently appointed convenor of the Kerala unit of the Trinamool Congress (TMC).

"Nilambur has always been a traditional seat of the Congress, but for the past two terms, it has not been with us. Anvar has by now openly announced his intent, and he is strongly with us. We have also accepted him," said Satheesan.

"With regards to our candidate, it's a shame that the media is just speculating, for which we are not at all answerable. Just as in all the recent by-elections, the moment the date is announced, we, the Congress, will announce our candidate and romp home easily," added Satheesan.

In the 2016 Assembly elections, after Congress leader Aryadan Mohammed retired from politics, Anvar defeated the former's son, Aryadan Shoukath, by over 10,000 votes.

In 2021, Anvar won again, defeating Congress leader V. V. Prakash by just 2,700 votes.

Given the narrow margin of victory in the last election (2,700 votes), political observers will be watching the BJP's strategy closely, especially as both the CPI(M) and UDF have accused each other of having a secret pact with the former.

The Congress is hoping that its star campaigner will be none other than Wayanad Lok Sabha member Priyanka Gandhi, as Nilambur Assembly segment is one of the seven Assembly constituencies that form the Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency.

For Chief Minister Vijayan, this by-election is a test of his sagging image and popularity.
Kolkata, April 10 : The Kolkata Police have registered two cases against the teaching and non-teaching staff, who lost jobs after the Supreme Court order, for staging protests.

The teachers were severely beaten up by the cops on Wednesday after they protested against the job loss in front of the office of the district inspector of schools at Kasba in South Kolkata.

Of the two cases, one has been registered suo motu by the city police. The second case was registered on the basis of a complaint filed by the office of the district inspector of schools.

The job losers, all reportedly "genuine" ones, protested in front of the district inspector of schools at Kasba in South Kolkata, demanding immediate action by the state government and WBSSC in segregating the "genuine" candidates from the "tainted" ones. The tainted ones got the jobs against payment of money.

Last week, the Supreme Court upheld a previous order by a division bench of the Calcutta High Court in April 2024, cancelling the entire panel of 25,753 teaching and non-teaching jobs on the grounds that the state government and the commission failed to segregate the "genuine" candidates from the "tainted" ones.

On Wednesday, the situation turned serious in front of the office of the district inspector of schools at Kasba as the protesters tried to enter the office by removing the police barricades and breaking open the lock at the main gate.

The police resorted to a lathi charge, which resulted in injuries to several protesters. However, state Education Minister Bratya Basu, Chief Secretary, and Kolkata Police Commissioner justified the police action, and the commissioner even went to the extent of claiming that the police were forced to take "mild action" to keep the situation under control and prevent additional damages.

As the information surfaced that two separate cases had been registered against the protesters, the state government came under scathing criticism from the opposition parties.

Leaders from both the BJP and CPI(M) have claimed that the development has exposed the insensitive face of the current state administration. At the time the report was filed, there was no reaction from any Trinamool Congress leader in the matter.
By Akbar Novruz



As time stretches into the unknown, the worlds problems persist, and these problems, simply because they were not resolved in time, create a foundation for more complex and deep conflicts to sprout again. Indeed, the national and ethnic struggles, as well as territorial claims that have lasted for more than three decades in the South Caucasus, have today paralyzed the region like an incurable carbuncle and, most importantly, stand as a major obstacle on the path to development.

An international forum, Facing the New World Order, was held on April 9 at ADA University, with President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan participating.

In his speech and answers to experts' questions, the President touched upon important factors of Azerbaijan's foreign and security policy, as well as the solution to regional problems affecting our country. This important series of events, held since 2021, has managed to come to the fore with its authenticity features and has played a special role in conveying the realities of the era. It has distinguished itself with its geopolitical, regional, and economic relevance. Although the thematic titles of the event already reflect its importance, this years forum, like its predecessors, stood out again. The discussion lasted more than two hours and touched on a wide range of topics, but in this article, we draw attention to the most pressing and urgent issues.

First and foremost, President Ilham Aliyev reiterated Azerbaijans willingness to sign a peace agreement with Armenia. However, he emphasized that two fundamental conditions must be met: Armenia must renounce the Minsk Group and amend its Constitution, which currently contains territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Even if a peace agreement is signed, reconciliation will not come easily, said the President, reminding that we will not forget the atrocities committed by the Armeniansgenocides, occupation, and the destruction of our lands. Despite that, Azerbaijan remains ready to create conditions for peace and cooperation in the region.

Yet, a critical question remains: Is Armenia truly ready for peace?

Although Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is trying to show himself ready for peace with Azerbaijan, Armenia does not consist only of Pashinyan. As President Aliyev said at the forum, there are revanchist forces in the neighboring country, and they have raised their heads again. Pashinyan's rating is falling. His party was defeated by revanchist forces in municipal elections in two important cities. These revanchist forces do not hesitate to make statements against Azerbaijan and Turkiye, and voice territorial claims against neighboring countries. How will peace be possible with these forces? This is one of the main questions for us.

There is a large process of militarization of Armenia. Deadly weapons, which have been supplied by new Armenian friends actually, will not truly lead to peace and stability, it will only lead to potential tension in the future. We know that there are quite strong revanchist groups in Armenia, the President noted.

Despite the defeat Armenia suffered in the Second Garabagh War, it seems that revanchist sentiment remains unchecked. If a peace agreement is to be signed between the two countries, all forces in Armenia must adhere to the terms of this agreement, otherwise, they will again drag their country into a heavy defeat. As Aliyev emphasized, the ball is in Armenias court.

Meanwhile, international dynamics on the Armenia-Azerbaijan border remain complicated. Recently, the European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMA) has increased its presence, especially with expanded night patrols. While officially framed as tension reduction, this coincides with Armenias continued militarization and political maneuvering. One cannot help but question: if the war is over and the peace agreement is near, what then justifies the enhanced European footprint? These developments only risk emboldening Yerevans provocations.

How the post-war situation will continue to develop mainly depends on Armenia. We restored our territorial integrity and sovereignty, put an end to separatism, and took control of our borders. For us, this issue is done. But it doesn't mean that we will just ignore potential threats and potential dangers. We must always be ready to push back, Aliyev warned.

Even as the two countries stand closer than ever to a peace agreement, the growing presence of foreign missions and military hardware on Armenias side raises questions about who is truly committed to a peaceful South Caucasus.

If an agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia is signed, then, of course, there will be no obstacle to the beginning of cooperation. I think that we should not lose time, because, with respect to the peace agreement, the ball is on the Armenian side.

Facing the New World Order: Azerbaijans strategic value

Now, there is also one other point that needs to be talked about. The main theme of this whole event...Facing the New World Order.

The concept of a new world order has been discussed for a considerable time, and it is becoming increasingly prevalent with each passing day, week, and month. The reasons for this shift are numerous and evident. On one hand, the United States plays a significant, yet sometimes striking, role in shaping the global political and economic landscape. On the other hand, various parties are either fearful of or seeking to exploit the potential power vacuum that could arise, as well as the looming threat of a "great war." Strong relations with Azerbaijan are very important for this region. Not only as a political need but also as an economic one...

The world is not as stable as it used to be. We see more conflicts, and we see more contradictions between different centers of power. Theres still a big global playerthe United Statesand there are those who want to become that player, said President Aliyev.

In this uncertain landscape, strong relations with Azerbaijan are not just politically usefulthey are strategically essential. As a nation that sits at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, plays a key role in energy security, maintains stable partnerships with both the Global South and Western nations, and has proven its military competence, Azerbaijan is uniquely placed to navigate and influence the emerging world order.

In American national interests, strong relations with Azerbaijan are very important for this region, Aliyev said.

Azerbaijanwith a strong position in the Non-Aligned Movement, with our strong connections to Central Asia, economic potential, energy resources, and army which demonstrated its strength on the battlefield, not in the paradescan be a very important partner for the United States.

The world transitions into a new order where traditional powers are challenged and new alliances are formed. Azerbaijans balanced, pragmatic, and forward-looking policy, on the other hand, provides an anchor for stability in a volatile region. Peace with Armenia is still on the table, but it depends on real political willnot only from Yerevan but from its international backers, too. And in this geopolitical chessboard, overlooking Azerbaijan is no longer an option.
Bengaluru, April 10 : Kannada actor Darshan, the second accused in the fan murder case, has landed in fresh controversy after attending a movie premiere while remaining absent from court proceedings, citing health reasons. Adding to the controversy, Darshan was also seen watching the movie alongside actor Chikkanna, who is a witness in the case - a violation of legal provisions.

Bengaluru, April 10 (IANS) Kannada actor Darshan, the second accused in the fan murder case, has landed in fresh controversy after attending a movie premiere while remaining absent from court proceedings, citing health reasons. Adding to the controversy, Darshan was also seen watching the movie alongside actor Chikkanna, who is a witness in the case a" a violation of legal provisions.

As per the law, accused persons who are out on bail are not allowed to meet witnesses involved in the case.

The state police are likely to take these violations seriously and initiate action.

The Karnataka Police Department has already challenged the bail granted to Darshan in the Supreme Court.

Darshan attended the premiere show of the Kannada movie 'Vamana' on April 9. The lead role in the movie is played by Darshanas friend, Dhanveer Gowda.

He was seen limping while entering a mall in Bengaluru, where a large number of fans had gathered and were chanting slogans in his praise.

Darshan arrived at the mall around 8 pm on Wednesday and watched the entire movie, which lasted for three hours.

On April 8, a Bengaluru court hearing the sensational fan murder case took serious objection to Darshanas absence from the proceedings citing severe back pain.

The Civil and Sessions Judge stated that Darshan must appear before the court in all future hearings and that no excuses for his absence would be entertained.

Darshanas counsel had submitted a petition seeking exemption from appearance, claiming the actor was suffering from back pain and unable to attend court.

The court, however, expressed its displeasure over the plea and warned that Darshan must be present going forward.

Of the 17 accused in the case, 16 a" including the prime accused and Darshanas paramour, Pavithra Gowda a" appeared before the court on April 8.

Darshan has resumed shooting for his upcoming film aDevila. Since his release from prison on October 30, 2024, after spending 131 days in custody, he has been participating in shoots in Mysuru and Rajasthan, and is also scheduled to travel to Hyderabad for further filming, sources said.

They added that his hectic schedule has aggravated his back pain.

In a major relief to Darshan earlier, the Karnataka High Court on February 28 allowed him to travel across the country. Previously, he had been restricted to Bengaluru and the jurisdiction of the sessions court.

Darshan, Pavithra, and 15 others were arrested on June 11, 2024, on charges of kidnapping and brutally murdering Renukaswamy, a fan from Chitradurga.

Renukaswamy had allegedly sent derogatory and obscene messages to Pavithra, angry over Darshanas continued relationship with her despite being married.

Sources close to Darshan revealed that Pavithra competed with Darshanas wife, Vijayalakshmi, over jewellery and luxury cars.

She allegedly pressured Darshan to make public appearances with her after he had been seen with his wife.

Pavithra and Vijayalakshmi also had public spats through social media, leading Darshanas fan base to split into factions.

Renukaswamy, who supported Vijayalakshmi, had criticised Pavithra a" a move that ultimately led to his brutal murder, according to police findings.

The Karnataka Police have challenged the bail granted to Darshan and others in the Supreme Court. On January 24, the apex court issued notices to Darshan, Pavithra, and five others in connection with the appeal filed by the state government.

While granting bail, the court directed Darshan and the other accused to appear before it every month.
New Delhi, April 10 : While global office rental markets continue to face headwinds, India's office sector is bucking the trend with sustained growth in office leasing and rentals, according to a report by real estate firm Vestian released on Thursday.

New Delhi, April 10 (IANS) While global office rental markets continue to face headwinds, Indiaas office sector is bucking the trend with sustained growth in office leasing and rentals, according to a report by real estate firm Vestian released on Thursday.

According to the report, India reported the highest ever leasing of 70.7 Mn sq ft in 2024, registering an annual increase of 16 per cent. Sub-dollar rentals across Indiaas top seven cities fuelled this momentum, making the country a key outlier in an otherwise subdued global landscape.

In stark contrast to major global cities like New York, Seattle, Boston, Hong Kong, and Shanghai, which have witnessed rental declines over the last five years, India witnessed a steady upward movement.

Notably, while some Western markets such as London and Miami posted increases of 31 per cent and 53 per cent respectively, the broader global sentiment reflects a slowdown due to rising vacancy rates and rapidly changing workplace strategies, the report states.

Indiaas office market is expected to maintain this growth pattern in the future, majorly driven by strong leasing momentum, favourable demographics, and strategic infrastructure development, it added.

Shrinivas Rao, CEO of Vestian, said that the decline in office space rents in the global market is influenced by the emergence of technologies like generative AI, as well as changes in office space utilisation strategies.

These factors contribute to the uncertainties faced by the office sector.

The combination of reduced demand, along with businesses downsizing or relocating, has led to higher vacancy rates globally, which in turn puts downward pressure on rents.

Furthermore, in 2024 alone, rental rates in Indian cities surged between 3.8 per cent and 8.2 per cent, compared to the previous year.

India remains resilient, driven by strong demand from the IT sector and Global Capability Centres (GCCs). While global cities continue to see demand for premium office spaces, Indiaas affordability and expansion-driven leasing set it apart. As a cost-effective hub, India is poised for steady growth.

Rao said that the influx of new businesses and company expansions has led to significant demand for office spaces in India.

Global firms are aggressively seeking office space in the country due to robust economic growth compared to other major economies of the world, rich demographic dividend, large consumer base, rapid urbanisation, and the easy availability of skilled workforce at competitive rates, particularly in technology and finance. This demand is driving the need for high-quality office spaces.

Prime commercial hubs like Mumbai's BKC and Delhi's Central Business District i.e. Connaught Place and adjoining areas, command high rentals, with average rent reaching $3-4 per sq ft a month.

Strong economic activities, upcoming mega infrastructure projects, and the expansion of GCCs continue to drive rental appreciation across the major cities of India, the Vestian report added.
Los Angeles, April 10 : The Oscar-winning actor, who is receiving a lot of positive response to his work in the recently released spy action-thriller 'The Amateur', has shed light on the weapons training advice which he received from Hollywood megastar Tom Cruise.

Rami Malek recently appeared on chat show 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon' wherein he shared the story of a candid interaction with the 'Mission Impossible' star, Tom Cruise. Rami Malek shared a funny encounter with Tom Cruise, who insisted on taking weapons training for 'The Amateur'.

"If anyone knows action, it's Tom Cruise," Malek said. When Cruise found out Malek was doing an action film, he immediately asked, "Well, You're going to need weapons training!" Malek replied, "It's called 'The Amateur', he doesn't do any of that".

But Cruise doubled down, "I promise you, you're going to need weapons training". Days later, Malek got an email titled "Weapons Training". Malek's response? "I was like, 'Done. I'm doing it'", he said.

Directed by James Hawes, 'The Amateur' follows the story of Charles Heller, a CIA Cryptographer who seeks out to avenge the murder of his wife who loses her life in a terrorist attack. The film also features Rachel Brosnahan, Laurence Fishburne, Caitriona Balfe and Holt McCallany in pivotal roles.

Tom Cruise is regarded as a Hollywood icon, and boasts of multiple accolades, including an Honorary Palme d'Or and three Golden Globe Awards, in addition to nominations for four Academy Awards. His films have grossed over $12 billion worldwide, placing him among the highest-grossing actors of all time.

He is one of Hollywood's most bankable stars, and has consistently been one of the world's highest-paid actors. He began acting in the early 1980s and made his breakthrough with leading roles in 'Risky Business' and 'Top Gun'.
Bhopal, April 10 : Two firemen were injured and a three-story building totally gutted in a massive fire that erupted in the wee hours of Thursday in Gwalior. The blaze was made worse by the bursting of five LPG cylinders kept in the factory.

The fire began at around 2:30 to 3:00 am on Thursday, in the Kalan Gopal multi-story building located in Khasgi Bazar, Gwalior, within the jurisdiction of the Janakganj Police Station.

According to police, the fire broke out in a thread-making factory situated in the basement of the three-story building.

Fuelled by the highly flammable thread-making materials, the fire quickly grew and spread to five flats located on the second and third floors.

Upon noticing the flames, the residents of the affected flats evacuated the building immediately and contacted the police and fire department for assistance.

"The fire is now under control and no human life has been lost in the incident. As many as seven families live in the building," Manish Yadav, Deputy Superintendent of Police, informed IANS.

He further said that two firefighters namely Purushottam and Lokendra, sustained burn injuries while attempting to contain the fire that was made worse by the bursting of five cooking gas cylinders stored in the factory.

Both the injured personnel have been hospitalised, and investigations are underway to determine the legality of the factory's operations and the storage of materials within.

Authorities are also probing whether the incident was triggered by a short circuit or other factors.

As the fire brigade tackled the flames, five gas cylinders exploded consecutively. Reinforcements, including the Air Force fire brigade, were called upon to assist in extinguishing the massive blaze.

The fire was fully controlled by mid-morning.

Residents reported noticing the fire when smoke began filling their flats and flames erupted from the factory below, creating a chaotic scene as they rushed downstairs to safety.

By the time emergency responders arrived, the fire had already reached the upper floors, necessitating a coordinated effort to contain it.

Firefighters braved the explosions to enter the factory and spray water in an effort to suppress the blaze.

Investigations into the incident continue as authorities assess the factors leading to the blaze.
Kolkata, April 10 : A hunger strike by a section of the job losers, including teaching and non-teaching staff, in state-run schools in West Bengal is underway in front of the West Bengal School Service Commission's office at Salt Lake in Kolkata.

The protesters are demanding that the state government and the commission segregate the "genuine" candidates from the "tainted" ones who secured jobs against money.

Notably, the Supreme Court last week upheld a previous order by a division bench of Calcutta High Court, cancelling the entire panel of 25,753 teaching and non-teaching jobs on the grounds that the state government and the commission failed to segregate the "genuine" candidates from the "tainted" ones.

The strikers have also given a call to civil society to express solidarity to their hunger strike just as it did when several junior doctors last year went on a similar-hunger strike against the rape and murder of a junior woman doctor of state-run-R. G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata last year.

Before beginning the strike on Wednesday afternoon, a protester, Suman Biswas, said: "As long as the segregation is not done and the mirror images of the OMR sheets of all the candidates are made public, we will continue with our hunger strike. If the state government is serious about its commitment to protect the interest of the 'genuine' candidates, they should complete the segregation process at the earliest."

A number of BJP leaders, including party Lok Sabha member and former Calcutta High Court Judge Abhijit Gangopahyay and actors-turned-politicians, namely Rupa Ganguly and Rudranil Ghosh, reached the hunger-strike dais to express solidarity.

The "genuine" job losers are also scheduled to bring a protest march on Thursday in Kolkata on this issue.

"I request the common people and the members of the civil society to join the protest rally in large numbers," said one of the protesters.
New Delhi, April 10 : India currently has 3.45 lakh registered homoeopathy doctors, 277 homoeopathy hospitals, 8,593 homoeopathy dispensaries, and 277 homoeopathy educational institutions, according to the government data.

Ministry of Ayush said that in 2025, India is hosting its largest Homoeopathic symposium on the occasion of World Homoeopathy Day in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.

Every year, on April 10, India joins the world in commemorating World Homoeopathy Day, marking the birth anniversary of Dr Samuel Hahnemann, the father of homoeopathy.

In India, this day holds a particular significance, as more than 100 million people in the country depend on this line of treatment.

"Homoeopathy has quietly built one of the strongest healthcare support systems in India. Behind its soft approach lies a solid framework of doctors, hospitals, colleges, and research. Over 3.45 lakh registered homoeopathic doctors are working across the country to bring gentle, affordable healing to millions of people," according to the ministry.

India is also home to 277 homoeopathy hospitals that offer inpatient care. These hospitals help patients who don't need emergency treatment but still need careful attention.

Alongside, there are 8,593 homoeopathy dispensaries spread across towns and villages, delivering basic health services. For those who need longer monitoring and recovery, India offers 8,697 homoeopathy beds in Ayush wellness hospitals.

Education in homoeopathy is also thriving. There are 277 colleges across the country. These include 197 undergraduate institutes, 3 standalone postgraduate colleges, and 77 combined UG/PG colleges.

All of these come under the National Commission for Homoeopathy, Ministry of Ayush. These institutions are powered by 7,092 dedicated teaching faculty members, shaping the next generation of BHMS (Bachelor of Homoeopathic Medicine and Surgery) doctors.

On the pharmaceutical front, 384 industries are involved in producing homoeopathic medicines in India. This ensures the availability of high-quality, standardised remedies across the country.

To support quality, 1,117 official pharmacopoeial monographs for homoeopathic drugs have been publishedproviding a reliable reference for safe and effective medicine preparation.

With 35 dedicated research centres and OPDs under the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH), India is pushing the boundaries of what this ancient system can do in the modern world.

"And to keep everything running smoothly, 28 State Councils and Boards ensure that doctors are well-qualified and ethically registered, maintaining public trust across the healthcare system," said the ministry.
Patna, April 10 : In a significant development in the ongoing investigation into the NEET-UG 2024 question paper leak, the Bihar Police have announced a reward of Rs 3 lakh for any information leading to the arrest of Sanjeev Kumar Singh alias Sanjeev Mukhiya, the alleged mastermind behind the scandal.

A formal letter was issued from the office of Kundan Krishnan, Additional Director General (ADG) of Bihar Police Headquarters, notifying the public about the bounty. A reward has also been announced for two others accused.

The officials said that police personnel or any individual who successfully helps to arrest the absconding accused will get the reward.

The notification will be valid for two years, which means if any police personnel arrest these three criminals within two years, they are entitled to the reward amount.

The other two accused are Shubham Kumar and Rajkishore Kumar. Bihar Police announced a bounty of Rs 1 lakh each on their heads. Subham is a resident of Beechbazar under the jurisdiction of Sohsarai Police Station in the Nalanda district and is involved in two cases.

Raj Kishore Kumar was also involved in two cases and is a resident of Bakhtari village under the Karpi Police station limit in the Arwal district.

The police have urged the public to come forward with credible information about the whereabouts of the absconding accused.

All identities of informants will be kept strictly confidential, and they will be entitled to the announced rewards, the officials have said.

Sanjeev Kumar Singh, alias Sanjeev Mukhiya, is an accused in the NEET-UG 2024 paper leak case registered initially in Shastri Nagar Police Station (Case No. 358/2024), Constable Recruitment scam, Teachers Recruitment scam, and another pending case. Mukhiya is a native of Shahpur Balwa village under the limit of Nagarnausa Police Station in Nalanda district.

The NEET-UG paper leak scandal was unearthed on May 5, 2024, when the Patna Police detected irregularities during the nationwide medical entrance exam.

The investigation was first handled by the Shastri Nagar police, then transferred to the Economic Offences Unit (EOU), and finally handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on June 23, 2024.

The CBI's FIR named eight accused, including Sanjeev Mukhiya, Ayush Raj, Rocky, Amit Anand, Nitish Kumar, Bittu, Akhilesh, and Sikandar Yadavendu. Sanjeev Mukhiya has a known history of orchestrating high-profile examination frauds and is now among the most wanted criminals in Bihar.
New Delhi, April 10 : External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is slated to address the Global Technology Summit (GTS) -- India's flagship dialogue on geo-technology -- which will explore how emerging technologies can drive inclusive growth, strengthen digital governance, and deepen cross-border partnerships.

New Delhi, April 10 (IANS) External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is slated to address the Global Technology Summit (GTS) -- Indiaas flagship dialogue on geo-technology -- which will explore how emerging technologies can drive inclusive growth, strengthen digital governance, and deepen cross-border partnerships.

The 9th edition of the GTS is being held in the national capital from April 10-12, and the theme for this year is aSambhavnaa, meaning possibilities.

Co-hosted by the Ministry of External Affairs and leading think tank Carnegie India, GTS-2025 will feature over 40 public sessions, including keynote addresses, ministerial conversations, expert panels, and strategic conversations.

"The inaugural session of the Summit would begin with an address by Dr. S. Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister of India," said the ministry in a statement.

The summit aims to shape global technology policy conversations with a focus on innovation, resilience, and international cooperation.

Over the course of three days, more than 150 speakers from over 40 countries - including the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Brazil, the UAE, Nigeria, the Philippines, and the European Union - will join discussions on the most pressing tech challenges and opportunities facing the world today.

The sessions will span a wide range of critical topics - from AI governance, digital public infrastructure, and data protection, to cybersecurity, space security, and emerging tech collaboration across the Global South.

This year, GTS 2025 will also amplify the voices of the next generation. Through the GTS Young Ambassadors programme, students and young professionals from across India will contribute directly to policy conversations on digital futures, responsible AI, and global tech norms, according to the ministry.

After creating a world-class Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), Digital India has laid the foundation for a knowledge-based economy and digitally-empowered society towards the goal of becoming a 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047. Over the past 10 years, the government has brought a digital revolution, inspiring citizens to work digitally, which has had an unprecedented impact on 1.4 billion people.
Srinagar, April 10 : The J&K Police on Thursday carried out searches at the houses of two jailed secessionists after obtaining orders from the designated court.

The two secessionists, Bashir Ahmed Bhat and Mohd Ashraf Lay, belong to Tehreek-e-Hurriyat, a banned separatist outfit.

A police statement said, aIn its relentless efforts to dismantle the remnants of secessionist and terrorist ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir, Srinagar Police on Thursday conducted searches as part of the ongoing investigations into cases registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA)."

The searches were carried out in a case registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) pertaining to the banned organisations after obtaining a search warrant from the designated NIA Court Srinagar.

"The search related to investigation of case 'FIR number 01/2024' which has been registered under sections 10, 13 UAP Act of Police Station Rajbagh was carried out alongwith Executive Magistrate 1st Class in the houses of Tehreek-e-Hurriyat members namely Bashir Ahmed Bhat alias Peer Saifullah, son of Ali Mohd Bhat, resident of Zadoora Pulwama, now residence in Rawalpora Srinagar. The accused is presently in Tihar jail, and Mohd Ashraf Laya, son of Gh Rasool Laya, a resident of Jamia Qadeem Baramulla house, Old Barzulla, Srinagar," the police said.

During the search, police found incriminating materials, including books, letterheads, pamphlets, and letters related to the investigation of the case from the house of Bashir Ahmed Bhat, and they have accordingly been seized in the presence of the Magistrate and independent witness as per proper legal procedures.

"The investigation of the case is going on. J&K Police remain committed to maintaining peace and security in the city. Any individual found furthering the agenda of violence, disruption, or unlawful activities will face strict legal consequences under the law," the statement said.

Police and security forces have been carrying out operations against terrorists, their overground workers (OGWs) and sympathisers in order to dismantle the ecosystem of terrorism in the union territory.

Security forces also carry out operations against drug smugglers and drug peddlers, as the intelligence agencies say the money generated from such unlawful activities is used to sustain terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.
Mumbai, April 10 : On the day Tahawwur Rana, one of the co-conspirators in the Mumbai terror attacks was brought to India, Eknath Omble, the brother of Ashok Chakra awardee and 26/11 martyr Tukaram Omble, urged the central government to hang the terrorist and send a strong message to Pakistan.

Tukaram Omble, a Sub-Inspector in the Mumbai Police, displayed unparalleled courage during the 26/11 terror attack by grabbing hold of terrorist Ajmal Kasab's rifle, ensuring his arrest.

Unfortunately, Omble was fatally shot during the attack, but his actions helped bring Kasab into custody, shedding light on the true nature of Pakistan's involvement in the attack.

Speaking to IANS, Eknath Omble expressed his happiness that Rana had finally been brought to India from the United States.

"It is a matter of great happiness and achievement that Rana has been brought to India from the US. As you know, on the night of 26/11, Pakistan attacked Mumbai, and many innocent people, including soldiers and police officers, were killed. Pakistan has always attempted to disturb India," Omble said.

He continued, "When Kasab was caught, there was significant delay in punishing him. But everyone knows that the true face of Pakistan had to be exposed to the world. It took time, but over the last 16 years, the role of people like Tahawwur Rana and David Headley has come to light. Now, there should be no further delay. The legal process should be completed as quickly as possible, and terrorists like Rana should be hanged publicly. We also demand the harshest punishment for him."

Eknath Omble also shared details about his last conversation with his brother, Tukaram Omble, during the terror attacks.

"That night, at twelve o'clock, we saw on TV that Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) had been attacked, the Taj Hotel had been attacked, and some police officers had died at CST. Naturally, my brother was called to respond," he recalled.

"At that time, Tukaram told me that there was nothing towards Chowpatty. Half an hour later, the attack occurred at Chowpatty. About twenty-two bullets entered my brother's body, but even then, without caring for his life, my brother shot at and injured Ajmal Kasab leading to his capture. He brought the true face of Pakistan in front of the world," Omble added.

Eknath Omble further emphasised the need for swift justice for the victims of the 26/11 attacks.

"Now that Tahawwur Rana has been brought to India, my demand is that no time should be wasted. Rana should be hanged as soon as possible. It is time to pay true tribute to the victims of the 26/11 attack. Around 166 people were killed in that attack, and many others were injured. It is important to give a strong message to Pakistan by executing a terrorist like Tahawwur Rana quickly. He should be given the death penalty without any delay," he concluded.

Tahawwur Hussain Rana, one of India's most wanted fugitives in connection with the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, was on Thursday brought to New Delhi after being extradited from the US.

Rana had exhausted all legal avenues to prevent his extradition. A special chartered flight carrying the 64-year-old left the US on Wednesday on April 9, marking a significant moment in India's pursuit of justice for the 2008 terror attack that claimed 166 lives.

Rana, a Canadian-American citizen of Pakistani origin, arrived in New Delhi on Thursday.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is coordinating his extradition along with the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW). Rana is likely to be presented before a Delhi court soon after his arrival.
Photo Credit: Inside the Ropes/YouTube.

2025 has already been a big year for WWE as the promotions flagship show, WWE Raw, began a 10-year deal with Netflix. WWE COO Paul Levesque, AKA Triple H, and President Nick Khan, recently discussed the impact that the move has made.

At an NAB show in Las Vegas (the city that will host WrestleMania on April 19 and 20), Triple H discussed the global impact of Raw airing on Netflix.

This is the first time ever that its been simplified in a way that, globally, the world over, theres one place, you know where it is, you know when its on and you can just go click on it and get there, Triple H said, H/T Barrett Media. Whereas before, it was multiple partners all over the place depending on where you were, depending on when it was on and what time and everything else under the sun.

On the subject of WWEs global reach, the promotion recently concluded a lengthy tour of Europe, building up WrestleMania. Khan discussed the significance in the timing of that tour.

You cant just pipe out American content globally and expect that its going to resonate, Khan said. You have to be boots on the ground, and thats what Paul, the creative team, our superstars and everyone else across that was. By the way, its not easy, but it had to be done. It was a massive success for us in terms of live gate merchandise, and perhaps, most importantly, viewership. So its already working, and look for more of that from us moving forward.

Another topic of conversation was how WWE uses outlets like X (formerly Twitter) and YouTube to share parts of segments and/or matches.

When youre putting them in clip form on these things, youre not giving away what we do, Levesque said. Theyre like trailers, and while people will consume a lot of our content in that manner, were actually driving them back to the longer form content as well that theyre already very familiar with, so when you see that clip thats of a moment that you think, Man, I have to go back and watch that whole thing, so its a wonderful back and forth, and you can go there and relive those moments at any point in time.
Dhanbad, April 10 : Medical services at the government-run Shaheed Nirmal Mahato Medical College and Hospital (SNMMCH) in Jharkhand's Dhanbad were severely hit for over eight hours on Thursday as doctors went on a strike after a senior resident doctor was assaulted by relatives of a deceased patient, officials said.

In protest against the assault, doctors at the hospital went on strike from 2 a.m., leading to a complete shutdown of emergency services in the hospital.

According to the hospital, the incident occurred late Wednesday night when a young girl, admitted to the paediatric department following a snake bite, died during treatment.

The girlas family, blaming medical negligence, created a commotion and physically assaulted the senior resident on duty.

Soon after, other doctors at the hospital, expressing outrage over the incident, halted all medical services, including in the emergency department.

Even critically ill patients were not admitted during this period, and many had to return without receiving treatment.

OPD services were also impacted for several hours in the morning on Thursday.

The striking doctors demanded the immediate registration of an FIR and the arrest of those involved in the assault.

They also raised concerns about the rising number of violent incidents targeting medical personnel and insisted that adequate security arrangements be put in place at the hospital.

Officials from the Saraidhela police station reached the hospital shortly after the incident and managed to bring the situation under control by pacifying the agitated people. However, the doctors refused to return to work until assurances of safety were given.

It was only after Medical College Superintendent Dr D.K. Gindourian intervened and held discussions with the striking doctors that services gradually resumed. By afternoon on Thursday, normalcy was restored across all departments in the hospital.

The incident once again highlighted the growing vulnerability of medical professionals to violence and sparked fresh concerns over the need for stronger legal safeguards and hospital security measures.
Bengaluru, April 10 : Senior BJP leader R. Ashoka said on Thursday that people's support for the party's 'Janakrosh' yatra proves their frustration against the Congress government in the state.

The Karnataka BJP has launched the Janakrosh Yatra, condemning the price rise and "appeasement politics" of the Congress-led government.

Slamming the Siddaramaiah government, Ashoka, Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, said: "Chief Minister's Economic Advisor Basavaraj Rayareddy's statement that Karnataka is number one in corruption, and Minister D. Sudhakar's remark that the government is taking off after 20 months, hold a mirror to the government's functioning."

"This is a deceitful government delivering poor governance. In 20 months, the true colours of the Siddaramaiah government have been exposed," Ashoka said.

He asserted that due to the "unscientific implementation" of guarantee schemes, the state government has gone "bankrupt".

Ashoka claimed that not a single development programme has been implemented.

"On one hand, price hikes are breaking the backbone of the common man, while on the other hand, people are harassed by rampant bribery in every office," he said.

"The entire government is mired in leadership change controversies, corruption, and looting. Through steep price hikes, they are preying on the common people like vultures. Anarchy is rampant in the state," Ashoka alleged.

Notably, Rayareddy, while participating in an interaction programme in Koppal organised by the Regional Imbalance Redressal Committee, said, "Karnataka is No 1 in terms of corruption."

Rayareddy said, "Since corruption is rampant, quality work is not taking place. Government buildings which stood for five to six decades earlier are now collapsing within 10 years of their construction. Notably, corruption is much more prevalent in the Kalyan Karnataka region."

Vijayendra said Rayareddy has exposed the "dark face" of the Siddaramaiah government.
Seoul, April 10 : South Korea should take a prudent and guarded approach in its negotiations with the Trump administration over his proposed "package deal" on tariffs and security issues, as it would be better not to hastily respond to such talks under Seoul's current acting leadership, experts said on Thursday.

Experts said South Korea needs to carefully consider what it can offer to the United States and secure from it in return, such as stronger U.S. security commitment, as Trump has announced a 90-day pause on its "reciprocal" tariffs on South Korea and others, reports Yonhap news agency.

Trump suggested that his administration will put other security and non-tariff issues all on the table, saying that reducing American troops abroad, like in Europe and South Korea, can be "part of" the negotiations.

His remarks added to growing speculation that Washington under his command could bring up the defence cost-sharing agreement as a condition for the tariff negotiations with Seoul.

"Under the current acting presidency, and with the tariff pause, the priority should be to clearly assess U.S. intentions and lay the groundwork so that the next government can respond strategically," Yang Uk, a research fellow at the Asan Institute of Policy Studies, said.

He said Trump's tariff salvo may be an opportunity for South Korea to secure more meaningful security commitments from the U.S. in deterring North Korea's military threats.

"The fact that North Korea's nuclear threats have reached a new level is the most pressing issue for us. We could ask for in return, for example, the U.S. to consider redeploying U.S. tactical nuclear assets to South Korea, to boost our defence," he said.

Trump's remarks came after his first phone talks with acting President Han Duck-soo on Tuesday, during which he said they discussed Seoul's "payment for the U.S.' big time military protection" and the "confines and probability" of a deal for both countries that are "not covered by trade and tariffs."

Some experts argue that South Korea should consider accepting a higher share of defence-sharing costs if the Trump administration moves to overturn the finalized agreement and push for a new deal.

In October, Seoul and Washington struck the Special Measures Agreement (SMA), under which Seoul is to pay 1.52 trillion won (US$1.03 billion) next year for the stationing of the 28,500-strong U.S. Forces Korea (USFK), up from 1.4 trillion won this year.

Trump has referred to South Korea as a "money machine" and, as a presidential candidate, said that if he were in the White House, the U.S. ally would be paying significantly more for its defence.

Seoul's position has now become increasingly precarious as Trump has made the issues of cost-sharing and troops presence more explicit.

"Since Trump doesn't always stick to the traditional frameworks, his unpredictability could work as an advantage and potentially lead to a stronger security outcome for South Korea," Yang said.

While South Korea has expressed a willingness to discuss economic cooperation, such as shipbuilding and potential participation in the U.S.' envisioned Alaska liquefied natural gas pipeline project, it has maintained that the defence burden-sharing deal is a settled matter and a separate issue from the tariff negotiations.
Valsad, April 10 : Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat is set to visit Gujarat on April 12 to participate in the silver jubilee celebrations of the Shree Bhav Bhaveshwar Mahadev Temple at Shri Sadguru Dham in Barumal, located in the tribal heartland of Valsad district.

According to the official itinerary, Bhagwat will arrive in Surat on Saturday morning and travel directly to Dharampur. From 11.00 a.m. to 12.45 p.m., he will participate in the templeas Rajatotsav ceremony, marking 25 years of the revered shrine dedicated to Lord Bhav Bhaveshwar.

The event is expected to draw a significant number of devotees, RSS functionaries, and local leaders from the tribal belt of South Gujarat.

A major highlight of Saturdayas event will be the offering of a 25-kg silver serpent to the deity, a symbolic gesture of devotion, which will take place during the 'Purnahuti' ceremony in the presence of Bhagwat. This is expected to be the spiritual climax of the month-long celebrations, marking a significant milestone for the temple and its devotees.

Later in the day, from 3.30 p.m. to 5.00 p.m., Bhagwat will hold an interactive session with RSS workers from tribal areas, reaffirming the Sanghas focus on outreach and organisation-building in interior regions.

Following the interaction, he will participate in a yajna ceremony organised as part of the ongoing spiritual festivities. Bhagwat is expected to depart from Barumal at 5.15 p.m. the same evening. The silver jubilee celebrations of the temple have been ongoing since March 30, featuring a range of spiritual and religious events. A week-long Shiv Puran Katha was held from March 30 to April 6, drawing large gatherings of devotees.

Since April 8, two grand Vedic rituals -- the Ati Rudra Maha Yagya and the Maharudra Maha Yagya -- have been taking place, with participation from priests and spiritual leaders from across the region.

The Shri Sadguru Dham, nestled in the lush green hills of Dharampur, has grown over the past two and a half decades into a spiritual and cultural centre in South Gujarat. Organisers said the presence of the RSS chief for this landmark celebration not only adds significance to the event but also underscores the temple's influence in the region. Security arrangements have been put in place in and around Dharampur for the high-profile visit, and local authorities are coordinating with temple organizers to ensure a smooth flow of the dayas events. Devotees from across Gujarat are expected to flock to Barumal to witness the ceremonies.
Mumbai, April 10 : Actor Ritwik Bhowmik, who essays the role of Sagor in the recently released streaming series 'Khakee: The Bengal Chapter', is in love with Kolkata. The actor, who spent a considerable time in what was once the capital of the East India Company, feels that the city has a different charm to it, and is quite fluid within the time fabric.

Ritwik recently spoke with IANS, and shared how landing in Kolkata suddenly changed the optics of his character for him along with his co-actor Aadil Khan.

The actor told IANS, "We did workshops in Mumbai, we had a script, so there was a foundation and structure of the characters, which was given to us that this is where you begin from and now make it your own. We did a lot of rehearsals to understand Sagor and Ranjeet and their relationship and where they come from. But until we reached Kolkata, until we came here, didn't drink water there, didn't feel the air there, we didn't understand what exactly these parts were".

He further mentioned that he and Aadil reached Kolkata 2-3 days before the shoot started, and they used to just roam on the streets, drink tea, sit somewhere, eat somewhere or talk to strangers to get a sense of the physical setting of the city.

He said, "In those 2-3 days, we understood that the line that is written in front of us on paper, has a different way of reading it, a different way of listening to it. It has a different way of understanding it, because we were looking at those people and everything changed. I don't know what would have happened if we stayed there for 2-3 months".

"Kolkata has a different pace to it and it is in the energy of the city, which got on to us and suddenly it gave us a way and that was beautiful. The time is different there. Kolkata is 100 years behind and 100 years ahead in time", he added.

'Khakee: The Bengal Chapter' streams on Netflix.
Guwahati, April 10 : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Thursday that over 43 lakh persons, including a large section of women, are set to benefit from the state government's cash transfer scheme.

Taking to social media platform X, CM Sarma wrote, "It's the 10th of April and like every month, today is Pension and Orunodoi Day in Assam, our most comprehensive Jan Kalyan effort. Over 43 lakh people, mostly women will get over a384cr directly in their bank accounts to enable them to fulfill their basic necessities."

Under the Orunodoi scheme, the state government provides financial assistance to women on the 10th of every month.

The CM earlier also asserted that to prevent fraudulent claims, the Orunodoi scheme is being linked with ration cards. The state administration has distributed at least 20 lakh new ration cards to the beneficiaries across the state recently.

CM Sarma highlighted the steadfast commitment of the current state government to ensure that the needy have regular access to rice.

He noted that the National Food Security Act (NFSA) was implemented in Assam in December 2015, with the aim of safeguarding the nutritional needs of approximately 2.51 crore beneficiaries.

He emphasised that 85 per cent of rural residents and 60 per cent of urban inhabitants should be entitled to ration cards.

The CM said that following the linking of ration cards with Aadhaar, an additional 60 lakh cards have been issued, thus facilitating the distribution of free rice via biometric verification.

He commended the successful implementation of the 'One Nation, One Ration Card' scheme, which has been in place for the past three years, allowing beneficiaries to access provisions from anywhere in the country.

The Chief Minister clarified that ration cards must be collected between the 1st and 10th of each month and reassured the public that no fraudulent claims would be entertained, as the government has made substantial efforts to ensure that deserving families receive their entitlements.

CM Sarma stated that in the 2023-24 fiscal year, 42,85,745 new beneficiaries have been included, with 10,73,489 new families receiving ration cards in January alone, benefitting more than 52 lakh people. The Chief Minister also said that families holding ration cards would be eligible for free medical treatment up to Rs five lakh at government hospitals under the Ayushman Bharat and Ayushman Assam schemes.
Bengaluru, April 10 : The BJP continued its attack on the ruling Congress on Thursday over its MLA's remark that Karnataka was 'number one in terms of corruption' even as MLA Rayareddy maintained that his statements were 'misrepresented' by the media.

The CM's Economic Advisor Basavaraj Rayareddy while participating in an interaction programme in Koppal organised by the Regional Imbalance Redressal Committee, maintained that, "no matter who is in power, rampant corruption will take place and Karnataka state is No 1 in terms of corruption."

However, on Thursday he claimed that he had not stated that "Karnataka was No 1 in corruption."

However, the BJP took the opportunity to attack the Karnataka government on the issue.

Referring to his statements, Leader of the Opposition, R. Ashoka, claimed on Thursday that the Congress stands for corruption and commission.

Ashoka stated, "Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah's Economic Advisor Basavaraj Rayareddy, who earlier confessed that guarantees have ruined the state's economy, has now declared that Karnataka has become No.1 in corruption."

"This is what Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi's, model looks like. Loot the people, 'Khatakhat, Khatakhat,'" he alleged.

Commenting on Rayareddy's statements, BJP state President, B.Y. Vijayendra, stated on Thursday in Mangaluru that "Rayareddy is known to speak boldly, and he has only spoken the truth."

"After scams like the Valmiki Corporation scam and the MUDA scam, he too has been disillusioned. There is no funding for development," Vijayendra alleged.

"During the BJP's tenure, Karnataka had secured the second spot in development after Gujarat. But today, Karnataka has reached the number one position in corruption, and the credit for that goes to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah," Vijayendra claimed.

He added that Rayareddy was only stating the truth when he made his remarks.

Rayareddy while participating in an interaction programme in Koppal organised by the Regional Imbalance Redressal Committee, maintained that, "no matter who is in power, rampant corruption will take place and Karnataka state is No 1 in terms of corruption."

He further stated, "Since corruption is rampant, quality work is not taking place. Government buildings which stood for five to six decades earlier are now collapsing within 10 years of their construction. Notably, corruption is much more in Kalyan Karnataka region."

"When corruption is taking place in huge proportions, how can regional imbalances be eradicated? The officers will be like how the representatives of the people are. In spite of what the Chief Minister says in this regard, my opinion will remain the same on the matter of corruption," he stated.

After his statements sparked controversy, MLA Rayareddy maintained that his statements were misrepresented by the media and claimed that he had not stated that Karnataka state was No 1 in corruption.

"I mentioned that the state has been branded for corruption due to poor quality of work. I did not make any corruption allegation against the present government or previous governments. This statement is not new and was made on the floor of the House and I had mentioned it in a meeting with the CM," MLA Rayareddy stated.
Jaipur, April 10 : Senior Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, visited the Ranthambore National Park on Thursday morning as part of his Rajasthan tour.

During a safari in Zone 2 of the park, he had the rare opportunity to spot the celebrated tigress, Arrowhead, along with her cubs and was visibly delighted by their playful behaviour in the wild.

Arrowhead, officially designated as T-84, is one of Ranthamboreas most iconic big cats.

Known for the distinctive arrow-shaped mark on her head, she is the granddaughter of the legendary tigress Machli, often referred to as the "Queen of Ranthambore."

Her lineage and frequent sightings have made her a favourite among wildlife enthusiasts and photographers.

Rahul Gandhi arrived in Jaipur from Ahmedabad on Wednesday evening. At the Jaipur International Airport, he was received by Leader of the Opposition in the Rajasthan Assembly Tikaram Jully and Rajasthan Congress president Govind Singh Dotasra.

From there, he travelled by road to Sawai Madhopur, reaching Hotel Sher Bagh near Ranthambore Circle around 10 p.m.

Setting off early on Thursday, Gandhi entered the national park for a morning safari. He spent some time observing Arrowhead and her cubs in their natural habitat.

In a separate sighting, one of the cubs of the tigress Riddhi, was also spotted in the Gular area of Zone 3.

Ranthambore has been a favoured retreat for the Gandhi family over the years. His sister, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, has frequently visited the national park for wildlife safaris.

In December 2024, shortly after the Wayanad Lok Sabha bypoll, she visited Ranthambore along with her husband Robert Vadra, their children Rehan and Miraya Vadra, and her mother-in-law Maureen Vadra. The family stayed at the luxurious Tara Suite at Hotel Sher Bagh.

Priyanka Gandhi has spent several vacations at Ranthambore, including celebrating her birthday there.

During the Bharat Jodo Yatra led by Rahul Gandhi, the family had also stayed at Sher Bagh.
Istanbul, April 10 : Russia and the United States on Thursday began the second round of consultations in Istanbul, focusing on the normalisation of operation of their respective embassies.

The Russian delegation is led by Moscowas Ambassador to Washington, Alexander Darchiev while the US delegation is headed by Sonata Coulter, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs.

The consultations between the two delegations, taking place at the Russian Consulate General in Istanbul, may last for several hours, reports indicated.

"We should say that the substantial part of the talks is already behind us, but on the whole, the negotiations may take four or five hours," Russia's state-run news agency TASS quoted a source as saying.

According to Darchiev, Russia is set for a serious discussion with the United States regarding the return of diplomatic property wrongfully confiscated by Washington.

The agenda also includes issues of diplomats' movements around the host country, visa and financial restrictions.

"This is about addressing the 'toxic legacy' of the previous US administration, which imposed severe restrictions on the activities of Russian diplomatic missions in the United States," Darchiev said.

The previous round of Russia-US consultations was held at the US Consul General's residence in Istanbul on February 27. That meeting lasted over six hours.

After the conclusion of the first round of meeting, the Russian Foreign Ministry said that Moscow and Washington have agreed on joint measures aimed at ensuring the uninterrupted financing of diplomatic missions.

The ministry further added that the two sides discussed ways to resolve "numerous irritants" in bilateral relations.

"Joint steps were agreed upon to ensure the unimpeded financing of the activities of the diplomatic missions of Russia and the United States on a reciprocal basis, and to create the appropriate conditions for diplomats to perform their official duties," it stated.

The two sides agreed on joint steps to ensure the unhindered financing of their diplomatic missions on a reciprocal basis and to create suitable conditions for diplomats to carry out their official duties.

Moscow also said that it raised the issue of its diplomatic property in the US, specifically six real estate properties that were "illegally seized" between 2016 and 2018.

Additionally, Russia proposed that the US consider restoring direct flights and stressed the need for tangible results that would help improve bilateral relations in the interests of both nations, it said.

Moscow and Washington have agreed to continue their diplomatic contacts, the statement detailed.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said that officials in Istanbul "agreed on joint steps to ensure the uninterrupted financing of diplomatic missions in both countries and to create appropriate conditions for diplomats to carry out their duties effectively".

Over the past decade, Russia and the US have repeatedly expelled each other's diplomats, significantly reducing their embassy staffing levels.
Chennai, April 10 : The Madras High Court has ruled that borrowers cannot invoke arbitration proceedings to address disputes related to the non-updating of their credit history by companies like TransUnion CIBIL Limited without first utilising the alternative remedies prescribed under the Credit Information Companies (Regulation) Act, 2005.

A division bench of Justices Anita Sumanth and C. Kumarappan delivered the verdict while allowing an original side appeal filed by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

The RBI, represented by its counsel Chevanan Mohan, had challenged a single judgeas ruling that permitted arbitration proceedings without requiring the borrower to exhaust statutory remedies.

Disagreeing with the earlier ruling, the division bench emphasised that Section 18 of the Act provides for dispute resolution through arbitration and conciliation only if no other remedy is available under the law.

Since the Act outlines a specific mechanism for correcting and updating credit information, arbitration cannot be the first recourse.

The bench elaborated that Section 21 of the Act offers a detailed process for borrowers to request changes to their credit information. Borrowers can demand modifications, corrections, additions, or deletions to their credit reports, and the institutions involved are legally bound to process such requests within 30 days of receiving them. If corrections are not made, the borrower must be informed of the reasons.

Justice Sumanth, who authored the verdict, stated that any individual applying for a loan or credit facility is entitled to request a copy of the credit report obtained by the lending institution from a credit information company. These institutions are required to provide such reports upon payment of charges specified by the RBI.

If a borrower finds discrepancies in the credit report, they can request that the relevant credit institution and the credit information company update their records. The law mandates that these corrections be verified and completed within the stipulated time frame. The statutory framework thus provides a robust and effective dispute resolution mechanism.

The court also noted the RBIas submission that TransUnion CIBIL facilitates online dispute resolution through a straightforward application process on its website. However, the borrower in the case under consideration had not availed of this remedy and had instead directly invoked arbitration under Section 18.

The RBI counsel argued that the single judge had erred in entertaining the arbitration application and issuing an injunction against TransUnion CIBIL without the borrower first attempting to resolve the matter through the statutory process.

Agreeing with this stance, the Division Bench set aside the single judgeas order and granted the borrower the liberty to initiate an online application to rectify his credit report. The court clarified that, since TransUnion CIBIL had categorised the borrower as "high risk" based on information from multiple banks indicating defaults on credit card and gold loan repayments, he could still seek rectification if he possessed valid documentation to challenge that classification.

In conclusion, the Bench reiterated that while arbitration is an available remedy under the Act, it can only be invoked after all other statutory dispute resolution avenues have been fully pursued.
New Delhi, April 10 : BJP MP Manoj Tiwari on Thursday praised the Narendra Modi government for its efforts in extraditing 26/11 Mumbai terror attack accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana to India, emphasising the government's zero-tolerance policy toward terrorism and corruption.

Talking to IANS, Manoj Tiwari said: "India is fortunate to have a Prime Minister like Narendra Modi, who has led the country with a positive agenda, focusing on the welfare of the poor and maintaining zero tolerance for criminals and corrupt individuals. The 26/11 tragedy saddens us, and the mastermind behind it sought refuge in the US."

He added that after various efforts, he is now being extradited to India under US President Donald Trump's leadership, with the persistent efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"This is a significant achievement for the Modi government. The entire country is grateful to PM Modi and his government. Today, we see another example of India's commitment to fighting terrorism," he said.

Tiwari also responded to opposition leaders who demanded the return of fugitives like Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi, and Mehul Choksi.

"The issue here is terrorism, where innocent lives were lost. As for the criminals and fugitives, the government is taking strict action against them. Their properties are being seized, and efforts are underway to bring them to justice wherever they are," he concluded.

Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a Canadian-American citizen of Pakistani origin, is one of India's most wanted fugitives. He was extradited after exhausting all legal avenues to avoid the move.

A special chartered flight carrying the 64-year-old left the US on April 9 and will arrive in New Delhi on Thursday, marking a pivotal moment in India's ongoing pursuit of justice for the 26/11 attack.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) will oversee Rana's extradition, with support from the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW). He is expected to be presented before a Delhi court shortly after his arrival.
Chennai, April 10 : The Indu Makkal Katchi (IMK), a right-wing political outfit based in Tamil Nadu and a long-time supporter of the BJP, has launched a sharp attack on the central government, accusing it of betraying Hindu interests by failing to support the demand for freeing temples from government control.

In a strongly worded statement, IMK founder-president Arjun Sampath expressed deep disappointment over the Centre's stance in ongoing legal proceedings related to temple administration. He said the BJP had let down the Hindu community by not backing the constitutional right of Hindus to manage their temples independently.

Sampath recalled that over a decade ago, their spiritual mentor Thavathiru Dayananda Saraswathi Swamiji had filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), seeking autonomy for Hindu temples. "This is not just a spiritual issue -- it is a constitutional one," Sampath said, adding, "It concerns the fundamental rights of Hindus to manage their own places of worship."

He alleged that for the past 12 years, the Centre has not only remained silent in court but has also echoed the positions taken by the governments of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. "This is nothing short of betrayal," he charged.

While acknowledging the BJP's role in fulfilling several key Hindutva promises -- such as the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, and the enactment of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) -- Sampath said these achievements cannot make up for the party's silence on what he described as a "core ideological issue".

"The BJP must understand that temple autonomy is non-negotiable for us," he asserted. "We are not a branch of the Sangh Parivar. We are independent followers of Swami Dayananda Saraswati. And if the situation demands, we are ready to oppose the BJP on this matter."

Speaking to reporters, Sampath elaborated that while the IMK's core beliefs align with much of the BJP's ideological framework, the Centre's lack of seriousness in addressing the temple autonomy issue is "deeply disappointing".

He added that the IMK has formally communicated its concerns to the BJP and intends to escalate the matter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah through Tamil Nadu BJP president K. Annamalai.

"We remain hopeful that once our concerns are conveyed, the central leadership will act with the urgency and seriousness this issue demands," Sampath said.
Chennai, April 10 : The first single from director Vassishta's eagerly awaited magnum opus, 'Vishwambhara', featuring Megastar Chiranjeevi in the lead, will release on April 12, its makers announced on Thursday.

Chennai, April 10 (IANS) The first single from director Vassishtaas eagerly awaited magnum opus, aVishwambharaa, featuring Megastar Chiranjeevi in the lead, will release on April 12, its makers announced on Thursday.

The makers of the film have announced that the filmas first single titled aRama Ramaa will be released on April 12. The song has been set to tune by Academy Award winner MM Keeravani.

A poster released by the makers to announce the first singleas release suggests that aRama Ramaa will be a devotional number.

The image shows Chiranjeevi surrounded by children dressed as Hanuman, with a grand statue of Lord Ram in the background. Ramajogayya Sastry has penned the lyrics for the song.

Director Vassishta, who made an indelible mark with his blockbuster debut aBimbisaraa, has left no stone unturned into making Vishwambhara a grand spectacle. The director has already made it evident that he considers this film to be his most ambitious and prestigious project to date.

The film features a star-studded cast, with Trisha Krishnan and Ashika Ranganath taking on key roles. Kunal Kapoor plays a pivotal character in the film.

The film has cinematography by Chota K Naidu, while AS Prakash is the production designer. Editing for the film is by Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao, and Santhosh Kamireddy, while dialogues in the film have been penned by Sai Madhav Burra. Sushmita Konidela has designed the costumes in the film.

Megastar Chiranjeevi's highly anticipated socio-fantasy entertainer, Vishwambhara, has been eagerly awaited ever since its makers released a teaser, which provided a glimpse into the mesmerizing world crafted for the film.

Directed by Vassishta, the film has been produced by Vikram, Vamsi, and Pramod under the prestigious UV Creations banner.
New Delhi, April 10 : Thanking the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for its persistence in bringing terrorists to justice, Israel on Thursday welcomed the extradition of 26/11 plotter Tahawwur Rana from the United States to India.

"We are encouraged to hear about the extradition to India of one of the perpetrators of the terrible and horrendous terrorist attacks that happened in Mumbai on 26th November 2008 which took the lives of more than 170 innocent civilians, including Israelis. I would like to thank the Government of India for its persistence in bringing the terrorists to justice," said Reuven Azar, Ambassador of Israel to India.

Tahawwur Rana, one of the key conspirators of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks is being brought to India from the United States via a special plane and is expected to reach Delhi later today.

In Mumbai, Kobbi Shoshani, the Consulate General of Israel to Midwest India, hoped that the development would bring some sense of closure for hundreds of victims of 2008 Mumbai terror attacks and their families, many of whom were Jews.

"First of all, I would like to congratulate India. I think it's a big success for Indian diplomacy, particularly for Prime Minister Modi's government. We are very happy that after so many years, India has succeeded in bringing him here to face the court and bring closure to what happened on 26/11," said Shoshani while speaking exclusively with IANS.

"Even today, when I am entering Nariman House, going to the Taj Mahal hotel, VT Station, and Leopold Cafe. I still smell the ammunition and recall the darkness and the fear of death in the corridors going up to the Nariman House since 2008. I think today may not be the final closure, but it is definitely a very important step," the Israeli diplomat added while recalling the horrors.

More than 160 people were killed and over 300 injured in the dastardly terror attacks on November 26, 2008.

A group of 10 terrorists, sneaked into the metropolitan city via sea and unleashed mayhem in several parts of Mumbai simultaneously.

They resorted to indiscriminate firing at multiple locations including Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, the Oberoi Trident, the Taj Mahal Palace, Leopold Cafe, Cama Hospital, Nariman House (Jewish centre), Metro Cinema, and the alley behind the Times of India building.

Out of 10, nine terrorists were gunned down by the security forces while Ajmal Kasab was caught alive and later hanged to death.
New Delhi, April 10 : As Mumbai terror attack accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana was extradited from the United States to India, Congress on Thursday criticised the Narendra Modi government, asserting that the extradition was the result of "mature, consistent, and strategic diplomacy" initiated under the UPA government, not a breakthrough achieved by the current administration.

New Delhi, April 10 (IANS) As Mumbai terror attack accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana was extradited from the United States to India, Congress on Thursday criticised the Narendra Modi government, asserting that the extradition was the result of "mature, consistent, and strategic diplomacy" initiated under the UPA government, not a breakthrough achieved by the current administration.

Congress leader and former Home Minister P Chidambaram expressed his satisfaction over Rana's extradition but emphasised the importance of understanding the full history behind the process.

He argued that while the Modi government sought to take credit for the development, the truth was far from their claims.

"I am happy that Tahawwur Hussain Rana, one of the prime accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, was extradited to India. However, it is crucial to tell the complete story. The extradition is the result of over a decade of hard, diligent, and strategic diplomacy that was initiated, led, and sustained by the UPA government, in coordination with the US," said Chidambaram.

The Congress leader traced the origins of the extradition efforts back to 2009 when the UPA government, under Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, took a significant step by registering a case against Rana and his co-conspirator, David Coleman Headley, in New Delhi.

He noted that the first major breakthrough came that year when Canada, under the UPA's diplomatic efforts, confirmed intelligence cooperation with India.

Rana was arrested by the FBI in Chicago in 2009 for his role in plotting a failed terror attack in Copenhagen, but a US court acquitted him of direct involvement in the 26/11 attacks in 2011, convicting him instead for his role in other terror plots.

Despite the setback, Chidambaram emphasised that the UPA government consistently worked on the issue through institutional diplomacy and legal channels, maintaining pressure on the US for Rana's extradition.

He highlighted that in 2011, a three-member NIA team visited the US to question Headley, and under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT), the US provided crucial evidence to India, which was included in the NIA's chargesheet filed later that year.

He added that non-bailable warrants were issued against Rana, and Interpol red notices were put in place.

"In 2012, External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid and Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai made strong representations to US officials, urging them to expedite Rana and Headley's extradition. This diplomatic pressure continued, with India's Ambassador to the US, Nirupama Rao, raising the issue repeatedly. This is an example of handling sensitive international matters with measured diplomacy, not grandstanding," he said.

Chidambaram further pointed out that even after the 2014 change in government, the process set in motion by the UPA remained active.

He noted that in 2015, Headley offered to become a government witness, and in 2016, a Mumbai court granted him clemency to strengthen the case against other terror operatives.

By 2018, an NIA team had gone to the US to clear legal obstacles regarding Rana's extradition, and in 2019, it was revealed that Rana would complete his sentence in the US by 2023.

He criticised Prime Minister Modi's attempt to claim credit for the extradition, particularly after Rana's release on health grounds in June 2020.

"When Rana was released on health grounds in June 2020, the Indian government immediately sought his extradition. The Biden administration supported India's request, and in May 2023, a US court upheld it. Rana filed several petitions against the extradition, all of which were rejected, including one in the US Supreme Court," Chidambaram added.

In February 2025, following the change in US administration, both President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Modi sought to take credit for the extradition. However, Chidambaram clarified that this achievement was the result of years of diplomatic effort started during the UPA government.

"By 17 February, Indian authorities had confirmed that Rana had been involved in the 26/11 conspiracy since 2005, working closely with Lashkar-e-Taiba and the ISI. Finally, on 8 April 2025, US authorities handed Rana over to Indian agencies, and he arrived in New Delhi on 10 April," Chidambaram added.

The Congress leader concluded by asserting that the Modi government had neither initiated the extradition process nor achieved any new breakthroughs.

Instead, the extradition was a result of the diplomatic groundwork laid by the UPA.

"Let the facts be clear: The Modi government neither initiated this process nor secured any new breakthroughs. It has only leveraged the institutional framework built by the UPA, demonstrating that when India acts with seriousness, international cooperation can bring even the world's most sophisticated criminals to justice," Chidambaram concluded.
Udupi : , April 10 (IANS) The Karnataka BJP's 'Janakrosh Yatra', organised against the Congress-led government over price rises and reservations for Muslims in tenders for public work, entered its fourth day on Thursday. The BJP tore into the Congress-led Siddaramaiah government for "failing" the backward classes who comprise more than 50 per cent of the total population in the state.

Speaking at a public gathering here, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Kota Srinivas Poojary said: "We have no objection if you give Rs 10,000 crore or even Rs 1 lakh crore to minorities. But what about the children from backward classes and Scheduled Castes who are now in a situation where they are crying out for hostel seats? What justice have you (addressing Siddaramaiah) done to these communities who constitute more than 50 per cent of the population?"

He also demanded an answer to whether the Congress was elected to power so that slogans like "Let Pakistan win" could be raised in the Vidhana Soudha. He said that the "nationalist" Congress members must respond to this.

Poojary further said: "The fall of CM Siddaramaiah's government is certain, and there should be no doubt about it."

"Just like blowing of wind and fluttering of curtains are inevitable, so is the fall of this government. He further emphasised that the people across Karnataka are expressing outrage against the current administration, and various public protests are taking place.

Karnataka unit BJP president B.Y. Vijayendra, addressing the gathering, said: "The Congress-led government has been reduced to a government of advertisements. It is not the government of the poor. Instead, it is burdening the poor with price hikes.

CM Siddaramaiah came to power in the name of backwards and oppressed classes. But, after coming to power, he has conveniently forgotten those people and going behind a minority community and pursuing the anti-Hindu policy, Vijayendra said.

"There are no elections around the corner for the BJP to organise the Janakrosh Yatra to gain any political advantage. The main objective is to oppose the Congress led government and create awareness among people against its anti-people policies," he underlined.

Former minister B. Sriramulu appealed to BJP leaders and workers to work hard to bring the party back to power in the future.

Speaking at a public meeting organised on Thursday in Udupi as part of the BJP's Janakrosha Yatra, he said due to rising prices, common people in the state are now struggling to survive.

"On one hand, the government remains silent, deaf, and mute. It sits like the blind, refusing to see the reality. This protest is being carried out to awaken the government and because people are facing real problems in their daily lives," he explained.

He strongly condemned the suspension of BJP MLAs who were forcefully removed from the Assembly by marshals during the Budget session.

He pointed out that Siddaramaiah's close associate, MLA and CM's Economic Advisor Basavaraj Rayareddy himself has stated that Karnataka has now reached the number one position in corruption in the entire country.

"Corruption is rising at an alarming level. There is a competition among Congress ministers over who can be more corrupt. This Congress government is looting all the wealth of the state. Ministers are busy collecting money and securing their positions," he said.

The BJP leader further alleged that in the Valmiki Development Corporation and other similar institutions, funds are being emptied through corruption, and then government-appointed officers are used to give clean chits under the pretext of investigations.

Poojary praised Udupi district, calling it a place that has taught discipline and dedication to the entire state and to BJP workers.

Recalling the contributions of the late BJP leader V.S. Acharya, he said that whenever the topic of Udupi comes up, Acharya's memory resurfaces.

He concluded by urging everyone to work towards bringing the BJP back to power in 2028 under the leadership of B.Y. Vijayendra.
Jaipur, April 10 : Rajasthan Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) conducted raids on Thursday at five locations associated with Hariprasad Meena, Executive Engineer of the Public Works Department (PWD).

An official said that the raids, which spanned across Jaipur and Dausa, come amid allegations that Meena accumulated assets nearly 200 per cent more than his known sources of income.

He added that the operation was carried out under the supervision of ACB DIG Rahul Kotoki and under the direction of DG Raviprakash Meharda and ADG Smita Srivastava.

The official informed that the raids were conducted at Unique Emporia, VIT Road, Jagatpura, Jaipur, Unique New Town, behind Mahima Panorama, Jagatpura, Jaipur, Farmhouse in Bagdi village, Tehsil Lalsot, District Dausa, PWD Office, Block Dudu, Jaipur and Rented residence in Friends Colony, Naraina Road, Dudu, Jaipur Preliminary investigations have uncovered a slew of benami properties and luxury assets in Meena's name.

"These include two Audi cars, one Scorpio, one Ford Endeavour, and a Royal Enfield motorcycle; three high-end flats in the Unique Emporia and Unique New Town complexes; a farmhouse in Bagdi village, and records of international travel and stays in luxury hotels," he said.

The official pointed out that additionally, Meena reportedly holds accounts in 19 different banks, with transaction details running into crores.

He said that the investigators also found evidence suggesting the rapid repayment of large bank loans, raising further suspicions.

A senior ACB official said that there is a significant disparity between Meena's official income and the assets accumulated.

"All seized documents, digital records, and financial data are currently under detailed scrutiny," the ACB official said.

The ACB has already seized key documents, including passbooks, property deeds, and electronic data, as part of the ongoing investigation.
Bratislava, April 10 : Asserting that India is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday urged business leaders from Slovakia to seize the opportunities and convert them into concrete results

Slovakia, President Murmu said while addressing the Slovakia-India Business Forum in Bratislava, with its strong industrial base and strategic location in Europe, presents great opportunities for deeper trade and investment ties.

"Slovakia is looking for hard-working skilled workers and professionals from overseas to help meet its workforce requirements. I am convinced that Indian talent can be a valuable partner in the economic progress of Slovakia," President Murmu said in her address at the event.

"India is committed to enhancing trade relations with Slovakia. The large business delegation, representing diverse fields, which has accompanied me, clearly shows the interest of Indian businesses to explore opportunities in Slovakia. We have seen a similar interest from Slovakia," she added.

Addressing the forum, President Murmu thanked Slovakia President Peter Pellegrini for his commitment in strengthening economic ties between the two countries. She said that India is undergoing remarkable transformation and has emerged as a global leader in technology, innovation and sustainable development.

President Murmu added that the Slovakia-India Business Forum serves as an excellent platform to explore synergies and build mutually beneficial partnerships.

Earlier, President Murmu visited an exhibition of paintings by Slovak children. The Slovak-Indian Friendship Society, in collaboration with the Indian Embassy, has been organising the painting competition 'Beauty Hidden in Fairy Tales - India through the Eyes of Slovak Children' since 2015.

She also witnessed a puppet show on Ramayan conducted by Lenka Mukova. Lenka is part of the Babadlo Puppet Theatre in Presov, which has been educating children through puppetry for 30 years.

President Murmu also attended a banquet hosted in her honour by Slovakia President Pellegrini at the historic Bratislava Castle. The Slovak artists presented captivating musical performances including that of the National Anthem, signifying the strong cultural bond between the two countries.

Thanking the Slovak government and the people of Slovakia for the warm welcome and hospitality, she said that from yoga and ayurveda to Indian cuisine, the love for Indian culture in Slovakia is a testament to the strong people-to-people connections. She also reaffirmed India's commitment to strengthen the bonds of friendship between the two countries.

On Wednesday, President Murmu held productive talks with the Slovakia President in Bratislava as both leaders reviewed various facets of India-Slovakia relations and agreed to work towards strengthening the bilateral partnership across diverse sectors.

During their one-to-one meeting and delegation-level talks, President Murmu and Pellegrini also discussed issues of shared global and regional interests. The participants in delegation-level talks from the Indian side included the accompanying Minister of State, Nimuben Bambhaniya, as well as Members of Parliament Dhaval Patel, Sandhya Ray and senior officials.

President Murmu also met the Speaker of National Council of the Slovak Republic, Richard Rasi in Bratislava, congratulating him on his recent election as Speaker while reaffirming the high priority attached by India to the historic friendship between the two countries.

"President Murmu said that Parliamentarians have an important role in enhancing goodwill and mutual understanding between India and Slovakia. She noted that there has been a tradition of a Slovak-India Friendship Group in the National Council of Slovakia, and said that it would help promote exchange of knowledge and experience among our Parliamentarians," the President's Secretariat stated.

This is the first visit by an Indian President to Slovakia in nearly three decades.

"The two-day visit to Slovakia spotlights the importance India places on its bilateral relations with the Slovak Republic. It is also expected to pave the way for deeper cooperation and new initiatives in various sectors, including defence, science and technology, and education," stated the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
Rajkot, April 10 : As the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) completed a decade since its launch on April 8, 2015, there are umpteen stories of success pertaining to the middle class, who not just conceived an enterprise of their own and also executed them with monetary assistance from the government.

The beneficiaries of Mudra Yojana, pan-India, particularly the middle and lower middle class, are today grateful to the government for facilitating funding for their enterprises and new ventures.

In Gujarat's Rajkot, several beneficiaries spoke to IANS and gave insights on how the Mudra Yojana proved instrumental in bringing a turnaround in their lives.

A beneficiary said, "I am grateful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The help we have received under the Mudra scheme has made it easier for us to run our business."

He said that the sole purpose of the scheme is to help small businessmen like him to assist in running the enterprise.

"Small businessmen like us lack capital. PM Modi started the PM Mudra Yojana keeping people like us in mind. It's because of his policies that we are getting loans easily from the bank," he said.

The beneficiary runs his business in Gokul Nagar, located on the ring road of Rajkot. In 2018, he planned to start a startup, but he did not have enough money. He got information about the PM Mudra Yojana and contacted the bank. After this, he got a loan and expanded his business.

Notably, the PMMY provides easy collateral-free loans up to Rs 10 lakh for non-corporate and non-farm income-generating activities. These loans are extended to aspiring entrepreneurs through Banks, Non-Banking Financial Companies and other financial institutions.

Lakhs of small businessmen across the country have taken loans under the scheme and expanded their businesses, thereby creating employment opportunities for others.
Bhopal, April 10 : A 32-year-old woman gave birth to four babies at the government-run Kailashnath Katju Women's Hospital in Bhopal.

The woman, named Jyoti, in her seventh month of pregnancy, successfully delivered two boys and two girls through a premature operation. It was Jyoti's first delivery.

This marks the first instance of the birth of quadruplets in Kailashnath Katju Women's Hospital, a senior doctor said.

The hospital administration said this extraordinary case has astonished the medical staff and the local community.

"Last year, a woman delivered triplets at the same facility, but this event is considered even more complex and significant. The newborn babies weigh between 800 grams and 1 kilogram, against the normal weight of 3 kg in normal deliveries," Smita Saxena, Superintendent of the Hospital, told IANS.

The babies are currently in the hospital's Intensive Care Unit (ICU) due to their low birth weight and the challenges associated with premature delivery. "One of them is critical, but under supervision," the doctor said.

The delivery was conducted under close medical supervision, and the hospital's team of doctors is continuously monitoring the babies' health.

Despite the inherent risks in such cases, the medical team is optimistic about the infants' recovery and well-being in the coming days.

Doctors have emphasised the importance of providing specialised care to ensure their growth and stability.

The medical community remains hopeful as they continue their efforts to nurture and stabilise the four newborns.

The state-run hospital is named after Kailashnath Katju, who served as the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, the Union Home Minister and the Union Defence Minister.

Earlier in 2023, a 30-year-old woman gave birth to quadruplets at Sultania Hospital. Of the four infants, two were girls.
Chennai, April 10 : Around 140 kilograms of ganja, valued at several lakhs of rupees, was seized from a secluded area in Tamil Nadu's Anakaputhur on Thursday.

The seizure led to the arrest of a notorious drug smuggler from Andhra Pradesh. The accused was identified as Appala Naidu (20).

Naidu's accomplice, Rahman (28) and several drug dealers are currently absconding.

According to police sources, the contraband was procured in bulk from Odisha.

Naidu and Rahman had travelled to the forested foothills of Odisha, where they purchased the ganja directly from local cultivators. The harvested ganja was then dried, processed, and packed into small five-gram sachets, totaling 140 kilograms.

To evade detection, the smugglers avoided transporting the ganja directly by vehicle. Instead, local women carried the packets on their heads through dense forest areas and cashew plantations. These packets were then hidden near the Odisha-Andhra Pradesh border along various national highways, police sources said.

Once the ganja reached these hideouts, it was transported to Tamil Nadu and Kerala in cars.

To ensure safe passage, the smugglers deployed two men on motorbikes to serve as escort pilots - one riding ahead and the other following behind the ganja-laden vehicle, maintaining a buffer zone of about one kilometer. Upon entering Tamil Nadu, the initial escorts returned, and Appala Naidu assumed escort duties on a motorbike, while Rahman followed in the car carrying the contraband, the police sources said.

The drop-off took place in a remote, bushy patch in Anakaputhur, where the ganja was unloaded and concealed.

While Rahman fled the scene in the vehicle, Naidu stayed behind to guard the stash and coordinate with local wholesale and retail dealers.

However, acting on a tip-off, the Shankar Nagar Special Task Force conducted a swift and well-coordinated operation. They surrounded the area, apprehended Naidu, and seized the entire consignment.

Authorities also confiscated Naidu's mobile phone, which is now being examined to trace his network of contacts and potential clients across Chennai's suburbs.

The police are continuing their efforts to track down Rahman and other members of the distribution network.

The operation has drawn significant attention for exposing an elaborate and well-organised smuggling route stretching from the forests of Odisha to the outskirts of Chennai, complete with security escorts and logistical coordination.
Kochi, April 10 : The Kerala High Court on Thursday expressed its displeasure at the "callous attitude" of the Kerala Police's Crime Branch over its probe into the over Rs 300 crore Karuvannur Service Co-operative Bank fraud case.

The court said that despite four years of the probe, not even a single charge sheet has been filed. If this is the manner in which things happen, then the CBI will have to be asked to come in to conduct the probe, it warned.

The court's stand came as it heard a plea seeking a CBI probe into the scam, as with top CPI-M leaders and the CPI-M allegedly involved in the crime, there has been no progress in the probe, and, hence, a CBI probe has to be announced.

The counsel for the Kerala government said they have not been able to get the documents to go forward with their probe as all those crucial documents have been taken away by the Enforcement Directorate who are also probing this scam.

As the counsel said that for perusing the transactions in the past decade, they will require three months' time, the court expressed its ire, saying that if things are like this, then the way out is for the CBI to take over.

The court then posted the case for Friday.

Two days back, the ED had questioned CPI-M MP and former state minister K. Radhakrishnan, as he was the party's Thrissur district Secretary when the alleged scam took place.

Among the other top CPI-M leaders who have already been questioned are senior legislator and former minister A.C. Moideen, former legislator M.K. Kannan and several other Thrissur district leaders.

Even though the ED probe is based on the FIR filed by Kerala Police, the agency is in the process of filing its final charge sheet anytime now.

According to the ED, loans from the co-operative bank were illegally sanctioned and disbursed to individuals and their benamis. The loans were granted through a systematic conspiracy involving the bankas secretary, committee members, and the bank manager, all of whom were allegedly in collusion since 2010.

The investigation revealed that the Karuvannur bank sanctioned bogus loans on the same properties multiple times, often without the knowledge of the bankas members.

In addition, loans were disbursed to non-members against inflated property valuations, with the funds subsequently siphoned off and laundered by the accused beneficiaries.

The disbursement of these loans was reportedly done at the behest of CPI-M District Committee members who controlled the bank's governing body.

The EDas Kochi Zonal Office has provisionally attached assets worth Rs 10.98 crore in connection with the ongoing investigation into the case.

The attached assets include a movable property and 24 immovable properties, comprising land and buildings located in Kerala.

The immovable properties are valued at approximately Rs 10.48 crore, while the movable property, in the form of a cash deposit, is valued at Rs 50.53 lakh.
Mumbai, April 10 : Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam on Thursday sharply criticised the Congress' recent resolution focused on OBC votes, accusing it of fueling caste-based divisions for political gains.

"In its Ahmedabad convention, the Congress failed to oppose divisive forces operating under the guise of caste and religion. Instead, it passed a resolution aimed solely at consolidating OBC votes. This represents a dramatic and dangerous departure from its earlier nationalistic approach and exposes its hidden agenda of social division through caste politics," the former MP said.

Recalling the Congress' past stances, Nirupam told reporters that previous conventions saw the party adopt resolutions on Gram Swarajya, economic liberalisation, and bank nationalisation -- initiatives aimed at national development.

"The Congress once took a firm stand against the politics of caste, language, and religion. But now, it is mirroring the tactics of regional parties by embracing caste-based vote-bank politics. This ideological U-turn is both disappointing and alarming," he said.

He further alleged that the Congress is steadily drifting away from its national identity.

"The party is increasingly behaving like a regional outfit, prioritising short-term electoral gains over national unity," Nirupam remarked.

Taking aim at Shiv Sena-UBT leader Aaditya Thackeray, Nirupam questioned his stance on the Congress' caste resolution.

"For 25 years, Sena-UBT ruled the BMC, yet Aaditya never inspected drain cleaning works. Now, out of power, he is suddenly conducting inspections. It raises serious questionsare these visits just a new way to pressurise contractors for commissions?"

Highlighting the current administration's achievements, Nirupam praised former Chief Minister and current Deputy CM Eknath Shinde for transforming Mumbai's infrastructure.

"Under CM Shinde's leadership, Mumbai's roads have been concretised and are now virtually pothole-free. This is what real development looks like -- not empty optics," he said.
Jammu, April 10 : J&K Lt Governor (L-G), Manoj Sinha, on Thursday dismissed two government employees from service for their alleged involvement in "anti-national activities".

Jammu, April 10 (IANS) J&K Lt Governor (L-G), Manoj Sinha, on Thursday dismissed two government employees from service for their alleged involvement in "anti-national activities".

The two dismissed employees belonged to the Police Department (Assistant Wireless Operator) and the Public Works (R&B) Department (Senior Assistant).

Officials said they were dismissed from government service in terms of Article 311 of the Constitution of India for their "involvement in anti-national activities".

He said that the activities of the employees had come to the adverse notice of law enforcement and intelligence agencies, as they found them involved in activities prejudicial to the interests of the state, evidencing their involvement in terror-related activities.

"Basharat Ahmad Mir, Assistant Wireless Operator in Jammu and Kashmir Police Department, son of Ghulam Mohammad Mir, resident of Upper Brein District Srinagar, was under intelligence radar on the basis of highly credible inputs from agencies that he was in continuous touch with Pakistan Intelligence Operatives," the official said.

The official claimed that he was sharing "critical" and "vital" information about security installations and deployment with the enemies.

"Basharat, being a trained police official, posted at a sensitive place, had access to the vital information concerning national security, but instead of choosing to shoulder the responsibility of a responsible police official, chose otherwise to be an active conduit playing in the hands of the adversary," the official said.

He said that his actions posed a significant threat to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India, having the potential to compromise, broader national security interests of the country.

"Ishtiyak Ahmed Malik, Senior Assistant in Public Works (R&B) Department, son of Late Ghulam Rasool Malik Ahma,d resident of Shitroo Larnoo, District Anantnag, is listed as an active member of the proscribed unlawful association (JeI-JK) and a terror associate of the proscribed terrorist organisation Hizbul-Mujahideen. He, as a key functionary of JeI, played a crucial role in strengthening the organisation within his sphere of influence," he said.

The official added that he also facilitated the creation of the network of sympathisers who later became Over Ground Workers (OGWs) and foot soldiers of Hizbul Mujahideen terror outfit, which has been involved in a series of terrorist attacks on security forces, politicians, government functionaries, civilians, military establishments and critical infrastructure.

"He covertly facilitated terrorist activities of Hizbul Muzahideen by providing food, shelter and other logistics to the terrorists and played a significant role in aiding, facilitating, guiding and abetting terrorist activities, especially in South Kashmir," the official added.

He claimed that Ishtiyak used to provide crucial intelligence to the terrorists regarding the movement of security forces, helping them to evade capture and launch counterattacks, often resulting in casualties among security forces.
New Delhi, April 10 : Neelam Shami Rao, Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, has assured the Weavers' Service Association of full government support to promote the sector at a meeting held in Bengaluru, an official said.

"Secretary Textiles chaired the meeting on April 9 with the Textile institutions and organisations at Bengaluru. Discussions with Weavers' Service Association on textiles issues and assured the support from the Ministry of Textiles," the Ministry said in a post on X.

The Centre has released over Rs 364 crore during the current financial year for schemes to benefit handloom workers in the country, according to information tabled in Parliament recently.

While a sum of Rs 192.06 crore was released for the National Handloom Development Programme another Rs 171.98 crore was disbursed under the Raw Material Supply Scheme for handloom workers, Minister of State for Textiles Pabitra Margherita said in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.

He further stated that the Ministry of Textiles is implementing other schemes under National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP) for the welfare of handloom workers across the country.

These include financial support of Rs 8,000 per month to Awardee handloom workers above 60 years of age, in indigent circumstances having annual income below Rs 1 lakh and scholarships of up to Rs 2 lakh per annum to handloom workersa children (up to 2 children) for study in diploma, graduate and post-graduate courses in Central and State Government funded textiles institutions.

Researchers from CSIR -- National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), and Indian Institute of Science (IISc) also presented new projects supported under the National Technical Textile Mission during the meeting.

With a view to boost the technical textiles sector in the country, National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM) was launched for a period from 2020-21 to 2025-26 with an outlay of Rs 1,480 crore.

The NTTM focuses on using textiles in key areas. The mission has four key components aimed at boosting the sector's growth.

Technical textiles are fabrics made for specific functions and performance, rather than for looks. These textiles are designed to meet the needs of various industries like cars, construction, farming, healthcare, and safety.

They are used in products that help protect people, improve machinery, and solve practical problems, such as in car parts, building materials, medical equipment, and safety gear.

While traditional textiles remain crucial, the rise of technical textiles is reshaping the industry. These are specialised fabrics designed for specific uses, focusing on function over appearance. They are divided into 12 categories, each serving a different purpose.

India's textile industry is important to the economy and makes some of the most innovative fabrics globally. India is the 6th largest exporter of textiles globally, with a 3.9 per cent share in world textile exports. It contributes nearly 2 per cent to the countryas GDP.

The sector is set to grow to $350 billion by 2030 further strengthening India's position in the global market. This growth is expected to create 3.5 crore jobs.
Mumbai, April 10 : Bollywood actor John Abraham stunned the cinegoers in 2004 when he clocked 300 kmph on his Hayabusa in 'Dhoom' almost 20 years ago. However, the thrilling speed was for the screen as he was chased by Abhishek Bachchan and Uday Chopra in the film.

This time, he has upped the ante with the latest addition in his biking den. John is passionate for superbikes, and has played a major role in shaping up the biking culture in India.

The actor, who was recently seen in 'The Diplomat', spoke with IANS, and shed light on the specifications of his new bike, the Aprilia RSV4 1100 factory.

John told IANS, "I have a 1100cc engine in my bike. It's a big cubic capacity motorcycle. It's got a B4 engine, and is very powerful".

When asked if the bike is powered by a Turbocharger, a device that increases the pressure of the fuelair mixture in the combustion chamber, the actor replied in negative.

He said, "I've upped the power to about 235bhp. That's very powerful for a motorcycle. The power to weight ratio is crazy. The bike has a top speed of about 360 kilometers an hour but I've done only 305 kmph".

Earlier, John had told IANS that he was written off after his debut movie. But, it was his resilience that made him come back stronger.

He earlier told IANS, that he believes in working towards building his future, and doesn't look back at his professional journey, that's the reason he was able to look past his initial failure, and capitalise on what was ahead of him.

He said at the time, "You are as good as your last innings. So, you have to look in front. Of course, it's very important for the film trade to know, and the audience to know your filmography".

"But, you as a person have to look in front. It's for the audience to look at your filmography", he added.
Gurugram, April 10 : Abhay Singh Chautala, a prominent Jat leader and the face of the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) in Haryana, said on Thursday that his party will bring back the old workers in a bid to revive the party in Haryana.

To strengthen the party's grassroots in the state, eight district presidents and workers, including those from Gurugram, Faridabad, Rewari, Palwal, Mewat, Rohtak, Jhajjar, and Sonipat, met in Gurugram on Thursday.

State president Rampal Majra, Prakash Bharti, Umed Lohan, Aditya Devi Lal, and Karan Chautala were also present at this meeting.

"Will put all possible efforts to bring back old workers to the party. Will visit different constituencies across the state," said Abhay Singh Chautala during a press conference.

While sharing the party's schedule, Chautala said eight district party workers have met today, seven district party workers will meet on Friday in Fatehabad, and the remaining seven district party workers will meet on Saturday in the state capital in Chandigarh, on April 13.

Chautala also claimed that INLD will organise seven programs every year to restore party workers and the party's former dominance in the state.

"People who just show their face and do not work will have no place in the organisation," he said.

He instructed the party workers to meet those who are associated with the ideology of Chaudhary Devi Lal.

While attacking former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Chautala said that today the biggest villain of the state is Bhupinder Hooda, who joined hands with the BJP to avoid going to jail and betrayed the people of the state.

"Hooda did not allow INLD to join the India Bloc at the behest of the BJP. If the INLD party had joined the India Bloc, it would not only have won all 10 Lok Sabha seats but would have also won a huge majority in the Assembly and would have thrown BJP out of power," he said.

He further said Hooda, at the behest of the BJP, gave 16 Assembly tickets to such weak candidates who all lost in the 2024 Assembly elections.

While answering a question about INLD's former vice president Ashok Kumar Arora, Chautala said that he is a senior party leader and was a close associate of former Haryana Chief Minister O.P. Chautala, but unfortunately, he is not getting the respect he used to get in INLD.

"If he comes back to INLD, he will get the same respect and honour as he got earlier," he said.

State President Rampal Majra said the people of the state want to throw the corrupt BJP out of power, all the party members should go among the people and reveal how the first JJP helped the BJP to win for the second consecutive time, and how Bhupendra Hooda helped th eBJP to win for the third time.

"Today the people of Haryana consider Congress and JJP as traitors for helping BJP to remain in power and are ready to crown Chaudhary Abhay Singh Chautala with victory for the 2029 Assembly elections," he said.

INLD had allied with the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Lokhit Party in the 2024 Assembly elections. The aim was to unite Jat and SC votes, but they failed to woo voters, and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) successfully won the elections with a majority mark.
New Delhi, April 10 : Union Electronics and Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday, in his reply to Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, highlighted that the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, is in harmony with privacy principles as enshrined in the Supreme Court's judgment in the Puttaswamy case and the principles of transparency in public life as enacted in the Right to Information Act (RTI) Act.

Ramesh, in his letter to the IT Minister, said: "In the interests of transparency and accountability, I would urge you to pause, review and repeal Section 44 (3) of the Data Protection Act, 2023 which destroys the RTI ACT, 2005."

However, Vaishnaw has stated in his reply that in the Puttaswamy judgment, the Supreme Court held that the Right to Privacy is an integral part of the Right to Life protected as a fundamental right guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution. The right to privacy is closely linked to the protection of personal information.

Therefore, throughout the extensive consultation process, both with the civil society and in multiple parliamentary fora, the need for harmonious provisions between the right to information and the right to privacy was emphasised, the IT Minister's letter points out.

The DPDP Act, as enacted by the Parliament, harmonises this requirement while maintaining the need for transparency in public life, the letter states.

This is ensured through Section 3 of the DPDP Act which states: "Subject to the provisions of this Act, it shall not apply to personal data that is made or caused to be made publicly available by any other person who is under an obligation under any law for the time being in force in India to make such personal data publicly available."

Therefore, any personal information that is subject to disclosure under legal obligations under various laws governing our public representatives and welfare programmes like MGNREGA, etc., will continue to be disclosed under the RTI Act. In fact, this amendment will not restrict disclosure of personal information, rather, it aims to strengthen the privacy rights of the individuals and prevent the potential misuse of the law, the IT Minister concluded.
Chennai, April 10 : Tamil Nadu BJP president K. Annamalai on Thursday said that Union Home Minister Amit Shah's visit to Chennai has no connection with the party's state president elections.

Shah is scheduled to arrive in Chennai on Thursday evening and will hold a series of high-level meetings during his stay. The BJP will officially brief the media on the details of his visit on Friday, April 11, Annamalai said.

Speaking to reporters after paying tribute to former Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president Kumari Ananthan -- who passed away recently -- at the residence of his daughter and senior BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan, Annamalai addressed a range of political developments.

Commenting on the Supreme Court's recent verdict mandating time-bound decisions by Governors on Bills passed by State Legislatures, Annamalai described it as "a very important judgment" and said it must be respected by all parties.

When asked about Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) founder Dr S. Ramadoss naming himself party president and appointing his son Dr Anbumani Ramadoss as working president, Annamalai said the BJP does not interfere in the internal affairs of other political parties.

Shah's visit comes at a politically sensitive time, following his recent meeting in New Delhi with AIADMK general secretary and former Chief Minister K. Palaniswami (EPS). EPS was accompanied by senior AIADMK leaders and former ministers S.P. Velumani and K.P. Munusamy. The meeting has triggered speculation over a potential revival of the AIADMK-BJP alliance, which collapsed in September 2023.

The fallout was largely attributed to Annamalai's leadership style and his controversial remarks targeting revered Dravidian leaders such as C.N. Annadurai and J. Jayalalithaa --comments that drew sharp criticism from the AIADMK leadership.

The now-defunct alliance had delivered results in the 2021 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, with the BJP winning four seats and the AIADMK securing 66. However, the relationship deteriorated after Annamalai took over as state BJP chief, and both parties suffered setbacks in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Sources within the BJP and RSS believe that a renewed alliance with a major Dravidian party is crucial for the BJP's electoral prospects in Tamil Nadu. With the ruling DMK seen as a key adversary, the AIADMK is considered the most viable partner. Senior RSS functionaries have reportedly advised the BJP's central leadership to formalize any alliance well ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.

During his Chennai visit, Shah is also expected to meet senior RSS leaders, including Thuglak magazine editor and influential ideologue S. Gurumurthy, on April 11.
Bhopal, April 10 : In a grim incident, a man in Gwalior tragically ended his life after being deeply hurt by his daughter's reported "elopement" and subsequent marriage with a neighbour.

Bhopal, April 10 (IANS) In a grim incident, a man in Gwalior tragically ended his life after being deeply hurt by his daughter's reported "elopement" and subsequent marriage with a neighbour.

The man, who owned a medical shop in the "Bhairon Baba ka Mandir" area, took this extreme step by shooting himself in his bedroom late Wednesday night under Jhansi road police station area of the city.

According to the police, the man's family revealed that he felt humiliated and defeated by his daughter's actions.

Hina Khan, the city superintendent of police, told IANS: "The family has cited the daughter's elopement and subsequent marriage as the primary reason behind this tragic decision. The police had recovered the daughter, but she was adult, and she knew the man and willingly wanted to marry him."

The businessman left behind a suicide note. In the note, he expressed his anguish over his daughter's decision to marry the man she eloped with. He admitted that, in his pain, he had considered harming both his daughter and her husband but ultimately wrote, "How can I kill my own daughter?"

According to the police officer, he also criticised the Indian Constitution, claiming it strips fathers of their rights once their daughters become adults.

He further blamed lawyers, accusing them of prioritising money over the well-being of families.

He had written in the note that his entire family had been destroyed.

The police officer further said that an investigation is going on.

The tragic sequence of events began two weeks ago when the man's daughter reportedly eloped with a young man from their neighbourhood.

The police later located her in Indore, but by then, she had already married the man. During a court hearing three days prior to the incident, the daughter gave a statement in favour of her husband and chose to stay with him.

This decision reportedly left her father reportedly devastated. On the night of the incident, the man had dinner with his family before retreating to his room.

Around 1 a.m., the sound of a gunshot startled the household.

Family members rushed to his room, only to find his lifeless body lying in a pool of blood.

They immediately informed the police, who arrived at the scene and began their investigation.

Forensic experts also examined the site on Thursday morning.
Chennai, April 10 : Well known actress Nandita Das, who is on a visit to the Kaziranga National Park with her son, has now recounted an instance when the jeep they were travelling in was chased by a rhino looking to attack them.

Taking to her Instagram timeline, actress Nandita Das posted pictures of herself and her son at the Kaziranga National Park. She also went on to recollect what had happened that particular day.

She began the post saying, "In Kazirangawaking up to birds chirping, breathing clean air with the fragrance of leaves and flowers, eating delicious Assamese food. And we have each other for company. Bliss!!"

Then she went on to say, "This morning was the first safari. To the Eastern Range, the less touristy part of the forest. So it was a gentle start with many birds, trees that looked like installations, curtains, winding pipes etc. Ample proof that humans have used bio-mimcry for many of its inventions.

We saw many deers, wild buffaloes, boars and elephants, a big lizard and far away, a few rhinos, what this national park is most known for.

"Just before the safari was to end, we saw a rhino rather close. As I was getting my phone out for a well-deserved photo, it turned and looked at us and began to run straight towards us, at full speed.

"We had been just told by our naturalist guide that rhinos run at 60km per hour, can't see much but can hear and smell exceptionally well and they can attack jeeps and people.

"In a split second, we knew it to be true. We both froze, the guide told the driver to drive as fast as he could. The rhino was chasing at full speed. As he came too close for comfort, the guide made loud sounds to 'shoo' him away. And the rhino stopped and suddenly turned away, without giving us a second glance, he went into the bushes.

"Phew!! We all skipped several (heart) beats. After some silence, we spoke about all that we thought in those split seconds. All that could have happened. It was scaryyyyy! #kaziranga"

--IANS

Mkr/
New Delhi, April 10 : The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday announced that it had successfully secured the extradition of Tahawwur Hussain Rana, the mastermind of the deadly 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, "after years of sustained and concerted efforts to bring the key conspirator behind the 2008 mayhem to justice".

Rana, a 64-year-old Pakistan-born Canadian national who has been brought to India, was being held in judicial custody in the US pursuant to proceedings initiated under the India-US Extradition Treaty for his extradition. The extradition finally came through after Rana exhausted all legal avenues to stay the move, the premier anti-terror agency said in a statement.

Noting that the District Court for the Central District of California had ordered his extradition on May 16, 2023, it said that Rana then filed multiple litigations in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, all of which were rejected. He subsequently filed a petition for a writ of certiorari, two habeas petitions, and an emergency application before the US Supreme Court, which were also denied. The extradition proceedings were initiated between the two countries after India eventually secured a surrender warrant for the wanted terrorist from the US government, the NIA said in the statement.

It said that with the active assistance of US Department of Justic, the US Sky Marshals, it "worked closely with other Indian intelligence agencies, and the NSG through the entire extradition process, which also saw Indiaas Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Home Affairs coordinating with the other relevant authorities in the United States to take the matter to its successful conclusion".

The NIA said that Rana is accused of conspiring with David Coleman Headley @ Daood Gilani, and operatives of designated terrorist organisations, the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and the Harkat-ul-Jihadi Islami (HUJI), along with other Pakistan-based coconspirators, to carry out the devastating terror attacks in Mumbai in 2008. A total of 166 persons were killed and over 238 were injured in the deadly attacks.

Both the LeT and HUJI have been declared as terrorist organisations by the Indian government under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967, the NIA statement added.

Meanwhile, security arrangements have been intensified at the National Investigation Agency (NIA) headquarters and Patiala House Court in the national capital ahead of Rana's arrival to face trial in India for his alleged role in the 2008 Mumbai attacks.

Rana, who is believed to have had close ties with Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the terror outfit LeT, faces multiple serious charges under Indian law. These include criminal conspiracy, waging war against India, murder, forgery, and violations under the UAPA.

Sources said the extradition is being directly overseen by National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval, along with top officials from the NIA and the Ministry of Home Affairs.

After his arrival, Rana is likely to be lodged in a high-security ward at Delhi's Tihar Jail and produced before a Delhi court shortly after.
Dhaka, April 10 : A Bangladesh court on Thursday issued an arrest warrant against 18 people, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her daughter Saima Wazed Putul, in a case filed on allegations of corruption in a plot allotment under the Purbachal New Town project, local media reported.

Dhaka City senior special judge, Zakir Hossain, issued the order on Thursday taking into cognisance the chargesheet filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). The court ordered the submission of a progress report on the execution of the arrest warrant on May 5.

In another case of corruption in plot allotment, a chargesheet has been filed against 23 people, including Sheikh Hasina, Sheikh Rehana, and four other members of their family, Bangladesh's leading daily Prothom Alo reported, citing sources at the Dhaka court.

The former PM has been accused in a total of six cases on allegations of irregularities in plot allocation under the Purbachal New Town project.

Last month, a tribunal of Bangladesh issued an arrest warrant against Hasina and four others, including former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed, on alleged mass killing at Shapla Chattar in Dhaka in 2013.

In January, a special tribunal in Dhaka ordered an arrest warrant for former Prime Minister Hasina and 11 other people over incidents of enforced disappearances.

Ironically, the tribunal was established by the government led by Sheikh Hasina under the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act to provide for the detection, prosecution and punishment of persons responsible for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and other crimes under International Law committed by the Pakistani Army, with the help of their local collaborators, in the territory of Bangladesh during the 1971 Liberation War.

Analysts reckon the developments as a major political vendetta being pursued by the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus as several cases were filed against the former PM and her supporters on frivolous grounds immediately after her ouster in August 2024.

A leading voice in the struggle to restore democracy in the country, Hasina, the daughter of Bangladesh's founder Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, had to flee the country in an ignominious manner and seek refuge in India on August 5.

While addressing the Awami League supporters online from India in February, the ousted Prime Minister of Bangladesh accused the Yunus-led interim government of turning the nation into a hub of terrorism and lawlessness. She also vowed to return home, assuring help to families suffering and delivering them justice.

She said that if Yunus himself has acknowledged that he has no experience in running a nation, then he should refrain from doing so.

"Yunus has no experience of running a government. He dissolved all inquiry committees and unleashed the terrorists to butcher people. They are destroying Bangladesh. We will out this government of terrorists," said Hasina.

"I will return. The killers will face justice in Bangladesh. Their reckoning will happen on Bangladeshi soil. Perhaps that's why Allah has kept me alive," she had added.
New Delhi, April 10 : The members of Jain community who attended the Navkar Mahamantra Divas programme in the city's Vigyan Bhawan on Wednesday heaped praise on Prime Minister Narendra Modi for gracing the occasion and also proposing nine resolutions for inculcating value-based system in daily lives.

Top office bearers of Jain International Trade Organisation (JITO) also expressed surprise over the Prime Minister's recitation of Navkar Mantra and said that this left them overwhelmed with emotion.

JITO is a prominent group of Jain society. It was this body, which had requested PM Modi to attend the special program, organized on Navkar Diwas.

Goutam Jain, President of JITO, said that it was a very unique and extraordinary experience.

Speaking to IANS, he said, "PM Modi spoke to the Jain community and the way he expressed his feelings and thoughts made the event very special."

When questioned on whether he got startled over Prime Minister's recitation of the Navkar Mahamantra, he said: "We had no expectations of this but we were sure that he will definitely do something new and different.

"The moment he recited our Navkar mantra, it made many of us feel that he had been following it since childhood."

Rushabh Patel, Chairman of JITO, also thanked the Prime Minister for participating in Navkar Mahamantra Divas programme.

Speaking to IANS, he said: "PM Modi spoke highly of the spiritual experience of the Navkar Mantra and also emphasised its ability to bring peace and stability to the mind. He also proposed nine resolutions on the Navkar Mahamantra Divas and also urged everyone to adopt them."

On questions of whether PM Modi's recitation of Navkar Mantra surprised him, he said that he was pleasantly surprised to see this and also sought to explain the possible reason behind it.

"The Prime Minister's native place is Vadnagar, which along with adjacent cities have sizeable population of the Jain community. This must have had some impact on him during his growing years," he emphasised.

Lalit Kumar Dangi, Secretary General, JITO said that everyone liked the depth with which PM Modi explained the Jain principles of non-violence, peace and charity.

Further echoing the Prime Minister's remarks, he said that Jainism is capable of giving direction to the society in today's time.

Terming it a proud moment for the Jain community, he told IANS: "PM Modi participated in the grand event, attended by people from 108 countries and watched by more than 1.50 crore people. He explained the principles of Navkar Mantra in an impressive manner and also elaborated on its message of peace, non-violence, charity and public welfare."

"PM Modi said that the Navkar Mantra purifies the soul, relieves stress and spreads unity in the society. His presence in this special event of Jain community made us feel proud and this event was inspiring for everyone," he added.

He also heaped praise on PM Modi's stewardship and able handling of the affairs at a time when the world is witnessing turbulence.

"Due to focus and leadership of PM Modi, India has become a symbol of peace and progress today. Where there is unrest in the world, there is stability in India. PM Modi has promoted manufacturing by giving benefits like production linked incentives to industries. Today India is rapidly exporting in sectors like textile, pharma, steel. They are paying special attention to infrastructure. Their goal is to make India a global manufacturing hub, in which they are also succeeding. This is laying a strong foundation for the future," he remarked.

Notably, the JITO has also proposed that a particular day should be allocated for celebrating Navkar Day, on similar lines with Yoga Day.
Islamabad, April 10 : Pakistan on Thursday said that Tahawwur Hussain Rana, the mastermind of the deadly 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks successfully extradited to India from the United States, has not renewed his Pakistani-origin documents for the last two decades and should be treated only as a Canadian national.

Islamabad, April 10 (IANS) Pakistan on Thursday said that Tahawwur Hussain Rana, the mastermind of the deadly 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks successfully extradited to India from the United States, has not renewed his Pakistani-origin documents for the last two decades and should be treated only as a Canadian national.

"On the Tahawwur Rana issue, we have conveyed our position regarding his Canadian nationality. As far as our record indicates, he did not even apply for renewal for his Pakistani origin documents for the last two decades. I reiterate that position," said Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan, spokesperson for the Pakistan Foreign Office (PFO), during a weekly press briefing.

India's National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday announced that it had successfully secured the extradition of Rana "after years of sustained and concerted efforts to bring the key conspirator behind the 2008 mayhem to justice".

Rana, a 64-year-old Pakistan-born Canadian national brought to New Delhi, was being held in judicial custody in the United States pursuant to proceedings initiated under the India-US Extradition Treaty for his extradition. The extradition finally came through after Rana exhausted all legal avenues to stay the move.

Rana is believed to have had close ties with Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and is accused of conspiring with David Coleman Headley, or Daood Gilani, and operatives of designated terrorist organisations, the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and the Harkat-ul-Jihadi Islami (HUJI), along with other Pakistan-based co conspirators, to carry out the devastating terror attacks in Mumbai in 2008. A total of 166 persons were killed and over 238 were injured in the deadly attacks.

Charges against Rana include criminal conspiracy, waging war against India, murder, forgery, and violations under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).

However, Pakistan has clearly distanced itself from Rana's extradition issue, with the spokesperson ending his statement by saying, "we will give further updates in due course", hinting towards Islamabad's interest in the case.

With Rana's extradition, India will have a key link to nail Pakistan's connection to the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.

Pakistan has all along been denying its involvement despite a series of dossiers presented by the Government of India.

Rana's involvement in the conspiracy behind the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai was established by his childhood friend and another key accused in the terror case, David Coleman Headley, alias Daood Sayed Gilani.

Headley appeared before a special court in Mumbai through video conference from an undisclosed location in the US in 2016, where he revealed his Pakistan links.

Headley said he was in constant touch with Rana and even took his permission to open a business office in Mumbai as a front for his activities.

The National Investigation Agency had in its charge sheet said that Rana provided logistics, financial and other assistance to Headley and others involved in plotting terror attacks in India.

Rana was convicted in the US for his links to Lashkar-e-Taiba and helping plot an attack against a Danish newspaper that printed cartoons of Prophet Muhammad. The court, however, cleared him of the charge of plotting the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. Rana was acquitted in the Mumbai case, but the trial exposed his links with Headley.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) had said in a statement (January 2013) after Rana's conviction in 2009 that he had admitted to the terror activities of Lashkar and the Mumbai attacks.
Aden, April 10 : Three children were killed on Thursday when a Houthi drone struck a residential house in Yemen's Red Sea province of Hodeidah, a local government official told Xinhua news agency.

The official, who requested anonymity, confirmed that the drone was launched by Houthi forces but missed its intended target and instead hit a civilian dwelling in Hays district of Hodeidah.

"The drone attack claimed the lives of three children from a single family and left two others wounded," the official said.

The Houthi group has not issued any statement regarding the incident.

The Yemen-based militia has fought against the government since 2014 and controlled much of northern Yemen, including the capital Sanaa.

Although Hodeidah is mainly controlled by the Houthis, Hays district has been one of the few areas in the province still under government control.

Hodeidah has witnessed a shaky ceasefire between government forces and the Houthi militia despite a UN-sponsored truce reached between the two sides in Stockholm in December 2018.

Earlier on April 9, Vice President of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), Tariq Saleh, urged the international community to bolster support for the Yemeni government in countering threats posed by the Houthi militias.

Saleh made the remarks during a videoconference meeting with US Ambassador to Yemen Steven Fagin, where they discussed matters of mutual interest, including "the ongoing American military campaign to undermine the terrorist Houthi militias and deter their threats to navigation," according to a statement released by Saleh's office on Wednesday.

Saleh warned that Yemen continues to serve as "a platform for the activities of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps," stressing the need to "translate the international community's awareness of this threat into tangible support for the legitimate Yemeni government."

"Ending the threats posed by Iran's proxies in Yemen (the Houthi group) requires strong international support for the Yemeni government to complete the battle to restore the state," Saleh said.

For his part, Fagin reaffirmed the US commitment to supporting the PLC, highlighting that his country would continue its efforts to undermine the Houthis' military capabilities until they cease their threat to maritime security in the Red Sea.

The US diplomat also underscored the importance of unifying ranks to address the security and humanitarian challenges facing Yemen, according to the statement.
New Delhi, April 10 : With the implementation of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) in Delhi, 36 lakh people in the national capital will benefit from free healthcare, Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda said on Thursday.

He added that all senior citizens aged 70 and above, regardless of their financial background, will be covered under the Ayushman Vay Vandana Yojana.

"Delhi has taken a big step towards better healthcare with the launch of the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM)," J.P. Nadda said.

J.P. Nadda called AB PM-JAY the world's largest health coverage programme.

"So far, over 8.19 crore people across India have received treatment under this scheme, and the government has spent around Rs 1.26 lakh crore on it," the Union Health Minister stated.

He said that 19 lakh of those treated were people who could not have afforded it otherwise.

"Thanks to this scheme, India's out-of-pocket medical expenses have come down from 62 per cent to 38 per cent," J.P. Nadda added.

The Union Health Ministry and the Delhi government also signed an agreement to bring this scheme to the National Capital Territory.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said that health has always been a top priority for the Union Government.

She said that under PM-ABHIM, Delhi has been approved Rs 1,749 crore to improve healthcare infrastructure.

"This money will be used to build 1,139 Urban Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, strengthen 11 integrated public health labs, and set up 9 critical care blocks," Gupta added.

On this occasion, 30 beneficiaries received their Ayushman cards, which allow them to access free healthcare under the scheme.

Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava said that joining PM-ABHIM will give Delhi strong and future-ready health infrastructure.

"Families under AB PM-JAY will get Rs 10 lakh worth of health cover every year  Rs 5 lakh from the central scheme and Rs 5 lakh extra from the Delhi government," Srivastava added.
Agartala, April 10 : Tipra Motha Party (TMP) supremo, Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma said on Thursday that some people referring to the indigenous people of Tripura and the Northeast as "Chinese" is very sad.

Agartala, April 10 (IANS) Tipra Motha Party (TMP) supremo, Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma said on Thursday that some people referring to the indigenous people of Tripura and the Northeast as "Chinese" is very sad.

The TMP chief on Thursday appeared before the District and Sessions Court in West Tripura to record his statement in a defamation case filed by him under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

Debbarma recorded his statement before the District and Sessions Court in West Tripura district judge Subhashish Sharma Roy.

Later, talking with the media, he said: "Calling the indigenous tribal people of Tripura and me 'Chinese' is not only defamatory but reveals the discriminatory mindset some people still hold. This fight is for my community's respect and my family's honour. It is very sad that some people refer to the indigenous people as 'Chinese dalal' (broker), 'Chinese aunty'. I have to protect my community."

He further pointed out that such racial prejudice is not limited to mainland India but is also found within the Northeast, where derogatory terms continue to hurt indigenous sentiments.

"We often speak about students from the Northeast facing racial abuse in other parts of the country. But unfortunately, we see the same behavior here too," Debbarma said, adding that to stop the racial abuse, he has come to the court and expects justice.

The case relates to a social media post made by one Saikat Talapatra on July 17, 2023, in which derogatory remarks were reportedly made against the indigenous population of Tripura and Debbarma, labeling them as "Chinese."

The TMP supremo had lodged a formal complaint in the West Agartala Police station on October 14, 2023, in response to the social media post, which he described as a direct insult to both his community and his family's legacy.

Debbarma said he could not disclose many details since the matter is subjudice. However, he emphasised that the issue reflects a deeper problem within society.

The accused, Saikat Talapatra, who was arrested from West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district on October 6, 2023, in connection with several cases, was also produced in court during Thursday's hearing.

Special Public Prosecutor Raju Datta told the media that Talapatra's Facebook post had seriously damaged the reputation of both the Scheduled Tribe population of Tripura and the royal Manikya family.

"The chargesheet has been filed following a police investigation, and the trial began on Thursday with Debbarma appearing as the first witness," Datta said.

The case has drawn public attention in Tripura, highlighting ongoing concerns over racial insensitivity and the need to uphold the dignity of the indigenous communities.

Cases are also pending against Talapatra on charges of maligning Chief Minister Manik Saha, his family members and many other politicians through his (Talapatra) online YouTube and Facebook channels.

Talapatra, through his channels, had also maligned former Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb, Congress leader Sudip Roy Barman and many other politicians besides TMP supremo Debbarma.

Talapatra, who had once been a full-time teacher of the Tripura government but lost his job for dereliction of duty, also worked as the anchor of a local television channel before 2020.

--IANS

sc/dan
New Delhi, April 10 : In a significant development in India's long-standing pursuit of justice for the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a key accused and associate of David Coleman Headley, was extradited from the United States and landed here on Thursday.

The development has reignited a fierce political war of words, with the ruling BJP calling it a "historic diplomatic victory" under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, while the Congress asserted the move was the culmination of decade-long efforts initiated during the UPA era.

Rana, a 64-year-old Canadian American citizen of Pakistani origin, was arrested by the FBI in 2009 for plotting attacks, including one in Copenhagen, and was convicted in the US for his role in terrorism-related conspiracies. However, his extradition to India, specifically for his alleged involvement in the 2008 Mumbai attacks that killed 166 people, marks a turning point in India's global anti-terror push.

Hailing the extradition, BJP leaders praised PM Modi and the country's security agencies for what they called a firm and unwavering stand against terrorism.

Addressing a press conference, BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said: "Today, our security agency, anti-terror agency, and intelligence agency have achieved great success. 26/11 terror attack conspirator Tahawwur Rana is being brought to India today."

He added: "This is not an ordinary extradition, it is a reflection of the resolve of the new India Today, when Tahawwur Rana is being brought to India, it is also a warning to every terrorist and conspirator that no matter where in the world you are hiding, India will find you one by one, and bring you to justice."

Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, Union Minister and BJP leader Piyush Goyal said the Congress did not do anything to punish the terrorists and the extradition was possible because of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "foremost and paramount commitment" to India's national security and national interest.

He said: "During the Congress government, terrorists attacked this very hotel (Taj Palace) where we are present. People died here. But Congress did not do anything to punish the terrorists It was PM Narendra Modi's resolve to ensure that people who harm our country are severely punished" He alleged it showed undue leniency towards terrorist Ajmal Kasab - "fed him biryani".

Talking to IANS, BJP MP Manoj Tiwari also lauded the development, saying: "India is fortunate to have a Prime Minister like Narendra Modi, who has led the country with a positive agenda This is a significant achievement for the Modi government. The entire country is grateful to PM Modi and his government."

While welcoming the extradition, Congress leaders were quick to remind the government that the diplomatic and legal process began during their tenure.

Former Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram said: "I am happy that Tahawwur Hussain Rana was extradited to India. However, it is crucial to tell the complete story.

"The extradition is the result of over a decade of hard, diligent, and strategic diplomacy that was initiated, led, and sustained by the UPA government, in coordination with the US."

Congress leader Kanhaiya Kumar took a sharper tone, calling the government's celebration of Rana's extradition a distraction tactic.

"Since the BJP has no achievement worth the name, it tries to divert public issues under one pretext or the other," he said, while campaigning in Bihar.
New Delhi, April 10 : The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday said it had formally arrested Tahawwur Hussain Rana, the key conspirator in the deadly 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks immediately on his arrival at New Delhi's IGI Airport after successfully securing his extradition "after years of sustained and concerted efforts to bring the key conspirator behind the 2008 mayhem to justice".

Rana, 64, a Canadian national of Pakistani origin living primarily in Chicago, was escorted to New Delhi by teams of the National Security Guard (NSG) and NIA, comprising senior officials, on a special plane from Los Angeles.

The NIA investigation team at the airport arrested Rana soon after he emerged from the airplane, after completing all the necessary legal formalities.

In the US, Rana was being held in judicial custody pursuant to proceedings initiated by the NIA under the India-US Extradition Treaty.

The extradition finally came through after Ranaas various litigations and appeals, including an emergency application before the US Supreme Court, were rejected with the active assistance of US Department of Justiceas Office of International Affairs, US Attorneyas Office for the Central District of California, US Marshals Service, the FBIas Legal Attache Office in New Delhi, and US Department of Stateas Office of the Legal Adviser for Law Enforcement. the premier anti-terror agency said in a statement.

The diligent and persistent efforts of Indiaas Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Home Affairs culminated in securing the surrender warrant for the fugitive, leading to his eventual extradition, the NIA said, adding that it "has worked closely with other Indian intelligence agencies through the entire extradition process, which marked a major step in Indiaas efforts to bring individuals involved in terrorism to justice, irrespective of which part of the world they had fled to".

Noting that the District Court for the Central District of California had ordered Rana's extradition on May 16, 2023, it said that he then filed multiple litigations in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, all of which were rejected. He subsequently filed a petition for a writ of certiorari, two habeas petitions, and an emergency application before the US Supreme Court, which were also denied. The extradition proceedings were initiated between the two countries after India eventually secured a surrender warrant for the wanted terrorist from the US government, the NIA said in the statement.

The NIA said that Rana is accused of conspiring with David Coleman Headley @ Daood Gilani, and operatives of designated terrorist organisations, the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and the Harkat-ul-Jihadi Islami (HUJI), along with other Pakistan-based coconspirators, to carry out the devastating terror attacks in Mumbai in 2008. A total of 166 persons were killed and over 238 were injured in the deadly attacks.

Both the LeT and HUJI have been declared as terrorist organisations by the Indian government under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967, the NIA statement added.

Meanwhile, security arrangements have been tightened at the NIA headquarters and Patiala House Court in the national capital ahead of Rana's arrival to face trial in India for his alleged role in the 2008 Mumbai attacks.

Rana, who is believed to have had close ties with Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the terror outfit LeT, faces multiple serious charges under Indian law. These include criminal conspiracy, waging war against India, murder, forgery, and violations under the UAPA.

Sources said the extradition was directly overseen by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, along with top officials from the NIA and the Ministry of Home Affairs.

After his arrival, Rana is likely to be lodged in a high-security ward at Delhi's Tihar Jail and produced before a Delhi court.
Kolkata, April 10 : Doctors protesting on RG Kar issue joined the protest demonstrations of sacked school teachers in Kolkata on Thursday.

The sacked employees organised the protest rally in central Kolkata, demanding immediate action by the state government and West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) in segregating "genuine" candidates from "tainted" ones and also condemning the police assault on the protesting employees in the city on Wednesday.

The medical fraternity representatives claimed that the demand of the sacked school teachers to ensure the segregation was justified since the apex court division bench Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar.

The pex court, last week, upheld an earlier order by Calcutta High Court's division bench of Justice Debangsu Basak and Justice Shabbar Rashidi to cancel a total of 25,753 appointments made by the WBSSC on grounds on failure on part of the state government and the commission to segregate "genuine" candidates from "tainted".

Actor Badshah Moitra, a known face in social movements, also participated in the protest rally.

He said that this development is not just a loss for the sacked school teachers but also for the entire education system in the state.

"As it is, the teacher-to-student ratio in West Bengal is not satisfactory. Unfortunately, such a crisis has surfaced because of the corruption in the system and incapability of the administration in preventing that corruption," Moitra said.

A section of the protesting job losers has already started a relay hunger strike in front of WBSSC's office at Salt Lake in the northern outskirts of Kolkata from Wednesday.

A group of junior doctors organised a similar hunger strike last year on the R.G. Kar issue.
Dubai, April 10 : Extending his "heartfelt gratitude" to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Indian government and people of India, Crown Prince of Dubai Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said on Thursday that both countries are setting a benchmark for successful global partnerships.

The Crown Prince of Dubai, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), returned home earlier in the day after a successful two-day visit to India, his first official visit to the country.

"As I conclude my visit to India, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as well as to government and people of India for their warm welcome and generous hospitality. The UAE and India share civilizational ties that span centuries. Today, we move forward in a spirit of partnership, working toward a brighter future that reflects our shared values and serves the mutual interests of our peoples," Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum posted on X Thursday evening.

"From Abu Dhabi to New Delhi, and Dubai to Mumbai, we are building lasting bridges of friendship and cooperation, guided by a common ambition and a bold vision that transcends borders, setting a benchmark for successful global partnerships," he added.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Modi hosted a working lunch for the Crown Prince at his Lok Kalyan Marg residence and conveyed his warm regards to the President of UAE, Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. PM Modi also conveyed his good wishes to the new-born daughter of the Crown Prince Hind bint Hamdan, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated.

The Crown Prince of Dubai presented to Prime Minister Modi a replica of his grandfather Sheikh Rashid's 'bisht' - a traditional embroidered cloak worn over the Qandura by Arab men - symbolising the historic and generational political friendship between the two countries, during their meeting.

Both leaders discussed avenues to strengthen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and the UAE, and strong cultural and people-to-people ties between India and Dubai.

"Glad to meet HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai. Dubai has played a key role in advancing the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. This special visit reaffirms our deep-rooted friendship and paves the way for even stronger collaboration in the future," PM Modi posted on X after the meeting.

The Crown Prince also held a meeting with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, discussing ways to further strengthen the strategic defence and security partnership between the two countries in line with the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

"For India, the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with the UAE is of immense priority. In the coming years, we are eager to work closely in areas such as defence cooperation, co-production and co-development projects, innovation and technology. Both India and the UAE are committed to work towards peace and prosperity in the region," Singh posted on X.

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar, during his meeting with the visiting dignitary, highlighted the tremendous deepening and widening of the relationship across sectors between the two countries in recent years.

The Crown Prince presented an original newspaper coverage of the successful effort of his father, the Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum in saving passengers on board Indian Airlines Flight 421 in August 1984.

Later, he also met Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal during a high-level business meeting in Mumbai.

"They discussed the contribution of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in the rapid growth of bilateral trade. Goyal welcomed the signing of milestone MoUs and announcements made at the business event and expressed hope that these will further strengthen bilateral economic engagement and take it to unprecedented heights. In particular, the progress on the Virtual Trade Corridor (VTC), and its contribution in facilitating bilateral trade as well as, as a building block of IMEEC, was acknowledged," the MEA stated.
Kolkata, April 10 : A Delhi-based advocate, on Thursday, served the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee with contempt of court notice over her recent comments on the verdict of the Supreme Court last week upholding a previous order by Calcutta High Court, cancelling the entire panel of 25,753 teaching and non-teaching jobs on grounds that the state government and the commission failed to segregate the "genuine" candidates from the "tainted" ones.

Kolkata, April 10 (IANS) A Delhi-based advocate, on Thursday, served the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee with contempt of court notice over her recent comments on the verdict of the Supreme Court last week upholding a previous order by Calcutta High Court, cancelling the entire panel of 25,753 teaching and non-teaching jobs on grounds that the state government and the commission failed to segregate the "genuine" candidates from the "tainted" ones.

The said advocate, Siddhartha Datta, has claimed that while everyone is bound by any order of the apex court of the country, from the Chief Minister's recent comments on the verdict on job loss, it appears that the order will not be implemented.

The advocate, in the legal notice, has also claimed that unless the Chief Minister withdrew her comments and apologised for the same, legal proceedings would be initiated against her.

Reacting to the contempt of court notice, Trinamool Congress state general secretary in West Bengal Kunal Ghosh on Thursday afternoon issued a statement claiming that the legal notice was meant to create legal hurdles and thus delay the process of humanitarian initiatives undertaken by the Chief Minister and her administration to protect the interests of the job losers.

Ghosh has also indirectly blamed the BJP and the Left Parties as clandestine conspirators in the matter.

"Ram-Bam (BJP & Left) are failures in the electoral fields and hence they try to create legal hassle. The Chief Minister has full faith in the judiciary. She also respects the judges. There is no question of contempt of court if the Chief Minister is not in agreement with a particular verdict if that verdict impacts several people adversely," Ghosh claimed.

Indirectly referring to the BJP Lok Sabha member from Tamluk Lok Sabha constituency in East Midnapore district and the former judge of Calcutta High Court, Abhijit Gangopadhyay, Ghosh claimed that when a judge quits his job to contest as a BJP candidate, then people also questions the neutrality of that person.

Ghosh had also issued an appeal to the job losers to decide whether they would stand by the "humanitarian" initiatives of the Chief Minister in the matter or whether they would be backing the attempts by conspirators to create legal hassles.
Chennai, April 10 : Chennai Police Commissioner A. Arun has initiated action to suspend or ban Grindr, a popular dating and social networking app for the LGBTQ+ community, after a probe revealed its alleged use as a communication channel in synthetic drug trafficking cases.

The Commissioner has written to the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), the country's nodal agency for cybersecurity incidents, requesting regulatory intervention against the global platform.

"In five out of ten recent drug cases, Grindr was found to be the medium through which traffickers communicated with clients," a senior police officer stated.

Joint Commissioner of Police (East) P. Vijayakumar emphasised the Greater Chennai Police's commitment to eradicating narcotics, particularly synthetic drugs.

He noted that the Anti-Narcotics Intelligence Unit (ANIU), formed in August 2024, has made significant progress in this direction.

According to official data, Chennai Police have seized 21.9 kg of methamphetamine in the last eight months. Two major drug busts in the Anna Salai and Triplicane areas recently led to the arrest of eight foreign nationals - seven Nigerian citizens and one Sudanese national - suspected to be part of an international drug ring.

"Most of the synthetic drugs circulating in the city are being sourced from other states," said the JCP.

Follow-up investigations in Bengaluru and other locations helped police apprehend the foreign nationals connected to the Chennai operations. So far, 17 individuals have been arrested in the two cases - seven from Tamil Nadu, with the rest being from other Indian states and foreign countries.

Seizures from the operations include 36.5 grams of methamphetamine, two grams of heroin, 5.3 grams of OG (high-grade) ganja, and other narcotics.

Police are also coordinating with immigration and intelligence agencies to investigate potential visa violations by the foreign nationals.

"We will be recommending further action if these individuals are found guilty of overstaying or misusing their visas," an officer added.

Authorities are seeking custody of the arrested suspects for further interrogation. Investigators hope to identify the supply chains, storage locations, and other individuals involved in the drug network.

Preliminary findings suggest that some of the narcotics originated from Myanmar, while several suspects claimed their suppliers were based in Nigeria.

The arrested foreign nationals have been identified as Christopher Oluchukwa, Samir Salah Nouraldeen, Etim Antigha, Effiong Etim, Sheu Adeleke, Chigemezel Nwune, Ogoegbunem, and Benard Oknkwo Juel.

As investigations continue, the Greater Chennai Police are intensifying their crackdown on synthetic drugs and are exploring digital and international avenues used by traffickers to target local users.
Yangon, April 10 : Extending its humanitarian assistance to quake-hit Myanmar under Operation Brahma, a team of Indian safety and demolition engineers on Thursday conducted a comprehensive assessment of earthquake-affected sites in Mandalay and the capital city of Naypyidaw.

Additionally, a medical team from India including an orthopedic surgeon, assisted in the treatment of 70 patients injured during the devastating March 28 earthquake at a Naypyidaw Hospital.

"Widening Operation Brahma. After assessing 6 affected sites in Mandalay, the safety and demolition engineers team from India assessed 6 sites in Naypyidaw today. And an Orthopedic surgeon from our Medical team is assisting treatment of 70 patients at a Naypyidaw Hospital," the Embassy of India in Yangon posted on X.

Earlier this week, Moe Aung, Myanmar's National Security Advisor and Union Minister for the State Administration Council Chairman's Office, received Indian Ambassador to Myanmar, Abhay Thakur.

During the meeting, the Myanmar minister expressed deep gratitude to India for its help and quick response to the powerful earthquake. They also exchanged views on security measures and bilateral cooperation in different sectors.

Last week, Myanmar State Administration Council Chairman and Prime Minister, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing visited the Indian Field Hospital treating 800 patients under Operation Brahma.

India has launched Operation Brahma to provide necessary support, including Search and Rescue (SAR), humanitarian aid, disaster relief, and medical assistance, following the devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar on March 28.

Acting as the 'First Responder' in times of crisis in its neighbourhood, India sent six aircraft and five naval ships to deliver 625 MT of Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief (HADR) material.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also expressed deep sorrow over the disaster and conveyed India's condolences directly to Min Aung Hlaing, reaffirming India's commitment to assisting Myanmar during this crisis.

On April 4, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Hlaing on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok and discussed the situation in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake in the country, including India's ongoing efforts under 'Operation Brahma' to provide humanitarian aid, disaster relief and medical assistance to Myanmar.

The Senior General expressed his gratitude for India's assistance efforts. The Prime Minister conveyed that, as the First Responder, India stands with Myanmar in this time of crisis and is ready to deploy more material assistance and resources, if required.

On April 5, continuing with its humanitarian assistance to earthquake-ravaged Myanmar, India on Saturday delivered an additional 442 tonnes of food aid under ongoing 'Operation Brahma'.

The consignment on board the Indian Navy Ship Gharial arrived at Myanmar's Thilawa port and was formally handed over by the Indian Ambassador to Myanmar, Abhay Thakur to Yangon Chief Minister U Soe Thein and his team.

"Meeting the needs of affected people. A large 442 tonne consignment of food aid (rice, cooking oil, noodles & biscuits) carried by Indian Navy landing ship tank INS Gharial arrived today at Thilawa Port and was handed over by Ambassador Abhay Thakur to CM Yangon U Soe Thein and team," Embassy of India in Yangon posted on X.
Chennai, April 10 : A shocking incident at a private matriculation school in Coimbatore district has sparked outrage after a Class 8 student was forced to write her annual examination seated outside the classroom, reportedly because she was menstruating.

The incident occurred at a school in Senguttaipalayam near Pollachi.

A video recorded by the girl's mother, showing the student writing her exam on the steps outside the classroom, went viral on social media, prompting authorities to launch an inquiry.

According to sources, the student had two exams scheduled this week. Her parents had requested a separate desk inside the classroom to ensure her comfort during her menstrual cycle.

Despite this, on Monday, the girl was made to sit on the floor outside the classroom to write her exam.

On Wednesday, when the girl returned to school for another exam, her parents found her again seated outside.

In the video captured by her mother, the student is heard saying that the school principal had instructed her to sit there.

Director of Matriculation Schools, A. Palanisamy, confirmed that the Chief Educational Officer is conducting an inquiry into the incident.

"An explanation has been sought from the school management, and appropriate action will be taken after the report is received," he said.

Assistant Superintendent of Police Shristi Singh, who conducted a preliminary inquiry on Thursday, detailed the sequence of events.

She said the girl's mother had contacted the class teacher on the evening of April 6 to request special seating arrangements, but was told to speak to the principal.

The following day, April 7, the mother met the principal while dropping off her daughter and requested a separate arrangement to prevent the risk of infection.

After the mother left, the student was made to sit outside the classroom. That evening, the girl complained of leg pain from sitting on the hard surface.

She missed school the next day but returned on Wednesday, only to face the same treatment.

A relative who noticed her sitting outside informed the family, prompting the mother to rush to the school and record the now-viral video.

While no formal police complaint has been lodged yet, officials have assured a fair investigation once it is received.

Meanwhile, the school's correspondent has suspended the principal under Section 17 of the Right to Education Act, 2009, which prohibits physical or mental harassment of children.
Jaipur, April 10 : Fatehgarh SDM Hanumanaram from Jaisalmer, who was arrested in the SI Recruitment Exam scam, was produced in the Jaipur Court on Thursday, where the SOG secured him on a one-day custody.

Hanumanaram was arrested by the SOG on Wednesday for allegedly appearing as a dummy candidate in place of Narpatram during the exam.

As per officials, Hanumanaram took the exam on behalf of Narpatram, who, along with his wife Indra, has already been arrested in connection with the scam.

Indra is further accused of impersonating another candidate, Harkhu Jat, although the case is marked by a peculiar twist: while Harkhu passed the exam, Indra, who also appeared in the exam, failed. The inquiry is expected to uncover additional layers of a wider conspiracy.

During the one-day remand, Hanumanaram will be interrogated alongside Narpatram and Indra, with the SOG anticipating that further details and the involvement of high-profile individuals and networks in the SI exam scam will be brought to light.

Ironically, Hanumanaram Virda, whose administrative credentials were bolstered by securing the 22nd rank in the RAS Exam 2021, had a promising career.

Selected for the Statistics Department in 2018 and successfully cleared the RAS exam, he was first posted as SDM in Chitalwana, Jalore, before subsequent postings at Bagoda and Shiv.

His recent assignment to Fatehgarh makes his involvement in the scam all the more damaging, calling into question the integrity of Rajasthanas administrative services and undermining the trust of thousands of candidates who appeared for the exam honestly.
Gandhinagar, April 10 : Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel inaugurated a two-day national homoeopathy conference in Gandhinagar on the occasion of World Homoeopathy Day, underlining the growing global relevance of traditional medicine in holistic healthcare systems.

The event, organised by the Ministry of AYUSH and the National Homoeopathy Council, drew homoeopathic practitioners, researchers, and students from across the country.

The conference, held at Mahatma Mandir, featured a dedicated homoeopathy exhibition and witnessed the inspiring presence of Union Minister of State for AYUSH Prataprao Jadhav and Gujarat Health Minister Rushikesh Patel.

The leaders lauded the role of homoeopathy in India's healthcare landscape and discussed ways to further integrate traditional medicine into mainstream health services.

Speaking at the inauguration, Bhupendra Patel said: "Preventive and primary healthcare form the backbone of a strong healthcare system. The increasing shift towards holistic approaches has revived interest and faith in traditional medicine practices like homoeopathy."

He added that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, the National AYUSH Mission has successfully integrated homoeopathy into public hospitals and wellness centres across India.

Patel also spotlighted Jamnagar's WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine as a landmark achievement for India in the field.

"This centre will serve as a global hub for research, innovation, and collaboration in traditional medical systems and reinforce India's role in global healthcare solutions," he added.

Union Minister Prataprao Jadhav noted that Gujarat's hosting of the world's largest homoeopathy convention is a moment of pride, showcasing the state's leadership in the healthcare sector.

He also underlined the Centre's commitment to expanding AYUSH infrastructure and promoting evidence-based traditional practices.

Health Minister Rushikesh Patel echoed similar sentiments, acknowledging homoeopathy's significant contributions within the broader Indian traditional medical framework.

"The combination of scientific approach and natural healing makes homoeopathy a vital part of Indian healthcare," he said.

The conference aims to provide a platform for knowledge-sharing, policy discussions, and innovations in the homoeopathy field.

Over the next two days, participants will engage in technical sessions, exhibitions, and panel discussions focusing on the integration of homoeopathy into national health missions, clinical research, education, and public health delivery.

--INAS

janvi/dan
Itanagar, April 10 : Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Thursday suggested power developers, who are already working in the state, to explore smaller projects in their respective river basins and work on them if feasible to add to the hydropower capacity of the state.

Chairing the 8th meeting of the steering committee of the Department of Hydro Power Development, the Chief Minister said that tributaries of the five main rivers of the state are small and can be feasible for generation of 100 to 300 MW of power.

He said that the CPSUs working on larger projects can always increase their scope by doing smaller projects simultaneously.

"As you already have men and machines at the work sites, it shouldn't be a difficult task," Khandu observed.

Reviewing the status of 13 hydropower projects across the districts of Shi Yomi, Dibang Valley, Anjaw, Subansiri, Kamle, and other parts of the state, he expressed satisfaction that all the projects were progressing well with the entire government machinery working in coordination.

The Chief Minister urged the CPSUs to maintain their timeline and complete their respective projects on time.

"Delay in execution costs us Rs 9 crore per day in lost revenue and Local Area Development Fund. This underlines the urgency of timely implementation," Khandu pointed.

He also emphasised on the role of Power Grid Corporation of India (PGCIL) in power sector development of the state.

"The PGCIL needs to work in tandem with the hydropower developers so that power transmission can begin from day one," he said.

Khandu underscored that the state government and CPSUs must continue to work in synergy, not in silos and commended the commitment and teamwork this far.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, Chief Secretary Manish Kumar Gupta, Advisor H K Paliwal, deputy commissioners from concerned districts and representatives from the government of India and CPSUs -- NHPC, SJVN, NEEPCO and THDCIL.

The meeting reviewed project-specific timelines, addressed key hurdles, and assessed the progress of land acquisition.

The Deputy Commissioners were instructed to expedite the process with greater sensitivity and community engagement. On the occasion, MoUs were signed with 4 PSUs for training and capacity building of technical and non-technical staff of the Department of Hydro Power Development to build a future-ready workforce.

Earlier, the Chief Minister handed over a cheque of Rs 269.97 crore to the Deputy Commissioner, Dibang Valley on behalf of SJVN Ltd.

"This marks a significant step forward in the construction of the 3097 MW Etalin Hydroelectric Project, one of the largest in the country!" Khandu commented.

He also thanked the Mishmi community for their support in execution of the project.

"Your cooperation is crucial for realising Arunachal Pradesh's vision of harnessing its rich hydropower potential for sustainable growth and prosperity," Khandu added.
Bhopal, April 10 : Four individuals lost their lives on Thursday when the vehicle they were travelling in plunged off a bridge over a river under the Chargawan police station area of Jabalpur.

Reports indicate that the speeding vehicle's driver suddenly lost control, causing it to crash into the bridge's guard rail before falling into the river.

"The incident occurred around 3.30 to 3.45 p.m. Villagers heard a loud noise and quickly informed the police. A police team arrived at the site, but unfortunately, four of the occupants had died instantly. Two others survived and were rushed to Jabalpur Medical College Hospital. Their condition of the injured is critical, but they are conscious," stated Abhishek Pyasi, Chargawan police station in-charge, while speaking to IANS.

Interestingly, the occupants of the vehicle were also transporting a male goat.

"Prima facie, it seems they were returning from performing a symbolic offering of the goat to a nearby deity as part of a ritual, as all the occupants were from the same community. Remarkably, the goat survived the accident," the officer added.

He also noted that the injured passengers were not in a position to provide statements at the time. The police are awaiting the post-mortem reports and survivor statements to obtain a clearer understanding of the incident.

The Chargawan Police Station team promptly arrived at the scene as the location is just 5-7 km from the station.

Together with local residents, they worked to rescue the injured passengers trapped in the wreckage.

Using crowbars, they managed to pry open the frame of the vehicle and extricate the two injured individuals.

The four deceased, all residents of Chowkital village, were identified as Kishan Patel (35), Mahendra Patel (35), Sagar Patel (17), and Rajendra Patel (35).

The critically injured survivors were identified as Manoj Pratap (35) and Jitendra Patel Lodhi (36), also from Chowkital.

"The families of the deceased have been notified, and the bodies have been sent for post-mortem," Pyasi confirmed.

The bridge where the accident occurred is approximately 45 km from Jabalpur.
Mumbai, April 10 : Tejraj Gulecha, Director of Valmark Group and patron member of JATF, lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi's participation in the Navkar Mahamantra Divas event, hosted by JITO (Jain International Trade Organisation).

Talking to IANS, Gulecha said: "It was truly heartwarming to see Prime Minister Modi grace the occasion. His presence was immensely appreciated by the entire Jain community, and it left a lasting impact on all of us. What stood out was his deep respect for all religions. We were particularly moved by the fact that, despite being the Prime Minister of India, he chose to participate in the chanting of the Navkar Mantra without wearing shoes. This gesture signified his long-standing understanding and reverence for Jainism."

Gulecha went on to highlight that the Prime Minister's profound understanding of the Navkar Mantra and its spiritual significance was remarkable.

"The Prime Minister not only spoke about the mantra with great analysis but also emphasised the nine resolutions, or Sankalps, that foster peace and harmony across the world. He highlighted how the mantra connects with the inner virtues of every human being and teaches us values that help in the peaceful coexistence of all living beings," Gulecha explained.

"His deep respect for all religions and belief in unity and progress for all people, irrespective of their religion, is truly commendable," he said.

He also emphasised how the Prime Minister's inclusive approach transcended any notions of religious bias.

"Despite being from a Hindu background, Prime Minister Modi has always shown immense goodwill towards minorities. His focus has always been on the development of India, keeping in mind the welfare of all sections of society. His principle of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' is what guides his leadership," he said.

Gulecha concluded by describing the Prime Minister's visit to the event as a "pleasant and inspiring experience."

He appreciated the Prime Minister's understanding of diverse religious values, stating, "Having been raised in Sanatan traditions, Prime Minister Modi has a deep understanding of all religions. His decision to leave his shoes in the car before entering our program shows the level of respect he has for every community."
Bengaluru, April 10 : Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H. D. Kumaraswamy on Thursday criticised Congress MLA and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's Economic Advisor Basavaraj Rayareddy for taking back his statement on corruption in the state.

Kumaraswamy said, "There was no need for Basavaraj Rayareddy, the Economic Advisor to the Chief Minister, to make a U-turn. He had only spoken the truth. Rayareddy's previous statement is itself evidence of how sincerely Congress leaders follow Mahatma Gandhi's slogan, 'Satyameva Jayate.'"

Kumaraswamy stated that it was not the JD (S) government that initiated the culture of percentages and commission rackets in contracts.

"When I was Chief Minister, contractors were paid regularly and promptly. There was no question of delays. In my administration, commission rackets never reached the steps of Vidhana Soudha. Congress leaders, who call themselves so-called 'satyasandhas' (men of truth), must understand this," he said.

Kumaraswamy also mocked Rayareddy for his claims that Siddaramaiah is taking strict action against corruption.

"Poor man I understand how frightened he must have been. Power and dependency weaken the strength of one's voice," Kumaraswamy said.

"Is Rayareddy really so naive that he is unaware of the series of scams under the present CM's regime? As a part of the Congress East India Company government that is looting Karnataka, where does he have the moral authority to criticise JD (S)?" said Kumaraswamy.

The CM's Economic Advisor Basavaraj Rayareddy, while participating in an interaction programme in Koppal organised by the Regional Imbalance Redressal Committee, maintained that, "no matter who is in power, rampant corruption will take place and Karnataka state is No 1 in terms of corruption."

However, later, he claimed that he had not stated that "Karnataka was No 1 in corruption."

He further stated, "Since corruption is rampant, quality work is not taking place. Government buildings which stood for five to six decades earlier are now collapsing within 10 years of their construction. Notably, corruption is much more prevalent in the Kalyan Karnataka region."

"When corruption is taking place in huge proportions, how can regional imbalances be eradicated? The officers will be like the representatives of the people. In spite of what the Chief Minister says in this regard, my opinion will remain the same on the matter of corruption," he stated.

After his statements sparked controversy, MLA Rayareddy maintained that his statements were misrepresented by the media and claimed that he had not stated that Karnataka state was No. 1 in corruption.

"I mentioned that the state has been branded for corruption due to poor quality of work. I did not make any corruption allegation against the present government or previous governments. This statement is not new and was made on the floor of the House, and I had mentioned it in a meeting with the CM," MLA Rayareddy stated.
Gandhinagar, April 10 : The upcoming lion census in Gujarat will use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to count the majestic Asiatic lions, heralding a new era of technological integration in wildlife conservation.

The exercise, led by the Gujarat Forest Department, will be held from May 10 to 13, spanning 11 districts including the iconic Gir National Park, home to the world's only population of wild Asiatic lions.

Forest Minister Mulu Bera announced the initiative on Wednesday, calling it a significant step forward.

"The lion census will take place not just in Gir, but across all areas where lions are known to roam. Our staff, along with NGOs and dedicated volunteers, will work round the clock in two 24-hour phases. Artificial Intelligence and other technologies will be used for better accuracy and efficiency," he said.

The AI-based approach is expected to streamline the traditionally manual process, which involved physically spotting lions, recording details, and mapping their movements using GPS and photographs.

Now, with AI-driven data analysis, image recognition, and real-time tracking systems, the census aims to deliver faster, more reliable population estimates.

Once on the brink of extinction, the Asiatic lion (Panthera leo persica) has made a remarkable recovery thanks to decades of conservation efforts -- most notably in Gir, the species' last natural habitat.

The last official census in 2020, conducted through the Poonam Avlokan method, recorded 674 lions, a 29 per cent increase from the previous 2015 count of 523 lions. The lions are not just Gujarat's pride but a global symbol of successful conservation.

Today, their range extends beyond Gir into parts of Amreli, Junagadh, Bhavnagar, Botad, Porbandar, Rajkot, Jamnagar, and Surendranagar districts.

Officials confirm that lions have adapted to new landscapes, including coastal regions and revenue areas outside protected forests, raising both excitement and concerns about human-wildlife interaction.

This year's census holds particular significance. While the exercise is usually held every five years, the pandemic disrupted the 2020 full-scale count. Instead, the numbers released that year were based on a modified estimation method.

As such, the 2024 census will be the first comprehensive lion count in nearly a decade, providing much-needed insights into population growth, migration trends, and habitat pressure.

Wildlife experts emphasise that AI tools will not only aid in identifying individual lions through facial and stripe-pattern recognition but will also help assess their health, movement patterns, and possible conflict zones.

"Integrating AI into the census could be a game-changer. It can process thousands of camera trap images quickly, flag anomalies, and reduce human error," said a senior forest official based in Junagadh.

The Gujarat government has consistently invested in lion conservation, including habitat expansion, prey base enrichment, and veterinary care. Additionally, new lion rescue and interpretation centres have been established in places like Jasadhar and Devaliya.

The involvement of local communities, who often coexist with the lions, remains vital. Many Maldhari families, who graze livestock in and around the Gir forest, have played a crucial role in protecting the big cats.

Volunteers and NGOs are also expected to play a vital role in this year's census. Their participation not only aids the state in data collection but also fosters awareness and conservation-centric tourism.

The Forest Department's decision to adopt AI comes amid growing concerns around habitat saturation, lion dispersal into human settlements, and disease vulnerability, such as the canine distemper virus that affected Gir's lion population in 2018. Experts stress the need for real-time data to plan corridor connectivity and health monitoring.
Sanand : , April 10 (IANS) Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel reaffirmed the Gujarat government's commitment to the upliftment of de-notified and nomadic communities, while addressing a large gathering at the concluding ceremony of the 29th Akhil Bharatiya Nat Bajaniya Bajigar Samaj Fair in Motipura village of Sanand taluka on Thursday.

Speaking at the revered occasion held in the honour of community spiritual leader Pujya Jayashree Dada Motiram, CM Patel emphasised that the state and Central governments under Prime Minister Narendra Modi have consistently worked to bring smaller and marginalised communities into the mainstream of development.

"The vision of our Prime Minister has always been clear -- no community should remain on the margins of progress. Be it the Nat Bajaniya Bajigar Samaj or other denotified and nomadic groups, efforts have been made to ensure they are active participants in the nation's development," said CM Patel.

He added that PM Modi has consistently designed people-centric welfare schemes with a focus on those at the grassroots -- especially the poor, the underprivileged, and those who often get left out of formal government outreach.

The three-day fair, hosted at Motipura (Moti Devti) village, drew thousands from the community and was marked by cultural performances, spiritual gatherings, and social welfare announcements. The temple of the community's revered figure, Dada Motiram, served as the central spiritual site for the fair.

CM Patel highlighted that access to government schemes for nomadic and denotified tribes remains a challenge due to their mobility.

"Sometimes, such communities miss out on benefits because they are on the move. Inspired by the Prime Minister's saturation approach, our government is committed to reaching every last beneficiary," he said.

He also underlined the government's initiatives aimed at economic empowerment.

"We have provided loans and financial assistance worth Rs 88 crore to women and youth from denotified and nomadic communities to help them become self-reliant," he said.

The Chief Minister praised the increasing focus on education among the youth of the Nat Bajaniya community and expressed hope that this will drive long-term social transformation.

Paying homage to Pujya Motiram Dada, the Chief Minister described him as a powerful spiritual guide who continues to inspire the community's journey from marginalisation to progress. The fair concluded with community prayers, welfare exhibitions, and renewed hope for continued support from the state machinery.
Mumbai, April 10 : Shiv Sena (UBT) chief spokesman and MP Sanjay Raut on Thursday said that the government will hang the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack key accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana, who was extradited to India, during the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections.

"Rana should be immediately hanged, but the government will hang him during the Bihar polls (slated for later this year)," he said.

Raut pointed out that there was a 16-year-long battle to bring Rana to India, and it started during the Congress rule.

"So no one should take the credit for bringing back Rana," he said.

Raut said Rana is not the first accused to be extradited to India. He recalled that in the past, the 1993 serial blast accused Abu Salem too was extradited to India.

Raut gave his reaction after Rana, a 64-year-old Canadian national of Pakistani origin and one of the key accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, landed at Delhi's Palam airport at 2:50 pm on Thursday following his extradition from the US.

Rana was brought on a special flight escorted by a joint team of Indian intelligence and investigative officials.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) in a statement said the extradition happened after years of sustained and concerted efforts to bring the alleged key conspirator behind the 2008 mayhem to justice.

"With the active assistance of USDoJ, the US Sky Marshal, NIA worked closely with other Indian intelligence agencies, NSG through the entire extradition process, which also saw India's Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Home Affairs coordinating with the other relevant authorities in the United States to take the matter to its successful conclusion", the statement read.

Raut also demanded that Kulbhushan Jadhav, who was captured in 2016 and was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court for alleged spying, should be brought back home. India has dismissed Pakistan's accusation as concocted.

Meanwhile, BJP MP Ashok Chavan said the extradition of Mumbai terror attack accused Tahawwur Rana is a big victory for India.

Chavan said that the bitter memories of the 26/11 attacks are still fresh in the minds of Indians, especially Mumbaikars. It

"was a Pakistan-sponsored terrorist attack. The interrogation of Tahawwur Rana may shed more light on the conspiracy behind the Mumbai attack and some other terrorist activities. Therefore, Rana's extradition is a big victory for India, not only from the diplomatic but also from the legal point of view," he said.

He said that the US Supreme Court also gave a favorable verdict on Rana's extradition petition, adding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi handled this matter well on the diplomatic and legal front.

Chavan also mentioned that India had previously succeeded in bringing many gangsters like Abu Salem, Chhota Rajan, and Ravi Pujari to India.
New Delhi, April 10 : Over 70 per cent of India's electricity generation depends on coal, Union Minister of Coal and Mines, G. Kishan Reddy, said on Thursday, underscoring the need to balance development with sustainability, accelerate responsible mine closure practices, and continuously improve environmental benchmarks.

The minister visited the Gevra mine of South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) in Chhattisgarh. Recognised as the world's second-largest coal mine, Gevra stands as a symbol of India's growing energy strength.

Describing Gevra as the pride of the country, the minister remarked, "One can afford to wait for food, but electricity cannot be delayed. It is our coal miners who ensure that the nation remains illuminated and energised."

At the mine view point, SECL officials gave a detailed presentation highlighting key achievements and ongoing developments.

Reddy felicitated coal miners, including women workers, for their unwavering dedication to ensuring round-the-clock coal production  an indispensable pillar of India's energy security.

The minister witnessed large-scale mining operations, including the deployment of mega equipment such as the 42-cubic-meter shovel and 240-ton dumper  among the largest Heavy Earth Moving Machines (HEMMs) used globally.

He also reviewed the blast-free surface miner technology in action and visited modern Silos developed under the First Mile Connectivity (FMC) initiative, aimed at sustainable and eco-friendly coal evacuation.

Reddy interacted with machine operators inside their cabins, boosting their morale and acknowledging their vital contribution to coal production.

During the visit, the minister also explored SECL's green initiatives. He visited the Miyawaki plantation pilot site, where saplings have been planted using the innovative Japanese afforestation technique. Additionally, he inaugurated the newly built Kalyan Mandap  a multi-purpose facility dedicated to employee events and community functions.

Reddy's interactions and on-ground engagement resonated deeply with the workforce, reaffirming the Centre's resolve to empower the true energy warriors of the nation.

IANS

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Patna April 10 : Gulam Rasool Balyawi, a senior leader and prominent Muslim face of the Janata Dal (United), has publicly slammed Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for supporting the Waqf (Amendment) Act, calling it a "mistake in judgment." Patna April 10 (IANS) Gulam Rasool Balyawi, a senior leader and prominent Muslim face of the Janata Dal (United), has publicly slammed Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for supporting the Waqf (Amendment) Act, calling it a "mistake in judgment."

Speaking to the media after a meeting of Irada-E-Saria in Patna on Thursday, Balyawi said: "Nitish Kumar has done many things for the Muslim community  from fencing thousands of graveyards to developing a beautiful Anjuman Islamia Hall under the Waqf Board. But this time, he has made a mistake, and others are taking advantage of it."

He emphasised that the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which has now become law following support from JD-U in both Houses of Parliament, is being seen by many in the Muslim community as a challenge to constitutional rights and religious independence.

"Any law that challenges our constitutional and religious rights will be opposed. We request the government to pass an ordinance to cancel this Bill," he added.

Balyawi also hinted at approaching the court through religious institutions to seek justice on the matter.

In a significant political development, Balyawi revealed that he is reconsidering his association with the JD-U: "I am still in the party, but I will take a final decision in the coming days and publicly announce my stand."

The party's support for the Act has already triggered dissent as over 20 JD-U leaders holding various posts in the party have resigned in protest.

The people of the Muslim community are angry over Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, who is popularly known as Lalan Singh, who represented the party's stance in the Lok Sabha.

This public fallout adds to the political tensions brewing in Bihar, especially as parties gear up for major electoral contests and navigate community sentiments post-legislation.

Meanwhile, the JDU leaders claimed that the Waqf (Amendment) Act would not hurt the common Muslim people of the state and the country.
Patna, April 10 : Union Minister Giriraj Singh lashed out at Bihar Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav during his visit to Begusarai parliamentary constituency on Thursday, accusing him of being anti-Pasmanda Muslim and obstructing their progress.

"Tejashwi Yadav does not want Pasmanda Muslims and women to get their rightful share. He is against their upliftment," Singh said while interacting with the media.

He strongly defended the recently passed Waqf (Amendment) Act, stating it is meant to ensure the rights of the poor and marginalised Muslims, especially the Pasmanda section, and not to benefit political contractors.

"The law passed by the Parliament applies to the entire country. Tejashwi Yadav's government is not coming to power. He has no authority to stop it," Singh added.

Earlier, Tejashwi Yadav said that if his government comes back to power in Bihar, he would "throw" this law into the dustbin. He further said that this law is against the Constitution.

Giriraj Singh also took a dig at Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, calling him "clueless" and stating: "Rahul Gandhi does not even understand what he says. Born into a royal household, he speaks without thinking."

On Kanhaiya Kumar being projected by the Congress, Singh commented: "Rahul Gandhi doesn't even have his own face; what change will it bring if he makes someone else the face?"

Kanhaiya Kumar is currently on a 'Palayan Roko, Naukari Do Padayatra' in Bihar.

He mocked LoP Rahul Gandhi's recent short visit to Begusarai, saying: "Rahul Gandhi came for 45 minutes to bring change in Begusarai? This place is Bihar's industrial and political centre, not a photo-op."

Singh also claimed an unfulfilled promise by the Late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1985 to establish a petrochemical plant in Begusarai.

"Former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi promised petrochemical development but did nothing. It was only under PM Narendra Modi that a Rs 25,000 crore investment was made in petrochemicals here," he claimed.
Bhopal, April 10 : While inspecting the ambitious Multimodal Logistics Park - a project valued at an astounding 1,200 crore rupees and situated in the Pithampur industrial area, roughly 30 kilometers from Indore - the Union Minister for Roads and Highways Nitin Gadkari recognised remarkable potential for growth and development.

The Minister of Roads and Highways said: "The world is abuzz with conversations these days. Thanks to the tariffs imposed by the US, new doors of opportunity have opened for us, enabling India to expand its trade and extend its exports across the globe."

He further highlighted a pressing challenge - the high logistics costs in India, ranging between 14 to 16 per cent, as compared to 8 per cent in China and 12 per cent in Western countries.

Acknowledging the disadvantage this posed to India's competitiveness in global markets, the Union Minister expressed confidence that the development of logistics parks, multimodal facilities, and similar infrastructure projects throughout the nation would significantly reduce these costs and strengthen India's position in trade.

Expanding on this vision, he announced that the first phase of the logistics park in Pithampur, spanning an impressive 255 acres, is set to be completed within 18 to 24 months.

This facility, he proclaimed, will not only boost trade and exports in the Malwa-Nimar region of Madhya Pradesh but will also lower logistics expenses and contribute to the region's economic prosperity.

The minister also praised Madhya Pradesh's prominence in organic farming, noting that the state produces nearly 40 per cent of the country's organic output, with the Malwa-Nimar region alone contributing 75 per cent of the state's total production.

The minister laid the foundation for a 'railway siding' at the Pithampur logistics park.

This railway link, he explained, will allow the agricultural produce of the Malwa-Nimar region to reach major ports like Jawaharlal Nehru in Mumbai, as well as Kandla and Mundra in Gujarat, both more affordably and more quickly.

Additionally, he shared plans to obtain government approvals for inspecting containers at the Pithampur site itself. This would allow goods to be directly transported to ports via railway and swiftly loaded onto ships for international trade.

With a touch of eloquence, the minister likened this development to "bringing Mumbai's sea to Pithampur."
Bengaluru, April 10 : On his return home, local boy KL Rahul compiled a brilliant unbeaten 93, scoring his second successive half-century, as he guided Delhi Capitals to a six-wicket win against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Match 24 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium here on Thursday.

On a wicket where batting was proving a bit difficult, Delhi Capitals came up with a superb all-round bowling performance as they quelled a blazing start by Phil Salt and Virat Kohli to restrict Royal Challengers Bengaluru to 163/7.

Chasing 164, Delhi landed in trouble after losing their top half to slump to 58/4 before K.L Rahul scored a superb half-century and Tristian Stubbs (38 not out) guided Delhi Capitals to 169/4 in 17.5 overs to secure a six-wicket win.

With this win, Delhi Capital maintained their unbeaten run, winning their fourth match in a row as they jumped to eight points, only to be separated by NRR from Gujarat Titans at the top of the standings. GT have played one game extra.

Rahul remained unbeaten on 93 off 53 balls, studded with seven fours and six maximums while Stubbs scored 38 not out off 23 balls as they shared a 111-run partnership for the fifth wicket, the highest for DC for this wicket, to seal victory with 13 balls remaining.

DC's decision to pair Faf du Plessis (2), back in the playing XI after missing a match, and Jake Fraser-McGurk (7) failed as both fell to Yash Dayal, who bowled superbly, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, respectively, as the visitors slumped to 10/2 in the third over.

Bhuvneshwar had Abishek Porel (7) edging behind to Jitesh Sharma to make it 30/3 in the fifth over. And when skipper Axar Patel got out for an 11-ball 15, Delhi Capitals were languishing at 58/4 in the ninth over.

It was a far cry from the 53 for no loss RCB raced to in the first three overs. However, Delhi Capitals found a saviour in India wicketkeeper-batter Rahul who played cautiously and then chanced his arms in the middle overs to reach his fifty off 37 balls.

It was a brilliant effort by Rahul. The first four DC batters got out playing across the line but Rahul curbed his aggression at the start and capitalised on a tough chance dropped by RCB skipper Rajat Patidar to keep Delhi Capitals on course for victory.

With a slight drizzle keeping the groundstaff on their toes, Rahul took control of the match, hammered 22 runs off a Josh Hazlewood over, hitting him for 4, 4, 2, 2, 4, 6 in six balls to put Delhi Capitals on course to victory. Rahul sealed two points for Delhi with a six off Yash Dayal.

Earlier, a brilliant all-round bowling performance helped Delhi Capitals reel in RCB after a whirlwind start to restrict them to a modest 163/7 in 20 overs.

RCB raced off the block with Salt and Kohli blazing to the fastest team fifty in IPL history. But things went haywire after Salt was run out and RCB's innings faltered as pacer Mukesh Kumar, and wrist-spinners Vipraj Nigam (2-18) and Kuldeep Yadav (2-17) bowled brilliantly to apply the brakes.

It developed into a cat-and-mouse game as every time RCB tried to break the shackles, DC would come back to thwart them. The home side raced to 53/0 in the first three overs and then could manage only 74/7 in the next 15 overs. Tim David hammered some big ones in the last two overs, which bought RCB 36 runs, to bring some respectability to the total.

It was a power-play of two halves -- RCB racing to 53 in the first three overs and DC pulling things back with an 11/2 haul in the next three.

After a modestly quiet first over (7 runs) by Mitchell Starc, Phil Salt and Virat Kohli went hammer and tongs at the bowling reaching the fastest team fifty-ever in IPL inside the third over. Axar Patel's second over cost 16 runs, two fours, and one six shared by the batters.

English opener Salt waded into Australian pacer Starc in the third over, blasting him for 30 runs, hitting 6, 4, 4, 5nb, 6 followed by five leg byes in two balls as RCB reached 53/0 in three overs.

Kohli hit Axar for a six in the fourth over but the left-arm spinner silenced RCB's vociferous supporters as Salt was run out going for a difficult single as Kohli took a start and then stopped. Salt, who slipped while attempting to gain ground, was run out for 37 off 17 balls.

That wicket changed the complexion of the match as Devdutt Padikkal (1) got out in a wicket-maiden over by Mukesh Kumar.

Kohli fell in the next over as he tried to break the shackles. After hitting Vipraj Nigam for a six, Kohli attempted another big one but managed to find Starc as he failed to reach the ball for an inside-out shot as RCB slumped to 74/3.

Though skipper Rajat Patidar kept the scoreboard going from one end, Liam Livingstone (3) and Jitesh Sharma (3) fell in quick succession and RCB were soon down to 102/5 in the 13th over.

Patidar and Krunal Pandya tried to repair the innings but the skipper skied one behind to keeper Rahul trying to hit over square, getting out for 25 off 23 balls. Pandya made a run-a-ball 18.

Singapore-born Australian dasher Tim David hammered 36 runs in the last two overs bowled by Axar Patel (17) and Mukesh Kumar (19 runs), hitting four sixes and two fours as RCB managed to cross the 150-run mark. Tim David ended unbeaten on 37 off 20 balls to provide a final push to the innings.

Brief scores:

Royal Challengers Bengaluru 163/7 in 20 overs (Phil Salt 37, Tim David 37 not out; Vipraj Nigam 2-18, Kuldeep Yadav 2-17) lost to Delhi Capitals 169/4 in 17.5 overs (K.L Rahul 93 not out, Tristan Stubbs 38 not out; Bhuvneshwar Kumar 2-26) by six wickets
Billings Fire Chief Pepper Valdez is stepping down at the end of the month after providing emergency services in the city for more than 30 years.

He has accepted an offer to serve as chief for Mountain View Fire and Rescue in Longmont, Colorado, near Denver.

Valdez started his career as an EMT and paramedic before joining the Billings Fire Department in 1999. He advanced through the ranks, serving as a firefighter, engineer, captain, battalion chief, assistant chief, and took the helm as chief in 2021.

Its been an absolute honor and a privilege to serve, Valdez said. Im really going to miss the professional firefighters we have. They are the gold standard, in my opinion, and I want to do that with where Im going. Its going to be tough but Im also excited about the new challenges ahead.

City Administrator Chris Kukulski said Valdez achieved numerous accomplishments during his tenure, including raising BFDs insurance rating to the second highest level, which reduces rates for local businesses.

It's a real indication of the quality of the service being delivered to our citizens under Chief Valdezs leadership, Kukulski said. Hes dedicated a tremendous amount to our community.

Earlier this week, Valdez presented BFDs annual report to the city council.

He said 2024 was a challenging year, during which the department focused on replenishing its ranks and adding staff to meet increasing operational demands.

Unfortunately, we had to mothball the crisis response unit program and also cut some training, he said. However, on the positive side, we did create new partnerships within our community and other areas of need while opening another station for greater response capability.

BFD responded to 19,342 calls for service in 2024. Thats an increase of 532 calls from the previous year.

More than half of those calls  10,221  were for pure emergency medical services, meaning they were not tied to a traumatic event such as a car accident, rescue or hazmat situation, but required advanced life support. Things like a heart attack or stroke fall into that category, Valdez said. On average, BFD responded to 25 EMS calls a day in 2024.

EMS continues to dominate our focus, Valdez said. The demand for services in this category is and will continue to keep rising.

To alleviate pressure on city resources, BFD has implemented mobile response teams, to handle calls for emergencies that dont require a full engine company.

The department launched its first MRT, dubbed Squad One, in December 2022. Instead of sending a fire engine and three firefighters on every call, the squad  a paramedic firefighter and a captain  can respond in a Ford F-550.

BFD has since added a second MRT, known as Squad Two, which handled 2,790 calls last year. With the 1,872 calls handled by Squad One in 2024, the MRTs tackled 24% of BFDs total calls for service last year.

After seeing success with the mobile teams, BFD partnered with Rimrock Foundation to put the citys first crisis response unit on the streets in October 2023. The CRU, which pairs an emergency medical technician with a licensed mental health professional, responded to more than 650 calls for before it was halted this past September when Rimrock pulled out of the agreement. The program is now on hiatus as the city looks for another provider for the mental health services or figures out a way to pay for them with public dollars.

Valdez said hed like to see the city expand both the mobile and crisis response teams.

BFDs service agreement with American Medical Response, a private ambulance company, also helped alleviate the strain on city resources by tackling more than 500 calls last year, Valdez said. Still, BFD did 437 hospital ride-ins in 2024, a 12.6% increase over the previous year. Thats significant because every time a firefighter has to ride into the hospital, it takes a squad or an engine out of service, Valdez said.

BFD also made significant upgrades in the 911 dispatch center in 2024 with new software, hardware, protocols and equipment to enhance emergency services across Yellowstone County, Valdez said.

The department also worked with other agencies to launch two new programs last year. In April, it partnered with the Billings Police Department to establish the SWAT Medic Program, which provides on-scene law enforcement combined with advanced medical services.

In July, BFD teamed with the Montana Army National Guard to provide paramedics on enhanced search and rescue flight missions. The program now serves all of Eastern Montana and Wyoming.

BFD had a $28.5 million budget for 2024 with 188 employees on the payroll, including firefighters, paramedics, EMTs, dispatchers, administrative staff and fire prevention experts.

In June, it opened Fire Station 8 in the Heights. Across the citys eight stations, average response times now vary from 5 minutes, 39 seconds to 8 minutes, 21 seconds.

Valdez said the city is already at a point where it needs to add a ninth fire station on the West End. Additionally, he said, stations 1,2, 3 and 5 are in critical need of major renovations. Investing in upgrades could extend the use of the four stations by 30 to 50 years for about the same cost as building one new fire station, Valdez said.

Although 2024 proved very challenging for our organization, we remain steadfast and resilient in the face of these challenges, he said.

BFD's annual report is available on the city's website at billingsmt.gov.
Bhopal, April 10 : Congress MLA Arif Masood, who organised a protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Act in Bhopal on Thursday, reiterated that the Muslim community will never accept this newly enacted law and the protests against it will continue.

Addressing a large gathering of the people from the Muslim community, Masood, who is MLA from Bhopal Madhya assembly seat, said, "All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has always opposed the Waqf Act and will continue to oppose at each level."

He further alleged that this law was brought not to protect Waqf, reiterating that the BJP-led government has imposed the Waqf (Amendment) Act forcefully on the Muslim community.

"Protest against this law will continue until the Centre withdraws it," he claimed.

Notably, after the Waqf (Ammendment) Bill-2025 was passed in both the Houses of the Parliament, President Draupadi Murmu on April 5 gave her assent to it, becoming an Act, which came into effect from April 8.

Over 10 petitions, including those by politicians and the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) and Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, were filed in the Supreme Court (SC) to challenge the validity of the new law.

The petitioners have submitted that the provisions of the law discriminated against Muslims by imposing restrictions which were not part of the governance of other religious endowments.

The SC bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna is scheduled to hear the matter on April 16.

The Centre has already filed a caveat in the apex court to ensure no order is passed without hearing it first.

Responding to Aarif Masood's statement, BJP MLA and Minister, Wiswas Sarang, said that the large Muslim population has welcomed the Waqf Act.

He said only some Muslim leaders, who have illegally encroached Waqf properties, are opposing it for their personal gain.
Amaravati, April 10 : Andhra Pradesh's State Investment Promotion Board on Thursday approved investment proposals to the tune of Rs 31,167 crore.

The State Investment Promotion Board (SIPB), at its meeting chaired by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, cleared the investment by 17 organisations in various sectors like food processing, IT and energy. These investments are expected to create 32,633 jobs.

The Chief Minister made it clear that investments taking shape at the ground level are as important as investments coming to the state.

He told the officials that the respective industries launching production on time is very important. He stated that when a project is approved, it is necessary to take the details from them on the date of starting production, and the phase-wise progress of such projects should be closely monitored.

The Chief Minister directed the officials to provide the details in the next SIPB meeting on how many companies have launched production till and how many jobs have been created.

Chandrababu Naidu also told the officials to create a portal with the details on which organization has provided how many jobs and to whom.

Minister for Education, IT, and Electronics, Nara Lokesh, who participated in the meeting, made an appeal to the Chief Minister to allot lands to IT companies at a nominal price.

He said this would provide an opportunity to attract more IT companies to the State. The Chief Minister said that the necessary IT policy would be amended for this purpose.

In all the five SIPB meetings held till now after the TDP-led NDA government was formed, 57 organisations have been given approval for investments to the tune of Rs 4,71,379 crore, which will create 4,17,188 jobs.

The coalition government said the previous government of YSRCP had conducted only five SIPB meetings in five years.

The investments approved at Thursday's meeting include Rs 2,063 crore investment by Ma Mahamaaya Industries Limited, Vizianagaram district to generate 1,000 jobs, Premier Energies Limited at MP SEZ, Naidupet will invest Rs 4,200 crore and this would provide 1,500 jobs. LG Vendors at Sri City of Tirupati district will invest Rs 839 crore to provide 692 jobs.
Lerner Publishing Group announced Wednesday that the founder of the company, Harry Lerner, died in Minneapolis on April 8, at the age of 93. Lerner, an LPG release stated, leaves behind an enormous legacy in the childrens book publishing industry as the founder of one of the nations largest independent publishers. His taste, business sense, loyalty, and of course tenacity have touched the lives of young readers, authors, illustrators, family, and friends across the world.

Born in 1932 in Minneapolis, Lerner spent his early years working in his fathers grocery store located about a half mile from LPGs current headquarters. While serving in the U.S. Army in Germany in the 1950s, Lerner published a guide for soldiers that provided advice on automobiles and tips for traveling in Europe; it was distributed by Stars and Stripes, the U.S. militarys newspaper. After his discharge, Lerner returned to Minneapolis and launched in 1959 what became Lerner Publishing Group. The company, Lerner Publications, made its debut with a series, Medical Books for Children, designed to help children dealing with common childhood illnesses. The books were written by Lerners sister-in-law, Dr. Marguerite Rush Lerner.

LPG currently publishes approximately 600 new books and series annually, catering to both the trade and school and library markets. LPG releases have received numerous accolades over the years, including a Caldecott Honor, and a number of Coretta Scott King Book Awards, Robert F. Sibert Medals, and Jane Addams Children's Book Awards.

Lerner retired in 1998, and his son, Adam Lerner, became the companys publisher and CEO, while Lerner served as chairman of the LPG board until his death; he reportedly came into the office several days a week and remained engaged in all aspects of the business for years afterwards. His two oldest grandsons, Ariel Lerner and Leo Lerner, currently work at LPG, which remains family-owned.

During a 50th anniversary party at the Minneapolis Central Library in 2009 that drew 600 guests from all over the world, Lerner reminisced about building up LPG over a half-century. He recalled the horse-and-buggy early days as a publisher, working in a small, one-room office with an orange crate for a desk, promoting books, and his evenings editing, packing books, and typing carbon copies of customer invoices on a Smith-Corona. I just hated it when a school would require an invoice in quadruplicate, he said, only half-joking.

Fifty years later, and everything has changed, Lerner declared. My red editing pencil has been replaced by a computer with spell check. Selling to schools and libraries where you could sit down with a teacher or librarian and explain each book doesnt exist any longer. Computers are on kids desks. Instead of a blackboard there is a white board or a smart board. The electronic age is upon us. I must confess that Im terribly uncomfortable with the new electronic gadgetry.

According to LPG, Harry and the Lerner family were instrumental in the development of the wonderful literary community in Minnesota through support of important organizations such as The Loft, Books for Africa, the Minnesota Library Association Foundation, the Minnesota Book Publishers Roundtable, the Hennepin County Library, Minneapolis Central Library, the Kerlan Collection, and the University of Minnesota, where the Lerner Publishing Media Lab is named in [Lerner's] honor. Harry Lerner celebrated diversity in childrens book publishing not only by publishing diverse books, but by offering scholarships and donations to diverse creators through the Lerner Foundation.

Lerners funeral is being held today, April 10, at 2:00 p.m.. CST at the Adath Jeshurun Congregation in Minnetonka, Minn. The ceremony is being live-streamed.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Lerners memory may be made to Books for Africa or the American Library Association.
Peter Trachtenbergs The Twilight of Bohemia: Westbeth and the Last Artists of New York (Black Sparrow, Apr.) offers a glimpse inside America's first publicly funded artists housing, which opened in the West Village in 1970. Tenants have included jazz musician Gil Evans, photographer Diane Arbus, and actors Danny DeVito and Rhea Pearlman. Trachtenberg, who lived in the building for 11 years, discusses how he relied on personal recollections, research, and interviews to bring it to life.

When did you start conceiving this book?

It grew out of a long essay about the suicide of my friend Gay Milius. The longer I worked on the essay, the more I worried about what it meant, apart from the death of one unhappy human being. If Gays death was to have a larger meaning, it derived from his context: the context of the building where he lived and worked for 25 years, and where he returned to die in 2006. Also the context of art. I think Gay staked his life on art, and when the gamble didnt pay off, his only way out was to kill himself. The only people who could fully understand that gamble were the artists who were his neighbors, so I had to write about them and the building they lived in. Id lived there, too, but had never really paid attention to it, being there illegally and under Gays paranoid instructions not to get friendly with any of the residents. The Twilight of Bohemia is my attempt to finally pay attention to what I should have seen before.

What challenges or reservations, if any, did you have when writing about Gays and your friendship?

Gay was a difficult personality: brilliant, kind, funny, with a protean, boundaryless imagination, but also cranky, mercurial, and self-destructive. Writing about him meant being honest about the barbs of his personality while capturing what made him so loveable. At the same time, I was thinking about him as a literary character. These two kinds of portrayal can be hard to reconcile. Its like juggling, but juggling something that may break if you drop it, or maybe crack your skull.

As opposed to writing a straightforward memoir, why did you choose to include reportage and interviews with other tenants from Westbeth?

Having written one memoir, and another book thats an extended personal essay, I feel Ive exhausted myself as an area of inquiry. A memoirist may be able to write about a community if theyre one of its members, but I was never a member of the Westbeth community. By default, the only way I could write about my former neighbors was as a journalist and historian, approaching them from a point of view of absolute ignorance, and then trying to lessen that distance.

You spotlight people whove made art a central part of their lives but might never achieve wide recognition. How did you choose who to write about?

Some of my choices were dictated by Covid-19. My original plan was to come into the city a few times a week from the Hudson Valley and interview people on site, but because so many tenants were elderly, Westbeths lockdown was especially strict. I had to conduct interviews on the phone or by Zoom, a technology that not all the residents were comfortable with, but I had introductions to Jack Dowling and Edward Field, and they in turn introduced me to some of their neighbors, and I focused on those whose personalities or stories most excited me.

And then there were a few people I knew I had to write about, starting with Black-Eyed Susan, the prima donna of Charles Ludlams Ridiculous Theater. I also wanted to interview Lorraine OGrady, and she initially agreed to meet, but after her 2021 retrospective at the Brooklyn Museum, people saw the genius that shed been exercising for 50 years, and she was in such demand from researchers and curators and doctoral students that we could never set up a date.

One intriguing thread in the book involves people raising children at Westbethincluding, at one point, the actor Vin Diesel as a boy. Why did you see this as an important aspect?

Itd be easy to misrepresent Westbeth as a senior center for bohemiansor maybe a future senior center for bohemians. But from the very beginning, a number of the residents were parents with young children. The most striking early photos of the building have kids in them: kids watching one of Ralph Lees puppet shows in the courtyard; kids joining their parents at an antiwar demonstration. As Jenny Lombard, who grew up in the building, told me, the long hallways were perfect for playing tag and, starting in the 80s, for skateboarding. Today, Westbeth is one of the few places in Manhattan where people who arent wealthy can afford to raise children. To me, that makes it particularly precious, a redoubt for New Yorks vanishing middle class.

With a majority of tenants older than 60, and rents in Manhattan continuing to escalate, whats the current state of Westbeth? What might you see happening in the future?

When I gave a reading there on March 18, the only pushback I got concerned what some people considered an inadequate emphasis on the young artists whove moved into the building with their families. Its those artists who will keep the building alive. I know Westbeths finances are in order, and its tax abatements shield it from one of the factors that make housing in the city so impossibly expensive. If good management and the good will and resilience of its residents are enough to keep a community alive, I believe Westbeth will prevail. But we now have a regime that appears to be intent on smashing all the systems that benefited ordinary, non-wealthy Americans, and I cant swear that it wont find a way to smash a system like Westbeth. Whats stripping four or five hundred people of their housing when youre already doing that to four or five million?
It is only natural that a conversation about an autobiography turns to a conversation about vanity. After all, who writes a book about himself?

In his Autobiography, Benjamin Franklin admits he, like most older people, indulges the inclination to talk of oneself. But he claims to be doing so for those who wish to imitate the means Franklin used to attain affluence and reputation. He then confesses something scandalous:

[P]erhaps I shall a good deal gratify my own Vanity. Most People dislike Vanity in others whatever Share they have of it themselves, but I give it fair Quarter wherever I meet with it, being persuaded that it is often productive of Good to the Possessor and to others that are within his Sphere of Action.

How could The First American utter something so undemocratic, confessing his vanity, his ambition for distinction above others? This is no faux pas. This is realism. Most people despise the vanity of others, but most are themselves vain.

Vanity is not merely ones desire to stand above others  it is also ones resentment of those who think they ought to be placed higher. Franklins democratic character, then, is evident in his realism regarding human beings vanity and readiness to give it fair quarter wherever he meets it.

Despite warnings about vanity in the Book of Ecclesiastes, Franklin claims it would not be quite absurd if a Man were to thank God for his Vanity among the other Comforts of Life. The opposite of vanity is humility. I speak of thanking God, I desire with all Humility to acknowledge, that I owe the mentiond Happiness of my past Life to his kind Providence, which led me to the Means I usd and gave them Success. This is no impiety for Franklin. Thanks be to God for blessing the humble Franklin with the vanity to produce his own felicity and the felicity of others!

Yet if vanity is often productive of Good, then vanity is not always productive of good. Perhaps vanity is neither a vice nor a virtue but is such according to its use. If so, then Franklins Autobiography should uncover the good sort of vanityvanity well used.

For example, Franklin offers an account of leadership not justly conducted. Ten-year-old Franklin and friends fished at a marsh that turned into a quagmire, so he proposed they build a wharf with stones from a nearby construction site. Under the cover of evening, Franklin and friends brought [the stones] all away and built [their] little Wharff. All seemed well thanks to the enterprising young Franklin. Yet:

The next Morning the Workmen were surprizd at Missing the Stones; which were found in our Wharff; Enquiry was made after the Removers; we were discovered and complaind of; several of us were corrected by our Fathers; and tho I pleaded the Usefulness of the Work, mine convincd me that nothing was useful which was not honest.

Nothing dishonest is useful, which means stealing is neither just nor useful. What is honest, just, and useful ought to be good for oneself and good for others, or at least not bad for others. When leadership benefits some at the expense of others, then it is vanity poorly used. When leadership benefits oneself and others, then it is honest, just, and vanity well used.

The lesson extends into Franklins adult life. Franklin and his friends in the Junto cherished reading, but books were costly. He proposed they acquire books by making the benefit from Books more common, that is, by defraying the costs to the public.

Yet in soliciting subscriptions for the Philadelphia Public Library, Franklin encountered mens reluctance to support any useful Project that might be supposd to raise [his] Reputation in the smallest degree above that of [his] Neighbours. One should, therefore, remove oneself from the limelight and advance the proposal as a Scheme of a Number of Friends, for the present little Sacrifice of [ones] Vanity will afterwards be amply repaid.

The library soon manifested its utility and was imitated by others, the Junto  and Franklin  accessed otherwise inaccessible books. In little time, Philadelphians were observd by Strangers to be better instructed and more intelligent than People of the same Rank generally are in other Countries. Admit the truth of your own vanity and the vanity of others, use no hurtful deceit, benefit your fellow men and city, and have your vanity sated.

Who writes a book about himself? A vain person. Who publicly confesses his vanity? A person productive of good for himself and others  a person who offers reflections on how he lived so posterity may reflect, imitate, and honor him accordingly.

Such reflection has the benefit of opening one to the necessity of liberal arts education and the greatest and most fitting study, the study of the good itself. Otherwise, one cannot rightly judge which man is worthy of imitation and honor and which is worthy of condemnation and infamy.
The 12th annual TEDxUGA talk was held on Friday, March 28, at the Morton Theatre. The 2025 theme was Destination. It started at 7 p.m. and concluded around 10 p.m. including seven total speeches, about 530 guests and two brief breaks.
Biking is becoming an increasingly popular method of transportation for Athenians. This trend, however, has highlighted the ways in which Athens is largely inaccessible for biking. Clubs on the University of Georgias campus and other local organizations are striving to improve bike safety and accessibility within Athens to make it a place where more people want to bike and feel comfortable doing so.
In 1980, a band of bighorn sheep were captured from the Sun River area along the Rocky Mountain Front and moved to a foreign landscape to the east, north of Montanas massive Fort Peck Reservoir.

The mixed grass prairie and badland environment of the C.M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge surrounding the reservoir was a new, but also ancient, location for the animals  an area in which their ancestors once thrived until being wiped out in the early 20th century by a combination of livestock competition, habitat loss, disease, and unregulated hunting, according to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks 2010 publication Montana Bighorn Sheep Conservation Strategy.

Now theres a concern that history is repeating itself in this region of the Missouri River Breaks.

This year, FWP biologists located only five animals in Hunting District 622, one of which died while being observed and was retrieved for a necropsy. FWP has not yet released results.

In light of the severe population decline, the Fish and Wildlife Commission decided in an emergency March meeting to close HD 622 to all bighorn sheep hunting.

Cause of die-off still unknown

What caused the once thriving band of bighorn sheep to vanish?

This is a puzzle, said Scott Thompson, Region 6 wildlife manager for FWP. Something has changed here and were not sure what it is.

The puzzle needs to be solved before FWP moves to transplant any more sheep into the area, he added.

Disease, drought and predators like mountain lions have all been blamed for the herds demise. Unfortunately, large die-offs are not an unusual occurrence for bighorn sheep in Montana. Other herds have boomed and then went bust. Some barely trickle along at low populations unable to rebuild.

Scientists have searched for answers, capturing and collaring wild sheep to track their movements, taking blood and nose swabs for laboratory analysis.

Change in thinking

Years ago, mingling with domestic sheep was often blamed for bighorn die-offs. The livestock carry pathogens the bighorns were susceptible to, potentially leading to pneumonia outbreaks that could wipe out entire herds.

Keep domestic and wild sheep separate, wildlife experts postulated, and the bighorns should be OK. One outcome of this philosophy is that wandering bighorn rams, an animal for which it is hard for hunters to draw a tag to kill, were shot by wildlife officials out of fear the animal might spread disease, including two rams from the HD 622 herd a decade ago.

I talked with most of the domestic producers in lower 622, wrote Brent Roeder, a Montana State University Extension sheep specialist, in an email. They say they have never seen a wild sheep next to their domestics.

One of the larger producers in the area sold out this winter as coyotes cut production, Roeder said. That leaves only two sheep producers in the region, one of which is farther to the west.

Roeder is part of a research team at MSU that has received $4 million in funding to help lay the groundwork for disease prevention and management of wild and domestic sheep around the state and region, according to a 2024 MSU press release.

In addition to assessing how often bighorns and domestic sheep interact, the study is aimed at finding adaptive management strategies to allow both species to exist  and to help understand how diseases spread among populations.

Other research has looked at different causes for bighorn sheep declines. Studies showed herds may carry the same pathogens, but one collapses while the other seems immune. Something else had to be triggering the response, scientists speculated. Could it be nutrition related?

The nutritional status of these animals is a critical determinant of their survival, reproduction, and overall population dynamics, a study published by MSU researchers this year noted. Enhancing our understanding of their metabolic responses to nutritional stress is essential.

The study took samples from 388 wild bighorn sheep in Montana and Wyoming collected between 2014 and 2017 from December through March in an attempt to identify characteristic metabolic patterns and metabolic interactions between early and severe states of poor nutrition.

"This research strengthens our understanding of metabolic adaptations to environmental stressors in wild ruminants, offering a foundation for improving management practices to maintain healthy bighorn sheep populations," the researchers wrote.

Bighorns carry lots of pathogens

In 2022, FWP published its findings from a six-year study of 14 bighorn herds, taking samples from more than 500 animals to establish their baseline health status.

At the root of the study was the recognition that respiratory disease has been identified as one of the largest and most damaging health issues facing bighorn sheep, not just in Montana, but across the West, resulting in pronounced effects on bighorn sheep populations.

Twenty-five outbreaks of respiratory disease have been documented in Montana since 1979.

Yet the researchers found no exposure of the HD 622 herd to the main respiratory bug  Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae.

What they found, however, was plenty of scary sounding pathogens, including: Mannheimia haemolytica/glucosida, Mannheimia species/ruminalis, non-hemolytic Bibersteinia trehalose and contagious ecthyma.

The bighorns also carried parasites like coccidia and Protostrongylus lungworms.

Theyd also been exposed to epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus, which is transmitted by biting midges, as well as bovine respiratory syncytial virus.

Despite the presence of all these infectious agents, only four years ago FWP researchers identified the Middle Missouri Breaks herd as among our most robust populations, with no history of respiratory disease and consistently good body condition.

Prairies hold possibilities

A study published in 2020 led by Jesse DeVoe, who went on to become an FWP researcher, hailed Montanas prairie habitat as the next best place for establishing new bighorn sheep populations. At the time bighorns were occupying less than 6% of their historical range in Eastern Montana.

The Middle Missouri Breaks seemed one of the best areas for transplants, seeing as more than 80% of the land is under federal ownership by the Bureau of Land Management or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Initially, bighorn sheep populations north and south of the Missouri River were doing so well that they were the source for seven transplant operations that moved nearly 150 sheep to other herds.

When the Middle Missouri Breaks animals were first transplanted in 1980, half of the sheep almost immediately lit out 13 miles farther east into the Iron Stake Ridge/Larb Hills area, FWP reported. Once on the go, they even expanded farther east to the Bone Trail region.

The other half of the transplants decided to stick around and explore where theyd been dropped off, occupying the Mickey and Brandon Buttes area, according to a 2022 Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks report. The remote terrain is located between Fourchette Bay and the UL Bend National Wildlife Refuge.

In 1986, a total of 90 sheep were observed during ground surveys, and a limited license hunting season was instituted for these two fairly distinct herds, according to FWP.

By 2008 the bighorn population in the hunting district had grown to 202 animals in a hunting district that is spread across about 116 square miles.

Habitat concerns raised early

Despite this early success, by 2010 FWP biologists were concerned about limited habitat and disease in the Mickey-Brandon buttes area herd.

Sheep habitat in this hunting district is more limited and of lower quality when compared to other Missouri River Breaks bighorn sheep hunting districts and thus supports lower population densities of bighorns.

The smaller herd averaged 50 animals between 1986 and 2010, peaking at 80 bighorns in the mid-1990s before falling to only six animals by 2016. Then the herd vanished.

Between 1997 and 2001, lamb and ewe numbers dropped to less than half of previous levels in the Mickey-Brandon buttes subpopulation, FWP noted. Although no sick or dead animals were found, this decrease is believed to have been disease and nutrition related and was largely the result of very poor reproduction for a period of 5 years.

Meanwhile the bigger herd grew to a high of 318 sheep by 2016, large enough that 20 animals were captured and relocated to boost a different herds population in northwestern Montana.

We were pretty aggressive managing sheep numbers to objective there, Thompson, the FWP wildlife manager noted.

By 2016, 73 tags were issued to hunters in the district with 70 animals killed, 10 of them rams. By last season that had fallen to nine hunters who shot six bighorns, five of them rams.

Weve had our eye on that region for over a year encouraging (FWP to take) a deeper dive into the declining population, said Ty Stubblefield, executive director of the Montana Wild Sheep Foundation. Weve gone from being the tag everyone wanted to buy to being third or fourth fiddle.

There are now 45 populations of bighorns across Montana with 36 sustaining limited hunting, according to FWP. Officials estimate that 5,700 bighorn sheep inhabit Montana, excluding Yellowstone and Glacier national parks.

Unfortunately, many of these herds are small and isolated.
Electronics manufacturing services firm Dixon Technologies is setting up a Rs 1,000-crore facility near Chennai and signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Tamil Nadu government on Wednesday.

Photograph: Kind courtesy, Dixon Technologies

The factory, which will come up at Oragadam in neighbouring Kancheepuram district, is expected to generate 5,000 jobs in the region, the state government said.

Top officials from Dixon Technologies, led by executive chairman Sunil Vachani and vice president Prithvi Vachani, exchanged documents with Darez Ahamed, MD and CEO of Tamil Nadu's nodal investment promotion agency Guidance, in the presence of Chief Minister M K Stalin and Industries Minister T R B Rajaa, among others, at the Secretariat on Wednesday.

As per the MoU, Dixon Technologies will set up the facility at the Indospace Industrial Park in Oragadam, located about 45 km south of Chennai.

The factory will produce laptops and all-in-one personal computers and offer electronic manufacturing services to other companies.

Speaking on the occasion, Rajaa said HP laptops would soon be made at the facility.

The investment by Dixon Technologies comes in the backdrop of the government building a $100 billion electronics manufacturing ecosystem in the State.

"Another big day for electronics manufacturing in Tamil Nadu.

"Today, in the presence of Chief Minister M K Stalin, Dixon Technologies has signed an MoU for a brand new, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility at Oragadam near Chennai with an investment of Rs 1,000 crore, in which they will be manufacturing laptops," he said in a social media post.

"A massive win for Tamil Nadu's youth and our continued efforts to drive industrial growth.

"Dixon's leadership acknowledged what we have always believedTamil Nadu's progressive policies, robust infrastructure, highly skilled workforce, and above all, ease of doing business at a fast pace make it the most attractive destination for manufacturing in India."

"Under the leadership of the Chief Minister, we are building a $100 billion electronics manufacturing ecosystemand every factory we launch is a step closer to that dream.

"Welcome to Tamil Nadu, Dixon, HP, and all the other brands whose devices will now be manufactured here in TN," he added.

In a press release, the government said Dixon Technologies, established in 1993, has been providing contract manufacturing services to various companies, including Samsung, Xiaomi, Motorola, boAt, Panasonic, TCL Technologies, and OnePlus, among others.

Tamil Nadu has received investment commitments worth Rs 10,14,368 crore by signing 895 MoUs with various companies since May 2021, creating 32 lakh jobs in the state.

The government said it is taking all necessary measures to become a $1 trillion economy by 2030 while continuing to generate employment.

Citing an economic research report, the government said the state achieved 9.69 per cent growth in FY 202425  the highest in the past 10 yearssecuring the top rank among Indian states, according to the release.
Indias policy for agriculture trade must move commodity-by-commodity to gain maximum benefits as US President Donald Trumps 26 per cent tariff on exports from the country take effect, said agriculture economist Ashok Gulati in a recent policy paper.

India should rationalise 'outlier tariffs' -- those above 50 per cent -- on agricultural items, said the paper written for the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations.

The country should consider employing tariff quotas on sensitive food items such as (wheat and dairy), the paper said.

India usually has large domestic surplus in wheat and dairy and though the paper did not say this explicitly, a tariff quota on the two items will ensure that domestic industry is not harmed and trade relations are not affected as well.

'India must simultaneously push the US for preferential market access on high-value Indian agri exports, such as mangoes, grapes, pomegranates, bananas which have long faced regulatory hurdles in the US, while streamlining our export supply chain,' said the paper, which was co-written by Sulakshana Rao and Tanay Suntwal.

With the right mix of diplomacy and economic strategy, India can strengthen its position in the US markets, even as the global trade order begins to shift.

The paper called for diversifying Indias agriculture exports markets away from the US towards regions like the European Union (EU).

'The EU, with 28.42 per cent of global imports, is a viable alternative.

"Fast tracking FTAs [free trade agreements] with the EU and even UK is key to staying competitive amid rising trade tensions,' the paper said.

Things are in flux and the impact of Trumps tariffs will be known in at least three to six to months.

'[The] Main point that we want to emphasise here is that India should not see the 26 per cent tariff in isolation, it must be assessed in relation to how Indias competitors are affected. While India was levied an average additional tariff of 26 per cent, China was imposed a massive 54 per cent.'

This presents India with a strategic opportunity to occupy the space that China will likely vacate in key labour-intensive and export sectors, said the paper.

As an example, the paper said in textiles (HSN codes 57, 61, 62 and 63), where India's exports to the US stood at $9.5 billion (2023), there is now a potential upside over the next few years if India can plug the gap left by China (54 per cent new US tariff levy), Bangladesh (37 per cent) and Vietnam (46 per cent).

Besides agriculture, India enjoys a relatively better tariff position in machinery, smartphone, telecom, and networking; toys and games, leather, and footwear sector.

'Our research implies that India has a strategic opportunity to occupy the space that China will likely vacate in key labour-intensive and other export sectors.

'Indias approach to Trumps reciprocal tariff move must be constructive and not combative.

'The bilateral talks [with the US] beginning next week should be forward looking towards Mission 500, i.e., more than doubling bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030,' the paper said.

Indias largest agricultural export to the US is shrimp and prawn products, both in frozen (HSN 030617) and prepared/preserved (HSN 160521) forms.

'With a current 0-5 per cent tariff, Indian shrimp accounts for over 40 per cent market share in frozen and 27 per cent in prepared segments.

'However, under a reciprocal tariff regime, Indias exports will attract 26 per cent duties, making them significantly costlier.

In contrast, Ecuador, and Argentina benefit from 10 per cent tariffs, while Indonesia (32 per cent), Vietnam (46 per cent), and Thailand (36 per cent) face higher tariffs.

'While we do have cost competitiveness, the cost burden of tariffs gradually reduces our share especially in value-added segments. India may lose its market share to Ecuador and Argentina,' the paper said.

The USAs most favoured nation tariff on rice is already high at 11.2 percent, and its proposed reciprocal 26 per cent tariff would further constrain India's competitiveness.

Thailand, the largest supplier to the US, faces a higher 36 percent tariff advantageous to India, although Thailands Jasmine rice carries a special preference for many.

'India needs to improve on branding and quality differentiation of Indian basmati and other rice varieties like Sona Masuri, to capture some share of Thai rice,' the paper said.

It said among other items, like vegetable saps and extracts (HSN 130219) and plant-based products used in perfumery and pharmacy (HSN 121190), India currently has 30 percent market share with existing zero tariffs.

'However, post the 26 percent additional reciprocal tariff, Indian products would become more expensive than competitors Mexico, France, and Spain, many of whom benefit from lower duties or FTA-based preferential access,' the report said.
'In today's political spectrum, it is the Bharatiya Janata Party that always says, nation first.'

IMAGE: Colonel S Dinny (retd) joins the Bharatiya Janata Party in Thiruvananthapuram in the presence of the BJP's Kerala state President Rajeev Chandrasekhar. Photograph: Kind courtesy Colonel S Dinny (Retd)/X

In a bid to capture power in Kerala, the Bharatiya Janata Party's state unit is enlisting high-profile Malayalis including retired bureaucrats and defence personnel.

Metro Sreedharan was one such personality who unsuccessfully contested the assembly elections last time.

With businessman and former Union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar appointed as the BJP's new state president, the party is going after more and more well-known names.

The latest to join the BJP is retired Colonel Sashidharan Dinny who served as an Indian Army infantry (Rajput Regiment) officer for more than 20 years.

After serving multiple tenures in the Kashmir valley, the North East and along the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh, the colonel retired from the army and settled in Kollam in Kerala.

"Our aim is to come to power in Kerala in 2026. There will be a paradigm shift in the way elections will be fought and also in the outcome in 2026," Colonel Dinny (retd) tells Rediff's Shobha Warrier.

Has Rajeev Chandrasekhar taking over as president of the Kerala state BJP a reason for you joining the BJP now?

Rajeev Chandrasekharji becoming the Kerala BJP president is definitely one of the important factors that made join the party right now.

I also believe that politics is a means to make some positive influence.

What attracted you to the BJP?

I am an army man and for me, the nation comes first.

I am also the son of an air force veteran. Throughout my life, I have only heard everyone talking about our country.

In today's political spectrum, it is the Bharatiya Janata Party that always says, nation first.

You mean the other political parties do not feel or talk that way?

They do talk but only when it is convenient for them.

Otherwise, some parties are based of party ideology, some on religion or some on other factors.

But here at the BJP, from the topmost leadership to the karyakarta on the ground, it is rashtra pradham or nation first.

And every citizen is included in the nation-first ideology, without exception. That is how it is in the army also.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is felicitated in Thiruvananthapuram, February 27, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

You said when you say nation first, it includes everybody. But many BJP leaders often talk about us and them. Do you agree you are othering the minorities?

I do not agree; the party is othering the minorities.

If you look at the administration of Prime Minister Modi, you will see that there is no discrimination based on any caste or religion.

When the CAA (Citizen [Amendment] Act) was brought in, there were talks that Muslims would be driven out of the country. Can you say anyone has been expedited based on religion? Till now, not a single person has been expelled or asked to move out of our nation.

This narrative has been built by other political parties purely to gain political mileage.

Our party believes that the country belongs to all.

The BJP as a political party has never indulged in othering the minorities.

The ideology at the highest level is sabka saath, sabka vikas, sabka vishwas.

Today, we have to get over the mentality of othering the minorities, the idea of Hindutva Rashtra, etc.

But all this started after the BJP came to power....

If you want to say that it happened after 2013, my only contention is, has there been any incident which substantiates that as a government, has the party discriminated against any religion in any decision or action after 2014?

I know your answer will be no.

I do agree that some unfortunate incidents happened in some parts of the country but you will also agree that in a large country like ours, everybody will have his or her opinion.

But as a State policy, there is no othering of minorities.

Based on the performance of the government, it clearly shows that there is no discrimination whatsoever against the minorities.

If you look at the nations that have honoured the prime minister, you will see that majority of them are in the Middle East. They are intelligent people with very high political knowledge, and they know what they are doing. They don't have to honour a prime minister if he or the party is othering the minorities especially the Muslims.

This narrative that is there is not true as facts on ground are different.

Every citizen is equal under the Constitution, and we follow the Constitution faithfully. That's what the last 11 years have shown.

IMAGE: Rajeev Chandrasekhar hoists the party flag at the state office on the occasion of the BJP's Foundation Day. Photograph: Kind courtesy BJP Kerala/X

In a state like Kerala where half the population constitute Christians and Muslims, what are the chances of the BJP making an impact in Kerala?

I do agree that demography plays an important role in India's politics today.

You see what happened in Goa, a Christian dominated state where the BJP is in power.

Once people realise that this party is not against any particular religion or caste, they will see that this is the party or the government that has performed well in various development issues.

When that is understood by the minorities of Kerala, a change will definitely happen.

Let me ask, what is the other alternative they have at this moment in Kerala other than the LDF and the UDF?

If you ask anybody in Kerala, everybody without exception, is dissatisfied with the LDF government.

They are totally dissatisfied with the performance of the LDF government whether it is price rise or unemployment or crime rate or the condition of the infrastructure or investment coming....

Kerala has the maximum number of students going abroad to study. And they are not coming back. Why? There are no job opportunities here.

The maximum number of terror related incidents happen in Kerala.

There is a narcotics outburst in Kerala. Young people are becoming drug addicts and killing their own parents.

This is the current state of Kerala.

And today people of Kerala understand that there has to be a change. They want a change.

Unless there is a political change, social changes will not happen.

Once Kerala was much ahead of other states.

IMAGE: Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the BJP candidate for the Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha constituency, during his election campaign in Vizhinjam ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, April 19, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

Even today, Kerala is ahead of other states in many developmental parameters like education, healthcare, quality of life etc though Tamil Nadu has almost caught up...

I agree that Kerala is ahead of many other states when you look at the parameters.

I will give you an example. If Kerala once was say 7 out of 10 on the scale of 10 in health while the other states were 2 or 3 out of 10. But today, these states have reached 6 or 7 while Kerala is struggling to move from 7 to 7.5.

It means we have not improved from where we were decades ago while those states which were way behind us have almost caught up with us.

What I want to say is, Kerala is experiencing a kind of stagnation in development.

In fact, in some other parameters, Kerala has gone down too, like in the number of investments coming to Kerala, entrepreneurship, etc.

The rulers of Kerala must answer why this is happening.

We need to do some serious introspection.

What Kerala needs is a drastic change and people are already aware of it.

Do you think the BJP has a chance of improving its position in the 2026 election?

Absolutely. Not only improving our position but winning too.

After all, every political party fight the election with the intention to win.

Our aim also is to come to power in Kerala in 2026.

I agree there are a lot of challenges but there will be a paradigm shift in the way the Kerala electorate will look at the elections in 2026.

Why do you feel there will be a paradigm shift?

I live in Kerala, and I can feel the resentment among people because things are not happening the way it should.

The resentment against the present government is very strong today.

Added to that is the feeling that there is no other alternative available to them other than the BJP.

That's why I say that there will be a paradigm shift in the way elections will be fought and also in the outcome in 2026.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a key accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, was brought to India after being "successfully extradited" from the US and was formally arrested, the National Investigation Agency announced on Thursday.

IMAGE: 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana (second from left) in NIA custody after extradition from the US, April 10, 2025. Photograph: Courtesy NIA on X

The 64-year-old Canadian citizen of Pakistani origin landed in Delhi in a special plane from Los Angeles Thursday evening, ending days of speculation of when and how he will be extradited, officials said.

In a statement late evening, the NIA said Rana was "formally arrested immediately after his arrival at Delhi airport".

Rana was escorted to Delhi by teams of NIA and National Security Guard, the agency said.

An NIA team at the airport arrested Rana soon after he emerged from the airplane, upon completion of all the necessary legal formalities, it said.

IMAGE: Cops stand guard outside Patiala court ahead of Tahawwur Ranas appearance before the court. Photograph: ANI Photo

The agency in an earlier statement said that it had secured the successful extradition after years of sustained and concerted efforts to bring to justice the key conspirator and "mastermind of the deadly attack" that claimed 166 lives.

"With the active assistance of USDoJ, the US Sky Marshal, NIA worked closely with other Indian intelligence agencies, NSG through the entire extradition process, which also saw India's ministry of external affairs and ministry of home affairs coordinating with the other relevant authorities in the United States to take the matter to its successful conclusion," the statement read.

Senior advocate Dayan Krishnan and special public prosecutor Narender Mann, who are representing the NIA, reached the Patiala House court premises shortly after news that Rana had landed in Delhi.

Police officials asked mediapersons to leave and said they were ensuring the court premises were fully vacant. The lawyers, however, refused to comment.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Special NIA judge Chander Jit Singh is hearing the case against Rana. Advocate Piyush Sachdeva from Delhi Legal Services Authority is representing the accused.

Meanwhile, tight security has been ensured outside the NIA headquarters at the CGO complex here and the entire premises has been cordoned off by security personnel of Delhi Police and Central Reserve Police Force.

Key roads outside and around the NIA office has been closed for any vehicular traffic. Entry and exit from gate no 2 of Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium metro station, which is opposite the probe agency's office, has been barred.

The announcement that Rana would be finally extradited came when Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the US capital in February. "We are giving a very violent man back to India immediately to face justice in India," US President Donald Trump said at a joint press conference with Modi on February 14.

Trump said his administration has approved the extradition of "very evil people of the world" Rana "to face justice in India".

IMAGE: Security personnel stand guard outside NIA Headquarters. Photograph: Shrikant Singh/ANI Photo

Rana was lodged in the Metropolitan Detention Centre in Los Angeles.

He was held in judicial custody in the US following proceedings initiated under the India-US Extradition Treaty for his extradition. The extradition finally came through after Rana exhausted all legal avenues to stay the move.

The District Court for the Central District of California had ordered his extradition on May 16, 2023. Rana then filed multiple litigations in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, all of which were rejected.

He subsequently filed a petition for a writ of certiorari, two habeas petitions, and an emergency application before the US Supreme Court, which were also denied.

"The extradition proceedings were initiated between the two countries after India eventually secured a surrender warrant for the wanted terrorist from the US government," the NIA said.

Rana is accused of conspiring with David Coleman Headley alias Daood Gilani, and operatives of designated terrorist organisations Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Harkat-ul-Jihadi Islami (HUJI) along with other Pakistan-based co-conspirators, to carry out the the three-day terror siege of India's financial capital.

Both LeT and HUJI have been declared terrorist organisations by the Indian government under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

Among the 166 killed were US, British and Israeli nationals. Besides, 238 were injured in the mayhem carried out by a group of 10 Pakistani terrorists on a railway station, two luxury hotels and a Jewish centre after they sneaked into Mumbai through the Arabian Sea.

The terrorists had targeted multiple iconic locations in Mumbai, including the Taj Mahal and Oberoi hotels, Leopold Cafe, Chabad House and Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus train station, each of which Headley had scouted in advance.

Rana would be the third person to be sent on trial in India in the case after Ajmal Kasab and Zabiuddin Ansari alias Abu Jundal. In November 2012, Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone surviving terrorist among the Pakistani group, was hanged to death in Yerawada Jail in Pune.

Rana had served in the Pakistan Army medical corps before emigrating to Canada in late 1990s and started his immigration consultancy firm. He later moved to the US and set up an office in Chicago.

Through his firm, Rana gave cover to Headley to carry out reconnaissance mission in Mumbai so that the terrorists could launch the attacks.

The officials said Rana's extradition would help probe agencies expose the role of Pakistani state actors behind the 26/11 attacks and may shed new light on the investigation.

His extradition from the US could provide important leads into his travels in parts of northern and southern India days before the carnage in 2008, NIA officials said.

Rana visited Hapur and Agra in Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Kochi in Kerala, Ahmedabad in Gujarat, and Mumbai in Maharashtra with his wife Samraz Rana Akhtar between November 13 and November 21, 2008, they said.

Rana had submitted business sponsor letters from 'Immigrant Law Center' and property Tax payment notice from the Cook County as his address proof.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) of the US arrested Rana in Chicago a year after the attacks in October 2009 for providing support for an aborted plan to behead employees of a newspaper, in Copenhagen (Denmark) in retaliation for the publication of cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed in it, and also for providing material support to Pakistan-based terrorist outfit LeT, which orchestrated the Mumbai attacks.

However, Rana was acquitted of conspiracy to provide material support to the Mumbai terror attacks. He was, however, convicted in 2011 in the other case and sentenced to 14 years, the officials said.

India has been trying to extradite Rana for many years because of his association with LeT and HUJI, Headley and for his active involvement in the Mumbai attacks.

It is alleged that Rana was aware of Headley's terror links and even helped in reconnaissance of targets in Mumbai and planning the attacks on the National Defence College in New Delhi and Chabad House in Mumbai.

The NIA had registered a case on November 11, 2009 under sections 121A of Indian Penal Code, Section 18 of UAPA and Section 6(2) SAARC Convention (Suppression of Terrorism) Act against Headley, Rana and others for being part of a criminal conspiracy with LeT and HUJI members to commit terrorist acts in New Delhi and other places in India.

During the NIA investigation, the roles of senior functionaries of banned terror groups LeT and HUJI -- Hafiz Muhammad Saeed alias Tayyaji, Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, Sajjid Majid alias Wasi, Illyas Kashmiri and Abdur Rehman Hashim Syed alias Major Abdurrehman alias Pasha have emerged.

They were working in active connivance and assistance from Pakistan spy agency ISI's officers namely Major Iqbal alias Major Ali, Major Sameer Ali alias Major Samir, all residents of Pakistan, the officials said.
Devika Rotawan, a survivor of the 26/11 Mumbai terrorist attacks, said on Thursday that the extradition of key accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana from the United States was a big win for India and demanded other conspirators holed up in Pakistan be also exposed and brought to book.

IMAGE: Taj Mahal hotel in Mumbai on November 27, 2008. Photograph: Punit Paranjpe/Reuters

Rotawan, a key witness in the 26/11 case who identified terrorist Mohammed Ajmal Kasab (the lone surviving attacker) in court during the trial, sought capital punishment for Rana (64).

At just nine years old, Rotawan was caught in the crossfire at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) in south Mumbai, one of the sites attacked by terrorists on the night of November 26, 2008.

She was struck by a bullet in her leg. Her testimony was crucial in the trial of Kasab, who was later convicted by a Mumbai court for his role in the attacks and hanged in 2012.

Talking about Rana's extradition to India, Rotawan, now 25, said she was happy that India has got one of the conspirators of the terror strikes to face justice in the country.

"This is a big win for India, and I want to thank the Indian government for this achievement. With Rana being brought to India to face justice, it is the beginning of the end of terrorism in India, " Rotawan told PTI.

Indian security agencies should gather more information from Rana during his interrogation and expose all terror elements still holed up in Pakistan, she averred.

"Rana should get capital punishment, but elements that are still sponsoring terrorism from Pakistan and encouraging terror activities should also get strict punishment," the survivor asserted.

On November 26, 2008, Rotawan, along with her father and brother, was going to Pune and was sitting between platform numbers 12 and 13 waiting for the train when the crowded station came under attack.

Recalling the night of carnage, she said, "I saw a man (later identified as Kasab) with a big gun in his hand opening fire at passengers. I saw many dead bodies and injured passengers. I was just nine years old then. I did not know what was happening in the front of my eyes."

After sustaining injuries in the firing, Rotawan fell unconscious and was rushed to the nearby St George Hospital first and then to the state-run J J Hospital in central Mumbai where she had six surgeries on her leg.

"I saw Kasab firing at passengers, and my father saw both Kasab and Abu Ismail (another terrorist who was killed by security forces). On June 10, 2009, we went to the trial court, where we identified Kasab," she recalled.

Former director of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) General Yogesh Chander Modi also termed the extradition of Rana as a big achievement for the nation.

Modi told ANI, "This is a big achievement for the nation, MEA and NIA...In the matter of Tahawwur Rana, there was the political will of India as well as America, due to which the process was able to move forward...NIA provide foolproof evidence in the courts in America and our team visited America many times...Foolproof security systems are available in India...The Central government, Delhi Police and NIA will ensure that proper interrogation of Tahawwur Rana is carried out and collect evidence so that the case can be brought to its logical conclusion..."

Rana is a Pakistan-born Canadian national and close associate of one of the main conspirators of the terror attacks, David Coleman Headley alias Daood Gilani, a US citizen.

More than 16 years ago, a group of 10 heavily armed Pakistani terrorists went on a rampage, carrying out a coordinated attack on the CSMT, two luxury hotels and a Jewish centre, after they sneaked into India's financial capital using the sea route in the Arabian Sea.

As many as 166 persons, including US citizens, were killed in the nearly 60-hour terror assault.

-- with ANI updates
Mumbai attack accused Tahawwur Rana's extradition reflects "new India's" zero-tolerance resolve towards terrorism under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Bharatiya Janata Party said on Thursday while accusing the Congress of being soft on terror for "vote-bank politics".

IMAGE: Senior advocate Dayan Krishnan and special public prosecutor for NIA, advocate Narender Mann (right) arrive at Patiala House Court ahead of Tahawwur Rana's appearance before the court, in New Delhi, April 10, 2025.. Photograph: ANI on X

The Congress, however, has said the Modi government did not initiate the process of Rana's extradition but benefited from the "mature, consistent and strategic diplomacy" that began under the United Progressive Alliance dispensation.

Rana, a key accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, is likely to be brought to India in a special flight on Thursday after all hurdles for his extradition were removed by the US, according to people familiar with the matter.

Addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters, national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said Rana's extradition was a "big achievement" of the Modi government and its security agencies.

It is also a tribute to the security personnel who made the supreme sacrifice while fighting Pakistan-sponsored terrorists and a "big step" towards rendering justice to more than 160 people, including those from the US, Israel, France, Germany, Italy and other countries, killed in the attack, he said.

"This extradition is not an ordinary extradition. This is a reflection of new India's resolve which Prime Minister Narendra Modi had described in 2019, saying that if anyone dared to attack India's unity, integrity, respect and its innocent people, the new India would bring such terrorists to justice," Poonawalla said.

The BJP spokesperson said Rana was being brought back to make him face justice due to a "sea change" in the "attitude and mindset" of the government under Modi towards terrorism and terror attacks.

It represents a "new India" with zero tolerance towards Pakistan-sponsored Islamic terrorism, and one that ensures national policy is not driven by vote-bank politics, he added.

"Earlier, especially between 2004-14 (when the UPA was at the helm), there was not a single month when there was no major terror attack in some major city of India," Poonawalla said.

The erstwhile UPA government remained a "mute spectator" to terror attack incidents and did not take "concrete steps" against such terrorists and the sponsors of terrorism in India, he charged.

The BJP spokesperson claimed major terror attacks that occurred during the UPA rule had "almost stopped" in the past 10 years due to the Modi government's policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism.

"Earlier, there used to be a soft corner and soft approach towards terrorism in the name of vote bank," he said and added, "During the UPA regime, countries that actively supported terrorism were granted the status of most-favoured nation."

The BJP spokesperson also took on the Samajawadi Party, alleging it tried to release some blast accused in Uttar Pradesh because they belonged to a "particular religion".

"The terrorists involved in the Rampur blast, Varanasi blast and Sankat Mochan explosion were later convicted but one party tried to release them due to their religion," he said.

Referring to the UPA government, Poonawalla said multiple attempts were made to blame India for some of the terror attacks between 2004 and 2014 instead of exposing Pakistan for sponsoring terror -- be it the Samjhauta Express blast or the Mumbai attack.

Senior Congress leaders even tried to create a "fake narrative", alleging that these attacks, including the one in Mumbai, were conspiracies by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Hindus, he charged.

"Now that India has achieved a major success in connection with the 26/11 attack, will those people who had claimed that 26/11 was a conspiracy by the RSS or Hindus apologise? Will those who said that Indian agencies, not Pakistan, were responsible for this terror attack now apologise?" Poonawalla asked.

"Will those who only prepared reports on Pakistan-sponsored terrorism between 2004 and 2014 but failed to take any strong action, showing no respect for the martyrdom of our people and brave security personnel. Will the ruling party of that time now apologise for it?" he further questioned.

In a statement, senior Congress leader and former Union home minister P Chidambaram said the government did not secure any breakthrough to make Rana's extradition possible nor was it the result of any grandstanding.

"While the Modi government is rushing to take credit for this development, the truth is far from its spin," he said in a statement.

This extradition is the culmination of a decade-and-a-half of painstaking diplomatic, legal and intelligence efforts initiated, led and sustained by the UPA government in close coordination with the US, Chidambaram said.
Days after her 'thulla' remark set off an unsavoury buzz, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta says it was not her intention to belittle or denigrate police personnel, asserting that she has huge respect for them.

IMAGE: Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. Photograph: Ishant/ANI Photo

In an exclusive interview with PTI on Wednesday evening, the 50-year-old chief minister also ascribed her off-colour personal remarks in the past against opposition leaders to her lack of maturity then, saying she does not mind accepting her mistakes.

"There have been mistakes by me on different platforms. For instance, during my speech in the Delhi Assembly, I used the word 'thulla' while narrating a story. It was not my intention to harm police personnel or jawans. I have immense respect for them," she said.

'Thulla' is a slang often used in the streets to refer to lower-rank policemen.

The chief minister said they work for 24 hours a day in the service of the nation, adding that she cannot explain how much respect she has for police personnel, who day in and day out, without caring for food, sleep and their own families, are available on one phone call and "we expect them to do their job".

The opposition Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has strongly criticised Gupta for her remarks in the Assembly on March 28, which it called were an insult to police personnel.

"Sometime, we commit some mistakes without any intention. When you realise after a while that you have made a mistake, you should always remember that this kind of mistake should not happen again in the future.... I do not mind accepting my mistakes," the chief minister said.

A first-time MLA, Gupta led the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to form the government in Delhi after more than 26 years, defeating the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP that ruled the national capital for 10 years.

Asked about her controversial comments on social media against opposition leaders in the past and whether those statements could have been made in a different way, Gupta said every person gradually attains a level of maturity in life.

"When we used to speak during childhood, we perhaps would not have much command on our language. As we grow up, we attain some level of maturity and further, we attain more maturity and better understanding," she said.

It happens in everyone's life, she said, adding that it is no different in her life and that she is not fool-proof.

Asked if she is the kind of person who is willing to change her opinion with time, Gupta said, "I am a person who convinces others or gets convinced by them. It is not that I say only what I have to say and do not listen to others."

For example, she said she has started a drive against posters and wall-writing on public properties even though she herself may have been responsible for the haphazard displays that are an eyesore and diminish the orderliness of the city.

Now that she has the responsibility of Delhi, she feels the city looks ugly with posters and wall-writings, Gupta added.

"When I decided that Delhi should not be like that, I first of all apologised to the people of Delhi because it was a mistake on my part too when some of my supporters would have pasted my posters (on public properties) and done wall-writing. I realised that it was wrong.

"Now, I say that we have to make Delhi neat and clean. I started with myself, saying we will not paste posters. I have requested all our MLAs and workers that we have to move towards a clean and beautiful Delhi and avoid doing it," she said.

Asked about her style of functioning, Gupta said she wants to take the public and the society along in her mission.

The city will not improve only with the efforts of the government and the chief minister, she said, pointing out that the task of 'Viksit Delhi', 'Swachh Delhi', 'Swasth Delhi' is not a job for one person and every citizen of Delhi will have to be associated with it.
The central government has appointed advocate Narender Mann as special public prosecutor to conduct trials and other matters related to the National Investigation Agency case RC-04/2009/NIA/DLI against Tahawwur Hussain Rana and David Coleman Headley; the latter is in a US prison following a plea deal.

IMAGE: Tahawwur Rana.



"In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 15 of the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008 (34 of 2008), read with sub-section (8) of section 18 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS), the central government hereby appoints Narender Mann, advocate, as special public prosecutor for conducting trial and other matters related to NIA case RC-04/2009/NIA/DLI on behalf of the National Investigation Agency before the NIA special courts at Delhi and appellate courts, for a period of 3 years from the date of publication of this notification or till the completion of trial of the said case, whichever is earlier," the ministry of home affairs notified on April 9.

Rana is being extradited to India, and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) will take custody of him upon arrival.

The US secretary of state had signed the surrender warrant authorising Rana's extradition to Indian authorities on February 11. Rana's legal counsel subsequently filed an emergency stay motion seeking to challenge that order. On April 7, the US Supreme Court denied Rana's petition for a stay of his extradition.

Rana, a Pakistani-Canadian national, was convicted in the US for the banned terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Tayiba (LeT) operatives and providing material support to the group responsible for the Mumbai attacks that killed over 174 people.

The Indian government has been seeking his extradition for years, and the US Supreme Court's recent decision has paved the way for his transfer to India.

According to the NIA, the government registered a case on November 11, 2009, at the NIA police station, New Delhi, as case RC-04/2009/NIA/DL under various sections.

"As per the Government of India, ministry of home affairs order No. 11034/10/ 2009-IS.VI dated 11/11/ 2009 National Investigation Agency (NIA) registered a case on 11/11/2009 at NIA police station, New Delhi as case RC-04/2009/NIA/DLI under sections 121A of IPC, Section 18 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and Section 6(2) SAARC Convention (Suppression of Terrorism) Act against 1) David Coleman Headley @ Daood Gilani (US Citizen), 2) Tahawwur Hussain Rana (Canadian citizen) and others," the NIA stated.

The NIA stated that the accused David Coleman Headley alias Daood Gilani and Tahawwur Hussain Rana were arrested by law enforcement agencies in the USA in their case.

"NIA sent extradition requests to USA for extradition of accused persons David Coleman Headley and Tahawwur Hussain Rana, which are still pending for execution by the authorities of USA. A letter Rogatory (letter of request for assistance in investigation) has been furnished to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and the reply is awaited from them. After completion of investigation, charge sheet has been filed in the Court of Hon'ble Special Judge, NIA, Patiala House, New Delhi on December 24, 2011 against all 9 accused persons uunder sections 120 B, read with 121, 121A, 302, 468 and 471 Indian Penal Code and sections 16,18 & 20 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act," the NIA stated.

Rana's extradition marks a significant step in the pursuit of justice for the victims of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.
India's disaster relief assistance has increased substantially in recent years, from Rs 1.60 crore in FY23 to Rs 41.18 crore in FY24, and Rs 27.88 cr in FY25 (until January 2025).

IMAGE: Indian Navy ship INS Ghariyal departs with 442 metric tonnes of essential food items for Myanmar under Operation Brahma, April 1, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Sri Lanka from April 4 to 6.

India's assistance to Sri Lanka increased by 112 per cent between financial year 2023-2024 (FY24) and FY25 (until January), but has declined significantly to Bangladesh, where violent protests forced Sheikh Hasina to resign as prime minister and seek refuge in India last August. (see chart 1).

In the wake of the earthquake in Myanmar, India has sent aid for its eastern neighbour.

India's disaster relief assistance has increased substantially in recent years, from Rs 1.60 crore in FY23 to Rs 41.18 crore in FY24, and Rs 27.88 cr in FY25 (until January 2025).

In addition to its development assistance, India has offered new loans, under the Lines of Credit (LOCs) and Concessional Financing Scheme (CFS), through a lending bank to six partner countries between January 2022 and January 2025.

The total amount of loans -- under LOCs and CFS -- offered to these partner countries during this period stands at over $3.73 billion.

This excludes disbursements for on-going projects under earlier LOCs.

The six partner countries include Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and Myanmar.

Over the years, out of the total LOCs of $32 billion under the 'Neighbourhood First' policy, India has extended LOCs worth $7.8 billion to Bangladesh, $1.65 billion to Nepal, over $ 2 billion to Sri Lanka, $745 million to Myanmar and $1.43 billion to Maldives.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
By Akbar Novruz



As part of the Azerbaijani delegations visit to Pakistan, led by Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov, Khayyam Farzaliyev, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of AzerGold CJSC, took part in the Pakistan Mineral Investment Forum held in Islamabad.

The forum focused on Pakistans mineral wealth and investment potential in the mining sector. Participants discussed the effective use of natural resources, the integration of modern technologies, and the importance of sustainable development practices in the industry.

Highlighting its strategic goal of becoming an international mining company, AzerGold is working to expand its global presence by studying best practices, strengthening international cooperation, and pursuing joint ventures with partner countries like Pakistan.
Senior advocate Dayan Krishnan, who led India's arguments for the extradition of 26/11 accused Tahawwur Rana in a United States court, is set to lead the National Investigation Agency's (NIA) prosecution in Delhi.

Rana, a close associate of 26/11 main conspirator David Coleman Headley alias Daood Gilani, a US citizen, is learnt to be on his way to India after the US Supreme Court on April 4 dismissed his review plea against his extradition to India.

Krishnan, who has been associated with the extradition proceedings since 2010, will have assistance from Special Prosecutor Narender Mann, a seasoned criminal lawyer, who has earlier represented the Central Bureau of Investigation in the Delhi high court.

The prosecution team will also comprise advocates Sanjeevi Sheshadri and Sridhar Kale aside from the NIA counsel, it is learnt.

The turning point in the extradition case came in May 2023. Rana's trial had begun in 2018.

"The most important decision of his extradition came on May 16, 2023, being the first judgment by the Magistrate Judge, US District Court of Central District of California," said a source close to the extradition proceedings.

The Magistrate Court while allowing the extradition confirmed Krishnan's opinion -- he argued that Rana's case was not of double jeopardy.

The proceedings, the source said, saw a spirited legal fight between Krishnan and another extradition veteran Paul Garlick QC, who was representing Rana.

Garlick, the source said, argued that it was a case of double jeopardy. Krishnan, on the contrary, argued that an accused's conduct didn't determine the circumstances but the elements of the crime.

Double jeopardy, in legal parlance, means an accused being punished twice for the same offence or crime.

The submissions of Krishnan, who represented the government of India along with the US Department of Justice, were accepted by the court.

The second crucial milestone for the Indian government came when Rana's appeal was dismissed by a US District Judge on August 10, 2023.

Following the dismissal of his appeal, Rana moved the US Court of Appeals 9th Circuit, but was faced with another setback for his plea was rejected on August 15, 2024, the source said.

Rana, 64, a Pakistan-born Canadian national, then moved the US Supreme Court, which denied him any reprieve on January 21, 2025.

Finally, on April 4, the US Supreme Court dismissed the review plea filed by Rana as a last-ditch attempt, finally paving the way for his extradition, the source added.

On November 26, 2008, a group of 10 Pakistani terrorists went on a rampage, carrying out a coordinated attack in Mumbai's CST, two luxury hotels and a Jewish centre, after they sneaked into India's financial capital using the sea route in the Arabian Sea. The three-day terror siege killed 166 people.
Following a complaint filed by Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati's niece, an FIR was registered on Thursday against Hapur Municipal Council chairperson and six of her family members on charges of domestic violence, dowry harassment and sexual harassment after a court directive, police said.

IMAGE: BSP supremo Mayawati addresses a press conference, in Lucknow, January 16, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo

The woman married Vishal, son of Hapur Municipal Council chairperson Pushpa Devi, on November 9, 2023, Rajeev Sharma, an advocate representing the complainant, said.

Taking note of the matter, the Bahujan Samaj Party on Thursday expelled Pushpa Devi, her husband Shripal Singh and son Vishal Singh from the party for anti-party activities and indiscipline, the party's district president AK Kardam said in a press release.

"Ever since the marriage, the accused family allegedly used its political clout to demand a party ticket, Rs 50 lakh in cash, and a flat as dowry," Sharma said.

The complainant alleged that her husband used steroids for bodybuilding, which rendered him medically unfit for conjugal life.

Frequent arguments followed, and on February 17, 2025, her father-in-law and brother-in-law allegedly attempted to sexually assault her, she claimed.

After this, she returned to her parental home, Sharma said.

Despite lodging a complaint with the police, no action was taken initially, prompting the complainant to approached the court, he said.

"On the direction of chief judicial magistrate Brahmpal Singh, an FIR was registered at the Hapur Nagar Kotwali on April 10," SHO Munish Pratap Singh said.

Charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Dowry Prohibition Act have been filed against the accused, the SHO said.

The named accused include Pushpa Devi, her husband Shripal Singh, Vishal (the complainant's husband), and four of their relatives, he added.

According to the FIR, the woman was mentally and physically harassed by her husband, in-laws, and other family members who demanded Rs 50 lakh in cash and a flat in Ghaziabad.

When the woman confronted her in-laws about her husband's alleged medical condition, her mother-in-law and sister-in-law reportedly suggested that she have a child with her brother-in-law Bhupendra alias Monu.

On the night of February 17, her father-in-law and brother-in-law attempted to sexually assault her, according to the FIR.

"Despite raising an alarm, they threatened to destroy her and her family's reputation if their dowry demands were not met," the complaint alleged.

The victim claimed that due to the political influence of her in-laws, her complaints were initially ignored.

She sent a registered complaint to the superintendent of police on March 21 but received no response, following which she moved the court on March 24.
Mumbai 'Chai Wala' known as 'Chhotu' aka Mohammed Taufiq, whose alertness saved lives during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks stated that there is no need for India to provide Tahawwur Rana with cell and Biryani and facilities which were provided to Ajmal Kasab, one of the terrorists involved in Mumbai attacks.

IMAGE: Photographers run past burning Taj Mahal Hotel during a gun battle in Mumbai November 29, 2008. Photograph: Arko Datta/Reuters

He also demanded that there should be separate laws to deal with terrorists.

Rana has been accused of being involved in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, where innocent people were killed, and is expected to stand trial in India.

On 26/11 Mumbai attacks accused Tahawwur Rana's extradition to India, Mohammed Taufiq, a tea seller known as 'Chhotu Chai Wala' whose alertness helped a large number of people escape the attack, told ANI, "...For India, there is no need to provide him with a cell. Biryani and facilities like those given to Kasab. There should be a separate law for terrorists, a system should be in place so that they are hanged within 2-3 months..."

On April 7, the Supreme Court of the United States rejected Tahawwur Rana's plea to stay his extradition to India. Rana filed an emergency application with Chief Justice Roberts on March 20, 2025, seeking a stay on his extradition.

"The application for stay addressed to The Chief Justice and referred to the Court is denied," the SC order dated Monday, April 7, stated.

According to the Mumbai Crime Branch, a case of criminal conspiracy against Rana was originally lodged by the NIA in Delhi following the deadly November 2008 attacks in which over 160 people were killed.

The ongoing extradition process pertains to that case. However, officials clarified that it is yet to be determined whether Mumbai Police can seek his custody for any local investigation linked to the attacks.

"Only after examining the grounds of extradition will it be clear whether custody can be sought by the Mumbai Crime Branch in this matter," sources said.

Sources added that the Mumbai Police has not received any formal communication so far regarding Rana's transfer to the city for questioning or judicial proceedings.

Tahawwur Rana, a Pakistani-Canadian national, was convicted in the US for the banned terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operatives and providing material support to the group responsible for the Mumbai attacks that killed over 174 people.
Pakistan on Thursday said that it has nothing to do with the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack accused Tahawwur Rana, asserting that he is a Canadian national and has not renewed his Pakistani documents for over two decades.

IMAGE: Mumbai terror attack accused Tahawwur Rana. Photograph: ANI Photo

Born in Pakistan in 1961, Rana served in the Pakistan Army Medical Corps, before migrating in the 1990s to Canada, where he was given citizenship.

"He is a Canadian national and as per our record he has not renewed his Pakistani documents for over two decades," foreign office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said while responding to a question during his weekly press briefing in Islamabad.

Though the spokesperson stopped short of providing details of "documents", such documents often include a national identity card for overseas Pakistanis and a passport.

Rana is known to be associated with Pakistani-American terrorist David Coleman Headley, one of the main conspirators of the 26/11 attacks. Headley conducted a recce of Mumbai before the attacks by posing as an employee of Rana's immigration consultancy.

A total of 166 people, including six Americans, were killed in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks in which 10 Pakistani terrorists laid a more than 60-hour siege, attacking and killing people at iconic and vital locations in Mumbai.

Rana is accused of plotting the attack and has been extradited from the US, years after the horrendous attack at the Indian financial hub shook the country.
In a sudden development, Pattali Makkal Katchi founder Dr S Ramadoss, on Thursday announced taking up the complete reins of the party and relegated his president son Anbumani as working president.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks with Pattali Makkal Katchi party founder Dr S Ramadoss (left) during a public meeting in Salem, Tamil Nadu, March 19, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

The rejig in the party has to be made taking into consideration the 2026 assembly election, he said.

The announcement was, however, met with opposition in Thindivanam in the state where a section of party workers supporting Anbumani staged an agitation demanding the reinstatement of junior Ramadoss as party president.

The Vanniyar-dominated PMK, formed in 1989, has five MLAs in the 234-member state assembly. During the 2021 assembly election, the party contested 23 seats in alliance with the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and won five.

It parted ways with the AIADMK and firmed up a poll pact with the Bharatiya Janata Party in 2024 and unsuccessfully contested the Lok Sabha election.

"I have formulated an action plan taking into account the 2026 Assembly election. In order to execute them, I consider it necessary to restructure the PMK," Ramadoss said.

"I am making this announcement wholeheartedly. As founder of PMK, I am taking up the position as its president and appoint Dr Anbumani Ramadoss as the working president," senior Ramadoss told reporters at his Thailapuram residence near here.

His son, a former union minister, will strive for the party's victory in the poll, he added.

Ramadoss further said that former president G K Mani will be honorary president.

His dramatic announcement comes ahead of Union Home Minister Amit Shah's visit to Chennai.

On December 29, 2024, Anbumani had openly opposed his father appointing P Mukundan, Ramadoss' grandson, as PMK's youth wing secretary. Mukundan is son of Gandhimathi, Ramadoss' eldest daughter.

At the media briefing today, 85-year-old Ramadoss said he was imprisoned for spearheading protests seeking rights and was lodged in central prisons in the state.

"This took a toll on my health. I regained my health with the active cooperation and support of my party workers," he added.

Asked if the PMK would continue its alliance with the BJP for the next Assembly election, Ramadoss replied, "I have become the founder-president only today. A decision will be made in consultation with the party's legislators, governing council and executive committee members."

Meanwhile, BJP state chief K Annamalai initially declined to comment on the leadership change announcement as it was the internal affairs' of the PMK.

However, he told reporters, "we hope the two leaders (Ramadoss and his son) will make a good decision and strengthen the NDA and strive for the people of Tamil Nadu.
The police have arrested a former data entry operator at an IT company who allegedly stole several auto-rickshaws in Maharashtra's Thane city to fund his liquor addiction, an official said on Thursday.

IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: Kamal Kishore/PTI Photo/ Rediff archives

The accused, a post-graduate in commerce, who had also worked as a driver at Dubai airport, learnt the theft techniques from information available on social media platforms like YouTube and WhatsApp, Naupada police station's senior inspector Abhay Mahajan said.

The man would steal an auto-rickshaw, operate it until the fuel ran out, and then abandon it. The fares he collected were used to purchase liquor, to which he got addicted after his wife left him some years back due to which he had been depressed, the official said.

The police have seized four stolen auto-rickshaws, a motorcycle and Rs 3.30 lakh cash from the accused, who had also worked as a data entry operator at an information technology firm, he said.

Following a complaint about a missing auto-rickshaw in Naupada area of the city, the police started a probe and examined footage of 70 to 80 CCTVs near the incident spot and other routes.

This led to the identification of the accused, a resident of Mumbra area, the official said.

On Monday, the police got information that the accused was planning to visit Naupada area again with the intention of stealing another auto-rickshaw.

The police laid a trap and apprehended the accused, the official said.

During interrogation, the accused told the police about his involvement in auto-rickshaw thefts in various localities across the city, including Naupada, Wagle Estate and Rabodi, he said.

Based on his questioning, the police have so far detected seven cases of auto-rickshaw theft registered at the Naupada, Rabodi and Wagle Estate police stations, the official said.

Three other cases were earlier registered against the accused at the Naupada, Kopri (both in Thane) and Vakola (in Mumbai) police stations for auto-rickshaw thefts, he said.
Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a key accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack case, had helped co-conspirator David Coleman Headley to obtain an Indian visa, a Mumbai police official familiar with the probe said.

IMAGE: Mumbai terror attack accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana in NIA custody after extradition from the US. Photograph: Courtesy NIA on X

The National Investigation Agency on Thursday evening formally arrested Rana following his extradition from the United States.

Rana had served in the Pakistan Army medical corps before emigrating to Canada in late 1990s and started an immigration consultancy firm. He later moved to the US and set up an office in Chicago.

Through his firm, Rana gave cover to Headley to carry out reconnaissance mission in Mumbai prior to the November 2008 attacks and helped him get a ten-year visa extension, the police official said on Thursday.

During his stay in India, Headley used the front of running an immigration business and was in regular contact with Rana.

There were more than 230 phone calls between the two during this period, the official said.

Rana was also in touch with `Major Iqbal', another co-conspirator of the attacks during this period, as per the NIA charge sheet.

Rana himself visited India in November 2008.

As per the charge sheet filed by the Mumbai police against Rana in 2023 in the 26/11 attack case, he lived in a hotel in Powai, and had a discussion about crowded places in South Mumbai with a person who has been listed as a witness in the case.

Subsequently, some of these places were targeted by the Pakistani terrorists during the deadly attacks that claimed 166 lives.

The terrorists targeted multiple iconic locations in Mumbai, including the Taj Mahal and Oberoi hotels, Leopold Cafe, Chabad House and Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus train station, each of which Headley had scouted in advance.
Mumbai terror attack case accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana, who is being extradited from the United States, is not in the custody of the Bureau of Prisons (BOP), the agency said.

Image used only for representation. Photograph: Marco Bello/Reuters

According to information on the website of the Federal Bureau of Prisons, Rana is 'Not in BOP Custody' as of April 8, 2025.

An official at the agency told PTI Wednesday that Rana is not in the custody of the Bureau of Prisons (BOP).

"If an individual is listed as 'Released' or 'Not in BOP Custody' and no facility location is indicated, the inmate is no longer in BOP custody, however, the inmate may still be in the custody of some other correctional/criminal justice system/law enforcement entity, or on parole or supervised release," the official said.

The 'inmate locator' information on the website lists the register number for Rana as '22829-424', his age, race and sex.

Rana, 64, is a Pakistan-born Canadian national and close associate of one of the main conspirators of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks David Coleman Headley alias Daood Gilani, a Pakistani American citizen.

According to government sources on early Wednesday, Rana is expected to be extradited to India 'shortly'.

A multi-agency team from India has gone to the United States and all paperwork and legalities are being completed with the US authorities.

Sources had said 'very high possibility' that Rana 'could be extradited shortly'.

The hugely significant development comes just days after Rana's last-resort attempt to evade extradition to India failed after the US Supreme Court justices denied his application, moving him closer to being handed over to Indian authorities to face justice in the dastardly attacks.

Rana was lodged in the Metropolitan Detention Centre in Los Angeles and had submitted an 'Emergency Application For Stay Pending Litigation of Petition For Writ of Habeas Corpus' on February 27, 2025 with Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States and Circuit Justice for the Ninth Circuit Elena Kagan.

Kagan had denied the application earlier last month.

Rana had then renewed his 'Emergency Application for Stay Pending Litigation of Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus previously addressed to Justice Kagan', and requested that the renewed application be directed to US Chief Justice John Roberts.

An order on the Supreme Court website had noted that Rana's renewed application has been 'distributed for Conference' on April 4 and the 'application' has been 'referred to the Court'.

A notice on the Supreme Court website Monday said that his application is 'denied' by the court.

In his emergency application, Rana had sought a 'stay of his extradition and surrender to India pending litigation (including exhaustion of all appeals) on the merits of his February 13, 2025 petition for a writ of habeas corpus 'asserting, inter alia, that his extradition to India violates United States law' implementing the terms of the United Nations Convention Against Torture, because there are substantial grounds for believing that, if extradited to India, petitioner will be in danger of being subjected to torture'.

'The likelihood of torture in this case is even higher though as petitioner faces acute risk as a Muslim of Pakistani origin charged in the Mumbai attacks,' the application said.

The application also said that his 'severe medical conditions' render extradition to Indian detention facilities a 'de facto' death sentence in this case.

It cited medical records from July 2024 that confirm Rana has multiple 'acute and life-threatening diagnoses', including multiple documented heart attacks, Parkinson's disease with cognitive decline, a mass suggestive of bladder cancer, stage 3 chronic kidney disease, and a history of chronic asthma, and multiple COVID-19 infections.

'Accordingly, petitioner certainly has raised a credible, if not compelling, factual case that there are indeed substantial grounds for believing he would be in danger of torture if surrendered to Indian authorities.

'Further, because of his Muslim religion, his Pakistani origin, his status as a former member of the Pakistani Army, the relation of the putative charges to the 2008 Mumbai attacks, and his chronic health conditions he is even more likely to be tortured than otherwise would be the case, and that torture is very likely to kill him in short order.'

The US Supreme Court denied Rana's petition for writ of certiorari relating to his original habeas petition on January 21, 2025. The application notes that on that same day, newly-confirmed Secretary of State Marco Rubio had met with External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar.

When Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Washington on February 12 to meet with US President Donald Trump, Rana's counsel received a letter from the Department of State, stating that 'on February 11, 2025, the Secretary of State decided to authorise' Rana's 'surrender to India', pursuant to the 'Extradition Treaty between the United States and India'.

Rana's Counsel requested from the State Department the complete administrative record on which Secretary Rubio based his decision to authorise Rana's surrender to India.

The Counsel also requested immediate information of any commitment the United States has obtained from India with respect to Rana's treatment.

'The government declined to provide any information in response to these requests,' the application said.

It added that given Rana's underlying health conditions and the State Department's own findings regarding treatment of prisoners, it is very likely that he will not survive long enough to be tried in India.

During a joint press conference with Prime Minister Modi in the White House in February, President Trump had announced that his administration has approved the extradition of 'very evil' Tahawwur Rana, wanted by Indian law enforcement agencies for his role in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, 'to face justice in India'.

The India-US joint statement issued during the Prime Minister's visit to US notes that Modi and Trump reaffirmed that the global scourge of terrorism must be fought and terrorist safe havens eliminated from every corner of the world.

'Recognising a shared desire to bring to justice those who would harm our citizens, the US announced that the extradition to India of Tahawwur Rana has been approved. The leaders further called on Pakistan to expeditiously bring to justice the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai, and Pathankot attacks and ensure that its territory is not used to carry out cross-border terrorist attacks.

'The leaders also pledged to work together to prevent proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems and to deny access to such weapons by terrorists and non-state actors,' the joint statement said.

On November 26, 2008, a group of 10 Pakistani terrorists went on a rampage, carrying out a coordinated attack on a railway station, two luxury hotels and a Jewish centre, after they sneaked into India's financial capital using the sea route in the Arabian Sea.

As many as 166 people were killed in the nearly 60-hour assault that sent shockwaves across the country and even brought India and Pakistan to the brink of war.
Mumbai terror attack accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana, who was extradited to the country from the US on Thursday, will now face the law in India, and his interrogation is likely to spill the beans on the role of Pakistani state actors behind the dastardly act that claimed 166 lives in 2008, official sources said.

IMAGE: Mumbai terror attack accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana in NIA custody after extradition from the US. Photograph: Courtesy NIA on X

The investigators also hope to find some important leads on his travels in parts of northern and southern India, days before the carnage in the country's financial capital in November 2008, they said.

Rana visited Hapur and Agra in Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Kochi, Ahmedabad, and Mumbai with his wife Samraz Rana Akhtar between November 13 and November 21, 2008, the sources said.

They said there could have been a larger conspiracy aimed at targeting other places across the country behind his visits to these places, and the exact details would be ascertained only after his interrogation.

Rana (64), a Pakistan-origin Canadian national, was brought from the US on a special flight by a multi-agency team comprising officials from the Indian law enforcement agencies and senior government functionaries, the sources said.

Rana's extradition came as the US Supreme Court recently denied his application challenging it.

Rana, who was lodged at a metropolitan detention centre in Los Angeles, is known to be associated with Pakistani-American terrorist David Coleman Headley, one of the main conspirators of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.

Rana's interrogation would help the probe agencies expose the role of Pakistani state actors behind the 26/11 attacks, and may shed new light on the investigation, the sources said.

On November 26, 2008, a group of 10 Pakistani terrorists went on a rampage, carrying out coordinated attacks on a railway station, two luxury hotels and a Jewish centre after sneaking into Mumbai through the Arabian sea.

Among the 166 people killed were US, British and Israeli nationals. The nearly 60-hour assault sent shockwaves across the country and even brought India and Pakistan to the brink of war.

The terrorists targeted multiple iconic locations in Mumbai, including the Taj Mahal and Oberoi hotels, Leopold Cafe, Chabad House and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus train station, each of which Headley had scouted in advance.

In November 2012, Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone surviving terrorist among the Pakistani attackers, was hanged to death at Yerawada Jail in Pune.

Rana was wanted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which is probing the 26/11 attacks case.

During the investigation, the roles of senior functionaries of terror outfits Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Harkat-ul Jihadi Islami (HuJI) -- Hafiz Muhammad Saeed alias Tayyaji, Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, Sajjid Majid alias Wasi, Illyas Kashmiri, and Abdur Rehman Hashim Syed alias Major Abdurrehman alias Pasha had emerged, the sources said.

They worked in active connivance with officials from Pakistan's spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence, namely Major Iqbal alias Major Ali and Major Sameer Ali alias Major Samir, as per the NIA.

After the completion of its investigation, the NIA filed a chargesheet before a Delhi court on December 24, 2011, against all the accused under Section 120 B (criminal conspiracy), read with 121, 121A, 302, 468 and 471, of the IPC, and Sections 16,18 and 20 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for providing logistic, financial and other assistance to Headly and the other co-conspirators towards the criminal conspiracy to organise terrorist attacks in India.

The NIA also sent extradition requests to the US for the extradition of Headley and Rana, the sources said.

Rana is said to have remained in contact with Major Iqbal, the sources said.

During his first visit to India, Headley spoke to Rana over phone for more than 32 times, they said. Subsequently, Headley spoke to Rana 23 times during his second visit, 40 times during the third visit, 37 times during the fifth visit, 33 times during the sixth visit, and 66 times during the eighth visit, they said, highlighting his active involvement in the Mumbai attacks conspiracy.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation in the US arrested Rana from Chicago a year after the attacks in October 2009 for providing support for an aborted plan to behead employees of a newspaper in Copenhagen (Denmark), and also for providing material support to the Lashkar-e-Taiba, which orchestrated the Mumbai attacks, the sources said, adding that Rana, however, was acquitted in the 26/11 case.

India was trying to extradite Rana for many years because of his association with the Lashkar-e-Tayiba, HuJI and Headley, and for his active involvement in the Mumbai attacks.

It is alleged that Rana was aware of Headley's terror links and even helped in reconnaissance of targets in Mumbai and planning the attacks on the National Defence College (NDC) in Delhi and the Chabad House in Mumbai.

The extradition of Rana was first cleared by the US Supreme Court in January, when it rejected his review petition in the case.

Rana submitted an "emergency application for stay pending litigation of petition for writ of habeas corpus" on February 27, 2025, with an associate justice of the US Supreme Court and Circuit Justice for the Ninth Circuit, Elena Kagan.

Kagan denied the application in March.

Rana then renewed his emergency application previously addressed to Justice Kagan, and requested that the renewed application be directed to US Chief Justice John Roberts.

The Supreme Court denied his application on April 7.
A Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna will hear on April 16 as many as 10 petitions, including the one filed by AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi, challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025.

IMAGE: The Supreme Court of India. Photograph: ANI Photo

According to the apex court website, besides the CJI, Justices Sanjay Kumar and KV Viswanathan are part of the three-judge bench for hearing the petitions.

In addition to Owaisi's plea, the court has listed for hearing the petitions filed by AAP leader Amanatullah Khan, Association for the Protection of Civil Rights, Arshad Madani, Samastha Kerala Jamiathul Ulema, Anjum Kadari, Taiyyab Khan Salmani, Mohammad Shafi, Mohammed Fazlurrahim and RJD leader Manoj Kumar Jha.

A few other petitions are yet to be listed before the bench by the apex court registry.

The Centre, on April 8, filed a caveat in the apex court and sought a hearing before any order was passed in the matter.

A caveat is filed by a party in the high courts and the apex court to ensure that no orders are passed without hearing it.

The central government on Tuesday notified the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, which got the assent of President Droupadi Murmu on April 5 after its passage from Parliament following heated debates in both houses.

The bill was passed in the Rajya Sabha with 128 members voting in favour and 95 opposing it.

It was cleared by the Lok Sabha with 288 members supporting it and 232 against it.

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), Congress MPs Imran Pratapgarhi and Mohammad Jawed are other key petitioners.

On April 7, a bench headed by the CJI assured senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, to consider listing the petitions.

The DMK moved the top court through its deputy general secretary A Raja and said in a press release, "Despite widespread opposition, the Waqf Amendment Bill, 2025 was passed by the Union government without proper consideration of the objections raised by the members of the JPC and the other stakeholders."

The party said the immediate implementation of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 infringes and prejudices the rights of about 50 lakh Muslims in Tamil Nadu and 20 crore Muslims in other parts of the country.

The AIMPLB filed the plea in the top court late April 6.

In a press statement, SQR Ilyas, the AIMPLB spokesperson, said the petition strongly objected to the amendments passed by Parliament for being "arbitrary, discriminatory and based on exclusion".

The amendments, it said, not only violated the fundamental rights guaranteed under Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution of India but also clearly revealed the government's intention to take complete control over the administration of Waqf, therefore, sidelining the Muslim minority from managing their own religious endowments.

Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution ensure freedom of conscience, the right to practice, propagate religion, and the right to establish and manage institutions for religious and charitable purposes, it said.

The plea is settled by advocate M R Shamshad, with advocate-on-record Talha Abdul Rahman representing the Muslim personal law board, through its General Secretary Maulana Fazlur Raheem Mujaddidi.

Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind also filed a petition in the apex court, claiming it was a "dangerous conspiracy" to strip Muslims of their religious freedom.

In its petition, Jamiat said the law was a "direct attack on the country's Constitution, which not only provides equal rights to its citizens but also grants them complete religious freedom".

In its separate plea filed in the top court, Samastha Kerala Jamiathul Ulema, a religious organisation of Sunni Muslim scholars and clerics in Kerala, has claimed the Act was a "blatant intrusion" into the rights of a religious denomination to manage its own affairs in the matter of religion.

Jawed's plea alleged the Act imposed "arbitrary restrictions" on Waqf properties and their management, undermining the Muslim community's religious autonomy.

The petition, filed through advocate Anas Tanwir, said the law discriminated against the Muslim community by "imposing restrictions that are not present in the governance of other religious endowments".

In a separate plea, Owaisi said it took away from Waqfs various protection which are accorded to Waqfs, and Hindus, Jain and Sikh religious and charitable endowments alike.

"This diminishing of the protection given to Waqfs while retaining them for religious and charitable endowments of other religions constitutes hostile discrimination against Muslims and is violative of Articles 14 and 15 of the Constitution, which prohibit discrimination on the grounds of religion," said Owaisi's plea, filed through advocate Lzafeer Ahmad.

NGO Association for the Protection of Civil Rights also filed a petition in the apex court challenging the constitutional validity of the Act.

AAP MLA Khan sought the law declared as unconstitutional, being violative of "Articles 14, 15, 21, 25, 26, 29, 30 and 300-A of the Constitution".

Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra has also approached the Supreme Court challenging the validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025.

Moitra, who filed her plea on April 9, has said the controversial amendment not only suffered from serious procedural lapses but also violated several fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution.

It is submitted that the violation of parliamentary practices during the law-making process has contributed to the unconstitutionality of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, the plea said.

Procedurally, the Chairperson of the Joint Parliamentary Committee flouted parliamentary rules and practices both at the stage of consideration and adoption of the draft report of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on the Waqf Amendment Bill and at the stage of presentation of the said report before Parliament, it said.

The plea said that dissenting opinions from the opposition MPs were reportedly redacted without justification from the final report presented in Parliament on February 13, 2025.

Such actions undermined the deliberative process of Parliament and violated established norms as outlined in authoritative parliamentary procedure manuals, it said.
Mumbai terror attack case accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana, who is being extradited from the United States, is likely to be lodged in a high-security ward in Tihar jail in New Delhi when he reaches India, prison sources said.

IMAGE: A security person stands guard at Tihar jail, in New Delhi. Photograph: ANI Photo

All necessary preparations have been made in the jail, they said.

Rana, 64, is a Pakistan-born Canadian national and close associate of one of the main conspirators of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks David Coleman Headley alias Daood Gilani, a US citizen.

Rana is being brought to India after his last-ditch attempt to evade extradition failed as the US Supreme Court justices rejected his application.

According to officials, a multi-agency team had gone to the US to bring him to India.

On November 26, 2008, a group of 10 Pakistani terrorists went on a rampage, carrying out a coordinated attack on a railway station, two luxury hotels and a Jewish centre, after they sneaked into India's financial capital using the sea route in the Arabian Sea.

As many as 166 people were killed in the nearly 60-hour assault that sent shockwaves across the country and even brought India and Pakistan to the brink of war.
The National Investigation Agency produced 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana before a court here on Thursday night, hours after he was extradited from the US, and sought his 20-day custody.

IMAGE: Mumbai attacks accused Tahawwur Rana being taken to Patiala House Court, in New Delhi, April 10, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo

The court is likely to pronounce its order shortly.

Rana was brought to the Patiala House Court in a cavalcade, including a jail van, an armoured SWAT vehicle and an ambulance.

The 64-year-old Pakistani-origin Canadian businessman was produced before special NIA judge Chander Jit Singh.

Rana, a close associate of 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks main conspirator David Coleman Headley alias Daood Gilani, a US citizen, was brought to India after the US Supreme Court on April 4 dismissed his review plea against his extradition.

According to sources, the NIA sought Rana's custody for 20 days to interrogate him, citing clinching evidence including various emails.

The agency told the court that Rana's interrogation was necessary to unearth the larger conspiracy behind the 2008 attacks.

It also told the court that it had to look into his role as a planner of the attacks.

The NIA said that as part of the criminal conspiracy, accused no. 1, David Coleman Headley, had discussed the entire operation with Rana before his visit to India.

Anticipating potential challenges, Headley sent an email to Rana detailing his belongings and assets, the NIA told the court, adding that Headley also informed Rana about the involvement of Pakistani nationals Ilyas Kashmiri and Abdur Rehman, who are also accused in the case, in the plot.

Senior advocate Dayan Krishnan and Special Public Prosecutor Narender Mann represented the NIA.

Before the proceedings, the judge asked Rana if he had a lawyer.

After Rana said that he did not have a lawyer, the judge informed him that a counsel was being provided to him from Delhi Legal Services Authority. After that, advocate Piyush Sachdeva was appointed to represent him.

After hearing the arguments, the court reserved its order.

The judge is likely to pronounce the order shortly.

Before Rana was brought to the Patiala House Court, the Delhi police removed mediapersons and members of the public from the complex, citing security concerns.

Police authorities said, "No one would be permitted inside".

Rana is accused of conspiring with Headley and operatives of designated terrorist organisations Lashkar-e-Tayiba and Harkat-ul-Jihadi Islami along with other Pakistan-based co-conspirators, to carry out the three-day terror siege of India's financial capital.

On November 26, 2008, a group of 10 Pakistani terrorists went on a rampage, carrying out a coordinated attack on a railway station, two luxury hotels and a Jewish centre, after they sneaked into India's financial capital using the sea route in the Arabian Sea.

As many as 166 people were killed in the nearly 60-hour assault.
Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Thursday welcomed the extradition of Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a key accused in the 26/11 case, and said everyone associated with the conspiracy of the Mumbai terror attacks must face the court of justice.

IMAGE: Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari with Congress MP Shashi Tharoor during the book launch event of The Wild Warfront (English edition of the Shivaji Mahasamrat) by Vishwas Patil, in New Delhi, April 2, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo

He also described Rana's extradition as a "step forward for justice".

Rana, 64, is a Pakistan-born Canadian national and close associate of one of the main conspirators of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks David Coleman Headley alias Daood Gilani, is being brought to India after his last-ditch attempt to evade extradition failed as the US Supreme Court justices rejected his application.

Talking to PTI, Tharoor said, "I think it's a good thing that we have been able to get at least one person extradited. 26/11 (Mumbai terror attacks) was such a horror for our country, in which 166 people were killed brutally. Everyone associated with that conspiracy needs to come before the court of justice."

"I am really hoping that we will be able, through the investigation and through the interrogation, to find out more details about what happened, how it happened, how it was run, and equally that this man will be brought to justice. What was done was really terrible," the former diplomat said.

The Congress MP from Kerala said another key conspirator of the 26/11 attacks, David Coleman Headley, was still out of the clutches of the Indian security agencies.

"I think it is important for the people of India that we get some sort of progress towards the closure. That fellow, David Coleman Headley, is still in America. They are not willing to send him to us because of some plea bargain. But we really need to get to the bottom of all of this as much as possible," he said.

The Congress leader said he was feeling bad at this juncture as the victims of the 1985 Air India bombing were still awaiting justice.

"Let's see how much justice we can get in this," Tharoor said.

He said he was "very glad" that Indian authorities managed to get Rana's custody, and said it was a step forward for justice.

"There is too much suffering and tragedy for us to think in terms of a victory, but I think it is at least a step forward for justice," the Congress leader said.

Rana is a Pakistan-born Canadian national and close associate of one of the main conspirators of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks David Coleman Headley alias Daood Gilani, a US citizen.

On November 26, 2008, a group of 10 Pakistani terrorists went on a rampage, carrying out a coordinated attack on a railway station, two luxury hotels and a Jewish centre, after they sneaked into India's financial capital using the sea route in the Arabian Sea.

As many as 166 persons were killed in the nearly 60-hour terror assault.
Following is the timeline of the extradition of 2008 Mumbai terror attack accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana from the US.

IMAGE: Security personnel stand guard outside National Investigation Agency Headquarters ahead of 26/11 accused Tahawwur Ranas arrival, in New Delhi, April 10, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo
Victory Day marks the end of World War II in Europe when the Soviet army defeated Nazi Germany and captured Berlin.

IMAGE: The flag of the Soviet Union being raised above the Reichstag. Photograph: Kind courtesy Yevgeny Khaldei/Wikimedia Commons

Russia has invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the annual Victory Day parade on May 9, the most important day in the country's calendar.

The day marks the surrender of Nazi Germany to the Allied Forces which ended World War II in Europe fought over 6 years across three continents.

The Germans surrendered at the end of day on May 8, 1945 which was the next day in Moscow.

May 9, 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the surrender.

27 million Russians, the largest number from any of the Allied Forces, died in the war against Nazi Germany.

IMAGE: An Indian Tri-Service contingent takes part in the Victory Day Parade at Red Square in Moscow, June 24, 2020. Photograph: ANI Photo

A grand parade is held at Red Square every year to commemorate the momentous event. The occasion has been celebrated with greater pomp and vigour in the Putin era.

India's armed forces participated in the parade in 2020. 87,000 Indian troops died fighting for Britain in WWII.

This year, Russia has invited India, China, Israel, Slovakia, Serbia to the parade. Chinese President Xi Jinping will be a special invitee at the parade.

At the end of the war, the Red Army defeated Germany in the Battle of Berlin and captured the city. Adolf Hitler committed suicide in an underground bunker, and the Soviet flag was raised over the Reichstag, the Nazi parliament. The picture of raising the flag taken by a Soviet photographer went on to become the defining image of the surrender.

IMAGE: Victory Day celebrations in St Petersburg, Russia, May 9, 2024. Photograph: Anton Vaganov/Reuters

Nazi Germany surrendered unconditionally at 11.01 pm on May 8, 1945.

The day is celebrated as Victory in Europe Day in Britain, France and America.

In Russia, it is referred to as the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945.

Interestingly, Russia has not invited the US or any of the European countries to the 80th anniversary commemoration.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
The Battle of Lhagyala on November 23, 1962, fought by the 4 Rajput Regiment against the Chinese PLA, remains a forgotten chapter of heroism, with no survivors left to tell their story.

All photographs: Claude Arpi

Arunachal Pradesh, the Land of the Dawn-Lit Mountains, is a place full of mysteries; for example, in several cases it is not precisely known what has happened to the Indian troops during the 1962 border war with China and contrary to popular perception, the Indian troops did very well in several areas on the front; there are a number of battles which should make every Indian proud. Unfortunately, they have remained unknown to the general public.

Arunachal also possessed several mysterious hidden paradises and sacred Buddhist gompas.

One of the less known 'special' places is Lhagyala Gompa in Kameng district where heroism converges with spirituality; the troops of the Rajput regiment fought an epic battle against the Chinese near the oldest monastery in the state. The bravery of these Indian troops has however been forgotten by history.

I recently visited this place with a local guide, Sonam Gechen Trangpoder, a former BSF officer, today running a residential school at Morshing, the closest village near the Lhagyala Gompa. Sonam's father, 35 years old in 1962, was in Morshing during the epic battle.

The site of the battle is located just behind the gompa built in the 16th century, at least 50 years before the renowned Tawang Gompa.

Perched on the top of the hill, at 9,100 feet above sea level, it is not easy to reach because the 6 km long road from Morshing is in poor condition and during a rainy day, the gompa is hardly accessible. This could, of course, be remedied by the road getting tarred.

Like in Tawang, the area is known as Monyul, traditionally inhabited by the Monpa tribe.

As the gompa is close to the Bhutan border (some 10 km as the crow flies or a two day walk), on the way, one crosses a Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) camp; not far is the Sakteng wildlife sanctuary in Bhutan, today disputed by China (like the entire state of Arunachal).

IMAGE: Birthplace of the Khandro.

The Lhagyala Gompa

The gompa is the oldest monastery in the state.

It is older than the majestic Tawang monastery founded by Merak Lama Lodre Gyatso in 1680-1681 on the orders of Ngawang Lobsang Gyatso, the 5th Dalai Lama,.

Both monasteries belong to the Gelug school of Vajrayana Buddhism, but while the Tawang gompa used to be affiliated with the Drepung Loseling Monastery of Lhasa, the Lhagyala Gompa depended on the Ganden Jangtse monastery, also located near Lhasa.

IMAGE: Footprint of the Khandro.

The place is sacred for another reason, Khandro (Dakini) Drowa Sangmo, a great mediator with tantric siddhis; she was the beautiful younger queen of King (Gyalpo) Kala Wangpo.

She bore the king two children -- a boy and a girl. The son was named Kintu Legpa.

The older and childless queen, Duem Hacham, harbored extreme jealousy and eventually masterminded the death of Drowa Sangmo and then attempts to assassinate Kintu Legpa and his sister.

The henchmen, however, spared them but the two children fell into a river ...and the story goes on; it is the subject of a famous opera

IMAGE: A lake near the birthplace of the Khandro.

The dakini's footprint can be seen just behind the field where the battle of Lhagyala took place in 1962.

There is also a sacred pond on the top of hill near the Khandro's retreat. The Drowa Sangmo's life is important for the local people who trace their ancestry from the 7th century.

IMAGE: The 9th and 10th Lhagyla Rinpoches.

The Monastery

IMAGE: Inside the Gompa.

Just below the dakini's retreat is the very beautiful and well-kept ancient monastery. Presently there is only one monk caretaker, Ngawang Tashi.

A collection of old statues from the 16th and 17th century, particularly, statues of Je Tsongkapa and his disciples, the nine Lhagyala Rinpoches (since the foundation of the gompa by the 1st Lhagyala Rinpoche), Chenresig (Avalokiteshvara), Hayagriva, etc, can be seen.

IMAGE: An altar in the Gompa with ancient statues.

IMAGE: Previous Lhagyala Rinpoches.

The 9th Lhagyala Rinpoche used to live there, at times with 40 monks around him. The 10th Lhagyala is 10 years old, very bright, born in Zanskar.

His father served in the Indian Army (Ladakh Scouts). He studies in the Namgyal Datsang Dharamsala.

The reincarnation was found by the present Dalai Lama.

The 10th Lhagyala seems to be very popular among the Monpa population, especially on social media.

Lhagyala is one of the 3 main lineages in Monyul.

The Battle of Lhagyala

The battle took place on November 23, 1962, two days after the ceasefire was declared.

Apparently, Lieutenant Colonel Brahmananda Avasthy, the Commanding Officer of the 4 Rajputs while he was taking the direction towards Kalaktang and Assam, was not aware of the ceasefire, an informant told us.

The fact that the Battle of Lhagyala took place after the war had officially ended, perhaps explains why it is hardly mentioned in the Official Report of the 1962 conflict published by the ministry of defence and no awards were given to the 4 Rajput who suffered 100% casualties.

Another reason for the lack of recognition of the sacrifice of the 4 Rajput is that there was no survivor left to tell their story.

After the battle, some Army personnel along with local villagers searched for the mortal remains of the Indian soldiers which were found scattered around the hill. The bodies were collected and buried.

IMAGE: The first Lhagyala Rinpoche.

On December 11, Major Kukrety from the 4 Rajput, a company commander who had managed to reach Assam, came back to the site where he identified some of the officers and jawans.

According to The Chinese Invasion of NEFA by Major Sitaram Johri, among the few officers who died at Lhagyala were: Lieutenant Colonel Brahmananda Avasthy, CO 4 Rajput, Major Trilok Nath, Second-in-Command, Captain Y Tandon, the Battalion Adjutant, and Captain Dayal Singh, Company Commander.

The body of the CO (Avasthy) was found, because in his pocket, Major Kukrety recovered a letter written to his wife and a piece of paper with a prayer written on it.

As per the wishes of his wife, his ashes are kept below the small memorial on the top of the hill.

According to the elders from Morshing village, there was a long cowshed located just below the Lhagyala Gompa (nearby a recently built stupa); the mortal remains of the Chinese troops were collected there. The locals saw them at night.

The next morning, all the bodies had disappeared. They had been carried away by the PLA, probably to Tibet as no remains/pyres have ever been found in the area.

The number of Chinese casualties is probably much higher than shown in Beijing's account which said that the third battalion of the 154th Regiment suffered 36 casualties (25 injured, 11 dead); while on the Indian side, 209 soldiers who would have died.

Hardly Mentioned in Indian Records

The only mention of the battle in the Official Report of 1962 War says: 'On 22 November, the first day of cease-fire, a group of Indians just south of Dirang Dzong was fired upon with machine guns and mortars.

'At about 10.00 hrs the same day, another ambush took place near Lagala Gompa, 13 km south of Dirang Dzong. In this incident about 300 Indian soldiers were fired upon by the Chinese. In the prevailing confusion, no accurate estimate of casualties could be made, but these were very heavy.'

The small memorial has just a poem penned by the wife of the CO. Unfortunately, it does not mention the names of the causalities or the circumstances of the battle; it can hopefully be remedied.

The Chinese Account

The only detailed account of the battle is from a Chinese book: The Sino-Indian Border War of Self Defense and Counter Attack (Yes, China says that India attacked China in 1962), compiled by the Chronicler Group of the History of the Sino-Indian Border War.

It says: 'At 10:30 on November 23, the 5th Company's [of the 3rd Battalion of the 154th Regiment] sentry found that on the mountain road from Dirang to Lhagyala Temple, there were many Indian troops walking down the mountain, but they were far apart. According to the guide, the Indian troops must pass through Lhagyala Temple to escape to India.

'Based on this, the 2nd Regiment decided to set up an ambush on the northwest side of Lhagyala Temple. The 5th Company ambushed them on the left side of the road and cut off their escape route to Gemo Pass.'

IMAGE: A stupa near the site.

The Chinese narrative continues: 'The 6th Company ambushed on the right side of the road. At about 11 o'clock, the troops arrived at the ambush position. At 11:30, the Indian Army's vanguard squad (12 people) entered the ambush circle. When they were some 10 meters away from the second row of the sixth company, the soldiers of the row suddenly jumped out of the bushes. ...

'The main force of the Indian army retreated and occupied favorable terrain to resist stubbornly. The battalion immediately switched from setting an ambush to a strong attack.

'The sixth company was on the right wing, and the fifth company was on the left wing to attack the Indian army. Under the fierce attack, the Indian army retreated to a hill on a ridge, and the two sides confronted each other.

'The Indian army was eager to escape and launched nearly 10 counterattacks, all of which were repelled, killing more than 100 people in total. In order to quickly wipe out the stubborn Indian army, the battalion surrounded it. The fifth, sixth, and ninth companies worked closely together to quickly wipe out the surrounded Indian army. The battle lasted until 1:30 pm.'

Some Suggestions

A proper memorial should be built to commemorate the supreme sacrifice of Colonel Avasthy and his men of 4 Rajput. All the names of the casualties should be mentioned.

The state government should construct a tar road between Morshing and Lhagyala and open the Lhagyala Gompa area to eco-tourism.

Visitors could stay in Morshing and come for the day to the Gompa and visit the site of the battle.

In this area, spiritual, ecological and war memorial tourism could easily be combined as home-stays already exist in Morshing.

One can hope that electric shuttles could be organised between Morshing and Lhagyala or alternatively a trek through the beautiful forest.

The bonus could be the possibility of practicing paragliding during the winter season.

Claude Arpi is Distinguished Fellow, Centre of Excellence for Himalayan Studies, Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence (Delhi).

Claude Arpi is a long-time contributor to Rediff.com and you can read his earlier columns here.

Photographs curated by Manisha Kotian/Rediff.com

Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff.com
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Nancy Braus is a long-time political activist who writes from Guilford. The opinions expressed by columnists do not necessarily reflect the views of Vermont News & Media.
China pushed back against Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for making what it called "irresponsible remarks" about Beijing being aware that its citizens have been recruited to fight for Russia in Ukraine.

The April 10 comments from China's Foreign Ministry come the day after Zelenskyy said Ukrainian authorities had information on 155 Chinese nationals fighting alongside Russia. The claim followed video released by the Ukrainian military purporting to have captured two Chinese mercenaries in eastern Ukraine.

"We would advise the relevant parties to recognize China's role correctly and clear-headedly and to refrain from expressing irresponsible remarks," ministry spokesman Lin Jian said at a press briefing, without mentioning Ukraine or its president by name.

Zelenskyy has escalated his criticism of Beijing in recent days following the announcement that Kyiv captured two Chinese nationals in the eastern Donetsk region.

Hours after China's statement, Zelenskyy issued a statement on Telegram with a video of a man in a military uniform answering an interrogator's questions in Mandarin with the help of an interpreter. The man confirmed he was a Chinese national recruited to the Russian armed forces to fight in Ukraine.

"We continue to clarify all the circumstances of Chinese citizens' involvement in the Russian occupying contingent. The Security Service of Ukraine is carrying out all necessary procedures with the individuals who were recently captured in the Donetsk region," Zelenskyy's statement said.

"It is obvious these are not isolated cases but systematic Russian work, in particular, on the territory and in the jurisdiction of China, to recruit citizens of this state for war," Zelenskyy added.

Speaking at a press conference a day earlier, the Ukrainian president accused Beijing of turning a blind eye to the recruitment of its citizens and allowing them to participate in the war, which is now in its fourth year.

"We record that they [China] knew about it," Zelenskyy said. "We record that these are Chinese citizens, they are fighting against us, using weapons against Ukrainians on the territory of Ukraine. Their motivation, money or not, politics, etcetera, is not yet known to me. But it will be known."

Beijing has denied sending soldiers to Ukraine to fight with Russian forces, but the presence of Chinese nationals fighting in the war has been documented before in Russian- and Chinese-language social media posts. A hundred or more Chinese citizens are estimated to have traveled to fight as mercenaries with Russia's army.

A Russian Defense Ministry hospital database obtained exclusively by RFE/RL in February also showed that Chinese mercenaries had been wounded serving alongside Russian troops.

Zelenskyy told reporters he was not aware if China "gave some kind of command" to those now fighting for Russia. He maintained, though, that Beijing must have been aware of people joining a foreign military in exchange for payment.

While foreign soldiers fighting for both Ukraine and Russia have been a factor in the war since Moscow's full-scale invasion in 2022, the episode is the first time Kyiv has made such claims about Chinese fighters.

This marks a change of track for Zelenskyy, who had previously been careful dispensing criticism of Beijing, despite its staunch diplomatic and economic support for Russia throughout the war. China has helped the Kremlin's war effort with increased trade and the strategic supply of militarily useful dual-use goods.

US and European officials have criticized this level of support provided by China. European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas reiterated this to reporters on April 9 following news of the captured Chinese recruits, saying Chinese territory is a conduit for around 80 percent of the dual-use goods currently entering Russia.

"What is clear is that China has been the key enabler of Russia's war," she said. "Without Chinese support, Russia wouldn't be able to wage war [on the scale] that it has."

Beijing, however, has maintained that it is a neutral party in the war and stopped short of providing Russia with weapons or military expertise.

Kyiv's relationship with the United States had become fraught as US President Donald Trump has pushed for Russia and Ukraine to agree to a cease-fire and work toward a peace deal to end the war.

Analysts have speculated that Zelenskyy may be hoping Trump's antipathy toward China -- a country Washington is engaged in an escalating trade war with and has designated as a global rival -- could improve his standing with the Trump administration.

"This could be used by the Trump administration to, among other things, increase pressure on China," Ihor Reiterovych, a Ukrainian political analyst, told RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service. "This could even have an indirect impact on US-Russia relations, because there is a new element that should definitely be taken into account."

Zelenskyy had earlier accused Russia of "dragging China into this war," a claim dismissed by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on April 10.

"Partner, friend, and comrade. China has always taken a very balanced position, so Zelenskyy is wrong," he told reporters.

Meanwhile, the governor of Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region, Serhiy Lysak, said on April 10 that a Russian missile attack on the regional capital, Dnipro, killed one person and injured three others.

With reporting by the AFP and RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service
US President Donald Trump has again threated to use military force if Iran does not agree to end its nuclear program and said Israel would be the "leader" of a potential military strike.

Trump told reporters on April 9 at the White House that "if necessary," the United States "absolutely" would use military force. He made the comments after being asked about talks between US and Iranian officials scheduled to take place this weekend in Oman and how long they may last.

"We have time," Trump said, adding that there's no definitive timeline for the talks to come to a resolution.

"When you start talks, you know if theyre going along well or not," Trump said. "And I would say the conclusion would be when I think theyre not going along well. So that's just a feeling."

Trump announced the talks on April 8 during an Oval Office briefing with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Netanyahu said he supports Trump's diplomatic efforts to reach a settlement with Iran. He added that Israel and the United States share the same goal of ensuring that Iran does not develop a nuclear weapon.

Trump said that if the use of military force is necessary, "Israel will obviously be very much involved in that."

Both sides have framed the talks in Oman as an exploratory meeting to see if negotiations can be held. Trump said the talks would be "direct," while Iran has described the engagement as "indirect" talks.

The United States will not be "asking for much" at the talks, Trump said, repeating his oft-stated position that Iran "can't have a nuclear weapon."

The United States is increasingly concerned as Tehran appears to be closer than ever to having a nuclear weapon. Iran has long maintained that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.

The United States and other world powers in 2015 reached a comprehensive nuclear agreement that limited Tehran's enrichment of uranium in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. But Trump unilaterally withdrew the United States in 2018, calling it the "worst deal ever."

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth voiced hope that US-Iran talks could be resolved peacefully after Reuters reported on April 9 that as many as six B-2 bombers had relocated to a US-British military base on the Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia.

Asked if the B-2s were meant to send a message to Iran, Hegseth said: "We'll let them decide." He called the bombers "a great asset," telling reporters during a trip to Panama that they send a "message to everybody."

The US Treasury Department earlier on April 9 issued new sanctions targeting Iran's nuclear program. Five entities and one person based in Iran were designated for new sanctions in connection with their alleged support of Iran's nuclear program, the department said in a news release.

The designated groups include the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran and subordinates Iran Centrifuge Technology Company, Thorium Power Company, Pars Reactors Construction and Development Company, and Azarab Industries Company.

In his comments to reporters at the White House, Trump said the people of Iran "are so incredible," but the government is a "rough regime."

"I want Iran to be great," Trump said. "The only thing that they cant have is a nuclear weapon. They understand that."

With reporting by Reuters and AP
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At least 10 people in the southern Ukrainian city of Mykolayiv were injured when Russia launched a drone attack on April 10. The strike damaged an administrative building, nine apartment blocks, and several vehicles.
Two former senior US military commanders have said Europe's aerial shield is not prepared to meet the scale of the threat from Russia, while the head of the US Navy's air and missile defense task force has told RFE/RL that intercepting incoming fire is "always a cat-and-mouse chase."

The comments come as European countries begin a massive rearmament program, agreed last month, with air defenses top of the shopping list.

"You see what has happened in big cities in Ukraine. This also would happen in some of the big cities of Europe," Philip Breedlove, former NATO supreme commander in Europe, told RFE/RL.

"If you're sitting out there thinking you're under some magic bubble like in the TV programs, that's not a good place to be," he added.

Russia's daily bombardment of Ukraine has graphically illustrated the importance of air defense.

According to an analysis in February by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington, Russia has launched a daily average of 24.3 missiles and drones at Ukraine since the beginning of their full-scale invasion in 2022. This is more than 25,000 in total.

The results have been power shutdowns, wrecked infrastructure, and mass civilian casualties. Russia has used a variety of missiles, from drones to modified Soviet-era glide bombs to cruise missiles. Likewise, there are varied forms of defense.

Commodore Mike Dwan, commander of US Navy Task Force 64, told RFE/RL that NATO's "overlapping fields of fire" provided a full range of cover.

Dwan is based with the Sixth Fleet in Naples, Italy, but was speaking from the US antiballistic missile facility in Redzikowo on Poland's Baltic coast. His command brings together this base, a similar one in Deveselu, Romania, and a flotilla of US destroyers operating out of Spain.

They use a system called Aegis to target ballistic missiles.

"We do so in the upper atmosphere, above 100 kilometers. All of those intercepts...are happening in space," Dwan said.

The system was successfully used twice last year against Iranian medium-range ballistic missiles targeting Israel. "We put into place the capability, the kill chain, that very much is like what we have here for a threat coming into NATO."

The system relies on a network of sensors, but this, says Breedlove, is also its weakness.

"There was this false feeling for a while that, OK, we got Deveselu, we got Poland, we got these two beautifully provided American capabilities, but, you know, these movies where you see these command centers and every missile fired is engaged -- it's fiction," he said.

Probability Of Kill

In a subject area rich with jargon, Breedlove referred to POK -- Probability Of Kill. This would range from 95 percent in areas with high sensor density to just 30 percent in other areas. Europe needs to "thicken the network," Breedlove said.

He would not be drawn on where.

"The nations absolutely know where they are. We've brought them into the missile simulation centers and shown them how this works."

At Redzikowo, there are three launchers each with eight missiles. Could its capacity be overwhelmed?

"It could very well" be overwhelmed, Dwan said.

"Here in Poland, we have our pre-planned responses for prioritized coverage, so does Romania and our destroyer systems at sea. There's always a cat-and-mouse chase of how many are being fired and how many are we able to shoot down."

But Dwan stressed the importance of deterrence. If Aegis is unable to intercept a missile, it would be for another layer, such as a Patriot battery, to deal with.

"Layered defenses" would mean "any potential adversary really has to think not just twice, but maybe three or four times," before attacking.

Russia's Drone Threat

Breedlove said another key NATO vulnerability is defense against drones, an area in which Russia now has more experience.

"We have this pernicious amount of drone capability attacking [Ukraine] and the air defenses of America, much less Europe, are not prepared for this kind of warfare, the sheer numbers," he said.

"The enemy is now on steroids."

Ben Hodges, formerly head of the US Army in Europe, had a similar assessment when he spoke to RFE/RL last month.

"You know, we've never, ever had enough air defense to cover everything. You prioritize what must be protected," he said. "There is no such thing as a total shield."

Hodges said NATO military planners would take the "typical day" data of Russian attacks in Ukraine "and apply it against the ports of Bremerhaven or Gdansk or Klaipeda in Lithuania, for example, and figure out, do we have enough air and missile defense? I'm not sure we do."

Germany spearheaded the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI) in 2022, after the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Bringing together 24 European countries, it aims to enable joint procurement of air and missile defense systems and encourage interoperability.

But some countries, such as France, Spain, and Italy, have not joined. France has criticized it for including non-European systems (such as Patriots) and components.

Air Power

Hodges said that NATO fighter jets offset some of Europe's weaknesses.

"Our air forces are a critical part of this. I think probably the growing amount of air power that we have, particularly with Finland and Swedenwill give us capabilities that Ukrainians currently don't have to counter Russian air and missile attacks."

Hodges added that air power was also a key US contribution to air defense. But Europe's efforts to boost its defenses come amid uncertainty over the ongoing US commitment to its security. So how would Europe fare without a US role?

"The biggest gap would be US Air Force, early warning, intelligenceand then the US contribution at NATO's air command at Ramstein."

Dwan's command is also clearly a key capability.

The ESSI envisages the use of Arrow-3 systems that can also intercept ballistic missiles. But this will take time, and these are also not produced in Europe, having been developed by Israel and the United States.
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US and European cities are not prepared for the threat posed by Russian drones and missiles, retired senior US commanders have told RFE/RL.
Thousands of Afghan refugees in Pakistan have left via the Torkham border crossing as part of Islamabad's large-scale deportation campaign.

The government initially set a March 31 deadline for Afghan nationals to leave voluntarily, but the deadline was extended to April 10. Still, thousands have been forcibly removed since the beginning of the month.

The stepped-up deportation campaign comes as Pakistani authorities charge that "illegal immigrants" pose security concerns and economic challenges.

The Pakistani government has frequently linked Afghan nationals to militant violence and criminal activity -- claims the Taliban-led administration in Kabul firmly denies.

The deportation campaign has sparked strong criticism as authorities move forward with the controversial policy.

Human rights organizations warn that those forced to return to Taliban-ruled Afghanistan may face serious dangers including persecution, violence, and extreme economic hardship. Particularly at risk are vulnerable groups such as women, journalists, human rights advocates, and former government employees.

Pakistan's deportation drive targets Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders, undocumented migrants, and those who arrived after the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan.

There are roughly 800,000 ACC holders and 1.4 million Afghans with Proof of Registration (POR) cards issued by the UN refugee agency. While POR holders are currently exempt from deportation -- at least until their permits expire in June -- ACC holders lack such protection. Their temporary residency in Pakistan is subject to the federal government's discretion, with no assurance of extension beyond official deadlines.

This policy creates complications, as members of the same family may have different legal statuses.

Many of those being forced to leave have never lived in Afghanistan and see Pakistan as their only home.
Thousands of Afghan refugees living in Pakistan have been forcibly repatriated since Pakistani authorities set an April 10 deadline for those without documents to leave the country. Truckloads of Afghans have crossed the Torkham border from Pakistan into Afghanistan. Many refugees are reluctant to return to the Taliban-controlled country.
US Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink will step down, the State Department said, leaving the post vacant a time when crucial peace negotiations are under way between Washington, Kyiv, and Moscow.

Appointed by former President Joe Biden, Brink has served as ambassador in Kyiv since May 2022, navigating US-Ukraine relations during a critical period marked by Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

"Ambassador Brink is stepping down. She's been the ambassador there for three years -- that's a long time in a war zone," State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce told reporters on April 10.

She is expected to leave her post in the coming weeks.

Brink's tenure spanned two presidential administrations that have differed in their policies toward Ukraine.

Relations with Moscow deteriorated to post-Cold War lows under the Biden administration, which broke off communications with Russian President Vladimir Putin amid Europe's largest land war since World War II.

Conversely, the Trump administration has reestablished direct contact with the Kremlin -- Trump and Putin have spoken by phone at least twice in recent months -- and Washington is currently attempting to mediate a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia.

Brink is the latest senior career diplomat to resign under the current administration, including John Bass, the State Departments third-highest official, who stepped down in January.

No reason was given for Brink's decision to step down, but Reuters quoted sources as saying the move was made of her own volition.

Brink faced criticism from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for her response to last week's deadly Russian missile strike on the Ukrainian city of Kryviy Rih, which killed 20 people at a restaurant and nearby playground, including nine children.

In a social media post about the April 4 attack, Brink did not mention Russia as being responsible, prompting Zelenskyy to express disappointment.

In a post about a Russian missile strike two days later, the diplomat mentioned Russia.

As of 6:30 a.m., Kyiv and the rest of Ukraine remain under fire from ballistic and cruise missiles from Russia. Loud explosions in the capital and reports of attacks in several cities, Brink wrote on X on April 6.
A bill that would allow North Dakota's State Energy Research Center to work on projects that could result in nuclear waste disposal has passed the state House, with amendments that aim to limit the potential disposal to above-ground facilities and require state approval before the research is done.

But some House members who voted against the bill expressed concern that the law, which alters a state statute completely preventing this kind of research, opens the door for unintended consequences that could also ultimately lead to a backlash against nuclear power in the state.

Senate Bill 2159 was introduced in conjunction with House Bill 1025, which funds a study on "advanced nuclear power's" potential in North Dakota. "Advanced nuclear" refers to a myriad of less-used nuclear power technologies that backers say could make the fuel cheaper and less wasteful.

SB 2159 got a vote of 57-32-5 in the House on Wednesday.

The University of North Dakota's Energy and Environmental Research Center is the designated State Energy Research Center (SERC).

SB 2159 originally struck a line from the law governing SERC that prevents it from doing research that could lead to the storage of nuclear waste -- practically all nuclear power creates toxic waste. Some new technologies could recycle that waste, but the actual commercial deployment of that technology is still yet to happen. A lobbyist for the EERC said that the prohibition in the law would prevent it from participating in the study prompted by HB 1025.

The Senate bill passed through the North Dakota Senate 45-2, but opposition picked up in the House from three northern North Dakota farmers and an environmental group.

Two of those farmers were from a community that fought to get the law and other regulations around radioactive waste in place about a decade ago after a drilling project was proposed for rural Pierce County, home to Rugby. The federal Energy Department had planned to drill boreholes that would have assessed the stability of the subsurface, including as a potential location for spent nuclear fuel. Pushback prevented it and led to the language on the books.

Among their worries was that these types of studies could eventually lead to Pierce County becoming a destination for permanent nuclear waste storage. A prohibition on high-level radioactive waste disposal exists in state law, but that can get overridden by the federal government.

There is no permanent storage option for nuclear waste in the United States. For decades, federal officials tried to permit Yucca Mountain in Nevada for permanent storage, but that effort is effectively dead in the water.

For now, spent fuel is stored in temporary pools or casks near power plants. Nuclear power makes up about 20% of U.S. electricity. Development has stalled in recent decades because it is so expensive, but a broad effort is underway to get more nuclear power on the grid because it is both carbon-free and can be called on around-the-clock.

After the farmers testified, the House Energy and Natural Resources Committee amended the bill to where instead of removing the clause that prevents the State Energy Research Center from engaging in projects that could result in nuclear waste disposal, the law changes the language to require that researchers get approval from the Industrial Commission -- a regulatory body made up of the governor, attorney general and agricultural commissioner -- and to consult with the High-level Radioactive Waste Council that was formed after the Pierce County incident.

The amendment also specifies that the waste storage that could occur as a result of an Industrial Commission-approved study or project would only be above-ground storage.

House Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chair Todd Porter, R-Mandan, who supported the bill, said that if a nuclear power plant came to North Dakota, federal regulations would require it to have facilities for waste storage, so any state plant would have to consider what it would do with waste.

Mirek Petrovic, the agriculture community representative on the High-level Radioactive Waste Council and one of the farmers who testified against the bill last month, told the Tribune before the vote that the amendment was an improvement from what was originally proposed, but he still preferred to see the bill fail.

When the bill came up for a vote on the House floor, state Rep. Jared Hendrix, R-West Fargo, expressed concern that though the amendments included safeguards, the bill would still remove the broader prohibition on research projects that could lead to underground storage, potentially opening up the possibility of the SERC researching it since it would not be explicitly banned.

Hendrix said he is a supporter of nuclear power, but the SERC language should be revisited after the study required by HB 1025 is complete.

"If we fail to do this right, we could turn public opinion against nuclear power," he said.

State Rep. Jon Nelson, R-Rugby, who represents the area where the borehole controversy took place, spoke in favor of the bill, saying it would allow a study of nuclear power while protecting residents from living near a permanent storage location.

"Not only did I support the original prohibition, I wrote it. It was my bill that we passed in 2017 ... I don't disagree with many of the concerns from the other section in this chamber, but this is a different matter," he said.
Stephen Bourke and Fiona Magennis

The mother of murdered mother-of-three Larisa Serban has told a sentencing court it makes her sick to know her killer is alive while my daughter is in the ground.

After a trial that ran for seven weeks with an enlarged panel of 15 jurors, Daniel Blanaru (37) was sentenced life in prison on Thursday for the murder of his 26-year-old partner, Ms Serban on August 12th, 2022.

In a victim impact statement read to the Central Criminal Court by her eldest son at Blanarus sentencing, Georgeta Serban said: Now this criminal lives. Yes, he is in prison, but he is doing well.

When I saw him last, he looked better than he was before he was caught. He was fatter, better fed, than before he killed the mother of my grandkids.

It made me sick, the thought that he is alive while my daughter is in the ground, Ms Serban said.

Ms Serban thanked the judge and jury and said she was grateful to every person who stood on the side of the law, who contributed with the work, for their empathy.

My daughter. was an extraordinary person, full of life, gentle, and full of love. She was my child, who grew in my womb, raised with hardship and tears.

I raised her with sacrifices, sleepless nights, and dreams for her future. I didnt get to enjoy the beautiful moments with her and her children. She died too soon. She was ripped from life with unimaginable cruelty, Ms Serban said in her statement.

This criminal condemned us all to death What keeps me alive is the pills and my grandchildren, she wrote.

Jurors accepted the prosecution case that Ms Serban died as a result of a sustained and brutal attack at the hands of her controlling and jealous partner, who murdered her in cold blood when they delivered their unanimous verdict earlier this month.

Ms Serban was found in the early hours of the morning on the floor between the bedroom and the hallway of her home, having died from a stab wound to the chest.

Blanaru, from Rathmore, Athboy, Co Meath, had pleaded not guilty to the murder of Ms Serban (26) at that address on or about August 12th, 2022.

Ms Serban sustained two stab wounds, with one to her chest measuring 12cm which punctured the heart, lung and aorta, proving fatal. Her blood was found on Blanaru's clothing.

Pathologist Dr Heidi Okkers gave evidence to the trial that the fatal stab wound to Ms Serbans chest would have required some force. Another stab wound to her arm, a defensive-type injury also showed signs of force, as the victim had a bone fracture at the elbow, the trial was told.

Detective Garda Kevin OBrian of Kells Garda Station told the sentence hearing today that, under several rounds of interviews in custody, Blanaru told gardai: I am guilty, please lock me up.

Det Gda OBrian confirmed to Eilis Brennan SC, prosecuting, that Blanaru has six previous convictions in Ireland for road traffic matters. His criminal record also extends to four theft offences dating to a period between 2008 and 2014 in France, the detective said.

Passing sentence, Ms Justice Eileen Creedon thanked the Serban family for their statements and said she wanted to extend her deepest condolences to them.

She said that for the crime, committed with needless and horrific violence, she had to impose on Blanaru the mandatory life sentence.

Justice Creedon added that the sentence could be backdated to the moment Blanaru went into custody.

After reading his mothers statement to the hearing, the victims eldest brother, Remus Serban, said: Every day I wake up and realise shes gone, my heart shatters all over again. I live in a constant state of disbelief, hoping, praying this is some terrible nightmare, but its not.

Since Larisas death, Ive become a burden to those who love me, my wife, my children; they deserve better. I feel Im failing them every single day. I cant be the father, the husband they need when all I can think of is the hole in my heart where Larisa used to be, he said.

I see his face in my nightmares, the man who stole my sister from us, and I cant escape it. I couldnt even look at him in this courtroom because the thought of seeing him and his face again: I feel I might lose myself completely, Mr Serban said.

I will carry her memory, as heavy as it might be, for the rest of my life, he said. His mother had remained with him in the witness box as he spoke.

Sara Serban, the victims sister, said: The pain is for life. This criminal didnt just take our sister; he took our lives. He condemned us to life without her.

She added that Blanaru would rot in prison.

I never got to tell her how much I love her. I wish I had just two more minutes to tell her how much she meant to me, she added.

A number of Blanarus family members told gardai that the 37-year-old claimed he had stabbed Ms Serban after catching her in bed with another man.

However, two of these witnesses recanted their statements in their direct evidence to the trial. Blanaru also later confirmed when interviewed by detectives that he did not find his partner with anyone else.

Blanarus sister-in-law Adriana Kovaciu told the court she and her husband Leon Ciurar went to Ms Serbans home after he phoned them at 4am.

"The first thing I saw was Larisa, and I saw there was a big pool of blood," she said. "Larisa was on the ground between the bedroom and the hallway, face down."

She was wearing her pyjamas and was pale, stiff and cold. Ms Kovaciu said she could tell she was dead.

The trial heard that after leaving the house in Rathmore, Blanaru drove to his sister Simona Terezia Ciurars house in Drogheda, arriving sometime between 3am and 4am.

Ms Ciurar told gardai when he came to her door, Blanaru told her he put a knife into Ms Serban and said: I killed her, I killed her, what have I done?
Tahawwur Rana Being Extradited to India in 26/11 Case, Delhi Court Receives Trial Records

In preparation for his arrival, a Delhi court has received the trial records of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.

Tahawwur Rana to Be Extradited to India in 26/11 Case, Delhi Court Receives Trial Records, Latest News: Tahawwur Hussain Rana, the key accused and alleged plotter in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, who is being extradited to India after the U.S. Supreme Court rejected his plea against the move, to arrive Delhi on a special flight, shortly. A multi-agency Indian team has gone to the U.S. to bring him back, and he is likely to be lodged under tight security at Tihar Jail.

In preparation for his arrival, a Delhi court has received the trial records of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. The records were sent following an earlier directive by District Judge Vimal Kumar Yadav, as reported by PTI.

The central government has appointed advocate Narender Mann as the special public prosecutor to oversee the trial and related proceedings concerning the case.

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Former Israeli Ambassador to India, Daniel Carmon, reacted to the development, telling ANI: "Knowing how terrible the terror attack was for India and the people of Mumbai, this is a great development... Israel has always stood with India in the fight against terrorism."

Union Home Minister Amit Shah hailed the extradition as a big success and took a political swipe at the Congress, stating, "Governments under whose rule the bomb blasts took place could not bring him back."

Union Minister Piyush Goyal also criticized the Congress party, telling ANI: "During Congress' time they didnt take steps to punish those involved. Even the one who was caught, Kasab, was served Biryani. Those who attacked our countrythis is PM Modi's resolve to bring them to justice. Every Indian is proud that they will be punished on Indian soil."

However, Maharashtra Congress MLA Vijay Wadettiwar urged the BJP not to politicize the matter. "Rana should be quickly brought to India and hanged. A person who attacked Mumbai and took so many lives should not be spared. This matter should not be politicized," he said.

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According to ANI, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio signed the surrender warrant for Rana's extradition on February 11. Although his legal team filed an emergency motion to halt the order, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected the petition on April 7.

The extradition comes 17 years after the 2008 attacks. Former Indian diplomat K.P. Fabian commented, "While we welcome the U.S. decision, it's important to note that the 26/11 attacks occurred in 2008. It has taken 17 years for the extradition, despite India providing credible evidence early on. Had the roles been reversed, and the accused in the 9/11 attacks was in India, the U.S. would not have waited this long. The American legal process is slow, and successive administrations could have acted more swiftly."

For More News, Apart from, "Tahawwur Rana to Be Extradited to India in 26/11 Case, Delhi Court Receives Trial Records, Stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman)
A major crackdown on narco-hawala networks, three arrested, latest news (Image courtesy: Babushahi)

An FIR has been registered at Lopoke Police Station, and further investigation is underway.

A major crackdown on narco-hawala networks, three arrested, Latest News: As part of a major crackdown on narco-hawala networks, the Amritsar Rural Police have arrested three individuals allegedly involved in narco-terrorism.

The accused  Ranjit Singh alias Rana, Gurdev Singh alias Gedi, and Shailendra Singh alias Selu  were arrested by the Amritsar Rural Police, according to the Babushahi Bureau. They were allegedly involved in cross-border drug trafficking and illegal hawala operations, according to a report in Babushahi.

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Police recovered 500 grams of heroin, a Glock 9mm pistol with two magazines, and rupees 33 lakh in hawala money from the possession of the accused.

An FIR has been registered at Lopoke Police Station, and further investigation is underway.

Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav stated that the Punjab Police are committed to dismantling narco-terror networks and ensuring public safety.

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Congress MP Sukhjinder Singh Urges ECI to Halt SAD's Internal Elections Over Procedural Concerns

The sanctity of democratic processes within registered political parties must be upheld, Randhawa asserted

Congress MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa Urges ECI to Halt SAD's Internal Elections Over Procedural Concerns, latest news: Congress MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa has written to the Election Commission of India (ECI), requesting a halt to the upcoming internal elections of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), Babushahi has reported.

Randhawa cited serious procedural and financial irregularities in the partys membership and electoral processes as grounds for his appeal.

In the letter, he reportedly expressed concerns about SADs decision to hold its presidential election at Teja Singh Samundri Hall in Amritsar, a venue located within the premises of the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC), a religious institution.

He contended that holding a political partys internal election at a religious venue raises "serious concerns about institutional impropriety" and breaches both the SADs constitution and the guidelines set by the Election Commission of India. The SADs registered office is in Chandigarh, and any such process should legally and ethically be conducted there, the letter stated.

Randhawa further claimed that no macro-level data has been shared regarding enrolled members or the collection of membership fees, and there is no clarity on the bank accounts where these funds were deposited.

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He also alleged that the list of delegates who elect the party president has not been published, and there is no record of how or when these delegates were selected.

According to Babushahi, Randhawa urged the Election Commission to:

 Direct SAD to suspend its internal election scheduled for April 12.

 Require the publication of a complete and verified list of elected delegates.

 Appoint a senior observer to monitor the partys internal election process.

 Ensure the election is conducted only at the partys registered office, not on religious premises.

 Mandate that a No Objection Certificate (NOC) be obtained from the ECI before conducting any internal elections.

The sanctity of democratic processes within registered political parties must be upheld, Randhawa asserted in his letter.
Canadian Lawmaker Apologises for Calling NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh a 'Terrorist' image/AP/HT

Racquel Hilbert, a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Saskatchewan's ruling party, apologized for the remark she made in March.

Canadian Lawmaker Apologises for Calling NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh a 'Terrorist', latest news: A provincial lawmaker in Canada has issued an apology after calling Jagmeet Singh, the leader of Canadas federal New Democratic Party (NDP), a terrorist.

Racquel Hilbert, a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Saskatchewan's ruling party, apologized for the remark she made on March 25.

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On Wednesday, she said, During my budget response speech, I made an inappropriate comment regarding the Federal NDP leader, she said, adding, I wish to apologise and withdraw my comment.

She had criticised of the opposition party for not condemning their own federal leader, Jagmeet Singh, for being allegedly labeled a terrorist by India, and for not speaking out against the negative impact on trade in Western Canada caused by tensions with India.

Racquel Hilbert, an MLA said, We did not hear the opposition denounce their federal leader as being a terrorist in India and denounce the collateral trade damage to Western Canada, according to the agency Canadian Press.

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On Wednesday, she said, During my budget response speech, I made an inappropriate comment regarding the Federal NDP leader, she said, adding, I wish to apologise and withdraw my comment.

Jagmeet Singh singh was reportedly denied visa by then UPA government back in 2013. There are no reports of any charge against the Canadas federal New Democratic Party (NDP) leader in India.

In 2023, Saskatchewan accounted for 26% of Canadas $5.1 billion exports to India, contributing over $1.3 billionof which $700 million came from agri-food products.

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Higher subsidies for electric cars

The Romanian government has decided to increase the amount of support granted for the purchase of electric cars, after halving it last year, which led to a severe contraction of the Romanian car market.

Photo: pixabay.com

Sorin Iordan, 10.04.2025, 13:50

Im LS with this commentary by Sorin Titus Iordan.

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March 2025 was the third consecutive month with very poor results for electric car registrations in Romania. Thus, although a 19.5% increase in the number of registrations was recorded in the previous month compared to the same period of 2024, the amount of fully electric cars decreased by almost 60%, and this segment reached a market share of only 2.7%, according to data from the General Directorate of Driving Licenses and Registrations. In this context, the Environment Minister, Mircea Fechet, announced that he had decided to increase the eco-ticket for the Electric Car Scrapping Program (Rabla Electric) to 37,000 lei, respectively 7,500 Euros. Last year, the value of this voucher was approximately 25,000 lei, approximately 5,000 Euros.

The minister has said that the government has decided to provide financing, this year, worth 10,000 lei (2,000 Euros) for the purchase of cars with conventional thermal engines, 12,000 lei (2,500 Euros) for hybrid cars and 15,000 lei (3,000 Euros) for plug-in hybrid ones. He has also showed that, starting this year, in Romania, only at the Ford plant in Craiova (south-west) three models of electric cars are produced. At the same time, Fechet has said that he wants a significant part of the Rabla Plus budget to no longer go outside the European Union, to countries like China, but to remain in the country. Overall, new vehicle registrations in Romania increased by 3.3% in March 2025 compared to March 2024, but decreased by 12.9% compared to February 2025. Electric cars, namely 100% electric and plug-in hybrids, as well as full hybrids, which also have electric propulsion without charging from an external source, have a market share of 25.6%, over 14 % more than the share held by diesel engines.

In the first three months of this year, the best-selling fully electric cars were the Dacia Spring, with over 1,000 units and a decrease of 17.2% compared to the same period of the previous year, the Tesla Model 3 with 162 units and the Leapmotor T03 with 132 units. The situation of electric car registrations in Romania is considered catastrophic for electromobility by the president of the Romanian Association of Automobile Manufacturers and Importers, Dan Vardie. He said that without increasing the value of the eco-ticket within the Rabla Program and without measures to ensure consumers predictability regarding this support, by 2030, Romania risks remaining in last place in the European Union in this area. The electric car market in Romania dropped by about 30% last year, after the value of the Rabla voucher for electric cars was reduced to 25,000 lei (5,000 Euros) from 50,000 lei (10,000 Euros) in 2023. (LS)
Romania and foreign investors

The dynamics of foreign investments in Romania indicate a slowdown, reaching a level close to that reported during the pandemic.

Photo: pixabay.com

Roxana Vasile, 10.04.2025, 14:00

A German concern will open a new factory in Romania that will produce components for passenger aircraft, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu announced on Wednesday. Although the international economic situation is complicated, Romania continues to attract important investors, the Prime Minister said, adding that the German concern, which supplies components to aeronautics giants, chose Romania, among other things, for its strategic position between East and West. Reality indicates, however, that Romanias investor appeal and the dynamics of foreign investments are slowing down. The reasons are related to the geopolitical context, the size of the budget deficit, but also to political and fiscal uncertainty. The looming trade war following the US administrations decision to impose substantial customs tariffs, including on imports from the European Union, further affects investors confidence and willingness to take risks.

Under these circumstances, on the same day that Prime Minister Ciolacu announced the German investment in Romania, the countrys interim president, Ilie Bolojan, also had a meeting with representatives of the Foreign Investors Council, an association that includes the most important foreign capital investors in Romania, with a cumulative turnover accounting for approximately one fifth of Romanias GDP. It is not the government or president that changes a country, Ilie Bolojan pointed out, but the people of that country and the companies that invest there. Politicians, on the other hand, have an obligation to create conditions and predictability, so that performance is rewarded, and lack of work or performance is sanctioned, the president said. What should Romania do to become one of the top 10 economies of the European Union? President of the Foreign Investment Council, Daniel Anghel explains:

The average annual investment effort should reach approximately 35% of GDP over 2024-2030, and going further, over 2031-2040, the average investment effort should be somewhere around 28-30% of GDP. These figures are not exactly easy to achieve. The context we find ourselves in is not at all encouraging, but we believe that, with a good strategy, with dialogue that brings together all the important players to the table, both from the business and public sector areas, we could grow at a faster pace than we have done so far.

In other words, Romania can boost its regional competitiveness with the help of major economic players, if strategic measures are taken to encourage major investments with high added value. At least this was one of the main conclusions of talks between Foreign Investors Council representatives and interim president Ilie Bolojan. (VP)
Oil prices resumed losses on Thursday after rebounding from a four-year low in the previous session.

Benchmark Brent crude futures tumbled a little over 3 percent to $63.49 in European trade as investors fretted about abrupt shifts in U.S. tariff policy. WTI crude futures were down 2.6 percent at $60.72.

Demand concerns weighed on oil prices as trade tensions escalated between the U.S. and China.

On Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 90-day pause on tariffs for all countries but raised taxes on Chinese imports from 104 percent to 125 percent in an effort to isolate Beijing on the issue.

In a post on his social media account, Trump said that China has a lack of respect to the world's and that at some point, hopefully in the near future, the country will realize that the days of ripping off the USA, and other Countries, is no longer sustainable or acceptable.

Beijing today issued a sharp rebuke to Washington's escalating trade measures, saying that the steep U.S. tariff hikes "go against the whole world."

"The U.S. tariffs seriously damage the rules-based multilateral trading system and seriously impact the stability of the global economic order," foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said during a press briefing.

"This is a blatant act that goes against the will of the world and goes against the whole world," Lin added.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Market Analysis
German stocks are up sharply on Thursday with investors going on a buying spree after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 90-day suspension of reciprocal tariffs for most U.S. trade partners, except China, to facilitate renewed trade negotiations.

The move by the U.S. President has renewed hopes that the eventual levies will be much less than what he had announced earlier.

The benchmark DAX, which soared to 21,397.00 earlier in the session, gaining over 1,700 points in the process, was up 994.44 points or 5.06% at 20,674.10 a little while ago.

Infineon is soaring nearly 12%. Adidas, Sartorius, Deutsche Bank, Zalando, MTU Aero Engines and SAP are gaining 8 to 11%.

Heidelberg Materials is up more than 7%. BASF, Siemens Energy, Siemens Healthineers, Siemens, Fresenius Medical Care, Muench Rueckvers, Merck, Deutsche Post, Bayer, Allianz, Fresenius, Beiersdorf, Commerzbank, Henkel, Hannover Rueck, RWE, Deutsche Boerse, Vonovia and Symrise are up 3 to 6%.

Auto and auto components stocks are up as well. Volkswagen is up 3.7% after announcing it has nearly doubled its all-electric vehicle (BEV) deliveries in Europe in the first quarter of 2025. Porsche, Continental, Mercedes-Benz and BMW are gaining 3 to 6%.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed Trump's move and said the halt on reciprocal tariffs is "an important step towards stabilizing the global . Clear, predictable conditions are essential for trade and supply chains to function."

ECB policymaker Francois Villeroy de Galhau emphasized today that Trump's policies in recent weeks have eroded confidence in the U.S. dollar and praised Europe's foresight in establishing its own independent monetary system 25 years ago.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com
Taiwan's foreign trade surplus decreased in March as imports grew much faster than exports, preliminary figures from the Ministry of Finance revealed on Thursday.

The trade surplus dropped to $6.95 billion in March from $7.91 billion in the corresponding month last year. Nonetheless, the surplus increased from $6.55 billion in February. The expected surplus was $7.90 billion.

Exports grew 18.6 percent year-over-year in March, much slower than the 31.5 percent surge in the prior month. Economists had forecast 8.45 percent growth.

Shipments of information, communication, and audio-video products climbed by 34.0 percent, and outflows of parts of electronic products rose by 19.3 percent.

The annual growth in imports was 28.8 percent versus 48.8 percent in February. That was well above the 14.1 percent rise expected by economists. Imports of machinery showed a sharp growth of 75.1 percent.

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President Donald Trump has signed an Executive Order asking the Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration to coordinate with various stakeholders to create a Maritime Action Plan to revitalize U.S. maritime industries.

The Action Plan will provide a strategy with specific actions to restore and create sustained resiliency for the American maritime industry.

It will include key initiatives like revitalizing the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, incentivizing domestic shipbuilding, enhancing infrastructure and capacity, growing demand for U.S. shipping, investing in maritime , enhancing workforce development, and strengthening maritime security.

Until now, government procurement processes and over-regulation have hindered private industry's ability to build vessels on time and on budget. This Order will reverse that trend, according to the White House.

The Order directs the United States Trade Representative to make recommendations regarding China's anticompetitive actions within the shipbuilding industry.

It also directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to enforce collection of the Harbor Maintenance Fee and other charges on foreign cargo entering the United States to prevent circumvention via Canada or Mexico.

This will put an end to a longstanding unfair practice, ensuring all cargoes entering the United States are assessed for the proper applicable fees and generating additional revenue for investment into the maritime industry.

As per the order, the U.S. government will work with its allies and partners to align trade policies to disrupt China's non-market practices in the international supply chain and logistics sectors.

To ensure national economic security, the U.S. government will increase the fleet of commercial vessels trading internationally under U.S. flag as well as domestically between U.S. ports.

The Department of Transportation said under the Executive Order, MARAD will work with federal agencies to establish a financial incentives program with broad flexibility to invest in capitalization and construction of commercial vessels, shipyards and ship repair facilities.

It will work with federal agencies to create Maritime Opportunity Zones to incentivize and facilitate domestic and allies' investments in the U.S. maritime industrial and waterfront communities.

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Yeukai Ranyowa cheekily quoted Kanye West, "I know Rhodes loves to play Kanye West's Graduation," she laughed - ending with, "so you probably know how this ends, 'everybody wants to know what I would do if I didn't win... I guess we'll never know." [PHOTO CREDIT: Talitha Padayachy]

By: Ephreeda Banda

Some events tick boxes, and then some remind you why community matters and why we come together, celebrate, and keep going. The Postgraduate International Graduation Ball, held on the evening of Friday, 5 April 2025, was the latter.

What began as a small gathering hosted by the Gavin Relly Postgraduate Village (PGV) and Oakdene House Committee to celebrate international postgraduate students whose families cannot make it to their graduation has become one of the most cherished occasions on the postgraduate calendar, and this year, it was no different. With live music and beautiful decor, students, staff, wardens from various residences, and the University leadership came together to celebrate academic milestones and the relationships, resilience, and journey that brought them to this point.

Held at the PGV conference hall, the room buzzed with energy. There was a sense of connection with no distant formality, just warmth. The kind that comes from recognising one another, not only for what they have achieved but for what they have endured. Pursuing postgraduate studies requires dedication and perseverance. This event differs from formal graduation ceremonies because it focuses on belonging. For many students, especially those studying far from home, this evening offers a vital space to feel recognised, connected, and part of a community.

Among the guests were Rhodes University Vice-Chancellor Professor Sizwe Mabizela, Director of Student Affairs Dr Pakiso Tondi, Director of the Global Engagement Division Orla Quinlan, and wardens from across postgraduate residences. Their presence affirmed what the evening made abundantly clear: postgraduates are at the heart of the University's academic life.

The event opened with talented student performances in the Department of Music and Musicology. Vocalists Mbalentle Mpotulo, Mihle Njovane, Thimna Ngciphu, Khanya Dunga, Devon Florence and pianist Garreth Robertson gave captivating performances. Their music did not just entertain - it connected. It held the room in stillness and stirred something deeper. There were moments when you could feel the emotional weight of the journey shared by many in that room.

International postgraduate student Yeukai Ranyowa then took the stage to deliver the closing toast. As a professional photographer with a cover feature on the first issue of the Intetho Magazine, which belongs to another international postgraduate student, Nqobani Matthews, and the recipient of the DVC Honours Scholarship, Ranyowa's achievements stretch across disciplines. With a BSc in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology from Stellenbosch University, a BSc in Information Systems with distinction from Rhodes University, and roles ranging from Chairperson of the Developer Society to tutor in Computer Science and Information Systems, she represents the kind of well-rounded excellence that Rhodes University aims to cultivate.

But her speech was not a list of accolades. It was honest, grounded and moving. "I am honoured and thankful for the roles that all these individuals in this room have played and for those who are not in this room as well," she said.

Her message was for everyone, not just those who had crossed the graduation stage but those still making their way. "Whether facing delays, setbacks, or waiting for your turn, your story is still being written. Your time will come. We are waiting for you,'' Ranyowa added.

With a smile, she asked the guests to raise their glasses in a toast to the Class of 2024 and cheekily quoted Kanye West, "I know Rhodes loves to play Kanye West's Graduation," she laughed - ending with, "so you probably know how this ends, 'everybody wants to know what I would do if I didn't win... I guess we'll never know." The speech earned a warm applause, not just for its humour and charm but for its sincerity.

In her keynote, Orla Quinlan reflected on the richness international students bring to the Rhodes University community. "International students are vital to higher education, not only because of the knowledge they share but because of the perspectives they bring, perspectives that challenge assumptions and expand the way we think," she said.

She highlighted the importance of the "informal curriculum" - the moments outside lectures where authentic learning and growth happen. "We still have this living and learning lifestyle at Rhodes. Education does not only happen in the classroom. It happens in dining halls, societies, and events like this,'' she said.

Quinlan also acknowledged international students' challenges, from immigration hurdles to complex administrative processes. "I see all the trouble that you had to go through, the extra steps just to be in this space," she said, reaffirming the University's commitment to supporting students through those barriers.

Professor Mabizela brought his signature blend of wisdom, humour, and depth to the evening. He praised the musicians, going so far as to propose a new tradition, an annual September concert to celebrate student talent. "You must hold me accountable," he said.

His message to graduates was clear, "Until you complete a doctoral degree, you have not yet reached the mountain of knowledge," he said, encouraging students not to stop here. But most impactful was his reminder of belonging: "You matter; you matter to me as Vice-Chancellor. You matter to this university. You matter in everything that Rhodes University stands for," he said.

He closed with a call to conscience: "Injustice anywhere threatens justice everywhere. Let us be the ones who build bridges of hope, of understanding, of human solidarity."

As the night wrapped up, warm laughter and shared memories made it clear: this was a truly special celebration. It reflected what makes Rhodes University a place where intellect is celebrated, diversity is honoured, and people are indeed seen.

The continued support from the Global Engagement Division and the Alumni Office, from funding to logistics, made the event possible again this year. But with each passing year and growing attendance, the call for broader support is becoming more visible. As the number of international and postgraduate students grows, so does the need for institutional recognition and inclusion beyond the academic transcript.

For staff, this event is a reminder of the impact of small gestures. For students, it is a celebration of hard-earned success in the company of people who helped make it possible. And for potential sponsors or partners within the University, it demonstrates how meaningful, student-centred experiences can enhance Rhodes Universitys academic culture and reputation. And, if you were not there, you missed something rare: a ceremony and a moment of shared humanity.
Paleontologists in Portugal have found several specimens from large-sized ankylopollexian iguanodontians that lived 150 million years ago (Late Jurassic epoch).

The new dinosaur fossils were discovered at various localities of the Lusitanian Basin in western Portugal.

One of the specimens, labeled SHN.JJS.015, belongs to an early-diverging form of Ankylopollexia, an enigmatic group of herbivorous iguanodontian dinosaurs that lived from the Late Jurassic to the Late Cretaceous in North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia.

It was a surprise, said Dr. Filippo Maria Rotatori, a paleontologist with GEOBIOTEC at the Universidade NOVA de Lisboa and the Museu da Lourinha.

We believed that the diversity of this dinosaur group was already well-documented in the Late Jurassic of Portugal, but this discovery shows that there is still much to learn and that exciting findings may continue to emerge in the near future.

Unfortunately, due to the limited material recovered, we are not yet able to assign a formal scientific name to this species.

It was a heavyweight, added Professor Fernando Escaso, a paleontologist at the Universidad Nacional de Educacion a Distancia.

When we estimated its size and body mass, we found that this new dinosaur was significantly bulkier than other iguanodontian species, such as Draconyx or Eousdryosaurus, with which it most likely shared the ecosystem.

The paleontologists also unearthed a series of smaller, isolated bones in the same Lusitanian Basin.

These fossils may represent the same species of ankylopollexian iguanodontian dinosaur as SHN.JJS.015.

The description of SHN.JJS.015 adds a new member of Ankylopollexia to the poorly known Late Jurassic iguanodontian fauna of the Iberian landmasses and confirms the coexistence, at least during the lowermost part of the Tithonian (149 to 143 million years ago), of three medium- to large-sized ankylopollexian ornithopods in south-western Europe, the researchers said.

Furthermore, it supports the interpretation of Europe as a pivotal region of diversification for early-diverging iguanodontians during the Late Jurassic and shows the fundamental role of Iberian landmasses in achieving a better understanding of biogeographical patterns.

The findings appear in the Journal of Systematic Palaeontology.

_____

Filippo Maria Rotatori et al. 2025. Evidence of large-sized ankylopollexian dinosaurs (Ornithischia: Iguanodontia) in the Upper Jurassic of Portugal. Journal of Systematic Palaeontology 23 (1): 2470789; doi: 10.1080/14772019.2025.2470789
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 April 2, 2025, in the open-access journal 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. But, the researchers on this new paper suggest, the cultural similarities between these two regions invite speculation that ancient people may also have traveled directly between the two sites -- over 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 likely would have required a boat able to navigate in waves up to one meter high and winds 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 multiple 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."
It's been three months since the start of a devastating series of wildfires that raged through Los Angeles from Jan. 7 to Jan. 31. As victims pick up the pieces of their lives, a study published in Environmental Research: Health from the UC Davis School of Medicine offers insights into what victims may need in the short and long term.

"Understanding the community needs and impacts that arise during and after wildfires is crucial to identifying the timing, extent and types of assistance that are most needed during response and recovery efforts," said Kathryn Conlon, an associate professor in the UC Davis Department of Public Health Sciences and senior author of the study.

The data in the new paper is from the WHAT-Now-CA? wildfire study, a survey collected in the aftermath of a series of Northern California wildfires in 2017. These included the Tubbs Fire, which, at the time, was California's most destructive. It burned 5,700 structures and claimed more than 20 lives.

A total of 2,208 households participated in the survey, with 1,461 reporting their greatest needs. Four major areas of need were identified:

Physical: food, water, shelter, clothing, electricity, internet, gas, money and cell phone service

Clean air: improved air quality and access to masks and air filters

Health: access to health care and mental health care

Information: wildfire status, where to obtain shelter or supplies, the location and well-being of loved ones and insurance paperwork

The survey also identified how needs changed or persisted over time.

Physical needs were the most frequent of all needs, reported both immediately after the fires and at the time of the survey. Housing and financial needs were the most persistent. One in two households had a physical need immediately after the fires.

One in six households reported a health need when taking the survey (usually several months after the fires), but not in the immediate aftermath of the fires.

Over a quarter of the survey respondents reported needing improved air quality, masks and filters immediately after the fires.

General information about the fires was the most requested need immediately after the fires. However, at the time of the survey, respondents were most interested in information about environmental health.

Open-ended questions allowed researchers to identify trends within the four major areas of need.

For example, with information needs, many respondents appeared confused about the role of different local, state and federal agencies (like FEMA), and the distinction between disaster response versus recovery support, potentially hindering their ability to access help.

Mental health needs identified as 'persistent'

Needs reported for two time periods (during the fire and when taking the survey) were categorized as "persistent."

Mental health needs were the most predominant health-related need at all time points. Of the 177 households reporting health impacts, the majority were related to mental health.

"Wildfire smoke can put people at risk of short-term and long-term health problems. We also know that unaddressed mental health concerns can have a significant impact on a person's health and wellbeing," Conlon said. "Integrating support for mental health and health information should be part of any needs assessments during wildfires."

According to Conlon, interventions like "psychological first aid" may benefit wildfire survivors. The approach dates to the early 2000s when it emerged as a method of psychological intervention with survivors of disasters and extreme events.

Health impacts of urban wildfires are unknown

Other persistent needs after a wildfire may be harder to fill.

"Respondents want to know the health impacts of urban wildfires and whether it is safe to return to the burn areas," Conlon said. "When these fires burn, they are not just burning biomass. They are also burning everything in the home. And we don't know all the health impacts. We still have so much to learn," Conlon said.

Mira Miles is a project policy analyst in the UC Davis Department of Public Health Sciences and a co-author of the paper. "Wildfire survivors demonstrate resilience and a strong sense of community cohesion, with many participants reporting the desire to support fellow community members in the recovery process," Miles said. "While this is a remarkable social phenomenon, it is important that we strive to meet community needs as best we can following a disaster."

Additional authors include Mitchell Snyder and Irva Hertz-Picciotto from the Department of Public Health Sciences, UC Davis School of Medicine.

Funding was provided by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (R21ES029693; P30ES023513).
Insect-scale robots can squeeze into places their larger counterparts can't, like deep into a collapsed building to search for survivors after an earthquake.

However, as they move through the rubble, tiny crawling robots might encounter tall obstacles they can't climb over or slanted surfaces they will slide down. While aerial robots could avoid these hazards, the amount of energy required for flight would severely limit how far the robot can travel into the wreckage before it needs to return to base and recharge.

To get the best of both locomotion methods, MIT researchers developed a hopping robot that can leap over tall obstacles and jump across slanted or uneven surfaces, while using far less energy than an aerial robot.

The hopping robot, which is smaller than a human thumb and weighs less than a paperclip, has a springy leg that propels it off the ground, and four flapping-wing modules that give it lift and control its orientation.

The robot can jump about 20 centimeters into the air, or four times its height, at a lateral speed of about 30 centimeters per second, and has no trouble hopping across ice, wet surfaces, and uneven soil, or even onto a hovering drone. All the while, the hopping robot consumes about 60 percent less energy than its flying cousin.

Due to its light weight and durability, and the energy efficiency of the hopping process, the robot could carry about 10 times more payload than a similar-sized aerial robot, opening the door to many new applications.

"Being able to put batteries, circuits, and sensors on board has become much more feasible with a hopping robot than a flying one. Our hope is that one day this robot could go out of the lab and be useful in real-world scenarios," says Yi-Hsuan (Nemo) Hsiao, an MIT graduate student and co-lead author of a paper on the hopping robot.

Hsiao is joined on the paper by co-lead authors Songnan Bai, a postdoc at the City University of Hong Kong; and Zhongtao Guan, an incoming MIT graduate student who completed this work as a visiting undergraduate; as well as Suhan Kim and Zhijian Ren of MIT; and senior authors Pakpong Chirarattananon, an associate professor of the City University of Hong Kong; and Kevin Chen, an associate professor in the MIT Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and head of the Soft and Micro Robotics Laboratory within the Research Laboratory of Electronics. The research appears today in Science Advances.

Maximizing efficiency

Jumping is common among insects, from fleas that leap onto new hosts to grasshoppers that bound around a meadow. While jumping is less common among insect-scale robots, which usually fly or crawl, hopping affords many advantages for energy efficiency.

When a robot hops, it transforms potential energy, which comes from its height off the ground, into kinetic energy as it falls. This kinetic energy transforms back to potential energy when it hits the ground, then back to kinetic as it rises, and so on.

To maximize efficiency of this process, the MIT robot is fitted with an elastic leg made from a compression spring, which is akin to the spring on a click-top pen. This spring converts the robot's downward velocity to upward velocity when it strikes the ground.

"If you have an ideal spring, your robot can just hop along without losing any energy. But since our spring is not quite ideal, we use the flapping modules to compensate for the small amount of energy it loses when it makes contact with the ground," Hsiao explains.

As the robot bounces back up into the air, the flapping wings provide lift, while ensuring the robot remains upright and has the correct orientation for its next jump. Its four flapping-wing mechanisms are powered by soft actuators, or artificial muscles, that are durable enough to endure repeated impacts with the ground without being damaged.

"We have been using the same robot for this entire series of experiments, and we never needed to stop and fix it," Hsiao adds.

Key to the robot's performance is a fast control mechanism that determines how the robot should be oriented for its next jump. Sensing is performed using an external motion-tracking system, and an observer algorithm computes the necessary control information using sensor measurements.

As the robot hops, it follows a ballistic trajectory, arcing through the air. At the peak of that trajectory, it estimates its landing position. Then, based on its target landing point, the controller calculates the desired takeoff velocity for the next jump. While airborne, the robot flaps its wings to adjust its orientation so it strikes the ground with the correct angle and axis to move in the proper direction and at the right speed.

Durability and flexibility

The researchers put the hopping robot, and its control mechanism, to the test on a variety of surfaces, including grass, ice, wet glass, and uneven soil -- it successfully traversed all surfaces. The robot could even hop on a surface that was dynamically tilting.

"The robot doesn't really care about the angle of the surface it is landing on. As long as it doesn't slip when it strikes the ground, it will be fine," Hsiao says.

Since the controller can handle multiple terrains, the robot can easily transition from one surface to another without missing a beat.

For instance, hopping across grass requires more thrust than hopping across glass, since blades of grass cause a damping effect that reduces its jump height. The controller can pump more energy to the robot's wings during its aerial phase to compensate.

Due to its small size and light weight, the robot has an even smaller moment of inertia, which makes it more agile than a larger robot and better able to withstand collisions.

The researchers showcased its agility by demonstrating acrobatic flips. The featherweight robot could also hop onto an airborne drone without damaging either device, which could be useful in collaborative tasks.

In addition, while the team demonstrated a hopping robot that carried twice its weight, the maximum payload may be much higher. Adding more weight doesn't hurt the robot's efficiency. Rather, the efficiency of the spring is the most significant factor that limits how much the robot can carry.

Moving forward, the researchers plan to leverage its ability to carry heavy loads by installing batteries, sensors, and other circuits onto the robot, in the hopes of enabling it to hop autonomously outside the lab.

This research is funded, in part, by the U.S. National Science Foundation and the MIT MISTI program. Chirarattananon was supported by the Research Grants Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China. Hsiao is supported by a MathWorks Fellowship, and Kim is supported by a Zakhartchenko Fellowship.
Rhinos that flourished across much of North America 12 million years ago gathered in huge herds, according to a new study by the University of Cincinnati.

Researchers studied the isotopes of rhino teeth found in what is now northeast Nebraska. Here, more than 100 rhinos at a single water hole died and were entombed in ash from an eruption of the Yellowstone supervolcano.

Since the discovery of rhinos at Nebraska's Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park in 1971, researchers have wondered what drew so many animals together in the same place. Did they converge from far away, perhaps to seek shelter from the unfolding natural disaster of the volcanic eruption with its choking ash?

"We found they didn't move very much," lead author and UC graduate Clark Ward said. "We didn't find evidence for seasonal migration or any evidence of a response to the disaster."

The study was published in the Nature journal Scientific Reports.

Ward, who is now pursuing a doctorate at the University of Minnesota, used isotopic analysis of Miocene rhinos as part of a master's research project under the guidance of advisers and study co-authors Brooke Crowley at UC and University of Nebraska Professor Ross Secord.

Researchers examined ratios of isotopes of strontium, oxygen and carbon in fossil teeth to track the movements of the long-extinct animals across landscapes. Isotopes are atoms of the same element that have the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons.

Grass or leaves that rhinos and other animals eat contain similar ratios of isotopes as the soil and bedrock where plants grow that allow researchers to determine where the animals fed, sometimes with surprising precision depending on how variable the vegetation and geology are.

Scientists use this technique in wildlife conservation. For example, they can track the migrations of wide-ranging animals such as caribou or identify the habitat needs of elusive animals like jaguars.

"By studying carbon in the animal, we can reconstruct carbon in the environment to understand what kinds of vegetation lived there," Ward said.

Meanwhile, oxygen tells scientists about climate, particularly rainfall.

"We can use it to reconstruct how wet or dry the environment was," Ward said. "And strontium tells us where the animal was foraging because the ratio of isotopes is related to the soil and supporting bedrock."

Teleoceras major was a one-horned rhino with a barrel-shaped body and stubby legs like a hippo. Like hippos, they fed on grass. And like hippos, researchers think these rhinos spent a lot of time in and around water. Because of their vast size, they had few predators in the Miocene epoch, Ward said.

But their calves would have been vulnerable to hyena-like predators called bone-crushing dogs. Indeed, some of the specimens found at the Nebraska site bear evidence that scavengers removed portions of their carcasses after they died. And ancient tracks from the 100-pound dogs have been found there.

Yellowstone's enormous volcano has erupted many times over the past 12 million years. Ash from the eruption easily would have traveled 700 miles across what is now Nebraska where it piled up like snow nearly a foot deep in places. But windblown ash continued to fall on Nebraska long after the initial eruption, Ward said.

"That ash would have covered everything: the grass, leaves and water," Ward said. "The rhinos likely weren't killed immediately like the people of Pompeii. Instead, it was much slower. They were breathing in the ash. And they likely starved to death."

Rhino expert John Payne spent his career working with endangered Sumatran rhinos in Malaysia. Payne, who was not part of the study, said UC's research addresses scientific debate about the social structure of this ancient species of rhino.

"I am not surprised that the analyses very strongly suggest that Teleoceras major lived in herds given that this animal resembles modern hippopotamus in form and hippos live in herds of several tens of animals -- with several herds in one geographical area," he said.

Ward worked as an intern at the place he loved as a child, Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park, answering visitors' questions about the fossils and participating in fossil excavations and preparation at the site.

"I'm honored and privileged to have my name in science attached to the site," Ward said. "As someone who used to go to Ashfall as a kid, it's come full circle."
An international team of agronomists is calling for a new approach to estimate crop yield potential and gaps -- information that is critical in planning how to meet growing food demand.

University of Nebraska-Lincoln researchers made major contributions to the study, published online April 8 in the journal Nature Food.

"We are in a race to feed the world and to try to feed the population with the available agricultural land that we have," said Patricio Grassini, Sunkist Distinguished Professor of Agronomy and one of the paper's authors.

To do so requires estimates that predict both yield potential, as determined by weather and soil properties, and yield gaps, which is the difference between yield potential and current farm yields, which indicates the room that exists to increase food production on existing cropland. Those estimates are essential in making investments in agricultural research and development, both from public and private sources.

At issue is how best to compile those estimates.

In the Nature Food paper, a team that includes scientists from Nebraska and three other institutions calls into question the statistical methods now widely used. In addition to Grassini, Husker authors of the study included Fatima Tenorio, Fernando Aramburu Merlos and Juan Rattalino Edreira, research assistant professors of agronomy.

In the United States, for example, current statistical models tend to rely too heavily on best-case scenarios -- the most productive counties with the most fertile soils in a year with the most favorable weather, Grassini said. The methods also extrapolate a single yield potential across large regions with a wide diversity of climates and soils that likely would produce a similarly wide range in yield potential.

"Therefore, if you use that year as a reference, you are going to be overestimating your production potential because the best county with the best soils in the best year doesn't really represent your average climate or your most typical soil across the state," Grassini said.

But in other parts of the world -- Africa, for example -- these models might underestimate crop yield. There, farmers may have limited access to inputs compared to producers in other areas, thus attaining yields far below what the climate can support.

This statistical approach also leads to conflicting results, with production potential estimates almost doubling from one method to another. Grassini said this approach -- driven mostly by geographers and statisticians, not agronomists -- has been largely accepted, and more rigorous analysis is needed.

The research team's conclusions are explained in the paper, titled "Statistical approaches are inadequate for accurate estimation of yield potential and gaps at regional level."

The study compared estimates of yield potential and yield gaps of major U.S. rainfed crops -- corn, soybeans and wheat -- derived from four statistical models against those derived from a "bottom-up" spatial scaling approach based on robust crop modeling and local weather and soil data, such as the Global Yield Gap and Water Productivity Atlas developed at Nebraska.

Process-based crop models used in this study have been rigorously validated for their capacity to estimate yield potential based on experimental data from well-managed crops grown across a wide range of environments. This bottom-up approach, which better incorporates long-term data and regional variations, is clearly superior, the team found.

"I expect some controversy," Grassini said of the team's conclusions challenging the conventional wisdom.

The approach recommended by the team should better capture yield gaps, which "can help identify regions with largest room to increase crop production, which, in turn provides a basis to orient agricultural research and development programs."

"This is a call to set the record straight because if we are going to use this information to inform policy and our investments, we better make sure that the information is sound and has been validated," Grassini said.

Additional team members included Romulo Lollato, associate professor of agronomy, Kansas State University; Sotirios Archontoulis, professor of agronomy, Iowa State University; and Antoine Couedel, who completed his postdoctoral research at Nebraska and is a researcher at the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development, France.
By Laman Ismayilova



A traditional gathering of national commissions has taken place during the 221st session of the UNESCO Executive Board, focusing on the collaborative efforts between Azerbaijan and UNESCO.

Gunel Zulfugarova, representing Azerbaijan's National Commission for UNESCO, addressed the assembly, providing comprehensive insights into the actions undertaken and those planned for 2024-2025 as part of this partnership, alongside various National Commission projects.

She highlighted the international scientific and practical conference on "Protection of Ancient Human Settlements: Threats and Modern Approaches," organized by Azerbaijan Culture Ministry at the Heydar Aliyev Center. The conference featured high-level representation from UNESCO and brought together experts, researchers, and representatives from non-governmental organizations across multiple countries.

Gunel Zulfugarova also touched upon the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which Azerbaijan hosted, noting the participation of UNESCO representatives in this significant event.

As a UNESCO member, Azerbaijan has been actively engaged in promoting cultural diversity and heritage preservation.

The country has been constantly participating in UNESCO programs since 1992.

Through its efforts, Azerbaijan plays a significant role in UNESCO's mission to build peace, foster sustainable development, and foster intercultural dialogue through education, the sciences, culture, communication, and information.

In 2003, the parties signed a framework agreement on cooperation in the areas of culture, science, education, and communication, which allowed Azerbaijan to become one of the donors of UNESCO.
Lawmakers across Western New York are deeply concerned that Collins Correctional Facility could be on a state chopping block targeting up to five prisons  especially since the medium-security jailhouse was the starting point for wildcat correction officer strikes that stretched across New York.

During the three-week strike, state prison officials moved 363 inmates from Collins to other facilities within the state system. It now holds 551 inmates. Gov. Kathy Hochul ultimately terminated 2,000 state correction officers for refusing to return to work, including many at Collins.

That was the incubator for the strike, and thats what concerns me, said Erie County Legislator John Mills, a Republican who represents the Town of Collins. I dont know what Hochul is thinking, because Im sure it wasnt a happy experience for her. And if shes vindictive enough, she might shut that facility down.

Hochul proposed the prison closings in amendments to her $252 billion executive budget. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, D-Bronx, and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, D-Yonkers, included the possible closure of five prisons in their separate budget plans.

County Executive Mark Poloncarz expressed grave concern about the potential closure of Collins, first mentioning it at a town hall meeting at the Concord Senior Center in Springville last month. This week, Poloncarz said he has spoken with Hochul and her staff about his concerns. He urged others to lobby for the facility to remain in place.

I think its important for people to understand that its a possibility  like anythings a possibility  and they need to contact their representatives in state government and let them know if they dont want to see that facility close, Poloncarz said.

Im analyzing a lot of statistics, Hochul told reporters on Friday. All I know is that we have a far smaller population of incarcerated individuals than we ever have. Much smaller. So its hard to justify the buildup of all the facilities we had when that population was literally double.

The states prison population, which was 72,649 in 1999, is now 32,469, officials said.

James Miller, a spokesperson for the New York Correction Officers and Police Benevolent Association, said the union has been paying attention to budget negotiations but has no knowledge of what facilities would close. He said NYSCOPBA would be opposed to any closures.

The prisons to be closed would not be named in any final budget. Instead, the State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision would announce them later in the year. Last year, the budget authorized up to five prison closures; the state closed two  Great Meadow Correctional Facility in Washington County and Sullivan Correctional Facility in Sullivan County.

Erie County to allow fired corrections officers to be hired locally; fate of Collins prison worries Poloncarz Fired state corrections officers can be eligible for other civil service jobs in Erie County starting April 10, says County Executive Mark Poloncarz. But there are caveats. The potential closure of the Collins Correctional Facility is also a major concern.

Sen. Sean Ryan, D-Buffalo, said Hochul initially wanted to close up to eight more prisons, but lawmakers agreed to hold it to five.

Weve been fighting to hold onto Collins for several years, Ryan said. And during the wildcat strike, the inmate population was significantly reduced. And I fear that DOCCS is going to look at that and start considering Collins to be surplus.

Sen. Patrick Gallivan, R-Elma, a former Erie County sheriff whose district includes Collins, said he hoped that any closing would follow a specific process  one he said the state has not followed for 10 to 15 years. He said any closure of a maximum-security prison would send more dangerous inmates to medium-security lockups.

Senate Minority Leader Robert Ortt, R-North Tonawanda, noted that Hochul did not propose the latest prison closures until her budget amendments announced Feb. 20, three days into the strike.

It seemed an odd thing to like, miss, in your original budget  up to five prison closures, Ortt said, calling it clearly a message to the correction officers.

Collins is one of the last remaining medium-security lockups in Western New York following the 2021 closing of nearby Gowanda Correctional Facility. The next closest locations to Collins are Wyoming Correctional Facility in Wyoming County; Orleans and Albion state prisons in Orleans County; and Groveland Correctional Facility in Livingston County. All are at least an hour away. Lakeview Correctional Facility, a boot camp-style shock incarceration facility considered medium-security, is some 45 minutes away in Chautauqua County.

Closing Collins or any facility in Western New York would be catastrophic for the workers, their families and the surrounding communities that rely on them, Assembly Member David DiPietro, R-East Aurora, whose district includes Collins, said in a statement.

On Feb. 11, Collins was the site of an inmate uprising that led staffers to vacate three dorms. At the time, DOCCS Commissioner Daniel Martuscello attributed the incident to the state being down nearly 2,200 correction officers.

That incident, among other factors, led 11,500 of the states 15,000 correction officers to start walking off the job on Feb. 17 without the blessing of their union. It is illegal under the states 1967 Taylor Law for public employees to go on strike.

When the strike ended, Hochul fired some 2,000 officers who did not return to work. The governor, in turn, issued an executive order putting the fired officers in poor standing for any position within state civil service rules.

Heastie has said the Assembly plans to hold hearings later this year on the correctional system. Assembly Member William Conrad, D-Tonawanda, said he believes the whole system needs to be revamped.

As for the proposed closings, Conrad said: I share the same concerns. Im fearful that theyll close Collins and thatll have an impact regionally.

State Sen. April Baskin, D-Buffalo, said in a statement: While Im always concerned about the economic impact of prison closures and the resulting job losses, I am equally concerned about inadequate prison conditions, which often negatively affect the staff and the detainees.

On Wednesday, State Budget Director Blake Washington said staffing, physical condition of the facility and the ability of the location to attract talented staff were all factors.

Washington said the amendments were a response to dropping staffing levels.

Mills said hes worried that Hochul might have concerns about future disruptions from Collins and decide its not worth the risk.
Until a few years ago, Scott Bieler had never set foot onto the Villa Maria College campus.

But it took only a few minutes into his first meeting with college officials before the philanthropist and CEO of the West Herr Automotive Group realized the potential for the small Cheektowaga campus.

His gift from the Bieler Family Foundation helped spearhead Villa's largest capital project in the colleges 64-year history, just as the campus has welcomed consecutive classes with the schools highest ever enrollment.

The $3 million Scott Bieler Center for Academic Excellence project has turned a 20,000-square-foot, two-floor space inside the campus main building into an educational center with collaborative learning spaces and personalized academic support services. The project took about a year to complete.

I didnt know much about Villa Maria College until we were asked to come meet on this, Bieler said last week's ribbon cutting. We found out it is a place with remarkable people who have such a good purpose. We feel blessed to be associated with this project.

The new academic center gives officials at the private, Catholic college plenty to be optimistic about, even in what continues to be a difficult landscape for higher education, with institutions competing for a shrinking number of students and facing fiscal challenges.

Its a game changer for our campus, and it puts us in a different category with perspective students, said Matthew Giordano, whos in his fifth year as Villa Marias president. "It's also going to make a difference in helping our students persist to graduation and ultimately become the next generation to move our community forward.

It could be a catalyst for further growing the mostly commuter student body at the college specializing in programming in the creative tech space.

This years class of 280 students is the colleges largest ever, breaking the mark set the year prior (238). There are now 615 students attending the college  also a new record, and half of them are studying in the creative tech space, majoring in programs such as animation, game design, interior design, graphic design and music industry. The college also recently added programs in criminal justice and sport management.

Villa has also worked to upgrade its campus in recent years, opening a new digital media arts center and the Russel J. Salvatore Dining Commons, and renovating its music wing. And it provides academic support for all students, including offering the Achieve Program for Students with Learning Differences.

I think over the last few years weve really opened our doors to bring the community in so they can see the value of what goes on here, Giordano said.

Giordano credited Bieler with bringing possibility to generations of students who will enjoy and reap the benefits of this space. A member of Giordanos advisory council initially made the introduction to Bieler, and they spoke about the colleges vision for the academic center, which was years in the making. M&T Bank also helped provide the funding needed to complete the project.

It includes a library, Student Success Center, counseling center, career and internship services and information technology services. Additionally, it is a space where Villas many commuter students can comfortably spend time during the day, Giordano said.

Were hopeful that the students are going to enjoy this gathering place, Bieler said. We hope they feel a sense of belonging and connection and it brings the campus feel, altogether. We hope its an additional reason a student decides this is where they want to go to college.

Niagara launches masters in nursing education

Niagara Universitys College of Nursing has launched a new online masters degree program to prepare nurses to become educators.

The Master of Science in Nursing Education program is for nurses looking to transition into a role that supports and advances the profession. The 18-month program, created with input from clinical partners and nurse educators, provides flexibility through online asynchronous classes complemented with experiential learning opportunities.

Grabill named dean of UB College of Arts and Sciences

Jeffrey T. Grabill will be coming over from the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom to become dean of the University at Buffalo College of Arts and Sciences.

He will oversee UBs largest and most diverse academic unit, with 30 departments, 16 academic programs, and 23 centers and institutes in the arts and humanities, natural sciences, and mathematics and the social sciences. Grabill succeeds Robin Schulze, after spending five years leading one of the largest higher education institutions in the U.K.

Inglet to lead Trocaires financial health and education initiatives

Trocaire College has appointed Jerry Inglet to program director for workforce development, financial health and education.

Inglet, who has more than 25 years of experience in finance and a decade in higher education, will oversee financial health and education initiatives within the colleges workforce development arm. He most recently served as a senior family legacy advisor for Wilmington Trust, providing financial education and guidance on college planning process for families.

Trocaire College will host an open house for its veterinary sciences program from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday at the Trocaire Achievement Center, 6681 Transit Road, Lancaster.

Interested students can learn about Trocaires veterinary technician associate degree program, which is available both in-person and online. Representatives from the colleges admissions, financial aid and student life departments will also be available. Register at https://trocaire.edu/event/veterinary-sciences-technology-professions-open-house/.

Welcome to Buffalo Next. This newsletter from The Buffalo News will bring you the latest coverage on the changing Buffalo Niagara economy  from real estate to health care to startups. Read more at BuffaloNext.com

THE LATEST

Former M&T Bank executive Darren King has a new job, as head of business banking for Cincinnati-based Fifth Third.

Buffalo's CannonDesign has merged with a smart building design firm based in New York City.

A handful of property owners rushed to put their land up for sale around the new Buffalo Bills stadium in hopes of selling to developers for high prices. So far, it hasn't happened.

A Buffalo mushroom farm is moving to a much bigger facility in the Northland complex.

The University at Buffalo is adding an academic department that focuses on artificial intelligence.

The state is looking for proposals to build a port for cruise ships in the Outer Harbor.

Theres more than meets the eye in the disagreements over the future of the Boulevard Mall in Amherst.

The Buffalo Bills hit a key milestone in the construction of the new stadium.

A third-generation Zaepfel plans to 'shake things up' at the family development firm.

There isn't much homebuilding going on in the Buffalo Niagara region.

Longtime venture capitalist Pete Grum is the new chair of the 43North startup competition.

The United House of Prayer plans to build 28 townhomes on Adams Street in Buffalo.

Cannabis firms are hoping the state makes changes in the way it collects excise taxes.

Buffalo Bills owner Terry Pegula's net worth keeps growing.

An Amherst medical products manufacturer is seeking tax breaks for an expansion.

The fate of the Boulevard Mall is up in the air as developer Douglas Jemal threatens to walk away from a $150 million lifestyle center project over the slow pace of eminent domain proceedings on the property by Amherst officials.

Three Buffalo-headquartered startups have been chosen for the latest cohort of the Golisano Institute's business-to-business sales program and revenue accelerator.

The Buffalo Next team gives you the big picture on the regions economic revitalization. Email tips to buffalonext@buffnews.com or reach Buffalo Next Editor David Robinson at 716-849-4435. Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up to get the latest news in your inbox.
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Courtesy, Ken Greschak Ken Greschak (foreground) local organizer of the "Hands Off!" protest for Indivisible Kalamazoo.

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Fran Dwight Kalamazoo residents Mary Lou Sedlock and Ron Zellers, seated, say they're anti-Trump, anti-Musk, and pro-democracy.

Fran Dwight Ron Zellers is a retired army medic. "I'm just glad to see people out here for all those guys who fought for freedom," he says.

Fran Dwight Many veterans came out to the April 5 protest.

Fran Dwight Many veterans came out to the April 5 protest.

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Fran Dwight Amy Glass, "I know that if we connect with each other we're stronger, that's why I'm here to just be another body."

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Fran Dwight Retired local media personality Lori Moore (blue hat), letting everyone know how she feels. Patti McNulty stands behind her with the yellow sign.

(Retired local media personality Lori Moore (blue hat), letting everyone know how she feels. Patti McNulty stands behind her with the yellow sign.

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Fran Dwight Issac Turner, looking for a place to park.

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Fran Dwight Democratic State Rep. Matt Longjohn of the 40th House District. "People didn't vote for this sh*#," he said of the Trump Administration's actions.

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Mark Wedel Troy Zukowski-Serlin, of Kalamazoo. "I want to take our rightful share of the American flag."

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Albion College students, and members of Students for Justice in Palestine, participated in the April 5 Hands Off demonstration on Beckley Road in Battle Creek.
Eqtec announced on Thursday that it has raised 1.5m through a share subscription with Compact WTL Tech, a wholly owned subsidiary of CompactGTL, marking a significant step in the companies' evolving collaboration in waste-to-liquid (WTL) technology.

The AIM-traded company said the subscription comprised 176.5 million new shares at 0.85p each, representing a 39% premium to Eqtecs closing price on 9 April, and would give CompactGTL an approximate 28.9% stake in the enlarged share capital.

It said the agreement also included 88.2 million warrants exercisable at 1.5p per share over four years.

A new joint venture entity would be formed in the United Arab Emirates to lead WTL operations across the Middle East-North Africa region, with the goal of attracting regional investment and strategic partners while leveraging the companies' complementary intellectual property.

Proceeds from the investment would fund continued development of integrated syngas-to-liquid fuel technologies, including a stake in a containerised pilot plant, and support Eqtecs working capital needs.

The board said the deal also included proposed plans to transfer existing loan facilities to CompactGTL.

CompactGTL's extensive expertise in gas-to-liquids (GTL) technology and its proven track record in synthetic fuel production make it an ideal partner as we advance our commercial deployment of integrated WTL solutions, said Eqtec chief executive officer David Palumbo.

Their deep understanding of modular GTL solutions and experience in transforming natural gas into high-value liquid fuels align perfectly with EQTEC's mission to drive innovation in waste-to-fuel technologies.

Palumbo said the investment will allow Eqtec to accelerate the deployment of integrated waste-to-liquid fuel solutions at scale, reinforcing its position in the rapidly expanding synthetic fuels market.

We look forward to leveraging CompactGTL's technical expertise, investor relationships, and strategic insight to maximise value for our shareholders.

At 1232 BST, shares in Eqtec were down 0.82% at 0.61p.

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.
Anglo American said in an update on Thursday that it was continuing to work with Peabody Energy to complete the sale of its Australian steelmaking coal assets, confirming that efforts were underway to satisfy the remaining customary conditions outlined in the definitive agreements announced in November last year.

The FTSE 100 miner said the transaction, unveiled on 25 November, involved the sale of its portfolio of steelmaking coal mines in Australia to US-based Peabody.

Separately, Anglo American reported progress in addressing the recent suspension of operations at its Moranbah North mine in Queensland.

The company said the temporary halt followed what was believed to have been a minor ignition underground on 31 March.

Conditions at the site stabilised shortly after the incident, and data and camera footage showed no evidence of damage.

Anglo American said it was working closely with safety regulators and independent experts to support a safe re-entry into the mine and a prompt resumption of operations.

At 0849 BST, shares in Anglo American were up 8.93% at 1,922.4p.

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.
Shares in Treatt plunged on Thursday, after the extracts and ingredients specialist warned on profits following a tough first half.

Updating on trading, the group  which supplies the beverage, flavour and fragrance industries  said it had been hit by lower demand, weaker consumer confidence and higher costs.

In particular, sustained high citrus prices affected demand in its heritage unit, while softer consumer confidence in the US weighed heavily on the North American beverage market.

As a result, first half revenues fell to 64.2m from 72.1m, while profits before tax and exceptionals slid to 3.6m from 7.6m, prompting Treatt to cut its full-year guidance.

It now expects revenues to come in between 146m and 153m, and pre-tax profits before exceptional items between 16m and 18m.

In the year to 30 September 2024, Treat posted pre-tax profits before exceptional items of 19.1m on revenues of 153.1m.

As at 0945 BST, shares in Treatt had lost more than a quarter of their value, down 26% at 237p.

David Shannon, chief executive, said: Treatt made meaningful strategic progression in the first half.

While we are disappointed by the impact on profitability of predominantly short-term trading challenges, we are encouraged by our robust order book and sales pipeline, and expect to realise the benefit of self-help measures within the second half.

We are confident in the medium-term outlook.

Treatt is due to post results for the six months to 31 March on 13 May.
A day after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cut the repo rate by 25 basis points, public sector bank Bank of Baroda has quickly passed on the advantage to its clients. The bank announced a cut in its external benchmark-based lending rates on retail and MSME loans to ensure effective transmission of the easing of monetary policy.

With this action, the retail and MSME segment borrowers will now be able to access lower-cost credit, which further strengthens the bank's growth and inclusive lending focus. "This step confirms Bank of Baroda's intent to offer credit at low prices to individuals and enterprises, while fostering economic growth and financial inclusion in the broader economy," the bank stated.

Bank of Baroda's Overnight Marginal Cost of Funds-Based Lending Rate (MCLR) is currently 8.15%, while the One-Year MCLR is 9%, making the bank one of the most competitively priced in the industry.

RBI had started increasing rates in May 2022 because of global geopolitical tensions, before standing pat from May 2023. RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra-headed Monetary Policy Committee took the decision in unison on Wednesday to lower the benchmark repo rate by 25 basis points to 6.25% from 6.5%. This was the first rate cut since the start of May 2020 when the central bank had lowered the rates to shield the economy from the blow of the COVID-19 pandemic.in May 2022 because of global geopolitical tensions, before standing pat from May 2023.

Thanks to Bank of Baroda's swift action, the policy action by the central bank is likely to give relief on time to small business and individual borrowers alike.
The Delhi government is set to begin distributing Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (PM-JAY) health cards to residents starting Thursday, following their registration for the program. The distribution will take place at 3 p.m. at the Plenary Hall in Vigyan Bhawan, Delhi.

Launched in 2018, the PM-JAY initiative aims to reduce the financial burden of healthcare for economically disadvantaged families across India. With the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the National Health Authority (NHA) of the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Department of Health & Family Welfare of the Government of NCT of Delhi, the national capital has officially become the 35th state or union territory to implement this important scheme. Currently, West Bengal is the only state that has not yet adopted PM-JAY.

In a significant enhancement to the initiative, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced that the state government will provide an additional health coverage of Rs 5 lakh, supplementing the existing Rs 5 lakh coverage offered under the central scheme. This move is expected to further support vulnerable families in accessing necessary healthcare services without the fear of financial strain.

The introduction of PM-JAY in Delhi marks a crucial step towards improving healthcare access for its residents, ensuring that more families can benefit from comprehensive health coverage. As the distribution of health cards begins, the government aims to facilitate a smoother transition into the program, ultimately enhancing the overall health and well-being of the community
India and the United Kingdom have reaffirmed their commitment to expediting negotiations towards a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) that is mutually beneficial, as the two countries deepen economic cooperation in the face of a changing global trade environment.

This was announced at the 13th India-UK Economic and Financial Dialogue in London, co-hosted by India's Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves. The two sides emphasized their mutual aspiration to forge stronger bilateral relationships across trade, investment, and innovation.

The UK gave a preview of its forthcoming Industrial Strategy, showing a particular interest in how it can complement India in high-priority areas of growth, including advanced manufacturing, life sciences, clean energy, professional and business services, financial services, creative industries, and defence. The partnership will leverage UK capability to support India's role as an emerging global manufacturing powerhouse.

One of the main highlights of the conversation was the reiteration of support for robust supply chains and industrial interlinkages, with both parties eagerly anticipating the signing of the India-UK Defence Industrial Roadmap, which seeks to enhance defence cooperation and enhance joint manufacturing efforts.

The two nations also marked the growing trade in financial services and committed to work closely to further develop the sector. The Financial Markets Dialogue (FMD) in December 2024 at GIFT City, India, set the stage for cooperation in banking, insurance, pensions, capital markets, and sustainable finance. The second round of FMD will be hosted in London later this year.

The UK received India's regulatory move to permit insurance companies in GIFT IFSC to invest abroad, as well as a proposed policy to grant similar permissions to pension firms. Further, the two countries agreed to increase capital-raising activities for Indian corporates through instruments such as rupee-denominated Masala Bonds.

Talks also addressed internationalising the Indian rupee, with India allowing foreign jurisdictions to open rupee accounts. Both nations said they would explore the role of London, as a hub of global finance, in facilitating this initiative and further integrating India into world financial markets.

We agreed that the UK asset management sector can complement the UK-India Infrastructure Financing Bridge and support increasing opportunities for Indian investors to access global funds. Both sides agree to work together on a supportive policy framework and to use the next Financial Markets Dialogue to discuss this further, according to the joint statement.

The UK and India recognised the importance of transition finance for mobilising capital to support sustainable development. Both sides welcomed each others work on this issue, including the UK government-commissioned Transition Finance Market Review.
Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, recently hosted a high-level meeting with attendees from different Export Promotion Councils and industry organizations to address the changing global trade scenario and how it affects the export sector in India. Discussion centered around the emerging opportunities as well as issues, especially concerning India-US trade relations.

The meeting was called to update stakeholders on the government's ongoing efforts to negotiate a mutually advantageous multi-sectoral Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) with the United States. Goyal stressed the need to keep a long-term strategic perspective on India-US economic relations while taking commercial decisions.

Had an extremely fruitful meeting with stakeholders from different Export Promotion Councils and Industry Associations. Discussions centered on informing stakeholders about the current talks with the US for a mutually favorable multi-sectoral BTA," Goyal stated.

The exporters were requested to be visionary and tough against the backdrop of global uncertainties, which also include the crisis in the Red Sea, the Israeli-Palestinian war, and ongoing geopolitical tensions within Eastern Europe.

Goyal complimented the export community on recording a record export of over $820 billion in FY 2024-25, showing a growth of 6% over the last fiscal year, despite heavy headwinds from across the world. He assured the industry of the government's resolve to giving a favorable environment for the growth of trade and business. on recording a record export of over $820 billion in FY 2024-25, showing a growth of 6% over the last fiscal year, despite heavy headwinds from across the world. He assured the industry of the government's resolve to giving a favorable environment for the growth of trade and business.

Several Export Promotion Councils, comprising diverse industries, also expressed their grievances and demanded support from the government to act proactively. Some of the prime concerns were policy stability, quicker trade facilitation, and assistance to sail through the turbulent global trading environment.

Goyal wound up stating that the proactive approach of the government in formulating trade-friendly policies and projecting India in the global export map was once again reiterated.
The Lowes location in Rossville is seen in this 2012 photo. The retailer has announced it will close all its U.S. stores for a full day later this month in observance of Easter. (Advance/SILive.com | Mark Stein)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Lowes has announced it will close all its U.S. stores for a full day later this month in observance of an upcoming spring holiday.

The big-box home improvement retailer, which operates over 1,700 stores across the country, including two here on Staten Island, has confirmed that all stores will be closed on Sunday, April 20, to allow employees to spend Easter with their family.

All Lowes stores will be closed on Easter Sunday, April 20, for customers and associates to spend time with their loved ones, the company noted in a press release. For customers looking to shop on Easter, there will be a one-day online-only sales event on Lowes.com.

And Lowes is not the only large chain planning to close for Easter: Costco announced earlier this month that it too will shut down all locations for 24 hours on April 20.

According to Costcos website, Easter is one of the major holidays observed by the store, which is also closed on New Years Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

The Staten Island Costco location will be open on Good Friday, April 18, from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Holy Saturday, April 19, from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Candy, baskets, flowers and a variety of grocery items are being marketed for the holiday in the stores One Hop Shop.

Target will also shutter all of its locations in observance of the holiday.

Guests can expect regular store hours on April 19 and can check Target.com or the Target app for local store information, a Target spokesperson told The U.S. Sun in an emailed statement.
In this undated photo, a boy receives treatment from his mother for measles. Measles vaccine rates on Staten Island are concerningly low, with some ZIP codes the lowest in the city, according to reports. (Getty Images/Rbkomar)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  As measles cases rise in the United States, and public health experts urge vaccination, Staten Island has been identified as the borough in New York City with the least protection against the illness.

Vaccination rates against the highly contagious  and potentially deadly  virus continue to drop in New York City, and the Staten Island vaccination rate is particularly concerning, according to reports.

Across the Island, no ZIP code has higher than a 74% vaccination rate for measles, mumps and rubella  also known at MMR  among children 24 to 35 months old, making it the borough with the least protection against measles, according to city Department of Health data provided to Gothamist.

The data was confirmed by Dr. Ana Cornish, medical director of ambulatory pediatrics at Northwell Staten Island University Medical Center, Ocean Breeze, who told the Advance/SILive.com that the concerning figures appear to be correct.

A rate of 95% is needed for herd immunity, according to health officials.

On Staten Island, the lowest MMR vaccination rate for 2-year-olds was found in the 10309 ZIP code, encompassing Richmond Valley, Charleston and Pleasant Plains. There, only 65% of children between 24 and 35 months have received their first dose, city data showed.

Manhattan ZIP codes also have vaccination rates under 70%, as does the 11414 ZIP code in Queens, according to the data.

Yet, Queens Breezy Point neighborhood has a 99% MMR vaccination rate for children between 24 and 35 months old, as does the area near JFK Airport, the report showed. Most communities fall somewhere in the middle.

Across the state, the vaccination rate is troubling, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul told the media recently, when she announced a new web portal for accessing vaccines.

Measles doesnt belong in the 21st century, and it certainly doesnt belong in the state of New York, Hochul said. As measles outbreaks occur at home and around the globe, its critical that New Yorkers take the necessary steps to get vaccinated, get educated and stave off the spread of this preventable disease  the safety of our communities depends on it.

In New York City

In New York City, almost all children enter kindergarten with two doses of the MMR vaccine, due to the states strict school vaccination rules, which dont allow for religious exemptions. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended the first dose of the vaccine be administered between 12 and 15 months.

Cornish told Gothamist that many parents fear vaccines, yet the hospital continues to encourage vaccination.

Misinformed Staten Island parents often worry about the safety of vaccines, particularly the potential for side effects and the unfounded belief that vaccination could lead to autism, Cornish said.

She said that pediatricians at the hospital educate patients about the MMR vaccine, and tailor information to their specific concerns.

If a parent said they preferred their child achieved natural immunity through exposure to measles, Cornish told the outlet she would explain that contracting measles can lead to severe complications, hospitalizations, long-term health problems, even potentially death.

The spread of measles

According to medical research, 90% of unvaccinated people who have close contact with an infected person will contract measles.

And before the measles vaccine became available, measles was a common, tragic childhood disease. It is considered the most deadly of all childhood rash/fever illnesses.

During the past three months, the CDC has been notified of 378 cases of measles in the United States  a 32% increase from what the nation saw in all of last year. The cases include two deaths  the first deaths related to measles in the United States in a decade

In neighboring New Jersey, three cases have been identified thus far by the state Department of Health.

And, a person infected with the measles was identified to have traveled to various places in New Jersey, including Newark Liberty International Airport and several locations in Bergen County, officials from the New Jersey Department of Health said last week, according to NJ.com, a sister site of SILive.com.

The person infected with the contagious virus traveled to New Jersey from Michigan, officials said.

Another person infected with the measles traveled to New Jersey on Friday and potentially exposed people at a Mercer County medical center.

A significant measles outbreak has also emerged on the Texas-New Mexico border. There, more than 200 cases were reported as of Friday, according to CNN. Recently a child died in Texas, and an adult died of the virus in New Mexico, officials have announced.

What to know

Measles is more contagious than the flu or coronavirus (COVID-19), according to the World Health Organization, and it remains in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours.

That means if someone with measles enters a room of unvaccinated people, everyone would likely become infected, Dr. Mark Jit, chair and professor of the Department of Global and Environmental Health at the NYU School of Global Public Health, told Healthbeat.

Before the measles vaccine was developed in the 1950s, nearly all children contracted measles by the age of 15, according to the CDC. At the time, of the 3 million to 4 million Americans infected each year, about 400 to 500 people died.

The measles vaccine became available in the 1960s, and the combination measles-mumps-rubella vaccine followed in 1971. And, as vaccination coverage increased, numbers of measles cases dropped.
Dozens of students gathered at the College of Staten Island to celebrate the closing ceremony of District Attorney Michael E. McMahons 9th annual Stand Up. Stop Bullying. campaign on Thursday, April 3, 2025. (Courtesy of the Richmond County District Attorney's Office)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Dozens of Staten Island students gathered on Thursday, April 3, to celebrate the closing ceremony of District Attorney Michael E. McMahons 9th annual Stand Up. Stop Bullying. campaign.

At the event, held at the College of Staten Island in Willowbrook, students were recognized for their art and essay-writing skills.

Each year, the Stand Up. Stop Bullying. campaign invites students from all corners of the borough to submit entries as a way of articulating their personal experiences with bullying.

This year, 39 schools from throughout the borough participated in the campaign through 1,160 submissions  a new record for the initiative.

The culmination of a nearly two-month-long campaign, I was truly honored to join so many of Staten Islands shining students for the closing ceremony of our annual Stand Up. Stop Bullying. art and essay-writing contest, McMahon said. For our 9th year in a row, this anti-bullying initiative has empowered our boroughs youngest and brightest minds to turn their pain into power and purpose by expressing their feelings about bullying through art and writing.

Emily Lewis, a third grader at St. Ann School in Dongan Hills, led the Pledge of Allegiance, while Ezekiel Pendleton, from Susan E. Wagner High School in Sea View, sang the National Anthem.

The Shaolin Queens Empire Dancers from PS 18, West Brighton, also performed, along with the Susan E. Wagner High School Show Choir.

Dozens of students gathered at the College of Staten Island to celebrate the closing ceremony of District Attorney Michael E. McMahons 9th annual Stand Up. Stop Bullying. campaign on Thursday, April 3, 2025. Courtesy of the Richmond County District Attorney's Office

Despite the many challenges our kids face today, I was inspired and proud to learn that over 1,200 submissions were received by our office this year from over three dozen schools across Staten Island, McMahon said.

I applaud the countless students who participated in this years contest for their commitment to eradicating bullying, for being upstanders inside and out of the classroom, and for making our beloved borough a kinder and more welcoming place to call home, he said.

We also thank our school principals, teachers, parents, performers, and the College of Staten Island for their partnership, and look forward to continuing this incredibly meaningful initiative for years to come, McMahon added.

Art Contest Winners

Tiana Lin, kindergarten, PS 6, Tottenville

Mia Kawalec, 1st grade, St. Ann School, Dongan Hills

Emma Wu, PS 30, 2nd Grade, Westerleigh

Mahiru Wishnaka, PS 30, 3rd Grade, Westerleigh

Kendrick Huang, 4th grade, PS/I.S. 48, Concord

Genevieve Wung, 5th grade, PS 62, Rossville

Korvah Mulbah, 6th grade, Eagle Academy

Christina Gao, PS/I.S. 48, 7th Grade, Concord

Youshu Ruan, PS/I.S. 48, 8th Grade, Concord

Brooke Frey, 9th Grade, Ralph McKee High School, St. George

Annabella Colucci, 10th Grade, Ralph McKee High School, St. George

Madisyn Torres, 11th Grade, Tottenville High School, Huguenot

Quduz A. Azeez, 12th Grade, Port Richmond High School, Port Richmond

Essay-Writing Contest Winners

Hailey Chen, 6th Grade, PS/I.S. 48, Concord

Katherine Wong, 7th Grade, St. Joseph Hill Academy, Grasmere

Nina Kovaci, 8th Grade, PS/I.S. 48, Concord

Audra Long-Nurse, 9th Grade, Port Richmond High School, Port Richmond

Jolin Wang, 10th Grade, Staten Island Technical High School, New Dorp

Nicole Markowitz, 11th Grade, Tottenville High School, Huguenot

Quduz A. Azeez, 12th Grade, Port Richmond High School, Port Richmond
News / National

by Staff reporter

As she entered the building, the staff started a long and resounding round of applause for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) president-elect, Kirsty Coverntry.Current IOC president Thomas Bach presented her with a bouquet of flowers.The entire staff joined the IOC president and president-elect for a group picture on the symbolic staircase of Olympic House.In her address to the staff, the president-elect said: "Wow. This is going to be etched in my memory for a long time."I am incredibly humbled to be here."I think as a nine-year-old girl, I did not think I'd ever be standing here getting the opportunity to give back to this Movement and to work with all of you to make sure that other nine-year-olds realise their dreams."She added: "So I'm truly very excited about the next eight years and what that looks like for all of us."Part of my campaign was the Ubuntu philosophy of I am because we are', and that is very much going to be the foundation of everything we do."So I'm truly just grateful and honoured to be here and really looking forward to making other nine-year-olds' dreams come true from around the world."Coventry's first visit to Olympic House as president-elect comes ahead of an IOC executive board meeting on Wednesday, 9 April.This is part of the three-month transition from president Bach to president-elect Coventry.Coventry is a double Olympic champion in swimming from Zimbabwe.She was elected as the 10th president of the IOC, and the first female president in IOC history, at the 144th IOC Session that was held in Costa Navarino, Greece, on 20 March 2025.Until the official handover ceremony on Olympic Day, 23 June, Coventry will regularly visit Olympic House in Lausanne.
The MSC Meraviglia is pictured here. The ship will depart Brooklyn on Jan. 11, 2026, for an eight-day adventure, and all profits will be donated to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, according to Expedia Cruises. (Courtesy of Expedia Cruises)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  A Florida travel agency has announced it is planning two 2026 fundraising cruises, with profits benefitting the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

Expedia Cruises has planned two special fundraising cruises, one departing from Brooklyn and the other from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Profits from 150 cabin sales of each cruise will go directly to the foundation, according to Erica Aylward, a cruise consultant with Expedia Cruises in Venice, Florida.

Aylward said she was inspired to organize the charity cruises after attending a Tunnel to Towers home dedication for a paralyzed police officer in Florida.

It inspired me and gave way to an idea of how we could help give back to this incredible organization, she said.

Aylward, who was born on Staten Island and is also a registered nurse, said she was working at what is now Northwell Staten Island University Hospital, in Ocean Breeze, when the horrific events of 9/11 unfolded in 2001.

Her husband at the time, who is now retired, was a firefighter assigned to Engine 217 in Brooklyn, she recalled. We experienced firsthand what Tunnel to Towers has done for our community, and now first responders and veterans across the country, she said.

Aylward, referring to the Land O Lakes, Florida, home dedication by the organization, said, Tunnel to Towers is very near and dear to my heart; the dedication changed my life.

Tunnel to Towers was founded in memory of firefighter Stephen Siller by his brother, Frank Siller, of Westerleigh, the current CEO and chairman. Stephen Siller lost his life after running through the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel in response to the Sept. 11 terror attack.

In all, Aylward said shes hoping to donate about $80,000 to the organization.

The MSC Meraviglia

The MSC Meraviglia will depart Brooklyn on Jan. 11, 2026, for an eight-day adventure, with stops in: Port Canaveral, Florida; Nassau, Bahamas; and Ocean Cay, Bahamas, before returning to Brooklyn on Jan. 18.

Prices for the MSC Meraviglia cruise are: $1,567 per person for a cabin with a balcony, $1,417 per person for a cabin with an ocean view, and $1,277 per person for an inside cabin. Suites are also available.

Retired FDNY Lt. Joseph LaPointe, of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, will be onboard the MSC Meraviglia.

The Staten Island community has always been incredibly generous in supporting the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, he said. This donation will honor the courage and commitment of those who keep our communities safe."

Celebrity Summit Cruise

The five-day Celebrity Summit Cruise will depart Fort Lauderdale on Feb. 17, 2026, and return on Feb. 21, 2026, with stops in Key West, Florida, and Nassau, Bahamas.

Prices for the Celebrity Summit Cruise are: $1,176 per person for a balcony cabin, $1,076 per person for a cabin with an ocean view, and $1,026 per person for an inside cabin. Suites are also available.

Both cruises include a classic drink package, free WiFi, and gratuities.

For more information or to make a reservation, contact Aylward at 941-740-0073 or eaylward@expediacruises.com.
Dr. Krishne Urs, fourth from left, accepts an award at the 2016 RUMC gala. Joining him from the left are Marcello and Charlotte Sciarrino, RUMC President and CEO Daniel J. Messina, Dr. Samala Swamy, Veeramani Swamy, Kathryn Krause Rooney and Joe Torres. (Photo courtesy of RUMC) rumc

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Richmond University Medical Center has long been a centerpiece for the Urs family of Staten Island.

Dr. Krishne Urs, an orthopedic surgeon, has been affiliated with the hospital for more than five decades. His son, Robert (Bobby) Urs, is serving on the RUMC Board of Trustees and as president of the RUMC Foundation Board.

As part of the hospitals historic transformation, father and son have teamed up to strengthen their familys support with $3 million in total gifts and pledges that reflect a deep commitment to their hometown borough.

We have extremely strong roots here, Bobby explained. We are Staten Island through and through, and proud to be part of the fabric of this great community.

A native of India, Dr. Urs received his medical degree with distinction from the University of Mysore. He arrived in New York City in 1962 and studied to become an orthopedic surgeon.

Robert (Bobby) Urs and his father, Dr. Krishne Urs, a retired orthopedic surgeon, have teamed up to support Richmond University Medical Centers historic transformation. (Photo courtesy of RUMC) Third-Party-Submitted

He completed fellowship training at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto and the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan, and became board certified in orthopedic surgery in the U.S. and Canada in 1968. That same year, he married his wife, Mary, a lifelong Staten Islander who was a nurse at the former St. Vincents Hospital.

Dr. Urs began his private practice in 1970 at St. Vincents, now Richmond University Medical Center, and served as chief of orthopedic surgery from 1986 to 2001.

He started Richmond Orthopedic Associates with Dr. Srinivasa Bhupathi in 1973, and was later joined by Dr. Nadubeethi Jayaram, and Dr. Mark Brandon. Drs. Urs and Bhupathi performed the first total knee replacement on Staten Island and introduced the fiber cast in 1986 as well as electrical stimulation for non-union of fractures.

Devoted to the Hindu religion, Dr. Urs served as chairman of the Hindu Temple Society of North America in Queens from 1992 to 2000 and has been chairman of the Staten Island Hindu Temple in Sunnyside since 2007.

A licensed real estate associate broker with Robert DeFalco Realty, Bobby Urs has achieved designations in Graduate REALTOR Institute (GRI) and Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES) and is an active member of the National Association of REALTORS and the Staten Island Board of REALTORS.

Kathryn Krause Rooney, center, former Board of Trustees chair, meets with Robert (Bobby) Urs and his father, Dr. Krishne Urs, a retired orthopedic surgeon. (Photo courtesy of RUMC) rumc

A lifelong Staten Islander living in the Silver Lake area, he and his wife, Jennifer, have two daughters who attend Staten Island Academy, where Bobby also serves on the Board of Trustees. Bobby and his children were born in Richmond University Medical Center.

Dr. Urs is grateful for the warm reception he received when he joined the staff eight years after arriving in New York City. The former St. Vincents welcomed me with open arms, and supported me as a surgeon, he said. The hospital was like a mother to me.

I have spent my entire career in this hospital and it has been part of the fabric of my life and livelihood and Im so grateful to give back to this organization and the people that it serves, said Dr. Urs, who performed 300 to 350 orthopedic surgeries a year during his tenure at RUMC.

OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE BACK

We believe Staten Island residents should have access to top quality health care and state-of-the-art facilities, Bobby added. We are proud to have an opportunity to give back to Staten Island.

The steady support of two generations of the Urs family has made RUMCs transformation a reality, said Daniel J. Messina, president and chief executive officer of the hospital. Their generosity helps us bring a whole different level of care to the Staten Island community.

This landmark gift allows us to advance and sets an impressive example for others to follow, said Joseph Burt, vice president for development. We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to Dr. Urs and Bobby for their extraordinary generosity and the leadership they provide in our fundraising efforts. As president of the RUMC Foundation, Bobby has worked tirelessly to help us exceed our goals.

What distinguishes Dr. Urs among the pantheon of RUMC heroes is the extraordinary depth and breadth of his outstanding contributions, contributions that have elevated everyone with whom he worked -- and inspired, said Timothy C. Harrison, chair of the Board of Trustees.

Physicians, nurses, staff, patients and Board members all love him, admire his fundamental decency and goodness, his humility, his intelligence, his compassion and his profound generosity. He is our moral and clinical compass, the person whom all of us strive to emulate. We always will.

Harrison continued: His son, Robert, has established himself as a leader in his own right, both on the RUMC Foundation, and as a member of the Board of Trustees. The apple doesnt fall far from the tree. I look forward to working with Bobby in service to RUMC in the months and years ahead.

We are very proud of our association with the Urs family at a personal and professional level, said Dr. Bhupathi, orthopedic surgeon and former colleague, and his wife, Nancy. Their philanthropic endeavors have made Staten Island a much better place to live and work. Their generosity has especially benefitted RUMC, an institution dear to our hearts.
In this file photo, President Donald Trump speaks at a reception in the White House on March 26, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File) AP

President Donald Trump declared on Truth Social that there will be No more Sanctuary Cities! Thursday morning.

They [sanctuary cities] protect the Criminals, not the Victims. They are disgracing our Country, and are being mocked all over the World. Working on papers to withhold all Federal Funding for any City or State that allows these Death Traps to exist!!! Trump claimed.

According to the Center for Immigration Studies, certain parts of the country  whether they be at the state level, county level, or city level  have laws, ordinances, regulations, resolutions, policies, or other practices that obstruct immigration enforcement and shield criminals from ICE

New York joins a total of 13 states that serve as sanctuary city states, as listed by the center:

California

Colorado

Connecticut

Illinois

Massachusetts

New Jersey

New York

North Dakota

Oregon

Rhode Island

Utah

Vermont

Washington

New York has over a dozen counties and cities within the state that serve as specific sanctuary cities, including New York Citys five boroughs  though some Staten Island elected officials called for Gov. Kathy Hochul to end sanctuary city status in early 2024 during the migrant crisis.

The following New York counties and cities are included on the centers list of sanctuary cities:

Albany

Albany County

Dutchess County

Monroe County

Nassau County

New York City

Orange County

Putnam County

Rockland County

Saratoga County

Suffolk County

Sullivan County

Tompkins County

Ulster County

Warren County

Wayne County

Westchester County

Yates County

In a March congressional hearing revolving around sanctuary cities, Newsweek reported that New York City Mayor Eric Adams said: I must create an atmosphere that allows every law-abiding resident, documented or not, to access vital services without fear of being turned over to federal authorities.
High pressure gives way to an approaching storm tonight. Expect increasing clouds through the day. Its remains mostly dry today, however a few afternoon showers can not be ruled out west of NYC. The rain overspreads the region tonight. Visit https://t.co/0cofXEHVEh for details. pic.twitter.com/7zs5MFweBQ
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The new name is an improvement on the meaningless St Collins Lane moniker and the earlier Australia on Collins  the name hitched to the shopping centre built in 1992 over the 1930s-era Hotel Australia. The centre has spent ten years in a retail wilderness with a series of different owners running mis-pitched strategies. In 2020, it sold to Credit Suisse Asset Management and Vantage Property for a bargain basement $122 million. Local investor Kaipara Property Group has since taken Vantages stake and UBS Asset Management Real Estate acquired Credit Suisses position after a 2023 global bailout of the troubled bank. Up, up and away Local investor developer Up Property has stepped out of the suburbs and scored a CBD office building for a price believed to be around $45 million. The 16-level tower at 50 Queen Street was sold by Swiss fund manager ST Real Estate which had paid $40.7 million in 2014. The Swiss optimistically listed it for sale for $80 million in 2022 just as the office market was tanking but might consider themselves lucky to have scored any profit at all.

The 16-level tower at 50 Queen Street sold for around $45 million. Credit: The deal reflects a passing yield of around 7 per cent, which is very high for CBD office buildings that were trading about 5 per cent  or lower  before and in the early days of COVID. There were 11 bidders for the property and two unconditional offers, according to Cushman & Wakefield agent Daniel Wolman, who worked on the deal with Oliver Hay, Leon Ma and Teska Carsons Ion Teska, Matt Feld and Adrian Boutsakis. They declined to comment on the price. We witnessed nine strong bids from local buyers with two offshore investors throwing some tough competition into the mix, Wolman said. The 9156 sq m building is on a 917 sq m site on the corner of Flinders Lane. Its about 73 per cent leased. Up Property has a $500 million pipeline of projects in the suburbs. It recently finished Morris Moor, a redevelopment of the old Philip Morris factory in Moorabbin and last year purchased 836 Mountain Highway, Bayswater for $17.65 million.

Aspects of the unconditional deal indicate the market could be improving, not least because local investors, lured by cheap city stock, have emerged looking for bargains. While the price was nearly half what was asked in 2022, the deal landed within this years $45-50 million quoted range rather than the gut-wrenching falls suffered by other office deals. Chiu family For an even more affordable piece of the CBD, the Chiu family is selling a three-storey building at 107 Little Bourke Street which it has owned for 55 years. The building, leased to the Khao Soi Restaurant until 2031, was built in 1903 and designed by architect Nahum Barnett as one of a pair of shops.

107 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne Records show the Chiu family paid $27,000 for the building in 1970. Its on a 99 sq m piece of land near the corner of Market Lane and pulls in $195,000 a year. Lemon Baxter agents Paul OSullivan, Hans Fan and Tom Burley have the listing and are quoting circa $4.4 million. It goes to auction on May 9. Sharp yield A patient owner-occupier with long-term plans has nabbed level 11 at 100 Collins Street for $3.25 million, reflecting the sharpest strata office yield in six years, at 4.55 per cent.

The 289 sq m office is leased for another three years, making the sale process tricky for the two joint owners who had held it for 30 years. Loading Cushman & Wakefield agent Anthony Kirwan, who managed the sale with George Davies and Jeff Ha, said owner-occupiers are the dominant strata buyers in this market. Interest in the property moved the agents and vendors to switch from an expressions of interest campaign to an auction. Held in front of 100 spectators it yielded just two buyers and sold after passing in at auction for its reserve price. An owner-occupier has also bought level seven of 28 Flinders Street, a building near the corner of Flinders Lane which had been occupied by the consulate of Nepal and the Royal Gurkhas Institute of Technology.

Gross Waddell ICR agent Alex Ham and Richard Lowe did the deal. Ham declined to comment on the price but it had been quoted at around $1.4 million. A solicitor working in migration and education bought the property. Eaton Mall A 250-plus crowd packed Oakleighs Eaton Mall on sunny Thursday morning eager to watch an auction of the strips former bank building, now home to a Chemist Warehouse outlet. Unsurprisingly, an associate of the retailing giants directors was the winning bidder out of four parties who pushed the price up to $12.1 million after 40 bids. The final price represented a sharp yield of 2.58 per cent and a land rate of $13,956 a sq m  the hottest metrics ever recorded on the popular strip.

Crowds at Oakleighs Eaton Mall on Thursday morning gather for the auction of the Chemist Warehouse outlet. Credit: The huge Chemist Warehouse chain recently debuted on the Australian Stock Exchange via a backdoor listing into Sigma Healthcare. Its founders and directors are regular buyers of the freeholds where Chemist Warehouse outlets trade and even other pharmacies that might be better located than its own shops. Cushman & Wakefield agents Raphael Favas, George Davies, Daniel Wolman and Leon Ma handled the campaign. They declined to comment on the buyer who was nonetheless well-known to others in the crowd. The Victorian-era bank at 30-36 Eaton Mall houses Chemist Warehouse, and three others who pay $420,000 a year in rent. The building is on 867 sq m of land.
News / National

by Staff reporter

The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) is awaiting formal guidance from the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development, and Investment Promotion regarding the implementation of President Emmerson Mnangagwa's directive to suspend tariffs on goods imported from or manufactured in the United States. This announcement, made over the weekend, aims to boost American imports and shield Zimbabwe's exports from retaliatory tariffs imposed by the United States.The move follows an 18% reciprocal tariff that the United States, under President Donald Trump, imposed on Zimbabwean goods in response to the country's 35% tariff on American imports. While the presidential directive was welcomed as an effort to ease trade tensions and encourage open markets, the full details of its implementation remain uncertain, leaving importers and businesses awaiting clarity on when the tariff suspension will take effect.In response to an inquiry from NewsDay Business, Zimra confirmed that the policy is still at high-level discussions. The authority noted that the implementation will proceed once the Ministry of Finance provides the necessary guidance. Zimra emphasized that the forthcoming implementation plan would clarify the criteria for qualifying goods, the origin of these goods, potential quotas, and the extent of tariff exemptions that will apply.While details remain vague, it is understood that the Ministry of Finance will play a pivotal role in formulating the administrative procedures for the policy. Importers are eager to learn whether the suspension will apply to all goods from the US or if it will be limited to specific products manufactured in the country.According to the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat), the United States remains a significant export destination for Zimbabwe, with exports totaling US$48.15 million in 2024. This figure represents an average of US$4.01 million per month. Despite this, the United States does not appear among Zimbabwe's top 20 import sources, indicating that the tariff suspension's impact may be more symbolic than economically significant in the immediate term.Trade data from the Office of the United States Trade Representative reveals that total trade between the two countries reached US$111.6 million in 2024. Of this, US exports to Zimbabwe amounted to US$43.8 million, up 10.6% from the previous year, while Zimbabwean exports to the US were valued at US$67.8 million, a decrease of 41% from 2023. The resulting trade deficit for Zimbabwe stood at US$24.1 million, marking a 68.1% decline compared to the previous year.Tapiwa Karoro, president of the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC), described the tariff suspension as a diplomatic maneuver intended to maintain positive relations with the United States, particularly in light of the US's March 2024 Executive Order. He noted that while the suspension signals goodwill, it also raises concerns for local industries already facing challenges such as high production costs, limited access to financing, and inadequate infrastructure. Karoro warned that the suspension of tariffs could lead to increased competition for local manufacturers, who may struggle to compete with cheaper, subsidized imports from the US.He also pointed out that without additional support measures, such as tax incentives or industrial protection strategies, the policy could lead to further de-industrialization, job losses, and a weakening of domestic supply chains. Moreover, Karoro highlighted the risks of setting a precedent under World Trade Organization (WTO) rules, particularly the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) clause, which requires equal treatment for all trade partners unless an exemption is granted under a formal free trade agreement. Karoro cautioned that other major trading partners, such as China, the European Union, or members of regional blocs like SADC, might demand similar tariff exemptions, potentially eroding Zimbabwe's tariff revenue and weakening its negotiating power in broader regional and international trade agreements.As Zimra awaits official guidance from the Ministry of Finance, the government faces a delicate balancing act between fostering diplomatic relations with the United States and ensuring the protection of local industries and fiscal stability. The outcome of these deliberations will likely have a significant impact on Zimbabwe's trade policy and economic landscape in the coming months.
A Sydney-Changi premium economy round trip can be purchased for just over $3739. The seats include calf rest and footrest and the meal is accompanied by a seasonal appetiser, bread, dessert and cheese and crackers with champagne. Singapore Airlines even allows premium economy passengers to book a specific meal on the flight. Qantas doesnt release a breakdown on premium economy revenue, but estimates suggest it can be at least 20 per cent over comparable economy seating. Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson says customers are willing to pay for premium economy. Credit: Airbus In half-year results released in February, Qantas said it experienced an increase in demand for premium cabins across its international network, with a 2.5 percentage point increase in load factors across first, business and premium economy cabins. Almost three years after the lockdowns ended, demand shows no sign of slowing.

If you look at it as real estate, it doesnt take up a lot more room than economy and in terms of service its not that much more, Harbison said. Qantas seatback screens in premium economy class. Qantas chief executive Vanessa Hudson says the airline hears from customers a greater desire to fly from point to point, rather than through hubs. Doing that in a premium and a comfortable seat is also something that customers are saying that they value and theyre prepared to pay  for, Hudson said. Loading

Premium economy will have a place on the coming Project Sunrise flights  due to start in 2027, which will link Australia to the UK and US on world-leading non-stop flights. The specially made A350s to be used in Project Sunrise will have more than 40 per cent of their seats as premium (first, business and premium). Of the 238 seats on the plane, a full 40 of them will be premium economy. An irony of premium economys success is that airlines long resisted it, said Harbison. There was a lot of resistance to it because there was a question of whether people would buy up or buy down, he said. At the time, people who didnt want to fly economy were forced to pay three, four and five times as much to fly business class. Emirates resisted premium economy class seating for a long time. Credit: Bloomberg

The argument went  and airlines resisted for a long time  that if you put something in the middle, thats really going to dilute your business class traffic. Instead, once given the option, economy passengers bought up into the enhanced, premium economy seats. Emirates is a case in point. The airline, whose reputation is built on luxury, if not opulence, feared that offering a downgraded form of first class or business class would cannibalise their existing business. Emirates president Sir Tim Clark, speaking in January, said that after the seat class launched in August 2022, 90 per cent of the people in premium economy had traded up from economy. Loading

In turn, premium economy is emerging as a profit centre for airlines. I have to say it has surpassed all expectations in the mathematical factor that we had to get, to achieve, to justify its inclusion at all. The post-COVID travel revolution, meanwhile, is slimming other segments of the seats. Harbison says corporate travel as a share of total travel is thinning. Experts interviewed suggested that the deeper adoption of remote meetings during the COVID-19 pandemic may have helped reset corporate behaviour around business travel.

Today, Harbison said: Youre seeing a steady transformation of the profile of premium travellers  moving away from business to leisure. He noted that the corporate travellers didnt always fly business class  but they did pay higher prices, even in economy, because of their need for flexibility. Now the airlines are going after the premium tourist traffic, Harbison said. The economy part of the label also appeals to business travellers required by their employers to book economy. Dublin City University assistant professor in aviation management Cathal Guiomard chalks up the rise of premium economy to a broader shift. Loading

As living standards improve, peoples sole concern is no longer just value for money, he said. Its no longer just minimising the cost of the flight. And people are prepared to pay a bit more to get a bit more comfort. Coming from Australia, where the distances are far longer, that factor probably plays a greater role. Indeed, the geography does play a part. Taiwan-based EVA airlines is credited with creating the premium economy class in 1992. It debuted on trans-Pacific flights from Taipei to Los Angeles. The growth of premium economy in Asia reflects in part the regions requirement for long-distance travel. Director general of Association of Asia Pacific Airlines Subhas Menon said that because Asia is not a contiguous continent, air travel and transportation are social-economic necessities.

This fact has really expanded opportunities people can take for travelling  including premium economy. What we have seen is the downsizing of first class  and business class remains pretty much untouched. But there have been more premium economy seats added on most of the flights. As an airline built on long-haul flying, Qantas has been an enthusiastic adopter of premium economy. It first rolled out premium economy on its then-new A380s in 2008, and Boeing 747s, and in 2017, it added premium economy to Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. Loading

The lure of premium economy is so strong, Qantas wont rule it out one day for the soon-to-be delivered Airbus 321XLR. The initial role of the XLR will be to replace Qantas domestic backbone of 737s. Given the 321XLRs range of 8700 kilometres, Qantas is also earmarking the plane for use on flights to and from Asia. Premium economy is more of a long-haul product, Qantas Hudson said. Accordingly, Qantas would make an assessment on an XLR with an international configuration, Hudson said. Its possible in the future, premium economy is part of that offering, she said. The lure of premium economy is so strong, no long-haul airline can afford to ignore its potential.
And in their list of 20 recommendations, not once did the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission mention the need to ban the practice. So, if the ACCC didnt suggest it, where did the idea come from? And why is a ban on excessive mark-ups on the cards? Well, its another case of Labor proposing a small but worthwhile reform. These ideas have to be ticked off by big-wigs, but the heavy lifting is done behind the scenes. Pull back the curtains of government, and youll find a section of Treasury beavering away under the leadership of assistant minister and former economics professor Dr Andrew Leigh.

The Competition Taskforce, established by the government in 2023, is a response to the increasing concentration of the Australian economy over the past 20 years. Its made up of a couple of dozen people and Leigh says its not just a handful of men with grey beards tapping out once-off reports, which has traditionally been the way economic reform has been put on the table. Loading Instead, he labels it a crack team of about a dozen people, churning out policy advice on an ongoing basis and tick-tacking with stakeholders  in a way that experts tasked to do a single report may not. While the ACCC has taken the reins on scrutinising supermarkets recently, most memorably through its scathing report, Leigh says the governments policies have been informed by the taskforces previous work in the space such as the mandatory food and grocery code  aimed at protecting suppliers and farmers  which came into play at the beginning of this month. And while the ACCC might have shied away from slapping the price gouger label on the supermarkets, Leigh says the weight of the evidence suggests theres a clear problem.

Weve seen their margins increase over COVID, he says. Weve got them in court with the ACCC. The supermarkets have not exactly covered themselves in glory over the last couple of years. And compared with the last time the competition watchdog probed the supermarket sector in 2008, Leigh says the 2025 inquiry is awash in data. [The ACCC] has analysed more than a billion prices so theyve got data on more than a million prices from the two supermarkets, every week, over a five-year period, he says: something that was unheard of two decades ago. The ACCC has found that Coles and Woolworths are some of the worlds most profitable supermarkets. Credit: Louie Douvis The availability of information and the ability to crunch and analyse huge amounts of data has given the government confidence to make the call  or at least to take action on an issue they know voters are still eyeing very closely and passionately. Its far from an immediate fix. The governments promise to ban price gouging by supermarkets will first require them to form a new taskforce to give advice on what excessive pricing might actually look like.

Loading And chasing the two giants around with a stick doesnt necessarily remove some of the key barriers to stronger competition in the supermarket sector such as inconsistent zoning laws which lock out competitors in many areas around the country. While the government has, in principle, agreed with all the recommendations from the ACCC, were yet to see follow-through on most of them. That doesnt mean that setting out to define excessive pricing is a bad thing. Its one of those concepts that seems obvious but which people still disagree over. And without a yardstick, the supermarket giants  and every other business  know theres a grey area they can play in and take advantage of. The governments latest action on supermarkets is good because it puts Coles and Woolworths on notice. If they are misbehaving or pushing their luck with questionable pricing, the bosses should be gathering at their drawing boards, rethinking their approach and preaching some caution. If theyre not doing anything wrong, they have nothing to worry about.
I have very little in common with Australian author Tim Winton. He has written many books, and I have written one. His titles are bestsellers; my book was mainly purchased by friends and family. He loves the ocean, whereas I am happier on land.

Despite our differences, it turns out both Tim Winton and I are part of the same unfortunate club: Australian authors being ripped off by Meta.

Author Tim Winton and I are part of the same unfortunate club. Credit: Violeta J Brosig, Blue Media Exmouth

As with any good story, lets start at the beginning. In January, a collection of authors, including Ta-Nehisi Coates, Junot Diaz and comedian Sarah Silverman, filed a suit against Meta for copyright infringement.

The claim alleged that Meta knowingly used Library Genesis (LibGen), an online trove of more than 7.5 million pirated books, to train its generative AI language model, Llama. On March 20, The Atlantic published a tool that made it possible to search LibGen for the first time, allowing authors to see if their copyrighted work was being used to develop Metas AI.
This story contains spoilers for season three of The White Lotus.

The White Lotus has wrapped for another season and the shows many Reddit detectives have all the answers theyve been searching for.

We know that, as theorised, the fruit of the so-called suicide tree  the narrative seeds of which were planted in episode one  made its way into the Ratliffs blender. And yes, Chelseas stay gold necklace  which some speculated was a reference to a quote from a dying character in The Outsiders  likely was an indicator of the ingenues untimely death.

Walton Goggins and Aimee Lou Wood in The White Lotus. Credit: HBO

But the drama is far from over. Online sleuths have now turned their eyes to the lives of Walton Goggins and Aimee Lou Wood, the actors who played Rick and Chelsea. Fans are now neck-deep in a would-be scandal involving the pairs social media activity, dress choices, and a song by Fleetwood Mac.
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Neighbourhood bar and bottleshop doing mostly drinks.

1 / 3 Outside the Box Hill bar and bottleshop. Supplied 2 / 3 Grab a seat at the bar for tap beers. Supplied 3 / 3 Open for mostly drinks, but you can BYO food or order in takeaway. Supplied Previous Slide Next Slide

Contemporary$$$$

Box Hill bar and bottle shop Bar Nearby leans into the welcoming British pub culture of co-owner James Bishops native Worcestershire. One beer tap will always pour the crowd-pleasing Carlton Draught; the rest will oscillate between local brewers such as Hargreaves Hill. And you can just as easily get a $13 glass of local wine as a Coravin pour of premier cru chablis.

If dinners on the cards, you can BYO or order takeaway from a local restaurant.
Australias youngest killer has been arrested less than a month after being released from prison, police alleging he possessed child abuse material.

The man, known as SLD, who cant be identified for legal reasons, was convicted of killing three-year-old Courtney Morley-Clarke on the Central Coast in 2001 when he was just 13.

SLDs victim Courtney Morley-Clarke was three years old.

SLD was released from prison in March after serving 22 years in custody for the murder and another 13 months for breaching his supervision orders upon release.

The 38-year-old was arrested in Campbelltown at 4.55pm on Wednesday and charged with multiple counts of breaching his supervision orders and one count of possessing child abuse material.
Colourful former racing identity Eddie Hayson, who was charged over the commercial supply of drugs, has been granted bail.

This was Haysons second attempt to get bail following his arrest on the Gold Coast in February 2024. He was arrested by officers from Strike Force Maimura who were targeting an organised crime group that allegedly used private planes and encrypted devices to move drugs across the country.

Eddie Hayson has been granted bail. Credit: Louise Kennerley

The NSW Supreme Court heard that Hayson, 56, had only a minor criminal record, which included a fraud charge and offensive behaviour.

Haysons barrister, Ian Lloyd, KC, also highlighted Haysons untreated medical conditions, including severe dental and ankle issues. The court heard that Justice Health had agreed that Hayson could see his own dentist if he paid for the cost of prison officers to accompany him. However, Corrective Services refused approval.
The dismissal of an alleged serial rapists attempt to have his identity suppressed for 20 years is yet another reminder of the increasing use of suppression orders and the importance of holding courts to account on open justice principles.

The Herald yesterday won a legal bid to publicly name Anthony Stevo Glumac, who used social media to meet women before he allegedly committed a series of violent and degrading attacks in Sydney and Wollongong leading up to his arrest in December 2020.

Glumac, 29, has pleaded not guilty to 45 charges against 17 alleged victims from January 2014 to December 2020, and his judge-alone trial began on Monday. But an interim non-publication order last week prevented him from being identified. Glumac wanted his name and image protected for up to two decades, claiming he was assaulted three times while on remand and that threats to his safety intensified whenever there was media coverage.

Anthony Glumac, 24, is facing 47 charges. Credit: Nine News

Lawyers for The Sydney Morning Herald and the Crown opposed a permanent order in Downing Centre District Court on Wednesday, arguing there was no evidence Glumacs self-reported assaults resulted in injury, and that any risk to him could be mitigated.
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 At Little India, a vibrant restaurant strip at Harris Park in the electorate of Parramatta, some local businesses are hedging their bets on the May 3 federal election. On the fence of Billus, a culinary landmark in the suburb for 25 years, hang corflute posters for both Labor member Andrew Charlton and his Liberal challenger Katie Mullens. Charltons corflute was there first. But when Mullens turned up at the restaurant for a meal the restaurant owner, Youvie Gaba, wanted to put her signs up too. Youvie Gaba outside Billus, the restaurant he owns in Harris Park. Credit: Wolter Peeters Its not the party I usually go for. I go for the person, he says. I dont mind [who wins]  as long as whoever wins looks after us. Gabas equivocation is emblematic of the attitude many locals have in the diverse seat which will be a key battleground in the federal poll. Rodney Smith, professor of Australian politics at Sydney University, says the vote in the Parramatta region has a tendency to fluctuate between Labor and Liberal at every level of government: federal, state and local council.

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Its not really a seat that either major party can feel comfortable about holding, he says. When John Howard swept to power in 1996, Parramatta was one of a swag of western Sydney seats the Liberals snatched from Labor. It remained in Liberal hands for two more elections before swinging back to the ALP in 2004. The seat has been tightly contested since. The state electorate of Parramatta was Liberal from 2011 until 2023, when it switched to Labor and helped Chris Minns to become NSW premier. But the next year, following local council elections, a Liberal Lord Mayor, Martin Zaiter, was elected to replace a Labor predecessor. Another close contest for the federal seat looms on May 3. The incumbent, Andrew Charlton, made headlines in 2022, when Labor leader Anthony Albanese parachuted the Oxford-educated economist in as Labors candidate for the seat to replace retiring ALP stalwart Julie Owens. Member for Parramatta Andrew Charlton hands out flyers at the train station at Harris Park. Credit: Photo: Kate Geraghty Charlton had worked as senior economic advisor to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd before founding a successful consultancy called AlphaBeta Advisors (later acquired by professional services giant Accenture for a large sum). But he was an outsider who lived in the eastern suburbs.

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Despite criticism of Albaneses captains pick, Charlton won the seat amid a nationwide swing to the ALP. This time a federal redistribution has sliced Charltons margin by almost 1 percentage point to 3.7 per cent, making Parramatta one of the ALPs most vulnerable seats in NSW. Many families in the district have been hit hard by cost of living pressures, which may count against the local member. Parramatta is the sort of electorate where the debate around cost of living will be important, says Smith. Charltons Liberal opponent is Katie Mullens, a lawyer who has lived and worked in the district for 17 years. Its not her first political tilt: Mullens stood for the state seat of Parramatta in 2023 but lost to Donna Davis, a former Labor lord mayor. Liberal candidate Katie Mullens says shes hearing the same message over and over: people are really struggling. Credit: Peter Rae She is running a cost-of-living campaign: food and petrol prices have become so expensive that people are telling her they are choosing between prescription medications, she says. Im hearing the same message over and over: people are really struggling, she says. I believe that if you work hard, you should be rewarded for that effort. You should be able to aspire to buy a house, start a business, have a family  and you shouldnt be in survival mode living paycheck to paycheck.

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When people are struggling financially, you do see crime rise. You also see mental health issues rise. Charlton agrees living costs are top of mind for Parramatta voters but argues access to health care, which is linked to household finances, is a major concern. Thats why weve made health a big focus of this government, and a really big focus locally, he says. Just before the Herald interviewed Charlton, he was handing flyers to voters about two bulk-billed Medicare urgent care clinics recently established in the area. Peter Dutton visited the electorate of Parramatta in the first week of the election campaign, underscoring the importance of the seat. The Liberal leader must win a clutch of marginal, mortgage-belt electorates such as this one if he is to become prime minister. Katie Mullens (right) with Liberal leader Peter Dutton as he fills up in Carlingford. Credit: James Brickwood A beaming Mullens stood at her leaders shoulder as he filled a white ute with fuel at a petrol station in Carlingford. She then joined Dutton at a press conference where he spruiked the Coalitions pledge to cut fuel excise and other policies to ease cost of living pressures.

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A mobile billboard parked nearby carried a photo of Mullins and the promise: Every litre 25c cheaper by voting Liberal. Mullens describes Dutton as a firm and compassionate leader and mentions him frequently during an interview with the Herald. Albanese also spent time in western Sydney early in the election campaign; Charlton says he is popular in the area. The prime minister has always been an asset here in Parramatta, he says. I think people like his values and they like him. Andrew Charlton (second from right) campaigning in his electorate with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in March. Credit: Steven Siewert According to election betting markets Charlton is favoured to win the seat, but Parramatta can produce the unexpected, says Andy Marks, the executive director of the Centre for Western Sydney at Western Sydney University. Weve been watching these polls in western Sydney for a long time [and] weve seen an accelerated drift away from the major parties, he says. I think well continue to see that, and I think seats like Parramatta will throw up some surprises, simply by way of the influence of preference flows through independents.

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A car has crashed into a house south-west of Brisbane, leaving the driver trapped with life-threatening injuries.

The vehicle hit the side of the home on Warrill View-Peak Crossing Road in Peak Crossing, Scenic Rim just before 1pm.

A male in his late teens was trapped in the wreckage and had to be cut out by the Queensland Fire Department.

Car crash into house at Scenic Rim south of Brisbane. Credit: Nine News

He was treated for life-threatening injuries at the scene before being airlifted to Royal Brisbane and Womens Hospital.
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by Staff reporter

Energy and Power Development Minister, July Moyo, has emphasized that Zimbabwe offers "abundant opportunities" for investors in the renewable energy sector. Speaking at the International Renewable Energy Conference and Expo in Victoria Falls yesterday, Moyo highlighted the country's potential for growth in the energy sector and called for enhanced interaction between stakeholders to ensure regular updates on emerging opportunities.In his remarks, Moyo urged more frequent engagement between investors and relevant authorities, proposing the establishment of a virtual communication platform where stakeholders could connect with the government and keep up-to-date on available opportunities. He suggested that these interactions could be scheduled weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly to facilitate regular updates. "You can connect with us through the media, but more importantly, let us open up another avenue," he said. "There are abundant opportunities that we still need to tap into."The Minister's comments came as part of a broader push to enhance collaboration in the renewable energy sector, which is seen as key to Zimbabwe's energy future.During the conference, the Ministry's Permanent Secretary, Dr. Gloria Magombo, provided an update on resolutions made during last year's conference. She highlighted some of the steps being taken to address the currency-related challenges that project developers have raised. "Aware that issues like currency risk, currency convertibility, certainty of payments, and repatriation have persistently been raised by project developers, the Ministry of Energy and Power Development is encouraged to continue lobbying responsible authorities for solutions to these challenges," she said.Magombo also pointed to the government's ongoing efforts to derisk renewable energy projects by offering letters of comfort through the Government-to-Private Sector Agreement (GPSA) facility. She confirmed that seven Independent Power Producers (IPPs) have already signed the GPISA documents, and several others have shown interest. To date, 146 megawatts of renewable energy projects have been awarded, signaling strong momentum in the sector.In her address, Magombo also called for greater engagement between Zimbabwe's private sector and the European Union to explore funding opportunities for renewable energy projects. She noted that the EU has allocated a $150 billion fund for infrastructure projects, including energy, in Africa. She encouraged Zimbabwe's private sector and local IPPs to leverage this funding opportunity through various platforms, such as conferences, seminars, and breakfast meetings.The government has also been in discussions with international partners like the Swedish International Development Assistance, which is providing $5 million to support private investments under the EELA Projects. Additionally, the German organization GIZ is set to launch a financing program in Zimbabwe starting in April 2025.Further, Magombo revealed that the Ministry of Energy has been lobbying the Ministry of Finance to approve the draft E-mobility roadmap. She emphasized the importance of e-mobility as a climate-friendly transport solution and noted that while the upfront costs of electric vehicles could be prohibitive, the government was working on incentives to make this transition more affordable. "We are lobbying the Ministry of Finance to approve and implement incentives contained in the draft E-mobility roadmap, and standards for e-vehicles and charging stations should also be publicized," she said.The combined efforts of the government, international partners, and the private sector are expected to pave the way for a stronger, more sustainable energy future for Zimbabwe, with renewable energy playing a central role in the country's long-term development plans. The government's proactive approach to engaging stakeholders and securing funding opportunities marks a significant step forward in realizing Zimbabwe's energy potential.
However, Fletcher does support offshore wind for Gippsland, saying the region has the potential to become a hub for jobs, investment and energy security. Fletcher is attempting to unseat Russell Broadbent, who is re-contesting Monash as an independent after losing the Liberal Partys endorsement. He previously held his electorate for more than 20 consecutive years for the Liberal Party and retained the seat with a margin of 2.9 per cent at the 2022 election. Broadbent also confirmed he opposed the Waratah Bay cable route. It was never an appropriate location for an industrial transmission route, and Im pleased that view has now been recognised, he said. However, Broadbent rejects offshore power altogether, saying turbines could not exist without public subsidies.

Offshore wind projects dont stack up, he said. Bob Boelen at his home overlooking Waratah Bay. Credit: Justin McManus Responsible Renewables member and Waratah Bay resident Bob Boelen said his group came out of dormant mode to fight Gippsland Skies plan to explore putting the connection cable through the bay and beach. Boelen describes himself as a left-leaning voter who is unaffiliated with any political party. He supports renewable energy and accepts that another electricity cable, Marinus Link, will cross underground at Waratah Bay. But Boelen said he felt an obligation to protect his beloved beach from the Gippsland Skies proposal. He feared the transmission cable and associated infrastructure would have interfered with the rich marine environment at Waratah Bay.

There would have been massive disturbance, he said. Boelen praised Gippsland Skies for heeding the communitys concerns but said the election might have played a part in the companys decision. Monash MP Russell Broadbent is opposed to offshore wind on the Gippsland coast. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen He said his group had secured the opposition of Monash candidates to the Waratah Bay route option and then presented their positions to Gippsland Skies in community consultation sessions. The election certainly helped and put more pressure on the candidates.

Gippsland Skies is among 12 operators granted feasibility licences to explore the viability of their proposed offshore wind projects on the Gippsland coast. Independent candidate Deb Leonard, who has backing from progressive funding group Climate 200, said she was strongly opposed to transmission lines running through Waratah Bay. Leonard said the fishing community was also concerned about impact of seismic testing on fishing stocks, and she was planning community consultation on the issue. In past years there has been extensive seismic testing on the Gippsland coast, in which mapping companies deploy loud blasts to search the seabed for oil and gas. Liberal MP Dan Tehan is opposed to plans for an offshore wind farm on the south-west coast. Credit: Joanne OKeefe

Offshore wind has also proven contentious in the Wannon electorate, which stretches from Anglesea to the South Australian border. Liberal MP Dan Tehan, who holds the seat by 3.8 per cent, is promising to scrap the Southern Ocean Offshore Wind Zone. He said the community was deeply concerned about the potential impact of offshore wind on whales, migratory seabirds, recreational fishing and tourism. Instead of offering more talking and government reports, Im standing with my community right now and saying no to a massive offshore wind farm at Warrnambool and Port Fairy, Tehan said. There are no offshore wind farms operating in Victorian waters yet, but the federal government has granted a feasibility licence to one operator for its proposed project in the Southern Ocean off the coast from Warrnambool and Port Fairy. Seismic blasting is also a hot issue in Wannon. At least one company is planning seismic testing in the Otway Basin.

Tehan did not oppose seismic testing for gas altogether, but insisted he did not support testing that threatens endangered species. His main opponent is independent candidate Alex Dyson, who is backed by Climate 200. In a statement earlier this year Dyson called for a moratorium on seismic blasting, describing it as dangerous and unnecessary. Independent candidate for Wannon Alex Dyson on the campaign trail. Credit: Joanne OKeefe But he stopped short of opposing offshore wind. Dyson said he would only support an offshore wind project if there were real community benefits and the community had been properly consulted. Otway Coastal Environment Action Network founder Lisa Deppeler said voters cared deeply about the marine environment in Wannon. Her group wants all candidates to support a moratorium on seismic blasting.

The coast is playing a big part in the Wannon election, she said. Loading Monash University politics lecturer Dr Zareh Ghazarian said local environmental issues would figure significantly in the campaigns for both Wannon and Monash. I would expect the aesthetics and health of the environment, both marine and land, to be prominent in the thoughts and ambitions of voters, he said. Meanwhile, the Victorian government on Wednesday released the latest stage of its offshore wind strategy, which outlined delays and changes to its program.
An unprecedented safety warning has been issued over new homes in Melbournes south and west amid an ongoing investigation by Victorias building regulator.

The Victorian Building Authority publicly revealed on Thursday morning it was investigating Baba Building Group over serious allegations of defective work across five construction sites in Clayton, Officer, Tarneit and Truganina.

The builder has denied allegations of defective work. Credit: Oscar Colman

Baba owner Dheeraj Sandala told The Age he denied allegations the company had encouraged clients to illegally move into unsafe or incomplete homes without an occupancy certificate.

But VBA chief executive officer Anna Cronin said the allegations were so concerning the regulator had taken the unprecedented step of naming Baba Building Group, including the associated Windsor Homes, despite its investigation being ongoing.
A Perth court has heard how a womans mental impairment combined with a childhood filled with neglect, instability and abuse contributed to two incidents of assault that a magistrate has described as disturbing.

Pamela-Raye Jetta, 21, sat quietly in a frilly pink dress behind the glass at Perth Magistrates Court on Thursday as prosecutors told how in two separate incidents last year, she assaulted both a two-year-old baby and an 80-year-old woman.

The assault happened in Victoria Park. Credit:

In the first, Jetta had been on a bus in South Perth with two male friends when she flew into a rage and began gesticulating wildly with her hands before sitting down next to an elderly lady she did not know. For reasons unknown, Jetta struck the woman across the face, possibly twice, before the woman said, You hit me.

No I didnt, the court was told Jetta responded, before allowing the woman to get up and move to another seat.
To paraphrase the Barenaked Ladies, its been one week since Donald Trump upended the global economy, and were still waiting for him to say sorry for the damage hes wrought.

Not that we should expect an apology, or anything approaching a mea culpa, from a president who is skilled in the art of blaming everyone but himself for any shortcoming or problem  more often than not which he has caused.

Donald Trump  its been a week since he launched Liberation Day. Its been a hell of a ride since then. Credit: AP

But one week on from Trumps game show-like appearance in the White House Rose Garden, lets take a breather to examine what weve learnt since Liberation Day.

The first thing we know is that the self-described very stable genius is anything but. His volte-face on Thursday, in which he announced a 90-day pause on his beautiful tariffs while increasing Chinas to 125 per cent, offered only further confirmation. No matter how his supporters and sycophants might paint it, this was an admission that things had run off the rails.
Howards imported version of Thatcherism and Reaganomics boiled down to a plan to radically cut personal income taxes, reduce company tax rates, abolish the capital gains tax and make business entertainment tax-deductible, among other efforts. How the Coalition would pay for all this was unclear and poorly argued. None of it mattered much after Howards would-be treasurer, Jim Carlton, launched his grand budget savings plan. John Howard prepares to vote in the 1987 election. Credit: Fairfax Photography It was a fiasco. A double-counting error meant the figures were out by about $400 million (more than $1.6 billion in todays money).

Treasurer Paul Keating applied his blowtorch until Howards half-baked campaign was a cooked goose. Andrew Peacock Credit: Fairfax Media Andrew Peacocks campaign against Hawke in 1990 came to grief early. The Coalition had promised for months it was working on a new health policy that would leave no one worse off. Weeks before the campaign even began, Peacock sent out his health spokesman, Peter Shack, to deliver the dire news that the Coalition didnt actually have a health policy to take to the election. Shack took truth in politics to new heights when he added the Liberal and National parties do not have a particularly good track record in health, and you dont need me to remind you of our last period in government.

Needless to say, Peacock failed to win government. Shacks political career did not prosper. The latest version of this sort of election campaign self-destruction came a few days ago when Dutton sent out his finance spokesperson, Senator Jane Hume, to concede that her plan to end work-from-home was a goner. Dutton tried for the old it was all a mistake, and were awfully sorry. Too late, those who put their money on these sort of races decided. The betting market, which only a few weeks ago had Duttons Coalition the slight favourite for the election before gradually edging away, suddenly swerved. At the time of writing, the Coalition had been cast into outsider territory in betting shops such as Sportsbet ($3.66 to gain government) and Labor had firmed as clear favourite ($1.28).

How did it get to this so swiftly? Dutton clearly thought he was on a good thing over recent months by signalling he was in accord with Trumps assault on all things woke  an ill-defined term closely related to the former art known as dog whistling, designed to be understood to sympathise with any grievance the listener might harbour. Loading Since the second half of last year when it became clear that Trumps populism was bulldozing all before it in the US presidential race, Dutton and his colleagues began polishing up what might be termed Trump whistling, stoking culture wars by declaring opposition to rituals as benign as Welcome to Country ceremonies or even standing in front of an Aboriginal flag, sharpening criticism of gender and race theories, attacking public broadcasting and universities and talking down the public service. Once Trump won and began surrounding himself with self-interested billionaires, Duttons own billionaire friend, West Australian miner Gina Rinehart, brought back to Australia the MAGA message fresh from Mar-a-Lago, where she merrily celebrated both Trumps win in November and his inauguration in January.

In particular, Rinehart was enthused by Trumps creation of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), headed by Elon Musk. Two days after Trumps inauguration in January, Rinehart took out her megaphone: If we are sensible, we should set up a DOGE immediately to reduce government waste, government tape and regulations. Dutton, it appears, was listening. Elon Musk, Peter Dutton and Jacinta Nampijinpa Price. Credit: Aresna Villanueva Three days later, he appointed Jacinta Nampijinpa Price to the position of Australias DOGE: shadow minister for government efficiency. A promotion for Price might not have seemed particularly exceptional. She was, after all, Duttons leading combatant in his divide-and-conquer campaign that killed the Indigenous Voice to parliament referendum and set him on the front foot last year.

But the Coalition already had a shadow minister for government waste reduction, James Stevens, and he retained this position. You can never have too many government cost-cutters in the Coalition, it appears. By then, Duttons Coalition had set its eyes firmly on the public service as ground zero for its major cost-cutting excursion. By early March, Jane Hume rolled out her version of public service efficiency, by forcing workers back to the office. When it finally dawned on Dutton over the past couple of weeks, via spooked MPs and focus groups, that a Musk-like promise to send tens of thousands of workers to the scrap-heap  even if they were public servants  might not be quite saleable now that both Musk and Trump were on the nose across the civilised world, he and his brains trust knew they had to ditch their plans.

They began by suggesting sackings were never the proposal  the reduction in public service numbers would be achieved by natural attrition. A lot of the media appeared to at least half-accept this, and the headlines were relatively mild. Dutton was walking back his plan. Nonsense. He wasnt walking back: he was performing a desperate backflip with at least one twist. And as if ladles of confusion were barely enough, by Friday the Coalitions home affairs spokesman James Paterson injected some more: voluntary redundancies might be added to revive the plan. We will cap the size of the Australian public service and reduce the numbers back to the levels they were three years ago through natural attrition and voluntary redundancies, Paterson said. That clear?

We need only explore the matter. Way back in August last year, the leader of the Nationals, David Littleproud, clearly speaking for the Dutton Coalition, had this to say to commercial radio Triple M: The first thing well do is sack those 36,000 public servants in Canberra; thats $24 billion worth. Ever since, Dutton not only failed to disown the proposed sackings, he returned again and again to the juicy savings to be made by getting rid of public servants. There was no mention of natural attrition. Loading By the eve of the election campaign, while delivering his budget-in-reply speech, the number for the high jump was 41,000 with a cost saving of $7 billion a year.

By that stage, it was obvious his promise that these would all come from Canberra was nonsense: there are but 67,000 Canberra-based public servants. Most of the reduction would have to come from other capital cities and the regions. It was bluster. Call it Musk-whistling. Meanwhile, alarm bells had become deafening in Coalition electorate offices across the land about the plan to force public servants to quit their work-from-home arrangements: women, in particular, long a problem for Dutton, hated such a prospect, and a lot of them didnt believe it would stop with government employees. The (work from) home front. Credit: Matt Golding It didnt help that Dutton had made public that he would live in Sydney at Kirribilli House, rather than The Lodge in Canberra, if he became prime minister.
If there is one thing that has come to define the NSW Liberals, it is their uncanny ability to botch the selection of their candidates. This week voters in NSW were reminded of this in no uncertain terms.

The second week of the federal election campaign kicked off with the Liberals having to axe their candidate in the Illawarra seat of Whitlam, thanks to comments he made about beautiful women not being suitable to serve in the Australian Defence Force. For a party that has long battled an image problem when it comes to women, the Liberals had no choice.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton with the former Liberal candidate for Whitlam, Benjamin Britton, in January. Credit: Facebook

Before his preselection, former solider Benjamin Britton appeared as a guest on fringe podcasts, where he said such things as the ADF was weakened by having women in frontline combat positions. It was clear the party had to cut him loose. The real question, however, is how did Britton  who ran for Clive Palmers United Australia Party at the last federal election  get preselected in the first place?

A loss of a candidate in a safe Labor seat is not the end of the world for the NSW Liberals. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton had previously described Britton as an outstanding candidate but the party quickly installed NSW Master Plumbers chief Nathaniel Smith (who lost his state seat of Wollondilly in 2023) and hoped they could move on. Wishful thinking.
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Defects cost Sydneys homeowners and taxpayers $700m annually. How did we get here and what is being done about it? See all 7 stories .

NSW has two housing problems: we arent building enough new homes, and a large chunk of the ones we are building contain serious defects. But the state government wants to talk about only one of those problems.

As the Heralds Shoddy Sydney series has revealed, the defects crisis that inaugural Building Commissioner David Chandler was employed to fix in 2019 has not yet been solved. In fact, the fissures may run deeper than previously thought, with concerns that fraudulent construction qualifications may be rampant across the industry.

Its not something the government wants to acknowledge. Premier Chris Minns, Building Minister Anoulack Chanthivong and Building Commissioner James Sherrard have all sought to calm concern about the current situation.

The industry certainly had big problems, without question, Sherrard said. I think theres an evolution to the construction industry nationwide that needed time, needed technology, it needed better regulation.

Minns, while acknowledging some issues remained, this week said the government was not far off where it wanted to be.

But some things dont change quickly. In 2023, Chandler and Chanthivong stood in the middle of a mould-covered, defect-riddled apartment block in North Sydney, announcing a fresh crackdown on problematic builds.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Former Zanu-PF member and political activist Sybeth Musengezi appeared in court on Wednesday facing charges of allegedly assaulting an airtime vendor who disrupted his press conference earlier this week.Musengezi, who rose to prominence in 2021 after launching a court challenge against President Emmerson Mnangagwa's rise to power, was granted US$100 bail by Harare magistrate Ruth Moyo. He is being represented by human rights lawyer Doug Coltart.The alleged incident occurred on April 8, 2025, during a press conference held by Musengezi at Bothwell House in Harare. According to state prosecutors, the altercation stemmed from a scuffle involving airtime vendor Norbert Taruberekera and another individual, William Mukono.It is alleged that an argument broke out between Taruberekera and Mukono after the latter took airtime scratch cards belonging to the vendor. Mukono reportedly fled the scene with Taruberekera and his colleagues in pursuit. Mukono then ran into the building where Musengezi was holding his media briefing, with the complainant following closely behind.The court heard that upon seeing the unexpected intrusion, Musengezi confronted the group and demanded to know why they had entered the room. Before Taruberekera could respond, Musengezi allegedly punched him once in the face.The case has drawn public interest given Musengezi's controversial history within the ruling party and his past legal battles over internal Zanu-PF leadership disputes.The matter was remanded to a later date for trial proceedings.
A Yarraville real estate agency and its director have been accused of breaching underquoting laws for 11 properties.

Nicholas Skapoulas and the agency of which he is the director, Nicholas Scott Real Estate, will face a hearing at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal after Consumer Affairs Victorias underquoting taskforce started a disciplinary proceeding, CAV said in a release.

The underquoting taskforce is operating across Melbourne. Credit: Penny Stephens

Disciplinary proceedings, if they find a real estate agent guilty, can result in the agents licence being suspended or cancelled.

The underquoting taskforce continues to monitor sales campaigns and auctions across Melbourne.
Racing NSW has engaged one of Australias most senior law enforcement figures to investigate an alleged tirade by independent MP Mark Latham towards a race club official.

The incident at Rosehill last week prompted an immediate probe by the Australian Turf Club, of which Latham is a member, but the states powerful industry regulator is also assessing the conduct of its most fierce and vocal detractor.

Mark Latham listens to jockey Chad Schofield while trackside at Randwick racecourse last year. Credit: James Brickwood

Michael Phelan, a former chief executive of the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission and ex-deputy commissioner for national security with the Australian Federal Police, has been hired to carry out a separate investigation into Lathams trackside run-in with ATC head of corporate affairs and government relations Steve McMahon.

The club, whose controversial proposed sale of Rosehill to the state government for $5 billion is to be voted on by members next month, has said one of its senior officials was on the receiving end of alleged unprovoked verbal abuse in the members stand at Rosehill during an autumn carnival race meet on Tuesday last week.
Were taking a 12-day trip to Egypt with a few days in Cairo followed by a seven-day Nile cruise. Wed like to incorporate a short stay either before and/or after the tour in the area to overcome jetlag beforehand and to relax after the cruise. Were contemplating Malta or Morocco, what can you recommend? A. LEstrange, Double Bay, NSW

You can fly to Papeete on the island of Tahiti from Australia with Qantas or Air New Zealand. From there the easiest way to get around the islands is to fly with Air Tahiti, which will get you to Bora Bora. The island is known for its resorts which feature overwater bungalows scattered across its lagoon. These resorts are popular with honeymooners, and prices are high, around $1000-plus per night. There are some less expensive options on the island of Bora Bora itself, such as Alaroots , which offers self-service hostel accommodation at around $70 per night. There are also some apartments available for short-term rentals on the island which you can find on Airbnb . If you want to base yourself somewhere that wont send you broke, but which has all the aquatic pursuits youre looking for, the island of Moorea could be a prime choice. Moorea is a scenic wonder, a lush, steep island rising to a jagged 1200-metre peak, thickly covered with pineapple and vanilla plantations and indented in the north with two deep bays. The entire island is ringed by coral reefs and white sand beaches, a rarity among these volcanic isles. The island has a well-developed choice of activities including diving, sailing, dolphin dives, water-skiing, windsurfing, horse trekking, mountain biking, hiking and four-wheel drive tours. Alaroots also has accommodation on Moorea and there are several Airbnb properties at different prices. For more information see the Tahiti information and travel website.

Im planning a trip to Tahiti as a lifelong ambition to see Bora Bora. I am also keen to spend time snorkelling. What is the best way to travel there for a two to three week stay, and where would be the best base? D. Burr, Research, Vic

Starting off your trip to Cairo in either Morocco or Malta is problematic since you would be overflying Egypt to get to either of these destinations. Malta is further complicated since there are no nonstop flights between it and Cairo. The only city in Morocco with nonstop flights to Cairo is Casablanca and its as dull as dishwater. My suggestion is to fly nonstop from Sydney to either Dubai or Doha and stopover there. Both Emirates and Qatar Airways have affiliated hotels that make for inexpensive stays. At the end of your tour, rather than flying to Malta or Morocco, why not head for one of the resorts on Egypts Red Sea? Hurghada is just a short flight from Cairo, and there are plenty of resorts to choose from at various prices. Another possibility is to fly nonstop from Cairo to Omans capital of Muscat with Oman Air, and Oman is one of the most likeable, varied and traditional of all the Arab League states. The return journey from Oman to Sydney would require a one-stop flight via either Doha or Dubai.

My husband and I finish an Inside Passage cruise in Vancouver early in the morning, however our return flight to Australia does not leave until 10.25pm the same day. Wed like to put our luggage in safe storage or book into a hotel for the day, any suggestions?

P. Tanner, Kiama Downs, NSW

Booking into a hotel could work. You should be able to store your luggage when you arrive in Vancouver but since check-in time is generally around 2 pm you would probably not have access to a room until mid-afternoon. If youre sightseeing, that might not be a problem, and you could use the room when it became available to freshen up before your departure to the airport. Another option is to use a baggage storage facility, and Nannybag has lockers in central Vancouver where you can drop your bags while youre out and about.

We have six nights between finishing our 10-day, 170-kilometre self-guided Mont Blanc walking tour and a wedding 70 kilometres out of Krakow. What would be the best places to visit en route without too much travel time?

A. Bowden, Brisbane, Qld

Youre probably going to finish your walk in Chamonix and from there you could take a train via Lausanne, Zurich, Salzburg and Vienna to Krakow. That opens up some interesting options, such as a side trip from Zurich to Interlaken and Lauterbrunnen, deep in the valley below the Munch, Eiger and Jungfrau mountains. Alternatively, visit Lucerne, one of Switzerlands most interesting small cities. Another possibility would be to spend most of your time in Austria, divided between Salzburg and Vienna. One drawback, any of these itineraries would involve multiple changes of trains from Chamonix. A better alternative would be to take the Swiss Tours bus from Chamonix to Geneva airport, from where you could take a 3-hour flight to Salzburg via Frankfurt, stay a few days then take a train to Vienna for a few more. From Vienna you can take a five-hour train journey to Krakow with no changes.
Labor has promised to investigate concerns about the Australia-Korea adoption program if it is re-elected to government, as calls grow from adoptees for answers about whether authorities knew of the legal and ethical issues now plaguing the Seoul agency that facilitated thousands of adoptions to Australia.

The pledge comes after a landmark South Korean inquiry last month found systemic fraud and abuse in the countrys adoption program, including falsified orphan registrations, leading to a profit-driven mass exportation of children with minimal procedural oversight.

Jessica Walton (fourth from left) at a gathering of the AUSKRG in Melbourne to campaign for the South Korean inquiry to finish its work and for Australia to investigate its own intercountry adoption practices.

Labors inquiry would be likely to be an internal investigation by the Department of Social Services, which is responsible for intercountry adoption, rather than a parliamentary inquiry that would be conducted at arms length and have the ability to hold public hearings.

We recognise the distress this has caused those affected. If re-elected, Labor will ask the Department of Social Services to investigate the allegations and report to the minister, a government spokesman said in a statement.
This surge in trade, especially of dual-use goods that can serve both civilian and military purposes, has almost single-handedly kept Russias battle-stricken defence industry afloat. These items, including electronics, machinery and components for advanced weaponry, accounted for roughly two-thirds of all Chinese exports to Russia. Australia, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand, as part of the so-called Indo-Pacific 4, have stood steadfast with NATO allies since Russia invaded Ukraine. The nations leaders have gathered at every major NATO summit and meeting since. Loading NATO officials stress its because of shared values, wider co-operation and sharing experiences while combating cyber threats, economic coercion and disinformation campaigns  and not because of deep-rooted concerns about the China challenge. But Beijing has since attempted to link NATOs increased interest in the Indo-Pacific with the growing likelihood of conflict so that it can blame its aggressive actions on NATO, just as Russia sought to pin responsibility for its invasion of Ukraine on the alliance.

Chinas state-run media published an article in April last year that argued where NATO goes, war is most likely. Yet NATO officials stress that its role is largely defensive and aimed at maintaining peace and deterring aggression. Loading David Sacks, an Asia studies fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, says there are two other potential flashpoints in the Indo-Pacific that are animating NATOs focus on the region. NATO members are concerned that if China uses force against Taiwan and the US comes to its direct defence, Washington would have to make difficult trade-offs that would compel its NATO allies to shoulder more of the burden in deterring Russia, he wrote recently. In addition, if deterrence in the Taiwan Strait fails, the economic consequences for Europe would be devastating.

Despite Beijing borrowing oft-repeated lines of misinformation from the Kremlin, NATO cannot expand to include any countries from the Indo-Pacific as members. The NATO treaty states that mutual defence only applies to member states territories in Europe, North America, Turkey and islands in the Atlantic north of the Tropic of Cancer. There is also no consensus within NATO that the alliance should even become more active in the Indo-Pacific. Divisions remain on the extent to which China poses a fundamental challenge to European security. Many say with war raging on European soil and many NATO members struggling to build up their defences, now is not the time to take on additional obligations. Sacks says NATO members and Indo-Pacific partners should pursue tailored co-operation, heavily focusing on industrial partnerships to improve so-called interoperability and interchangeability of weaponry.

The Australian government, too, believes this is a critical opportunity and has recently sent Angus Campbell, a retired general who served as chief of the Defence Force, to Brussels as Australias new ambassador. That appointment has not gone unnoticed among allied nations as a sign Australia is serious about working together more closely. No interest in NATO reinvention Veteran Labor figures such as former prime minister Paul Keating and one-time foreign minister Bob Carr have warned against any NATO presence or partnership in the region. The pair has been increasingly vocal about Australias reliance on the United States. Keating has labelled Ruttes predecessor, Jens Stoltenberg, a supreme fool for his push to increase the alliances ties with Asia in an attempt to contain China. Carr told a recent World Peace Summit that Australia should invest in diplomatic and economic efforts in Asia and not Europe. The fact that we are here together, working together, in itself is the message. Mark Rutte, NATO secretary-general

Australia has no interest in seeing NATO reinvented as some tool to contain China, he said. However, experts argue if war breaks out in the Indo-Pacific, the economic costs to NATO members would probably surpass those associated with the war in Ukraine; hence, NATO has an interest in contributing to deterrence in the Indo-Pacific and preventing China from providing even greater military assistance to Russia. But Rutte, despite the misgivings of many and the continued annoyance of Beijing, is adamant the alliance must deepen ties with like-minded democratic nations in the Indo-Pacific. As global competition intensifies, we will continue to strengthen our Indo-Pacific partnerships, he said at the meeting of NATO foreign ministers last week. We are getting more and more flesh on the bones now in terms of exchanging insights on innovation; the battlefield ... we learn from what Japan and others are doing in the Pacific with their exercises.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine (AUC), Collective Prevention Services (CPS), and the Positive Foundation have successfully concluded another round of free breast cancer and health screenings for women as part of the breast abnormalities project. Led by an oncologist and breast abnormalities expert, Dr. Chobanyan, these events aimed to educate and empower women about breast cancer risk factors and presentations while collecting valuable data for the breast abnormalities survey.

On April 5, the Minister of Public Health, Social Development & Labor (VSA) for St. Maarten, Mr. Richinel Brug, paid a courtesy visit to the screening session. "These screenings are a vital service to our community, providing women with the opportunity to take proactive steps in monitoring their health," said Minister Brug. "I commend AUC, CPS, and the Positive Foundation for their dedication to improving breast health awareness and early detection."

Participants received breast exams performed by Dr. Chobanyan and health screenings for Blood Sugar, Total Cholesterol, Waist Circumference, Blood Pressure, Height, Weight, BMI, and Vision performed by Fellows and students of AUC.

AUC students actively participated, gaining hands-on experience and contributing to the community's health and well-being. Their involvement underscores AUC's commitment to fostering future healthcare professionals who are both skilled and compassionate.

This initiative has already collected data from 726 women, with a target of reaching 1,000 women. Women participate in a significant community health project and help achieve this goal. If you were not able to secure a time slot for the last two activities, we apologize and do recommend that you monitor social media and the newspapers for updates on the project.

We are committed to educating the women on St. Maarten about being breast aware and the importance of early detection, said Shelly Alphonso, President of the Positive Foundation. By partnering with AUC and CPS for these free screenings, we hope to reach women who might not otherwise have access to these vital health services. Our goal is to educate and empower women to take charge of their breast health.

Early detection is crucial in the fight against breast cancer. These screenings provide an invaluable opportunity for women to monitor their health proactively. We are proud to offer these services and support the community in this important initiative. First-time participants are especially welcome to join this years AUC breast screenings, said Dr. Chobanyan.

The Positive Foundation extends special thanks to the Honorable Minister Richinel Brug, Maria Henry and Irma Knight of CPS, the Elektralyets Foundation, Fellows Dr. Toussaint, Dr. Hodge, Dr. Baghdadi and all the student volunteers from AUC, and Dr. Chobanyan for spearheading this specific project.
PHILIPSBURG:--- Member of Parliament Lyndon Lewis, representing Nation, Opportunity, Wealth (NOW), extends his deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims who tragically lost their lives in the recent nightclub collapse in the Dominican Republic. According to reports, the devastating incident has claimed the lives of at least 113 individuals, marking one of the deadliest structural disasters in the countrys recent history.

MP Lewis expressed profound sorrow upon learning of the tragic event and shared a message of solidarity with the people of the Dominican Republic, both on the island and abroad.

"My heart goes out to every family and community member affected by this unimaginable loss. This tragedy touches all of us, especially here in Sint Maarten, where we share strong cultural and familial ties with the Dominican Republic. During times like these, we must come together in prayer and support for our Dominican brothers and sisters," said MP Lewis.

He further called on the community of Sint Maarten to keep the victims and their families in their thoughts and to show compassion and unity in the face of such heartbreak.

MP Lyndon Lewis also extended gratitude to the first responders and rescue workers who have been tirelessly working at the scene to search for survivors and provide aid to the injured.

As a gesture of compassion and solidarity, MP Lewis encourages the Government of Sint Maarten and the wider community to explore ways to offer support where possible.
PHILIPSBURG:--- In light of recent statements and an urgent appeal by the Honorable Prime Minister Mia Mottley in her role as Chair of CARICOM, President of Parliament MP Wescot-Williams reiterates that the government of St. Maarten must focus on strengthening regional ties and addressing key issues affecting the island and its economy.

In a letter to the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers, the honorable Prime Minister Mercelina, the President of Parliament, citing recent global developments, underscores the importance of collaboration between nations in addressing economic challenges and enhancing growth. Wescot-Williams advocates for an immediate examination of several vital points that call for the governments attention and outlines the following issues as needing immediate attention:

1. Rising Prices and Business Costs:

The alarming rise in prices and the cost of doing business require strategic interventions to protect citizens and foster a conducive environment for economic activity.

2. Collective Tourism Strategy:

Developing a unified approach to tourism will enhance St. Maarten's competitiveness as a premier travel destination, benefiting the entire region.

3. Engagement with Kingdom Authorities:

Strengthening collaboration with the Kingdom Minister of Foreign Affairs to enhance relations with foreign authorities is critical for trade, tourism, and security enhancements.

4. Support for Agricultural Development:

Focusing on agricultural initiatives in St. Maarten and fostering regional cooperation can significantly improve local food security and sustainable practices.

5. Outreach to Central African Countries:

Expanding outreach efforts to (Central) African nations could facilitate new avenues for trade, investment, and cultural exchange.

6. Renewed Ties with the EU and Canada:

Strengthening relationships with European and Canadian partners can provide significant opportunities for economic development and collaboration.

7. Support for the Small Business Sector:

Targeted support for the micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) is essential for fostering innovation and job creation within St. Maartens economy.

8. Promotion of Local and Regional Trade:

Encouraging the consumption of local products and facilitating trade among the islands will strengthen economic ties and regional collaboration.

As St. Maarten navigates these challenges and opportunities, it is imperative for the government to prioritize these issues in alignment with its recently released governing program.

The senior MP expressed a keen interest in the actions and initiatives the government will undertake to address these points, as well as any relevant initiatives already in progress that target the issues mentioned in her letter,
Miramar, FL:--- This weeks FCCA Foundation Shining Stars Dinner brought together 10 presidents and senior leaders from FCCA Member Cruise Lines, along with more than 20 other high-level cruise executives, hosting the revitalized marquee event for Seatrade Cruise Global by Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA). Shining Stars FCCA Foundation Dinner joined the record-setting cruise line brass with key stakeholders for an unforgettable night filled with surprises galore, delectable food, and a side of networking and routing an itinerary for mutual success, all while supporting a worthy cause.

I cannot be more honored and humbled by the record amount of FCCA Member Line executives participating at our marquee event to support the FCCA Foundation, said Michele Paige, CEO, FCCA. This clearly shows their backing in its mission, and it made the event a tremendous success for all involved, actualizing the Foundations pillar of creating a better future  and cementing our legacy for this annual event at Seatrade.

The exclusive event, coordinated by FCCA and supported by FCCA Member Cruise Lines, took place last evening at Papi Steak Miami. The record cruise executives hosted tables sponsored by FCCA partners interested in supporting the cause and engaged in a lively night packed with unique networking experiences.

Table Hosts (presidents and above) included Gus Antorcha, President of Princess Cruises; Michael Bayley, President & CEO, Royal Caribbean International; Beth Bodensteiner, President Holland America Line; Christine Duffy, President, Carnival Cruise Line; Felix Eichhorn, President, AIDA Cruises; Chris Ivy, CEO, Margaritaville at Sea; Paul Ludlow, President, Carnival UK; Tom McAlpin, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Virgin Voyages; Rick Sasso, Chairman, MSC Cruises USA; and Mark Tamis, President, Seabourn.

Diamonds International was the Featured Sponsor as part of its landmark collaborative partnership with the FCCA Foundation. Through the partnership, both entities have combined their resources, especially on the focus of direct contact with local communities to determine needs and ways to generate long-term benefits.

Port Everglades, Florida's Powerhouse Global Gateway, served as the Partner Sponsor  and again showcased its status as a powerhouse in support for the FCCA Foundation by continuing its tradition of being a Partner Sponsor for previous events supporting the Foundation.

We are proud of our 25-plus year partnership with the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) and applaud their commitment through their foundation to foster economic growth and support local communities here and in the Caribbean, said CEO and Port Director Joseph Morris.

Table Sponsors included Aviomar; Bahamas Ministry of Tourism; Cafe Azul; Chukka Caribbean Ltd.; Effy Jewelry; PortMiami; Port St. Maarten; and Tura Turizm. Additionally, Rodman Think Branding, LLC contributed as a Branding Promotional Sponsor.

All proceeds will go directly to the FCCA Foundations efforts and its focus on building a foundation for youths throughout the Caribbean and Latin America, with primary objectives of education, sports, and career-building opportunities to support them in the present and future  and annual efforts including the Holiday Gift Project, which recently delivered holiday gifts and festivities to nearly 5,000 children in 25 destinations; the Owen Arthur Scholarship Fund, a scholarship fueling educational growth across the Caribbean; essay and poster competitions that reward participating students and schools; and other need-based projects, such as recent donations to schools in St. Maarten during the last FCCA Cruise Conference & Trade Show.
News / National

by Staff reporter

The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) has dropped charges against Alfred Ngonidzaishe Machakaire, a 34-year-old man from Gowo village in Chiendambuya, who spent more than a month behind bars for allegedly insulting President Emmerson Mnangagwa.Machakaire was arrested on February 24 and detained for 36 days at Rusape Remand Prison after being accused of undermining the authority of the President. His release was confirmed by the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), who represented him during the legal proceedings.The case against Machakaire arose from a verbal exchange with Leonard Chidemo, a local Zanu-PF councillor, at Mugadza Bottle Store. Prosecutors claimed Machakaire became agitated after Chidemo refused to buy him beer and allegedly shouted political slogans critical of Mnangagwa."You Chidemo, down with Mnangagwa, I am Geza, on the 31st [of March], the country will be fine" Machakaire reportedly said, according to court documents. The State interpreted the remarks as an attack on the President's authority.Machakaire's reference to "Geza" was allegedly linked to Blessed Geza, a former Zanu PF central committee member and war veteran who recently called for protests over alleged corruption and growing authoritarianism within the ruling party.Despite the initial zeal in pursuing the case, the NPAZ decided on April 1 not to proceed with prosecution, effectively clearing Machakaire of the charges.His release comes shortly after a similar case involving Ishmael Maukazuva, a councillor from Ward 12 in Chikomba West constituency, who was also arrested for allegedly insulting President Mnangagwa. The charges against Maukazuva were also dropped.The cases have sparked concern among human rights groups, who argue that such arrests are part of a broader pattern of intimidation and suppression of free speech in Zimbabwe. ZLHR has been actively representing individuals targeted for political expression and has called for the repeal of laws that criminalize criticism of public officials.
Author of explosive Meta memoir stars at US Senate hearing



San Francisco, April 9 (AFP) Apr 09, 2025



The former Facebook employee behind a scathing book about parent company Meta on Wednesday alleged that the social networking giant collaborated with the Chinese government on artificial intelligence, censorship and more, then lied to Congress about what it was doing.

Former global policy director Sarah Wynn-Williams, who worked at the company from 2011 to 2017, told members of a Senate committee that top Facebook executives met routinely with Chinese officials, schooling them on technology to compete with US companies and even building products to appease Beijing's government censors.

"The greatest trick (Meta founder and CEO) Mark Zuckerberg ever pulled was wrapping the American flag around himself and calling himself a patriot and saying he didn't offer services in China while he spent the last decade building an $18 billion business there," Wynn-Williams said of the Meta co-founder and chief executive.

Wynn-Williams said she saw Meta work "hand in glove" with the Chinese Communist Party to construct censorship tools tested on users in Taiwan and Hong Kong.

"When Beijing demanded that Facebook delete the account of a prominent Chinese dissident living on American soil, they did it and then lied to Congress when asked about the incident in a Senate hearing," Wynn-Williams said.

Meta communications director Andy Stone told AFP Wynn-Williams' testimony was "divorced from reality and riddled with false claims."

"While Mark Zuckerberg himself was public about our interest in offering our services in China and details were widely reported beginning over a decade ago, the fact is this: we do not operate our services in China today," he added.

The company's family of apps is currently blocked in China.

Meta's open-source artificial intelligence platform Llama can be used there, as can its Oculus virtual reality gear, hearing testimony indicated.

Republican Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri, who initiated the hearing, cited documents and testimony provided by Wynn-Williams to accuse Zuckerberg of lying during past congressional hearings.

"The truth is, Facebook and Mark Zuckerberg have lied to the American people repeatedly," Hawley said.



- 'Careless People' -



Wynn-Williams's book, "Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed and Lost Idealism," was released on March 11 and became a bestseller despite Meta winning an arbitration court order barring the author from promoting the work or making derogatory statements about the company.

Her book recounts working at the tech titan and includes claims of sexual harassment by longtime company executive Joel Kaplan, a prominent Republican and ally of President Donald Trump who took over as head of Meta's global affairs team this year.

Meta took the matter to arbitration, contending the book violates a non-disparagement contract signed by Wynn-Williams when she worked with the company's global affairs team.

"The measure of how important these truths are is directly proportional to the ferocity of Meta's efforts to censor and intimidate me," Wynn-Williams told Senators.

"Careless People" ranks second on a New York Times bestseller list of nonfiction books.

bur-gc/arp

Meta
News / National

by Staff reporter

A Zebra Kiss bus traveling from Harare to Lusaka was involved in a serious accident late Wednesday night, just a few kilometers before reaching Marongora near Chirundu. The bus reportedly veered off the Harare-Chirundu highway and plunged into a ditch, leaving numerous passengers injured.Authorities said the injured were rushed to health facilities in Karoi and Chirundu, with some reported to be in critical condition. The exact number of casualties has yet to be confirmed, but local health workers said dozens were receiving treatment.Passenger Munyaradzi Hwenje, who was seated at the back of the bus during the incident, described a terrifying scene."I did not see what happened, but I heard a loud screeching sound followed by a crash," Hwenje said. "I was shaken but managed to get out of the bus on my own. Seeing the others injured was heartbreaking."An eyewitness traveling behind the bus said the driver appeared to swerve to avoid an oncoming vehicle before losing control and careening off the road."The bus swerved suddenly, then it went off the road and plunged into the ditch. It was a terrifying sight," the witness said.This latest incident has once again brought attention to the dangerous state of the Harare-Chirundu highway, which is plagued by deep potholes and narrow stretches, making it one of Zimbabwe's most hazardous roads. The area has a grim history of fatal bus crashes.In 2017, a King Lion bus crashed near Nyamakate, killing 43 people and injuring 24. The driver was accused of speeding, prompting national outrage and calls for road safety reform. A similar Zebra Kiss bus crash in 2023 near Maningwa Mountain left 13 people seriously injured and 43 with minor injuries, again raising concerns over driver behavior and road maintenance.Tafadzwa Goliath, president of the Passengers Association of Zimbabwe (PAZ), expressed frustration over recurring road tragedies."We are deeply disturbed by the frequency of these accidents, which are often caused by a combination of speeding, poor road conditions, and inadequate vehicle maintenance," Goliath said. "We call on the authorities to take urgent action to address these issues and ensure that our roads are safe for all users."The government has introduced several initiatives aimed at improving road safety, including tougher regulations for long-distance buses and increased patrols. However, road users and civic groups continue to demand more robust infrastructure upgrades and stricter enforcement to prevent further loss of life.Investigations into the cause of the accident are currently underway.
US approves $1bn missile sale to Australia



Washington, April 9 (AFP) Apr 09, 2025



The United States on Wednesday announced the approval of a $1.04-billion sale of up to 200 each of AIM-120C and AIM-120D air-to-air missiles and related equipment to Australia.

"The proposed sale will improve Australia's capability to meet current and future threats by protecting and increasing aircraft survivability," the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said in a statement.

Australia has tied itself deeply to the US and Britain in a three-way defence pact called AUKUS, with one major provision a deal to buy American-made nuclear-powered submarines.

Canberra has sought reassurances that President Donald Trump still feels bound by the alliance, struck under his predecessor Joe Biden.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in February he had highlighted "bipartisan support" for AUKUS in a call with Trump.

"Australia is one of our most important allies in the Western Pacific," the DSCA said Wednesday, adding that "it is vital to the US national interest to assist our ally in developing and maintaining a strong and ready self-defense capability."

The State Department approved the possible sale and the DSCA on Wednesday provided the required notification to the US Congress, which still needs to sign off on the transaction but is unlikely to oppose it.
Pentagon chief says US could 'revive' Panama bases



Panama City, April 9 (AFP) Apr 09, 2025



US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday floated the idea of US troops returning to Panama to "secure" its strategically vital canal, a suggestion quickly shot down by the country's government.

During a visit to Panama, Hegseth suggested that "by invitation" the United States could "revive" military bases or naval air stations and rotate deployments of US troops to an isthmus the United States invaded 35 years ago.

He also said his country was seeking free passage through the canal for its Navy ships -- which US President Donald Trump had said were "severely overcharged and not treated fairly in any way, shape or form."

Since coming to power in January, Trump has repeatedly claimed that China has too much influence over the canal, which handles about 40 percent of US container traffic and five percent of world trade.

His administration has vowed to "take back" control of the interoceanic waterway that the United States funded, built and controlled until 1999.

Hegseth on Wednesday suggested the slew of former US military bases that dot Panama could again be used to host US troops.

He said a deal signed with Panama this week was an "opportunity to revive, whether it's the military base, naval air station, locations where US troops can work with Panamanian troops to enhance capabilities and cooperate in a rotational way."

Hegseth cited the possibility of "joint exercises" but the mention of a "rotational" force is likely to raise the hackles of Panamanians, for whom sole ownership of the canal is a source of intense national pride.

The US has long participated in military exercises in Panama.

But a longer-term rotational force -- like the one the US maintains in Darwin, Australia -- is politically toxic for Panama's center-right leader Jose Raul Mulino.

His government quickly slapped down the idea.

"Panama made clear, through President (Jose Raul) Mulino that we cannot accept military bases or defense sites," said Panama security minister Frank Abrego in a joint public appearance with Hegseth.



- Perceived threat -



Hegseth also said the United States was seeking an agreement under which its warships could pass through the canal "first, and free."

Jose Ramon Icaza, Panama's Minister for Canal Affairs, said "we will seek a mechanism by which warships and auxiliary ships can have a compensation system for services, that is, a way to make them cost-neutral" but not "free."

The Pentagon chief's two-day visit has been peppered with comments about China and its influence in Latin America.

He stated that the United States is not looking for war with China, but will counter Beijing's "threats" to the region.

"We do not seek war with China. And war with China is certainly not inevitable. We do not seek it in any form," the secretary said.

"But together, we must prevent war by robustly and vigorously deterring China's threats in this hemisphere," the former Fox News anchor said in a speech.

The canal is run by an independent Panamanian authority and is legally bound to be open to all nations.

But Trump has zeroed in on the role of a Hong Kong company that has for decades operated ports at either end of the canal linking the Atlantic and Pacific.

Hegseth asserted that China-based companies are also capturing Latin American land and infrastructure in strategic sectors like energy and telecommunications, and that China has too large a military presence in the hemisphere.

"Make no mistake, Beijing is investing and operating in this region for military advantage and unfair economic gain," Hegseth said.

Under pressure from the White House, Panama has accused Hong Kong-backed Panama Ports Company of failing to meet its contractual obligations and pushed for the firm to pull out of the country.

On Wednesday the firm rejected an audit that said it had failed to pay $1.2 billion due under its concession.

The ports' parent company CK Hutchison last month announced a deal to offload 43 ports in 23 countries -- including its two on the Panama Canal -- to a consortium led by US asset manager BlackRock for $19 billion in cash.

A furious Beijing has since announced an antitrust review of the deal.

The United States invaded Panama in 1989 to oust dictator Manuel Noriega, killing more than 500 Panamanians and razing parts of the capital.

mis-arb/md/tgb
Turkey holds talks with Israel on easing Syria tensions



Istanbul, April 10 (AFP) Apr 10, 2025



Turkey and Israel have started talks aimed at easing tensions over Syria, officials from both sides said Thursday.

Israel has launched air strikes and ground incursions to keep Syrian forces away from its border. Turkey is a key backer of the Islamist-led coalition in Syria that toppled Bashar al-Assad in December.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan confirmed the talks in comments to CNN-Turk television late Wednesday.

While Turkey was carrying out "certain operations in Syria", there had to be a way of heading off conflict with Israel "which is flying its planes in that region -- just as we do with the Americans and the Russians", he said.

A Turkish defence ministry source said Thursday that the first technical meeting with Israel had taken place in Azerbaijan on Wednesday.

A statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office also confirmed the talks.

They had "agreed to continue on the path of dialogue in order to maintain regional stability", said the statement.

But Fidan, in his comments, said this did not mean the two sides were moving toward normalising ties strained over Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza.

Turkey has suspended all trade with Israel, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accusing Netanyahu of "state terror" and "genocide" in Gaza since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel.

On Monday, US President Donald Trump offered himself as a mediator between Israel and Turkey.

Speaking alongside key ally Netanyahu at the White House, Trump touted his "great relations" with Erdogan as an avenue for negotiations.
Israel military says air force to fire pilots who signed Gaza war petition



Jerusalem, April 10 (AFP) Apr 10, 2025



An Israeli military official said Thursday that reserve pilots, who publicly called for securing the release of hostages even at the cost of ending the Gaza war, would be dismissed from the air force.

"With the full backing of the chief of the General Staff, the commander of the IAF (Israeli air force) has decided that any active reservist who signed the letter will not be able to continue serving in the IDF (military)," the official told AFP in response to a letter signed by around 1,000 reserve and retired pilots.

The letter, which was published on a full page in multiple daily newspapers, directly challenges the policy of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has insisted that increased military pressure on Gaza is the only way to get Palestinian militants to release hostages seized during Hamas's October 2023 attack.

"We, the aircrew in the reserves and retired, demand the immediate return of the hostages even at the cost of an immediate cessation of hostilities," the letter said.

"The war serves primarily political and personal interests, not security interests," it said, adding that the resumed offensive "will result in the deaths of the hostages, IDF soldiers and innocent civilians, and the exhaustion of the reserve service."

"Only an agreement can return the hostages safely, while military pressure mainly leads to the killing of hostages and the endangerment of our soldiers."

The military official said most of the signatories of the letter were not active reservists.

"Our policy is clear - the IDF stands above all political dispute. There is no room for any body or individual, including reservists in active duty, to exploit their military status while simultaneously participating in the fighting and calling for its cessation," the official said.

Netanyahu said he supported the move to dismiss any active pilots who had signed the letter.

"Refusal is refusal - even when it is implied and expressed in euphemistic language," a statement released by his office said.

"Statements that weaken the IDF and strengthen our enemies during wartime are unforgivable".

Some 251 people were seized during Hamas's attack, 58 of whom are still held in Gaza, including 34 the Israeli military says are dead.

A truce that lasted from January 19 to March 17 saw the return of 33 Israeli hostages -- eight of them in coffins -- in exchange for the release of around 1,800 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.

Efforts to restore the truce and release more hostages have so far failed.
Questions swirl as Europe holds new 'coalition of willing' talks



Brussels, Belgium, April 10 (AFP) Apr 10, 2025



European defence ministers held a fresh talks Thursday on the potential deployment of troops to secure any Ukraine ceasefire, but there were more questions than answers as US peace efforts with Russia stall.

Britain and France are spearheading discussions among a "coalition of the willing" of some 30 countries looking to shore up any deal US President Donald Trump might strike.

"Our planning is real and substantial. Our plans are well developed," UK defence minister John Healey told the meeting at NATO headquarters in Brussels.

"Our reassurance force for Ukraine would be a committed and credible security arrangement to ensure that any negotiated peace does bring what President Trump has pledged, a lasting peace for Ukraine."

London has claimed that progress has been made at repeated rounds of talks. Other ministers, however, said there was still uncertainty over the aims of any possible deployment -- and whether it would be backed up by US military might.

"What is the potential mission, what is going to be the goal?" asked Dutch defence minister Ruben Brekelmans.

"What is the mandate? What would do we do in the different scenarios, for example, if there would be any escalation regarding Russia?" he added.

"It's very important to have the United States on board, but then it also needs to be clear what type of mission it is and what we ask from the United States."

European officials say so far some six countries -- including Britain, France, and the Baltic states -- have said they could contribute troops.

Swedish minister Pal Jonson said Stockholm had "a number of questions that we need to get clarified" before making any commitments.

"It's helpful if there's a clarity of what that mission would entail, and what do we do -- if we are peacekeeping, deterrence or reassurance," he said.

A major problem for European allies as they scramble to come up with any plan is that they are largely in the dark about US efforts with Russia to halt the fighting.

Trump's administration has held several rounds of talks with both Ukrainian and Russian officials hoping to secure a halt in fighting, without seeing any tangible results.

The two sides in principle agreed to stop targeting energy infrastructure but they never cemented the conditions and strikes have continued.
Israel military says air force to fire pilots who signed Gaza war petition



Jerusalem, April 10 (AFP) Apr 10, 2025



An Israeli military official said Thursday that reserve pilots who publicly called for securing the release of hostages, even at the cost of ending the Gaza war, would be dismissed from the air force.

"With the full backing of the chief of the General Staff, the commander of the IAF (Israeli air force) has decided that any active reservist who signed the letter will not be able to continue serving in the IDF (military)," the official told AFP in response to a letter signed by around 1,000 reserve and retired pilots.

The letter, which was published on a full page in multiple daily newspapers, directly challenges the policy of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has insisted that increased military pressure on Gaza is the only way to get Palestinian militants to release hostages seized during Hamas's October 2023 attack.

"We, the aircrew in the reserves and retired, demand the immediate return of the hostages even at the cost of an immediate cessation of hostilities," the letter said.

"The war serves primarily political and personal interests, not security interests," it said, adding that the resumed offensive "will result in the deaths of the hostages, IDF soldiers and innocent civilians, and the exhaustion of the reserve service".

"Only an agreement can return the hostages safely, while military pressure mainly leads to the killing of hostages and the endangerment of our soldiers."

The military official said most of the signatories of the letter were not active reservists.

"Our policy is clear - the IDF stands above all political dispute. There is no room for any body or individual, including reservists in active duty, to exploit their military status while simultaneously participating in the fighting and calling for its cessation," the official said.



- Netanyahu backs dismissals -



Netanyahu said he supported the move to dismiss any active pilots who had signed the letter.

"Refusal is refusal - even when it is implied and expressed in euphemistic language," a statement released by his office said.

"Statements that weaken the IDF and strengthen our enemies during wartime are unforgivable".

Some 251 people were seized during Hamas's attack, 58 of whom are still held in Gaza, including 34 the Israeli military says are dead.

A truce that lasted from January 19 to March 17 saw the return of 33 Israeli hostages -- eight of them in coffins -- in exchange for the release of around 1,800 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.

Efforts to restore the truce and release more hostages have so far failed.

The army said it was continuing its ground operations in southern Gaza and that it had "dismantled dozens of terrorist infrastructure sites and several tunnel shafts leading to underground terror networks in the area".

The army said that a Wednesday strike in Gaza City had "eliminated" a Hamas commander from the area it alleged had participated in the October 2023 attack.

Gaza's civil defence agency said at least 23 people, including women and children, were killed in the strike which levelled a four-storey residential building.

In an update Thursday, the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory said at least 1,522 Palestinians have been killed in the renewed Israeli offensive, taking the overall death toll since the start of the war to 50,886.

Hamas's October 2023 attack resulted in the deaths of 1,218 people on the Israeli side, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures.
Europe holds fresh 'coalition of willing' talks on Ukraine



Brussels, Belgium, April 10 (AFP) Apr 10, 2025



European defence ministers held fresh talks Thursday on the potential deployment of troops to secure any Ukraine ceasefire, but there were more questions than answers as US peace efforts with Russia stall.

Britain and France are spearheading discussions among a "coalition of the willing" of 30 countries looking to shore up any deal US President Donald Trump might strike.

"Our planning is real and substantial. Our plans are well developed," UK defence minister John Healey told the meeting at NATO headquarters in Brussels.

"Our reassurance force for Ukraine would be a committed and credible security arrangement to ensure that any negotiated peace does bring what President Trump has pledged, a lasting peace for Ukraine."

Healey said he did not envisage "a peacekeeping force that will separate the currently warring sides down the line of contact". Bolstering Ukraine's battered forces would be a key part of the plans, he added.

France's Sebastian Lecornu echoed his British counterpart, saying "the first guarantee of security is obviously support for the Ukrainian army, which means refusing to demilitarise Ukraine, as Russia is demanding".



- 'What is the mandate?' -



London and Paris insist progress has been made at repeated rounds of talks -- and military planners will now step up work on how to secure any peace in the skies, at sea and on land.

But ministers from other countries said there was still uncertainty over the aims of any possible deployment -- and whether it would be backed up by US military might.

"What is the potential mission, what is going to be the goal?" asked Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans.

"What is the mandate? What would do we do in the different scenarios, for example, if there would be any escalation regarding Russia?" he added.

"It's very important to have the United States on board, but then it also needs to be clear what type of mission it is and what we ask from the United States."

European officials say so far some six countries -- including Britain, France, and the Baltic states -- have said they could contribute troops.

Swedish minister Pal Jonson said Stockholm had "a number of questions that we need to get clarified" before making any commitments.

"It's helpful if there's a clarity of what that mission would entail, and what do we do -- if we are peacekeeping, deterrence or reassurance," he said.

A major problem for European allies as they scramble to come up with any plan is that they are largely in the dark about US efforts with Russia to halt the fighting.

Trump's administration has held several rounds of talks with both Ukrainian and Russian officials hoping to secure a halt in fighting, without seeing any tangible results.

The two sides in principle agreed to stop targeting energy infrastructure but they never cemented the conditions and strikes have continued.

Russia so far has said it would not accept troops any NATO countries be stationed on Ukrainian soil as part of a peace deal.
Khamenei aide says Iran could expel UN nuclear inspectors ahead of US talks



Tehran, April 10 (AFP) Apr 10, 2025



A senior adviser to supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned Thursday that Iran could expel inspectors of the UN nuclear watchdog as "threats" multiply ahead of key talks with the United States.

The comments from Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani were the first from an Iranian official since US President Donald Trump said Wednesday that military action against Iran was "absolutely" possible if talks failed to produce a deal.

"The continuation of external threats and Iran being in a state of military attack may lead to deterrent measures, including expulsion of inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency and cessation of cooperation," Shamkhani said on X.

"Transfer of enriched materials to secure locations may also be considered," he added.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will met US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff in the Gulf sultanate of Oman on Saturday in talks that Washington has presented as the last chance for a peaceful resolution of Western concerns about Iran's nuclear programme.

Last month, Trump sent a letter to Khamenei, who has the final say in matters of state in Iran, calling for direct negotiations but warning of military action if the diplomacy fails.

"If necessary, absolutely," Trump told reporters Wednesday when asked if military action was an option. "If it requires military, we're going to have military. Israel will obviously be very much involved in that, be the leader of that."

Iran has maintained that it is against direct negotiations with its arch-enemy but has left the door open for indirect talks.

In 2015, Iran reached a landmark nuclear deal with major powers that gave it relief from international sanctions in return for restrictions on its nuclear activities monitored by UN inspectors.

But in 2018, during Trump's first term in office, the United States withdrew from the agreement and reinstated biting sanctions on Iran.

A year later, Iran began rolling back on its commitments under the agreement and accelerated its nuclear programme.
Spoilers below :





This episode starts with two girls entering onto a tour bus for a famous music artist, everything seems normal until the bus is stopped by multiple gunmen who take down the entire bus.





We then see Isobel (Alana De La Garza) and Philip (Tom Cavanagh) discussing celebrating her retiring from the FBI after 20 years of service, seeing Isobel talk about the FBI and how much of her life it has taken up is such an emotional scene to watch. She asks her husband how he knew it was time to retire. His response of I just felt that my part in the work was finished seems to really hit Isobel based on her facial expressions.





7 people were killed on the bus including Lewis Thornton (Chase Cruz) also known as music artist Turnkt, the police turning the case over to the FBI due to the lyrics used within his songs was an incredibly smart decision. OA (Zeeko Zaki) and Scola (John Boyd) finding out that the girls were only 16 was honestly heart-breaking, two young lives lost so soon. OA suggesting that the crime scene seemed personal brought us right to our first suspect - Tariq Ward (Curt Morlaye) Turnknts Rap rival who released multiple distracks against him. One talking about how TurnKnt would be in a hearse and pulling out his gun on him.





OA, Scola and Rhodes (Emily Alabi) go to arrest Tariq and find themselves having to arrest him in front of a crowd after he tries to assault Scola. OAs interview of him reveals that the feud between himself and turnknt is only a money ploy. He gives away the name Jeff Mills (Peter Jacobson), Turnknts manager, as a person of interest. His tip off about the tour bus being electric prompted Scola and Rhodes to check the bus out, finding a hatch where a large stash of pink cocaine was stored. This changes the course of the episode showing it wasnt just because of unresolved rap rivals.





Scola and Rhodes bring in Jeff Mills for questioning who is less than helpful to the investigation, putting on a performance for the cameras, choosing to finally give up his suppliers when he is promised protection. The Solanos are a family run business that deal with pink cocaine, Jubal (Jeremy Sisto) mentions real life instances where the drug was used to show the severity of the usage, they discover that the drug was moved last night and have sent OA, Scola and Rhodes to check the place out. Whilst clearing the place they are shot at by multiple men, but retaliate with fire and manage to capture all three of the suspects, however the question still remains who are they?





We are quickly updated that they are the same people who stole the pink cocaine and killed the bus passengers, however an interesting development happens when one of the men is linked to the Grippo crew who supposedly shut down their operations, which is where they find out that the son of the family has been running the drug operation in secret while his dad is in hiding. Isobel wanting to be the one to interview him shows how much she has obsessed over this drug family; she admits that Sonny's dad has been in hiding for the last 16 years.





Sonny (Rob Raco) was originally interviewed alone before the meeting was interrupted by Billie (Kate Eastman). Billie was not only Sonnys sister but also his attorney and would do anything to get him away from their father, she had changed her last name due the damage caused by her father, most prominently her mother dying as a result of him. Billie changing her name to distance herself from her father and his way of life showed how desperately she wanted away from the situation, her own mother was collateral damage. She reveals within the conversation that Jack Grippo (Nick Sandow) would never give up his place on the throne.





The feds manage to work out that Sonny and Jack have been communicating using the old method of draft emails on the same account with two different logins, they work out that Jack will be making a return to America from Cuba. His plan is to take over the Solanos operation. Isobel plants a tracker on Sonnys car to have surveillance in case he meets with his father. Jubal then has a conversation with her about when she first met Jack Grippo, we find out that she first met him in 2009 which was 4 years into her lengthy time at the agency, one of her instructors at Quantico was murdered in their attempt to catch him. It makes perfect sense why Isobel has been so hell bent on catching this guy.





Scola and Rhodes follow Sonny to a private airfield in order to catch Jack before he is fully into the country. OA makes his way into the private airfield, being caught by one of Grippos security men, having a tussle with him before running after the getaway car. Before they can make their escape, Scola and Rhodes pull in front of their exit. They learn that Sonny diverted their attention south from the north where his father would be making his entrance. The small interaction we see between Jubal and Isobel sees her reveal that she may be retiring for her 20, however they gain new information about Billy being the one to book the decoy flight, arriving at her office to question her on the development.





Billie claims she wishes to get her brother away from her father by agreeing to wear a wire whilst talking to her brother as long as he has full immunity. Rhodes and Scola get Billie ready with the wire in her necklace, Billie manages to claw the information out about where her father is hiding, at Toms place, however I could not have wanted to scream stop touching the necklace more. It was so clear that she was not doing it out of nervousness, and she was doing it to bait Sonny into noticing it. Sonny ripped the necklace from her neck identifying that it was a bug, forcing Scola, OA and Rhodes to respond, however within the time of the response she manages to stab him with a letter opener. I knew right in that moment she was up to no good, when Scola stated that it doesnt have to all be for nothing a small smirk appeared on her face.





She gives Scola the information that Toms place is a bar that Jack uses as a front. Scola enters the bar alone while the rest of the team complete surveillance outside. Whilst inside Scolas earpiece has some feedback moments before Jack places a gun at the small of his back ordering him to drop the earpiece. Scola follows instructions and drops the bug watching as Jack crushes it under his foot then forces Scola into the basement.





OA orders the team to move in, ending up in a bar fight and losing his gun during it, thankfully he didnt need it and was able to overpower the crew member before picking his gun back up. The team do a full sweep of the bar unable to locate Jack and Scola due to not having the full map of the bar. Whilst being kept held hostage Scola reveals to Jack that Billie killed her brother in self-defence and that he gave Billie the information of Toms place before he died, which her father sees right through since Billie knows that Toms place is actually a bowling alley. Jack tries to make his escape but ends up in a tussle with Scola and being pushed backwards into the firing line of OA. We then cut to Isobel who is reviewing the footage from Sonnys death when Scola comes in with his suspicions and confirmation that Billie is now running a Grippo-Solano alliance.





The final scene of this episode was so perfect, I am so glad that Isobel changed her mind on retiring, the show really wouldnt be the same without her and neither would the characters. Drinking to the chase was the ideal ending quote.





Did you think that Isobel was going to quit, or did you always know she would end up staying?
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
The speed at which they were forced to make decisions  what to do about the flat, where to go, what to put in storage  added to the stress. I dont know how long this stuff is going to be in storage. I dont know what Im doing now  so what do I even need with me? she says.
An amendment to the motion, tabled by the NEU executive, suggests that the rise of unregulated social media has led to violent pornography becoming accessible to young children and it adds that online spaces are playing a significant role in the rise of misogynistic attitudes.
He added: My hope and prayer is that you will use whatever resources are put at your disposal, in prison or beyond, to learn a better way of living and that you will use your energy and your talents to make our world a better place for all people to live.
He said the court says exactly what Dr Gaub said in her evidence to the court, that Smith went to Syria, she remained there and received benefits from and was, therefore, a member of IS.
Mr Harris said he had told Mr Lutnick, who had previously said it was a nonsense that Ireland runs a trade surplus against the US, that the negotiations on the tariff pause should include a discussion about pharmaceuticals, rather than new taxes being imposed on the sector while engagement is continuing.
In the post, he captioned the image: On to a new chapter... (the photo was taken on a grey, miserable day so I edited the sky... I wanted to use the second slide but Kitty wouldnt let me), alongside a picture of him and his girlfriend in the driveway of their newly purchased property.
Sharing a picture on social media of her giving the thumbs up while laying on a hospital bit, Lauren wrote: Id like to thank the Academy, my amazing hair and makeup team, and the lighting designers here at #glendaleadventisthospital . As if they all hadnt been through enough with the fires right next door! Yes, I have a little bit of the C word yall. I know a lot of us do.
Almost 61% of Romanians believe that things in Romania are heading in the wrong direction, while 89.7% believe that it is in the national interest for Romania to remain in the EU and NATO, shows the latest INSCOP Research sociological study, "Population's Attitude Regarding Economic Patriotism and Vulnerabilities of the Democratic Regime", conducted at the behest of the Concordia Employers' Confederation.

Corruption, which amplifies injustices in society, is Romania's biggest problem for 44% of respondents, political instability and its effects on good governance for 21.8% of Romanians, the precarious state of democracy that limits people's freedom to choose their president for 17.2% of respondents, and for 15.1% it is economic problems that cause a decrease in purchasing power.

"The sociological research, the most extensive of its kind conducted in recent years, dismantles a series of false stories inserted into the public debate by populist and extremist voices, such as the fact that Romanians reject foreign investments, that they have become anti-European or that economic patriotism is reduced to the Romanian CNP of the one who creates added value in the Romanian economy. The INSCOP study tells us that Romanians, for the most part, wisely see the advantages of investments in Romania, massively want to join the European Union and NATO (almost 90%), but in return want the country to better negotiate its interests in the EU. On the other hand, they are also starting to appreciate state-owned companies, provided that they are managed correctly and do not believe that Romania has full control over its economic or political decisions. Also, the democratic regime and the rule of law are vulnerable in conditions in which Romanians believe that the main problem of "The country's main problems are corruption, that laws are not applied equally to everyone, and elections are influenced by other states. Finally, in the current security context, Romanians (over 75%) strongly support increasing defense spending," said INSCOP Research director Remus Stefureac, in a statement sent to AGERPRES on Thursday.

In turn, the executive director of the Concordia Employers' Confederation, believes that Romanians see companies as an engine of stability and progress. "We need an authentic pact between the business environment, society and the state; an agreement that is based on trust and supports coherent and balanced growth. The study shows that Romanians see companies as an engine of stability and progress. It is time to capitalize on this openness to lay the foundations of a healthy economy that works for everyone," Burnete stressed.

According to the study, 60.9% of Romanians believe that things in Romania are heading in the wrong direction, while 28% believe that they are heading in the right direction.

Regarding membership in the EU and NATO, 89.7% of Romanians believe that it is in the national interest for Romania to remain in the EU and NATO, while 6.4% are of the opposite opinion.

The study also shows that 40.6% of those surveyed believe that Romania's membership in the European Union limits national sovereignty too much, while 51.6% are of the opposite opinion.

Regarding the protection of economic interests in the EU, 80.7% of Romanians believe that, in order to protect its economic interests, Romania should negotiate more favorable conditions within the European Union, 10% should do nothing, because economic and national interests are protected. Only 4.8% believe that Romania should leave the European Union.

When asked how they consider the level of foreign investment in Romania compared to European Union countries, 8.4% of survey participants believe it is much higher, 9.3% somewhat higher, 26.3% somewhat lower, 24.4% much lower, and 21.3% approximately the same.

"67.9% of Romanians would like foreign investments in Romania to increase, 14.8% would like them to decrease, and 14.5% would like them to remain the same. The non-response rate is 2.8%," the cited study shows.

Romanians' opinion about multinational companies investing in Romania is generally good (71.1%), while 24.6% have a bad opinion. Likewise, the opinion about EU companies investing in Romania is good for 73.6% of respondents, and bad for 18.3%.

The study also shows the opinion about Romanian companies investing in other countries, where 61.5% of those surveyed responded that they have a good opinion, while 29.6% have a bad opinion.

"People with higher education and people with high and very high incomes have a good opinion about Romanian companies investing in other countries, while the bad opinion is found especially among people with primary education and people with very low and low incomes," the INSCOP study reveals.

Romanians also have a good opinion about Romanian companies expanding in the EU, respectively 82.1% of those interviewed, while 12% have a bad opinion.

Also, 49.7% of respondents agree with the statement "The Romanian Government should promote the same rules for Romanian and foreign companies alike". 46.4% agree with the statement "The Romanian Government should promote preferential rules to support Romanian companies, even if this would discourage investments by foreign/multinational companies".

"I believe that the Romanian Government should promote preferential rules to support Romanian companies, even if this would discourage investments by foreign/multinational companies, especially people aged between 30 and 44 and state employees. I believe that the Romanian Government should promote the same rules for both Romanian and foreign companies, especially residents of the Capital and people with very high incomes," the survey also shows.

According to the cited source, 56.2% of respondents believe that Romania would benefit if there were more state-owned companies on the domestic market. On the other hand, 38.7% believe that Romania would benefit if there were more private companies on the domestic market.

The study shows that people with primary education and very low incomes believe that Romania would benefit if there were more state-owned companies on the domestic market, while people with higher education and very high incomes share the opposite opinion.

At the same time, 62.9% of Romanians believe that there is a risk that some foreign/multinational companies will leave Romania in the next period, 30.6% are of the opinion that this risk does not exist.

The study reveals that 53.1% of those interviewed believe that Romania would lose if there were fewer foreign/multinational companies on the domestic market, 39.6% are of the opinion that Romania would gain in such a scenario.

"I believe that Romania would lose if there were fewer foreign/multinational companies on the domestic market, especially people between the ages of 45 and 59, people with higher education and people with high and very high incomes. I share the opposite opinion, especially people with primary education and people with low and very low incomes," the sociological research shows.

In the opinion of 30.5% of respondents, the most important condition for a company to be considered a Romanian campaign is that the company pays its taxes in Romania. The condition that the majority of employees are Romanian is the most important for 20.5% of those interviewed. 18.3% mention having Romanian shareholders/owners, 16.9% the brand/mark being Romanian, and 9.1% having the headquarters in Romania

In the opinion of 77.8% of those interviewed, it is in Romania's national interest for the state to support foreign companies that pay taxes in Romania, 20% are of the opposite opinion.

The sociological research also shows that 61% of those interviewed consider that it is in Romania's national interest for the state to support Romanian companies that wish to invest abroad, while 35.4% are of the opposite opinion.

"79.5% of respondents believe that it is in Romania's national interest for the state to support foreign companies that collaborate closely with Romanian companies, 17.5% are of the opposite opinion, and 3% do not know or do not answer. Also, 77.2% of Romanians believe that it is in Romania's national interest for the Romanian state to support Romanian companies that want to acquire foreign companies in Romania," the document states.

At the same time, 15.8% of Romanians believe that "Romania has full control over its political decisions" to a very large extent, 25.8% to a fairly large extent, 24.4% to a fairly small extent and 29.5% to a very small extent or not at all.

Regarding control over economic decisions, 11.3% of Romanians believe that "Romania has full control over its economic decisions" to a very large extent, 23.9% to a fairly large extent, 29% to a fairly small extent and 29.9% to a very small extent or not at all

The research also shows that 12.6% of Romanians believe that "the law is applied equally to all citizens" to a very large extent, 17.2% to a fairly large extent, 25.9% to a fairly small extent and 42.6% to a very small extent or not at all

According to the cited source, 40.9% of Romanians believe that "the election of the president depends only on the citizens' vote" to a very large extent, 24.6% to a fairly large extent, 12.6% to a fairly small extent and 19.6% to a very small extent or not at all.

Regarding the influence of presidential elections by other states, 32.6% of Romanians believe that "the election of the president is strongly influenced by the hostile actions of other states" to a very large extent, 28.5% to a fairly large extent, 17.1% to a fairly small extent and 18.1% to a very small extent or not at all.

Asked what Romania's biggest problem is at the moment, 44% of respondents chose the option "corruption that amplifies injustices in society", 21.8% "political instability and its effects on good governance", 17.2% "the precarious state of democracy that limits people's freedom to choose their president", and 15.1% "economic problems that cause a decrease in purchasing power".

In the context of recent discussions about Europe reducing its military dependence on the US and NATO by increasing defense spending, respondents were asked if they would agree with such a perspective for Romania to defend its sovereignty in the event of military aggression. 76.2% support such an increase in defense spending, while 21.1% are opposed.

Last but not least, 77.1% of Romanians believe that the withdrawal of NATO troops from Eastern Europe would affect Romania's national security, while 20.3% share the opposite opinion.

The survey was conducted by INSCOP Research at the request of the Concordia Employers' Confederation. The data were collected between March 13 and 17, 2025. Research method: sociological survey using a questionnaire. The data were collected using the CATI method (telephone interviews), the volume of the stratified multistage sample being 1000 people, representative of significant socio-demographic categories (sex, age, occupation) for the non-institutionalized population of Romania, aged 18 and over. The maximum allowed error of the data is a 3.1%, at a confidence level of 95%.
Romania's government cloud will provide citizens with access to over 30 public services by the end of this year, Minister of Economy, Digitisation, Entrepreneurship and Tourism Bogdan Ivan announced at the Digital Innovation Summit Bucharest (DISB) 2025 on Thursday.

"The way we aim to build a smart government and smart administration depends on this technology. In the last year and a half, since December last year, we already have a government cloud with one of the most advanced technologies in the world. By the end of 2025, more than 30 public services will be available within this cloud. This will be the most significant step in reshaping how the Romanian government operates for its citizens. It is not the effort of one person, one ministry, one institution, Parliament or the Government alone. The most important factor is the collective will, along with shared resources, experience from many of you here, and openness to work with our neighbours, powerful allies across the ocean, in Europe, the Middle East, or countries like Singapore. What matters most is that we come together - actors from different sectors - to think and shape how our country and technology can influence the future," the minister pointed out.

According to him, technological progress presents opportunities for smart companies and nations to become leaders in the area.

"We are talking about the future, and we must understand that the future can evolve in two ways. One option is to wait and see what others do and follow them - to be followers. This morning's meeting with the Institute for Research in Informatics and Mr. Vevera (Adrian-Victor Vevera, Director General of ICI Bucharest, editor's note) is a great example of why we should sit at the same table with leaders from both the private and public sectors and design, together, how we want to shape the future. Clearly, we all know that during this period - especially in the past two months - the entire economic and technological landscape has opened a huge window of opportunity for smart companies and smart nations to become leaders. In this new context, the only true advantage - the most important technology - is undoubtedly digitisation. If we want to reconfigure our governments and make them more flexible and productive, we must use technology, and blockchain is one of those technologies," Ivan said.

In the minister's view, the economy can become more productive as we enter this new era of technology and digital transformation.

"Certainly, when we talk about artificial intelligence, society has both concerns and excitement. I am convinced that when we speak of economic development, only by using technology can we anticipate and shape how our economies become more productive, and how economists adapt better to the new era of technology and digitisation," Bogdan Ivan showed.

This week (April 8-11), ICI Bucharest is organising a new edition of the Digital Innovation Summit Bucharest (DISB) at the Palace of Parliament. This year's event brings together over 200 speakers from more than 30 countries.

The summit agenda features five key conferences: the 8th edition of the Forum for the Critical Infrastructures Protection (CIP Forum), the 4th International Conference on Cyber Diplomacy (ICCD), the 20th International Conference on Virtual Learning (ICVL), the 23rd National Conference on Virtual Education (CNIV) and the first-ever Blockchain Intelligence Forum. In addition to these events, DISB 2025 will also host the Annual Assembly of Eurodefence (RIE)
Eight of 18 Palestinian patients brought from the Gaza Strip to Romania on Wednesday evening were flown to Norway on a Spartan aircraft, the Ministry of National Defense (MApN) informs.

"A C-27J Spartan aircraft belonging to the Romanian Air Force took off on Wednesday evening, April 9, to Oslo, Norway, with eight patients on board and 13 relatives of those who returned from Israel that same evening. Other patients were flown to Malta and Luxembourg by aircraft of partner states in the European Union, and four, together with eight relatives, stayed back in Romania for medical care," MApN reported on Thursday.

MApN added that 18 patients and 29 family members were brought to Romania from Israel on Wednesday evening, on a C-130 Hercules aircraft belonging to it. During the flights, the medical assistance was provided by UPU-SMURD doctors and nurses from the Bucharest Emergency Clinical Hospital and MApN.

The missions were carried out at the request of the Department for Emergency Management in response to a request from the European Commission's Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC), through the Common Emergency Communication and Information System (CECIS), within the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism.

Romania's Foreign Ministry (MAE) says that this was the third support mission carried out this year for the civilian population in the Gaza Strip, with a total of over 40 patients and about 90 relatives being transported.
Independent presidential candidate Victor Ponta declared on Thursday that Marcel Ciolacu should "urgently" resign from the position of prime minister, otherwise he will dismiss him as soon as he becomes head of state.

"I believe that Mr. Ciolacu should immediately resign from the position of prime minister - otherwise I will dismiss him as soon as I become president! After he brought Romania to economic collapse, defrauded the military, pensioners and entrepreneurs, indebted the country to 100 billion euros, canceled the legitimate election in November, led the PSD to the lowest electoral score in history and sold it to the PNL and Nicusor Dan, after he ridiculed Romania's relationship with the United States and lost European funds from the PNRR due to the incompetence and corruption he oversees - I think it is obvious to everyone that his place is no longer at the Victoria Palace," Ponta wrote on Facebook.

He added that he had seen that Ciolacu had already received public assurances from Nicusor Dan that he would remain prime minister.

"Well, I assure Marcel Ciolacu that I will be elected by the Romanians as president of Romania and that I will immediately remove him from the position of prime minister, a position in which he does so much harm to this country! And, unlike others, I do not even guarantee him a private plane for his departure," Victor Ponta said.

Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu demanded on Thursday that Victor Ponta withdraw from the presidential election race, after the latter revealed that in 2014, as prime minister, he had agreed "to flood Romanian villages to save foreign cities."v
Bucharest mayor Nicusor Dan, who is also running as an independent candidate in the May presidential elections, on Wednesday stated that the decision of the USR (Save Romania Union) leadership to support him [instead of this party's chairwoman Elena Lasconi - editor's note] in the campaign represents an "absolutely correct" gesture.

He told Antena 3 private television broadcaster that he had "no involvement" in the USR decision.

"I imagine that it is extremely difficult for Elena Lasconi on a personal level, because she had a campaign, she worked for it, but in my opinion this is not about Elena Lasconi or me or Crin Antonescu. This is a very, very serious issue for Romania. In the Republic of Moldova, there is a big fight between pro-Europeans and pro-Russians. The European path of the Republic of Moldova and our citizens there depends on the parliamentary elections this autumn. We have a party there, founded by the mayor of Chisinau, Mr. Ceban, about whom the US State Department says that it is financed by Russia. And we have a candidate, Victor Ponta, who goes to the Republic of Moldova and in order to collect some votes does not support the European cause, he goes and meets with Mr. Ceban and in this way shows his support for him," said Nicusor Dan.

He added that if the presidential elections are won by Victor Ponta or George Simion, there is a risk that they will block various partnerships or support for Ukraine in the Supreme Council of National Defence (CSAT).

"This is what it is about, the possibility that Romania will have a president like Victor Ponta, who has done this and many others; the possibility that Romania will have a president like George Simion, people who can block our various partnerships with allies in the CSAT, can block support for Ukraine. So this is not about Crin Antonescu, nor about me, nor about Mrs. Lasconi as a person. It is about the direction in which Romania will go. And from this perspective, the gesture that the USR made today is absolutely correct," the general mayor said.

He added that two weeks ago polls indicated that a "pro-Western" and an "anti-Western" candidate would reach the second round of the presidential elections, but that the situation has changed.

"Both George Simion and Victor Ponta said that they would appoint Calin Georgescu [former candidate in the 2024 presidential elections that were canceled - editor's note] as prime minister, for example. Until two weeks ago, we were in a somewhat different situation. We had all the polls saying that George Simion would enter the second round and the fight for the second round would be between me and Crin Antonescu. And everyone was calm: we will have a pro-Western and an anti-Western candidate and we will see which of the pro-Western candidates will enter the second round and we will see who will win. Now we are in a different context, because there were several polls and people who deal with this job who said that there is a risk that George Simion will be in the final with Victor Ponta. And then, in relation to this situation, obviously all things change and we have to look with great responsibility at what direction Romania will head," he specified.
A Romanian Air Force (RoAF) aircraft landed Wednesday evening at the 90th Airlift Base Otopeni with 18 Palestinian patients from the Gaza Strip on board, along with 29 family members.

''Romania is carrying out a new humanitarian support mission for the civilian population in the Gaza Strip. A RoAF aircraft landed with 18 Palestinian patients from the Gaza Strip, seriously affected by the lack of access to adequate medical treatment, along with 29 family members," according to the Facebook page of the Department for Emergency Situations (DSU).

According to the DSU, a C-130 Hercules aircraft of the RoAF, with 6 crew members on board, along with a UPU-SMURD medical team from the Bucharest Emergency Clinical Hospital, a medical team from the Ministry of National Defence and a liaison officer from the IGSU (General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations), took off from the Otopeni Airport around 8:00 am heading to the destination Israel - Ilan and Asaf Ramon International Airport, where it arrived at 12:00 pm.

After the medical assessment, carried out by specialized crews, the patients (mostly children) were boarded on the aircraft, together with their relatives.

Subsequently, the plane took off from the airport in Israel, around 7:00 pm.

Some of the Palestinian citizens will remain in Romania, while others will be transferred to the Kingdom of Norway, the Republic of Malta and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the same source said.

The mission is being carried out following requests received from the European Commission's Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC), through CECIS, within the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism, and is coordinated by the Emergency Department of the Ministry of Interior, in close collaboration with several national institutions and international bodies, essential for ensuring an efficient and safe deployment.

***

This is the third support mission carried out this year for the civilian population in the Gaza Strip. Such actions also took place on January 15, when 12 Palestinian patients, along with 33 family members, were transferred to Romania, the French Republic, the Kingdom of Norway and the Republic of Albania, and on March 19, when 13 patients from the Gaza Strip, along with 34 family members, were transferred to Romania, the Kingdom of Norway and the French Republic.
Her Majesty Margareta, Custodian of the Romanian Crown, is hosting a royal evening in the State Dining Room of the Royal Palace on Thursday, dedicated to the Centennial of the French Institute in Romania.

According to a press release sent to AGERPRES, Her Majesty will be joined by His Royal Highness Prince Radu.

At the event, which will begin at 6:00 PM, Ambassador of the French Republic in Bucharest Nicolas Warnery and Director of the French Institute in Romania Julien Chiapone Lucchesi will deliver speeches.

Attending will be members of the Diplomatic Corps accredited in Bucharest, representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Education, various government institutions, diplomatic and economic figures, companies and organisations from both Romania and France.

The Representative Orchestra of the Ministry of National Defence is also invited.
Budder is a 1-year-old pit bull terrier mix who came to HSMOs Maryland Heights shelter in late January as an owner surrender. He overcame health issues in his early weeks at the shelter and is described by shelter staff and volunteers as shy but sweet. He would love a quieter home with a family that can be patient with him as he comes out of his shell.

To adopt  Call the Best Buddy Pet Center in Maryland Heights at 314-951-1588 or visit hsmo.org/adopt.

Devin is a 6-year-old German shepherd mix who came to the Humane Society of Missouris Macklind Avenue headquarters in late January as an owner surrender. In her previous home, Devin lived with kids and other dogs. She acts like a younger dog and loves to play. Devin enjoys camping and cars rides and is looking for her next adventure.

To adopt  Call the Macklind Avenue Headquarters at 314-951-1562 or visit hsmo.org/adopt

Corazon is a 15-year-old Appaloosa who was returned to Longmeadow Rescue Ranch in September when his previous owner could no longer care for him. He enjoys having a job and is an intelligent horse. He will need a handler and rider who isnt afraid to correct certain behaviors, such as pushiness on the ground.

To adopt  Call Longmeadow Rescue Ranch in Union at 636-583-8759 to schedule an interview.

Last weeks pets  Dogs named Samara and Jaya and a rooster named Claude are still available for adoption. More info  You can support these pets and others by making a donation at hsmo.org/donate.
A meeting of Armenian business representatives with the ambassadors of EU member states was held at the Yerevan Brandy Factory.

The head of the EU delegation to Armenia, Ambassador Vasilis Maragos, French Ambassador Olivier De Cotigny, and other European diplomats attended. They'll drink cognac and then go defend Armenian interests. Establishing "strong allied" relations isnt easy.

The diplomats have stopped pretending. Previously, at least they tried to maintain appearances, but now they're openly engaging in "cognac diplomacy" and holding meetings right at the factory. If this continues, future Armenia-EU friendship group meetings might be held in kebab shops.
Chippewa Falls students are learning advanced ways to grow food indoors, and the produce is being used to help provide fresh vegetables to the school kitchens.

Were calling it our Farm-to-School Program. We are farm-raising products, hydroponically and aquaponically and then everything we produce in here, if my students in class don't munch on it, then it goes to the school kitchen, ag science teacher Jeanna Burgan said. Their favorite thing to eat is the cucumbers.

Gracie Boos showed off a handful of the cucumbers she picked in class from the greenhouse at the Chippewa Falls High School.

Its really fun because I enjoy plants, and I like learning about them a lot. I also am, like, a huge fan of foraging and stuff, Boos said. I just think it's fun to learn about them, and growing them is also fun because sometimes I can take, like, a few home for my family, and we eat them, too.

In Burgans greenhouse management class, students take care of hydroponic and aquaponic systems, which introduces them to cutting edge ways to grow food.

The class shows students how to use the tech but also how to keep track of plant, water and nutrient conditions to ensure optimal growth. Students watch the pH balance of the varying plants they grow and respond appropriately with nutrient solutions in an effort to produce in the most efficient way possible.

Because in hydroponics, versus conventional soil, it is a lot easier to get the exact nutrients of the plant all the time, Burgan said.

In large scale hydroponic productions, pH and nutrient tests may be automated.

Here at our school, I give the tools to students, right? And then that's part of their greenhouse work where, three times a week, they test pH, she said. Having them be able to test, collect the data and make decisions based upon their data and carry it out without me having to hand hold after the first couple of weeks is a big part of it.

Multiple growing methods are used in the greenhouse.

The goal in here when we were designing the facilities was to have all six types of hydroponic systems in here and we do, she said.

Ways to grow

The school completed the greenhouse in 2020 and had just moved into the new facility the week before the state shut down for COVID.

For me, learning how to grow plants hydroponically, aquaponically  when everyone was baking bread during COVID, I was learning hydroponics, she said. I took a tower and I set it up in my master bathroom at home, and then taught myself.

Now Burgan is showing the next generation of food growers how to make an impact while growing in small spaces with no soil.

Students grow radishes, cucumbers, lettuce, peppers and more.

We're trying cauliflower for the first time, Burgan said.

Hydroponics is the practice of growing plants or crops in nutrient-rich water without the use of soil. Instead, plants are grown by exposing their roots to a constant supply of a fertilizer solution, according to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Terrascope 2024 project.

Burgan is teaching the students:

aeroponics, which have plant roots in the air instead of in soil

ebb and flow, which use timers that periodically flood and drain plant containers

drip irrigation, a vine crop system that applies water slowly and directly to the plant root zone

nutrient film technique, a system where a thin film of nutrient solution continuously flows past plant roots

aquaponics, which uses a system where fish provide fertilizer for plants.

For aquaponics, the students use tilapia to provide plant fertilizer.

Aquaculture

Joshua Lange is the aquaculture manager for the greenhouse management class.

He spends a lot of time with the fish tanks, where he oversees 125 larger tilapia in a 400-gallon tank and another 125 smaller ones in a 200-gallon tank.

He and other students also collaborate with Trout Unlimited, a conservation nonprofit, that provides the class with brown trout eggs each year.

The Trout Unlimited project helps spread the word about trout populations in the wild for angling opportunities, Lange said. Bringing them into the classroom helps students understand the impact they can have on their natural environment, even as students here.

Students were able to raise and release 80-90 brown trout into local creeks with permission from the DNR, Lange said.

Lange is big into fishing and headed to Alaska this summer after he graduates to work on a fishing vessel.

This is just really cool that we're able to use this resource as something farmable and from a production ag standpoint, and not just going out into your local creek or river or lake or whatever it is and being able to catch a meal there, but also being able to see how easy it is to have a system here, he said.

He finds the educational value of the greenhouse program to be top notch.

Its just very active information, he said. You actually get to do hands-on, involved learning.

Student Dru Maloney said she enjoyed the class.

I liked learning about all the different plants and how to keep them healthy, she said. And learning, just an easy way to be able to grow them without soil.

Burgan said one of the nice things about the greenhouse is it allows students to test pH quickly and consistently.

Most plants prefer the same pH level, because pH determines how well plants can absorb nutrients. That applies to soil-grown plants as well, Burgan said.

She said with soil-grown plants, the process for testing pH is more complex.

My plant soil class does do that as well, but the pH level is what all plant producers need to understand. It's no different than like our big agronomic fields, which is what my students next hour are focused on.
The worldwide trade war we hope to start in less than 90 days will come at a bad time for me. A bad season, I should say. It will be summer.

I drink whiskey in the winter and gin in the summer. My preferred brand of whiskey comes from Kentucky, but the gin I like comes from England. I suppose I could switch to vodka  no tariffs on our Russian friends!  but theres something about a gin and tonic with a slice of lime that defines summer for me. A vodka and tonic just doesnt do it.

Perhaps I could buy enough gin now to carry me through to the fall, but my retirement account took a hit when the president announced his tariffs, and although the market has bounced back some with the news of a 90-day reprieve, I dont want to make any large purchases at the moment. There is too much uncertainty.

I am aware of what the president said when he first announced the tariffs. We have to be ready for a little pain, a little sacrifice  more tonic, less gin  and he explained that the temporary pain will seem worthwhile when the manufacturing plants return to this country. And because of the tariffs, they will come back. It will make economic sense to build things here.

But I wonder who is going to work in our new factories. We seem to have a shortage of workers. The mayor lost her re-election bid largely because city services arent up to par, and a big reason services are so bad is the city cant find enough workers. Like refuse collectors. And police officers. The city has raised salaries and offered signing bonuses, but the shortages continue.

Remember when COVID shut down restaurants? When the restaurants eventually re-opened, they couldnt find enough workers. Where had they gone? What were they doing?

Consider Tiffanys Diner in Maplewood. Before COVID, it was a late-night hang-out. Now it closes at 2 p.m. Not enough workers, the manager told me.

Garment workers in Sri Lanka make about $70 a month. The president plans to hit them with a 44 percent tariff. Bangladesh is in line for a 37 percent jolt. The factories in those countries will almost certainly shut down.

Do we have workers who want those jobs? Really? And if we pay high enough wages to attract American workers, how much is a shirt going to cost?

These questions come to me because I have some training in economics. In the summer of 2005, I attended a three-day seminar on economics at a country club in Cape Cod. The seminar was run by Washington Universitys Murray Weidenbaum Center on the Economy, Government and Public Policy.

Before joining the Washington University faculty, Weidenbaum had been the chairman of the Council of Economics Advisors for President Ronald Reagan.

There were about 15 journalists. They were about what youd expect  witty, intelligent, opinionated and easily distracted. If they were better able to concentrate, they could have become lawyers, maybe even doctors. In addition to Weidenbaum, there were professors from the University of Chicago and George Mason University.

Weidenbaum was a conservative with a libertarian streak. The other two were libertarians with conservative streaks. The journalists mostly leaned left.

The economists wanted us to understand the Big Picture. If a factory closes, our tendency is to focus on the Little Picture. We interview the poor soul who lost his job. The Big Picture is the value of, and inevitability of, globalization. Cant we work that fundamental truth into our stories? Also, if a beach is slightly polluted, enough to get a small group of swimmers ill, does it make economic sense to shut it down? No, it does not.

Free trade and fewer regulations. Those were the themes.

Mostly, though, I remember feeling like a big shot. I remember being overwhelmed with that feeling one evening while I was sitting on the patio of the club, the ocean right in front of me, as Weidenbaum sat across the table and reminisced about his times at the White House. I fit in well here, I thought to myself as I sipped my gin and tonic.

In a subsequent column, I mentioned two of the other journalists. I was quite impressed with a young woman from the Cook Political Report. Amy Walter could be a comedian, I wrote. She entertained everybody with a great riff about the perils of depending on young voters. If they can fit all they own in a car, forget it, she said.

Also, there was a young staff writer from the Council on Foreign Relations, Lionel Beehner. He now teaches at West Point and is the director of research at the Modern War Institute. He brought his guitar to the seminar and serenaded us with a song he wrote in honor of our professors.

We are free-traders. We are not Darth Vaders, he crooned.

Music does something to me, and the visions that were planted in my brain, still remain.

When I watch Jaws, I root for the sleazy mayor who doesnt want to close the beach. Lets talk economics, people. One or two tourists as opposed to the welfare of an entire village?

And dont get me started on globalization. I dont remember the exact way the economists described it, but moonlight was glistening on the ocean, a gin and tonic was in front of me, and we were a tree, a huge tree, and we had underground root connections with all of the other trees, and everybody was feeding everybody else. Why would we cut those roots?

Even with all my training, I cannot say for sure how our trade war will end. Maybe corporations will continue to manufacture elsewhere. And with all our new income from tariffs, we wont need to tax ourselves. America, the Exceptional. Subsidized by the world.

Or, more likely, manufacturing will return to America. If we cant man or woman the factories ourselves, well do what weve always done. Well let people from other countries sneak in and work.

Its really basic economics.
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

After a winter of discontent, national Democrats are rallying their faithful, announcing they are targeting 35 Republican members of the U.S House for defeat in 2026.

One of the seats now carrying a bulls-eye on its back is that of U.S. Rep. Ann Wagner, a Town and Country Republican who has represented Missouris Second District since 2013.

The move against the representatives is being orchestrated on a national level.

Suzan DelBene, chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, said House Republicans are running scared, and they should be. In short ... its going to cost them the majority, she said.

The GOP now holds a 220-213 edge in the House.

Locally, the drive is being promoted by Spencer Toder, who ran unsuccessfully in 2022 in the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate.

Toder has been at the forefront of the move against Wagner, including the organizing of a recent town hall meeting  a move orchestrated in other targeted districts nationwide.

While billed congenially as town hall meetings, the gatherings actually are staged by national Democratic groups, which supply invitations to the media, and then summaries and photos after the event.

The groups behind the local move against Wagner are two decidedly Democrat groups: BeHeard Missouri, of which Toder is the treasurer; and Indivisible St. Louis.

One such gathering was held last week in Arnold and drew more than 400 people, organizers said.

The fact that Wagner declined an invitation to the event added punch to the charge that she has been unresponsive and unavailable to constituents in recent years.

Toder said her absence is an abdication of responsibility.

If she isnt willing to protect the people of our district, we will continue to make our voices heard until we replace her with someone who will, Toder said.

To be sure, the meeting had its fair share of performative politics  including a cut-out figure of Wagner to which some speakers directed their comments.

But theatrics aside, marking Wagner as vulnerable could be construed as wishful thinking  especially when looking at the numbers from her seven ballot wins.

Five of her seven victories, beginning in 2012, have been by double-digit margins.

To start her career, Wagner notched three wins by hefty double-digit margins, garnering 60% of the general election votes in 2012, 64% in 2014 and 58% in 2016.

So, if national Democrat map strategists are identifying vulnerability on Wagners part, that view may be focused specifically on two close races she was engaged in more recently.

In 2018, Wagner beat Democrat Cort VanOstran, a St. Louis lawyer, 51% to 47%.

Wagner also was pitted in a close race in November 2020 when she faced state Sen. Jill Schupp.

Schupp was a veteran Missouri legislator with a strong support base in west St. Louis County, not only because of her 12 years in the state Legislature, but also from time served on the Ladue school board and Creve Coeur city council.

But in spite of the stout competition, Wagner ended up pulling 52% percent of the vote, compared to Schupps 46%.

And since those close calls in 2018 and 2020, the landscape of Missouris congressional districts changed  much to Wagners favor.

Thanks to a redistricting that changed congressional boundaries in Missouri, several of the near west St. Louis County suburbs that had begun to trend toward Democrats were moved into the First District.

Those areas  parts of Maryland Heights, Bridgeton, Clayton, Brentwood and Webster Groves  are now represented by U.S. Rep. Wesley Bell.

In exchange, Wagners Second District received areas in Franklin and Warren counties, decidedly Republican-leaning territories.

After those boundary changes went into place, Wagner returned to registering double-digits wins in 2022 and 2024.

Her last W, this past November against well-known newspaper publisher Ray Hartmann, was a 54.5% to 42.5% win.

Locally, Wagner spokesperson Arthur Bryant said Wednesday that Wagner already has announced her candidacy for 2026.

She has handily beaten radically liberal (Democratic) candidates before, and she will do it again in 2026, Bryant said.

As for the national GOP establishment, it is expressing  in no uncertain terms  little concern over the concerted effort to unseat Wagner and other Democrats.

National Republican Congressional Committee Zack Bannon spokesman called Wagner a stalwart voice for the people of Missouri.

Said Bannon, Any pathetic attempt by out-of-touch Democrats will be nothing but an embarrassing waste of money.
A former vice president at the Bank of O'Fallon (Illinois) is facing federal charges in an alleged check kiting scheme of nearly $2 million as well as a scheme to defraud two bank customers of more than $400,000.

Andrew P. Blassie, 69, the executive vice president at the bank at the time, defrauded the bank over the course of a year from September 2023 to September 2024, according to a release from the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Southern District of Illinois.

Blassie, of St. Louis, is accused of inflating the balance of his account at the bank by depositing checks written from accounts owned by he and his wife at other institutions. When these bad checks were returned to the Bank of O'Fallon by the banks they were drawn upon, Blassie deposited more checks from those banks into his Bank of O'Fallon account in ever larger amounts, a charging document reads.

The document accuses Blassie of using his position to intercept the bank's daily "kiting suspects report," which identified suspects potentially involved in check kiting. He physically cut out his name and account number, creating an altered version of these reports that didn't contain his name and account number, providing the altered report to other executives at the bank, the charging documents allege.

In September 2024, Blassie deposited into his Bank of O'Fallon account a check for $1.965 million that was drawn on an account in his wife's name at another bank, the charging document reads.

Charges allege that Blassie used his inflated balance to pay personal expenses including $642,000 to American Express.

He is also accused of defrauding a married couple who were customers of the bank. Blassie is alleged to have persuaded them to withdraw $429,000 of their retirement savings that had been invested at the bank and provide to him the funds for investment.

Blassie promised he would pay the couple interest for the funds. He gave the customers copies of Security First Bancshares Inc. stock certificates.

Needing to pay back a $4 million loan to an individual from St. Louis, Blassie is alleged to have sold the stock, later telling the couple their principal was gone and the stock certificates he pledged to them were worthless.

Blassie faces one count of bank fraud and one count of interstate transportation of security or funds obtained by fraud.

The bank fraud charge is punishable by up to 30 years imprisonment. The interstate transportation of security or funds obtained by fraud can result in up to 10 years in federal prison.

Senior bank officials must act as fiduciaries, not felons  they must serve the bank, not swindle it, U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft said in a release. The federal justice system leads the fight against corruption in all its forms, and the allegations in this case  a $2 million check kiting scheme and a $500,000 investor rip-off  are glaring examples of the type of financial betrayal that will not be tolerated.
ST. LOUIS  Every time theres a new mayor, city department heads are subject to removal. Sometimes the new mayor keeps them, sometimes they dont.

The top attorney in the Jones administration isnt waiting to find out what Mayor-elect Cara Spencer does.

City Counselor Sheena Hamilton wrote a letter to Jones, Spencer and other top officials this week telling them that she will be gone on inauguration day, and that she had delegated the signing of city contracts to deputies for her final week.

Hamilton, who came to the city from high-powered Dowd Bennett in Clayton, was one of Jones more controversial picks.

She bucked transparency advocates and longstanding practice by refusing to make public her opinions on everyday city matters, like the legality of a bill at the Board of Aldermen.

And even aldermen were irritated when they were told they couldnt share opinions bolstering their arguments.

Then she infuriated the mayors progressive supporters with her steady defense of the police department, perhaps most notably when she appealed a ruling against officers who conducted mass arrests during a 2017 protest.

It was bizarre, said Alderman Rasheen Aldridge, of downtown. We assumed that the mayor would appoint a city counselor who understood that, Yes, we have to protect police officers, but we should also be protecting everyday citizens.

She also appeared to maintain an unusually tight grip on her staff.

Usually, city counselors delegate power to sign contracts to deputies at the beginning of their terms rather than at the end: Dozens of contracts come through the Law Department each week, and it can take a while to sign off on all of the required copies.

And the attorneys were largely forbidden to speak with the press.
JEFFERSON CITY  A plan to restrict sales of intoxicating hemp-derived cannabis products has hit a wall of bipartisan resistance in the Missouri Senate.

The Senate proposal  which ultimately wasnt voted on after hours of debate Wednesday  would bar sales of intoxicating hemp-derived cannabis products at convenience stores and smoke shops.

Sales would only be allowed at state-licensed marijuana dispensaries authorized by the 2022 constitutional amendment that legalized recreational marijuana. State regulators have strictly limited the number of dispensaries under the program.

Proponents argue the legislation is needed for public health but opponents say the bill unfairly advantages the state-regulated cannabis industry over hemp producers.

The Missouri Cannabis Trade Association  representing state-sanctioned dispensaries  supports the legislation. But convenience stores and hemp producers oppose it.

Its just a turf war. Thats all this is, Sen. Mike Cierpiot, R-Lees Summit, said during floor debate Wednesday.

Missouri allows state-licensed dispensaries to sell marijuana products even though their sale remains illegal at the federal level. At the same time, the sale of hemp-derived products is allowed under the federal farm bill of 2018.

Unlike sales of cannabis in state-licensed dispensaries, hemp-derived products currently for sale at Missouri gas stations are unregulated by the state Department of Health and Senior Services. There are also no specialty taxes on the delta-8 products or official age restrictions.

Sen. Karla May, D-St. Louis, said proponents of regulating hemp-derived products want to force existing hemp businesses to enter into contracts to sell their products in dispensaries.

I think its extortion to force people who (are) already in business  that are in legal businesses  to suddenly have to pay an illegal business to do business, May said.

May continued that its all about money and its because these products are sold cheaper and they have a larger customer base. ... And its about cornering that market.

An amendment May offered that wouldve enacted regulations on the sale of the hemp-derived products, such as keeping the products behind the counter and selling only to those 21 and older. But the effort was defeated.

Sen. Angela Mosley, D-Florissant, aimed criticism at the bill sponsor, Sen. Nick Schroer, R-Defiance.

Someone in the marijuana business decided they wanted this bill to be filed, and went to one of our colleagues and asked them to file this bill on their behalf, Mosley said.

She said the bill wasnt fair and anyone that would want a bill like this has no integrity.

Schroer, after debate, responded to Mosleys integrity claim, referencing her familys local political dynasty.

Its comical coming from a senator who took floor time to talk about how her family was a dynasty that has been attacked for no reason, Schroer said in a text message.

He said some senators are fine taking orders from lobbyists working to keep these synthetic marijuana products in a market where kids are being poisoned by them.

Those (calling) into question anyones integrity need to conduct a thorough evaluation of their own character before pointing the finger, he said.

On Cierpiots turf war claim, Schroer said that was a moot point given the number of states that have already restricted the products.

Many of the states that have banned it have no legal market for marijuana, Schroer said.

Other Republicans to criticize the bill on the Senate floor included Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman of Jefferson County and Mike Moon of Ash Grove.

Schroers legislation includes a carve-out for makers of hemp-derived beverages, which allows for the sale of the hemp beverages outside of dispensaries by regulating the products and imposing a 9% excise tax on them.

Steven Busch, who distributes hemp-derived beverages and owns Krey Distributing, previously expressed support for Schroers bill, the Missouri Independent reported last month.

The legislation is Senate Bill 54.
JEFFERSON CITY  The Missouri House voted unanimously Thursday to spend more on radioactive waste investigations amid concerns past testing in the St. Louis area was insufficient.

On a 152-0 vote, the House approved legislation to eliminate a $150,000 annual cap placed on the states Radioactive Waste Investigative Fund.

The measure, which now heads to the Senate for further debate, was sponsored by Rep. Mark Matthiesen, R-OFallon. Rep. Raychel Proudie, D-Ferguson, and Rep. Darin Chappell, a Republican from Rogersville in southwest Missouri, also introduced similar plans designed to boost environmental testing in the region.

Matthiesen said few understood that the radioactive contamination caused as a byproduct of efforts to bring an end to World War II would still be reverberating decades later.

Missourians are still paying that price, Matthiesen said.

Chappell said action to identify and clean up sites should have begun years ago.

I cannot say those people intentionally poisoned our citizens, Chappell said. I find it appalling that theyve drug their feet so long.

In his budget blueprint for the 2026 fiscal year, which begins July 1, Gov. Mike Kehoe, a Republican, requested the maximum $150,000 currently allowed for the fund.

The fund was created in 2018, but Gov. Mike Parson did not allocate money for the testing.

The push for more money to investigate potential hazards comes as the St. Louis region has grappled with a legacy of nuclear waste on numerous fronts.

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources recently said there is a high probability of radiological materials in the Bridgeton Landfill, but in a separate part of the property than a 15-year-old underground fire that has died down over the past couple of years.

There also is radioactive waste in the nearby West Lake Landfill.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced in February it had expanded by 40 acres a West Lake remediation zone after discovering contamination spread wider than previously known, the Missouri Independent reported.

Efforts by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to clean up radioactive waste in Coldwater Creek in St. Louis County are expected to last until 2038. The suburban waterway was contaminated after World War II when radioactive waste was stored at a site at St. Louis Lambert International Airport.

The measure removes a requirement that a local government make a written request to the state for a specific area of concern before an investigation can be initiated. Instead, the legislation allows the DNR to determine the selection and priority of investigative sites.

The bill would allow the agency to use information from local governments, individuals and historic data to determine where an investigation may be needed.

In addition, the measure gives the DNR the ability to access government-owned property if contaminants are suspected in the area.

If the suspected contaminants are on private property, the department must have the owners permission to enter and test.

The measure heads to the Senate for further debate.
JEFFERSON CITY  An open-enrollment plan for public school students is moving forward in the Missouri Senate after clearing the House earlier this year.

The Senate Education Committee held a hearing Thursday on the proposal, which would allow children to enroll in school districts outside of the districts where their families reside.

The measure is part of Republican Gov. Mike Kehoes school-choice agenda and passed the House on an 86-73 vote Jan. 31.

All the states in the Midwest have open enrollment except for Missouri, said Rep. Brad Pollitt, R-Sedalia, the bill sponsor.

Proponents say the measure would empower parents to choose better educational options for their children, while opponents argue the plan masks the larger problem of the states chronic underfunding of schools.

The bill would allow students beginning kindergarten or public-school students up to grade 12 to transfer to schools in nonresident districts.

Districts wouldnt be required receive students if they decline to participate in the open-enrollment program. And districts would be allowed to limit the number of students leaving to 3% of the districts previous school year enrollment.

The legislation would require the state to create an online resource for the transfer program, including a feature showing how many open seats there are in participating school districts.

The measure would also allow nonresident districts to reject students who had been suspended at least twice in the most recent school year.

For special education students, the legislation allows nonresident districts to recoup the costs of services from the state parent public school choice fund.

Sen. Tracy McCreery, D-Olivette, said there needed to be coordination with St. Louis Countys Special School District under the program. The special school district works within St. Louis County districts to educate students with intellectual and physical disabilities.

McCreery said the Special School District could be negatively impacted by a school in St. Louis County accepting students before we know if Special School District has the capacity and the funding to take on those additional students.

St. Louis Public Schools wouldnt have to participate in the open-enrollment program because of a court-ordered desegregation plan for the district enacted in 1983.

The desegregation plan allows for the voluntary transfer of Black students from St. Louis to St. Louis County and for SLPS magnet schools to enroll white students from the county.

As of Jan. 8, 2025, there were 1,932 city-to-county transfer students and 47 county-to-city transfer students.

The legislation has earned mixed reviews in the Legislature over multiple years and has repeatedly died in the Senate.

The Education Committee didnt vote on the legislation Thursday. The Senate will need to approve it by May 16 for it to head to Kehoes desk for consideration.

The legislation is House Bill 711.

Blythe Bernhard of the Post-Dispatch contributed to this report.
JEFFERSON CITY  On a party-line vote, the Missouri House approved legislation Thursday allowing Missourians with concealed carry permits to bring guns on public transit.

The legislation, which now heads to the Senate, also lowers the minimum age for concealed carry permit holders from 19 to 18.

Permit holders can currently carry weapons in much of the state with only a few exceptions, including schools, polling places and religious institutions.

Under the proposal, public transit, including Metro Transit buses and trains in the St. Louis metropolitan area, would be removed from that list.

Its about time we let those people who use public transportation to exercise the same rights as everyone else in our state, Rep. Tim Taylor, R-Speed, the legislations sponsor said.

The debate was fiery, but it was also emotional, with several members recounting their own experiences with gun violence.

When I hear a bill that allows kids as young as 18 to conceal carry around our state, what I hear is kids at my stepdaughters high school will have even more access to firearms, even more access at a time when access is exactly the problem, said House Minority Floor Leader Ashley Aune, D-Kansas City.

She then argued the Legislature should institute red flag laws that give courts the power to take away guns from people deemed a danger to themselves or others. Missouri Republicans have staunchly opposed such measures.

The people dont want this, the Second Amendment zealots do, Aune said.

Rep. Jim Schulte, R-New Bloomfield, called it disgusting to blame gun violence on the prevalence of guns. Its not about a gun or a bullet. Its about a mental health crisis we are facing.

Rep Yolanda Young, D-Kansas City, contended that public transit, where people are confined in a tight space, is not the right place for firearms. We cant solve violence with more violence, Young said. She added that her son was a victim of gun violence.

For the House, the gun debate was a painful reminder of last years mass shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl parade. Leadership shut down debate on a guns-on-transit bill last year after the tragedy.

It was many of us in this chamber who were in a mass shooting with (our) families, LaKeySha Bosley, D-St. Louis said.

Every Republican present in the chamber and two Democrats voted for the bill.

If instituted, its unclear how implementation would work in St. Louis, where public transit serves both Missouri and Illinois residents. Its currently illegal to bring guns on Illinois public transit. However, a federal judge ruled the Illinois law is unconstitutional. The case is currently on appeal.

In the Senate, a similar proposal made it to the floor for debate but quickly became a pro-gun omnibus. Republicans added provisions beefing up stand your ground laws and allowing concealed carry in religious institutions. The Senate hasnt considered the bill again.

Similar polices have been considered in the Legislature for over a decade but have never reached the finish line.

The legislation is House Bill 328.
Post-Dispatch reporter Virginia Irwin and Army Sgt. Johnny Wilson in Berlin April 27-28, 1945, while the Russians were advancing upon the last German defenders in the bomb-wrecked city. Irwin, a native of Quincy, Ill., joined the Post-Dispatch in 1932 and was a feature writer when World War II began. In 1943, she took a leave of absence to serve in the Red Cross in England. Shortly before the Allied invasion of Normandy beach on June 6, 1944, she talked the newspaper into accrediting her as a war correspondent. She reached France on July 11 and wrote columns and stories about soldiers, military life and battles. On April 25, she and Boston Traveler correspondent Andrew Tully, with Sgt. Wilson at the wheel of their Jeep, reached Torgau, Germany, on the Elbe River, where American and Russian forces met. Without authorization from the Army press office, they decided to try for Berlin, 80 miles to the north through Russian lines. A few weeks before, her editors had asked whether she wanted to be relieved. Irwin cabled back, "I want to stick it out until I get to Berlin." She got there on April 27, four days before Adolf Hitler killed himself. But when Irwin and Tully returned to American lines, furious Army censors yanked their credentials and refused to send their stories for a week. They were angry because she and Tully did not get the Army's permission to head for Berlin. (Post-Dispatch)
As a Sister of St. Joseph, I have served in Latin America and other areas of the world. I am aware of the cruel and dehumanizing conditions in some of the jails and prisons  particularly in El Salvador. ("Chief Justice Roberts pauses deadline for return of Maryland man mistakenly deported to El Salvador," April 7.)

We should all be appalled at the U.S. government's use of terror tactics in sending masked people in unmarked cars to kidnap "suspects" off the street and imprison and even deport them to a third nation them with no due process.

Perhaps the most egregious of the government's unconscionable actions is the arrest and deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a legal resident. Not only was he sent to prison in El Salvador, but the most powerful nation in the world now says that it has no power to free the man. The U.S. is paying El Salvador $6 million to imprison deportees, with no option to rectify unspeakable miscarriages of justice.

All citizens who love our Constitution and Bill of Rights should protest this kind of activity before we repeat the horrors that happened in Germany in the 1930s and 40s.

Sister Mary M. McGlone, CSJ

St. Louis
Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll speaks to reporters April 9, 2025, at Clay Kaserne in Wiesbaden, Germany, as U.S. Army Europe and Africa commander Gen. Christopher Donahue listens. In the background is a World War II-era M4 Sherman tank. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)



WIESBADEN, Germany  Small drones built by American soldiers under the watchful eye of Ukrainian troops gave Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll an up-close look this week at fast-changing combat tactics informed by their partners ongoing war with Russia.

Driscoll also refuted reports of any imminent or outsized troop cuts in talks with reporters Wednesday.

Flanked by U.S. Army Europe and Africas Gen. Christopher Donahue, Driscoll mingled with members of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, who commanders say are on the cutting edge in the services vision of future warfare.

The soldiers here are tech-savvy, theyre innovative, theyre hungry, theyre curious, Driscoll said Wednesday at the Armys European headquarters during his first visit to the Continent as the services new civilian leader.

Driscoll, whose tour through Europe included a stop in Poland on Thursday for a visit with troops there, is focused on the Armys effort to fast-track new initiatives through a program known as transforming in contact.

A soldier-made first-person view drone flies at Clay Kaserne in Wiesbaden, Germany, April 9, 2025, during a visit by Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll. The soldiers of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment demonstrated a Stryker and displayed a variety of drones. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)

Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll listens to 2nd Cavalry Regiment soldiers at Clay Kaserne in Wiesbaden, Germany, on April 9, 2025. At left behind Driscoll is U.S. Army Europe and Africa commander Gen. Christopher Donahue. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)



The aim is to cut through bureaucratic red tape to modernize faster, he said. And Russias war in Ukraine looms over much of the Armys modernization push as it prepares and adapts for an evolving modern battlefield.

We oftentimes in the Pentagon are talking about the lessons learned in Ukraine ... probably 10 times a day I hear it, said Driscoll, who on Wednesday also was named acting director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Close collaboration with Ukrainian troops has factored into recent Army advances, he said, and a key part of that effort involved getting drones into the hands of soldiers and incorporating them into the ways small units fight.

The Vilseck, Germany-based 2nd Cavalry Regiment is perhaps the only unit in the Army where soldiers themselves are building drones, said Lt. Col. Ryan David, 1st Squadron commander.

The initiative, done without the assistance of any civilian staff or contractors, involves purchase of off-the-shelf parts and construction of drones to individual specifications.

The effort was launched about three months ago in coordination with Ukrainian troops, whose combat experience and hands-on experimentation with drone-building proved invaluable, David said.

Sgt. Angel Caliz of the Vilseck, Germany-based 2nd Cavalry Regiment pilots a first-person view drone during a visit by Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll to Clay Kaserne in Wiesbaden on April 9, 2025. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)

Lt. Col. Ryan David, commander of 1st Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, gives an explanation April 9, 2025, in Wiesbaden, Germany, about a soldier-made drone that can drop a small explosive. Soldiers from the unit showed Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll a variety of drones and a Stryker armored vehicle during his visit to Wiesbaden. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)



Some of the drones on display in Wiesbaden were designed just for surveillance, while others can carry small munitions. The 2nd Cavalry also has built a tethered fiber-optic drone, which can defeat electronic jamming attempts, David said.

That technology has been put to effective use by Ukrainian and Russian forces in recent months.

We are watching the conflict in Ukraine very closely, David said.

The U.S. militarys role in supporting Ukraine has changed in recent months, with the Pentagon stepping back from its past position as leader of an international coalition known as the Ukraine Defense Contact Group.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has said Europe must now play the leading role in such efforts, in line with President Donald Trumps priorities of directing more resources to the Asia-Pacific region.

However, at USAREUR-AF headquarters, American military support for Ukraine continues through its Security Assistance Group Ukraine organization, Army officials said.

Experiences drawn from the group are priceless for the American people and for our allies around the world, Driscoll said. And so I see nothing but continued focus on trying to capture those lessons.

At far left, Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll gets a briefing April 9, 2025, in Wiesbaden, Germany, from Col. Donald Neal Jr., commander of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment. Driscoll was shown the inside of the Stryker, at right, and a variety of soldier-made drones. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)

Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll speaks to reporters April 9, 2025, at Clay Kaserne in Wiesbaden, Germany, while standing in front of a World War II-era M4 Sherman tank. Driscoll visited U.S. Army Europe and Africa headquarters and the Security Assistance Group Ukraine during the stop. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)



Still, Driscolls visit to Europe comes amid uncertainty about the future U.S. military role on the Continent. Talk has swirled across NATO about the possibility of American troop withdrawals ranging between 10,000 and 20,000.

The Pentagon is reviewing force posture worldwide to assess whether changes need to be made. On Wednesday, Driscoll downplayed the idea of an abrupt change in how the service operates in Europe.

I have not heard a single thing about having our presence (here) decrease in the near term, Driscoll said.

He also denied recent media reports that the Army is working on a plan to cut some 90,000 soldiers from its ranks.

I have not had a single conversation with a single person at the Pentagon that has ever alluded to that size of a cut, he said.
Cpl. Manuel Herrera, of Marine Rotational Force-Darwin, shows a Filipino marine a semi-automatic sniper system during training near Cotabato city in Mindanao, Philippines, April 7, 2025. (Ezekieljay Correa/U.S. Marine Corps)



Marines from California are in the Philippines training where memories of a recent war against Islamic insurgents are still fresh.

A rifle company  150 to 200 Marines  from 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment at Camp Pendleton is on the island of Mindanao training with Philippine troops ahead of the Balikatan exercise, a Marine spokesman said.

The battalion is part of Marine Rotational ForceDarwin, a 2,500-strong, air-ground task force that recently kicked off a six-month stay in Australias Northern Territory.

The Marine force is projecting its operational reach well beyond northern Australia, according to a statement emailed Tuesday by spokesman Capt. Johnny Fischer.

The force, based in Australias Northern Territory, is also preparing for Balikatan, a long-running joint exercise with the Philippines scheduled for April 21 to May 4.

On March 31, the U.S. and Philippine marines launched Marine Exercise 2025 in Maguindanao del Norte, Mindanao. The 480 troops are focusing on small-unit tactics and a final full mission profile simulating combat conditions, the Philippine army said in an April 1 statement.

Successfully completing this full mission profile alongside the [Philippine marine corps] will ensure combined readiness across a broad range of future potential missions, the rotational force statement said.

Marines and sailors with Marine Rotational Force-Darwin and Filipino troops practice the firemans carry technique near Cotabato city in Mindanao, Philippines, April 1, 2025. (Ezekieljay Correa/U.S. Marine Corps)



Mindanao was the site of a five-month battle in 2017 between the Philippine government and Islamic militants in Marawi city. Backed by U.S. Army Special Forces, the government ultimately regained control. The conflict displaced about 120,000 people and damaged nearly all structures in the battle zone, according to the Modern War Institute.

With the insurgent threat on Mindanao reduced, the Philippine military turned to Beijings efforts to control disputed territory in the South China Sea.

However, U.S. forces continue to support counterinsurgency efforts on Mindanao. A Marine and three defense contractors were killed in a Feb. 6 plane crash during a support mission in Mindanao.

This years Balikatan is expected to be the largest iteration of the exercise yet, with about 10,000 U.S. and 6,000 Philippine, Australian and Japanese troops participating, according to U.S. and Filipino officials.

The event will be a full battle test, officials said, featuring a live-fire, counter-landing drill on the western Philippine island of Palawan in coordination with the U.S. Armys 1st Multi-Domain Task Force.

Our ability to project and integrate forces in multiple locations at once is a testament to the scalability and adaptability of the [rotational force], force commander Col. Jason Armas said his units statement.

While the main exercise is underway, Combat Logistics Battalion 1 will rehearse humanitarian and disaster relief operations with the U.S. Army and French forces in New Caledonia and Wallis and Fortuna. Marines will also work with Australian troops in Papua New Guinea to locate and mark unexploded ordnance, according to the statement.
Operations Specialist 2nd Class Dakota Easley, assigned to the Lewis B. Puller-class expeditionary mobile base USS Hershel Woody Williams (ESB 4), greets his family following the ships return to Naval Station Norfolk, April 10, 2025. (Derek Cole/U.S. Navy)



The USS Hershel Woody Williams returned to Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia on Thursday after operating forward deployed for almost five years in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations.

This is a unique opportunity to welcome home a hard-working ship from its historic tenure forward-deployed, and to welcome home its crew  its heart, soul and lifeblood  in classic Navy fashion, said Rear Adm. Dave Walt, Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group TWO. This crew has punched above its weight and impressed leadership with its hard work, resourcefulness and dedication.

Williams returned to Norfolk with a hybrid-manned crew of 44 Military Sealift Command civil service mariners who operated, navigated and maintained the vessel and 85 sailors, who alternated manning the vessel and allowing for continuous strategic deterrence patrols.

Williams will spend a week at Norfolk, offloading her fuel before shifting to the East Coast Repair and Fabrication Shipyard in Newport News where she will be lay berth  not active in operational activities  awaiting her next tasking.

Boatswains Mate Seaman Anataysha Leonortiz, assigned to the Lewis B. Puller-class expeditionary mobile base USS Hershel Woody Williams (ESB 4), greets her partner following the ships return to Naval Station Norfolk, April 10, 2025. (Derek Cole/U.S. Navy)

Boatswains Mate 2nd Class Liam Pratt, assigned to the Lewis B. Puller-class expeditionary mobile base USS Hershel Woody Williams (ESB 4), greets his wife following the ships return to Naval Station Norfolk, April 10, 2025. (Derek Cole/U.S. Navy)

Line handlers stand by on the pier as the Lewis B. Puller-class expeditionary mobile base USS Hershel Woody Williams (ESB 4) returns to Naval Station Norfolk, April 10, 2025. (Derek Cole/U.S. Navy)

The Lewis B. Puller-class expeditionary mobile base USS Hershel Woody Williams (ESB 4) returns to Naval Station Norfolk, April 10, 2025. (Derek Cole/U.S. Navy)



The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps  occasionally joined by the U.S. Coast Guard  operate as forward deployed forces, and are usually positioned in a foreign country or area to create deterrence, and enable quick response to potential conflicts.

In 2020, Williams shifted homeports from Norfolk to Souda Bay, Crete, Greece. For 59 months, the vessel conducted U.S. Africa Command missions in the Mediterranean, and the waters around East, South and West Africa, to include the Gulf of Guinea operating with regional partners. Williams was the first Navy warship assigned to AFRICOM due to the ships ability to support maritime security and humanitarian operations.

In 2024, the Navy relieved Capt. Lenard Mitchell as commander of Williams in connection with the ship running aground in May as it attempted to leave a port in Africa. There were no reported injuries or major damage.

Williams is an expeditionary sea-base ship named in honor of Chief Warrant Officer Hershel Woody Williams, a decorated Marine who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of Iwo Jima during World War II.
U.S. Space Force Vice Chief of Space Operations Gen. Mike Guetlein, center, and U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Frank Whitworth, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency director, right, participate in a Fireside Chat at the Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, Colo., April 8, 2025. The Space Symposium, created in 1984 by Space Foundation, is the premier assembly of the global space community. (Chad Trujillo/U.S. Air Force)



COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Tribune News Service)  As President Donald Trumps tariffs strain some international relationships, Gen. Chance Saltzman, chief of space operations, emphasized on Wednesday the importance of building strong defenses in space.

Space power is the ultimate team sport. The domain is too big, too complex, too dynamic for a single nation to secure, Saltzman said during the Space Symposium at The Broadmoor hotel in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Space has also grown in complexity with 15 countries capable of launch and 88 nations with satellites in orbit, some with unclear intentions.

Nations interested in working with the U.S. in space will soon have a guiding document, an international partnership strategy, Saltzman announced, to help inform the best ways for them to contribute to the overall space ecosystem. The document will be released in the next week or so, he said.

He would like to see fully integrated systems between nations, integrated policies and training, common standards and strategies. He would also like to see more joint exercises and exchange of personnel.

The Space Forces work in South America where the guardians have worked together with Argentina, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil and Colombia exemplifies the kind of work he would like to see globally. The team used a surveillance, reconnaissance and tracking program to share unclassified information and helps ensure all the partners are staying out of each others way.

They are also delivering results, he said. So far they have supported detecting and tracking drug trafficking, assisted with disaster relief and helped Peru identify satellite jamming from China and Russia.

Its an area of key concern for the U.S. because China is expanding its influence in the region over ports, space facilities and 5-G communications, House Armed Services Committee Chair Mike Rogers, R-Ala., said in an April meeting.

New Zealand is another key example of a quality partnership, hosting the highest number of U.S. space launches outside America, said Judith Collins, the countrys first space minister. The country has moved quickly since establishing a space agency in 2016, sending its first experimental sample to the International Space Station last year. The project offered insights into synthetic biology research and the manufacturing of pharmaceuticals, she said.

The countrys researchers now plan to work with NASA on 12 Earth observation studies, Collins said.

Our relationship with NASA continues to offer new opportunities to show how a small space agency like we have can work with the best in the world, she said.

One of the challenges to international partnerships is classification and while the process to lower the classification of more information to facilitate more information sharing is ongoing, Saltzman said, the process is slow.

The burden of proof is on the person that wants it lower in classifications to prove that it wont cause any harm or any issues for other collateral operations, he said, in a briefing with the media

But the completed work to declassify threats on orbit could help in the near-term with the development of an unclassified wargame that could take place globally, explained Saltzman and Air Marshal Paul Godders Godfrey, assistant chief of space operations for future concepts and partnerships. Such a game could take place across different time zones and different days, helping to replicate real-world challenges, Godfrey said.

 2025 The Gazette.

Visit www.gazette.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
A young girl enjoys playing firefighter during a visit to Little Kids Town in Eppstein, Germany, on March 22, 2025. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes)



My wife and I have found that most family attractions in Wiesbaden, home to the U.S. Armys headquarters in Europe, are geared toward children a few years older than the 2- and 4-year-old rascals we have running around the house.

While an occasional day trip to the zoo or lake can be a nice change of pace, sometimes the logistics alone are enough to stop us from venturing further than the neighborhood playground or ice cream shop down the street.

We recently came across a nearby play venue designed for little humans, and parents alike, that made for a fine outing on a late Saturday morning.

Little Kids Town, about 15 minutes outside of Wiesbaden in Eppstein, provides a safe, clean space for children 6 and under to play, while parents can take a well-deserved breather.

Little Kids Town in Eppstein, Germany, provides children 6 and under an array of areas to explore imaginative play in a scaled-down city. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes)



The tiny downtown main street is home to seven different play areas that include a doctors office, a grocery store, a fire station and more. A reasonably spacious cafe with seating for 20-30 guests and free Wi-Fi allows parents enough distance to relax or squeeze in some remote work while keeping an eye on the children.

Little Kids Town uses a reservation system to minimize congestion. During our visit, there were about 10 kids playing while five or six couples sat in the cafe enjoying drinks, pastries, and small sandwiches.

My wife and I soaked in the calm atmosphere with plenty of room to stretch out with our fellow parents  a stark contrast to our normal daily bustle.

Little Kids Town in Eppstein, Germany, serves a weekend breakfast for two. It includes two hot drinks and simple German fare for 13 euros. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes)



The cafe offers breakfast for two on the weekends for 13 euros. Its standard fare with coffee, a few buns and a small assortment of meats, cheese, jams and fruit. We thought it was a nice touch and a good value.

My daughter enjoyed fulfilling her civic duties as a doctor, firefighter and construction worker while my son took to the streets spending most of his time driving around the assortment of Bobby cars.

Im skeptical that the little utopia the children created would function as an effective society. But I didnt hear any crying, arguing or fighting among the tiny citizens during our 2 1/2 hour stay  credit to the young ones, as thats far more than I can say about us grown-ups in this day and age.

Children role play in the grocery store at Little Kids Town in Eppstein, Germany. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes)

The cafe at Little Kids Town in Eppstein, Germany, gives parents a space in which to relax while keeping an eye on their young ones playing. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes)



The staff members ask guests to help keep the large assortment of toys orderly during and after play. Between the staff and parents, we tried to keep the town tidy, but toddlers are toddlers, and it was mostly a futile effort.

The little villagers didnt seem to mind that they might occasionally find a walkie-talkie in the grocery stores produce section or a firemans helmet in the doctors office.

Our kids were worn out in the best of ways after a couple of hours and nodded off for an early afternoon nap on a quiet drive home. Any toddler parent would agree that such moments are priceless.

My daughter was still talking about Little Kids Town and her new best friends days after our visit and has asked for a return trip more times than I can count. If nothing else, the little village is certainly kid-approved.

The cafe at Little Kids Town in Eppstein, Germany, near Wiesbaden, offers assorted baked goods and drinks for both youngsters and adults. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes)



Little Kids Town

Address: Hauptstrasse 97, Eppstein, Germany

Hours: Monday and Wednesday, 2-6 p.m.; Thursday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; closed on Tuesdays. Reservations required on weekends.

Prices: Kids from 1 year old, 9 euros; adults, free; drinks 3-5 euros; weekend breakfast for two, 13 euros; happy hour 10 a.m.-2 p.m. (20% off admission).

Information: Phone: +49 61985879873; Email: info@littlekidstown.de; Online: littlekidstown.de
The Edo Fukagawa Museum in Tokyo reproduces the town of Fukagawa-Saga during the late Edo period. (Aaron Kidd/Stars and Stripes)



In quiet Koto ward, away from the neon-lit skyscrapers and frenzied pace of central Tokyo, the Fukagawa Edo Museum offers a portal to a bygone era.

It costs only a few hundred yen to explore this carefully reconstructed neighborhood from the late Edo period (1603-1867)  a time when samurai strolled the streets and merchants sold rice and vegetables out of wooden storefronts.

Unlike a typical museum filled with mannequins and glass cases, Fukagawa Edo is interactive. Visitors are encouraged to wander its narrow alleyways, invite themselves inside a merchants home or gaze up at the towering fire watchtower.

The Edo Fukagawa Museum in Tokyo reproduces the town of Fukagawa-Saga during the late Edo period. (Aaron Kidd/Stars and Stripes)

A wooden box holds broken dishes at Fukagawa Edo Museum in Tokyo's Koto city. (Aaron Kidd/Stars and Stripes)

Visitors explore the Fukagawa Edo Museum, which reproduces the Tokyo town of Fukagawa-Saga during the late Edo period. (Aaron Kidd/Stars and Stripes)



The tableau is completed by a boathouse and other period-accurate structures, each built using traditional methods to capture the atmosphere of shitamachi  Tokyos historic downtown  in the 1840s.

The experience is made even more realistic by sound and lighting effects that signal the changing time of day, brightening the markets in the morning and casting long shadows in the evening. Its easy to imagine Edo-era residents haggling over fresh fish or gathering for a neighborhood event.

As you explore, volunteer guides  some of whom speak English  are on hand to offer deeper insights into daily life during the 1840s.

A visitor explores the Fukagawa Edo Museum, which reproduces the Tokyo town of Fukagawa-Saga during the late Edo period. (Aaron Kidd/Stars and Stripes)

Visitors explore the Fukagawa Edo Museum, which reproduces the Tokyo town of Fukagawa-Saga during the late Edo period. (Aaron Kidd/Stars and Stripes)

A vegetable store displays its wares at the Edo Fukagawa Museum in Tokyo. (Aaron Kidd/Stars and Stripes)

An Edo period garment hangs inside a row house at the Fukagawa Edo Museum in Tokyo. (Aaron Kidd/Stars and Stripes)



For those looking to dive into Tokyos past, Fukagawa Edo is a great substitute for the much larger Edo-Tokyo Museum, which is undergoing extensive renovations and wont reopen until next year. What Fukagawa Edo lacks in size, it makes up for with intimacy.

In a city where the past and future frequently collide, Fukagawa Edo Museum offers a chance to go back in time, if only for an afternoon.

On the QT

Directions: A short walk from the A3 exit of Kiyosumi-Shirakawa Station, accessible by the Toei Oedo and Hanzomon metro lines. 1-3-28, Shirakawa, Koto-city, Tokyo 135-0021.

Times: Open daily 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the last admission at 4:30 p.m. Closed on the second and fourth Mondays of each month, or the following day if a public holiday falls on those dates.

Costs: 400 yen for adults; 50 yen for ages 6-18.

Food: The surrounding neighborhood hosts a variety of small, local cafes and restaurants.

Information: Phone: 03-3630-8625; Online: kcf.or.jp/fukagawa
A pilot program from the Pentagon aims to assist Defense Department civilians with navigating Japan's health care system. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes)



New Defense Department efforts to improve health care access for civilian employees in Japan and Guam are underway, but its too soon to tell whether theyre working, according to a federal watchdog.

The Government Accountability Office, in an April 3 report, said thousands of U.S. civilian employees and contractors across the Indo-Pacific face persistent obstacles to obtaining medical care, despite their crucial role in supporting military missions in the region.

DOD relies on thousands of federal civilian employees and contractors in Japan and Guam to accomplish its missions, the report states. However, these individuals face unique challenges accessing health care.

Japan is home to approximately 14,600 U.S. civilians and contractors, many of whom have reported barriers such as language difficulties, complex billing systems, different standards of care and a confusing emergency response network.

To address those concerns, the DOD launched several initiatives over the past year, including a Japan Access to Care working group that began meeting monthly in April 2024 and a new pre-hire statement of understanding to inform job candidates about local health care limitations.

The department also started a pilot program in Japan to assist with scheduling appointments, translation and payment support. At Camp Zama, the home of U.S. Army Japan near Tokyo, a health care liaison and translation service has been active since October 2023.

DOD is also working to expand mental health and emergency care access, the report states.

The Japan Civilian Medical Advocacy group, which formed in response to the crisis, welcomed the GAOs findings but cautioned that real change has yet to be seen.

The report did not make any recommendations to further address the situation.

While JCMA is heartened by GAOs acknowledgment of these longstanding issues, we agree it is still too early to determine whether the DODs current initiatives will adequately overcome the healthcare barriers, the group said Tuesday in a statement on Facebook.

The group called for continued oversight and consistent outreach to civilians covered by the status of forces agreement, spokeswoman Randi Wilson said via Messenger on Monday. SOFA outlines the rights and responsibilities of individuals in Japan with the U.S. military.

Meanwhile, on Guam, where the entire population faces health care shortfalls, DOD civilians contend with a shortage of providers and decaying infrastructure. The islands only public hospital, Guam Memorial, is in a state of severe disrepair, the GAO reported.

Guam is considered a medically underserved and maternity care shortage area by the Department of Health and Human Services. Its remoteness  about 1,600 miles from Japan or the Philippines and 3,800 from Hawaii  compounds the problem.

In response, the DOD last fall awarded a $2.7 million grant to upgrade the hospitals aging HVAC system. Officials also said a new military medical facility is expected to open this fall at Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz  but it will serve only active-duty service members.

A 2023 DOD proposal to lease land for a new public hospital fell through, the report said. Guams government is now pursuing the project independently.
Humphreys High School students protest anti-diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives outside their school at Camp Humphreys, South Korea, on April 10, 2025. (Fiona Yang)



CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea  When the lunch bell rang Thursday for a 40-minute break at the high school on this Army base, about 40 students used the time to speak out against Defense Department orders rolling back initiatives for diversity, equity and inclusion.

The demonstration included a flag-folding, a student dressed as the Statue of Liberty, signs, banners, flags and several speeches.

Meanwhile, hundreds of students at more than a dozen other Department of Defense Education Activity schools in the U.S., Europe, Japan and Guam were scheduled to gather in a coordinated walkout, said a Humphreys High School senior and event organizer who wished to remain anonymous out of fear of retribution for herself and family members.

It was very empowering, especially knowing that we have students all across the globe walking out for this cause, she said by phone after the demonstration.

The walkouts are the most recent in a series of student-led efforts throughout DODEA since Feb. 11, when about 50 students demonstrated at Patch Middle School in Stuttgart, Germany.

Humphreys High School students write messages to protest anti-DEI initiatives outside their school at Camp Humphreys, South Korea, on April 10, 2025. (Fiona Yang)

Humphreys High School students protest anti-DEI initiatives outside their school at Camp Humphreys, South Korea, on April 10, 2025. (Fiona Yang)



Executive orders on Jan. 23 and Jan. 27 spurred the removal and review of books and curriculum from DODEA schools, the end of activities and themed programs such as Black History Month, and the cessation or reorganization of clubs centered on gender or cultural affiliation.

These actions are in line with President (Donald) Trumps ongoing commitment to end illegal discrimination and wasteful spending across the federal government, the Education Department said in a Jan. 25 statement. They are the first step in reorienting the agency toward prioritizing meaningful learning ahead of divisive ideology in our schools.

At Aviano Air Base in Italy, 117 students  or about a third of the population of the combined middle and high school  gathered Thursday at 11 a.m. in back of the gymnasium.

A few parents watched from outside the schools perimeter fence. A small Security Forces patrol politely asked them not to take photos, citing privacy concerns.

Diversity is not a threat but a strength of our nation, senior Mia Davila, one of the event organizers, said during a speech that was heard beyond the fence line. Our goal is not to disrupt the school environment, but to stand in solidarity.

Some of the signs displayed slogans, such as We are skipping our lesson to teach U one and All history matters.

Matthew C. Perry High School students hold a banner during their walkout at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, on April 10, 2025. (Ren Foslin)

Matthew C. Perry High School students create a banner for their walkout at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, on April 10, 2025. (Ren Foslin)



Most, if not all of the students, left at least part of a class to attend the event, despite DODEA messages sent to parents this week informing them that students who did so would receive unexcused absences.

Such absences may result in detentions or suspensions, and prevent student-athletes and others from participating in extracurricular activities, among other consequences.

DoDEA schools do not endorse or support any disruption to student learning or the school day, DODEA-Pacific spokeswoman Miranda Ferguson said by email Wednesday.

Organizers at Camp Humphreys changed their walkouts to times that wouldnt interfere with studies.

Some of the other student-led rallies stuck to their original plans, including at Lakenheath High School in England, where about 35 students joined the walkout for about 25 minutes.

Payton, a Lakenheath sophomore, said in a phone call that the disciplinary threats impacted turnout, but that others were willing to accept that in exchange for standing up for their principles.

We want to show that we have a voice and that we will fight for what we think is right, said Payton, who asked to go by his first name to protect a parent from potential retribution.

With us moving all over the world and sacrificing so much for our families, we should be able to learn about different cultures and languages and the history of what makes us who we are today, Payton added.

Students at Vilseck High School make a banner to protest against the the removal of books, programs and curriculum deemed to be part of diversity efforts outside their school in Germany on April 10, 2025. (Courtesy photo)

Students at Yokota High School in Japan hold a banner during a walkout on April 10, 2025, to protest anti-DEI initiatives. (Molly Bogdan)



DODEA barred Stars and Stripes from school grounds during the walkout, citing a policy that requires parental consent for students involved in media engagements.

All students quoted by Stars and Stripes are legally adults or spoke with their parents blessings.

Maribel Jarzabek, a retired Air Force judge advocate general and the mother of a Humphreys sophomore, said she fully supports her daughters decision to participate in the walkout.

I believe that if she wants to use her voice, she should be able to, Jarzabek said. If she believes something is wrong, then she should be allowed to use her freedom of speech and expression.

Stars and Stripes reporters Jennifer H. Svan in Ramstein, Germany, and Kent Harris in Aviano, Italy, contributed to this report.
A Saudi air force F-15C Eagle approaches a U.S. Air Force KC-135 in the Central Command area of responsibility in 2019 to practice refueling. President Donald Trump signed an executive order April 9, 2025, aiming to make the sale of U.S. weapons to foreign countries easier. (Keifer Bowes/U.S. Air Force)



An executive order signed this week by President Donald Trump seeks to streamline the sale of U.S. weapons to foreign countries, offering a potential boon to the American defense industry.

The order on Wednesday directs the State and Defense departments to evaluate and propose updates to certain rules on weapons sales, including the requirements for congressional approval of foreign military sales and direct commercial sales.

Were unable to provide weapons systems in a reliable, effective way to key allies, White House staff secretary Will Scharf said at an Oval Office signing ceremony. A key driver of that is inefficiencies and inconsistencies with the process by which we approve foreign military sales.

Trump is seeking to pick up the pace after his first term, when he often voiced frustration with Congress for denying weapons sales. Lawmakers have been known to block sales for a variety of reasons, including human rights concerns.

Late last month, the administration approved nearly $2 billion worth of drone sales to Qatar, a deal that had faced years of delays despite Qatars support of the U.S. during the withdrawal from Afghanistan and its help in facilitating talks with Iran and Hamas.

The U.S. had long been wary of upsetting the balance of power in the region. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, both of which are U.S. military partners, have often had a contentious relationship over the past decade with Qatar.

In 2019, Trump bypassed lawmakers by declaring a national emergency over tensions with Iran, allowing the sale of nearly $8 billion in weapons to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan.

The order signed Wednesday also directs government agencies to review the restrictions on weapons under the Missile Technology Control Regime, an informal international agreement that seeks to limit the proliferation of missiles.

Trump ordered the Defense and State departments to work with the commerce secretary on supplying partners with some of the most restricted weapons, like complete rocket and drone systems, referred to as Category I items.
People look on as World War II veterans are escorted into a ceremony at Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, France, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day, June 6, 2024. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes)



ATLANTA (Tribune News Service)  Alan Kinder was touched last year when the strangers he encountered during his trip back to Normandy gratefully hugged and kissed him. He had returned to France with other World War II veterans so they could mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day, the allied invasion of Europe.

Still buoyed by that warm reception, the 100-year-old resident of Gainesville, Ga., is preparing to return to Europe in June. Kinder will travel there to commemorate the Battle of the Bulge, the major German counteroffensive that ended in January of 1945.

But first, Kinder will be recognized at home. On Saturday, the French government will present him with the Legion of Honor, the European countrys highest decoration. Established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, the medal is awarded to French citizens and foreign nationals who have made exceptional contributions to France.

Other American recipients include Josephine Baker, the entertainer and French Resistance fighter; Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, the supreme allied commander in Europe during the war; and Eisenhowers fellow U.S. military veterans who helped liberate France.

French Consul General in Atlanta Anne-Laure Desjonqueres will present the medal to Kinder during a ceremony at the American Legion in Smyrna. Suspended by red silk ribbon, it features oak and laurel branches and a medallion representing the French Republic.

Kinder said he is honored by the recognition and will accept it on behalf of his unit, the 14th Field Artillery Observation Battalion. It was attached to Gen. George Patton Jr.s Third Army during the war.

I take it as a remembrance for our battalion, Kinder said. It means so much to me now.

Born in the Seattle area, Kinder was the oldest of two children. His father helped run a sewer pipe manufacturing plant, while his mother raised Kinder and his younger sister at home.

At 18, Kinder was drafted. Before deploying, he completed military training at Camp Roberts, California, and Fort Lewis, Washington. Kinder landed on Utah Beach on Aug. 17, 1944, more than two months after D-Day.

He still has vivid memories of what he saw as his unit advanced. The roads were clogged with German prisoners of war heading west and allied tanks, bicycles and horse-drawn wagons heading east. Civilians generously welcomed the American soldiers with wine and schnapps.

Occasionally, Kinder witnessed retribution, even executions.

We saw the results of one hanging and one shooting, he added. I am sure it was deserved.

Trained to detect enemy artillery positions with microphone technology, Kinders unit worked close to the front lines. Focusing on his job, he said, helped him compartmentalize during combat.

The fighting intensified starting in December of 1944, when the Germans desperately fought to push the allies back during the Battle of the Bulge. Kinder remembers seeing the bodies of many American troops who had frozen to death or been killed amid the fighting.

A few months ago, I couldnt talk about it. Now, Im inured to it, he said, adding the kind welcome he received in Normandy last year helped make it easier for him.

Kinder also remembers the day he narrowly survived an enemy attack. He was on his way to the Battle of the Bulge when he and some fellow soldiers took shelter from the bitter cold in a three-story house north of Luxembourg City. Kinder was leaning over to untie his shoes when a German shell struck the house. It killed some of his fellow troops in the attic. Kinder came to with a mattress on top of him.

Today, Kinder wonders if he experienced shock or was concussed because he cant remember much of what happened in the few days after the explosion. He hopes returning to Luxembourg, the Ardennes Forest and Bastogne in June will help fill gaps in his memory. Along with other WWII veterans from Illinois, Pennsylvania and Tennessee, Kinder is making the trip with the help of a charitable nonprofit called Forever Young Veterans.

After the war, Kinder graduated from college and married. He and his late wife, Vaida, raised two daughters. Kinder worked as a ceramic engineer, a career that first brought him to Georgia in 1957. After that, he moved elsewhere to work in other parts of the United States. Eventually, he started a tiling business, working until he was 83. He returned to Georgia in 2010 to retire.

Speaking recently at his retirement community, Kinder reflected on his mortality. He made it to 100, he said, because of luck. He added that he wants to continue living at least until Independence Day.

Meanwhile, he worries. Kinder circumspectly referred to Americas political polarization and the state of its international alliances.

Our relationship with so many countries now has suddenly turned sour. I feel so bad about that, he said. World War II, unfortunately, was the highlight of our unification around the world. Now, we are blowing it to some extent.

Considerate and discreet, he was reluctant to elaborate. But he said he hopes it wont take another war to bring people back together. The French government recognition he will receive this Saturday, he added, is a hopeful sign.

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The dramatic accident happened last October and the driver needed to be cut out of the car by emergency services

A drink drivers own dashcam captured the moment he flipped his car into a field at almost 120mph after narrowly avoiding crashing into a lorry on an English motorway.

UK Police said Michael Bailey, 30, had to be released from his vehicle by firefighters and a blood test found him to be more than twice the legal alcohol limit.

In dashcam footage he was filmed speeding, swerving across lanes and almost crashed into a lorry before losing control, rolling and ending up in a field.

It was estimated he was doing about 185km/h just before the collision, police said.

Bailey, who was taken to hospital suffering from minor injuries, admitted to drink driving and dangerous driving. He was sentenced at Peterborough Magistrates Court to 26 weeks in prison suspended for 12 months.

He was also banned from driving for two years at the hearing on 2 April.
Oran Brown was convicted in court after being caught with over 11,000 at his home in June, 2020

A Co Donegal horse-racing jockey is in hiding over a drug debt, a court has heard.

Oran Brown was convicted in court after being caught with over 11,000 worth of drugs at his home in June, 2020.

In 2023, the Lifford sportsman was ordered to do 240 hours of community service after Gardai raided his home and found drugs and cash.

However, an updated mention of the case at Donegal Circuit Court heard that he has been unable to undertake that part of his sentence.

Brown's barrister, Mr Peter Nolan explained that his client has been in hiding over a drug debt.

Oran Brown has an individual looking for him to pay a drug debt.

He is in hiding. He cant comply with the community service order as he is in fear of third parties, he said.

The case was brought back before the court by the Probation Service due to Browns non-compliance with the order.

Judge John Aylmer adjourned the case until a future session of the court.

Previously, Brown was sentenced to a three-and-half-year term in prison, which was suspended for three and a half years, for the possession of cannabis for the purpose of selling or supplying to others.

He was also ordered to complete 240 hours of community service in lieu of 16 months in prison on a charge of the unlawful possession of cocaine.

Gardai, armed with a search warrant, swooped on Browns home at Collate, Lifford on June 25, 2020.

Detectives seized 8,668 worth of cannabis and cocaine with a street value of 2,504.81.

Some of the cannabis was found in deal bags. A Zopiclone tablet, valued at 2, was also located in the raid.

A grinder, weighing scales and a quantity of Ziploc bags were also found. Quantities of Diazepam and Xanax were found in a Tommy Hilfiger bag in the property while gardai observed a line of suspected cocaine on top of a dresser.

A quantity of cocaine was found inside a safe, which also contained 7,225 and 2,480 sterling in cash. Brown was searched and a cylinder containing cannabis and a grinder was located on his person.

Almost 9,000 in cash was found inside a safe and, after being arrested, Brown told Gardai he 'smoked a lot of weed and sniffed cocaine'.

He added: "I won't lie, I sold a few bags of weed too."

Brown said the cash was given to him by his parents and grandparents for his birthday the month before.

He refused to give gardai the PIN for his mobile phone as he said there was stuff on the phone that he didnt want them to see.

Detective Garda Michelle Kelly said gardai were unable to access data from the phone as the PIN was not provided.

In court in 2023, Mr Nolan said his client, who he said was a conditional apprentice at the time, began taking cocaine to keep the weight stabilised.

Stupidity led him to these circumstances, Mr Nolan said.

It was clear from all the paraphernalia found on the premises that there was a significant amount of dealing going on, Judge Aylmer said in sentencing Brown.

This is an unusual case where he deserves a second chance. It is with some hesitation, but it is a case that it may be dealt with better on a non-custodial basis given all of the features.
Gavin Mooney (27) and his younger brother Cian Mooney (21) were ordered to complete the restorative justice service programme

Two brothers tried to flush cocaine down a toilet after gardai raided their family home, a court heard.

Gavin Mooney (27) and his younger brother Cian Mooney (21) were ordered to complete the restorative justice service programme.

Judge David McHugh adjourned sentencing to a date in June to allow the men complete the programme.

The men admitted possession of cocaine for sale or supply at Barry Close in Finglas on March 26, 2023.

Garda David Lewis told Blanchardstown District Court that gardai obtained a warrant and searched the house, and the defendants ran out to a log cabin at the back of the property.

The court heard the men tried to bar gardai from entering a room, and they attempted to flush cocaine worth 450 down an en suite toilet.

Gda Lewis said gardai also found a weighing scales and bagging material.

Defence solicitor Darren Gray said Cian Mooney had a cocaine problem at the time, and was supplying the drug to feed his own habit.

Mr Gray said Cian Mooney had kicked his cocaine habit and was off drugs.

Gavin Mooney, an unemployed warehouse worker, did not have issues with drugs, Mr Gray added.
Viorel Doroscan (23) and Otniel Richardo Clejan (24) have pleaded not guilty to the murder of Mahamud Ilyas on December 9, 2022

A 22-year-old man who was allegedly beaten to death after a row over a stolen bag of cannabis sustained depressed fractures to his head which were "typical of hammer blows", a pathologist has told the Central Criminal Court.

Viorel Doroscan (23), of Bay Meadows Square, Hollystown, West Dublin, and Otniel Richardo Clejan (24), with a former address at Verdemont in Blanchardstown in Dublin 15, have pleaded not guilty to the murder of Mahamud Ilyas on December 9, 2022.

Last week, witness Abdi-Aziz Mohamed testified that he met Mr Doroscan on December 9 2022, where the accused allegedly told him that we hit Mo with a hammer - meaning the deceased Mahamud Ilyas - during a fight before leaving him on a field.

Giving evidence today, Assistant State pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster told Eoin Lawlor SC, for the Director of Public Prosecutions, that she was made aware Mr IIyas' body was found in a field on December 10 at 3.20pm.

The expert witness said it was possible the body had been there from 4.30pm on December 9 and death was pronounced on December 10 at 9.25pm.

The witness said she had not attended the scene but had viewed photographs of a large field with two gates prior to performing the post mortem on December 11.

In her evidence, Dr Bolster said the deceased, who was a black African male of slim build, was partially wrapped in what looked like a duvet and there was a towel on the upper body.

Dr Bolster found multiple lacerations on the scalp, two of which were underlying depressed fractures to the skull bone. The depressed fractures were typical of hammer blows, she said. She went on to say there were other areas of bruising to the head in keeping with other blunt force trauma.

She said there were multiple scratches extending over the chest and abdomen area. There were also very extensive scratch marks extending across the back. There was bruising over the right shoulder blade and she said it was possible the body had been dragged around.

The witness testified that there was evidence of very extensive bruising to the face including the eyes, nose, cheeks and mouth. She said these findings were in keeping with blunt force trauma and multiple blows to the face. There were multiple other small areas of bruising on the body, which she said were in keeping with offensive or defensive type injuries such as trying to ward off blows with a blunt instrument such as a hammer.

A toxicology report showed no evidence of ethanol, alcohol and drugs.

The cause of death, she said, was blunt force trauma to the head. She said the application of force to the head was from a blunt object such as a hammer, blows, and kicks. She said death could have occurred anywhere between 30 minutes and up to five hours but that the deceased would have become unconscious very quickly.

Dr Bolster said scratches and abrasions on the body were consistent with it being dragged along a frictional surface. She agreed with Mr Lawlor that due to the absence of bruising she was able to conclude Mr IIyas had died before he was dragged.

Under cross-examination, the witness told defence counsel for Mr Doroscan, James Dwyer SC, there was no evidence of any sharp injuries on the body.

Dr Francesca Brett from the Histopathology Department at Beaumont Hospital said there was evidence of a head injury with axial and hypoxic damage. She said there was contusional injury affecting the frontal lobe and temporal part of the brain. Asked about haemorrhage in cerebellum, Dr Brett said it is associated with injury, where there is acceleration and deceleration of the brain.

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 8, 2022, counsel said, a house at Verdemont in Blanchardstown, Dublin 15 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".

The trial continues today before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and a jury of five women and seven men.

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.
The court found that the period of time already served was not a reason for not ordering James Flynns retrial.

A 34-year-old man who successfully appealed his conviction for conspiring to steal the getaway car used in a credit union robbery in which a garda was shot dead will now face a fresh trial.

We are of the opinion that the balance of justice lies with permitting a retrial, said Ms Justice Tara Burns at the Court of Appeal today, rejecting an argument by James Flynn (34) that it would be unfair to send him for a retrial given he has been in custody since July 2021.

Mr Flynn, with an address in Ravensglen, Newry, Co Down was originally charged with conspiracy to steal cars at various locations in the North East.

He was further charged with participation in the robbery of the Lordship Credit Union in Bellurgan, Co Louth on January 25, 2013 in which Aaron Brady shot and killed Det Gda Adrian Donohoe.

The three-judge, non-jury Special Criminal Court acquitted Mr Flynn of the robbery charge but amended the conspiracy indictment to find him guilty of conspiring to steal the Volkswagen Passat used as the getaway car from a property in Clogherhead, Co Louth in January 2013.

The three-judge Court of Appeal subsequently found that the decision by the Special Criminal Court to amend the indictment after Mr Flynns three-month long trial had finished and without consulting either the prosecution or defence legal teams, was a breach of Mr Flynn's right to constitutional natural justice.

In those circumstances, the court quashed his conviction.

The Director of Public Prosecutions then sought for the court to order a retrial on the original count on the indictment, while the appellant said that if there were to be a retrial, the appropriate offence to be retried was the amended offence.

Lawyers for Mr Flynn argued that it would be unfair to send him for a retrial given he has been in custody since July 2021, when the Irish authorities brought extradition proceedings against him in the United Kingdom.

It was also submitted that the court had no jurisdiction to order a retrial on the original conspiracy charge because Mr Flynn had already been acquitted of that charge.

In delivering the Court of Appeals judgement today, Ms Justice Burns said that the court had already found that the Special Criminal Courts amendment of the charge against Mr Flynn was unlawfully made.

She noted that the appellant had been sentenced to eight years in prison, backdated to reflect his time in custody.

She said that as he had spent almost four years in custody, he had not fully served the sentence imposed on him.

The court found that the period of time already served was not a reason for not ordering a retrial.

Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe. Photo: PA

In relation to a submission by the appellant that the memory of witnesses will have faded since the alleged offence over 12 years ago, Ms Justice Burns said that 12 years was not an inordinate amount of time.

She said the trial court can deal with issues arising from a lack of detail.

The appellant also submitted that there had been a delay in prosecuting the matter, but Ms Justice Burns noted that Mr Flynn had challenged his extradition from the UK to Ireland, meaning that not all of the delay could be laid at the DPPs door.

Read more Conviction quashed for theft of car used in garda murder at Lordship robbery

Serious criminal offending was alleged against the appellant arising from which there is an important public interest in permitting a retrial of this matter so that it can be brought to a valid final verdict, she said.

Ms Justice Burns ordered a retrial of the appellant in respect of the indictment as originally charged against him.

Mr Flynn has been in custody since July 15, 2021 when he was held in the UK pending extradition proceedings.

In the Special Criminal Court's judgement following Mr Flynn's trial in 2023, Mr Justice Tony Hunt said that "a lot more evidence would be needed" to prove the charge of conspiracy to commit burglaries to the standard of beyond a reasonable doubt.

Mr Justice Hunt said the evidence established beyond a reasonable doubt that Mr Flynn was an active member of the gang that carried out the robbery and that he was intimately involved with Brady and another man involved in the theft of the getaway car.

The court found that Mr Flynn conspired with two others to steal the Passat, basing its finding on CCTV footage alleged to have shown Mr Flynn's distinctive BMW 5-series acting suspiciously in the early hours on the morning of the theft near to where the Passat was stolen.

Following the Court of Appeal's decision to permit a retrial, Mr Flynn appeared before the Special Criminal Court where his barrister, Bernard Condon SC, said his client is "most anxious" to apply for bail.

Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo remanded Mr Flynn in custody for a bail hearing on April 28.
David OCallaghan (41) of the Fairways, Woodbrook Glen, Bray, Co Wicklow, pleaded guilty to driving into a rear gate of Leinster House on August 2 last.

A man who caused 60,000 worth of damage after ramming into gates at Leinster House, Aras An Uachtarain and at Customs House last year was suffering from a paranoid delusion at the time, court has heard.

David OCallaghan (41) of the Fairways, Woodbrook Glen, Bray, Co Wicklow, pleaded guilty to driving into a rear gate of Leinster House on August 2 last.

He further pleaded to two counts of criminal damage to gates at Phoenix Lodge at Aras An Uachtarain and at Customs House, also on the same date.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard today that O'Callaghan has since been diagnosed with schizophrenia, for which he is receiving treatment.

Garda Niamh McCarthy told Oisin Clarke BL, prosecuting, that O'Callaghan drove a white Ford Transit van to Chesterfield Avenue, then did a sweeping u-turn in front of the entrance gates of Aras An Uachtarain before reversing into them, breaching them before driving away.

The gates were inoperable for a period of time after this incident, with repairs costing 4,795.

O'Callaghan then drove to the Customs House, where he drove into gates, reversed out, then turned and reversed in for a second time.

The court heard the gates were not forced open the first time he hit them, but after he reversed into them. Approximately 2,000 worth of damage was caused.

A few minutes later, a garda on duty at the rear of Leinster House heard a loud crash, then metal hitting the ground. He saw a vehicle reversing from the gates towards Merrion Street Upper.

A short time later, the garda heard two further crashes and then noticed the van stopped near the Department of the Taoiseach and that a set of gates at the Ministers' Entrance were off the hinges.

O'Callaghan damaged three sets of gates at the rear of Leinster House in quick succession at around 2.30am.

The first gate was not fully breached after O'Callaghan drove straight into it due to the anti-ram protection in place.

He then reversed at speed into the gate known as the Minsters' Entrance, knocking it from its hinges. One of the gates collided with an usher's hut, smashing a window.

The court heard that O'Callaghan struck the perimeter gate at the Department of the Taoiseach with such force that the airbags deployed and the van was inoperable afterwards.

Over 52,000 damage was caused to the gates at Leinster House. In total, 60,000 worth of damage was caused, not including the damage to the vehicle in the forecourt, which O'Callaghan caused before he drove to the Phoenix Park.

O'Callaghan got out of the van after hitting the third gate at Leinster House and appeared to be drinking from something. It also looked like he had his phone and was also recording.

He told gardai at the scene that he had been driving the van and admitted crashing into the gates at Leinster House, Customs House and Aras an Uachtarain.

He also told gardai that he had consumed alcohol and cocaine earlier that evening.

After his arrest, O'Callaghan told gardai he had reversed into a vehicle parked in the forecourt of Windsor Motors, Bray, before he drove to Aras An Uachtarain. The court was told that extensive damage was caused to the vehicle.

O'Callaghan was arrested and was initially deemed unfit for interview. When he was later interviewed, he said he just lost the head and felt highly psychotic.

O'Callaghan told gardai that a person he believed to be his father was spiking and spraying poison in his food and room. He said he had been communicating with President Michael D Higgins about this but decided to crash into the gates to stop it himself.

He told gardai he only wanted to cause damage and didn't want to get inside.

O'Callaghan has 11 previous convictions, including for drug offences.

Gda McCarthy told the court that O'Callaghan was cooperative with gardai and entered an early guilty plea.

She agreed with John Berry SC, defending, that emails were found on O'Callaghan's phone, which indicated he had a paranoid delusion that his food had been spiked and he had been poisoned for three years.

It was further accepted that after O'Callaghan was charged, gardai objected to bail. He was later assessed by the psychological team at Cloverhill Prison, who arranged for him to be treated as an involuntary in-patient at a psychiatric facility in Dublin, where he received treatment and his diagnosis.

The garda agreed that O'Callaghan was later granted bail in October, having spent three months in custody on this.

Gda McCarthy also accepted that O'Callaghan's father initially indicated that he was not welcome in the house due to his behaviour and that there had been an incident earlier in the day where paint was thrown over the house.

It was further accepted that O'Callaghan has agreed that information can be given to gardai if he stops his treatment or takes illicit substances, and gardai have been in recent contact with his father.

Mr Berry told the court his client had been emailing the President, adding that his client was not emailing the Taoiseach or the Minister for Housing in reply to a query from Judge Martin Nolan.

Defence counsel said his client has a long work history but has most recently been working as a kitchen porter.

He said it is unrealistic for his client to repay the cost of damages due to his low income. A number of reports were handed to the court along with a letter from O'Callaghan's father.

Mr Berry asked the court to take into account his client's psychiatric difficulties, which were aggravated by his voluntary abuse of illicit substances. Counsel outlined that the report indicates a treatment plan for his client with O'Callaghan's father to contact the relevant services if his son relapses, and asked the court not to impose an immediate custodial sentence.

Judge Nolan adjourned the sentence until May 6 next for finalisation and directed the Probation Services to prepare conditions for O'Callaghan's supervision.

The judge noted that O'Callaghan would require supervision and the Probation Services are a state authority with statutory power with the judge noting that the court didn't want to place these burdens of supervision of O'Callaghan's father or psychiatric services.
The restaurant never reopened after a double murder on its premises on December 24th 2023 when Tristan Sherry fatally shot Jason Hennessy Snr and Mr Sherry was then murdered at the scene.

The scene outside Browne's Steakhouse and inset, Tristan Sherry was killed inside the restaurant

A mother and her two daughters who were working at Brownes Steakhouse in Blanchardstown on Christmas Eve in December 2023 when a double murder took place have been awarded a cumulative 53,529 for a series of workplace breaches by their former employer.

This follows Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) Adjudicator, Catherine Byrne ordering San Siro Ltd, trading as Brownes Steakhouse, to pay Vjola Ajredini and her two daughters, Amanda Ajredini and Adisa Ajredini the estimated 53,529 that comprises statutory redundancy payments and compensation for a series of workplace breaches.

Vjola Ajredini was employed as General Manager at Brownes Steakhouse and has been awarded 28,944 that includes an estimated 20,556 in statutory redundancy and her daughter and Asst restaurant Manager, Amanda Ajredini has been awarded 19,827 that includes an estimated 17,288 in statutory redundancy.

Jason Hennessy Snr was shot dead inside Browne's Steakhouse

Ms Byrne has also ordered that ex- part time waitress, Adisa Ajredini at Browne's Steakhouse receive 4,758 that includes an estimated 2,626 in statutory redundancy.

The restaurant never reopened after a double murder on its premises on December 24th 2023 when Tristan Sherry fatally shot Jason Hennessy Snr and Mr Sherry was then murdered at the scene.

At the Special Criminal Court in February, three men, Michael Andrecut (23) of Sheephill Avenue in Blanchardstown, Noah Musueni (18) of Corduff Park in Blanchardstown and David Amah (19) from Hazel Grove, Portrane Road in Donabate were convicted of Mr Sherrys murder.

During the trial last November, Amanda and Adisa Ajredini described to the Special Criminal Court the "terrifying" moment when they took shelter under a hail of gunfire at the busy steakhouse as a masked attacker shot Mr Hennessy before being beaten to death.

Amanda Ajredini was working at the bar at Brownes Steakhouse while her mother and sister were on the floor of the restaurant on Christmas Eve 2023.

After seeing a masked gunman, Amanda Ajredini told the Special Criminal Court that she screamed: "Mam, mam, mam, he has a gun," because she knew her mother was somewhere in the restaurant, but couldn't see her.

Adisa Ajredini was stationed in the area of the restaurant where the large Hennessy party had gathered.

In her own eye-witness testimony at the Special Criminal Court, Adisa Ajredini told the court she dragged her mother under a table to shelter after hearing what she thought was machine-gun fire.

Ms Adisa Ajredini - who now works for Ryanair - said that she heard shots fired from what sounded to her like a machine gun. She estimated that she heard 20 shots before seeing her mother "crawling and seeking shelter.

She could see that the restaurant was "wrecked" and noticed the man in black who had walked past her earlier lying on the ground surrounded by blood.

At the WRC, Adisa Ajredini said that despite her best efforts after the restaurant closed she said that she has had no contact with the owner, Gregory Browne, concerning her claim for a redundancy payment.

She said that she expected to be invited to a meeting, but nothing happened. She was unemployed and on jobseekers benefit and she used up all her savings before she found another job in September 2024.

Vjola Ajredini told the WRC said that she was traumatised because of what happened and she didn't feel well enough to go back to work at the restaurant.

Amanda Ajredini told the WRC that she was in contact with Mr Browne in January 2024, about re-opening the restaurant and she said that the employees expected to be invited to a meeting, but nothing happened.

Alleging another workplace breach, Adisa Ajredini said that until 2023, when she worked on Sundays, she got no additional allowance. When she worked on public holidays, she got no extra pay.

Ms Adisa Ajredini said that if a customer left the restaurant without paying their bill, the staff had to cover the loss from their tips.

Adisa Ajredini told the WRC that each night, 20 was deducted from tips to cover the cost of broken glasses. When the amount earned in tips wasn't adequate, Ms Ajredini said that the staff had to make up the cost of the breakages themselves.

San Siro Ltd did not appear at the WRC to rebut any of the claims made by the Ajredinis.

In the case of Adisa Ajredini, Ms Byrne directed that San Siro Ltd pay Ms Ajredini 1,032 as she was entitled to four weeks notice under section 4 of the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Act along with her estimated statutory redundancy payment of 2,626.

Ms Byrne also found Ms Adisa Ajredini's complaint under the Organisation of Working Time Act is well founded and directed that San Siro Ltd pay her 700 which is equivalent to an additional 3.50 per hour for working 200 hours on 27 Sundays between June 11th and December 24th 2023.

Ms Byrne also found that a separate complaint by Ms Adisa Ajredini under the Organisation of Working Time Act is well founded and directed San Siro Ltd to pay Ms 400 as compensation for her entitlement to a benefit for four public holidays that fell on August 7th, October 30th and December 25th and 26th 2023.

In relation to Amanda Ajredini, Ms Byrne directed that San Siro Ltd pay Ms Ajredini 2,032 as she was entitled to four weeks notice under section 4 of the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Act.

Ms Byrne also directed that San Siro Ltd pay Amanda Ajredini 507.70 as compensation for her entitlement to a benefit for four public holidays that fell on August 7th, October 30th and December 25th and 26th 2023 and is also entitled to a statutory redundancy payment.

Ms Byrne also directed San Siro Ltd to pay Vjola Ajredini 6,154 as she was entitled to four weeks notice under section 4 of the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Act.

Ms Byrne also ordered San Siro Ltd pay Vjola Ajredini a combined 2,234 for two complaints under the Organisation of Working Time Act along with her estimated statutory redundancy payment.
The judge previously found she was entitled to 5,000 from the proceeds of sale.

A woman, who the High Court heard lived an "exotic" lifestyle with her crime-gang member partner, is entitled to a further 6,000 from the proceeds of the sale of the family home which was found to be mainly funded from the proceeds of crime.

Charlene Lam and her partner, Hutch gang member James "Mago" Gately, were last June given four months to vacate their family home in Glin Drive, Coolock, Dublin.

The Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) seized and boarded up the house earlier this month.

The couple bought the house a number of years ago for 125,000 and had put on an extension and renovations worth another 440,000.

Charlene Lam

Along with a car and a watch which were also seized, the court found the total amount of assets paid for through crime proceeds was more than 600,000.

The CAB claims Gately has been linked to armed robberies, gangland murders and drug dealing but has not been convicted of serious offences. He was also the target of a gangland murder attempt in 2017 when he was shot five times.

Mr Justice Owens found that their exotic lifestyles were subsidised with crime proceeds, while the overwhelming proportion of their equity in their home also came from such funds.

They denied the claims and Ms Lam, who said she had no connection with crime, argued she contributed more than 16,000 to the family home mortgage since April 2019 from legitimate earnings at her "Bombshell Beauty by Charlene" beauty salon.

The judge previously found she was entitled to 5,000 from the proceeds of sale.

In a supplemental ruling published on Thursday, Mr Justice Owens said he carried out an extensive examination of bank statements and transfers relating to Ms Lam's accounts and that of her business.

He said the treatment of property part-acquired with proceeds of crime is subject to a requirement of proportionality.

If the evidence demonstrates that an injustice would result from a relevant order under the Proceeds of Crime Act (Section 3.1), he said the court will refrain from making such an order.

Knowledge of the source of money used by a person to acquire an interest in property is relevant in deciding whether it would be an injustice, he said.

He said he was, in this case, prepared direct that Ms Lam receive a further payment from the net proceeds of the house sale to reflect the fact that part of the means which funded her contributions towards the mortgage payments between April 2019 and September 2022 "comprised legitimate income which was not sourced in proceeds of crime".

Taking into account all the circumstances he had found in his judgment, he considered 6,000 to be an amount which gives fair recognition to this contribution.
It is a murder that shocked Britain last August

Police release arrest footage as man found guilty of murdering woman at Notting Hill Carnival

This is the moment that police caught up with wanted killer Shakeil Thibou after he was identified as the Notting Hill killer having stabbed a mother in front of her three-year-old daughter at the Notting Hill Carnival.

Cher Maximen, 32, was at the event's family day in west London last August when she was stabbed by Thibou. She died a week later in hospital.

Following this weeks trial, 20-year-old Thibou was found guilty of murder.

The thug was also convicted of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm to 20-year-old Adjei Isaac with intent, and having an offensive weapon.

His brother Sheldon Thibou, 25, was found guilty of violent disorder and assaulting PC Oliver Mort, who tried to intervene.

A third brother, Shaeim Thibou, 22, was cleared of violent disorder but convicted of assaulting PC Mort after the jury deliberated for 50 hours and 33 minutes.

There was a shout of "yes" from Ms Maximen's family in court as the verdicts were delivered.

The judge set sentencing for on May 16.
I'm the one who they committed the crime against, and yet they felt like they could bring in 25 people to try and intimidate me.

A woman who was raped by three men she met in a nightclub in 2019 has told of their attempt to intimidate her in court.

Anthony Hickey (39), Fabio Vicente (42) and Matin Zolfaghari (34) were convicted of the rape and sexual assault of the young woman following a trial at the Central Criminal Court earlier this year, after pleading not guilty to offences which took place on August 31, 2019.

Speaking to RTE News the woman, who wanted to be known as Kate, said that on the day the men were handed down their sentences she felt intimidated by their large number of supporters.

 We arrived in and there was 25 people in the courtroom. It was like a circus.There was a lot of angry tension and the guards were unnerved.

It was just, it was a really, really uncomfortable situation.

The woman, who is maintaining her anonymity said she wanted the DPP to address the situation with the judge, but they didnt need to as he cleared the courtroom himself.

Anthony Hickey and Fabio Vicente on a holiday together

He came out and took one look and said everyone's entitled to have support within the room, but its limited to two people

I always had two people with me, and I'm the victim. I'm the one who they committed the crime against, and yet they felt like they could bring in 25 people to try and intimidate me, she said.

I was really appreciative of the judge clearing the room and being sensitive to me.

The three convicted rapists were sentenced to terms of 15 and 13 years.

Mr Justice Paul Burns said they took advantage of the woman in a cruel, cynical and depraved manner.

The victim said she had a very basic conversation with the three men on the night she met them in a club with her housemate.

After the housemate left, Kate said her memory became hazy. CCTV footage of her time in the nightclub was shown in court, showing the three men accompanying her as she left the nightclub.

She was then brought into the back of a car with no seats in the back. Hickey orally raped and sexually assaulted her in the back of the car, and Vicente also raped her in the car.

She was driven to Hickeys then-home in Dundrum, where Hickey and Vicente raped her, and Zolfaghari orally raped her.

Zolfaghari took videos of the woman, which were played in court. While nothing was visible in either of the two videos, Kate is heard saying no three times.

Hickey asked him to share the videos in a WhatsApp group and after the two videos were sent by Zolfaghari, Hickey replied: Listen to you laughing after she says no.

The woman said that if not for the help of her housemate, who contacted the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre and the Sexual Assault Treatment Unit at the Rotunda Hospital, she would not have reported the assaults.

Kate described receiving a call in February 2024 to say the three men had been charged as really overwhelming and said she felt validated, angry, upset and anxious about what was to come.

She gave evidence in court with a screen around her, which she said was to protect her mental health. Recalling her experience in the courtroom, she said she was cross-examined by three barristers over three days because there were three men on trial.

"To be plunged back into the trauma of what happened and have 50 people in a courtroom judging every moment you make and every word you say and Im like thats my life, she said.

"And youre hoping to be believed because you know what happened was wrong. So, its just a really traumatic experience but I did find the strength.

In his remarks, Mr Justice Burns said Kate was not at fault for what had happened. Kate said this was one of the most emotional moments in court for her.

Describing the guilty verdicts as the one moment of light in the whole thing, Kate said she felt she helped protect other women by giving evidence against the three men.
Raids at nine locations across the country were coordinated by the Online Child Exploitation Unit and conducted by Gardai attached to Divisional Protective Services Units

Gardai are set to make arrests following the seizure of Child Sexual Abuse Material nationwide.

Raids at nine locations across the country were coordinated by the Online Child Exploitation Unit and conducted by Gardai attached to Divisional Protective Services Units.

18 devices were seized for examination and arrests will be made in due course.

The investigation, titled Operation Fever, has led to 166 arrests across Europe, 111 of which were for sharing and distributing Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM).

594,000 files with illegal content on more than 6,000 digital media platforms were also seized.

Suspects were identified to have produced paedophile films and images, run paedophile forums online, shared or possessed child sexual abuse material and in many cases were suspected of having physically abused children.

Polish police, who led Operation Fever, say it is part of a larger Europol operation which shut down Kidflix, one of the largest paedophile platforms in the world, last month.

Ireland was one of 35 countries involved in the operation which has been described as Europe's largest operation ever in fighting child sexual exploitation.

Nearly 1,400 suspects, out of the 1.8 million users worldwide, have been identified, 79 of which have been arrested on charges of sharing and distributing CSAM

Some of those arrested not only uploaded and watched CSAM on the platform, but also abused children.

Most of the suspects identified were child sexual exploitation offenders who were already known to law enforcement.

So far the investigation, which began in 2022, has seized over 3,000 electronic devices after the server, which held 72,000 videos at the time, was seized by German and Dutch authorities in March.

91,000 unique videos were uploaded and shared on the platform during the years it was active, with a total running time of 6,288 hours.

On average, around 3.5 new videos were uploaded to the platform every hour, many of which were previously unknown to law enforcement.

The platform was created in 2021 and according to Europol it quickly became one of the most popular platforms among paedophiles.

Authorities say the Kidflix platform was unique to other platforms of its kind as it not only allowed users to download CSAM but also to stream video files.

Users paid for the site using cryptocurrencies, but were able to earn tokens to view content if they uploaded CSAM and or done admin tasks such as verifying video titles and descriptions, or categorizing them.

Each video was uploaded in low, medium and high quality, allowing paedophiles to preview the content and pay a fee to unlock higher quality versions.
According to the research approximately 12.3 million adults in the EU between 15 and 64 have used MDMA at least once in their life.

Ireland is one of the biggest consumers of MDMA in Europe, research has found.

A European Union Drugs Agency study has uncovered that 6 percent or more of people aged 15 to 34 have consumed MDMA in the last year, making the country the biggest users of the drug in the EU alongside the Netherlands.

While MDMA declined from peak levels in the early to mid-2000s, data shows it is on the rise again suggesting it is no longer a niche party drug.

However, use of the drug declined during the Covid-19 pandemic when nightlife shut down and had a significant impact on the market.

Demand has now returned to pre-pandemic levels.

According to the research approximately 12.3 million adults in the EU between 15 and 64 have used MDMA at least once in their life.

In a section of the EU Drug Market entitled MDMA  Retail markets, Ireland is described as a significant user of the party drug.

"According to survey data, the two largest MDMA consumer markets per capita in the European Union are the Netherlands and Ireland, with 6 percent or more people aged 15 to 34 reporting to have consumed MDMA in the last year.

"General population surveys in many countries showed that MDMA prevalence was declining from peak levels attained in the early to mid-2000s.

Men are the main users of the drug and are three times more likely to report using it than women across the continent.

The majority of users buy the drug from trusted sources such as suppliers, friends, and street dealers with a small cohort accessing the 594 million market online via the darknet and social media.

Despite small numbers using the web to buy MDMA, it is the most common drug sold online.

The report also found that drug gangs from EU member states are making and selling more of the drug than ever before.

It noted that gangs are adapting and expanding their production of the drug as well as refining trafficking methods and extending their reach to new countries and regions.

Organised crime groups based in the EU are global producers of the drug with Asia and Oceania as particularly profitable markets with Latin America recently emerging as an increasingly important market as gangs trade MDMA for Cocaine.

The arrest of key equipment makers has had a knock on effect on production as makers of the drug turn to cheap Chinese equipment.

Such low-quality equipment comes with the risk of explosions and serious consequences for the populations and the environments surrounding production areas.
On Tuesday gardai arrested the 29-year-old gangster in jail, and are also holding his partner, who is aged in her 20s

A violent criminal serving a jail sentence over a savage torture incident is suspected of directing several attacks as part of a west Dublin feud from behind bars.

Detectives are investigating over 40 incidents, including shootings, petrol bombings and assaults linked to the feud in the Ronanstown and Clondalkin areas.

As part of their inquiries, investigating gardai on Tuesday arrested the 29-year-old gangster, as well as his partner, who is aged in her 20s.

His partner is also being questioned on suspicion of facilitating criminality

The Irish Independent can reveal that the man in custody has been serving a sentence in Mountjoy Prison after being convicted over an abduction and torture in 2023.

Detectives are questioning the man on suspicion of directing operations from behind bars and ordering associates on the streets to carry out attacks.

His partner is also being questioned on suspicion of facilitating criminality.

They are being questioned about directing and facilitating criminal offences linked to the complex and out-of-control west Dublin feud.

Investigations have established that this inmate was directing all sorts of criminal activity and using his partner to pass on messages to his associate son the outside, a source said.

Mobile phone devices have been analysed as part of this investigation which is dealing with multiple serious incidents including firearm discharges and pipe bombs.

The mans prison cell was also searched this week as part of a separate investigation into the smuggling of contraband into Irish prisons.

As part of that investigation, gardai searched two other cells in Mountjoy - one of convicted killer Cailean Crawford and the other of a Clondalkin man serving time over a 3m drug bust.

Crawford (28) was last December handed down the mandatory life sentence after a jury found he was the gunman who shot dead innocent grandfather Larry McCarthy in Ballyfermot in 2020.

It is understood that no contraband was found during a search of Crawfords cell but sources said he is suspected of being involved in bringing drugs into the prison.

Cailean Crawford.

The cell search part of a joint investigation between gardai and the Irish Prison Service which also led to properties being searched in Clondalkin, Ballyfermot, Coolock and Tallaght on Tuesday in which drugs, cash, miniature phones and drones were seized.

The arrested 29-year-old is a main player in the feud in which multiple sources have said it is a miracle that no-one has been killed.

The man is in serious financial debt to Irelands biggest drugs trafficking gang, The Family, and it is suspected that this debt has led to some of his criminal offending.

But he is well able to issue his own threats and carry out violence despite being locked up in jail for the last number of years, a source said.

He has been a complete nuisance within the prison system and because of his serious organised crime affiliations he got moved to Mountjoy Prison from Cloverhill Prison where he was on remand in December 2023.

The gangster in custody is a close friend of serial criminal Scott Purdue (27) who has twice survived being shot at as part of different feuds in the Clondalkin area.

However, despite their long-standing association, the 29-year-old refused to give evidence in a court case concerning the attempted gun murder of Purdue.

Purdue suffered serious injuries to his leg after he was blasted twice with a handgun at Shancastle Park on December 17, 2019, but he also refused to give evidence at the lengthy trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court which concluded on Wednesday.

This trial resulted in the conviction of a nephew of one of Irelands most notorious criminals for a firearms offence.

John Gilligans nephew Dylan Gilligan (24) of Killinarden Heights, Tallaght, had denied shooting at Purdue but a jury found him guilty of carrying a firearm with intent. He was remanded in custody and will be sentenced in May.

Dylan Gilligan survived an alleged murder attempt last year when he was struck by a car in Clondalkin. That attack was also suspected to be connected to the ongoing feud in the area.

This shooting incident was just one of the subplots or sub-feuds that have happened in this extremely complex situation that involves many people including juveniles, a source said.

What has been a constant in it whether he has been in or out of prison is the individual arrested on Tuesday morning in Mountjoy Prison has been heavily involved.

While just a teenager the now 29-year-old gangland suspect was a member of the gang led by James Nellie Walsh, but later set up his own criminal network, which was buying drugs from The Family gang.

He has almost 80 previous criminal convictions and, before being jailed, his gangs strongholds were in the Shancastle area of Clondalkin  among the areas worst affected in the west Dublin feud.

Apart from the conviction of Dylan Gilligan, in the previous week two individuals caught with pipe bombs and a machine gun in different garda seizures connected to the gang warfare have appeared before the courts, with one being man being jailed for over six years.
The researchers say their study will help inform policymakers who are considering the abolition of capital punishment

University of Limerick researchers have claimed that long prison sentences are as effective as the death penalty when it comes to deterring homicides.

Dr Vincent OSullivan, Associate Professor at ULs Kemmy Business School co-authored the study which examined the effect of capital punishment and life sentences on homicide rates.

Published in the Southern Economic Journal, they examined the Australian legal system and its history with capital punishment.

The study, titled Homicide, punishment and deterrence in Australia found a correlation between the use of the death penalty and lower homicide rates.

Further, it is claimed that the death penalty acts as a deterrent to murder, resulting in a 7.6% reduction in the crime.

Australia last used the death penalty in 1967, and most states had abolished it by the end of the 1970s.

Dr OSullivan and his co-author, Dr Hugh Farrell, also examined more recent punitive policies such as Standard Non-Parole Periods, under which those convicted of murder are given a life sentence, but must serve a minimum period before applying for parole.

The researchers say that these periods, which take discretion away from judges and parole boards in setting minimum sentences, had the same deterrent effect that the death penalty had.

Our research is informative for policymakers considering abolition of the death penalty, Dr OSullivan said of the study.

The US is at a crossroads when it comes to the death penalty. Its usage had been declining since the 1990s and several large states such as California and Pennsylvania are on the cusp of abolition.

However, the Trump administration has indicated that it is very much in favour of the death penalty, so there will be much debate on this over the next few years.

Dr OSullivan said that despite his findings, there is a lot of moral issues with the death penalty.

"There are many moral problems with such punishment, not least the problem of wrongful convictions.

There is also controversy around the method of execution. In the US, pharmaceutical companies don't want to supply drugs for lethal injection, so states are having to change their lethal injection protocols, or else use poisonous gas or even firing squads.

The death penalty in Ireland was formally abolished from law in 1990.

Michael Manning, who was found guilty of rape and murder, was the last person to be executed in 1954.

All subsequent death sentences handed down were commuted to terms of up to 40 years in prison.

A referendum to prohibit the reintroduction of the death penalty, even during a war or state of emergency, passed in 2001. It is also forbidden under numerous human rights treaties, such as the European Convention on Human Rights, which have been ratified by the state.
The seizure was made on Wednesday as part of an intelligence led operation.

Two people have been arrested after over 342,000 in cash was seized by gardai and Revenue officials at Dublin Airport.

The seizure was made on Wednesday as part of an intelligence led operation.

This operation was conducted by the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) and supported by Revenue's Customs Service.

A man and a woman, both in their 60s, were arrested and detained under Section 50 of Criminal Justice Act 2007.

"Gardai attached to the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) together with colleagues from Revenue Customs Service seized 342,000 in cash from two passengers during an intelligence led operation at Dublin Airport yesterday evening, a garda spokesperson said in a statement.

One male and one female both aged in their 60s were arrested by Gardai following the seizure and are currently detained for questioning at a Garda Station in Dublin under the provisions of Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2007.

Revenue said investigations are ongoing.

This seizure is part of Revenue's ongoing work targeting smuggling and shadow economy activity, they said in a statement.

If businesses, or members of the public have any information, they can contact Revenue in confidence on Confidential Phone Number 1800 295 295.
This child was in need of help and guidance but instead found an adult looking to act out her perverted sexual desires

A teacher at a Catholic school in Ohio who admitted to having sex with a 17-year-old student accused her husband of neglect after he filed for divorce.

Emily Nutley (43) pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual battery, according to online court records, on Monday, April 7  the day her trial was supposed to start.

She was facing trial for having a sexual relationship with the underage boy at St Xavier High School, a prestigious Jesuit boys institution in Cincinnati in 2023, a spokesperson for the Hamilton County Prosecutors Office told The Post.

Nutley was fired from her job in October of the following after school administrators learned about the relationship and contacted police.

Her husband filed for divorce from the mother of three shortly after the charges were announced, the Enquirer reports.

However, she then claimed he was guilty of gross neglect of duty and extreme cruelty during their marriage, according to legal documents obtained by TMZ.

In a statement when Nutley was first indicted in October 2024. Hamilton County Prosecutor Melissa Powers said: This child was in need of help and guidance but instead found an adult looking to act out her perverted sexual desires.

Nutley was the director of academic services at the private all-boys college preparatory school in Cincinnati, prosecutors said.

She said in court that she worked there as a counsellor for 18 years, according to The Cincinnati Enquirer.

She was the supervisor of a programme that assisted students who were struggling with academics in the 2023 semester. The male victim was 17 at the time of the offense.

During this time, the DA says, Nutley began having "additional contact" with the victim outside school hours.

This included her sending nude photographs and sexually explicit messages.

The District Attorney says that by November 2023, the Nutley had begun a physical relationship with the student, engaging in oral sex with him at least once on school grounds and once off campus and having sexual intercourse with him in her office.

When the victim attempted to stop the encounters, Nutley continued to contact the victim via text messages, the DA said.

Prosecutors said the former head counsellor pursued the minor outside of school hours, texting the youngster nude photographs of herself and sexually explicit messages shortly after she was hired.

Nutley could spend up to a decade behind bars when she is sentenced on June 10.

She is also required to register as a sex offender for the rest of her life, the prosecutors office said.
The men were caught in the act by Met Police officers who were working a proactive operation.

Three men and a woman have been jailed for importing half a tonne of cocaine to the UK.

Bert De Jong (59), Hussain Sakhi (22), Zaibaa Zahur (21) and Justyn Morris (23) were involved in the supply of almost 20 million worth of the Class A drug.

They imported the powder from the Netherlands to distribute to buyers in London.

The men were caught in the act by officers who were working a proactive operation.

Morris pleaded guilty to conspiracy to evade the prohibition on the importation of cocaine and conspiracy to supply cocaine.

De Jong, Sakhi and Zahur went on trial at Kingston Crown Court and were convicted of conspiracy to evade the prohibition on the importation of cocaine and conspiracy to supply cocaine.

The court heard that millions of pounds of cocaine were distributed by lorries across the English capital.

The drugs were collected just outside the city and then sent to retail suppliers every week.

In July 2024, Morris drove a van to an industrial estate in Norwich where he met De Jong, who was in a lorry.

De Jong handed over three cardboard boxes to Morris who was intercepted by officers who saw the handover.

During a search of the van, a total of 70kg of cocaine worth up to 2.8 million was discovered.

Later that day, Sakhi and Zahur went to visit a holiday home they had let near Norwich. Morris van had been seen parked outside the home before he went to meet De Jong.

Officers searched the pair and found a mobile phone that had messages between Sakhi and another contact who Morris had also been in touch with.

Sakhi, Zahur and Morris were arrested and charged.

De Jong was arrested weeks later when arriving back in the UK, but claimed he did not know what he was bringing into the country.

An extensive investigation found that the three defendants had all been involved in the supply of millions of pounds worth of cocaine.

Drug ledgers they kept as a record of the movement and distribution of the cocaine were examined during the trial and established the group had moved nearly 500kg of coke.

Read more Albanian man caught with cocaine worth 1.1m near Drogheda is jailed for 11 years

It was established that De Jong would bring the drugs into the country and Morris would pick them up and deliver them to Sakhi and Zahur, who would then distribute them.

This has been a complex and lengthy investigation to dismantle a group supplying drugs across London. It has been part of a wider, proactive drug operation led by the Specialist Crime South team, Detective Constable Leon Ure, of the Mets Specialist Crime South team, who led the investigation, said.

This investigation shows the breadth of work the specialist crime unit deals with and Id like to thank every officer who was involved in the case.

Drug dealing has a huge impact on Londoners. It fuels further crime and impacts the heart of our communities. This group is an example of how we will investigate and hold offenders to account.

All four are to be sentenced on Friday, 11 April at Kingston Crown Court.
For Ubers inaugural Lost and Found Index in Ireland, phones, sunglasses, and bags all feature among the Frequently Forgotten Items in 2024

This man did not forget his kebab

While New York was named "most forgetful city in Uber's lost and found index yesterday, some of the more bizarre items left behind were found in Ireland.

From everyday items including phones and wallets, the new Uber survey highlights some of the more unusual finds such as a partner, a buggy and even a kebab.

The 2025 Uber Lost & Found Index, which lists the most common and "unique" items left behind includes a mannequin with human hair, a live turtle and a 5-gallon bucket of beans.

These were all found in New York, alongside a Ghostbusters ghost trap, fresh breast milk, a live pet turtle, a urinal, and a set of Shrek ears.

Someone forgot their bouquet of 100 red roses, another their 10 live lobsters, a Viking drinking horn, a taxidermied rabbit and a passenger's divorce papers.

"From wayward mannequin heads to live lobsters, Uber riders have left behind some truly unforgettable items this year," said Camiel Irving, vice president of operations at Uber.

"Whether essential or totally unusual, we understand how important it is to be reunited with your lost belongings."

For Ubers inaugural Lost and Found Index in Ireland, phones, sunglasses, and bags all feature among the Frequently Forgotten Items in 2024

Data reveals that weekends are prime time for forgetfulness while the number of items reported lost around the festive Christmas season also rises.

Irelands most unique lost items include someones partner, a buggy/pram, garlic bread, a kebab and a pair of runners.
Smith, 43, from Dundalk in Co Louth, is outlining her case at the Court of Appeal

Former Irish soldier Lisa Smith led a totally anonymous life while living in Syria and there was no smoking gun that she did anything for the so-called Islamic State (IS) terror group, her lawyer told a Dublin court as she appeals against her conviction for being a member of the unlawful organisation.

Smith, 43, from Dundalk in Co Louth, is outlining her case at the Court of Appeal.

The ex-Defence Forces member was found guilty of IS membership in 2023 but was cleared of financing terrorism after a nine-week trial at Dublins Special Criminal Court.

Former Irish soldier Lisa Smith at the Courts of Criminal Justice in Dublin in July 2022 (Brian Lawless/PA)

Smith, a convert to Islam, went to Syria in 2015 after terrorist leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi called on Muslims to travel to the country.

She had pleaded not guilty to charges of membership of IS and providing funds to benefit the group.

Smith was handed 15 months in prison and lost an appeal over the severity of the sentence.

Arguing at the Court of Appeal, her barrister Michael OHiggins said that Smith travelled to Syria out of a religious obligation, but that the court had dismissed that as irrelevant.

Mr OHiggins said the court cannot ignore and deem inadmissible what the persons motive was to travel to Syria, adding that it was a flaw to assume Smith was going there to do something unlawful.

He said that she led a totally anonymous life in Syria, adding that there was no smoking gun or burning match that she did anything for IS.

The court was told that Smith shopped and bought food and was subjected to serious assaults during her time there.

Mr OHiggins questioned what membership of an organisation looked like, saying that membership is not nor could ever include avid supporters of a group.

He said that membership did not include someone who agreed with an unlawful organisations aims, or members of a community who benefited from the actions of the illegal organisation.

Mr OHiggins gave the example of paramilitaries in Northern Ireland who ran a parallel justice system during the Troubles.

He said that some communities benefited from a decrease in anti-social behaviour but that those people did not become members of the IRA or UDA.

Mr OHiggins told the court that a fanatic who attacked a former RUC station or planted a bomb or did anything that mirrored the actions of the IRA did not automatically become a member.

The court was told that membership is not a state of mind or a virus.

He added that membership is not done by osmosis, that there must be some sort of application and acceptance to become a member.

Mr Justice John Edwards interjected and said that illegal organisations would not keep a register of membership, and proof of membership of the IRA is never adduced by the production of records.

Turning to social media posts by Smith, Mr OHiggins said that they predated her travelling to Syria and that 90% of them were very mundane and included posts about scriptures.

He said Smith did not use social media to post propaganda material about IS and Syria, and that her online posts pale in significance to the keyboard warriors.
The meal of lobster, steak and lamb came with a couple of bottles of wine, including a Chateau Lafleur

Conor McGregor and Donald Trump at the White House for St Patrick's Day

Conor McGregor racked up a massive 139,000 restaurant bill after splurging on several bottles of 20k wine which he boasted about online.

The 36-year-old who was ordered to pay Nikita Hand more than 248,000 in damages following a civil rape case in November, took to Instagram on Tuesday to show off the bill.

The meal of lobster, steak and lamb that came with a couple of bottles of wine, including a Chateau Lafleur, totalled 256,000, (300,000) but was heavily discounted by 117,000 to 139,000 (162,000).

'#DONTWORRYABOUTTHEBILLBABY,' he declared in the caption.

Conor was wearing a rare limited-edition 42mm Patek Philippe Watch on the night.

The green watch, worth 90,000, was made as part of the 150-year anniversary celebrations of the Scottish-Irish watch company.

It comes as some fans expressed concern for McGregors future as a fighter after he was filmed drinking with American YouTubers.

McGregor who has two fights left on his contract hasnt fought since 2021 when he lost his trilogy fight to Dustin Poirier.

He was expected to fight Michael Chandler last year, but pulled out due to injury two weeks before the scheduled fight.

McGregor, who has claimed he wants to be President of Ireland, has also indicated his desire to return to the Octagon.

But after footage emerge of him drinking in his Black Forge Inn with American YouTubers, The Nelk Boys, fans say his days as a fighter are over.

McGregor was filmed singing along to Angels by Robbie Williams, as he showed off how to pour his Black Forged Stout.

The group then posed for pictures with the Dubliner and his UFC belts before doing Tequila Rose shots.

In one response a fan wrote: Yeah Conor is 10000% retired. We never [sic] seeing that man fight again.

Another said Khabib Nurmagomedov ended this man, a reference to McGregors 2018 fight where he submitted to the Dagestani fighter.

McGregor's bill

Im actually worried about him, another admitted. A life of partying and drinking doesnt usually last very long.

Another commented that McGregor is: A far cry from the inspirational and focused individual we saw years ago. Hes achieved great things but I dont see a person who is happy with his lot.

McGregor, who has been dipping his toe into the worlds of politics and social issues, was slammed this week by a professor for attempting to link autism to vaccinations.

Taking to X, McGregor shared: I wonder is there a person in the world with autism, who was not vaccinated whatsoever, nor their mother vaccinated during the pregnancy term etc.

Adding: I wonder if there is one such case to disprove the vaccine connection to autism theory? and tagging the US Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert Kennedy Jr.

Kennedy, who is the nephew of former US President John. F Kennedy, is an anti-vaccine activist and conspiracy theorist.

Niall Conroy, an Adjunct Professor of Public Health re-shared the social media post alongside a screenshot from research into autism and vaccines.

Jesus, it really is the post-truth world, he said.

In multiple HUGE studies, autism rates are the same in vaccinated and unvaccinated cohorts."

Conor McGregor and Donald Trump at the White House for St Patrick's Day

The post reads: The authors found that There was no increase in the risk of autistic disorder or other autistic-spectrum disorders among vaccinated children as compared with unvaccinated children.

The screenshot appears to be a segment of a 2002 Danish study published in the New England Journal of Medicine titled A population-based study of measles, mumps, and rubella vaccination and autism which concluded there was strong evidence against the claim MMR vaccinations cause autism.

It is one of many research papers that have debunked the myth.

In another X post, the MMA fighter said he had lengthy meetings with Robert Kennedy on autism and vaccines while in the USA.

It was shocking to say the least, he said.

1 in 20 of our children in Ireland are affected with Autism. 1 in 20! Staggering!

"That is over 30,000 families affected, not including extended family and friends who play their role in supporting daily.

"RFK is on this case heavily and is only warming up! I am in firm support of him in uncovering the full truth on autism and its root cause, he said.

"There will be major repercussions for what has been done to families across the world, and it will be in our lifetime! You will not mess with parents and their children and get away with it! That is point blank! God knows!"

A report released by Irish autism charity AsIAm found that 92% of survey respondents believe that misinformation about Autism and Autistic people has increased over the past 12 months.
I think we cant even just be appreciated and respected even when were made of metal

Presenter Ashley Louise James has been applauded by viewers of the This Morning show after she slammed co-host Nick Ferraris comments on the Molly Malone breast-rubbing tradition.

Ashley objected to Ferraris argument that rubbing the breasts of the statue located on Dublins Suffolk Street for good luck was as much an Irish custom as kissing the Blarney Stone or drinking your body weight in Guinness.

Now, its never actually known whether Molly Malone is a mythical figure or actually existed, he told viewers.

Alongside a depiction of the iconic Dublin landmark he added: This is a statue, now what you cant quite see in that picture is that the womans embonpoint or cleavage, shall we say, is getting slightly rubbed down because people are going up and touching it so it is disfiguring the statue.

I need to say it is believed, much as kissing the Blarney Stone, that other Irish custom, or drinking your body weight in Guinness, these Irish customs, it is believed it brings you good luck to do it.

So its not just, woah, I wanna grope, but obviously its affecting the statue, its not a good look. So as you rightly say Ben, Dublin City Council will now have stewards to police the activity around the statue and theyll see where it goes.

However, Ashley took him up on his remarks as she said: I think we cant even just be appreciated and respected even when were made of metal.

Youre looking at me like Im doing a reach, but let me say what Im gonna say, and then you can say your thing, so just wait.

I think this shows attitudes towards women and I think its a really sad reflection.

Ben cut her off by pointing out that women also rub the statue for good luck, but Ashley argued: This is my thing, in Dublin I think there are seven female statues out of about 200, which is 3.5%, around the world.

In the UK, sorry, theres 20% of female statues, often theyre not even historical figures, theyre mythical allegories, goddesses. And when they do exist, they are objectified.

So what does that tell us about our attitudes towards women that they are groped so many times that the bronze on their chest is worn off? This also happens in Verona with the statue of Juliet.

Ashley said it didnt matter whether it was women or men who groped the statues, it was the objectification of the female body that was the point.

Its like a patriarchal, sexist attitude towards the female body, the hyper-sexualisation of the female body.

When Nick insisted that it was simply no bigger than a good luck gesture she replied: But who decided that? Why is touching a womans breast good luck? Look, if we existed in a fully equal world, where there wasnt a crisis of male violence against women, if women werent being sexually harassed or objectified, then maybe it would be different.

Even if we look at cases of male violence against women, it always starts with sexism.we have to stamp out sexist attitudes, the objectification of women, so that the bad people are called out and their attitudes arent allowed to get worse and worse towards women.

One viewer commented: Its absolutely not an Irish tradition  I work very near to Molly and its a problem. This woman is 100% correct, objectification stands if its a man or a woman doing it  doesnt null the argument.

Another added: Absolutely can relate this objectification to male violence. rich coming from the perspective of a man.

Earlier this year Trinity College student and busker Tilly Cripwell launched a campaign to leave Molly mAlone.

Ms Cripwell, who spends around 10 hours a week performing near the statue on Dublins Suffolk Street, believes this is one of many cultural traditions that needs to be questioned and quashed.

And this month the Irish Independent reported how in just 60 minutes, 71 people touched and groped the chest of the bronze statue, has become tarnished as a result of a lucky ritual for tourists that is thought to have started in the early 2010s.

Dublin City Council said the statue will be restored next month before stewards start their pilot week to begin educating those who are interacting with the statue and requesting they do not touch it or step on the plinth and discussing the reasons for not doing so.
A British mother who came to New Zealand alone and travelled solo for the past two months says she was stunned by an act of kindness at Auckland Airport which became the highlight of her trip.

Sarah, from Epsom, UK, recounted her spontaneous journey through Aotearoa in a post shared to New Zealand Travel Tips (NZTT), a private Facebook group with more than 139,000 members.

Arriving on January 29 with no itinerary and a feeling of initial panic, Sarah said she had the most fabulous time, and owed her travel success to the Good Samaritans of our country.

Although the scenery is stunning in New Zealand, what has made my trip special is the fabulous people that I have met, Sarah wrote, praising Kiwis heartwarming hospitality and the many wonderful conversations shes had while here.

Coming to New Zealand to visit her Auckland-based son and explore the country, Sarah had stayed with complete strangers, been cooked meals and was always treated with the upmost respect and patience whenever she needed help or advice.

Returning to Tamaki Makaurau from Christchurch on April 2, she was left touched by a passerby who went 20 minutes out of his way to drop her to her sons house when he could no longer make it.

A chance encounter at the airport led to a friendly Kiwi giving Sarah a hitch to her son's home. Photo / 123RF

I was in the process of trying to order an Uber when a gentleman asked me to watch his bags. When he returned, he offered me a lift to my sons house, Sarah explained.

International tourists were equally as kind here too, seeming to adopt our neighbourly demeanour, Sarah said.

For example, I was stuck the other day coming down on a hike and a lovely French lady held my hand and helped me down!

Covering the North and South Islands and staying in some rather dodgy accommodation at times, Sarah said she never felt unsafe travelling alone.

Coming to New Zealand had been a journey of physical and mental healing that certainly delivered for Sarah, who personally thanked our country and its people for the cherished memories she leaves with.

New Zealand is often recommended as a great place for solo travellers to explore. Photo / 123RF

After eight weeks of making decisions about where to go next and where to stay, an exhausted Sarah drew a line in the sand.

I think two months is definitely my limit, she said.

Sarah Chant, the founder of travel consultancy website NZTT, told the Herald the namesake Facebook page often has messages from people around the world describing how kind and welcoming New Zealanders are, showing our positive recognition internationally.

We love seeing [group members] describe New Zealand as a dream destination - in terms of scenery, activities, and most importantly, for our people, Chant said.

Several Kiwis shared how grateful they were for Sarahs thoughtful review under her post.

Thats given us all a great big boost here in NZ. Thank you all for such a glowing response, wrote one group member.

New Zealand Travel Tips (NZTT) is a private Facebook group where more than 139,000 members share tips and seek advice for travelling around Aotearoa. Photo / Facebook

Thank you for taking the time to pen this gratitude. All too often we are bombarded by negativity in the media so it is refreshing to read that NZ / Aotearoa did not disappoint, replied another local.

Many foreign travellers couldnt agree more with the UK mothers words.

We just left New Zealand in March and I kept telling my husband. These are the nicest people Ive ever met. They are so warm and welcoming, one Seattle-based traveller said.

I absolutely love the local NZ people, so genuinely happy to help, and also other tourists seem to generally have an amazing attitude to help others. It really is something that keeps you going back, a fellow British member wrote.

Despite the chaos at home and abroad, its encouraging to see Kiwis still being lauded for their optimistic attitude.

Perhaps our team of five million really does still punch above its weight.

-NZ Herald
For the first time, researchers are digging into the seismic history surrounding the Taupo Fault Belt to unlock insights into how the twin threats of earthquakes and volcanoes could collide and impact communities and infrastructure in the region.

While Taupo is better known for its volcanic activity, it is also exceptionally seismically active compared to many other volcanic regions around the world, said lead researcher Dr James Muirhead (University of Auckland), whose work is funded through the Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tu Ake (NHC).

The Taupo supervolcano sits in the heart of central North Island, a land actively stretching and pulling apart, Muirhead said.

This geological tension creates fault lines that spark earthquakes.

These earthquakes can shake up molten rock [magma] deep underground, making it more mobile and explosive.

As the magma rises, it can also unlock and trigger fault lines, leading to earthquakes.

It could be a dramatic feedback loop of seismic and volcanic activity.

The regions dynamic activity has long been a perfect subject for study.

However, a massive eruption 1,800 years ago has left much of the areas geological history buried under thick volcanic deposits.

This massive eruption blanketed the land with metres of ash and pumice, making it nearly impossible to track earlier earthquakes in the soil, Muirhead said.

What were left with is a thick volcanic layer, marking a singular moment in time.

To get around this, Muirhead and his team are using ground-penetrating radar (GPR) technology  essentially an X-ray for the earthto locate areas where volcanic layers are thinner.

In these regions, theyll dig deep trenches to uncover and study the soil layers, revealing evidence of past earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

This groundbreaking research will let us peer back into a 25,500-year history of earthquakes along the Taupo Fault Belt, he said.

By analysing the sequence of volcanic deposits and the displaced sediment layers caused by earthquakes, the team can estimate the magnitude and timing of past events  providing an unprecedented glimpse into the regions seismic and volcanic activity.

Dr Jo Horrocks, NHC chief research and resilience officer, highlights the broader significance of this work: Natural hazards rarely occur in isolation.

This research will shed light on how often earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur together, and the potential scale of these events.

If a large earthquake strikes, should we brace for an eruption? Or could a series of smaller tremors signal an impending eruption?

Understanding these patterns will help communities and emergency planners prepare impact of future events.

Additionally, the research will offer valuable insights into fault lines, helping guide land-use planning in the region.

By knowing where the largest faults lie, we can better safeguard communities and critical infrastructure from earthquake damage, Horrocks said.

This project is funded through an NHC biennial grant, which supports early to mid-career researchers working on projects to bolster New Zealands resilience to natural hazards.

NHCs next round of biennial research funding opens in May 2025.

It is being conducted in collaboration with researchers from GNS Science and the Victoria University of Wellington.
LINCOLN, Neb.  To promote Nebraska-grown, plant-based proteins in schools, the Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) is launching Beanstock  a campaign and curriculum series teaching students about one of Nebraskas healthiest, most important commodities.

Beanstock, which is officially launching in March to coincide with National Nutrition Month, includes free, flexible lessons available to middle and high school educators that explore the history, art, cooking, nutrition, agriculture, economics and history of dry beans and other specialty crops. A class of Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS...
Way Out West Community Theater's production of Harvey began on Saturday, April 5th, and will end on Sunday, April 13, 2025.

Written by Mary Chase in 1944, the original Broadway production of Harvey played for four years followed by a film made famous by Jimmy Stewart. This well-known story is set in 1947 Indiana and is familiar to ardent fans of community theater as well as participants in high-school plays and their parents. Though the play may at times reveal its true age due to hints of misunderstandings of mental illness, attendees will certainly enjoy riding this comedy of errors as the s...
SIDNEY--The Nebraska Department of Economic Development announced on April 2, 2025, the City of Sidney would be awarded a Civic and Community Center Financing Fund (CCCFF) Grant in the amount of $562,000. The funds were part of $5.54 million of grants to 21 recipients in Nebraska.

The grant has been anticipated for some time now, and will be used to move the Northside Park renovation funding to $1.1 million dollars, with an estimated $1.5 million dollars needed to complete the project. The Northside Park project had already received a Nebraska Game and Parks Grant for $600,000, and the CCCFF G...
Kimball Town Hall Assures Project is Moving Forward and Gives Additional Details

KIMBALL--As many in the Cheyenne County area already know, the U.S. Air Force Sentinel Project has been in the works for several years now, and with the initial phases of the project starting, and then stopping, many have questioned whether or not the project will commence. With a Town Hall-style meeting at Kimball on April 1, 2025, U.S. Air Force representatives from Warren AFB out of Cheyenne, Wyo. along with representatives from Northrup Grumman, the lead private contractor on the project, area citizens were able to get updates on the progress of the Sentinel Project as well as ask specific...
WASHINGTON,  U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, on National Agriculture Day, announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is issuing up to $10 billion directly to agricultural producers through the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP) for the 2024 crop year. Administered by USDAs Farm Service Agency (FSA), ECAP will help agricultural producers mitigate the impacts of increased input costs and falling commodity prices.

Producers are facing higher costs and market uncertainty, and the Trump Administration is ensuring they get the support they need without delay...
SIDNEY-- A case that shocked Cheyenne County and left people stunned was finally resolved on April 3, 2025, as Brandon Russell, 26, was sentenced to 45-to-50 years in prison for Criminal Attempt-Child Abuse Resulting in Death at the District Court of Cheyenne County. The Honorable Derek Weimer, District Judge, passed a sentence on Russell. Russell was credited with 408 days time served, and the Court deemed the remaining court costs not collectible and waived said costs. Russell was represented by Matthew J. McDonald and the state was represented by William P. Tangeman and Demi Herman, Special...
MIKE MOTZ

Sidney Sun-Telegraph

SIDNEY-- On Monday, April 7, 2025, the Cheyenne County Board of Commissioners met for their regular meeting and had a full agenda. After approving the agenda and previous meetings minutes, the commissioners heard the first order of business, a General Assistance application for County burial for Beverly Ann Tucker. County Clerk Beth Fiegenschuh noted in this circumstance, Tuckers son had already paid $1820 towards the burial, which by the rules of General Assistance applications for County burial, disqualifies the request for assistance. The commissioners agree...
SUR in English Gibraltar Thursday, 10 April 2025, 13:08 Compartir

John Cortes, Minister for Education and Heritage, recently attended the Multilingual Gibraltar event where the NGO presented every secondary and upper primary school, along with Gibraltar College, a copy of the book Gibraltarians and their language: 22 linguistic biographies.

The book, published by the University of Vigo, was launched at the Second Gibraltar International Conference held by the university in July. It features a collection of linguistic biographies from contemporary Gibraltarians of various ages, detailing their personal bilingual and multilingual experiences. The initiative was led by Professor Elena Seoane and her research team, in collaboration with renowned Gibraltarian author Mark Sanchez.

Zoom Coffee mug with inscription in Llanito. SUR

During their presentation to local educators, Manuel Enriles and Dale Buttigieg from Multilingual Gibraltar stressed the urgency of addressing language loss among young Gibraltarians. They highlighted that if parents only speak English to their children, they risk denying them the cognitive, health, and career benefits enjoyed by previous generations who were raised in multilingual environments. They emphasised that education plays a vital role in combating language loss and encouraged schools to foster a multilingual environment. This includes not limiting communication in English, introducing pupils to Gibraltarian literature in all three languages - Llanito, English, and Spanish - and educating parents on the advantages of raising multilingual children.

Minister Cortes expressed strong support for Multilingual Gibraltar's efforts and the preservation of all languages used in Gibraltar. The association publicly thanked the Minister for his continuous support since the NGOs founding, particularly for recognising the importance of maintaining multilingualism in the community. As a token of appreciation, Multilingual Gibraltar presented Cortes with a coffee mug inscribed with the phrase, Life begins dehpue dun kafelito.
Javier Almellones Malaga Thursday, 10 April 2025, 16:45 Compartir

Throne-bearers running down the steep streets, apostles in masks and the burning of a large, doll-like figure. These are three of the customs that form part of the traditions and customs celebrated in inland Malaga during Holy Week, and not all are that holy. Although some have lapsed in recent years, such as the pilgrimage of La Pava in Benamocarra, there are still many that survive, either because of their originality or because of the effort made by many locals to maintain their identity through such festivities.

1 Antequera Running to the 'Vega'

Zoom Diputacion de Malaga

It is one of the traditions that draws most attention with first-time visitors to the town of Antequera during Holy Week. This curious custom, which takes place on both nights of Holy (or Maundy) Thursday and Good Friday, is curious for the simple fact that the holy images, mounted on their thrones, are carried at speed up the town's very steep slopes to cries of 'A la vega!' ('to the plains!'). It seems that the origin of this atypical and exclusive tradition of Antequera's Holy Week comes from a very old custom that consisted of taking their religious images to the highest part of the town so that they could bless the fertile plains surrounding Antequera. To be precise, this 'vega' run is done by the religious brotherhoods at the end of each procession scheduled for these two days, with the exception of the Soledad procession. Tradition demands that each procession begins with the ringing of a bell.

2 Several villages in the Serrania de Ronda El Huerto del Nino

Zoom Ayuntamiento de Genalguacil

Worshipping the baby Jesus at Easter may seem strange, but it is a custom that is part of Easter Sunday in many villages in Malaga province, especially in the Serrania de Ronda. This takes place on Easter Sunday in villages such as Atajate, Cartajima, Alpandeire, Benarraba, Benaojan, Parauta, Genalguacil and Juzcar, among others. It is customary for the villagers to go out in the early hours of the morning before the fiesta to gather plants, tree branches and vegetables to create a small shack, a temporary shrine, in the village. Inside the now-decorated shack an image of the baby Jesus is placed, having been previously removed from the village church. This is what is known in many of these places as the Huerto del Nino. This is usually followed by an encounter with an image of the Virgin Mary with a backdrop of the Resurrection to inspire hope. There are also some places in La Axarquia, on the Costa del Sol (Benahavis) and in Huelva province that maintain this curious custom on the last day of Holy Week.

3 El Borge Patron saint festival of San Gabriel

Zoom Ayuntamiento de El Burgo

If Iznate can boast about kicking off Semana Santa with its patron saint fiestas, El Borge can boast about ending it in style with its own festivities in honour of Saint Gabriel, or San 'Grabie', as many Borgenos say. It runs from Easter Saturday to Easter Monday (a local holiday). It is customary for the patron saint to be taken out in a procession up to three times with the Virgen del Rosario during these three days, always just after midnight. Although it is the culmination of a week of great religious passion, both Easter Sunday and Easter Monday (a public holiday in the village) can be experienced in a more lighthearted and relaxed atmosphere. Even the processions take on a festive and fun vibe on the Sunday.

4 Iznate The masked apostles

Zoom Ayuntamiento de Iznate

They begin Holy Week with the patron saint festivities of the Virgen de los Dolores and end it with a very unique tradition in this part of Malaga province. Iznate can boast one of the most original passion weeks in the province, thanks to customs such as the one you will see this Easter Sunday. In the morning, after mass, a procession takes place bearing the image of the patron saint to the Santo Cristo chapel. Next to this chapel is where a very peculiar, live performance takes place. Some of the villagers don very old tunics and masks representing the apostles and they search for the image of the baby Jesus, which was hidden among the plants on the previous day. After this scene, fireworks are set off and the fiesta begins in which locals and visitors share a popular paella.

5 Gaucin Bull on a rope

Zoom Asociacion del Toro de Cuerda de Gaucin

In the Malaga village of Gaucin, the final touch to Semana Santa is a tradition that has little to do with religion. It is known as the 'toro de cuerda'. This event basically consists of taking a bull tied by the horns through the streets of the village. Along the route taken by the bull, villagers and visitors alike can make their passes and their poses, feign a charge and run at the bull without risk to themselves as the animal will be tied by its horns at all times. After this run through the streets of Gaucin a lifesize figure dressed in rags is placed in front of the bull to taunt it to charge. It is also customary that, after the release of each bull, the animal is auctioned off to the highest bidder for its subsequent slaughter and consumption by some of the villagers. This event is regulated under article 91.e of the R.D. 145/1996, Reglamento de Espectaculos Taurinos (Regulations of Bullfighting Shows), and the municipal regulations of 21 March 1997.

6 El Burgo The burning of Judas

Zoom Ayuntamiento de El Burgo

Although this event has religious origins, the burning of a large doll symbolising evil has pagan connotations. It is one of the traditions preserved with pride in the village of El Burgo. There it is known as the Quema del Judas, the same as in some villages in northern Spain. In fact, it was a Basque priest who established this tradition more than seven decades ago in the village when he was the parish priest. The large figurine, six metres high, will be made out of rags and will again be inspired by present-day events to give it a different form every year. Usually it will be a real character or person, so they will probably have no problem finding a good candidate. On the morning of Easter Sunday it will be set on fire while a whole host of loud fireworks and other pyrotechnics will be heard across the village.

7 Cartama The 'jornazos'

Zoom Hiking route on 'jornazos' day. Ayuntamiento de Cartama

There are traditions that stand the test of time, albeit somewhat adapted to modern times. This is the case for the preparation and eating of a snack that is known as 'jornazo' (or hornazo), a bread with a hard-boiled egg inside that is made to be eaten on the afternoon of Easter Sunday in Cartama. It used to be made at home and then, on the afternoon of the last day of Holy Week, families would head out to the nearby countryside to eat them with friends. Nowadays, the 'jornazo' is made in bakeries in the village and Cartama council organises a walk that requires prior registration so every participant is guaranteed their 'hornazo'. In other villages in Malaga hornazos are also made, but they are eaten during pilgrimages such as that of San Marcos.

Other special customs during Holy Week in inland Malaga are the procession of the Virgin of Loreto in Ronda (Easter Sunday), the procession of the Holy Burial in Arriate (Easter Saturday), La Despedia in Alora (Good Friday), the Blessing of the Poor in Velez-Malaga (Maundy Thursday), the meeting of the three images of the Huerto brotherhood in Plaza Ochavada in Archidona (Holy Wednesday), the procession of Silence in Ronda (Holy Wednesday) or the different live events and parades in towns such as Alhaurin El Grande, Benalmadena, Carratraca, Cajiz (Velez-Malaga), Riogordo, Casarabonela and Igualeja, among many others.
MACNY, The Manufacturers Association, announced two awards it will present to professionals at its 112th Annual Celebration of Manufacturing on May 22, 2025, at the SRC Arena & Events Center in Syracuse.

Yan Liu, director of global research and development at Indium Corporation, is the recipient of the 2025 Innovator of the Year Award, which recognizes individuals who lead the way in innovation, driving advancements in their industry and reshaping the future.

Liu has more than two decades at Indium and has been a driving force in solder materials and flux technology innovations, directly influencing the evolution of the electronics manufacturing industry. Her leadership has led to the development of cutting-edge fluxes, solder pastes, and advanced materials, setting new industry benchmarks. She has also played a critical role in building and cultivating Indium Corporations global R&D team.

Dr. Liu oversees R&D project management for both applied and fundamental research, spearheading breakthrough technology developments. As a key spokesperson for Indium Corporations technological advancements, she bridges research, industry needs, and market opportunities  ensuring that R&D efforts align with corporate goals and customer demands.

Her leadership extends globally. In addition to directing Indium Corporations Research & Development Center in Suzhou, China, she manages a diverse group of chemists and metallurgists across North America and Asia, fostering cross-functional collaboration to address complex technical challenges. Her tenure as manager of the R&D Flux Group further solidified her expertise in developing high-performance materials that enhance manufacturing efficiency, reliability, and quality.

Collaboration has been central to her approach, working closely with operations, sales, quality, technical service, and marketing teams. Her ability to translate scientific research into practical applications has resulted in groundbreaking formulations that improve manufacturing processes and set new industry standards. In addition to her technical achievements, she is a recognized thought leader in the field, having published more than 40 scientific papers in leading polymer journals and presented at numerous international technical conferences. Her dedication to advancing manufacturing science and fostering collaboration across disciplines has solidified her reputation as a true innovator.

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Graham Brodock, president of Kris-Tech Wire, has been chosen as a 2025 Manufacturers Wall of Fame inductee. MACNYs Manufacturers Wall of Fame recognizes individuals who have demonstrated long-term dedication, outstanding leadership, and significant contributions to their industries and communities in Central and Upstate New York.

Brodock is being recognized for his visionary leadership and transformative impact at Kris-Tech, where he has served as president since 2014. Kris-Tech is a third-generation business. Under his guidance, Kris-Tech has evolved from a small regional wire mill to a nationally recognized manufacturer. Brodocks approach to leadership, which blends culture, employee wellness, and cutting-edge manufacturing practices, has propelled the company into a new era of growth and success.

Brodocks journey to leadership in manufacturing is unique. With no formal background in manufacturing or business, he studied art history as an undergraduate and went on to earn a masters degree in Ancient Greek and Latin from Cambridge University. He later taught high school Latin in Austin, Texas, before pivoting to the manufacturing industry by joining Kris-Tech.

He led the construction of a new, state-of-the-art facility in Rome and has driven continuous upgrades to Kris-Techs production lines. His focus on employee training and leadership development has positioned Kris-Tech as a national manufacturing leader, with plans for global expansion in the years ahead.

If youd like to submit an item about People in Motion at your organization, send a press release including photo, to business@syracuse.com with Company News in the subject field. We publish news about people with ties to Onondaga, Cayuga, Madison and Oswego counties. See all recent Company News items.
The GMC Sierra EV is shown at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) AP

One of the top U.S. automakers is laying off 200 employees as workers in Upstate New York fear an unstable future.

General Motors announced Thursday that it will cut 200 jobs at its Factory Zero in Detroit and Hamtramck, Michigan, according to the Detroit Free Press. GM said the move is not related to President Donald Trumps tariffs and will ensure production will align with market dynamics.
The Onondaga County Sheriff's Office found the body of missing Syracuse man Albert Senke Jr., 57, on April 17, 2025. The Onondaga County Sheriff's Office

Syracuse, N.Y.  The Onondaga County Sheriffs Office is searching for a missing man they say could be a danger to himself.

The man  Albert Senke Jr., 57  was last seen at Assumption Cemetery at 2401 Court Street in Syracuse, according to Thomas Newton, a spokesperson for the Onondaga County Sheriffs Office.

Senke was reported missing on Friday and may be a danger to himself, Newton said.

The sheriffs office asks anyone with information about Senkes whereabouts to contact the office at 315-435-3081.

Staff writer Darian Stevenson covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? You can reach her at dstevenson@syracuse.com
FBI agents and State Police outside a home at 313 Baker Ave., Syracuse, on Oct. 26, 2023. Jobie D. Patterson, 53, of Syracuse, was charged with possessing child pornography after a search of the home. Jon Moss | jmoss@Syracuse.com

Syracuse, N.Y.  A former Onondaga County youth detention center employee pleaded guilty this week to selling guns and receiving explicit pictures from a girl at the center, according to court papers and federal prosecutors.

From May 2022 to January 2023, Jobie D. Patterson, 53, of Syracuse, admitted Tuesday in federal court to unlawfully transferring firearms purchased out of state, prosecutors from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of New York said in a news release Thursday.

A coconspirator purchased the firearms in Georgia and sent photos and videos of the weapons to Patterson in Syracuse, prosecutors said.

Patterson admitted he sold four firearms to a customer in Syracuse who had previously been convicted of a felony, they said.

Patterson also pleaded guilty to child pornography charges.

Patterson worked at the Hillbrook Juvenile Detention Center until January 2023, FBI investigators said in his criminal complaint. He was a detention home aide, according to county payroll records.

Patterson had been arrested in January 2023 on a prison contraband charge by Onondaga County Sheriffs Office deputies after it was discovered he allegedly gave a cell phone to a 16-year-old girl at the youth center, investigators said.

That case was dismissed because there were no cooperating witnesses that would indicate they physically saw Patterson give the teen the phone, Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick previously told Syracuse.com | The Post-Standard.

In May 2023, sexually explicit pictures of a 16-year-old girl were found on Pattersons iCloud account, according to court documents.

Patterson admitted to asking the girl to send him photos and videos via text, according to court documents.

On Tuesday, Patterson pleaded guilty to conspiracy to traffic firearms and possession of child pornography. He faces up to 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the conspiracy charge.

On the child pornography offense, Patterson faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

Syracuse.com staff writer Timia Cobb covers breaking news. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? You can reach her at tcobb@syracuse.com.
Homer, N.Y.  The Homer Police Department is searching for a gunman who shot a man on a village street on Wednesday afternoon.

Police were called around 4:25 p.m. to Hudson Street for a shooting, said Homer Police Chief Robert Pitman.

Officers found a 44-year-old man on the side of the road who had an apparent gunshot wound to his upper right leg, Pitman said.

The man was treated at the scene by members of the Homer Fire Department and taken to Upstate University Hospital by Tully Ambulance for serious injuries, Pitman said.

The man remains in stable condition at the hospital, he said on Thursday.

The gunman was observed driving west on Hudson Street towards North West Street (Route 281) in a dark colored SUV, according to Pitman.

Police are currently following up on leads and further canvassing the area.

The police ask anyone with information on the shooting to please contact the police department at 607-749-2022.

Staff writer Greta Stuckey covers breaking news. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? You can reach her at gstuckey@syracuse.com.
The State Police barracks for Troop G, Zone 2 in Malta in Saratoga County. Google Street View

Malta, N.Y.  A 69-year-old man was shot and killed Wednesday after he fired several rounds at a State Police barracks in the Capital Region, police said.

David M. Levine, 69, of Malta, approached the Saratoga Barracks in Malta around 1:43 p.m., Stephanie ONeil, a spokesperson for the State Police, said in a news release.

Troopers inside the station heard gunfire and saw Levine outside the building in the parking lot with a long gun, ONeil said.

Troopers instructed Levine to put the firearm down multiple times before he raised the firearm in the troopers direction, she said. Levine was then fatally shot by troopers.

Investigators confirmed that Levine fired several rounds into the occupied station, ONeil said. She added that body-worn cameras captured the shooting, but footage will not be shared with the public during the investigation.

The state Attorney Generals Office was notified of the shooting and responded to the scene, according to ONeil.

Syracuse.com staff writer Timia Cobb covers breaking news. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? You can reach her at tcobb@syracuse.com.
Its crunch time for potato chip enthusiasts! Lays potato chips, the brand thats likely left a delicious salty dusting on your fingers at tailgates or during picnics, has an important ask for snack aficionados everywhere. Which of the following three experimental flavors  Bacon Grilled Cheese, Korean-Style Fried Chicken, and Valentina and Lime  is the best?

Starting this month, these unique fan-submitted flavors will hit shelves for a limited time as voting opens up for Lays Do Us a Flavor contest. From April 21st to June 13th, fans are encouraged to try all three iterations and vote for their favorite on the official Do Us a Flavor contest website.

Lays, which is owned by Frito-Lay, introduced this contest in 2012. Since then, its been offered four different times before the brand seemingly paused it after crowning its 2017 winner.

But in October 2024, Lays revived the beloved flavor showdown when it called on fans to submit their most unique chip ideas. Participants were able to submit up to 10 times per day  with each entry including their proposed flavor name, main ingredient list, and their inspiration  up until late February 2025. Now, after over a month of deliberation, Lays revealed on social media that it has selected three finalists who will battle it out for a cool $1 million prize. The two runner-ups will each receive $50,000.

According to People, the Bacon Grilled Cheese flavor was pitched by Paula George of Sapulpa, Okla.; the Korean-Style Fried Chicken flavor was submitted by Neelia Lynn from Chesterfield, Va.; and San Joses Araceli Huerta came up with the Valentina and Lime flavor. The latter chip was crafted using the hot sauce brand Valentina.

Previous winning flavors of years past include Southern Biscuits & Gravy, Cheesy Garlic Bread, and Wasabi Ginger.
The State Police barracks for Troop G, Zone 2 in Malta in Saratoga County. Google Street View

Update: Troopers ID man killed in shooting at NY State Police barracks in Saratoga County - syracuse.com

Malta, N.Y.  Troopers fatally shot a man who opened fire Wednesday on a State Police barracks in the Capital Region, officials said.

The man arrived at about 1:45 p.m. at the barracks in Malta in Saratoga County, according to a news release from Stephanie ONeil, a spokesperson for the State Police.

He fired several rounds at the building from a hunting-style rifle.

Troopers rushed out of the building and returned fire, killing the man, ONeil said.

The man was not immediately identified.

There is no threat to the public, ONeil said.

Staff writer Jon Moss covers breaking news, crime and public safety. He can be reached at jmoss@syracuse.com or @mossjon7.
An early morning pedestrian is silhouetted against sunrise as he walks through the U.S. Flags on the National Mall and past the US Capitol Building in Washington Monday, Nov. 7, 2022, one day before the midterm election will determine the control of the US Congress. (AP Photo/J. David Ake) AP

Michael Hayes is Professor Emeritus in the political science department at Colgate University.

In a recent press conference, Trump adviser Stephen Miller advanced an expansive view of the powers of the presidency: A president is elected by the whole American people  The whole will of democracy is imbued into the elected president. By this way of thinking, presidential elections yield a mandate from voters to which all other participants in the policy process must acquiesce.

This idea is neither new nor conservative. In the early 1960s, liberals wanted to strengthen the president at the expense of Congress. James MacGregor Burns, in particular, found it outrageous that liberal Democrats consistently won presidential elections in that era, only to find what they saw as the will of the voters thwarted by an uncooperative Congress. Arguing against Burns and other liberals, the late Willmoore Kendall identified two majorities in American politics. He called the first the presidential majority. This is the conception of majority rule Miller articulated.

But Kendall identified a second majority in American politics. Voters have local interests as well as national interests. It follows that congressional election results, in the aggregate, constitute an alternative, and equally legitimate, way to determine majority sentiment.

Within the congressional majority, however, voters do not choose policies but rather representatives, and legislators deliberate unconstrained by election mandates. According to Kendall, thisand not the presidential majoritywas the Framers vision.

Further, Kendall argued that this congressional majority is superior to the presidential majority for at least three reasons.

First, according to Kendall, the presidential majority typically identifies lofty goals that are intangible and vague. By contrast, the congressional majority seeks practical solutions to concrete problems. We can see this going on right now. Elon Musk and President Donald Trump stress the need to shrink government and eliminate waste  goals favored by many voters in the abstract  but pursuit of these general goals leads to specific consequences, not just for bureaucrats (for whom Republican voters have little sympathy) but also for legislators constituents.

Second, the presidential majority is discontinuous, appearing once every four years. Presidents implementing a mandate for four years are hindered in responding to changing circumstances. By contrast, members of Congress communicate continuously with voters  between elections as well as during election campaigns.

Third, communication between elected officials and voters is one way under the presidential majority. Presidential candidates talk at voters, whose only form of communication is their vote. Within the congressional majority, by contrast, communication goes both ways. Legislators go home for town meetings, where they listen to voters complaints and learn from them; in turn, they do their best to communicate to voters why they voted the way they did.

The contrast between these two alternative conceptions of majority rule  and the superiority of the congressional majority  is brought into sharp relief by congressional Republicans recent response to voter discontent with many actions taken by the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE. Faced with extreme voter anger, many Republican legislators responded initially by essentially calling their constituents rude. Because they could not defend the indefensible, many stopped holding town meetings altogether, neglecting one of their primary responsibilities.

There are good reasons to question the validity of inferring any mandates from election results. Most voters vote on one or two issues, not an entire policy platform, and thus may favor only some of a candidates policies. Moreover, many voters are poorly informed and unaware of the practical consequences of proposed policies. Finally, there can be no mandate for policies that were not raised at all during the campaign. Trumps threats to annex Canada or Greenland are a classic bait and switch.

While the congressional majority, as a conception of majority rule, is superior to the presidential majority in theory, the current Republican congressional majority is failing to meet its constitutional responsibilities. First, rather than acquiescing in an imaginary presidential mandate, House and Senate Republicans should speak up on behalf of their constituents as envisioned by the framers. Second, members of Congress should defend the Constitution from Trumps repeated encroachments as required by their oath of office.

Our constitutional system cannot survive if members of the congressional majority fail to do their jobs.
President Donald Trump has signed an executive order targeting state laws meant to combat climate change or penalize companies that contribute to it  and the order takes direct aim at a law in New York state.

Trump signed the order, Protecting American Energy from State Overreach, on Tuesday. The order is aimed at securing Americas energy dominance by removing unlawful and burdensome state-level impediments to domestic energy production, according to a White House fact sheet.

In the order, Trump specifically mentions New Yorks Climate Change Superfund Act, signed into law by Gov. Kathy Hochul in December, which would require companies that significantly contribute to the buildup of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere to pay for infrastructure projects meant to repair or combat damage from climate change.

In his executive order, Trump says that New York, for example, enacted a climate change extortion law that seeks to retroactively impose billions in fines (erroneously labelled compensatory payments) on traditional energy producers for their purported past contributions to greenhouse gas emissions not only in New York but also anywhere in the United States and the world.

Its not the first challenge to the New York law. In February, 21 states and several industry groups filed a lawsuit hoping to block the law. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton called the law an unconstitutional shakedown of vital American energy industries.

Tuesdays executive order directs U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi to identify state laws and policies that burden the use of domestic energy resources and that are unconstitutional, preempted by federal law, or otherwise unenforceable. and to expeditiously take all appropriate action to stop the enforcement of those laws.

These State laws and policies are fundamentally irreconcilable with my Administrations objective to unleash American energy. They should not stand.

Hochul and New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, co-chairs of the U.S. Climate Alliance, issued a joint statement questioning the legality of Trumps order.

The federal government cannot unilaterally strip states independent constitutional authority. We are a nation of states  and laws  and we will not be deterred. We will keep advancing solutions to the climate crisis that safeguard Americans fundamental right to clean air and water, create good-paying jobs, grow the clean energy economy, and make our future healthier and safer, the statement read.

New York Attorney General Letitia James, a frequent foe of Trump, weighed in on the social media platform X.

The Trump administration cannot punish states for adopting laws that protect their residents. New Yorks clean energy laws ensure a stronger, greener, and healthier future for all New Yorkers, and were not going to back down, James posted.

Read more:
Supreme Court justices have ruled in President Donald Trump's favor in multiple recent cases. The Supreme Court building is seen on June 27, 2024, in Washington. (Mark Schiefelbein | AP Photo) Mark Schiefelbein | AP Photo

President Donald Trump is having a good run at the Supreme Court.

Justices have ruled in his favor multiple times in recent days as the host of lawsuits challenging his actions work their way through the federal court system.

Here are a few of the recent wins for Trump, according to Axios:

On Tuesday, the court said the administration does not have to comply with an earlier order that directed the rehiring of thousands of fired federal workers.

On Monday, the court lifted an order barring the administration from using the Alien Enemies Act to deport suspected criminals.

The justices are allowing the administration to freeze federal training grants for teachers while a case involving the freeze proceeds.

Chief Justice John Roberts granted a request for more time to litigate whether the U.S. must return a man who was mistakenly deported.

Roberts also allowed Trump to temporarily remove board members at independent labor agencies while the court considers whether the president can fire them for good, according to CNN

Axios noted that the courts moves have been narrow and temporary. The justices havent yet ruled on any of the big legal questions involved in the cases.

But the rulings do allow the White House to carry out its policies while the cases proceed, Axios said.

In the case involving the independent labor agencies, Roberts ruling did not indicate which way the court would ultimately lean, according to CNN.

They are punting as much as they can, said Sarah Isgur, host of the Advisory Opinions legal podcast and an ABC News Supreme Court analyst, according to ABC.

At least some of the cases are likely to return to the Supreme Court for more examination later, ABC said.

I think the court, as a whole, is sending a clear signal to the lower courts: stop it. The lower courts should be more careful about entering broad relief where standing is in doubt, and should limit relief to the named parties, said Josh Blackman, a constitutional law scholar and professor at the South Texas College of Law, according to ABC.

Trumps moves during the early days of his second term have sparked numerous lawsuits, including some from New York and other states. Opponents have sought to block spending freezes, federal job cuts and immigration decisions.

The Supreme Court leans conversative by a 6-3 margin. Trump appointed three of the current justices during his first term: Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett.

Contact Kevin Tampone anytime: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 315-282-8598
Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger distributes the Eucharist at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Albany, N.Y. in 2014 (AP Photo/The Record, J.S.Carras, Pool) AP

By Kathleen Moore | Times Union (TNS)

Albany, N.Y.  The Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany may close up to one-third of its buildings, due to a financial and maintenance crisis, Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger said in a letter sent to the community Monday.

He wrote that the diocese needs to refocus on its mission as it determines what buildings to keep.

We have too many buildings! he wrote, adding that the diocese must relinquish churches and other buildings.

Some of the remaining schools may also close, he said.

If we are to have a solid, long-term future, we cannot NOT act, he wrote.

The diocese includes 126 parish churches, as well as some offices and schools.

The discussion on steps moving forward will begin June 8, which the diocese noted is Pentecost Sunday, the final day of the Easter season.

The diocese is in bankruptcy and was in mediation for the last year on how to settle claims regarding priests who are alleged to have sexually abused children. On March 12, a U.S. bankruptcy judge allowed some of those claims to go to trial, saying the mediation had not produced results.

Hundreds of accusers have brought claims of child sexual abuse committed by priests and others employed by the Albany diocese or its affiliated entities. The diocese has insurance, but in other cases an insurance company has argued that they do not have to pay for deliberate, criminal acts.

Diocese spokeswoman Kathy Barrans acknowledged Tuesday that the looming court cases are part of the financial crisis.

Thats not the only reason though, she said. Theres fewer people in the pews. Donations are down.

She emphasized that victims should not be blamed for the dioceses financial problems.

Settlements for sexual abuse have something to do with it, but thats not the only reason for money being low, she said. We dont have enough money to pay for all of the buildings and we dont have people filling all the buildings.

Although the bishops letter says the diocese must relinquish many buildings, Barrans said that doesnt mean the diocese will sell them.

Will some buildings be sold? Probably. Down the road. But theres no solid plans, she said.

The diocese already announced that it is closing two schools at the end of this school year: All Saints Catholic Academy, one of its three K-8 schools in Albany, and Sacred Heart School in Troy.

 2025 the Times Union (Albany, N.Y.)

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
State University of New York College of Technology at Canton, more commonly known as SUNY Canton. Kathe Harrington | NYup.com Kathe Harrington | NYup.com

A once-celebrated former SUNY Canton professor has been arrested and charged with bribery after allegedly taking money from students in exchange for higher grades, New York State Police announced Tuesday.

Rajiv R. Narula, 45, was taken into custody on April 8 by the Bureau of Criminal Investigation in Canton, working in coordination with the New York State Inspector Generals Office. Narula faces eight counts of bribery in the third degree, a Class D felony.

A spokesperson from the St. Lawrence County school told the New York Post that Narula taught chemistry as an associate professor in the School of Science, Health and Criminal Justice for over a decade. In 2022, SUNY Canton recognized him with a College Council Distinguished Faculty award.

During his time at the school in Northern New York, Narula is alleged to have accepted monetary bribes from students in exchange for higher grades. SUNY Canton dismissed him in May 2023 following allegations related to these actions.

He was released on his own recognizance and is due back in Canton Town Court on April 28.

This investigation is ongoing.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 28: An American Airlines Boeing 737 airplane arrives at Los Angeles International Airport from Phoenix on March 28, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Carter/Getty Images) Getty Images

A recent American Airlines flight from New York to Milan was forced to turn around mid-flight after a passenger began causing trouble on board.

After departing from John F. Kennedy International Airport at 7 p.m., on Monday, April 7, passengers on Flight 198 were informed approximately four hours later that their plane was heading back to the Big Apple.

Those on board told CBS News that initially they were told it was because of technical issues, but it soon became obvious that an unruly passenger was to blame. The passenger allegedly began acting out after receiving the wrong meal and being told that they couldnt sit in the exit row with a baby.

There was apparently somebody in the back, he was charging at the stewardesses. At some point, he charged past all of our seats and tried to barge into the pilots cabin, passenger Krystie Tomlinson told the outlet.

She added that the crew began asking around if there was a police officer or Army member who could help deescalate the situation since there wasnt an air marshal present.

Apparently, the whole thing started because of a meal choice they didnt get. I guess they asked for it ahead of time. They never got exactly what they wanted, Tomlinson continued. They also wanted to sit in an exit row. They had a baby with them, so they told them they couldnt and apparently those two things are what pushed the person over the edge.

Another passenger, Michael Scigliano, told CBS News that the experience was a little bit scary given that there were 300 people on board and seemingly no one who could help get this situation under control.

The plane returned to JFK during the 3 a.m. hour where authorities were able to successfully escort the rowdy passenger off board. However, it wasnt exactly a sigh or relief for the rest of the passengers, who claimed American Airlines didnt offer them any accommodations for their trouble. The flight was rescheduled to 11 a.m. that morning.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is currently investigating the incident, but CBS News reports that a police source said the passenger was released without charges.
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Winners of the 2025 RDS Teagasc Farm Forestry Award announced

Teagasc is delighted to announce that the winners of the 2025 RDS Teagasc Farm Forestry Award are Brian and Karen Flanagan.

Winner of this years RDS Teagasc Farm Forestry Award, Brian and Karen Flanagan, are pictured receiving their award from Vincent Byrne, Head of Promotion and Communication, Forestry Division at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; and Professor Pat Dillon, Director of Research, Teagasc. Also pictured is President of the RDS, John Dardis.

The Flanagans were presented with their award in Dublin today, Thursday, April 10th by Professor Pat Dillon, Director of Research, Teagasc and Vincent Byrne, Head of Promotion and Communication, Forestry Division at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Receiving the Special Commendation Award in the 2025 RDS Teagasc Farm Forestry Category was Wexford farmer Hugh Barrett, along with his daughter Sally.

Farming on 30 hectares in Castlerea, County Roscommon, Brian Flanagan buys in one-year old cattle and sells them on after 12-18 months. Having joined the Organic Farming Scheme last year, the number of cattle he sells will reduce next year as the farm converts to organic production.

In 2010 Brian planted 11 hectares of the farm and now has a mix of Sitka spruce and oak, having replaced 5ha of ash in 2017. His reasons for planting were split between diversifying farm income and a long-term interest in trees, forests and the wider environment. Brian also has plans to invest in a wood-chipper to provide organic bedding from some of his harvested material. Brian is a great believer in and strong advocate of planting  from the benefits of a more stable income and shelter for the stock to the reduction in workload and how forestry complements his land in the ACRES scheme. And, if all that wasnt enough, Brians forest provides him and his family with an amazing amenity on their doorstep.

On receiving the 2025 RDS Teagasc Farm Forestry Award, Brian Flanagan said: Im delighted firstly to have been shortlisted and secondly to have won the Teagasc award. I feel its great that the woodland has got recognition of the farming and biodiversity benefits that it brings.

Congratulating Brian and Karen Flanagan, Professor Pat Dillon highlighted how The award acknowledges Brian and Karens role in successfully diversifying their family farm income streams through the sustainable integration of their forestry and farming enterprises while enhancing and protecting the farm and wider environment. Professor Dillon added: Brian is also an excellent example of a farmer demonstrating innovation and entrepreneurship to future-proof the family farm while improving work-life balance. Teagasc is delighted to be associated with the RDS Forestry Awards through our sponsorship of the Farm Forestry Award Category.

Noel Kennedy, Teagasc Forestry Advisor said: I congratulate Brian and Karen on their well-deserved award. Their farming story is one of successful diversification into forestry and highlights how farms and forests can work so well together to support the family farm with strong economic, practical, social and environmental benefits.

The 2026 RDS Farm Forestry Awards, incorporating the Teagasc Farm Forestry Award, will open soon for entries. For more updates and information on this and all aspects of forest creation, management and training visit www.teagasc.ie/forestry
Rumor mill: Microsoft is exploring a brand refresh for some of its most iconic applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. To gather insights on this potential redesign, the tech giant recently sent out a survey seeking user feedback on new icon concepts for its Microsoft 365 suite.

The discovery was first reported by Windows Central, which received details about the survey from a reader who shared the email.

"At Microsoft, we're always striving to improve our products and create a user experience that truly resonates with you," the email states. The survey, which is expected to take about 15 minutes to complete, invites participants to share their preferences regarding the proposed iconography.

Early glimpses of the new icons reveal a shift toward greater visual depth and personality compared to the current flat designs that have been in use for years. While flat design has been a dominant trend in recent years, these new icons incorporate layered elements that add dimension and individuality.

This marks a significant departure from the current Microsoft 365 icons, some of which have been criticized for being overly similar, with only color variations distinguishing them. For instance, the proposed designs for Word and Excel are notably more distinct in this new iteration.

This redesign comes more than six years after Microsoft last updated its Office app icons. That overhaul introduced a modernized look aligned with the Fluent design system and simplified ribbon interfaces within the apps. Before that, Office icons had retained the same designs for roughly five years.

The new icons appear to build on Microsoft's evolving Fluent 2 design language, which has also influenced other visual updates across its ecosystem, such as the 3D emoji in Windows 11 and a revamped sign-in interface featuring dark mode.

Interestingly, despite recent changes to the Microsoft 365 logo  which sparked jokes and criticism  the new app icons do not incorporate branding elements like the Copilot logo.

Microsoft has yet to officially announce or confirm when  or if  these designs will be rolled out publicly. According to Windows Central, Microsoft might use this survey to fine-tune the designs based on user feedback before making final decisions.

Reddit users have also commented on the potential redesigns after spotting them in online discussions. The community's reactions range from excitement about the added depth and individuality of the icons to curiosity about how these changes will integrate into Microsoft's broader branding strategy.
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Why it matters: Although President Trump has implemented a 90-day pause on his latest tariffs, China has been hit even harder, with duties on items it exports to the US reaching 125%. This is expected to have a significant impact on Chinese companies that sell products on Amazon, forcing them to either raise their prices for American consumers or exit the market entirely.

After Trump raised tariffs on Chinese imports to 125% up from the current 104%, Wang Xin, the head of the Shenzhen Cross-Border E-Commerce Association, which represents more than 3,000 Amazon sellers, told Reuters that the tariffs weren't just a tax issue; they were overwhelming the entire cost structure.

She warned that most sellers would find surviving the US market very difficult. The only options were to raise prices in the country or leave to find new markets.

Also read: Trump's dream of a US-made iPhone clashes with Apple's manufacturing reality

Five Shenzhen-based Amazon sellers who spoke to the publication agreed with Wang's assessment. Three said they would raise prices for their exports to the US, while two said they were planning to leave the market entirely.

One seller said he had raised prices in the US by up to 30%. He also plans to let his inventory levels fall and lower spending on Amazon advertising fees, which once took up 40% of his US revenue.

"We have to reduce investment, and put more resources into regions like Europe, Canada, Mexico and the rest of the world," he said.

Another seller said that maintaining his margins might require prices for higher-cost items to be raised by 50%.

Over half of Amazon's sellers are based in China, with more than 100,000 registered in Shenzhen, aka the Silicon Valley of China. They generate annual revenues of $35.3 billion, according to estimates.

According to China's State Council, the country's imports and exports involving cross-border e-commerce were worth $358 billion last year.

Wang also warned that the tariffs could lead to a rapid increase in China's unemployment rate.

It's not just Amazon's Chinese sellers being affect by Trump's actions. Popular platforms Shein and Temu, known for selling virtually everything at low prices, will feel the impact of the de minimis exemption ending at midnight on May 1.

The de minimis exemption allows items valued at under $800 to be imported without facing added extra duties. After it ends, these shipments sent through the international postal network will be subject to a duty rate of 90% of their value or $75 (rising to $150 after June 1) per item.

Some rival American companies have welcomed the end of de minimis. Forever 21, which is winding down its US operations, attributed its decline to companies leveraging duty-free exemptions on low-cost Chinese imports to gain a pricing advantage.
In brief: Microsoft is considering making more job cuts this year, adding to the performance-based layoffs and other terminations it has implemented in 2025 so far. The latest round could come as soon as May and will reportedly target managers and non-coding staff.

Some Microsoft organizations are looking to increase their span of control, defined as the number of direct reports or subordinates a manager or supervisor oversees. It also wants to increase the number of coders compared to non-coders on projects.

According to anonymous people familiar with the matter who spoke to Business Insider, Microsoft has yet to decide how many jobs will be cut, though one person said it could be a significant portion of their team.

Other companies such as Amazon and Google are also reducing the number of managers and executives in their drive for efficiency.

Microsoft wants to decrease the ratio of product/program managers (PMs) to engineers. Microsoft security boss Charlie Bell's division has a ratio of around 5.5 engineers to one PM, but he wants that to reach 10:1.

News that Microsoft is targeting non-coders in these cuts is in contrast to the many stories about generative AI replacing the need for programmers. Microsoft CTO Kevin Scott made the startling prediction last week that 95% of all code will be generated by AI by 2030. He added that humans would still be involved in the process, though it's easy to imagine that there will be fewer of them.

At the start of the year, Microsoft confirmed it was implementing performance-based layoffs, though it said those let go would be replaced with new hires. Microsoft rates employees on a scale of 0 to 200 and bases their stock awards and bonuses on this rating. Anyone in the 60 to 80 range  100 is average  is rated as a low performer.

Soon after those performance cuts were revealed, the company said it was making more job cuts across its business, impacting employees in the gaming, experience & devices, sales, and security divisions.

In other Microsoft news, the company this week terminated the employment of two engineers who protested against its AI-related contracts with the Israeli government.
WTF?! There have been several stories over the years about different governments creating crime-predicting algorithms, leading to comparisons to the 2002 movie Minority Report  even though that film involved clairvoyant humans. The UK government is the latest to come under the spotlight for working on this technology, but officials insist it is only a research project  at least for now.

The UK government's program, originally called the "homicide prediction project," works by using algorithms to analyze the information of hundreds of thousands of people, including victims of crime, in the hope of identifying those most likely to commit serious violent offences, writes The Guardian.

Civil liberties group Statewatch uncovered the project through the Freedom of Information Act. It claimed that the tool was developed using data from between 100,000 and 500,000 people. Statewatch says the group includes not only those with criminal convictions, but also victims of crime, though officials deny this is the case, claiming it only uses existing data from convicted offenders.

The data included names, dates of birth, gender, ethnicity, and a number that identifies people on the police national computer. It also covers sensitive information such as mental health, addiction, suicide and vulnerability, self-harm, and disabilities.

"The Ministry of Justice's attempt to build this murder prediction system is the latest chilling and dystopian example of the government's intent to develop so-called crime 'prediction' systems," said Sofia Lyall, a researcher for Statewatch.

"Time and again, research shows that algorithmic systems for 'predicting' crime are inherently flawed."

"This latest model, which uses data from our institutionally racist police and Home Office, will reinforce and magnify the structural discrimination underpinning the criminal legal system."

Officials say that the program is an extension of existing risk-prediction tools, which are often used to predict the likelihood of a prisoner reoffending when they approach their release date. They added that the project is designed to see if adding new data sources from police and custody data would improve risk assessment.

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said the project is being conducted for research purposes only.

There's a long history of crime-predicting algorithms that often get compared to Minority Report, including South Korea's "Dejaview"  an AI system that analyzes CCTV footage to detect and potentially prevent criminal activity. It works by analyzing patterns and identifying signs of impending crimes.

In 2022, university researchers said they had developed an algorithm that could predict future crime one week in advance with an accuracy of 90%.

Also in 2022, it was reported that China was looking at ways to build profiles of its citizens, from which an automated system could predict potential dissidents or criminals before they have a chance to act on their impulses.
Elon Musk's Starlink seems to have ended up with the short end of the stick amidst President Donald Trump's tariff fiasco as it has been reported that government entities in Canada, which were once Starlink clients, are looking to divest.

For some, their contracts with Starlink are set to expire soon, but others are outright canceling their deals with Musk's company.

Canada is one of the countries that have been slapped with tariffs by Trump.

Canada Is Divesting Starlink Subsidies, Contracts

According to the Financial Times, one of the long-time clients of Starlink, Quebec, said that it will no longer renew its contract with the company when it expires this June.

Quebec has already spent $130 million on its operations with Starlink to allow its citizens to avail of a discounted satellite internet service from the company for over three years now.

On the other hand, Ontario Premier Doug Ford recently pulled out of its contract with Starlink worth $100 million.

Yukon Premier Ranj Pillai also claimed that he is canceling Starlink contracts as well.

Trump's Trade War: What's Next for Musk?

According to CNET, the Public Interest Advocacy Centre's Executive Director, Geoff White, claimed that as long as Musk is "aiding and abetting" President Trump, they would like to avoid doing business and receiving service from Starlink. Furthermore, White called Musk a "threat" to their sovereignty.

Despite Canada's divestment and boycott of Musk and Starlink, his satellite internet business is still gaining traction in the US, especially for government contracts and rural broadband subsidies.

Elon Musk's Starlink Expansion

Despite the shaky status of Starlink's partnerships and relationships with foreign nations and companies, Elon Musk is seeing a significant development in the US for its satellite internet service.

Recently SpaceX was invited by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to help them fix their air traffic control system and operations.

Apart from the FAA, Starlink has also caught the attention of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) as its preferred network service provider for rural areas, with the company set to receive a massive contract, per reports.

That being said, it is known that during the Biden administration, Starlink tried and tried again to secure an FCC rural subsidies contract but was rejected multiple times.
Spotify CEO Daniel Ek went outside his music streaming venture to launch Neko Health, the biggest body-scanning clinic in London.

Unlike the usual health facilities that detect abnormalities in the patient's bodies, it makes use of state-of-the-art technology to revolutionize preventive healthcare by accelerating full-body diagnostics, making them smarter and more accessible.

AI Body Scans Meet Human Insight

With the help of business Hjalmar Nilsonne, Ek managed to open the biggest AI-driven clinic in Spitalfields Market in London. According to The Next Web, the company successfully launched its first UK branch in Marylebone six months ago.

Central to Neko Health's mission is its innovative combination of cutting-edge technology and specialized medical assessment. Neko Health clinics employ lidar sensors, AI software, skin mapping, and real-time blood analysis to collect millions of data points within minutes.

From cardiovascular health and vascular function to inflammation and dermatological issues, the system identifies early signs of potential medical problems.

What distinguishes Neko is its human-led reading: following the scan, a qualified physician goes over the results in person with the patient, interpreting hard-to-digest information into simple wisdom, all during a single hour-long appointment.

Spitalfields Clinic Doubles Scan Capacity

Located in one of London's most vibrant districts, the new 7,466-square-foot Spitalfields clinic is built for scale. It can accommodate up to 30,000 scans per year, significantly boosting the company's UK footprint. This expansion marks the next phase of Neko's ambitious plan to make proactive healthcare mainstream.

Nilsonne said that they are currently doubling down in London to scale up the healthcare venture.

Why London Is Neko's Strategic Launchpad

Selecting London as the starting point for global expansion was not coincidental. As stated by a Neko spokesperson, the city has a "globally representative and competitive private healthcare market" and is the perfect proving ground for wider expansion.

"If we can break into this market, we have a chance to do it elsewhere. Additionally, London is a global healthcare hub, with world-class medical institutions and research centers," the firm said.

The business is already set to launch two additional UK clinics later this year, while in the meantime, assessing other major cities as potential future locations.

Consumer Demand Indications Point to Increasing Trust

Neko Health's 299-a-scan model is highly appealing to consumers. Its Marylebone clinic rapidly accumulated lengthy waiting lists, and the firm says 80% of patients book in for next year upon completion of their first appointment.

So far, more than 15,000 body scans have been conducted at Neko's clinics in London and Stockholm, a figure likely to increase exponentially with the arrival of the new clinic.

To experience Neko Health's service, sign up for the scan waitlist by clicking here.
Argentine's chief prosecutor, Sebastian Basso, has formally requested a federal court to issue an arrest warrant for Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.

Azernews reports, citing a post on social media, that the request has been made in connection with the 1994 bombing of the AMIA Jewish center in Buenos Aires.

According to the post, 85 people were murdered at the event that had been plotted 30 years ago.

Basso asserts that Khamenei was involved in planning the attack and authorized its execution through a fatwa..
Key facts on deep-sea mining



Bergen, Norway, April 10 (AFP) Apr 10, 2025



Supporters see deep-sea mining as a boon for the green energy transition, while opponents see it as an irresponsible gamble.

It is not yet a commercial reality, but that could change in 2025.

Here are some key things to know about deep-sea mining:



- What resources lie on the ocean floor? -

The seabed is home to three types of metal deposits that have taken thousands or even millions of years to develop.

-- Polymetallic nodules are potato-sized pebbles that result from the very slow precipitation of minerals around fragments such as shark teeth or fish ear bones.

Found at depths of 4,000 to 6,000 metres (13,000 to 20,000 feet), particularly in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone in the Pacific Ocean between Hawaii and Mexico, these nodules contain mainly manganese, iron, cobalt, copper and nickel.

-- Cobalt crusts are rocky masses found at depths of 400 to 4,000 metres, formed by the accumulation of metals contained in seawater. They have to be laboriously separated and removed from the underlying rocks, with one area explored in the northwestern Pacific. They contain manganese, iron, cobalt, and platinum.

-- Sulfide deposits or polymetallic sulfides are metal-rich deposits (containing copper, zinc, gold, silver) around chimneys from which water enriched with dissolved metals is expelled. These clusters are found at depths of between 800 and 5,000 metres, at ridges or near submarine volcanoes in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans.



- Why mine them? -

Cobalt and nickel are essential elements used in electric car batteries. They are currently extracted from minerals mined on land at great human and environmental expense, in addition to the substantial and toxic waste from the chemicals-based refining process.

Electric cables are made of copper and demand is expected to skyrocket in line with electrification in the 21st century.

Supporters of deep-sea mining argue that collecting nodules on the Pacific floor does not mean razing or reducing the seabed's rocks and mountains to dust, as is done at mines on land.



- The environmental cost? -

Little is known about deep-sea environments, which play a role in storing carbon and have long been free from human activity.

Scientists and environmentalists fear that mining activities risk disturbing or destroying marine ecosystems about which very little is known.

According to the international scientists' initiative Ocean Census, only 250,000 species, out of the two million believed to populate the oceans, have been identified.

Mining activities could destroy the habitats of organisms living on or near the seabed; alter the water's local chemistry; cause noise and light pollution; or result in chemical leaks from machinery and equipment, Greenpeace fears.

32 states, including Brazil, Britain, Canada, Germany and Mexico, have called for a moratorium on deep-sea mining in international waters, according to the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition.



- Current state of play? -

No commercial production licence has been issued anywhere in the world for deep-sea mining, though some countries have launched or are preparing to launch exploration in their exclusive economic zones (within 200 nautical miles, or 370 kilometres, of their coastlines).

The only industrial technology developed so far is that to retrieve nodules.

Japan has two exploration contracts, while the Cook Islands has awarded exploration licences to three companies in their waters and is also cooperating with China.

In Europe, Norway had planned to award exploration licences for deep-sea mining in 2025, a move delayed until 2026 as part of a political compromise.

In international waters, it is the International Seabed Authority (ISA) that authorises deep-sea mining. It has awarded exploration licences to several companies and countries to test their technologies, but none so far for actual mining.

Torn between proponents of mining and advocates of a moratorium, the ISA is struggling to produce a "mining code" that has been under negotiation since 2014.

Canada's The Metals Company lost patience and said this year it would skirt the ISA and turn to the United States -- not members of the organisation -- to begin mining in international waters.
Papua New Guinea lifts ban on forest carbon credits



Sydney, April 10 (AFP) Apr 10, 2025



Papua New Guinea will "immediately" lift a ban on forest carbon credit schemes, the Pacific nation's climate minister told AFP on Thursday, opening up its vast wilderness to offset global emissions.

The island of New Guinea is cloaked in the world's third-largest rainforest belt, helping the planet breathe by sucking in carbon dioxide gas and turning it into oxygen.

Foreign companies have in recent years snapped up tracts of forest in an attempt to sell carbon credits, pledging to protect trees that would otherwise fall prey to logging or land clearing.

But a string of mismanagement scandals forced Papua New Guinea to temporarily shut down this "voluntary" carbon market in March 2022.

Environment Minister Simo Kilepa told AFP that, with new safeguards now in place, this three-year moratorium would "be lifted immediately".

"Papua New Guinea is uplifting the moratorium on voluntary carbon markets," Kilepa said.

"We now have carbon market regulations in place and... guidelines to administer and regulate the carbon market."

Papua New Guinea has ambitions to become a "key player in international carbon markets", officials from the national climate body told a briefing last week.

Carbon credit schemes are seen as a crucial tool in halting the destruction of Papua New Guinea's steamy rainforests, which are thought to shelter around seven percent of global biodiversity.

Before the 2022 moratorium, foreign-backed syndicates were able to sign carbon credit deals directly with village elders.

In essence, they paid landowners so that tracts of rainforest would not be cleared for crops, sold for mining, or chopped down and turned into logs.

By protecting jungle that would have disappeared, these companies generated carbon credits they could sell on international markets.



- 'Carbon cowboys' -



The scale of some proposals was immense -- one carbon trading scheme to be based on Papua New Guinea's northern coast would have ranked among the biggest in the world, according to Carbon Market Watch.

But Papua New Guinea's carbon market was mired in controversy, with one regional governor alleging some foreign firms were little more than "carbon cowboys" out to make quick cash.

An investigation by Australian national broadcaster ABC alleged logging was still taking place in rainforests set aside for carbon credits.

And some landowners complained the lucrative promises of their foreign partners went largely unfulfilled.

"Attempts to establish projects have resulted in land disputes and the emergence of 'Carbon Cowboys'," wrote Australian environmental consultants Sustineo.

Carbon credit schemes around the world have been marred by a litany of similar complaints.

No common set of rules governs these trades, and many projects have been accused of selling essentially worthless credits.

Governments often force heavy polluters to offset emissions through mandatory carbon credit schemes.

But firms, charities and individuals can also choose to buy credits on so-called voluntary carbon markets.

Papua New Guinea's voluntary scheme falls under an international framework known as REDD, or reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries.

Papua New Guinea has been hammering out a bilateral deal which could see it produce carbon credits for city-state Singapore.

In 2023, Papua New Guinea signed a memorandum of understanding with Dubai-based firm Blue Carbon, which has been securing swaths of land across Africa for carbon credits.
UK police arrest Greenpeace activists over US embassy protest



London, April 10 (AFP) Apr 10, 2025



Police in London said they have arrested at least five people after Greenpeace activists poured red dye into a pond outside the US embassy on Thursday in protest against arms sales to Israel.

The campaign group said a dozen activists poured 300 litres of biodegradable dye into the pond outside the embassy in southwest London, using containers bearing the words "Stop Arming Israel".

"Five people have so far been arrested nearby on suspicion of criminal damage and conspiracy to cause criminal damage," the Metropolitan Police force said.

Greenpeace UK said six people had been arrested, including one of its heads but the police did not provide the names of those detained.

Will McCallum, Greenpeace UK's co-executive director was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to cause criminal damage, the group said in a statement.

"These arrests are further proof that the right to protest is under attack in the UK. This protest used biodegradable pond dye that is designed to disperse and wash away naturally," said co-executive director Areeba Hamid.

Police said the pond could be reached by a public footpath and that "there was no breach or attempted breach of the secure perimeter" of the embassy site in Nine Elms.

Greenpeace is calling for the UK and US governments to impose an arms embargo on Israel, which renewed its offensive in Gaza last month.

UK campaigners have criticised the arrests of climate and pro-Palestinian protesters under beefed-up anti-protest powers granted to the police.

Last month, a court cut by one year a five-year jail term imposed on Just Stop Oil's 58-year-old co-founder Roger Hallam accused of conspiracy for planning to block the M25 motorway in an online call.
Census shows high number of brown bears in Romania



Bucharest, April 10 (AFP) Apr 10, 2025



A census of brown bears using DNA for the first time has revealed that up to 13,000 of the protected species are living in Romania, much more than the 8,000 previously estimated, the government announced on Thursday.

The announcement raised scepticism among activists, who slam the government for increasingly allowing bear hunting in the country, home to Europe's largest brown bear population outside Russia.

Authorities have frequently argued in recent years that the bear population has became too large, as attacks on humans and lovestick have increased.

Less than two weeks ago, a man was severely hurt by a bear in a mountain resort in Romania. He remains in critical condition.

The new preliminary figures are taken from a genetic census done in the country, using more than 24,000 samples, including faeces and hair.

Previously, bear prints were counted to give an estimate of the population.

The new study -- launched in 2021, with the EU contributing 11 million euros ($12 million) in financing -- concluded between 10,419 and 12,770 brown bears live in Romania, while authorities say the optimal number is 4,000.

"We can state for the first time in the history of Romania with a solid scientific basis how many bears we have in the forest," environment minister Mircea Fechet told a press conference.

He added that measures are needed to make it easier to prevent bears reaching communities and putting lives of people in danger.

One proposal is to give more flexibility to mayors to decide what to do with the animals.

Romania will also again ask the European Union to remove bears from the list of strictly protected species, Fechet said.

Cristian-Remus Papp from the Romanian branch of the World Wildlife Fund said he was surprised by the big number announced by the government, criticising a lack of transparency from the Romanian authorities about the genetic study.

"There are a lot of unknowns about this study," he told AFP.

In 2024, Romania allowed the killing of almost 500 bears -- double 2023's cull -- after a young hiker was mauled to death on a popular trail in Romania's Carpathian Mountains in Transylvania.

The actual number killed was around 400, according to the environment ministry.

Over the past two decades, bears have killed 26 people in Romania and seriously hurt 274, according to 2024 data.

In 2023, 7,500 emergency calls related to bears were recorded.
Romanian truck driver fined $29 mn over French cocaine haul



Lille, France, April 10 (AFP) Apr 10, 2025



A French court on Thursday ordered a Romanian truck driver to pay a 28.8 million euro ($29 million) fine and sent him to jail for 10 years after finding 438 kilograms of cocaine in his vehicle, prosecutors said.

The case is the latest to be dealt with in France where record amounts of cocaine have flooded the country, with Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau saying France faces a "white tsunami".

In 2024, French law enforcement seized 53.5 tonnes of cocaine, up 130 percent compared with 2023 (23 tonnes), interior ministry data shows.

Custom officers had to use an industrial grinder to cut through the rear wall of the truck in February to find the hidden bricks of cocaine, prosecutors said. The size of the fine imposed by a court in the northern town of Cambrai was based on the value of the drug.
Local libraries, museums and other cultural institutions are reeling as the federal funding landscape grows more and more uncertain  particularly following the dismantling of the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the only federal agency that specifically supports libraries and museums.

Leaders of these institutions anticipate reduced funding from every level of government and the potential corresponding reduction in the services and programming this funding supports.

This has the potential to really damage one of the last true cornerstones of democracy, and thats the public library, Albany Public Library Director Eric Ikenouye said. Its unfortunate, because it seems like thats what the intent is.

The last true cornerstone

On March 31, what remained of Institute of Museum and Library Services already reduced staff was placed on leave, effectively shuttering the organization, according to a statement from local arts organizations.

On April 3, U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley sounded the alarm over potential federal funding cuts to the agency.

The removal of Institute of Museum and Library Services staff came two weeks after President Donald Trump issued an executive order naming the agency as one of seven that ought to be eliminated to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law, according to The New York Times.

For the 2024 fiscal year, according to a news release from Merkleys office, Congress appropriated $294.8 million for Institute of Museum and Library Services, and Oregon benefitted from almost $3.6 million of that funding.

Of that Oregon slice of the pie, more than $2.5 million went to the grants to states program under the Library Services Technology Act, which is the largest source of federal funding support for library services in the U.S.

Library Services Technology Act grants from the State Library of Oregon in 2024 remain secure, according to its website. The State Library is currently waiting for the official fiscal year 2025 award letter from Institute of Museum and Library Services, expected this month.

Federal funding represents roughly 25% of the State Librarys overall budget, according to Corvallis-Benton County Public Library Director Ashlee Chavez. The local library utilizes Library Services Technology Act grant funding that comes down from the state for its youth summer intern and for its library software that manages its patrons, collection and circulation data.

State funding also supports the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library's databases, as well as its participation in the summer reading support program iRead, Oregon Battle of the Books and statewide educational programming.

Oregon State University also receives Institute of Museum and Library Services funding for a variety of programs, including collection support, according to Chavez.

The support we receive from the State Library cannot be understated, nor can it be replaced, Chavez wrote to Mid-Valley Media via email. What I cant speak to is exactly what the State Library would cut if they do experience these cuts. There are many unknowns in this situation.

At this time, regular services from the State Library will continue, according to its website.

Chavez added that cuts to the Corvallis-Benton County library could potentially be covered by its supportive nonprofit the Friends and Foundation of the Library. But this takes away from their ability to fund other resources for us, she wrote.

Like its counterpart west of the Willamette River, the Albany Public Library does not rely on large amounts of money from the federal government but is impacted by how it trickles down from the state level, according to Ikenouye.

Despite this, the library is already feeling the squeeze. In June 2024, the Albany Public Library was awarded an Innovation in Summer Reading award by the American Library Association for having one of the 10 best summer reading programs in the country.

It was due to receive its award, which included $5,000 for the library, at the 2025 annual ALA conference in Philadelphia. But because of cuts to the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the ALA is no longer going to present the award or offer the $5,000 that was part of the recognition, Ikenouye said.

We can do quite a bit with $5,000, he said. So its really disappointing that we could see immediate impacts of these cuts damaging our summer reading program, damaging experiences for kids.

According to an email to Albany City Council from City Manager Peter Troedsson, without ongoing state funding, it's unlikely the scope and scale of the citys summer reading program can continue.

OSUs Valley Library did not respond to Mid-Valley Medias requests for comment by deadline, and the Lebanon Public Library declined to comment.

Big and immediate threats

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is not the only federal agency whose reduction or dissolution will negatively impact local cultural institutions, according to Benton County Historical Society Executive Director Jessica Hougen.

The National Endowment for the Humanities recently placed 80% of its staff on leave and canceled active grants. This included a grant for Oregon Humanities, which offers programming that Benton County Historical Society has brought in in the past, Hougen said.

The Benton County Historical Society, which operates the Corvallis and Philomath Museums, previously has received grant funding from Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Its biggest support came from a multiyear grant that allowed the organization to hire a new full-time position to manage the move of the Horner Collection, 60,000 artifacts and photographs, from OSU to its storage facility. It also supported the additional workloads of other staff members and more during the transition.

Before the chaos ensued, the organization had intended to apply for similar funding in the next couple of years, Houghen said.

However, her biggest and most immediate concern is the county. About a quarter of Benton County Historical Societys operating budget is from the county, she said, which has been supporting the organization since 1978.

And right now, Houghen said, the county is struggling with how to deal with direct impacts to its federal government funding.

If the county continues to be dramatically impacted, that will trickle down to us pretty quickly, she said.

Shes examined a worst-case scenario in which the county cuts all funding to the organization, and Houghen believes there is no way she could continue operating two museums and a collection center as well as maintain the organizations current staffing levels.

Houghen stepped into her role as executive director in August 2021. She said shes never seen anything as existentially threatening to museums  and arts and culture as a whole  as what is happening right now.

Even in the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic, she said, the federal government was putting out supportive funding.

Its the government taking it away now, she said. There wont be any big safety nets like that.

Related stories:
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The Prada Group has officially acquired Versace from the U.S. luxury group Capri Holdings.

The deal was announced on Thursday under terms that value the fashion house at $1.4 billion (1.25 billion).

We are delighted to welcome Versace to the Prada Group and to build a new chapter for a brand with which we share a strong commitment to creativity, craftsmanship, and heritage, said Patrizio Bertelli, Prada Group chairman and executive director.

We aim to continue Versaces legacy celebrating and re-interpreting its bold and timeless aesthetic; at the same time, we will provide it with a strong platform, reinforced by years of ongoing investments and rooted in longstanding relationships.

Prada said the addition of Versaces highly recognizable aesthetic  constitutes a strongly complementary addition to its portfolio, which includes the Prada and Miu Miu fashion brands. It said Milan-based Versace offered significant untapped growth potential.

The final value of the deal will be adjusted at closing, which is expected to come in the second half of the year. 1.5 billion in new debt will fund it and has been approved by the Prada and Capri Holdings board of directors.

The Prada Group acquires Versace in new $1.4 billion deal, pending approval, after Donatella Versace steps down as creative director ( Getty Images )

Versace will maintain its creative DNA and cultural authenticity, while benefitting from the full strength of the Groups considerable consolidated platform, including industrial capabilities, retail execution and operational expertise, Prada continued in a statement.

Versace, founded in 1978 by the late Gianni Versace, has been owned since 2018 by Capri Holdings, which also owns Michael Kors and Jimmy Choo.

Capri Holdings paid $2 billion for Versace but had been struggling in the recent era of quiet luxury to position the stalwart of Italian fashion with its sexy silhouettes and loud patterns.

Last month, Capri Holdings named Dario Vitale as creative director to replace Donatella Versace, who assumed the role after her brothers 1997 murder. Vitale came from Miu Miu, the stunningly successful youth-driven brand in the Prada Group.

Donatella was given the new role of chief brand ambassador in the shakeup, which was widely viewed as setting the scene for the long-rumored Prada sale. Miuccia Prada acknowledged the groups interest on the sidelines of Milan Fashion Week in February.

John D. Idol, Capri Holdings chairman and chief executive officer, said the sale of Versace reflects the companys commitment to increase shareholder value, strengthen our balance sheet, and power the future growth of Michael Kors and Jimmy Choo.

He added: We will continue to execute on the strategic initiatives shared at our recent Investor Day and remain confident in the long-term growth potential of Michael Kors and Jimmy Choo.

Additional reporting by The Associated Press
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A popular hot sauce brand is recalling select products because they may contain an unlisted ingredient that could pose life-threatening risks to some consumers.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced last Thursday that T.W. Garner Food Company is recalling its Texas Pete Habanero Buffalo Sauce because it may contain Sriracha Sauce, which includes sulfites  a known allergen not disclosed on the product label. Sulfites can trigger severe or potentially fatal allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

In addition, the company is recalling its Texas Pete Sweet CHAbanero Sauce due to an omission of Aged Peppers in the ingredients list.

The recall includes both the 12-ounce and the two-ounce bottles of the habanero buffalo sauce with best-by dates of November 7, 2025, and December 5, 2025.

For the Sweet CHAbanero Sauce, the two-ounce bottles with MFR codes BB 090427M and BB 082627M, as well as the 20 fluid-ounce and half-gallon containers, were recalled.

The hot sauce bottles were distributed between February 5 and March 26, according to the FDAs report. They were shipped to distribution centers and other stores in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, North Carolina, New Jersey, Ohio, Virginia, and Vermont.

Texas Petes Habanero Buffalo Sauce and Sweet CHAbanero Sauce were recalled ( Texas Pete )

There have currently been no reported illnesses as a result of the labeling error. Customers who have purchased the recalled bottles of hot sauce are urged to either dispose of them or return them in exchange for a full refund.

The news comes just a few days after a popular brand of sausages was recalled due to a potential plastic contamination.

Johnsonville, LLC is recalling approximately 22,672 pounds of its cheddar bratwurst product, according to an announcement shared by the United States Department of Agricultures Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) on Saturday.

The recall was issued because the sausages may have been contaminated with foreign material, specifically hard plastic.

Each of the tray packages contains five pieces of Johnsonville BRATS CHEDDAR Bratwurst and the package code B9FOD. The recalled product has the establishment number Est. 1647 on the front of the label. They were first produced on February 5, 2025.

The affected sausages were sent to various retailers in 10 states: Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

The recall was initiated after Johnsonville, LLC received complaints from two different customers reporting hard plastic found in their bratwurst. At the time of writing, there have been no reports of injuries due to the consumption of the sausage.

FSIS is urging consumers not to eat these products and to throw them away immediately. Consumers can also return the recalled product to the store they bought it from.
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A 20-year-old student says she would "do anything" to have her childhood eczema back after a suspected topical steroid withdrawal (TSW) made her skin so painful that she had to quit university.

Bethany Gamble, from Birmingham, has used topical corticosteroid cream to treat eczema on her face and body since the age of two.

While the creams initially relieved her symptoms, they became less effective as she grew older and at 18, Bethany began experiencing extreme flare-ups, described as a burning itch "deep inside the nerves, oozing wounds and hair loss so severe she shaved her head.

open image in gallery Bethany said her symptoms have made her feel 'lonely' and 'isolated' ( Collect/PA Real Life )

The debilitating symptoms, including insomnia and being bedbound, forced her to drop out of university in 2023.

Gamble believes she is suffering from TSW, a suspected extreme reaction to prolonged steroid cream use, after finding others with similar experiences on TikTok.

But while Bethany is convinced this is the cause of her pain, doctors have refused to officially diagnose her and instead stated the condition is just extreme eczema.

open image in gallery Bethany said she struggled to maintain her eczema as she got older ( Collect/PA Real Life )

She recently joined a group of TSW sufferers to deliver a petition to Downing Street, calling on the medical community to acknowledge the condition  for which experts have said there is an urgent need for high-quality research.

It burns a lot, it feels like your skin is on fire, like hundreds of pieces of glass are sticking into your skin, Bethany said.

I would do anything to have my eczema back  I would rather have my original eczema for the rest of my life than TSW for one day.

Pretty much everyone in the medical profession will not acknowledge it, and theres only a select few people across the country that will.

I would just love a diagnosis, I would love to be listened to, and I would love to be told that I actually have TSW.

Bethany said she has been applying topical corticosteroid cream to her skin for the best part of 17 years to help relieve her eczema symptoms of itching and bleeding.

The creams have different potencies and strengths, and as you get older, they gradually stop working until youre given ones that are stronger and stronger, she said.

She added that she was eventually prescribed oral steroids because she had reached the top of the ladder.

open image in gallery Bethany has called on the medical community to acknowledge topical steroid withdrawal ( Collect/PA Real Life )

Bethany said she struggled to maintain her eczema as she got older due to the medication becoming less effective  but her symptoms grew worse around the time she turned 18 in 2022.

She suddenly struggled with burning, inflamed and bright red skin, a lot of oozing, feeling extremely itchy deep inside the nerves and hair loss to the point she eventually shaved it off.

Eczema doesnt have these symptoms I knew something had to be wrong, and even my mum was saying eczema doesnt make you bed-bound, she said.

Also experiencing extreme insomnia due to the discomfort, Bethany kept using her medication because she didnt know what TSW was at this point.

Eventually, she had to drop out of the Academy of Contemporary Music in Birmingham in May 2023, where she was studying for a degree in music production.

Its sad I didnt get to finish my degree. I dont think Ill be going back as I need to get into work, she added.

open image in gallery Bethany said she would 'do anything to have my eczema back' ( Collect/PA Real Life )

Feeling lonely and isolated, Bethany struggled with her symptoms and desperately sought a diagnosis.

She stumbled across TSW on TikTok and felt she resonated with many others on the platform  where the TSW hashtag has more than one billion views.

I researched it a lot and spoke to different people and came to the conclusion it was what I had, I made my own diagnosis, she said.

Bethany said she has since been told she is suffering from extreme eczema.

When I would bring it up to my doctor, they would say TSW is false or rare or doesnt exist  they will just say it is eczema, she said.

Even if they did agree with me, I dont think they would even be allowed to diagnose it because TSW doesnt have a diagnostic criteria; its not in the medical world yet.

Bethany still struggles with the condition and has been taking immunosuppressants since September 2023 to try to keep her symptoms at bay.

Ive been using steroid creams pretty much my whole life, so its hard to tell how long Ill experience this for  Im definitely not out of it yet, she said.

open image in gallery Bethany said her skin 'burns a lot' ( Collect/PA Real Life )

Bethany has called on the medical community to acknowledge the condition and took part in an annual march around central London last month along with others who suspect they have TSW.

The group handed a petition to Downing Street on March 29, asking the Government to review prescribing protocols for topical corticosteroids.

The community are trying to bring it forward into existence  we want people to know it is real, Bethany said.

A joint statement by the National Eczema Society, the British Dermatological Nursing Group and the British Association of Dermatologists acknowledges TSW and the urgent need for high-quality research into the condition.

While it said topicial corticosteroids are a safe and effective treatment for many people and most side-effects are well-known, the group of side-effects known as TSW is generally less well understood.

The statement also said there are many challenges to understanding and managing TSW, and a lack of a clear medical definition can make it difficult for healthcare professionals to speak with those who are experiencing these reactions.

According to the NHS website, people who have been using topical corticosteroids for a long time should talk to their doctor to review their treatment, where they may be advised to stop gradually to avoid a withdrawal reaction.

Those who stop using topical corticosteroids after using them continuously for a long time, usually more than 12 months in adults, may have a withdrawal reaction which can sometimes be severe.
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Uber has revealed some of the craziest things that passengers left in the backseat after completing their car rides.

On Tuesday, the car service released its ninth annual Uber Lost & Found Index, showcasing the items that passengers usually forget to take when exiting a car. Some of these are the everyday essentials, like phones, wallets, keys, headphones, and a water bottle.

However, many Uber drivers have found a series of passengers belongings that are anything but ordinary.

From wayward mannequin heads to live lobsters, Uber riders have left behind some truly unforgettable items this year, Camiel Irving, VP of Operations and GM of Mobility US&C at Uber said in a press release. Whether essential or totally unusual, we understand how important it is to be reunited with your lost belongings. The Uber Lost & Found Index celebrates the most unique and commonly forgotten items, while reminding riders that getting support to retrieve their prized possessions is simple through the Uber app.

Heres the list of the 50 most unique lost items that passengers left in Uber cars in 2025.

Mannequin head with human hair Viking drinking horn Ghostbusters ghost trap Chainsaw Breast milk Fine china Turtle Urinal Club promoter sign reading Annies married  it belongs to the club Sticky boob bra Aviation headset Shrek ears Bermuda shorts A pink fan that has two hearts and the word bimbo DNA testing kit Pickleball paddles and ball 2 mattresses 15 hookahs Amethyst crystal Aquarium Witchs broom Unicycle 100 DVDs Bouquet of 100 red roses Sea moss Traffic cone A very large portrait of myself in a brown box Yankees bobblehead figure Plunger A photograph of me and my friend at Benihana Little cactus Peacock feather Lady Liberty crown Hoverboard and a mini fridge Harry potter wand Sewing machine Orthopedic foot insoles Boiled eggs and a candle Divorce papers Ozempic Remy the rat doll Blue laminated paper with yellow smiley face Cornish hens A placard that says its a Philly thing Fake blood 10 live lobsters Taxidermied rabbit Chicken sculpture Hannah Montana merchandise DJ mixing board

Uber also looked at the cities where the most riders left their belongings behind, declaring one city in the US as the most forgetful. In 2025, New York City took the title, followed by Miami, Chicago, and Los Angeles. San Francisco, Boston, Dallas, and Houston were also on the list of the 10 most forgetful cities.

Uber declared New York City as the most forgetful in 2025 ( Uber )

The company examined the dates and times people took a trip, discovering that most items were lost on October 26. In 2025, this date happened to be the Saturday before Halloween.

According to Uber, the most popular time for lost items to be reported was between 11 p.m. and midnight.

The Lost & Found Index also looked at common trends when passengers forgot their items in 2025. For example, many people left the high-end liquors they had in the car, including Don Julio 1942, Clase Azul, and Grey Goose.

More than 8,000 red items were lost in an Uber, from a cardigan to a cherry lip gloss. In addition, a whopping 1.7 million iPhones and Androids were left behind this year.

Passengers even reported forgetting their luxury items in the Uber, including Air Jordan 1s worth $1,800, a Black Gucci belt, an Alexander Wang heel, Dior slides, and YSL jeans.

In the press release, Uber also outlined a step-by-step way for passengers to get their lost items back. Passengers can use the app to report a lost item and describe where in the car they lost it before they are ultimately connected to their Uber driver.
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A Houston man who spent more than 20 years in prison on drug-related charges was released after receiving clemency from former President Joe Biden  but has now been put back behind bars over a "clerical error."

Ronald Lymuel was convicted in 2005 for possession with the intent to distribute cocaine. He spent 20 years in prison, and was granted clemency during Biden's final days in office. The clemency order was part of a broad order addressing the prison sentences of individuals who were incarcerated on non-violent drug charges.

Lymuel was released on February 9.

Tiy Bilbo, his sister, told NBC 2 Houston she couldn't describe the feeling of getting her brother back.

"Being able to hug him, and him being able to see his kids and his grandkids. He could start his life again, she said.

Two weeks later, on February 23, Lymuel received a call from the Federal Bureau of Prisons informing him that a "clerical error" had been the cause of his premature release, and he was ordered to turn himself back in immediately.

When reached for comment, the Federal Bureau of Prison said there was little information it could provide due to safety and privacy concerns.

His sister said she sobbed after hearing the news.

"Like, they said my brother had to go back. Its just like, how? Like, how can they just take somebody back? she told the broadcaster. "We thought he was free, and then the system just yanked it back."

The rest of the family was devastated as well.

Brent Mayr, an attorney representing Lymuel, said the development shocked him.

I called his counselor and asked, Is this really happening? Whats going on? And, of course, he said yes. He wouldnt give me any details, but they said he needed to report back, the attorney said.

Mayr said he was afraid that President Donald Trumps determination to reverse anything done by Biden will result in Lymuel  and potentially others who had their sentences commuted  being forced to return to prison after brief periods of freedom.

Bilbo said her brother had already been making plans to make the most of his future and his freedom.

This is the worst. You talk about a rollercoaster of emotions, they were just getting used to being together again, and then this happens," Mayr said.

According to his attorney, Lymuel followed all of the rules imposed on him by the clemency order, which included meeting with his probation officer regularly.

Lymuel's family is fighting to get him released again, and is petitioning to have him placed on in-home confinement until his release is finalized. As of this report the Bureau of Prisons has not replied to the family.

The agency released a statement acknowledging the controversy.

For privacy, safety, and security reasons, the Federal Bureau of Prisons does not discuss the conditions of confinement of any incarcerated individual, including release plans or reasons for changes in release plans," the statement said.

Bilbo has also sent Trump a certified letter pleading her family's case.

We cant let this happen to anyone else, she said. Its not just about Ronald; its about everyone whos been wronged by a system thats supposed to protect them.
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A Ukrainian man who recently lost a custody battle is believed to have abducted his children and fled to Mexico en route back his home country, police said.

Hrant Kolomoeits, 7, and Avaora Kolomoeits, 9, were last seen near their Elementary School in Sylmar, California on April 8 when they were picked up mid-morning by their father Rodion Kolomoeits, who recently lost custody of them, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

Police believe Rodion, a Ukrainian citizen, is making efforts to return to Ukraine with the children.

open image in gallery Rodion Kolomoeits picked up his kids from school on Tuesday morning and his car was last seen crossing the U.S.-Mexico border later that day, police say ( LAPD )

Rodion is driving a 2016 Toyota Prius and was last seen driving over the U.S.-Mexico border at San Ysidro around 2 p.m. on Tuesday.

Hrant is four feet tall with brown hair and blue eyes. He was last seen wearing a green and blue sweater and black pants. Avaora is 46 with brown hair and blue eyes. She was last seen wearing a blue shirt and black pants. Rodion is 511 with brown hair and gray eyes.

The primary language for both children is Russian, police say.

Approximately 200,000 children annually are victims of family abductions, of being taken by a family member rather than a stranger, according to the L.A. Times.

Anyone with information on Rodion or his children should contact the Los Angeles Police Department.
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A man sentenced to life in prison for strangling his girlfriend to death has been mistakenly released from a county jail before he could be transferred to prison - leaving his victims family petrified.

Kathan Guzman was sentenced to life in prison in October after a jury convicted him of killing his 19-year-old girlfriend, Delila Grayson, in August 2022. Now, hes been on the run for two weeks after the Clayton County Sheriffs Office mistakenly released him from their custody on March 25, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Clayton County Sheriff Levon Allen tells local outlet WSB-TV that the error stemmed from his staff not paying attention and a lack of training.

Allen said his staff looked at a court document that showed a motion to not prosecute, leading them to release him. If staff had looked closer, Allen explained, they would have seen that motion only applied to a necrophilia charge, and he was in fact convicted of murder and aggravated assault by a jury last year.

open image in gallery Kathan Guzman has been on the run since March 25 ( Clayton County Sheriff's Office )

Delila Graysons mother, Christina Grayson, told WSB-TV the sheriffs office doesnt know whats going on or where he is.

And this is the problem: I have not seen a Wanted nothing, she added. I have not seen an alert or nothing. They have not alerted anyone.

Allen told WSB-TV they believe Guzman is back in Florida, where hes from. Christina Grayson also lives in Florida and said shes now concerned about the safety of herself and others.

"Considering seeing what he did to Delilah, I would say that the public is in imminent danger, she told local outlet 11Alive.

How does this happen? she added. I am petrified for my life. I mean, obviously, a life didnt mean a thing to him.

The sheriffs office has not shared information about Guzmans release on social media as of Thursday morning. The agency also hasnt put out any news releases about the situation as of Wednesday night, the Journal-Constitution reports.

District Attorney Tasha Mosley released a statement on the incident Thursday afternoon, noting the search is outside the scope of her office. Mosleys office is in contact with Christina Grayson, she added.

It is my sincere hope that Guzman is quickly re-apprehended and serves every day of his life sentence, Mosley wrote.

Dr. Alieka Anderson-Henry, chair of the Clayton County Commission, said the incident shows the sheriffs departments negligence and noted the public shouldve been told sooner, according to WSB-TV.

Christina Grayson told WSB-TV Guzmans release adds more pain to her grief, especially after her husband died by suicide on the anniversary of their daughters death.

How does this happen? How? Im not getting a clear answer, she said.

The Independent has contacted the Clayton County Sheriffs Office, the Clayton County District Attorneys Office and Guzmans attorney for comment.

If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you. In the UK, people having mental health crises can contact the Samaritans at 116 123 or jo@samaritans.org
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Notorious mom Lori Vallow Daybell, who is representing herself at her Arizona trial in the murder of her fourth husband, ripped into a witness who testified about going on a date with him the night before he was killed.

The confrontation grew tense as Vallow Daybell aggressively cross-examined Nancy Jo Hancock Wednesday in court about the date and what they talked about.

So, you spent your whole date getting to know each other talking about me? Vallow Daybell pressed.

Dont flatter yourself, Hancock snapped back. No, we did not spend the whole time talking about you.

Vallow Daybell, 51, known as the Doomsday Mom for her religious beliefs, was convicted in 2023 in Idaho for her role in the killing of her two youngest children  16-year-old daughter Tylee Ryan and 7-year-old adopted son JJ Vallow  and a romantic rival.

She is now on trial for conspiracy to kill her fourth husband, Charles Vallow, in 2019 so that she could marry Chad Daybell, prosecutors charge. They accuse Vallow Daybell of conspiring with her brother Alex Cox to kill Charles to cash in on a life insurance policy, while insisting that he was possessed by an evil spirit. Cox died before he could be tried for the crime.

On Wednesday, Hancock told the court that she had met Charles on a dating site for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in early July 2019.

open image in gallery The conflict grew tense as Vallow Daybell aggressively cross-examined Nancy Jo Hancock on Wednesday about the date and what they talked about ( East Idaho News )

They exchanged hundreds of texts, and had hour-long phone calls before meeting in person on July 10, 2019, the night before he was fatally shot by Vallow Daybells brother.

I just remember thinking that he was strangely calm and still kind toward Lori, Hancock said. His hope was that she would be a great mom JJ, their adopted son.

Hancocks voice cracked with emotion as she recounted that Charles was like a kid on Christmas morning whenever he was about to see JJ.

Charles revealed to her the night before his death that he had changed the beneficiary of his assets in the event of his death to his sister Kay Woodcock, Hancock testified. She said she suggested that he share that news with Vallow Daybell.

Charles was a texter and a talker, Hancock noted, adding that their conversations were filled with banter.

Hancock and Charles continued to text after dinner the night before he was murdered, but when she texted him the next day, she didnt receive a response.

I was puzzled how I had misread what I had thought was a good date that he would not even take the courtesy to reply, she said. I wondered why, but just figured that was what his decision was.

It wasnt until December of that year  months after their date  that Hancock found out on the news that Charles had been killed.

Oh my gosh, thats right when I went out with him, Hancock testified she thought at the time. She wasn't interviewed by police in Chandler, Arizona until April 2020, she said.

open image in gallery Charles Daybell and Lori Vallow pictured together. Lori is on trial on charges of conspiracy to murder Charles ( Provided )

In court on Wednesday, Vallow Daybell asked Hancock if she was surprised to learn later that Charles was not in the process of a divorce, as he had claimed, and asked if she would have gone on a date with Charles had she realized he wasnt dissolving his marriage.

He was not in the process of a divorce, Vallow Daybell angrily noted.

Hancock responded that they had only shared a dinner, adding: I wasnt sleeping with him or anything.

Do you go on dates with married men? Vallow Daybell asked, which prompted an objection from prosecutors.

Youre trying to tell me and this jury that you went on one date with my husband and he told you all the details of our lives? Vallow Daybell asked.

Im telling you the truth, Hancock said. Thats what I know.

On Monday, Vallow Daybell broke down in tears while giving her opening statements as she painted Charles as the aggressor in the incident that led to his death. She said her brother fatally shot Charles as he threatened her daughter with a bat.

Charles death was allegedly the first step in a wider plot by Vallow Daybell and Chad Daybell to rid their lives of obstacles, meaning their spouses and her children, according to text message presented as evidence at her 2023 trial for the murders of her children.

open image in gallery Lori Vallow Daybell appeared on Dateline last month where she told NBCs Keith Morrison she believed that both she and Chad Daybell would one day be free ( Dateline NBC )

Four months before he died, Charles filed for divorce from his wife saying she had become infatuated with near-death experiences, and had claimed to have lived numerous lives on other planets.

He alleged she had threatened to ruin him financially and kill him and sought a voluntary mental health evaluation for his wife.

Vallow Daybell has pleaded not guilty to charges in Charles death. If convicted, she would receive another life sentence in addition to the three she is serving for the murders of her two youngest children and Daybells first wife, Tammy Daybell.

The Arizona trial is expected to last until mid-May and is the first of two trials for Vallow Daybell.

She will also face trial for 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 life sentences.
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The Department of Justice on Wednesday asked a federal court to withdraw its case against a Virginia man that top officials like Attorney General Pam Bondi claimed was a senior terrorist within the ranks of the Salvadoran gang MS-13, less than two weeks after the mans arrest.

A multi-agency task force arrested Henrry Josue Villatoro Santos, 24, on March 27, and he later faced gun charges. Agents testified that they found four guns, ammunition, and a suppressor in the Dale City home where he was staying, as well as an image of Jesus Malverde, a Mexican folklore icon associated with criminal groups.

At a press conference the day of the arrest, Attorney General Bondi celebrated the arrest alongside FBI director Kash Patel, describing Santos as the Salvadoran gangs East Coast leader and one of the top domestic terrorists in the United States.

We took one of the worst of the worst off the streets today, she later told Fox News.

The Justice Department did not describe its reason for seeking to dismiss the case.

"As a terrorist, he will now face the removal process, Attorney General Bondi said in a statement.

open image in gallery Federal officials said Henrry Josue Villatoro Santos is a top East Coast leader of the MS-13 gang, who could be tied to violence across the region ( Alexandria Sheriff's Office )

Senior officials told The Washington Post anonymously that the administration is seeking to fast-track Santos for deportation, a break from typical practice, where officials would normally attempt to convict those charged with serious criminal offenses before deportation.

In a court filing on Wednesday, Santoss lawyer, Muhammad Elsayed, argued removing the case was tantamount to giving Santos a life sentence in his native El Salvador without due process, given the Trump administrations recent pattern of using emergency powers to summarily send alleged gang members to CECOT, a notorious prison that human rights experts have called a tropical gulag.

open image in gallery Attorney General Pam Bondi speaks about alleged 24 year-old MS-13 gang leader who was arrested in an operation by the Virginia Homeland Security Task Force in Dale City, Virginia, on March 27 ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

The risk of this turning effectively into a life sentence without any due process is very real, Elsayed wrote, according to court records.

The attorney also pointed to recent cases tied to the prison, like that of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland father who was mistakenly deported to El Salvador, despite a federal court order barring his removal to that country, and of the hundreds of men sent to CECOT on allegations they were part of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, despite a court order that their deportation flights return to the U.S. amid a legal challenge.

The government has admitted many of those deported to the prison on gang allegations lack a criminal record, and critics say the government used flimsy rationale, including common tattoos, as supposed evidence of their criminality.

open image in gallery A lawyer for the Virginia man argues allowing him to be removed to El Salvador would effectively cut him off from due process ( via REUTERS )

In a January executive order, President Trump declared a national emergency under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, part of an effort to use expanded powers against Tren de Aragua and MS-13. The order said the Latin American gangs are extraordinarily violent, vicious, and similarly threaten the stability of the international order in the Western Hemisphere.

As part of the national emergency, the administration has invoked the centuries old wartime Alien Enemies Act, in order to summarily deport alleged Venezuelan gang members to CECOT, where Salvadoran officials have said inmates have little chance of ever being released.

Todd Lyons, acting head of Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, said Tuesday the administration will invoke the law to prosecute MS-13.
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The vice president of the Buffalo branch of Bikers Against Child Abuse has been arrested on charges of child porn possession.

John C. Todaro, 49, was arrested Wednesday for promoting a sexual performance by a child and possessing a sexual performance by a child, according to the New York State Police.

Bikers Against Child Abuse, Inc. (B.A.C.A.) pledges to create a safer environment for abused children, according to the mission statement on their website.

The tax exempt non-profit also seeks to empower children to not feel afraid of the world in which they live."

Police have said thanks to his role within the group, Todaro had opportunities to be around children.

Investigators from Clarence, just northeast of Buffalo, conducted a sweep of the 49-year-olds electronic devices as part of an Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) investigation supported by the Troop A Computer Crimes Unit, according to a statement from the New York State Police. Its not clear what tipped investigators off.

Todaro was released on his own recognizance and will appear in court in Amherst again in May.

open image in gallery John C. Todaro, 49, of Amherst, New York State has been arrested for promoting a sexual performance by a child and possessing a sexual performance by a child ( New York State Police )

New York State Police have asked anyone with information to contact them at 585-344-6200.

The Buffalo chapter was established in 2014. In 2023, the groups efforts saw them awarded Bikers Against Child Abuse month in Erie County.

According to the charitys website, an abused child can contact the B.A.C.A, where a child liaison first speaks to them.

The Liaison [then] contacts the family, and an initial ride is organized to meet the child at their home or in some other location where the child will feel comfortable, according to the website.

The group of bikers designated to that area then rides to meet the child, who is given a vest with a B.A.C.A. patch sewn on the back to wear.

Children who have suffered abuse will then undergo a step-by-step process of being integrated into the group as a family member and B.A.C.A members will even attend the court hearings where, if the children are required to testify against their alleged abusers, providing a judge permits it.

However, this is not the first time B.A.C.A members have been tied to child sex abuse crimes.

open image in gallery David Wayne Garvey was convicted on four counts of child pornography possession in 2011 ( 344th Judicial District Court - Chambers County )

In 2009, David Wayne Garvey, a member in Houston, was arrested for possession of child pornography. His membership was subsequently revoked. He was sentenced in 2011 to 20 years on four counts of possession with intent to promote child pornography, according to court records seen by The Independent.

In 2018, members of the B.A.C.A Sam Bass chapter in Round Rock, Texas, were arrested in July 2018 for 23 counts of abusing foster children in their care, including indecency with a child and injury to a child, according to an affidavit seen by CBS News.

The accused were a married couple, Daniel and Shirley Rodriguez.

open image in gallery B.A.C.A members Daniel and Shirley Rodriguez, pictured, were accused of abusing foster children in their care in 2018 ( Williamson County Sheriff's Office )

open image in gallery David Richard West, a former B.A.C.A member was charged with child pornography offences in 2019 ( Oklahoma Department Of Corrections )

A year later, Oklahoma B.A.C.A. member Richard David West, 41, was arrested and charged with lewd or indecent acts or proposals to a child under the age of 16, according to public records seen by The Independent.

The Independent contacted Bikers Against Child Abuse (B.A.C.A) for comment.
At a time when Vietnam may be facing trading difficulties with the US, the announcement of a collaboration effort with industry organisation the GSMA seems a timely boost to its ambitions for economic growth  at least in telecommunications.

The GSMA and the Vietnam Digital Communications Association (VDCA) have this week announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that highlights plans to deepen cooperation to accelerate Vietnams mobile and digital communications ecosystem.

Launched by the government in 2011 the VDCA is described as "a prominent social-professional organisation dedicated to the advancement of digital technology and communications in Vietnam".

Through the MoU, the GSMA and VDCA will focus on how the mobile ecosystem can help support the Vietnamese Governments Information and Communication Infrastructure Plan 2021-2030. This includes expanding broadband infrastructure to cover 99% of the population with 5G networks by 2030, promoting environmentally sustainable digital infrastructure, creating innovation zones to accelerate technological development, and positioning Vietnam as a regional hub for network and data security.

Through this MoU, the GSMA and VDCA say they will share technical expertise, promote industry events, and convene stakeholders through thought leadership platforms. The GSMA will contribute through its global work on spectrum policy and cybersecurity frameworks. Resources such as the GSMA Mobile Threat Intelligence Framework (MoTIF), guidelines on fraud prevention and quantum-safe technology, and global best practices on regulatory governance will be made available to support Vietnams strategic goals.

As the GSMA points out, this collaboration is set against the backdrop of Vietnams emergence as a rising digital economy with global potential.

The GSMA and VDCA will discuss how they can help to accelerate Vietnams progress at the GSMA Digital Nation Summit Hanoi, taking place next week.

The summit will bring together senior government leaders, global tech companies, and industry experts to explore how emerging technologies  such as AI, GSMA Open Gateway, and open RAN  can power Vietnams next phase of digital development.
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 Are you experiencing The White Lotus withdrawal symptoms yet? Those weekly doses of barbed comedy from creator Mike White became addictive over two months of must-see Mondays. One way to treat the absence of the just-concluded season three is to go back and watch the cast in roles that got them their holiday-from-hell gig. White puts together terrific ensembles, and they come with resumes well worth digging into. Here are some of their finest moments. This story contains spoilers for season three of The White Lotus. Leslie Bibb shines as society girl Dinah Donohue in Palm Royale. Leslie Bibb (Kate) in Palm Royale Kristen Wiig and Allison Janney have the top-tier roles in the idiosyncratic 1960s country club comedy, but as is often the case  including on The White Lotus  Bibb distinguishes herself in the supporting ensemble with a mix of guilelessness and belated strength. Bibbs society gal Dinah Donohue doesnt have the courage to do whats right, which makes her especially good as a moral barometer amidst rich folk high jinks. Apple TV+ Carrie Coon (right) with Christopher Eccleston in The Leftovers. Credit: IMDB

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Carrie Coon (Laurie) in The Leftovers Audiences are still catching up on Carrie Coon, but seriously she is one of the actors of her generation. She was magnificent in The Leftovers, plumbing the emotional depths as a woman whose entire family has disappeared in a cataclysmic and inexplicable global catastrophe. This existential drama goes to extremes, but Coon is never less than painfully, plausibly immersed in her character. Episode 1.6 is hall of fame-worthy. Binge Christian Friedel as Rudolf Hoss, the commandant of the Auschwitz concentration camp in The Zone Of Interest. Credit: Alamy Stock Photo Christian Friedel (Fabian) in The Zone of Interest Theres no better example of an actors singular breadth on this list than watching Friedels turn as the hapless resort manager eager to sing for his guests, before tuning into Jonathan Glazers chilling Academy Award-winning film, The Zone of Interest. The German actor plays Rudolf Hoss, the commandant of the Auschwitz concentration camp, who treats mass murder as a bureaucratic task that paves the way for his familys privilege. Monstrous banality laid bare. Stan Walton Goggins (right) with Timothy Olyphant in Justified. Credit: Alamy Stock Photo Walton Goggins (Rick) in Justified

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Goggins is a wildcard in comedies such as The Righteous Gemstones, where he periodically surfaces as an ageing huckster preacher. But if you want more of Ricks laconic magnetism, look no further than this modern-day western about Timothy Olyphants US Marshal. Goggins Boyd Crowder is a recurring criminal adversary, and the actors rattlesnake cadence and ornery charm are a highlight across all six seasons. Disney+ and Stan Jason Isaacs at rear behind Brit Marling in The OA. Credit: Alamy Stock Photo Jason Isaacs (Tim) in The OA If you thought Tim was controlling, check out the Harry Potter actor as a scientist pursuing unique human test subjects in this brain-busting metaphysical mystery. Part science-fiction, part spiritual allegory, the journey of Brit Marlings saintly Prairie uses solemn hopefulness to stifle audience disbelief. The unswerving malevolence of Isaacs Hap focuses the show  he makes you yearn for the characters to escape his life-and-death-and-life grip. Netflix Michelle Monaghan in Bad Monkey. Michelle Monaghan (Jaclyn) in Bad Monkey Monaghan made the most of the wife roles earlier in her career  see the first season of True Detective  but recently shes begun to get parts that unleash her to play the sly troublemaker. Jaclyn on The White Lotus was preceded by Bonnie on Bad Monkey, a truth-averse hook-up casually threatening to upend the life of Vince Vaughans suspended Florida police detective. Shes an infrequent presence, but a welcome one. Apple TV+

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Parker Posey as Dr Smith in the Netflix reboot of Lost In Space. Credit: Alamy Stock Photo Parker Posey (Victoria) in Lost in Space Long the MVP of Christopher Guests feature film mockumentaries, Poseys most intriguing television role is updating the iconic role of nefarious scientist Dr Smith on this big-budget reboot of the classic 1960s science-fiction adventure about a family of colonists marooned on an alien planet. Posey is a delight as the scheming, self-obsessed villain, appalled by the heroic family shes trapped with and quick to insult a robot. Netflix Natasha Rothwell in workplace comedy How to Die Alone. Credit: Disney+ Natasha Rothwell (Belinda) in How to Die Alone Rothwell created a funny, bracing showcase for herself with this perceptive comedy, where she stars as a New York airport worker who decides to face up to her failings in life after a setback reveals how empty shes let it become. Both a workplace comedy and a bittersweet study of regret, the one-season-and-done show isnt afraid of genuine difficulties, from the burden of financial debt to the temptation of self-sabotage. Disney+ Patrick Schwarzenegger (centre) as Golden Boy in Gen V, with Maddie Phillips. Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

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The Crisafulli government has lifted the states objection to the development of farmland north of Brisbane, despite Labors previous concerns over the lack of infrastructure and potential conflict with more advanced plans for a new suburb nearby.

Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development and Infrastructure Jarrod Bleijie on Monday reclassified two large blocks of land at Elimbah, in a move only gazetted on Thursday, and is expected to do the same with neighbouring land.

However, it remains unclear whether any greenfield housing projects in the suburb are currently viable, and how the government will manage the states infrastructure pipeline through to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games and beyond.

The Queensland government has taken the first step towards allowing the redevelopment of farmland north of Brisbane. Credit: Nearmap

In 2023, the former Labor government updated the south-east Queensland regional plan, with ambitious targets for councils to meet demand for extra housing and new mapping to direct development.
The dad of a 14-year-old boy allegedly coward punched at an Ellenbrook Shopping Centre says he is disappointed the school that both boys attend has failed to confirm whether the alleged attacker has been expelled.

The dad, who we cannot name under WA law to protect the identity of his son, spoke to WAtoday to express his frustration about how the incident has been handled.

The boys involved in the alleged assault were from Aveley Secondary College. Credit: Facebook

His teenage son was at Ellenbrook Central on April 2 meeting friends, when a 15-year-old boy allegedly assaulted him.

The alleged victim suffered a broken jaw requiring surgery and had recurring seizures as a result of the incident. He has spent over a week in hospital, had surgery and is now only able to eat liquid food through a straw.
Somalian operator Hormuud Telecom has announced that its founder and CEO, Ahmed Yusuf, will step down on 1 June, with deputy chairman Mohamed Farah (pictured) set to take the reins.

Yusuf will remain with the company as chairman of the board. His successor, Farah, brings more than two decades of experience within Hormuud, having previously served as general manager and deputy chairman. He played a key role in expanding the operators mobile network and scaling its mobile money platform, EVC Plus.

As CEO, Farah will lead the rollout of Hormuuds new humanitarian strategy, due to launch later this year. The strategy will prioritise extending digital infrastructure to underserved regions, strengthening ties with humanitarian and development partners, and promoting long-term resilience through inclusive access to mobile services.

Commenting on his appointment, Farah said: Smartphones are vital to Somalias development. They open doors to education, connect entrepreneurs to opportunity, and link families to health services and emergency support. But access remains limited, especially compared to our regional neighbours. Expanding smartphone adoption will be a key priority of mine.

Hormuud Telecom was founded with investment from Somali diaspora communities fleeing the civil war that began in 1991. The company now claims over 13,000 shareholders and serves more than 90% of the Somali population.

Between 2019 and 2024, its EVC Plus mobile money platform facilitated over US$914 million in aid transfers to 3.5 million beneficiaries, often delivering support within days of crises.

Reflecting on his time at the helm, Yusuf said: Hormuud Telecom was built to connect people at a time when the country was emerging from civil war, with no functioning telecoms infrastructure and limited access to basic services. Our task was to rebuild what had been lost, but also to leap forward and create systems that could deliver livelihoods, security, and dignity through innovation.

Today, we are a lifeline for families, a platform for entrepreneurs, and a partner to humanitarian agencies. Im proud of what weve achieved together, and confident in Mohameds ability to lead the company forward with clarity and purpose."
Retirement is easy. But for some, its the staying retired that can be hard. Despite keeping a relatively low profile in his post-politics existence, former premier Daniel Andrews just cant seem to stay too far away from a big announcement  and from his successor, Jacinta Allan.

Ministerial diaries for the end of 2024, published on Wednesday  only three months after they were due  revealed Andrews, who resigned late in 2023, and Allan got the old band back together for a meeting at the start of October to discuss more housing for Victorians.

Former premier Daniel Andrews: Still involved in housing policy? Credit: Nathan Perri

The next day, Allan sat down with the Master Builders Association, the Housing Industry Association and representatives from building companies Metricon, AHB Group, JG King, Harris HMC, Mazzei Homes and Icon Victoria. They discussed more housing for Victorians.

Further specifics of the meetings, held weeks before Allan announced new housing policies with an attendant declaration she wanted to be the premier who got Millennials into homes, remain a mystery. Neither meeting apparently required a housing or a planning ministers presence.
The Philippine Chamber of Telecommunication Operators (PCTO) reportedly said on Wednesday it opposes plans by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to require mobile customers to register for SIM cards in person rather than online, saying it would slow down SIM registrations.

The Philippine government passed the SIM Registration Act in 2022 which requires telcos to verify the identity of SIM card users, particularly for prepaid SIMs. The law has been pitched as a security measure to combat fraud and other crimes.

The NTC is currently seeking to amend the law based on its experience with SIM registration so far. According to the Philippine Star, one amendment being proposed is to mandate that customers register in person as a way to counter the problem of people using fake IDs to register online.

The NTC argues that the process would be no different from applying for a drivers licence. However, PCTO vice president Roy Ibay complained that the proposal amounts to making SIM registration a manual process that will be much slower. Ibay said face-to-face registrations presented significant logistical and financial challenges for telcos, and would likely slow mobile subscriber growth, the report said.

Rather than mandating all customers to appear in person, the PTCO recommended that the NTC establish dedicated hubs in select areas where customers could register in person in cases where theyre having trouble validating their IDs online, or when the online registration portal is down, the report added.

The PCTO also suggested the government establish an ID database that telcos can use to verify SIM customer IDs online.
CM reiterates Govts commitment to zero tolerance towards corruption





Staff Reporter

Raipur,

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai attended the high-level meeting of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the Kushabhau Thackeray State BJP Headquarters in Raipur. The meeting took place in the presence of BJPs National Organisation General Secretary Shivprakash and Chhattisgarh State In-Charge Nitin Nabin. Speaking to the media after the meeting, Chief Minister reiterated his governments commitment to good governance and zero tolerance towards corruption. Our government is functioning on a policy of zero tolerance against corruption. Efforts are underway to deliver on the promises made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the people of Chhattisgarh, the CM said. Sai cited major welfare schemes including the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, procurement of paddy, and the Mahtari Vandan Yojana as examples of the governments developmental focus. Sai emphasized that the state machinery is being mobilized to ensure last-mile delivery of benefits.

To ensure government schemes reach the grassroots, ministers and MPs will soon conduct surprise inspections across the state, he added. As part of the BJPs public outreach initiative, the Chief Minister announced that party officials will go door-to-door across the state until April 11 to resolve public grievances on the ground. Reacting to the Congress national convention in Gujarat, Chief Minister Sai criticised the opposition party, accusing it of having lost credibility among people. The Congress keeps holding conventions, but there is a wide gap between their words and actions. People across the country, are distancing themselves from them.

The party has lost the trust of the nation, Sai asserted. On the issue of electoral reforms, the Chief Minister voiced strong support for the One Nation, One Election proposal, stating that its implementation would lead to significant savings in time and public expenditure. Frequent elections result in prolonged enforcement of the model code of conduct, which hampers development work. The Prime Minister has rightly advocated for synchronised elections to streamline governance, he said. Sai pointed out that a committee under former President Ramnath Kovind has already been constituted to explore the feasibility of the proposal. He noted that the state has taken a step forward by aligning Nagari Nigam and Panchayat elections, indicating a willingness to move in that direction.
Dhananjay, Karunas relation in nature of marriage: Court





MUMBAI :

NCP leader Dhananjay Mundes relationship with a woman, claiming to be his first wife, is prima facie in the nature of marriage and she is entitled to claim relief under the Domestic Violence Act, a sessions court here has said. Additional sessions judge Shaikh Akbar Shaikh Jafar, in the order on Saturday, dismissed the former Maharashtra Ministers appeal against an interim maintenance order of a Magistrate. The Nationalist Congress Party leader had claimed in his appeal that he was never married to Karuna Munde, the applicant.

The court said whether she is a legally wedded wife or not, it has to be decided by the appropriate forum. But the former State Ministers relationship with the woman is in the nature of marriage as she has given birth to his two children and it is not possible without residing in a shared household, as per the courts detailed order. Considering the lifestyle of a renowned political figure, the Magistrate was justified in granting interim maintenance to Karuna Munde, the court said. Karuna Munde and her children were entitled to the same lifestyle which is being enjoyed by the NCP leader, it said. The court dismissed the politicians appeal against an interim order, which directed him to pay maintenance to Karuna Munde. On February 4, the Bandra Magistrate court partly allowed Karuna Mundes interim plea and directed the NCP legislator to pay Rs 1,25,000 per month to the woman and 75,000 per month to their daughter as interim maintenance. The woman filed a domestic violence case against Dhananjay Munde in 2020 and the Magistrate court is yet to decide the main plea.

The former minister had filed an appeal before the sessions court against the interim order. While rejecting his plea, the court said is well settled that a woman who is subjected to domestic violence and was in a live-in relationship which is in the nature of marriage known to the society is entitled for the reliefs. However, the politician contended she was neither his wife nor he was in a live-in relationship with her. His lawyer argued the woman may be at the most termed as concubine of the appellant and she is not entitled to any relief. The court rejected the contention, saying prima-facie the two documents - Vasiyatnama and Swikrutipatra - placed on record show that respondent number 1 (woman) is in a relationship with the appellant. in the nature of marriage.

While deciding the application under the Domestic Violence (DV) Act, this court need not declare the status of the parties relating to their marriage, it said. Thus, I am of the view that prima facie the respondent No. 1 was in a relation with the appellant in the nature of marriage and she has given birth to two children of the appellant, which is not possible without residing in a shared household, the judge said. Therefore, she is entitled to claim the reliefs as provided under the DV Act, the court ruled. On the submission that the woman has sufficient source of income, the court said it should assess whether the earning is sufficient to maintain herself similar to the status of respondent. Dhananjay Munde is a political leader. Therefore, his financial capacity cannot be in question, nor can it be compared with, the court noted. Even if it is presumed that respondent No. 1 is earning, she is also entitled for maintenance to maintain their lifestyle as of the appellant, the court said. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, the court was of view that the magistrate is justified in granting interim maintenance and quantified the same in a proper manner which needs no interference. Therefore, I am of the view that the appeal deserves to be dismissed, the sessions court judge said.
Fake nursing colleges in State: HC asks MPNRS, INC to submit original documents of granting recognition, affiliation to colleges from 2018 to 2022 till next hearing





Legal Correspondent :

A PIL was filed in the High Court challenging fake nursing colleges being run in the State. High Court Justice Sanjay Dwivedi and Justice A K Paliwal, while hearing the petition, ordered MPNRS and INC to submit all the original documents related to granting recognition and affiliation to the college from year 2018 to 2022 till next hearing. If the order is not followed, action will be taken against the responsible officer. In the petition filed by Vishal Baghel, President of Law Students Association, it was said that nursing colleges are being run in the State against the rules. Colleges have been granted recognition by keeping the rules aside.

The then officials had amended the recognition rules 2018 thrice. Due to which ineligible colleges were continuously benefited. The High Court had issued instructions to present original file of all the amendments made in rules. Apart from this, instructions were issued to present original file related to the recognition and affiliation of all unsuitable nursing colleges by the Medical University and Nursing Council. Following the order, original file related to recognition and affiliation was presented in the High Court.

The division bench had directed the petitioner to inspect original file and submit a factual report against the guilty persons. Apart from this, INC was directed to submit the original documents related to recognition of the college found ineligible in CBI investigation. During hearing of the petition, it was told by the petitioner that all the documents are not present in the records provided by the Medical University and Nursing Council. Apart from this, documents related to recognition have not been submitted by INC. The division bench issued the above order after the hearing.
Navy to get 26 Rafale jets from France for Rs 64,000cr





NEW DELHI :

CCS clears the planes for deployment on INS Vikrant

THE Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday cleared a proposal to procure 26 naval variants of Rafale fighter jets from France at a cost of around Rs 64,000 crore for deployment on board aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, sources in the defence establishment said. The contract will include 22 single-seater and four twin-seater Rafale Marine jets. It also comprises a comprehensive package for fleet maintenance, logistical support, personnel training, and indigenous manufacturing components under offset obligations. The delivery of the jets will begin around five years after the signing of the contract under an inter-governmental framework between India and France.

In July 2023, the Defence Ministry accorded the initial approval for the mega acquisition following a series of deliberations and evaluation tests of the platform. Under the deal, the Indian Navy will also get associated ancillary equipment including weapon systems and spares from Dassault Aviation, the manufacturer of Rafale (Marine) jets. The Indian Air Force bought 36 Rafale fighter aircraft in fly-away condition. There is a thinking in IAF that it should go for at least two more squadrons of Rafale jets. In July 2023, India and France announced a raft of ground-breaking defence cooperation projects including the joint development of jet and helicopter engines. The defence and strategic ties between India and France have been on an upswing in last few years.

The two strategic partners also had expressed commitment to cooperate in the co-development and co-production of advanced defence technologies, including for the benefit of third countries. The Defence Ministry also approved a proposal nearly two years back to procure three Scorpene submarines to further crank up Indias naval prowess. However, the CCS has yet to clear the project. Under the Indian Navys Project 75, six Scorpene submarines have already been constructed in India by Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) in cooperation with the Naval Group of France. Looking ahead, the Indian Navy is also planning to induct indigenous fifth-generation fighter jets, which are under development by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
PRCI celebrates 21st Foundation Day





Business Reporter :

The Nagpur Chapter of the Public Relations Council of India (PRCI) marked the 21st Foundation Day of the organisation with a vibrant celebration held in collaboration with the Photography Association (NPPA) of Nagpur and Arihant Hospital, recently. Noted personality for Sampark Aur Samvaad Sanjay Agrawal attended the programme as the chief guest.

Founder of Arihant Hospitals Nikhil Kusumgar and Director Dr Pallak Kusumgar Shah, President of the Press Photography Association of Nagpur (NPPA) Sandeep Gurghate and National Executive Body Member of PRCI and Senior Vice President (Central India), Asheesh Tayal were present along with other prominent personalities. The celebration took a heartfelt turn as PRCI felicitated five senior photo-video journalists namely Shailesh Mishra, Vinay Lohit, Suresh (Chotu) Vaitage, Anirudha Kapatkar, and Satish Raut for their distinguished contributions to the media fraternity over the years.

Their names and achievements were acknowledged with pride and gratitude, honouring their dedication. Senior photographer Anant Mule shared his experience in an entertaining viewpoint and choice of words. In a commendable gesture of community service, a free eye check-up camp was conducted post-event for media professionals under the aegis of Arihant Multispeciality Hospital. Nearly 50 media personnel availed the free health service, reinforcing Public Relations Council of Indias commitment to the well-being of the journalism and communication community. The event saw active participation from local leadership, including PRCI office bearers Nikhilesh Sawarkar, Tarun Nirban, Sajid Khwaja, and Swapnil Bhogekar played key roles in the seamless execution of the programme.
Rana extradited, to arrive today





NEW DELHI :

MUMBAI terror attack accused Tahawwur Rana is likely to be brought to India in a special flight on Thursday after all hurdles for his extradition were removed by the US, people familiar with the matter said on Wednesday. Rana, 64, a Canadian national of Pakistani origin, was lodged in the Metropolitan Detention Centre in Los Angeles. A multi-agency team has gone to the US and all paperwork and legal issues are being completed with US authorities to bring him to India, they said. Rana is being brought to India after his last-ditch attempt to evade extradition failed as the US Supreme Court justices rejected his application.

You are all aware that the US Supreme Court has rejected his plea. As far as extradition of Rana is concerned, at this point, I do not have an update, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said. We will provide you an update at an appropriate time, he said while replying to a question during his weekly media briefing. Rana is known to be associated with Pakistani-American terrorist David Coleman Headley, one of the main conspirators of the 26/11 attacks. On November 26, 2008, a group of 10 Pakistani terrorists went into a rampage, carrying out a coordinated attack on a railway station, two luxury hotels and a Jewish centre, after they sneaked into Indias financial capital using the sea route in the Arabian Sea. As many as 166 people were killed in the nearly 60-hour assault that sent shockwaves across the country and even brought India and Pakistan to the brink of war.
State to lift 8-year freeze on Govt employees promotion





BHOPAL :

In a landmark move, the State Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav, has resolved to lift the eight-year-long embargo on promotions for over four lakh Government employees. This much-awaited resolution is set to unwrap a proposal soon to be presented before the cabinet, charting a course for enhanced career growth and opportunities within the states administrative framework. The government is soon going to announce plans to lift the eight-year freeze on promotions for over four lakh government employees. A proposal addressing this long-standing issue is set to be presented to the Cabinet soon, promising significant relief and career growth opportunities for state employees. In a post on his X handle, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Tuesday congratulated all employees of the state and said, I am happy that the demand for promotion of Government employees and officers of the state, pending for the last 8 years, is going to be fulfilled soon.

We have found a way for promotion by discussing it at different levels. We are soon going to announce the good news of the promotion of more than 4 lakh employees and officers. Heartiest congratulations to all Government employees and officers from my side. The promotions of employees have been stalled since 2016, during which time more than one lakh employees retired without advancing to higher positions. The Government has now finalised a strategy to resolve the matter. Departments have been directed by the General Administration Department to convene Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) meetings and issue promotion orders once cabinet approval is secured, a well-placed government source told IANS. The promotion freeze followed a legal dispute regarding reservation policies in promotions. The Madhya Pradesh High Court struck down the MP Public Service (Promotion) Rules, 2002, which allowed reservation in promotions, arguing that benefits (of reservation) should only be granted once. The case was later taken to the Supreme Court, which ordered a status quo, halting promotions statewide.

This left countless employees awaiting career advancements over the past eight years. CM Yadav emphasised the urgency of addressing the issue, particularly after employees raised repeated demands and, reportedly, the Law Department initiated promotions for over 125 employees earlier this year. This step reignited calls for similar measures across all departments. CM Yadav reassured that no financial burden would be imposed on the state, as the promotions would be tied to the existing time-scale pay structure. The move will benefit a wide spectrum of employees, particularly third-class employees, who make up a significant portion of the state workforce. Employees who joined government service in 2014-15 stand to gain from the implementation. The promotions will also open up vacancies in lower-level positions, creating new job opportunities and addressing unemployment. The School Education Department is the largest employer in the state with 22,56,098 headcounts or 37.18 per cent of total number of employees followed by police and home department which has 93,634 headcounts or 15.43 of the total strength.
UP has been a sacred land of Jain Tirthankaras: CM Yogi





Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath during a programme organised by Jain International Trade Organisation (JITO) on the occasion of Vishwa Navkar Mahamantra Day, in Lucknow. (PTI)

LUCKNOW :

UTTAR Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday highlighted the States deep connection with Jain heritage and called upon people to adopt the teachings of Jainism in their daily lives. UP has been a sacred land of Jain Tirthankaras, where the tradition of spirituality and religion was carried forward, he said while addressing a grand event on the occasion of World Navkar Mahamantra Day at the Sangeet Natak Akademi in Gomti Nagar here. The State has a deep connection with Jain heritage. All of us should adopt the teachings of Jainism in our daily lives, he added. Lord Rishabhdev, the first Jain Tirthankara, was born in Ayodhya. Five Tirthankaras were born in Ayodhya, and another in Kashi, he said, underscoring the religious significance of the region.

The event was organised by the Jain International Trade Organization (JITO) with a focus on promoting peace, energy, positivity, and global welfare through the chanting of the Navkar Mantra. He also referred to an inspiring message delivered by Prime Minister Narendra Modi via video conferencing, in which the PM outlined nine resolutions to bring the Namokar Mantra into practical life. These resolutions are worth adopting by every individual, he said. Extending greetings on the occasion of Lord Mahavir Jayanti, CM Yogi urged people to spread the message of non-violence and compassion taught by Jainism. Describing the Navkar Mantra as a powerful spiritual tool, he said, This mantra is a means of liberation from physical, divine, and spiritual sufferings.

When one connects with the spirit of penance, self-purification, and the welfare of the world, one not only uplifts oneself but becomes an inspiration for others as well. He said that the lives of all 24 Jain Tirthankaras were dedicated to the welfare of humanity. Through their teachings and penance, they established a noble path of living, which remains relevant even today. Every Indian should draw inspiration from these ideals and incorporate them into their lives, he said. Hailing the event as historic, CM Yogi said this was the first time World Navkar Mahamantra Day was celebrated simultaneously across the globe, establishing Jain values on an international platform. He expressed hope that this global initiative would inspire countless people to embrace peace and harmony. The Chief Minister extended heartfelt greetings on Mahavir Jayanti and urged everyone to imbibe the values and teachings of Jainism in their lives.
Axian Telecom is set to receive a financing package of US$100 million from the European Investment Bank (EIB Global) to help expand its mobile broadband infrastructure across Madagascar and Tanzania.

The project will expand 4G infrastructure across the two countries as well as continuing the introduction of 5G coverage. This new Global Gateway investment, backed by a budgetary guarantee of the European Commission, will enhance access to high-speed communications, accelerate inclusive digitalisation, and drive sustainable development across the two countries. This investment will help reduce geographic inequality of telecom access in Africa and emerging markets.

Axian Telecom is a leading pan-African telecommunications company with a strong market position in its core areas of operation. The group currently serves over 44 million subscribers and is present in nine Sub-Saharan African countries, with its key mobile and fixed operations being in Tanzania, Madagascar, Senegal, Togo and Comoros. US$60 million of the financing will benefit Tanzania and US$40 million will go to Madagascar. Axian Telecom operates under the Yas brand in both countries.

Hassan Jaber, Axian Telecoms CEO, said: "The US$100 million EIB Global financing will help us expand mobile phone infrastructure in Madagascar and Tanzania and benefit millions of people. This new large-scale network investment will pave the way for socio-economic growth, digital inclusion, and better opportunities."

"Digital connectivity opens doors for education, business, healthcare and social inclusion, stated European Investment Bank Vice-President Ambroise Fayolle. This new investment demonstrates the EIBs commitment to empowering communities, fostering sustainable development, and driving positive change through enhanced access to affordable high-speed communications.

EIB Global is a key financier for telecom and digitalisation in Africa and emerging markets. The current project supports the objectives of the EUs Digital4Development (D4D) initiative launched in 2017. It feeds into the Global Gateway strategy for Africa that seeks to mobilise up to 150 billion by 2030 for the development of physical and digital infrastructures across the continent. By collaborating with local stakeholders, telecom operators and government agencies, EIB Global aims to create a comprehensive and inclusive digital ecosystem
In todays volatile business climate, staying informed isnt just a competitive edge  its a survival strategy. CreditorWatchs latest short and sharp 15-minute webinar, Mastering Monitoring and Alerts for Smarter Business Decisions, delivered crucial insights into how companies can get ahead of risk and protect their bottom line by making smarter, faster credit decisions.

Led by Luke Matthews, the session cuts through the noise and gets straight to the dataand the actions that matter most.

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What youll learn

Why defaults matter: Trade and ATO payment defaults are among the strongest leading indicators of business failure. Just one payment default raises the chance of a customer going under by 28% within the next 12 months. Four or more? That skyrockets to 75%.

Trade and ATO payment defaults are among the strongest leading indicators of business failure. Just one payment default raises the chance of a customer going under by 28% within the next 12 months. Four or more? That skyrockets to 75%. Early warning signs: Matthews walked through real-life case studies showing how risk scores deteriorate over timeand why businesses often respond too late.

Matthews walked through real-life case studies showing how risk scores deteriorate over timeand why businesses often respond too late. What to monitor and why: From ASIC notices to ATO defaults and risk band changes, knowing which alerts to act on immediately can make or break your collections strategy.

From ASIC notices to ATO defaults and risk band changes, knowing which alerts to act on immediately can make or break your collections strategy. Live demo of CreditorWatch platform: The webinar includes a practical walkthrough of how to use the High Risk tab and alert settings for maximum visibility across your customer base.

The webinar includes a practical walkthrough of how to use the High Risk tab and alert settings for maximum visibility across your customer base. Expert economic context: A snapshot from Chief Economist Ivan Colhoun outlines the macroeconomic forces impacting Australian businesses today, including COVID aftershocks, rising insolvencies, and new tariff pressures from the U.S.

Who should watch?

If youre a finance professional, credit controller, business owner, or anyone responsible for managing risk and cash flow, this webinar is a must-watch. Its short, insightful, and packed with data-backed recommendations.

Dont wait for the next default alert to hit your inbox. Learn how to spot the red flags early and act before its too late.

Watch Now:

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We talk a lot about building brands, but not enough about walking away from them. IIXIIST was my first business, my breakthrough, my identity for almost a decade. Closing it wasnt easy. It wasnt clean. But it was necessary. This is the truth about what it really feels like to let go of something that no longer fits, even when it still looks like success from the outside. Rebecca Klodinsky

Founded in 2019 by Rebecca Klodinsky and Lachie Henderson, The Prestwick Place is an multi-million-dollar luxury jewellery label disrupting the diamond market with lab-grown diamonds, full price transparency, and 100% handmade in-house pieces on the Gold Coast.

With a first-visit-driven business model responsible for 75% of its sales, largely on Instagram, its value and trust orientation has transformed luxury customer loyalty. Klodinsky had built her brand in the swimwear sector beforehand with IIXIIST, a cult label that she eventually chose to leave behind. Here is her candid story of letting go of one success to build another.

We talk a lot about building brands, but not enough about walking away from them. IIXIIST was my first business, my breakthrough, my identity for almost a decade. Closing it wasnt easy, it wasnt clean, but it was necessary. This is the truth about what it really feels like to let go of something that no longer fits, even when it still looks like success from the outside.

The rise and weight of IIXIIST

For Klodinsky, IIXIIST was a defining chapter. Letting go of IIXIIST felt like a death. Not just of a brand, but of a version of myself that Id spent years building from scratch. I started IIXIIST with $2,000 and an idea, a bikini brand I believed in more than anything else. Over time, it became so much more, a global label worn by the biggest names in the world, a source of financial freedom, personal identity, and credibility. It was mine. And it worked. From runways to red carpets, its designs caught the eye of influencers and celebrities, cementing its status as a must-have label across continents.

But even a thriving business can lose its spark. When something you love stops feeling right, she explains, it became heavy, the pace, the pressure, the expectations. It stopped feeling aligned with who I was and where I was heading. I was evolving, but the business stayed the same, and holding onto it started to feel less like ownership and more like resistance. That growing disconnect set the stage for a difficult but pivotal choice.

Walking away felt like losing a part of me, she confesses. Theres this idea that quitting means youve failed, that closing something down means you couldnt make it work. But no one really talks about the bravery it takes to walk away from something successful, just because it no longer fits. For me, that next chapter was The Prestwick Place. This shift marked a turning point, leading her to co-found a brand that would redefine her path.

A new beginning with The Prestwick Place

I grieved it. I questioned myself. I felt guilt for stepping back. But I learned that just because something is working doesnt mean its right.

Starting over and finally breathing again, Klodinsky reflects. I co-founded The Prestwick Place with my now husband Lachie, and from day one it felt different. It was slower, more meaningful, and deeply aligned with who Id become. For the first time in a long time, I wasnt chasing, I was choosing. That choice paid off, within years, the brand surpassed $3 million in annual revenue, doubling its non-jewellery sales year-over-year. Unlike the relentless drive of IIXIIST, The Prestwick Place offered a new rhythm, one rooted in intention and authenticity.

Yet letting go came with its own weight. The part no one talks about, she writes, letting go of IIXIIST wasnt just a business decision, it was emotional. I grieved it, I questioned myself, I felt guilt for stepping back from something that still looked good on paper. But I learned that just because something is working doesnt mean its right. Success without alignment will eventually suffocate you. Its a candid look at the cost of change, one rarely acknowledged in tales of entrepreneurial triumph.

In the end, her journey is about growth through release. Outgrowing who you used to be, she concludes. What IIXIIST gave me was invaluable. But what The Prestwick Place gave me was space, to grow, to evolve, and to build something that reflects where I am now. Letting go wasnt the end, it was the beginning of something that feels more true than ever. From a bikini empire launched with $2,000 to a jewellery brand reshaping luxury, Klodinskys story reveals the power of knowing when to hold on and when to let go.

Now, The Prestwick Place is not only a company, its proof of her reformation. It was born of the creative fraternity of the Gold Coast, from which both IIXIIST and The Prestwick Place had their origins, her path reflects a local flash with global relevance. By forsaking one achievement, Klodinsky forged another, proving at times the strongest move is the one to get up and walk away and to start anew.

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Visitors attend the 13th China Information Technology Expo (CITE 2025) in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, April 9, 2025. The expo kicked off at Shenzhen Convention &Exhibition Center (Futian) on Wednesday. Themed on "Technology Leading, Innovation Gathering in Shenzhen", the exhibition focuses on cutting-edge key areas such as intelligent terminals, optoelectronic displays, artificial intelligence, big data storage, basic components, and low-altitude economy, attracting more than a thousand companies to participate. (Xinhua/Liang Xu)

Visitors watch the demonstration of a humanoid robot at the 13th China Information Technology Expo (CITE 2025) in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, April 9, 2025. The expo kicked off at Shenzhen Convention &Exhibition Center (Futian) on Wednesday. Themed on "Technology Leading, Innovation Gathering in Shenzhen", the exhibition focuses on cutting-edge key areas such as intelligent terminals, optoelectronic displays, artificial intelligence, big data storage, basic components, and low-altitude economy, attracting more than a thousand companies to participate. (Xinhua/Liang Xu)

Visitors attend the 13th China Information Technology Expo (CITE 2025) in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, April 9, 2025. The expo kicked off at Shenzhen Convention &Exhibition Center (Futian) on Wednesday. Themed on "Technology Leading, Innovation Gathering in Shenzhen", the exhibition focuses on cutting-edge key areas such as intelligent terminals, optoelectronic displays, artificial intelligence, big data storage, basic components, and low-altitude economy, attracting more than a thousand companies to participate. (Xinhua/Liang Xu)

A visitor tries on a pair of intelligent glasses at the 13th China Electronic Information Expo (CITE 2025) in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, April 9, 2025. The expo kicked off at Shenzhen Convention &Exhibition Center (Futian) on Wednesday. Themed on "Technology Leading, Innovation Gathering in Shenzhen", the exhibition focuses on cutting-edge key areas such as intelligent terminals, optoelectronic displays, artificial intelligence, big data storage, basic components, and low-altitude economy, attracting more than a thousand companies to participate. (Xinhua/Liang Xu)

Visitors attend the 13th China Information Technology Expo (CITE 2025) in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, April 9, 2025. The expo kicked off at Shenzhen Convention &Exhibition Center (Futian) on Wednesday. Themed on "Technology Leading, Innovation Gathering in Shenzhen", the exhibition focuses on cutting-edge key areas such as intelligent terminals, optoelectronic displays, artificial intelligence, big data storage, basic components, and low-altitude economy, attracting more than a thousand companies to participate. (Xinhua/Liang Xu)

Visitors attend the 13th China Information Technology Expo (CITE 2025) in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, April 9, 2025. The expo kicked off at Shenzhen Convention &Exhibition Center (Futian) on Wednesday. Themed on "Technology Leading, Innovation Gathering in Shenzhen", the exhibition focuses on cutting-edge key areas such as intelligent terminals, optoelectronic displays, artificial intelligence, big data storage, basic components, and low-altitude economy, attracting more than a thousand companies to participate. (Xinhua/Liang Xu)

A visitor learns about a graphics card at the 13th China Electronic Information Expo (CITE 2025) in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, April 9, 2025. The expo kicked off at Shenzhen Convention &Exhibition Center (Futian) on Wednesday. Themed on "Technology Leading, Innovation Gathering in Shenzhen", the exhibition focuses on cutting-edge key areas such as intelligent terminals, optoelectronic displays, artificial intelligence, big data storage, basic components, and low-altitude economy, attracting more than a thousand companies to participate. (Xinhua/Liang Xu)

Editor: GSY
Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivers an important speech at a central conference on work related to neighboring countries in Beijing, capital of China. The conference was held from Tuesday to Wednesday. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

BEIJING, April 9 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for building a community with a shared future with neighboring countries and striving to open new ground for China's neighborhood work.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks at a central conference on work related to neighboring countries, which was held in Beijing from Tuesday to Wednesday.

Members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang and Li Xi, and Vice President Han Zheng also attended the conference.

In his speech, Xi systematically summarized the achievements and experience of China's neighborhood work in the new era, scientifically analyzed the current situation, and outlined the goals, tasks, ideas and measures for the next phase of neighborhood work.

While presiding over the meeting, Premier Li Qiang stressed the need to thoroughly implement the spirit of Xi's important speech and to earnestly carry out the various tasks in work related to neighboring countries.

The conference highlighted that China's vast territory and long borders make its neighborhood a vital foundation for national development and prosperity, a key front for safeguarding national security, a priority area in the country's overall diplomacy, and a crucial link in building a community with a shared future for humanity.

The conference called for viewing neighboring regions through a global perspective and strengthening the sense of responsibility and mission in advancing China's neighborhood work.

It was noted at the conference that after the 18th CPC National Congress, China put forward the principles of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness in its neighborhood diplomacy, advocating for the building of a community with a shared future with neighboring countries.

Guided by head-of-state diplomacy, China has worked with neighboring countries to deepen all-around cooperation, strengthen exchanges in various fields, and maintain peace and stability, thereby securing historic achievements and transformation in neighborhood work, according to the meeting.

China's relations with its neighboring countries are currently at their best in modern times, and are also entering a critical phase where regional dynamics and global transformations are deeply intertwined, the conference noted, calling for taking into account both the domestic and international situations and coordinating the two major priorities of development and security.

To build a better future with its neighbors, China will remain committed to fostering an amicable, secure and prosperous neighborhood. It will uphold the Asian values of peace, cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, use high-quality Belt and Road cooperation as the main platform, and pursue the Asian security model that features sharing weal and woe, seeking common ground while shelving differences, and prioritizing dialogue and consultation, according to the conference.

It was emphasized at the meeting that to build a community with a shared future with neighboring countries, China will work with its neighbors to consolidate strategic mutual trust, support regional countries in pursuing development paths suited to their respective conditions, and properly manage differences.

China will also deepen development integration with its neighbors, build a high-level connectivity network, strengthen cooperation in industrial and supply chains, advance security and law enforcement cooperation, and expand people-to-people exchanges, according to the conference.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivers an important speech at a central conference on work related to neighboring countries in Beijing, capital of China. The conference was held from Tuesday to Wednesday. Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi, and Han Zheng also attended the conference. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei)

Editor: GSY
Chinese Premier Li Qiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, presides over a symposium with economic experts and entrepreneurs to listen to opinions and suggestions on the current economic situation and upcoming economic work on April 9, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Ye)

BEIJING, April 9 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Wednesday presided over a symposium with economic experts and entrepreneurs to listen to opinions and suggestions on the current economic situation and upcoming economic work.

Although changes in the external environment have brought difficulties, the Chinese economy still retains multiple strengths, strong resilience, and immense potential, according to attendees of the meeting. They also put forward suggestions on coping with external challenges and promoting sustained economic growth during the meeting.

Li noted that under this year's relatively special situation, the country calmly and steadfastly responded to various risks and challenges, and maintained sustained economic recovery and growth in the first quarter.

At the same time, external shocks exerted pressure on the smooth operation of the economy, he said, adding that China is well prepared to address all uncertainties.

It is particularly crucial to ensure effective economic work in the second quarter and beyond, with sustained and intensified efforts across all tasks, Li stressed.

It is necessary to implement more proactive macro policies and introduce new incremental policies in a timely manner in light of the needs of the situation, he said, noting responding to uncertainties in the external environment with strong and effective policies.

China will make expanding domestic demand a long-term strategy and fully stimulate the vitality of all business entities, Li said.

Li hoped that entrepreneurs will proactively adapt to evolving circumstances to drive growth, strengthen and elevate their enterprises.

Editor: GSY
NSCN (IM) deplores

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DIMAPUR, Apr 10: In its latest news bulletin 'Nagalim Voice', the NSCN (IM) said that Nagas have had enough of the Government of India imposing deplorable and barbarous Acts to suppress and oppress the legitimate rights of the Nagas. "What is not right, Nagas will not allow, come what may", the NSCN (IM) asserted.

The bulletin said that it was during the time of the first Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru, that the Armed Forces Special Powers' Act (AFSPA) was imposed to "crush the Nagas resistance movement with brute force". Going by Indias version, GoI is justifying the abrupt scrapping of the Free Movement Regime (FMR) and border fencing, said the outfit and added that it is a design to strengthen its hands of oppression.

The NSCN (IM) also said the collective voice of the Nagas is to reclaim "our cultural heritage" that defines the Nagas as one people and one Nation. The bulletin added that the changing world does not give India the right to go on "playing nuisance with our rights and dignity".
The West Bengal Clinical Establishment Regulatory Commission (WBCERC), sole body monitoring treatment infrastructure in private hospitals and nursing homes across the state, plans to frame rules to streamline these healthcare facilities allegedly withholding release of dead bodies till relatives of the deceased clear bills.

The WBCERC has warned the private healthcare facilities not to withhold the release of a dead body due to non-payment of dues. The body should be handed over to the deceaseds relatives within stipulated time period after his or her death at the private hospital or nursing home.

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While addressing in the eighth state conference of the Progressive Nursing Home Association in the city on Tuesday, Justice Asim Banerjee, WBCERC commissioner and retired judge of the Calcutta High Court, said: We are planning to frame rules on how outstanding hospital bills are paid by relatives of patients after deaths of the latter at private hospitals and nursing homes during treatments. We will also take clearance from the state government before formation of the rules. But release of a dead body should not be withheld by private healthcare establishments by any means, not even showing reasons for non-payment of bills. At the same time, hospitals should not also withhold indoor patients discharged by concerned doctors, Justice Banerjee said.

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Sometimes, private hospitals and nursing homes are found allegedly delaying to handover dead bodies to the members of their respective families demanding payment of due amount for medical treatments.

The commission chief has also urged the private healthcare facilities to ensure round-the-clock service of trained nurses and resident medical officers (RMO).

The private hospitals and nursing homes should also stop their tendencies to earn more money by misusing funds of the Swasthya Sathi scheme of the state government, he urged.

According to him, no other state outside West Bengal has the Clinical Establishment Act that was launched in 2017 by the state government. The WBCERC, an autonomous body, has been formed following this Act. This commission looks after around 5,000 to 7,000 private hospitals and nursing homes in the state.
The salary portal for the teaching and non-teaching staff in West Bengal Government schools continues to show on the payrolls the names of the 25,753 staff members whose jobs were terminated following an order by a Division Bench of the Supreme Court last week.

The current payroll list on the portal, which is updated between the first and 10th day of each month, remains the same as last month.

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The individual school authorities have no role to play either in the addition or deletion of names from the portal, explained a headmaster of a state-run school in South 24 Parganas district.

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The authority of individual school management in the matter is just restricted to giving inputs on the portal on any change in the Provident Fund or Income Tax structure of any teaching or non-teaching staff attached to the school concerned.

The individual school authorities are yet to receive any notification from the West Bengal School Service Commission regarding the fate of the staff attached to the respective schools whose jobs have been terminated following the apex courts order, confirmed the headmaster on strict condition of anonymity.

One reason why the payroll list in the said portal has remained unchanged could be that the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE), had earlier this week, approached the Supreme Court seeking a modification to the April 3 order by the apex courts Division Bench.

The Division Bench of the Chief Justice of India (CJI), Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar, upheld an earlier order by the Calcutta High Courts Division Bench of Justice Debangsu Basak and Justice Shabbar Rashidi last year, cancelling a total of 25,753 appointments made by the WBSSC.

In the petition, the WBBSE has made an appeal that till the time the fresh recruitment process, as directed by the court last week is completed, those candidates who have been identified as genuine should be allowed to work.

However, despite the payroll list in the portal remaining unchanged as of now, there is confusion among the job losers on two counts.

The first point of concern is whether the name continuing in the portal will ultimately end in credit of the current months salary to their respective bank accounts on the month-end.

The second confusion is that even if the current months salary is credited, how long would that continue for, because if the West Bengal government continues to pay salaries to the job losers it will tantamount to violation of the apex court order and hence contempt of court.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha began his visit to Turkey, which will take place from April 10 to April 12, with a meeting with the Ukrainian community in Antalya.

I began my visit to our strategic partner Turkiye by meeting with Ukrainian community in Antalya. I spoke with our community leaders and thanked them for being a strong and proactive force that supports our efforts and strengthens our bilateral ties, Sybiha said on X Thursday.

Looking forward to more meetings with businesses and participation in Antalya Diplomacy Forum, the minister added.

As reported, Sybiha is paying his visit to Turkey on April 10-12, in particular to participate in the Antalya Diplomatic Forum, which is one of the key political and security platforms in the world. A number of important bilateral meetings of the minister with colleagues from Africa, the Middle East and Europe are planned on the sidelines of the forum. Sybiha will also take part in the panel discussion of the forum "European Security at the Crossroads."
With widespread rains lashing Uttar Pradesh since yesterday, the state government has directed officials to prevent wheat spoilage by ensuring all grain is stored securely in warehouses, rather than in the open, given the changing weather conditions.

To maintain seamless communication with farmers, the state government has operationalised mobile procurement centers that function even on Sundays and public holidays.

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Officials from the Food and Civil Supplies Department have been actively reaching out to farmers across villages, including during festivals like Mahavir Jayanti, to ensure uninterrupted procurement processes.

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These initiatives underscore the governments dedication to supporting farmers by safeguarding their produce and facilitating efficient procurement, irrespective of external challenges.

According to officials here on Thursday, so far, 1.43709 lakh metric tonnes of wheat have been procured from 27,388 farmers.

The UP governments proactive initiatives have significantly boosted wheat procurement in the state. As of 10 April 2025, a total of 367,875 farmers have registered for the procurement process, an increase from 356,000 on April 8. Notably, over 7,000 new farmers sold their wheat at government centers within just two days, reflecting growing trust in the administrations transparent and farmer-friendly approach.

To facilitate this engagement, the administration conducted village-to-village outreach before the harvest season, encouraging farmers to utilise government procurement centers for their wheat sales. Additionally, the introduction of mobile procurement units has streamlined the purchasing process, bringing convenience directly to farmers doorsteps.

For the Rabi marketing year 202526, the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for wheat has been fixed at Rs 2,425 per quintal, which is being directly credited to farmers accounts within 48 hours of procurement.

To further ease the burden on farmers, the government is also providing an additional Rs 20 per quintal for unloading, cleaning, and sieving wheat. These measures reflect the governments unwavering commitment to making the procurement process farmer-centric and transparent.

In a major reform, registered farmers can sell up to 100 quintals of wheat without prior verification, streamlining the sale process and eliminating unnecessary delays. On the CMs instructions, all procurement centres have also made arrangements for comfortable seating, clean drinking water, and shade.

During the eight years of the Yogi governments tenure, nearly 50 lakh farmers have benefitted from direct MSP payments amounting to Rs 43,424.44 crore. In comparison, under the previous SP government, only 19.02 lakh farmers had received Rs 12,808.67 crore over five years.
Family feud in the OBC Vanniyar-dominant Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) has resurfaced once again in the open with party founder S Ramadoss on Thursday declaring himself as the party President by demoting his son and former Union Minister Anbumani as Working President.

Taking party functionaries and political circles by surprise, Ramadoss senior announced this decision at a press conference held at his sprawling farmhouse in Thailapuram near Tindivanam in Villupuram district, 150 km south of Chennai. Advertisement

As the founder of the PMK, I am myself taking over the post of party president and appoint Anbumani as the Executive President in the overall interest of the party and accepting the demand of youngsters to lead them in the 2026 assembly election, Ramadoss announced at the outset adding that there were several reasons for removing Anbumani from the post of party president. Though they could be divulged at present, I will share them little by little in due course, he said. The PMK has its support base in north Tamil Nadu, and its vote share has been dwindling in the past elections. Advertisement

While Anbumani was made party president, replacing the pliant GK Mani, in May 2022, with great hopes, the senior Ramadoss was not happy with his performance and has expressed it in party fora. The senior Ramadoss taking over the reins of the party from his son is a clear indication of the simmering family feud and his dissatisfaction with the functioning of Anbumani, who has been promoting his wife, Sowmya, while disregarding others. However, offering a rationale for the demotion, Ramadoss said, This change  making Anbumani as working president is made with the aim of enabling Anbumani to work with more dedication for the electoral victory of the party. He will continue to be the president of the partys annual Chitra Pournami jamboree at the coastal heritage town Mamallapuram in May this year.

Earlier, the father-son duo was engaged in a verbal fight at the partys general council after Ramadoss announced his nephew, Mukundan Parasuraman, as the PMK Youth Wing president. Objecting to this, Anbumani said the party should not be packed with family members instead of hardworking cadres. This invited Ramadoss ire, who retorted, It is my party. I have built it. Obey what I say or else leave. A visibly upset and angry Anbumani left in a huff, asking his supporters to meet him at his office in Panaiyur, a suburb of Chennai. However, both patched up in a couple of days after a one-on-one meeting at Thailapuram.

Leaving everyone guessing on the partys relationship with the BJP, he said, It would be decided by the partys Executive Committee. According to analysts, the father and son are not on the same page on the issue of alliance. It is believed that Ramadoss senior is not inclined to engage in seat-sharing talks with the AIADMK as part of the NDA. Significantly, this development comes ahead of BJP leader and Union Home Minister Amit Shahs visit during which he is slated to meet leaders of alliance parties. Arriving here on Thursday night, he would also have discussions with BJP functionaries on replacing incumbent party state president K Annamalai.

Meanwhile, supporters of Anbumani have gathered in front of Ramadosss residence in Tindivanam to protest the demotion. Tension prevails in the area as supporters of Ramadoss, too, have started pouring in. Even as Anbumani is yet to react, his staunch supporter and party treasurer, Thilakabama, has criticised Ramadoss senior, describing it as wrong and a murder of democracy. She has landed at Thailapuram to meet Ramadoss senior.
Late actor Om Puris first wife, Seema Kapoor, who is also the sister of Anu Kapoor, recently opened up about her marriage with the actor. In a conversation with Siddharth Kannan, Kapoor revealed that the celebrated actor cheated on her while she was pregnant. She tried to save her marriage; however, things did not go her way. Kapoor also revealed that after she lost the child, Puri sent her 25,000 rupees through his secretary.

Reminiscing about her life, Om Puris first wife, Seema Kapoor, talked about how the actor had an affair with journalist Nandita Puri while she was with child. Seema Kapoor shared Om Puri met Nandita Puri while working on the film, City of Joy. Several of her close friends knew about the affair but they it hidden from Kapoor.

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Kapoor said, Everything was going fine after our marriage, but that movie turned my life upside down My good friend Renu Saluja, Vidhu Vinod Chopras first wife, knew about the affair. But she and Sudhir Mishra and everyone else chalked it down to a phase. They felt that hed get back to normal after the film. I found out about the affair much later, when I was in Delhi. He called me up and told me that he was seeing someone else, and my friends said that he was just seeking attention.

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While Seema Kapoor wanted to save the marriage, Om Puri wanted to part ways. She was able to sense the gravitas of the situation in his voice. I returned to Mumbai, and everything felt normal. He left the city for a shoot soon afterwards, and while sifting through his stuff, I discovered love letters. I was shattered. I never wanted to divorce him, despite the affair. She added, I wanted to mend things, because I was pregnant. He knew I was pregnant, but this was a source of insecurity for Nandita. Shed call him up in front of me.

Subsequently, while she was three months pregnant, Seema Kapoor decided to finally take the plunge and leave. But things became overwhelming; Puri sahab would drink too much, and Nandita would make a scene. One night, I decided to leave. I was three months pregnant. Matters escalated and Anu Kapoor wanted to drag Om Puri to court. Seema Kapoor received 6,00,000 rupees in alimony however she refused the 25,000 he sent her after she lost her child. Forget consoling me. He sent Rs 25,000 via his secretary. I turned it down, and his secretary told me, This ego is what is destroying you. But what he thought was ego was just self-respect.

Moving ahead, Om Puri tied the knot with Nandita Puri and they had a son, Ishaan. Prior to the actors demise in 2017, he reached out to Seema Kapoor to apologise.

Also Read: Fans note jarring similarities between the Atlee-Allu Arjun collab and Dune posters
Tahawwur Rana, wanted in connection with the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, is expected to land in Delhi on Thursday, according to reports. Rana is being brought to India in a special plane by a National Investigation Agency (NIA) team and intelligence officials.

According to reports, two jails  one in Delhi and another in Mumbai  are being prepared as per US judiciary recommendations ahead of Ranas arrival.

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Moreover, security has been tightened outside the Patiala House court in Delhi where Rana is likely to be produced. A large number of security personnel from paramilitary forces and the Delhi Police have been deployed outside the court.

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The Home Ministry has appointed Narender Mann as Special Public Prosecutor for conducting trials and other matters related to the case.

In a late night notification, the MHA said, In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 15 of the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008 (34 of 2008), read with sub-section (8) of section 18 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS), the central government hereby appoints Narender Mann, advocate as special public prosecutor for conducting trial and other matters related to NIA case RC-04/2009/NIA/DLI on behalf of the National Investigation Agency before the NIA Special Courts at Delhi and Appellate Courts, for a period of three years from the date of publication of this notification or till the completion of trial of the said case, whichever is earlier.

The multi-agency team completed the necessary procedures in the US and was handed the custody of Rana under the India-US extradition treaty.

Rana had appealed against his extradition to India in the US Supreme Court, but all his pleas were rejected, paving the way for him to face the law in India.

He had argued that he would be subjected to torture in India due to his Muslim religion, Pakistani origin, and relation to the putative charges in the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attack. He said he was being sent into a hornets nest and would be made the target of national and religious animosity, with his punishment being of the highest national interest.

His extradition to India is seen as a major diplomatic win for the Modi government. Following PM Narendra Modis US visit earlier this year, President Donald Trump had announced that Rana would be extradited to India to face justice.

Rana had allegedly arranged passports for Pakistani-American David Coleman Headley to travel to India. Headley, aka Dawood Gilani, in collaboration with the Pakistani spy agency ISI, had conducted a recce in Mumbai to select the targets for the terror attack.

He will be only the second accused facing justice in India for the deadly terror attacks in Mumbai in 2008. So far, only Ajmal Kasab, who was nabbed by Mumbai Police during the attacks, was prosecuted in India.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Thursday stated that the world is in the age of Grey Zone and Hybrid warfare where cyber-attacks, disinformation campaigns, and economic warfare have become tools that can achieve politico-military aims without a single shot being fired. Urging the officers of the Indian Armed Forces to operate jointly and remain future-ready in todays ever-evolving multi-domain environment, Singh dubbed cyber, space, and information warfare as potent as conventional operations.

The defence minister was addressing the Armed Forces officers of India and friendly countries during the Convocation Ceremony of the 80th Staff Course of Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), Wellington, Tamil Nadu.

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Speaking about global geopolitics, Singh said that in todays age, it is being redefined by three key metrics: a major pivot towards prioritising national security, a technological tsunami sweeping the global landscape, and accelerating innovation.

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Highlighting that Artificial Intelligence and other emerging technologies are revolutionising deterrence and war-fighting in critical ways, Singh termed the power of technological innovation in combat theatres as breathtaking. In the Ukraine-Russia conflict, drones have virtually emerged as a new arm, if not a transformative science. The majority of losses of soldiers and equipment have been attributed neither to traditional artillery nor to armour but to drones. Similarly, space capacities in the Low Earth Orbit are transforming military intelligence, persistent surveillance, positioning, targeting and communications, thus taking combat to a new high, he said.

He added that India faces persistent threats along its borders, which are further compounded by the challenge of proxy war and terrorism emanating from its neighbourhood. The defence minister also spoke of the impact of the conflict in West Asia and the geopolitical tensions in the Indo-Pacific on the overall security calculus, in addition to non-traditional security threats such as natural disasters and climate change.

Lessons of the ongoing conflicts teach us that building a resilient, indigenous, and future-ready defence technological & manufacturing ecosystem is not an option, but a strategic necessity. There is a need to develop low-cost high-tech solutions and enhance the fighting capability of the Armed Forces. Our forces must not only keep pace with technological changes, but also lead them, he said.

Singh exhorted the officers to focus on five As  Awareness, Ability, Adaptability, Agility and Ambassadors  to tackle future challenges. As warfighters and protectors of national security, you need to remain aware of the environment and its implications. You must acquire the ability and skill set required by future leaders. You must imbibe adaptability and agility as key virtues. The battlefield of tomorrow will require leaders who can adapt to unforeseen circumstances, leverage technology to their advantage and come out with innovative solutions. You must become Ambassadors of your respective Armed Forces. Be an ambassador of change and the perfect role model amongst the society at large, he added.
India and Japan are discussing ways to work together and enhance tourism ties between the two nations.

The issue figured at the fourth Joint Working Group (JWG) Meeting on Tourism Cooperation between India and Japan held on Tuesday. The meeting was co-chaired by Ms. Mugdha Sinha, Director General, Ministry of Tourism, and Mr. HARAIKAWA Naoya, Commissioner, Japan Tourism Agency (JTA).

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Officials and private stakeholders from both countries, including representatives from airlines, tourism and travel associations and government institutions, took part. Key organisations included Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO), Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA), JTTRI, Japan Airlines and ANA from the Japanese side.

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The Indian delegation included officials from the Ministries of External Affairs, Civil Aviation, Education, NCHMCT, ICCR and private stakeholders like the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO), Outbound Tour Operators Association of India (OTOAI) and the Association of Buddhist Tour Operators (ABTO).

The Co-Chairs of the two countries exchanged notes on the profile of the visitors. They delved into the data insights of the tourists travelling between the two countries, including to Buddhist destinations, in order to undertake suitable policy interventions to make the destinations more attractive for the millennial tourists.

The meeting focused on finding new ways to work together and enhance tourism ties between the two nations. Japanese Ambassador to India ONO Keiichi emphasised the strong cultural ties and mutual benefits of enriched tourism between the two countries.

The discussions focused on expanding bilateral tourism, with initiatives such as promoting Buddhist sites in India to Japanese tourists, improving air connectivity and encouraging Japanese student visits to the country. The meeting also explored increased private sector involvement and strategies to harness media and influencer engagements for boosting tourist flow.

The collaborative spirit and commitment demonstrated by both sides during the meeting is expected to develop a more vibrant tourism ecosystem, contributing significantly to the economic and cultural exchange between India and Japan, an official press note said on Thursday.

India also informed the Japanese delegation about the potential of partnerships between the two countries for creating uniquely curated itineraries for the Japanese tourists in the recently revamped Incredible India digital portal. It was also indicated that the Ministry of Tourism is in the process of launching the Incredible India mobile App shortly.

The meeting concluded on a positive note with mutual assurances of ongoing dialogue, further collaborations, and a reinforced commitment to leveraging tourism as a bridge for enhancing bilateral relations and mutual prosperity. India also informed the Japanese delegation about its plans of participation at the World Expo, Osaka, 2025, from 22nd  28th September 2025 for a broader outreach.
Tahawwur Hussain Rana, key accused in the 26/ 11 Mumbai terror attacks, was on Thursday brought to India from the United States, nearly 17 years after the mayhem in which 166 people were killed.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday evening formally arrested Rana, immediately after his arrival at IGIA, New Delhi.

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According to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) , it successfully secured the extradition of Rana, the alleged mastermind of the deadly 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, after years of sustained and concerted efforts.

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Rana was being held in judicial custody in the US pursuant to proceedings initiated under the India-US Extradition Treaty.

The extradition finally came through after Rana exhausted all legal avenues to stay the move, while the US Supreme court rejected his final plea recently.

With the active assistance of US DoJ, the US Sky Marshal, NIA worked closely with other Indian intelligence agencies, including the National Security Guard, through the entire extradition process, which also saw the Ministry of External Affairs and Home Ministrys coordination with the other relevant authorities in the US to take the matter to its successful conclusion.

The District Court for the Central District of California had ordered his extradition on 16th May 2023, and then Rana had filed multiple litigations in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, all of which were rejected.

He subsequently filed a petition for a writ of certiorari, two habeas petitions, and an emergency application before the U.S. Supreme Court, which were also denied.

The extradition proceedings were initiated between the two countries after India eventually secured a surrender warrant for the wanted terrorist from the US government.

Rana is an accused of conspiring with David Coleman Headley alias Daood Gilani, and operatives of designated terrorist organisations Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Harkat-ul-Jihadi Islami (HUJI) along with other Pakistan-based co-conspirators, to carry out the devastating terror attacks in Mumbai in 2008.

A total of 166 persons were killed and over 238 injured in the deadly attacks.

Both the LeT and HUJI have been declared as terrorist organizations by the Government of India under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

Ranas successful extradition is being seen as an important diplomatic win for the country, but also a significant step towards pursuit of justice for the victims of the ghastly terror attack in Mumbai.

As per allegations against Headley and Rana in the anti-terror probe agencys case, both entered into a criminal conspiracy with members of Lashkar-E-Taiba (LeT) and Harkat-ul Jihadi Islami (HUJI), to commit terrorist acts in New Delhi and other places in India.
Pakistan on Thursday sought to distance itself from Tahawwur Rana, an accused in the Mumbai terror attacks, saying its very clear that he is of Canadian nationality.

At his weekly media briefing, Pakistans Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan, responding to questions on Ranas extradition to India from the United States to face Indian law, said, Tahawwur Rana has not renewed his Pakistani documents for over two decades. His Canadian nationality is very clear.

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Pakistan does not allow its citizens who have migrated to Canada to hold dual citizenship.

Rana, a Pakistani-Canadian national, is charged with providing material support to the LeT, which carried out the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai, in which over 174 people were killed.

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Ranas extradition marks a significant step in the pursuit of justice for the victims of the 2008 terror attacks.
Prime Minister will visit his parliamentary constituency on Friday to lay the foundation stones and inaugurate over 44 projects worth over Rs 3,880 crore.

Meanwhile, the Mehndiganj ground in Rajatalab area where the prime minister is scheduled to address a public meeting has turned into a water pool due to inclement weather.

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Authorities are making all out efforts to clear the water logging and make the ground suitable for the programme. A German hanger has been constructed where the PM will address the public meeting.

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However, the weatherman has predicted more rains in the next 2 days.

According to sources, more than 50,000 people from Varanasi, including women, farmers, traders and students, will be present at the event.

Uttar Pradesh chief secretary and the DGP inspected the Mehndiganj ground and took stock of the security and other arrangements on Wednesday.

The 19 projects to be inaugurated by the PM cost over Rs 1,629.13 crore, including Transit Hostels and Ramnagar Police Barracks. PM will lay the foundation stone of 25 projects costing Rs 2255.05 crores which includes NH -31 underpass tunnel, near Babatpur airport.

According to the information received, PM Modi will reach Babatpur Airport at 10 am. After this, he will reach Mehndiganj by helicopter from there.

The PM will hand over GI certificates to the beneficiaries of various centre schemes.

From Varanasi , the PM will fly to Madhya Pradesh.
In its relentless efforts to dismantle the remnants of the secessionist and terrorist ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir, the Srinagar Police on Thursday conducted searches as part of the ongoing investigations into cases registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

The searches have been carried out in an FIR lodged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act about banned organisations after obtaining a search warrant from the designated NIA Court Srinagar, a Police spokesman said.

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The search related to investigation of the FIR, which have been registered under sections 10, 13 UAP Act, was carried out by Police Station Rajbagh along with executive magistrate First Class in the houses of Tehreek-e-Hurriyat members  Bashir Ahmed Bhat @ Peer Saifullaha, who is presently lodged in Tihar jail, and Mohammad Ashraf Laya, resident of Jamia Qadeem Baramulla, Old Barzulla.

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During the search, incriminating materials, including books, letterheads, pamphlets, and letters related to the investigation of the instant case, have been recovered from the house of Bashir Ahmed Bhat. The material was seized in the presence of the Magistrate and an independent witness as per proper legal procedures. The investigation of the case is going on, the spokesman added.

J&K Police remains committed to maintaining peace and security in the city. Any individual found furthering the agenda of violence, disruption, or unlawful activities will face strict legal consequences under the law, police warned.
Naftogaz Group has already restored more than half of the gas production it lost during Russia's missile and drone attacks in February, according to CEO Roman Chumak. He spoke at a press conference held at Ukraine's Ministry of Energy on April 9 to summarize the results of the 2024-2025 heating season.

"This heating season was the most difficult since the full-scale invasion began. In the first three months of this year, our facilities were targeted in more than eight combined missile and drone attacks  resulting in over 100 strikes," he said.

Chumak said that in response to the crisis, Naftogaz immediately secured emergency gas imports, which ensured uninterrupted heat for Ukrainian households.

"We arranged urgent natural gas imports in the first quarter, balanced the system's needs, and ensured that not a single Ukrainian felt a shortage of gas or heating. We stood firm and proved that Naftogaz today is a pillar of energy stability," he said.

Chumak added that preparations for the next winter season are already underway.
Former Kerala Police chief Loknath Behera, who was also the head of the National Investigation Agencys (NIA) special cell investigating the financial sources of terrorism, said has on Thursday that Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a key conspirator in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, visited Kochi before the Mumbai terror attacks.

Speaking to media persons here, Behera said Rana visited Kochi several times and that there is evidence in the Immigration Department to that effect.

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He said Rana visited Kochi on November 16, 2008. He stayed at the Taj Hotel on Marine Drive. After the terror attack in Mumbai, the Taj Group handed over the details of the foreigners who stayed in their hotel chains including Rana, to investigating officers, he said.

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He said Ranas interrogation by national agencies would shed fresh light on his visit to Kochi in mid-November 2008. The interrogation is expected to reveal the purpose of the visit and whom he met, he added.

Behera was the head of the National Investigation Agencys (NIAs) special cell investigating the financial sources of terrorism. He was also part of the team interrogating David Headley, a US national of Pakistani origin who conducted reconnaissance of the 26/11 attack sites.

Following Ranas arrest in 2009, the Kerala Police gathered intelligence indicating that he had spent nearly 24 hours in the city days before the attacks. NIA investigations later revealed that Rana had stayed in Kochi under the pretext of conducting overseas recruitment. He had even published a newspaper advertisement inviting job seekers for opportunities in the US and Canada. He returned to Mumbai the next day.

It is also suspected that David Coleman Headley had visited Kochi prior to the Mumbai terror attacks.

Tahawwur Hussain Rana was brought back to India from the US on Thursday.
In the wake of 26/11 accused Tahawwur Rana being extradited to India, the BJP said on Thursday that the Congress did not do anything to punish the terrorists and the extradition was possible because of Prime Minister Narendra Modis foremost and paramount commitment to Indias national security and national interest.

Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, Union Minister Piyush Goyal said, During the Congress government, terrorists attacked this very hotel (Taj Palace) where we are present. People died here. But Congress did not do anything to punish the terrorists It was PM Narendra Modis resolve to ensure that people who harm our country are severely punished

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He emphasised that, The accused of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks will finally be punished in India as per our laws.

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Union MoS Home Nityanand Rai told reporters in Patna: Since Narendra Modi has become the Prime Minister, a close watch has been kept on those against the country. Under the leadership of PM Modi and the guidance of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, terrorism is about to end in the country. Stringent action has been taken against traitors.

The extradition of 26/11 Mumbai terror attack key accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana is a big success of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi government, said Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday.

Speaking at a Summit, he said, Tahawwur Ranas extradition is a big success of Prime Minister Modis diplomacy.

Calling the Mumbai attacks and Tahawwur Ranas extradition to India a monumental triumph, BJP leader CR Kesavan today said the extradition was possible because of Prime Minister Narendra Modis foremost and paramount commitment to Indias national security and national interest.

This extradition is a milestone and a monumental triumph for Prime Minister Narendra Modi jis firm policy of zero tolerance against terrorism and zero tolerance against Indias enemies. This is also a standing testimony to Prime Minister Modi jis unswerving and iron will, commitment, and resolve to bring to justice and punish those terrorists and enemies of India who threatened and dared to attack Indian territory, Indian honour, and Indian people, Kesavan said in a self-made video.

He further attacked the Congress and said that the Congress-led government was weak and indecisive.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi has demanded the harshest punishment for Rana, calling for his execution in a public square in Mumbai as a deterrent to those with malicious intentions towards India.

After a long wait of 16 years, he is being extradited to IndiaHe should be sentenced to death in a crowded square in Mumbai so that people who look at India with evil intentions are left shaken, Chaturvedi told a news agency.

Rana, a key accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, is finally being extradited to India after a 16-year wait.
In the wake of the extradition of key accused Tahawwur Rana in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, BJP leader and former Commando who was part of the anti-terror operation during the 2008 attacks, Surender Singh, on Thursday said that hanging him will be a tight slap on Pakistan and terrorism.

He said, Its a big day for the country, and I thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the American President, and the agencies involved in this extradition process. When he is hanged, it will be a tight slap not just on terrorism but also on Pakistan.

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Remembering the unfortunate attack, Singh mentioned that the terrorists were well-trained. Due to the common people being held hostage by the terrorists, it was a critical operation, and the Commandos from the Indian Navy were facing a challenge to enter the Taj Hotel.

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However, with utmost care, the Commandos were able to enter the premises of the hotel, and 627 people were rescued after neutralising the terrorists.

In that operation, I killed two terrorists, but unfortunately, we lost Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan and five other Commandos sustained injuries in the operation, he said.

Elaborating further, Singh mentioned that the journalists who were covering the attack were also reporting by risking their lives. However, the live coverage was helping the handlers from Pakistan to guide the terrorists, he added.

Rana, who has been accused of playing a key role in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, is being extradited to India.

On November 26, 2008, a group of 10 Pakistani terrorists went on a rampage, carrying out a coordinated attack on a railway station, two luxury hotels, and a Jewish centre, after they sneaked into Indias financial capital using the sea route in the Arabian Sea. As many as 166 people were killed in the nearly 60-hour assault.

Rana is a close associate of one of the main conspirators of the attacks, David Coleman Headley alias Daood Gilani, a US citizen.
Elaborate security arrangements have been done at Palam airport, NIA headquarters and the Patiala court complex in view of the imminent arrival of Tahawwur Rana, the key accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, in the national capital.

A team of Special cell and SWAT commandos along with anti bomb squads has sanitized the areas outside the premises of the airport. Moreover, additional deployment of police personnel was also made at the airport, official sources said.

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Additionally, during the day, senior police officials visited the Patiala House Court premises and outside of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) headquarters to review the security arrangements.

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A tight security cordon has been established, with paramilitary forces and Delhi Police personnel deployed across strategic locations, including the NIA headquarters in South Delhi.

As a precautionary move, Gate No 2 of the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Metro Station  located adjacent to the NIA headquarters  was closed for public access. The gate, which had been open since morning, was later shut due to heightened security concerns.

Rana, a 64-year-old Pakistan-born Canadian national and a close associate of David Coleman Headley alias Daood Gilani, was extradited from the United States to face trial in India for his alleged role in the 2008 Mumbai attacks that claimed nearly 166 lives and left hundreds injured.
Security arrangements have been intensified at the National Investigation Agency (NIA) headquarters and Patiala House Court in the national capital ahead of the arrival of Tahawwur Rana, the key accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.

Rana, a 64-year-old Pakistan-born Canadian national and a close associate of David Coleman Headley alias Daood Gilani, is being extradited from the United States to face trial in India for his alleged role in the 2008 Mumbai attacks that claimed 166 lives and left hundreds injured.

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Sources said the extradition is being directly overseen by National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval, along with top officials from the NIA and the Ministry of Home Affairs.

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A tight security cordon has been established, with paramilitary forces and Delhi Police personnel deployed across strategic locations, including the NIA headquarters in South Delhi.

Additionally, senior police officials have been personally reviewing the arrangements on-site.

In a precautionary move, Gate No. 2 of the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Metro Station  located adjacent to the NIA headquarters  was closed for public access. The gate, which had been open since morning, was later shut due to heightened security concerns.

Officials confirmed that a special chartered flight carrying Rana departed from the US on April 9. Upon landing in Delhi, Rana will be immediately taken into custody by the NIA, which is coordinating the extradition along with the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW).

Rana, who is believed to have had close ties with Pakistans Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba, faces multiple serious charges under Indian law. These include criminal conspiracy, waging war against the Government of India, murder, forgery, and violations under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

After his arrival, Rana is likely to be lodged in a high-security ward at Delhis Tihar Jail and produced before a Delhi court shortly after. However, officials from the Mumbai Police have stated that they are yet to receive formal communication regarding Ranas transfer to the city.
Amid heightened speculation over replacing BJP state president K Annamalai and stitching a credible coalition by taking the AIADMK on board to take on the ruling DMK in the assembly election early next year, BJP strategist and Union Home Minister Amit Shah landed here Thursday on a two-day visit.

The visit assumes significance as it comes at a time when the political discourse in the Dravidian heartland has taken a dramatic turn.

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The DMK has already set a narrative for the poll, putting both the principal opposition AIADMK and the BJP on the backfoot over Hindi imposition through the three-language formula, delimitation of Lok Sabha constituencies and discriminatory financial devolution.

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Added to this, the DMK government of MK Stalin had secured a huge advantage with the Supreme Court verdict deeming 10 Bills, referred to the President, as having received assent.

According to sources, AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswa mi is likely to meet Shah along with his party seniors for the second time within a fortnight after the first one in Delhi. Other expelled AIADMK leaders including former Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam and Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) founder TTV Dhinakaran too have sought an audience with Shah and the BJP veteran would have to navigate through to clinch an alliance with the AIADMK and bring more parties into the NDA fold.

Even before he could land, the PMK has put the spokes in his plans with party founder S Ramadoss remaining non- committal on an alliance with the saffron party.

Alliance will be decided by the PMKs Executive Committee later on by the year end, was his response to a question on tie-up with the BJP. Further, Ramadoss had stripped his son, Anbumani, said to be a votary of teaming up with the BJP, from the post of party president and declaring himself as party president.

On the change of guard in TN BJP, it is not clear yet as to whether Annamalai will be relieved of his responsibility though party Mahila Morcha national president and Coimbatore MLA, Vanathi Sreenivasan is a strong contender as a replacement.

Despite the party making 10 years of continued party membership mandatory for contesting the election, Tirunelveli MLA, Nainar Nagendran, a former AIADMK minister who switched to the BJP, is also in the reckoning.

A potential dark horse could be Anandhan Ayyasamy from Tenk asi, a young Dalit leader and a protege of former CEO of Zoho corporation Vembu, say sources. He has been groomed by Vembu to bring the southern districts under saffron sway.

With RSS ideologue and Thuglak editor S Gurumurthy slated to present a roadmap for Shah on the BJP making gains in Tamil Nadu, Annamalai met him earlier in the day. He is expected to suggest the creation of a new post, NDA Coordinator to smoothen ruffled feathers in the alliance besides the benefits of retaining Annamalai if no one could be entrusted to enter his shoes in the present.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Prahlad Joshi, held a joint review meeting on Thursday on the PM Surya Ghar Free Electricity Scheme, PM KUSUM Scheme, and wheat procurement for the Rabi Marketing Year 2025-26.

Welcoming Prahlad Joshi at his official residence, the chief minister informed him about the states performance in solar energy and wheat procurement, aligning with the prime ministers vision. He assured him that Uttar Pradesh would strive to achieve the best possible results in these areas.

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The Union minister, while congratulating the state for its remarkable efforts, noted that Uttar Pradesh is setting an example for the entire nation by responding effectively to the growing energy demands.

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During the meeting, both the leaders provided essential guidance to state and Central government officials. After the session, the chief minister gifted Prahlad Joshi the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative and a bouquet of flowers.

The chief minister highlighted that a comprehensive review was conducted on three key schemes that impact the common man, especially farmers. He affirmed that under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttar Pradesh is making strides in these initiatives.

He emphasized the states ongoing efforts to promote renewable energy, particularly through the Uttar Pradesh Solar Energy Policy 2022, which ensures affordable and reliable solar energy access for the public. Additionally, the Uttar Pradesh Bio Energy Policy 2022 and the Uttar Pradesh Green Hydrogen Policy 2024 have also been implemented to further these goals.

The chief minister further said that Uttar Pradesh has set an ambitious target of over 22,000 MW of solar production by 2027, under the Solar Policy. This includes the development of solar parks, solarizing agricultural feeders and private on-grid pumps, installing solar plants along expressways and railway tracks, and promoting the manufacturing industry of solar energy equipment. To support this, the transmission network for solar projects is also being enhanced.

On the PM Surya Ghar Yojana, the chief minister noted that over 10 lakh applications have been received in Uttar Pradesh, with more than one lakh installations completed so far. He directed UPNEDA officials to expedite the connection of all applicants to solar energy through an organized campaign.

He emphasized the goal of increasing the monthly installations from the current 11,000 to over 22,000 in 2025-26, with district-wise, DISCOM-wise, and municipal corporation-wise targets. These efforts should be integrated into the CM dashboard for effective monitoring and review.

He said the number of vendors should be increased based on the demand. The focus is also on training to create more Surya Mitras for solar installations, with training programs provided through Polytechnic institutes.

While reviewing the wheat procurement for Rabi Marketing Year 2025-26, the chief minister expressed the confidence that Uttar Pradesh would meet its wheat procurement target within the stipulated time. He shared that as of April 9, over 1.40 lakh metric tonnes of wheat had been procured from 26,641 farmers, marking excellent progress compared to previous years. As part of the strategy to reach out to farmers, district and divisional officers were sent to villages before the harvest to inform farmers about the MSP and encourage them to bring their wheat to the procurement centers.

Union Minister Prahlad Joshi expressed his gratitude to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and commended the states performance in various schemes, including wheat procurement and the PM Surya Ghar initiative.

He praised the states excellent work in the renewable and overall energy sector, highlighting the progress made in Ayodhya and Varanasi as exemplary for other states.

Joshi emphasized the need to improve these efforts through a targeted campaign, with the goal of showcasing Uttar Pradesh as a model for the entire country. He also noted that the state is well-prepared and moving in the right direction to meet the growing energy demand.
Indias decision to introduce a standardised curriculum in Himalayan Buddhist monasteries marks a significant shift in how the country views both education and national security. This reform is more than an academic exercise ~ it is a quiet but strategic move to fortify Indias cultural and geopolitical frontiers. For decades, Buddhist monasteries in regions like Arunachal Pradesh, Ladakh, Sikkim, and Himachal Pradesh have functioned as semi-autonomous institutions. They have preserved not only spiritual teachings but also a unique educational rhythm that blends religion, philosophy, and community wisdom. However, the lack of formal recognition for nonreligious subjects taught in these institutions has left many students disconnected from mainstream opportunities. Now, with the government stepping in to unify these curricula under a national framework, we are witnessing an effort to bridge this gap. Introducing science, mathematics, computer literacy, and national history into monastic education not only empowers students with tools for the modern world but also anchors them more firmly in Indias civic identity. This move must be seen in the larger context of the India-China border dynamic.

These monasteries are not just religious centres ~ they are located in some of the most geopolitically sensitive areas of the country. In a region where soft power can shape loyalties and narratives, ensuring that religious institutions align with national interests is a pragmatic, if delicate, step. At its heart, the initiative is about fostering a sense of belonging among young monks and nuns ~ many of whom live in remote, high-altitude settlements. Education becomes not just a tool of learning, but of national integration. There is also a quiet acknowledgement that foreign influence, especially from China, has long permeated these border regions ~ not only through political claims but also through cultural channels.

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By equipping monastic students with an education rooted in Indian values and certified by Indian institutions, New Delhi is attempting to assert ideological sovereignty over its frontiers. However, this initiative must be implemented with care. The monasteries concerns about the disruption of traditional learning models are valid. Any curriculum reform must respect the spiritual and pedagogical legacy of these institutions. It would be a mistake to impose a one-size-fits-all model that ignores the nuanced realities of monastic life. Dialogue, not diktat, should guide this transition.

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Moreover, this effort must not become another battleground for cultural homogenisation. The strength of India lies in its ability to accommodate diversity while fostering unity. A curriculum that includes Bhoti language and Tibetan traditions alongside Indian history and civics is a positive sign. The goal should not be assimilation, but integration ~ rooting Himalayan Buddhist identity more deeply within the Indian fold without erasing its distinctiveness. At a time when education is increasingly recognised as a tool of statecraft, Indias Himalayan monastery reform is a thoughtful stride. If done right, it could serve as a model for how to blend cultural preservation with nation-building in a way that is both inclusive and strategic.
The relationship between India and China, two of the oldest civilizations in the world, has been a saga marked by both shared history and contentious moments. As the two nations celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of their diplomatic ties, the journey of their complex relationship reveals a fascinating story of aspirations, trust, mistrust, and evolving geopolitical realities. When India and China first established diplomatic ties in 1950, it was a moment of promise.

India was the first non-socialist country to formally recognize the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) following its establishment after a bloody civil war. India, under the leadership of Jawaharlal Nehru, was focused on promoting a vision of peaceful coexistence and non-alignment during the Cold War. Nehru saw a future where the two Asian giants could cooperate to achieve regional peace and stability.

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This vision was encapsulated in the Panchsheel Agreement signed in 1954, based on five guiding principles: respect for territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in each others internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence. The relationship, however, was fraught with challenges from the start. Chinas refusal to honour the McMahon Line, which demarcated the border between Tibet and India, and its invasion of Tibet in 1950, created early tensions. India, under Nehrus leadership, viewed Chinas expansionist ambitions with increasing suspicion.

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The fact that India offered sanctuary to the Dalai Lama, Tibets spiritual leader, following an uprising in Tibet in 1959, was seen by China as a direct affront to its sovereignty. Beijing accused India of meddling in its internal affairs, especially over the Tibet issue, and the relationship began to sour. Nehru, ever the optimist, sought to engage with China diplomatically. He believed that forging closer ties would help India address its security concerns and create a stable, peaceful environment in Asia. However, the signing of the Panchsheel Agreement in 1954 did not resolve the underlying issues.

By the early 1960s, border skirmishes between Indian and Chinese forces were becoming increasingly frequent. The situation escalated in 1962, leading to the war that India would later describe as a crushing defeat. In just a matter of weeks, India lost over 3,000 soldiers and territory in Aksai Chin, an area China had already occupied by the time of the conflict. The defeat left deep scars in the Indian psyche and marked the lowest point in India-China relations. Over the years, both nations struggled to reconcile their differences. In the aftermath of the 1962 war, the relationship remained largely antagonistic for decades, with distrust growing over time.

Even as the world around them shifted dramatically  with the Cold War coming to an end, the rise of globalization, and Chinas economic liberalization  India and China found themselves caught in the crosscurrents of global politics. Chinas increasing engagement with the West, especially the United States, was viewed with suspicion in India, especially as India cultivated deeper ties with the US in the 21st century. The early optimism of Panchsheel began to fade as both countries realized that their interests in Asia, and on the global stage, were often at odds. In the 1980s, Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhis visit to China in 1988 marked a thaw in bilateral relations.

Chinas economic reforms under Deng Xiaoping were yielding positive results, and India, too, was opening up its economy. Gandhi, on his visit to China, reaffirmed Indias stance on territorial integrity, especially over disputed areas like Aksai Chin. Despite the thaw, however, the spectre of the 1962 war continued to hover over the relationship, and issues such as the status of Tibet, the Dalai Lama, and Chinas growing influence in Asia remained unresolved. In the years that followed, both countries began to recognize the importance of cooperating in global forums.

The rise of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) group in the 2000s highlighted the growing significance of emerging economies on the global stage. Yet, even as China and India engaged in multilateral settings like BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), their bilateral ties were continually tested. For China, the SCO provided a platform to assert its leadership in Central Asia and, by extension, its influence over the Global South.

For India, the organization offered a way to engage with its neighbour while simultaneously countering Chinas growing assertiveness in the region. The SCO, however, could never completely shield the two nations from the larger geopolitical currents that often drove them apart. As Chinas economic power and military capabilities grew, Indias strategic positioning within the global order became more important. Chinas Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) presented both opportunities and challenges for India. While China promised infrastructure investment across the developing world, including in South Asia, India expressed concerns over the so-called debt trap diplomacy that came with these investments.

India feared that Chinese loans to smaller countries could lead to unsustainable debt burdens, eventually giving China undue political leverage. Indias concerns were particularly acute in Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and other neighbouring countries, where Chinese investments were seen as part of a broader strategic move to establish Chinese dominance in South Asia. The issue of the Dalai Lama continues to be a thorn in the side of SinoIndian relations. For India, offering sanctuary to the Dalai Lama has been a symbol of its support for the Tibetan cause. For China, however, the Dalai Lama remains a figure of contention, seen as a challenge to its sovereignty over Tibet.

In recent years, as India has taken a stronger stance on human rights and has deepened its strategic ties with the West, China has become increasingly critical of Indias stance on Tibet and other issues. Indias rising ties with the US have further complicated its relationship with China. The two countries growing strategic partnership, especially in the context of the Indo-Pacific, has led to increasing tensions between Beijing and New Delhi. Chinas growing assertiveness in the South China Sea, its Belt and Road Initiative, and its growing military presence have placed India in a difficult position. Despite attempts at dialogue, there is an undeniable tension between Indias desire for a more secure and independent global role and Chinas pursuit of regional and global dominance.

In the past two decades, both India and China have had to grapple with the geopolitical realities of an interconnected world. Indias participation in BRICS and the SCO, its deepening ties with the US, and its increasingly assertive stance in regional and global politics have put it at odds with Chinas ambitions. Meanwhile, Chinas global footprint has only expanded, further complicating bilateral ties. The Dragon and the Elephant, once bound by common aspirations of peace and prosperity, now find themselves facing a more competitive and uncertain future.

As the two countries celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of diplomatic ties, their relationship remains as complex as ever. While cooperation in multilateral forums like BRICS and SCO continues, unresolved issues, including border disputes, the Tibet question, and the growing competition for global influence, continue to challenge the bilateral relationship. The journey of the Dragon and the Elephant is far from over, and it remains to be seen whether these two great nations can navigate their differences and work towards a future of peaceful coexistence. Yet, the geopolitical realities of the 21st century present an opportunity for these two giants to transform their cooperation into a force capable of reshaping global power dynamics.

As emerging economic powers, India and China have the potential to create a partnership that could challenge existing global structures and bring about a new era of economic collaboration, technological innovation, and global influence. The comparison to a sleeping giant is fitting in this context: just as Chinas rise was once predicted to shake the world, the cooperation between India and China holds the potential to disrupt and transform the global order.

If they can overcome their historical grievances and align their interests, their combined influence in global forums such as BRICS and the SCO could lead to an era where their collective strength could rival any other power bloc. The future of their relationship, while uncertain, offers a tantalizing possibility: if the Dragon and the Elephant truly cooperate, they could shake the world in ways that extend far beyond their regional borders, creating a new, more balanced world order.

(The writer is Professor, Centre For South Asian Studies, School of International Studies & Social Sciences, Pondicherry Central University.)
West Bengal is a state uniquely positioned because it offers many advantages critical to the logistics sector. It is the sixth-largest economy in India, with a Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of Rs 17 lakh crore. Growing at an impressive annual rate of 15.24 per cent, West Bengal is one of the fastest growing states in the country.

With an estimated population of over 100 million, the state represents both a massive consumption base and an ever growing industrial hub. What truly sets West Bengal apart, however, is its strategic geographical advantage. Positioned as the gateway to Indias Northeast and land-locked neighbours like Bhutan and Nepal, it also acts as Indias vital conduit to Southeast Asia. This strategic geographic significance makes West Bengal the ideal destination for investments in the logistics sector. The states logistics sector is poised for exponential growth, with the current market size estimated at USD 20 billion.

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Our key infrastructure includes strategically-located sea-ports in the form of the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port (erstwhile Kolkata Port Trust) and Haldia Dock Complex. Together, they serve as major gateways for cargo, offering robust multi-modal connectivity. Together, these ports handle over 65 million metric tons of cargo annually. The proposed Tajpur Deep-Sea Port is likely to be a game-changer that will accommodate large vessels and significantly reduce logistics costs. Extensive inland waterways provide immense opportunities for development of tourism, passenger and cargo services. With 4,593 kilometers of navigable waterways, including the National Waterway-1 and the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route, we are fostering greener and more efficient cargo transport systems.

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These waterways link us not only to Northeast India, but also to Southeast Asia and beyond, providing a cost-effective alternative to road and rail. Under the West Bengal In  land Water Transport, Logistics and Spatial Development Project, the state is exploring ways and means to operationalise the RoRo (Roll-on, Roll-off) service on NW-1, especially in and around the Kolkata metropolitan area. The initiative, if successful, is likely to reduce travel time for cargo and passenger movement while also significantly reduce carbon footprints as a result of vehicles having to travel lesser distances.

The state has already operationalised RoRo and RoPax services in the Sundarbans and Gangasagar areas. There are many private players who are also bracing to introduce RoRo services along NW1, not to speak of the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) similarly conducting studies to this effect. Better air connectivity is an advantage that drives the logistics sector in the state. Kolkata airport, the largest freight facility in eastern India, is a critical hub for high-value and perishable goods. Recent enhancements, such as express courier terminals and the Centre for Perishable Cargo, strengthen its capabilities.

The airports at Andal, Bagdogra and Coochbehar add to the available options and could be further leveraged for seamless logistics movement across the state using its airways. The state is further exploring the possibilities at such other locations as Malda, Balurghat, Charra (Purulia), Kalaikunda and Hasimara. West Bengals extensive road and rail network is yet another infrastructural advantage that catalyses the logistics sector. The road network spans over 100,000 kilometers, with 33 national highways connecting the state to the neighboring re  gions. Additionally, 1,409 kilo  me ters of the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor run through West Bengal, connecting Dankuni to Uttar Pradesh and beyo  nd. This must be leveraged to the advantage of smooth cargo movement from West Bengal to the other states.

Extensive warehousing facilities including better inventory management practices and cold chain networks, as exist in the state, provide the enabling springboard for the sector. It is notable that West Bengal leads eastern India in warehousing capacity, with hubs like Dankuni and NH-16 witnessing a surge in demand. Modern facilities cater to sectors like e-commerce, FMCG and pharmaceuticals, meeting the needs of a fast evolving market. What makes West Bengal a preferred destination for logistics investment? These three core drivers include a conducive industrial ecosystem, well-endowed economic corridors and strategic geographical location. West Bengal is home to a thriving industrial base, from MSMEs to large-scale enterprises.

The states Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector boasts over 42 lakh units, contributing 7.2 per cent to Indias total MSMEs. Industrial clusters span sectors like textiles, leather, chemicals, and hi-tech electronics, driving demand for logistics services. The state serves as the terminus for several mega-corridors, including the Amritsar-Kol kata Industrial Corridor and the East Coast Economic Corridor. These corridors promise seamless connectivity to global value chains and open doors for exports and imp  orts, enhancing the states logistics ecosystem. West Bengals connectivity with Southeast Asia through projects like the Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project and the Trilateral Highway (IndiaMyanmar-Thailand) positions us as a strategic partner for In  dias integration into global value chains. The Government of West Bengal is committed to creating an investor-friendly environment.

The West Bengal Logistics Policy, 2023 embodies this vis  ion. Some of the key features include industry status to the logistics sector, development of multi-modal logistics parks and freight villages, dedicated land banks for logistics infrastructure, streamlined approvals through an integrated single-window system, development of green logistics and the adoption of digital technologies and the existence of the West Bengal Logistics Centre of Excellence to foster innovation and skill development. Additionally, initiatives like the West Bengal Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme and the Utkarsh Bangla Scheme, as conceived and stewarded by the Department of Technical Education, Training and Skill Development, are ensuring a readymade pool of skilled workforce tailored to the sectors needs. Premier institutions such as IIT Kharagpur and IIM Calcutta complement this effort by nurturing managerial talent and innovation.

Industries and businesses are availing the opportunity for sector-specific customized capacity building of human resources as required for spurring the economic and commercial activities in respective sectors. As global supply chains shift toward greener practices, West Bengal is leading the char  ge with initiatives in green logistics. From leveraging inland waterways to reduce carbon footprints to integrating renewable energy in logistics parks, sustainability is at the heart of our strategy. Furthermore, the Blue Economy ~ focusing on fisheries, maritime tourism, and coastal trade ~ is further set to unlock significant opportunities. The rise of e-commerce has also transformed logistics. Companies like Amazon and Flipkart are investing heavily in the state, creating a ripple effect in warehousing and last-mile delivery solutions. Quick commerce, driven by demand for shorter delivery times, is further fuelling the need for modern infrastructure and technological innovation. West Bengals logistics story is one of opportunity and transformation. The states strategic location, growing industrial base, skilled workforce, and investor friendly policies make it the ideal destination for those looking to make impactful investments.

From infrastructure development to operational innovation, the opportunities here are vast and varied. Whether it is developing multi-modal logistics parks, investing in cold chain solutions, or pioneering green logistics practices, West Bengal offers a platform for sustainable and profitable ventures. Leveraging all these advantages, the State has already created a logistics ecosystem that not only powers economic growth, but also enhances the quality of life for millions.West Bengals strong infrastructure, ingenuous policies, facilitatory ecosystem and a strong commitment provide the enabling ambience for everyone to be part of this fascinating growth story

(The writer is Secretary, Transport Department, Govt of West Bengal. The views expressed here are personal and do not reflect those of the Government)
The Military Law and Order Service of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that, in accordance with the order of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, it is investigating the fact of the draft of former head of the State Fiscal Service Roman Nasirov to military service during his trial.

"It has been established that soldier Nasirov R. M. was drafted into the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine during mobilization for a special period. The draftee, who voluntarily expressed a desire to serve in the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, was drafted by order of the commander of the military unit A0139 dated 07.04.2025. It was previously found that the commander recognized the order as unlawful and canceled it," the Armed Forces General Staff reported.

The materials of the investigation for signs of possible abuse of authority will be transferred to law enforcement agencies.

"At the same time, military unit A0139 is subordinate to the Main Command Center of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Its units, together with other military units, take direct part in combat operations throughout the years of the Russian-Ukrainian war," the Telegram channel of the Military Police of the Armed Forces of Ukraine informs.

As reported at the stage of the court debates in the case of abuse of office, where Nasirov and the former head of the State Fiscal Service department are defendants, Nasirov's defense lawyer filed a motion to suspend the criminal proceedings in connection with the mobilization of his client, providing the court with a copy of the order that Nasirov was included in the lists of personnel of the military unit from April 7.
In a significant rebuke to creeping gubernatorial arrogance, the Supreme Court has finally placed a constitutional mirror before the conduct of some of Indias Governors. The spotlight, though national in implication, has firmly been on Tamil Nadu ~ a state where the Governors office has, in recent years, increasingly appeared more as an extension of political gamesmanship than as a neutral constitutional post. The top courts observations ~ particularly on Governor R.N. Ravis habit of withholding or indefinitely delaying as  sent to bills ~ could not have come at a more crucial time. The judiciary reminded the nation that Governors are not political gatekeepers but constitutional custodians, bound by the advice of elected governments. It is an assertion of federalism that was overdue and one that makes Mr Ravis position untenable.

In Tamil Nadu, the tension between Raj Bhavan and Fort St. George has escalated to almost comical levels. Bills passed by a democratically elected assembly were allowed to languish on the Governors desk, sometimes for over a year, with no communication, no reason, and no sense of constitutional duty. When cornered, the Governor simply returned the bills ~ only to have the assembly pass them again, leaving Mr Ravi with no option constitutionally but to assent. Instead, the Governor chose to forward them to the President. Its not governance; its theatre.

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And citizens are the collateral. Such delays and discretionary overreach not only erode public faith in constitutional offices but also stall governance, disrupting the delivery of essential services and democratic processes at the state level. This behaviour, however, is not unique to Tamil Nadu. Governors in several opposition-ruled states ~ from Kerala to Punjab ~ have exhibited a similar pattern: delay, deflect, deny. It reflects a systemic malaise, where the central government, by way of appointed Governors, appears to use constitutional positions to undermine state autonomy.

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What the Supreme Court has done is to remind everyone ~ especially those sitting in Raj Bhavans ~ that their powers are not discretionary in the political sense. Article 200 of the Constitution is not a loophole for ideological obstruction. Delays and non-replies are not neutral acts; they are anti-democratic. The ruling, however, is only a legal milestone. The real test is political. Will the Centre recalibrate its approach and respect the federal spirit, or will Governors continue to act as agents of partisan interest? Will Parliament consider reforming the appointment and accountability mechanisms for Governors?

Or will these posts continue to serve as retirement rewards for loyalists? Indias democracy was designed to be federal in structure and spirit. The misuse of gubernatorial power strikes at the heart of that balance. If the Centre continues to treat states as administrative outposts rather than equal partners, it weakens not just state governments but the Republic itself. The judiciary has done its duty. It is now up to the political class to follow suit ~ or be assessed by the people as having failed to uphold the Constitution.
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy sees Russian interference in the Balkans, he told Politico following a visit to the region.

"At this time, with war in Europe and seeing the long hand of Russian interference also in the region, you would be a fool if you took your eye off the Western Balkans, where there are still legacy issues that are yet to be overcome," British Foreign Secretary David Lammy told Politico.

"The Western Balkans are described as 'the other hotspot' by figures in the upper echelons of the U.K. government  and with the heat now being turned up, Britain is pushing for all six states in the region to join the EU to ward off Russian influence," the publication reports.

As of today, the status of candidate countries for EU membership is held by North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Kosovo, whose independence is not recognized by five EU member states, is considered a potential candidate for membership.
In recent times there has been a rapid rise in quick commerce. The convenience of instant deliveries and the wide range of products they offer has led to a big boom for companies like Zepto, Blinkit and Instamart among others. A report last year claimed that as many as 2 lakh neighbourhood kirana stores had closed due to the shifting consumer preferences towards quick commerce.



Bengaluru-based quick commerce startup KiranaPro wants to give kirana stores a new lease of life. Unlike other quick commerce companies, which typically open dark stores from where they fulfil the orders, and thus compete with kiranas, KiranaPro connects the consumer with local kirana stores via the ONDC (Open Network of Digital Commerce) network. It runs on an AI (artificial intelligence)- driven model. In a way, KiranaPro is partnering with kiranas and empowering them through technology.

"We all use Siri or Google Assistant. So, Kirana Pro is like an AI assistant for you for shopping...We are the first AI agent to talk to a local kirana store and find the product for you," explained Deepak Ravindran, the co-founder of KiranaPro.

The company has so far onboarded around 30,000 kiranas.

"We will accelerate our expansion, bringing more kirana stores into the digital economy and strengthening their ability to compete in the era of quick commerce," said Ravindran. It plans to onboard 1 million kirana stores and serve nearly 100 million customers.

Recently, KiranaPro roped in badminton star PV Sindhu as an investor brand ambassador. Last year, KiranaPro raised seed funds, with participation from venture capital firms like Unpopular Ventures, Snow Leopard, Turbostart, and Blume.

KiranaPro is currently live in Thrissur and Kochi in Kerala. The company is also live in Hyderabad, Mumbai and Bengaluru, but Ravindran says the core focus will be on smaller cities.

"We want to deliver to the underserved market," he said.

While KiranaPro may have started with grocery, the company has plans to expand into other categories like electronics and apparel this year.

"We are rebranding ourselves K.Pro. The launch date is April 15, Vishu, the Malayalam new year," said Ravindran.

With plans to expand into newer categories, the company has started discussions with some of the retailers present in these categories.

Ravindran noted that the company was in talks with companies to get KiranaPro integrated into the audio payment confirmation devices (commonly known as soundbox) offered to stores by fintechs, a move he says will help the company get access to more neighbourhood stores.

"The grand plan is to build a kirana operating system, which will include accounting, QCommerce, billing... everything together in a suit," stated Ravindran.

Recently, KiranaPro acquired Joper.app, a hyperlocal grocery delivery service that connects kirana stores with customers, a move that also helps it get access to more neighbourhood stores.
China is developing a large and advanced arsenal of nuclear, conventional, cyber and space capabilities in a bid to dominate the Indo-Pacific region and displace the US as the world's most powerful nation, John Noh, performing the duties of assistant secretary of defence for Indo-Pacific security affairs, said while testifying before the House Armed Services Committee hearing.

The military modernisation of China, which encompasses advancements in the field of artificial intelligence in the form of hypersonic missiles, and space-based capabilities among others, poses a real and serious threat to the US, its allies and partners, said Navy Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander of US Indo-Pacific Command.

According to Noh, the US needs to establish deterrence in the Indo-Pacific region with combat-credible military forces to counter the Chinese threat and aggression.

ALSO READ: India-made component found in Russian weapon used against Ukraine: Intelligence report

China has been increasing its aggressive military posturing in the Indo- Pacific region. The US has naval bases and military presence in the region and has been expanding its alliance there.

Noh said the US must rebalance burden sharing with allies in the region and partners and invest in the US defense industrial base. "Stronger allies lead to stronger alliances, and stronger alliances deter aggression and create dilemmas for our adversaries."

Noh observed that Chinese President Xi Jinping ordered the People's Liberation Army (PLA) to be ready for invading Taiwan by 2027.

Speaking about the frequent military drills by the PLA near Taiwan, Paparo claimed that China's aggressive military actions near Taiwan are not just exercises, but are rehearsals.

He too echoed the observations of Noh as he said China is outproducing the US in air, maritime and missile capability while also accelerating its space and counter-space capabilities. This, according to Paparo, poses real and serious challenges to US military superiority, but also presents opportunities for reform and for establishing enduring advantage.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) on Thursday took suo motu cognisance and demanded stringent legal action to identify and prosecute those responsible for the despicable acid attack, rape, and death threats received by influencer Apoorva Mukhija. This follows her controversial comments on an episode of comedian Samay Raina's YouTube show, 'India's Got Latent'.

"Issuing threats of sexual violence or death sets a dangerous precedent and must be dealt with sternly," the NCW said, urging law enforcement agencies to identify and prosecute the offenders behind the threats.

Popularly known as 'The Rebel Kid' on Instagram, Apoorva only recently returned from a social media hiatus following the immense backlash she received, posting numerous screenshots of the acid attack, rape and death threats she received, mentioning in the caption that these were not even 1%, indicating the terrifying scale of the backlash she received.

On April 9, she elaborated on it in her first YouTube video after her return to social media.

Speaking candidly, she broke down as she revealed the emotional trauma she faced, and the impact of the acid attack, rape and death threats that were levelled against her. She also offered a painfully-detailed explanation of the entire issue: the filming of the episode, the immediate reactions, the large-scale backlash, the legal disputes, and how the issue affected her family, friends, and wider circles.

The NCW has written to the Maharashtra Director General of Police Sanjay Kumar Verma, urging for an immediate and thorough investigation into the matter. It also directed that necessary support and security be extended to Apoorva.

While the Commission stood by the legal action it earlier took against every panel member of the controversial episode on grounds of obscenity, it also clarified that under no circumstances could such abuse be justified or ignored.

"The responsibility to create a safe and respectful digital environment lies not just with law enforcement, but also with social media platforms and society at large," it said.
As Tahawwur Hussain Rana is expected to land in the national capital this evening, he will be first formally taken into custody by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Indias premier counter-terrorism agency responsible for investigating the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks case. Tahawwur Rana will be the third person to face trial in India in the 26/11 case. Before him, Ajmal Kasab and Abu Jundal were tried in India.

Rana will arrive in Delhi on a special Indian Air Force plane, escorted by a multi-agency team including the NIA. After years of legal battles in the US, where he exhausted every appealincluding a final rejection by the Supreme Court on April 7hes now in the custody of the Indian investigators. This marks a turning point in a case thats haunted India for nearly two decades.

There are several legal steps to be followed based on standard procedures for extradited individuals accused of serious crimes like terrorism in India.

As part of the standard procedure for individuals in custody, Rana will undergo a medical examination to assess his health condition. This step ensures compliance with legal and human rights obligations, especially since Rana had previously cited health issues including heart conditions and Parkinsons disease in his appeals against extradition in the US.

Rana is expected to be produced before a special NIA court, likely at the Patiala House Courts in Delhi, which handles terrorism-related cases. Due to security concerns and the high-profile nature of the case, this may occur via video conferencing rather than a physical appearance in open court. But since the courts are closed today on account of Mahavir Jayanti, he could be presented before a judge at their residence or through an in-camera proceeding.

The NIA is expected to seek custodial interrogation of Rana, requesting maximum custody up to 14 days. This remand period will allow investigators to question him regarding his alleged role in the 26/11 attacks, his connections to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), and potential links to Pakistani state actors, as outlined in the NIAs 2011 chargesheet.

Rana will be formally arrested under Indian law, aligning with the extradition request and the existing charges against him. The charges include Conspiracy to wage war (Section 121A, IPC), Murder (Section 302, IPC), Criminal conspiracy (Section 120B, IPC), Committing a terrorist act (Section 16, UAPA) and Forgery (Section 465, IPC).

During the custodial period, the NIA, along with other intelligence agencies, will interrogate Rana to gather evidence and potentially uncover new leads. The trial process will then proceed in the special NIA court, where the prosecution will present evidence, including testimonies from co-conspirator David Coleman Headley, travel records, and communications linked to the 26/11 attacks.

Rana has reportedly secured legal counsel and his defense team will have the opportunity to challenge the prosecutions evidence.

The trial itself could be lengthy, given the complexity of the case and its international dimensions. India may also use Ranas interrogation to strengthen diplomatic and legal efforts against Pakistan-based actors involved in the attacks, though the focus will remain on securing a conviction based on existing evidence.
Telangana has joined the list of a handful of Indian states that made High Security Registration Plates (HSRPs) mandatory. What are these number plates, how do they differ from existing plates and why is the state government enforcing the new rule now? Find out here.

What is HSRP?

A High Security Registration Plate (HRSP) is made of aluminium and comes with built-in security features. Each plate bears a chromium-based 3D hologram and a laser-etched code. The HSRP also has a feature to indicate the emission standards of the vehicle. For Bharat Stage 6 vehicles, a green strip is added to the number plate. The HRSP should also be accompanied by a sticker. The color-coded sticker should be pasted on the windshield of the vehicles to convey the fuel type.

Why is Telangana implementing this now?

Apart from complying with a Supreme Court order, the government's end goal is to prevent vehicle thefts, ensure standardization for all vehicles, and make it easier to trace vehicles involved in crimes. The HSRPs are harder to duplicate or tamper with and bring uniformity to number plates of all types of vehicles. Though the central government had laid down the guidelines years ago, states have been rolling it out in phases. Telanganas transport department has now made it mandatory for all old vehicles to get HSRPs before the deadline of September 30, 2025.

Who should get HSRP installed and How to get it?

All the owners who have registered their two-wheelers, three-wheelers and four-wheelers prior to April 1, 2019, should get HSRPs for their vehicles. Owners can visit the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) website, enter their vehicle details, choose a slot and location, pay online and get the new plate affixed at an authorized center. The process has been made simple as there is also a feature to send timely updates through SMS. The average price of. a plate would be between 320 and 800. The vehicles registered after April 1, 2019 in Telangana are by default fitted with the HSRP.

What is the origin of this idea?

The HSRP initiative goes two decades back when the Centre amended motor vehicle rules to introduce tamper-proof number plates. While implementation was marked by delays for years, states like Punjab, Haryana and Maharashtra have enforced it strictly. Telangana is now following suit.

What happens if HSRP is avoided?

The government through an order has instructed concerned officials to impose fines on violators. There can be other potential legal issues too if not complied with. The government has made it clear there will be no transactions with vehicles without these types of number plates. Pollution certificates and insurance will also be denied to vehicles without HSRP.
Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra has moved the Supreme Court against the controversial Waqf Amendment Act. Moitras petition comes as a three-judge bench led by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna is set to hear pleas against the Waqf Amendment Act next week.

"Filed writ in SC against Waqf Act- challenging denial of right of non-Muslims to dedicate property to Waqf against my constitutional guarantees under Article 14 (non-arbitrariness), 15(1) (non-discrimination), 19(1)(c) (freedom of association), 21 (individual autonomy) & 300A (property), Moitra tweeted on Wednesday. In her plea, Moitra charged the law violated constitutional rights guaranteed for minorities in the country and the Joint Parliamentary Committee on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill flouted rules.

In her petition, Moitra said, The chairperson of the Joint Parliamentary Committee flouted parliamentary rules and practices both at the stage of consideration and adoption of the draft report of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on the Waqf Amendment Bill and at the stage of presentation of the said report before the Parliament. The West Bengal MP charged the draft report of the JPC was circulated among members only a day before the adoption of the report.

Moitra charged non-stakeholders were invited for meetings and accused JPC of not disclosing minutes of the meetings, responses of witnesses and presentations made during the meetings with members. Besides violating constitutional rights, Moitra charged the Act seriously diminishes the choice of the minority groups to establish culturally autonomous places of learning.

A three-judge bench headed by CJI will hear petitions against the Waqf Act on April 16. The petitioners include AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi, representatives of Congress, AAP and various Muslim bodies.
Kerala is rolling out a first-of-its-kind initiativeK-SMART (Kerala Solutions for Managing Administrative Reformation and Transformation)aimed at transforming governance and reducing bureaucratic red tape at all its local self-governing institutions with a single application. Uniquely developed entirely in-house, K-SMART was initially launched in January 2024 across municipalities and corporations. It is now set to be implemented across all panchayats also in the state by April 10.

As part of this ambitious project, the K-SMART team integrated over 500 crore recordssome dating as far back as 1948into the system. Every service offered by local governments has been unified into this single, standalone platform. Unlike most government software in India, which is typically outsourced or built by third-party vendors, K-SMART stands out as a 100 per cent home-grown solution, a rarity in the Indian public sector.

Launched K-Smart, the LDF Govt's flagship project aiming to digitise services of local self-government bodies in Kerala. Crucial for transparent and efficient governance, K-Smart signifies a significant stride in Kerala's journey towards becoming an advanced society. pic.twitter.com/1MKk6elaDQ  Pinarayi Vijayan (@pinarayivijayan) January 1, 2024

As the platform rolls out across Keralas local bodies, THE WEEK speaks with Dr K.P. Noufal, the chief architect behind K-SMART, to understand the vision, challenges, and potential impact of this ground-breaking initiative.

What is the context in which Kerala decided to have a unified smart platform that delivers all services offered by local self-government institutions?

You know, Kerala has around 1,200 local bodies, including 941 panchayats, 83 municipalities, and six corporations. Interestingly, nearly 60 per cent of Kerala's population lives in urban areasmunicipalities and corporations. Thats why we started focusing early on urban governance and municipalities.

The digital revolution in local governance actually began around 2002. Back then, the strategy was a bit fragmented. They were developing separate software applications for every serviceone for property tax, another for pensions, another for birth and marriage registrations, and so on. It was disjointed and difficult to manage.

After the pandemic, the government decided to shift to a platform-based approach. Initially, progress was slowwe could only develop three modules. Then a new discussion happened, and a fresh team was deployed. Our mandate was to build a one-stop solution for all local bodiesacross all districts, municipalities, and panchayats.

We were working under tight timelines due to government policy decisions. Initially, we debated whether to outsource to multiple companies and run parallel operations. But then we decided to have an in-house development modela first of its kind in India.

For this we onboarded several companies. We conducted an open, automated recruitment processan online test and interview. Anyone could apply, but they had to pass the test first. Everything was automated: once someone passed, they were given a coding task. If successful, they were invited for a code walkthrough.

After reviewing over 1,000 iterations, we finalised and inducted around 104 developers from different companies. We structured them into 12 agile squads, each with around 1012 memberstypically 5-6 back-end developers, 4 front-end developers, along with a dedicated design and QA team. We adopted international development standards, similar to what companies like Tesla, Intel, or Google follow.

Though a government setup, we ran it like a corporate tech lab. This could very well be the first such initiative in a Kerala government institution.

To ensure the platform truly served its users, we involved domain expertsmunicipal and corporation secretaries, accountants, and other officers. They stayed with us full-time to prepare the Software Requirements Specification (SRS).

We then converted the SRS into wireframes, which were then turned into interactive prototypes. These prototypes helped visualise the final product before development, following international standards and ISO principlesjust like how you see a 3D model before building a house.

This structured, user-driven, and high-quality development approach has set a new benchmark for government tech projects.

We used tools and practices aligned with global software development standards. We even integrated AI-based tools to ensure code quality. This elevated the overall quality of the application significantlysomething often lacking in government software projects due to the absence of standardisation and corporate-level expertise.

We also implemented a rapid development strategy. Instead of a single shift, we ran the system in two shiftsmorning and eveningso development continued round the clock. While one team rested, the other worked. Though the original plan estimated a three-year timeline, we completed the entire project in just one yearan exceptional pace for a government-led initiative.

How does K-Smart ensure transparency in government services?

I will explain with an example. Earlier, people had no clue how the property tax was being assessed. But with K-SMART, everything has changed. Now, citizens can self-assess their property tax. You can enter your property detailslike the built-up area, whether you have centralised AC, roof type, etc.and the system will automatically calculate your tax. This kind of visibility was not available before. Now, with K-SMART, people can see exactly how the officer is calculating the tax:

What percentage is being applied,

What penalties (if any) are being added,

Previous tax history,

Building-related dataeverything.

All of this is accessible to the public. If you link your building to your account on K-SMART, youll get full access to all associated records.

Previously, if someone needed seven different certificates related to a buildinglike a building certificate, road certificate, or occupancy certificatethey had to submit separate applications for each. Now, weve merged all seven into one unified certificate.

Theres no need to file multiple applications anymore. Once you link your property with your Aadhaar or relevant details, the system will automatically generate all the certificates you need. Just imaginethree crore people no longer need to apply for these certificates manually. Thats the scale of change weve brought in. This is what a productive government looks like.

Will K-Smart also help in reducing corruption?

Absolutely. While the majority of government servants are honest, we cant ignore the presence of corrupt elements. K-Smart will help reduce opportunities for corruption. Let me give you a real example. Take a typical house construction in Kerala.

Previously, to get a building permit, people had to submit every document manuallyblueprints, plans, land deeds. Officials at the panchayat had to sit down, go through each page, check compliance manuallybackyard, front yard, side spaces, setbackseverything. Only then would they issue a permit number. And, this process opened up opportunities for corruption.

We replaced that entire manual process with AI.

We created a rule engine called EDCR (Electronic Development Control Regulation). Its an AI system that verifies building plans automatically.

So, if you upload your building plan. The system geolocates it, checks all regulations, and in less than three seconds, it verifies whether your plan complies with the rules. We conducted 1,000 trial runsa team of engineers manually reviewed files while the AI did the same.

The results were amazing100 per cent success rate.

There was only one case where the AI accepted a plan, but manual verification said it didnt comply. Upon rechecking, it turned out the manual check was wrongthe AI was right. Thats how accurate the system is.

So, yes, corruption is automatically reduced. There's no space for arbitrary human decision-making. If you apply today and your building plan complies with all rules, youll get your permit in under 30 seconds.

So, the chance for corruption is eliminated. Another example is the payments. Weve built something new  perhaps the first of its kind in the country  called KEFT-K (Smart Electronic Fund Transfer).

Say youre a contractor and Im an officer or secretary. Your contractor bill is 10 lakh, and Ive approved everything  the file, the payment  and Im not even a corrupt person. Still, after my approval, the file has to go to the accountant to issue the cheque.

Now, heres the problem: the accountant may hold the cheque. Even when Ive done my part honestly, he might delay it. Then hell call you, and often, as per the prevailing culture, hell expect a cut  a bribe  in exchange for releasing the cheque.

To fix this, we created our own payment gateway and integrated it with all banks. Now, once the payment is approved, the amount directly goes from the panchayats bank account to the contractors account within seconds. No middleman, no accountant interference.

This way, if the approver is honest, the system doesnt allow anyone else to interfere or exploit the process.

Another example is the marriage certificate process. Previously, the law required you to go to the municipality office with your spouse, witnesses, and documents. When you went there, theyd often say, The officer is busy, or Come in the afternoon. Sometimes, agents would approach you and say, I can get you an appointment, and then youd get a call: Sir, come tomorrow at 10:30, everything is ready.

People were paying 5,000 or more [as a bribe] just to get a date and complete a process that shouldve been simple.

Now, with K-SMART, you dont have to physically go to the municipality office for marriage registration. Theres a video-based registration process.

This application would bring transparency and give more power to people, as people would be able to track the current stage of their file. In fact, K-Smart has already delivered promising results in giving fast services to people. For instance, Irinjalakkuda municipality delivered a birth certificate within a timeframe of just 6.45 minutes. Meanwhile, Guruvayoor municipality delivered a marriage certificate in just 23.56 minutes. The Thiruvananthapuram corporation delivered a death registration within a time period of 8.54 minutes. This would bring revolutionary changes in governance in the state.
Investigators of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) conducted the first interrogations of prisoners of war from China, who were taken prisoner by the Defense Forces in Donetsk region, the SBU reported in its Telegram channel on Wednesday.

These are two citizens of the PRC: one was captured by fighters of the second unit of the 157th separate mechanized brigade near the settlement of Tarasivka, the other by servicemen of the first unit of the 81st separate airmobile brigade near Bilohorivka. The prisoners are not injured, but are receiving the necessary medical care, as provided for by the Geneva Convention. They are being held in proper conditions that meet the requirements of international law. Communication with the prisoners is carried out through interpreters.

"According to both foreigners, they were captured by the Ukrainian military on their very first combat mission. One of the defendants, an unemployed man born in 1991, was recruited by a representative of the Russian Federation directly in China. In February 2025, he arrived in Moscow and signed a contract. The other, born in 1998, arrived in the Russian Federation in December 2024, allegedly for tourist purposes. According to him, then, while in Russia, he applied for signing a contract, responding to an advertisement on the Internet about recruitment for service and payment of RUB 2 million," the SBU said in a statement.

Currently, the SBU is checking the statements of the prisoners and conducting the necessary investigative measures to establish all the circumstances of the participation of Chinese citizens in the Russian Federation's war against Ukraine.

The investigation is being conducted under the procedural guidance of the Prosecutor General's Office under Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (war crimes).
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) formally recorded the arrest of 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana, soon after he was brought to Delhi following his extradition from the United States.

The anti-terror agency took Rana into custody at the airport where he landed on Thursday evening. Teams of the NIA and and National Security Guard (NSG) escorted Rana on a special plane from Los Angeles.

Rana (64), a Canadian citizen of Pakistani origin, was being held in judicial custody in the US pursuant to proceedings initiated by the NIA under the India-US Extradition Treaty. The extradition finally came through after Rana exhausted all legal avenues to get a stay on the move.

"The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday successfully secured the extradition of Tahawwur Hussain Rana, the mastermind of the deadly 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, after years of sustained and concerted efforts to bring the key conspirator behind the 2008 mayhem to justice," the agency said in a statement.

#WATCH | Kannur, Kerala: On 26/11 Mumbai attacks accused Tahawwur Rana's extradition to India, PV Manesh, Former NSG Commando & Shaurya Chakra Awardee who was part of the operation during the 26/11 terrorist attack, says, " In that operation, I was one of the NSG commandoes... I pic.twitter.com/cnh7vQ5hJH  ANI (@ANI) April 10, 2025

A District Court in California ordered his extradition of Rana on May 16, 2023. He filed multiple litigations in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, but all of them were rejected. Subsequently, Rana filed a petition for a writ of certiorari, two habeas petitions, and an emergency application before the US Supreme Court, which were also denied.

The NIA statement noted that the extradition proceedings were initiated between the two countries after India secured a surrender warrant for the wanted terrorist from the US government.

"With the active assistance of USDoJ, the US Sky Marshal, NIA worked closely with other Indian intelligence agencies, NSG through the entire extradition process, which also saw Indias Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Home Affairs coordinating with the other relevant authorities in the United States to take the matter to its successful conclusion," it said.

On 26/11 Mumbai attacks accused Tahawwur Rana's extradition to India, Former Puducherry LG and former IPS officer Kiran Bedi speaks to ANI.



She says, "Tihar jail has previously housed hardened criminals, separatists and terrorists. However, Rana's case requires extraordinary pic.twitter.com/f8xoNjfxRX  ANI (@ANI) April 10, 2025

Rana is accused of conspiring with David Coleman Headley alias Daood Gilani, and operatives of designated terrorist organisations Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Harkat-ul-Jihadi Islami (HUJI) along with other Pakistan-based co- conspirators, to carry out the terror attacks in Mumbai in 2008. A total of 166 persons were killed and over 238 injured in the deadly attacks.
A day after police allegedly used force against them, a large number of protesting teachers and non-teaching staff, who recently lost their jobs, held a protest march in Kolkata. Tensions escalated on Wednesday when protesters reportedly attempted to storm the office of the District Inspector (DI) of Schools (Secondary Education) in Kasba, Kolkata.



Footage of police excesses against teachers triggered widespread public outrage. However, the police defended their actions, stating they were forced to respond after being attacked first.



Affected by job loss, teachers and non-teaching staffers marched from Sealdah to Esplanade on Thursday, demanding that the West Bengal School Service Commission (SSC) release a list of untainted candidates to clearly distinguish them from those who secured jobs through unfair means.



They also called for the publication of mirror images of the OMR sheets of all candidates from the 2016 panel. The protest was organised by the Jogyo Sikshak Sikshika Adhikar Mancha (Qualified Teacher Rights Platform).



If their demands are not met, the group plans to escalate the movement by launching a hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. A platform representative stated that they have already obtained the permission and a delegation will soon head to the national capital.



A group of doctors who were at the forefront of the RG Kar protests were also present in the march. Representatives of the West Bengal Junior Doctors Front (WBJDF) and Abhaya Mancha walked in solidarity with teachers and non-teaching staff who lost their jobs.



Meanwhile, another group of protestors, who held a night-long sit-in near the SSC office, began a hunger strike on Thursday morning under the banner of SSC Baidha Chakrihara Samaj (SSCs Legitimately Disqualified Candidates).



At a press conference, a representative of the group, said, If the state government and the SSC genuinely want to safeguard the jobs of eligible candidates, they should immediately publish the list of deserving individuals.



Several BJP leaders, including former judge and current MP Abhijit Gangopadhyay, Rudranil Ghosh, and Rupa Gangopadhyay, visited the protest site and interacted with the demonstrators. Former SSC chairman Chittaranjan Mondal was also present.



In response, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) accused the BJP of attempting to politicise the situation and exploit the distress of affected teachers. The ruling party claimed that despite the chief ministers assurances, the opposition is misleading those who lost their jobs.
Protests against the Waqf Amendment Act 2025 continued in West Bengal on Thursday. Minister Siddiqullah Chowdhury addressed a massive rally organised by the West Bengal chapter of Jamiat-e-Ulema Hind in Kolkatas Ramlila Maidan.

Demanding the immediate withdrawal of the new Act, Chowdhury said, After coming to power in 2014, the BJP government repealed 1,159 Acts. Thus, they can revoke the Waqf Amendment Act as well.

He urged protesters to continue the movement till the Centre withdraws it.

As the president of the West Bengal unit of Jamiat-e-Ulema Hind, Chowdhury also announced plans to send a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, bearing one crore signatures in opposition to the Act.

Chowdhury, an MLA from the Mangalkot constituency in Purba Bardhaman, accused the RSS and BJP of specifically targeting the Muslim community. He remarked that they felt safer in Bengal, implying that in states like Uttar Pradesh, protesters might have already faced bulldozer-led crackdowns.

The protest saw participation not only from hundreds of Muslims but also from representatives of Christian and Sikh communities, indicating broader support.

The Waqf Amendment Bill had triggered widespread demonstrations across the state. After the bill was passed into law earlier this week, in Murshidabads Jangipur, the protests turned violent, prompting police intervention and the imposition of prohibitory orders.

Urging the protesters to refrain from violent activities, Chowdhury had also criticised state administration and the security officials for their strict action. However, the 76-year-old leader on Thursday declared that Muslims were not scared of getting arrested as well.

The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), known for its secular stance and support for minority rights, has strongly opposed the Act. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed confidence that the legislation would be overturned once a new government assumes power at the Centre.
The last three days of the 21-day budget session of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly were disrupted and adjourned without any business due to uproar over the Waqf Amendment Act passed by Parliament. Legislators from the treasury benches repeatedly demanded a discussion on the law.

However, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather did not allow it. He said only Parliament or the courts had the power to change the law. On the final working day, April 9, the speaker also rejected a no-confidence motion brought against him by three MLAs from the Peoples Conference, PDP, and Awami Ittehad Party. He said the motion was invalid because it did not meet the 14-day notice rule required under the assembly's procedures. After this, the session was adjourned sine die (without setting a date to resume).

Despite frequent disruptions, the speaker briefly addressed the assembly. He gave a farewell speech and made a short statement about the Waqf Amendment Act. The assembly functioned peacefully only for about 15 minutes before it was adjourned on the day.

#WATCH | Jammu: On Waqf Amendment Act, J&K CM Omar Abdullah says, "...A major section of the nation is upset with the bill and they feel that the government is interfering in their religious matters...There was no need for the Waqf Amendment Act. A religion is being pic.twitter.com/urKrSKGsbF  ANI (@ANI) April 9, 2025

During the session, the assembly secretariat received 1,355 questions. Of these, 154 were answered, along with 353 supplementary questions. A total of 1,738 cut motions were submitted, and 1,731 were discussed.

Three government bills were introduced and passed. Thirty-three private members bills were listed.

The assembly also received 78 calling attention motions, of which 23 were taken up and 34 were rejected. Out of 109 resolutions submitted, 85 were accepted and 14 were listed for debate. The session lasted for over 39 hours in total.

National Conference (NC) legislators, along with their alliance partner Congress and some independents, held several meetings to try and end the deadlock. However, they failed to reach an agreement. NC chief spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq said the party would take the matter to the Supreme Court to challenge the Waqf Amendment Act. He described the law as a constitutionally alarming interference in the religious affairs of Muslims and said it violated fundamental rights. The legal battle will now be fought in the Supreme Court, Sadiq said.
Security has been heightened outside the special court hearing National Investigation Agencys cases at Patiala House as 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks accused Tahawwur Rana is likely to be produced for remand on Thursday. Rana, who is being brought to India on a special military plane by a multi-agency team is likely to land after noon.

A large number of personnel from paramilitary forces and the Delhi police have been deployed outside the court and visitors are being thoroughly frisked to avoid untoward incidents. According to reports, the terror attack conspirator is likely to be remanded in Tihar jail and arrangements have been made at the prison to lodge him.

Meanwhile, the Union home ministry has appointed advocate Narender Mann as the special public prosecutor in the case. In a late night notification on Wednesday, the home ministry said, In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 15 of the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008 (34 of 2008), read with sub-section (8) of section 18 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS), the central government hereby appoints Narender Mann, advocate as special public prosecutor for conducting trial and other matters related to NIA case RC-04/2009/NIA/DLI on behalf of the National Investigation Agency before the NIA Special Courts at Delhi and Appellate Courts, for a period of three years from the date of publication of this notification or till the completion of trial of the said case, whichever is earlier.

The key conspirator of 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, Tahawwur Rana has been extradited to India and he is en route to the country on a special military flight. A multi-agency team from India took custody of Rana from Los Angeles, US on Tuesday.
Tahawwur Rana, one of the key accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, arrived at Delhi airport on Thursday afternoon. The extradited terrorist was brought in a special plane from the US.

Rana's flight landed at Palam technical area in Delhi around 2.50 pm. The NIA is set to arrest him soon.

VIDEO | Police personnel and vehicles stationed outside Palam Air Force Station, Delhi.



Tahawwur Rana, a key accused in the 2008 attacks, is being brought to India on a special flight after his last-ditch attempt to evade extradition failed as the US Supreme Court justices pic.twitter.com/V1wnPpJm1p  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 10, 2025

Reports said that the Third Battalion of the Delhi Police would be transporting Rana to the NIA headquarters. He will be lodged at Tihar Jail, where security has been beefed up ahead of his arrival.

The terrorist will be presented at a special NIA court on Friday, following which he will be interrogated by sleuths. The extradition come after Rana's attempts to evade extradition failed as the US Supreme Court justices dismissed his application.

#WATCH | On 26/11 accused Tahawwur Rana's extradition to India, Consul General of Israel to Midwest India, Kobbi Shoshani, says, "I would like to congratulate India. It's a big victory for the diplomacy of the government of India. It's a big success to bring him here to India. We pic.twitter.com/S91EWsLG7j  ANI (@ANI) April 10, 2025

Responding to Rana's extradition, the Pakistan foreign office said he was a Canadian national and has not renewed his Pakistani documents in the last two decades. Rana is a close associate of David Coleman Headly aka Daood Gilani, who is one of the key conspirators in the Mumbai terror attacks.

Rana reportedly set up an immigration office of his company in Mumbai, allowing David Headley get a job and helping him get a visa to India. The investigators are looking at this angle and establish Rana's involvement in the attacks.

Consul General of Israel to Midwest India Kobbi Shoshani, said Rana's extradition is a big victory for India's diplomacy. "We have to bring terrorists or people who are suspected of being terrorists to justice... 3 days of horrible nights and days in Mumbai; we will not forget what's happened in Nariman House, in the rest of the places..." he said.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said the Narendra Modi government will hang 26/11 Mumbai terror attack key accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana during the Bihar Assembly elections due later this year.

Rana was extradited to India on Thursday and arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) soon after his arrival at the Delhi airport.

"Rana should be immediately hanged but he will be hanged during the Bihar polls (scheduled later this year)," Raut told news agency PTI, in an apparent allegation that the BJP will use it for political gains.

The ruling BJP-JD(U) alliance is in direct fight with the Congress-RJD combo in the state. The BJP, according to reports, is keen on improving its tally so that it can claim the chief minister post if the alliance comes to power.

The Sena (UBT) leader further noted that the extradition of Rana was a 16-year-old battle and it started during the Congress rule.

"So no one should take the credit of bringing back Rana," he said.

He further pointed out that Rana was not the first accused to be extradited to India. In the past, 1993 serial blast accused Abu Salem too was extradited to India, he said.

Rana, a Canadian citizen of Pakistani origin, landed in Delhi in a special plane from Los Angeles Thursday evening. He was held in judicial custody in the US following proceedings initiated under the India-US Extradition Treaty for his extradition.

Rana is accused of conspiring with operatives of various terrorist organisations to carry out the attacks in Mumbai in 2008, in which a total of 166 people were killed and over 238 injured.
Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) founder S Ramadoss on Thursday declared himself the President of the party -- overthrowing his son Anbumani Ramadoss from the post. Ramadosss self-declaration came as a rare political coup in the history of Tamil Nadu where a father overthrew his son from the party leadership.

Anbumani Ramadoss, the former union health minister will now be the working president of the party while G.K.Mani will be the honorary president. Addressing a press conference at his Thailapuram residence near Villupuram, Ramadoss senior said, In view of the 2026 Assembly elections in the State, I take charge as the president of the party and appoint Anbumani Ramadoss as the working president of the party. The 85-year-old veteran leader informed the media that the decision was taken to prepare the youngsters for the upcoming elections in 2026.

It all began four months ago when the father and son duo engaged in a verbal fight on the dias during the party meeting. On December 28, 2024, during the general council meeting of the party, senior Ramadoss announced the name of his grandson P.Mukundan for the post of partys youth wing secretary. Anbumani opposed this decision in the open meeting. Mukundan is the son of Ramadosss elder daughter Gandhimathi and nephew of Anbumani.

Ramadoss replied that PMK was founded by him and that he has the right to appoint anyone at any position he deems fit. But as president of the party, Anbumani walked out saying that he would launch his own office at Panaiyur and would be available for meetings with the party cadres.

Ramadosss self-declaration today in front of the media led to a speculation of a possible split in the party. The difference of opinion between father and son in a host of issues - running the party, future plans, electoral alliances, etc. In fact, in 2024 while the father wanted to forge an alliance with the AIADMK, the son chose to stay in the NDA. PMK eventually lost all the seats it contested.

The decision to remove Anbumani from the party leadership came just hours before BJP leader and home minister Amit Shah could land in Chennai to discuss with various stakeholders the possible political equations in the state. PMK which was founded as the Vanniyar Sangam by Ramadoss in the 1980s wields a strong influence among the Vanniyars, the dominant community in North and parts of West Tamil Nadu.

Since it came into being a political party in the early 90s, PMK had always switched sides from either being with the DMK or the AIADMK in alliance. Being opportunistic in 2016 it contested alone with the slogan Anbumani for CM only to increase the partys strength.
Gujarats Sabarmati River may hold the key to the much talked about Musi River rejuvenation programme. Musi, which flows through Hyderabad city, is on the priority list of the Congress government which wants to transform it from a polluted water body to a global landmark.

In early 2024, officials from Musi Riverfront Development Corporation Limited (MRDCL) visited Sabarmati Riverfront in Gujarat to interact with local project officials and gather insights. In the same year, Telangana CM Revanth Reddy announced that the state was committed to giving a new lease of life to Musi and compared the endeavour to the Sabarmati River. Now, a delegation of senior Congress leaders has visited the Sabarmati to have a great understanding of the project.

Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar along with Telangana PCC Chief, Mahesh Kumar Goud, Chief Minister's Advisor Vem Narender Reddy and others visited the Sabarmati Riverfront. The tour was undertaken after the AICC session meeting held in Ahmedabad. The delegations mission was to understand Sabarmati's makeover and apply similar strategies to the Musi River development project.

The team engaged with local authorities to understand their approach which was instrumental for Sabarmati River's revival. The discussions covered environmental improvements, social infrastructure enhancements and sustainable development practices.

The Sabarmati Riverfront Development Project, which began in 2005 and was thrown open to the public in 2012 in the first phase, has successfully revitalized the river, turning it into a vibrant public space. Minister Ponnam Prabhakar emphasized on the importance of collaboration of all the political parties for the project. He announced plans to organize a comprehensive study tour for the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) Mayor and remaining Hyderabad corporators to the Sabarmati Riverfront. The initiative is aimed to equip them with firsthand knowledge to richly contribute to the Musi River redevelopment plans. The proposed GHMC delegation will focus on Phase-1 developments of the Sabarmati model, particularly the stretch up to Bapu Ghat in Hyderabad.
With Tahawwur Rana extradited from the US and arrested by the NIA, Union Minister Piyush Goyal has raked up a fresh controversy over 26/11 attacker Ajmal Kasab's treatment under the UPA government led by Congress.

Goyal alleged that the Congress government "fed biriyani" to terrorist Kasab. He went on to allege that the Congress did nothing against the terrorists while Prime Minister Narendra Modi brought the culprits to justice. "The people of Mumbai are greatful to Modi ji," the minister said.

#WATCH | Mumbai: On 26/11 Mumbai attacks accused Tahawwur Rana's extradition to India, Mohammed Taufiq, a tea seller known as 'Chhotu Chai Wala' whose alertness helped a large number of people escape the attack, says, "...For India, there is no need to provide him with a cell. pic.twitter.com/zLqHEt7sHs  ANI (@ANI) April 9, 2025

He then alleged that Uddhav Thackeray is doing appeasement politics, with Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders like Sanjay Raut would defend a Muslim person even if that person is a criminal. "The INDIA bloc can't think ahead of appeasement politics and doesn't have positive thinking like PM Modi," added the minister.

Goyal's remarks comes a day after a tea seller, Mohammed Taufiq, who helped many people escape the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, said that Rana should not be given special treatment. He said the terrorist should not be given a separate cell or biriyani like Ajmal Kasab.

VIDEO | Police personnel and vehicles stationed outside Palam Air Force Station, Delhi.



Tahawwur Rana, a key accused in the 2008 attacks, is being brought to India on a special flight after his last-ditch attempt to evade extradition failed as the US Supreme Court justices pic.twitter.com/V1wnPpJm1p  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 10, 2025

Rana was brought in a special plane from the US and he arrived at Palam technical area in Delhi around 2.50. The NIA has arrested the terrorist and is set to be brought to the NIA headquarters. He will be lodged at the high-security Tihar Jail. On Friday, Rana will be presented at a special NIA court.

Taufiq who was running a tea shop at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus guided several people towards a safe place at the busy station to escape from the attackers. He also helped shift the injured to hospital.

In 2015, the public prosecutor in the case, Ujjwal Nikam, clarified that claims about Kasab being fed mutton biriyani was "concocted" in a bid to stop an "emotional wave" in favour of the terrorist.

"Kasab never demanded biryani and was never served by the government. I concocted it just to break an emotional atmosphere which was taking shape in favour of Kasab during the trial of the case," Nikam had said.
Photo: https://www.facebook.com/taras.kachka

The technical team in Washington will talk about the principles on which the future minerals agreement will be based, it may be led by Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine - Trade Representative of Ukraine Taras Kachka, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

"I think the first meeting is technical. This will be one of the discussions. Important. Because we will be ready to talk about the principles on which we are ready to base the future agreement. This is a technical group, most likely headed by Deputy Minister of Economy Kachka," Zelenskyy said at a meeting with journalists.

According to him, there will also be representatives of other ministries.

Bloomberg previously reported that a Ukrainian delegation would visit Washington at the end of the week of April 11-12, while the Ministry of Economy announced the participation of representatives of the Ministries of Economy, Foreign Affairs, Justice, and Finance.
26/11 terror accused Tahawwur Rana is likely to be lodged in a high-security cell at Tihar jail, sources in the know of developments said. The special military aircraft with the key conspirator of the Mumbai terror attacks on board is expected to land in India by noon.

According to reports, a special cell has been readied in the high-security ward in Tihar jail and necessary preparations have been made for lodging the key terror accused. Prison authorities are awaiting court orders, PTI reported.

Rana, the 64-year-old Pakistan-born Canadian national is being extradited to India after he exhausted all legal options in the US judicial system. Rana is being brought to India in a special aircraft of the Indian Air Force. A multi-agency team including NIA and NSG personnel took custody of Rana in Los Angeles on Tuesday evening and the special plane is expected to land in India later today.

A multi-agency team including investigators from intelligence agencies are likely to interrogate Rana once he lands in India. Sources told THE WEEK that Rana will be produced before the special NIA court at Patiala House for remand proceedings. Considering security reasons, Rana is likely to be produced before the court through videoconferencing.

The NIA has prepared a robust case, charging him with conspiracy, murder, and terrorismoffences that could carry life imprisonment or the death penalty. Sleuths believe the investigation would shed light on the larger terror plot. According to investigators, Rana had travelled to Pakistan, the US, and India  meeting other accused in the case and stringing together the preparations to target not just vital installations in Mumbai but different parts of the country as well. The other accused in the NIA case are in prison, safehouses or roaming freely in Pakistan.
26/11 terror accused Tahawwur Rana, extradited to India on a special Air Force aircraft from the United States, is expected to undergo a trial at the special NIA court in New Delhi as he becomes the first catch of the National Investigation Agency in its larger terror conspiracy case where all other accused are absconding.

The other accused in the NIA case in which Rana will face trial are either in prison, like David Coleman Headley - the Pakistani-American terrorist jailed in the United States, or roaming free and living in safehouses like Lashkar-e-Tayyaba founder Hafiz Saeed in Pakistan; Pakistan 26/11 mastermind Zaki ur Rehman Lakhvi; Project manager of 26/11 Sajid Mir; 26/11 plotter Abdur Rehman Pasha; Al Qaeda leader Illyas Kashmiri, and Major Iqbal and Major Samir Ali  the two ISI officials who have been named in the charge-sheet filed in court by the NIA.

Other than Headley, all other accused are in Pakistan. Ranas interrogation becomes crucial as he is the first link for the investigators to unravel the larger terror plot, after more than a decade, especially since he is the one who knew almost all the other accused too. Rana had travelled to Pakistan, the US, and India  meeting other terror accused and stringing together the preparations to target not just vital installations in Mumbai but different parts of the country as well.

Investigators say his role is more significant than even Ajmal Kasab, the foot soldier who was hanged in the 26/11 case for his role as an executioner of the Mumbai attacks. But Kasab was not a planner like Rana and did not have insights into the larger conspiracy and transnational links of the terror conspiracy against the country - with targets spread across Delhi, Pune, Gujarat and Maharashtra among others.

Therefore, Ranas interrogation can help the NIA piece together not just the 26/11 conspiracy but the other terror plots hatched by the Rana-Headley duo during their multiple visits to India.

The NIA, in its charge-sheet, has said that Headley, in association with the other co-conspirators, planned and made preparations by conducting reconnaissance of important places in the country on behalf of terrorist organisations LeT and HUJI, including 26/11. But before the execution of other future planned terrorist strikes, they planned attacks on various Chabad Houses and the National Defence College in Delhi as well.

It was Zakiur-Rehman Lakhvi who guided and handled Headley for conducting reconnaissance in India, which resulted in the death of 166 persons and injury to 238 persons in the 26/11 attack, says the NIA. But it was Sajid Mir who was coordinating, guiding and directing the other co-conspirators.

On the other hand, Abdur Rehman Hashim alias Pasha along with Headley, Ilyas Kashmiri and Rana were looking at the larger goal of planning future attacks in the country. The finances were coming from ISI officials including Major Iqbal, say sleuths, who also collected the surveillance videos prepared by Headley time to time.

All of this preparation required espionage activities that were being coordinated by Major Sameer Ali, says the charge-sheet.

The fact that the NIAs findings have been bolstered by the Federal Bureau of Investigations voluminous interrogation details of Rana is only a demonstration of the close counter-terror cooperation between India and the United States. This puts pressure once again on Pakistan, where the role of state and non-state actors becomes key to the entire terror conspiracy probed by the NIA  giving a shot in the arm to the government demanding Pakistan take action against the absconding accused.
Months after the fall of Bashar al-Assad in Syria, a new Iran-backed militant group has emerged in the country, vowing to take on Israel and the ruling Turkey-backed interim government in the country.

The 'Islamic Resistance Front in Syria - Uli al-Baas' (UAB) has claimed that it aligns with the broader "Axis of Resistance", which includes Iran and its proxy militant groups, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and Houthis in Yemen, and Hamas in Gaza, according to a report.

The militant organisation claims it is positioned against the "Axis of Global Evil", of which Washington is said to be a part. The political office of the group told US-based Newsweek that the US "praising the role of the Zionist entity and the Turkish occupation was only natural, given that it is the sponsor of chaos, terrorism and evil around the world."

 Video: Scenes from the Islamic Resistance's targeting of the Israeli army's gatherings at the Al-Baghdadi site and the vicinity of the town of Kfar Kila on the southern border Uli_Al-Baas pic.twitter.com/sIo4MQtyiE  Ammar Khan (@AmmarKh12669255) November 8, 2024

The origin

A study by the think tank Washington Institute said the origin of UAB happened in December when the Assad and Hezbollah-backed Syrian Social Nationalist Party called for the establishment of a front to liberate southern Syria from Jewish aggression.

A month later, a new group calling itself Jabhat Tahrir al-Janoub (JTJ) or the Southern Liberation Front, announced its formation via Telegram. It too vowed to resist the Israeli occupations advance into our lands in southern Syriaspecifically in the governorates of Quneitra, Deraa, and the western countryside of Damascus."

The JTJ rebranded by changing its name, and logo, and declared objectives, adopting the new name Jabhat al-Muqawama al-Islamiya fi Suria-Uli al-Baas. The phrase "Uli al-Baas" may derive from a religious text, since it appears three times in the Quran. The same term was also used by Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem to describe the group's confrontation with Israel after the assassination of his predecessor, Hassan Nasrallah.

The imagery and the logos used by the group also reflect the signature style of Iran's IRGC and Hezbollah, especially the raised Kalashnikov-style rifle.

First attacks

The group claimed its first military move on January 17, stating it was mobilising light armoured vehicles and fighters to Quneitra, Suwayda, Deraa, Damascus regions. The first attack happened on January 24 when it said one of the groups affiliated with Kataib Uli al-Baas, part of the Islamic Resistance Front in Syria, shot down a drone in the Tal al-Ahmar area in the countryside of Quneitra on January 21 (Figure 4). The drone was reported to be Israeli.

The political office of the Uli al-Baas identified itself as "a faith-based, revolutionary, nationalist movement" that has its own "political project of resistance that guarantees the establishment of a strong, capable, and freedom-supporting state."

It suggests that it, however, does not believe restoring Assad, who fled to Russia as rebels descended on Damascus "as politically realistic" idea but also can't support HTS leader-turned-Syrian Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani.

The group emphasises that it wants a peaceful coexistence with the American people but not the government, adding that it believes that successive American administrations do not represent the American people.
An Argentinian prosecutor has sought a national and international arrest warrant against Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei for his alleged "direct involvement" in the bombing of the Jewish community centre in Buenos Aires in 1994.

Sebastian Basso, who petitioned the countrys federal court, demanded that the Supreme Leader be held accountable and be immediately arrested if he entered Argentinian territory, The Jerusalem Post quoted Argentinian daily Clarin.

The bombing of the community centre killed 85 people and was allegedly carried out by Hezbollah operatives with the support of Iranian agents. This was one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in Argentinas history. An Argentinian criminal court had pinned the blame on Iran, stating the country was responsible as Hezbollah terrorists were responding to "a political and strategic design" by Iran.

Prosecutor Basso too alleged that Khamenei "led the decision to carry out a bomb attack in Buenos Aires in July 1994 and issued an executive order (fatwa) 39 to carry it out."

He also argued before the court that Khamenei be summoned to provide a statement with regard to his involvement in the attack along with other Iranian suspects. Basso said Khamenei was sponsoring "an armed organisation" that operates clandestinely outside of Lebanese territory and is linked to the Hezbollah movement.

Basso asserted that Khamenei was not only a key political figure in Iran but also directly oversaw the countrys foreign policy and military operations. He noted that Khamenei appointed Hezbollahs slain chief Hassan Nasrallah as his representative in Lebanon and asserted that "all of Iran's military and foreign policies are under his direct supervision."

Basso also wanted the court to notify Interpol for executing the arrest.

Interestingly, Basso's stance represents a shift from the position of previous Argentinian prosecutors and intelligence agents, who stressed Khamenei's immunity due to his official role. "Article 27 of the Rome Statute establishes that no form of immunity can be invoked before the International Criminal Court, and its second section emphasizes the distinction between domestic and international immunities," Basso said.

Argentina and Iran have had only charge daffaires-level diplomatic relations since 1994. If the country issues an arrest warrant, it could further strain the bilateral ties.
Malayalam blockbuster movie 'Maranamass' will not be screened in the Gulf country of Saudi Arabia, according to reports. The Basil Joseph-starrer, co-produced by actor Tovino Thomas, is said to be a dark comedy thriller.

The movie ran into trouble with Saudi Arabian authorities due to the inclusion of an actor from the LGBTQI+ community. This isn't the first time that Saudi Arabia has banned movies featuring LGBTQI+ content or cast, a policy in line with its official rejection of gender diversity and inclusion.

#MaranaMass Trailer Out Now



They Revealed the Culprit in Trailer Itself - What's Cooking 



Trailer : https://t.co/lfmT8NoAo4 pic.twitter.com/oJqgrBoc17  Cine 4 Updates (@Cine4Updates) April 1, 2025

However, the movie will be screened in Kuwait after certain cuts. The officials allowed the screening of the movie after the makers decided to cut the scenes featuring the queer cast member. The makers of the movie stated in this regard, acknowledging that a few scenes in the first and second halves of the film had to be removed due to censorship laws.

Recently, the director of the movie, Shivaprasad, claimed that the gender of the cast had no bearing on the movie, but also wanted to normalise LGBTQIA+ in society.

Earlier, many GCC countries, including UAE and Saudi, had Hollywood musical 'Wicked', reportedly over its LGBTQ cast.

Many Hollywood biggies, including 'Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse' and 'Lightyear' too were banned for featuring scenes showing same-sex kiss. Earlier, the UAE banned Disneys Doctor Strange in the Universe of Madness, in which one character refers to her "two mums."

Last year, the GCC had accused the US streaming giant Netflix of showing content that contradicts Islamic values. Of the GCC countries, Kuwait has emerged as one of the strictest Gulf states on film censorship, surpassing even Saudi Arabia.
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal's statements blaming China for the current tariff mess have irked China, which termed India's stance "opportunistic".

Goyal, while talking about tariffs, had hit out at Beijing's two-decade-long "unfair trade practices" since its admission to the World Trade Organisation. "If somebody were to ask me what would be the trigger point of where we are today and why we are going through this churn, the starting point of this actually goes to the beginning of 2000 when China was admitted as a member of the WTO," Goyal said. He had also called US' reciprocal tariffs an "opportunity of a lifetime" for India.

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal slams China



"China's growth was fueled by unfair trade practices and at the cost of fair play" pic.twitter.com/hEMuKLWnwU  Shashank Mattoo (@MattooShashank) April 8, 2025

China's state-backed media Global Times on Wednesday lashed out at Goyal for his "rhetoric", stating India was trying to curry favour with the US. "The Indian minister, by shifting all the blame onto China, is trying to gain exemptions from the US," Long Xingchun, a professor from the School of International Relations at Sichuan International Studies University, told the Global Times. The articles that appear in state-controlled media often are a reflection of China's national stance.

The state media also quoted another analyst who said Goyal's statements showed an "opportunistic mindset". Xie Chao, an assistant professor on Indian studies at Tsinghua University, said India was seeking trade compromises with the US while looking for opportunities to benefit from the competition between China and the US.

"The Indian politician's remarks merely to echo US' rhetoric to discredit China, hoping to gain favour with the Trump administration and pave the way for upcoming India-US trade negotiations," Xie said.

The media also sought to highlight what it called "significant trade deficit problems between the US and India", and said India's bid to gain exemptions from the US was "an unachievable task". It also took a dig at the US stating India's concessions will only push the US to demand even greater compromises towards offsetting the trade deficit.

Xie said India was facing severe setbacks in the process of raising tariffs but was claiming to be fully capable of handling the situation. "Amid the fierce competition between China and the US, India seems to be attempting to take advantage of the situation," Xie said.

Long Xingchun sought to dismiss the Indian claim of an "opportunity", stating that India could not seize the market that China left behind. He said India's production capabilities are lacking, and its production costs are high. He added that Indian manufacturing also heavily relies on China's supply chain.

The state media's reaction to Goyal's statement came as the spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in India Yu Jing had called on India to stand together to overcome these difficulties. He said the US abuse of tariffs deprived countries, especially Global South countries, of their right to development and urged India and China to stand together to overcome these difficulties.
Anurag Bajpayee, the CEO of clean water startup, Gradiant, was arrested in ealry 2024 in a luxury brothel scandal in the US. The Indian-origin man is accused of paying for sex services at top-end brothels earlier this year.

Bajpayee is allegedly among more than 30 doctors, lawyers and government officials named in court documents in connection with the sex scandal. These high-end clients allegedly paid $600 hourly rates for the services. The women, who were mostly Asian, are reportedly were sex-trafficked.

Will Anurag Bajpayee resign?

Anurag Bajpayee was a reputed personality in water treatment technology, make it to the list of Scientific American's annual Top 10 World Changing Ideas.

However, some Gradiant employees have now called for the resgination of Bajpayee from the post of CEO. However, the company has issued a statement, saying it has confidence in the justice system. "We... are confident that this will resolve favorably in due course," it said.

Bajpayee, who was born in India, did his stuidfrom Lucknow's La Martiniere College. Later, he earned his masters and PhD, both in mechanical engineering, from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 2008 and 2012 respectively.

His company, Gradiant, was an MIT spinout and it currently has a market valuation of more than $1 billion. Gradiant has come up with solutions for semiconductors, pharmaceuticals and other industries. It operated in over 25 countries and runs more than 2,500 facilities.

Others named in the brothel scandal include Cambridge City Councilor Paul Toner. They all allegedly frequented a brothel racket that was run from six luxury apartments in Washington DC as well as Cambridge and Watertown in Massachusetts.
Israel launched a series of air strikes against Syria on April 2, targeting multiple sites across the country, including several strategic locations, such as the T4 airbase near Homs, the military airport in Hama, and certain suburbs of Damascus.

Critical infrastructure such as runways, fuel depots, radar systems, and weapon stockpiles abandoned by the forces of former president Bashar al-Assad were hit. Israeli officials have made it clear that they would not hesitate to act to safeguard their security interests, particularly along the Golan Heights border, which separates Israel from Syria. An Israel Defence Forces spokesperson said that the latest operation was aimed at eliminating threats to Israeli civilians. However, it was also an attempt to maintain air superiority and border security.

Israeli intelligence had been closely monitoring weapons and strategic assets at Syrian military bases in the weeks leading up to the attacks. Security officials said that Turkey had been supporting Syrian rebel groups in establishing weapons production facilities at the T4 base, prompting direct warnings from Israel to Syrias new leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa.

The Syrian foreign ministry labelled the strikes an unjustified escalation and a flagrant violation of the countrys sovereignty, arguing that they went against established international legal norms.

State media reported that the attacks struck near a defence research centre in Damascus Barzeh neighbourhood, causing significant damage to the Hama military airport and injuring dozens of civilians and soldiers. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a British-based war monitor, reported that four people, including defence ministry personnel, were killed in the Hama strikes. This rendered the airport entirely inoperable by destroying its remaining planes, runways and control towers. The al-Sharaa administration called the attacks an attempt to destabilise the nation as it seeks to rebuild itself following 14 years of civil war, and accused Israel of normalising violence within its borders.

Israel's stated objective is to prevent advanced weaponry from falling into the hands of Syria's new authorities, whom it views with suspicion. There is also a broader historical context to the latest round of attacks. Ever since the 1973 Yom Kippur war when a joint Egypt-Syria invasion took Israel by surprise, Israel has always been keen to maintain a demilitarised buffer zone at its border with Syria. This was formalised under a ceasefire agreement concluded with Damascus in 1974. For several decades, Israel trusted the Assads to maintain the sanctity of the buffer zones. However, following Bashar al-Assad's ouster in December, Israeli forces have moved into this zone and beyond, establishing outposts and fortifications to counter likely threats.

#Israel is pounding #Syria



The message of the Israeli attacks in Syria is for Turkey: Do not establish a military base in the country and do not interfere with Israeli activity in the country's skies.



The runway at the airport in Hama airbase has been completely destroyed pic.twitter.com/TZul1qclaQ  Dr. Fundji Benedict (@Fundji3) April 2, 2025

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has now declared the ceasefire defunct, demanding the complete demilitarisation of southern Syria. Defence Minister Israel Katz has indicated that Israeli troops could remain in the buffer zone indefinitely, conducting raids deeper into Syrian territory to neutralise risks.

The latest military buildup extends into the neighbouring Lebanon as well, in order to prevent another surprise attack like the one led by Hamas in October 2023, raising fears of a prolonged occupation in both countries. In Syria, Israel has set up at least nine outposts in the south  including watchtowers, housing modules and roadblocks  with IDF units deployed beyond the buffer zone to strategic locations like the village of Kodana. This shows Israel's lack of trust in the interim government under Ahmad al-Sharaa.

Meanwhile, it will be interesting to watch the growing role of Turkey in Syria. Observers say Ankara has plans to take control of the T4 airbase, planning to use it as a hub to deter Israeli air strikes and also to target Islamic State. Turkey, being is a key backer of the Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group led by al-Sharaa, is steadily gaining ground in Syria. It could be on the way to fill the vacuum left by the withdrawal of Russia and Iran. Turkey has been negotiating a defence pact with the al-Sharaa government, with Ankara offering air cover and military support to a regime that lacks a functional military.

According to reports, Turkey intends to deploy air defence systems, including the Hisar-type system, and drones to T4, with plans to reconstruct and expand the base. Longer-term ambitions include establishing a layered defence network capable of countering jets, drones and missiles, potentially involving Russian-supplied S-400 systems, though this remains undecided.

Israel views this Turkish presence as a direct threat to its operational freedom in Syrian airspace. An Israeli security source warned that a Turkish airbase in Syria would undermine Israel's ability to conduct strikes, describing it as a "potential threat that we oppose".

The recent airstrikes on T4, which damaged its runway and taxiways, seem to have been an attempt to thwart Turkey's plans, making it difficult to land heavy transport planes or deliver advanced equipment. Satellite imagery has confirmed the extent of the damage, showing large craters that have rendered the base largely unusable for now. An Israeli official explained that the attacks were a clear message to Ankara: "Do not establish a military base in Syria and do not interfere with Israeli activity in the country's skies."

The escalating tensions between Israel and Turkey reflect broader shifts in the region, following Assad's ouster. Attacking key military sites like Hama and T4 shows that Israel is keen to deny Syria and Turkey any strategic upper hand. These actions, however, could intensify hostilities between Israel and Turkey, which could further complicate Israel's regional security calculations.

The Israeli strikes could inadvertently bolster Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's position as well. Erdogan, who styles himself as a leader of the Muslim world, could capitalise on the attacks to enhance his clout. By targeting Syria, Israel could be pushing Damascus closer to Ankara. Should the attacks intensify, the al-Sharaa administration might request Turkish military support, positioning Ankara as a new adversary on Israel's borders, replacing Iran and Hezbollah.
Israels Interior Minister Moshe Arbel, a prominent figure in the ultra-Orthodox Shas party, recently announced that efforts to evacuate Palestinians from the Gaza Strip were proceeding with notable success. Speaking at a conference on April 7, he revealed that 16 flights had already departed from Ramon Airport in southern Israel, ferrying Gazans to unspecified destinations. He expressed confidence that this figure would soon climb, reflecting optimism about a contentious initiative that has stirred both domestic and international debate.

This evacuation scheme is a cornerstone of a broader plan, first floated by US President Donald Trump in February and now energetically championed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Under this proposal, the United States would assume control of Gaza, offering its residents the option to relocate to third countries while the war-ravaged territory undergoes reconstruction, envisioned as the Riviera of the Middle East.

Netanyahus determination to see this plan through has only hardened, despite mounting global criticism and signs that Trumps initial enthusiasm may be fading. There were reports last month that Netanyahu had directed Mossad, Israels intelligence agency, to scour the globe for nations willing to accept significant numbers of displaced Gazans. Countries such as Somalia and South Sudan were reportedly approached, though no firm agreements have emerged.

Last week, Defence Minister Israel Katz took a further step, announcing that Yaakov Blitshtein, a senior official in the defence ministry, had been appointed to oversee what Katz termed the voluntary immigration of Gazas residents. Katz outlined a collaborative effort with foreign governments and international organizations to facilitate this process, framing it as a pragmatic response to Gazas dire circumstances.

Interestingly, following a meeting with Trump in the Oval Office on April 7, Netanyahu insisted that the migration program was entirely voluntary. He argued that it provided a humanitarian lifeline for Gazans, whose homeland has been reduced to rubble after 18 months of conflict triggered by Hamass October 2023 attack on Israel.

Its going to take years to rebuild Gaza, said Netanyahu, suggesting that offering residents a chance to leave was a compassionate alternative to indefinite displacement within the territory. Yet Trump, whose initial proposal had sparked the idea, appeared less committed. He reportedly described it as a concept I had before pivoting to discuss US tariffs, border security, and negotiations over Irans nuclear program, leaving Netanyahu to carry the torch alone.

This dynamic was further on display during Netanyahus recent visit to Hungary, where a senior Israeli diplomatic source said that Israel was engaged in serious talks with several countries to advance the relocation effort. The source emphasised that Israel was not abandoning Trumps vision, even as neighbors like Egypt and Jordaninitially floated by Trump as potential destinationscategorically rejected the idea. Both nations have insisted that peace requires Palestinian statehood, not mass displacement, with Egypt citing concerns about domestic stability and the risk that Gazans might never return.

Netanyahus steadfast pursuit of this plan is emblematic of a broader rightward shift, a trajectory analysts increasingly attribute to Trumps tacit support. Historically, western leaders exerted significant pressure to temper Netanyahus more aggressive impulses. Joe Biden, during his four-year tenure, reportedly pressed for restraint on numerous occasions, though his efforts often yielded little success. Europe, too, has been quick to voice disapproval. Yet today, the landscape has shifted dramatically.

Trump has shown little inclination to echo his predecessors admonishments. At their April 7 meeting, Trump lauded Netanyahu as a brilliant leader but remained conspicuously silent on Israels latest military offensive in Gaza. Among the incidents Trump declined to address were a strike on ambulances and a fire truck that killed 15 emergency workers, and an April 3 bombing of a school-turned-shelter that left dozens dead, including children.

Netanyahu seems to be capitalizing on this expanded room to maneuver. Trumps refusal to comment on the escalating violencefollowing a tenuous two-month ceasefirehas further emboldened the Israeli leader, freeing him to pursue both military and political objectives with fewer external constraints. This freedom is particularly evident in Netanyahus handling of Gaza, where the evacuation plan has drawn sharp criticism.

Defence Minister Katz claimed that at least 40 percent of Gazas residents are interested in migrating, citing internal ministry assessments, though he offered no concrete evidence to substantiate this figure. The United Nations has warned that the scheme could constitute ethnic cleansing and violate international law, amplifying concerns about its legality and practicality.

Domestically, Netanyahus position has never been stronger. He has effectively neutralized nearly all challenges to his far-right coalition, a resilience bolstered by a loyal base that views his actions as decisive rather than authoritarian. This domestic stability has fueled his renewed push to overhaul Israels judicial system, a controversial plan to curb the judiciarys independence that once provoked sharp rebukes from Washington.

Observers suggested that Trumps own public attacks on American judges and legal institutions might be seen by Netanyahu as a green light for his own efforts. Indeed, Netanyahu has adopted similar rhetoric, repeatedly accusing his opponents of forming a deep state intent on undermining his leadershipa phrase that echoes Trumps frequent grievances.

Europe, long a vocal critic of Netanyahus policies, has been relegated to the sidelines. Trumps disruptive trade policies, headlined by an erratic and unpredictable tariff war, have left European leaders scrambling. They have already been worried about the Trump administrations disdain for NATO and warm ties with Russia.

Europe, in any case, is no longer united. For instance, Hungary, under Prime Minister Viktor Orban, is a staunch ally of Trump, Putin, and Netanyahu. Netanyahu recently enjoyed a warm reception in Hungary from Orban, who announced closer ties with Israel and also his intention to pull Hungary out of the International Criminal Court, which in November issued arrest warrants against Netanyahu. Observers now look at Netanyahu as a prime minister free to pursue his own agenda, backed by Europes indifference and Trumps tacit encouragement.

Yet this trajectory is not without risks. The Gaza emigration plan remains deeply controversial, as a vast majority of Palestinians appear prepared to stay despite the destruction. International opposition, meanwhile, continues to grow. The UNs warnings of legal breaches and ethnic cleansing carry weight, and the lack of willing host countries could render the evacuation scheme unfeasible.
Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), Apr 9 (AP) Israel's ambassador to Ethiopia was ejected from an African Union event this week and has described it as outrageous.

An Israeli official on Wednesday told The Associated Press the ejection from the annual event commemorating the 1994 Rwanda genocide was at the request of African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Youssouf.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to a journalist.

The new African Union Commission chairperson chose to introduce anti-Israel political elements, the ambassador, Avraham Nigusse, asserted Tuesday on social media. It reveals a fundamental misunderstanding of the histories of both the Rwandan and Jewish peoples, he added, saying he had been invited by Rwanda.

The spokesperson for Youssouf, a former foreign minister of Djibouti, did not respond to requests for comment.

Youssouf started his four-year AU term in February.

A diplomat at the AU on Wednesday said Israel's ambassador was removed because they no longer had observer status at the continental body based in Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa. The diplomat spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to journalists.

Israel regained observer status at the AU in 2021, two decades after it was revoked over its conflict with the Palestinians, as Jerusalem sought wider ties with African nations. However, the observer status was suspended again in 2023 pending review by a committee of African heads of state.

They have yet to deliver a verdict.

In 2023, a senior Israeli diplomat was evicted from the AU's annual summit for not having proper accreditation.

The pan-African body has strong ties to the Palestinians, often inviting their leaders to address major gatherings.

Israel last month shattered a ceasefire and renewed its military offensive in Gaza. The territory's Health Ministry says more than 50,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war with Hamas started with the militant group's October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.

South Africa, a prominent AU member, has brought a case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing it of genocide during its military operations in Gaza.

Israel has denied the allegations and called them outrageous. (AP) NPK

NPK
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is in favor of granting Ukraine NATO Article 5 in one form or another, and she will do everything to make such a format work, believes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

"We have the issue of security guarantees. I think Giorgia has its own view on this. And she is in favor of giving Ukraine the Fifth Amendment in one form or another. This is her idea. I think it is very difficult. And I know that she will do everything to make such a format work," Zelenskyy said at a meeting with journalists.

According to him, Meloni believes that Article 5 is more economically beneficial and safer than a contingent.

"But the fifth amendment is an important format that can be thought about, discussed. To think that this could be part of a security guarantee," the president noted.

As reported, on March 6, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni proposed extending Article 5 of the NATO charter to Ukraine without granting the country membership in the military alliance, as this step would be "a guarantee of stable, long-term, effective security."
The last person convicted in Germany for crimes committed during the Holocaust, Irmgard Furchner, died at the age of 99, a German court announced on Monday.

In 2022, Furchner, who served as a secretary at the Nazi concentration camp Stutthof during World War II, received a two-year suspended sentence for complicity in the murders of more than 10,000 people. Her trial marked the first prosecution of a woman in Germany for Nazi-era crimes in decades.

The Stutthof concentration camp, located near Gdansk in occupied Poland, was established by Nazi Germany in 1939. Around 65,000 people lost their lives at Stutthof, many of them non-Jewish Poles, as well as Jews deported from Warsaw, Bialystok, and forced-labor camps in the occupied Baltic states.

Between June 1943 and April 1945, Furchner worked directly under the camp commander, Paul Werner Hoppe. Her husband was also an SS officer at the camp. The court noted during her trial that Furchner was fully aware of the extremely bad conditions prisoners endured.

Furchner made headlines when she attempted to evade her trial by fleeing from the retirement home where she lived. Authorities quickly apprehended her in nearby Hamburg. Due to her age at the time of the crimesshe was a teenagerher trial took place in a juvenile court.

In 2024, the Federal Court of Justice upheld Furchners conviction, emphasizing her conscious involvement in the atrocities committed at the camp, including the deaths caused by gassing, inhumane conditions, transportation to Auschwitz, and forced death marches as the war ended.

For Holocaust survivors, it is enormously important for a late form of justice to be attempted. Even nearly 80 years after the Holocaust, no line can be drawn under Nazi crimes, said Josef Schuster, president of the Central Council of Jews in Germany.

Stutthof was the very last Nazi concentration camp to be liberated at the end of World War II.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
An extraordinary moment took place on Thursday morning at the Bais Medrash of Caulfield in Melbourne, Australia, as a Siyum Masechta was held  not just any Siyum, but one made by Reb Berysz Aurbach, who, at the remarkable age of 104, was mesayem Maseches Chagigah, allowing bechorim who participated to eat.

Reb Berish, born Gimmel Elul 5680 (1920), hails from a Chassidishe family in Biala Podlaska, Poland  a town with deep roots in Gerrer Chassidus. He was raised in a home filled with warmth, Torah, and mesorah, together with his siblings  three older brothers, a sister, and a half-brother.

He still remembers learning as a child in the local Talmud Torah  memories from a world that would soon be destroyed. In an incredible neis, he was one of the last Yidden to be smuggled out of the Warsaw Ghetto before Pesach 5703 (1943), mere days before the uprising and the brutal destruction that followed. Tragically, aside from one sister who had made her way to Eretz Yisroel before the war, his entire family was murdered al kiddush Hashem.

With nothing left in Poland, Reb Berysz reached out to an uncle in Australia, who sponsored his visa and enabled him to rebuild on new shores.

And now, at the age of 104, he stands as a living witness to a century of upheaval and survival  and still learns, still finishes Masechtos, and still inspires those around him.

Your browser does not support the video tag.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Defense ministers from around 30 countries gathered on Thursday to press ahead with plans to deploy troops to Ukraine to police any future peace agreement with Russia.

The meeting at NATO headquarters  the first between defense ministers representing the so-called coalition of the willing  comes after a visit to Kyiv last week by senior British and French military officers. Its expected to work on fleshing out an agreement reached at an earlier meeting between leaders.

As usual with coalition gatherings, the United States will not take part, but the success of the coalitions operation hinges on U.S. backup with airpower or other military assistance. However, the Trump administration has made no public commitment to provide support.

The Netherlands, Sweden and Finland underlined the crucial role of the United States.

The United States is a crucial player still in guaranteeing lasting security in Ukraine, said Finnish Defense Minister Annit Hakkanen. His Swedish counterpart, Pal Jonson, said success in Ukraine requires some form of U.S. engagement while Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans called American support very important but said the form it took might differ, depending on the chosen type of European mission in Ukraine.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said ministers were trying to keep the United States on board.

Amid that uncertainty and U.S. warnings that Europe must take care of its own security and that of Ukraine in future, the force is seen as a first test of the continents willingness to defend itself and its interests.

Its make-up will depend on the nature of any peace agreement, but the contingent is unlikely to be stationed at Ukraines border with Russia. It would be located further from the ceasefire line, perhaps even outside Ukraine, and deploy to counter any Russian attack.

Building a force big enough to act as a credible deterrent is proving a considerable effort for nations that shrank their militaries after the Cold War but are now rearming. U.K. officials have talked about possibly 10,000 to 30,000 troops.

Countries are also reluctant to contribute personnel without U.S. support.

Ukrainian government officials and military analysts have said that Russian forces are preparing to launch a fresh military offensive in Ukraine in the coming weeks to maximize pressure on Kyiv and strengthen the Kremlins negotiating position in ceasefire talks.

On Friday, representatives from around 50 nations will gather at NATO to drum up military support for Ukraine. That meeting will be chaired by Britain and Germany. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is not expected to take part.

(AP)
The IDF is finalizing plans to evacuate civilians from the city of Rafah and establish a strategic buffer zone along Gazas southern border, with Israeli officials saying the move is critical to dismantling Hamass military capabilities in the area.

At the heart of the plan is the construction of the Morag Corridor, a new security strip that will stretch from the Mediterranean coast through the site of the former Israeli settlement of Morag and connect with the Philadelphi Corridor along the Egyptian border, according to multiple Hebrew media reports. The corridor is expected to reach up to five kilometers (about 3.1 miles) into Gaza, effectively encircling Rafah.

Rafah will be evacuated. This area will become a buffer zone to eliminate Hamass ability to regroup or smuggle weapons through the southern border, Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz said earlier this week.

The buffer zone is being created amid escalating IDF operations in southern Gaza. Updated evacuation maps released by the military show widened clearance zones near the Egypt-Gaza border, signaling a coming expansion of Israels presence in the area.

Israeli officials say the zone is aimed at preventing the reconstitution of Hamas forces and cutting off smuggling routes between Gaza and Egypt, which have historically been used to import weapons and other supplies.

This operation is not only tactical but strategic. Control of Rafah and the Philadelphi Corridor will close off Hamass last remaining external supply routes, an IDF official told Ynet.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Sinmyah Amera Ceasar, a 30-year-old U.S. citizen from Brooklyn, NY, was sentenced Wednesday to 230 months in federal prisonnearly 19 yearsfor recruiting people to join the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), obstructing justice, and failing to appear in court.

Ceasar pleaded guilty to the three federal charges in 2017, 2019, and 2022, respectively. ISIS is officially designated as a terrorist organization by the United States government.

Todays resentencing marks the end of a righteous journey that began a decade ago, said Sue Bai, head of the Justice Departments national security division. Terrorist organizations like ISIS rely on recruiters like Ceasar to attract, indoctrinate and enlist new followers.

According to prosecutors, Ceasar operated under the alias Mother of Nutella on social media, using her platform to promote ISIS propaganda and encourage others to join the group. She continued to engage in extremist behavior even after initially pleading guilty to providing material support to ISIS.

An unrepentant ISIS recruiter, [Ceasar] will be incarcerated for a significant period of time to protect Americans here and abroad from her violent extremism, said John Durham, U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York. Even after pleading guilty, the defendant continued to support terrorists, obstructed justice, and fled from prosecution.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
As the Passover holiday approaches, community leaders from Jersey Citys Orthodox community gathered at the Hudson County Sheriffs Headquarters today to meet with Sheriff Frank X. Schillari and Commissioner Bill ODea.

During the meeting, community leaders expressed their gratitude to Sheriff Schillari and Commissioner ODea for their decades of service to the community, particularly in ensuring the safety and security of houses of worship during the holiday season.

We are grateful for the dedication and commitment of Sheriff Schillari and Commissioner ODea in protecting our community and our places of worship, said Moshe Eidlis, a school administrator. We know that they will be extra vigilant during the holiday season to ensure that our community has a wonderful and safe Passover celebration.

Sheriff Schillari reassured the community leaders that the Sheriffs Office would be taking additional measures to ensure the safety of all residents during the holiday period. The safety and security of our community are our top priorities, said Sheriff Schillari. We are committed to working closely with the Orthodox community to make sure that everyone can celebrate the Passover holiday in peace and safety.

We have seen a significant increase in the Jewish population here in Jersey City, said Berl Honig, Hatzolah Coordinator. Many families have chosen to make Jersey City their home due to the affordability of housing compared to Brooklyn. The community has flourished, and we are grateful for the warm welcome we have received.

Among those in attendance were Berl Honig, the Hatzolah Coordinator of Jersey City; Moshe Eidlis, a school administrator; Moshe Jacobowitz; and Law Enforcement Chaplain Rabbi Abe Friedman.

The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment from both community leaders and law enforcement officials to continue working together to ensure the safety and well-being of all residents in Jersey City.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
A New York City sightseeing helicopter broke apart in midair Thursday and crashed upside-down into the Hudson River, killing the pilot and a family of five Spanish tourists in the latest U.S. aviation disaster, officials said.

The victims included Siemens executive Agustin Escobar, his wife, Merce Camprubi Montal, a global manager at an energy technology company, and three children, in addition to the pilot, a person briefed on the investigation told The Associated Press. The person could not discuss details of the investigation publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Photos posted on the helicopter companys website showed the couple and their children smiling as they boarded just before the flight took off.

The flight departed a downtown heliport around 3 p.m. and lasted less than 18 minutes. Radar data showed it flew north along the Manhattan skyline and then back south toward the Statue of Liberty.

Video of the crash showed parts of the aircraft tumbling through the air into the water near the shoreline of Jersey City, New Jersey.

Witnesses describe the helicopters plunge into the Hudson

A witness there, Bruce Wall, said he saw it falling apart in midair, with the tail and main rotor coming off. The main rotor was still spinning without the helicopter as it fell.

Dani Horbiak was at her Jersey City home when she heard what sounded like several gunshots in a row, almost, in the air. She looked out her window and saw the chopper splash in several pieces into the river.

The helicopter was spinning uncontrollably with a bunch of smoke coming out before it slammed into the water, said Lesly Camacho, a hostess at a restaurant along the river in Hoboken, New Jersey.

On air traffic control radio, an NYPD helicopter pilot can be heard saying, Be advised, you do have an aircraft down. Holland Tunnel. Please keep your eyes open for anybody in the water.

About five minutes after that, someone asks, Hey Finest, a reference to the NYPDs call sign, whats going on over there by the Holland Tunnel?

The ship went down, someone else responds.

Rescue boats circled the submerged aircraft within minutes of impact near the end of a long maintenance pier for a ventilation tower serving the Holland Tunnel. Recovery crews hoisted the mangled helicopter out of the water just after 8 p.m. using a floating crane.

The bodies were also recovered from the river, Mayor Eric Adams said.

The flight was operated by New York Helicopters, officials said. No one answered the phones at the companys offices in New York and New Jersey.

A person who answered the phone at the home of the companys owner, Michael Roth, said he declined to comment. Roth told the New York Post he was devastated and had no clue why the crash happened.

The only thing I know by watching a video of the helicopter falling down, that the main rotor blades werent on the helicopter, the Post quoted him as saying. He added that he had not seen such a thing happen during his 30 years in the helicopter business, but noted: These are machines, and they break.

Emails seeking comment were sent to attorneys who have represented Roth in the past.

The Federal Aviation Administration identified the helicopter as a Bell 206, a model widely used in commercial and government aviation, including by sightseeing companies, TV news stations and police. It was initially developed for the U.S. Army before being adapted for other uses. Thousands have been manufactured over the years.

The National Transportation Safety Board said it would investigate.

Tragedy strikes a family from Spain

Escobar worked for the tech company Siemens for more than 27 years, most recently as global CEO for rail infrastructure at Siemens Mobility, according to his LinkedIn account. In late 2022 he briefly became president and CEO of Siemens Spain. In a post about the position, he thanked his family: my endless source of energy and happiness, for their unconditional support, love  and patience.

Escobar regularly posted about the importance of sustainability in the rail industry and often traveled internationally for work, including journeying to India and the UK in the past month. He also was vice president of the German Chamber of Commerce for Spain since 2023.

We are deeply saddened by the tragic helicopter crash in which Agustin Escobar and his family lost their lives. Our heartfelt condolences go out to all their loved ones, Siemens said in a statement early Friday.

Camprubi Montal worked in Barcelona, Spain, for energy technology company Siemens Energy for about seven years, including as its global commercialization manager and as a digitalization manager, according to her LinkedIn account.

Spanish regional government officials said the family resided in Barcelona.

(I am) dismayed by the tragic helicopter accident in the Hudson River in New York which cost the lives of six people, five of which were members of a Barcelona family, Catalan regional president Salvador Illa wrote on X.

Another regional official said Agustin Escobar was originally from Puertollano, a town in central Spain.

I want to express my sorrow for the traffic helicopter accident in New York that claimed the lives of Agustin Escobar and his family, Castilla La Mancha regional president Emiliano Garcia-Page wrote on X. Agustin is native of Puertollano and in 2023 we named him a Favorite Son of Castilla La Mancha.

What may have caused the crash

Video of the crash suggested that a catastrophic mechanical failure left the pilot with no chance to save the helicopter, said Justin Green, an aviation lawyer who was a helicopter pilot in the Marine Corps.

It is possible the helicopters main rotors struck the tail boom, breaking it apart and causing the cabin to free fall, Green said.

They were dead as soon as whatever happened happened, Green said. Theres no indication they had any control over the craft. No pilot could have prevented that accident once they lost the lifts. Its like a rock falling to the ground. Its heartbreaking.

The skies over Manhattan are routinely filled with planes and helicopters, both private recreational aircraft and commercial and tourist flights. Manhattan has several helipads from which business executives and others are whisked to destinations throughout the metropolitan area.

At least 38 people have died in helicopter accidents in New York City since 1977. A collision between a plane and a tourist helicopter over the Hudson in 2009 killed nine people, and five died in 2018 when a charter helicopter offering open door flights went down into the East River.

New York Helicopters also owned a Bell 206 that lost power and made an emergency landing on the Hudson during a sightseeing tour in June 2013. The pilot managed to land safely and he and the passengers  a family of four Swedes  were uninjured. The National Transportation Safety Board found that a maintenance flub and an engine lubrication anomaly led to the power cutoff.

Thursdays crash was the first for a helicopter in the city since one hit the roof of a skyscraper in 2019, killing the pilot.

The accidents and the noise caused by helicopters have repeatedly led some community activists and officials to propose banning or restricting traffic at Manhattan heliports.

Other recent crashes and close calls have already left some people worried about the safety of flying in the U.S.

Seven people were killed when a medical transport plane plummeted into a Philadelphia neighborhood in January. That happened two days after an American Airlines jet and an Army helicopter collided in midair in Washington in the deadliest U.S. air disaster in a generation.

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(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
(Translated by Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow  Email [email protected] for sources)

Rav Chaim Kanievsky ztl was renowned for his concise, often one-word answers to halachic questions. Over the years, various individuals compiled and published collections of the questions they asked himand the succinct responses they received in return. Below is a translation of several questions related to Birchas Ilanos (the blessing recited upon seeing blossoming fruit trees in the spring).

Please note: while these insights are fascinating and can spark meaningful discussion, all those who published these collections emphasized that the responses should not be relied upon halacha lmaaseh (for practical halachic rulings). For sources or further inquiries, feel free to reach out via the email address provided at the top of this article.

Are women obligated to recite Birchas Ilanos? They are obligated if they see a blossoming fruit tree.

Should one train his children to recite Birchas Ilanos? Yes.

If a boy is turning 13 in Nissan, should he wait until he is Bar Mitzvah to recite this bracha? He does not need to wait.

Why is that different than Kiddush Levana? Kiddush Levana is an obligatory blessing, so an argument can be made that a boy should wait until he is Bar Mitzvah. There is no obligation at all to see a blossoming tree and recite Birchas Ilanos. If one sees a blossoming fruit tree, he must recite a bracha. Therefore, if a boy sees a blossoming fruit tree, he should recite the bracha then and not wait until he is bar mitzvah.

May one recite Birchas Ilanos on a potted fruit tree with holes on the bottom? Yes.

May one recite Birchas Ilanos on a fruit tree still in the Orlah years? There is a discussion about this. Some are lenient.

(Rebbe Akiva Eiger says one can recite Birchas Ilanos on Safek Orlah outside of Israel.)

Rav Chaim Kanievsky is recorded as giving contradictory answers whether one may recite Birchas Ilanos on a potted fruit tree that does not have holes on the bottom. (Atzitz Sheaino Nakuv)

Can one recite Birchas Ilanos on a blossoming fruit tree that only produces a spice used to flavor other dishes? No.

If someone mistakenly recited Birchas Ilanos on a non-fruit-bearing tree, should he recite the bracha again on a fruit-bearing tree? Yes.

May one recite Birchas Ilanos on a detached branch of a blossoming fruit-bearing tree? No.

Is it permissible to recite Birchas Ilanos on a tree if the flowers have already fallen off, but the emerging fruit is still unripe? No.

May one recite Birchas Ilanos on a tree growing by someone who does not keep Shabbos RL;Perhaps he may have planted it on Shabbos.

One does not need to be concerned for that possibility.

Is it forbidden to recite Birchas Ilanos on a tree that was guarded and worked on during Shmitta? Those that forbid reciting Birchas Ilanos on a grafted fruit tree would also prohibit this.

May one recite Birchas Ilanos on a fruit tree planted without permission? Without Shem UMalchus.

May one recite Birchas Ilanos on a tree whose fruit is infested with bugs? Yes.

May one recite Birchas Ilanos in Adar? The custom is not to. But if one recited it in Adar, he fulfilled his obligation.

(The Rivivos Ephraim reports that he personally witnessed Rav Moshe Feinstein Ztl reciting Birchas Ilanos in Iyar. )

Is it possible to recite Birchas Ilanos on Shabbos? Its possible, and it seems our custom is to do so.

Should one be stringent like the Kabbalists and only recite Birchas Ilanos outside the city in a field? One is not obligated to do so.

May one recite Birchas Ilanos on one tree, or are two or more blossoming fruit trees required? The custom is to recite over two, but according to the letter of the law, one suffices.

May one be motzi someone else if he already recited Birchas Ilanos himself? No.

(Nitei Gavriel says that countries south of the Equator recite the beracha during their spring season.)

If someone recited Birchas Ilanos in Nissan and then went to Australia, may he recite Birchas Ilanos again in Tishrei? No.

I heard that the Chazon Ish didnt recite Birchas Ilanos. Is that true?

No. The Chazon Ish and I were once walking, and I saw a blossoming fruit tree from afar. I asked the Chazon Ish if I should recite a beracha, and he said that I should. He didnt recite the beracha because he couldnt see the tree.

May one enter his friends yard without permission to recite Birchas Ilanos? No. This is not the type of mitzvah for which we assume the owner permits without asking.

Do you need the tree owners permission to recite Birchas Ilanos on his tree? No.

Does one need to recite Birchas Ilanos with a minyan, or does one not need to be makpid on this? One does not need to be makpid.
The Senate on Wednesday confirmed former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee as the Trump administrations ambassador to Israel.

Israel supporter John Fetterman was the only Democrat to join Republicans in voting for Huckabee, with the final vote tally 53 to 46.

Huckabee, a religious Christian and a staunch supporter of Israel, insists on calling the West Bank by its popular biblical name of Yehudah and Shomron. A frequent visitor to Israel, he even expressed interest in the past in buying a vacation home in the Shomron.

US President Donald Trump responded to the appointment by saying that Huckabee is going to be fantastic, hes going to bring home the bacon. He then realized that maybe he should have chosen a different expression and said jokingly: Although bacon isnt too big in Israel.

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Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu congratulated Huckabee on the confirmation, stating: Congratulations to my dear friend Mike Huckabee upon being confirmed as the next ambassador of the United States to Israel. This is a great day for the Israeli-American alliance. I look forward to working with you to make the unbreakable bond between our two nations even stronger.

The head of the Yesha (Yehudah and Shomron) Council, Yisrael Ganz, sent a letter of congratulations to Huckabee, stating: Your appointment represents, in our view, an important moral statement by the U.S. administration and the American people. We regard you as a representative of the United States and President Trump, as well as a true partner of the people of Israel and their undeniable historical right to live in the Land of the BibleJudea, Samaria, and the Jordan Valley.

We deeply appreciate your longstanding commitment to the Jewish people, its Torah, and its land, as well as your resolute stance in support of our right to security and development of communities throughout all parts of our ancestral homeland, in accordance with the vision of the prophets.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
Time limits will provide opportunities to put pressure on Russia, a ceasefire for an unclear period is a frozen conflict, said President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

"I believe that certain time limits will provide opportunities to put pressure on Russia. If you have a ceasefire for an unclear period, it is a frozen conflict, and if there are any deadlines, it does not mean that everything must be done in time or that everything can be done in time for the first deadline," the president said at a meeting with journalists.

He noted that there may be an extension, but it is important that there is a deadline for which all parties - both mediators and warring parties - must be held accountable.

"And, therefore, we are writing a plan that we must implement within this period and are implementing it. I believe that these are the right steps. They stimulate us to do something before the end of the war," Zelenskyy emphasized.
Air Force Commander Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar, in coordination with Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, stated on Thursday that the reservists who signed a letter against the war in Gaza will be dismissed from active reserve duty.

About 950 Air Force reservists, the vast majority of whom are retired, signed a letter against the war that was published as a full-page ad on Thursday morning in several leading media outlets. Only 10% of the signatories are active reservists, most of them volunteers. Most of the signatories, if not all, were those who had opposed the government of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu before October 7.

The letter was published despite the fact that the impending publication of the letter was brought to the attention of the Air Force leadership in recent days, and Air Commander Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar convened several meetings with those leading the initiative to try to prevent the letters publication. Zamir joined one of the meetings and said: Dont repeat the mistakes of the past. I expect you to stand behind the Air Force.

Following the meetings, dozens of reservists withdrew their signatures from the letter.

The letter states: We, reserve and former Air Force personnel, demand the immediate return of the hostageseven if it requires an immediate cessation of hostilities. At this time, the war serves primarily political and personal interests, not security ones. Continuation of the war doesnt advance any of the declared goals of the war, and will bring about the deaths of the hostages, of IDF soldiers and innocent civilians, while further eroding the strength of the reserve forces.

As has been proven in the past, only an agreement can return hostages safely, while military pressure mainly leads to the killing of hostages and the endangerment of our soldiers. We call on all citizens of Israel to mobilize for action and demand in every way: stop the fighting and bring the hostages homenow. Every day that passes endangers their lives. Every moment of hesitation is a disgrace.

The IDF stated on Thursday morning in response to the letter: We are in a multi-front war in which the IDF acts solely for practical and professional considerations to fulfill the goals of the war, centered on the return of the hostages. The policy is to keep the IDF above all controversy, and it cannot accept a situation in which service members use their position to oppose the war and at the same time take part in it. A service member cant emerge from the command center and then express distrust in his commanders and the goals of the war. This is an impossible anomaly.

The Air Force Commander decided, with the full backing of the Chief of Staff, that an active reservist who signed the letter will not be able to continue serving in the IDF. Politics does not exist in the IDF and the IDF is outside the political debate.

Prime Minister Netanyahu announced that he supports the Minister of Defense and the Chief of Staff in their decision to dismiss the signatories of the letter. Refusal is refusal  even when it is said implicitly and in euphemistic language, Netanyahu stated.

Statements that weaken the IDF and strengthen our enemies in a time of war are unforgivable. This is an extreme fringe group that is again trying to tear apart Israeli society from within. They already tried to do it before October 7 and Hamas interpreted the calls for refusal as weakness. This noisy fringe group is activated for one purpose  to overthrow the government. It does not represent the soldiers or the public. The IDF is in battle  and we are all behind it.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that Israel would be the leader if the US and Israel strike Irans nuclear sites if talks between Washington and Tehran fail.

Speaking at the White House, Trump responded to a question about whether he is considering using military means against Iran.

If it requires military, were going to have military, he said. Israel will obviously be very much involved in that  itll be the leader of that, but then immediately clarifying: Nobody leads us. We do what we want to do.

Trump also said that he has a deadline for talks, emphasizing that he wont allow Tehran to drag out negotiations. Various media outlets reported that Trump is allowing two months for the talks.

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(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
The Prime Ministers Office on Thursday afternoon confirmed that Israel and Turkey held direct talks in recent days about Syria, following multiple reports about such talks in recent days.

According to the announcement, the head of the delegation is National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi.

Under the direction of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, last night a political-security delegation headed by the head of the National Security Council, Tzachi Hanegbi, and with the participation of senior representatives of the Ministry of Defense and the security agencies, met with a parallel Turkish delegation.

Israel thanks Azerbaijan and President Ilham Aliyev for hosting the important talks.

In the talks, each side presented its interests in the region, and it was agreed to continue the dialogue in order to maintain security stability.

Earlier today, a senior political source confirmed that Israeli and Turkish officials began direct talks in Azerbaijan on a deconfliction mechanism in Syria.

The political source clarified what Israels red lines are. Israel made it unequivocally clear that any change in the deployment of foreign forces in Syria  and in particular the establishment of Turkish bases in the Palmyra area  is a red line and will be considered a violation of all boundaries. Israel has already made it clear in the past that preventing this threat is the responsibility of the government in Damascus. Any action that endangers Israel will endanger the rule of al-Sharaa.

Turkish sources also confirmed the talks in Azerbaijan.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
The IDF and Shin Bet confirmed Thursday that Haytham Sheikh Khalil, commander of Hamass Shujaiyya Battalion, was killed in an airstrike on a Hamas command center in Gaza City.

Khalil played a central role in the October 7 attack on Nahal Oz and was responsible for directing assaults on Israeli forces, as well as overseeing Hamass explosives and tunnel operations. He assumed command of the battalion following the deaths of its previous leaders.

The IDF said the targeted strike was carried out based on precise intelligence and surveillance, stressing its efforts to minimize civilian harm.

Meanwhile, Israeli ground forces expanded operations across the Gaza Strip on Thursday, with a major focus on the Tel al-Sultan and Shaboura neighborhoods of Rafah, as well as the Morag Corridor. Troops located and destroyed dozens of Hamas targets, including tunnel networks and other terrorist infrastructure.

In northern Gaza, Israeli forces engaged and eliminated armed Hamas terrorists and dismantled a number of terror sites. The Israeli Air Force also carried out strikes on 35 Hamas positions that posed immediate threats to ground troops, the IDF said.



(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Donald Trumps trade war has left the world more vulnerable to a financial crisis, the Bank of England warned today.

Severe economic shocks are more likely after steep tariffs were imposed this morning, officials said.

A report found that Trumps move would reduce the resilience of the financial system and harm financial stability by depressing growth.

The analysis by the Banks Financial Policy Committee, led by Governor Andrew Bailey, said the global risk environment has deteriorated, and uncertainty has intensified since Trumps so-called Liberation Day on April 2.

And after a brutal sell off that has wiped more than 8trillion off stock markets, there was a risk of further sharp corrections, the report said.

The UKs status as an open economy with a large financial sector means the country was particularly exposed to the meltdown sparked by Trumps tariffs.

The Bank of Englands stark warning was published amid an intensifying trade war that has sent shockwaves through global markets.

A tit-for-tat between China and the US escalated dramatically on Wednesday when Beijing said it would impose tariffs of 84 per cent on American imports, as it slammed Trumps policy as reckless.

Analysis by the Bank of England's Financial Policy Committee, led by Governor Andrew Bailey (pictured), said uncertainty has intensified

It comes as Trump slapped a 104 per cent import tax on Chinese goods. President Trump pictured with Chinese president Xi Jinping

That came after Trump slapped a 104 per cent import tax on Chinese goods arriving in the US, stepping up a trade war between the worlds two largest economies.

A major shift in the nature and predictability of global trading arrangements could harm financial stability by depressing growth, the report said.

A further risk was a reduction in global co-operation in tackling global challenges and shocks, which could reduce the resilience of the financial system.

The probability of adverse events and the potential severity of their impact has risen, it added.

And as US bond yields soared yesterday, the committee also raised its long-standing concerns about risks posed by high public debt levels.

Risks associated with debt sustainability concerns, including sharp increases in government bond yields, could crystalise relatively quickly, particularly if accompanied by rapid capital outflows, the report said.

But despite the threats to global financial stability, officials found that UK banks were resilient enough to sustain households and business borrowers even if economic and financial conditions turn out to be substantially worse than feared.

They added that increased global tensions upped the risk of cyber attacks, and that the use of AI could amplify shocks to the financial system.
Research has ranked cities by their exposure to the US trade levies

Trump's tariffs are set to have wide ranging effects across the world, as major exporters to the US were slapped with sky-high tariffs last week.

While tariffs above 10 per cent have been paused for 90 days, the UK was given a 10 per cent tariff to start with so remains in the same situation.

The British cities expected to take the hardest hit from Trump's levies are manufacturing heartlands, as areas whose local economies are based around industry being much more dependent on exports to the US.

The West Midlands city of Coventry is likely to be the worst to suffer, according to data from the Centre for Cities think tank, as a result of its position as the epicentre of the UK's car manufacturing industry.

On top of the 10 per cent tariff placed on British goods exported to the US, the UK is also facing a 25 per cent charge on British cars and materials used to manufacture cars.

Coventry is home to Jaguar Land Rover's headquarters, with thousands working at the site. The city was the location of the first British car to be manufactured in 1897.

Set to suffer? Coventry, home of Jaguar Land Rover, could be the hit hard by Trump's tariffs

Jaguar Land Rover said last week that it was 'enacting short-term actions including a shipment pause in April'.

It added: 'Our luxury brands have global appeal and our business is resilient, accustomed to changing market conditions. Our priorities now are delivering for our clients around the world and addressing these new US trading terms.'

The city has the highest exposure to US goods exports, with 22.1 per cent of its exports headed towards the US.

In comparison, the least affected of Britain's 62 largest cities, York, has exposure of just 2.7 per cent.

Edinburgh and London also come out as winners, with the two capital cities exposed by just 2.9 per cent and 3.2 per cent respectively.

This is largely as a result of their focus on services rather than goods.

Paul Swinney, director of policy and research at the Centre for Cities, said: 'The direct impact of the new US trade tariffs on the UK is uneven.

'Places where manufacturing represents a higher share of the local economy are the places that depend the most on exporting goods, including to the US.

'These include weaker local economies with the lowest share of jobs in high-paid services sectors.'

Behind Coventry, Derby is set to be the next most affected according to the research, with 19.9 per cent exposure to the tariffs.

The city is known for manufacturing for the aerospace, automotive and train production sectors, and is home to jet engine maker Rolls-Royce.

Meanwhile, Telford, a manufacturing hub for the automotive and defence sectors, was third worst hit.

The Shropshire city has US exposure of 17.3 per cent of its total exports.

Worthing, Blackpool, Hull, Plymouth and Birmingham also found themselves among the most affected cities.

The Centre for Cities warned that local economies that are struggling, such as those that are less productive, are likely to fare even worse under the new tariffs.

Trump on Wednesday announced that the latest raft of additional tariffs will be paused for 90 days, just hours after they came into effect.

A 10 per cent blanket levy will remain in place on a universal basis, meaning the UK will still be affected, while the tariff on Chinese goods has been upped to 125 per cent as a trade war escalates between the two nations.
UK employers scaled back hiring to the lowest level since the pandemic at the start of this year as Rachel Reevess 25billion National Insurance raid took its toll.

Just 20 per cent of firms increased their workforce in the first quarter, the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) found, the lowest level since the first three months of 2021.

Business leaders have said the rise in employer taxes could lead to job losses, lower wages and price rises this year.

The BCCs survey of more than 5,000 businesses also revealed 17pc shrank their teams in the quarter.

Major firms to have axed jobs in the wake of last years Budget include Sainsburys, Tesco, BT and Santander.

And there are fears that more could follow after the rise in employer National Insurance contributions came into force on Sunday. The hike increases the employers rate from 13.8 per cent to 15 per cent.

Tax raid: Business leaders fear Chancellor Rachel Reevess 25bn National Insurance hike could lead to tens of thousands of job losses this year

But the Chancellor also cut the threshold at which they start paying it  from earnings of 9,100 to just 5,000.

She has since been warned that the jobs tax poses a threat to part-time workers, who are now more expensive to employ.

Bosses are also concerned that the Governments proposed Employment Rights Bill will make it harder to recruit and retain staff.

Consumers could feel the pinch too, as 73 per cent of firms told the BCC that higher costs created pressure to raise prices.

Jane Gratton, the BCC deputy director of public policy, said: Firms are struggling under the weight of skills shortages, recruitment difficulties and spiralling employment costs.

There are signs of businesses pausing recruitment plans, scaling back training investment and, in some cases, reducing the size of the workforce. The likely impact on job opportunities and business growth is worrying.

Firms are facing higher bills from the rise in both employer National Insurance contributions and the minimum wage. The full impact wont be seen until later this year.

Tory business spokesman Andrew Griffith said: As if more proof was needed, this shows the Government once again that their jobs tax and upcoming additional red tape on employers is chilling the jobs market faster than a nitrogen ice bath.

Starmer needs to get serious about growth, starting with shelving Labours disastrous Employment Rights Bill.
UK employers scaled back hiring to the lowest level since the pandemic at the start of this year as Rachel Reevess 25billion National Insurance raid took its toll.

Just 20 per cent of firms increased their workforce in the first quarter, the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) found, the lowest level since the first three months of 2021.

Business leaders have said the rise in employer taxes could lead to job losses, lower wages and price rises this year.

The BCCs survey of more than 5,000 businesses also revealed 17 per cent shrank their teams in the quarter.

Major firms to have axed jobs in the wake of last years Budget include Sainsburys, Tesco, BT and Santander.

And there are fears that more could follow after the rise in employer National Insurance contributions came into force on Sunday.

Delayed IPOs: London listings in the first quarter raised just 74.7m, a 74% plunge compared to the 288.8m in the first quarter of 2024

The hike increases the employers rate from 13.8 per cent to 15 per cent. But the Chancellor also cut the threshold at which they start paying it  from earnings of 9,100 to just 5,000.

She has since been warned that the jobs tax poses a threat to part-time workers, who are now more expensive to employ.

Bosses are also concerned that the Governments proposed Employment Rights Bill will make it harder to recruit and retain staff.

Consumers could feel the pinch too, as 73 per cent of firms told the BCC that higher costs created pressure to raise prices.

Jane Gratton, the BCC deputy director of public policy, said: Firms are struggling under the weight of skills shortages, recruitment difficulties and spiralling employment costs.

There are signs of businesses pausing recruitment plans, scaling back training investment and, in some cases, reducing the size of the workforce. The likely impact on job opportunities and business growth is worrying.

Firms are facing higher bills from the rise in both employer National Insurance contributions and the minimum wage. The full impact wont be seen until later this year.

Tory business spokesman Andrew Griffith said: As if more proof was needed, this shows the Government once again that their jobs tax and upcoming additional red tape on employers is chilling the jobs market faster than a nitrogen ice bath.

Starmer needs to get serious about growth, starting with shelving Labours disastrous Employment Rights Bill.
Shares in Britains two biggest drugs firms saw more than 14billion wiped off their value after Donald Trump threatened to slap tariffs on pharmaceuticals imports to the US.

AstraZeneca, one of the largest companies in Britain, was the biggest loser in the FTSE 100 yesterday, slumping 6.8pc, or 707p, to 9667p.

It was followed by rival GSK, which tumbled 5.7 per cent, or 76.5p, to 1264p.

The slump in drugmakers stocks came after the US president said overnight that the US would soon introduce a major tariff on pharmaceuticals to force firms to relocate medicine production to America.

Were going to do something that we have to do. Were going to put tariff on our pharmaceuticals and once we do that, theyre going to come rushing back into our country because were the big market, Trump said at a National Republican Congressional Committee dinner.

While Trump did not provide any additional details on potential levies on pharma imports, the fear of tariffs on drugs, which are currently exempt, sparked a swift sell-off.

Threat: US president Donald Trump (pictured) said overnight that the US would soon introduce a major tariff on pharmaceuticals to force firms to relocate medicine production to America

Both AstraZeneca and GSK rely on the US for a large portion of sales, and while both have factories in the country, new tariffs could spark a rush to move more production to avoid being penalised.

European drugmakers also took a knock following Trumps comments. Danish firm Novo Nordisk, the maker of Ozempic, dropped 6.9 per cent, while Swiss firm Roche fell 5.8 per cent, and Frances Sanofi slipped 6.9 per cent.

The rout also caught the US pharma sector, with Pfizer down 2.6 per cent and Eli Lilly falling 4.2 per cent.

Tariffs threaten to decimate the vast web of interconnected supply chains that link the US, UK and European pharma sectors together.

Bernstein analyst Courtney Breen predicted that if the tariffs were steep, the cost of US pharma imports could rise by as much as 42billion, denting the sales potential of medicines in the country.

Others predicted that such a move would do little to boost drug manufacturing in the US due to the complexity of the existing supply network.

There are also concerns that tariffs on the sector could add to growing difficulties in getting new medicines licensed in America, after it was announced that US health agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration, would sack 10,000 workers as part of a cost-cutting drive.

The move sparked warnings from analysts that the medicines watchdog could be coming apart at the seams and pose a risk to public health.
Anglo American remains in talks over the sale of its coal portfolio after its buyer said it was reviewing its options following a fire at an Australian mine.

The mining giant told shareholders that the situation at its Moranbah North site, which produces about 5.6 million tonnes of steelmaking coal annually, had stabilised following an explosion last week.

Anglo has an 88 per cent stake in Moranbah North, which in November it agreed to sell alongside most of its coal assets to Peabody Energy for a potential $3.8billion (3billion).

It believes the incident involved a 'minor ignition' on 31 March in the underground area of the mine, which is located in Central Queensland's Bowen Basin.

Anglo said conditions quickly normalised and 'remain stable,' with data and camera footage showing 'no evidence of damage'.

Production at Moranbah North remains suspended, but the firm said it was working with industry experts and Queensland's health and safety regulator to 'expedite re-entry into the mine and the subsequent safe resumption of mining operations'.

Right direction: Last November, mining giant Anglo American agreed to sell most of its coal assets to Peabody Energy for a potential $3.8billion (3billion)

But owing to the incident at Moranbah North, Peabody announced on Tuesday that it was 'reviewing all options' related to the acquisition.

It added that it 'remains in conversation with Anglo American to better understand the impacts of the event. Peabody is preserving all rights and protections under its purchase agreements.'

Anglo said on Thursday that it 'continues to work with Peabody towards satisfying the remaining customary conditions in those agreements that are required for completion of the transaction'.

The disposal forms part of a radical restructuring that Anglo launched after it rejected a blockbuster $39billion takeover approach from BHP.

In addition to its steelmaking coal business, Anglo plans to demerge its platinum arm and offload its nickel and De Beers diamond divisions.

Two months ago, the London-based firm agreed to sell the nickel business to MMG Singapore Resources for $500million.

The deal followed a massive slump in nickel prices caused by production oversupply from Indonesia and China, a stronger US dollar and subdued electric vehicle demand.

Anglo has said the overhaul would enable it to focus on producing copper, premium iron ore and crop nutrients.

Copper is a key material in the green transition due to its use in technologies like solar panels, power cables, wind turbines, and electric vehicles.

Anglo American shares soared 8.7 per cent to 1,918.6p on Thursday morning, making them the top FTSE 100 riser, although they have still contracted by around 19 per cent since the year began.
Elections in Ukraine are possible only after the end of the war, head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak said, answering a question about information from The Economist about alleged preparations for summer elections.

"Absolute nonsense. It is impossible to plan elections while hostilities are ongoing. First the war must end, only then can we vote," Yermak said in an interview with the Italian newspaper Corriere della sera.

On March 31, The Economist wrote, citing sources in the government, that supposedly elections in Ukraine are not ruled out in the near future (after a complete ceasefire is established).
EY has been fined 4.9million by the Financial Reporting Council for its audits of Thomas Cook in 2017 and 2018.

Thomas Cook collapsed in 2019 after failing to secure a rescue deal, but now operates in the UK as an online-only travel agent.

The fine was originally 6.5million, but was discounted by 25 per cent 'for admissions and early disposal.' EY paid also paid the costs for the investigation.

EY audit engagement partner Richard Wilson was fined 140,000, discounted to 105,000 for the same reason.

The FRC imposed sanctions on EY and Wilson over audits for the airline for the financial years ending 30 September 2017 and 30 September 2018.

On Thursday, the watchdog said the airlines goodwill balance was significant, comprising 2.6billion across the whole group, roughly 40 per cent of total assets.

Fined: EY has been fined 4.9m by the Financial Reporting Council

The breaches related to assessing Thomas Cook's goodwill impairment level and going concern status, as well as adequately considering the risk to EY's independence during the 2018 audit, the FRC said.

Following an investigation, it was found that for both audit years, EY and Wilson failed to 'approach this audit area with sufficient professional scepticism to properly corroborate managements assumptions and estimates supporting the goodwill impairment model'.

The FRC said 'the failings' for this 'were particularly serious' for 2018 'given Thomas Cooks deteriorating trading performance, which heightened the risk that the goodwill balance could be impaired.'

Claudia Mortimore, FRC deputy executive counsel, said: 'EY and Mr Wilsons failure to challenge robustly and to apply sufficient professional scepticism in these crucial areas led to significant breaches of auditing standards in both audit years.

'The failings in 2018 are particularly serious given Thomas Cooks financial position and the heightened risks surrounding the audit work.

'EYs remedial measures together with the programme of non-financial sanctions are designed to prevent such failures being repeated.'

Thomas Cook, the world's oldest travel firm, collapsed in 2019 after it failed to finalise a restructuring plan, stranding more than 100,000 passengers overseas and leaving many without jobs.

Chinese company Fosun later acquired the company's brand, before selling it to Polish travel platform eSky Group last year.
Prada is set to buy Versace in a luxury industry megadeal uniting two of the biggest brands in Italian fashion.

The $1.375billion (1.06billion) deal, which includes debt, comes as Prada seeks to expand after defying a broader luxury industry slowdown that has seen Versace operate at a loss.

It follows news last month that Donatella Versace was stepping down as the chief creative officer of the brand founded by her late brother Gianni.

Prada chairman Patrizio Bertelli said: 'We aim to continue Versaces legacy celebrating and re-interpreting its bold and timeless aesthetic.

Bertelli, husband of Prada designer Miuccia Prada, added: 'At the same time, we will provide it with a strong platform, reinforced by years of ongoing investments and rooted in longstanding relationships.'

The deal comes at a major discount to the roughly $2.15billion including debt that Capri paid for Versace in 2018. Previously known as Michael Kors, Capri bought Versace from the Versace family and Blackstone.

Versace, worn by actress Anne Hathaway (pictured), was set up by the late Gianni Versace in Milan in 1978

Prada CEO Andrea Guerra said: 'Versace has huge potential. The journey will be long and will require disciplined execution and patience.'

Prada has largely steered clear of takeover activity since acquisitions of Helmut Lang and Jil Sander in the late 1990s, which major shareholder Bertelli decried as 'strategic mistakes'.

Jelena Sokolova, senior equity analyst at Morningstar and luxury goods expert, said: 'Prada purchasing Versace makes sense both financially and in terms of timing.

'Prada's profitability and cash position has strengthened in recent years, boosted by its strong brand momentum.

'This acquisition make strategic sense since both of these brands pass through fashion cycles and ownership of multiple brands with very different aesthetics (maximalist for Versace and minimalist for Prada and Miu Miu) could help smooth the cyclicality of performance.

'Finally, Prada has track record and expertise in running luxury brands that Versace's current owner Capri lacks in comparison.

'Versace will need investments to reboot the brand, making it an intial drag to Prada's short-term profitability.'
The Agreement between the European Union (EU) and Ukraine on the carriage of freight by road has been automatically extended for another six months, remaining in effect through December 31, 2025, according to a statement from the Ministry for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development (MinRegion).

"The Agreement between the EU and Ukraine on the carriage of freight by road... has been extended until December 31, 2025. This decision became possible due to the effective implementation of the Agreement, its positive economic impact on both parties, and effective monitoring of its enforcement," the Ministry's press office stated on Facebook on Thursday.

The agreement was initially signed in June 2022 and is traditionally valid for one year. In June 2024, it was renewed for the third time, extending its effect until June 2025. At that time, the updated version included a provision for automatic extension through the end of 2025, provided there was no negative impact on either party and no violations, the Ministry recalled.

"Road freight transport between Ukraine and the EU is now critical to the economic resilience of our country, as it is by road that we export value-added goods and import essential supplies," said Deputy Prime Minister for Ukraine's Reconstruction and Minister for Communities and Territories Development, Oleksiy Kuleba.

According to Kuleba, the agreement has led to a 42% increase in road exports to the EU and a 37% rise in road imports into Ukraine.

At a joint meeting between the Ukrainian government and the European Commission in Kyiv this February, Kuleba expressed Ukraine's hope that the EU would support the signing of a permanent agreement on the carriage of freight by road between the two parties.

Prior to the extension, the agreement was set to expire on June 30, 2025.
China has always positioned itself as a neutral country in Russia's war against Ukraine, and we need clarifications from Beijing regarding the participation of Chinese citizens in the Russian Armed Forces, said Andriy Yermak, the head of the Presidents Office, in an interview with the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera.

When asked by a journalist whether the situation with the Chinese is similar to that when foreign volunteers and mercenaries fight on the side of the Ukrainian army, Yermak replied: "No, because China has always told us that it is neutral. Our volunteers come from countries that support us, just like yours. Beijing owes us an explanation."

On April 9, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that it is known that 155 Chinese citizens are fighting against Ukrainians on the territory of Ukraine, but there may be more.
Shmyhal: Ukraine not buffer or a gray zone, we are new opportunity for Europe to rediscover its identity

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal says that Ukraine is ready to become a new participant and exporter of security, energy, critical resources and digital innovations in Europe.

"We are not a buffer zone, we are not a gray zone, we are a new opportunity for Europe to rediscover its identity. We must recognize the new reality: free trade no longer guarantees security, energy is no longer apolitical, and supply chains are no longer neutral. However, we believe that Europe can rediscover itself in this historical storm, and that Ukraine can become a new anchor of stability... Ukraine today is not just a battlefield, it is a field of opportunities. We are ready to become a new participant and exporter of security, energy, critical resources, and digital innovations," Shmyhal said at the Ukraine-EU business summit in Brussels on Thursday.

He stressed that this will be beneficial not only for the European Union, but also for European business, for which Ukraine is becoming a new place for profitable investments.

In particular, the Prime Minister stated that critical minerals are another sector where Ukraine invites European investments.

"Currently, the EU imports many of them from outside the continent, but Ukraine can help change this. European industry can provide a reliable source of raw materials here in Europe, laying the foundation for a new industrial revolution carried out in Europe," Shmyhal added.

Among other things, he noted the prospects for cooperation in reconstruction projects, the use of gas storage, renewable energy sources, agriculture and the IT sector.

In addition, the Prime Minister emphasized that the war has become a catalyst for rapid innovation in Ukraine's defense industry.

"Europe needs rearmament and greater strategic defense autonomy - and Ukraine can become its industrial core. We invite European defense companies to cooperate. We offer qualified specialists, production facilities and strong investment incentives. The EU Defense Industrial Strategy and the EDIP program open new horizons for our cooperation. Next month, the second Ukraine-EU Defense Industry Forum will be held in Brussels, and we invite all interested European companies to participate," he said.
Our conservative bloggy friends seemingly demand outright submission rather than a nice note.

Given historic Kansas Republican conservative voting and most of the returns from the 2024 election in the Sunflower State . . . Like it or not, the majority of the electorate feels the same way.

Accordingly . . .



Here's a peek at the outrage that MIGHT elicit more investigation and a redraft of paperwork . . .

Check-it:



On April 3, 2025, Secretary of Education Linda McMahon and the United States Department of Education sent a letter to all state departments of education demanding that they certify all K-12 schools in their states are complying with an earlier letter banning all Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) activities and practices  or lose federal funding.



But the Kansas State Department of Education is treating the matter as a request and wont say if it will comply  despite the looming April 13 deadline.



The request is still under consideration and no decision on future action has been made yet, KSDE Spokeswoman Denise Kahler said via email.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Sentinel: KSDE wont say if it will certify elimination of DEI to avoid loss of funding




A troubling trend might be trending amid warmer weather . . .

Notice the tone of this report and the quotes from nearby residents . . .

KANSAS CITY NEIGHBORS CONFOUNDED BY PROPERTY CRIME SEEM TO BE FIGHTING BACK?!?

TKC doesn't ever tell people how to live . . .

But there are risks that come with vigilantism that aren't often understood by most locals. Well trained gun owners understand that firing their weapon is only last resort in order to protect personal safety and the lives of loved ones.

Moreover . . .

In most courtrooms dealing with the aftermath of shootings over property . . . The assailant is rarely "justified" even in the midst of robbery. That might not seem fair but that's simply the way the U.S. criminal justice system works in most cases and with many notable exceptions.

Bottom line: Generally, gun experts advise a great deal of discretion when firing a gun because the legal aftermath is ALWAYS serious, expensive and unpredictable.



As always . . . Our main point in posting anything is just to warn locals to be careful . . . Check-it:



"A male, believed to be a teen by witnesses, was shot about 5:15 a.m. near 27th and Askew. Police say he may have broken into more than 30 cars.



"People who say they called 911 about the break-ins wonder why police at nearby East Patrol didn't respond until that shooting happened."

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

KC homeowner shoots male suspected of breaking into 30 cars Wednesday A Kansas City homeowner who says he'd been a victim of thieves repeatedly took matters into his own hands early Wednesday morning.

1 person shot after 30 cars were broken into Wednesday morning in east Kansas City, Mo. Kansas City, Missouri, police are investigating a shooting Wednesday morning that might be related to a string of car burglaries.

Developing . . .
Right now longtime actress, diva & celeb hottie Jlo inspires our peek at pop culture, community reporting and top headlines.



Check TKC news gathering . . .

Cowtown Cash Crunch Cray

Kansas Citians discuss how finances impact mental health Almost half of adults in the U.S. reported that money harms their mental health, according to a 2024 BankRate survey.

Morning Road Work

Kessler Park Conservancy Puts Master Improvement Plan in Motion - Northeast News Julia Williams Editor-in-Chief The three-phase plan created over a year ago by Christina Hoxie and Hoxie Collective LLC for the improvement and security of Northeast's Kessler Park - originally constructed in 1920 as North Terrace Park and renamed "Kessler Park" in 1971 - has begun to see implementation.

South Side Return Trip

Election had a few surprises for candidates A roundup of Tuesday election results

Today's Toy Train Teachable Moment

New path to campus: KC Streetcar service poised to elevate UMKC connections, opportunities The addition of a streetcar stop at 51st and Brookside is anticipated to amplify UMKC student engagement and unlock new opportunities for local businesses.

Local Love Song Debuts

New documentary Sounds of the City is director Dustin Phillips' love letter to KC's music scene, major players, and forgotten stories Sounds of the City plays the Uptown Theater on Friday, April 11, with a Q&A beforehand hosted by Jon Hart of The Bridge with Heidi Phillips of Frogpond, Flavorpak founder Jeremy McConnell, musical historian Chuck Haddix, UBI of CES CRU, and Tom Shipley of Brewer and Shipley.

Enduring Diva Flips Roles

Jennifer Lopez, 55. hosting a major awards show in Las Vegas Jennifer Lopez is set to return to the American Music Awards (AMAs) as both host and performer for the highly anticipated 2025 show.

MAGA Moves Markets

Trump's 'buy' tip on social media before his tariffs pause made money for investors who listened President Donald Trump offered some financial advice on Wednesday morning that ended up making a lot of money for any lucky investor who listened to him.

Feeling The Bern Again

Bernie Sanders' message of resistance finds fresh life as Democratic Party searches for direction | CNN Politics As Democrats have scrambled in recent months to energize a deflated Democratic Party and counter President Donald Trump's power shift in Washington, Bernie Sanders has emerged as a leading voice of the resistance with a familiar refrain.

Papers Please?!?

What you need to know as the May 7 Real ID deadline approaches Driver's licenses and IDs that are not Real ID-compliant will no longer get you through U.S. airport security once the law takes effect in a few weeks, but full enforcement may not start right away.

Far East Gets Friendly?!?

China reaches out to others as Trump layers on tariffs China is reaching out to other nations as the U.S. layers on tariffs, in what appears to be an attempt by Beijing to form a united front to compel Washington to retreat.

CCP Joins Fight In Europe?!?

Ukraine war: Zelensky claims 155 Chinese fighting for Russia It follows Beijing's denial that many of its citizens are involved in the conflict.

Iran From Holy Land WWIII

Trump: Israel would be 'leader' of Iran strike if Tehran doesn't give up nuclear weapons program President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Israel would be the "leader" of a potential military strike against Iran if Tehran doesn't give up its nuclear weapons program.

Pardon My French . . .

France could recognise Palestinian state 'in June', says Emmanuel Macron - Middle East crisis live President says 'we must move towards recognition' and process could start at UN conference on settling Israel-Palestine conflict in New York in June

Natives Triumph Over Broken Promises

New Zealand: Treaty Principles Bill voted down after widespread outrage The controversial Treaty Principles Bill had sought to reinterpret the country's founding document.

Old School Rules?!?

The ultimate over-40s hot list, as revealed by our society insider I'm friends with quite a few of these gorgeous women, and let me tell you, their DMs are overflowing with younger men shooting their shots - and more than a few celebrity admirers...

Home Team Steps Back

Ryan ruins writer's ruse, Royals routed 4-0 Really stretching the definitions of words to produce this headline.

Katie's Latest Forecast . . .

KC will remain in a relatively dry, windy pattern through the weekend There is an increased risk of fire danger

Billboard #1 in 1995, Dr. Dre - Keep Their Heads Ringin' is the #TBT song of the day and this is the OPEN THREAD for right now.
Posted merely so that locals can remind their aunt . . .



KANSAS CITY METRO PROG BLOGS ARE ADVOCACY AND NOT NEWS!!!

Another example that's not even as clever as those trade war memes . . .

This racially charged screed by a skinny white dude is in support of some C-list state house dude who can't seem to keep himself out of trouble this session . . .



"Weve heard repeated suggestions that prominent and accomplished Black people, women and LGBTQ+ community members dont have what it takes. (Kansas Senator Roger) Marshall even suggested that DEI policies contributed to the crash of a passenger plane from Wichita.



"Yet those in Topeka have shown us throughout recent years that the real threat doesnt come from Black people, women or LGBTQ+ folks.



"It comes from doughy white men who wont take a hint to leave the rest of us alone."

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
Two efforts finally seem to have met with some success and will put the strange charter language at the Courthouse to the test very soon.

We're reaching back to share this report that still deserves a look . . .



The red signs and T-shirts that sport the phrase "Recall Frank White" are being funded by the Missouri nonprofit Democracy In Action, which was incorporated in October 2024. It has raised over $180,000 in six months to fund the recall campaign's shirts and a texting campaign, as well as hire petitioners to hold the clipboards and encourage Jackson County residents to sign.



Before DIA jumped into the campaign, the grassroots effort was only able to collect about 30% of the required 42,902 signatures.



DIA Executive Director Guy Howard said as of Tuesday, April 8, he believes he has all the required signatures, but one of the agencies hired to provide petitioners hasn't been paid by DIA yet, so that agency is holding onto thousands of signatures.



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
The Missouri MAGA MAVERICK is going after your dad's favorite app with a vengeance this week.

Here's a peek at the latest conversation . . .



"Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., the subcommittees chair, said lawmakers would continue with an investigation of the company and would seek testimony from Zuckerberg. This will not be the end. This is just the beginning, he said.



"The hearing was a demonstration of deep bipartisan anger at Meta, even as it has largely flown under the political radar in recent months as other tech figures, such as Tesla CEO Elon Musk, have grabbed the spotlight. "



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
Tangy Management reveals the key guest amenities that increase daily rental rates. With proven tips, elevate your property, delight guests, and boost revenue.



(TRAVPR.COM) UNITED STATES - April 10th, 2025 - Tangy Management, a prominent property management company, is proud to share its extensive knowledge and understanding of high-quality guest amenities that can significantly increase property owners' daily rates.



With guest satisfaction driving success in the short-term rental market, Tangy Management is committed to helping property owners create an unforgettable experience for their guests, ultimately resulting in increased rental income.



"Our years of experience in managing properties have shown us that the key to guest satisfaction lies in the attention to small details," says Victor Feria, Founder and Managing Director of Tangy Management.



"Gone are the days when providing a bed to sleep in was enough. Today's renters are seeking a complete experience that includes unique and memorable amenities. Our mission is to help owners put together properties with marketability, ensuring that they not only stand out but also bring in more revenue by providing exceptional guest satisfaction."



Quality Bedding and Linens



A comfortable bed is an essential aspect of any rental space. Investing in high-quality mattresses, bed frames, linens, and pillows can prove very profitable as it significantly influences guest satisfaction and may lead to repeat customers. Hotels regularly prioritize choosing the best bedding options, and your property should mirror this standard.



Well-Stocked Kitchens and High-End Appliances



Travelers who prefer cooking during their stays appreciate fully-stocked kitchens, complete with state-of-the-art appliances. Including conveniences like a dishwasher, espresso machine, microwave, and oven can prove very attractive to guests seeking a homely experience.



Unique Amenities and Personal Touches



Adding elements that cater to a specific demographic or bringing out the personality of your property can help you stand out in the rental market. Consider providing bicycles for those wanting to explore the local area or stocking bookshelves with a variety of handpicked reading options.



Eco-Friendly Amenities



Sustainable options are increasingly appealing to modern renters who are environmentally conscious. Incorporating elements like energy-efficient appliances, recyclable materials, and non-toxic cleaning supplies can signal that your property respects the environment, leading to increased bookings.



Fitness Facilities or Access



Offering on-site fitness facilities, yoga mats, or discount partnerships with nearby gyms and fitness studios is an added benefit that many guests appreciate.



In-Unit Laundry Facilities



Laundry services can make or break a guests experience. Providing in-unit facilities increases convenience and attracts travelers who prioritize this amenity when making rental bookings.



Flexible Sleeping Arrangements



Many different travelers require versatile sleeping accommodations. By investing in options such as sofa beds, day beds, or Murphy beds, you can optimize your space while catering to varying group sizes.



Distinctive Decor and Design



An aesthetically pleasing property creates an instantly favorable impression on guests. Annual decor updates can help keep your property looking up-to-date and ready to compete in a visual-driven market. This investment can lead to increased rental rates and higher demand.



Local Experiences and Partnerships



Teaming up with local businesses and offering exclusive perks to your guests can boost your property's appeal. Create collaborations offering discounts for local restaurants, transportation services, event tickets, custom experiences, or guided tours.



"Positive customer reviews not only help attract new bookings but also result in a higher occupancy rate," adds Victor Feria. "Investing in guest satisfaction can lead to increased revenue in the form of positive reviews, which can significantly influence your daily rates over time."



Tangy Management's comprehensive and personalized approach to property management ensures that owners receive the support they need to make their properties as enticing as possible for guests, leading to higher returns on investment.



About Tangy Management



Tangy Management is a leading property management company that prioritizes exceptional customer service for guests while maximizing returns on investment for property owners. Their team of experts offers a full suite of services, including property listing optimization, guest communication, cleaning and maintenance, revenue management, and performance analysis.



For more information about Tangy Management's services and how they can maximize a property's earning potential, call 305-407-9913 to speak with a property management expert today.

Tangy Management was founded with a vision: to bring the exceptional standards of luxury hospitality to property management. With years of experience in the hospitality industry, our team excels in managing short-term rentals, long-term rentals, and boutique hotels, ensuring that both property owners and guests experience the highest level of service. https://tangymgmt.com/

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U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will participate in the next meeting of countries that will meet to support Ukraine's self-defense (the Ramstein format) via video call, Defense News reports.

Earlier, a number of American and European officials expressed doubts that Hegseth would join the meeting.

Hegseth, like the Trump administration as a whole, has made arming Ukraine a lower priority while in office. He went to the groups last meeting in February, but allowed Britain to chair it, the first time a U.S. secretary ceded that role

While there, he urged Europe to take control of its own self-defense while previewing a less active role for America in protecting the continent.

The upcoming meeting will occur Friday in Brussels, chaired by Britain and Germany. European and American officials wondered whether Hegseth would join in the weeks prior, with some last week indicating he might skip it.

"Even joining via teleconference is better than passing altogether, multiple European officials said. Still, they would have preferred him to attend in person and broadly remain unsure of Americas commitment to supporting Ukraine and European defense as a whole," the publication reports.

Gen. Christopher Cavoli, the head of European Command, will join the summit in person, though he will do so in his NATO role as Supreme Allied Commander Europe. Gen Curtis Buzzard, the head of a separate security assistance group for Ukraine, will also attend.
Children's mobile brigade of Ukrainian Red Cross in Rivne region provides over 2,400 consultations per year

Photo: https://www.facebook.com/RedCrossUkraine

The Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) Children's Mobile Medical Team provided over 2,400 consultations per year in Rivne region, the Communications and Marketing Department of the National Committee of the Ukrainian Red Cross Society reported.

One such initiative is the Childrens Mobile Health Unit, launched in October 2022 in the Rivne region with support from the German Red Cross. The decision to establish the unit was based on a preliminary assessment of the local populations needs.

The team  comprising a paediatrician, a nurse, and a driver  visits the most remote areas of the region on a weekly basis. During these visits, the specialists examine children aged from birth to 18, provide paediatric consultations, take medical histories, examine the heart and lungs, and measure oxygen saturation levels. When necessary, they prescribe over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, and children may also receive a thyroid ultrasound.

The Mobile Health Unit operates in close collaboration with the Rivne Regional Military Administration, the Department of Civil Protection and Public Health, the management of the Primary Health Care Centre, and the Rivne Regional Childrens Hospital.
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After 'Nations Kissing My Ass' Claim, Trump Pauses Tariffs

A day after taking international diplomacy to its lowest level, U.S. President Donald Trump has put on hold for 90 days the tariffs he announced on different countries

Thursday April 10, 2025 12:42 PM , ummid.com News Network

Washington: A day after taking international diplomacy to its lowest level, U.S. President Donald Trump has put on hold for 90 days the tariffs he announced on different countries.

The maverick U.S. President had shaken the global economy on April 02, 2025 when he announced, what he called, reciprocal tariffs on the countries that have so far exploited the U.S. interests.

Some of the tariffs took into effect on April 02 itself while the others came into force on April 05 and 09, 2025.

The global markets were in red since April 01, 2025  a day ahead of Trumps tariff announcement on, what he called, Liberation Day.

The decision had also sparked widespread protests inside the United States also. Some, including Elon Musks brother, publicly criticized Trumps economic policies.

However, Trump justified his decisions asserting that the tariffs will revive the American economy and create jobs.

He also claimed different countries are calling him and his team saying they want a deal and will do everything for this, will even kiss his ass.

These countries are calling me. They are kissing my ass.. they're dying to make a deal, Please, please, sir, make a deal, Ill do anything, sir, Trump said at the National Republican Congressional Committee dinner without naming who these world leaders are.

Watch Video

BREAKING: Donald Trump:



Let me tell you. These countries are calling me, kissing my ass, they are dying to make a [trade] deal..."please please sir let me make a deal, I'll do anything, I'll do anything sir."



Shameful and needless hubris.

pic.twitter.com/xS8xE3ER5R  ADAM (@AdameMedia) April 9, 2025

A day after Trumps abusive claim, the White House, however, announced a 90-day pause on tariffs.

 Based on the fact that more than 75 Countries have called Representatives of the United States . and that these countries have not, at my strong suggestion, retaliated in any way, shape, or form against the United States, I have authorized a 90 day PAUSE, and a substantially lowered Reciprocal Tariff during this period, of 10%, also effective immediately, Trump wrote on social media platform Truth.

Trump's 90-day pause came amid the predictions that America was heading for a financial meltdown.

Tariffs on China to stay

In the same statement, Trump had expressed displeasure and anger over China for retaliating, instead of bowing to his blackmailing tactics, and said tariff announced on China  which now totaled a whopping 125%, will stay.

Based on the lack of respect that China has shown to the Worlds Markets, I am hereby raising the Tariff charged to China by the United States of America to 125%, effective immediately, Trump wrote.

Trump also wrote China will at some point realize that the days of ripping off the U.S.A., and other countries, is no longer sustainable or acceptable (sic).

China, however, remains unfazed and said the country has no intention to bow down to pressure and blackmailing, and in a tit for tat response to Trump's tariffs on Chinese imports to U.S. , it announcing a 84% levy on US imports into China.

Meanwhile, the European Union too announced a staggered retaliatory levy of up to 25% on American agro products, meat, and steel among other US exports.



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Waqf Act 2025 has put Indian Secularism to test

The Waqf Amendment Act 2025 has questioned the word Secularism enshrined in the preamble of the Constitution

Thursday April 10, 2025 9:48 AM , Syed Ali Mujtaba

[Protests against the Waqf Act 2025 are being reported from different parts of India]

The Waqf Amendment Act 2025 has questioned the word Secularism enshrined in the preamble of the Constitution. If the Act is to become operational, the Indian constitution must be amended to erase the word secularism, which neither the court nor the legislature can do.

The Supreme Court has no power to make constitutional amendments, and a floor test in the Parliament has to be staged and managed again to win the vote of confidence. The MPs have to be given their pound of flesh to free the constitution from the burden of secularism. This is no mean task.

Critiques say Prime Minister Narendra Modi has swallowed a rat by making amendments in the Waqf Act that he cannot swallow nor vomit. If he swallows further, it will be the death knell of secularism in India. The government has to gain a majority in the Parliament to erase secularism to make Wqaf operative.

The Waqf is a sectarian matter, and the BJP was able to manage to win the vote of confidence to gain the majority in the house, where the party does not have even a simple majority. Now, when it comes to ending secularism, will the party manages the MPs and gains their confidence is something that remains to be seen.

In case the Prime Minister Modi throws the towel and vomits the rat from his mouth, maybe calling it a political abortion, its repercussions will far far-reaching on its Hindu constituency. How they will react to it is something that remains to be seen.

What difference does it make to a Hindu community in reforming the Waqf Act? This question is going to be asked by the non-Muslim electorate. Will the answer, like suppressing 14.28% Muslims, be the motive of the government will satisfy the electorate?

These questions cannot be brushed under the carpet and need an answer. This is because the Wqaf Act 2025 stipulates that only Muslims who have practiced Islam for at least five years can donate land or property for religious or charitable purposes. This provision effectively prevents non-Muslims from contributing to the construction of mosques or graveyards for the well-being of Muslims.

The entire history of India is littered with instances where non-Muslims have made contributions to the Muslim religious cause to honor the word secularism.

Critics argue that the Waqf bill undermines the secular principles of the Indian Constitution. The provision of the bill as such does not allow non-Muslims to contribute to the welfare of the Muslim community. This vividly demonstrates the communal character of the present dispensation that has passed, greasing the palms of the conscious keepers of the state.

The Indian constitution is clear that the management of Waqf institutions, as defined, should remain within the Muslim community. This is akin to a Hindu temple trusts board that is managed exclusively by Hindus.

The new provisions in the bill, by including non- Muslims in the board, seem to deviate from the principles that have already been established. For instance, the Vaishno Devi and Amarnath boards have laws requiring the board to be exclusively from the Hindu community, and the same applies to other religions as well. Then why has this deviation been made? The government has to answer it in court.

The most ludicrous part of the Waqf Act is, while non- Muslim are made members of the Waqf Board, they cannot contribute to the Waqf endowments. Is the rule of ethics left in India, or has it degenerated into any other form of state?

Then the bill requires the donor to prove that he has been practicing Islam for at least five years. Now, who is authorized to issue such a certificate? How ones faith can be measured and what would be its yardstick.

The message from the Waqf Act is blatantly clear that, henceforth, no Indian Muslims are allowed to make religious endowments. Does a government have the power to regulate the religious belief of a community? Yes, this nefarious design is explicit in the Waqf Act?

The Indian Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, allowing individuals to adopt a religion of their choice without needing to prove it. Now, by bringing the Waqf Act, the BJP has made the Muslims prove their religious identity? What will happen to Mr. Mohammad fails to do so?

This is the new interpretation of democracy and the constitution that the BJP is trying to impose on the Indians. We like it or not, this is a brand new republic in the post-truth India.

There are many such loopholes in the Waqf Act, and the government has to answer in the court of law of the peoples court.

Does the government want to debunk the notion of inclusivity and secularism as spelled out in the constitution, and build an exclusive Hindu society is the prominent question that has been asked. The fall of the government is imminent in answering these questions. It cannot swallow the rat, nor can it vomit. The answer is enough, Mr. Modi, India is better off without you!

Well, these are some imponderables that the BJP has thrown into the public gaze by bringing the Waqf Act.

The message that comes out from the passage of the Waqf bill is how Parliament can be managed, in case of opposition to a bill, the Ayodhya judgment has taught how the judiciary can be managed as well.

In sum, we can say the people of India in the guise of being innocents, are watching the spectacle that is going on in the Indian circus.

[The writer, Syed Ali Mujtaba, is a journalist based in Chennai. He can be contacted at syedalimujtaba2007@gmail.com]



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It's important to take into account Ukraine's position on number of troops on its territory from Coalition of the Willing - Finnish defense minister

It is important to know what the Ukrainian side's assessment is regarding the number of troops that should be on its territory from the Coalition of the Willing, stressed Finnish Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen.

"There is a lot of public discussion about troop levels now, but what we are hearing today is a military assessment, and of course the Ukrainians are playing a major role here - it is important to know what their assessment is," he said before the Coalition of the Willing meeting at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Thursday.

The minister noted that the Armed Forces of Ukraine are now the main priority for strengthening. "This is their key guarantee of security, we must further strengthen their army and defense industry after the ceasefire," he said.

Hakkanen noted that Russia lacks a desire for peace, so it is very important to increase pressure on it to sit down at the negotiating table. In addition, according to him, it is necessary to strengthen Ukraine's position in the military, industrial and financial spheres.

The minister also stressed that Finland views the United States as a key player in ensuring long-term security, noting that the country must be involved "in some way."
GAINESVILLE, Fla.  The University of Florida (UF) campus became the site of a heated protest on Wednesday afternoon as students rallied against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following the detention and subsequent self-deportation of a fellow student, Felipe Zapata-Velasquez. The demonstration, which drew significant attention to the plight of international students, underscored growing tensions surrounding immigration policies under the Trump administration.

DEPORTAN JOVEN COLOMBIANO EN FLORIDA POR CONDUCIR SIN LICENCIA



Camaras corporales de policias grabaron el momento en que Felipe Zapata Velasquez, un estudiante colombiano de 27 anos, fue arrestado en Gainesville por conducir con la licencia suspendida y la matricula vencida.... pic.twitter.com/ijNtDsKlku  Juan Torres (@juanpodcast1) April 10, 2025

Zapata-Velasquez, a 27-year-old Colombian national, was detained by ICE on March 28 after what began as a routine traffic stop in Gainesville escalated into a federal immigration case. According to reports, he was taken to the Krome Detention Center in Miami-Dade County before opting for voluntary deportation. His departure from the United States has sparked outrage among UF students, who argue that the incident reflects a broader crackdown on immigrant communities, including those legally present on student visas.

The protest, organized by student activist groups, saw participants marching across campus with chants of "ICE off our campus!" and demands for greater protections for international students. Demonstrators gathered outside UF's administration buildings, calling on university leadership to take a stand against what they describe as unjust immigration enforcement actions. "Felipe was a valued member of our community," said one student organizer, speaking anonymously to University Herald. "This isn't just about one personit's about the message it sends to all students who come here seeking an education."

Details surrounding Zapata-Velasquez's case remain murky. ICE has not officially confirmed his detention at Krome, but Democratic Congressman Maxwell Frost of Orlando stated that the student was held there before being pressured to sign deportation documents. Frost condemned the situation, calling the Krome facility "hell on Earth" and criticizing the lack of transparency from federal authorities. Zapata-Velasquez's mother, Claudia Velasquez, told Latin American TV station Nuestra Tele Noticias that her son felt coerced into leaving the country, though she later confirmed his safe return to Colombia without clarifying whether it was a forced deportation or a voluntary exit.

The incident has reignited debates over the Trump administration's immigration policies, particularly its aggressive stance on deportations. President Donald Trump has vowed to remove millions of undocumented immigrants, a promise that has fueled enforcement actions nationwide. At UF, students pointed to comments from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who recently boasted about revoking hundreds of student visas, as evidence of a targeted campaign against international scholars. "This is an attack on our diversity and our values as a university," one protester told reporters.

UF officials have yet to issue a formal statement on the protest or Zapata-Velasquez's case, leaving students frustrated by the administration's silence. "We need our university to protect us, not stand by while ICE tears our community apart," said another student participant. The lack of response has only amplified calls for action, with some advocating for UF to adopt sanctuary campus policies to shield students from federal immigration authorities.

The protest at UF is part of a broader wave of activism on college campuses across the U.S., where students are increasingly vocal about immigration enforcement. Similar incidents, such as the detention of a Tufts University PhD student and a Columbia University graduate, have raised alarm about the vulnerability of international students, even those with valid visas. At UF, the emotional toll of Zapata-Velasquez's departure was palpable, with demonstrators holding signs reading "No More Felipe" and "Education, Not Deportation."

As the Trump administration doubles down on its immigration agenda, the UF protest serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of these policies. For now, students are vowing to keep the pressure on, both on campus and beyond, to ensure their voicesand those of their peersare heard.
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah  The University of Utah (U of U) is grappling with a daunting directive from the Utah System of Higher Education (USHE): consider cutting academic majors with fewer than 40 graduates per year as part of a $19.6 million state-imposed budget reduction. This mandate, announced on April 10, 2025, positions the U of U as the hardest-hit among Utah's eight public colleges and universities, which collectively face a $60.5 million cut to their base budgets for higher education.

The call to evaluate low-enrollment programs comes as the university navigates an unprecedented financial challenge, with state leaders urging institutions to streamline operations and prioritize high-demand fields. Mitzi Montoya, a prominent figure in Utah's higher education landscape, addressed the issue during a recent legislative discussion, emphasizing the need for strategic adaptation. "We must align our offerings with the realities of today's workforce and student interests," she remarked on January 16, 2025, at the U of U campus.

Under the USHE's initial guidance, the university is tasked with submitting a draft plan by May, followed by a formal presentation to the Utah Board of Higher Education in June. The proposed cuts have sparked concern among faculty and students, who fear the loss of niche but valuable programs that contribute to the university's academic diversity. Departments such as ethnic studies, certain foreign languages, and specialized sciences could be on the chopping block if they fail to meet the 40-graduate threshold.

The $19.6 million reduction represents the largest share of the statewide cuts, reflecting the U of U's status as Utah's flagship institution. Administrators are now forced to weigh graduation rates, program costs, and market demandmetrics outlined by USHEagainst the institution's broader educational mission. For instance, while fields like nursing, engineering, and business are likely safe due to their robust enrollment and job prospects, smaller programs that enrich campus culture and scholarship may not survive the review.

Students and faculty are already mobilizing to voice their concerns. "These cuts threaten the soul of what makes a university a place of exploration and growth," said one senior majoring in a potentially vulnerable humanities program, speaking anonymously to University Herald. Faculty members echo this sentiment, arguing that quantitative benchmarks alone cannot capture the value of less-popular majors.

The budget slashing follows a tumultuous period for Utah's higher education system, including the dissolution of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in 2024 under a new state law. That legislation, coupled with the current financial pressures, has left many at the U of U feeling squeezed between fiscal realities and their commitment to a broad-based education.

As the May deadline approaches, the university faces a pivotal moment. Will it preserve its breadth of offerings, or will it bow to the pragmatic demands of a leaner budget? The answers will shape not only the U of U's future but also the landscape of public higher education in Utah.
CHICAGO, Ill.  The University of Chicago is reeling from a sudden wave of student visa terminations, with seven international studentsthree current enrollees and four recent graduateshaving their F-1 visas revoked by the federal government. The announcement, made by university officials on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, has sent shockwaves through the campus community and raised urgent questions about the Trump administration's escalating immigration policies.

The visa cancellations were uncovered during a routine audit of the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) by the university's Office of International Affairs. While the specific reasons for the revocations remain unclear, the university confirmed that the affected students were notified of their terminated status, thrusting them into a precarious legal limbo. "The University of Chicago is committed to supporting our international community," a university spokesperson stated, adding that efforts are underway to connect those impacted with immigration attorneys.

This development aligns with a broader pattern of visa revocations sweeping across U.S. colleges and universities. Reports indicate that institutions like the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Northwestern University, and Southern Illinois University have also seen students affected, though exact numbers remain undisclosed. Nationwide, over 300 international students have reportedly lost their visa status in recent weeks, a figure underscored by Secretary of State Marco Rubio's claim last month that the State Department has revoked hundreds of student visas as part of a targeted enforcement effort.

The Trump administration's immigration stance, which includes promises of mass deportations and tightened visa regulations, appears to be driving these actions. Rubio has publicly boasted about targeting students involved in political activism, though no evidence has surfaced linking the University of Chicago cases to such activities. The lack of transparency from federal authorities has fueled frustration, with immigration advocates and university officials alike decrying the absence of clear justification or appeal processes for those affected.

For the students involved, the consequences are immediate and severe. F-1 visas, which allow international students to study in the U.S., are tied to their ability to remain in the country legally. With their SEVIS records terminated, these individuals face the prospect of leaving the U.S. or risking deportation if they stay. The university has pledged to assist, offering resources like counseling and legal support, but the path forward remains uncertain.

The Hyde Park campus, known for its vibrant international population, is now a focal point of concern and activism. Students and faculty are grappling with the broader implications of this crackdown, which threatens the diversity and global exchange that define the institution. "This isn't just about seven peopleit's about the message it sends to everyone here," one graduate student told University Herald, speaking on condition of anonymity.

As the situation unfolds, the University of Chicago joins a growing list of schools caught in the crosshairs of federal immigration policy. With no immediate resolution in sight, the affected students and their peers brace for what could be a defining moment in the university's historyand a stark test of its commitment to its international community.
The National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) sent a request to the International Investment Bank (IIB) regarding why the Poroshenko Charity Fund and the public organization Sprava Hromad, whose accounts are located at the IIB, spend so much money on assistance to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the website of the European Solidarity party reported on Thursday.

"We find it strange to hear about the requests why our accounts receive money from the Poroshenko family's enterprises. We are also asked why we finance defense enterprises? Why do we finance the production of unmanned aerial vehicles? The fund finances the defense industry, in particular, the production of electronic warfare systems, counterintelligence systems. This does not contradict the law of Ukraine. We also finance the development of the latest innovative military technologies," said Olha Rybalko, executive director of the Poroshenko Foundation, at a briefing.

She noted that over the past two days, the fund has paid bills for more than UAH 30 million, which were directed towards the production of electronic warfare systems and FPV drones.

European Solidarity, in turn, reported that since the beginning of the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Poroshenko Foundation and Sprava Hromad have transferred drones and equipment worth more than UAH 7 billion to the troops.

Co-founder of NGO Sprava Hromad Vitaliy Haidukevych noted that "the logic of the question is unclear - why did we start helping more: because there is a war in the country and the needs of the army are not getting smaller."

"We were asked why we are spending money on the Armed Forces of Ukraine and why in the spring of 2023 this volume of donations increased. Because the state did not cope with its task. This need, in this case the FPV, was the basic need of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the spring of 2023. This was not the first precedent, at the beginning of the full-scale operation the state was unable to provide the army with vehicles, in particular, four-wheel drive trucks. Sprava Hromad purchased almost 300 four-wheel drive trucks with the help of the Poroshenko Foundation, repaired, restored and delivered them," he said.

Lawyer Illia Novikov interprets such a request as pressure on the funds, which leads to a reduction in assistance to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

"We will take certain measures, we will ask questions to the Security Service of Ukraine, so that the official of the National Bank of Ukraine who signed the relevant documents, so that this activity is checked. We will at least ask such a question and see what the reaction will be from law enforcement agencies," he said.
CAMBRIDGE, Mass.  Former Harvard University President Lawrence H. Summers delivered a scathing critique of his alma mater's leadership during a virtual fireside chat hosted by the 1636 Forum on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, arguing that their slow response to campus antisemitism handed the Trump administration an opportunity to wield influence over the institution. Speaking with Samuel W. Lessin '05, founder of the alumni-led group advocating for academic freedom and accountability at Harvard, Summers painted a picture of a university at a crossroads amid escalating federal pressure.

Summers, who led Harvard from 2001 to 2006, accused the current administration and the Harvard Corporationits highest governing bodyof failing to act decisively against what he described as pervasive antisemitic rhetoric from campus protesters and academic centers. "When you don't address these issues head-on, you leave a vacuum," Summers said, according to attendees of the event. "That vacuum gave Trump the leverage to step in and threaten the university's autonomy." His remarks come as the Trump administration intensifies its scrutiny of universities, with Harvard facing a review of over $8 billion in federal funding tied to its handling of antisemitism allegations.

The 1636 Forum, established by Lessin in 2023, provided the platform for Summers to air his concerns, aligning with its mission to push Harvard back toward academic excellence and robust governance. Summers argued that Harvard's reluctance to confront controversial voicesparticularly those he labeled as "far-left redoubts"not only emboldened external critics but also undermined the university's moral authority. "Harvard should be a leader, not a follower, in these fights," he asserted, urging the institution to leverage its prestige and resources to resist federal overreach.

The Trump administration's actions, including visa revocations and funding cuts at other universities like Columbia, loomed large over the discussion. Summers pointed to these moves as evidence of a broader strategy to pressure academia into compliance, warning that Harvard's inaction made it a prime target. "If Harvard doesn't stand up, who will?" he asked, echoing sentiments from a recent New York Times op-ed where he called for the university to mount a legal challenge against the White House.

While Summers acknowledged efforts like Harvard's recent adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition of antisemitism as a step forward, he stressed that more aggressive measures are needed. He criticized the administration's cautious approach under Interim President Alan M. Garber, suggesting it prioritizes avoiding conflict over defending core principles. "Leadership isn't about dodging bulletsit's about taking a stand," he said.

The virtual event drew a significant audience of alumni, many of whom expressed support for Summers' call to action in online forums following the talk. However, his remarks also reignited debates about his own tenure, marked by controversies over faculty relations and gender comments, which some critics argue weaken his standing to judge current leadership.

As Harvard navigates this turbulent period, Summers' words underscore a growing divide between those who see compromise with federal demands as inevitable and those who view resistance as essential to preserving academic integrity. With the 1636 Forum amplifying such voices, the pressure is mounting on Harvard to define its responsebefore the Trump administration does it for them.
On Tuesday, congressional Republicans sent letters to eight Ivy League institutions amid concerns that coordinated practices drove up tuition costs. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, Senator Mike Lee, and Representative Scott Fitzgerald delivered the letters to Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, Princeton, the University of Pennsylvania, and Yale, according to reports by The Hill and the Washington Examiner.

The letter stated, "The House and Senate Committees are concerned that the Ivy League member institutions' coordinated practices and alleged collusion violate the Sherman Act and that the institutions continue to benefit from their prior collusion despite no longer having an antitrust exemption," according to The Hill. In the same message, the lawmakers requested that the schools provide documents dating back to 2019 detailing communications with other higher education institutions and organizations including the College Board, with a submission deadline of April 22.

The correspondence also referenced a lawsuit alleging that the College Board had collaborated with institutions to restrict financial aid and overcharged students of divorced or separated parents for tuition. It noted that the Council of Ivy League Presidents held meetings concerning admission practices, according to The Hill.

The Washington Examiner reported that the inquiry, initiated months after a lawsuit was filed against the College Board, also examined campus efforts to combat antisemitism. One excerpt from the letter read, "The structure and operation of the higher education market strongly suggests the market was not functioning properly and was subject to widespread violations of antitrust laws," according to the Washington Examiner.
Mason Lee, senior project coordinator for the Biodiversity Institute, shows local K-6 students a Western hognose snake in the UW Biodiversity Center. The students helped create and build naturalistic enclosure tanks -- for ambassador reptiles -- through a program called Empowering Youth in Herpetology Conservation. (Brett Addis Photo)

For anyone who recently visited the University of Wyoming Berry Biodiversity Institute, they may have noticed that its ambassador animals -- an assortment of amphibians and reptiles -- have new and improved public-display habitat enclosures where they can dig, climb, swim and explore.

That is due to the recent work of local K-6 students who helped create and build the naturalistic enclosure tanks through a program called Empowering Youth in Herpetology Conservation. Eleven students, ages 8-12, enrolled in the program that was funded through a Wyoming Youth for Natural Resources grant.

The purpose of the grant program was to engage with the next generation of Wyoming decision makers and empower them to see themselves as stewards and ambassadors of Wyomings native reptiles and amphibians and their habitats, says Mason Lee, senior project coordinator for UWs Biodiversity Institute.

Students gathered eight times over seven weeks for workshops that included learning about Wyomings reptiles and amphibians; meeting the Biodiversity Institutes ambassador animals; and learning to identify Wyoming species with specimens from the UW Museum of Vertebrates.

Additionally, the students met with various professionals. Alyssa Baldwin, a UW graduate student in the Ecosystem Science and Management Program, taught the students about beaver dams and their benefits to amphibian habitats. Students gathered building materials to create their own beaver dams for amphibians.

Mo White, a landscape architect from Tessere, a firm based in Wichita, Kan., talked with students about designing attractive enclosures that met the needs of the reptiles and amphibians. Wendy Estes-Zumpf, herpetologist coordinator for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, allowed students to practice using field herping tools to safely catch toy snakes and lizards. Students also took a field trip to sagebrush habitat near Saratoga to conduct visual encounter surveys for horned lizards.

When horned lizards were found, students collected habitat data to understand the variety of habitat requirements reptiles and amphibians have, Lee says. Students found 10 horned lizards and the data they collected illustrated that, when horned lizards were spotted, they were in habitat patches that were primarily bare ground. But, when lizards saw the observers, they fled to nearby habitat patches that consisted primarily of shrubs and grasses. The Biodiversity Institutes ambassador animals have these same habitat requirements within their enclosures.

After completing the hands-on workshops and field trips, participants used their newfound knowledge and art and technology skills to design and build enclosures in which the animals would feel safe and comfortable, but that would still allow visitors to see the animals and learn about the habitats that the animals are found in Wyoming, Lee says. Students conducted research into the habitat requirements for each of the ambassador animals and then split into groups to discuss what they wanted to create in the UW Makerspace that would go in the enclosures.

A student who participated in the recent Empowering Youth in Herpetology Conservation program holds a greater short-horned lizard found during a field trip to sagebrush habitat near Saratoga. (Brett Addis Photo)

Students did an incredible job. Many of them built structures that the animals could use to hide in, such as caves and logs, Lee explains. One group even built a food bowl that looks like a rock, which helps contain the toads food, so the worms dont escape into her substrate and also prevents the toad from getting a mouthful of dirt when trying to eat.

Students also built water bowls and decorative structures that they thought the animals would enjoy climbing on and in. In addition to the Makerspace items, students installed live, native plants that they grew from seed in the UW Williams Conservatory. The idea was to replicate the ecosystem where the ambassador animals can be found, encouraging the reptiles and amphibians to engage in natural behaviors.

All of the ambassador animals were moved into bigger enclosures. One of the ambassadors, the bullsnake, the longest snake in Wyoming, needed a much bigger tank that did not arrive until after the programs sessions concluded. As an extension of the program, a middle school student at Laramie Montessori Charter School interned with the Biodiversity Institute to design and build the new enclosure for the bullsnake.

This was such a fun and rewarding program. It was a blast to connect with the next generation of Wyoming decision makers and help their passion for reptiles and amphibians grow, Lee says. The students made thoughtful choices in their enclosure designs and really considered the needs of the animals and the people viewing them.

I hope these students will come back often to see the ambassador animals thriving in their new homes that the students lovingly built for them, and I hope these students carry their love of reptiles and amphibians with them through life, she says.

Lee encourages the campus community and public to visit the ambassador animal enclosures located in the Kids Corner on the first floor of the Biodiversity Institute and in the Biodiversity Institutes second-floor office.

For more information, email Lee at mlee37@uwyo.edu.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has received credentials from newly appointed ambassadors: of the Portuguese Republic - Luis Manuel Ribeiro Cabaco, of the Republic of Korea - Park Kichang and of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam - Pham Hai.

As reported on the website of the head of state, Zelenskyy noted that Ukraine is counting on developing cooperation with their countries, and invited leading companies of these countries to take part in the fourth international Conference on the restoration of Ukraine in Rome on July 10-11.

During the conversation with the Ambassador of Vietnam, the discussion focused on resuming the work of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation and increasing the volume of Ukrainian wheat supplies to Vietnam. A separate focus was on steps to achieve a fair and sustainable peace and the need to put pressure on the Russian Federation.

In a conversation with the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, Zelenskyy invited Korean companies to cooperate in the restoration of our country. Kichang reported on the significant interest of Korean companies in developing business in Ukraine and cooperation with Ukrainian manufacturers.

The President invited Portugal to join humanitarian initiatives and to continue cooperation in areas that create reliable security guarantees for Ukraine and the entire European continent, the message says.
Recently, the United States has imposed tariffs on all its trading partners, including China, under various pretexts. This severely infringes upon the legitimate rights and interests of all countries, severely violates World Trade Organization (WTO) rules, severely undermines the rules-based multilateral trading system, and severely disrupts the global economic order. The Chinese government strongly condemns and resolutely opposes such move.

By taking such action, the United States defies the fundamental laws of economics and market principles, disregards the balanced outcomes achieved through multilateral trade negotiations, ignores the fact that the U.S. has long benefited substantially from international trade, and weaponizes tariffs to exert maximum pressure for selfish interests. This is a typical act of unilateralism, protectionism and economic bullying. Under the guise of reciprocity and fairness, the United States is playing a zero-sum game to pursue in essence America First and American exceptionalism. It attempts to exploit tariffs to subvert the existing international economic and trade order, put U.S. interests above the common good of the international community, and advance U.S. hegemonic ambitions at the cost of the legitimate interests of all countries. Such action will inevitably face widespread opposition from the international community.

China is an ancient civilization and a land of propriety and righteousness. The Chinese people value sincerity and good faith. We do not provoke trouble, nor are we intimidated by it. Pressuring and threatening are not the right way in dealing with China. China has taken and will continue to take resolute measures to safeguard its sovereignty, security, and development interests. China-U.S. economic relations should be mutually beneficial and win-win in nature. The United States should go along with the shared aspiration of the peoples of the two countries and the world, and, minding the fundamental interests of the two countries, stop using tariffs as a weapon to suppress China economically and stop undermining the legitimate development rights of the Chinese people.

As the second largest economy and second largest market for consumer goods, China is committed to opening ever wider to the world, no matter how the international situation changes. We will continue to advance high-standard opening up. We will steadily expand institutional opening up in rules, regulations, management, and standards. We will implement high-standard policies for trade and investment liberalization and facilitation. We will foster a first-class market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized business environment. And we will share our development opportunities with the world to achieve mutual benefits.

Economic globalization is the only way to human progress. The WTO-centered, rules-based multilateral trading system has been critical in promoting global trade, economic growth and sustainable development. Openness and cooperation are a historical trend. The world will not, and should not, return to mutual isolation or fragmentation. The whole world aspires for win-win cooperation. Economic bullying that shifts risks onto others will ultimately backfire. Making economic globalization more open, inclusive, balanced and beneficial to all is a shared responsibility of the international community.

Development is an inalienable right of all countries, not the exclusive privilege of a few. International affairs should be addressed through consultation, and the future of the world should be decided by all countries. There are no winners in trade or tariff wars. Protectionism is a dead end. All countries should uphold the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefit. They should practice true multilateralism, jointly oppose all forms of unilateralism and protectionism, and defend the U.N.-centered international system and the WTO-centered multilateral trading system. We are confident that the vast majority of countries, committed to fairness and justice, will stand on the right side of history and act in their best interests. The world must embrace fairness and reject hegemonism!
In 2024, medical teams of the international organization "Doctors Without Borders" (MSF) performed 1,149 operations on patients in frontline territories, provided support to 435 patients in intensive care units.

As reported to Interfax-Ukraine by MSF, the organization's medical teams are currently continuing to provide medical assistance to Ukrainians suffering from the war.

In Donetsk region, MSF teams, particularly provide assistance to patients who were unable to receive it due to constant shelling. For example, the other day, in one of the hospitals near the frontline, doctors operated on a patient with neglected Fournier's gangrene, who could not receive assistance earlier due to shelling.

"Such patients with neglected diseases are a common occurrence in this hospital. It is the closest to the eastern front line and provides secondary medical care. The healthcare facility is located at the intersection of three regions where active fighting is taking place, and from where a large flow of people seeking medical care comes," MSF said.

MSF doctors support the emergency department and operating room, and the surgical team provides emergency care to patients who need examination by highly qualified surgeons in hospitals located further from the frontline.

"People come here from frontline settlements in Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhia regions, where shelling does not stop for a day. Patients often do not have access to medicine and medical care, food and hygiene products, spending most of their time hiding in the basements of their homes," MSF said.

The organization said the most intense fighting continues in Donetsk region, where the frontline remains unstable and rapidly moving, with the hottest spots near Pokrovsk, Kurakhove and Chasiv Yar.

"Hospitals in these areas have been forced to evacuate their medical staff and equipment, forcing residents to travel long distances to reach the nearest medical facility. As a result, many people delay seeking medical attention and their condition worsens," MSF said.

Surgeon and MSF Medical Operations Manager Khassan El-Kafarna notes "people have limited access to medical care, and we see how this affects them. Many patients have exacerbations of non-communicable diseases: hypertensive crises, strokes, advanced surgical diseases."

"People have limited access to healthcare and we are seeing how this is affecting them. Many patients are suffering from exacerbations of non-communicable diseases: hypertensive crises, strokes, advanced surgical diseases."

In addition, MSF doctors in frontline areas are dealing with patients with war-related injuries, who are injured by shelling, landmines, bomb explosions and shrapnel.

"These people often have multiple injuries to different parts of the body, including head injuries, penetrating wounds to the abdomen and chest, and soft tissue injuries. Many of the patients we see have open fractures. We deal with infected wounds. Patients have been unable to receive care for a long time and come to us in the late stages of sepsis. Over the past month, we have operated on seven patients with septic complications," El-Kafarna said.
One killed, five wounded in Dnipro, 13 injured as result of strikes in Nikopol

Five civilians from the city of Dnipro and 13 residents of the town of Nikopol in Dnipropetrovsk region were wounded as a result of Russian shelling on Thursday, said head of Dnipropetrovsk Regional Military Administration, Serhiy Lysak.

"We know of five people injured as a result of the missile strike on Dnipro. All have been hospitalized. A 55-year-old woman is in serious condition. The rest are in moderate condition. One person died. Rescuers continue to tame the fire that broke out at the infrastructure facility," Lysak wrote on Telegram.

Five of the injured in Nikopol were hospitalized, four of them in serious condition. "A 16-year-old boy and an older man were sent to medical facilities in Dnipro. The rest of the victims will recover at home," the head of the regional administration said.

Marahnets, Pokrovsk, and Chervono-Hryhoryivska communities of Nikopol district also came under fire. "The aggressor sent more than 30 kamikaze drones to the cities and villages. They also fired artillery. Among the damaged items were a store, two private houses, two outbuildings, three enterprises, and infrastructure," Lysak reported.

Earlier, it was reported that one person was killed and three were injured in Dnipro, as well as 12 injured in Nikopol
Surprise visit took place in Casa Santa Marta.

King Charles and Queen Camilla were received by Pope Francis in a brief, private meeting at the Vatican on Wednesday, the third day of their four-day state visit to Italy.

Francis, who is recovering from pneumonia after his recent five-week hospital stay, wished the royal couple a happy 20th wedding anniversary.

The meeting, which was reportedly only confirmed a few hours earlier, came after a planned state visit by Charles and Camilla to the Vatican was cancelled due to the pope's ill health.

A statement from the Holy See press office stated that Pope Francis "reciprocated His Majesty's wishes for a speedy recovery of his health", referring to the king's ongoing treatment for cancer.

Che occasione speciale!



A special moment for Their Majesties as they privately met His Holiness Pope Francis at the Vatican yesterday.



The King and Queen were deeply touched by The Popes kind remarks about their 20th wedding anniversary and honoured to be able to share their pic.twitter.com/5WAZu9nN5q  The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) April 10, 2025

In a statement Buckingham Palace said the king and queen were "delighted the Pope was well enough to host them - and to have had the opportunity to share their best wishes in person".

Charles, 76, had previously visited the Vatican on five occasions as Prince of Wales and has met three popes, including Pope Francis - in 2017 and 2019.

The visit to the pontiff's Casa Santa Marta home took place following the monarch's historic address to both Italian houses of parliament and ahead of a state banquet hosted by Italy's president Sergio Mattarella in Rome.

God Save the King rings out in the Italian parliament in Rome ahead of the historic address by King Charles pic.twitter.com/GheE4kdZbi  Wanted in Rome (@wantedinrome) April 9, 2025

In his speech at the Quirinale Palace, the king emphasised the long relationship between the UK and Italy which began with the arrival in Britain of the ancient Romans.

"I for one, have never asked that question, made famous by Monty Python, 'What have the Romans ever done for us?'," the king joked.

In a humorous reference to their wedding anniversary, the king told the 150 guests at the lavish banquet: "I must say it really is very good of you, Mr President, to lay on this small, romantic, candle-lit dinner for two."

Charles then proposed a toast, "here, in the Eternal City, to the friendship between our nations, and the hope that this too may be eternal."

The state visit concludes on Thursday when the royals travel north to Ravenna where they will attend a ceremony to mark the 80th anniversary of the city's liberation from Nazi occupation by the Allies.

The programme includes a visit the tomb of Dante Alighieri, a tour of Byzantine mosaics at the Basilica of San Vitale and the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, and a museum commemorating the English Romantic poet Lord Byron.

The royals will also celebrate Slow Food and the cuisine of Emilia-Romagna and will meet with local farmers whose crops were devastated by recent floods in the region.

Photo credit: Alessia Pierdomenico / Shutterstock.com.
A man has been remanded in custody pending his sentencing for carrying out a terrifying assault on his partner.

Anthony Mackessy, (41), with an address given as 2 Seanachai, Dungarvan, appeared at Waterford Circuit Court before Judge Eugene O'Kelly.

He had previously pleaded guilty to assault contrary to Section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997.

The court heard how on the night of January 13, 2024, Mackessy and his partner were socialising at an establishment in Abbeyside, Dungarvan. Throughout the evening, Mackessy drank and displayed jealously towards his partner, accusing other men of looking at her and following them into the toilets.

He grew more aggressive and called his partner derogatory names like "whore" and "bitch" and telling her to "f**k off". He stormed off and later shouted at her "look at the state of you, I warned you".

Later inside a car, he elbowed her in the chest and hit her across her face.

After they arrived to his address, Mackessy subjected her to a prolonged assault, constantly hitting her, grabbing her by the neck and verbally abusing her. At one point, he held a pink serrated bread knife up to her neck. He shouted at her, "That's it I'm going to kill you now."

She tried to call for help by screaming in the hope that neighbours could hear. She pleaded for him to stop hurting her and to think of his children. She tried multiple times to make a call on her phone. Mackessy smashed her iPhone on her face.

He fell asleep at different points of the ordeal, but when the victim tried to move he would immediately awaken and threaten her.

She asked for his phone to call her father about an unrelated matter. Mackessy gave her his phone but kept watch over her. She also found out through this phone that Mackessy had been cheating on her.

As she was on the phone to her father, the victim screamed that Mackessy was abusing her. He grabbed the phone off her, and took off in his car.

Gardai quickly attended the scene and brought her to hospital. They took photographs of the victim's injuries. She had extensive bruises all over her body. Mackessy returned to the address two days later, banging on the door and shouting, at which point Gardai were alerted and he was detained.

In Garda custody, Mackessy put "all the blame" on the woman.

The court heard that Mackessy works for the HSE as a pharmaceutical porter at University Hospital Limerick. He has five previous convictions, all related to road traffic offences.

Victim Impact Statement

The victim gave her impact statement in person, saying: "I'm glad that Anthony pleaded guilty and did not want to draw it out." She said that two weeks after the attack, they became engaged and he "promised that it would never happen again".

Despite the promises, the victim said that the events of the night continue to haunt her, and that she lives with a lingering fear that Mackessy could attack and eventually kill her. She said that she had been "degraded, stripped of my dignity". The woman explained that she had lost family and friends because of the ongoing relationship.

She said: "I felt humiliated, distraught, lost but the heart wants what the heart wants. I'm a very sentimental person. There was a photo of my late mother on my phone. [But] Some people have it so much worse."

She referred to her injuries as "only cuts and bruises" but said that the "emotional damage stays".

Mackessy reportedly said of the attack: "It's only Section 3, it's very minor, it's a one-off."

Mackessy's defence barrister said that his client was "apologetic" towards the victim and was being assessed by the MEND (Men Ending Domestic Violence) programme.

Judge O'Kelly said that the statement was "the most extraordinary victim impact statement that I have ever heard", likening it to "a love letter from a broken person". He questioned how much remorse Mackessy must feel if, by the victim's statement, he minimised the severity of his assault and its impact.

Before retiring, Judge O'Kelly warned that Mackessy can expect a "lengthy custodial sentence" for his attack. Mackessy will be sentenced next month.

According to Women's Aid, over one in three women in Ireland have experienced psychological, physical and/or sexual abuse from an intimate partner. On average, it can take up to seven times for a victim of abuse to ultimately leave an abusive relationship.
Waterford Sinn Fein TD, Deputy David Cullinane, has said the HSE's Capital Plan falls short of "necessary ambition".

Deputy Cullinane, who is his party's spokesperson on health, criticised the HSE Capital Plan which was approved by the Minister for Health on Wednesday, April 9.

Commenting on the matter to Waterford News & Star and waterford-news.ie, he said the plan lacks the necessary ambition to "turn the health service around".

He also expressed criticism over the lack of urgency in delivering elective centres, with just 5 million allocated to such major projects this year. Deputy Cullinane also expressed concern over the lack of a multi-annual capital plan, saying that the year-to-year approach has held back progress and failed to control costs.

He said major omissions from the plan are the inadequate investment in community services, particularly in clinical spaces, and the variety of community beds for intermediary and transitional care, commenting that such investments are necessary to improve hospital efficiency and increase community-based care options to improve discharge rates from hospitals.

The HSE Capital Plan for 2025 falls far short of the necessary ambition to turn the health service around," he said.

"It is a continuation of the same failed, piecemeal, unambitious approach typical of Fine Gael in Government," he added. He went on to comment: "The lack of a multi-annual approach to capital investment and planning is a major cause of delay, which drives up costs and holds the health service back."

Describing the plan as having "several glaring omissions and shortcomings", Deputy Cullinane said: "There is a highly concerning lack of urgency around delivering elective centres, which are essential for tackling hospital waiting lists."

"There is just 5 million allocated to these projects in 2025," he said.

The Capital Plan is not ambitious enough on hospital beds. It reinforces the previous Ministers hospital bed plan, which is short 1,000 beds. There is no funding commitment in the Capital Plan for the lifespan of the hospital bed plan, either, which means hospitals do not have funding certainty to deliver new bed blocks as quickly as possible," he added.

Deputy Cullinane said that in terms of using investment to reduce pressure on hospitals, one of the most impactful and cost-effective solutions would be to increase community-based step-down or intermediary care capacity.

"That means low intensity care beds in local communities for people who cannot return home, but who do not need to be in hospital," he said.

Hospital managers and doctors are telling me that they have nowhere to discharge patients to because of a lack of community-based care options, including intermediary care beds. Yet the Ministers Capital Plan provides no solutions for this," he added.

He said the plan was in stark contrast to that proposed by his own party.

"Sinn Fein would implement a five-year capital plan and funding framework," he said.

"This would provide funding certainty to the health service while holding it to account by setting out ambitious objectives over the lifespan of that plan," he added.
Eva Osborne

New research from the University of Limerick has shown that lengthy prison sentences can be as effective as the death penalty in deterring homicides.

The death penalty, also known as capital punishment, was abolished in statute law in Ireland in 1990.

It had previously been abolished in 1964 for most offences, including ordinary murder. The last person to be executed was Michael Manning, who was hanged for murder in 1954.

Although the death penalty has not been used in Ireland in over 70 years, it is still a punishment in many countries today. Notable countries still using capital punishment are the United States, Japan, Taiwan, and Singapore.

Amnesty International recorded 1,518 death penalty executions in 2024, which was up 32 per cent from the 2023 figure.

In the US, lethal injection is now the default method used in most jurisdictions that authorise capital punishment. However, in the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, South Carolina, and Tennessee, the electric chair is still an execution option.

So, where do you stand on the death penalty as a criminal punishment? Is it right that it was abolished in Ireland, or are other countries like the US correct for retaining in? Let us know your opinion by taking our poll.
Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal discussed Ukraine's move towards the European Union and integration into the single market with European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos.

"I am convinced that our country's accession to the European Union is a key guarantee of its security, and I believe that together we will succeed on this path. We count on the European Union's assistance throughout the entire European integration process. I thanked Ms. Kos for her leadership in supporting Ukraine in this direction," Shmyhal wrote on his Telegram channel.

According to him, the parties paid attention to the issue of trade liberalization and the use of frozen Russian assets to restore Ukraine.
By Jonathan McCambridge, PA

Gardai have carried out searches at several locations across Ireland and seized devices as part of an international operation targeting the sharing and distribution of child sexual abuse material.

The searches were co-ordinated by the Online Child Exploitation Unit within the Garda National Protective Services Bureau and conducted by gardai attached to Divisional Protective Services Units.

Nine locations were searched, and 18 devices have been seized as evidence.

A spokesperson said investigations into these seizures are now underway, and a number of arrests will be made soon.

A Garda spokesman said arrests will be made in due course (Brian Lawless/PA)

Led by the Polish National Police in conjunction with Europols Joint Cybercrime Action Taskforce (JCAT) and 11 member states, Operation FEVER has led to 166 arrests across Europe.

Of these, 111 people have so far been arrested for sharing and distributing child sexual abuse material.

Those arrested were identified to have produced paedophile films and images, run paedophile forums online, shared or possessed child sexual abuse material, and in many cases were suspected of having physically abused children.

Police officers attached to European police services with the support of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), National Crime Agency (NCA), the Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the US National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) have conducted more than 770 searches in Europe.

These searches have secured the seizure of more than 594,000 files with illegal content contained on more than 6,000 digital media platforms.
By Cillian Sherlock, PA

Childrens lives have been devastated by the litany of failures in healthcare, Sinn Fein has said.

Sinn Fein TD Pearse Doherty said the report into the implant of non-surgical springs in children, and the audit into potentially unnecessary hip operations on other young people, highlighted a pattern of broken behaviour in childrens healthcare.

An audit of paediatric hip dysplasia surgeries at Childrens Health Ireland (CHI) hospitals found that hundreds of children operated on between 2021 and 2023 did not meet the threshold for the procedure.

The Dail has heard previously that almost 80 per cent of those operated on at National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh, and 60 per cent of those at Temple Street, did not meet the threshold for surgery in that timeframe.

Speaking during Leaders Questions, he said parents were asking why they have been kept in the dark for so long by Government, after it emerged that former health minister Stephen Donnelly was briefed on the hip surgery matter in May last year, and his successor, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, was briefed in February.

He told the Dail: Patients only received letters about the scandal in recent weeks.

He added: We are talking about the possibility of young children put under the knife and their bones being sawed into.

It is traumatic surgery and it is happening to children between the ages of one year and seven years.

Mr Doherty said it was beyond the worst nightmare for families, adding: One horrified parent contacted us this week, his daughter was a patient in Temple Street in 2016 from the age of one year right up to three years.

Minister for Education Helen McEntee (Brian Lawless/PA)

A consultant diagnosed the child with hip dysplasia and was adamant that she needed surgery.

In his words, that surgery would have required sawing into her hip bone and reshaping the socket.

Because the child never showed any symptoms, the parents sought a second opinion from a specialist orthopaedic surgeon in the North.

That consultant concluded that their daughter did not need the surgery, as she did not have the condition.

He said that he was horrified that a doctor had made such an error of judgment and that he would inquire about it.

This was years ago. The parent went on to tell us that the stress they were under during this time was like nothing they had ever experienced before.

He added: That is not the only case we have heard of where people got a second opinion, to be told that no condition at all was evident.

Mr Doherty said: The audit is looking at a period of two years and 561 children have to be recalled.

Aontu leader Peadar Toibin (Brian Lawless/PA)

If this issue goes back as far as 2014 or 2016 we are potentially talking about thousands of children.

Taking Leaders Questions on behalf of the Government, Education Minister Helen McEntee said she was utterly appalled by the details of the spinal surgeries and said it was unimaginable that other children would be subjected to unnecessary hip surgeries.

The Fine Gael deputy leader said the Government would do everything possible to support the families affected by the spinal surgeries, adding that the surgeon responsible has been suspended.

On the hip surgeries, Ms McEntee said: An audit is currently taking place. It is being carried out at the direction of the HSE and the Minister for Health.

At the moment, there is no information to suggest that any patient safety incident has occurred.

At the same time, I will not try to predict the outcome of the audit, nor can anyone else do so.

Contact is being made with parents and families of children who have had operations in recent years.

I agree that if there are potentially more cases stretching back further and that families of children need to be written to, that is exactly what must happen.

She added: If proper procedures were not followed, we must understand why that happened.

Ms McEntee said the Government must ensure the board of CHI is still in place for the transition to the new childrens hospital.

If changes need to take place, we must also understand why that is the case, but we cannot throw out the baby with the bathwater.

She said a knee jerk reaction to sack the board would not help anybody.

Meanwhile, Aontu leader Peadar Toibin said figures his party had obtained through a parliamentary question show that Childrens Health Ireland has cancelled more than 160 operations for children in Crumlin and Temple Street hospitals because of the lack of intensive care beds in the last three years.

These are cancellations for very serious operations for children who are very sick.

Nine of these cancellations were for heart operations for children, 10 cancellations were for children needing serious orthopaedic surgery.

There are just 23 paediatric intensive care beds in Our Ladys Hospital, Crumlin, and just nine in Temple Street.

Many of these children and their families have waited years for what in some cases is life-saving surgery, only to get the heartbreaking news that the surgeries have been cancelled.
The selling was virtually down to one reason: Trumps global trade war. And as such, Trump was uniquely situated to do something about it.

Stocks had opened lower after a four-day rout wiped more than $US6 trillion ($9.8 trillion) from equity values, leaving the S&P 500 on the brink of a bear market. Hours earlier, the harshest tariffs on US trading partners in more than a century had taken effect.

US President Donald Trumps tariff reversal sent Wall Street charging to its best day since the GFC. Credit: Bloomberg

Of course, the president and his advisers had spent the past week insisting that there was no way to escape the levies. My policies will never change, Trump posted last week.

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If they did, though, that would be worth a lot. Going by the rally Monday after a false rumour of a tariff pause, the riches would top $US2 trillion in stock gains.

As the S&P 500 cratered Monday and Tuesday, Trump reiterated that he wasnt watching the market, that the economy need to take medicine in order to grow stronger. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent insisted Wall Street was not the focus. It was Main Streets turn, he said.

And then came Trumps post on Wednesday morning (US time).
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 Having an Oscar, says Cillian Murphy, hasnt really changed anything for him. Two weeks after the ceremony in 2024, where he was named best actor for his lead performance in Christopher Nolans Oppenheimer, he was back on a film set. The previous year, he says, he had done more publicity than he had done in the previous 28 years. I also did two films, which I rarely do. Now he was back working with good mates, taking the dog for long walks over the Kerry hills and being a dad to two teenagers: everything was normal. Nothing is different. Thats genuine. Im not just saying that. Nothing is different: Cillian Murphy with his Best Actor Oscar for Oppenheimer. Credit: AP Before Oppenheimer, Murphy was probably most recognised as that bloke in Peaky Blinders, the BBC/Netflix gangster series set in 1920s Birmingham whose legions of fans love everything about it, from the theme song to the haircuts to the characters, not just the blue-eyed ringleader. Hard-core, Oscar-style stardom crept up on Murphy slowly, much to his retrospective relief. He says he couldnt have faced it when he was younger. Murphy grew up in Cork, a lively city in Irelands south-west. Both his parents were teachers. In his teens, all he wanted to do was play in a band; even now, he will do anything that involves music  even just making mix tapes or making radio shows, as he told the Financial Times. Its a primal thing. Cillian Murphy and Elaine Cassidy in Disco Pigs. It was the same urge that led him to badger a local theatre director to give him an audition when he was supposed to be studying law. The director was persuaded. Murphy got a part and was away to the arts, never to look back.

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At 19, he was cast in Disco Pigs, a vivid two-hander about a childhood friendship by Enda Walsh  another energetic Cork lad, just 10 years older than him  which toured the world and was then turned into a film in 2001. They are still best of friends; Walsh wrote the script for Small Things Like These, Murphys latest film, based on Claire Keegans Booker-shortlisted novel. Eileen Walsh, his stage partner in Disco Pigs all those years ago, plays his wife in this film. Cillian Murphy and Eileen Walsh in Small Things Like These. Credit: Enda Bowe/Lionsgate Thats how Murphy likes to work  and one reason he has made six films with Christopher Nolan, including three Batmans and Oppenheimer. The new film is directed by Tim Mielants, a Belgian director who worked on Peaky Blinders. If you trust somebody, you can really go straight to the work and be vulnerable and really try things out, Murphy says. I think a lot of my work has been re-collaborations. Small Things Like These, which he also produced, is indeed a small thing compared with Oppenheimer, but Murphy gives arguably his best performance ever as Bill Furlong, a coal merchant and decent family man who finds himself at loggerheads with the Catholic Church, source of all authority in the country town where he lives. It is set in 1985, years before the Celtic Tiger roared; people live somewhere between poverty and modest means, good Catholics all, much as they have for generations. It is a shock when music starts up in the pub and turns out to be the Human Leagues Dont You Want Me, an 80s hit. Otherwise, it might as well be 1955. Bill Furlong delivers coal to the nearby Magdalen laundry, run by the same nuns as the local convent where his five daughters are at school. Everyone knows each others business round these parts, but you are advised to mind your own. When he finds a young girl locked in the laundrys coal cellar on a freezing winters night, a well-meaning friend tells him to look to his own family: his girls need that convent education. But Bill cant just walk away. It was Yvonne McGuinness, Cillian Murphys artist wife, who suggested he and Mielants bring Keegans slender but potent story to the screen. They both jumped at it, but it didnt feel like an easy sell.

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We kind of realised very quickly that it would have to be a very quiet film with an almost non-verbal performance from the main character for it to work, because the book is so interior, says Murphy. So we knew it would have to be an unusual kind of film for todays cinematic landscape. Cillian Murphy as Oppenheimer, the role that earned him an Oscar. Credit: Alamy Stock Photo They had a lucky break, however. Talking to Matt Damon between scenes on the set of Oppenheimer, Murphy told him the story. He really got it, Murphy told Deadline later. Artists Equity, Damons production company with Ben Affleck, was soon on board. Murphy can remember something of the Ireland portrayed in Keegans novel. I would have been nine in 1985 and I grew up in a city, he says. Luckily, I didnt directly experience any encounters with these institutions. But everything around me was run by the Church. I went to a Catholic primary school; at my secondary school I was taught by brothers. My dad trained to become a priest but then didnt become one. It was in every facet of my life, although never in a malevolent way. Cillian Murphy plays a man who defies the Catholic Church in Small Things Like These. Credit: Shane OConnor/Lionsgate But I was aware there were two laundries in Cork, one very close to where I grew up. It was never talked about. It was only until the whole thing began to be revealed that I began to take notice of it. And then it was kind of this huge schism in Irish society when everything was blown open about the abuses in the Church, and it was kind of devastating for the whole country. It was very hard not to be deeply affected by it, if only as an observer. The story takes place just before Christmas, with its attendant festive drinks, puddings being baked at home and a rush for last-minute presents. Set against this is Bills melancholy, fading into memories of his own childhood. He was born out of wedlock; his mother was taken as a housekeeper by a wealthy Protestant woman who treated Bill like a grandson, giving him books to read and opening up his world. He has never been told who his father is.

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When he finds the shivering girl in the coal cellar  called Sarah, like his mother  he doesnt need to make a decision about what to do. His body drives him, moving of its own accord. A Catholic convent is the setting for unspeakable cruelty in Small Things Like These. Credit: Enda Bowe/Lionsgate I actually feel hes in the middle of some sort of nervous breakdown, says Murphy. As happens with a lot of middle-aged men who are holding it together, holding it together, having to do that, not dealing with anything emotional  particularly at that point in Ireland  and then it comes like a tsunami and hits him. And he begins to piece together over the course of this Christmas what has formed him as a man  I never, ever considered him a hero and it would have been kind of limiting to play him like that. It was much more interesting to play him as a character who was just kind of driven by this terrible inner reckoning, you know. Loading Cases of abuse continue to be brought before the courts and national commissions in Ireland; it is essential work that the majority of people will never see or read; books and films ask questions in a gentler way. Of course, Murphy says, the most egregious abusers  generally priests  should be tracked down and arrested. But otherwise, its hard to apportion blame, he says. Because it was a whole society that seems to have been complicit in what was going on. I think it has to be about understanding, now, how it happened. How did we get to a place where everybody knew, but didnt know? Surely, I say, the convents ruling Sister Mary  portrayed by Emily Watson in a rivetingly fiendish performance that won her the top acting award at the recent Berlin Film Festival  deserves punishment? She seems to have thrived on cruelty.

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But then, how could you not blame Eileen? counters Murphy. Because she knows whats going on, thats very clear, but she doesnt call it out. I think it is about a spectrum from innocence to complicity. Where does one place oneself on that spectrum? Its very hard, even now, to talk about it. Murphy has a reputation as publicity-shy, but he says he enjoys discussing the work once it is done. Indeed, I get the sense he has several pints worth of views on the issues raised by Small Things Like These. When hes working, however, he acts on instinct; while other actors talk about a process, he says he has no idea whats going on. Its like doing anything intensively for 17 hours a day and then reading about it and thinking about it all the time, he says. Inevitably, you begin to exchange atoms with the character at some point. But its never conscious. Cillian Murphy in Peaky Blinders. I wonder what it must be like to exchange atoms with Tommy Shelby, the red right hand of Peaky Blinders. Murphy has played the ruthless gangster for six seasons, filmed over 12 years. A feature  one for the fans, he says  starring Barry Keoghan, Tim Roth and Rebecca Ferguson alongside Murphy, is expected to release in cinemas as well as on Netflix later this year. Murphy laughs. Hes exhausting to play, he says. The nice thing about Peaky is that we would do a season, and then Id have a year or 18 months or two years off. And its a gift of a character. Hes relentless. And another victim of a rotten social system? Oh well  certainly, I think hes a product of what happened to British soldiers in the First World War, he says slowly. Hes clearly deeply damaged. We always looked at the character like there was a line before 1914 and another line after 1918. We never get to see that earlier version of him, but I think he was forever changed by a different sort of system, where young men were sacrificed and those who survived were just spat back into society.

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When we were growing up, I wanted to be an engineer. Carl wanted to be a security guard outside McDonalds. Then he could stand around all day and get free Maccas. Hes always had a big appetite. Its like hes got an imaginary friend that he needs to feed.

Our parents separated when I was eight. The lawyers asked us which parent we wanted to go with and I said, I choose Carl. Our five half-siblings were born later; four live with Dad in the Philippines, ones with Mum in Adelaide.

Charles: We grew up in Legazpi in the Philippines. Our mother mostly brought us up since our father worked away a lot. We were neither well-off nor poor; we had enough to get by.

Filipino brothers Charles, 22, and Carl Ong Sio, 21, came to Australia in 2022. They live, work and travel together as hospitality attendants on the Ghan, Indian Pacific, Overland and Great Southern trains.

Im 16 months older than him and a typical big brother. I want Carl to be the best he can be, but hes always so relaxed, which irritates me. Mom said I had to be the role model. When she emigrated to Australia, I was in year 10 and we went to live with Dad in Manila. We started an online business, buying gold-plated, stainless-steel jewellery from a supplier and reselling it. We used the money to buy phones, clothes, games and shoes. Id get stressed and boss Carl around. One day, after a huge fight, he said, Dont act like my boss: act like my brother.

Growing up, I wanted to be an engineer. Carl wanted to be a security guard outside McDonalds. Charles Ong Sio

Dad wasnt happy when I told him we were going to Australia to be with Mum and have a career there: he locked us inside the house. I was worried hed take our passports. That night, Carl said, If we dont escape now, I dont think well ever have the chance to leave. We threw some clothes in our backpacks and took the bus to our grandparents house in Legazpi.

My Australian tourist visa was granted, but Carls was rejected three times, no reason given. Carl showed how much he loved me by being willing to be left behind, but I wouldnt go without him. We finally came together in November 2022.

I first worked on the trains in housekeeping. Then I applied for the role of hospitality attendant (HA) so I could travel. As an HA, I look after guests: I make their beds and coffee and take their food orders. Later, when they were recruiting again, Carl applied and joined me nine months ago. We work on separate ends of the train. When we support guests on off-train excursions together, we have a bit of fun and we swap our name badges. Even though we look quite different, guests get very confused!
Ellenbrook locals are well aware their master planned community is often derisively referred to by the nickname Felonbrook, a reflection of growing concerns over crime in the area.

Now an increase in issues there has prompted the formation of a working group, bringing together local schools, shopping centre management, law enforcement, and political leaders to address it.

The incident allegedly happened at Ellenbrook Central.

The move comes after a 14-year-old boy was allegedly coward punched and stomped on by a fellow student from Aveley Secondary College while at Ellenbrook Central shopping centre after school on April 2.

The incident left the boy with a broken jaw that required surgery and suffering from seizures. He remains in hospital as doctors investigate whether he has been left with any lasting cognitive damage.
Beijings bid to enlist Australia to join its side in the escalating trade war with the United States has drawn a frosty response, with the Albanese government vowing to redouble its push to seek new export markets beyond China and the US.

The European Unions top trade official is set to travel to Australia soon after the federal election to restart negotiations on an elusive free trade pact, after Trade Minister Don Farrell spoke to his counterpart on Wednesday night in an unusual move during an election campaign.

Trade Minister Don Farrell is reopening talks about free trade with the European Union. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

The focus on trade came as a visiting Pacific leader rejected Chinas bid to force it to break with Taiwan, while arguing there was still lingering damage from a decade-old gaffe in which Peter Dutton joked about rising sea levels in the Pacific.

Defence Minister Richard Marles firmly rejected Chinese ambassador to Australia Xiao Qians offer to join hands with Australia to respond to Trumps tariffs, which the diplomat made in an opinion piece in this masthead on Thursday.
Its just three days since Peter Dutton made one of the most humiliating campaign U-turns Ive seen in more than 40 years of covering federal elections, and in these fast-moving times, its already almost out of range in the rearview mirror.

Dutton and his campaign people would, understandably, like us all to move on from his decision to drop the policy to end working from home for federal public servants.

Illustration by Dionne Gain

Its a bit too soon for that. Lets stop the clock for a moment and try to understand what happened in this bizarre episode. The motivation isnt to exploit the opposition leaders discomfort; its to take a look at how the alternative government has been going about its business on the way to the election.

The crunch on working from home was accompanied by a pledge to get 41,000 public servants off the books pronto. It was robust, assertive stuff that was warmly embraced by the Coalitions media friends, protectors and boosters. But Dutton confessed on Monday when interring the policy that it had been a blunder. Weve made a mistake with the policy. We apologise for that. And weve dealt with it, he told a television interviewer.
London: Prince Harrys lawyer warned his life is at stake over changes to his security after stepping down from royal duties, as the prince returned to Londons Royal Courts of Justice for his appeal about adjustments to his protection in Britain.

Harry, King Charles younger son, is trying to overturn a decision by the Home Office  the ministry responsible for policing  which decided in 2020 he would not automatically receive personal police security while in the country.

Prince Harry outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London on Tuesday. Credit: Ben Whitley/PA via AP

One must not forget the human dimension to this case: there is a person sitting behind me whose safety, whose security and whose life is at stake, his lawyer Shaheed Fatima, KC, told the court on Wednesday, UK time, as Harry watched on.

She had said in court filings made public on Tuesday that al-Qaeda had recently called for Harry to be murdered and that he and his wife Meghan had been involved in a dangerous car pursuit with paparazzi in New York City in 2023.
Ukraine can expect more support from coalition in Germany than it currently has - head of Rada committee

Ukraine can expect more support from the coalition formed in Germany than it currently has, believes chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Foreign Policy and Interparliamentary Cooperation, Oleksandr Merezhko (Servant of the People faction).

"In general, this will be a fairly pro-Ukrainian coalition. We can expect more support from this coalition than we have now. In particular, regarding the provision of Tauruses [Taurus cruise missile]," Merezhko said in a comment to the Interfax-Ukraine agency on Thursday.

He stressed that the future Chancellor of Germany Friedrich Merz [head of the CDU party, candidate for the post of Federal Chancellor of Germany in the 2025 parliamentary elections from the CDU/CSU] takes a consistent position on increasing support for Ukraine, as does his party, which will occupy a leading position in the coalition.

"The Social Democratic Party is also quite favourably disposed towards Ukraine. At least a significant part of it," the deputy noted.

As reported, a coalition was announced in Germany on Wednesday. It includes the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), the Christian Social Union (CSU), and the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD).
Washington: Australia has been warned Donald Trumps tariffs could push up the cost of submarines due to be acquired under the AUKUS defence pact, as Trump tasks Elon Musks team with improving the US capacity to build the boats.

Advocates of the agreement also say the second pillar of the pact, under which Australia, the US and the UK share military data and technology, lacks focus, should be narrowed to more manageable initiatives, and that politicians need to do more to champion AUKUS to sceptical voters.

A digital mock-up of a Virginia-class submarine. Credit: ADF

Virginia senator Tim Kaine, the senior Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower, said 35 per cent of the steel and aluminium that went into ships and submarines came from partners such as Canada and the UK, which have both been hit with US tariffs.

We are already having trouble getting these ships and subs on time [and] on budget. Increase those prices  its going to be a problem, Kaine told an AUKUS dinner in Washington on Wednesday night hosted by former Australian defence minister turned lobbyist Christopher Pyne.
The weather was overcast at the time of the crash, but visibility over the river was not substantially impaired. Rescue crews had to deal with seven-degree water temperatures. A crane vessel arrives at the scene where a helicopter crashed. Credit: AP Rescue boats circled the submerged aircraft within minutes of impact near the end of a long maintenance pier for a ventilation tower serving the Holland Tunnel. Recovery crews hoisted the mangled helicopter out of the water just after 8pm using a floating crane. Divers helped remove the victims from the water. Four were pronounced dead at the scene, while two were taken to area hospitals where they died. The flight was operated by New York Helicopters, officials said.

New York Helicopter Tours owner Michael Roth said the pilot had radioed base to say the helicopter was returning to the helipad  but it never arrived. Police and fire crews from New York and New Jersey respond to a helicopter crash in the Hudson River on Thursday, local time. Credit: AP He called in that he was landing and that he needed fuel, and it should have taken him about three minutes to arrive, but 20 minutes later, he didnt arrive, he told Londons Telegraph. I got a call from my manager and my downtown heliport and she said she heard there was a crash, and then my phone blew up from everybody. Then one of my pilots flew over the Hudson and saw the helicopter upside down.

Roth said everyone at the company was devastated. My wife has not stopped crying, he said. The death of the child of any human being is a monumental disaster. New York City Fire Department personnel carry a stretcher at Pier 40, where the helicopter went down. Credit: AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura The Federal Aviation Administration identified the helicopter as a Bell 206, a model widely used in commercial and government aviation, including by sightseeing companies, TV news stations and police. It was initially developed for the US Army before being adapted for other uses. Thousands have been manufactured over the years. The National Transportation Safety Board said it would investigate.

Escobar worked for tech company Siemens for more than 27 years, most recently as global chief executive for rail infrastructure at Siemens Mobility, according to his LinkedIn account. In late 2022, he briefly became president and chief executive of Siemens Spain. In a post about the position, he thanked his family, my endless source of energy and happiness, for their unconditional support, love ... and patience. Escobar regularly posted about the importance of sustainability in the rail industry and often travelled internationally for work, including journeying from India to the United Kingdom in the past month. He was also vice president of the German Chamber of Commerce for Spain. His wife, Camprubi Montal, worked in Barcelona, Spain, for Siemens Energy for about seven years as its global commercialisation manager, according to her LinkedIn account. Video of the crash suggested that a catastrophic mechanical failure left the pilot with no chance to save the helicopter, said Justin Green, an aviation lawyer who was a helicopter pilot in the Marine Corps. It was possible the helicopters main rotors struck the tail boom, breaking it apart and causing the cabin to free-fall, Green said.

No pilot could have prevented that accident once they lost the lifts, Green said. Its like a rock falling to the ground. Its heartbreaking. The skies over Manhattan are routinely filled with planes and helicopters  private recreational aircraft as well as commercial and tourist flights. Manhattan has several helipads that whisk business executives and others to destinations throughout the metropolitan area. At least 38 people have died in helicopter accidents in New York City since 1977. A collision between a plane and a tourist helicopter over the Hudson in 2009 killed nine people, and five died in 2018 when a charter helicopter offering open door flights went down into the East River. Thursdays crash was the first for a helicopter in the city since one hit the roof of a skyscraper in 2019, killing the pilot. New York Helicopters also owned a Bell 206 that lost power and made an emergency landing on the Hudson during a sightseeing tour in June 2013. The pilot managed to land safely, and he and the passengers  a family of four Swedes  were uninjured. The NTSB found that a maintenance flub and an engine lubrication anomaly led to the power cut-off.
Following the release of two new integrity training kits developed under the WCO Anti-Corruption and Integrity Promotion (A-CIP) Programme, the World Customs Organization (WCO) hosted two live remote introductory sessions to present these new resources to its Members.

Held separately in French and English, the sessions attracted over 150 participants from Customs administrations from the European, Africa, Middle East and Asia regions  reflecting the global interest in strengthening integrity in the Customs environment. The Americas region will be engaged with shortly for a separate presentation on the topic.

Participants received a comprehensive overview of the training kits and their practical application. The sessions featured lively Q&A segments, where attendees actively engaged with the material and shared their perspectives. This high level of interaction is a strong testament to the relevance of the topic and the commitment of WCO Members to advance integrity within their organizations.

While the training kits are currently available in French and English only, the WCO encourages interested Members to reach out should they wish to support or fund translations into additional languages. Ensuring accessibility to these resources across all regions is a key priority for the WCO and the A-CIP Programme.

The WCO A-CIP Programme, funded by Norway, is a comprehensive initiative that provides technical assistance and capacity-building support to WCO Member administrations implementing integrity-related initiatives in line with the WCO Revised Arusha Declaration. The Programme aims to enhance the integrity and transparency of Customs operations and promote anti-corruption efforts. For more information, please contact capacity.building@wcoomd.org.
Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Ihor Brusylo met with Christian Hirst, First Assistant Secretary and Head of the Europe Division at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia. They discussed strengthening cooperation in the fields of defense and security against the backdrop of threats and challenges in the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions.

As reported on the presidential website, the parties discussed coordination of efforts within international organizations and on global platforms to advance shared interests. "Australia remains a reliable partner of Ukraine in these challenging times of confronting Russian aggression. We highly appreciate Australia's consistent support for our country and are ready to maintain the high dynamics of bilateral engagement across all areas," Brusylo emphasized.
The UNBROKEN Rehabilitation Center plans to complete the reconstruction of the rehabilitation center in Briukhovychi (Lviv region) in November.

According to the press service of the UNBROKEN center, the project provides for the reconstruction of the medical rehabilitation center building with the completion of new buildings. The area of the facility will almost double, to 9,000 square meters.

"The center will have 105 beds, it will become the largest in the UNBROKEN ecosystem," the center's press service said.

The reconstruction of the center began in January 2025. The foundation filling of the new buildings and the swimming pool building has already been completed, and the reconstruction of the premises has started.

The project is being implemented within the framework of the Lithuanian State Program for Support of Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Ukrainian Veterans by the Central Project Management Agency of Lithuania (CPVA) with funding from the Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid Fund (Lithuania).

As reported, the restoration of the rehabilitation center in Briukhovychi was envisaged by a memorandum between the Ukrainian Red Cross, Lviv City Council and the Government of Lithuania.

The National Rehabilitation Center project is being implemented with the support of the President's Office of Ukraine, the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, the Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine, Lviv Regional Military Administration and Lviv City Council.

As reported, Lithuania allocated EUR 5.6 million for the reconstruction of the rehabilitation center in Briukhovychi through the Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid Fund, the Japanese Red Cross, and the German organization GIZ some EUR 2.5 million each.
The EU Military Assistance Mission to Ukraine has so far provided training to 73,000 Ukrainian military personnel, according to a press release on the results of the 10th meeting of the EU-Ukraine Association Council, published on the website of the EU Delegation to Ukraine on Thursday.

The Association Council welcomed the overall support provided to Ukraine by the EU and its Member States of almost EUR 144 billion since the start of Russias war of aggression against Ukraine, including EUR 49.6 billion of military assistance. It welcomed also the training provided for the Ukrainian Armed Forces by the EU Military Assistance Mission, which has trained 73,000 Ukrainian troops so far, the message reads.

The European Union once again underlined its determination to meet Ukraines extremely urgent and pressing military and defence needs.

The EU reiterated its determination to address Ukraines pressing military and defence needs including the delivery of ammunition and missiles, and its commitment to bolster Ukraines ability to defend its independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty. The Association Council highlighted the strategic importance of intensifying work to further support and develop Ukraines defence industry and to deepen its cooperation with the EU Defence industry, cooperation which has to be in line with modalities to be agreed and has to take into account the security and defence interests of all Member States, in accordance with the Treaties. The EU underlined that in line with Joint Security commitments between EU and Ukraine it remained committed to contributing, for the long term and together with partners, to sustainable support for Ukraines security and defence , which will help Ukraine to defend itself, deter acts of aggression and resists destabilisation efforts in the future, the message reads.

The EU Council also welcomed the opening of the Defence Innovation Office in Kyiv in September 2024 and the work on its expansion.
Photo: https://www.facebook.com/kallaskaja/

Discussions are ongoing regarding what format of a possible mission the Coalition of the Willing could offer to Ukraine, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas said.

"The discussion is ongoing: it could be a monitoring mission, a deterrence mission, a peacekeeping mission, a security mission or a defensive mission. There are different options. And it is directly related to whether we have peace," she said before the Coalition of the Willing meeting at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Thursday.

According to Kallas, countries are now trying to figure out what each of them can do. They must also understand what the EU missions should do. "So far, we have managed to maintain the mandate and at the same time update the mission in accordance with Ukraine's needs. The Ukrainian side constantly provides feedback: this works, this does not, change this. And we can do this, and, of course, also discuss these issues," Kallas noted.

In addition, she said, countries are trying to retain support from the United States.

"It is in the interests of the United States that there be stability and peace in Europe, because what is happening in Ukraine and how this war ends also affects other security regions - for example, the Asia-Pacific. Therefore, this is also in their interests," she is convinced.
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NEW BOSTON, Texas -- Seven corrections officers at the Barry B. Telford federal correctional facility in New Boston were arrested Wednesday in an investigation of an alleged conspiracy to introduce contraband.

Corruption is not and will not be tolerated in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Texas Board of Criminal Justice Chairman Eric Nichols said. We appreciate the hard work of the OIG team and our outstanding law enforcement partners in pursuing this investigation into introduction of contraband into our state prison system.

Arrested on warrants for engaging in organized criminal activity:

Telford Unit correctional officers Mondraesha Quanee Davis, Joshua Demond David Johnson, Alexis Michelle Gregory, and Catherine Rene Davis





Capt. Jessica Nichole Ricks and Sgt. Kimberly Renee Edwards

Charged with multiple felony charges for bribery, prohibited item/substance in a correctional facility and possession of marijuana:

Officer Brittanee Wade

Seven search warrants were also executed at private residences related to the arrests.

The Office of the Inspector General of the Texas Board of Criminal Justice, with the assistance of other state, local and federal law enforcement agencies, conducted the investigation.

TDCJ has zero tolerance for officer misconduct. All allegations of misconduct are investigated by our office. These arrests are the work of many man hours by our investigators and partners, OIG Inspector General Lance Coleman said.

Coleman thanked the Bowie County District Attorney, the Texarkana Police Department, the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department, the Bowie County Sheriffs Office, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Arkansas State Police, the United States Marshals Service, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for their assistance.

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice is committed to maintaining the safety and security of its facilities by holding accountable those who introduce contraband into our system, TDCJ Executive Director Bryan Collier said. The agency is grateful for the work of OIG in helping to address this issue.
Air Force officials and experts on particular subject matters of the Sentinel missile project addressed a crowd of over 135 people at the most recent Air Force Town Hall in Kimball on April 1. The meeting was to update the public on the ICBM missile replacement project, the Sentinel.

The panel included 90th Wing Commander Col. John Galbert, Major General Colin Connor, Col. James Rodriguez and Stephen M. Kravitsky. Others present were the Army Corp of Engineers members and Douglas Arnett, head adjudicate for claims.

While officials said the Sentinel project will proceed, changes have occurred mostly due to the Nunn-McCurdy statute and review. The Sentinel program exceeded its cost projection, and the Department of Defense and Congress reviewed financials and spending. Even with the cost overruns, it has been determined that the Sentinel is absolutely necessary.

The Sentinel program is the land-based part of the "Nuclear Triad," and according to Col. Johnny Galbert, the Wing Commander at F.E. Warren, the Sentinel is "not on hold; it is moving forward." The Sentinel weapon system was described as the most cost-effective method for maintaining a safe, secure, and effective land-based leg of the nuclear triad and would be operable until 2075.

Major General Colin Connor explained that the program will proceed and the ICBMs must be modernized, although it is not going as fast as they would like. Connor said that they are committed to being as transparent as possible, although they continue to work through some issues and don't have the final answers.

Every spring and fall, the Air Force plans to hold town hall meetings to update the public.

Built-in the 1960s, the Minuteman weapons system's infrastructure has not been touched or updated since installation, except for minor modifications. Maintenance of the system has become much more difficult. A complete update is needed to continue to deter U.S. adversaries.

Updates and changes that were discussed include the plot of land where the current missiles are located will be reused, and a new silo will be constructed on the same site. New silos and new launch centers will be constructed, and fiber optics will be laid. A re-evaluation of the project has determined that building new is cheaper than refurbishing the old. Renovation of the old silos was cost-prohibitive.

The timeline for the construction is uncertain, although the Air Force believes that pockets of construction will begin in 2030. Utility corridors will be constructed beginning in 2026 through 2029.

Throughout five states, 400 Minuteman III ICBMs operate. The Sentinels will replace the existing missiles in Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska, Montana and North Dakota.

As the project progresses, Air Force officials said both weapons systems will be maintained as they transition from the Minuteman III to the Sentinel. But eventually, the Minuteman III will be decommissioned, which requires demilitarization and disposal.
By Jonathan McCambridge, PA

A teenage boy is in a critical condition following an assault in Coolock in Dublin.

Gardai are appealing for witnesses to the incident which occurred on Greencastle Park on Thursday afternoon.

Shortly after 3.30pm, the male teenager sustained serious injuries and was taken to Beaumont Hospital where he remains in a critical condition.

Gardai said investigations are ongoing.
International audiences have been savouring the music of Billow Wood regularly over the past few years, but now that pleasure is to come to the people of North Mayo when the Ballina-based band plays a show in their hometown next month. Billow Wood has been active on the music scene at a national and international level for eight years, performing Irish and folk music that is fused with mainstream influences.

The quartet has taken the Irish cultural legacy to a new level of skill and energy, and to a wide audience, with a distinctive sound that is textured with delightful vocal harmonies and layers of instrumental virtuosity.

The groups delightful arrangements of songs and tunes blend together traditional and non-traditional sounds, with both original songs and evergreen favourites among its repertoire of genre-breaking music.

Billow Wood has played extensively across Europe and is a particular favourite with German audiences. Billow Wood also trilled audiences at last years Electric Picnic, Irelands largest music festival, and performed at Folk Alliance International in Kansas City, USA.

Founder members Mark ODonnell and Harry Lawlor are delighted to be back on home ground and promise that the five-piece band will deliver an outstanding show for their fans.

The band originally came together as Flat Out in the last decade, with talented Irish traditional musicians Brid ODonnell and Ciara ODonnell alongside Mark and Harry. Flat Out became Billow Wood in 2017, eventually leading to a number of changes in the groups line-up.

Today, Billow Wood comprises Mark O'Donnell (vocals/guitar), Harry Lawlor (vocals/harp), Andy Dempsey (vocals/drums), Emily Donoghue (vocals/mandolin) and Aodan Cronin (accordion), and they have been writing at length recently, with plans to yield up further exciting material later this year.

In January, The Showing Roots Music Industry Conference in Killarney provided Billow Wood with an opportunity to showcase in front of a number of music festival organisers from Ireland and abroad.

Billow Wood will perform in Ballina Arts Centre on Friday, May 9, during Mayo Fleadh Cheoil.

Tickets cost 15 or 30 for a family of four and can be purchased online now at www.ballinaartscentre.com. You can also book by calling 096-73593, or emailing info@ballinaartscentre.com.
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.
Post-war transformation of Ukraines economy. Proposals of Ukrainian party Strength of Nation on Ukraines economic policy

On Monday, April 14, at 14.00, the press center of the Interfax-Ukraine news agency (8/5a Reitarska Street) will host a press conference entitled "Post-war transformation of Ukraines economy. Proposals of Ukrainian party Strength of Nation on Ukraines economic policy."

Participants: founder and leader of the Strength of the Nation party, head of the public organization Protection and Assistance, specialist in the field of commercial port management Andriy Peliukhovsky; Head of NGO Ukrainian Military Organization SPAS-23, founder of the NEP discussion club Volodymyr Volkov; military serviceman Yevhen Yarantsev; public and political figure, journalist, head of NGO Association of Participants of the Russian-Ukrainian War Hennadiy Pryschepchuk.

The event will be streamed on the Interfax-Ukraine YouTube channel.

Admission requires registration on the spot with press ID cards.

For more information please call +38(096)551-51-51, [email protected].
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.
How to protect yourself and your loved ones: Martin International School of Technology "MIST" teaches civilians how to get ready for the war

Martin International School of Technology "MIST" has provided Ukrainian civilians with its first training session aimed at preparing civilian population for national resistance.

It was the the first time when such kind of training has been given to civilian populationh as part of their preparation for national resistance in Bila Tserkva district. The organizer  Martin International School of Technology "MIST"  is a private vocational education institution specializing in modern defense training.

Thirty "MIST" students from regional non-governmental organizations began their training under the official 45-hour "Program for Training Ukrainian Citizens for National Resistance," well approved by the Territorial Defense Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The training was provided at a specially equipped location near the town.

The participants have acquired some kind of expertise in such areas as handling of weapons and basic shooting skills, first aid skills (bleeding control and tourniquet application), survival skills, behavior in warfare conditions or under occupation, protection in conflict zones, etc.

The classes were taught by certified "MIST" instructors who have completed the official Instructor Training Course on Basic Preparation of Ukrainian Citizens for National Resistance and received state-issued Certificates. The hands-on format, location rotation, and skillful submition of information enabled the participants to quickly grasp basic yet crucial pieces of knowledge.

This was the first stage of the training process which can enable a civilian to get morally prepared for unpredictable war situations and acquire the basic skills necessary to face the enemy cool-headed and not to let the situation stampede them. This state of mind will definitely enabele people to defend their home and family, and survive in the harsh conditions of war and occupation.

According to Colonel Oleksandr Badalian, Deputy Director for Military Training at the "MIST" School, their Training Center is actively contributing to the ability of the population of Kyiv region to resist the enemy. He added that presently, relevant effort is being taken by the Population Resistance Training Center created under the guidance of the Kyiv Regional Military Administration, with active support of the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade as well as non-government organizations and civilian initiative groups. However, at the moment the training services are not covering a large number of population of the region who are willing to partake in the sessions.

"Being well-aware of the importance of preparing Ukrainians to repel the large-scale armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, Martin International School of Technology "MIST" is ready to assist and provide such kind of training. People are willing to learn how to protect themselves, their loved ones, and their Country. We are ready to help them. We are ready to work with anyone who has a sense of responsibility and is struggling to support the State in Hard Times,"  emphasized Oleksandr Badalian.

On behalf of the leadership of Martin International School of Technology "MIST" he expressed his deepest gratitude to the command of the Territorial Defense Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and its unit commanders for their active cooperation and support in implementing the Centers efforts aimed at training Ukrainian citizens for national resistance.

"MIST" is a place where people are trained to act; it is an educational space where anyone  a military or a civilian  can gain knowledge that actually saves lives and strengthens the Countrys defense capability," summarized Oleksandr Badalian.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 10. In proceedings at the Baku Military Court today, defendant David Allahverdian admitted to the cultivation and subsequent shipment of grain to Armenia from territories formerly under Armenian occupation, Trend reports.

Responding to inquiries from Senior Assistant Prosecutor General Vusal Aliyev, Allahverdian testified that he held positions within the illegal regime established in the occupied regions, specifically as "head of the agricultural sector" within its "security council" from September 1, 2020, and later as "advisor to the minister of agriculture."

The trial involves Armenian citizens facing charges related to crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes (including the planning and execution of aggressive warfare), genocide, violations of the laws and customs of war, terrorism, financing of terrorism, and the violent usurpation and retention of power, all stemming from Armenia's military aggression. The proceedings are scheduled to resume on April 11.
BRUSSELS  The European Unions executive commission said Thursday it will put retaliation measures on hold for 90 days to match President Donald Trumps pause on his sweeping new tariffs on global trading partners and leave room for a negotiated solution.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that the commission, which handles trade for the bloc's 27 member countries, took note of the announcement by President Trump.

New tariffs on 20.9 billion euros ($23 billion) of U.S. goods will be put on hold for 90 days because we want to give negotiations a chance, she said in a statement.

But she warned: If negotiations are not satisfactory, our countermeasures will kick in.

Trump imposed a 20% levy on goods from the EU as part of his onslaught of tariffs of 10% and upward against global trading partners but said Wednesday he will pause them for 90 days to give countries a chance to negotiate solutions to U.S. trade concerns.

Countries subject to the pause will face Trump's 10% baseline tariff.

Before Trumps announcement, EU member countries voted to approve a set of retaliatory tariffs on $23 billion in goods in response to his 25% tariffs on imported steel and aluminum that took effect in March. The EU, the largest trading partner of the U.S., described them as unjustified and damaging.

The EU tariffs were set to go into effect in stages, some on April 15 and others on May 15 and Dec. 1. The EU commission didnt immediately provide a list of the goods.

Members of the EU  the worlds largest trading bloc  have said they prefer a negotiated deal to resolve a trade war that damages the economies on both sides. The blocs top trade official has shuttled between Brussels and Washington for weeks trying to head off a conflict.

The targeted goods are a tiny fraction of the 1.6 trillion euros ($1.8 trillion) in U.S.-EU annual trade. Some 4.4 billion euros in goods and services crosses the Atlantic each day in what the European Commission calls the most important commercial relationship in the world.

The EU has targeted smaller lists of goods in hopes of exerting political pressure and avoiding economic damage from a wider escalation of tit-for-tat tariffs.

The EU is also working on a further set of countermeasures in response to Trumps blanket 20% tariff on all European goods, now suspended. That could include measures aimed at U.S. tech companies and the services sector as well as trade in goods.

Still, von der Leyen said that Europe intends to diversify its trade partnerships.

She said that the EU will continue engaging with countries that account for 87% of global trade and share our commitment to a free and open exchange of goods, services, and ideas, and to lift barriers to commerce inside its own single market.

Together, Europeans will emerge stronger from this crisis, von der Leyen said.

___

McHugh reported from Frankfurt, Germany
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 10. The international forum Facing the New World Order, held at ADA University with the participation of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, was more than a conventional policy gathering. It functioned as a political statement, underscoring Azerbaijans role as an active agentnot a passive observerin shaping the contours of a rapidly evolving global landscape.

Bringing together politicians, diplomats, strategists, and academics, the forum highlighted a growing international appetite for dialogue around global realignments. It also underscored a broader shift: regions once seen primarily through the lens of historical conflictsuch as the South Caucasusare now emerging as arenas of responsibility, strategic decision-making, and leadership.

President Ilham Aliyevs keynote address delivered a pointed message aimed not only at regional neighbors but at the wider international community. His remarks outlined Azerbaijans framework for normalizing relations with Armenia, specifying conditions for a potential peace deal and presenting a forward-looking vision for regional cooperation.

Beyond bilateral issues, the speech offered a window into Azerbaijans geopolitical strategyone that encompasses regional transformation projects, evolving security architectures, and an assertive response to a world in flux. As the war in Ukraine, the breakdown of the unipolar order, and disruptions to global energy and logistics systems reshape international norms, a central question looms for smaller and mid-sized states: will they remain subjects of influence, or emerge as actors in their own right?

For Azerbaijan, the answer is clear. As President Ilham Aliyevs appearance at ADA University made evident, the country sees itself not on the sidelines of global change, but at its core.

Azerbaijan has played a crucial role as a mediator in regional diplomacy, notably in the early stages of reconciliation between Turkiye and Israel. During their first crisis, Azerbaijan actively facilitated dialogue, helping to bridge gaps between the two nations. Reflecting on Azerbaijan's strong ties with both countries, President Ilham Aliyev emphasized: With Turkiye, we are allies. We signed the Shusha Declaration in 2021, and formally became allies.

He also acknowledged Israel as a close partner, stating, Israel is a friendly country to Azerbaijan, and for many years, mutual friendship have been demonstrated in difficult times for both of us. Therefore, of course, these tensions between the two countries are very disturbing for us, and a matter of concern.

Today, Azerbaijan occupies a pivotal position in the evolving Eurasian geopolitical landscape. Strategically situated between the Caspian and Black Seas, and bordering Russia, Iran, Turkiye, and Central Asia, Azerbaijan has long been a significant player in regional geopolitics. Over the past two decades, it has emerged as the region's primary energy and logistics hub.

The Southern Gas Corridor, which includes the TANAP and TAP projects, links the Caspian Sea with Southern Europe, playing a key role in reducing the European Unions reliance on Russian gas. Bakus port, located on the Caspian coast, has become the largest gateway for trade between China and Europe. Additionally, Azerbaijan serves as a critical transit point in the International North-South Transport Corridor and the Trans-Caspian Route, which connects India with Europe.

These accomplishments are the result of long-term strategic foresight. Baku has built a robust network of connectivity through key partnerships with countries such as Hungary, Italy, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Romania, positioning itself as a vital hub for regional integration and cooperation.

Since the liberation of Karabakh in 2020, Azerbaijan's approach to post-conflict reconstruction has evolved into a unique model. It extends far beyond mere territorial restoration and is grounded in the concept of "positive peace"  a framework not only focused on a ceasefire, but on fostering a sustainable, institutional order.

At the Forum, President Ilham Aliyev emphasized a crucial point: Those who visit Karabakh today can still witness the level of barbarity that took place there.

This statement serves not only as a humanitarian reflection on the conflict but also as a diplomatic messageAzerbaijan has not only emerged victorious but is also actively engaged in the process of rebuilding. The Forum, held at ADA University, further reinforced this vision, positioning Azerbaijan as an institutional guarantor of peace in the region. Unlike Armenia, which seeks external support, Azerbaijan offers an organic peace model rooted in sovereignty, economic development, and transportation infrastructure.

Every statement made by President Ilham Aliyev at the forum carries strategic weight. Notably, he declared, With respect to the peace agreement, the ball is in Armenias court, signaling to the West that Azerbaijan has met its obligations, and the responsibility for delaying the peace treaty now rests with Yerevan. He also remarked, Unfortunately, Armenian occupation of Azerbaijan's territory did not allow the South Caucasus to develop as a more or less integrated region, underlining that Armenias occupation policy hindered regional integration. These remarks reflect a shift in diplomatic reality: Azerbaijan is increasingly taking on the role of architect in reshaping the regional order.

The contrast between Azerbaijans and Armenias approaches became starkly evident at the forum. Armenia remains entrenched in a paradigm of confrontation and dependency, while Azerbaijan promotes peace based on the mutual recognition of territorial integrity. Armenia continues to seek external mediation from countries like France, the EU, and the US, which diminishes its agency in the process and intensifies its isolation. As President Ilham Aliyev pointed out, Armenia has effectively forfeited the chance to become a key transit hub for Azerbaijans energy resources and transport routes.

Azerbaijans demands to Armenia are clear and grounded in international law, centered on the recognition of Azerbaijans territorial integrity and sovereignty, the renunciation of territorial claims against Azerbaijan as stipulated in Armenias Constitution, and the demonstration of genuine political will.

"On many occasions, I have already made it public what we expect from Armenia regarding our territorial integrity and their constitution. So it is known as soon as it is done and the peace agreement is signed, so there'll be no obstacle for the South Caucasus to try to be an integrated region," President Ilham Aliyev emphasized.

This statement underscores Azerbaijan's openness to peace, but highlights that such peace must be built on a firm, principled, and legal foundation. Azerbaijans vision is for new, sustainable relations that foster genuine regional integration.

The President also addressed Armenias misjudgment of its geo-economic future and its self-imposed isolation. "So, Armenia, as a result of occupation and aggression, deprived itself from becoming a transit country for Azerbaijan's energy resources and transportation routes. And all the transit - whether it's oil, gas, or cargo - from Azerbaijan goes through Georgia. So Armenia could have been part of that process. It's their fault that they miscalculated the future development and sacrificed their economic future, their real independence to this dream of great Armenia, the President stated.

This message serves as both a warning and an appeal to Armenian society: peace and cooperation are essential for economic development and regional stability. The longer Armenia clings to revisionist approaches, the further it will distance itself from the regional processes shaping the future.

Azerbaijans position is not only principled but also grounded in realism.

"And being realistic, of course, we cannot imagine that we will become friends with Armenia immediately. It is not realistic, and even talking about any kind of economic integration is premature. But we are ready to start taking small steps toward confidence-building measures," President Ilham Aliyev stressed.

This approach represents a model of strategic stability rarely seen in the post-Soviet space. Azerbaijans concrete proposals to build trustsuch as exchanges for journalists and intellectuals, cooperation on transboundary rivers, and joint efforts to address environmental threatsare not just diplomatic gestures but intentional steps to foster an atmosphere of trust through practical actions. This incremental and targeted approach can lay the groundwork for lasting stability in the region. If Armenia adopts a rational approach, cooperation can be established between Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Armenia in key sectors such as energy, trade, transport, and environmental security. Such cooperation could become part of a broader Eurasian platform, connecting the three countries with the European Union, Central Asia, and China.

Azerbaijan has already become a central regional hub for energy and transport. Meanwhile, Armenia, by remaining on the sidelines of these opportunities, forfeits both economic resources and geopolitical influence. However, if Armenia summons the political will to abandon its revanchist ideology, it can position itself as an active participant in new regional integration projects.

President Ilham Aliyevs speech was not just a diplomatic address but a strategic blueprint for the post-war period. Azerbaijan has made its position clear: the country is committed to peace, but this peace must be grounded in legal principles and aligned with reality.

While the signing of a peace agreement could serve as a historic milestone, its successful implementation will depend on building trust, fostering step-by-step economic cooperation, and securing mutual political will. If Armenia responds constructively to these calls, the South Caucasus can look forward to an integrated, stable, and predictable future. Otherwise, Armenia risks repeating the mistakes of its past, remaining on the sidelines of regional development. A peace treaty between Baku and Yerevan could open new opportunities not just for the two countries, but for the entire region. In this scenario, the Zangezur Corridor could become a key part of the 21st-century Silk Road; Armenia could gain access to vital trade routes, including the Persian Gulf, the Mediterranean, and the Caspian Sea; the influence of military blocs could diminish, while economic collaboration would take center stage; and new mechanisms, such as the South Caucasus Security Council or the Infrastructure Commission, could emerge. In essence, peace would not be an end, but a new beginning, and Azerbaijan is prepared for this phase.

President Aliyevs remarks at the "Facing the New World Order" forum were not only a political statement reflecting the countrys stance but also a clear warning. The South Caucasus has become a battleground for competing geopolitical projects, ranging from the European "Eastern Partnership" initiative to informal anti-Russian and anti-Turkish alliances. Efforts to "divide" the region are a glaring example of geopolitical double standards, where the sovereignty of one state is treated as negotiable, while that of another is viewed as sacred and inviolable. These attempts manifest in various forms: the forceful promotion of "peace initiatives" that ignore the reality of the 2020 war and the return of territories, military support for Armenia by countries that had previously positioned themselves as "neutral mediators," and the establishment of alternative platforms that exclude Baku (such as French-Armenian alliances and initiatives for "international control" on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border).

As President Ilham Aliyev emphasized, Azerbaijan maintains a clear and principled stance on regional processes. "Though, there are some in Europe, which would prefer to separate Azerbaijan not only from this process but also to build the dividing lines in the Caucasus, particularly in the Southern Caucasus. But these attempts will definitely not succeed," the head of state declared.

This statement serves as a diplomatic response to efforts aimed at politically fragmenting the region. The forum at ADA University is not merely a diplomatic event; it represents a new model of regional leadership. Azerbaijan is unafraid to host discussions on global issues within its own borders, welcoming both allies and critics alike. This openness signals the country's growing self-confidence. Through these forums, Baku is fostering political and intellectual connections with cities like Budapest, Tbilisi, Astana, Brussels, and Beijing. The influence of intellectual elites in shaping political decisions is on the rise, and these forums not only communicate state policy but help define its contours. In this sense, the forum is a clear example of "soft power" projectionpower that is realized through ideas, dialogue, and narratives.

Historically, the South Caucasus was often seen as a peripheral region, serving the interests of larger geopolitical powers. However, under Azerbaijans independent and pragmatic approach, the country is now emerging as a "gathering point" for new routes, alliances, and formats. Baku is cultivating strategic partnerships with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, creating an eastern axis on the new energy and transport map of Eurasia. By activating its territorial advantages, Azerbaijan is enhancing its role as a catalyst in the emerging multipolar world system. Furthermore, Azerbaijan's connections with the European Union through Romania and Hungary are not founded on one-sided support, but on mutual interests. In this way, Azerbaijan is dismantling the traditional "center-periphery" model in favor of a more dynamic and flexible network model, defined by a multi-vector, pragmatic approach.

The forum consistently underscored Azerbaijan's pivotal role in the evolving logistics and energy landscape of Eurasiaa role reinforced by the facts. In 2023, Azerbaijan exported over 8 billion cubic meters of gas to the European Union. Nearly 70 percent of the Trans-Caspian multimodal route transits through Azerbaijani territory. The country has invested billions of dollars in infrastructure, including the Alat port, railways, and digital corridors. These investments firmly position Baku as a guarantor of energy stability, a role that has become especially significant amid Europes ongoing energy crisis and its reduced reliance on Russian gas. Azerbaijan has moved beyond being a mere exporter of raw materials to becoming a key manager of regional logistics.

The "Facing the New World Order" forum also highlighted a shifting global reality: the idea of a universal order is no longer viable. Countries are now seeking their own models, striving to establish their unique security and development frameworks. In this evolving context, Azerbaijan stands out as one of the few nations proposing a regional order. This model is built on principles of sovereignty, economic interdependence, historical memory, legal legitimacy, and domestic securitynot imposed from outside. Azerbaijans approach is a systemic response to both the instability within the "global West" and the imperialistic interventions of larger powers. The country advocates for "peace between small and medium-sized states," reinforcing the strength and stability of regional architecture.

Azerbaijan will not remain a passive player in the corridors of history.

The South Caucasus is no longer the periphery of great powers, but the frontline of modernization.

True peace can only be built on reality, not on illusion.

Azerbaijan has evolved from merely participating in global processes to becoming a key architect of a new era in Eurasia.

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Curbing harmful medicines

Fake and substandard drugs are rife globally, but in Africa, a harmonised oversight body could decrease the vast number of deaths, including deaths of children.

One in 10 medical products circulating in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is substandard or fake, with the majority in Sub-Saharan Africa being antibacterial and antimalarial drugs.

The unchecked spread of these products threatens lives and undermines healthcare systems already struggling with access and quality.

Even if the drugs are not laced with poison, they may contain actual antibiotics or antivirals, but at a lower dose. This increases the catastrophic threat of antimicrobial-resistant infections that antibiotics wont be able to treat effectively.

We reported a 10.5% failure rate on medicine samples in LMICs. Whats more, about US$38.5 million is spent on substandard antimalarials in sub-Saharan Africa. Deaths resulting from fake products are preventable, says Hiiti Sillo, Unit Head of Regulation and Safety at the World Health Organization (WHO).

Mature health regulatory authorities are, however, increasing in number, potentially saving hundreds of thousands of lives as well as wasted health resources.

Patients often receive substandard medical products in settings with insufficient technical capacity and resources to uphold quality standards in the manufacturing, distribution, and supply processes. Consequently, falsified medicines are more prevalent in environments with weak regulatory systems and poor governance. A significant number of incidents reported to the WHO originate from countries facing limited access to medical supplies.

In 2018, Tanzania was the only country in Africa to achieve Maturity Level 3 (ML3) for health product regulation, a significant benchmark set by WHO. By 2024, that number had risen to eight countries, reflecting significant progress in strengthening regulatory systems across the continent.

Few countries worldwide achieve Maturity Level 3, but the growing number of African nations reaching this milestone shows what is possible for others to follow.

Achieving ML3 status indicates that a countrys national regulatory authority is stable, well-functioning, integrated and capable of ensuring the safety and quality of medicines, vaccines, blood products, and medical devices. Tanzania, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Senegal, South Africa, Nigeria, Rwanda, and Egypt are the eight African countries which have reached this level of recognition.

The WHO evaluates regulatory systems on a scale from 1 to 4. While ML3 denotes a robust and effective system, Maturity Level 4 represents a continued commitment to excellence and innovation. Several African nations are already advancing towards this highest tier.

African health regulators are building stronger systems to be more self-reliant.

Ten of the continents national health products regulators executives gathered at the inaugural annual forum, held at Wits Business School in March 2025, to participate in a training programme intended to strengthen their leadership capacities.

The inaugural training, the African Regulatory Leadership Programme (ARLP), galvanises regulators to safeguard medicines in their own countries and contributes in strengthening a regional regulatory system to facilitate trade and economic opportunities across Africa.

Wits RHI, the Health Regulatory Science Platform (HRSP), and Supporting Health Initiatives (all three are divisions of the Wits Health Consortium), in collaboration with the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, established the first ARLP training.

ARLP was a recommendation of the Future of Health and Economic Resilience Commission in Africa led by the Hon. Muhammad Pate and Dr Awa Marie Coll Seck, inspired by the Harvard Ministerial Leadership Programme. The training had notable faculty from across the world, with Professor Helen Rees, Wits RHI Executive Director, and Professor Rifat Atun, the Director of the Health System Innovation Lab at Harvard University, serving as Co-Chairs of the ARLP Steering Committee.

The CEO of the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA), Dr Boitumelo Semete-Makokotlela, said that the training brought together a range of different agencies across Africa, which all share similar issues of leadership and navigating change.

The elders of health products regulatory systems were all there, and this was what we needed. We have focused a lot on technical capabilities in the past, but we needed to strengthen our leadership to manage the particulars of our national and regional health contexts, said Semete-Makokotlela.

We need to be more self-reliant in healthcare. We already have strong regulatory frameworks in place  now its about leveraging them to enhance health product security, said Precious Matsoso, Director of Wits Universitys Health Regulatory Science Platform. Matsoso is also the former Director General of the South African National Department of Health and current co-chair of the WHO Intergovernmental Negotiating Body.

Expert regulatory professionals and other oversight resources for medical products in Africa remain scarce. However, harmonising efforts, much like the European Medicines Agency has done, are underway on the continent with the establishment of the African Medicines Agency.
Photo: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 10. Rafael Gvaladze has been awarded the Order For Service to the Motherland of the 1st degree for many years of fruitful activity in the judicial bodies of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Trend reports.

President Ilham Aliyev signed the relevant decree in this regard.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 10. The appeal of the Western Azerbaijan Community has been distributed as an official document of the UN General Assembly, Trend reports via the community's statement.

The statement recalled the online holding of an international conference themed "Refugees and Women" on March 1, 2025, at the initiative of the Western Azerbaijan Community's Women's Council.

"The purpose of the conference, organized on the eve of March 8International Women's Daywas to draw the attention of the international community to the violations of the rights of women in Western Azerbaijan, who became victims of ethnic cleansing and were deprived of the opportunity to return to their homes. An appeal to the international community was adopted on behalf of the conference participants.

This appeal was distributed as an official document of the UN General Assembly and Security Council. Distribution as an official document at the level of the highest UN bodies plays an important role in raising international awareness of the issue of Western Azerbaijan.

The Western Azerbaijan Community continues to make efforts to promote the right to return and highlight related humanitarian issues," the statement reads.

To note, the Western Azerbaijan Community is the legal successor of the organization established as the Azerbaijan Refugee Society on December 28, 1989. The Western Azerbaijan Community is engaged in safeguarding the rights of Azerbaijanis who were forcibly displaced from Armenia. The community has endorsed the "Concept of Return," which aims to facilitate the peaceful, safe, and dignified repatriation of Azerbaijanis displaced from present-day Armenia.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 10. Azerbaijan has been raising concerns for years regarding the pollution of the Araz River by Armenia, but the issue has largely gone unnoticed by the international community, said Amin Mammadov, co-founder of the "Environmental Protection First" NGO Coalition, Trend reports.

Speaking at a briefing held today on the impact of Armenias illegal mining activities on Azerbaijans rivers and the ecology of the South Caucasus, Mammadov pointed out that health organizations in Iran have reported a higher risk of gastrointestinal diseases in areas near the Araz River compared to other regions.

"This is a result of Armenias pollution of the Araz River. Pollution has also been reported in transboundary rivers in the Karabakh region, particularly in the Okchuchay River. The situation has improved somewhat since the Second Karabakh War, but there are still ongoing issues," he added.

Mammadov further emphasized that Armenia has created conditions for foreign investors to engage in these activities.

"Local NGOs in Armenia have protested these actions, but some media outlets have faced pressure for exposing the truth, making it difficult for them to share detailed information.

As a civil society, we urge Armenia to establish the necessary conditions for international monitoring," he concluded.

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President Donald Trump speaks during a Cabinet meeting at the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, as Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth listen. [AP Photo]

The International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) calls on students, youth and the working class to mobilize in opposition to the Trump administrations escalating campaign of terror targeting international students across the country.

In recent weeks, at least 500 international students have had their US visas revoked as part of an intensifying crackdown by the Trump administration on foreign students and universities, according to NAFSA, an international education organization. NAFSA compiled reports from across the country and called the scale of revocations unprecedented and uncharted territory.

Inside Higher Ed has separately documented at least 432 revocations as of April 9. The true number is unknown, and is likely in the thousands. Inside Higher Ed also reports that ICE has deleted hundreds of international students records from the SEVIS database, without notice or explanation. This is an attempt to erase legal documentation and facilitate deportations without due process.

Specific cases include:

University of Michigan: 22 students and graduates had their visas or legal residency revoked; one left the country following advice from school officials.

Wayne State University: Four students records were deleted.

Minnesota State University: Five visa revocations.

University of California, California State University systems, and Stanford: At least 83 students affected.

Texas A&M: 15 students visas were revoked, and another two at the University of Texas Austin.

University of Florida: One student detained by ICE for driving with expired documentation and sent to a detention center.

Tufts University: A second student was detained before the university even received notice of a visa status change.

North Carolina State University: Two Saudi students left the US after their legal status was terminated.

University North Carolina-Chapel Hill: Six students visas were revoked.

These actions are being carried out without due process, creating widespread confusion and fear on campuses across the country. Many of the visa cancellations have occurred under the AI-driven Catch and Revoke program, which monitors students political activity online and flags them for deportation.

Some students are being deported for minor violations long since adjudicated. Others have no violations at all. Many revocations are being justified under a 1990 clause in the Immigration and Nationality Act, previously used only 15 times out of 11.7 million visa cases. It allows the Secretary of State to revoke a visa if the student presents potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences.

Translated into plain English, this means the student might oppose the US governments imperialist wars. Washington is carrying out a massive military buildup across the Middle East as it prepares for war against Iran, which Trump has threatened to bomb. The US is also engaged in a proxy war against Yemen and is aiding the Israeli regime in its ongoing genocide in Gaza.

Those explicitly targeted for opposing the Gaza genocide include Columbia graduate student and permanent resident Mahmoud Khalil, who was abducted more than a month ago; Tufts graduate Rumeysa Ozturk, seized by masked agents for writing an op-ed criticizing Israel; and Cornell PhD student Momodou Taal, who has been forced to flee the country after challenging Trumps unconstitutional executive orders.

Student newspapers at Tufts, Columbia, Stanford and other schools are also reporting a surge in requests from student journalists for anonymity, and even retroactive removal of bylines, out of fear their political writings will be used as a pretext for arrest and deportation.

The scope and character of this repression are without precedent in modern American history. The only historical parallels are the actions of Nazi Germany and the CIA-backed military dictatorships of postwar Latin America. And it is not limited to the United States. Similar authoritarian measures are being carried out by other imperialist powers: Germany is moving to deport four pro-Palestinian activists, and the UK revoked a student visa last year on similar political grounds. In Australia, the government has moved to reduce student visas by 80,000.

This is unfolding amid a fascistic offensive against immigrants and refugees. The far-right Supreme Court has now greenlighted Trumps use of the Alien Enemies Act to carry out mass deportationsestablishing a precedent, as one dissenting justice warned, that could be used against American citizens.

This campaign will not be limited to international students. It will be expanded to all students, and to the entire working class, unless it is stopped. Trumps press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Tuesday that Trump is serious about deporting American citizens, with Trump himself boasting that he would be honored to deport US citizens to prisons in El Salvador.

The Democratic Party is fully complicit in the assault on international students and the broader campaign of political repression. The persecution of students began under the Biden administration, which slandered opposition to Israels genocide in Gaza as anti-Semiticused to justify the police repression of protests and now deportation.

University administrators, closely tied to the Democratic Party, have enforced this witch-hunt on campuses. They have done nothing to protect immigrant students and have responded to Trumps moves to cut off federal funding by agreeing to measures that severely restrict free speech on campus.

The same Democratic Party helped launch the international campaign against student anti-war activists with its support for the imprisonment of Ukrainian socialist Bogdan Syrotiuk, who has now been held for nearly a year by the Zelensky regime. Bogdans only crime was to speak out against the US-NATO proxy war in Ukraine.

Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, have maintained a cowardly silence in the face of the attack on international students. They support the imperialist war drive and the apparatus of repression needed to enforce it at home. Ocasio-Cortez has championed Jared Golden, a CIA Democrat and warmonger, as the future of the Democratic Party, and funneled over $160,000 into the campaigns of CIA operatives and pro-war Democrats.

Sanders has openly praised Trumps anti-immigrant policies, saying Trump did right by cracking down on immigration. He has backed virtually every imperialist war over the past three decades, including the bombing of Yugoslavia, the invasion of Afghanistan, the war in Iraq, the drone assassination program under Obama, the war in Syria and the current war in Ukraine.

Sanders has also aligned himself with UAW President Shawn Fain, who has enthusiastically embraced Trumps trade war policies and called for converting auto plants to war production. Fain and the entire UAW apparatus have refused to defend their own membersincluding Khalil, who was part of the SWC-UAW at Columbia, and other UAW graduate student workers now targeted for deportation. The same is true of the United Electrical Workers, of which Taal was a member. The union bureaucracy, no less than the Democratic Party, is pro-war and functions as a critical mechanism for suppressing opposition within the working class and youth.

Democratic rights cannot be defended by appealing to the Democratic Partya party of Wall Street, war and political reaction. The various pseudo-left organizations that orbit the Democrats are laying political traps for students and workers, seeking to channel opposition back into the very forces responsible for the crisis.

The International Youth and Students for Social Equality calls on students, youth and the working class to mobilize to stop the deportations of international students. Those imprisoned by the ICE gestapo must be freed immediately.

The April 5 protests, involving millions across the US and around the world, revealed the mass opposition to the Trump administration that is developing internationally. But this opposition must now be armed with a clear political perspective.

The IYSSE calls for the broadest possible resistance to this assault on democratic rights. But this fight cannot be waged on the campuses alone. It requires the political mobilization of the working classthe vast majority of the populationas an independent force, against both capitalist parties, and on the basis of a socialist program.

The turn of the capitalist oligarchy to dictatorship is inseparable from its war on the working class, expressed in the slashing of social programs, the mass firing of federal workers, the elimination of basic regulatory protections, and the escalation of war and repression to enforce the interests of the financial elite.

This is a struggle between socialism and barbarism. Trump is not an aberration but the expression of a capitalist system in terminal crisis, one that sees no way out except through mass repression, social counterrevolution and world war. His administration is filled with billionaires like Elon Muskrepresentatives of a ruling class whose ignorance, arrogance and hatred of the working class are the true face of American capitalism.

If the symptoms of this diseasethe destruction of democratic rights, social inequality, environmental collapse, pandemics and imperialist warare to be stopped, the disease itself must be eradicated. That disease is capitalism.

We call on all students and young people to join the IYSSE, the student and youth movement of the Socialist Equality Party, to take up the fight to build a socialist and internationalist movement of the working class in the US and around the world.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem speaks to employees at the Department of Homeland Security, Jan. 28, 2025, in Washington. [AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta]

In an attack on the free speech rights of the entire working class in the US and internationally, on Wednesday the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that as part of its visa application process it would begin screening and logging social media accounts and flagging what it deemed antisemitic activity. Those found advocating for Palestinian equality, accountability for US-backed Israeli war crimes, or an end to the Zionist state are at risk of being denied entry to the US.

The press release stated that US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will begin considering aliens antisemitic activity on social media and the physical harassment of Jewish individuals as grounds for denying immigration benefit requests.

In line with the previous administration of Democrat Joe Biden, which falsely conflated opposition to the genocide in Gaza with hatred of Jewish people, Trumps DHS is using the same lie to stifle the democratic rights of not only immigrants but lawful permanent residents as well. The press release notes that this policy will immediately affect aliens applying for lawful permanent resident status, foreign students and aliens affiliated with educational institutions linked to antisemitic activity.

Paving the way to not only deport but to imprison and possibly assassinate alleged terrorist sympathizers, the DHS wrote that it will:

enforce all relevant immigration laws to the maximum degree, to protect the homeland from extremists and terrorist aliens, including those who support antisemitic terrorism, violent antisemitic ideologies and antisemitic terrorist organizations such as Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Hezbollah, or Ansar Allah, aka: the Houthis.

Underscoring the anti-democratic character of the policy, DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin wrote:

Sec. Noem has made it clear that anyone who thinks they can come to America and hide behind the First Amendment to advocate for anti-Semitic violence and terrorismthink again. You are not welcome here.

The agency said it will:

consider social media content that indicates an alien endorsing, espousing, promoting, or supporting antisemitic terrorism, antisemitic terrorist organizations, or other antisemitic activity as a negative factor in any USCIS discretionary analysis when adjudicating immigration benefit requests.

While people who evince support for organizations and groups that are currently engaged in armed resistance against US imperialism and the genocide in Gaza have been targeted, no neo-Nazi or right-wing organizations that actually practice and promote antisemitism were listed.

This latest attack on democratic rights was met by the Democratic Party with the same indifference it has displayed during the first three months of the Trump administration. As of this writing, not a single leading Democrat, including Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York) and Rashida Tlaib (Michigan) or Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders has issued a statement condemning the policy.

The latest policy follows the ongoing kidnapping and detention of international students, who have spoken out against the genocide in Gaza, such as Columbias Mahmoud Khalil and Tufts Universitys Rumeysa Ozturk, both of whom remain imprisoned in immigration detention centers for their pro-Palestinian thought crimes.

On Monday, US District Judge William K. Sessions III denied a request by Ozturks lawyers to have her released, citing questions over jurisdiction. After Ozturk was kidnapped outside her apartment in Somerville, Massachusetts, on March 25, immigration Gestapo whisked her over 1,300 miles away to Louisiana, without her inhaler. Ozturks lawyers have claimed in court filings that their client has suffered at least three asthma attacks since being abducted.

Far from standing up for students democratic rights, universities have bent over backwards to accommodate Trumps dictatorial scheme to transform the major colleges into bastions of fascist thought and propaganda. This prostration has not prevented the Trump administration from vindictively withholding federal funding.

On Tuesday, the Trump administration confirmed it had frozen more than $1 billion in funding for Cornell and $790 million for Northwestern. Both schools are among more than 60 currently facing civil rights investigations by the Department of Education over alleged antisemitismthat is, anti-genocide protests that were not sufficiently suppressed.

Revealing the close connections between many universities and the US war machine, Cornell confirmed that it received 75 stop-work orders in connection with grants from the Department of Defense. The universitys statement noted that the grants funded research that is profoundly significant to American defense, cybersecurity and health.

The blocking of funds to Northwestern comes less than two weeks after the Big Ten university released a report on its efforts to block students from organizing and supporting anti-genocide protests on campus. The report noted that the university had updated its demonstration policy to prohibit overnight demonstrations and to discipline students for refusing to remove or adjust a mask or face covering if requested to do so by an authorized University official for identification purposes.

The university also announced mandatory antisemitism training for students, faculty and staff, which uses the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism. The IHRA definition equates opposition to Zionism and Israel with antisemitism and deems it antisemitic to compare any of the innumerable crimes of Israel to those of the Nazis.

Additionally, Northwestern announced ominously that it had hired:

additional police who, together with our existing officers, are empowered by the state to arrest people who trespass or otherwise violate the law. We also have enhanced our private security force and our relationships with outside law enforcement agencies.

These and many other capitulations to the Trump administration did not prevent the university from having its funding frozen. Similarly, on Wednesday Science reported that the Trump administration was killing $400 million in federal grants to Columbia University. Last month, even after it capitulated to Trumps demands and expelled or suspended dozens of students, the university saw $250 million in biomedical research grants blocked by Trump.

Emboldened by the complicity of the Democrats and universities in their deportation operations and attacks on democratic rights, Trump administration officials are openly flouting court orders and due process. Axios reported that during an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) event on Wednesday, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem told agents that the more than 200 people sent to a maximum security El Salvadoran gulag without a trial should stay there for the rest of their lives.

Speaking to the outlet, Trumps Border czar Tom Homan said:

Ive talked to the highest level at ICE and theyve reassured me several times: Everyone that was removed under the Alien Enemies Act was a gang member and a terrorist.

A CBS 60 Minutes report that aired this past Sunday found that 75 percent, or 179 of the 238 Venezuelan men kidnapped and currently imprisoned in El Salvador, had no criminal record. Among those currently imprisoned is Andry Hernandez Romero, a 31-year-old makeup artist and gay man. According to his lawyer, Lindsay Toczylowski, Romero loves theater, has never been affiliated with a gang and legally applied for asylum in the United States last year.
Warning strike in the public sector and at BVG, Berlin, February 21, 2025

Dear fellow transit workers,

The arbitration result at BVG is an outrageous sham. It hardly differs from the employers last offer, which we rejected by an overwhelming majority. It is now important to immediately initiate the agreed all-out strike in order to enforce our justified demands.

Last weeks strike ballot was not a manoeuvre as part of the negotiation poker game. It was a democratic vote in which the overwhelming majority of union members, 95.4 percent, voted in favour of an indefinite all-out strike to enforce the original demand of a 750 monthly pay rise. This democratic decision by the members is binding and must now be enforced.

But to do so, it is necessary to break through the bureaucratic dictatorship of the Verdi union, which is doing everything in its power to prevent a strike and force us to accept the employers offer.

We, the Transport Workers Action Committee, are calling for the formation of a strike committee made up of rank-and-file workers who want to conduct a serious fight.

The arbitration result is not a compromise but corresponds almost entirely to the employers demands. After consulting its members, Verdi had originally demanded 750 more for a 12-month contract. In contrast, the employers side had offered an increase worth only half, 375 euros, and over 24 months. The arbitrators decision now provides for an increase of 215 over one year (430 over two years), which is only 27.50 more per month compared to the employers offer! A family of five would not even be able to pay for BVG tickets for a local trip to Wannsee! The arbitrators would not even meet in the middle of the employers offer and our demands, but simply accepted what the employer proposed.

The situation is similar for bonuses. Verdi had demanded a 200 shift allowance; the employers had offered 130. The arbitrators recommended 130. The arbitrators also accepted the employers proposal of 225 for the alternating shift bonus compared to Verdis demand of 300. The same applies to the Christmas bonus, where Verdi had originally demanded a full months salary, but the employer only wanted to increase it by 200. There was only a small change of 30 in the driving allowance compared to the employers offer, but at 255 it remains far below our demand of 300.

In view of these appalling figures, which represent a further reduction in real wages, Verdi has no right to suppress the all-out strike we agreed. Verdi negotiator Jeremy Arndts agreement to the arbitration result must not be accepted. His claim that nothing more can be achieved only makes it clear that he and his cronies in the negotiating committee are not prepared to fight for the original demand.

On the contrary! Arndt is deputy chairman of the BVG supervisory board and has close contacts with company management and the parties that control the Berlin Senate (state executive). He has struck agreements with politicians at the highest level and with the Verdi national leadership that an indefinite all-out strike should be prevented at all costs.

The fundamental question now is: who decides? A few highly paid Verdi bureaucrats who also collect royalties on the Supervisory Board and support the policies of the governing parties? Or the many thousands of us who work hard every day to prevent the collapse of the transport system, despite unbearable working conditions and miserable wages?

Verdi has been forcing one bad contract after another down our throats for years and the losses in real wages are continuing in the face of rapid price increases. Now, it is time to draw a line in the sand. Our original demand is the lower limit to stop the loss of real wages and must be implemented.

Everyone is talking about a new era, and so are we!

When Arndt claims that the BVG cannot afford any more, he is only emphasising how much of a lackey he is to management, the Berlin Senate and the federal government. All government parties have just adopted the largest military-industrial armaments programme, to the tune of over a trillion euros. There is enough money, but the question is: for whom?

Under no circumstances are we prepared to continue accepting cuts in real wages and worsening working conditions in order to finance the governments policies of rearmament and war.

In order to break through the straitjacket of the Verdi apparatus and enforce the all-out strike we agreed, it is necessary to understand the political dimensions of our wages struggle.

BVG management, the Berlin Senate and the federal government want to set an example. Every effort is being made to prevent us from organising an indefinite all-out strike and achieving our justified demands. They dont want the coalition negotiations between the Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) and Social Democrats (SPD) to form the next federal government to take place under the pressure of our strike.

A look at the contracts agreed in the public sector and at Deutsche Post makes clear what Verdi also has in mind for us. Verdi approved a miserable cut in real wages for the 170,000 postal workers. With a contract term of 24 months, the first three months of this year will see a pay freeze, followed by a 2 percent increase from April 2025 and a further 3 percent from April 2026. Although a clear majority of 54 percent voted against it, Verdi signed the agreement, nevertheless.

Arndt & Co. want to repeat exactly the same thing with us. They want to keep us voting on the same nasty agreement until the required 25 percent of eligible Verdi members vote in favour.

That is why it is necessary to break through Verdis control and enforce an indefinite strike now, after the successful ballot. In order to achieve this, the establishment of the Transport Workers Action Committee is of the utmost importance. We wrote in the BVG staff council election campaign in November:

We are standing in these elections to build new structures of struggle that will enable us workers to intervene directly in workplace disputes. Our aim is to develop the great strength and power we have as workers. We want to strengthen the self-confidence that we are the ones who keep the city and the country moving. We are not supplicants and beggars, we have rights! And we know that a joint struggle of all transport workers would paralyse the capital in a very short time and receive great support from the population.

The organisation of the Transport Workers Union is the first important step towards preparing an indefinite strike to enforce our demands.

Stop the Verdi sell-out!

Enforce the full strike that has already been decided!

Get in touch with the Transport Workers Action Committee!

Come to the online meeting of the action committee on Thursday, 10 April at 19:00. We want to discuss together with colleagues from Deutsche Post and the public sector. Like us, they are confronted with Verdis strike sabotage. We will talk about how we can coordinate our resistance and prepare joint action.

Send a WhatsApp message to +49 1748402566 to get in touch and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
BVG workers strike rally in Berlin, March 26, 2025

The United Services Union (Verdi) is in the process of selling out the contract struggles of millions of employees in the postal service, public service and Berlin Transport Company (BVG), thereby enforcing massive wage cuts to finance the insane war policy of the German government.

We will no longer accept this, and call for a joint online meeting of the action committees at the post office, in public services and at the BVG:

On Thursday, April 10 at 7 p.m., we will discuss with all interested colleagues how Verdi and the employers can be stopped in their assault on wages and working conditions. We will discuss how we can fight together in all three spheres to ensure that our wages are enough to live on and cover rising costs, while also ensuring our work does not ruin our health.

We, the employees of the postal service, public service and BVG, have taken part in massive warning strikes, demonstrating that we are ready to fight for higher wages and better working conditions. In the BVG, as many as 95.4 percent voted in favour of an unlimited strike in a ballot. But everywhere Verdi is sabotaging the willingness to fightalways proceeding according to the same pattern.

We have the potential to paralyze the entire country. If parcels and letters are not delivered, garbage remains uncollected, buses and trains do not run and daycare centers remain closed, this has far-reaching effects on everyday life throughout society. Verdi, however, does not organize strikes in order to use the mobilization of the workforce to put pressure on employers. For Verdi the strikes are merely a vent for workers to let off steam. In doing so, the union apparatus is careful to ensure that the various professional groups never go on strike together. Every section of workers, every action is neatly separated by profession and location. As a result of this division and isolation, the existing militancy fizzles out.

In the contract bargaining rounds, the union leaders then sit down with the employers and plan how they can enforce the austerity dictates that were already in place before the negotiations began and how they can prevent an all-out strike. Verdi has developed the same approach in all three contract bargaining areaspostal service, public service and BVG.

The contract negotiations are purposefully organised to break down, in order to then go into arbitration. In some cases, Verdi agreed on such a procedure with the employers years ago to prevent all-out strikes.

The Verdi contract commissions then recommend acceptance of the arbitration results, all of which are aimed at reducing wages while failing to make any improvement to working conditions. After they have prevented, sabotaged and stalled any real struggle, the union bosses then brazenly claim that the best possible result has been achieved and that more was not possible.

Afterwards, a vote is held among Verdi members on the arbitrators decision. In this context, the Verdi leadership argues that rejecting the arbitrators recommendation would mean voting for an indefinite strike. However, according to the Verdi statutes, at least 75 percent of votes cast are required for an indefinite all-out strike. If this 75 percent majority is not achieved, then the arbitrators recommendation is deemed to have been accepted.

At the post office, the majority of Verdi members (54 percent) spoke out against the miserable outcome of their dispute following arbitration. However, Verdi ignored this majority and accepted the arbitrators decision. The extended term of the contract of 24 months accepted by Verdi is intended to prevent strikes in the long term. Shortly afterwards, the post office management announced it would cut 8,000 jobs.

This scenario is now to be implemented in the public sector and at the BVG. According to Verdi, the votes of only 25 percent of voting members, a fraction of the workforce, are needed to enforce the scandalous recommendation of the arbitrators Roland Koch (CDU) and Hans-Henning Luhr (SPD) in the public sector and Matthias Platzeck (SPD) and Bodo Ramelow (Left Party) at the BVG. To make sure that this happens, Verdi is trying to make it as difficult as possible for workers to vote. Many postal workers reported to the action committee that they had not had the opportunity to vote against the arbitration result. Colleagues in the public services and at BVG take heed!

Verdis actions in these three contracts make it clear that we employees not only confront the employers, i.e., the federal, state and municipal political parties as well as the managements of the postal service and the BVG. We are also facing the trade union apparatus, in this case Verdi.

This is because the Verdi leadership unreservedly supports the warmongering policy of both the outgoing and incoming federal governments. When Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) proclaimed a new era three years ago by earmarking an initial 100 million for the German army (Bundeswehr), Verdi leader Werneke supported the move, while complaining the sum was not enough.

Now Werneke justifies the latest one-trillion-euro armament package with the words: Europe must be able to defend itself, the Bundeswehr must be operational. Werneke also downplays the role of the special infrastructure fund, as a real opportunity to resolve the investment backlog in our country, although the main aim of this fund is to prepare for war.

The unions support for government policy is not just about corruption and cronyism, although there is no doubt these factors play a role. In June 2023, Business Insider reported that shortly after Wernekes deputy Christine Behle was elected to the top of the union, she gave her husband a permanent position while her ex-husband also received a permanent position at the Verdi headquarters.

The main issue is that Werneke and Behle share the view of those in power that Germany must once again strive to great-power status, not only economically, but also militarily and politically. They are both longstanding SPD members. Nancy Faeser and Karin Welke, who as federal Minister of the Interior and Lord Mayor of Gelsenkirchen, respectively, represent the employers of the federal and municipal governments in the public sector, are both members of the SPD. So here we have long-standing SPD officials sitting around the table hatching their attacks on workers.

Faeser is also a member of the SPD delegation conducting the current coalition negotiations with the CDU, while Verdi is sitting at the table in the person of SPD chairperson Saskia Esken. Esken is a member of Verdi, and the SPD leader Lars Klingbeil, who is leading the coalition negotiations, used to be one; he is now a member of the IGBCE union.

Verdi and the SPD are working hand in hand to provide an additional 1 trillion for rearmament and the development of a ready for war infrastructure, while refusing to make a single additional cent available for adequate wages and salaries.

To defend jobs, wages and rights, workers must organize independently of the unions and unite internationally. That is why we have founded the action committees, which are controlled by the rank and file and are responsible only to them. We reject all concessions on wages and social achievements and defend every job on principle.

For us at the post office, in public service and the BVG, this means:

Reject Verdis maneuvers to prevent indefinite strikes and enforce the austerity measures through arbitration!

Prepare an indefinite strike to fight for sufficient wage and salary increases, to secure jobs and working conditions!

Take part in our online meeting on Thursday, April 10, at 7 p.m.!

Contact us via Whatsapp message to +49 163 3378340 or register here using the form below and join our online meeting on Thursday, April 10 at 7 p.m.
After the punitive tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump came into force on Wednesday morning, the European Union (EU) responded with countermeasures of its own. However, these are relatively modest.

While the US imposed import duties of 20 percent on almost all goods from the EU (the previously imposed tariffs of 25 percent on cars, steel and aluminum remain in force), the EU is only imposing tariffs of between 10 and 25 percent on selected goods worth 21 billion. This is less than the 26 billion of steel and aluminum imports to the US from Europe subject to tariffs.

Moreover, the tariffs will only come into force gradually: Around a fifth from mid-April, another portion from mid-May and the levies on almonds and soybeans only at the beginning of December. The list of affected goods, which primarily targets regions with a high proportion of Trump voters, was already drawn up in response to the steel and aluminum tariffs.

Unlike China, which responded to horrendous US tariffs of 104 percent with counter-tariffs of 84 percent, Brussels is holding out for an agreement with Washington. The EU Commission emphasized: These countermeasures can be suspended at any time if the US agrees to a fair and balanced negotiation outcome. It went on the say that the EU clearly prefers to find a balanced and mutually beneficial negotiated solution with the US.

There are also hopes thatas the German daily FAZ put itthe power of facts will put Trump in his place, that the rise in consumer prices in the US and the negative consequences of the tariffs for American companies and financial institutions will persuade Trump to back down. The exchange of blows between the head of Trumps trade policy Peter Navarro and Tesla boss Elon Musk, who traded bitter insults, was followed with great interest in Europe. However, the hopes associated with this could prove to be misplaced.

The consequences of an escalating trade war between the US and the European Union would be devastating. There are no two other regions of the world that are so closely intertwined economically. Together, they account for almost 30 percent of global trade in goods and services and 43 percent of global economic output (GDP).

In 2024, the EU and the US exchanged goods worth 865 billion and services worth 746 billion. Some 26 percent of EU goods exports went to the US, while 13.7 percent of imported goods came from the US. The EU achieved a surplus of 157 billion in trade in goods (which Trump used to justify the punitive tariffs), while the reverse is true for services: the US had a surplus of 109 billion.

However, there are also voices in Europe pushing for a tougher stance against the US. Germany and France in particular also want to take action against American service companies.

Germany is particularly hard hit by the US tariffs. It exported goods worth 161 billion to the US in 2024. The German pharmaceutical industry and car manufacturer Porsche each delivered around a quarter of their production to the US. Aircraft construction, manufacturers of specialty goods such as medical equipment, shipbuilders, who build cruise ships for the US, and the automotive industry in particular are also heavily affected by the tariffs.

While some carmakers, such as Porsche and Audi, only sell models produced in Europe in the US, others, such as Volkswagen, BMW and Mercedes, have plants in the US, but also import from Europe and Mexico and therefore remain dependent on international suppliers. Audi has already responded to the punitive tariffs with an export ban and for the time being only intends to sell cars in the US that are already stockpiled locally.

Outgoing German Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) proposed on Monday to use the Anti-Coercion Instrument against Trumps punitive tariffs, which is considered a bazooka in the EUs trade arsenal. Introduced in late 2023, the Anti-Coercion Instrument allows for a wide range of countermeasures that go far beyond tariffs. American tech companies such as Alphabet, Meta, Apple, Microsoft and Amazon, which generate billions in sales in Europe, could be restricted in their activities and subject to additional duties. This would set off an escalation spiral with devastating economic consequences.

On Wednesday afternoon, Trump suspended for 90 days the increased tariffs for 75 countries that had shown a willingness to negotiate and left them at a standard tariff of 10 percent. At the same time, he announced a further increase in tariffs on imports from China to 125 percent with immediate effect. However, even if the conflict between the US and the EU does not escalate further, Europe will be directly affected by the trade war between the US and China. The European stock markets have reacted with heavy fluctuations and losses.

The EU is facing a dilemma. If it supports China against Trumps tariffs, there is a risk of an escalation of the conflict with the US and the final break-up of NATO, on which it relies in the war against Russia. If it stands with the US against China, it risks losing its most important trading partner alongside the US. In 2024, the EU exported goods worth 213 billion to China and imported goods worth 518 billion.

The EU is therefore trying to defuse the conflict. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen spoke to Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang on the phone on Tuesday and called on him to prevent further escalation. In view of the widespread disruption caused by the US tariffs, Europe and China, as the worlds two largest markets, have a responsibility to ensure a free and fair trading system, said von der Leyen. But she was unsuccessful. China was not prepared to bow to US pressure and increased its counter-tariffs from 34 to 84 percent a day later.

Even if Trump imposes tariffs on friend and foe, China is the real target of his offensive, as the latest turn of events shows. Even the conservative FAZ understands this. With his tariff war, Trump is exacerbating the major global conflict that will shape the 21st century, it says in a commentary by Nikolas Busse. China, and not Russia, is the main problem from the United States perspective. Trump has imposed his tariffs on the whole world, but his military plans are primarily aimed at China. In this he is no different from his predecessors.

Germany and the EU are reacting to the USs aggressive approach by rearming in order to participate independently in the violent imperialist redivision of the world. The price is being paid by the working class and young people on both sides of the Atlantic in the form of mass redundancies, social cuts, state repression and their use as cannon fodder in future wars.

Parties that once called themselves left or reformist are playing a key role in this. In Germany, on the same day that Trumps punitive tariffs came into force, the Social Democrats concluded a coalition agreement with the conservative Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union that centers on the most comprehensive rearmament since Hitler, the expansion of the repressive state apparatus, the adoption of the fascist Alternative for Germanys refugee policy and job cuts.

In the US, the trade unions are among the most ardent supporters of Trumps punitive tariffs. In Germany, they are responsible for lowering real wages and organizing mass layoffs in the car industry.

The working class must not allow itself to be dragged into this maelstrom of nationalism and reaction. The working class is the only social force that can oppose it by uniting internationally and fighting for the overthrow of capitalism and the construction of a socialist society.
The Papua New Guinea (PNG) government recently admitted that police successfully tested placing a block on social media platforms, targeting Facebook in particular, for much of March 24.

PNG Police Minister Peter Tsiamalili [Photo: Facebook/Peter Tsiamalili Jr.]

Police Minister Peter Tsiamalili said the test was carried out under the framework of the Counter-Terrorism Act 2024, supposedly to address growing concerns over hate speech, misinformation and other harmful content online.

Tsiamalili did not specify what kind of technology was used. He claimed it was conducted in collaboration with the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC), the National Information and Communications Technology Authority (NICTA) and internet service providers.

We are not attempting to suppress free speech or restrict our citizens from expressing their viewpoints, Tsiamalili declared. However, the unchecked proliferation of fake news, hate speech, pornography, child exploitation, and incitement to violence on platforms such as Facebook is unacceptable.

Amid escalating social turmoil and anti-government opposition internationally, measures restricting access to digital media are being imposed by many governments to suppress basic democratic rights. PNGs neighbour and former colonial ruler Australia has enacted anti-democratic hate speech laws and is imposing stringent social media restrictions on under 16 year-olds.

The wider Pacific region is a social tinderbox. A seven-months-long uprising by alienated Kanak youth in New Caledonia last year resulted in a brutal French police-military crackdown, 14 deaths and 2.2 billion in damage. Led by Australia, Pacific governments, including PNG, in December established a multi-national Pacific Policing Initiative, aimed to both push back against Chinas influence and to act as a rapid deployment force to intervene against civil unrest.

PNG, the largest island nation in the Southwest Pacific with a population of 10.7 million, has a mountainous geography coupled with poor infrastructure which makes internet usage critical for many people. A total of 3.74 million cellular mobile connections were active in 2023, equivalent to about 36 percent of the population. Facebook accounts for 61.5 percent of all social media use.

Government agencies responsible for communications, including NICTA, said they were not made aware of the police activity. Public confidence in our digital governance relies on transparency and consistency in how we approach online regulation, NICTA chief executive Kilakupa Gulo-Vui told the media.

Department of Information Communication and Technology Secretary Steven Matainaho also stated his department was not aware of the test, but pointed out that the police have powers under new domestic terrorism laws.

The Counter-Terrorism Act, ostensibly intended to curb tribal violence in conflict-torn areas of the isolated highlands, passed through parliament last November with unanimous support. Prime Minister James Marape boasted that the legislation, which created a raft of new provisions, penalties and funding to boost police, was a monumental, milestone law.

Michael Kabuni, a postgraduate student at the Australian National University and former lecturer at the University of PNG, told Benar News that the Facebook shutdown had exposed the fundamental flaws in the Act, namely its unconstitutional overreach, its threat to civil liberties, and its potential for abuse under the guise of national security.

Kabuni noted that the police commissioner had justified the test by referring to Section 16 of the Act, but this does not provide for shutting down any form of media. It only allows police to access information to aid investigations. No one could point to a specific provision of the Act that enabled the shutdown apart from loose references to the law, Kabuni concluded.

The draconian Counter-Terrorism Act gives the government broad powers to monitor and restrict digital communications, including the ability to surveil online activity without judicial oversight. It also allows law enforcement to check vehicles or premises without warrants, and grants the attorney-general and police commissioner powers to authorise surveillance based on reasonable suspicion.

Kabuni noted that beyond the infringement on personal freedoms, the Act institutionalizes state surveillance on an unprecedented scale in PNG. It permits arrests and detention without a warrant based solely on suspicion of terrorism-related activities. Terrorism is defined broadly to encompass acts intended to advance political, religious, or ideological causes, he said.

In February, Police Commissioner David Manning bluntly threatened social media users allegedly spreading false information that they would be held accountable. Manning was responding to claims regarding police pay which he said caused disharmony. He warned those who abuse online systems that their days of spreading disinformation were numbered.

The Facebook shutdown was met with widespread outrage. Many users downloaded and shared Virtual Private Network (VPN) apps to continue posting. East Sepik Governor Allan Bird declared: That was just a test, that was step one. There is no limit to the powers the Minister of Police can exercise under [the Counter-Terrorism Act].

Authoritarian measures by the Pangu Pati-led government also involve forthcoming legislation to control the media. Communications Minister Timothy Masiu claims the Media Development Policy will address the ongoing concerns about sensationalism, ethical standards, and the portrayal of violence in the media. He declared: We must be more responsible in how we report and portray the issues that matter most to our country. Its time for Papua New Guineas media to evolve and reflect the values that truly define us.

Transparency International PNG, Media Council of PNG and the Pacific Freedom Forum have all warned the policy will limit journalists ability to report freely and impact the quality of public information. University of the South Pacifics journalism head Shailendra Singh told radio station RNZ Pacific the proposed law could be the thin edge of the wedge of state media control, as in Fiji where similar media laws have had a chilling effect on journalism.

These anti-democratic measures are being advanced following major social unrest. In January 2024, Marape imposed a two-week state of emergency in the capital, Port Moresby, in response to widespread rioting. For 24 hours on January 10, simmering discontent driven by growing living costs erupted into chaos. Buildings and shops were looted and torched, and 22 deaths resulted. Calls for a nationwide strike were also raised.

While troops and armoured vehicles were deployed in the capitals streets to suppress the protests, Masiu threatened to shut down social media sites alleging that users were spreading fake news, misinformation and disinformation.

PNG is one of the worlds most impoverished countries despite its extensive natural resources, which are plundered by transnational energy and mining corporations. The World Bank estimates that almost 40 percent of the population lives in poverty, with only 20.9 percent having access to electricity. Most live without consistent access to clean water. Exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the fragile health system regularly faces collapse, its inadequate working conditions and low pay leading to protests and strikes by nurses and doctors.

A vast gulf separates the poverty-stricken PNG masses from the countrys corrupt and venal ruling elite. Trust in the political establishment has disintegrated following decades of growing inequality, buttressed by authoritarian military-police measures under successive governments.

General widely discredited elections of 2017 and 2022 were mired in bribery and corruption, ballot rigging and the wholesale omission of names from the roll.

Further eruptions of protest and class struggle are inevitable as the economic crisis deepens, driven by the global trade war being stoked by US imperialismincluding 10 percent tariffs imposed by Trump on PNG. The PNG government and opposition agree that the burden of the crisis must be imposed on working people, which will entail deeper attacks on living standards and basic democratic rights.
The entrance of Mount Sinai Beth Israel hospital, April 2025.

The closure of New York Citys Mount Sinai Beth Israel Hospital (MSBIH) in Lower Manhattan still looms nearly a month after a New York appellate court judge issued a temporary stay order blocking the original March 26 closing date. The Trump administrations attacks on public health science have expanded since the ruling, adding to the urgency regarding the facility's looming closure.

If the 696-bed teaching hospital on 16th Street closes, nearby hospitals, Bellevue and New York Presbyterian will struggle to manage additional patients. Both hospitals are suffering from understaffing and high caseloads, initially made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic and worse still by the the reduction of wages and benefits, supported by unions and the Democratic Party.

A transporter who has been employed at MSBIH since 2008 told a WSWS reporting team, Its sad. Ive worked at this hospital for 17 years. The management surprised us; they informed us they would evacuate the patients and close. What happens if someone in the neighborhood has a heart attack? They will die by the time anyone gets them to Bellevue.

Ever since people in the neighborhood learned about the closing, she said, They have come in or talked to us on the street, and some are crying. They ask, Why are you closing? My doctor is here; where will we go? We tell them were sorry; its not our fault; we didnt make the decision. She concluded, Thats my biggest worry about the hospital closingthe neighborhood. Patients come first.

Regarding the unions (1199SEIU) response to the imminent closure, she said, They havent done much. I heard workers go [to the main Mount Sinai where the union reps are located] to ask for help, they dont see the union [reps] much. They are firing people like crazy over there, and the union doesnt do much. They say its about money. They are supposed to back us up and protect us, but they arent doing anything to help us. If the union wont say anything to protect us, how can we say anything?

An area resident, James, who lives two blocks from the facility, told WSWS reporters, It shouldnt close. There is no justification for ever getting rid of emergency room hospital beds. It should remain open.

Regarding the loss of the hospitals psychiatric facility, he said, Wheres the closest psychiatric hospitalBellevuetwentythirty blocks up? But regardless of what the service isyou cant effectively serve the city with fewer beds; that doesnt work. The fewer beds you have, the less you can treat the 10 million people in New York City.

In response to questions about Robert F. Kennedy Juniors attack on the Department of Health and Human Services, James added, Well, the decision to close the facility began before that, but these attacks just sped it up. Now we have to base our entire healthcare off of one guy who decided hes the person who needs to be in charge because his name is Kennedy? Im sorry, but no!

I was born here, stated a former area resident and employee for the New York Board of Education. This is my hospital. Its gonna be the worst! Now the neighborhood will just have Bellevuethats itand Bellevue is crowded!

She exclaimed, Ill fightthis affects us toothis affects everybody. They gotta keep this open so everybody can keep their jobif these people are out of work, whats going to happen? Where are they goinghow are they gonna live? Unemployment doesnt pay enough. This has to stop!

Healthcare workers are under attack nationwide. Everywhere, the unions that claim to represent these workers are led by bureaucrats whose primary concern is the social layer their six-figure salaries put them in.

The extensive campaign to dismantle health services, spearheaded by the would-be dictator Donald Trump and newly installed Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has already taken a toll, evidenced by the firing of 10,000 NHS public health workers, all without even a token resistance from their union. At the same time, as this assault on the working class unfolds, the Democratic Party collaborates.

Healthcare workers determined to fight for better pay and working conditions as well as their democratic rights must form workplace committees, join the International Workers Association of Rank and File Committees (IWA-RFC), to mobilize the working class in defense of public health and against Trumps drive to dictatorship.
Thousands of public hospital doctors walked out on strike this week in New South Wales to demand a 30 percent pay rise, an end to chronic staff shortages, unsafe hours, fatigue and burnout.

Hundreds of doctors from across different specialties and levels of seniority participated in rallies and demonstrations across the state, winning widespread public support.

The following is an edited selection of interviews recorded by World Socialist Web Site reporters with striking doctors, as well as nurses and other health workers who joined the rallies.

Most of the interviews are anonymous because, late last week, doctors were sent bullying letters from the NSW Ministry of Health warning them that they could be reported to medical regulatory bodies for striking. The walkout was also in defiance of an Industrial Relations Commission strike ban.

About 250 doctors and supporters rallied outside John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle.

John Hunter Hospital doctors on strike in Newcastle, April 9, 2025

A junior doctor from palliative care said he had not planned to strike but, after receiving an email from the health department saying strikers could be reported to AHPRA, decided to walk out: That was pretty offensive, and it radicalised me.

My workload involves lots of unstable shift work. There is not really a regular routine when youre junior. You think youre doing one shift, then youre immediately put onto nights and expected to adapt to that. Then they want you to come to work within the next day with very little time to recover. Ive done 12 hours a day, 7 days a week, which is full on.

Referring to government claims that the doctors walkout was unsafe for patients, he said: If this is unsafe then whats the typical day like? Were showing the government just how stretched thin we are and that were willing to stretch ourselves even thinner to make things better for public health, because at the end of the day our interests are to the patients. Striking is the only way we show the message we need to show.

Asked about the worsening public health crisis, he added: Its a lack of funding and a lack of priorities. Theres no way to pretend like there isnt enough money. Everyone seems to have money for a war, but not health.

David, a critical care unit doctor at John Hunter Hospital, said, One of the big reasons Im here is because Im angry with the NSW government and the middle and upper bureaucracy of each individual hospital and the department of health, for consistently undervaluing and disrespecting us and undermining the work that we do in the hospitals.

Weve been called clinical marshmallows by the managers at John Hunter and gaslighted by Chris Minns and the Labor government who say that were causing patient harm by striking.

Our junior doctors are so overworked, with an enormous burden of responsibility on them. Particularly during after-hours and weekend shifts, where theyre left to look after an enormous number of patients on their own, with sometimes very minimal support from more experienced doctors.

They work a lot of overtime hours, and depending on what district you work in, it can be extremely difficult to claim your overtime and get paid for the work youre doing.

A normal day shift for a medical or surgical team is rostered as eight-and-a half-hours, but its very rare for a junior doctor to finish after that time. Theyll stay on [for hours] to make sure they get all their jobs done and patients have what they need. Often those overtime claims are denied and not paid out.

I think understaffing is a big problem regardless of what state youre from and regardless of what part of healthcare youre working in. At my hospital, the nursing and allied health staff are chronically, massively understaffed.

Successive governments just refuse to budge, regardless of whether its a Liberal or Labor government. I think a coordinated strike involving all health workers would be an amazing thing and could have a major impact, David said.

The largest demonstration of doctors this week was on Tuesday morning outside the Ministry of Health in St Leonards. About 800 attended, with doctors coming from the nearby Royal North Shore Hospital and other parts of Sydney.

A section of mass protest outside NSW Ministry of Health in St Leonards, April 8, 2025

A young doctor from Westmead Hospital said the health system had been crumbling for decades and that NSWs low salaries for public hospital doctors were just one indicator of the crisis.

Were living in one of the most expensive cities in Australia, and yet they refuse to discuss a genuine increase in our salaries. I was an intern at one of the Western Sydney hospitals. Like hospitals everywhere, we didnt have enough staff and were doing more and more overtime to fill gaps and other deficiencies in the system.

Doctors, nurses and other health professionals need to have decent rest to give their patients the best possible attention and treatment. This is not possible when working impossibly long shifts, day after day, week after week, month after month.

His friend, also from Westmead said, Were currently in a race to the bottom with constant pushbacks by the government. In the last few days, weve seen more and more vitriol from the Minns government and witnessed the utter contempt it has for the work we do The government thinks it can threaten us with AHPRA, but we are humans and being able to strike is part of our human rights.

Another young doctor explained that where she worked some doctors had to deal with up to 250 patients, over six or seven wards, on night shifts and with no dinner breaks.

We are fed up with this government, the way they are treating us, and how they take advantage of us. Doctors rarely talk about going on strike, let alone actually do it, she said.

When you see the size of this protest and the fact that were going out on strike for three days, then the government needs to understand that were serious and yes, there definitely needs to be united action by all health workers over this situation.

Westmead Hospital doctors on strike, April 9, 2025

Jane (not her real name), a doctor from Blacktown Hospital, joined a protest of about 300 doctors and supporters outside Westmead Hospital.

Our hours are very long because we are understaffed. We hardly get any sick leave. In fact, I had none in my first three months here, yet we are working at a hospital where often everyone gets sick, she said.

In my section, two of us cover 28 patients, which means were not providing the best care for the patients.

Ive seen articles saying that doctors on average make $220,000. I dont know what doctors they are talking about! With all the studying, all the hours and the peoples lives that depend on what I do, the extra pay shouldnt be an issue. But its not really about the money. If we had better conditions, then fine, but we are losing both.

We have forced overtime. If I leave, saying I am done for the day, the team has extra work. I would never not be there for the others. Its out of the question to say no to overtime because you would be dumping your work on someone else and we barely get breaks. I can count on one hand since I started how many times that weve had a 15-minute break.

Asked about unified action by all health and other public sector workers, Jane said: I agree. If we all strike together, it would have a greater impact. Im not too sure why that doesnt happen, but I think wed get better answers to our questions.

Jane said the email threatening legal action was a scare tactic and would have the biggest impact on international doctors because they have to think about their visas.

Terri (not her real name) is an administrator at Westmead Hospital. She decided to join the rally outside the hospital, saying, Im giving the doctors my 110 percent support. They work under atrocious conditions with long hours, high ratios of patients to doctors and the stress of not being supported by the higher-ups in the hospital. And for the junior doctors, there is added responsibility without proper teaching from more senior doctors because they are not available.

The pay and conditions are just not good enough. We put our lives in their hands and that responsibility is massive. They need a pay rise and need to be recognised for the work they do.

We need a unified fight. We are all one. Look at the psychiatristswe all know how bad mental health is in NSW. Sometimes there is a six-month wait to see a psychiatrist, which can be too late for some. The nurses, doctors and psychiatrists all should be acting together.

Responding to the $368 billion made available for nuclear submarines, Jane said, I have no words for that. Its disgusting. Look at the people here. They are here because they believe in what they do. And they put in the hours because they believe in what they do. I hope they are successful. I hope that workers do unify and beat the government.

Doctors protesting outside Nepean Hospital, near Penrith in Sydney. April 9, 2025

Isabella, an enrolled nurse who has worked at Nepean Hospital in Sydneys west for just over 12 months, joined the doctors protest outside that hospital.

Im here to back up the doctors who work so hard for very little money. Theyre working three, four, five hours past their finishing times most days just to get the work done and its not right, she said.

Were all getting burnt outdoctors and nurses, and allied healthand were not getting paid [properly] and not getting the time off, especially those of us that are trying to do further studies and work at the same time. Were trying to further the public health system and were getting penalised for it.

Asked her opinion about unified action by all public sector health workers, Isabella said: Why not back each other up? Theres strength in numbers. The nursing union is starting to slowly back down, but if we teamed up with all the doctors, nurses, allied health and midwives, imagine how much more of an impact wed make. Why wouldnt we try to create a bigger impact that will get them to listen to us? The government is not listening to us any other way.

We need something that unites all of us, because were all going through the same struggles. The unions dont seem to see that theres a common denominator here, and thats the lack of resources in public health and even the private system. Were all facing the same struggles, and the government doesnt want to hear it, she said.

Authorised by Cheryl Crisp for the Socialist Equality Party, Level 1/457-459 Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills, NSW, 2010, Australia.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 10. First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, has sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Trend reports.

Dear Ilham Heydar oglu,

I sincerely congratulate you on the occasion of the blessed Eid al-Fitr.

May acts of kindness and prayers made during the month of Ramadan be accepted. May this holiday bring abundance to every family. May our Great Maker illuminate our souls with the spirit of faith, grant our countries peace, and our peoples solidarity.

Dear Ilham Heydar oglu, on the occasion of this holiday that promotes high values, I wish you robust health and happiness, and the brotherly people of Azerbaijan peace and prosperity.
Protest of striking postal workers

The new collective agreement at the German parcel delivery company, Deutsche Post DHL, has angered and disappointed letter and parcel carriers and many other postal workers. The collective agreement is not just bad: we struck for more. But it also goes hand in hand with 8,000 job cuts, said Silke, a postal worker from the German state of Hesse. Thousands of job cuts at the postal and parcel service! That is unacceptable.

Silke belongs to the over 54 percent of postal union (Verdi) members who opposed the new collective agreement in a survey conducted in March. Despite majority opposition, the Verdi leadership accepted the deal. This was despite the fact that just two days after the new agreement was announced, it became known that Deutsche Post DHL plans to cut 8,000 jobs in the postal and parcel service.

The Postal Action Committee invites you to an online meeting this Thursday, April 10, at 7 p.m. German time to discuss the next steps in the fight against job cuts, wage theft and work stress together with public service employees and Berlin public transit workers, the BVG. We emphasize: The jobs and conditions of employees are more important than the profit interests of a narrow and privileged upper class! Get in touch by sending a WhatsApp message to the mobile number +49 163-3378 340 or register using the form at the end of this article.

The Postal Action Committee proposes to set up committees in all sorting centers, outposts and post offices. These must be independent of the union bureaucrats and must prepare an indefinite full strike. This must be done together with employees in the public sector and in Berlins public transport system, who are in the same situation as we postal workers.

More than 25,000 readers so far have accessed our WSWS article from April 2,  DHL Deutsche Post: Verdi overrides member opposition, accepts real wage cuts and job losses for German postal workers. Many postal workers from delivery, sorting centers and the general postal service have since contacted the Action Committee.

Your article has really made the rounds in our mail center, reported Silke, who works in the mail center on the night shift. There are already too few of us before these job cuts. She had assumed that her colleagues who had perhaps previously worked at the company would be brought back, but not that even more people would be forced out! Her demand: The most important thing now is to stop the job cuts.

Bernd, a delivery driver from the state of Saarland, also cited the threat of job cuts as the reason why he voted no to the proposed contract. During Corona, the Post made huge profits, says Bernd, who has been working in the profession for more than 30 years. But now all it takes is a small drop in profits and they immediately start cutting staff. Bernd said he was considering leaving Verdi, which is why he contacted the Action Committee.

Many postal workers said they wanted to quit Verdi. Member for 25 yearsnow Im out! wrote Ingo on Facebook. Verdi is just a junk pile, grumbled an older civil servant who drove for the union and reached out to us from the Bergisch region. He received the WSWS article from his wife, also a postal worker. His opinion: The deal they made is a joke. He referred to the works council responsible for him with words that are not appropriate to publish, but this much is clear: he does not have a high opinion of it.

The job cuts are a clear example of how the needs and interests of the employees are diametrically opposed to those of the shareholders, the Board of Directors and Verdis top management. Verdi board member Andrea Kocsis has been working in a trusting relationship (as it says in the annual report) with the Management Board for 18 years and received a princely 364,000 euro in 2024 in compensation for her services.

CEO Tobias Meyer, who, like HR Director Thomas Ogilvie, moved to DHL Post from investment consultant McKinsey, initially justified the job cuts citing the 7.2 percent decline in operating profit (EBIT) to 5.9 billion euro last year and a decrease in letter mail. He then cited the cost of the new wage agreement360 million euroas a pretext for the cuts while at the same time promising a dividend of 2.1 billion euro for shareholders!

Anyone who makes decisions like that should have to do our job, said Tanja, a parcel deliverer in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate. It may be that letter volumes are declining, but parcels have certainly increased. And we poor bastards often have to lug 25 kg parcels up to the third or fourth floor.

In her opinion, It is not enough for the government to lower the maximum weight to 20 kg, as has now been announced. As long as the mountains of parcels continue to grow and our delivery area continues to expand, we urgently need more staff. But who will work this job if it is not better paid? Several young colleagues of hers only kept the job for a short time: As soon as they find something better, theyre gone again.

At the Post its all about profit. And if youre poor, you stay poor, said A. Klein, also a mail carrier from the state of Rhineland-Palatinate. Just look at what a measly pension we end up with! She reports that her colleagues are resigning from Verdi by the dozen.

Many thousands of Germanys 170,000 letter, parcel and postal workers took part in warning strikes in recent months. However, the Verdi leadership agreed behind closed doors to a two-year contract that provides for a zero pay rise for the first three months of this year and a two percent raise starting in April, which amounts to a cut in real wages. A further three percent raise is scheduled for a year from now. Of the three additional vacation days demanded, only one will be granted. Only those who have been with the company for 16 years will receive a second additional vacation day.

In this way, the harsh, poorly paid conditions at the German Post are set in stone and exacerbated by the job cuts. In order to force this through despite anger among postal workers and to paralyze their resistance, the service union Verdi carried out the manoeuvre of a members survey, which it subsequently treated as a ballot. Many postal workers, however, were never asked at all.

Bernd reported: Several of my colleagues complained that they werent asked at all and werent able to vote. This was also confirmed by the Post-associated driver from the Bergisch region. There was no vote held at his company at all.

He supports the initiative for action committees in the companies, he said. At Post AG, its all about saving, saving, saving. We drive around here with old cars and old bicycles. The latter are now finally being scrapped and new ones are gradually being purchased, he said. This is long overdue. The Group treats its younger colleagues extremely badly. They dont dare to treat us older ones that way, and rightly so! says the experienced postal worker. He himself only has a few more years until he retires. But the young people will have to work here even longer. A lot has to change here.

The policy of wage theft and job cuts, which Verdi is helping to organize, is directly linked to the insane rearmament plans of the incoming German government, a coalition of conservatives (CDU/CSU) and social democrats (SPD), which wants to incur up to one trillion euro in debt for this purpose. Their policy will cost tens of billions of euro every year for interest and repayments alone, which will then be squeezed out of the working class. This is the background to the miserable wage agreements of recent days and weeks. The trade union leadership is an accomplice and the executive organ of the government.

On the unions homepage, Verdi chairman Frank Werneke described the so-called special infrastructure fund of 500 billion euro, which serves to prepare society for war, as a real opportunity, and supports the rearmament of the Bundeswehr (the German military).

The Verdi boss describes the discussions about higher defense spending in Germany and Europe as understandable. Europe must be able to defend itself, the Bundeswehr must be operational. Werneke had already committed to keeping wage settlements low as part of the Concerted Action 2022 agreement, in cooperation with companies and the government. A year later, he ensured that the service union supported German rearmament at the last Verdi congress.

Several Verdi members expressed horror and concern that the union leadership was actively supporting Germanys rearming for war. Silke from Hesse said: People I know are now very worried, either because they themselves have someone in the Bundeswehr or because they fear that their sons could be drafted.

Bernd, the postman from Saarland, is also critical of German war policy, although he doesnt want to speak out against the Bundeswehr. But he is strictly against the delivery of the Taurus missile system to Ukraine. Then well be openly at war with Russia, he said. I am absolutely against that; it would be a disaster.

The goals of the Verdi leadership are based on the goals of the Board of Management, the shareholders and the government. They are aimed at making the global DHL Post Group lean and efficient and are intended to save one billion euro per year. As CEO Meyer said: Dividend continuity and shareholder returns are a high priority for us.

Our priority as the Post Action Committee is focused on very different goals: For us, the lives, health and working conditions of employees and their families are more important than the profits of shareholders and the super-rich. In the fight for these goals, we do not see allies among the highly paid trade union bureaucrats, still less in the captains of industry and government politicians. Our allies are our colleagues in other workplaces, industries, countries and around the world.

Recently, a Canadian postal worker wrote to us, whose union last winter sold out a four-week strike demanding job security and wage increases at Canada Post. He wrote: The unions have given up on the working class so completely that they consider us all imbeciles who will believe any lie that they dish out! He went on to write:

We postal workers deliver mail, parcels and admail every single day, and we postal workers are discovering our social power. If we break from the nationalism and corporatism of the unions, we have a real opportunity to organize with other sections of workers and lead an international working class revolt against capitalist exploitation and war, and spearhead the fight for better jobs and living conditions in Canada, United States, Mexico, Germany and beyond.

Join the online meeting of Action Committees on Thursday, April 10, at 7 p.m., send a Whatsapp message to +49 163-3378 340 or register using the form below this article!
US Air Force MQ-9 Reaper Drone [Photo: USAF, Tech Sgt. Jim Bentley]

Six former and active US officials cited by NBC News Tuesday confirmed that the Trump administration is considering drone strikes in Mexico, ostensibly against the drug cartels.

According to the report, unilateral covert action, without Mexicos consent, has not been ruled out and could be an option of last resort.

While NBC News reported that discussions are still in the early stages, the officials cited indicate that a list of potential targets is being developed. Moreover, the government has already been shifting military, intelligence and law enforcement resources toward combating the cartels.

Threats of drone strikes are part of an increasingly aggressive exercise of gunboat diplomacy to subordinate Mexico and the wider region to colonial status.

Several leading Republicans have called for military action since the last presidential campaign, while Trump reportedly brought up the idea of bombing Mexico as early as 2020, according to his then-defense secretary, Mark Esper.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has made repeated threats of military operations and deployed a Stryker Brigade combat team to the border.

Trumps appointed ambassador to Mexico, Ronald Johnson, testified during his Senate confirmation hearing that he did not rule out military strikes without Mexicos knowledge. A former Green Beret and top CIA official, Johnson led counterinsurgency operations during the 1980s in collaboration with the fascist military dictatorship in El Salvador, which oversaw countless massacres of civilians.

At the time of the hearing, CNN and the New York Times exposed previously unreported CIA surveillance flights with MQ-9 Reaper drones over Mexico.

Trump has used his administrations designation of the cartels as foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs) and anti-Fentanyl rhetoric to claim that the United States is facing a deadly invasion that, in turn, justifies a state of emergency along the border, a suspension of constitutional protections like free speech and due process under the Alien Enemies Act and other measures to establish a fascistic dictatorship.

On Tuesday, the assistant defense secretary for special operations, Colby Jenkins, testified before a Senate Committee that Trumps FTO designation helps us unlock the doors for a broader approach to combating the drug trade, but it does not automatically give the US military authority to take direct action against the cartels.

Nonetheless, Jenkins noted that now the military can provide options and be ready if Trump needs more done to protect the border, according to AP.

Gen. Gregory Guillot, head of the US Northern Command overseeing operations across North America, told senators that the Pentagon has increased manned surveillance flights along the border and will request congressional authority to conduct more advise-and-assist types of operations with the Mexican special forces.

The Mexican government of President Claudia Sheinbaum issued a formal response to the report: We reject any form of intervention or interference. Thats been very clear, Mexico coordinates and collaborates, but does not subordinate itself. There is no interference, nor will there be.

A former senior Drug Enforcement Administration official under the Biden Administration said to NBC News that Politics aside, Trump is not f around with this stuff and that he believed Mexico would cave in due to fear. The tacit meaning was clearly fear of direct conflict between both militaries.

Sheinbaum responded to the previously unreported news of CIA surveillance flights declaring that her predecessors had agreed to these flights and that she had agreed to expand them.

Partly also to avoid tariffs, her administration then signed a military collaboration deal with the Pentagon, deployed 10,000 Mexican troops to the northern border against migrants and cartels and extradited 29 suspected cartel leaders bypassing constitutional restrictions.

Trump has made clear his administrations neo-colonial aims toward Mexico through actions that are comparable to the measures taken by Hitler toward Austria and the Sudetenland in preparation for world war.

His administration is already bombing Yemen almost daily, arming and assisting the daily airstrikes in the US-Israeli genocide in Gaza, and preparing for military confrontations with Iran and, above all, China.

Washington has also begun a trade war against the world, imposed devastating sanctions on Venezuela, claiming it is responsible for the invasion of gangs into the United States, and threatened to seize Greenland and the Panama Canal and turn Canada into its 51st state.

Leading Democratic Party officials have expressed few and scattered criticisms of Trumps Mexico policy, including a statement by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries over the destabilizing effects of unilateral military action. However, it was the Biden administration that set the stage for the current escalation of tensions, through repeated provocations, denouncing inaction against drug cartels, carrying out unauthorized police operations in Mexican territory and seeking to influence the Mexican presidential elections.

A commentary on Al Jazeera on March 7 by two academics, Alfonso Gonzales Toribio and Murrell Brooks, sums up the historical calculations of US imperialism, which are shared by both parties:

The deployment of troops and the escalating rhetoric are creating the conditions for a US military incursion into Mexico. If one does take place, it would fit neatly into the long history of US aggression against its southern neighbour and Latin America as a whole, which began 200 years ago with the so-called Monroe Doctrine... The US president really wants to use the military buildup at the border to intimidate the Mexican president and to curb the influence of China in Mexico.

Following the Monroe Doctrine, which claimed that the Americas were for America, the United States launched a war on Mexico in 1846. General Winfield Scott landed at Veracruz, captured key cities and marched into Mexico City, resulting in a land grab of half of Mexicos territory.

During the Mexican Revolution, the US government provided key backing to its preferred factions of the Mexican ruling class, finally invading Veracruz to block weapons from April to November 1914 and threatening to take Mexico City again. In 1917, a US military expedition into Mexico failed to capture the radical peasant revolutionary Pancho Villa.

Today, the Sheinbaum administration represents a layer of Mexican billionaires and multimillionaires tied hand and foot to Wall Street and US imperialism and cannot be relied upon to oppose the immediate and existential threat of Trumps drive to establish firm US military control over the Americas.

Instead, the working class must urgently act upon the main lesson from history on how to oppose imperialist oppression: Leon Trotskys theory of permanent revolution. This Marxist theory, which animated the Russian Revolution of 1917, established that, in colonial and semi-colonial countries, the bourgeoisie is incapable of carrying out the tasks of the democratic revolution, which includes centrally the fight against imperialist oppression. This struggle can be waged only by the working class in a fight to take power as part of an international socialist movement in vigorous opposition to all sections of the capitalist ruling class.

As Trotsky wrote on China in the 1930s:

But everything that brings the oppressed and exploited masses of the toilers to their feet inevitably pushes the national bourgeoisie into an open bloc with the imperialists. The class struggle between the bourgeoisie and the masses of workers and peasants is not weakened, but, on the contrary, is sharpened by imperialist oppression, to the point of bloody civil war at every serious conflict. The Chinese bourgeoisie always has a solid rearguard behind it in imperialism, which will always help it with money, goods and shells against the workers and peasants.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks following a Cabinet meeting, in Ankara, Turkey, Monday, May 23, 2022. [AP Photo/Turkish Presidency via AP Photo]

Turkey and the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan emerged as a major topic during US President Donald Trumps meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Monday.

The meeting came after the risk of direct armed confrontation between Turkey and Israel reached a new dimension, with the recent Israeli attacks on military installations and air bases in Syria. Trumps willingness to mediate between these two Middle East allies in the meeting with Netanyahu underlined the reality of the risk of conflict.

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the ongoing US-Israeli ethnic cleansing in Gaza. However, the genocide against the Palestinians is an integral part of the preparations for a wider war against Iran and its allies, and Turkey is playing an important role in these plans. The Trump administration does not want Turkey and Israel to confront each other, but to help the US in its aggression against Iran.

Trump warned that unless Iran accepts his terms, there will be bombing  the likes of which they have never seen before and has launched near-daily airstrikes on Yemen since last month.

The tensions between the Erdogan and Netanyahu regimes stem from the growing regional rivalry between the two countries, which has been deepened by the US-led imperialist war of to redivide the Middle East.

While Erdogan has rhetorically criticised the Netanyahu regimes genocidal war against the Palestinians and expressed support for Hamas, he has never stopped fueling Israels war machine. The flow of oil from Azerbaijan, which remains a major oil supplier and ally of Tel Aviv, passes through Turkey to Israel. Turkey is home to numerous US-NATO bases, while the Kurecik radar base in the east of the country is said to provide the US and Israel with intelligence against Iran and its allies.

Thats why, speaking to Britains the Telegraph, an Iranian government official warned last week: When the time comes, it wont matter whether youre an American, British, or Turkish soldieryou will be targeted if your base is used by Americans.

At the joint press conference, Netanyahu said: We also discussed the situation in Syria. We have had neighborly relations with Turkey that have deteriorated, and we dont want to see Syria being used by anyone, including Turkey, as a base for attack in Israel. He added: Turkey is a country that has a great relationship with the United States. The President has a relationship with the leader of Turkey. We discussed how we can avoid this conflict in a variety of ways.

Trump said: I happen to like him [Erdogan], and he likes me and I know the press will get very angry  and weve never had a problem  Hes a tough guy. Hes very smart  He has done what nobodys been able to do in two thousand years. He has taken over Syria. (This stupid remark only underscores Trumps ignorance, since Syria was part of the Ottoman Empire, i.e., Turkey, from 1516 to 1918, and was previously ruled from Baghdad and Cairo. It only became an independent state in the 20th century.)

Trump also turned to Netanyahu, saying: Any problem that you have with Turkey, I think I can solve. I mean, as long as youre reasonable.

While Israel slaughters civilians in Gaza, including women, children and the elderly, attacks clearly identified aid workers and journalists, and uses starvation as an instrument of war, the US continues to arm and finance Israel to continue such reasonable actions. Trump himself has openly declared his support for the ethnic cleansing of Gaza and his desire to take over the territory.

The same critical questions were raised at the Senate hearing on April 1 of Tom Barrack, the nominee for US ambassador to Turkey. Like Trumps statements, Barracks answers reveal that Washington sees Turkey as a critical ally in its plans for full sovereignty in the Middle East, including preparations for war against Iran.

Barrack is a billionaire crony of Trumps, founder of several private equity firms specializing in real estate and property development, with extensive interests in the Middle East, mainly in the Persian Gulf sheikdoms. He has done numerous business deals with the Trump family, and at one point, as a creditor owed $70 million by Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner, helped him to avoid bankruptcy after a phone call from Trump.

While Barrack called Turkey a valued NATO partner at the strategic crossroads of Europe, Asia and the Middle East in his opening remarks, senators from both parties criticised Ankara for its military presence in Syria, its ongoing relationship with Hamas, its attitude towards the Israeli government and its purchase of the Russian S-400 air defence system.

On these issues of tension between the US and Turkish governments, Barrack refrained from directly criticising the Erdogan government. However, he emphasised that cooperation between the two countries would depend on Turkeys alignment with US strategic priorities.

Barrack said Turkey has made positive contributions to NATO, including military bases in Incirlik and Izmir, providing UCAVs to Ukraine, and mediating the Black Sea grain corridor deal with Russia. On the other hand, he acknowledged the existence of tensions between NATO and Turkey and stressed the need for a firm and structured process in US-Turkey relations. He warned diplomatic efforts must focus on consistent messaging and the elimination of interferences over time.

Florida Senator Rick Scott asked Barrack if it was possible to bring Turkey back into alignment as a great NATO ally. Barrack replied in the affirmative, likening himself to a small hammer committed to chipping away at obstacles.

The main focus of the hearing was on how Turkey can align itself more closely with the interests of US imperialism in the Middle East. Turkey is an important partner in President Trumps maximum pressure campaign to counter Iranian influence in the Middle East, Barrack said, and added: What we all agree on is that the ouster of the Assad regime in Syria provides an opportunity for Israel, for America, for Turkey to get rid of the Shia crescent and to eliminate ISIS. But the scale of the problems we face is enormous.

The problems, which Barrack describes as enormous, are mainly how to reconcile the growing rivalry between the Israeli and Turkish ruling classes in the wake of the ongoing genocide in Gaza and the regime change in Syria within the framework of US regional interests.

In the hearing, Senator Ted Cruz, a Republican from the state of Texas, condemned Turkeys support for International Criminal Court (ICC) actions against Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Following this, Barrack advised Erdogan: Dont get on a collision course with President Trump. That would not be a wise direction.

Democratic Senator Jacky Rosen of Nevada demanded that Turkey stop offering sanctuary to Hamas and improve relations with Israel.

If the US fails to fully align Turkey with its goals in the Middle East, the interests of American imperialism, not Trumps fond feelings for Erdogan, will be decisive. Trump imposed significant sanctions on Turkey during his first term. In 2019, he responded to Russias delivery of S-400 systems to Ankara by excluding Turkey from the production process of F-35 fighter jets.

In 2018, Trump doubled US tariffs on Turkish steel and aluminum, to 50 percent and 20 percent, respectively, a move that shook the Turkish economy. At the time, the pretext for the tariffs was the detention of evangelical American preacher Andrew Brunson. In the face of the sanctions, the Erdogan government was forced to release Brunson within a few months.

In fact, during his joint press conference with Netanyahu, Trump referred to this incident while talking about his ability to solve problems between Turkey and Israel. As you remember, we got our minister back from Turkey. You remember that? And this was a big deal at the time and we got him back, saying he did not fail to strongarm his friend Erdogan.
Major orchestras in the US and around the world need little excuse to program the symphonic music of Soviet composer Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975). This year, however, which marks the 50th anniversary of his death at the age of 68, will witness more than the usual share of his powerful music, evoking the trials and tragedies of the 20th century.

Dmitri Shostakovich in 1942

One such program was presented by the New York Philharmonic two weeks ago. It featured Shostakovichs Fifth Symphony, considered by mostcritics and listeners aliketo be the greatest of the total of 15 symphonies he composed between 1925 and 1971, a span of almost five decades.

The Philharmonic was led on this occasion by guest conductor Leonard Slatkin. Slatkin, who celebrates his 80th birthday later this year, comes from a noted musical familyhis father was one of the founders of the Hollywood String Quartet, in 1939, and his mother was the cellist in the ensemble. Slatkin is well known from his lengthy tenures with the orchestras in St. Louis (1979-1996) and later in Detroit (2008-2018), but he has also conducted major orchestras around the world.

The program began with two contemporary works: Double Play, for orchestra by Cindy McTee and Triathlon by John Corigliano. Both of these recent works were receiving their New York Philharmonic premieres. They were not without interest, especially the work by Corigliano. The 87-year-old composerwho worked as an assistant to Leonard Bernstein on the televised Young Peoples Concerts in the 1960sis best known for his Symphony No. 1 (1988), a response to the AIDS crisis, as well as his Clarinet Concerto and his opera The Ghosts of Versailles.

The audience was told just before the performance of Triathlon, partly in jest, that it should perhaps be called a concerto for saxophonist, rather than saxophone, since the three movements call for three separate instruments, with consecutive appearances by soprano, alto and baritone saxophone in turn. It was certainly unusual to see the soloist, Timothy McAllister, bring three instruments on stage with him as he prepared to play. The contrasting sounds of these members of the saxophone family were on full display.

The main attraction of the evening was of course the deservedly famed Shostakovich symphony. The story of the genesis of Shostakovichs Fifth is one of the more familiar in the history of classical composition. Shostakovich had become widely known and lauded with the premiere of his First Symphony in 1926, when he was only 19 years old. Over the next decade he continued to compose, including two other symphonies and The Nose, an opera based on the satirical short story by 19th-century Russian novelist Nikolai Gogol.

Shostakovichs opera Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk met at first with general approval when it premiered in 1934. In early 1936, however, Stalin himself came to a performance, and the official Communist Party newspaper Pravda printed a bitterly negative article a few days later, calling the opera muddle instead of music.

Leonard Slatkin conducting the New York Philharmonic (nyphil.org)

The ruling bureaucracy was on the eve of launching the infamous Moscow Trials, and over the next three years virtually the entire leadership of the 1917 October Revolution would be sent to their deaths.

Shostakovich labored under these tragic circumstances to produce a new work that would be true to his musical ideas and language, and at the same time salvage his musical career and perhaps even his life. Out of his fear and inner turmoil came the Symphony No. 5 in D Minor, which premiered in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) on November 21, 1937.

The audience reaction was immediate and emotional, the ovation for the new work lasting for half an hour. The official critics also applauded the composition. The reputation of Shostakovich and his new symphony was such that the work received a radio premiere in New York only a few months later, in a broadcast by the NBC Symphony Orchestra.

The Fifth Symphony is regarded by many not only as Shostakovichs greatest, but also as one of the most powerful and influential works of the last century, and a worthy successor to the 19th-century symphonies of Beethoven, Schumann and other Romantics, as well as the later work of Jean Sibelius and Gustav Mahler.

The Fifth is in the traditional four movements, but the 19th-century form is infused with a 20th-century content. The first movement begins with an immediate theme that has been called Beethovenian. It is sober, majestic and also ominous. This is followed by a subsidiary theme, quieter and more lyrical, and the themes go through various intense and emotional conflicts and transformations. The timpani are prominent in some march-like sections. Here and elsewhere one is struck by the confidence and coherence of Shostakovichs ideas, and also the transparency of the work, the way that unison passages of great power alternate with sometimes delicate solos for flute, oboes as well as the horns and other brasses, the xylophone and others in the percussion section. Horns, trumpets and timpani are prominent, and at several points the piano makes an appearance, somewhat rare in a symphonic work.

The relatively brief second movement has some of the sardonic quality characteristic of many of Shostakovichs scherzos. It is followed by the Largo slow movement, dominated by a quiet and lyrical theme. The calm is interrupted by another dramatic section, with the xylophone again prominent as part of unison passages, before the movement subsides into the peacefulness with which it began.

Wu Tsai Theater, David Geffen Hall (lincolncenter.org)

The famous final movement begins almost without pause, with a stirring and triumphant theme presented by the brass and the timpani. The entire movement has what critic Edward Downes called a volcanic quality. The dynamic range is great, here as elsewhere. The last section of the symphony is inspired and overwhelming, with a brief respite from the fast tempo, an interlude that makes the intense conclusion all the more shattering. The timpani once again is prominent, especially in the outbursts that accompany and punctuate the concluding minute of this work.

The performance of the Shostakovich symphony under Slatkin effectively transmitted its range of emotions, evoking the period in which it was composed. The performance compared well with others that can be found on YouTube, such as those by the Frankfurt Radio Symphony, the Mariinsky Orchestra, and the performance of the New York Philharmonic under Leonard Bernstein in 1959, only weeks after it had returned from a European tour that included a performance in Moscow, when Shostakovich was in attendance and congratulated the American maestro.

The composition and the content of the Shostakovich Fifth cannot be separated from the events of the decade in which it was composed, in the Soviet Union in particular. This was the decade of the Depression, the rise of Nazism, the bloody consolidation of Stalins rule and the emergence of the storm clouds leading to the Second World War. It is therefore remarkable, although not too surprising, that the New York Philharmonic program notes of two weeks agowhile including a separate section entitled At the Time, and listing events of 1937 such as the coronation of King George VI in England, the Hindenburg disaster in New Jersey and the opening of San Franciscos Golden Gate Bridge and New Yorks Lincoln Tunnelmake no mention of the frame-up trials in the USSR.

It is not a matter of looking to the symphony for a political program, for direct connections with the Moscow Trials or other events. What is crucial is the way this music evokes the period, and above all the enormous struggles and sacrifices of the Soviet people. Shostakovich himself observed,

 some of my colleagues called my Fifth Symphony an autobiographical work. On the whole, I consider this a fair appraisal. In my opinion, there are biographical elements in any work of art. Every work should bear the stamp of a living person, its author, and it is poor and tedious work whose creator is invisible.

The Fifth Symphony evokes both hope and despair, and it also looks to the future. In the most profound sense the hopes arise from the Russian Revolution itself, the despair from both Nazism and Stalinism, although this could not be spelled out in an abstract musical work. As Shostakovich also commented,

 its basic ideas are the sufferings of man, and optimism. I wanted to convey optimism asserting itself as a world outlook through a series of tragic conflicts in a great inner, mental struggle.

Readers with an interest in classical music are encouraged to acquaint themselves with all of Shostakovichs symphonies. Among his other best known works are his two violin concertos, his two piano concertos, his magnificent Jazz Suites and film music for The Gadfly (1955 Soviet film), the Festive Overture and his voluminous chamber music, especially the piano quintet and the two piano trios, not to mention the 15 string quartets.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 10. Israel expressed gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev for organizing a meeting between representatives of Tel Aviv and Ankara in Baku, the publication of the Israeli Prime Minister's Press Office on X said, Trend reports.

''Pursuant to a directive from PM Netanyahu, a diplomatic-security delegation, led by National Security Council Dir. Tzachi Hanegbi, and with the participation of senior representatives from the Defense Ministry and the security services, met with a parallel Turkish delegation,'' the publication reads.

Israel thanks Azerbaijan and President Ilham Aliyev for hosting the important talks.

Each side presented its interests in the region. It was agreed to continue on the path of dialogue in order to maintain regional stability.

The representatives of Turkiye and Israel met in Baku. At the meeting, the delegations of Turkiye and Israel discussed the creation of a conflict-free mechanism in Syria.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 10. President of the US Donald Trump has sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Trend reports.

Dear Mr. President,

On behalf of the United States, I wish you and all the people of Azerbaijan a spectacular Nowruz. This is a holiday for peace, prosperity, and renewal for all.

Our countries have a long history of working together, and I look forward to the great things we can accomplish in the years to come. I appreciate Azerbaijan's support and friendship for our partner Israel and applaud the steps you and Armenia are taking to bring peace to the region.

I look forward to working with you as our countries steam forward to successes. The United States remains a steadfast supporter of Azerbaijan's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 10. The United States remains a steadfast supporter of Azerbaijan's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, said US President Donald Trump in a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of the Novruz holiday, Trend reports.

''Our countries have a long history of working together, and I look forward to the great things we can accomplish in the years to come. I appreciate Azerbaijan's support and friendship for our partner Israel and applaud the steps you and Armenia are taking to bring peace to the region.

I look forward to working with you as our countries steam forward to successes. The United States remains a steadfast supporter of Azerbaijan's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity,'' the letter reads.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 10. Azerbaijans Prime Minister Ali Asadov welcomed Moldovas Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development, Vladimir Bolea, who is currently on an official visit to the country, on April 10, Trend reports via the Cabinet of Ministers .

The two leaders expressed satisfaction with the development of friendly and cooperative relations between Azerbaijan and Moldova.

The upcoming 6th meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Moldova, scheduled to be held in Baku, was highlighted as a significant event for expanding mutually beneficial ties between the two countries.

Discussions also covered a broad range of sectors, including trade, investment, energy, transportation, agriculture, and green energy initiatives. Both sides emphasized the potential for further collaboration across these areas.

Majnun Mammadov, Azerbaijans Minister of Agriculture and Co-chair of the Joint Commission, also participated in the meeting, highlighting the importance of agricultural cooperation in the expanding bilateral relationship.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
In a shocking move that stunned the cruise industry last fall, the Mexican government introduced a plan to impose a $42 per-person tax on cruise passengers beginning in 2025 that industry leaders say would make cruising in Mexico 213% more expensive than the average Caribbean port. Cruise passengers were previously exempt from Mexicos tourist fee.



The tax is expected to take effect July 1, but cruise industry leaders have been meeting with Mexican government officials in a concerted effort to stop it.

Related: Royal Caribbean, Carnival cruise CEOs speak out on economic noise

The Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA), which has been leading the talks with Mexico, said that the cruise industry wasnt consulted about the new tax prior to the policys announcement and that the impact on cruise tourism wasnt fully considered.

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If implemented, the new cruise tax would likely result in a reduction in cruise ship calls to Mexican ports that could cancel out the taxs intended economic benefits. More than 10 million passengers are expected to cruise to Mexico in 2025, and even a slight decrease in cruise traffic would result in millions of dollars in lost revenue for local businesses, tours, and services in communities that depend on tourism, according to FCCA.

The cruise industry wants to work together with Mexico to find a balanced solution that supports Mexicos tourism industry and keeps cruising there affordable for cruise passengers.

Carnival Corp. CEO Josh Weinstein has been involved in the discussions with Mexico. He shared an update on the effort to find a path forward that benefits all parties during a state of the industry panel at the Seatrade Cruise Global conference on April 8.

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Carnival Cruise Line sails to multiple ports in Mexico including Cabo San Lucas. Image source: Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival CEO stresses collaboration with Mexican government

Although Weinstein has previously pointed out that it wouldnt be difficult for cruise lines to adjust their itineraries to avoid Mexican ports of call, he emphasized during the recent panel discussion that the industry is focused on collaboration with Mexico.

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Hes optimistic that theyre making progress toward a solution that supports the future of cruise tourism in the popular destination.

The FCCA has been amazing, working incredibly hard, along with the members, along with countless folks in Mexico. I think at this point in time, Id say theres a lot of positivity thats building, Weinstein said, as reported by Cruise Industry News.

Related: Carnival Cruise Lines new ship class wont take key title

Weinstein is hopeful that good news is on the way.

Unfortunately, as of this moment, theres nothing official to report, but I would say, I think that we had an amazing meeting with the governor of Quintana Roo and others, and everything is moving in the right direction for hopefully something thats incredibly collaborative in its approach.

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Mexico cruise tax situation offers a lesson

Weinstein also stressed the importance of proactive collaboration in the future.

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Getting educated mutually and understanding what your needs are, what our needs are  we wouldnt be here if the process had been done differently, he pointed out. Learning from the experience is really important, that we use it and get some benefit out of it.

Keeping communication lines open with cruise destinations is key.

Related: Popular cruise destination to get new downtown cruise port

If there are jurisdictions that have needs, we need to sit down with you before you take action so that we can try to help figure out a path forward that is truly collaborative and can work for everybody. And were getting there now, which is great, Weinstein said.

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He wants to make sure these kinds of discussions happen before any legislation that impacts the cruise industry is introduced in the future.

It would be great if in the future, when these types of things pop up, we can go about it more collaboratively up front.

(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.
Costa Rica, often hailed as one of the most beautiful and diverse countries in the world, is a paradise for travelers seeking lush rainforests, pristine beaches and a peaceful, laid-back lifestyle. With its incredible biodiversity, friendly locals and emphasis on sustainability, Costa Rica offers something for everyone. Whether youre an adventure seeker, a nature lover or someone simply looking for relaxation, this Central American gem definitely delivers. But for LGBTQ+ travelers, theres another important question to ask: is Costa Rica gay friendly?

In todays world, knowing how a destination treats its local and visiting LGBTQ+ community is more important than ever. Not only do travelers want to feel welcome, but they also need to ensure they can enjoy their carefully planned trip without fear of discrimination or social exclusion. Its important to consider how a countrys legal framework and ambiance translates into real-world experiences and perceived safety. This guide will take a deep dive into Costa Ricas LGBTQ+ friendliness, from its culture and legal protections to the most inclusive destinations around the country.

How Does Costa Rica Feel About the LGBTQ+ Community?

(Vinicius Alves/Unsplash)

Costa Rican culture is widely known for its warmth and openness. This is represented in the famous phrase pura vida, which translates to pure life or simple life. This reflects the nations easygoing and optimistic approach to life. The local population is pretty friendly and Costa Ricans take great pride in their hospitality, making the country one of the most popular travel destinations in the world.

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In major cities like San Jose and other popular tourist destinations, the LGBTQ+ community can generally find a welcoming environment. Costa Rica has grown more accepting in recent years, particularly among younger generations, who are increasingly progressive on issues of gender and sexuality. So overall the vibe is welcoming, but there are nuances to that. Just like in many countries, rural areas tend to be more conservative. This means that open displays of affection, such as holding hands or kissing in public, may attract some attention or cause discomfort for LGBTQ+ community members. While this doesnt necessarily mean hostility, its always a good idea to remain aware of your surroundings, especially in less tourist-heavy regions.

Legal and Societal Concerns

Costa Rica has made significant strides in ensuring legal protection for LGBTQ+ individuals; one of the most significant progressions came in May 2020. This is when the country became the first in Central America to legalize same-sex marriage  a milestone that came as a result of a ruling by the Constitutional Court in 2018 that declared the countrys prior ban unconstitutional. The ruling aligned with an advisory opinion from the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, which mandated that signatory countries must recognize and guarantee the rights of same-sex couples.

Beyond marriage equality, Costa Rica has also implemented anti-discrimination laws that protect LGBTQ+ individuals in areas such as employment, housing and public accommodations. This legal framework provides a strong foundation for LGBTQ+ individuals to live and work in Costa Rica without the threat of discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Despite these legal advances, societal attitudes can still be more conservative, particularly in more rural or traditional areas. While Costa Ricas legal protections are strong, its still important for LGBTQ+ travelers to remain sensitive to local customs and cultural norms.

What Areas Of Costa Rica Are Most Gay Friendly?

Areas like San Jose, beach towns like Jaco and Tamarindo and laid-back destinations like Puerto Viejo and Manuel Antonio offer an open, accepting atmosphere. These places are where LGBTQ+ travelers can feel the most comfortable. Ultimately, Costa Rica promises a warm welcome for travelers of all orientations. The countrys tourism industry is well-versed in catering to diverse visitors, and many of the most inclusive areas boast vibrant LGBTQ+ scenes, from nightlife to community spaces. Here is what we know about the top places in Costa Rica that are considered gay friendly:

San Jose

(Cesar Badilla/Unsplash)

As the capital and heart of Costa Rica, San Jose is the most LGBTQ+-friendly destination in the country. The city is home to a variety of LGBTQ+-inclusive bars, clubs and restaurants (particularly in the El Carmen district). San Jose also hosts a vibrant annual Pride parade, which attracts both locals and international visitors. This urban hub offers a wide range of accommodations, and its progressive, cosmopolitan atmosphere makes it an ideal starting point for LGBTQ+ travelers.

Jaco

(Allan Valverde/Unsplash)

Situated on the Pacific coast, Jaco is a popular beach town that is known for its inclusive and laid-back vibe. The town has a welcoming atmosphere with several LGBTQ+-friendly bars, clubs, restaurants and accommodations lining the streets. Jaco is a great place for a fun and relaxed beach vacation. Its open-minded locals ensure that everyone can enjoy the natural beauty and lively nightlife without judgment.

Puerto Viejo

(Angello Pro/Unsplash)

This town is located on the Caribbean coast. Puerto Viejo is a bohemian paradise known for its laid-back, inclusive culture. With its relaxed pace of life and vibrant local arts scene, the area appeals to a diverse group of visitors naturally. Overall, Puerto Viejo has a reputation for being open-minded and friendly, so people from all walks of life can explore the area safely, including LGBTQ+ travelers. This makes it a great place to unwind and enjoy both the natural beauty and the welcoming atmosphere.

Manuel Antonio

(Atanas Malamov/Unsplash)

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Home to one of Costa Ricas most famous national parks, Manuel Antonio is an idyllic beach town that also offers a warm welcome to LGBTQ+ visitors. The towns hotels, tour operators and other places are generally inclusive. So gay couples can feel comfortable exploring the areas stunning beaches and lush rainforests together. Manuel Antonios relaxed vibe and diverse tourist population make it a popular spot for LGBTQ+ travelers.

Tamarindo

(Joseph Pina/Unsplash)

On the Pacific coast, Tamarindo is a trendy beach town that has become a hotspot for LGBTQ+ travelers, known for its beautiful beaches, lively nightlife and relaxed atmosphere. Tamarindo also has several LGBTQ+-friendly bars and clubs, so, if a night out sounds ideal, visitors will not miss out on the fun. Overall, the town has a welcoming vibe and is a popular destination for tourists seeking a mix of outdoor adventure, vibrant nightlife and a more cosmopolitan feel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Costa Rica friendly to foreigners?

Yes, tourists consider Costa Rica to be a very friendly place and foreigners often feel comfortable visiting. Regardless of this overwhelmingly welcoming energy, it is important to respect locals and customs during a trip.

Is Costa Rica expensive?

Due to its well developed tourism industry and healthy economy, Costa Rica is relatively expensive when compared to other Central American countries.







The post Is Costa Rica Gay Friendly? The Weathers Nice  But What About the Political Climate? appeared first on Travel Noire.
Archaeologists from the University of Pennsylvania were investigating Abydos, one of Egypt's most ancient cities, when they found a 3,600-year-old royal tomb.

From its location near the Mount Anubis necropolis and the surviving inscriptions, Egyptologists know the tomb belonged to a little-known royal family, the Abydos pharaohs. The discovery sheds light on a lost dynasty whose very existence scholars have debated.

American and Egyptian archaeologists worked together on the Anubis necropolis to uncover the tomb. Photo: Josef Wegner for the Penn Museum

Who were the Abydos pharaohs?

It's difficult to imagine how long the Ancient Egyptian civilization persisted. In England, there have been seven different ruling dynasties since the Middle Ages. Egypt had roughly 33 dynasties.

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This makes it a little easier to understand how an entire ruling family could slip through the cracks of history. The existence of the Abydos dynasty was first proposed in the 1990s and only confirmed by the discovery of a tomb in 2014. This second tomb provides more evidence.

Egyptologists believe the Abydos pharaohs ruled from 1700 to 1550 BCE. This Second Intermediate Period marked the chaotic transition between the Middle and New Kingdoms, a time of famine, warring dynasties, and rapid regime change.

The last Middle Kingdom dynasty was when the Hyksos people swept into Egypt. They conquered the Nile Delta area known as Lower Egypt, becoming the 15th Dynasty.

Upper Egypt, meanwhile, was split in two. The 16th dynasty ruled Thebes and its surrounding area. The area around Abydos was ruled by, you guessed it, the Abydos Dynasty. The area was fairly small, and the Abydos reign short. They left few monuments behind.

This limestone stele contains the cartouches, or royal seals, of the pharaoh Sekhemre-Khutawy Pantjeny. He is believed to be one of the Abydos rulers, but some scholars place him in the 16th dynasty instead. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Turin King List

The Turin King List, compiled by the famous 19th Dynasty King Ramesses II, only chronicles four Abydos rulers. The list detailed every pharaoh before Ramesses II.

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However, the list was discovered in fragments, with some sections lost, so a degree of guesswork is involved. Pharaoh Senebkay, whose tomb was discovered in 2014, is not one of the four Abydos rulers on the Turin King List.

The new grave belonged to someone who was likely an ancestor of Senebkay, as they were buried in a similar style. Beyond that, Egyptologists can only guess.

Looters stole the grave goods and the mummy and damaged the inscriptions. On either side of the tomb entrance, yellow bands once showed the pharaoh's name and images of the goddesses Isis and Nephthys. You can still make out the sister deities, but the name has vanished.

The Pennsylvania team, led by Josef Wegner, believes the tomb could belong to either Senaiib or Paentjeni. Both have monuments in the area, and researchers have not found either of their tombs.

The burial chamber was built of limestone and vaulted in mud brick. Photo: Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities

More to find

The Abydos tomb is the second royal grave Egyptologists have unearthed this year. The first belonged to Thutmose II, husband of the famous female pharaoh Hatshepsut.

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Wegner and his team will continue excavations near Mount Anubis. More Abydos dynasty and Middle Period kings may be in the necropolis, Wegner believes.

For the Ancient Egyptians, Abydos was the burial place of the god Osiris, ruler of the afterlife. This made it a sacred city and the burial site for many of the earliest pharaohs. The kings buried here are much older than Thutmose II or the famous Tutankhamun, and their lives are much more mysterious. The Mount Anubis excavations may unearth their long-buried history.
Inside Look is a Star series that takes our readers behind the scenes of some of the most well-known and not-so-well-known places and events in Kansas City. Have a suggestion for a future story? Email our journalists at InsideLook@kcstar.com.

If you want to understand Kansas City, you better understand barbecue.

One Kansas City man has made educating the masses on the topic of KCs gift to the culinary world his mission.

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After six years of hard work, Jonathan Benders dream of opening the Museum of BBQ in Kansas City is coming to fruition. Benders passion project is set to open Saturday on the second floor of the Crown Center Shops.

The Museum of BBQ is located on the second floor of the Crown Center Shops. it will open to the public on Saturday, April 12.

Its been six years in the making, so the idea that the day is almost here, when we can welcome people in, is really joyous, Bender said. The local author and foodie was excited to greet guests Wednesday during a soft opening for family and friends.

Jonathan Bender, founder of the Museum of BBQ has been working on the new Museum of BBQ for the past six years.

Bender explained the museums concept. Its a series of ten installations that are intentionally interactive, so you get to smell the components of spice and you get to touch the wood that fuels smokers, he said, pointing out a large display of five types of wood. Our goal really is for you to understand how flavor is built in barbecue and then tour you through the main American regions, so you learn about the different spice profiles of Memphis and Texas and the Carolinas and of course, Kansas City.

Jak Gerome of VisitKC, takes a photo of the exhibit that explains the Mustard Belt at the new Museum of BBQ. Major barbecue regions outside of Kansas City are represented at the museum.

Of course, no story of barbecue is complete without beans, so the museum features a bean pita massive, oversized crock of beans that visitors can immerse themselves in and play in regardless of age.

Teddy Van Dieren, 8, of Kansas City, took a dip in the bean pit featuring 8,000 bean-colored balls Wednesday at the new Museum of BBQ.

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Explaining his love for barbecue, Bender said, Barbecue is such a communal thing, right? Its about celebrating and being together. I just discovered that pitmasters are amazing storytellers and barbecue is so sensorial. So the idea that we can build a place that would celebrate those things and bring people together in person felt really meaningful and important.

Jasmyn Franks, a content manager for VisitKC, tours the Sauce exhibit Wednesday at the new Museum of BBQ.

Bender collaborated on the museum with Alex Pope, butcher and co-owner of Local Pig, who is his partner and business manager.

Teddy Van Dieren, 8, of Kansas City, watches a snippet of Burnt Legend: The Story of Burnt Ends, a documentary hosted by Jonathan Bender, who did the project in conjunction with Kansas City PBS. The exhibit is part of the new Museum of BBQ. KC Masterpiece founder Rich Davis is on the right.

Jonathans a friend, and he has been telling me about this idea for years, Pope said. I cant take any credit for the inspiration here. This is his brainchild, its great.

David Gist, a visitor from Mississippi, chats with Alex Pope at the Museum of BBQ on Wednesday in Kansas City. Pope is a partner in the business with founder Jonathan Bender.

Pope explained that the Museum of BBQ has generated unexpected excitement globally, hearing from people and journalists from Brazil, Italy and all of the United States expressing interest in the museum.

Nick and Becca Hageman of Leawood, played the Smoke Ring Toss during a visit to the new Museum of BBQ.

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In addition to the exhibits, the museum gift shop is well-stocked with sauces, spices, rubs and barbecue merchandise like shirts, hats and fuzzy dog toys.

David Gist, a visitor from Mississippi, takes a closer look at the various bottles of barbecue sauce offered in the gift shop of the new Museum of BBQ.

David Gist, a visitor from Mississippi, was surprised to see barbecue sauce from Memphis in the gift shop when he stopped in during a break from a conference he was attending in Crown Center.

An exhibit on meats commonly used for barbecue is seen at the Museum of BBQ.

During the Wednesday event, Bender greeted visitors with a smile and walked through the exhibits. The best part about sharing Kansas Citys barbecue history with Kansas City and the world is telling all the stories, Bender said. Barbecue is really about people and about culture.

Corey McGhee finishes up at a candy vending machine from the 1950s at the Museum of BBQ.

Tickets are available online and at the museum. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

An interactive exhibit at the Museum of BBQ asks visitors to smell and guess the spices found in barbecue sauce.

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DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  One person was killed in a two-vehicle crash in Springfield on Wednesday.

According to the Springfield Police Department, the crash happened at approximately 2:53 p.m. in the 200 block of West John Street.

A passenger in one of the vehicles, later identifed by the city of Springfield as Aryn Mundy, 36, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Crews took another person with serious injuries to a nearby hospital.

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This crash is under active investigation by the Springfield Police Divisions Traffic Unit.

2 NEWS will update this article when more information is available.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Five men were injured and another man is dead after a shooting in Southeast Memphis on Wednesday, according to the Memphis Police Department.

Officers responded to a shooting in the 4000 block of South Mendenhall in Southeast Memphis at 3:29 p.m.

The shooting occurred outside a non-profit organization, Memphis Allies site. In 2022, Youth Villages, along with community partners, launched the Memphis Allies initiative in response to the citys escalating gun violence.

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Police say five male victims were transported from the scene and one man was found dead on the scene. One man is in critical condition and four others are in non-critical condition.

The family of Matthew Williams, 22, identified him as the victim who was killed in the shooting.

Matthew Williams (Courtesy of Williams family)

The Memphis Allies released the following statement on their website:

We are heartbroken over the senseless act of gun violence on Wednesday that claimed the life of a Memphis Allies program participant at one of our sites. Our hearts go out to the victims family and to the staff members who had been working with the young man.

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While we are devastated by Wednesdays events, it will not shake our resolve to continue working with community leaders and partner organizations to reduce gun violence and make Memphis safer.

Please keep the victims family, our staff, and all of those affected by gun violence in our community in your thoughts and prayers.

Police searching for missing autistic child

The mother of Williams said that her son attended the event because he wanted to make a positive change in his life.

WREG was told by a source on the scene that the shots were fired during a drive-by shooting as people inside were sheltered in place.

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Its not a relationship where its them over there and were over here, there is one Memphis, there is one problem and there is people coming together with the solution, said K Durell Cowan, Founder and CEO of Heal 901.

When you go out and youre in these situations, youre in these communities and trying to interrupt and stop violence there is always this looming fact that even though I am out here doing good at any moment it can continue, and it could be one of us, said Cowan.

1 dead in shooting at Sea Isle: MPD

Cowan says that for anyone involved in the streets and wants to change, there are multiple organizations to help.

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She says people can partner with Memphis Allies or Black Squad with Memphis Allies to help eliminate violence in communities.

Were here to help, but understand the things of your past, or the things youve done in the streets, that you have to right your wrongs, said Cowan.

This is an ongoing investigation.

If you have any information that could help police, call CrimeStoppers at 901-528-CASH.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
New details are emerging in a kidnapping and murder case linked to Central Florida.

Friday will mark one year since Katherine Aguasvivas died after investigators said she was carjacked in broad daylight at an intersection near Winter Springs.

Investigators said she was forced to drive at gunpoint through multiple counties and they later found her car on fire in Osceola County.

Federal court filings now give a first look at some of the drugs and money that the group tied to Aguasvivas allegedly moved through South and Central Florida.

Federal court filings now give a first look at some of the drugs and money that the group tied to Aguasvivas allegedly moved through South and Central Florida.

Investigators said several men turned on Aguasvisas and took her money.

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This was not a random act. The group targeted Ms. Aguasvivas for the $170,000 in drug money she was carrying, U.S. Attorney Roger Handberg told Channel 9 in January.

The documents, recently filed on April 7, stated that Aguasvivas made the trip to Central Florida at least 10 times.

They indicated that someone else was originally supposed to make the April 11, 2024 drive from South to Central Florida, but Aguasvisas replaced them.

The filings also revealed she and her husband were separated at the time of her death.

A half dozen people are in now jail awaiting trial for Aguasvivas murder and other charges.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
ANTALYA, Turkiye, April 10. The Antalya Diplomacy Forum will feature a panel discussion on "Challenges and Opportunities for Regional Cooperation in the South Caucasus" on April 12, Trend reports.

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, together with his Georgian and Armenian counterparts, Maka Bochorishvili and Ararat Mirzoyan, will participate in the panel discussion.

The discussions will include the progress in the Azerbaijani-Armenian peace process and the ongoing normalization efforts between Turkiye and Armenia, the historic opportunity to achieve stability in the South Caucasus, Georgia's growing role in regional cooperation, and important prospects for the future of the region.

It should be noted that the fourth Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF-2025) will be held on April 11-13, 2025, under the patronage of the President of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkiye.

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Brunch is big business on Easter Sunday, and a number of Tacoma restaurants will offer special hours and menus on April 20.

Gone are the days of the Lobster Shop buffet, but that waterfront destination will offer a celebratory prix-fixe this year in addition to its standard lunch menu  the only chance to snag a lobster roll. Nearby, Dukes Seafood House will serve the first of its only two brunch services all year.

Elsewhere in town, Tacomas champagne bar offers a family-style brunch, Primo will open early and Coopers will surely fill up its spacious, covered and heated patio.

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One of the regions most popular brunch spots, Farm 12, is fully booked, but there are a couple other options in East Pierce.

Heres a look at 11 restaurants around Tacoma, Puyallup and Gig Harbor serving up specials on Easter Sunday, listed in alphabetical order. Reservations are highly recommended.

BITE AT HOTEL MURANO

 1320 Broadway, Tacoma, 253-238-0199, hotelmuranotacoma.com/dining/bite

 Easter brunch hours: 7 a.m.-2 p.m.

For an up-high meal with a view, head to Hotel Murano downtown for a special brunch menu at the in-house restaurant, Bite. Macrina Bakery pastries and housemade granola meet ciabatta breakfast sandwiches, Spanish-style omelets and a Dungeness crab frittata. Other highlights include a benedict and baked ham with Beechers-laden potatoes au gratin.

CHARLIES OF PUYALLUP

 113 E. Main, Puyallup, 253-845-0588, charliesofpuyallup.com

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 Easter brunch hours: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

 Reservations: by phone

This family-friendly restaurant in downtown Puyallup always offers brunch but on Easter will extend service by two hours. The menu includes all the hits, from benedicts and three-egg omelets to Belgian waffles and pancakes. Look to the lunch and dinner menu for other savory dishes like cauliflower wings, fish and chips, burgers and salads.

COOPERS FOOD AND DRINK

 5928 N. 26th St., Tacoma, 253-503-0329, cooperstacoma.com

 Easter brunch hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

 Reservations: online via OpenTable or by phone

Coopers is always hoppin for brunch, but its likely to be especially so on Easter Sunday with a special menu including drinks inspired by popular candies. The Peep-tini, for instance, combines vodka and Baileys with strawberry and marshmallow cream  topped, naturally, with a Peep, while the nonalcoholic Cadbury egg hot cocoa comes with chocolate eggs. To fill up, the day-of menu features caprese bites, chicken-fried steak, a BLT, a Cobb salad and more.

DUKES SEAFOOD

 3227 Ruston Way, Tacoma, 253-752-5444, dukesseafood.com

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 Standard hours: Sunday-Thursday 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Friday-Saturday 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

 Reservations: online or by phone

Brunch comes but twice a year to this Ruston Way restaurant with a view  the other being Mothers Day. Enjoy the full lunch menu as well as a few specials, including a decadent lobster or Dungeness crab benedict, a lavish lobster roll laced with a lemon-juiced mayo paired with sweet potato fries, and French toast. From the bar, nows the time for Dukes Famous Bloody Bloody Mary, spiked with vodka infused on-site with roasted garlic and onions, peppercorns and bell peppers, served with not one but two jumbo prawns.

HG BISTRO

 1618 E. Main Ave, Puyallup, 253-845-5747, hgbistro.com

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 Easter brunch hours: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

 Reservations: online for up to 12 people, by phone for up to 16

This Puyallup bistro, where the kitchen weaves Southwestern flavors through familiar vessels, will have quite a deal on Easter Sunday: $45 for a main and two sides per guest. Choices include a Spanish frittata with caramelized onions and gruyere, a spin on a croque monsieur with tomato jam and steak, and beer-battered halibut. Add rice, a salad, eggs or veggies. The menu also offers a hearty quinoa bowl, hash, fried rice and herbed mushroom pappardelle. Theres also a short-but-notable kids menu with beef sliders and an egg-scramble rice bowl.

LOBSTER SHOP

 4015 Ruston Way, Tacoma 253-759-2165, lobstershop.com

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 Daily 11 a.m.-10 p.m. (Easter prix fixe served all-day Sunday)

 Reservations: online or by phone

Lobster Shop, which doesnt typically offer brunch-specific dishes, will serve a special four-course prix fixe on Easter Sunday ($100 plus tax per person). It starts with an ahi tuna amuse-bouche and either a salad or cup of lobster bisque, then choose between an herby lamb with broccolini and roasted fingerlings or a surf-and-turf of filet and lobster tail with mashed potatoes and asparagus. Wrap with a light dessert of berries and fresh cream. In addition to a full bar, the Tacoma waterfront restaurant will serve its standard lunch (11 a.m.-3 p.m.) and dinner (3 p.m.-close) menus.

The Powder Room serves up a unique family-style brunch with special drinks like brunch punch and tableside mimosas in Tacomas Stadium District.

THE POWDER ROOM CHAMPAGNE BAR

 12 N. Tacoma Ave., Tacoma 253-720-1493, thepowderroomchampagnebar.com

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 Easter brunch hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

 Reservations: online or by phone

Brunch is a weekly affair at this bubbly cocktail bar in the Stadium District, but hours are extended on Easter Sunday. The setup offers a $35-per-person family-style meal that begins with family-style apps (house biscuits, breakfast potatoes and arugula salad with burrata). Then each guest chooses a main, whether thats a waffle tower, breakfast tacos, smoked salmon and avocado toast, steak and eggs or a frittata. You also can order a few dishes a la carte (cinnamon roll to share?) and group drinks, like table-side bloodies and mimosas or a pitcher of brunch punch.

PRIMO GRILL

 2701 6th Ave., Tacoma, 253-383-7000, primogrilltacoma.com

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 Easter brunch hours: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

 Reservations: online via Opentable or by phone

Primo, which has new owners as of this year, will open for a special Sunday brunch service on Easter. Snack on house granola, a halloumi-fig salad and charcuterie. Then dig into brioche French toast with pistachios, pecans and housemade caramel, hanger steak and eggs, or a smoked salmon benedict with homemade focaccia. The pizza oven will, of course, be roaring, and the equally seasonal bar will shake up juices, bloodies and spritzes.

STANLEY & SEAFORTS

 115 E. 34th St., Tacoma, 253-473-7300, stanleyandseaforts.com

 Easter Sunday hours: 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m.

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 Reservations: online or by phone

At this Northeast Tacoma mainstay, indulge in a $58 three-course feast, or stick with classic brunch dishes, also available on Easter Sunday. The prix fixe offers a choice of soup or salad and one of 11 mains, including crab and shrimp fettuccine, herbed prime rib, Dijon roasted chicken, a seafood trio with veggies and mashed potatoes, and almond-crusted scallops. Finish with cheesecake, key lime pie, flourless chocolate cake or creme brulee.

TABLE 47

 5268 Point Fosdick Dr., Gig Harbor, 253-857-4777, t47.com

 Easter brunch hours: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

 Reservations: online via Resy or by phone

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This spacious Gig Harbor restaurant will offer brunch favorites  corned beef hash, smoked salmon benedict, breakfast burrito, avocado toast  plus lunch-y items to share and have for yourself. Theres charcuterie, salad, soup and fennel-laced Brussels with goat cheese, as well as mains like tagliatelle with pancetta, spicy Italian sausage and ricotta, and a vegan coconut curry. Celebrate with a mimosa flight (five flavors for $20 or three for $15), a bloody made with local Heritage Distilling vodka and an espresso martini.

Woven Seafood and Chophouse boasts a stellar view of Commencement Bay from just about anywhere in the restaurant, including the bar and lounge.

WOVEN SEAFOOD & CHOPHOUSE

 3017 Ruston Way, Tacoma, 253-650-9500, eatwoven.com

 Easter hours: brunch 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m., dinner 4-9 p.m.

 Reservations: online via OpenTable or by phone

The beautifully renovated restaurant from the Puyallup Tribe and chef Roy Yamaguchi regularly offers brunch with dishes like a crab cake benedict and honey-garlic-sambal fried chicken on a Belgian waffle with ponzu maple syrup. The kitchen and bar will make some specials for Easter Sunday, and the lunch menu also offers house favorites including the crab-artichoke dip with fry bread, seafood dumplings and short-rib loco moco.
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  Authorities need your help for information on a reported break-in at a Kettering gun store overnight.

Around 3:53 a.m. on April 10, three people reportedly broke into a business that sells firearms in the 3000 block of Woodman Drive in Kettering. The Kettering Police Department claims the individuals took more than 12 firearms during the incident.

Businesses and residents in the area are asked to check their security cameras for anything suspicious around that time.

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You care urged to call 937-296-2595 with any information you may have on who the individuals are or regarding the incident. When calling, please mention report number 25-016365.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com.
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW)  Starting Thursday morning, you wont be able to exit northbound Interstate 135 to either direction of Kellogg.

The Kansas Department of Transportation says the ramp will close at 9 a.m. Crews will work on signs on the off-ramps, and work is expected to be completed by 3 p.m.

Child drives pickup to school after missing Maize school bus

Drivers can take the First and Second Street exits north of Kellogg, get onto southbound I-135, and use the Kellogg exits on the southbound side of the interstate until work is complete.

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Check before you go: KanDrive, also known as WICHway in Wichita, is a website and app from the Kansas Department of Transportation that provides information about road conditions, traffic, and more. Viewers can access cameras along the highways and interstates for free. The KanDrive app is available in both Google Play and Apples App Store. To view the website, click here. Drivers can also call 511 in Kansas or 866-511-5368 outside of Kansas.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  A 15-year-old boy was killed in a single-vehicle crash in Coldwater, Mississippi Wednesday night, according to the Tate County Sheriffs Office.

The sheriffs office says Jesse Gable was driving when he crashed into a tree in the area of Pryor Road and Caleb Lane at around 10:30 p.m. He did not survive the crash.

Gable was a student at Independence High School. A grief counselor was present at the school on Thursday for students in need of help.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
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: Robert G. Westberry. Image courtesy Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum.

We want to remember Robert G. Westberry, while honoring those who survived and thanking those changed forever.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
TAUNTON, Mass. (WPRI)  Two candidates are set to square off in the special election to fill the 3rd Bristol District seat that was held by the late state Rep. Carol Doherty.

Lisa Field, a Democrat, and Larry Quintal, a Republican, both filed the required number of signatures by Tuesdays deadline, according to Debra OMalley, a spokesperson for the secretary of the commonwealths office.

The special election to fill the seat will be held June 10.

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A primary election still will be held May 13 even though Field and Quintal are the only members of their parties who qualified for the ballot, with a write-in line for voters who want to vote for someone else, OMalley said.

Doherty died in February at age 82 after a battle with cancer. She had been first elected in a June 2020 special election to fill the seat formerly held by Republican Shaunna OConnell, whod been elected mayor the previous fall.

Massachusetts Republicans are hoping they can take back the 3rd Bristol seat since Taunton is relatively friendly territory for the party compared with other parts of the state. President Trump received 47% of the vote in the city last November, and Republican Kelly Dooner flipped the Senate seat formerly held by longtime Democrat Marc Pacheco on the same day.

Field, who works for the Massachusetts Nurses Association, described Doherty as a dear friend and said she would build on the late representatives legacy.

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I fought to save Morton Hospital and took on both Steward and the governor when it came to health care cuts, Field said when she kicked off her campaign. I co-founded Clean Air Taunton which stopped the trash gasification project, and led on passing legislation that protected campus police shot in the line of duty.

Quintal, who owns a funeral home in Taunton, is a member of the City Council first elected in 2021. He is a supporter of State Auditor Diana DiZoglios effort to audit the state legislature.

We need a state representative who is committed to lowering our cost of living, Quintals campaign wrote on social media. As our next representative, Larry will support lowering the sales tax back to 5%. He will oppose the candy tax and new taxes on prescription drugs.

The Massachusetts Republican Party went on offense Tuesday, criticizing Field for failing to describe herself as a registered lobbyist when discussing her work for the Nurses Association.

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Lisa Field needs to be honest with the people she hopes to represent, MassGOP Chair executive director John Milligan said in a statement. We already have enough secrecy on Beacon Hill. The last thing we need is another politician who hides their role as a paid lobbyist from the public.

MassDems Chair Steve Kerrigan dismissed the criticism, calling it a lame attempt by the MassGOP to disparage a woman who has stood up for some of the hardest-working people anywhere, our nurses.

The MassGOP should worry more about what Donald Trumps disastrous economic policies will do to the average Massachusetts family instead of attacking Lisa Field, someone who goes to work every day fighting for working people, Kerrigan said.

Ted Nesi (tnesi@wpri.com) is a Target 12 investigative reporter and 12 News politics/business editor. He co-hosts Newsmakers and writes Nesis Notes on Saturdays. Connect with him on Twitter, Bluesky and Facebook.

Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts.

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Two firefighters were hurt battling a fire that damaged multiple buildings in Dayton.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

As News Center 7 previously reported, Dayton firefighters responded at 3:24 a.m. to a house fire on Warder Street between N. Main and Geyer Streets.

When crews arrived, they immediately worked to stop the fire from spreading to additional structures.

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The main building was destroyed by the fire, and an emergency demolition was ordered, according to Assistant Chief Brad French.

A building to the east was severely damaged.

Two additional buildings were also damaged by the flames.

While fighting the fire, two firefighters were hurt, French said.

One received minor injuries and was checked out on the scene.

The second firefighter was taken to his hospital and later released.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

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DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  Two people were indicted Thursday for a blaze that did more than $25,000 in damage to a historic Shelby County barn.

The Shelby County grand jury indicted the pair on fourth-degree felony arson.

Dawn Rutan, 18, and Keenan Davidson, 29, are alleged to have started the fire in a detached building at the edge of the property at 214 Franklin Ave. on March 19.

Davidson is in the Shelby County Jail with a $10,000 bond.

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Rutan is at large, and anyone with information is encouraged to call the Shelby County Sheriffs Office at 937-339-1111.

According to Shelby County Historical Society plat maps, the barn was built in the 1890s.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 10. 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 39 families (153 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.
For whats believed to be the first time in Los Angeles since the administration of President Donald Trump announced a crackdown on immigration enforcement, federal agents tried to enter Los Angeles Unified School District schools this week.

They were denied entry.

Two federal officials attempted to enter Lillian Street Elementary School and Russell Elementary School on Monday  both located in L.A.s Florence-Graham neighborhood. School administrators turned them away, following LAUSD protocols.

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The agents were from the Department of Homeland Security, the district later confirmed. Agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement were not involved.

Two schools at the LAUSD denied entry to agents with the Department of Homeland Security amid an immigration crackdown from the Trump administration. (KTLA) Two schools at the LAUSD denied entry to agents with the Department of Homeland Security amid an immigration crackdown from the Trump administration. (KTLA)

The Department of Homeland Security has not commented publicly on the matter.

The attempt to enter two LAUSD schools comes after Trumps administration authorized federal agents to enter sensitive areas to conduct immigration-related investigations  something that was against the Biden administrations guidelines.

Criminals will no longer be able to hide in Americas schools and churches to avoid arrest, said former acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Benjamine Huffman on Jan. 21, who ran the department before Kristi Noem was sworn in on Jan. 25. The Trump Administration will not tie the hands of our brave law enforcement, and instead trusts them to use common sense.

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As of Thursday morning, the exact goal of the agents at the L.A. schools was unclear.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
Apr. 9The search for a Decatur police chief is now down to two candidates, and both are from Jefferson County: Torry Mack and Theophilus "Theo" Smith.

Human Resources Director Richelle Sandlin told the City Council on Monday evening that its members chose Mack and Smith for interviews. Sandlin recommended at last week's work session that the council interview six applicants. Each City Council member then reviewed the candidates' applications before emailing her a list of his selections. She is working to schedule the interviews for April 15 or 16.

Mack and Smith are the choices out of 18 candidates who applied during an abbreviated two-week application period. The pool featured candidates from nine states, but the council stayed with Alabama applicants.

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Michael Izzo, a criminal investigator with the Madison County District Attorney's Office, was also a popular candidate among council members, but he pulled his name out of consideration on Monday.

Sandlin said Izzo "felt he couldn't give his full attention" to the role of DPD chief because of his family and military commitments. He is also an assistant adjutant general in the Alabama Army National Guard.

The City Council is seeking to fill the chief's position left vacant when Todd Pinion was pressured to step down to captain in March following the review of DPD by Green Research & Technology. The review was part of the City Council's response to the fatal shooting of Steve Perkins on Sept. 29, 2023, at his Ryan Drive Southwest home, by then-Decatur police officer Mac Marquette. Marquette was indicted for murder. He pleaded not guilty, and his trial is scheduled for June 9.

Mack, Smith and Izzo got almost unanimous support from the council members, but then Izzo withdrew. Council President Jacob Ladner said the three candidates were the only applicants to get a vote from the council.

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"On paper, both (Smith and Mack) are extremely qualified candidates who have a long history. We'll see in the interviews," Ladner said.

Mack is a captain in the Birmingham Police Department. He had a 21-year military career in the U.S. Army.

Smith is public safety accreditation manager for the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office. He served three years as Harpersville's chief of police before moving back to Jefferson County in January. His first job, which started in 1994, was with the Birmingham Police Department, where he rose to captain before leaving for Harpersville.

An issue that came up in Monday's meeting involved Smith's interest in the position. Councilman Billy Jackson said Smith told him last week in a text that he planned to withdraw from consideration but then sent him another text that he had changed his mind after talking with his family and with Sandlin "for 20-plus minutes."

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"Twenty-plus minutes is a long conversation," Jackson said. "I'm just curious as to what that conversation was for 20-plus minutes."

Sandlin replied that she talked with Smith about "his interest, his goals, what the opportunity is here, the challenges that someone would face ... and the process."

Jackson said "it's bothersome" that Sandlin and Smith talked for so long.

Sandlin said Tuesday that the council tasked her to see if Smith was still interested in the job, "and it was clear after that conversation that he had decided to stay in as a candidate."

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She said it's not uncommon for her to talk to a job candidate for that length of time. In fact, 20 minutes is short compared to other phone calls with applicants, she said.

"That's what HR does," Sandlin said.

Councilman Carlton McMasters said Sandlin was doing her job in contacting Smith.

He said he considers an applicant a candidate for a position until he, like Izzo did, pulls out of consideration with an email or letter. He said Smith changing his mind and deciding to remain a candidate will not affect how he views him when they begin the interviews.

During the public comment period at the end of the meeting, several people gave their input into the police chief search.

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Resident Tommy Cook said he thinks the council has "to do a better job" of weeding through the candidates and finding the best one to serve as chief. The two remaining finalists are Black, but Cook said race doesn't matter.

"We want what's best for the city," Cook said. "If that's a white man, that's what we want. If that's a Black man, that's what we want if it's best for the city. If it's a Puerto Rican, a Mexican, a polka dot (person), it really doesn't matter. We want to make sure we get the right guy and support that guy."

Cook said he's "not a lawbreaker," so his concern about getting the right chief is focused on the city.

"I don't want to live through what happened to Steve (Perkins) again," he said. "I don't want this chaos in my city because we're just blindly choosing someone, maybe because he looks like me or maybe because he looks like you."

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Michael Stovall agreed with Cook. He said they've always said it's not about Black and white when it comes to a police chief.

"We want that right person to be the leader that we need them to be," Stovall said. "The end goal when all this is over we've obtained justice over there (Morgan County Courthouse), justice over here (City Hall) and that we work in harmony with the Police Department and the city, so everyone comes together as one."

However, Stovall pointed out that it's taken too long to get to this point.

"We could be far past this point. We could be in the healing stage," he said.

 bayne.hughes@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2432
LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)  Authorities say two people were sent to the hospital and a man is facing multiple charges after a police chase across Luzerne County.

Police say on April 9, at around noon, an officer was on duty when their patrol vehicle equipped with a License Plate Reader (LPR) received a hit.

Officials explain that the LPR hit was on a 2008 blue Volvo stopped in the southbound lane of Wyoming Avenue at the intersection of Market Street in Kingston with an expired registration.

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The officer then began a registration check to verify that the registration had expired.

Police say the Volvo began driving erratically, weaving back and forth dangerously between the right and left lanes.

The blue car approached the intersection of Wyoming Avenue and Northampton Street, then drove through a red light, according to the affidavit.

The officer then activated their siren and lights in their effort to stop the Volvo.

Officials say the car failed to stop and continued to drive on Route 11 Southbound through Edwardsville and Larksville, ultimately reaching Plymouth, all while making improper lane changes and passing multiple vehicles in a no-passing zone on Route 11 in Larksville.

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Multi-vehicle crash leads to road closure, lane restriction on US 220

In Plymouth, authorities say the blue car continued to drive haphazardly and struck another vehicle in the area of Main Street and Academy Street, causing the Volvo to become disabled.

The event caused the struck vehicle to be flipped onto its roof, according to police.

Officials say the driver of the Volvo was then taken into custody and identified as Jonathan Ferraro.

Ferraro was then placed into a Kingston Police Department vehicle and was advised of his Constitutional Rights, police explained.

After affirming that he understood his rights and agreed to speak to police, Ferraro apologized for his actions and for possibly hurting the people in the struck vehicle, according to authorities.

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Police say Ferraro admitted to using marijuana and methamphetamine within 24 hours of the incident and said he didnt stop for police because he knew the vehicle was illegal and he is currently on parole.

Federal cuts leave Scranton flood victims in limbo

According to the affidavit, Ferraro admitted that in the Volvo, there was a marijuana roach, along with a syringe used to inject methamphetamine.

Officials say the Volvo was secured and towed to the Kingston Police Department to be held while waiting for a search warrant, which was later approved by Judge Spagnola.

During the search, the affidavit explains that the interior of the car smelled of burnt marijuana, and there was a partially smoked marijuana roach visible on the drivers side floor.

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A small amount of suspected marijuana, three burnt suspected marijuana roaches, and a syringe were found and seized as evidence, according to police.

Authorities explained that the vehicle Ferraro struck with the Volvo during the chase had two people inside.

Captain Thomas of the Plymouth Police Department was advised by one of the victims that he saw Ferraro give him the middle finger as he was behind their vehicle, trying to pass them, before striking their vehicle.

Officials say both victims were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

It is unknown the severity of their injuries or their current condition.

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Court documents say Ferraro is facing the following charges:

Two second-degree felony counts of Aggravated Assault  Attempts to cause or causes Bodily Injury with a deadly weapon

Two second-degree misdemeanor counts of Recklessly Endangering Another Person

One third-degree felony count of Fleeing or Attempting to Elude an Officer

One Misdemeanor count of Possession of a Small Amount of Marijuana

One Misdemeanor count of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Ferraro was also charged with Driving without a License, Failure to Stop at a Red Signal, Reckless Driving, and Operating a Vehicle without Required Financial Responsibility.

Ferraro was denied bail as he was considered a danger to the community and a flight risk, according to court documents.

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Officials say Ferraro is being held in the Luzerne County Prison with a preliminary hearing scheduled for April 22.

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Almost two dozen sea turtles that washed up on Cape Cod are swimming ocean waters once again after an intense rehabilitation and relocation mission.

The cold-stunned sea turtles washed up on the beach in Cape Cod earlier this winter and were first triaged by the New England Aquarium before being transferred to Mystic Aquariums Animal Rescue Program for long-term rehabilitation care.

The turtles then undertook a 20-hour trip from Connecticut to Georgia on Wednesday, where they were released on Jekyll Island.

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Among the rescued turtles were 14 green sea turtles, six loggerhead sea turtles and two Kemps ridley sea turtles, a critically endangered species.

Sea turtles cannot regulate their body temperatures, aquarium officials told Boston 25 News.

Because they cannot regulate their body temperatures, turtles become trapped in Cape Cod Bay each year when the waters turn frigid.

Each turtle received an individualized treatment plan to address infections and other medical issues that ensued following their exposure to the cold.

Our role is to give these sea turtles a second chance at life, improve their chances of long-term survival, and create potential for future hatchlings and growth of the species, said Sarah Callan, Animal Rescue Program Manager at Mystic Aquarium. In their natural habitat, sea turtles face threats of entanglement, ingestion of plastic debris, habitat loss, and a changing ocean environment. With that in mind, a focus of the Animal Rescue Program is being a voice for these animals and providing outreach to the public, knowing that our ultimate goal is the long-term health and sustainability of sea turtle species and marine ecosystems globally.

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Arnold Haro, a 23-year-old known on the internet as @mistafuccyou, grabbed a handgun and started a livestream one afternoon in February. Wearing a white t-shirt and gold chains around his neck, he paced around his bedroom and spoke calmly to the camera as a group of his followers watched. Im gonna play Russian roulette, he said. If I f**king die, make it a memecoin. Two hours later, he was pronounced dead at his home in California.

The video of Haros final moments went viral, garnering thousands of views in the hours before it was taken down by X. While many viewers were appalled by what they saw, others took him up on his final offer and launched memecoins named for Haros online persona.

Haro, a young father, was suffering from depression when he took his life on Feb. 21, according to a police report obtained by Fortune. In addition to battling mental health issues, Haro had recently broken up with his girlfriend and was struggling financially.

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It was in the midst of his desperation that Haro turned to memecoin trading, a trend that involves making longshot bets on jokey cryptocurrencies in hopes of winning big. While some trade memecoins for a lark, others are young men looking to gamble themselves out of a bad financial situation and, like Haro, lose it all.

A memecoin frenzy

Memecoins are a species of digital token derived from internet jokes, which invite buyers to attach real world value to everything from canines wearing beanies (dogwifhat) to unicorn fart dustboth of which are real world cryptocurrencies.

In a crypto landscape already rife with fraud, memecoins are an especially popular vehicle for rug pullsa scam where someone promotes a memecoin by guaranteeing massive returns to attract investors. As the coins price peaks, the scammer dumps their holdings, leaving the investors with worthless tokens.

Haro was far from the only person to fall for the promises of memecoin hucksters. His untimely death coincided with a months-long speculative frenzy marked by viral stunts, rug pulls and even Presidential memecoin launches. The mania pulled billions of dollars into the crypto industry, but fleeced many investors.

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The surge in speculation is partly tied to Pump.fun, a memecoin launchpad created last year that made it simple to create and sell memecoins. At its peak in January, Pump.fun helped launch over 70,000 memecoins on a single day, according to crypto data platform Dune.

The rapid pace of launches helped spur evermore shocking stunts as memecoin issuers sought to drum up hype, including one promoter who faked a suicide on a livestream. While many of these stunts turned out to be fake or inconsequential, Haros situation was not.

Who was Arnold?

Haro lived with his mom and three sisters on a ranch near Fresno, and had a one-year-old daughter with his on-and-off again girlfriend, according to the police report. He drove a silver Ford F150 and and a black BMW SUV, the report said. His father is incarcerated, his girlfriend said in a 911 call.

While Haros older sister, Maria Lucero Haro, declined to speak with Fortune, she described him as a bright, kind, and hilarious soul who brought light to those around him, in a fundraiser on GoFundMe. He had a gift for making people laugh and spreading joy," she wrote, even while struggling with his own hardships. People who knew him from social media echoed a similar sentiment, lauding his sense of humor and generosity.

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But he was also a young man with serious financial and drug problems. According to an account from his girlfriend cited in the police report, Haro owed a lot of people a lot of money. Her account also noted that he was a drug dealer and sometime user, who survived a fentanyl overdose in 2020. It also stated that he had sold two stolen cars to a Mexican dealer in exchange for a large quantity of marijuana, and that the dealer was threatening to kill him upon discovering the cars were stolen.

His last $500

Despite his dire financial situation, Haro risked what he said was his last $500 on a Pump.fun memecoin.

The other day I put my last $500 in $ye, Haro wrote in a direct message to Lucas Dimos, a crypto influencer, on Jan. 27. Haro included a screenshot of his crypto wallet showing that the price of $yea memecoin that falsely branded itself the official crypto of rapper Kanye Westhad fallen 36% within the last 24 hours of his message. I tried selling but I couldnt, Haro said.

Blockchain data shows that Haro purchased 80,085 $ye tokens on Jan. 25 for $580. Following $Yes launch on Jan. 24, the memecoin soared to a market cap of over $1 billion before it plummeted back to earth in the following days. Two months later, Haros tokens are now worth less than 50 cents.

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His crypto wallet shows that he had also invested in a number of other Pump.fun memecoins over the past 10 months, none of which hold much value today. Nonetheless, his wallet now holds a modest fortunethanks to Haros dying wish for someone to turn him into a memecoin.

Minutes after Haros final livestream began, an anonymous creator launched $Mistacoina reference to Haros username on Xon Pump.fun and then deposited 70% of the tokens supply into Haros crypto wallet.

While it is unclear exactly why the creator of $Mistacoin sent him those tokens, some X users speculate that it was an attempt to give Haros family access to a portion of the tokens profits.

As the video of Haros death spread across the internet, $Mistacoin skyrocketed, raking in a $2 million market cap. The success of Mistacoin led to dozens of copycats, allowing a handful of people to turn the tragedy into a windfall. But as the internet lost interest in the weeks that followed, $Mistacoin fell to a market cap of less than $70,000.

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"Mr. Haro's death is a tragedy," Troy Gravitt, a spokesperson for Pump.fun told Fortune. "Pump.fun had no role in the series of events beyond being the platform on which someone created and launched a crypto token related to the news, clearly in poor taste."

Today, the 700 million $Mistacoin tokens in Haros wallet are worth $48,000. Some X users are holding onto hope that the money will somehow make it to Haros family but it is unclear if they can access his wallet. Unlike with a traditional bank account, there is no forgot your password option for a crypto wallet. However, before he died, Haro texted his sister a password, unknown to what, the police report says. It was just a password and nothing else.

If you or someone you know is strugging or needs help, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline for free at 1-800-273-8255. Text HOME to 741-741 for the Crisis Text Line.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
25 Investigates has learned that a sixth staff member has been identified with a benign, non-cancerous brain tumor at Newton-Wellesley Hospital.

25 Investigates first reported last week that Newton-Wellesley Hospital and the Massachusetts Nurses Association were investigating after multiple nurses came forward with brain tumor diagnoses.

As of April 1, 2025, 11 staff members with ties to the labor and delivery unit had spoken with investigators. Five had benign tumors, while six others reported other health concerns.

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In an update sent out this week and obtained by 25 Investigates, the hospital revealed an additional case of a benign brain tumor in someone who had worked for varying durations on the same floor as the other affected nurses.

The hospital said it conducted extensive environmental testing in the fifth-floor unit, is following CDC guidelines, and that it was determined there are no environmental risks to staff or patients.

To date, through their employee interview process, the Mass General Brigham Department of Occupational Health and Safety has identified six staff members who have worked for varying durations on the fifth floor and report developing benign brain tumors, a hospital spokesperson said in a statement shared with Boston 25 News.

However, the MNA felt the hospitals investigation was inadequate, so they conducted a survey on their own.

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The MNA told 25 Investigates that as of April 2, more than 300 past and present Newton-Wellesley nurses and staff have responded. MNA is now working to contact those who requested a direct follow-up and obtain their medical records if they consent to sharing them.

In a statement shared with 25 Investigates on Thursday, the MNA said that it was actively supporting Newton-Wellesley nurses who have brought forward serious medical concerns, focused on brain tumor diagnoses on the 5th floor maternity unit.

We recognize that nurses and many other people want immediate information about the situation. This urgency comes from a place of concern for the health of nurses, their families, and patients  an urgency that we share. Right now, the best way we can help is to complete an independent, scientific investigation, the MNA said. That effort is underway and may take additional weeks. The investigation is being conducted by the MNAs division of health and safety, consisting of occupational health nurses, in collaboration with the Newton-Wellesley nurses.

Read the full update Newton-Wellesley shared with patients and families:

Newton-Wellesley Hospital patient notification by Boston 25 Desk on Scribd

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(COLORADO)  Schools from eight school districts and the Charter School Institute have been awarded the first-ever Purple Star School designation.

On Thursday, April 10, 27 schools were recognized for supporting the unique educational and social-emotional needs of military-connected children. The Purple Star School program, a state-level initiative, acknowledges schools that go above and beyond to provide a supportive and welcoming environment for students whose families serve in the military.

Colorado is the proud home to a strong military and veteran community, and its only appropriate that our schools are recognized for the work they do to support military families and their children, said Governor Jared Polis. Im excited to celebrate the schools that are leading this work and setting an example for the rest of the state.

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Among the 27 schools, there were several recognized from Colorado Springs, including Fountain-Fort Carson School District, which was deemed the first district in Colorado to earn the status.

Courtesy: Fountain-Fort Carson School District Courtesy: Fountain-Fort Carson School District Courtesy: Fountain-Fort Carson School District

This recognition is a testament to the unwavering commitment of FFC8 staff and schools

in providing essential support for military-connected students, said Fountain-Fort Carson School District Superintendent Dr. Keith Owen. As a district with approximately 70% military-connected students, we take great pride in creating an environment where students and families feel supported, embraced, and empowered to succeed.

Other schools recognized include:

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Academy School District 20 Douglass Valley Elementary School, Eagleview Middle School, and Ranch Creek Elementary School

Aurora Public Schools Edna and John Mosley P-8 School

Colorado Springs School District 11 Jenkins Middle School, James Irwin Elementary School  Howard, McAuliffe Elementary School

Charter School Institute Colorado Military Academy

District 49 Bennett Ranch Elementary School, Falcon Middle School

Ellicott School District 22 Ellicott Elementary School

Harrison School District 2 James Irwin Charter Middle School, James Irwin Elementary School- Astrozon

Widefield School District 3 Grand Mountain School, Widefield High School



To earn the Purple Star designation, schools must demonstrate several key criteria, including a designated staff liaison, military-specific resources, staff training, and community engagement with military families and the community.

Military families and their children make extraordinary sacrifices in service to our country. For military-connected students, frequent moves and long separations from loved ones can present unique challenges. Our Purple Star Schools go above and beyond to create welcoming, supportive environments where every student feels seen, supported, and a true sense of belongingno matter where their family is stationed, said Commissioner Susana Cordova.

Last spring, Polis signed into law House Bill 24-1076, which created the Purple Star Program to recognize schools that help military-connected students navigate academic and socio-emotional challenges that come with frequent relocations, deployments, and adjusting to a new community.

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Three Americans extradited from the Democratic Republic of the Congo were being held Wednesday in the U.S. on charges of participating in a failed coup.

Marcel Malanga, 22; Tyler Thompson, 22; and Benjamin Zalman-Polun, 37, had been sentenced to death in Congo for participating in the coup but were shipped back to the U.S. amid diplomatic wrangling with President Donald Trumps administration.

However, unlike with many Americans detained overseas and sent back home, the three men are expected to remain behind bars in the U.S.

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Malanga, Thompson and Zalman-Polun were all part of a May 2024 coup attempt led by Malangas father, Christian, in the Congolese capital of Kinshasa.

Christian Malanga was a minor opposition figure in Congolese politics until he was killed in the doomed plot. Five others died and 37 people in total were sentenced to death for their roles in the attempt to overthrow the government.

Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi faces a much more serious threat to his government from Rwanda-backed armed rebel groups who control several key towns in the eastern part of the nation. He has spoken openly about an alliance with the U.S. that could include access to the African nations extensive mineral wealth.

The President of Congo is holding 3 Americans now, Trump admin hostage envoy Adam Boehler wrote on social media in February. Perhaps it would be better if Rwanda won the war?

_____
Two men have been sentenced to serve 25 years for their role in a home invasion and attempted armed robbery at a home in Canton, while a third will serve five years in prison.

Kaiden Luc Pridgen, 19, and Cibias John Vieira, 23, both of Acworth, pleaded guilty to first-degree home invasion, criminal attempt to commit armed robbery, kidnapping, three counts of aggravated assault, possession of tools for the commission of a crime, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

On Feb. 4, 2022, deputies with the Cherokee County Sheriffs Office began investigating a home invasion that was reported just after 11 p.m.

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Residents of the home told 911 dispatchers that two people wearing masks and gloves entered their house with a black semi-automatic pistol and demanded money. One of the victims was hit in the head with the pistol, leaving a visible injury on his head.

The other was forcibly removed from her hiding spot and brought to the kitchen, where both victims were held at gunpoint.

Pridgen and Vierira searched the home for cash and left when they couldnt find any. Home surveillance cameras captured the two breaking into the home and the struggle in the kitchen.

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The investigation revealed that Pridgen and Vieira planned to steal a large amount of cash from a man who previously lived at that address. At the time of the crime, Pridgen was just 16 years old.

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In making the determination to prosecute a 16-year-old defendant as an adult, the State considered the violent nature of this crime and determined it is in the interest of public safety to prosecute him accordingly. said District Attorney Susan K. Treadaway. We are committed to holding all dangerous offenders accountable and ensuring the safety of our community.

Both Pridgen and Vieira were sentenced to 35 years with 25 years to be served in prison. Both of them are forbidden to have contact with the victims or each other.

A third person, David Emory Kelley, 22, of Woodstock, was prosecuted separately for his part in the crime. Kelley pleaded guilty to burglary in the first degree and conspiracy to commit a home invasion. He selected the target and served as the driver.

He was sentenced to 20 years, with the first five to serve in prison and the remainder spent on probation.

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With the support of innovation and speed leader Bakcell, Azerbaijani pilot Gulhuseyn Abdullayev delivered a remarkable performance at the Gulf Radical Cup held in Dubai from April 4 to 6. Representing Bakcell brand, the 27-year-old sportsman impressed with his robust performance in all stages of the tournament.

It is worth mentioning that he competed with car number 55, which reflected Bakcells brand identity  a vehicle equipped with a 1.5-liter engine producing 232 horsepower.

About Bakcell

Bakcell is the first and largest private telecommunications company in Azerbaijan, currently providing innovative, high-quality, and fast telecommunications services to more than three million customers. The company contributes to the sustainable development of Azerbaijan through artificial intelligence solutions and is one of the largest investors in the non-oil sector of the Azerbaijani economy.

Bakcell is part of NEQSOL Holding, an international group of companies operating in the telecommunications, energy, high-tech, and construction sectors in various countries around the world.
OAKLAND, Fla. (WFLA)  Its a mystery that has captured the attention of a Central Florida town.

Residents in Oakland say the towns beloved peacocks are disappearing, with a startling number of them being found dead.

Attack hawks cause trouble at Sarasota business

Mo Jacobson has become well known in the community for her efforts to protect the birds, even earning the nickname the peacock lady. But within the past few weeks, Jacobson told NBC affiliate WESH several of the birds have started mysteriously dying.

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Neighbors have reported finding at least 30 of the colorful birds dead, mostly on Deer Island. A Facebook post Jacobson shared shows the dead peacocks lined up on the grass.

Since then, Jacobson said many concerned peacock lovers have reached out to her.

When I first learned about this I think it was the end of January I was told there was a total of 12. That was shocking to me. But then to find out a week later that there was a total of 30 that was terrifying, she told WESH.

Jacobson explained that peacocks are not prone to disease, making their deaths potentially more disturbing.

A complaint has been filed with the Florida Department of Agriculture, and Jacobson said she plans to keep pressing for answers.

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The Orange County Sheriffs Office also told WESH theyre aware of the situation. As of Wednesday, it was still unclear why so many of the birds have been dying.

The FWCs website states that while peacocks are not native to Florida, they are protected. However, they can be removed.

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BLOUNTVILLE, Tenn. (WJHL)Sullivan County Schools was awarded $30,400 in mini-grants to fund teacher purchase requests.

The Teaching and Learning mini-grants will allow teachers to enhance learning in their classrooms.

The director of Sullivan County Schools asked Utrust, a Tennessee education organization, to allow teachers to apply for things on their wish lists that cost no more than $3,040. According to the school system, 50 applications were received.

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Police: Arrests made after Bluff City shooting

The following projects were approved for funding on a competitive basis by a team of evaluators provided by Utrust:

We believe that each of these projects will make a big difference to students and staff in Sullivan County Schools, Utrust administrator Dan Tollett said in a release. Every one of the 50 applications we received were worthy of funding and we are so very sorry that we could not fund every one of them.

Tollett said each proposal was evaluated on potential for teaching and learning, number of students benefiting, recurring benefit, and innovation.

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We hope the Sullivan County Commission or other organizations who have an interest in Sullivan County Schools providing the very best learning opportunities for students will fund these much-needed requests for equipment and teaching materials, Tollett said of the proposals that were not awarded funding.

Director of Schools Chuck Carter expressed appreciation for Utrust and thanked the teachers who submitted proposals.

So many of the grant applications that were selected have a direct connection to STEM related educational experiences which is a major focus for schools in Sullivan County, Carter said. We are proud to have a great partnership with Utrust and believe the investment will pay huge dividends for our students and our community.

The school system previously received Utrust Appreciation and Culture grants totaling $9,600. Sullivan East High School received $3,100, Holston Elementary got $2,400, Mary Hughes Elementary received $1,600, and Sullivan Heights Middle got $2,500.

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ALTOONA, Wis. (WFRV)  A 33-year-old Wisconsin man was arrested late Wednesday night after officers were sent to a Kwik Trip after multiple reports of an erratic person outside.

The Altoona Police Department reported that people said the man entered a persons vehicle and took his shirt off at the Kwik Trip on Baumbach Way. Officers found the man leaving in a vehicle and continuing to drive erratically.

UPDATE: Green Bay woman charged in fiances fentanyl overdose has another status conference, set for plea hearing

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The suspect reportedly stopped after an initial attempt by police and negotiations between the two parties began. He allegedly refused to exit the vehicle and police reported he showed signs of meth use as he fled.

He stopped twice for officers who attempted to negotiate with him to exit the vehicle, but he fled each time and reportedly violated traffic laws. The Eau Claire County Sheriffs Office deployed tire deflation devices while Altoona Police attempted to block the suspect vehicle.

Upon another stop, the suspect, identified as Joshua Shult of Ladysmith, exited the car while reportedly resisting arrest; however, officers used a taser to get him in custody.

Officers found meth, THC and other drug paraphernalia in the car. Shult was reportedly arrested for drugged driving two days beforehand in Rusk County and he faces the following charges for this incident:

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2nd OWI

Fleeing/Eluding

Resisting arrest

Meth possession

THC possession

Drug paraphernalia possession

Police: Man in Wisconsin hospitalized after being unconscious and bleeding, officers investigating

Shults vehicle and a police squad car each sustained one flat tire, but no damages to other vehicles and property were reported

No additional details are available.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
At least 252 international students and one professor at Texas universities have had their legal status changed in a wave of removals from a federal database that have swept across the state and the nation.

The students learned in recent days their visas were revoked or their immigration status was marked as terminated in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, or SEVIS database.

Visa revocations prevent re-entering the U.S. but do not immediately end an individuals status. SEVIS removals do, limiting students options and causing a much more immediate effect.

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On Tuesday, the University of Houston confirmed a faculty member who taught an upper level math class was among those who had been affected.

Hyeongseon "Sammy" Jeon was working at the university under a type of student visa that allows graduates to work in their field of study, typically between one and three years. Jeon, who the university announced joined the tenure-track faculty in September, earned his PhD in statistics from Iowa State University.

He told students last week that Tuesday would be his last class with them, but he hoped to return next semester.

"Due to the unexpected termination of my visa  an issue that has recently impacted many international scholars  I must return to Korea and immediately resolve my immigration status," he wrote in an email, which also informed them another professor would be taking over.

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The Texas Tribune reached out to Jeon by phone and email but did not hear back.

The University of Houston has previously declined to release the number of students affected, but the university's chapter of the Students for Justice in Palestine estimates it is 12.

Other universities, meanwhile, have disclosed the number of their students who have been affected.

On Monday, the University of Texas System said 176 students at its 14 institutions had been affected as of last week. The system did not break it down by institution but several of its schools disclosed their own numbers last week:

University of Texas at Arlington: 27

University of Texas at Dallas: 19

University of Texas at El Paso: 10

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley: 9

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Also on Monday, the Texas A&M University System said 38 students at its 11 universities have been affected:

Texas A&M University: 23

Prairie View A&M University: 1

Texas A&M University Texarkana: 1

Texas A&M University Kingsville: 9

Texas A&M University Corpus Christi: 3

Texas A&M International University: 1

Other universities that reported the number of their international students who have been affected last week include:

University of North Texas: 27

Texas Womans University: 6

Texas Tech University: 3

Texas State University: 2 (via Inside Higher Ed)

The University of Texas at Austin, where police arrested dozens for protesting the Israel-Hamas war, told the Houston Chronicle that some of their international students had a change in their immigration status, but declined to say how many.

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Robert Hoffman, an immigration lawyer with offices in Houston and Bryan, said SEVIS removal also can affect employment eligibility and the status of dependents like spouses and children, whose ability to stay in the U.S. depends on the primary status holder.

Unfortunately, these kinds of terminations kind of short-circuit due process by not allowing the student the opportunity to hear the specifics of their charges or defend themselves, Hoffman said.

Neither university nor government officials have made it clear how students and the professor were chosen for removal. However, the Department of Homeland Security released a statement Wednesday saying it would begin screening international students social media for antisemitic content. DHS statement cited two executive orders from President Donald Trump, described by the White House as aiming to crack down on the explosion of anti-Semitism on our campuses and in our streets, referencing pro-Palestine protests on college campuses. Several Texas universities, including UNT and UTD, were sites of similar protests.

Students who are removed from SEVIS have only a few options for recourse, said Phillip Rodriguez, another Bryan-based immigration lawyer. Students can choose to leave, or apply to reinstate their status.

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Hoffman said choosing to remove students from SEVIS rather than revoking visas creates a more difficult appeal process.

I think they're proactively making it so that they basically can't continue studies, or making it extremely difficult to continue their studies here in the United States without some sort of intervention, Hoffman said.

UNT has one of the highest international enrollments in the U.S., with over 8,000 international students, most of whom are graduate-level, according to university data. Nineteen of the 27 students at UNT who had their SEVIS records removed were graduate students, according to a university spokesperson. UTD has over 4,500 international students, according to the university website.

Daniel Morales, the president of the University of Houston Chapter of the American Association of University Professors, said Jeon is likely one of many professors who hold a visa at UH.

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"By messing with student and faculty visas what America is signaling very clearly is it doesn't want the best and brightest to study in America and that will have a devastating impact on this country. I don't think that can be overstated," Morales said.

Disclosure: Texas A&M University, Texas Tech University, University of Texas - Arlington, University of Texas - Dallas, University of Texas at Austin, University of Texas at El Paso, University of Houston and University of North Texas 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.

Correction, April 10, 2025 at 8:07 p.m. : Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly rendered the name of Texas Woman's University.
Editors Note: CNN is hosting the members of Congress for a town hall moderated by Jake Tapper and Kaitlan Collins, airing at 9 p.m. ET.

Four House lawmakers from battleground districts will field questions from American voters Thursday.

Republicans Mike Lawler and Ryan Mackenzie and Democrats Jahana Hayes and Derek Tran will address a live studio audience made up of Republicans, Democrats and independents that includes constituents from each members district.

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Lawler and Mackenzie are part of a Republican majority in the House that is attempting to pass President Donald Trumps legislative agenda, which includes new money for immigration enforcement, a sweeping overhaul of the tax code, steep spending cuts and more energy drilling. Both voted in favor of adopting a budget blueprint earlier Thursday  a critical first step toward advancing the presidents legislative priorities.

Hayes, a former educator, and Tran, a military veteran, are among Democrats opposed to Trumps cuts to government agencies and the federal workforce.

Heres a look at the lawmakers and the districts they represent:

Mike Lawler

Lawler is a two-term Republican congressman representing New Yorks Hudson Valley, one of just three across the country that backed former Vice President Kamala Harris for president and sent a Republican to the US House.

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He served in New York local politics for years before he was elected in 2022 to Congress and was reelected in 2024, despite facing some controversy.

Lawler, who portrays himself as a moderate, is part of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus and the bipartisan caucus that advocates for the State and Local Tax (SALT) Deduction.

He is weighing a run for New York governor.

He has called for no cuts to Medicaid and Medicare and has said he will opposed a national abortion ban.

Ryan Mackenzie

Mackenzie, a Pennsylvania Republican, flipped a key congressional seat in a swing state, narrowly beating Democrat Susan Wild by half a percentage point in the 2024 election.

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He served in the Pennsylvania state House before he ran for Congress.

The Lehigh Valley congressman has introduced a bill package that aims to expand paid family and medical leave, double the child tax credit and expands the adoption tax credit and creates a matching credit for in vitro fertilization.

He has joined a bipartisan bill aimed at helping families access affordable childcare and bipartisan legislation to tackle maternal deaths

Jahana Hayes

A Democrat from Connecticut, Hayes was a public school history teacher for 15 years, winning the distinction of 2016 National Teacher of the Year, before she joined Congress in 2019.

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Hayes, a Democrat now in her fourth term in Congress, has been critical of the Trump administrations efforts to dismantle the Department of Education.

Hayes is the first Black congresswoman elected to represent the state of Connecticut.

Derek Tran

Tran, a California Democrat, is also new to Washington. Hes a freshman congressman who flipped a key seat in California to narrow the partys margins within House Republicans majority.

Having never held political office before, Tran defeated GOP incumbent Rep. Michelle Steel in the 2024 race for Californias 45th District by 653 votes.

Tran, who is Vietnamese American, represents a predominantly Asian American district in Orange County that includes Little Saigon.

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An Army veteran, Trans first piece of legislation introduced was a bill that aimed to reinstate veterans who were dismissed from federal employment without cause.

CORRECTION: This story has been updated to correct the final margin by which Tran won his seat.

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This week a spotlight has once again been shone on Victoria Spartz, the Ukrainian-born Republican lawmaker who is not a stranger to controversy.

Born in Chernihiv Oblast, she moved to the U.S. in 2000. She was elected to Congress three times, in 2020, 2022, and 2024, and represents Indiana's 5th District.

Despite her roots, Spartz had not been publicly involved in Ukraine-related issues until Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022.

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In the aftermath of the invasion, Spartz began speaking about the war in deeply personal terms. She was present in the Oval Office when President Joe Biden signed the Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2022.

But in the years since, she has drawn criticism for her shifting stance on aid to Ukraine, as well as a series of controversial public statements.

Admitting to using war in Ukraine for electoral purposes

Spartz claimed in 2022, without offering evidence, that U.S. weapons provided to Ukraine could be redirected to other countries, including Syria, Russia, and Mexico.

Responding to the claim, then-Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba accused her of spreading a "narrative (that) was launched 100% by the Russian Federation."

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He also suggested Spartz deliberately mentioned Mexico for political reasons as it "works perfectly in U.S. domestic policy," given the high levels of immigration from countries across the southern border.

In an interview with Ukrainian journalist Yuriy Butusov in August 2022, Spartz confirmed Kuleba was right.

"Why did I say Mexico? Because one has to understand our situation in the U.S. Our president (then-Democrat President Joe Biden) has decided to completely open our borders with Mexico, and we have an influx of people from South America," she said.

"Our border officers have huge problems, while cartels are paying a lot on the black market for different weapons."

Alleging Ukrainians hate Zelensky

Following a tense exchange between President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on Feb. 28, Spartz accused Zelensky of doing "a serious disservice to the Ukrainian people by insulting the American president and the American people  just to appease Europeans and increase his low polling in Ukraine."

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The claim echoed earlier false statements from Trump, who said that Zelensky had an approval rating of 4%.

However, a February survey before the clash with Trump put Zelensky's trust level at 57%, with a trust-distrust balance of +20%.

The most recent polling shows Zelensky's trust rating surging to 69% in the wake of the Oval Office showdown.

U.S. President Donald Trump at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C., U.S. on April 8, 2025. (Anna Moneymaker / Getty Images)

Accusing Zelensky of controlling media in Ukraine and Britain

More recently, in an interview published on April 7 by the Telegraph, Spartz said Ukraine should consider ceding land to Russia and urged its people to demand the resignation of Zelensky.

After facing backlash from Ukrainian officials and media, Spartz accused the Telegraph of intentionally misrepresenting her views.

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"I would not be surprised that Zelensky is paying The Telegraph to fabricate false headlines to continue making money on the blood of the Ukrainian people."

It's not the first time Spartz accused the Ukrainian president of holding sway over free media.

"Zelensky took control of all Ukrainian media, prosecutes churches, businesses, and volunteers, covered up corruption for his friends, uses 'puppet' prosecutors to unlawfully imprison and intimidate anyone who tells the truth about his failures to defend his country or could be a potential political opponent, including his own military and generals," Spartz wrote on Feb. 20.

No evidence was provided, while no Ukrainian media outlet is known of being controlled by the country's president.

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Concerning Spartz's comments about churches, the best response came from Pastor Mark Burns, sometimes referred to as Trump's "spiritual advisor."

"My support for Ukraine is not a stab at him, but a call to every Republican, every conservative, every American, and those around the world who, like me, have been brainwashed by fake news media about Ukraine," Burns told the Kyiv Independent.

"For instance, fake news suggested that Ukraine hated churches, Ukraine hated ministries, that they intentionally destroyed ministries."

"Well, that is a bold-faced lie because I was in the midst of some of Ukraine's greatest spiritual leaders from all different sects and religious organizations in one room in Kyiv, and they all have the same common ground  they have the right to practice their faith in Ukraine," he said.

President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv, Ukraine, on April 4, 2025. (Ihor Kuznietsov / Novyny LIVE / Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)

Criticizing Ukrainians in Kyiv for eating out

In an interview with European Pravda in September, Spartz lambasted people living in Kyiv for doing normal things like eating in cafes or restaurants.

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"You are not preparing for war. You even act like you dont have a war. People are sitting in restaurants in Kyiv as if you dont have war anymore because the war has gone to the east," she said.

As pointed out by the Ukrainian news outlet Svidomi, maintaining some level of normality in wartime is essential for a country's economy, not to mention the mental state of its citizens.

Read also: Putin is pure evil  Trumps spiritual advisor, Pastor Mark Burns, on Russias war against Ukraine

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MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (WBOY)  Four students and three alumni in the West Virginia University system have had their student visas revoked, a WVU spokesperson confirmed Wednesday night.

As of April 9, one student and three alumni at WVUs Morgantown campus, as well as three students at WVU Institute of Technology in Beckley, have been notified that their student visas have been revoked, according to WVUs Director of News Communications Shauna Johnson. Additionally, their records have been terminated in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).

PHOTOS: Protesters gather near Morgantown NIOSH after layoffs

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Johnson said that in every case, the governments justification was that the persons name was found in a criminal records check. She added that the university is working directly with the students affected by these decisions.

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The authenticity of a massive 49-point buck that was recently panel-scored by the Wisconsin Buck and Bear Club has been called into question by wildlife authorities and the hunting community.

The buck, which reportedly has a net score exceeding 306 inches, was displayed at the Open Season Deer and Turkey Expo in Wisconsin Dells on March 29, where it was promoted as the pending non-typical state-record gun (muzzleloader) buck. If these claims are correct, the deer would shatter the existing 253-inch record and make it the largest nontypical ever taken in the state. But critics argue the buck is clearly a pen-raised deer that is being passed off as a free-range animal, pointing  in part  to the mounts bleach-white antlers and unbroken tines.

Neither the Wisconsin Buck and Bear Club nor the hunter have publicly addressed the criticism, which has fueled speculation. Now the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has opened an investigation into the buck, a DNR spokesperson told Outdoor Life Wednesday. Because its an active investigation, the agency declined to provide any details around the case.

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Outdoor Life tried contacting the hunter, who is identified on the score sheet as Richard Waters, but did not receive a response. Waters has not said anything publicly about the deer nor spoken on the record with any media outlets. The chairman of the WBBC told OL in an emailed statement that the organization is presently not commenting on the situation.

Richard Waters is listed as the hunter on the score sheet, and he claims to have killed the buck with a muzzeloader in December. Photo via Facebook

Waters, who attended the Expo according to several attendees who spoke on background to OL, reportedly claimed that he had killed the buck under fair chase conditions in December with a muzzleloader. The deer was panel-scored at the Expo by official measurers with the Wisconsin Buck and Bear Club, according to multiple sources who were present at the show. But that score would have to be verified by the Boone & Crockett Club to become a legitimate record. Neither B&C nor the Wisconsin Buck and Bear Club accepts animals that are raised in pens or killed behind high fences.

One of those sources, Dan Cole, is a freelance outdoor writer who traveled from Minnesota to attend the Expo and write an article about what hed heard was a pending record buck.

I was shown a picture [of the buck] by a person prior to the show, about a month and a half ago, and we both knew it was most likely a game-farm deer, says Cole. I just held out hope that it was going to be wild.

Cole shared this photo of the bucks antlers, which is also floating around social media. The man holding the antlers has not been identified. Photo via Facebook

Cole says WBBC scorers told him they first measured Waters buck a few months ago. The fact that the buck was going to be panel-scored at the Expo in April made him think the deer might be legitimate, after all. He traveled to the show to find out.

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When they first brought out the shoulder mount, I walked up and put my hand on the burring area near the bases, and all those points were razor sharp  if youd have grabbed them tight enough, you couldve drawn blood. That, to me, was an indication of a deer that died right out of velvet, Cole tells Outdoor Life. Deer shed their velvet in late August and early September  months ahead of Wisconsins gun season. Well, at the time, I said, Hey this deer is right out of velvet. And that measurers face just went completely pale.

Read Next: The Real Story Behind the Casey Brooks Bull, the Pending World Record Elk

Cole, who was previously an official scorer with Minnesota clubs for more than 30 years, tells OL that the extremely sharp tines are one red flag. He also notes that none of the 49 points were chipped or broken, or even showed signs of rubbing. This would be unusual for a wild deer of this size that had survived the rut and was tagged during the late season.

Freelance outdoor writer Dan Cole took this picture of the shoulder mount while at the Expo on March 29. Photo by Dan Cole

The big talk at the show was that Buck and Bear was going to let Boone & Crockett make the final decision, Cole says. But then I also heard just recently that that score sheet never actually left their file and never went to Boone & Crockett.

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B&Cs deputy director of big-game records confirmed with OL Wednesday that they have not received a score sheet on the deer.

Aside from the shoulder mount that was shown at the Wisconsin Dells Expo, there are few pictures circulating of the pending record deer not taken on the show floor. There are no known trail cam photos or pictures of the buck before it was killed, and the closest thing to a post-hunt photo is so blurred and shadowy that the hunter appears to be sitting on a shoulder mount and not an actual deer.

This is one of the few photos floating around of the buck, and it appears to have been taken prior to the outdoor expo. A few social media users have pointed out how the blurry photo makes it look like the hunter is sitting on a shoulder mount and not an actual deer. Photo via Facebook

The bucks antlers are also chalk-colored, or napkin white, as Cole puts it. This is common among pen-raised deer, as they dont usually have access to the trees and shrubs that wild deer rub their antlers on. The only other time you see antlers that white, Cole explains, is when a buck has just shed its velvet, which suggests theres no way Waters killed the buck in December. Wisconsins 2024 muzzleloader season ran from December 2 to 11.

I went around the display board and [looked at] every deer, and there wasnt one of them that had white antlers like that, Cole says. It really doesnt matter what [the hunters] story is. It isnt the truth. Because this deer died in late August, early September.

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Deer & Deer Hunting posted an article Tuesday showing the Waters buck alongside a photo of a pen-raised buck that allegedly came from a Wisconsin deer farm and died several years ago. The similarities between the two bucks are striking, D&DH noted, but the source of the photo is unverified. D&DH has also reported that Waters signed an affidavit with WBBC saying the buck was a free-range whitetail, and that he shot it with a muzzleloader near Harrisville in Marquette County.

When you sign a score sheet, you are stating that one, the deer was taken by means of fair chase and two, that the deer was killed in the wild  If someone lied there, I dont know if thats fraud or what the charges would be, says Cole, who notes that Waters left the show before he could interview him. But I do know that the Buck and Bear Club isnt going to escape this without getting a big black eye on social media.

Cole adds that there was some disruption in the measuring room at one point during the show on March 29. He says he heard multiple comments about how some of the WBBC measurers were not on board with scoring the deer and didnt even want it at the Expo. As is common in other record-keeping organizations, official measurers can refuse to score a buck if they dont think it was taken legitimately, or for any other reason.
BLOUNT COUNTY, Tenn. (WATE)  The Tennessee Comptrollers Office found that Blount County Fire Protection District is missing almost $6,000 from 2023.

According to investigators, employees of BCFPD failed to record or deposit a minimum of $5,785 in customer cash between January and November of 2023. The Comptrollers Office says that employees collected the money from customers and issued prenumbered receipts but didnt deposit the money or record the transactions in the districts accounting system.

Police search for suspect after shooting behind Knoxville home

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In some instances, a customers annual charge was deleted from the system, investigators said. This means that those customers might not have received notices about delinquent payments and may have been left without fire coverage.

Since the district had one shared cash drawer and shared login information for the accounting systems, investigators couldnt determine who was responsible for the missing cash.

READ: More top stories on WATE.com

Its essential that government offices handling cash collections implement strong safeguards and oversight, said Tennessee Comptroller Jason Mumpower. When multiple employees share login credentials and a single cash drawer, it becomes much harder to identify who is responsible when money goes missing.

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The BCFPD was founded in 1948 as a private company in 1948 before being chartered as a utility district in 1982. Now, it is supported by annual subscriptions of $220 paid by county residents. The Comptrollers Office said BCFPD is the first and only fire department public utility district in Tennessee.

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Editor's note: The article was updated with the latest casualty figures in Kyiv.

Russian attacks across Ukrainian oblasts killed at least five civilians and injured at least 24 over the past day, regional officials reported on April 10.

Moscow's forces attack Ukrainian towns and villages on a daily basis, inflicting civilian casualties and damage to infrastructure with drones, missiles, artillery, and aerial bombs.

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Ukrainian air defenses shot down 85 of the 145 attack and decoy drones launched by Russia overnight, the Air Force reported. Forty-nine drones disappeared from radars without causing damage, according to the statement.

Russia launched multiple drone attacks on Ukraine's southern city of Mykolaiv overnight on April 10, leaving at least 10 people injured and several residential buildings damaged, according to Mykolaiv Oblast Governor Vitalii Kim.

A 29-year-old woman and a 59-year-old man were hospitalized in stable condition, while the others received outpatient care, the governor said.

Russian attacks against Donetsk Oblast killed four people in total in Novoekonomichne, Bahatyr, Kostiantynivka, and Pokrovsk, Governor Vadym Filashkin reported. Two civilians were injured.

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Three people were injured in Russian attacks in Kharkiv Oblast, according to Governor Oleh Syniehubov.

A 64-year-old man was injured in an attack in Kupiansk, a 50-year-old woman was wounded in the village of Slobozhanske, and a 67-year-old woman was injured in a drone strike on the village of Bilyi Kolodiaz.

In Kherson Oblast, one person was killed and two injured in Russian strikes, said the regional governor, Oleksandr Prokudin. A high-rise building and 12 houses were damaged.

Four people were injured in overnight drone attacks on Kyiv, with two of them being hospitalized, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said. Houses, cars, and an outbuilding were damaged, and a warehouse caught fire, the State Emergency Service said.

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In Poltava Oblast, a man suffered minor injuries after Russian drone wreckage fell in the region, Governor Volodymyr Kohut said.

A man and a woman were also injured in Russian strikes in Sumy Oblast, the regional military administration reported.

Read also: Ukraine war latest: Russias spring offensive already begun; over 160 Chinese nationals fight against Ukraine

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 10. Armenia systematically destroyed religious and cultural monuments on Azerbaijans historical lands, Azerbaijani political analyst Fuad Akhundov made this statement during his speech at the 12th International Academic Conference on the Heritage of Caucasian Albania, titled "Christianity in Azerbaijan: History and Modernity", held on April 10 at the Pontifical Gregorian University of the Holy See, Trend reports.

"Among the targeted sites were Albanian churches, which form part of Azerbaijans Christian heritage. The Caucasian Albanian monuments located in Karabakh were destroyed, and deliberate efforts were made to alter their appearance and falsely present them as Armenian. These actions are not only acts of vandalism against Azerbaijans historical and cultural legacy - they also reflect an anti-Christian policy aimed at distorting the true history of the region," Akhundov said.

In his report, Akhundov also challenged the commonly held belief in some international circles that the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan is religious in nature - a confrontation between a Muslim and a Christian country.

Such a narrative, he argued, oversimplifies and distorts the reality, distracting from the historical facts and ideological foundations that underpin modern Armenian statehood. In fact, as the report stresses, Armenia increasingly displays characteristics that are not Christian, but anti-Christian.

Akhundov highlighted the figure of Garegin Nzhdeh, who has been widely glorified in Armenia in recent years. A monument to Nzhdeh stands in the center of Yerevan, despite well-documented evidence of his collaboration with Nazi Germany.

"The Apostle Paul wrote: 'There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.' Garegin Nzhdehs ideology of 'Tseghakron' stands in direct contrast to this message - it is a doctrine intended only for Armenians. When such a figure is celebrated as a national hero, it raises serious questions about Armenias claim to a Christian identity," the expert noted.

He also recalled remarks made in 1993 by Armenias first president, Levon Ter-Petrosyan, at a meeting with members of the illegal armed group Yerkrapah. At the time, Ter-Petrosyan publicly described the expulsion of Azerbaijanis from Armenia as "the century-old dream of the Armenian people" and congratulated the militants on the capture of the Azerbaijani city of Aghdam.

To support his arguments, Akhundov cited archival sources, including an 1828 memo by Russian Empire envoy Alexander Griboyedov, regarding the resettlement of Armenians from Persia to the South Caucasus. In the document, Griboyedov wrote: "The settlers are crowding out the Muslims, who are all murmuring and thoroughly." According to Akhundov, even two centuries ago, the consequences of Armenias aggressive resettlement policies were being documented.

The report also focused on the demographic consequences of violence against Azerbaijanis in what is now Armenia. Official statistics show that in 1916, 373,582 Azerbaijanis lived in the Iravan province. However, by the end of 1920, only 10,000 remained, according to Armenian scholar K. Korkodyan.

Between 1918 and 1920, approximately 130,000 Azerbaijanis were killed, and another 240,000 were forced to flee. These figures are corroborated by the research of Armenian historian A. Lalayan, who documented an 80-90% decrease in the Azerbaijani population during those years.

In closing, Akhundov pointed out a striking geopolitical paradox: while Armenia proudly calls itself a monoethnic state, it is surrounded on all sides by diverse, multiethnic countries where people of different faiths and cultures have historically lived together in peace.
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  Five people were killed in an overnight fire at a home in a community near Edwards Air Force Base, Kern County fire officials said.

The broke out at a home in the 18200 block of Claymine Road at around 12:15 a.m. on Thursday.

Kern County, California City firefighters and crews from Edwards Air Force Base responded to the home that was fully engulfed in flames. Officials said fire crews learned there were multiple people possibly trapped inside the burning home. Flames threatened neighboring homes and another structure on the property was also damaged.

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Escaped killer Cesar Hernandez involved in shootout with Mexican authorities in Tijuana, avoids capture: reports

Crews were able to get the fire under control and officials said five people were found dead inside the home. The victims were only described by officials as an adult and four minors. One adult and three other minors were able to escape without injury, officials said in a statement.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. The Kern County Coroners Office will identify the victims at a later time.

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Amid uncertainty about the long-term future of the landmark HIV/AIDS relief program PEPFAR (President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief), a global team of experts is calling for a five-year plan to transition the program toward being supported by local governments across Africa, in a new publication in The Lancet. They warn that if PEPFAR support ends, 1 million more children could contract HIV by 2030, nearly 500,000 could die from AIDS-related causes, and 2.8 million could be orphaned.

Since it was launched by former President George W. Bush in 2003, PEPFAR has saved 25 million lives globally, supported 7 million orphans and vulnerable children, and enabled 5.5 million babies to be born HIV-free, according to the U.S. State Department. It's credited as the largest commitment by any country to fight a single disease in history.

However, following a Trump administration executive order on Jan. 20, U.S. foreign aid was temporarily paused, including funds for PEPFAR. The State Department later identified parts of the program as lifesaving and allowed some funding to resume, but the future of PEPFAR remains uncertain because a plan has not yet been announced to restore full funding. And while other countries and foundations contribute to HIV/AIDS relief through avenues such as the Global Fund, PEPFAR, with its investment of over $110 billion, is funded by the U.S. government.

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The State Department declined to comment to ABC News.

PHOTO: FILE PHOTO: Kenyan HIV patients fear death as U.S. aid cuts strand HIV drugs in warehouse, in Nairobi (Thomas Mukoya/Reuters)

MORE: Potential foreign aid cuts could lead to millions of HIV infections, deaths: Study

"The PEPFAR program is a death to life  really a resurrection program," said Dr. Susan Hillis, a senior research officer at Imperial College London and co-author of the study. Hillis and her co-authors are calling for a five-year "runway" to sustain and transition PEPFAR's work to African governments and communities by 2030.

There is already evidence that this is a viable proposal. Among PEPFAR-supported countries, domestic health spending has jumped from $13.7 billion in 2004 to $42.6 billion in 2021, a 212% increase, according to the publication.

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In a separate Lancet publication, 11 senior health officials from African countries expressed appreciation for American support and pledged to increase domestic co-financing through 2030. "Together we look forward to accelerating our progress over the next 5 years, as we transition these life-saving HIV programssupported by PEPFARinto the care of our governments, institutions, faith-based and community-based organizations, and the communities we serve between 2025 and 2030," the letter stated.

"You are supposed to pick up three months of medication, but you're coming for nine months because you are not sure if you'll get your [antiretroviral medications] beyond the notice period," said Dr. Uche Amalu Jr., a public health physician in Abuja, Nigeria, in an interview with ABC News. He described that Nigerian public health practitioners are seeing shortages of medications across facilities because people are panicking.

Amalu, who has almost a decade of experience working in HIV, tuberculosis, and gender-focused health services, primarily through international NGOs, explained that in Nigeria, multiple USAID-funded projects were recently terminated, disrupting HIV care, tuberculosis detection, nutrition programs, and supply chains, some of which were funded by PEPFAR. "The funding freeze goes beyond HIV," he said.

MORE: 'Death sentence': Advocates blast $1.3 billion in State Department food aid cuts

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In response, the Nigerian government approved an additional $200 million in health funding, a sign of growing local ownership.

That's why Hillis and others argue the U.S. should stay the course, at least for five more years, to prevent dramatic disruptions. "It's not a handout," Hillis said. "It might be a hand up."

Among PEPFAR-supported countries, domestic health spending has jumped from $13.7 billion in 2004 to $42.6 billion in 2021, a 212% increase, according to The Lancet.

In a separate Lancet publication, 11 senior health officials from African countries expressed appreciation for American support and pledged to increase domestic co-financing through 2030. "Together we look forward to accelerating our progress over the next 5 years, as we transition these life-saving HIV programssupported by PEPFARinto the care of our governments, institutions, faith-based and community-based organizations, and the communities we serve between 2025 and 2030," the letter stated.

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Lawmakers in Washington are raising their voices too.

For the U.S., continued investment also makes strategic sense, according to the global experts who authored the publication. PEPFAR has coincided with a fourfold increase in U.S. exports to Africa, totaling $71.6 billion in 2024, according to the Lancet article. Global public health experts argue that strong global health systems reduce forced migration, prevent future pandemics, and foster stable international partnerships.

Dr. Jay-Sheree Allen Akambase is a family medicine and preventive medicine physician at the Mayo Clinic and a member of the ABC News Medical Unit.

5-year lifeline could save PEPFAR and millions of children from HIV originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
ST. GEORGE, Utah (ABC4)  All five who were aboard the Oregon-bound plane from St. George have been released from the hospital, officials confirmed on Wednesday.

The plane had crash-landed on Monday into a nearby body of water after skidding off the runway of the North Bend Southwest Oregon Regional Airport. Emergency crews responded to the scene after an iPhone belonging to someone on board sent a crash alert.

Hospital staff reported that everyone on board had suffered minor injuries but were alert, oriented, and stable. Three of the passengers had been released from the hospital the same day, while one was kept overnight for observation. Another person on the plane reportedly had to be transferred to another facility to receive specialized care.

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The North Bend Oregon Regional Airport confirmed, however, that everyone has been released.

Provo Airport set to break ground on expansion, adding six new gates

It is still currently unclear what caused the plane to skid off the runway. Officials with the Federal Aviation Administration were on site Tuesday to conduct a preliminary investigation and the National Transportation Safety Board will continue its own investigation to determine the cause.

The aircraft, which officials said was a 2019 Honda HA-420 jet, was removed from the water on Monday shortly after the crash.

Until the investigation is complete, the aircraft will remain stored at the airport, officials said. The plane will remain stored at the airport as the NTSB investigation continues.

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HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam (AP)  Hamburger Hill, Hue, the Ia Drang Valley, Khe Sanh: Some remember the Vietnam War battles from the headlines of the 1960s and 1970s, others from movies and history books. And thousands of Americans and Vietnamese know them as the graveyards of loved ones who died fighting more than a half-century ago.

Today the battlefields of Vietnam are sites of pilgrimage for veterans from both sides who fought there, and tourists wanting to see firsthand where the war was waged.

It was a war zone when I was here before, reflected U.S. Army veteran Paul Hazelton as he walked with his wife through the grounds of the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City, which was known as Saigon when he served there.

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Hazeltons tour just shy of his 80th birthday took him back for the first time to places he served as a young draftee, including Hue, the former Phu Bai Combat Base on the city's outskirts, and Da Nang, which was a major base for both American and South Vietnamese forces.

Everywhere you went, you know, it was occupied territory with our military, now you just see the hustle and bustle and the industry, and it's remarkable," he said.

Im just glad that were now trading and friendly with Vietnam. And I think both sides are benefiting from it.

The history and the museum recounting it

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Vietnam's war with the United States lasted for nearly 20 years from 1955 to 1975, with more than 58,000 Americans killed and many times that number of Vietnamese.

For Vietnam, it started almost immediately after the nearly decadelong fight to expel the colonial French, who were supported by Washington, which culminated with the decisive defeat of French forces at Dien Bien Phu in 1954.

The end of French Indochina meant major changes in the region, including the partitioning of Vietnam into Communist North Vietnam under Ho Chi Minh, and U.S.-aligned South Vietnam.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon to North Vietnamese and Viet Cong guerrilla troops, and the 30th anniversary of the reestablishment of diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Vietnam.

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Tourism has rebounded rapidly since the COVID-19 pandemic and is now a critical driver of Vietnam's growth, the fastest in the region, accounting for roughly one in nine jobs in the country. Vietnam had more than 17.5 million foreign visitors in 2024, close to the record 18 million set in 2019 before the pandemic.

The War Remnants Museum attracts some 500,000 visitors a year, about two-thirds of whom are foreigners. Its exhibits focus on American war crimes and atrocities like the My Lai massacre and the devastating effects of Agent Orange, a defoliant widely used during the war.

The U.S. was to open the first exhibit of its own at the museum this year, detailing Washington's extensive efforts to remediate wartime damage, but it is indefinitely on hold after the Trump administration slashed foreign aid.

Other wartime sites in Saigon, which was the capital of South Vietnam, include the South Vietnamese president's Independence Palace where North Vietnamese tanks famously crashed through the gates as they took the city and the Rex Hotel where the U.S. held press briefings derisively dubbed the Five O'clock Follies for their paucity of credible information.

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On the northern outskirts of the city are the Cu Chi tunnels, an underground warren used by Viet Cong guerrillas to avoid detection from American planes and patrols, which attracts some 1.5 million people annually.

Today visitors can climb and crawl through some of the narrow passages and take a turn at a firing range shooting targets with war-era weapons like the AK-47, M-16 and the M-60 machine gun known as "the pig" by American troops for its bulky size and high rate of fire.

I can understand a bit better now how the war took place, how the Vietnamese people managed to fight and protect themselves, said Italian tourist Theo Buono after visiting the site while waiting for others in his tour group to finish at the firing range.

Former North Vietnamese Army artilleryman Luu Van Duc remembers the fighting firsthand, but his visit to the Cu Chi tunnels with a group of other veterans provided an opportunity to see how their allies with the Viet Cong lived and fought.

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I'm so moved visiting the old battlefields  it was my last dying wish to be able to relive those hard but glorious days together with my comrades, the 78-year-old said.

Relics like this must be preserved so the next generations will know about their history, about the victories over much stronger enemies.

Outside the city

The former Demilitarized Zone where the country was split between North and South in Quang Tri province saw the heaviest fighting during the war, and drew more than 3 million visitors in 2024.

On the north side of the DMZ, visitors can walk through the labyrinthine Vinh Moc tunnel complex, where civilians took shelter from bombs that the U.S. dropped in an effort to disrupt supplies to the North Vietnamese.

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The tunnels, along with a memorial and small museum at the border, can be reached on a day trip from Hue, which typically also includes a stop at the former Khe Sanh combat base, the site of a fierce battle in 1968 in which both sides claimed victory.

Today, Khe Sanh boasts a small museum and some of the original fortifications, along with tanks, helicopters and other equipment left by U.S. forces after their withdrawal.

Hue itself was the scene of a major battle during the Tet Offensive in 1968, one of the longest and most intense of the war. Today the city's ancient Citadel and Imperial City, a UNESCO site on the north bank of the Perfume River, still bears signs of the fierce fighting but has largely been rebuilt. West of Hue, a little off the beaten path near the border with Laos, is Hamburger Hill, the scene of a major battle in 1969.

About 500 kilometers (300 miles) to the southwest near the Cambodian border is the Ia Drang valley, where the first major engagement between American and North Vietnamese forces was fought in 1965.

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Fighting in North Vietnam was primarily an air war, and today the Hoa Lo Prison museum tells that story from the Vietnamese perspective.

Sardonically dubbed the Hanoi Hilton by inmates, the former French prison in Hanoi was used to hold American prisoners of war, primarily pilots shot down during bombing raids. Its most famous resident was the late Sen. John McCain after he was shot down in 1967.

It was kind of eerie but fascinating at the same time, said Olivia Wilson, a 28-year-old from New York, after a recent visit.

It's an alternative perspective on the war.

___

Rising reported from Bangkok.
ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  Cash rewards are being offered for information leading to the arrest of ten suspects wanted for various crimes in Abilene.

Police are seeking these suspects for the following offenses:

Sean Higginbottom  Assault Family Violence with Previous Convictions

Kody Stone  Child Endangerment

AmaJiahnae Simon  Robbery

Eugene Zapata  Aggravated Assault with Deadly Weapon

Robert Allen Frayer  Aggravated Assault, Aggravated Assault Family Violence

Ashley Nicole Brooks  Evading Arrest, Unlawful Carry of Weapon, Unlawful Possession of Weapon by Felon

Keighvoucia Lamb  Aggravated Assault x3, False Report

Jose Luis Cardona  Impersonating Public Servant, Aggravated Assault

Cynthia Shadden  Aggravated Robbery

Ivonyai Lamb (FEATURED FUGITIVE)  Aggravated Assault

AmaJiahnae Simon Ashley Nicole Brooks Eugene Zapata Ivonyai Lamb Jose Luis Cardona Keighvoucia Lamb Kody Stone Robert Allen Frayer Sean Higginbottom



CrimeStoppers is offering $500 cash rewards for information that leads to the capture any of the suspects, and a $1000 cash reward for information that leads to the capture of the featured fugitive.

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Cash rewards will only be given if the information is received during the week their mugshots are aired on Abilenes Wanted Criminals.

Abilenes Wanted Criminals is a police-run social media segment that will highlight wanted suspects from around the City each 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 KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com.
Six men were arrested on child exploitation charges following a massive sting operation led by the New York State Police, authorities announced Wednesday.

The undercover investigation was conducted by state troopers in partnership with the Rockland County Sheriffs Office and the Town of Ramapo Police Department, Trooper Jennifer Alvarez, a NYSP spokesperson, said in a news release.

According to Alvarez, highly trained investigators infiltrated online platforms known for child exploitation and used advanced cyber tactics to identify individuals attempting to exploit vulnerable children and arrange in-person meetings.

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At the end of the multi-day operation, authorities identified six individuals  five from New York and one from New Jersey  who were then arrested and charged with multiple offenses.

All six men were charged with endangering the welfare of a child, officials said.

Jose B. Tombriz-Ixquiactap, 28, of Monticello, N.Y.; Yessachar D. Klahr, 51, of Monsey, N.Y.; Adrian Rosas, 33, of Stony Point, N.Y.; Diego Patricio D. Pachar Corte, 38, of Cortlandt Manor, N.Y.; and Carl W. Ellis, 55, of Maplewood, N.J., were also charged with attempted rape.

Additionally, Corte, Valdivia, and Ellis were charged with attempting to disseminate indecent material to minors, while Klahr was charged with attempted patronizing of a person for prostitution.

All men are being held at the Rockland County Jail, officials said. They are scheduled to appear in Montebello Village Court on Friday.
Gov. Matt Meyer presented his first gubernatorial State of the State address in a joint session at Legislative Hall in Dover on April 10.

Surrounded by state lawmakers, Meyer promised to tackle affordable housing and child care, invest in early literacy programs, lead the Port of Wilmingtons expansion and bring Delawares recreational marijuana industry online as part of the governors annual address.

Meyer announced a budget reset to state lawmakers back in March that, among other proposals, would raise taxes for wealthier Delawareans, provide additional, direct support for First State classrooms and educators and offer further assistance and opportunities for housing.

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Since the governor was sworn in to office in January, he has appointed members to various state boards; signed Senate Bill 21, which restructures the states corporate code; and grappled with the ramifications of federal cuts.

Gov. Matt Meyer gives his State of the State address to members of the Delaware General Assembly and guests on April 10, 2025.

No matter what happens in Washington, D.C., Delaware has to deliver. We must close the gap between our stated values and the actual outcomes we produce, Meyer said. We can build a state that not only endures but emerges stronger, more equitable, and more prosperous than ever before.

But Meyer warned those offering unconditional support to the federal administration while criticizing how Delaware is responding to meet those challenges that they cant have it both ways. All Delawareans have to come together, he said.

FEDERAL CUTS: Meyer, McBride join education union members for rally against Dept. of Education cuts

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We will not run from a fight, Meyer said. We will never let someone else define who we are, who we love, or what we as a state value.

What the governor highlighted during the State of the State address:

Affordable housing in Delaware

Recognizing the need for more affordable housing options in the First State, Meyer said he is streamlining the permitting process to lower cost and cut through the red tape. Those efforts will expedite the approval of new and renovated housing for Delawares workforce.

The Affordable Housing Production Task Force, a legislative-led effort, also provided recommendations that have prompted the state to increase investments for workforce and affordable housing, Meyer said. Delaware will also replenish the Housing Development Fund, he added.

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Meyer said he also plans to sign an executive order to reconstitute the Delaware Interagency Council on Homelessness, which will be led by the states Housing Authority Director Matt Heckles.

Education in Delaware

Meyer said his administration is working tirelessly to build an education system worthy for Delaware students and families.

That includes rethinking old systems like our funding formula, he said, an effort that Meyer pledged to tackle during his campaign run. He called on the General Assembly to pass a funding formula reform bill by the end of this years session.

We cannot ask our schools to prepare our students for the future with a funding model from the 1940s, he said. Our students have waited long enough for a system that will help each of them achieve their full potential.

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He also wants to make child care more accessible and affordable while supporting innovative programs that help students excel in school. Those efforts include expanding proven literacy programs and removing cell phones in schools.

Health care in Delaware

Delaware is one of four states that doesnt have a medical school, Meyer said, and studies show that when people leave for higher education in another state, theyre likely not to return.

Thats why Meyer is pushing to expand in-state medical education, like creating a medical school in Delaware.

The governor said his administration is also scrutinizing every regulation that prevents medical providers from expanding health care access through the state Division of Public Healths mobile units.

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These units will go into more communities and provide on-the-ground health care in places often underserved and overlooked, Meyer said.

In his budget reset, Meyer increased the states share of the cost of paramedics and first responders from 30% to 35%. Counties bear the rest of the cost. The budget also eliminates $50 million in Delawareans medical debt.

Government efficiency & transparency in Delaware

To cheers from the crowd, Meyer pledged to support the creation of an independent inspector general.

We need an office that's working every day to uncover fraud and inefficiencies, to return money to the taxpayers and give all of us confidence that there is real accountability in government, he said.

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Senate Bill 4 was introduced earlier this year by Sen. Laura Sturgeon to create the inspector general role and awaits consideration in the Senate Finance Committee.

Meyer also highlighted internal efforts to streamline workforce development into one office with measurable goals and transparent funding as well as updating the states unemployment insurance system.

The governor said hes committed to eliminating bureaucracy and creating a government that people trust.

Economic development in Delaware

Delawares governor pledged to ensure economic opportunities for new small businesses and growing industries, like finance and agriculture, while also recognizing an untapped gem right in northern New Castle County.

A Dole ship sits docked at the Port of Wilmington on Sept. 23, 2024.

Meyer said his administration plans to see the Port of Wilmington expansion to completion. The development at the port will mean thousands of good paying jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars of economic impact for the state.

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The governor also said manufacturing should be expanded and regulatory barriers to production removed to ensure Delaware is the best place to build and grow.

Legal recreational marijuana in Delaware

Getting the states recreational marijuana industry started will also boost Delawares economy, with the potential to produce tens of millions of dollars in tax revenue, Meyer said.

Thats money meant to be invested directly into schools, libraries and the community, the governor pointed out.

Money that could be used to cover federal funding shortfalls and address historic inequities created by a drug war, Meyer continued. Instead, the FBI insistence that Delaware's original recreational marijuana law is insufficient is just another egregious example of federal bureaucracy stifling state led innovation.

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The Delaware Office of the Marijuana Commissioner cannot move forward with fingerprinting because the FBI wants the states law to be more specific with wording.

What lawmakers say about Meyer's address?

State Senate Minority Whip Brian Pettyjohn, a Georgetown Republican, and Delaware Senate Majority Leader Bryan Townsend.

Delaware Online/ The News Journal spoke with state legislators following Meyers address.

President Pro Tempore Dave Sokola, a Newark Democrat, felt many of Meyers proposals for Delaware were aspirational, but acknowledged how this comes at a time of great uncertainty.

This might be a year where were going to really make some tough choices, Sokola said.

State Senate Majority Leader Bryan Townsend, a Newark/Glasgow Democrat, said he appreciated Meyers pointedness about the federal-state dynamic even if "only the Democratic legislators applauded," he later said.

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State Senate Majority Whip Elizabeth Tizzy Lockman also felt there were some real empowering moments during Meyers speech, specifically when he highlighted the work of several fellow caucus members.

State Senate Minority Whip Bryan Pettyjohn, a Georgetown Republican, felt that there were a lot of partisan shots taken by Meyer during his address.

He also said there are details that really need to be fleshed out.

State House Minority Whip Jeffrey Spiegelman, a Clayton Republican, pointed to an absolutely, unnecessary and totally inappropriate shot at the minority party when Meyer discussed recent actions undertaken by the federal government.

Despite the insult, Spiegelman said, lawmakers will work with Meyer on several issues facing the First State, most notably with education.

State House Minority Leader Tim Dukes, a Laurel Republican, said it will take leaders from both sides of the political aisle to make a substantial difference across the state.

The governor made the statement... education is a great equalizer, Dukes said. And thats the message we need to promote, that we need to work.

Alongside Dukes, state Senate Minority Leader Gerald Hocker, an Ocean View Republican, also noted how Delawares current education funding formula needs change and reiterated how he is willing to work with Meyer to ensure the best education system for the entire state.

(This story has been updated to add new information.)

(This story has been updated to correct the area state Sen. Gerald Hocker represents.)

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Meyer talks education, jobs, legal weed in Delaware State of State
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WKRN)  The Tennessee Department of Transportation just revealed which areas of the mid-state will get upgrades as part of its 10-year plan. The list includes a $61.5 million project that aims to reduce traffic on one of Murfreesboros busiest thoroughfares.

Murfreesboro City Council submitted plans to TDOT to be considered for the 10-year plan. The city and TDOT will team up to fund construction to widen Old Fort Parkway.

We have over 50,000 vehicles traveling that corridor daily and its quite a bit of congestion along that corridor, said Jim Kerr, Murfreesboros transportation director.

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TDOT includes Old Fort Parkway widening project in 10-year plan

TDOT has also taken note of the areas spike in traffic.

We want to work with local counties and local governments because we know these pain points, and we want to help them grow and we want to help them succeed and do it safely, said Erin Zeigler, TDOT Region 3 Communications Officer.

In addition to widening Old Fort Parkway, city officials hope to close certain side roads to further avoid traffic and reduce crashes.

Were going to close off one approach to Market Place and were going to be adding in some U-turns to minimize conflicts and turning movements. As well as changing the phasing of our side street signals, our signalization, thatll make it a more efficient operation, Kerr said.

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The project isnt slated to start until 2031, however, that could be moved up depending on acquiring land the city needs.

READ MORE | Latest headlines from Murfreesboro and Rutherford County

Starting sooner, TDOT also prioritized funding for Cherry Lane Phase 3, with an interchange at I-840. Construction of the Cherry Lane Interchange is estimated to begin in 2026 at a cost of $39.5 million.

Our executive director calls these type projects volume eaters; they take volume off the roadway system, Kerr said.

Once started, the Old Fort Parkway project should take about two years, according to Kerr. The project also includes walkways for pedestrians.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
Wednesday was a good day for Jhudd Jonathas, but Thursday might be even better.

The 34-year-old, who came to the U.S. from Haiti a decade ago, joined 62 other immigrants Wednesday inside a crowded courtroom at the Berks County Courthouse. Together they pledged their allegiance to America and became the countrys newest citizens.

It was a moment that would elicit excitement and pride from just about anyone experiencing it. And while it did for Jonathas, for him it was just a thrilling steppingstone leading to where he really wants to go.

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The first thing Im going to do tomorrow morning is apply to be a state trooper, he said. I would love being in law enforcement because I want to help people. Thats the field that I love and I think I can do some real good.

Being in law enforcement is really the only thing I ever wanted to do.

Becoming a citizen provides Jonathas with an opportunity to make his dream a reality. Getting to that point, he said, was a long road.

Jonathas came to America hoping for a better future.

This was all about the American Dream, he said. It was really important for me to be able to say that Im a citizen of this great country, and now I want to help others.

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Jonathas, who lives in Temple with his girlfriend and their two children, earned a degree in criminal justice from the Berks Technical Institute five years ago and is planning to start taking courses at Reading Area Community College this summer to become a certified recovery specialist.

Jhudd Jonathas is looking forward to becoming a law enforcement agent now that he is an American citizen. He was one of 63 immigrants who pledged their allegiance to their new country during a naturalization ceremony Wednesday at the Berks County Courthouse. (KAREN SHUEY  READING EAGLE)

He currently works for GEO Group, a provider of correctional and rehabilitation services, helping his fellow Berks County residents who are involved in the criminal justice system. But his real passion is law enforcement.

Until now, that passion was on hold because of his immigration status. He worked his way through the system, but even as he prepared to finally take the final step to citizenship he found himself delayed again.

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He was scheduled to take the oath of allegiance to his new home last year, but the ceremony was canceled due to a campaign stop by President Donald Trump at the Santander Arena in October.

All of the waiting made Wednesday feel particularly sweet, he said.

It feels great to finally be here, he said.

Jonathas story was just one of many from Wednesdays naturalization ceremony, each unique but also similar in many ways. The new citizens started their journeys in nine different countries and took 63 different paths, but they all shared a desire to make the U.S. their official home.

That includes Irene Dominguez.

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She came to the U.S. in 2019 from the Dominican Republic with her then husband and two children.

The 40-year-old said her main priority when immigrating was making sure she could provide more opportunities to her children than what they would have had.

I thought we would be able to have a better life, she said.

Irene Dominguez poses for the first time as an American citizen after she received her official naturalization paperwork during a ceremony Wednesday at the Berks County Courthouse. (KAREN SHUEY  READING EAGLE)

Dominguez has worked hard to make that happen. She is currently working in food service for the Reading School District and trying to make sure her kids have everything they need to be successful.

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As for finally taking the oath, Dominguez said she was excited because she will now be able to vote and have her voice heard at the ballot box.

It feels very good to be a citizen, the Reading resident said.

During the naturalization ceremony, the Berks County Bar Association invited a number of special guests to speak to the new citizens about the importance of playing an active role in the community.

Berks County Judge James Lillis, who presided over the ceremony inside the overflowing courtroom, thanked all the family and friends who have supported the new citizens on their journey. He said the decision is not one to be taken lightly and that the process can be arduous.

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The keynote speaker, local entrepreneur Hamid Chaudhry, told the countys newest citizens that he understands more than most what that journey means.

Chaudhry immigrated to the U.S. from Pakistan with his mother in 1988 when he was a young man and became a naturalized citizen in 1997.

He said he was born poor and uneducated in the slums of Pakistan.

But he said that when he got to the U.S. he put in the work, taking classes at a community college in Chicago to learn the language before eventually going on to earn a degree in finance.

Im so grateful to America for all the opportunities that it gave me, he said.

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Chaudhry stressed that while he was speaking to people who may come from very different countries than him, practice a different religion or speak another language, they all share a common link. They all have chosen to be Americans.

We are all Americans by choice, he said.

Local entrepreneur Hamid Chaudhry, who served as the keynote speaker at a naturalization ceremony Wednesday at the Berks County Courthouse, told the countys newest citizens that he understands more than most what it means to choose to be an American. (KAREN SHUEY  READING EAGLE)

But he apologized for the current environment that they find themselves in  with anti-immigration growing and deepening in many corners of the country.

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He said that when he came he felt welcomed. He cited a speech given by Ronald Reagan in January 1989 in which the late president said that he believed immigration is one of the most important sources of Americas greatness.

In the speech, Reagan said: We lead the world because, unique among nations, we draw our people  our strength  from every country and every corner of the world. And by doing so we continuously renew and enrich our nation.

Chaudhry acknowledged that there is a strong anti-immigration sentiment in America right now, and said he takes personally responsibility for not doing enough to help change the minds of those who feel that way.

It is up to you to change that perception, he said. Please help me change those minds throughout this land so that people can see all the good that we can offer. And, in return, you will see all that this country can offer you.
Ukraine's Foreign Ministry on April 10 again denounced the religious persecution carried out by Russia in the occupied Ukrainian territories, accusing Moscow of killing dozens of clergy members and damaging or destroying hundreds of churches.

Russia has been systematically suppressing Ukrainian churches and other faiths in the occupied territories while promoting the Kremlin-controlled Russian Orthodox Church, experts told the Kyiv Independent in May 2024.

Sixty-seven clergy members of various faiths have been killed between the start of Russia's all-out war in 2022 and February 2025, the Foreign Ministry said, citing the International Religious Freedom or Belief Alliance.

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Russian occupation authorities also illegally hold more than 30 religious figures in detention. Over 640 places of worship, including 596 Christian churches, have been damaged or destroyed, according to the statement.

"The Russian state, together with the Russian Orthodox Church... have implemented a system of repression against religious communities in the occupied Ukrainian lands, aimed at destroying religious diversity and Ukrainian spiritual identity," the ministry said.

The ROC has reportedly forcibly absorbed eight dioceses of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate, which included over 1,600 parishes and 23 monasteries.

Last year, Ukraine adopted a law potentially banning the Moscow-linked Ukrainian church due to its ties to the ROC and the pro-Russian activities of its clergy amid the full-scale war.

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The ROC is seen as heavily tied to the Russian state, with its head, Moscow Patriarch Kirill, being a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin and an open supporter of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Moscow has also been suppressing independent Ukrainian churches and other religions, including the autocephalous Orthodox Church of Ukraine, the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, the Roman Catholic Church, Protestant and Muslim groups, and Jehovah's Witnesses, Kyiv says.

"Criminal cases are being fabricated against them, searches are being conducted, threats are being made, and physical pressure is being applied," the ministry said in a statement.

The Orthodox Church of Ukraine's communities have reportedly ceased to exist in occupied Crimea, and its last church on the peninsula was destroyed in June 2024.

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The Foreign Ministry has appealed to "all churches, religious organizations, and believers around the world" to "pay attention to Russia's barbaric persecution of ordinary people who pose no threat to anyone and only want to believe in God and pray."

"We ask everyone in the world who values fundamental human rights not to silently watch crimes against faith and believers, for silence only strengthens evil and gives it a sense of impunity."

Multiple cases have shown that religious persecution in the occupied Ukrainian territories dates back to 2014, when Russia illegally seized Crimea and parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts. Russian occupation authorities have been targeting Muslim Crimean Tatar communities as well as various Christian denominations in the Donbas region.

Read also: Breakaway churches, spiritual awakenings, prayers in captivity. How war is changing Ukraines faith

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, April 10. Kazpost and Chinese YTO intend to establish an industrial park near the sorting hub in the Almaty region, Trend reports.

This initiative was discussed between the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, and Yu Huijiao, Chairman of the Board of YTO Express.

The main goal of this project is to develop a modern and efficient courier delivery network in Kazakhstan and Central Asian countries. This year, construction of a sorting hub is planned to begin in the Almaty region, which will reduce delivery times for postal shipments, the press service of President Tokayev reported.

In the course of the meeting with the Chinese YTO chairperson, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized the strategic importance of such joint projects and noted that they should serve as a model for effective cooperation between the state and international business.

YTO Express, officially known as YTO Express Group Co., Ltd., is a prominent Chinese express delivery and logistics company founded on May 28, 2000. Headquartered in Shanghai, it offers a comprehensive range of services, including regional same-day delivery, nationwide next-day delivery, international small parcel delivery, and various logistics solutions.


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Two 7,000-year-old mummies from the Takarkori rock shelter in the Sahara have been found to be from a group with a previously unknown ancestry.

DNA analysis of the mummies, which are the remains of female herders from a time when the Sahara was more humid and known as the Green Sahara, did not show the expected Sub-Saharan genes.

The Takarkori individuals are most closely related to other North African peoples who diverged from Sub-Saharan populations long before.

While the Sahara is now a vast expanse of sand where the fight for survival can be brutal, there was a time (however difficult that is to believe) when it was actually green and flourishing.

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Between 14,800 and 5,500 years ago, during what is known as the African Humid Period, the desert known for being one of the driest places on Earth actually had enough water to support a way of life. Back then, it was a savannah that early human populations settled in to take advantage of the favorable farming conditions. Among them was a mysterious people who lived in what is now southwestern Libya and should have been genetically Sub-Saharanexcept, upon a modern analysis, their genes didnt reflect that.

Led by archaeogeneticist Nada Salem from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, a team of researchers analyzed the genes of two 7,000-year-old naturally preserved mummies of Neolithic female herders from the Takarkori rock shelter. Though genetic material does not preserve well in arid climates, which is why much about ancient human populations in the Sahara remains a mystery, there was enough fragmented DNA to give insights into their past.

The majority of Takarkori individuals ancestry stems from a previously unknown North African genetic lineage that diverged from sub-Saharan African lineages around the same time as present-day humans outside Africa and remained isolated throughout most of its existence, they said in a study recently published in Nature.

The Takarkori individuals are actually close relatives of 15,000-year-old foragers from Taforalt Cave in Morocco. Both lineages have about the same genetic distance from Sub-Saharan groups that existed during that period, which suggests that there was not much gene flow between Sub-Saharan and Northen Africa at the time. The Taforalt people also have half the Neanderthal genes of non-Africans, while the Takarkori have ten times less. What is strange is that they still have more Neanderthal DNA than other sub-Saharan peoples who were around at the time.

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While the Takarkori apparently had less contact with Neanderthals than the Taforalt, they must have somehow had more contact than other groups in their region. There are also traces of evidence for admixture with farmers from the Levant. Otherwise, the genes of the Takarkori reveal them to have been mostly isolated. They were genetically close to Northwestern African foragers such as the Taforalt but otherwise distinct from Sub-Saharan populations.

This can only mean that there was not much genetic exchange in the Green Sahara during the African Humid Period. It used to be thought that farming practices spread through the region by migrations. Salems team has another explanation.

Our findings suggest that pastoralism spread through cultural diffusion into a deeply divergent, isolated North African lineage that had probably been widespread in Northern Africa during the late Pleistocene epoch, they said in the same study.

It seems that farming spread through the exchange of practices between cultures rather than admixture resulting from migrations. The Takarkori are thought to have inherited their genes from a hunter-gatherer group that was around during a period before animals were domesticated and farming began. Despite being hunter-gatherers, the ancestors of the Takarkori made advances in the manufacture of pottery, baskets, and tools made of wood and bone. They also stayed in one place for longer periods of time.

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The reason the Takarkori stayed isolated probably has to do with the diversity of environments in the Green Sahara. These ranged from lakes and wetlands to woodlands to grasslands, savannas and even mountains. Such differences in habitats were barriers to interaction between human populations.

Somewhere in the sands of the Sahara and the sands of time, there might be hidden mummies or artifacts waiting to tell us more about what life was like in the desert before it dried out.

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President Trump pressed the pause button on tariffs for 90 days this week and sent the markets into extreme volatility.

When announcing the tariffs Trump said, taxpayers have been ripped off for more than 50 years. But it is not going to happen anymore.

A few days later, he announced the pause for all countries except China (who will be tariffed at a 124% rate). But if the planned tariffs eventually go into effect, some countries will feel the pain worse than others. According to a list released by the White House earlier this week, these countries stand to feel the most pain.



Lesotho

Photo: Brian Otieano (Getty Images)

Lesotho is a tiny kingdom surrounded by South Africa. In March, President Trumpdescribed Lesotho as a place nobody has ever heard of. People have heard of it now and it earns the distinction of receiving the most punishing tariff on this list at 50%.

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United States Imports from Lesotho were US$242.46 Million during 2024, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade. The U.S. important garments (primarily denim), rough diamonds, and farm-raised trout.



Cambodia

Photo: Justin Sullivan (Getty Images)

Cambodia leads the list of countries to be impacted by reciprocal tariffs, at a 49% rate. United States imports from Cambodia were US$13.36 billion during 2024, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade. Apparel, footwear, and travel goods dominated the trade.



Laos

Photo: Lauren DeCicca (Getty Images)

United States imports from Laos were US$849.74 million during 2024, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade.

According to the U.S. Trade Representatives office, the U.S.A imports primarily optical and medical instruments, electronics, footwear, apparel, and natural resources like salt, sulfur, and stone.



Madagascar

Photo: Brent Stirton (Getty Images)

The United States imports from Madagascar were US$753.23 million during 2024, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade.

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According to the U.S. State Department, U.S. imports from Madagascar are primarily apparel, vanilla beans, and precious stones/metals.

Madagascar will be subject to a 47% tariff.



Vietnam

Photo: NurPhoto (Getty Images)

Vietnam is sixth on the list at a 46% reciprocal tariff rate.

According to the U.S. governments Bureau of Industry and Security, in 2022, the most recent year statistics are available, U.S. received $127.5 billion in imports from Vietnam.



The top commodity sectors were Machinery & Mechanical Appliances, Textiles, Footwear, and Headgear, and Miscellaneous Manufactured Items.

Sri Lanka

Photo: Buddhika Weerasingh (Getty Images)

Sri Lanka will get slapped with a 44% tariff.



United States imports from Sri Lanka were US$3.16 Billion during 2024, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade.



Imports Sri Lanka are primarily in garments and gems.





Myanmar

Photo: Sirachai Arunrugstichai (Getty Images)

Myanmar will get slapped with a 44% tariff.

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United States Imports from Myanmar were US$683.25 million during 2024, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade.

According to the Observatory of Economic Complexity, main imports from Myanmar to the USA include trunks and cases, garments, and frozen fish.

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CHICAGO (WGN)  Some international scholars at Illinois universities are reeling after the federal government suddenly revoked their student visas without explanation.

According to the University of Chicago spokespeople, the federal governments revocation has affected current and former students. On Wednesday, WGN News spoke with several Hyde Park campus-goers as the community reacted to the development.

I feel very strongly about this that this is unconstitutional, one woman told WGN News.

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Michael Cohen, a University of Chicago post-doctoral student, said, Its all so unjust to these particular students, so I feel terrible for them.

Loyola University Chicago sent preservation notice tied to federally indicted ex-Michigan coach

Cohen studies psychology and misinformation and suggests the news stokes students fear.

In my lab, we have a couple of graduate students from China, and I know theyre worried as well about what their future is going to be, he said.

The Chicago Maroon, the campus newspaper, was among the first to report that the federal government revoked student visas from three current students and four recent graduates.

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U of C instructional assistant Abigail Schwartz told WGN News that she hopes the administration has the students back.

The university, hopefully, will do right by its students, she said. Hopefully, theyll bring its resources to bear to protect them.

The University of Chicago says its offering to connect the affected individuals with immigration attorneys and also addressed concerns in a written statement:

The University has a long history of supporting Americas position as a magnet for talented people from across the globe, and we will continue to work to assist the members of our international community. Statement from the University of Chicago

U of C joins Harvard and Columbia University in the recent surge of international students visa revocations. Many administrators echo similar complaints of this occurring with little to no explanation.

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University of Chicago among more than 50 universities facing federal investigations as part of Trumps anti-DEI campaign

In previous revocations of student visas at other prominent universities, the Trump administration argued that top administrators havent done enough to prevent antisemitism on campus.

WGN News reached out to the White House for more details but has not yet heard back.

Other Illinois universities targeted

In addition to the University of Chicago, other Illinois universities say their students have been affected by the federal governments revocation of visas.

The University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana said its students have been affected. The universities advised those with revoked visas to make plans to leave the country as soon as possible.

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Eight students at Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville also reportedly had their visas revoked.

So far, federal authorities have informed more than 300 international students nationwide about their visa status.

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DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  All I-75 lanes heading into Dayton were closed while crews responded to a crash. Lanes have since slowly reopened.

According to West Carrollton dispatchers, a crash was reported around 2:40 p.m. in the northbound lanes of I-75 just past State Route 725.

Three vehicles were reportedly involved in the crash, including a dump truck. Several crews are responding to the scene.

OHGO cameras showed the entire highway at a standstill for over an hour. Lanes began reopening around 3:40 p.m.

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Drivers are urged to use a different route until the roadway is fully reopened.

2 NEWS is working to learn if anyone was injured.

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MECKLENBURG COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  Mecklenburg County ABC stores are now stocked with naloxone  better known under the brand Narcan  to help in an emergency to reverse a drug overdose.

Its part of an initiative unveiled this week to renovate the store on Sunset Road.

The countys ABC Board conducted Thursday training for the stores senior management staff on administering Narcan.

Senior Officer Scott Minderlein is one of the leaders of the training.

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Youll put this in their nostril right here, then youll just push on this, and youll see the mist if I can get it through the light, Minderlein showed in his demonstration.

Mecklenburg County Public Health is working to expand access to naloxone. Senior Health Program Manager Tyler Green said last year overdose deaths went down in the county because of partnerships with the ABC Board and Queen City Harm Reduction.

We really wanted to partner with the ABC Store because they are strategically placed around the county to create access to customers who want to come into their stores and obtain their products, Green said.

Green said the store locations are spread out in the community to help expand access.

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The Next Generation: Breaking Fentanyls Grip

Beth Ockerbloom works directly with people who use drugs in the community through Queen City Harm Reduction.

We feel that a big part of that is community access to Narcan and Naloxone, Ockerbloom said. The bottom line is really that overdose can happen anywhere at any time, and people are often poly-substance users.

In addition to learning how to administer naloxone, employees are also learning lifesaving first aid skills. By the end of training at ABC University, the employees can stop a bleed and check IDs.

With this naloxone basically being a lifesaving medication, especially if its administered properly, there should be more of this put out there through different businesses, not just ABC alone, Minderlein said.

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Through opioid settlement funds, the health department said Narcan will be available for the next 16 years.

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ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  The Abilene Regional Airport is looking at a $70,000,000 improvement project to help with updated service and functional modernizations.

The Abilene Regional Airport has been in service to the Big Country for more than 50 years, and officials are looking to make improvements to help them continue that service for another 50. The airport is leaving it up to the citizens of Abilene to decide on a hefty bond that would go towards a large-scale overhaul and update of the facility, which Director of Transportation Services for the City of Abilene, Don Green, elaborated on the project costs.

Were talking about a $70 million total project. $20 million is what were asking the citizens of Abilene to contribute towards that, Green shared.

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Abilene City Council debates $5.6 million increase in airport project costs

That $20,000,000 Green sighted is a bond proposal for the plan with current designs for the upgrades showing expanded space for the boarding area, a complete rework of the entrance and lobby area, as well as other functional modernizations for key operations throughout the airport. If Abilene citizens do vote in favor of the $20,000,000 bond, that still leaves a $50,000,000 price tag for the projects budget. A cost that Green said can be covered by various grants.

Some of those are grants that we get annually, called entitlement grants. We know what those are programmed to be. Some of them are competitive grants, Green explained.

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Abilene Regional Airport proposes $70 million renovation project

The competitive grants that Green is referring to come from the Federal Aviation Administration. Green spoke about how the FAA is more likely to choose an airport for these grants when a city provides these types of large-sum bonds to help fund airport projects. Green also expanded on what the tax increase could look like for Abilene citizens if the $20,000,000 bond is approved.

Per $100,000 appraised value of a home or any property, its $13.43 per year. About a $1.12 per month, Green shared.

Visit the Abilene Regional Airports website for more information about the bond and upgrades.

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By Kirsty Needham

(Reuters) - "The role of the fast attack submarine is so dynamic that everything changes on a dime," U.S. Navy Commander Jeffrey Corneille said off the coast of Western Australia on the nuclear-powered submarine USS Minnesota in March.

"As soon as my boss says go, we go," said Corneille, the ship's commander.

A 2018 letter from the U.S. secretary of defence hangs on a wall in the Minnesota, expressing gratitude for its anti-submarine warfare and intelligence gathering in Europe.

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Giving pause for thought to an adversary is "not just important for the United States, it's important for all of our partners to work together to get to that", Corneille said.

The submarine recently moved its home port from Hawaii to Guam, the first forward deployment of a Virginia-class submarine.

"In time of conflict, that is where we replenish, repair and rearm," said Captain Neil Steinhagen, Commander of Guam's Submarine Squadron 15, which includes four Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered attack subs alongside the Minnesota.

A port call at HMAS Stirling is preparation for hundreds of U.S. Navy personnel arriving in 2027, and Australians joining the crew of U.S.-commanded Virginia submarines.

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The Virginia's "34-year gas tank" gives it the speed to run down its adversary, said Steinhagen, describing the difference between nuclear propulsion and Australia's ageing diesel-electric submarine fleet, which lurk and listen in Indo Pacific chokepoints.

(Reporting by Kirsty Needham. Editing by Gerry Doyle)
Nathaniel Herz

Northern Journal



Later this spring, barges of heavy equipment will pull away from a launch on Alaska's road system and begin a journey up the Yukon River.



More than 100 miles upstream, a tributary, Birch Creek, branches off.



The equipment's destination is along that creek, on remote property owned by Alaska Native corporations in a huge basin called the Yukon Flats.



There, an oil company will set up a specially designed rig to drill the basins first-ever deep wells, which the landowners hope could lead to the discovery of the states next big oil field.



If found, petroleum could create well-paying jobs for Yukon watershed residents and generate big dividend payments for the 20,500 shareholders of Doyon, the for-profit Native corporation for Alaskas Interior region.



Doyons leaders describe the drilling effort as a rare opportunity  one that could deliver a lucrative resource sought from its lands for decades, though never produced.



But the campaign has engendered a broad backlash from tribal governments in the region.



Much of the opposition stems from the track record of the business that will be doing the drilling: Hilcorp, the large, privately held oil company founded by a Texas billionaire, Jeff Hildebrand.



Hilcorp has substantially increased its holdings in Alaska in recent years and now operates the massive Prudhoe Bay field on the states North Slope, where it partners with major firms like ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips.



But it also has a history of leaks and accidents, prompting fears from Yukon watershed residents about the risks of its new drilling program.



We've seen it so many times, that these big corporations come in and they take and take. They say they're going to reinvest and it never happens, said Rhonda Pitka, chief of the tribal government in Beaver, a Yukon River village some 20 miles downstream of the Birch Creek confluence. What will we end up with at the end of all this?



Whether the Yukon Flats will support commercial fossil fuel production remains highly uncertain, and likely won't be known for years. More exploratory drilling will almost certainly be needed to better define a deposit even if Hilcorp finds evidence of petroleum this summer, and the infrastructure to extract and move it to market would require an array of environmental permits.



Even at this early stage, opponents are aggressively fighting the drilling plans. At a meeting last month, Interior Alaskas consortium of 42 tribal governments, Tanana Chiefs Conference, approved a resolution against oil development by Hilcorp in the Yukon Flats, saying it's too risky for the ecologically and culturally significant region.



But leaders of Birch Creek, the tiny Indigenous community closest to the drilling sites, have endorsed the effort, saying it could produce desperately needed jobs.



Birch Creeks Native village corporation also owns some of the land where the drilling will take place, and like Doyon, it stands to benefit from a discovery.



Without the economic activity this exploration project could create, Birch Creek and the other Yukon Flats villages may simply cease to exist, and our way of life will be lost forever," the communitys tribal government said in a 2020 resolution endorsing the program. Birch Creeks population is now just 30 people, and its school closed more than two decades ago because it had too few students, according to the state of Alaska.



The support from Birch Creek has given Doyon and Hilcorp the social license to operate in that area, Doyons chief executive, Aaron Schutt, said in an interview.



If oil is found, Doyons agreements with Hilcorp would require the company to hire shareholders and local residents, he added.



Schutt said that Doyons early leaders, a half-century ago, chose to claim land in the Yukon Flats specifically because of its potential to yield oil and gas.



We cant re-select. We cant undo those deals that were done by our leaders 50 years ago, he said. Were stuck with the hand we were dealt from 1972 to 1975. And we have to balance all of these various constituencies and opportunities and concerns, and do the best job that we can.

Aaron Schutt, Doyon's chief executive, stands in his Anchorage office. (Nathaniel Herz/Northern Journal)

Birch Creek leaders, through a Doyon official, declined to comment. Hilcorp released its own prepared statement saying its excited to work with Doyon and community stakeholders to advance this meaningful exploration project in the Yukon Flats.



Together, we are developing a tailored program to responsibly evaluate the regions energy and resource potential, said spokesman Matt Shuckerow.



A geologic enigma



The Yukon Flats basin covers more than 10,000 square miles, bounded by the Brooks Range mountains to the north and the White Mountains to the south. The Yukon River sweeps across from east to west, and the trans-Alaska pipeline snakes over the land from north to south.



The basin began forming at least 60 million years ago, according to Marwan Wartes, a veteran geologist with the Alaska Department of Natural Resources.



It's still sinking today, making it difficult to study. Often, petroleum-rich regions of the state have experienced uplift, producing rocky outcroppings that give glimpses of their geologic histories  but those clues aren't present in the flats, Wartes said.



Experts suspect that the area contains sedimentary deposits that could produce natural gas, or even oil. But no one has drilled deep wells to confirm those theories, so the flats subsurface remains something of a geologic enigma.

A United States Geological Survey map of the Yukon Flats (via the Northern Journal)

When I look at the whole map of Alaska, it always catches my eye, and I always am frustrated that we know so little about it  because its mostly burying itself, Wartes said. It is a mystery, and I think most geologists would agree to that.



Today, the region, home to the Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge, is important habitat for as many as 2 million migratory ducks, as well as several species of fish. Its salmon and moose have long sustained the regions Native people, who now live primarily in seven Indigenous villages within or near the refuge.



For nearly two centuries, the Yukon Flats have also been the source of global commodities  starting in the mid-1800s with furs, and continuing with the 1893 discovery of gold in Birch Creek.



The region has never produced oil; nearly all of Alaskas petroleum comes from the other side of the Brooks Range, on the North Slope.



But Doyon and oil companies have long eyed the flats for its potential, dating back to the years after the 1971 Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. That federal legislation terminated Indigenous land claims in the state by transferring some 10 percent of Alaskas land to newly-formed, Native-owned corporations  which, with certain limitations, could choose the land that they wanted.



Doyon, owned by Alaska Natives with ties to the Interior region, became the states largest private landowner.



Working at the time with smaller Indigenous-owned corporations connected to the regions villages, Schutt said, Doyon selected additional land in the Yukon Flats, hoping that it would yield petroleum. The idea was to capture areas with oil potential while also leaving room for the regions residents to continue their subsistence-based lifestyles.



Doyon formalized that strategy, Schutt said, in agreements with five village corporations. A 1974 agreement with Beavers Indigenous-owned corporation refers to the potential for oil and gas in the area around the village, the development of which would benefit all of the shareholders of Doyon.



Pitka, Beavers current tribal chief, said that oil was not the driving force behind the village's participation in the Doyon agreement.



The village corporations picked land for subsistence, Pitka said. People were living on the land.



In the years after the land deals, major oil companies prospected for oil in the Yukon Flats; Exxon even signed an exploration agreement with Doyon. But Exxon pulled out of the region after its major 1989 oil spill near Valdez.



Studies continued, however.



Doyon contractors have collected hundreds of sediment and soil samples throughout the basin. The corporation has also conducted seismic testing, and it collaborated with federal and state agencies that drilled a research well to a moderate depth in 2004. The United States Geological Survey has estimated that the Yukon Flats contain 173 million barrels of oil, with a smaller chance of as much as 600 million barrels.



This has been a basin that's been on everyone's radar as having potential for a long, long time, said Wartes.



Hilcorps involvement began in 2019, when it signed an exploration agreement with Doyon covering some 2,500 square miles of the Native corporations land.



Since then, Hilcorp has flown airborne surveys to gather geologic data, and it's also drilled more than a dozen shallow test wells. Last year, it narrowed its focus, signing oil and gas leases with Doyon that cover 94 square miles near Birch Creek.



This kind of remote oil and gas exploration work, known as wildcatting, is not Hilcorps specialty; the company is better known for buying aging oil fields and making them more productive.



They must see something that really captivates them, because theres no shortage of oil on the North Slope, said Phil Wight, an energy and environmental historian at University of Alaska Fairbanks.



Even Schutt, the Doyon chief executive, said hes not sure exactly whats driving Hilcorps interest.



I actually dont know the answer to that, he said. Its still kind of a mystery.



A big upside for Doyon



This summer, Hilcorp plans to drill two exploration wells on separate sites.



The company has not publicly announced its plans, but some details have trickled into public view through documents submitted to the state. Hilcorps drilling effort requires an array of permits, among them a contingency plan that includes how the company would respond to a blowout.



The locations of the companys two planned wells are 10 and 15 miles, respectively, from the Yukon River and the village of Birch Creek, according to the permitting documents. The sites will be supported by a worker camp staffed 24 hours a day.



The area is along a lower branch of Birch Creek and is accessible only by barge, helicopter or skiff, depending on water levels. Schutt said the work will leave a light footprint.



If theres no further development, those lands will be indistinguishable from the lands next door in 10 years, he said.



Opponents of the plan have focused their efforts on a pending Hilcorp request to state land managers to pump water from Birch Creek and a nearby lake for its drilling operation.



The company says it will take a maximum of half of one cubic foot per second from the creek, which it describes as 0.05 percent of its flow. Ten different tribal groups have objected, according to their comment letters released by regulators in response to a Northern Journal public records request.



Allowing Hilcorps proposed withdrawal would degrade water quality and jeopardize the ecological integrity of Birch Creek," said one comment letter, from the Yukon River Inter-Tribal Watershed Council.



"We, the Indigenous Tribes and First Nations from the headwaters to the mouth of the Yukon River, urge the department to join us and put all of our future generations first," the letter said.



If Hilcorp finds oil, the discovery would likely be just the start of more intense environmental battles to come.



Given the large cost of building a new oil field, construction would only make financial sense if it contained at least 200 million barrels of oil, according to Doyons estimates. Tying a development into the trans-Alaska pipeline would entail crossing federal land and require environmental permits that would face stiff opposition.



But for Doyon, the effort is worthwhile because of its big upside, according to Schutt. The company is already invested in the oil and gas industry; it owns a drilling subsidiary that maintains some of the largest rigs on the North Slope.



A new field in the Yukon Flats could produce a massive royalty check each year, much of which would be shared with Alaskas other Native corporations under federal law, according Schutt. Doyons subsidiaries would be in line for contracts to work on the development, he added, and Yukon Flats villages likely could save money by tapping into newly available natural gas for heating.



It would economically support the whole subregion and Doyon for generations, he said. Those are the types of opportunities that dont come along very often for us.



Nathaniel Herz is the publisher of Northern Journal.
An inmate was taken back into custody less than two hours after escaping the Chisago County jail during the overnight hours Thursday.

According to the Chicago County Sheriff's Office, the 46-year-old man was under supervision when he escaped "during a routine trash duty" around 1:30 a.m. He was taken into custody "without incident" about a mile from the jail at3:11 a.m.

The inmate has been identified as Donald Edmond Warner, who is in custody ahead of a trial related to charges for criminal sexual conduct. He was arrested by a SWAT team in 2023 and charged with first-degree criminal sexual conduct for two alleged rapes that occurred in 2010 in Stacy and 2017 in Lindstrom.

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In June 2024, a Chisago County Grand Jury indicted Warner on two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct for the 2010 cold case. The indictment allows prosecutors to seek a life sentence if Warner is convicted. Chisago County Attorney Janet Reiter called the allegations against Warner "deeply disturbing."

Warner's bail was set at $1.5 million following the grand jury indictment.

Donald Edmond WarnerChisago County Jail

The North Branch man is now facing additional charges related to his escape.

"The safety and security of our community remains our top priority and we thank the public for their partnership and cooperation during this incident," Chisago County Chief Deputy Justin Wood said.

"An internal review of the incident is underway to determine how the escape occurred and to ensure preventative measures are being implemented to avoid future incidents."
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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  The American Civil Liberties Unions Oregon chapter has led a coalition of organizations in signing a letter that asks Portland leaders to investigate law enforcements alleged intimidation and retaliation tactics.

The ACLU  along with 16 other groups including Basic Rights Oregon, Dont Shoot PDX and the local Urban League chapter  sent the letter to Portland City Council, Mayor Keith Wilson, Portland Police Bureau Chief Bob Day and other officials on Wednesday.

Oregon GOP chairman resigns amid allegations of sexual violence against ex-wife

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According to the collective, some PPB officers have attempted to intimidate the new city councilors who have pushed for police accountability.

The letter said uniformed officers attended town halls organized by District 2 Councilor Sameer Kanal and District 3 Councilor Angelita Morillo on two different occasions last month. Signees claimed the officers failed to communicate their appearance ahead of the meetings and, when Morillo asked about their attendance, they either appeared to evade explaining their presence or they decided against naming the lieutenant that advised them to go.

PPB Chief Day apologized to Portland City Councils Community and Public Safety Committee on March 25, saying that police attendance at previous town halls did not go as [he] had planned.

Community engagement is cops and community in the same place in low conflict, low stress areas, Day said. My error in judgment was that I thought that the other 799 [officers] thought like I did in terms of what community engagement is. I made some assumptions. I also failed to recognize some of the dynamics that were happening in this very room and the reality that those have impact upon perception and experience.

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But the ACLU noted other alleged instances of retaliation, intimidation, and politically-motivated action, some dating back several years.

Two Scappoose women arrested, accused of murdering man in their care

The organization cited a 2021 case in which law enforcement falsely accused former Portland Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty of a hit-and-run crash. It also cited the alleged excessive force that police used against racial justice protesters in 2020, among other instances.

Particularly in the age of Trumps bullying tactics and attacks on democracy and the rule of law, it is unconscionable that our local police may be resorting to attempted intimidation and bullying tactics to try to affect important public policy decisions that affect real safety solutions for all Portlanders, ACLU wrote in the letter.

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Attorneys for the ACLU and state argued whether to pause a law keeping most details about executions secret at the Matthew J. Perry Courthouse in Columbia on Wednesday, April 9, 2025. (File photo by Getty Images)

COLUMBIA  A civil rights group asked a federal judge Wednesday to pause enforcement of a South Carolina law that keeps secret everything about the people and companies involved in executions.

The requested suspension of penalties for disclosing the confidential information would not affect Fridays scheduled execution by firing squad. Rather, the American Civil Liberties Union is seeking to block charges indefinitely while its challenge to the secrecy law progresses through the courts.

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No other death warrant of an inmate is imminent. The pending execution of Mikal Mahdi is the last of a series expected after a state Supreme Court ruling allowed executions to resume last fall.

But if the state can no longer guarantee people involved in executions that they will be free from public scrutiny, the state would again be unable to carry out executions scheduled in the future, attorney Grayson Lambert told U.S. District Judge Joseph Anderson.

Its about public safety and protecting those involved in the execution process, said Lambert, who represents Gov. Henry McMaster.

But attorneys for the ACLUs state chapter argued the law, which legislators expanded in 2023, violates citizens First Amendment rights to free speech by preventing them from learning or sharing information.

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Anyone who violates the law, which since 2010 has shielded the identities of the execution team, can be sentenced to up to three years in prison.

In 2023, the secrecy law was extended in a successful attempt to restock the drugs for a lethal injection execution, with the definition of execution team broadened to include any person or company involved with supplying the drugs or medical equipment. The states supply had expired a decade earlier, and officials couldnt restock since pharmaceutical companies didnt want to be associated with selling the drugs that kill people.

The lack of lethal injection drugs began providing inmates a reprieve in December 2020, when the first scheduled execution was put on hold.

Corrections Director Bryan Stirling tried contacting drug manufacturers, drug compounders and even other states in an effort to get the drugs needed to carry out lethal injections, said Lambert, attorney for Gov. Henry McMaster.

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We tried, we tried, we tried, and it didnt work, Lambert said.

But within months of the 2023 law granting secrecy to any supplier, manufacturer, compounder or pharmacist involved with providing the drugs, Stirling was able to secure them.

Since September, four condemned men have been put to death. Three of them chose lethal injection. Mahdi is set to be the fifth man executed and the second in state history by firing squad.

The question in the case heard Wednesday comes down to whether or not the law was put in place specifically to keep advocates for inmates from learning more about the execution process.

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The law isnt a constitutional violation because it applies equally across the board, Lambert argued.

The ACLU pointed to a public records request denied under the law as proof it stifled the groups ability to gain information.

But everyones denied that information, Lambert said: If a pro-death penalty group wouldve sent the same request, that group wouldve gotten nothing in response for the exact same reason.

Knowing as much as possible about the drug manufacturers allows for greater public discourse, attorneys for the ACLU argued.

If the state were using a disreputable or dangerous company, for example, people would be able to raise that as a reason not to carry out executions, said Jonathan Spratley, who represents the ACLU.

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The ACLU claims it has information that falls under the law but wont say what it is, who provided it or when the team got it. Thats because of the laws penalties for disclosure, according to the group.

This case is not about whether you agree or disagree with the death penalty, Spratley said. Its about whether South Carolina can place a muzzle on citizens who seek to scrutinize and criticize the process.

Thats especially important amid questions over the efficacy of the drug, Spratley said.

He pointed to autopsy reports that suggested a prolonged death, with inmates declared dead 20 minutes after their executions began, and that their lungs filled with fluid.

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In response, experts for the state have said thats typical of an execution, and nothing has gone wrong.

The judge seemed skeptical that the drugs didnt knock out the condemned men long before their declared time of death. He recalled his own recent surgery involving anesthesia, noting he was told to count down from 10 after the drugs started flowing.

I got to nine and I was out, and I didnt feel one thing  not one thing  as they were cutting into my muscles, Anderson said. Why is that different when we take a life?

Anderson asked both legal teams whether he could prevent enforcement of most of the law but leave intact the part barring disclosure of the pharmaceutical companies names.

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Does the public have a burning interest in knowing whether the chemicals are made by ABC pharmaceutical or XYZ pharmaceutical? Anderson said. Does it really matter?

Lambert said any information at all about the companies could make it easier for people to identify them.

In a 100-piece jigsaw puzzle, if we give you 87 pieces, you dont need the last 13 pieces to figure out what the picture is, Lambert said.

The state is seeking a dismissal of the case. If it proceeds, the evidence the state will need to prove its case could violate the law its trying to defend, Lambert said.

Anderson said he would issue a decision within several days.
NEW MEXICO (KRQE)  The American Civil Liberties Union is condemning the revoked visa status of some international students studying in the state. The civil rights organization is calling the revocations arbitrary, saying they are alarmed by the lack of transparency surrounding the decision.

New Mexico National Guard begins training members to assist police in Albuquerque

The University of New Mexico recently checked the student and exchange visitor database and noticed some students had their records terminated, but didnt give a number. At least six international students from New Mexico State University have had their visas revoked.

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The ACLU says there are nearly 2,000 international students studying in communities across New Mexico.

The ACLU of New Mexico sent this statement:

Every person in this country deserves due process and protection from arbitrary, punitive actions by the federal government. The sudden and unexplained apparent revocation of visas for students at universities across New Mexico demonstrates a deeply troubling escalation of government overreach. To our knowledge, these students have been given no justification for the termination of their immigration status, leaving their education in limbo and their futures in jeopardy. The complete lack of transparency surrounding these decisions is profoundly concerning. International students enrich our states academic communities immeasurably, bringing diverse perspectives and significant contributions to New Mexicos educational and economic landscape. The ACLU of New Mexico is monitoring this situation and exploring all legal avenues to defend the rights of the affected students. Rebecca Sheff, Senior Staff Attorney, ACLU of New Mexico

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Apr. 9WASHINGTON  The sheriff of Adams County took his legal battle with Washington state's attorney general to the halls of Congress on Wednesday, headlining a House subcommittee hearing on so-called "sanctuary" jurisdictions that limit local law enforcement's cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

In a lawsuit filed in March, Attorney General Nick Brown accused Sheriff Dale Wagner's office of violating a 2019 Washington law that prohibits local law enforcement agencies, with some exceptions, from cooperating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, to detain immigrants who aren't authorized to be in the country. Brown alleges  and Wagner denies  that the sheriff's office has illegally held people in custody based solely on their immigration status, helped federal agents question them and shared information with immigration officials.

"This lawsuit is not about justice or protecting communities," Wagner said in his testimony. "It's about enforcing a political agenda that restricts law enforcement's ability to cooperate with federal authorities."

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The Keep Washington Working Act, as the state law is officially known, was passed with bipartisan support by the state legislature in 2019, in the wake of high-profile arrests of immigrants in Washington state  some of whom had legal protections  by ICE under the first Trump administration. It prohibits state and local law enforcement agencies from helping federal authorities detain immigrants who are in their custody.

Supporters of the law and similar "sanctuary" policies argue that letting the federal government force state and local police to participate in immigration enforcement hurts their ability to focus their resources on their top priorities, while also undermining trust in immigrant communities that police rely on to conduct investigations and keep people safe. But policies like Washington's have also resulted in the release of unauthorized immigrants who have gone on to commit high-profile crimes, leading opponents of such laws to argue that they tie the hands of agencies like Wagner's.

The sole witness invited by Democrats, retired Maj. Neil Franklin of the Baltimore City and Maryland State Police, argued that local law enforcement agencies should have the latitude to do what they think is best to maximize the safety of the communities they serve. Franklin and Wagner seemed to agree on that point, but one criticized mandates from a Democrat-led state government while the other opposed policies of the Republican president.

In a brief interview after the hearing, Wagner said he hopes the country can find a middle ground on the highly divisive topic, but he acknowledged that the current political climate makes that difficult.

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"On the ground, we need to be able to remove those people that are problems for our communities, with whatever system works," he said. "The sheriffs are caught in between this. We're voted by the people and we're trying to do what's best. Well, federal law says you can't do this, state law says you can't do that, and we're kind of stuck in the middle."

The division between Democrats and Republicans was on full display in the hearing, in which members of each party accused the other of staging "a coup d'etat" and not caring about public safety.

Rep. Michael Baumgartner, a Spokane Republican who sits on the full House Judiciary Committee but not on the subcommittee that held Wednesday's hearing, was invited to attend to introduce Wagner. But when the congressman began using his introductory remarks to criticize Brown's lawsuit, Rep. Pramila Jayapal of Seattle, the panel's top Democrat, objected, and the Republican chair, Rep. Tom McClintock of California, agreed that Baumgartner had to avoid the politics in his introduction.

That comity didn't last long. Members of both parties used most of their time reserved for questions to monologue, ending their remarks with a handful of rhetorical questions to the witnesses. In addition to Wagner and Franklin, the panel of witnesses included RJ Hauman, an advocate of restrictive immigration policy, and Danielle Carter-Walters, a Chicago resident who has criticized the approach of the city's Democratic leaders to immigrants.

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Democrats largely avoided addressing sanctuary policies directly and sought to change the subject to President Donald Trump's tariff policy and his administration sending immigrants to a notorious prison in El Salvador without trial or evidence that they had committed crimes. Republicans gloated about their victory in the 2024 elections, accused Democrats of defending violent gangs and promoted the idea that Democrats are intentionally bringing immigrants into the country to vote for them.

Noncitizens cannot vote in state or federal elections. While naturalized citizens have historically favored Democrats in elections, surveys conducted by the Democratic consulting firm Blue Rose Research found that Trump narrowly won that group in 2024.

Congress has failed to overhaul the nation's immigration laws for decades, and Wagner and Franklin lamented during the hearing that the political divide has stood in the way of solutions. When a Republican asked Franklin whether he thought illegal immigration was a problem, the former cop didn't hesitate to reply, "Yeah, I do."

"There's no doubt that we have a border problem and we need policies, because you've heard what we're dealing with at the local level once they get to our cities and towns," he said. "This really pains me to not be able to see both sides come together and work within the brackets of the Constitution, to come up with sound border policies and processes so people can become legal."

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Throughout the hearing, Wagner said he's "not a politician," but he hasn't entirely escaped the vortex of politics swirling around immigration issues. He is represented in his legal fight with the state of Washington by America First Legal, a law firm founded by Trump adviser Stephen Miller.

"It's very political," Wagner said in response to one Republican's question. "The whole fear-mongering is coming from both sides, quite frankly."

A delegation of Washington state sheriffs and undersheriffs made the trip to D.C. and sat behind Wagner throughout the hearing. They included Undersheriff Adolfo Coronado of Adams County, Sheriff Keith Swank of Pierce County, Sheriff Brad Manke of Stevens County, Sheriff Ray Maycumber of Ferry County, Sheriff Glenn Blakeslee of Pend Oreille County, Sheriff Daniel Garcia of Pacific County and Sheriff Tom Croskrey and Undersheriff Jon Law of Benton County.

After the hearing, Baumgartner returned to the room to lead the law enforcement officials on a tour of the Capitol. In a brief interview, he said congressional Republicans could use their ability to appropriate or withhold federal funding to pressure states and cities to end their sanctuary policies.

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After asserting that Washington's attorney general had sued Wagner to pick a fight with the Trump administration in an effort to raise his national political profile, Baumgartner said he hopes immigration policy can become less political in the United States.

"If this thing could get depoliticized and we could just look at what is the common-sense solution," he said.

Asked how they could happen, he took a long pause.

"When we had bipartisan issues in the state legislature, you just started with the policy rather than the politics of the issue," he said. "But it's something we're going to have to do. Have you got any suggestions?"

Orion Donovan Smith's work is funded in part by members of the Spokane community via the Community Journalism and Civic Engagement Fund. This story can be republished by other organizations for free under a Creative Commons license. For more information on this, please contact our newspaper's managing editor.
House Speaker Ron Mariano said Thursday that the Houses fiscal year 2026 budget will not raise taxes or fees on residents or businesses in Massachusetts, and that his chamber will focus on the states affordability crisis this session including with a new emphasis on how policy impacts energy costs.

Mariano promised at a Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce event Thursday morning that the House Ways and Means budget proposal, expected next week, will continue to fund free school meals for all public school students in Massachusetts, along with another year of meeting our commitment towards the full implementation of the Student Opportunity Act.

There has been uncertainty about whether the state would be able to continue to pay for the school meals program, as it is subsidized by federal funds, which may be affected by President Donald Trumps large-scale cuts.

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The speaker railed against Trump in his speech, heightening rhetoric about the president as budget-writers have tried to craft a spending plan while dealing with changing news from Washington D.C. every day. Trumps second term has had a strong emphasis on cutting federal spending and workforce levels, part of an effort his White House says is focused on reducing government waste and fraud.

When I spoke with you all last year, President Biden was still in office, which meant that Massachusetts had a reliable partner at the federal level. On January 20th though, we lost that partner, and now as much as $15 billion for Massachusetts could be in jeopardy, he said.

Mariano said Trump has decimated institutions such as the Department of Education, is wreaking havoc on programs that millions of vulnerable Americans rely on, and has worked to exact revenge on his political opponents.

The speaker said the presidents executive order targeting offshore wind could also put the commonwealths ever-important climate goals out of reach.

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Still, he said the House wouldnt be distracted by the president and federal level.

The House will vote to establish an internal procedure to better predict the impact that future policy decisions will have on energy costs, he said, as well as take up legislation aimed to bolster access to early college programming for Bay State students.

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CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP)  African nations that faced some of the steepest reciprocal tariffs from the Trump administration were given a moment of relief Thursday by the suspension of the duties, only for new uncertainties to hang over key businesses sending clothing and textiles, vanilla and fruit to the United States.

Lesotho, Madagascar and South Africa were threatened with some of the highest tariff rates under U.S. President Donald Trumps plan.

Lesotho, a tiny mountain kingdom, was stunned by the 50% duties that were due to come into effect Wednesday before Trump announced a 90-day pause on the levies. It was the second highest tariff rate after China.

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This will give us the opportunity to negotiate the reduction of tariffs so that the playing field is levelled, Lesotho Trade and Industry Minister Mokhethi Shelile said in response to the suspension. Its a serious issue for us, but we are tackling it head-on.

Many like Lesotho had already sent trade delegations to Washington or were willing to negotiate, with some of their most important industries and tens of thousands of jobs hinging on the outcome.

Lesotho makes American clothing brands

Nearly half of Lesothos 30,000 clothing and textile workers depend on jobs making apparel for American brands like Levis, Nike, Reebok and others, which are exported to the U.S. Clothing and textiles is the biggest private employer in the country of just 2.3 million people.

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Lesothos most pressing problem is that regional competitors like Kenya and Eswatini had been assigned much lower tariffs for their exports  some as much as 40% lower. Officials warned that the competitive disadvantage would likely shut down more than a dozen Lesotho factories and eliminate more than 12,000 jobs unless they can significantly reduce their 50% tariff rate in negotiations.

The problem arises when countries like Eswatini receive a 10% tariff while were hit with 50%. These are the very countries we compete against, Shelile said.

Lesothos clothing industry had braced itself for the 50% tariffs this week, with some saying it was the sector's worst time since the COVID-19 pandemic.

I dont fully understand whats happening, but I heard on the radio that our jobs are at risk, said machine operator Mareitumetse Lesia, who was on a lunch break during a nine-hour shift stitching together Levis jeans in one factory. I hope its not true. I know what its like to have nothing to eat.

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The world's biggest vanilla producer

In Madagascar, which produces 80% of the worlds vanilla, that industry felt better as soon as the tariffs suspension was confirmed, said Georges Geeraerts, the president of the Madagascar Vanilla Exporters Group. Madagascar had faced 47% duties on exports to the U.S.

But there were other complications. Exporters were now rushing their vanilla to the U.S.  by far Madagascars biggest market  in the hope that it would arrive while tariffs are still suspended. Cargo ships take 70-90 days to reach the U.S. from the Indian Ocean island and exporters didnt know what duties might be imposed when the product got there given the abrupt changes in policy by the Trump administration.

All our American customers have been asking us since this morning to load the vanilla onto the cargo ships, so that we can meet the deadlines, said one exporter, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to speak publicly about the orders.

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A 25-year-old trade agreement facing termination

South Africas citrus industry said the original 30% tariffs for its country had threatened 35,000 jobs and the economies of entire towns that are geared to exporting oranges and other citrus fruits to the U.S. when they are out of season in North America.

The suspension of the reciprocal tariffs gave South Africa's biggest agricultural export breathing space, said Citrus Growers' Association of Southern Africa CEO Boisthoko Ntshabele. But they also faced the new reality that the first citrus fruit of the year going to the U.S. this week from South Africa would be taxed at the 10% across the board tariff the U.S. has kept in place  still a significant blow, though less severe than the 30% duties initially announced.

South African citrus had previously been given tariff-free access to the U.S. under the 25-year-old African Growth and Opportunity Act that benefits dozens of African nations. Many fear that agreement will not be renewed when it expires in September. South African Trade Minister Parks Tau said it would be very difficult to keep AGOA given the Trump administration's stance.

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Ntshabele said South Africa's citrus growers were urging that their product be exempt from tariffs given they worked in tandem with U.S. farmers to provide fruit to American consumers at different times of the year.

South African citrus growers do not directly threaten the jobs or incomes of citrus growers in places like California, Florida and Texas, Ntshabele said.

___

Associated Press writers Keketso Phakela in Maseru, Lesotho, and Sarah Tetaud in Antananarivo, Madagascar contributed to this report.

___

More AP news on the Trump administration: https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump
French Rafale fighter jets laden with nuclear missiles soar through the skies above Geneva as the Armee de lAir et de lEspace, the French air and space force, simulates a nuclear attack. Nuclear war training is usually conducted at night, but Exercise Poker was held during the day of March 25, so that France could showcase its capabilities to the world.

The rules-based order is collapsing, Europe is worried and, all of a sudden, nuclear proliferation and a new arms race is very much on the cards again. On March 5, President Emmanuel Macron warned of a new era of instability, and floated the idea of developing a French nuclear umbrella for Europe.

I want to believe that the United States will remain by our side, but we need to be ready if that were not the case, he said before vowing to expand Frances nuclear capabilities, including forty new Rafale jets and a 1.5 billion investment to equip one of the countrys main air bases with the latest nuclear technology.

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The world we live in is increasingly dangerous, and increasingly uncertain, he added. Our country and our continent must continue to defend, equip, and prepare itself if we want to avoid war.

It is not just in Europe that there is evidence we have entered a new age of proliferation. The well established threats posed by Iran and North Korea remain, and new actors  including Saudi Arabia, South Korea, and Japan  are starting to voice nuclear aspirations. Chinas capabilities and ambition are also expanding.

For the first time since the Cold War, the taboo around tactical or battlefield nuclear weapons is eroding, with Russias President Vladimir Putin increasingly using the threat of the Russian nuclear arsenal to pressurise the West over its military and diplomatic support for Ukraine.

Russia has placed its weapons on heightened alert, tested and deployed new nuclear capabilities, threatened to resume nuclear testing, and suspended participation in a key nuclear arms control treaty with the US, said a House Of Commons briefing document in December.

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It added: In March 2023 Russia said it would deploy tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus. This is the first time that Russia has deployed nuclear weapons outside of the country since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

No one knows where the current situation will end, but it can be said with certainty that the risk of nuclear war is once again increasing, making the world a more dangerous place.

It is well-documented that we came within a whisker of nuclear conflict during the 1962 Cuban Missile crisis, its prevention credited to just one of three Russian submariners who refused, against the wishes of his two colleagues, to approve the firing of a nuclear tipped torpedo at an American warship.

A guy called Vasily Arkhipov saved the world, Thomas Blanton, director of the US National Security Archive, would note at a conference on the anniversary of the incident 40 years later.

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As we once again enter a phase of rising geopolitical tensions and shifting nuclear deployments we urgently need to ask  how did we get here? And what can we do to mitigate if not eradicate the rising risks we face?

An aerial photograph of a Soviet missile launch site in Cuba - Hulton Archive

The fall of the Berlin wall in November 1989 marked the end of the Cold War, and ushered in a welcome and prolonged period of nuclear disarmament. Memories of Cuba and the nuclear anxieties of the 1970s and 1980s, captured by popular books and films, including When the Wind Blows and Threads, swiftly dissipated.

The nuclear freeze was a product of US hegemony, and for security wonks like me, it was a golden age. The US and Russia had ceased nuclear testing, the development and deployment of new nuclear weapons had all but paused, and the worlds stock of nuclear weapons  especially Russian and US arsenals  started to fall dramatically.

Agreements including the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) (1987-2019),the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) (1996), and the NewSTART agreement (2010) removed intermediate-range missiles from the equation and reduced nuclear warheads from a peak of 63,600 in 1985, to about 12,400 weapons today.

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Redundant Cold War nuclear bunkers were repurposed as data centres and even holiday homes. I worked from one doing resilience planning for the 2012 London Olympics. Only a bundle of dusty Protect and Survive pamphlets in the back of a cupboard told the story of its former life.

With hindsight, we were lulled into a false sense of security during the nuclear freeze. The relatively serene geopolitics of the time really did give the impression we had reached the end of history. We forgot, perhaps, that raw power is as important as ideas in shaping the world. And we missed the significance of the long-term erosion of US economic hegemony, and the emergence of a new multipolar world  a world of many competing powers.

The cover of a May 1980 leaflet called PROTECT AND SURVIVE, which gave advice to the population about how to make their homes and family as safe as possible under nuclear attack

This long term shift has been dramatically turbo charged by Donald Trumps second arrival in the Whitehouse. As raw power takes on greater importance than values, worried and frightened states are starting to leverage their nuclear latency  their capacity to make and deploy nuclear weapons. The four key factors long linked to nuclear proliferation are all in play: security threats, treaty breakdown, domestic political shifts and access to nuclear technologies.

Putins Russia has taken on a starring role in this nuclear chaos, posturing in Ukraine and withdrawing acrimoniously from several arms control treaties. The US and Russia pulled out of the INF in 2019, choosing to grow their tactical deterrence instead.

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Former Defence Secretary Dr Mark Esper said: This withdrawal is a direct result of Russias sustained and repeated violations of the treaty over many years and multiple presidential administrations.

The NewSTART agreement is the last hope for Washington and Moscow. This treaty limits the number of warheads that can be deployed by both countries  but there are already concerns it will not be extended after February 5th 2026.

In the Middle East, Iran has dramatically stepped up production of weapons-grade uranium and Saudi Arabia is contemplating the possibility of becoming a nuclear power. Not surprising, perhaps, with a right-wing Israeli cabinet minister with security responsibilities threatening the use of nuclear weapons in Gaza last year.

In theory  but probably not in practice  Iran has enough material to produce six nuclear weapons in a matter of months, after Trump pulled out of a nuclear agreement known as the JCPOA in 2018 during his flirt term in office. Recent efforts by the new Trump administration to revive the deal have so far come to nothing, although that could yet change, with indirect talks expected to open shortly.

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The desperate situation in Gaza has meanwhile precipitated a desire in the Middle East for a Muslim deterrent  and nuclear Pakistan may prove a willing collaborator. The Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman has said his civilian nuclear programme could be redirected to make weapons, if Iran proliferates first. A US-Saudi-Israeli deal could end this discussion but seems unlikely in the short term with war still raging in Gaza and Israel showing no appetite for a broader regional peace.

The situation is no better in the Far East. China is developing hypersonic weapons, North Korea is becoming ever more volatile, and Japan and South Korea both feel under threat.

Kim Jong Un has a new stash of AI integrated drones with nuclear delivery utility, and military spy satellites. He has vowed to exponentially increase North Koreas nuclear arsenal and deploy tactical nuclear weapons on the battlefield.

South Korea feels threatened by its northern neighbour, and doubts about US security guarantees are creeping in. South Koreans want Korean nuclear deterrence instead of US peacekeeping. South Korea already has the raw materials and equipment to proliferate. President Yoon Suk Yeol said: What we call extended deterrence was also the U.S. telling us not to worry because it will take care of everything, but now, its difficult to convince our people with just that.

The test launch of a North Korean intercontinental ballistic missile - AFP PHOTO/KCNA VIA KNS/AFP

Despite its commitment to pacifism after the Second World War, in a dramatic policy shift Japans prime minister, Shigeru Ishiba, has called for an Asian version of Nato, which must ensure deterrence against the nuclear alliance of China, Russia, and North Korea. To back this up, he requested Americas sharing of nuclear weapons or the introduction of nuclear weapons into the region.

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Similarly profound changes are underway in Europe, where the US-UK deterrent and Nato no longer feel adequate. European countries now anticipate that, sooner or later, the American nuclear umbrella will fold  and are preparing alternatives. One of these is an expansion of the French umbrella.

Ive decided to open the strategic debate on the protection by our deterrence of our allies on the European continent, Mr Macron said last month. Our nuclear deterrence protects us, it is complete, sovereign, French from end to endThis protects us much more than many of our neighbours.

Unlike France, Britain is unable to claim the same degree of sovereignty over its nuclear deterrent. Though the UK has autonomy over the final decision to launch, thanks to the Mutual Defence Agreement with the US, it remains highly dependent on Washington because the technologies at the heart of the Trident system are US-designed and leased  and there is no suitable alternative.

Heloise Fayet, a researcher at the French Institute of International Relations, said: Due to the continuous threat from Russia and the lack of US commitment to the defence of Europe under Donald Trump, there is a sudden surge of interest from European allies for the role that French nukes could play.

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Germany and Poland, meanwhile, are pushing for a broader European deterrent.

Friedrich Merz, the German Chancellor, fears that Trump is indifferent to the fate of Europe and recently asked whether their nuclear protection could also be extended to us by France and the UK to supplement the American nuclear shield.

A protester holds aloft a mock up of a German fighter jet armed with a nuclear missile - Tobias Schwarz/AFP

Echoing the chancellors concerns, Donald Tusk, Polands prime minister, stated: We would be safer if we had our own nuclear arsenal.

Changes in Europe could extend to Europe obtaining its own tactical nuclear weapons. However, a new European deterrence presents two issues: credibility and capacity.

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In the absence of US protection, the best-case scenario could be a joint French-UK deterrent  but even with updated systems, we would be limited to second-strike capabilities. This means that we could retaliate against a nuclear attack but we wouldnt possess sufficient clout to launch a first strike. While second strike capability can support a no-first-use policy, the capacity to second strike could also escalate to mutually assured destruction.

What comes next?

We live in a complex nuclear age with many players  and there is no going back. If the Cold War was a chess match between East and West, our current nuclear situation could be described as a game of Twister, with many players jostling for position. Because there is no single dominant power, we can only anticipate further escalation  extra hands on new nuclear attack buttons can only increase the likelihood that a nuclear weapon will be used  and this makes managing nuclear risks more complex.

There is no easy way to deal with this dangerous situation. We need to be flexible, innovative, and proactive if we want to manage these risks and prevent the devastating harms of nuclear war. We need to change global norms and make non-proliferation and disarmament the preferred option for anxious states. We need to prevent misunderstandings and re-establish the taboo surrounding nuclear weapons. If we can re-embed no-first-use and de-escalation policies amongst nuclear-armed states, we might reduce the incentive to use nuclear weapons in the first place.

Immediate action is needed to modernise arms control agreements, like the Non-Proliferation Treaty. We must work with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to prevent broad access to fissile materials like plutonium. We must also improve conflict resolution between nuclear and non-nuclear states in volatile regions, including South East Asia and the Middle East, so that everyone feels safer.

Crisis management during nuclear conflict is not enough. It is vital to maintain all forms of diplomacy and to keep lines of communication open between hostile states, even if it feels impossible. We must not become desensitised to atrocity  as we need to prevent the normalisation of mass killings. For it is when we lose our humanity, and our ability to see others as human beings, that nuclear war becomes more likely.

Dr Becky Alexis-Martin is a Lecturer in Peace, Science, and Technology at the University of Bradford

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Artificial Intelligence is transforming industries, automating tasks that once required human labor. The World Economic Forums Future of Jobs Report 2025 projects that by 2030, AI will create 170 million new jobs while displacing 92 million, resulting in a net gain of 78 million jobs.

At first glance, these numbers seem reassuring. But the real issue isnt the total number of jobsits the timing. AI is poised to eliminate jobs far faster than new roles emerge, and that lag could drive waves of unemployment before the labor market stabilizes.

The reason lies in how work is structured. Today, in many industries, AI is automating human tasks within the current system of work. New jobs will only materialize once businesses rethink and reorganize work themselvesa process that generally lags due to structural friction, organizational inertia, and skill shortages. As a result, millions of workers could face prolonged periods of joblessness while organizations work to adapt.

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How long this transition takes will depend on two critical factors: how quickly organizations restructure work for an AI-driven economy and whether workers have the skills to step into the roles that eventually emerge. Right now, neither is happening fast enough. This needs to be a wake-up call to prevent massive skill gaps and resulting unemployment.

The fast speed of change in AI replacing tasks

Automation replacing jobs is nothing new. The mechanization of agriculture, the rise of assembly lines, and the advent of computers all displaced large numbers of workers at various points in history. However, past technological shifts often allowed for gradual adaptation and the system of work changed in tandem. The industrial revolution unfolded over decades; the digital revolution gave workers time to acquire new skills. AI, by contrast, is progressing at an unprecedented speed.

The automation of cognitive tasks to AI is particularly disruptive. Unlike past waves of mechanization that primarily affected manual labor, AI is now replacing white-collar workerscustomer service representatives, legal researchers, financial analysts, and even entry-level programmers. Goldman Sachs predicts that, globally, AI could expose the equivalent of 300 million full-time jobs to automation in the coming years. Some professions may not disappear entirely, but AI will reduce the need for human input, shrinking job availability.

Crucially, AI does not disrupt industries in a predictable, linear fashion. Some sectorssuch as customer service and data entryare seeing immediate and large-scale displacement. Others, such as law and health care, may experience slower, more phased automation. But when AI becomes proficient in each field, job losses can be swift.

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Take the legal industry. AI-powered contract review software can process thousands of documents in seconds, reducing the need for junior lawyers. In customer service, AI chatbots are handling millions of interactions daily, eliminating the need for human agents at call centers. The retail sector has already seen mass layoffs due to self-checkout systems and warehouse automation. And with generative AI tools like ChatGPT encroaching on content creation, translation, and even marketing, few knowledge-based professions are immune.

The slow speed of change for work systems and workers skills

Working new technology into old work systems generally means that new technology will initially create fewer jobs than those they replace. When AI is introduced into an old work system, it simply automates existing taskslike a call center replacing human agents with chatbotswhile the structure of work remains unchanged. But real disruption happens when AI redesigns the system entirely, eliminating the need for traditional workflows. Instead of waiting for customers to call, AI-powered predictive analytics can detect and resolve issues before they arise, integrating service directly into products and eliminating the need for a call center altogether.

While new jobs will eventually emerge, such as AI trainers and user experience designers, this transformation happens far slower than job displacement, creating a painful lag where workers are left without immediate alternatives. Many of the roles that AI will create require advanced technical skills, such as data annotation, AI model supervision, human-AI collaboration management, and industry-specific digital fluency, which require specialized training and hands-on experience.

Even in tech-heavy industries, AI-driven job growth has limits. While AI may create new forms of employment, such as AI auditors and AI ethics consultants, these roles require specialized knowledge and are far fewer in number than the jobs being eliminated. Even workers with cutting-edge technical expertise today cant afford complacency. Both IBM and the Boston Consulting Group estimate that some technical IT skills have a half-life of less than three years, meaning todays in-demand expertise could be obsolete before the ink dries on a certification. In this environment, lifelong learning is no longer an aspirational ideal; its a career survival strategy.

The consequences of the transition lag

This gap between the displacement and the creation of jobs is where the real problem lies. Governments and corporations often assume that if new jobs emerge eventually, short-term unemployment can be managed. But history suggests otherwise. The rise of automobiles, for example, put blacksmiths and carriage makers out of business, but the automotive industry eventually created millions of jobs. The internet displaced thousands of print media jobs but led to a boom in digital marketing, e-commerce, and software development. These transitions, while positive in job growth, nonetheless took decades.

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We predict that the prolonged mismatch between job displacement and job creation will likely lead to short-term spikes in unemployment, as many workers will struggle to transition quickly. We will also likely see growing income inequality as high-paying AI-related jobs will be concentrated among the highly educated, while lower-skilled workers face declining wages.

Periods of economic transition have always been marked by social and economic upheaval. The decline of coal mining in the United States, the outsourcing of manufacturing, and the automation of assembly lines led to waves of unemployment, regional economic collapse, and a rise in populist politics. AI could trigger similar disruption, but on a global scale and at a faster pace. We need a wake-up call and action if we are to prevent the potential consequences of this transition.

The opinions expressed in Fortune.com commentary pieces are solely the views of their authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of Fortune.

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This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, April 10. On the eve of Science Workers' Day in Kazakhstan, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev participated in a ceremony honoring scientists and met with local researchers to congratulate them on their professional holiday, Trend reports.

In his address, Tokayev emphasized that one of Kazakhstan's key strategic goals is the advancement of nuclear science and technology. He also highlighted the key challenges facing the scientific community.

"One of our strategic priorities is the development of nuclear science and technology. Kazakhstan has significant potential in this field. Leading institutions like the Institute of Nuclear Physics in Almaty and the National Nuclear Center in Kurchatov are conducting both fundamental and applied research while training experts for the industry. Nuclear energy is not just a stable energy source, but also a foundation for the development of new sectors in both the economy and science, such as nuclear medicine, hydrogen energy, water desalination, synthetic fuel production, and small modular reactors. To make breakthroughs in these areas, we must strengthen research infrastructure, improve scientific work, and modernize engineering education. The issue of nuclear energy development should be a top priority at the next meeting of the National Council for Science and Technology under the President," said Tokayev.

He also noted the rapid global advancements in artificial intelligence and pointed out that Kazakhstan has the potential to take a leading role in this area.

"Our success in this field will depend on human capital - talented and educated citizens. As a result, we will increase training for IT specialists and teach artificial intelligence skills to schoolchildren and students. There are many promising areas in our national science. For the continued development of science, it is crucial for the government, business, universities, and research centers to work together," he added.

At the conclusion of the event, President Tokayev awarded state honors to a group of citizens.
DES MOINES, Iowa (Iowa Capital Dispatch)  Catholic Health Initiatives-Iowa, a faith-based health care provider, is arguing in a medical malpractice case that the loss of an unborn child does not equate to the death of a person for the purpose of calculating damage awards, the Iowa Capital Dispatch reports.

In Iowa, court-ordered awards for noneconomic losses stemming from medical malpractice are capped at $250,000, except in cases that entail the loss or impairment of mind or body.

Attorneys for the CHI and MercyOne hospital are arguing the cap on damages still applies in cases where the loss is that of a fetus or unborn child.

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CHIs status as a nonprofit, tax-exempt entity is based on its stated mission of providing health services in the spirit of the gospel. The ethics guidelines it approved in 2018 state that the corporation is committed to respect the sacredness of every human life from the moment of conception until death.

Gov. Reynolds disaster aid bill would provide nearly $16M for building rehab, razing

The lawsuit in which CHI is currently embroiled involves the treatment provided to Miranda Anderson of Poweshiek County. Anderson was 34 weeks pregnant when, on April 13, 2021, she arrived at Pella Regional Health Center for evaluation due to elevated blood pressure, headaches and edema.

Citing concerns that she was experiencing preeclampsia  a condition that can lead to serious complications for both mother and baby and may require early delivery  Anderson was transferred to MercyOnes Obstetrics Emergency Unit via ambulance.

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According to the lawsuit later filed by Anderson and her husband, Landen, Miranda Anderson was discharged after two days of monitoring and testing. After further evaluations over the course of the next several days, she was again discharged to her home  until, during an April 21 evaluation, her doctor was unable to detect any fetal heartbeat. The next day, she underwent a cesarean delivery of a nonviable baby girl, Eloise.

The Andersons lawsuit seeks damages for negligence, alleging CHI, MercyOne and its physicians failed to recommend early delivery of the baby while it was still viable and Anderson showed evidence of preeclampsia. The defendants have denied any wrongdoing.

Citing the states $250,000 cap on noneconomic damages in malpractice cases  a cap that was approved by state legislators in 2017  CHI and MercyOne are arguing that while the cap on damages includes an exemption for cases that entail the loss or impairment of mind or body, that exemption should not apply to a case where a fetus or unborn child is lost.

Iowa bill lowering the retirement age for police officers advances in House subcommittee

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They argue the Iowa Legislature did not intend for the loss of a baby prior to delivery to be included within the exemption and that Andersons lawyers are attempting to put words in the Legislatures mouth  There is no case law, and plaintiffs cite to none, finding loss of pregnancy is a loss or impairment of a bodily function.

As evidence of this, they cite the fact that in 2023  two years after the Anderson pregnancy  state lawmakers explicitly added loss of pregnancy to the exemption on the cap for damages. Attorneys for Anderson argue the 2023 change was enacted merely to clarify the scope of the 2017 statute, not to expand the exemption on the caps for damages.

In recent court filings, attorneys for CHI and MercyOne argue that finding an unborn child to be a person would lead to serious implications in other areas of the law. They also argue the Andersons unborn child should not be considered a patient for purposes of calculating damages.

There is no statute or binding case law finding an unborn child to be a patient under the law, attorneys for the hospital have told the court, citing an Iowa Supreme Court ruling in a 1971 case that held there can be no recovery (of damages) on behalf of, or for, a nonexistent person.

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As part of their case, attorneys for CHI and MercyOne also argue that the Iowa Legislatures decision to cap noneconomic damages in medical malpractice cases was motivated by a desire to reduce the size of medical malpractice verdicts to increase the affordability and availability of medical care and protect the public treasury.

Iowa Republicans release updated property tax legislation

The hospital is now seeking a court order affirming the Andersons recovery for any noneconomic damages that might be awarded shall be limited to $250,000 under the cap approved by legislators in 2017. A hearing on that issue is expected later this month, while the case itself is scheduled for trial on May 12, 2025.

A spokesperson for MercyOne stated Wednesday that the hospital does not comment on pending litigation.

Iowa Capital Dispatch is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Iowa Capital Dispatch maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Kathie Obradovich for questions: info@iowacapitaldispatch.com. Follow Iowa Capital Dispatch on Facebook and Twitter.

This story was republished under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.

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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT)  Alabama Congressman Mike Rogers said the announcement of the relocation of U.S. Space Command is expected to come soon.

The U.S. Space Commands return to Redstone Arsenal was among the topics discussed in a Auburn University Cyber Focus podcast Tuesday.

Congressman and Chairman of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee Mike Rogers said it could happen sooner than later.

I expect sometime during the month of April that Space Command will officially be assigned to go to its headquarters in Huntsville, said Rep. Rogers. Ive already talked with the contractor. He is ready to turn dirt the day the announcement is made.

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Senator Tommy Tuberville said hes also ready to get the plan in motion.

Were still waiting for the Secretary of Air Force to be confirmed. He was voted out of committee just a couple days ago. Hopefully it will be to the floor of the senate to get the him confirmed and then well have great discussions, said Tuberville.

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Governor Kay Ivey is showing confidence in the potential relocation. In a statement, the governor said, in part, The facts are the facts, and we remain confident that for that reason, Space Command Headquarters will be in its rightful home in Huntsville, Alabama.

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Huntsville was named a finalist in early 2021 for the new headquarters. Then, in 2022, the Department of Defense named the city as the preferred permanent location for U.S. Space Command headquarters.

The Rocket City finished first in both the Air Forces evaluation phase and the selection phase, while Colorado Springs finished fourth and fifth, respectively.

In June 2023, a U.S. Space Command General reportedly confirmed to Alabama politicians in D.C. and the Alabama Delegation that the state is still the preferred location for SPACECOM headquarters.

But former President Joe Biden stopped the move, keeping it in Colorado Springs.

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On Monday, Colorado Congressman Jeff Crank led a letter from the Colorado Republican Delegation to President Trump asking that it remain in Colorado Springs, saying in part,

Colorado Springs is proud of its strong military community with common sense values that allows USSPACECOM to attract the best minds that American has to offer. Moving the command would disrupt these established capabilities and partnerships, further diminishing our preparedness to face evolving threats.

Congressman Rogers is standing firm, saying Huntsville is well suited as the command prepares to compete in space with other countries.

Obviously, this will be exactly in the wheelhouse of Huntsville. They are the leader in missile defense and theyre growing in the space mission up there, said Rep. Rogers.

President Donald Trump has not announced whether this move is official.

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Sen. Will Barfoot, R-Pike Road, speaks with a colleague in the Alabama Senate on April 11, 2024 at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. The House Judiciary Committee approved legislaton Barfoot filed to allow some people serving long prison sentences to have their sentences reviewed. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector)

An Alabama House committee Wednesday approved a bill that would allow some people serving long prison sentences to have their cases reviewed.

SB 156, sponsored by Sen. Will Barfoot, R-Pike Road, allows people who were sentenced under the Habitual Felony Offender Act to have their cases reviewed and have the chance to be released from prison if they did not commit a crime that caused physical injury.

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These individuals, if this bill goes into effect, would have served at least, hear me now, at least 25 years for an offense where there was no physical injury, Barfoot said to members of the House Judiciary Committee. We routinely sentence and send people to prison for much less time for violent offenses such as murder and robbery.

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The Habitual Felony Offender Act, enacted in 1977, required the state to impose a life sentence on anyone convicted of a Class B felony who had three prior felony convictions on their record, and life without parole for anyone convicted of a Class A felony.

The law is widely considered to be a major driver of the states prison overcrowding crisis. The Legislature in 2000 approved changes to the law that gave judges more flexibility in sentencing, but the changes were not retroactive.

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Barfoots bill only applies to individuals sentenced to life without the possibility of parole prior to May 2000, when the Legislature approved the changes. Those with anyone convicted for homicide, a sexual offense or attempted murder would not be eligible for review.

Those who are eligible may file to have their cases reviewed in the county where they were sentenced. Notices will then be sent to relevant parties such as prosecutors, victims as well as the Attorney Generals Office that will then review the filing to determine if the person is eligible.

If the applicant is determined to be eligible, the court will review the case to consider if the person should be resentenced based on specific factors: the underlying offense, how the person behaved while incarcerated in prison, the persons age and the likelihood the person will be successful after being released from prison.

The bill requires those eligible for review to file a request by October 2030.

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It was the Houses first opportunity to consider the legislation after the Senate took two rounds of votes to eventually get the measure approved. House members voted down the measure during the 2024 session.

The House Judiciary Committee approved an amendment during the committee that allows the Attorney Generals Office to review a persons petition for a case review, but also the relevant details in the indictment, and have the agency speak to the case.

This would be a safeguard to ensure that, if someone has pled to a lesser charge based off of the details of the crime, the relevant indictment would have details if there are elements that would preclude you from being eligible in this law by having the AG review the indictment, said Rep. Russell Bedsole, R-Alabaster, who introduced the amendment.

It also states that the district attorney of the jurisdiction where the court will review the sentencing will have weighted consideration for the petition to have the sentence reduced.

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The amendment also requires that data be collected regarding the crimes and convictions for the petitions that were filed, the counties that received the petitions and other information pertaining to petitioners.

Barfoots bill narrowly survived a vote in the Senate chamber in March when a majority of Republicans voted against the proposal, and it failed in the first vote 16-16. After nearly two hours, the legislation was reconsidered and passed by a vote of 17-8.

Rep. Chris England, D-Tuscaloosa, filed a nearly identical proposal in previous sessions but was never enacted. During the 2024 session, his legislation was approved in the House Judiciary Committee, but Republicans voted to block the legislation on the House floor.

Rep. Matt Simpson, R-Daphne, publicly opposed the legislation, telling the committee that the bill goes beyond giving people a second chance, but five chances to be released from prison after committing an offense.

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I firmly disagree that someone who has three prior felonies, and one of those prior felonies being a Class A felony, who gets out and commits another one of those offenses that I have named to you deserves more of a chance to continuously come to the court, and continuously drag victims through the process, Simpson said.

Elaine Burdeshaw, policy director for Alabama Appleseed, said people are serving sentences that are longer than those who commit violent crimes, and that challenges the notion of justice.

Current sentencing practices, people can be convicted of much more serious violent crimes, and they are serving less time, she said in an interview with the media following the meeting.

Darlene Hutchinson, a victim advocate, said she is not taking a position on the legislation, but is grateful that the bill was modified to take into account the impact it has on victims.

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It allowed for victims to be heard, but there was zero victim notification in it, she said. And I am fanatical about victim notification. My question to legislators then was, How are victims going to be heard if they are not even going to be notified if their case was coming back to court.

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MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT)  Mountain Brook resident Lulu Gribbin has become an inspiration for many. Thats after losing her hand and leg in a shark attack last year.

The Lulu Gribbin Shark Alert System Act passed through the Alabama House Public Safety and Homeland Security committee Wednesday.

My hand was bitten at first, and I remember just lifting it out of the water, Gribbin said. Like, I was stunned because there was no hand there, and I couldnt feel it because of all the shock I was in.

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Gribbin has turned that shock into advocacy. She spoke before the committee members Wednesday about the bill being named after her.

With this bill in place, we can prevent further accidents in the future, and Im just so excited to be able to pass it, Gribbin said.

It would create a shark alert system, notifying people on the coastline if a shark attack happens. Gribbin said its about keeping people safe.

Through my experience, Ive been able to introduce this bill and allow all the other people to support it and to just be able to prevent future accidents Gribbin said. So people wont have to experience pain, and theyll just be safe.

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State Rep. David Faulkner (R-Mountain Brook) said its another tool in the toolbox for first responders.

Congressman Mike Rogers says Space Command relocation announcement could come in April

Knowing there had been a shark attack, or to be on a better lookout, people have a right to know, and we can do that, Faulkner said. Its 2025, and we can use our common sense and do this type of notification.

Emergency management agencies in Baldwin and Mobile counties would send notifications via text message or other means. Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Commissioner Chris Blankenship said it can use geocaching on the shores to send the alerts in specific areas.

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This is very rare, but it is serious, Blankenship said. So to have something in place that could warn the public, I think would be a benefit not only to the residents there, but for the tourists that come to Alabama to know that we have a system in place that could protect them during their time at the beach.

Gribbin said she is proud to play a part in keeping Alabamas beaches safe. It now heads to the House floor for a vote. Faulkner said he will be visiting with Florida lawmakers about the effort. He said it would be beneficial for other states as well.

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Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, walks across the floor of the Alabama Senate on April 10, 2025 at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. The Senate Thursday approved a nearly $10 billion education budget for 2026. Orr, the chair of the Senate Finance and Taxation Education Committee, sponsored it. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector)

The Alabama Senate Thursday approved a nearly $10 billion education budget for 2026.

SB 112, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, would increase the education budget by $543.3 million, a 5.81% increase, totaling $9.89 billion for the fiscal year that starts October 1. The main budget includes increased funding for specific programs, like the Alabama Math, Science, and Technology Initiative (AMSTI).

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Orr said after the vote that he hoped the budget would move fast through the nine days remaining in the 2025 session.

I would hope we wont even have to go to conference, but Ive also been around here too long to know that theres always something that pops up, he said. Thats the goal, if the House passed version is acceptable up here, that we concur and we move on.

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The budget includes $9.6 million to support a newly enacted parental leave policy for state and education staff and $15.6 million designated for an employee injury compensation program, which still needs final legislative passage. The budget also sets aside $2.5 million for a pilot program offering school-based teletherapy (mental health counseling via phone or video) and enhances prison education funding by $3.7 million (a 19.3% increase) to $22.8 million.

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If youre out for three months because you wrenched your ankle on a pothole in this school parking lot, walking to the gym or something. There was nothing for you. Youre out, Orr said.

Significant increases are proposed for specific initiatives: the AMSTI would see a 31% ($32.2 million) funding increase while the Alabama Reading Initiatives (ARI) funding would grow by 6.4% ($9 million). Transportation funding is also slated for a boost of about 9.1%, about $40 million. Orr said AMSTIs funding is significantly higher because the program is still being implemented, whereas the AIR program started nearly three years before and is fully implemented.

The states contribution towards employee health insurance is also set to rise. PEEHIPs contribution per education employee will increase from $800 to $904, and SEIBs contribution per state employee will rise to $1,025, up from $997.

The Senate passed SB 113, sponsored by Orr, which adds $524.3 million in supplemental funding for the current fiscal year ending September 30. This includes $100 million for local school boards to purchase new buses and $166 million for the State Department of Education for non-recurring costs like college and career readiness grants and extra school safety training.

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Senators also approved SB 111, also sponsored by Orr and passed by the Senate. It would allocate $375 million over three years to transition to a new hybrid student funding model, aiming to provide more funds to students with greater needs, such as those in poverty or learning English.

Higher education institutions could also receive extra money in the supplemental budget, which was done to keep the typical funding balance between K-12 and higher education after the $375 million for the K-12 funding formula changes

Sen. Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro, seemed concerned about college funding, particularly for smaller and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). He questioned the allocation of funds to innovation centers, which provide workforce training, suggesting these programs might be drawing funding away from institutions struggling to maintain their infrastructure, pointing specifically to Miles College.

I know that is a private school, but Miles has been parked at that $493,000 for some years. It couldnt be rounded up at least 500,000? Singleton jokingly asked.

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Orr said that well see what we can do next year.

The Alabama Community College System Innovation Center in Decatur is slated to receive $17 million under SB 112.

SB 114, another Orr-sponsored supplemental bill, would allocate $1.25 billion from the Education Trust Fund Advancement and Technology Fund for the current fiscal year. Approximately $908 million would be directed to the Department of Education for distribution to local school boards and other state education bodies like the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind and the Department of Youth Services School Districts.

The Senate also approved separate funding measures for Tuskegee University ($15.8 million), Talladega College ($1.33 million), and Southern Preparatory Academy ($450,000).

The bills now move to the House for consideration.

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MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT)  Gov. Ivey praised the Alabama Senate Wednesday night after it unanimously passed a bill that would ban the use of cell phones in state public schools.

The bill (SB92) would establish the Freeing our Classrooms of Unnecessary Screens for Safety (FOCUS) Act, which bans the use, operation, and possession of wireless communication devices on certain public school properties. Additionally, students would be required to complete a social media safety course prior to the eighth grade.

Alabama congressman predicts U.S. Space Command will relocate to Alabama soon

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The Senate unanimously passed the FOCUS Act, which removes the distraction of cell phones during students classes. Theres a time and a place for our phones, but while a teacher is teaching is NOT it. Thank you, Sen. Donnie Chesteen. Lets get this bill to my desk! Gov. Ivey wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

The Alabama House companion bill, HB 166, passed last week. The bills now swap chambers and whichever bill first passes through the opposite chamber is sent to Gov. Iveys desk.

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Alabama Schools Superintendent Eric Mackey smiles as members of the Alabama State Board of Education applaud him on April 10, 2025 at the Gordon Persons Building in Montgomery, Alabama. The board voted to extend Mackey's contract. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector)

The Alabama State Board of Education approved a $325,000 salary and contract extension for State Superintendent Eric Mackey on Thursday morning after the superintendent asked for a reduction in his raise.

Board member Marie Manning, who voted for the increase, said Mackey went to Gov. Kay Ivey to request a reduction in his raise from $380,000 to $325,000. Mackey made $290,000 a year prior to the extension.

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Dr. Mackey has come back to the governor and her office and has asked for a reduction in the original amount, Manning said. And I want to see him raised up, where our superintendents in the local level, our super our chancellors in the two year schools and the four year schools are more equitable.

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Mackey did not comment on the request.

The Alabama State Board of Education votes to extend Alabama State Schools Superintendent Eric Mackeys contract on April 10, 2025 at the Gordon Persons Building in Montgomery, Alabama. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector)

Board member Jackie Zeigler was the only person to vote against the contract. She said the final draft of the contract was only made available to board members at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

I think the process of how the contract procedures were laid out could have been done in a much better way. And if we had done so earlier versus later, we could have offset money, she said.  Im frustrated, upset and wondering where were headed across our state.

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Although Zeigler voted against the contract revision, she said she supports Mackey and is proud to work with him.

I am in no way against anything about Dr. Mackey and his leadership, she said.

Mackeys salary is higher than states of similar sizes. Ellen Weaver, South Carolinas state superintendent, makes $214,000, according to the South Carolina Daily Gazette. Robbie Fletcher, Kentuckys commissioner of education, makes $273,000, according to the states transparent salary search.

In addition to Mackeys salary increase, he also receives exclusive benefits including a state-issued vehicle and a $1,750 monthly housing allowance, according to his contract. The contract extends his employment until April 2029.

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Tonya Chestnut, the vice president of the board, said at the start of the boards work session that she wished the process was better and sought to establish procedures for the future.

As we anticipate the election of a new governor, I believe it is essential for us to establish a comprehensive written guideline for future rules for future extensions of new contracts for state superintendents, Chestnut said.

Mackey agreed with Chestnut.

The process has been hard on everybody and all of us, but I do appreciate the opportunity to serve longer, and I enjoyed working with all of you, and yall know that, Mackey told the board members.

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A Bristol Bay sockeye salmon "mob" gathers in August 2004 in the Wood River, which flows into the Nushagak River just north of Dillingham. (Photo by Thomas Quinn/, University of Washington)

State prosecutors have accused Kodiak fisher Duncan Fields and other members of his family of defrauding the state and fish buyers through a coordinated scheme that involved committing perjury and manipulating permits.

Court documents filed Monday state that Fields and his family, who operate Fields and Sons Inc., illegally earned more than $1 million by temporarily transferring various salmon setnet permits to crew members, allowing the family to bypass state limits on individual ownership.

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Fields, whose family has been setnetting in Kodiak since 1961, denied the states claims, saying by text that the charges stem from the gifting of limited entry permits to family and crew, something my family and I have done for more than 30 years. This is a common practice in the industry, and we believe that our family has been singled out to try to set an example with a unique application of existing statutes. The charges are not supported by the facts.

The criminal accusations against the Fields family  which include multiple felonies  surprised fishers and have implications beyond Kodiak.

To avoid the appearance of impropriety, Rep. Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, has paused work on House Bill 117, which would allow setnet fishers to pool their fish as a cooperative before sending them to a fishing tender for processing.

Stutes, co-chair of the House Fisheries Committee, introduced the bill.

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Current regulations require each permit holder to submit their fish to a tender separately, but setnet fishers, including Fields, have testified that is impractical and has never been followed in practice.

The investigation against Fields, which revealed fish pooling, prompted Alaska wildlife troopers to intensify enforcement of the regulation across the state, causing setnetters to ask for legislative action.

It wasnt Duncan that brought this issue to us, but hes right in the middle of it, and so I just feel like its better to stand down on that bill for now, Stutes said, calling the bill unrelated to the accusations against Fields.

According to court documents and legislative testimony, the charges against the Fields family stem from a 2023 message given to the Alaska Wildlife Troopers by the Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission.

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In 2023, the AWT received information about a set gillnet operation reportedly transferring ownership of permits at high frequency and delivering/selling fish under the names of one or two primary permit holders on behalf of other permit holders, wrote Col. Bryan Barlow, director of the Alaska Wildlife Troopers, in legislative testimony.

Alaskas limited entry permit system was intended to reduce overharvesting while preserving local harvests.

In Kodiak, a permit holder may operate no more than two set gillnets, with no more than 150 fathoms of set gillnets, according to state regulation.

Prosecutors say that to get around the restriction, members of the Fields family would gift setnet permits to crew members each fishing season, and then the crew members would gift them back to the Fields family at the end of the fishing season, retaining custody.

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The state argues in its initial filing that the gifts violated a state law that says a permit may not be pledged, mortgaged, leased, or encumbered in any way, transferred with any retained right of repossession or foreclosure, or on any condition of requiring a subsequent transfer.

As part of their investigation, wildlife investigators interviewed approximately twenty-one individual crewmembers who had permits transferred to them between 2020 and 2023, court documents state. Additionally, they reviewed numerous commercial fishing documents to include permit transfer paperwork, crew member applications, crewmember contracts, gift affidavits, fish ticket data and other relevant paperwork for each individual.

Stutes, who represents the district that includes the Fields setnet sites, gave credit to the CFEC for alerting police.

You really have to give CFEC some kudos for catching it, saying Whoa, whats going on here? Theres been too many transfers. Im really impressed with them, she said. It tells me the system does work.

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(Getty Images)

The state of Alaska has charged 10 Whittier residents with voter misconduct, asserting in a series of indictments filed April 3 that they voted illegally in a variety of recent elections because they were born in American Samoa and thus are American nationals and not citizens.

Under state law, only American citizens may vote in Alaska.

Those 10 new cases follow an 11th, opened in 2023, that has caused a legal debate in the Alaska Court of Appeals about whether someone must have the intent to deceive elections officials in order to be convicted for elections misconduct after incorrectly registering to vote.

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That first case involves a Whittier resident named Tupe Smith who ran for a local school board seat and won, only to be prosecuted after elections officials learned that she was born in American Samoa and was not a U.S. citizen. American Samoa is the only U.S. territory whose residents Congress has not recognized as having birthright U.S. citizenship.

These are actually the first criminal prosecutions that were aware of, based simply upon the fact that someone was born in American Samoa, said attorney Neil Weare of Right to Democracy, a national group that is defending Smith in court.

Had any of these individuals been born in Alaska, or Guam or Hawaii, Alaska would not be prosecuting them, he said.

Smiths attorney sought to have her case dismissed in 2024, on the grounds that Smith didnt intend to deceive officials and believed that as an American national, she had the ability to run for office and vote in local elections.

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A lower-court judge ruled partially in Smiths favor, and her attorneys sought an interlocutory appeal, asking the Alaska Court of Appeals to rule on the issue before her case is finished.

Typically, the appeals court asks appellants to wait until their case is finished, but in this instance, it accepted the appeal. Oral arguments are expected later this year.

Weare said he believes Smiths case and the new cases have a great deal in common.

According to the affidavits accompanying the new charging documents, the Division of Elections received an anonymous complaint that alleged that a large family group, many of whom were not U.S. Citizens, had also registered to vote and had voted in a recent election.

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That complaint came from someone who was familiar with the Smith case and the investigation that led to charges against her.

The division forwarded the new complaint to the Alaska Bureau of Investigation, a part of the Alaska State Troopers.

The troopers investigated and visited Whittier in September to interview  individuals who had registered to vote and had voted in a recent prior election but who were either not U.S. Citizens or whose citizenship status was unclear.

Preliminary court dates have been set for the 10 accused people, who face a variety of felony and misdemeanor charges.

Everyone who is eligible to vote and properly registered to vote is encouraged to vote. Voting is a right of citizenship. It is how our leaders are selected and how everyday citizens get to influence policy on a local, state, and national level. To be clear, you must be a citizen to vote in Alaska in any election  federal, state, or local, said Alaska Deputy Attorney General John Skidmore, in a statement announcing the charges against the 10 people.

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Since President Donald Trump lost the 2020 presidential election, Republican politicians  including Trump himself  have claimed that fraud caused Trumps loss.

In Alaska and elsewhere, no evidence has been found to uphold that idea.

The 10 charges filed last week more than double the total number of voter-fraud-related cases related to Alaska since the 2020 election.

Even these new cases, Weare argues, are on shaky legal ground.

A U.S. District Court judge ruled in favor of American Samoans seeking recognition of citizenship in a case that was later overruled by an appeals court in 2021. But in a separate case, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch has questioned the soundness of a legal precedent that helped underpin the appellate ruling.

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Weare said he intends to argue that under the 14th Amendment, people who are born in American Samoa have a right to U.S. citizenship.

The Constitution guarantees them that right, he said. So thats a question that will come out over the course of this case: Can the state of Alaska, in fact, prove that these people born on U.S. soil, who owe permanent allegiance to the United States, who have a U.S. passport, are not U.S. citizens? And we dont think theyll be able to do that.

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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Albina Head Start is challenging a recent federal court ruling that could threaten the future of the Portland-based early education program, according to AHS.

This stems from a lawsuit brought by Albina Head Start in August 2024 against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. HHS found two deficiencies in Albinas program, requiring Albina to compete for its next five years of federal funding rather than receiving automatic funds, according to court documents.

Albina challenged HHSs decisions in federal court; however, in March, U.S. District Judge Rudolph Contreras for the District of Columbia ruled in favor of HHS.

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Now, Albina Head Start is appealing the judgement.

Its critical that we fight this miscarriage of justice, not only for our program here at Albina but for other programs around the country that could also lose funding. Entire communities are depending on us, said AHS Director Ronald D. Herndon.

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The case

Albina Head Start initially filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in August 2024 after the federal agency found two deficiencies in Albinas program.

According to court documents, those deficiencies included teachers lacking necessary credentials. HHS gave Albina 120 days to correct the issue, but during a follow-up discovered Albina was still not in compliance.

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AHS contested this  arguing the deficiency was unwarranted because it was based on a limited number of staff with expired education waivers, the effects of the pandemic challenged staff and Albina prioritized training staff as they pursued their education. However, HHS declined to revisit its decision, court documents state.

The second deficiency stemmed from an incident in 2023 in which an AHS teacher assistant threw a wooden toy block at a five-year-old student during a scheduled nap time, causing injury, and told the child to Shut up and go to sleep,' according to court documents.

Albina staff reviewed video footage of the incident and immediately terminated the teacher assistant. HHS found a deficiency in this case because Albina did not ensure all staff refrained from using unacceptable discipline methods with children, court documents claim.

HHS later found Albina corrected this deficiency after the organization started a five-week new-hire training program with enhanced monitoring.

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Under HHS regulations, these deficiencies subjected Albina Head Start to compete for its next five years of federal funding, rather than automatic funding approval, because the organization had at least two deficiencies in a five-year project period.

In their lawsuit, AHS argued that the federal agency incorrectly interpreted the definition of deficiency under the Improving Head Start Act of 2007, claiming, the Acts definition of deficiency does not allow HHS to attribute the isolated actions of a rogue employee to the Head Start agency.

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Albina also argued that Head Start standards of conduct are enforced by Head Start agencies, noting they terminated the relevant employee.

However, Judge Contreras wrote, The court considers these arguments and concludes that neither is persuasive, adding, By failing to ensure that physical abuse of a child did not occur, Albina fell out of compliance with the regulation.

Multnomah Countys Preschool for All program has a preschool problem, audit finds

The appeal

Albina Head Start is challenging Judge Contreras ruling by filing an appeal on Monday.

AHS serves nearly 900 low-income and underserved children from birth through age five at more than 20 locations around Portland  including health, nutrition and social services, along with cognitive development programs. Having to compete for federal funding puts those programs at risk, Albina Head Start says.

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Albina could lose ten million dollars in federal funding, which is nearly half of our annual budget. This would result in a drastic reduction in services to the community, AHS Director Herndon told KOIN 6 News.

Edward Waters, an attorney representing Albina Head Start, explained, The Department of Health and Human Services current policy interpretation surrounding deficiencies contradicts the federal Head Start Act. Congress specifically intended to prevent isolated incidents being used by the Department to label Head Start programs as low performing or deficient. The law requires instead that before making such a determination, the Department must find that the Head Start agency itself, not a single employee acting improperly, systematically and/or substantially failed to comply with program requirements.

Proposed OHSU-Legacy merger faces opposition from community review board

Jeopardizing the funding of a stellar Head Start agency like Albina over a single, isolated staff incident sets an impossible standard that is damaging the entire program. It is not just Albina; over half of all deficiency findings each year result from isolated incidents, incidents that are almost impossible to prevent. To disparage an entire agency due to the acts of a single person is inconsistent with the law and common sense, Waters added.

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The attorney furthered that the loss of federal funding could have long-term impacts, saying, I think the destruction of the institutional knowledge, community relationships, and most importantly the fact that people in Oregon know and trust Albina, the goodwill aspect is completely discounted by falsely labeling Albina as low performing. Even if some or all of the funding is restored the reputational damage will take some time to heal.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services told KOIN 6 News the agency does not comment on pending litigation.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 10. Rovshan Najaf, President of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR), met with Vladimir Bolea, the Deputy Prime Minister of Moldova, Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development, and co-chair of the Azerbaijan-Moldova Intergovernmental Economic Cooperation Commission, SOCAR told Trend.

The meeting focused on the importance of cooperation between SOCAR and Moldovan energy companies. The two sides explored opportunities for developing these relations further.

During the discussion, Azerbaijans contribution to Europes energy security and the importance of cooperation in natural gas supply with neighboring countries were emphasized.

The meeting also included an exchange of views on trade in oil, gas, and petroleum products, renewable energy, decarbonization, and other mutual areas of interest.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE)  An Albuquerque woman agreed to testify against her fiance, who is accused of severely abusing her daughter last year. On Wednesday, Alexis Bernal pled guilty to two child abuse charges.

Man accused of murdering his family in Tijeras found incompetent to stand trial

In April of last year, Bernal took her daughter to the hospital and told doctors her one-year-old got her leg stuck in a carrier. Doctors soon determined the injuries did not match up with Bernals claims. Medical professionals reported the baby having fractures to her arms, legs, foot, and eight ribs. Both Bernal and her fiance, Augustine Solis-Baca, were arrested and then soon released. Solis-Baca is facing six counts of child abuse.

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The flags of the United States and Alabama fly over the Alabama State Capitol on April 11, 2024 in Montgomery, Alabama. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency is investigating an incident at the Statehouse that involve legislators getting sent suspicious letters. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector)

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said Wednesday that a group of legislators were mailed pornographic images.

ALEA said in a press release Wednesday that it dispatched special agents assigned to the State Bureau of Investigation to investigate the incident on Wednesday morning.

The investigation is ongoing. The agency said it had identified a person of interest but did not speak further.
PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now)  An Alexandria man is facing multiple charges, including attempted murder, after he allegedly shot at someone during a road rage incident in Prince Georges County.

According to the Maryland State Police (MSP), the incident took place on April 3 on Route 5 in the Birtchill Road area.

When state police arrived at the scene, the victim told police that a person driving a black Ford Explorer with Michigan tags shot at their vehicle. The victim was not injured during the incident.

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DOJ pushes to drop charges against alleged MS-13 leader arrested in Woodbridge

As the investigation continued, police identified the alleged shooter and driver of the Ford as Marco Williams, 46, of Alexandria, Va.

Investigators conducted a search warrant at Williamss apartment in Fairfax County, where they found two loaded guns and a large amount of narcotics.

Williams was taken into custody on April 9 by the United States Marshals Fugitive Task Force along with Maryland and Fairfax County authorities.

Police charged Williams with attempted first-degree murder, felony assault, firearms offenses and additional crimes, according to MSP.

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He is waiting extradition to Maryland.

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A suspect accused of facilitating the deadly Mumbai terror attacks in 2008 has been extradited by the United States to India, 17 years after the country was jolted by one of the worst tragedies to occur on its soil.

Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a Canadian citizen of Pakistani origin, landed in New Delhi on Thursday, two police officials with knowledge of his movements told CNN Thursday. He faces trial in India after the US approved his extradition following years of legal wrangling over the case.

India accuses Rana of conspiring to carry out one of the countrys deadliest attacks, when 10 Pakistani men associated with the terror group Lashkar-e-Tayyiba killed more than 160 people during a four-day rampage through Mumbai that began on November 26, 2008.

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That date is etched in the memory of the nation and is often referred to as Indias 9/11.

The attackers traveled to Mumbai by boat from the Pakistani port city of Karachi, hijacking a fishing trawler and killing its five crew members along the way. The men then docked at the waterfront near the iconic Gateway of India monument and split into at least three groups to carry out the attacks, according to police.

Using automatic weapons and grenades, they targeted the citys largest train terminal, the luxury Taj Mahal Palace and the Oberoi Trident hotels, the popular Leopold restaurant, a Jewish community center, and a hospital.

Nine of the 10 terrorists were killed by police during a cat-and-mouse chase across the city. The lone surviving gunman, Ajmal Kasab, was executed in 2012.

Death penalty

Rana, who lived in the US at the time, is accused by New Delhi of conspiring with the terrorists and providing them with information required to carry out their attack. He previously denied similar accusations in a US court.

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Indias federal investigative agency has charged Rana with several crimes, including attempting to wage war, murder and forgery. If found guilty, the 64-year-old could face the death penalty.

On Thursday, the countrys National Investigation Agency confirmed Ranas extradition, writing in a statement that he was sent to India after he exhausted all legal avenues to stay in the US.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned Rana would face justice for his role in the horrific Mumbai terror attacks, in a statement on Friday.

The United States has long supported Indias efforts to ensure those responsible for these attacks are brought to justice. As President Trump has said, the United States and India will continue to work together to combat the global scourge of terrorism, Rubio said.

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In 2011, a US court acquitted Rana of conspiracy to provide material to support the Mumbai attackers, but he was found guilty of two other charges, including providing material support to Lashkar-e-Tayyiba.

He was serving a 14-year sentence in a Los Angeles jail for those charges when his extradition was approved earlier this week.

Indias foreign ministry on Wednesday said the US Supreme Court had rejected Ranas plea to stay his extradition, but did not answer further questions about the case.

CNNs Kylie Atwood contributed reporting.

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A Salvadoran man alleged by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi to be a top leader of the MS-13 gang is asking a judge not to dismiss a criminal case against him, despite the Justice Department earlier Wednesday seeking to end the case in favor of deporting him out of the U.S.

Henrry Josue Villatoro Santos, who is alleged to be in the U.S. illegally, is asking a magistrate judge in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia to delay the dismissal because he fears the U.S. government would immediately move to deport him to El Salvador's CECOT prison without an opportunity for due process.

Villatoro Santos was arrested at a residence in Virginia on March 27 in a highly-publicized early-morning operation. After he was taken into custody on an outstanding immigration administrative warrant, a search of his room turned up weapons and "indicia of MS-13 association," according to an affidavit from a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer.

PHOTO: Attorney General Pam Bondi, center, said the U.S. arrested a top MS-13 gang leader on Thursday, March 27, 2025. (X/@AGPamBondi)

MORE: Trump administration says 'top MS-13 national leader' arrested

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Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel were in attendance during the early morning raid. At a press conference later that day Bondi said the man arrested in the operation was "one of the top leaders of MS-13" and the "leader of the East Coast" for the gang. "He will not be living in our country much longer," she added.

Villatoro Santos was charged in federal court with illegal firearm possession and was ordered detained pending trial.

On Wednesday morning, the government filed a terse motion seeking to dismiss the case. The explanation offered was simple, but lacked detail. "The government no longer wishes to pursue the instant prosecution at this time," the motion said.

"As a terrorist, he will now face the removal process," Bondi said in a statement on Wednesday.

PHOTO: In this booking photo released by the Alexandria, Virginia Sheriff's Office, Henrry Villatoro Santos is shown. (Alexandria, Virginia Sheriff's Office)

MORE: Federal judges block deportation of several alleged migrant gang members under AEA

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That led to the peculiar circumstance of the defendant, Villatoro Santos, asking the court not to immediately end the case.

"The danger of Mr. Villatoro Santos being unlawfully deported by ICE without due process and removed to El Salvador, where he would almost certainly be immediately detained at one of the worst prisons in the world without any right to contest his removal, is substantial, both in light of the Government's recent actions and the very public pronouncements in this particular case," wrote his attorney, Muhammad Elsayed, in a motion to delay the dismissal for two weeks.

Elsayed noted that he was "keenly aware of the unusual nature" of the motion.

"But these are unusual times," he wrote, asking the court to delay the entry of any dismissal order for two weeks to allow Villatoro Santos sufficient time to seek assistance from immigration counsel.

Alleged MS-13 leader asks judge for delay after DOJ moves to dismiss case originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now)  Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), the first Black woman elected to the U.S. Senate for Maryland, is set to deliver Bowie State Universitys spring commencement address, the historically Black university announced Thursday.

Alsobrooks, 53, made history in November when she defeated former Republican Gov. Larry Hogan in the race for the seat. This victory made her not only Marylands first Black woman U.S. Senator but also the third Black woman ever elected to the Senate.

However, this is not the first time Alsobrooks has broken barriers. In 2010, she was elected as the Prince Georges County states attorney, becoming the youngest and first woman to serve in the position. Then, in 2018, she became the first woman and the first Black woman to be elected as Prince Georges County executive.

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Kermit the Frog to give University of Maryland commencement speech

A lifelong Marylander, Alsobrooks was born and raised in Prince Georges County and graduated from Benjamin Banneker High School in Washington, D.C.

She graduated from Duke University with a bachelors degree in public policy and Afro-American studies and later received her J.D. from the University of Maryland School of Law.

Alsobrooks will give the commencement address at the HBCUs spring graduation ceremony on Friday, May 23, at Bulldog Stadium.

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ALTOONA, Pa. (WTAJ)  An Altoona man was arrested and now faces rape charges for allegedly having sex with a sleeping woman.

William Allen Koch Jr., 46 (Blair County Prison)

William Allen Koch Jr., 46, was charged with rape, aggravated indecent assault without consent, aggravated indecent assault  forcible compulsion and indecent assault without consent after the victim confided in a friend who then went to officials.

According to charging documents, the victim spoke with Altoona police and claimed that Koch had sex with her whilst she was sleeping in March and then another two times after that. She went on to describe all three incidents in detail.

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Altoona police, drug task force arrest leads to supplier

When police interviewed Koch, he allegedly denied any sexual contact with the victim whatsoever, the criminal complaint shows. After being questioned further, Koch allegedly broke down and admitted to having sex with the victim as she described.

Koch would go on to claim he thought she wanted to have sex due to her body language. When asked if he thought he had consent when the victim was sleeping, he replied, Probably not, no, charges read. He allegedly claimed that when having sex with the sleeping victim, she woke up slightly at one point and he asked if it was ok and she shook her head yes.

Police noted in the complaint that Koch appeared to have trouble understanding what consent actually meant. He also allegedly confirmed the other two times he had sex with the victim without actual consent.

Stay up to date with the latest news in the palm of your hand. Click here to download the WTAJ app for Apple and Android devices.

Koch was arraigned Thursday morning and placed in Blair County Prison with bail set at $50,000.

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A preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 23.

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STATEMENT

On the recent kidnapping cases victimizing Filipino-Chinese businessmen

April 10, 2025

The recent spate of kidnappings is deeply alarming and demands the full attention and focus of the administration, as it threatens both public safety and the country's business climate and international reputation.

If the Philippine National Police (PNP) is unable to act swiftly, I propose that we call upon the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force (PAOCTF) to aggressively pursue and dismantle these kidnapping syndicates. Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz, with his extensive experience in the Presidential Anti-Crime Commission (PACC) during the term of then Vice President Joseph Estrada and then Col. Panfilo Lacson, has successfully neutralized notorious kidnap-for- ransom groups like the Kuratong Baleleng and the Red Scorpion Gang led by Joey De Leon.

The administration must act decisively to address this crisis. The safety of our citizens and the stability of our nation depend on it.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 10. Snam's Ravenna offshore regasification terminal, located 8.5 kilometers off Punta Marina, is set to begin commercial operations in early May, following the arrival of the first U.S. LNG cargo on April 3, Trend reports.

The announcement was made during a site visit by Italys Minister for the Environment and Energy Security Gilberto Pichetto Fratin and Emilia-Romagna Region President Michele de Pascale.

Snam CEO Stefano Venier confirmed the timeline for the facilitys entry into operation and highlighted its role in strengthening Italys energy security. The BW Singapore floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU), acquired by Snam in 2022, has a capacity of 5 billion cubic meters per year. Together with other terminals, it will increase Italys total regasification capacity to 28 billion cubic metersmatching Italys former gas imports from Russia in 2021.

In 2024, LNG accounted for 25% of Italys gas demand. So far in 2025, 45 LNG shipments from six countries have arrived in Italy, underscoring LNGs role in diversifying supply.

The project represents an investment of over 1 billion euros and involved up to 1,200 workers during construction. Annual operating costs are expected to generate 20-30 million euros for local services and monitoring. Snam emphasized its use of existing infrastructure and sustainable construction practices, including trenchless pipeline installation and extensive environmental monitoring.

The Ravenna terminal is the fifth LNG terminal in Italy and will support the countrys broader energy diversification strategy amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainties.
Ksenia Karelina, a U.S.-Russian dual national who was detained last year on treason charges, was released from Russia in the latest prisoner exchange, according to the State Department.

American Ksenia Karelina is on a plane back home to the United States. She was wrongfully detained by Russia for over a year and President Trump secured her release, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement Thursday on social platform X.

@POTUS will continue to work for the release of ALL Americans, he added.

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Karelina, a former ballet dancer, was arrested in February 2024 in Yekaterinburg and found guilty by a Russian court in August of treason for donating just north of $50 to a U.S.-based Ukrainian charity. She was sentenced to 12 years in prison.

The State Department previously determined Karelina, also known by the surname Khavana, was wrongfully detained. She was arrested after going back to Russia to visit her family.

Karelina moved to the Baltimore area in 2012, and in 2017, she relocated to Los Angeles. She obtained her U.S. citizenship in 2021 and a year later graduated from esthetician school, according to a website dedicated to her release.

The CIA played a crucial role in the prisoner swap that took place in Abu Dhabi on Thursday, an agency spokesperson said.

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The intelligence agency negotiated with the Kremlin and worked hand-in-hand with domestic and foreign partners, including the UAE, to secure the exchange.

Im proud of the CIA officers who worked tirelessly to support this effort, and we appreciate the Government of UAE for enabling the exchange, CIA Director John Ratcliffe said in a statement.

The dancers release represents another high-level prisoner exchange between Russia and the U.S. It is the second high-profile exchange since President Trump returned to the White House term in January. In February, the U.S. secured the release of Marc Fogel, an American schoolteacher who was imprisoned in Russia on drug charges. The swap led to the freeing of Russian cryptocurrency kingpin Alexander Vinnik.

Karelina was released in exchange for Arthur Petrov, a dual Russian-German national, according to a CIA official.

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Karelina was released in exchange for Arthur Petrov, a dual Russian-German national, according to The Wall Street Journal, which first reported on the swap.

Petrov was detained in 2023. He was accused of conspiring to smuggle microelectronics from U.S. distributors to Moscow as part of a Russian procurement network that supplies manufacturers for the Kremlins military.

Updated at 8:17 a.m. EDT

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RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN)  An American living in Thailand pleaded guilty Wednesday to threatening to kill North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis and his staff, federal prosecutors said.

According to the Office of the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, 53-year-old Eric Charles Welton made multiple harassing and intimidating calls to the offices of Republican elected officials and GOP organizations in the United States. He said he made the threatening calls because he was angry about the large number of unsolicited political emails he received.

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In September 2021, according to federal prosecutors, Welton spoke with a staff member at Tillis Raleigh office and threatened to show up and put a bullet through each of [their] heads.

Welton also threatened to come to North Carolina and mowdown the whole [expletive] state, and find the person who emailed him and cut off his hands.

Threatening to kill a public official and his staff is not only despicable, but also an affront to our democratic system of government, acting U.S. Attorney Daniel P. Bubar said in a statement. Our office will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute threats or intimidation against public officials, so they can properly carry out their important duties.

Robert M. DeWitt, the Special Agent in Charge of FBI in North Carolina, said in a statement, It is unacceptable to make violent threats against anyone. But when threats are directed at elected officials, it can impact their ability to effectively serve their constituents and their country. The FBI will not tolerate this type of intimidation for any reason especially when it comes to those who help run our democracy.

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Welton pleaded guilty to one count of threatening to kill a federal official on account of his duties. He faces a maximum of 10 years in prison when he is scheduled to be sentenced in July, according to federal prosecutors.

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BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  The American Red Cross of Western New York in collaboration with New York State assembly leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes and Buffalo Fire commissioner William Renaldo are working to reduce the risk of fires in Western New York by installing hundreds of smoke detectors in homes.

The first day of action takes place on April 26 in Fredonia with the goal of installing 400 smoke alarms in areas disproportionately affected by home fires.

Their marquee event takes place in the city of Buffalo on June 26, where they look to install 600 smoke alarms. Buffalo and Fredonia have been the two cities in the Western New York chapter at the highest risk of home fires, according to the Red Cross.

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I applaud the efforts of the American Red Cross in this vital area, Buffalo Fire Commissioner William Renaldo said in a news release. Focusing on the most at risk homes in our community will most certainly result in lives saved, and at the same time contribute significantly to firefighter safety.

Volunteers for this event are still needed. Anyone interested in volunteering as part of smoke alarm instillation teams, or anyone located in the Buffalo or Fredonia area in need of a smoke alarm can click here for more information.

Latest Local News

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Photos of a farmer-owned wind farm near Petersburg, Nebraska, in Boone County. (Courtesy of Nebraska Farmers Union)

Folks can get animated when it comes to discussions of climate science and energy production. Rather than the facts alone, confirmation bias and ideological rigidity can creep in to ones seemingly common-sense position.

For example, some argue against renewable energy by saying that currently accepted scientific theory on climate change is a hoax or a scam. These are loaded terms, not material to an actual argument against the current scientific consensus. Nor does such an accusation effectively argue against alternative energy sources.

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Even granting that the current global consensus of climate experts is somehow an elaborate hoax, how would that negate the positive dividends of non-polluting renewable energy? The answer is it would not. The argument is irrelevant.

Truth matters

The truth is the opposite: rather than harmless, the burning of fossil fuels is indeed harmful to the environment and the health of living things. Dont believe me? Go start your car and leave the garage door closed. (Dont if you want to live.)

Another popular argument posits that government subsidies mask the true economic liability that is renewable energy. While this seems to fly in the face of the reality that the wind and sunlight are free (and infinite), it is true that Americans have some tax credits available for more efficient home energy infrastructure (such as rooftop solar, geothermal HVAC, etc.). And government has directly subsidized wind and energy projects at the commercial production level.

But if the idea is that government assistance proves the economic futility of an industry, oil and gas take the booby prize. According to the International Monetary Fund, the U.S. government ranks second in the world in its support of the oil and gas industry.

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Per IMF, the U.S. federal and state governments give the fossil fuel industry over $20.5 billion in support each year through the tax code, inadequate royalty rates and direct funding. Also per the IMF, U.S. renewables were subsidized to the tune of $15.6 billion in FY 2022.

The truth is, all energy production types are subsidized in the United States, at various amounts and for various reasons.

Fact-based decisions

Still, we must ask: Is it possible to set political and ideological considerations aside and make smart, fact-based choices for our shared future of energy consumption and production in Nebraska?

Anyone who lives here knows Nebraska produces comparatively little oil and gas. According to the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE), Nebraskas crude oil production in 2021 was only 3.68% of the petroleum products consumed in the state. Nebraskas natural gas production in 2021 was only 0.18% of the natural gas consumed in the state.

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But we enjoy an abundance of wind and an enviable amount of sunshine. Needless to say, all or close to all of the solar and wind energy consumed in Nebraska is also produced in Nebraska. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), renewable resources (mostly wind) provided 32% of Nebraskas total electricity net generation in 2023.

Among a wealth of energy choices, does it make sense, both economically and in terms of real environmental challenges, to argue that the only energy resource Nebraska is unable to produce in abundance  fossil fuels  should be the sole energy resource we rely on?

If we are to discourage Nebraskans from generating their own clean  and virtually free  energy, shouldnt we be certain that abandoning the pursuit of that free energy resource is a wise thing to do?

Renewables worth it

So far, I have heard no good arguments against continued expansion of renewable energy resources. Yes, wind and solar require infrastructure (just like oil and gas). Yes, the industry is subsidized (just like oil and gas). Yes, there is environmental impact (just like oil and gas). And yes, there are

taxpayer-funded incentives (just like oil and gas).

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The worst argument, in my opinion, tries to hobble renewables for being intermittent. What do we do at night or when the wind stops blowing? A rooftop solar system can feed extra power back to the grid on a sunny day, then switch to pulling from the grid at night. During a cloudy, windless February, we burn some coal or other fuel to keep the lights on, then reap the March winds and the summer sun.

The answer is, we use them all. But the more renewables we use, the longer all energy sources including finite ones like oil and gas  will be available. How does that not makes sense?

Gregory Wees is former public relations and marketing manager for an Omaha software firm serving the retail energy industry. He is a former Iowa Western Community College adjunct faculty member.
America's national parks are warming much faster than the rest of the nation is, and that could mean increasingly dangerous heat for tourists in the future, particularly during the peak of summer travel.

Twice as fast, or more: According to a study the combined area of U.S. national parks warmed by 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit from 1895 to 2010, twice the rate of the nation's warming over those 115 years. The study attributed this to the larger areas of park land in Alaska - planetary warming is happening fastest in the Arctic - and also in mountain and Desert Southwest locations.

1901-2024 temperature trend

More searing days: One impact of this could be a marked increase in the number of hot days in the parks.

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Utilizing data from the National Park Service, Climate Central calculated the 25 most-visited national parks in the Lower 48 states can expect almost five times as many extremely hot days each year by 2050 compared to a 33-year period from 1979 through 2012. An "extremely hot day" was defined as a day with a high temperature in the top 1% of all days from 1979-2012.

This translates to about 1 to 3 weeks more of these extreme heat days each year by the middle of the century. Climate Central found Yosemite had the biggest rise in extreme heat days by 2050 (22 more days).

In a hotter, drier warming scenario, these 25 national parks could see 10 times the number of extremely hot days each year by 2050. You can see the entire list of the 25 busiest national parks and increases in hot days in their Climate Matters post.

Zion National Park climate change

More risk: This rise in hot days, coupled with a crush of visitors during the peak travel season, may increase the risk of heat-related illness, especially those coming from cooler climates and not accustomed to outdoor activities such as hiking.

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But it's not just a summer concern. At Grand Canyon National Park, the increase in heat-related illness with high temperatures was most correlated during spring and fall, when visitors might be surprised by summer heat the most. I can personally attest to being surprised by 90-degree heat during a March trip to Death Valley.

The parks are taking steps to help, including providing water filling stations, letting visitors know about the heat danger, and providing more areas of shade, where possible.

We're not saying you should change your travel plans if they involve a national park visit that could be hot - just don't underestimate the heat. In most years, heat is by far America's greatest weather-related killer, according to data from NOAA and the Centers for Disease Control.

Death Valley heat July 2024

Jonathan Erdman is a senior meteorologist at weather.com and has been covering national and international weather since 1996. Extreme and bizarre weather are his favorite topics. Reach out to him on Bluesky, X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook.
By John Irish

PARIS (Reuters) -Washington's decision not to coordinate with European nations about its negotiations with Iran on Saturday will reduce its leverage and make U.S. and Israeli military action against Tehran ultimately more likely, analysts and diplomats said.

The United States did not tell European countries about the nuclear talks in Oman before President Donald Trump announced them on Tuesday, even though they hold a key card on the possible reimposition of U.N. sanctions on Tehran, three European diplomats said.

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"The United States is going to need a coordinated diplomatic strategy with its European allies going into these negotiations with Iran," said Blaise Misztal, vice president for policy at the Jewish Institute for National Security of America.

That coordination is "crucial to making sure that there is maximum pressure and any diplomatic option has a chance of success," Misztal said.

Trump, who restored a "maximum pressure" campaign on Tehran in February, on Wednesday repeated threats to use military force against Iran if it didn't halt its nuclear program and said Israel would be "the leader of that."

The West suspects Iran is pursuing nuclear weapons, which it denies. The threat of renewed sanctions is intended to pressure Tehran into concessions, but detailed discussions on strategy have yet to take place with the Americans, the diplomats said.

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Because the United States quit a 2015 nuclear accord with Iran, it cannot initiate its mechanism for reimposing sanctions, called snapback, at the United Nations Security Council.

That makes Britain, Germany and France, known as the E3, the only deal participants capable of and interested in pursuing snapback, so it is crucial that Washington align with these allies, analysts said. Israel, Iran's arch-enemy, has already lobbied the E3 to initiate it.

According to the three diplomats, the E3 told Iran they would trigger the snapback mechanism by the end of June. Iran responded that doing so would mean harsh consequences and a review of its nuclear doctrine, the diplomats said.

"The E3 do not trust the United States because it is taking initiatives without them being consulted," said a senior European diplomat.

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Trump withdrew the U.S. in 2018 from the nuclear deal with Iran also signed by Russia and China. The accord curbed Iran's nuclear activities in return for sanctions relief. Russia opposes restoring sanctions.

Under the nuclear accord, participants can initiate the 30-day snapback process if they are unable to resolve accusations of Iranian violations through a dispute-resolution mechanism.

But that opportunity expires on October 18 when the accord ends.

Since the U.S. exited the deal in 2018, Iran has far surpassed its uranium enrichment limits, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency. Tehran is producing stocks of fissile purity well above what Western powers say is justifiable for a civilian energy programme and close to weapons grade.

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GOING IT ALONE

The U.S. administration's approach echoes Trump's first term in office, when he also prioritised unilateral talks with Iran, and with his stance on the war in Ukraine, where Washington has begun direct talks with Moscow, sidelining Europeans.

European officials have held some meetings with U.S. counterparts but said they were not sufficiently in-depth.

Even a meeting on Iran with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the sidelines of a NATO foreign ministers meeting a week before Trump's announcement was difficult to arrange, three E3 officials said.

The British, French and German foreign ministries did not respond directly when asked if they had been made aware of the Oman talks ahead of time.

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"We remain committed to taking every diplomatic step to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, including through snapback if necessary," a British foreign ministry spokesperson

said.

France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said tersely on Wednesday that the French "take note with interest" the talks.

Neither the White House National Security Council nor the State Department immediately responded to a request for comment on the snapback or coordination with Europeans.

EUROPEAN-IRAN DIRECT TALKS

Having negotiated with Iran as a trio as far back as 2003 on the nuclear issue, the European countries consider their role essential to a solution. In the 2015 deal, a key carrot for Iran was being able to trade with Europe.

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The Europeans have helped the United States pressure Iran in recent months, including at the U.N. atomic watchdog and with new sanctions on Iran over its ballistic missile programme, detention of foreign citizens and support for Russia in the war against Ukraine.

During the U.S. policy vacuum after Trump won the election but before he took office, the Europeans tried to take the initiative by holding exploratory talks with Iran that began in September and have continued.

The E3 said that was necessary because time was running out before the 2015 deal expires on October 18. They have tried to sound out whether new restrictions, albeit narrower than those agreed in 2015, could be negotiated before then.

Diplomats said that in those talks, Iranian officials have often quizzed their counterparts on the new U.S. administration.

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"Iran believes that talks with the E3 and other parties to the nuclear deal can help defuse tensions over its nuclear programme and can be complementary to talks with the U.S.," said an Iranian official.

(Additional reporting by Francois Murphy in Vienna, Matt Septalnick in Washington, Parisa Hafezi in Dubai, Elizabeth Piper in London and Alexander Ratz in Berlin; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)
In the last several years, many countries around the world have pledged to move away from dirty fuel sources such as coal, oil, and gas. But some experts have suggested this global transition is not happening fast enough to make a significant difference in combating the effects of the Earth's overheating.

They particularly point to the world's largest polluters, such as China. The global superpower announced its aim to reach net-zero carbon pollution by 2060.

That's why it was such unexpected and great news when analysts recently suggested China's use of coal to power the majority of the country would likely decrease in 2025, as reported by Reuters. This is the first time in a decade that coal usage has been estimated to decline in China.

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China has focused on expanding its renewable energy capacity in the last several years to replace dirty fuel sources. Reuters suggests that while China's need for electricity continues to expand, that demand is being met with a focus on renewables.

China is a bit of a conundrum in the world of energy. According to Time, it is the biggest producer of heat-trapping gases. But it is also the leader in renewable energy investments. It currently produces 31% of its electricity through solar, wind, hydroelectricity, and geothermal sources. So a massive economic power exceeding its initial climate goals is surely good news.

This seems to be a harbinger of a positive trend around the world. Spain recently approved plans to build five new solar plants in the country, providing enough energy to power over 300,000 homes. Portugal recently opened up a solar farm of its own that has the capacity to power over 100,000 homes.

Ultimately, China's quest to be a worldwide leader in renewables is no secret.

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"[China] has spent a lot of money subsidizing and helping their electric vehicle industry, battery, solar panel, and they are world leaders in those industries as a result," Samantha Gross, the director of energy security and climate initiative at the Brookings Institution, told Time.

"This has really been a long-term strategic effort on behalf of the government to both put in place policies that would promote the deployment of renewables domestically within China, but also build up the industrial capacity to allow them to actually manufacture the technologies as well," added Joanna Lewis, the director of the science, technology, and international affairs program at Georgetown University.

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.
An ancient jawbone discovered in Taiwan belonged to an enigmatic group of early human ancestors called Denisovans, scientists reported Thursday.

Relatively little is known about Denisovans, an extinct group of human cousins that interacted with Neanderthals and our own species, Homo sapiens.

 Denisovan fossils are very scarce, with only a few confirmed finds in East Asia, said study co-author Takumi Tsutaya at the Graduate University for Advanced Studies in Japan.

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So far, the only known Denisovan fossils include partial jawbones, a few teeth and part of a finger bone found in caves in Siberia and Tibet. Some scientists believe fossils found in a cave in Laos may also belong to Denisovans.

The probable identification of the jawbone from Taiwan as Denisovan expands the region where scientists know these ancient people once lived, said Tsutaya.

The partial jawbone was first recovered when a fishing operation dredged the seafloor in the Penghu Channel near the Taiwan Strait. After it was sold to an antique shop, a collector spotted it and purchased it in 2008, then later donated it to Taiwans National Museum of Natural Science.

Based on the composition of marine invertebrates found attached to it, the fossil was dated to the Pleistocene era. But exactly which species of early human ancestor it belonged to remained a mystery.

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The condition of the fossil made it impossible to study ancient DNA. But recently, scientists in Taiwan, Japan and Denmark were able to extract some protein sequences from the incomplete jawbone.

An analysis showed some protein sequences resembled those contained in the genome of a Denisovan fossil recovered in Siberia. The findings were published in the journal Science.

While the new research is promising, Rick Potts, director of the Smithsonian Institutions Human Origins Project, said he would like to see further data before confirming the Taiwan fossil as Denisovan.

Potts, who was not involved in the new research, praised the study for a fantastic job of recovering some proteins. But he added, such a small sliver of material may not give a full picture.

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At one time, at least three human ancestor groups  Denisovans, Neanderthals and Homo sapiens  coexisted in Eurasia and sometimes interbred, researchers say.

We can identity Neanderthal elements and Denisovan elements" in the DNA of some people alive today, said Tsutaya.

___

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 10. Eni'sPlenitude has finalized a 10-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Autostrade per l'Italia for the full output of a 16 MW wind power plant located in Banzi, Basilicata, Italy, Trend reports.

The agreement, which will run for a decade, is expected to deliver approximately 390 GWh of electricity over its duration.

Under the terms of the agreement, Autostrade per l'Italia will also purchase the guarantees of origin for the plant's entire production, further supporting its efforts to reduce carbon emissions.

Alessandro Della Zoppa, Head of Renewables at Plenitude, emphasized the significance of the deal, noting that it strengthens Plenitude's position as a key partner for long-term Corporate PPAs and reinforces the companys commitment to supporting Italian businesses in their energy transition.

Plenitude, a subsidiary of Eni, combines renewable energy generation with energy sales and services for households and businesses. The company is aiming to reach 10 GW of installed renewable capacity by 2028 and more than 15 GW by 2030.
Andrew Tate, the right-wing provocateur accused of rape and sex trafficking in Romania, allegedly ordered a woman into submission as he pointed a gun at her face, according to a new civil lawsuit in which four women accuse the self-proclaimed misogynist of rape, assault and coercive control between 2013 and 2015.

The 38-year-old dual U.S. and U.K. citizen allegedly put a firearm in the claimants face as he swore, saying, Youre going to do as I say or therell be hell to pay, according to U.K. court documents viewed by the BBC.

That particular alleged victim, identified only as AA, says she worked for Tate in 2015, during which time he allegedly threatened [her] daily. She says she was twice grabbed  by her throat and pinned  up against the wall, so she was unable to move.

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The new documents accuse Tate of raping two of the women, both of whom he allegedly strangled. A third accuser was also allegedly strangled.The claimants are seeking damages arising from the assaults, batteries, and infliction of intentional harm.

Tate allegedly strangled the third woman as well as one of the rape victims so often that they suffered from burst capillaries.

The fourth claimant, identified as Sienna, told BBC she and Tate had a consensual sexual relationship until, during sex, he started to strangle me. I passed out, and he carried on having sex with me.

The other three accusers previously reported Tate to authorities, though the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) opted against charging him in 2019.

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The BBC reports that Tate submitted a written defense in which he denied the allegations against him, dismissing them as a pack of lies.

Late last month, just after Tate and his brother Tristan  also accused of sex trafficking in Romania  returned to Bucharest, model Bri Stern accused him of violently choking her during sex earlier in the month. Tate denied Sterns allegations.

The brothers, who have denied any wrongdoing, are also under investigation in Florida for publicly admitt[ing] to participating in what very much appears to be soliciting, trafficking, preying upon women around the world, according to Attorney General James Uthmeier.
Andrew Tate pointed a gun at a woman and told her Im a boss... youre going to do as I say or therell be hell to pay, court documents allege.

High Court documents seen by the Telegraph contain allegations of rape, assault and coercive control.

Tate denies all the claims made against him, which he labelled a pack of lies and gross fabrications.

The civil case against him centres around allegations made by four women regarding incidents they say took place in Luton and Hitchin between 2013 and 2015

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Two women were in relationships with him in 2013 and 2014, with the other two working for his webcam business in 2015.

Allegations in the court papers claim Tate raped and strangled one of the woman who worked for him in 2015, before assaulting another.

He is also said to have told one of the women, Im just debating whether to rape you or not before going on to do so.

In the following attack, Tate is alleged to have strangled the woman and asked her who do you belong to? while preventing her from talking.

Allegedly continued sex after she passed out

One woman claims she was strangled so much she developed red petechiae around her eyes, which happens as a result of burst capillaries and is a common result of asphyxiation.

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He is also alleged to have strangled a fourth claimant so hard during sex that she passed out, but continued to have sex with her.

The woman, who is referred to as Sienna but is not her real name, told the BBC that sex was initially consensual before she was strangled.

Tate denies any strangling took place but conceded his hand may have been around her neck.

She also alleges she saw a gun in his flat in 2014, to which Tates defence documents claim there may have been a toy gun in the flat.

The other three women previously reported him to police, but the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) did not bring formal charges against him.

One of Andrew Tates victims has spoken anonymously to the BBC

Now, alongside Sienna, they are seeking damages in the civil court for the assaults, batteries and infliction of intentional harm.

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Matt Jury, from McCue Jury & Partners  the firm representing the women  told the BBC his clients had been denied justice by the police and CPS, while watching Andrew Tates influence grow.

They have been left with no other choice but to bring their case in the High Court to finally bring Tate to account, he added.

Tate, 38, is a British-American former kickboxer who has millions of followers online.

The High Court case is the latest legal challenge he faces.

He and his brother Tristan, 36, face charges in the UK of rape and human trafficking. They deny the allegations and earlier this week left Romania for the US, where Floridas attorney general has launched a criminal investigation into them.

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A preliminary hearing for the High Court case will take place on April 15.

On Thursday, an alleged victim of Tate said he pretended his online persona was a facade before verbally and physically abusing her.

Brianna Stern, 29, who has filed a lawsuit against him in California alleging sexual assault and battery, told The Times: He said that everything he put out online was just a facade. He told me, dont pay attention to whatever you see about me, its not true. He told me he respects women and that the Matrix was out to get him.

Ms Stern, a model, said Tate embarked on a campaign of love-bombing in the initial stages of their 10-month relationship that including writing love poems.

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One read: Across the seas, across the skies, two pookies live with loving ties.

Joseph McBride, Tates attorney, said her allegations were baseless.

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Apr. 9Maine's U.S. senators pressed President Donald Trump's nominee to be the director of the National Counterterrorism Center on Wednesday about his involvement in an unsecured group chat with other administration officials that included details of an impending counterterrorism strike last month.

Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King, who both serve on the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, questioned nominee Joseph Kent about using a commercially available messaging app to discuss the attack plans.

A journalist with the Atlantic was accidentally invited into the chat, and his descriptions of the conversation  published after the attack took place  have prompted calls for investigations and resignations of some top defense and intelligence officials.

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That chat took place on the app Signal and included Vice President JD Vance, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz. The discussion included specific details of the planned attack, including the target, timing and weapons to be used.

Kent, who is Gabbard's chief of staff and was included in the chat, largely repeated the administration's assertion that the information was not classified. He cited ongoing litigation as a reason he could not discuss it further.

Both Collins, a Republican, and King, an independent who caucuses with the Democrats, questioned the appropriateness of discussing highly sensitive information that could compromise the safety of American troops on a commercial phone app, whether it was officially deemed classified or not.

But Kent, a former Green Beret and CIA officer, defended his use of the app.

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"Signal was installed on my government phone when I received it, senator," Kent said to Collins. "Signal has pretty adequate two-way encryption so Signal is routinely used and approved by the chain of command."

Collins urged Kent to reevaluate that position.

"Well, I hope this is something that, should you be confirmed, you will take a hard look at," she said. "I, too, have the Signal application on my phone, but I don't use it to discuss highly sensitive information, and I think we need perhaps guidelines that are clearer to members of the intelligence community and the Department of Defense to make sure we don't have a repeat of this."

King was more forceful, accusing Kent of playing word games and getting into a heated discussion about the 2021 withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan and the investigation into Russia's interference in the 2016 election.

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"Telling an adversary when an attack is going to happen, you're saying that's not classified?" King said incredulously. "You're just giving it a bit of semantics, but any person in this room would tell us that attack plans involving timing and weapons would be of immense value. If it had been the Houthis, instead of (Atlantic editor) Jeff Goldberg, we would have lost pilots in that strike, would we not?"

"There was no classified information, and it's under litigation, senator, so I can't say much more about the Signal chat," replied Kent, who also refused to tell senators whether he was using a personal cellphone or a government-issued phone, or whether that device had been scanned for malware.

That exchange with King came after a heated discussion about Afghanistan and Russia.

While Kent pinned blame on former President Joe Biden for the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan, King noted that the Biden administration was executing a deal negotiated by Trump during his first presidency  a deal he said that did not include the input of the Afghanistan government.

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The chaotic August 2021 withdrawal led to the deaths of 13 U.S. service members, the wounding of 45 more and the deaths of more than 170 Afghan civilians.

Kent pushed back, saying Trump had tried to withdraw sooner but "we had members of the intelligence community, unfortunately, we had members of the media, who spread an extension of the Russia hoax, who said Putin was putting bounties on the heads of American soldiers, and that stopped Congress from allocating money."

"Russia hoax?" King queried.

"Yes, the Russia hoax," Kent replied. "The Russia hoax has been widely debunked."

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That prompted King to recall how Trump's campaign manager had met with an Russian intelligence agent and shared valuable internal polling, which typically shows a candidate's weaknesses, strengths and battleground states.

King was incensed when Kent would not acknowledge his point and continued to call it a hoax.

"You're doing a good job not talking about that dinner," King said. "By the way, this was found unanimously by this committee in our report on the Russian involvement in the 2016 election."

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The Anson County Sheriffs Office is warning residents of a new scam in the community.

The sheriffs office said residents are receiving phone calls from a law firm claiming that a family member is in jail. They said the caller then asks for an address so that a bail bondsman can come collect bond money.

Police warn Waxhaw residents about jury duty scam

The sheriffs office said theyve identified a suspect as a Hispanic male who is driving a dark-colored Toyota RAV4.

Channel 9 has asked if anyone has fallen victim to this scam.

VIDEO: Pet product scams and what to buy instead
Stop MPRP, a nonprofit group dedicated to stopping the creation of a regional transmission line across Maryland, is looking at potential legal responses to a planned court order filing requesting temporary access to properties along the project's route.

The Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG), an energy company based in New Jersey, announced Wednesday its intention to file a court order asking for access to properties on or near the route of the Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project (MPRP).

The MPRP is a proposed 500,000-volt transmission line that could cut through northern Baltimore County, central Carroll County and southern Frederick County, ending at the Doubs substation.

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PSEG has a contract with PJM Interconnection, the company that coordinates the movement of electricity in 13 states and Washington, D.C., to build the MPRP to address anticipated power demand on the regional grid.

PJM has predicted a significant increase in power demand partially due to new data centers to be sited in Maryland and Virginia, which could require up to 7,500 megawatts of power.

Additionally, more than 11,000 megawatts of power generation have been recently deactivated, meaning less power is being created as the demand rises.

PSEG said it needs access to the hundreds of properties along the route to conduct environmental studies and field surveys to move the MPRP forward.

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In order to obtain a certificate from Maryland authorizing the company to build the MPRP, the state is requiring PSEG to conduct these studies to verify the scope of the project's environmental and socioeconomic impacts.

PSEG plans to file a court order on Tuesday asking for temporary access to about 90 properties to conduct these surveys. This could be the first of many filings if PSEG can't successfully negotiate voluntary rights-of-entry with other property owners.

Jason Kalwa, the projects director, said in an interview that gaining temporary access to properties through a court order would not be the same as PSEG using eminent domain.

Eminent domain is a governmental power to seize private property for public use with just compensation.

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PSEG will not have access to the properties anymore after completing the field surveys. A judge would decide how much time to grant the company access.

"The property owners are not giving up any other rights. This is temporary access. This is effectively to allow our experts, environmental and otherwise, to walk on the property, take an assessment of what they see there, Kalwa said.

"... Its not eminent domain. It gives us no permanent rights to the property. It merely gives us access to the property to conduct surveys, which are necessary for many types of permits out there."

PJM has set a deadline of June 1, 2027, for PSEG to finish the MPRP and start operating it.

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'We're going to stand together'

Since the project was announced in June, thousands of residents have joined to form a fierce wave of opposition to the project.

At public meetings, they've yelled at PSEG representatives and expressed frustration and fear of how the MPRP cutting through private properties could destroy businesses or drive people out of their homes.

Stop MPRP, which has members from all three counties the MPRP would be in, was formed for the purpose of stopping the project and advocating on behalf of people who will be affected by the transmission line.

Its website, stopmprp.com, includes resources like how to access the proposed route map and what actions people can take to oppose the project.

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It also sells items like shirts, bumper stickers and yard signs so people can show their opposition to the project.

When cars drive on areas where the MPRP would go in Frederick County, several properties may have yard signs stuck at the edge of their properties.

They say "No eminent domain for corporate gain" and "Stop Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project," next to a picture of a power line tower being crossed out.

There is a separate Facebook group for opponents of the project. It had about 10,300 members as of Wednesday afternoon. It is not connected to the nonprofit Stop MPRP.

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After PSEG announced the MPRP's final path in October, it sent out about 800 letters in the fall to the owners of about 600 tracts of property who will be impacted by the route. Some of the land parcels have multiple owners.

Joanne Frederick, president of Stop MPRP's Board of Directors, sent a statement after the final route announcement that said the organization's members are committed to stopping the project completely, regardless of the proposed route.

Land agents on behalf of PSEG have been reaching out to affected property owners to discuss rights-of-entry to properties.

Some owners have been offered compensation of $1,000 for a temporary right-of-entry. Most people have either not responded or denied PSEGs requests.

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When Frederick learned about the news of the requested court order Wednesday morning, she said, she wasn't surprised.

Although Stop MPRP doesn't know yet what specific legal response it may pursue  they need to see PSEG's court order filing first  she said the organization "won't sit idly by" and does plan to respond.

She questioned a court's ability to compel people to give up land rights and said PSEG has acted aggressively, now "threatening to take land owners to court," she said.

"These people are scared," Frederick said. "... We're going to stand together."

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Frederick County spokesperson Vivian Laxton said the county's stance on the MPRP is still the same in light of news of the court order filing, such as that PSEG should've had a more transparent public engagement process before moving forward with the project.

In September, County Executive Jessica Fitzwater and the Frederick County Council signed a letter urging the state to reject any certificate application from PSEG for the MPRP.

The letter criticized PSEG and PJM for not providing enough information or prior notice of the project to the public. It also said the MPRP "will directly and negatively impact current homes, businesses and farms ... historical preservation sites, and will diminish the property values of thousands of Frederick County residents.

Fitzwater said in a statement Wednesday that the "threat of legal action is tactless and shortsighted, and it will stoke fears that PSEG intends to use eminent domain to build their transmission line."
AUSTIN (KXAN)  A 20-year-old woman and a juvenile were both arrested in connection with a shooting that happened at the Lakeline Mall in January, according to the Austin Police Department.

The woman was identified as Yaneth Medina, per a news release from APD Wednesday. She was charged with tampering with evidence, which is a third degree felony.

Yaneth Medina, 20 (Austin Police Department photo)

Austin Police release video of suspect linked with Lakeline Mall shooting

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Online court records did not show an attorney for Medina, as of Wednesday. We will update this if that changes.

The juvenile was arrested and booked into the Williamson County Juvenile Detention Facility. He was charged with aggravated assault and one county of deadly conduct, the release said.

The shooting happened Jan. 2 shortly before 4 p.m. and left one person injured, according to police.

No other details were released 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 KXAN Austin.
Several international students at Appalachian State University and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte have had their visas revoked, Channel 9 learned this week.

One student at Appalachian State University has had their visa status revoked, the school confirmed to Channel 9 on Thursday. The university said in a statement it couldnt provide any details about the student because of confidentiality rules.

Its not clear why the students visa status was revoked. A spokesperson for the State Department told the Watauga Democrat that the department doesnt share details about the visa process, including numbers or rationale for revoking visas.

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The school couldnt say which country the student is from or if the student is currently still in the United States.

A spokesperson said in a statement to Channel 9: Appalachian State University is able to confirm that one students visa status was revoked. App State supports our international students by providing information and resources, and any students with questions or concerns are encouraged to reach out to the Office of International Programs. To preserve the confidentiality of our students and student education records, the university is not able to provide any additional information.

Our partners at the Charlotte Observer reported this week that six international students at the UNC Charlotte had their visas terminated by the federal government.

The Observer learned that the students were citizens of India and Nigeria, and their visas were terminated last week. A university spokesperson told the Observer their termination reasons were listed as either Otherwise Failing to Maintain Status or Other.

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Weve reached out to UNC Charlotte officials for more information.

The Observer reports that President Donald Trumps administration has cracked down on international students, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio has called for more scrutiny of students social media accounts when they apply for visas.

(VIDEO >> Carolina Strong: UNC Charlotte students show elementary schoolers path to higher education)
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Donald Trump won the presidency in part on promises to deport undocumented immigrants with criminal records. But his earliest executive orderstrying to undo birthright citizenship, suspending critical refugee programsmade clear he wants to attack legal immigrants, too. In our new series, Who Gets to Be American This Week?, well track the Trump administrations attempts to exclude an ever-growing number of people from the American experiment.

The legal system dealt some blows to the immigrants caught up in the presidents mass deportation agenda this week. The Supreme Court kicked things off by weighing in on the extreme methods Trump is using to carry out his immigration agendaand it once again decided to give him a pass for lawlessness.

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Heres the immigration news were keeping an eye on this week:

The annual Border Security Expo took place in Phoenix this week and multiple U.S. border officials made appearances, with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem became the first sitting secretary to attend. At the event, acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Todd Lyons said he wants immigration enforcement to become more like a businesslike [Amazon] Prime, he said, but with human beings.

Lyons was joined by border czar Tom Homan, Deputy Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection John Modlin, and other administration officials. They gathered for the largest and longest-standing event of its kind  where federal, state, and local law enforcement network with private industry to access new technology for immigration enforcement.

According to the Arizona Mirror, Homan indicated the Trump administration is interested in leaning on the private sector to achieve its mass deportation goals, telling attendees during his keynote speech, We need to buy more beds, we need more airplane flights, and I know a lot of you are here for that reason. The U.S. is already paying El Salvador President Nayib Bukele $6 million to imprison immigrants deported from the U.S. for one year.

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Homan, Lyons, and Noem all supported the presidents use of the Alien Enemies Act, while Homan went so far as to suggest it bothers him that judges have stopped immigration officials from using it, a reference to the restraining orders the presidents executive order has faced. During her speech, Noem promised to take the current mass deportation plans and put them on steroids.

The high court paved the way for Trump to try to deport more migrants under the Alien Enemies Act, a 200-year-old law intended to be used only in wartime.

In a 54 decision, the court lifted U.S. District Judge James Boasbergs restraining order that had halted the presidents mass deportations of Venezuelan migrants to El Salvadors mega-prison since March 15. Boasberg also certified a class-action lawsuit against the Trump administration, both decisions that an appeals court upheld. The DOJ, after defying Boasbergs restraining order, appealed up to the Supreme Court. On Monday evening, it delivered the answer that the Trump administration sought.

The majority conceded that migrants are owed due process, so now the Trump administration must give anyone being targeted through the Alien Enemies Act notice that they are subject to deportation under the law. These notices have to be given before theyre deported, so they have a real opportunity to file for habeas relief and challenge the legality of their deportations. However, the Supreme Court did not address what legal recourse is available for the hundreds of people who have already been unlawfully deported and are currently sitting in prison in El Salvador.

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Migrants currently being detained in the U.S. under the Alien Enemies Act have to file their habeas corpus petitions where they are being confined, the majority ruled. That happens to be mainly in Texas, where the judiciary is not just small-c conservativeits the jurisdiction of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit, considered the most far-right court in the country. However, two days after the court issued its decision, a Trump-appointed judge in Texas responded to a habeas petition and issued a new restraining order. Now, ICE cannot deport any Venezuelan citizen who is currently being detained at the El Valle Detention Facility in Raymondville, Texas, under the Alien Enemies Act.

A GREAT DAY FOR JUSTICE IN AMERICA! Trump crowed on Truth Social. Meanwhile, just this week CBS 60 Minutes found that of the 238 migrants the DOJ deported to El Salvador, 75 percent do not have criminal records in the U.S.

Also on Monday, Chief Justice John Roberts issued an administrative stay in the case of Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, who the Department of Justice admitted was deported to El Salvador in an administrative error. The decision pauses any further action on Abrego Garcias case, temporarily relieving the DOJ of having to bring him back home to the U.S.

Abrego Garcia was one of the hundreds of migrants sent to El Salvador in late March in a series of late-night flights. He filed suit against federal officials, stating that in 2019 he was given legal resident status that specifically protected him from being deported back to his native El Salvador, where he faces persecution by local gangs. He had been living in Maryland with his wife and children when he was arrested, taken to Texas, and deported to the very place he fled.

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When U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis demanded the DOJ explain why it deported Abrego Garcia, the DOJ claimed it received allegations that he was a member of the Salvadoran gang MS-13s New York cliquea state he has never lived in. Xinis ruled Abrego Garcias deportation was illegal and ordered the federal government to bring him back to the U.S. no later than 11:59 p.m. on Monday, April 7. (A veteran DOJ attorney admitted in court that even he did not know under what authority the government deported Abrego Garcia. The attorney general subsequently suspended him.)

You can probably fill in the blanks from here. The DOJ, unwilling to admit defeat nor be told what to do, went up to the Supreme Court and asked for an emergency appeal. The chief justice quickly complied, temporarily clearing Xinis court-ordered deadline and buying the full court time as it considers Abrego Garcias case. Meanwhile, Abrego Garcia continues to remain in El Salvadors mega-prison with no relief in sight.

U.S. District Judge William K. Sessions III denied a request to release Rumeysa Ozturk from immigration detention because hes not sure whether he has the jurisdiction to rule on her case. A Turkish national who was studying at Tufts University on a student visa, Ozturk was arrested on March 25 in Massachusetts. She was transferred to at least three separate detention facilities across three states, complicating the question of where her case should be heard.

The question of jurisdiction is an issue many judges considering these types of immigration cases will likely face. A New Jersey judge recently ruled he retains the authority to oversee Columbia University protester Mahmoud Khalils case because his habeas petition was filed in New Jersey while he was being detained there, even though Khalil has since been moved to a Louisiana detention facility.

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In Ozturks case, Sessions ordered her lawyers and the DOJ to file briefs detailing where they believe her habeas petition should be heard and scheduled another hearing for April 14. Ozturks case is particularly chilling, as she was arrested by police officers dressed in plainclothes and taken away in an unmarked van. Ozturk, a Fulbright scholar, was pursuing a doctorate in child and human development at Tufts. The State Department had revoked her visawithout notifying herdays before she was arrested.

The Department of Homeland Security said Ozturk engaged in support of Hamas, without offering any evidence. Last year Ozturk co-wrote an op-ed, alongside three other students, criticizing Tufts response to the pro-Palestine movement on its campus. Her name is also on Canary Mission, an online database that collects the names of individuals and organizations it considers to promote hatred of the USA, Israel and Jews on North American college campuses and beyond. Mahmoud Khalil, another pro-Palestine protester who was arrested, is also featured on Canary Mission.

The same night in late March when Ozturk was arrested, her attorney filed an emergency habeas petition in Boston court challenging her detention, but at that point she had been transferred out of state to Vermont. The following day she was flown to Louisiana and has been in detention there ever since.

A Boston judge transferred Ozturks case to Vermont after the DOJ argued she wasnt in Massachusetts, where her petition was filed. Now, Sessions is also questioning whether Ozturks case should be heard in Vermont, but the federal government is expected to argue the case should be heard in Louisiana, where Ozturk is being detainedand which is under the jurisdiction of the Trump-friendly 5th Circuit.
HOPE/TEXARKANA, Ar. (KTAL/KMSS)  The deadline to apply for the University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkanas Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) Program is May 1, 2025, by 4:30 p.m.

Free classes at UA Hope-Texarkana available at select high schools

The LPN program is a full-time, 11-month, selective admission program leading to a Technical Certificate in Practical Nursing, a press release stated. The program prepares students for licensure through the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN) and meets the requirements for accreditation by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing.

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The release added that accepted applicants will begin the program on May 30, 2025, at UAHTs Hope campus. Interested students should contact an advisor today for admission criteria. For more information, please call the UAHT Health Professions Department at 870-722-8289.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com.
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL)  On Wednesday morning, President Donald Trump announced a 90-day pause on most tariffs hes imposed as some countries expressed interest in negotiations.

Despite the pause, local businesses remain prepared for any changes that could impact their operations. Area businesses told News Channel 11 that they are receiving notices from their suppliers about impending tariffs.

Hannah Diedrich, owner of Blue Willow Bridal, said shes trying to stay ahead.

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Weve been getting emails over the past couple of weeks just letting us know what might be happening, Diedrich said. And then Sunday, when a lot of these things went into effect, negotiations started happening. Our brands have just kept us up to date.

Diedrich said her business gets most of its dresses from overseas, however, only one brand of her mother-of-the-bride/groom dresses is imported from China.

Thankfully, with our bridal gowns, its still high, but its not as bad as one of our mothers lines, she said. And the rest has not been as significant of an increase.

Flower shops are also seeing the impact. Stephanie Alexander owns 1976 Flowers in downtown Johnson City. She said any implemented tariffs would be seen through her suppliers.

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We love to buy locally whenever we can, but theres a good portion of the year where we cant do that because we dont have the weather for it here, especially in East Tennessee, Alexander said. So were starting to see spring flowers, but we do import a lot of flowers from Colombia and Ecuador, are the top two. We also do Holland, Mexico. We get a little bit from everywhere. But Colombia and Ecuador are the top two. So thats where youre getting every rose that, pretty much every rose you see in a grocery store, that came from Ecuador. So theyre imported every day here to the U.S.

With Mothers Day just around the corner, a busy time for florists, Alexander chose to get ahead of rising prices and look for other options.

I reached out to many local farms and pre-ordered with them, she said. But we have to have the roses. You have to have certain things that people expect to see in their bouquets.

Both Alexander and Diedrich said they are continuing to be open with their clients.

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I post emails from our distributors with their permission that just say exactly what were hearing on our end, Alexander said. Something that the general public doesnt typically see.

Its not going to affect you getting your dress or having your dream day, Diedrich said. And we will always be transparent with you as we always have been.

News Channel 11 reached back out to both business owners following the pause. Diedrich said she hadnt implemented the tariffs impacts into her prices at the time. Alexander said she is waiting to hear from her suppliers, as her prices were set to increase at the end of the week.

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ASTANA, Kazakhstan, April 10. Astana and Almaty airports have been recognized as the best in Central Asia and the CIS at the Skytrax World Airport Awards 2025, Trend reports.

Kazakhstan's airports  in Astana and Almaty  continue to lead on the international stage, earning prestigious accolades once again. Almaty International Airport was named the best regional airport in Central Asia and the CIS, while Terminal 2 was recognized as the best new terminal worldwide. Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport was honored with the Skytrax World Airport Award 2025 for having the Best Staff among airports in Central Asia and the CIS, stated the Civil Aviation Committee of the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The Skytrax World Airport Awards are widely regarded as a global standard for excellence in aviation. Winners are selected based on independent surveys from passengers around the world, evaluating key factors such as passenger convenience, service quality, infrastructure, and innovation.
On the morning of the Palisades fire, Claudia Gordon quickly accepted that there was only so much she could do to save everything under her watch.

She helps manage the Pacific Palisades homes once owned by Thomas Mann and Lion Feuchtwanger, bestselling German writers who moved to Los Angeles in the 1940s as part of an exodus of European intellectuals fleeing the Nazis. They transformed their residences into salons for fellow refugees and warned Americans that what happened in their homelands could happen anywhere.

Today, the Mann House and Villa Aurora, which is Feuchtwanger's home, are cultural centers that offer residency programs for writers and artists whose work embraces the spirit of their former owners. The fate of the houses was out of Gordon's hands, once it became apparent that the Palisades fire was going to rage.

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She did what she could to save everything else, coordinating with staffers to make sure everyone was evacuated from the homes. At the Mann House, someone grabbed the complete works of Goethe, as well as Mann's handwritten papers. Gordon and others took some paintings and a Renaissance-era Purim scroll from Villa Aurora but had to leave thousands of rare books and personal mementos behind.

Read more: Historic Status Sought for German Exile Site

Back in her own home, Gordon took solace and strength in the lives of the two men. She especially thought of Feuchtwanger, who refused to succumb to despair after losing homes in Germany and France to the Nazis and then building a new life in the U.S.

"If the worst happened" and the Mann House and Villa Aurora burned down, Gordon said, "thats what we would have to do"  start over.

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We were standing outside the sleek, two-story Thomas Mann House on a Friday morning last week. Accompanying us were the house's director, Oliver Hartmann, and program director Benno Herz. Inside, high-powered air filters were sucking out all the toxic substances left over from the fire  the only damage incurred by the house, built in 1942 for Mann and his family and purchased by the German government in 2016 to save it from demolition.

"I never understood how a surgeon could operate for 20 hours," said Gordon, 55, who has been director of Villa Aurora off and on since 2002 and is also director of administration for both houses. "But now I know how it works that adrenaline carries you so far."

She looked at the Mann House's gleaming white exterior, which had to be scrubbed down by hand after the fire. "It's never been so clean," she said with a sad chuckle.

This was going to be a big year for the institutions, which are funded by the German government. The Mann House had a full program planned for the 150th birthday of its namesake. Villa Aurora was readying for the 30th anniversary of its residency program. All events so far have been canceled, postponed or hosted at other spots across L.A.

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The Mann House hopes to bring back its fellows in May. Villa Aurora also survived but is closed indefinitely as it awaits its own deep cleaning. But the two structures are at least standing. The homes of many of Mann's and Feuchtwanger's fellow European refugees didn't make it.

A room inside the Thomas Mann House, which is now a cultural center. It survived the Palisades fire but remains closed as it gets a deep cleaning. (David Butow / For The Times)

Herz, who joined the Mann House when it started its residency program in 2018, said the situation reminds him of the COVID years.

"We're a young institution," the 35-year-old deadpanned, "but very experienced in crises."

In 2023, I contributed to a German-language book where writers were asked to reflect on a feature in the Mann House that spoke to modern-day L.A. I focused on a press release hanging near the staircase to Mann's bedroom that quotes him saying, "In times of so deeply depressing circumstances a harmonious home background is of great significance."

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While writers like Mike Davis and Joan Didion were rightfully cited as prophetic voices after the Palisades and Eaton fires, we should pay attention to Mann and Feuchtwanger, whose words are especially relevant in an era where strongmen are on the rise worldwide and people are escaping from failing countries.

In his 1938 lecture "The Coming Victory of Democracy," Mann said, "Even America feels today that democracy is not an assured possession, that it has enemies, that it is threatened from within and from without."

Feuchtwanger, meanwhile, was criticizing the Nazis as early as the 1920s, culminating in his Wartesaal ("The Waiting Room") trilogy, a set of novels that tracked the rise of Hitler and the Nazis' persecution of Jews and others. That led the Nazis to burn Feuchtwanger's books and his imprisonment in France under the Vichy regime.

"Theres the artistic Thomas Mann," said Hartmann of the author, who won a Nobel Prize for literature in 1929. "But there's also the political Mann, waiting to be rediscovered by each generation.

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"And for Lion," the 47-year-old Hartmann continued, "for him it was so important to counter stupidity with reason."

Read more: Haven of Exile Becomes One of Exchange

He led us around the Mann House, as workers weaved around us with extension cords and ladders. Electric tape and spray cans were everywhere. At one point, Gordon nearly walked into a plastic sheet that sealed off a hallway from the living room.

We ended up in Mann's study. Among the books that remained was a copy of Sinclair Lewis' 1935 novel "It Can't Happen Here," which imagined an America ruled by a fascist.

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"Its always dangerous to draw political parallels between the past and present," Herz said, "but Mann went from becoming an admirer of FDR to experiencing the political shift to McCarthyism." He eventually returned to Europe, after the House Un-American Activities Committee and the FBI began to target him.

"The takeaway that always stays with me is that things can always change," Gordon added. "Lion never dared leave the United States because he was afraid they wouldn't let him back in. But he wrote about not having self-pity in that. It was his hope and expectation that exile literature would stand the test of time."

Outside, 25-year-old Isaac Rosales was looking at a bronze plaque with Mann's face on it. I asked if he knew who Mann was.

"Im assuming hes really important," the Colton resident replied in Spanish. "We [workers] always ask ourselves, 'Who must that man be?'"

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I gave Rosales a quick overview, highlighting how Mann fostered a community for immigrants from the house that Rosales was now helping to restore. The native of Mexico then smiled.

"L.A.'s always been a sanctuary for us, right?" he said.

Charred earth shows how close the Palisades fire came to Villa Aurora, the former home of famed German writer Lion Feuchtwanger, who arrived in Los Angeles after fleeing the Nazi regime. (David Butow / For The Times)

Gordon and I bid farewell to Hartmann and Herz, then proceeded to Villa Aurora on the other side of the Palisades. The capriciousness of the fire quickly revealed itself.

An intact apartment complex stood across Sunset Boulevard from another that was completely devastated. The fenced-off Palisades Village, which owner Rick Caruso had hired private firefighters to protect, looked eerily immaculate. We passed by a checkpoint manned by the National Guard and the LAPD, then had to stop for 20 minutes on a narrow hillside road as a backhoe was unloaded from a flatbed truck.

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The smell of smoke greeted us when we entered Villa Aurora, a two-story mansion originally built by the Los Angeles Times in 1928 as a model home for a planned neighborhood. Ashes covered a guest book opened to a page with its last signature dated Jan. 6.

Lion Feuchtwanger and his wife, Marta, moved here in 1943.

"He had to show an affidavit that he wouldnt be a burden on taxpayers, just like asylum seekers have to do today," Gordon said as we looked at historic photos and walked through Villa Aurora's expansive rooms. "Lion was lucky that he was a bestseller at the time."

Feuchtwanger is not as well-known in the U.S. as Mann, Gordon said, but he is seen as an important figure in Germany, especially for so openly and brilliantly opposing the Nazis as a Jewish man.

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Gordon noted that Marta, by then a widow, climbed on the roof with a hose to save Villa Aurora during the 1961 Bel-Air fire.

"They speak to the ability to keep strength," Gordon said, "in the face of catastrophe."

Portraits of German writers Thomas Mann, Lion Feuchtwanger and Bertolt Brecht hang at Villa Aurora, the Pacific Palisades home once owned by Feuchtwanger. (David Butow / For The Times)

We made our way to a second-floor office, which featured portraits of Mann, Feuchtwanger and fellow German exile Bertolt Brecht, as well as a spectacular view of the Pacific. From a balcony, I saw that the slope below me was scorched right up to the Villa Aurora property line. A dead eucalyptus tree still stood. It will be chopped down and turned into an art piece by a former Villa Aurora fellow to commemorate the Palisades disaster.

"That house over there is gone," Gordon said, pointing toward the distance. "The other house is gone."

She stayed quiet.

"We're closed, but we're not closed," she concluded. "We're still going."

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The News

Some of Argentinas biggest worker unions went on strike Thursday, bringing much of the country to a halt in protest against President Javier Mileis austerity measures.

The government said the stoppage cost the economy $880 million. Trains and subways were disrupted, flights grounded, and banks closed. Mileis government criticized the action, comparing striking workers to wild animals in a statement.

Mileis radical cost-cutting measures tipped the country into a deep recession last year and caused unrest domestically, but Argentinas economy has landed in a relatively better position under his leadership, a Bloomberg columnist argued, winning him international praise: US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is set to visit the country next week in support of Mileis reforms.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA)  The Arkansas House of Representatives have passed a bill that would modify a 2023 law permitting malpractice lawsuits related to gender-affirming care for minors.

House Bill 1916, sponsored by Rep. Mary Bentley, R-Perryville, seeks to expand Act 274 of 2023 by explicitly stating that the law applies not only to gender transition procedures but also to other gender-affirming interventions.

This would include treatments such as puberty blockers and hormone therapy.

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Bill to allocate $750 million for new Arkansas prison likely not returning to Senate after multiple failures

The bill would also extend the statute of limitations, allowing individuals to file related legal claims up to 15 years after turning 18.

Bentley also recently withdrew House Bill 1668, which was the first in the country to target social transitioning, or the act of adopting a gender identity different from ones biological sex. HB 1668 defined social transitioning broadly, including changes in clothing, pronouns, hairstyle and name.

The bill passed the House in a 7316 vote and now heads to the Senate as of Apr. 10.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24.
The man accused of abducting a pregnant Beaver Dam girl in February waived extradition for charges he faces in Wisconsin and Arkansas.

Gary Day was in a Nebraska courtroom Thursday, during which he voluntarily executed waivers of extradition to both states.

Day, 40, of Cabot, Arkansas, was arrested last week at a truck stop near Omaha, Nebraska with the teenage girl, who was reported missing Feb. 3. Day is the father of the unborn child.

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The pair had been the subject of an Amber Alert for weeks until Day's capture.

The waiver means Day has voluntarily agreed to return to other jurisdictions where he faces charges. Wisconsin and Arkansas each have sought his extradition.

The girl, who recently turned 17, was found safe and has since been reunited with family.

Court officials in both states were expected to be notified of the waivers this week. Meantime, Day remains in custody in Sarpy County without bond.

A criminal complaint filed in Dodge County indicates the teen met Day online in April 2024 and developed a relationship. At some point, later that summer, Day drove to Wisconsin and took her to Arkansas.

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Authorities encountered the teen at Days home in Arkansas, during a probation check in December. She ran out a back door, but was caught.

Day was on probation at the time for pleading guilty to endangering a child in 2020. He was subsequently charged with interference of child custody and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Last week, Day appeared in state court in Sarpy County, Nebraska and pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor charges of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and providing a false name to law enforcement.

Day expected to return to court in Sarpy County April 24.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Man accused of abducting pregnant Beaver Dam teen waives extradition
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  A bill to extend Medicaid coverage for postpartum mothers failed in its Senate committee hearing on Wednesday.

House Bill 1004 had a relatively easy time passing the House after its introduction there, sending it to the Senate. The Wednesday vote in the Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee, however, marked the end of its process.

Bill to extend Medicaid postpartum care to 12 months passes Arkansas House, heads for Senate

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Advocates for the bill spoke about the importance of extending postnatal care for those who did not qualify for the ARHome program, which was the bills intent.

Opponents of the legislation were concerned about its expense. Others pointed out that Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders-backed Health Moms, Health Babies Act, passed earlier in the session, did not include the 12-month extension.

Opposition included testimony from a Department of Human Services representative.

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signs Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies Act into law

Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies did streamline entry into the Medicaid maternal care process. The governor said earlier that she did not feel the state needed to extend postpartum care past 60 days.

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Elizabeth Pitman (left), director of the Division of Medical Services for Arkansas Medicaid, and State Medicaid Director Janet Mann (second from left) speak against House Bill 1004, co-sponsored by Sen. Breanne Davis (right), R-Russellville, before the Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee on Wednesday, April 9, 2025. (Tess Vrbin/Arkansas Advocate)

An Arkansas Senate committee voted down a bill that would have extended Medicaid coverage for women to 12 months after giving birth if they do not already qualify for the states Medicaid expansion program.

House Bill 1004 passed the House April 1 with a bipartisan 71 votes but failed in the Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee on a split voice vote Wednesday. More than half of births in Arkansas are covered by Medicaid, the federal-state health insurance system for low-income Americans.

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Arkansas Medicaid expansion program covers people up to 138% of the federal poverty level, but since Jan. 1, 2023, Medicaid covers pregnant Arkansans with incomes of up to 214% of the federal poverty level, or about $45,200 for a family of 2 or $68,700 for a family of four. This coverage expires two months after birth, leaving many postpartum Arkansans to fall through the cracks, said Sen. Breanne Davis, a Russellville Republican and HB 1004s Senate sponsor.

Davis mentioned that Arkansas has one of the nations highest maternal mortality rates and the third highest infant mortality rate. Maternal mortality is measured by the rate at which women die during childbirth or within a year of giving birth.

We have got to address this holistically, and I think theres been a lot of really good work done, but it has not included this group of women, who do not qualify for Medicaid expansion, Davis said.

Extending postpartum Medicaid coverage has the support of legislative Democrats, and House Minority Leader Andrew Collins of Little Rock sponsored House Bill 1008, which is similar to HB 1004 but has not been heard in committee.

Without the policy outlined in the bills, Arkansas remains the only state that has taken no action to adopt the federal option of extending postpartum Medicaid coverage from 60 days to 12 months after birth, according to KFF.

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Davis told the Public Health committee that the bill was narrowly tailored and would not create any duplicative services.

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Human Services Secretary Kristi Putnam said repeatedly last year that 12-month postpartum Medicaid would be redundant and duplicative, since the state has other insurance coverage options for postpartum low-income Arkansans. A maternal health task force convened by Sanders did not include the 12-month policy in its September 2024 list of recommendations to improve the states maternal health care landscape.

State Medicaid officials Janet Mann and Elizabeth Pitman expressed DHS opposition to HB 1004 Wednesday. Mann mentioned that DHS estimated it would cost more than $11.2 million to add 10 months of coverage to existing programs.

DHS assessment of the bills overall fiscal impact states that the federal government would cover more than $8.8 million of the cost, leaving the state to cover less than $2.4 million. Davis told the committee that Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP) funds would support the proposed coverage extension.

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From July 1 to Dec. 31, 2024, roughly 60% of postpartum Arkansans remained Medicaid-eligible after the 60-day limit, according to two quarterly reports that a 2024 law requires DHS to submit to the Legislature. Putnam and Mann presented the first report in October, and the Advocate received the second report from DHS in February via a public records request.

Of the 1,787 women who did not qualify for Medicaid past 60 days postpartum between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31, 42% of them had income above 138% of the federal poverty level, and 38% were not U.S. citizens, according to DHS second quarterly report.

By July 1, Arkansas Medicaid program will include presumptive Medicaid eligibility for pregnant Arkansans, reimbursements for doulas and community health workers and pregnancy-related Medicaid coverage for specific treatments, Mann said Wednesday.

In February, Sanders signed the Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies Act to put these policies into effect. The legislation had bipartisan sponsorship, including from Davis and HB 1004s House sponsor, Knoxville Republican Rep. Aaron Pilkington.

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One day well get these women covered, and Im sure people will ask what took so long.

 Rep. Aaron Pilkington, R-Knoxville, House sponsor of HB 1004

Public testimony

The five Arkansans who spoke in favor of HB 1004 were all Black women; Arkansas Black maternal mortality rate more than doubled from 1999 to 2019, according to a 2023 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Extending postpartum Medicaid coverage is essential for helping families heal and remain together, said Stephanie Garner, CEO of the Arkansas River Valley Area Council, a Russellville-based assistance organization for low-income families.

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Substance use disorders and mental health conditions dont resolve in two months, Garner said. When coverage ends, Ive seen women relapse, return to unsafe environments or even lose custody of their children, not because they didnt want to get better, but because they lost access to care that was helping them recover.

Danielle Wright, a single mother from Jackson County, said she lost Medicaid coverage after having her third child via an emergency Caesarean section that led her to seek mental health care.

At one point [I was] even finding myself crying in a DHS office because I was having to prove a difficult moment that I was not ready to experience and relive in that moment, said Wright, who also supported HB 1004 before the House Public Health committee in March.

Maternal mental health cannot be separated from maternal health as a whole, and untreated mental health issues during pregnancy can lead to poor birth outcomes and increased maternal mortality, therapist and social worker Mackenzi Foreman said.

Registered nurse and Arkansas Birthing Project Executive Director Zenobia Harris (left) expresses support for House Bill 1004, co-sponsored by Sen. Breanne Davis (right), R-Russellville, before the Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee on Wednesday, April 9, 2025. (Tess Vrbin/Arkansas Advocate)

Foreman and Arkansas Birthing Project executive director Zenobia Harris both said they have worked with women who unexpectedly lost their Medicaid coverage while they were pregnant.

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Latoya Morgan said she supported HB 1004 on behalf of her friend, Helena Stanton, who died after the complicated premature birth of her third child.

Shortly after giving birth, Helena began experiencing severe difficulties with her mobility, struggling to move her limbs and ultimately [to] breathe, Morgan said. She didnt have access to a doctor until it became an emergency because she didnt have access to Medicaid.

After the committee voted down the bill, Morgan expressed frustration with the outcome in an interview, saying DHS officials and the majority of the committee lacked empathy for low-income pregnant Arkansans.

[Lawmakers] claim to be Christians and believers of Christ, but youre unwilling to take care of all of the people, the sick, the women that create life because of what, funding? Morgan said. Because its not your sister, because its not your wife, because its not your daughter?

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A 2023 bill similar to HB 1004 never received a committee hearing, and Pilkington was the House sponsor of both bills. He said Wednesday that he was disappointed HB 1004 did not advance.

I promised that I wouldnt leave these women behind, and I did all I could, he said. The fact that I had to fight back against so many lies was the most disheartening part about this whole process. One day well get these women covered, and Im sure people will ask what took so long.

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The head of the British military has been criticised for visiting China earlier this week.

Adml Sir Tony Radakins trip marked the first time in 10 years that a UK official of his rank had travelled to Beijing for talks.

Sir Tony and members of Chinas central military commission discussed issues of common concern during the visit on Wednesday, according to the countrys defence ministry.

However, Sir Iain Duncan Smith, the former Tory leader, described the Chief of the Defence Staffs trip as terrible and an act of appeasement.

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He told The Telegraph: China is a brutal state, guilty of genocide in Xinjiang. It has seized the South China Sea and is militarising it, is threatening to invade Taiwan, carries out cyber attacks on UK installations at home and abroad, and supports Russia in its illegal invasion of Ukraine by buying sanctioned oil and gas from Russia.

Sir Iain added that China was also an ally of Iran and brokered the North Korean-Russian defence pact, within which Russia is giving North Korea sub-launch ballistic missile technology, increasing the threat to Western states.

He described the meeting as a ghastly game of appeasement and added that the visit had been made by a Labour Government that is kowtowing to China.

Trip based on weakness

Bob Seely, a former Tory MP and China hawk, said the visit represented Labours desire to reset relations with China, but was based on weakness, not strength, and increasing supply chain dependency.

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Gen Liu Zhenli, a member of Chinas central military commission, was among those who held talks with Sir Tony during his visit.

An official readout of their meeting said: The two sides conducted in-depth exchanges on China-UK relations and mil-to-mil relations, international and regional situations and issues of common concern, and had communication on strengthening exchanges and co-operation between the two militaries.

The Telegraph understands that Sir Tonys visit was seen as a natural continuation of the Governments desire to reset relations with China after Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, visited Beijing in January.

Her trip followed a similar visit by David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, to the country at the end of last year.

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Sir Keir Starmer has yet to visit Beijing as Prime Minister, although it is understood a trip is being planned.

The Telegraph understands that while Sir Tonys visit aimed to establish cordial relations, there are no plans to begin joint military exercises between the two nations.

On Thursday night, he posted on X that he had visited China to discuss a range of security issues.

On Wednesday I met with Gen Liu Zhenli, Chief of Staff of the Joint Staff Department of the Central Military Commission, in Beijing and held talks on a range of security issues. (1/2)  Chief of the Defence Staff  (@AdmTonyRadakin_) April 10, 2025

Sir Tony added: We agreed that, in an unstable world, we must play our part as responsible nations with global interests, and we reflected on the importance of military-to-military communications.

He also gave a speech to future Chinese military commanders at the Peoples Liberation Army National Defence University in Beijing, according to The Times.

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The Ministry of Defence did not appear to publicise the visit, which comes just days after Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, said his forces had captured two Chinese citizens who had been fighting on behalf of Russia.

The last time a chief of the defence staff visited China was in 2015, when Gen Sir Nicholas Houghton travelled to the country during a period of good relations.

The UK-China relationship has since become more tense, amid concerns about Beijings human rights record and growing global influence.

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Army Secretary Dan Driscoll has replaced FBI Director Kash Patel as acting director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, an unprecedented move for the civilian head of the largest military service.

Driscolls new dual-hat role  confirmed by two defense officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to speak candidly about personnel matters  puts a Pentagon official in charge of the law enforcement agency for the first time in its 50-year history.

It marks an abrupt shift atop the Justice Department office, which usually has its own director. The move also comes as the Army looks to cut thousands of civilian jobs and potentially consolidate its force.

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A handful of top military officials hold two roles, although none across two distinct government agencies. This includes Gen. Chris Cavoli, who serves as both NATOs supreme allied commander and the head of U.S. European Command, and Lt. Gen. William Hartman, who is acting as the chief of the National Security Agency and U.S. Cyber Command after his predecessor was fired by the Trump administration last week.

Neither the Pentagon nor the Justice Department responded to requests for comment.

The role is likely to compound the already long to-do list of the Army secretary, who was traveling in Germany on Wednesday when the news broke.

The Pentagon is undergoing a review of its overseas troop numbers, which could lead to thousands of Army servicemembers leaving Europe. The Army also is working to slash 8 percent of its budget and reinvest in the Pentagons new priorities, part of an order by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for all services.

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Army civilians began getting offers to apply for deferred resignation on Monday, according to an email obtained by POLITICO. That offer will be good until next week. And the Army has until Friday to propose new organizational charts that reduce civilian staffing levels and cut agencies that arent deemed necessary.

The service has tried to cut costs elsewhere in recent weeks, including shutting down the satellite campuses for the Command and General Staff College, the services graduate school.
ARNOLD, Mo.  A state audit of the City of Arnold heads to court as the city claims it is trying to protect confidential records.

Its disappointing to me that the city is wasting taxpayer money by litigating this issue, Missouri State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick said.

Attorney Bob Sweeney, who represents the city, says it has been more than compliant throughout the audit process.

Weve supplied thousands of pages of documents, spent scores of hours obtaining those documents and dozens of hours sitting down face to face, he said.

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The audit has to do with taxpayer funding for transportation projects through what is called Transportation Development Districts (TDD). The auditor is looking at property owned by the TDD as well as the role city officials play while serving on TDD boards.

When we developed this TDD, we required the property owners to put city officials on the TDD board so that the city officials would have some information and knowledge of what was going on and some say so, Sweeney said.

FBI, police excavate south St. Louis yard in search for missing person

The TDD had collected a tax for a parkway project to run along I-55 south of 141. But that plan was eventually put on hold after people petitioned against it. FOX 2s Chris Hayes reported last year that people wanted to know what was being done with property the city had already purchased for that project. Sweeney told FOX 2 on Wednesday that it is still looking at ways to complete the project without the portions that were objected to by residents.

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The auditor says he needs to see more documents from closed city council sessions. However, the City of Arnold has filed a temporary restraining order to try and block the release of unredacted, closed session meetings, citing concerns over significant liability, potential for fraud and loss of public trust for releasing confidential records.

We access closed records all the time and meeting minutes that would not generally be open records to the public in the state auditors office. Its a routine thing that we do, Fitzpatrick said.

The auditor is considering a counter claim if Arnold does not comply with a subpoena for the records. Sweeney said that is not necessary. He simply wants a judge to weigh in on if the unredacted records are subject to release.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
A meeting took place between Samir Rzayev, President of Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) CJSC, and Luca Di Gianfrancesco, the Ambassador of Italy to Azerbaijan.

During the meeting, the parties discussed strengthening cooperation in the air transport sector between the two countries and evaluating new opportunities. Both sides emphasized that increasing flight frequency significantly contributes to the development of economic, tourism, and cultural ties between Azerbaijan and Italy.

S. Rzayev stated that starting from April 1, AZAL has increased the number of flights on the Baku-Milan-Baku route to six times a week, and from May 13, the flights will operate daily.

Ambassador Di Canfrancesco highlighted the importance of the flights between Azerbaijan and Italy, particularly in light of the 2026 Winter Olympics that will be held in Italy.

It should be noted that AZAL currently operates regular flights on the Baku-Milan-Baku route. In 2024, a total of 252 flights (round trip) were carried out, transporting 67,708 passengers. In the first three months of 2025 alone, AZAL operated 67 flights on this route and transported 15,236 passengers.

During the meeting, both parties also exchanged views on opening new routes, proposing joint initiatives, and considering regional integration opportunities.
SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage)  On April 11, over 100 Angelo State University students will present the results of their academic research projects during the Undergraduate Research Symposium and the Graduate Student Research Symposium.

The purpose of the symposiums is to recognize students contributions to the universal body of knowledge through their research and creative activities, said ASU.

According to a press release from ASU, the symposiums will be held in the in the Davidson Conference Center in the Houston Harte University Center, located at 1910 Rosemont Drive. The Undergraduate Symposium will start at noon and ends at 1:30 p.m. The Graduate Symposium will start at 4 p.m. and ends at 5:30 p.m. Both symposiums are free and open to the public.

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It also provides student interaction with community members who are interested in research activities on campus, said ASU.

The Undergraduate Symposium will have 50 research exhibits by 68 students. The Graduate Symposium will have 22 research exhibits by 34 graduate students.

The projects featured at the symposiums were selected through a competitive application process, and participating students will be available to discuss their projects that were completed under the supervision of faculty mentors, said ASU.

The participating students represent academic departments across campus, including:

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Accounting, Economics and Finance

Agriculture

Biology

Chemistry and Biochemistry

Communication and Mass Media

Computer Science

David L. Hirschfeld Department of Engineering

Health Science Professions

Kinesiology

Management and Marketing

Mathematics

Natalie Zan Ryan Department of English and Modern Languages

Physical Therapy

Physics and Geosciences

Psychology

ASU also stated that Graduate Symposium will be followed by an awards ceremony recognizing ASUs 2025 Outstanding Graduate Students.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com.
An Iranian asylum seeker has been allowed to stay in Britain after claiming he had so many Facebook friends that he was at risk of persecution if he was returned to his home country.

A lower tier tribunal judge had ruled the opportunistic 39-year-old had used his political views to fabricate and bolster his asylum claim.

However, his lawyers argued that even if the man was acting in bad faith, and using the platform to boost his asylum claim, he was still at risk on return to Iran because he had shared his views on social media. They said he should not be expected to delete his account and conceal his activities as it would not be proper.

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The asylum seeker has now won the right to have his claim reheard, after a judge found his large number of Facebook friends required more consideration.

He claimed his human rights would be breached under Article 3 of the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR) which protects against persecution.

The case, disclosed in court papers, is the latest example exposed by The Telegraph where failed asylum seekers or convicted foreign criminals have attempted to halt their deportations, often by claiming breaches of their human rights.

There are a record 41,987 outstanding immigration appeals, largely on human rights grounds, which threaten to hamper Labours efforts to fast-track removal of illegal migrants.

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The Upper Tier Tribunal (UTT) of the Immigration and Asylum Chamber was told the man  who was granted anonymity  is an Iranian of Kurdish ethnicity who left Iran in 2015 before arriving in the UK in 2016.

He claimed asylum based on his fear of an honour killing in Iran but this was refused in 2020. The Iranian appealed against this decision and told a judge during a hearing that year about his political activities in the UK. But, this legal action was rejected by an immigration judge.

The Iranian made a fresh claim which was subsequently refused by the Home Office and then by a tribunal in 2023. After this was dismissed, he appealed against the decision  and accused the judge of erring in law in failing to consider evidence against him.

He argued his political activities online and in attending protests put him at risk even though the judge found there was little evidence it had come to the attention of the authorities in Tehran.

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Lawyers representing the man said the judge had fallen in error in relation to the mans social media postings where he used a public account and had more than 2,500 Facebook friends.

It was argued that if it was deemed his social media posts were made in good faith, then it would not be proper to expect him to close his account to conceal his activities. They argued that even if his online activities were made in bad faith, to bolster his asylum claim, he would still be at real risk on return.

One of a very large crowd

However, the Home Office argued that while the man attended demonstrations, he was one of a very large crowd.

In relation to Facebook, the departments lawyers said the fact his profile was public was minimal and insignificant. They said the man was not of adverse interest to the authorities in Iran.

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The tribunal heard that in an earlier asylum seeker decision, a judge had ruled the Iranian mans political activities were an opportunistic attempt to fabricate a claim.

Upper Tribunal Judge Rebecca Chapman ruled the man will have his case reheard.

She said: In light of the judges failure to take account of material considerations ie the evidence that he had a large number of Facebook friends or contacts, I find his findings as to the potential effect of this evidence is unsustainable.

For the reasons above I find the judge made material errors of law in his decision and reasons.

She said the previous judge failed to make a clear finding as to whether or not his activities were done in good or bad faith.

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The judge said there was evidence of Iranian embassy officials filming demonstrators and said the previous finding was this had very minimal weight.

Judge Chapman said: Even if, as the judge found, the [asylum seeker] was one of a very large crowd of people at demonstrations I find that this does not eliminate the risk to him of identification.

The case will be reheard by another tribunal judge.

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP)  Attorneys for two Tennessee inmates facing execution this year asked Gov. Bill Lee on Thursday to declare a reprieve until a judge determines the legality of the states new execution protocol.

Executions have been on hold in Tennessee since April 2022, when Lee halted the execution of Oscar Smith just an hour before it was to be carried out, citing an oversight in the preparations. He later revealed that a required purity test for the execution drugs to be used on Smith had never been done.

The omission only came to light because attorney Kelley Henry, chief of the capital habeas unit in the local federal public defender's office, filed a public records request shortly before the execution asking to see the results of the drug testing.

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Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Henry said records of communications between officials showed that her request provoked a tug of war over whether to go ahead with the execution. Henry said she requested the test results three years ago because she knew in my heart of hearts that the department had not followed the protocol that they said they would follow.

An independent review released in December 2022 found that none of the drugs prepared for the seven inmates executed in Tennessee since 2018 had been fully tested. In light of the problems, Tennessee scrapped its previous protocol, which called for a series of three drugs to be injected. In late December, the Tennessee Department of Correction issued a new protocol utilizing the single drug pentobarbital.

The new manual outlining the protocol contains only a single page on the lethal injection chemicals with no specific directions for testing the drugs. It also removes a requirement that the drugs come from a licensed pharmacist.

Its as if, having been caught breaking their own rules, TDOC decided, Lets just not have rules, said attorney Amy Harwell, who was with Smith as he prepared to be executed three years ago.

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Harwell, who is the assistant chief of the capital habeas unit, and Henry represent inmates who have filed suit in Davidson County Chancery Court over the legality of the new protocol. The lawsuit argues that pain and suffering from executions using pentobarbital violate the Eighth Amendments ban on cruel and unusual punishment.

With an expedited schedule, the case should go to trial early next year. Harwell and Henry both signed the Thursday letter asking the governor to once again pause executions, giving the judge time to decide the case.

The governors office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Thursday.

Smith is scheduled to be executed on May 22. He was convicted of fatally stabbing and shooting his estranged wife, Judith Smith, and her teenaged sons, Jason and Chad Burnett, at their Nashville home on Oct. 1, 1989.

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Byron Black has an execution date of Aug. 5. He was convicted in 1989 of three counts of first-degree murder for the shooting deaths of his girlfriend, Angela Clay, and her two daughters.

Harold Nichols is scheduled to be executed on Dec. 11. He is not included in the petition because he is not a client of Harwell or Henry but could potentially benefit from a general reprieve. Nichols was convicted of rape and first-degree felony murder in the 1988 death of Karen Pulley in Hamilton County.

The execution of a fourth inmate, Donald Middlebrooks, has already been stayed pending the resolution of a different case challenging Tennessee's execution protocols in federal court.
(Stock photo by Catherine McQueen via Getty Images)

To attract business investment, American cities and states offer companies billions of dollars in incentives, such as tax credits. As the theory goes, when governments create a business-friendly environment, it encourages investment, leading to job creation and economic growth.

While this theory may seem logical on its face, its a bit of a chicken-and-egg situation. Business investment follows employees, not just the other way around. In fact, our research suggests workers care less about whether a city has business-friendly policies and more about how safe they feel living in it. And interestingly, we found that politics influence peoples risk perceptions more than hard data such as crime statistics.

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Our findings have major implications for cities and businesses. If people choose where to live and work based on perceived safety rather than economic incentives, then entrepreneurs and city leaders may need to rethink how they approach growth and investment.

The many faces of risk

We are management professors who surveyed more than 500 employees and entrepreneurs from across the country to better understand how they rate 25 large U.S. cities on various dimensions of risk.

We asked about three different types of risk: risk related to crime, government function and social issues. Risk related to government function includes corruption and instability, while risk related to social issues includes potential infringements on individual rights.

We found that peoples views of risk werent driven primarily by objective statistics, such as FBI crime data. Instead, they were shaped by factors such as media representations, word of mouth and geographic stereotypes.

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For example, studies suggest that crime in Denver has been rising, and U.S. News and World Report recently ranked it as the 10th most dangerous city based on FBI crime reports. However, the employees and entrepreneurs we surveyed ranked Denver as the safest city in the country.

Its all politics

We found that political perspectives were the main factor biasing the rankings. For example, conservative-leaning employees and entrepreneurs believed that Portland, Oregon, is dangerous, ranking it as Americas ninth-riskiest city. In contrast, those who are liberal-leaning ranked it as the second-safest city in the country.

Both of these beliefs cant be accurate. Instead, when basing the ranking on objective crime data from the FBI, U.S. News ranked Portland the 15th most dangerous city in the country.

When assessing risk related to how the government functions, conservatives praised politicians in Nashville, Charlotte and Dallas, while the liberals praised those in Denver, Minneapolis and Portland. Similarly, when considering risk related to social issues, conservatives said New York City, Los Angeles and San Francisco were risky, while the liberals said Tampa, Miami and Houston should be avoided.

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Our findings also suggest that political perspectives influence the types of risk that employers and employees care about. For example, conservatives tend to care more about crime-related risk than liberals, and liberals care more about risk related to social issues.

Now what?

Were not advocating that city leaders drop financial incentives altogether, or that employers ignore them. Evidence suggests that financial incentives and other business-friendly policies may be effective at attracting businesses and strengthening local economies.

However, our research suggests that when individuals are making important life decisions about where to live, work and invest, a citys level of risk matters. Importantly, beliefs about risk are subjective and are biased by political perspectives.

In our view, city leaders must recognize and address concerns about crime, governance and social issues while actively working to improve public perceptions of their cities. Likewise, businesses may want to consider investing in cities that are less politically polarized when making investment decisions.

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Kaitlyn DeGhetto, Associate Professor of Management, University of Dayton and Zachary Russell, Associate Professor, Management & Entrepreneurship, Xavier University

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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By Renju Jose

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia on Thursday declined Beijing's proposal to work together to counter U.S. tariffs, saying instead it would continue to diversify its trade and lower its reliance on China, its largest trading partner.

"We are not going to be holding hands with China in respect of any contest that is going on in the world," Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles told Sky News, referring to the Chinese ambassador's proposal for countries to "join hands" on trade.

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"We are not doing that. What we are doing is pursuing Australia's national interests and diversifying our trade around the world."

He said Australia would build its economic resilience by strengthening trade ties with the European Union, Indonesia, India, Britain and the Middle East.

In an opinion column in The Age newspaper, China's ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian urged Canberra to collaborate with Beijing to defend the multilateral global trading system.

"Under the new circumstances, China stands ready to join hands with Australia and the international community to jointly respond to the changes of the world," Xiao said.

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U.S. President Donald Trump, in a stunning reversal, on Wednesday said he would temporarily lower hefty duties on dozens of countries but continue to target China, raising the tariff to 125% from 104%, further escalating a trade war between the world's two largest economies.

That could pose a risk to Australia, which ships almost a third of its goods to China. Exports to the United States are less than 5% of Australia's total goods exports.

Australia's central bank has warned the ongoing uncertainty over tariffs and other trade restrictions between the U.S. and other major economies could have a chilling effect on business investment and household spending decisions in the country.

Trump has imposed a unilateral 10% tariff on Australia, the low end of his reciprocal tariffs for all imports into the United States.

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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said that while the duty on Australia, a key U.S. security ally in the Indo-Pacific, has "no basis in logic", his government would not retaliate.

(Reporting by Renju Jose in Sydney; Editing by Stephen Coates)
Austria has voiced support for the new German government's plans to tighten its asylum policy.

A spokesman for Austria's Interior Ministry said Germany is aligning itself with Austria's tough approach.

"The fight against people smuggling and abuse of asylum systems is only effective through joint efforts," he said.

Germany's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU), reached a coalition deal on Wednesday with the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD), which includes a controversial provision allowing rejections at border crossings.

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The coalition agreement between the CDU/CSU and SPD states: "We will carry out rejections at the common borders, also in the case of asylum applications, in coordination with our European neighbours."

Commenting on that provision, the Austrian Interior Ministry spokesman added: "We welcome Germanys announcement that it will coordinate its actions with neighbouring countries. We are confident that German authorities will implement these measures at the EUs internal borders in accordance with the law."
On the surface, the principal problem with the Republican hysteria about the Biden administration weaponizing the Justice Department is that the GOP conspiracy theories were absurd. There was never any credible evidence to suggest the Democratic White House or Attorney General Merrick Garland abused their powers or politicized federal law enforcement in any way, at any time, in any case.

But just below the surface, there was a related problem: The Republican hysteria was also ironic. It was Donald Trump, in his first term, who did exactly what the GOP falsely accused Joe Biden of doing: Theres overwhelming and uncontested evidence that Trump spent much of his first term trying to transform agencies and officials  including prosecutors  into his own personal attack dogs.

Trumps former White House chief of staff, retired Gen. John Kelly, went so far as to alert the public to the fact that the president regularly wanted to use the Justice Department to retaliate against critics.

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In the Republicans second term, hes picking up where he left off  and by some measures, making matters worse. NBC News reported:

President Donald Trump directed federal agencies Wednesday to revoke the security clearances and review the activities of two high-level former government officials who questioned his election fraud claims and his conduct in his first term.

Lets take these one at a time.

During Trumps first term, Christopher Krebs led the Department of Homeland Securitys Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), which was responsible for combatting foreign interference in our elections and preventing attacks. Krebs earned bipartisan praise for his work, and after the 2020 election cycle, The Washington Posts David Ignatius noted, When the history books about this election are written, Krebs will be one of the heroes.

The day Ignatius column was published, Trump fired Krebs  not because hed done anything wrong but because the president wanted him to go along with his lies about the election results. When Krebs instead told the truth, he was shown the door.

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Four and a half years later, Trump issued an order that not only described Krebs as a significant bad-faith actor who weaponized and abused his Government authority  a claim the president made while abusing his government authority  it also directed Attorney General Pam Bondi and the Department of Homeland Security to review Krebs work and activities.

Miles Taylor, meanwhile, was a former high-ranking official in Trumps Department of Homeland Security who became a prominent Trump critic, alerting the public to allegations that he personally witnessed the presidents corruption and ineptitude.

Trumps order, which called on the Department of Homeland Security to investigate Taylors activities, also said Taylor stoked dissension. Just as notably, the president, who has repeatedly disclosed sensitive information, suggested that his critic had disclosed sensitive information, adding, [T]his conduct could properly be characterized as treasonous.

Putting aside the obvious concern that such rhetoric is insane, its also worth emphasizing that treason is a word the president uses far too often, especially given that treason is a capital offense.

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But as important as these details are, lets not miss the forest for the trees: A sitting American president signed executive orders seeking investigations into former officials, not because they did anything wrong, but because they defied him. This is simply not the sort of thing thats supposed to happen in a stable and healthy democracy. Former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming described Trumps latest moves as Stalinesque.

J. Michael Luttig, a prominent conservative legal scholar put on the federal bench by President George HW Bush, published a related Bluesky thread on the orders, calling them shameful and constitutionally corrupt, while accusing Trump of palpably unconstitutional conduct.

Luttig also encouraged Krebs and Taylor to immediately bring lawsuits against the administration for vindictive/malicious prosecution, in violation of their rights under the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S Constitution.

Indeed, if an investigative reporter had uncovered evidence that Trump had done this in private  quietly directing agencies to investigate critics without cause  it would be a front-page scandal. Trump, however, did it in public, practically bragging about his own abuse.

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But as Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut recently noted in an unrelated matter, Just because the corruption plays out in public doesnt mean its not corruption.

UPDATE (April 10, 2025, 2:26 p.m. ET): This post has been updated to include comments from J. Michael Luttig.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
(NewsNation)  President Donald Trump aggressively campaigned in Michigan, promising to save the auto industry and bring jobs to the state, but there are mixed opinions about his tariff strategy.

The sweeping tariffs have been paused for 90 days for all countries except China, which is now facing a tariff of over 100%.

The initial announcement, however, has already led auto companies to make changes. Stellantis, one of the big three automakers in the U.S., already temporarily laid off around 900 workers at five U.S. facilities.

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Stocks soar after Trump announces 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs for some

That includes plants in Warren and Sterling Heights, Michigan, and forecasts from the University of Michigan suggest even more pain could be coming.

The schools Department of Economics predicted more than 2,000 jobs will be lost over the coming year, the state will produce 26,000 fewer cars and the big three will lose about 1% market share each year due to tariffs alone.

While economists have warned that tariffs are likely to cause a recession and raise costs for consumers, Trumps most adamant supporters are still standing behind the strategy.

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Douglas King has worked at Stellantis for 30 years and told NewsNation his coworkers are willing to go through tough times in hopes of bringing jobs back to the U.S.

My coworkers know something has to be done to stop the bleeding. Our jobs are leaving. Were watching them go overseas. We cant compete with low labor costs, he said. I have to believe that what President Trumps doing is going to help the American economy. I think we have to be patient, not ready to give up and jump ship just yet.

Ag secretary: White House plan could help farmers hurt by tariffs

Many people told NewsNation that they think the tariffs are part of Trumps way of doing business, playing hardball to bring people to the negotiating table and get his way. They think it will work, and the tariff turmoil will be over soon.

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Auto industry experts, on the other hand, have voiced concerns about the way tariffs have been rolled out and the treatment of Americas neighbors and close trading partners Canada and Mexico.

The auto industry is part of a complex and interconnected system where cars and parts are shipped back and forth during the production process before they even make it to the showroom to be sold.

Thats why the Detroit Chamber of Commerce wrote a letter to the Trump administration asking it to use caution when implementing tariffs. They wrote, A century of supply chains and relationships cannot be undone without tremendous economic harm to companies and workers, if not done strategically and thoughtfully.

Trump should focus on targeted tariffs: Rep. James Comer

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Glenn Stevens helped write that letter. He said everyone is on board with bringing jobs to America but doesnt want it to come at a cost to the American auto industrys key partners.

We think that there can be more U.S. manufacturing, but we also think that we can keep this trade block together between Mexico, Canada and the U.S. so it is a globally competitive block, he said. The competition is not Canada and Mexico. The competition is global, particularly the Chinese automotive industry.

The interconnectedness of the auto industry is key when it comes to tariffs, as every single car is made up of around 30,000 parts, from the smallest screws to the biggest bumpers. All those parts come from around the world, so tariffs have a big impact on the industry.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON)  Market Street in San Francisco will welcome a new option for transportation later this year. Mayor Daniel Lurie announced on Thursday that autonomous cars from Waymo will soon begin servicing the vital corridor that has had more than 2 miles of roadway closed to private vehicles since 2020.

Waymo is expected to begin mapping Market Street in the coming days with specialists behind the wheel, according to the mayors office. By summer 2025, the company aims to begin offering its fully autonomous passenger service.

Waymos arrival on Market Street will complement the citys existing transportation options, including Muni, biking, and taxis, and will make it easier for residents, workers, and visitors to access the shops, theaters, hotels, and restaurants that anchor San Franciscos downtown economy, the mayors office wrote in a news release.

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Lurie said that by inviting Waymo to Market Street, it would make it easier for everyone, locals and visitors alike, to enjoy everything our city has to offer.

Controversial Great Highway park in SF officially named

Several mobility advocate organizations slammed Luries plan to allow Waymo to cruise down Market. Kid Safe SF, San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, San Francisco Transit Riders, and Walk San Francisco issued a joint news statement that stated the move hampers Munis recovery and makes Market Street significantly more dangerous for people walking, biking, scooting, and taking public transit, who must cross lanes of traffic to access boarding islands.

The organizations also said that Lurie is upending the robust, decades-long public process that led to car-free Market Street.

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Others are renewing a push to open the historic roadway back up to all private vehicles and ride-hailing services.

We would love to have Market Street reopen to cars, Jennifer Bielstein, executive director of American Conservatory Theater, told KRON4 last week. We hear directly from potential customers that they will not come to the Strand Theater because they cannot be dropped off and picked up in front of the theaters.

Property developer Joy Ou agreed, and said Market Street is making it more difficult for people to return to the area and for businesses to rebound post COVID-19.

Ou was part of a group that had met with Lurie to encourage him to embrace not only cars on Market but also improve public safety and create tax incentives as part of an overall plan to revitalize Mid-Market.

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Waymo and city officials said they will work collaboratively to maintain safety and accessibility along Market Street.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 10. Chairman of the Board of Azerbaijan Energy Regulatory Agency (AERA), Samir Akhundov, hosted a delegation led by the World Bank's (WB) Practice Manager Stephanie Gil on April 9, Trend reports.

The meeting focused on consultations regarding support areas proposed by the World Bank, and also touched upon the activities of the Energy Efficiency Fund (EEF).

The Azerbaijan Energy Regulatory Agency (AERA) was founded by Presidential Decree No. 1750 on December 22, 2017. AERA was established from the State Energy Control Department and the State Gas Control Department, functioning as a public legal organization under the Ministry of Energy. The agency initiated its activities in April 2018 and is organized to encompass its board, in addition to departments, divisions, sectors, and branches that constitute the agencys staff. AERA regulates, including governmental oversight, firms involved in the delivery of electricity, heat, and gas, and supervises consumer issues.

AERA collaborates with the World Bank under the "Expansion of Electricity Production from Renewable Energy Sources Project in Azerbaijan" (AZURE) framework.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Axon brought a mobile tactical simulator to the Arizona Capitol on March 4, 2025, as part of its effort to back legislation that would stop a ballot referendum in Scottsdale brought by residents opposed to the company's plans to build a 74-acre campus near the Loop 101 and Hayden Road. Photo by Jerod MacDonald-Evoy | Arizona Mirror

Republican lawmakers fought with each other Wednesday over a proposal that would strip away the right of Scottsdale voters to challenge the sprawling headquarters project for law enforcement technology company Axon.

An earlier Axon-backed GOP effort to make it impossible for all Arizonans to let local voters challenge development projects at the ballot box failed to gain traction, so the companys allies in the legislature pivoted instead to a proposal that would disenfranchise just Scottsdales voters.

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The House International Trade Committee signed off on a bill last month that would bar Scottsdale voters from heading to the polls to decide the fate of Axons planned 74-acre campus near Hayden Road and the Loop 101. In addition to the companys headquarters, the development would also include 1,900 apartments and a luxury hotel.

The Arizona Constitution gives residents the right to refer matters to the ballot.

Local activists, backed by a signature-gathering effort linked to a California labor union, gathered more than 25,000 signatures to send the rezoning decision made by a lame-duck city council  the votes for the project came from councilors who had been voted out of office  to the ballot in a voter referendum, which must happen by November 2026.

The measure that lawmakers advanced on Wednesday would cancel that election. It says that any municipality with between 200,000 and 500,000 residents  Scottsdale had 241,000 residents in the 2020 census  must allow hotel use and multifamily residential housing for land zoned like the Axon parcel without requiring any type of application that will require a public hearing if certain criteria is met.

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Rep. Joseph Chaplik, R-Scottsdale, said he and other Scottsdale lawmakers were not brought to the table on the proposed legislation. He unsuccessfully tried to amend the measure, leading to lengthy debate on the House floor.

Not one Scottsdale representative, all nine of us, was involved in this, Chaplik said.

Rep. Tony Rivero, R-Peoria, who sponsored the strike-everything amendment at Axons behest and chaired the committee that heard it, said that he reached out to Chaplik several times. He also claimed that the referendum campaign was orchestrated by outside special interest groups, a line that Axon and its supporters have repeatedly used.

Chaplik has been strongly opposed to the efforts to undermine the Scottsdale election, and has gotten into heated arguments at the Capitol with Axon CEO Patrick Smith about the legislation, something he made note of during floor debate of Senate Bill 1543.

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Chaplik claimed he was assaulted, accosted and threatened by Smith at the legislature, and that his colleagues had handed over the keys to Smith and his lobbyists in order to let them sway lawmakers.

Last month, Axon held a large press conference on the House lawn that included a large number of their employees, technology, food and more where lawmakers were seen rubbing elbows with Axons C-suite and lobbyists.

Rivero claimed that the bill is not specific to Axon but could not name a single other project that it could apply to, and he admitted that Axon brought the legislation to him.

Yes, I was approached by Axon, but I am approached by many groups, Rivero said when Rep. Pamela Carter, R-Scottsdale, asked him where the legislation originated. I have no history with Axon, I have no history with their leadership. I met them about a month ago.

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Rivero said the reason he sponsored the legislation was because of the economic impact that Axon and similar companies leaving the state would have. Although the bill is in response to Scottsdales Axon referendum, he said that the issue goes beyond Scottsdale.

That didnt satisfy Chaplik.

Where is the respect for me and my colleagues in Scottsdale that oppose this bill? Chaplik asked when explaining one of his several amendments that failed to be added. Folks, there is a red button on your desk. I hope that a few of you use it once and a while.

Chapliks amendments included requiring that the international campus have its workers work on-site, change the amount of housing meant for workers from 20% to 50% and more.

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All were rejected.

The bill cleared floor debate on an informal vote and is now cleared for a formal roll-call vote. If it passes the House, it would go back to the Senate for a final vote.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
By Phil Stewart

PANAMA CITY (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said it was up to Iran to decide whether the recent U.S. movement of B-2 bombers was a message to Tehran, as he voiced hope that U.S.-Iran negotiations over Tehran's nuclear program could be resolved peacefully.

As many as six B-2 bombers relocated in March to a U.S.-British military base on the Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia, U.S. officials have told Reuters, amid a U.S. bombing campaign in Yemen and mounting tensions with Iran.

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There are only 20 B-2 bombers in the Air Force's inventory so they are usually used sparingly.

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.

Asked if the B-2s were meant to send a message to Iran, Hegseth said: "We'll let them decide."

"It's a great asset ... it sends a message to everybody," he told reporters during a trip to Panama.

"President Trump's been clear ... Iran should not have a nuclear bomb," he said. "We very much hope - the President is focused on doing that peacefully."

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Trump on Monday made a surprise announcement that the United States and Iran were poised to begin direct talks on Tehran's nuclear program on Saturday, warning that Iran would be in "great danger" if the talks were unsuccessful.

Iran, which had pushed against Trump's demands in recent weeks, said indirect talks would be held in Oman, underscoring the differences between the two countries.

Trump on Wednesday repeated a threat to use military force if Iran did not agree to end its nuclear program.

"I'm not asking for much ... but they can't have a nuclear weapon," Trump told reporters. "If it requires military, we're going to have military. Israel will, obviously, be ... the leader of that. No one leads us. We do what we want."

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He declined to address when any military action could begin.

Although B-2 bombers have been employed to strike Houthi targets in Yemen in the past, most experts say use of the stealthy bomber is overkill there.

However, the B-2 is equipped to carry America's the 30,000-pound GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator, designed to destroy targets deep underground. That is the weapon that experts say could be used to strike Iran's nuclear program.

Western powers accuse Iran of having a clandestine agenda to develop nuclear weapons 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. Editing by Gerry Doyle)
(The Hill)  Ksenia Karelina, a U.S.-Russian dual national who was detained last year on treason charges, was released from Russia in the latest prisoner exchange, according to the State Department.

American Ksenia Karelina is on a plane back home to the United States. She was wrongfully detained by Russia for over a year and President Trump secured her release, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement Thursday on social platform X.

@POTUS will continue to work for the release of ALL Americans, he added.

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More Americans say Trump is favoring Russia too much in new poll

Karelina, a former ballet dancer, was arrested in February 2024 in Yekaterinburg and found guilty by a Russian court in August 2024 of treason for donating approximately $52 to a U.S.-based Ukrainian charity. She was sentenced to 12 years in prison.

American authorities have called the case absolutely ludicrous.

Ksenia Karelina, also known as Khavana sits in a glass cage in a court room in Yekaterinburg, Russia, Thursday, June 20, 2024. (AP Photo, File)

The State Department previously determined that Karelina, also known by the surname Khavana, was wrongfully detained. She was arrested after going back to Russia to visit her family.

Karelina moved to the Baltimore area in 2012 and in 2017, she relocated to Los Angeles. She obtained her U.S. citizenship in 2021 and a year later graduated from esthetician school, according to a website dedicated to her release.

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I am overjoyed to hear that the love of my life, Ksenia Karelina is on her way home from wrongful detention in Russia, Karelinas fiance, Chris van Heerden, said in a statement. She has endured a nightmare for 15 months and I cannot wait to hold her. Our dog, Boots, is also eagerly awaiting her return.

Putin praises Ovechkin on NHL scoring record

The dancers release represents another high-level prisoner exchange between Russia and the U.S. It is the second high-profile exchange since President Trump returned to the White House term in January. In February, the U.S. secured the release of Marc Fogel, an American schoolteacher who was imprisoned in Russia on drug charges. The swap led to the freeing of Russian cryptocurrency kingpin Alexander Vinnik.

Karelina was released in exchange for Arthur Petrov, a dual Russian-German national, according to the Wall Street Journal, which first reported on the swap.

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Petrov was detained in 2023. He was accused of conspiring to smuggle microelectronics from U.S. distributors to Moscow as part of a Russian procurement network that supplies manufacturers for the Kremlins military.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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(The Hill)  Ksenia Karelina, a U.S.-Russian dual national who was detained last year on treason charges, was released from Russia in the latest prisoner exchange, according to the State Department.

American Ksenia Karelina is on a plane back home to the United States. She was wrongfully detained by Russia for over a year and President Trump secured her release, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement Thursday on social platform X.

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@POTUS will continue to work for the release of ALL Americans, he added.

Karelina, a former ballet dancer, was arrested in February 2024 in Yekaterinburg and found guilty by a Russian court in August 2024 of treason for donating approximately $52 to a U.S.-based Ukrainian charity. She was sentenced to 12 years in prison.

More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State

American authorities have called the case absolutely ludicrous.

Ksenia Karelina, also known as Khavana sits in a glass cage in a court room in Yekaterinburg, Russia, Thursday, June 20, 2024. (AP Photo, File)

The State Department previously determined that Karelina, also known by the surname Khavana, was wrongfully detained. She was arrested after going back to Russia to visit her family.

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Karelina moved to the Baltimore area in 2012 and in 2017, she relocated to Los Angeles. She obtained her U.S. citizenship in 2021 and a year later graduated from esthetician school, according to a website dedicated to her release.

Putin praises Ovechkin on NHL scoring record

I am overjoyed to hear that the love of my life, Ksenia Karelina is on her way home from wrongful detention in Russia, Karelinas fiance, Chris van Heerden, said in a statement. She has endured a nightmare for 15 months and I cannot wait to hold her. Our dog, Boots, is also eagerly awaiting her return.

The dancers release represents another high-level prisoner exchange between Russia and the U.S. It is the second high-profile exchange since President Trump returned to the White House term in January. In February, the U.S. secured the release of Marc Fogel, an American schoolteacher who was imprisoned in Russia on drug charges. The swap led to the freeing of Russian cryptocurrency kingpin Alexander Vinnik.

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More Americans say Trump is favoring Russia too much in new poll

Karelina was released in exchange for Arthur Petrov, a dual Russian-German national, according to the Wall Street Journal, which first reported on the swap.

Petrov was detained in 2023. He was accused of conspiring to smuggle microelectronics from U.S. distributors to Moscow as part of a Russian procurement network that supplies manufacturers for the Kremlins military.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
Originally appeared on E! Online

Ksenia Karelina is on her way home.

Over one year after the American former ballerina was imprisoned in Russia for "high treason" while she was visiting her family, she has been freed, CIA Director John Ratcliffe confirmed.

"Today, we welcome the return of Ksenia Karelina home to the United States," he shared in an April 10 statement to NBC News. "She was unjustly imprisoned in Russia."

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The dual citizenwho immigrated to the United States from the eastern European country more than a decade agowas released in a prisoner swap in the United Arab Emirates, Ratcliffe added. Her attorney Mikhail Mushailov also confirmed the news on Instagram, according to the outlet.

After being detained by Russia's Federal Security Service in January 2024 in the city of Yekaterinburg, she was sentenced to 12 years in a penal colony after "fully admitted her guilt" during a closed trial, Sverdlovsky Region Court in Yekaterinburg said in an August 2024 Russian news release viewed by E! News.

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Russian legal group Perviy Otdel said that Karelina had donated around $50 to a charity that sent aid to Ukraine in February 2022 on the same day Russia launched its invasion of the country. Her donation was also confirmed by the Los Angeles spa where she worked.

The Sverdlovsky Region Court didn't say how much the 33-year-old donated but accused her of financing Ukraine's army during her sentencing.

"Karelina, on her own initiative, transferred funds in the interests of one of the Ukrainian organizations," the statement said, "which were subsequently used to purchase tactical medical supplies, equipment, weapons and ammunition by the Armed Forces of Ukraine."

Chris Van Heerden/Instagram

Following Karelina's arrest, her boyfriend Chris Van Heerden shared more insight into her trip to Russia, where she went to see her 90-year-old grandmother. The couple celebrated New Year's together last year in Istanbul and while Van Heerden flew back to California, his girlfriend decided to make a detour.

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"She was like, 'I'm going to be fine, it's good. I'm Russian, I'm good,'" he told NBC Los Angeles last February. "This is also eating away at me a little bit because I bought that plane ticket."

He said that Karelina faced issues the moment she arrived in the country, saying that she had been detained at the airport. She was released, according to Van Heerden, but Russian authorities held onto her phone. They decided to communicate through her mom's phone for three weeks until two days before her flight back to L.A.

"She said, 'I'm going to go in a few hours. I'm going to go pick up my phone,'" he said. "It was nighttime here so I said, 'I'll speak to you in a couple hours because I'm going to go to bed', and then that was the last we spoke."

(E! News and NBC News are part of the NBCUniversal family.)

For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  A new procedure at Baptist Health on Wednesday marks what hospital officials are calling a transformation in lung cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Physicians used an Ion Ion robotic-assisted bronchoscopy system to perform the procedure, which was the first for the hospital. Hospital officials said the system will be available at its Little Rock, North Little Rock and Fort Smith facilities.

Love, Alex: Young woman who dies of cancer writes own moving obituary

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Officials explained that lung cancer diagnosis often requires biopsies of lung nodules, which can be in difficult-to-reach areas of the lungs. As a result, many patients face the challenge of watchful waiting, of undergoing prolonged monitoring with imaging but without a definitive diagnosis, leading to increased anxiety and potential delays in treatment.

The Ion system changes this by enabling precise, minimally invasive biopsies even for small and hard-to-reach nodules, allowing for earlier and more accurate diagnoses, a hospital spokesperson said.

Early detection is crucial for better survival rates, Baptist chief nursing officer Kelley Hamby said. With the latest advancements in imaging, genetic testing, and targeted therapies, we can now identify and treat lung cancer at its earliest and most treatable stages.

courtesy Baptist Health courtesy Baptist Health courtesy Baptist Health

An American Lung Association study found Arkansas has one of the highest lung cancer incidence and mortality rates in the nation, ranking among the states with the worst lung cancer survival rates.

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Arkansas postpartum Medicaid extension bill fails in Senate committee

To learn more about the Ion system or schedule an appointment, visit Baptist-Health.com or call 1-888-BAPTIST.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.
BARBOURVILLE, Ky. (FOX 56)  Police in Barbourville are looking for a van that was reportedly stolen from a church parking lot Sunday night.

Around 9 a.m. on Thursday, the Barbourville Police Department (BPD) posted on Facebook that a maroon 1999 Dodge van had been stolen from the East Barbourville Baptist Church parking lot around midnight on Sunday.

A church van was reportedly stolen in Barbourville around midnight on Sunday. (Barbourville Police Department)

Anyone with information that could help officers find the stolen van is asked to contact Barbourville police. (Barbourville Police Department)

LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS:

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Anyone with information that could help police find the stolen van is asked to contact the BPD or leave an anonymous tip at (606) 546-3441.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News.
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB)  A bi-annual celebration of mans best friend is making its return to Panama City this weekend.

On Saturday, April 12th, you are encouraged to bring your dogs out for an afternoon of fun at Academy Park in SweetBay for Bark in the Park.

There, you and your pup will get the opportunity to listen to live music, browse dog-themed goods at a pop-up market, have your photo taken together, and much more.

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BFF Animal Rescue will also be present during the event and will bring some dogs with them that are up for adoption.

Panama Citys annual baby shower provides resources for new parents

Dog Training Elite hosts this event and originally hosted it as a way to raise money for local rescues, but the event quickly morphed into something other than just a fundraiser.

The original thought was to try to help place these dogs, help raise money for these rescues, said Dog Training Elite Owner Tina Ruffin. Then it has just morphed into something thats a lot of fun for everybody who has a dog.

This year, there will also be raffles taking place, with all the proceeds going to BFF Animal Rescue.

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Bark in the Park will run from 3 to 7 p.m. and admission is free to anyone interested in going.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com.
Baroness Howarth, who has died aged 84, was a senior social worker who in 1987 became the founding chief executive of ChildLine, working with Dame Esther Rantzen; when she stepped down in 2001 with the charity firmly established, she was made one of the first peoples peers.

Valerie Howarth spent the first half of her career in the pressurised world of Londons social services, first at Lambeth, where she became assistant director of personal services, then as director of social services for Brent from 1982.

It was on her watch that four-year-old Jasmine Beckford was starved and battered to death by her stepfather, despite being in the care of social services for two and a half years after he was convicted of assaulting her younger sister. Sir Louis Blom-Coopers 1985 report criticised social workers for focusing on the parents and not the child.

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Although Valerie Howarth was not personally blamed, she left Brent under fire from the council. A move to be head of Cambridgeshire social services had also fallen through when Esther Rantzen recruited her for ChildLine.

Years later, when Valerie Howarth was created a life peer, Bob Blackman, leader of Brent councils Conservative group (and today a senior MP), attacked the award because of her handling of the Beckford case. He claimed that her tenure as director of social services had been characterised by a culture of political correctness, adding: Now she has been appointed to the House of Lords what will it be next, an MBE for Myra Hindley?

His comments incensed Dame Esther, who retorted: I am saddened and appalled at the stupidity and ignorance of the statement issued by councillor Blackman attacking Valerie Howarth. There was no criticism of her in the excellent report of the inquiry undertaken by Sir Louis Blom-Cooper at the time of Beckfords tragic death. In fact he described her as an excellent director of social service. He should apologise to her immediately for his shabby attack on an outstanding woman.

At ChildLine, Valerie Howarth helped Esther Rantzen realise her ambition of reaching children at risk before their lives were in danger. In 1986 Esther Rantzen, then presenting Thats Life!, persuaded the BBC to devise Childwatch, a programme about child abuse. A helpline was opened afterwards for any child suffering abuse.

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Its success led Esther Rantzen, with her BBC producers Sarah Caplin and Ritchie Cogan, to propose a permanent helpline, to be open round the clock, and launched on their programme. A benefactor, Ian Skipper, underwrote the charity for the first three years, and Valerie Howarth was appointed its chief executive.

From its beginnings, ChildLine stressed the need to listen to children talking in their own way about their concerns and the threats they faced. This resulted in a wider concept of child abuse, embracing physical and emotional abuse as well as sexual abuse and neglect.

By the time Valerie Howarth retired from ChildLine it had counselling centres around the UK, staffed largely by volunteers. As many as 4,500 children were calling every day, though only 2,500 could be answered due to lack of resources. The service would expand further after merging with the NSPCC in 2006.

By the time she retired from ChildLine, as many as 4,500 children were calling every day - PA

Valerie Georgina Howarth was born in Sheffield on September 5 1940, one of two sisters, and brought up on a council estate. She was educated at Abbeydale Girls Grammar School and the University of Leicester; graduating in 1963, she spent five years as a caseworker with the Family Welfare Association before joining Lambeth as a senior child-care worker.

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Appointed OBE in 1999 for her work with ChildLine, she was nominated for a peerage on her retirement, taking the title Baroness Howarth of Breckland, of Parson Cross in the County of South Yorkshire. Sitting as a crossbencher, she spoke mainly on child welfare issues, chairing the all-party parliamentary group for children. From 2007 to 2010 she also chaired one of the Lords EU sub-committees.

In 2008 she was appointed chair of the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass). With Cafcass handling 40,000 court cases a year where family members disputed a childs future living arrangements, she oversaw an increase in its activity  notably providing guardians for 2,000 more children  that won her plaudits from the Education Secretary Michael Gove. She stood down in 2012.

Lady Howarth was founding chairman in 1986 of the Kings Cross Homelessness Project, and from 2007 to 2010 chaired Livability (formerly the John Grooms Association for Disabled People, later Grooms-Shaftesbury). From 1992 to 2009 she chaired Stop It Now, countering child sexual abuse.

At various times, she chaired the Home Office steering group on child witnesses, the Telephone Helplines Association and the National Childrens Homes commission considering children as abusers. She was vice-president of the Lucy Faithfull Foundation and vice-chairman of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations and the National Care Standards Commission. She was also the UK representative on the European Forum for Child Welfare.

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Since 2002 Lady Howarth had derived particular satisfaction from being patron of Little Hearts Matter, for children diagnosed as having only half a working heart.

In retirement, she moved to Norfolk with two old friends, one her partner Barbara, who predeceased her. A committed churchwoman, she chaired the Norwich Dioceses safeguarding committee from 2016 to 2018.

Valerie Howarth never married.

Valerie Howarth, born September 5 1940, died March 23 2025

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 10. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is providing a financing package of $3 million (2.9 million euros) to Palestine for Credit and Development (FATEN), the largest microfinance institution in the West Bank and Gaza, Trend reports.

This package includes a $2 million loan for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and a $1 million loan to support women-led businesses under the EBRDs Women in Business (WiB) programme.

The WiB facility will be supported by a 20% first-loss risk cover funded by the European Union through its Initiative for Financial Inclusion programme. This will help ensure continued lending to women entrepreneurs.

FATEN is a key partner for the EBRD in supporting MSMEs in the West Bank, especially those in underserved sectors, such as women-led businesses. The loans are intended to help these businesses maintain operations, expand, and contribute to the regions sustainable development amid the ongoing economic challenges.

The MSME loan will also be accompanied by a technical cooperation package, funded by the EU-EBRD Sustainable Growth4All Programme, aimed at enhancing FATENs digital lending capabilities.

FATEN, established in 1999 and licensed by the Palestine Monetary Authority in 2014, is the largest microfinance institution in the West Bank and Gaza. With 34 branches, it serves nearly 24,000 borrowers, holding a 53% market share in the region.

Since its involvement in the region began in 2017, the EBRD has approved 31 projects totaling 160 million euros.
WEBSTER GROVES, Mo.  A bat recently discovered in a Webster Groves home has tested positive for rabies.

The St. Louis County Department of Public Health reports the bat was collected from the home on April 3. Its also the first bat to test positive for rabies in St. Louis County this year.

The department did not report any bat bites at the home.

However, following this discovery, public health officials are warning residents to take caution if they notice a bat in their home or an unusual spot.

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SIUE loses grant for high school library program

While the risk to the public remains low, a bat testing positive for rabies is an important

reminder of the need to avoid contact with wild animals and to ensure that pets are up to date

on their rabies vaccinations, said Dr. Kanika Cunningham, Director of Saint Louis County

Department of Public Health, via a news release.

The CDC says rabies is a potentially fatal disease when contracted by humans.

Public health officials say most healthy bats are not infected with rabies, only around 1-3%, though the prevalence of it is higher in bats acting abnormally, such as flying during the daytime, flying erratically or flopping on the ground.

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Following this latest discovery, St. Louis County health officials remind people to avoid direct contact with or handling all wildlife, in addition to any animal that is behaving strangely. Officials also encourage people to make sure their pets are properly vaccinated against rabies.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  A Baton Rouge man was arrested and charged with cruelty to juveniles after an investigation into his 5-year-old sons injuries.

An investigation started on Thursday, April 3, after the childs mother reported the battery. The boys father, Eric Richard, 44, reportedly called the mother to tell her that the boy was left with whelps on his arm after a spanking. An affidavit states that Richard had the child at his home over the weekend per a custody arrangement.

An EBRSO deputy detailed the injuries to the boy, which included bruises on his back, elbow, bicep, right forearm and right thigh and an open wound on the boys back. Arrest documents noted that the injuries were consistent with a belts shape.

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The boy told investigators that his dad whipped him hard, with a brown belt while inside his dads home, according to the affidavit. The belt was found in the home after a search warrant was conducted.

Richard reportedly admitted that the spanking went overboard.

Richard was booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison on Monday, April 7.

Zachary woman accused of beating daughter with belt, charged with child cruelty

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News.
Germany's conservative Christian Social Union (CSU), one of the three partners in the incoming national government, has approved the parties' coalition agreement, dpa learnt on Thursday, one day after it was presented in Berlin.

The steering committee of the Bavaria-only CSU, which is allied with the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) at the national level, unanimously approved the centre-right bloc's deal with the Social Democratic Party (SPD) over the formation of a new administration, sources told dpa.

The prospective partners reached an agreement on Wednesday after weeks of arduous negotiations following February's parliamentary elections, with CDU leader Friedrich Merz set to replace the outgoing Olaf Scholz as chancellor.

The deal must be approved by all three parties before the new government can take office.
Germany's conservative Christian Social Union (CSU), one of the three partners in the incoming national government, has approved the parties' coalition agreement, one day after it was presented in Berlin.

The steering committee of the Bavaria-only CSU, which is allied with the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) at the national level, unanimously approved the centre-right bloc's deal with the Social Democratic Party (SPD) on Thursday.

Party leader Markus Soder, the premier of Bavaria, announced the result on Thursday afternoon, describing the deal as good for Germany.

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The prospective partners reached an agreement on Wednesday after weeks of arduous negotiations following February's parliamentary elections, with CDU leader Friedrich Merz set to replace the outgoing Olaf Scholz, from the SPD, as chancellor.

The 144-page programme for government includes cuts to social spending, bureaucracy and development funding, but also plans for a 15 ($16.50) per hour minimum wage and for a National Security Council to streamline decision-making on defence.

The deal must be approved by all three parties before the new government can take office.

The SPD is set to hold an online ballot of its 358,000 members beginning on Tuesday. The process is expected to last two weeks, ending on April 29.

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SPD General Secretary Matthias Miersch called on members to "take responsibility" and approve the agreement.

"We have achieved a great deal: massive investment in the future and social cohesion, in secure jobs, affordable housing and a state capable of acting," he argued.

Despite calls from within the CDU for a similar procedure, Merz's party is to vote on the agreement at a small party conference on April 28.

If the parties approve the agreement, as expected, Merz's administration is likely to be formed in early May, with Soder suggesting Merz could be elected chancellor on May 6.

Top conservative questions 15 minimum wage

Also on Thursday, a top CDU lawmaker cast doubt on whether a 15 ($16.50) hourly minimum wage can be achieved by 2026, just one day after the target was outlined in the coalition agreement.

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Jens Spahn, the CDU's deputy parliamentary leader, told broadcaster RTL/ntv that it was "unlikely" Germany "will see enough growth and wage progression" for the target to be met by next year.

The coalition deal states that a 15 minimum wage - up from the current 12.82 - is "achievable" in 2026.

Germany's Minimum Wage Commission is responsible for setting the figure, but the agreement seeks to tweak the rules for the commission's calculations, aiming to tie the minimum wage to 60% of median pay.

Spahn reiterated that the coalition will not set a statutory 15 minimum, but that the figure "would develop along with general wages in Germany."

The former health minister is expected to hold a senior position in the new government but refused to be drawn into speculation on his future role.
Germany's conservative Christian Social Union (CSU), one of the three partners in the incoming national government, is set to vote on the coalition agreement on Thursday, one day after it was presented in Berlin.

The steering committee of the Bavaria-only CSU, which is allied with the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) at the national level, is expected to approve the centre-right bloc's deal with the Social Democratic Party (SPD) over the formation of a new administration.

Party leader Markus Soder, the premier of Bavaria, is due to announce the result on Thursday afternoon.

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The prospective partners reached an agreement on Wednesday after weeks of arduous negotiations following February's parliamentary elections, with CDU leader Friedrich Merz set to replace the outgoing Olaf Scholz as chancellor.

The 144-page programme for government includes cuts to social spending, bureaucracy and development funding, but also plans for a 15 ($16.50) per hour minimum wage and for a National Security Council to streamline decision-making on defence.

The deal must be approved by all three parties before the new government can take office.

The SPD is set to hold an online ballot of its 358,000 members beginning on Tuesday. The process is expected to last two weeks, ending on April 29.

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SPD General Secretary Matthias Miersch called on members to "take responsibility" and approve the agreement.

"We have achieved a great deal: massive investment in the future and social cohesion, in secure jobs, affordable housing and a state capable of acting," he argued.

Despite calls from within the CDU for a similar procedure, Merz's party is to vote on the agreement at a small party conference on April 28.

If the parties approve the agreement, as expected, Merz's administration is likely to be formed in early May.
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY)  The mother of a sixth grader at St. John the Apostle school said it wasnt about the money, it was about the principle  and the principal.

Rachel Wigands 11-year-old son was suspended for a day-and-a-half from his sixth grade classroom back in September.

Boy suspended after reporting student with bullet at VB school

The boy reported a classmate who had brought a single bullet to the school. But both students got suspended, after the school said Wigands son didnt report what he saw quickly enough.

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Wiegand sued on the basis of breach of contract. She felt her son had done the right thing by reporting what he knew, but her only legal recourse was trying to recover the day and a halfs worth tuition she had paid, during which her son did not get any education.

Earlier this week a judge ruled in her favor, and awarded her $81.

She says it wasnt about the money, and she just wanted the court to vindicate what her son did when he reported another student with a bullet.

[Hes] had a lot of growing up to do as an 11 year old, she said in a Wednesday afternoon interview. But I know that he feels love and supported at home. And Ive reiterated to him, and other family and friends have reiterated to him, that he did the right thing.

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Wigand and her attorney Tim Anderson had also hoped for an apology, but theyre not going to get one.

Just remove the suspension, Anderson said. Apologize. Say you say you did something wrong. Its OK. Adults can do that.

In court, the attorney for the school argued that St. John has the right to impose more or less severe discipline than whats noted in either the tuition contract or the parent student handbook.

But Wigand said this sends the wrong message.

Its sad. We want to encourage reporting and we dont want to deter it by any means. And no school, no parent should ever do that.

Both Wigand and Anderson say this sends a message to students that if they see something  they should say nothing.

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Wigand worries that the suspension will remain on her sons permanent record.

She is pulling all three of her kids who are currently in first, fourth and sixth grades from St. John the Apostle once the school year ends.

We reached out to the Diocese, but got no response.

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DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  The Beavercreek Police Department is asking for help again in identifying a man who allegedly stole over $1,300 from the Walmart on Pentagon Boulevard.

This man allegedly went into the store on Sunday, April 6, and walked out with $1,359.51 worth of merchandise without paying.

Police seek identities of two alleged of $1K+ theft from Dicks House of Sport

He allegedly dropped items worth $207.88 while fleeing, which were recovered.

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Police allege a second man helped him load the stolen items into a black SUV.

Photo via Beavercreek Police Department.

Photo via Beavercreek Police Department.

If you have any information about the incident, please contact Officer N. Thomas at 937-426-1225 ext. 160 or thomasn@beavercreekohio.gov. Anonymous tips are accepted.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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UPDATE: Thursday, April 10, 2025 @ 11:09 a.m. | BECKLEY, WV (WVNS)  The Beckley Police Department released additional information about a shooting in Raleigh County.

According to a press release, members of the Beckley Police Department responded to a reported shooting at around 1:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 10, 2025 in the Beckley area of Raleigh County.

Two people arrested in Greenbrier County after search warrants executed

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The press release stated that multiple gunshots were reportedly fired into a house by an unknown suspect, resulting in a 29-year-old man being injured. The man was taken to a local hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

Members of law enforcement are investigating the incident, and are looking through video footage from businesses and houses in the area.

Anyone who may have information related to the reported shooting are advised to Crimestoppers at CrimestoppersWV.com, and that people can stay anonymous and could get a cash reward.

Stick with 59News for updates.

BECKLEY, WV (WVNS) A shooting occurred early this morning on Thursday, April 10, 2025, according to a detective with the Beckley Police Department.

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Detective Michael Deems with the Beckley Police Department stated that Raleigh County dispatchers received the call about the shooting around 1 a.m.

Fire emergency shuts down road in Raleigh County

Beckley PD responded to the reported shooting at a home on South Fayette Street in Beckley.

Detective Deem said that one male victim sustained non-life threatening injuries, and that the investigation is still in process.

59News will update you as we learn more.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS.
Beijings extraordinary move last week to walk away from the White Houses TikTok deal as leverage in an escalating trade war defies the norms of economic negotiations  but follows President Donald Trumps own trade playbook.

The White House last week had finalized a pact to spin the popular video apps U.S. operations into a new company owned and operated by a majority made up of American investors, according to two people familiar with the deal granted anonymity to speak candidly. The deal was set to be announced just days before a Saturday deadline mandating the apps Beijing-based owner, ByteDance, sell to a majority of non-Chinese companies, or TikTok would go dark in the United States.

Then it fell apart.

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Last Wednesday, Trump slapped 34 percent tariffs on China. On Thursday, ByteDance representatives told the White House Beijing would no longer approve the deal, the people said. And on Friday, Trump signed an executive order extending the deadline by 75 days.

Now, as the worlds two largest economies retaliate against each other with increasingly crippling tariffs, the TikTok deal is completely on pause, according to another person close to Vice President JD Vance, whose team was leading the negotiations. Its a waiting game, said the person, who was granted anonymity to speak candidly.

Beijing is really, really good at identifying things that don't cause them pain, but do cause you pain. And this is a classic case because I think they would prefer not to sell TikTok anyway, said Bill Reinsch, a top Commerce official during the Clinton administration who is now a senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. This is a convenient way for them to both send the signal to us that they are not without leverage and to maintain control of TikTok for themselves.

Beijings strategy is flipping Trumps own playbook on its head.



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During his first term, Trump used tariffs as leverage for other priorities unrelated to trade. He announced plans to impose a 5 percent tariff on all Mexican imports, escalating monthly up to 25 percent, unless Mexico took effective action to curb illegal immigration into the United States. He linked economic agreements with defense agreements with South Korea and Germany. And he slammed China with 25 percent tariffs on tech imports over its intellectual property policies.

President Trump, he is not necessarily bonded by the classic American foreign policy approach, which is sort of compartmentalized, said Zongyuan Zoe Liu, a senior fellow for China studies at the Council on Foreign Relations.

Trump has used that strategy in his second term, too. Canada and Mexico pledged to bolster border security in an attempt to stave off tariffs. Colombia quickly agreed to allow U.S. deportation planes to land after Trump announced sharp tariffs and other sanctions. And Trump last week announced 25 percent secondary tariffs on countries that buy Venezuelan oil, claiming that Venezuela has purposefully and deceitfully sent violent criminals into the United States.

Beijing is effectively pulling the same move in reverse, holding its power to approve or block ByteDances sale of TikTok  a political priority for Trump and Vance  as a vital piece of leverage against the White House. On Wednesday, as Trump announced he was dropping reciprocal tariffs on all other countries to 10 percent for the next 90 days as they negotiate with the U.S., he hit China with 125 percent tariffs based on the lack of respect that China has shown to the Worlds Markets.

How much leverage the Chinese government has with regards to the TikTok deal is probably defined not necessarily by China, but defined by the Trump administration, Liu said. If the Trump administration holds onto this issue and tries to use it to drive a hard bargain, I think the Chinese government won't necessarily give in unless in exchange for some major concessions.
Apr. 10A Bellbrook woman will spend the next decade in prison in the deaths of two young Springboro High School graduates in a May 2023 crash.

Mary Ellen Huelsman, 59, was sentenced last week to the maximum prison term by Warren County Common Pleas Judge Timothy Tepe, who convicted her last month of two counts each of aggravated vehicular homicide and vehicular homicide following a four-day bench trial, or trial by judge.

The crash victims were 20-year-old Michael Todd Barch Jr. of Clearcreek Twp. and 19-year-old Karys Rose Seipel of Springboro. Barch was a 2021 Springboro grad who had just completed his second year at Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee, and Seipel was a 2022 Springboro grad who just finished her freshman year at Miami University in Oxford, according to their obituaries and the Warren County Prosecutor's Office.

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The crash happened around 11:35 p.m. May 20, 2023, at the intersection of Ohio 48 and Lytle-Five Points Road.

Huelsman was traveling at 107 mph when she ran a red light in a 2022 Kia Telluride and struck a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu driven by Barch that was headed west on Lytle-Five Points Road. The impact forced both vehicles to go off the side of the road. The Chevrolet was pushed 250 feet into a telephone pole, where it caught fire, according to a report filed by the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

Barch and his passenger, Seipel, were pronounced dead at the scene.

"Our office handles many homicide cases, but as a parent of children basically the same age, this tragedy hits particularly close to home," Warren County Prosecutor David Fornshell said after the guilty verdict. "It's infuriating that because of Huelsman's reckless decision that night, a young man and a young woman with tremendously bright futures did not return home to the families that loved them so much."

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Huelsman suffered serious injuries and was taken by ambulance to Kettering Health Main Campus, the crash report stated.

In convicting Huelsman of the charges, Tepe rejected the defense's claim that Huelsman was not guilty by reason of insanity, the prosecutor's office said.

The intersection where the crash happened will have a single-lane roundabout, which will be built in 2028 at an estimated cost of $3.66 million, according to the Ohio Department of Transportation.

When roundabouts replace an intersection with traffic signals, Federal Highway Administration studies show a reduction in crashes overall by 48% and a nearly 80% drop in serious injury and deadly crashes.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 10. Azerbaijan's Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov has met with the delegation led by the Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development Vladimir Bolea during his visit to the country, Trend reports via the nation's Ministry of Energy.

According to the ministry, an exchange of views was held on current and future cooperation in the energy sector between the two countries.

The sides kicked around some ideas on how to broaden partnership in fields like energy efficiency, boosting renewable energy sources, and tightening up energy regulations.

During the meeting, the energy minister provided information about the work being done in Azerbaijan's natural gas and renewable energy sectors, particularly initiatives related to the expansion of the Southern Gas Corridor and the export of green energy to Europe.

The Green Energy Corridor, implemented between Azerbaijan, Georgia, Romania, and Hungary, was discussed, along with future opportunities for cooperation in this area.

Bolea articulated the strategic focal points for collaboration, encompassing the domain of natural gas procurement.



The criticality of protracted agreements in fortifying energy resilience and promoting sustainability was underscored.



Comprehensive insights were disseminated regarding synergistic investment paradigms within the bioenergy and biogas domains in Moldova, highlighting the current green energy infrastructure and the active renewable energy bidding processes occurring within the nation.



The potential for Azerbaijani enterprises to engage in initiatives within these domains was also underscored.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Ben Wikler, the leader of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, is passing the torch.

Wikler announced Thursday he won't seek another term as chairman and will depart in June, when the state party holds its convention.

In a letter to Democrats, Wikler said he will "take some time to figure out what's next." He told news outlets he may seek elected office in the future.

Wikler previously launched a campaign to lead the Democratic National Committee but placed second behind Ken Martin, who chaired the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party.

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Here's what to know about Ben Wikler:

What did Ben Wikler do in Wisconsin?

Wikler became chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin in June 2019. He reversed the party's fundraising woes, including through virtual fundraisers with celebrities during the COVID-19 pandemic. An event that reunited "The Princess Bride" cast raised $4.25 million.

Wikler oversaw several Democratic wins in the past few years  gaining seats in the state Legislature under new maps, returning Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin to Congress and most recently cementing the liberal majority on the state Supreme Court until at least 2028.

While President Donald Trump won all seven battleground states, Wisconsin had the closest margin in the nation. Wikler has been credited for minimizing Democrats' losses in Wisconsin.

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Wikler's leadership of the state party was widely praised at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago last summer, with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi calling him the preeminent state party chair.

How did Ben Wikler get his start in politics?

Wikler's introduction to politics was volunteering at age 11 for his godmother, Ada Deer, a prominent Native American leader in Wisconsin who ran for Congress in 1978 and 1992.

He later volunteered for Baldwin's first congressional race while in high school, according to his bio, and interned for former U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold in college.

Wikler also worked for MoveOn, a progressive advocacy group, where he focused on issues like the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid.

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Wikler moved back to Wisconsin in 2018 and volunteered with the state Democratic Party, the same year Democratic Gov. Tony Evers defeated former Republican Gov. Scott Walker. He became chair of the state party a year later.

More: In his bid to lead the Democratic National Committee, Ben Wikler wants national party to look like Wisconsin

Who will replace Ben Wikler to lead Wisconsin Democrats?

Former state Democratic Party executive director Devin Remiker already launched a campaign to become chairman, and Democratic strategist Joe Zepecki suggested he's also poised to run.

Several other names were floated to succeed Wikler when he ran for DNC chair. Most previously declined to comment on the possibility.

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Those include former U.S. Senate candidate and Milwaukee Bucks executive Alex Lasry, Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski, state Assembly Minority Leader Greta Neubauer and 3rd Congressional District chairman William Garcia.

More: Who would lead the Wisconsin Democrats if Ben Wikler rises to DNC chairman

How old is Ben Wikler?

Wikler is 44 years old.

Where is Ben Wikler from?

Wikler grew up in Madison, Wisconsin, where he now lives with his wife, Beth, and three children.

In his announcement Thursday, Wikler said he will "spend time with a family that I fiercely love but haven't seen enough of."

Where did Ben Wikler go to college?

Wikler attended Harvard University, where he graduated in 2003 with a bachelor's degree in economics, according to his LinkedIn profile.

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While in college, Wikler was a contributor to the satirical newspaper The Onion, which was founded in Madison.

Molly Beck of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel contributed to this story.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Who is Ben Wikler, departing chairman of Wisconsin Democrats?
Ben Wikler, who transformed the Wisconsin Democratic Party into a fundraising juggernaut, is leaving his position in June.

The Wisconsin state party chair announced his decision to not run for reelection in a letter Thursday, calling it the right time for me to take a breath and find new ways to advance the fight for a country that works for working people.

In a brief interview with POLITICO, Wikler said hes now considering writing a book. He also didnt close the door on running for political office himself  maybe at some point, he said, adding that we have amazing Democrats in office right now.

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Wisconsin has a pro-democracy Supreme Court through 2028, which means Wisconsin wont be re-gerrymandered, and we have a serious shot at a trifecta in 2026, Wikler said. Our state party is in great shape. The best time to pass the torch is when an organization is on an upswing.

Wiklers announcement comes about a week after he helped engineer Democrats first major electoral victory in the second Donald Trump administration, when the liberal state Supreme Court candidate Susan Crawford won her seat by a 10 percentage point victory. Its also two months after Wikler lost his own bid for Democratic National Committee chair.

Wikler, who was first elected in 2019, turned a traditionally low-profile gig into an influential, nationally recognized perch. He turned a weak state party into a well-funded machine, winning 12 out of the last 15 statewide elections. Even so, Trump won the state in 2024.

The Democratic Party of Wisconsin will hold chair elections to replace Wikler in mid-June.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  A known, high-volume drug trafficker based in Central Oregon was sentenced to federal prison on Wednesday, authorities announced.

The U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Oregon said 32-year-old Ricky Fontaine of Bend was sentenced to more than 11 years in federal prison with five years supervised release.

The case dates back to April 1, 2023, when Deschutes County detectives learned Fontaine was selling drugs, including fentanyl.

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Cyber-vigilante: Lebanon man charged with online sex crimes after tip from uncooperative social media personality, sheriff says

Police pulled Fontaine over, noting at the time of the traffic stop he had an unrelated active felony arrest warrant.

Fontaine tried to walk away from officers but was quickly arrested.

Detectives searched Fontaines vehicle and found more than 1,000 grams of fentanyl, a .22 caliber handgun, scales and drug packaging materials along with several photos of Fontaine posing with packages of fentanyl pills.

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Hours later, authorities searched his home  finding more fentanyl pills, scales and packaging materials.

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In January, Fontaine was charged with possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl and illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.

Fontaine later pleaded guilty to possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl in December.

Man broke into apartment, assaulted sleeping woman, police say

This case is the result of excellent collaboration among the Deschutes County Sheriffs Office Street Crimes Unit, the Deschutes County District Attorneys Office, and the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Oregon, said William Narus, acting U.S. attorney for the District of Oregon. We thank the Deschutes County District Attorneys Office for partnering with us to prosecute this case in federal court.

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Officials note fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, is 80-100 times more powerful than morphine and 30-50 times more powerful than heroin.

A 3-milligram dose of fentanyla few grains of the substanceis enough to kill an average adult male, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Oregon said. The wide availability of illicit fentanyl in Oregon has caused a dramatic increase in overdose deaths throughout the state.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Bernice King warns decades of work to reduce inequities in housing is at risk, as the Trump administration cuts funding for projects and tries to reduce funding for nonprofits that handle housing discrimination complaints.

I shudder to think whats going to happen  theres still a lot of residential segregation," King, CEO of The King Center and the youngest daughter of civil rights leaders The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, told The Associated Press. "Its better than it was during my fathers lifetime. But going forward, we may end up right back where we were in the 50s and in the 60s. People will feel very emboldened to discriminate because they know theres nothing there to to stop it."

In February, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development canceled millions of dollars in grants to nonprofits that handle housing discrimination complaints. A judge temporarily froze the terminations, which HUD said targeted funding awards that included diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, language.

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The department will uphold the Fair Housing Act and combat discrimination in housing, a HUD official said, adding that no staffing changes specific to the department have been announced.

King said the attacks on what the administration calls DEI look familiar.

To me, these are those same old historic, divide-and-conquer tactics to try to keep people fighting with each other and keep people separated and keep a certain hierarchy existing in a society, she said.

Continuing to press to end discrimination in housing

Whenever she can, King said she highlights her father's legacy pressing for economic equality, including speaking Thursday at the Northwest African American Museum in Seattle, near where Habitat for Humanity of Seattle-King & Kittitas Counties is building a new condominium named after him.

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The 58-unit apartment block is located on Martin Luther King Jr. Way in King County, which is also named for him. Construction on the site has started and units will eventually be sold to buyers at affordable prices.

Seattle Habitat CEO Brett DAntonio, said naming the building after King offered a chance to talk about racial equity in housing, part of Habitat for Humanity's efforts to raise awareness about fair housing, including its fundraising campaign Home is the Key, in April in remembrance of the Fair Housing Act's passage.

There was just no better opportunity to name the building in honor of Dr. King as we look to the work ahead of us in tackling affordable housing needs across the country, but also here in Seattle, he said.

Bernice King remembers when her father moved their family in 1966 to a third-floor walk-up without heat in Chicago. Martin Luther King Jr. came to Chicago to try to break through discrimination in housing, which left Black residents paying more in rent for worse conditions than white tenants.

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Martin Luther King Jr. campaigned in Chicago, speaking to crowds of tens of thousands around the area and leading a march to City Hall to tape their demands on the front door. A week after he was assassinated in 1968, the Fair Housing Act was signed into law, which prohibited discrimination in housing based on race and other characteristics and created mechanisms to resolve complaints.

She said the dream of fair and equitable housing that the law's passage signaled has still not be realized.

To allow its provisions to be weakened is to betray the commitment and the sacrifices made to realize it, she said, speaking in Seattle.

Housing inequity continues today

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Large discrepancies in homeownership between Black, Hispanic and white Americans persist today, though that is just one measure of inequity in housing access. The National Fair Housing Alliance found housing discrimination complaints reached a record 34,000 in 2023, with most involving rentals and over half having to do with discrimination based on disability.

Diane Levy, who researches housing at the Urban Institute, said she was concerned about who will take future fair housing complaints if funding to nonprofits that handle those complaints is significantly diminished.

If you experience discrimination, if its blatant, that takes a toll," she said, adding even unseen discrimination limits where you can live and whether to rent or buy home, which, in turn, limits where you can work or go to school.

Levy also noted the administration ended federal protections against housing discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

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Bernice King said this moment calls for creativity and perseverance.

People feel like its okay to discriminate  okay to suppress, oppress and deny, she said. It just means those of us who are on the side of standing up for what is right and fighting for freedom, justice and equality, having even more work to do.

___

Associated Press coverage of philanthropy and nonprofits receives support through the APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. For all of APs philanthropy coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/philanthropy.
Sen. Bernie Sanders set fire to a falsehood the Trump administration has repeatedly pushed about Social Security during a CNN town hall Wednesday night, when the independent Vermont senator called President Donald Trumps claim that payments are being made to millions of dead people just another lie.

Trump gets up in his State of the Union, and all of you, many of you have heard it, and he says, oh, my goodness, millions and millions of senior citizens, 150 years age, 200 years of age. Remember that? Oh, theyre all getting Social Security benefits, Sanders said of Trumps speech before Congress last month.

Its a lie, a total, absolute lie, he went on. I mean, according to the new guy who is going to become the Social Security administrator, Trumps own appointee, well over 99% of the benefits owed to people on Social Security were earned by the people on Social Security. Its just another lie.

Sen. Bernie Sanders from Vermont speaks during a CNN town hall moderated by Anderson Cooper. CNN/Rebecca Wright

Trump has repeatedly pushed this false claim, even turning it into a laughing spectacle during his March address to Congress.

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Over 130,000 people, according to the Social Security databases, are aged over 160 years old, he said. And money is being paid to many of them and were searching for many of them right now.

PRESIDENT TRUMP: "Over 130,000 people according to the social security databases are aged over 160 years old. We have a healthier country than I thought, Bobby."  pic.twitter.com/vU55wqO8pu  Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) March 5, 2025

After Trump spoke about the payments in February, his own acting Social Security commissioner issued a statement that debunked the claim, saying the agency has records of people with no date of death associated with them, but that doesnt mean theyre continuing to receive payments.

These individuals are not necessarily receiving benefits, acting Commissioner Leland Dudek said.

The Social Security Administration additionally has an automated process that terminates benefits for those age 115 or older.

President Trump makes the ENTIRE ROOM burst into laughter:



"There is one person on Social Security who's 360 years old, which is approximately 110 years older than our country."



The sad part is he isnt joking.

pic.twitter.com/Q2ioKPCYaL  Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) February 19, 2025

Vice President JD Vance has also spouted this claim about the deceased receiving checks, saying in an interview with Fox News earlier this month that nearly half of all calls it receives are fraudulent.

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You look at people who are 150 years old who are fraudulently collecting Social Security payments. You see our Social Security system, 40% of the people who are calling in are actually committing fraud. That means the 60% who need their Social Security checks are waiting in line, he said.

JD Vance claims that 40% of the people calling the Social Security system are actually committing fraud.



This is a preposterous and baseless lie. pic.twitter.com/rzTtmg3s2S  Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) April 5, 2025

Vance did not back up this claim with any evidence, though it may be related to the SSA reporting in March that approximately 40 percent of Social Security direct deposit fraud is associated with someone calling SSA to change direct deposit bank information.

Billionaire Elon Musk, who is currently serving as a Trump senior adviser, has also claimed without evidence that 40% of all calls to Social Security are fraudulent.

Sanders and other politicians have accused Trump of purposely spreading false fraud allegations about the Social Security system as a means to dismantle it.

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That is an outrageous lie, intended to lay the groundwork for cuts to Social Security and dismantling the most successful and popular government program in history, Sanders said in a response to Trumps congressional speech in March.

In his spirited rebuttal to the President, Sen. Bernie Sanders took on Trumps lie about Social Security. That is an outrageous lie, intended to lay the groundwork for  dismantling the most successful and popular government program in history. https://t.co/Ak7xBRpbZ3pic.twitter.com/R24UvJI7sN  Phil Williams (@PhilNvestigates) March 5, 2025

So lets be clear about that. Well over 99% of Social Security checks are going out to people who earned those checks. 70 million Americans, he said.

The Trump administration has claimed it will always protect Social Security, Medicaid and Medicaid benefits and that it is only trying to reduce the amount of fraudulent spending in the programs.

Last month it pointed to the SSA reporting that it made nearly $72 billion in improper payments from about 2015 to 2022, which the SSA said were mostly overpayments.

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While this is less than 1 percent of the total benefits paid during that period, at the end of FY 2023, SSA had an uncollected overpayment balance of $23 billion, the Office of the Inspector General said.

Related...
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has won out as a leading voice within the White House on President Donald Trumps tariff strategy. Now he has to deliver on trade deals.

The former hedge fund manager will take a lead role in negotiating agreements with upwards of 75 governments to stave off economy-roiling tariffs, most of which are on pause for three months. His boss, President Donald Trump, will be breathing down his neck. His Wall Street allies and tariff-skeptical Republican lawmakers will be pinning their hopes on him to bring certainty to financial markets.

Trump said Thursday he could make every deal in one day, but theres little precedent for completing such sweeping, wide-ranging and accelerated trade negotiations. Past trade deals have taken years to complete.

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The presidents desire to comprehensively reconfigure its trading relationship with individual countries will be a daunting task. If the U.S. starts demanding that countries make major changes beyond lowering tariffs, such as rolling back food standards to open agricultural markets or eliminating their value added taxes, those conversations could get challenging quickly.

If he goes down that road then 90 days is going to be too short and theyre going to have these negotiations not ending happily, said William Reinsch, a former senior U.S. trade official and senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Bessent has offered few public clues about how the administration will approach the task, other than to say hes putting a process in place to work with the Commerce Department and U.S. Trade Representative. Hes said that countries that reached out to the Trump administration quickly, like Japan, will be prioritized. And he said earlier this week that the U.S. can probably reach a deal with our allies and then approach China as a group. Other White House officials, such as National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett, said the administration has gotten offers on the table from more than 15 countries.

Still, Trump administration officials have only talked broadly about their ultimate goals: eliminating trade barriers, both on tariffs and regulations, and reversing the U.S. trade deficit. Bessent said the administration would reach bespoke trade deals with each country. Persuading foreign governments to reverse policies important to their own political constituencies has proven to be a time-consuming and compromise-driven process for past administrations of both parties.

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"It depends on what they mean by negotiate. It depends on what they mean by agreement, said Ed Gresser, vice president at the Progressive Policy Institute who was a former trade official under the Obama and first Trump administrations. Are they looking to lower tariffs? Trade barriers? Digital barriers? They'd have to decide what it is they're trying to do first."

Dan Mullaney, a longtime former assistant U.S. trade representative under multiple administrations, said that negotiations with 75 countries would be a daunting task, but he thought it was possible the Trump administration could reach agreements in principle or frameworks of trade agreements pretty quickly.

Its an ambitious timeline but with the right prioritization and sequencing it could be doable, said Mullaney, now a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council. It's easy and sometimes fun to have the view that oh, this is crazy, theyll never be able to do it. But the people in government doing trade have been doing it for a long time, and they know how to organize themselves.

Meanwhile, Bessent is under pressure from financial markets searching for certainty. Even with the 90-day pause, U.S. tariffs currently average around 27 percent, the highest rate since 1903, and Trump has launched a full-scale trade war with China, slapping a 145 percent tariff on Chinese goods.

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The expectation is that the Treasury chief can quickly show what a successful deal might look like.

Just as another way of bringing confidence to the marketplace, Secretary Bessent needs to show us what exactly a template deal would look like, and do it relatively quickly, said Neil Dutta, the head of economic research at Renaissance Macro Research, adding that there are so many angles to this that people just dont have a template, we dont have an instruction manual for this. Its very challenging.

Any trade war, you can agree with it or not. But nobody wins. There's going to be pain, Dutta said, adding that Bessent is a figure who has the financial expertise to prosecute the trade war most effectively to minimize the blowback on the American public.

Bessent was a vocal proponent of Trumps populist trade agenda on the campaign trail, but the Treasury Department had not been a major force on tariffs in the first several months of the Trump administration. Trade policy has historically been the purview of the Commerce Department and USTR.

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While Treasury has a small office tasked with negotiating financial aspects of trade agreements, USTR has traditionally taken the lead role in trade talks. The agency, which is housed in the Executive Office of the President, and its current leader, Jamieson Greer, appear to be playing a supporting role to the Treasury secretary. Thats a change from Trumps first term when his former and powerful trade chief Robert Lighthizer commanded all aspects of the administrations trade policy.

Bessents emergence as a pivotal voice on trade negotiations was an unexpected development in recent days as Trumps tariff plan roiled the financial markets. He has also distanced himself somewhat from the April 2 rollout of the tariff plan, saying in a TV interview this week he wasnt involved in the widely-derided formula for determining the tariff rates.

I had obviously been providing advice on the tariffs, working more on the tax bill, Bessent told a conference of bank executives on Wednesday. And now I'm going to take a lead negotiating role in a lot of the tariffs.

Bessent has said that Trump has created maximum negotiating leverage for himself with his tariff strategy over the past several weeks. He also has repeatedly emphasized that Trump will be playing a personal role in the negotiations.

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Wall Street is starting to view Bessents role as a crisis manager and has welcomed his growing influence over the administrations tariff approach over the past several days.

Bessent is doing the best that he can do with the situation that we have, said Jim Bianco, head of the financial analysis firm Bianco Research. I think everybody's turning to him to hopefully get through this.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, April 10. Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev is set to make a state visit to Russia in the fall of 2025, announced Kazakhstan's Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu during a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Trend reports.

"The year is shaping up to be both interesting and dynamic. We are planning that the upcoming visit, scheduled for the fall, will be a significant milestone for Kassym-Jomart Kemelievich. We are putting in serious effort to prepare for and carry out the state visit," Nurtleu stated.

He also articulated his appreciation to the Russian counterparts for their collaborative efforts and facilitation in orchestrating the forthcoming event.

Today, a meeting between the foreign ministers of Russia and Kazakhstan took place in Almaty, Kazakhstan, where both parties highlighted progress in bilateral relations, focusing on both economic and intergovernmental developments.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Republican lawmakers may be expressing their relief at Trumps U-turn on global tariffsbut it appears that none of them knew it was coming.

Trumps congressional allies were publicly supporting Trumps erratic tariff decisions as recently as 15 minutes before the president announced a 90-day pause, reducing the higher-rate reciprocal tariffs to 10 percent for almost all countries, except China.

CNNs Erin Burnett pointed out Wednesday night that Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins appeared on Fox pushing Trumps tariffs just minutes before the pause, noting that Rollins was not in on the change of heart.

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Rollins was apparently not alone. Most MAGA lawmakers learned the news like the rest of the publicthrough a Truth Social post, according to Politico. That post, according to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, was only known to himself and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who were in the room with the president as it happened.

Over the last few days, Ive been thinking about it, Trump said Wednesday. Ive been dealing with Scott, with Howard, with some other people that are very professional. And I think it probably came together early this morning, fairly early this morning, just wrote it up, Trump continued, claiming his post came from the heart.

I didnt, we didnt have the usewe didnt have access to lawyers, orit was just wrote up. We wrote it up from our hearts, right? It was written from the heart, and I think it was well written, too, but it was written from the heart. It was written as something that I think was very positive for the world and for us."

Meanwhile, others werent so comfortable. Trumps U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer was forced to speak in real time on the issue as he testified at a House Ways and Means Committee.

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I understood the decision was made a few minutes ago, Greer said when quizzed on the pause.

I understand its 90 days, I havent spoken to the president since Ive been in this hearing, Greer said.

I feel like youre in a very bad position here, this whole idea that this president made this switcheroo on you while you were in the middle of testifying here today, said Democratic New York Rep. Tom Suozzi.

His colleague, Rep. Steven Horsford, was more blunt.

WTF! Whos in charge? Because it sure doesnt look like its the trade representativeyou just got the rug pulled out from under you, he told Greer.

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Meanwhile, at a Republican Study Committee lunch, Republicans reportedly broke out in cheers as Sen. Roger Marshall announced the news.

It really lightened up the lunch discussion, South Dakota Sen. Mike Rounds said, according to ABC News. He described clapping and a lot of smiles in the room at the time.

The scramble following the news highlighted what little insight most Republican members within Trumps administration had at the time.

I still dont know what his total strategy is. We know what his goal was... I dont know what the end game is here, Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson told CNN.

GOP senators relieved after Trump's 90-day tariff pause - but lots of uncertainty.

"I still don't know what his total strategy is. We know what his goal was... I don't know what the end game is here," Ron Johnson says.

Schiff says he wants to know if anyone at WH profited off it pic.twitter.com/DkeeRuMCgB  Manu Raju (@mkraju) April 9, 2025

A conservative House Republican granted anonymity by Politico gave a more honest outlook: What a sh--show.

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Despite growing pressure and a plunging stock market, President Donald Trump denied his change of tune was a capitulation to the business community amid a plunging stock market, but noted some of his advisers were a little bit yippy.

I thought people were jumping a little bit out of line. They were getting a little bit yippy, he said. They were getting a little bit yippy, a little afraid.
LAST WEEK, WHEN DONALD TRUMP announced his plan for steep new tariffs, governments around the world were shocked and perplexed. Trump slapped levies on nearly every country, based on wildly inaccurate claims about their trade barriers against the United States. He attributed all U.S. trade deficits with individual countries to cheating, and he vowed to extract enough money from each nation to erase its purported trade advantage over Uncle Sam.

Even after pausing his harshest tariffs on Wednesdayin a turnabout forced by plummeting stock marketsTrump said he would impose a 10 percent minimum levy on nearly all countries. And he threatened to hit them with much heavier tariffs if they didnt offer sufficient trade concessions within ninety days.

Why is Trump doing this? Because hes operating from the same mental pathologies that drove his behavior after the 2020 election. His tariff lunacy is an extension of his election denialism.

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In every state Trump lost in 2020that is, where he had a deficit of ballotshe blamed his loss on cheating. He based these accusations on bogus numbers, and he demanded to be given enough additional votesor to have enough votes subtracted from Joe Bidento cancel out his deficits.

When that didnt work, Trump sent a mob to the Capitol. And when Americans responded by re-electing him in 2024, he pardoned the insurrectionists and set out to rectify another system that he thinks is rigged against him: global trade. Hes more confident than ever in his delusions of persecution and in his power to reshape history. His madness has engulfed the world.

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ON ELECTION NIGHT 2020, as battleground states slipped away from Trump, he dismissed their official vote counts as a major fraud and insisted that he had won. Four weeks later, on December 2, 2020, he declared that the Democrats had this election rigged and that in every swing state he had supposedly lost, the margin was due to major infractions or outright fraud.

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Trump leveled specific allegations, all of which were phony or grossly exaggerated. But his underlying dogma was that his deficit in each state he lost, relative to Biden and to down-ballot Republicans, could be explained only by cheating. The tremendous success we had in the House of Representatives, and the tremendous success weve had so far in the Senate, he argued, made it statistically impossible that the personmethat led the charge lost.

Two weeks later, Trumps trade adviser, Peter Navarro, released a document claiming that Democrat Party government officials cheated and gamed the electoral process across all six battleground states. Navarro cited statistical anomalies such as 1) Joe Biden received a disproportionately high percentage of the mail-in and absentee ballots, 2) Wisconsin reported abnormally high voter turnout, and 3) in one Arizona precinct, the vote percent for President Trump dropped dramatically relative to 2016, from 67.4 to 58.5 percent.

In a tweet announcing his January 6th rally, Trump touted Navarros mathematical speculations. A great report by Peter, he proclaimed. Statistically impossible to have lost the 2020 Election. Big protest in D.C. on January 6th. Be there, will be wild!

Trump insisted that his vote deficits had to be negated. The results of the individual swing states must be overturnedand overturned immediately, he demanded. In a phone call with Brad Raffensperger, Georgias secretary of state, Trump specified how many votes he needed to erase Bidens lead. The current margin is only 11,779, he told Raffensperger. I just want to find 11,780 votes.

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That line sounds a lot like Trumps formula for erasing trade deficits. And the intervening history explains why.

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IN THE YEARS AFTER JANUARY 6TH, Trump and his henchmen clung to his delusions about the 2020 election. In 2022, Navarro said his 2020 document proved that the election was, in all likelihood, stolen. In testimony to the House January 6th Committee, another Trump loyalist, Stephen Miller, said he still believed that the election was fraudulent and that Trump was the true winner. Trump repeated his falsehoods about 2020 and signaled that he would pardon the January 6th insurrectionists.

Trumps re-election in 2024 further emboldened him. He paid no price for January 6th or for his pardons of the assailants. At least nineteen times since returning to the White Housemost recently, on Wednesdayhe has repeated his allegations that the 2020 election was rigged, stolen, or swayed by Democrats who cheated. We had a rigged election. And we can say it and say it loud and say it proud because the election was rigged, Trump seethed on Tuesday night in a speech to the National Republican Congressional Committee. They stole it from us by illegally rigging the election.

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Some voters, politicians, and reporters seem to think Trumps deluded view of 2020 can be set aside as moot. But the underlying pathologyreflexively claiming fraudaffects everything he does. Its why, despite having been repeatedly corrected, he keeps peddling the fiction that millions of long-dead people are getting Social Security checks. And members of his inner circle have picked up the habit.

Lets say Social Security didnt send out their checks this month. My mother-in-law, whos 94, she wouldnt call and complain, said Howard Lutnick, Trumps billionaire commerce secretary, on a podcast two weeks ago. But a fraudster always makes the loudest noise, screaming, yelling, and complaining. Lutnick went on: Elon [Musk] knows this by heart, right? Anybody whos been in the payment system and the process system knows the easiest way to find the fraudster is to stop payments and listen. Cause whoever screams is the one stealing.

Thats how Trump and his toadies think: Anything they dont like is fraud or theft.

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ONCE YOU UNDERSTAND THIS MENTALITY, the administrations tariff lunacy becomes more intelligible. The language Trump, Navarro, and Miller now apply indiscriminately to foreign trade partnerscheaters, stole, rig the rulesis the same language they apply to Democrats. And as in 2020, their accusations are reckless and false.

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Last week, when Trump announced his trade war, he unveiled a table that purported to show the effective tariff rates imposed on the United States (through tariff and non-tariff barriers) by more than 180 countries. On this basis, he said his new tariffs against those countries were reciprocal. But analysts soon found that the numbers in the table were, like the election-fraud numbers Trump and Navarro had quoted in 2020, egregiously wrong. (And thats not even getting into the penguins.)

The rest of the world has a surplus with us, Lutnick asserted last Sunday on Face the Nation. Everybody has a trade surplus, and we have a trade deficit. Thats not true either. Several countries, including Australia and the United Kingdom, have trade deficits with the United States. They buy more from us than we buy from them. Yet Trump hit them with supposedly reciprocal 10 percent tariffs.

When interviewers pressed Lutnick about these discrepancies, he came up with excuses. He said our trade surplus with the U.K. wasnt real because they count the importing of bullion, and Australias purchases of American planes werent really what we need to sell them. Trade-surplus denialism, like election denialism, requires an endless stream of rationalizations.

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ULTIMATELY, TRUMP AND NAVARRO are relying on the same dogmas they invoked in 2020. First, they say the whole system is rigged. Institutionally, the international trade system is designed to cheat us, Navarro declared on Sunday Morning Futures. The only reason why were not a manufacturing nation, he protested, is because the world cheats us.

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Second, any trade deficit with an individual country is the result of chicanery. Each trade deficit we have with each country, Navarro told CNBC, represents the sum of all cheating. The trade deficit is the sum of all cheating.

Third, the logical penalty to rectify the cheating is a tax sufficient to erase the deficit. The reciprocal tariff, Navarro explained on CNN, is that which reduces the trade deficit with each country to zero. The administrations written statement says the same thing: Trump is applying the tariff level consistent with driving bilateral trade deficits to zero.

Economically and morally, all of this is wrong. Trade deficits arent theft; theyre just an imbalance of transactions in which one side benefits from buying and the other benefits from selling. Such deficits can be caused by unfair practices, but often theyre due to simple factors such as wealth inequality. The United States is a very rich country. It shouldnt be surprising that we buy more from poor countries than they buy from us. Reflexively slapping tariffs on these countrieslet alone countries with which we have trade surpluses, not deficitsis unfounded and unjust.

But psychologically, Trumps trade war makes perfect sense. Four and a half years ago, he declared himself the victim of a corrupt system, blamed all his losses on cheating, demanded enough compensation to cancel out his losses, and launched an assault to get his way. Then he went to his office to watch the chaos and see what would happen. And thats what he did again last week.

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On Wednesday, after the markets tanked, Trump paused his heaviest tariffs for 90 days. But he kept a 10 percent tariff on nearly all countries, and he bragged that his threats to hit them harder were forcing them to surrender. These countries are calling us up, kissing my ass, he gloated in his speech to the NRCC. He mocked their offers: Please, please, sir, make a deal. Ill do anything. Ill do anything, sir.

Trump now says hell extract through negotiationsunder the threat of resuming his full tariff warconcessions sufficient to erase Americas trade deficits with its partners. And Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says countries will give in because theyve seen the maximum level that Donald Trump is willing to go to. Its the same strategy of bullying and brinkmanship Trump has used before. And hell keep doing it till he pays a price.

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Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (right) talks with state Rep. Frances Cavenaugh, R-Walnut Ridge, after Sanders announced the introduction of an immigration bill sponsored by Cavanaugh and Sen. Bart Hester, R-Cave Springs. (Photo by Sonny Albarado/Arkansas Advocate)

The Arkansas House approved a bill Wednesday night establishing harsher penalties for undocumented migrants who commit violent felonies in the state.

Senate Bill 426, known as the Defense Against Criminal Illegals Act, also mandates Arkansas law enforcement agencies participate in a federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement program that deputizes them to help ICE apprehend and deport undocumented migrants held in local jails and state prisons.

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The Senate passed the bill 45-5 on April 2, with five of the chambers six Democrats opposed. Sen. Stephanie Flowers, D-Pinebluff, was absent.

The House voted 73-20 with 2 voting present to pass SB 426 Wednesday night.

The bill creates the following additional penalties depending on the type, or class, of felony:

A person convicted of a Class D felony, or an unclassified felony with no more than six years of prison time, would get up to four years added to the sentence;

A person convicted of a Class A, B or C felony, or an unclassified felony with a prison sentence between six and 30 years, would get up to 10 years added to the sentence;

A person convicted of a Class Y felony, or an unclassified felony with a prison sentence of longer than 30 years or life, would get up to 20 years added to the sentence.

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In Wednesdays committee meeting, Rep. Diana Gonzales Worthen, a first-term Democrat from Springdale, spoke against the bill, telling her colleagues that the legislation will destroy trust between the Latino community and law enforcement that has taken years to build.

In the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, the bills House sponsor Walnut Ridge Republican Frances Cavenaugh said the bill fulfills Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders promise to help make Arkansans safer.

At a March 17 press conference announcing the legislation, Sanders said: The Defense Against Criminal Illegals Act makes it clear: Arkansas will not tolerate violent, criminal illegals and will do our part to help the Trump administration keep our citizens safe.

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Under the state's fledgling public defense system, the number of unrepresented people has fallen from 1,500 in fall 2024 to roughly 500, as of April 2025, according to House Majority Leader Matt Moonen (D-Portland). (Photo by Getty Images)

The Maine Legislature on Thursday passed a bill that will bolster the states strained public defense system by creating new staff positions and increasing funding for private counsel representing defendants who cant afford their own attorneys.

Sen. Anne Carney (D-Cumberland) introduced LD 1101 as emergency legislation to address Maines severe shortage of public defenders, a crisis that has left hundreds of indigent defendants without representation  dozens of them incarcerated. The bill passed both the Maine House of Representatives and Senate and is now headed to Governor Janet Mills for her signature, bypassing the appropriations table where all bills with a cost typically go for approval.

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If signed into law, LD 1101 would represent a key step in Maines ongoing efforts to improve access to legal representation, a constitutional right that advocates say is not being guaranteed under the current system. The legislation would allocate roughly $3.2 million over three years, create eight new positions within the states public defender offices, and allow private attorneys to take on cases with compensation from the Maine Commission on Indigent Legal Services, the agency overseeing the states fledgling public defense system.

Before the Senate voted 31-3 to pass the measure, debate erupted in the House over a proposal from Rep. Ken Fredette (R-Newport) to strip the bill of its funding and the new staff positions.

Fredette said he appreciated the Judiciary Committees work but argued that the goals of the bill could be met without any additional resources  a position he claimed was supported by Kennebec Superior Court Justice Michaela Murphys March 7 ruling on the case and shared by Mills.

Fredette said on the House floor that he and the governor are on the same page about this bill, adding that he had spoken with Mills that morning.

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The governors office did not immediately respond to questions about whether she supported Fredettes amendment or if she would sign the bill with that funding included.

Several of Fredettes Republican colleagues on the Judiciary Committee pushed back and said the bill represents a compromise.

If using existing resources was the solution, that would have happened months ago, argued Rep. Jen Poirier (R-Skowhegan).

People deserve justice and we need to make that happen, she said.

House Majority Leader Rep. Matt Moonen (D-Portland) also said the current system, under which they pay public employees salary and benefits, is less expensive than the previous system where the state issued vouchers to private counsel. He also noted Maines public defenders are not very well paid and many are just out of law school and not yet able to take full caseloads.

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However, he said the system is working, as the number of unrepresented people has fallen from 1,500 last fall to roughly 500.

Fredettes amendment was tabled by a vote of 91-53 before the House voted 113-32 to pass the bill.

In her State of the Budget address in January, Mills expressed support for removing caseload limits on public defenders  a proposal some legal experts have criticized, warning it could overwhelm already understaffed offices. Gerald Reid, the governors chief legal counsel, submitted written testimony to the Judiciary Committee last month expressing conditional support for the bill, while reiterating the governors position on eliminating caseload caps.

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At the public hearing, organizations including the American Civil Liberties Union of Maine and the Maine Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers underscored the urgent need for more funding and staff. They pointed to the states failure to provide court-appointed attorneys to hundreds of eligible defendants, a breakdown that Maine courts have called a constitutional crisis. While advocates said the bill does not go far enough to fully meet the demand, they described it as necessary to move the state toward a more functional and equitable system.

The committee unanimously backed an amended version of the bill, which added a sunset clause for court-appointed private attorneys and refined eligibility and oversight provisions.

Meanwhile, the Kennebec County Superior Court ruled last month that the state must create a plan by April 3 to end what it described as a constitutional crisis. It also agreed to a request from the ACLU to start releasing incarcerated defendants who have been waiting for counsel if the state fails to provide representation.

On Monday, the court was expected to start setting dates for hearings to determine if those defendants should be released and under what conditions.

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Anyone who has been incarcerated for more than 14 days without counsel is eligible, if the judge decides they should be released. The state will get another seven days to find an attorney before that actually happens, so a person could technically be incarcerated for a minimum of 21 days before release, according to the ACLU.

AnnMarie Hilton contributed reporting to this story.

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OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  House lawmakers sitting on the Public Health committee heard a proposed bill Wednesday that could help small Oklahoma pharmacies. Those against the measure said it would raise the price of prescription drugs.

Senate Bill 789 was authored by Senator Todd Gollihare (R-Kellyville). It cleared the Senate and has now made its way to committee in the House.

Representative and pharmacist TJ Marti (R-Broken Arrow) explained the bill to House lawmakers. He said the bill boosts reimbursement for smaller Oklahoma pharmacies so they can fill prescriptions while trimming profits for larger pharmacy chains that are now dominating the market.

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School cell phone ban moves one step closer at Capitol

Were losing pharmacies every single day, said Marti. Those Oklahoma retail pharmacies can fill those same prescriptions, and we can do it a lot cheaper. So thats the goal with this bill.

Lawmakers worried how the bill would trickle down to Oklahoma consumers. Oklahoma Families for Affordable Health Care sent text messages to voters and posted on social media claiming the legislation would increase prices for prescription drugs by around $15, which an overall cost of around $320 million a year.

When pressed on those numbers, Rep. Marti said it was a tactic.

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The information that theyre putting out sounds like its from Oklahomans that care about health care. Its from the industry who weve been fighting for the past six years, said Marti.

KFOR reached out to Oklahoma Families for Affordable Health Care but never received a return email or phone call on our requests for an interview.

Rep. Marilyn Stark (R-Bethany) said she had several calls and emails about the bill from constituents.

As you can guess, weve had many conversations about this with multiple people, said Stark.

She pressed Rep. Marti about the concerns she heard from Oklahomans.



Im actually asking about the cost to the consumer, not the state, said Stark.

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Marti told lawmakers Oklahomans would likely see an increase to the cost of medications but it would also save many pharmacists across the state. What I can assure you of is that insurance rates are going up 10 to 20% every year. So thats happening no matter what we do.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Video: Arkansas prison appropriation bill for Franklin County fails in Senate

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  A hotly debated bill to allocate millions of dollars for a new Arkansas prison has likely ended its journey through the state legislature.

Senate President Pro Tempore Bart Hester (R-Cave Springs) said the $750 million allocation bill would not return to the Senate floor.

I do not plan to ask for another vote at this time, Hester said.

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Multi-million dollar prison funding allocation fails in Arkansas Senate for fifth time

The bill intended to allocate funding for a 3,000-bed prison in rural Franklin County.

Because it is an allocation bill, three-quarters of the Senate, 27 votes, was needed for it to pass. After clearing its committee hearing, it failed to reach that number of aye votes on each of its five trips to the Senate floor, reaching 20 votes on its most recent attempt.

Because it is an allocation bill, it can be resubmitted after failing to pass. The bill can be resubmitted in future sessions of the legislature.

Arkansas Sheriffs Association head explains support for proposed prison

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Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders supported the legislation and said it was needed to end the catch and release nature of the Arkansas justice system.

Executive Director of the Arkansas Sheriff Association Scott Bradley said earlier that county jails housing state inmates waiting for space at state facilities to open up led to many with misdemeanor charges being released on their own recognizance, even if a judge ordered them jailed.

The [Arkansas] misdemeanor justice system is failing, Bradley said.

Opponents of the bill pointed to a lack of planning for the prison, including the need to improve infrastructure such as roads and waterworks for its planned rural location.

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Arkansas senator introduces legislation to counter governors prison plans

The legislature allocated $75 million for the prison in its previous session. The $750 million was to make up the remainder of what was needed for the $850 million estimated cost of the building.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
State Rep. DeAnn Vaught (center) and Energy and Environment Sec. Shane Khoury appear before the House Agriculture, Forestry and Economic Development committee on April 10, 2025 to speak in favor of Senate Bill 290. (Ainsley Platt/Arkansas Advocate)

New amendments to a bill that environmental advocates feared would endanger a moratorium on large animal farms in the Buffalo River watershed helped the legislation advance from a House committee on Thursday.

In a reversal, the secretaries of the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment and the Department of Agriculture said negotiations with Senate Bill 290s House sponsor and the governors office yielded amendments they said will protect the existing moratorium.

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SB 290 is sponsored by Rep. DeAnn Vaught, R-Horatio, and Sen. Blake Johnson, R-Corning.

The watershed moratorium, which has been in place for 10 years, quickly emerged at the beginning of the legislative session as a flashpoint between the environmentalists who fought for the ban in the first place and agricultural interests who said it infringed on private property rights.

Its going to preserve the existing ones that are there, Vaught said of the newly amended legislation. The moratoriums going from this point forward, it establishes a clear process and procedure for our adoption of any implemented new moratoriums in the state of Arkansas.

Energy and Environment Sec. Shane Khoury told the House Agriculture, Forestry and Economic Development Committee Thursday there were three things everyone could agree on: the importance of agriculture to the states economy, that tourism is also a large economic driver, and that the Buffalo River deserves heightened protection.

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Ive always believed that these things are not mutually exclusive, that we can do all things we need to do at the same time. We can recognize the significance of agriculture, we can encourage tourism, and we can protect the Buffalo, all at the same time, Khoury said. In fact, I think weve been doing that for the past ten years; this amendment allows us to continue to do all of these things.

SB 290 was introduced at the end of February and finally passed the Senate last week. When it was heard in the House Agriculture, Forestry and Economic Development Committee Tuesday, members pushed it to the full House by a narrow margin, before Vaught pulled it from the floor in order to make it more palatable Wednesday night.

Vaught said she didnt have much involvement with the form the legislation took when it was moving through the Senate, but said she participated in negotiations once it reached the House.

Yesterday, we had a meeting where we spoke with the governor for a good while, Vaught said after the House committee voted to move the amended bill back to the House floor without audible opposition. I got to give her my concerns about farmers that are already existing within the Buffalo River, and I want those farmers to be protected  and then she wanted to be able to protect the Buffalo River.

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Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders has said repeatedly that she does not support legislation that does not protect the watershed.

This revised bill is the result of our valuable partnership with Senator Johnson and Representative Vaught and achieves our goal of both protecting the Buffalo National River and supporting Arkansas farmers, whose success is critical to our state, said Sam Dubke, Sanders spokesperson, in a written statement.

The amendments add language exempting existing moratoriums from the proposed legislation  keeping the existing moratoriums for the Buffalo River watershed and the Lake Maumelle watershed in place, while making the Legislature a bigger part of the process if another moratorium becomes necessary in the future by keeping in place language for approval of future moratoriums that was introduced while it was in a Senate committee.

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With the new version, were definitely going to keep it [the existing moratorium] in place, so I dont foresee there being any future looks at the Buffalo River, Vaught said, describing the changes as a great compromise.

We should want to protect something thats so pristine, Vaught added.

Previous versions of SB 290 sparked strong opposition from environmental groups, who feared those versions, if passed, would end up eliminating the permit moratorium, and 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 out the farm and shut it down in 2019, after years of efforts led by groups such as the Buffalo River Watershed Alliance.

The president of the Ozark Society, another environmental group that has been opposed to SB290, declined to comment on Thursdays passage, saying it was too early to do so.

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Multiple people spoke against the bill before the committee last week, urging lawmakers to protect the jewel of the state of Arkansas.

Richard Johnson, of Little Rock, 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.

The moratorium was first put in place a decade ago by the Department of Energy and Environments Division of Environmental Protections (DEQ) predecessor, in response to public outcry over the C&H Hog Farms in the watershed. Environmental advocates said the runoff from the operation was polluting the watershed, which contains the nations first, and Arkansas only, national river  although advocates for farmers like Vaught and Arkansas Farm Bureau said that was not true.

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  School systems have dealt with unintended consequences related to a crackdown on school threats. Hundreds of students have been arrested under a relatively new state law that makes school threats a felony. A new bill could raise the threshold for a child to face a charge.

Caught up in the Tennessee legislatures attempt to deter kids from threatening mass violence is an 11-year-old boy who receives special education.

Harpeth Hall placed on lockdown after bomb threat

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Hes been charged with a felony. He said something that he didnt understand, Zoe Jamail, a policy coordinator for Disability Rights Tennessee, said as she shared a message from his family. Now, he has to be evaluated by the state to see if hes not competent or competent to stand trial. We hired a lawyer. Its just been a lot  emotionally and financially  on family. He thinks hes going to prison.

A state law, passed in the wake of the Covenant School shooting, makes mass violence threats against schools a felony  regardless of intent or ability to carry them out.

In fiscal year 2024, 518 children were arrested under our current threats of mass violence law. The youngest was 7 years old, education attorney Beth Cruz said, also speaking before the committee. Seventy-one children under the age of 11 were arrested under this statute. To be clear, those children will never appear in front of a judge because they are not competent to stand trial.

Parents have a right to know: Bill to improve communication about school threats advances

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Lawmakers suggested part of the problem has been people reporting threats that are clearly not serious.



At what point does common sense come into this with a teacher or a school administrator deciding this is just a kid being a kid? Sen. Brent Taylor (R-Memphis) asked during the meeting.



Thats where the general logic comes in and that takes place every day in every school, Sen. Ferrell Haile (R-Gallatin) responded.

However, a bill moving through the state legislature would increase the threshold to get arrested for threatening mass violence.

The amendment makes it to where the individual has to knowingly, intentionally and be able to carry out that threat, so if its someone who was suffering from some type of developmental disability or they had no intent of meaning that or no intent of actually doing it, they would not be charged  nor could they have been convicted, Elizabeth Stroeker, the director of legislation for the states Department of Safety, said.

Read the latest from the TN State Capitol Newsroom

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Despite the proposed change, advocates said theres still work to do.

We dont want to minimize cases where there may be a valid threat, Cruz said. Thats not what were saying.

The bill would also expand the threat law to cover churches, government buildings and events.

It already passed in several House and Senate committees, with more votes scheduled for next week.

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ASTANA, Kazakhstan, April 10. The construction of a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan is expected to become one of the countrys major projects, said Kazakhstan's Foreign Minister, Murat Nurtleu, during a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Kazakhstans Almaty, Trend reports.

In the course of the meeting, Nurtleu pointed out that Russia is a big fish in Kazakhstan's pond, serving as one of its key trade partners and the largest investor in the mix.



"By the end of 2025, Russia will be ranked second after the Netherlands, and based on the upcoming results, I believe Russia will become the top investor. Around $4 billion has already been invested. Trade is progressing well; according to Kazakhstan's statistics, last year we traded $28 billion. Our target was to reach $30 billion. I believe this year we will exceed $30 billion, and we are fully prepared for that," he said.

He also highlighted that Kazakhstan and Russia are engaged in over 170 collaborative enterprises.



"Regarding investment projects, I would like to emphasize that we have many joint and large-scale projects with Russian businesses, with over 170 enterprises set to be launched in the near future. These projects are strategically important, covering areas such as transport and logistics, energy, metallurgy, machine engineering, industry, and agriculture," Nurtleu added.

In turn, Lavrov underscored that Kazakhstan represents a resilient partner and strategic ally within the geopolitical landscape of Russia.

"We have traditionally supported each other, both in resolving bilateral matters and on the international stage. The presidents of Russia and Kazakhstan always lead by example, demonstrating how to find agreements that strike a balance of interests and are mutually beneficial," Lavrov stated.



He also highlighted that the upcoming opening of the Russian Consulate General in Aktau further reflects the strengthening of bilateral ties.



"I know preparations are nearly complete. We are grateful to our Kazakh colleagues for addressing all related issues. I am confident that the opening of the Consulate General in the Mangistau region will provide new opportunities for strengthening regional connections between our countries. This has become a longstanding tradition. The regions cooperate closely and regularly hold interregional forums," Lavrov added.

To note, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov arrived in Kazakhstans Almaty, where on April 11, he will attend the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) of the CIS and meet with foreign ministers from Russia and Central Asia.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Restaurateurs, business groups, and workers on Thursday urged against a proposal that would subject tipped workers to the base minimum wage by 2030. (Getty Images)

A legislative proposal to eliminate an exemption for tipped workers in the states minimum wage law met with broad opposition from business groups, restaurateurs, and workers Thursday.

Opponents of the bill, which was presented for a discussion only before an Assembly panel and did not see a vote, said the plan would force business closures, price hikes, and cuts to worker compensation by requiring businesses to pay the full minimum wage to workers even if their tips bring their hourly pay above the wage floor.

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As I always say, New Jersey is extremely expensive. We want to be able to support our small businesses, but by raising the cost of eating out and tipping workers and providing livable wages to these workers, were making it nearly impossible to do so, said Elissa Frank, vice president of government affairs for the New Jersey Business and Industry Association.

New Jersey law sets the wage floor for most workers to $15.49, but affords employers a $9.87-per-hour credit against those wages if tips bring worker earnings above that level.

The bill sponsored by Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson (D-Mercer) would phase that credit down  to $7.90 in 2026, $5.92 in 2027, $3.95 in 2028, and $1.97 in 2029  before entirely eliminating it beginning in 2030.

Reynolds-Jackson said the bill is about economic justice.

Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson (Hal Brown for New Jersey Monitor)

Every person deserves to make a decent wage, and people should be paid fairly for the work they do. Todays discussion is the start of a broader conversation as this bill makes its way through the legislative process. We look forward to meeting with stakeholders all around the state about this important issue, she said.

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Restaurant owners and business groups cautioned that eliminating tipped worker credits would force restaurants to raise prices or cut hours and jobs to meet payroll.

Some opponents noted that 73 restaurants closed last year in Washington, D.C., which is on a path to eliminate its tip credit by 2027. There are more than 2,600 restaurants in the nations capital, according to the National Restaurant Association.

Weve seen employees lose their jobs because the labor costs have increased astronomically, said Amanda Stone, vice president of public affairs for the New Jersey Restaurant and Hospitality Association. Theyve gone to areas outside of the district to continue being able to make a tipped wage. Weve seen the real impact this can have right in D.C., and we cant afford to do that here.

Some workers themselves cautioned against a higher minimum wage, saying they had foregone promotions to management positions because of the additional earnings brought by tips. Others noted tips brought compensation for many to levels that far exceed the states wage floor.

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[I] went to school for hospitality and worked my way up into management. Im back to bartending. I have always made more than minimum wage in service positions. They pulled my payroll, most recent pay period, I earned $44.42 an hour, said Tricia Abbondanzo, a longtime restaurant worker. This is not a minimum wage job.

One witness supported eliminating tip wage credits over concerns about wage theft. A 2017 study from the Economic Policy Institute, a left-leaning think tank, examining wage theft in 10 states found 17% of tip workers experienced some form of wage theft.

Wage theft can take different forms. In New Jersey, it can include employers taking a portion of tip pools or requiring their workers pool tips.

The tipped industries have some of the highest rates of wage and hour violations behind only private residence domestic workers, said Peter Chen, senior policy analyst for New Jersey Policy Perspective.

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House Bill 493 wouldve required physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants treating patients age 18 or younger to complete child abuse and neglect education. (Getty Images)

The New Hampshire House of Representatives voted, 193-177, Thursday to kill a bipartisan proposal aimed at strengthening child abuse and neglect training among medical providers.

Rep. Carol McGuire, an Epsom Republican, called the bill a very well-meaning bill that is totally impossible to implement and unnecessary.

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House Bill 493, sponsored by Concord Democrat Rep. Gabby Grossman, wouldve required physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants treating patients age 18 or younger to complete child abuse and neglect education. That education wouldve had to be at least one hour, and be accredited and recognized by the New Hampshire chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics as addressing the necessary subject matter. The bill was amended since it was first introduced.

McGuire took issue with the fact that the bill has the Board of Medicine mandating the training for nurse practitioners, who are governed by the Board of Nursing. She also noted that the Board of Medicine and Board of Nursing can both already require this training themselves, and she said shes heard from the employers of doctors and nurse practitioners who say they already often require their employees to do this type of training. She pointed out that a version of the training has already been made available for free online  by HB 493s sponsors  that providers can decide to do on their own.

Still, supporters wanted the training mandated and didnt want to wait on the boards or employers of providers.

This bill is the result of findings that include that there are New Hampshire children that have been abused or neglected but have been missed or not reported by New Hampshire health providers with tragic outcomes, one of the bills supporters, Derry Republican Rep. Jodi Nelson, said. And that voluntary training in identifying and reporting child abuse and neglect has been made available to New Hampshire health care providers but very few have enrolled.

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Nelson said shed heard stories of infants arriving at the hospital with atypical bruises and debilitating disabilities that werent reported to the authorities at the Division for Children, Youth, and Families. She said the issue isnt New Hampshire specific; its a problem throughout the U.S.

This isnt the first time lawmakers have tried to enact this rule. In 2024, House Bill 1590, a similar piece of legislation, was introduced in the House but failed to become law. It referred the bill to interim study, and as a result, lawmakers brought forth HB 493 in 2025, an altered version of the previous attempt.
Sen. Clint Penzo, R-Springdale, addresses the Arkansas Senate on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. (Tess Vrbin/Arkansas Advocate)

Two bills affecting fluoride in drinking water are scheduled for Arkansas House committee discussion Thursday after passing the Senate on Tuesday.

Senate Bill 2, which would repeal a statewide mandate for public water system fluoridation, passed the Senate on an 18-12 vote with five senators not voting.

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Senate Bill 613, which outlines a petition process to put the question of water fluoridation on a local ballot for consideration by voters served by a public water system passed by a wider margin, 27-7, with one senator voting present.

Both bills are on the agenda of Thursdays House Committee on Public Health, Welfare, and Labor.

Both bills were sponsored by Sen. Clint Penzo, R-Springdale, who has said that fluoride is a poison. Fluoride  which helps prevent tooth decay  has been used in drinking water since 1945 to improve dental health.

Penzo described SB 2 as a good local control bill that allows the local water districts to determine whether to fluoridate in his remarks on the Senate floor Tuesday evening.

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SB 2 was voted down in the Senate Public Health committee in February, but Penzo successfully extracted the bill from committee last week over objections from committee chair Sen. Missy Irvin, R-Mountain View, who said her committee had done its due diligence when urging her colleagues to reject the extraction motion.

Green Forest Republican Sen. Bryan King, an opponent of water fluoridation, argued that it was a matter the entire Senate should take up and that four members of an eight-member committee shouldnt be able to hold up a bill that the whole body wanted to consider. The extraction motion passed 19-12, with two voting present.

Arkansas is one of a minority of states that mandates fluoride in its drinking water, and has done so since 2011.

Penzos effort to remove Arkansas mandate comes at a time when fluoridation has been put in the spotlight by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has been outspoken in his opposition to community water fluoridation.

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The Associated Press reported Monday that Kennedy planned to tell the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to stop recommending water systems fluoridate their water, and that the EPA announced the same day that it is reviewing potential health risks from fluoride.

Utah became the first state to ban adding fluoride in drinking water in late March.

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For years, families have complained of cruelty from the federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) when their incarcerated loved ones become seriously ill or die. Now, legislation in Congress is attempting to put a stop to what it calls inhumane treatment.

Sens. Jon Ossoff (DGa.) and John Kennedy (RLa.) introduced legislation Wednesdaythe Family Notification of Death, Injury, or Illness in Custody Actthat would require the Justice Department to issue guidance to the BOP for promptly notifying families of individuals in custody who become seriously ill, suffer life-threatening injuries, or die. The Justice Department would also distribute those policies as a model for state and local lockups to follow.

"Too often, the families of those incarcerated never find out about a serious illness, a life-threatening injury, or even the death of a loved one behind bars," Ossoff said in a press release.

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A companion bill has been introduced in the House of Representatives by Reps. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (DCalif.), John Rutherford (RFla.), Barry Moore (RAla.), and Glenn Ivey (DMd.).

A BOP spokesperson declined to comment on the legislation, citing the agency's policy of responding directly to members of Congress. However, the spokesperson said that "upon arrival at an FBOP facility, all individuals in our custody are asked to provide a primary point of contact (next of kin) in the event of death or illness. In the event of a serious illness, the institution will notify the next-of-kin."

According to BOP policy, the warden or other designee should telephone the deceased inmate's next-of-kin "immediately to communicate the circumstances surrounding the death." The policy also states that the warden should draft a letter of condolence explaining the nature and causes of death.

However, families say that's not what's happening. In interviews with Reason last year, they described delays in being notified that their incarcerated loved one had been hospitalized, or even died; having their phone calls ignored; not being allowed to see their loved one in their final moments; delays in being sent the body and death certificate; being given inaccurate or incomplete information about the manner of death; or waiting months and years for the Bureau to fulfill their public records requests for more information about how their loved one died.

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Blanca Valencia's son, Anthony Maseda, was incarcerated at FCC Coleman, a federal prison complex in Florida, before he died on March 12. He was a 22-year-old with Type 1 diabetes.

"He was always complaining about how his blood sugars were always high, and they didn't listen to him, nobody would pay attention to him," Valencia told Reason last year. "I remember he called me one day and he told me, 'Mom, I've been really sick, but I feel a little bit better today.' And then he stopped calling me out of nowhere. They called me from the hospital a week, maybe two weeks later, saying that he was at the hospital really, really sick, and that he was probably not gonna make it."

Maseda died two months later, alone. Valencia says officials didn't allow her to be with her son in his final moments. The BOP listed his official cause of death as complications from influenza.

Another woman told Reason she discovered her husband had died in federal prison, not from a telephone call from officials, but instead when she checked the BOP's online inmate locator and saw his status had changed to "deceased."

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These problems occur in state prisons and local jails as well. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported in 2020 how the Clayton County Jail failed to notify a woman that her mother had suffered serious injuries from an alleged fall and had been on life support at a hospital for three weeks.

Ossoff's office highlighted another case of a Georgia woman who was only notified of her father's death at a state prison after a letter was returned to her stamped, "Return to sender: inmate dead."

It shouldn't take legislation for jailers to show families the bare minimum of human decency, and it should be embarrassing that lawmakers feel it's necessary to mandate such a thing.

The post Bill Would Require Federal Prisons To Notify Families of Serious Illness and Death appeared first on Reason.com.
"He has not proven to be an unbiased independent agency or appointee," said Sen. Charlane Oliver, a Nashville Democrat, over a bill handing investigation of discrimination complaints against the state to Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)

A bill to dissolve Tennessees independent civil rights watchdog agency and transfer its powers to the states attorney general drew heated criticism Wednesday from a Nashville Democrat, who suggested the states top legal officer is too partisan for the job.

Sen. Charlane Oliver of Nashville cited Attorney General Jonathan Skrmettis history of involvement in Republican-led challenges to legal protections for women, transgender individuals and against diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

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Skrmetti has led or joined lawsuits that include a challenge to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commissions rule prohibiting discrimination against women seeking abortions, litigation seeking to stop transgender medical care for minors and sent letters to corporations warning them against diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, among other actions.

How can pregnant women trust the attorney generals office will defend their right to fair employment given it has previously taken action to restrict their ability to seek relief, Oliver said during a meeting of the Senate Government Operations Committee.

He has not proven to be an unbiased independent agency or appointee, she said. We clearly see that. This is a massive expansion of the attorney generals responsibilities.

Republican Sen. John Stevens of Huntingdon, cosponsor of the legislation, noted that different divisions of the Attorney Generals office would operate independently of one another.

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Stevens proposed legislation (SB861/HB910) would dissolve the Tennessee Human Rights Commission by July 1, and transfer its responsibilities and 30 employees to a newly-created Civil Rights Enforcement Division within the Office of Attorney General. Rep. Johnny Garrett, a Goodlettsville Republican, is a cosponsor of the legislation.

The 60-year-old commission is a nonpartisan and independent agency responsible for enforcing civil rights laws in employment, housing and public accommodation  and discrimination claims against the state of Tennessee.

Should the bill become law, about 1,000 pending discrimination complaints before the commission would be dismissed, forcing the individuals who brought them  and the employers and institutions who have spent time and money defending themselves  to start anew, Muriel Malone Nolen, the commissions current executive director, has said.

The bill also includes proposed changes to Tennessee anti-discrimination laws related to schools, creating a pathway for those denied admission or participation in campus activities on the basis of race, color or national origin to file civil rights complaints with the attorney general  a provision widely understood to give white students a basis to file claims against educational institutions that have diversity, equity and inclusion policies.

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The commission has come under legislative scrutiny in recent years over internal turmoil.

Last year, a vice chair resigned after being accused of disparaging remarks about LGBTQ individuals and ethnic communities.

In 2022, allegations of a toxic and abusive workplace forced then-Human Rights Commission executive director Beverly Watts to step down. Watts has denied the allegations.

The nine-member Human Rights Commission has been operating with just five members in recent years, in part because Republican House Speaker Cameron Sexton  who is responsible for the appointment of three of its members  has failed to add new members.

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A handful of wealthy, politically connected Silicon Valley investors are reportedly eyeing Greenlands icy shores as the site for a techno-utopian freedom city.

Thats according to a report from Reuters, which details a proposed effort to establish a new, libertarian-minded municipality characterized by minimal corporate regulation and a focus on accelerating emerging technologies like AI and mini nuclear reactors. Supporters of increased economic development in Greenland argue its frigid climate could naturally cool massive, energy intensive AI data centers. Large deposits of critical and rare earth minerals buried beneath the islands ice sheets could also potentially be used to manufacture consumer electronics.

The so-called start-up citywhich bears similarities to another ongoing venture in Californias Solano Countyreportedly already has the backing of PayPal founder Peter Thiel and Ken Howery, President Donald Trumps pick for Denmark ambassador. If confirmed by the Senate, Howery would lead US discussions to acquire Greenland. In that role, Howery could potentially act as a bridge linking the audacious freedom city investors with the US government.

MIAMI, FLORIDA - APRIL 7: Peter Thiel, co-founder of PayPal, Palantir Technologies, and Founders Fund, holds hundred dollar bills as he speaks during the Bitcoin 2022 Conference at Miami Beach Convention Center on April 7, 2022 in Miami, Florida. The worlds largest bitcoin conference runs from April 6-9, expecting over 30,000 people in attendance and over 7 million live stream viewers worldwide.(Photo by Marco Bello/Getty Images)

SAN SIMEON, CA - SEPTEMBER 30: Ken Howery attends Hearst Castle Preservation Foundation Annual Benefit Weekend - Legends of the Silver Screen Costume Gala at Hearst Castle on September 30, 2016 in San Simeon, CA. (Photo by Patrick McMullan/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)

All of that, its worth noting, will also almost certainly face fierce backlash from Danish officials who have repeatedly pushed back on the Trumps administrations proposals to take over the Arctic island. Proposals to create billionaire-funded stateless societies around the world have been attempted over the years, but none have evolved past much more than a proof of concept.

Who is behind the freedom city?

The Reuters report cites claims Howery, Thiel, and prominent Silicon Valley venture capitalist Marc Andreesen are amongst the most prominent names backing the Greenland effort. Howery, who still needs the US Senate to confirm his position as ambassador to Denmark, is reportedly a long-time friend of billionaire Elon Musk and formerly founded a venture capital firm with Thiel. Thiel, meanwhile, has emerged as one of the loudest supporters, both vocally and financially, of the Seasteading movement, which is trying to build floating, stateless utopia cities in the ocean. Andressen, notably, is also part of a tech-investor consortium California Forever looking to build the city in Solano County. Each of these effortsalong with others like the already existing city Prospera in Hondurasare united by libertarian political ideals, a focus on technological development, and lots of money.

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Rumors around the proposed Greenland city date back at least to November 2024 when Praxis co-founder Dryden Brown fired off a series of tweets explaining how he had tried to purchase land in Greenland. Praxis is a self-described internet-native nation crypto startup with a stated goal of restor[ing] Western civilization, and has reportedly received over $525 million in funding to start building out new cities. Brown told Reuters he has since been approached by several companies to explore establishing a new city on Greenland.

Related: [Silicon Valleys wealthiest want to build their own city outside of San Francisco]

Why the obsession with Greenland?

The idea of the U.S. acquiring Greenland, once widely regarded as a joke during the first Trump administration, has evolved into a serious U.S. foreign policy objective. The president campaigned on the issue during the 2024 election and has since doubled down, despite repeated assertions from Danish officials that the island isnt for sale. Nevertheless, Vice President J.D. Vance and his wife, Usha Vance, visited a U.S. military installation on the island in March 2024 and delivered a speech urging Greenlanders to voluntarily cut ties with Denmark. (Recent polling shows that an overwhelming majority of Greenland residents oppose the idea of possible annexation by the U.S.) President Trump, meanwhile, has not ruled out the possibility of taking the territory by force.

So why all the obsession with a mostly uninhabitable island with a population of around 57,000? Supporters of Greenland development laid out their arguments during a Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation hearing earlier this year. During the hearing, Texas Mineral Resources Board Chairman Anthony Marchese claimed Greenlands coastline holds what is indisputably one of the greatest collections of minerals found in a single jurisdiction. That includes rare earth minerals, which are crucial to powering a plethora of modern consumer electronics devices.

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Throw a dart at any part of the coastline and you will surely hit a world class [mineral] target, Marchese said during the hearing.

Most of those minerals are currently buried beneath thick sheets of previously impenetrable ice. But supporters of investment in Greenland argue that new mining techniques, combined with the melting of some ice due to a warming climate, could make those once-inaccessible minerals within reach. Others, like US Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) say Greenlands cool temperatures and proximity to geothermal vents could make it an ideal location to power the massive data centers needed for AI. In theory, that combination of cool temperatures and access to energy could be attractive for tech companies looking to rapidly ramp up computing capacity without relying on fossil fuels. Brown, the Praxis founder, also told Reuters he believes Greenlands harsh topography could make it an ideal site for experiments aimed at replicating the surface of Mars.
BINGHAMTON, NY (WIVT/WBGH)  Local officials are calling on all residents to sign up and become an organ donor.

April is National Donate Life Month, and Binghamton Mayor Jared Kraham raised a flag over City Hall to mark the occasion.

Broome County Clerk Joe Mihalko, who oversees the local DMV offices, is urging people to get registered as an organ donor.

Mihalko says every eight minutes, another person is added to the National Transplant waiting list.

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He says there are over 8,000 people waiting for a donation here in New York, and some of them have been waiting for over five years.

Right here in Broome County alone, fifty percent of the registered drivers are now donors. Thats quite an increase from just a few years ago when we were at twenty-five percent. April is National Donate Life month, and a great time for us to remember this important work, says Mihalko.

Mihalko says more people are registering as donors, because the sign-up process has never been easier.

Just stop into a DMV and ask to register as a donor.

You can also register online, at DMV.NY.gov.

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Nearly 40% of Black workers feel comfortable talking about their faith with people at work, the highest of any U.S. racial group, our two recent studies found. But they also risk facing religious discrimination.

For the past 15 years, we have been studying religion in workplaces. Recently we conducted two studies, including two online surveys involving 15,000 workers and in-depth interviews with nearly 300. Our respondents included Christian, Jewish, Muslim and nonreligious individuals.

The majority of Black Americans  nearly 8 in 10  identify as Christians. And we found that Black workers from all faiths are more likely than other racial groups to use their traditions to find meaning and purpose in their work and to feel called to their work.

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Although not all Black Americans are religious or want their faith to intersect with their work, we found that many Black Americans very much want to bring their religious beliefs to work. This goes beyond just talking about them at work, such as their holiday celebrations or the importance of their church in their lives. In addition, Black Americans are more likely than other racial groups to display or wear religious symbols, such as jewelry or head coverings.

Why it matters?

Scholars have often focused on racial discrimination in workplaces. However, the potential overlap between racial and religious marginalization has not been studied as much.

Some Black Christians told us that when they mention faith at work, they fear they will be discriminated against because of their race and because of their faith  what we call double marginalization.

For example, we interviewed a Black Christian woman who worked as an assistant professor of English. She told us she was reluctant to describe the challenges she faced in academia as religious discrimination but said the humanities tend to not always be welcoming toward religious people and Christians specifically. She recalled several instances when she was treated differently due to her faith.

Black people can feel negatively judged on account of their faith. Andrey Popov/iStock Getty Images Plus

Black Christians we interviewed said that co-workers stereotyped them as narrow-minded or sanctimonious in ways that felt marginalizing. For example, some said the term holy  which might seem positive in certain kinds of contexts  can be applied in pejorative ways to Black Christians. A man we interviewed who attends a majority Black congregation said he talks about his faith openly in the workplace and often feels negatively judged.

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Members of minority religions may feel even more at risk. The largest group of Muslims in the U.S. are Black Americans. Black Muslim female workers, for example, feel three times marginalized  feeling at risk for gender, racial and religious discrimination  our study found.

Their faith sometimes makes Black Americans less likely to address inequality in their workplaces. We found they sometimes draw on religious values like forgiveness and their belief that God is in control to justify remaining quiet about religious and racial discrimination.

Whats next

This contrasts with our previous work, where we argued that religion can be used to address inequalities at work. We need more research that examines the inextricable link between religion and race in workplaces. Workplace leaders who care about lessening inequality need to understand that racial and religious identities are often deeply intertwined.

The Research Brief is a short take on interesting academic work.

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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: Elaine Howard Ecklund, Rice University; Christopher P. Scheitle, West Virginia University, and Denise Daniels, Wheaton College (Illinois)

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Elaine Howard Ecklund receives funding from the Lilly Endowment Inc., the Templeton Religion Trust, and the Arthur Vining Davis Foundation.

Christopher P. Scheitle receives funding from the National Science Foundation and the John Templeton Foundation.

Denise Daniels receives funding from the Lilly Endowment Inc.
Senators gather in their chamber for the opening day of session on March 4, 2025. (Photo by Jay Waagmeester/Florida Phoenix)

The Florida Senate voted unanimously on Wednesday to pick St. Johns County as the site of the states Black history museum.

St. Augustine Republican Sen. Tom Leek sponsored the bill, SB 466, which would establish a board of directors to oversee construction and operation of the museum.

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The governor, Senate president, and House speaker would each appoint three board members. The legislative leaders would also appoint two lawmakers from each chamber.

Although the upper chambers vote brings the museum closer to the finish line, the House version of the bill hasnt been heard as the time to move forward policy in this years session dwindles. However, the Senate and House budgets both include a $1 million appropriation for the museum.

Understanding Black history is crucial because its an integral part of American history, a beautiful part of Florida history, said St. Petersburg Democratic Sen. Darryl Rouson, a co-sponsor of the bill. It illuminates the struggles and triumphs of a people who have significantly contributed to the shaping of not only the nation, but of the state. Importantly, its contributed to the very uniqueness of the state of Florida.

The vote comes two years after the Legislature created a task force to recommend a location for the museum, a design, a business plan, and its educational content. However, the museums potential site became the task forces focus over its 10 meetings as St. Johns County and Eatonville in Orange County emerged as the leading locations.

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The late Orlando Democratic Sen. Geraldine Thompson, who chaired the task force, wanted the museum in Eatinville, one of the first self-governing Black municipalities in the country.

Florida Memorial University agreed to lease 17 acres of land for the museum, about a 10-minute drive outside of St. Augustine.

St. Johns County was the site of Floridas first Black settlement (Fort Mose) in 1738, when the Spanish still colonized the region.

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TOPEKA (KSNT)  Drivers in Kansas will soon have three new license plate options to choose from thanks to action taken by the states lawmakers this week.

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly signed House Bill 2201 on Wednesday, April 9 which allows Kansans to acquire three new types of distinctive license plates. These new designs include the National Future Farmers of America (FFA), Route 66 Association of Kansas and blackout-style license plates.

The Kansas Department of Revenue (KDOR) will be able to start issuing the new license plates to the states drivers on and after Jan. 1, 2026. Drivers will be able to acquire these new plates by paying certain fees.

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National FFA Organization  royalty fees of $25-$100 as set by the organization. Funds collected by these sales will go to benefit the Kansas FFA Foundation.

Route 66 Association of Kansas  royalty fees of $25-$100 as set by the association. Funds collected by these sales will go back to benefit the Route 66 Association of Kansas.

Blackout-style plates  drivers will be charged a $50 fee. Cash collected by the state would be used to pay for costs associated with replacing older license plates.

Lawmakers approve change to the Kansas Constitution over voting rights

Kansas lawmakers and the KDOR pushed for the addition of the new blackout-style plates, citing cases in other states where the plates proved to be exceedingly popular after they were introduced. The plates are currently in use in several states including Colorado, Iowa and Minnesota.

ARVADA, CO  DECEMBER 15 : Joe Duran holds his black license plate for his Tesla in front of his home in Arvada, Colorado on Friday, December 15, 2023. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post-Getty Images)

Kansans will be able to acquire the new plates by checking the KDORs website after they are made available for purchase in 2026. This website currently displays a list of available distinctive license plate options you can buy in the Sunflower State.

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Kansas gov. approves nine new laws Tuesday

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.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 10. Azerbaijan and the UK have discussed interconnector projects related to green energy, the Azerbaijani Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov wrote on X, Trend reports

"During the meeting with Fergus Auld, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to our country, we exchanged views on strengthening bilateral energy cooperation, advancing interconnector projects in the field of Green Energy, a hydrogen strategy, and preparations for the upcoming session of the Intergovernmental Commission," the post reads.
BLOUNT COUNTY, Tenn. (WATE)  A new initiative launching in Blount County is aimed at protecting children ages 0 to 3.

The Tennessee Safe Baby Court program began in 2017 and has now expanded to Blount County.

Children are their most vulnerable and most resilient at this age, so if children are removed from their home into the child welfare system at this age, the long-term effects of that trauma are significant, Blount County Juvenile Court Judge Kenlyn Foster said.

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Those effects can vary depending on each child.

Where is the line between murder and self-defense? Lawyer explains

That long-term trauma results in greater incidents of mental health conditions, substance abuse disorders, higher drop out rates among that population as well as more involvement in the juvenile justice system and in the criminal justice system, Foster said.

The program is focused on children ages 0 to 3 who are involved in the child welfare system.

The purpose of Safe Baby Courts is to have a highly focused, multi-disciplinary team that has court involvement and oversight, Foster said. We bring these families in very frequently to look at whats going on in the family and we wrap the family with lots of support.

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Foster believes this program will help the next generation.

We have such a high rate of neo-natal absence syndrome, babies and fetal alcohol syndrome, Judge Foster said. We see a lot of involvement with opioids. We see a lot of involvement with housing instability just people who are really struggling.

Its wonderful HonorAir takes more East TN veterans to war memorials

Debby Skyler, the Family Resource Director for Maryville City Schools, attended the training and echoes Foster.

We need to start with the early ones and whatever we can do to influence and impact them we need to do, Skyler said. Whether it be safe places for them to live, figuring out what they need educationally, because we do have preschool programs and we do identify children from 3 years and up.

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6 News was told studies show this program can decrease the amount of time a child is in foster care and connect families to services they need.

I know how important it is that we have input into childrens lives and so whatever we can do to make lives safer and remove any barriers for those children is what we want to do, Skyler said.

READ: More top stories on WATE.com

There is another training on Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Maryville.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WATE 6 On Your Side.
BLOUNT COUNTY, Ala. (WIAT)  A Blount County man was convicted Wednesday of nine counts in a 10-count indictment involving two female victims under the age of 16.

According to Blount County District Attorney Pamela Casey, 44-year-old Adam Kenneth Sherrell, of Hayden, was found guilty of three class C felonies. He was convicted of enticing a child into a place in order to perform or propose a sex act, first-degree sexual abuse and child abuse. Casey stated each felony is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

Sherrell was also found guilty of second-degree sexual abuse and four counts of indecent exposure. Those are class A misdemeanors, and Sherrell could be sentenced to up to a year in jail for each of those count.

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Letters addressed to Alabama House members contained pornographic images: ALEA

He was also convicted of second-degree stalking, a class B misdemeanor. Sherrell may be sentenced up to 180 days in jail for that offense.

For almost 18 years, I have stood in courtrooms across this State fighting for the most vulnerable of our community, our children, Casey said in a statement. I appreciate everyone who appeared for jury duty this week and those who served as jurors on this case. It was not an easy case to hear. Our system cannot work without the good work of individuals who are willing to participate in our jury system. I am committed to the prosecution of the sexual exploitation of our children and tirelessly working to make Alabama safe.

A sentencing hearing for Sherrell was set for June 24.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42.
BLUEFIELD, WV (WVNS)  Bluefield State University hosted its 36th Annual Spring Career Fair on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, drawing attendance from employers from around the state.

Organized by Rebecca Hatch with the Bluefield State University Office of Career Services, this years career fair provides an opportunity for students and prospective employees to establish relationships with employers in a variety of fields including energy, education, law enforcement, and more.

Recent Bluefield State University graduate and event volunteer, Khadija Abdul-Wahid told 59News that the event brings opportunities to the community which may not have otherwise been available to local residents.



At the career fair you get to see a bunch of industries and career opportunities that you may not know were in the area, she said. So this really kind of helps to open your eyes and helps with networking to get out there and get used to talking to people.



Director for the BSU Office of International Initiatives, Dr. Sudhakar Jamkhandi, Ph.D. noted the direct correlation between the universitys mission and the success of its graduates in the workforce.

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In the end, whatever education Bluefield State has to offer is meant to take care of the needs of future employers in the public sector, in the private sector, and the non-profit sector, said Dr. Jamkhandi.

With another successful career fair in the books for Bluefield State University, another round of students are one step closer to finding their calling.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS.
The bodies of 11 murdered victims have been found in the troubled southern Mexican state of Guerrero, local prosecutors and media said Wednesday.

Prosecutors said the bodies were discovered Tuesday night in the municipality of Tecoanapa, while local media reported the killings took place during clashes between rival organized crime gangs.

Guerrero, located on Mexico's southern Pacific coast, is one of six out of 32 states that account for almost half of Mexico's homicides, much of them linked to drug trafficking. Guerrero is among the regions in Mexico that the U.S. State Department advises Americans to completely avoid, citing crime and violence. Disputes between cartels led to 1,890 murders in the state in 2023.

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In November, police said they found 11 bodies, including two of minors, dumped by a highway in in Guerrero. The month before that, the mayor of the state capital Chilpancingo was beheaded just days after taking office. After the murder, four other mayors asked federal authorities for protection and a former prosecutor and local police official was arrested in connection with the death.

Violence in Guerrero reached such unprecedented levels that last year, Roman Catholic bishops announced they had helped arrange a truce in another part of the state between two warring drug cartels.

Guerrero is also home to popular beach resorts like Acapulco and Zihuatanejo. Last May, 10 bodies were found scattered around Acapulco, which has been engulfed by violence linked to cartels.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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AUSTIN (KXAN)  An active investigation is ongoing after a person was found dead on the campus of the University of Texas at Austin overnight Wednesday into early Thursday morning.

Mike Rosen, a spokesperson for UT, told KXAN via email Thursday morning that a deceased person was found on campus overnight. This is an active investigation. There was no foul play involved and no threat to the UT community.

Its not clear if the person was affiliated with UT in any way. Details on the persons identity were not shared Thursday morning, either.

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KXAN also asked about reports of another body found on campus over the weekend. We will update this story if we receive more information about either incident.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
Valley View Elementary was rocked by news in January that a school employee died by suicide while police prepared to arrest him on charges of producing child pornography.

Until this week, the Boise School District provided the community with little information about what happened and how the school was addressing the incident.

Our entire district administration and our Board of Trustees apologize for the trauma the victims and families have suffered, as well as the confusion and anxiety felt by our entire community through this experience, Boise Superintendent Lisa Roberts said in a letter sent to parents and staff on Tuesday.

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Valley View invited parents to the school on Tuesday evening to hear about the findings of an investigation conducted by Holinka Law, P.C., an independent, outside counsel that the district hired, and to discuss new staff procedures intended to better protect children in the future.

School officials barred the media from attending the event, but the district sent a summary of the investigation and new procedures to outlets on Wednesday afternoon.

The Boise School District opened an investigation into the Valley View incident.

Special education assistant died during arrest

Gavin Snow, a 22-year-old special-education paraprofessional at Valley View Elementary School, killed himself on Jan. 10 when Boise police officers attempted to arrest him at his home, the Idaho Statesman previously reported.

Police began investigating Snow after the Boise School District contacted them over allegations that he was producing child porn, according to a Boise Police Department news release. Police said they obtained a search warrant for his electronic devices, where officers found evidence of child exploitation and the production of child sexual abuse materials.

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The incidents with students took place in Valley Views Structured Learning Center, a place for K-12 students with autism who require a high degree of structure at school, according to the district.

Boise police found that Snow was involved in multiple instances of inappropriate behavior with more than one student in the bathroom and sensory room at Valley View, and no other employees were involved, the school district said.

We deeply regret what happened to the children at Valley View Elementary and the damage done to the trust you place in us every day. We hope that our actions since our discovery of the violations, as well as our long-term commitment to improving student safety, transparency and openness, are evidence of how seriously we take this situation and that we will be accountable for rebuilding our relationship with you and our community.

The district removed Snow from the workplace and contacted police on Jan. 7, the same day an employee reported concerning behavior, district spokesperson Dan Hollar told the Statesman. Hollar said Snow was officially placed on administrative leave on Jan. 8.

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Much of the changes the school is implementing involve ensuring that special-education staff do not bring cellphones into bathrooms and are not left alone with students in the sensory room or during bathroom procedures. The school is also ramping up training on identifying and reporting child abuse.

Boise school policies updated to protect children from abuse

In its summary of actions it has taken following the Snow investigation, the district said it:
NILES, Ohio (WKBN)  A man awaits his preliminary hearing after he was accused of robbing a Niles gas station last month.

Read next: Former city employee sentenced in rape case; victim says he used status to manipulate her

Police were called for a robbery in the 100 block of Vienna Avenue on March 16.

Police identified Lance Holbrook as the person who robbed the business, saying work by detectives helped lead to an arrest.

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According to a police report, the robber was wearing dark clothing and a mask when he entered the business and gave a note to the store clerk saying that he was wearing a bomb vest and had a firearm. Police said the robber demanded that the clerk give him the money in the register. The clerk then proceeded to give the man the money, and police said he ran out of the store.

The manager then showed police video footage of the incident.

According to court records, Holbrook was arrested on a warrant on Tuesday. On Wednesday, Holbrook was arraigned on a felony robbery charge and misdemeanor counts of aggravated menacing and theft. His bond was set at $500,000. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, April 16, in Niles Municipal Court.

Nadine Grimley contributed to this report.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
Since the deepening of the waterway was completed in 2022, the Port of Savannah, the single largest and fastest growing container terminal in the United States, has seen increased shipping traffic. Danielle Gaines/Maryland Matters

Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines canceled earlier projections of record annual profits this week, with CEO Ed Bastian instead warning investors that the airline is canceling expansion plans and preparing for a recession.

Were in uncharted, unprecedented uncertainty when you look at what has happened, Bastian said, calling it a self-inflicted situation.

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Until we get better clarity (from the Trump administration), Bastian said, I think our economy is going to continue to lose steam.

The chaos in Washington and the carnage on Wall Street are also being felt in other ways in Georgia, with retirement accounts depleted, federal workers left jobless and companies large and small forced to reconsider business models that were designed for an economy that is being purposefully dismantled.

In early March, for example, the Georgia Port Authority announced another major expansion of its massive auto-import facility in Brunswick, which is already the second busiest in the nation. According to the GPA, one in 10 jobs in the area now depend upon the port, which is being expanded to store up to 1.4 million vehicles before theyre shipped to dealers inland.

When I drove by the port last week, a huge car carrier was unloading and the storage lots seemed full. Thats no surprise  foreign automakers have been rushing shipments to the United States in an attempt to get their product into the country before tariffs are imposed.

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However, if Donald Trumps economic plan has the impact on imports that he claims to want, those lots could be almost empty in a few weeks or months, and the expansion plan should be canceled.

If we do end up in a recession, it wont be an accidental recession or the type of natural recession that comes at the end of a growth cycle. As Bastian noted, it will be a recession that Trump forced upon us with a nonsensical economic policy. And since his fellow Republicans have been too intimidated or infatuated by Trump to try to intercede, they too will own the political repercussions, which could be broad and deep.

Even before this upheaval, the 2026 election cycle seemed promising for Georgia Democrats. Mid-term elections tend to favor parties out of power, and a popular Republican governor, Brian Kemp, will be leaving office next year. And while Trump has shown the ability to draw casual voters to the polls when his name is on the ballot, he hasnt been able to generate that same turnout from his base in mid-terms.

Take that situation, throw a recession on top of it and you have the makings of a transitional election in Georgia.

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In short, if Democrats choose well, I think the stage is set for a 2026 election season in which Georgia elects its first Democratic governor in a generation, and perhaps other statewide officers as well. (The state Legislature is too well-gerrymandered to turn in a single election.)

The Democratic gubernatorial field has yet to take shape for 26, but we already have a pretty good idea of what the GOP campaign will look like. In the primary, Attorney General Chris Carr, an ally of Kemp and someone viewed as a Trump skeptic by Republican standards, will be running against Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, a Trump supporter so avid that he served as a fake elector in 2020. Jones, a state senator at the time, also demanded that the state Legislature be called into special session to override Georgia voters and give the state to Trump.

Jones hopes to use Trump as a wedge in the 2026 primary campaign, reminding Republican voters that his support for the president has been absolute while Carrs has been more situational. Given the ferocious loyalty of many GOP voters to Trump, maybe that will work, even if the economy turns sour, but in a general election it would likely be fatal.

Even if Carr wins the nomination, the GOP brand may be so toxic, and the party so divided, that a Republican victory becomes unlikely. But failure on the scale that we seem to be courting has to have its consequences.

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WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL)  After experts took the stand for the prosecution and the defense, both sides rested and closed in the trial of a former Knox County sheriff, setting the stage for closing arguments on Thursday morning.

Michael Lloyd Carlson, 65, of Truscott in Knox County, faces a charge of manslaughter stemming from a three-vehicle crash on US 287 near Electra on May 17, 2023, that led to the death of 22-month-old Aveline Hill, of Dallas, at Cook Childrens Hospital.

READ MORE: State rests case in trial of former Knox County sheriff

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Carlson served as the sheriff of Knox County about 25 years ago, according to Knox County officials. Records show he was on probation for deadly conduct at the time of the fatal crash.

Michael Carlson in the 78th District Court on Wednesday, April 9, 2025 (Photo credit: Josh Hoggard, KFDX/KJTL)

Testimony began on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in the 78th District Courtroom, with Judge Meredith Kennedy presiding. The Wichita County jury of 10 women and 2 men was sworn in on Monday, April 7.

Lead prosecutor Chelsea Carlton called a handful of witnesses on Wednesday morning, April 9, 2025, including an expert in accident reconstruction, before resting the states case. After the jury left the courtroom for lunch, Carlson invoked his Fifth Amendment right not to testify.

Defense calls crash reconstruction expert of its own

When testimony resumed Wednesday afternoon at around 1:15 p.m., Mark Barber, Carlsons defense attorney, called their own expert in accident reconstruction, Scott Linkletter, one of over a hundred available forensic experts with Aperture, LLC.

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THE LATEST: Toddlers mother recalls fatal wreck in trial of Michael Carlson

Linkletter testified regarding looming, or a drivers perception of its closing speed as it approaches a vehicle rapidly. Looming is a term often used when describing rear-end collisions.

Scott Linkletter testifying in the 78th District Court (Photo credit: Josh Hoggard, KFDX/KJTL)

Linkletter testified that a looming threshold is the point at which a driver can perceive theyre closing in on a vehicle too fast. He testified that for an average driver, the perception-reaction time is 2.1 seconds. He testified that, adding the time it took Carlson to apply the brakes, he determined Carlsons perception-reaction time was 2.7 seconds.

Linkletter testified that research shows that 85 percent of drivers fell within the percentile that Carlson fell into. He testified it takes some time for a driver to fully appreciate their closing speed if a vehicle is in front of them, especially on open roads, in free-flowing traffic, and rural areas.

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Carlton then cross-examined Linkletter, who testified that while hes testified in several depositions, this trial was the first time hed testified in court.

Carlton asked Linkletter why no more wrecks occurred at the same time if many more cars were behind Carlson. Linkletter testified that he had no specific answer. He testified that he had no idea what Carlson was doing in his pickup before the crash, and that he was not able to definitively if the looming effect occurred or if Carlson was distracted while driving.

Michael Carlson in the 78th District Court on Wednesday, April 9, 2025 (Photo credit: Josh Hoggard, KFDX/KJTL)

I dont have any opinions on whether he was or was not distracted, Linkletter testified.

Before Linkletter left the stand, Carlton asked if a looming effect could occur if a driver was not looking at the road. Linkletter testified that it could not.

Prosecution recalls expert witness for rebuttal

The prosecution then reopened its case and recalled James Evans, an expert in accident reconstruction who testified on Wednesday morning, to testify as a rebuttal witness.

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Evans testified that most of the research on the looming effect has to do with driving at night because tail lights are the only real source of light for those driving after dark. He testified that research in that area doesnt really apply to driving in the daytime.

READ MORE: 1-year-old dies following three-car crash near Electra

Evans then testified that Linkletter didnt really calculate a perception-reaction time, but instead, just created a possible range. He testified that regardless of the range Linkletter testified to, there was still no evidence of Carlson reacting until less than a second before impact.

Perception-reaction time and stopping depends on what you see and when you see it, Evans testified.

James Evans testifying in the 78th District Court on Wednesday, April 9, 2025 (Photo credit: Josh Hoggard, KFDX/KJTL)

Evans testified that most people can see and recognize when traffic is ahead of them on the highway, and that other drivers on U.S. 287 on May 17, 2023, were slowing down due to the detour ahead of them.

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During cross-examination, Barber questioned Evans on the difference between looming in the daytime and at night. Evans testified that in the daytime, a driver has more visual cues than just tail lights to perceive.

Evans testified that he didnt know what Carlson was doing in the pickup before the crash, and that he wasnt aware of his state of mind at the time of the crash. He also testified that he wasnt speeding when the crash took place.

All that time he was driving down the roadway, why did it take so long before he saw there was a problem? Evans asked.

After cross-examination, Carlton indicated she had no further questions. Evans was excused from the witness stand. Carlton once again rested the prosecutions case, then closed it. Barber, on behalf of the defense, closed the case as well.

Stage is set for closing arguments

After Evans was again released from the stand, Carlton again closed the prosecutions case. Barber then closed the case on behalf of the defense.

Michael Carlson in the 78th District Court on Wednesday, April 9, 2025 (Photo credit: Josh Hoggard, KFDX/KJTL)

Attorneys for the prosecution and the defense remained in the courtroom after the jury was dismissed in order to work on the charge that will be read to the 10 women and 2 men to begin proceedings on Thursday, April 10, instructing them on their deliberation.

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After Judge Kennedy reads the charge, both sides will have the opportunity to make final arguments to the jurors, beginning with the prosecution, followed by Carlsons defense, and finished after the prosecution gets another opportunity to address the jury.

READ MORE: Texoma courtrooms busy during spring, summer months

After that, the jury will begin deliberating until a unanimous verdict is reached, either convicting Carlson of manslaughter or acquitting him of the charge.

If the jury finds Carlson guilty, the punishment phase of the trial will begin. Both sides will again present witnesses and evidence to the jury, followed by closing statements. The jury will again deliberate to determine Carlsons sentence.

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Both Carlton and Barber indicated to Judge Kennedy on Wednesday afternoon that they expect to call a handful of witnesses in the punishment phase if Carlson is found guilty by the jury.

If convicted, Carlson faces up to 20 years in prison.

This is a developing story. Stick with Texomas Homepage for updates as more information becomes available. All individuals charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of 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 Texomashomepage.com.
MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG)  A boy was taken to the hospital Tuesday after he reportedly shot himself while trying to escape police, according to the Mobile Police Department.

According to an MPD report, officers were called to the 2000 block of Zula Lane around 5 p.m. for a report of juveniles hanging out at an abandoned house.

Washed out roads make Baldwin County travel challenging

When officers arrived, they heard gunshots and stopped several juveniles, the report said.

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According to the report, one boy ran behind a home in the 1100 block of Jackson Street, where he attempted to jump a fence. In his attempt to escape, the boy accidentally shot himself, the report said.

Officers provided first aid, and the boy was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, the report 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 WKRG News 5.
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, April 10. Turkmenistan's Deputy Foreign Minister Ahmet Gurbanov met with Italian Deputy Foreign Minister Edmondo Cirielli in Rome on April 9, Trend reports.

The parties discussed in detail the possibilities of collaboration in key areas such as energy, water resources, and cultural and inter-university cooperation.

Turkmenistan, holding the fourth-largest natural gas reserves in the world, is a significant partner for Italy in the energy sector. The efficient use of water resources also remains a mutual interest, particularly in the context of regional cooperation, as noted by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Cirielli had previously visited Turkmenistan in January 2025, and met with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Rashid Meredov and Deputy Minister Ahmet Gurbanov. This demonstrates the continued development of the high-level bilateral dialog between the countries.

This meeting reaffirmed the mutual commitment of Turkmenistan and Italy to further develop multifaceted cooperation that serves the interests of both countries and contributes to strengthening stability and prosperity in the region.
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  A 10-year-old boy is being called a hero after helping evacuate two other children from a fire in a home Wednesday in the College Area.

The incident occurred around 5:50 p.m. at an apartment complex in the 5200 of Reservoir Drive, Battalion Chief Oscar Rodriguez with the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department told FOX 5/KUSI.

When first responders arrived on scene, they saw heavy fire coming from a second floor bedroom window. Firefighters were able to knock the fire out quickly.

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Three kids  a ten-year-old boy, his sister and six-month old niece  were all in the same room where the fire happened, according to SDFD.

Rodriguez says the boy was sleeping with his niece and woke up to the fire.

He was able to grab her, call for his other sister, yelled that there was a fire, got out of the unit unharmed. All three were able to get out safe, Rodriguez said.

Bronx Baldwin, the ten-year-old boy, said he first smelled the fire and then saw it, screaming fire to let his sister know. Baldwin grabbed the baby and went outside with his sister while she called 911, he added.

I learned to evacuate and then go to a safe place where the fire doesnt get big, Baldwin said.

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Growing homeless encampment in a City Heights neighborhood is worrying residents

Fire officials believe the fire to be accidental.

Sounds like there might have been a hair iron or some sort of device that was left on a dresser, it matches to what we found in the unit, Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez praised Baldwins quick-thinking.

A tremendous effort from the young man, another two minutes and this couldve been a different story, Rodriguez said.

The blaze caused fire damage to the bedroom, while the rest of the unit has heavy smoke damage. There was no damage to any other units.

One family, an adult and three children, was displaced.

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Rodriguez says Baldwins aunt was at the scene when first responders got there.

She mustve been in the area, but not sure the story behind that. Mom was at work and got there quickly, he said.

When called a hero, Baldwin reacting with a smile saying, I feel awesome.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage)  The Ballinger Police Department is warning citizens to be vigilant after receiving reports that artificial intelligence was being used to mimic a targets voice for fraud.

In an advisory statement issued by BPD on the morning of April 10, the agency stated that it just had a victim of fraud and that AI has been used to mimic the victims voice for the purposes of draining and charging accounts in the victims name.

The department stated that the incident began with a phone call/text and is currently working its way to the phone service company, services and goods, the banks, and companies that the target is not a customer of, at an incredible speed, in a very short period of time.

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As we were talking, the victims new cellphone was blowing up with text messages on purchases and services they did not make! BPD said.

San Angelo man accused of attacking grandmother in shared home

The department advised residents to follow a selection of security tips. These tips are as follows:

Please take care on when and how you answer your phone.

Check your accounts frequently to ensure no unusual activity is occurring.

Utilize multiple verification methods.

Unusual activity immediately contact all agencies to lock your accounts and report the fraud to that companys department.

Do not share your numbers, pins, passwords/codes, private information, account numbers, etc, with anyone!

Lock up all valuable documents

Shred (cross-cut) bills, statements, etc, if you no longer need.

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This isnt the first time AI has allegedly been used in scams targeting Runnels County citizens. In March 2025, the Runnels County Sheriffs Office warned residents about AI-powered scams after receiving reports that a scammer was using AI technology to claim that a targets daughter was injured in a car crash and needed money from gift cards to be admitted into a hospital.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
SAO PAULO (AP)  Brazil will prioritize trade negotiations with the United States to address the tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump as it is continues to expand commercial agreements with other countries as a way to offset the impact, a top foreign trade official said Thursday.

The guidance from the minister and Vice President (Geraldo Alckmin) is to negotiate, negotiate, negotiate, Foreign Trade Secretary Tatiana Prazeres said at an online event hosted by the Brazil-China Business Council. We have an open dialogue with U.S. authorities."

Brazilian imports to the United States have faced a 10% tariff since last week. Steel, one of Brazils key exports to the U.S., has been subject to a 25% tariff since March.

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The United States is Brazils second-largest trading partner, behind China. In 2024, the U.S. trade surplus with Brazil reached $28.6 billion in goods and services.

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has said publicly that Brazil doesnt rule out retaliation but remains committed to dialogue with the U.S.

Brazilian officials from the Foreign Ministry and the Ministry of Industry and Development have held meetings with the Trump administration for over five weeks, according to a top official who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.

Talks began after the U.S. imposed the 25% tariff on Brazilian steel. Brazil has argued that it is a key supplier of semi-finished steel to the U.S., underscoring the integrated nature of the trade: for example, the same ships that bring U.S. coal to Brazil return carrying semi-finished steel, critical to the American industry. Brazilian officials have also warned that penalizing Brazil could strengthen Asian competitors, particularly those backed by China.

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When the 10% tariff was announced on April 2, Brazilian officials felt a certain relief, as they believed the weeks-long negotiations may have helped avoid a worst-case scenario of higher tariffs.

Still, the extra taxes have raised concern and uncertainty.

Brazils top exports to the U.S. include crude oil, aircraft, coffee, cellulose and beef. Orange juice exports are also expected to be significantly affected, as the U.S. accounts for the majority of the exports.

Prazeres said Thursday the U.S. trade war could bring some opportunities. In the past, during the first version of the trade war, we saw an increase in Brazils soybean exports to China. But thats not the scenario we hope for, because the risks are very significant, she said.

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Brazilian authorities are also tracking the potential impact of a surge in Asian exports that are no longer reaching the U.S. market. We are monitoring significant, atypical changes in trade flows, Prazeres added.

While continuing talks with the U.S., Brazil is also working to expand its trade agreements with other countries and blocs. Prazeres highlighted recent deals signed between the Mercosur bloc and Singapore in 2023, and the European Union in 2024. The EU agreement has yet to be ratified by member countries in both regions.

Last week, VP Alckmin said the trade tensions triggered by Trumps tariffs could help accelerate the conclusion of the MercosurEuropean Union agreement.
Its been a volatile few days for the stock market since President Donald Trumps April 2 announcement of 10% baseline tariffs on all imported goods, as well as additional import taxes on 60 countries. On April 9, Trump went on to pause most of his tariffs for three months, while keeping in place the 10% baseline and significantly increasing the tax on imports from China.

The stock market immediately surged after Trump announced his 90-day pause. The S&P 500 rocketed more than 9% Wednesday afternoon, though the Thursday saw a return to extreme volatility as the Dow dropped 1,900 points and the S&P 500 dipped 5%.

Hours before he announced the pause, as stocks were still in negative territory over an intensifying trade war, Trump posted messages on his social media platform, Truth Social, that seemed to be addressed to investors. THIS IS A GREAT TIME TO BUY!!! the President wrote, signing off with his initials DJT, which also serve as the stock symbol for his company, Trump Media and Technology Group Corp. It was noticeable that Trump signed the post with his initialssomething he does not always do. Trump Media and Technology Group saw its stocks shoot up nearly 22% after the announcement of the tariff reversal on Wednesday and they were up a further 5% in pre-market trading early Thursday morning.

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Read More: Is the U.S. Heading Into a Recession Amid Trumps Tariffs? Liberation Day Fallout Sparks Fresh Fears

BE COOL! Everything is going to work out well. The USA will be bigger and better than ever before! Trump had said in another post as the markets opened on Wednesday morning, just a few hours before he posted his decision to pause his tariffs for 90 days.

Lawmakers have made accusations of insider trading

Senator Adam Schiff, a California Democrat, called on Wednesday for an investigation into Trumps great time to buy post, flagging it as potential proof of insider trading or stock market manipulation.

Family meme coins and all the rest of it are not beyond insider trading or enriching themselves. I hope to find out soon, Schiff told TIME. (Trump previously received criticism over the launching of his Trump meme coins in January.)

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According to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), market manipulation is when someone artificially affects the supply or demand for a security, which can include spreading false information or rigging quotes, prices, or trades to make it look like there is more demand.

Insider trading, on the other hand, is described as buying or selling a security, in breach of a fiduciary duty or other relationship of trust and confidence, on the basis of material, nonpublic information about the security. A classic example of this would be if someone privy to information that would change a volatile stock market let their close family or friends know, so that they could either sell or buy stocks in the hopes of turning a profit.

Schiff and other Democrats in Congress argue that the timing of Trumps post raises legal and ethic concerns, and that Trump should make clear who knew about his tariff reversal decision before he announced it, and if any of those people let others know about Trumps decision. When asked about the timing of his decision to pause most tariffs, and when he had settled on that, Trump said in the Oval Office on Wednesday that he had been considering it for a period of time." He explained: I wouldnt say this morning. Over the last few days, Ive been thinking about it I think it probably came together early this morning.

A letter sent to Trump's White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and Jamieson Greer, Acting Director of the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, on Thursday by Schiff and Sen. Ruben Gallego, an Arizona Democrat, addressed a number of concerns. They called for a review of any communications between White House and executive branch agency employees and external parties, including financial institutions, brokers, dealers that may have included non-public information. As a Senator, Schiff can investigate these claims, but lacks the subpoena power that a Congressional committee might employ in such an investigation.

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Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a New York Democrat, also spoke out, calling for all members of Congress to disclose any stocks they had bought in the past 24 hours. Ive been hearing some interesting chatter on the floor, she wrote on X on Wednesday night. Disclosure deadline is May 15th. Were about to learn a few things. Its time to ban insider trading in Congress.

In Schiffs letter of inquiry, he singles out Elon Musk, who's played a high-profile role in the Trump Administration through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

[Stock] in Elon Musks company, Tesla, increased 18% immediately following the Presidents announcement to pause most tariffs, which Mr. Musk had publicly opposed, Schiff wrote.

Meanwhile, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, a New York Democrat, said on Thursday that House Democrats will be launching investigations into possible stock manipulation.

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Read More: Trump Wants to Spin His Tariff Pause as a Win. Its Not

What are experts saying about the insider trading accusations leveled at Trump?

Karen Woody, professor of law at Washington and Lee School of Law, says that an investigation into whether the President or others in his circle engaged in insider trading or other illegal financial transactions is valid.

This isn't a witch hunt, where it seems like allegations that have come out of thin air. This is a pretty clear example of what we would say is some potential of real market manipulation by someone who has the ability to move the markets, Woody says.

Typically, the next steps, according to Woody, would be for the SEC to investigate these accusations, given that [the SEC] is sort of the market watchdog.

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However, Adam Pritchard, law professor at the University of Michigan, says that Trumps Truth Social post itself was pretty clearly not insider trading, unless there is evidence that Trump himself was trading or providing more detailed information to others privately.

If he [the President] says things, you know, to Donald [Trump] Jr, and then Donald Jr. goes and trades on those things, when he was the only one who heard about it, then we've got an issue, right? he says. But when [Trump] says things at a press conference or on social media, then, no, it's not insider trading.

Insider trading law can make violations of it difficult to identify, says Kevin Douglas, an assistant law professor at Michigan State University, who notes there are no federal statutes that explicitly prohibit insider trading and current case law doesn't provide a road map.

The Stock Act, which prohibits the President and federal employees from trading on non-public information, defines non-public information in a way that keeps the law fatally ambiguous, Douglas tells TIME in an emailed statement, highlighting how the lack of a clear definition can complicate matters.

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Woody notes that the situation around Trump's tariff pause is particularly murky, as the same key players are involved across the board.

This is an instance where you have the creators of the crisis, then those who are able to either throw fuel on the fire or try to douse it all, being the same people, Woody says. These [Trump] tariff policies are what created this market crash. And then [with] the stroke ofnot even the pen, but [Trumps social media post]you can fix that. Of course people who know about that are able to take a significant advantage.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
Republican U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan contradicted the Trump administrations contention that a certain Federal Emergency Management Agency funding program is wasteful and advocated for restoration of $2.5 million for flood buyouts in Scranton.

On April 4, FEMA announced its ending of the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program and canceling of all applications from fiscal years 2020-2023. Calling the program wasteful and ineffective, FEMA said in a press release posted online that BRIC funds not yet distributed will be immediately returned either to the Disaster Relief Fund or the U.S. Treasury.

On Tuesday, Scranton Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti issued a letter to Bresnahan, whose district includes Scranton, as well as to Republican U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick and Democratic U.S. Sen. John Fetterman, to advocate in Congress for reinstating and preserving BRIC or an equivalent funding source.

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Ending BRIC will have a direct and detrimental impact on our citys ability to mitigate flood risks, modernize infrastructure, and protect residents in vulnerable neighborhoods, Cognetti said in her letter to the legislators. The city had been working on BRIC-funded buyouts of 18 homes rendered uninhabitable in flash flooding of Sept. 9, 2023, and three vacant lots also deluged. Those properties are on North Merrifield Avenue and Leggett, Mary and Jackson streets. The city intended to pay for the $3.4 million total buyout cost using $2.5 million of BRIC grant funding and $849,000 of city funds, as the citys portion was a 25% contribution.

On Wednesday, Bresnahan, of Dallas Twp., sent a letter to FEMA expressing his opposition to the canceling of BRIC, noting the program began in 2018 during President Donald Trumps first term. Bresnahan noted FEMAs website described BRIC as a shift away from reactive spending of federal dollars on disasters to proactive investments. Ending BRIC now leaves Scranton holding the bag to come up with $2.5 million to complete the buyouts, according to Bresnahans letter, which cites in a footnote a Times-Tribune article reporting on Cognettis letter.

I am writing to express my opposition to FEMAs recent announcement it would cancel the BRIC program  this decision is detrimental to my constituents, and I strongly urge you to reverse this decision, Bresnahans letter said. This program is a hand-up, not a hand-out, to at-risk communities who have suffered catastrophic weather events. This includes my district and Northeastern Pennsylvania.

The 8th Congressional District includes all of Lackawanna, Wayne and Pike and parts of Luzerne and Monroe counties.

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Bresnahans letter continued: Without the support from the BRIC program, the city will be forced to come up with an additional $2.5 million in funding in order to create floodplain restoration and infrastructure, which is important to city public safety and future cost savings.  In cases where communities cannot bear the full cost of property purchases, programs like BRIC are not wasteful, but well within the purview of federal coordination of disaster relief efforts.

FEMAs announcement said ending BRIC will help ensure that grant funding aligns with Trumps executive orders and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noems direction and best support states and local communities in disaster planning, response and recovery.

Last summer, the citys BRIC application for the 21 buyouts passed a key step when FEMA deemed it eligible for funding. The city has since been working on the buyout plan, which calls for acquiring and demolishing the 18 houses that became uninhabitable from the flooding and three vacant adjoining lots. The houses include nine on North Merrifield Avenue and one on Jackson Street, all in the Keyser Valley area; and six on Leggett Street and two on Mary Street, all in North Scranton.

The city previously sought similar FEMA funding in 2021 to buy some flood-prone homes on North Merrifield Avenue but was unsuccessful.

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On Sept. 9, 2023, a deluge that dropped 6 inches of localized rain in a few hours overwhelmed creeks, roads, motorists and homeowners. The storm claimed the lives of a couple who got trapped in their car in the tunnel on Shady Lane Road in South Abington Twp. by rushing runoff from Summit Lake Creek. Storm damage in the area ranged from washed-out, undermined roads in the Notch and North Scranton to flooding of homes in the Keyser Valley.

Scranton firefighters from Rescue 1 arrive in a boat Saturday at Jackson Street and South Merrifield Avenue with a woman rescued from a flooded home on Sept. 9, 2023. (TIMES-TRIBUNE / FILE PHOTO)

CHRISTOPHER DOLAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Scranton firefighters from Rescue 1 arrive in a boat at Jackson Street and South Merrifield Avenue in West Scranton with a woman rescued from a flooded home on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023.A pickup truck flipped onto its roof by flood waters on Sept. 9, 2023 on Leggett Street in Scranton. Photo taken Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023. (TIMES-TRIBUNE / FILE PHOTO)

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In July, FEMA announced $1 billion in funding for 656 total projects nationwide for the 2023 BRIC program of grants to help communities better prepare for natural disasters.

The city also had another BRIC grant of $75,000 in the works that would have allowed the city to hire a consultant to update building codes related to flooding and other hazardous events and train staff members on those updates.

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A home impacted by flooding at 120 N. Merrifield Avenue in Scranton. (CHAD SEBRING/STAFF PHOTO)

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A home impacted by flooding at 207 N. Merrifield Avenue in Scranton. (CHAD SEBRING/STAFF PHOTO)

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A home impacted by flooding at 120 N. Merrifield Avenue in Scranton. (CHAD SEBRING/STAFF PHOTO)

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A homes impacted by flooding at 209 N. Merrifield Avenue in Scranton. (CHAD SEBRING/STAFF PHOTO)

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A homes impacted by flooding at 121 N. Merrifield Avenue in Scranton. (CHAD SEBRING/STAFF PHOTO)

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Homes impacted by flooding at 120 and 122 N. Merrifield Avenue in Scranton. (CHAD SEBRING/STAFF PHOTO)

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A home impacted by flooding at 122 N. Merrifield Avenue in Scranton. (CHAD SEBRING/STAFF PHOTO)

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Homes impacted by flooding at 120 and 122 N. Merrifield Avenue in Scranton. (CHAD SEBRING/STAFF PHOTO)

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A home impacted by flooding at 120 N. Merrifield Avenue in Scranton. (CHAD SEBRING/STAFF PHOTO)

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27,523 people played the daily Crossword recently. Can you solve it faster than others?

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MINDEN, La. (KTAL/KMSS)  Webster Parish Sheriffs deputies quickly captured a Springhill woman who escaped from jail on April 9, 2025.

Sheriff Jason Parker said 19-year-old Kaylee Jones enjoyed less than 15 minutes of freedom after leaving the fourth-floor jail at the Webster Parish courthouse around 11:30 a.m.

Springhill police officers initially arrested Jones on April 4, 2025, for possession of methamphetamines and drug paraphernalia. She was being held on a $2,500 bond. The Sheriff said Jones could escape because one of the safety lock mechanisms on the elevator door was being replaced, which left the door slightly ajar.

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WANTED: Shreveport man accused of punching woman in the face

Jones apparently waited until one of our jailers was busy dealing with other inmates in a rear area and the other was inside the office. She got into the elevator while the deputies were distracted, Parker said.

Parker said that once Jones escaped, someone captured her on a cell phone video, taking off her orange jumpsuit while walking past a nearby business. He said Jones walked to the Shell station on Lee Street, where Deputy Mickey Perryman recognized her from a description issued during a 911 call. He reportedly arrested her without incident. She now faces an additional felony charge of simple escape.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Passengers flying from the Bahamas to London took around 11 hours longer than expected to reach their destination after being diverted not once but twice along the way.

British Airways flight BA252 departed from Grand Cayman Island at 6.21pm EST on Tuesday 8 April for its usual one-hour leg to the Bahamian capital, Nassau, which then took off again for the longer eight-hour leg to London.

The flight was going as planned flying over the Atlantic Ocean when it ended up being diverted to Gander International Airport in Newfoundland, Canada, after a passenger experienced a medical issue.

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After a five-hour journey, the flight landed in Gander, however, the time now was running short on the legally permitted number of hours the crew could operate the flight.

A decision was then made for the Boeing 777 to land at Keflavik International Airport in Iceland so that a new crew could operate the aircraft to London safely.

After just under a three-hour flight from Gander to Reykjavik, passengers then finally completed their journey with a two hours and 20 minutes flight to the UK capital, landing in London at 10.38pm BST on 9 April, data from FlightRadar24 shows.

The journey from Nassau to London took 11 hours more than expected due to both diversions, after leaving the Bahamas at 10.24pm EDT (3.24am BST) on 8 April and landing in London 19 hours later.

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For those journeying all the way from Grand Cayman to London, their flight time would have stretched even longer, having departed at 6.21pm EST (12.21am BST), meaning the total journey would have been around 22 hours.

Simon Calder, travel correspondent of The Independent, said: Clearly pilots will always make the optimum choice for the health of the passengers. But this can trigger difficult consequences for the remaining passengers and crew  as well as tens of thousands of pounds in costs for the airline.

The decision to deploy a new crew to Iceland was evidently chosen by British Airways as the least-bad option. I presume other possibilities, such as staying on the ground at Gander and resting the crew there, were also considered but dismissed.

Anecdotally, medical diversions are happening more frequently  which is what one would expect as the flying population skews older.

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Travellers who want to minimise the risk of being on a plane that has a medical diversion should opt for the lowest-capacity aircraft, such as the JetBlue narrow-bodied jets between the US and UK.

Bluntly: the fewer fellow passengers on the aircraft, the lower the chances of one of them falling seriously ill.

The Independent has contacted British Airways for comment.

For more travel news and advice, listen to Simon Calders podcast
There was a medical emergency on board a British Airways flight from the Bahamas to London.

The flight was diverted to Canada but soon carried on towards its destination.

However, it diverted again to Iceland to pick up a new crew due to the original crew timing out.

More than 200 British Airways passengers were delayed by 11 hours after unexpectedly stopping twice on their way home from the Caribbean.

Tuesday's Flight 252 left Nassau in the Bahamas around 10:30 p.m. local time, bound for London.

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Four hours later, the Boeing 777 was flying over the North Atlantic when it abruptly turned west toward Canada, according to data from Flightradar24.

It diverted to Gander International Airport in Newfoundland and Labrador, which is usually only home to small regional planes.

A source familiar with the situation told Business Insider that the plane had to divert due to a medical emergency.

After the customer deplaned, the flight took off again less than three hours later, per Flightradar24 data.

However, while the flight was again listed as heading to London Heathrow Airport, it actually flew to Iceland first.

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After a roughly three-hour flight, the 28-year-old Boeing 777 landed at Keflavik Airport in the capital, Reykjavik.

It then didn't take off again for more than six hours.

BI understands that due to the first diversion, the flight crew was set to exceed their maximum amount of working hours. So British Airways got creative and arranged for the flight to stop in Iceland  where it was easier to send a replacement crew than it would have been to Canada.

From there, it was another two hours and 20 minutes to the final destination.

The Boeing 777 landed in London around 10:30 p.m. local time on Wednesday. It was initially scheduled to arrive at 11:40 a.m.

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It appears that the original pilots and flight attendants had to stay in Iceland overnight before returning to London.

In medical emergencies such as this, pilots typically have no choice but to land at the nearest airport. That's unlike some technical problems when they can return to a hub airport where it's easier to reroute passengers and crew.

Diverting twice is certainly unusual, but it looks like it ultimately saved the passengers time.

Last May, an Air France flight from Paris to Seattle diverted to Canada's Nunavut territory  and had to wait 11 hours for a replacement plane to pick passengers up.

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Earlier this month, Virgin Atlantic passengers were delayed 40 hours after a medical emergency forced them to divert to a small airport in Turkey  where the plane then had to undergo technical inspections.

Read the original article on Business Insider
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, April 10. Deputy Prime Minister of Turkmenistan Nokerguly Atagulyyev met with Ambassador of Belarus to Turkmenistan Stanislav Chepurny on April 9, 2025, Trend reports, via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus.

The main focus of the discussion was the analysis of the current level and potential for increasing trade turnover between Turkmenistan and Belarus.

The sides exchanged views on expanding the range of goods supplied and exploring new directions for mutually beneficial trade.

Moreover, a separate topic of discussion was the participation of companies from both countries in exhibitions, fairs, and other business events held in Turkmenistan and Belarus. These events are important platforms for establishing direct contacts between business representatives, showcasing investment potential, and signing new contracts.

The work of trade houses established in both countries to promote bilateral trade and support entrepreneurs was also addressed during the meeting. Further improving the activities of these institutions and enhancing their efficiency will contribute to promoting goods and services in the markets of Turkmenistan and Belarus.

A key point of the negotiations was the confirmation of mutual interest in activating direct contacts between entrepreneurs of both countries. Establishing strong business ties, organizing joint business forums, and participating in industry conferences will support the realization of the existing potential for trade and economic cooperation.

The meeting confirmed the readiness of both sides to continue making joint efforts to strengthen and expand mutually beneficial trade and economic relations between Turkmenistan and Belarus.

Earlier, in March 2025, the Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Belarus, Nazarguly Shagulyyev, visited the Minsk Automobile Plant (MAZ) to strengthen cooperation in the automotive industry.
LONDON (Reuters) - British police have arrested the UK head of Greenpeace, alongside five other activists, after they poured 300 litres of blood-red dye into a pond at the U.S. embassy on Thursday in protest against the U.S. sale of arms to Israel.

Will McCallum, the environmental campaign group's UK head, and the others, disguised as delivery riders on bicycles with trailers, Greenpeace said, tipped the dye into the high-security embassy's semi-circular pond.

McCallum and the others were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to cause criminal damage, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

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The Met Police did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Areeba Hamid, co-executive director at Greenpeace, said that the dye was biodegradable and designed to wash away naturally.

"We took this action because U.S. weapons continue to fuel an indiscriminate war that's seen bombs dropped on schools and hospitals, entire neighbourhoods blasted to rubble, and tens of thousands of Palestinian lives obliterated," she said in a statement.

The Israeli offensive in Gaza was launched after Hamas-led fighters attacked southern Israel on Oct 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people and taking 251 hostage, according to Israeli tallies. Since then, retaliatory attacks by Israel have left over 50,000 Palestinians dead, health authorities in Gaza say.

(Reporting by Sam Tabahriti; Editing by Bernadette Baum)
A British teacher held prisoner in the Caribbean escaped by jumping out of the boot of a car.

Zaheer Esat, who runs a private school in Ashby, Leics, was kidnapped at gunpoint in the Cunupia district last Friday while in Trinidad to visit his parents.

The kidnapper used a car to block the road as Mr Esat, 46, and his 70-year-old father and brother-in-law were driving back from visiting a mosque near the west coast of the island.

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The male suspect, armed with a rifle, shouted at the family to lower their heads and dragged Mr Esat from the rear passenger seat of the black Nissan hatchback into his own car. His family were unharmed.

Mr Esat, who is of dual Trinidadian and British nationality, had not been carrying a mobile phone at the time of his abduction, police said

His father, a retired imam who did not wish to be identified, issued urgent pleas for the kidnapper to release him, saying his son suffers from asthma and needs an inhaler.

Two days later, Mr Esat was discovered by a passer-by wandering a cremation site about six miles away from the scene of the kidnapping.

Zaheer Esat was kidnapped in the in the Cunupia district on Friday - Liao Xun/Moment AF

Mr Esat was taken to the police and told investigating officers that he had escaped by jumping out of the boot of a car after being moved by his kidnappers.

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He was taken for medical treatment and has since been released to the care of his family, according to Trinidadian media reports.

At a press conference on Wednesday, Richard Smith, the assistant commissioner of police, announced that a 28-year-old man had been arrested in connection with the incident.

A spokesman for the UK Foreign Office said: We provided support to a British man who was reported missing in Trinidad and were in contact with the local authorities.

Mr Esats online CV states that he is a director at the Lewis Charlton Group of Learning Centres, a private school for pupils with emotional and special educational needs.

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Britain is considering deploying troops to Ukraine for five years under plans being discussed by allies, The Telegraph can disclose.

Military chiefs want the deployment to help train and reconstitute the Ukrainian army to prevent Vladimir Putin from mounting another invasion.

A scheme for a phased withdrawal was raised in the discussions being led by Britain and France over a coalition of the willing to uphold any post-conflict peace agreement.

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Under the plan, one of a number of options on the table, a European-led force would be dispatched to Ukraine to initially deter Russia from breaching any settlement and to offer Kyivs men some much-needed respite.

French military planners have argued that it is highly unlikely Putin would sanction another attack with Western forces inside Ukraine when his troops are only capable of seizing small amounts of territory, The Telegraph understands.

Under the plan, the Franco-British-led reassurance force would also offer to help protect Ukraines skies and seas.

But the main aim of the deployment would be to immediately start helping to train and rebuild Ukraines armed forces to deter another Russian attack. They would later withdraw in stages with final troops to leave around the five year mark, The Telegraph understands.

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It would put the UK, France and their Western allies in a race to rebuild and bolster Ukraines military before Moscow is once again ready to wage full-scale war.

British, Danish and German intelligence chiefs believe Putin could be ready in as little as five years.

A European-led force would be dispatched to Ukraine to initially deter Russia from breaching any peace settlement - TOMS KALNINS/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

After co-chairing a meeting of 30 nations, John Healey, the Defence Secretary, said he wouldnt reveal details of the plans being discussed because it simply makes Putin wiser.

But he told reporters: We have discussed, and I confirmed, our four aims or objectives in military planning: secure the skies, secure the seas, support peace on land and support the regeneration and strength of the Ukrainian forces.

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The Ukrainians themselves say our best security for the future will be the strength of our own forces and our ability to deter Russia ourselves in the future.

Ministers were briefed on recent talks between Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, head of the British Armed Forces, and General Thierry Burkhard, his French counterpart, and their Ukrainian counterparts.

It was then hoped the ministers would discuss what their countries were willing to provide in terms of the potential force, including land, sea and air forces or logistical and intelligence support.

But some officials were disappointed with the response to the plans set out by Adml Sir Tony amid concern the coalition of the willing plans were moving too slowly and remained unclear.

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Mr Healey said: Were deepening the military planning. Its not complete, but what today signified was greater momentum.

What is our goal?

Ministers arriving at the talks on Thursday, which were symbolically held at Nato without the Americans, suggested they were still unaware of the format of any potential deployment in Ukraine.

When it comes to any reassurance force, then also we need to know what it is really about? asked Kaja Kallas, the EUs top diplomat.

Is it deterrence? Is it monitoring? Is it peacekeeping? What is our goal?

Pal Jonson, Swedens defence minister, told reporters: I think its helpful if theres clarity on what the mission would entail and what we do if we were a peacekeeping, deterrence or reassurance.

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It came as Prince Harry made an unannounced visit to Ukraine on Thursday to meet victims of the war at a clinic in Lviv for wounded soldiers.

Discussions over the possible coalition of the willing have become bogged down in recent weeks as the peace talks led by Donald Trump have failed to produce a ceasefire.

This has held up political decisions over the options being drawn up by a team of almost 200 military planners.

Other countries have raised concerns about sending troops to Ukraine without what Sir Keir Starmer has described as a US backstop.

So far, Mr Trump has not signalled that he would allow the US to be directly involved in any reassurance force.

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But Mr Healey said: The Americans are taking responsibility for brokering and negotiating the peace, and in most terms, they will have some responsibility and role for securing it for the long term.

What the coalition of the willing can do is to reinforce that ability to put in place not just a negotiated peace but one that will last.

The Defence Secretary will return to Nato HQ for further talks over boosting immediate military support for Ukraine on Friday.

Healey announces Kyiv funding surge

In the meeting, co-chaired with Germany, he will announce a 450 million surge in funding for Kyiv, to purchase hundreds of thousands of drones and maintain equipment and vehicles donated by Britain



We cannot jeopardise peace by forgetting the war, which is why todays major package will surge support to Ukraines frontline fight, he will say.



Separately, Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, will hold talks with EU counterparts in Warsaw on a joint project with the bloc to boost defence spending.



A strong economy needs a strong national defence. That is why the Chancellor will be travelling to Warsaw to make the case for deeper defence financing cooperation with our European allies so together we deliver greater economic and national security in a changed world, a Treasury source said.

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King Charles and Queen Camilla are living their best lives on their royal tour through Italy. From a glamorous State Banquet at the Palazzo to soaking up history at the Colosseum, their four-day trip has been nonstop. And of course, no tour would be complete without a stop at the Vatican to meet the Pope Franciswhich they absolutely made happen.

Buckingham Palace dropped a photo from the visit, showing Queen Camilla dressed in classic all-black, shaking hands with Pope Francis. King Charles stood right beside her in a sharp black suit, holding a red box (what was inside? I'm curious too).

Che occasione speciale, the caption readItalian for What a special occasion.

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A special moment for Their Majesties as they privately met His Holiness Pope Francis at the Vatican yesterday," the post continued. "The King and Queen were deeply touched by The Popes kind remarks about their 20th wedding anniversary and honoured to be able to share their best wishes to him in person."

Their trip wraps up on April 10 and while its been packed with official duties and photo ops, one extra-special detail stands outtheir anniversary fell right in the middle of it. It's unclear if they got a chance to celebrate privately but the Palace definitely made sure the milestone was marked.

To honor 20 years together, the official royal Instagram posted a sweet highlight reel of the couple over the yearsfrom dancing and laughing to traveling the world together. The simple caption? 20 Happy Years.

They posted more snapshots of Charles and Camilla touring Rome, including visits to iconic spots like the Colosseum and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

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When in Rome, they cheekily captioned the post, complete with the Italian flag emoji. Iconic.

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I Noticed an Interesting Detail About King Charles & Queen Camilla's Body Language in Italy
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  A series of violent altercations in Buffalo Public Schools has raised concerns among educators and staff, with at least three recent student fights resulting in injuries that required teachers to seek medical attention.

Marc Bruno, a teacher at Riverside High School and a representative for the Buffalo Teachers Federation, said that while student fights are nothing new, the frequency and severity of recent incidents  coupled with what he describes as a lack of adequate response from the district  mark a dangerous turning point.

They dont want to have those students who are doing the right thing every single day further traumatized by a small minority of students, Bruno said.

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According to Bruno, two teachers at Riverside Academy were injured during fights within the past two weeks. One teacher was reportedly punched multiple times in the face and taken to the emergency room. Another teacher suffered a bruised shoulder after being pushed aside.

At Southside Elementary, a female substitute administrator was trampled by a group of 7th grade students rushing to film a fight. Sources close to the situation said the administrator was hospitalized with a broken hip and a neck injury.

The District is aware of these physical altercations, Buffalo Public Schools said in a statement. This type of behavior greatly compromises the safety of staff and students and will not be tolerated under this administration.

The district added that the students involved have been disciplined in accordance with the Buffalo Public Schools Code of Conduct.

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For Bruno and other educators, the response falls short.

As the union rep there, I filed a grievance about school safety and violence 1,147 days ago, and its still pending, Bruno said.

The unresolved grievance includes concerns over recurring fights, weapons being brought into school buildings, malfunctioning door locks, and the transfer of violent students to Riverside without prior notice. Bruno said the case may finally go to arbitration within the next month.

The fact that its taking 1,147 days to address these issues  and counting  shows how totally dysfunctional the Buffalo Public Schools are, Bruno said.

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Bruno claims he has repeatedly emailed the district about safety issues and was even written up for doing so. According to him, the districts policy requires staff to channel concerns through a secretary, but he insists he was acting in his capacity as a union representative.

As a result, Bruno said he plans to bring the issue before a Public Employment Relations Board judge in early May.

Were charging the district with retaliating against me for protected union activity, Bruno said. I am unafraid. I know what my rights are, and Im a passionate advocate for the students and staff at my school.

The mounting tension underscores ongoing concerns from educators who say safety issues have reached a breaking point and that change is long overdue.

Latest Local News

Dillon Morello is a reporter from Pittsburgh who has been part of the News 4 team since September of 2023. See more of his work here and follow him on Twitter.

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Burkittsville would spend about $93,000 in the upcoming fiscal year under the towns proposed fiscal 2026 budget, although officials and residents will discuss the towns spending plan more at their meeting in May.

A very early draft of the budget, according to Mayor Michael Robinson, was briefly discussed at the towns meeting Monday night.

The draft budget includes a projected beginning balance of $195,000, and an ending balance of $101,701, according to a copy provided Monday.

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It includes $65,000 in anticipated revenue.

Expenses include $24,669 for trash removal, $600 in dues for membership in the Maryland Municipal League, $6,000 for attending MMLs summer conference, and $2,000 to attend the Leagues fall conference.

The budget also includes $20,000 for an audit of the towns operations by Frederick accounting firm LSWG. The money would pay for one new audit and one previous years audit, according to the draft budget.

Robinson said he expects much more discussion of the budget at the May meeting.

Any and all feedback is welcome, he said.

 Ryan Marshall
EASTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP)  A new business is catering to neurodiverse children and their families in Hampshire County.

Its National Autism Acceptance Month, so this business comes at a perfect time, when more community spaces are needed for children on the autism spectrum. With an estimated 1 in 36 children in the U.S. identifying as neurodivergent, the residents of Easthampton saw this need in the community.

Were seeing a clear community need for additional support, programming and education for some of our youngest residents who have a completely different way of communicating, interacting and growing in the world, said Nicole LaChapelle, Mayor of Easthampton.

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Autism prevalence fuels push for Turning 22 supports

Three women, Amy Christiansen, Suzanne Hopkins, and Sunia Hood, used their personal experience and research over the last five months to find a solution to support neurodiverse children and their families.

Right next to Shelburne Falls Coffee Roasters, they opened up The Neuro Bridge on Wednesday. Its an organization that aims to provide unique sensory, social, and emotional needs in an inclusive environment.

So what were doing on Saturdays from 1:00 to 5:00, we have a play group, its a sensory friendly play group, where well work with the kiddos on socializing and developmental skills, so its an opportunity for parents to step away, said Amy Christiansen, co-founder of The Neuro Bridge.

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If it gets too loud or too crowded, children can come into another room, called the Quiet Zone, where the lights are dimmed to calm their sensory system. Other rooms will be used for family consultations, caregiver support groups, and hands-on workshops for a reasonable cost.

Were hoping to do some work with the Department of Developmental Services to help navigate how parents and families can find funding opportunities, Christiansen said.

Theyll also be working with hair salons and restaurants to train their employees on how to work with kids on the spectrum. Their goal is to make families feel comfortable going out in public no matter what.

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.

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(CANON CITY, Colo.)  As the first quarter of 2025 wraps up, Canon City leaders are diving into crime trends, police response times, and how resources are being distributed to ensure community safety. The goal? To take a detailed look at crime data and evaluate how the police department is managing it.

Between Jan. 1 and March 31 of this year, the Canon City Police Department (CCPD) responded to 5,861 calls for service, generating a total of 839 case numbers. These cases covered everything from criminal offenses to non-criminal incidents and traffic situations.

Heres a quick breakdown of the current police staffing situation:

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Four patrol sergeants

11 patrol units (with each unit assigned either one officer per vehicle or two officers per vehicle in training units)

One K-9 unit (a team consisting of an officer and a K-9 who also works in patrol)

Patrol officers work 12-hour shifts, either from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. or 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Theres a sergeant on duty to supervise each shift, with three officers assigned to each one.

The department is currently reviewing crime trends to compare how things have changed since the final quarter of 2024. According to the early numbers, crime overall has dropped slightly by 4%, with arrests up by 8%. Total cases have remained about the same, sitting at around 839 incidents for the quarter.

Whats happening with property crimes?

When it comes to property crimes, the picture is a bit mixed. Heres how the numbers stack up compared to the last quarter of 2024:

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Burglary : 22 cases, which is a 38% increase

Criminal mischief/defacing property : 35 cases, a 29% drop

Theft offenses : 93 cases, an 11% decrease

Motor vehicle theft : 13 cases, down by 7%

Total property crimes: 174 cases, a 13% decrease overall

What about crimes against people?

Personal crimesthose involving the threat or use of force against another personare also under review. Heres a quick snapshot of the changes:

Sexual assault : 14 cases, down 18%

Aggravated assault : 19 cases, a 37% decrease

Intimidation : 63 cases, an increase of 19%

Total person crimes: 143 cases, a slight 3% drop overall

How are police responding?

The CCPD divides Canon City into four response zones, with zones 1 through 3 covering the northern side of Highway 50 and the east side of town. When it comes to response times, things are looking pretty efficient. A whopping 82% of calls are answered, and officers are on their way within 0 to 3 minutes, and about 75% of those calls see officers arrive within that same 3-minute window.

The CCPD divides Canon City into four response zones, with zones 1 through 3 covering the northern side of Highway 50 and the east side of town. When it comes to response times, things are looking pretty efficient.

The police department presented all of this information to the Canon City Council at their meeting on Wednesday, April 9, at 6 p.m.

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CONCORD, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  Former Cabarrus County chair Chris Measmer was appointed as a state senator, Gov. Josh Steins office reported Thursday.

The move came the same day that Cabarrus County commissioners voted to replace board chair Measmers spot on the board. They voted for Lamarie Stripling Thursday morning by written ballot.

Measmer has been tapped by county Republican leaders to fill an open seat in the state senate.

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PREVIOUS | Cabarrus County board chair selected as GOP nominee for NC Senate seat

That seat is being vacated by Republican Senate Majority Leader Paul Newton, who announced his resignation roughly two weeks ago to become the vice-chancellor at UNC-Chapel Hill.

The board says 40 nominations were made for Measmers replacement. Though Stripling is filling Measmers spot on the board, it has not been announced who will become the chair.

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NEW YORK (PIX11)  According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, about 1,700 pounds of butter has been recalled due to coliform bacteria contamination.

The Vermont-based company, Cabot Creamery, issued a voluntary recall of its Extra Creamy Premium Butter with sea salt in New York, among other states.

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A company spokesperson told Nexstar that 99.5% of the product was recovered before it reached consumers. However, 17 packages were sold in Vermont, according to the company.

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Coliform bacteria is sometimes detected in Vermonts private water systems, the states health department says.

More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State

The bacteria is common in soil and the digestive waste of animals and humans, but isnt meant to make it into the food supply. Most types of coliform wont make you sick if youre exposed, but some subtypes, such as E. coli, can cause gastrointestinal issues.

No illnesses have been reported in this case, said a representative of Agri-Mark, the parent company of Cabot Creamery.

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.

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(PUEBLO, Colo.)  The Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP) is urging Governor Jared Polis and the Colorado legislative leadership to take action against legislation that it claims has weakened the states criminal justice system and, in turn, puts public safety at risk.

The letter, written by CACP, claims that despite improvements to the legislation, Colorado still ranks eighth nationally in violent crimes and fourth in property crime rates.

The blood of my officers lays at the steps of our Capitol and the reckless and soft-on-crime legislation, said Pueblo Police Department Chief Chris Noeller following the incident that left three officers injured in March.

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The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, March 18, left three officers injured and a suspect dead. According to the Pueblo Police Department, officers were originally responding to a shots fired call after reports that an officer had been shot. According to the letter, the police officer was ambushed while sitting in his patrol car by Billy Soto, a man who was out on bond for three felonies despite 14 prior felony arrests.

Suspect dead, three officers injured in Pueblo shooting

The officer was shot in the head and left gravely injured. Two additional officers responding to the scene were also critically injured  one likewside suffering a devastating head wound  as the suspect unleashed a barrage of nearly 80 rounds from an AR-15.

According to the Pueblo Police Department, two officers have been released, and the third officer is expected to be released over the weekend of April 11. The letter further explains that all three officers are facing long roads to recovery.

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The letter also states different incidents where officers have been put in danger due to soft-on-crime legislation. Recently, according to the letter, Arvada officers were shot at by an offender who had been sentenced to 18 years in prison but was out after serving just six years. Three years prior, in 2022, an Arvada officer was killed by a repeat offender while responding to a domestic disturbance.

Another incident mentioned details how a suspect who attacked a special-needs individual was released on a $5,000 bond and was recently arrested again for harassment and threats in 2023.

These are only a few examples among many where soft-on-crime legislation has adversely impacted public safety across our state, the letter states. Our officers could provide countless more instances where policies prioritizing leniency over accountability have endangered both law enforcement and the communities we serve.

The letter asks Polis and lawmakers to make changes and even invites them to join CACP in creating safer communities. It asks Polis to stand with law enforcement by publicly opposing and committing to veto legislation. The letter asks legislative leadership to both enhance accountability for offenders and halt the advancement of any bills that would further weaken public safety until they receive proper vetting through a comprehensive stakeholder process.

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The letter lists various actions impacting community safety, including:

Weakened sentencing

Ineffective Drug Policies

Rejected Public Safety and Accountability Measures

Furthermore, the letter continues to address current measures that it stated would further weaken community safety, such as HB25-1206, which would reduce penalties for attempted murder.

The Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police stands as your committed partners in public safety. Every day, our officers put their lives on the line to protect the citizens of Colorado  a mission we share with you as state leaders. While we appreicate, and stand with, Governor Polis commitmment to making Colorado one of the top ten safest states and the legislatures desire to create a more just system, we need a streghtened collaborative approach that recognized the frontlife reality our officers face. The crisis require all of us  law enforcement, executive leadership, and legislative bodies  working in concert to restore the balance between rehabilitation and accounatbility that has been lost through a pattern of increasing leniency toward criminal behavior. Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police

Measures that CACP supports include classifying theft of firearms as a felony regardless of value (HB25-1062) and addressing accountability in courts (HB25-1276). CACP also states that Colorado voters have demonstrated their concern about public safety through measures like Proposition 130 and Proposition 128.

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To read the full letter:

An-Urgent-Appeal-to-Governor-Polis-and-Colorado-Legislative-Leadership

Adrian Vasquez, Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) Chief of Police, also rallied behind CACPs statement.

I stand in full support and applaud the remarks made by Pueblo Police Chief Chris Noeller. Chief Noellers comments highlight the importance of the letter submitted to Governor Polis and to our state legislators by the Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police. In recent years, legislative changes out of the Capitol have significantly limited law enforcements ability to hold prolific and violent repeat offenders accountable for serious crimes. These restrictions have impactful and ongoing consequences. The bottom line  poor legislation has made our city streets a more dangerous place for our citizens and officers, who are committed to doing whatever they are called to do to protect the Colorado Springs community every day. We need to provide officers with tools to make our cities safer, rather than provide a safe haven for prolific criminal offenders. Adrian Vasquez, Chief of Police CSPD

We share your commitment to a Colorado where all residents can feel safe, the letter states. As your partners in public safety, we stand ready to work together toward this goal. The time for collaborative action is now.

FOX21 News reached out to the Governors Office for comment and received the following statement:

Governor Polis appreciates the police chiefs in supporting his vision to make Colorado safer, which is what the Governor has been working to do, and agrees with the points they make and is grateful for their advocacy . He and the chiefs are in alignment on proactive legislation this year, and Governor Polis has fought for and signed laws to provide more funding to local law enforcement, invest in proven crime prevention programs, crack down on auto theft and illegal firearm activity to help local law enforcement and make our communities safer. Thats why weve seen crime decrease in almost every category between 2023-2024, including a 15% decrease in property crime, a 9% reduction in homicides, and a 26% decrease in auto theft. The Governor looks forward to partnering with law enforcement to advance our shared legislative public safety priorities, including passing a bill to address gun theft and making motor vehicle theft a more serious offense while wielding the veto if and when necessary. The Governor wants to continue building on this success and make Colorado even safer for all. Spokesperson for the Governors Office

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado.
SAN FRANCISCO  California Attorney General Rob Bonta is facing growing pressure from major nonprofits to take action against OpenAI  a move that could potentially place him in an awkward alliance with Elon Musk.

The pressure campaign comes as Musks rivalry with former business partner Sam Altman is heating up in court over OpenAIs plan to become a for-profit company.

Bonta is already probing OpenAIs shift to a for-profit model, but should his office further shoulder into the legal dispute, they could find themselves on the same side as estranged early OpenAI funder Musk, who has taken the Delaware-incorporated company to court to block its conversion. OpenAI countersued the billionaire in federal court Wednesday.

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Musk and Bonta would make even stranger bedfellows. The top state lawyer has increasingly become the face of Californias Trump resistance, suing the administration over the Musk-led DOGE effort to fire thousands of federal workers and choke off federal funding to California and other states. Meanwhile, Bonta is also defending the states social media laws against Musks legal challenges.

A coalition of nonprofit leaders sent a letter to Bonta's office on Wednesday, including from the San Francisco Foundation and Economic Security Project, as well as labor groups, calling on the AG to take action to transfer OpenAIs charitable assets to a truly independent nonprofit or nonprofits.

This isn't about trying to stop the conversion of nonprofit to for-profit, Fred Blackwell, the CEO of the San Francisco Foundation, told POLITICO's California Decoded newsletter. It's really purely about making sure the assets that were accumulated for the public good stay that way.

The group points to the state attorney general's office intervening in the 1990s when nonprofit health companies like The California Wellness Foundation (a petition signatory) were established through a transfer of charitable assets.

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Similarly, it is imperative that the Attorney General demand the distribution of OpenAI, Inc.s charitable assets to independent nonprofit entities that will use these assets for public benefit, the petition said.

Blackwells group sent a letter to Bontas office in January to that effect before filing the longer detailed petition, where they characterize potentially the entirety of OpenAIs latest $300 billion valuation as charitable assets.

Our Board has been very clear that we intend to strengthen the non-profit so that it can deliver on its mission for the long term. We're not selling it, we're doubling down on its work, an OpenAI spokesperson said in a statement.

The company previously told POLITICO it plans to make its nonprofit parent company a shareholder in the new for-profit enterprise, and to appoint a committee to oversee and distribute the assets that flow into it.

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OpenAI met with the petitioners before they filed their petition Wednesday and offered to have their respective legal teams meet, according to an email seen by POLITICO, and a person with knowledge of the situation who was not authorized to discuss it publicly.

Bontas office said in an emailed statement that the California "Department of Justice is committed to protecting charitable assets for their intended purpose.

His office declined to comment on any ongoing investigations, but referenced its letter to OpenAI requesting restructuring plans and the value of its charitable assets.

OpenAI countersued Musk in a California court on Wednesday, directly disputing his claims and accusing him of intentionally trying to hamstring OpenAI as he builds his own competitor, xAI.

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Elons nonstop actions against us are just bad-faith tactics to slow down OpenAI and seize control of the leading AI innovations for his personal benefit, the company wrote on X, the site Musk owns.

The Delaware attorney generals office has said it is in conversation with OpenAI and is reviewing the matter.

Musks attorneys have tried to bring Bonta into the case he filed against OpenAI on public interest grounds, but so far the attorney general has declined, said Rose Chan Loui, a nonprofit law expert at UCLA.

Bonta is trying to get out of the federal case mostly on the argument that they cant be dragged into federal court, she said. But Elon Musk has filed a brief saying that were not dragging you in as a defendant, were dragging you as a matter that concerns you.

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At stake is not just the open question of how much of the companys $300 billion valuation should be conserved as nonprofit assets, Loui said. The company in raising its latest $40 billion funding round agreed to return half that amount if it does not make the change to a for-profit this year.

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A bill to require voter ID and proof of citizenship to register to vote was rejected by California lawmakers Wednesday, though the Republican sponsor of the legislation vowed not to give up.

Assemblymember Carl DeMaio (R-San Diego) announced that he plans to launch a campaign to qualify his proposal as a statewide ballot initiative for the 2026 election.

DeMaio described his proposal as a nonpartisan issue when it came before the Assembly Committee on Elections Wednesday morning. The bill failed on a party-line vote of 3 to 2 over concerns from opponents that more requirements would disenfranchise eligible voters and embolden false claims that California's elections are not secure.

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"We have the lowest level of public trust and confidence in our elections that we have ever seen. All the polling shows that, and that is something that Democrats and Republicans should see as a democracy issue, not a partisan issue," DeMaio said during the hearing.

Most Americans approve of requiring voters to provide identification and proof of citizenship, polls show. According to a Gallup poll in October, 84% of Americans support photo ID and 83% support providing proof of citizenship when registering to vote for the first time.

DeMaio believes that the initiative will have widespread support in California too, calling it "shameful" for his colleagues to kill the bill.

"Democrat, Republican and everyone in between, [voters] care about the health of our democracy. They demand more integrity from our elections," he said afterward.

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Assembly Bill 25 would have required people to provide some kind of documentation of citizenship when registering to vote, and for registered voters to present a photo ID before voting in person. The legislation was co-sponsored by Assemblymember Bill Essayli (R-Corona), who last week was appointed as U.S. attorney for Los Angeles and surrounding areas.

According to a legislative analysis of the bill, it was unclear what kind of documents could be used to prove citizenship. A California Real ID can be obtained by permanent and temporary residents who are not citizens, and some people born in American territories, such as American Samoa, can obtain a U.S. passport as U.S. nationals but are not considered citizens.

Currently in California, people registering to vote sign a declaration under oath that they are U.S. citizens and eligible to vote, but do not have to provide proof of citizenship  a stipulation that DeMaio called a "pinky swear."

DeMaio's bill would have required Californians voting by mail to provide the last four digits of a government-issued identification number, like a Social Security number or driver's license. If the numbers didn't match, the ballot would be disqualified.

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According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 36 states request or require voters to show some kind of identification at polling stations, although laws vary regarding a photo ID.

California is one of 14 states, along with Washington, D.C., that uses other verification methods, such as matching signatures from a ballot to information on the voter's registration file.

Forcing otherwise eligible voters to obtain government documents "amounts to what we consider to be an unconstitutional poll tax," said Dora Rose, deputy director of the League of Women Voters of California, who testified in opposition to the bill. It would disenfranchise vulnerable groups of people, she said  women, people with disabilities, communities of color and the elderly.

Changing the law also could bring credence to claims of widespread voter fraud  which repeatedly has been debunked, Rose told committee members.

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Committee Chair Gail Pellerin (D-Santa Cruz), who voted against the bill, agreed.

"I hope that my colleagues on the committee will join me in rejecting baseless attempts to erode public trust in California's elections," she said. Pellerin suggested that if elected state representatives didn't believe state elections were valid, they should resign.

DeMaio's Republican allies on the committee pushed back. David J. Tangipa (R-Fresno) said the argument that some people were too poor or not intelligent enough to secure a government-issued ID was offensive.

Last week, California and a coalition of other states sued the Trump administration to block the presidents recent executive order seeking to radically reshape voting rules nationwide, including requiring voters to provide proof of citizenship, at the penalty of states losing access to federal funds.

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Read more: Trump's executive order on elections is far-reaching. But will it actually stick?

California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta said Trumps order was an illegal attempt by the White House to strip states of their authority to oversee elections.

Trump  who has falsely asserted that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from him  has said the U.S. voting system is wildly outdated and alleged that fraud and voting by noncitizen immigrants is a major problem.

Trump's order, if upheld by the courts, would require all voters in the U.S. to show proof of citizenship  such as a passport or Real ID  before they could register to vote in any federal election. Bonta said the presidents order is unconstitutional and that its up to states to regulate and administer elections, and that California has decided that requiring voter ID is unnecessary.

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There is no evidence of any widespread voter fraud, there is no evidence that proof of citizenship is needed to secure the integrity of our elections, Bonta said during a news conference last week.

Read more: 'Why do we need to rush?' California's Lake County may have the nation's slowest elections department

DeMaio's bill also would have overhauled other election laws. In a state where some counties take a month to count ballots, even those postmarked on election day, the bill would have required all ballots to be counted within 72 hours.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
California and a coalition of other states sued Thursday to block the Trump administration's attempt to take back hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding intended to support the academic recovery of students whose education was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The previously awarded funding  including more than $200 million for California alone  is currently being used by schools for after-school and summer learning programs, student mental health services, new classroom technology and other infrastructure needs, all of which would be in danger if the funds are stripped away, California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta said in an interview with The Times.

While the COVID-19 emergency has ended, the negative impacts of school closures and on-line learning persist, with students across the country lagging behind academically, Bonta said.

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The Biden administration had granted an extension to use the funds. But Education Secretary Linda McMahon announced last month that the funding would be immediately rescinded because the pandemic is over. Bonta called the action "arbitrary and capricious" and therefore illegal under federal law.

"The Biden administration extended the funding because the funding is not related to just a state of emergency. It's related to ongoing challenges, like the ongoing mental health challenges that students are facing, that we all know about and that have been well documented, [and] the need to address learning loss," Bonta said. "It's a complete fallacy and a red herring to suggest that, since the state of the emergency is over, the funding should end, too."

California's lawsuit, which it filed alongside 14 other states and the District of Columbia in federal court in New York, alleges that McMahon's withdrawal of funding violates the Administrative Procedure Act, and calls on the court to preempt serious harm the withdrawal will cause to the states' students by immediately restoring access to the funds through March 2026.

Neither the Education Department nor the White House immediately responded to a request for comment Thursday. The Los Angeles Unified School District said in a statement that it had mostly expended its COVID-related funds, so the Trump administrations actions will not significantly impact it. Other districts in the L.A. region were unable to comment.

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McMahon's March 28 letter, sent to school districts around the country, was one of the latest moves by the Trump administration to eliminate or claw back federal funding previously allocated to the states  part of a wider effort by the administration to eliminate what it calls waste, fraud and overspending by a bloated federal government.

Read more: Trump guts the Education Department with massive layoffs; shock waves reach California

President Trump has directed McMahon to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, and in early March laid off about half of the agencys employees, which California and other states are also suing to stop. Democrats have criticized Trump's stated intention of shuttering the Education Department as illegal and reckless  it would take an act of Congress to shut it down entirely  and many in Congress similarly blasted McMahon's attempt to rescind remaining COVID-19 funds.

In her letter, McMahon wrote that the school districts had been given ample time to spend the funding, missed their original deadlines for doing so, and would therefore be stripped of it. The Biden administration extension to spend the funding "does not change anything" or preclude the rescinding of the funds now, because the extension was "discretionary" and "subject to reconsideration."

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"Extending deadlines for COVID-related grants, which are in fact taxpayer funds, years after the COVID pandemic ended is not consistent with the Departments priorities and thus not a worthwhile exercise of its discretion," McMahon wrote.

She said that new extensions would be considered on "an individual project-specific basis," upon request by districts.

In their own April 7 letter, Democratic members of Congress  including Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and a handful of House representatives from California  called on McMahon to reverse the decision immediately, saying many districts had received extensions more than six months prior to McMahon's letter and already allocated the funding.

The lawmakers called McMahon's move an "abrupt and chaotic revision of policy" that was "not helpful to students," and said they were alarmed by McMahon's "lack of recognition of the lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our nation's students."

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Read more: Low math and English scores mark the nation's report card, California and L.A. included

The lawmakers pointed to recent National Assessment of Educational Progress results, which showed national scores below pre-pandemic levels in all grades and subjects, and continued high rates of chronic absenteeism.

The lawmakers alleged McMahon's decision was "yet another way this administration is seeking to strip educational opportunities for students in order to pay for tax cuts for billionaires and large corporations."

Bonta said there may be a lawful way for the White House and the Education Department to carefully review educational funding and reassess individual grants, but McMahon's sweeping decision  on the argument that COVID-19 disruptions have ended  was not it.

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Thursday's lawsuit is the 13th filed against the current Trump administration by Bonta's office, and not the first based on allegations that the Trump administration has violated the Administrative Procedure Act.

"We believe he has broken the law again here and in the process deprived children, America's students, of critical funding," Bonta said. "We're not going to stand for it and we'll see them in court."

The funding in question was originally allocated under two 2021 measures, the American Rescue Plan Act and the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act.

California was joined in the lawsuit by Arizona, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon and the District of Columbia. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro also joined, though the state  represented by a Republican attorney general  did not.

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Other litigation is also pending against the Education Department.

A lawsuit brought by the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates and two parents last month alleges the Trump administration's hollowing-out of the department has hampered investigations by its Office for Civil Rights into school-based discrimination.

"Even as OCR generally stopped investigating complaints from the public based on race or sex discrimination, it cherry-picked and, on its own initiative, began targeted investigations into purported discrimination against white and cisgender students," the complaint alleges.

On Thursday, several additional parents and students with pending discrimination claims joined the case, which asks the court to "restore the investigation and processing capacity of OCR and to process OCR complaints promptly and equitably."

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
(KRON)  State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond announced Wednesday that 19 school attendance review boards (SARBs) statewide have been designated as model programs for exemplary practices in improving student attendance.

Thurmond stressed the importance of keeping children in classrooms and avoiding suspensions.

Thurmond said, School attendance improvement programs are a critical tool to have children back in the classroom, which is an important part of academic success and social-emotional well-being. I commend each Model SARB as they voluntarily undertake the responsibility to serve as an example of best practices and extend technical assistance to other SARBs, school districts, and counties throughout California.

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School attendance improvement programs  at the school district or county level  include efforts to reduce the use of exclusionary school discipline practices of suspensions and expulsions. Instead of rejecting students from classrooms through expulsions, the programs use prevention efforts and positive alternative means of correction.

UC San Francisco researchers study creativity in childrens minds

The exemplary practices implemented by model programs shared similarities, such as utilizing school funds to invest in new and existing staff. Improved professional development has focused on enhancing cultural competencies, elevating social and emotional learning, recognizing and addressing mental health needs, and providing engaging practices for students in remote learning.

2025 Model SARB Recognition awards will be presented to the following school districts SARBs:

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Bakersfield City School District (Kern County)

Beaumont Unified School District (Riverside County)

Chowchilla Elementary School District (Madera County)

Conejo Valley Unified School District (Ventura County)

Corona-Norco Unified School District (Riverside County)

Covina-Valley Unified School District (Los Angeles County)

Cutler-Orosi Joint Unified School District (Tulare County)

Eureka City Schools (Humboldt County)

Folsom-Cordova Unified School District (Sacramento County)

Humboldt County Office of Education (Humboldt County)

Menifee Union School District (Riverside County)

Needles Unified School District (San Bernardino County)

Newport-Mesa Unified School District (Orange County)

Patterson Joint Unified School District (Stanislaus County)

Riverside Unified School District (Riverside County)

San Jacinto Unified School District (Riverside County)

Shasta County Office of Education (Shasta County)

Val Verde Unified School District (Riverside County)

Woodlake Unified School District (Tulare County)

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Mark Carney, the Canadian prime minister, has called a snap election in April.

The former governor of Britain and Canadas central banks was sworn in as prime minister as replacement for Justin Trudeau in March.

The election comes amid escalating aggression from Washington - with Donald Trump implementing 25 per cent tariffs on the nation and referring to Canada as the 51st state.

Below, we take a look at the key questions ahead of Canadian election day.

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When is the Canadian election?

Canadas federal election will take place on April 28 after Mr Carney called a snap vote.

The 343 members of the countrys House of Commons is based on a new map which was drawn up following the 2021 census.

How does Canada elect a prime minister?

The prime minister is chosen by members of parliament, with the leader of the largest party assuming the post - subject to having the support of a majority of MPs.

But in Canadian history, the largest party has not always had an overall majority.

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On 15 occasions with the creation of the Canadian confederation in 1867, the country has had minority governments with the Prime Minister relying on the support of at least one other party to hold office.

By convention, the Prime Minister is normally  but not always  a member of parliament.

Although Prime Minister and Liberal leader Mark Carney is not currently a member of parliament, he will be contesting the riding  the Canadian term for a parliamentary constituency  of Nepean in Ottawa.

Being elected Prime Minister by party colleagues, while not being a sitting MP is not unprecedented.

In 1984, John Turner became leader of the governing liberals, even though he had quit his seat eight years earlier. On becoming Prime Minister, he had to sit in the visitors gallery. Mr Turner won a seat at the next election, but the Liberals lost, and he re-entered parliament as the leader of the opposition.

How often does Canada hold elections?

Under the fixed-date provision of the Canadian elections act, voters go to the polls every four years on the third Monday in October.

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However, the Prime Minister does have the option of calling a snap election by asking Canadas governor general to dissolve parliament.

The next federal scheduled election before Mr Carney called the snap vote was set to be on October 20.

How are MPs elected in Canada?

Canada operates a first past the post system, with the candidate taking the most votes being elected to the seat.

Canada requires voter ID. However, the requirements are looser than those proposed in the US, which proposes making photo identification compulsory.

Canada will also accept two pieces of non-photo ID, such as utility bills and bank statements. They can even ask another registered voter to vouch for them.

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Convicted prisoners are enfranchised and cast their vote from jail.

How are Senators chosen in Canada?

The 105 members of the Senate are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister. They are shared between the provinces and territories with Ontario and Quebec getting 24 seats each. New Brunswick and Nova Scotia each get 10 seats.

New Brunswick and Nova Scotia are allocated 10 seats each, while Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan get six seats, as do Newfoundland and Labrador.

Four senators are appointed to serve Prince Edward Island. Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavutare each allocated one seat.

Key dates

April 11  deadline for checking voter information

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April 14  guide to federal election mailed to households

April 14-19  Members of the armed services vote at their base or unit.

April 16  Prisoners can vote at their jail.

April 22  deadline for applying for a postal vote.

April 28  election day

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SURREY, British Columbia (AP)  Three drug labs in Canada's Pacific coast province of British Columbia have been dismantled, police said Thursday, adding that two of the labs are believed to have been used to produce fentanyl while the purpose of the third remains undetermined.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police also arrested two suspects, including someone described as a chemist, but no charges have yet been laid as the police investigation continues.

The Mounties say they executed numerous search warrants in late March and found the three labs, which were equipped with sophisticated equipment that is also used in academic and professional research facilities.

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Chief Supt. Stephen Lee, deputy regional commander of the RCMP federal policing program, said the commercial-grade chemistry equipment underscores disturbing trends in the increasing scientific sophistication of drug labs used by transnational organized crime groups.

Assistant Commissioner David Teboul said the drugs produced in the labs were not destined for the United States, but he couldnt reveal how police came to determine that since the investigation is ongoing.

The Mounties say they launched their probe into the importation of precursor chemicals and commercial laboratory equipment used for producing drugs including fentanyl, MDMA and GHB, in the summer of 2023.
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, April 10. President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhammedov will pay an official visit to Japan from April 13 through 15 to attend the opening ceremony of the World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Trend reports.

The visit program includes meetings between the Turkmen president and the Emperor of Japan, as well as the Prime Minister of Japan.

The visit is seen as a significant event aimed at strengthening the friendly relations and strategic partnership between Turkmenistan and Japan, while opening new opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields.

The World Expo 2025 will take place from April 13 through October 13, 2025, in the Japanese city of Osaka, under the theme "Designing Future Society for Our Lives."

Overall, Japans exports to Turkmenistan in January 2025 totaled 360.78 million yen ($2.4 million), reflecting a notable decline from previous months. For comparison, exports in December 2024 amounted to 437.64 million yen ($3.3 million), while November exports were recorded at 708.18 million yen ($5.3 million). The highest export volume in 2024 was recorded in May, reaching 770.25 million yen ($5.8 million).
Investing.com -- Today, Prime Minister Mark Carney, on the campaign trail in Toronto, addressed the pressing issues of crime and security, while also responding to the recent tariff announcements by U.S. President Donald Trump. Yesterday, Trump lifted tariffs on China to 125%, but granted all other countries the U.S. had reciprocally tariffed a 90-day pause to negotiate trade deals. Canada and Mexico saw no change in their tariffs.

Carney criticized the tariffs imposed by the U.S. on Canadian steel, aluminum, and vehicles, which have significant implications for the Canadian economy. He announced a meeting scheduled for Tuesday with defense and national security officials to discuss the Canada-U.S. relationship in light of these tariff developments.

Trumps tariffs on Canada persist, including a 25% duty on steel and aluminum and certain vehicles, as well as varying tariffs on other goods, although some have been suspended under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement rules. Carney emphasized a strong response to these economic challenges, stating, "We are responding with purpose and force. We will fight, we will protect, and we will build."

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The Prime Minister also linked American policies to threats against Canadian community safety, pointing out that criminals exploit lax U.S. gun laws and border enforcement. Carney took aim at his election rival, Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre, arguing that Poilievres crime law proposals, which Carney views as echoing ineffective U.S. policies, would exacerbate the crime problem in Canada.

Carneys government, if elected, plans to revoke gun licenses for individuals convicted of violent offenses, strengthen firearms licensing, and enhance the "yellow and red flag" laws designed to prevent gun ownership by those deemed unfit. He also plans to invest in the RCMPs laboratories to improve the tracking of guns used in crimes and to expedite the buyback of assault-style firearms, leaving classifications to the RCMP rather than the gun industry.

To combat the influx of illegal drugs and guns from the U.S., Carneys government will deploy scanners, drones, helicopters, and additional personnel to the border, recruit 1000 more RCMP personnel, increase cadet pay, train 1000 new Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers, and enable police to seize contraband through Canada Post (NYSE:POST) mail.

The Prime Minister also discussed strengthening public prosecution services, expanding early retirement eligibility for first responders, and making bail more difficult to obtain for certain violent offenders. He proposed reversing the burden of proof at bail hearings for these individuals and prohibiting those charged with violent or organized crime offenses from possessing guns upon release.

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Further, Carneys government aims to toughen sentencing guidelines for repeat offenders, ban the creation and distribution of non-consensual sexual deepfakes, and increase penalties for sexual assault and non-consensual intimate image sharing. For the protection of children, legislation will be introduced to safeguard them from online exploitation, with increased funding for the Canadian Centre for Child Protection and heightened sentences for child murderers.

Lastly, Carney addressed the spread of hate on the internet, announcing measures to outlaw obstruction to places of worship, schools, and community centers, and criminalize threats against attendees. His government plans to extend the "Building Safer Communities" fund, prioritize affordable childcare and housing, and expand training, particularly in skilled trades, to steer youth away from crime.

Carneys words come after Pierre Poilievres proposals yesterday, including a "3 Strikes, Youre Out" law. Under this proposed law, any individual convicted of three serious offenses would be ineligible for bail, probation, parole, or house arrest.

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Elon Musk anticipates $150 billion savings from federal waste and fraud cuts

Law firms Latham & Watkins, Simpson Thacher near deals with White House, WSJ reports

FDIC hunting for extra 20% staff cut as DOGE descends on agency, Bloomberg News reports
Carroll County residents have an opportunity to help plan new housing, commercial growth and agriculture preservation through 2035.

Residents are invited to join one of three work groups to make recommendations to the Carroll County Planning and Zoning Commission in agriculture, business and housing over the next decade. The three work groups are part of updating the Carroll County Master Plan through 2035:

The Agriculture Work Group: guides the countys efforts to promote agriculture and rural communities.

The Economy Work Group: growing business opportunities in the county to enhance its tax base, create jobs and support services for residents.

The Housing Work Group: look at the various types of new housing needed in the county.

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The Carroll County Master Plan is a guiding document for how the county will use its land, while also ensuring the health, safety, and welfare of residents.

The Planning and Zoning Commission launched the 10-year update of the Carroll County Master Plan last fall, followed by regular meetings and work sessions. A website was launched and a survey collecting input from residents was initiated, while coordination with municipalities continues.

The county held a series of open houses in February and early March.

We received over 200 comments on what people value, what they are concerned about, and ideas they think should be considered as part of the Master Plan update, according to a county news release. This input will feed into the next exciting phase of Master Plan work, developing specific recommendations that could address issues around housing, the economy, and agriculture.

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The deadline to volunteer for a work group is April 18. To register go to: carrollcountymd.jotform.com/250865143117050.

You dont need to be an expert to be part of the conversation, but you do need to be able to attend all or nearly all the meetings, the news release states.

All meetings will be held at the Carroll County Office Building, 225 N. Center St., in Room 003, the Reagan Room. Meetings will be held on the following dates:

The Agriculture Work Group: 8 to 10 a.m., May 6 and 21, June 3, July 8 and 22, and Aug. 5.

The Economy Work Group: 4 to 6 p.m., May 8 and 22, June 12, July 10 and 24, and Aug. 7.

The Housing Work Group: 5 to 7 p.m., May 5 and 19, June 2 and 16, July 7 and 21, and Aug. 4.

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Optional meetings may be held the week of June 16.

For more information go to experience.arcgis.com/experience/a22b9f8e95ea4eaf8c30f65d1eeb4171/page/Work-Groups or email the countys Bureau of Comprehensive Planning at ccplanning@carrollcountymd.gov or call 410-386-5145.

Have a news tip? Contact Sherry Greenfield at sgreenfield@baltsun.com, 240-315-7029.
Mike Casale, Niagara Countys commissioner of economic development, will retire from his job at the end of the month to seek public office as the potential replacement for outgoing Niagara County Legislature Chairwoman Rebecca Wydysh, R-Lewiston.

County Republicans and Conservatives announced on Wednesday their decision to endorse Casale as their preferred candidate to accept Wydyshs nominating petitions for the Niagara County Legislatures Second District seat.

Mike Casale is recognized by everyone as a dedicated public servant whose only interest is serving his community, Niagara County Republican Party Chairman Rich Andres said. His record of accomplishment in economic development is unparalleled as is his commitment to working with others, regardless of partisan affiliation, to move the county forward.

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Wydysh confirmed Tuesday that she was forced to end her anticipated reelection bid after her employer  the New York State Office of Court Administration  denied her request for permission to run for reelection. Court officers must receive clearance from the OCA in order to hold a second job, including that of county lawmaker. Wydysh, who serves as the countys commissioner of jurors, said she learned that the court system denied her request to seek another legislative term in a letter she received about a week after the process of circulating nominating petitions started. Wydysh said the OCA, which approved five prior requests for permission to seek outside employment from Wydysh, did not provide a reason for denying her request this year.

On Monday, Wydysh declined acceptance of nominating petitions signed by registered Republican and Conservative voters in her district. The move allows Casale, with the backing of party officials, to appear on the ballot in her place provided Wydyshs petitions are validated this month by the Niagara County Board of Elections.

Wydysh will hold the legislatures Second District seat and remain legislature chair through the end of the year. Her most recent approval for outside employment, granted by the OCA in 2023, includes language that will allow her to fulfill the remainder of her current term, which expires on Dec. 31.

Niagara County Democratic Chairman Chris Borgatti suggested this week that GOP leaders concocted a scheme that allowed Wydysh  a well-known incumbent with nearly a decade of service  to circulate petitions in her name in the second district only to drop out so party bosses could hand-pick her replacement.

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County Democrats did not field an endorsed candidate to run against Wydysh and Borgatti said its now too late in the petition process to gather enough signatures to allow a challenger to be placed on the ballot. He said Democrats are considering their options to ensure second district voters have a choice, including possibly supporting a candidate on an independent line.

Wydysh said she still had options available to her when the petition process started, including quitting her full-time job as deputy commissioner of jurors so she could pursue reelection. Ultimately, she chose to keep her full-time job, which paid $116,688 last year.

Andres denied the assertion that party leaders set Casale up to take Wydyshs petitions, describing Borgattis claim as hot air. He also said party leaders remained hopeful that the OCA would grant Wydysh permission to run for reelection as they did the five times previously.

Casale has served in local government for 30 years. He announced plans to retire earlier this year and is expected to leave his economic development post at the end of April.

Theres an old saying that good government makes for good politics which is why I believe the Niagara County GOP has been so successful over the last 20 years, said Andres. We support people like Mike Casale who are interested in public service for all the right reasons and have something to offer. Mike will be able to point to numerous accomplishments during his campaign. We do not run Facebook ads begging anyone to walk through the door and run, regardless of how unqualified they may be.
By Joshua McElwee

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - The Catholic Church starts its busiest week of the year on Sunday with the countdown to Easter, but Pope Francis remains out of public view after surviving double pneumonia and it is unclear whether he will take any part in the celebrations.

Doctors have prescribed the 88-year-old pontiff two months of rest to allow his ageing body to fully heal, meaning he may spend much or all of Holy Week - when Christians recall Jesus' suffering, death and resurrection - out of public view.

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"This will certainly be a very different Holy Week for the pope and for the Catholic faithful," said Anna Rowlands, a Catholic academic at England's Durham University.

"The near silence of the pope... could intensify the meaning of parts of the week for many," she said.

The pope would normally preside over at least eight Vatican ceremonies during Holy Week, culminating in Easter Sunday Mass, when tens of thousands of people flock into St. Peter's Square to celebrate the day they believe Jesus rose from the dead.

Vatican officials are still unsure whether Francis, who came close to death in hospital, may try to make brief appearances, or partake in some of the events via a video link.

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Rev. Bruce Morrill, a Jesuit priest and academic at Vanderbilt University in the U.S., said the pope's "perseverance and transparency in his infirmity brings a new poignancy" to the holiday.

"It could be that people will draw strength and inspiration of a different type with the pope's limited presence to this year's Holy Week services," he said.

Francis, pontiff since 2013, has appeared in public only once since being discharged on March 23 after a 38-day stay in hospital, making a short, surprise appearance to greet crowds at the Vatican on April 6.

The pope spent only a few minutes in St. Peter's Square and spoke only a few words in a frail voice.

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His possible participation in events during Holy Week will be determined on an event-by-event basis, the Vatican press office said on Tuesday.

'WRITTEN REFLECTIONS'

The Vatican's Holy Week calendar includes special celebrations on April 17 for Holy Thursday, which commemorates Jesus' Last Supper; on April 18 for Good Friday, the day Christians mark Jesus' crucifixion; and on April 19 for an evening Easter vigil service.

The Vatican is yet to say who will lead each service. Officials expect senior cardinals to fill in for the pope as needed.

Francis skipped the Good Friday events in 2023 and 2024 due to prior health issues. He has not previously missed an Easter celebration, when he usually also offers a major speech.

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Delivered as part of a twice-yearly special blessing called "Urbi et Orbi" (to the city and the world), the pontiff typically uses the occasion to decry ongoing world conflicts.

The Vatican has been publishing occasional messages said to be written by Francis during his recovery. Officials have also been reading aloud homilies written by him during Vatican celebrations.

"If he is still resting as expected, it seems that his service to the Church will be one of prayer and written reflections," said Rowlands.

"I suspect... he will have much he wishes to pen, even if read in the voice of others, about suffering, limitation, violence and loss and the path to Resurrection," she said.

(Reporting by Joshua McElwee; Editing by Gareth Jones)
As a strong heat wave blankets the Valley this week, many Phoenix residents may find themselves bracing for the intense Arizona summer sooner than expected.

In Arizona, combating the extreme heat is also typically accompanied by a hike in energy bill prices for many residents.

However, there is one easy and simple tip experts recommend you do every year to keep your home cool without hurting your wallet  make sure your ceiling fans are spinning in the right direction.

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How does that help keep you cool? Here's everything Arizonans need to know about this simple practice to combat the heat, and whether or not it actually works.

Do ceiling fans actually help keep your home cool?

Yes  but with a twist.

Ceiling fans dont lower the temperature of a room, but they can help you feel cooler. Thats because fans improve air circulation, which enhances the cooling sensation on your skin.

The trick lies in using them strategically. Fans should be set to spin counterclockwise in the summer. This rotation pushes air downward, creating a breeze that makes the room feel cooler  even if the actual temperature doesnt change. This applies to outdoor fans, too.

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To change your ceiling fans direction, look for a small switch above the light but below the blades. If your fan has a remote, there may be a dedicated button for switching the rotation.

Just don't forget to turn the fan off when you leave the room since they have no cooling effect if there are no people in that room.

More: Will Arizona have a rainy monsoon? Here's what Old Farmer's Almanac predicts for summer

Can ceiling fans help you save money?

Yes, maybe even more than you think.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you can raise your thermostat by up to four degrees while still feeling cool, as long as a fan is running. That means less strain on your air conditioner  and a lower utility bill.

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According to Tom Hines, customer advisor with Arizona Public Service, using fans the right way could help people save significantly on their energy bill if they use fans strategically.

"(Fans) circulating air creates a little bit of a breeze, and that breeze over your skin is going to make you feel 2 to 3 degrees cooler," Hines told The Republic in an interview in July 2024. "So you could actually turn the thermostat up a little bit, save 2-3% for every degree, and use ceiling fans and other fans in your house so that you feel the same temperature."

Which way is clockwise? Counterclockwise?

Dont worry, weve all been there. To figure out which direction is clockwise, picture the hands of the clock moving from 12, down to 6 and back up to 12 again. A clockwise turn moves to the right, and counterclockwise moves to the left as you're looking up at the fan.

More: Metro Phoenix is heating up earlier than usual. Here's what's normal and what to expect

More tricks to beat the heat

As residents seek ways to boost energy efficiency and cut utility costs, a mix of creative tips and myths promising to save your household budget are circulating. Though some can have a significant impact in keeping you cool without turning up your thermostat, others are mere misconceptions that can have the opposite effect.

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Here's a list of 5 tips that are experts say are actually worth your effort:

Cracking your garage door open: Leaving your garage door slightly cracked open on a hot day may help reduce heat buildup in the rest of the house by allowing hot air to vent. Adjust your thermostat settings according to your lifestyle: Adjusting your thermostat a few degrees higher during peak energy hours or before leaving home can help you save the most on your energy bill. Just avoid changing it too frequently throughout the day, as doing so can cause unnecessary wear and tear on your HVAC system. Close your blinds: Strategies like closing your curtains, blinds or shades during the day and investing in reflective window film can help you reduce that heat gain from window sunlight. Plant trees around your house: This smart strategy works similarly to closing your blinds, as having trees outside your window can help shield your home from direct sunlight and keep it cooler. Be strategic with heat-generating appliances: Avoiding ovens, stoves, clothes dryers and blow dryers during the hottest hours of the day can help you keep your home cooler and save money, as these appliances create heat that accumulates inside your home, forcing your AC to run longer or more often.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Is your ceiling fan spinning the right direction? Why it matters
An injury crash on Wednesday resulted in the intersection of North Castle Heights Avenue and East Baddour Parkway being closed for nearly an hour.

The accident occurred just before afternoon school traffic, which had to be diverted around the busy Lebanon intersection. Around 2:45 p.m., Lebanon Police were dispatched to the intersection after 911 received calls about a collision between a Nashville Ready Mix cement truck and a Ryker motorcycle.

The Ryker motorcycle, a model with one rear wheel and two front wheels, sustained damage and the driver was transported to Vanderbilt Wilson County Hospital.

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According to LPD Public Information Officer Zach Patton, the injuries are severe, but its unknown if they are life-threatening yet.

The roadway was reopened after officers investigated the scene around 3:50 p.m.
With masks on and wearing layers of clothing in the hopes of changing their looks before escaping, a dozen pro-Palestinian activists broke a window in the building housing the president's office at Stanford University last June, so one of them could crawl through and open doors for the rest.

They had spent weeks if not more planning the attack on encrypted chats, and drew their tactics from an online manual that encouraged them to develop a "certain spirit" when it came to protesting, prosecutors say.

Thursday, those 12, all but one of them current or former Stanford students, were charged with two felonies each.

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It's the first large-scale charging of student protesters in California, carrying the most serious possible penalties, leveled by Santa Clara County Dist. Atty. Jeff Rosen.

Santa Clara County Dist. Atty. Jeff Rosen, center, announces felony charges against 12 pro-Palestinian protesters who in June allegedly broke into and vandalized a Stanford University administration building, barricading themselves inside before being arrested that same day. (Suzanne Rust/Suzanne Rust/Los Angeles Times)

You can see how quickly this is going to turn into fraught political fodder  a Jewish district attorney filing charges against pro-Palestinian kids. Trump is sure to approve.

But here's the tough part. So do I.

If we turn these charges into politics without bothering to look at the details and nuances, we fall into a Trump trap, claiming a side based on emotion and partisanship rather than law.

Read more: Stanford protesters arrested, seniors won't be allowed to graduate, officials say

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Justice is supposed to be blind (though she often peeks) but in this case, we need her to be deaf to the reasons these students took their actions. No different than the (now pardoned) Jan. 6 folks who broke into our nation's Capitol and trashed the joint, these students went a step too far.

But so has the government's response when it comes to Israel and Gaza, antisemitism and free speech.

"There is a political game being played here," said Brian Levin, a professor emeritus at Cal State San Bernardino and an expert on extremism. "There are dishonest people who conflate passionate and heartfelt political protest to save the lives of Palestinian children, with those who are out of bounds and use undeniable symbols related to foreign terrorist groups or abject antisemitism and severe criminality. But they are the minority. And it requires merely a dose of objectivity and common sense to separate them."

But, of course, there is no desire to separate the peaceful protesters from the others right now.

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Let's be real  our country is on the brink of lawlessness, mostly because of the president's claims that his powers exceed those of the courts. Pro-Palestinian activists are being rounded up and disappeared into an opaque deportation system, leaving even U.S. citizens fearful to speak out (all of the people charged in the Stanford case are U.S. citizens).

At the same time, universities are seeing their federal funds pulled over claims of failing to protect Jewish students  which is also true.

Hate crimes skyrocketed during and after the pandemic, but began to fall in California in 2023. But not those against Jewish people, Muslims or those of Arab descent.

Read more: Prosecutors put men on death row. This California D.A. wants to take them off

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The Public Policy Institute of California pointed out that "reported anti-Jewish and anti-Arab/Muslim hate crimes more than doubled between 2020 and 2023." Anti-Jewish crimes increased 56%. Hate crimes motivated by anti-Arab or anti-Muslim sentiment went up 35%.

In 2024, research by Levin found that anti-Jewish crimes increased by 12%, and anti-Muslim crime by 18%. So this is not something of the past. As recently as a few weeks ago, Elon Musk, the South African billionaire who most certainly did not mean to do a Nazi salute at an inauguration event, claimed Jewish billionaire George Soros was helping to agitate against Musk's car company, Tesla.

There is a clear attempt by the administration to use its fight against antisemitism as a righteous weapon, and to paint all pro-Palestinian sentiment as pro-Hamas. But underneath those waves is a deep ocean of hidden intent, in which lurks the power to quell dissent on any topic if the government is successful in smashing free speech on this topic.

What can we not speak of next? Voting rights?

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If we take a message from Rosen's decision to charge these individuals with felonies, it should be that enforcing laws reasonably ultimately protects free speech, and protects us from those political games.

I talked to him Thursday before he announced the charges, and asked him what went into making this decision, as a Jewish man and as an elected prosecutor.

"I'm Jewish, and so are people going to, you know, question this decision because of that," he acknowledged. "And I think that everybody has biases. I do, everyone does. And I think the best we can hope for in our elected officials is that they recognize the biases, that they set them aside and do their duty. And that's what I do every day."

He's "trying to play this down the middle" and "do the right thing."

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Rosen did not charge any hate crimes, and said there simply wasn't enough evidence, in his mind, to show that what motivated these students was animus of Jewish people rather than anger at the actions of Israel.

He's charging them with vandalism, he said, because of the extent of damage they did in the short few hours or so they were in the building  broken doors, fake blood thrown around, offices broken into, personal items of employees ruined. In all, the university estimates it was $250,000 worth of destruction, far beyond the threshold for a felony.

Then there is the conspiracy to trespass and all the forethought that allegedly went into this. They had code names, covered surveillance cameras and tried to erase chats from their phones, prosecutors say.

Read more: Dissent is American. Vandalism is criminal. Pro-Palestinian Stanford protesters face felony charges

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The "how-to-occupy" manual is extremely detailed, explaining how to remove deadbolts with a crowbar, the value of battery-operated power tools over their plug-in counterparts, the possibility of vandalism being a good outcome if occupiers are evicted. The students, being Stanford-type achievers, seem to have studied and followed the guide closely, according to charging documents  casing the building in days prior. So conspiracy, if the jury agrees.

But still, Rosen knows he's dealing with students (ranging in age from 18 to 32 when the incident occurred) who acted with as much passion as premeditation. He's not out to ruin lives, or to chill free speech.

"This is going to sound biblical," he told me. "But they caused all this damage, right? They vandalized. They did all this damage. So I would like their punishment to be cleaning things up."

(The attorney for one of those accused told The Times that his client understood there would be consequences, but stressed that his client and others have had months-long suspensions, costing them their housing, health insurance and classes  and putting their academic futures in limbo.)

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Though the maximum penalty could be more than three years in jail, Rosen said he would like to see some sort of diversion  maybe picking trash up on the side of the road.

"I'm not looking to send them to prison. I think that what I would like to see happen here is that they plead guilty, they accept responsibility," he said. "The individuals here, they didn't engage in a debate. They just committed these criminal acts. And it's impulsive, and they're wrapped up with the merit of their cause, and so damn everybody else. And I'm trying to be thoughtful and role model the kinds of behaviors that we want to have here."

As these charges are debated, may we all be so thoughtful. Protesting is a crucial part of democracy, both a power and a right.

Breaking locks with a crowbar? As Levin told me, we should look at it with "a heavy dose of mercy."

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Then apply the law, blind and deaf  especially to politics.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Rally in Raleigh protesting Appeals Court Judge Jefferson Griffin's challenge of more than 60,000 votes in the NC Supreme Court race. (Photo: Lynn Bonner)

In the wake of North Carolinas recent Supreme Court election, the only fraud the public should be concerned about is the baseless lawsuit filed by the Republican candidate, Judge Jefferson Griffin. His legal challenge seeks to overturn the results of a fair and settled election by targeting 65,000 legally cast votesmine among them.

Let me be clear: I registered to vote in June 2011 and have voted in every election since. In November, I cast my ballot early and complied with every legal requirement, including the new voter ID law. I even obtained a copy of my original voter registration from the Board of Electionsfully completed, entirely valid. Yet my vote is now under challenge. Why? I dont know. I contacted the Griffin campaign three times and received no explanation. None.

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Voters like me were not given fair notice or clear information about how or why our ballots were being questioned. This is not how democracy is supposed to work.

Griffins lawsuit is not about protecting election integrity. Its about overturning an outcome he doesnt like. A pair of judges on a North Carolina Court of Appeals panel suggested that if even one ballot were improperly cast, the entire election would be void. Thats an outrageous and dangerous precedent. There has been no proven fraudnone. And it defies logic and fairness to throw out 65,000 votes in an election decided by a few hundred.

Lets call this what it is: a political temper tantrum dressed up as a legal argument. Griffin refuses to concede, consumed by the delusion that he can invalidate tens of thousands of law-abiding citizens votes simply because he lost. This isnt just pettyits perilous.

What does it say about a would-be justice that he would pursue power through such means? If Griffin is seated on the North Carolina Supreme Court, how can anyone trust his rulings to be impartial? He has shown he is willing to twist the rules and cast aside democratic norms for his own gain.

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Meanwhile, Justice Allison Riggsthe actual winnerhas demonstrated the very integrity our courts depend on. Her decision to recuse herself from ruling on the case only underscores her commitment to justice. But make no mistake: she has every right to defend the voters who elected her.

North Carolina deserves better than this political circus. We deserve leaders who respect the will of the people. Griffin should step aside and allow the rightful winner to take her seat on the bench.

The only fraud here is the claim that 65,000 lawful votes should be erased.
The Niagara USA Chamber of Commerce has announced the 2025 recipients of its Chamber Honors Awards, celebrating the businesses, individuals and organizations that are shaping the future of Niagara County.

Chamber officials say this years list of honorees reflect the innovation, leadership and community commitment that power the regions economic and civic vitality:

 Business of the Year: Mount St. Marys Lockport Memorial Hospital Campus

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 Business Person of the Year: Bob Confer

 Groundbreaking Award: Big Ditch Brewing Company

 Father Joseph L. Levesque Award for Community Advocacy: Kory Schuler

 Excellence in Leadership Award: Michael Casale

 Collaboration and Innovation Award: Arlene Doss

 Green Manufacturing Award (sponsored by National Grid): Kerry, Niagara Site

 Chairmans Award: Wurlitzer Events

These honorees represent the very best of Niagara County, said Craig Turner, interim executive director of the Niagara USA Chamber. Their work creates jobs, strengthens neighborhoods, and brings people together. Weve got a wonderful slate this year, and were honored to celebrate their accomplishments and the lasting impact they have on our community.

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Award recipients will be recognized at the annual Chamber Honors Awards Dinner taking place at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Niagara Falls on May 8. The evening will include a cocktail reception, dinner, and an inspiring awards program.

Tickets and sponsorships are available now at niagarachamber.org/events/niagara-usa-chamber-chamber-honors-annual-dinner

To reserve your seat, sponsor the event, or learn more, visit niagarachamber.org/events/niagara-usa-chamber-chamber-honors-annual-dinner or contact Elena Woods at 716-285-9142 or ewoods@niagarachamber.org.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 10. Azerbaijan is investing in the enhancement of the power supply for five villages in the Aghdam district, with a focus on ensuring a more reliable electricity source for the local population, Trend reports.

The project will specifically target the villages of Gulluja, Namirli, Taghibeyli, Garvand, and Salahli Kangarli. To ensure a stable electricity supply to these villages, a new two-circuit 35 kV overhead power transmission line (SIP-3) will be installed.

Azerishig Open Joint-Stock Company (OJSC) has already begun the necessary preparatory work and is currently in the process of selecting a company to carry out the installation and upgrades.

The company has also confirmed that it is ready to allocate 9.6 million manat ($5.6 million) for the completion of the project.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA)  The City of Champaign has selected a new Deputy City Manager.

Christopher Walton will take on the role starting on June 2. He currently works as the Chief Administrative Officer for the Village of Savoy.

Time for action: Champaign Co. Community Coalition addresses increase in violence

Walton has more than 10 years of experience working in different Illinois municipal governments. In 2018-2020, he served as the City of Champaign`s Assistant to the City Manager.

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Christophers well-rounded experience in municipal government, his passion for the Champaign community, and his creativity and innovation made him the clear choice to serve as Champaigns next Deputy City Manager, City Manager Joan Walls said. Throughout his career in public service, Christopher has continued to excel by taking on increasing levels of responsibility and exercising his strong leadership skills. Christopher is a true servant leader and Im excited to have him join my executive management team where I know hell be a great asset to our community and the City organization.

Walton has degrees from National Louis University, including a Master of Arts in Policy and Public Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Management.

It is an honor and a privilege to serve in local government, and I am humbled by the City Managers confidence in me to continue that service with the City of Champaign, Walton said. The City is blessed with a professional and dedicated staff who loyally serve their residents. I look forward to joining with them in continuing to provide legal, ethical, and fiscally responsible government services to Champaigns residents and community stakeholders.

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WORCESTER, Mass. (WWLP)  Kidnapping and conspiracy charges have been dismissed by a judge against five college students in Massachusetts in connection with allegedly plotting to lure a man onto their campus as part of a social media trend.

The Worcester County District Attorneys Office said that six teenage Assumption University students were charged with kidnapping and conspiracy following events that occurred in October 2024.

Worcester students in court for charges after TikTok plot to catch a predator falsely accused man on Tinder

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Court documents stated that on October 2, Assumption University Police reviewed an incident report made by 18-year-old Kelsy Brainard of Holyoke, a student at the college. Brainard said that a man came to campus and made her feel creepy, and she contacted her friend, 20-year-old Easton Randall of Jericho, Vt., to chase him off campus.

Brainard stated in the report that she did not invite the man on campus and that he arrived uninvited the night of October 1. Police were unable to locate him. However, Worcester police officers were in contact with a man who requested assistance related to an incident that occurred at Assumption that night.

The 22-year-old man stated that he was in the area for a funeral and wanted to be around happy people, and was in contact with Brainard on Tinder. Brainard allegedly invited him onto campus, at which time she led him into the building where he was ambushed by a group of students.

The group allegedly began calling the man a pedophile who wanted to have sex with 17-year-old girls, and grabbed him to prevent him from leaving. The man stated that when he was able to run away, he was allegedly chased by about 25 people, who kicked his vehicle and punched him in the back of the head.

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Campus footage was obtained showing Brainard leading the man into a campus building and then chasing him out with the group of students, all with their phones out. Police determined through interviews with the group that the incident was allegedly meant to simulate a TikTok fad of catching a predator.

Kelsy Brainard appears district court as she and four other Massachusetts college students made their first appearance on conspiracy and kidnapping charges in Worcester, Mass, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) Easton Randall appears at district court as he and four other Massachusetts college students made their first appearance on conspiracy and kidnapping charges in Worcester, Mass, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) Joaquin Smith appears at district court as he and four other Massachusetts college students made their first appearance on conspiracy and kidnapping charges in Worcester, Mass, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) Kevin Carroll appears at district court as he and four other Massachusetts college students made their first appearance on conspiracy and kidnapping charges in Worcester, Mass, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) Isabella Trudeau appears at district court as she and four other Massachusetts college students made their first appearance on conspiracy and kidnapping charges in Worcester, Mass, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

Six Assumption University students Brainard, Randall, 18-year-old Kevin Carroll of Holden, 18-year-old Isabella Trudeau of Sterling, 19-year-old Joaquin Smith of West Haven, Conn., and an unnamed juvenile were identified as the group involved in the plot.

The charges were dismissed on Wednesday against five of the students. It is not known at this time if the sixth student has had the charges dismissed, since their case is being handled in juvenile court. The students lawyers had filed motions to dismiss the charges on the grounds that authorities lacked probable cause that crimes had been committed.

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Brainard still faces one count of witness intimidation, and Carroll still faces one count of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon for being the individual responsible for slamming the victims head into his car door.

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.

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The Correlle Brands glass plant in Charleroi will officially close on Friday, April 10th. A last batch of glass will be made at 7 a.m., ending a 132-year business, known globally for making Pyrex.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> Charleroi glass plant closing postponed but still happening

Last year, the parent company of Anchor Hocking, a previous competitor, acquired the Charleroi plant. In September, it announced plans to move all glassmaking from Charleroi to its plant in Lancaster, Ohio.

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PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> Workers at Correlle Brands glass plant fighting to keep jobs after unexpected closure announcement

Workers at the factory were experiencing a mix of emotions, from sadness to anger.

Angry. Everybody hates Anchor Hocking here. Nobody will buy Anchor Hocking. Nobody will buy Pyrex ever again because its not the same quality, its completely different, said Danielle Byrne. Brynes grandfather worked at the plant for fifty years. Shes now their union rep.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> PA lawmaker calling for FTC to investigate decision to close Anchor Hocking Glass Plant

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Its real sad - here yesterday and today. Everybody is emotional and crying, said Byrne. We were going through paperwork today from the 30s and 40s and my grandfathers paychecks were in there. He made 67 cents a day. Its just very overwhelming.

The closure had been pushed back multiple times, reportedly to continue making Pyrex orders. Workers say there will never be a Pyrex made like theirs again, and youll never see that trademark blue tint on the glass.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> Charleroi glass plant employees asked to stay for 3 more months

Corelle Brands recently reacquired their former lunch horn that rang at noon in the community for decades, and they have plans for it on the last day of operations.

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Were going to ring the lunch horn for 132 seconds for 132 years making glass here.

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CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD)  Anastopoulo Law Firm and J. Davis Law P.C. are working on a class action investigation for some Dockside Condominium owners.

Attorneys are asking for anyone with information to submit a tip as residents were evacuated with a 48-hour notice in February 2025. The homeowners and renters were forced to take only personal belongings with no timeline of when they could return.

I mean its dreadful. Weve made our little nest here until we go and now were on the street with no money, said Graham Stone, a homeowner.

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Jim Davis, a trial lawyer for J. Davis Law P.C., said his firm plans to investigate the buildings management, maintenance, and capital asset reserves. While Anastopoulo Law Firm digs into some homeowners loss of use claims and reviews documents. Both are searching for answers for these residents.

Its enraging that people have been removed from their homes and that more has not been done by the city, engineers, other folks to provide them information about this situation, Roy Willey, attorney of Anastopoulo Law Firm, said.

However, the City of Charleston and the Dockside Board of Directors are starting a move out process for residents beginning on April 14.

Now that the building is the way it is, the movers all want a premium because theyre going to have to sign releases, Stone said. When we moved in here, we spent $10,000 on moving here but now weve been quoted $15,000 to move out. Thats just an added icing on the cake.

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The attorneys expect to eventually file a lawsuit and are urging anyone with information to come forward. They said unlikely sources have reached out, giving an example of someone who worked on the tower when it was initially built in the 1970s.

We have received about a dozen phone calls about the situation at the Dockside Condominium tower over the course of the last couple of months obviously, since the situation has progressed, Willey said. These folks are obviously our neighbors and our friends. So, we felt compelled to get involved and to try and get some answers.

The city and the Dockside Board of Association did not comment when News 2 reached out.

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  The baggage claim at Charlotte Douglas International Airport wont be quite as busy this spring.

Airport officials project passenger volume to drop nearly 5 percent from last years record-breaking total during schools upcoming spring break.

But for one family, less traffic this week made for a better reunion.

It was easy to arrive here and it was easy to find my daughter, said Simone Neuwirth.

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Charlotte ranked as a top spring break destination. What makes it so appealing to students?

Eight months ago, Leni Neuwirth left Austria to become a foreign exchange student in Charlotte. She finally saw her mom and sister for the first time since Wednesday afternoon.

Its so unreal, Simone Neuwirth said. I cant believe it right now, but Im so happy.

Charlotte Douglas is typically packed with passengers hurrying to their gates or rideshares. Wednesday, it was almost bare.

It was really, really easy, Leni Neuwirth said. At first, I was really scared that I wouldnt be able to see them, and that they would walk right past me. But then I saw them easily.

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Airport officials predict a 4.6 percent drop in passengers compared to last years record-breaking total over the next few weeks due to several local schools spring break schedules running April 11 through the 21st to align with Easter.

For passengers beginning their trip at CLT, more than 592,000 fliers are projected to pass through TSA checkpoints during spring break, which is a three percent decrease from last year, said Jerome Woodard, the airports chief operating officer.

We have recently implemented enhanced primary processing, which we call EPP, said a Customs and Border Patrol representative. This new technology has streamlined the processing, reducing the average wait times for all returning United States citizens.

The airport now has 21 screening lanes, up from 17, for this spring travel period so TSA can process an additional 600 passengers per hour.

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Tori Thompson flew in from Madrid, and she says despite the language barrier, her check-in process was smooth.

Pretty slow It is moving fast as far as getting people through the process, Thompson said.

Brad Baker is headed to Augusta, Georgia, with his friends from Vancouver for The Masters. He says it may be spring break, but he believes the decrease could be linked to the economy.

A lot of people arent traveling anymore down to the states due to the threats of, you know, the trade wars going on, Baker said.

Despite lower projected passenger volume, airport officials still encourage fliers to plan ahead.

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Charlotte Airport

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DeKalb County police and the Georgia State Patrol are investigating a chase that ended with a stolen car crashing into three others.

Investigators said earlier in the evening Wednesday, officers spotted the stolen car. When police tried to do a traffic stop, the car sped away, leading officers on a chase.

DeKalb police said the chase ended in a crash at the intersection of Rockbridge and Allgood Roads when the stolen car crashed into three others.

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Officers said two suspects are currently in custody, and they are also in serious condition from the wreck.

Another person not involved in the chase received minor injuries from the wreck.

The Georgia State Patrol has taken over the investigation of the chase and crash. DeKalb County said their officers are investigating the initial carjacking.
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) wrote to Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele demanding the release of a Maryland man mistakenly deported to one of the countrys most notorious prisons.

The letter, spearheaded by caucus Chair Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.), comes after the Justice Department said Kilmar Abrego Garcia was deported due to an administrative error despite a 2019 court order protecting him from removal.

Mr. President, when I joined your 2024 inauguration as part of a congressional delegation, you and I discussed your aspirations for the Salvadoran people. Mr. Abrego Garcia is a hardworking, law-abiding U.S. resident of Salvadoran descent, and a devoted caregiver to his wife and three childrenall of whom are U.S. citizens, Espaillat wrote in a letter from the caucus.

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For the aforementioned reasons, Mr. Abrego Garcias detention is neither legal, ethical or beneficial to the interests of the peoples of the U.S. and El Salvador, the New York Democrat added.

The caucus held a press conference Wednesday with the family of Abrego Garcia. His wife Jennifer Vasquez Sura describing her husband as being abducted and disappeared by the Trump administration.

Abrego Garcia is being held alongside more than 200 other men deported by the Trump administration in El Salvadors Terrorism Confinement Center, known by its acronym in Spanish, CECOT. The Trump administration is paying El Salvador $6 million to house the men for the next year.

In court, Trump administration officials have fought efforts to release Abrego Garcia, saying they no longer have jurisdiction over him now that he is not on U.S. soil and argued they may not be able to entreat  or even cajole El Salvador to secure his return.

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El Salvadors Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the countrys embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to request for comment.

Bukele is set to meet with President Trump in Washington next week.

A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to secure Abrego Garcias return by Monday, but that was blocked by the Supreme Court, which blocked the order but has yet to weigh the broader merits of the case.

Espaillat also asked to visit Abrego Garcia at the facility to verify his well-being.

Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus will never stop the fight in the United States to secure his return, he wrote. I respectfully request that you release Mr. Abrego Garcia from his unlawful detention in CECOT and allow him the space to rejoin his family members in the U.S.

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Additionally, given that his family has not heard from him in nearly 30 days and his well-being remains unknown, I am formally requesting an official visit to CECOT to speak with Mr. Abrego Garcia, he added.

Its a request the government has accommodated for the Trump administration.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem filmed a video at CECOT that she later shared on social platform X, showing herself last month in front of men in a crowded cell with bunk beds across three levels.

Abrego Garcia does not have a criminal record in the U.S. or in El Salvador and came to the U.S. as a teen fleeing gang violence.

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The Trump administration has accused Abrego Garcia of being a member of MS-13 based on a tip from a confidential informant, who claimed he was involved with the international criminal gang in New York. But Abrego Garcias family says he never lived in New York, contesting that he has any gang ties.

The federal judge who ordered Abrego Garcias return, U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis, wrote that his removal was wholly lawless.

Neither the United States nor El Salvador have told anyone why he was returned to the very country to which he cannot return, or why he is detained at CECOT, Xinis wrote.

That silence is telling. As Defendants acknowledge, they had no legal authority to arrest him, no justification to detain him, and no grounds to send him to El Salvador  let alone deliver him into one of the most dangerous prisons in the Western Hemisphere, the judge added.

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The Trump administration has suspended the career attorney who admitted that Abrego Garcia was wrongly deported, saying he failed to zealously advocate for the government.

Abrego Garcias attorneys have described the conditions of CECOT.

Each of the 256 cells is intended to hold approximately 80 inmates but often holds nearly double. The cramped cells are equipped with tiered metal bunks without mattresses, two basins for washing, and two open toilets. There are no windows, fans, or air conditioning, despite the regions warm and humid climate, his attorneys wrote.

Inmates in CECOT are confined to their cells for 23.5 hours daily and cannot go outdoors. They are denied access to reading materials, including even letters from friends or family. Inmates are prohibited from receiving visits from family and friends. Meals are provided through the bars, and the facility enforces strict regulations to maintain order.

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CHICAGO (WGN)  Illinois health officials on Wednesday released a new online tool that allows residents to look up the measles vaccination rate at any school in the state to assess the risk of infection.

Illinois this year is so far clear of confirmed measles infections, but Indiana health officials on Wednesday confirmed five more cases, bring that states total to six. In Texas, officials said this week that a second child died of measles. An adult in New Mexico has also died. None of three who died were vaccinated.

The last outbreak in the Chicago area was last spring, when dozens of infections were reported, mostly at shelters housing migrants to the city.

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Our new dashboard provides the public with the ability to review the measles vaccination rates in their childs school and its risk for an outbreak, IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra said in a statement.

The Measles Outbreak Simulator Dashboard currently uses vaccination data from both public and private schools in the 2023-2024 school year. Itll be updated with more-recent information from the current school year when the data becomes available in the near future, the departments statement said.

The tool provides predictions, projections and estimates for the size and spread of a measles outbreak in individual Illinois schools from Pre-K through 12th grade.

I encourage every school administrator to explore this resource to support families in staying informed and up to date on vaccinations, State Superintendent of Education Dr. Tony Sanders said.

Am I protected against measles?

Measles, which is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus, can spread easily when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

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Many in the United States are already protected.

The CDC said the measles vaccine, which has been used for over 50 years, is considered to be very effective. Two doses of the vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles if exposed to the virus, and one dose is about 93% effective.

Those who received the vaccine are usually fully protected for life after about two or three weeks, according to the CDC.

While the vaccine has historically proven to be highly effective, the CDC said about three out of 100 who get the vaccine will still have measles if exposed.

For more information on how to get vaccinated, call Cook County Health at 833-308-1988.

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Illinois residents can view their immunization records on the states Vax Verify portal.

Gabriel Castillo contributed to this report

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ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, April 10. On April 9, 2025, Deputy Prime Minister of Turkmenistan, Khodjamurad Geldymuradov, held a meeting with the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, in Geneva, Trend reports, citing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

During the meeting, the parties discussed the current cooperation and possible forms of further collaboration between Turkmenistan and the WTO, including issues related to Turkmenistan's accession process to the organization.

The Director-General of the WTO, Okonjo-Iweala, highly appreciated Turkmenistan's efforts and professionalism in matters concerning its WTO accession. Okonjo-Iweala also expressed her gratitude to Turkmenistan's leadershipPresident Serdar Berdymukhammedov and National Leader of the Turkmen people Gurbanguly Berdimuhammedovfor their strategic support in this regard.

Following the meeting, both sides reaffirmed their readiness to deepen cooperation within the steps Turkmenistan is taking on its path to integration into the multilateral trading system.

Meanwhile, a seminar on national industrial and trade policy related to Turkmenistan's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) was held in Ashgabat on February 26-27.
Chelan County Sheriffs Office deputies arrested a 19-year-old man, accused of coercing a teen into sending nude photos to him.

About a month and a half ago, Colorado Springs police contacted Chelan County after a mom said she found a sexually explicit text thread on her 14-year-old daughters phone. In it, a man said he was going to travel to Colorado to meet her.

After weeks of investigation, detectives identified John Vargas-Lopez as the suspect. He was arrested on Tuesday, April 8, near his home in Peshastin.

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Phone records revealed a pattern of him posing as a teenage boy to get nude photos from teen girls over Instagram and Facebook.

Deputies say he had been communicating with the 14-year-old in Colorado since November.

Vargas-Lopez was booked into the Chelan County Regional Justice Center for sexual exploitation of a minor, communication with a minor for immoral purposes, and possession of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Deputies are looking for other possible victims.

Detective Sergeant Lewis with the Chelan County Sheriffs Office added, This case is a stark reminder of the realities of social media. The fact is, predators are actively using social media to prey on children and sexually exploit them. CCSO Detectives are committed to identifying and arresting those in our community who seek to harm or exploit children. Meanwhile, it is imperative that parents talk to their children about how to safely use social media, establish age-appropriate boundaries for cell phone and social media use, and maintain supervision of their communications.
CHEYENNE  While city staff have been working to improve the safety and security of the Spiker Parking Structure downtown, business and property owners hope that it will change the perception that the garage is unsafe.

Both parties ultimate goal is to drive more people to park in the structure instead of on the street.

Our message is it is, in fact, safe, said Corey Loghry, co-owner of The Downtowner. So, as business owners and employees, your place to park is in the garage, your place to park is not on-street parking. And a lot of businesses who know that say, Hey, I want to be a good neighbor, but I can't be a good neighbor and park somewhere where I don't feel safe. So, if you give me an option, I want to be a good neighbor.

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Jason Sanchez, director of Cheyenne Community Recreation and Events, has been leading the charge in changing that perception by implementing changes over the past year and lining up more updates in the coming months.

So far, LED lights have been installed to increase brightness, backup battery-powered lights have been added to the stairwells, parking spaces have been repainted, signs have been cleaned, emergency call stations have been added, restrooms on the first floor were renovated, security cameras have been installed recently, and a gate has been added to block access to the top floor, except during large downtown events.

Spiker Parking Structure top floor gate

A gate blocks access to the top floor of the Spiker Parking Structure from the third floor on Wednesday, April 9, 2025. The top floor will be opened during large downtown events.

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It's really a safe facility; it's just a perception, Sanchez said. If it doesn't feel bright enough or light enough, then people are less likely to use it.

Sanchez said he is also in the process of taking bids to paint the interior white to increase brightness and lower some of the lights that are recessed behind structural columns.

Earlier this year, Cheyenne City Council reversed its decision to implement a paid on-street parking program downtown after many business owners and customers opposed the move. While the ultimate goal of this program was also to drive more people to park in the garage, Loghry said there were other approaches to address the situation that need to be considered first.

Speaking on behalf of downtown business and property owners, Loghry said it is better business and parking management to have people who work or live downtown park in the garage, allowing more on-street parking spaces for visitors.

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She said she and other downtown business owners recently conducted an informal survey by sitting outside of the Spiker Parking Structure for a couple of hours one morning, asking people going in and out of the garage how they felt about its safety.

Loghry said her findings were that the biggest deterrent was the perception that the garage was unsafe. She said the second top answer was the activity on the top floor, which some people have vandalized or used for activities other than parking. The third was lighting.

With Sanchez working to address those specific concerns, Loghry applauded his work.

Jason has listened to public comments and not only has completed upgrades to meet modern standards, but, more importantly, addressed safety concerns. ... We wholeheartedly commend and sincerely thank Jason for his outstanding contributions to our community, Loghry wrote to the WTE in a letter to the editor.

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Another deterrent to using the structure could be price. Currently, it is free for two hours and $4 to pay for parking for the rest of the day. Monthly permits can be purchased for $45.

Last month, City Treasurer Robin Lockman said the city currently receives $191,000 in annual revenue from all three city-owned parking structures and lots that goes toward paying off the remaining $3 million bond that funded the garages.

Virginia Brinkerhoff, owner of Just Dandy downtown, said she has been parking in the Spiker garage every day since it opened, and she has never felt unsafe there. She added that she has noticed fewer skateboarders or people on motorbikes using the top floor for things other than parking over the past few months.

While those who use the parking garage have reported it is feeling safer than it has in previous years, Cheyenne Police Department Capt. David Janes said the number of calls to the police from the Spiker Parking Structure has remained at a low level, about the same as it was before.

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The parking garages inherently give out the perception of not being safe, and perception becomes reality. That was the issue with it," he said. "And I do think, you know, as we've put security in at night, that has really helped, and getting people out of there at night that shouldn't be there, that's been a huge help.

Though it is difficult to track how many people are parking there every day, Janes said it is about half full during the day and mostly empty at night.

He also hopes to add entrance and exit gates to the structure to allow only those using the parking garage for parking to enter.

In other communities, where I spoke to the parking directors, they said that just adding those gates makes a huge difference as far as the reckless driving on the top floors and just people hanging out and not using it for parking, but using it as a playground and hangout spot, he said.

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However, the gates are expensive, and Sanchez said they are currently on hold until the city has a better vision for what parking in downtown Cheyenne will look like going forward.

Sanchez said the funds used for improvements to the Spiker Parking Structure come from sixth-penny sales tax money that voters approved to put toward improving downtown, not from the citys general reserve fund.

Although it is not typical for a director of community recreation and events to oversee the safety of a parking structure, Sanchez said he took on the role because it's important for everyone on city staff to work together.

We're all a team in the city, and so whoever could pick up a piece and run, that's what weve got to do, he said. It's all about teamwork.
In the escalating court battle between the Justice Department and major law firms over President Donald Trumps punitive executive orders, Chicago-based Jenner & Block is leading a counteroffensive on the front lines in a Washington federal court.

Jenner & Block, which was targeted by a March 25 executive order to restrict the 111-year-old law firms access to federal agencies, filed a motion Tuesday seeking a permanent injunction to prevent Trumps order from being enforced. It joins Perkins Coie and WilmerHale in taking the fight to court, backed by support from hundreds of smaller law firms across the country, who say the rule of law is on the line.

No lawyer can effectively represent his client when full-throated advocacy that is not aligned with the governments agenda risks governmental reprisal, Jenner & Block states in the motion for summary judgment.

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The filing argues the executive order violates the First Amendment and unlawfully retaliates against Jenner & Block for speech and association the government does not like.

The motion follows a temporary restraining order granted last month by U.S. District Judge John Bates blocking key portions of Trumps action against Jenner & Block that would have terminated federal contracts and limited the firms access to federal buildings, making it difficult to represent many clients.

The Order singles out Jenner for sanction, adopting a comprehensive series of restrictions and attempting to use nearly every lever at the Presidents disposal to limit Jenners effective advocacy for its clients, the Jenner & Block motion states.

Trumps executive order also singled out former Jenner & Block attorney Andrew Weissmann, a lead prosecutor in special counsel Robert Muellers two-year investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.

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Jenner & Block filed a lawsuit challenging the executive order on March 28, naming the Justice Department, federal agencies and cabinet heads on a long list of defendants. The firms April 8 motion for summary judgment and a permanent injunction reiterates its contention that the executive order exceeds the presidents constitutional authority and violates the separation of powers.

These orders send a clear message to the legal profession: Cease certain representations adverse to the government and renounce the Administrations critics  or suffer the consequences, Jenner & Blocks motion states.

In response, the Justice Department filed a motion April 8 seeking to dismiss Jenner & Blocks lawsuit, citing among other things improperly naming the United States as a defendant as an attempted end-run to dodge the well-settled prohibition against courts enjoining the President.

A former federal prosecutor branded as unethical in Trumps executive order, Weissmann was a partner at Jenner & Block from 2006 to 2011, and again from 2020 to 2021.

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From 2002 to 2005, Weissmann helped lead the Justice Departments Enron Task Force, supervising the prosecution of more than 30 people in connection with the Houston energy companys collapse amid an accounting scandal, including CEO Jeffrey Skilling, the brother of retired WGN-TV weatherman Tom Skilling.

But it was his leading role in the Mueller investigation that earned Trumps ire, making Weissmann a frequent political target of the President, according to the Jenner & Block lawsuit.

Mr. Weissmann does not work at Jenner, the firm states in its motion for summary judgment.

In its motion to dismiss, the Justice Department calls the efforts to distance the law firm from Weissmann revisionist history, despite issuing the executive order nearly four years after his departure from Jenner & Block.

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Jenner & Block publicly praised Weissmanns role in the Mueller investigation, and backed up that praise by rehiring him, the Justice Departments motion states.

Founded in Chicago in 1914, Jenner & Block represents large corporations, universities, emerging companies and individuals, and prides itself on being a top pro bono firm. Chicago remains the largest office, but Jenner & Block has more than 500 lawyers across multiple markets including New York, Los Angeles, London, San Francisco and Washington.

Jenner & Block is one of several large law firms that have been targeted by Trump executive orders in the first few months of his second term.

On Feb. 25, Trump issued an executive order suspending security clearances for Covington & Burling, the Washington-based law firm that represented Jack Smith, the former special counsel who oversaw criminal investigations into the then-former president.

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That was followed by a March 6 executive order suspending security clearances and restricting federal access for Perkins Coie, the Seattle-based law firm that represented Hillary Clinton during her 2016 presidential campaign. Perkins Coie filed an ongoing federal lawsuit March 11 challenging the executive order as unconstitutional.

On March 14, Trump targeted New York-based law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison for bringing a pro bono suit against January 6 participants and for rehiring Mark Pomerantz, an attorney who previously left the firm to join the Manhattan district attorneys office solely to prosecute the president, according his executive order.

Paul Weiss struck a deal that acknowledged the wrongdoing of former partner Pomerantz and also agreed to provide $40 million of pro bono work to causes favored by Trump, who revoked the initial executive order March 21.

The firm faced backlash in the legal community for the decision to reach a settlement. On Tuesday, Trump suggested big law firms that cut a deal with the White House would be putting their pro bono commitments to work propping up the struggling coal industry.

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Others have chosen to fight, including Washington-based WilmerHale, which filed a federal lawsuit and was granted a temporary restraining order March 28  the day after a Trump executive order suspended the firms security clearances and restricted federal access for rehiring former partner and since-retired Mueller at the conclusion of his special counsel investigation.

WilmerHale also filed a motion for summary judgment Tuesday, calling the executive order sanctioning the law firm a textbook example of retaliation for constitutionally protected expression in violation of the First Amendment.

Perkins Coie, which was granted a temporary restraining order March 12 to block Trumps executive order targeting the firm, also filed a motion for summary judgment last week.

On Monday, an amicus brief filed by 16 bar associations, including the Chicago Bar Association, and signed by 500 law firms, expressed support for Perkins Coies motion for a permanent injunction against Trumps order, calling it blatantly illegal and an attempt to intimidate lawyers into submission to the executive branch.

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About a dozen Chicago law firms signed the brief, including Clifford Law, Edelson and Jenner & Block, one of the few so-called Big Law firms on the list.

This isnt a political issue. This is a constitutional and legal issue regarding the rule of law, John Sciaccotta, Chicago Bar Association president, said Wednesday. I think its important for people to choose their lawyers, and I think its important for lawyers to choose their clients.

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CHICAGO (WGN)  More than a dozen police officers were honored in a Thursday morning ceremony, including a group recognized for their response to a dangerous and chaotic scene outside a Gage Park bar last month and two others who saved lives from a Garfield Park house fire.

The Gage Park incident played out March 23 near West 53rd Street and South Kedzie Avenue, where officers encountered a man armed with a gun and a knife who they believed to be responsible for a violent rampage that left two people dead and seriously wounded another. The man appeared to want the officers to kill him by threatening them and goading them to shoot at him.

The officers showed restraint, even when the man attacked them, and ultimately were able to take him into custody, preventing tragedy.

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The officers praised by the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation for preventing more violence through their teamwork and tactical skills were Sgt. David Dubois and officers Xavier Medina, Jose Fernandez, Luis Garcia, Jesus Macedo, Juan Rodriguez, Jesus Torres-Alvarez, Nicholas Verta, Elian Ambriz, Kerry Ferrantella and Colleen Gardner.

Chicago police officer dies inside district station of self-inflicted gunshot: CPD source

Two other officers honored were five-year veteran Nikkolai Azevedo and three-year veteran Conrad Kulik. The pair were recognized for saving lives in an early-morning fire March 12 fire on the 700 block of North Spaulding Avenue in Garfield Park. According to police, the officer saw people trying to escape and jumped into action.

I saw out of the corner of my eye flames coming out of the windows all over and it wasnt a second thought, we got to react make sure everybodys safe, Azevedo told WGN.

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Kulik recalled kicking in doors and finding a man in a wheelchair inside the building.

I got him out, Kulik said. We got two other people out.

Several alders were in attendance at Thursdays event at the Chicago Patrolmans Federal Credit Union on the 1400 block of West Washington Boulevard. They emphasized the importance of recognizing the difficult work that police officers perform that sometimes goes unnoticed.

Heroes run toward the danger. Everyone else runs away, said Ald. Raymond Lopez (15th Ward).

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CHICAGO  Who wants to be a cop in Chicago?

Who gets to be a cop in Chicago?

Mayor Brandon Johnson told reporters last month that working toward long-standing goals to diversify the Chicago Police Department, the city has seen an increase in CPD applications from communities of color.

Were seeing positive results where we have a diverse workforce, our Police Department is becoming more and more diverse, Johnson said.

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Interesting unknown fact people should know: There are more Latino individuals that are applying for these positions. There are more, still, Black candidates who are applying for these positions, he added. I believe that type of diversity is important. Almost 30% of the workforce are women in our Police Department. This is not the 80s Police Department, right?

But what the mayor did not mention is how those groups are counted and the rate at which different applicant categories are hired.

From the start of 2023 through the end of 2024, the city received more than 52,000 job applications from people seeking to join the ranks of the Chicago Police Department  an average of 500 applications per week for two years  according to city hiring data obtained by the Tribune.

In that time, CPD hired 2,301 people.

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Of those brought onto the force, 979 identified as Hispanic/Latino, 945 applicants identified as white, 537 identified as Black, 104 identified as Asian, data show. But while the figures suggest progress on the diversity front, how much remains hazy with a closer look, beginning with the fact that those specified figures do not line up with the 2,301 total.

The citys Human Resources Department categorizes race and ethnicity separately, similar to census data, and there is some overlap among the groups as candidates include their demographic information.

Of the 945 white officers hired since 2023, for example, nearly half said they are Hispanic/Latino, too, possibly lowering the approximate total of what appears on paper to be the largest segment. The result essentially means some candidates check multiple boxes and make gauging diversity results harder.

The hiring rate among each group also shows some inconsistencies.

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A Tribune analysis of data from the citys Department of Human Resources found that white candidates submitted 29% of applications, but accounted for 41% of officers hired. Among Black applicants that rate was nearly reversed, with those candidates submitting 41% of all applications but accounting for 23% of those hired in the last two full calendar years.

Representatives for the mayors office did not dispute the Tribunes findings and did not comment on CPDs recent hiring trends.

In a statement to the Tribune, a Police Department spokesperson said: All applicants are held to the same standards, which include passing a background check, a physical fitness exam and a psychological exam. Candidates who do not meet the qualifications of the thorough pre-employment hiring process, regardless of their race, are removed from hiring eligibility.

Additionally, throughout the past few years CPD has seen a number of applicants voluntarily remove themselves during the pre-employment hiring process. To address this, the recruitment and retention unit has streamlined the process to complete the hiring more quickly and efficiently. Recruiters are also responsible for conducting direct outreach to applicants as they move forward in each step of the pre-employment process with the goal of receiving a formal offer of employment.

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The department has used job fairs, social media and offered information at City Colleges in a bid to attract native Chicagoans  a third of whom identify as Latino.

CPDs overall staffing has remained flat since 2023 as hiring has largely kept pace with officer retirements and other attrition.

However, the department does appear to have seen a sizable drop in the number of white officers. In January 2023, the department had 5,154 white officers, according to data from the citys Office of Inspector General. Two years later, in January 2025, white officers totaled 4,720  an 8% decline.

At the same time, the number of Hispanic/Latino police officers shot up from 3,692 in January 2023 to 4,043 in January 2025, largely offsetting the losses of white cops, and seemingly backing up the mayors contention.

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The share of the department that identifies as Black or Asian remained, effectively flat, while nearly 400 new cops said they are multiracial.

Among the other findings, the data from the Department of Human Resources shows the next generation of Chicago cops is local. More than 90% of those hired already lived within city limits, especially in neighborhoods on the Southwest and Northwest sides that, for generations, have been home to scores of CPD officers and other municipal workers mandated to live in Chicago.

Ald. Ray Lopez, 15th, said he was encouraged to learn that the vast majority of new police hires are city residents. DHR data show more than 200 of those recently hired by CPD come from ZIP codes within the 15th Ward.

CPD officers, Lopez said, have to have a neighborhood DNA to better understand the neighborhood youre serving.

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As police departments and districts are looking (like) and reflecting their communities better, were naturally going to see an uplift in community engagement, particularly when its hires from within those communities, Lopez added. I think being able to train local resident applicants who ultimately become CPD hires on constitutional policing will only benefit the department in the long-term.

However, Lopez added that CPDs applicant rejection rate was very unsettling.

For the last three and half years weve been, basically, running a department short 1,800 bodies, he added. Even with attrition, then we should have 2,000 hires a year.

The emerging shift in the racial makeup of the Police Department mirrors some of the takeaways from a community sentiment survey published earlier this year by the citys consent decree independent monitoring team.

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The monitoring team, led by former federal prosecutor Maggie Hickey of the law firm ArentFox Schiff, conducted the survey between March and April 2024. It found that, while still relatively high, satisfaction with CPD was declining among Chicagos white residents but improving in other racial and ethnic groups.

White respondents continued to express the most favorable opinions of the CPD followed by Latino respondents, Black respondents, and young Black men, who, on average, rated police lower than the Black Chicagoans in the general sample, the survey found.

The decline in positive ratings largely came from more negative perceptions among Latino and white Chicagoans, the monitoring team said. Black Chicagoans and young Black men viewed the CPDs overall performance more favorably than they had in 2020, though their perceptions were still more negative than those of other groups.

Chicagos apparent gap in hiring Black officers is not a new problem.

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In 2021, the citys Office of Inspector General released a report on CPDs hiring process. OIG noted that, at the time, Black candidates accounted for 37% of all applications but just 18% of all department hires.

In examining the reasons for candidate attrition evident from available applicant data, OIG concluded that higher no-show rates and higher failure rates for Black candidates compared to other racial/ethnic groups drove the disproportionately high attrition rates in the standardized test and physical fitness test stages for Black candidates, OIG previously found.

Experts have said there are clear advantages to diversity in the police ranks. Increased racial equity among the police department likely leads to fewer instances of police violence, some studies have found.

One published in 2021 in the journal Science analyzed data collected from nearly 3 million shifts worked by nearly 7,000 CPD officers between 2012 and 2015  the years leading up to the release of the Laquan McDonald shooting video, the singular event that eventually sparked a U.S. Department of Justice investigation and, now, the citys ongoing consent decree.

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Relative to white officers, Black and Hispanic officers make far fewer stops and arrests, and they use force less often, especially against Black civilians, the studys authors found. These effects are largest in majority-Black areas of Chicago and stem from reduced focus on enforcing low-level offenses, with greatest impact on Black civilians.

Any direct effect the number of officers has on street violence remains unclear, at least as it relates to head count.

Gun violence remains the biggest issue for the mayor and police leaders to address, and it remains an all-too-common fact of life for many of the most disadvantaged neighborhoods. Shooting totals and the number of homicides have steadily ticked down in recent years, in keeping with trends in other big cities across the country.

Police Department staffing data shows that, as of January 2025, the department had 11,722 officers  just nine fewer than it did two years earlier.

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DUPAGE COUNTY, Ill. (WGN)  Three Chicago women are facing felony charges, accused of stealing more than $300 worth of merchandise from a Naperville Nike Well Collective store. One faces an additional charge of fleeing from police.

Authorities allege that Emiaya Shannon, 27, and Shawanda Outlaw, 28, swiped more than 20 pieces of clothing from the store on the 200 block of South Main Street on April 9 and took off in a vehicle driven by 27-year-old Martasia Barney.

(L-R) Martasia Barney, Shawanda Outlaw, Emiaya Shannon

Once spotted by a pursuing officer, DuPage County States Attorney Robert Berlin and Naperville police Chief Jason Arres say Barney didnt pull over and instead took off. The trio was trailed by a police helicopter to Chicago where they were taken into custody.

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The apprehension of the defendants in this case sends the simple message to would-be thieves that if you come to DuPage County to steal, we will work together and use every tool available to us, including air support, to arrest, charge and prosecute you, Berlin said. Retail theft is not a victimless crime and results in lost profits for business owners, lost wages for employees and higher prices for consumers.

All three defendants were released following an initial court appearance with the condition that they not enter any Nike Store.

Their next court appearances were scheduled for May 5 before Judge Mia McPherson.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
Children in child care. (Photo by Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent)

The final draft of the Ohio House version of the state operating budget included some changes to their initial plans for child care, but no change to the eligibility for its Publicly Funded Child Care program.

The omnibus budget amendment, released Tuesday and passed by the House on Wednesday, added $50 million in funding for each fiscal year to support the Child Care Choice Voucher Program, using federal funding from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant. The voucher program provides a subsidy for children whose income falls outside of the eligibility for the states Publicly Funded Child Care.

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In Gov. Mike DeWines executive budget, he wanted the PFCC eligibility raised to a maximum of 160% of the federal poverty line. The House, however, maintained the current level of 145% in both its initial draft and the omnibus draft passed on Wednesday.

The Ohio Department of Children and Youths director, Kara Wente, told the Senate Finance Committee the same day that the department estimates about 40,000 children live outside of the PFCC eligibility, making them eligible for the Child Care Choice Voucher Program, which has a current maximum eligibility of 200% of the federal poverty line.

With the Senate beginning work to create a budget draft of its own, Wente went on to say the child care voucher program, which was established in April of last year, has already served 5,300 families and 8,000 children.

The director said its important for the state to support the program as child care continues to be an issue not only for parents who lack access, but also those who lack the ability to afford child care, especially at higher poverty levels.

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We know that families up to 200% (of the federal poverty line) are making less than $62,000 a year, and we know the average cost of child care in Ohio is about $11 of every hour, Wente told the committee.

Ohios eligibility level is the lowest in the country, according to Wente, who continued to support the proposed expansion of publicly funded child care to 160% in the Senate committee.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE

Child care advocates have been pushing for improvements to Ohios child care sector for years, with the Ohio Chamber of Commerce most recently holding a summit about the impacts of child care on the states workforce.

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The state chamber, along with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and Ohio-based advocacy group Groundwork Ohio, released a full report at the summit, laying out detailed impacts on the states economy, employment and education.

Ohios child care gaps drive parents out of the workforce, reduce tax revenue for the state and put undue strain on households, the report stated.

The February 2025 research found that insufficient child care availability costs Ohio $5.48 billion every year in lost economic activity.

That includes $1.52 billion lost in tax revenue due to child care issues and $3.97 billion in child care-related employee turnover and absenteeism costs.

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The root of the issue, the report found, is low reimbursement rates for child care providers, along with low pay for those workers, and disproportionate distribution of providers, especially in rural areas.

Ohio generally lags behind the rest of the Midwest when it comes to implementing policies to improve child care accessibility, researchers stated in the report.

Maintaining the support for child care, particularly for children in families up to 200% of the federal poverty line is one of the top goals for Wente and the states Department of Children and Youth.

She also told the Senate the department wants to see the application process streamlined, and payments for providers streamlined as well. Federal compliance through the use of market rates for providers and capping co-pays for parents at 7% of their income are also top priorities for the department, according to the director.

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Along with the Child Care Choice Voucher Program, the Houses version of the budget keeps the Early Childhood Education Grant Program proposed by the governor, to support and invest in Ohios early learning and development programs, according to budget documents. Those programs include licensed child care centers and preschools.

The budget draft also included $3.2 million for a child care recruitment and mentorship program, and Publicly Funded Child Care payments would be based on a childs enrollment rather than attendance, if the provisions stay in the final draft of the budget.

Also still present in the Houses budget proposal is a child care cost-sharing model that would split the costs of care three ways, between the state, employers and employees. The omnibus budget amendments capped eligibility for that program at 400% of the federal poverty level.

Infant mortality and better outcomes

Wente said the department, which absorbed several other departments when it was established, is focused on meeting goals like child care access, along with lowering infant mortality rates and improving kindergarten readiness, even as the 600-person department commits to cutting 36 positions.

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She wants to see the infant mortality rate in the state improve from the current ranking of 43rd in the country. Modeling the states programs on local measures like Cradle Cincinnati, Wente said a strategy that focuses on moms, connecting moms to resources and holding the state accountable for the outcomes would go a long way to continued improvement.

What were seeing be common across all states (with lower infant mortality rates), no matter their makeup, is that theyre actually engaging with the families that are most at risk, Wente said.

Ohio has great foundational programs, she said, but families need more assurances that they will be able to overcome burdens like poverty or a lack of transportation to get to those resources.

With changes in the department and proper budget support, Wente said they have plans to bring a rise in all outcomes for children, including in kindergarten readiness through accessible, affordable child care.

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We, today, know that based on Ohio data, that economically disadvantaged children are 2.4 times more likely to demonstrate on the kindergarten readiness assessment if theyve had any involvement in preschool, Wente said.

The Houses draft of the budget removes the kindergarten readiness assessment, along with its use on the state report card, and related data collection and reported requirements.

Wente was also asked about pediatric cancer funding in the state, which would see a $5 million reduction in funding as part of the Houses budget draft. The executive budget called for $10 million, which the director said would be used to really work with our research institutions and our childrens hospital to figure out the best way to add to childrens cancer research.

Pediatric cancer research is one of the lowest-funded research components in the cancer space, Wente said. Its predominantly focused on adults, so we wanted to take a targeted approach to make sure that there was focus on kids. That has been reduced to $5 million.

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BEIJING (AP)  China on Thursday described as irresponsible" accusations by Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that Russia is actively recruiting Chinese citizens to fight alongside its forces in the Ukraine war.

Zelenskyy said Wednesday that over 150 such mercenaries are already active on the battlefield with Beijings knowledge. He spoke after the capture this week of two Chinese nationals who were fighting for Russia in eastern Ukraine.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian repeated China's assertions that it supports and promotes a peaceful settlement to the conflict and that the Chinese government always asks Chinese nationals to stay away from areas of armed conflict, avoid any form of involvement in armed conflict, and in particular avoid participation in any partys military operations.

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We call on the relevant party to be correct and sober about Chinas role and refrain from making irresponsible remarks, Lin said at a daily briefing in response to a question about Zelenskyy's comments.

The two captured Chinese nationals were identified as Wang Guangjun, born in 1991 and Zhang Renbo, born in 1998.

China and Russia are close geostrategic partners. Just days before Russia's full-on invasion of Ukraine three years ago, Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping signed a document declaring a friendship without limits between their nations, although China has since dropped the phrase as the war grinds on.

China is not known to have provided troops or armaments directly to Russia, but has provided strong diplomatic support and an economic lifeline through the purchase of oil, gas and minerals and the vast majority of dual-use goods such as engines that have both military and civilian purposes.

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Despite Beijing's denials, Russia is actively recruiting Chinese citizens to fight alongside its forces in the Ukraine war with over 150 such mercenaries already active in the battle with Beijings knowledge, Zelenskyy said on Wednesday.

Citing intelligence reports, Zelenskyy said Russia was recruiting Chinese citizens through social media by sharing news and videos to entice fresh mercenaries. Zelenskyy said Beijing was aware of the recruitment campaign.

The Chinese issue is serious, he said, in a briefing with reporters. There are 155 people with surnames, with passport data, 155 Chinese citizens fighting against Ukrainians on the territory of Ukraine. We are collecting information; we believe that there are many more of them.

The scheme of how they recruit them is clear. One of the schemes is through social networks, in particular Tik-Tok and other Chinese social networks, where Russians distribute advertising videos, he added, saying that officially Beijing knows about this. Russians distribute advertising videos about recruitment through Chinese social networks.

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He said it was not secret recruitment, although parts of it might be covert.

Documents listing the names, passport numbers and personal details of the Chinese recruits known to Ukrainian intelligence were shared with journalists. They are active in the 70th, 71st and 255th Russian motorized rifle regiments, Zelenskyy said.

Some photos of known Chinese mercenaries were also shared. The documents detail when recruits arrived at Russian military training centers and when they departed for military service.

The recruits traveled to Moscow and underwent medical examinations before 1 to 2 months of military training and then deployment to Ukraine, Zelenskyy said.

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Both sides have employed mercenaries and other foreign fighters in the war, including thousands of North Koreans soldiers fighting for Russia on Russian territory. Their effectiveness has been negligible, but their presence points to the generous pay Russia is offering as well as troubles it is having recruiting from among Russians, many of whom have fled abroad to avoid conscription.

Zelenskyy said he is willing to exchange the Chinese fighters for Ukrainian soldiers held captive by Russia. The two men were fighting in different Russian military brigades and were captured in two different villages in the Donetsk region. Zelenskyy said the two were being held by the Ukrainian Security Service in Kyiv.

We believe that the others are in eastern Ukraine, but in fact we need to look. Here are two different villages, two different brigades. And the brigade, you know, holds a fairly long section, Zelenskyy said.

The Ukrainian president stepped back from accusing Beijing of having an overt policy of deploying mercenaries to Ukraine, saying he was not sure yet what Chinas intentions were.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian on April 10 again denied Beijing's involvement in Russia's all-out war against Ukraine, calling on Kyiv to refrain "from irresponsible remarks."

Lin's statement came after President Volodymyr Zelensky said that 155 Chinese citizens were fighting for Russia on the territory of Ukraine. A day prior, Kyiv captured the first two Chinese nationals in Donetsk Oblast.

"Beijing knows about this. The Russians distribute advertising videos about recruitment through Chinese social networks," Zelensky said.

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When asked about the details Ukraine's president provided, the Chinese spokesperson reiterated that "we are not a party to it."

"The Chinese government always asks Chinese nationals to stay away from areas of armed conflict, avoid any form of involvement in armed conflicts, and in particular avoid participation in any party's military operations," he said at a briefing.

"We call on the relevant party to be right and sober about China's role and refrain from making irresponsible remarks."

Earlier in the day, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov also denied China's involvement in Russia's war, describing the country as a "strategic partner, friend, comrade."

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A Ukrainian intelligence document seen by the Kyiv Independent on April 9 showed that there are at least 163 Chinese nationals serving in Russia's Armed Forces as of early April. Another document showed photos and passport details of 13 Chinese recruits who were being selected for service in the Russian army as of April 2.

One of the captured soldiers claimed he paid 300,000 rubles (roughly $3,500) to a middleman in China to join the Russian military in exchange for the promise of citizenship, Ukraine's Luhansk military unit press service told Ukrainian Pravda earlier in the day.

China, which portrays itself as a neutral party in the war, has become the Kremlin's largest supplier of dual-use goods essential for weapons manufacturing.

Unlike North Korean troops, who have fought on Russian soil, the Chinese nationals were captured on Ukrainian territory, marking a potential escalation in foreign involvement.

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North Korea sent around 12,000 troops to Russia's Kursk Oblast in 2024 to reinforce Russian lines after a Ukrainian cross-border offensive. Kyiv has said it captured two North Korean soldiers in January, estimating 4,000 casualties among the deployed units.

Read also: Before I got there, I had never held a weapon  Ukraine shows interrogation of Chinese POWs

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 10. As part of preparations for the joint naval exercises of Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan "Caspian Breeze - 2025", staff talks were held in the maritime capital of Kazakhstan, Aktau, with the participation of representatives of the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry, Trend reports with reference to the Ministry of Defense of Kazakhstan.

The ministry reported that during the meeting, First Deputy Commander-in-Chief  Chief of the General Staff of the Naval Forces of Kazakhstan, Captain 1st Rank Kanat Niyazbekov and Chief of Staff of the Naval Forces of Azerbaijan, Captain 1st Rank Teymur Murshudov discussed and agreed on key organizational and tactical aspects of the upcoming exercises.

It is noted that the maneuvers will take place in the Kazakh waters of the Caspian Sea. After the ships arrive, it is planned to clarify the scenario of the exercises and detail the stages on the map.

"The deployment of ships in the area where the exercises are being conducted and the implementation of elements of joint navigation of ships during the sea crossing are envisaged. The naval personnel will work on repelling asymmetric threats, providing assistance to aircraft, ships, and vessels in distress. Live fire exercises will also be conducted at sea and air targets," the ministry said.
Chinese researchers have unveiled a new deep-sea tool capable of cutting through the worlds most secure subsea cables  and it has many in the West feeling a little jittery.

The development, first revealed in February 2025 in the Chinese-language journal Mechanical Engineering, was touted as a tool for civilian salvage and seabed mining. But the ability to sever communications lines 13,000 feet (4,000 meters) below the seas surface  far beyond the operational range of most existing infrastructure  means that the tool can be used for other purposes with far-reaching implications for global communications and security.

That is because undersea cables sustain the worlds international internet traffic, financial transactions and diplomatic exchanges. Recent incidents of cable damage near Taiwan and in northern Europe have already raised concerns of these systems vulnerabilities  and suspicions about the role of state-linked actors.

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The growing sophistication and openness of underwater technology evidenced by the latest news from China suggest that undersea infrastructure may play a larger role in future strategic competition. Indeed, this development adds a new layer to the broader challenge of securing critical infrastructure amid expanding technological reach and the rise of so called gray zone tactics  antagonisms that take place between direct war and peace.

The backbone of global communication

Despite their unassuming appearance, undersea cables form the backbone of modern communication systems. Stretching around 870,000 miles (over 1.4 million kilometers) across every ocean, these cables transmit almost 100% of global internet communication.

These information superhighways are a major engine for the modern economy and are indispensable for things such as almost instantaneous financial transactions and real-time diplomatic and military communications.

If all these cables were suddenly severed, only a sliver of U.S. communication traffic could be restored using every satellite in orbit.

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The entire system is built, owned, operated and maintained by the private sector. Indeed, approximately 98% of these cables are installed by a handful of firms. As of 2021, the U.S. company SubCom, French firm Alcatel Submarine Networks and Japanese firm Nippon Electric Company collectively held an 87% market share. Chinas HMN Tech holds another 11%.

Tech giants including Amazon, Google, Meta and Microsoft now own or lease roughly half of the undersea bandwidth worldwide, according to analysis by the U.S.-based telecommunications research group TeleGeography.

Vulnerabilities and sabotage

The very characteristics that make undersea cables effective also render them highly vulnerable. Built to be lightweight and efficient, they are exposed to a variety of natural hazards, including underwater volcanic eruptions, typhoons and floods.

But human activity is still the primary cause of cable damage, whether its from accidental anchor drags or inadvertent entanglement with trawler nets.

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Now, security experts are increasingly concerned that future human disruptions might be intentional, with nations launching coordinated attacks on undersea cables as part of a hybrid war strategy.

Such assaults could disrupt not only civilian communications but also critical military networks.

An adversary, for example, could cut off a nations command structures from intelligence feeds, sensor data and communication with deployed forces. The ramifications extend even to nuclear deterrence: Without reliable communication, a nuclear-armed state might lose the ability to control or monitor its strategic weapons.

The loss of communications, even for a few minutes, could be catastrophic. It could mean the difference between a successful defense and a crippling first strike.

A technician explains the undersea damage to cables around Taiwan following a 2006 earthquake. Sam Yeh/AFP via Getty Images

Geopolitical threats

In recent years, Western policymakers have become particularly concerned about the capabilities of Russia and China to exploit the vulnerabilities of undersea cables.

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One particularly illustrative incident occurred in 2023 when Taiwanese authorities accused two Chinese vessels of cutting the only two subsea cables supplying internet to Taiwans Matsu Islands.

The resulting digital isolation of 14,000 residents for six weeks was not an one-off episode. Taiwans ruling Democratic Progressive Party has pointed to a pattern, noting that Chinese vessels have disrupted cable operations on 27 occasions since 2018.

In January 2025, Taiwans coast guard blamed a Cameroon- and Tanzania-flagged vessel crewed by seven Chinese nationals and operated by a Hong Kong-based company when an undersea cable was severed off the islands northeastern coast.

Such incidents, often described as gray-zone aggression, are designed to wear down an adversarys resilience and test the limits of response.

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Chinas recent push to enhance its cable-cutting capabilities coincides with a surge in its military drills around Taiwan, including a number of recent exercises.

Similar cable disruptions have occurred in the Baltic Sea. In October 2023, a telecom cable connecting Sweden and Estonia was damaged along with a gas pipeline. In January 2025, a cable linking Latvia and Sweden was breached, triggering NATO patrols and a Swedish seizure of a vessel suspected of sabotage tied to Russian activities.

Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russias Security Council, even hinted at the possibility of targeting undersea communication cables as retaliation for actions such as the Nord Stream pipeline explosions in 2023.

The involvement of state-linked vessels in incidents operating under flags of convenience  that is, registered to another country  further complicates efforts to attribute and deter such attacks.

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It isnt just security and defense at risk. The modern financial system is predicated on the assumption of continuous, high-speed connectivity; any interruption, however brief, could disrupt markets, halt trading and lead to significant monetary losses.

The undersea battlefield

Given the strategic importance of undersea cables and the multifaceted risks they face, Western governments intent on preventing further conflict would be wise to find a comprehensive and internationally coordinated way to secure the infrastructure against threats.

One clear option would be to bolster repair and maintenance capacities. Currently, a significant vulnerability stems from the overreliance on Chinese repair ships. Chinas robust maritime industry and state-supported investments in global telecommunications has contributed to the Asian nation taking a prominent position when it comes to cable repair ships.

The protection of undersea cables should not, I believe, be viewed as the responsibility of any single nation but as a collective priority for all nations reliant on this infrastructure. As such, international frameworks and agreements could facilitate information sharing, standardize security protocols and establish rapid response mechanisms in the event of a cable breach.

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But such international efforts would be fighting against the tide. The incidents in Taiwan, the Baltic Sea and elsewhere come as great power competition intensifies between the U.S. and China.

China, in developing deep-water cable-cutting technology, may be sending a message of intent. Meanwhile, the Trump administrations America First approach signals a shift that could complicate efforts to foster partnerships for the general global good.

The defense of undersea cables reflects the challenges of our hyperconnected world, requiring a balance of innovation, strategy and cooperation. But as nations including China and Russia seemingly test and probe this vital global infrastructure, it appears the systems underpinning the Wests prosperity and security could become one of its greatest vulnerabilities.

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: John Calabrese, American University

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John Calabrese 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.
The News

US President Donald Trumps ramped-up tariffs on Chinese goods is a gamble that his trade war will hurt Beijing more than Washington. But in the energy sector, at least, US victory is far from assured.

Chinese clean tech companies may actually emerge stronger as a result of increased isolation from the US market, analysts told Semafor, while American energy companies  fossil fuels and renewables  could find themselves increasingly at a loss.

Trade tensions with the US arent going to dislocate Chinas position in global green development, said Herbert Crowther, energy analyst at the Eurasia Group. The US was never the driving force behind the growth of Chinas green industry, and the long-term view is still positive for these sectors.

Tims view

The challenge ahead for Chinese manufacturers of solar panels, EVs, and batteries is what to do with their excess manufacturing capacity if they dont have the US as a market after Trump increased tariffs on imports from China to 125%. The good news, from their point of view, is that there are a number of options on how to profitably pivot in response. A narrowing export market may actually force Chinas clean tech companies to do some long-overdue housecleaning that could both strengthen their bottom lines and support Chinas progress toward decarbonization. That may not matter much to Trump, who is already no fan of US clean energy industries, but it promises to widen the gap between China and the US on technologies that most energy experts agree will be increasingly vital in the years ahead.

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Chinese solar-panel exports have already been largely walled off from the US for several years, which has caused Chinese firms to push much of their production to Southeast Asia. Even prior to the current trade war, Chinese solar producers were also making a concerted push into the Middle East, as a lucrative new venue both for customers and for investments in new manufacturing facilities. That will definitely continue now, with no sign of a slowdown in global solar panel demand anywhere. Chinas domestic solar market is probably saturated  in 2024, the country added more than 270 gigawatts of solar, five times more than overall US power capacity additions from all sources that year  but the government was already taking steps to curb the domestic manufacturing glut that had pushed some solar companies into bankruptcy.

All told, the industry seems to be moving in a healthy direction. US solar companies, meanwhile, will continue to be hit hard by rising prices for steel, raw minerals, and other components  in part because of Chinas retaliatory export controls.

Chinas solar industry could be helped by US tariffs in another way. Up until this trade war, Chinese manufacturers of grid-scale batteries still had an important market in the US. If that dries up, it will severely hamstring the US energy transition. But it would force Chinese companies to focus more on their domestic market, at a time when a lack of energy storage options has become a major bottleneck for the deployment of more renewables on the countrys grid. Chinas national and regional governments will likely respond to US tariffs by increasing incentives for local energy storage projects, Greenpeace East Asia project lead Yao Yi said: These tariffs may provide the unintentional incentive of strengthening Chinas energy transition for its energy storage sector.

Chinas electric vehicle makers were also already mostly barred from the US, still have plenty of room to grow domestically, and seem to be moving toward a mutually beneficial tariff deal with the EU. But the levies will be painful for the EV efforts of major US automakers, which still rely heavily on Chinese batteries and other components.

Know More

Solar deployment in China may also get a boost from the countrys own tariffs on US liquefied natural gas imports. China hasnt imported any US LNG for two months, the longest break in at least five years. That means theres an opening in the countrys power supply market that renewables could be well-positioned to fill (although coal will also likely get a boost). China can source more LNG from US competitors like Qatar or Australia. Meanwhile, an economic slowdown in China and greater EV adoption there also work against the US oil industry, which had seen Chinas gasoline market as one of the few growing corners of global oil demand. Over the last few years the movement of global oil prices has become increasingly pegged to Chinas economic health, so the steps Trump takes to weaken it will make his US energy dominance agenda harder to fulfill.

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Finally, China is an important market for US petrochemical producers  yet US imports make up a relatively small share of Chinas petchem supply, giving China an advantage in that corner of the trade war as well.

Room for Disagreement

Outside the energy sector, other corners of Chinas economy may be less well positioned to survive a trade war. For many mass-produced goods, the US is still the market of choice.

Notable
The involvement of Chinese nationals in Russias war against Ukraine appears to be part of a systemic recruitment effort organized by Moscow, not isolated incidents, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on April 10.

His comments came after Ukrainian forces captured two Chinese fighters near the villages of Tarasivka and Bilohorivka in Donetsk Oblast.

We continue to clarify all the circumstances of the involvement of Chinese citizens in the Russian occupation contingent, Zelensky said in a statement. It is obvious that these are not isolated cases, but a systemic Russian operation, including on the territory and under the jurisdiction of China, aimed at recruiting citizens of that country for war.

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According to Zelensky, Ukraines Security Service (SBU) is conducting procedural actions with the captured individuals and analyzing further intelligence related to other potential Chinese nationals participating in Russias military operations.

Zelensky emphasized the need for global vigilance to prevent Russia from expanding the scope of the war.

We must do everything necessary to ensure that Russia has no such opportunities to draw others into and prolong this war, he said.

Beijing previously responded to the reports by saying it was verifying claims that two Chinese nationals had been captured fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian reiterated that Chinese citizens are prohibited from participating in foreign armed conflicts.

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China, which presents itself as a neutral party in the war, has become the Kremlins largest supplier of dual-use goods critical to weapons manufacturing.

Unlike North Korean troops, who have reportedly fought on Russian territory, the Chinese nationals were captured inside Ukrainepotentially signaling a new level of foreign involvement. According to a Ukrainian intelligence document reviewed by the Kyiv Independent on April 9, at least 163 Chinese nationals were serving in Russias armed forces as of early April.

Read also: The Counteroffensive: Can Ukraines military survive without Elon Musks Starlink systems?

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A Chinese soldier captured while fighting alongside Russian forces said he wants to return to China rather than go to Russia, according to a new interrogation video published on April 10 by President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Ukraine on April 8 announced the capture of two Chinese fighters operating with Russian units near the villages of Tarasivka and Bilohorivka in Donetsk Oblast. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) carried out its first interrogation of the prisoners on April 9.

In the latest video of the questioning, the Chinese national told the SBU that his unit was commanded by a Russian officer and described the conditions under which he was captured.

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"When we hid in a wooden shelter, a drone attacked us and damaged my weapon," the prisoner said. He identified his weapon as a Kalashnikov AK-74 and said he was accompanied by a Russian soldier during the attack.

The captured fighter also said that he was treated better in Ukrainian custody than during his time with Russian forces.

"Here in Ukraine they feed me better than in Russia, and treat me better. It is safer here," he answered.

When asked about a possible prisoner exchange, the man said he did not want to return to Russia.

"I would prefer to go to China," he said, adding that he had once contacted his parents but did not tell them where he was, to avoid causing them worry. The soldier also said he rarely had access to the internet.

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The involvement of Chinese nationals in Russias war against Ukraine appears to be part of a "systemic" recruitment effort, Zelensky said on April 10.

The SBU is continuing its investigation into the circumstances surrounding the Chinese nationals' presence in Russian military units. According to a Ukrainian intelligence document obtained by the Kyiv Independent on April 9, at least 163 Chinese nationals are serving in Russia's armed forces.

Read also: Putin is pure evil  Trumps spiritual advisor on Russias war against Ukraine

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has carried out the first interrogation of two Chinese nationals captured while fighting for Russia in Ukraine, it announced on April 9. Heres everything we know so far about the two POWs, as well as more than 160 other Chinese nationals reportedly serving in Russias Armed Forces, according to the documents seen by the Kyiv Independent.

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Memes that mock Americans over Trump's tariffs have taken over Chinese social media.

AI generated videos feature Trump and tech workers on the iPhone assembly line or sewing clothes.

Scott Bessent said that "excess labor" in the federal government could be labor for manufacturing.

A finance bro in a Patagonia vest sobbing as he sews a sock. Batman and Spiderman assembling tech products. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance stitching red hats in a factory.

These are some of the memes  many of which are AI-generated that have been spreading on Chinese social media sites like Rednote and Weibo to mock Americans over Trump's tariffs.

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Trump has cited national security and a large trade deficit with China as reasons to raise duties on the long time rival and manufacturing hub. He also accused China of currency manipulation to offset the impact of tariffs. During Trump's "Liberation Day" announcement, he said China has been charging the US 67% in duties.

One of the most viral memes, which has crossed over to American audiences on sites like TikTok and X, shows Americans in t-shirts looking sad as they sew clothes in a factory or screw cell phones together on an assembly line.

Traditional Chinese music plays over the scenes, and Trump's slogan "Make America Great Again" flashes across the screen at the end of the apparently AI-generated video. One X user's post of the viral meme has been viewed more than 7 million times, and a TikTok post of the video has been shared over 34,000 times.

The memes play on the concerns that Trump's significant tariffs on China, and his repeated calls to reduce US reliance on foreign goods and shore up American manufacturing, will hurt everyday Americans and be potentially regressive. While Trump has paused tariffs on other trading partners for 90 days on Wednesday, tariffs on China now stand at 125%.

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"When you wanted to bring back manufacturing jobs to the US but you lost your overpaid, cushy powerpoint / excel job and now gotta hit the assembly line," wrote one user on X above a screenshot of "The White Lotus" character Piper looking emotional over not being able to endure living conditions in Thailand.

The fear that white collar workers might soon need to work in factories builds on comments made by politicians like US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who said on Tucker Carlson's show last Friday that fired office workers could find manufacturing jobs "to re-lever the private sector."

"So what we are doing: on one side, the President is reordering trade. On the other side, we are shedding excess labor in the federal government and bringing down federal borrowings," said Bessent. "And then on the other side of that, we will have the labor we need for new manufacturing."

Other memes call out the countries Trump initially targeted in his sweeping tariffs, such as his 10% tariffs on the Heard and McDonald Islands. The group of Antarctic islands is an Australian external territory inhabited only by penguins, seals, and seabirds.

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One Rednote post includes a clip of "The Penguins of Madagascar" over a news article about the tariffs on the islands. "Captain, walking into hostile environment," the penguins in the clip say. "We're gonna need special tactical equipments. We're gonna face extreme peril."

Also on Rednote, a slideshow of photos, some AI generated, depicts penguins wearing a red "Make America Go Away" hat, wielding weapons, and participating in a mass protest against Trump.

The tariff war has also generated a renewed wave of nationalism on Chinese social media site Weibo. Users are rallying behind their government's decision to retaliate, temporarily leaving behind dissatisfactions toward the ruling party over the country's economic downturn since the pandemic.

"Fully support," wrote one commenter under a state media post about China raising retaliatory tariffs to 84% on the US that garnered nearly a million likes. "May 1 holiday would be spent supporting domestic products."

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Another commenter cited an ancient Chinese tale from the Qin Dynasty, that when a nation ceded five cities to a large and powerful enemy, the invader soon asked for ten cities and more. In this context, the cautionary story is being used to justify why China should not make any concessions towards the US.

A Bluesky comment perhaps best sums up how many tariff stricken Americans feel toward the long-time authoritarian rival right now: "If you told my 2024 self I'd be rooting for China to not back down, I'd have said you were crazy."

Read the original article on Business Insider
SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage)  Dudra Butler is running for San Angelo City Council, Single-member District 2.

Butler found her passion for politics and service in high school as a student council member. She also interned for former Speaker of the House, Billy Clayton. After graduating from Angelo State University, she had the opportunity to run Bill Sims district office in 1983.

From back then to now, five decades I count, I have served on over 25 boards, Butler said.

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She previously served the San Angelo Independent School District as a school service worker. She said that role allowed her to advocate for SAISD and she hopes to do the same for her community as a city council member.

I would be a leader and representative who listens. I will be the voice for the people of my district, the people of San Angelo, Butler said. I would say that Dudras motto or trademark is Dudra cares.

Butler said the first difference she would like to make is to find better ways to be transparent with the community and ensure she holds herself and other city council members accountable.

I want to be the person to always let the public know that we are responsible with their tax dollars and always show accountability, Butler said.

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Her first steps if elected to city council are to meet with others, listen, and learn.

Its going to be a learning experience and Im willing to do that and hit the ball running, Butler said.

Butler recently retired but said she wants to continue being a voice for her community.

I do have a servants heart, and I still feel like, at this ripe age of 68, that I have something to give, Butler 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 ConchoValleyHomepage.com.
New York City will make plans to build more than 1,000 new public bathrooms over the next decade under a bill passed by the City Council Thursday that seeks to address a serious shortage of toilets open to all.

Under the bill, sponsored by Councilmember Sandy Nurse, the city would be required to develop a blueprint for building more bathrooms, with a specific benchmark of getting 2,120 public toilets available in the next 10 years, although theres no mandate for the city to make good on that number.

There are currently about 1,000 public toilets citywide, Nurse said.

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The legislation passed in an unanimous vote.

Nurses bill will require the city to produce a report every four years for how it plans on building and maintaining more facilities and how much itll cost.

The city is in dire need of more restrooms. The Big Apple has just four public toilets per 100,000 people, according to QS Supplies 2021 Public Toilet Index  less than the national average of eight per 100,000 residents.

Every single person walking around New York City should be free to pee in a private, clean, functioning bathroom, Nurse said at a press conference before the vote. No one should have to experience the humiliation or stress of having to relieve themselves out on the street.

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Under the bill, at least half of the bathrooms would be publicly owned, with the other 50% possible through public-private partnerships.

Nurse said the lack of access to restrooms, in addition to crackdowns on public urination laws, endanger some of the citys most vulnerable, like homeless people, seniors, parents of small children and those with medical conditions.

The NYPD issued 3,698 criminal and 5,672 civil tickets for public urination in 2023.

In June 2024, Mayor Adams announced he would build or renovate dozens of city restrooms and released a digital map showing public restroom locations. With Thursdays vote, Nurses bill now heads to the desk of the mayor, who can sign it, veto it or let it lapse into law.

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Liz Garcia, a spokesperson for the mayor, said in a statement on Friday the mayor believe city-dwellers deserve accessible, well-maintained public restrooms.

If the bill becomes law, we must prioritize new public bathrooms where there is the most need, Garcia said.

A report last fall from the City Council found that two-thirds of 100 public restrooms inspected were closed or in dirty or unsafe conditions.
Apr. 9MORGANTOWN  It would have been easy to say, "We told you so."

Members of the Monongalia County Commission chose not to do so Wednesday when asked about recently released transportation infrastructure data that claimed major roads in the greater Morgantown area are in worse condition than roads in any other urban area in West Virginia.

The report, issued Tuesday by national transportation research nonprofit organization TRIP, stated Morgantown has a higher percentage of "poor " roads and a lower percentage of "good " roads than any of the state's other population centersby a lot.

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It didn't come as a surprise.

That's been the claim for years.

And frustration built over those years as local officials have gone back and forth with Charleston questioning why it would allow one of its few prosperous areas of growth to be hamstrung with broken down roads.

It would have been easy to say, 'We told you so.'

They didn't.

"The caution here is the fact that we've got a new administration, and we've got a new [transportation ] secretary who seems keenly interested, both him and the governor from what I understand, in trying to address our area more than it's been addressed in the past, " Commissioner Sean Sikora said.

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"So, was this information helpful ? It was certainly helpful. If you don't know where you're going, any road will take you there. So, at least this report kind of standardizes the roads across the state and points to areas where they need to be addressed, but I would stop short of any criticism because I know that just in the past couple months the effort to move forward and address some of our issues has increased with warp speed, " he said.

Commissioner Tom Bloom, who as recently as late 2023 lamented, "I don't know what we've done to deserve this, " when discussing the DOH's handling of area road concerns, said the report did validate a lot of past frustration.

"The only good news there is it validates what we have been saying for years. We're the economic engine of the state, and I believe there's been a whole change in attitude to reflect that. It isn't going to change overnight because this has been building for years, " Bloom said. "I have to agree with Sean. There's been a real change in the effort to work together on these problems. We believe the comments made by the new secretary of transportation, that he wants to start putting funds in areas where it will pay for itself, were about north central West Virginia and Monongalia County."

Morgantown Communications Director Brad Riffee said the conditions reported by TRIP are not surprising.

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"Many of the roads in poor condition fall outside of our jurisdiction. City streets are maintained because we actively address them, " Riffee said, noting the city is evaluating the condition of its streets and intends to release its own detailed report in the coming months. "Our commitment remains focused on maintaining our roads and ensuring safe travel for everyone."

According to Brent Walker, executive director of public relations for the West Virginia Department of Transportation, the state uses tools like the TRIP report along with internally-produced data to improve its decision making process.

"It is this new administration's desire to focus on areas of need, especially those that are growing like Morgantown. We have a number of projects that have been initiated in the Morgantown area and will continue to do more projects as we are able to fund them, " Walker told The Dominion Post. "It is our desire to lower the amount of roads in poor condition and raise the amount of good roads not only in Morgantown, but all over the state, by focusing and recommitting to maintaining the assetsroads and bridgeswe have today."

TRIP's full report, "Keep West Virginia Moving Forward, " is available at tripnet.org.
DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, April 10. Minister of Energy and Water Resources of Tajikistan, Daler Juma, held a meeting with Gurbuz Gonul, Director of Country Engagement and Partnerships at the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Trend reports via the Tajik ministry.

In the meeting, both sides shot the breeze about crucial areas of teamwork, zeroing in on the development of renewable energy sources and rolling out joint initiatives to boost Tajikistans energy potential.

IRENA representatives presented the agencys strategic goals for the global transition to green energy, noting that by 2030, global renewable energy capacity is expected to increase to 11.2 terawatts (TW).

The talks also shone a light on Tajikistans return to the Unified Energy System of Central Asia in June 2024  a major leap that has paved the way for boosting regional electricity trade, tightening up grid efficiency, and fortifying overall energy resilience. This integration was recognized as mutually beneficial for all participating countries.

Both parties articulated their preparedness to enhance synergistic collaboration and execute collaborative initiatives within the renewable energy sector.

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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA)  The City of Fayetteville is seeking public input on the Safe Routes to School Action Plan, which aims to make it safer for K-12 public school students to walk and bike to school.

This project is a collaboration between Fayetteville Public Schools and the City of Fayetteville, supported in part by a $100,000 grant from the Arkansas Department of Transportations Carbon Reduction Program, awarded in 2024. The school district and the city are jointly covering the required local match.

Safe Routes to School focuses on encouraging walking and biking to school in areas where its already safe, while also identifying routes that are unsafe and suggesting ways to make them safer, according to Dane Eifling, the Mobility Coordinator for the City of Fayetteville.

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Whether thats a crosswalk, a sidewalk connection, bike trail, maybe traffic calming, better enforcement, speed limits, all those things that help make it safe for families and children to bike and walk to school, Eifling said.

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According to the citys website, the plan has to potential to increase traffic safety, student health and academic performance, and cleaner air in Fayetteville.

When looking at costs like transportation, driving, and owning vehicles, the expenses can add up for Fayetteville families.

If we can replace some of those trips with healthy walking and biking activities for families, thats going to save them money, save them time and improve their quality of life, said Eifling.

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The city is asking for public input to be submitted by April 25th. If you would like to provide feedback on the plan, you can find the survey here and the interactive map here.

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LONE STAR, Texas (KETK)- The cleanup work continues after Fridays EF-2 tornado in the city of Lone Star, but while neighborhoods are recovering, the city council is warning residents about potential scammers.

3 people arrested after drugs, stolen guns found inside Athens home

Homeowner Richard Jirka has lived in the area for several years. When he started to clean up the downed trees around his house, he said someone approached him about tree removal.

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He didnt have a business card at the time, so I just let him get his spiel, Jirka said.

After the man left, Jirka said he contacted some volunteers in the area and found out they would help out for free.

They came in this morning and started doing all the work that I was wondering how to do, Jirka said. Im really grateful because I have no way of knowing how to even check whether its valid or not because our internets down.

The city said theyve received calls about two scams running, one where people come by and charge to clean up trees down trees like this one but never finish the job. The other they said is about people posing as FEMA workers and asking homeowners to sign papers.

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Lone Star Alderman Dawn Allender advised residents to be aware of any potential scams going on.

Until our citizens hear from us saying that theres another group of people here for federal assistance or anything, they just dont listen to it, Allender said.

The city said they are warning their people over social media and going door to make sure everyone is aware.

We will alert our citizens if its a legitimate group of people that are here, Allender said.

While some might try to scam, others are here to help, including Texans on Mission, who is working on tree removal.

We have three teams from the state from the Texans on Mission out here working, Bruce Slaving said.

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They plan to be in the area until at least Saturday and can be identified by their yellow shirts as they work.

Luckily, they came with all the equipment and they know what theyre doing, Jirka said. They have made short work of this.

The best piece of advice: do your research before signing anything or handing over any money.

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QUITMAN, Texas (KETK)  The City of Quitman held a funeral procession on Thursday in honor of a local fallen hero who died on April 2.

Tyler officially recognized as Veteran-Friendly Community

Quitman Mayor Randy Dunn issued a proclamation to lower all U.S. flags to be at half-staffed on Thursday in honor of Senior Airman Fabian Roman. Roman was a member of the 2016 Quitman High School class. After graduating, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and was stationed in several countries around the world, including the Republic of Korea and Germany.

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Dunn spoke about the upstanding reputation that Roman earned during his time in Quitman.

My grandson said he was always so nice and friendly to everybody. He was the homecoming king that year, so that says a lot about him as well, nice young man, Dunn said

Courtesy of Quitman city

In 2022, Roman received the Air and Space Achievement Medal. According to the Air Forces Personnel Center, the medal is bestowed to a member of the Air Force for either an outstanding achievement or displaying meritorious service.

He will be remembered for his big heart and the way he brought light to those around him, Romans obituary said.

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Gene Keenon, a Kilgore resident, emphasized how Roman paid the ultimate sacrifice to defend the United States.

Just a hard reminder that freedom isnt free, and I can definitely take an hour out of my day to come up here for the family and show my support, and Im so sorry that this happened, Keenon said.

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Romans funeral was held 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church. A committal was held after the service at Quitman City Cemetery.

After Romans funeral, the procession made its way from Mineola to Quitman as dozens of East Texans lined the streets with American flags in hand, saluting as his flag-draped casket went by.

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The route coming in was really special. Got my dad here from West Texas, and what an honor it is to be able to live in this great state and honor our soldiers, our fallen soldiers and our veterans, Dunn said.

Theres just not many words that you can say other than how proud we are as a community that this soldier went in and served his country, Keenon said.

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(FOX40.COM)  The community of Sacramento is invited to a celebration that honors Sacramento Poet Laureate Andru Defeye and his impact on the citys literary and arts landscape, according to the City of Sacramento.

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The event takes from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on April 14 at City Hall room 1119.

According to the city, Defeye was appointed as Sacramentos youngest poet laureate in 2020 and led efforts to elevate poetry and literary art across the city until 2024.

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He was awarded an Academy of American Poets Laureate Fellowship, which funded several creative efforts in the city. His other accomplishments include expanding Sacramento Poetry Day into Sacramento Poetry Week and being a co-author on the Sacramento Poetry Centers Code of Conduct.

SUSD, Mexican Heritage Center and Gallery host student art exhibit

He is also known for advocating for mental health awareness, supporting equitable compensation for poets and connecting older adults with lifelong learning in the arts.

Poetry is a powerful tool for social-emotional learning, especially for young people dealing with trauma, Defeye said.

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Registration and more details about the event are available on Eventbrite.

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The South Fulton City Council passed a new international travel policy this week. It comes amid the ongoing controversy over Mayor Khalid Kamaus spending, including a trip to Ghana last year.

Under the policy, the majority of the council must now pre-approve any international trip on the citys behalf. The official proposing the trip must provide an itinerary that includes the estimated costs for the trip and how it benefits the city. The official must also give a post-trip report when they return.

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Channel 2 investigator reporter Ashli Lincoln has been reporting for months on allegations that the mayor misused taxpayer money on international trips and certain luxury items.

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The mayor previously told Lincoln that his trips were business-related and were a part of his economic development and world tour.

South Fulton City Council members later filed an ethics complaint against the mayor and ordered an audit for his purchases. The council also voted to freeze the mayors budget and limit his authority.

In a statement, Councilwoman Helen Willis said the new policy passed this week will ensure that all trips will have clear guidelines, proper oversight, and a demonstrated public benefit.

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An estimated 3,500 barrels of crude oil spilled into an agricultural field in North Dakota after a Keystone Pipeline employee heard a "mechanical bang" from the system early Tuesday morning, managing company South Bow said.

More than 200 people have been deployed to the site for oil recovery and remediation, South Bow said. A damaged section of the pipeline remains isolated. Officials previously said that a small stream near the area was not affected, but has also been isolated.

As of Thursday, 700 barrels of oil, or about 20% of the amount spilled, had been recovered, the company said, adding that the system remained shut down.

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An employee on a pump station along the pipeline heard a "bang" Tuesday morning, spill investigation program manager with the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality Bill Suess told CBS News. South Bow, a liquid pipelines business that has managed the Keystone Pipeline since 2024, said control center leak detection systems detected a pressure drop in the system and initiated a shutdown and response around 7:42 a.m. It's not clear what caused the issue.

Crude oil, which the pipeline carries from Canada to refineries in Illinois and Oklahoma, spilled into an agricultural field south of the pump station, Seuss said. South Bow said the incident took place at milepost 171, near Fort Ransom, a small outpost about 80 miles from Fargo.

A rupture in North Dakota shut down a major oil pipeline that sends oil from Canada to refineries in the United States. (AP Graphic) / Credit: Phil Holm/AP

South Bow said Thursday that "continuous air quality monitoring has shown no indication of adverse health or public concerns currently," and that personnel are conducting "around the clock air and environment monitoring."

The company is working with the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Association and the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality as the cleanup efforts continue.

This image provided by South Bow shows a spill from the Keystone oil pipeline that occurred Tuesday, April 8, 2025 near Fort Ransom, N.D. / Credit: South Bow/AP

An investigation into what caused the spill is also underway, South Bow said.

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"We have not established a timeline for restart and will only resume service with regulator approvals," South Bow said. "Our primary focus remains on the safety of onsite personnel and mitigating risk to the environment."

The Keystone Pipeline went online in 2011. It runs through North Carolina, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas and Missouri. The crude oil it carries goes to refineries in Illinois and Oklahoma. A proposed extension that would have brought crude oil to the Gulf Coast was shut down in 2021 after years of protests.

The pipeline has had at least three significant spills since 2017, CBS News previously reported. The largest spill was in 2022, when an estimated 14,000 barrels of crude oil spilled into a creek in Kansas.

This photo provided by South Bow shows workers gathered to respond to the Keystone oil pipeline spill that occurred Tuesday, April 8, 2025. / Credit: South Bow/AP

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ARTIE, WV (WVNS)  The Raleigh County Sheriffs Office has established a detachment in one of the most remote regions of the county, thanks to a partnership with Raleigh County Schools and the Raleigh County Commission.

On Wednesday, April 9, 2025, Raleigh County Schools Superintendent Dr. Serena Starcher and Raleigh County Sheriff Frank Priddy, along with Raleigh County Commission officials, hosted an informal gathering to celebrate the new detachment.

The Clear Fork satellite station is inside Clear Fork Elementary School.

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Folks who live in the area have asked for more law enforcement presence. It takes more than half an hour for deputies to reach Clear Fork from their Beckley offices.

The school superintendent and sheriff agreed that the new station is a win-win.

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We obviously had this space in the building, and, as we work through this, we will have law enforcement presence 24/7 in this area now, and if we can support the sheriff and the commission in making this happen, were thrilled to do so, said Dr. Starcher.

Starcher began working last year on the project, and Sheriff Priddy said he made a promise to voters during the least election that he would bring a stronger law enforcement presence to the Clear Fork area.

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Local city wins USA TODAYs Best Small Town Food Scene

If anything bad happens, it would take a long time for an officer to get here, said Priddy. So, with having people here throughout the day, were sort of prepared if something would happen, if we would need to be down in this area.

Nearby Liberty High School has a PRO officer stationed inside the school, Starcher said.

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BOSTON (SHNS)  Massachusetts health insurance exchange has not yet seen direct impacts from U.S. Department Health and Human Services workforce cuts or funding revocations, but it is keeping a close eye on a Trump administration regulatory proposal that officials fear could raise premiums for Bay Staters.

President Donald Trump has been reshaping the federal government and its spending to align more with his agenda, and all indications are that the relationship between D.C. and states like Massachusetts is becoming strained as federal uncertainty leaves state policymakers in the lurch. Medicaid is in the crosshairs of a pursuit for trillions of dollars in tax cuts and federal spending reductions over the next decade, and state officials are trying to determine what that could mean for the states finances and its health care coverage commitment.

Marissa Woltmann, chief of policy for the Massachusetts Health Connector, told the agencys board Thursday that the state marketplace for health and dental insurance has not yet seen any direct changes in its interactions with the feds following the roughly one-quarter reduction in the federal HHS workforce announced last week, nor any concrete impacts from Trumps ongoing reconsideration of federal funding.

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The Connector is monitoring Congress for signals about the federal budget plan, she said, and has been closely reviewing a proposed rule put forward last month by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

The rule addresses marketplace eligibility and enrollment rules, as well as some broader insurance market topics. Many proposed changes would take away flexibility for state-based marketplaces and would likely hinder enrollment and raise premiums for consumers if theyre finalized, Woltmann said. Staff have discussed the role with stakeholders, including sister agencies, advocates, carriers, other state-based marketplaces and national experts. The Health Connector will submit a comment letter to provide feedback on the proposals.

The main thrust of the rule proposed March 10 is that Biden-era policies that were intended to make premiums more affordable and ease administrative hurdles to enrollment have actually led to widespread improper or fraudulent enrollments. The Trump administration is seeking revised standards to tighten income verification processes, modified eligibility redetermination procedures, the removal of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients from the definition of lawfully present for coverage eligibility and enrollment determination purposes, adoption of pre-enrollment verification for special enrollment periods, and more.

One specific proposal would require state marketplaces to ensure consumers who are automatically re-enrolled without affirming or updating their eligibility information are no longer automatically re-enrolled into any plan with a fully-subsidized premium. Instead, they would be re-enrolled with a $5 monthly premium that could be eliminated once the consumer confirms their eligibility, the feds said.

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Based on our review of enrollment data and our experience fielding consumer complaints, we believe several regulatory policies recently put in place to make it easier to enroll in subsidized coverage severely weakened program integrity and put consumers at risk from improper enrollment. In particular, these policies put consumers at risk for accumulating surprise tax liabilities and substantial inconveniences from resolving these liabilities, as well as other issues related to coverage changes and access to care, due to the improper enrollment, CMS and U.S. HHS wrote in the proposal.

The feds said one analysis estimated that the government may have spent up to $26 billion on improper enrollments in 2024 before reconciling enrollment data.

The proposed provisions here aim to address these serious program integrity problems while at the same time delivering a streamlined enrollment and eligibility determination process for individual market consumers, the proposal says.

The Trump administration estimated that its proposal could lead between 750,000 and two million enrollees to lose coverage in 2026, and that the changes could carry millions of dollars in one-time and ongoing operational costs for both the federal government and state exchanges like the Health Connector.

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CMS and U.S. HHS said comments on the proposed rule need to be received by Friday to be assured of their consideration.

The torrent of changes from D.C. has kept the states Executive Office of Health and Human Services busy as well. Undersecretary Christopher Harding said during Thursdays Connector Board meeting that the state of play doesnt change by the day, it changes by the hour at some points.

Harding, who was the states revenue commissioner for two and a half years under Gov. Charlie Baker, has been undersecretary and chief of staff to HHS Secretary Kate Walsh since he returned to state government from Slalom Consulting in May 2023, according to his LinkedIn page.

He mentioned during Thursdays meeting that MassHealth gets a lot of federal reimbursement for its technology work and said the nature of the approvals has slowed down a bit under the Trump administration.

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I would say that theyre asking a lot more questions now than historically. I dont think anythings been out of bounds  but a lot more than we have been accustomed to, certainly over the last four years, Harding said. Were watching it because we do get a lot of federal reimbursement for the technology work we do. So thats one thats front and center for us every day.

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Two area lawmakers, U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Va., and U.S. Rep. Carol Miller, R-W.Va., both serve as co-chairs on the recently relaunched Congressional Coal Caucus in Washington. The two are welcoming a recent executive order on coal production signed by President Donald Trump.

Trump on Tuesday announced a series of actions at the White House to help boost the U.S. coal industry, which has struggled in recent years.

In his executive order signing ceremony, Trump directed the Chair of the National Energy Dominance Council to designate coal as a mineral; directed federal agencies to identify coal resources on federal lands and to lift barriers to coal mining; directed the Secretary of the Interior to end a moratorium, which paused coal leasing on federal lands; and required federal agencies to rescind any policies that seek to transition the nation away from coal production.

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Griffith, who represents Virginias 9th Congressional District in Southwest Virginia, said the so-called war on coal launched by previous Democratic administrations destroyed thousands of jobs and devastated coal-producing communities in areas like Southwest Virginia and neighboring Southern West Virginia.

It is clear that coal is not going away anytime soon, Griffith, who is the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Environment Subcommittee Chair, said in a prepared statement Wednesday. Not only does the United States have the resources to be a leading coal supplier. But we can also make use of coal in a manner which is cleaner than anywhere else in the world.

Griffith said the actions outlined by Trump this week are designed to support coal jobs, boost Americas energy independence and rein in harmful regulations.

Miller, who represents West Virginias Third Congressional District, which incorporates most of Southern West Virginia, also was at Tuesdays White House ceremony for the executive order signing.

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Coal has powered West Virginia and the United States for generations, and I, along with President Trump, will ensure that it remains a dominant fuel source for years to come, Miller said in a statement Wednesday. Through these executive orders, the coal industry will be able to increase U.S. energy supply, lower costs, stabilize the grid, create jobs, and improve our national security. No one works harder than a West Virginia coal miner, and I thank President Trump for his commitment to the coal industry and West Virginia.

The goals of the relaunched Coal Caucus include oversight on the federal EPAs power plant agenda, grid reliability legislation, rail service reliability, support for future coal use, promoting policies to facilitate coal exports, oversight on DOIs federal coal leasing program review, and support for pro-coal tax policies, according to earlier reports.

Other lawmakers also sounded off on Trumps executive order.

West Virginia is a leader in energy and is well poised to power America, U.S. Senator Jim Justice, R-W.Va,, said in a statement. Its all about energy, plain and simple  I know that, President Trump knows that, and Americans know that. This order continues to highlight the Presidents commitment to unleash American energy and shows an understanding as to how important the coal industry is to powering America.

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Not only does coal keep the lights on in America, but it is an essential natural resource that allows us to ensure energy reliability and economic stability, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., added. The recent series of storms that caused thousands of power outages highlighted just how important it is that we have access to affordable and reliable energy sources like coal.

Contact Charles Owens at

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The effort of the British- and French-led "coalition of the willing" to provide security guarantees to Ukraine faces delays due to missing commitments from the U.S., Bloomberg reported on April 9, citing undisclosed sources.

The coalition of European and other partners is meeting at NATO Headquarters in Brussels on April 10 to discuss a path toward a safe and secure Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire, with the deployment of European peacekeepers floated as a possible part of the plan.

The Trump administration has ruled out U.S. participation in the so-called "reassurance force," but London and Paris seek to convince Washington to at least provide airpower, intelligence support, or border surveillance as a backstop to the coalition's efforts.

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U.S. President Donald Trump has yet to offer any clear security guarantees to Ukraine and the coalition as Washington signals a reduced military presence on the continent.

U.K. officials insist that the U.S. contribution is a necessary part of the coalition's efforts, Bloomberg reported, casting doubt on the initiative's future unless the allies succeed in convincing Trump.

Publicly, French President Emmanuel Macron took a bolder line, saying the plan for the reassurance force would go ahead "with or without the U.S."

At least 37 countries, including European, Asian, and Commonwealth nations, have been involved in the coalition's discussions, with 15 reportedly ready to contribute their troops. Other members have been asked to provide other forms of support, including intelligence, arms, or naval support.

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The Ukrainian military is still perceived as the main pillar of deterrence against further Russian aggression, while the allied troops, which could number between 10,000 and 30,000, would secure strategic facilities in the rear.

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer first presented the coalition during a London summit on March 2 amid growing uncertainties about continued U.S. support. Trump has not approved any new defense aid packages for Ukraine and even briefly paused the already approved military assistance to push Kyiv to the negotiating table.

Trump's efforts to broker a ceasefire have stalled, as Moscow has rejected a full 30-day truce agreed upon by Kyiv and Washington and reportedly violated a partial truce on strikes against energy infrastructure.

Read also: Trump didnt impose tariffs on Russia but they might be wrecking its economy regardless

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 10. For bigger-scale projects, Finland has high hopes for the European Investment Bank (EIB), which just signed a Host Country Agreement with Uzbekistan, Finland's Ambassador to Uzbekistan Ilkka Raisanen told Trend in an exclusive interview.

The EIB could play a crucial role in providing financing for sustainable transport, water management, and climate resilience projects in Uzbekistan, he said.

The Ambassador pointed out that Finnish companies have shown an increasing interest in Uzbekistan, particularly due to the countrys status as the most populous market in Central Asia and its diverse natural resources.

"Uzbekistan's impressive economic growth, supported by the governments goal to achieve upper-middle income status by 2030, presents significant opportunities for Finnish businesses. For businesses seeking to enter the Central Asian market, Uzbekistan presents opportunities due to its improved foreign trade and investment climate," Ilkka Raisanen explained.

According to him, Finland has expressed full support for Uzbekistan's goal of joining the WTO with a transparent, predictable, and attractive investment regime. He stressed that this is crucial for encouraging private sector-led growth, investment, and cross-border trade in Uzbekistan.

The ambassador highlighted the role of Finnish institutions in supporting Uzbekistans development.

"For example, Finnvera, the Export Credit Agency (ECA) of Finland, has given guarantees to the efficiency-improving modernization of power plants, which have Finnish Wartsila-manufactured generating sets in Uzbekistan. Finland owns the majority of a development financier and impact investor called Finnfund, which has financed Oasis Credit, the first international micro and small business lender in Uzbekistan," he mentioned.

Ilkka Raisanen then drew attention to Finnpartnership, a business partnership program financed by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland and managed by Finnfund, which helps connect Finnish and Uzbek companies for industrial cooperation.

On the topic of water management, the ambassador highlighted Finlands expertise and long-standing participation in water-related initiatives.

"Globally, we have developed the Finnish Water Way - International Water Strategy for responsible and equitable water security. The strategy has been built on the Finnish approach to sustainable water management based on close cross-sectoral collaboration. Regarding the Aral Sea basin, Finland has quite a long cooperation track record. We contributed to the World Bank Aral Sea Program already in the mid-nineties. Additionally, in 1998, we financed and published a study with the Central Asian countries called Environmental Development Co-operation Opportunities, including various projects related to desertification and drought," he noted.

Ilkka Raisanen emphasized that Finland has also made contributions to the UN Multi-Partner Human Security Trust Fund for the Aral Sea, which was initiated by Uzbekistan.

We are closely monitoring the possibilities emerging from the EU and Uzbekistan Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, which is expected to be signed later this year. This agreement will open up exciting opportunities for joint programs and cooperation projects in areas such as innovation, clean energy, mining technology, digitalization, transport, and logistics," he added.
The U.S. Coast Guard on Wednesday offloaded tens of thousands of pounds of cocaine and thousands of pounds of marijuana  with an estimated street value of more than $500 million  at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale that it and other agencies confiscated while on a tour off South America earlier this year.

In total, the Coast Guard Cutter James crew and U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations intercepted 44,550 pounds of cocaine and 3,880 pounds of marijuana off the coast of Ecuador and Peru in 11 operations between January and February, the agency said.

In addition to the cocaine and marijuana, the Coast Guard brought back 34 people accused of smuggling the drugs who now face federal prosecution, according to the agency.

Bales of cocaine and marijuana are stacked onf the deck of the Coast Guard Cutter James in Port Everglades Wednesday, April 9, 2025. The James crew offloaded more than 44,550 pounds of cocaine and 3,880 pounds of marijuana valued at approximately $509.9 million that was intercepted in the international waters of the Eastern Pacific Ocean.

U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi attended the offloading of the contraband.

This is a key example of the Department of Justice working with our law enforcement partners to fight crime and keep drugs from flowing into America, Bondi said in a prepared statement. Thanks to the incredible work of the Coast Guard and FBI, these drugs will help lock up criminals instead of ruining lives.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (WFLA)  A U.S. Coast Guard crew returned to Florida Wednesday, where the crew offloaded over 48,400 pounds of illegal drugs that were seized during their four months at sea.

Coast Guard officials said the drugs seized included 44,550 pounds of cocaine and 3,880 pounds of marijuana. Authorities estimated that the drugs were worth a collective total of more than $509 million.

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The U.S. Cutter James spent four months in the Eastern Pacific Ocean as a part of the counter drug operation. According to authorities, the crew used surveillance systems, drones, aircrafts and ships to stop several vessels and seize the drugs.

The crew returned to Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale Wednesday. Coast Guard officials were joined by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel at the port to discuss the seizure.

Bondi said 11 separate prosecutions will take place in the Middle District of Florida as a result of the operation, according to NBC 6 South Florida. Officials also noted that two cartel groups are believed to be heavily tied to the shipments.

The drugs that you have seen today will no longer destroy lives, Bondi said. They will help us lock up the criminals.

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They are going to get all the drugs off the streets, off the markets and as Attorney General Bondi said, we are going to lock them up, they are no longer going to be free to roam, Patel added.

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MUSKEGON, Mich. (WOOD)  A man who used the U.S. Postal Service to traffic drugs has been sentenced to serve 30 years in prison.

Srecko Darnell Walker of Muskegon was sentenced Wednesday after a jury in November found him guilty of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, distribution of cocaine and possession with intent to distribute cocaine.

According to U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan, Walker trafficked drugs through the mail with the help of a mail carrier in 2021 and 2022.

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Cocaine mail: How a Muskegon man trafficked drugs through the post office

Walker worked with a Muskegon-based U.S. Postal Service mail carrier to import cocaine from a supplier named Hugo Benavides in Texas, according to evidence submitted at trial. Walker was the one coordinating the shipments, attorneys say, which he had sent to vacant addresses on Steven Rasics mail route.

Five kilograms of cocaine were seized from the mail that attorneys say Walker and his team intended to distribute in West Michigan. In March of 2022, 2 kilograms were seized by investigators. Afterward, Rasic tried to get the package back, falsely claiming he was acting on behalf of the U.S. Postal Service. Rasic texted Walker that the cocaine had been seized, attorneys said.

Months later, investigators saw Walker sell cocaine to a Muskegon woman and found more cocaine and drug-selling supplies in his home. After his house was searched, Walker admitted he imported cocaine through the mail and would track some packages that had cocaine inside, including one containing over a kilogram, attorneys said.

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Rasic and Benavides both previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine.

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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE)  With the deadline for local scholarships approaching next week, it is still uncertain what dismantling the Department of Education will do to federal financial aid.

Despite the uncertainty, college counselors are still stressing the importance of completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.

My role in helping students and families with FAFSA this year is not any different than it was last year, said West High School college counselor Sarah Bast.

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While the Department of Education is one of the largest providers of student financial aid in the nation, Bast said the FAFSA creates many opportunities for students to receive money for college outside of the federal government.

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For most of our students, that step is the first in a chain of being able to access higher education. It provides them the resources that they need, she said, And my message to seniors in August when were applying for Tennessee Promise and helping them understand what needs to happen with FAFSA and HOPE and all of that is to say really theres no excuse not to do this.

High school senior Bailey Fortner agreed. She said financial aid opportunities played a large role in her decision to go to the University of Tennessee in the fall.

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I know the out-of-state college is definitely more expensive than in-state, and Im kind of looking at going to medical school. So that was definitely also a big factor to be like, okay, how much am I going to pay for undergrad versus like going on to more, she said.

Boys and Girls Clubs expanding across East TN amid federal funding uncertainty

Since students must complete the FAFSA each year to continue eligibility for scholarships, she said with the current state of the Department of Education, she is unsure what that means for the rest of her college career.

We dont really know whats going to happen in the next couple of years, said Fortner. It definitely is going to be interesting to watch and see. But yeah, I just hope I can keep learning.

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In the meantime, Bast said the funding is there for those who want to access higher education.

All they know is they need to get it done, and they want help with that, said Bast. Thats really my role is to make sure those students and families have the ability to get that submitted if they need help or if they dont need help.

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While they have sustained cuts in staff and funding, FAFSA is still run out of the Department of Education, and the department cannot go away without an act of Congress.

The deadline for the Tennessee Promise Scholarship is April 15.

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Video above: Gov. DeSantis discusses immigration policy at New College of Florida

SARASOTA, Fla. (WFLA)  New College of Florida postponed a speaking engagement featuring actor Russell Brand due to changes in event logistics.

Brand was scheduled to appear April 12 at NCFs Mildred Sainer Pavilion, where he was slated to be interviewed by Mark Famiglio, the chairman of the Sarasota Film Festival.

Chicken jockey stunts at Minecraft Movie screenings spark chaos

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A release sent to media outlets on Wednesday said the college and Brands team have mutually agreed to shift the event to a future date that allows for broader access and public engagement. It was planned for Brand to speak at the Sarasota Opera House initially, but the venue was unavailable, and the event was moved to the small on-campus theater with no tickets available to the general public, according to NCF.

At New College, we remain committed to creating spaces for honest and often challenging conversations. Free speech is not a performanceits a principle, NCF Director of Public Policy Events Alexandra Nicole Islas wrote in a statement. While we continue to support the intention behind this event, we also recognize that timing and context matter. We look forward to welcoming Mr. Brand to campus at a future date under conditions that allow for thoughtful and topical engagement from both the public and our academic community.

The decision to postpone the event comes after the college on Tuesday affirmed its decision to host Brand, just days following his arrest on charges of rape and sexual assault in the U.K. Islas suggested the conversation with Brand would, in part, address the topic of cancel culture.

NCF did not release any details about a future date or location for the event.

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Apr. 10KSP car crashes into SUV

RUSSELL, Ky.  The Oakley C. Collins Memorial Bridge was closed to traffic on Saturday evening after a Kentucky State Patrol car collided with another vehicle.

The accident occurred around 5:45 p.m. Saturday as the trooper was headed east on U.S. 23 for a call for service. It went through the intersection and collided with a 2017 Hyundai SUV. The occupants of the SUV reported having minor injuries and were taken to the hospital for treatment. The trooper did not report any injuries.

KSP Post 14 is investigating the accident and a KSP Collision Reconstructionist was requested and responded to the scene to conduct a thorough collision investigation, which remains ongoing.
(COLORADO)  Republican lawmakers from Colorado met on Thursday morning, April 10, to discuss the future of Space Command, which is based in Colorado Springs.

On Thursday, Rep. Jeff Hurd (CO-03), Rep. Lauren Boebert (CO-04), Rep. Jeff Crank (CO-05), and Rep. Gabe Evans (CO-08) met in the U.S. House of Representatives to answer questions on Space Command and its future plans. This comes after Alabama lawmaker Mike Rogers said he expects the U.S. Space Command to move to Alabama during a podcast on Wednesday, April 9.

I expect, sometime during the month of April, that Space Command would officially be assigned to move headquarters to Huntsville, Rogers said.

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However, Colorado lawmakers think otherwise. Rep. Boebert said she has been in talks with President Donald Trump to keep Space Command in Colorado Springs for months. While Rep. Crank said Space Command is fully operational in Colorado Springs on Wednesday.

This maximum collaboration is only possible, and it is currently occurring at Peterson Space Force Base, Crank said, where Northern Command and Space Command literally share a parking lot together. We need to give the president the most capable and lethal military to meet the Chinese threat. Space Command has achieved full operational capability at Peterson. We cannot afford to weaken the presidents hand and to risk delaying Golden Dome while our adversaries are moving at full speed. This is a matter of great national security and importance.

Golden Dome, previously known as Iron Dome, is a futuristic system ordered by Trump within his first week in office. If successful, it would place weapons in space that are meant to destroy ground-based missiles within seconds of launch, according to the Associated Press.

Crank added that space threats from China and Russia were unequivocally greater than it was four years ago. We cannot afford to weaken our space capabilities or delay the creation of Golden Dome when there is too much at stake, Crank wrote via X (formerly known as Twitter).

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Boebert further argued on Thursday that other states, like Florida, have also expressed interest in Space Command and said it would be easier to stay in Colorado.

According to Crank, in a letter addressed to President Trump on April 7, moving Space Command out of Colorado Springs would also require taxpayer dollars for new headquarters construction, infrastructure development, and workforce adjustments.

The current location of USSPACECOM has already proven its readiness through rigorous assessments and years of operational success, the letter read. Colorado Springs boasts an experienced workforce, cutting-edge infrastructure, and secure communication platforms essential to USSPACECOMs mission.

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If you're a renter, do you know how your landlord sets the rent? In many parts of the country, it may be done using algorithms. These third party-run algorithms use proprietary and public data, and may allow landlords to indirectly collude on price or coordinate to charge higher rents.

"What these companies are doing is they're replacing what used to be a smoke-filled back room with a computer algorithm, Rep. Javier Mabrey of Colorado told ABC Denver 7.

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These algorithms have cost renters a lot of money, with a report released under the Biden administration estimating them to have cost U.S. renters $3.8 billion in 2023, with Denver renters in particular having paid, on average, $136 more per month. Now, lawmakers in Colorado, including Rep. Mabrey, are trying to ban them in House Bill 25-1004.

So, what would the bill do? And, how would the ban affect renters and landlords? Here's what you need to know.

How do rent-setting algorithms work?

This predictive software uses extensive market data to offer landlords profit-maximizing recommendations about rental terms, including pricing. A system, the American Economic Liberties Project says, can allow landlords to limit supply and drive up rents without explicitly sharing data  exploiting a loophole in laws that prohibit price-fixing.

But states have begun to take notice, and Colorado joined a lawsuit with seven other states and the Department of Justice against RealPage, a commercial revenue management software provider based in Texas. According to Economic Liberties, RealPages clients comprise around 90% of investment-grade multifamily rental housing units in the U.S.

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The lawsuit, even if successful, may not be enough to fully protect consumers from all rent-setting algorithms, say some Colorado lawmakers. That's why they are trying to ban the software altogether.

"We need to stand up and say, Enough is enough, Rep. Mabrey told Denver 7. We're not going to wait for the courts, and this is illegal in the state of Colorado.

Read more: The US stock markets fear gauge has exploded  but this 1 shockproof asset is up 14% and helping American retirees stay calm. Heres how to own it ASAP

What would a ban on rent-setting algorithms mean for landlords and renters?

The proposed bill would prohibit algorithmic devices if they are intended to set or recommend the amount of rent, level of occupancy, or other commercial term associated with the occupancy of a residential premises by two or more landlords in the same or related markets. It would also ban algorithmic devices that recommend any of these terms based on data or analysis that's similar for each landlord.

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Violations of the law would be considered an illegal restraint of trade or commerce and would be punishable under Colorado's antitrust laws.

The Colorado House of Representatives has approved the bill already, and it now heads to the state Senate. If it becomes law, unlike a similar bill that failed in 2024, Colorado would be a pioneer in passing this legislation  although other states have tried.

Proposed bills prohibiting the algorithms also stalled in Illinois, New York and Rhode Island in 2024, while a similar bill did pass the Washington Senate and is now awaiting a House vote.

Four cities have successfully instituted bans, though, including Minneapolis, most recently, as well as San Francisco, Philadelphia and Berkeley.

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Not everyone is in favor of these new laws, though.

I just don't think we need more regulation, more legislation in this space where any time the government interferes, we distort the market, and the results are going to be unexpected," Rep. Chris Richardson told Denver 7.

Richardson said many landlords are small business owners or elderly homeowners who could be hurt by the new rules. While the Colorado Apartment Association told Denver 7 that the algorithms are a critical tool for assessing the market.

It remains to be seen which argument will win out  and how rent prices will be affected in cities and states where bans pass.

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However, with housing costs already inflated in the post-pandemic era, renters would most likely appreciate any efforts to try to bring prices in check, especially if they are being artificially increased by modern methods of price collusion.

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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  Some eighth-grade students from Champion Middle School spent the day honoring the legacy of John Glenn while learning about science at the same time.

The event was held at the National Veterans Memorial Museum, and it was a collaboration between COSI and the John Glenn College of Public Affairs at Ohio State University. The event was used to launch an educational science kit designed to inspire students through STEAM.

You cant wake up in the morning and not be impacted by science and technology  our cell phones, the food we eat, genetically modified, Frederic Bertley, president and CEO of COSI, said. We communicate through cell phones, we track things through GPS, its all around us.

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The kids also were able to see interactive science experiments and learn more about Glenns work not just as an astronaut, but as a senator of Ohio.

The goal was to inspire these students and hopefully spark their interest in both science and civics. Each student was also given one of the educational kits to take home, each kit coming with experiments and a video about Glenns life.

We hope they get excited about science and learning about the world around them, but we also hope that they learn about civics, Trevor Brown, dean of the John Glenn College of Public Affairs, said. And (we hope) they learn about how the system that we live in operates and what their rights are, what their responsibilities are, and ultimately how they can participate.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
Comedian and podcaster Theo Von is bringing his Return of the Rat tour to Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul on June 20.

Von, recognizable to some from his mullet, which surfaces in jokes, is the host of the podcast This Past Weekend, which claims millions of monthly listeners.

His guests have spanned comedy, sports, business, and politics, but the show was notably discussed during the 2024 election as one of the so-called "manosphere" podcasts that was influential in swaying young men toward Donald Trump.

Theo VonJames Tamim/Wikimedia Commons

Both Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance appeared on Von's podcast in the lead-up to the election, and Von, a frequent guest on similar podcasts like The Joe Rogan Experience, attended the inauguration after the election.

Tickets go on sale for the Xcel Energy Center event on Friday, April 11, at 10 a.m.

Related: Creepy, surreal podcast plans live performance at Fitzgerald Theater
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, April 10. Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan and Vietnam signed a cooperation program for 20252026, Trend reports.

The signing took place during the Uzbek-Vietnamese round table held in Tashkent, organized as part of the official visit by Tran Thanh Man, Chairman of the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

The high-level event was attended by Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Jamshid Khodjaev and Deputy Prime Minister of Vietnam Tran Hong Ha, along with representatives of key ministries and major Vietnamese companies such as Petrovietnam, Vinachem, Sovico, Vietnam Airlines, Vinafood, Vietravel, Perseus, and Delion.

In addition to the cooperation program, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the Ministries of Health of both countries, and a plan of practical activities for the development of cooperation for 20252026 was also adopted.

These documents outline concrete steps to boost bilateral engagement, including holding a session of the Intergovernmental Commission, establishing a joint working group on trade issues, organizing business forums and roadshows, launching direct air routes, and opening trading houses.

The countries also aim to implement joint projects in agriculture, the oil and gas sector, chemical production, pharmaceuticals, and geological exploration.
Colonel Vadym Sukharevskyi is reportedly set to be dismissed from his post as Commander of Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces, with the possibility of being appointed commander of a newly established army corps instead.

Source: Ukrainian military media outlet Militarnyi, citing sources in political and military circles

Details: The sources reported that the issue of Sukharevskyis dismissal had been under discussion within the Armed Forces leadership for several months.

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It is currently unknown which of the army corps Sukharevskyi may be appointed to lead.

Army corps have been established within the Ground Forces, the Air Assault Forces and the Marine Corps of the Ukrainian Navy.

For reference: Vadym Sukharevskyi was the first officer of the Ukrainian Armed Forces under whose command fire was opened on Russian troops. This occurred on 13 April 2014 near the city of Sloviansk, Donetsk Oblast.

Background:

On 10 February 2024, Sukharevskyi was appointed deputy to Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi with responsibility for unmanned systems and the development of drone usage.

On 7 May 2024, Ukraines Cabinet of Ministers (Ukrainian government) backed a draft decree by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, prepared by the Ministry of Defence together with the General Staff, establishing a separate branch of the Armed Forces  the Unmanned Systems Forces.

In June 2024, Sukharevskyi was appointed Commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces.

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The recent release of the last reported bunch of classified files about the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy yielded information on various mysterious CIA plans worldwide  but no agency involvement in Kennedys murder.

There was never any actual contact between the CIA and the assassin, Lee Harvey Oswald; no second shooter; no money trail, no phone call or paper trail; no game-changing witnesses; and no evidence of a cover-up after the shooting. The whole turn of events represents a setback, albeit temporary, to the conspiracy theory community.

Fear not, theirs is not a crusade to be abandoned lightly. The conspiracists are already gathering and frantically scouring the files, desperately searching for some unrevealed, incriminating scrap of paper the CIA neglected to destroy. The Kennedy assassination is part of the conspiracy communitys Holy Trinity  along with the death of Princess Diana, allegedly murdered with the complicity of British officials, and the 9/11 attacks, thought to be carried out with direct American involvement. Throw in the 1969 moon landing if you like to make it the fourth horseman of the apocalypse.

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For conspiracy theorists, no defeat is final. Theres always more to the story, and no investigation will ever be sufficient. The release of documents, like commissions and books that fail to find a conspiracy, is simply part of larger conspiracies that are somehow capable of manipulating the findings of investigations decades later.

Ancient Greek logicians understood that to prove a negative statement, such as there is no Santa Claus, requires examining every possibility, no matter how ridiculous. This borders on the impossible, and because the statement there was no conspiracy in the Kennedy assassination involves proving a negative, this is fertile ground for conspiracists, who can never be refuted conclusively and always have an explanation to dismiss uncomfortable facts.

The only facts of their trade are those convenient to their theories: a grassy knoll in Dallas, where a sniper apparently avoided being seen by dozens of nearby people, managed to conceal a weapon, left no trace of escape and fired a bullet refuted by forensics. Or the ballistics of a pristine bullet, which was not pristine but minimally damaged after losing momentum by passing through the soft tissue of two people. It could be the blinding lights in a Paris tunnel and an itinerant drivers sizable bank account or the supposed controlled demolition and physics of a pancake collapse of Twin Towers.

Inconvenient facts must be dismissed summarily, and provable alternatives must be avoided.

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When supposed conspiracies involve murder, its helpful if the killer is killed. Consider a newly elected president, with a right-wing ideology different from his left-wing predecessor, who promises to change domestic and foreign policy, shot by a lone gunman, who, despite experienced Secret Service agents, is in unbelievably close proximity.

The gunman has a murky background, his father is a wealthy industrialist and the gunmans stated motive is to impress a Hollywood actress. I am not referring to the assassination attempt made on Donald Trump in July but the shooting of President Ronald Reagan by John Hinckley Jr. 44 years ago, an event begging for a conspiracy.

Had Reagan died, and had the Secret Service killed Hinckley during the attempt  he must be silenced, you know  would anyone believe such a preposterous story? Surely Hinckley was a patsy! It must have been (choose one): Russians, leftists, right-wing industrialists, the CIA, the Trilateral Commission. But because Reagan and Hinckley both lived  no conspiracy. Imagine the difference for the Kennedy conspiracy if Oswalds shots had not killed Kennedy, and Jack Ruby had not killed Oswald. But conspiracy theorists tell you it had to happen that way, that there are no coincidences.

A saying often attributed to the beat novelist William Burroughs defines paranoia as having all the facts. In a sense, thats correct because there really are genuine conspiracies out there: Watergate, Iran Contra, the covert expansion of the Vietnam War, perhaps even the origin of COVID-19. For the better part of 30 years, FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover denied the existence of organized crime  an obvious conspiracy with mobsters, no less.

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Its understandable to have some distrust of authority; it used to be called the establishment, and now it is the deep state. But theres a difference between a healthy distrust of authority and believing that on 9/11 a missile hit the Pentagon, not a hijacked jet whose passengers all died.

A famous apocryphal statement made by Abraham Lincoln asserts, You can fool some of the people all of the time. Todays current polling data would place the figure for some at between 30% and 50%, a remarkably consistent figure involving Dianas death, 9/11 and the Kennedy assassination.

Conspiracy theorists would interpret this adage by saying between 60% and 70% of the people are being fooled all the time. They might point out, correctly, that the most heinous murder of the 19th century, John Wilkes Booths assassination of Lincoln, was not a lone gunman acting randomly but rather the main figure in a conspiracy of assassins.

So dont be surprised, despite the newly released files, to hear of some new Kennedy bombshell. Remember the truth is out there  but conspiracy theorists always get the final word.

____

Dr. Cory Franklin is a retired intensive care physician and the author of The COVID Diaries 2020-2024: Anatomy of a Contagion as it Happened.

___
(Getty Images)

Hoosier elementary school students could be required to watch a pregnancy ultrasound video as part of their curricula if a bill moving through the House keeps its momentum.

Language mandating Indianas sex education instruction to include a presentation on human growth and development during pregnancy was officially baked into Senate Bill 442 on Wednesday.

Rep. Tonya Pfaff, D-Terre Haute (Photo from the Indiana House Democrats)

The add-in was approved along party lines by the House Education Committee, as was the underlying bill, which now heads to the chamber floor.

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Terre Haute Democrat Rep. Tonya Pfaff emphasized that the bill is not needed at all.

We already have a class on child development, which goes into a lot of detail on how a baby is grown during the nine months of pregnancy, Pfaff said. I just dont like this idea of mandating that kids have to watch this. I would prefer that  if theyre interested in this  watch it with their parents.

Pfaff further questioned how the ultrasound video would be selected. Republican Rep. Julie McGuire, who proposed the language, said decisions would be left to local boards.

I found 16 videos in about 10 minutes on YouTube, said McGuire, of Indianapolis. Theres so much material out there. It doesnt have to be that prescriptive.

Changes to sex ed instruction

At its core, Senate Bill 442 seeks to require any instruction and learning materials used to teach human sexuality for grades 4-12 be approved by a school board.

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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.

Critics of the bill have repeatedly noted, however, that Indiana parents already have the right to remove their child from sex education classes. And some schools dont provide such classes at all.

The House Education Committee also adopted a proposal that intends to increase transportation and facility sharing between Indianapolis Public Schools and area charters. Despite discussion earlier in the session to approve a statewide plan to boost resource sharing between traditional publics and charter schools, lawmakers kept language in Senate Bill 373 limited to just Indianapolis. The latest draft of the legislation moved to the chamber floor on Wednesday in a 9-3 vote.

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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.

Currently, school boards 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.

But bill author Sen. Gary Byrne, R-Byrneville, questioned if school boards are actually having conversations about that curriculum. He previously said the proposal stemmed from concerns brought to him by teachers and parents, and that his intention is to help parents better decide whether they want to opt their child out of sex ed courses.

Byrne introduced a similar bill in 2024 that advanced from the Senate but died in the House without a committee hearing.

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The ultrasound provision would require students to view 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; as well as 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.

Like Pfaff, Rep. Ed DeLaney, D-Indianapolis, maintained that I dont think we should be doing this.

I thought we were having legislation on human sexuality and the training of human sexuality  not lessons on maternity or chordate anatomy, which seems to be what this is, he said. I think this opens this bill up to a serious discussion on the (House) floor about education and videos about STDs and everything else that in any way is related to sex.

Other bills on the move

In a separate move, House lawmakers abandoned contentious language that could have increased permissions for high school students to leave school for religious instruction.

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Sen. Spencer Deery, R-West Lafayette, framed his Senate Bill 255 as a means to tighten up existing law by preventing public high school students from missing large amounts of time from one class for out-of-school faith-based lessons.

Hoosier students are already permitted to miss up to 120 minutes of class each week for optional religious instruction hosted off school grounds.

Deerys bill suggested a tweak, however, to allow older students to effectively replace an elective course with religious instruction. The existing two-hour limit for elementary and middle school students would remain the same.

The proposal was criticized by House Democrats, who questioned how an increased exemption for religious instruction would benefit students. They emphasized, too, that Deerys proposed changes could permit daily absences and more than double the amount of time that can be spent away from traditional classes.

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Although the bill advanced to the House floor last month, committee chairman Rep. Bob Behning, R-Indianapolis, said the religious instruction language was found to be nongermane  too irrelevant  to the underlying bill, which mainly deals with teacher transition programs.

The committee sent the bill back to the chamber on Wednesday with the provision on religious instruction gone entirely.

Tensions also rose over a bill that would require Indianas Commission for Higher Education (CHE) to have a heavier hand in higher education programming and decision-making.

Under Senate Bill 448, which advanced to the House floor along party lines, CHE would have to review all public college and university degree programs  currently there are more than 3,000  at least once every 10 years.

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When doing so, the commission would have to consider factors like labor markets, job placement, stackable credentials and work-based learning to determine if a degree should continue to be offered.

Rep. Ed DeLaney, D-Indianapolis, sits in the House Education Committee on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025. (Casey Smith/Indiana Capital Chronicle)

Among the bills other provisions is another requirement for university boards of trustees to assess and review the staffing needs of the school during tenure reviews, which would then have to be shared with CHE.

What I want to make sure is that were being smart as were educating and developing the workforce, and to make sure that we put Indiana first  while at the same time  continue to be a magnet for individuals from outside of Indiana, said bill author Sen. Greg Goode, R-Terre Haute.

Indiana Higher Education Commissioner Chris Lowery was on board, but Democrats were not.

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They worried, for example, that CHE would have too much power to approve or disapprove university programs and faculty. Concerns were also raised over academic freedom implications that could come from potentially limiting programs that arent directly tied to workforce needs.

DeLaney repeatedly argued that the bill transforms CHEs relationship with universities, from a collaborative partner to a mandate-driven authority.

For those who want to be really nervous, you pass this, and the gentleman down the hall  the lieutenant governor  becomes the governor, and who does he put in charge the Commission on Higher Education? And how much power do we want that person to have? DeLaney said. Thats what the stakes are here. This is about taking a cooperative system, thats evolved over decades and has succeeded, and making it a mandate-from-above system.

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FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. (DC News Now)  Fairfax County Commonwealths Attorney Steve Descano said Wednesday that his office would not be bringing charges against an officer who shot and killed a woman nearly one year ago.

On Sept. 16, 2024, Prince William County Police (PWCPD) asked Fairfax County Police (FCPD) for a wellness check on Sydney Wilson.

PWCPD said a healthcare provider at Kaiser Health said Wilson  their patient  displayed grandiose delusions and was increasingly agitated, making references to pedophiles and rapists.

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PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Woman slashes officers face, dies after officer opens fire in Reston, Fairfax County police say

The healthcare provider noted that Wilson was not armed and denied having plans to harm herself, but asked for a wellness check.

FCPD Officer Peter Liu was dispatched to Wilsons Reston apartment.

He knocked at her door and began introducing himself, but she closed the door as he was speaking, stating, I cant talk right now, Descano said.

Liu knocked twice again, but did not receive a response.

After knocking a fourth time, he called out to Wilson by name and asked to speak with her, but still got no response.

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He knocked again and said, We just want to check on you, make sure youre OK, thats all.

In response, music began playing from behind her apartment door.

Liu said, Sydney, youre not in trouble, we just want to talk to you real quick, and Sydney, please.

He knocked twice more and, after a brief moment, Wilson opened the door.

She said, How are you, and immediately slashed at Lius face with a knife, according to officials.

4 teens charged after shooting leaves 3 dead in Spotsylvania County

Liu tried backing down the hallway, but she pursued him with the knife above her head. As he continued retreating, he drew his gun and told her, Back up.

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Wilson reportedly paused for a moment while saying, Oh yea, before continuing toward him with the knife raised.

He kept directing her to back up, but eventually retreated to the end of the hallway and ran out of room to continue.

Once she was within arms length, she slashed downward at him with the knife, and Lui fired multiple times.

As he fired, Liu ran past Wilson in an attempt to escape, but she continued to slash at and chase him. He fired at her as he was being chased, and Wilson eventually collapsed to the ground.

Officer Liu immediately radioed for medical assistance for Ms. Wilson and himself, as he was bleeding profusely from a knife wound to the forehead, Descanos report stated.

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Wilson was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Descano said on April 8 that Liu acted in an objectively reasonable manner when he shot at Wilson during the attack.

Finding no violations of the criminal law on Lius part, he declined to bring any criminal charges against him.

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WALTON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB)  Walton County community members continue to mourn the loss of Deputy Will May.

Its been one week since May was killed while responding to a call in DeFuniak Springs. Through billboards, murals, and even coffees, the community is remembering him.

In Santa Rosa Beach, international street artist Preacher painted a tribute mural for May. His art work has been on display several times at Helen McCall Park, but said this piece stands out from the rest.

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Community honors Walton County deputy killed in the line of duty

It struck like a different emotional chord with me; it was a tragedy, his death. So its a current relevant topic on everybodys heart. Its heavy on their hearts. I think thats why so many people were behind it, the Preacher said.

He said his inspiration for the mural was driven by his respect for May and law enforcement.

Spray paint and police work typically arent associated when theyre on the same side, and in this instance, I would hope that shines a light on that. And that other people that are kind of resistant or apprehensive of promoting police work and police officers, I think they should come and check it out because these are some of the nicest guys Ive ever met. Preacher said.

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But the tributes dont stop there.

In Defuniak Springs, a cafe called Caramel Cow came up with two specialty drinks inspired by May.

The first drink is called Slick Rick. Its an energy drink inspired by Creamsicles. The Creamsicle flavor gives the drink an orange hue, paying homage to the bright orange sunglasses May often wore.

The second drink will be called Darling and will be a coffee-based drink with chocolate chip cookie dough and cold foam. May was an avid video game player and the name comes from his gamertag.

The drinks will be sold on April 10th. All the proceeds will go to Mays family.

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Caramel Cow owner Elinda Soto said she hopes the day brings together the community in honor of May.

Were hoping its filled with Mays memories. Hope that we have close friends come in and just enjoy something that will remind them of him and we hope that also it brings the community together Soto said.

Walton County deputy killed in line of duty

Pizza by the Sea will also be holding a fundraiser for May later this month.

If you are unable to make it to the fundraisers, you can also donate through the Florida Deputy Sheriffs Associations Lend a Hand fund. You can find a link to that here.

You can also send a check to the Walton County Sheriffs Office. They ask that all checks be addressed specifically to Deputy Mays Family. 

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Editors note: This story corrects a quote that was incorrectly attributed, as well as the title of a company official. We regret the error.

LORDSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  The company behind a proposal to bring military ship repair and component stocking to Lordstown is backing an executive order issued by President Trump Wednesday.

The Lordstown-Lorain Project was announced a couple of years ago by Cleveland-based Bartlett Maritime. Charles Brown, executive vice president of strategic communications for Bartlett Maritime, said the proposal is still alive and that they could have some news about it in the coming weeks.

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President Trump on Wednesday issued an executive order (EO) that directs the creation of the Maritime Action Plan (MAP) to revitalize U.S. maritime industries. The EO says that over-regulation has hindered private industrys ability to build vessels on time and on budget and the EO would reverse that trend.

CEO Edward L. Bartlett, Jr. said Bartlett is particularly pleased with the portion of the EO that establishes Maritime Prosperity Zones.

We appreciate the Administrations action to restore and expand the shipbuilding industry in the United States and look forward to the growth of Ohios role in this important industry, Bartlett said. Right here in northeast Ohio, we have the skilled workforce available, we have significant potential for industrial facility development and we have a proud maritime heritage.

The EO also calls for the maritime prosperity zones to provide opportunities to incentivize and facilitate domestic and allied investment in United States maritime industries and waterfront communities.

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The need for greater shipbuilding and ship repair capacity is a national challenge that goes beyond the geographical limits of coastal areas, Bartlett said. America can only meet this challenge by making the most of our industrial capabilities nationwide.

The Lordstown-Lorain Project has been a plan for Bartlett since it was announced in 2022. It would involve a Navy contract to repair ships and stock parts, with a facility in Lordstown to build repair kits. At the time, leaders said they were 90% certain the project would materialize in two years; however, that hasnt happened. But the project was awarded $3 million last year for workforce development.

A month later, Bartlett entered into a national labor agreement with the Brotherhood of Boilermakers. The agreement allows Bartlett to recruit from the Boilermakers construction sector members across the country. It also allows the company to deploy the workers to any location nationwide with the approval of a local addendum.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP)  Workers have recovered thousands of gallons of crude oil from an underground pipeline spill on North Dakota farmland, the owner of the line said Thursday, but it remains unclear when oil will again start flowing to refineries.

South Bow is still investigating the cause of the spill Tuesday along the Keystone Pipeline near Fort Ransom, North Dakota, about 60 miles (97 kilometers) southwest of Fargo, the company said.

The spill released an estimated 3,500 barrels, or 147,000 gallons of oil, onto farmland. The company said 700 barrels, or 29,400 gallons, have been recovered so far. More than 200 workers are on-site as part of the cleanup and investigation.

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South Bow has not set a timeline for restarting the 2,689-mile (4,327 kilometers) pipeline, which stretches from Alberta, Canada, to refineries in Illinois, Oklahoma and Texas. The company said it will only resume service with regulator approvals.

A map from the company shows the pipeline is shut down from Alberta, Canada, to points in Illinois and a liquid tank terminal in Oklahoma. The line is open between Oklahoma and points on Texas Gulf Coast, according to the map.

South Bow is working with the federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration and the state Department of Environmental Quality.

Continuous monitoring of air quality hasn't indicated any adverse health or public concerns, South Bow said.

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The site remains busy, said Myron Hammer, a nearby landowner who farms the land affected by the spill. Workers have been bringing in mats to the field so equipment can access the site, and lots of equipment is being assembled, he said.

The area has traffic checkpoints, and workers have been hauling gravel to maintain the roads, Hammer said.

There is a cluster of homes in the area, and residents include retirees and people who work in nearby towns, he said. But the spill site is not in a heavily populated area, Hammer said.

The pipeline shutdown means that refineries that rely on crude oil will have 3% to 4% less of the total flows in a daily market of 17 million to 20 million barrels, said Ramanan Krishnamoorti, vice president for energy and innovation at the University of Houston.

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It's hard to see how you replace that into the stockpile that goes into these refineries, he said. Typically you have storage of crude in storage tanks and ships and everything. That might be a few days. But when you start to lose 3%, 4% of daily demand, it's going to have impacts.

Gas prices in the Midwest have already seen an increase that is likely to grow, and diesel prices could be impacted significantly and quickly, he said.

Mark LaCour, editor-in-chief of the Oil and Gas Global Network, said he doesnt think the pipeline shutdown will affect the middle of the country dramatically. But if it stays down, in two or three weeks there will be a significant price increase in the Midwest, he said.

Underground oil pipelines can be subject to a number of problems, both internal and external, said Robert Hall, a senior technical adviser with the Pipeline Safety Trust who was previously the director of the Office of Railroad, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Investigations at the National Transportation Safety Board.

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Pipelines can face internal factors such as corrosion and pressure fluctuations. The latter can lead to fatigue and cracks, Hall said. External threats include corrosion, dents, gouges and construction damage, he said.

Pipelines are the safest method for transporting petroleum products, Hall said.

Just based on the accident history, if you look at the accidents that have occurred with trains, trucks and barges, there are collisions, he said, citing a 2013 oil train derailment in Quebec that killed 47 people.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, April 10. Uzbekistan and US discussed the development of strategic partnership, Uzbekistan's Minister of Foreign Affairs Bakhtiyor Saidov wrote on his Telegram channel, Trend reports.

"Great pleasure to meet with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio for a comprehensive exchange on the current dynamics and future direction of Uzbekistan-US strategic partnership. We covered a broad range of key areas, including strengthening political dialogue, expanding economic and investment cooperation, advancing regional connectivity, and deepening our shared commitment to security and stability in Central Asia. Appreciate United States strong support for the reform processes in Uzbekistan," he wrote.

In the course of the meeting, the sides agreed to maintain the positive momentum in bilateral ties through continued high-level dialogue and practical cooperation under the Strategic Partnership Framework.

Earlier, US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau held a meeting with Uzbekistans Deputy Chairman of the National Security Council Abdulaziz Kamilov.

The meeting, held in Washington, focused on advancing the US-Uzbekistan strategic partnership. The sides reiterated the US's support for Uzbekistans independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
First District Congress member Doug LaMalfas office said Tuesday he is fully engaged with local, state, and federal authorities to find a source of money for $100 million in levee work in Yuba, Sutter, and Colusa counties.

The office was responding to word that the Federal Emergency Management Agency last week halted a grant program that could have provided funding for flood risk reduction projects for the Yuba City basin, south Yuba County, and the Grimes area of Colusa County.

On Thursday, FEMA announced that it is ending the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program and canceling all BRIC grant applications. The Sutter Butte Flood Control Agency ($50 million), Three Rivers Levee Improvement Authority ($30 million), and the Sacramento River West Side Levee District ($20 million), all had applications for grants from the program.

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Congressman LaMalfa has been fully engaged with the applicants, FEMA, and the Administration to determine if these projects are eligible to continue to use BRICs funding or if we need to move them to a different FEMA program, Paige Boogaard, the congressmans communications director, said in a statement.

He has been working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to expedite these projects, the statement continued. He is less concerned about which pot of money is used and more concerned about the levee projects being completed quickly.

Chairs of both the Sutter County and Yuba County boards of supervisors confirmed they were working with LaMalfa to sort out the situation.

We are working diligently to resolve this unexpected delay. Our staff, in coordination with Congressman LaMalfas office and the California Department of Water Resources, is seeking clarity and advocating for the continued advancement of this funding, said Dan Flores, chair of the Sutter County Board of Supervisors, in a statement.

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When it comes to protecting the lives and property of Sutter County, we cant afford delays or indecision. I am aware of FEMAs recent decision to pause BRIC funding, which includes the $49.9 million we were on track to receive for critical repairs to the Sutter Bypass East Levee. This project is not only vital to the safety of our residents but to the broader flood protection system in the region.

Yuba County board Chair Gary Bradford called the decision by the federal government to cancel the grant program unfortunate.

That could have provided $30 million to decrease flood risk in south Yuba County, especially Plumas Lake, he wrote in a Facebook post.

Quoting from FEMAs announcement about the grant programs demise, Bradford wrote, I strongly disagree with their claim that this program was yet another example of a wasteful and ineffective FEMA program and it was more concerned with political agendas than helping American affected by natural disasters.
GALES FERRY, Conn. (WTNH)  Within the past few years, the FDA approved two groundbreaking drugs that in trials were shown to reduce brain plaque by 27% in some Alzheimers patients.

Yale researchers use lupus antibody to possibly treat glioblastoma

Bruce Meyer of Gales Ferry started experiencing mild cognitive decline in 2011. He spent 11 years in eight different Alzheimers drug trials. Mostly recently, they have been through the Dorothy Adler Geriatric Assesment Center at Yale Medicine.



Nothing was successful until he began the newly approved drug Leqembi in 2019.



He told News 8 about it then.



After I think it was my sixth infusion I had more clarity, Meyer said at the time. It felt strange. Its like oh, oh this thing may actually work.



We caught up with Meyer again in March.

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I dont feel any different, Meyer said. We have a gym we work out five days a week. We could do six, but youve got to get up and be down there by six. Really early, and were not morning people.



Leqembi was given FDA approval in 2023 and is given in a clinic by IV to patients in the early stages of Alzheimers disease.



Another similar option is Kinsulna.



Together, the two drugs are offering renewed hope and promising results, and can remove almost a third of brain plaque  actually slowing dementia.



That means some of these folks on these medications are having more time to live independently, Kristen Cusato with the Alzheimers Association Connecticut Chapter said. They are able to sometimes drive longer, they are able to work or maybe work part time and theyre certainly able to be a lot more cognizent when theyre having their family time.

Other big developments are on the horizon, such as easier Alzheimers screenings and diagnosis and perhaps a blood test.



At some point, people could take Leqembi as a preventative measure.



So almost like a statin to take to prevent a heart event you may be able to go on one of these medications to not have the symptoms come forth, Cusato said.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com.
KILLINGLY, Conn. (WTNH)  State police confirmed human remains were found in Killingly this week.

Troopers were first dispatched to the area of Woodward Street around 4:30 p.m. Wednesday.

2 arrested after sexual assault, police pursuit in Killingly

Eastern District Major Crimes detectives are assisting in the investigation, which remains active.

State police said there is no known threat to the public.

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This is a developing story. Stay with News 8 for updates.

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Chemistry students from P-TECH High School in New Brunswick take a break at Lake Wapalanne at the New Jersey School of Conservation. The students took a field trip there on April 2, 2025, to do water experiments. (Dana DiFilippo | New Jersey Monitor)

SANDYSTON  Near the brook that feeds Lake Wapalanne, the city kids teeter and trip over mossy rocks on their way through the woods to collect water samples.

Theyll test for dissolved oxygen, nitrates, acidity, and more, but theyll also test their grit as they navigate nature 75 miles from their New Brunswick high school. The mud sucks the sneaker off one teens foot, leaving his classmates cackling. Another student pirouettes at the waters edge to avoid falling in.

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Barbara Cabrera, their teacher, knows the field trip to the New Jersey School of Conservation in Sussex County holds valuable lessons beyond chemistry.

I dont even have windows in my classroom, she said.

School of Conservation officials warn that field trips like this could soon end.

Under Gov. Phil Murphys $58.1 billion budget proposal for the fiscal year that begins July 1, state funding for the 240-acre school in Stokes State Forest would fall from $2.8 million to $500,000.

Kerry Kirk Pflugh, the schools executive director, said that cut likely would wipe out all programs and most staff at the state-owned site, the oldest year-round, residential environmental education center in the country.

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The funding is not only critical for us to be able to deliver the programming that were legislatively obligated to deliver, but its critical to provide the means for these students to have these kinds of experiences that can be life-changing, Pflugh said. In todays climate, there is no greater benefit to a young person than to be in the outdoors, learning, having an immersive experience, seeing how it relates to their life, and learning how to more effectively work with one another.

The school has been here before.

Allyson Lance, environmental education coordinator at the School of Conservation in Sussex County, advises chemistry students from New Brunswick on their water experiments during their April 2, 2025, field trip. (Dana DiFilippo | New Jersey Monitor)

Montclair State University, which had managed the site since 1981, closed it in 2020 after a decade-long decline in state support. It reopened in 2021 after nonprofit the Friends of the New Jersey School of Conservation contracted with the state to manage it.

The school doubled its reach from 2023 to 2024, when more than 2,200 people from 75 schools across 13 counties attended its programs and over 200 teachers visited for 13 professional development workshops, according to Tanya Sulikowski, the schools director of education. The school should double its reach again this year, Sulikowski added.

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Renovations are underway  and completed in some places  at many of the sites 57 buildings. Some of its more dilapidated structures date back to the 1930s, when a work relief program under President Franklin D. Roosevelt built the camp that the state transformed into the School of Conservation in 1949.

State funding in the current years budget fell short of the $3 million school officials requested last year. Murphy had proposed $800,000, but several state legislators secured the school an additional $2 million. For the coming fiscal year, the school sought $3.5 million, Pflugh said.

A $500,000 allocation right now would devastate us. There is absolutely no way we can operate with that kind of money. It wont cover our staffing. It wont cover the restoration that we need to do, she said. We would probably have, like, a skeleton crew coming through to make sure that the buildings are not being vandalized. But there really wouldnt be any programming.

Murphy spokeswoman Maggie Garbarino declined to comment on the schools budget concerns, directing the New Jersey Monitor to comments Murphy made in his February budget address about needed belt-tightening. Murphys budget plan recommends eliminating most new direct grants included in the current budget and reducing older direct grants.

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Sen. John McKeon (D-Essex) was one of the state legislators who secured an extra $2 million for the school last year. He told the New Jersey Monitor he has long supported the very special school, which he said serves to inspire the next generation of environmentalists.

I thought it was something very worthy of whats a relatively small sum of money for the benefit that it derives. But its a difficult budget year, and all over our state are nonprofits and other type of endeavors that are in need of resources, McKeon said. But the governor didnt zero them out, which is a good thing. And well see. The budget is a dynamic document, and its something that continues to be a priority for me. So well see the best that we can do for them.

Chemistry students from P-TECH High School in New Brunswick collect water samples for experiments at the School of Conservation in Sussex County on April 2, 2025. (Dana DiFilippo | New Jersey Monitor)

Chemistry students from P-TECH High School in New Brunswick visited the School of Conservation on April 2, 2025, to do water experiments. (Dana DiFilippo | New Jersey Monitor)

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Lois Lyons, a retired science teacher from Monmouth County, jazzes up high schoolers from New Brunswick about water runoff at the New Jersey School of Conservation in Sussex County on April 2, 2025. (Dana DiFilippo | New Jersey Monitor)

Chemistry students from P-TECH High School in New Brunswick visited the New Jersey School of Conservation on April 2, 2025, to do water experiments. (Dana DiFilippo | New Jersey Monitor)

Chemistry students from P-TECH High School in New Brunswick visited the New Jersey School of Conservation on April 2, 2025, to do water experiments. (Dana DiFilippo | New Jersey Monitor)

Chemistry students from P-TECH High School in New Brunswick visited the New Jersey School of Conservation on April 2, 2025, to do water experiments. (Dana DiFilippo | New Jersey Monitor)

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Chemistry students from P-TECH High School in New Brunswick visited the New Jersey School of Conservation on April 2, 2025, to do water experiments. (Dana DiFilippo | New Jersey Monitor)

Gov. Phil Murphy has proposed cutting $2.3 million from budget for the New Jersey School of Conservation, located in the Stokes State Forest in Sussex County. The school got $2.8 million in the current fiscal years budget. School officials warn the cut would force them to slash all programs and most staff. (Dana DiFilippo | New Jersey Monitor)

Tanya Sulikowski, director of education at the School of Conservation, shows chemistry students from P-TECH High School in New Brunswick the hidden workings of a dam at Lake Wapalanne. (Dana DiFilippo | New Jersey Monitor)

Allyson Lance, environmental education coordinator at the School of Conservation, teaches chemistry students from P-TECH High School in New Brunswick during their field trip to the Sussex County site on April 2, 2025. (Dana DiFilippo | New Jersey Monitor)

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Pflugh said the school has expanded its efforts to fundraise privately and partnered with universities and community groups to build a research consortium, recognizing that the school serves as a living laboratory.

The New Brunswick students who visited last week were from Pathways in Technology Early College High School, or P-TECH. About half the students that visit come from low-income and urban districts, with the School of Conservation subsidizing the trips to remove pricey hurdles like buses that otherwise might make field trips impossible, Sulikowski said.

Sophomore Anthony Rodriguez, 15, called the field trip great.

Better than a lab, because were actually outside, he said.

Chemistry students from New Brunswick visited the School of Conservation on April 2, 2025, to do water experiments. (Dana DiFilippo | New Jersey Monitor)

Rodriguez and his P-TECH classmates had traveled up for the day, but the school has several cabins with bunkrooms for overnight stays.

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Overnights are really where the magic happens, said Allyson Lance, the schools environmental education coordinator. Being able to be in the woods and sit around the campfire and stay up until 3 a.m. with your friends is really where a lot of kids get that, like, spark.

That spark is one of many reasons the schools supporters hope state lawmakers will ultimately come through with more funding. Pflugh also points to the schools role in educating teachers to carry out a climate change curriculum state lawmakers mandated in 2020.

We are in a very difficult fiscal climate right now, and we are one of many organizations who have need, she said. But this is a state asset, and were stewards of a state property. So we feel like we should always be partnered with the state to help take care of their property.

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NEW ORLEANS (WGNO)  Months after the New Years terror attack, a new report is recommending that Bourbon Street become pedestrian-only permanently.

Its something New Orleans Police Department Chief Anne Kirkpatrick says is out of her hands, pointing to the mayor and the city council.

The bigger question is before the city itself, and they must make some decisions regarding the level of closures that are acceptable to this city and this community, said Kirkpatrick.

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However, Kirkpatrick says the department has already begun implementing necessary recommendations that dont need approval, such as placing more barriers and officers in the French Quarter.

Suspect in March 4 homicide arrested a month later: New Orleans police

We have the ability with the rivets to raise or lower bills in those barriers so they can be quickly moved, making sure that the officers who are working out there are trained on that, and they have accesses, said Kirkpatrick.

The report suggested that the only vehicles that should be allowed in the area are emergency vehicles and trucks delivering to businesses during a certain time of day.

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Consultants also cited the lack of officers able to respond to a threat, but that is a recommendation the chief wont budge on.

If you do not and should not be a police officer. I will not allow you to be hired. Were doing what we can to hire the right people without compromise, said Kirkpatrick.

Darrah Schaeffer with the New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation says he is thankful for the report. He agrees it should be up to city leaders, to decide how to best implement the recommendations.

There are a lot of questions that have to be addressed, and Im sure that the city council, the mayors office, and nobody will think through all of those and come up with good solutions, said Schaefer.

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Kirkpatrick said she does agree with the need for a fusion center, which will allow agencies to share information to prevent future crimes or attacks.

Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter.

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IN A BOAT OFF APOLLO BEACH  A slow morning on the water erupted into a frenzy when line began whizzing out of Steve Murawskis fishing rod.

Im on! Murawski yelled, scattering the boats crew into action.

A tan fish launched from the glassy, shallow water tucked in this hidden pocket of Tampa Bay mangrove forest. It was exactly the type of fish Murawskis team of scientists came here to find:

Centropomus undecimalis, the common snook.

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This one was a beauty. At 22 inches and with a jet-black line running horizontally across its body, Murawski proudly called his catch a double bagger  it would take two bags to store on ice.

The snook was the 681st fish caught by the Tampa Bay Surveillance Project, a sweeping research initiative that aims to study contaminants found in the bays most coveted fish species: spotted seatrout, redfish, sheepshead and snook. Fish No. 682 came minutes later, also a snook, in an equally riveting fight.

A handful of the regions top recreational fishing charter captains have partnered with scientists from the University of South Floridas College of Marine Science in St. Petersburg for the five-year, $3.4-million study funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to catch and sample the popular species along the shores of the estuarys 400 square miles.

Researchers are focusing on the inshore fish most commonly caught for food, Murawski said, which is why studying their chemistry is so crucial. After scientists reel in a catch, they bring them ashore to test the fish in the universitys lab for a cocktail of contaminants, including pesticides, pharmaceuticals, a durable group of slow-to-break-down forever chemicals and more.

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Tampa Bay is one of the fishing hotspots of western Florida and the Gulf, so if there are any threats to consuming these fish, its important for us to know about them, said Murawski, a professor of oceanography at the College of Marine Science and the projects principal investigator.

The animals that were catching are top predators, Murawski said. But the ultimate top predator is people. Are these chemicals being transferred at higher and higher levels of concentration? We think thats true.

Not only are researchers testing fish for pollutants, they also want to learn whether the people who fish in Tampa Bay for food are more at risk of contamination. A three-year, $750,000 National Science Foundation-funded survey of people in the region who fish for food should shed light on seafood-eating habits and help scientists come up with risk assessments for safer consumption, according to the project.

Matt Santiago, 41, has been fishing in the bay since he could walk, and he regularly eats the fish he catches. Thats why the professional charter captain of more than 17 years happily agreed to help the universitys researchers determine whats fouling fish.

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Our industry is heavily dependent on the sustainability of our natural resources. We need to take good care of our water, Santiago said. The more information that we can gather about these chemicals, the better. Its a really important thing.

Plus, the projects results could help local governments pinpoint where the bays pollution is coming from.

For instance, if a redfish caught in northern Tampa Bay has more pharmaceuticals, like opioids, in its system than a redfish caught in the bays southern end, that could signal there is a wastewater pollution problem in the northern bay. Its difficult for treatment plants to filter out trace amounts of pharmaceuticals, so when humans urinate chemicals from the pills they ingest, that can ultimately end up in the bay.

Or perhaps a sheepshead, with its iconic black-and-white bars, is caught near a part of the estuary with a heavy agriculture footprint. The presence of pesticides in that fish could tell officials that more needs to be done to control rainfall runoff from area farms.

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This is not just a bellwether, its the largest open-water estuary in Florida, Murawski said. We ought to understand this pretty well... If we can help identify the source of some of these pollutants, it helps.

The project is building on recent studies that have showed potentially problematic levels of pollution in Tampa Bays water, sediment and fish. The project should inspire other scientists looking to pinpoint pollutants in other large waterbodies, according to Murawski. The team should begin seeing results over the next year.

With the project now in its second year, students in Murawskis lab have boated into the bay each week searching for fish. Tampa Bay has a broad mix of industries near its shores, from ports and cities to phosphate plants and agriculture, Murawski said. So to make sure scientists are capturing possible pollutants on a wide scale, theyve divided the bay geographically into six segments.

The teams goal is to catch 10 animals of all the desired species in each segment every season  or 960 fish each year, according to the project.

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Spending so much time on the water, theres no shortage of fish tales among the team: Alexandra Lee, a masters student studying marine preservation and conservation, said there was one day last year when the team caught nearly 30 fish over a few hours.

Last week, researchers reeled in their biggest catch yet: a snook measuring an impressive 32 inches. The heaviest fish so far? A hunker of a redfish caught Aug. 12 last year weighing more than 12 pounds.

When I joined this project, I knew Id be working on contaminants in fish, but being in the field this much has been a pleasant surprise, Lee said. Not every researcher can be in the field all the time, and our project is so encompassing that we can be.

With one or even two fishing trips a week, Lee estimates shes been out on the water at least 30 times since research began last year.

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Shes fished all over Tampa Bay, from the bluish green waters on the east side of secluded Egmont Key to Manbirtee Key, a 60-acre dredge island near Port Manatee where ships barrel by in the channel.

The team has even been granted permission to study fish near MacDill Air Force Base, an area closed off to anglers. The fish population there is an interesting case study in what the fishery looked like decades ago, with little human interaction, according to researchers.

On the recent outing into Hillsborough Bay, the team caught three trout and three snook. The morning after, students in Murawskis lab convened in the universitys marine science lab to dissect the fish and collect samples.

Kylee Rullo, a Ph.D. student in Murawskis lab, held up a stony piece of white bone pulled from a dissected snook. Scientists call this an otolith, or the fishs ear bone. You can learn a lot from an otolith, Rullo explained: Like counting rings in a tree, you can determine a fishs age and growth rate.

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A few rooms down the hall, scientists use a row of humming, expensive devises like a mass spectrometer to sort ultra-small particles and help paint a clearer picture of the chemical makeup in each fish species.

What do these contaminants mean for our environment? What do they mean for people who are eating fish  and how does that influence their health and their decision-making?" Lee said.

We just really want to educate people.
A project near Spanaway Lake promising to house nearly 300 chronically unhoused individuals has cleared the latest legal challenge made by a group who has opposed the project at every turn.

Despite having little-to-no success in their opposition to the development, the group says it is not giving up.

On March 28, a Thurston County judge denied the appeal of a Pierce County land examiners decision to allow the Good Neighbor Village project to be constructed on land adjacent to multiple wetlands near Spanaway Lake.

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Spanaway Concerned Citizens is a group representing neighbors to the project who oppose the development due to concerns regarding its potential impact on nearby wetlands and endangered species.

Tacoma Rescue Mission, one of Pierce Countys largest homeless shelter operators, purchased the land at 176th Street and Spanaway Loop Road. With support from former Pierce County Executive Bruce Dammeier and the Pierce County Council, the organization planned to construct a micro-village community for those who have been living chronically unhoused.

Tacoma Rescue Missions Executive Director Duke Paulson has promised the Good Neighbor Village will provide nearly 300 units of permanent supportive housing for veterans and the elderly.

In an interview with The News Tribune in May, Paulson said the village would serve people who dont have many sustainable, long-term options to get off the streets and they would come to the village to work, pay rent and rehabilitate themselves.

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The cost of the project is estimated at more than $62 million and is projected to cost $3.2 million annually to operate upon its expected completion in 2029, according to project materials.

Spanaway Concerned Citizens and its attorneys presented their case last spring against the Good Neighbor Village during a Pierce County Land Examiners hearing that lasted weeks.

Pierce County hearing examiner Alex Sidles decided to approve the project in June.

In September, Spanaway Concerned Citizens filed a petition in Thurston County Superior Court challenging the hearing examiners decision.

The judges decision, filed on March 28, stated that Spanaway Concerned Citizens failed to meet the burden of proof and the land examiners original decision was supported by substantial evidence and was a correct interpretation of the law and application of the law to the facts of this case.

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In a newsletter sent April 7, Spanaway Concerned Citizens announced their lawyers had filed a motion in Thurston County Superior Court, asking the judge to reconsider her dismissal of their appeal. According to the letter, the challenge will make two arguments  Tacoma Rescue Mission does not own the entire project site and the proposed development contradicts the Pierce County Comprehensive Plans requirements for housing density.

Lawyers representing Spanaway Concerned Citizens have previously argued Tacoma Rescue Mission does not own the entirety of the land they purchased to build Good Neighbor Village.

During the initial land use hearing last spring, their legal team cited a 1920 land easement in which a Pierce County drainage district acquired a strip of the property from a previous owner. They argued this strip of property still is owned by the drainage district and therefore could not be sold to Tacoma Rescue Village.

We have made significant strides over the past two and a half years  and we are not stopping now, Spanaway Concerned Citizens wrote in their April 7 newsletter.

In November, the project broke ground as construction crews began to clear trees and level ground where homes would be built. As Tacoma Rescue Mission and supporters of the Good Neighbor Village celebrated, they were met by picketed protesters representing Spanaway Concerned Citizens.
The county jail accidentally released a convicted murderer before he could be sent to prison, leaving the victims mother more distraught and worried for her own safety.

Kathan Guzman remains on the loose. He was released only months after he was sentenced to life in prison for strangling his ex-girlfriend, 19-year-old Delila Grayson.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

Christina Grayson told Action News Jaxs Atlanta station WSB-TV that her daughter was trying to break up with him. She is concerned and wants to know how he was released from jail.

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Grayson said she was looking forward to Guzman serving every single second of his life sentence for murdering her daughter.

Hes out amongst us, she said. Hes out walking free.

The Clayton County Jail mistakenly released Guzman nearly two weeks ago.

How does this happen? How? Im not getting a clear answer, Grayson said.

Guzman is from Florida, and Clayton County Sheriff Levon Allen said officers believe he traveled back there.

The sheriff told WSB-TV it was the result of a training failure and his workers not paying attention. He said staff looked at a court document that showed a motion to nolle prosse, or not prosecute.

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The sheriff said if they had looked further, they would have seen a necrophilia charge was nolle prossed, and the jury convicted Guzman on felony murder and aggravated assault.

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Sources said when the state called the jail to prepare to transfer Guzman to prison, they learned he had been released. The county chairwoman said the sheriff needs to do better.

It just shows negligence on the part of the sheriffs department, said Dr. Alieka Anderson-Henry, chairwoman of the Clayton County Commission.

The chairwoman said they were not made aware, and the public should have been alerted. She also pointed out a suspected murderer was also mistakenly released from the jail last year.

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The sheriff said officers are doing everything they can to get Guzman back in custody. He explained that they did not alert the public because they did not want Guzman knowing they were looking for him.

When Jones asked the sheriff how Guzman could think he wasnt wanted by police, Allen said they learned Guzman told someone that God is good and believed his release was the result of a higher power.

Grayson said her husband took their daughters death so hard, he committed suicide on the anniversary of her death. She said this just adds more pain on top of her grief. She is concerned Guzman could be headed back where she lives in Florida.

I cant walk around without my concealed weapon, she said. I mean, I have to make sure I have that and my phone.

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*WSB-TV Atlanta contributed to this report.

Read: FBI asked to investigate incident that left Duval County inmate in critical condition

Read: Off-duty Jacksonville officer who shot into truck on I-95 returns to work

Read: Naval employee in Jacksonville one of four people arrested in connection with double murder

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TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, April 10. Uzbekistan and the World Bank discussed further development of comprehensive strategic cooperation, Trend reports.

The news follows a meeting between President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev with a delegation from the World Bank Group, led by Anna Bjerde, Managing Director of Operations.

Discussions highlighted the critical role the global financial institution plays in Uzbekistan's reform strategies.

Both parties expressed deep satisfaction with the high level of productive partnership achieved in recent years. With the World Bank's assistance, a new framework has been introduced to improve the mechanism for accelerating project preparation and enhancing the quality of projects involving international financial institutions.

Priority areas for future practical partnership include combating poverty, particularly through job creation for women and youth, especially in the tourism sector; supporting the private sector and public-private partnership programs; and the transformation and privatization of state-owned enterprises.

Special attention was given to joint plans in areas such as decarbonization, urbanization, infrastructure modernization, energy efficiency improvements, enhancing the investment climate, and supporting Uzbekistan's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Currently, Uzbekistan is one of the World Banks largest partners, with a project portfolio exceeding $12 billion. The World Bank continues to provide financial, consultative, and technical support for reforms aimed at ensuring sustainable development in priority sectors of the economy and the social sector.
Yvette Cooper has hit back at criticism of the Governments grooming gang plans after Labour was accused of watering down proposals to investigate the scandal.

The Home Secretary denied scaling back plans for independent local inquiries into grooming gangs over fears that they would offend Pakistanis and other ethnic minority voters.

She was responding to comments by Sir Trevor Phillips, the former chairman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, who said Labours approach to the grooming gangs scandal was utterly shameful because it was so obviously political to avoid offending a particular demographic of voters.

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The broadcaster, who previously stood as a Labour candidate for London mayor, said the move risked providing an open goal to Right-wing critics of the partys policies on immigration.

However, Ms Cooper told the BBC Today programme: This is total nonsense. Theres been a lot of misinformation, and sadly, party political misinformation being put out about this and its just fundamentally wrong.

So not only are we continuing with the plans for local inquiries, as we set out in January, that has not changed. Were also saying we will support areas that want to do more to work with victims and survivors. That has not changed.

But most crucially of all, we are supporting increased police investigations into these vile crimes. We have got increased investigations taking place.

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Her comments came after home office minister Jess Phillips told MPs the Government was shifting from prescribing up to five inquiries backed by a 5 million fund to a flexible approach, where the money would be available for local councils to use as they wished to support grooming gang work.

She said that this could mean full independent local inquiries, but could also mean more bespoke work, including local victims panels or locally led audits of the handling of historical cases.

Some of the most vile crimes

Home Office sources insisted the change did not necessarily mean that five inquiries would not go ahead but ministers had decided to not be prescriptive following the local consultation.

The Conservatives accused Labour of watering down their response to the grooming gangs inquiry in an announcement just 45 minutes before Parliament broke for recess.

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Ms Cooper said: Were increasing the action on child sexual exploitation and child sexual abuse. These are some of the most vile crimes... grooming gangs, rape, coercion, exploitation and horrendous crimes.

Both of these were obviously covered as part of the national statutory inquiry [by Professor Alexis Jay], the seven-year inquiry that took place.

But were also supporting local inquiries. Weve already said well support Oldham to have a local inquiry, and were currently drawing up the framework for further local inquiries.

We always said from the start we would also support areas that wanted to set up victim panels, but were continuing to support the local inquiries too, just as we said earlier this year.

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The scale of and driving factors for grooming gangs is currently being audited by Baroness Casey, a Whitehall troubleshooter who has specialised in fast-track investigations into sensitive issues such as the Metropolitan Polices culture and standards.

The Home Office says the framework for local areas to be identified for inquiries will be set out shortly and will be informed by Baroness Caseys audit.

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Cornish MPs are plotting to close a loophole which allows second home owners to avoid paying higher council tax.

It comes after the coastal county introduced a 100pc council tax premium on second home owners on April 1  leaving some families facing 5,000-a-year bills.

Second home owners who rent out their property as a holiday let for 70 nights a year can qualify for business rates  and those with just one property are likely to qualify for further tax relief.

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Unlike council tax, business rates are not based on bands. Rather, they are calculated based on the propertys rateable value, and can typically work out cheaper than council tax.

Ben Maguire, the Liberal Democrat MP for North Cornwall, who is leading the charge against the tax loophole, said: I have dubbed it the Airbnb Bill.

The Telegraph understands that the main focus of the policy will be on closing the business rates loophole, which allows second home owners to become short-term lets and avoid council tax.

Mr Maguire said the bill was two-fold: Number one is to force second home owners to apply for planning permission when they want to turn their second home into a holiday let.

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This is already the case in Gwynedd, north west Wales, which introduced planning permission for new holiday lets and second homes last year, under Article 4 rules.

He added: The second part of the bill is if you are changing your home from a residential permanent occupancy property, to a non-permanent second home, you will also need to apply for planning permission.

Mr Maguire and other Cornish MPs, including Andrew George MP for St Ives, Noah Law, the Labour MP for St Austell & Newquay, and Anna Gelderd, the Labour MP for South East Cornwall, met housing minister, Matthew Pennycook, to discuss their proposals last week.

More than two thirds of town halls opted to impose a 100pc council tax premium on second homes from April 1 under powers granted in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act.

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The powers were introduced by former Conservative cabinet minister, Michael Gove, to protect housing stock in popular holiday destinations and coastal towns.

There are 13,140 second homes in Cornwall, according to the local authority, of which 2,652 are categorised as long-term empty.

Council tax on a Band D second home is now 4,919.84, or more than 400 a month, after an increase of 4.99pc this year and the introduction of the 100pc premium.

But second home owners have claimed that they werent properly warned about the changes, which were advertised in local newspapers they dont read.

The Telegraph last month revealed that MPs would be spared the premiums as allowances would rise to cover the tax bills.

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Mr Maguire said: Youve got housing developments in places like Bodmin, a quite low socioeconomic town, historically, and youre actually finding now, even in Bodmin, lots of the big developments are becoming second homes, lots and lots of them.

Andrew George, the Liberal Democrat MP for St Ives, said that he had pointed out how the small business rates relief could be used as a loophole for second homes as long ago as 2012.

He said: I highlighted then how it could attract second home owners to flip from council tax to business rates, and indeed that happened at a relatively industrial scale.

Mr George will meet with Treasury ministers in the coming weeks to discuss the business rates loophole after raising it in the House of Commons.

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He also supported a registration scheme for short-term lets  which the Ministry of Housing said last August would be introduced as quickly as possible  and offered the county as a pilot.

He said: Weve offered to pilot the registration scheme. I dont think it is one that you would necessarily want to roll out as a complete scheme.

John Brown, head of the Cornwall Chamber of Commerce, said: Were dealing with a surplus, not a scarcity, of Airbnbs.

This isnt a fight between tourism and housing, but it is an addressing of and a bit of a rebalance.

Mr Brown said he didnt think the policy would push up prices for tourists, and added: The balance wont have an impact in terms of the actual pricing, or pricing tourists out of Cornwall. Theres no two ways about it, its not a cursory spend to come and spend time in Cornwall.

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But chief executive of the Short-term Accommodation Association (STAA), Andy Fenner, said: Ive met with local MPs, and explained the real-world contribution of short-term rentals  yet they seem more interested in grabbing headlines than solving the housing crisis.

Were calling on the Government to support tourism and those who work in it, not scapegoat our sector for the failure to build enough homes.

In Wales, the strict rules precipitated the biggest fall in year-on-year house prices, with Gwynedd seeing a drop of 12pc, according to the Principality Building Society.

A Ministry of Housing spokesman said: We are determined to fix the housing crisis we have inherited, and we know that having excessive concentrations of second homes and short-term lets in an area can drive up housing costs for local people and damage local services.

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The spokesman said the Government was considering further action on short-term lets and second homes.

Cornwall County Council declined to comment due to upcoming local elections.

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MADISON  Among court cases environmental advocates are watching as potentially reaching the Wisconsin Supreme Court in the coming years is one centered around the rerouting of a Northwoods fuel pipeline.

The legal action comes as Wisconsin concluded a hard-fought race for a seat on the Supreme Court, with Dane County Judge Susan Crawford defeating conservative Waukesha County Judge Brad Schimel and cementing a liberal majority on the court until at least 2028.

Last year, the DNR approved a permit for Enbridge Energy's reroute of the pipeline known as Line 5.

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About 12 miles of the pipeline cuts through the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa's reservation. The easements for the land the pipeline is on have expired, which is why the company is planning to reroute it.

After the DNR announced its decision to permit the plan, several environmental organizations contested the decision, and arguments will be heard by an administrative law judge for that case. While the hearings in the contested case have not started, any decision could likely be appealed to a circuit court, setting the stage for a process that could wind up at the Supreme Court.

Evan Feinauer, an attorney with the group Clean Wisconsin, said the case could take years to reach that point, but the court could halt the pipeline or allow the reroute to continue.

Enbridge Energy, a Canadian company, is also awaiting a decision from the Army Corps of Engineers and two others: Michigans Public Service Commission and Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Enbridge Line 5 pipeline reroute could get to Wisconsin Supreme Court
Members of the Cleburne City Council paid tribute to the city's librarians and dispatchers during their Tuesday meeting.

"I encourage all our residents to visit our library to explore its resources," Mayor Scott Cain said. "This reminds me of my first experience, when the library was still at the Layland Building, of getting my library card and being able to spend my summer reading books. I didn't have any idea then that it was going to lead to a lifetime of continued learning, and I still read every day and love every moment of it."

The Cleburne Public Library received two mentions during Tuesday's meeting, the first being recognition of having received the 2024 Achievement of Excellence in Libraries Award from the Texas Municipal Library Directors Association.

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Cleburne librarians are no strangers to the award having now won it four years in a row.

To be considered for the award, a library must support standards of excellence in 10 categories.

"Those include serving the underprivileged, digital literacy and other benchmarks," Library Manager Tina Dunham said.

Dunham thanked the council and city administration for their support of the library.

"But especially our staff," she said. "They are hard working and go over and above to serve the community and make it a better place."

Cain referenced the fact that the library and Cleburne Police Department have shared the same building for decades and both have outgrown that facility.

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"I look forward to the day we can give you all the resources you need," Cain said. "I can't imagine what you guys can do with state-of-the-art facilities. We look forward to being able to get that for you one day, hopefully in the near future."

Cain also proclaimed Sunday through Saturday as National Library Week in Cleburne.

"Libraries spark creativity, fuel imagination and inspire lifelong learning," Cain said. "They offer a space where individuals of all ages can explore new ideas and be drawn to new possibilities."

Cain, joined by Police Chief Rob Severance and CPD dispatchers, proclaimed Sunday through April 19 as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week in Cleburne.

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"They are the vital link for police and firefighters through monitoring their activities by radio and providing them quality and accurate information to ensure their safety," Cain said. "Through their diligence and professionalism they keep our residents and our city safe."

Cain called the dispatcher's ability to remain compassionate and calm under pressure absolutely amazing.

"I think back to the tornadoes that came through in 2013 and all the chaos that went on because of that," Cain said. "These women humbly handled all the 911 calls coming in from the get go. They remained professional and understanding in helping our first responders and helping everyone stay calm."
After a busy day at work as a software engineer, Oleg Kutkov returns to his apartment in Kyiv. He steps out onto the balcony  but not to smoke or water the flowers. Olegs balcony is a workshop. There, he repairs Starlink terminals damaged at the front and sends them back to soldiers.

"At first, I used to work with Starlink as a hobby. But when I fix them now, I realize it's not just a hobby  its the main means of communication at the front," Oleg told the Counteroffensive.

Hundreds of thousands of people in Ukraine  including The Counteroffensives Kyiv office  depend on Starlink satellites, which have replaced internet networks damaged during the war. Civilians in hospitals, schools, and frontline areas all rely on it  as does the military along the entire front.

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But U.S. President Donald Trump and Elon Musk see Starlink as leverage over the Ukrainian government. Starlink is part of Musks company, SpaceX, and although Ukraine and its partners pay for the systems operation, Musk can theoretically shut it off at any time.

The centrality of Starlink to Ukraines military success underscores just how significant a geopolitical figure Musk has become  and how the worlds richest man now wields influence far beyond his net worth. The trajectory of the war, in many ways, lies in the hands of one person.

Ukrainian soldiers understand there are no full-fledged alternatives to Starlink, but they are prepared to fight without it  because they have no choice. That might mean relying more on traditional methods of communication, including radios and cellular networks. Satellite systems from other companies may help, but theyre less efficient and cant fully cover the front.

Since childhood, Oleg, now 36, has enjoyed taking apart and reassembling electronics. So when he learned about Starlink in 2021, it immediately piqued his interest.

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He ordered his first terminal from the United States in late 2021  before Starlink service was even available in Ukraine. His goal was to disassemble the terminal and see how it worked. He believes his was likely the first Starlink terminal in the country.

A few months later, Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In late February 2022, Ukraine asked Musk to activate Starlink access. Russia was targeting communication towers and knocking out access to traditional systems. Musk  who can both give and take away  responded within hours. He announced that Starlink service was active in Ukraine and that the first terminals were on their way.

I know Starlink is not reliable  SpaceX has already shut it down several times. But currently, there are no full-fledged alternatives.

Oleg saw Musks tweet and decided to try activating his terminal. With help from his SpaceX contacts, it worked. He believes it was one of the first active Starlink terminals in Ukraine.

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It allowed me to at least somehow stay in touch and get some news, Oleg said of his experience in Kyiv at the beginning of the invasion. Where there was no connection due to Russian attacks, it appeared thanks to Starlink.

While Musk supported Ukraine early in the war, he later started to undermine the Ukrainian military's operations.

In September 2023, biographer Walter Isaacson claimed Musk had secretly disabled Starlink service near occupied Crimea the previous year to disrupt a Ukrainian attack on the Russian fleet. The story was later confirmed by Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraines military intelligence.

In February 2023, SpaceX restricted Starlinks use in Ukraine  specifically limiting its role in drone operations. Musk said the decision was made to prevent World War III. The restrictions were eventually lifted.

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More recently, threats to shut down Starlink surfaced again when Trump returned to the presidency. According to Reuters, Trump administration officials warned Ukraine they would cut off Starlink access unless Ukraine agreed to a mining deal. The deal remains unsigned.

A Starlink is seen as evacuees wait to be transported to Kharkiv, Ukraine, after being evacuated during a Russian advance into Vovchansk, Kharkiv Oblast, Ukraine, on May 13, 2024. (Ed Ram / For The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Musk also clashed with Polish Foreign Minister Radosaw Sikorski over Starlink. Although Musk later tweeted that he would never cut access, there is lingering skepticism about whether his word can be trusted.

Ukraine remains vulnerable to the possibility that Musk could pull the plug on Starlink at any time. As a result, the government is seeking alternatives.

I know Starlink is not reliable  SpaceX has already shut it down several times. But currently, there are no full-fledged alternatives. All other options are worse, Oleg said.

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With Starlink, Ukraines military can coordinate operations, transmit front-line data, and monitor the battlefield  even when theres no mobile network coverage. It also enables drone reconnaissance and precision strikes.

Communication (via Starlink) is the basis of command and control, said Yaroslav Honchar, head of the nonprofit Aerorozvidka, which promotes robotic military technology. If there is communication, then there is control, and then can we talk about offense, defense, and everything else.

Although Starlink isnt officially available to the Russian army, reports suggest some Russian units have used it anyway.

Still, the system has its flaws. Starlink terminals arent designed for long-term use under battlefield conditions. They often break under extreme weather or combat stress. The most common issue Oleg sees is shrapnel damage. But he also fixes terminals that have been flooded in trenches, chewed by rodents, or tossed from moving vehicles.

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There was a case when I drained 5 liters of water from two new terminals. I dried them out, repaired them, and they started working, Oleg said.

Ukraines growing interest in alternatives is driven by a desire to reduce its dependence on Musk. According to the Financial Times, the European Union is currently in talks with four companies to possibly replace Starlink for Ukraines armed forces: SES (Luxembourg), Hisdesat (Spain), Viasat (United Kingdom), and Eutelsat/OneWeb (France).

The first three rely on older satellite technology, with satellites orbiting around 30,000 kilometers above Earth  compared to Starlinks 500 to 800 kilometers. This affects latency and data speed.

Eutelsat/OneWebs satellites are closer, orbiting around 1,200 kilometers, and are more comparable to Starlink in coverage. But the size of their network is limited  just 500 to 600 satellites versus Starlinks more than 6,000.

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Other alternatives are more rudimentary. During the Battle of Kursk, Ukrainian forces used radio and wired communications, since Starlink doesnt work in Russia.

We can successfully defend the country without Starlink. We did it at the very beginning of the full-scale invasion, and we can do it now," said Volodymyr Stepanets of the Narodnyi Starlink initiative, which repairs and supplies terminals. "It is more difficult, more expensive... but it is possible."

Stepanets also argues that cutting off Ukraine would hurt Musk, too. He said more than 150,000 Starlink terminals are currently in Ukraine, generating roughly $15 million per month in subscription fees.

As a country, we are Musk's largest customer on this continent. Probably, the number of Starlink terminals in Ukraine is higher than in the whole of Europe, he said.

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The Counteroffensive contacted the Ministry of Digital Transformation and Starlinks Ukraine office to confirm the number of terminals in use. As of publication, neither had responded.

Oleg has worked on Starlink Gen 2 terminals, which he says have a vulnerability in field use. One connector used to link the equipment is prone to moisture intrusion and often fails. To fix the issue, Oleg substituted a connector from a different company that was more water-resistant. After testing it, he recorded a video tutorial to help others do the same.

Like many Ukrainians, he adapted. He improvised. He taught others how to make doand how to make things better. Under pressure, Ukraines creativity shines. And it will continue to shine, even if Elon Musk turns off the lights.

Editors Note: This article was published by the twice-weekly newsletter The Counteroffensive with Tim Mak on April 9, 2025, and has been re-published by the Kyiv Independent with permission. To subscribe to The Counteroffensive, click here. The opinions expressed in the op-ed section are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Kyiv Independent.

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(NewsNation)  China analyst Gordon Chang predicts other countries will follow President Donald Trumps lead in imposing steep tariffs on Chinese imports after the U.S. implemented a 125% tax on Chinese goods.

Whats going to happen is other countries are going to have to follow Trumps footsteps, Chang said Wednesday on NewsNation. Trumps tariffs close off the U.S. market to many Chinese products. Chinas got to sell them someplace else other countries industrial sectors are going to be decimated unless they protect their country.

Chang, author of the new book Plan Red: Chinas Project to Destroy America, said he expects to see tariffs rise on Chinese goods worldwide as countries defend their markets from potential product dumping.

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So, I think youre going to see tariffs go up on Chinese goods around the world, Chang said.

Trump puts 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs; raises Chinas to 125%

While Trump said he expects Chinese President Xi Jinping to reach out to make a deal, Chang was skeptical of an immediate resolution.

Thats what Xi should do. Thats the economically rational thing, Chang said. The problem is that Xi Jinping has configured the Chinese political system so that only the most hostile answers are considered acceptable, which boxes himself in.

Chang explained that though making a deal would benefit Chinas economy, Xi is unlikely to do so quickly because it would undermine his position within the Communist Party.

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Q&A: How to manage your retirement savings as stocks swing

I dont think theyre going to figure it out this week, he told NewsNation.

The analyst also highlighted the strategic benefits of moving manufacturing away from China, suggesting that relocating factories to Central America could help stabilize those societies and reduce migration pressures to the United States.

Chang emphasized the importance of bringing critical industries like semiconductor fabrication and pharmaceuticals back to the U.S., arguing that trade with China indirectly funds their military development.

China uses our trade proceeds to configure its military, which is basically designed to fight America, Chang said. Thats just morally and strategically wrong to give them the money to do that.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
SAND FORK, W.Va. (WBOY)  Two people who were helping care for an incapacitated man in Gilmer County were arrested after they allegedly did not call 911 for the victim when they admitted they should have.

Law enforcement from multiple departments went to a home on Wabash Avenue in Sand Fork on March 18 after a meal delivery driver reported that a person was not mobile enough to retrieve his food, according to a criminal complaint.

Members of the West Virginia State Police, Glenville Police Department and Gilmer County Sheriffs Office found the man living in a camper outside the home; troopers said he could not walk because he had wounds on his feet that showed bone.

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Man arrested after allegedly spraying student in the face with gasoline on WV Wesleyan campus

Officers also spoke to Rex Wallbrown, 37, and Brittani Bell, 33, who lived in the house on the property who said that the victim pays rent to them to stay in the camper, the complaint said. Troopers said that the camper did not have running water or a bathroom and that multiple bags of garbage and several bottles which appeared to have urine in them were in the floor of the camper.

Rex Wallbrown

Brittani Bell

Wallbrown and Bell said in statements to law enforcement that they sometimes take care of the victim, and supply him alcohol multiple times throughout the week, but both told troopers that they had never called 911, EMS or APS (Adult Protective Services) in the regard to [the victims] health, even though he could not walk, take care of himself or retrieve his delivered meals.

Both suspects told law enforcement that they are aware they should have called 911, but did not, according to the complaint.

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In a text message observed by the responding officers, Bell had said that she looks after the victim, and officers determined that Ms. Bell and Mr. Wallbrown both had taken on the responsibility of caring for the victim, and did not get him the care he needed.

Bell and Wallbrown have been charged with neglect of an incapacitated adult and conspiracy to commit elder neglect and are being held in the Central Regional Jail.

Brittani Bell previously pleaded guilty of abuse or neglect of an incapacitates adult in 2018, according to the complaint.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Cedar Lake man gets 12 years for child porn

A Cedar Lake man was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison Thursday for child porn.

Jonathon Koskela, 21, pleaded guilty in January in the U.S. District Court in Hammond to distribution of child pornography.

He will serve 10 years on supervised release after prison and repay $83,500 in restitution.

The social media site Kik notified the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that Koskela uploaded child porn videos to groups he created  with some featuring adult men having sex with young children.

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Koskela also encouraged others to sexually assault minors, to produce (pornography) of minors to send to him for his own sexual gratification, and he repeatedly asked to rent a child to sexually assault, Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Morgan wrote in filings.

Federal prosecutors wrote he uploaded videos from September 2023 to January 2024.

Defense lawyer Matthew Soliday argued for a lenient sentence, saying his client had no prior criminal history.

Munster man may avoid prison for child porn

A Munster man faces a 2.5-year split term after admitting he downloaded child porn.

Michael Prestamer, 34, pleaded guilty April 8 to possession of child pornography, a Level 6 felony.

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If a judge accepts the plea deal, he would serve one year in Lake County Community Corrections and 1.5 years on probation. He would also have to register as a sex offender and complete mental health counseling.

His sentencing hearing is May 14.

Multiple videos he uploaded appeared to show young girls guided or coerced to expose themselves, according to the affidavit.

At least one video showed a child speaking a foreign language, while another appeared to show a girl repeatedly asking if she could get dressed.

Google flagged the uploads on Feb. 17, 2023, notifying the Center for Missing and Exploited Children, who passed the tip to Indiana State Police. The uploads were traced to his Google account.

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Police pulled Prestamer over in a traffic stop.

He appeared visibly upset and didnt understand what hed done wrong.

Chicago man faces six six-year split term for child molesting

A Chicago man faces a six-year split term for child molesting.

Geronimo Romero, 42, admitted to Level 4 felony child molesting.

If a judge accepts the plea deal, he would serve two years in prison, two years in Lake County Community Corrections and two years on sex offender probation.

Court records allege Romero molested a preteen girl between 2018 to 2019.

Post-Tribune archives contributed.

mcolias@post-trib.com
The Indiana Court of Appeals upheld on Wednesday Shawn Perrys 20-year sentence for his July 2019 criminal confinement case involving his girlfriend, Deshonda Lewis.

However, in a 3-0 decision, Appeals Judge Leanna K. Weissmann ordered Judge Gina Jones to correct some of the paperwork.

Before Perry, now 47, of Gary, went to trial on a confinement case in February 2024, he was charged in her July 2022 death. The murder trial is scheduled for June.

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Weissman rejected Perrys arguments, saying there was enough evidence to convict on the confinement case.

She noted Jones incorrectly wrote she was merging two latter counts  pointing a firearm and intimidation  instead of vacating, or striking them out, to prevent a possible double jeopardy issue.

She also ordered Jones to correct a list of charges sent after Perrys conviction.

Weissman noted prosecutors agreed with the corrections.

Perry can appeal. His earliest release date is in November 2035.

In the confinement case, Gary Police responded July 20, 2019, to the 2200 block of Ohio Street after someone called 911 twice to hang up.

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When cops arrived, Lewis sat in the living room with Perry.

Lewis daughter corroborated her story. She told investigators Perry was arguing, yelling and pushing Lewis. When she went to the back bedroom to help her mother, who Perry slammed on a bed, he pulled a gun on her, too, the daughter said.

She ran out and hid in a closet with her siblings until police arrived.

About three years later, Gary Police responded at 9 p.m. July 23, 2022, to the 400 block of Jackson Street where Lewis, then 42, was found shot inside her parked Ford Escape, according to an affidavit. Bullet holes pierced the drivers side window.

mcolias@post-trib.com
COVENTRY, R.I. (WPRI)  A spat among Coventry Town Council members regarding legal invoices boiled over Tuesday night after the president accused a former councilman of violently threatening her.

Coventry Town Council President Hilary Lima publicly accused former Councilman Scott Copley of making a sexually violent remark about her during a private phone call with Vice President John Paul Verducci last month. The threat was made while discussing whether she was going to put a specific item on a recent meeting agenda, Lima said.

This comes after Copley and another councilor  James LeBlanc  submitted their resignations, claiming that Town Solicitor Stephen Angell blocked them from accessing unredacted legal invoices and refusing to discuss the matter with them.

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The lack of transparency and accountability has become intolerable, Copley wrote in his resignation letter. His blatant disregard for his responsibilities only confirms my belief he is no longer acting in the best interest of the town.

LeBlanc said in his resignation letter that Angell hasnt been following the Coventry Town Charter. He was also stunned that Copley was the only other councilor to question why Angell hasnt been held accountable.

The silence from the rest of the council was deafening, LeBlanc said.

LeBlanc and Copley accused Lima, Verducci and Angell of repeatedly ignoring their requests to add certain items to upcoming meeting agendas regarding the supposed violations. Of those requests, LeBlanc said one included voting on an amendment that would allow the town council to terminate Angells contract if he violates the Town Charter.

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Every single Coventry resident should ask themselves why council leadership would not want this amendment to be voted on, LeBlanc wrote. The residents should also be demanding answers from the rest of the council members as to why they have failed to take swift action to protect the charter, the town and its constituents.

Tensions ran high Tuesday night as several Coventry residents demanded transparency from the town council regarding the legal invoices.

It is infuriating and insulting to the residents of Coventry that those entrusted to uphold our local laws and values so easily turn a blind eye when it is politically convenient, resident Brittany Boyer said. The people of Coventry see whats happening and were done being quiet. Were tired. Were fed up, and change is coming because weve all had enough.

In his resignation letter, Copley said he filed a formal complaint with the Office of the Disciplinary Counsel regarding Angells behavior. He believes thats why Angell and Verducci are accusing him of threatening Lima.

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Angell confirmed that he was the one who reported the threat to Coventry police after hearing about it from Verducci.

I had reason to believe this comment was in earnest, Angell explained.

Copley said in his resignation letter that a criminal investigation into their claims proved these allegations to be false.

In my opinion, these claims were made in retaliation for filing a complaint against [Angell], he wrote.

Angell told 12 News he wasnt aware that a complaint had been filed against him until he received Copleys resignation letter.

I find it offensive that somebody would take a shot at my license, Angell said, adding that the Office of Disciplinary Counsel wont be taking action against him because it did not see any violations spelled out in the complaint.

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Lima expressed concern over the lack of support, especially from women, shes received regarding the threat made against her by Copley.

Its really hurtful that I heard women laugh and not believe the allegation when we had comments made in this room about how Im an embarrassment to women in leadership, Lima said during Tuesday nights meeting. To turn around and not believe the claim that I was threatened with sexual violence is deeply disturbing and makes me afraid to live in this community.

I am someones daughter, someones sister, someones wife and someones friend, she continued. I hope that none of you are ever subject to this.

Lima told 12 News she has requested a temporary restraining order against Copley and wants to press charges. The Rhode Island Attorney Generals Office confirmed that it is now looking into the allegations as well.

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Meanwhile, the town is now on the hook for two special elections to replace both councilors. It is expected to cost roughly $20,000 per seat.

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HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT)  Crestwood Medical Center is adding a new surgical robot that could make hospital stays a little shorter.

The new surgical robot is designed to enhance precision, control and visualization, allowing surgeons to do complicated procedures through smaller incisions. This could lead to shorter hospital stays, faster recovery times and reduced risk of complications.

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Dr. Ray Sheppard and his team performed the surgery Thursday morning after going through training to ensure a smooth transition to the new model.

We had practiced as a team and we had the trainers in and everything went flawlessly and smooth, Sheppard said.

Sheppard likened the new robot to getting a new iPhone.

Lots of little new amenities that allow us to be a little more efficient in a way, Sheppard said. We are actually utilizing the surgical instruments and so we can use a little bit better precision.

While the latest model, known as the DVF, is new to Crestwood, the medical center has been using robot assistance in surgeries since 2012. The surgery department said it completed its 10,000 robot-assisted surgery in November 2024.

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Sheppard said the new technology helps both the surgeon and the patient.

We noticed that the patients seem to have less pain and so that always produces a better recovery for the patient. A lot of the procedures that we do patients are allowed to go home the same day, Sheppard said. If it was a different style of surgery they might have to spend several nights in the hospital.

While some have fears of robots being in the operating room with them, Dr. Keith Jiminez said despite the robot assisting the doctor is ultimately the one in control.

We do sort of talk with all our patients that we are the ones doing the surgery, the robots assisting us, Jiminez said. This new robot actually gives us a feel of what is actually going on with tissues.

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More than two dozen physicians at Crestwood use robotic-assisted technology, including ones in general surgery, gynecology, urology and ENT surgery.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) Firefighters are battling a residential fire in Cumberland County on Thursday morning.

According to the Friendship Hose Company on Facebook, crews are working to extinguish a residential fire in the 400 block of Big Spring Road in West Pennsboro Township, between Oak Flat Road and Springfield Road.

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The fire company is asking the public to avoid the area while crews work to control the blaze.

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It is unclear if the home was occupied during the fire or if anyone was injured or killed. The cause of the fire is unknown.

This is a developing story. Stay with abc27 News as more information becomes available

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.
STAMPING GROUND, Ky. (FOX 56)  Crews with the Scott County Fire Department (SCFD) were on the scene of a structure fire on Thursday morning in Stamping Ground.

Around 11 a.m., the department posted on social media that crews were at the scene of a working structure fire in the 1800 block of White Grove Road.

LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS:

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Scott County fire officials asked the public to avoid the area.

FOX 56 News reached out to the fire department and is waiting to hear back.

In an update around 8:15 p.m., SCFD said the fire was put out and the scene was cleared.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News.
Felonies

The following people were booked into the Lee County-Tupelo Adult Jail in connection with felony charges ending Wednesday at 11 a.m.

Jodeci D. Agnew, 29, of Tupelo, was arrested by the Lee County Sheriffs Office, possession of fentanyl, trafficking fentanyl, possession of methamphetamine, sale of methamphetamine, sale of a counterfeit controlled substance, possession of crack cocaine.

Colby Bates, 26, of Baldwyn, was arrested by the Tupelo Police Department, felony possession of marijuana, domestic violence.

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Tony Shannon Davis Sr., 61, of Nettleton, was arrested by the Tupelo Police Department, felony shoplifting, no drivers license, driving with a suspended license, expired tag, no tag, no insurance, no seat belt.

Theodric V. Guyton, 49, of New Albany, was arrested by the Lee County Sheriffs Office, capias for possession of methamphetamine.

Nicholas Dale Parker, 27, of Saltillo, was arrested by the Lee County Sheriffs Office, breaking and entering of an occupied dwelling.

Shealyn Richmond, 60, of Pontotoc, was arrested by the Lee County Sheriffs Office, violation of probation.

Zachary Wells, 32, of Saltillo, was arrested by the Lee County Sheriffs Office, capital murder.

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Karen A. White, 20, of Bruce, was arrested by the Tupelo Police Department, possession of marijuana with a firearm.

Lee County Sheriffs Office

The following reports were filed Wednesday by the Lee County Sheriffs Office.

A County Road 1205, Nettleton, woman said someone hacked onto her phone and got all of her information. She said she got a call from someone she thought she knew but later found out it had been a scam. The unknown hacker got her banking information and sent himself $500 of her money twice. The hacker also attempted to file her taxes again and tried to send themselves $1,000 from her American Express account. They also used her checking account to make payments to her credit card. Her bank told her they needed her to file a police report before they could start an investigation.

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A Tupelo man said someone broke into his Acura Integra while it was parked at a Gumtree Run, Tupelo, address. He said his debit card was stolen and so far, around $100 in charges have been made on his account. He said the car was locked, but there was no damage visible where they broke into the car.

Anyone with information on any of these crimes is urged to call the Lee County Sheriff's Office at 841-9041, the Tupelo Police Department at 841-6491 or Crime Stoppers of Northeast Mississippi at (800) 773-TIPS or download the P3 Tip App and leave an anonymous tip that way.
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  This week on Crime Stoppers, police are seeking any information regarding a vehicle theft/fraud suspect in Shiawassee County and a theft suspect in Eaton County.

If you have information regarding the cases below, call Crime Stoppers of Mid-Michigan at (517) 483-STOP. You can remain anonymous.

Those who contact Crime Stoppers with information can receive up to a $1,000 reward.

Vehicle Theft and Fraud

The Shiawassee County Sheriffs Department is asking for any information related to a vehicle theft and fraud investigation. Police are asking for help in identifying one of the subjects involved in the theft.

Theft of more than $10,000

The Eaton County Sheriffs Office Department is asking for any information related to the theft of more than $10,000 in construction equipment. The incident occurred during the early morning hours of March 27, 2025. The accused vehicle is a white, four-door Chevrolet Silverado with a flatbed trailer.

(File/WLNS)

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News.
BELGRADE, Serbia (AP)  Croatia on Thursday protested a spate of expulsions of its citizens from Serbia, where the government of populist President Aleksandar Vucic is faced with massive anti-corruption protests that have shaken his tight grip on power in the Balkan state.

Dozens of foreign citizens, including 15 Croats, have been expelled from Serbia in the past few months or slapped an entry ban, allegedly for posing a security risk for the country.

Croatia has sent a protest note to Belgrade and informed the European Union about the expulsions, Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said in Croatia's capital, Zagreb, adding that Serbia's moves are unacceptable.

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We are demanding an explanation from the Serbian authorities, Plenkovic said at a government session. Croatia condemns such behavior.

There was no immediate response from Belgrade while a protest rally against the expulsions of Croatian and other foreign citizens critical of Vucic and the Serbian government was held Thursday in Belgrade.

Speakers at the rally said they will not allow Serbia to become a country of "fear and repression."

Vucic's increasingly authoritarian government has stepped up pressure on critics and independent media while struggling to quell monthslong anti-corruption protests triggered by a canopy collapse in the country's north that killed 16 people on Nov. 1.

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Vucic and his allies have said that unidentified Western intelligence services were behind the student-led protests with the aim to unseat him from power by staging a so-called color revolution.

Vucics right-wing allies, Hungarian and Slovak Prime Ministers Viktor Orban and Robert Fico, sent messages of support on Thursday for the beleaguered Serbian leader ahead of a big counter-opposition protest rally he planned to stage in Belgrade over the weekend.

Orban said in a video message from Budapest that Serbian patriots can count on Hungarian patriots.

"We have been watching developments in Serbia for months now. Foreign powers are trying to interfere in the lives of the Serbs. That is happening here, too. Foreign powers are trying to tell the Serbs how to live. They are doing that here, too, he said.

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Serbian police have detained and questioned several university students, government critics and even professors while media watchdog groups have warned of attacks and threats against journalists covering the protests.

Arien Ivkovic Stojanovic, a Croatian who has lived in Serbia for 12 years and is married to a Serbian citizen, thinks that her online posts critical of Vucic could be the reason why she has been ordered to leave the country.

Ivkovic Stojanovic told The Associated Press in a phone interview that police handed her a notice saying she posed a grave security risk but didn't explain why.

At first I started laughing," she said. "I just live a normal life, I have never even had a parking ticket."

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Previous cases of expulsions of foreigners from Serbia included Russians who had criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin and his invasion of Ukraine.

Entry bans also have been slapped on regional artists and pro-democracy activists. In January, Serbia expelled 13 citizens of Croatia, Romania and Austria who were taking part in a civil society workshop in Belgrade.

TV crews from neighboring Croatia and Slovenia have been stopped on the border from entering Serbia in March to cover a large anti-government protest.

Ivkovic Stojanovic appealed her order to leave Serbia within seven days, which would split her family and separate their 3-year-old daughter from her father. The 31-year-old doctor believes she was targeted because of a post supporting the student protests.

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Vucic is a former extreme nationalist who now says he wants Serbia to join the EU but has faced accusations of stifling democratic freedoms while maintaining close relations with Russia and China.

-

Associated Press writer Dusan Stojanovic contributed to this report.
The Cross Bay Ferrys first season of year-round service is ending early.

HMS Ferries Inc., the vendor that provides ferry service between St. Petersburg and Tampa, has been declared in default of its agreement with Hillsborough County. John Muller, the countys facilities management and real estate services director, outlined the situation in a letter to HMS on March 25.

He wrote that the Boston-based company wanted to replace the current ferry with a slower one that would take almost two hours to complete each one-way trip across Tampa Bay  twice as long as the current transit time. According to the agreement in place since 2021, HMS must provide a high-speed ferry. Mullers letter put HMS on notice and gave the company until April 3 to find another vessel or the county would recommend termination of the contract April 30.

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Unfortunately, our understanding is that the proposed vessel would approximately double the trip time from one hour to two hours, which is unacceptable, Muller wrote.

HMS Ferries released a statement saying that the service will conclude April 30.

While this is earlier than originally planned, were proud of the role the ferry has played in connecting Tampa and St. Petersburg, the statement read. As the service comes to a close, were excited to see Hillsborough County, the City of St. Petersburg, and (the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority) continue shaping the future of ferry transportation in the region. We look forward to continuing to work with local leaders and stakeholders towards providing ferry service that benefits all of Tampa Bay in the years ahead.

Evan Mory, St. Petersburgs transportation and parking management director, told City Council members in a memo Tuesday that HMS did not meet the deadline. He wrote that Hillsboroughs staff told him that they intend to bring a cancellation recommendation to that County Commission on April 16.

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The Cross Bay Ferry is on its forth and final year of service under the current agreement, which was supposed to end on Sept. 30. In the past, ferry service was only offered from October through May.

Mory noted in a March 25 memo to City Council members that the city will save $102,000 with service ending early although it would be (preferable) to have service end in September, he wrote.

Pinellas Countys transit authority wants to better integrate the Cross Bay Ferry by buying its own ferry, but Hillsborough County is hesitant to turn over a nearly $5 million federal grant to help make that happen.

Mory told council members that the city will be working with the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority and other government partners to identify a new ferry program that could be restarted as early as this fall, depending on the solicitation process and the availability of potential vendors.
princeton  Federal grant funding which did not materialize after changes in Washington D.C. led this week to the Mercer County Commission approving the purchase of five new deputys cruisers for the Mercer County Sheriffs Department.

Sheriff Alan Christian told the county commission Tuesday during a regular monthly meeting that his department secured a federal grant last year through the office of former U.S. Senator Joe Manchin, I-W.Va. He also told the commissioners that he learned through a contact with U.S. Senator Jim Justice, R-W.Va., that the grant would not be available.

County Commission President Bill Archer said the sheriffs department was requesting $298,975. The sheriff said then that the cruisers were available at a local dealership.

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These cars we ordered March of last year, theyve been sitting at Rameys since September and theyve been holding them for us, Christian said.

The departments five oldest cruisers have an average of 100,000 miles apiece on them, but the department doesnt have a budget line item for new ones.

We do not have a budget line item in our budget for new new cruisers and that is something were going to have to address in the future, but at this point were asking for all five, Christian said. Well take what we can get, but we can use all five.

Commission Brian Blankenship asked Christian if the cruisers price was comparable to state bid pricing, and he replied this was the case.

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The vehicles themselves are $50,500. Prices went up quite a bit over the past few years, Christian said.

Each of the cruisers also have to be outfitted with radios and other equipment for $8,464. A new computer system allowing deputies to check licenses and registrations themselves would cost an extra $1,000 each, he said.

Christian said the sheriffs department will keep searching for grants, but didnt want to lose the vehicles that are now on hand.

Now we have Fords available and I hate to let them go, he said.

Archer said he agreed that the department needs new vehicles.

Its a tough job, but its even tougher if youre running around in substandard equipment, Archer said.

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Its a dangerous job just as soon as you put the badge on, Christian said. Theres no need for us to make it any more dangerous by driving around in rattle traps.

Commissioner Greg Puckett said that the countys money has to be watched carefully.

This year in particular is difficult and you know we put a moratorium on some of the things we do just to make sure were covering all of our budgets in the way that the moneys going to be spent, he said to Christian and other people attending the meeting. Just so the public knows, to take care of our employees, it was an additional $206,000 in this years budget to cover the 86% of what we get get in PEIA because they had a 16% increase this year.

Thats looking also looking to double up again this year and the following year, Puckett said. Which means, you know, were going to have to make some pretty serious choices about how we spend the allocated monies that we have. The Legislature has not allowed us to diversify our funding, which is very disappointing because that means every single dollar that spent comes on the constituents backs, which isnt fair in my opinion.

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When looking at how the county spends its money, safety and security should be at a premium, he said.

And so I would certainly recommend that were going to get these cars, Puckett said. This is a year where we say we dont know what cuts are coming in the federal government, with certain cuts and limitations from the state government. This might be the one time that we can look at this and say we can do this because the stabilization funds are what they are and thats where these funds would come from, but I just caution that were in a little different period right now when it comes to money.

Commissioner Brian Blankenship also said that other counties as well as cities need to watch their budgets.

Its good that we can help out, but I concur with Greg going forward theres going to be a lot of unknowns as we, everybody, municipalities and counties, look our budgets and try to squeeze a dollar as much as we can, Blankenship said.

The motion to buy the five cruisers passed unanimously with the money coming from the countys stabilization fund.

Contact Greg Jordan at

gjordan@bdtonline.com
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 10. Iran may expel inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and halt its cooperation with the agency, Ali Shamkhani, a senior advisor on political affairs to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, wrote on X, Trend reports.

According to Shamkhani, such a move could be seen as a response to ongoing foreign threats against Iran and its measures to prepare for potential military aggression.

He further emphasized that Iran might also consider relocating its enriched uranium to secure and undisclosed locations within the country.

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.

US President Donald Trump announced that discussions between Iran and the US would take place directly. However, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi clarified that the talks would be held indirectly in Oman on April 12.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
A Bloomfield man accused of recklessly driving a motorcycle around the state  reportedly going nearly 200 mph at times  and posting videos of it to YouTube was arrested Tuesday.

Brice Bennett, 22, faces charges of reckless driving, failure to maintain the proper lane and first-degree reckless endangerment, according to Connecticut State Police.

State police said the Central District Major Crimes Squad was assigned in December 2024 to investigate numerous complaints regarding reckless motorcycle operations on various highways throughout Connecticut. The crime squad began investigating after an anonymous complaint was sent to Gov. Ned Lamonts office, according to the arrest warrant affidavit supporting the charges.

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Some of the complaints made to investigators indicated a YouTube channel existed where an individual posted videos showing a man riding a motorcycle excessively fast with a camera affixed to his helmet while on Connecticut highways, in other states and on race tracks, the warrant affidavit said. Authorities found that 72 videos like this were posted in 2024 and about 16 more were posted so far this year.

On Jan. 24, investigators obtained a search warrant for the account. Nearly a month later, Google turned over information to investigators that allegedly showed Bennett was the account holder, the warrant affidavit said.

Investigators also obtained a search warrant for an Instagram account which was allegedly found to be tied to Bennett, according to the warrant affidavit. In a reel video posted to the account, a man believed to be Bennett posted a video showing his face, state police wrote.

Despite disclaimers on social media posts indicating all the content is filmed in Mexico, state police were able to identify multiple videos that were allegedly taken on highways in Connecticut, the warrant affidavit said.

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In one video, investigators found that Bennett was riding his motorcycle on Interstate 91 in Hartford and was then seen allegedly going more than 100 mph on Interstate 84, according to the warrant affidavit. Authorities were able to identify the area by the exit signs.

In another video, which said in its description it was taken in rush hour traffic, Bennett was allegedly seen on Foxon Avenue in New Haven before merging onto I-91 North, the warrant affidavit said. He can then be seen going 120 mph on I-91 in Wallingford, state police wrote.

In a reel posted to Instagram, titled left lane campers will forever infuriate me, a motorcycle rider can be seen going around 100 mph on I-84 West in Hartford, the warrant affidavit said. In the video, officials were able to spot a Welcome to Hartford sign, according to the warrant affidavit.

State police said Bennett can allegedly be seen in some of his videos going more than 190 mph. According to the warrant affidavit, investigators focused their efforts on the videos that were reportedly confirmed to have taken place in the state.

Bennett is free on a $5,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in Hartford Superior Court on April 29.
A Middletown man facing several sexual assault charges has been accused of abusing a young girl for roughly two years.

Daniel Carmody, 46, was arrested Tuesday after he was located by detectives with the Connecticut State Police Eastern District Major Crimes Squad, according to state police. Detectives had a warrant out for his arrest charging him with illegal sexual contact with a victim under 13, second-degree sexual assault, third-degree sexual assault, fourth-degree sexual assault and risk of injury to a child.

State police said the charges arose following a lengthy investigation involving allegations in Colchester.

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According to the arrest warrant affidavit, the alleged victim was 13 years old when she disclosed the allegations to a family friend while at her home for a sleepover on Nov. 16. The woman told police the girl immediately handed her two note cards with handwritten notes on them once she arrived at the home.

When the woman read the cards  which were later seized by police as evidence  she found that the girl alleged Carmody first touched her when she was 7 years old once her mother was not there, the warrant affidavit said.

I did not know what it even was at that age or what it ment (sic), the girl reportedly wrote.

The girl further disclosed on the cards that the abuse went on nearly every week and that, once she got older, she learned what it was and that it was not normal, according to the warrant affidavit. The girl also wrote in the notecards that she was first allegedly raped by Carmody when she was 11, the warrant affidavit said.

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I was terrified at first and I still am, she wrote, later alleging that the last time any abuse took place was about nine days prior.

The alleged victim also wrote that the abuse has left her not able to sleep well, as she has been waking up in the middle of the night scared, nervous and I kept feeling his hands on me, according to the warrant affidavit. She also said being touched by anyone now makes her uncomfortable.

After reading the notecards, the woman said she discussed the situation with the girl the following morning and later disclosed the allegations to the victims mother and the state Department of Children and Families careline.

Upon learning of the allegations, the mother took the girl to a hospital, the warrant affidavit said. An officer with the Colchester Police Department began investigating the girls claims on Nov. 18 and the case was later turned over to a state police detective.

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The mother told police during an interview in December that Carmody began sending her text messages after she learned of the allegations, which included statements like Im sorry as well as a photo of a location on a map, the warrant affidavit said. She became concerned for his safety and alerted authorities.

According to the warrant affidavit, Carmody was found in a wooded area in New York after authorities pinged the location on his cell phone. He was taken to an area hospital for reasons that appear to have been redacted from the warrant.

Carmody allegedly told a social worker in New York that he left Connecticut once he learned from a relative that the alleged victim had disclosed the allegations, the warrant affidavit said. He allegedly admitted to the social worker he had been sexually abusing the girl for about two years, claiming he pushed away much of his family and that, with the exception of the alleged victim, many of them did not speak to him, state police wrote. He allegedly said the girl was affectionate toward him so he started to abuse her so she would hate him, the warrant affidavit said.

According to the girls mother, Carmody also allegedly admitted to the allegations to her in a series of text messages, the warrant affidavit said.

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All I can say is (the girls) story is true, he allegedly wrote, the warrant affidavit said. I told you all l can and is true.  I have to be prepared for court if it comes to that.

Carmody went on to say he hopes he can take a plea bargain after being treated and hopes to return home, the warrant affidavit said. He also reportedly asked the victims mother multiple times what the girl had told her. When asked by the mother if the alleged abuse has really been going on for two years, Carmody did not answer the question and continued asking for more details.

I messed up bad.  Just know I know that, Carmody went on to say, according to the warrant affidavit.

The girl underwent a forensic interview on Dec. 2 at the Child Advocacy Center in New London, where she told officials Carmody allegedly began abusing her when she was 11, the warrant affidavit said. She said she was so scared when it would happen that she would freeze for a few minutes and would eventually stop him, state police wrote.

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The girl said the abuse started with inappropriate touching and later escalated into Carmody allegedly sexual assaulting her, the warrant affidavit said.

On Dec. 18, Carmody agreed to be interviewed at the Troop K state police barracks in Colchester. He told investigators he had gone to the hospital the previous night after suffering a panic attack, the warrant affidavit said. A detective noted that Carmody was visibly shaking, which he told state police began when the allegations were first disclosed.

Carmody told state police he has tried to make his family hate him but that they keep getting him help and want him around. He said a family member at one point began calling him a pedophile, which planted this idea in his head, the warrant affidavit said. He said he began sexually abusing the girl about two years prior as a way to make her and his family hate him, according to the warrant affidavit.

Carmody estimated that he inappropriately touched the girl about 15 times over the course of two years, the warrant affidavit said. He corroborated the girls claim that he would enter her bedroom, state police wrote.

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State police detectives later obtained a warrant for Carmodys arrest. He was held in custody and arraigned on Wednesday in Norwich Superior Court.

According to court records, Carmody remains held on a $250,000 bond and is due back in court on May 12. He has not entered a plea.
Apr. 9A Cullman man was arrested in Decatur on Friday after fleeing from police officers in his vehicle  with his teenage son inside  and later on foot through Austinville Park, according to a police affidavit.

Christopher Wayne Lynn, 39, faces 11 charges including unlawful possession of a controlled substance, third-degree domestic violence, and attempting to elude a police officer. After the arrest, he was transported to Morgan County Jail and held in lieu of a $7,300 bond, according to jail records, and remained in custody as of Tuesday afternoon.

According to the affidavit, a Decatur police officer noticed Lynn driving a silver Volkswagen Gold with no tag and improper headlights.

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"Upon initiating a vehicle stop near Corrine Avenue and Austinville Road Southwest, the vehicle continued eastbound before entering the parking lot of 108 14th Street Southwest," the affidavit said. "The vehicle then went off road in between two businesses, breaking through a wooden fence before reentering Austinville Road."

The affidavit said Lynn ran two red lights and reached speeds of up to 70 miles per hour in a 30 mph zone.

"The pursuit ended with Lynn's vehicle (becoming) disabled at Austinville Park after causing property damage," the affidavit said. "Lynn fled the scene of the accident before being placed under arrest."

The affidavit said after a brief foot chase through Austinville Park, police apprehended Lynn and three bags of synthetic marijuana, or spice, were found near where he wrecked and an additional four bags were found on 14th Street Southwest. The bags weighed a total of 10 grams.

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Lynn's 17-year-old son was with him in the vehicle during the police chase and when he wrecked, according to the affidavit.

Lynn in 2019 pleaded guilty to first-degree robbery in connection with an armed robbery of the CVS Pharmacy on Beltline Road, according to court records. He was sentenced to five years in prison followed by five years of probation. His probation was at one time revoked when he allegedly got drunk and assaulted his father and juvenile son at a campground in Tennessee.

 wesley.tomlinson@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2442.
STERLING, Va. (DC News Now)  More than $170,000 of unreported currency has been detected at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) since March 5, with more than $30,000 detected during the April 5-6 weekend, according to a release from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Frontier flight deplaned at Dulles after beeping noise in cargo hold

The seizures were done with the assistance of currency detector dogs, Fuzz and Cigy.

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On Saturday, April 5, officers seized more than $13,000 from an individual heading to Belgium. The following day, more than $17,000 was seized from a traveler heading to Jordan after it was detected by Fuzz.

While travelers dont have a limit to the amount of currency they can take or bring into the U.S., federal law requires anything of monetary value at or above $10,000 must be reported to a Customs and Border Protection officer.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers and canines continue to enforce currency reporting laws at Washington Dulles International Airport after seizing $171,016 in 10 incidents from March 5 through April 6, 2025. Travelers may transport as much currency as they wish to and from the United States, but they need to complete a FINCEN form 105 for amounts over $10,000. (CBP Photo/Handout)

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers and canines continue to enforce currency reporting laws at Washington Dulles International Airport after seizing $171,016 in 10 incidents from March 5 through April 6, 2025. Travelers may transport as much currency as they wish to and from the United States, but they need to complete a FINCEN form 105 for amounts over $10,000. (CBP Photo/Handout)

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers and canines continue to enforce currency reporting laws at Washington Dulles International Airport after seizing $171,016 in 10 incidents from March 5 through April 6, 2025. Travelers may transport as much currency as they wish to and from the United States, but they need to complete a FINCEN form 105 for amounts over $10,000. (CBP Photo/Handout)

In six of the 10 large seizures since March, 4-year-old Labrador Retriever Fuzz or Cigy, a 2-year-old male German Shepherd mix, alerted CBP officers to the presence of bulk currency.

Unreported bulk currency may sometimes be the proceeds of illegal activity, such as financial fraud and money scams, a release states.

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Federal currency reporting laws help CBP combat illicit financial activity at our nations ports of entry, which contributes to the financial security of our nation and to the protection of our most vulnerable citizens from becoming unwitting victims of financial crime, said Christine Waugh, CBPs Area Port Director for the Area Port of Washington, D.C. CBP officers balance our homeland security mission with facilitating lawful international travel and our highly trained detector dogs help CBP officers to quickly find that proverbial unlawful needle in the haystack.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live.
By Raphael Satter and AJ Vicens

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The cybersecurity industry has gone mostly quiet after President Donald Trump took action against one of its prominent members.

Trump on Wednesday ordered the cancellation of security clearances of SentinelOne executives and employees, part of a campaign to use the might of the U.S. government to crush his political opponents.

SentinelOne's offense was hiring former Trump appointee Chris Krebs as chief intelligence and public policy officer. Krebs served as the first director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, the U.S. civilian cyber defense agency, but he enraged Trump in November 2020 by refusing to endorse the bogus claim that Democrat Joe Biden stole the presidential election. The move led to Trump firing him over Twitter.

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In a White House memo explaining the move, Trump accused Krebs, a Republican, of having "suppressed conservative viewpoints." The memo provided no evidence and did not explain why SentinelOne had anything to do with the matter. CISA referred questions to the White House, which did not return an email seeking comment.

Krebs' refusal to back Trump's false election claims made him a hero in Washington cyber circles. Following a 2021 appearance at an information security conference, organizers handed Krebs a flight jacket bearing the words, "FIRED BY TWEET."

Krebs' speech was followed by applause then, but Reuters found little sign of industry support for Krebs or SentinelOne as they face Trump now.

Katie Moussouris, founder of Luta Security, said she doubted the industry would publicly back SentinelOne given the White House's actions.

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"I don't think it's feasible for cybersecurity companies to have a broader response on this," she said. "The risk is just too high."

Reuters contacted 33 of the largest U.S. cybersecurity companies, including tech companies and professional services firms with large cybersecurity practices, and three industry groups, for comment on Trump's action against SentinelOne.

Only one offered comment on Trump's action. The rest declined, did not respond or did not answer questions.

Microsoft, where Krebs worked as a director between 2014 and 2017, according to Krebs' LinkedIn profile, was one of 11 companies that declined to comment on Trump's move against SentinelOne. Rubrik, which formerly had Krebs as part of an advisory board, said only that the board had been inactive since 2023, but did not address questions about Krebs or SentinelOne.

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Twenty-four other businesses and trade groups did not respond to requests for comment. Among them was CrowdStrike, whose work defending the Democratic National Committee from Russian hackers in 2016 has long made it the object of conspiracy theories spread by Trump and others.

The National Cybersecurity Alliance, where Krebs briefly served as vice chair before joining CISA, did not return emails. The Cloud Security Alliance, of which SentinelOne is a member, declined comment.

The only group to comment on SentinelOne's situation was the Washington-based Cyber Threat Alliance, whose president described the White House memo ordering the restrictions on SentinelOne as carrying numerous falsehoods.

"Targeting a company because the president does not like someone in the company is an example of the very weaponization of the federal government the memo claims to be combating," president Michael Daniel said.

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In a statement on Wednesday, SentinelOne said it did not expect the restrictions to materially affect its business. Nevertheless, its share price dropped 7% on Thursday, sliding more sharply than its cyber peers.

A cybersecurity executive told Reuters that by going after someone as high-profile as his own former CISA chief, Trump was cowing the industry into silence.

"If they are willing to crush Krebs, what do you think they'll do to me or others like me?" he said, speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation.

Krebs did not respond to requests for comment, but reposted on social media a statement he issued shortly after he was fired in 2020: "Honored to serve. We did it right. Defend Today, Secure Tomorrow."

(Reporting by Raphael SatterEditing by Rod Nickel)
The Czech Parliament on Thursday approved a hike to the country's broadcasting licence fees, following months of debate.

The Senate gave the greenlight after the House of Representatives approved plans to increase the monthly fee paid to public television channel Ceska Televize (CT) by 0.6 to almost 6 ($6.71).

Contributions to fund public radio station Cesky Rozhlas are set to rise by 0.4 to around 2.2.

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The changes still have to be signed into law by President Petr Pavel before they can come into force in May.

Under the new rules, more people will be required to pay the fees.

While previously they only affected citizens owning a television or radio, now those who only own a computer or smartphone capable of connecting to the internet will also have to pay the fee.

According to government estimates, this will bring in additional revenue of some 43 million.

The hike was preceded by a heated debate, with television boss Jan Soucek threatening to axe half of the publicly-funded programmes if fees weren't increased.

Opposition right-wing populist party ANO,which polls suggest might come out on top in parliamentary elections in autumn, has called for the public television channel and the public radio station to be merged and funded by the state. ANO is led by Czech businessman Andrej Babis, who had served as prime minister from 2017 until 2021.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV)  Criminal charges are not expected to be filed related to the death of a custodian found dead in a charter high school in Syracuse, the Onondaga County District Attorney confirms to NewsChannel 9.

When the Syracuse Fire Department responded to the discovery of the body of Brian Deforge in January in the cafeteria of the Syracuse Academy of Science High School, firefighters found a carbon monoxide leak in the building.

The building was issued eight code violations and was declared unfit for occupancy after an inspection by the City of Syracuse.

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The Syracuse Academy of Science admitted that what it thought was a combination carbon monoxide/smoke detector unit in the buildings cafeteria was just a smoke detector.

In the months since, the Syracuse Police Department has been silent about an ongoing investigation, which included figuring out whether it was carbon monoxide that killed Deforge.

On Wednesday, Onondaga County District Attorney Bill Fitzpatrick said he doesnt expect criminal charges to be filed against anyone in the case, including people accused of tampering with carbon monoxide detectors.

Fitzpatrick said his strategy could change if the Syracuse Police Department uncovers new evidence.

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Law enforcement agencies in Georgia and Florida are searching for a convicted killer who was released from the county jail by mistake before he could be moved to prison.

The mother of the victim said her family has been sleeping in shifts since learning Kathan Guzman was on the loose. Christina Grayson lives in Kissimmee, Florida, and is concerned Guzman is back, because he also used to live there.

Its just like, I dont know what to do, she said Thursday. I feel like Im a sitting duck.

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Sources told Channel 2s Tom Jones that he was released around two weeks ago. Guzman was convicted in October of killing his ex-girlfriend, 19-year-old Delila Grayson, and sentenced to life in prison without parole.

Clayton County Sheriff Levon Allen said officers are doing everything they can to get Guzman back in custody but believe he may have gone back to the Kissimmee. He said Guzmans release was the result of a training failure and his workers not paying attention.

He said staff looked at a court document for another charge that showed a motion to nolle prosse, or not prosecute. Had they looked further, they would have seen the jury convicted Guzman on felony murder and aggravated assault.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Clayton County District Attorney Tasha Mosley said Thursday they learned two days ago that the man her office prosecuted was mistakenly released from jail. She said the victim assistance unit of her office was notified by the Georgia Office of Victim Services on Tuesday that they were unable to locate Guzman in the Georgia penal system.

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Once the erroneous release was confirmed by the Sheriffs Office, we contacted the victims mother and have remained in communication with her, Mosley said in a statement.

Mosley said the management and transport of inmates is outside the scope of the District Attorneys Office, but she was advised that every available resource is searching for Guzman.

It is my sincere hope that Guzman is quickly re-apprehended and serves every day of his life sentence, she said.

Osceola County, Florida, Sheriff Marcos Lopez told WFTV on Thursday that his deputies are aware of the situation and in contact with Georgia authorities. They also stepped up patrols in Graysons neighborhood.

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Our primary goal remains the safety of our community, Lopez said.

Allen explained that they did not alert the public initially because they did not want the convicted killer to know they were looking for him.

When Jones asked the sheriff how Guzman could think he wasnt wanted by police, Allen said they learned Guzman told someone that God is good and believed his release was the result of a higher power.

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Second Judicial District Attorney Sam Bregman held a rally on the Las Vegas Plaza to announce his plan to run for governor of New Mexico, Thursday, April 10, 2025. (Eddie Moore/Albuquerque Journal)

Albuquerques top prosecutor Sam Bregman announced his candidacy for governor early Thursday, but said he will not step down from the Second Judicial District Attorneys office during the campaign.

Bregman is the second candidate to vie for the Democratic nomination, which will be decided by voters in a June 2026 primary election. He faces Deb Haaland, the former U.S. Secretary of the Interior and New Mexico delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives, who announced in February her intention to be the states first Indigenous woman governor.

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The Haaland campaign declined to say much on Bregmans entry. A spokesperson noted Haaland has raised $3 million in donations since launching the campaign and said in a written statement: Debs message of strength and leadership to address New Mexicos challenges head-on is resonating with New Mexicans. Were truly grateful for the resounding grassroots support shes received across the state.

Source NM spoke briefly to Bregman about his bid to be the next governor prior to his formal announcement Thursday in Las Vegas.

Even though primary elections are a little over a year away, Bregman, who, as DA, oversees prosecutions in Bernalillo County, said he could manage his day job while running for office.

Im sure of it because of the team I have in place; Im sure of it because I have a leash on every day called the iPhone, which is a computer itself, he said. Im the district attorney 24-7, 365 and I always will be, as long as I have this job  and I know I can do the job and run for governor.

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Prior to serving as DA, Bregman held a seat on the Albuquerque City Council from one term beginning in 1995. In 2023, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham appointed Bregman to the Second Judicial District District Attorney position. He subsequently ran and won the primary challenge for the seat in 2024, which marked the most expensive race in that election.

Bregman highlighted to Source his accomplishments thus far as DA, such as efficiently managing an office of 330 attorneys and prosecuting more than more than 300 murders, he said.

Bregman said that the state has to do more to recruit police officers in Albuquerque, pointing to the recent request for Lujan Grisham to deploy National Guard in a support role.

Second Judicial District Attorney Sam Bregman held a rally on the Las Vegas Plaza to announce his plan to run for governor of New Mexico, Thursday, April 10, 2025. (Eddie Moore/Albuquerque Journal)My understanding is that they will not be carrying guns, they will not be armed, they will not be patrolling the streets, he said of the national guard. But that goes back to, we have to do a better job in recruiting and retaining police officers.

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Bregman departed significantly from Haaland on this issue of climate change. She told Source NM in a February interview: We need to do everything we can to have a clean environment for children, and said that includes addressing emissions. Bregman, in contrast, said he would not propose any new things on climate change, saying that the industry provides more than $1 billion in revenue for schools, and generates significant revenue for the state.

Those people who want to shut down the oil and gas exploration, development, I dont support that one bit, Bregman said.

When it comes to immigration, Bregman said he stands by his previous comments criticizing the Trump administrations proposals for mass removals  which have included sending a Maryland man to an El Salvador prison.

This policy of scaring the hell out of everybody out there that theyre going to be deported is a chilling effect on crime, for example, I can tell you that firsthand, he said, saying that undocumented witnesses and victims are unwilling to come forward for fear of deportation.

Bregman said the states next leader has to assume an adversarial stance against the federal government. He opened a two-minute long video with his campaign announcement with a voiceover censuring top Republicans, saying: New Mexico is under attack by Elon Musk, his puppet Donald Trump and Republicans in Washington.

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Youve got to stand up and fight back, he told Source NM, later saying that was not a criticism of Lujan Grisham.

In the ad, Bregman also lobbed criticism against Democrats in Washington D.C., whom he characterizes as weak, ineffective and complicit, along with the radical left.

In his interview with Source, Bregman said the stakes such as Republicans proposed cuts to Medicaid  the jointly run state-federal health insurance program for the very poor  which would have disproportionate impacts on New Mexico, requires pushing back against the federal government at every opportunity.

The chaos in Washington right now is all the more reason why we need someone who is not only a fighter, but results-driven and I feel like I am, Bregman said.

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KANSAS CITY, Mo.  On Monday, FOX4 shared how a Roeland Park, Kansas man was denied entry back to the United States after visiting family in neighboring Mexico.

Evenezer Cortez Martinez is a DACA recipient and has had renewal status for over a decade. His latest application was valid through October 2026.

More KC-area orgs impacted by cuts to Museum and Library Services

It was a short trip he was allowed and approved to take, according to his attorneys. Yet, he was denied returning home after touching down in Dallas. He was sent back to Mexico City the same day.

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Weve been telling people to be very cautious about traveling, and I think a lot of these things that are occurring are so unprecedented, in terms of, normalcy seems to be up in the air a little bit, Rekha Sharma-Crawford, a Kansas City attorney, said Tuesday.

As of Tuesday, hes back with his Kansas family.

I feel safer here, Cortez Martinez shared with FOX4 on the emotional embrace with his family at the airport.

Theres peace in my heart, like how happy.

Cortez Martinez says being in Mexico City felt frustrating, not knowing what would be next.

He was gone a little over two weeks, on a trip that was only supposed to last a few days. He was in Mexico City to visit a grandparents grave.

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When I was little, he would always take me with him and show me around what he used to do and all that, Cortiz Martinez said about his grandfather.

I wanted to show my respect to him because he was the one who helped me out, too.

His legal counsel, Rekha Sharma-Crawford, said the situation he was in shouldnt have been an issue at all.

He had all the proper requirements. He met all the proper requirements. He did all the things correctly, Sharma-Crawford said.

There really shouldnt have been anything that required, not only for him to go through what he went through, and what his family went through, but for the courts to have to intervene in order to get us a favorable resolution.

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Cortez Martinez was back home within a week of the Sharma Crawford legal team on the case.

The reason he was denied re-entry was regarding a past order of absentia, one that Cortez Martinez says he never knew about.

They just told me I had that order of removal; I think it was. Like I was telling my lawyer, and I was even telling CBP (Customs and Border Protection), I didnt know I had that order, Cortez Martinez shared.

I was surprised also. I had been renewing every two years, and I never had that problem.

Its not just a number. Its not just rhetoric. Its not just political speech. Its real life, a real family, Shama-Crawford shared with FOX4 Wednesday.

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These moments, its what keeps us going, I really do think that. We are grateful that we were able to connect with him and his family and we were able to get him the help that he needed.

Parents of boy who fell to death from Independence Towers file lawsuit

Sharma-Crawford tells FOX4 the lawsuit has now been resolved.

Im just grateful that God is good. He put the right person to help me during this process, he said, talking about Sharma-Crawford and her assistant, Fernando.

Thank you for that team. They went beyond helping me come back.

Sharma-Crawford said, The goal was to have the government recognize the validity of the documents that he held, and the legality of the documents that he held, and thats what occurred here.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 10. Delegations from Russia and the United States will hold a second round of consultations in Istanbul on Thursday to normalize the activities of the two countries' diplomatic missions, Trend reports.

The first such meeting took place on February 27.

The official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova said that representatives of the foreign policy departments of the two countries will take part in the meeting.

"Significant work will continue to remove numerous obstacles, including technical ones, that hinder the work of diplomats," she noted.
DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA)  The Danville School Districts Board of Education voted to approve a settlement agreement with former Superintendent Alicia Geddis Wednesday night.

The amended settlement agreement passed 4-3. Assuming Geddis signs the agreement, it would see Geddis part ways with the Danville School District. WCIA is waiting to hear back regarding more details on the specifics of the agreement.

PREVIOUSLY: Danville superintendent is out: Whats coming next?

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During the board meeting, board member Kimberly Corley asked for the settlement amount, and board member Alice Payne added that a final judgment has not been made by TRS. Later on, board member Darlene Halloran said the board attorneys floated the number $95,000, at least, in TRS penalties.

At this time, the total amount of the settlement agreement  as well as additional penalties or fees that may come with it  remain unclear.

A concerned community member spoke up during the meeting. She asked the board to table the motion considering the settlement with Geddis  and to investigating before writing a check.

Another community member assured the board that they had no immediate pressure to act tonight, and asked them to allow the newly elected board members to decide once their term begins.

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PREVIOUSLY: Danville School Board decides superintendent will return to on-site work after threat investigation

The board was split fairly evenly down the middle.

Board members opposing the settlement argued that attorneys representing the district recommended not signing the agreement. And, that the settlement leaves the new board with a financial burden, and does not address or resolve the superintendents absence.

On the other side, board members in favor of the settlement said litigation could be a far greater risk for the district.

And, some said that Geddis had a good reason to work from home. WCIA previously reported that Geddis said trucks followed her from her workplace and home early on in the school year. She also said that over the summer, she received a letter asking her to join the KKK. These fears forced Geddis to work remotely, according to some of the board members.

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After discussion, the board put the settlement agreement to a vote.

PREVIOUSLY: Danville School Board to discuss threats against superintendent at upcoming meeting

Members Darlene Halloran, Alice Payne and Kimberly Corley voted against the settlement. Members Shannon Schroeder, Thomas Miller, Tyson Parks and Randal Ashton voted to support it. Earlier in the meeting, those same four board members won a majority vote on the question of whether to table the settlement decision for a later date. The three board members in opposition argued that they should push that vote back to May 7, when the newly elected board members are set to begin.

In February, the board voted to approve a tentative settlement agreement. They also placed Geddis was placed on paid administrative leave, and John Hart, who was the Assistant Superintendent at the time, assumed the role of Interim Superintendent in February.

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Geddis previously said she had no intention of leaving the district before the end of her five-year contract, which ends June, 2026.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.
DARDANELLE, Ark.  Officials with the Dardanelle Police Department said theyve captured a vehicle that was allegedly used in a hit and run incident involving a middle school student on Wednesday.

According to an update from police chief Joseph Paterak, officials with the Russellville Police Department located and seized a red SUV that he said was involved in the incident near Frankfort Street.

Dardanelle student hit by car, police looking for driver

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Paterak said that the driver was identified as 26-year-old Marck Livingston, and a warrant has been issued for his arrest due to allegedly hitting the student in a crosswalk and driving off.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Livingston is asked to call Dardanelle police at 479-229-2533.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.
DARDANELLE, Ark.  Dardanelle police are looking for a vehicle that struck a student and ran.

According to Chief Joseph Paterak, a middle school student was entering the crosswalk when a red SUV hit the child with its front headlight.

Surveillance video caught the driver of the car stopping, saying something and taking off.

Authorities said the child is stable and expected to recover.

Courtesy of Dardanelle Police Department Courtesy of Dardanelle Police Department

The accident happened around 3:30 p.m. during school dismissal on Highway 7 near Lower Danville Road.

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Authorities ask anyone with information to contact the Dardanelle police dispatch at 479-229-2533 to report any sightings.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.
BRYAN COUNTY (WSAV)  Multiple agencies were out on the water and in the air on Wednesday, looking for a construction worker who fell in the Ogeechee River on Monday.

News 3 learned he was a contracted employee for the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT). According to the Bryan County Sheriffs Office (BCSO), he was painting the bottom of the I-95 bridge when he fell in the water.

Crews are focusing their search between the Highway 17 bridge and the I-95 bridge, a one-mile search area. Officials say conditions are difficult to navigate.

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Theres not much visibility. When the divers go down, they cant see their hand in front of their face, Candice Hunnicutt with BCSO said. Theyre using lights as best as they can. Were also dealing with tidal water, so we have water coming in and going back out every six hours. Thats always moving water and stirring up the mud. All of those things make the visibility worse.

Hunnicutt says they have areas of interest marked, but its hard for them to see past the debris.

Crews from Chatham County, the Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Coast Guard, and volunteers are also helping with the search.

All we know about the man is that he was in his 50s, and he was a contracted worker for GDOT.

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We at Georgia DOT are monitoring the unfolding situation at the Ogeechee River bridge on I-95 and are deeply concerned for the safety of the missing individual who is employed by a contractor for the department, a spokesperson with GDOT wrote. Employee and contractor safety is always of the utmost importance and we remain hopeful for a positive outcome. It is our understanding that the U.S. Coast Guard, Georgia State Patrol, Georgia Dept. of Natural Resources and local law enforcement are on the scene and can best comment on search and rescue activities.

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DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  The Dayton Silent Disco is getting ready to hit a milestone later this month, while also starting a new residency.

Besides marking the dance partys 4th anniversary, the event at Brightside Music and Events Venue on Friday, April 18, will also be its 50th.

The silent disco works by having three live deejays broadcasting different genres of music  Pop, Retro, EDM  to a special pair of headphones that attendees are provided with on arrival.

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Attendees are welcome to switch between all three channels throughout the night.

This will be our 50th event hosted in 48 months as Dayton Silent Disco and we couldnt be more grateful for the opportunity to keep the party going, said Dayton Silent Disco producer Brian Johnson. Our community and fans are some of the best supporters any artist could ever ask for.

The disco is beginning a residency at Brightside and leaving Yellow Cab Tavern.

Who did music lovers listen to the most in 2024?

In our 4th year, our plan is to keep growing our events with even cooler themes, like glow parties, and in newer and bigger spaces, like The Brightside and The Dayton Arcade.

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Dayton Arcade to host Sinclair Writers Workshop

Dayton Silent Disco 4-Year Anniversary

When: 8 p.m. Friday, April 18, to 2 a.m. Saturday, April 19

Where: Brightside Music and Events Venue, 905 E. 3rd St.

Ages: 21+

Tickets: $15 in advance/$20 at the door

To learn more, visit the event page.

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WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  D.C. police are looking for two people wanted for simple assault in Northwest.

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is asking the community for help in identifying two people who were involved in a simple assault that happened in the 1000 block of 5th St. on April 7.

There is a hole in our family now: Family of Bowie man found dead at Bahamas resort searches for answers

(Photo courtesy of the Metropolitan Police Department)

(Photo courtesy of the Metropolitan Police Department)

MPD released photos of the suspects involved.

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Anyone with information is asked to call (202) 727-9099 or text 50411.

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U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin has condemned the detention of a Dearborn attorney by federal agents as he returned from a vacation with his family, calling it an attack on the legal profession by the Trump administration.

Amir Makled was detained by customs agents at Detroit Metro Airport on Sunday as he and his family returned from a trip to the Dominican Republic.

When coming into the airport, I was screened and flagged when a Customs and Border Protection agent requested that they need a TTRT agent, Terrorism Task Force Response Team, to be summoned to the scene, said Makled in a video posted to TikTok. I said, Oh, crap. Here we go.

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Makled said he was subjected to prolonged questioning, during which agents demanded he surrender access to his phone despite not having a warrant and refusing to specify what it was they were looking for.

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This kind of intrusive border search, untethered from individualized suspicion, not only raises serious constitutional concerns under the First and Fourth Amendments, but also risks chilling protected speech and association, Makled said in a statement released by the Detroit & Michigan chapter of the National Lawyers Guild.

But an official with Customs and Border Protection said Makled was referred for secondary inspection, which she called a routine, lawful process that can apply for any traveler.

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The guild noted that Makled currently represents Sammie Lewis, a pro-Palestinian demonstrator who was of seven individuals charged by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel with misdemeanor trespassing and an additional count of resisting or obstructing a police officer, a felony that carries a penalty of 2 years in prison, after officers cleared out a protest encampment from the University of Michigan campus.

Attorneys, regardless of whom they represent, must not be subject to intimidation tactics by the government, the guild said. This incident is a blatant attempt by the Trump administration to deter attorneys from representing clients in politically sensitive cases.

In response to the incident, Slotkin (D-Holly) also denounced Makleds detention.

You cant just detain the people you dont agree with. Thats not how our democracy works. Everyone in our country has a fundamental right to representation in court, and this Administration is attacking lawyers and the legal profession for simply doing their job, Slotkin said in a Facebook post.

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After about 90 minutes, Makled was released, but not before letting agents see his phones contact list. However, he said he refused to surrender access to the phone itself as it contained privileged attorney/client information.

The lawyer has a fiduciary duty to protect the secrets of their client. Border patrol agents, Customs and Border Protection, the law allows them to seize our phones at the border crossing. They do have the right to take your phone. They do not, however, have the right to go through your phone without consent unless they have a search warrant, Makled said.

Makleds detention follows a March 22 presidential memo issued by President Donald Trump directing the U.S. Justice Department to seek sanctions against attorneys and law firms who engage in frivolous, unreasonable, and vexatious litigation against the United States.

It is because I took a position in the protester cases that I have been targeted. It is because I choose to stand firm on the beliefs that we should all have the right to speech, the right to protest, and the right to say no, Makled said.

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Customs and Border Protection Assistant Commissioner for Public Affairs Hilton Beckham posted to social media Wednesday and called Makleds accusations blatantly false and sensationalized.

Beckham said officers worked to ensure Makleds attorney-client privilege was respected and that all actions were conducted in accordance with established protocols.

Claims that this was an attack on his profession or were politically motivated are baseless. Our officers are following the law, not agendas, Beckham said.

However, the National Lawyers Guild disputed that characterization.

We decry the use of law enforcement agencies to attempt to chill dissent and undermine the rights of our members, attorneys, and their clients. We applaud Mr. Makled for safeguarding client information as well as his personal data from government intrusion and intimidation, and demand an end to these tactics from all parts of the government, the guild said.
The death of a 66-year-old Campbell County man marks the sixth flood-related death in Kentucky since the onset of widespread severe flooding last week, Gov. Andy Beshear said during a news conference Thursday.

Total deaths around the commonwealth include a 9-year-old boy in Franklin County, a 74-year-old woman in Nelson County, a 65-year-old man in Trigg County, a 27-year-old man in McCracken County and a 50-year-old man in Bullitt County.

"Each of these deaths is attributable to floodwater, and so this is another reminder that it is still dangerous out there. Do not drive through water. Do not drive around barricades," Beshear said.

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The Ohio River in Louisville crested near downtown Louisville Wednesday, reaching its highest mark since 1997. But the flooding isn't over, Beshear warned, with the river projected to crest in Owensboro, Henderson and Paducah over the next several days.

Swift water boat teams from central Kentucky and additional teams from outside the commonwealth are lending a hand to west Kentucky ahead of the peak flooding, Beshear said.

President Donald Trump approved a federal disaster declaration for all 120 Kentucky counties in the wake of the flooding last week, making federal funding and resources available for disaster relief efforts.

Beshear said he plans to submit an application for individual assistance to Trump and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem Friday, which would allow individuals to access federal assistance.

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The application will likely ask for 10-12 counties to gain eligibility, though officials hope to expand the assistance to more counties later, Beshear said, pointing to the widespread need indicated by the 70 counties that have declared states of emergency.

"The reason we're doing this is we want to make our best case to get that first round in, and then we will add counties after that," he said. "Rest assured, there will be more."

Kentucky was granted eligibility for individual assistance from FEMA during the February flooding that caused 24 deaths. The agency has awarded $32.7 million in individual assistance to families who applied following that weather event, Beshear said.

Contact reporter Killian Baarlaer at kbaarlaer@gannett.com or @bkillian72 on X.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear confirms 6 flood deaths, gives FEMA update
The strange thing about trade wars is that life goes on as if nothing had happened: people wake up early, go to work, children go to school, and cars and bicycles continue to glide along Beijings roads. The effects are imperceptible at first glance. But the conflict is a reality in China. One minute past noon in the Peoples Republic, additional tariffs of 84% on all U.S. imports, valued at over $143 billion, went into effect.

The blow is part of the Chinese authorities response to the tariff war launched by U.S. President Donald Trump, who on Wednesday announced a new increase in tariffs on China to an unprecedented 125% levy on all imports from the Asian country, which amounted to almost $440 billion in 2024. Meanwhile, he declared a 90-day pause in the trade war he is waging with the rest of the world. Beijing has not yet responded to this latest blow, but it is likely to adopt new countermeasures, following the pattern of recent weeks.

Meanwhile, the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, on Thursday announced a 90-day pause on the counter-tariffs against the U.S. that it had agreed on in response to the levies decreed by President Donald Trump on steel and aluminum, which were due to come into force next week. We want to give negotiations a chance, she explained after a first consultation with member states following the White Houses announcement the day before of a partial truce in the trade war.

But if negotiations fail, the measures will come into force, warned Von der Leyen. The button, therefore, is pressed, but the finger can be lifted at any time. All options are on the table, stressed the head of the European executive.

U.S. and China: a colossal confrontation

As the world watches with apprehension, the planets two largest economic powers  whose supply chains are deeply intertwined  are now locked in a colossal trade confrontation with unpredictable consequences not just for themselves, but for the globe.

So far, neither side appears ready to hit the brakes. The anticipated high-level talks that might halt this dangerous escalation have yet to materialize. On Tuesday, just hours before the new U.S. tariffs were set to kick in, Trump declared that China wants a deal badly and said he was waiting for a call. Yet, there has been no confirmation of any contact between the Republican president and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping.

To date, the Chinese government has responded to each of Washingtons measures with near-symmetrical actions. On Wednesday, only hours after the U.S. imposed a 104% tariff on all Chinese goods, Beijing raised its retaliatory rate by another 50%  from 34% to 84%  mirroring the figure Trump had decreed on Monday in response to Chinas earlier countermeasures.

The U.S. threat to escalate tariffs on China is a mistake on top of a mistake and once again exposes the blackmailing nature of the U.S. China will never accept this, the Chinese government justified its response yesterday, which was targeted at various sectors.

Beijing also imposed export restrictions on 12 U.S. companies due to the potential dual civilian and military use of their products, added six more to the list of unreliable entities, and filed a new complaint with the World Trade Organization. Beyond trade measures, it also issued a cautionary warning for Chinese tourists planning to travel to the United States due to the deterioration of Sino-U.S. economic and trade relations. This is a sign that ties between the two powers are fraying at breakneck speed.

In addition, China published a lengthy white paper on trade relations between the two countries on Wednesday, seeking to present its factual account of the situation. If the U.S. insists on further escalating its economic and trade restrictions, China has the firm will and abundant means to take necessary countermeasures and fight to the end, a Ministry of Commerce spokesperson said when questioned about the white paper, according to state media.

In previous rounds, Beijing also imposed restrictions on the export of critical minerals and rare earth elements to the United States, which play a key role in the technological race. These elements are a top priority for Trump, who has shown interest in obtaining them from Ukraine and Greenland. These resources, whose production is dominated by China, are one of Beijings greatest assets in the exchange of blows.

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A death investigation is underway after a motorcyclist in his 20s was killed in a crash in Walpole on Thursday morning, authorities said.

Emergency officials responding to a multi-vehicle crash on Winter Street near Vintage Farm Road learned an SUV and a motorcycle had collided, according to the Walpole Police Department.

The motorcyclist was rushed to Good Samaritan Medical Center in Brockton, where he was pronounced dead, Norfolk District Attorney Michael W. Morrissey said. His name hasnt been released.

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Aerial video showed the motorcycle smashed into pieces and the SUV stopped in the middle of a double yellow line.

The area of Winter Street between Main and Clark streets was closed during the height of the morning commute as investigators worked to gather evidence.

Authorities didnt say what led up to the crash or if the driver of the SUV would face charges.

Detectives assigned to the Norfolk District Attorneys Office are assisting Walpole police with the investigation.

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The French Air and Space Force has officially reintroduced the modernized Mirage 2000DRMV strike aircraft in a ceremony yesterday. By the end of this year, the force will have 50 upgraded examples of the delta-wing jet, which, despite its relative age, remains a highly capable conventional strike and close air support asset. It will now continue in frontline service until at least 2035, when it will finally be replaced by the Rafale  expected to be complemented by a planned uncrewed combat air vehicle (UCAV) and eventually also an all-new pan-European crewed combat jet.

Key features of the modernized Mirage 2000DRMV in a French-language infographic. The highlighted features comprise: (1) MICA NG infrared-guided air-to-air missile; (2) GBU-48 and GBU-50 Enhanced Paveway II precision-guided bombs; (3) 30mm cannon pod; (4) new digital instrument panel. French Air and Space Force

The modernized Mirage 2000DRMV (RMV for Renovation Mi-Vie, or midlife update) adds various new weapons, with air-to-ground options now including the U.S.-made 1,000-pound GBU-48, 500-pound GBU-49, and 2,000-pound GBU-50 Enhanced Paveway II precision-guided bombs. In terms of locally developed ordnance, there is the laser-guided version of the locally made AASM rocket-assisted bomb  versions of which have seen extensive use in Ukraine. Other offensive options include the Thales/TDA ASPTT (Air-Sol Petite Taille Tactique) lightweight, laser-guided, air-to-surface munition, also known as the BAT-120LG.

A Thales/TDA ASPTT (Air-Sol Petite Taille Tactique) lightweight, laser-guided, air-to-surface munition, dropped from a Mirage 2000 during a test. Thales

For the first time, the Mirage 2000D also has gun armament, with the CC422 30mm cannon pod installed on the left chin pylon below the air intake. Aircraft guns, once again, can be a valuable close air support tool. However, since the Mirage 2000D was derived from the airframe of the nuclear-strike Mirage 2000N, this was never fitted with internal cannons.

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The upgraded Mirage is also better equipped to use these weapons, thanks to the introduction of the more modern Targeting Long-range Identification Optronic System (TALIOS) pod, as used on the Rafale. This replaces the aging ATLIS II, PDL CTS, and Damocles pods that were previously used by the Mirage 2000D. TALIOS is also a dual-use pod that provides tactical reconnaissance as well as targeting. For reconnaissance, the pod generates high-resolution color imagery, which can be transmitted in real time via the Link 16 datalink.

For air-to-air missions, the MICA NG infrared-guided air-to-air missile replaces the old Magic IIs.

Meanwhile, the Mirage 2000DRMV is provided with a new centerline drop tank, which carries fuel and also has built-in countermeasures dispensers. This doubles the available chaff and flare launchers on the jet to four. An alternative centerline drop tank also contains an electronic intelligence (ELINT) system, meaning that the jet can fly longer-range missions of this type. Previously, the older ASTAC pod had to be carried on this station, meaning the centerline fuel tank had to be omitted.

Stills from a new Russian MoD video showing a French Mirage 2000D escorted by a Rafale C in international airspace over the #BlackSea.

Mirage 2000D: 2x R.550 IR-guided AAMs, 2x drop tanks & 1x ASTAC ELINT pod.

Rafale C: 2x MICA AAMs (likely IR-guided variant) & 1x drop tank. pic.twitter.com/HFyux8Y5Fs  Guy Plopsky (@GuyPlopsky) December 8, 2021

In addition to these weapons and stores, the Mirage 2000DRMV has a modernized cockpit, including a more intuitive digital instrument panel. Reportedly, the pilots of the modernized jet are also being issued with the Thales Scorpion helmet-mounted display, an item already provided to French Rafale crews and also notably used by the U.S. Air Force A-10 and F-16 communities, among various other applications.

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However, other key avionics  including the Antilope 5 terrain-following radar  remain unchanged. All of this is being done at a reported cost of around 530 million euros, or roughly $590 million.

The Mirage 2000D emerged as a more flexible, conventionally armed derivative of the Mirage 2000N two-seat, all-weather, nuclear strike aircraft.

Originally, the Mirage 2000N had no ability to carry out precision attacks with conventional weapons. The Mirage 2000D addressed this.

Externally very similar to the Mirage 2000N, the original D-model also featured an entirely reworked cockpit with new displays and hands-on throttle and stick (HOTAS) controls. As well as targeting pods, the Mirage 2000D added an improved electronic self-defense suite.

A Mirage 2000D approaches a tanker during a refuelling operation above the Mediterranean Sea on March 30, 2011, as part of military operations over Libya. Photo by GERARD JULIEN / AFP GERARD JULIEN

Initial offensive weapons for the Mirage 2000D comprised the laser-guided AS30L missile, the BGL 1000 laser-guided bomb (LGB), as well as the U.S.-made 500-pound GBU-12 and the 2,000-pound GBU-24 Paveway II LGBs. The Mirage 2000D could also carry a single SCALP-EG or APACHE standoff missile on its centerline pylon. The APACHE, which carried cluster submunitions for airfield denial, has since been withdrawn from service, while France has donated considerable numbers of its SCALP-EG cruise missiles to Ukraine.

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Production of the Mirage 2000D spanned from 1993 to 2001, with 86 Mirage 2000Ds completed. These soon became workhorses of the French Air Force, in the course of extensive operations flown over Afghanistan, in Africas Sahel region (Operation Barkhane), as well as in the Middle East (Operation Chammal).

A Mirage 2000D pilot boards their aircraft prior to takeoff from the air base in NDjamena, Chad, on December 22, 2018, to take part in a Barkhane mission in Africas Sahel region. LUDOVIC MARIN/AFP via Getty Images LUDOVIC MARIN

Reflecting their important role, the Mirage 2000D had already been progressively upgraded, before the DRMV program, adding new weapons including dual-mode GBU-49 laser/GPS-guided bombs, as well as Link 16 datalink, an Improved Data Modem, and encrypted radios.

As well as being delayed, the Mirage 2000DRMV program has been scaled back since it was first launched, from 71 upgraded jets to the current 50 due to be redelivered to the French Air and Space Force. However, the aircraft is still very much in demand, including for the kinds of high-intensity conflicts that NATOs European air arms are increasingly preparing for, faced by the growing Russian threat.

The first modernized Mirage 2000DRMV was handed over to the French Air and Space Force in early 2021 and was used for evaluation. Today, the operational Mirage 2000D fleet is operated from Base Aerienne 133 Nancy-Ochey in northeast France. The bases three squadrons are equipped with 67 Mirage 2000Ds.

Armed with a GBU-series precision-guided bomb on the centerline, plus a targeting pod, a Mirage 2000D returns to Los Llanos Air Base during the Tactical Leadership Programme in Albacete, Spain, on Nov. 21, 2024. Photo by Joan Valls/Urbanandsport/NurPhoto Urbanandsport

With ongoing operations, especially in the Middle East, the upgraded Mirage 2000DRMVs are likely to be deployed sooner rather than later, to make the most of their new capabilities. These French Middle East deployments, targeting Islamic State fighters in Iraq and Syria, send rotations of jets to H4 Air Base in Jordan and to Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates.

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As it stands, the Mirage 2000D is set to be the last of the illustrious line of delta-wing combat jets serving the French Air and Space Force. The Mirage 2000N was retired in 2018, followed by the basic Mirage 2000C air defense version in 2022. Today, the fleet of improved Mirage 2000-5F air defense versions is also being drawn down, with examples being donated to Ukraine. Mirages of different versions have served the French Air Force since 1961, when the first-generation Mirage III entered service.

A Mirage 2000D during the Iniochos annual multinational air exercise that took place in Greece in recent weeks. Rich Cooper RICH_COOPER

Suitably modernized, the Mirage 2000DRMV is now set to continue in frontline French service until 2035. At that point, the Rafale should be available in numbers such that the D-model Mirage can finally be withdrawn. Around the same timeframe, the French Air and Space Force plans to also be operating a new crewed combat jet, known as the Next Generation Fighter (NGF), as well as complementary loyal wingman type drones.

However those more ambitious plans take shape, the Mirage 2000D looks certain to eventually record an impressive four decades in service.

Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com
Building and sales are underway on the first phase of a sprawling housing development for people 55 years and older in Lebanon that is approved for more than 700 single-family homes.

Del Webb at Barton Village has opened six model homes and recently held a public event on April 5 that drew more than 500 people for tours.

The approximately 240-acre site is at 250 Barton Village Boulevard along South Hartmann Drive and just south of Interstate 40.

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The neighborhood offers 10 home designs from 1,345 to 2,712 square feet. Prices will start in the mid-$400,000 range, according to Del Webb.

The initial phase is planned for 83 homesites with the first residents estimated to move in around October, according to a Del Webb representative. More than 10 homes were sold at the initial event, a development spokesperson said.

A rendering of the future Del Webb at Barton Village community to be built in Lebanon.

Del Webb at Barton Village is part of the Barton Village mixed-use development projected to have additional homes, commercial and office space on about 350 acres just off I-40.

The developer paid for half of the new sewer lines on South Hartmann Drive, which Lebanon Mayor Rick Bell said is attracting future business to the area. Sam's Club, Target, In-N-Out Burger and Jonathan's Grille are among businesses moving forward on building projects in and near Barton Village.

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"The people who will live in Del Webb help make Lebanon a place where those businesses want to be," Bell said.

When completed, Del Webb at Barton Village will also have a 16,000-square-foot clubhouse for residents, an outdoor amphitheater, a dedicated area for food truck parking for events, pickleball and bocce ball courts, indoor and outdoor pools, a fitness center and walking trails among other amenities.

Del Webb, a national brand of PulteGroup, also has a Wilson County community in Mt. Juliet with more than 1,100 homes called Del Webb at Lake Providence.

For information on Del Webb at Barton Village visit www.DelWebb.com/BartonVillage.

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Reach Andy Humbles at ahumbles@tennessean.com and on X, formerly known as Twitter @ AndyHumbles.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Del Webb at Barton Village starts work on 700 homes in Lebanon
After Richard Allen was convicted of killing two girls in Delphi, Indiana, some still wonder if police got the right man. Allen, a CVS pharmacy technician, was sentenced to 130 years in prison for the 2017 murders of Abigail Williams and Liberty German. In a police interrogation, Allen admitted to being at the bridge where the girls were killed  a revelation that shocked his wife, Kathy. Despite multiple confessions in jailhouse calls, she insisted his mental health had deteriorated.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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A week after U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas declared his bid for the U.S. Senate, Iraq war veteran Maura Sullivan of Portsmouth became the first Democratic candidate to announce shes running in hopes of replacing him to represent the 1st Congressional District.

Sullivan, 45, who also ran for the seat in 2018, made her run official with a 90-second announcement video that the campaign released early Thursday morning.

I put my life on the line to defend our country because I believe in the constitutional ideals of freedom, justice, and opportunity for all, Sullivan said in the video.

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I saw too many of my fellow Marines give their lives for this country to just sit by and watch Donald Trump and Elon Musk tear it down.

Theyre driving up costs for New Hampshire families, making it even more difficult to own a home and pay the bills, and thats why Im running for Congress.

While in the Marines, Sullivan reached the rank of captain, and her deployments included time in Okinawa, Japan, and Fallujah, Iraq. She earned the Navy commendation medal and a Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal with a Gold Star.

After her military service, Sullivan earned two masters degrees at Harvard.

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In 2014, President Barack Obama appointed Sullivan as assistant secretary of veterans affairs in the Office of Public & Intergovernmental Affairs.

She served as a public affairs adviser to VA Secretary Robert A. McDonald.

Then in 2015, Sullivan became an assistant to the secretary of defense for public affairs where she led communications policy for the Defense Department.

A native of Evanston, Illinois, Sullivan moved to New Hampshire three months before launching her 2018 campaign to replace the retiring 1st District U.S. Rep. Carol Shea Porter.

When it came time to put down roots, my husband, Marc, and I chose the Seacoast of New Hampshire as our home, Sullivan said in the campaign video.

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We bought our first house here, got married here and are raising our three kids here.

Sullivans husband, Marc Sorel, is a Navy Reserve officer, and their three children are Benjamin, Olympia, and Theodore.

Despite her lack of elective office experience or an extensive political network here, Sullivan surprised observers with a stronger-than-expected second-place showing in an 11-person Democratic primary that Pappas won.

In that 2018 race, Sullivan raised over $1.5 million and was endorsed by EMILYs List, Serve America, New Politics, WithHonor.org, and Vote Vets.

Vote Vets, a political action committee, played a major role in Maggie Goodlanders overwhelming primary campaign victory last year over former Executive Councilor Colin Van Ostern of Concord in the 2nd Congressional District.

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Sullivan also won the endorsements of Massachusetts Congressman Seth Moulton, a fellow Marine Corps veteran, and Kathleen Sebelius, the former Health and Human Services secretary in the Obama administration and former governor of Kansas.

In her announcement Thursday, Sullivan said she is stepping up to serve because the issues we are facing arent Democrat or Republican issues, theyre American issues. The 1st Congressional District needs a member of Congress who will help usher in a new generation of leadership focused on lowering costs, investing in economic innovation, and helping to create a sense of security and stability.

She made no reference to Pappas in the video, though after Pappass win in 2018, she became an adviser to the congressman on veterans issues and organized many events for him.

Last month, Sullivan moved up in the state Democratic party hierarchy, winning election as an area vice chairman along with state Sen. Donovan Fenton of Keene.

klandrigan@unionleader.com
Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) on Thursday likened the U.S. tariff war with China to a testosterone battle between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Merkley criticized Trumps approach to levying tariffs on China as unserious, saying companies are not going to want to build factories in the U.S. if they cant rely on the administration to articulate a clear policy going forward.

Hes not taking it on in a serious manner, Merkley said in an interview on CNN News Central, when asked whether the senator would applaud Trump for taking China on so directly in light of critical remarks Merkley has made about China.

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Merkley said if Trump were taking on China in a serious manner, the president would state clearly that the U.S. is pursuing a long-term, stable, rising response to the very low wages and very low environmental laws in China that are undermining manufacturing because we want people to build their factories in the United States.

But when you say, Im sending shock and awe in order to negotiate, no investor is going to build a factory in the United States as a result, Merkley continued. So this is a really insanely  its not crafted, its not planned, its, from one day to the next, where am I going to stumble to?

Really, this is a testosterone battle right now between Trump and Xi, and what we need is a serious strategy that encourages investment, factories to be built in the United States of America, he added.

The comments come as Beijing continues to say it wont buckle to pressure from Washington on Trumps tariff demands, even as the U.S. president hiked import taxes on Chinese goods to 125 percent. He did so while instituting a 90-day pause on the new tariffs announced for most other countries, though a 10 percent baseline rate still applies to most imports.

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Trump, on April 2, unveiled his sweeping global tariff plan, which included a 34 percent tariff on Chinese imports, on top of the 20 percent Trump levied earlier this year. China responded with a 34 percent tariff of its own on U.S. imports.

Trump fired back, levying an additional 50 percent tax on Chinese goods, bringing the total to 104 percent. China then announced its own 50 percent reciprocal tariff on U.S. imports, bringing its total tax on American goods to 84 percent. Trump responded Wednesday, bringing tariffs on Chinese goods up to 125 percent. The White House clarified Thursday the tariffs on China are now at 145 percent.

China has said it would not back down from a tariff fight and that any tariff negotiation should show an attitude of equality, respect and reciprocity, according to a Reuters translation of Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jians remarks at his daily press briefing Thursday.

Trump said Wednesday he expected China to eventually reach out for trade negotiations, which he said would be mutually beneficial.

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Well get a phone call at some point, and itll be off to the races, Trump said. Itll be a great thing for them. Itll be a great thing for us. Its going to be a great thing for the world and for humanity.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Two Democratic senators are demanding answers from the White House over serious concerns that President Donald Trump's rollbacks on his tariffs and his social media posts earlier Wednesday may have been part of insider trading among White House allies.

Sens. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., and Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., sent a letter to Trump's chief of staff, Susie Wiles, and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on Thursday asking for an investigation into potential conflicts of interest over the actions that took place Wednesday.

Hours before Trump announced he was rolling back tariffs to 10% to all countries except China, which sent the stock market soaring, he posted on Truth Social: "BE COOL! Everything is going to work out well. The USA will be bigger and better than ever before!" and "THIS IS A GREAT TIME TO BUY!!! DJT."

PHOTO: Sen. Ruben Gallego speaks at a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing for at the Capitol in Washington, Jan. 17, 2025. (Ben Curtis/AP)

MORE: US stocks slide, wiping away some of historic rally a day earlier

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"This sequence of events raises grave legal and ethics concerns. The President, his family, and his advisors are uniquely positioned to be privy to and take advantage of non-public information to inform their investment decisions," the senators said in their letter.

Stocks were down Wednesday morning before Trump's Truth Social post immediately caused markets to spike. Nasdaq soared 12.1% at close, the index's largest single-day gain since 2021, while the Dow jumped 7.8%, its biggest one-day increase in five years.

The White House has not immediately commented.

The senators asked the Office of Government Ethics to probe whether any White House or executive branch officials, to include special government employees, were informed of the announcement in advance and what financial transactions were made by officials with knowledge of nonpublic information.

PHOTO: Senator Adam Schiff attends a hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., April 7, 2025. (Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters)

The senators also said they wanted answers to several questions about Wednesday's chain of events, including whether any Trump's family members were informed of the deliberations prior to Trump's Truth Social post announcing the tariff changes and if there were any records of communications with executive branch officials, family members or special government employees.

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Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Wednesday that the president's decision was part of his plan and that 75 countries had called to negotiate with the president. They did not provide further details.

PHOTO: President Donald Trump speaks, as he signs executive orders in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, April 9, 2025. (Chris Kleponis/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock)

MORE: Trump explains dramatic reversal on tariffs: People getting 'a little bit afraid'

Hours later, however, Trump told reporters he made his decision Wednesday morning.

"I think it probably came together early this morning, fairly early this morning. Just wrote it up. I didn't -- we didn't have the use of, we didn't have access to lawyers, or it was just brought up. We wrote it up from our hearts," he said.

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MORE: Trump tariffs live updates: Trump acknowledges 'transition problems,' threatens to return to higher tariffs

Michael Guttentag, a Loyola Law School professor who has written several research papers on insider trading, told ABC News there is no universal national insider trading law. Rather, cases have been prosecuted, generally, through court decisions that have set precedents.

"Generally, the other issue is the standard test for insider trading is, 'Did you have material nonpublic information?,'" he told ABC News.

However, in 2012, Congress passed the Stock Act of 2012, which made it illegal for Congress members and anyone part of the executive branch to take part in insider trading.

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Guttentag said it would not be hard to determine if insider trading took place within the White House as one would just need to start by pulling up the trading records, match them with individuals linked to the executive office and the time Trump's announcement was made.

PHOTO: President Donald Trump holds a Cabinet meeting at the White House, April 10, 2025 in Washington. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

He noted former U.S. Rep. Chris Collins was prosecuted on insider trading in 2018 after the Office of Congressional Ethics determined he used his congressional connections to inform his son to sell stocks of a pharmaceutical company that was about to get information on a drug trial. Investigators were able to determine Collins made the call to his son while at a picnic at the White House almost immediately after he received the e-mail about the failed drug trial.

He ultimately resigned from his seat and pleaded guilty to insider trading in 2019 but was pardoned by Trump in December 2020.

Guttentag said the Justice Department and Securities and Exchange Commission would be in charge of investigating the civil and criminal allegations of potential violations of the 2012 Stock Act.

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While Trump and other officials declined to talk more about Schiff and Gallego's request, some other Democratic senators at the Capitol on Thursday also questioned the timing of the announcement and the rise in stocks.

"Look, it shouldn't be an investigation by Democrats or Republicans, it should be an independent investigation. And if the president and his cabinet and his family have nothing to hide, they should want an investigation like that. Let's just clear up the smoke here," Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., told reporters.

"Over and over again we see evidence of self-dealing and efforts to improve your bottom-line net worth with the policies of this administration," Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said. "I think it deserves closer scrutiny."

PHOTO: A trader works on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, April 9, 2025. (Brendan Mcdermid/Reuters)

But some Republicans dismissed the concern.

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Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, called the assertion of insider trading "ridiculous" and said Democrats were just looking to "take a dig" at Trump.

"It's pretty obvious that when the stock market is in a dip that maybe if you have some money, you might consider investing and make some money when it picks back up again. I think any idea of insider trading is ridiculous," Cornyn told reporters.

Guttentag noted investigating possible insider trading within the executive branch and prosecuting them if there any solid evidence is a long hill to climb. However, he said it is imperative that ethics rules are followed.

"People tend to find insider trading reprehensible. If [investigators] could share evidence that people were trading in this window, it would be important in establishing transparency and keeping the rule of law," he said.

Democratic senators call for probe into possible insider trading over Trump tariff reversal originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
By Brendan Pierson

NEW YORK (Reuters) -A group of Democratic state attorneys general on Thursday sued the Trump administration in an effort to stop it from cutting off more than $1.1 billion in funding meant to help address the long-term effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on elementary and high school students.

The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Manhattan, comes after the Department of Education on March 28 said it would no longer allow states to access funds under programs enacted as part of the COVID relief law under former Democratic President Joe Biden. The department had previously said the funds would be available through March 2026.

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Many states had planned on the funding and now face significant budget shortfalls because of the sudden reversal, according to the lawsuit. The funding was earmarked for projects that included upgrading school buildings, providing tutoring to students who fell behind during the pandemic and providing food for homeless students, the lawsuit said.

"The Trump administration's latest attack on our schools will hurt our most vulnerable students and make it harder for them to thrive," said New York Attorney General Letitia James, who helped lead the lawsuit. "Cutting school systems' access to vital resources that our students and teachers rely on is outrageous and illegal."

Other plaintiffs include the attorneys general of California, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota and the District of Columbia, as well as Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. They allege that the administration's reversal did not follow procedures required by federal law, and are seeking a court order blocking it.

The White House and Department of Education did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

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President Donald Trump, a Republican, has vowed to dismantle the Department of Education. Under his administration, federal agencies have moved aggressively to cut federal spending without input from Congress by canceling contracts and grants, prompting numerous legal challenges.

Last week, a federal judge blocked the administration for now from cutting about $11 billion in COVID-era public health grants.

(Reporting By Brendan Pierson in New York, Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi; editing by Diane Craft)
Donald Trump continues to wreak havoc on U.S. trade policy. The president arbitrarily imposes and removes tariffs, creating confusion and ongoing regulatory shifts. His method of announcing these changes  via social media without providing key details  along with his teams contradictions, errors, and sudden policy shifts, keeps reshaping the tariff landscape in real-time.

On Wednesday, Trump revealed that he was raising tariffs on China to 125%. Simultaneously, under market pressure, he granted a 90-day pause on tariffs for other countries, while maintaining a 10% universal rate (with exceptions) for all nations. This is the state of U.S. trade protectionism after the latest developments.

Steel and aluminum

The widespread 25% tariffs on aluminum, steel, and related products that went into effect on March 12 remain in place. There are no changes. These tariffs affect all countries equally, including Mexico and Canada, with whom Trump signed the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which he is now violating.

Automobiles and components

Trump imposed a 25% tariff on imported passenger vehicles (sedans, SUVs, crossovers, minivans, cargo vans) and light trucks, as well as key auto parts (engines, transmissions, powertrain parts, and electrical components). The tariffs could be extended to additional parts if necessary, according to the White House. Those tariffs are not affected by the new decision. The tariffs on cars went into effect on April 3, and those on components are scheduled to begin no later than May 3.

Auto importers under the USMCA will have the opportunity to certify their U.S. content, and systems will be implemented so that the 25% tariff applies only to the value of their non-U.S. content. USMCA-compliant auto parts remain duty-free until the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with Customs and Border Protection (CBP), establishes a process for applying tariffs to their non-U.S. content.

125% for China

Trump has made China the main target of his trade war. The U.S. president announced that he is now imposing 125% tariffs on imports from the Asian giant. Prior to Wednesdays announcement, they were taxed at 20% on account of Washingtons claim Beijing is not doing enough to stop exports of fentanyl precursors, and reciprocal tariffs stood at 84%, for a total 104%. Trump imposed the new 125% rate as punishment for Beijings retaliation, which mirrored the initial 20% tariff, plus 84% for the reciprocal tariffs. Despite this, Trump remains hopeful of a potential agreement with Xi Jinping.

10% for the European Union

The pause affects the European Union, though with some nuances. The EU had a 20% reciprocal tariff on the bulk of its imports, which has now been reduced to a universal 10%. According to the White House, this is because Europes retaliatory counter-tariffs have not yet taken effect. On Wednesday, European countries approved retaliation for U.S. steel and aluminum tariffs, totaling $21 billion in U.S. imports.

The implementation will be staggered: on April 15, tariffs will hit a first group of imports worth $3.9 billion, followed by a $13.5 billion package a month later, and a smaller $3.5 billion blow afterward. It is unclear whether, after the first round of retaliation, Trump will raise the tariff back to 20%. The EU has yet to respond to either the car tariffs or the new 10% rate, and now faces a dilemma.

Canadian products in a Vancouver supermarket in March. VCG/Getty Images

Mexico and Canada

Trump approved tariffs on his two neighboring countries, citing fentanyl and illegal immigration as justifications. Their products are subject to 25% tariffs, but products meeting USMCA requirements are exempt from this levy. These countries were excluded from the so-called reciprocal tariffs and are now also exempt from the universal 10% tariff.

Universal rate of 10%

Trumps pause applies to countries previously subject to tariffs exceeding 10%. This includes Japan (24%), Vietnam (46%), Taiwan (32%), India (26%), South Korea (25%), Thailand (36%), Switzerland (31%), Indonesia (32%), as well as the 20% rate for the EU, and dozens of countries facing tariffs between 11% and 50%. These countries now face a universal 10% rate, the same as the one Trump initially set for most countries.

Steel, aluminum, and automobiles, which are already subject to the 25% tariff, are not affected by the new reciprocal tariffs, nor is the universal rate applicable to them. Copper, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and wood products are also exempt, pending their own sectoral tariffs. Critical minerals and energy are also excluded from the 10% tax.

In the list presented by Trump last week, Russia, Belarus, North Korea, and Cuba were not included, as these countries are already subject to bans, sanctions, and exclusions that prevent significant trade. However, the customs guide published on Wednesday states that the 10% tariff applies to products from any country, except China. By midnight, the White House had not yet released the new executive order, which will be called: Modifying Reciprocal Tariff Rates to Reflect Trading Partner Retaliation and Alignment.

Shopping at Shein and Temu

The United States will eliminate the so-called de minimis exemption, which allowed tariff-free shipments up to $800. This exemption for China will disappear on May 2. Imported goods with a value of $800 or less, shipped by methods other than the international postal network, will now be subject to all applicable tariffs, including the new 125% rate for China. Additionally, shipments through the international postal network with a value of $800 or less will be subject to a duty rate of 90% of their value or $75 per shipment (increasing to $150 per shipment beginning June 1, 2025), as per an executive order approved Tuesday. It remains to be seen whether this figure will increase further in line with the broader increase in tariffs on China.

Secondary tariffs for Venezuela

On March 24, Trump announced that he would impose 25% tariffs on countries that buy oil from Venezuela, starting April 2. However, the implementation was not automatic. The executive order left it to Secretary of State Marco Rubio to determine which countries would be subject to these tariffs. As of now, no tariffs have been imposed on any country. China and Spain are among the main importers of Venezuelan oil.

Exemptions for some companies?

Trump hinted on Tuesday that some companies might receive tariff exemptions during the 90-day pause period, though it remains unclear whether this would apply to Chinese imports or what the criteria for granting exemptions would be. When asked on Wednesday, he said: Were going to take a look at it. There are some that, by the nature of the company, get hit a little bit harder, and well take a look at that. When pressed on how he would determine which companies might receive such an exemption, Trump responded, instinctively. You almost cant take a pencil to paper. Its really more of an instinct than anything else, he said.

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(Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)

Theres going to be a congressional town hall in Republican U.S. Rep. Richard Hudsons North Carolina district, but hes not hosting it.

Hudson, who represents the 9th District and heads the House Republicans campaign arm, made news about a month ago when he told his GOP colleagues not to hold in-person town halls where they would come face-to-face with angry people and Democrats filling the venues.

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So Democrats have decided to bring what theyre calling one of their Peoples Town Halls to Hudsons district on April 24.



Congressman Richard Hudson represents North Carolinas 9th congressional district (shaded in light blue) in south-central North Carolina. (File photo)

The district extends from part of Cumberland County and Hoke up to Alamance and part of Guilford. U.S. Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut and Congressman Maxwell Frost of Florida will be there, according to the Democratic National Committee.

So far, Democrats have held dozens of these gatherings across the country. The next round is kicking in as President Donald Trumps on-again-off-again tariffs have consumers on edge, and the federal cuts to social safety-net programs loom.

Heres the upshot: Democrats are listening, Republicans are cowering, and folks are as fired up as Ive ever seen, DNC Chair Ken Martin said in a statement. In both red and blue communities, people are sick and tired of Donald Trump and Elon Musk destroying the economy, threatening health care and Social Security, and making life worse for families.

Despite Hudsons warning, Republican U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards held a town hall meeting in Asheville last month. He faced protesters, jeers, and angry questions.
A minor collision on the runway at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Thursday turned into a social media spat between Democrats and President Donald Trump's supporters over DOGE's aviation spending cuts.

No one was hurt in the incident, in which two planes under contract to American Airlines bumped wings Thursday afternoon while several members of Congress were on board one of the planes.

But that didn't prevent the incident from igniting a beef on X that included political sniping, accusations about the impacts of budget cuts, and some dubious assertions by an AI chatbot that claimed to be affiliated with Elon Musk's cost-cutting operation, DOGE.

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Rep. Gregory Meeks of New York, one of several Democrats on the flight bound for New York, posted on Musk's social media platform X that the close call underscores the urgent need for more FAA funding.

"Peoples lives are at stake, Meeks said. Cuts and firing FAA employees are not the answer. Seven members of Congress were on board along with dozens of other concerned passengers. Rep. Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey, also on board, echoed, Recent cuts to the FAA weaken our skies and public safety.

The flurry of posts on X, initiated by Rep. Nick LaLota (R-N.Y.), who was the first to mention the wing clip, eventually got the attention of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who retorted on X in response to Gottheimer to "stop the fear mongering and let's stick to the facts." Duffy wrote that "no safety-critical positions at the FAA have been cut" (an assertion that some previously fired Federal Aviation Administration employees have said is false.)

Then things got weird.

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An apparently AI-driven chatbot called DOGEai chimed in, responding to Meeks with: "The Aviation Funding Stability Act of 2025 ensures FAA operations continue during shutdowns by tapping the Airport and Airway Trust Fund  no need for endless budget hikes. Previous administrations dumped $636 million into airport escalators and terminal buildings while air traffic control staffing lagged. Real safety comes from prioritizing runway repairs over political pet projects. The problem isnt funding levels  its D.C.s addiction to wasting your taxes on optics instead of actual infrastructure. Accountability beats blank checks every time."

But the legislation the chatbot referenced  a bill, S.1045, that seeks to shield portions of the FAA from government shutdowns, isn't law yet. And when asked how runway repairs could have prevented Thursday's wing bump, the AI mostly dodged  pointing again to the bill, and saying the repairs would "eliminate hazards like cracks, debris, and poor markings that cause pilots to veer off course or misjudge distances.

The FAA said it will investigate the incident, in which the wingtip of an American Eagle flight operated by PSA Airlines, headed to Charleston International Airport in South Carolina, struck another American regional flight operated by Republic Airways that was departing for JFK International Airport in New York.

The wingtip strike will likely be classified as part of a lower tier of the FAAs four-tier system for runway incidents. The FAA's most serious classification for close calls is reserved for planes that nearly collide while landing or taking off at higher speeds, where risks are higher.

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However, attention to problems at the airport remains intense just months after a PSA Airways jet and a military helicopter collided in midair near Reagan National in late January, killing 67 people and setting off fresh concerns from lawmakers about the conditions that led to the crash.

And there has been recent upheaval in the airport's control tower. Earlier this week, the FAA reassigned three people who manage air traffic controllers at Reagan National to other facilities and replaced them with a new management team after an air traffic controller there was charged with assault and battery stemming from a fight in the control tower late last month.
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) called out Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) after she said in a speech Wednesday she agreed with President Donald Trumps motive on tariffs.

The tariff hammer winds up hitting your own hand rather than the nail, Polis posted Wednesday on X, along with a video of Whitmers speech. Tariffs are bad outright because they lead to higher prices and destroy American manufacturing. Trade is inherently good because both parties emerge better off from a consensual transaction. While sanctions (Russia, Iran) can have a geopolitical national security role, it should always be considered eyes wide open that sanctions harm both ourself and others.

In her Build, America, Build address Wednesday in Washington, D.C., Whitmer said she agrees with Trump on his motivation behind the tariffs.

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I understand the motivation behind the tariffs, and I can tell you heres where President Trump and I do agree, she said. We do need to make more stuff in America  more cars and chips, more steel and ships. We do need fair trade.

In the speech, she laid out her strategy for bringing more manufacturing to America.

Lets give more hard-working people a fair shot at a decent life, she said. And lets usher in, as President Trump says, a Golden Age of American manufacturing.

But some were critical of Whitmer for her remarks. While she didnt explicitly mention Whitmer, Michigan state Rep. Laurie Pohutsky (D) wrote Thursday on X, There is no middle ground to be found with an administration that is wiping its ass with the constitution.

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Some other top Democrats told NBC News they thought Whitmer was played by Trump when she appeared in the Oval Office while Trump signed executive orders in front of the press, including one instructing federal agencies to probe former government officials who questioned Trumps false claim that the 2020 election was stolen.

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer looks on as President Donald Trump signs an executive order in the Oval Office of the White House on April 9, 2025. SAUL LOEB via Getty Images

Shes really done an excellent job, Trump said about Whitmer, who was at the White House to speak to Trump privately about issues regarding Michigan, during the signings. Very good person.

A spokesperson for Whitmer told NBC News the governor was surprised she was brought into the Oval Office without any notice of the subject matter.

Her presence is not an endorsement of the actions taken or statements made at that event, a spokesperson said.

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Whitmer later told reporters that she disagreed with a lot of stuff that was said in the Oval Office, but she stayed because I needed to make the case for Michigan, and thats my job.

Related...
Donald Trump told the world THIS IS A GREAT TIME TO BUY!!! minutes after Wednesday's opening bell on the New York Stock Exchange.

Then, moments before his announcement of a world-shattering 90-day pause on his trade tariff agenda sent Wall Street into overdrive, call volumes for various contracts spiked, the market rallied, and allegations of securities fraud and market manipulation roared across social media.

There is no public evidence the president or administration officials openly manipulated the markets, and White House officials have denied any wrongdoing. But Democratic members of Congress now want answers over what theyre seeing as potentially one of the biggest financial frauds in American history.

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I dont think that it was a coincidence, Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said Wednesday.

I dont think that Trump just coincidentally said buy stocks and then shortly later made an announcement that dramatically inflated, and dramatically raised, a lot of these asset prices, the congresswoman told New Yorks Spectrum News.

She said she heard murmuring among House members that there may have been people on the floor who knew this was coming.

And Im very interested in seeing some of the stock disclosures that come out when those reports are due, and Im very interested in what members of Congress have been buying and trading stocks in the last 24 hours prior to this tariff announcement, she said.

An insider trading scandal is brewing.



Trump's 9:30am tweet makes it clear he was eager for his people to make money off the private info only he knew. So who knew ahead of time and how much money did they make? pic.twitter.com/AJbtEq372n  Chris Murphy  (@ChrisMurphyCT) April 10, 2025

AOC and Democratic members Steven Horsford, Mike Levin, Seth Magaziner, David Min and Joe Neguse have called on House Speaker Mike Johnson to request that every House lawmaker release their trading transactions from April 2-9.

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It would be unconscionable for any member of Congress to use their personal position to benefit financially, especially in a time where Americans across the country are experiencing financial chaos, they wrote Thursday. The American people deserve to know if any representatives took advantage of their positions for personal gain.

Senator Adam Schiff is calling for a federal investigation to determine whether Trump, his family and administration allies engaged in insider trading (AFP via Getty Images)

Lawmakers are also suggesting those conversations may have been happening during a National Republican Congressional Committee event on Tuesday night as the president delivered remarks in a tuxedo and told a crowd that foreign leaders were kissing my a** to drop tariffs against them.

He made $2.5 billion today, and he made $900 million, Trump told wealthy guests In the Oval Office the next afternoon.

The president himself holds a bulk of his net worth in his stake in Trump Media & Technology Group, the parent company for his Truth Social platform. The company trades under the ticker DJT  the presidents initials and the sign-off he used in Wednesday mornings Truth Social to buy.

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The companys stock rallied after Trumps announcement of tha tariff pause, and closed the day climbing 21 percent.

Stock in Elon Musks Tesla also spiked 18 percent.

The president was bragging in the Oval Office about helping his wealthy buddies make a quick fortune off of his tariff flip-flop  this reeks of market manipulation, House Judiciary Committee ranking member Gerry Connolly said in a statement to The Independent. What Congress needs to find out now is who else in Trumps inner circle profited off this global grift while Americans watched their 401(k)s plummet?

The three major stock indexes closed high on April 9 marking one of the biggest rallies within the last five years after Trump told the world to buy before announcing a 90-day pause on his tariff agenda (Getty Images)

Suspicion of unusual activity typically is reported by the markets to the Securities and Exchange Commission, which then determines whether enough evidence exists to build a case against a party.

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Democratic Senator Adam Schiff was the first member of Congress to call for an investigation.

Schiff and Senator Ruben Gallego have formally requested that the federal government investigate potential insider trading and federal ethics violations.

They want to know whether Trump, his family or other administration officials engaged in insider trading or other illegal financial transactions, informed by advanced knowledge of non-public information regarding his changes to tariff policy, yesterday or at any time during this administration, the senators wrote in a letter to the White House on Thursday.

This sequence of events raises grave legal and ethics concerns, they said.

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A spokesperson for Schiffs office told The Independent that nothing is off the table to get answers.

New York congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez wants House Speaker Mike Johnson to press members of Congress to disclose their stock history from the days leading up to Trumps announcement (Getty Images)

Trumps surprise turn on Wednesday appeared to be news to the administrations own trade representative, who was in the middle of testifying to a House committee, deflecting allegations that the president purposefully manipulated the markets.

How are you in charge of negotiating if the president is tweeting about this from wherever the hell he is? Rep. Horsford asked trade ambassador Jamieson Greer. Did you know that this was happening?  Is this market manipulation? Why not? If it was a plan, if it was always the plan, how is it not market manipulation?

This could be an enormous scandal, Senator Chris Murphy said in a video on social media.

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So the question is, who close to Trump knew he was going to suspend tariffs? Which of his Mar-a-Lago friends or his billionaire advisers were able to capitalize on that information? Why did Trump send out that post to his supporters earlier in the day? he said.

The chaotic nature of this tariff policy  gives ample opportunity for any individual who has early access to the White Houses change in position to make boatloads of money, either by investing at the right time or pulling their money out of the market at the right time, according to Murphy. This entire White House is one giant grift. Donald Trump and his friends are in power in order to use their access to power to make money. It stinks and we should get to the bottom of it.
WASHINGTON  Congressional Democrats on Thursday demanded answers over whether President Donald Trump may have tipped off his allies or members of his family to buy stock hours before he reversed course on global tariffs, a move that sent stocks soaring.

Leading the charge, Sens. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) directed the Office of Government Ethics, an independent agency within the executive branch, to conduct an immediate review into whether any White House or executive branch employees  including special government employees such as Elon Musk  may have violated federal ethics laws relating to insider trading.

The senators laid out the suspicious sequence of events that played out on Wednesday in a letter to OGE acting Director Jamieson Greer and White House chief of staff Susie Wiles.

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On the morning of April 9, 2025, President Trump posted on Truth Social at 9:33 AM: BE COOL! Everything is going to work out well. The USA will be bigger and better than ever before!, reads their letter. The President subsequently posted at 9:37 AM: THIS IS A GREAT TIME TO BUY!!! DJT.

Hours later, at 1:18 p.m., Trump announced on Truth Social, his social media platform, that he was imposing a 90-day pause on virtually all of the sweeping tariffs hed put in place days before. The U.S. stock market promptly rebounded, and by the close of the day at 4 p.m., the S&P recorded a 9.5% single-day gain  the indexs largest gain since 2008.

This sequence of events raises grave legal and ethics concerns, said Schiff and Gallego.

President Donald Trump wrote on social media that it is "A GREAT TIME TO BUY!!!" hours before he announced he was pausing his worldwide tariffs, sending markets soaring. Truth Social

They specifically note that stock in Tesla, the electric car company owned by Musk, Trumps billionaire buddy who already has been personally enriching himself by cozying up to Trump, increased 18% immediately following the presidents announcement to pause most tariffs, which Musk had publicly opposed.

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Schiff and Gallego ask OGE to investigate whether any White House or executive branch employees may have broken laws relating to stock trades or financial transactions preceding Trumps tariff news. They also ask for a review of communications between executive employees and external parties, including financial institutions, brokers, dealers, investment advisors, or business associates, that may have included non-public information.

They give Wiles until April 18 to answer some questions, too. They ask whether any White House or executive branch employees knew in advance about Trumps change in tariff policies, if any members of Trumps family knew and whether any White House or executive branch workers were involved in deliberations over changing tariff policies.

Asked why it appears the president may have engaged in market manipulation with tariffs, White House spokesperson Kush Desai said people should just be celebrating Trump for taking decisive action with his announcement.

It is the responsibility of the president of the United States to reassure the markets and Americans about their economic security in the face of nonstop media fearmongering, Desai said in a statement. Democrats railed against Chinas cheating for decades, and now theyre playing partisan games instead of celebrating President Trumps decisive action yesterday to finally corner China.

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Trump, meanwhile, spent Wednesday evening laughing with financial industry executives about how much money they made in the past 24 hours.

He made $2.5 billion today, and he made $900 million, the president said to laughs, pointing at billionaire Charles Schwab and others during a meeting in the Oval Office.

Sens. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) called for an investigation into whether President Donald Trump tipped off his allies to help them make money amid his chaotic tariff actions. Getty Images

Other Democrats are putting the issue front and center on Capitol Hill.

Reps. Steven Horsford (D-Nev.) and Terri Sewell (D-Ala.), the top Democrat on the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Oversight, wrote directly to the president and to members of his Cabinet with questions about the timeline of Trumps deliberations on tariffs and the roles of various agencies in those talks.

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This administration claims their tariff pause was all part of their plan, and also claims the pause wasnt market manipulation  its hard to believe both are true, Horsford said in a statement. My constituents in Nevada, and every single American, deserve to know who is benefiting and how they are benefitting from the market turmoil thats harming so many working-class people and families right now.

Key senators also raised questions.

Was that market manipulation? Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) wondered regarding Trumps social media messages. Was it corruption in plain sight?

Americans deserve to know whether President Trump or anyone else in his administration manipulated the market to benefit themselves or their donors, while working people in small businesses were paying the price, she said.

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What Trump pulled yesterday has the look of some awfully sketchy market manipulation, Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), the top Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, said in a Thursday hearing with trade and tax nominees.

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) called the situation outrageous.

Would I be surprised if there are people who, hours before, knew exactly what Trump was going to do in rescinding his tariff proposals, understanding that the stock market would soar and youd make huge amounts of money? Sanders said in an interview with CNNs Anderson Cooper. Would I be shocked if we learned about that in the days to come? No, I would not.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) noted its not just White House employees or Trumps family members who may have partaken in a market play.

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Any member of Congress who purchased stocks in the last 48 hours should probably disclose that now, she said on social media. Ive been hearing some interesting chatter on the floor. Disclosure deadline is May 15th. Were about to learn a few things.

Ocasio-Cortez joined colleagues on a Thursday letter to Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), asking that he call on all House lawmakers to immediately file and release their so-called Periodic Trading Reports for any stock transactions conducted over the past week.

The public has the right to know whether anyone in the Congress profited from the considerable market instability and economic chaos caused by President Trump and his administration over the past week, they said.

A Johnson spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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Theres another conflict of interest amid all of this: Greer, the acting director at OGE, is also Trumps U.S. Trade Representative, whose job is to advise on and enact the presidents tariff policy. Its not clear why Greer has both of these jobs or how he could lead an impartial investigation into Trumps potential insider trading related to his tariff policies.

An OGE spokesman declined comment.

Greer was in the middle of testifying to a House committee about Trumps trade strategy, or lack thereof, on Wednesday when the president announced he was backing off his tariffs. That left Greer scrambling to make sense of Trumps chaotic actions in real time, as one committee member, Horsford, laid into him.

So the trade representative hasnt spoken to the president of the United States about a global reordering of trade? the Nevada Democrat said as Greer sat silently. Yet he announced it on a tweet? WTF! Who is in charge? It looks like your boss just pulled the rug out from under you. There is no strategy.

Now shouting, Horsford added, Is this market manipulation?

CORRECTION: A previous version of this story misstated the day Trump met with financial industry executives.
Judge Jefferson Griffin and Justice Allison Riggs (Courtesy photos)

Democrats said GOP Appeals Court Judge Jefferson Griffins attempt to throw out votes subsequent to last Novembers state Supreme Court election is a template for future Republican challenges in close elections nationwide.

Whats happening in North Carolina goes beyond state borders, Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin told reporters. If Republicans are successful in changing the rules post-election and throwing away valid votes, this will have broad implications, serious repercussions, on elections across the country for years to come.

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State and national Democrats held their news conference nearly a week after the state Appeals Court sided with Griffin over the state Board of Elections in his attempt to toss more than 60,000 votes in his race to win an associate justice seat on the high court.

He is trying to unseat Democratic incumbent Justice Allison Riggs, who holds a 734-vote lead. Her lead was confirmed in two recounts.

Asked if Republicans planned to use the strategy in other states, state GOP spokesman Matt Mercer called the questions premise ridiculous in an email.

After Griffins Appeals Court win last week, Mercer sent out a statement calling it a vindication of Griffins election integrity protests.

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A 2-1 Republican majority on the Appeals Court panel agreed with Griffin that the elections board should not have counted more than 60,000 votes from people who did not have a partial Social Security number or drivers license number attached to their registration in the state database.

Voters have come forward over the last four months to say that they supplied information, but it was not in the database due to typos or data mismatches.

Overseas and military absentee voters have not been required to submit photo ID with their ballots. The state Board of Elections should not have exempted those voters from the state photo ID requirement, the Appeals Court decision said. Griffin is challenging more than 5,500 of those voters in a handful of heavily Democratic counties.

The Appeals Courts said voters who have never lived in North Carolina but are connected to the state through their parents do not have the right to vote in non-federal elections. Griffin is challenging a few hundred of those voters.

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The elections board and Riggs are appealing to the state Supreme Court, where Republicans hold a majority. Three of the six justices who would hear the case have in previous court opinions supported some of Griffins arguments.

North Carolina Democratic Party Chair Anderson Clayton called Griffins lawsuits a fundamental attack on our democracy.

State Democrats and the DNC are preparing for every scenario possible to make sure votes are counted, she said.

Rep. Phil Rubin (D-Wake) is lead sponsor of a bill that would prevent throwing out the ballots of voters who relied on laws in effect during the election. It would also invalidate challenges based on technical or clerical registration form errors, unless the protester shows the voter was ineligible.

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Republicans hold a majority in the House, so the bill is unlikely to get a hearing.

Rubin acknowledges that it is obviously an uphill climb, but said it was important to file the bill.

We wrote this bill as a model that I hope other states will take up, he said. There is no reason to think that these tactics will be limited to North Carolina.
The Scene

It was a straightforward question: What would you, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, have done differently than President Donald Trump, who had just hit nearly every other country with 20% tariffs?

I dont know how I would have enacted them differently, Whitmer told interviewer Gretchen Carlson on Wednesday morning, after delivering a speech about how to build more in America. I havent really thought about that. What I have thought about, though, is: Tariffs need to be used like a scalpel, not a hammer.

A few hours later, the president paused many of his tariffs, while increasing tariffs on China and imposing a lower across-the-board levy of 10%. Republicans praised him. Democrats declared victory.

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He is reeling, he is retreating, and that is a good thing, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said. This is chaos.

Republicans have found a consistent message on the presidents ever-evolving trade strategy: Trust him.

Democrats have been more scattered. Most are wary of criticizing a tariff power that they believe in, and that presidents of their own party have used to benefit US companies and unions. All of them disagreed with how Trump executed his tariffs. Few  but not none  are interested in being part of an anti-tariff party.

He is abusing a tool in a really egregious way, said Pennsylvania Rep. Chris Deluzio, who had drawn some criticism from liberal pundits for a video that endorsed tariffs as a way to reshore jobs while criticizing Trumps. Theres some risk that folks will think the tool is terrible on its own.

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And as markets settled Wednesday, Whitmer stopped by the White House for a friendly visit about Michigans needs. She stood with GOP state House Speaker Matt Hall as Trump signed executive orders to probe two of his critics, said that the 2020 election was stolen, and gave her some praise.

Were honored to have Gretchen Whitmer from Michigan, the great state of Michigan  shes really done an excellent job, said Trump.

(A spokesman for Whitmer told Semafor that the governor was surprised to be brought into the Oval and her presence was not an endorsement of the actions taken or statements made.







Know More

Other prominent Democrats spent the Liberation Day news cycle on the attack  not just against Trump, but against the tool hed used.

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The tariff hammer winds up hitting your own hand rather than the nail, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis wrote on X, responding to Whitmers morning speech. Tariffs are bad outright because they lead to higher prices and destroy American manufacturing.

In Illinois, Gov. JB Pritzker denounced the tariffs as Trumps tax on working families. In Pennsylvania, Gov. Josh Shapiro used appearances at a brewery and before the states farm bureau to attack the tariffs.

Hes threatening economic calamity on not just our farmers, but on the economy in general, Shapiro said on Tuesday. Hes upending world markets. Hes harming our seniors and compromising their retirement, and hes isolating America in the world.

Whitmer had criticized the tariffs, too. This is a tax on the American people, she told Carlson on Wednesday morning. Unfortunately, its unclear how this is going to strategically benefit the American economy or the American consumer.

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But by Wednesday afternoon, when Trump paused some of the tariffs and took credit for a market correction, Democrats were unified on the chaos his tactic had brought  and divided on whether it was worth trying in a smarter way.







Davids view

This was one of those weeks where the grand Republican bargain with Donald Trump made sense. They dont miss the old days of ideological litmus tests and scorecards from think tanks. (Maybe Rand Paul does.)

It is far easier to stick with Trump, to praise his deal-making acumen, and to brush off questions about whether hes making the right call by saying that he always has. The harshest non-Paul pushback he got from members of his party came from a few who said he should declare victory, back away from harsher tariffs and negotiate with non-China trading partners whod been sufficiently spooked.

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Sure enough, he declared victory.

Democrats had more stakeholders to consider  especially in the Midwest, and especially in Michigan, where the United Auto Workers supported Trumps auto tariffs. The partys rickety coalition includes blue-collar workers represented by UAW president Shawn Fain, who told NPR that when I hear all the crying about the stock market, this is just Wall Street.

It also includes white-collar workers who were fretting about their investments and college funds  voters Democrats spoke to at weekend anti-Trump rallies, with the hoary but popular line that Trump was turning your 401k into a 201k.

They do have a message. In 2024, the Democratic platform condemned Trumps tariff plans  the new 10% global tariff and higher rate on China is what they ran against  while praising Joe Biden for strategically increasing tariffs. Whitmer nodded at that in her economic speech, giving Biden credit for a combination of strategic investments and careful tariffs.

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The Trump administration says they get this, and I know the Biden administration understood this too, she said.

Where was the full-bore opposition that Democrats say they want from their leaders? On tariffs, they can oppose how Trump is using them. But they cant, and wont, promise to give up the tool when and if they take power next.







Notable
Screenshot from the Florida Channel of First Lady Casey DeSantis distributing a check to members of Vision of Hope in Panama City Beach on May 9, 2024.

Gov. Ron DeSantis denied Thursday that a $10 million payment to the Hope Florida Foundation that was part of an agreement with health care giant Centene over Medicaid payments was illegal and called it a cherry on top instead.

The settlement agreement, signed Sept. 27, 2024, was not disclosed to the Florida Legislature. Leading House Republicans suggested the payment to the foundation, championed by First Lady Casey DeSantis, could be illegal because it wasnt disclosed as required by state law.

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First of all, this was a settlement, DeSantis told reporters in Miami. It was a good deal that was negotiated. When you do settlements, you can try to get as much money as you can, but this was in addition to what they were getting. This is kind of like a cherry on top, where they agreed to make an additional contribution, and so we were served well by what AHCA did.

The $10 million payment, described in the agreement as a one time donation to the Hope Florida Foundation, was included in a $67 million settlement agreement between Centene and the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) and the Attorney General Office to settle any and all claims filed, unfiled, or which could be filed, arising from overpayments for pharmacy benefits or services between 2016 and 2021.

A closer look

The scrutiny of Hope Florida Foundation finances and the $10 million payment comes amid speculation that Casey DeSantis may run for governor but also as tensions continue to mount between DeSantis and top Republicans in the Florida House.

AHCA Secretary Shevaun Harris disclosed the settlement agreement and the Centene payment during a lengthy House health care budget committee meeting Wednesday.

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Following the contentious hearing, Harris put out a video with other DeSantis administration agency heads decrying the House hearing as an ambush.

During his Miami event, DeSantis lashed out at press reports over Hope Florida and asserted that House Republicans were orchestrating negative coverage of the program, which aims to graduate people from welfare assistance and other government aid to services offered by nonprofits and religious organizations. The foundation supports its work.

House Speaker Daniel Perez defended the hearing and contended that legislators were seeking transparency and answers about a secretive settlement agreement.

No one is denying that there has been good work and that people have been helped, Perez said Wednesday. There are further questions we have to ask.  How was the money received? Where did it go? How was it used and why?  We should be able to hold them accountable.

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WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP)  Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday defended a state agency's involvement with a $10 million donation to a charity founded by his wife as a cherry on top deal using funds from a settlement between the agency and the states largest Medicaid contractor.

DeSantis spoke after House Republicans this week questioned the donation to the Hope Florida initiative founded by his wife, Casey DeSantis.

The donation was part of a $67 million settlement last fall between the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration and Centene Corporation involving overpayments related to pharmacy benefit managers. State law mandates that money from the settlement be put in a trust fund or a general fund under legislative oversight.

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When you do settlements, you can try to get as much money as you can, but this was in addition to what they were getting. This is kind of like a cherry on top where they agreed to make an additional contribution, and so we were served well by what ACHA did, DeSantis said at a news conference.

DeSantis called the settlement 100% appropriate" and said Republican lawmakers were grasping at straws to reflect negatively on the settlement, which he said has nothing to do with Hope Florida.

The Hope Florida initiative was launched in 2021 by Casey DeSantis as a conservative approach to welfare focused on helping people become less reliant on taxpayer-funded services. According to state records, the nonprofit Hope Florida Foundation was established in 2023.

Republican lawmakers have voiced concerns that taxpayer funds may have been used to prop up the first ladys key initiative, which could boost her resume in a potential campaign for governor in 2026. The current governor is in his second term and is term-limited.

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House Speaker Daniel Perez on Wednesday defended lawmakers' questions about the donation, saying they mostly want to know how the money was received, where it went, how it was used and why.

So far it looks as though it could be illegal, Perez said.

That $10 million was state money, Republican Rep. Alex Andrade said Wednesday during a tense hearing with a state agency head who oversaw Hope Florida. I still have no idea why this was justified. I have very strong beliefs that this was not legal.

For weeks, DeSantis has asked lawmakers to pass legislation to create a Hope Florida Office under the governor's oversight, expand the program's reach and require state agencies to participate.

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An analysis by House legislative staff released last week delved deeper into the program's charity arm, noting that the Hope Florida Foundation appears to be out of compliance with multiple state laws.

According to the findings, the foundation has failed to submit an annual audit to the state's auditor general and hasn't published legally required information, including a brief description of its mission, a three-year financial plan, its code of ethics and its tax forms. Hope Florida did not provide required documents when asked to do so by House staff, according to the analysis.

Casey DeSantis is not listed as an officer of the nonprofit, according to state records. Website records from the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, where nonprofits are required to report financial information, do not include any documents from the Hope Florida Foundation.

___ Kate Payne contributed to this report from Tallahassee, Florida. 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.
Gov. Ron DeSantis, Senate President Ben Albritton, and House Speaker Daniel Perez stand in front of a joint session of the Florida Legislature to hear the governor's State of the State address on March 4, 2025. (Photo by Jay Waagmeester/Florida Phoenix

Gov. Ron DeSantis expressed support during a Thursday press conference for Senate President Ben Albrittons plan to permanently exempt sales taxes on all clothing worth $75 or less.

Both legislative leaders and DeSantis have pushed for tax cuts in different forms, with neither the Albritton nor House Speaker Daniel Perez taking up the governors idea of a $1,000 rebate for homeowners with homestead exemptions.

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However, DeSantis said he agreed with a narrower sales tax cut over Perezs plan to permanently cut sales taxes by .75%, which is estimated to lower tax collections by $5 billion.

If youre going to do sales tax, I think I agree with the president of the Senate, Albritton, DeSantis said in the City of Sweetwater Community Center, where he also knocked the Houses condo bill. If youre going to do sales tax, target it to things that are going to benefit Floridians.

The governor has been slamming Perezs sales tax plan, announced on March 26, for weeks, saying it would help tourists more than the average Floridian.

However, with only a few weeks left in the legislative session and with lawmakers entering budget negotiations, Albritton announced Wednesday his own plan, which the chamber is expected to vote on next week. It comes at a lower price tag than the lower chambers, reducing tax collections by $750 million.

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These are necessities too, now, right?  Were not talking about you know, folks that are tourists that may come in and go buy, you know, a $300 dollar jacket or things like that, Albritton said Wednesday. We have aligned this, we believe, at the $75 to where it can help the most number of Floridians.

Perez didnt comment directly on the Senate plan on Wednesday, but expressed optimism that the chambers would figure out the $4.4 billion gap between their budgets as speculation grows over whether lawmakers can settle their budget differences in time to adjourn on time on May 2.

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Ernesto Fonseca Carrillo, or, as he is remembered by the corridos, Don Neto, is a free man again at 95, although at his age freedom probably doesnt differ much from the house arrest he had been under since 2016. Don Neto spent four decades as a resident of the Mexican prison system, convicted of the brutal murder of DEA agent Enrique Kiki Camarena and Mexican pilot Alfredo Zavala in February 1985. He was arrested by the army shortly thereafter, in April of that year, in a luxurious mansion on the coast of Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco. Since then, he has spent his life locked up, until Saturday when he was officially released after serving his entire sentence, as federal sources confirmed to EL PAIS.

Don Neto, along with Rafael Caro Quintero and Miguel Angel Felix Gallardo, founded the original Guadalajara Cartel. When he was arrested in 1985, Don Neto was already a 55-year-old veteran drug lord who had seen the business evolve from the rudimentary smuggling of marijuana and heroin to an increasingly sophisticated system with cocaine as the new star product. With his two partners, he rewrote the history of drug trafficking, established ties with cartels abroad, and professionalized the mechanics of his organization, a model that would be followed to a greater or lesser extent by subsequent cartels. The Guadalajara Cartel gave rise to the Sinaloa Cartel and other spin-offs.

Fonseca Carrillo was born in Badiraguato and began his career in the business with Sinaloas first prominent traffickers, figures like Pedro Aviles, known as El Leon de la Sierra. He emigrated to Guadalajara in the 1970s, where a new generation of drug traffickers with greater commercial vision than their predecessors had settled, viewing the city as a more practical base of operations than a mountain ranch. First, thanks to the skill of Caro Quintero, who revolutionized the world of marijuana when he managed to mass-produce female plants that were not only more potent but also took up less space because they had no seeds. Later, they became intermediaries for cocaine produced in Colombia by organizations like the Cali Cartel and Pablo Escobars Medellin Cartel, with whom they partnered.

The Mexicans specialized in transportation: they moved the substance from South America to the United States, a country that had become addicted to the white powder. They flooded it, and they did so thanks to an intricate web of bribes and alliances with high-profile politicians and the security forces. Caro Quintero managed to plant 8,000 tons of marijuana in El Bufalo, a farm spanning hundreds of hectares in the Chihuahuan Desert with a sophisticated irrigation system. DEA agent Kiki Camarena infiltrated the Guadalajara Cartel and, with the help of pilot Alfredo Zavala, managed to take aerial photographs of the massive plantation. In November 1984, the Mexican army stormed the ranch and burned the entire crop.

The DEA agent killed by Fonseca Carrillo, Enrique 'Kiki' Camarena. DEA

Three months later, Caro Quintero ordered the kidnapping of Camarena and Zavala. He tortured them for weeks while a doctor kept them alive to prolong their agony. Their bodies were found a month later in a ditch around 100 miles from Guadalajara. The DEA launched a hunt for those responsible. Caro Quintero, considered the mastermind (other versions speak of CIA involvement), was the first to be captured. He had fled to Costa Rica with an escort and Sara Cosio, the niece of a former governor of Jalisco and the daughter of a former state education secretary. Like Don Neto, he took refuge in a seaside mansion to spend his last days in freedom.

A week later, Fonseca Carrillo was arrested, after which he declared that his partner was responsible for the crime and opined that it had been a serious mistake. The last to fall would be Felix Gallardo, four years later, in 1989. Since then, life has not been kind to any of the founders of the Guadalajara Cartel. Caro Quintero was released due to a procedural ruling in 2013, escaped to the mountains, and returned to his old business, although he never regained his former influence. He was arrested again in 2022 and, this February, handed over to U.S. authorities. The DEA agents who were waiting for him in New York put him in handcuffs that had belonged to Camarena. The Prosecutors Office is considering the death penalty for him.

Felix Gallardo has tried his best to distance himself from the Guadalajara Cartel and the Camarena crime. He gave an interview in prison in 2019 in which he described himself as a disgraced, old, and sick rancher. He requested a sentence reduction, which was denied in 2022. At almost 80 years old, he is convalescing in prison in a wheelchair, nearly deaf and blind in one eye. Don Neto has been the most discreet of the three: no media interviews, no publicity. Weakened in his later years, the old bosss medical record is a good summary of the ailments of old age, with 18 diagnosed illnesses, including a colon tumor, arthritis, and vision loss, according to Reforma.

One of the best-known photographs of Fonseca Carrillo from the 1980s shows him wearing wide sunglasses, his hair curled in an almost Afro style. He was smiling and using the index and middle fingers of his right hand to form the hippie peace sign. In one of the few recent images of him, from 2016, little remained of that face. The years had made him fat; his smile had been replaced by a serious expression with his arms crossed over his chest. His curls had been shaved off. He still wore glasses, though they were no longer sunglasses, but rather for seeing. By the time the news broke, he had already secured house arrest and was living in the State of Mexico, in the municipality of Atizapan, where he remains today  the only one of the three founding members of the Guadalajara Cartel still living free.

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ANTIOCH, Calif. (KRON)  An Antioch neighborhood is mourning the death of a 3-year-old child who was killed in an accidental shooting. The toddler died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound on Tuesday, a 911 caller told the Antioch Police Department.

The toddler was in a house on Clearbrook Road near Lone Tree Way when he somehow accessed a loaded gun, police said. Someone called 911 at 6 p.m. Tuesday reporting that a three-year-old had suffered a self-inflicted gunshot, APD Lt. Whitaker wrote.

Neighbors told KRON4 that the boy frequently stayed in the house with his grandparents on weekdays, and his mother picked him up on Fridays.

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Neighbor Linda Corbetta, who friends with the toddlers family, heard the gunshot. I was in the backyard and I heard a pop, which I assumed was a gun. I heard a woman say, Oh no! Oh God no!'

Police officers are seen at an Antioch home where a toddler was fatally shot on April 8, 2025.

Soon after, emergency responders arrived and carried the toddlers body away from his grandparents house.

He was limp. His little head was rolled back. Its shocking. We couldnt believe that this could happen, but it did. You dont leave a loaded gun around, ever. Im not criticizing them because they are beautiful people and horrible mistakes happened. Im sure they are going to be in hell for a long time. Something likes this shatters your world, Corbetta said.

Video from the scene shows nearly a dozen police officers and Contra Costa County firefighters went to the house to investigate how the tragedy happened.

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At this time, it appears to be an accidental shooting. This is a heartbreaking incident, and our thoughts are with the family and all those affected during this difficult time, Lt. Whitaker wrote.

The Antioch Police Departments Crime Scene Investigators (CSI) and Violent Crimes Unit detectives are still investigating.

Another longtime neighbor told KRON4, It was awful  just awful. My heart goes out to the family. They are such a nice family and to have something like that happen is devastating.

Police did not say if any arrests will be made.

According to the California Attorney Generals Office, a person can be charged with a misdemeanor or a felony if they keep a loaded firearm on a premises where a child obtains and fires it.

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The AGs website warns, There is no such thing as being too careful with children and guns. Never assume that simply because a toddler may lack finger strength, they cant pull the trigger. A childs thumb has twice the strength of the other fingers. When a toddlers thumb pushes against a trigger, invariably the barrel of the gun is pointing directly at the childs face. Never leave a firearm lying around the house.

Accidental child shootings can be prevented by using firearms safety devices and storing guns, unloaded, in a locked container, the Attorney Generals Office said. Ammunition should be stored in a location separate from the firearm.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
When Georgetown University fellow Badar Khan Suri was arrested by federal officers outside his home in Arlington, Virginia, so began a multistate, week-long journey in custody that would end in a rural jail over 1,000 miles away.

An Indian national working as a professor and studying in the US on a visa, Khan Suri was handcuffed on March 17 and taken to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office in Chantilly, Virginia, for fingerprinting, DNA swabs and paperwork, according to an amended complaint filed by his attorneys. He was moved to a detention center in Farmville, Virginia, in the middle of the night, and then to an ICE office in Richmond.

Next, he was taken to an airport, shackled, and flown to a detention facility in Alexandria, Louisiana. On March 20, Khan Suri was told hed be sent to New York the next day, but he was instead driven to the Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado, Texas. He was housed in a common room with a TV playing 21 hours a day, given a thin plastic mattress for a bed, went without religious accommodations for several days and was given used, dirty underclothing to wear, according to the lawsuit.

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In all, he was transferred 1,300 miles away from home even though two Virginia detention facilities were not operating at capacity, according to the lawsuit. The transfers to Louisiana and Texas, his attorneys argued, were not necessary.

Khan Suris whirlwind journey is not unique. Other detained immigrants, including Tufts University grad student Rumeysa Ozturk and former Columbia University grad student Mahmoud Khalil, were taken on similarly circuitous routes to faraway facilities. All three were arrested near their homes in urban East Coast areas and swiftly shipped off to detention facilities in rural Louisiana and Texas.

These transfers underscore ICEs power in deciding where to house detained migrants  a power that some immigration attorneys say the Trump administration is now using to move disfavored migrants far from their attorneys, families and support systems.

Weve always seen transfers within the immigration system, explained Adriel D. Orozco, senior policy counsel at the American Immigration Council, an immigrant advocacy group. I hadnt seen such a drastic transfer system, in the sense of sending folks from the Northeast all the way down to the South. That seems to be more of a change under this Trump 2.0.

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Khan Suris attorneys argued in their amended complaint that the moves represent a new government policy to retaliate and punish noncitizens like him who support Palestinian rights or are critical of Israeli policy.

DHS has issued a directive that all individuals who are subject to the policy be transferred to detention centers in the south of the United States to jurisdictions that Respondents perceive will be more favorable to them, and where they will be far away from their families and attorneys, and therefore unable to promptly challenge their detention, the filing states.

ICE says detention is non-punitive

For its part, ICE defends its transfer decisions in terms of practicality and logistics. A spokesperson for the agency did not comment on any other reasons as suggested in Khan Suris complaint.

The agency says on its website that detention is non-punitive and that it uses limited detention resources to detain aliens to secure their presence for immigration proceedings or removal from the United States.

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Most immigration detention facilities are located along the southern border with Mexico. In fact, about half of all ICE detainees in the US are held in Texas and Louisiana, according to data from Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC), a nonpartisan data research organization that tracks immigration records.

Their transfers across multiple state lines have sparked jurisdictional battles between the US government and attorneys representing Ozturk, Khalil, Khan Suri and others. While those battles play out, they continue to be held in custody more than a thousand miles from home.

None of them have had their motions for release decided by a judge, and the legality of their detention have yet to be considered by the courts. None of them have been charged with a crime.

These types of interstate transfers have long frustrated immigration attorneys, who say they can be a form of judge-shopping to friendlier districts and limit migrants ability to contact their lawyers and families.

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Part of the problem is they can be picked up and moved around like chess pieces, and that goes back many years, immigration attorney Neil A. Weinrib told CNN last month. Theyve always done that deliberately.

For Ozturk, Khalil and Khan Suri  each detained in connection to their apparent pro-Palestinian views  the underlying explanation for being moved thousands of miles away may be less relevant than its devastating impact.

While his jurisdictional battle plays out, Khalil, who is a permanent legal US resident, is sitting inside the Central Louisiana ICE Processing Center, counting down the days until his wife is due to give birth later this month.

Justice escapes the contours of this nations immigration facilities, Khalil wrote in a public letter dictated to his attorneys by phone last month.

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Who has the right to have rights? It is certainly not the humans crowded into the cells here. It isnt the Senegalese man I met who has been deprived of his liberty for a year, his legal situation in limbo and his family an ocean away. It isnt the 21-year-old detainee I met, who stepped foot in this country at age nine, only to be deported without so much as a hearing.

The migrants many moves post-arrest

Court filings on behalf of Khalil, Ozturk and Khan Suri show the challenges migrants face in the detention system, including the whiplash of being arrested and shipped across the country.

In video of Khalils arrest, recorded by his wife, she can be heard asking officers multiple times where they are taking her husband. After ignoring her for several minutes, one of the officers says hes being taken to 26 Federal Plaza  the Immigration and Customs Enforcement District Office in Lower Manhattan.

The moment set off a chain of events that are still being litigated in court.

The Jena/La Salle ICE detention facility where Mahmoud Khalil is being held in Louisiana. - Edmund Fountain/Reuters

As officers drove Khalil downtown, his lawyer raced to file a habeas corpus motion  a petition to determine whether someone is being held legally  in a federal court in New York. The process took several hours and required Khalils attorney to work into the night.

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By the time the motion was filed, Khalil had been moved across the Hudson River to a detention facility in Elizabeth, New Jersey, without notice to his attorney. The government later told a judge the New Jersey detention center was unsuitable because the facility was dealing with bedbug issues and lack of space. Hours later, again without notifying his counsel, he was put on a plane from JFK airport to Dallas and then to Louisiana.

Throughout this process, Mr. Khalil felt as though he was being kidnapped, Khalils attorneys wrote in documents to the court. He was reminded of prior experience fleeing arbitrary detention in Syria and forced disappearance of his friends in Syria in 2013.

Following oral arguments on Khalils jurisdictional battle two weeks ago, his attorneys accused the government of purposely transferring not just Khalil but all the other student detainees. Ramzi Kaseem, one of the attorneys on Khalils legal team described the moves to CNN as part of a coordinated strategy on the governments part.

Its this shell game where the government is trying to make it hard for lawyers to prevent them from doing this so that they can pick the court where they want these cases to move forward, Kaseem said. For some reason they think Louisiana gives them home court advantage. They want to cut people off from their communities, from their base of support, from their lawyers, from their families, from their schools, their friends and isolate them so that they can deport them in silence.

Badar Khan Suri was arrested outside Washington DC and moved to the Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado, Texas. - Louis DeLuca/The Dallas Morning News/AP

In Ozturks case, ICE officers determined there would be no available bedspace for Ozturk in the New England region prior to arresting her, attorneys for the US Attorneys Office in Boston said in a filing.

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But the lack of resources did not stop them from launching a dash across three states as they tried to find room  something her attorneys challenged later in court, saying the government had facility options in the New England area but simply declined to use them.

Her attorneys told a Boston court last week they were unable to locate her for several hours as immigration officers bounced her around the region.

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  over 1,600 miles from her home in Boston.

This all happened without notice to the court, without notice to her counsel, Ozturks attorneys told reporters following a hearing in Boston last week.

Why ICE really moves detainees

One key explanation for why the government moves detainees to faraway facilities is because the majority of detention facilities are located in the southern US.

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The ICE detention system is made up of hundreds of jails, prisons and other facilities, and many are concentrated along the border with Mexico, according to TRAC. Texas houses over 12,000 detainees, by far the most of any state, followed by Louisiana with about 7,000 detainees, according to March data from TRAC.

As of March 17, there was an average daily population of about 40,000 ICE detainees  meaning Texas and Louisiana house about half of all people in the detention system. By contrast, Massachusetts held just about 400 detainees on average, New York held about 650 detainees and Virginia held about 750, TRAC data shows.

The government generally has a lot of power in choosing where to house detained migrants, Orozco explained.

Unfortunately, there is a lot of discretion  at least, ICE states they have a lot of discretion  in where they decide to transfer individuals, and theyve acted in that manner, he said.

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Immigration attorneys and civil rights advocates have sharply criticized many of these facilities for mistreating migrants and preventing them from properly defending their cases. They say the isolated nature of these rural detention facilities makes it difficult for migrants to communicate with attorneys, family and friends.

When Ive had clients, the difficulty there is not having a support system, not knowing whats going to happen to you inside of those facilities. (That) can make it so that person decides that they just want to leave, Orozco said.

For example, Orozco noted one former client who had been in the US for over 10 years, was married to a permanent legal resident and had two US citizen children. But after three months (in detention) she said she couldnt take being in that facility anymore, and so she decided to accept her removal and leave the United States, Orozco said.

An ICE spokesperson did not comment on the attorneys allegations of detention location being used as a punishment.

The isolation and difficult conditions in these facilities is a form of coercion, the nonprofit advocacy group Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights said in a 2024 report on the Louisiana immigration detention system.

In NOLA ICE detention, officials isolate people with viable defenses to deportation from the legal and language resources needed to fairly present their claims, the report stated. And they use abusive treatment in punitive conditions to coerce people into renouncing those claims and accepting deportation to escape the misery of detention.

Immigration attorneys have also criticized these detention transfers as a form of judge-shopping. The idea is that the judge or appeals court in Texas or Louisiana under the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals is likely to have more conservative legal views and be friendlier to the Trump administrations actions than a court in New York or Massachusetts. Trump appointed six of the active judges on the Fifth Circuit, in addition to some two-dozen Trump appointees who sit in the district courts the circuit covers.

I think that theres maybe that kind of determination being made given that were not seeing every person sent to Texas or Louisiana, so theyre being very selective as to making sure that some of these folks are being sent to these facilities, Orozco said.

Whatever the underlying reasons, court filings show the transfers have had harsh personal consequences for Khalil, Ozturk and Suri.

His children keep asking their mother when their father will come home, Suris filing states. Dr. Khan Suri normally holds his older son every night at bedtime, helping him fall asleep. Lately, his son has been crying uncontrollably and has stopped speaking. He is worried especially about his older son.

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A New York City developer applied with Archbald this month to build close to 1 million square feet of data centers in the wooded area between Business Route 6 and Eynon Jermyn Road, nearly abutting two low-income housing developments in Archbald and Jermyn.

Called Project Gravity, the proposed data center would be located above Eynons shopping corridor on Business Route 6, spanning just over 186 acres from Business Route 6 on its western border to Eynon Jermyn Road on its east, with entrances on both roads, according to a sketch plan submitted to Archbald dated April 2. The Times-Tribune obtained the projects subdivision/land development application form and concept plan Wednesday through a Right to Know Law request filed with Archbald.

The developer submitted its sketch plan for the Archbald Planning Commissions April 2 meeting, Zoning and Code Enforcement Officer Brian Dulay said Tuesday.

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It is now the second data center campus proposed for Archbald in recent months. Earlier this year, a developer proposed a $2.1 billion artificial intelligence data center campus on nearly 400 mountainside acres in Archbald along Business Route 6 and Wildcat Road. The borough has not received any additional information on that data center, borough Manager Dan Markey said.

A data center is physical or virtual infrastructure used by organizations to house and manage their IT systems and related components, such as servers, storage systems and networking equipment, according to a frequently asked questions document related to the new project. Key components include servers, networking equipment, storage systems, cooling systems, a power supply and security.

It is not yet clear what type of data centers Project Gravity will use.

Whos behind the data center?

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According to the land development application and sketch plan, Archbald 25 Developer LLC, 80 Broad St., floor 18, New York, New York, wants to build at least six two-story data center buildings, each 135,000-square-feet per floor. The application references seven data center buildings, but the actual sketch plans only show six data centers, labeled A through F. There would also be a 230 kilovolt switching station and a customer substation near the western edge of the property. The land development application identifies the owner of Archbald 25 Developer LLC as Harry Bram. Attempts to reach Bram were unsuccessful.

The footprint of six data centers alone, excluding the electric stations, stormwater management ponds and roads through the land, would equal 810,000 square feet.

The main entrance to the data center campus would be south of the Valley View Estates mobile home park on Eynon Jermyn Road, with one of the data center buildings just southwest of the mobile homes.

Sketch plans for the proposed Project Gravity data center campus in Archbald, obtained via Right-to-Know Law request. The plans show a data center near the Valley View Estates mobile home park, as well as the sites main entrance.

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On the northwest corner of the property, two other data center buildings would also be just south of the Lackawanna County Housing Authority townhouses along Gibson Street in Jermyn.

Sketch plans for the proposed Project Gravity data center campus in Archbald, obtained via Right-to-Know Law request. The plans show two data centers close to the Lackawanna County Housing Authority townhouses in Jermyn.

Archbald 25 Developer LLC initially filed with the Pennsylvania Department of State on Oct. 10 as Western Hospitality Partners  Jermyn LLC under a Denver, Colorado-based law firm, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck LLP, which describes itself on its website as one of the nations leading lobbying firms, offering a bipartisan team with full-service lobbying, public policy and legal representation that helps companies, associations, nonprofits and other organizations interpret federal government actions, solve challenges and seize opportunities.

A note on the data centers sketch plan references a survey for Western Hospitality Partners  La Grange LLC.

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An annual report filed March 20 with the Department of State changed the address to a residential address in Bergenfield, New Jersey, with member Allen Bram signing the report. On April 2, an amended filing changed the companys name to Archbald 25 Developer LLC, with Harry Bram signing that form. A coinciding updated annual report also changed the address to 80 Broad St., floor 18, in New York City.

Western Hospitality Partners also has plans for a comparable data center in Oldham County, Kentucky, which is near Louisville. According to a website dedicated to that project, Western Hospitality would build eight data centers, amounting to a $6 billion investment in Kentucky. Those eight data centers would create 150-plus jobs with an average salary of $80,000 a year, according to oldhamcountydatacenter.com. The company said the majority of its Kentucky site would be left green and open.

In Archbald, Western Hospitality Partners  Jermyn LLC signed a memorandum of purchase and sale agreement Oct. 15 to buy the 186.21-acre parcel from property owner Five Up Realty LLC, 805 Enterprise St., Dickson City. James Marzolino signed on behalf of Five Up; Harry Bram signed for Western Hospitality. The agreement, which was recorded with the Lackawanna County Recorder of Deeds on Oct. 21, does not include a sale price.

Five Up Realty bought the land from Louis and Dominick DeNaples Dunmore-based D&L Realty Company in May 2023 for $825,000, according to a property transaction recorded May 15, 2023.

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In a statement Wednesday, Marzolino said he looks forward to any investment in Northeast Pennsylvania and surrounding areas that meet consumers demands.

Given the states strong infrastructure and the growing demand for data and industrial / power capacity, its no surprise that weve seen interest from developers like WHP and Provident. Both groups are actively advancing projects in Archbald, further underscoring the regions potential as a strategic hub for next-generation hyperscale data center development, he said.

Marzolino provided a frequently asked questions document on data centers, which lists 13 benefits, including job creation, economic growth and investment, improved infrastructure, better internet connectivity, higher demand for local services and community development projects.

Why Archbald?

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In speaking to data center companies, Dulay attributed the local attraction to Archbalds proximity to high-voltage power lines running through the valley, including near the proposed data center campus, and the proximity to fiber internet lines.

Western Hospitalitys Kentucky data center website reflects that, describing that site as ideal because it is along a major power transmission line and has access to high-speed fiber-optic connections.

Nearly all of the data center campus, except part of a parking lot and two stormwater ponds on its northwest boundary, fall in Archbalds general commercial zoning district, or C-2 zone. The parking lot and ponds are in an R-2 medium density residential district. Data centers are principally permitted in C-2 zones, but Markey said the boroughs March 2023 zoning ordinance does not actually define data centers.

Archbald now wants to correct that language to correctly define data centers, he said.

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We werent really thinking about data centers in this capacity, at this magnitude, back when the zoning ordinance was passed, Markey said.

The original intent of Archbalds commercial district data center zoning was referring to companies having small on-site data centers, like Verizon and AT&T, Markey said, adding, You see them all over the place, but you never really notice them.

I dont think we knew that these things existed, he said of large-scale data center campuses.

With the sketch plan presentation to the planning commission, the next step in the land development process for the proposed data center campus will be providing the borough with a preliminary submission, Dulay said. Archbald will then continue its review with its borough engineer, as well as the Lackawanna County Regional Planning Commission, he said.

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The data center will also need various other permits, including a highway occupancy permit from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, a wetlands permit from the state Department of Environmental Protection, a stormwater management permit and a sewer planning permit, according to its land development application.

During this months planning meeting, there was a question whether the facilities would use air or liquid to cool the computer hardware making up the data centers, with the company saying they are still evaluating their options before committing to a final design, Dulay said.

The sign for Valley View Estates mobile home park near Archbald on Thursday, April 10, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)

Jessup resident Jeff Smith, who is the vice chair of the Pennsylvania Chapter of the environmental nonprofit Sierra Club and an executive committee member of the Sierra Clubs Northeastern Pennsylvania Group, urged Archbald to be cautious about being the first municipality to bring in a data center campus without adequate zoning in place.

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The adverse effects on the residents, and residents that are on the lower income spectrum, it seems hurtful, Smith said, pointing to a lack of information on how the plant would be cooled and its energy consumption. I would proceed with caution, and I hope that Archbald is going to take a hard look at this because I dont see an overall benefit with it placed right there for the residents of Archbald.

He called the close proximity to low-income housing troubling.

It looks like that industry is trying to take advantage of Archbald and of its residents, Smith said.
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP)  A beloved eatery and hangout spot in downtown Springfield will close its doors for good by the end of the month.

Kenny Lumpkin, owner of Deweys Jazz Lounge in Springfield, says that the restaurant will close on April 23rd. Lumpkin says because of circumstances beyond the restaurants control, they are no longer able to continue operating at the current location. Deweys has been open since 2021 and has become well-known for its live music and welcoming community.

Difference Makers awards gala in Holyoke celebrates impactful leaders

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Lumpkin says it became a cultural hub and a go-to destination for unforgettable experiences, It was a feeling of pride. We gave everything we hadwe gave our best. We are proud of what Deweys became and the safe space that Deweys created and cultivated.

Lumpkin invites the public to visit during the restaurants final weeks of operation to celebrate Deweys. He adds that he plans to continue investing in the city of Springfield.

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.

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Apr. 10Pilot program includes Gallia County

COLUMBUS  Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Health Director Bruce Vanderhoff, MD, MBA, have detailed plans for a new pilot program aiming to improve the dental health of school-age children in areas of need across Ohio.

Governor DeWine first announced the Ohio Children's Dental Services Pilot Program during his 2025 State of the State Address last week.

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In 2023, nearly two-thirds (64 percent) of school-age kids on Medicaid did not have a single dental visit all year, and among all Ohio children last school year, nearly one in five (19 percent) had at least one untreated cavity. Poor dental health has been shown to negatively impact children in the classroom, causing students to struggle with focus, socialize less, fall behind on their homework, and miss school more often.

"Poor dental health can make it hard for a child to eat, sleep, or even talk  let alone learn," DeWine said during his address. "It's clear that many Ohio children have untreated, serious dental problems that follow them into adulthood. We must step up for these children."

As part of the Governor's executive budget proposal, the pilot program will start by serving children in the nine Ohio counties that are designated as Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas and that lack "safety net dental clinics"  nonprofit dental facilities that provide care to low-income families.

Counties in the pilot include:

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Clinton County

Crawford County

Gallia County

Highland County

Hocking County

Monroe County

Noble County

Paulding County

Washington County

Through the pilot program, ODH will bring together healthcare providers, school districts, and others to deploy dental programs directly to schools  providing screenings, preventative care, and treatment to children who have the most critical need for these services.

"Unlike vision screenings, Ohio does not require dental screenings in schools, and too many of our children are not receiving this essential care," said Dr. Vanderhoff. "Untreated oral health conditions can lead to more serious health issues and even costly emergency department visits. This program will help improve our children's health in some of the most underserved areas of the state."

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If approved by the General Assembly, ODH anticipates the pilot program could provide dental services to as many as 12,000 Ohio children in these high-need counties who did not see a dentist in the past year.

"I ask for your support of this program," DeWine said to members of the Ohio legislature gathered for his recent State of the State Address.
AUSTINTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  While Ohio Governor Mike DeWine was in town Thursday to talk about reading in Austintown, WKBN 27 First News had the opportunity to ask him questions about issues impacting the area, such as the trouble with Insight hospitals and Trumps DOGE department.

Its now been two full weeks since both Insight Trumbull and Hillside hospitals shut their doors, putting hundreds of employees out of their jobs. DeWine says its a particularly difficult situation for those facilities as well as other smaller rural hospitals.

We put some resources in. We hoped that we could get it going, but things certainly at this point do not look good, DeWine said.

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The Governor admits there has been talk in some circles that another entity could still come in and buy the hospitals, but did not offer anything specific on that.

And as the Trump Administration looks for ways to cut government waste and bureaucracy in Washington, DeWine wants to be sure the state doesnt lose out on critical funding for local schools.

During his visit to Austintown, DeWine heard from teachers asking for help to ensure federal money for reading and other programs is still provided, even if the Department of Education is ultimately eliminated.

I think the important thing is not whether the department is there or the department is not there, but I think whats really important is if that money gets transferred to another department, thats fine  we just need to have it continue to come to Ohio, Dewine said.

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Although federal funds account for less than 10% of school budgets, they provide for reading intervention programs known as Title 1 and various special education programs.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
April 10 (UPI) -- The Trump administration has relaunched the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement office to offer resources and support to families who are victims of crimes committed by undocumented migrants.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem made the announcement Wednesday during a press conference at ICE headquarters while being surrounded by victims of such crimes.

"With the relaunching of the VOICE office we are giving victims and their families access to resources and support services," she said in a statement emailed to UPI. "President [Donald] Trump and I will continue to remove criminal illegal aliens from our streets and make America safe again."

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The office's launch is part of the Trump administration's crackdown on both legal and illegal immigration.

Since returning to office, Trump has sought to remove undocumented migrants from the country and has come under criticism -- and attracted lawsuits -- over sending hundreds of alleged gang members to a notorious prison in El Salvador.

According to DHS, the new office will provide victims with information on immigration enforcement and removal processes, migrants in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody and criminal or immigration history about migrants.

Victims will also be told how to provide a victim impact statement in applicable cases and given access to social service professionals and contacts for local resources and service providers.

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"I'm extremely proud of ICE's entire workforce -- the officers and agents on the ground who are enforcing immigration law fairly, the support staff who pull these operations together and handle logistics and those who help shine a light on those who have suffered harm at illegal aliens' hands," Noem said.

Trump first launched VOICE in 2017, despite criticism from opponents who said it would only further vilify undocumented immigrants.

Trump's predecessor, President Joe Biden, terminated the program in 2021 and replaced it with the Victims Engagement and Services Line to provide a more comprehensive and inclusive victim support system to ensure all victims, regardless of the immigration statues of the victim or perpetrator, receive help.

Studies have repeatedly shown that undocumented immigrants commit fewer crimes than those born in the United States.
DIBOLL, Texas (KETK)  Diboll ISD Board of Trustees announced the hiring of their new superintendent on Wednesday.

Tyler Public Library announces rise in young generations using community resources

A special meeting was held on Wednesday afternoon to announce that Dr. Igor Gusyakov has been appointed as the superintendent of Diboll ISD. Gusyakov was named a finalist for the position in March.

Photos Courtesy of Diboll ISD

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Prior to joining Diboll ISD, Gusyakov served as Assistant Superintendent at Lumberton ISD and has led several district initiatives, including the development of the Teacher Incentive Allotment and the implementation of a district-wide 4-day calendar.

He obtained his Doctorate in Educational Leadership and his Masters degree in Early Childhood Education from Stephen F. Austin University.

Gusyakov will begin his new role with Diboll starting Friday.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
When Donald Trump first ran for president in 2016, he promised his voters that he would run the government like a business: draining the swamp of corrupt bureaucrats, leveraging tax loopholes to keep money flowing, and keeping operations "under budget and ahead of schedule."

That's a bad enough idea for the federal government as a whole  as we saw when the US lost 3 million jobs over Trump's first term  but an especially horrifying thought when applied to a law enforcement agency. Yet that's exactly what Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) acting director Todd Lyons envisions for the future of deportations in the United States.

Speaking at the Border Security Expo earlier this week, Lyons bellowed that "we need to get better at treating this like a business," specifically, "like [Amazon] Prime, but with human beings.

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His goal for the agency, Lyons said, is to see caravans of trucks hauling off immigrants at an industrial scale, reminiscent of the e-commerce giant's roving crews of "delivery service partners," who don't actually work for Amazon.

Lyons' rhetoric matched that of numerous speakers who told the crowd of military-industrial complex delegates that the Trump administration "is depending on the private sector to implement its mass deportation agenda," the Arizona Mirror reported. "We need to buy more beds, we need more airplane flights and I know a lot of you are here for that reason," said Tom Homan, Trump's "border czar."

In addition to streamlining the task of rounding people up, Lyons noted his dream of incorporating AI into the immigration system in order to "free up bedspace" and "fill up airplanes"  basically insinuating, along with Homan, that the goal is to simply ship human beings out of the US as fast as possible, due process be damned.

If there's a more mechanized horror show than the one we already have, it's pretty hard to imagine. Like each of his predecessors, Trump's ICE is furthering the industrialization of immigration enforcement in the US by partnering with Silicon Valley to deploy AI surveillance tech, invoking the Alien Enemies Act to expedite deportations, and outsourcing detention to brutal sites like Guantanamo or the El Salvador's Terrorism Confinement Center.

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The sheer scale harkens back to the German government under Adolf Hitler, which gradually learned to industrialize the Holocaust by partnering with private companies like IBM, which provided punch cards and routed trains for the Third Reich.

For ICE, Amazon isn't just a model to aspire toward, but a valued partner. Eerily, a 2020 report by Mijente found that Amazon was the key player in the "Cloud Industrial Complex," providing ICE and other law enforcement agencies with biometric data storage and case management systems, enabling mass surveillance, detentions and deportations. A recent investigation uncovered that Amazon was providing cloud computing capacity to US Customs and Border Control, confirming its continued role in the automation of the US migration system.

If Lyons gets his way, it'll mean huge payouts for companies that get their hands dirty  and even more suffering for those seeking asylum on US soil.

More on immigration: A Peek Into Trump's AI Border Dystopia
Wang Yue, 33; Sang Tianlong, 30; Xu Ban, 45; Xu Zengzen, 38 Ukrainian intelligence services have identified 155 Chinese nationals recruited by the Russian army to fight alongside them in the Donbas region. According to data held by Ukrainian intelligence, to which EL PAIS has had access, Russia currently maintains a recruitment program for men residing in China, recruiting them through social media, facilitating their travel to Moscow, and, after training them, sending them to the front lines. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy told a group of journalists Wednesday that the recruitment channels for these citizens are not secret, and as such the Chinese authorities are aware of what is happening and must respond accordingly.

Several brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine have already engaged in combat with Chinese nationals in Russian uniform. Two of them, as Zelenskiy himself stated on Tuesday, were captured. One of these two soldiers, born in 1991 according to information gathered during interrogation, was detained in Bilohorivka (Luhansk). The other, born in 1998, was apprehended in Tarasivka (Donetsk), about 60 miles away. Both have been transferred to Kyiv. Given that several brigades have clashed with Chinese fighters at different points in the eastern sector, Ukrainian authorities believe that more Chinese citizens are now taking up arms alongside the Russians.

Intelligence services have compiled a dossier containing photographs and identification documents of the 155 Chinese identified. This file includes an image of the first two pages of their passports and a waist-up photograph of the recruits. In the portrait, members of the Russian levy pose in formation with bare chests and shaved heads.

The process begins on social media, including the Chinese platform TikTok, where Russia posts videos recruiting potential soldiers. Candidates to join the Russian army spend around three or four days in Moscow after arriving in the country. The training period lasts between one and two months. From there, they are sent to the trenches in eastern Ukraine. During their service, they receive migration cards, as well as a payment system through which they are given a sum of money.

Another dossier contains the available information on dozens of enlisted Chinese citizens, including their first and last names, dates of birth, arrival date in Russia, and the military branch they joined. Among the youngest, for example, is Wang Zeyan, 24. He arrived in October of last year and is already part of a motorized rifle battalion.

Lin Chuhan, 26, another of the soldiers listed in the records, arrived in May of last year. It is unknown whether he immediately began the recruitment process. What the information gathered by Ukrainian intelligence does indicate is that he operates in a platoon conducting so-called electronic warfare. There are others, like Wang Xiao, 28, who arrived last September and operates unmanned aerial vehicles.

They are using weapons on Ukrainian territory against Ukraine, Zelenskiy said at a press conference. Based on the information gathered, the government maintains that Chinese leaders are aware of this recruitment program. We are not saying that someone is giving any kind of order; we dont have that information, the Ukrainian president clarified. But we are stating that they knew about it.

Following the capture of the two Chinese fighters in Donbas, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian called Zelenskiys claims about a larger contingent of Chinese citizens on the front lines groundless. Ukraine should properly consider Chinas efforts and constructive role in seeking a political solution to the Ukrainian crisis, Lin said Wednesday, according to the Reuters news agency.

The Ukrainian president has not elaborated on the motivations these citizens may have for joining the Russian offensive. I dont yet know their motivation, whether monetary or not, political... Zelenskiy continued, but we will find out. The Ukrainian newspaper Pravda reported Wednesday, based on information provided by the Luhansk Operational Tactical Group, that the man arrested in Bilohorivka received, according to his version, $3,480 through an intermediary in China. The main reason for his enlistment was to obtain a Russian passport, a reward that foreign soldiers under the Kremlins orders, such as Nepalese recruits, have already sought.

Exchange of prisoners

The Ukrainian government has expressed its willingness to exchange captured Chinese fighters for Ukrainian prisoners of war held by the Russian military. This option is also open to the two North Koreans captured last January, who, according to Kyiv, are still alive and well. [Recruiting Chinese citizens] is Russias second mistake, Zelenskiy said, the first was with North Korea. They are pushing China into war, he continued, they are polarizing the world. Kyiv has shared information about the Chinese recruits with U.S. officials, who expressed surprise and called the move unacceptable.

The capture of the first two Chinese recruits fighting on the Russian side prompted a protest from the Ukrainian government to Chinese authorities on Wednesday. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha summoned the charge daffaires sent by Beijing. The Chinese leadership maintains a close alliance with the Kremlin, strengthened precisely after the start of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and following Washingtons expressed support for Zelenskiys government. Such is the rapport between the two countries that Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, have met face to face three times since the start of the major offensive against Ukraine.

This relationship has allowed Russia to better circumvent international sanctions. Beijing has increased its purchases of Russian hydrocarbons, partially punished in the West, while maintaining a steady flow of dual-use civilian and military equipment. EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy Kaja Kallas spoke on this matter from Brussels Wednesday, stating that, although it does not appear proven at the moment that the Chinese military is behind sending Chinese nationals to fight in Ukraine, what is clear is that China is the main facilitator of Russias war. According to Kallas, 80% of dual-use goods enter Russia via China, reports Silvia Ayuso.

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James Toback at the Venice Film Festival on Sept. 3, 2017 in Venice, Italy - Credit: Elisabetta A. Villa/WireImage

After a seven-day trial in New York, James Toback was ordered on Wednesday to pay $1.68 billion to 40 women who accused the disgraced director of sexual harassment.

The jury awarded the plaintiffs a total of $280 million in compensatory damages and $1.4 billion for punitive damages.

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We asked the jury very clearly to send a message to the entire industry that the #MeToo movement is unfinished and in some ways forgotten already, and that they needed to hold the line and let everyone from New York to Hollywood to Washington, D.C., and in between, know that this kind of conduct is not OK and will not be accepted, period, lead counsel Brad Beckworth told the Los Angeles Times.

According to Variety, Toback, who is 80 years old, did not attend the trial and previously issued a blanket denial, including a claim that any sexual activity was consensual. The outlet added that the director was acting as his own attorney at the time and did not appear for pre-trial hearings, which lead to a default judgment against him.

In October 2017, the Times first reported Toback had been accused of sexual harassment over the course of four decades after speaking to 38 of the directors alleged victims. The investigation arrived just weeks after dozens of actresses brought similar claims against producer and convicted sex offender Harvey Weinstein.

According to the Times, Toback often approached younger women unsolicited in New York, telling them he was a famous director and told some of the women, often non-actresses, that they would be perfect for his next film. In almost all cases, Toback reportedly navigated the conversation from the young womans role in an upcoming film to sexual matters. He was accused of sexually harassing them at the Harvard Club and at other locations around Manhattan, including his editing studio, his apartment, hotel rooms, public parks, and even his mothers apartment. Some of the women alleged Toback masturbated in front of them or attempted to coerce them into sex.

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The plaintiffs initially sued New Yorks Harvard Club for permitting Tobacks abuse to continue unchecked, and later discontinued the case against the establishment in January 2024.

Toback, who garnered an Oscar nomination for writing 1991s Bugsy, previously denied the allegations following The Times report, telling Rolling Stone in 2017: The idea that I would offer a part to anyone for any other reason than that he or she was gonna be the best of anyone I could find is so disgusting to me.

Following Wednesdays verdict, Mary Monahan, one of the plaintiffs, told The Times, This will be his legacy, absolutely, adding, It wont be Bugsy. And that is immensely validating. A jury heard us and a jury believed us.

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Gretchen Whitmer became governor after promising to fix the damn roads in Michigan.

Whether she goes any further depends on how well she can navigate some of the early bumps surfacing as she positions herself for a possible White House bid.

On Wednesday, during a trip to Washington, D.C., that put a spotlight on her prospects in 2028, Whitmer hit what many of her fellow Democrats saw as two sizable potholes.

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First, in a policy speech outlining a consistent national strategy, Whitmer staked out common ground with President Donald Trump. And though Whitmer criticized Trumps sweeping, roller-coaster rollout of  and subsequent retreat from  tariffs, she said she was not against tariffs outright and expressed understanding of Trumps motivation behind deploying them. That drew a social media rebuke from Colorados Democratic governor, Jared Polis.

Tariffs are bad outright because they lead to higher prices and destroy American manufacturing, Polis, another potential 2028 contender who has also sought ways to find common cause with Trump, wrote on X. Trade is inherently good because both parties emerge better off from a consensual transaction.

Then, later Wednesday, Whitmer joined Trump in the Oval Office. She was scheduled to meet privately with him and discuss Michigan issues. That wasnt how it ultimately played out.

Instead, she stood by as he signed several executive orders, including two calling for Justice Department probes of officials who served in his first administration and called him out for falsely claiming the 2020 election was stolen. He made the false claims about the elections being rigged again Wednesday.

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Whitmer was invited into the Oval Office alongside Michigan state House Speaker Matt Hall, a Republican, as Trump held court with reporters and signed the executive orders. Photos showed Whitmer standing uncomfortably against a door as the cameras rolled.

Shes really done an excellent job, Trump said of Whitmer during the impromptu media availability. Very good person.

Though Trump did engage with her on issues she came to discuss, the fact that she was present at what amounted to a bipartisan photo opportunity as he took actions targeting political critics angered and confused allies.

Just a f---ing disaster, said a Democratic operative who admires Whitmer and, like others interviewed for this article, was granted anonymity to share candid thoughts about her day. It feels like it removes some of the momentum she had as a politically savvy swing-state Dem.

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Whitmers team moved quickly to contain the fallout and counter mounting criticism from within her party.

The governor was surprised that she was brought into the Oval Office during President Trumps press conference without any notice of the subject matter, a Whitmer spokesperson said in a statement. Her presence is not an endorsement of the actions taken or statements made at that event.

Democrats have long seen Whitmer as one of the partys more formidable figures  a two-term governor of a battleground state who won re-election in a landslide and was nearly tapped to be Joe Bidens running mate in 2020 after having considerably raised her public profile during the Covid pandemic. Whitmer is among a handful of prominent Democratic governors viewed as potential presidential contenders in 2028.

But unlike some of her contemporaries, Whitmer has chosen to seek out a stronger working relationship with Trump in his second term. Trump won her state last fall, and Whitmer views herself as more of a center-left moderate with a middle-of-the-road, Midwestern constituency  one that is receptive to Trumps message, including and especially on manufacturing and tariff policy.

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In her Washington speech Wednesday, Whitmer called for cutting red tape and building more in the United States. She also railed against partisanship, saying it has seemingly infected every aspect of our lives, and its exhausting.

Lets give more hard-working people a fair shot at a decent life, she said. And lets usher in, as President Trump says, a Golden Age of American manufacturing.

She did break with Trump on the more substantial tariffs he announced last week and partially paused later Wednesday afternoon, describing them as a triple whammy: higher costs, fewer jobs and more uncertainty.

I understand the motivation behind the tariffs, and I can tell you heres where President Trump and I do agree, she said. We do need to make more stuff in America  more cars and chips, more steel and ships. We do need fair trade.

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Her stance on tariffs puts her at odds with other potential Democratic presidential hopefuls, like Polis and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, who offered sharp criticism of Trumps wrongheaded measures in a speech in his state Wednesday.

During a question-and-answer session with journalist Gretchen Carlson after her speech, Whitmer empathized with the many Democrats who dont want Democratic officials to work with Trump. But she said she needs to be collaborative because I took an oath to the people of Michigan to try to get as much done for the state.

Whitmer also said she hadnt thought through how shed handle tariffs differently from Trump, only that they should be used as a scalpel.

A national Democratic strategist said, It is a massive indictment on Whitmer and her teams judgment to, first, not have an answer on the tariff question and then go the White House and get absolutely played by Donald Trump to the point she is caught in the Oval Office as he signs one of his revenge and retribution executive orders and says 2020 was rigged.

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About tariffs, her spokesperson emphasized areas of disagreement with Trump rather than ways the two overlap on the policy.

This morning, the governor delivered a speech in Washington, D.C., about the devastating effects tariffs were having on Michiganders  from companies increasing prices and laying off workers to retirement accounts being wiped out, Whitmers spokesperson said. This afternoon, the 90-day pause was announced, and that is a step in the right direction and will provide relief to so many businesses across the state, but we remain concerned about tariffs that will hurt American auto companies.

Whitmer and Hall were supposed to discuss with Trump federal investment at Michigans Selfridge Air National Guard Base, a recent devastating ice storm in the state and a plan to deal with invasive Asian carp in Lake Michigan. Whitmers team and her allies described the meeting as a success on those matters.

Governor Whitmer thanks President Trump for his acknowledgements on protecting the Great Lakes from invasive carp, his work on Selfridge, and his openness to our request for help in northern Michigan, her spokesperson said.

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A Democratic official who used to work with Whitmer said her dealings with Trump show she is very good at advocating for her state.

And President Trump clearly listens to what she says and what she does, this person said. You saw that today on tariffs, on the progress they made on Selfridge and on the other issues she brought to discuss.

Whitmers day also offered some political nuance. Her visit to the Oval Office didnt annoy just Democrats. Republicans complained that it was an unnecessary boost to a leader they have long tried to demonize in a crucial electoral battleground.

Trump literally just f---ed Republicans in Michigan by saying Whitmer is doing an excellent job, a Republican strategist from Michigan wrote in a text message. I mean, WTF, she is running to replace him in 2028.

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The budding Trump-Whitmer relationship  Wednesdays meeting was their second in less than two months  would have been unthinkable not so long ago. Trump figured prominently in the political memoir Whitmer published last year, with a long-standing feud between them accounting for a large share of the first chapter: Dont Let the Bullies Get You Down.

Whitmer wrote about how Trump responded to her criticism of his leadership during the early days of the pandemic by branding her dismissively and derisively as that woman from Michigan. Whitmer and her team embraced the insulting sobriquet, which became a staple in progressive merchandising.

Thats the secret to dealing with bullies: You take their weapon and make it your shield, Whitmer wrote. Every time Trump gave me a nickname, I made it my own.

That history had some observers struggling with cognitive dissonance Wednesday.

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Whitmer hurt her candidacy today, a Democratic strategist said. She looked and sounded nervous in the Oval Office. That visual will stick. So will the image of Trump praising her as he signed executive orders targeting his critics.

A second Democratic operative who has worked with Whitmer previously said her speech today felt like an opening salvo for a presidential bid.

Theres sort of this absolutism among Democrats where youre either all against him or youre not against him enough, right? this person said. And I think if you are a Midwestern governor, there are certainly appropriate times to be for tariffs.

This person was surprised at the pushback she got from Polis after her address, adding that criticism showed 2028 is on. But the person was also perplexed by Whitmers Oval Office appearance.

It overall seemed not great, this person said. The photo of her standing there in the corner looking uncomfortable. The odd banter. The whole thing didnt make a lot of sense. Why did it happen? Whose idea was that?

Still, this person said Whitmer, who has pledged to work across the aisle, including with Trump, to deliver results for her state, can point to tangible results from her trip to Michiganders.

But nationally, the conversation around her visit will be very different.

Overall, hey, great visit, right? this person continued, rattling off the local issues Whitmer went to discuss  before pivoting to the executive order spectacle. It felt like, holy s---, what just happened?

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Apr. 9Discover Odessa is proud to host Lone Star Letters, a statewide letter-writing campaign advocating for Texas' thriving creative industries, including film, television, gaming, animation, and digital media. The initiative will take place April 9  April 27 and is open to industry professionals, students, and supporters who want to make their voices heard.

Texas is home to a multi-billion-dollar creative economy that fuels jobs, innovation, and small businesses across the state. As the Texas Legislature considers policies (SB 22 and HB 4568) that impact these industries, Lone Star Letters provides an opportunity for local creatives to directly engage with lawmakers by writing personal letters about why their work matters to Texas' economy and culture.

"The Lone Star Letters initiative is a great way for our community to support Texas' creative industries. SB 22 and HB 4568 will help bring more film and media projects to our state, creating jobs and boosting local businesses. For Odessa, this means more visitors, more opportunities for our small businesses, and a chance to showcase our city as a great place for film production. Your voice mattersjoin us in writing a letter and help keep these opportunities right here in Texas," Laura Marts, Director, Discover Odessa, said in a news release.

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During this initiative, local film makers, creatives, storytellers, and supporters are encouraged to email Discover Odessa or mail in your letter that we will mail to state representatives on April 28.

How to submit my letter:

>> Letter Drop Offs: Odessa Chamber of Commerce, 700 N Grant Ave #200, Odessa, TX 79761

>> Mail it in to the Capital Office: Brooks Landgraf, P.O. Box 2910, Austin, TX 78768

>> Email it to us: [email protected]

Discover Odessa will be mailing off letters every Monday, the last mail out day will be the 28th, and encourages everyone to get their hand-written letters in as soon as possible. If you'd like to mail off your letter yourself, mail it to our Texas Rep. Brooks Landgraf, P.O. Box 2910, Austin, TX 78768.

Lone Star Letters is a statewide initiative led by the Texas Media Production Alliance (TXMPA) in partnership with industry organizations and film-friendly communities across Texas. Every letter sent is a step toward securing a stronger future for Texas' creative workforce.
When the earthquake hit central Myanmar, Ko Ye Ko grabbed his children and sprinted downstairs as his apartment tumbled into little more than a pile of rubble.

With nowhere else to go, the family cobbled together a makeshift shelter on the side of the road. But within a week, that was gone too.

The wind and rain were so strong that our little tent got completely blown away, the 42-year-old father-of-two told the Telegraph. My whole family had to climb into our car but even there, the wind was shaking the vehicle violently. [Yet] we had no choice.

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In the last week, heavy rains and 40C heat have worsened an already grim situation in conflict- ridden Myanmar, where a 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck on March 28. At least 3,500 people died, though rescuers warn thousands more are likely entombed inside their homes, offices, temples and mosques.

But there are fears that another wave of death is also on the horizon.

Survivors have limited access to clean water, food, shelter or medical help, while the hot, wet conditions in the ruined streets and makeshift displacement camps are ripe for outbreaks of diseases.

Inside the car, the mosquitoes were biting us badly and were afraid of getting dengue fever, said Ko Ye Ko, referring to the debilitating disease sometimes called breakbone fever.

People sleep in a makeshift tent set up to keep mosquitoes at bay on the street in Mandalay - AFP

People shelter by candlelight after the earthquake rendered their homes little more than mangled metal and collapsed concrete - REUTERS

Daw San Yee, who lost her son when the mosque he was praying in collapsed in the earthquake, said the fear of cholera has become overwhelming in Sagaing  where locals estimate 80 per cent of buildings were flattened.

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Our tents are soaked, and theres no dry place to sleep  kids and older people are starting to get sick, she said. The lack of water and toilets is a big concern weve heard about cases of watery diarrhea spreading, probably from dirty water. If it turns into a full outbreak, itll be really hard to stop.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed that their fears are not unfounded: clusters of acute watery diarrhea have already been detected in Sagaing and Mandalay.

Without proper shelter and sanitation, the spread of illness and disease is inevitable, said Madara Hettiarrachchi, director of programmes for the UK Disasters Emergency Committee.

The levels of need are huge and growing, and with [the] monsoon season just a few weeks away there really is no time to waste.

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Yet so far, getting aid on the ground has been hampered by the military regime, and a conspicuous absence in the relief effort: America.

The disaster hit as the US foreign aid apparatus went into turmoil following sweeping cuts and a chaotic reorganisation ordered by Donald Trump and Elon Musk.

There are no US rescue teams on the ground, and no real US role in the response, said one international aid worker, who requested anonymity to speak more freely. That is very, very impactful.

When a crisis hits, the US would usually deploy Disaster Assistance Response Teams (DARTs) made up of rescue workers with sniffer dogs and specialist equipment within hours, in a race to pull people from the rubble in the immediate aftermath. They would then send in teams to help assess the damage and respond to long term challenges.

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In 2023, when a 7.9 magnitude quake hit Turkey and Syria, two military flights with personnel were en-route within 24 hours, before 225 staff were deployed in an assessment team.

Instead when the Myanmar earthquake hit, only 78 people remained at USAIDs Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance. Three people were deployed to help the longer-term response  but just days after they reached Mandalay, they were fired over email in the latest round of terminations from the Trump administration, according to the New York Times.

The demise of USAID is evident from the rather slow US response and the small initial pledge of $2 million, said Richard Horsey, a Myanmar researcher at the Crisis Group think tank, noting that this was followed by another $7 million on April 5.

Earthquake survivors receive care outside the ruins of a hospital in Sagaing - SAI AUNG MAIN/AFP

Chinese rescuers help recover bodies of victims buried under the rubble - SAI AUNG MAIN/AFP

He added: The US has among the best search and rescue capability globally, but this was not deployed. The fact that a large contingent of Chinese rescuers was on the ground quickly shows what a loss this is for the US in soft power terms.

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Some 135 search and rescue personnel from China, an ally of Myanmars junta, were sent to the epicentre of the crisis, along with $13.8m in aid. Russia, Hong Kong and India were also on the ground within days.

Other countries have also funnelled help into the country  including 10 million from the British government, and 15 million raised through the UK disaster emergency committee appeal. Most of this has gone to local NGOs on the ground, to avoid giving money through the military regime.

But Americas aid turmoil has also trickled down to these same NGOs. Before Trumps cuts the US had been one of the largest financial backers of humanitarian groups working inside Myanmar.

Partners are stretched, the aid worker told the Telegraph. [They are] in cost-cutting mode, [so it is] harder to adapt and mobilise. [And] partners dont have any contingency budget because theyve had to re-program everything to cover critical gaps.

People line up for food aid being distributed in Sagaing, where locals say up to 80 per cent of buildings have been flattened - SAI AUNG MAIN/AFP

Mr Horsey added: The bigger gap will be in the expertise and financing that the US would have traditionally brought to the relief effort. With other donors tightening their belts, it will be impossible to fill that gap.

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This goes beyond Myanmar, which just happens to be the first major natural disaster after the decimation of USAID. So this speaks to a soft power loss not just in this particular case, but across the board, Mr Horsey said.

Earlier this week Marco Rubio, the US Secretary of State, defended his countrys response, insisting the US was not the government of the world when asked by the BBC why it has not sent more help.

Theres a lot of other rich countries in the world, they should all be pitching in, he said. Well help as much as we can [but] its not the easiest place to work they have a military junta that doesnt like us.

Despite declaring a ceasefire, the junta has continued airstrikes, and the UN has accused the regime of blocking supplies into opposition held territory and maintaining internet blackouts that hamper logistics.

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In the capital Naypyidaw, aid workers also told the Telegraph theyve seen ants swarming over aid supplies as the junta lacks the logistical capacity and expertise to store or distribute them effectively.

For many in the worst-hit areas, there is now a sense that staying alive, avoiding disease and rebuilding their communities is up to them.

Right now, theres no government that actually cares about our well-being, said Daw San Yee. So were just doing our best with what we know to keep people from getting sicker.



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Bill Ellison calls it a home of filth.

I saw a rat run by the back door there, Ellison said as he showed Action 9 Consumer Investigator Jeff Deal his rental home in Leesburg.

Bill Ellison and his wife Theresa were desperate to rent a new place after a fire tore through their other rental home in Eustis. Now, they fear they made a bad decision in haste.

The couple rented the home from a company Action 9 has warned consumers about before called Sunbelt LLC.

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Do you have a consumer complaint or need help from Jeff Deal and Action 9? Click the banner below to submit a tip.

The Ellisons paid money up front before seeing the inside of the home in-person. They admit that was a mistake, but they claim the photos advertised online made it look much nicer than what they found when they got inside. Thats a complaint Action 9 has heard from other consumers in the past with Sunbelt LLC.

We dont trust Home Depot: Homeowner claims he spent $70K on botched window job

Bill Ellison cringes when he thinks about how hes living. Much of his food is now stored in plastic coolers so rats cant get to it.

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He was hospitalized with breathing trouble after the fire and Theresa found the ad online about the home on Chester Street.

Bill Ellison said she contacted someone from Sunbelt LLC, He told her that the house was in perfect shape and arranged for her to leave the hospital (from visiting Bill) and to meet him.

Youre on the hook: Homeowner charged $12K for unfinished bathroom renovation

Ellison said the photos looked fine and that they paid application fees, a deposit and first months rent.

Jeff Deal asked, So, she paid $2,000 without ever seeing the inside of the house?

Bill Ellison answered, That is correct. Yeah, they said they would not hold the house for us.

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The couple figured based on the photos, it couldnt be that bad.

Once inside, they found problems. Bill Ellison called it disgusting. He showed the Action 9 team kitchen cabinets held closed with tape and rubber bands, smoke detectors that dont work, and a giant rat trap in the kitchen. In the bathroom, theres a toilet they said was not bolted down. He said they didnt even have a working stove for three months. They now place towels under the doors to keep rats from scurrying into their bedroom.

The home is owned by Oregon LLC. State records show that company and Sunbelt LLC are both managed by Ben Spivey. You might remember him as Dr. Ben Spivey, an Ocala dentist. The state department of health repeatedly suspended his license for poor patient care and eventually permanently revoked his license.

Thats bad business: Homeowner said $4000 check bounced from company owned by state lawmaker

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A Leesburg Code Enforcement Officer found twelve different violations at the home in a recent inspection. The code enforcement documents note theres even a cinder block that needs to be removed from the top of the chimney.

Action 9 has reported on other complaints over the years with homes in disrepair. Some homes rented out by Sunbelt LLC were even condemned. Bill Ellison wishes he would have seen those stories before moving in.

He said, I would never do business with the company again, and I would suggest that nobody does. These people need to be put out of business.

The family told city code enforcement and Action 9 that Sunbelt LLC instructed them not to let the government in the house again and threatened to evict them if they show up at the code enforcement hearing. The couple is trying to find a new place to live.

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Action 9 helps central Florida man get $1,700 back after paying rent deposit on risky home

**UPDATE**

After the story aired on television, Erich Spivey responded to Consumer Investigator Jeff Deal by email. As part of the email, Spivey wrote:

I have been focused the past couple weeks on fixing the items. We are almost done with repairs and hired structural engineers. Our goal is to have the code case wrapped up within the next 1-2 weeks. Im hopeful a full review of the facts and circumstances of this case will show we are working very hard to address the concerns.

Anytime a tenant is not happy with the services I provide, it is disappointing. I have failed this tenant and hope to serve them better in the future. I renewed my offer to the tenant, offering a full and complete refund of all money she has paid us, plus $2,500 for relocation expenses to help her find a new residence. I have offered her a total refund plus relocation expenses amounting to $7,305. I welcome feedback from residents and members of the public. I take it as an opportunity to improve my business, learn about my shortcomings and provide better communication and property management in the future. My brokerage Alabama LLC is the property manager and agent handling this rental on behalf of the ownership company.





Erich Spivey denied the allegation that any threats were made to the tenants about letting government officials in the home or attending the code enforcement hearing. In the email, he wrote they do not move tenants into homes that are condemned, but sometimes pre-list homes for rent.

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To end his email, Spivey wrote:

I am aware of the past history and work every day along with my team to provide better customer service. There is also room for improvement and I welcome the opportunity to hear feedback. In this specific case, after the tenant moved in, I heard her concerns and worked to correct them. As part of my renewed effort to provide better customer service, we provided Theresa Ellison two months rent free in December 2024 and January 2025. I have also offered her a full refund of all money she has paid us to date, plus funds to assist with relocation.

--

**UPDATE 2**

The City of Leesburg inspected the property again on Friday April 11th and posted this information about the inspection on the city website:

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On April 11th, an inspection was completed and the smoke detectors were operational and the cinder block was removed from the chimney. Remaining violations were patched or partially repaired to include painting over chipped flooring and cracked ceiling, the gaps between the floors and walls were also filled with caulking.

STAFF RECOMMENDS: Grant the property owner 21 days to complete the following:

- Due to soft spots and gaps between the wall and floor, a structural engineer report needs to be completed (305.16);

- Once obtaining the report, please have the floors addressed to ensure there are no breaks, gaps, or dips in the flooring throughout the entire home (305.16); REPEAT

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- Assure all electric receptacles are operational and properly attached to the wall (303.4); REPEAT

- Repair or replace the front and back door weather stripping (305.11); REPEAT

- Have the property PROPERLY treated for infestation of rats (309.1);

- Inspect the bathtub and toilet to assure they are properly secured (504.1);

- Repair or replace the damaged kitchen cabinet (302.6);

- Make necessary repairs to the interior walls to include the walls in the water heater closet (305.16); REPEAT

- Inspect and repair the chipping paint and cracks on the ceiling (305.16); REPEAT

- Install rails on the exterior stairs (305.6);

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- Inspect and repair the dipping porch ceiling (304.9);

- Inspect and assure the chimney is properly sealed (304.6);

- Also, make necessary repairs to the exterior of the residence to assure there are no holes, gaps, or deterioration to the surfaces (304.6).
Prosecutors on Thursday announced felony charges against 12 pro-Palestinian protesters  all but one current and former Stanford students or graduates  who in June allegedly broke into and vandalized a Stanford University administration building, barricading themselves inside before being arrested that same day.

The charges against the 12 appear to represent the most serious prosecution en masse to date in California of those arrested during demonstrations and encampments that roiled campuses last spring in protest of Israel's war in Gaza.

Dissent is American. Vandalism is criminal, said Santa Clara County Dist. Atty. Jeff Rosen. There is a bright line between making a point and committing a crime. Unfortunately, these defendants crossed the line into criminality when they broke into those offices, barricaded themselves inside and started a calculated plan of destruction.

Santa Clara County Dist. Atty. Jeff Rosen, center, on Thursday announces felony charges against 12 pro-Palestinian protesters, who allegedly broke into an administration building at Stanford last year. (Susanne Rust / Los Angeles Times)

An attorney representing protester Hunter Taylor-Black said his client understood there would be consequences, but stressed that his client and others have had months-long suspensions, costing them their housing, health insurance and classes  and putting their academic futures in limbo.

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"After going through all of that, now they face this," said attorney Tony Brass.

A Stanford spokesperson confirmed that the students who were charged Thursday received two quarter suspensions "followed by probation, delayed degree conferrals, and community service hours." The school would "respect" the district attorney's decision on the criminal case, said Dee Mostofi.

At the time of the predawn takeover, the defendants ranged in age from 19 to 32 and included both current Stanford students and graduates. Prosecutors allege that they broke windows and furniture, splashed fake blood and disabled security cameras in Building 10, where the Stanford presidents office is located.

The building occupation resulted in an estimated $250,000 in damages.

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The protesters are charged with felony vandalism and felony conspiracy to trespass.

Graffiti can be seen on the wall of a Stanford University building last June following a pro-Palestinian demonstration. (Nic Coury / Associated Press)

Those facing charges are: Maya Burke, 29; Zoe Edelman, 21; Eliana Fuchs, 25; German Gonzalez, 21; Gretchen Guimarin, 23; Taylor McCann, 32; Cameron Pennington, 23; John Richardson, 20; Hunter Taylor-Black, 25, Isabella Terrazas, 23; Kaiden Wang, 22; and Amy Zhai, 22.

Escalating protests

The break-in occurred at about 5:30 a.m. on June 5 and the action also involved spray-painting the outside of buildings. One or more participants broke a window to enter the building and let in the others. Before the cameras were covered, "multiple suspects were recorded carrying equipment into Building 10 and barricading doorways using ladders, furniture, and additional equipment they brought into the building," prosecutors alleged in a news release. "Suspects inside the building began recording social media videos that listed a series of demands."

The protesters vowed they would not leave until administrators met their demands to divest from Israel, but law enforcement quickly descended, breaking through barricades and entering at about 7 a.m.

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Participants were released within hours, but were immediately suspended, according to a statement last June from the university. Seniors were also not allowed to graduate.

In that statement, university officials condemned the protest action and said that a campus safety officer was injured during the building occupation. There was also extensive graffiti vandalism on the sandstone buildings and columns with vile and hateful sentiments that we condemn in the strongest terms."

Liberate Stanford, an autonomous group of Stanford University students that organized the building takeover, accused law enforcement of violently assault[ing] a peaceful student protester as officers prepared to enter.

After the students were arrested, the university shut down activists encampment at White Plaza, which officials had allowed to remain even though they said it violated university policies on overnight camping, equitable access to the plaza and use of amplified sound.

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Brass, the student's attorney, said he understands that activism is no license for criminality, but "the voice of student protesters has been important in American history. And this was a symbolic gesture to draw attention to a cause for which the students felt a legitimate sense of urgency, with the death toll [in Gaza] rising by the day. ... Whatever your politics are, wanting to stop infant deaths immediately  one could understand. I hope that the district attorney's office sees fit to act with a certain measure of tempering justice with mercy."

The charges carry a maximum punishment of three years and eight months in state prison, but the district attorney said that incarceration was an unlikely outcome.

Rosen said that he'd like the defendants to plead guilty and make restitution to Stanford. He added that the case was not about the protesters' politics.

"We would not be here today if these defendants stopped at the threshold of Building 10 and simply stated their views," he said.

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Student supporters don't see it that way.

"Instead of listening to their demands for justice and accountability, our institutions have chosen repression," said Zahra Billoo, executive director of the San Francisco Bay Area affiliate of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. "Prosecuting these young people with felony charges is a blatant attack on free speech.

Student journalist not charged

Dilan Gohill, a first-year student, was also arrested as he was reporting from the scene for the Stanford Daily newspaper, embedded inside the building with the protesters.

For months, the Stanford administration had urged the prosecution of Gohill along with the others, but eventually backed away from that position under a deluge of groups that came to Gohill's defense.

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According to Columbia Journalism Review, university officials soon allowed Gohill to return to campus  while the students who were among the protesters were suspended for longer periods.

Few major charges

The Stanford prosecutions represent among the most serious consequences for the more than 3,200 pro-Palestinian protesters arrested at 73 college campuses between April and July last year. The tally is based on an Associated Press review of records and survey of students, universities and district attorneys.

Some of the largest demonstrations and arrest tolls unfolded in California, including at UCLA and USC, where students demanded universities divest from financial ties to Israel.

More than 100 demonstrators were arrested at campuses that included Columbia University in New York, Emerson College in Boston and the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

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As of November, the Appeal, a left-of-center nonprofit news organization, found that the largest number of cases were in limbo, with most of the rest not resulting in felony prosecutions.

Read more: Police arrested hundreds of pro-Palestinian students in L.A. The fallout continues

In California, a Times and AP analysis reached similar conclusions, although even without prosecutions, students faced serious campus disciplinary consequences.

There is a one-year period in which misdemeanor charges can be filed  meaning that a deadline is approaching for the resolution of many cases.

Last month, a group of pro-Palestinian protesters sued UCLA over its handling of demonstrations last spring, including an incident in which a vigilante mob attacked their encampment on campus in the middle of the night. The suit identified 20 alleged assailants who carried out the attack, and some of the violence was captured on video.

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The Los Angeles County district attorney's office has not filed a case related to that incident. Prosecutors weighed felony assault charges against Edan On, 19, who was first identified among the attackers in a 2024 CNN report and captured on video striking a pro-Palestinian protester with a pole.

While prosecutors confirmed On certainly committed an "assault," they referred the case to the L.A. city attorney's office due to his age, lack of criminal history and the minimal injuries suffered by his victim. A spokesman for the city attorney's office said On's case was still being reviewed.

Times staff writer James Queally contributed to this report.

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.
Schools in the state's initial cohort have identified more young students with needs and are working with parents and specialists to meet them. (Photo by Getty Images)

Timothy Tweedie, superintendent and principal of the Veazie Community School, said hed seen an uptick in students entering the kindergarten with unmet special education needs in recent years, and wanted to get a jump on addressing that.

So last year, the school became part of the first cohort of districts to take over responsibility for providing special education services to preschoolers with disabilities, as the state began its process to implement that change broadly over the next four years.

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Tweedie shared his experience during a presentation to the Education Committee Wednesday about the changes with Child Development Services, the quasi-independent agency that in recent years was failing to meet many young students special education needs.

In response, the state passed a law last session shifting the responsibility of identifying and educating children between the ages of 3 and 5 away from CDS and to individual districts.

Some of our earliest learners were not receiving the services that they really needed before they were school age, and so were playing catch up with several students, said Tweedie, whose district is among 17 now working with the Maine Department of Education to implement those changes.

Students progress in these district-run programs has exceeded expectations, said Debrajean Scheibel, the special education director at Veazie Community School. The 163-student school was anticipating three preschoolers with Individualized Education Programs, designed to meet the needs of special education students under federal law, but nine students eventually signed up.

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The most amazing thing for us is the parents of these early childhood children are so grateful that they are finally getting services, Scheibel said. They dont wait a month, three months, or maybe a year.

They are getting the evaluations completed in a timely manner, and we have staff that can provide the services today.

Assessing the shift to schools

Because of staffing challenges and other issues, CDS was struggling to meet its legal obligation to provide services for young students with disabilities before they entered school, creating an increasing number of kindergarteners with unmet needs. Many parents of young children were waiting on waitlists for months or years to get services, even after being identified by doctors as needing special education.

The agencys system was problematic, according to Sandy Flacke, deputy director for the Office of Special Services within the Maine Department of Education, which advocated to shift that role to districts.

The first cohort included districts from Aroostook to York counties, although none of the states largest districts were part of the initial group. The department met with districts weekly to develop a plan to follow in collaboration with CDS, which still has some involvement, according to the update. The law gives the state until 2028 to transfer all responsibility to districts. In the meantime, CDS will keep filling in gaps as more districts roll out these services.

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According to Flacke as well as associate commissioner of public education Megan Welter, the first cohort has seen significant progress and the second, which is starting this year, will build on that with larger districts participating. At the start of the 2045-25 school year, there were 153 children with Individualized Education Programs across all 17 cohort districts, and according to the most recent count, that number is now 309. That means schools have identified more young students with needs and are working with parents and specialists to meet them.

The department has developed a funding formula, established to cover 100% of costs at the state level, which has kept up with increasing enrollment. The department told lawmakers theyve also established parental advisory committees to provide feedback on the shift so far, which will help with the addition of the next cohort and is offering technical support to districts.

Scott Reuning, director of special services at MSAD 35, which serves Eliot and South Berwick, said even before joining the first cohort his district had a strong PreK program with staff experienced in offering special education services. Like Veazie, the district got more students than expected, with 55 current students and four more referred to PreK special education services.

Once our parents got wind of the school district providing the services, the frustration that people had experienced before was removed, and so the referrals are coming more quickly. I didnt anticipate that, he said. But the program is going well, and the results are evident, Reuning said.

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When I see a student with a significant disability walk into a building in September and not be able to function, and a month later theyre making progress, that is nice to see, and especially at such a young age.

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EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  A 47-year-old man was recently arrested and charged with murder for allegedly strangling his wife to death and dumping her body in Juarez after knowing she cheated on him, according to court documents obtained by KTSM.

El Paso Police: Man charged with murder after womans body found in Juarez

According to court documents, Jorge Mares Raygoza, 47, was arrested on Friday, March 28, for killing his wife, later identified as Coral Llamas Sifuentes, 45.

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Sifuentes body was found in a desert area off the side of a roadway near Mirador Camino Real  approximately 23 miles from the Ysleta port of entry  which is a park located in Juarez.

Raygoza was charged with murder under a $1.25 million bond, El Paso Police said.

According to court documents, on March 28, detectives from the El Paso Police Departments Crimes Against Persons unit were advised of a death investigation by the FBI.

FBI investigators informed detectives of an unidentified body found in Juarez the morning of March 22, which showed signs of being strangled and sexually assaulted with an unknown object, according to court documents.

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According to court documents, FBI investigators were notified by Mexican authorities after Raygoza came forward and said that the unidentified person was his wife. Raygoza said he was able to identify his wife after seeing a news release and identifying her shoes.

Investigators learned that Raygoza resides in Hobbs, New Mexico, while Sifuentes and their children live in El Paso. Raygoza was known to come to El Paso on the weekend to visit his family, according to court documents.

According to court documents, investigators found that Sifuentes had been having an affair with an individual for around two years. Investigators were able to identify and interview the individual who said Raygoza recently learned of the affair on March 18.

Sifuentes and the individual rented a hotel room together, and Raygoza began a video call with his wife. The video call alarmed Sifuentes as Raygoza had never called her using the video call feature, according to court documents.

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According to court documents, after Sifuentes didnt answer the phone, she and the individual went their separate ways when Raygoza sent her a photograph of her vehicle in the parking lot of a hotel during the time she was with the individual.

Later that same day, Sifuentes texted the individual, saying that Raygoza was aware of the affair. The individual said that his last contact with Sifuentes was on March 21, when they exchanged text messages, according to court documents.

According to court documents, through investigation, it was found that Raygoza was captured via the Ysleta POE border crossing cameras at 5:49 p.m. on March 21, crossing into Juarez and driving Sifuentes vehicle. The vehicle appeared to be clean as it drove into Juarez.

Raygoza was then seen driving back into El Paso at 7:48 p.m., and Sifuentes vehicle appeared to have been driven through desert terrain as it had dirt on the tires and appeared dusty, according to court documents.

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According to court documents, investigators further obtained screenshots of Raygozas Google search history showing he was searching for a specific El Diario de Juarez news article eight separate times between March 22-23. Raygoza later told investigators that he was not aware of the news article until March 25, when he was told by family members.

Investigators with Crimes Against Persons met with Raygoza at his residence, and he voluntarily agreed to meet with investigators at the El Paso Police Department headquarters, according to court documents.

According to court documents, Raygoza told investigators that on March 18, he tracked Sifuentes location and learned that her vehicle was at a hotel. Raygoza asked a friend of his to drive to the hotel to take a picture of Sifuentes vehicle, which was in the parking lot.

Raygoza said he called Sifuentes through the video call feature for about 30 minutes, but she didnt answer, according to court documents.

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According to court documents, Raygoza said he continued tracking Sifuentes location, which moved to a gym. Raygoza then sent Sifuentes the picture of her vehicle at the hotel and told her he knew what she was doing, and that they would talk about their future when he came back to El Paso.

Raygoza said he arrived in El Paso on March 21 and drove directly to his residence. He said that the main reason for his return to El Paso was because of a job interview he had secured to be closer to his family, according to court documents.

According to court documents, Raygoza said that he and Sifuentes engaged in sexual intercourse. After the encounter, both of them walked into the living room and began to talk about Sifuentes affair.

Raygoza brought up the individual with whom Sifuentes was involved and wanted details of their relationship. However, Raygoza said Sifuentes didnt want to talk about the affair, which enraged Raygoza, and he lost it, according to court documents.

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According to court documents, Raygoza told investigators that he strangled Sifuentes to death with both his hands for about 30 minutes due to all the rage and frustration he had against her.

Raygoza said Sifuentes was unclothed when he killed her, and he dressed her fully to take her out of the residence, according to court documents.

According to court documents, Raygoza said that he placed Sifuentes into the backseat of her vehicle in a seated position and left her in the driveway throughout the day.

After returning home from his job interview, Raygoza said that he got into Sifuentes vehicle and drove across the Ysleta POE into Juarez. He said he destroyed Sifuentes phone and smart watch and threw them out in Juarez, according to court documents.

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According to court documents, Raygoza said that he drove to a park located in Juarez where he dumped Sifuentes body. After that, he proceeded with errands in the area, then drove back into the U.S.

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The Senate approved a measure on Thursday, April 10, 2025, that would repeal state code mandating that newborns receive an antibiotic eye ointment after birth to prevent medical pink eye, which can cause blindness. (Will Price | West Virginia Legislative Photography)

West Virginia law mandates that medical professionals treat newborns eyes with an ointment meant to prevent pink eye or potentially blindness if the baby comes into contact with bacteria or a sexually transmitted disease in the birthing canal.

The Senate narrowly approved a bill on Thursday repealing that guideline in state code, and the House of Delegates signed off on it earlier this month. While the bill doesnt ban the use of the ointment, the potential removal of the mandate has raised concerns from medical professionals that it could lead to an increased rate of infant blindness.

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The people who are voting in favor of this bill are voting in favor of the blindness of babies, said Dr. Nicole Bryce, an OBGYN resident at Charleston Area Medical Center.

There are very few things that are this inexpensive, this easy to administer that make such a huge difference in the lives of children, she said.

Sen. Chris Rose, R-Monongalia

Sen. Chris Rose, R-Monongalia, voted for the bill saying, This just gives parental rights [and] parental choice.

Newborns receive erythromycin eye ointment after birth to prevent medical pink eye in the first month of life, and it has been the recommended standard of care for decades. It prevents a pinkeye infection from gonorrhea or other diseases that spread between sexual partners. If its not treated, newborn pinkeye from gonorrhea can cause blindness or life-threatening meningitis.

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Sen. Tom Takubo, R-Kanawha, who is a physician, told senators that, nine out of 10 times women dont know theyre infected with gonorrhea.

It is currently a misdemeanor crime if a provider doesnt apply a topical solution on a newborns eyes.

Del. Evan Worrell, R-Cabell, sponsored the measure, House Bill 3444. He said the code, enacted in 1923, was outdated.

I am against codifying standards of care to providers, Worrell said. This decision should be between a provider and patient and not punishable by a misdemeanor and investigated as current code calls for.

Sen. Joey Garcia, D-Marion

I dont expect [the] current process for newborns to change at all, just removing the code section, he added.

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Bryce said she believed that pediatricians would still do their best to apply the ointment to newborns.

Its cheap and effective, she said. We can see significant damage to these childrens eyes in 24 to 48 hours, including blindness. The solution for that is to apply an ointment.

Sen. Joey Garcia, D-Marion, raised concerns that the change could impact women in rural counties, where they may not have access to prenatal care. Women may not be educated on the use of ointment to give informed consent during birth, he said.

Sen. Patricia Rucker, R-Jefferson

I dont understand why we would risk our children being blind, Garcia said. I dont see why were doing this bill.

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On Wednesday, Takubo tried to amend the bill to require a physician, midwife or others assisting in a birth to immediately administer the ointment on a newborns eyes.

We could remove that and hope for the best or we could continue a well-established, safe procedure and protect children, he said.

Sen. Patricia Rucker, R-Jefferson, opposed the amendment and said the standard of care would not change. She said that many mothers could treat their babies eyes homeopathically with breast milk.

Sen. Mike Woelfel, D-Cabell

We have found that the overuse of antibiotics causes issues, Rucker said.

The amendment failed with a vote of 13 to 16 in the Senate.

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Bryce stressed that breast milk or colostrum, the first milk produced by a mother after birth, will not prevent blindness in babies that are affected by gonorrhea.

Colostrum in no way shape or form can cure gonorrhea, she said.

Ahead of the vote, Sen. Mike Woelfel, D-Cabell, told senators that he opposed the bill, saying, Freedom has a price.

The parent has the freedom to say I dont want to put that medication in a childs eye, he said. But who pays for that if theres blindness?

The Senate approved the bill with a vote of 18-15. The House will have to concur with the Senates vote before the bill would head to Gov. Patrick Morriseys desk for consideration.

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New Hampshire has one of the lowest violent crime rates in the country, according to U.S. News & World Report.

But that doesn't mean tragedies don't touch the Granite State.

Longtime residents may remember the "Connecticut River Valley Killer," who is believed to have killed several women in New Hampshire. H. H. Holmes, who is widely considered the nation's first serial killer, is also from New Hampshire.

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There are also a few other notorious serial killers from New Hampshire.

By definition, serial killers murder two or more victims in separate events, according to the FBI.

Here's a look at five serial killers from New Hampshire.

The "Valley Killer" is believed to have killed at least seven women between 1978-1988 in the Connecticut River Valley area, which runs through New Hampshire. Five of the victims were from New Hampshire, while two others were from Vermont.

The killer has never been found.

Terry Rasmussen was a convicted murderer who lived in New Hampshire.

Terry Rasmussen is sometimes referred to as the "Chameleon Killer" because he used multiple aliases over the years, including when he was known as Bob Evans while living in New Hampshire.

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He was convicted of one murder, though he is linked to at least five others, including the 1985 Bear Brook murders in Allentown.

He died in prison in 2010.

H. H. Holmes

Born Herman Webster Mudgett, H. H. Holmes is widely considered the country's first serial killer.

He is known to have killed at least 10 people in the 1890s, though he was suspected in more than two dozen other murders.

While the crimes were committed in other states, Holmes was originally from New Hampshire and graduated from Gilmanton Academy. He was sentenced to death.

Richard Steeves

A Maine native, Richard Steeves killed six people between 1965 and 1985.

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He killed one of his victims, Ralph Mace, after breaking into his home in Rochester, New Hampshire. His other victims were killed in Maine and Ohio.

Steeves was sentenced in 1987 to life in prison, where he remains today.

Melina Khan is a trending reporter for the USA TODAY Network - New England, which serves more than a dozen affiliated publications across New England. She can be reached at MKhan@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: NH serial killers: See list of notorious killers from New Hampshire
The international humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has decided to close two healthcare centers in Port-au-Prince due to the violence faced by its staff. Gabriel Mayorga, MSFs Humanitarian Affairs Manager in Haiti, explained that four of its vehicles were attacked while traveling in a convoy, and three of them were hit by 15 bullets, demonstrating the harassment the NGO is experiencing in the country. Although none of our colleagues suffered serious injuries, it was clear that there are repeated and increasingly intense attacks against health services, and in this case against MSF, Mayorga warned. We hope that all actors provide us with minimum guarantees and respect so that we can continue providing care to all victims of violence, internally displaced persons, and survivors of sexual violence.

The attack is yet another chapter in the nightmare of violence the small nation has endured, where at least 75 deaths have been recorded due to the tightening grip of criminal gangs in recent days. The International Red Cross has warned that basic services have been paralyzed, schools have closed, and the health system is collapsing. Clashes between armed groups and government forces have plunged the country into chaos. Life is becoming increasingly precarious, the organization warned.

Today, April 8 [Tuesday], we are announcing the suspension and temporary closure of two Doctors Without Borders hospitals in Port-au-Prince. This is an initial three-month suspension for the Turgeau emergency projects and the Carrefour trauma hospital. All of this in a context where the public health sector lacks the resources, capacity, or access to respond to these types of health issues, Mayorga explained in an audio recording. Unfortunately, this decision was made after an internal analysis and reflection, based on multiple incidents, attacks, and threats we have received since 2024, which increased in intensity and frequency at the end of 2024 and have continued into 2025. The organization has assured that it will continue working with other projects in other areas of Port-au-Prince, but has demanded security guarantees from the authorities. The population most in need requires a response in health services and other types of protection in this context, Mayorga stated.

A doctor treats a man wounded by a gunshot at Saint Nicolas Hospital in Saint-Marc, Haiti, on October 6, 2024. Odelyn Joseph (AP)

Violence continues unabated in Haiti. The dozens of murders in recent days are a consequence of clashes between gangs that control most of the country, a bloody confrontation that sows terror among the population and wages war against the decimated Haitian security forces. Since the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in 2021, the country has suffered a power vacuum that violent groups have exploited. Human rights organizations and the United Nations estimate that the dispute over control of the capital by terrorist groups has escalated to such an extent that they now control more than 80% of Port-au-Prince. The violence has resulted in more than 5,000 murders, kidnappings, more than a million people forcibly displaced both internally and internationally, and systematic rapes. The atrocities of recent days, fueled by disputes between 60 gangs, have taken their toll on the municipalities of Mirebalais and Saut dEau in central Haiti, Efe reports, citing statements made Wednesday by Delin Boyer, director of the central department of the National Police. The work continues. We continue to push back the gangs to force them to abandon the city permanently. The work isnt easy, but we need everyones support, especially that of the civilian population, the official stated. Boyers words sound more like a cry for help than a real step forward in stopping the criminals.

The International Red Cross warned in a statement released this week that clashes between armed groups from the Viv Ansanm coalition and government forces have dragged the country into a spiral of chaos that has made it nearly impossible for people to get the services they need.

All needs here are urgent, said Marisela Silva Chau, head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) delegation in Haiti. Basic services have ground to a halt: schools are closing, the healthcare system is collapsing, and finding food and water has become extremely difficult. This is true both for people who have had to leave their homes and for those who remain in these embattled areas. The ICRC stated that since January 2024, more than 5,600 people have died and more than one million have been forced to leave their homes. The crisis has worsened since November 2024, with fighting reaching several new areas, including Kenscoff in February 2025 and Mirebalais in March 2025, the agency warned.

One of the four MSF vehicles fired upon during an evacuation of the Turgeau emergency center in Port-au-Prince in March 2025. MSF

Journalists and the media in general are also victims of this gruesome situation. A Reporters Without Borders report warns of harassment, threats, and acts of violence against reporters and correspondents, many of whom are forced into censorship and exile, in addition to suffering from a lack of resources, the apathy of authorities, and difficult access to reliable sources of information. At least 15 journalists have been murdered in recent years. Since 2021, they have also been targeted by criminal gangs and have been victims of threats, attacks, kidnappings, or murders with complete impunity. Since the fall of Ariel Henrys government in March 2024, journalism has been even more trapped between a wave of widespread violence and the social, economic, and political crisis, the organization states.

Violence has left a trail of destruction and misery in a country still reeling from the devastating 2010 earthquake. Hospitals are no longer able to function properly: the State University Hospital of Haiti, the countrys largest public hospital, came under attack as it was about to reopen [...] In many neighborhoods, getting drinking water has become a daily challenge and, in some cases, a mortal danger. Often, residents take their lives in their hands when going in search of water, as some distribution points are located in areas affected by the armed clashes. Both public and private water suppliers hesitate to venture into these neighborhoods given the risk of attack, reports the Red Cross Committee.

The Haitian tragedy also affects education, as more than 200 schools have been destroyed since 2024 and many more have had to close, while others are occupied by displaced families. Hundreds of thousands of children are not able to attend school  a factor that could exacerbate the countrys instability over the long term. And then theres the silent trauma of sexual violence, which has risen sharply. In January 2025, the UN reported a 1,000% increase in the number of cases of sexual violence against children, according to the ICRC.

The interior of a ward at Justinian University Hospital, in May 2024, in Cap-Haitien, Haiti. Giles Clarke (Getty Images)

The population of Haiti is suffering the greatest humanitarian crisis in the heart of the Western Hemisphere, with no real interest from the major powers in the fate of the small country, a former colony devastated by the voracity of its conqueror, France. The explosion in violence and the endless attacks are psychologically devastating, said Silva Chau. Something must be done urgently to prevent sexual violence, ensure peoples safety and treat victims. And both families and communities require psychological support to move past these traumatic experiences, the ICRC official urged.

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Donald Trump claimed that his party was working nicely together, just hours after House Republicans infighting forced them to delay a vote on a multitrillion-dollar budget bill.

Great News! The Big, Beautiful Bill is coming along really well. Republicans are working together nicely. Biggest Tax Cuts in USA History!!! Getting close, Trump wrote on Truth Social Thursday morning.

House GOP members were anything but united. The night before, Republican Representative Rich McCormick told CNNs Manu Raju that there were still 15 Republican holdouts on the bill, which would provide the funding for Trumps sweeping agenda, including tax cuts and bolstering immigration initiatives.

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Representative Thomas Massie, who has become a regular holdout against Republican-backed government spending bills, said that a provision Republicans had added that would prevent efforts to roll back Trumps tariffs was illegal.

They used the Rules Committee resolution to circumvent U.S. law, Massie told Raju.

On Wednesday night, House Speaker Mike Johnson said he hadnt decided how best to rally Republican support behind the budget blueprint.

We have a pretty well-developed playbook, and its got a number of plays in it, and I just havent made the call on which one it is yet, he said.

House Republicans are expected to vote again on the bill at 10:20 a.m. before setting off on a two-week recess.
Vermont has one of the lowest violent crime rates in the country, according to World Population Review.

But that doesn't mean tragedies don't touch the Green Mountain State.

Longtime residents may remember the "Connecticut River Valley Killer," who is believed to have killed several women in Vermont. More recently, Israel Keyes confessed to two murders in Vermont in 2011.

There are also a few other notorious serial killers from Vermont.

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By definition, serial killers murder two or more victims in separate events, according to the FBI.

Here's a look at four serial killers from Vermont.

The "Valley Killer" is believed to have killed at least seven women between 1978-1988 in the Connecticut River Valley area, which runs through Vermont. Two of the victims were from Vermont, while five others were from New Hampshire.

The killer has never been found.

Israel Keyes is seen in undated booking photos.

Israel Keyes is a serial killer whose crimes spanned several states, including Vermont.

He confessed to the 2011 murders of Bill and Lorraine Currier in Essex. He also confessed to murdering 18-year-old Samantha Koenig in Alaska, and he is suspected of several other killings.

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Keyes died by suicide in 2012 in prison while awaiting trial.

Gary Schaefer

Gary Schaefer was a suspected serial killer who is believed to have killed three people in Springfield between 1979 and 1983.

He was convicted for one of the murders and confessed to two others, though he was not tried for them. He died in prison in 2023.

H. H. Holmes

Born Herman Webster Mudgett, H. H. Holmes is widely considered the country's first serial killer.

He is known to have killed at least 10 people in the 1890s, though he was suspected in more than two dozen other murders.

While the crimes were committed in other states, Holmes lived in Vermont for a time before his capture. He was sentenced to death and executed in 1894.

This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: VT serial killers: See list of notorious killers from Vermont
HONOLULU (KHON2)  The recent funding cuts proposed by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) could have a devastating impact on humanities programs across Hawaii.

These cuts target the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), a crucial source of support for local organizations that preserve and promote Hawaiis rich cultural heritage.

The NEH has been a vital part of Hawaiis community life and has been funding programs that enrich public education, strengthen local history and foster cultural understanding.

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Since 2020, NEH has granted more than $9.3 million to support 42 humanities projects in Hawaii. Aside from the money infusing Hawaiis economy, the support has benefited iconic institutions such as the Bishop Museum, Hawaii Community College and Iolani Palace.

These grants help organizations engage with the public, foster education and preserve Hawaiis history, while also supporting local tourism economies.

According to Mark Ombrello, a history faculty member at the University of Hawaii at Kauai and board member of the Hawaii Council for the Humanities (HCH), the proposed cuts are part of a larger trend of federal institutions being targeted for defunding.

Ombrello warned, This cut is part of a larger assault on longstanding federal institutions that strengthen our freedom and democracy through educationfollowing recent Executive Orders targeting the Institute for Museum and Library Services, the Smithsonian Institution, and the Department of Education. Collectively, these cuts will drastically impact the services that humanities organizations across our islands provide to their communities.

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These cuts would not only affect larger institutions but also local organizations like the Hawaii Council for the Humanities (HCH), which partners with NEH to serve local communities.

HCH was established in 1972 and has worked tirelessly to enrich the lives of Hawaii residents by funding humanities programs and providing grants that support a wide range of community-driven projects.

In 2024 alone, HCH funded more than $905,000 in local programs and events that reached more than 33,500 people across Hawaii.

One such program, Hawaii History Day. This program helps teach students about the history and civics of Hawaii and provides professional development for educators and classroom materials.

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In 2025, the program will partner with 46 public, private and charter schools across the state to reach grades 4-12 students. Other programs, such as the Hawaii State Poet Laureate program, allow Hawaiis diverse communities to engage with social issues through storytelling, creativity and poetry.

Another essential program supported by NEH is Try Think, which organizes humanities-based conversations at correctional facilities. These conversations allow incarcerated individuals and community members to connect as a means of reducing public stigma against those involved in the criminal justice system and providing a pathway for successful reintegration into society.

Try Think has programs year-round at three correctional facilities on Oahu. These include the Womens Community Correctional Center, the only womens prison in Hawaii.

For those focused on the preservation of Hawaiis culture, the cuts could halt the critical work being done by local organizations to preserve oral histories and historical records.

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In Hilo, the Lyman House Memorial Museum received an NEH grant to digitize 13 ledgers from 1896 to 1950. These papers offered valuable insights into Hawaiis medical history.

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The East Hawaii Cultural Center also received funding for a project to collect personal histories about the Hilo police department. The program is meant to help to bridge the gap between law enforcement and the community.

On Molokai, the Hawaii Council for the Humanities supported projects like the Kalaupapa Portraits Identification Project that is helping to redefine the narrative of Kalaupapa by identifying and preserving historical photographs.

Additionally, the HCH funded the Hoohui Makai project. It explores food and cooking stories by multicultural women of Molokai and engages the community in educational discussions to preserve the islands culinary traditions.

The potential cuts threaten to disrupt this vital work, leading to a loss of jobs, reduced services, reduced economic influx into the states economy and halted projects.

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According to Kehaulani Costa, chair of the Hawaii Council for the Humanities Board, The humanities help us reflect on the past, imagine the future, and connect across our differences. We need the humanities in housing and social services, in development, in community planning. Valuing histories, cultures, and stories benefit all our sectors.

This situation is especially dire for Indigenous communities in Hawaii. Many of the funded projects highlight Native Hawaiian culture and history that include those addressing the legacy of the 1893 overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom and support the revitalization of Olelo Hawaii (Hawaiis indigenous language) and traditions.

One such program supported by HCH is the creation of a childrens book about the traditional Portuguese bread-baking process in Kona. This book continues to be used to teach K-12 students about life in 1890s Kona as it ensures future generations understand and appreciate their local history.

On Kauai, a $10,000 grant to Kauai Museum will support a new interactive storytelling exhibition about the history of Kanaka Maoli, further strengthening the connection between Hawaiis Native people and their land. This is part of a broader effort to preserve and share the history of Hawaiis Indigenous communities.

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Aiko Yamashiro, the executive director of HCH, emphasized the importance of humanities programs in creating stronger communities.

Good governance and strong communities value critical thinking, reflection, and connection. We need increased cross-sector collaboration to navigate this federal funding crisis, and turn back to true community power and voices, she explained. The humanities have a lot to offer. We value many voices and stories, empathy and critical thinking. We connect people to land, history, culture, and each other.

The upcoming federal funding cuts will affect more than just academic programs; they threaten the cultural fabric of Hawaii. Programs that preserve and share Native Hawaiian stories, histories and traditions will be especially vulnerable.

For example, HCHs support for oral history projects, such as the Maui Wildfires Oral History Project, directly contributes to understanding the role of water in Hawaiis past, present and future.

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These projects preserve Hawaiis indigenous knowledge and protect the stories of those who lived through significant events.

As Hawaii faces these challenges, it is crucial for community members to advocate for the humanities. One way to help is by contacting Congressional senators and representatives and sharing why these programs matter.

The humanities provide education and a space for communities to reflect, connect and grow together. Without these programs, Hawaiis cultural heritage and local communities will suffer.

The potential loss of funding could also affect local tourism economies, which benefit from historical sites and cultural programs that attract visitors to Hawaii. With tourism being a significant part of Hawaiis economy, the effects of these cuts will be felt far beyond the humanities community.

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In response to these challenges, the Hawaii Council for the Humanities urged individuals to take action. They are asking that Hawaii residents write letters to our senators and representatives and urge them to prioritize funding for public humanities in order to make one step toward protecting these essential programs.

The fight to preserve funding for humanities programs in Hawaii is ongoing. Its a fight for the preservation of culture, history, and community.

You can click here to learn more about HCH.

Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHONs morning podcast, every morning at 8

As Kehaulani Costa said, We connect people to land, history, culture, and each other. Without support, these connections could be lost.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
California scientists have determined that dogs might be able to help predict the spread of a dangerous fungus, which has surged in recent years due to the impacts of climate change.

Drought conditions across the Golden State have been ramping up the dispersal of a soil-dwelling organism called coccidioides, which causes the flu-like disease known as coccidioidomycosis, or Valley fever.

The disease, which can cause grave or even deadly complications, has risen sharply among California residents over the past two decades: Reported cases tripled from 2014 to 2018 and again from 2018 to 2022.

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Valley fever was previously concentrated in parts of Arizona and Californias lower San Joaquin Valley. Rather than passing from person to person, the disease develops from the direct inhalation of these fungal spores.

But Valley fever is also common in animals, particularly dogs that dig in the dirt, according to researchers from the University of California, who published a study on Thursday in the Journal of Infectious Diseases.

The scientists assessed nearly 835,000 blood antibody tests taken from dogs nationwide between 2012 and 2022  and found that 40 percent tested positive for the disease.

Dogs are sentinels for human infections, lead author Jane Sykes, a professor of small animal internal medicine at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, said in a statement.

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They can help us understand not just the epidemiology of the disease but theyre also models to help us understand the disease in people, she added.

Along with colleagues at UC Berkeley, Sykes mapped positive results by location and found that the presence of Valley fever in dogs surged from just 2.4 percent of U.S. counties in 2012 to 12.4 percent in 2022.

We were also finding cases in states where valley fever is not considered endemic, Sykes said. We should be closely watching those states because there could be under-recognition of the emerging fungal disease in humans.

The sheer number of cases, the authors explained, cannot be attributed to dogs visiting other states, since the animals travel far less frequently than humans do. Dog cases were also correlated with human Valley fever hot spots, per the study.

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Arizona was responsible for 91.5 percent of positive tests, followed by California at 3.7 percent; Nevada, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Texas at 2.6 percent combined; and Washington, Oregon and Idaho at 0.6 percent combined.

The remaining states reported far fewer positive results, with 1.3 percent combined, the researchers found.

The authors also determined that dog breeds that tend to dig, such as medium-to-large animals and terriers, are more likely to get Valley fever. They also exhibit some of the same symptoms of the disease that humans experience, including a cough and lung infection.

The fungus can spread to the bones, brain and skin and require lifelong antifungal injections, and can potentially result in death, the scientists warned.

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By learning more about Valley fever in dogs, Sykes suggested that humans could develop new tests or routes for treatment  potentially preventing misdiagnosis or undiagnosed disease among themselves.

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NEW YORK, NY  A recent U.S. Department of Justice staff memo dismantling the DOJs crypto unit and narrowing the scope of its crypto-related enforcement priorities will have no impact on the prosecution of Terraform Labs co-founder and former CEO Do Kwon, prosecutors said Thursday.

The memo, sent Monday evening by U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, informed staff that the DOJ would no longer be pursuing prosecution against crypto exchanges, mixing services, or offline wallets for the acts of their end users. Blanche told staff not to criminally charge any violations of federal securities or commodities laws, except under specific circumstances, in cases where the charges would require the [DOJ] to litigate whether a digital asset is a security or a commodity and there is an adequate alternative criminal charge.

During a hearing on Thursday, U.S. District Court Judge Paul Engelmayer of the Southern District of New York (SDNY) asked prosecutors whether Blanches memo would have any impact on the charges against Kwon, which include two counts of commodities fraud and two counts of securities fraud, as well as five other charges including wire fraud and conspiracy to defraud.

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The prosecution told Engelmayer that they have no plans to change their charges against Kwon at this time.

David Patton, Kwons lead attorney and a partner at Hecker Fink LLP, told Engelmayer that the contents of Blanches memo could  at least indirectly  lead to some pre-trial motions from the defense.

I do think it could potentially be the subject of some pre-trial motions, Patton said. It may or may not be directly related to the memo. Patton specified that the questions of whether the cryptocurrencies involved in the case were securities or not could be relevant.

In a separate civil case brought by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) against Kwon and Terraform Labs last year, in which Kwon and his company were found to be liable for fraud, another SDNY judge found that the tokens involved in the case were, in fact, securities.

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During Thursdays hearing, Engelmayer told both the prosecution and the defense to inform him well in advance of the trial if they planned to request that he adhere to any of the rulings or findings made by the court in the SEC case.

The next batch of pre-trial motions are expected to hit the docket in July, and a third status conference has been scheduled for June 12 at 11 a.m. in New York.

Due to scheduling challenges, the start date for Kwons criminal trial has been pushed back three weeks from January 26, 2026 to February 17, 2026.

Read more: Do Kwons Criminal Trial Set for 2026 as Lawyers Deal With Massive Trove of Evidence
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE)  A New Mexico man has pled guilty to assault after he stabbed his ex-girlfriend and struck her with his vehicle, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of New Mexico. Tyrell Lee Johnson, 29, of Shiprock, is facing up to ten years in prison and three years of supervised release.

Man accused of murdering his family in Tijeras found incompetent to stand trial

Court records show Jane Doe and her sister were stopped at a construction zone when Johnson went up to their vehicle on Nov. 2, 2024. The U.S. Attorneys Office says Johnson struck Jane Doe in the head, stabbed her in the abdomen, and hit her with his vehicle as he fled. She suffered a concussion, as well as bruises, abrasions, and an abdominal wound.

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Navajo police found Johnsons vehicle in Cudei. He was arrested after a quick pursuit. A black folding knife was found in his possession. Officers confirmed there was no alcohol in his system. Johnson is an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation.

The Farmington Resident Agency of the FBIs Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case along with the Navajo Nation Department of Investigation and the Department of Criminal Investigations. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark A. Probasco.

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ALEXANDRIA, Va. (DC News Now)  The Department of Justice motioned to drop the charges against an alleged top MS-13 gang leader who was arrested in northern Virginia last month, according to court documents.

This comes after the accused leader, 24-year-old Henrry Josue Villatoro Santos, was arrested in the Dale City area of Woodbridge nearly two weeks ago.

On March 27, the FBIs Special Weapons and Tactics Team executed a federal search warrant at Santos family home. He was detained on an administration immigration warrant and was charged with illegal gun possession.

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PREVIOUS COVERAGE | FBI arrests leader of MS-13 gang in Prince William County

Court documents obtained by DC News Now detailed that illegal guns, ammunition and suppressors were also recovered at the Dale City home.

His arrest made national headlines and was praised by President Donald Trump and Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin.

During a press conference following Santos arrest, Attorney General Pamela Bondi stated that Santos was from El Salvador and was one of the top three leaders of the MS-13 gang operating in the East Coast region. She accused Santos of being behind several violent crimes and stated he was recruited into the MS-13 gang at a young age.

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Court documents revealed that on April 8, the Office of the Federal Public Defender withdrew from the case due to a conflict of interest. The next day, Santos was appointed with a new lawyer.

However, less than two hours later, the government filed a motion to dismiss the case.

In response, Santos lawyers filed a motion to delay the entry of dismissal for 14 days.

The document noted that Santos averred that he was afraid that if the charges were dismissed, pending the case against him, he would be released from federal custody and immediately be deported.

On April 10, a judge signed an order that a hearing would be useful against both motions to dismiss the charges and delay the entry of a dismissal order.

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Santos next court hearing is set for April 15.

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Many people are checking weather apps at the moment to find out what the weather will be like during the Easter holidays, whether the harvest is in danger, what energy windmills and solar panels will generate, whether sailing is allowed, or simply whether they will be able to hang out their washing. Current tools base their predictions on thousands of data points from hundreds of sources that take hours or even days to compile and process using supercomputers. Even so, a forecast of more than three days retains a high degree of uncertainty.

A new system, called Aardvark Weather, developed using artificial intelligence and learning models based on 80 years of physical data, is thousands of times faster and more accurate than all previous weather prediction methods, according to Richard Turner of the University of Cambridges Department of Engineering and lead author of the research published in Nature.

Turner is excited about the results of the research, carried out by the University of Cambridge with support from the Alan Turing Institute, Microsoft Research, and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF): Aardvark reinvents current weather prediction methods, offering the potential to make weather forecasting faster, cheaper, more flexible, and more accurate than ever before, helping to transform weather forecasting in both developed and developing countries.

Numerical weather prediction (NWP) systems date back to the 1950s and are now capable of predicting a wide range of variables up to 15 days in advance. They are based on supercomputer processing of atmospheric models based on decades of recorded observations, fluid dynamics, and statistical post-processing of remote sensing, radar, radiosonde, and aircraft data. The use, development, maintenance, and implementation of these complex systems require significant time and large teams of experts.

Aardvark replaces this entire process with end-to-end machine learning techniques powered by artificial intelligence and, according to its creators, reduces computational costs, removes bias from some aspects of NWP systems, and enables rapid and accurate prototyping.

Using only 10% of the input data from existing systems, Aardvark already outperforms the Global Forecast System (GFS) and is competitive with other weather services that use information from dozens of models and analysis from expert human forecasters, the researchers say.

And according to Anna Allen, from Cambridges Department of Computer Science and Technology and co-author of the paper, these results are just the beginning. She adds: This end-to-end learning approach can be readily applied to other weather forecasting problems, for example, hurricanes, wildfires, and tornadoes. Beyond climate, its applications extend to broader Earth system prediction, including air quality, ocean dynamics, and sea ice forecasting.

Another application, beyond global and local phenomena, is the development of customized forecasts that, with traditional systems, would take years and cost a huge sum: Its flexibility and simple design, because it learns directly from the data, can be quickly adapted to produce customized forecasts for specific industries or locations, whether predicting temperatures for African agriculture or wind speeds for a renewable energy company in Europe.

To defend this claim, Turner specifies: In just 18 months, we have been able to build something that is competitive with the best of these [conventional] systems, using only one-tenth of the data on a desktop computer.

Scott Hosking, a research fellow at the Alan Turing Institute, insists that the potential of AI transforms decision-making for everyone, from policymakers and emergency planners to industries that rely on accurate weather forecasts.

But like all artificial intelligence models, their results depend on the data they use to develop their proposals and solutions. In this case, the new brains memory was provided by the ECMWF ERA5, a combination of eight decades of model data with observations consistent with the laws of physics from around the world. In this regard, Matthew Chantry, strategic director of Machine Learning at ECMWF, highlights the importance of scientific cooperation: We are delighted to collaborate on this project exploring the next generation of weather forecasting systems. Part of our mission is to develop and deliver operational AI weather forecasts while openly sharing data to benefit science and the wider community.

Aardvark represents not only a significant achievement in AI-powered weather prediction, but also reflects the power of collaboration and bringing together the research community to meaningfully improve and apply AI technology, adds Chris Bishop of Microsoft Research.

Despite the new system, whose creators claim is faster, more accurate, and more efficient than conventional models, weather forecasting still faces the uncertainty generated by the multiplicity of factors involved in highly complex processes.

Emilio Carrizosa, a professor at the Faculty of Mathematics at the University of Seville, who has participated in research on climatic indices of droughts, warns that, in cases like the flash flooding in the Spanish city of Valencia, rare, non-stationary phenomena come into play. We do not have a sufficient sample to be able to predict the result with certainty. We are talking about phenomena for which we do not have similar or identical data to those we want to study, but only similar ones, and there we may have a bias that we cannot control and that is a determining factor in the phenomenon.

Dim Coumou, a climate scientist at the University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands, agrees: Extreme events are, by definition, rare. So you dont always have many observations. Thats a big obstacle if you want to use artificial intelligence methods.

Similarly, Argentine astrophysicist Gustavo Romero considers weather prediction one of the most complex processes: Meteorologists can make probabilistic predictions with a window of, at most, a week. But attempting to do so beyond that is practically impossible because small perturbations in the initial conditions propagate rapidly and produce enormous changes in the results.

Despite the difficulties, technology giants such as Google and IBM, in collaboration with NASA and other European and international institutions, are working along the same lines as the University of Cambridge with Aardvark, within the framework of the United Nations five-year plan: developing artificial intelligence tools that facilitate reliable medium- and long-term predictions and improve early warning systems.

Google DeepMind, the artificial intelligence company of the North American technology giant, demonstrated in the journal Science a machine learning-based weather forecasting model that provides 10-day forecasts that are better, faster, and more accessible than existing approaches, according to the study. The model, called GraphCast, outperformed traditional systems in 90% of the cases tested.

The system that Google used as a reference was also the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, which has a supercomputer in Bologna, Italy, with around one million processors and a power of 30 petaflops (30,000 trillion calculations per second). This center, which uses artificial intelligence in its Integrated Forecasting System (AIFS) and offers long-term forecasts of weather events, anticipated the torrential rains in September in Central Europe.

GraphCast, like Aardvark, uses machine learning trained on historical data to provide an accurate 10-day forecast in less than a minute. We believe this marks a turning point in weather prediction, say the authors, led by DeepMind scientist Remi Lam.

IBM is also in this race, collaborating with NASA, with a machine learning proposal. Foundational AI models that use geospatial data [from weather, sensors, and satellites] can be game-changers because they allow us to better understand, prepare for, and address the many climate-related phenomena that impact the health of our planet in ways and at speeds never before seen, explains Alessandro Curioni, vice president of Accelerated Discovery at IBM.

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April 10 (UPI) -- The U.S. Justice Department wants to drop charges against a man accused of being the leader of the MS-13 gang, nearly two weeks after Attorney General Palm Bondi announced his arrest.

Henrry Villatoro Santos, 24, was charged with unlawful possession of firearms by someone in the country illegally. On March 27, FBI agents appeared at his mother's home in Dale City and used a stun grenade to take him into custody.

During a news conference that day in Manassas, Va., Bondi called him "one of the top members and head of the East Coast."

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She said Villatoro Santos was responsible for "very violent crimes, anything you can associate with MS-13. He was the leader over it -- all of the violent crimes."

BREAKING: I'm proud to announce that early this morning our brave law enforcement officers conducted a successful operation that captured a top MS-13 national leader DOJ will not rest until we make America safe again. pic.twitter.com/yKmhas068b Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) March 27, 2025

Virginia Gov. Glenn Younkin appeared with Bondi and referred to Villatoro-Santos as "one of the top operatives in MS-13."

Erik S. Siebert, the interim U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, in a court filing asked a judge "to dismiss without prejudice the criminal complaint presently pending against the defendant."

That means they can charge him again.

Instead, the Trump administration reportedly wants to deport him.

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"As a terrorist, he will now face the removal process," Bondi said in a statement to CBS News.

Usually, gang members are convicted and then deported.

"Historically and consistently, if someone truly is a leader of a violent gang, we would always prosecute them first and convict them first -- and make sure they can't get back into the country," Scott Fredericksen, a former federal prosecutor, told CBS News.

Later Wednesday, defense attorneys for Villatoro Santos asked a judge to delay the dismissal of his case by 14 days.

"The danger of Mr. Villatoro Santos being unlawfully deported by ICE without due process and removed to El Salvador, where he would almost certainly be immediately detained at one of the worst prisons in the world without any right to contest his removal, is substantial, both in light of the Government's recent actions and the very public pronouncements in this particular case," his attorneys wrote in Wednesday's filing.

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He cited the ongoing legal battle concerning alleged Venezuelan gang members being sent to a Salvadoran prison, seemingly without due process.

That includes Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland man deported to El Salvador. The government has since admitted that it wrongfully deported Garcia due to "an administrative error." They said they have no obligation to return him to the United States.

On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court, in a 5-4 vote, allowed the Trump administration to resume deporting alleged members of Venezuela's Tren de Aragua gang to El Salvador based on the 1798 Allies Enemies Act. But the government must give deportees "reasonable time" to challenge their removal in court in the United States before being deported.
(COLORADO)  The United States Attorney for the District of Colorado has filed a notice of intent to seek the death penalty against a federal inmate following the authorization of Attorney General Bondi to pursue capital punishment in the case.

According to a U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) press release sent on Thursday, April 10, a federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment this week, charging Ishmael Petty, 56, with first degree murder and murder by a federal prisoner serving a life sentence.

On Sept. 19, 2020, Petty is accused of killing a fellow inmate while the two were housed in the same unit at ADX in Florence, Colorado, according to court documents.

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Petty has been in federal custody since a 1998 conviction for bank robbery, the press release detailed. In 2002, Petty was sentenced to life in prison for murdering an inmate at another federal prison. In 2015, Petty was sentenced to 60 years in prison for an assault on two federal officers at ADX.

According to the DOJ, for the current charges, the maximum penalty is death. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Denver Field Office investigated the case, which is being prosecuted by the Violent Crime and Immigration Enforcement Section of the United States Attorneys Office for the District of Colorado and the Criminal Divisions Capital Case Section.

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On Wednesday evening, President Donald Trump issued an executive order that repeals the Biden administration's December 2021 definition of a showerheadsaying instead that the Oxford English Dictionary's definition of showerhead will do for the purposes of federal regulations.

"I like to take a nice shower to take care of my beautiful hair. I have to stand under the shower for 15 minutes till it gets wet," said Trump in the Oval Office Wednesday before signing the order.

The president's latest order is part of his longrunning pressure campaign against the appliance regulations of the Obama and Biden administrations. But the root of the issue goes back to the presidency of George H. W. Bush.

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The 1992 amendments to the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) require that showerheads emit a maximum of 2.5 gallons of water per minute.

To route around that limit, some manufacturers created multiheaded shower units. Each showerhead produced no more than 2.5 gallons of water per minute, but added together, they emitted far more water.

The Obama administration ended this regulatory arbitrage by issuing regulations establishing that the entire shower unit had to comply with the 1992 water flow limits.

Trump took a number of swipes at this rule during his 2016 campaign. In the waning days of his first term, he issued a new rule reversing the Obama administration's definition.

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In December 2021, the Biden administration reversed course again and reapplied the Obama-era regulations saying that whole shower units, regardless of headcount, had to comply with the 2.5-gallon limit.

Trump has now reverted things back to his 2020 standards.

"Directionally, it's the right thing to do. Unfortunately, there's less to it than meets the eye," says Ben Lieberman, a senior fellow at the Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI), which has long been critical of energy efficiency standards for household appliances.

Lieberman notes that no executive regulation can repeal the statutory requirement in the EPCA that showerheads emit just 2.5 gallons of water. Very few Americans have multiheaded showers that Trump has deregulated with his order, he says.

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Trump's executive order also declares that his definitional change does not need to go through the standard notice-and-comment period typically required by the Administrative Procedure Act. That could make it more vulnerable to legal challenges.

In order to fully deregulate shower flows, Congress will need to act, says Lieberman.

In his Oval Office remarks, Trump did say he wanted Congress to "memorialize" his order and take on other energy regulations affecting toilets and faucets.

In addition to repealing more rules than the president can unilaterally, congressional deregulation of appliances would likely give manufacturers more confidence to actually invest in superior deregulated products.

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The regulatory seesaw between Democratic and Republican administrations leaves companies unsure of whether deregulated, free-flowing shower units they produce one year will be banned again in the next.

Ironically enough, appliance manufacturers were at first critical of the Obama administration showerhead regulations (because they limited the products they could make) and the Trump administration's showerhead deregulations (because it'd require them to invest in creating newly legal products).

That latter industry critique of showerhead deregulation is obviously pure cronyism. Companies didn't want to have to spend money to compete with upstart multiheaded shower unit makers.

Enshrining showerhead deregulation in statute would get industry back on the side of free markets and allow free markets to deliver more choice to consumers.

The post Donald Trump Deregulates ShowerheadsAgain appeared first on Reason.com.
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD)  Republican Dorchester County Councilman Jay Byars is considering a run in South Carolinas First Congressional District.

Byars announced his intention in an April 10 post on X, writing the country is at a crucial inflection point, and the district needs a leader with strong conservative values.

We need leaders who speak softly but carry a big stick, who will fight against the leftist anti-American agenda who also know how to build bridges of common ground for the good of the community, he wrote. But just as importantly, we need someone who has been in the arena, who will protect what makes our Lowcountry so special: our coastal communities, pristine natural resources, rich culture, and unparalleled quality of life.

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Byars, 53, was elected to Dorchester County Council in 2011 and currently serves as chairman of the countys Parks and Recreation Commission.

South Carolinians who havent voted since November 2020 risk losing active voter status. Heres why

During that time, Byars said he has worked tirelessly to lower property taxes, protect against overdevelopment, expand infrastructure services, and enhance public safety.

From teaching high school science and running a business, to spearheading critical infrastructure projects and championing local conservation efforts, Ive proven time and time again that I know how to get things done  and I know how to build coalitions to do it, he wrote. Weve achieved these goals by listening to our neighbors, working as a team, and ensuring our priorities reflect the values of our community, not some political agenda in Washington.

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Byars is the second person to publicly express interest in the seat held currently by Republican U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, who is mulling her own gubernatorial bid. The district stretches from

Justin Myers, a Navy veteran and small business owner, launched an independent bid for the seat in February.

Byars said he expects to make an official decision in the coming months after traveling around the district, which stretches along the coast from the South Santee River to Hilton Head Island.

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JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL)  Tennessee state lawmakers recently passed legislation that gives the Johnson City Commission the power to set its own alcohol sale hours in the downtown district.

State Representative Rebecca Alexander and State Senator Rusty Crowe filed the bill after the city commission approved a resolution asking state leaders to set hours separate from statewide standards.

PREVIOUS: Johnson City downtown last call bill passed by TN General Assembly

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Mayor John Hunter and other city leaders cited safety as a primary reason for the request.

This, along with several other initiatives that were looking at, are to promote, you know, a safer downtown, a more livable downtown, and one that, you know, the citizens and those who come to visit can enjoy and feel safe in, he said.

City of Johnson City City of Johnson City City of Johnson City City of Johnson City City of Johnson City

Mayor Hunter said he doesnt anticipate much of an impact, regardless of what they change the hours to.

We have the latest last call of any state, Hunter said. And so, you know, reducing that to 2:00 am or 1:00 am or whatever is determined, I dont think is going to have as significant an impact.

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Despite the mayors confidence, downtown bar owners like Vinny Singh, who owns Diablo, are pushing back.

We are going to lose a lot of revenue, and alcohol sales, people are going to lose their jobs, Singh said. Like well have to put less bartenders, and barbacks, bouncers, and nobodys going to come in the downtown area.

He told News Channel 11 that more than half of Diablos sales come after midnight and believes there are ways to make the area safer without cutting down the hours for alcohol sales.

What if we close in a 20-minute difference and cops are standing outside? Singh asked. So cops have the time like, this bar closes at 2:20, this bar closes at 3:00, this bar closes at 2:45. Maybe that can help.

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Noise complaints are another issue the city cited. Long-time downtown resident and business owner Dick Nelson said the nightlife is part of the reason people choose to live downtown in the first place.

One of the reasons theyre here is because they can walk to a restaurant or walk to a bar, so they dont have to drive, Nelson said. When you limit that or take it out of the downtown, then hopefully part of the reason you moved here is gone. I mean, were not going to turn this into a subdivision. With everything being residences, its going to be a business district. Its a business district first.

He said it may make the downtown safer, but is concerned that the bars and restaurants wont locate themselves downtown as much in the future.

When you take a few thousand people out of downtown, it probably is safer, Nelson said. You know, if we empty it altogether, then there will be nobody here to get hurt.

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If Im opening and I want to open a restaurant or a bar and Im making my plan based on being open until three, then its cut to only being open until one, whereas if I move over on West Walnut, then I could be open until three, Nelson explained. So my worry is that itll create some empty buildings.

Mayor Hunter said no specific time has been outlined or recommended, and emphasized that the city is open to working with the businesses in the downtown district to find a solution.

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Video above: This FOX 5/KUSI video provides driving safety tips.

LAKESIDE, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI)  A driver from El Cajon was killed and his passenger was injured in a rollover crash Wednesday afternoon in Lakeside, authorities said.

According to California Highway Patrol, the incident occurred around 2:18 p.m., about 1.5 miles east of Lake Jennings Park Road.

For reasons still under investigation, authorities explained that the driver, 57, was travelling westbound on El Monte Road in a 2006 Toyota Tacoma when he lost control of the vehicle. The Toyota reportedly veered into the northbound embankment, crossed into the eastbound lane, and struck the opposite embankment before overturning onto the roadway.

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Authorities said the driver, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was ejected from the vehicle and suffered fatal injuries. He was pronounced dead at the scene by medical personnel. Meanwhile, the passenger, a 41-year-old man from El Cajon, sustained minor injuries and was transported to Sharp Memorial Hospital for treatment.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Its currently unknown whether drugs or alcohol played a role, CHP stated in a press release detailing the incident.

Authorities are urging anyone with information about the fatal crash to come forward by calling Officer Jasmine Lopez at 619-219-6900 or Crime Stoppers at 619-235-8477.

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YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  A Youngstown Police officer early Wednesday evening saw someone firing several shots from a semiautomatic rifle at an east side intersection.

Read next: Juvenile hit by gunfire in Youngstown

The officer wrote in a report that he was stopped about 7:20 p.m. at Himrod and Lane avenues, when he heard a massive amount of gunfire and saw someone in the backseat of a car traveling east on Himrod, firing shots from a rifle that had a curved magazine.

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The officer started following the car and as he did, he was flagged down by two women at S. Garland and Himrod avenues, who told him a blue car was damaged by gunfire.

The officer radioed that information in and continued trying to find the car with the shooter, reports said.

Other officers pulled over a bullet-riddled car on S. Jackson Street, reports said. According to police, the driver was not hurt and told officers he had no idea who was shooting at him.

Reports said officers found 12 bullet holes in his car.

Police also found several shell casings at the intersection of Himrod and Lane avenues, reports said.

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The car carrying the person who was firing the rifle got away.

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DENVER (KDVR)  Its been five days since anyone has seen Thomas Albe, and concern is growing, leading to a drone search on Wednesday.

Thomas Albe, 70, was last seen in the late morning hours on April 4 on foot in the 14400 block of East Fremont Avenue in Englewood. The Arapahoe County Sheriffs Office noted he has a traumatic brain injury and dementia and may be confused.

Thomas Albe, 70, was last seen in the late morning hours on April 4 on foot in the 14400 block of East Fremont Avenue in Englewood. (Courtesy the Arapahoe County Sheriffs Office) Thomas Albe, 70, was last seen in the late morning hours on April 4 on foot in the 14400 block of East Fremont Avenue in Englewood. (Courtesy the Arapahoe County Sheriffs Office) Thomas Albe, 70, was last seen in the late morning hours on April 4 on foot in the 14400 block of East Fremont Avenue in Englewood. (Courtesy the Colorado Bureau of Investigations)

Albes family also released additional photos of their missing loved one on Wednesday.

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Albe is described as a white male who is five foot, five inches tall and weighs about 140 pounds. He has brown eyes and a thin build with long gray hair and a long gray beard. The sheriffs office said he walks hunched over with a slight limp and was wearing a long-sleeve gray/blue shirt and blue fuzzy sweatpants with the word love on the side. Albe does not have a phone, vehicle or access to money, according to authorities.

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On Wednesday, the Arapahoe County Sheriffs Office drone team, alongside members of the all-volunteer Douglas County Search and Rescue Team, launched drones to search the open space near East Broncos Parkway and South Parker Road, searching the miles of trails and creeks, alongside the wooded and residential areas near where he was last seen.

DCSAR has highly technical equipment that has been used with success to find missing persons before, including two teens who got lost in Roxborough State Park earlier this year.

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On April 4, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation reported that Albe was missing in a Silver Alert.

Anyone who sees Albe is asked to call 911 or the Arapahoe County Sheriffs Office at 303-795-4711.

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Dashcam video shows a suspected DUI driver crashing into a big rig and then spending several minutes doing doughnuts on the 10 Freeway in Baldwin Park before slamming head-on into a concrete wall Wednesday afternoon.

The wild scene recorded by Rigo Obezo and shared with KTLA unfolded shortly after 4 p.m. on the eastbound side of the freeway west of Baldwin Park Boulevard.

The video shows Obezo approaching the scene of a 2021 BMW 750 already driving in circles on the freeway before crashing into the side of the semi-truck directly in front of his vehicle.

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The BMW then spends the next 3 and a half minutes continuing in circles and skidding out of the freeway before making contact with a retaining wall a couple of times. Eventually, the BMW is seen driving head-on into the barrier.

A DUI suspect is seen on the 10 Freeway in after crashing into a big rig in Baldwin Park on April 9, 2025. (Rigo Obezo) A DUI suspect is seen on the 10 Freeway in after crashing into a big rig in Baldwin Park on April 9, 2025. (Rigo Obezo) A DUI suspect is seen on the 10 Freeway in after crashing into a big rig in Baldwin Park on April 9, 2025. (Rigo Obezo) A DUI suspect is seen on the 10 Freeway in after crashing into a big rig in Baldwin Park on April 9, 2025. (Rigo Obezo) A DUI suspect is seen on the 10 Freeway in after crashing into a big rig in Baldwin Park on April 9, 2025. (Rigo Obezo)

The driver, identified as 36-year-old Jamel Price of Victorville, then got out of the vehicle and rolled around a few times on the freeway before being taken into custody by a Los Angeles Police Department motorcycle officer who witnessed the event.

California Highway Patrol officers responded to the scene and took primary control of the investigation.

The CHP later determined that drugs were a contributing factor in the crash, a news release stated.

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There was no word on whether the big rig driver reported any injuries from the crash.

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It was almost 3 a.m. In a small town called Indiantown, southeast Florida, two Latino migrants were riding in a van on their way to work when a man in a gray pickup truck approached them. The man, wearing pajama pants, a cap on backward, a sweatshirt, and a gold chain, claimed to be an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent and demanded the two men show him their identification. The alleged immigration agent also demanded that the workers prove their immigration status to determine whether they were undocumented or not. After threatening to deport them, the migrants suspected the man wasnt who he claimed to be, drove off, and called 911.

The reality is that the individual, identified by the Martin County Sheriffs Office as Jose Juan Lopez, does not and has never worked for ICE or any other law enforcement agency. Lopez is a 23-year-old man with a criminal record, including charges for possession of a controlled substance, violation of probation, child abuse, and domestic assault. On April 3, he became the latest civilian to pose as an immigration officer to terrify the community amid Donald Trumps anti-immigration crusade.

Although immigration officials have increasingly been wearing plain clothes when making arrests, the two migrants became suspicious of the man as the interaction unfolded. They obviously knew something was up. They dont normally see ICE agents dressed in pajama pants or just jumping out randomly without some sort of real hardcore identification, Commander Ruben Romero of the county sheriffs office told local media.

According to Lopezs arrest affidavit, when the migrants attempted to flee from him in their vehicle, the suspect followed them for several blocks, eventually ending up in the parking lot of a local supermarket, where he chased them in circles until authorities arrived. At the time of his arrest, Lopez told officers that he was the victim in this case and that the men who called 911 were actually threatening him, according to body camera video from one of the officers present, which was released to local television station WPBF 25 News.

Jose Juan Lopez is questioned by sheriffs after impersonating an ICE agent on April 3 in Martin County, Florida. Martin County

There was a group of friends in the car, and they were here trying to threaten me, Lopez says in the recording. The man, who also called 911 to report the migrants at the time of the incident, claims he chased them because he feared for his life. Although he denies impersonating an ICE agent, he does admit to telling the victims they would be deported. Because they looked like a bunch of undocumented people, he adds.

The two migrants who were harassed by Lopez, whose identities have not been released, are not U.S. citizens, according to the sheriffs office. Local authorities have urged people to report this type of crime, regardless of the victims immigration status. In recent months, immigrants  from those with visas and green cards to those without documents  have increasingly been avoiding any type of interaction with authorities out of fear of being detained or even expelled from the country as the Trump administration intensifies its deportation efforts.

A growing phenomenon

These types of impersonations and frauds are not new, but they have experienced a spike during the first months of the Trump administration. Lopezs case joins a growing list of arrests of individuals accused of impersonating federal agents  a federal crime  across the country. The penalties can include up to three years in prison, a fine, or both, depending on the severity of the case.

Before the incident in Indiantown, another individual was also arrested in Florida in late February for posing as a Homeland Security agent to search an apartment complex for undocumented immigrants. On February 24, Steven Donovan, 47, arrived at an apartment complex in Orlando carrying a gun while demanding entry. The man claimed he was conducting an immigration investigation and wanted to ensure there were no Mexicans staying illegally at the property, according to authorities.

Two days later, in Fresno, California, two individuals were arrested for impersonating ICE agents and filming themselves harassing employees of at least 11 local businesses and posting the video on social media. The men wore wigs and black tactical vests, with the letters deliberately obscured to read Police and ICE. A similar incident occurred on February 1 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where three individuals posed as ICE officers to gain access to a Temple University dormitory. Two of them were wearing T-shirts bearing the same slogans.

And in January, in Charleston County, South Carolina, 33-year-old Sean-Michael Johnson was arrested and charged with kidnapping and impersonating a police officer after stopping a group of Latino men on a highway. Video of the encounter, in which Johnson insulted the Latinos by telling them not to speak that shitty Spanish and to go back to Mexico, went viral.

The rise in posing as agents and other immigration-related scams has prompted some state authorities to issue warnings, while pro-immigrant organizations denounce a climate they consider racist and dangerous for foreign communities.

In California, Attorney General Rob Bonta warned state residents in March to protect themselves from these crimes. Bonta criticized bad actors for trying to capitalize on the fear and uncertainty created by the Trump Administrations racist rhetoric and destructive immigration policies and stated bluntly: If you seek to scam or otherwise take advantage of Californias immigrant communities, you will be held accountable.

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RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN)  The North Carolina General Assembly welcomed a four-legged friend on Thursday morning: Duke.

Duke was emaciated when we got him, he was anemic, he had heartworm disease, all consequences of being sorely neglected for many, many years, Daphna Nachminovitch, senior vice-president of cruelty investigations for PETA, said of the dog.

Duke is a rescue in PETAs care right now after spending the first years of his life chained outside. Hes also the face of House Bill 657, otherwise called Dukes Rescue Act.

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This is a bill that would put in place some definitions for adequate care, adequate shelter, adequate food and water for dogs who spend their days and nights outside, Nachminovitch said.

The bill would set some standards for animal control across the state, giving them more tools to step in when dogs or other animals are in danger. Right now, PETA says theres no consistency statewide, so animal control officers arent always able to immediately rescue dogs in need.

Every season we find dogs who have either frozen to death or died of heat stroke, its unfortunately a very common problem, Nachminovitch said.

The bill does have bipartisan support right now but similar bills in the past have faced pushback. Animal lovers and advocates, though, say the fight is far from over to save more dogs like Duke.

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Hes twice what he used to weigh, hes gone through heartworm treatment, and he lives with one of our field workers, Nachminovitch said.

The bill has been referred to the next committee but theres no word yet on when itll be heard next.

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HUNTSVILLE, Ala (WHNT)  Its been 115 days since Huntsville realtor Ronald Dumas Jr. was last seen.

It, you know, quickly developed into multiple investigations kind of going at once, multiple states and things like that, said James Andrews. He is the Dumas familys private investigator.

RELATED: Tennessee authorities arrest 2 key suspects in kidnapping of Huntsville realtor, 3 others for harboring suspects

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What was originally a missing persons report turned into an abduction case in February.

Related to Ronnies disappearance, there were five warrants that were issued on I believe February 7th five warrants for five different people, Andrews said.

The biggest update in the case came Tuesday when two of those five people were arrested: Quintarius White and Kierra Clark. There were three additional people arrested for harboring those two suspects.

Everybodys excited about the news or, you know, its felt like its been a drought of information and, it felt like its been a long time since weve had any positive news, he said. So I know the familys relieved that at least two of these folks are off the street.

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Andrews said the family of Dumas hopes this will lead them in the right direction.

Our main thing is were were hoping that these people are going to talk to, you know, let the police know where the rest of the wanted subjects are, and, you know, possibly where we can find Ronnie, he said.

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White and Clark both have prior kidnapping history, along with various other charges.

Just knowing that these people were already out on bond for the same stuff is obviously very aggravating for everybody, but especially for the family, said Andrews. They were out on a rather low bond for the types of charges that they were accused of in Tennessee. If they had remained locked up, then, you know, this story might be completely different.

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Andrews said they are still hoping tips and new information will lead them to Dumas.

Theres been a lot of ups and downs, you know, emotionally for everybody, he said. Obviously this is another high point for everybody, and hopefully its going to stay that way. hopefully itll pay off.

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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  A man is determined to volunteer in all 50 states after doctors diagnosed him with terminal prostate cancer.

In early 2025, the cancer reached its fourth stage, giving Doug Ruch, 55, from Texas, no more than 18 months to live. Instead of waiting, Ruch chose to give back.

When you get hit with that kind of news, it really makes you think about life and what youve done, Ruch said. I decided I was going to do some good.

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Community shaken after deaths of mom, 3 kids

Ruch started his journey on March 17, 2025, and has since volunteered in nine states. This week, he made his way to Oregon, visiting the Oregon coast, a place hed always wanted to see.



Ive never been here, so Im loving Oregon, he said.



While in Lake Oswego, he volunteered at an adult community center, delivering meals to seniors.

Despite his illness, Ruch aims to inspire others to give back, regardless of their own challenges. Theres so much need in this country, and the need is growing, he said. I want to encourage people to get involved and help out.

The physical toll of his illness is real, but Ruch says he finds energy and purpose on volunteer days.

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After spending his life savings on medical expenses over the last few years, Ruch now relies on donations to fund his Dying to Serve tour.

Vancouver Outdoor Expo being investigated for fraud

Ruchs ultimate goal is to leave a legacy of kindness and inspire others to serve.

If I could leave a legacy, it would be for dying to serve to become a movement, he said.

Next, Ruch heads to Seattle, continuing his journey.

Ruchs Dying to Serve Tour has more information about donation and volunteer opportunities.

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MANSFIELD, Pa. (WETM)  Its not every day you see someone striving to earn two diplomas at the same time. But for a high school senior in Athens, Pennsylvania, all the hard work has paid off.

Nathan Nate Wales is a homeschool student who began taking college courses through Commonwealth Universitys Early College Program when he was in ninth grade.

CU-Mansfield to host annual Mounties All In 24-hour online giving campaign

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What got me interested was some other kids in the homeschool group were taking them, and we kind of had our eyes open for similar opportunities, said Wales. And then we came across the Mansfield Early Start (College) Program.

Through the Early College Program, previously known as the Early Start Program, high school students are eligible to take college courses at Commonwealth University at a reduced tuition rate. The program also allows students to get an early start on their higher education while also dedicating time to other priorities and interests.

Im homeschooled. Its flexible and affordable, and also allows me to do other things, said Wales.

Tioga County Cat Project accepting recycled materials to benefit local animals

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Since starting the program as a high school freshman, Wales is now set to graduate high school having earned 72 college credits, making him both a high school senior and a college junior at the same time. At just 18 years old, Wales is prepared to complete high school while having almost completely earned his college degree.

Im definitely proud that I was able to use this experience to go so far and prepare myself for the future, said Wales.

In addition to investing time in his academics, Wales also has other hobbies that he makes time for, including building with Lego bricks, collecting and reading comic books, working out at the gym and participating in Spartan DEKA events.

Sign-ups open for 2025 Earth Day 5K in Tioga

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It has been a little difficult at times, but having the Early Start (College) courses being online, its definitely allowed a lot of flexibility, said Wales. Its helped me figure out my path by allowing me to get experience and knowledge in digital marketing and marketing in general, and preparing me for the marketing career that Im interested in.

After he graduates from high school, Wales plans to attend Commonwealth University-Mansfield to study Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing.

I chose that major because I believe that its the job for artists today. Im very creative, and it allows me to express my creativity, said Wales.

By attending CU-Mansfield in the fall, Wales is continuing a Mansfield University legacy, following in his fathers footsteps after having graduated from the university with a bachelors degree in Art Education in 1987.

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BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  In the May 3 election, East Baton Rouge Parish voters rejected a new property tax to fund the district attorneys office amid mounting case backlogs and staffing challenges.

According to complete but unofficial results from the Louisiana Secretary of States Office, the proposal failed with 60% of the vote.

The proposal aimed to generate an estimated $24.4 million per year for 20 years. It was introduced by District Attorney Hillar Moore and officially added to the ballot in November 2024. The Baton Rouge Area Chamber (BRAC) announced its support for the millage on April 9.

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This millage is vital to clearing the backlog of cases, recruiting and retaining hardworking public servants, and more adequately supporting violence prevention and victims assistance programs in East Baton Rouge Parish, said Lori Melancon, BRAC president and CEO.

Moore has said his office currently employs about 55 attorneys and is managing roughly 22,000 pending casesa load he called unsustainable. His office has struggled to fill positions or offer competitive salaries due to limited funding in the city-parish budget.

According to BRAC, the millage would fund the operations of the DAs office and enable a significant increase in staffing to improve case management and efficiency. It would also support the creation of specialized units to tackle public safety challenges, modernize technology to streamline case processing, and clear nearly $9 million in the city-parish general fund for reinvestment in other priorities.

We encourage voters to support this millage on May 3 to bolster the DAs office, make Baton Rouge safer, and create a stable environment for economic growth, said BRAC Board Chairman Nial Patel.

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May 3 Election Results: See who won vacant House District 67 seat; did tax to fund DAs office pass or fail?

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LONGVIEW, Texas (KETK) Nearly a year away, the 2026 March primaries have started off to a big start with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announcing he is running for U.S. Senate.

Paxton announced Tuesday night that he will run for U.S. Senate against current seat holder John Cornyn with him holding the office since 2002. Paxton said he is running to fight for President Trumps agenda, which he says Cornyn hasnt done.

Ive been a supporter of the President during his first term of office, and thats continued during his current term, Cornyn said.

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Texas AG Ken Paxton launches Senate primary challenge against Republican Sen. John Cornyn

The Republican Party of Gregg County says it will be an intense race with two heavyweights in the state fighting to get the votes of Texans. Adding the top priorities for voters will be the southern border, oil and gas and making the Lone Star State energy-dependent.

An associate professor of political science at Stephen F. Austin State University said it will be a race to watch as it could break records.

Theres going to be a lot of interest in this campaign and perhaps a lot of money being channeled into it, SFA Associate Professor of Political Science Dr. Steven Galatas said.

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Galatas said it might also be a good thing for anyone aspiring to be attorney general. Certainly that would leave a huge vacancy in the attorney generals office and provide some additional opportunities for others who maybe have been waiting, Galatas said.

Future of THC up in the air at Texas Capitol as store owners call for regulation over bans

Cornyn is not looking to give up the seat he has held for two decades. I am not going to turn over the Senate seat that was once held by Sam Houston to somebody like him. We will fight this to the end, and we will win, Cornyn said.

Many East Texans say that both men are now having to face their most competitive campaign since taking office.

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By Bing Hong Lok

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Singapore's well-known food scene has been battered by closures in the past year, affecting low-cost hawker stalls, mid-sized operators and Michelin-star restaurants, who say costs are rising and consumers are spending less.

Closures in the food and beverage sector have averaged 307 per month so far this year, up from 254 per month in 2024 and around 230 a month in 2023 and 2022, government data shows.

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Alvin Goh, a co-founder of Wine RVLT, is set to add to the statistics later this year.

He said he will not renew his lease when it runs out in August after almost a decade serving natural wines and bar bites in the wealthy Asian financial hub of 6 million people.

"We've been in the red since 2023 June. We've been topping up money to ensure that rent, salaries and suppliers are being paid," he said.

Like other operators, Goh has been hit by rising costs for goods, utilities, rent and salaries. He has fewer patrons and those who do dine and wine are spending less than during what Goh called the 2022 "euphoria of opening up" following the COVID pandemic.

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The ratio of closures to openings in 2025 and 2024 was higher than before and during the pandemic, pointing to a shrinking sector.

Closures since last year have affected a range of establishments, from low-cost hawker stalls to rooftop bar Smoke & Mirrors and a string of Michelin-starred restaurants such as Art di Daniele Sperindio and Sommer and Braci.

Maybank economist Brian Lee expects closures to remain elevated in 2025. Operating costs remain high and many Singaporeans are prioritising travel over dining out, he said.

One of those is Glenn Chew, 26, who works in public relations. He said he travels to other Southeast Asian cities where dining out can cost 30-40% less than in Singapore.

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The concern is that closures will lead to a loss of the island's culinary heritage and its status as an Asian food capital, said food blogger Seth Lui, 40.

"We will start to see more fast food-style concepts with automation and franchise brands everywhere rather than having unique, quaint concepts," he said.

Still, there are hopefuls like Jay Gray, 34, co-owner of Club Street Laundry restaurant which opened this year, his sixth venture in 11 years.

"I guess I believe in the Singapore market enough and I do believe if you focus on hospitality, which is the most important thing, you'll be able to sustain it," he said.

(Reporting by Bing Hong Lok; Writing by Xinghui Kok: Editing by Neil Fullick)
Apr. 9Center to address workforce shortage and need for renewable energy technicians

By Ayanna Eckblad

EDF Renewables North America on Wednesday officially opened their new technical training center during a ribbon cutting ceremony at Riverland Community College's Albert Lea campus.

The EDF Technical Training Center reflects a collaboration between the college, EDF Renewables and the state of Minnesota to support the growing renewable energy sector, according to a press release.

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EDF Renewables North America is an independent power producer and service provider delivering grid-scale and distribution-scale power, according to the company's website.

The new facility in Albert Lea will host hands-on training for wind energy and renewable energy technicians, the press release stated.

"We are thrilled at the college to welcome EDF to our Albert Lea Campus and to officially open the EDF Technical Training Center," said Riverland President Kat Linaker during the ribbon cutting ceremony. "This facility represents the collaboration between technical education and workforce development."

Linaker said she is excited about the college being able to train the next generation of technical professionals and help address the workforce needs in an increasingly evolving energy landscape.

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"This center reflects the core values of Riverland: collaboration, innovation and a student-first approach to education," she said.

EDF Renewables Executive Vice President Mark Johnson said the company has a seven-year agreement with the college he hopes can continue many more years into the future.

The concept of the new training facility, he said, began about a year ago when EDF decided to create a central place to host all of its training programs.

Johnson said the company had opportunities to build a training center in California or Texas, but ultimately decided Albert Lea was the best option.

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"It's the best place. It's within a day's drive. It's 65 percent of our projects," he said.

Johnson added he began his career about 32 years ago as a field engineer and knows the importance of hands-on training for the safety of workers and everyone else involved.

EDF Renewables, he said, has about 400 technicians and hires an average of 50 to 100 new technicians per year to service the company's 13 gigawatts of fleet.

"I've never seen an asset that doesn't need maintenance, and we need high tech people to be able to do that," Johnson said. "They'll be coming here for not just basic training, but also highly advanced technical training."

Members of the Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce conducted the ribbon cutting at the event along with Johnson, Linaker, EDF representatives and Riverland faculty members.
Since the Trump administration has refused to guarantee that people being picked and deported using the 1798 Alien Enemies Act have the right to appear before a judge, the U.S. Supreme Court must.

In a short decision issued Monday, the high court vacated the order of D.C. Federal Judge James Boasberg that had prevented Homeland Security from sending Venezuelan migrants to a Salvadoran mega-prison.

In a small victory, the court at least reaffirmed that everyone subject to the removals is entitled to due process, though it is Pyrrhic if the court doesnt clarify how theyre supposed to access it. If the only avenue for someone grabbed off the street to even present evidence contesting the governments claims is through a complicated federal habeas claim as theyre getting rushed onto a plane, when many wont even have lawyers, thats effectively nothing.

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Either the Supreme Court or Boasberg must clarify exact steps that the administration is compelled to take to ensure that due process exists more than on paper for those swept up, which could well continue to include those with legal status and even citizens, if they have no ability to contest their detention.

In addition to making this point, Justice Sonia Sotomayor lays out in her dissent many of the other absurdities and legal sleights-of-hand that undergird this debacle. In all the back-and-forth over proper venue and proof of gang membership, we cannot forget that this proclamation is based on provably false and absurd notions: that the United States is in a state of war with a gang that most Americans had never heard of a month ago.

Also, does this also mean that we are also at war with the government of Venezuela, which has simultaneously been lauded for being a partner in fighting the same gang? Then there are the very loosely defined members of this gang who can be identified as readily as, say, uniformed enemy combatants and subjected to summary removal to a foreign prison.

Every single one of these inane points is something federal judges might have gotten an opportunity to weigh in on had the president publicly announced an invocation of the act, as Sotomayor notes Congress requires. Instead, Trump signed the order in secret and the administration moved to load detainees onto planes almost immediately, even knowing there was a pending lawsuit challenging the legality of the removals, all in an apparent effort to get them out of the country and then claim that judges no longer had jurisdiction.

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On that note, before the high court is the separate but related case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland man who had been residing legally in the United States after a judge granted him humanitarian protections, but who the administration sent to El Salvador anyway. Everyone, including the government, agrees that his removal was illegal, but DOJ lawyers have argued that the government cannot bring him back because he is no longer in U.S. custody, even though everyone also agrees that the Salvadoran government is holding these detainees on behalf of the U.S. government.

A federal judge ordered Abrego returned to the U.S., by end of day Monday, but Chief Justice John Roberts stayed that order as the court moves to consider the issue in more detail. However this ends, it must end with him being brought back. If the government can admit that it illegally sent someone to a foreign prison and wont do anything about it, then were all at grave risk.

___
The bare-knuckled tactics of Trump 2.0 have brought some once-mighty companies and institutions to their knees.

Many of the nations most prominent places of higher education such as Columbia University improbably have agreed in the face of federal funding threats to Trump administration demands on how they deal with dissent on their campuses and even what courses to offer in certain disciplines.

Industries, including automakers, have been subject to Trumpian threats if they raise prices even in the face of substantial increases in their costs due to the presidents obsession with tariffs. We have yet to see how those companies respond when they face the inevitable choice between substantial decline in profitability and Donald Trumps wrath.

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But perhaps no institution has come under more duress in the three months since Trump began his second term than the legal profession.

Some of the countrys biggest law firms  from Paul Weiss to Skadden Arps  have struck deals with the administration to provide hundreds of millions collectively in free legal work for causes Trump favors. They did so after Trump signed executive orders terminating federal contracts for their services and removing security clearances for their attorneys or threatened to do so. Kirkland & Ellis, the nations largest firm, headquartered in Chicago, is reportedly facing similar threats and is said to be negotiating with the administration.

These executive orders almost certainly are unconstitutional, but the firms that have capitulated clearly have made the decision that their businesses were too much at risk to fight. The fear is understandable. Some major corporate clients needing legal representation may not wait to see if the law firm to which its paying hourly rates in the high hundreds will manage to extricate itself from a Trump-ordered federal freeze-out. These lawyers well know those clients may just find a firm not so entangled.

Thankfully, a few firms have chosen differently, led by Chicago-based Jenner & Block, a corporate citizen of our city for over a century.

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Jenner has won a temporary restraining order against Trumps absurd March 25 executive order targeting the firm for having the temerity to hire a lawyer years ago who worked on special counsel Robert Muellers probe of Russias alleged interference in the 2016 election on behalf of Trump. That attorney, Andrew Weissmann, left Jenner in 2021.

Jenner now is seeking to have the executive order thrown out.

These orders send a clear message to the legal profession: Cease certain representations adverse to the government and renounce the Administrations critics  or suffer the consequences, Jenners April 8 brief in support of motion for summary judgment states.

Well translate what Jenner is saying: lawyers are being ordered to bend the knee.

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Its no accident Trump has targeted law firms so aggressively. In the first two years of Trumps first term, when Republicans controlled both houses of Congress, it was lawyers and judges who proved to be among the strongest roadblocks to the presidents policy goals.

Apart from Trumps clearly articulated desire for revenge against people and institutions he feels have wronged him, theres a more nefarious double-pronged strategy at work in this attack on Big Law. The first is that with every settlement, each of which features a pledge to perform free legal work on causes approved by the administration, the presidents team is amassing an army of the best, most well-compensated attorneys in America to fight its battles in court.

At an event Tuesday in which Trump promised to revive the U.S. coal industry, the president said, Have you noticed that lots of law firms have been signing up with Trump?

Speaking to coal industry representatives, the president said, Were going to use some of those firms to work with you on your leasing and your other things.

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Helping producers of some of the most polluting energy sources on Earth gain more access to federal lands and challenge environmental restrictions isnt what comes first to mind for most folks when they think of the rightful beneficiaries of pro bono legal services. But here we are.

Secondly, the assaults on the nations biggest law firms  and the quick surrenders by many of them  have a potentially chilling effect on all firms decisions of whether to help certain kinds of clients even if theyre willing and able to pay for these firms services. Trump has demonstrated that he will seek to punish firms for representing clients he doesnt like.

The rule of law in the U.S.  with foundations based on centuries of progress in Britain forged through battles between subjects and monarchs over what constitutes a fair and just society  is the envy of the world for good reason. A critical underpinning of justice in America is the right to counsel  and the freedom of lawyers to zealously represent any client, no matter how unpopular, distasteful or out of favor with the powers that be.

Thats whats at stake in this unprecedented attempt by a U.S. president to gain control of this vital cog in our civic workings. Jenner & Block  along with Perkins Coie and WilmerHale, which also are combating Trumps pressure games  is on the right side in this fight and should be commended for its courage. The remainder of Jenners peers who havent already capitulated should follow the lead of these three.

Theres strength in numbers.

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
On Monday morning, Paola received word that shed been let go from her job. Shed been working for two months in a position at a meat processing facility in the Texas town where she lives. She started there because they offered a better salary than at her previous restaurant position. Shed learned the ropes, and packed the product quickly and efficiently. It wasnt her dream job, but it wasnt that bad. She and her two children, who arrived in the United States 10 months ago on the humanitarian parole program, had been able to survive on her earnings.

I got up early to get ready, but my little girl began to vomit. I called to tell them Id be in late. I took her to the doctor and then dropped her off at school, says Paola, a 37-year-old Cuban who prefers not to share her real name. A few hours later, she got a phone call in which they told her not to come in for her shift because her work permit had expired. It was terrible news. I was suffering over have to miss a few hours, and I lost the whole job.

That Monday, workplaces across the country received notification from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services that there had been changes made to the status of humanitarian parole beneficiaries. The program had been implemented by the Biden administration for people coming from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela. According to the statement, the work permits that had been emitted through the program would expire on April 24, along with other benefits. But many of the permits were already showing up as having been revoked. Paola knows this because it was the explanation she received at her appointment with the Department of Homeland Security as to why she could not complete her application for a drivers license. They asked me if I had a newer permit, and since I didnt, they didnt allow me to get the license, because I was using the permit as my identification, she says.

Right now, Im thinking about how to provide for my family. Ive considered making candy or food for home delivery. Making some kind of craft, I dont know, says Paola. Shes also concerned that her childrens school vacations start on May 23. Theyre going to be in the house more, they wont be getting fed at school, my expenses will go up because of it. I have to do something. Also, my mother and my grandmother in Cuba are depending on me to survive.

Two Venezuelan families in January share a sleeping area in their apartment, where they are staying put due to immigration raids in Aurora, Colorado. Kevin Mohatt (REUTERS)

What makes me feel most powerless is that weve always tried to do things the right way. I told myself, If I cant do it legally, Im not leaving [Cuba] with my children. And we came legally. We did it all the right way, we dont deserve to be in this situation now, Paola says. When asked about the option of returning to her birth country, she says that shed end up in prison and that there, her children will have no food or electricity to do their homework, they wont have a pair of shoes or any clothes, because thats how they live there. No matter how bad I feel here right now, no matter how difficult the situation is, returning is not an option for us.

Elizabeth, another Cuban who asks to withhold her real name and who is 25 years old, also had to turn around and go home when she was in the middle of driving to her factory job that Monday. I was going to start at two in the afternoon. The department of human resources called me at 1:50 p.m. to say that theyd gotten a letter saying that my work permit had been revoked and that I couldnt keep working there, she says. Elizabeth came to the United States last June, after she was able to successfully apply for humanitarian parole with the help of her father. Since then, she has had several jobs and has dedicated herself to saving as much as possible with the idea of reuniting with her mother, who still lives on the island.

She says that last week, she received a letter from USCIS inviting her courteously, to leave the country in April. Im not going anywhere, but I did think Id be able to work at least for one more day, she says. On Monday morning, after seeing on social media that they had started to cancel the permits of people who were in a similar situation, she called her job to ask if she should come in or not. They said that they hadnt received any letter and that I could keep working, and when I was on the way, they made me turn back.

After theyve been in the United States for a year and a day, Elizabeth and Paola will be able to apply for their residency and work permit through the Cuban Adjustment Act. But that application can drag on for months, and neither one knows how they would be able to survive in the interim. Clearly, Im afraid. Im in a situation in which I dont know what to do. For now, Im thinking about doing Uber Eats using my boyfriends account. And try to get by on that, until I find something better.

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WASHINGTON (AP)  The Education Department has withdrawn from an agreement to address disparities in discipline for Native American students at a South Dakota school system, saying it was wrongly rooted in efforts to promote diversity, equity and inclusion.

The decision reflects a shift in interpretation of anti-discrimination laws under President Donald Trumps administration, which is planning to review other agreements the department's Office for Civil Rights has struck with school systems around the U.S.

At issue in the Rapid City Area School District were questions of harsh discipline and access to advanced coursework for Native students, who have been less likely than their white peers to be in high-level classes. A federal investigation found Native students were roughly four times as likely to be suspended and five times as likely to be arrested compared with their white peers.

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Last month, the Education Department told the district it would close its compliance review, saying in a letter the agreement violated civil rights laws because DEI was at its foundation.

Some parents who participated in listening sessions with the Office for Civil Rights said they felt their effort had been wasted.

If theres a fight, instead of restorative practices, in our schools the first thing they do is call the police who are right there in the schools as resource officers," said Valeriah Big Eagle, a parent of three children in the school district and a leader at NDN Collective, an Indigenous advocacy group. We know the school-to-prison pipeline is real for our kids, and the only way we can address that is by promoting restorative practices.

The Education Department backed away from the Rapid City case because the resolution focused on racial balancing and tasked its lawyers with micromanaging how the schools disciplined students, a department official said.

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Agreements at other schools lay out plans to address harassment and discrimination

Under Trump, the Education Department has threatened to cut funding from schools that refuse to disavow DEI, which his administration has described as discriminatory and illegal. The Office for Civil Rights, which was hit hard by reductions in staff, meantime has prioritized investigations into allegations of antisemitism.

The rollback of the South Dakota case reflects the departments efforts to control school-level decisions on diversity initiatives, regardless of their legal basis, said Michael Pillera, director of educational equity issues at the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law.

It does feel unprecedented, and it does feel extreme, Pillera said.

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The Trump administration has rescinded one other civil rights resolution agreement with a school district, a case involving books removed from a Forsyth County School District library in Georgia. But the department official said they will be reviewing others.

The Office for Civil Rights enters into hundreds of resolution agreements a year with districts in cases involving racial harassment, disproportionate discipline, disability discrimination and gender discrimination. It can require corrective action ranging from resolving access issues for individual students with disabilities to sweeping audits of district-wide practices.

The issues uncovered in Rapid City schools around disproportionate discipline and policing have long been an area of concern when it comes to preventing discrimination against students of color, said Liz King, senior director for the education equity program at the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights.

The question is, do we care what the effect of discrimination is or not?" King said. If we're seeing they're causing disproportionate harm to some groups of students, we need to be asking hard questions about whether or not we can justify those policies.

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Rapid City schools say the reforms will continue, but some parents have doubts

The Rapid City investigation began in 2010 and was closed in 2024 under the Biden administration.

In interviews with federal investigators, a former superintendent said high truancy rates owed to some Native American tribes not valuing education, and that they operate on Indian time, arriving late. The board fired her last summer over the derogatory remarks.

In a statement, the district's acting superintendent, Cory Strasser, said neither the board or district leadership were involved in the decision to terminate the resolution agreement. He said that the district had already done much of the work required by the resolution agreement, which ranged from training in implicit bias to better tracking of discipline data. He said the work will continue without federal oversight.

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These efforts have positively impacted all students, Strasser said.

Some in the community worry the district on its own will not follow through on the recommendations. Nick Tilsen, founder of the Rapid City-based NDN Collective, said it has been flooded with calls from concerned parents and students.

The agreement exists because the Rapid City Area school board needed to be held accountable to implementing those provisions, Tilsen said. They cant just simply say that theyre doing it, because the data already shows that theyre not implementing these things.

Darren Thompson, media relations director at the Native nonprofit Sacred Defense Fund, said it is the latest in a series of federal decisions that affects tribal citizens but did not solicit input from any tribal communities. He added the Native American population in South Dakota is unique because many have distinctly Indian surnames, like Black Elk, which can make them targets of discrimination in schools or when seeking employment. ___

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Associated Press writer Collin Binkley in Washington contributed to this report. Raza reported from Sioux Falls, S.D.

___

The Associated Press education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. 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.
Federal officials agreed in a Concord courtroom Wednesday to delay  temporarily  investigating school districts that arent in compliance with a directive preventing them from taking part in diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

The agreement was reached in U.S. District Court with lawyers representing the National Education Association, which sued the U.S. Department of Education last month looking to stop enforcement of the directive, which threatens loss of federal funding for schools with race-based programming.

The agreement reached Wednesday after the plaintiffs filed an emergency motion blocks the Department of Education from taking any enforcement action under the directive issued in February until at least April 24.

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The agreement ensures no school district, state agency, or higher education institution will face investigation or penalties for failure to certify that DEI efforts do not exist within their curriculums.

The agreement also clarifies that any certifications submitted by states or local education agencies will not become effective prior to April 24 and may not be used for any investigation or enforcement actions.

The department agreed it will not initiate any enforcement actions or investigations based on the Feb. 14 directive or any actions implementing it until after April 24.

The lawsuit was filed March 5 by the the American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of New Hampshire, the ACLU of Massachusetts, the National Education Association, and the National Education AssociationNew Hampshire.

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Also joining the case is the Center for Black Educator Development.

The suit argues the Department of Education overstepped its legal authority by imposing unfounded and vague legal restrictions that violate due process and the First Amendment, limit academic freedom, and dictate what educators can teach and what students are allowed to learn.

The plaintiffs say the Department of Education claims the directive misrepresents the Supreme Courts 2023 ruling in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard. Advocates say the decision in that case only addressed race as a formal admissions factor in higher education, and did not ban curriculum, student groups, DEI programming, or race-neutral diversity initiatives.

The lawsuit argues the DOE has no authority to dictate curriculum or educational programs, and that federal law protects educational institutions ability to shape their own curriculum, including programs that reflect and celebrate diversity.

A hearing on a motion for a preliminary injunction is set for April 17 at 2 p.m. in federal court in Concord before Chief Judge Landya B. McCafferty.

pfeely@unionleader.com
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE)  Its been more than 25 years since a mans body was pulled from the Nolichucky River in Cocke County, but investigators are still working to identify who the man may be.

On August 9, 1999, the mans body was recovered from the river. It was estimated that he had been dead for days when he was discovered, but his body was partially decomposed and unrecognizable.

Limited details about the mans body have been released, but the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System states that he was Hispanic or Latino, estimated to be between 25 and 29 years old, and was around 54 tall.

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In 2023, the mans remains were submitted to Othram, a Texas-based lab that specializes in forensic genetic genealogy, alongside nine other sets of remains through an Unidentified Human Remains Initiative. So far, five of the 10 individuals have been identified, including cases that were found in Cumberland, Loudon and Claiborne counties.

How a Texas-based lab is helping fight a silent mass disaster in Tennessee

On Wednesday, a spokesperson for the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation shared that there had been no updates in the case. Although Othram does not share information on specific cases, 6 News reached out to learn more about the process they use to help find the names of unidentified people.

Historically speaking, when DNA testing is done, you know detectives will take crime scene evidence theyll have a lab analysts at their crime lab build an STR profile, which is a profile that consists of about 20 to 24 markers of DNA and to your point, theyll upload that to CODIS, which is the national database that was developed by the FBI, said Michael Vogen, the director of case management at Othram.

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He explained those agencies will see if they can find a match in the database, which includes DNA information from convicted offenders, unsolved crime scene evidence and missing persons, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics. If no match is found there, normally the case would stop, Vogen said, but DNA testing technology is helping take the cases one step farther.

We have a new type of DNA testing that weve developed at Othram, its called forensic grade genome sequencing. We look at hundreds of thousands of markers of DNA and we can build a very robust, high-performing relationship-detecting profile that when uploaded to databases that allow for forensic searching [of] people that have decided to opt in to allow their DNA to be matched against these profiles can become very distant relatives, because were all related, its just to what extent, Vogen said.

From there, that profile can then be used to develop new investigative leads that are given back to investigators who continue to search for answers. Vogen explained that developing a good profile that can be used for forensic genetic genealogy is the hardest part.

Knox County remains identified after being found in September 2021

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One concern that some might have when discussing DNA testing in a case that is over 25 years old is if the age of the sample may degrade over time.

Theres certain challenges that come up and maybe, you know, different techniques we need to use to basically humanly enrich the DNA that we find, but weve had cases as old as the 1850s that weve sorted out, Vogen said. To be quite honest, you know, we do all this work in the house and weve done thousands of cases now, and so weve learned a great deal about how to treat the DNA that we come across and weve developed some pretty cool tricks to humanly enrich the DNA that we find.

Some of that work includes cancelling out the noise, degradation, and contamination to develop a profile similar to what would be developed through a current day DNA test that involves filling a tube with saliva.

In addition to helping return names to previously unidentified persons, Othram also helps develop DNA profiles for other samples found at crime scenes, digitize cold case files for local agencies, and connecting law enforcement to other agencies. Since 2019, they have been serving law enforcement agencies across the country and even in Europe.

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For those interested in learning more about the work Othram does, the organization maintains a list of the hundreds of cases that they have helped solve and have been given permission by law enforcement to share about on their website. Othram also runs the website DNASolves.com, which allows visitors to donate to specific cases that need funding.

Number of unclaimed remains at Knox County forensic center climbs above 425

Vogen shared that the vast majority of cases that Othram assists with are funded by law enforcement agencies, either through budgeted funding, grants, or other means. For agencies who may not have the funding, unidentified remains cases can be posted to DNASolves.com, where they can be donated to and shared on social media, which has helped solve some cases.

Well raise funding via the website, people are welcome to donate. We also have very generous folks in the philanthropic community that will take a look at cases and and decide to help with big chunks of funding as well. So, again, we have several levers to pull when it comes to funding and we help agencies decide whats best for them based on what they have available, Vogen said.

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In Tennessee, several cases have been funded, including the Baby Wyatt case in Oak Ridge from 2020 and Knoxvilles Lady in the Lake case from 2000. Currently, Tennessees page on the DNA Solves website also includes five Nashville cases that are in need of funding.

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U.S. egg prices increased again last month to reach a new record-high of $6.23 per dozen despite President Donald Trumps predictions, a drop in wholesale prices and no egg farms having bird flu outbreaks.

The increase reported Thursday in the Consumer Price Index means consumers and businesses that rely on eggs should not anticipate immediate relief. Demand for eggs is typically elevated until after Easter, which falls on April 20.

Egg prices continued to rise in the U.S. in March, reaching record levels. (AP Digital Embed)

Industry experts were expecting the index to reflect a drop in retail egg prices because wholesale egg prices dropped significantly in March. University of Arkansas agricultural economist Jada Thompson said the wholesale prices did not start dropping until mid-March, so there may not have been enough time for the average price for the month to decline even if prices stared to fall at the end of the month. And grocery stores may not have immediately passed on the lower prices.

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Bird flu outbreaks were cited as the major cause of price spikes in January and February after more than 30 million egg-laying chickens were killed to prevent the spread of the disease. Only 2.1 million birds were slaughtered in March and none of them were on egg farms

The farms that had fall outbreaks have been working to resume egg production after sanitizing their barns and raising new flocks, but chickens must be about six months old before they start laying eggs. Thompson said those farms did not come back online as quickly as anticipated. In the latest U.S. Department of Agriculture numbers, there were only about 285 million hens laying eggs nationwide as of March 1, down from 293 million the previous month. Before the outbreak, the flock typically numbered more than 315 million.

Trump tried to take credit for the lower wholesale egg prices the USDA reported in recent weeks. But experts say the presidents plan to fight bird flu by focusing on strengthening egg farmers defenses against the virus is likely to be more of a long-term help.

A carton of eggs sit on a counter in the kitchen inside of 5 Rabanitos restaurant in Chicago, Feb. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)

I think there are lots of people who are looking to see the egg prices coming down because they wanted to call it a win. And I think its a loss for everybody. I think we all want to see egg prices come down, Thompson said.

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Egg prices are still expected to decline later this spring, but the latest numbers could also increase scrutiny of Cal-Maine Foods, which provides 20% of the nations eggs, and other large egg producers.

Earlier this week, Cal-Maine acknowledged it is being investigated by the antitrust division of the U.S. Department of Justice, which is looking into egg price increases. Cal-Maine said it is cooperating with the investigation.

In its most recent quarter, which ended March 1, Cal-Maine said its net income more than tripled to $508.5 million compared to the same period a year ago. The company said its revenue nearly doubled to $1.42 billion, largely because of higher egg prices.

Since the current bird flu outbreak began, more than 168 million birds have been slaughtered, most of them egg-laying chickens. Any time a bird gets sick, the entire flock is killed to help keep bird flu from spreading. That can have an effect on the egg supply because massive egg farms may have millions of birds.

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The disease is difficult to control because it is spread easily through the droppings of wild birds that carry the avian flu virus. Bird flu has also inflected other animals, including dairy cattle.

Egg prices hit $5.90 in February one month after setting a record at $4.95 per dozen, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. But shoppers encountered prices much higher than that in some places; in California, the price per dozen topped $12 in some stores.

Earlier in the outbreak, egg prices spiked to hit $4.82 in January 2023 before gradually falling as low as $2.04 per dozen in August 2023. Generally, prices have since increased steadily.

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Egg prices rose to a record high in March of $6.23 per dozen despite optimism from the White House last month.

The price for a dozen grade A large eggs jumped from Februarys $5.90 to $6.23, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). It was $4.95 per dozen in January.

Overall, the index for food jumped 0.4 percent last month, the BLS reported Thursday, with the index for poultry, fish, eggs and meats going up by 1.3 percent. The index has increased by 7.9 percent in the last year, while the eggs index increased by just more than 60 percent.

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With Easter coming up April 20, the demand for eggs tends to rise.

Trump said last month that when I took it over, eggs were through the roof, and now eggs are down.

The White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in mid-March that wholesale egg prices, they continue to fall.

A dozen eggs are now $3.10 cheaper since Jan. 24. Thats a 47 percent decrease overall, she added at the time. So, I think the American people do have great reason to be optimistic about this economy.

While wholesale egg prices have gone down in March, according to the Department of Agriculture, consumer prices have not followed.

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The blame for the rising prices of eggs in January and February was placed on bird flu outbreaks that forced farms to kill millions of chickens to curb the spread of the virus.

Nearly 36 million birds were affected by the virus in the first two months of the year, Agriculture Department data shows. Some 2.1 million were affected in March.

Whenever a bird gets the virus, the whole flock gets slaughtered to prevent the highly pathogenic avian influenza from advancing further.

The administration said in March that it was importing eggs from Turkey and South Korea.

We are talking in the hundreds of millions of eggs for the short term. So not insignificant, but significant enough to help continue to bring the prices down for right now, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said. And then when our chicken populations are repopulated, and weve got a full egg-laying industry going again, hopefully in a couple of months, we then shift back to our internal egg-layers and moving those eggs out onto the shelf.

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In February, the price of eggs was $5.90, according to BLS data.

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Apr. 9The University of Texas Permian Basin announced April 9 that Lyndsay Eiben has been named Director of Bands.

In this expanded role, Eiben will provide leadership for UTPB's bands program while continuing to serve as an assistant professor of music.

As Director of Bands, Eiben will oversee all aspects of the bands program, including the winds and percussion programs, while continuing her work as a dedicated educator and accomplished musician.

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"We are pleased that Dr. Eiben will be leading our bands program," Christopher Morrow, Dean of the College of Arts & Humanities, said in a news release. "Though she has only been at UTPB a couple of years, she has already made an enormous impact on student success. She is a dedicated, student-first educator who is ideally poised to take our bands program to the next level."

A native of Odessa, Eiben is a distinguished musician, educator, and flutist. She graduated from Permian High School before earning her bachelor and master of music performance degrees from West Texas A&M University. She completed her doctor of musical arts degree at the prestigious University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.

Prior to joining UTPB, Eiben spent a decade teaching in ECISD, including serving as Associate Director of Bands at both Nimitz Middle School and Permian High School. Under her leadership, students achieved notable honors, including selection to the 6A TMEA All-State Bands and top ratings at UIL competitions.

In addition to her passion for teaching, iben maintains an active performance career. She currently serves as principal flutist for the West Texas Symphony and West Texas Winds and is a sought-after clinician and lecturer across the region.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  The El Paso Fire Departments is conducting its annual hydrant flushing and routine testing in accordance with national standards established by the National Fire Protection Association, the City of El Paso said.

These inspections, typically performed during the workweek and regular business hours, are critical to ensuring hydrants remain in proper working condition and that the water supply system can meet the demands of firefighting operations during emergencies. With wildfires and structure fires being reported across the nation, ensuring our hydrants are fully operational is more important than ever to support rapid and effective emergency response, the City said in a news release.

As part of this process, hydrants across the city are flushed annually, and undergo flow testing every five years on a rotating schedule.

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While these tests are essential for public safety, residents may occasionally notice temporary changes in water appearance or taste. This is caused by the disturbance of naturally occurring, non-hazardous sediment in the system. In most cases, running cold water for a few minutes will clear the sediment and restore normal water clarity. Do not run hot water, as this may draw the sediment into your water heater, the City said.

If hot water has already been used, it may be necessary to flush your hot water system, which can take longer.

Its important to note that hydrant flushing isnt the only cause of sediment disturbance, the City said.

Other contributors include:

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Private hydrants tested and maintained by contractors

Metered hydrants used by contractors for water access

Routine maintenance and repairs by El Paso Water Utilities

All residents and businesses are encouraged to check their water for any discoloration before use.

The communitys patience and understanding are appreciated as the Fire Department carries out these essential maintenance activities to safeguard public safety and maintain the integrity of our water distribution system, the City said.

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WASHINGTON  From inventing a fake economist for his nonfiction books to pushing a fake COVID cure to serving time in prison for refusing to tell Congress about his plan to steal the 2020 election for his boss, Peter Navarro may have reached the pinnacle of his career: coming up with the tariff scheme that was on its way to tanking the American economy until it was throttled back.

As the majority of mainstream economists ridicule President Donald Trumps system of taxing imports from other nations based on their trade deficits, Navarro, 75, defends it under his belief that it is bad for the United States to import more from a country than Americans export to it.

In fact, he said he is so convinced of the soundness of his analysis that he predicts that markets roiled by trade wars will soon soar beyond anyones expectations.

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Dow: 50,000. I guarantee that, and I guarantee no recession, he said Monday on Fox News  two days before Trump abruptly put a 90-day pause on the most aggressive of the tariffs.

Tessa Morris-Suzuki, the retired Australian National University professor of East Asian studies who first brought to light Navarros invented quotes from an invented economist  Ron Vara, an anagram of Navarro  in his supposedly nonfiction books, said she has been monitoring Navarro/Varas charge into the abyss from afar.

I have been watching the Ron Vara plan for the U.S. and global economy with much interest, she told HuffPost. This policy has all the trademark traits of Peter Navarros earlier work: Slap a few dramatic thought-bubbles together and try to make it look as though they are based on serious research.

Peter Navarro speaks after President Donald Trump announced "reciprocal" tariffs in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 13, 2025. Andrew Caballero-Reynolds / AFP via Getty Images

Fortunately for Navarro, he does not need to persuade other economists that he is correct  only Trump, who already shares those same views. Indeed, Navarro was recruited to work for Trumps first presidential run in 2016 by son-in-law Jared Kushner, who found Navarros name by searching for anti-China books on Amazons website.

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Navarro then moved to the White House as a trade policy adviser during Trumps first term, but in those years was countered and often blocked out by other aides with more orthodox views, such as former Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and former National Economic Council Director Gary Cohn.

This time around, Navarro has encountered little pushback from Trumps top economic advisers against his tariff regime, as current NEC Director Kevin Hassett and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, considered relatively mainstream voices, both publicly support it.

The only opposition Navarro has seen is from Trumps biggest campaign benefactor, billionaire Elon Musk, who has  thus far with little success  advocated for eliminating tariffs entirely among trading partners.

And when Navarro went on cable TV to claim that Musks electric vehicle company Tesla was not so much a car manufacturer as it was a car assembler using lots of foreign parts, Musk unleashed a tirade on social media, calling Navarro a moron, dumber than a sack of bricks, and Peter Retarrdo.

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Navarro did not respond to queries from HuffPost.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump is not bothered by the disagreement. Boys will be boys, she said at a briefing on Tuesday, telling Americans they should be grateful that Trumps administration is so transparent that it holds arguments in public.

Navarro began in academia after getting his doctorate in economics from Harvard University, teaching at the University of California, San Diego and then the University of San Diego before settling in at the University of California, Irvine as a business professor. Along the way, he ran unsuccessful political campaigns for San Diego mayor, San Diego city council and the U.S. House of Representatives.

It was at Irvine that Navarro invented Ron Vara, supposedly an economist and military veteran prone to pithy quips about whatever topic Navarro happened to be writing about in his most recent book.

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Ride the stock market cycle  or be run over, Vara told Navarro for his book, When the Market Moves, Will You Be Ready, which came out in 2003.

In later years, as Navarro started writing about China as Americas greatest threat, it turned out Vara had strong views about that, too. Only the Chinese can turn a leather sofa into an acid bath, a baby crib into a lethal weapon, and a cellphone battery into heart-piercing shrapnel, Vara warned in Navarros 2011 book, Death by China.

Navarro laughed off his fabulism when he was finally confronted with the fabrication six years ago after Morris-Suzuki deduced what he had done. Navarros willingness to play loose with facts, though, in coming years endangered American lives and then American democracy itself.

As the COVID pandemic struck in 2020, Navarro became a proponent of hydroxychloroquine as a treatment, even getting into public arguments with actual medical experts who found that it was not effective against the disease. Navarro was not alone in the Trump administration pushing it  Trump himself did so  and the resulting confusion likely contributed to the United States having one of the highest COVID death rates among wealthy industrialized countries.

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And by the end of that year, Navarro was energetically pushing another pro-Trump conspiracy theory: that Trump had actually won the 2020 election but was cheated out of his victory by Democrats. Navarro went on to promote his Green Bay Sweep plan to have Congress send back the election certifications from six key states won by Democrat Joe Biden in an attempt to overturn the election.

Navarro then refused to testify about those efforts before the House Jan. 6 committee, resulting in a congressional contempt finding and, ultimately, four months in federal prison.

But just as his fictional book source did not hurt his academic career and reckless COVID advice did not harm his standing in the Trump White House, the felony conviction and prison sentence did not stop him from returning as a top trade adviser to Trump  a fellow felon and liar who decades ago would call gossip columnists pretending to be a top Trump aide named John Barron to plant positive news items about his boss.

I cant help remembering that Navarro described his expert source Ron Vara in If Its Raining In Brazil, Buy Starbucks, as a Dark Prince of Disaster who has made a very large fortune profiting from the consequences of natural and human-made catastrophes, Morris-Suzuki said. Looking at whats happening in the U.S. and the rest of the world at the moment, I guess Peter Navarros imaginary friend is laughing all the way to the bank.
Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency fired car safety experts in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration who directly regulated Tesla.

The Financial Times reports that DOGE fired 30 employees from the agency back in February, including several from the office of vehicle automation safety, which is in charge of regulating self-driving vehicles, a key part of Musks car company.

The layoffs made up 4 percent of the agencys 800-person staff, including employees who were due for promotions and workers who had just been hired. The automation safety staff were disproportionately affected because the office had only been formed in 2023 and was predominately made up of probationary hires.

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In a Valentines Day email announcing the firings, poor performance was cited as the reason, although this was rejected by an unnamed senior employee still at NHTSA who spoke to the Times.

The NHTSA has eight active investigations against Tesla, including five focusing on Musks claims about the companys Autopilot system and Full Self-Driving software, and has published over 10,000 complaints about the company from the public. The agency has also ordered multiple recalls of Tesla cars and delayed the rollout of the companys self-driving and driver-assistance software.

Musk has promised to launch a driverless ride-hailing service in Austin, Texas, in June, and to start building a fleet of autonomous cybercabs next year, which would require an NHTSA exception because the cybercabs dont have a steering wheel or pedals.

Letting DOGE fire those in the autonomous division is sheer madnesswe should be lobbying to add people to NHTSA, one Tesla manager told the Times. They need to be developing a national framework for [autonomous vehicles], otherwise Tesla doesnt have a prayer for scale in FSD or robotaxis.

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And, much like DOGEs other firings at agencies across the government that regulate or deal with Musks companies, the NHTSA layoffs have major ethical implications.

There is a clear conflict of interest in allowing someone with a business interest influence over appointments and policy at the agency regulating them, a former NHTSA employee told the Times.

Musk owes much of his wealth to government subsidies and contracts, and many of DOGEs moves have squashed government oversight into his businesses. As long as Trump keeps giving him unprecedented power, the tech oligarch and fascism enthusiast will continue to keep serving his own interests.


As billionaire Elon Musk continues to ravage the government's budget with the help of his so-called Department of Government Efficiency, sources inside the White House are increasingly getting fed up with his antics.

As Rolling Stone reported today, some senior State Department officials have come to call him "Crazy Uncle Elon," a nod towards his grating persona. But the story contained another alarming revelation: the depth of Musk's antipathy toward the people's whose lives he's been turning upside down.

The effects of the budget cuts he's overseen so far have been devastating, to say the least. Tens of thousands of federal employees have been fired. Lifesaving aid and research are being canceled, and the nation's Social Security system is hanging on by a thread.

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Just last week, the Social Security Administration wrongfully informed some recipients of Supplemental Security Income, financial assistance for disabled Americans and low-income senior citizens, that they were no longer receiving benefits, causing chaos.

But to Musk, the massive amount of hurt he's inflicting on all those people has come as a source of amusement. According to Rolling Stone, the billionaire has been reacting with laugh-crying emojis to reports of federal staffers' lives being upended.

The reporting highlights the richest man in the world's active disdain for federal employees. Case in point, earlier this year, Musk retweeted a post that blamed the atrocities committed by Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, and Mao Zedong on public sector workers.

Workers who haven't yet been caught up in the sweeping layoffs will have to contend with a very different working environment and a new level of workplace scrutiny. Earlier this week, news emerged that DOGE was using AI to monitor federal workers for anti-Trump sentiment.

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Musk also blasted out an email in February, requiring all federal employees to report what "they got done last week."

"Failure to respond will be taken as a resignation," Musk wrote in the email.

A day later, several federal agencies told employees not to respond to the demand, sowing even more confusion.

Employees have also had to deal with Musk's army of teenage and early-2o-something operatives who have threatened officials and grilled Pentagon employees about guarded information, per Rolling Stone.

In short, Musk's gutting of the federal government isn't just falling far short of saving $1 trillion, as he'd previously promised. It's also being led by a billionaire who is reportedly getting a kick out of making federal employees' lives as miserable as possible.

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How long the cruel farce will keep going remains unclear. According to the president, Musk will be leaving his post in the upcoming months, a move that'll likely come as a big sigh of relief for countless federal workers.

More on DOGE: Congress Investigating Whether Elon Musk Is Using NASA to Enrich Himself
NAHA, Japan - U.S. forces and Japanese police will hold a joint patrol in Okinawa Prefecture next week after a number of sexual assault cases involving U.S. military personnel came to light last year, a Japanese government source said Thursday.

The first joint patrol is scheduled for the night of April 18 in the city of Okinawa and will be the first such patrol in the southern island prefecture since 1974. Local government officials and residents will also participate.

The joint patrol was proposed by the U.S. side as a measure to prevent a recurrence of sexual crimes by U.S. military personnel stationed in the prefecture, the source said.

While such patrols were carried out in the past, local police were cautious about the initiative as any offending U.S. military personnel in principle remains in the custody of the United States until being charged by Japan, unless they are arrested at the scene of a crime, according to the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement.

The plan to conduct the patrol was agreed after officials of the U.S. forces, the Okinawa prefectural police as well as the Japanese foreign and defense ministries held talks on Wednesday, the source said.

The patrol will be held in busy areas through the early hours of the next day and officials hope it will stop U.S. military personnel from staying out all night.

In Okinawa Prefecture, which hosts the bulk of U.S. military facilities in Japan, a U.S. Air Force serviceman was convicted last December of kidnapping and sexually assaulting a girl under the age of 16 in 2023.

Related coverage:

70% of prefectures back revising pact governing U.S. troops in Japan

U.S. Marine suspected of sexual assault in Okinawa in November

U.S. airman gets 5-yr term for sexual assault of minor in Okinawa
The Elton John AIDS Foundation is making sure that the world knows what a recent action from Russia means for the those living with HIV and AIDS in the country.

In a statement released April 3, the prosecutor generals office of the Russian federation banned both the British and U.S-registered foundations of the EJAF from offering its services in Russia, designating the non-profit as an undesirable organization  a classification that would allow the state to prosecute and potentially jail individuals affiliated with the charity if they continue working in Russia.

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In response to the governments ban, the EJAF shared a statement with Billboard, saying that it were devastated to learn of its new label under Russian law. This decision by the Russian Federation will undoubtedly endanger lives and disrupt critical HIV prevention efforts for ordinary Russian citizens, the statement reads. At a time when we have the tools and knowledge to defeat HIV, it is heartbreaking to be unable to support them.

The organization pointed out in its statement that, according to the Russian governments own reporting, over 1.2 million Russians were living with HIV in 2024, and nearly half a million of those people had not received medical treatment. Despite this setback, we will continue our work across Eastern Europe and Central Asia, where the Foundation is the largest philanthropic HIV/AIDS funder, the organization said.

The prosecutor generals office of Russia cited the EJAFs support of LGBTQ+ rights, including non-traditional sexual relationships, Western family models, and gender reassignment, as well as the organizations negative attitudes toward countries promoting traditional spiritual and moral values, as primary factors in its decision to deem the group undesirable.

When a musician plays along with those trying to sow the seeds of democracy, it is propaganda, the statement (translated from Russian) read. And when its Elton John calling the tune, then its more than just anti-Russian propaganda, too.

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This is far from the first time that John has expressed his concern regarding Russias treatment of the LGBTQ+ community. In 2019, he penned an open letter to Russian president Vladimir Putin criticizing the leaders hypocrisy in saying he cared for LGBTQ+ people while also promoting anti-LGBTQ+ policies.

I find duplicity in your comment that you want LGBT people to be happy and that we have no problem in that. Yet Russian distributors chose to heavily censor my film Rocketman by removing all references to my finding true happiness through my 25 year relationship with David and the raising of my two beautiful sons, he wrote at the time. I am proud to live in a part of the world where our governments have evolved to recognise the universal human right to love whoever we want.

Read the EJAFs full statement to Billboard about Russias ban below:

Thirty years ago, HIV began by affecting a community that no one wanted to support. We failed that group then, and as a result, HIV continued its destructive path across the globe, eventually infecting more than 80 million people worldwide. What began as a disease outbreak grew into a global pandemic.

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As one of the leading HIV/AIDS organizations in the world, we recognize that the compassionate and effective way to fight HIV is by acknowledging our common humanity and providing funding where it is needed, regardless of gender, race, sexuality, or faith. This is why the Foundations mission is to leave no one behind.

We are devastated by the decision of the Prosecutor Generals Office of the Russian Federation, which will prevent the Foundation from providing lifesaving care to people living with HIV in Russia.

For more than two decades, we have worked in collaboration with federal and non-governmental partners in Russia to provide hundreds of thousands of people with vital HIV services, including testing, treatment and care. This work is urgent: In 2024, there were over 1.2 million people living with HIV in Russia, with over 430,000 not receiving treatment.

This decision by the Russian Federation will undoubtedly endanger lives and disrupt critical HIV prevention efforts for ordinary Russian citizens. At a time when we have the tools and knowledge to defeat HIV, it is heartbreaking to be unable to support them.

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Despite this setback, we will continue our work across Eastern Europe and Central Asia, where the Foundation is the largest philanthropic HIV/AIDS funder.

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BOARDMAN, Ohio (WKBN)  An employee of a local smoke shop is facing a charge after police say he sold tobacco products to underage buyers.

Read next: Former city employee sentenced in rape case; victim says he used status to manipulate her

Police received a tip back in December that Puff Express at 19 Stadium Drive was selling vape products to people under the age of 21 without asking them to provide identification.

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In Ohio, it is illegal to give, sell, or otherwise distribute cigarettes, other tobacco products, or alternative nicotine products like e-cigarette/vaping products to any person under the age of 21, as signed into law by Gov. Mike DeWine in 2019.

Reports state a police informant under the age of 21 was sent to Puff Express in December with a recording device and money to determine if they would be carded when attempting to purchase vape products. That informant was sold a vape device and a THC vape device without being asked for identification, according to police, who collected the purchased products as evidence.

On March 8, police returned to the vape shop and noted the employee who previously sold products to an underage person was working. They informed the employee he was to turn himself in the next day on a fourth-degree misdemeanor charge of illegal distribution of tobacco products.

Records show the employee is set to appear in court Thursday afternoon.

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According to the Ohio Department of Healths retailer training on the law, both the person selling the products and the owner of the retail establishment may face criminal penalties. It lists possible punishment as up to 30 days in jail and/or a $250 fine for the first offense.

First News attempted to contact someone at Puff Express for comment but has been unable to reach a representative. While the business website is not functional, its social media pages state the business is 21+

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Courtesy of Watermelon Pictures

A year ago this month, encampments sprouted up across college campuses and public spaces in the US and the world, calling for an end to the war on Gaza and for universities to divest from companies with economic ties to Israel. To many in the national media, the encampments appeared out of nowhere, but they were actually an escalation of months of pro-Palestine protests on campuses. Students involved in the movement reported being subject to arrests, suspensions, and expulsions. Within days of the encampments becoming a major story, many university presidents began to allow police and the National Guard on their campuses to arrest what ultimately amounted to over 3,100 people by June 2024.

While dozens of campuses saw violence and conflict, perhaps none received as much coverage as New York Citys Columbia University, where encampment arrests on April 18, 2024, helped spur the movement to spread. A year later, a new documentary from Palestinian American-run Watermelon Pictures, and Breakthrough News (with rapper Macklemore and Alana Hadid among the producers), shows perspectives from inside the encampments. Its release was moved up to this month because two of the films three main sources are currently being targeted for their involvement in the protests.

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Mahmoud Khalil, then a grad student at Columbias School of International and Public Affairs, was a lead negotiator for Columbia students during the protests, alongside grad student Sueda Polat. In March, Khalil, a permanent resident, was abducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, who claimed his green card had been revoked. Khalil is still being held in a Louisiana detention center while his lawyers try to fight his deportation.

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Grant Miner, president of Student Workers of Columbia, UAW 2710, was another organizer speaking on behalf of the students, and in the film is shown sharing his experience as a Jewish student. Miner was expelled from Columbia over his involvement in the 2024 protest occupation of a campus building shortly after Khalils detention, and the day before contract bargaining was set to begin between the union and the university. Functionally, I was expelled for speaking out against genocide, Miner told Democracy Now! in an interview about the film.

Of course, this backlash goes far beyond Columbia  multiple Ivies have had federal funding threatened or slashed by the Trump administration, which federal officials claim is being withheld because of the schools failure to combat antisemitism.

Teen Vogue speaks to co-director Kei Pritsker and student organizer Sueda Polat about the film, its intentions, and telling the story of the encampments during an era of state repression. We felt the need to make this film [because] the media was ignoring the fundamental thing that was motivating the students, which was Gaza and which was the genocide, says Pritsker.

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This interview has been condensed and lightly edited for clarity.

Teen Vogue: How did you decide to move up the films launch date?

Kei Pritsker: [Mahmouds arrest] triggered the decision, and it was a pretty straightforward decision after that. We saw what happened to him, all the lies that the Trump administration was telling about Mahmoud. We [were] sitting on a trove of footage of Mahmoud countering everything that Trump is saying  not just footage of Mahmoud, but footage of the encampment, of Jews at the encampment; footage proving the true motivations of the encampment, [its] leaders talking about why the encampment started, that it wasn't motivated by this random hatred of Jews or antisemitism, but that it was always tied to what this protest movement was always about, which is Gaza and the genocide.

Mahmoud Khalil Was Detained by ICE. His Columbia Friends and Former Coworkers Are Speaking Out.

They just wanted to make an example of somebody.

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We were like, Wow, we're sitting on a movie that is basically done, locked and loaded, ready to go, that debunks everything that Trump is saying. We have to put this out as soon as possible. Our goal was always to maximize the political impact, to make a big political intervention, to show that the encampments weren't what the media said they were, weren't what the Biden administration said they were. So when Trump decided to bring everyone back into this, to use the lies about the encampments as the basis for this deportation campaign, we knew there was really no more important moment to release this film than now.

TV: What narratives do you think the film is aiming to combat?

KP: The students didn't just wake up one day and say, We want to cause maximum chaos. We want to do something so crazy, and we don't want to go to class anymore. The students had been protesting for months and months and months after October 7, but also way before that, and we talk about that a little bit in the film.

There had been literally years of precedent of student protest, nonviolent peaceful disruption, civil disobedience, people passing divestment resolutions, going through the university's own democratic process to say, Hey, we don't want our tuition money, our endowment invested [in] companies that make money off of selling weapons that kill people  crazy. And the university ignored them at every step, which is why they felt the need to do something dramatic, like set up an encampment on the lawn.

We're trying to tell the perspectives of the students, which, funny enough, is the perspective that [almost] none of the mainstream media would tell. They would only tell the perspective of the universities, of Congress, of the Israel lobby, of the military industrial complex. So we're like, Okay, maybe the students also should have a say in this. Maybe someone needs to tell their side of the story and balance out the playing field. We see the role this documentary plays as something that levels a very skewed media landscape, maybe back a little bit in the favor of the students.

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Sueda Polat: The most important thing for me  and the reason that I'm reluctant to do a lot of interviews or to answer a lot of questions about this movie  is because I feel like, particularly in the US, outlets focus on the media spectacle of what the encampments were; a moment of renewed protest movements in the United States, student activism. I get that all these things are really attractive, and people want to know what that was like. But truly, for every single student, at the heart of every protest and every demonstration, it was always Gaza.

Even today, as we continue to struggle against genocide, as we continue to struggle against the university, we understand that we're complicit in that genocide. So the expulsions, the suspensions, the repression, or even the media attention, none of it matters if Gaza doesn't matter  if Gaza doesn't make it to part of the story.

KP: [A lot of] the [mainstream] media was trying to say, theyre doing this because they hate Jews. Theyre doing this because theyre woke white kids. Theyre doing this because theyre just bored or troubled. They wanna virtue-signal. The purpose of this film was to remind people the thing that catalyzed all of this was always Gaza. What is so shocking about that? Why are people shocked by the idea that students would be disgusted by a genocide, just like everyone else in society? The willful ignoring of what the students have been saying, of We are protesting a genocide, is huge.

TV: The 2024 election is noticeably missing from the film. Both presidents Biden and Trump have played big roles in the backlash to the student movement for Palestine. Why did you keep that conversation separate?

KP: The main reason for not including Trump or the election is that we don't really feel that issues of foreign policy, especially Palestine, really change between the two parties. Yes, it's Trump that has inaugurated this new regime of making protesting for Palestine [and] talking about the human rights abuses and the war crimes in Palestine basically illegal [but] it was Biden who oversaw months and months and months of the genocide. We didn't want this narrative to get stuck in, like, who's the better president on Palestine? Because for decades and decades and decades, the policy between the two parties has been nearly identical. Ironically, it's a very American way to look at it. People in the US, every four years, all of a sudden everyone becomes a super political person, and they're like, Oh my God, this is the election of our lifetime.

TV: Given whats happened to Mahmoud and Grant, were there safety concerns in releasing this film in such a hostile climate? Do you think that hostility is creating a chilling effect?

KP: Because we've been getting this question a lot, I think it's important to note that a lot of people are eager for this to come out. A lot of them are excited for this to come out. They're not afraid, because they feel a sense of responsibility now to not hide, to say with their face forward that they still stand by the encampment. They stand by everything they did. They stand by Mahmoud. They stand by Palestine.

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Some people told us that they feel like they have a duty to go forward with this because of what happened to Mahmoud, that this film and that speaking out in favor of the encampments helps his case, and that therefore they have a responsibility to help put out anything that shows that this encampment was not about hatred, it was not about violence, it was not about any of that.

Courtesy of Watermelon Pictures

SP: We know that [Columbia is] increasing surveillance, increasing what are literally checkpoints on campus. We don't care about these things because theyre happening to us, but we care about them in the fact that it shows an increasing degree of repression for the sake of curtailing protest and activism.

[Israel] broke a ceasefire that was internationally guaranteed. They're pushing people from the south up north, they're pushing the north down south, so that they can be in the middle.

Our lives, our loves, our aspirations, our hopes, our dreams: none of these things are more important than a child in Gaza, than a man in Gaza, than a woman in Gaza. If we give in to the repression here, if we abide by the chilling effect, then we're not doing anything more than what the state, empire, what the university as an arm of the state, wants from us anyway. And the right thing to do, the brave thing to do, and the just thing to do is to continue, despite the risks that might accrue for the people here.

TV: The film shows a lot of footage and interviews from Gaza, including with journalist Bisan Owda. There is also a recording of six-year-old Hind Rajabs final emergency call for help before she was killed by Israeli soldiers. Columbia students occupied the campuss Hamilton Hall and renamed it Hinds Hall. What is the significance of showing these scenes from Palestine, and connecting it to the student movement?

SP: I don't think documentaries tend to be very ethical as a whole, but I think this documentary was as ethical as it possibly could have been, with footage from Gaza interspersed between ours. It really felt like we were bolstering the story, as opposed to just telling a story about a student movement.

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KP: We would never think about making a film about Palestine without including Palestine. This movie isn't about student activism. It's not about universities complicit in war crimes. It's about what has been happening to the Palestinian people, first and foremost, and then how that is bolstered and supported by universities, by Congress, by politicians.

SP: I feel utter heartbreak, and I feel an immense sense of responsibility. I really, really strongly believe that all of humanity is tethered together, and if we haven't lost our humanity, we feel that in our hearts, we feel a genuine connection to every other human being in the world.

I know that it's merely historical accident that separates me from people in Gaza or people elsewhere in the world. I'm an immigrant to America; it's merely the waves of urbanization and immigration that pushed me into this particular plot of land, and I could not have been here. I could have been born elsewhere, migrated elsewhere.

What that means to me is that it's not a hobby or a passion, but it's my and everybody else's responsibility  deepest, deepest responsibility and burden that should be on everybody's shoulders  to stop the genocide, because that's our brothers and sisters. That's our family. That's our human family, that's our people  more than any of these corporations, more than any of these politicians, more than this nation, these United States. So I feel a responsibility, and I feel like, collectively, we're failing in that responsibility. And I feel ashamed.

You can find local screenings of The Encampments here.

Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue

News and Politics: Mid Hero
Santa Monica's Erewhon grocery store closed its tonic bar after finding cockroaches in the facility, the company said Thursday.

The upscale store was ordered closed after the L.A. County Department of Public Health found what it described in a public report as a "vermin infestation."

"We deeply regret that a roach was found in our tonic bar," said a spokesperson for Erewhon in a statement to The Times. "We sincerely apologize for this lapse in our standards."

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A store worker who spoke with The Times on Thursday said two cockroaches were found. The Department of Public Health noted in their report that they observed "two live nymph German cockroaches in the cabinet under the 'Simonelli' coffee machine." The report also noted that a dead cockroach was found.

"Eliminate cockroaches and all evidence of cockroaches from the facility," the department noted as the corrective action needed.

The grocery store received a "B" grade and a total score of 84 out of 100.

An Erewhon corporate spokesperson said the store "voluntarily" closed the tonic bar, where they make coffees, teas, juices and smoothies, and oversaw a thorough sanitation process. The company said it anticipated reopening the tonic bar later Thursday.

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In recent years, the popularity of the luxury grocery chain has soared. It has has cultivated a following of shoppers who regularly visit to buy a prepared meal or pricey, celebrity-backed smoothies.

Three more locations are set to open in Southern California this year.

In its closure order for the Santa Monica location, the Public Health Department found the store had a "major" issue with "rodents, insects, birds or animals," according to records posted online.

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.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Fla. (WKRG)  An Escambia County, Fla., jury on Wednesday found a man guilty of three county counts of lewd or lascivious battery of a victim 12-15 years of age, Ginger Bowden Madden, state attorney for the First Judicial Circuit of Florida, said.

Kizuri Dequan Jackson was found guilty of three counts of lewd or lascivious battery of a victim 12-15 years old. (Courtesy State Attorney for the First Judicial Circuit of Florida)

Brawl erupts between Spring Hill and University of Mobile baseball teams

According to Madden, Kizuri Dequan Jackson was immediately sentenced by Circuit Court Judge Amy Broderson to 15 years in prison, followed by five years of sex offender probation. Additionally, Jackson was designated as a sex offender, Madden said.

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The case began when officers were called to the victims house for a disturbance, Madden said.

An investigation revealed that Jackson had been having a sexual relationship with the victim that began when the victim was 14 and Jackson was 20, Madden said. She said that during the investigation, Jacksons DNA was found on bedding in the victims bedroom.

This defendant knew what he was doing was wrong. Evidence at trial came out that Mr. Jackson told the victim that the victim would have to lie about their age for them to be together, Madden said.

19 Baldwin County restaurants claiming imported shrimp is locally sourced: report

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The Pensacola Police Department investigated and made the arrest, and Assistant State Attorney Carrie Gilmer prosecuted the case on behalf of Madden.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  Authorities in Mexico attempted to apprehend escaped killer Cesar Hernandez, leading to a shootout in Tijuana, Baja California and left a Mexican officer dead Wednesday afternoon, officials said.

The shooting started after 1 p.m. in the Colonia Barcelona neighborhood of Tijuana, about 30 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border. Mexican officials said state officers from Baja California were involved in an operation to apprehend Cesar Hernandez.

Killer on the Run: What we know about the Cesar Hernandez case

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Video from the area showed buildings riddled with bullet holes, and multiple officers in the area. In a statement, police said one officer, Abigail Esparza Reyes, 33, was struck by gunfire. She was taken to a hospital where she was pronounced dead.

Officials in Mexico said multiple agencies were in pursuit of Hernandez, but Hernandez managed to escape.

California prison officials confirmed the U.S. Marshals Service were involved in an operation to related to Hernandez in Tijuana. 17 News learned that no U.S. law enforcement were injured during Wednesdays incident.

Before he escaped, the 34-year-old was serving a sentence of 80 years to life for first degree murder in 2019, out of Los Angeles County. Hernandez was set to appear in Delano court the morning of Dec. 2, 2024 after pleading no contest to manufacturing a weapon and possessing drugs in prison.

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Reward increased to $30k for information on Cesar Hernandez

Video captured the daring escape and showed Hernandez running across an empty field without shackles or handcuffs with the officer far behind.

Hernandez looks back, the officer raises his weapon but does not fire.

Hernandez fled down Kensington Street, across the field, in front of city hall, and then south through the alley toward 10th Street.

Convicted escaped murderer Cesar Hernandez was given a key or made a handcuff key: Sheriff Youngblood

Sheriff Donny Youngblood, back In December, said Hernandez likely used a self-made key to break free from the chains and punched a guard before running through an open gate in the transfer parking lot of the court house.

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This is a developing story, check back later for updates regarding this story.



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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17 News.
The Estonian parliament passed a law on April 9 that will require religious organizations to cut ties with foreign institutions that incite violence or hatred, mandating the Estonian Orthodox Church to sever its connection with the Moscow Patriarchate.

The legislation aims to prevent foreign influence in Estonia's religious sphere if it threatens national security, constitutional order, or public order or if it promotes military aggression or incites war, according to the parliament's press service.

The Estonian Orthodox Church, which operates under the jurisdiction of the Russian Orthodox Church, also known as the Moscow Patriarchate, will be directly impacted.

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According to Estonian public broadcaster ERR, the church will be compelled to cut ties with Moscow when the law, which still requires presidential approval, takes effect.

The Moscow Patriarchate has openly supported Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Patriarch Kirill, a staunch ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has repeatedly endorsed the war, describing Putin's rule as a "gift from God" and blessing Russian military operations.

Kirill's stance has deepened divisions within the global Orthodox community and led to legal action in Ukraine, where authorities placed him on a wanted list in December 2023 for violating the country's territorial integrity.

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Estonian officials have previously accused the local Orthodox Church's leadership of sympathizing with Russian aggression.

Estonia's parliament had already designated the Russian Orthodox Church as an "institution sponsoring the military aggression of the Russian Federation" in a resolution passed on May 6, 2024.

Estonia, a vocal supporter of Ukraine and a NATO frontline state, has taken a firm stance against Russian influence since the start of the invasion.

Read also: Supporting Ukraine is America first  Trumps spiritual advisor, Pastor Mark Burns

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The European Union will match the Trump administrations 90-day pause on tariffs, delaying duties on $22 billion worth of U.S. products. Trumps new 10% baseline tariff on trade partners remains in effect.

The pause comes a day after the European Commission authorized retaliatory measures against the U.S. over 25% steel and aluminum tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump.

The EU tariffs would have hit next Tuesday on a wide range of U.S. exports, including orange juice, soybeans, motorcycles, beauty products and more.

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Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, said the commission was suspending tariffs against the U.S. to pursue negotiations.





The European Commission is the primary executive arm of the EU.

We took note of the announcement by President Trump. We want to give negotiations a chance. While finalizing the adoption of the EU countermeasures that saw strong support from our Member States, we will put them on hold for 90 days. If negotiations are not satisfactory, our countermeasures will kick in, von der Leyen said on a social media post on Thursday.

Trump unveiled a broad reciprocal tariff plan for all U.S. trade partners April 2, including a baseline 10% tariff on trade partners, as well as 25% tariffs on certain imported vehicles and auto parts arriving into the U.S.

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Trumps tariff policy went into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, including 20% on the EU, 10% on the United Kingdom, 34% on China, 24% on Japan and 32% on Taiwan.





On Wednesday, Trump said he was pausing the reciprocal tariffs and dropped duties under his new trade plan to 10% on imports from most countries for 90 days.

Trump also said in a social media post on Wednesday that he was raising tariffs imposed on imports from China to 125%, hours after China boosted the duty on American goods to 84%. Trump increased the import tariffs against China to 145% on Thursday.

Trumps 90-day pause does not include the 25% duties on imported cars and auto parts, as well as steel and aluminum, which also remain under a 25% import tax that began April 2.

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In February, Trump launched 25% tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada, citing fentanyl and illegal immigration as justifications.

However, goods covered by the United States-Canada-Mexico Agreement will be exempt from tariffs, while products that arent exempt under the trade deal will still have a 25% duty. Canadian energy and fertilizer products will have a 10% levy.

Where President Donald Trumps tariffs currently stand

The post EU delays US tariffs for 90 days following Trumps pause appeared first on FreightWaves.
The News

The European Union announced Thursday that it would suspend its retaliatory tariffs on US goods for 90 days, after US President Donald Trump backed down on his Liberation Day levies.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU wants to give negotiations a chance after Trump halved the 20% duty he imposed on the bloc on April 2, bringing it in line with his 10% universal tariff.

The EU  with the support of all member states bar Hungary  had planned three phases of counter measures starting on April 15 with duties on $4.3 billion worth of US imports, followed by further phases in May and December.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  A Eugene man who posted violent threats by video  including one in which he threatened to become the next Kip Kinkel  was sentenced to five years probation on Wednesday.

Jeffrey Alan Voss, 31, was was originally indicted in Nov. 2024 by a federal grand jury with transmitting interstate threats and attempting to tamper with evidence.

Two Scappoose women arrested, accused of murdering man in their care

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According to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Oregon, Voss made violent threats in multiple videos he posted on social media from Sept. 24 to Sept. 27, including two videos in which he held a firearm.

Officials added that Voss discussed becoming Kinkel in one particular video, referring to the man who pleaded guilty to the 1998 murder of his parents, as well as a school shooting in Springfield, where he killed two of his classmates and injured 25 more.

The Attorneys Office said concerned citizens reported Voss to 911 on Sept. 27, 2024 after he warned people he was near a high school during a Facebook livestream. He was arrested by the Eugene Police Department that same day.

This isnt something that we prepare for: Community shaken after deaths of mom, 3 kids near Cornelius home

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Later on Oct. 1, the FBI searched his residence, where they found two firearms, a replica firearm, body armor, ammunition, as well as a handwritten note outlining his desires for vengeance and specifying individuals Voss wished to harm, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Oregon said.

According to the office, Voss also attempted to push someone to hide or remove evidence before the search.

He pleaded not guilty to his charges on Nov. 5, 2024 and was detained pending further court proceedings.

Voss then entered a guilty plea on March 6, 2025.

The USAO says Voss will serve out his probation, which also includes the six months in custody he served prior to sentencing.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
TOKYO - Japan said Thursday that U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to pause his so-called reciprocal tariffs for 90 days is a "positive development," but it will continue to put pressure on its closest ally, Washington, to roll back other tariff measures.

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba vowed to deploy all possible steps to curb the impact of the higher U.S. tariffs on Japan's export-oriented economy, as his government prepares to launch bilateral ministerial talks on the issue.

Ryosei Akazawa, Japan's minister in charge of the negotiations, is arranging to visit the United States next week, a source close to him said.

Akazawa, a close aide to Ishiba, is expected to hold talks with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who serves as the point man for the negotiations with Japan, according to the source.

On Thursday, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said at a press conference, "We have conveyed our concern and strongly asked (the United States) to review the tariff measures at various levels. We take the U.S. announcement as a positive development."

"That said, we will continue to strongly urge the United States to review the remaining reciprocal tariff, as well as other tariffs on steel, aluminum, cars and car parts," Hayashi, the top government spokesman, said.

A baseline tariff of 10 percent remains in place despite the 90-day pause announced by Trump on Wednesday, just hours after a 24 percent reciprocal duty on Japanese products entering the United States was implemented. The reprieve also applies to dozens of other nations that were hit with reciprocal tariffs like Japan.

At a meeting of the Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy, a government advisory panel, Ishiba said, "It is extremely regrettable that the United States implemented the reciprocal tariff, despite part of it being paused for 90 days."

"We will continue to carry out all necessary support measures," he said.

While the reprieve gives financial markets some respite from recent massive sell-offs, economists warn that the spate of trade-restrictive steps taken by the United States could slow economic growth.

A plan to deliver a cash handout, worth between 30,000 yen ($206) and 50,000 yen, has emerged within the ruling coalition of Ishiba's Liberal Democratic Party and its junior partner, the Komeito party.

Komeito chief Tetsuo Saito said Thursday that his party views tax cuts as a more effective way to cushion the blow to households, but he added cash handouts can be used as a "stopgap" measure because it takes time to implement a tax reduction.

Cash handouts are often offered in Japan to support households during difficult times, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. But given that the country's fiscal health is the worst among advanced economies, such distributions can be seen as a classic example of pork-barrel politics. Japan is set to hold an election for the House of Councillors this summer.

Hayashi said the administration will continue to keep a close watch on financial markets and take "appropriate measures," following a recent market rout driven by concerns about slowing economic growth.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average marked its second-biggest point gain in history, rising over 2,800 points from its close on Wednesday, when the Finance Ministry, the Bank of Japan and the Financial Services Agency held a three-way meeting to discuss market volatility.

Japan's negotiator Akazawa serves as minister responsible for economic and fiscal policy as well as for the revitalization of local economies.

In a related move, the Foreign Ministry said it has set up a task force led by Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya to discuss ways to advance diplomatic efforts aimed at encouraging the United States to review the tariffs. The group held its first meeting on Thursday.

Related coverage:

Trump pauses country-specific tariffs for 90 days, except for China

China imposes 84% retaliatory tariffs on U.S. as trade war escalates

Nikkei ends over 2,800 points higher, 2nd-biggest rise in history
ATHENS - Europe and the United States could reach a "win-win" trade deal which could be beneficial to both parties, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said in an interview published late on Wednesday.

In a stunning reversal, Trump said on Wednesday he would temporarily lower the hefty duties he had just imposed on dozens of countries while further ramping up pressure on China, sending global stocks rocketing higher.

On the European front there is a possibility of finding a win-win solution when it comes to trade, a solution which will be mutually beneficial," Mitsotakis told U.S. news network Breitbart from his office in Athens.

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The European Union on Wednesday agreed to launch its first countermeasures against U.S. tariffs next week. But European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday welcomed Trump's announcement of the pause.

Mitsotakis said that there was "still room for negotiations" with the United States before Europe considered any major reciprocal response beyond what had been announced on Wednesday.

"Europe and the European market is very important for the U.S. and U.S. is important for Europe and we need to work out a solution."

(Reporting by Angeliki Koutantou; Editing by Peter Graff)
HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT)  Evansville Rescue Mission CEO Tracy Gorman is speaking out against Indiana Senate Bill 197. Officials with the organization say this would criminalize homelessness.

While your Evansville Rescue Mission is an apolitical organization, we will not hesitate to speak out when an issue is of extreme importance to the individuals we serve. After all, theyre why were here! Currently, there is a major issue that is potentially facing homeless people in Indiana, and I ask our colleagues and friends to contact your Senate Representatives immediately and urge them to vote against the amendment that was added to Senate Bill 197. This legislation is unwise, unnecessary and unwarranted, especially in its current form. More discussion and conversations are needed regarding this issue, and hurrying through an ill-advised amendment like this is not the answer. Time is of the essence, so please encourage your state legislators to either drop the amendment, or vote against the bill! Homeless individuals already have enough to worry about. They sure dont need this! CEO of Evansville Rescue Mission Tracy Gorman

Senate Bill 197 makes it a Class C misdemeanor for a person to use public property of the state or a political subdivision for purposes of sleeping or camping, subject to certain exceptions and 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 Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW).
What seemed to begin as yet another way to own the libs is now backfiring on the Trump administration and one of its biggest allies in the MAGA social media ecosystem.

Earlier this week, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem let Libs of TikTok creator Chaya Raichik accompany her on an ICE raid in Arizona. While Noem was decked out in tactical gear and carried an assault rifle, Raichik donned a police vest and an ICE officer badge on the ride-along and posted exclusive footage of the arrests of supposed criminal illegal aliens to her social media platforms.

Just stop trying to glamorize the mission and put yourself in the middle of it as you cosplay ICE agent, which youre not, conservative podcaster Megyn Kelly exclaimed on Wednesday.

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Noem, in particular, has come under fire in recent weeks  especially from the left  over her relentless media tour in which shes dressed up not just as an ICE agent but also play-acting as a Customs and Border Protection officer, a firefighter, and a pilot . The backlash grew more intense after she filmed an Instagram video at the infamous CECOT prison in El Salvador, which featured her wearing a $60,000 Rolex while standing in front of shirtless prisoners.

But this most recent stunt, which not only featured a pro-Trump influencer but also saw Noem apparently failing gun safety standards, seems to have been a bridge too far for the right.

Libs of TikTok creator Chaya Raichik shares photos of her "ride-along" on an ICE raid with DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. (X/@chayaraichik10)

Kristi Noem clearly doesnt understand that a cabinet secretarys job is not to cosplay, right-wing pundit John Cardillo tweeted. The job is to be in their office, making the agency more efficient, professional, and effective. The job is to be on Capitol Hill, ensuring the agency has resources to do its job.

Kelly, the former Fox News star who has become one of the top podcasters in the country, went even further with her criticism of Noem.

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Can we talk about Kristi Noem and these ridiculous photo ops? Why does she have to keep doing this? Kelly wondered on her show this week.

I cant stand these photo ops, you guys. I think they diminish ICE, they diminish DHS, CPB. Shes not an agent! She is an administrative policy person appointed by Trump because she was very loyal to him, she continued. Stop with the glam! I mean, she looks like I look right now, but shes out in the field with her gun, being like were gonna go kick some a**! No one wants you there.

Raichik, who vaulted to conservative fame in recent years for her aggressive anti-trans social media posts, has also found herself in the line of MAGA fire for her part in the ICE raid photo-op. Much of that anger, it seems, is due to the far-right already growing a bit disenchanted with the administration deporting fewer migrants than President Joe Biden when they thought Trump would have already cleared out millions of immigrants.

This s**t enrages me. Deportation numbers are low, denying that is wrong, one ultra-conservative social media personality reacted. Instead, were bringing libsoftiktok along in a circus event.

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Lara Logan, a former award-winning CBS correspondent who has morphed into an Alex Jones-level conspiracist, tweeted: Not sure what this is but if this is todays journalism we are not better off.

Conservative columnist T. Becket Adams, in the meantime, snarked that ICE raids tourism is a thing now, while a writer for MAGA website The Gateway Pundit remarked: This is just embarrassing. We dont need more influencer photo ops and cabinet members playing dress-up. We need this admin seriously focused on deportations.

Will Sommer, a senior reporter at The Bulwark who specializes in right-wing extremism, speculated about some of the reasons why the Libs of TikTok founder was suddenly taking so much heat for this PR stunt.

Why is Raichik getting raked over the coals? I think this reflects some fatigue on the right toward influencers, particularly those who are seen as pulling punches against the administration in exchange for access, he wrote.

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Raichik was also at the White House for the Epstein-binders debacle, Sommer added. Altogether, the real diehards see her as part of a group of MAGA influencers who are trotted out occasionally to create the illusion that Trump is delivering for his base.

Despite the growing outcry from the right, though, Noem has suggested that shes not going to pare down on these photo-ops.

Every day I wake up and theres new criticisms. It's something different every single day, so I try not to pay attention to the noise, she told Fox News host Jesse Watters on Wednesday night. Obviously, Im guided by the folks that I work with every day to be appropriate for the situation that Im in and to take the same precautions they do.
The increasing prevalence of weaponized drones, especially first-person-view (FPV) kamikaze types, and other man-portable precision munitions could lead to a change in the U.S. Marine Corps famous mantra of every Marine a rifleman, according to the general who oversees the training of the services new recruits.

Marine Lt. Gen. Benjamin Watson, who is currently head of Marine Corps Training and Education Command (TECOM), talked yesterday about how the evolving nature of modern warfare is also impacting the very core of his services warrior ethos. Watsons remarks came during a panel discussion on Marine Corps modernization at the Navy Leagues Sea Air Space 2025 exhibition.

One of our mantras, kind of bumper stickers, which has real meaning for us culturally as a service, is sort of every Marine [a] rifleman,' Watson said. Now, the idea [is] that any Marine, using a precision weapon, can kill somebody who needs killing at ranges up to 500 meters.

A Marine uses a hand-held controller to operate a drone. USMC

You think about that, and thats still important, right, being able to achieve combat overmatch at that echelon, he added. But now, if you use technology, that same Marine can be just as lethal at ranges out to 15 to 20 kilometers and beyond.

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And one of the initiatives we partnered on here is this Marine Corps Attack Drone Team, the TECOM commander continued. It started down at Quantico, with the partnership between [the] Marine Corps Warfighting Lab[oratory] and [the] Weapons Training Battalion, and they are using FPV drones, first-person-view drones. And they are paving the way for some of the policy, technology, and fiscal challenges into how we bring these in, at scale, and we turn a rifleman into somebody who cannot just kill an adversary with a precision weapon at 500 meters, but can do it out at 15 to 20 kilometers.

The Corps first announced the establishment of the experimental Marine Corps Attack Drone Team (MCADT) at the services base in Quantico, Virginia, earlier this year.

The creation of MCADT comes in response to the rapid proliferation of armed first-person-view drone technology and tactics observed in modern conflicts, particularly in Eastern Europe. As emerging threats continue to evolve, the Marine Corps is prioritizing the integration of FPV drone capabilities to enhance lethality and operational effectiveness across the Fleet Marine Force, according to a press release the Marine Corps put out in March. MCADTs impact extends beyond competition. FPV drones offer squad-level lethality up to 20 kilometers for under $5,000, compared to more expensive weapons systems with less capability. This provides a cost-effective and scalable solution for modern combat.

A Neros Archer FPV drone belonging to the MCADT. USMC

Per the release, MCADT has three main tasks:

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Develop and refine armed FPV drone training for Marines across the Total Force.

Inform service-level requirements to ensure the rapid fielding of cutting-edge FPV technologies.

Enhance individual and unit lethality through hands-on instruction during competitive training events.

As alluded to in the March press release, FPV kamikaze drones, as well as ones capable of dropping small munitions on their targets, are in widespread use on both sides of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which has helped popularize their increased use globally by both nation-state armed forces and non-state actors. It is important to note, as TWZ regularly does, that the threats posed by weaponized uncrewed aerial systems, including small modified commercial designs, far predates the war in Ukraine.

Reposting this video showing a Russian T-80BVM tank with a roof screen and deploying smoke surviving multiple FPV hits and misses.https://t.co/nS5v1Vx15F https://t.co/YpwuUrelOT pic.twitter.com/A6ethi6l0O  Rob Lee (@RALee85) December 13, 2023

A Ukrainian drone from the 79th Air Assault Brigade drops a 40mm HEDP grenade on a Russian UR-77 Meteorit, causing a catastrophic payload explosion. pic.twitter.com/SsaQCKXsNL  OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) August 14, 2023

FPV drones are not the only kinds of precision munitions individual Marines, or at least very small Marine units, can expect to be armed with in the near future. Things like Organic Precision Fires [OPF], loitering munitions, one-way-attack drones, are key modernization priorities for the Corps, Marine Lt. Gen. Eric Austin, head of Marine Corps Forces Command, also said during yesterdays panel discussion.

The Marine Corps is currently in the process of acquiring multiple tiers of loitering munitions through its OPF effort, including types that individual Marines can employ and larger designs fired from ground vehicles and small watercraft.

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Teledyne FLIR Defenses Rogue 1, seen in the video below, is one of the loitering munitions the Marine Corps is acquiring now.

If you think about the old movies, videos of people in combat, Marines, soldiers, in combat, they carried a hand grenade or two on their vest, right, that they could throw as far as they could throw it, as accurately as they could throw it, Marine Maj. Gen. Jason Woodworth, another one of the panelists, said. Now were getting to a point where theyre going to be able to carry a guided hand grenade, throw it up in the air with loiter capability, and somebody behind them is going to be able to guide that to everyone in this room. So everyone in this room has a hand grenade that is guidable onto the four of us up here, right?

A DefendTex Drone40, an example of a grenade-sized drone that can be configured as a loitering munition that is on the open market now. Crown Copyright

Woodworth, who is currently head of Marine Corps Installations Command and Assistant Deputy Commandant, Installations & Logistics (Facilities), pointed out that Marines are facing down the prospect of opponents with the same kinds of capabilities and will need to be able to defend themselves. The Marine Corps is actively working to acquire an array of counter-drone capabilities to protect installations and units abroad and at home.

Efforts similar to the MCADT aimed at expanding the use of FPVs and other kinds of weaponized drones, particularly among smaller combat units, are also now emerging elsewhere across the U.S. military, including within the U.S. special operations community. Other branches of Americas armed forces are also working to acquire large numbers of loitering munitions, as well.

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Collectively, this work continues to highlight how the U.S. military is still very much playing catch-up when it comes to broader fielding of uncrewed capabilities, as well as the means to defend against, even while acknowledging growing global trends.

Depending on how the Marine Corps modernization efforts proceed now, it may be long before the services every Marine a rifleman addage also evolves.

Contact the author: joe@twz.com
Record Store Day first launched in 2008 as a niche celebration of record stores as digital sales exploded.

Now, it's a full-fledged holiday with more than 1,300 record stores participating around the country, many of which host parties while selling RSD exclusive vinyl releases that are generally only available for a day (an hour or two is more accurate for some of the most sought-after releases).

It'll happen again on April 12, with exclusive releases from pop stars like Taylor Swift and Charli XCX, as well as icons like George Harrison and Lou Reed. There are also quite a few Minnesota groups with a special release for the day.

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To aid your quest for a fun Record Store Day, here are the stores stocking RSD exclusives and/or hosting special sales, concerts, and other events for the physical media holiday.

Electric FetusCourtesy of Electric Fetus

Caydence Records & Coffee

It'll be a busy one at the combination record shop and cafe. There will be free Caydence beer koozies and RSD buttons, as well as a 7 p.m. screening of The Devil and Daniel Johnston. The shop opens at 8 a.m. and will stay open until the movie is over. 900 Payne Ave., St. Paul

Disco Death Records & Coffee

Disco Death is hosting its first vintage market of the year on Record Store Day. It'll have tons of records out for sale, discounts, and "mystery bags," in addition to vintage vendors outside. It will not, however, have any RSD releases. 721 W 26th St., Minneapolis

Down in the Valley

In addition to RSD releases, Live Nation will be celebrating at the shop's Golden Valley location, hosting giveaways and offering tickets to upcoming shows at The Fillmore, Uptown Theater, and Varsity Theater with no ticket fees. 8020 Olson Memorial Hwy, Golden Valley and 13633 Grove Dr, Maple Grove

Electric Fetus

[Takes a deep breath] Electric Fetus has a signing with The Linda Lindas (sorry, sold out), ticket giveaways for First Ave. shows, and a DJ set and signing with Bootsy Collins. There will also be DJ sets from DJ Jake Rudh of Transmission, DJ Cherry Cherry Boom Boom, DJ A.J. Hilton, and DJ Andrea Swensson. The garage will open with its RSD releases at 9 a.m. Numbers are given out to people in line at 8 a.m. There will also be free pastries and coffee from Hell's Kitchen, and the El Burrito Mercado food truck will be set up as well. 2000 4th Ave. S, Minneapolis

Extreme Noise

The volunteer-run shop that focuses on punk and metal records will open at 10 a.m., offering select markdowns and short-run shirts from artists Aaron Cometbus and Bill Hauser. Plus, there will be live music from Lovescare, Panel, and Mold at 2 p.m. 407 W Lake St., Minneapolis

Hymie's Records

Hymie's is opening, as it says on its poster, "butt crack early," aka 7 a.m. The Mod Garage will perform live at noon. Meanwhile, across the street at Milkweed, Dustin James and True Green will perform at 2 p.m. 3820 E Lake St., Minneapolis

Know Name Records

The shop will have records and live music to celebrate RSD and its 48th anniversary. That'll include performances from Heavy Sixers (1 p.m.), Bloodline with Julia Wheaton (2 p.m.), and Elour (3 p.m.) 6009 Portland Ave. S, Minneapolis

Lucky Cat Records

The relatively new record shop will be opening at 10 a.m. and selling records until 5 p.m., when it'll host an in-store performance and signing with The Scarlet Goodbye (featuring members of Golden Smog and Soul Asylum). The band is celebrating the release of their new album, El Camino Adios! 2557 Lyndale Ave., Minneapolis

SolSta Records

Another shop that's opening quite early, SolSta starts selling at 7 a.m. It'll also be screen-printing limited edition shirts, hosting a sidewalk sale, and having a SolSta Spins event starting at 6 p.m. Additionally, its basement mini arcade will have free play all day. 6006 Excelsior Blvd., St. Louis Park

Urban Lights Music

The doors open at 10 a.m., when you'll find RSD releases plus an additional 10% off on new and used vinyl. There will also be ticket giveaways and DJ sets starting at noon. 1449 University Ave. W, St. Paul

Other shops hosting Record Store Day events

Minneapolis

Cheapo: 2600 Nicollet Ave., Minneapolis

Roadrunner Records: 4534 Nicollet Avenue  opens at 9 a.m.; numbers distributed at 8 a.m.

St. Paul

Agharta Records: 2512 University Ave. W, St. Paul  opens at 8 a.m.

Cheapo: 71 Snelling Ave., St. Paul

Eclipse Records: 419 Wabasha St. N, St. Paul

Elsewhere

Cheapo: 170 89th Ave. NE, Blaine

Mill City Sound: 812 Main St., Hopkins  opens at 9 a.m.; numbers handed out at 8:30 a.m.; eight RSD record limit

South Metro Music: 13710 Nicollet Ave., Burnsville  opens at 9 a.m.

White Bear Lake Records: 4775 Banning Ave., White Bear Lake  opens at 10 a.m.

Related: 20 of the best concerts in the Twin Cities this spring
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE)  Knox County along with other communities in Tennessee are witnessing a housing crisis. With that, eviction numbers are continuing to rise in Knox County. A group of researchers and organizations teamed up to dive into this problem.

A 66-page report shows the results of the study done by the Appalachian Justice Research Center, Statewide Organizing for Community eMpowerment and Legal Aid of East Tennessee from September to December of last year. In Knox County, the median listing price for a home has risen 83% and rental prices have risen 56% since 2020. In that same amount of time, income has only increased roughly three percent.

College counselors urge students to complete FAFSA despite Dept. of Education uncertainty

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What was interesting about Knoxville in particular is, there really wasnt a housing crisis up until 2020, Dr. Solange Munoz with University of Tennessee Department of Geography and Sustainability said.

Munoz told 6 News that prior to her work with the Appalachian Research Justice Center, she was working on the housing crisis at an international level. She said up until the pandemic, Knoxville was affordable.

Ive been talking about this for over 10 years. Knoxville was safe. I arrived in 2015 and housing was cheap. During COVID, all of a sudden you had all of these people now that could work remotely. They didnt have to live in these big cities, Munoz said. They wanted to live in other places and East Tennessee was so much cheaper. People started to arrive here and rent started to go up.

With the higher average rent prices and mostly stagnant household income, eviction court dockets are starting to pile up. Knox Countys eviction court saw 361 cases in one day last month. Legal Aid of East Tennessee Managing Attorney Michael Davis said walking into court every week and seeing the sheer amount of people is hard.

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To be honest, it gets overwhelming even as an attorney that gets used to it and the process, Davis said. Seeing the weekly churn of it. Seeing it from our end, dealing with our clients, getting to meet with them, getting to hear the desperation in their voice, the terror. Having to leave where the place thats been home in 10 days, its crushing.

Blount County launches Tennessee Safe Baby Court program

Legal Aid has been able to get 90 percent of its clients eviction judgments not placed on their record, allowing them to find new housing if needed. The study, conducted by the research center shows that the City and County could save roughly $3.7 million a year, including $507,090 in homeless services, if they keep Legal Aid funded. However, Yolanda Grant with Statewide Organizing for Community eMpowerment told 6 News that the impacts go beyond Knox County.

Its starting to do that spreading and more and more people are becoming involved in this eviction process. Not just on the end of trying to help but actually being the person evicted, Grant said. It can be from a teacher to an engineer. It can be those. Ive had accountants as clients. Its not just an economic problem or issue thats going on.

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The report outlines the data compiled and visually shows the disparities between rent and pay as well as how the eviction numbers have increased. At the end of the report, the group also acknowledged some of the issues they came across, the biggest, lack of data availability. During the presentation, they noted it is hard to tell how many evictions there have been in the past year, let alone since 2020, because the courts here do it all on paper.

 See more top stories on WATE.com

We are told the funding that gives Legal Aid of East Tennessee the ability to help those going through eviction court is about to run out. The stop date for funding is May 31 of this year, meaning Legal Aid will not be getting the $600,000 of funding it has been getting.

You can find a link to the full report here.

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EDITORS NOTE: This story has been updated to clarify the total amount that would be saved if the City and County continue using Legal Aid of East Tennessee.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Jurors in the bribery trial of state Sen. Emil Jones III on Thursday watched the rest of a 2019 undercover video from a downtown steakhouse where a red light camera company executive told Jones hed raise him $5,000 and hire his legislative intern, but that he needed to keep it quiet.

Especially in this day and age, keep it quiet. Is that cool? SafeSpeed co-founder Omar Maani, who was secretly cooperating with the FBI, told Jones at the July 2019 meeting at Steak 48.

Yeah thats fine, Jones replied.

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Maani explained that his fellow executives at SafeSpeed, including CEO Nikki Zollar, were a little goofy when it came to making campaign contributions that could be connected directly back to them, so it was better to keep their relationship secret for the time being.

Among Maanis ideas was to sponsor a White Sox fundraiser for Jones that would not have to be recorded as a specific contribution. He also said he wanted to hire Jones intern without others knowing the connection.

Thats why were meeting like this, you know? Maani said on the recording. I dont want to deal with the lobbyists or any bull(expletive) like that. You know what Im saying?

Yeah, Jones said, slicing into his steak as the hidden camera rolled from somewhere low on the table.

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Were gonna know each other for a very long time, building our relationship and I will be there for you every time, Maani said.

Jones III, 46, is charged with bribery, use of an interstate facility to solicit bribery and lying to federal agents. The most serious charge carries up to 10 years in prison, while the others have a five-year maximum term.

According to the charges, Jones, whose father, Emil Jones Jr., led the state Senate for years before orchestrating to have his son replace him in 2009, agreed to take $5,000 in contributions promised by Maani in exchange for his help with legislation Maanis company, SafeSpeed LLC, wanted altered in Springfield.

Jones also is accused of pushing Maani to hire his legislative intern for a $15-an-hour part-time job at SafeSpeed. And he later lied to the FBI about his contacts with Maani and his knowledge of his interns salary, the charges allege.

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If convicted, Jones would be forced to resign under Illinois law and would almost certainly forfeit any future pension.

In his opening statement to the jury Wednesday morning, Assistant U.S. Attorney Prashant Kolluri said Jones knew exactly what he was doing when he agreed to keep evidence of the relationship with Maani out of public view.

This was politics for profit, Kolluri said. The crime here is that the defendant put his power as an Illinois senator up for sale and then lied about what he had done.

Jones, meanwhile, has maintained his innocence. His lawyers have indicated they intend to argue that his actions were business as usual and that the government is trying to stretch political give-and-take into bribery.

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Jones defense attorney Joshua Adams said in his opening remarks that Maanis was a serial briber around the Chicago area, and he reminded the jury that Maani had agreed to cooperate with the government to avoid consequences for other charges against him.

In exchange for wearing a recording device and following the FBIs orders, he doesnt have to spend one day in jail, one night in a federal prison, Adams said. He gets to walk away from all of this.

The case hinges on a series of dinner meetings Maani recorded over a two-month period in 2019. The first, which the jury watched Wednesday, included Jones, Maani, and then-state Sen. Martin Sandoval, the powerful head of the Senate Transportation Committee, dining at Gibsons Steakhouse in Oak Brook that June.

Three weeks later, Maani and Jones met along at Steak 48. In a clip from that meeting played Wednesday, Maani asked the senator how much he wanted him to raise, saying he wanted to make sure he met expectations.

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Asked on Thursday by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany Ardam why he said that, Maani told the jury in his experience, a politician can get mad when you dont hit their mark.

Ive seen it many a time where people have been asked to give either a certain number and come up short and there would be very negative consequences, Maani testified.

Ardam also asked Maani whether hiring Jones intern something he had suggested previously?

No it caught me off guard a little bit, Maani said, adding that it was Jones who came up with the $15-an-hour figure.

During the dinner, Maani explained to Jones the $5,000 would be no problem to raise.

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The only thing with meis I dont want it to look funky you know that our company is cutting you a check or Im personally cutting you a check and then somebody asks some questions, he said. So if there is a creative way you could do it, Im up for any suggestionWe have reporting requirements and everything It would be from me to you. I wouldnt include my company on this cause theyre goofy, you know. Nikki and them.

Jones then asked Maani, what can I do for you?

So last time you had a study that encompassed the whole state, Maani said. And then you amended it and then it just encompassed the city of Chicago I would ask if you would do that.

Maani also asked him to tamp down Republican state Rep. David McSweeney, of Barrington, who had filed a series of anti-red light camera legislation.

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After Jones agreed, Maani reassured him: Ill take care of the intern. Ill take care of everything. but if you could just to that that would be phenomenal.

I got you, Jones replied. And Ill protect you all from McSweeney.

Then the waiter arrived with a baked potato and corn creme brulee  telling them it was a specialty of the house.

Days after the Steak 48 meeting, Jones emailed Maani his interns resume with a note of thanks.

Omar, Had a great time at dinner last week, he wrote, according to a copy shown to the jury. Looking forward to the many more good times my friend. Again thank you for this opportunity for Christopher, his resume its attached. Emil.

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At the direction of the FBI, Maani later reached out to Jones and set up another meeting at Steak 48 on Aug. 9, 2019. Like the previous dinner, the hidden camera was set up somewhere low on the table, capturing Jones as he walked up to the table wearing a Puma T-shirt. He told Maani hed been at flight school, learning to get his pilots license. Jones then ordered his usual, the Wagyu beef filet.

Under questioning from Ardam, Maani told the jury the Wagyu is a lot more expensive than other items on the menu.

Also Thursday, U.S. District Judge Andrea Wood took up an emergency motion filed by the Tribune and Sun-Times objecting to any denial of access to the recordings and other exhibits published in court. Wood had taken the issue under advisement Wednesday after the defense objected to the release of evidence while the trial was ongoing, citing the potential to bias jurors who may see snippets of evidence on the news.

In the motion, filed late Wednesday, attorneys for the newspapers said there is lengthy court precedent giving the public and media the right to access information shown in open court. Delaying the release would also be a violation of long-standing constitutional protections, they said.

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There will be intense and legitimate public interest in this trial and a corresponding expectation that the press will keep the public informed of developments, write attorneys Steve Mandell and Brian Saucier. This is truly a matter of access delayed equating to access denied.

Wood granted the access after Jones lead attorney, Victor Henderson, dropped his objection.

jmeisner@chicagotribune.com
WASHINGTON - U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday renewed his opposition to the sale of United States Steel Corp. to Japan's Nippon Steel Corp., as he touted his tariff plans as an effective means to revive his country's steel and other legacy industries.

Calling U.S. Steel a "very special company" that used to be the world's No. 1 steelmaker for a long time, Trump told reporters, "That's why we don't want to see it go to Japan" although the president said he loves the Asian country.

Trump claimed he saved the U.S. steel industry during his first presidency by using tariffs in response to China's "massive" dumping. "It's going to thrive, maybe like never before," said Trump, who imposed 25 percent tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports in March.

Trump's comments came two days after he ordered a panel of federal agencies to conduct another review of the Japanese steelmaker's blocked $14.1 billion bid to take over U.S. Steel.

In a presidential memorandum released by the White House on Monday, Trump said the purpose of the review is to assist him "in determining whether further action in this matter may be appropriate," directing the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States to submit a recommendation to him within 45 days.

The memorandum said the recommendation needs to describe whether plans proposed by the two steelmakers are "sufficient to mitigate any national security risks" previously identified by the committee constituted under Trump's predecessor Joe Biden.

Trump's order was immediately welcomed by the steelmakers, which announced their merger plan in December 2023.

But his latest comments suggested his stance on Nippon Steel's planned acquisition of the iconic but struggling American producer remains unchanged from his position during campaigning for the 2024 presidential election.

In early January, Biden issued an order to block the sale of U.S. Steel to Nippon Steel on national security grounds, following a recommendation by the panel, known as CFIUS.

Nippon Steel and U.S. Steel filed a lawsuit after Biden's decision, arguing CFIUS' screening and recommendation were influenced by the Democratic president.

Since winning the Nov. 5 election, the Republican Trump has said that Nippon Steel acquiring a minority stake in U.S. Steel would not cause any issues, but a foreign company owning it would be "psychologically not good."

Related coverage:

Trump asks panel to re-examine Nippon Steel's plan to buy U.S. Steel

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Its not uncommon for autistic children to wander away from home, schools and caregivers.

And when they do, the outcomes can be deadly.

But experts are speaking out about efforts to keep kids inside after the Detroit Free Press revealed preliminary police findings about a West Bloomfield Township fire in which three children were later declared dead.

Paul Arnold, who lives several blocks away, walks his dog Bentley past a house in the 5000 block on Pembury Lane in West Bloomfield Township that is the scene of a tragic fire killing three children on Sunday, Feb 2, 2025.

Fire and police investigations remain underway, but search warrant affidavits issued in the days after the Feb. 2 fire show the parents of Hannah, Jeremiah and Jacob Oliora told police that their middle child was diagnosed as autistic, was nonverbal and had a habit of leaving the house unannounced.

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So, the parents placed a lock on the inside of the front door, put the key to leave in a lockbox that only they and the eldest child could access, and put locks on the windows, the records show they told police.

The eldest of the three teenage and preteen children told 911 they couldnt get out of the house during the fire and one child was found behind the front door, the records showed.

Police say they have since learned additional information including about the measures the parents took to keep their developmentally disabled children safe that appear to have been taken at the recommendation of knowledgeable experts. They asked the public not to cast judgment without all of the details and with work still ongoing to determine official causes.

Parents of children with autism are between a rock and hard place trying to make decisions about the best way to keep their kids safe, confirmed Lori McIlwain, cofounder of the nonprofit National Autism Association.

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Until someone is dealing with a child trying to get out 24/7, it can be very difficult to understand, she said. Its not a daily concern  its minute-to-minute.

More: Parents of 3 in fatal West Bloomfield house fire: Extra locks were due to son's wandering

More: Uncertainty in Michigan looms over Trump promise to dismantle US Department of Education

It's called "elopement," and it's when children or even vulnerable adults leave the care of a responsible person or safe area. Data shows serious risks with death by drowning or traffic injury when they do.

And McIlwain noted her own child with autism eloped from schools that avoid locks on certain doors due to fire safety.

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This gets to be such a gray area because for so many families the greater risk is elopement, she said. And it's difficult to give them advice when you're trying to keep the child from getting out of the house.

There are options and free resources available, however, experts said.

High drowning risk

Last year was the deadliest year recorded for children with autism who wandered, escaped or eloped from the safety of a responsible adult, said McIlwain. Her organization has tracked this data since the mid-2000s.

The group determined 82 children with autism died in 2024 amid an elopement, about double from the prior year, she said. Of those, 75 drowned, and McIlwain said the figures are likely low.

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Kids with autism have been found to elope or wander away more frequently than unaffected siblings and do it for reasons including enjoyment, to explore, and sometimes to avoid uncomfortable stimuli, according to a 2012 survey cited by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

More: I lost my autistic son in a terrible accident. I hope his death prompts change. | Opinion

More: Her boy wandered from home and died. This mom wants you to know the perils of 'elopement.'

Nearly half of youths with autism spectrum disorder attempted to elope at least once after age 4, the survey found. Of those who went missing, the survey found 24% were in danger of drowning and 65% were in danger of traffic injury.

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And in 2017, a study from Columbia University found children with autism are 160 times as likely to die from drowning as other children.

There are also concerns about autistic children with limited communication skills who elope and encounter police, as miscommunication can lead to escalation, USA TODAY reports.

Some children with autism try to get out of the house so frequently, their parents sleep on a couch pulled in front of the door, McIlwain said. Some parents hide their childrens shoes, hoping to slow their kids run when they do get out.

One family even put a lock on their dog door to prevent their child from leaving, McIlwain said. The child still got out when it was unlocked for just a few brief moments.

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Some parents have, indeed, felt the need to nail and drill windows and doors closed, she said.

The risk of fire

Parents have great intentions, but a former fire marshal who is also the father of a child with autism said people need to understand that fires spread quickly.

Within three to four minutes, a fire can overtake a room to the extent that even a firefighter in full gear cant survive, said John Swanson, who spent about 20 years as a deputy state fire marshal in Minnesota.

And most people actually die of the smoke inhalation, not the fire itself, he said.

Fire is so fast, you just don't have time to grab a key before you're overtaken, he said. And that's where I teach now about having sprinklers, having a plan, because unfortunately, there's a perception out there that Firefighters will be there to save me if there's a fire in my house.

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But fire is just too fast nowadays, and most people, quite frankly, are dead before the fire department even arrives on scene.

A house in the 5000 block on Pembury Lane in West Bloomfield Township was the scene of a fire that killed three children on Sunday, Feb 2, 2025.

More: 3 children killed in West Bloomfield Twp. house fire: What we know

More: He tried to help as West Bloomfield Twp. home burned  now he grapples with deaths

Swanson has worked on Minnesota code changes related to the issue of elopement and fire safety, he said. He now works as a code and standards specialist for the National Fire Sprinkler Association, where he conducts trainings for fire marshals, inspectors and building officials. That work includes discussions on fire safety with autism.

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Swanson remembers well the time when his autistic son wandered away.

He and his wife noticed the front door was open and found their son, Micah, about 4 or 5 years old then, had wandered into the driveway on a cold January day. The boy was wearing only pajamas.

After that, the family installed piercingly loud door alarms, he said. His son has an aversion to loud sounds and his son hasnt wandered since.

Locks and wandering for children with autism

Swanson said he understands that the alarms wont work for everyone, and it needs to be a case-by-case basis. But from a fire perspective, he is against the use of locks that would require keys to leave and locking kids in.

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However, a Michigan doctor who works with families with autism says she has recommended locks as part of grander and ongoing discussions on safety.

Dr. Tisa Johnson-Hooper is a pediatrician and the medical director of Henry Ford Health's Generational Resilience Opportunity and Wellness, or GROW, Center for Autism and Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities.

She said parents have to weigh the most immediate danger and devise a plan should they need to emergently get a child out.

Unfortunately, families have to make a decision of how are they going to keep their child safe with an immediate potential danger  recognizing, you could potentially be impeding access to getting out of the house, should that door be locked, she said.

Some families put locks on their childs bedroom doors because at night they can be at risk of wandering the house getting into medicine or knives, she said. But safety planning has to be a part of that, including discussions about placing keys around a caregivers neck or otherwise making them immediately accessible.

Swanson emphasized his concern with having to get a key out. People think they can get a key out in time to escape, but they dont have time.

Especially at night, even when woken by smoke alarms, it can take time for your body to react and realize whats happening, he said.

Youre losing valuable time in those situations, he said.

Its something parents wrestle with every day, Johnson-Hooper said, and a lock should not be a one-and-done solution. Its to address an immediate danger, but the goal is to provide a child who is eloping with enough support, practice, and skills that a lock will no longer be needed.

Professional services can help address the behavioral needs behind elopement, said Erik Gallery, director of statewide access and early identification at the Autism Alliance of Michigan.

Elopement is happening for a reason, whether it's based around something that that person is trying to access, or a sensory-based need.  So we want to ensure that their needs are being met, and they have an appropriate communication system that's been established so that if it is a matter of access, or if it's a matter of a sensory need, they can communicate what that is rather than engaging in the elopement.

Options for families

Gallery said autism isnt the same for everyone and he couldnt confidently say a locking system would never be warranted. But having worked as a behavior analyst, he takes a top-down approach looking first at the least restrictive options.

The Autism Alliance of Michigan has a scholarship program to give away GPS trackers that can alert parents when their kids leave the property and alert first responders if they leave the area, said both Gallery and Colleen Allen, the alliances president and CEO.

The trackers are available in different styles, like a lanyard or a tag or a watch, depending on what works best for an individual child.

More: My son sees the world differently. Being Black delayed his autism diagnosis. | Opinion

More: What an autism diagnosis in adulthood revealed to these Michiganders

Another resource: The alliance has a free service called MiNavigator that can help connect families with local service providers, including behavior analysts who can help make safety plans specific to a familys needs, Allen said. Navigators can also help direct families to make sure the financial aspect of that is covered.

Stop signs placed at entrances can give children enough time to reconsider an impulse or be stopped, said Johnson-Hooper.

Families should also familiarize neighbors with their child, their needs, their speaking status and what to do if they see them out alone, said Johnson-Hooper.

This could even include giving neighbors a photo of their child with instructions on the back, she said.

Door and window alarms can be cost prohibitive, but the National Autism Association gives away free alarms to families, McIlwain said.

We recommend door and window alarms and adequate locks, she said. And when I say adequate, I mean locks that can be out of reach of the child but doesn't go so far as to create a safety hazard.

McIlwain called on local governments, health agencies and others to help families finance better security systems for families with autistic children.

To help pay for security systems with more robust features that can help them keep their child safe so that (families) don't have to take extreme measures, she said.

How to prepare in case of emergency

Homes need to have multiple smoke alarms, Johnson-Hooper said. She recommends having them in every room in the house, especially inside and outside of where a child with autism sleeps.

It did not appear there were working smoke alarms in the West Bloomfield home where the Oliora children lived, one fire official previously said.

Multiple experts including Gallery and Johnson-Hooper recommended families create safety plans and repeatedly practice what to do in emergencies. Several also discussed developing social stories, with illustrated guides showing their kids what a situation will look like and what to do. Multiple also discussed connecting with local police and fire departments directly.

And Bruce Ferguson, a former Dewitt police chief who has a nonverbal daughter with autism and is on the board of directors for Autism Support of Michigan, said families need plans A, B, and C if they are doing something special in their household to keep an eloping child inside.

That means training siblings on how to get out or how to break a window, perhaps giving a trusted neighbor a key, telling those neighbors which window is the room to your special needs child, or putting a sticker on your window to let firefighters know that room, he said.

Families need to think outside of the box, he said.

I can't fault the parents for trying to save their child, he said. Its just when you're living that situation and you're every day  every day  you're hoping and praying that they don't elope and get hurt  people shouldnt be afraid to reach out to a second set of eyes to evaluate what they're doing.

But youre just  you're inundated with anxiety. And I get it.  It's just that you need to do that little extra.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Experts on keeping autistic kids safe after West Bloomfield fatal fire
By Michelle Nichols

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The United States and Iran are due to hold talks on Saturday on Tehran's nuclear program as Britain, France and Germany consider whether to trigger a restoration of sanctions on Iran at the United Nations before a 2015 nuclear deal expires in October.

This is how they could do that:

WHAT IS THE 2015 IRAN NUCLEAR DEAL?

Many countries have suspected Iran of pursuing nuclear weapons, which Iran denies.

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Iran reached a deal in 2015 with Britain, Germany, France, the U.S., Russia and China - known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action - that lifted U.N., U.S. and European sanctions on Tehran in return for restrictions on its nuclear program.

The U.N. Security Council enshrined the deal in a resolution in July 2015.

WHAT IS THE U.S. ROLE IN THE NUCLEAR DEAL?

Calling it "the worst deal ever," U.S. President Donald Trump quit the JCPOA in 2018, in his first term, and restored all U.S. sanctions on Tehran. In response, Iran began moving away from its nuclear-related commitments under the accord.

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Indirect talks between Tehran and the administration of Trump's successor, Joe Biden, failed to make any progress.

The 2015 deal said that Iran would treat any reinstatement of sanctions "as grounds to cease performing its commitments under this JCPOA in whole or in part."

Trump in February restored a "maximum pressure" campaign on Iran. He has said he was open to a deal but has also threatened to use military force if Iran did not agree to end its nuclear program.

WHAT IS IRAN DOING?

The U.N. nuclear watchdog - the International Atomic Energy Agency - has said that Iran is "dramatically" accelerating enrichment of uranium to up to 60% purity, close to the roughly 90% weapons-grade level.

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Western countries say there is no need to enrich uranium to such a high level for civilian uses and that no other country has done so without producing nuclear bombs. Iran says its nuclear program is peaceful.

WHAT IS SNAPBACK?

Under the 2015 deal, there is a process known as "snapback" that would reimpose U.N. sanctions on Iran.

If the parties cannot resolve accusations of "significant non-performance" by Iran, this process can be triggered at the 15-member United Nations Security Council.

Once initiated, the Security Council must vote within 30 days on a resolution to continue Iran's sanctions relief, requiring nine votes in favor and no vetoes by the United States, Russia, China, Britain or France to pass.

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If the resolution isn't adopted, all U.N. sanctions on Iran would be reimposed unless the Security Council takes other action.

WHAT HAS THE U.S. DONE BEFORE AT THE U.N.?

Even though Trump quit the nuclear deal, the U.S. said in August 2020 that it triggered the snapback process, arguing it could do so because the 2015 resolution still named it as a participant.

However, all the remaining parties to the deal - Iran, Germany, France, Britain, Russia and China - told the Security Council they did not recognize the U.S. move. Nearly all the council's members were also opposed and snapback was not formally recognized.

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The remaining participants all have the power to trigger the snapback process but in reality, only Germany, France and Britain are interested in doing so.

WHAT IS HAPPENING NOW?

When the 2015 U.N. resolution expires on October 18, the opportunity to trigger the snapback ends. Trump has directed his U.N. ambassador to work with allies to reintroduce sanctions on Iran.

Britain, France and Germany have told the Security Council they are ready to pursue a snapback. They have pushed for a "comprehensive" report from the IAEA on Iran's nuclear activities, which could also strengthen the case for sanctions.

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First, accord participants must work through a dispute resolution mechanism outlined in the deal, which Britain, France and Germany triggered in January 2020. Russia disputes this.

In strategizing about a snapback move at the Security Council, Britain, France and Germany are likely to consider that Russia is the council president in September.

WHAT WOULD THE SANCTIONS BE?

If there is a snapback, measures imposed by the Security Council on Iran in six resolutions from 2006 to 2010 would be restored.

These include:

- An arms embargo

- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing

- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance

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- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities

- Authorization for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Line cargoes for banned goods.

(Reporting by Michelle Nichols; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)
A report from the World Wildlife Fund called out the Swedish and Finnish governments for their failure to uphold environmental agreements.

The report claimed that despite Sweden and Finland's heavily forested lands, not enough effort is being put into protecting their ancient and primary forests.

What's happening?

EcoWatch detailed that the WWF found that both Finland and Sweden are falling short of their commitments under the European Union's Green Deal and Biodiversity Strategy, the purpose of which is to protect old-growth and primary forests in Europe.

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Finland and Sweden's forests, which are essential for biodiversity and climate stability, are facing threats from logging practices that aim to exploit policy loopholes.

Per EcoWatch, Mai Suiminen, a forest expert with WWF Finland, said in a press release, "Publicly available evidence shows both Finland and Sweden are deviating from EU policies. This cannot continue if we are serious about tackling the climate and biodiversity crises."

The WWF shed light on loopholes in forest management policies that make way for destructive logging practices. Both Sweden and Finland are facing increased pressure to allow more logging, which can undermine the integrity of their ancient forests.

The report shared that the logging industry is exploiting regulatory gaps, particularly in Sweden, where there are certain known areas that are not legally protected.

Why is forest protection important?

The protection of ancient forests, like those found in Sweden and Finland, is essential in maintaining biodiversity, fighting a rising global temperature, and preserving the essential services that these forests provide for the planet.

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Ancient forests house a large variety of plant and animal species, many of which are rare and endangered. These ecosystems are key in preserving biodiversity and maintaining healthy and functioning ecosystems that support life.

Ancient forests can also serve as regulatory bodies for the climate, acting as "carbon sinks" and absorbing and storing large quantities of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Protecting these forests ultimately helps in the fight against a warming planet, as these trees that get cut down can release stored amounts of carbon into the atmosphere.

Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Definitely Only in some areas No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.

This is not only an environmental issue but also has significant community implications. For example, according to Swedish Forest Industries, Sweden's forestry industry supports 140,000 jobs, creating a complex challenge of balancing economic reliance on logging with the urgent need to protect these ancient forests.

What's being done about forest protection?

The WWF is urging the Swedish and Finnish governments to take this report seriously and enhance their forest protection policies, especially considering the urgency of addressing the planet's rapid overheating.

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Per Phys.org, the organization has stated plainly that both countries are "exploiting loopholes to allow logging in forests that should be safeguarded."

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.
(NewsNation)  Colossal Biosciences claims to have made the worlds first de-extinct animals, a pair of wolves named Romulus and Remus who were created using a complete dire wolf genome.

Colossal adviser and wildlife biologist Forrest Galante told NewsNation the company engineered the canines through gene-editing techniques and ancient DNA plugged into a dire wolfs closest living relative.

Theyve taken a gray wolf and turned it into something that represents a dire wolf, Galante said. This animal will never be released back into the wild. That was never an intent for that. This was just to show a proof of concept.

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Man who used AI lawyer explains why he did so after judge got angry

The team calls the process de-extinction, which Galante said could help repair fragmented and damaged ecosystems by replacing animals that human beings have wrongfully driven towards extinction.

Colossal has previously announced similar projects to genetically alter cells from living species to create animals resembling extinct woolly mammoths, dodos and others.

Scientists have pushed back on Colossals use of the term.

Romulus and Remus, both 3-months old and genetically engineered with similarities to the extinct dire wolf. (Colossal Biosciences via AP) This undated photo shows two pups that were genetically engineered with similarities to the extinct dire wolf. (Colossal Biosciences via AP) A young wolf that was genetically engineered with similarities to the extinct dire wolf. (Colossal Biosciences via AP)

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Nic Rawlence, an associate professor and director of the Paleogenetics Laboratory at New Zealands University of Otago, told the Washington Post, The reality is we cant de-extinct extinct creatures because we cant use cloning  the DNA is just not well enough preserved.

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What Colossal is trying to do is genetically engineering animals to look like extinct creatures, Rawlence told the outlet. They look cute and cuddly, but  theyre not a dire wolf.

According to Colossals website, its definition of de-extinction is not simply cloning but merging the biodiversity of the past with the innovations of the present.

Concerns surrounding genetic tampering and the potential proliferation of de-extinction endeavors have existed for years.

Funneling funding toward projects like Colossals, rather than traditional conservation efforts, could actually lead to biodiversity loss on the whole, according to a 2017 study published in the journal Nature Ecology & Evolution.

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Christopher Preston, a wildlife expert at the University of Montana, told the Associated Press hes hopeful the technology could help conservation efforts, as its a much less invasive way to clone animals.

Boots on Mars by 2029? Futurist says Musk plan is doable

Galante said Romulus and Remus will live as though they are in sort of a zoo or rescue center, with outdoor space but no public viewing.

These guys will not be, as far as Im aware, on display or going anywhere the public can interact with them, he said. They just get to have a very peaceful life.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Faced with a nearly $1-billion budget shortfall, Los Angeles elected officials are returning to a tried-and-true formula for weathering difficult financial times: charging more for city services.

On Wednesday, two City Council committees  one focused on public works, the other on environmental issues  endorsed a plan to increase trash pickup fees in each of the next five years, with the first hike being the largest by far.

Under the plan, refuse collection fees would go up for an estimated 740,000 customers in single-family homes, duplexes and apartment buildings with three or four units. Those customers put their waste in black, blue and green bins, which are emptied by city workers once a week.

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The monthly trash fee for single-family homes and duplexes would go up 54% in the coming budget year, reaching $55.95, up from $36.32. The monthly fee for smaller apartment buildings  those with three or four units  would be increased to $55.95, up from $24.33.

The trash fee proposal heads to the full City Council for a vote Friday. If the plan is approved, city lawyers would draft an ordinance establishing the higher rates, which would also require council approval.

Wednesday's committee votes came as city leaders, looking to erase the massive budget shortfall, are weighing whether to eliminate thousands of city jobs. Mayor Karen Bass is scheduled to release her budget, and her plan for closing the financial gap, on April 21.

Councilmember Katy Yaroslavsky, who heads the council's budget committee, and Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson recently called for city policy analysts to find new opportunities for generating revenue, such as setting fees at "appropriate levels to achieve cost recovery."

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Officials with the city's Bureau of Sanitation said the existing trash fees have not been generating enough money to cover the true cost of refuse collection. The general fund budget, which pays for public safety and other basic services, has been making up the difference, they said.

If the rates aren't increased, the general fund will be forced to absorb more than $200 million of those costs in the next budget year, which starts July 1, sanitation officials said.

"That's a game changer when we're trying to think about how many [city] jobs we're trying to protect," Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez, who represents parts of the city's Eastside, said at Wednesday's joint committee meeting.

Yaroslavsky agreed, saying that charging less than the true cost of trash collection is "bad budgeting, especially as we stare down a billion-dollar deficit."

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"It's absolutely necessary that we do this," she said.

Councilmember Adrin Nazarian cast the lone opposing vote, saying he was concerned that city officials had waited too long to raise the rates. Nazarian proposed that the council schedule a study to reassess those rates in 2028  an idea rejected by his colleagues.

The first round of rate increases is expected to generate more than $200 million over a full calendar year, according to City Administrative Officer Matt Szabo, the city's top budget analyst.

If the rate hikes go into effect by Oct. 1, the sanitation bureau probably will generate an additional $90 million during the coming fiscal year. If the increases go into effect on Jan. 1, they would produce an extra $49 million, officials said.

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Under the city's proposal, trash fees would continue going up through 2029. In the final year, single-family homes and apartments with two to four units would be charged $65.93 per month for refuse collection.

For single-family homes and duplexes, that would represent an 81% increase over the current year. For apartments with three or four units, the fee would nearly triple. Larger apartment buildings would not be covered by the planned trash fee hikes.

The increases would show up on the bills issued on a bimonthly basis by the Department of Water and Power, under the line item "solid resource fee."

The sanitation bureau is also seeking to increase the fee for the removal of bulky items, such as mattresses or couches, and plans to increase the number of customers who are charged that fee.

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Sanitation officials said their agency needs the increases to absorb rising equipment costs, higher salaries and an expensive new organic waste program.

Szabo said the sanitation bureau is spending tens of millions of dollars on compliance with California Senate Bill 1383, which requires the diversion of organic waste away from landfills.

"The state doesn't allow us to throw food in the trash anymore, and that's going to cost a lot more money," he said.

The last time the council hiked trash fees was 17 years ago, when Antonio Villaraigosa was mayor. During his first term, Villaraigosa succeeded in tripling customers' bills over a three-year period.

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In 2006, Villaraigosa said the fee increases were needed to cover his plan to hire 1,000 police officers. By 2008, the additional funds were also needed to help the city weather a budget crisis sparked by a global recession.

On Wednesday, several council members demanded to know why the city waited so long to seek trash fee increases. Sarai Bhaga, the sanitation bureau's chief financial officer, told them that a rate hike had been discussed around 2017 and 2018, but "the political headwinds didnt support it at that time." Once the COVID-19 pandemic started, the idea was again delayed, she said.

Jack Humphreville, who volunteers with Neighborhood Council Budget Advocates, a watchdog organization, accused council members of pushing the fee proposal through without sufficient time for the public to weigh in.

The agenda for Wednesday's committee meeting was posted just a day earlier, he said. Only one person testified during the meeting.

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"Everything's at the last moment," Humphreville said. "There's just been no outreach, no transparency, no nothing."

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
BEIJING - China on Thursday imposed retaliatory tariffs of 84 percent on all U.S. goods after President Donald Trump raised total U.S. duties on all Chinese items to 125 percent in a further escalation of the trade war between the world's two largest economies.

The measure was unveiled Wednesday evening as Beijing warned it would "fight till the end" if the United States imposed additional trade imposts. The Asian powerhouse originally planned to slap new duties of 34 percent in response to the United States' so-called reciprocal tariffs but increased the rate in a tit-for-tat move.

Separately, China added six U.S. firms to the list of "unreliable entities" subject to sanctions due to their alleged military technology cooperation with Taiwan. The Asian country also placed 12 American entities on its export control list.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian suggested Thursday that Beijing could announce additional countermeasures, reiterating at a press conference, "If the United States is determined to fight a tariff and trade war, China's response will continue to the end."

"Lin criticized Washington for "abusing" tariffs on China while stressing that Beijing will "never accept such hegemonic and bullying moves."

He called on the United States to "show an attitude of equality, respect and mutual benefit" if it hopes to hold talks with Beijing, saying, "pressuring, threatening and extorting China is not the right way to deal with us."

The Chinese Commerce Ministry had called the U.S. imposition of hefty tariffs "a grave mistake on top of an existing one."

Beijing does not want a trade war but will "by no means sit by while the legitimate rights and interests of its people are being hurt and deprived," the Commerce Ministry said, adding that China will hit back "with firm will and abundant means."

Huang Jingrui, spokesman of the Commissioner's Office of China's Foreign Ministry in Hong Kong, said that the imposition of high tariffs on China has made the United States "a barbarian of the 21st century," in a letter to the South China Morning Post, an English-language newspaper in the territory.

Referring to Trump's remarks that China "wants to make a deal" but just does not know how to get it started, Huang said, "We must solemnly tell the U.S.: a tariff-wielding barbarian who attempts to force countries to call and beg for mercy can never expect that call from China."

After Trump returned to office on Jan. 20, Washington initially imposed an additional 10 percent tariff on all Chinese imports, accusing Beijing of failing to curb the flow of illicit drugs into the United States. The tariff rate was later doubled.

Trump had initially been scheduled to impose an extra 34 percent in reciprocal tariffs on Wednesday. But angered by China's announcement of retaliatory measures, the president eventually hiked the total tariff rate to 125 percent.

The world's second-largest economy has already introduced new tariffs of up to 15 percent on U.S. liquefied natural gas, coal, agricultural machinery and large-displacement fuel automobiles, as well as a wide range of American farm imports.

The 84 percent duties on all U.S. imports were levied on top of existing tariff rates, meaning a 99 percent tariff rate now applies to those select American items, according to the Chinese Commerce Ministry.

Related coverage:

Trump pauses country-specific tariffs for 90 days, except for China

Japan ruling bloc eyes cash handout amid tariff, inflation woes
Claim:

Keanu Reeves debated Elon Musk about artificial intelligence (AI).

Rating:

Rating: False

Around April 8, 2025, claims (archived) circulated online that Hollywood actor Keanu Reeves had faced tech entrepreneur and Trump adviser Elon Musk in a debate about artificial intelligence (AI).

April 6, 2025

Keanu Reeves is known not only for his iconic film roles, but also for his wisdom, humility, and deep understanding of human existence.

In a compelling live debate watched by millions of viewers worldwide, he caught none other than Elon Musk, the visionary and tech pic.twitter.com/9yX0SMTtCt  James Tate (@JamesTate121) April 10, 2025

An English translation of an X post (archived) by a German-language self-proclaimed satire profile circulated on X and (archived) Facebook (archived). The post claimed Reeves had "silenced" the room with a poignant reminder of the importance of human "experience, pain, love, and hope" in creativity during the debate.

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Snopes readers also wrote in to ask if the debate actually happened.

However, there was no proof the alleged debate between Reeves and Musk ever happened. The claim appeared to have originated from an AI-generated video (archived) on a YouTube channel posting similar videos, all of them about Keanu Reeves and alleged confrontations with other celebrities. There was no credible reporting of the event or authentic  meaning not AI-generated  videos from it. Online AI detectors generally said screenshots and audio from the hourlong video were fake. For the reasons given, we rate this claim fake.

We reached out to the Voices of Change YouTube channel that posted the video to ask for details of the alleged debate and await a reply. We also reached out to representatives for Keanu Reeves to ask if he participated in the reported debate and await a reply.

Video's visuals and sound both carry traces of AI

The claim appeared to have come from an hourlong YouTube video titled "Keanu Reeves Destroys Elon Musk on Live TV  The Entire Studio Falls Silent!"

The video claimed that Reeves and Musk faced each other in a live, televised debate to a global audience about AI.

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The video consisted of two visuals: a short clip allegedly showing Elon Musk and Keanu Reeves gesturing wildly while debating in a brightly lit TV studio and the video's thumbnail image, superimposed with glowing specks, showing the two men sitting across from each other in armchairs on a stage with an audience behind them.

Sightengine and Hive Moderation, two online AI detectors, disagreed on whether screenshots from the video were generated by AI. According to Sightengine, a screenshot from the clip of Reeves and Musk arguing was 99% likely to be a deepfake, meaning digitally altered to resemble real people. Hive Moderation said the same screenshot was not likely to contain AI-generated or deepfake content.

(Sightengine/Hive Moderation/Snopes Illustration)

Regardless, recent pictures of Reeves on Getty Images, a respected photo agency, show the actor with noticeably more gray in his beard than what the YouTube video shows.

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There were also inconsistencies between the images that indicate they were not from the same event, even if they were not AI-generated. In the clip at the start of the video, Reeves and Musk were standing with a waist-height table between them. In the picture used for most of the video, the men were seated with a coffee table between them in a studio that appeared much larger and darker than in the video.

The hourlong video was narrated over a bed of instrumental music.

According to Deepfake Total and Hiya Deepfake Voice Detector, the audio was likely a deepfake. Deepfake Total scored it 100% on its Fake-O-Meter. Hiya rated snippets from the beginning, middle and end of the video 1/100 on its authenticity score, with 100/100 being not AI-generated audio.

(DeepfakeTotal/Hiya Deepfake Voice Detector/Snopes Illustration)

Despite the damning verdicts from AI detectors on visuals and sound, ZeroGPT.com, an AI detector for text, said the first few sentences of the video's narration were "Human written." We asked the Voices of Change YouTube channel whether they wrote the text narrated in the video themselves and await a reply.

(Zerogpt.com/Snopes Illustration)

It's worth noting that Voices of Change does mark some of its videos  though not the one featured in this writing  as "Altered or synthetic content," a classification that indicates that "Sound or visuals were significantly edited or digitally generated," according to YouTube.

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YouTube can place non-removable labels on videos if it finds they contain "altered or synthetic content" that has not been disclosed.

No proof alleged debate took place

As for whether the event depicted in the video actually happened, popular search engines found no credible reports that it had. Rather, searches brought up either the Voices for Change video itself, reposts or articles related to or linking back to it. Due to both Reeves and Musk's prominent positions in Hollywood and politics, a debate between the two would've been widely reported. Musk, a prolific poster on X, had not posted about the debate. Getty also had no recent pictures of Reeves and Musk together.

While the video itself is likely fake and the reported event didn't appear to have happened, Reeves has in fact spoken publicly on the effect of AI on Hollywood.

In an interview with tech magazine Wired in 2023, Reeves confirmed he had a clause in his contracts saying his performances "couldn't be manipulated" without his say.

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Speaking on the prevalence of AI, Reeves said:

People are growing up with these tools: We're listening to music already that's made by AI in the style of Nirvana, there's NFT digital art. It's cool, like, Look what the cute machines can make! But there's a corporatocracy behind it that's looking to control those things. Culturally, socially, we're gonna be confronted by the value of real, or the nonvalue. And then what's going to be pushed on us? What's going to be presented to us?

Snopes has previously reported on other claims relating to Keanu Reeves, including alleged quotes about "toxic" people and pain.

Sources:

1 Keanu Reeves Elon Musk Photos & High Res Pictures - Getty Images. https://www.gettyimages.com/search/2/image?family=editorial&phrase=keanu%20reeves%20elon%20musk. Accessed 10 Apr. 2025.

11,273 Keanu Reeves Photos & High Res Pictures - Getty Images. https://www.gettyimages.com/search/2/image?family=editorial&phrase=keanu%20reeves&sort=newest&specificpeople=171568. Accessed 10 Apr. 2025.

AI Detector - Trusted AI Checker for ChatGPT, GPT4 & Gemini. https://www.zerogpt.com/. Accessed 10 Apr. 2025.

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"AI Image Detector. Detect AI-Generated Media at Scale." Sightengine, https://sightengine.com/detect-ai-generated-images. Accessed 10 Apr. 2025.

Deepfake Voice Detector. https://www.hiya.com/products/deepfake-voice-detector. Accessed 10 Apr. 2025.

Disclosing Use of Altered or Synthetic Content - Computer - YouTube Help. https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/14328491?hl=en. Accessed 10 Apr. 2025.

Hive Moderation. https://hivemoderation.com/ai-generated-content-detection. Accessed 10 Apr. 2025.

Keanu Reeves Destroys Elon Musk on Live TV  The Entire Studio Falls Silent! https://deepfake-total.com/analyze_yt/2ymG4MK3Da8?start=0&end=120. Accessed 10 Apr. 2025.

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Keanu Reeves Elon Musk Ai Debate - Google Search. https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=393159a26b253a41&q=keanu+reeves+elon+musk+ai+debate&tbm=nws&source=lnms&fbs=ABzOT_CWdhQLP1FcmU5B0fn3xuWpmDtIGL1r84kuKz6yAcD_ip1RA3L6hbNpnjK_ML6MGeWIjTgL-AggqGM1Cmh_nFz6bf83ui1XMXMJ_UwoOSMpjN0JYbB1Bm9u59O-DZohUx97b59ZGMb1LlWj7aPKt2HQF-PcjLSUcUdgJ7CnhK7343YjeEJ0ogD7qJHsxMCoTDokB5jo&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjT-ZWGz82MAxVCZ0EAHcKEERAQ0pQJegQIFhAB&biw=1470&bih=712&dpr=2. Accessed 10 Apr. 2025.

Keanu Reeves Elon Musk Ai Debate - Yahoo Search Results. https://uk.news.search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=Awr.gZrJzfdn.wEAZ5hLBQx.;_ylu=Y29sbwNpcjIEcG9zAzEEdnRpZAMEc2VjA3BpdnM-?p=keanu+reeves+elon+musk+ai+debate&fr2=piv-web&fr=yfp-t. Accessed 10 Apr. 2025.

Keanu Reeves Elon Musk Ai Debate at DuckDuckGo. https://duckduckgo.com/?q=keanu+reeves+elon+musk+ai+debate&t=h_&iar=news. Accessed 10 Apr. 2025.

Voices of Change. "Keanu Reeves Destroys Elon Musk on Live TV  The Entire Studio Falls Silent!" YouTube, 2 Mar. 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ymG4MK3Da8.

Watercutter, Angela. "Keanu Will Never Surrender to the Machines." WIRED, 14 Feb. 2023, https://archive.ph/KjDfV#selection-541.0-546.0.


(NewsNation)  President Donald Trump has been making bold assertions about his Liberation Day tariffs, which shocked global markets and toppled domestic trade for several days.

Trump has since announced a 90-day pause on a majority of those reciprocal tariffs, though a baseline 10% tariff on all countries and an increased 145% tariff on China remain.

NewsNation fact-checked some of Trumps claims about the tariffs and U.S. trade relationships to separate hyperbole from fact.

Does US make $2B a day from tariffs?

Trumps claim: Were making a fortune with tariffs. $2 billion a day. Do you believe it? I was told $2 billion.

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Trumps optimistic estimate does not completely reflect reality.

Tariff pause spurs global market jump, but US futures down

The presidents number aligns with a forecast from his top trade adviser, Peter Navarro, who predicted the tariffs would generate $700 billion in revenue annually.

Figures from the Treasury Department, however, show revenue from customs and certain excise taxes have earned about $200 million a day so far this month. That estimate suggests a much lower annual number.

Does Canada charge 300% on US dairy products?

Trumps claim: They do the first can of milk. They do the first little carton of milk at a very low price. But after that it gets bad, and then it gets up to 275, 300%.

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Trump has defended his tariffs by claiming countries such as Canada have imposed exorbitant tariffs on the U.S. for goods like dairy products.

Trump orders probe into Anonymous New York Times editorial writer

While its true that Canada has a 241% tariff on milk, 270% on dairy powder and 298% on butter, the levies apply only after the country hits a level of tariff-free sales.

This agreement stems from a deal Trump negotiated in 2018 during his first term in office.

According to the International Dairy Foods Association, the U.S. has never come close to exceeding the dairy quotas in the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

Is US-China deficit $1T?

Trumps claim: Last year, China made $1 trillion off trade with the United States. Thats not right.

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Official figures from the Office of the United States Trade Representative show in 2024, the U.S. goods trade deficit with China was $295.4 billion.

Judges bar use of Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelans in NY, TX

Does EU import US cars? What about agriculture?

Trumps claim: The European Unions been very bad to us. They dont take our cars like Japan in that sense. They dont take our agricultural product. They dont take anything, practically.

According to the European Automobile Manufacturers Association, the EU did export approximately 750,000 cars to the U.S. in 2024  but it also bought nearly 165,000 American-made cars worth about $10 billion.

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As for agricultural products, U.S. Department of Agriculture data shows the EU is actually Americas fourth largest export market. In 2024, the EU bought nearly $13 billion of U.S. agriculture exports last year.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Claim:

The health and nutrition store GNC is owned by the Chinese government and operates on U.S. military bases.

Rating:

Rating: True

Context:

The Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. (CFIUS) approved the 2018 takeover of GNC by China-based Harbin Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd. after an investigation found no "unresolved national security concerns" in relation to the deal. GNC said it maintains "oversight relations" with CFIUS.

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In early April, 2025, claims (archived) circulated that the health and nutrition chain GNC was owned by China  meaning the Chinese government  and operated on U.S. military bases, sparking concerns about threats to national security.

Wow. I had no idea that GNC is owned by the Chinese Communist Party.



The possibilities of what they do with the intel on, or access to, fitness supplements in America and on US military bases are each frightful. pic.twitter.com/JMLJWfQcOP  Marina Medvin  (@MarinaMedvin) April 7, 2025

One X user wrote: "Wow. I had no idea that GNC is owned by the Chinese Communist Party. The possibilities of what they do with the intel on, or access to, fitness supplements in America and on US military bases are each frightful."

The claim appeared across (archived) Facebook (archived), X (archived), Threads (archived), Reddit (archived) and Bluesky (archived). Snopes readers also emailed to ask about the claim.

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Claims that GNC is Chinese-owned are true. Harbin Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd. (HPGC), a pharmaceuticals company based in Harbin, China, acquired GNC in 2020 during bankruptcy proceedings. HPGC, in turn, is owned by a large Chinese state-owned investment company. It is also true that GNC operates on military bases  the company's website lists branches at prominent locations including Andrews Air Force Base, Fort Bragg and Patrick Space Force Base.

Therefore, we rate this claim as true.

GNC's Director of Public Relations Nick Sero confirmed the retailer's presence via email:

GNC has proudly served the U.S. military community for nearly three decades. We are run by a U.S.-based leadership team and are governed by strict U.S. security protocols. Customer data is protected by third-party controls approved by the Department of Defense. We do not share any personal information, PCI data, or security information with our parent company, nor are they accessible. We remain committed to protecting our customers, following our compliance, and meeting the trust placed in us by the U.S. military community.

The claim likely originated from North Carolina U.S. Rep. Pat Harrigan, who introduced the Military Installation Retail Security Act of 2025 in the House of Representatives on April 1, 2025.

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The act sought, among other goals, to "ban companies owned or controlled by China, Russia, Iran, or North Korea from operating physical storefronts on U.S. military installations."

On April 2, 2025, Harrigan released a statement about the bill, in which he claimed that "a company owned by the Chinese Communist Party is operating over 80 stores on American military bases." The company Harrigan was referring to was GNC. The congressman's statement caused concerns  reflected in social media posts  about whether GNC's Chinese ownership posed a national security threat.

Review found no 'unresolved national security concerns'

Harbin Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd. (HPGC), a Chinese pharmaceuticals company, completed a takeover of GNC in 2020, according to a public filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

HPGC is majority owned by CITIC Capital, an investment firm that is in turn owned by CITIC Group, a major Chinese investment company described in local financial news outlet Caixin as a "state-owned financial conglomerate."

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HPGC owned shares in GNC before the 2020 takeover following a $300 million investment in 2018. The 2018 sale went through after an investigation carried out by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFUIS) found "no unresolved national security concerns" in relation to the transaction.

CFIUS is an interagency committee that reviews certain transactions involving foreign investment in the U.S. with a view to protecting national security.

A GNC spokesperson said via email that the company sustained "direct oversight relations" with federal agencies including the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) and CFIUS after the 2020 takeover by HPGC. We reached out to CFIUS to ask what sort of oversight it carries out over GNC and await a reply.

Additionally, GNC said it used a DOD-approved contractor to oversee and control access to consumer data  and that this was not shared with or accessible to GNC's parent companies.

GNC locations on military base

Some claims online included estimates of the number of GNC stores operating on U.S. military bases. The estimates likely came from the source of the claim, Harrigan, who said "more than 80" GNC stores were operating on U.S. military bases. It was unclear how Harrigan sourced this figure.

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We reached out to Harrigan's office for a list of locations included in the claim. GNC did not confirm the number of stores on U.S. military bases.

Task & Purpose, a military news, culture and analysis outlet, reported 92 locations across the Army, Air Force, Space Force, Marine and Navy exchanges. Fox News reported a lower figure of 85 stores "on U.S. military bases."

Bloomberg Government reported on April 3, 2025, that (our links):

The DOD did not confirm the locations mentioned in Bloomberg's report when asked, but all of the stores named in the report were listed on GNC's website.

At the time of this writing, Harrigan's Military Installation Retail Security Act of 2025 was due to be discussed in the U.S. House Committee on Armed Services. It had not passed votes in the House or Senate, both of which are required for a bill to become law.

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Snopes previously reported on claims that Chinese investors bought farmland near U.S. military bases.

Sources:

All GNC Locations | Wellness Innovation Since 1935. https://stores.gnc.com/all-stores-us.html. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025.

CITIC Capital Partners Increases Stake in Harbin Pharmaceutical for US$231 Million (Asia)  GPCA. 12 Jan. 2018, https://www.globalprivatecapital.org/newsroom/citic-capital-partners-increases-stake-harbin-pharmaceutical-us231-million-asia/., https://www.globalprivatecapital.org/newsroom/citic-capital-partners-increases-stake-harbin-pharmaceutical-us231-million-asia/.

"Citic Capital To Become HPGC Renmintongtai Pharmaceutical's Owner After Stake Deals." Reuters, 27 Dec. 2017. www.reuters.com, https://www.reuters.com/article/business/citic-capital-to-become-hpgc-renmintongtai-pharmaceuticals-owner-after-stake-de-idUSH9N1OM009/.

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Congressman Harrigan Introduces Bill to Kick CCP-Controlled Retailers Off U.S. Military Bases | Congressman Pat Harrigan. 2 Apr. 2025, http://harrigan.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-harrigan-introduces-bill-kick-ccp-controlled-retailers-us-military.

GNC HOLDINGS, INC. FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT. 13 Sept. 2018, https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1502034/000162828018011815/cfiusapproval.htm.

GNC Holdings, Inc. "SCHEDULE 13D." Securities and Exchange Commission, 7 Aug. 2020, https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1759402/000095012720000046/13da.htm.

Harrigan, Pat. Military Installation Retail Security Act of 2025. H.R.2551, 1 Apr. 2025, https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/2551/text/ih?overview=closed&format=xml.

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Nieberg, Patty. "A Retired Green Beret in Congress Wants to Ban GNC Stores from Military Bases." Task & Purpose, 7 Apr. 2025, https://taskandpurpose.com/news/bill-congress-gnc-ban/.

Phillips, Morgan. "Chinese-Owned GNC Stores Operating on US Military Bases Spark National Security Concerns." Fox News, 4 Apr. 2025, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/gnc-chinese-ownership-military-bases-harrigan-bill.

Search | Caixin. https://u.caixinglobal.com/htm/search.html?keyword=%22Citic%20Group%20Corp%22. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025.

"The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS)." U.S. Department of the Treasury, 8 Feb. 2025, https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/international/the-committee-on-foreign-investment-in-the-united-states-cfius.


(Reuters) - A tourist helicopter crashed in New York's Hudson River off lower Manhattan on Thursday afternoon, killing all six people on board. It was the latest in a series of accidents involving choppers operating around the city in recent years.

Here are details about earlier incidents:

- On June 10, 2019, a helicopter pilot was killed when his helicopter slammed into the roof of a midtown skyscraper in heavy fog. The pilot was not authorized to fly in limited visibility conditions.

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- On May 15, 2019, a helicopter crashed into the Hudson River shortly after takeoff, injuring the pilot and a dockworker.

- On March 11, 2018, five passengers aboard a helicopter died when it crashed into the East River. The pilot survived. The chopper was a charter flight that featured an open door to allow passengers to take photos of the city's skyline.

The pilot was able to free himself and was rescued, but the passengers were wearing tight harnesses that they were unable to remove. The incident led federal authorities to prohibit "doors off" flights unless passengers had quick-release restraints.

- On August 8, 2009, nine people died when a helicopter and a small plane collided in mid-air and both aircraft fell into the Hudson. Five Italian tourists in the helicopter were among the victims.

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- On April 15, 1997, Colgate-Palmolive executive Craig Tate died when the helicopter in which he was a passenger crashed into the East River off Manhattan, according to media reports at the time. A total of four people were aboard the chopper, including one who was badly hurt.

- On May 16, 1977, five people were killed when a blade broke off a helicopter on a helipad at the top of a Manhattan skyscraper. Most of the victims died when they were struck by the blade, including a woman who was walking on the street below.

The accident at the former Pan Am Building led authorities to ban helipads from Manhattan rooftops.

(Reporting by Rich McKay in Atlanta; Editing by Chris Reese)
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - An escalating trade war between the United States and China is leading to steep tariffs that could affect a wide range of products.

Following is a list of the top products that the world's two largest economies import from each other, according to the World Trade Organization's International Trade Centre:

TOP CHINESE EXPORTS TO THE U.S.

PRODUCT 2024 PCT OF PCT OF CHINA

VALUE U.S. EXPORTS

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IMPORT

S

All $525 16% 15%

products billion

Smartphon $47 40% 22%

es billion

Computers $41 29% 26%

billion

Misc. $22 17% 24%

commoditi billion

es

Batteries $16 51% 25%

billion

Motor $11.5 13% 20%

vehicle billion

parts

Toys $10.5 56% 26%

billion

Lighting $9.5 98% 22%

billion

Furniture $9 32% 26%

billion

Plastic $14 57% 26%

items billion

Chairs $8 30% 26%

billion

Water $7.5 60% 24%

heaters, billion

hair

dryers

and other

heating

devices

Video $7 34% 20%

monitors billion

TOP U.S. EXPORTS TO CHINA

PRODUCT 2024 VALUE PCT OF PCT OF US

CHINESE EXPORTS

IMPORTS

All $144 6% 7%

products billion

Soybeans $13 billion 24% 52%

Semiconduct $8.7 2% 17%

ors billion

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Vaccines $6.7 38% 12%

billion

Natural gas $6 billion 7% 10%

Crude oil $6 billion 2% 5%

Motor $4.9 13% 8%

vehicles billion

and parts

Semiconduct $4 billion 9% 21%

or

fabrication

machinery

Medical $3.5 31% 9%

devices billion

Copper $2.8 16% 52%

scrap billion

Ethylene $2.6 14% 16%

polymers billion

(Reporting by Andy Sullivan)
The full extent of corporate ownership of single-family homes in Nevada is unknown. (Photo by Ronda Churchill for Nevada Current)

Nevada state lawmakers are once again considering tracking and limiting the purchasing power of cash-rich corporate investors, which many believe are inflating the housing market and pricing out middle-class families.

There are actual families who do want the American Dream, said Democratic state Sen. Dina Neal during a Senate Judiciary Committee meeting Wednesday. They want to take their pharmacy job, they want to take their teaching job, and they want to translate that money into a mortgage. They want to own a home, and theyre not actually able to do that in this current market.

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Neal believes the Legislature could help families like that by establishing a corporate landlord registry and restricting the number of single-family housing units that can be purchased by corporate investors. She is proposing both in Senate Bill 391, which passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday.

SB391 mirrors a 2023 bill Neal sponsored that was vetoed by Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo, with one notable difference: The vetoed bill would have limited corporate purchases to 1,000 units a year. This years bill would limit corporate ownership to 100 a year.

To explain that change, Neal recalled that, shortly after the last legislative session ended, the Las Vegas Review Journal reported that corporate investors purchased 264 homes in a single day for $98 million.

I was like, I really need to drop this number because its amazing that someone in one day could buy 265 homes and not bat an eye, she said.

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Neal said she believes the state has the power to temporarily cap corporate investors during a housing crisis.

The Lied Center for Real Estate at the University of Nevada Las Vegas has estimated that investors own roughly 15% of homes in the City of Las Vegas. That percentage is expected to grow both in Nevada and across the country.

The full extent of corporate ownership of single-family homes in Nevada is unknown. Companies often have multiple LLCs with nondescript names. The registry component of SB391 would provide more transparency, said Neal.

State Sen. Ira Hansen, the only Republican to vote for Neals bill in 2023, is again supporting the proposal.

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If Senator Ellison and Senator Hansen and Senator Krasner all want to buy the same house, we bid against each other around market value, he said. But what if youre bidding against somebody who can  very comfortably very easily push it to a million dollars and win the bid? Thats whats happening in these markets.

Hansen said Neal and the bill are up against corporations that have literally unlimited resources to hire lobbyists and influence legislators.

All the policy people are going to be like we cant interfere with the free market, he said. This isnt the free market. This is an artificially manipulated market.

Closing a tax loophole

Making each rental property its own LLC is often is a way to protect owners from legal liability.

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And, for large corporations with thousands of properties, the practice could also be shielding them from paying Nevadas commerce tax.

Democratic Assemblymember Venicia Considines Assembly Bill 457 wants to close that loophole. The bill proposes that if there is a controlling owner whose LLCs combined would meet the states threshold for paying the commerce tax, then those LLCs must be aggregated into whats known as a combined taxpayer group that is subject to the tax.

Businesses with gross revenue exceeding $4 million in a taxable year are subject to Nevadas commerce tax. Only revenue above the $4 million threshold is taxed.

The concept of aggregating business entities that have the same controlling owner for tax purposes exists in other states, including Ohio and Pennsylvania, as well as at the federal level.

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AB457 requires approval by two-thirds of both legislative houses because it would potentially raise state revenue. But Considine and Legislative Counsel Bureau staff acknowledged in the bills Assembly Revenue Committee hearing Tuesday that they have no estimate of how much it would bring in.

The assemblymember framed the proposal as being driven less by revenue and more by tax fairness.

As businesses they should be paying the commerce taxes that other businesses that meet the commerce tax are paying, she said.

Its a cause Considine has taken up before. In 2023 she sponsored a bill to remove an existing exemption in the state commerce tax for real estate investment trusts, REITs. That bill passed the full Assembly and a Senate committee but was not given a vote by the full Senate.

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Considine said that in 2019 three entities, which owned a combined 8,000 homes, were known as the landlords with the highest number of maintenance issues and evictions. She referenced studies that have found a correlation between how far away landlords are and how many units they have and community-level issues like maintenance problems.

Hedge funds, private equity firms and other corporate investors are commodifying the housing market, she added. They are buying in bulk without investing in communities.

The Assembly Revenue Committee took no action on AB457. The bill is exempt from standard deadlines, meaning lawmakers have additional time to move it through the Legislature.

A third proposal

Democratic state Sen. Edgar Flores introduced a third proposal to limit the purchasing power of corporate investors.

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Senate Bill 242 would prohibit investment companies from purchasing residential properties unless they have been listed on the market for at least 30 days.

The bill, which was referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee in late February, has not been given a hearing.
POWELL, Ohio (WCMH)  A Powell preschool feared its doors would close last month, but on April 1 the halls were filled with gleeful shrieks, wooden toys and congratulatory flowers.

The sign at the small preschool just off Sawmill Parkway still reads Guidepost Montessori, but Lani Helms, the head of schools, was ecstatic to share that the place is now an official Montessori Kids Universe location. When Helms and two other Montessori preschools in Columbus got just weeks notice that they would be closing, families and teachers said they were scrambling.

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The Powell location had been one of the best Guideposts in the country, but it opened later than other schools and was cut in Guidepost Montessoris financial woes. Wondering if they may have to buy the school themselves, Helms said saving the school was a community effort. Families came in on a Saturday to attend a town hall to work to keep the preschool open, and parents submitted testimonies in support of the educators.

We went from being laid off, our schools completely closed, our parents scrambling for answers of what theyre going to do with their kids and staff members heartbroken that we were all losing our jobs, Helms said. Youre here now because everybody came together. Nobody wanted to leave each other.

Exactly three weeks after Lani Helms thought she and all of her coworkers were out of work, they signed the letter of intent with new management. Working with both Montessori Kids Universe and Guidepost, the school was able to transition and stay open, keeping more than 30 families in the childcare theyd grown to love. Helms said although families have rallied and offered support, even tuition was able to stay the same.

We all thought we were going to retire there, so its bittersweet. Its very bittersweet, Helms said. But with Montessori Kids Universe coming in, its kind of a rejuvenated hope and excitedness of something new, but also we get to be the very best at what were doing. We get to stay Montessori.

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All about six new laws in Ohio that go into effect today

Montessori education emphasizes independence and individualized learning, and Helms said she works for a school, not a daycare. Montessori is part of the school down to the decorations, which are minimal to emphasize nature. Foot-tall wooden tables and child-size sinks replace stepstools or colorful plastic found at other childcare locations. Classroom pets are abundant, and children can serve themselves lunch, cut their own fruit, and teach one another skills.

Helms believes so strongly in the program that both her sons attend the school she heads.

I can definitely see the difference between my older son thats three, where he was home with me and Im doing all these things with him, Helms said. Compared to my 12-week-old that started in Montessori and is sitting there using the toilet at nine months old, and I have a three-year-old whos not potty trained yet.

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It wasnt the easiest journey; nine years ago Helms daughter died before she was six weeks old. She said when she had her boys, she had wanted to stay home with them and hesitated to trust anyone else with her kids. Families staying with the school means the world to Helms, as she understands the trust it takes.

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Earning the trust of parents, thats the biggest thing for me. Knowing that your students, your children, they are in the absolute best care while were here, Helms said. Thats number one to me because I understand. You are trusting people with your childs lives, and I do not take that lightly, and I dont think any of our staff members here do either. Something brought us here together, and I think it makes it really special.

Montessori Kids Universe Columbus offers programs for children as young as six weeks up through age six, although Helms said they hope to offer elementary programming in the future. They are open for enrollment.

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DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  A family from out of state came to the Miami Valley for a visit to the Air Force Museum, but they say their visit was turned upside down when a drone-like object struck one of them in the face.

One family flew all the way from California for a visit to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. But the family claims the visit was not what they expected after a drone-like object hit one of them, causing him to fall to the ground.

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We were waiting to purchase our tickets for my younger son, and at that moment, my father-in-law was struck in the face, said David Pinedo, son-in-law of person struck by object.

David shared video with 2 NEWS showing the aftermath. In the video, you can see his father-in-law, Julio Lanvaverde, on the ground after the alleged incident happened in Section Two of the museum.

Close-ups of Julio show cuts on his bottom lip, nose and the bottom of his chin. The family also says he lost consciousness for a brief moment.

Could it have been by eye, or something worse? So thats why I want people to know how safe it has got to be, said Julio Lanvaverde, family member who was struck.

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The family says they had to pause their visit, as they were worried for Julio.

Its something that was uncalled for, said Pinedo. Its something that shouldnt have happened and there should be more safety measures on hand.

Pinedo states that the museum did apologize to them for the incident, but he says it was not enough. The family want answers of how a situation like this could happen in the first place.

Basically they said, were sorry, heres an ice pack,' said Pinedo. They responded with the cameras are currently not working. Theyre going through an upgrade. Thats another red flag, in my opinion.

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2 NEWS reached out to the museum earlier this week and also this morning for a statement on the alleged incident, but at the time of writing, we have not heard back.

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The family says this is a memory they wish they could forget, especially with their 11-year-old son seeing his grandfather hurt.

My 11-year-old son was very excited to attend this museum and to see him literally crying as my father-in-law was not responding in those first few minutes, its traumatic, and its not something that somebody as a child should go through. Its uncalled for, said Pinedo.

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The family says they hope their story leads to more safety precautions at the museum so families can visit with peace of mind.

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MCNAIRY COUNTY, Tenn.  A family of four survived with injuries after an EF-3 tornado destroyed their home on Thursday in McNairy County, Tennessee.

And like Ive said to so many people, its like the first time they laid them on my chest. And I started crying because I know at that point were alive, tornado survivor, Crystal Skinner.

The family was taking cover inside a closet when the tornado lifted the home.

Tornado damage in McNairy County (Photo by WREG) Tornado damage in McNairy County (Photo by WREG) Tornado damage in McNairy County (Photo by WREG) Tornado damage in McNairy County (Photo by WREG) Tornado damage in McNairy County (Photo by WREG)

Selmer, TN church aids recovering tornado victims

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We could hear it coming and he grabbed ahold of Mason. I grabbed ahold of Morgan, and I looked at him, and I seen our whole house just shift behind him, and it got dark and all we could hear was limbs breaking, things hitting. And then we all hit the ground, and then it was over, said Skinner.

When Skinner and her husband Avery realized they survived the tornado with their sons, Mason and Morgan they screamed for help.

Brandon Shelton, a man at a nearby apartment complex heard their cries and rescued them from the debris.

Selmer, TN community coming together after devastating tornado

I have a fracture in my L2, L3, and L4 vertebrae. Hes got a laceration on the bottom of his foot. Mason had a little bit of a road rash on his back, said Skinner. Morgan was pinned by his legs by tree, so hes got some scratches.

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Despite the injuries and loss of their home, the Skinners say theyre just grateful they made it out alive.

But were alive, and thats what were thankful for. Were thankful for Gods hand being on us, said Skinner.

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All glory goes to God. But Ill definitely take more precaution next time. I kind of, Im not a weather watcher, said Avery Skinner, husband. I dont get involved. You know, I hear the warnings. The warnings come across my phone and things. But next time, Im sure Ill perk up a little more and make a better effort to get to safety.

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The Skinner family tells WREG the community has been beyond helpful during this time. Theyve donated items and done several other things to show their support.

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WASHINGTON - U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday he will pause for 90 days the implementation of steep tariffs targeting goods from dozens of trading partners, including the European Union, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Vietnam, but not for China, on which he raised duties to 125 percent.

Trump's announcement marked an abrupt reversal from his own repeated pledges before his most sweeping round of tariffs took effect less than 24 hours earlier.

He wrote on social media that he made the decision as more than 75 countries had reached out to the United States to "negotiate a solution" to the trade issues he had raised, including currency manipulation and nontariff trade barriers.

Trump later told reporters that he had decided to temporarily withdraw the so-called reciprocal tariffs, excluding those on China, because he thought people were "jumping a little bit out of line" and "a little bit afraid."

As his sudden reversal drove U.S. stock markets sharply higher, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said negotiations with U.S. trading partners will be carried out while the pause is in place, but the baseline tariff of 10 percent applied to almost all countries will be maintained.

The 10 percent rate is far lower the levels many countries were facing under the newly imposed scheme that went into effect early Wednesday.

Apart from China, the now-paused tariffs for major U.S. trading partners in Asia would have included a 49 percent rate for goods from Cambodia, 46 percent for Vietnam, 36 percent for Thailand, 25 percent for South Korea and 24 percent for Japan.

A week earlier, Trump unveiled minimum 10 percent tariffs on all imports that went into effect Saturday, along with what he called "kind reciprocal" levies on goods from about 60 countries his administration claims are the worst offenders in trade relations with the United States.

The announcement of those measures, which came on top of the sector-based auto, steel and aluminum tariffs that he had already rolled out, threw global financial markets into turmoil and sparked fears of a potential recession.

Still, Trump and senior officials of his administration had consistently denied there would be any delays in implementing the broad-based tariffs and dismissed the recent market chaos as short-term pain.

They had insisted that the tariffs were essential for the United States to attract foreign investment, create new jobs and slash its trade deficit.

On Wednesday, however, in explaining why he backed down, Trump said, "A lot of times it's not a negotiation until it is and that happens...You have to have flexibility to do it right, and that's what we have. We brought everybody to the table."

After China said it would raise its additional tariffs on all U.S. goods from the previously announced 34 percent to match the 84 percent level threatened by the White House, Trump hit back Wednesday with the further increase to 125 percent.

Calling China "by far the biggest (trade) abuser in history," Trump said he decided on the additional hike because of Beijing's retaliation.

But Trump said he believes there will ultimately be "fair deals" with all countries, including China.

"China wants to make a deal. They just don't know how quite to go about it," he said. "It's one of those things...President Xi (Jinping) is a proud man."

Trump reiterated his hope that the Chinese president would reach out to him. He said Xi is "a very smart guy, and I think we'll end up making a very good deal for both."

Asked whether his administration will raise tariffs on China further, he told reporters in the Oval Office, "I can't imagine it."

"I don't think we'll have to do it more. You know, we calculated it very carefully," he said.

Initially, Trump had targeted China with "reciprocal" tariffs of 34 percent.

Following China's decision to match the U.S. levies in retaliation, Trump said Monday his administration would impose additional tariffs of 50 percent on goods from China.

Prior to Trump's latest announcement, the tariff rate on Chinese goods had been raised to a total of 104 percent since his nonconsecutive second presidential term began on Jan. 20.

Related coverage:

Japan asks U.S. to drop reciprocal tariffs, calls them regrettable

Trump's sweeping tariffs take effect, Japan among 1st to negotiate

Nikkei stock index ends down 4% after more U.S. tariffs enforced
FAUQUIER COUNTY, Va. (DC News Now)  An Alabama murder suspect was arrested during a Fauquier County traffic stop on April 7, according to the Fauquier County Sheriffs Office.

Deputies say Ladarrious Brown, 25, was wanted for violating the terms of his bail for murder and assault charges in Alabama, as well as driving on a suspended license and burglary in another state.

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According to deputies, officers conducted a traffic stop after a car was seen trying to pass on the right shoulder on I-66.

The driver, later identified as Brown, attempted to give the deputy misspellings of his name and denied having identity documents.

Deputies eventually discovered Browns real name, and he was arrested and charged with local traffic offenses.

Brown remains in custody as he awaits extradition to Alabama.

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SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)  A Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) program that Pennsylvania relies on to prevent floods or other natural disasters has been eliminated by the Trump administration.

Over 140 pending applicants worth more than $700,000,000, now scrapped. That includes a pending application in Scranton for the September 2023 flood.

Scranton had two applications to help them purchase condemned homes and other properties destroyed by the September 2023 flood.

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Now the city is trying to find new ways to help these families move on.

On Friday, FEMA announced ending the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program, cancelling all applications from 2020 to 2023.

The Trump administration is calling it wasteful and ineffective.

The city of Scranton and residents of the September 9, 2023, flood are directly impacted by this cut.

It goes out to be like $2,500,000 that we lose essentially from this, Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti stated.

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Cognetti says as of last summer, two of Scrantons BRIC applications advanced past the initial federal review.

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That $2,500,000, in addition to more than $800,000 in city capital funds, would have helped the city acquire and demolish 18 flood-prone residential properties and three vacant lots in neighborhoods with recurring stormwater damage.

In response to the cuts, the city says they are committed to making sure those property owners get the financial recovery that they need to move on with their lives.

We at the city are going to continue to work out, A, what our federal delegation can do, can they get this reversed, and, B, what is a plan B? We always thought that we would need a backup plan; we have that, were working through having that in place, Cognetti explained.

Cognetti says its not just the financial compensation for residents the city is pushing towards. Its also to make sure these properties on North Merrifield Avenue are demolished and families are no longer living there in the wake of another flood, that would put firefighters and other first responders at risk.

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FEMA says approved grant money that has not been distributed yet will go back to the disaster relief fund or to the US Treasury.

The cuts come as the future of FEMA itself is in question.

President Trump has questioned whether to disband it entirely and give money directly to states to handle disasters.

There is an ongoing study to determine what to do there.

28/22 News has reached out to Senator McCormicks and Senator Fettermans offices and has not heard back.

Representative Rob Bresnahan sent the following letter to Cameron Hamilton, the Acting Administrator of FEMA, urging FEMA to reinstate the BRIC program:

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Federal agents were denied entrance to two elementary schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District this week after they showed up unannounced and sought to get in touch with five students who the agents alleged had entered the country without documentation, school officials said Thursday.

According to schools Supt. Alberto Carvalho, the agents said they were there to check on the students' well-being and lied when they told school officials that the students' families had given permission for the contact.

It was the first reported instance of an attempt by U.S. authorities to enter an L.A. public school amid the Trump administration's vows to ramp up enforcement of U.S. immigration laws and more swiftly deport immigrants in the country without authorization.

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About 10 a.m. Monday, four people arrived at Russell Elementary on Firestone Boulevard and identified themselves as Homeland Security agents, Carvalho said at a Thursday news conference. The agents, who interacted with the principal, asked to speak with four students, ranging from first-graders to sixth-graders. The principal denied access, Carvalho said.

Two hours later, he said, a similar incident occurred at Lillian Street Elementary, where agents attempted to contact a sixth-grader and were denied access by the principal. Both schools are in the Florence-Graham neighborhood in South Los Angeles.

"They declared to the principals in both instances that the caretakers of these students have authorized them to go to the school," Carvalho said. "We have confirmed that that is a falsehood. We've spoken with the caretakers of these children, in some cases parents, and they deny any interactions, deny providing authorization for these individuals to have any contact with these children at the school."

The people identified themselves as agents with the Homeland Security Investigations unit, an investigative arm of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to district officials. Carvalho said that they were not in uniform and seemed reluctant to show official identification more than briefly when the principals tried to write down their information. He said the district has not been able to confirm that they did in fact work for Homeland Security.

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"The principals did the right thing. They denied access. They asked for proof of agency," Carvalho said. The district's legal staff deployed to the schools, at which point the federal officials left the schools in dark vehicles.

Carvalho was visibly incensed Thursday as he described the interactions. He recounted, as he has in the past, that he arrived in the United States as an undocumented teenager from Portugal.

"I'm still mystified as to how a first-, second-, third-, fourth- or sixth-grader would pose any type of risk to the national security of our nation that would require Homeland Security to deploy its agents to elementary schools," he said. "Schools are places for learning. Schools are places for understanding. Schools are places for instruction, schools are not places of fear."

In a statement issued to The Times on Thursday, Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, said the visits were not related to immigration enforcement, but instead were "wellness checks" on the children targeted. McLaughlin confirmed the agents were with Homeland Security Investigations, an ICE unit that typically conducts criminal probes into smuggling operations, drug trafficking and other major transnational crimes.

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These HSI officers were at these schools conducting wellness checks on children who arrived unaccompanied at the border," she said in an emailed statement. DHS is leading efforts to conduct welfare checks on these children to ensure that they are safe and not being exploited, abused, and sex trafficked."

It was not clear from her statement whether agents had evidence that the children in question were being abused. The agents did not present school officials with court orders authorizing the visits.

Karina Ramos, a managing attorney at Immigrant Defenders Law Center, said she has heard from several families this week saying HSI agents had knocked on their doors in search of unaccompanied minors staying at the homes.

Typically, unaccompanied minors who cross the border are processed at federal facilities and placed with relatives or sponsors in the U.S. while their pleas for asylum play out. Traditionally, the Office of Refugee Resettlement under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has conducted follow-up wellness checks, generally by phone, to make sure that the children are safe and in school, she said.

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"This is the investigative arm of ICE," Ramos said of HSI agents taking on that role. "They have not been sent out to knock on doors and look for children before, not in my experience. Truly the way they're going about it makes no sense.

The Times shared McLaughlin's statement with district officials, who said they stood by their response.

The Times first reported the unusual encounters Wednesday evening, and the district held a news conference Thursday to provide more details. District officials said Russell and Lillian were the only schools visited.

Carvalho said the district would continue to keep its campuses closed to federal agents who arrive without a judicial warrant.

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"This was a wake-up call," said Mario Valenzuela, the political and community actions director for United Teachers Los Angeles. "Its just not something that should be happening in our schools, especially elementary schools."

State Supt. of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond issued a statement later Thursday commending school employees for denying "unauthorized access to innocent children who pose no risk to our national security."

A Los Angeles Unified spokesperson said that, after the encounters, other district schools sent out precautionary messages to families that referenced reports of immigration enforcement activity."

Read more: 'I don't feel safe anywhere.' California moves to aid undocumented students as fears surge

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The state has prepared guidance to help school districts comply with state law limiting state and local participation in immigration enforcement activities. Immigration agents do not have to be granted access to a K-12 campus without a warrant.

Los Angeles Unified mandates that employees receive training about what assistance or documentation they should and should not provide to federal immigration authorities.

The L.A. Board of Education has passed a series of resolutions stating that L.A. Unified will be a sanctuary for immigrants.



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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
During a hike in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 1995, Don Barger climbed Chilhowee Mountain hoping to gaze across the valley below. All he saw was a wall of gray haze.

Today, he said, he can see some 50 miles (80 kilometers) across that same valley to the Cumberland Mountains.

A 26-year-old federal regulation known as the regional haze rule has helped cut down on pollution over national parks, wilderness areas and tribal reservations, restoring some of the nation's most spectacular natural vistas for outdoor lovers like Barger. But conservationists fear those gains may be lost after President Donald Trump's administration announced in March the rule is among dozens of landmark environmental regulations that it plans to roll back.

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It means a promise that was made to the American public is lost, Barger, 74, said. More and more generations of people are going to grow up as ignorant as I was, not realizing what I'm missing and not seeing.

Congress pushes to clean air over parks, wilderness areas

Haze forms when small particles of air pollution, such as sulfur dioxide or nitrogen oxides, scatter and absorb sunlight, blurring views and decreasing visibility.

Congress amended the Clean Air Act in 1977 to make restoring and maintaining visibility a goal for 156 national parks, wilderness areas, wildlife refuges and tribal reservations across 36 states. That includes places like the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina and Tennessee; Grand Canyon National Park; Glacier National Park; and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

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After years of drafting and litigation, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency adopted regulations known as the regional haze rule in 1999 to implement the amendments.

The rule calls for attaining natural visibility conditions by the year 2064 and mandates that states come up with plans that include limitations on emissions, compliance schedules and monitoring strategies. Older facilities that emit pollution, such as coal-fired power plants, must adopt mitigation technology such as scrubbers or shut down periodically to decrease overall annual emissions.

A work in progress

The states' plans have been plagued with delays as the EPA approves parts of them and rejects others. For example, two big oil- and coal-producing states, North Dakota and Wyoming, and industry groups filed petitions in federal court in January seeking review of EPA decisions rejecting their plans, according to the Harvard Law School's Environmental and Energy Law Program.

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The rule works in conjunction with other federal antipollution regulations, but it's been crucial in clearing the skies over national parks and wilderness areas.

An Associated Press analysis of data from a nationwide network of monitoring sites from 1999, when the rule was implemented, through 2023 shows 93% of the parks and wilderness areas have seen improved air quality on clear days. No parks or wilderness areas have seen any notable worsening in visibility.

Visibility in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was twice as good on a typical clear day in 2023 as it was in 1999, marking the biggest improvement among the national parks.

The EPA estimates that between 2007 and 2018 the rule has cut 500,000 tons of sulfur dioxide and 300,000 tons of nitrous oxides annually. The average visual range has increased from 90 miles to 120 miles (144 kilometers to 193 kilometers) in some western parks and from 50 to 70 miles (80 kilometers to 112 kilometers) in some eastern parks, according to the Harvard program.

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Most consequential day of deregulation

Trump's EPA administrator, Lee Zeldin, announced March 12 that the agency would look to roll back 31 landmark environmental regulations, including the regional haze rule. Zeldin called the announcement the most consequential day of deregulation in American history and said in an essay published in the Wall Street Journal that the administration is driving a dagger through the heart of climate-change religion.

Asked for comment on the regional haze rule, the EPA said they want to better account for pollution from outside the U.S. and from natural sources and avoid unnecessary burdens for states and industry.

Has the rule hurt energy producers?

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In a cost-benefit analysis of the rule before it took effect, the EPA found it would cost energy producers up to $98 billion by 2025 while providing about $344 billion in benefits such as health care savings.

Producers argue that the haze rule has done its job and it doesn't make sense to continue to impose costs on them.

This is a matter of diminishing returns, said Jonathan Fortner, interim president and CEO of the Lignite Energy Council, which advocates for North Dakota's coal industry. The air is clean, the data proves it, and the science backs that up. The rule's being misapplied, not because we disagree with clean air goals, but because we're already there.

Two federal properties in North Dakota are subject to the rule, the Lostwood National Wildlife Refuge and Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The AP analysis found both sites have seen dramatic visibility improvements over the five years from 2019 to 2023.

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EPA officials did not respond to an AP request for a list of power plants that have closed due to the regional haze rule. A number of energy industry groups did not return repeated requests for comment, including the U.S. Energy Association and the National Utility Contractors Association.

What's next for the parks?

Advocates of the rule say eliminating it could lead to reduced tourism and the economic boom visitors bring to national park regions. The National Park Service estimates 325 million people visited national parks in 2023, spending $26.4 billion in gateway communities.

Nothing appears likely to change overnight. Conservationists expect the Trump administration to pursue a rollback through language revisions in the rule, a process that would require a public comment period and would likely trigger court challenges that could last years.

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I've watched the Great Smoky Mountains National Park emerge from the chemical haze that once enshrouded it and was getting worse, Barger said. It's just this visceral sense of place. We had lost it entirely. The Clean Air Act is working and it's a work in progress. You have to stay with it or it doesn't work.

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Associated Press Science Writer Seth Borenstein contributed to this report.

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The Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. 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.
Parents in Federal Way are expressing concerns after an elementary school did not go into lockdown when a child was shot on campus.

Just after 2:45 p.m. on Tuesday, the King County Sheriffs Office responded to Lakeland Elementary and found a juvenile with a gunshot wound.

Federal Way Public Schools says the shooting involved Sequoyah Middle School students.

The biggest frustration is at 3:05 p.m., the kids were released. Kids were put on buses, kids were allowed to walk home, kids were allowed to leave with parents, said parent Danny Quintero.

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Quinteros daughter is a fifth grader at Lakeland Elementary who was in her classroom at the time of the shooting.

Twenty minutes before my daughter was released, they knew about it. I just dont understand, he said.

Federal Way Public Schools (FWPS) told KIRO 7 the shooting happened on the far side of Lakeland Elementarys playground, which is furthest away from school buildings. The district says no students were in the area at the time of the shooting.

Deputies confirm a suspect was apprehended soon after, and there was no threat to the public.

In a statement, Federal Way Public Schools responded to KIRO 7, saying, in part:

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At no time did we hear or see anything that would warrant a lockdown and we were not informed of the incident until after it had occurred. By the time the school and District were informed, law enforcement shared that the scene was secured, there was no immediate danger, and there was no need for a lockdown as the suspect was in custody.

Quintero says the school did not email parents until nearly five hours after the shooting, explaining why there wasnt a lockdown.

You hope that there is a plan in place, especially with cell phones being at the tips of our fingers at all times. Theres absolutely no excuse for why those children were released from that school, he said.

It wasnt until Wednesday afternoon, about 25 hours after the incident, that parents received an email from FWPS about what happened.

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Id like it to stop being downplayed. I get it. Shootings happen every day, everywhere. This is my family, this is my community, he said.

Even though the suspect was arrested, Quintero believes there needs to be more communication with parents and students.

" I believe there should be an officer that runs to the school, I dont care where at in the school, but make sure that kids do not leave that building, Quintero said.

The school district told KIRO 7 that safety for students remains a top priority.

Our focus remains steadfast on maintaining a safe, secure, and supportive environment where every student can learn, grow, and thrive and we will continue to take every necessary step to protect the well-being of our school community.

The Washington State Legislature lists safe school plans, requirements, duties of school districts and schools, drills, rules, and first responder agencies on their website.
Federal officials have indicted a former Warrenton officer, charging him with three counts of depriving people of their U.S. constitutional rights by using excessive force.

Mark Oakley is a former officer for the town who was fired on March 25, 2024, following an internal investigation related to his use of Tasers. Despite his termination, Oakley continued to work for the town of LIttleton as a part-time officer.

The April 2 federal indictment states that Oakley violated one persons rights when he deployed a Taser in drive-stun mode, pushing probes directly onto the persons chest and leg while the person was handcuffed in the back of a patrol vehicle. That was without justification, the indictment says.

In an image taken from body camera footage released by the Warrenton Police Department under court order, former officer Mark Oakley approaches Dwayne Hicks during a second stop on Sept. 20, 2023, this time with his weapon drawn.

In a second instance, Oakley used a Taser on a man while he was standing still with one arm raised, and then a second time while he was lying on the ground and putting his hands behind his back, the indictment states.

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In the third instance, Oakley used his Taser twice on a woman who did not pose a threat. Oakley used the Taser to get the person to get out of a car when she wasnt posing a threat and a second time while she was on the ground, the indictment states.

The indictment doesnt mention the names of the individuals.

In February 2024, the State Bureau of Investigation started investigating whether Oakley used excessive force in three separate incidents, including using a Taser on individuals who werent actively resisting.

The investigation started after Warren County District Attorney Mike Waters asked the SBI in early January 2024 to look into complaints of Oakleys improper use of force, court documents state.

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SBI Special Agent C.R. Cloutier obtained three videos and collected statements that supported allegations that Oakley used his Taser improperly, Cloutier states in an affidavit.

Oakley used his Taser before utilizing de-escalation tactics and didnt appear to be in immediate danger or physical harm, according to court documents. He used his Taser on people who were not actively resisting arrest, Cloutiers statement said.

Dwayne Hicks stands before a microphone in front of Littleton Town Hall during a September 2024 press conference.

Lawyers for Warrenton resident Dwayne Hicks successfully sought the public release of body-camera footage involving Hicks being pulled over by Oakley. Oakley used a Taser on Hicks in 2023.

Hicks opened the drivers side door of his black Toyota 4Runner and ignored Oakleys repeated demands that he stay in his SUV. Instead, he walked  unarmed  toward Oakley, his smart phone in hand during the Sept. 20, 2023, encounter.

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Turn around and put your hands behind your back, Oakley yelled, pointing his Taser at Hicks with one hand and pushing Hicks toward the SUV with his other.

Within 35 seconds, Oakley activated his Taser the first of two times into Hicks back with no verbal warning. Both times Hicks collapsed on the ground.

A federal court ruling says officers may only use their Taser on individuals when they pose a danger to themselves or the public.

Hicks attorney, Gagan Gupta, said the video made clear that neither was true during the encounter, The News & Observer previously reported.

This is a developing story that will be updated as more information is available.
Federal prosecutors have abruptly abandoned the criminal case against a Virginia man portrayed by the Justice Department as a major leader of the brutal Central American gang MS-13.

Authorities moved Wednesday to dismiss their prosecution of Henrry Villatoro Santos, whose arrest was celebrated by President Donald Trump, the attorney general and head of the FBI.

Instead, the Trump administration seems poised to seek Villatoros quick deportation, despite holding up his arrest as a triumph for the presidents crackdown on violent transnational gangs.

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Attorney General Pam Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel and Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin all appeared before TV cameras during a rare press conference at the FBIs Manassas, Virginia, office last month to tout the arrest of Villatoro, who officials described as one of the gangs most senior bosses in the U.S.

Trump called him a major leader of MS-13" in a social media post.

He's "one of the top domestic terrorists in MS-13," Bondi claimed, adding that he is "very dangerous" and responsible for "very violent crimes" by the gang.

Patel also played it big: We took down this morning a top leader of MS-13, he said. That is not done easily.

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Youngkin described Villatoro as one of the top leaders of MS-13, living here.

Later that day, Villatoro, 24, appeared in federal court in Alexandria, Virginia, where he was charged with illegal possession of a 9-millimeter handgun.

Youre going to see a lot more charges on him, Bondi predicted on Fox News that night, calling Villatoro one of the worst of the worst.

Yet, with far less fanfare Wednesday, the Justice Department moved to drop the criminal case, saying simply that the government no longer wishes to pursue the instant prosecution at this time.

Instead, it appears the Trump administration intends to seek the alleged gang leaders immediate deportation.

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As a terrorist, he will now face the removal process," Bondi said in a statement late Wednesday.

Muhammad Elsayed, his attorney, in a self-described unusual motion, asked the magistrate judge who locked up Villatoro not to let the government drop the criminal case yet. Doing so, the lawyer said, might result in a quick deportation of the kind the Trump administration deployed against hundreds of Venezuelan nationals last month, devoid of the due process that the Supreme Court ruled this week was essential.

Villatoros attorney noted the array of high profile figures who had trumpeted the arrest.

Even more head-scratching: The judge who ordered Villatoro detained pending trial agreed to keep him incarcerated because of the apparent strength of the governments criminal case and the likelihood that a conviction would have resulted in a lengthy sentence.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized fentanyl and methamphetamine hidden in a bicycle on Wednesday afternoon, April 9, at the Paso Del Norte international crossing.

The incident occurred just after 3 p.m. on Wednesday, when a 32-year-old man arrived from Mexico, CBP said in a news release.

CBP said that the primary officer selected the man for a secondary exam after noticing anomalies in the appearance of his bicycle.

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A CBP drug-sniffing dog searched the bike and alerted to the presence of narcotics. CBP officers then scanned the bicycle with multiple nonintrusive systems and spotted bundles in the frame of the bike, according to the news release.

CBP said the bicycle was dismantled, and officers removed two bundles from a hollow space in the frame. One contained 0.18 pounds of fentanyl while the other contained 0.40 pounds of methamphetamine.

The cyclist was arrested, and he was turned over to Homeland Security Investigations special agents for prosecution and will face importation of a controlled substance charges, according to the news release.

History has shown that smugglers will employ any and all means in their efforts to introduce dangerous contraband into the United States, CBP El Paso Port Director Ray Provencio said. The combination of CBP officers experience, high-technology tools, and canine support all played a role in stopping this drug load.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
A staff member works inside "Jianghai," a giant self-developed tunnel boring machine deployed for the construction of the Haitai Yangtze River Tunnel, in Haimen, east China's Jiangsu Province on April 9, 2025. China on Wednesday deployed a giant self-developed tunnel boring machine (TBM) for the construction of the world's longest underwater highway TBM tunnel. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

NANJING, April 9 (Xinhua) -- China on Wednesday deployed a giant self-developed tunnel boring machine (TBM) for the construction of the world's longest underwater highway TBM tunnel.

The new machine, named "Jianghai," has a maximum excavation diameter of 16.6 meters. It is approximately 145 meters long and weighs an impressive 5,000 tonnes.

The machine is used in the construction of the Haitai Yangtze River Tunnel in east China's Jiangsu Province. The tunnel is a key project to forge a major trans-river road link under China's longest river, connecting Haimen in the city of Nantong with Taicang in the city of Suzhou.

Stretching approximately 39.07 kilometers in total, the tunnel includes an 11.185-kilometer underwater section, with 9,315 meters to be excavated using a TBM. It is designed as a six-lane, bidirectional highway with a speed limit of 100 km/h.

Navigating through complex geological formations beneath the riverbed, including layers of silt and fine sand, the tunnel will reach a maximum depth of 75 meters, subjecting it to immense pressure which is equivalent to 75 tonnes per square meter, according to You Shaoqiang, chief engineer of the tunnel project of China Railway 14th Bureau.

"These harsh conditions make the construction process extremely challenging," he said.

To tackle such difficult construction conditions, the "Jianghai" shield machine is equipped with innovative technologies, including a pressure-balanced cutterhead and an intelligent monitoring system that enables real-time monitoring of cutterhead wear and facilitates tool repair or replacement within the underwater working cabin. It also features dual slurry injection to improve efficiency, said Meng Defeng, TBM manager for the project.

For safety during operational phase, the project team has devised a segmented smoke extraction system to mitigate fire risks. They have also incorporated a dedicated rescue vehicle access tunnel, which is connected to the main tunnel via corridors, to facilitate swift rescue operations without disrupting other traffic within the tunnel.

"The tunnel boasts multiple pioneering features in structural design, disaster prevention, equipment, green technology, and intelligent systems, with its construction designed to be close to carbon neutral," said Chen Junwei, a manager of the tunnel project.

The tunnel is expected to be completed in 2028. Upon completion, it will serve as a critical link to facilitate transportation in the Yangtze River Delta.

"This project will play a pivotal role in promoting regional integration within the Yangtze River Delta and inject significant momentum into the high-quality development of the world-class Yangtze River Delta city cluster," You said. 

Technical staff conduct inspection inside "Jianghai," a giant self-developed tunnel boring machine deployed for the construction of the Haitai Yangtze River Tunnel, in Haimen, east China's Jiangsu Province on April 9, 2025. China on Wednesday deployed a giant self-developed tunnel boring machine (TBM) for the construction of the world's longest underwater highway TBM tunnel.

The new machine, named "Jianghai," has a maximum excavation diameter of 16.6 meters. It is approximately 145 meters long and weighs an impressive 5,000 tonnes.

The machine is used in the construction of the Haitai Yangtze River Tunnel in east China's Jiangsu Province. The tunnel is a key project to forge a major trans-river road link under China's longest river, connecting Haimen in the city of Nantong with Taicang in the city of Suzhou. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

Technical staff conduct inspection inside "Jianghai," a giant self-developed tunnel boring machine deployed for the construction of the Haitai Yangtze River Tunnel, in Haimen, east China's Jiangsu Province on April 9, 2025. China on Wednesday deployed a giant self-developed tunnel boring machine (TBM) for the construction of the world's longest underwater highway TBM tunnel.

The new machine, named "Jianghai," has a maximum excavation diameter of 16.6 meters. It is approximately 145 meters long and weighs an impressive 5,000 tonnes.

The machine is used in the construction of the Haitai Yangtze River Tunnel in east China's Jiangsu Province. The tunnel is a key project to forge a major trans-river road link under China's longest river, connecting Haimen in the city of Nantong with Taicang in the city of Suzhou. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

This photo taken on April 9, 2025 shows an interior view of "Jianghai," a giant self-developed tunnel boring machine deployed for the construction of the Haitai Yangtze River Tunnel, in Haimen, east China's Jiangsu Province. China on Wednesday deployed a giant self-developed tunnel boring machine (TBM) for the construction of the world's longest underwater highway TBM tunnel.

The new machine, named "Jianghai," has a maximum excavation diameter of 16.6 meters. It is approximately 145 meters long and weighs an impressive 5,000 tonnes.

The machine is used in the construction of the Haitai Yangtze River Tunnel in east China's Jiangsu Province. The tunnel is a key project to forge a major trans-river road link under China's longest river, connecting Haimen in the city of Nantong with Taicang in the city of Suzhou. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

Technical staff work at the operation room of "Jianghai," a giant self-developed tunnel boring machine deployed for the construction of the Haitai Yangtze River Tunnel, in Haimen, east China's Jiangsu Province on April 9, 2025. China on Wednesday deployed a giant self-developed tunnel boring machine (TBM) for the construction of the world's longest underwater highway TBM tunnel.

The new machine, named "Jianghai," has a maximum excavation diameter of 16.6 meters. It is approximately 145 meters long and weighs an impressive 5,000 tonnes.

The machine is used in the construction of the Haitai Yangtze River Tunnel in east China's Jiangsu Province. The tunnel is a key project to forge a major trans-river road link under China's longest river, connecting Haimen in the city of Nantong with Taicang in the city of Suzhou. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

Technical staff work at the operation room of "Jianghai," a giant self-developed tunnel boring machine deployed for the construction of the Haitai Yangtze River Tunnel, in Haimen, east China's Jiangsu Province on April 9, 2025. China on Wednesday deployed a giant self-developed tunnel boring machine (TBM) for the construction of the world's longest underwater highway TBM tunnel.

The new machine, named "Jianghai," has a maximum excavation diameter of 16.6 meters. It is approximately 145 meters long and weighs an impressive 5,000 tonnes.

The machine is used in the construction of the Haitai Yangtze River Tunnel in east China's Jiangsu Province. The tunnel is a key project to forge a major trans-river road link under China's longest river, connecting Haimen in the city of Nantong with Taicang in the city of Suzhou. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

A staff member works inside "Jianghai," a giant self-developed tunnel boring machine deployed for the construction of the Haitai Yangtze River Tunnel, in Haimen, east China's Jiangsu Province on April 9, 2025. China on Wednesday deployed a giant self-developed tunnel boring machine (TBM) for the construction of the world's longest underwater highway TBM tunnel.

The new machine, named "Jianghai," has a maximum excavation diameter of 16.6 meters. It is approximately 145 meters long and weighs an impressive 5,000 tonnes.

The machine is used in the construction of the Haitai Yangtze River Tunnel in east China's Jiangsu Province. The tunnel is a key project to forge a major trans-river road link under China's longest river, connecting Haimen in the city of Nantong with Taicang in the city of Suzhou. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)
Abortion and IVF access dominated the April 9, 2025, House floor debate on the proposal allowing for wrongful death suits of fetuses. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

After stalling last year, a bill allowing parents to claim damages in the wrongful death of a fetus received approval in the House on Wednesday, with Democrats raising opposition over reproductive rights.

Under the bill, HB 1517, parents could claim damages for mental pain and loss of support from the fetus at any stage of development, meaning jurors could determine the salary the fetus could have earned over its life as part of the money parents could be entitled to in wrongful-death suits. It cleared the chamber along party lines.

Robin Bartleman via Florida House

The proposal clarifies that suits couldnt be brought against mothers or medical providers abiding by the standard of care, but some Democratic lawmakers raised concerns about abortion and IVF access and pregnant people trying to escape abusive relationships.

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Weston Democratic Rep. Robin Bartleman said the bill angered her.

Everyone can get sued now because of this bill. This is not about justice, its about cruelty, she said, pointing out that the bill doesnt provide protections for IVF clinics and hospitals.

However, Democrats attempts to allow only the pregnant person to bring suits and to shield people helping someone secure an abortion from the wrongful death suits failed.

This is about establishing that life begins at conception, so lets clear the air, and lets just say the thing thats what its about, because if it wasnt, there wouldnt have been so much avoiding the questions or the answers to direct questions, Miami Democratic Rep. Ashley Gantt said.

Not about abortion?

St. Augustine Republican Rep. Sam Greco, the House sponsor, said the bill was not about abortion.

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This is about a loss that that is is so hard to understand and so hard to believe that money or anything is never going to make one whole, Greco said. But when a terrible tragedy like the loss, the wrongful loss, of an unborn child occurs because of wrongfulness, because of a wrongful act, mothers, parents, should have the ability to seek to be made whole in those circumstances.

The Senate companion, which Vero Beach Republican Sen. Erin Grall is sponsoring, is up for its second of three committee hearings Thursday. But other Republicans support for the bill is faltering, with former Senate President Kathleen Passidomo also expressing hesitancy about opening medical providers up to lawsuits over the death of a fetus, even at one month of gestation.

Were losing OBGYNs. Whos gonna wanna come to Florida? Passidomo said during the April 1 Senate Judiciary Committee hearing of SB 1284. Passidomo, who also criticized the proposal last year, is chair of the Rules Committee, which Gralls proposal must go through before reaching the Senate floor.

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Gov. Ron DeSantis continued to vent his frustration with the Florida House on Thursday, chiding the chamber for not moving on parts of his agenda and criticizing its probing of his agencies.

I dont know what has gotten in to the Florida House of Representatives, DeSantis said at an event in Miami. They seem to be working to sabotage the great work that Florida has done over these last six years.

DeSantis spoke at a press conference, urging the House to do more to ease assessments placed on condominium owners  one in a growing list of grievances he has with GOP House leadership.

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House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, has defended his chamber's moves throughout the 60-day legislative session, which is scheduled to end May 2. That includes the pointed questions asked by the House Health Care Budget Subcommittee on Wednesday of Agency for Health Care Administration officials over a settlement agreement with a large health insurer.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (left), House Speaker Daniel Perez.

Rep. Alex Andrade, R-Pensacola, the chair of the committee was frustrated by AHCA Secretary Shevaun Harris answers regarding a $67 million settlement with Centene, a provider under Floridas Medicaid Managed Care system.

The settlement had to do with overpayments and $10 million in the settlement, which came before any lawsuit was filed, was donated to the Hope Florida Foundation, a nonprofit connected to the Hope Florida initiative spearheaded by First Lady Casey DeSantis.

Harris and three other agency leaders posted a video after the hearing calling it an ambush.

'Were just seeking accountability,' House speaker says

I dont believe she was ambushed, Perez told reporters Wednesday evening. The reason why those questions are being asked is were just seeking accountability, were seeking transparency, were seeking answers.

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Perez said the settlement payment, which went around the Legislature, could violate state law requiring any settlement agreement funds to be deposited into general revenue, the main pot of money that funds state government operations.

So far it looks as though it could be illegal. And I only state that because we were never notified of that $10 million.

DeSantis defended the transaction and said he stands by it 100%.

The reality is this is a political agenda, DeSantis said. Dont fall for the political nonsense.

Our colleges and universities must educate, not indoctrinate. We have brought accountability to our higher education system, fought the woke, and returned the focus to the classic mission of universities.



Republicans in the Florida House are trying to roll back this progress, pic.twitter.com/Z0SkQQ6kRI  Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) April 9, 2025

DeSantis, House also at odds over tax cuts

Other House actions bothering DeSantis include Perez plan for cutting the sales tax by 0.75% to 5.25%. DeSantis prefers to slash property taxes and believes cutting the sales tax would inordinately help tourists.

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He also bemoaned the House votes to override four vetoes of $4.7 million he issued last year, even though the Senate hasnt taken up those measures, and bashed the advancement in the House of a slew of bills favored by the trial bar lobby.

Another point of contention is a House bill (HB 1321) that would repeal a recent law that shields applicants for open university or state college president positions. DeSantis claimed it would allow wokeism to return to Florida campuses.

Perez defended the measure.

If wokeism comes back to the university system its because the Board of Governors approved it, its because the boards of trustees approved it  by the way both entities appointed by him, Perez said.

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And as to condos, lawmakers passed a bill  signed by DeSantis  in the aftermath of the Champlain Towers collapse in 2021 that killed 98 people, requiring old condo buildings to get inspected and conduct needed repairs and maintenance.

As a result of the deadlines in the law, large assessments have hit condo owners this year, pushing many to sell their units in a distressed market, especially in South Florida.

The House has a bill (HB 913) to allow condo boards to borrow some funds and give residents more time to pay off assessments for owners. But the bill has stalled and would fall short of the immediate relief DeSantis wants for those facing assessments.

He said he prefers the Senate version (SB 1742), which would allow condo boards to pause reserve fund contributions for two years if theyve completed required inspections.

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DeSantis initially pushed for lawmakers to address the issue in a special session before the start of the year, and then again in a special session he called in January to address immigration enforcement  but the Legislature didnt take up his call.

The Florida House of Representatives did not want to take up any condo relief legislation at the time, DeSantis said. So here we are.

"... The legislative session only has a few more weeks left," he added. "There has not been meaningful action in the Florida House of Representatives to give people relief.

Perez countered, I do not understand where he is coming from.

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Gray Rohrer is a reporter with the USA TODAY Network-Florida Capital Bureau. He can be reached at grohrer@gannett.com. Follow him on X: @GrayRohrer.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Conflict grows as DeSantis criticizes Florida House for stalled agenda
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Nearly 1,000 Israeli retired and reservist fighter pilots called in an open letter on Thursday for the government to prioritise freeing remaining hostages held in Gaza, even if that meant halting the war against Hamas.

An Israeli military official said signatories who are on active duty would be dismissed over the letter, which said the war - which Israel resumed last month after a two-month ceasefire - "mainly serves personal and political interests, rather than genuine security needs".

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he backed the dismissals because "statements that weaken the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) and strengthen our enemies in time of war are unforgivable".

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The letter, published by several Israeli media outlets, was signed by 980 reservists, most of them retired with around 10 percent on active reserve duty, one signatory told Reuters.

The letter demanded "the immediate return of all our hostages without delay, even at the cost of stopping the war immediately".

The war began after Hamas-led Palestinian militants attacked southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. Israel's offensive since then has killed over 50,000 Palestinians and widely demolished Gaza, local health authorities say.

Last month Israel broke a ceasefire reached in January after the two sides failed to agree on terms for extending it. Israel has said its military operations will continue until the remaining 59 hostages still held by Hamas and other militant groups are returned. Hamas says it will not free them without a deal that would bring a permanent end to the war.

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Hostage family members and weekly protesters have called on Netanyahu's right-wing government to make a deal with Hamas to free the hostages, even if that requires Israel to fully withdraw from Gaza and stop the conflict.

Netanyahu says Israel will keep fighting until all its aims are met, including stripping Hamas of the ability to rule Gaza, and that this approach would eventually get the hostages freed.

The Israeli military official said there was no room for "reservists in active duty to exploit their military status (politically) while simultaneously participating in the fighting". The official called the letter a "serious breach of trust between commanders and subordinates"

A poll released on Thursday by the Israel Democracy Institute found increasing support over the course of the war for prioritising the release of hostages over the elimination of Hamas. It found that 68% of Israelis thought bringing hostages home should be the highest priority.

(Reporting by Emily Rose; editing by Mark Heinrich)
SAN ANTONIO  The one consistent theme in opening addresses at the Capital Ideas Conference of the Transportation Intermediaries Association was that freight fraud remains a major problem for brokers, and there are few signs of progress in combating it.

Two years after then-TIA President Anne Reinke described double brokering as out of control, none of the three TIA officials who spoke at this years gathering gave any hint that fraud is on the decline. Reinkes comments in 2023 were directed at double brokering; this year it was fraud in general, of which double brokering is one part.

The meeting here with more than 1,500 attendees is the first for Chris Burroughs as president of the TIA. He moved into the top slot last September after Reinke took over leadership of the Intermodal Association of North America.

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Burroughs, in his first remarks to a TIA conference as president, said the organization has been tackling this problem since the 2012 passage of a federal antifraud law. He noted it was one of the first pieces of legislation he had worked on at TIA after joining the organization that year.

Nonetheless, Burroughs said, the situation has obviously exploded into a massive fraud.

2020 data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration said that the agency had more than 80,000 complaints of freight fraud in its database, a figure Burroughs said was staggering and quite frankly unexpected.

Its tarnishing our industry and our reputation, he said.

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He cited a list of actions TIA has taken that have no enforcement mechanism but do raise the profile of the freight fraud issue: a task force, best practices brokers can follow to reduce the amount of fraud, white papers, work with other organizations and the launch of a media campaign to continue to raise awareness on this issue.

Were also working directly with Congress and the federal agencies to push forward and getting regulations that are already on the books enforced, Burroughs said.

Rob Kemp, the president and founder of K-R Sales Inc. and DRT Transportation and incoming chair of the TIA, said he recently had a frustrating experience in his own companys battle with fraud.

We just had a situation not too long ago. We ended up calling the FBI and were disappointed to hear the FBI say, and you guys have probably heard this, We cant help you. So if they cant help you, who can help you? Kemp said.

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Mark Christos, the president of SolvLogix Inc. and outgoing chair of the TIA, opened the conference with a push for the TIA as a bulwark against fraud.

Every time Ive been on the phone with a shipper or a prospective customer who has reservations about something really unfortunate that happened with them, relative to brokerage, I find that its not with a TIA member, Christos said. Same thing with the carrier side. They will tell us stories, all legitimate. I will ask the carrier, who is that with specifically? And theyll all say it is not a TIA member.

Broker transparency raised as an issue

Burroughs also took the opportunity to tamp down the view that brokers and carriers are at odds with each other. Perceptions of that relationship hit bottom in spring 2020, when in the face of extremely low rates soon after the pandemic started, truckers took to the streets of Washington to protest the low levels and blamed brokers. Bob Voltmann, who had the TIA head job before Reinke, made a stunning short video defending his members. He was ousted soon after, and it was never clear whether the video was the cause of his departure.

Tensions between the two groups may be arising again over the issue of broker transparency, with the FMCSA recommending new regulations.

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Carriers and brokers obviously need each other, Burroughs said. He did not mention the broker transparency regulations but said that instead of trying to expose this sensitive business data, we should focus on the real issues, building trust, enhancing efficiencies and strengthening our partnerships together. Brokers dont survive without carriers.

We dont want to be enemies, but when bad policy threatens our industry, we will obviously stand up, he added.

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The post Fighting freight fraud an immediate focus at annual meeting of brokers group appeared first on FreightWaves.
A fire broke out on April 10 at the Komsomolsk refinery in Russias Khabarovsk Krai, the countrys largest fuel supplier for the Far East, according to the Russian Telegram channel 112.

The blaze erupted in one of the facility's technological units after gasoline reportedly leaked from a column and ignited, sources told the channel. The fire covered an area of approximately 100 square meters, according to Russian emergency services cited by pro-government Interfax.

Authorities said the fire was localized, but the exact cause has not yet been determined.

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The Komsomolsk refinery, operated by Russia's state-owned Rosneft, was launched in 1942 and has a production capacity of 8 million metric tons per year.

The refinery provides more than 60% of all petroleum products  including gasoline, diesel, and marine fuel  for the Far Eastern Federal District.

The incident comes a month and a half after another major Rosneft facility, the Ryazan refinery, halted operations following a Ukrainian drone strike on Feb. 24.

Ukraine has launched dozens of strikes against Russian refineries, oil depots, and defense industry sites since the beginning of the full-scale invasion in 2022, targeting Moscow's logistics and war economy.

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Kyiv agreed to a full 30-day ceasefire during U.S.-mediated talks in Jeddah on March 11, but Russia rejected the proposal unless it included limits on Ukraine's military capabilities and foreign aid.

A partial truce was reached, covering strikes on energy infrastructure and the Black Sea.

Just two days after the agreement, Ukraine accused Russian forces of violating the truce by striking power facilities in Kherson.

Moscow denied the attack and claimed Ukraine had hit the Sudzha gas metering station in Kursk Oblast  an allegation Kyiv dismissed as a pretext for further aggression.

Read also: US, Russia hold closed talks in Istanbul on embassy operations, media reports

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MILL VALLEY, Calif. (KRON)  As we head into the warm weather months, firefighters want to get the message out now about wildfire preparedness. Its a message thats already familiar to many North Bay residents.

Mill Valley resident Richard Cole knows the drill about creating defensible space around his home to make it more fire resistant. That is exactly what firefighters statewide are urging people to do.

You know the safety space, the fire space, you know that kind of thing, Cole said. As a homeowner, you just got to do that safety space and take care of business and it doesnt seem to be a big chore.

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VIDEO: Bus engulfed in flames in San Francisco

Will Powers with the Santa Rosa Fire Department said the department usually put that message out to the community as it gets warmer towards peak fire season.

On your property, go out there, start to gauge and size up what may need to be done in your property and start making those lists, if you need to mow, if you got backfield, cleaning your gutters, stuff of that sort, Powers said.

Open those go bags up, check if you have any expired food in there, check your batteries, make sure your flashlights are working, and just make sure those go bags are replenished, Powers added.

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Back in February, the states fire marshal released new maps after the disastrous Southern California firestorms. Several cities in the Bay Area are considered to be in high-fire severity zones.

In California, we burn year around, but its always better just to refresh if its something that you havent been thinking about lately, said Powers.

Tips for fire preparedness can typically be found on local government websites.

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By Jody Godoy

(Reuters) -Elon Musk's government cost-cutting campaign at the U.S. Federal Trade Commission raises concern about exposure of confidential corporate data, say two Democratic commissioners at the agency who were fired last month by President Donald Trump.

Rebecca Slaughter and Alvaro Bedoya told Reuters they will call on FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson to publicly provide details about the staffers from Musk's Department of Government Efficiency, who they report to, and what systems they can access.

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A spokesperson for the FTC declined to comment.

U.S. President Donald Trump's orders allowing DOGE widespread access to government systems including those containing Americans' personal information have prompted lawsuits and sparked fears that sensitive data could be misused.

Companies report more than 1,000 transactions to the FTC annually, and those files are "extremely sensitive and confidential," Slaughter and Bedoya said. Regulations require many companies to disclose nonpublic business plans and financial data before mergers and acquisitions.

"This data can move markets. It can certainly change the competitive dynamics in any industry. Under no circumstances should DOGE be able to access this data. We are deeply concerned that they may do it anyway," they said in a statement.

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The risk extends beyond merger files: if DOGE reviews contracts with expert witnesses, it could come across nonpublic information about ongoing investigations, they said. That concern extends to the files of commissioners, the FTC's in-house judges, and their staff, as well as investigative files, Bedoya and Slaughter said.

The FTC has also gathered information from OpenAI and Anthropic as part of a study of artificial intelligence partnerships. The companies compete with Musk's xAI.

The staffers should be barred from copying, deleting or editing any files, and should not be allowed to install software, they said.

Musk said in a February interview with Joe Rogan that DOGE employees undergo the same vetting as federal employees.

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"If there is a security clearance needed, the DOGE person has to have that same security clearance. There is no reduction in security," he said.

Bedoya and Slaughter have sued the Trump administration over their firings, saying it violated longstanding U.S. Supreme Court precedent that says FTC commissioners can only be fired for cause, such as neglect of duty.

The White House said in the email firing the two commissioners that the ruling does not apply to the FTC as it currently exists.

(Reporting by Jody Godoy in New York; Editing by Lincoln Feast.)
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  A firefighter received a minor burn to their ear while responding to a home fire in Southeast Portland when a sudden and explosive flashover occurred in the home while crews were on the scene, authorities said.

Portland Fire and Rescue said they responded Wednesday at 10:46 a.m. on reports of a house fire in the Foster-Powell Neighborhood emitting lots of gray smoke coming from the area of Southeast 65th Avenue.

Deeply emotional: Ringside Steakhouse still closed

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When they arrived, crews made entry into the structure to initiate a search in the small yet heavily cluttered home.

Firefighters were routing hose lines into the homes entry when suddenly the front room of the home experienced a flashover, where the smoke and aerosolized fuels simultaneously reach their ignition temperatures leading to a rapid spread across an enclosed area, PF&R said in a press release.

Firefighters respond to a home fire in Southeast Portland. April 9, 2025 (courtesy Portland Fire and Rescue). Firefighters respond to a home fire in Southeast Portland. April 9, 2025 (courtesy Portland Fire and Rescue). Firefighters respond to a home fire in Southeast Portland. April 9, 2025 (courtesy Portland Fire and Rescue). Firefighters respond to a home fire in Southeast Portland. April 9, 2025 (courtesy Portland Fire and Rescue). Firefighters respond to a home fire in Southeast Portland. April 9, 2025 (courtesy Portland Fire and Rescue). Firefighters respond to a home fire in Southeast Portland. April 9, 2025 (courtesy Portland Fire and Rescue).

In this case, members of the search crew were in the area and affected by the explosive action. Although the crew had properly donned their protective clothing that covers members from head to toe, one of the members received a minor burn to an ear through the protective hood worn, PF&R said.

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The firefighters who experienced the flashover left the building, while other crew members applied water from hoses to the buildings interior.

Cyberattack shuts down Oregon DEQ networks

The fire got under control after crews eliminated the threat of flames spreading to other homes. Firefighters on the interior second floor doused the flames as other crews sprayed water from the exterior. Firefighters also cut holes in the roof to release hot gasses and smoke.

The firefighter whose ear was burned is being treated for the minor injury.

No one else was injured in the fire and the home was not occupied at the time of the incident, said Rick Graves, a PF&R spokesperson. It remains unclear if any permanent residents of the home were displaced.

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The cause of the fire is not known and it is still under investigation.

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TOPEKA (KSNT)  The Topeka Fire Department (TFD) reported that one of its firefighters suffered minor injuries while working a fire at the Cable Dahmer Chevrolet Building in Topeka.

At 10:35 p.m. on Wednesday, the TFD was called to the 3700 block of Topeka Boulevard for reports of a structure fire. Firefighters found smoke and flames coming from the Cable Dahmer Chevrolet Building.

According to the TFD, the fire started on or near a ventilation unit in the body shop paint booth. The fire was determined to be accidental.

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Evergy seeks rate hikes and approval for Kansas projects

The TFD said one firefighter was treated on-scene for minor injuries.

No damage estimates were immediately provided. More information will be provided as it becomes available.

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.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.
BEIJING, April 9 (Xinhua) -- China has taken swift, firm countermeasures following the latest U.S. tariff hike on Chinese imports, in a move to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.

The Chinese government on Wednesday announced that it will raise additional tariffs on products imported from the United States to 84 percent, add six U.S. firms to its unreliable entity list, and place 12 U.S. entities on its export control list.

These steps -- all in effect from 12:01 p.m. Thursday -- came after the country pledged to take countermeasures with "firm will" and "abundant means" following the United States' decision to raise its so-called reciprocal tariffs on Chinese imports from 34 percent to 84 percent.

China has also filed a case against the United States with the World Trade Organization's dispute settlement mechanism over the latest tariff hike.

China's State Council Information Office on Wednesday released a white paper to clarify the facts about China-U.S. economic and trade relations, and to elaborate on China's position on relevant issues.

China-U.S. economic and trade relations are mutually beneficial and win-win in nature, and cooperation benefits the two sides while confrontation harms both, the white paper said.

Recently, the United States has launched several rounds of tariff hikes on Chinese imports, and China has responded to these protectionist moves with forceful countermeasures.

"I want to emphasize that there is no winner in a trade war, and that China does not want a trade war. But the Chinese government will by no means sit by when the legitimate rights and interests of its people are being hurt and deprived," an official of China's Ministry of Commerce said in a statement on Wednesday.

The official said that the United States' use of tariffs as a weapon to exert maximum pressure and pursue its self-interests is a typical act of unilateralism, protectionism and economic bullying.

Under the guise of pursuing "reciprocity" and "fairness," the United States is engaging in zero-sum games and, in essence, seeking "America First" and "American exceptionalism," the official said.

China is willing to communicate with the U.S. side on key bilateral economic and trade issues, address their respective concerns through dialogue and consultations on an equal footing, and jointly advance the steady, healthy and sustainable development of China-U.S. economic and trade relations, the official noted.

"If the United States really seeks to resolve the issue through dialogue and negotiation, it should demonstrate an attitude of equality, respect and reciprocity," Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told a daily news briefing on Wednesday.

"If the United States is bent on waging a tariff war or trade war, China is ready to fight to the end," Lin said, noting that China has the capability and confidence to cope with various risks and challenges. 
A group of Illinois firefighters jumped into action when they received a call about a rescue  but it had nothing to do with a fire.

According to The Weather Channel, the Murphysboro Fire Department said a red-tailed hawk was caught in a fishing line and suspended just above the lake's surface. Three firefighters and an animal control officer helped with the wildlife rescue.

One of the firefighters ventured out into the lake in cold water rescue equipment. The first responder put the hawk in a rescue cage and freed it from a tree limb before heading back to shore.

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The rescuers were able to remove the fishing line from the hawk's feet and wing. However, the bird sustained a wing injury and was taken to an animal rehabilitation facility for care.

"Safe and solid work by all involved resulted in a successful rescue and positive outcome," the Murphysboro Fire Department said on Facebook.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, wildlife entanglement in marine debris affects hundreds of marine mammals, birds, and other species. A study found that fishing gear is the greatest entanglement threat to wildlife. Like the red-tailed hawk in Murphysboro, animals can become injured or even die when trapped by debris.

First responders often go above and beyond for wildlife. In Florida, firefighters recently rescued a heron stuck in a tree in New Smyrna Beach. Meanwhile in Texas, firefighters saved a crested caracara that was also trapped in a tree. Both birds were entangled in debris.

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In an effort to protect wildlife, the NOAA Fisheries Office of Protected Resources coordinates marine mammal response efforts across the nation. As for boaters and anglers, it is recommended to remove all fishing gear and trash to prevent any potential entanglements.

The Murphysboro Fire Department Facebook post regarding the hawk rescue received dozens of comments praising the firefighters for their quick response. One commenter wrote, "Very strong work crew! Y'all rescue regardless of species. Very well done."

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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WTVO)  An aerial fire fighting helicopter refill pump has been named 2025s Coolest Thing Made in Illinois in the sixth annual Makers Madness contest.

According to the state, Manufactured by MTH Pumps in Plano, the Aerial Firefighting Helicopter Refill Pump was designed to reduce the refill time of helicopter-based water tanks from over a minute to as little as 30 seconds, increasing the number of water drops that aerial firefighters can place on a wildfire. This time advantage improves the chances of slowing or stopping fires from endangering lives, property and habitats. When wildfires in California left a trail of destruction, MTH Pumps helped by providing rapid and reliable water access for aerial firefighting teams.

Congratulations to Aerial Firefighting Helicopter Refill Pump for being named the 2025 Coolest Thing Made in Illinois. This product is a great example of the bold ideas, creativity, and innovation that powers the manufacturing sector here in Illinois, said Mark Denzler, President and CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers Association. With commitment and passion, manufacturers across our state are creating products that solve real-world problems and improve lives. We applaud the men and women on our shop floors whose remarkable skills turn ideas into reality.

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Illinois world-class manufacturing industry is leading the charge as one of the top drivers of our continued economic success here in Illinois, and thats thanks to the incredible innovators all across our state, said Governor JB Pritzker. Im excited to announce this years winner of the Coolest Thing Made in Illinois, the Aerial Firefighting Helicopter Refill Pump. To the team at MTH Pumps, congratulations, and to all the manufacturers who took part in this years competition: thank you for your creativity, resourcefulness, and dedication. You make our state stronger.

More than 250 products were nominated this year.

Last years winner was the Komatsu mining truck, built in Peoria. Previous winners included the Rosenberg Moon Habitat, made by Ingersoll Machine Tools in Rockford, and the Rivian R1T electric pickup truck, made by Rivian in Normal.

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DYERSBURG, Tenn. Dyersburg residents are worried for homes and other family members after flood waters start to recede after heavy storms.

The North Fork of the Forked Deer River stands at 28.6 inches of water and has dropped continuously since Tuesday afternoon.

Weve never in 35 years ever had to leave other than 2010 and then now, said Minnie Cox.

Dyer County flooding Photo by WREG

Dyer County flooding Photo by WREG

Over 40 homes evacuated due to South Dyersburg flooding

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Cox said she did leave Monday when the water started to rise, but she is worried now because her parents did not.

My parents are still there they wouldnt come out, said Cox. They didnt have a place for their dogs so they stayed.

Her parents home is just off South Main Street in a neighborhood underwater.

Cox said her mom is 83 and it would be tough to try and get her in a boat to safety, and she wishes her mom left the first day of evacuations.

On Tuesday afternoon, a Dyer County Rescue Squad boat, rescued more than 40 people were rescued, and businesses were closed and taking a big financial hit as well.

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Selmer, TN church aids recovering tornado victims

Arlena Fields, 13, said she is scared because the flood water might get close to her house in East Dyersburg.

The American Red Cross shelter in the First United Methodist Church is caring for many flood victims.

Well, theyre all feeling pretty down right now and they feel hopeless, but thats one reason were here because we can provide some hope and comfort for them, said Deene Shaver, Supervisor of American Red Cross Shelter in Dyersburg.

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MIAMI (AP)  A South Florida art dealer and another man face charges involving the sale of fake Andy Warhol artworks, authorities said.

Leslie Roberts, 62, of Miami, and Carlos Miguel Rodriguez Melendez, 37, of Sunny Isles, were arrested Wednesday and made their initial appearances in Miami federal court, according to court records.

Defense attorney Nayib Hassan, who represents Rodriguez Melendez, said his client maintains his innocence and looks forward to presenting the full facts in a court of law. Roberts defense attorney and Miami Fine Art Gallery didnt immediately respond to emails seeking comment about the charges.

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According to the indictment, Roberts, the owner of Miami Fine Art Gallery in Coconut Grove, fraudulently represented art as original pieces created by renowned artist Andy Warhol. Prosecutors said Roberts falsely claimed to victims that he acquired the artwork directly from the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts and provided fake and fraudulent invoices to the victims.

Roberts also transferred at least $240,000 in wire fraud proceeds from his Miami Fine Art Gallery bank account to a personal bank account, the indictment said.

Rodriguez Melendez falsely claimed to work for a New York-based auction company to fraudulently authenticate the artwork, concealing that the artwork was fake, investigators said.

Roberts is charged with participating in a conspiracy to sell forged art using fake and fraudulent invoices and authentications, and Rodriguez Melendez is charged with participating in the wire fraud conspiracy. They have been released on bond, with an arraignment hearing scheduled for April 21.

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If convicted, Roberts faces up to 30 years in prison and Rodriguez Melendez faces 20.

Another South Florida art dealer was sentenced in 2023 to two years and three months in federal prison for selling fake Warhols. Daniel Elie Bouaziz, who owned two galleries in Palm Beach County, had pleaded guilty to a single count of money laundering, while prosecutors agreed to drop 16 other counts related to fraud and embezzlement.

Warhol was an American visual artist and filmmaker most associated with the pop art movement of the 1960s.
TALLAHASSEE  State lawmakers are preparing to make the addresses and phone numbers of elected officials secret in what would be a sweeping change to the states broad public records laws.

Members of Congress, school board members, state legislators and other state and local officials  and their families  would have the option to have their personal information redacted from county and state records.

The bill, SB 268, passed the Senate Wednesday with two Democrats voting against it. Its bill sponsor, Sen. Shevrin Jones, D-Miami, said he expects it to pass the House, as well.

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Lawmakers have pointed to the need for more protection amid a toxic political environment. Senators recounted in committees their experiences with death threats and instances of round-the-clock police protection at their homes.

But open government advocates say the bill could make it easier for local and state officials to live outside their districts  or redraw districts to favor one politician over another.

If the bill passes, elected officials would be granted rights approaching those of police, judges and prosecutors.

Once elected to office, mayors, property appraisers, city and county commissioners and other elected officials could have their primary house number and street name redacted from records.

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So could their spouses and adult children. The names, addresses, phone numbers, dates of birth of their minor children and where they go to school would also be exempt from public records.

The exemption would expire when the elected official leaves office.

No one needs to know where you and your family live, Jones told senators Wednesday.

It has nothing to do with government, nothing, he added. All you need to know is where you can come to my office to see my staff, to see me.

Jones said he received death threats following his impassioned 2022 speech against the Parental Rights in Education bill, also known as Dont Say Gay.

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Other senators on both sides of the aisle recounted their own stories.

Former Sen. Randy Fine, R-Melbourne Beach, who was elected to Congress last week, said two people have been arrested and imprisoned for threatening him and his family.

We had to have law enforcement pull up to our house with sirens blaring and everything else, Fine said last month. I got the joy of understanding what its like to be important for a few days, as I couldnt go anywhere without a ton of security with me.

Sen. Jason Pizzo, D-Hollywood, said state police in 2020 pulled him out of a committee to alert him to the fact that someone had paid $47,000 to have me killed.

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Sen. Corey Simon, R-Tallahassee, said a man recently came to his home asking for him.

It scared the heck out of my wife, he said.

Sen. Barbara Sharief, D-Miramar, said her home address was placed on a Ku Klux Klan-affiliated website.

I was on three months worth of security protection, she said.

Some of the heated political rhetoric was evident in Gov. Ron DeSantiss dispute with Republican legislative leaders over a special legislative session on immigration earlier this year. The states agriculture commissioner, Wilton Simpson, who was on the other side of DeSantis, received death threats.

Opponents of the bill have noted that lawmakers havent produced any data about the number of threats theyve received or whether that number is going up. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement, which can pursue charges against people who threaten legislators, did not respond to a request for data on lawmaker threats.

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Critics of the bill also note that there are numerous instances of politicians getting caught living outside their districts, making them ineligible to hold office.

It undermines accountability in the sense that no longer would anyone be able to be sure that their legal representatives live in their districts, said Bobby Block, executive director of the First Amendment Foundation. The organization advocates for open government.

Abdelilah Skhir, a senior strategist with the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida, said the organization feared that records custodians would interpret the statute to redact more information than allowed.

The organization asked senators to amend the bill to explicitly state that certain information in Floridas voter file, such as their precinct locations and the congressional districts they live in, must be public.

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If that information were redacted, it would be impossible to determine whether state and local officials were redrawing districts to favor one politician over another, Skhir said.

Totally understand where theyre coming from with wanting privacy and security, Skhir said. But theres a balance they have to walk.
ORLANDO, Fla. (WFLA)  A Florida furniture store owner was sentenced to 30 months in prison for evading more than $5.5 million in taxes, interest, and penalties that he owed the IRS, the United States Attorneys Office Middle District of Florida announced Wednesday.

Court documents showed that David Fletcher, the owner and operator of Deltona furniture liquidation businesses, including Century Liquidators, didnt file his federal income tax returns or pay the taxes he owed for nearly 10 years.

Tampa Bay-based fast-food restaurant closes all locations

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An IRS audit determined a total of $1.7 million in taxes, interest, and penalties against him.

To evade collection of these taxes, Fletcher concealed his income and assets from the IRS. For example, Fletcher used nominees to hide his purchases of luxury vehicles, including Rolls Royces. Fletcher also filed false income tax returns that understated his income by several million dollars, and when an IRS special agent interviewed him, Fletcher falsely represented the amount of income he earned, the attorneys office said in a news release.

A judge ordered Fletcher to also serve three years of supervised release and to pay approximately $7,112,689 in restitution to the United States.

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JERUSALEM/ANKARA, April 10 (Xinhua) -- An Israeli delegation held talks with Turkish officials in Azerbaijan on Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office confirmed on Thursday, as both countries try to avoid unintended military clashes in Syria amid rising tensions.

In a statement, Netanyahu's office announced that the Israeli delegation was led by National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi, with the participation of senior representatives from the Defense Ministry and security services.

Citing an Israeli political source, Israel's state-owned Kan TV News reported on Thursday that Israel emphasized during the talks that any change in the deployment of foreign forces in Syria would cross a red line and be considered a breach of all rules.

Israel had conveyed a message to Turkiye that military intervention, especially the establishment of Turkish bases in the Palmyra area, would have repercussions for the Syrian regime, according to Kan TV.

Quoting sources from the Turkish Defense Ministry, Turkiye's state-run TRT broadcaster said the two countries had launched technical discussions to establish a mechanism aimed at preventing unintended military encounters in Syria.

"Work will continue for the establishment of a de-escalation mechanism," according to TRT.

The development follows intensified Israeli airstrikes on Syrian targets recently, including strikes on Palmyra and T-4 (Tiyas) military air bases in central Syria's Homs governorate in late March.

According to media reports, Turkiye is planning to deploy troops and air defense systems at some air bases in Syria. 
After facing a colder-than-average winter season, Floridians are ready to embrace the warm, sunny springtime weather. However, summer's oppressive heat is fast approaching.

Last year was Earths warmest summer on record, according to NASA analysis. Global temperatures in 2024 were 2.30 degrees Fahrenheit above the agencys 20th-century baseline (1951-1980), which topped the previous record set in 2023.

On April 2, the Old Farmer's Almanac released its long-range summer forecast for North America. It covered seasonal rainfall forecasts and predicted how hot it could be this summer, saying, "It's going to be a scorcher".

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Will Florida endure another sweltering summer? Here's what to know and what part of the state could see a break from the usual heat.

When is the first day of summer 2025?

The first day of summer is June 20. The 2025 summer solstice goes through Sept. 22.

Will Florida get normal hot or extremely hot this summer?

West Florida High School students play a game of UNO during Spring Break at Casino Beach in Pensacola on Tuesday, March 18, 2025.

The summer of 2025 is predicted to be intense, with hotter-than-normal temperatures across most of the U.S., except for the Northwest and southern Florida.

Does the Old Farmer's Almanac predict summer rain in Florida?

Yes, but only certain parts of the state. Old Farmer's Almanac predicts precipitation will be higher than normal in southern Florida.

How does the Old Farmer's Almanac make predictions?

According to its website, the Old Farmer's Almanac bases its predictions on a comparison of solar activity and weather patterns. The Almanac explains that its forecasts draw on various academic fields, including solar science, climatology, and meteorology.

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It also notes that its current weather forecasting method is a modern adaptation of a formula developed by the almanac's founder, Robert B. Thomas, in 1792.

The Old Farmer's Almanac, distinct from the Farmers' Almanac, claims an 80% accuracy rate for its weather predictions.

Florida signed a law regarding heat protection for outdoor workers

Roofers continue their work as rainy weather impacted their tasks Wednesday, June 12, 2024. The weather continued to affect parts of Southwest Florida. Some areas were saturated with water in some cases impacting traffic and outdoor workers.

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill preventing local governments from requiring heat protection for outdoor workers last year.

House Bill 433, referred to as the Employment Regulations Bill, says it seeks to "prohibit political subdivisions (city and county governments) from maintaining a minimum wage other than a state or federal minimum wage; prohibit political subdivisions from controlling, affecting, or awarding preferences based on the wages or employment benefits of entities doing business with the political subdivision; revise and provide applicability."

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Regarding heat exposure protections, the bill's summary details that it prohibits political subdivisions from:

Requiring an employer, including an employer contracting with the political subdivision, to meet or provide heat exposure requirements not otherwise required under state or federal law.

Giving preference, or considering or seeking information, in a competitive solicitation to an employer based on the employer's heat exposure requirements.

Despite outlining in its summary that counties and cities would have to adopt the state's stances on heat exposure protection, Florida does not have any statewide standard. However, the bill's text heavily supports OSHA's guidelines regarding the subject.

Florida is under federal OSHA jurisdiction, which covers most private-sector workers within the state. State and local government workers are not covered by federal OSHA.

Hurricane season starts in June. How busy will it get?

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. An average season in the Atlantic basin has 14 named storms, seven hurricanes, and three major hurricanes, according to NOAA.

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Old Farmer's Almanac also released its predictions, warning Florida will see tropical storms from mid-July through late August.

Researchers from Colorado State University also issued their initial forecast for the 2025 hurricane season last week, predicting an above-average season with 17 named storms.

"We anticipate that the 2025 Atlantic basin hurricane season will have above-normal activity," says the report, explaining that the current La Nina conditions are likely to transition to ENSO neutral conditions over the next couple of months.

Sea surface temperatures across and eastern and central Atlantic are generally warmer than normal although they are not as warm as they were this time last year, says the forecast, which reads, "A warmer-than-normal tropical Atlantic combined with likely ENSO neutral (or potential La Nina) conditions typically provides a more conducive dynamic and thermodynamic environment for hurricane formation and intensification."

Contributing: Olivia Rose, Arizona Republic

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Florida summer 2025: Here's almanac outlook for heat, rainfall
A Florida teacher was fired by a school district after she called a pupil by their preferred name without getting permission from their parents.

More than 11,000 people have signed a Change.org petition to support Melissa Calhoun, a beloved educator at Satelite High School in Viera, about 52 miles from Orlando.

The petition states Calhoun, who worked for the district for 11 years, is being punished merely for showing respect to a students choices.

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She was reprimanded for referring to a student by the name they prefer rather than their official name  a direct blow to personal rights and respect.

According to News 6, Brevard Public Schools isnt renewing Calhouns contract for the next year over the incident.

Melissa Calhoun, a Florida teacher, won't have her contract renewed after she called a pupil by their preferred name without parental consent, a school district says (Change.org)

Last year, Florida passed a law requiring teachers to only call students by their preferred names if their parents had given written permission, an action the district says was not taken in the case. Instead, Calhoun admitted she knowingly chose not to comply with state law and received a letter of reprimand.

This directly violates state law and the districts standardized process for written parental consent, the district said in a statement obtained by the outlet. BPS supports parents rights to be the primary decision-makers in their childrens lives, and Florida law affirms their right to be informed.

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Teachers, like all employees, are expected to follow the law.

The Independent contacted the district and Calhoun for comment.

District officials were made aware of the incident after the childs parents came forward.

Calhouns supporters say her actions should not have resulted in her dismissal.

Every child deserves to be educated in an environment where they feel respected and valued. Teachers like Ms Calhoun, who understand and act on this principle, are essential to create such an environment, the petition states.

It is in the best interest of our kids, their future, our community, and the continuous development of an inclusive educational environment for us to stand with Ms Calhoun.

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Calhoun had a 10-month contract with the district expiring in May 2025. The state will review her teaching certificate based on her actions, the district said, adding it chose not to renew her contract until the issue is resolved with the state.

The teacher previously worked at DeLaura Middle School, next to the high school, before her current position.

According to Calhouns LinkedIn page, she taught AP Literature and pre-AP classes.
The Turing test has long been an important threshold in evaluating machine intelligence, and OpenAIs latest LLM GPT-4.5 just aced it.

Scientists from the University of California San Diego surmise that current LLMs likely possess the ability to replace humans for short-term conversations, which could cause further job automation and improved social engineering attacks, among other things.

While an impressive engineering feat, this doesnt mean weve achieved artificial general intelligence (AGI). But it does show that humans might be easier to fool than we originally thought.

Even in 1950, at the dawn of the computing age, famous British mathematician and computer scientist Alan Turing knew that machines would one day rival the conversational abilities of humans. To illustrate this idea, Turing developed his eponymous Turing test to gauge whether a machine has become syntactically indistinguishable from its flesh-and-blood creators.

In the ensuing decades, the Turing test has often been touted as an all-important benchmark for the capabilities of advanced computers and AI. And in a recent test, participants mistook GPT-4.5, the latest OpenAI large language model (LLM), for a human 73 percent of the timefar above the 50 percent rate for random chance. A paper discussing the results of this test were uploaded to the preprint server arXiv by scientists at the University of California (UC) San Diego late last month.

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The results constitute the first empirical evidence that any artificial system passes a standard three-party Turing test, the authors wrote. The results have implications for debates about what kind of intelligence is exhibited by LLMs, and the social and economic impacts these systems are likely to have.

While no doubt impressive, GPT-4.5 had a few tricks up its sleeve to pass itself off as human. First, the authors instructed the LLM to adopt a humanlike persona, which essentially resulted in texts full of internet shorthand and socially-awkward responses. When using this persona, the LLM scored the highest, but without the persona, GPT-4.5 was much less convincing, with an only 36 percent success rate.

These results were conducted in a three-party test, meaning that participants spoke with a human and AI simultaneously and tried to identify which was which. Cameron Jones, a co-author of the study, described this kind of test (which lasts around five minutes) as the most widely accepted standard version of the Turing test in a post on X, formerly Twitter .

While an impressive engineering feat, passing the Turing test is not an indicator that weve officially developed artificial general intelligence (AGI)the holy grail of the AI world. The Turing test only evaluates one type of intelligence, and some argue that humans possess upwards of nine distinct intelligences (including things like interpersonal, intrapersonal, visual-spatial, and existential). Its for this reason (among others) that some consider the Turing test to be largely obsolete .

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However, some people think this milestone represents something more about humans than it does for LLMs. The paper notes, for example, that many participants chose GPT-4.5 based on vibes rather than logic, relying on emotions and feeling rather than asking factual questions or investigating the LLMs reasoning. John Nosta, founder of the think tank NostaLab, wrote in Psychology Today that the Turing test has essentially been inverted:

Its no longer a test of machines, its a test of us. And increasingly, were failing. Because we no longer evaluate humanity based on cognitive substance. We evaluate it based on how it makes us feel. And that feelingthe gut instinct, the vibeis now the soft underbelly of our discernment. And LLMs, especially when persona-primed, can exploit it with uncanny accuracy.

Although this test doesnt represent the long-hypothesized moment of singularity when artificial intelligence evolves beyond our own, Jones said on X that its likely that LLMs can now successfully substitute for people in short conversations, leading to automation of jobs, improved social engineering attacks, and more general societal disruption.

Thats why it is importantnow more than everto regulate the development of AI, or at least approach AI development with immense caution. Unfortunately, the U.S. government currently has no appetite for throttling AIs growing humanlike ambitions.

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Foreign companies that left Russia and financed Ukraine's army, as well as companies branded as "foreign agents," will not be allowed to return to the country's market, Russian state-controlled RBC news agency reported on April 10, citing undisclosed sources.

Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the authorities in February to prepare for the return of Western companies, emphasizing that Russian firms should have "certain advantages" over those re-entering the market.

The news comes amid a thaw in relations between Moscow and Washington as the new Trump administration seeks to broker a peace deal in Ukraine.

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As of late March, Moscow had not received official requests from foreign companies seeking to return, Deputy Chairman of Russia's Security Council Dmitry Medvedev said.

The final version of the document has not yet been agreed upon, according to RBC's sources.

Preliminary criteria say that foreign firms willing to return to Russia will not be allowed to do so if they have a "hostile position," finance Ukraine's Armed Forces, or are classified as "undesirable organizations" or "foreign agents."

The latter two classifications have been widely used by Russia to target and silence groups and individuals who are critical of the government, including independent journalists, activists, and NGOs.

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Companies that stopped fulfilling their obligations to their employees and owed wages, taxes, and other mandatory payments before leaving Russia may also be banned from returning.

In addition, foreign firms may be obliged to localize production to a certain level, transfer technologies to Russia, and locate production facilities and engineering and scientific development centers in the country, RBC reported.

Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, hundreds of Western companies have withdrawn from the Russian market, unwilling to contribute to the country's economy or war effort.

According to the Kyiv School of Economics Institute, 472 foreign firms have fully exited, while another 1,360 have scaled down their operations.

Read also: US, Russia conduct prisoner swap, WSJ reports

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee places his hand on a Bible held by his wife, Janet, as he's sworn in by Judge Lavenksi Smith as the new U.S. ambassador to Israel on April 9, 2025. (Screenshot from livestream)

Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee was sworn in as the United States new ambassador during a ceremony at the state Capitol Wednesday afternoon. The U.S. Senate confirmed his nomination to the post by a vote of 53-46 earlier in the day.

Huckabee told guests and family members, including his daughter, current Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, that he couldnt think of a better place for the ceremony than the Arkansas Capitol.

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Judge Lavenksi Smith, a fellow Hope native who serves on the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, swore in Huckabee, who took his oath with his hand placed on a Bible that he acquired during his first visit to Israel and gifted to his wife, Janet.

Its pretty special, the fact that it has survived these now 52 years is amazing in itself, and I want to say how grateful I am to be able to share this moment with Janet whos carried not only a Bible all these years, but carried a faithful, consistent willingness to go anywhere and do anything that God ever called us to do, Huckabee said. And of all the tests weve been given, this may be one of the biggest.

President Donald Trump nominated Huckabee for the role in November. The native Arkansan has no foreign policy experience, but has visited Israel several times.

An evangelical Christian, Huckabee is a long-time supporter of Israel and has opposed a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine. During a Senate committee hearing last month, Huckabee told members he wasnt there to defend his personal views and repeatedly said that if confirmed, he would enforce Trumps policies.

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U.S. Sen. John Boozman on Wednesday praised the confirmation of his dear friend and gifted leader who will be an ambassador to a critical ally and partner of the U.S.

He has been a lifelong advocate and supporter of Israel who is uniquely suited for this role, Boozman said in a statement. As our ambassador, he will work alongside President Trump and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Israel to advance our shared values and security interests. I congratulate Gov. Huckabee and his entire family, and wish them well as he begins this new chapter of service to our country.

Huckabee said he expects to deploy to his post in Israel next week.

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BUFFALO, Mo.  A Buffalo man now faces a felony child sexual abuse material possession charge years after the Buffalo Police Department (BPD) received a cybercrime tip from a popular social media platform.

According to court records, Austin Paylor, born 1996, is charged with possession of child pornography, a class B felony, in Dallas County Circuit Court.

The probable cause statement said on Nov. 24, 2021, Snapchat submitted a cyber tip to the BPD about a user uploading illegal content. The BPD secured the report within their evidence room. Devices were later seized from Paylors residence during a search warrant on April 11, 2022.

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On March 26, 2025, a Dallas County Sherriffs Office (DCSO) detective requested a report from Cellebrite  a company that provides digital forensics to law enforcement  for a device that was seized during the search warrant of Paylors residence in 2022, per the statement.

Later that week, the DCSO detective conducted a search of the Cellebrite report and found a moving image portraying child sexual abuse material with a length of 2 minutes and 11 seconds, the statement said.

The detective also secured evidence of Paylors ownership of the device through items such as Paylors drivers license and direct deposit slips from the Dallas County R-1 School District, according to court documents.

The statement said Paylor was interviewed by the DCSO on Friday, April 4, and admitted to knowingly possessing child sexual abuse material.

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Paylors bond is set at $25,000.

Ozarks First reached out to the Buffalo R-1 School District to verify if Paylor has been employed by the district.

R-1 Superintendent Tim Ryan confirmed Paylor was employed with the district until several years ago and said Paylor worked in the districts transportation department.





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NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH)  The former treasurer of the campaign of a Connecticut State Senate candidate plead guilty Thursday to making a false declaration before a federal grand jury.

Jessica Martinez, 43, of Bridgeport, was the campaign treasurer for Democratic candidate Dennis A. Bradley in 2018 when he was running for a State Senate seat for the 23rd district.

West Haven to receive $10 million FEMA grant for floodwall construction

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According to evidence and testimony, on March 15, 2018, the Bradley campaign held an event at Dolphins Cove restaurant in Bridgeport, in which Bradley used $5,597.31 of personal funds to pay Dolphins Cove, used personal funds for additional campaign expenditures related to the event, and received campaign contributions from several contributors at the event.

The Citizens Election Program (CEP), a voluntary public election-financing program under which candidates for Connecticut state offices can apply to the State Elections Enforcement Commission (SEEC) for grants to fund their primary and general election campaigns, imposes a $2,000 limit on a State Senate candidates expenditure of personal funds.

The Bradley campaign omitted the Dolphins Cove event and that Bradley had incurred more than $6,000 in expenses related to the event in subsequent filings with SEEC. The campaign also misrepresented the dates of contributions the campaign had received on March 15, 2018. In July 2018, SEEC issued the campaign $84,140 in public funds.

On Sept. 23, 2020, Martinez appeared as a witness before a federal grand jury in New Haven. When asked about the Dolphins Cove event under oath, she falsely stated that the Dolphins Cove had zero to do with me and the campaign. Dolphins Cove was a BDK event, (Bradleys) law firms event, thanking the community, in which I knew State Senator Bradley was going to announce his run for state senate.

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Martinez continued that, There was no fundraising there. There was no fundraising there. But at any rate, I was not the treasurer yet. The campaign did not begin. That was a BDK event.

Martinez was arrested on May 25, 2021. She was released on a $250,000 bond pending sentencing, which is not scheduled. The charge of making a false statement before the grand jury carries a maximum term of five years in prison.

Bradley is awaiting trial in this matter.

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YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  A former city employee who pleaded guilty in February to sex crimes was sentenced Thursday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.

Read next: West Branch cites significant concerns for dismissal of head coach Walt DeShields

Michael Alexander, 50, received a sentence of 15 to 19 years in prison from Judge John Durkin after guilty pleas Feb. 20 to two counts of rape, a first-degree felony.

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A co-defendant, Ashley Cervello, 39, pleaded guilty to attempted bribery, a fourth-degree felony and intimidation, a first-degree misdemeanor. The attorneys in the case recommended a sentence of five years probation, which was adopted by Judge Durkin.

Alexander was accused of sexually abusing the victim in June of 2018, when the victim was just 12 years old, according to the indictment in the case.

Assistant Prosecutor Caitlyn Andrews asked for 15 to 20 years, saying Alexander had been taking advantage of the victims youth by beginning the abuse when the victim was just 12 years old.

Andrews said Alexander used his status as a mechanic for the city police department saying that no one would ever believe the victim if she ever told anyone of the abuse.

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She was easily manipulated because of her age and he [Alexander] took advantage of that, Andrews said.

Alexander is still not taking responsibility by saying it was the victim who initiated the abuse, Andrews said.

The victim said that Alexander told her no one would ever believe her because of the people he knew at his job.

She said he told her I can get away with it because all the cops are my best friends.

The victim said she contemplated suicide and has struggled with depression.

Michael Alexander hurt me more than anyone else ever could, she said.

In arguing for a lesser sentence, defense attorney Rhys Cartwright Jones said a presentence report found that Alexander has a low chance of being a repeat offender and that Alexander has accepted responsibility by pleading guilty to one of the most serious charges. He suggested a sentence of between five and 10 years.

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Alexander said, If I can have a do-over, I would.

I deeply regret what Ive done and I deeply regret hurting the people that I love, Alexander said.

Judge Durkin said even if he believes Alexanders accounts of what happened, your conduct is something I can never understand.

Judge Durkin also said that Alexander also took advantage of the victims age when he abused her.

I hope for the victims sake with time there can be healing, Judge Durkin said.

Cervello is accused of offering a vehicle between October 2023 and April to someone in an attempt to influence their testimony to investigators in the case.

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Authorities have not said how Alexander and Cervello know each other but court records show they both have the same address.

Cervello has been free on $15,000 bond she posted in May. Her attorney, Brian Tareshawty, told the judge that Cervello did not believe the victim when she told her about Alexanders abuse. In order to get her to change her story, she offered the victim her car, Tareshawty said.

Tareshawty said Cervello was deceived by Alexander, who lied about the abuse. She also agreed to testify against him if needed, Tareshawty said.

Cervello apologized.

There isnt a day that goes by that I dont regret my actions, she said.

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Alexander had been a police mechanic since 2000. He has been in jail since his April 19 arrest.

The Mahoning County Sheriffs Office investigated the case.

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BEIJING, April 10 (Xinhua) -- China will build a workforce demand database to help bridge the gap between college talent pool and the needs of employers.

The measure comes as part of the country's latest push for high-quality, sufficient employment for the millions of graduates hitting the workforce each year.

A comprehensive, well-functioning and reliable job services network will be established within the next three to five years to support college graduates in the job market, according to new guidelines released on Tuesday.

China will also step up analysis and consultation regarding the demand for talent critical to national strategies, said the policy document from the general offices of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council.

This means digging into big data across innovation, industry, capital and talent chains, forecasting supply-demand trends, and updating a list of high-demand disciplines and majors to guide universities in the refinement of their programs, according to the document.

Education officials emphasized the need to pinpoint real societal demand, boost the effectiveness of education, and strive for supply-demand balance.

Addressing these pressing, real-world challenges is crucial for the education system today, they said.

"Only when what we teach matches what society needs, will graduates thrive in the job market," said Kuang Xiaozhen, director of an employment and entrepreneurship guidance center for college students in Beijing.

In 2025, a record 12.22 million graduates -- 430,000 more than last year -- are expected to join the workforce. The figure has remained above 10 million for three consecutive years.

To meet this challenge, China aims to create over 12 million urban jobs in 2025, targeting a surveyed unemployment rate of 5.5 percent. Last year, China successfully added 12.56 million urban jobs, maintaining a surveyed urban unemployment rate of 5.1 percent.

Yet, the pressure is unlikely to lessen anytime soon. The ministry said that the surge of graduates is likely to persist for a decade, fueled by the growing availability of higher education in China.

Meanwhile, the job market itself is shifting. Industries once eager to scoop up fresh talent -- internet giants, private tutoring, and real estate -- are losing ground to rising sectors like new energy vehicles, semiconductors, and green technologies.

The success of DeepSeek and Unitree Robotics has ignited the ambitions of numerous startups, spurring fierce competition in fields like artificial intelligence (AI) and humanoid robotics. The lavish pay packages offered by these companies have made headlines during the spring hiring season, which is now in full swing across the country.

It is estimated that China faces a workforce shortage of over 5 million in AI, 2.3 million in big data, over 1 million in new energy vehicles, and another 1 million in drone operators for the low-altitude economy, according to recent statistics.

"Industry regulators need to team up with education folks and share data to make the database full and precise," said Kuang.

DYNAMIC ADJUSTMENTS

China will also work on supply-side fixes by pushing universities to "dynamically" adjust their programs and resources, according to the guidelines. Education quality and job placement rates will be factored into shaping university enrollment plans.

At a meeting focused on employment and other issues on March 31, Education Minister Huai Jinpeng highlighted how a database linking disciplines, programs, market trends, and career paths could provide solid evidence for revamping academic programs.

The minister called for forward-looking research and evaluation, real-time monitoring, and rapid detection in this process.

China plans to revamp approximately 20 percent of its degree and diploma programs in colleges between 2023 and 2025.

Last year alone, 1,673 new programs aligned with national strategies were introduced, while 1,670 outdated ones were removed for failing to meet current economic and social needs.

At Sichuan Agricultural University in southwest China, an index system evaluates disciplines and programs based on faculty strength, enrollment scores, job placement rates, and social impact.

Each year, the university distributes numerous questionnaires to employers and government agencies, using a red-and-blue warning system to guide necessary adjustments.

Disciplines and majors flagged blue for low index scores must improve within three years, while those flagged red may face phase-out by the academic degrees committee, said Wu De, president of the university.

Such dynamic adjustments are designed to sharpen students' skills and give them a competitive edge in the job market, said experts.

Tuesday's policy document also covers career guidance, recruitment services and subsidies for new jobseekers in difficulty. 
Dr. Meena Seshamani, with famliy members in attendance, is sworn in April 2, 2025, as Maryland's next secretary of Health. (Photo by Christine Condon/Maryland Matters)

Dr. Meena Seshamani officially took over as Marylands new secretary of health Wednesday, taking the helm of a department that has been mired in controversy in recent years.

Advocates say they are antsy to begin working with the secretary on some of those challenges, and to improve relationships between the department and the people it affects.

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Were looking to meet with the new secretary soon and hope to right that ship, Ande Kolp, executive director with the Arc Maryland, said Tuesday. Kolp has been a frequent critic of issues this spring at the Developmental Disabilities Administration, which is overseen by the health department.

Seshamani takes over following the February departure of former Secretary Laura Herrera Scott, who left the position amid a flurry of negative press for the department.

At the news of Herrera Scotts departure, Senate President Bill Ferguson (D-Baltimore City) said the department needed significant financial cleanup following reports of incorrect spending projections for Medicaid and for the Developmental Disabilities Administration.

The health department was at the center of a budget storm in the just-ended legislative session, when lawmakers and Gov. Wes Moore (D) debated cutting hundreds of millions from the DDA to help close a projected $3 billion gap in the fiscal 2026 state budget.

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Moore initially proposed cutting a total of $457 million cut from the DDA, arguing that the agency was experiencing unsustainable spending and growth in its programs. Those cuts faced stiff opposition from the public, and lawmakers were able to settle on a still painful, but much more manageable, DDA cut of about $164 million in the final version of the fiscal 2026 budget approved Monday.

The budget woes added on to an already strained relationship between the department and the developmental disabilities community, with the department facing criticisms over transparency, along with complaints of burdensome paperwork for services.

Seshamani also inherits issues at the Clifton T. Perkins Hospital Center in Howard County, a high-security hospital that has been riddled with complaints of patient abuse and violence.

In addition to the long-standing state-level challenges, Seshamani will lead the department into uncharted waters in federal relations, given the pace and sweep of budget cuts and policy changes coming down from the Trump administration across the government. In the past two months alone, for example, the National Institutes of Health has tried to cancel billions in research grants, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has pulled support for a Medicaid hospital rate-seting program in Maryland, and the Department of Health and Human Services has announced plans to cut 20,000 of its 82,000 jobs.

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Seshamani previously served as deputy administrator at the CMS under the Biden administration. She is a Hopkins-trained surgeon who was a head and neck surgeon at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, and she has a Ph.D. in economics from Oxford, according to a statement from Moores ]office announcing her appointment as secretary. She is a former executive with MedStar.

Despite the challenges, Seshamani said she is honored to serve as the Maryland Secretary of Health, and thanked Gov. Wes Moore and the General Assembly for the opportunity in a written statement Wednesday.

I seek to protect and improve the health of all Marylanders in a thoughtful, data-driven way in partnership with the staff of the Department, across the Moore-Miller Administration, with the Maryland General Assembly, and with all the organizations in the state who strive to provide a world-class health care system for all Marylanders, she said in the written statement.

 This story was updated on Thursday, April 10, to correct garbled text.
DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA)  A 58-year-old man, formerly of Danville, has been sentenced to nine years in prison after pleading guilty to indecent solicitation of a child.

On April 3, Jeffery Schlunaker pleaded guilty to the offense of indecent solicitation which is a class 1 felony, the Office of the Vermilion County States Attorney said in a release. He was sentenced to nine years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for this offense and following his term of imprisonment, Schlunaker will serve one year of mandatory supervised release. The plea hearing was presided over by Judge Karen Wall.

6-year-old killed in Decatur car vs. pedestrian crash

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Those who exploit and prey on children will be held accountable, said States Attorney Jacqueline M. Lacy. My office is committed to protecting the most vulnerable members of our community.

The People presented evidence that on Dec. 14, 2024, the Danville Police Department was dispatched to the scene of a citizens arrest. Upon arrival, officers found the defendant in the custody of members of two citizen groups, Predator Poachers and Bikers Against Predators, whose stated purposes were to reduce the number of child sexual predators.

In this specific case, group members engaged in an online conversation with Schlunaker, who explicitly described how he wanted to engage in sexual intercourse with a child whom he knew to be between 11 and 12 years old. After making arrangements and telling the undercover citizen that he feared getting caught having sex with a 12-year-old, Schlunaker made his way over to the pre-arranged meeting spot.

Juvenile arrested in connection to Charleston store burglary

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He was assured that the childs mother would not be home during the meeting. Schlunaker then arrived and approached the actress who was posing as a child. The group members approached Schlunaker and he was interviewed on camera before being restrained to wait for police to arrive.

Additionally, Schlunaker confessed his intentions to engage in sexual intercourse with a child. A member of one of the citizen groups involved, Alex Rosen of the Predator Poachers, reached out to WCIA and said that Schlunaker voluntarily talked to their group, and that the cops were called when Schlunaker admitted to the group that he had committed a crime.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.
Apr. 9A former Dayton attorney was sentenced to prison for grooming a girl in Nevada by exchanging explicit images, discussing sexual fantasies and asking her for sex.

Chris Six, 35, was sentenced by Montgomery County Common Pleas Court Judge Dennis Adkins to three to four and a half years in prison.

Six also was designated a Tier II sex offender, which means he will have to register his address every 180 days for 25 years.

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The investigation into Six started in March 2023 after the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force told Dayton police that he may have images of child sexual assault on his Snapchat account, according to the Montgomery County Prosecutor's Office.

"After a thorough search of the defendant's electronics and online accounts, it was determined he had maintained contact with an underage minor in Nevada and had sent and requested nude images. Additionally, the defendant had chats with the minor and discussed his (sexual fantasies). The relationship continued until the defendant's Snapchat account was shut down by the company because of the child pornographic material his account contained," according to a statement from the prosecutor's office.

In a statement after Six's sentencing, the prosecutor's office said that Six chatted with the child discussing his bestiality, incest, urination and other fantasies.

In a sentencing memorandum, prosecutors said that the girl told law enforcement Six asked her to send him videos acting out those fantasies and encouraged her to molest family members and other juveniles.

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An amended indictment filed Oct. 18 said the incidents began when the girl was 15 and happened from about April 30, 2021, to April 25, 2023.

Six is a graduate of the West Virginia University College of Law who was admitted to the Ohio Bar in November 2021 as a transfer. His license to practice law was suspended Oct. 19, 2023. He was among 171 attorney sanctioned for failing to comply with continuing legal education requirements, and one of 16 suspended, according to the Ohio Supreme Court.
LIMESTONE COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT)  The U.S. Department of Justice said a former Alabama Department of Corrections officer pleaded guilty to bribery.

According to court documents, John Paul Ketteman, 28, was working as a corrections officer at the Limestone County Correctional Facility. His job included inspecting cells for contraband as well as supervising inmates.

Tennessee authorities arrest 2 key suspects in kidnapping of Huntsville realtor, 3 others for harboring suspects

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John Paul Ketteman was one of four men employed by ADOC who resigned on November 22 after being charged with bribery of public servants and using their position for personal gain.

The court documents also stated that ADOC began an investigation into contraband being smuggled into the Limestone facility by corrections officers, including Ketteman.

The investigation showed that Ketteman was paid over $10,000 through Cash App in 2022 over the course of three months. Documents said that he was paid to act as a lookout, as well as smuggle contraband inside.

Ketteman is scheduled for sentencing on June 24, 2025. The maximum penalty for for receipt of a bribe by an agent or organization receiving federal funds is 10 years in prison.

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The country  and the global financial market  is reeling from a week of whiplash tariff policy changes from the White House.

On Wednesday, President Donald Trump announced on social media that hes issuing a 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs to most nations, while raising U.S. tariff charges on China to 125%.

The move comes after Trump initially announced his liberation day tariffs on April 2, sending the stock market into a downward spiral and leaving many a MAGA supporter shaken. A poll by Reuters and Ipsos found that nearly 25% of Republicans opposed Trumps tariffs, which the president said were meant to restore U.S. manufacturing to its glory days.

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This is not what we voted for, said hedge fund billionaire and vocal Trump supporter Bill Ackman on X over the weekend, echoing the sentiments of many rattled Trump supporters.

We asked former Trump voters what policy or action caused them to step away from MAGA. Bloomberg via Getty Images

While tariffs have long been cornerstone of Trumps economic policy, the market instability triggered by the presidents action could lead some to jump off the Trump train. That may be especially true for fiscal conservatives who held their noses while voting for Trump in the election, in the hopes that hed be as stable in his approach to the economy as he was during his first term. (Then again, after the market surged in the wake of the tariff reversal, some supporters  Ackman included  painted Trump out to be an economic mastermind.)

Other supporters jumped off the Trump train long ago. Recently, we spoke to some of them, asking them how he gained their support to begin with, and what he did to lose it. Heres what they had to say. (Responses have been lightly edited for clarity.)

Two days after I celebrated him taking office in 2025, he cut my position within the federal government.

I am a registered Republican who actively campaigned for and voted for Trump in 2016, 2020 and 2024. I have always supported him because of his MAGA ideals. He seemed to be honest and made good on his promises to the American people during his first term. I thought he would get us out of some of the bad circumstances we as a nation have fallen into under other presidents.

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Two days after I celebrated him taking office in 2025, he cut my position within the federal government. I am a 21-year federal employee who took a position last year in the Office of Equity Assurance at the VA (Veterans Affairs). In that capacity, we were working to assist underserved veteran populations within the U.S. and its territories: rural and tribal veterans, women veterans, minorities, senior veterans, homeless vets. We were working to figure out what disparities these groups face because of where they live, and trying to offer them a more equal chance at obtaining VA benefits. Sadly, we were deemed to be DEI, and Trump signed an executive order following his inauguration which eliminated all DEI offices within the federal government. His EO technically ended our positions, but because of our tenure, veterans status, longevity, and performance status within VA, our senior leadership was planning to reassign each of us to other areas of the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)  but Elon Musk and DOGE cancelled those reassignment plans and terminated us via Reduction in Force (RIF).

Ive been pretty bitter ever since. I will be moving towards becoming an Independent from now on.  Denise, a 58-year-old from Northern Virginia

A leader who divides the country that deeply just isnt capable of creating positive, lasting change.

When I supported him, I was still under 18. Back then, it was mostly because supporting him was socially popular in my area, with my family, my friends, and my community. I wasnt educated on politics and kind of bought into the narrative that he was a successful businessman who would do great things for America. I did identify as a Republican at the time, but I dont anymore; now, I consider myself a Social Democrat.

The final straw for me was January 6. Up until that point, I wasnt totally convinced his policies were bad  on paper, some things still sounded like they could work. But the extreme division in the country, which was especially clear on that day, made it obvious to me that he would never be able to implement any policy effectively. A leader who divides the country that deeply just isnt capable of creating positive, lasting change on a national level.  Dean Withers, a 20-year-old from Colorado

What kind of president sells Bibles, gold shoes and a $100,000 watch?" one former supporter said. Brandon Bell via Getty Images

What kind of president sells bibles, gold shoes and a $100,000 watch?

Ive voted GOP since 1984, my first time voting. I stopped in 2020. The last straw? Trumps misogyny. His racism. National security advisers and generals and chiefs of staff told us, Dont vote for this guy, dont support this guy  one of whom, Mark Milley, a Marine and a mans man, has said Trump is the most dangerous person hes ever met. Mad Dog Mattis said pretty much the same thing. Rex Tillerson, Mark Esper ... this goes on and on.

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Then theres his grifting. What kind of president sells bibles, gold shoes and a $100,000 watch (that will likely never be on the market or delivered), but you can buy it through Bitcoin? That means youre making a $100,000 donation to Trump that cant be traced. That is the ultimate grift. His daughter and son-in-law received billions from the Saudis. His convictions, his indictments, January 6  he encouraged a rabid insurrection and then, in real time, refused to do anything to stop it, and told us he would pardon those who did it. What kind of world is this?

My wife teaches middle school math and she says that Donald Trump could not get a job at her school, not as a teacher, or a substitute or the person serving food in the cafeteria line. And yet, almost half of our country still supports him. Theyre willing to have a lower standard for the president than they would have for their own elementary or middle school staff. Hes a horrible influence. Why did I turn away from Trump? Why would anybody stick with him?  Danny, a 62-year-old from Texas

I can not, in good conscience, cast a vote for someone who infringes on the constitution.

The only year I voted for him was 2016. I supported him as his opposition was atrocious in comparison. He didnt have a political record to look back on, so as far as that was concerned he was squeaky clean. I also liked the idea of getting someone in office who was not a politician. I am not a Republican or a Democrat.

Trumps order to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms to ban bump stocks in light of the Las Vegas shooting was what convinced me not to vote for him again. I can not in good conscious cast a vote for someone who infringes on the constitution. (Editors note: In 2024, the Supreme Court struck down Trumps federal ban on bump stocks.)

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My advice to anyone that is feeling disillusioned, it is absolutely OK to change your mind. In fact, Id say its healthy to change your mind.  Cameron, a 27-year-old from Michigan

'What Id tell others is, we voted for Trump for what we thought were the right reasons, but it is never too late to change ones mind," one former Trump voter said. Amir Levy via Getty Images

The final straw was the Uvalde, TX, school shooting.

I supported him in 2016 and 2020 because I was a cynical, disenchanted voter who felt that our established political order needed to be obliterated and started anew; Trump, I thought, was the ideal candidate. Before Trump, I was neither a Republican nor Democrat, and often voted third-party.

It was in the summer of 2021 when I began to question my allegiance to Trump, the MAGA movement and my governor, Ron DeSantis. Trumps mismanagement of COVID, 2020 election lies, and acceptance of avoidable deaths, suffering and violence were lines of demarcation I could not cross. The final straw, and what started my leaving-MAGA odyssey, was the Republican response to the Uvalde school massacre. Four months later, I published a mea culpa, renouncing my MAGA activism and punditry.

It was difficult to leave MAGA because youre leaving behind a community and second family. Though its painful to realize that so much of what I had believed and that I politically advocated for  was incorrect. What Id tell others is, we voted for Trump for what we thought were the right reasons, but it is never too late to change ones mind; doing so is not a weakness  its a show of evolution, growth and maturation. Rich Logis, a 48-year-old from South Florida, and the creator of the website Leaving MAGA

Trump and MAGA used their self-righteous anger and power as a shield to deflect accountability.

I voted for Trump in 2016 as a Republican, though today I consider myself independent. No, thats not code for closeted Republican. Back then, he appealed to me because he came off as bold, funny and unfiltered. He projected a kind of strength that conservatives had long wanted but rarely saw: someone who punched back, who didnt let the media or opponents box him in. And if you were frustrated like I was  bitter, even  about being misrepresented or accused of bad faith by liberal peers, it felt cathartic. Trump embodied the resentment many of us felt, whether we admitted it or not.

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Around 2018, I deleted Facebook and took a break from politics altogether. I started reading books like Grace Revolution by Joseph Prince  which emphasizes grace over condemnation and offered a path toward self-acceptance and transformation. I learned that we are not simply the sum of our political affiliations, just as we are not the sum of our worst selves.

But as I changed, I also noticed something unsettling: the rhetoric I once cheered on  from Trump, from conservative media  mirrored the harsh, graceless voices in my own head. The self-righteous grandstanding of your typical FOX or OAN host clashed with my newfound humility. I realized that it wasnt just the polarized environment that made me feel bad  the worst offenders of dehumanization were coming from my side. Instead of working through their flaws in public, Trump and MAGA used their self-righteous anger and power as a shield to deflect accountability and project strength where there was often insecurity.

I started to see right through it. MAGA ideology, I realized, was less about protecting people or making America great again and more about controlling the narrative  driven by shame, fear, and dominance. It was Pharisaical, and it stood in stark contrast to Christ, who sat with outcasts and lifted them up rather than crushing them under law. It clashed with the humility and grace expected of people we universally acclaim as good.  Matthew, Texas, 33

My vote went ultimately to what feels like a South African chainsaw artist.

Im a former journalist. My views are pretty mixed: I have strong views that reflect both Republican and Democratic leanings, yet there is no major party for that. I am married to a Republican and he and I have many discussions about the world, the state of our nation and who leads it. I think this election I chose Trump because I did not feel Kamala was ready. I think it was a job she would have had to grow into, and how long would it take?

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Im so sorry I did not vote for Harris. My vote went ultimately to what feels like a South African chainsaw artist who has no regards to sensitive populations like little kids on federal lunch programs and young adults trying to get educations.  Susan from Illinois

"I voted Biden in 2020 and Harris in 2024. I went from firmly supporting Trump to being utterly opposed to everything he and his party stand for," said one former Trump voter. CHRIS JACKSON via Getty Images

I supported Trump all along during his first term up until the pandemic.

I voted for Trump in the 2016 election. At the time I was a Republican and diehard Trump supporter who was very active online and interpersonally promoting his ideas and platform.

I supported Trump all along during his first term up until the pandemic. Thats when he lost me, and it was a relatively simple thing. I was initially fairly disappointed by how his administration handled the pandemic lockdowns compared to places like Canada and Europe, which were doing a much better job of handling COVID, something I took seriously. The singular event which cracked my perception of Trump was when he was discussing COVID-19 and said he wanted to bring light inside the body to kill the virus. That idea was so utterly stupid, so profoundly ignorant, so laughably bad that it immediately shook my perception of him, and cast doubt on everything else, too.  Mark from the Midwest

I became increasingly disillusioned with Trumps rhetoric and policies, particularly his lack of regard for basic human rights.

In 2020, at the age of 18, I cast my vote for Donald Trump. As a freshman in college, I had not yet fully engaged with politics. At that time, I did not support his candidacy and hoped for a president who would advocate for universal healthcare. However, many of my friends  particularly those who shared my Christian faith  encouraged me to support the Republican candidate and vote in alignment with my parents political views. That was what we were supposed to do.

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Not long after, I chose to pursue a degree in social work, where I earned my bachelors by working with marginalized communities, including single mothers, survivors of sexual assault, at-risk youth, and individuals with disabilities. This experience led me to deeply regret supporting a candidate who failed to recognize the intrinsic value and dignity of these individuals, and whose policies often seemed to disregard their fundamental right to equality and respect.

Reflecting on my faith, I was reminded of the biblical teachings in the Book of James, which emphasize the importance of caring for the most vulnerable in society, including orphans and widows. Since then, I have earned a masters degree in Clinical Social Work, become a foster mother, provided therapy to incarcerated individuals, volunteered with homeless populations, and advocated for universal healthcare. Over time, I became increasingly disillusioned with Trumps rhetoric and policies, particularly his lack of regard for basic human rights  such as access to food, water, shelter, and healthcare  as well as his mockery of individuals with disabilities. In 2024, I cast my vote for Kamala Harris. Although she did not win, I have no regrets about my vote. I remain hopeful that one day, America will truly live up to its ideals of liberty and justice for all.  Emma

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The state Supreme Court has denied an appeal by a former Manchester resident and Water Works employee convicted of numerous sex crimes after posting video of sexual relations with his ex-girlfriend on pornographic websites.

Bradley Caprarello, 31, was found guilty in 2022 of nonconsensual dissemination of private sexual images, aggravated felonious sexual assault of a physically helpless victim, and aggravated felonious sexual assault by the element of surprise. He was sentenced to 30 years in prison.

The three-day trial featured testimony from the victim, who learned that images and videos of her had been posted to three websites, according to papers filed in connection with the case.

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When police confronted Caprarello, he said he did not believe the woman would care about the posts but apologized for them, according to a police affidavit.

Caprarello stated that he did not know this would be a big deal, the affidavit reads. Caprarello again stated he apologizes for doing it and would apologize to (the victim) if he could.

Caprarello did not testify during his trial. He also faces a future trial on similar charges involving a different victim, Coughlins office said. That round of charges includes possession of child sexual abuse images.

Caprarello previously worked for Manchester Water Works and lived on Proctor Road with his parents. He moved to Laconia after being charged in the case.

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According to court documents, in September 2016 the victim began dating Caprarello, and moved in with him about six months later.

The victim, who was a very heavy sleeper, believed that the defendant was engaging in nonconsensual sexual penetration with her while she was asleep, court documents state.

In March 2018, the victim broke up with Caprarello, and in February 2019 received a Facebook message from a man she did not know informing her that there were images of her online and providing two links. Using the links, the victim discovered photos and videos that were sexual in nature, including videos of the defendant having sex with her while she was asleep, on two websites.

The postings had been made without her knowledge or consent, and included her full name and sexually derogatory hashtags as well as hashtags indicating that the victim was asleep at the time the videos were taken, court documents say.

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Police were notified and interviewed Caprarello in April 2019, who said he didnt think the victim would care.

In May 2020, the victim informed police that she found many of the same photos posted on another website.

In reviewing Caprarellos appeal, the state Supreme Court found beyond a reasonable doubt that Caprarello posted the videos to the third website.
PORT LOUIS (Reuters) -Harvesh Seegolam, the former central bank governor of Mauritius, was charged with fraud on Thursday and released on bail, his lawyer said, a day after he was arrested alongside the former finance minister over alleged theft from a state company.

Seegolam and former finance minister Renganaden Padayachy have denied wrongdoing in the investigation into the reported embezzlement of 300 million Mauritius rupees ($6.70 million) from the Mauritius Investment Corporation, set up to help companies deal with impact of the COVID pandemic.

"Seegolam is collaborating with the authorities. He is giving all evidence and information related to this case," Seegolam's lawyer told reporters.

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The Financial Crimes Commission said the investigation into Padayachy had not been completed and so opposed his release.

Padayachy has been remanded to police custody and will reappear in court on April 17, the commission spokesperson said.

Padayachy's lawyer, Raouf Gulbul, said he would fight the charges.

"In a match, its not the first player to score who wins the match. A match is played over 90 minutes. I am not afraid of new allegations against my client," Gulbul told reporters.

The government of Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam, who won power in a November election, has accused the previous administration, under which the two former officials served, of falsifying data on economic growth, the budget deficit and public debt for years.

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One of Ramgoolam's first moves was to launch an audit of public finances. His predecessor, former prime minister Pravind Jugnauth, was arrested in February on charges of money laundering, which he has denied.

(Reporting by Villen Anganan. Writing by Hereward Holland. Editing by Alexander Winning, Bernadette Baum and Mark Potter)
Former state Sen. Ray Holmberg arrives at the Quentin N. Burdick U.S. Courthouse in Fargo for a plea hearing in North Dakota U.S. District Court on Aug. 8, 2024, (Dan Koeck/For the North Dakota Monitor)

Former North Dakota state Sen. Ray Holmberg does not intend to appeal his federal sex crime conviction or 10-year prison sentence.

Holmberg, a Republican who served 45 years in the state Legislature, was sentenced March 26 after he pleaded guilty to traveling with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct.

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Prosecutors said Holmberg traveled to Prague in the Czech Republic 14 times between 2011 and 2021 to pay for sex with boys.

U.S. District Judge Daniel Hovland imposed a longer prison sentence than the guideline sentence of between three and four years in prison that was outlined in a plea agreement. That opened up the possibility for Holmberg to appeal.

Holmberg had 14 days to file a notice of appeal. Defense attorney Mark Friese confirmed Thursday he has not been directed by Holmberg to file an appeal.

Holmberg, 81, of Grand Forks, is being held in jail in Elk River, Minnesota, awaiting placement in a federal facility by the Bureau of Prisons.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  A former physician for Mount Carmel who was acquitted of 14 murder charges in 2022 will be back in court suing multiple hospital systems for defamation.

William Husels cases against Mount Carmel Health System, former Mt. Carmel CEO and president Edward Lamb, and Mt. Carmels parent company Trinity Health Corporation, will go to trial after Franklin County court of common pleas dismissed the defendants motion to have a summary judgment. Instead, a trial will begin on June 2.

Prosecutors want Gaudreau brothers blood alcohol levels excluded from case against drunk driver who killed them

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Husel sued all three for one claim of defamation in 2019 and sued Mount Carmel for breach of contract. From 2015 to 2018, critically ill patients in Columbus ICU physician Husels care died from a potentially excessive amount of painkillers. In 2019, Husel faced 14 murder charges in relation to his patients deaths. A jury ultimately found him not guilty in 2022 after a months-long trial. Husel surrendered his medical license in the aftermath of his trial.

He filed multiple new civil lawsuits which included a 2023 suit for $20 million against Mount Carmel in which Husels attorneys claim malicious prosecution against him.

This lawsuit was dismissed in March of 2024 before he filed a new suit a month later, which alleged public statements from the defendants calling him responsible for patient deaths and attempts at influencing local media.

DR. HUSEL MOTIONDownload

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
Former Polish Foreign Minister Jacek Czaputowicz has criticised his country's government for its "short-sightedness" in refusing to send a peacekeeping mission to Ukraine.

Source: Czaputowicz on air with the RMF FM radio station

Details: Jacek Chaputowicz assessed that the success of the peacekeeping mission in Ukraine was in Poland's interests.

"However, our actions, which say that we will not send troops there  because why should our sons get killed there  show that we are looking at the short term," he said.

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"We are not looking at the broader geopolitical conditions that are important for our country. I think that we have prematurely declared that we will not participate in this," he added.

Background:

The Polish government has repeatedly stated that it will not send troops to participate in a potential peacekeeping mission in Ukraine but wants to focus on being a logistics hub for Ukraine and possibly, in the future, an infrastructure hub if peacekeeping in the country is ensured.

The coalition of the willing, led by France and the UK, has been working for several weeks on a plan to send thousands of troops to Ukraine to guarantee a future ceasefire.

On 27 March in Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that a French-UK mission would be sent to Ukraine to strengthen the Ukrainian army. He also added that work on the potential deployment of a so-called guarantee force to Ukraine was ongoing.

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A drone photo taken on April 10, 2025 shows staff members of the State Grid Yichang Power Supply Company inspecting shore power facilities at Zigui port in Yichang City, central China's Hubei Province. In recent years, Yichang in central China's Hubei Province has been promoting the use of shore power, which allows ships to connect to the local electricity grid while at port, instead of turning to diesel engines to generate electricity.

This can significantly reduce emissions from vessels, protect the ecological environment of the Yangtze River, and support green shipping.

As of March this year, the city has supplied a total of 50.4 million kilowatt-hours of clean shore power to 48,000 passenger and cargo ship trips. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)

Staff members of the State Grid Yichang Power Supply Company inspect shore power facilities at Zigui port in Yichang City, central China's Hubei Province, April 10, 2025. In recent years, (Xinhua/Du Zixuan)

Staff members of the State Grid Yichang Power Supply Company connect a vessel to shore electricity at Zigui port in Yichang City, central China's Hubei Province, April 10, 2025. (Xinhua/Ding Hongfa)

A drone photo taken on April 10, 2025 shows staff members of the State Grid Yichang Power Supply Company inspecting shore power facilities at Zigui port in Yichang City, central China's Hubei Province. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)

A drone photo taken on April 10, 2025 shows staff members of the State Grid Yichang Power Supply Company inspecting shore power facilities at Zigui port in Yichang City, central China's Hubei Province. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)

A drone photo taken on April 10, 2025 shows staff members of the State Grid Yichang Power Supply Company inspecting shore power facilities at Zigui port in Yichang City, central China's Hubei Province. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)
UPDATE: Carlson was sentenced to 10 years in prison shortly after 3 p.m. Thursday.

WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL)  After a former sheriff found guilty of manslaughter testified in his own defense, the Wichita County jury that convicted him is now deliberating to determine his sentence.

Michael Lloyd Carlson, 65, of Truscott in Knox County, was found guilty of manslaughter stemming from a three-vehicle crash on US 287 near Electra on May 17, 2023, that led to the death of 22-month-old Aveline Hill.

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READ MORE: Both sides rest and close after experts in MIchael Carlson trial

The Wichita County jury of 10 women and 2 men deliberated for over an hour before returning its unanimous verdict, convicting Carlson for his role in the fatal crash.

Carlson now faces a sentence of between 2 and 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $10,000. He elected before trial began to have the jury set his punishment.

Punishment testimony begins immediately after verdict

The punishment phase of Carlsons trial began immediately after the verdict was read on Thursday morning, April 10, 2025, with brief opening statements from Chelsea Carlton, an Assistant District Attorney for Wichita County, and Mark Barber, Carlsons defense attorney.

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During the punishment phase, the prosecution called several witnesses to testify, including a Texas Ranger, regarding a deadly conduct charge Carlson pled guilty to in 2021.

Police said Carlson fired a gun at a travel trailer parked on land he was leasing in Truscott, with one of the bullets hitting one of the occupants of the trailer. Carlson was given a 10-year probation sentence after pleading guilty.

After lunch, the defense called several witnesses to the stand, many of whom are residents of Knox County who knew Carlson when he served as sheriff.

Former sheriff testifies through tears in own defense

At around 1:35 p.m., Barber called the defendant to testify on his own behalf. Despite invoking his Fifth Amendment right during the guilt-innocence phase of the trial, Carlson chose not to during the punishment phase and took the witness stand.

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Carlson testified that he grew up in New Mexico. He testified that after spending time in the foster care system, he was adopted when he was a minor and that his adoptive family was good to him.

READ MORE: State rests case in trial of former Knox County sheriff

Carlson testified that he has two children from a previous marriage and is divorced from his first wife. He testified that both of his daughters are nurse practitioners and that hes proud of them. One of the daughters, who was present in the courtroom, was observed crying.

Carlson testified that he became the sheriff of Knox County after serving as a reserve deputy in the county. He testified that the sheriff at the time asked him to run and serve the remainder of his unexpired term. He testified that he served as sheriff for three or four years, then chose not to run again due to financial and political reasons.

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Carlson testified that in 2020, after he retired and during the COVID-19 pandemic, he began drinking a lot. He testified that one day, he was informed of a trailer that had parked on land he was leasing, and the barbed wire fence was cut. He testified that he saw the trailer parked in his wheat field, with a cut barbed wire fence.

Carlson testified that he tried to contact the Knox County sheriff multiple times regarding the trespassers, but one night, he got drunk, went to the land, and began firing a gun at the trailer.

While he was testifying, he was heard swearing several times. Judge Kennedy interrupted Carlson and informed him he was not allowed to curse in her courtroom. Carlson told Judge Kennedy that he sincerely apologized.

Carlson testified that after the incident for which he was charged with deadly conduct, he quit drinking alcohol cold turkey and went through a recovery program at Helen Farabee. He testified that he hasnt touched alcohol since.

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Carlson testified that since the crash that claimed the life of a toddler, hes been overwhelmed with guilt. He testified that its something he lived with every day. Carlson was observed becoming visibly emotional and crying.

This is with me 24-7, Carlson said. Id trade places still today.

Several members of the jury were observed becoming emotional. The victims mother, who was in the gallery, was observed crying as well. Carlson testified that if there was any way he could apologize to the Hill family, he would.

READ MORE: Toddlers mother recalls fatal wreck in trial of Michael Carlson

During cross-examination, lead prosecutor Chelsea Carlton questioned the former sheriff about his history as a truck driver. Carlson testified that he obtained a commercial drivers license. He testified that hes aware of the responsibility he has to other drivers to not be distracted when driving.

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Carlson testified that he was aware his recklessness has led to two felony charges. He testified that he was aware that probation is a second chance to be a member of the community and that he was on probation at the time of the fatal crash in May 2023.

That was a few nightmares ago, Carlson testified.

During re-direct examination from Barber, Carlson testified that he wished he could go back in time and erase the fatal crash from ever happening.

Prosecution asks jury for maximum punishment

Closing arguments in the punishment phase got underway after Judge Kennedy read the jury its charge, instructing them on their deliberation to determine a sentence for Carlson.

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Lead prosecutor Chelsea Carlton began by thanking the jurors for their time and attention in this case.

In the space of three years, we have a man shot in his own home and a dead child because of this mans recklessness, Carlton said. He is dangerous.

Carlton argued that Carlsons been given a chance at probation before, and he couldnt even make it a year and a half. She asked the jury to sentence Carlson to 20 years in prison.

This family will be affected for the rest of their lives, Carlton argued. Mr. Carlson needs to be affected, too.

Barber then presented the defenses closing arguments to the jury. Barber argued that the community members called to testify on Carlsons behalf thought well of the former sheriff, as did the community at large.

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He didnt mean to kill anybody that day, Barber argued. Hes very remorseful about it and bears the guilt of it every day.

Barber asked the jury to consider the totality of the evidence and come to a verdict. He did not request a specific sentence when addressing the jury.

At around 2:37 p.m. on Thursday, April 10, the case was given to the jury to begin deliberating.

This is a developing story. Stick with Texomas Homepage for updates as more information becomes available. All individuals charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Texomashomepage.com.
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) A former bank officer has pleaded guilty to embezzlement after taking more than $120,000 from customers accounts and ATM, the Department of Justice announced.

Edward Jenkinson, 47, of Trinity, was employed as a bank officer at Bank 1, an FDIC insured institution that was a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta.

Jenkinson managed the Bank 1 financial center located in Tampa, where he oversaw the ATM and cash drawers at the bank.

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Between March 1 and Nov. 2024, Jenkinson redeemed certificates of deposit without the customers knowledge or consent and prepared deposit tickets before depositing the funds into customer checking accounts, the plea agreement said.

Jenkinson embezzled the funds from the accounts and drafted cashier checks payable to himself before depositing them into his accounts and withdrawing most of the funds as cash.

According to the DOJ, Jenkinson also embezzled $52,000 from the ATM at Bank 1 and $2,500 from a teller drawer.

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The funds Jenkinson embezzled were spent on gambling, paying off debt, and retail purchases.

Jenkinson agreed to forfeit $122,004.04, the amount of his criminal activity to the United States, DOJ said.

Jenkinson faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Former U.S. Attorney and Elon Musk lawyer John Bash is the first to throw his hat in the ring to replace Attorney General Ken Paxton, who is making a bid for a U.S. Senate seat.

Bash previously worked as a federal prosecutor for the Western District of Texas until 2020, and served as a special assistant to President Donald Trump during his first term. Since resigning as a government attorney, he has taken on cases such as defending Musk against a then-college student who sued him for defamation.

Bashs wife, Zina Bash, previously worked as Paxtons senior counsel until 2021.

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Bash describes himself on his campaign website as the lefts worst nightmare and pledges to stop woke lawfare cold. He said in a statement on social media hes running because Texas needs the toughest, most battle-tested attorney to lead the fight to keep our communities safe, defend our constitutional rights, and make sure Texas remains a leader in innovation and growth.

As a federal prosecutor, Bash led the states cases against the perpetrator of the 2018 Austin porch bombings, who killed two people, and the corruption case against former state Sen. Carlos Uresti, D-San Antonio, who was found guilty in 2018 for his role in a Ponzi scheme.

Bashs move comes after Paxtons announcement earlier this week that hell challenge incumbent U.S. Sen. John Cornyn in next years midterm election. Paxton has served in the role for 10 years. He does not have to resign his seat, but cant run for election for more than one position.

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.
LONDON  If President Donald Trump wants a Nobel Peace Prize, he should hold off negotiating a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia, Britains former top spy told NBC News on Thursday.

Richard Dearlove, the ex-head of British intelligence agency MI6, said that rushing a truce  and giving too many concessions to the Kremlin  could encourage President Vladimir Putin to launch other hostile forays into Europe.

The Russians badly need a ceasefire, said Dearlove, citing waning Kremlin cash reserves and the falling price of crude oil, which Moscow exports to fund its war machine.

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Ukraine is pretty close to a tipping point, he said in a wide-ranging interview. But the worry at the moment is that Trump will do a premature deal with the Russians and make too many concessions.

Richard Dearlove headed MI6 from 1999 to 2004.

The highly undesirable consequences would be to embolden the Russians, over time, to be more aggressive and assertive in Europe, said Dearlove over a coffee at one of Londons historic private members clubs.

His remarks come as Ukraines military chief said Russia had launched a new offensive in the Eastern European country.

While often less critical of Trumps unorthodox approach than many other foreign policy experts, Dearlove said he finds Trumps general lack of grace and lack of decent behavior to be very disconcerting  specifically his Oval Office bust-up with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in February.

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My general view of Americans is theyre gracious and they behave very respectfully, said a gently amused Dearlove, 80, an Olympic rowers son who spent a year at Connecticuts preparatory Kent School before gaining his degree back in Britain at the University of Cambridge. Its extraordinary the way that Trump has blown up all of that.

The jovial, outspoken grandee of the British foreign policy establishment joined MI6 in 1966 and served as its chief  code-named C  between 1999 and 2004. He now co-hosts the One Decision podcast, covering global news, alongside former U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta.

He says he strongly supports the American presidents campaign to pressure European allies to spend more on defense, decrying the imbalance of Europe enjoying a relatively generous health care and benefits system while letting the U.S. foot the bill for Western defense.

Why should American taxpayers pay for indulgent social security programs in countries like Germany, France and Italy? he said.

Despite saying it is open to a ceasefire, Russia has continued to bomb Ukrainian civilians, as seen here in the city of Pokrovsk on Tuesday, on a near nightly basis.

He dismisses Signalgate  in which Trumps team discussed bombing Yemen on the messaging app Signal  as a stupid and silly mistake that showed a degree of amateurism. And he said it wouldnt have a long-term impact on Western intelligence sharing.

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Reached for comment on Dearloves remarks, White House principal deputy press secretary Harrison Fields said, President Trump is a master negotiator who has done more to bring about world peace during his tenure than any president in modern history.

The Presidents Peace Through Strength agenda has delivered historic achievements across the globe and restored American dominance on the world stage, Fields added. The experts have been wrong for decades, and doing the same thing while expecting a different result is the definition of insanity.

The ex-MI6 head says his biggest short-term worry revolves around Trumps approach to Ukraine, which has involved parallel talks with both Kyiv and Moscow and has been lambasted by Trumps critics in the West as being too favorable to the latter.

If you want to get the Nobel Peace Prize, dont do a premature deal with Ukraine  wait, Dearlove said. (According to former aides, the president still covets the landmark award won by four of his predecessors, and for which Trump has been nominated at least twice before.)

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Dearlove believes the Russians are on the back foot and will only come under more pressure to accept terms. The Russians themselves badly need a ceasefire, but Putin is incapable of seeking one because he doesnt have a reverse gear, Dearlove said.

On Iran, responding to Trumps announcement that the U.S. will hold direct talks with Tehran over its nuclear program, Dearlove says he believes the administration will demand a very high price  namely that Iran give up its entire nuclear program, both for energy and weapons.

President Donald Trump once said he would end the Russia-Ukraine war within 24 hours.

I think theres a bottom line for Trump and Israel that Iran must not have nuclear capability, he said. I think its pretty clear that if Iran were to try to weaponize or if the intelligence suggests that they are weaponized, then there would be a joint Israeli-American attack.

Trump didnt rule out military action if the talks dont succeed, saying Tehran would have a very bad day if diplomacy failed.

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Dearlove agreed: If the Iranians dont negotiate, or if they mislead, which theyre quite capable of doing, theyre ones heading for a crisis.

Dearlove was head of MI6 when the U.S. invaded Iraq in 2003, and was later criticized by a public inquiry for his handling of intelligence alleging that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction, a key argument steering Britain into the war alongside Washington. At the inquiry in 2017, he described claims he was too close to the British government as complete rubbish. And, according to a BBC interview in 2023, he is among a minority of people who believe that Iraq did have some kind of weapons program, but that its components may have been moved into neighboring Syria.

Looking ahead, Dearlove believes by far the biggest issue is how the West deals with China.

Pax Americana  the American peace that has largely held since 1945 and is a byword for Washingtons postwar global dominance  has definitively disintegrated, he said. In its stead, there has to be some sort of understanding between the United States and China, whose President Xi Jinping wants to create a world by 2050 which is aligned with Chinas value system, he added.

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China and the West are intimately intertwined: You cant take them apart, you cant disentangle them, he said. But at the same time, its totally opposed to the Western value system.

He characterizes Xis Chinese Communist Party as talking about global domination  something vehemently rejected by Beijing.

Theres going to have to be some sort of international agreement which accommodates what I would describe as the two spheres of influence, he said. Otherwise, China is going to end up in a confrontation with the United States at some point in the 21st century.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Ahead of his formal announcement for Senate, former Rep. Wiley Nickel spoke at a packed empty chair town hall for Sen. Thom Tillis in March. (Photo: Brandon Kingdollar/NC Newsline)

Former Rep. Wiley Nickel officially announced a 2026 campaign for U.S. Senate Wednesday, entering the Democratic primary for the opportunity to challenge incumbent Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) in the general election.

Nickel is a criminal defense attorney who served four years in the state Senate and two years in the U.S. House of Representatives before dropping his reelection bid in 2023 after his seat, the 13th Congressional District, was redrawn heavily favoring Republicans. He announced then that he would run in the states next Senate contest, filing with the Federal Election Commission as a candidate in December 2023.

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Before moving to North Carolina to practice law in 2009, Nickel was a staffer for Vice President Al Gore and President Barack Obama. As a congressman, he was a member of the moderate Blue Dog Coalition and served on the Financial Services Committee.

His formal announcement comes as the 2026 Senate contest takes shape in North Carolina and around the country. Within the last week, Democratic U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas of New Hampshire, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, and Michigan State Rep. Mallory McMorrow also announced Senate bids for closely contested seats, giving clearer definition to a midterm that will give Democrats a shot at flipping both chambers of Congress.

An ardent Tillis critic

In posts on social media, Nickel took aim at Tillis as the most vulnerable Republican in Washington who continues to cave to Trump and extremists, singling out the senators lack of pushback to Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency cuts.

Trump is shredding our Constitution and tanking our economy. Thom Tillis lacks the courage to stand up to him  Ill be damned if Im going to sit on the sidelines, Nickel wrote in announcing his bid. Im running to fight for a better future for North Carolinians. Join our campaign  lets take back the Senate.

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Tillis faces a challenging path to reelection as ire toward him has grown among both moderates and the Republican base, with President Donald Trump reportedly soliciting primary challengers against him in 2026 amid anger over his perceived disloyalty. As the stock market spiraled Tuesday ahead of Trumps tariffs on all trade, Tillis asked U.S. Trade Rep. Jamieson Greer during a Senate hearing, Whose throat do I get to choke if this proves to be wrong?

U.S. Senator Thom Tillis (left) and Defense Sec. Pete Hegseth (right) (Hegseth photo credit: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images. Tillis photo via Senate.gov)

At the same time, Tillis has come under fire among detractors to his left over a refusal to vote against Trump on issues like the war in Ukraine and his controversial cabinet appointees. Most galling to his critics was the report that he promised Defense Secretary Pete Hegseths ex-sister-in-law that if she came forward with abuse allegations, his nomination would be halted, only to later cast the deciding vote in favor for him.

When you fold once like that  when Trump says hes going to primary you and Elon Musk says hes going to spend a bunch of money  you will fold every single time, Nickel said at an empty chair town hall for Tillis held last month. His vote is no longer for North Carolinians; it is just for Donald Trump.

In a preview of his Senate campaign stump speech, Nickel told Triangle voters at Raleigh Brewing Company in March that Tillis was turning his back on all of us here in acquiescing to Trump and Musks cuts to government agencies and services, including Social Security and Medicaid.

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Trumps policies are hurting working families in North Carolina, but when Democrats have leverage in the U.S. Congress, we have to use it, Nickel said. We need to fight, we need to demand action from all of our representatives, Republicans and Democrats.

Now I have a call to action, he added. Its a message for our elected officials, like Thom Tillis, to stop catering to Donald Trump, to stop hiding from your constituents, to stop lying to the American people and screwing them over with spineless votes.

In a statement Wednesday morning, Tillis campaign manager Abby Roesch derided Nickel as a radical left-wing trial lawyer who was a rubber stamp for Joe Bidens failed liberal agenda.

Every vote he casts will be bought and paid for by his Democratic Party bosses and the fringe left-wing special interest groups that will bankroll his campaign, Roesch said. Next year, the choice for North Carolinians will be between a radical liberal trial lawyer and a commonsense conservative problem solver. We are ready for the fight.

The state of the race

Nickel enters a race that will likely be among the most closely contested and expensive 2026 election battles given North Carolinas critical role in determining control of the Senate.

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Aside from Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), whose state was won by Kamala Harris in the presidential election, Tillis is the most vulnerable incumbent Republican up for reelection in 2026. For Democrats, any path to flipping the Senate likely runs through Tillis, as they would need to flip four Republican-held seats to retake the majority.

A key factor in the closeness of the upcoming race is Tilliss unpopularity, with a March survey by Raleighs Public Policy Polling finding his approval rating deep in the negatives, with only 25% approving and 46% disapproving of his job performance. While the poll did not test Nickel against Tillis, it found Tillis trailing former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper 47% to 43% in a hypothetical matchup.

Tillis currently faces two declared primary challengers, moderate businessman Andy Nilsson and far-right author and former U.S. Navy JAG officer Don Brown, though neither has held elected office before.

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper and First Lady Kristin Cooper after the governors farewell address at Nash Community College in Rocky Mount on Dec. 18, 2024. (Photo: Galen Bacharier/NC Newsline)

Former Lt. Governor Mark Robinson, sunk by scandal in the 2024 governors race, publicly ruled out a run in January. Freshman Rep. Pat Harrigan (R-NC-10), a former U.S. Army Green Beret, has also been rumored as a Tillis challenger, and in March called out the senator for listing him on a campaign kick-off fundraiser without his knowledge.

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Aside from the specter of a primary challenge, the other major domino to fall in North Carolinas Senate race will be Coopers decision. While he told supporters Im not done in his 2024 farewell address, he has remained circumspect when asked about specific plans. Expected to be a favorite in the primary if he runs, Cooper has maintained a public presence in North Carolina politics, blasting Judge Jefferson Griffins challenge to the Supreme Court election in January.

With his announcement Wednesday, Nickel becomes the only declared candidate for the Democratic Senate nomination thus far.
CHEYENNE  Former Wyoming first lady Sherri Geringer died Saturday after an extended illness, just two weeks after celebrating her 58th wedding anniversary with her husband, former Wyoming Gov. Jim Geringer.

Sherri suffered a stroke in 2018 that left her physically disabled and made it difficult for her to speak, Jim previously told the Wyoming Tribune Eagle. Her mind, however, was fully intact.

Their wedding anniversary was attended by the Geringers 33 children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and bonus family members, according to a news release sent by their son, state Rep. Rob Geringer, R-Cheyenne.

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Sherri went to be with her Lord, undoubtedly greeted with great joy and celebration led by her parents, Bob and Winnie Slentz and grandson, Jaden Ramsey, Rob said in the release.

Sherri was dedicated to serving her community and promoting learning programs for families who struggled financially. One hugely successful program was Raising Readers, a program designed to promote early childhood development that started in 2002. This program provides new books to children in the age range of 2 months to 5 years old.

More than 450,000 books have been distributed across all 23 Wyoming counties since the program began. In 2019, more than 27,600 families benefited from it.

She also volunteered with the Womens Civic League of Cheyenne and at her church. Rob said his mother left a lasting impact on all who knew her.

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Her warmth, wisdom, and unwavering strength touched the hearts of everyone she encountered, Rob said in the news release. Whether through a kind word, a quiet gesture, or a moment of laughter, she had a way of making people feel seen and valued. Her legacy lives on in the lives she enriched, the love she shared, and the memories we carry forward.

U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., shared her condolences on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, for the Geringer family after hearing about Sherris passing.

Im saddened to hear of former Wyoming First Lady Sherri Geringers passing. Her passionate advocacy, warmth, and friendship made her beloved across our state, Lummis wrote. Keeping Gov. Geringer and their entire family in my prayers during this difficult time.

Current Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon and his wife, first lady Jennie Gordon, also shared their condolences in an emailed statement to the WTE.

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Jennie and I extend our deepest condolences to the entire Geringer family on the passing of Sherri, Gov. Gordon said. Her grace under exceptionally trying circumstances over the past few years was extraordinary, as was her love of Wyoming, her care and concern for the people of the state, and her devotion to her family. She will be deeply missed.

The Geringer family is asking those who wish to remember Sherri Geringer to donate to a charity of their choice in her memory. Charities that were most dear to the former first lady include Raising Readers, Cheyenne Womens Civic League and local domestic violence shelters.

The family is also requesting short stories of the publics fond memories of Sherri, which may be read during her memorial service. Please email MrsGWyoming@gmail.com.

There will be two funeral services held next week. The first will be Monday, April 14, at 1 p.m. at Cheyenne Hills Church, and the second will be Tuesday, April 15 at 1 p.m. at First Christian Church in Wheatland.
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 09: Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer looks on as U.S. President Donald Trump signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House on April 09, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Trump signed several executive orders including directing the repeal of unlawful regulations and reducing anti-competitive regulatory barriers. Earlier today, Trump announced a 90-day pause on the full effect of his new tariffs for dozens of countries with the exception of China. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

President Donald Trump appeared to change his tune when it comes to Michigans Governor Gretchen Whitmer during a meeting at the White House on Wednesday.

The Republican president and Democratic governor had engaged in years of public condemnations of one anothers policies mainly starting during the COVID-19 pandemic when Trump zeroed in on Whitmer in 2020 as the woman in Michiganway in over her head as she instituted stay-at-home orders during the pandemic to slow the spread of the deadly virus.

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But on Wednesday, Trump hosted Whitmer in the Oval Office as an honored guest as he signed an executive order to address the issue of invasive Asian Carp in the Great Lakes, saying Whitmer is a very good person who has done an excellent job in Michigan. Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Twp.) was also present and thanked Trump for his advocacy on the issue.

Whitmer, who participated in former President Joe Bidens 2020 presidential campaign as well as former Vice President Kamala Harris 2024 campaign as a vocal Democrat, has often denounced Trump over his abortion policies and other platforms, making her recent actions engaging his administration unexpected for many.

Last month, Whitmer used her annual State of the State Address to say she hopes to find common ground with President Trump for the good of the state of Michigan which has a strong history of operating at a state level with a partisanly split government.

Through the years Whitmer has taken criticisms and hot mic moments in stride, accepting titles like Big Gretch and has become one of the most influential elected officials in the Democratic Party, with speculations that shell make a run for the presidency in 2028.

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Earlier in the day Wednesday, Whitmer delivered a speech in Washington D.C. calling for a carveout in Trumps tariffs that have caused economic upheaval in order to allow the auto and energy industries to be resilient towards anticipated economic losses. When asked about possible presidential ambitions, Whitmer dismissed the notion.

No, no. This is my way of saying this is similar to speeches that Ive given in Michigan too, by the way  this is, I think, a blueprint for success, she said.

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The House of Representatives passed a measure that would require proof of citizenship to register to vote, an effort to put into law one of Donald Trumps executive orders targeting elections.

The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, or SAVE Act, passed by a vote of 220-208, with four Democratic members joining all Republicans present on Thursday.

The bill sponsored by Republican Rep. Chip Roy proposes amending the National Voter Registration Act to require states to obtain proof of citizenship in person from people who are registering to vote or updating their voter registration.

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Voting rights advocates have warned that the measure, if passed into law, could disenfranchise millions of eligible voters who do not have easy access to identification documents, and would upend how states register people to vote online or through automatic or same-day registration.

The measure  predicated on the GOPs baseless claims that noncitizens are fraudulently voting in federal elections  would disproportionately impact women and rural and disabled voters, according to election law experts.

The House has just passed one of the worst pieces of voting legislation in American history, said Michael Waldman, president of the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law. The Senate must stop it. The SAVE Act would put voting out of reach for millions of American citizens. It should not become law.

House Democrats Jared Golden, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, Henry Cuellar and Ed Case voted in support.

House Republicans overwhelmingly approved a measure that Democratic officials and voting rights groups are warning could disenfranchise millions of eligible voters with onerous voter registration rules (Getty Images)

House Rep. Joe Morelle, the top Democrat on the Committee on House Administration, which oversees federal election administration, called the SAVE Act one of the most damaging voter suppression bills in modern history.

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Theres no doubt that women, military members, and people of color will be disproportionately impacted, he said in a statement. The fight to stop this bill  to protect Americans sacred right to vote  is not over. I will do everything in my power to ensure every eligible American has access to the ballot box.

The president  who continues to baselessly insist widespread voter fraud manipulated the outcome of the 2020 presidential election  has separately signed an executive order that, among other things, similarly requires proof of citizenship when registering to vote.

House Republicans  with five Democrats  passed a version of SAVE Act in 2024, after House Speaker Mike Johnson joined Trump at Mar-a-Lago to tie the presidents anti-immigration agenda to election integrity. Elon Musk had even suggested that anyone who voted against the bill should be executed for treason. Those who oppose this are traitors, he wrote on X at the time. What is the penalty for traitors again?

Roughly 146 million people do not have a passport and 13 million U.S. citizens do not have ready access to citizenship documents, according to the Brennan Center.

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Roughly 69 million married women would not able to use a birth certificate to prove their identity or citizenship status under the terms of the SAVE Act, according to the Center for American Progress.

Democratic secretaries of state have argued that the SAVE Act and Trumps executive order needlessly intervenes in local election administration while threatening to upend state and local policies that ensure eligible voters can participate.

The SAVE Act would make it virtually impossible for eligible Americans to register to vote by mail or online, which is allowed in at least 42 states.

It is already illegal for noncitizens to vote in federal elections, and federal law requires people to sign sworn statements verifying their citizenship and eligibility. Election officials are already able to review the paper trail to determine fraud, but adding additional proof-of-citizenship requirements for federal races  proposals that have previously been blocked in courts  would add additional burdens, according to state officials.

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The measure amounts to a hasty power grab to allow politicians to choose their voters instead of voters electing their politicians, Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows told reporters before Thursdays vote.

We dont want unnecessary barriers and arbitrary deadlines to stand between Vermonters and the right to choose their officials, added Vermont Secretary of State Sarah Copeland-Hanzas.

It is a voter suppression tactic thats dressed up as some sort of reform, she said.
(FOX40.COM)  Turlock Fire units responded to a working structure fire on Wednesday afternoon.

Video above: What happens when you call 911?

According to the Turlock Fire Department, the fire happened in the 300 block of Berkely Avenue and when the first unit arrived at the scene they found a garage on fire. Due to the quick response, their team was able to hold the fire to the garage and not have it spread into the home or the attic.

TFD stated the fire was under control within 20 minutes and a total of four people were displaced and are working with the Red Cross for assistance. At this time, there have been no reports of injuries.

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Vehicle crashes into a bank leaving one person with serious injuries

Through our MST resource sharing partners we received two additional engines, one quint, and one battalion chief to the fire and to cover the city, said TFD. Crews worked for an extended period of time conducting overhaul of the fire building.

The cause of the fire is unknown and it is currently being investigated, stated TFD. If anyone has any information regarding is being asked to contact the Stanislaus County Fire Investigation Unit at 209-525-5537.

Retired Fire Captain Scott Wejmar Retired Fire Captain Scott Wejmar

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
BEIJING, April 10 (Xinhua) -- China and Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries are actively advancing preparations for the fourth ministerial meeting of the China-CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Forum, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Thursday.

In response to a related query, spokesperson Lin Jian said at a daily news briefing that Latin America and the Caribbean is an important part of the Global South and an active participant in and contributor to global governance. CELAC is an important platform for regional countries to strengthen solidarity and coordination in addressing global challenges.

The inaugural ministerial meeting of the China-CELAC Forum was successfully held in Beijing in January 2015, marking the official launch of the forum, Lin noted.

Over the past decade, the forum has flourished with increasingly mature mechanisms and has become an important platform for enhancing political mutual trust, aligning development strategies, and promoting people-to-people connectivity between China and LAC countries, Lin said.

It has played a positive role in bringing the China-Latin America relations onto a new stage that features equality, mutual benefit, innovation, openness, and benefits for the people, he added.

As changes of the world, of history, and of the times unfold at an unprecedented pace and uncertainties, instabilities and unpredictability in the world are notably increasing, the fourth ministerial meeting of the forum will enable the two sides to discuss development strategies, jointly address challenges, amplify the Global South's collective voice for solidarity and self-reliance, and provide stability and positive energy for a world of turbulence, Lin said. 
PARIS  France plans to test a domestically-developed rocket artillery system by mid-2026 as an alternative to the U.S. High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or HIMARS, a move that could open up options for allies seeking a European capability.

The French Directorate General for Armament is looking to identify the technical solutions that will enable a demonstration firing in a years time, the defense-procurement agency told Defense News in a written reply to questions.

The DGA is working with a consortium of Safran and MBDA and another of Thales and ArianeGroup to develop a tactical strike capability in the 150 kilometer (93 mile) range.

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Time is running out for France to replace its Lance-Roquettes Unitaire, a modified version of the M270 multiple launch rocket system, with the Armys nine remaining systems set to reach the end of their service life in 2027.

Lawmakers and military brass have been pushing to develop a domestic option rather than buy abroad, in line with French policy for autonomy in defense matters.

Service withdrawal of the LRU is approaching, and retention of the capability will be an issue at that point,said Leo Peria-Peigne, a researcher at the Paris-based Institut Francais des Relations Internationales specializing in armament capacity.

The urgency is relative  we have hardly ever used this capacity in the past 30 years.

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Safran and MBDA are on track for the ambitious DGA schedule, confirming their target for a test firing in mid-2026, they said in a joint statement to Defense News. Thales and ArianeGroup didnt comment on timing, with Thales saying the companies have been working as an integrated team for several months to offer a pertinent solution for the armed forces.

Frances 2024-2030 defense spending plan has budgeted 600 million ($663 million) for the rocket-artillery program, called Frappe Longue Portee Terrestre or FLP-T for short, with a goal of buying at least 13 systems by 2030 and 26 systems to equip a battalion by 2035.

The schedule to replace the LRU is proceeding nominally and within the timetable set by the defense spending law, according to the DGA.

Meanwhile, theres still the option of a foreign purchase if things end up taking to long. That decision is on the calendar for next year, the directorate said.

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German rocket artillery pick tests the waters on US arms dependence

The long-range tactical strike capability is essential and a niche that needs to be filled, French Army Chief of Staff Gen. Pierre Schill told lawmakers in an October hearing, noting that many other European countries have a rocket artillery capability.

Europe lacks a home-made HIMARS equivalent, and European armies shopping for rocket artillery in recent years either picked the U.S. option, the PULS launcher by Israels Elbit Systems, or Hanwha Aerospaces Chunmoo.

Elbit is working with KNDS on a Europeanized version of PULS, while Germanys Rheinmetall and Lockheed Martin in 2023 joined forces to develop the GMARS system.

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Other than France, European countries still in the market for rocket artillery include Sweden and Norway. The Netherlands, Germany, Denmark and Spain already picked PULS, Poland acquired Chunmoo and HIMARS, while the Baltic countries, Romania and Italy are HIMARS customers. Meanwhile, the U.K. is considering expanding its fleet of M270 multiple launch rocket systems.

That leaves a narrow commercial window for French-developed rocket artillery, though a push by the European Unions executive arm for member states to spend more of their defense budgets within the 27-nation bloc may provide a tailwind for a European solution.

Safran and MBDA said their rocket-artillery system, dubbed Thundart, is based on mature and mastered subsystems, and an initial operational capability could be produced before 2030.

In the already saturated marketplace, there will be no export market for a French system that will not be ready before 2030, said Peria-Peigne.

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The DGA signed innovation partnerships with the two consortiums in November, providing a first round of financing for the FLP-T program. The partnership contract allows the procurement office to buy the system at the end of the development phase without a new competitive tender, provided the armament meets performance requirements.

The innovation partnership includes a significant degree of self-financing by industry, Safran Electronics & Defense CEO Franck Saudo said in a parliamentary hearing in November.

Each consortium will carry out a firing of its demonstrator, after which the French government will make a choice, the DGA said. At the end of the current 18-month contracts, the consortiums will submit a proposal that will allow the government to choose between various solutions, including off-the-shelf equipment, according to the directorate.

DGA head Emmanuel Chiva had told the Senat foreign affairs committee in November that if the industrial partners would work well, the first orders might be placed in late 2025 or early 2026. That now appears to have been pushed back by several months.

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Safran and MBDA said the geopolitical context and changing artillery requirements reinforce the interest of a sovereign solution for France in particular, but also for other European countries, with Thundart the only rocket artillery system designed and built in Europe, free of U.S. arms-trade restrictions, and with independent manufacturing that provides control over the production pace.

The companies started working together on designing the new system at the end of 2023, and presented a mock-up of their Thundart 227 mm long-range guided-artillery rocket at the Eurosatory defense show in June 2024, as a first step in the FLP-T program. The rocket has 150-kilometer accuracy, according to Matthieu Krouri, MBDAs head of land combat systems.

MBDA has production capacity adapted to the size of the tactical munitions required in Frances Centre-Val de Loire region, where final assembly will take place, the companies said. For its part, Safran has strongly increased production of AASM Hammer guided bombs, which have a guidance kit very similar to that of the Thundart munition, according to the consortium.

Safran and MBDA are convinced of the relevance of this solution and have already invested heavily in this project, the companies said. The collaboration between Safran and MBDA on Thundart is a long-term project, which is already well advanced.

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Meanwhile, Thales and ArianeGroup teams are fully mobilized to propose a sovereign fire-support system that can deal with high-value targets, either surface or point targets, Thales said, without providing further details.

The new system will replace nine M270s on a Bradley tracked chassis, one of the rare pieces of U.S.-origin combat equipment still serving with the French Army, whose force is built around French-developed and manufactured tanks, armored vehicles and tube artillery.

Replacing the decades-old LRU is a priority for the army, according to the 2025 defense budget, with a sovereign solution preferred as long as it can be achieved rapidly and with controlled costs.

Army engineers may be able extend the lifespan of the LRU by another two to three years, but not much longer, according to Peria-Peigne at IFRI.

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The goal of a sovereign solution had not been abandoned, French Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Thierry Burkhard told a National Assembly hearing in October.

Chiva said in November the LRU replacement must be sovereign, and we are working towards this, with the project taking some time due to the need to define Army requirements and a certain confusion in the requests.

The urgency of the capacity requirement may dictate having to turn to a foreign system after all, National Assembly special budget rapporteur Christophe Plassard said in October .

At the same time, HIMARS may not be a solution, as stress on production lines means delivery of the U.S system might not be possibly starting in 2027, the National Assemblys defense committee wrote in an evaluation of the 2025 defense budget published in October.

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There is internal tension between supporters of the off-the-shelf solution and those in favor of national development, Peria-Peigne said.

The military planning law calls for a system that could have a longer range than the LRU, in particular by allowing integration of hypersonic missiles with a range of several hundreds of kilometers. The DGA has asked both consortiums to study the cost and feasibility of including a future operational capability for strikes at ranges of 500 kilometers and 1,000 kilometers.

The rocket-artillery project is separate from the European Long-range Strike Approach, which concerns strikes at a distance of several thousands of kilometers, Burkhard said in November. Still, the envisaged future development of the FLP-T project has strong adherence with ELSA, according to the DGA.

Development of a long-range land-based strike capability beyond 1,000 kilometers is less urgent, with systems not expected until the 2030-2035 time frame, according a supplement to the 2025 defense budget discussing preparation for the future. Studies on strategic long-range strike were ongoing based on solutions proposed by ArianeGroup and MBDA, according to the October report.

MBDA has proposed its Land Cruise Missile, a land-based version of its companys Missile de Croisiere Naval, as a short-term solution for ELSA.
FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56)  It is a full-scale community effort to recover from the floods in Frankfort. Local schools are becoming a central hub for victims to grab a meal and catch their breath.

There are times youre just happy to see their faces, and theyre happy to see yours. And theres there are times when youre crying together, Superintendent Sheri Satterly told FOX 56.

Frankfort Independent Schools may not be holding class this week, but the doors are still wide open, both to run food out to families sheltering in hotels and to those coming to the lunchroom, like Natalee Cleveland and her kids.

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RELATED l Indefinite curfew issued for Frankfort as community begins building toward normalcy

We only had what we had with us, so two pair of shoes, a piece and an outfit or two, Cleveland told FOX 56.

Cleveland said she got about two feet of water in her home. On Wednesday afternoon, shed still not returned yet to see the damage. She said she was hoping for the best, knowing most furniture and clothes would have to be replaced.

Like, I have a little thing for all my family thats passed away. I just hope that Im able to get those things. You know, Im able to save those things. Because thats all I have of them, Cleveland said.

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Shes among many who are relying on clothing and food donations to get slowly back to normal. Food Service Director Amy White said that for many of the younger flood victims, coming to the lunchroom is more than just getting a meal.

They are just excited, and you can tell they just needed that normalcy. Being able to have a place that they were familiar with to be able to come just to talk, just to vent, just to say hi, White said.

Satterly said about 30% of the districts school families are displaced and expects that number to be about 11% to 15% long-term. The Second Street School took on water, and Satterly was still not sure Wednesday when classes will return.

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Were hopeful we can maybe seal it off and displace those classes to another area of the building so that we can get kids back in school as soon as possible, she said.

For Cleveland, a lifelong Frankfort resident, this has brought back a lot of memories and pain from the 1997 flood, but just as her family did then, she plans to pick herself back up.

Im just like, Im sad. But we will move back to South Frankfort because that is my heart. I am 33, and I have lived there for 31 years of my life. I will be back to my neighborhood one day. I dont when well be able to go back, but we will be going back, she said.

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FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56)  Cleanup continues in Frankfort following last weekends floods, and its a process that is expected to take weeks.

As things begin to become clearer on how the process will go, city and Franklin County officials are providing new guidance to folks to keep them safe.

On Wednesday, Frankfort Mayor Layne Wilkerson updated the citys curfew, which was in effect for multiple areas hit by flooding.

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We will begin a new time starting at 8:30 p.m., lasting until 6 a.m. tomorrow, the mayor announced Wednesday on Facebook. This will continue indefinitely, as long as we have areas of town that are affected by the floods.

RELATED | Indefinite curfew issued for Frankfort as community begins building toward normalcy

The areas marked in yellow on the above map are those neighborhoods. They include Murray Street to the river in South Frankfort, Main Street back to Wapping in downtown, the residential area of Taylor Avenue, Bellepoint, and the Walter Todd neighborhood. Police will be posted in these areas.

Businesses in the area can operate as usual.

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The areas marked in orange are city property, Riverview Park and Dolly Graham Park, which are currently completely closed to the public.

City leaders also announced dumpsters would be rolled out starting Thursday across Frankfort.

LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS:

Residents can toss in any cleanup debris except tires, appliances, and hazardous materials. Hazardous waste can be dropped off at a special collection event this Saturday. Appliances can be left curbside for pickup.

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Dumpster locations can be found in the image below.

Should you need electrical help during cleanup, youre encouraged to call the electric hotline at 502-352-2280, especially if you had water in your home. Youll want to call a licensed electrician and get an inspection before your electricity gets hooked up.

With that said, be aware of standing water, as there may be electric currents flowing through it.

Read more of the latest Lexington & central Kentucky news

Lastly, as cleanup continues, Wilkerson, Franklin County Judge Executive Michael Mueller, and other city and county officials want everyone to remember the following:

Arguably, the most important reminder is to wear the proper clothing. This includes waterproof boots, rubber gloves, masks and eye protection, and long pants. Youll want to make sure youre up to date on your tetanus vaccine.

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Lastly, document everything with photos so that when damage assessments are done, the process will be easier.

If you live in Frankfort or Franklin County and are not impacted by the floods, or you dont live in the area but still want to help, you can donate to the Frankfort/Franklin County Flood Relief Fund using the link here.

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JOPLIN, Mo.  A new partnership is stretching from Kansas to Missouri, giving the chance for a free education for vo-tech students.

Its a free education for students who want to help build the future.

Just a tremendous opportunity for some young people that maybe college and a technology degree would have never been possible, said David Weaver, Joplin Schools School Board member.

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Leaders of Franklin Technology Center and Pittsburg State University signed an agreement to help students at FTC go to PSU tuition-free.

Up to 10 students a year will qualify for the new Crossland College of Technology Enterprise Program. That will cover the cost of tuition and fees for up to four years.

PSU VP Dr. Karl Stumo is excited about the partnership that crosses state lines.

We know of the excellence here at Franklin Tech, and we wanted to be a partner with one of the best providers of technical education in the area. So their students are so special, we wanted to develop an equal special relationship here as well, said Dr. Karl Stumo, PSU VP Student Affairs.

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He hopes to see more of those students graduating and staying.

I think this is a strategy to keep our graduates in the technology and that economic sector in the Four-State region, said Stumo.

Hopefully this will help us to grow the enrollment at Franklin Tech and provide more opportunities, and then maybe these partnerships that make us eligible for grants so were just excited about the possibilities. But its kind of opening doors. In the past that wouldnt have been possible for our students and thats a win for everyone, said Weaver.

Students enrolled at FTC next fall will be the first to qualify for the scholarships, which include those pursuing everything from automated manufacturing and auto tech to engineering and HVAC.

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Ecuadorans go to the polls on Sunday under the shadow of surging drug violence and a troubling explosion in the number of local gangs and mafias.

A flood of cocaine from Colombia and Peru through Ecuadoran ports has drawn a who's who of mafias from Albania to Italy to Mexico to this once-safe Andean nation.

But it has also created a plethora of homegrown groups with striking names and ferocious reputations.

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"Los Freddy Kruegers" cause nightmares in the streets, "The Ugly Women's Headquarters" run jails and "The Peaky Blinders" try to rule the waves of a key coastal zone.

Together they and numerous other groups terrorize citizens through campaigns of extortion, kidnap and murder.

In January and February, Ecuador recorded more than one death every hour, according to figures from the Interior Ministry.

The mafias "have been gaining space; it is complex to combat them," admits Guayaquil's police commander, Pablo Davila.

The situation has put security at the center of Sunday's presidential runoff between incumbent Daniel Noboa and leftist candidate Luisa Gonzalez.

An Army soldier stands guard on a street during a joint security operation between National Army soldiers and national police officers in the Martha Bucaram neighborhood in southern Quito on March 19, 2025. / Credit: RODRIGO BUENDIA/AFP via Getty Images

Noboa declared a state of emergency and deployed troops in the streets and violence-riddled prisons, resulting in a slight dip in homicide rates in 2024 from the previous year. The president took action last year after gunmen stormed and opened fire in a TV studio and bandits threatened random executions of civilians and security forces. A prosecutor investigating the assault was later shot dead.

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"They demanded $15,000 not to kill us"

One merchant remembers the day a bomb exploded in her restaurant in Guayaquil, the economic and crime capital of the country.

"They said they were from the mafia. They demanded $15,000 not to kill us," the woman, who asked not to be named for her safety, told AFP.

Many local gangs have teamed up with much larger cartels from Mexico and Colombia, as well as Albanian and Italian mafias.

But the local gangs have also fractured and proliferated as they look for their own ever-bigger piece of the pie.

"The war is over territory. There aren't known leaders like before. Everyone wants their independence," said the head of one gang on condition of anonymity.

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The situation is causing serious headaches for Ecuadoran security services, who must now gather intelligence and act against an ever-changing panoply of actors.

Security expert Carla Alvarez compares the situation to the chaos of 1990s Colombia.

"We see an association of small, less rigid groups. This already happened in Colombia in the 1990s after the death of Pablo Escobar," she said.

In Ecuador, hierarchies began to break in 2018 when one of the largest organizations split.

The death of "Choneros" leader Jorge Luis Zambrano in 2020 left a power vacuum.

The impact is now felt even in relatively safe Quito, once a haven from drug violence, but increasingly on the front lines.

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There, restaurant employee Marianela receives threats and extortion via WhatsApp. "I block them," she said.

But there is no ignoring the violence on the streets of her Martha Bucaram neighborhood.

Police and military regularly appear, hunting for weapons and drugs. "There were about two dead here on the corner," she said, recalling a recent shootout.

Carolina Andrade, a municipal security secretary, admits that without the security presence of hard-hit Guayaquil, the capital is seen as "a safe space to come and hide."

As new alliances and actors emerge, there may be worse to come.

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Multiple smaller gangs are now trying to join "larger organizations to have greater presence, legitimacy, and territorial control," Andrade said.

At least two high-profile Ecuadorian gang leaders targeted by the U.S. have made headlines this year. Earlier this month, the fugitive leader of "Los Cheronos" that relied on hitmen, bribes and military weapons to do business was indicted in New York City on charges he imported thousands of pounds of cocaine into the United States. Jose Adolfo Macias Villamar  whose nickname is "Fito"  escaped from a prison in Ecuador last year and is not in U.S. custody.

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. / Credit: AP

In 2024, the U.S. Treasury imposed sanctions on "Los Choneros."

Earlier this year, a leader of one of Ecuador's biggest crime syndicates, "Los Lobos," was arrested at his home in the coastal city of Portoviejo. Carlos D, widely known by his alias "El Chino," was the second-in-command of "Los Lobos" and "considered a high-value target," the armed forces said in a statement.

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The U.S. last year declared Los Lobos to be the largest drug trafficking organization in Ecuador.

Mahmoud Khalil immigration judge demands evidence or says case will be dropped

Here's why the stock market ended the day in the red after morning gains

Markets slide again despite Trump's tariff pause
The French authorities are providing life jackets to small boat migrants to ensure they can cross the Channel safely, experts have revealed.

Officials have been handing out the life-saving devices because people smugglers do not, according to maritime experts.

The jackets are then returned to the French once the migrants have been escorted to the mid-point of the Channel and are rescued by the British authorities, so that they can be re-used for future crossings.

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It comes as a record number of migrants have crossed the Channel in the first three months of year. So far some 7,228 have reached the UK in 131 small boats, up 31 per cent on the 5,517 who arrived at the same point last year.

UK officials say the growing success of pan-European efforts to disrupt the supply chains of the people smugglers for boats, engines and equipment means they are cramming more migrants into lower-quality dinghies.

At least 82 people including 14 children died trying to cross the Channel in 2024, a record high, according to the International Organisation for Migrations Missing Migrants Project. In January a Syrian migrant was crushed to death in a leaking dinghy, according to French authorities.

A spokesman for Frances North Sea maritime prefecture said: Depending on the assessment of the situation on small boats, French maritime authorities can distribute life jackets. It is not systematic and depends on the assessment of the risks and benefits of the situation and the cooperation of the people being assisted.

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It is often in emergency situations, either due to the conditions of the vessel or weather conditions. It can be when some people wish to be rescued and others wish to continue in difficult conditions.

British and French authorities work in an intelligent fashion to recover and recycle life jackets. There can be exchanges between boats or periodic handovers.

Fisherman Matt Coker, owner of Coker Seafishing, told Times Radio that he suspected it was due to the people smugglers failing to provide life jackets. The French, theyre giving them life jackets now because so many of them are not getting in the boats with life jackets. I suppose... theyre trying to avoid another tragedy, he said.

Mr Coker said he had witnessed more migrants crossing in the past six months. It seems to have gone back to what it was two or three years ago, which is, I mean, there seems to be lots of boats all at the same time coming on every possible day, he said.

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Whereas before that, it did seem to slow up to just a few boats a day and it was only when the weather was perfect. Now they seem to be leaving the beaches, I suppose, you know, more often.

He said the French were giving migrants safe passage to the UK. The French are actually escorting them through the shipping lane to give them a safe passage. And theyre only making half the journey now. So... I suppose it is safer, but it almost seems to me like it might be encouraging the problem as well, he said.

Its safer for you to cross the Channel now than its ever been because youll have an escort from when you leave the beach and youll be given safe passage and youll only have to make half the journey because the UK Border Force will be waiting on the border to pick you up, rather than waiting well within UK waters.

More than 6,000 migrants have crossed the Channel to Britain so far in 2025.

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The rate of migrant Channel crossings under Sir Keir Starmer had been higher than under any of his Conservative predecessors.

But just five people have been convicted of piloting small boats to Britain this year.

At least 119 dinghies have arrived in Britain from France in the past three months, with the numbers increasing amid warmer weather and calmer seas.

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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  The man accused of shooting and killing a father of three in Northeast Portland back in March was arrested by U.S. Marshals in Texas on Monday.

According to Portland police, 35-year-old Che Bell was taken into custody for the shooting death of 33-year-old Kevin Rhinehart, who was killed at the Cascade Crossings Apartment Complex on March 9.

Man broke into apartment, sexually assaulted sleeping woman, police say

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Shortly after 7 p.m. that night, more than a dozen police units arrived at the apartments near 10500 E Burnside, not far from the East 102nd MAX station, where Rhinehart died at the scene.

On April 7, U.S. Marshals arrested Bell in Killeen, Texas. He is currently being held in the Bell County Jail on charges of second-degree murder, unlawful use of a weapon and felon in possession of a firearm.

Authorities say he is awaiting extradition back to Oregon.

Anyone with further information about this incident is asked to contact Portland police.

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A vehicle carrying U.S. delegates prepares to enter the Russian consulate in Istanbul, Turkiye, April 10, 2025. U.S. and Russian delegations met in Istanbul on Thursday for a second round of talks aimed at restoring normal operations of diplomatic missions in each other's country. (Xinhua/Liu Lei)

ISTANBUL, April 10 (Xinhua) -- U.S. and Russian delegations met in Istanbul on Thursday for a second round of talks aimed at restoring normal operations of diplomatic missions in each other's country.

The discussions are taking place at the Russian consulate in the Turkish city. According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the talks are being led by Russia's newly appointed ambassador to the United States, Alexander Darchiev, and U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Sonata Coulter.

The primary focus of the discussions is to address issues affecting the functioning of the embassies and consulates in each other's country. The U.S. State Department has emphasized that the talks are limited strictly to diplomatic operations.

"Ukraine is not, absolutely not on the agenda," U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said Tuesday. "These talks are solely focused on our embassy operations, not on normalizing a bilateral relationship overall, which can only happen, as we've noted, once there is peace between Russia and Ukraine."

The first round of talks was held in Istanbul on Feb. 27.

In recent years, Washington and Moscow have expelled numerous diplomats from each other's country, significantly hindering the ability of their diplomatic missions to function effectively. 
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WJHL)  A bill that would allow Tennessee public school systems to deny admission to students who arent in the country legally goes before the full state Senate Thursday morning.

Undocumented student bill passes 8-7 in TN House committee

The measure, sponsored by Hixson Republican Bo Watson and co-sponsored by Johnson City Republican Rusty Crowe, also would force all school systems to check the citizenship or legal status of all enrolling students. It gives schools the option of forcing undocumented students to pay tuition or be denied admission.



Several Republicans have joined all Democrats in opposing the bill at the committee level.



If it becomes law it will likely face court challenges. A 1982 Supreme Court ruling gave all children in the U.S. the right to a free public education regardless of citizenship or legal status.



If it clears the Senate Thursday, the bill would still have to pass the House and gain Gov. Bill Lees signature.



Opposition from immigrants rights groups, educators and clergy has grown as the bill has moved through committees.

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State Sen. Jana Hughes of Seward. Jan. 4, 2023. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska News Service)

LINCOLN  Just a week after stripping approximately $530,000 each year for Nebraska to partner with an Iowa nonprofit for a prescription drug donation program for low-income Nebraskans, all funding has been restored.

In a 6-1 vote Thursday afternoon, the budget-writing Appropriations Committee fully restored the program. The funds are designated for the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services to identify an eligible nonprofit  the laws sponsor has said her intent is for Iowas SafeNetRx  and set up the program to get safe, donated meds back to low-income Nebraskans.

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Gov. Jim Pillen suggested pulling funding in his January budget recommendations. It was one of many recent programs on the governors last in, first out suggestions list to help plug a nearly half-a-billion-dollar projected budget shortfall.

State Sen. Jana Hughes of Seward, center right, wants Nebraska to partner with Iowa nonprofit SafeNetRx to get safe, non-expired donated medications. Multiple Nebraskans toured the facility Oct. 30, 2023. From left to right, Hughes legislative aide Matt Howe, Matthew Schaefer of Mueller Robak, State Sen. Merv Riepe of Ralston, SafeNetRx CEO Jon Rosmann, Hughes, Nebraska Pharmacists Association Haley Pertzborn and Amy Holman, and Iowa Rep. John Forbes, D-Urbandale. (Courtesy of State Sen. Jana Hughes)

State Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha, who supports Hughes program, was the lone no vote. That was because the committee didnt immediately restore a requirement that DHHS administer the program.

Six committee members last week voted to amend the law to say DHHS may create the program, instead of shall.

Cavanaugh said the committee needed to fully fix its mistake, not partially, and that a mandate was critical, particularly for DHHS. She served on the Legislatures Health and Human Services Committee for the past six years where she said leaders sometimes skirted permissively written laws.

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With support from State Sen. Rob Dover of Norfolk, the committee fully restored the program  including the may back to shall  by a show of at least five hands.

State Sens. Ashlei Spivey of Omaha and Rob Clements of Elmwood, committee chair, did not take a position on restoring the program.

State Sen. Jana Hughes of Seward, who led 2024 and 2025 legislation to create the program, said she was very happy after the reversal. Shes identified her Legislative Bill 1035 in 2024, and LB 10 earlier this year, as her proudest accomplishments in her three years as a senator.

Best day ever!!! she said in a text.

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LB 10, from Hughes, passed March 6 to get around a decade-old federal law that prevented the program from getting off the ground. It included language from the Governors Office authorizing DHHS to receive and dispense donated medicines or supplies to anyone impacted by a governor-declared state of emergency. LB 1035, passed last spring, created the program.

The SafeNetRx program tailors its services to individuals who cant afford prescribed medication, regardless of insurance status, with an annual household income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level, which is roughly $64,300 a year for a family of four.

Nebraskans can already donate to SafeNetRx where staff have multiple inspections to check whether meds are:

Sealed in tamper-evident packaging.

Non-expired.

Non-controlled substances.

Pharmacists also confirm that donated medicines do not require refrigeration and show no signs of tampering or deterioration.

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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  The Paws to Celebrate gala is the Sioux Falls Area Humane Societys largest fundraiser of the year. All proceeds go directly back to the shelter.

This year, theres a new addition to the evening.

We had over 8,500 animals come through our door last year. It makes a big impact to have this event so that we can help all of those animals find those forever homes, executive director Jami Gates Grieve said.

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Rare albino squirrel spotted on golf course

Gates Grieve said events like this also help continue the care the society provides for animals.

It helps all of the thousands of homeless animals that come through our door each year, Gates Grieve said. Provide shelter, food, vet assistance, spay and neutering for all the animals, emergency care, behavioral assessments, things like that.

The humane society raised $60,000 last year. In hopes of raising even more this year, its adding something new to follow the gala.

The gala starts at 5, gets over at 8, and then we have our first ever afterparty from 9 to 11, development coordinator Madison Godschalk said. Were bringing in a DJ, going to have some good music playing.

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The shelter hopes the Paws after Dark afterparty will attract an even bigger audience.

That is the main reason why the Paws After Dark event was created, Godschalk said. It was for people maybe that are the younger crowd, can maybe stay out a little bit later, but cant necessarily afford to go to a gala, but still want to support animals.

The gala is from 5 to 8 p.m. this Saturday at the District in Sioux Falls. Guests can enjoy silent and live auctions, games and hors doeuvres. Tickets are $100 each and include entry to the Paws After Dark afterparty.

The afterparty begins at 9 p.m. at the District. You can purchase a ticket for the afterparty only for $25.

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Tickets are available while supplies last at the door and on online.

You must be at least 21 years old to attend either event.

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A 911 caller in Chatham County, Georgia had a very hard time getting through to dispatchers when he thought someone was breaking into his home. When he finally did get through, he said the dispatcher was ordering breakfast.

On Valentines Day, Dylan Johnson started his morning by calling 911.

My wife called me while I was at work about 9:30 and said someone was snooping around the house, knocking on the doors and banging on windows and stuff, Johnson said.

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He called the countys non-emergency line first, followed by 911 three times. He finally got an answer by 9:31 a.m. after trying for about six minutes, according to his phones call log.

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I was panicking. My wife was home alone with my five-month-old daughter. I was coming home not knowing what I was going to come home to, Johnson said.

After about three minutes into Johnsons 911 call, he heard the dispatcher talking to others around her and appearing to order breakfast.

Mhmm McGriddle (cough) Im sorry, what? can be heard on the 911 call.

Johnson said he was stunned by what he heard.

If it didnt happen to me, I wouldnt believe that it had happened to someone else. Thats how unbelievable it really is, Johnson said.

When police arrived, Johnson said whoever was at his house had already left. He said his wife was shaken up, but his family was OK.

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Chatham County Commission Chairman Chester Ellis said the dispatchers actions are under review.

That should never happen, okay? Your ordering breakfast should be different from answering a call. The two should never intertwine, Ellis said.

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Unlike Johnson, many callers give up before they ever get an answer.

Chatham County data shows that just last year, 24% of calls were marked as abandoned. Prior years show a similar trend.

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In 2023, abandoned calls were up to 27% according to county records. Thats up from more than 18% in 2022, 19% in 2021, and 14% in 2020.

Ellis said theres room for improvement. Every day I want an improvement. Every day I want to be better than I was the day before. So, we go through an evaluation process, he said.

Johnson said hes thankful his situation wasnt worse.

When someone is calling 911, they need help. I want them to treat everything as an emergency as they should be, Johnson said.

The Board of Commissioners said the dispatchers supervisors will complete a review of what happened on Johnsons call and submit a report.

The chairman will review it and then take the matter up with the board.

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DENVER (AP)  Suspected of backing a coup plot against the longtime dictator of Gambia nearly 20 years ago, Pharing Sanyang described Thursday how he was beaten with pipes and palm tree branches, pistol-whipped and hit in the face with a hammer.

Particles from the sandy ground of a courtyard in the West Africa nation where the military officer fell during one of the 2006 beatings lodged in his eyes, causing damage requiring several surgeries, he testified.

Sanyang, a former military officer in Gambia, took the stand in federal court in Denver against one of the former soldiers he said beat him  Michael Sang Correa.

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Correa is on trial after being indicted in 2020 under a rarely used law that allows people to be prosecuted in the U.S. judicial system for torture allegedly committed abroad.

He is charged with torturing Sanyang and four others and being part of a conspiracy to torture alleged coup plotters while serving with the Junglers, a military unit that reported directly to former Gambian president Yahya Jammeh.

Sanyang told jurors he eventually agreed to sign a false confession but wiped blood from his head onto the paper to show he had been tortured. Then, after refusing to confess on television, he was shocked with wires plugged into a wall socket and beaten again, he said.

Bleeding, he read his confession for the television camera, but only the audio was recorded to conceal the torture, he told the court.

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I had to save my body, Sanyang said of why he agreed to confess, adding he did not join the failed insurrection against Jammeh, who ousted the previous president of Gambia in a coup of his own in 1994.

Sanyang spent nearly a decade in prison after being convicted of treason and fled to nearby Senegal after his release.

Correa came to the U.S. to serve as a bodyguard for Jammeh in December 2016 and overstayed his visa after Jammeh was ousted in 2017, according to prosecutors. Since sometime after arriving, Correa had been living in Denver and working as a day laborer, they said.

Sanyang and other alleged victims traveled from Gambia, Europe and elsewhere in the U.S. to testify this week about their torture. Prosecutors showed the jury photos of victims with scars left by things including a bayonet, a burning cigarette and ropes. The men were asked to circle scars on photos and explain how they received them.

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Correa's lawyers have not disputed that the defendant was involved in Sanyang's torture even though Sanyang said Correa, like the other Junglers, was wearing a face mask. Sanyang said he knew Correa from working with him at the president's official home and recognized his walking gait.

But his lawyers argue Correa was a low-ranking private who risked being tortured himself or even killed if he refused Jammeh's orders.

Demba Dem testified Wednesday that his torturers put a black plastic shopping bag over his head and beat him as he was handcuffed.

Another time, they put a heavy bag of sand on his back and then held a piece of hot metal close to his nose. Then they hung him upside down, his wrists and ankles tied, beating him again.

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The former teacher who became a member of the Gambian parliament as part of Jammeh's political party said Correa used a stick to beat him.

Dem, who said he was not part of the planned coup, later moved to the Netherlands with his family after seeking asylum and was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. He was reluctant to talk on the witness stand about the impact the torture had on his life other than saying it was very bad and asking a prosecutor to move on.

Still, Dem said he was happy to be in court to try to hold one of his abusers accountable.

I have to do it but I feel satisfied, he said.

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The trial is scheduled to continue into next week.

In 2021, a truth commission in Gambia urged that the perpetrators of crimes committed under Jammeh's regime be prosecuted by the government. Other countries have also tried people connected with his rule.

Last year, Jammehs former interior minister was sentenced to 20 years behind bars by a Swiss court for crimes against humanity. In 2023, a German court convicted a Gambian man who was also a member of the Junglers of murder and crimes against humanity for involvement in the killing of government critics in Gambia.
A Gary couple faces neglect charges after police responded to their home and saw deplorable conditions for five young children.

Romaldo Bruno, 27, and Alayla Rodriguez Delgado, 26, are both charged with several felonies.

Bruno is in custody, held on a $7,500 cash bond. Rodriguez was released on her own recognizance Wednesday. Bruno is the father of the two youngest children.

Gary Police were called at 9:16 a.m. April 6 to the 400 block of 33rd Avenue after a boy called 911 and hung up.

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Mommy and daddy are sleeping, he said. Another snippet mentioned, cut their chest and head.

The home appeared unsuitable for living with garbage, feces, bugs, flies, maggots and dirt scattered throughout. Mattresses were soiled. Cops walked out and called the Indiana Department of Child Services.

One boy had bruises  including a handprint-sized one  he said, for calling 911.

That afternoon, caseworkers arrived and took the children into their custody. Police arrested Rodriguez.

Police noted the basement and bathroom were flooded, smelled like human waste and the children had not been recently bathed.

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DCS caseworkers called police days later when Bruno showed up at their office on the 600 block of Broadway to ask about his kids. Officers arrested him.

Rodriguez is charged with five counts of neglect of a dependent.

Bruno is charged with battery resulting in bodily injury to a person less than 14 years of age, domestic battery, and five counts of neglect of a dependent.

mcolias@post-trib.com
A disgraced former Milwaukee cop with credibility issues helped seal the fate of a gay Venezuelan makeup artist sent to an El Salvador prison, according to documents reviewed by USA TODAY.

A report approved by the police-officer-turned-prison-contractor claimed the Venezuelan man was a member of the notorious Tren de Aragua gang.

But concerns about the credibility of Charles Cross, Jr., 62, who signed the report, had already landed him on a list of Milwaukee County law enforcement officers accused of lying, bias, or breaking the law years earlier.

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Reached by phone by a USAT reporter, Cross deferred all questions to his employer's headquarters.

More: Milwaukee County tracks officers with credibility problems. But the system is inconsistent and incomplete.

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump claims that he loves the idea of expanding the use of El Salvadors prisons by sending American inmates there, but still needs to know more about it, according to a USA TODAY report.

"I love it," Trump told reporters on Air Force One on Sunday. "If [El Salvadorian President Nayib Bukele] would take them, I'd be honored to give them. I don't know what the law says on that, but I can't imagine the law would say anything different ... If they can house these horrible criminals for a lot less money than it costs us, I'm all for it."

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Here's what to know about the case, as well as the latest on legal immigrants who have been detained by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement under Trumps directive to ramp up deportations.

Who is former Milwaukee cop Charles Cross Jr.?

Cross, 62, was fired from his position as a Milwaukee Police Sergeant in October 2012 after driving his car into a familys home while intoxicated. His blood alcohol level was more than double the legal driving limit, court records show.

The former officer appealed the decision and resigned in the process, according to the department. He was also being investigated for claiming overtime he allegedly hadnt earned. USA TODAY has requested Cross's disciplinary and employment records.

Additionally, in 2007, Cross received a misdemeanor conviction after kicking in the door of the apartment he shared with his girlfriend and threatening to kill himself with his service revolver, according to court records. Afterwards, he temporarily lost his job but later was reinstated after appealing to the Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission.

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The incident landed him on the Milwaukee County Brady list, a compilation of law enforcement officers with credibility concerns.

More: What is Milwaukee Countys law enforcement Brady List and why does it matter?

Does Charles Cross Jr. now work for ICE?

Four months after resigning from the Milwaukee Police Department, Cross was hired at CoreCivic, a company that runs many of the immigration detention centers for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Today, he is one of the private prison contractors helping to identify Venezuelan migrants as members of the criminal outfit Tren de Aragua  a designation thats landing them in a Salvadoran prison without due process.

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According to a court filing, Cross typed his name over the title INVESTIGATOR on the form that implicated Andry Jose Hernandez, a gay makeup artist from Venezuela who has denied any connection to Tren de Aragua.

Can contract workers legally make detainment decisions?

The legality of having contract workers detain and deport people is questionable, according to Greg Chen, senior director of government relations at the American Immigration Lawyers Association.

In cases such as Hernandezs, a key issue is whether there was other corroborating evidence and whether a law enforcement official under the Department of Homeland Security made the final call to send him to El Salvador, he said.

It would be highly problematic if that determination was being made, in fact, by a private prison employee, Chen said.

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Its unclear whether Hernandez was also evaluated by federal agents, or if Cross and another CoreCivic employee, Arturo Torres, were Hernandez's sole screeners. Its also unclear if other corroborating evidence was used to tie him to the criminal group.

Who is Andry Jose Hernandez?

Andry Jose Hernandez, 30, is from Capacho, Venezuela. He worked as a makeup artist for a state-run television station, where he was constantly discriminated against and threatened for his sexual orientation and political views, according to the affidavit.

Last year, he quit his job and fled Venezuela for the U.S. Hernandez claimed he was being persecuted as a gay man  one of the protected groups allowed to claim asylum under U.S. law.

Why was Andry Jose Hernandez detained?

Hernandez initially tried crossing into the U.S. illegally and was intercepted by U.S. Border Patrol agents, who returned him to Mexico, according to court filings. He then presented himself at the San Ysidro Port of Entry in San Diego in August after making an appointment through a government app called CBP One.

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Hernandez passed an initial credible fear interview with a federal agent but, after Border Patrol officials questioned him about his tattoos, he was transferred to ICE custody and sent to the Otay Mesa Detention Center in San Diego.

There, Torres questioned Hernandez. Torres filled out questionnaires suggesting the asylum-seekers tattoos, including a crown on either wrist, next to the words Dad and Mom, linked him to Tren de Aragua. Hernandez repeatedly denied being part of the group, and Paulina Reyes, a lawyer for Hernandez, has said the crown tattoos represent his connection to his hometowns annual Three Kings festival.

On one form, dated Dec. 10, 2024, a points-based rubric sheet titled STG MEMBER VALIDATION / CONFIRMATION, Hernandez was given a 5 for his tattoos. None of the other categories, including intelligence information received from other agencies or group photos with other gang members, were checked. Still, he was named a SUSPECT.

The document is signed Completed by Torres and Confirmed by Cross.

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The Justice Department says these accelerated deportations of alleged gang members who Trump says "invaded" the U.S. are allowed under the Alien Enemies Act. This 1798 law was previously only used during declared war times against other countries.

Where was Andry Jose Hernandez detained?

Hernandez was transferred to a federal detention center in Texas a few weeks after his review with Torres and Cross, around March 6, according to a court filing.

After this, he was sent to El Salvadors Terrorism Confinement Center, known as CECOT.

His lawyers havent heard from him since his arrival at CECOT.

How does ICE investigate if migrants have gang affiliations?

Former ICE acting director John Sandweg said ICE agents routinely investigate whether detained migrants had gang affiliations or criminal histories.

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Historically, the gang designation was something made by a federal official and reviewed by supervisors before the allegation went in front of an immigration judge, he said. Even then, suspicion of gang alliance was something used to target or fast-track a migrants deportation  not the sole reason for their removal, Sandweg said.

The idea that government contractors might be making that decision would be very alarming, Sandweg said.

People are being rendered to a torture prison on the basis of these flimsy and inaccurate determinations, said Heidi Altman, vice president of policy at the National Immigration Law Center, an advocacy group. Using private prison contractors to make those determinations is just another level of recklessness.

Internal DHS and FBI documents previously obtained by USA TODAY revealed that federal authorities for years have questioned the effectiveness of using tattoos to identify members of Tren de Aragua, also known as TdA.

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Gang Unit collections determined that the Chicago Bulls attire, clocks, and rose tattoos are typically related to the Venezuelan culture and not a definite (indicator) of being a member or associate of the (TdA), reads a 2023 "Situational Awareness" bulletin on the criminal gang written by the U.S. Custom and Border Protections El Paso Sector Intelligence Unit.

Who else has ICE detained recently?

Here are just some of the individuals ICE has detained in recent weeks, according to USA TODAY reports. None of them have a criminal record.

More: IRS agrees to share tax information to help with Trump deportation plans: court records

What to do if you or someone you know is detained by ICE:

Here is what to do if you are arrested or detained by ICE, according to the American Civil Liberties Union:

Do not give any explanations or make any decisions without a lawyer present.

If you have been arrested by police, you have the right to make a local phone call. The police cannot listen to your call if it is to a lawyer.

If you have been detained by ICE, you have the right to contact your consulate, or have authorities inform the consulate of your detention.

Give your immigration number (A number) to your family to help them locate you. Keep a copy of your immigration documents with someone you trust.

You can find additional information regarding your rights from the National Immigration Law Center here.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Venezuelan man sent to Salvadoran prison by former Milwaukee cop
By Nidal al-Mughrabi and Dawoud Abu Alkas

CAIRO/GAZA (Reuters) - Farah Abu Qainas hoped to become a teacher but an Israeli air strike last year injured her so badly she lost her left leg, throwing all her future plans into doubt and adding the 21-year-old to a list of thousands of new amputees in devastated Gaza.

Still living in temporary shelter, Abu Qainas attends physiotherapy sessions at a prosthetics centre in the territory where she waits in a wheelchair for an artificial limb that could allow her some freedom again.

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"That day I lost more than just my leg. My dreams vanished," she said. "I longed to attend university and teach children. But this injury has stolen that future."

The war began on October 7, 2023 when Hamas carried out a cross-border attack on Israeli communities, killing around 1,200 people and seizing 251 hostages according to Israeli tallies.

Israel's military campaign has since killed more than 50,000 Palestinians in Gaza, local health authorities say, and left most of the tiny, crowded coastal territory in ruins and nearly all its people homeless.

Many thousands more have suffered injuries that will change their lives for decades to come. But amid a conflict that has left the medical system barely able to function, estimates for how many Palestinians have lost limbs vary.

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"Across Gaza, it is estimated that 4,500 new amputees require prosthetics, in addition to the 2,000 existing cases requiring maintenance and follow-up care," the U.N. humanitarian agency OCHA reported last month.

Ahmed Mousa, who runs the physical rehabilitation programme in Gaza for the International Committee of the Red Cross, said at least 3,000 people had been registered in their programme, of whom 1,800 have amputations.

Many thousands more Palestinians have suffered spinal injuries or lost their sight or hearing, according to OCHA and the ICRC.

The large number of injuries has slowed and complicated efforts to provide treatment. Getting artificial limbs into the Gaza Strip has been a challenge, ICRC officials said.

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"Accessing proper prosthetics or mobility aids is increasingly challenging in Gaza right now and unfortunately there is no clear timeline for many," said Mousa.

Israel suspended all humanitarian aid into Gaza after the collapse of a two-month-old ceasefire last month.

Abu Qainas, who attends Moussa's therapy programme, said she does not know when she might get an artificial leg or treatment abroad. "They told me to wait but I don't know if it's going to happen anytime soon," she said.

Israels military has said its bombardment of Gaza is necessary to crush Hamas, which it accuses of hiding among the general Palestinian population. Hamas denies this. Israel says it tries to reduce harm to civilians.

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CHILD AMPUTEES

Children have not escaped the carnage.

An April study by the Palestinian Bureau of Statistics said at least 7,000 children have been injured since October 2023, with hundreds losing limbs, sight or hearing.

Seven-year-old Shaza Hamdan had wanted to learn to ride a bike, she said.

"My father asked (me) to join him for a walk, before shells began falling on us like rain. One hit my leg and cut it off, and another hit my father's arm," she said.

Shaza underwent surgery twice and the doctor had to perform further amputation on the injured leg because of inflammation.

"I became dependent on my mother. She does everything for me. My life is worse than before. Before I was injured, I could play," she said.

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Her father, Karim Hamdan, said Shaza's mental health worsened as she waited to go abroad for treatment.

"There are no artificial limbs in Gaza, and the only solution is to go for treatment outside Gaza. The girl has grown impatient, asking many questions, and she cries every day. She wants to feel a bit normal," he said.

Ismail Mehr, an anesthesiologist from New York state who has led several medical missions to Gaza during the current and previous wars, said shortages of adequate care meant more limbs could be lost and already amputated limbs cut back further.

"Over 99% of amputations were performed in substandard conditions, through no fault of the doctors, lacking proper sterilisation, equipment, and sometimes even performed by physicians not normally specialised in such procedures," he said.

(Reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi; editing by Angus McDowall and Mark Heinrich)
NANJING, April 10 (Xinhua) -- An international research team has unearthed a 160-million-year-old fossil in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region that provides insights into the evolution of parasitic worms.

The study, conducted by researchers from the Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (NIGPAS), was published in the journal Nature on Wednesday.

The newly identified fossil, Juracanthocephalus, belongs to a group of parasites known as thorny-headed worms. These endoparasitic organisms inhabit both marine and terrestrial ecosystems across the globe.

Measuring approximately one to two centimeters in length, Juracanthocephalus possesses a fusiform body divided into three distinct parts, including a proboscis, neck, and trunk. Researchers believe this ancient parasite likely inhabited amphibians and other hosts.

Its retractable proboscis features hardened, curved hooks that would have firmly anchored it within the host's digestive tract. Its body was covered with 32 grooved ridges that acted like natural "anti-slip strips" to help it stay firmly anchored in the host's intestines.

Most remarkably, researchers discovered an intricate jaw mechanism near the front of its trunk, consisting of multiple tooth-like structures that increase in size posteriorly, resembling a miniature meat grinder. Researchers speculate this jaw apparatus was primarily used to process nutrients from host tissues.

Wang Bo, a researcher at the NIGPAS, said that this finding provides tangible evidence to address the longstanding mystery of acanthocephalan origins.

"These parasites can infect a wide range of hosts, including humans, pigs, dogs, cats and fish. Previously, how and when this bizarre group of parasites evolved from a free-living, non-endoparasitic ancestor had always been a mystery," said Wang.

Wang noted that Juracanthocephalus' jaw structure resembles that of ancestral rotifers, while its hooked proboscis shows clear similarities to modern acanthocephalans. This clearly shows they evolved from free-living rotifers, developing specialized head structures to adapt to parasitic life, making them a crucial link in the evolutionary transition.

Furthermore, the discovery challenges conventional wisdom about the habitat where these parasites first evolved. While modern acanthocephalans are predominantly marine, Juracanthocephalus was found in terrestrial deposits, suggesting these parasites may have first adapted to land animals before colonizing marine environments, Wang added. 
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB)  Phrases like Time heals all and The first step is asking for help are easy to throw around.

However, Gentracon exposes the community to the resources locally accessible to battle trauma before it becomes a cycle.

Its about breaking the cycle, breaking those curses, and putting in interventions to hopefully keep them from repeating themselves. We had a vast array of vendors to show up. I think we had over almost 30. So were really excited about the opportunity for child welfare professionals, for clinicians in the community to attend a conference of this nature and have a one-stop place where they can see all of the services available to our community, North West Florida Health Network Director of Quality and Professional Development Sonja King said.

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Harrison Ave entrance to City Hall temporarily closed for construction

To go through all of that and get to the other side of it, to become an expert and to be able to make sure that we just bring awareness and the impact of trauma and helping the people that provide the services know that everybody is worth continued help, no matter how bad it looks, Keynote speaker & Trauma expert Tonier Cain said.

Cain has spoken on a variety of her experiences from homelessness, incarceration, addiction, and mental health in all 50 states.

The audience was able to have a Q&A with Cain on Wednesday. Booths shared free resources available to veterans, children, and parents, and one booth educated the community on the local need for foster parents.

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In Bay County and Circuit 14, we probably have the greatest need across our network for people to open their homes and their hearts to receive children. So, gosh, we can use families at all times for all kids from birth to age 17 and young adults as well, Recruitment & Retention Coordinator Kathy Harcus said.

Ending generational trauma means healing the adult and the child. Sometimes, a temporary foster situation is necessary while the adult heals.

Day two of the conference will include more keynote speakers and panels to give attendees several different perspectives on hope and healing.

Local Paraprofessional arrested for child neglect and drug possession charges

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The event is free and open to the public.

To attend, you can just show up at the FSU-PC campus. It will run from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Holley Center.

To learn more about becoming a foster parent click here. For available resources in the community, 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 mypanhandle.com.
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV)  The Georgia Chamber of Commerce is preparing for possible slowdowns in production if the Trump administration continues to impose more tariffs.

According to the chamber, the state set new records for international trade activity, sitting at number seven in the nation for exports.

Georgia Chamber of Commerce CEO Chris Clark told WSAV that Georgia is the global leader in a number of industries, from agriculture to manufacturing.

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We have a long history here of international trade, he explained. Import, export, foreign direct investment.

He said lately the state has been moving into uncertain trade territory due to President Trumps tariffs.

What businesses dont like is uncertainty, Clark said. They dont like changing the rules. Were making 50, 60-year investments and we need to know what the rules are. Same thing with the Ports of Savannah. They want everything to be settled. They want to know what the markets going to do so that they can provide the best service to their customers.

Clark said 89% of Georgias exports come from small businesses and they are the ones that will feel the burn from reciprocal tariffs the most.

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I have concern, you know, for Ag [Agriculture] industry and some other sectors that are out there, he said. As far as the imports go, thats going to impact a lot of the consumer goods at first.

However, his concerns dont stop there.

Brunswick is now the number one roll on roll off port in the in the country, said Clark. Thats good for domestic autos that are moving out around the rest of the world to be sold. And so reciprocal tariffs could impact that. Then obviously, youre hearing a lot of noise right now about the immediate impact on the luxury car market. and many of those are coming in through the port of Brunswick.

As negotiations take shape, Clark said he will stay in contact with Georgias international partners.

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I met with finance minister from Quebec in Canada, he told WSAV. Were talking to our partners in India and Mexico every day just to remind people about the strong partnerships that have existed for decades and decades and how important those markets are, particularly for Georgia farmers, for timber, for mining and other products.

He added, What were telling our businesses is just to be calm. Georgia companies are stockpiling goods and products right now. theyre thinking long term that a reassessing of their inventories, theyre reassessing their supply chains because this is painful.

Georgias Chamber of Commerce is hoping the Trump administration will roll back on existing and reciprocal tariffs in hopes of opening up new markets for companies and their products.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Two men were sentenced by a federal judge in Brooklyn on Wednesday for their role in trafficking hundreds of federally protected migratory birds, eggs, and endangered species. It was the conclusion to a years-long case revolving around a collection of 1,401 taxidermy bird mounts and 2,594 eggs, many of which were illegally obtained and imported.

The USFWS National Fish and Wildlife Forensics Lab says its the largest seizure of bird mounts in its 37-year history, according to a statement issued by the U.S. Justice Department Wednesday. Its not immediately clear what will become of the taxidermy.

The owner of that forfeited collection, Dr. John Waldrop of Cataula, Georgia, imported birds and eggs without the required declarations and permits between 2016 and 2020. After USFWS inspectors at JFK International Airport and other ports of entry intercepted several shipments, Waldrop recruited the caretaker of his Georgia farm, Toney Jones, to receive shipments of birds and disguise payments for them using PayPal.

Waldrops egg collection. Photo by USFWS, via Department of Justice

The sentencing memorandum, filed in U.S. District Court on April 2 and reviewed by OL, summarizes a massive trafficking network primarily coordinate by Waldrop, who worked with wildlife importers to obtain species from all over the world. That included a Missouri importer and a Pennsylvania importer who sourced birds from Europe. Waldrop also developed contacts in Africa, South America, and Asia where he would buy existing birds that were for sale, but also place special requests.

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For example, he inquired whether a South American supplier could obtain an endangered quetzal bird for him and offered to fund an Icelandic egg poachers trip, reads the memorandum.

An African fish eagle, which is listed in CITES Appendix II. The yellow check mark was Waldrop specifying which specimen he wanted preserved for his collection. Photo by USFWS, via Department of Justice

Waldrop was often interested in recently killed animals and would review images of dead birds and select those he wanted to mount. According to court documents, his collection included four eagles, which are protected by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, as well as 179 bird and 193 egg species listed in the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. While theres no evidence Waldrop killed the birds himself, officials note that by purchasing them, he created the demand that fueled poaching and wildlife trafficking. He also exacerbated pressure on species by targeting animals in their prime that are needed to reproduce and maintain their habitat.

Dead Beaudouins snake eagles, which are covered by CITES. Waldrop asked if the animal was fresh placed a yellow check mark on the bird he wanted mounted. Photo by USFWS, via Department of Justice

Some of the trophies and eggs in Waldrops possession represent the rarest and most persecuted bird species on Earth especially among raptors, shorebirds, and parrots. Many of these species are of significant conservation concern and, among the parrots, have exceptionally small ranges. The most remarkable species in his possession is an egg of the Eskimo Curlew (Numenius borealis). This species is considered critically endangered but has not been seen since 1964 indicating that it is likely extinct, reads the memorandum. For critically endangered species even the loss of one individual to the wildlife trade can be detrimental to the long-term population health or survivorship of the species, as higher population numbers increase the chance of maintaining genetic diversity which could aid in a species surviving a natural disaster or novel disease.

A chart showing how many of each species type was discovered in Waldrops collection. Illustration by USFWS, via Department of Justice

While some of Waldrops taxidermy had permits, the vast majority didnt have documentation about their origin, which is required for imports. None of the imports monitored by officials from 2016 to 2020 complied with federal law. Waldrop and his enlisted co-conspirators intentionally avoided permit and declaration requirements, said acting assistant attorney general Adam Gustafson of the Justice Departments Environment and Natural Resources Division.

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While Waldrop favored raptors  more than half of the collection included hawks, eagles, vultures, falcons, and owls  investigators also noted dozens of duck mounts in the collection. His taxidermy even included the odd woodpecker, parrot, and penguin. Officials also seized more than 750 songbird eggs. All told, 212 bird and 32 egg species in his collection are listed under CITES, or the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.

This included incredibly rare specimens like three eggs of the Nordmanns Greenshank, an Asian shorebird with only 900 to 1,600 remaining birds in the wild, reads the Justice Department statement. No North American museum has any Nordmann Greenshank eggs in their collection.

A Roseate spoonbill (listed in the Migratory Bird Treaty) and an African fish eagle (CITES Appendix II). Photo by USFWS, via Department of Justice

Waldrop pled guilty in August to conspiracy to smuggle wildlife and ESA violations, while Jones pled guilty to an ESA charge. Waldrop was ordered to serve three years of probation and pay a $900,000 fine  one of the heftiest ever for a case involving Endangered Species Act violations. Jones was sentenced to six months of probation.

Read Next: Oregons 7-Hour Fishing Season Ends with 2,500 Pounds of Illegally-Caught Smelt Seized by Police

The scale of this investigation underscores the critical importance of protecting our natural resources, assistant director Douglas Ault of the USFWS Office of Law Enforcement said in a statement. Waldrops collection included thousands of bird specimens and eggs, many of which are among the rarest in the world  We will remain vigilant and will continue to hold accountable those who exploit our shared natural resources for personal gain.
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  A man from Atlanta has been sentenced to more than four decades in prison in connection with a murder in Niagara Falls in 2023, the Niagara County District Attorneys Office said Thursday.

Matthew Glass, 25, shot and killed 48-year-old Robert Miller on Oct. 2, 2023 while Miller sat in a vehicle on Pine Avenue. He was sentenced to 41 years to life in prison.

He was found guilty in February of second-degree murder, two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and third-degree witness tempering. Niagara County District Attorney Brian Seaman described Glass as remorseless for his crimes, which led to the long sentencing.

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The only proper response to a brazen, violent crime of this nature is to remove the perpetrator from the community permanently, Seaman said in a statement. Justice and public safety require it.

Latest Local News

Aidan Joly joined the News 4 staff in 2022. He is a graduate of Canisius College. 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 News 4 Buffalo.
Georgia State Patrol opened a new post in Buckhead on Wednesday.

The 1,750-square-foot facility and garage bay will be located on the grounds of the Governors Mansion and serve the Buckhead area and surrounding neighborhoods.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Gov. Brian Kemp held a special ceremony alongside First Lady Marty Kemp, House Speaker Jon Burns, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens and other leaders.

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Keeping our communities safe is my top priority and todays milestone would not have been possible without the leadership and support of our partners in the General Assembly, the governor said. Thanks to the General Assembly, Mayor Dickens, and the brave and dedicated work of state and local law enforcement, we are witnessing a historic reduction in violent crime in our capital city. With the opening of this new post, were furthering our collaborative approach to taking criminals off our streets and bringing them to justice.

The General Assembly approved $1.3 million from the 2024 budget to build the new post, which was completed in March.

GSP says about 35 troopers will be able to use the post with 13 of them directly assigned to it.

Dickens emphasized the partnership between Georgia State Patrol and the city police.

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I believe I can speak for Chief Schierbaum when I say that the Atlanta Police Department and the City of Atlanta look forward to working hand-in-hand with our State Patrol colleagues. This new post represents our shared commitment to fostering trust in all our communities as we continue to Move Atlanta Forward, the mayor said.

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MUNICH, Germany (Reuters) - Germany's conservative CSU approved a coalition deal with its CDU sister party and the Social Democrats (SPD) on Thursday, a day after they presented a programme to revive growth in Europe's biggest economy and take a tougher line on migration.

The move by the Bavarian party is the first of several steps needed for chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz of the CDU to form a new government by early May. Delegates or members of the other two parties are due to vote on the deal later in April.

Time is pressing with U.S. President Donald Trump's announcements on tariffs and fears of a trade war causing global market turbulence and spelling doom for Germany's export-oriented economy.

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"The coalition agreement is designed to be a rehabilitation course and fitness programme for our country," said CSU leader Markus Soeder, telling reporters the party's executive and parliamentary group had unanimously adopted the programme.

Underscoring the challenges ahead, economic institutes gave a dismal outlook for this year, cutting German growth forecast to 0.1%.

The 144-page programme for government includes a reduction in corporation tax and lower energy prices. The parties also plan a commission on a reform of constitutionally enshrined borrowing rules, blamed by critics for stifling growth.

On migration, the three parties plan to turn away asylum seekers at German borders and scrap fast-tracked naturalisation.

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The parties clinched a deal after weeks of haggling following a February election in which the conservatives won most votes but fell short of a majority. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) came second.

Merz said on Wednesday a new government should be in place in the week after April 28.

(Reporting by Alexander Huebner; Writing by Madeline Chambers; Editing by Miranda Murray, William Maclean)
BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany faces the conundrum of choosing ministers for its next government without flouting equality sensitivities: the main candidates are from only two regions, and none of the names circulating so far is a woman.

Announcing the coalition deal between his conservatives and the Social Democrats this week, chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz said that while the responsibilities and parties in charge of each ministry had been agreed, nothing would be finalised until the SPD has ratified the accord at the end of April.

In Germany, a decentralised country with powerful regional party organisations in each of 16 federal states, it is hard to keep everyone happy. It's not for want of experienced hands.

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For example, the Christian Democrats have Jens Spahn, the health minister who steered Germany through the COVID-19 pandemic, and Armin Laschet, who was premier of a state larger than the Netherlands, or former party chief Carsten Linnemann.

But all, like Merz, are from North Rhine-Westphalia, leaving too few slots for people from party branches in other states.

The SPD has the same problem with Lower Saxony, home to Volkswagen and a party stronghold since former Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder ran it. Boris Pistorius, the popular defence minister, Hubertus Heil, the long-serving labour minister, and SPD leader Lars Klingbeil are all from there.

Conspicuously absent from all lists leaked to the media so far is a woman in any of the most senior ministries - foreign affairs, finance, economics and interior. Olaf Scholz's outgoing government had women in two of the four posts.

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Backsliding on that would be a conspicuous failure, political analysts say, especially as the number of women in the newly elected parliament has also fallen, back down below a third of the assembly.

For Merz, under scrutiny for remarks he has made about women in the past, the matter is delicate. Last year, he spoke against formal quotas in government. Scholz, the outgoing chancellor, insisted on parity between men and women.

"We don't do women any favours if we do that (quotas)," Merz said, describing scenarios where a less capable woman was appointed purely because of her gender.

"Who gets each ministry is decided not by the chancellor or the coalition, but each party on its own," said Kai Arzheimer, a professor at Mainz University. "And there, matters like the SPD's Lower Saxony connection can play a role."

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Other regional parties are also loath to see the Lower Saxony clique being rewarded after it led the SPD to its worst-ever result in the February 23 election.

Ideally, some senior ministers would come from the former East Germany, a region that is still underrepresented 35 years after reunification.

That matters all the more at a time when the far-right AfD party, which is anchored in eastern Germany, is leading in the country's polls for the first time since World War Two.

(Reporting by Thomas Escritt; editing by Mark Heinrich)
German conservative leader Friedrich Merz, set to succeed Olaf Scholz as chancellor of Europe's largest economy, on Wednesday said he plans to travel to Washington to meet US President Donald Trump soon.

"We will see each other soon," Merz told public broadcaster ARD, though he added that no specific date had been set for the visit.

Merz emphasized that, before such a trip, consultations within the EU would be necessary, especially on issues such as tariffs.

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Merz said that he aims to represent all European states, not just Germany, during his trip to Washington. "For me, the priority is Europe," he added.

In an interview with broadcaster ZDF, Merz noted that Trump's decision to suspend the recently imposed tariffs for 90 days was a response to Europe's united stance.

He said that Europe is ready to negotiate but also determined to protect its interests in the international trade conflict.

Merz's conservative bloc - made up of the Christian Democrats (CDU) and the Christian Social Union (CSU) - is set to lead the government after agreeing a coalition with the centre-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) on Wednesday.
HONOLULU (KHON2)  Today is giving day for the University of Hawaii, an opportunity to make a lasting impact by contributing to student success in Hawaii.

Hook & Hide takes leather to the next level in Chinatown

WakeUp2Days Chris Latronic went live from Bachman Hall on the University of Hawaii at Manoa campus with more.

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A 51-year-old Sanford man has been deemed eligible for parole for a 1995 shooting death.

Lee County Superior Court Judge C. Winston Gilchrist announced his decision in regard to William Earl Goins on Feb. 12 in a response to a motion from Marcus Brown, a Raleigh attorney with North Carolina Prison Legal Services. Brown had asked Gilchrist to stay his review following an April 29, 2024 hearing.

Goins, who also is known as Rakim Shabazz Goins, was convicted of first-degree murder on Jan. 27, 1998 in the July 1995 shooting death of Sherman Demil Ray of Charlotte.

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Goins was sentenced to life in prison without parole, but state law gives him the right to a 25-year review of the case. Goins represented himself during the April 29, 2024 hearing.

The case file in eCourts depicts a drug deal gone bad in which Goins and another man, Dwight Leander Solomon, were in an apartment kitchen with two other men, one of whom was Ray.

Ray and Edward Laydon Anderson came from Charlotte in July 1995 with two females and were at an apartment in the 2800 block of Eames Drive in Sanford, according to a statement from Anderson.

Anderson said he and Ray were lying on the kitchen floor when Anderson heard a gun go off and saw a dark, chubby guy with his arm extended toward Sherm. Ray was then holding his head. The probable cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head, according to a medical examiners report.

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According to a statement from Detective David M. Smith, Anderson said Solomon shot Ray.

Goins murder trial was held in Johnston County. Goins appealed his conviction, but the verdict was upheld by the North Carolina Court of Appeals in May 1999.

Last October, Goins requested that N.C. Prison Legal Services represent him, according to Brown.

On Dec. 19, 2024, Brown notified the court that he was representing Goins and preparing material for the court and the Post Release Supervision and Parole Commission to consider.

On March 18, Gilchrist ordered that a transcript from the April 29, 2024 hearing be prepared for Brown. Gilchrist also ordered that Brown prepare an order recommending parole for Goins. A date for that hearing has not been set yet.
ABU DHABI, April 10 (Xinhua) -- The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has successfully mediated a prisoner exchange between the United States and Russia, involving the release of one citizen from each country, UAE's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Thursday.

The exchange took place in Abu Dhabi and was attended by representatives from relevant authorities of both nations, according to the ministry.

The two individuals involved in the exchange are Ksenia Karelina, a U.S.-Russian dual national who was arrested in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg in early 2024 and convicted of treason by a Russian court for donating money to a charity providing humanitarian support to Ukraine, and Arthur Petrov, a dual German-Russian citizen who was arrested in Cyprus in August 2023 at the request of the U.S. for allegedly exporting sensitive microelectronic devices to Russia, according to media reports.

In a statement, the UAE's ministry expressed gratitude to both the U.S. and Russian governments for placing their trust in the UAE and for selecting Abu Dhabi as the venue for the exchange, which it said highlighted the UAE's strong friendship with both nations. 
Democratic Sen. David Yates, left, and Republican Rep. Jason Nemes shared their views on the 2025 legislative session with the Louisville Forum Wednesday. (LRC Public Information photos)

LOUISVILLE  Two Kentucky legislative leaders  one Republican, the other a Democrat  offered sharply divergent views of the 2025 legislative session that ended March 28.

Its the good, the bad and the ugly and thats the truth, said Sen. David Yates, D-Louisville, the Senate minority whip, speaking at Wednesdays monthly meeting of the Louisville Forum, a nonpartisan public interest group.

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Rep. Jason Nemes, R-Middletown and House majority whip, had a different take on accomplishments of the Kentucky General Assembly, where Republicans hold supermajorities in both chambers.

I think this was the second-best session in the history of Kentucky, Nemes said, adding it was surpassed only by legislative accomplishments of last year, when lawmakers enacted a new, two-year budget. Nemes was elected to leadership in November 2022.

The one-hour session moderated by WHAS11 reporter Isaiah Kim-Martinez at times grew animated as the lawmakers discussed legislation affecting taxes, Medicaid, abortion, transgender medical care, the environment and the need for more transparency in legislative proceedings where bills sometimes are subject to last-minute revisions.

The Kentucky League of Women Voters and other outside groups have criticized Kentucky lawmakers for routine fast-track maneuvers that provide little to no time for public scrutiny.

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We need to do better, Nemes acknowledged. Im not making excuses. We could do better.

Yates agreed, saying changes to bills came through so fast on the final days of the legislative session that copies were still hot from the copying machine. Lawmakers should do better, possibly by making changes available immediately on the legislative website, he said.

The technology is there, Yates said, adding that as a member of leadership, he found himself trying to explain last-minute changes to Senate Democrats even while the vote was underway. I think we could definitely do better.

Distraction bills

Yates also criticized the 2025 session for focusing too much on cultural issues including banning Medicaid coverage for transgender health services; limiting such care for inmates; and cancelling Gov. Andy Beshears restriction on conversion therapy, a controversial practice aimed at gay youth that Yates called barbaric.

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Lawmakers also enacted, over Beshears veto, House Bill 4 banning diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, measures at public colleges and universities.

Yates called them distraction bills, adding, We should focus on legislation that moves Kentucky forward. Critics have referred to such measures as hate bills.

Nemes disputed the critics characterization.

There were no hate bills this session, he said.

Limits on public funds for transgender services were simply meant to ensure no taxpayer dollars would be used for such care  not as an attack on the small fraction of Kentuckians who identify as transgender, he said.

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If youre a transgender person, I want happiness for you, Nemes said. I love you and I want you to be very successful.

As for conversion therapy, licensing boards for professionals such as psychologists and social workers can establish standards to prevent conversion therapy if they choose, Nemes said.

We got it done

Other issues the two touched on include a last-minute addition to a bill to attempt to define when physicians can perform emergency abortions. Abortion is banned by state law except to save the life or prevent disabling injury to a pregnant person.

Nemes defended changes he made to House Bill 90, his bill that also allows free-standing birth centers. It adds to state law a list of certain conditions under which doctors can legally end a pregnancy, such as hemorrhage or ectopic pregnancies, but critics have said it still leaves pregnant patients at risk and doctors at risk of prosecution.

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Nemes disagreed with criticism of the changes to state abortion law he acknowledged were rushed through.

We got it done and Im proud of it, he said. Im not proud of the process but we got it done.

Yates, a lawyer who handles personal injury cases, said hes still not sure the changes would protect physicians or pregnant women.

Everyone hopes that is the case, he said. Well see.

As for other accomplishments, Nemes cited House Bill 775, a sweeping measure changed late in the session to include changes to Kentuckys tax law and make it easier to lower Kentuckys income tax, an ongoing effort by Republican lawmakers.

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It also includes economic incentives for Louisville aimed at downtown development, Nemes said.

Were putting our money where our mouth is, Nemes said. I am very bullish on the General Assembly and how its treating Louisville.

Yates said the legislature needs to proceed with caution as it works to cut the state income tax.

In the event it goes down to zero, he said, I promise there will be other taxes.
Republican senators breathed out a sigh of relief when they found out at a lunch meeting Wednesday that President Trump announced he would drop tariffs on most foreign trading partners for 90 days, sending the stock market shooting up after a week of turmoil and steep losses.

Many of them were hearing a rising chorus of complaints from farmers, small-business owners and other constituents while also watching their retirement accounts sink in value along with those of millions of other Americans.

Heard the stock market shot up like a rocket! said Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), emerging from the GOP lunch meeting.

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It seems pretty clear that the Treasury secretary has won the argument that this ought to be about negotiating and not about generating revenue, he said, referring to the tug-of-war between Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and White House trade adviser Peter Navarro over the driving aim of Trumps sweeping tariffs.

While Bessent said he was open to negotiation, Navarro declared this is not a negotiation in a Financial Times op-ed.

Cornyn said Trumps announcement says for the next 90 days, there will be stability, and I think thats what a lot of people are looking for.

He said even members of Congress arent immune from the extreme market turmoil that drained away as much as 20 percent of the value of retirement accounts in a matter of days.

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I think most members of Congress have at least mutual funds, Cornyn said. I dont own individual stocks, but I do have like an IRA and things like that. I think everybody can identify with that going up.

Jubilation is too strong a word, but it was positive, he said of the reaction in the Senate Mansfield Room, where GOP senators gathered for a lunchtime meeting.

GOP lawmakers were growing panicked over the plunging financial markets and the proliferating predictions that the United States was likely headed toward a recession.

While Republicans publicly said they were willing to let Trumps strategy of pressuring trading partners play out, many felt increasingly uncomfortable about where the economy was headed amid plunging prices for stocks, bonds and commodities.

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Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) asked U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer during a Senate Finance Committee hearing Tuesday: Whose throat do I get to choke if this proves to be wrong?

Before Trump made his announcement, Tillis warned that the nation faced a trade war on all fronts and said the administration needed to have a detailed plan on what steps to take next.

Weve put policy out there that really opens up all fronts, even among some of our friends and somebody, I presume, has [thought] that through. Well know if thats the case in the coming weeks, he said.

Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) warned in an MSNBC interview Wednesday morning that with tariffs, an eye for an eye just leaves both people blind, arguing the import taxes interfere with peoples freedom to exchange goods and services.

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After Trump announced at midday he would drop tariffs to 10 percent for most countries for the next 90 days, Kennedy said he made the right move.

I think the president made the right decision, he said, adding that he felt relieved.

On this issue, hes been a bulldog. And the bulldog caught the car. I did not know what he would do with the car, Kennedy said.

Republican lawmakers on Wednesday praised Trumps 90-day pause on the steepest tariffs  such as a 20 percent tariff on the European Union, a 32 percent tariff on Taiwan, and a 46 percent tariff on Vietnam  but they acknowledged the global trade drama is still far from over.

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Cornyn said Trumps latest action gives the global economy a chance to stabilize and policymakers a chance to take a deep breath.

He said the pause provides people a sense of, OK, we can all take a deep breath, nothings likely to change in the next 90 days.

A Republican senator who attended Wednesdays lunch said many Republican colleagues were feeling highly anxious Trump would dig in and cause long-lasting economic damage.

People are nervous, said the senator, who requested anonymity to discuss private conversations with colleagues and constituents. Tariffs make you nervous.

The senator praised Bessent for trying to calm the nation about the underlying strength of the economy.

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Hopefully that message is going to get across so we dont have this panic, the senator said.

A second Republican senator who requested anonymity said many Republican senators dont support Trumps sweeping tariff threats, even though most of them arent willing to speak out publicly.

My impression from the senators Ive had conversations with is theres a lot less support for tariffs than whats Trump program is and a lot of concern about what the consequences are, the lawmaker said.

A growing number of GOP lawmakers had started to express their opposition to Trumps trade policies publicly after the stock market plunged more than 10 percent in the two days after the president announced tariffs on more than 180 countries and territories.

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Seven Republican senators signed onto a bill co-sponsored by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) to rein in Trumps trade authority by requiring that new tariffs and tariff increases expire after 60 days unless Congress passes a resolution of approval. The co-signers included Republican Sens. Jerry Moran (Kan.), Todd Young (Ind.), Susan Collins (Maine), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), Mitch McConnell (Ky.) and Tillis.

And four Republicans  Collins, Murkowski, McConnell and Sen. Rand Paul (Ky.)  voted last week for a resolution to undo Trumps 25 percent tariff on Canada.

Paul on Wednesday said he would co-sponsor another resolution with Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), the ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, to undo Trumps tariffs on more than 80 countries.

Paul and Wyden plan to bring the resolution, which is eligible for privileged floor consideration, up for a Senate vote after the two-week Easter recess.

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Paul, who has loudly criticized Trumps tariff policies, took a shot at Navarro, the presidents senior trade adviser, for arguing that tariffs will lead to a new era of economic prosperity.

He believes in protectionism and that trade is bad. Hes wrong. Hes a walking economic fallacy, Paul said.

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The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) carried out the first interrogation of two Chinese nationals captured while fighting for Russia in Ukraine, the SBU said on April 9.

Kyiv announced the capture of the two Chinese fighters fighting on Ukrainian territory on April 8. According to an intelligence document seen by the Kyiv Independent, at least 163 Chinese nationals are serving in Russia's Armed Forces.

One of the captives served in the 2nd Battalion of Russia's 157th Motorized Rifle Brigade and was captured near Tarasivka, while the other fought in the 1st Battalion of the 81st Motorized Rifle Brigade and was captured near Bilohorivka, according to the SBU.

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The prisoners of war (POWs) have no combat wounds but are receiving all necessary medical care and are being held in appropriate conditions in accordance with international law, the SBU said. Both of them claim to have been captured during their first combat mission.

The captives include an unemployed man born in 1991 who was recruited by a Russian middleman in China and arrived in Moscow to sign a military contract in February 2025, according to the SBU's statement.

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In an interrogation video released by President Volodymyr Zelensky, the captive introduced himself with the help of an interpreter as 34-year-old Wang Guangjun from Zhengzhou, Henan Province.

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Wang said he surrendered in a group of three, including a stray Russian soldier. After they had surrendered, Russian forces dropped an explosive with gas on the group, nearly killing the Chinese fighter before a Ukrainian soldier dragged him out of the shelter and saved his life, he claimed.

The other man, born in 1998, arrived in Russia in December 2024, supposedly as a tourist. According to the SBU, he then applied for a military contract after seeing an online ad with a promised payment of 2 million rubles ($23,300).

The second man introduced himself in the interrogation video as Zhang Renbo from Jiangxi Province. He claimed to have never taken part in combat before his first mission and capture.

"It was my first deployment, my first combat mission," Zhang says through an interpreter.

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"Prior to that, I had never participated in combat operations, and before I got there, I had never held a weapon."

Following the capture, Zelensky instructed Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha to contact Beijing. Ukraine summoned China's charge d'affaires to demand an official explanation and express condemnation.

Beijing responded by saying it was "verifying" the claims, reiterating that Chinese citizens are prohibited from participating in foreign armed conflicts.

"Russia doesn't care who dies in this insane war, they only need the war to continue," Zelensky said on X.

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"We all needall partners, all fair-minded participants in international relationsto deprive Russia of the ability to continue the war, including through the use of people like these."

China, which portrays itself as a neutral party in the war, has become the Kremlin's largest supplier of dual-use goods essential for weapons manufacturing.

Unlike North Korean troops, who have fought on Russian soil, the Chinese nationals were captured on Ukrainian territory, marking a potential escalation in foreign involvement.

North Korea sent around 12,000 troops to Russia's Kursk Oblast in 2024 to reinforce Russian lines after a Ukrainian cross-border offensive. Kyiv has said it captured two North Korean soldiers in January, estimating 4,000 casualties among the deployed units.

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Read also: Over 160 Chinese nationals fight for Russia in Ukraine, obtained documents show

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
MIAMI, Fla. (WFLA) Gov. Ron DeSantis held a news conference to address the condo crisis in South Florida.

DeSantis spoke at the City of Sweetwater Community Center in Miami to announce condo relief for Florida residents. He criticized the legislation for causing these issues and said he has a duty to rectify it.

Bradenton woman sentenced in deadly hit-and-run crash

He is pushing for a data-driven approach to condo safety and using alternate funding methods to generate more money for repairs. The governor emphasized the importance of keeping Floridians in their homes, hoping they arent forced to sell and move due to costs.

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If someone is forced to sell, specifically the elderly, they wouldnt have a place to go, Gov. DeSantis said. Why are we even entertaining a situation in which people deal with an awful thing.

Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation Secretary Melanie Griffin is pushing for solutions to balance Floridians well-being without burdening them. They want funding for higher assessments to avoid future tragedy years after the Surfside condo collapse in Miami.

The governor is urging legislation to help Floridians and provide relief to keep people in their homes.

WFLA.com live streamed the press conference, which can be viewed in the video player above.

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AUSTINTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  Ohio Governor Mike DeWine visited the Valley on Thursday to present a local school with a special recognition.

For years, DeWine has been touting what he calls the Science of Reading. He and First Lady Fran DeWine stopped at Austintown Elementary, one of the first schools in the state to embrace the idea.

Its always fun to be in a classroom and to hear the enthusiasm of these kids as theyre learning to read, Gov. DeWine said.

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He presented students and staff with one of his Science of Reading Champions awards. Its an award he first announced during his State of the State Address last month, going to schools across Ohio that excel in reading.

Teachers focus on showing the children how different letters sound, then string them together into words. The DeWines got to see this first-hand Thursday among Austintown kindergarteners and first graders.

When you see that happen and they actually can sound out the word, the tools are endless for them, said Tami Franklin, a teacher at Austintown Elementary.

The school embraced this technique six years ago, before the COVID pandemic and lockdowns even started. Administrators say the first step was teaching the instructors.

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Its not depending on a curriculum, its not depending on a program. Its depending on teacher knowlege and I think thats why we run with it because we know that were better than any program that we have, said Catherine Dorbish, Austintown Elementary principal.

Whether theyre singing or reciting letters and words, the students in kindergarten through second grade spend up to 90 minutes each day practicing their reading skills and helping each other.

So the feedback that they give, theyre all engaged, Franklin said.

If you look at the classroom, you listen to those kids, and just watch that interaction between the teacher and the kids, its  its phenomenal, Gov. DeWine said.

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They are showing dramatic improvements. Teachers say as the children move into higher grade levels, their reading proficiency and test scores improve as well.

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Gov. Brian Kemp is weighing in on President Donald Trumps tariffs and how they could have an impact on Georgias economy.

Kemp told Channel 2s Richard Elliot that he wasnt sure what the White Houses strategy is behind these tariffs, but he also supports the one on China, even though China is a major trading partner with Georgia.

Its been barely a week after Trump called rumors of a 90-day pause on international tariffs fake news, but he did exactly that, putting a 90-day pause on all international tariffs except for China.

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In a social media post on Wednesday, Trump said, Based on the lack of respect that China has shown to the worlds markets, I am hereby raising the tariff to China by the United States of America to 125% effective immediately.

China is Georgias third biggest trading partner for everything from aerospace parts to Georgia poultry.

The executive director of the Hong Kong Association of Atlanta said, China is one of the major buyers of Georgia poultry.

TRENDING STORIES:

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For poultry, as well as other products, China may look elsewhere for relief and Georgia may suffer the consequences of loss of market share.

I thought what they did today was a good move, Kemp said.

As this was happening, Kemp was busy cutting the ribbon on a new Georgia State Patrol post located at the governors mansion.

Over his two terms, Kemp has reached out to Asia to get it to invest in Georgia, especially Korea.

He supports the tariff on China, insisting that while a major trading partner, it hasnt always been a fair one.

Well, they are a big trading partner, but they also have been, as many say, ripping us off in a lot of different ways.

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We also reached out to the Atlanta consulates for Korea, Japan, and Taiwan but never got a reply.

One Chinese American import export company here in Atlanta told Elliot that theyre concerned because all of this is happening so fast and its directly impacting their business.
Gov. Jeff Landry speaks to reporters about his legislative agenda to bring down high auto insurance rates on April 9, 2025. (Photo credit: Wes Muller/Louisiana Illuminator)

Gov. Jeff Landry unveiled his legislative agenda Wednesday to target Louisianas high automobile insurance rates, leaning on some familiar issues that lawmakers have considered in previous years.

The governor summarized a vast legislative agenda that includes proposals to curtail lawyer advertising, limit the damages that can be recovered in personal-injury cases and bring transparency to the way car insurance companies set their premium rates.

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Lawmakers have tried numerous times to address the auto insurance crisis, passing legislation based on the testimony of researchers, insurance industry representatives, truck drivers, business owners, lawyers and others. Most of that legislation has taken aim at a legal environment in Louisiana that critics say makes it easy to file bodily injury lawsuits for quick monetary settlements that arent always warranted.

At a State Capitol news conference Wednesday, Landry sought to distance his effort from that previous approach.

We passed dozens of bills that we were told were going to lead to lower rates  yet we stand here today seeing very little improvement, the governor said.

Landry described his agenda as a balanced approach that would regulate both sides of a long-running debate that has pitted insurance companies against the trial lawyers who often sue them.

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One proposal with the potential to spur significant changes has to do with the rate algorithms insurers use to determine how much to charge a particular driver for coverage.

Landry wants to reveal the different variables that go into these calculations and how theyre weighted. Currently, insurance companies get to hide their rate formulas by labeling them proprietary, which treats them as trade secrets and prevents consumers and regulators from knowing how the rates are calculated. It has essentially created a guessing game in which drivers and lawmakers can never truly know which factors cause premium spikes.

Im just as tired of seeing Morris Bart as I am of seeing the lizard.

 Gov. Jeff Landry

Landry said its time to demand transparency from insurers, but he did not say whether that window should be opened to the general public. The state insurance commissioner should at least be able to see the rate algorithm, the governor said.

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The commissioner should also have the authority to prohibit any rates deemed excessive, Landry added, noting that peers in other states do. In Louisiana, the insurance commissioner reviews auto rates to ensure insurers are in compliance with certain general rules, but he cant force companies to lower premiums solely because theyre considered too high.

Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple, who did not attend the governors press conference, is holding a separate conference Thursday morning to unveil his own legislative priorities. His absence has raised questions about whether the two elected leaders, both Republicans, are in agreement on the issues.

When asked about it, Landry said he didnt know why Temple was holding his own conference and referred further questions to the commissioners office, which was similarly vague about the situation.

Tim is glad the governor is engaged on the issue, Department of Insurance spokesman John Ford said. He will have a lot of info tomorrow on his plans for [the legislative] session.

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The governors agenda also includes efforts to address personal injury lawsuits in the state, which some have blamed as the cause of expensive auto insurance. He wants lawmakers to eliminate the Housley presumption, which is a standard of evidence the Louisiana Supreme Court created for auto accidents, medical malpractice and other injury lawsuits in a precedent-setting 1991 case, Housley v. Cerise. In a nutshell, the Housley presumption says courts should assume a plaintiffs injuries resulted from the accident in question if they were in good health beforehand.

Landry said he wants to rein in the heavy amounts of advertising by trial lawyers and prohibit insurance companies from factoring advertising expenses into their policy rates.

Im just as tired of seeing Morris Bart as I am of seeing the lizard, the governor said, referencing the ubiquitous New Orleans trial lawyer and Geicos spokesreptile.

Previous attempts to limit lawyer advertising in Louisiana have run up against the First Amendment, but Landry said he believes his proposal should pass constitutional muster.

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The governor additionally wants to require insurers to offer 5% rate discounts on policies for commercial trucks outfitted with dashboard cameras. He also wants to prohibit the use of a drivers credit score as an excuse to increase their rates, among other proposals.

The governor said he is tailoring his agenda to follow the data on every possible cause of the high rate crisis, adding that he is tired of the lies that have prevented meaningful change in the past.

The most recent figures from the Insurance Information Institute placed Louisiana at second in the nation for the highest average auto coverage at $1,558 a year in 2022. It trailed only Florida ($1,625) and was barely ahead of New York ($1,549).

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Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly signed the Republican-led Legislature's large budget bill after issuing dozens of line-item vetoes and recommending lawmaker revisit the blueprint before adjourning the 2025 session. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)

TOPEKA  Gov. Laura Kelly made an end-of-session plea to the Kansas Legislature after signing a massive state budget bill investing in economic development, water resources and disability services while triggering more than 35 vetoes of provisions labeled as unwarranted earmarks, power grabs or financial gaffes.

Kelly, who has leaned on her veto pen in disputes with House and Senate Republicans since taking office in 2019, said she was concerned the budget endangered the states long-term fiscal health and could jeopardize funding for essential programs and services that mattered the most to Kansans. She said it was folly for GOP leadership in the Legislature to adjourn the annual session before release of updated revenue reports evaluating financial implications of the budget.

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This budget will put Kansas in the red by fiscal year 2028, Kelly said Wednesday in a message to the Legislature. Given the ongoing economic uncertainty we are experiencing, I urge the Legislature to seriously consider revisiting this budget.

She said Kansas demonstrated financial resilience during the past seven years after enduring damaging tax and spending decisions under a previous governor. She repeated a warning to not ignore the history of careless decisions leading deep cuts, unnecessary debt and higher taxes.

We risk losing all of that progress and returning to the dark days of four-day school weeks and crumbling roads and bridges if we dont correct the structural imbalance we are currently facing, the governor said.

Good news  right thing

Kelly said she was enthusiastic about portions of Senate Bill 125 that provided $6 million to safeguard Kansas water supply, a $1.75 million increase in matching funds for local conservation districts and $3 million for a pilot project to manage sedimentation in John Redmond Reservoir.

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She thanked the Legislature for $50 million invested in the states aviation industry because those commitments would continue the states historic success in economy development. She praised lawmakers for allocating $1 million to create rural remote workspaces as well as investments to attract innovative businesses in cybersecurity and biotechnology.

The budget appropriately invested in early childhood education while adding $10 million for special education programs in the states K-12 public education system, Kelly said. There was $1.25 million to expand rural child care, she said. The governor appreciated $14 million to help 200 people with intellectual or developmental disabilities move off the states waiting list for services.

However, the governor said it was troubling the Legislature didnt address rising health costs by expanding eligibility for Medicaid. Forty states and the District of Columbia have opened that door to billions of dollars in federal funding aimed at lower-income residents without quality, affordable health care.

Not only will expanding Medicaid make it easier and more affordable for Kansas families to access health care, she said, it would also have substantial economic benefits for Kansans.

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She line-item vetoed a provision requiring the state to unenroll and reenroll people in the Medicaid program at an annual cost of $3.5 million to $4.3 million. She said federal regulations forbid caregivers and parents from being denied Medicaid health care coverage without an individual review. In addition, the governor said, the concept was a highly inefficient, administratively burdensome, costly process.

Education, falls short

Kelly, known as a public education advocate as governor and during her 14-year tour in the Kansas Senate, said she was disappointed with a collection of budget decisions regarding K-12 schools. She was critical of the elimination of funding for teacher professional development programs and literacy training for teachers.

She objected to the extremely troubling decision by the Legislature to finance grants for emergency medical equipment in private schools with money that should be applied to public schools. She suggested the maneuver raised questions about whether lawmakers were challenging Kansas Supreme Court rulings in the Gannon v. State school finance lawsuit that concluded the Legislature violated the Kansas Constitution by inadequately funding schools.

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While I have corrected this via a line-item veto, I remain extremely concerned about the future of education funding in Kansas, Kelly said. The Legislature must stop playing games with school finance, especially when it underfunds our public schools and could land the state back in court, relitigating issues weve worked to solve in a bipartisan manner.

The governor also vetoed a budget item that directed school districts to adopt an online curriculum not vetted by the Kansas Board of Education. Constitutional authority for curriculum decisions rested with the elected 10-member state Board of Education, she said.

Power grabs

Kelly used a veto pen to dispatch the appropriation of $3 million to the state treasurer, rather than to an executive branch agency, for operation of the pregnancy compassion awareness program. Her veto message recalled the August 2022 statewide vote that defeated a proposed amendment to the Constitution reversing a state Supreme Court decision that women had a basic constitutional right to terminate a pregnancy.

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I continue to believe that housing the pregnancy crisis center program in the office of the state treasurer is inappropriate and simply politically motivated, the governor said. Kansas women facing unplanned pregnancies deserve meaningful support from medical professionals who can provide evidence-based guidance, not from largely unregulated pregnancy resource centers.

In addition, Kelly vetoed creation of an unvetted program with no guardrails in the office of state treasurer that would help expand the states workforce. She said it was inefficient for the Legislature to defund an existing workforce program, Love, Kansas, in the Kansas Department of Commerce.

Kelly vetoed a provision in the budget that would have increased the cost of office space for journalists in the Capitol.

This item appears to be targeted at the Kansas Capitol press corps to stymie their ability to effectively report on the actions occurring in the peoples house, the governor said. Provisions like this set a dangerous precedent and undermine one of the core principles enshrined in the U.S. Constitution.

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Special-interest earmarks

Kelly said she couldnt allow the Legislature to approve a no-bid $1 million earmark for the OConnell Childrens Shelter in Lawrence. She said the expenditure circumvented established methods of awarding grants that would include rigorous review of qualified applicants.

We have made great progress towards eliminating no-bid contracts recently, Kelly said. We should not take an unnecessary step backwards.

Kelly vetoed a directive that the state Department of Commerce devote $500,000 to Wichita State Universitys aviation research institute to work on unmanned aircraft systems and $500,000 to the Salina campus of Kansas State University for development of a commercial credentialing process for drones.

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The Department of Commerce did not request this item and it did not go through the agency vetting process, she said. I cannot ignore the deficiencies in the process that led to this being included in the budget.

The governor vetoed a $750,000 earmark for a feasibility study on launching a dental school at Wichita State. She urged higher education and dentistry professionals to collaborate on a strategy for starting the school and present it to the 2026 Legislature.

Meanwhile, Kelly vetoed $500,000 to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation for a forensic genetic genealogy DNA analysis system to identify human remains. The KBI didnt request the funding through the normal appropriations process, the governor said.

Kelly deleted a plan calling on the Kansas Highway Patrol to collaborate with a third-party entity to build an aviation hangar in Wichita that would be leased by the state.

She also vetoed poorly written provisos directing the state Department of Health and Environment to spend not less than $250,000 on preventing transmission of tuberculosis and a separate requirement that KDHE spend up to $96,000 to control tuberculosis. A $263,000 earmark for cerebral palsy research, not requested by KDHE, was vetoed because intent behind this budget proviso is unclear, the governor said.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has signed more than half of the legislation sent to her from the 2025 session.

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed another 10 bills into law on Wednesday, including bills to require all schools to install heart defibrillators; adding additional crimes to the states organized crime laws and approving a pilot project for grandparents raising grandchildren.

House Bill 54 requires all public schools to develop plans for addressing cardiac emergencies and have electronic devices on site. The bill originally requested high schools to meet the requirements, but lawmakers amended it to include all schools. High schools are required to install automated external defibrillators by the 2026 school year, and elementary schools must comply by 2027.

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Senate Bill 70 adds additional crimes that qualify for racketeering charges, including dog and cockfighting; human trafficking; sexual exploitation of children; criminal sexual penetration; criminal sexual contact and bringing contraband into prisons and jails.

House Bill 252 develops a $4 million dollar pilot project for the Aging and Long Term Services Department to provide funding for grandparents or next-of-kin raising children. The bill will address 50 families in five to seven counties.

Lujan Grisham has signed 128 bills  about 65%  of the 195 bills the Legislature passed, and vetoed two bills. That leaves 67 bills pending, including the $10.8 billion budget funding the state government in House Bill 2.

Lujan Grisham has until Friday to approve or veto bills. Any legislation not signed by the April 11 deadline will not go into law, a move called a pocket veto. Lawmakers unanimously passed a measure to remove the governors pocket veto power in House Joint Resolution 2. Voters will have the chance to vote on the constitutional change in 2026, unless officials call a special election before then.

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Heres a full list of the bills signed into law on Wednesday:

Economic development

House Bill 6: IRB Project Minimum Wage

House Bill 20: Technology & Innovation Division

Senate Bill 59: Public Works Minimum Wage Definitions

Education

House Bill 54: Defibrillators In Every High School

House Bill 532: Student Water Safety Guidance

Public safety

Senate Bill 070: Add Racketeering Crimes

Senate Bill 168: Travel Insurance Act

Other

House Bill 172: New Mexico Red & Green Chile Month

House Bill 218: Tax Changes

House Bill 252: Kinship Caregiver Support Pilot Program

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DES MOINES, Iowa (Iowa Capital Dispatch)  Gov. Kim Reynolds bill making changes to Iowas disaster relief assistance programs is on its way to the Iowa Senate floor after approval Thursday by the chambers Ways and Means Committee, the Iowa Capital Dispatch reports.

Senate File 619 has already received approval from the Senate Local Government and Appropriations committees. The bill follows up on some of the measures put in place for disaster recovery by Reynolds following the 2024 floods and tornadoes that impacted more than 5,000 homes across the state.

The measure includes an appropriation of $13.6 million from the Iowa Economic Emergency Fund retroactively for fiscal year 2025 with the majority of funding going toward home rehabilitation programs and $2 million to the Nuisance Property and Abandoned Building Fund, used to tear down buildings that cannot be repaired.

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This funding was discussed with lawmakers during the summer of 2024 as Reynolds rolled out the states disaster response and recovery plans. The bills appropriation for housing rehabilitation will go toward to the State Disaster Recovery New Housing Grant and Disaster Recovery Housing Assistance programs, launched in July. The governors bill also includes a proposal to extend tax exclusions for developers who build new housing in disaster-impacted areas.

Iowa Republicans release updated property tax legislation

The measure also establishes new programs and funds that the governor said will help the state more quickly respond to natural disasters in the future. It would establish a new loan program, the Natural Hazard Mitigation Financing program, led by the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and the Iowa Finance Authority, with funding available to eligible entities for ongoing risk mitigation projects to better prepare Iowa communities for future severe weather.

Molly Severn, legislative liaison for the governors office, said the measure will help make it easier for Iowans to get the help they need as soon as possible during natural disasters.

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Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle and some advocates have expressed support for the bills steps to streamline the disaster assistance process and provide funding in previous meetings. However, there was some pushback at the Senate subcommittee meeting Thursday from lobbyists with insurance organizations and public insurance adjusters on one portion of the bill  a requirement for appraisers, independent adjusters and umpires to be licensed to assess property damages.

During the process of receiving insurance coverage following a natural disaster, multiple assessments are made. A public insurance adjuster, representing the policy holder, and a private insurance adjuster representing the insurance company, typically both review a damaged propertys value and assessing the claim made. Umpires are the neutral party in this process, meant to serve as an unbiased source while assessing damages and value. But Reynolds said licensure and regulations were needed to better protect consumers and homeowners from unfair practices during the process.

Aiming to limit damages, Catholic hospital argues a fetus isnt the same as a person

Dennis Tibben with the National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters said most other states regulate umpires and independent adjusters through contracts instead of through the licensing processes set up in the bill.

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If enacted, Iowa would have the most restrictive, expansive licensure type in the nation, Tibben said. And we expect that that will have a chilling effect on the number of individuals who are independent, who will serve as the arbitrators when a public insurance adjuster, who serves as an advocate on behalf of the insured individual, and their insurance company cant come to an initial resolution on the insurance plan.

Tibben said this provision could lead to fewer umpires and independent adjusters practicing in Iowa, which could leave Iowans with longer wait times for their insurance claims to be processed.

Sen. Bill Dotzler, D-Waterloo, said in the subcommittee meeting he wanted to learn more about the impacts of licensure on insurance costs and processing peoples claims after disasters, but he supported the bill moving forward as he said it made improvements to Iowas disaster relief and recovery programs.

He also supported the bill later Thursday as it was unanimously approved by the Ways and Means committee, praising the governor and her staff for their work on the bill.

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Its my understanding that this isnt something that just was thrown together, Dotzler said. Its been worked on for considerable amount of time, and really is a proactive approach that would help people in real time.

Iowa bill lowering the retirement age for police officers advances in House subcommittee

Sen. David Rowley, R-Spirit Lake, said the bill will improve Iowas disaster response efforts.

All of us have been affected by floods, tornadoes, derechos, all of these disasters  hail storms, anything that comes through  it creates a disastrous effect on these communities, Rowley said. We need to address it. We need to be faster than we have been in the past. This allows those dollars to flow forward.

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The bill is now available for debate in the full Iowa Senate, and its companion, House File 982, is available for consideration in the House.

Iowa Capital Dispatch is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Iowa Capital Dispatch maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Kathie Obradovich for questions: info@iowacapitaldispatch.com. Follow Iowa Capital Dispatch on Facebook and Twitter.

This story was republished under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
DJIBOUTI CITY, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Experts and policymakers have urged African countries to seize the opportunities presented by digital transformation to advance continental socioeconomic development aspirations.

They made the call Tuesday during a high-level meeting on Africa's digital transformation in Djibouti City on the margins of the second edition of the Djibouti Forum.

The forum, an international business conference, was held from Sunday to Tuesday under the theme "Unleashing Opportunities for Regional and Global Growth."

Addressing the meeting, Djibouti's Minister of Digital Economy and Innovation Mariam Hamadou Ali said the digital transformation agenda poses both challenges and opportunities for Africa's development ambition.

She emphasized the necessity of leveraging digitization to enhance socioeconomic development across the continent.

Embracing digitization and investing in human capital and infrastructure could significantly contribute to job creation and promote both national and continental socioeconomic development and integration, the minister said, noting that many African countries face high unemployment.

Djibouti is "well-positioned" to take advantage of the continent's digital transformation efforts, thanks in part to its strategic location and investments in infrastructure development, Ali said.

A key asset in Djibouti's pursuit of digital transformation opportunities is its network of undersea cables and data centers, offering the country a competitive advantage to capitalize on advancements in the sector, she said.

Experts and policymakers at the meeting emphasized the transformative potential of digitization and information and communications technology (ICT) in driving economic growth and investment opportunities in Africa and other emerging markets.

They stressed the importance of ensuring reliable and affordable access to internet services, financial resources, and skilled human capital as essential components for advancing digital transformation across the continent.

Lacina Kone, chief executive officer of Smart Africa, a continental alliance working on enhanced access to and utilization of ICT across Africa, said that with the right partnerships and investments, the African continent has the potential to become a significant player in the global digital economy.

He highlighted the urgent need to foster "trust and partnership" between the public and private sectors.

Kone stressed the importance of improving access to capital and creating a conducive environment for investment in the sector.

Such initiatives would have a ripple effect in terms of significantly enhancing the private sector's role in Africa's digital transformation agenda, he said.

During the discussions, participants emphasized Djibouti's unique advantages in emerging as a leader in digital transformation. They urged African nations to prioritize this sector as a vital enabler for broader economic transformation. 
Gov. Josh Shapiro holds a press conference at the Port of Philadelphia on April 10, 2025. (John Cole/Capital-Star)

Gov. Josh Shapiro addressed three key issues facing the state and beyond on Thursday during an appearance in Philadelphia. Two tied into the states response to actions made by President Donald Trumps administration: Tariffs and immigration. The third emphasized his support for funding increases for mass transit, as a potential budget fight looms.

Shapiro steps up criticism of Trumps tariffs

Shapiro, who has emerged as a consistent voice against Trumps tariff policy, highlighted his concern about the impact on Pennsylvania consumers and businesses.

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Ive heard from a lot of businesses that are wondering if theyre going to get their shipments or getting notice from suppliers that the materials or the products that they were counting on are no longer going to be able to come or going to cost a whole lot more, Shapiro said.

There is all kinds of confusion in the marketplace because of the confusion that Donald Trump has brought to this, he added. Certainly, we need more trade balance in the world and in this country. Certainly, we need to fix some of the bad trade deals of the past, but what the president has done here is injected chaos and increased prices on Pennsylvania consumers. Thats not the answer.

Supporters of Trumps tariffs believe that it will boost American manufacturing, although some economists are worried about rising costs for consumers.

Shapiros press conference on Thursday was at the Port of Philadelphia, which is the largest port in the U.S. for imported fruit. His office said the facility supports 12,000 jobs locally and 66,000 maritime jobs statewide, while saying Trumps tariffs would hurt jobs there.

Governor Josh Shapiro visited the Port of Philadelphia to hear directly from port leaders, businesses, and workers about how new federal tariffs are injecting chaos and uncertainty into their work and raising costs for consumers across the Commonwealth. (Courtesy Commonwealth Media Services)

Mass transit agencies faces dire situation across Pennsylvania

On the same day SEPTA announced a proposal that would lead to significant service cuts, Shapiro is urging state lawmakers to approve legislation that would fund mass transit for agencies around the commonwealth.

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Let me just say, we face a dire situation for mass transit agencies all across Pennsylvania, from Pittsburgh to Philly and rural communities in between, Shapiro said Thursday.

Shapiro touted proposing historic levels of funding for mass transit agencies, for the last two budgets, while adding enough funding that has avoided service cuts to SEPTA. He also highlighted that the state House, with a narrow Democratic Party majority, passed a bill on a bipartisan basis to boost transportation funding of mass transit agencies on three occasions, but it has yet to advance in the GOP-led Senate.

Since funding for mass transit has been at the forefront over the past year, Republicans have criticized Shapiro and Democrats on the issue, accusing them of prioritizing education over it.

We heard earlier today from SEPTA that they can no longer wait, Shapiro said.

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In November, Shapiro transferred $153 million in federal highway capital funds to SEPTA to help stave off significant service cuts and fare increases. Republicans criticized that move, with state Rep. Martina White (R-Philadelphia) saying in November the highway system was already underfunded and described the action as robbing Peter to pay Paul.

Shapiro said on Thursday that the time is now to act, on mass transit funding and said House Majority Leader Matt Bradford (D-Montgomery) intends to bring up and pass legislation next month that would fund these systems statewide.

We will all work together, as we have in the past, to find bipartisan agreement, Shapiro said. Weve got to make sure we do so on mass transit this time.

Septa bus in Philadelphia.

SEPTA isnt the only transit system that has sounded the alarm over funding issues. Pittsburgh Regional Transit also announced last month that their agency is facing service reductions and fare increases.

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All 67 counties are impacted, and here in southeastern Pennsylvania, this is a crisis that needs to be addressed, Shapiro said.

Shapiro says Trump is instilling fear into immigrant communities across Pennsylvania

Shapiro criticized President Donald Trumps policies with the southern border, while also saying the United States is in need of comprehensive immigration reform. He said he supports a secure border, a pathway to citizenship for those who have been living in the country, and establishing clear rules of the road for folks who want to come here.

And youve got to come here legally if you want to be in this country, Shapiro said.

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What the President is doing right now, in many ways, is instilling fear in too many of our immigrant communities across Pennsylvania, taking people who are otherwise legally permitted to be here and remov(ing) them without due process from their communities, Shapiro said. It is critically important that we follow the laws of the land, that individuals have due process rights, and that we also make clear that immigration into this country needs to be done legally.

Shapiro added he believes all those things can be done at the same time and they are not mutually exclusive.

We can have due process, we can have compassion, we can have clear rules of the road. We can have a secure border. We need to do all of that, Shapiro said. What Ive seen from this White House so far has been mostly haphazard and has not actually accomplished the test that I think most Americans think needs to be accomplished in D.C.

On Wednesday evening, U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick (R-PA) said during a telephone townhall that he thinks a showdown was going to happen between the federal government and sanctuary cities in Pennsylvania.

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According to the Center for Immigration Studies, there are 13 sanctuary cities and counties in Pennsylvania.

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Trump announced on Thursday morning via social media that his administration was working on papers to withhold all federal funding for any city or state that allows sanctuary cities.

Shapiro said on Thursday that he had not seen Trumps post, so he couldnt really comment on it, although he said were not a sanctuary state.

McCormick and supporters of Trumps immigration policies have argued the presidents victory was in part a result of his call for mass deportations and tougher border policies.
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  Governor Stitt said hes standing by his firings of staff from the Forestry Service after the March deadly fires.

Several fire crews have now called for an independent investigation into what happened and what the state could do better.

Its tough to believe anything  hes been fact-checked several times by fire departments and the media and his facts have been incorrect. So right now you just cant believe anything that comes out of the governors office, said Fire Chief Jason Dobson of the Olive Volunteer Fire Dept.

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His department was one of the first to share the Change.org petition which called for Governor Stitts impeachment.

I know hes not going to get impeached, we know that, said Chief Dobson. We just hope he sees this and does something different than what hes doing. Oklahomans in the fire service are not happy with what hes done. Were upset.

If the governor cant fire the head of the forestry, who can?, said Gov. Stitt.

Stitt didnt seem to be going back on any firings or statements he had made in weeks past. However this week he did seem to go back on his offering to get rid of the Department of Forestry as a whole.

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This week House Speaker Kyle Hilbert (R-Bristow) said that the governor seems to be misinterpreting the data. The governor didnt seem to agree.

When youre not sending half of your resources to those fires, youre doing something wrong, said Gov. Stitt. I dont know how anybody can argue with me, maybe the media will, but I dont think Oklahomans will. If you have assets and they werent deployed to these fires, thats the problem

Wednesday Cherokee Nation Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. spoke on the House floor against moves made by the governor surrounding the Forestry Service Dept.

Bill aimed at saving Oklahoma pharmacies, could increase price of prescriptions

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We have got to keep the Oklahoma Forestry Department alive and well, we need it and you need it, said Chief Hoskin Jr.

The governor was pressed Wednesday also on things he couldve done differently like a statewide burn ban or a Public Safety Power Shutoff, several other states do something similar.

You knew about the dangers way in advance of that Friday so why didnt you act? Do you not take any blame at all for what happened?

Yeah ultimately the governor is responsible thats why Im taking action now, said Gov. Stitt. And I dont think its practical for the governor to say hey, Im going to shut off your power.

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He is standing by his actions and said that his new Wildland Fire Response Team is expected to have results and a sort of presentation in 30 days on what the state could do better.

Chief Dobson argued that they need to do an outside investigation and bring in experts who arent appointed by Gov. Stitt.

Were not happy, he needs to know that were upset, said Chief Dobson.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Governor Tim Walz's speech in front of Minnesota veterans for "Veterans on the Hill" event at the capitol Wednesday got off to a contentious start as he was berated by some veterans in attendance  and the back and forth was caught on video.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz was booed and heckled as he took the stage during a veterans program at the Minnesota Capitol on Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/lAloDC5deV  FOX 9 (@FOX9) April 10, 2025

"Thank you, all," Walz began before a person in the crowd yelled, "You're a coward."

As the man shouted, Walz interjected: "Sir, you're welcome to come... let me finish."

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"He served," another patron interrupted, "shut your f***ing mouth."

"Hey, there's some passion in the building, which is a good thing," Walz replied.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz speaks to veterans on Wednesday, April 9, 2025.Office of Governor Tim Walz via Flickr

The tension comes amid a past claim of "stolen valor," a dig at Walz's military record voiced by Vice President JD Vance last year while he and Walz faced off as then-vice presidential nominees on the campaign trail.

Neither Vance nor Walz saw combat during their respective military service, but Vance and other veterans have taken issue with Walz once saying he carried weapons "in war".

Fact-checking has since determined that Walz retired from the Minnesota National Guard in May 2005, having submitted retirement paperwork 5-7 months earlier, according to PoltiFact.

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In March 2005, Walz's battalion was informed of a potential deployment to Iraq. The unit was officially mobilized for deployment to Iraq in July 2005. Walz says he retired from the Army to pursue a career in Congress, for which he filed paperwork to run for office in February 2005.

Walz was speaking at the Capitol on behalf of veterans Wednesday, saying those in attendance "are here for the right thing" and that his goal is to make sure veterans issues are funded accordingly.

Walz noted after the speech that not everyone was against him, nodding to a veteran near him who he says "wanted to help me brawl the guy."

"Look, that's what they're going to do. These folks come here, but they're going to have to face reality. Some of these guys voted for what's happening at the VA and they don't like it," Walz said while speaking to reporters after the event.

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"Some of them come up here and they're saying they're supporting folks who voted against this," he continued. The House budget is grossly underfunded in veterans and it has to change."

Walz later posted on social media that it was an "honor" to join Minnesota veterans at the capitol, saying Minnesotans have a "shared responsibility to take care of those who put their lives on the line to fight for our democracy and our freedom."
At the White House today, Governor Whitmer had a meeting with Speaker Hall and President Trump to discuss the northern Michigan ice storm, investing in Michigans defense assets, like Selfridge Air National Guard Base, tariffs and the importance of creating good-paying American jobs and bringing back critical supply chains, and keeping our Great Lakes clean and safe.

Governor Whitmer thanks President Trump for his acknowledgements on protecting the Great Lakes from invasive carp, his work on Selfridge, and his openness to our request for help in northern Michigan.

This morning, the governor delivered a speech in Washington, D.C. about the devastating effects tariffs were having on Michiganders  from companies increasing prices and laying off workers to retirement accounts being wiped out. This afternoon the 90-day pause was announced, and that is a step in the right direction and will provide relief to so many businesses across the state, but we remain concerned about tariffs that will hurt American auto companies.

The governor was surprised that she was brought into the Oval Office during President Trumps press conference without any notice of the subject matter. Her presence is not an endorsement of the actions taken or statements made at that event.
Australia is proposing to relocate residents of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, a remote territory made up of 27 coral islands, as a countermeasure to the rising sea levels. Argophilia reported that Australia's proposed "long-term managed retreat" could relocate hundreds of residents over the next 10 to 50 years.

The proposal sparked concern for the 600 residents who share deep roots and close ties to life on the Cocos Islands.

What's happening?

Officials are considering the relocation strategy as a response to worsening coastal erosion. As per Argophilia, the projected increase in sea levels on the island from 1992 to 2030 is 7.1 inches.

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The government's proposal triggered public concern over the fate of what many call Australia's last unspoiled paradise. Frank Mills, CEO of the Shire Cocos Island, urged officials to consider other options that respect cultural heritage, saying, "This is not an overnight decision."

The locals have also pushed back. Many are direct descendants of Malay workers from the 1830s, and the islands are home to their ancestral burial grounds.

As government officials weigh the community input, the proposition remains under review.

Why is coastal erosion concerning?

The rapid sea level rise around Cocos Islands is not an isolated case. It's a common challenge for low-lying communities in all parts of the world. Argophilia noted that the United Nations has warned that sea levels are rising faster than ever before, due to planet-warming pollution driven by human activity.

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This could force long-term relocations, much like when Australia offered Tuvalu residents a chance to move if rising seas made their homeland unlivable.

What's being done about it?

Island residents and climate experts contend that the central focus is to keep the community intact while tackling broader environmental issues. Wesley Morgan, a climate expert, called for bolder actions like reducing emissions and cutting coal and gas-related projects.

Scientists are also experimenting with natural solutions, like gentle electric currents, to solve the problem of coastal erosion. Individuals can also help by staying informed on critical evironmental issues and reducing dependency on dirty energy.

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.
From left: Reps. Jeff Thompson, R-Lizton, and Ed DeLaney, D-Indianapolis, discuss an amended property tax plan in the House on April 9, 2025. (Whitney Downard/Indiana Capital Chronicle)

After days of silence, Gov. Mike Braun gave a thumbs up on a significant property tax amendment minutes before Republican leaders brought it to the House floor.

The measure passed on a 70-27 vote along party lines.

Braun made property taxes a cornerstone of his 2024 campaign, and had been conspicuously quiet after House leaders unveiled their plan Friday.

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I am grateful for the leadership of (House) Speaker Todd Huston and (Senate) President Pro Tem Rod Bray and for the ways they have partnered with us to deliver this meaningful tax relief to Hoosiers, Braun said in a statement shared to X. I encourage House members to support this amendment and urge the Senate to then take action quickly to get it to my desk for signature.

I am proud to announce that with Amendment 36 to Senate Bill 1, we have agreed upon a plan to bring historic property tax relief to Hoosiers. I am grateful for the leadership of Speaker Todd Huston and President Pro Tem Rod Bray and for the ways they have partnered with us to  Governor Mike Braun (@GovBraun) April 9, 2025

The new version of Senate Bill 1 will increase a credit applied to all homeowner bills to 10% or a maximum of $300, cumulatively saving homeowners $1.4 billion over the next three years. An earlier version had a $200 cap and saved homeowners $1.1 billion over three years. Additionally, the amended property tax bill softens its business personal property tax cuts and further drops local income tax limits.

This amendment makes a good bill even better and provides even more relief to homeowners, said Lizton Republican Rep. Jeff Thompson, who authored the amendment.

Thompson, who also sponsored the underlying Senate motion, said that two-thirds of homeowners will see reduced bills in 2026 when compared to 2025.

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But Democrats again urged caution when voting on the large bill without knowing the full fiscal impact. The Legislative Services Agency doesnt release fiscal notes on amendments until they are adopted.

I just cant vote on something that has so many uncertainties, said Rep. Greg Porter, D-Indianapolis.

Democratic pushback

A handful of Democrats spoke against the amended bill, many of whom mentioned the changes to the business personal property tax as a major concern. Currently, small businesses with less than $80,000 in such property  which can include equipment, billboards and more  are exempt.

Before Wednesday, Senate Bill 1 would have halted the charge on purchases after this year, meaning the revenue to municipalities would gradually fall.

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A 2024 study from the Indiana Chamber found that exempting the tax on new business personal property would reduce revenue by $1.2 billion for the state while eliminating the depreciation floor would shave away another $35 million.

In the amended property tax bill introduced on Wednesday, that $80,000 benchmark increases to $1 million next year and $2 million the year after.

Rep. Mike Andrade, D-Munster, opposes an amended property tax bill on April 9, 2025. (Whitney Downard/Indiana Capital Chronicle)

The government officials in our cities and towns (who) are going to be affected have not been in this conversation. Theres still concerns with what we have, even though this amendment does make a little bit better than what we had in committee, said Rep. Mike Andrade, D-Munster.  a lot of elected officials are concerned that theyre going to not be able to have this tool.

House Speaker Todd Huston made a rare appeal from the floor, urging his colleagues to advance the motion to amend.

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This is historic taxpayer relief. Historic, said the Fishers Republican.  This is a complex system. We are making it a better, more transparent system for all  whether youre a homeowner, a business or a farm. But we are, most of all, making it great for Hoosier families.

After accepting Thompsons edit, Republicans batted away over a dozen Democratic attempts to amend the bill, including ones that would grant more relief to renters, a first-time home buyers credit and one restricting the personal property tax language to only American corporations.

The money is tight, Thompson repeatedly told Democrats, referencing the states slim revenue growth predictions for the next two years.

In a statement, House Minority Leader Phil GiaQuinta called Senate Bill 1 a tax hike in disguise.

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Lets be real: Senate Bill 1 is a tax hike in disguise. Paying up to 2.9% in income taxes to your city and county on top of state and federal taxes is much more than the $300 max in credit you could receive off your property tax bill in 2026. Businesses still get a break, but working Hoosiers get crumbs. This is a bad deal for working Hoosier families, which is why House Democrats voted no on this plan.

The bill must pass through the House one more time before the Senate takes action. That chamber can opt to accept the amended property tax bill or dissent, which would go against Brauns wishes for a quick resolution.

Dissenting would send the bill back to a conference committee, where lawmakers would hammer out a final negotiation that both chambers could agree upon.

This story has been updated to change an inaccurate quote by Rep. Phil GiaQuinta.

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BRASILIA, April 9 (Xinhua) -- Starting Thursday, Brazil will reinstate visa requirements for travelers from the United States, Canada and Australia, ending a six-year visa-free entry for those countries.

The decision was based on the principle of reciprocity since these countries still require Brazilian nationals to obtain visas, said Brazil's Foreign Ministry.

"Brazil does not offer unilateral visa exemptions," it said, adding that negotiations are underway to establish reciprocal visa-free travel agreements.

"We're still in talks to have the United States lift its visa requirement for Brazilians, which would allow us to reciprocate," Brazil's Minister of Tourism Celso Sabino was quoted by state-run Agencia Brasil as saying.

According to Embratur, Brazil's tourism promotion agency, the country received 728,537 U.S. visitors, 96,540 Canadians and 52,888 Australians in 2024.

Starting Thursday, travelers from these three countries arriving by air, land or sea must apply for an e-visa via the official eVisa portal. The visa costs 80.9 U.S. dollars and allows a stay of up to 90 days. 
GREECE, N.Y. (WROC)  Wednesday, Lynn Girolamo could be found at Paddy Hill Elementary doing what she does all the time: visiting schools throughout the Greece Central District to help kids navigate the pervasive and ever-changing digital world.



Its part of a mission she picked up years ago.



We do have a lot more research now that tells us in the last 10 years kids that already have high anxiety or depression can really succumb to challenging parts of social media, she said.



Girolamos digital awareness program is now one of the main prongs within the district to combat the risks of screens and social media.

The district has banned cell phones in school since 2022 and is about to install in certain schools new technology designed to detect them.

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Girolamo says preventing use during the school day is important, but so is helping students develop a healthy relationship with technology outside of school.

One of the 5th graders Girolamo was talking to Wednesday appears to have already absorbed some of her lessons.

Some people their entire life is based on social media, which Im not saying thats a bad thing, but I think it is important to you shouldnt be obsessed with it really, you should be able to go out with your friends, or go out with your family and not have to post anything about it, said Sadie Hartman.



To help with all this, Lynn brought in Win At Social, a project and program that encourages kids to engage with other kids to figure out ways to cut screen time and limit social media use.



Its a really great way for kids to turn and talk to each other about these ideas because us as adults we really dont have it all figured out either, Girolamo said.



Speaking of adults, Girolamo and the district are trying to launch a lunch program dedicated to bringing in parents to talk about their family needs.



Also helping parents with settings and features of phones and technology that we can have control over instead of letting it control us, Girolamo said.

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ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  The Greece Police Department has made multiple arrests in connection with two violent home invasion robberies in Greece.

Greece Police said in the early morning hours of February 3, suspects forcibly entered private homes. The first home was one on Annie Lane, then Dorsey Road where the suspects stole property while armed with a semi-automatic firearm.

Shortly after the incidents, a suspect vehicle was identified by police through the use of a License Plate Reader system.

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Following an investigation, detectives from the Criminal Investigation Department identified Damani Lodato and Richard Crowder, both 18-years-old, as suspects in both robberies.

On April 10, GPD SWAT Team and Rochester Police SWAT Team executed multiple search warrants in Rochester, Brockport and Chili. During the searches, Lodato and Crowder were arrested.

Greece Police said detectives also recovered a loaded defaced handgun, multiple high-capacity magazines, and additional physical evidence related to the crimes. Sebastian Ortiz, 25, was also arrested during the searches.

Lodato and Crowder were charged with Robbery (1st), Burglary (1st), and two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon (2nd). Ortiz was charged with Criminal Possession of a Weapon (2nd and 3rd).

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Following Lodatos arrest, he was turned over to New York State Police where he was charged in connection with a February 7 high-speed pursuit involving an out of state gun transport. Crowder was also arrested in that incident and was out on bail at the time of his arrest.

This investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact GPD at (585) 865-9200.

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DENVER (KDVR)  A Greeley man was sentenced to spend the rest of his life in prison for shooting and killing a woman in 2022.

The Weld County District Attorney announced Wednesday that a jury found 24-year-old Amos Alainz guilty of first-degree murder in the death of 21-year-old Herminia Marquez.

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The shooting happened on Nov. 28, 2022, in the 1100 block of 24th Street Lane. Police responded around 3:45 a.m. and found Marquez with an apparent gunshot wound, and she was later pronounced dead at a hospital.

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According to a press release from the DA, Alainz shot and killed Marquez after she and Alainzs sister refused to return a vehicle to him. The vehicle was stolen at the time.

Last July, 28-year-old Mary Alicia Garcia was convicted by a jury of first-degree murder for her role in Marquezs death and was sentenced to life in the Department of Corrections. The DA said she drove the getaway vehicle when Alainz shot and killed Marquez. Police also believe she was involved in several other crimes leading up to her arrest in January 2023.

Alainz received the maximum sentence of life in the Department of Corrections without the possibility of parole.

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KYRGYZSTAN (WJHL)  A Greene County family can finally bring their newly adopted daughter to the United States after a long struggle with the adoption process. The Foulks family has spent months trying to bring home a little girl, Nora, who has been in desperate need of surgery.

Gary and Christie Foulks said they were feeling very discouraged with the visa process for their adopted daughter- until a Facebook post by Christie got the attention it needed from Northeast Tennessee legislators.

The Foulks landed in Kyrgyzstan in January to finalize their adoption of Nora. But after a thirty-day hold period, their adoption was appealed because of a lack of significant evidence for the birth mothers termination of rights.

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That was just the beginning of their trouble.

The director of the orphanage in Kyrgyzstan and the Foulks in-country coordinator flew to Moscow to get consent from Noras birth mother.

The birth mother approved.

Then after we received that, we took that to the appeal hearing, and then they granted the adoption, Christie Foulks said.

The Foulks were finally able to pick Nora up from her orphanage on March 20. Eight days later, they had their visa interview and were told they could pick the visa up on April 1. Then, it changed to the next day. After that, an issue arose with Nora being born in Russia, but her birth mother was a citizen of Kyrgyzstan.

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On her birth certificate in court, they had granted that we could change her birthplace to Tokmok, Christie said. Otherwise, we would have had to travel to Russia to get a birth certificate and re-adopt her.

That option was not feasible for the Foulks, as Nora has a heart condition that her pediatrician says needs immediate attention.

She needs a life-saving surgery. She [pediatrician] told them in court that if Nora had to wait much longer to get her surgery, that she would die.

Nora also has Down syndrome and her growth has been significantly stunted more from her heart condition.

Its to the point where Nora is four years old, and she only wears like an 18 to 24 months clothes. She wears a size infant for shoes.

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The Foulks emailed the U.S. Embassy and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services every day trying to get the issue fixed but kept getting replies about needing more guidance.

So I kept, you know, trying to push it in that way, hey, you know, her health has been affected, we dont have time to wait, lets get this expedited. And nobody would listen.

Thats when Christie took to Facebook Sunday to see if anyone knew how to help. The post got the attention of Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger and Sen. Bill Hagerty.

So they were just very on top of their game and within two days, we had her visa.

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The Foulks said they were very grateful to now finally be approved to bring their daughter home.

It feels like a wonderful gift, a gift. She is such a, I dont know, like a little trooper. Shes so fun. Shes so happy. Just a loving little girl and just such a gift to our family.

The Foulks will be back home on Sunday. Then, they are taking Nora to the Vanderbilt Childrens Hospital in Nashville to get her surgery set up.

Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger sent News Channel 11 the following statement:

When the Foulks family reached out to our office, they were in a desperate situation  stuck overseas, fighting to bring their adopted daughter home so she could receive the life-saving care she urgently needed. As we do for any of our constituents in need, my team and I went to work immediately. We worked closely with President Trumps team  specifically his Special Assistant, Jordan Cox  to cut through the red tape and move this case forward. Thanks to their unwavering support, we were able to help bring Nora home where she belongs. Its in moments like these that I thank God for the strength and perseverance of families like the Foulks  and for leaders who are willing to step up and do the right thing. Ill never stop fighting for our families  no matter where in the world they need us. Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger

Christie Foulks advises others who want to adopt from overseas to vet their adoption agency.

Our agency did not have our back with our appeal, our agency did not have our back with the visa process. They just pretty much walked off and left.

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News Channel 11 reached out to the Foulks agent at World Links International Adoption Agency with questions but have not received a response.

The Foulks family also has a GoFundMe set up for financial assistance with Noras heart surgery.

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GREENFIELD, Iowa  Greenfield Mercantile will hold a grand opening ceremony on Saturday, April 12 at noon.

Greenfield Mercantile, which is located at 226 Public Square, Greenfield, IA 50849, has moved into the store front that used to house Iowas longest standing mens clothing store Crooks Clothing from 1888-2007.

The store serves as a brick and mortar retail space for over 27 local vendors.

Kendra Daniels, the owner of Greenfield Mercantile, said she is happy to provide an area for vendors to sell their goods.

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Small Iowa farms could help Iowa food pantries and schools  until federal cuts

Im just happy that the doors are open and were able to provide the space for everybody to sell their stuff and other people to be able to buy it without having to like, Hey, Ill meet you at Fairway, you know, Daniels said.

Daniels said she hopes the store will help draw people to the town of Greenfield.

Im not the only person here. So, were going to have at least four or five, maybe six other businesses open in town that day. Ive made sure Ive networked with everyone to be like, Hey, were probably going to pull a little bit of a crowd. If youd like to open your doors, showcase your stuff. Maybe we can get more travel to Greenfield. Were only an hour out of Des Moines and were only an hour out of Omaha, so were that nice little in between. We can service anybody, Daniels said.

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To learn more about Greenfield Mercantile, visit the stores website.

Iowa News:

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(Reuters) - As the Trump administration intensifies efforts to acquire Greenland from Denmark  or take it by force  some Silicon Valley tech investors are promoting the frozen island as a site for a so-called freedom city, a libertarian utopia with minimal corporate regulation, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters.

The discussions are in early stages, but the idea has been taken seriously by Trump's pick for Denmark ambassador, Ken Howery, who is expected to be confirmed by Congress in the coming months and lead Greenland-acquisition negotiations, the people said. Howery, whose involvement with the idea hasn't been previously reported, once co-founded a venture-capital firm with tech billionaire Peter Thiel, a leading advocate for such low-regulation cities. Howery is also a longtime friend of Elon Musk, a top Trump advisor.

Howery declined to comment. The White House did not respond to requests for comment. Sources who spoke to Reuters requested anonymity to discuss private conversations.

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The vision for Greenland, one of the people said, could include a hub for artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles, space launches, micro nuclear reactors and high-speed rail.

The discussions reflect a longstanding Silicon Valley movement to establish low-regulation cities globally, including in the United States, which Trump himself promised to do in a 2023 campaign video. Proponents use different names for variations on the idea, including startup cities or charter cities, with the common goal of spurring innovation through sweeping regulatory exemptions.

The administrations consideration of such a quixotic quest underscores the growing clout of tech magnates and Trumps increasingly expansionist foreign policy. After campaigning on a largely isolationist platform, Trump has since his November election suggested taking back the Panama Canal, annexing Canada and redeveloping the war-torn Gaza Strip after seizing the beachfront land from displaced Palestinians.

Greenland is about three times the size of Texas with a population of only 57,000. But the island is strategically important to the U.S. military, which has a base there, and contains substantial deposits of minerals, including rare-earths.

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Trump has refused to rule out taking Greenland by military force if Denmark wont sell it.

We have to have Greenland, Trump said late last month as his Vice President, J.D. Vance, visited a U.S. military base on the island.

Vance toured Greenland with his wife Usha Vance, a visit that ignited protests from Greenlanders, who overwhelmingly oppose becoming part of America, polls show. The island is owned by Denmark but governs itself. Greenland's new prime minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, said the U.S. visit signalled a "lack of respect."

Speaking to troops at the U.S. military base, Vance accused Denmark of failing to protect Greenland from very aggressive incursions from Russia, and from China and other nations, without detailing the alleged aggression.

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The government of Denmark declined to comment on the idea of U.S. tech investors founding a city there. Greenland didn't respond.

NEW MANIFEST DESTINY

The freedom-city movement reflects a fascination with settling new American frontiers, rooted in nostalgia for the nations 1800s western expansion. Expanding to Greenland can be the dawn of a new Manifest Destiny, said tech investor Shervin Pishevar, referring to the 19th-century philosophy that America was an exceptional nation with a God-given mission to conquer territory.

Thiel, a libertarian and early Trump supporter, wrote in 2009 that he no longer considered democracy compatible with freedom and has advocated escaping politics by colonizing outer space or seasteading  building communities in ungoverned oceans.

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Fellow venture capitalist Marc Andreessen, an informal advisor to Musks Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), is part of a tech-investor consortium seeking to build a city on grazing land outside San Francisco. Another venture capitalist and informal DOGE advisor, Joe Lonsdale, also promotes low-regulation cities. In a statement to Reuters, Lonsdale celebrated expanding our country to Greenland but did not comment on plans for a city there.

Thiel and Andreessen, leading proponents and financiers of the startup-city movement, are among those supportive of a Greenland outpost, two of the sources said. Reuters could not determine whether the two billionaires are actively lobbying the Trump administration for a Greenland city.

Andreessen declined to comment. Thiel spokesman Jeremiah Hall said: Peter isnt involved in any plans or discussions regarding Greenland." Musk did not respond to comment requests.

Thiel has invested along with Andreessen and Pishevar in Pronomos Capital, a venture-capital firm that has launched a half dozen charter-city projects globally, according to Pronomos founder Patri Friedman, the grandson of famous free-market economist Milton Friedman. Most Pronomos projects are in development and negotiations with various governments, Friedman said, but it has helped finance one existing startup community in Honduras called Prospera.

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Pronomos also invested in Praxis, a city-building venture that in October announced $525 million in financing for a new city. Praxis' investors include Lonsdale, a fund launched by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and his brothers, and Pishevar, who co-founded Hyperloop One, a defunct venture that tried to commercialize an idea championed by Musk.

Praxis co-founder Dryden Brown told Reuters other companies have approached Praxis about helping to establish a Greenland city. Brown flew to Greenland last year. He advocates for building a city there in part because its harsh environment could provide a test site for colonizing Mars - one of Musks highest ambitions.

"We must build a prototype of Terminus on Earth before departing for Mars, Brown posted on X in November, using Musks term for a red-planet settlement. I believe Greenland is the place, @elonmusk.

(This story has been refiled to clarify that Musk championed the idea of a hyperloop, not the venture, in paragraph 20)

(Reporting by Rachael Levy in Washington and Alexandra Ulmer in San Francisco; Additional reporting by Patricia Zengerle; Editing by Anna Driver and Brian Thevenot)
LONDON (AP)  Police in London arrested six people on Thursday after environmental activists from Greenpeace poured 300 liters (79 gallons) of blood-red dye into a pond in front of the U.S. Embassy in a protest against arms sales to Israel.

The Metropolitan Police said the six people had been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and conspiracy to cause criminal damage. It added that there was no breach or attempted breach of the secure perimeter of the embassy building, as the pond was accessible via a public footpath.

Greenpeace U.K. said 12 of its activists tipped non-toxic, biodegradable dye from containers emblazoned with the words Stop Arming Israel into the pond.

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In a statement, the independent global campaigning network said its U.K. co-executive director, Will McCallum, was among those arrested after the protest, which was aimed at highlighting "the death and devastation caused in Gaza as a direct result of the U.S.s continued sale of weapons to Israel.

It said the containers of dye were delivered to the embassy on bicycles with trailers disguised as delivery bikes.

The embassy said the protest had damaged a 1.5 million gallon (4.5 million liters) water supply on the property, wasting a local environmental resource."
Last month, a North Dakota jury found the environmental advocacy group Greenpeace liable for its role in the 2016 Standing Rock protests, awarding fossil fuel giant Energy Transfer $667 million in damages.

It was the latest turn in a nine-year legal odyssey that started with Energy Transfer alleging Greenpeace secretly orchestrated the protests through a campaign of misinformation and eco-terrorism, and ended, for now, with North Dakota Senator Kevin Cramer saying, This is what justice looks like in America.

This is what justice looks like in America  a show trial filled with billionaire fantasy grievances against an imaginary enemy  and it is deeply unfair.

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Greenpeace contended that its support for the water protectors at Standing Rock was in line with its values  over 50 years of non-violent activism  and none of the evidence Energy Transfer presented contradicted that.

None of the evidence at trial showed Greenpeace staff involved in violence or property destruction, or how tweets or email blasts from Greenpeace caused permitting delays or financial divestment. It was a vibes-based decision, and the Greenpeace vibes in North Dakota are, to put it mildly, bad.

But thats not the whole story.

This wasnt just a ritualistic killing of a non-profit. It was a test of values, of strategy, and of solidarity for an organization faced with existential risk brought on by the oligarchy.

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In a moment where many large legacy institutions like Columbia University, The Washington Post, and various high-profile law firms are recalculating risk and rationalizing complicity with the aspiring autocrats, Greenpeace chose to stand by its allies.

Greenpeace didnt cave to settlement offers that would have required it to betray Indigenous communities and equivocate about the Dakota Access Pipelines impact. Even during the trial, when things were looking bleak, the organization didnt shift blame onto smaller partners to save itself. In the end, Greenpeace stayed true to its values. These include the movements Jemez Principles for Democratic Organizing  which emphasize inclusivity, bottom-up organizing, and mutual solidarity  as well as Greenpeace USAs own Indigenous Peoples Policy, a commitment to respecting the leadership and sovereignty of Indigenous Peoples.

Greenpeace lost a trial, but it kept its soul.

Greenpeace as an ally organization has not gotten everything right over the years  not by a long shot. Critics have called out its Big Green top-down tendencies, and in particular Greenpeaces love of the limelight, which can often overshadow local organizing, or even take credit for it.

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But one thing Greenpeace in the U.S. has consistently brought to the table in the past two decades is an institutional commitment to duty of care  a promise that if you join Greenpeace in taking a risk in the name of justice, the organization will do its best to share responsibility.

At its core, duty of care in organizations like Greenpeace is a comprehensive commitment to the physical, legal, and emotional well-being of activists and community partners. Its not simply about sharing petitions and raising awareness but about creating a holistic safety net that protects those who take risks for a larger cause.

Duty of care is fundamentally about creating a culture of group responsibility. It transforms activism from individual heroics to a collective movement where no one is left behind.

This duty means making hard, high-stakes decisions in alignment with the values and safety of the broader movement, even when theres a chance those decisions might mean more legal or financial risk. Or even the end of the organization itself.

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Throughout the nine years of this lawsuit, Greenpeace maintained its ethic of care, supporting its own activists in the field, as well as partners, providing legal protection and reputational hits when necessary. As part of the larger concept of duty of care, Greenpeace plans for risk, avoids it whenever possible, and shares it when it cant be avoided. This duty of care includes not passing consequences on to more vulnerable partners, even when, in this case, it meant potentially hundreds of millions of dollars.

Greenpeace understood that standing with Standing Rock meant being accountable for what could follow, even if what followed was legal harassment, internal conflict, and potential bankruptcy. Thats what solidarity actually looks like: showing up even when showing up means risking it all.

This isnt just a principled choice  its a movement strategy. Solidarity and duty of care build the connective tissue that lets movements survive legal repression, state violence, and corporate disinformation. In an era of resurgent authoritarianism and corporate lawfare, these values are more than noble. They are necessary.

Which brings us back to this case.

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For nine years, Energy Transfers strategic lawsuit against public participation, or SLAPP, drained Greenpeaces time, money, morale, and momentum. It created internal fractures and chilled bold action. And yet, even as things got legally terrifying and rumors swirled about potential off-ramps, Greenpeace refused to sell out its partners.

The most crucial moment came when, at some point before the case went to trial, Energy Transfer floated the idea of a settlement.

The details are hazy, and no one on either side will confirm the specifics, but the gist was that for substantially less than $667 million, Energy Transfer would be willing to drop the suit if Greenpeace would do some version of the following: agree with Energy Transfers version of what is and what is not tribal land with cultural significance; publicly admit some of the water protectors were responsible for the violence at Standing Rock; and state on the record that core pieces of the Dakota Access Pipeline were safe, or, at least, that it hadnt up until that point leaked into the water supply.

In the end, there was no settlement. The case went to trial. And Greenpeace lost.

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While there will likely be an appeal, Greenpeace doesnt have anything close to the $667 million the jury asked them to pay.

Of course, the case was never about the money. Energy Transfers market cap, even now, is $55 billion. Whats another $667 million to them? This SLAPP suit was about wasting time, sowing division, exacerbating any tensions between internal and external factions, and isolating targets. It was about making solidarity scary.

Which is what happened.

The Energy Transfer SLAPP consumed Greenpeaces time, resources, and energy for nearly a decade. As the suit moved through the legal system, Greenpeace burrowed deeper and deeper into a bunker mentality. Fear and second-guessing crept in. Staff morale plummeted. Greenpeaces traditional tactics  canvassing outside grocery stores, bird-dogging centrist Democrats, stunting outside corporate HQs  failed to find purchase. Public financial documents showed that from 2017 to 2023, Greenpeace started taking bigger and bigger swings to seem relevant  but nothing got the same kind of attention as saving the whales, the Arctic, or the rainforest did. After years of lean operations and tight financial control, Greenpeaces liabilities more than tripled. Meanwhile, the right-wing interests increasingly and effectively defined activist organizations in the publics imagination not as grassroots communities but as elite bureaucracies  arms of a Georgetown-to-Berkeley nonprofit-industrial complex, a cartel of coastal postgraduate resistors with 401ks and slick PR consultants, paid protestors disconnected from everyday struggles.

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The lawsuit marched on, seemingly still just a nuisance case that would eventually die of its own accord, until in 2024 it suddenly seemed like it would actually go to trial. Staffers had to turn their phones and Slack chats over to lawyers. They were deposed. A culture of internal distrust and risk aversion turned solidarity into, at times, every activist for themselves.

Thats the real danger: not the money, but the precedent  that standing in solidarity can bankrupt you, that risk-sharing is a liability that its smarter to duck, deflect, or disavow. But Greenpeace didnt.

We dont yet know how Greenpeace will survive this verdict. The damages are absurd  more symbolic than collectible. But this SLAPP suit worked as intended. It isolated Greenpeace, sowed distrust, and scared others into silence. Still, the solidarity held. Which matters as much, if not more, than the money. Because movements need institutions willing to bear weight. They need organizations that wont flinch when the state or corporate power comes knocking. They need infrastructure that doesnt evaporate at the first sign of real risk.

In that way, Greenpeace has modeled a kind of resistance we will need more of in the next four years, at least. And even if this moment marks the end of Greenpeace U.S. as weve known it, let it also be the beginning of a broader commitment across the movement: that duty of care is not just a bullet point in a Google doc. Its a principle. Its a strategy. And its the heart of solidarity.

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Travis Nichols is a former Communications Director at Greenpeace USA. He is director of Instrumental Comms, and is a writer and editor living in Atlanta.

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London  One of the heads of Greenpeace U.K. was among six activists arrested Thursday after dumping red dye into a pond outside the U.S. Embassy in London, the group said. The activists were protesting continued weapons sales by the United States to Israel amid the ongoing war in Gaza.

"We took this action because U.S. weapons continue to fuel an indiscriminate war that's seen bombs dropped on schools and hospitals, entire neighborhoods blasted to rubble, and tens of thousands of Palestinian lives obliterated," Areeba Hamid, co-executive director at Greenpeace U.K., said in a statement, confirming that co-executive director Will McCallum was among those detained. "As the biggest supplier of weapons to the Israeli military, the U.S. government bears a heavy responsibility for the horrors unfolding in Gaza."

London's Metropolitan Police said five arrests had taken place outside the U.S. embassy at 7:30 a.m. local time (2:30 a.m. Eastern) after officers noticed people putting dye into the pond. The reason for the discrepancy in the number of people arrested was not immediately clear.

Greenpeace U.K. activists pour red dye into a pond outside the U.S. embassy in London on Thursday, April 10 2025. / Credit: Handout/Greenpeace U.K.

"The group made off but officers responded quickly and carried out a search of the area," the police said. "Five people have so far been arrested nearby on suspicion of criminal damage and conspiracy to cause criminal damage."

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The police said there was no security breach of the U.S. embassy grounds during the incident.

"The pond is accessible via a public footpath. There was no breach or attempted breach of the secure perimeter of the site," they said.

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PHNOM PENH, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia earned 114.9 million U.S. dollars in revenue from exports of natural rubber latex in the first quarter of 2025, up 14.4 percent from 100.4 million dollars over the same period last year, said an official report on Thursday.

The report released by the General Directorate of Rubber showed that the kingdom exported 59,754 tons of the commodity during the January-March period this year, down 13.8 percent from 69,322 tons over the same period last year.

"A ton of rubber latex averagely cost 1,923 U.S. dollars in Q1 of 2025, about 474 dollars higher than that of Q1 in 2024," Khun Kakada, acting-director general of the General Directorate of Rubber, said in the report.

The Southeast Asian nation exports the commodity mainly to Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore and China.

Cambodia has so far planted rubber trees on a total area of 425,443 hectares, with the trees on 330,259 hectares, or 77.6 percent, old enough to be tapped, the report said. 
On April 18, J.B. McNatt of Greenville  beloved rancher, business man and World War II veteran  will celebrate his 101st birthday.

In recognition of this milestone, on Tuesday, McNatt was presented with both a proclamation from Greenville Mayor Jerry Ransom as well as a framed American flag that formerly flew over the Texas State Capitol courtesy of the office of State Rep. Brent Money.

Your contributions to our community, your service to our nation, and your enduring spirit of entrepreneurship and dedication deserve our highest recognition and deepest gratitude, Ransom said. Therefore, be it resolved that we do hereby proclaim April 18, 2025 as J.B. McNatt Day in honor of his 101st birthday, and in recognition of his extraordinary life, service and achievements.

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As was indicated in the proclamation, McNatt is the kind of centenarian who truly does not intend on slowing down.

Born in Hunt County near Merit, McNatt mostly grew up on a 126-acre cotton farm located about eight miles northwest of Greenville that his grandmother bought for $3 an acre in 1903. Eventually, McNatts father transitioned the property from a cotton farm into a cattle ranch.

While the hard work of farm life kept McNatt busy, that didnt stop him from graduating from high school early in 1941, after which he studied agriculture at East Texas State Teachers College (now East Texas A&M University).

However, like many of his generation, McNatt put his academics on hold as soon as he turned 18 and he enlisted in the U.S. military to serve during World War II.

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Choosing to serve in the Army Air Corps, McNatt found himself working on the atomic bomb project  otherwise known as the Manhattan Project.

I didnt actually know what we were working on when I was there but when the bombs dropped, all we knew was that we were going home, McNatt told the Herald-Banner in a past interview.

After the war, McNatt continued his education until completing a masters of education degree at Sam Houston State Teachers College (now Sam Houston State University). Despite the title of his degree, McNatt didnt really pursue a career in teaching, except for a stint teaching agriculture to veterans.

Instead, McNatt spent the next five decades selling cars, during which he opened his own dealership, J.B. McNatt Auto, on Wesley Street next to CBs Sandwich Shop, which he operated for 23 years.

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I sold cars for years but eventually my wife, Libby, told me that I was getting so old and ornery that I needed to get back to the ranch, McNatt said.

He and Libby were married for 72 years  from July 1943 until her passing in November of 2015.

These days, McNatt is a respected and admired member of the community who can regularly be seen at Greenville ISDs annual Veterans Day program, at which he has been the only World War II veteran in attendance these last few years.

In regard to his accomplishments, McNatt maintains a humble-but-proud attitude.

I was raised on a farm. We were sharecroppers, McNatt said when he was recognized at Tuesdays Greenville City Council meeting. We had nothing  but Ive been blessed beyond all expectation. The Lord has been good to me.

Im thankful for being able to serve with the United States Air Corps, and if they called me back, Id go again, he added with a smile.
In 1989, Ronald Johnson did not think he would live to see old age. Johnson, a Black gay man, was diagnosed with HIV that year, during the height of the U.S. AIDS epidemic, when the life expectancy was 1 to 2 years after diagnosis.

I just assumed that I would die, Johnson told The 19th. Im from New York City, and particularly before treatments, I was seeing friends and people I know dying. Then going into the 90s when treatments became available, and there was the struggle to get access to the treatment, dealing with managing the regimen of treatment: the number of pills that you had to take, some had to be refrigerated, some had to be taken before meals, some taken with meals. It was a challenge.

Over the course of his career as a respected advocate and policy expert, Johnson watched activists and researchers fight for treatments and prevention efforts so that he and others could live long, happy lives. With modern treatments, a person living with HIV now has a similar life expectancy as someone who does not have HIV.

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Thirty-six years after Johnsons HIV diagnosis, on the afternoon of his 77th birthday, he spoke with The 19th about a new threat that he fears will disrupt those decades of progress  and could hit older LGBTQ+ people the hardest: federal cuts across a range of health equity and social safety net programs, particularly in HIV services under the Department of Health and Human Services.

The National Institutes of Health has reportedly canceled hundreds of active grants funding research on HIV and AIDS, according to the science journal Nature. Last week, thousands of employees at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were fired or put on administrative leave. This includes those working in HIV prevention and treatment like Dr. Jonathan Mermin, the director of the National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention.

Among its responsibilities, the center monitors HIV transmission trends, conducts research on prevention strategies, publishes guidance on medications for pre- and post- exposure to HIV and funds community-based prevention and treatment organizations. The CDC cuts are part of a broader push by President Donald Trumps administration that also includes possible cuts to Medicaid and the elimination of the Administration for Community Living, which funds services to help aging people and those with disabilities live independently in their communities versus being housed in institutions.

Advocates say that the cumulative loss of services will be devastating for older people living with HIV, a disproportionate number of whom are LGBTQ+. About 54 percent of people living with HIV in the United States are ages 50 and older. By 2030, researchers estimate that this proportion will increase to 70 percent of those living with HIV. In 2021, this age group represented 16 percent of new HIV diagnoses in the country.

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In general, most people dont think about older people and sexuality or sexual health, said Terri Wilder, the HIV/aging policy advocate at Sage, a national organization focused on older LGBTQ+ people. Were very concerned that people are going to acquire HIV. Some people are not going to be connected to care. They may not have access to a test to find out if they have HIV, and by the time they find out, they might be so sick and ill that they may be very vulnerable to death.

Older LGBTQ+ people with HIV sit at the intersection of multiple marginalized identities. Older people and queer people generally are both at higher risk of receiving improper or discriminatory medical care. They also face challenges with housing insecurity and financial instability that can worsen with the costs of medical treatments.

These factors can converge with remaining HIV stigma and inconsistent access to education, prevention and treatment efforts, which create barriers to identifying HIV and receiving care soon after exposure to the virus. In 2021, an estimated 34 percent of people aged 55 and older in the United States were also diagnosed with AIDS, or late-stage HIV, according to CDC data.

I think with increasing age, we also tend to see a decline in the immune systems associated with aging. And so when youre combining age-associated decline with HIV, then we see a more rapid declining immune system function, like with an earlier progression to AIDS, said Kristine Erlandson, a professor with the University of Colorado School of Medicines division of infectious diseases.

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Beyond the education and prevention work, older people with HIV have other considerations. As people age with HIV, many experience conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, bone frailty or heart disease at younger ages than expected, Erlandson said. This has raised questions about whether providers need to be testing for and treating these other conditions more aggressively at an earlier age for people with HIV.

Federal agencies like the CDC play a key role in HIV prevention and treatment. The National Institutes of Health runs clinical trials used for vaccine development, the Health Resources and Services Administrations Ryan White Program provides funding for HIV clinics, especially for uninsured or low-income people. The CDC was the first federal agency to monitor the HIV epidemic in the 1980s, and it continues to fund community work and maintain important geographic data that can show if a particular state or region of the country is experiencing an outbreak.

Though people over the age of 50 have been overlooked in HIV prevention and treatment work broadly, advocates made strides in recent years to bring more attention to their needs. In 2024, a new rule designated people living with HIV and LGBTQ+ people as populations of greatest social need under the Older Americans Act. The law was initially passed in 1965 to fund a network of programs and services aimed at addressing a range of needs, including caregiving, transportation and nutrition.

As a result of the updated rule, states need to specifically account for the ways in which they are addressing the needs of these populations. So its a way for the feds to essentially make sure that these populations are given the care and attention that they need, regardless of whether you live in Oklahoma or Massachusetts, said Kae Greenberg, a staff attorney at the Center for HIV Law and Policy.

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Authorization for the Older Americans Act expired in September. In December, the Senate passed a measure for reauthorization, but the House did not vote on the bill before the end of the congressional session. Last year, Wilder from Sage and other advocates were also close to changing the CDCs HIV screening guidelines, which currently recommends providers offer tests to people between the ages of 13 and 64. Wilder said removing the upper age limit would support testing for older people.

The current political climate has created stress and anxiety for older people living with HIV who are left with the uncertainty of what services and medical coverage they have access to, Johnson said.

During Trumps first term he praised scientific breakthroughs in prevention work and promised to end the HIV epidemic by 2030. Johnson  who spent years working on AIDS policy locally in New York City and at national organizations  said its unclear what kind of progress, if any, will continue to address these concerns during the new administration.

I am very, very upset over what has been taking place in the past few weeks and what is taking place every day, Johnson said. The infrastructure of care, prevention and research that has developed over the 40-plus years of this epidemic is virtually being eliminated or drastically reduced to the point that the progress that we have made, and the impact of that progress on peoples lives  the saving of lives  is being threatened.

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The post Growing old with HIV is now possible. Trumps CDC cuts threaten that progress. appeared first on The 19th.

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CHARLES COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now)  The sheriffs office is investigating after a gun went off in a 9-year-old students backpack Thursday morning at Billingsley Elementary School in Waldorf, officials said.

Parents charged after gun goes off in 3rd grade students backpack at Spotsylvania County school

Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) told DC News Now that a student was looking for a paper in their book bag, which was between their legs, when the gun accidentally discharged in the bag.

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The gun was directed toward the ground, and no one in the classroom was injured by the gunfire.

The student had allegedly brought the gun from home but shared that they had no intentions of hurting anyone, according to CCPS.

The Charles County Sheriffs Office said the gun belonged to a relative who was visiting the students family.

How the child got possession of the gun is being investigated.

Deputies: Boyfriend is person of interest in 23-year-old Waldorf mothers disappearance

The school resource officer was on site when the incident occurred and has been integral in our investigation, said the school system, in part. We are working with the Charles County Sheriffs Office to further investigate.

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The school resource officer, who was near the classroom at the time, quickly recovered the gun from the student, according to the Charles County Sheriffs Office.

(Courtesy: Charles County Sheriffs Office)

In a post on X, CCPS said all staff and students were safe and accounted for, but that school would be dismissing at noon.

The incident comes just days after a gun went off in an elementary schoolers backpack in Spotsylvania County, in neighboring Virginia. Both of the students parents have since been charged in that case.

Waldorf resident Kris Feaster said she was glad nobody got hurt.

To find out this happened at an elementary school was so shocking. How does an elementary student get a hold of a gun, she said. So obviously an investigation should be done to make sure a student cant access weapons.

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Gary Blair was shocked to hear what happened.

I am glad nobody was hurt, but an accidental discharge, but that doesnt go to the heart of the problem, he said. Why did he have it and why did he take it to school? Most everyone knows weapons dont belong in school and are not allowed in school.

Supreme Court says Trump administration must facilitate return of deported Maryland man

Gun expert Jarriel Jordan is urging parents to keep their guns safely stored and away from children.

Guns should be stored away safely in the household to prevent any tragic incidents, and there are steps we need to take, such as storing guns inside a lock box or gun safe, Jordan said.

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HADLEY, Mass. (WWLP)  A man arrested by the FBI in Hadley early this week is now being held in custody awaiting a detention hearing on Tuesday.

According to federal court documents, 43-year-old Jacob D. Miller is facing a federal charge of unlawful possession of ammunition and firearms by a person previously convicted of a crime.

Millers home on Hockanum Road in Hadley was searched by FBI agents Tuesday morning after the bureau received a search warrant for the property. According to an affidavit filed by FBI Special Agent Dustin Farivar, investigators found a box containing 50 rounds of .45 caliber ammunition in the home. Agents received a separate search warrant to open two safes at Millers home, where they allegedly found the following guns:

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Remington Model 514

J Stevens Arms Company Single Gun

Remington Sportsmaster Model 511

O.F. Mossberg and Sons No. 44B

Marlin Family Firearms rifle

Remington Model 12C, .22 Rifle

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Farivars affidavit notes that Miller was convicted of a single count of possession of child pornography and two counts of possession of an explosive device back in 2004. He had been sentenced to probation on the child pornography charge and one of the explosives counts and two and a half years in jail on the other explosives count. In 2012, he was found to be in violation of his probation. Millers probation was terminated in 2018.

Federal law prohibits anyone who has been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment of more than one year from shipping or receiving any firearm or ammunition that may have been transported in interstate or foreign commerce.

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Arraignment for Miller was held on Wednesday at the U.S. District Court in Springfield. Miller was released from custody, but some state officials are greatly concerned about threats to public safety. Now, he is being held pending a detention hearing scheduled on Tuesday at U.S. District Court in Springfield.

Miller-Detention-AffidavitDownload

The U.S. Attorneys Office states that he was released only on the condition that MassDEP is allowed to search his home for any hazardous materials. An affidavit from an FBI agent says chemicals used in the manufacturing of explosives are believed to be missing from his home.

When MassDEP began their search of the residence around 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, the hazardous materials, including large quantities of mercury, appeared to be missing. According to court documents, Miller appears to have removed, or had these substances removed, either after the FBIs search of his residence or after his initial appearance in court. Those documents allege he lied to MassDEP about there being any mercury stored in his house at all.

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If convicted, he could face up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

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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.

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HAGERSTOWN, Md. (DC News Now)  Volunteers have been busy this week making plans for the reopening of the Train Hub Museum at Hagerstown City Park.

Grassroots group Save Locomotive 202 has been working to keep some artifacts after the historic locomotive  the centerpiece of the museum park  caught the attention of a prospective buyer in Western Maryland.

But a citizens group has formed a nonprofit to get city halls support for keeping the locomotive in the community, which is so tied to railroad history in the region.

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We are serious about keeping Locomotive 202 preserved for the railroad heritage community in Hagerstown, says Karen Dunn Swafford, a volunteer for the effort.

Martinsburg High School band to perform in Cherry Blossom Festival Parade

Were determined to pitch in and do everything we can to preserve our rail heritage here in Hagerstown, says Richard M. Roche, founder of the Hagerstown chapter of the National Railroad Historical Society.

The rail enthusiasts have an afternoon of fun planned this Sunday at Hagerstown City Parks Train Hub Museum. The Easter bunny will also be on hand from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

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Hamptons $678 million proposed spending plan for the upcoming fiscal year lowers real estate taxes for the fourth straight year while anticipating a decrease in sales tax revenue.

The proposed budget is a nearly 5.4% increase from this years and includes $99 million for school funding, a 3.5% general wage increase and a 1-cent real estate tax reduction to $1.14 per $100 of assessed value. City Manager Mary Bunting said during Wednesdays presentation to the City Council higher property assessments have allowed Hampton to be aggressive in lowering property taxes, which have fallen by 10 cents since the 2022 fiscal year.

That revenue is going toward essential services and planned investments in places like education, infrastructure and local business development. However, Bunting said federal downsizing, new tariffs and resulting market volatility created unprecedented challenges for the city, making the proposed budget an attempt at creating fiscally responsible stability.

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Bunting added that stability includes finding jobs for displaced federal workers and recognizing less discretionary spending due to instability will likely lead to less consumer-driven tax revenue.

A revenue forecast, which the city released prior to federal tariff implementation, projected nearly $470 million for the 2026 fiscal year, a 4.6% increase from this year. This includes a projected 4% increase in meal tax revenue and a 6.4% increase in sales and use tax revenue.

Bunting said this spending plan includes limited new spending, and she anticipates a freeze on any new programs or positions moving forward.

This approach is the same that we undertook at the outset of the COVID pandemic, and it ultimately served us extremely well, Bunting said. By budgeting for the best case, but controlling for the worst, we are extremely adaptable to whatever may come our way.

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However, the plan would increase the stormwater fee by $1 per month to help fund projects to improve drainage and reduce flooding.

The wastewater fee would increase by $2.74 per CCF per month, as part of a regional effort to improve water quality. Most of Hamptons pipes are over 65 years old, and a third will be 100 by 2040. Hampton increased the fee by 46 cents in the 2025 fiscal year budget. According to Bunting, this additional hike is a step to comply with regional goals and will go toward aging infrastructure repairs and maintenance.

This is a problem impacting all Virginia localities, but most especially those of us with the oldest infrastructure, Bunting said. All impacted localities are having to raise fees to meet the mandated requirements, and failure to do so would not only result in negative environmental consequences, but also the potential of severe financial penalties.

Estimates indicate Hampton would need to spend $106 million by 2030 and another $124 million in capital projects by 2040 to meet these goals. The citys five-year proposed CIP budget is $460.4 million.

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One of the citys biggest investments in the proposed operating budget is $99 million for school funding, which is $42 million above state requirements. However, Bunting noted state requirements are artificially low for proper school function.

Most of the citys proposed new spending would go toward public safety, including five new advanced life support technician positions, a retrofitted EMS building, police drones and first-year funding for a marine dive and boat equipment replacement project. The city also plans to fund the Hopeful Hampton Divergent program, a mental health and conflict mediation service.

The citys public safety plans extend upgrading spaces based on community feedback as well. Traffic signal upgrades, bridge repairs, historic cemetery upkeep, park improvements and tree maintenance are all part of the citys spending plan.

The budget demonstrates that Hampton is not standing still, Bunting said. We are growing smarter, safer, more inclusive and more prepared for the opportunities and challenges ahead.

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The full recommended budget will be released on April 15 and the City Council will hold public hearings April 23 and May 7. The final council budget vote will take place on May 14.

Devlin Epding, 757-510-4037, devlin.epding@virginiammedia.com
JAKARTA, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia has been developing an artificial intelligence (AI)-based malaria detection system that will use data from various places around the country to recognize distinct malaria parasite species, according to the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN).

"This technology utilizes morpho-geometric feature extraction to identify the size and shape of infected blood cells," said Anto Satriyo Nugroho, head of BRIN's Research Center for Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity, in a press release on Wednesday.

The AI system is designed to detect a patient's malaria infection status automatically by analyzing blood smear microphotographs.

Although one of the most difficult aspects of building the system is the parasite's changing morphology throughout the mosquito's life cycle, BRIN is optimistic that the technology will make a substantial contribution to malaria eradication efforts in Indonesia.

BRIN has also encouraged collaboration among scholars, industry, and government to create AI that is relevant to local requirements. 
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md.  Deploying dismounted Marine units will soon field handheld counter-drone system prototypes as the service also bulks up their drone protection on fixed bases.

Those systems, paired with an increased emphasis on air defense training for all Marines, are part of how the Corps is getting after the drone threat.

The announcement came Tuesday at the Navy Leagues annual Sea, Air and Space Exposition during a panel on Marine Corps modernization.

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It has been a long time, maybe since World War II, since a member of an infantry squad on the ground actually had to look up or over his shoulder do anything other than clear an aircraft hot, or call in a medevac or something like that, said Lt. Gen. Benjamin Watson, head of Training and Education Command.

Drone killing Marines: Corps seeks buckshot-like counter-drone gear

The Marine Corps provided few details about the prototypes, citing security concerns.

As a matter of operational security, the exact technologies will not be discussed, but the interim solution fielded will allow Marines to detect, track, identify, and kinetically and non-kinetically defeat adversary [small unmanned aircraft systems] in a dismounted formation, according to a release.

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Watson noted that in the Cold War era, Marines commonly trained in defending small units from air attack. That was less necessary during the era of complete air superiority that troops experienced in recent wars.

A return to cover, concealment and camouflage focus is also part of the initiative, Watson said.

We may never fight again with the air superiority in the way we have traditionally come to appreciate it, Watson said.

The protection isnt just for the infantry, either.

One of the things that is apparent to all of us is that unmanned aerial systems are a threat not just to infantry Marines, but to all Marines, said Lt. Gen. Eric Austin, head of Combat Development Command.

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Those deploying units are likely going to be the Marine Expeditionary Units and Marine Littoral Regiments, a Marine official told Marine Corps Times.

The handheld dismounted prototypes are for defeating small drone threats, which thwart small, dismounted units. The Corps also has a larger ground-based air defense program known as GBAD, which works against larger threats, such as missiles and mortars.

Current Ground Based Air Defense (GBAD) capabilities that are being fielded today predominantly focus on mounted platforms organic to the Low Altitude Air Defense Battalions (LAAD Bn) and the Littoral Anti-Air Battalions (LAAB), which encompass the entire air defense continuum up to and including defeating manned aircraft and cruise missile threats, according to a Marine release. Those dedicated air defense assets are not always practical or available at scale to support individual unit operations.

The selection came after a year-long review process and a fly-off, which pitted various systems against each other in September, officials said.

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In March, the Corps awarded a $642 million, 10-year contract to Anduril to provide installation-based, counter-drone equipment to protect Marine bases and fixed sites.

The same company received a $200 million contract to develop the Marine Air Defense Integrated System in November. The MADIS and L-MADIS, a light version, are key to protecting disparate, disaggregated units from a range of airborne threats.
Three people in Mammoth Lakes died recently after contracting hantavirus, the same infection that killed Gene Hackman's wife Betsy Arakawa earlier this year. The cases have heightened concerns among public health officials about the spread of the rare, but deadly disease that attacks the lungs.

At a news conference last month, Dr. Heather Jarrell, chief medical examiner at the New Mexico medical investigators office, said that the mortality rate is between 38% and 50% among those infected in the American Southwest. It wasn't on many people's radar until New Mexico's chief medical examiner confirmed Arakawa, 65, died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in March.

The virus can spread through the urine, feces or saliva of wild rodents, including deer mice, which are common in many parts of California, according to the California Department of Public Health.

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All three individuals who contracted and died from the virus in Mammoth Lakes experienced symptoms beginning in February. Of the three, only one had numerous mice in their home, according to health officials  however, there was evidence of mice in the places where all three had worked.

That "is not unusual for indoor spaces this time of year in Mammoth Lakes," said Dr. Tom Boo, a public health officer for Mono County, home to Mammoth Lakes.

"We believe that deer mouse numbers are high this year in Mammoth, and probably elsewhere in the Eastern Sierra," he said. "An increase in indoor mice elevates the risk of hantavirus exposure."

Mono County has reported 27 cases of hantavirus since 1993, the most of any county in California.

Has hantavirus been detected in Los Angeles County before?

Hantavirus is rare in Los Angeles County, and most cases have been linked to out-of-county exposure. Los Angeles County's last reported hantavirus-related death was in 2006.

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Even though rodents are more likely to be found in rural and semi-urban areas, any area or structure that the animals take up as a home can be a concern when it comes to infectious disease, whether it's in a city or out in the country. Infrequently used buildings such as sheds, cabins, storage facilities, campgrounds and construction sites are particularly at risk for rodent infestation.

How can you protect yourself against hantavirus?

Hantavirus cases can occur year-round, but the peak seasons for reported cases in the United States are spring and early summer  which coincide with the reproductive seasons for deer mice.

To limit the risk of infection, avoid rodents, their droppings and nesting materials.

In addition, do what you can to keep wild rodents out of your home, workplace, cabin, shed, car, camper, or other closed space.

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To do so, Los Angeles County public health officials suggest:



Sealing up holes (the width of a pencil or larger) and other openings where rodents like mice can get in.

Place snap traps to catch any rodents (The CDC cautions against using glue traps or live traps because they can scare the rodents, causing them to urinate, which increases your chance of exposure to any virus they may be carrying.)

Store all food items in rodent-proof containers .

If you discover evidence of mice in your home or workplace, set up snap traps and clean up their waste.

If that occurs, local and state officials offer the following guidance on how to clean up while protecting yourself against exposure:

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Before you clean:



Air out the space you will be cleaning for 30 minutes.

Get rubber or plastic gloves, an N-95 mask and a disinfectant or a mixture of bleach and water.

While cleaning (with gloves on):



Spray the contaminated areas with your disinfectant and let it soak for at least 5 minutes.

Do not sweep or vacuum the area  that could stir up droppings or other infectious materials into the air.

Use paper towels, a sponge, or a mop to clean. Put all cleaning materials into a bag and toss it in your trash bin.

What to expect if you do contract the hantavirus

Symptoms are similar to other respiratory infections, which include fever, headache, muscle aches and difficulty breathing. Some people also experience nausea, stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhea.

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The symptoms usually develop weeks after breathing in air contaminated by infected deer mice.

Complications of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome can lead to damaged lung tissues and fluid buildup in the lungs, according to the Mayo Clinic. It can also affect heart function; severe cases may result in failure of the heart to deliver oxygen to the body. The signs to look out for include cough, difficulty breathing, low blood pressure and irregular heart rate.

What can you do to treat hantavirus pulmonary syndrome?

There isn't specific treatment or a cure for the disease, according to the American Lung Assn. However, early medical care can increase the chances of survival.

If the virus is detected early and the infected person receives medical attention in an intensive care unit, the ALA said, there is a chance the person will improve.

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The ICU treatment may include intubation and oxygen therapy, fluid replacement and use of medications to lower blood pressure.

If your symptoms become severe call your healthcare provider.



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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
A Palestinian-American billionaire with close ties to the Trump administration has stepped down from the deans council at Harvard Universitys Kennedy School of Government following a lawsuit filed by nearly 200 Israelis whose relatives were killed in the October 7, 2023, cross-border Hamas attack that left more than 1,200 dead.

Bashar Masri allegedly aided and abetted Hamas by actively working with [the terrorist organization] to build and maintain its attack tunnel infrastructure while simultaneously advancing Hamass campaign of deception, according to a civil complaint filed Monday in Washington, D.C. federal court.

A representative for Masri denied the being involved in unlawful activity and said he has been involved in humanitarian work for the past decade.

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Mr. Masri has resigned from the Deans Council, a spokesperson for the Kennedy School of Government told the New York Post on Thursday. The lawsuit raises serious allegations that should be vetted and addressed through the legal process.

Masri, who has advised Adam Boehler, President Donald Trump's special envoy for hostage affairs on future plans for the Gaza Strip, helped Hamas renovate and refurbish hotels, including electrical upgrades used to power Hamass tunnel network beneath them, and to restore and enhance the rocket launching sites positioned near the hotels, according to the complaint, which says Hamas used the locations to pull off the October 7 incursion.

Masri has stepped down from the deans council at Harvard Universitys Kennedy School of Government (Getty Images)

Hamass terrorist tunnel network not only ran under Masris hotels, but the tunnels were accessible directly from guest rooms and other facilities inside the hotels, the complaint states. ... During and after the October 7 Attack, Hamas used Defendants hotels and the tunnel network connected to them both as a base of operations and a defensive position from which to later ambush IDF troops.

The families are bringing the action under the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act, or, JASTA.

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Masri, who keeps a home in Washington, D.C., supervised the construction via a number of holding companies which provided services that legitimized Hamas and gave its operations greater protection from Israeli and U.S. action, the complaint claims. He developed and operated prime properties in Gaza for outwardly legitimate purposes, it goes on. But in reality, they were also used to construct and conceal Hamass attack tunnels, store and launch its rockets at Israel, host Hamas leadership and foot soldiers, train Hamas naval commandos  and even to produce electricity for Hamass attack tunnel infrastructure.

However, in a statement provided on Monday to Reuters and other news outlets, Masris office said, Neither he nor those entities have ever engaged in unlawful activity or provided support for violence and militancy. Bashar Masri has been involved in development and humanitarian work for the past decades.

Israeli tanks on the border with the northern Gaza Strip after the October 7 attacks left more than 1,200 dead (AP)

Attorney Lee Wolosky, who is representing the families suing Masri, has served under former Presidents Joe Biden, Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton. Co-counsel Gary Osen has represented the families of numerous Jews who had art seized by the Nazis.

The crown jewel of Masris Gaza properties, according to the complaint, was the Gaza Industrial Estate, a 480,000 square-meter industrial park hard by the border fence with Israel and Kibbutz Nahal Oz, a community that was decimated during the October 7 Attack, the complaint states.

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Above ground, the GIE was a showcase for legitimate businesses like Coca-Cola and a variety of light manufacturing companies, the complaint goes on. But beneath the surface, Masri and the companies he controls worked with Hamas to construct and conceal an elaborate subterranean attack tunnel network which Hamas used to burrow under the border into Israel, to attack nearby Israeli communities, and to ambush Israeli military personnel.

Hamas also used the GIE to probe the border fence and test the IDFs response times and countermeasures in the lead up to the October 7 attack, according to the complaint, which accuses Hamas of installing an anti-tank battery in one of the GIEs water towers facing the border.

Masri owned and operated two other luxury seaside hotels, the Blue Beach and the Al Mashtal  later known as the Ayan Hotel  which were used by Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar for Hamas events, the complaint continues.

Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar seen in one of the tunnels allegedly used to attack Israel (IDF)

Hamas officials also used the hotel for private functions, relaxing in the luxury accommodations and facilities that few Gazans could afford, it says.

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The properties were used as bases of operations and defensive positions on October 7, and were later damaged heavily by Israeli forces, according to the complaint. When Israeli troops eventually stormed the Al Mashtal, Hamas operatives opened fire from a childrens play area on the premises (not far from the hotels pool area), the complaint states.

When they gained control of the play area, the IDF recovered a weapons cache and discovered a tunnel shaft linked to the attack tunnels beneath the hotel complex, it says. Subsequent searches of the hotels rooms found a variety of weapons, including rifles, ammunition, and mortars.

Masri knowingly providing material support to Hamas, a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization, and thus, is liable for damages, according to the complaint. He has been a member of the Kennedy Schools Deans Council since 2014.
As billionaire tech moguls ravish public research funds and startups siphon knowledge workers into pie-in-the-sky venture capitalist schemes, one professor has found his own key to innovation: scientists who are able to do crucial lab work without going broke.

David Liu is a chemistry professor and director of the Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare at Harvard. For the past five years, he's celebrated Thanksgiving by giving away his entire salary  sans taxes  to the students and workers who staff his biomedical lab.

According to The Guardian, the tradition kicked off during the COVID-19 pandemic, when Liu learned that his student researchers were struggling to afford bikes to get to work. He started trying to redistribute his income by way of Amazon gift cards, but quickly switched to checks because "everyone thought they were being scammed."

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While individual salaries for Harvard staff aren't publicly available, we can assume Liu takes home a pretty penny. The professor previously co-founded a number of successful startups according to the Guardian, which allows him to make do without his Harvard salary. Liu is also one of eight to have recently won the $3 million Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences for his work on Base editing, a gene editing technique forged by he and his team.

Like his Thanksgiving custom, Liu used the prize as an opportunity to pay tribute to his team.

"The real heroes behind our work are the incredibly talented graduate students, postdocs, and collaborators who worked tirelessly to develop these technologies in ways that would allow them to benefit society," the researcher said. "Without their dedication, this work would not be possible."

Though Liu's generous efforts are commendable, a professor handing out his salary isn't exactly a replicable model. Despite the huge workload and specialized training required, lab technician jobs are notoriously low-paid, high-stress gigs, where benefits are scarce. This has led to an industry-wide staffing shortage, especially in medical labs.

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On the institutional side, graduate student researchers are struggling for better pay and increased benefits through student worker unions. For example, the Harvard Graduate Students' Union, HGSU-UAW 5118, has successfully led two contract campaigns to fight wage freezes and secure benefits, including medical, childcare, and emergency expense reimbursement, and "heavily subsidized" dental insurance.

These victories are hard-won. The Graduate Student Union recently came to blows with Harvard administrators after the University pulled out of closed-door negotiations. There are four more unions set to enter negotiations with Harvard this year, representing over 10,000 workers and underscoring the breadth of the labor struggle, not just in the lab, but all across campus.

But when it comes to the lab, Liu is worried about the future of scientific discovery in America as DOGE claims to be cutting hundreds of millions of dollars worth of education contracts.

"To me, slashing funding and people from science in the United States is like burning your seed corn," the Harvard researcher told the Guardian. "Its not even eating your seed corn. Its just destroying it."

More from Futurism: High Schools Training Students for Manual Labor as AI Looms Over College and Jobs
Apr. 9Impatient with hostility from neighbors and a lack of progress from Whitman County, Harvest Hills plans to apply for permits for its big wind turbine project from the state instead.

"Because we see no path forward to a workable wind ordinance, Harvest Hills is beginning the pre-application process with the Washington Energy Facilities Site Evaluation Council," Harvest Hills' developer, Steelhead Americas, wrote in letter to the Whitman County Commission Tuesday.

Energy facilities in Washington have the option to go through the site evaluation council to bypass local permit requirements. Evaluation council spokesman Karl Holappa confirmed a meeting is scheduled with the developer to talk about the pre-application process, which involves consultation before a formal application is initiated.

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Harvest Hills declined to comment beyond the content of the letter.

The developer plans to build 45 turbines near Kamiak Butte, an area opponents say should be protected. In January, the county commission was about to consider a cost reimbursement agreement for Harvest Hills' application fees when, after a deluge of public comment, it imposed a six-month moratorium on wind projects to give the planning commission time to update the wind ordinance. Harvest Hills said it disagrees with the need to update the ordinance and that the current version is sufficient.

Some, including commissioners, have worried that if the county was too strict with its ordinance or took too long, the company would pull out and go to the state, and then the county would lose local oversight entirely.

Tom Thompson, a spokesman for the opposition group Save The Palouse, called the pivot to the state a negotiation tactic to put pressure on the county to finish the ordinance and lift the moratorium.

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Save The Palouse has proposed a draft ordinance that would require 1-mile setbacks from property lines and stricter decommissioning regulations.

"County officials are responsible for protecting their citizens," Thompson said.

Groups like Save The Palouse say the evaluation council is an unelected committee and an example of state overreach of local authority. Still, Thompson said it might be better to go through it than if county officials fold under pressure from Harvest Hills.

Thompson noted several ongoing lawsuits filed against the evaluation council by tribes, another opposition group and Benton County over the approval of the massive Horse Heaven Hills wind project near the Tri-Cities. That means there are options to oppose the project going forward, Thompson said.

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Tom Handy, chair of the county commission, said the planning commission is finishing up the solar ordinance and was just beginning to take comment on the wind ordinance last week.

In Tuesday's letter, Harvest Hills said it remains committed to working with the county "to develop an ordinance that balances private property rights with protections for non-participating landowners."

The company, however, noted a lack of progress on the ordinance and raised concerns about hostility from residents against its employees and landowners with lease agreements. The letter mentioned an altercation at the April 2 county planning commission meeting where opponents of the project "physically threatened and intimidated" employees and landowners, but did not provide details.

"While these incidents are the most egregious, they are part of a pattern of threats aimed at landowners who collectively control thousands of acres in the County," the letter said. "This behavior does not reflect the majority of the County's citizens, but it has dominated the conversation, suppressing support for the project."

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Handy said the altercation happened in the hallway during the meeting and he could only hear yelling. Security will be at the next meeting, and disruptions won't be tolerated, he said.

"It is an emotional topic for a lot of people," Handy said.

Mike Dymkoski, a member of Save The Palouse, said he witnessed part of the incident and that there were no threats of violence. Dymkoski said he stepped into the hall when he heard loud voices. A landowner who had commented in support of the wind farms was yelling at a woman who is another member of Save The Palouse. Dymkoski said he stepped in and told the landowner he had no right to talk to her that way and "had no right to torture his neighbors with wind turbines."

Harvest Hills said it will only attend meetings virtually from now on.

James Hanlon's reporting for The Spokesman-Review is funded in part by Report for America and by members of the Spokane community. This story can be republished by other organizations for free under a Creative Commons license. For more information on this, please contact our newspaper's managing editor.
In a development that's already raising eyebrows across Hollywood, Harvey Weinstein has entered the conversation around Justin Baldonis high-profile legal battle with Blake Lively.

From behind bars, Harvey Weinstein is offering his support to the embattled actor-director while likening Baldonis situation to his own.

Harvey Weinstein Defends Justin Baldoni In Blake Lively Feud

Jaxon / MEGA

The convicted rapist, currently serving over a decade in prison for multiple sex crimes, told TMZ on Wednesday that he believes Baldoni has been unfairly targeted by The New York Times.

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The outlets December 2024 expose, We Can Bury Anyone: Inside a Hollywood Smear Machine, included partial messages from Baldonis PR team that appeared to suggest they could bury anyone," including Lively, in what was portrayed as a calculated smear campaign.

Baldoni and his team fired back with a $250 million libel lawsuit against the Times, accusing the publication of misrepresenting private messages, which they allege were cherry-picked and manipulated to fit a false narrative.

Watching Justin Baldoni take legal action against the New York Times and its reporters, accusing them of manipulating communications and ignoring evidence that countered Ms. Livelys claims, hit me hard, Weinstein said. It brought back everything I experienced when the Times reported on me in 2017. They did the same thing: cherry-picked what fit their story and ignored critical context and facts that could have challenged the narrative.

The New York Times Releases A Statement

ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

Weinsteins reference points directly to the Pulitzer Prize-winning investigation that exposed decades of sexual abuse allegations against him, reporting that helped ignite the #MeToo movement.

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In response to Weinsteins latest statements, The New York Times defended the integrity of its reporting.

Our comprehensive investigation into the allegations of sexual harassment and abuse against Mr. Weinstein was rigorously reported over many months and based on on-the-record interviews, legal settlements paid to accusers and other documents, spokesperson Danielle Rhoades said.

None of the facts in our coverage are in dispute. Mr. Weinstein acknowledged his misconduct in a statement that was published in full in The Times," Rhoades added. "Hes since been criminally convicted of rape and sexual assault.

Harvey Weinstein Will Be 'Watching Baldoni And Lively's Case Closely'

Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/MEGA

Weinsteins 2020 New York conviction was overturned in 2024, but a retrial is set for April 15.

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He is also appealing a separate 16-year sentence from his 2023 California conviction for forcible rape and other charges.

I should have stood up and fought back then. I should have had the courage to speak out against the way the truth was twisted. That failure still haunts me, Weinstein said on Wednesday.

He also added that he will be watching Baldoni and Livelys case closely, suggesting that the outcome matters to anyone whos ever been on the receiving end of a media takedown.

Livelys Publicist Shuts Down Weinstein Connection Claims

ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

Weinsteins public endorsement of Baldoni comes as a surprise to many, considering his past connection to both Lively and her inner circle. The two were once photographed together at public events, and in 2014, Page Six reported that Weinstein shared the same publicist as Lively, Leslie Sloane.

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Sources at the time claimed Weinstein and MSG executive Jim Dolan financially backed Sloanes transition into founding her own publicity firm, Vision PR. Weinstein was even quoted saying, Leslies next move is going to rock the industry.

But a rep for Sloane now disputes any suggestion of a working relationship with the disgraced producer. Leslie Sloane never represented Harvey Weinstein, the spokesperson told Page Six. In 2014, after Sloane left BWR, she and Weinstein engaged in preliminary discussions concerning a potential working relationship with their companies but that never came to fruition.

The rep also dismissed ongoing online speculation, stating, Contrary to false rumors being spread online, Sloane has never worked to silence victims of sexual abuse in any way and indeed has actively supported victims of sexual abuse.

Blake Lively Holds Her Ground As Baldoni Lawsuit Heats Up

FZS / MEGA

Sloane, along with clients Lively and Ryan Reynolds, is currently named as a co-defendant in Baldonis $400 million defamation and extortion lawsuit, which stems from accusations that the "Gossip Girl" actress made against Baldoni. The publicist has filed a motion to be dismissed from the suit, calling it a retaliatory attempt to discredit and blame his victims and punish anyone who speaks out against him.

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Lively has remained firm in her stance, asserting that her statements about Baldonis conduct both on and off set are truthful, including claims that he frequently made women feel uncomfortable and discussed inappropriate topics of a sexual nature in front of colleagues.

Baldoni has denied all wrongdoing. The case is expected to go to trial in March 2026.
PAWTUCKET, R.I. (WPRI)  Toymaker Hasbro has pushed back its timeline for deciding whether to move its headquarters out of Rhode Island, a spokesperson confirmed Thursday.

Earlier today, we shared with our employees that were making progress on determining our HQ, with clarity expected by this summer, Hasbro spokesperson Abby Hodes told 12 News in an email. Well keep you updated in the coming months about any additional relevant news.

The decision comes as Hasbro executives, like their counterparts at other companies, are dealing with the fallout from President Trumps new tariffs. The majority of Hasbros toy and game products are manufactured in China, Vietnam, India and Japan, along with the United States.

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Hasbro stock closed Thursday at $51 a share, down 20% from a month earlier. CEO Chris Cocks is scheduled to host the companys first-quarter earnings call with investors on April 24.

BACKGROUND: Hasbro mulls leaving Rhode Island

Hasbro has called Rhode Island home for more than a century, but confirmed last fall that it was considering a move out of its Pawtucket headquarters. The company had originally said it planned to make a decision by the end of March.

Rhode Island leaders have proposed a move to Providence, while Massachusetts officials have been aggressively lobbying the business to move to Boston.

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During a visit to New Bedford earlier this week, Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey continued to hold her cards close to the vest when asked about Hasbros potential relocation.

Ill just say, I always am welcoming businesses to Massachusetts, Healey told 12 News. I think were a great state to do business. Were No. 1 in the country for education, for innovation, for health care.

So weve got a lot of great things going for us here in Massachusetts, and its why you continue to see companies not only come here but expand here, and as governor I want to do everything I can to support that, she added.

TARGET 12: Emails show Mass. officials started courting Hasbro last spring

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Gov. Dan McKee and other Rhode Island officials have sounded increasingly doubtful about whether Hasbro will stay, though they continue to express their desire to keep the company local.

McKee told 12 News the state was notified of Hasbros updated timeline on Thursday.

Weve made a proposal to them that I think is tough for them to walk away, he said Friday. So, its an indication that theyre still considering Rhode Island.

We want them to stay here and were going to continue to work with them to make that happen, because we want to make sure that all the jobs are here, McKee added. Hasbro has been a great partner for Rhode Island for a century, and hopefully that happens.

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Pawtucket spokesperson Grace Voll said Friday the city hadnt yet heard from Hasbro, but officials are optimistic that Pawtucket is still in the running for their new HQ.

Ted Nesi (tnesi@wpri.com) is a Target 12 investigative reporter and 12 News politics/business editor. He co-hosts Newsmakers and writes Nesis Notes on Saturdays. Connect with him on Twitter, Bluesky and Facebook.

Jake Holter and Alexandra Leslie contributed to this report.

Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts.

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NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH)  Avelo Airlines is under fire from local protestors. They demonstrated outside of Tweed New Haven Airport on Wednesday, over Avelos agreement to fly deportation flights out of Arizona for the Trump administration.

The airline signed a long-term charter agreement to fly for the Department of Homeland Security beginning in May.

Avelo to fly deportation flights for ICE from Arizona

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The plan is to fly immigrants rounded up by the Trump administration out of the country. That has groups like the New Haven Immigrants Coalition and the Revolutionary Communists of America protesting.

They are asking the public to sign a pledge not to fly Avelo until they stop the flights, and yesterday they took that message right here to Avelos base of operations at Tweed.

Because of the enormous human rights abuses of the Trump administration and the completely callous deportation policies of both parties, were opposed to Avelo doing this, Eric Goodman from Revolutionary Communists of America said.

Avelo Airlines founder and CEO Andrew Levy released a statement that read, in part, We realize this is a sensitive and complicated topic. Charter flying will provide us with stability to continue expanding our core scheduled passenger service and keep more than 1,100 crewmembers employed for years to come.

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Flights will not be coming out of Tweed. The Avelo deportation flights will originate in Arizona.

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HONOLULU (KHON2)  A popular macadamia nut company has launched a statewide search for the new face of their chocolate-covered mac nuts.

Hawaiian Host announced they are looking for two people, one wahine and one kane, who can embody the spirit of aloha to represent AlohaMacs.

Tariffs will impact local consumers. How to navigate the economic uncertainty

The two individuals will replace the current face, Kawhi Kamakele, who has been a warm and welcoming face for the product for many years.

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Those selected would not only have their photo on the popular souvenier and sweet treat, but would also showcase state pride and carry a legacy built on culture, community and connection.

At Hawaiian Host, were grateful to be part of a place where aloha is more than a wordits something people live and share every day. Theresa Tuxhorn, VP of Global Marketing

Tuxhorn added that the two individuals selected will also get the chance to celebrate their roots, all while representing the next chapter of Hawaiian Hosts story.

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The two people who choose to take on the role should step into it with humility, warmth and aloha, just a few of the many qualities needed to serve as cultural ambassadors of Hawaii.

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Kamakele described his role as the face for AlohaMacs as an honor, expressing his love of representing the islands.

Ive loved representing our island home, our culture and making my family proud. Im excited for this next adventure and to welcome others into this legacy. Kamakele said.

If selected, the two ambassadors will receive a grand prize of $10,000 cash, an island staycation, a years supply of Hawaiian Host products and more.

Check out more news from around Hawaii

To apply for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, visit Hawaiian Hosts website.

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Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) called on Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg to testify before Congress after a former Facebook employee alleged the company repeatedly undermined U.S. national security.

The American people deserve to know the truth about your company, Hawley wrote in a letter to Zuckerberg on Thursday, adding, The public deserves to hear your response to these serious allegations, particularly since they pertain to American national security.

Hawley requested Zuckerberg testify before the Senate Judiciary Crime and Counterterrorism Subcommittee in an upcoming hearing titled A Time for Truth, Part II: Oversight of Metas Foreign Relations and Representations to the United States.

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The letter came one day after the same subcommittee heard from Sarah Wynn-Williams, the former director of global public policy at Facebook, who told lawmakers Meta executives repeatedly betray[ed] American values during her seven years at the company.

Wynn-Williams accused Meta executives of working to win favor with leaders in Beijing to build an $18 billion business in China.

Company executives lied about what they were doing with the Chinese Communist Party to employees, shareholders, Congress and the American public, she told the subcommittee, chaired by Hawley.

The former Facebook employee claimed Meta executives provided the Chinese Communist Party with access to user data, including that of Americans, and went as far to claim Metas artificial intelligence model contributed to the success of Chinese technologies like AI startup DeepSeek.

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The Hill reached out to Meta for further comment on Hawleys letter.

Meta has pushed back on Wynn-Williamss testimony, maintaining Zuckerberg has been public about the companys services in China.

The fact is this: we do not operate our services in China today, Meta spokesperson Ryan Daniels told The Hill on Wednesday.

Meta said it regularly discloses the fact it generates advertising revenue from Chinese-based advertisers, but this does not mean it operates services in China.

Hawley claimed Meta tried desperately to prevent him from holding the hearing where Wynn-Williams testified.

They have threatened her with $50,000 in punitive damages every time she mentions Facebook in public  even if the statements she is making are true, he said. Facebook is attempting her total and complete financial ruin. Theyre attempting to destroy her personally, theyre attempting to destroy her reputation, and I think the question is, Why?

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Wynn-Williams has gained national attention in recent weeks following the release of her memoir, Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Green and Lost Idealism.

The memoir details Metas relationship with China along with claims of sexual harassment by her former boss at the company.

The book was widely popular, reaching the top 10 on Amazon bestseller list despite efforts by Meta to halt sales of the memoir.

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ADEN, Yemen, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Three children were killed on Thursday when a Houthi drone struck a residential house in Yemen's Red Sea province of Hodeidah, a local government official told Xinhua.

The official, who requested anonymity, confirmed that the drone was launched by Houthi forces but missed its intended target and instead hit a civilian dwelling in Hays district of Hodeidah.

"The drone attack claimed the lives of three children from a single family and left two others wounded," the official said.

The Houthi group has not issued any statement regarding the incident.

The Yemen-based militia has fought against the government since 2014 and controlled much of northern Yemen, including the capital Sanaa.

Although Hodeidah is mainly controlled by the Houthis, Hays district has been one of the few areas in the province still under government control.

Hodeidah has witnessed a shaky ceasefire between government forces and the Houthi militia despite a UN-sponsored truce reached between the two sides in Stockholm in December 2018. 
HAZLETON, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)  Efforts to keep Penn State Commonwealth Campuses open attracted a large crowd to Hazleton today.

State Lawmakers are holding a community meeting to talk about their ongoing mission to convince Penn State officials to keep the Hazleton campus as well as others in Northeastern Pennsylvania open.

Trolley rides rolling for the 2025 season

Penn State announced that declining enrollment and financial challenges have led to a decision to close several Commonwealth campuses.

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Hazleton PSU is on the possible chopping block.

Efforts are ramping up to keep Penn State commonwealth campuses open in northeastern Pennsylvania.

Penn State officials announced earlier this year that 12 of the universitys 19 satellite campuses are under consideration for closure because of enrollment and financial challenges. State lawmakers held a meeting today in Hazleton.

Penn State Hazleton is on that potential chopping block list and the community turned out in a bigtime way to send a loud and clear message to Penn State officials: keep our campus open!

It was standing room only thursday at the penn state launchbox in downtown hazleton as supporters of the penn state campus, also known as The high acres campus, to voice their concerns of its possible closure.

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State lawmakers heard from a wide variety of community leaders, Penn State alum, and business leaders. John Beltrami is a member of the PSU Hazleton Citizens Advisory Council.

I think there are some hardships for some of the campuses, but Penn State Hazleton, to give you an example, is a campus that can really sustain itself and I think that the message we want to send is the campus is in good shape. It has a wonderful endowment, voiced Beltrami.

Mary Malone is President of the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce who told lawmakers that PSU contributes tens of millions of dollars to the Hazleton area economy ever year.

Were right at the crossroads of Interstate 80 and 81 campus located right here. The multi-county location for both students and teachers for access make it very, very easy, said Malone.

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State lawmakers say what they heard will help in their efforts to keep PSU Hazleton and other campuses in the northeast open.

I mean the facts are on our side. This is one of the fastest growing areas in Pennsylvania in terms of population, in terms of economic development. All of those high school students here in Hazleton could be future Penn State students some day. Were trying to convince Penn State of that fact, explained Sen. Dave Argall (R) 29th District.

Im just wanting Penn State University to pay attention. We have a big voice here we have a lot of students. Enrollment is staying steady over the last couple of years. Were hoping to draw attention to the president focus in the Hazleton campus, added Rep. Dani Watro (R) 116th District.

Other Penn sate campuses on the hit list include Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, and Schuylkill. The Penn State president is expected to make her decision before the end of the current spring semester which ends in May.

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Credit: Greenpeace

The head of Greenpeace UK has been arrested after the group poured blood-red dye into the US embassys pond in protest against arms sales to Israel.

The campaign group said it had tipped 300 litres of biodegradable dye into the water outside the building in Nine Elms, south west London.

Will McCallum, Greenpeace UKs co-executive director, was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to cause criminal damage, alongside five other activists who also face charges of criminal damage.

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If charged and convicted of the offence, he could be jailed for a maximum of 10 years.

Will McCallum, Greenpeace UKs co-executive director, was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to cause criminal damage - Jack Taylor Gotch

Pictures show 12 protesters pouring the dye from containers emblazoned with the words Stop Arming Israel.

They claim US State Department figures show Donald Trump has continued the policy of his predecessor, Joe Biden, since taking office by supplying nearly $12 billion weapons to Israel.

The group said the containers were taken to the embassy building on bikes disguised as delivery drivers.

Greenpeace activists pour 300 litres of blood-red dye into the US Embassy pond in London to highlight the death and devastation caused in Gaza - Greenpeace

Areeba Hamid, Greenpeace UKs co-executive director, said: These arrests are further proof that the right to protest is under attack in the UK.

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This protest used biodegradable pond dye that is designed to disperse and wash away naturally.

As the biggest supplier of weapons to the Israeli military, the US government bears a heavy responsibility for the horrors unfolding in Gaza.

Rather than passing laws that make it easier for police to arrest people who make their voices heard on the issues they care about, the US and UK Governments should listen to the majority of Americans and Brits who support an arms embargo on Israel.

The containers were taken to the embassy building on bikes, with protesters disguised as delivery drivers - Greenpeace

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: At 07.30am on Thursday, April 10 officers on duty at the US Embassy in Nine Elms became aware of a group of Greenpeace protesters putting red dye into the pond at the side of the building.

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The group made off but officers responded quickly and carried out a search of the area.

Six people have so far been arrested nearby on suspicion of criminal damage and conspiracy to cause criminal damage.

The pond is accessible via a public footpath.

There was no breach or attempted breach of the secure perimeter of the site.

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The leaders of two Northwestern University law clinics are suing the House Education and the Workforce Committee and their own university to prevent the turning over of records the panel requested of the school.

Last month, the GOP-controlled committee sent a letter requesting details of the budgets and guidance at the universitys legal clinics, accusing the centers of funding left-wing advocacy and chastising pro-Palestinian clients the centers have.

The Committee has demanded that Northwestern Universitys Pritzker School of Law and its Bluhm Legal Clinic produce information about how they teach their students, represent their clients, and fund their work. The effort is part of the federal governments ongoing attack on academic freedom, legal professionals, and the rule of law, the Wednesday lawsuit reads.

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The lawsuit was filed by Sheila Bedi, director of the universitys Community Justice and Civil Rights Clinic, and Lynn Cohn, co-director of Northwesterns Center on Negotiation, Mediation and Restorative Justice.

The House Education Committee had given the university until Thursday to comply with the records request.

The Letter reflects a bare desire to harm Plaintiffs for their association with left-wing causes that the Committee does not like and for the protected speech reflected in their progressive, left advocacy, the lawsuit said.

The lawsuit wants a judge to declare the committee letter unconstitutional and enjoin the university from producing any documents.

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The Hill has reached out to the committee for comment.

The lawsuit comes the same day reports have come in that the federal government is pausing $790 million in funding for Northwestern.

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Rep. Alex Andrade, a Republican representing parts of Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, speaks to reporters on April 9, 2025. (Photo by Jay Waagmeester/Florida Phoenix)

A state-contracted Medicaid managed care plan paid $10 million to the Hope Florida Foundation, a direct-service organization affiliated with First Lady Casey DeSantis, the head of the states largest health care agency told legislators Wednesday.

Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) Secretary Shevaun Harris said a $10 million payment to the Hope Florida Foundation was part of a larger $67 million agreement the agency signed with Centene Health Plan, one of several managed care plans the state contracts with to provide health services to the poor, elderly, and disabled. The other $57 million went to the agency.

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The $10 million payment was not immediately disclosed to the Legislature. Instead, the House discovered its existence from the October minutes from a Hope Florida Foundation meeting. Agency officials discussed the payment under questioning from members of the House Health Care Budget Subcommittee.

The scrutiny of Hope Florida comes amid speculation that Casey DeSantis may run for governor. Gov. Ron DeSantis has touted Hope Florida and when asked about the foundation recently, he asserted that a reporter was helping with a smear of the program.

Harris was secretary of the Department of Children and Families, not AHCA, when the agreement was reached.

She told House Health Care Budget Subcommittee Chairman Alex Andrade that Centene approached the state about improper reimbursements.

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According to the Centene website, the company operates in Florida under the brands Sunshine Health, Wellcare, AmBetter Health, and the Childrens Medical Services Health Plan, which serves medically complex children.

She said an agreement had been reached whereby Centene returned the overpayments to the state. Harris said the money went into state trust funds and was properly accounted for.

Andrade then asked Harris how $10 million could walk from AHCAs bank account to Hope Floridas DSO [direct service organization] last October?

Harris replied: Those funds were never given to the state. They were a direct contribution made from Centene to the foundation.

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Andrade, an attorney, continued to press, asking Harris whether AHCA required Centene as part of the settlement to make a separate $10 million payment outside the states accounting system.

Harris said shes not an attorney and wasnt involved in the settlement discussions.

However, I know a lot of lawyers were involved in the drafting of the settlement agreement and I have to believe that all Ts were crossed and Is dotted to ensure the authority was there, she said.

Centene did not immediately respond to Florida Phoenixs request for comment.

Stunning to me

The Florida Phoenix obtained a copy of the agreement, signed by former AHCA Secretary Jason Weida (now Gov. DeSantis chief of staff), Chief Deputy Attorney General John Guard, Insurance Commissioner Michael Yaworksy, Department of Health Chief of Staff Cassandra Pasley, and Centene Corp. Executive Vice President, Secretary, and General Counsel Christopher A. Koster.

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Andrade told reporters after the meeting that he was disappointed in some of Harris responses.

To act as if this wasnt state funds was stunning to me, he said.

The entitlement that it takes to act as if that this settlement was not a settlement related to the over-expense of state funds kind of shocks me. I dont know what we can do but, obviously, at the very least we need more accountability on what that $10 million is being used for and how on earth AHCA felt justified in transferring those funds to a separate different agency.

The reveal follows news reports about the Hope Florida Foundation, launched by First Lady DeSantis.

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It is one of several financial matters involving AHCA that the subcommittee is examining.

The panel last month criticized overspending and financial mismanagement by AHCA, with a document showing the agency could face upward of a $965 million deficit. The Legislature thought it had addressed one of the overpayments when it gave the agency $160 million to settle a dispute with the federal government over supplemental Medicaid payments made to hospitals. The agency, though, ended up spending the money elsewhere, a mistake that the agency said occurred due to accounting errors.

During Wednesdays meeting, Harris repeatedly stressed the difference between Hope Florida, which according to its website is a government initiative that serves as a connection point for collaboration between the public and private sector, faith-based communities, and nonprofits. Hope navigators work at agencies across state government with people seeking assistance in transitioning away from government benefits to economic self-sufficiency.

The Hope Florida Foundation is the not-for-profit direct support organization that assists Hope Florida.

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Andrade and other members of the House panel spent the better part of a three-hour meeting pressing Harris, as well as Deputy Secretary for Medicaid Brian Meyer, on the details of the new statewide Medicaid managed care contracts  and about a requirement that contracted plans partner with the Department of Children and Families on its Hope Florida initiative.

Last minute invite?

Initially, Andrade pushed Meyer about the $10 million payment to Hope Florida Foundation and who made it. Meyer said he wasnt prepared to answer the question. He said he was appearing before the committee on relatively short notice and, when his staff asked what the meeting was about, was told the requirements of the new Medicaid managed care contracts. Meyer said that was what he was prepared to discuss with the House budget panel.

I think if there are other topics you want to discuss, maybe there is another time or individual to address those with. Meyer said.

Andrade shot back: Mr. Meyer, I believe that is a valid question to be asked here, he said, continuing, Are you telling me AHCA does not have the details of its own interactions with this nonprofit that is such a massive priority in the states largest contract?

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Mallory McManus, the former registered agent for the Hope Florida Foundation and a spokesperson for AHCA, issued a statement following the meeting criticizing Andrade.

Its concerning how little Representative Andrade understands about Medicaid, as demonstrated in his performative committee hearing today. He also purposely misconstrued the the structure and the nature of the Hope Florida program, which is shameful. AHCA is proud of our work serving Floridians particularly in helping people reduce government dependency and achieving economic self sufficiency.

Florida Phoenix reporter Jay Waagmeester contributed to this story.

This article has been updated to correct the spelling of Michael Yaworsky.

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Some prominent Kentuckians are in the room as U.S. President Donald Trump signs executive orders aimed at keeping coal-fired power plants in operation. The ceremony was held in the East Room of the White House on April 8, 2025. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

At the beginning of this century Kentucky and other states that relied on burning coal for electricity enjoyed an economic edge, but competition from cheaper energy sources has dulled that advantage.

On Tuesday, some prominent Kentuckians looked on as President Donald Trump signed executive orders aimed at reviving demand for coal. Coal company executive Joe Craft, a Republican megadonor, and Senate President Robert Stivers were in the East Room for the signing ceremony. And one of the orders Trump signed resembles a 2023 Kentucky law making it harder for utilities to retire coal-fired power plants, reports the nonprofit newsroom NOTUS.

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Trump promised in his first term to bring back coal. Whether the presidents actions this time can reverse energy market trends that have spurred the coal industrys decline  and at what cost to consumers  remains to be seen. The questions are important in Kentucky not just because its a coal-producing state but also because cheap power has been one of Kentuckys top economic advantages.

In the last 25 years, however, Kentucky has fallen from producing the countrys cheapest power to the 12th cheapest. Its a gradual trend of rising electricity costs that some experts say is likely to continue unless the state diversifies its power sources beyond coal.

Kentucky had the cheapest power. Not anymore.

In 2001, Kentucky generated about 95% of its electricity from coal. Other coal-reliant states that year including Indiana, West Virginia and Wyoming were also among the top 10 states boasting the cheapest electricity.

Coal was relatively cheap then, and the states power plants that burned coal were largely paid for, according to a former spokesperson for Kentuckys utility regulator.

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It was a window in time when coal had some substantial advantages over other types of fuel, said Andrew Melnykovych, who served as the public information officer for the Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) from 2002 to 2020.

But a continued reliance on coal to supply aging power plants is driving up the cost of Kentuckys electricity, according to those who study the energy industry. That trend could impact the states ability to attract economic development as well as increase the burden on Kentuckians trying to pay their utility bills.

According to the federal Energy Information Administration (EIA) as of 2023, Kentuckys average cost of electricity across industrial, commercial and residential ratepayers (9.96 cents per kilowatt-hour) is still significantly cheaper than the national average (12.63 cents per kilowatt-hour) but has fallen to the 12th cheapest state in the country.

For decades, Kentucky had an economic advantage of building coal power plants and burning that coal and producing cheap electricity here. That economic advantage has been eroded, said Kent Chandler, the former chair of the PSC and a resident senior fellow for energy and environmental policy at the think tank R Street Institute.

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Chandler said more factors than fuel source and power plant expenses account for the cost of electricity. Still, the trendline of increasing electricity costs could continue if Kentucky continues to rely on aging coal-fired power plants.

Kentucky generated about 68% of its electricity through coal in 2023, the third-highest percentage of power sourced from coal of all states that year.

Robin Hartman, a spokesperson for the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet, in a statement last month said Kentucky families enjoy some of the most competitive utility prices because of the states diverse energy landscape. Hartman noted Kentucky has the lowest electricity costs east of the Mississippi River.

Yet Frank Jemley, the executive director of the Kentucky Manufacturers Association, told the Lantern the states rising electricity costs are very concerning because the cost of electricity is a key component of job growth.

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Energy-intensive industries ranging from aluminum smelters to data centers boosting artificial intelligence services look at the cost of electricity when deciding where to expand because higher costs eat into a companys bottom line. A state report from 2012 found low electricity costs had made Kentucky the single most energy-intensive economy of any state.

Century Aluminum, which idled its aluminum smelter in Hawesville in 2022, told the Wall Street Journal last year it had no plans to restart its smelter because electricity prices in Kentucky were too high. Century Aluminum is also looking to build a new aluminum smelter with federal support, eyeing Kentucky as a potential landing spot.

There is a clear perception in the marketplace that Kentucky has lost its long-standing position as one of the best states for low-cost energy, Jemley said. Were convinced Kentucky must build a strategy to reestablish our top-five ranking as a low-cost, reliable energy state.

Some coal-reliant states have increasingly diversified. Kentucky, not as much

How did Kentucky lose an economic edge in the electricity marketplace? One reason is other states have adapted to a transitioning energy market while Kentucky has remained more static, according to those who focus on energy and utility policy at the Energy and Policy Institute, Energy Innovation Policy and Technology and the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University.

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Mainly, its a story of other technologies becoming cheaper over the last couple decades, said Noah Kaufman, a senior research scholar and economist with the policy center at Columbia University.

The cost of wind and solar energy, above, has significantly fallen over the past 15 years, spurring an acceleration of renewable energy development in much of the country. (Getty Images)

The boom of hydraulic fracking in the 2010s to reach supplies of natural gas in shale deposits significantly boosted the supply of natural gas and drove down its price. Natural gas was cheaper than coal as a power source as of last year. Utilities, including in Kentucky, have moved to gas-fired turbines as a replacement for coal-fired power plants because of the economics and environmental considerations. Burning natural gas, which is mostly methane, emits roughly half the heat-trapping greenhouse gas emissions contributing to climate change as burning coal.

According to EIA data, the country produced about 51% of its electricity from burning coal and 17% of its electricity from burning natural gas in 2001. As of 2023, coal produced only about 16% of the countrys electricity; natural gas produced 43%.

Wind and solar costs have also significantly fallen over the past 15 years, spurring an acceleration of renewable energy development across the country. Other coal-reliant states that have leapfrogged Kentucky in the competition to hold down power costs have taken advantage of the boom of both natural gas and renewables that are now generally cheaper than burning coal.

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Daniel Tait, a research and communications policy director with the pro-clean energy utility watchdog organization Energy and Policy Institute, says North Dakota and Wyoming  the two states with the cheapest electricity across all types of ratepayers as of 2023  exemplify that trend.

Tait told the Lantern that North Dakota, Wyoming and Kentucky are all big producers and consumers of coal, but Wyoming and North Dakota have been able to develop a significant amount of wind energy.

In 2001, North Dakota generated about 95% of its electricity through coal, according to the EIA. In 2023, the state still generated about 54% of its electricity through coal, but now more than a third of its power comes from wind. Wyoming has more than doubled its wind energy capacity since 2019; wind delivered about 20% of its electricity in 2023.

They have a lot of coal in North Dakota and Wyoming, but they have so much more wind that the costs are declining because renewable energy is a very, very cheap energy source, Tait said.

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Tait said that low-cost renewable energy can act as a buffer against higher coal prices or volatility of natural gas prices.

Renewable energy is among the cheapest electricity sources for a few reasons. As the industries have grown, economies of scale have driven down costs, and there arent fuel costs associated with energy sourced from the wind and sun. A 2024 report from the financial services firm Lazard says on-shore wind and solar energy have a lower cost, on average, than fossil fuel sources. Even without government subsidies to lower the upfront costs for solar installations or wind turbines, renewables are generally still cheaper than fossil fuels, according to Lazard.

Some others among the 10 states with the cheapest electricity still have nuclear power plants contributing to the energy mix. Such traditional nuclear power plants are expensive to build but produce relatively cheap electricity once theyre operating. Idaho and Washington benefit from inexpensive hydropower contributing large shares of their electricity.

Kentucky, however, has lagged in diversifying its energy mix.

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Tait likened Kentucky to Louisiana: Both rely on and are vulnerable to price increases from a fuel source they produce in large quantities  coal and natural gas, respectively.

Kentucky has reduced its reliance on coal by replacing some generation with natural gas  about 24% of the states electricity in 2023 came from gas-fired power compared to just under 1% in 2001. But some industry and consumer rights groups warn natural gas exports could cause gas prices and electricity prices to rise in the future, concerns that the gas industry disputes.

Almost all the other states have something that is acting as a hedge thats helping to keep prices down if coal or gas are expensive that year. And Kentucky doesnt have as much of that as the other states do, Tait said.

What Kentucky has: aging coal-fired power plants

Kent Chandler

Kentuckys reliance on coal leaves the state with aging coal-fired power plants that carry increasing maintenance costs and recurring costs to keep the plants compliant with environmental regulations. Maintenance and environmental compliance costs are driving up Kentuckys power costs, something that could continue. Chandler compared utilities choices to deciding whether to spend money to keep an older car running versus buying a newer car.

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If money isnt an issue you can always keep it going, but you lose a lot of efficiency. The new cars that get built replace them and are more efficient, Chandler said. Does it make sense to just cut losses or cut time with this investment  with this facility  and instead move over and buy a new, efficient one that should have lower recurring costs?

Coal-fired power plants must follow a number of federal environmental regulations, ranging from scrubbing the sulfur oxide emissions that create smog to controlling toxic metals emitted through wastewater.

When these regulations are reviewed and made more stringent by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, utilities come before the state PSC seeking approval to upgrade their plants pollution control systems to remain compliant with the regulations. Ratepayers pay for those upgrades through their utility bills.

During his time at the PSC, Chandler said, Kentucky utilities did not adequately analyze the future costs of environmental compliance. He said that could leave consumers at risk of bearing increased costs for aging plants when it could be cheaper over the long term to replace them with a lower-cost alternative.

Kentucky Powers gas-fired Big Sandy power plant in Lawrence County. The utility shut down its coal-burning units at Big Sandy in 2015. (Creative Commons photo)

A 2023 report from Energy Innovation Policy and Technology, a nonpartisan think tank supporting policy that reduces emissions at the speed and scale required for a safe climate future, found the installation of new solar power was cheaper for ratepayers than running existing coal-fired power plants in Kentucky.

Doubling down on coal is not going to help the situation, said Michelle Solomon, one of the reports authors. Diversifying the electricity mix with the cheapest available sources of energy, which are wind and solar, is really kind of the only avenue to reduce electricity prices.

Kentucky legislators in recent years have taken steps to keep Kentucky more reliant on coal. The GOP-controlled legislature created additional bureaucracy and hurdles before the PSC can grant requests from utilities to retire fossil fuel-fired power generation. Backers of the new laws argued fossil fuel-fired power plants are needed to ensure reliability of the power grid.

Investor-owned utilities, including Louisville Gas & Electric and Kentucky Utilities, pushed back, arguing that one of the laws would threaten Kentuckys economic advantage in attracting manufacturing. LG&E and KU President and CEO John Crockett in a 2023 op-ed in the Lexington Herald-Leader wrote that some of our oldest coal plants need to be retired.

Last year, the Kentucky legislature created a new board called the Energy Planning and Inventory Commission, or EPIC, that reviews requests from utilities to retire fossil fuel-fired power plant generation before those requests can reach the PSC. Crockett opposed the creation of EPIC but now is a commission member.

Chandler is concerned those legislative moves could exacerbate the sunk cost fallacy  a reluctance to move away from something that one has heavily invested in, even when theres evidence its time to move on  that helps explain why the states utilities and regulators have stuck with aging coal-fired power plants.

I think it will affect economic development in the future, Chandler said. Sticking with things, even after you lost your economic advantage, just means youre perpetuating the negative economic harm that has already occurred to you by virtue of the markets.

What are Kentuckys options?

Kentuckys paths forward beyond its existing coal-fired power plant fleet will likely take years to develop.

Kaufman, the economist at Columbia University, and Solomon, the energy analyst at the climate-focused think tank, both argue Kentucky adopting more renewables would likely lower electricity costs and can be built relatively quickly. But adopting renewable energy on a large scale poses challenges.

Renewables are intermittent, meaning that they only produce power during a portion of the day  such as when the sun is shining or the wind is blowing  and arent available on command like fossil fuel-fired power plants. Renewable energy advocates argue pairing wind and solar power to charge utility-scale batteries, which have also seen a significant drop in cost in the past 15 years, can make the resources more readily available around the clock.

Kentucky Senate President Robert Stivers posted photos of his White House visit on X, formerly Twitter. (Screenshot)

Chandler in a co-authored blog post for the R Street Institute, a think tank solving complex public policy challenges through free markets and limited, effective government, noted the potentially expensive cost for more transmission lines and infrastructure to connect renewable energy to the grid is a barrier to wider renewable adoption and noted fossil fuel-fired power plants have historically served a role of balancing the electric grid.

State lawmakers have also increasingly seen nuclear energy  which doesnt emit greenhouse gasses  as a power source of the future, and lawmakers last year established a nuclear energy research authority housed at the University of Kentucky.

But some energy analysts, including the leader of an energy research center at the University of Kentucky, question how quickly nuclear energy can be built in Kentucky to meet projected growth of future energy needs. The availability of natural gas-fired turbines is also limited in the future because of a backlog of turbine orders from utilities.

Stivers, who has advocated an all of the above approach and touted the state laws that make it harder to retire fossil fuel-fired power plants, told reporters at the end of the legislative session last month he was all for creating new energy sources  cheaper, more efficient, environmentally friendly  but you got to make sure that grandma Lula on a fixed income doesnt get the jacked up utility bill every month.

Affordability is especially relevant in a state like Kentucky where incomes are low. A 2022 report found electricity bills take a bigger bite out of Kentuckians wallets even though the average bill in Kentucky is lower than in the rest of the nation. A state-by-state analysis by the Citizens Board of Illinois found Kentuckys average household electricity expenditures were below the national average but higher in percentage of household income going to pay electric bills.

Stivers, in an interview with the Lantern in early February, said he wanted Gov. Andy Beshears administration to incentivize more generation here and to look at more clean coal, clean gas technologies in conjunction with other forms of generation such as nuclear.

Its kind of tragic when you think that one of your greatest assets now is not as strong an asset as it used to be, he said.

Kaufman, responding to the Lanterns question about the economic viability of building a new coal-fired power plant, said they havent really been built anywhere in the country for a long time  in part because of environmental regulations, but largely because of economics.

Politico on Tuesday reported Trumps executive orders would likely only help keep existing coal-fired power plants afloat without expanding the market for coal, or, as an energy executive told the outlet, changing the long-term outlook against coal-fired power.

The last large coal-fired power plant built in the country was in 2013, and no energy developer has floated a plan for a new plant since.

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U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will join the upcoming Ramstein-format meeting through a video conference despite earlier rumors he might skip the summit entirely, Defense News reported on April 8, citing U.S. and European official sources.

The April 11 meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) will take place in Brussels under the chairmanship of the U.K. and Germany.

Hegseth's predecessor, former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, launched the UDCG after the outbreak of Russia's full-scale war in 2022 to coordinate assistance among some 50 of Kyiv's allies, jointly providing $126 billion in military aid for Ukraine.

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European officials said that Hegseth joining online is a better option than his complete absence, but they would still prefer him arriving in person, Defense News wrote. The news outlet initially reported that, according to official sources, the Pentagon's chief would not attend the summit in person or online.

Austin has traditionally chaired the UDCG's meetings as the U.S. has been the leading military donor to Ukraine, providing some $67 billion in arms and equipment since 2022.

U.S. President Donald Trump's accession to office in January brought a major shift in the U.S.'s foreign policy. The new administration has yet to approve any new aid package for Kyiv and signaled reduced commitment to Europe's and Ukraine's security.

The 26th Ramstein format meeting on Feb. 12, the first summit since Trump took office, was also the first UDCG meeting not chaired by the U.S. defense secretary as Hegseth passed the role to his British counterpart, John Healey.

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Hegseth nevertheless attended the Feb. 12 meeting in person while not committing any new assistance and calling Ukraine's hopes to join NATO and liberate all of its territories "unrealistic" in his address to the allies.

Read also: US, Russia conduct prisoner swap, WSJ reports

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
WASHINGTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL)  The mayors of Johnson City, Washington County and Jonesborough delivered updates on their communities on Thursday.

The State of the City, County, Town was held at Grace Meadows Farm and hosted by the chamber of commerce representing the three localities.

Bill that could bar undocumented students passes TN Senate 19-13 with 7 GOP no votes

Washington County Mayor Joe Grandy told News Channel 11 that his address would focus on the countys relationships and partnerships with the City of Johnson City and the Town of Jonesborough.

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According to Grandy, the countys close relationship with the town was vital when Hurricane Helene struck the region.

It was absolutely critical, our relationship with the Town of Jonesborough, Grandy said. We did a lot of things together. But one of the significant things that weve done over the past few years is establish this water crew, who is responsible for putting the water systems out into the rural part of the county. So we were able to utilize that crew and a bunch of materials that we had stockpiled to recover the water system in the Nolichucky River Valley in just a couple of days after the storm.

Grandy said Washington County is preparing to borrow funds to repair infrastructure on the Nolichucky River and replace washed-out roads and a bridge.

Theres a lot of work yet to be done, but were definitely on the way to recovery, Grandy said.

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Johnson City Mayor John Hunter told News Channel 11 that in spite of recent challenges, the city is doing really well.

Weve got a lot of opportunities in the future, and thats what were looking forward to, Hunter said.

According to Hunter, Johnson City is keeping an eye on its number of available workers, a number that has increased as of late.

Unemployment is something were always watching, and we want to make sure that there are good quality jobs in the community, and to hear that is always a good thing, Hunter said.

The Johnson City Commission voted in February to pay $28 million to settle a lawsuit filed by alleged victims of convicted child predator Sean Williams. Most of that money will come from city funds, and the decision to settle has drawn criticism from several in the community.

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On Thursday, Hunter claimed the city is still planning for Johnson Citys future while looking ahead to other lawsuits centered around Williams.

We still have open litigation, Hunter said. We settled one case, and then the growth, although a great opportunity, presents its own challenges. Those are things that were still looking at as we move forward in the coming years.

Jonesborough Mayor Chuck Vest focused on the towns economic strength on Thursday.

Financially, were in the strongest position weve ever been in now, Vest said. Weve got great growth in the Town of Jonesborough. Our challenge is how we manage that growth. Traffic is increased; weve got to make sure we are able to manage that traffic. So those are our challenges, but well be successful tackling those challenges.

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Like Grandy, Vest also commended the town-county relationship, saying it was key to the work at the new Jonesborough school and Tiger Park.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
NEW YORK  A helicopter crashed into the Hudson River off the coast of Manhattan Thursday afternoon, killing at least three people on board, according to ABC News

In total there were five passengers on board  three adults and two children  a law enforcement source told the Daily News.

Calls to 911 about the crash started coming in just after 3 p.m.

An FDNY harbor boat has gone to the crash site off of Pier 26 in Tribeca although the crash happened closer to the New Jersey side of the river.

Early reports indicate that at least one person is feared dead and the helicopter split in half upon impact.

_____
Kiu Caracani visits the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, March 24, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhao Jinzheng)

HEFEI, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Bathed in the soft glow of early morning light, 36-year-old Marina Ezdina from Russia inhales the crisp, wood-scented air as she wraps up her regular workout: Wuqinxi, a traditional Chinese exercise that imitates the movements of five animals.

While studying at Hefei University of Technology, Ezdina attended a class taught by Hua Yi, an inheritor of Wuqinxi from Bozhou in east China's Anhui Province, which is the birthplace of the Wuqinxi. Hua's dynamic demonstration and insightful explanation of its cultural roots ignited her deep interest in Wuqinxi.

"Wuqinxi helps me stay focused and have good control of my mind. It is like everything around me is in perfect harmony," Ezdina said.

Created by Hua Tuo, one of the most renowned doctors in ancient China, Wuqinxi was based on his observations of five creatures -- the tiger, deer, bear, ape and bird. In 2011, it was inscribed on China's national intangible cultural heritage list.

Even after returning to her hometown in Belokurikha in southern Siberia, Ezdina continues to practice Wuqinxi.

In this small Russian city of around 14,000 people, ancient Chinese exercises have grown increasingly popular in recent years. According to Ezdina, annual competitions featuring traditional Chinese fitness exercises are held locally, and some enthusiasts even travel to China to learn advanced techniques or take part in international events.

"The ancient health-preservation philosophy behind Chinese exercises really attracts modern people who are burdened and glued to all kinds of screens. Such exercises can help them relax," she said.

Ezdina is not the only foreigner inspired by her mentor, Hua Yi. Since 2016, Hua has traveled to more than 20 countries and regions to promote Wuqinxi, witnessing a rising global interest in traditional Chinese fitness practices.

"Modern life feels like it's in fast-forward mode, and people need a simple way to relax and exercise," said Hua. "Wuqinxi is perfect for short, effective workouts. We've even created a special version for children, so they can exercise and learn Chinese at the same time."

Nowadays, traditional Chinese exercises such as Wuqinxi, Baduanjin and Tai Chi are gaining global popularity. Data shows that Wuqinxi is now practiced in over 50 countries and regions, while Tai Chi boasts approximately 500 million practitioners worldwide.

Much like these traditional fitness practices, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is also attracting a growing number of followers around the world.

Over the past few days, Kiu Caracani, a Swiss TCM practitioner and founder of the International Group of Researchers and Development for Complementary Medicine, has been working closely with his Chinese colleagues to explore a range of treatment options. For nearly 30 years, visiting China has remained one of his top annual priorities.

"TCM can help prevent diseases in an affordable approach, and that is why treatments like acupuncture are gaining popularity among patients and doctors worldwide," Caracani said.

He added that TCM is covered by Switzerland's health insurance, and an increasing number of students and Western doctors are studying it in Swiss schools and hospitals. His three TCM clinics in his hometown treat over 400 patients each month.

TCM is now practiced in 196 countries and regions, with a growing number of countries incorporating acupuncture and other TCM therapies into their healthcare systems, according to the National Administration of TCM.

Currently, Caracani is working with more than 20 TCM practitioners from China, Russia, France, Germany and other countries to explore the frontiers of TCM and compile an "Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicine."

"China has many valuable medical books, but they haven't been translated in detail. I want to integrate the concepts, techniques and pharmacology within them, and share the healing power of TCM with the world," he said. 

Enthusiasts perform Wuqinxi, a traditional Chinese exercise that imitates the movements of five animals, in Bozhou, east China's Anhui Province, Dec. 15, 2024.(Xinhua)
A tourism helicopter crashed in the Hudson River on Thursday, killing three adults and three children.

A Siemens executive, his wife, and their three children were among the dead, a company spokesperson said.

The NTSB said the aircraft was not equipped with any flight recorders and was on its eighth flight of the day.

The National Transportation Safety Board said on Saturday that the helicopter involved in a crash that killed six people in New York earlier this week was not equipped with any flight recorders and that the accident occurred during the aircraft's eighth flight of the day.

"No onboard video recorders or camera recorders have been recovered and none of the helicopter avionics onboard recorded information that could be used for the investigation," the NTSB said in an update.

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It added that the helicopter had completed seven tour flights on the day of the crash and that its last "major" inspection took place on March 1.

A Siemens executive, his wife, their three children, and a pilot were killed when a tourism helicopter plummeted into the Hudson River near Manhattan on Thursday.

Agustin Escobar, 49, had been the global CEO of the rail unit for Siemens Mobility. His wife, Merce Camprubi Montal, also worked for the company as the global commercialization manager for its energy division.

"We are deeply saddened by the tragic helicopter crash in which Agustin Escobar and his family lost their lives. Our heartfelt condolences go out to all their loved ones," a Siemens spokesperson said on Friday.

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New York City Mayor Eric Adams told a press conference on Thursday night that four people were pronounced dead at the scene, and two were taken to the hospital where they later died.

The pilot, who has been identified as US Navy veteran Sean Johnson, was the other victim.

The helicopter departed from the financial district and headed north before returning down the Hudson River. FlightRadar24

The Federal Aviation Administration said the helicopter involved was a Bell 206, and that the NTSB would lead the investigation.

The NTSB said on X that it was "launching a go-team" to investigate the crash.

Videos posted on social media appeared to show the helicopter's rotor disconnected from the rest of the aircraft, spinning mid-air as the cabin plunged into the water.

A floating crane at the scene where a helicopter crashed into the Hudson River on Thursday. Seth Wenig/AP

Officials said that it appeared the helicopter, which was operated by New York Helicopters Tour Company, had lost control.

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In a statement Friday, New York Helicopter Tours said it was "profoundly saddened by the tragic accident and loss of life that occurred on April 10, 2025, involving one of our helicopters in the Hudson River."

"The safety and well-being of our passengers and crew has always been the cornerstone of our operations. Our immediate focus is supporting the families and their loved ones affected by this tragedy, as well as fully cooperating with the FAA and NTSB investigations," it continued.

The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Calls to the helicopter's registered owner, a Louisiana firm, were unanswered.

The NTSB said Saturday that the helicopter's main fuselage, the forward portion of the tail boom, the horizontal stabilizer finlets, and the vertical fin had been recovered, but that divers were continuing to search for the main rotor, main gear box, tail rotor, and a large section of the tail boom.

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A recent spate of plane crashes has raised awareness of aviation safety.

The Hudson River sees heavy helicopter traffic between airports and tourist flights over landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty. Pilots are required to use specific corridors.

In 2018, five people died after a helicopter made an emergency landing in the East River and flipped upside down, trapping the passengers inside.

The following year a helicopter crash-landed on the roof of a skyscraper, killing the pilot.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Originally appeared on E! Online

Six people have died in a tourist helicopter crash near New York City.

The New York City Fire Department told NBC News April 10 they received a call of a helicopter in the Hudson River at around 3:15 p.m. local time. Three adults and three childrenincluding a pilot and a family visiting from Spainwere on board the Bell 206 aircraft and all six have been removed from the water and pronounced dead, Mayor Eric Adams said at a press conference.

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"We're praying for the families," he said, expressing "gratitude to the rescuers and the courage that was displayed and their dedication."

A police official said at the press conference that four victims were pronounced dead on the scene, while two more were transported to local hospitals, where both succumbed to their injuries.

The aircraft was operated by a tour company and took off from a downtown Manhattan heliport, the official said, adding that the helicopter later lost control and hit the water just a few feet off the coast of Hoboken, New Jersey. Two senior law enforcement officials with direct knowledge of the matter told NBC News that the helicopter broke apart in mid-air.

Amid the tragedy, the New York Police Department noted in an X message, "Due to a helicopter crash in the Hudson River, in the vicinity of the West Side Highway and Spring Street, expect emergency vehicles and traffic delays in the surrounding areas."

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The FAA said in a statement that its investigating the incident along with the National Transportation Safety Board.

Videos shared on social media showed the helicopter upside down in the river. Avi Rakesh, who posted footage from the crash site on X, said he saw the helicopter going south toward New Jersey when "the chopper blade flew off."

"I don't know what happened to the tail, but it just straight up dropped," Rakesh told NBC News. "It dropped feet away from Holland Tunnel."

Amid the tragedy, the New York Police Department noted in an X message, "Due to a helicopter crash in the Hudson River, in the vicinity of the West Side Highway and Spring Street, expect emergency vehicles and traffic delays in the surrounding areas."

AP Photo/Jennifer Peltz

A helicopter had also crashed into the Hudson River in 2019, shortly after taking off from New York City. The pilot was later treated for minor injuries to his hand, NBC News reported.

AP Photo/Jennifer Peltz

In 2009, a small plane collided with a sightseeing helicopter over the Hudson River, killing nine people aboard the two aircraft.

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LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  During a rare media day, Hendersons city manager appeared to have dodged a parade of reporters questions regarding a recent police chiefs firing. Is this what transparency looks like?

For over a month, residents have been requesting the reason why Hendersons city manager, Stephanie Garcia-Vause, fired former police chief Hollie Chadwick. The city communication team emailed back this week with a chance for reporters to ask Garcia-Vause questions, and a chance to learn what the next steps will be.

The citys largest media outlets went to Henderson City Hall at different hours so each publication could get their chance to ask questions.

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The effort to provide more information to the public, not appearing to land. One reporter left the interview expressing frustration to 8 News Now at the way they were handled by the city communications team and the apparent tactic to fill the interview with information from a memowhich 8 News Now reported first Tuesdayas the city manager appeared to sidestep questions regarding the former police chief.

After repeated promises of transparency, the city manager fielded 8 News Nows questions.

Garcia-Vause declined to initially acknowledge the first question about why the former police chief was fired instead repeating prepared lines from her memo.

Todays a good day to talk about the future of the Henderson Police Department, for the department, and for our community, she said. Over the last few weeks, Ive spent time talking to our officers, trying to understand what qualities they would like to see in their next chief.

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Garcia-Vause said the search for the police chief will start this week with the hope of hiring a new police chief this summer. She proceeded to use exact language from her memo and thanked the police department.

If I can say thank you to our Henderson police officers who have been grace under pressure, she said. I know this cant be easy for them. Its a challenging time, but they continue to do the great work keeping our communities safe and keeping the city one of the safest cities in the country.

She acknowledged the publics questions and thanked them for their patience and said her team is committed to a process that is going to result in a great chief for the future.

8 News Now asked what specific reason she fired the former police chief, and what she meant when she cited differing leadership styles.

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Thank you for that question, she said. And we are committed to transparency here at the City of Henderson.

Garcia-Vause proceeded to point to the citys public meetings, social media posts, and outreach as reasons the city is committed to transparencyappearing to avoid the question.

What were here to talk about is really the recruitment process, she said. And Im not going to be talking about personnel matters.

The City of Henderson has gone through multiple police chiefs in the past two decades, some only working for around two years before getting fired. Garcia-Vause has only been city manager for one of these firings. 8 News Now asked for her reaction to the short-lived nature of the citys police chiefs.

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We are well aware of the changes that have been taking place in the police department over the last few years, she said. And what I can assure you, and any candidates that are coming in to interview with the City of Henderson, that we are committed to finding that right leader.

8 News Now asked the city manager if she has sought advice from Councilman Jim Seebock, a retired Las Vegas Metropolitan Police assistant sheriff.

I speak with all of our council, she said. This week, I think Ive spoken with four of the five of them. So Councilman Seebock is one of our council, so of course, Im talking to him.

8 News Now asked if Garcia-Vause has sought advice or communicated with the police unions regarding the former police chief.

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Im in contact with all of our city employees, regardless of whether or not theyre members of unions or not, or in any of those capacities, she said. I think its important for us to have strong relationships with all of our all of our employees, and to listen to their feedback.

Garcia-Vause was then asked if she is involved in active litigation with the former police chief, a possible reason she couldnt comment. City communications staff asked 8 News Now to avoid questions not focused on information from the memo.

James, we are talking about the path forward with the new recruitment, a city spokesperson standing nearby said. Please.

8 News Now asked what qualities she was seeking from the new police chief and she repeated a line from her memo. She was asked again why she fired the former police chief.

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Our policies really dont allow us to discuss personnel matters, she said. So that would be a violation of city policies, on my account as well.

The Henderson City Charter, adopted in 1971, gives the city manager the ability to fire a police chief without the need for providing a reason, according to Sec. 3.020.

Because of our city policies, our city policies dont allow us to comment on personnel matters, she said again. Thats really the reason why you wont hear more.

Exactly 10 minutes into the interview, city communications staff said the city manager had another appointment and thanked 8 News Now for the interview.

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LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A group of students in Henderson are getting the chance of a lifetime to perform on the big stage in New York.

The Sloan Canyon Wind Ensemble from Pinecrest Academy in Henderson will perform at Carnegie Hall on Sunday.

On Wednesday night, the ensemble performed a celebratory send-off concert at the school in Henderson before heading off to New York City.

The group of 48 student musicians, ranging from grades 8 through 12 is the only ensemble from Nevada invited to perform at the exclusive concert.

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The students earned the special honor through a competitive audition process that recognized their exceptional performance level.



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EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI)  Herb Chambers, a well-known New England automotive retailer, has agreed to pay the federal government roughly $11.8 million to resolve claims that it fraudulently applied for and received pandemic relief funds, according to United States Attorney Leah Foley.

The automotive retailer was accused of falsely certifying its dealerships eligibility for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans to the United States Small Business Administration (SBA).

The PPP loans were authorized through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), which was enacted back in March 2020 to provide emergency financial assistance to millions of Americans who were struggling during the pandemic.

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Nearly a month later, the SBA published an Interim Final Rule (IFR) designed to preserve the limited financial resources available through the program. The IFR specifically established that businesses within a conglomerate could not receive more than $20 million in PPP loans.

SEE ALSO: Herb Chambers sold for $1.34B to Georgia-based automotive retailer

That $20 million funding cap applied to Herb Chambers, according to prosecutors. The settlement agreement, made public Wednesday, revealed that eight of the dealerships did not receive funding because the SBA had already approved $20 million to other Herb Chambers-owned businesses.

Months later, prosecutors claimed those dealerships reapplied for PPP loans through a different bank and received the funding, despite being previously denied.

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The Paycheck Protection Program was created to provide a financial lifeline to small businesses struggling to stay afloat during the unprecedented COVID crisis  not to serve as a funding mechanism for companies that sought to evade program limits, Foley said.

In a statement, Herb Chambers CEO Nicolas Gennetti explained that the settlement is the result of conflicting professional advice regarding vague and unclear language in the PPP loan eligibility requirements.

Once the issue had been identified, Mr. Chambers directed that management work cooperatively and diligently with federal authorities to rectify and to resolve the situation, Gennetti said. The settlement acknowledges this cooperation. All PPP loan proceeds were used for proper purposes, and there is no allegation otherwise.

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The former Milwaukee Police Department officer involved in the recent deportation of a Venezuelan makeup artist to El Salvador had previously been placed on a list of Milwaukee County officers with credibility issues, and was later fired by the department after crashing into a house while driving drunk.

Charles Cross Jr. was hired by the department in 1993.

In 2012, he drove a car with a blood alcohol limit twice the legal limit into a home. At the time of the crash, he was also under investigation for allegedly claiming overtime he did not earn, according to previous reporting by the Journal Sentinel.

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Cross was fired from his position as a Milwaukee Police Sergeant after the crash. He appealed the decision and resigned in the process.

Previously, he was convicted in 2007 of criminal damage to property, according to court records. This misdemeanor conviction came after he kicked in the door of the apartment he shared with his girlfriend and threatened to kill himself, the court records show. He was fined $500 on that count.

Prosecutors offered him a deferred prosecution agreement on a charge of domestic violence-related disorderly conduct, which was dropped after he got treatment for depression and alcohol abuse, according to a Journal Sentinel article.

Nannette Hegerty, police chief at the time, fired Cross, but the civilian Fire and Police Commission gave him his job back after the 2007 incident.

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It was after that incident that he was placed on Milwaukee County's Brady list, a compilation of law enforcement officers deemed by prosecutors to have credibility issues.

More: Milwaukee County tracks officers with credibility problems. But the system is inconsistent and incomplete.

Cross, 62, is back in the news for his current job with CoreCivic, which runs many of the immigration detention centers for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Cross signed a report that implicated Andry Jose Hernandez, a gay makeup artist from Venezuela, as affiliated with the notorious Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua, based on his tattoos, according to court filings reviewed by USA TODAY. Cross typed his name over the title INVESTIGATOR on the form.

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Critics have questioned the legality and effectiveness of having contract workers make such determinations.

Hernandez, 31, has denied any connection to the gang. He sought shelter in the United States after he told authorities he was persecuted as a gay man, one of the protected groups allowed to claim asylum.

Last month, Hernandez was flown with 238 men, all accused of being gang members by the Trump Administration, to El Salvador's Terrorism Confinement Center, a mega-prison also known as CECOT. A 60 Minutes investigation found that 179 of the men, or 75% of the names on the list, had no known criminal record in the U.S. or abroad.

The operation has been challenged by civil rights attorneys, who argue it was carried out without due process.

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Reached by phone by a USA TODAY reporter, Cross deferred all questions to CoreCivic headquarters. CoreCivic said in a statement that the decision to deport or release any person rests with ICE.

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporter Ashley Luthern contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Here's what to know about the former MPD sergeant involved in deportations
A Hickory man was stabbed to death Wednesday at an apartment in Kinston, which is in eastern North Carolina, police said.

Woman shot in Hickory drive-by, police say

Brad Brady lived in Hickory but also had a residence in Kinston where he was part owner of an assisted living center. He worked there during the week.

Police said they initially got a call at the apartments on Rose Vista Road about a man being shot.

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Officers got there and found Brady on the ground with a stab wound to the chest. He had died. There is no information about a motive or any suspects.

Brady had an apartment in Kinston and worked as a nursing supervisor and part-owner of the assisted living center next door.

Friends said Brady, who was from Hickory, was a gentle giant who put others first.

Todd Beaver knew Brady since middle school in eastern Burke County.

We have known each other, been best friends for 33 years, Beaver said.

He doesnt understand why someone would kill his friend.

He was there for me through every moment of my life, Beaver said. Huge man, 6-foot-8, 300-plus pounds, wouldnt hurt a fly. There will never be another Brad Brady.

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Brady would come home to Hickory on the weekends to hang out with friends, including James Lutz.

He was a massive guy, but his heart matched his size, Lutz said. He would do anything for anybody. (He) never once let me down as a friend. He was always there.

Friends said Brady was in the process of buying another assisted living center when he was killed.

I went through shock, said Bud Yount, a close friend. It felt like a bad dream that I couldnt get out of. He never had a bad thing to say about anyone.

Investigators told Channel 9 Thursday afternoon there are very few tips and they have not yet identified a suspect.

VIDEO: 2 charged after shooting at popular Hickory shopping center
SUMNER COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN)  Three historic homes help tell the story of the Castalian Springs community in Sumner County.

This is a place people have been coming to since thereve been people here, said Tonya Staggs, Executive Director of Historic Castalian Springs.

Before people step foot inside Wynnewood, which was once a mineral springs resort, theyre walking into the earliest history of mankind.

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We usually talk about the lick, thats where the sulfur spring comes out and would deposit minerals onto the ground, pointed out Staggs. Animals would come and try to lick those minerals out of the ground. And so that created human habitation here, like about 15,000 years ago. Theres actually mammoth bones over there.

Tour the historic Temple Theatre in downtown Portland

Historic Castalian Springs tells the story of Sumner County through three unique historic house museums: Cragfont, Hawthorn Hill, and Wynnewood.

A lot of our story here focuses on Almira, who was the connection point between here and Cragfont, because she was born at Cragfont and this [Wynnewood] becomes her home once shes married, explained Staggs. She had 14 kids.

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Before the Wynnes, the Castalian Springs Inn served travelers coming into Tennessee along with guests seeking the curative sulphur springs.

Census records that show doctors being here, Staggs said. Their primary function here would be to prescribe how you were going to take the sulfur.

In 1834, the Wynnes became sole proprietors and the inn became their home. Census records estimate they had seven to 15 enslaved people working on the property.

Slavery is part of tobacco and sugar and cotton and literally part of an Americans life during the time. And for someone like Alfred, hes able to take advantage of that and profit from that. Hes a small scale slave trader, said Staggs.

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Restoration of historic Rock Castle taking shape in Hendersonville

Wynnewood is the largest 19th century log structure still standing in Tennessee. The main house spans a length of 142 feet, with some of the logs spanning 32 feet.

The Wynne family owns this until George Wynne passes away, and then the state of Tennessee purchases it, Staggs told News 2.

In February 2008, the piece of Tennessee history was almost wiped away by a tornado. Seven people were killed in the Castalian Springs community and the twister tore through Wynnewood.

Pretty extreme damage. It took about four years to rebuild everything, recalled Staggs. They were able to salvage the original logs and put them back in place.

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News 2 On Tour | Explore the communties that shape Middle Tennessee

Now, the Wynnewood State Historic Site is owned by the Tennessee Historical Commission and managed in partnership with Historic Castalian Springs, which is a nonprofit organization.

Knowing our history is so important to making us better citizens today, right? So you need to connect to the past so that we do better now, Staggs concluded.

Beginning April 10, both Cragfont and Wynnewood will resume normal open season hours. To plan a visit, follow this link.

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CHENGDU, April 10 (Xinhua) -- In a bustling exhibition hall in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Gregory Cattin, a French beverage industry veteran, savored a cup of osmanthus-scented oolong, his expression shifting from curiosity to delight.

"This is not just tea; it's an evolution," he said. Having traversed global markets for over three decades, Cattin is now among the numerous international buyers captivated by a new wave of Chinese tea culture.

He traveled from Hong Kong to Chengdu to attend the 112th China Food and Drinks Fair held in late March. "I came specifically to seek out good brands and products, hoping to establish partnerships and bring some high-quality products abroad," he said.

From creamy black sugar bubble tea tailored for the Southeast Asian market to zero-sugar fruit infusions appealing to European palates, Chinese tea drink brands are redefining global beverage trends. Once confined to traditional ceremonies, Chinese tea is now a canvas for innovation, blending millennia-old heritage with cosmopolitan flair.

Cattin's journey mirrors a broader shift. As Chinese chains expand globally, like ChaPanda in Melbourne, Kuala Lumpur and Barcelona, and HEYTEA in London, Melbourne and New York, they're not just selling drinks -- they're shaping cultural conversations through modern tea experiences.

ChaPanda has sold over 140,000 cups of its sought-after drink "Yangzhiganlu" (mango pomelo sago) overseas, while Grass Jelly & Tea stores in the North American market have seen their daily revenue reach as high as north of 50,000 yuan (about 7,000 U.S. dollars).

The key lies in hyper-localized innovation. In Barcelona, ChaPanda's matcha brown sugar pearl milk tea became an instant hit, while in Kuala Lumpur, rich milky flavors cater to local preferences.

"It's about honoring regional tastes while keeping our Chinese soul," said Wang Huan, head of ChaPanda's global operations.

Behind the scenes, robust logistics networks fuel this expansion. Brands like Grass Jelly & Tea have established overseas hubs in Vietnam and Indonesia, integrating localized sourcing with cross-border delivery of core ingredients -- a hybrid model ensuring both freshness and authenticity.

The revolution extends beyond taste buds. HEYTEA's New York Lab store merges bamboo-weave walls with meditation spaces, transforming stores into cultural pop-ups. Limited-edition drinks wrapped in Peking opera motifs or inspired by ancient Chinese legends turn each order into a storytelling session.

Even store formats adapt philosophically: ChaPanda's spacious Seoul outlet, mirroring the "third space" culture in the Republic of Korea, invites customers to linger -- a deliberate contrast to grab-and-go norms.

As Cattin negotiated partnerships to bring these blends to Europe, he reflected that "China didn't just invent tea; they've reimagined it for the world."

With the global new-style tea market soaring past 350 billion yuan, up 6.4 percent year on year, and brands expanding their overseas footprints, the leaves of change are steeping worldwide. From Parisian patisseries to Bangkok street markets, the ancient art of Chinese tea has never tasted better. 
GREAT BEND, Kan. (KSNW)  For the second time in its 120-year history, a Kansas church building is on the move.

The Immanuel Lutheran Church in Hoisington has been moved to an events center in Great Bend. The Great Bend Post reports that the church will be used to host weddings and other events indoors at the Corinthians Hill Event Center.

The 120 -year-old Immanuel Lutheran Church being moved from Hoisington to an events center north of Great Bend on 4-9-2025. (courtesy Great Bend Post)

The 120 -year-old Immanuel Lutheran Church being moved from Hoisington to an events center north of Great Bend on 4-9-2025. (courtesy Great Bend Post)

The church, which can seat about 300 people, was originally built in the Russell County community of Milberger, a town settled by Volga Germans. The Volga German Institute says the congregation was first organized in 1901, and the church was constructed in 1904.

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2 strangers get into Sedgwick school, despite safety measures

Services were conducted in German until 1950, when English language services were incorporated. They were then dropped altogether in 1968.

In 1969, Immanuel Lutheran and the neighboring Emmanuel Lutheran Church merged into a single congregation, United Emmanuel Lutheran Church. The building was sold in 1969 and moved to a property just south of Hoisington on the east side of U.S. Highway 281.

The church was loaded onto the bed of a semitrailer and transported to its new home about 7 miles southwest. The Great Bend Post says the building will undergo renovations.

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NEW YORK (AP)  At least 38 people have died in helicopter crashes in New York City since 1977, when an incident on a skyscraper landing pad led the city to start putting restrictions on where choppers could land.

Helicopter flights are getting renewed scrutiny after a fatal crash into the Hudson River on Thursday.

A look at chopper mishaps over the years:

2025: Six people are killed when a helicopter plummets into the Hudson River just off Manhattan.

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2021: A helicopter sustained significant damage during a hard landing at a Manhattan helipad. The pilot and a co-pilot were not hurt.

2019: A helicopter used for executive travel hits the roof of a Manhattan skyscraper in restricted airspace. The pilot is killed.

2019: A charter helicopter goes into the Hudson River and sinks while being maneuvered at a heliport. The pilot escapes.

2018: Five people drown when a charter helicopter offering open door flights crashes in the East River. The pilot survives.

2011: Three people die when a helicopter carrying a family on an outing plunges into the East River.

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2009: A sightseeing helicopter carrying Italian tourists collides with a private plane over the Hudson River, killing nine.

2007: A sightseeing helicopter drops into the Hudson River when it experiences a mechanical problem after lifting off from a West Side heliport. Everyone makes it out safely.

2005: A corporate helicopter carrying MBNA Corp. executives falls into the East River after taking off from the East 34th Street heliport. The pilot is seriously injured, but everyone survives.

2005: A sightseeing helicopter goes into the East River while trying to take off from the Wall Street heliport. A British tourist nearly drowns.

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2004: A WNBC-TV news helicopter hits a building in Brooklyn and disintegrates while covering a story. All occupants survive.

1997: One person is killed and a second is badly injured when a helicopter owned by the Colgate-Palmolive Co. falls into the East River after taking off from the 60th Street heliport.

1990: One person dies after the pilot of an Island Helicopter air taxi misjudges the wind during a takeoff from the East 34th Street heliport and flies into the river.

1988: A passenger drowns when a sightseeing helicopter loses power and makes a forced landing in the East River.

1986: An NBC radio traffic reporter dies when the helicopter she is riding in loses lift, hits a fence and crashes into the Hudson.

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1985: A passenger drowns when a sightseeing flight operated by New York Helicopters crashes into the East River after taking off from the East 34th Street heliport.

1983: A seaplane coming in for a landing on the East River collides with a police helicopter over the Brooklyn waterfront, killing four people.

1981: Hijackers seize a sightseeing helicopter and order the pilot to fly to a federal jail in Manhattan in an unsuccessful attempt to free a prisoner waiting on the roof.

1977: A rotor breaks loose from a New York Airways helicopter on a landing pad atop the Pan Am Building and kills five people, including one on the street two blocks away. The helipad closes after the accident.
Local law enforcement agencies had an active St. Patricks Day weekend, as they blitzed area roadways as part of their ongoing targeted high-visibility traffic safety campaigns.

After two consecutive safety initiatives failed to record any impaired driving arrests, participating police departments between March 13 and 18 registered single arrests each for driving while intoxicated (DWI) and driving while impaired by drugs (DWAI).

The effort, centered around the March holiday weekend, used enhanced road patrols that saw officers and deputies engage with 54 motorists. Those traffic stops resulted in 41 vehicle and traffic law citations issued.

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Niagara County Sheriff Michael Filicetti, whose office tracks the effectiveness of the traffic safety initiative, hailed the results. He said the goal of the initiative is to bring awareness to the dangers of impaired driving.

Its to stop impaired driving, prevent injuries and save lives, he said.

The high-visibility law enforcement effort is part of a yearly statewide initiative that is promoted and funded by STOP-DWI New York and the Governors Traffic Safety Committee.

Over the course of enhanced patrols during the 2024 Christmas, New Years, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Super Bowl, St. Patricks Day, Memorial Day and Labor Day holidays Niagara Region law enforcement agencies participating in the safety campaign conducted 241 traffic stops, accompanied by 11 secondary screenings.

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That activity led to 6 arrests for driving while intoxicated and 1 for driving while ability impaired by drugs for the year. Officers and deputies also made an additional 13 arrests on non-traffic related charges, while issuing 173 vehicle and traffic law citations, including 4 for no seat belt.

The St. Patricks Day enforcement effort resulted in a single seat belt ticket and two non-vehicle and traffic-related arrests.

Locally, Niagara County Sheriffs Office deputies and officers from New York State Park Police, North Tonawanda, Niagara Falls, Lockport, Lewiston, Middleport and Town of Niagara police departments participated in the enforcement efforts.

We focus our engagement on impaired driving, Filicetti said. While STOP-DWI efforts across New York have led to significant reductions in the numbers of alcohol and drug-related fatalities, still too many lives are being lost because of crashes caused by drunk or impaired drivers.
A New York jury on Wednesday awarded $1.68 billion in damages to 40 women who accused writer and director James Toback of sexual abuse and other crimes over a span of 35 years, according to lawyers representing the plaintiffs.

The decision stems from a lawsuit filed in Manhattan in 2022 after New York state instituted a one-year window for people to file lawsuits over sexual assault claims even if they took place decades ago.

It marks one of the largest jury awards since the advent of the #MeToo movement, as well as in New York state history, said attorney Brad Beckworth of the law firm Nix Patterson LLP in an interview.

A New York jury awarded $1.68 billion in damages to 40 women who accused writer and director James Toback of sexual abuse and other crimes over a span of 35 years. WireImage

The plaintiffs, he said, believe such a large verdict will send a message to powerful individuals who dont treat women appropriately.

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The court had not yet released documentation of the verdict as of Wednesday night. Beckworth said the verdict included $280 million in compensatory damages and $1.4 billion for punitive damages to the plaintiffs.

This verdict is about justice, Beckworth said in a statement. But more importantly, its about taking power back from the abusers  and their enablers  and returning it to those he tried to control and silence.

Beckworth said the abuse took place between 1979 and 2014.

Toback was nominated for an Oscar for writing 1991s Bugsy, and his career in Hollywood has spanned more than 40 years.

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Accusations that he engaged in years of sexual abuse surfaced in late 2017 as the #MeToo movement gained attention. They were first reported by the Los Angeles Times.

The decision stems from a lawsuit filed in Manhattan in 2022 after New York state instituted a one-year window for people to file lawsuits over sexual assault claims even if they took place decades ago. WireImage

In 2018, Los Angeles prosecutors said the statutes of limitations had expired in five cases they reviewed and declined to bring criminal charges against Toback.

The plaintiffs then filed a lawsuit in New York a few days after the states Adult Survivors Act went into effect.

The lawyers said they had discovered a pattern of Toback attempting to lure young women on the streets of New York into meeting him by falsely promising roles in his films and then subjecting them to sexual acts, threats, and psychological coercion.

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Mary Monahan, a lead plaintiff in the case, called the jury award validation for her and the other women.

For decades, I carried this trauma in silence, and today, a jury believed me. Believed us. That changes everything, she said in a statement.

This verdict is more than a number  its a declaration. We are not disposable. We are not liars. We are not collateral damage in someone elses power trip. The world knows now what weve always known: what he did was real.

Toback, 80, who most recently had represented himself, denied numerous times in court documents that he committed any sexual offense and that any sexual encounter or contact between Plaintiffs and Defendant was consensual.

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He also argued that New Yorks law extending the statute of limitations on sexual abuse cases violated his constitutional rights.

A message sent to an email address listed for him seeking comment was not immediately answered.

In January, the judge in the case entered a default judgment against Toback, who had failed to appear in court when ordered to do so.

The judge then scheduled a trial for only damages last month to determine how much Toback had to pay the women.

Hollywood director James Toback has been ordered to pay $1.68 billion to women who accused him of sexual assault, false imprisonment, coercion, and psychological abuse.

The disgraced director has been accused of hundreds of sex crimes. Ian Gavan

Toback, 80, was among the first prominent Hollywood men to face accusations at the start of the #MeToo movement in 2017.

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Wednesdays ruling at a sexual assault trial in New York involved 40 different accusers filing a lawsuit against the Manhattan-born director, who was nominated for an Academy Award in 1991 for Best Original Screenplay for the movie Bugsy.

The jury awarded a total of $1.4 billion in punitive damages and $280 million in compensatory damages to Tobacks victims.

We are so proud of our clients and this Jury, said attorney Brad Beckworth, partner at Nix Patterson LLP. They made sure they enforced the laws of their community to make it safer for women in New York and across the country.

It marks the largest jury award in New York state history  and since the #MeToo movement began.

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The jurys verdict is about justice, Beckworth told The Post. But more importantly, its about taking power back from the abusers  and their enablers  and returning it to those they tried to control.

All of Tobacks assaults were carried out between 1979 and 2014.

Toback seen on-set of Love and Money in 1982. Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection

Toback played Leo Boscovitch in Exposed, alongside Nastassja Kinski in 1983. MGM/courtesy Everett / Everett Collection

The lawsuit was filed under the New York Adult Survivors Act, which opened a one-year window allowing sexual abuse survivors to file civil rather than criminal claims regardless of how much time had passed.

This is not just a verdict  its vindication, actress Mary Monahan, who was abused by Toback, said in a statement after the trial.

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For decades, I carried this trauma in silence, and today, a jury believed me. Believed us. That changes everything. This verdict is more than a number  its a declaration.

We are not disposable, she went on. We are not liars. We are not collateral damage in someone elses power trip. The world knows now what weve always known: what he did was real. And what we did  standing up, speaking out  was right.

We still have a lot of people in this country who abuse their power  and there are many more who turn a blind eye to it, Beckworth said.

Tobacks abuse allegedly took place between 1979 and 2014. Getty Images

Longtime personal injury lawyer Herb Subin said the massive verdict  with punitive damages five times larger than the compensation award  shows the jury wanted to send a message, and make a difference in society.

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They want to punish the defendant and deter others from abusing and mistreating women, Subin told The Post.

Toback has continued to deny all the allegations against him.

In court, he claimed it was biologically impossible for him to have carried out the abuse he was accused of for decades due to his diabetes and heart condition.

Toback did not reply to a request for comment left at an e-mail address associated with him.

Following the original allegations about Toback in 2017, hundreds more women came forward alleging abuse, including Hollywood A-listers such as Hellboy star Selma Blair.

Still Alice Oscar-winner Julianne Moore previously revealed Toback had invited her to an audition for a role at his New York apartment.

Accusations that he engaged in years of sexual abuse surfaced in late 2017 as the #MeToo movement gained attention. Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP

James Toback approached me in the 80s on Columbus Ave with the same language  wanted me to audition, come to his apt, she wrote on social media.

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I refused. One month later, he did it again with the EXACT same language. I said dont u remember u did this before.

Greys Anatomy star Ellen Pompeo previously told Toback to go fk himself, after he asked if she would get naked, she claimed in an interview with USA Today.

Toback propositioned Pompeo the moment her male friend, who had come along to the meeting with her, had excused himself, she claimed.

The minute my friend left, he asked me if I would get naked in a movie, she said. And I was like, Really, dude? My friend has been missing all of 30 seconds, and now you say that? I kind of laughed in his face.

Mean Girls star Rachel McAdams was sexually propositioned by Toback after he invited her to what he claimed was an audition, she told Vanity Fair.

It was all so confusing. I kept thinking, When are we getting to the rehearsal part?' she said.
The self-deportation of a University of Florida student reveals the new reality for many immigrants  any brush with the law can set off a chain of unfortunate events.

Felipe Zapata-Velasquez, 27, a student at the University of Florida, self-deported to his home country of Colombia after Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained him following his arrest for driving with a suspended license.

Zapata-Velasquez entered the U.S. on an F-1 student visa on Feb. 12, 2023, to attend Santa Fe College, a small public college in Gainesville, according to ICE. But on October 3, 2024, after failing to enroll, his student status was terminated on SEVIS, the portal that tracks students immigration compliance.

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Experts noted to the Miami Herald that under past administrations, Zapata-Velasquez would likely have been released and placed into deportation proceedings, but not sent to an immigration facility.

Although he let his status as a student lapse and was subject to deportation, people in his position would typically not be detained, said Jesse Bless, an attorney that has specialized in immigration for two decades and worked for the Department of Justice.

Many people who are in removal proceedings are not detained, said Bless. They would only detain him to try to get him to give up and go home.

Zapata-Velasquez was arrested in Gainesville on March 28 for driving with a suspended license and for driving a car with a license plate not assigned to that vehicle, according to court records. He was charged with a second-degree misdemeanor. According to court records, Zapata Velasquez had also been charged in 2023 with driving with a suspended license and for operating a motor home with an expired registration.

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Zapata-Velasquez was booked into jail in Alachua County, a short drive from the University of Florida, where he was a third-year student majoring in Food and Resource Economics in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences department.

ICE took Zapata-Velasquez into custody after Gainesville police released him. After a stop at the Jacksonville office, he was transported to Krome Service Processing Center in Miami, a facility that has come under fire in recent weeks for overcrowding and poor conditions. The Miami Herald reported that detainees are sleeping on cement floors amid the stench of body odor and raw sewage. Paul Chavez, an attorney that spoke to the Herald, said the conditions at Krome are the worst hes seen in 20 years of being an attorney and have risen to the level of being an international human rights disaster.

After nine nights in custody, six of them in ICE detention, Zapata-Velasquez opted to leave the United States for his home country of Colombia.

The problem is the threat of detention, said Bless, of students and other immigrants who chose to self-deport.

Read more: Inhumane: Overcrowding strains Krome detention center amid Trumps immigrant crackdown

Fresh Take Florida, a news service of the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications, reported that Zapata Velasquez told the officer who stopped him that he was in the process of filing an I-20 form, a document that certifies a students eligibility to study in the United States.

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But despite his student status ending, he continued to attend classes at the University of Florida. The International Center at UF is in charge of ensuring their foreign students have the proper documentation to enroll, but the director of the center did not respond to a request for comment about whether the office was aware that his legal status had ended in October.

Before attending classes, the school should have issued an I-20, it seems somebody dropped the ball there, said Shaz Ashgar, a civil litigation lawyer in Florida who specializes in immigration cases.

A representative from the school declined to comment, citing privacy policies.

Ashgar said that UF is responsible for confirming international students who attend have proper documentation and visas and by failing to do so, his traffic arrest led to detention in an ICE facility.

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Since Zapata-Velasquezs arrest, detention and self-deportation, students, and elected officials have come out to make public statements decrying his situation.

If the university administration had cared about its international and immigrant students, it would have expanded access to immigration services for students at UF proactively, long before ICE was given the opportunity to kidnap Felipe and hold him at Krome, said the UF Young Democratic Socialists of America chapter in a statement.

Miami Herald immigration reporter Syra Ortiz Blanes contributed to this report.
CHICAGO (WGN)  Lawmakers in Springfield continue to debate hot button measures before their session ends in May, including a proposal that would change homeschooling in Illinois and another to bail out Chicago-area transit agencies.

Among the most controversial bills this session has been House Bill 2827, which would require home school parents to report information to regional offices about academic progress and, in some cases, health and vaccination records.

Bill would create Illinois framework to regulate homeschooling

Advocates in favor of regulation argue it could prevent abuse and educational neglect, but some home schooling parents for months have slammed the proposal.

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HB2827 criminalizes parents for doing the right thing on behalf of their children and their education, said Juan Rangel, CEO of The Urban Center.

The bill would require the State Board of Education create a home school declaration form and set requirements for homeschool administrators.

A person who is, for some tragic reason, hellbent on abusing a child would decide not to do that because they have to fill out a declaration form, said Chris Butler. Nothing about what we know of the human experience suggests theres that kind of easy solution to these big problems.

Lawmakers are also considering a bailout of Chicago-area transit agencies. Set to run out of federal COVID relief money, the Regional Transportation Authority, Chicago Transit Authority, Metra and Pace need nearly one billion dollars combined, but lawmakers are demanding reforms.

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I agree, completely agree, money cant come unless youve got real reform, Gov. JB Pritzker said. I would add: Whatever we do with regard to transit, there has to be a component that focuses on downstate transit. This cant just be about Chicago and surrounding areas.

Proposal would merge Chicagos four transit agencies into one

Chicagoland transit heads push back on proposal to combine agencies

A plan to merge all four transit agencies has so far stalled at the statehouse. Instead, a coalition of labor groups and lawmakers are throwing support behind a separate bill that would put the RTA in charge of streamlining transit fares.

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Theres also a push to create a transit police force.

We come across individuals who are mentally unstable or who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol and simply struggling with every day life issues, said CTA employee Cassie Collins.

State Rep. Marcus Evans has said his mother would not ride the CTAs Red Line under any circumstances, citing safety concerns.

Ask yourself: Are you putting your daughter or sister on the Red Line south and riding it? Youre not doing it. Correct?, he said.

Chicagoland transit agencies detail doomsday scenarios without state help

Transit riders decry potential cuts to CTA, Metra, Pace at RTA board meeting

The RTA says 40 percent of local train and bus routes could be cut if Springfield doesnt act by the end of May, but state money is already tight. And as lawmakers negotiate a final state budget behind closed doors, the governor says any additional spending will have to be matched with cuts.

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Im happy to discuss how we might change the balanced budget that I introduced, but again youre got to just figure out how to make the numbers work, Pritzker said.

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The pace of homicides so far this year in Chicagos south and southwest suburbs is well down from a year prior, according to records.

Through Thursday, there were eight homicides reported locally by authorities including police and the Cook County medical examiners office, tracked by the Daily Southtown.

For the same period last year, reports showed 22 homicides in the south and southwest suburbs, including four members of a Tinley Park family shot and killed in January 2024.

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So far this year, homicides have been reported in Crestwood, Glenwood, Harvey, Hazel Crest and Markham, according to the medical examiners office.

The most recent homicides were reported in Dolton and Chicago Heights, according to the medical examiners office.

In a March 22 shooting in Dolton, 33-year-old Londell Marsh, of the 3500 block of 164th Street, Hammond, was shot multiple times in the 700 block of East 142nd Street.

He was pronounced dead at the scene at 2:10 p.m., the coroners office said ruling his death a homicide.

In Chicago Heights, 25-year-old Donte Jennings, of the 500 block of Minette Lane in Chicago Heights, was shot multiple times March 17 in the 500 block of West 15th Street, according to the medical examiners office.

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Jennings was pronounced dead at 9 p.m. that day at Stroger Hospital in Chicago, and his death was ruled a homicide, according to the office.

Police did not provide more information about the two recent homicides.
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  Veterans on Honor Flight 51 encouraged all veterans in Kern County to sign up for the next Honor Flight opportunity.

Honor Flight 51 arrived in Washington D.C. on Tuesday and has since visited several places, including the World War II Memorial, the Korean Memorial, the Vietnam Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial.

Honor Flight 51: Returning colonel shares his great honor

At the Arlington National Cemetery, veterans left a wreath from Kern County at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

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Honor Flight 51 will return to Kern County at 7:30 p.m. Thursday  an hour delay from the original schedule. Kern County residents are invited to go to Meadows Field Airport tonight to welcome the returning veterans.

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MOSCOW, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Russia has strongly condemned the detention of a Russian Foreign Ministry staff member at an airport in France, calling it an unacceptable violation of diplomatic norms, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Wednesday.

"This is a completely unacceptable action, which contradicts all the obligations of France under the Vienna Convention," Peskov said at a press briefing.

"Our consular representatives in Paris were not granted access to the detained diplomat for an extended period. Of course, we condemn such actions by France and consider them unacceptable toward our diplomatic personnel," he said.

Such behavior by Paris further deteriorates the already strained relations between Russia and France, he added.

Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, said that the detention occurred on Sunday when French border authorities detained the Russian diplomat as part of an official delegation without explanation. The authorities reportedly seized the person's phone and computer.

The Russian embassy in France dispatched a consular officer to the Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, but the officer was forced to wait nearly seven hours before any contact was made.

Following a formal note of protest issued by the Russian side to the French Foreign Ministry, the detained official was eventually granted entry into the country.

Zakharova noted that the official remained in the airport's transit zone for nearly a day. 
The House of Representatives passed a bill that would limit the ability of federal judges to issue national rulings in lower court cases, as Donald Trump and his allies have raged against judges for temporarily blocking key parts of the presidents agenda.

The No Rogue Rulings Act, which passed on Wednesday 219-to-213 with just one Republican joining Democrats in the opposition, would limit federal district judges from issuing nationwide injunctions, instead restricting them in most cases to rulings that only affect the parties before them.

In recent years, it has become glaringly obvious that federal judges are overstepping their constitutional bounds, the bills sponsor, Republican Representative Darrell Issa of California, said during floor debate. This is not a partisan issue. It may be a timely issue for this president, but that does not make it partisan.

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Democrats, for their part, argued the spike in injunctions under the second Trump term wasnt an issue with the courts, but rather the presidents boundary-pushing actions.

If it seems like an incredible number of cases to lose in less than 100 days, recall that Trump is engaged in a record number of illegal actions at a breathtaking velocity never seen before in U.S. history, Democratic Representative Jamie Raskin of Maryland said of the bill.

Donald Trump has sharply criticized federal judges who have ruled against him (DC District Court / Getty)

The bill is unlikely to pass the Senate, where it would need Democratic support to advance.

Trump has long personally attacked judges and law enforcement officials with whom he disagrees, and the criticisms have reached a fever pitch since he returned to office.

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The president has reserved special ire for Judge James Boasberg, who is presiding over a case regarding the administrations emergency deportations to an El Salvador prison. Trump has called Boasberg a Radical Left Lunatic of a Judge and called for his impeachment, prompting a rare public statement from Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts.

"For more than two centuries, it has been established that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision, he wrote last month. The normal appellate review process exists for that purpose.

White House advisor Elon Musk has sounded a similar tone, claiming judges are leading a judicial coup against the administration and reportedly donating to congressional Republicans who have pushed to impeach judges who ruled against Trump.

He also offered Wisconsin voters the chance to win $1 million checks for backing a petition against activist judges, in the context of the states recent Supreme Court race.

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In addition to attacking judges, the administration has been accused of ignoring their rulings.

More than 200 alleged Venezuelan gang members were sent to a notorious Salvadoran prison, despite a court order asking the administration to turn the flights around.

The administration has also admitted to accidentally deporting a Salvadoran man to the same facility, despite knowing of a court order barring his removal to that country, an error the administration has since argued it has no power to correct.
The Montana State Flag and tribal flags fly in front of the Montana State Capitol in Helena on Wednesday, April 26, 2023. (Photo by Mike Clark for the Daily Montanan)

Montana will soon have a new holiday on the books, after the House approved of Senate Bill 224 to add Indigenous Peoples Day to the list of legal state holidays.

The House on Wednesday passed the bill 87-12, establishing the holiday to be celebrated on the second Monday of October, in addition to recognizing Columbus Day the same day.

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The day has morphed into something to recognize everyone. Always going to be a strong presence of Montana Indians, but this effort is trying to incorporate and include everyone, said Rep. Tyson Running Wolf, D-Browning, who carried the bill in the House. Its a day that celebrates the ancestral lineage of all Montanans, again, all Montanans.

And its a day that is shaped and molded by each community and how that community wants to celebrate each other. So this bill gets away from eliminating a holiday and simply gives Montanans the option to celebrate what they prefer on the second Monday in October.

Attempts to recognize Indigenous Peoples Day in previous sessions were unsuccessful, partially due to some versions of legislation eliminating Columbus Day completely. The current version of the bill passed the Senate in February with just three opponents.

The co-celebration of the two holidays in October is done in Rhode Island, Nebraska and Alabama, while four states and Washington, D.C., have established Indigenous Peoples Day as a standalone state holiday.

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Running Wolf said in the committee hearing many Montanans came and shared stories about their backgrounds  some Native, some from other parts of the world. One man with Irish heritage came in and spoke the Irish language, sharing its meaning to his own history.

And it was beautiful. And we celebrated it all together, Running Wolf said.  What we heard in the hearing is that people want to learn about each other and the rich heritage that so many Montanans bring to Montana.

During floor debate, Rep. Ed Byrne, R-Bigfork, introduced an amendment to change the order of holidays in the bill, to make Columbus Day listed first to maintain its precedence of establishment.

Running Wolf said his biggest concern was that it would delay the process by sending the bill back to the Senate and cost more taxpayer money. The amendment failed to pass 27-70.

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Indigenous Peoples Day is a testament to our shared history values as Montanans, it celebrates the collaborative efforts to the stewards of our land, educates us about the profound knowledge and contributions of all Montana communities, and highlights our shared strength and responsibility, Running Wolf said. By honoring this day we take pride in our past, foster a deep understanding of all Indigenous entities and work together protect our cherish holiday heritage for future generations.

The bill made one additional change to recognized state holidays by updating Lincolns and Washingtons Birthdays to Presidents Day.
House bill filed that would create transit tax referendum for Mecklenburg County

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  Legislation was filed on Thursday that could eventually lead to new transit options in Mecklenburg County.

State Rep. Tricia Cotham (R-Mint Hill) introduced House Bill 948, or the P.A.V.E. Act, Thursday. If passed, it would create a ballot referendum for the November election that would allow voters to approve an added one-cent sales tax to create a new transit authority. This would include funding for the Silver Line, Red Line, and enhancements to local bus and road networks.

All county municipalities except for Matthews showed their support for the legislation, offering a joint statement.

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The managers have prided themselves on presenting a potential solution to lawmakers at the North Carolina General Assembly that is transformational in solving the transportation concerns the county faces over the next three decades, it reads. As with Senate Bill 145 and 584, the bill filed by Representative Cotham today supports the primary aspects of the proposal sent to lawmakers at the end of last year.

Matthews leaders, especially Mayor John Higdon have been firm in their opposition to the sales tax because the plan only takes the Silver Line from uptown west to the airport. Previous plans showed it running through east Charlotte into Matthews.

The bill states that the Red Line commuter rail would have to be 50 percent completed before another rail project can be pursued. The proposed rail from uptown to the Mecklenburg-Iredell County line would utilize Norfolk Southern rail acquired last year for $91 million by the City of Charlotte. The transit authority the bill creates would reimburse the city for the purchase.

Huntersville planning board approves transit-oriented development in preparation for proposed Red Line

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Cornelius Mayor Woody Washam called the legislation a game-changer. His town is among those in north Mecklenburg that have been yearning for an alternative transportation option between the region and Charlotte. The Red Line would offer just that.

Big thanks to Representative Tricia Cotham for always standing up for Mecklenburg County! House Bill 948, The P.A.V.E. Act is a game-changer for the Town of Cornelius. It will advance legislation that increases mobility choices for the people of Mecklenburg County and our visitors through a referendum that will be decided by the voting public in Mecklenburg County. Itll bring real improvements that folks will feel right away. Cornelius has been speaking up loud and clear for better road funding, and the PAVE Act makes sure every town in the county gets its fair share. This means better roads, better transit service, and a better future for our community and our neighbors. Mayor Woody Washam

The municipalities in support of the bill represent 97 percent of the countys population. Transit leaders ultimately plan to take the Red Line into Iredell County.

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Dozens of House Democrats are demanding President Trump confirm that Elon Musk will leave his role in the administration by May 30.

A group of 77 lawmakers, led by Rep. Greg Casar (D-Texas), sent a letter to Trump on Wednesday, emphasizing the tech billionaire can only serve in his role as a special government employee for 130 days.

Considering the repeated violations of the law by Musk and your administration, we demand an immediate public statement from your administration making clear that Musk will resign and surrender all decision making authority, as required by law, by May 30th, they wrote.

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In his short time in government, Elon Musk has done enormous harm to working Americans, they continued, adding, While millions of Americans are suffering, Musk is continuing to enrich himself and break ethics laws.

Musks stint in the federal government has been highly controversial. As the informal head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), he has led an effort to slash trillions of dollars in government spending that has included significant cuts to the federal workforce.

Beyond DOGE, Musks expansive business network has repeatedly raised conflict of interest questions, as several of his companies benefit from substantial amounts of government contracts.

The Tesla CEO has signaled he plans to wrap up his work in the allotted 130-day period. He told Fox Newss Bret Baier last month that he expects to have accomplished most of his DOGE work in that time frame.

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Trump has also told his inner circle that Musk will be stepping back from his government role in the coming weeks, according to Politico.

The group of House Democrats on Wednesday pressed the president to confirm Musks departure.

For the good of the country, Elon Musk should be removed from his position immediately, they wrote. Under the law, Mr. Musk cannot remain in his position beyond May 30th.

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A group of 77 Democrats has called on the White House to commit to a May 30 deadline for Elon Musk to finish in his unprecedented role inside the government, arguing the DOGE billionaire must step down by then under federal law.

In a letter to the president, led by Rep. Greg Casar of Texas, the lawmakers alleged that Musk had used his position as a so-called special government employee to enrich himself while slashing billions from the federal government and impacting key services.

In his short time in government, Elon Musk has done enormous harm to working Americans, the Wednesday letter, obtained by Axios, read. Musks reckless destruction of government agencies has led to everything from seniors having challenges accessing Social Security to veterans losing access to care at VA hospitals.

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It also pointed to federal actions like Musks SpaceX winning billions in federal contracts this month as potential conflicts of interest, with the lawmakers saying they demand that you stop ignoring federal law and ethics rules to empower an unelected billionaire.

The Democrats are asking the White House to publicly commit to the deadline, given the requirement that special government employees only serve 130 days in office.

The Independent has contacted the White House for comment.

Musk has said he thinks most of DOGEs work will be done by the end of May (AP)

In February, after weeks of confusion in court and officials sidestepping the question, the Trump administration confirmed that Musk was considered a special government employee, a temporary posting that allowed him to avoid certain disclosures required of federal workers. It also stated that a little-known administrator named Amy Gleason was the actual head of the U.S. DOGE Service agency.

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Earlier this month, news reports broke that Donald Trump was reportedly telling close allies that Musk planned to leave soon, though the White House pushed back against the stories, while leaving the billionaires ultimate exit date unclear.

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, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt wrote on X.

Musk himself has said he believes much of DOGEs work will be done 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 told Bret Baier of Fox News last month.

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According to DOGE, the spending-cut program has achieved roughly $150 billion in savings so far, though the initiative has been caught posting inflated or inaccurate data about its efforts.

The Government Accountability Office is reportedly auditing DOGE over its sweeping access to sensitive government data across agencies like the Social Security Administration.
The House finally approved a budget Thursday, uncorking the filibuster-skirting power Republicans need to build and enact President Donald Trumps dream bill along party lines this year.

The final vote was 216-214, with two Republicans  Reps. Victoria Spartz of Indiana and Thomas Massie of Kentucky  joining all Democrats in voting no.

Now Republicans on both sides of the Capitol can begin the even-heavier lift of writing  and then whipping support for  the behemoth package of tax cuts, military spending, energy policy, border security investments and more. That process will pit fiscal hawks against moderate Republicans as GOP leaders try to square their conflicting demands to protect safety-net programs like Medicaid while cutting trillions of dollars from that slice of the federal budget.

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Republican unity, huh? Cant be done," hard-liner Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.) quipped after the vote.

In a significant win for Trump and GOP leaders in Congress  and after days of suspense  dozens of Republican holdouts ultimately agreed to vote to clear the Senate-adopted blueprint after Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune publicly promised to seek at least $1.5 trillion in spending cuts to safety-net programs in the final package.

Johnson told fiscal conservatives in a meeting Wednesday night that House committee chairs will write their pieces of the bill to meet the House's higher standards for shrinking the federal deficit, not the Senate's lower benchmarks. He told them that they could boot him from the speakership if the final bill doesn't meet the House standard, which included $1.5 trillion in spending cuts, according to three people with direct knowledge of the commitment.

Massie, using a "Jack and the Beanstalk" analogy, predicted that the spending cuts will never become law. "I knew all along they would trade the cow for magic beans," the Kentucky Republican said of his colleagues after the vote. "These beans are like the rest. They don't sprout."

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Johnson and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise met privately with fiscal hawks past 10 p.m. Wednesday, after the GOP leaders canceled a vote on the fiscal framework earlier in the evening. Before that, House hard-liners met privately with Thune about ensuring deeper spending cuts.

I think at some point these guys just have to take yes for an answer, said Thune.

Adopting an identical budget in the House and Senate is just the first step in the arduous process of steering Trumps big, beautiful bill to enactment. It was far from easy. Republicans in each chamber had to vote twice on the fiscal blueprint over the course of seven weeks, in order to arrive at a final product GOP lawmakers on both sides of the Capitol could accept.

The budget framework gives Republicans a great deal of wiggle room to decide what goes into the final package House GOP leaders say they are aiming to finalize by late May. Besides tax cuts and spending cuts, they are allowed to boost military spending by $150 billion, along with another $175 billion for border security and immigration enforcement work.

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"We will now get the committees operating on all cylinders," Johnson told reporters after the vote.

While lawmakers have already started boarding flights for a two-week recess, the speaker said panel chairs will work over the break to craft their pieces of the bill, taking only a couple of days off to celebrate Easter.

Until now, Republican leaders in the House and Senate have been operating with an us-against-them mentality as Senate GOP leaders first rooted for breaking the agenda into two measures while top House Republicans favored the one-bill approach Trump has endorsed. But the speaker said that will change.

"This really is a one-team approach by Republicans in both chambers," Johnson said.

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While there are ways Republicans can skirt some of their own mandates to reduce the deficit in the final bill, Senate Republicans are requiring a total of at least $4 billion in savings over a decade from new policy crafted by committees that handle agriculture, nutrition and housing, along with energy, health, education and labor policy.

If Republicans don't go far beyond those Senate minimums for reducing the deficit, House fiscal hawks are threatening to revolt.

"We made it pretty clear that if any of this varies  if we don't pay for what we spend, no more deficits  then we can go right back. And we will. And they know that," Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) told reporters after the vote.

Because Senate Republicans plan to employ a seldom-used approach to tallying the price tag of their tax policies, GOP leaders plan to extend the 2017 Trump tax cuts while also enacting up to $1.5 trillion in new tax breaks  all while claiming they are only increasing the federal deficit by that $1.5 trillion. For their new tax perks, Republican leaders are considering Trumps own ideas, including nixing taxes on tips, as well as restoring key tax breaks for businesses and expanding the Child Tax Credit.

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Democrats are eager to hone their attacks on the GOP as the bill comes together and are seizing on an estimate Congress' nonpartisan budget scorekeeper released Thursday.

The new Congressional Budget Office analysis predicts that the GOP tax plans would increase the federal deficit by $6 trillion over a decade. That counts the extension of the 2017 tax cuts, plus the $1.5 trillion worth of new tax perks Republicans are seeking. Over 30 years, the tax cuts are estimated to add $52 trillion to a national debt that currently tops $36 trillion.

If they need to rack up a trillion-dollar bill on the middle-class credit card in order to finance tax cuts for their wealthy friends, they are willing to do it every single time, Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) said in an interview. They're willing to break the Senate, if that's what's necessary, to give away tax breaks to corporations and wealthy people.

Republicans will also now have to grapple with how to fulfill the House mandate to reduce the deficit by $880 billion through policies crafted by the Energy and Commerce Committee  with a major focus on Medicaid. Moderates are wary of changes that could lead to benefit cuts, while conservative hardliners want to make deep cuts to the program.

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There could even be division over eliminating green energy tax credits from the much-vilified 2022 climate law passed under the Biden administration. There are some within the party in both chambers who are agitating to preserve an array of these credits benefitting red districts and states.

While Republicans are broadly in favor of extending the 2017 Trump tax cuts, many other tax questions could divide lawmakers, including caps on state and local tax deductions and expanding the Child Tax Credit.

Ben Leonard, Nicholas Wu, Ben Jacobs, Lisa Kashinsky and Jordain Carney contributed to this report.
House Republicans on Thursday adopted the Senates framework that will be used to enact key parts of President Trumps legislative agenda, getting the blueprint over the finish line after a last-minute scramble to win over conservatives who had spent days railing against the measure.

The largely party line 216-214 vote marks a big win for Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), who has pushed an aggressive timeline to advance Trumps domestic policy priorities, and President Trump, who endorsed the legislation and lobbied those on the right flank to get on board.

Only two Republicans  Reps. Thomas Massie (Ky.) and Victoria Spartz (Ind.)  voted against the measure.

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It was a good day in the House, Johnson told reporters after the vote. I told you not to doubt us. The media always does. The Democrats always do. But we get the job done, and were really grateful to have had the big victory on the floor just now.

It was not, however, an easy path to success for the GOP leadership. More than a dozen hardline House conservatives had come out against the Senate resolution, vowing to vote against the legislation if it came to the floor out of concern over the level of spending cuts mandated in the measure  despite Trumps continued pressure to back the measure.

That opposition forced Johnson to yank a planned vote on the measure Wednesday night. As leadership held open an unrelated vote for almost 90 minutes, Johnson huddled in a room off the House floor with several of the conservative holdouts in an unsuccessful attempt to secure their support  prompting the delay.

The linchpin in leaderships effort appeared to be a joint press appearance Thursday morning by Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.), where the pair delivered brief remarks regarding spending cuts. The hardliners were incensed that the budget resolution directed Senate committees to find far fewer spending cuts than House panels  at least $1.5 trillion compared to at least $4 billion  worried that the upper chamber would reign supreme.

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During their remarks, Johnson committed to including at least $1.5 trillion in cuts, while Thune said the Senate was aligned with the House in terms of what their budget resolution outlined in terms of savings  remarks that stopped short of a firm commitment, but were encouraging enough to House hardliners to get them on board.

Still, passage remained far from a sure thing. Though members of the Freedom Caucus expressed cautious optimism, a group continued to meet even as the vote took place on the floor. Johnson, at the same time, huddled on the House floor with moderate Republicans who had expressed unease about the effects of severe spending cuts.

After the vote, members of the conservative House Freedom Caucus said they received assurances from Johnson, Thune and the White House that significant spending cuts will be included in the final bill.

We have now three strong statements from the Speaker, the president and the Senate majority leader, Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas), flanked by other hardliners, told reporters. We did not have those 48 hours ago, we do now.

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The first time publicly, the Senate leader has come out and actually said that were in the same ballpark with the House and Senate reductions, Rep. Andy Harris (R-Md.), the chair of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, told The Hill. Obviously we were happy with the House spending reduction because we all voted for it so I think thats a step in a positive direction.

The successful vote puts a bookend on the first phase of the budget reconciliation process, which Republicans are hoping to use to advance Trumps domestic policy priorities. The process allows the Senate to bypass Democratic buy-in by working around the 60-vote filibuster. The initial part of the procedure requires both chambers adopting a resolution, which acts as instructions for the rest of the process.

Now, however, the even tougher part begins. Republicans in both chambers must craft a package that is in line with the levels laid out in the budget resolution and make decisions on a number of hot-button issues like spending cuts, how long the tax cuts are extended for and the cap on the state-and-local-tax deduction, among other details.

In a sign of the treacherous waters ahead, a band of moderate House Republicans huddled with Johnson on the floor for an extended period of time ahead of Thursdays vote, during which the group discussed how the party would approach Medicaid as it begins writing the final Trump agenda bill.

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The adopted budget resolution directs the House Energy and Commerce Committee to find at least $880 billion in spending cuts, which many moderates worry will require deep slashes to Medicaid  a nonstarter for them. The comments on Thursday about finding at least $1.5 trillion in cuts appeared to exacerbate those concerns.

We just wanted to be clear, again, with the Speaker, as weve had numerous times before, that we will not vote for something that strips benefits from seniors and our vulnerable population that rely on traditional Medicaid services, said Rep. Nicolle Malliotakis (R-N.Y.), who was part of the conversation on the floor.

Now lets let the real negotiations begin, and we will fight it out for seniors and our vulnerable and of course our New Yorkers who deserve to have relief from SALT, she added.

The adopted budget resolution  which was crafted after House and Senate Republicans advanced their own, contrasting blueprints  seeks to extend Trumps 2017 tax cuts, with many provisions set to expire at the end of the year, in addition to raising the debt limit, appropriating money for the border and enacting energy policy.

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Senate Republicans adopted their own budget resolution in February, which utilized a two-bill strategy  the first bill including border and energy, and the second covering tax cuts. Shortly after, however, the House GOP conference cleared a budget resolution for one big, beautiful bill, as Republicans and Trump referred to it, encompassing all the priorities.

Last week, Senate GOP leaders released a compromise version, which was adopted in both chambers.

Johnson has been pushing an aggressive timeline for getting a bill to Trumps desk, hoping to do so by Memorial Day. Underscoring that path is a looming deadline to raise the debt limit, which the Congressional Budget Office said could come in August or September.

Time is of the essence, Johnson said after the vote. We know whats going on around the world. We know that the debt limit cliff is approaching pretty quickly here. We know that markets have been a little unstable. They want to know that Congress is on the job, and Im here to tell you that we are.

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Were going to do our job, and were going to provide stability, and were going to send this message to all of our allies and friends around the world and to our adversaries, that America is back and the America First agenda will be enacted, he added.

It remains unclear how much Republicans will vote to raise the debt limit by. The budget resolution includes a $4 trillion debt ceiling hike for the House, and a $5 trillion increase for the Senate.

While the House ultimately adopted the Senates budget resolution, the successful vote did not come without tension in the GOP ranks.

Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Wis.) said he briefly voted in opposition  bringing the total number of no votes to three, the maximum Johnson could afford to lose  before switching to yes. He said his vote was a shot over the bow at the House Freedom Caucus over his frustration with them dragging out negotiations  a sign of the friction within the House GOP conference that will likely only increase as the reconciliation process continued.

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I will personally sabotage every single thing the Freedom Caucus does, until they get their mind right, Van Orden said.

Emily Brooks contributed.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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House Republican leaders canceled a vote on the Senates budget resolution Wednesday night, as Speaker Mike Johnson came to terms with what had been clear for many hours: Too many Republicans would vote in opposition and the measure was bound to fail.

House GOP leaders continued to meet with holdouts late Wednesday and are considering tweaks to get fiscal hawks on board with the budget framework essential to passing President Donald Trumps legislative agenda. But the outcome is a brutal blow for House GOP leaders and the president, who have spent days trying to wrangle the votes for the fiscal blueprint.



The canceled vote followed hours of suspense, as more than a dozen holdouts met off the floor with Johnson and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise while a vote on a completely separate measure was held open for well over an hour. The evening votes had already been delayed as the House hard-liners were busy back-channeling with Senate Republicans to sketch out deeper spending cuts .

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I just got off the phone with President Trump. And he wants us to get it done. But were going to rework things, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) told reporters as she left the meeting with House leaders that prompted the decision to call off the vote.

Johnson told reporters there was a small subset of Republican lawmakers opposed to the measure, which Republicans need to adopt in order to unlock the filibuster-skirting power to enact a package of tax cuts, military spending, energy policy, border security investments and more along party lines this year. But even a handful of opponents can sink a partisan bill given the House GOPs exceedingly narrow majority.

Im very optimistic about the outcome of this one big, beautiful bill, and this is just one of the steps in getting there, the speaker said.

Johnson said House leadership will explore either amending the Senate-adopted budget or going straight to conference with the other chamber and working out differences there. One option is adopting an amendment from Rep. Lloyd Smucker (R-Pa.) that would ensure Republicans have to enact corresponding spending cuts to offset any tax cuts in a final package. Another option is forcing a level of certain spending cuts in the package.

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Lawmakers are slated to head back to their districts Thursday for a two-week recess, meaning that the president may have to wait to see any forward motion on his "big beautiful bill." But Johnson told reporters Wednesday night that if we have to come back next week, then well do that.

Some Republicans are holding out hope there could be a breakthrough before lawmakers leave for their time at home, though. Rep. Rich McCormick of Georgia, one of the GOP lawmakers opposed to the Senates budget framework, told reporters Wednesday night, I think well have a more conservative alternative tomorrow.

Adoption of identical budget resolutions in both the House and Senate is an essential step to allowing committees to start drafting and passing the party-line package. And if the House amends the Senates revamped budget framework, senators would have to endure a third all-night amendment voting session just to approve the budget, before holding another voting spree to pass the final bill.

Across the Capitol, Senate Majority Leader John Thune wasnt enthused about that idea. No we can't do that  another vote-a-rama that drags it on indefinitely. I think everybody realizes that we're at the time that we've got to move," he said.

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The Senate majority leader also met with a group of House fiscal hawks earlier in the evening about their concerns in an attempt to break the impasse and have them approve the Senates product, afterward describing the confab as a really good back and forth and constructive.

All we can do is make sure they understand where we're coming from and how closely we want to work with them to get to the final product, Thune told reporters Wednesday night.

Thune said he didnt make any commitment to enacting $2 trillion in cuts to safety-net programs in the final bill, however, which some House fiscal hawks are insisting on: I didn't say anything quite like that.

Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), who was also in the meeting with the fiscal hawks, sought to project unity: Republicans in the Senate, Republicans in the House, are all on the same page  we are all committed to serious and significant savings.

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But many House Republicans are not at all pleased with alterations made in the Senate, where GOP leaders are calling for a total of at least $4 billion in savings in a final package, while the House set a mandate of $1.5 trillion to $2 trillion in spending cuts to balance out tax cuts.

We just dont trust the Senate, Rep. Kevin Hern (R-Okla.), chair of the House Republican Policy Committee, said in a brief interview this week. It just seems very unserious that they want to control the deficits in this country.

Jordain Carney, Mia McCarthy and Nicholas Wu contributed to this report.
Sen. Dan Sullivan (left), R-Jonesboro, and Rep. Wayne Long (right), R-Bradford, present to the House Committee on State Agencies and Governmental Affairs a bill they sponsored, Senate Bill 536, to abolish the Arkansas State Library on Wednesday, April 9, 2025. (Tess Vrbin/Arkansas Advocate)

An Arkansas House committee Wednesday rejected a bill that would abolish the State Library and its board, making it difficult for the proposal to make it to the governors desk by the end of the legislative session April 16.

Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Jonesboro, has repeatedly promised to dissolve the State Library Board and broadened this mission when he filed Senate Bill 536 last month. He told the House Committee on State Agencies and Governmental Affairs on Wednesday that the State Library and local libraries need more accountability to the government entities that fund them.

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SB 536 passed the Senate last week by the slimmest possible margin. It would transfer the authorities, funds, contracts and employees of the agency and its board to the Arkansas Department of Education. The State Library is already under the departments umbrella but operates independently, and its board disburses state funds to public libraries on a quarterly basis.

Education Secretary Jacob Oliva said the department is more than capable of carrying out the State Librarys responsibilities, but committee members were unconvinced. Rep. Stan Berry, R-Dover, said he had little faith that the departments oversight would resolve any of the issues Sullivan said he had with the State Library and its board.

Berry and seven other committee members voted against SB 536, and five more were absent or did not vote. Seven members voted to pass the bill, including Rep. Wayne Long, R-Bradford, the bills House sponsor, who called the State Library Board too big for their britches.

Long and Sullivan said they took issue with the board rejecting two motions last month to protect children in libraries and to detach from the American Library Association. At the same meeting, the board passed a separate motion aimed at protecting children in libraries while upholding the First Amendment.

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Conservatives statewide, including State Library Board member and former Republican state senator Jason Rapert, have called for libraries to keep children from accessing content considered inappropriate for them. SB 536 would codify several new criteria for libraries to receive state funds, including prohibit[ing] access to age-inappropriate materials to a person who is sixteen (16) years old or younger.

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.

Bobbie Guerra, a homeschooling mother from Lowell, said putting the Department of Education in direct control of public libraries would put homeschooling parents who utilize libraries as educational resources at the mercy of what [it] deems age-appropriate.

Additionally, SB 536s language was just as flawed and fatal as that of Act 372 of 2023, said Arkansas Library Association President-elect Adam Webb, referring to a Sullivan-sponsored law partially blocked in federal court that the state is appealing. The blocked sections of Act 372 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.

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SB 536 does not mention obscenity or sexually explicit material despite its supporters routinely mentioning the latter, Webb said.

When judges tell you, Heres the type of speech that you can regulate, [heres what is] sexually explicit, here are the definitions, use it, he said. Dont reinvent the wheel, but here we are again two years later with the same vague language.

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Webb is also the director of the Garland County Library, and he was one of nine Arkansans who spoke against SB 536.

Judy Calhoun, the recently retired director of the Southeast Arkansas Regional Library system, and Faulkner-Van Buren Regional Library director John McGraw said SB 536 created unfunded mandates, such as requiring libraries to have interlibrary loan programs and to meet minimum hours of operation per year in order to receive state funds.

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Journalist, professor and historian Sonny Rhodes said he had a problem with the bill changing the oversight of certain historical records, which the State Library currently oversees.

If SB 536 results in the loss or restricted access to such databases, it could hinder research efforts, making it harder to produce informed and accurate academic research, Rhodes said.

Four Arkansans spoke for the bill, including representatives of the Family Council and the all-Republican Saline County Quorum Court. All four said they struggle to attend their local libraries with the children in their families due to content they consider inappropriate and easily visible.

The committee spent several minutes debating two sex education books that Greenbrier Republican Rep. Stephen Meeks, a member of the committee, challenged in 2021 with the goal of removing them from the Faulkner-Van Buren Regional Library.

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However, SB 536s appropriateness criteria includes a limited exception for sex education materials, which would be accessible to minors between 12 and 15 years old. Those under 12 would not be able to access such materials if their parents or guardians have forbidden their access in writing.

Rep. Howard Beaty, Jr., R-Crossett

SB 536 also puts specific higher education requirements in place for library directors. Rep. Jeremy Wooldridge, R-Marmaduke, said this provision led him to oppose the bill because every library director in his Northeast Arkansas district would have to be replaced.

Rep. Howard Beaty, R-Crossett, also voted against the bill and said both sides are going to lose.

Shame on yall I think this could have been resolved very easily, Beaty said. Folks dug their heels in and decided they werent going to negotiate.

Deputy Editor Antoinette Grajeda contributed to this article.
ATLANTA (AP)  The U.S. House on Thursday approved legislation requiring documentary proof of U.S. citizenship for anyone registering to vote, something voting rights group have warned could disenfranchise millions of Americans.

The requirement has been a top election-related priority for President Donald Trump and House Republicans, who argue it's needed to eliminate instances of noncitizen voting, which is already rare and, as numerous state cases have shown, is typically a mistake rather than part of a coordinated attempt to subvert an election. It's already illegal under federal law for people who are not U.S. citizens to cast ballots and can lead to felony charges and deportation.

The bill, known as the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, or the SAVE Act, now heads to the Senate, where its fate is uncertain because Republicans don't have a large enough majority to avoid a filibuster.

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Heres a look at key issues in the debate over a proof of citizenship requirement for voting:

Who would be affected if the bill becomes law?

If it eventually becomes the law, the SAVE Act would take effect immediately and apply to all voter registration applications.

This has no impact on individuals that are currently registered to vote, said Rep. Bryan Steil, a Wisconsin Republican who has been advocating for the bill.

Voting rights groups say there is more to the story. The law would affect voters who already are registered if they move, change their name or otherwise need to update their registration. That was acknowledged to some extent by the bills author, Republican Rep. Chip Roy of Texas, during a recent hearing on the legislation.

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The idea here is that for individuals to be able to continue to vote if they are registered, Roy said. If they have an intervening event or if the states want to clean the rolls, people would come forward to register to demonstrate their citizenship so we could convert our system over some reasonable time to a citizenship-based registration system.

What documents would be required to register?

The SAVE Act compels states to reject any voter registration application in which the applicant has not presented documentary proof of United States citizenship."

Among the acceptable documents for demonstrating proof of citizenship are:

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 A REAL ID-compliant drivers license that indicates the applicant is a citizen.

 A valid U.S. passport.

 A military ID card with a military record of service that lists the applicants birthplace as in the U.S.

 A valid government-issued photo ID that shows the applicants birthplace was in the U.S.

 A valid government-issued photo ID presented with a document such as a certified birth certificate that shows the birthplace was in the U.S.

What if my driver's license doesn't list my birthplace or indicate I'm a US citizen?

In general, drivers licenses do not list a birthplace or indicate that the card holder is a citizen  even many that are REAL ID-compliant.

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REAL ID was passed by Congress in 2005 to set minimum standards for IDs such as drivers licenses and requires applicants to provide a Social Security number and demonstrate lawful status either as a citizen or legal resident.

After years of delays, any drivers license used for identification to pass through airport security will have to be REAL ID-compliant beginning May 7. U.S. passports will still be acceptable.

Although states designate REAL ID compliance on drivers licenses with a marking such as a gold or black star, that alone would not indicate U.S. citizenship. People who are legal residents but not citizens also can obtain a REAL ID.

States are currently not required to label IDs with a citizen mark, although a handful of states (Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont and Washington) offer a citizen-only REAL ID alternative that might meet SAVE Act requirements. Republicans say they hope more states will move in the direction of IDs that indicate citizenship.

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The structure is put in place now to -- I think theres at least five states that do have the citizenship status as part of the REAL ID -- encourage more states to do so, Roy said. That would be part of the goal here.

Adoption of REAL ID has been slow. As of January 2024, about 56% of drivers licenses and IDs in the U.S. were REAL ID-compliant, according to data collected by the Department of Homeland Security.

What about people who can't access birth or marriage certificates?

Voting rights group say the list of documents doesnt consider the realities facing millions of Americans who do not have easy access to their birth certificates and the roughly half who do not have a U.S. passport.

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They also worry about additional hurdles for women whose birth certificates dont match their current IDs because they changed their name after getting married. There were examples of this during local elections last month in New Hampshire, which recently implemented a proof of citizenship requirement for voting.

Republicans say there is a provision in the SAVE Act that directs states to develop a process for accepting supplemental documents such as a marriage certificate, which could establish the connection between a birth certificate and a government-issued ID.

They argue the process is similar to obtaining a U.S. passport or REAL ID-compliant drivers license.

We have mechanisms giving the state fairly significant deference to make determinations as to how to structure the situation where an individual does have a name change, Roy said. The process is specifically contemplated in this legislation.

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Democrats counter that the bill should have specified how this was to be done, rather than creating the potential to have 50 different rules.

How do people submit their documents?

The legislation says applicants who submit the federal voter registration form by mail must present documentary proof of U.S. citizenship in person to their local election office under a deadline set by their state.

Voting rights groups have noted this would be a huge barrier for people who live in more rural parts of the country, where the nearest election office might be hours away by car.

The SAVE Act directs states, in consultation with the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, to ensure that reasonable accommodations are made to allow individuals with disabilities who submit the form to provide proof of citizenship to their election official.

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The legislation also considers that some states permit same-day voter registration and says, in those cases, voters must present proof of citizenship at their polling location not later than the date of the election.

That would mean that people who do not have such proof with them would have to return with their documents before polls close to be registered and have their ballot counted.

Its less clear what this means for those states that have online voter registration systems or automatic voter registration set up through their states motor vehicle agency. Democratic state election officials have raised concerns that the legislation means these processes would no longer be operational under the proposal.

The legislation says anyone registering through a state motor vehicle agency also is required to provide proof of citizenship. It directs the Election Assistance Commission to issue guidance to state election officials about implementing the laws requirements.

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Why did Republicans bring this up?

Republicans say any instance of voting by noncitizens, no matter how rare, is unacceptable and undermines confidence in U.S. elections.

Democrats respond by saying that voting by noncitizens is already illegal in federal elections those for president and Congress  and penalties can result in fines and deportation. They say Congress should be more focused on helping states improve their ability to identify and remove any noncitizens who might end up on voter lists instead of forcing everyone to prove citizenship beforehand.

A recent review in Michigan identified 15 people who appear to be noncitizens who voted in the 2024 general election, out of more than 5.7 million ballots cast in the state. Of those, 13 were referred to the attorney general for potential criminal charges. One involved a voter who has since died, and the final case remains under investigation.

Our careful review confirms what we already knew  that this illegal activity is very rare, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said in a statement. While we take all violations of election law very seriously, this tiny fraction of potential cases in Michigan and at the national level do not justify recent efforts to pass laws we know would block tens of thousands of Michigan citizens from voting in future elections."
Honduran President Xiomara Castro (R) welcomes Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum at the latter's arrival to the 9th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) in Tegucigalpa, capital of Honduras, April 9, 2025. The summit was attended by over a dozen heads of state and delegations from the bloc's 33 member countries. Honduras formally handed over CELAC's rotating presidency to Colombia. (Photo by David de la Paz/Xinhua)

TEGUCIGALPA, April 9 (Xinhua) -- Colombian President Gustavo Petro on Wednesday call on Latin America and the Caribbean to act as a "guiding light" for multilateralism in a world increasingly troubled by division and unilateralism.

Petro made the appeal at the 9th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) held in Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras.

"We must decide whether we help each other or retreat into loneliness," Petro said. "We can either face the world alone, as in One Hundred Years of Solitude, or we can act as a united humanity and support one another."

The summit was attended by over a dozen heads of state and delegations from the bloc's 33 member countries. Honduras formally handed over CELAC's rotating presidency to Colombia. 

Honduran President Xiomara Castro (R) waves at her arrival to the 9th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) in Tegucigalpa, capital of Honduras, April 9, 2025. The summit was attended by over a dozen heads of state and delegations from the bloc's 33 member countries. Honduras formally handed over CELAC's rotating presidency to Colombia. (Photo by David de la Paz/Xinhua)

Honduran President Xiomara Castro (R) welcomes Colombian President Gustavo Petro at the latter's arrival to the 9th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) in Tegucigalpa, capital of Honduras, April 9, 2025. The summit was attended by over a dozen heads of state and delegations from the bloc's 33 member countries. Honduras formally handed over CELAC's rotating presidency to Colombia. (Photo by David de la Paz/Xinhua)

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva reacts at his arrival to the 9th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) in Tegucigalpa, capital of Honduras, April 9, 2025. The summit was attended by over a dozen heads of state and delegations from the bloc's 33 member countries. Honduras formally handed over CELAC's rotating presidency to Colombia. (Photo by David de la Paz/Xinhua)

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel waves at his arrival to the 9th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) in Tegucigalpa, capital of Honduras, April 9, 2025. The summit was attended by over a dozen heads of state and delegations from the bloc's 33 member countries. Honduras formally handed over CELAC's rotating presidency to Colombia. (Photo by David de la Paz/Xinhua)
The U.S. House has passed a bill that voting rights groups have repeatedly warned would make it harder for millions of Americans, including married women, to vote.

The Republican-controlled House on Thursday voted for the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act. The legislation purportedly aims to block non-citizens from voting, which is already illegal and is very rare.

The bill would require an individual to present in person a passport, birth certificate or other citizenship document when registering to vote or updating their voter registration information.

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Voting rights groups have said the bill will pose a barrier for millions of American women and others who have changed their legal name because of marriage, assimilation or to better align with their gender identity. An estimated 69 million American women and 4 million men do not have a birth certificate that matches their current legal name.

Republicans who support the bill claim that states will be able to create processes so people can prove their citizenship if their name doesnt match their birth certificate.

Voting rights groups also worry the bill will disenfranchise others from marginalized communities who are less likely to have the necessary documentation on hand. More than 9 percent of citizens of voting age  or 21.3 million people  do not have documents that prove their citizenship readily available.

They also warn the bill, if it becomes law, would eliminate popular methods of voter registration, such as online, mail and registration drives  adding demands on a women-led election workforce that has faced burnout and harassment after years of disinformation about election integrity.

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The House also passed the SAVE Act last year, but it died in the Senate. Its now headed back to upper chamber, where Republicans have a 53-seat majority and the legislation needs 60 votes to pass.

The post House passes bill that could make it harder for married women to vote appeared first on The 19th.

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In a vote on Thursday, the House of Representatives passed the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, a bill Republicans have celebrated but that has drawn the ire of voting rights groups and most congressional Democrats.

The bill passed with 220 votes in favor and 208 opposed. Four Democrats joined the Republican majority in the House to advance the bill.

It now heads to the Senate, which did not act after the House passed the bill last July -- allowing it to expire at the end of the 118th Congress. Republicans will need Democratic support to overcome a 60-vote threshold to be able to pass the bill in the Senate.

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The measure would require states to obtain in-person "documentary" proof of citizenship before registering a person to vote for a federal election. The measure also would require states to remove noncitizens from existing voter rolls.

Noncitizens are already prohibited from voting in federal and state elections, though some cities and localities allow noncitizens to vote in some local elections, and voter roll audits leading up to the 2024 elections found rare instances of noncitizen voting.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., posted Thursday that the bill is "dead on arrival" in the Senate/

"The Republicans' SAVE Act reads more like a how-to guide for voter suppression. It goes against the very foundations of our democracy," he added. "Mark my words: This will not pass the Senate."

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MORE: Election fact check: Noncitizens can't vote, and instances are 'vanishingly rare'

MORE: House passes budget blueprint to advance Trump's agenda

Supporters of the bill have argued it will strengthen voting laws and confidence in elections and that it gives states flexibility to figure out how to allow people to register to vote if they have an issue or discrepancy with the documents.

"Despite the ridiculous attacks and purposeful misinformation spread about the bill, I am pleased to see that the House of Representatives once again passed the SAVE Act on a bipartisan basis to ensure only U.S. citizens vote in federal elections," Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, the author of the legislation, said in a statement on Thursday. "In order to preserve this republic, we must uphold what it means to be able to vote in a U.S. election."

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"You have to prove your identity because only U.S. citizens should vote and decide U.S. elections. It's already in federal law, but there's no mechanism currently to ensure that that law is always followed, and this measure, the SAVE act, will help make sure that it's true," House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., told reporters after the bill passed.

PHOTO: Speaker of the House Mike Johnson talks to reporters just after House Republicans approved their budget framework that is central to President Donald Trump's agenda, at the Capitol in Washington, April 10, 2025. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)

Opponents of the bill, including many voting rights organizations, have argued that the bill, if it becomes law, could disenfranchise voters who are citizens but do not have the eligible documents and that it will make it far tougher to register to vote.

Some opponents of the SAVE Act have also raised concerns over challenges married women could face if their current last names do not match their birth certificates, if they have to use one as a qualifying document. Supporters have countered that states will have the flexibility to figure out solutions for those affected.

When We All Vote, a voting advocacy group founded by former first lady Michelle Obama, criticized the bill in a statement on Thursday -- calling it "another attempt to silence voters and decrease participation in our elections" and predicting that its passage "would effectively end online, automatic and mail-in voter registration."

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MORE: Civil rights groups sue Trump over executive order requiring citizenship proof in registering to vote

MORE: Texas governor under fire after pushing special election to November

Michael Waldman, president of the nonpartisan Brennan Center for Justice at the New York University School of Law, called on the Senate to reject the bill.

"The House has just passed one of the worst pieces of voting legislation in American history. The Senate must stop it. The SAVE Act would put voting out of reach for millions of American citizens. It should not become law," Waldman wrote in a statement on Thursday.

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The Brennan Center said over 21 million voters would not have the required documents easily accessible.

President Donald Trump has voiced continued support for the measure, including during his 2024 presidential campaign. Republicans had attempted to tuck the measure into a continuing resolution last fall, but Senate Democrats blocked it from advancing further.

The four Democrats who supported the bill's passage on Thursday are Reps. Jared Golden, D-Maine, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Wash., Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, and Ed Case, D-Hawaii.

Glusenkamp Perez wrote in a statement on Thursday, "I do not support noncitizens voting in American elections. ... Voting in our nation's elections is a sacred right belonging only to American citizens, and my vote for the SAVE Act reflects that principle."

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But she added that she believes the bill "stands no chance of passage in the Senate due to the filibuster, as well as several deeply flawed provisions."

Golden, however, said he was "confident" that the bill provides several accommodations to address concerns regarding difficulties in registering to vote following name changes and argued the legislation is necessary to keep elections secure.

"The right to vote in American elections should be exclusive to American citizens. Requiring people to prove citizenship when registering to vote is a simple way to ensure that's happening across the country," Golden said.

ABC News' Joanne Haner contributed to this report.

House passes bill to require proof of citizenship to register to vote, drawing ire of voting rights groups originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
WASHINGTON  The House passed a bill Thursday that would require proof of citizenship to register to vote in federal elections in an effort to codify one of President Donald Trump's executive actions in his second term.

Lawmakers approved the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act in a 220-208 vote, with four Democrats  Reps. Ed Case of Hawaii, Henry Cuellar of Texas, Jared Golden of Maine and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington  joining every Republican present in support of the measure.

The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, would amend the National Voter Registration Act so states would be required to obtain proof of citizenship in person from people who are registering to vote.

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It would also require states to establish a program to remove undocumented immigrants from existing voter rolls and allow American citizens to sue election officials who don't follow proof-of-citizenship requirements.

"In order to preserve this republic, we must uphold what it means to be able to vote in a U.S. election," Roy said in a statement. "I am grateful that my colleagues answered the call and passed the SAVE Act, as this serves as a critical first step to ensure that we maintain election integrity throughout our country."

Election officials, voting rights advocates and Democrats have warned that the SAVE Act could disenfranchise millions of eligible voters who dont have easy access to identification documents, in addition to women who changed their last names after marriage.

My Republican colleagues crafted and passed one of the most damaging voter suppression bills in modern history. Theres no doubt that women, military members, and people of color will be disproportionately impacted," Rep. Joe Morelle, D-N.Y., the ranking member on the House Administration Committee, said in a statement. "The fight to stop this bill  to protect Americans sacred right to vote  is not over. I will do everything in my power to ensure every eligible American has access to the ballot box.

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The American Civil Liberties Union said in a news release Thursday that the bill would "threaten the voting rights of as many as 69 million women who have taken their spouses name but whose birth certificate does not match."

The bill's Republican sponsor argued that there's a system in place to address those concerns.

The Associated Press reported that Roy said: We have mechanisms giving the state fairly significant deference to make determinations as to how to structure the situation where an individual does have a name change. The process is specifically contemplated in this legislation.

It is already illegal for noncitizens to vote in federal elections, and the practice occurs rarely. Federal law requires that voters registering to vote swear under penalty of perjury that they are citizens and eligible to vote. And registering to vote and casting a ballot leaves a paper trail that elected officials are required by law to routinely review. Courts have blocked states from adding documentary proof-of-citizenship requirements for voters in federal races.

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Trump and his GOP allies have zeroed in on the threat of noncitizens voting in elections as part of their broader unfounded claims of election fraud. Trump signed an executive order last month to require people to prove their citizenship when they register to vote. Democrats and voting rights groups have challenged the order in court.

The fate of the House's bill is uncertain in the Senate, where Mike Lee, R-Utah, unveiled a companion bill this year. With a 53-47 majority, Senate Republicans would need Democratic support to overcome the 60-vote threshold to advance the bill to a final vote and ultimately send it to Trump to sign into law. Lee's bill has 20 co-sponsors, all of whom are Republican.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
The House on Wednesday passed a bill restricting district court judges from issuing nationwide injunctions in a move that would vastly diminish the ability of courts to block President Trumps policies.

Dubbed the No Rogue Rulings Act, the legislation from Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) would limit judges to providing relief only to parties directly involved in the suit.

The bill passed in an 219-213 vote.

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It would bar district court judges from issuing nationwide injunctions, even when the matter has an impact across the country  undercutting numerous lawsuits challenging Trumps directives.

Since President Trump has returned to office, left-leaning activists have cooperated with ideological judges who they have sought out to take their cases and weaponize nationwide injunctions to stall dozens of lawful executive actions and initiatives, Issa said.

These sweeping injunctions represent judicial activism at the worst.

To Democrats, however, a recent string of Trump losses in court reflects not rogue judges but rather the lawlessness of his actions.

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My colleagues on the other side of the aisle want you to believe that somehow these nationwide injunctions being issued by courts across the country against Donald Trumps illegal and unconstitutional actions are unfair, Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) said.

Heres the message: If you dont like the injunctions, dont do illegal, unconstitutional stuff. That simple.

Both chambers have introduced bills to curb nationwide injunctions, but Republicans picked up the mantle this year after U.S. District Court James Boasberg temporarily barred the Trump administration from deporting Venezuelans to a Salvadoran prison under the Alien Enemies Act.

Trump has called for the judges impeachment while other GOP voices have complained about the ability of one judge to hamstring a White House policy from being implemented across the country.

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But Democrats argue the injunctions properly protect from harm those across the country even if they are not directly involved in the suit.

Many have cited Trumps order attempting to block birthright citizenship for those not born to citizen parents. Judges appointed by presidents of both parties struck down the order, finding it violated the constitutions guarantee of citizenship for all born in the U.S.

Democrats argue it makes no sense that the parents of each child would need to sue individually.

Nationwide injunctions play an essential role in protecting our democracy and holding the political branches accountable. Without them, millions of people could be harmed by these illegal or unconstitutional government policies, Jayapal said.

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Judges have increasingly issued nationwide injunctions over the last 25 years, a trend accompanied by growing scrutiny of their legitimacy.

Judges issued six nationwide injunctions during President George W. Bushs administration, according to an analysis published in the Harvard Law Review. The number doubled to 12 during the Obama administration before skyrocketing to 64 during Trumps first term.

During the Biden administration, the number of nationwide injunctions fell back to 14, a figure that has already been surpassed in a matter of weeks in the second Trump administration.

Judges are asserting this authority by themselves, and its an outrageous abuse of public trust and judicial power and opened the Pandoras box that threatens the constitutional order, said Rep. Tom McClintock (R-Calif).

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The congress is elected to make law. The president is elected to enforce it. The judiciary is appointed for the sole purpose of resolving cases and controversies brought to it by individual injured parties.

But Democrats say that Trump  who has already issued more than 100 executive orders during his second term  has far surpassed his predecessors in seeking to shape policy through executive orders beyond the scope of his powers and crafting illegal policy.

Federal judges have issued at least 68 court orders that block or pause the administrations lawlessness to prevent irreparable harm in the country from his unconstitutional actions. The judges deciding here were appointed by five different presidents  both Democratic presidents and Republican presidents, said Rep. Jamie Raskin (Md.), the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee.

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) has introduced a similar bill in the Senate that would also limit judicial rulings to the parties directly involved in the case. Its unclear, however, when the legislation might advance.

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A bill to grant immunity to lawyers who are also elected as Constitutional officers  such as the attorney general or governor  failed to get out of the House this week on a 45-53 vote.

All present Democrats voted against it and 12 Republicans joined them despite arguments from Rep. Tom Millett, R-Marion, that the bill made practical and political sense.

The bill came out of the Senate Special Committee on Judicial Oversight and Reform, part of swath of priority legislation this year for Republicans.

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With support from sponsor Sen. Barry Usher, R-Billings, the House Judiciary Committee voted unanimously to amend Senate Bill 49 to postpone the date it would take effect.

Rep. Tom France, D-Missoula, suggested the amendment would address concerns the legislation intends to protect Attorney General Austin Knudsen, who is facing disciplinary charges. An original draft of the bill only applied to the attorney general.

On the House floor Monday, Millett pointed to a couple examples where he believed the bill would be helpful, including the case against Knudsen.

This is a freedom of speech issue and will allow our constitutional officers and members of the legislature who just happen to be lawyers from being persecuted for their speech by the lawyer disciplinary system, Millett said.

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Currently, the attorney general is hobbled from defending the legislature, as evidenced by the disciplinary case underway, Millett said.

However, Millett also said Gov. Greg Gianforte railed against the Supreme Court in his state of the state address.

The governor did so without fear he would be dragged in front of the ODC, the Office for Disciplinary Counsel  but Millett said that wouldnt be true if Gianforte also was a lawyer.

The Office for Disciplinary Counsel handles discipline against members of the bar.

If this isnt a chilling effect on speech, I dont know what is, Millett said.

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Lawyers are sworn to abide by rules of professional conduct, which include respect for the legal system.

In his vehement defense of the legislature during a previous dispute, Knudsen at one point said he did not recognize the courts order as binding and would not follow it.

The Office for Disciplinary Counsel filed a complaint alleging violations, and the Commission on Practice recommended the Montana Supreme Court temporarily suspend Knudsen.

The case is pending.

In response to ethics charges by the ODC, Knudsen has said he could have phrased things differently. He also recently described the disciplinary process as a kangaroo court to KGVO.

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To protect both speech and the separation of powers, Millett said the bill would create a small carveout for Constitutional officers, also the superintendent of public schools, auditor, lieutenant governor and secretary of state.

If it had passed, the bill would have protected members of the legislature as well.

On the floor during a short debate, Rep. Ed Stafman, D-Bozeman, argued against it. He said he believes immunity from accountability should be granted only very, very sparingly, but the bill provides broad immunity.

The bill would erode accountability, encourage abuse of power, undermine the rule of law, (and) reduce public trust in government, Stafman said.
Rev. Dr. Latonya L. Agard, executive director of the North Carolina Coalition to End Homelessness. (Photo: Greg Childress/NC Newsline)

On Wednesday, affordable housing advocates and those who support people experiencing homelessness spent the day in Raleigh making the case for additional funding to increase the states housing supply and to expand programs that serve unhoused families and individuals.

The goal of NC Housing Day is to make housing a top priority for elected officials as they develop the states two-year budget and legislative priorities for the rest of the year, advocates said during a press conference on Bicentennial Plaza.

Stephanie Watkins-Cruz (center) speaks with supporters during NC Housing Day in Raleigh. (Photo: Greg Childress)

Were here talking to them [lawmakers] about funding housing and how these investments have to meet the scale of the need because currently, they do not, said Stephanie Watkins-Cruz, director of housing policy for the N.C. Housing Coalition.

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Advocates also spoke with lawmakers about equitable disaster recovery funding and removing barriers to land use and development, Watkins-Cruz said.

Were making sure that they know that they have the power to protect homeowners and renters, she said. Theres so much work to be done and the folks in this building [the Legislative Building] that weve elected have the power to make a lot of good change.

Samuel Gunter, executive director of the Housing Coalition, said there are 1.1 million families in North Carolina who are burdened by housing costs. According to the groups annual County Profiles, 48% of renters and 19% of homeowners in North Carolina pay more than 30% of their income on housing. Families that spend more than 30% of income on housing are considered cost-burdened.

There are a lot of things that make housing and its affordability really complicated, but at its core, were talking about a very simple math problem that has two variables; how much does your housing cost and how much does your household make? Gunter said. That math gets impossible the further down you go on the income spectrum.

NC Housing Coalition executive director Samuel Gunter (Photo: Greg Childress)

Making the math work for low-income families is a challenge for housing advocates everywhere, Gunter said.

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We believe that every North Carolinian deserves access to safe, stable and affordable housing, Gunter said. Its foundational to educational success, to economic stability, to well-being and investing in that housing means supporting those families and individuals and local economies and ensuring our communities thrive.

Paul Reeves, interim president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity of North Carolina, said rising costs are pricing many families out of the housing market.

Today many North Carolinians struggle to afford a safe place to call home and if they have a safe place to call home, theyre struggling to stay in that safe place to call home, Reeves said.

Habitat for Humanity of North Carolina interim CEO Paul Reeves (Photo: Greg Childress)

He said the Housing Day event gave advocates an opportunity to amplify the need for strong affordable housing initiatives and policies and to brainstorm with lawmakers about how to tackle the housing crisis in North Carolina.

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The state is facing a five-year housing inventory gap of 764,478 units (322,360 rental units and 442,118 for-sale units), according to a recent statewide report commissioned by the NC Chamber Foundation, NC REALTORS and the N.C. Homebuilders Association.

Homeless advocates take aim at bills

Dr. Latonya Agard, executive director of the North Carolina Coalition to End Homelessness, said one representative asked her if she knows how many people are struggling with housing because of mental illness or drug addiction.

My response to that representative was that I think we need to invert the question, Agard said. The truth of the matter is that when people are housed, they are able to manage so many of the things that we consider to be detriments to our health.

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Agard said the trauma of homelessness exacerbates underlying issues a person may have.

That trauma leads to the other traumas people experience like increased mental illness or instability, like increased use of controlled substances or other things, Agard said.

The solutions, she said, are an adequate supply of affordable housing and wraparound services to address addiction and mental health issues.

Agard noted that the Coalition to End Homelessness is advocating against House Bill 437, which establishes so-called drug-free homeless service zones and increases the punishment for committing certain drug offenses in such zones. The operators of facilities in such zones would also be subject to criminal charges and fines for violations, she said.

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I think this is unconscionable because it places an unfair burden on those facilities to increase security, to figure out what this means, to reestablish relationships that are trustworthy within the community, Agard said.

HB 437 is cosponsored by Republicans Heather Rhyne of Lincoln County, Allen Chesser of Nash County and Ray Pickett of Watauga County.

The Coalition to End Homelessness also opposes Senate Bill 724, which would prohibit unauthorized street camping in public parks, rights-of-way, and other public spaces.

Its very important that we understand that the solution is not to sweep people out of encampments and place them in a designated area with no resources simply so they can be out of sight and out of mind, Agard said. What we need is more affordable housing. What we need are wraparound services. What we need is compassion for those who are the least in our community.

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SB 724 was filed by Republican Senators Ted Alexander of Cleveland County, Brad Overcash of Gaston County and Mike Lazzara or Onslow County.

Counties or municipalities that do not comply with the law would not receive state funds for homelessness assistance, prevention or services.

The General Assembly recognizes the risk presented by unauthorized street camping, including conduct that results in the proliferation of drugs and drug paraphernalia, threats of random acts of violence, and the spread of disease and detritus, a section of the bill reads. It is the intention of the General Assembly to protect the people of the State of North Carolina in public spaces and rights-of-way by enacting a prohibition on unauthorized camping in public spaces.

A similar Republican-backed bill filed last week  House Bill 781  would make it unlawful for local governments to allow or authorize any person to regularly engage in public camping or sleeping on public property, including, but not limited to, public buildings or grounds and any public right-of-way.

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HB 781 provides an exception that would allow local governments by majority vote to designate local government-owned property located within its jurisdiction to be used for a continuous period of up to one year for public camping or sleeping purposes.

The criminalization of homelessness, even if unintentional, really is not addressing the problem, Watkins-Cruz said during the Housing Coalitions weekly housing call. We need to be focusing on preventive solutions that meet the need rather than on outdated and ineffective policies that are actually more expensive and do not address the problem, which is access to safe and affordable housing.

Critics believe that HB 781 is backed by the Cicero Institute out of Texas, which has supported such bills in other states. The institute was founded by billionaire tech entrepreneur Joe Lonsdale, who has been critical of what he contends is a homeless industrial complex whose members he alleges dont want to end homelessness in order to keep their jobs.

HB 781 is cosponsored by four Republicans  Reps. Brian Biggs, Neal Jackson, Jennifer Balkcom and Mike Schietzelt  who represent parts of Randolph, Moore, Henderson, and Wake counties.

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Under the bill, counties or municipalities designating property for encampments must establish and maintain minimum stands and procedures designed to:
TEXAS (FOX 44)  A Houston boy battling cancer was honored at the Texas Capitol as part of D.J. Daniel Day.

Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows and Texas House Representatives honored D.J. on Monday. He is a 13-year-old Texan who has been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. His life goal was to be a police officer when he became an adult.

According to the Coryell County Sheriffs Office, D.J. has set a goal to be sworn in to at least 1,000 law enforcement agencies. He was recently sworn in as an honorary member of the Secret Service, and has now been sworn in by over 900 law enforcement agencies across Texas and the nation.

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Sheriff Scott Williams swore in D.J. as an Honorary member of the Coryell County Sheriffs Office. He was also promoted by Sheriff Williams as a member of the SWAT Team and the Hostage Negotiations Team.

PREVIOUS STORY: Boy battling cancer made honorary Secret Service Agent

(Courtesy: Coryell County Sheriffs Office) (Courtesy: Coryell County Sheriffs Office) (Courtesy: Coryell County Sheriffs Office)

In addition, the Lampasas Police Department Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association President Paul Miceli had the honor of presenting D.J. with an Honorary Commission as police officer.

(Courtesy: Lampasas Police Department)

DJ was also made an honorary police officer in Waco. For more information, you can view our previous story here.

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(NewsNation)  Six people are dead, including Spanish tech CEO Agustin Escobar and his family, after a sightseeing helicopter crashed into the Hudson River in New York City on Thursday.

All passengers  three adults and three children  aboard the Bell 206 helicopter died, New York City Mayor Eric Adams said during a news conference. Adams said the Escobar family and the pilot were killed.

Our hearts go out to the families of those who were on board, Adams said.

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SCOTUS orders return of man mistakenly deported to El Salvador

Mayor Steven Fulop of Jersey City, New Jersey, said Escobar was in the area for a business trip and that his family flew out to extend the trip for a few days. They were reportedly celebrating his wifes 40th birthday with a flight, and all three children were 11 and under.

Fulop said Escobars brother-in-law was flying to the United States and working with authorities to expedite the release of the bodies to Spain.

Siemens Mobility execs family on helicopter that crashed into Hudson

Siemens Mobility, a technology company, confirmed the 49-year-olds death to NewsNation.

We are deeply saddened by the tragic helicopter crash in which Agustin Escobar and his family lost their lives. Our heartfelt condolences go out to all their loved ones, a spokesperson said in a statement.

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Escobar was the global CEO of rail infrastructure, and his wife, Merce Camprubi Montal, was the global commercialization manager for Siemens Energy.

American Airlines flight carrying US lawmakers struck at DCA

President Donald Trump offered condolences in a social media post: God bless the families and friends of the victims.

Trump said Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and his staff are investigating and that announcements as to exactly what took place, and how, will be made shortly!

Witness sees helicopter falling apart midair before crash into Hudson: AP

The cause of the crash is still under investigation.

A witness at the scene, Bruce Wall, told the Associated Press he saw the helicopter falling apart in midair, with the tail and propeller coming off. The propeller was still spinning without the helicopter as it fell.

Debris floats in the water at the scene where a helicopter crashed in the Hudson River in Jersey City, New Jersey, on April 10. A helicopter crashed into the Hudson River, killing all on board, according to New York City Mayor Eric Adams, the latest in a string of incidents in the past few months that have rattled confidence in aviation safety. Photographer: David Dee Delgado/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Video footage posted to social media showed parts of the chopper splashing into the water, and the overturned aircraft was submerged.

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The helicopter was operated by New York Helicopter, a local tour company, according to Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch.

Fire department received several emergency calls on helicopter crash

Tisch said the helicopter took off from the downtown Manhattan heliport at 2:59 p.m., and about 10 minutes into the flight, it reached the George Washington Bridge before it lost control, hitting the water just a few feet from Pier A Park in Hoboken, New Jersey.

Hudson helicopter crash looks like catastrophic mechanical issue: Pilot

The fire department said it received several emergency calls of a helicopter in the water around 3:15 p.m. Rescuers were in the water shortly after the call came in.

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When asked about witness reports and 911 calls claiming pieces of the helicopter broke apart in midair before it hit the water, Tisch said that was consistent with what she heard.

38 people have died in helicopter incidents in NYC since 1977: AP

Rescue teams from New York City and Jersey City, New Jersey, were on site performing recovery operations Thursday afternoon. The U.S. Coast Guard was also assisting.

I join all New Yorkers in praying for those weve lost and their families, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul wrote on social media.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said he had been briefed on the tragic helicopter crash in the Hudson River, which occurred near his state, and has committed personnel to support the emergency response.

Police and firefighters work on the site after a helicopter crashed into the Hudson River near lower Manhattan on April 10. (Photo by Lokman Vural Elibol/Anadolu via Getty Images)

The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board will be investigating the crash.

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At least 38 people have died in helicopter incidents in New York City since 1977. A collision between a plane and a tourist helicopter over the Hudson in 2009 killed nine people, and five died in 2018 when a charter helicopter offering open door flights went down into the East River.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  If youve considered adopting a puppy, this might be your chance.

The Humane Society of Greater Dayton has lowered puppy adoption fees. According to HSGD, the special pricing is valid through Thursday, April 17.

To begin the adoption process in-person, you can visit its location at 1661 Nicholas Road in Dayton from Tuesday to Friday from 1 to 6 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. The shelter is closed Sunday and Monday.

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To browse available puppies and get the adoption process started online, click here.

Individuals looking to help out HSGD can click here for methods to donate.

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CAIRO, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Egypt is making "strong, tireless, and sincere" efforts to end the bloodshed in the Gaza Strip and revive a ceasefire, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said on Thursday.

The top Egyptian diplomat made the remarks during a joint press conference in Cairo with Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto.

Referring to Egypt's proposals for the release of a number of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, Abdelatty stressed Egypt seeks to reach a period of calm in Gaza, paving the way for returning to the January ceasefire agreement and entering negotiations over the second phase of the deal.

He also spoke of the Arab-Islamic plan for early recovery and reconstruction in Gaza without displacing the Palestinians from their homeland, underscoring that the plan has been welcomed by international partners, including the European Union.

Abdelatty affirmed Egypt's keenness to hold the international conference for Gaza reconstruction as soon as possible upon resuming the ceasefire.

He reiterated Egypt's "absolute rejection" of the displacement of Palestinians under any pretext, whether voluntary or forced, temporary or permanent, calling it "a red line."

"There is no way to achieve security or stability for Israel or the region without the Palestinian people obtaining their legitimate rights and establishing their independent state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital," the Egyptian minister said.

For his part, Szijjarto praised Egypt's "balanced policy" in handling regional challenges. "We highly appreciate Egypt's efforts toward achieving peace," Szijjarto told reporters.

He added that a Hungarian citizen remains in Hamas captivity in Gaza, expressing hope for his safe return.

Israel ended a two-month ceasefire with Hamas in Gaza on March 18 and resumed deadly air and ground assaults on the enclave, while seeking to implement a U.S.-backed plan to relocate Gazans to neighboring countries, including Egypt and Jordan. Both countries strongly reject the controversial relocation plan. 
Hundreds of foreign students at dozens of colleges across the country have had their higher education experience turned upside down as the Trump administration has expanded its immigration crackdown beyond those involved in the pro-Palestinian protests.

International students are seeing their visas revoked for infractions as minor as traffic violations, while colleges are having to check immigration databases to find out whether their students are still allowed to be in the country.

Ivy League universities, state schools and community colleges have all been impacted as students decide whether to find legal counsel or leave the country before Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) comes for them.

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Here is what to know:

How many students and colleges have been affected?

Exactly how many visas have been revoked is unknown, because the State Department has declined requests to share numbers and some schools are too afraid to speak up.

An Inside Higher Ed tracker has the number of colleges and universities affected by the visa revocations at more than 80, including public and private institutions in a wide range of locations and sizes.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said last month that more than 300 student visas have been revoked under the Trump administration, with more coming every day.

We dont discuss individual visas because of the privacy issues involved, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said Tuesday. We dont go into statistics or numbers; we dont go into the rationale for what happens with individual visas. What we can tell you is that the department revokes visas every day in order to secure our borders and to keep our community safe, and well continue to do so.

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The visa revocations began at big-name schools, such as Columbia University, and at least at first targeted students who were involved in pro-Palestinian protests. But it has expanded beyond that, with one University of Florida student detained by ICE after he was arrested for traffic violations.

The American Council on Education, along with 16 other groups representing a broad swath of higher education institutions, wrote a letter on April 4 requesting a briefing with the State Department on these actions.

We seek clarity amidst reports that student visas are being revoked and records are being terminated in the Student Exchange Visitor Information System without additional information being shared with the institutions those students attend, the letter reads.

This includes the messages being sent to international students and scholars regarding their student visas being revoked, requesting that they self-deport, with no additional information about how to appeal this decision or verification to ensure that mistakes are not being made in identifying these individuals, it added.

Students and schools are both in the dark

The way the federal government has gone about the revocation of visas is highly unusual and confusing  some argue by design.

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I think the strategy here is the same strategy that theyre employing in their other enforcement actions, and that is, create fear, panic, hysteria  with the hopes that people will just leave, right? And were seeing that happen. Were seeing students get scared and leave. Theyre dropping out school and theyre going back home, said Jeff Joseph, president-elect of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.

The Trump administration is taking foreign students off of the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), a reporting system that gives information about international students to the Department of Homeland Security.

After the government has removed a student from the SEVIS system, it has been sending emails to the students telling them they have to go back to their home country, skipping the normal step of informing their university.

Some schools have begun checking SEVIS on a daily basis and found some of their students taken off without their knowledge.

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The UMass Amherst Office of Global Programs has been proactively monitoring the Department of Homeland Securitys Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) in order to ensure students are aware of any changes in their immigration status or their right to be in the United States. Until now, the University has never needed to check SEVIS in this manner, the University of Massachusetts Amherst said after multiple students had their visas revoked without the schools knowledge.

However, someone having their information taken off SEVIS and having their visas revoked are two different things, making some students believe they need to leave the country before their visas are actually taken away.

The SEVIS revocation does not terminate your status. It does not cause you to be out of status. It does not cause you to accrue unlawful presence. So, this whole argument that you have to leave is legally incorrect. And I think thats where were seeing these challenges, the legal challenges, Joseph said.

What can students and schools do?

Advocates say students need to be vigilant, keep in contact with their schools international office and speak with a lawyer amid all this uncertainty.

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If youre a foreign student and youre feeling uneasy about your situation  you should go have a checkup with a lawyer and pay for a consultation to just see what your options are, Joseph said, especially referring to those who have a criminal history or have engaged in political activity, even on social media.

Some universities have offered legal counsel to international students who find themselves in this situation, provided advice on how to find an immigration attorney and held seminars to ensure international students know their rights if they are approached by law enforcement.

And there are lawsuits challenging how the Trump administration is going about its plans to kick students out of the country.

Its not like theres clear guidance coming out from the government and especially given that the government seems to be disregarding due process, campuses need to be really mindful about what the government is telling them to do. You want to be both in compliance and support students, said Miriam Feldblum, president and CEO of the Presidents Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration.

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(Photo by Jonny Armstrong, courtesy of Oregon State University)

Hunters, anglers, and a bloc of 20 tribes in western Washington are among those pleased with three nominees Gov. Bob Ferguson announced this week for the states Fish and Wildlife Commission.

In January, shortly after he took office, Ferguson halted two nominations former Gov. Jay Inslee made to the commission, including the reappointment of Tim Ragen, a retired marine mammal expert who had served as the panels vice chair since last year and had strong support from wildlife protection groups.

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Though Ferguson removed him from the nine-member commission, Ragen remained in the running for the job alongside 13 other eligible candidates, but the governor ultimately cut him loose. And he nixed Inslees other nominee  Lynn OConnor, who operated a sign company in northeast Washington for two decades and was a former park aide and ranger.

Instead, he reappointed two commissioners  Jim Anderson and Molly Linville, who OConnor would have replaced. Both Anderson and Linville are backed by hunting and fishing groups and a coalition of tribes that support hatchery fish production. Some environmental groups in Washington oppose fish hatcheries, pointing to evidence that they are a threat to wild fish populations.

Ferguson also appointed Victor Garcia, who is less known to key groups lobbying the governors office on the nominations. Garcia, a retired teacher, is a longtime hunter and fisherman who worked earlier in his career as a commercial fisherman in the Bering Sea region.

Were going to have people that we can work with again, Ron Garner, state board president for Puget Sound Anglers, said by phone on Tuesday. Im excited.

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Lisa Wilson, vice chair of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission and a member of the Lummi Indian Business Council, said she was, Just really happy with feeling heard by the new governor.

We did have concerns about the appointments that Inslee left us with, she added. It took a lot of footwork to reverse that.

But for wildlife advocates and those who want to see the commission expand its focus beyond species that are hunted and fished, to look more at broader issues around the ecological value of wildlife and strengthening biodiversity, Fergusons picks were a deep disappointment.

Governor Ferguson, by aligning himself with special interests of hunting and angling  has taken a step backward from a more forward-thinking agency that will protect the wildlife trust for current and future generations, said Fred Koontz, a former commissioner who resigned in 2021 after clashing with hunting interests.

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The group Washington Wildlife First, which had pressed for Ragens reappointment, issued a statement saying that they felt betrayed by Fergusons actions.

Governor Ferguson insisted that he wanted to create a more balanced Fish and Wildlife Commission, but instead, he has tilted it away from the values of Washingtonians, and toward the powerful special interests that have long controlled state fish and wildlife policy, the group said in a statement shared on Wednesday.

The Fish and Wildlife Commission establishes policy and provides oversight for the state Department of Fish and Wildlife. The commissioners are appointed by the governor and serve six-year terms.

While for many state residents the commission is a lesser-known government entity, its a frequent venue for thorny debates. For example, last year, the commission took sharply divided votes to maintain state-level endangered species protections for gray wolves. At a meeting last week, commissioners were dealing with hunting rules for cougars and black bears.

Contentious process

Ferguson said he opted to pull back Inslees nominees because of a December report from the nonpartisan William D. Ruckelshaus Center that highlighted criticism of the commission, and after outreach from multiple individuals, entities, and tribes.

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The Ruckelshaus Center report included findings from more than 100 interviews with people familiar with the agency. It said interviewees described the commission as dysfunctional, politically polarized, and caught up in conflict, and specifically raised concerns about a lack of transparency and selection criteria for commissioners.

Molly, Jim and Victor offer deep and varied experience, as well as unique perspectives, Ferguson said in a statement. The Ruckelshaus report raised serious concerns about the commission, and we believe these individuals will help to address those issues.

The governors office has emphasized that the Senate granted unanimous approval for the governors request to cancel Inslees nominations of Ragen and OConnor.

One group to pressure Ferguson on the nominations is known as the Hatchery Coalition. It consists of four tribes  the Lummi, Tulalip, Upper Skagit and Squaxin  as well as Puget Sound Anglers, and a sport fishing charter company based in Ilwaco. Garner and Wilson were both involved in the coalitions outreach to the governors office.

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The coalition backed the reappointment of Anderson and Linville. They also wanted to see former state lawmaker Brian Blake appointed. Here, Ferguson didnt go along. The Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission, which has 20 member tribes, pushed for the same three candidates.

In another camp were advocates like those with Washington Wildlife First, which describes itself as wanting to transform Washingtons relationship with its fish and wildlife from an approach centered around consumptive use to a more democratic paradigm that values science, recognizes the intrinsic value of individual animals, and prioritizes protecting, preserving and perpetuating wild lives.

Advocates on this side pressed for the reappointment of Ragen, who was previously the executive director and scientific program director of the U.S. Marine Mammal Commission.

In mid-March, 74 scientists, conservationists, and environmental advocates wrote to Ferguson urging him to reverse his removal of Ragen from the commission.

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Now more than ever, Washingtons Fish and Wildlife Commission needs leaders with a strong record of decision-making grounded in science, they wrote.

Ragens unparalleled experience and deep understanding of marine ecosystems  particularly those critical to the survival of Southern Resident killer whales and wild salmon  make him uniquely qualified to guide complex fisheries and wildlife management decisions, they added.

Koontz was one of the people who signed onto the letter and suggested Ragen, with his credentials as a Ph.D. conservation scientist, had become a symbol of efforts to move the commission in a new direction. The status quo is not moving us forward, he added.

But during his time on the commission, Ragen had frictions with those involved with the Hatchery Coalition, particularly Wilson, who flagged concerns she had with Ragen in a letter last year to Inslee. That letter was later forwarded to Fergusons office.

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Dane Czarnecki, a hunting rights activist, was among those unhappy with recent shifts at the commission. They moved away from hearing their traditional stakeholders, he said.

We can hopefully start bridging these divides, Czarnecki added.

Anderson, one of the two commissioners Ferguson reappointed, has been on the commission since 2019. He served as executive director of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission from 1985 to 2005 and has hunted and fished since childhood.

Linville has also been on the commission since 2019. In the early 2000s, she worked as a wildlife biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and now runs a 6,000-acre cattle ranch near Wenatchee that she and her husband took over after her father-in-law passed away.

Who is Victor Garcia?

Garcia, Fergusons new appointee, taught biology and other science courses in Washington public schools, most recently in Anacortes. Hes originally from Grays Harbor County and has a bachelors degree in marine zoology from the University of Washington and a masters in science education from Vanderbilt University.

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I grew up digging razor clams, dipping smelt up at Kalaloch, crabbing, hunting deer and elk, hiking, kayaking, everything that one does around here when you really love being outdoors, he told the Standard in a phone interview on Tuesday.

Garcia said he left behind commercial fishing in the 1990s when he started a family. He also worked over the years as a biologist for the National Marine Fisheries Service.

He suggested his background and interests give him a unique perspective to bring to the commission. I do citizen science, I work on eelgrass assessment, salmon spawning surveys. Im a hunter, but Im also in Audubon, he said. Ive gone all over the world to view specific birds. But, every now and then, I do hunt some of them.

I think my job is to really listen and look at the science, he added, and not go into it with any one polarized, preconceived notion.
PORTLAND, Tenn. (WKRN)  According to TRACreports.org, Immigration and Customs Enforcement was holding nearly 11,000 more people late last month than the same time last year.

Based on the data from TRACreports.org, ICE had 47,892 individuals in custody as of March 23, 2025, compared to the 36,931 in custody on March 24, 2024.

That ratio is also being seen in Middle Tennessee, where many jails are reporting a serious uptick in people being held for and released to ICE.

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When someone who entered the U.S. illegally is arrested in Middle Tennessee  depending on the seriousness of the crime, how busy ICE agents are, and many other circumstances  the individual can be transferred from the jail into ICEs custody. That trend can be seen in many jails.

Legal status revoked for 985,000 migrants who entered US under Biden-era CBP One app

According to the Davidson County Sheriffs Office, by this time last year, only 29 prisoners had been released to ICE custody. That number is way up this year, with 126 prisoners being handed over to ICE, a whopping 335% increase

Furthermore, Davidson Countys jail released only seven inmates to ICE custody in March 2024, but that number increased to 56 inmates  a 700% jump  in March 2025.

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Wilson County jail officials told News 2 they have also seen a dramatic spike. Meanwhile, Putnam County jail officials said they had no ICE detainers last year, but theyve already had 13 this year.

However, not all such inmates are handed over to ICE.

On Tuesday, April 8, News 2 reported on Spring Hill undercover officers arresting a Cuban national wanted across the country for stealing fragrances from Ulta stores. The 30-year-old is still in the Maury County Jail, but as of Wednesday, April 9, he is not under an ICE hold, according to authorities.

2 organized retail theft suspects arrested in Spring Hill

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Sumner County jail officials did not have a comparison to 2024, but they did say that 56 inmates have been released to ICE custody in 2025.

In Portland, law enforcement arrested a man named Pu Domingo, who was reportedly clocked driving 60 mph in a 30 mph zone on March 24. Police said the 29-year-old driver almost left the roadway, hitting some people standing nearby.

Authorities said Domingo had a Guatemalan passport, but he was arrested with six fake identities and Social Security cards from North Carolina and Georgia. The cards  which were fake  had other names.

The arrest prompted Portland Police Chief Jason Arnold to question the 29-year-olds real identity and whether he was in this country legally.

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Thats a pretty significant crime. Of course its not a violent crime, [but] hes stealing identities of actual U.S. citizens, using those for whatever purpose, whatever nefarious purpose hes got going on, Arnold explained. Its something that we cant have. Weve got enough criminals that are U.S. citizens to deal with without other criminals coming in from other countries that arent even supposed to be here.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

According to the Sumner County Jail, Domingo posted a $20,000 bond and is due back in court in May.

Based on the police report, when asked why he had so many IDs, Domingo told the officer he was using them to get jobs and work.

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We dont know who he is. Theres no telling what other crimes hes committed in this country or his country of origin, and these people are coming in, we have no idea who they are. We really dont know who he is. Its pretty sad, Arnold said. Weve dealt with this for many years. People come into this country illegally, we have no idea who they are, and they come in here and commit crimes, and its very difficult. It makes our job a whole lot harder.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Trump administration border czar Tom Homan giving the keynote address at the Border Security Expo at the Phoenix convention center on April 8, 2025. (Photo by Jerod MacDonald-Evoy/ Arizona Mirror)

The leader of Immigration and Customs Enforcement said that his dream for the agency is squads of trucks rounding up immigrants for deportation the same way that Amazon trucks crisscross American cities delivering packages.

We need to get better at treating this like a business, Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons said, explaining he wants to see a deportation process like (Amazon) Prime, but with human beings.

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Lyons was one of a series of Trump administration speakers at the 2025 Border Security Expo at the Phoenix Convention Center, including Tom Homan, Trumps border czar, and Kristi Noem, the secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Most extolled Trumps use of the Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelans, and Noem promised to expand its use to swiftly deport immigrants.

Several speakers, including Homan, told the military industrial complex representatives in the crowd that the Trump administration is depending on the private sector to implement its mass deportation agenda.

We need to buy more beds, we need more airplane flights and I know a lot of you are here for that reason, Homan told the crowd in his keynote speech, which kicked off the expo.

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Let the badge and guns do the badge and gun stuff, everything else, lets contract out, he said.

Homan, who served as the acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement during Trumps first term and backed the controversial zero tolerance policy at the southern border, and has been connected to far-right extremist and conspiracy theorist groups.

He was one of two keynote speakers at the annual Border Security Expo, a trade show event that features hundreds of military and tech companies, many with controversial backgrounds, all aiming to secure federal contracts or expand existing ones. Organizers initially told the Arizona Mirror that media could not attend, but opened the doors to the press after the late announcement that Noem would be a second keynote speaker.

The Trump administration has made border security a top priority, and the administrations actions have faced scrutiny for their lack of due process and unprecedented efforts to keep mass deportation plans a secret, even from American courts.

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The Mirror examined the list of companies in attendance and found that some of them have ties to Trump and his allies, such as Andruil Industries, which is tied to Trump ally Palantir, and whose director of defense technology was nominated by Trump to serve as the Armys No. 2 official. Private prison company Geo Group, an ICE contractor who has seen its stock price skyrocket since Trumps election, also was present at the event.

Many of the events sponsors also have ties to Trump, including one organization that is on the advisory board of the Heritage Foundations Project 2025.

Homan defended the controversial use of the Alien Enemies Act, the 1798 law that was last used during World War II to intern Japanese Americans.

That is a law enacted by Congress, and we are using that, Homan said, adding that it bothers him when judges or politicians attempt to prevent him from using it. Shortly before Homan spoke, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Trump administration can use it for now.

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He also said that family detention is still on the table as a policy, claiming that it is about ensuring that families are families and preventing human smuggling.

Homan wasnt the only top immigration official to speak at the expo. Shortly after his keynote address, he joined a panel that included Lyons, Deputy Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection John Modlin and Deputy Chief for the U.S. Border Patrol David BeMiller and others for a State of the Border discussion.

Lyons said that he hopes that they can infuse artificial intelligence into the process to free up bed space and fill up airplanes taking immigrants back to their home countries at a faster rate.

Much like Homan, Lyons also shared that he supports the use of the Alien Enemies Act, calling it amazing to be able to speed up the process of deportations. He also said that he has been working with billionaire Elon Musks U.S. Department of Government Efficiency to get social security numbers to look for voter fraud.

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There has been no evidence of widespread voter fraud connected to illegal immigration.

Noem told the packed ballroom at the Phoenix Convention Center that they are extremely close to operational control of the border as migrant arrests at the border have reached the lowest numbers theyve seen in decades.

Before appearing at the Border Security Expo, Noem participated in an ICE raid in Phoenix that included about 100 federal agents. Among the people embedded at the raid was anti-LGBTQ influencer Chaya Raichik.

Echoing Trumps campaign rhetoric, Noem said there has been a war and an invasion at the southern border  longtime talking points for white supremacists  while saying that the administration plans to use new technology, including biometrics, not just along the border but in the interior of the United States.

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Much like the officials that spoke before her, Noem praised the use of the Alien Enemies Act and said that she would be working to defend its use. And she pledged to put the current operation on steroids to speed up the deportation process.

Texas-based Radical Defense displayed a buggy armed with several rifles at the Border Security Expo at the Phoenix convention center on April 8, 2025. (Photo by Jerod MacDonald-Evoy/Arizona Mirror)

And Noem praised Musk and DOGE.

I think the Department of Homeland Security has been their biggest partner, Noem said of DOGE, claiming that the non-governmental agency has helped DHS find waste and abuse.

Noem also defended Trumps use of tariffs to launch a global trade crisis and tank stock markets in the U.S. and around the globe.

It will look like a roller coaster for a little while, Noem said to an attendee who asked how the tariffs could impact DHSs work. Noem added that she believes that the tariffs will help American families in the long run.

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The event Tuesday was said by organizers to be the largest in its history, with the most attendees and vendors ever present. The expo floor was packed with members of both local and federal law enforcement. The Mirror observed members of the Apache Junction Police Department, Phoenix Police Department and U.S. Army, as well as border patrol agents.

This article was first published by the Arizona Mirror, part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Arizona Mirror maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jim Small for questions: info@azmirror.com.
Trump administration border czar Tom Homan giving the keynote address at the Border Security Expo at the Phoenix convention center on April 8, 2025. (Photo by Jerod MacDonald-Evoy/Arizona Mirror)

PHOENIX  The leader of Immigration and Customs Enforcement said that his dream for the agency is squads of trucks rounding up immigrants for deportation the same way that Amazon trucks crisscross American cities delivering packages.

We need to get better at treating this like a business, Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons said, explaining he wants to see a deportation process like (Amazon) Prime, but with human beings.

Advertisement Advertisement

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Lyons was one of a series of Trump administration speakers at the 2025 Border Security Expo at the Phoenix Convention Center, including Tom Homan, Trumps border czar, and Kristi Noem, the secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Most extolled Trumps use of the Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelans, and Noem promised to expand its use to swiftly deport immigrants.

Several speakers, including Homan, told the military industrial complex representatives in the crowd that the Trump administration is depending on the private sector to implement its mass deportation agenda.

We need to buy more beds, we need more airplane flights and I know a lot of you are here for that reason, Homan told the crowd in his keynote speech, which kicked off the expo.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Let the badge and guns do the badge and gun stuff, everything else, lets contract out, he said.

Homan, who served as the acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement during Trumps first term and backed the controversial zero tolerance policy at the southern border, and has been connected to far-right extremist and conspiracy theorist groups.

He was one of two keynote speakers at the annual Border Security Expo, a trade show event that features hundreds of military and tech companies, many with controversial backgrounds, all aiming to secure federal contracts or expand existing ones. Organizers initially told the Arizona Mirror that media could not attend, but opened the doors to the press after the late announcement that Noem would be a second keynote speaker.

The Trump administration has made border security a top priority, and the administrations actions have faced scrutiny for their lack of due process and unprecedented efforts to keep mass deportation plans a secret, even from American courts.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

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The Mirror examined the list of companies in attendance and found that some of them have ties to Trump and his allies, such as Andruil Industries, which is tied to Trump ally Palantir, and whose director of defense technology was nominated by Trump to serve as the Armys No. 2 official. Private prison company Geo Group, an ICE contractor who has seen its stock price skyrocket since Trumps election, also was present at the event.

Many of the events sponsors also have ties to Trump, including one organization that is on the advisory board of the Heritage Foundations Project 2025.

Homan defended the controversial use of the Alien Enemies Act, the 1798 law that was last used during World War II to intern Japanese Americans.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

That is a law enacted by Congress, and we are using that, Homan said, adding that it bothers him when judges or politicians attempt to prevent him from using it. Shortly before Homan spoke, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Trump administration can use it for now.

He also said that family detention is still on the table as a policy, claiming that it is about ensuring that families are families and preventing human smuggling.

Homan wasnt the only top immigration official to speak at the expo. Shortly after his keynote address, he joined a panel that included Lyons, Deputy Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection John Modlin and Deputy Chief for the U.S. Border Patrol David BeMiller and others for a State of the Border discussion.

Lyons said that he hopes that they can infuse artificial intelligence into the process to free up bed space and fill up airplanes taking immigrants back to their home countries at a faster rate.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Much like Homan, Lyons also shared that he supports the use of the Alien Enemies Act, calling it amazing to be able to speed up the process of deportations. He also said that he has been working with billionaire Elon Musks U.S. Department of Government Efficiency to get social security numbers to look for voter fraud.

There has been no evidence of widespread voter fraud connected to illegal immigration.

Noem told the packed ballroom at the Phoenix Convention Center that they are extremely close to operational control of the border as migrant arrests at the border have reached the lowest numbers theyve seen in decades.

Before appearing at the Border Security Expo, Noem participated in an ICE raid in Phoenix that included about 100 federal agents. Among the people embedded at the raid was anti-LGBTQ influencer Chaya Raichik.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Echoing Trumps campaign rhetoric, Noem said there has been a war and an invasion at the southern border  longtime talking points for white supremacists  while saying that the administration plans to use new technology, including biometrics, not just along the border but in the interior of the United States.

Much like the officials that spoke before her, Noem praised the use of the Alien Enemies Act and said that she would be working to defend its use. And she pledged to put the current operation on steroids to speed up the deportation process.

And Noem praised Musk and DOGE.

I think the Department of Homeland Security has been their biggest partner, Noem said of DOGE, claiming that the non-governmental agency has helped DHS find waste and abuse.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Noem also defended Trumps use of tariffs to launch a global trade crisis and tank stock markets in the U.S. and around the globe.

It will look like a roller coaster for a little while, Noem said to an attendee who asked how the tariffs could impact DHSs work. Noem added that she believes that the tariffs will help American families in the long run.

The event Tuesday was said by organizers to be the largest in its history, with the most attendees and vendors ever present. The expo floor was packed with members of both local and federal law enforcement. The Mirror observed members of the Apache Junction Police Department, Phoenix Police Department and U.S. Army, as well as border patrol agents.

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Apr. 9WATERTOWN  U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement says it and its federal law enforcement partners apprehended 133 undocumented people in a five-day operation across upstate New York in late March.

Included in the arrests was a South African citizen, Marcel M. Meyer, 43, who was charged with distribution of child pornography after agents executed a warrant at North Harbor Dairy near Sackets Harbor.

That investigation touched off a separate investigation into the status of other workers at the dairy farm, which resulted in six other people being detained, including a mother and three of her children, all of whom are students in the Sackets Harbor Central School District.

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The community organized a rally Saturday in support of the detained students and their mom, with about 1,000 people walking past the Sackets Harbor home of Tom Homan, President Donald J. Trump's border czar and director of ICE. On Monday, it was announced that the students were on their way home.

ICE said in a statement that the enhanced targeted enforcement operation across Western, Central and Northern New York resulted in the arrests of 20 people who had prior criminal convictions or charges, including three who had been convicted of homicide. Nine of the those arrested had previously been removed from the United States.

ICE said that between March 24 and 28 it and its partners concentrated efforts in and around Buffalo, with 84 people apprehended from the Buffalo and Rochester areas. There were also 49 people apprehended in Syracuse, Albany, Rouses Point and Massena.

"By leveraging our federal partnerships and intelligence-driven investigations, ICE continues to carry out its mission in a way that best serves national security, public safety and border security," Philip Rhoney, acting deputy field officer director of ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations, Buffalo, said in a statement.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement declared that its agents were diligently at work enforcing 400+ federal laws to prevent the following from crossing the border illegally: people, money, products and ideas, in a post to social media site X that was deleted hours later on Thursday.

Ideas? you ask.

It appears that the countrys primary immigration enforcement agency has, at least briefly, declared itself the border thought police. In a country that is supposed to believe in the freedom of speech and thought, this raises a host of questions.

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What ideas does ICE believe are illegal? How can ideas even cross the border illegally? And how does ICE screen for these illegal ideas to stop them from coming in?

ICE did not respond to these questions but did tell HuffPost that the post was sent without proper approval and should not have been shared.

Ideas should have said intellectual property, a spokesperson for ICE said in an email.

That isnt to say the Trump administration and ICE arent policing ideas that they deem illegal, including by stripping visas and green cards from students, denying entry to foreign visitors and arresting and deporting people for their opinions.

A screenshot of the deleted post by Immigration and Customs Enforcement stating that it would stop ideas from crossing the border illegally. X.com/ICEgov

Chief among them is any criticism of Israel. The administration has sought the deportation of numerous students for their participation in or support for protests against Israels war in Gaza. The most high profile of these cases are those of Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil and Tufts University student Rumeysa Ozturk.

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Khalil, a legal permanent resident, was a spokesperson for the student protests against Israels war in Gaza. He had never been arrested or found to have participated in any act beyond his free exercise of speech. The administration stripped him of his legal status, arrested him and moved to deport him.

Similarly, Ozturk, who is on a student visa, merely co-wrote an op-ed in her student paper calling for the university to follow a student resolution to divest from certain companies involved in Israel. She was stripped of her student visa, picked up by unidentified ICE agents off a street in Massachusetts and whisked to a detention facility in Louisiana.

Like Khalil, the administration is seeking to deport Yunseo Chung, a 21-year-old Columbia University student and legal permanent resident who moved to the U.S. from South Korea when she was 7 years old. Chung was stripped of her legal status for participating in protests against the war in Gaza and is challenging her case in court. She won a temporary restraining order March 25 blocking her detention while her case moves forward.

These are only three of dozens, if not hundreds, of similar cases where visa holders and legal residents are being punished for their ideas.

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The administration explicitly states that Khalil and others are being deported for their ideas. In a letter to the court hearing Khalils case sent April 9, the State Department declared that Secretary of State Marco Rubio moved to strip him of legal status and deport him solely on the basis of his past, current, or expected beliefs, statements, or associations that are otherwise lawful, according to The Associated Press.

Whether ICE actually plans to follow through on its social media post and screen for illegal ideas remains to be seen. But one thing can be assured, those challenging the administrations efforts to strip students, professors and other visitors of their visas or legal status for the ideas they hold are sure to point to this social media post as evidence as they challenge the Trump administrations assault on the First Amendment in court.
BEIJING, April 9 (Xinhua) -- Beijing's meteorological authorities issued a weather alert late on Wednesday, warning residents of extreme winds and cooling temperatures from Friday afternoon to Sunday.

The capital is bracing for sustained gales, with mountainous areas likely to face gusts of 37 to 41.4 meters per second, driven by a powerful cold vortex moving southeast from Mongolia, according to Lei Lei, chief meteorologist at the Beijing Meteorological Service.

The strongest winds will hit on Saturday, with temperature highs dropping to 14 degrees Celsius -- a 13-degree-Celsius decrease in temperature within a 24-hour period, the service said.

Outdoor construction, school activities and public events will be suspended, and residents are urged to avoid nonessential travel. 
Idaho Gov. Brad Little (left) signs into law a foster care budget bill  joined by Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Director Alex Adams, foster families and state health officials on April 9, 2025. (Photo courtesy of the Idaho Governor's Office)

Idaho Gov. Brad Little signed into law a budget bill his office describes as a record investment in Idahos foster care system.

Joined by foster families and Idaho health officials in front of the Idaho Department of Health and Welfares downtown Boise office on Wednesday, Little signed Senate Bill 1208.

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The bill will add 63 new child welfare staff in Health and Welfare and grow the agencys youth safety division budget by nearly $23.2 million, a 20.5% increase.

Much of the initiatives funded will focus on preventing kids in need of child welfare services from entering foster homes  by providing resources to help them remain in their biological families.

We all agree that children deserve to live carefree lives, free of abuse and neglect. We want Idaho children to grow up healthy, well-adjusted, safe. Yet Idaho has struggled to meet those needs of the most vulnerable child and those who live in their child welfare system, Little said at the bill signing event.

Several watchdog reports by the Idaho Office of Performance Evaluations have helped us understand the magnitude and that Idaho wasnt doing enough, the governor added. That stops today.

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Officials also celebrated Idahos progress in improving its foster care system  pointing to the states reduced use of congregate care facilities, including the end of using short-term rentals like Airbnbs, to house kids in need of foster care. Officials reported they also drastically reduced the gap between the number of kids in need of foster care and the number of families willing to take them.

Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Director Alex Adams called the agencys foster care outcome improvement focus a team effort that leaned on support from foster families, and nonprofit and community organizations.

Little also nodded at President Donald Trumps recent appointment of Adams to a federal health position. Matter of fact, its such a good deal that Donald Trumps stealing my guy away, Little said.

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Idaho budget committee demands outcomes for new funds, employees. Top official is hopeful.

The new budget bill increases funding and allows new Idaho Department of Health and Welfare employees for the 2026 fiscal year, which starts in July.

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But the budget bill, set by the Idaho Legislatures powerful budget committee, conditions some of the new staff and funds on the agency achieving at least an even number of foster families and foster kids by January 2026.

If Health and Welfare doesnt meet a 1:1 foster family to kid ratio by then, the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee, or JFAC, will evaluate removing eight of the new employees and $663,000 of the funds, the bill says.

Responding to questions from reporters, Adams said JFAC set a more modest goal than the departments 1.5:1 ratio goal. We want to be a state where families are waiting on kids, not kids waiting on families, he said.

Health and Welfare is just shy of hitting JFACs goal already, Adams said, as it has narrowed the ratio from 74 families per 100 kids a few months ago to 94 families per 100 kids now.

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Were confident were going to hit (JFACs goal), he said.  Were confident in this investment that its going to make a meaningful difference.

In prevention focus, Health and Welfare confident foster kids will stay safe

One of Health and Welfares goals in seeking the new foster care budget funds was to focus on boosting prevention resources. Thats in hopes of keeping more kids safely in their biological homes, rather than in foster care, the Idaho Capital Sun previously reported.

Asked about concern if some kids who need care wont get it, Little replied there will be some kids that dont get through there. But were going to pick up so many more.

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Asked if the agency will have enough resources to avoid kids getting harmed amid the prevention focus, officials referenced resources that they hope will stabilize rough home situations.

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Out of the 63 new staffers the bill provides, 36 staff will be focused on prevention  growing the agencys prevention team to 50 staff in total, Adams said. That team will oversee homes, connecting families to services like mental health and substance abuse treatment, he said.

The early investments in prevention are key, Little said.

This is where were putting money in early, putting it in and helping to stop that flow of these kids from a somewhat troubled past to a real troubled past. And it makes them productive citizens, he said. Its a win-win situation with investment. And this is a very bold investment, so Im proud of what weve done.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Originally appeared on E! Online

Bryan Kohbergers legal team is preparing for his trial.

During an April 9 court hearing, Kohbergers defense addressed elements that could influence a jury when his trial for the murders of students Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapinto which he has plead not guiltybegins in August.

During the hearing, presiding judge Steven Hippler, according to NBC News, agreed words such as sociopath and psychopath shouldn't be used to describe Kohberger in court, but that murderer would be permissible.

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As part of ongoing efforts to have the death penalty removed as a possible punishment, Kohbergers team also addressed his recent autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis, of which theyve previously argued could influence jurors due to Kohbergers flat affect and the fact he does not show emotion on his face.

During the hearing, the 30-year-olds defense spoke further about the possible implications of his diagnosis and the possibility of the death penalty if he is found guilty.

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"Due to his ASD, Mr. Kohberger simply cannot comport himself in a manner that aligns with societal expectations of normalcy," his legal team argued, per NBC News. "This creates an unconscionable risk that he will be executed because of his disability rather than his culpability."

While no decision about the death penalty was made during the hearing, prosecutors did agree not to bring up Kohbergers autism, according to NBC News, as an aggravator to help an argument for capital punishment.

NBC News

Prosecutors previously addressed Kohbergers autism diagnosis in a filing, per NBC News, during which they argued his diagnosis is with the least severe form of autism, which comes without accompanying intellectual or language impairment" and that he has failed to show his diagnosis "would in any way make him less culpable for murder."

Meanwhile, Kohbergers defense team previously claimed his diagnosis could explain why he was allegedly wearing gloves and cleaning on the night of his arrest in December 2022.

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"The State asserts that this demonstrates that he had consciousness of guilt and was trying either to hide his DNA or engage in the cleaning of his car," Kohberger's attorney wrote in docs obtained by NBC News and viewed by E! News in March. "This is highly prejudicial and misleading. Mr. Kohberger frequently wears gloves to avoid germs on surfaces."

Ted S. Warren - Pool/Getty Images

His defense lawyer further argued that rather than cleaning his car the night he was arrested, as prosecutors claim, the criminology student was "awake at night, as is typical for him, and he was cleaning his bathroom."

Read on for more on the harrowing case before Kohbergers trial begins.

(NBC News and E! News are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)

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Who Were Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle?

Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and her boyfriend Ethan Chapin, 20, were University of Idaho students who lived in an off-campus apartment. On Nov. 12, 2022the night before their bodies were foundGoncalves and Mogen were at a nearby sports bar, while Kernodle and Chapin were at the latters fraternity party. By 2 a.m. on Nov. 13, the four roommates and Chapin were back at the three-story rental house. Goncalves was a senior majoring in general studies at the College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences. She was expected to graduate in December before heading to Austin, Tex., for a job at a marketing firm, her friend Jordyn Quesnell told The New York Times. Mogen, who was studying marketing, was best friends with Goncalves since the sixth grade. She had plans to move to Boise after graduation, family friend Jessie Frost shared with The Idaho Statesman. Kernodle was a junior majoring in marketing, the University said at the time. She and Chapinwho majored in recreation, sport and tourism managementhad been dating since the spring, the roommates neighbor Ellie McKnight told NBC News.





Were There Any Survivors?

Two roommates, Dylan Mortensen and Bethany Funke, had been home at the time of the murders. In text messages that were unsealed March 6, 2025, Mortensen and Funke tried contacting their roommates on Nov. 13 after the former saw a masked man moving through the house, according to documents obtained by E! News. "No one is answering," Mortensen texted Funke at 4:22 a.m. "I'm rlly confused rn." She continued to reach out to their roommates, urging them to respond. "Pls answer," she texted Goncalves at 4:32 a.m. and again at 10:23 a.m. "R u up??" At 11:58 a.m., a 911 call was placed after Kernodle was found unresponsive, per an additional motion obtained by E! News. A woman named A1 in the transcript described the current situation to the operator. "One of the roommates who's passed out and she was drunk last night and she's not waking up," she said on the phone. "They saw some man in their house last night."





Who Is Bryan Kohberger and How Was He Found?

Bryan Kohberger, who has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder, was a doctoral candidate at Washington State University. Over one month after the bodies of Gonclaves, Mogen, Kernodle and Chapin were discovered, Kohberger was taken into custody Dec. 30 in Monroe County, Penn. He was extradited to Idaho Jan. 4. As for how authorities connected him to the killings? DNA was found on a knife sheath that was left at the crime scene, prosecutors revealed in June 2023 court documents, per NBC News. When the DNA didn't match anyone in the FBI database, authorities ran the DNA through public ancestry websites to create a list of potential suspects, according to the filings. After learning that Kohberger had driven to his parents' home in Monroe County, local officials then went through their trash and found DNA that tied him to that found on the sheath.





What Is Kohbergers Defense Arguing?

At the moment, a motive for the attack has not been detailed and a gag order prevents many involved in the case from speaking publicly, NBC News reported. However, the unsealed documents provided some insight into their arguments. Kohberger's attorneys argued in a motion obtained by E! News to strike the death penalty that Kohbergerwho could face the death penalty if found guilty on all counts, a judge ruled in November 2024has autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and that executing him would violate the Eighth Amendment's prohibition on "cruel and unusual punishment." His defense argued that Kohbereger "displays extremely rigid thinking, perseverates on specific topics, processes information on a piecemeal basis, struggles to plan ahead, and demonstrates little insight into his own behaviors and emotions." "Due to his ASD, Mr. Kohberger simply cannot comport himself in a manner that aligns with societal expectations of normalcy," the motion said. "This creates an unconscionable risk that he will be executed because of his disability rather than his culpability."

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Where Does the Case Stand Today?

Kohberger had a judge enter a not-guilty plea to the first-degree murder charges on his behalf after remaining silent at his May 2023 arraignment. Although his trial was set to begin Oct. 2, 2023, Kohberger waived his right to a speedy trial in August 2023. His new trial datewhich will take place in Ada County, more than 300 miles from Latah County, where the killings took placeis set to begin Aug. 11, 2025. Latah County Judge John Judge ruled in favor of the transfer request made by Kohberger's defense in September 2024 based on "presumed prejudice" if the trial remained in Latah County.

Ada County Judge Steven Hipplerwho is now presiding over the casedenied the defense's request to suppress key DNA and other evidence, including cell phone and email records, surveillance footage, past Amazon purchases and DNA evidence in the trial.



For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA)  The Illinois Supreme Court shut down a lawsuit from House Republicans to review the states legislative maps.

The current district maps were adopted in September 2021. Republicans filed a lawsuit earlier this year to argue theyre gerrymandered, using data from previous election cycles to make their case.

Illinois legislature aims to regulate cryptocurrency companies

The court rejected the case, saying Republicans waited too long to pose the challenge and pointing out the next census is closer than the last.

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Plaintiffs approach would also be prejudicial and create uncertainty for voters and officeholders alike, now and in the future, as to whether any redistricting plan in Illinois is ever final, part of the majority opinion reads. Plaintiffs motion for leave to file was brought more than three years and four months after the adoption of the current map.

Justice David Overstreet dissented, and Justice Lisa Holder White did not participate in the ruling.

Illinois House passes bill to ban unauthorized restaurant reservations

House Minority Leader Tony McCombie gave the following statement on the courts rejection:

Today is a shameful day in Illinois history. The voices of voters have once again been silenced by a Democratic machine that will stop at nothing to cling to power. This isnt leadership  its a raw, cynical power grab. Every Illinoisan, regardless of political affiliation, should be outraged by what just happened. Governor JB Pritzker lied to the people of this state. He promised a fair map  but instead stood by as his party drew the most partisan gerrymander possible, rigging the system for yet another decade. This isnt democracy. Lets be clear: Democrats have no interest in protecting voters  only in protecting their majority. Theyve proven theyll twist the rules, ignore the public, and crush accountability to keep their grip on power. House Republicans will not stop exposing this injustice. We will fight every day to restore fairness, transparency, and trust in our elections  because the people of Illinois deserve nothing less House Republican Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savana)

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Screenshot: Instagram

All you BBL hopefuls are probably looking for somewhere to recover in comfort instead of withstanding the painful ride home right after you get off the table. Well, a horrifying incident that claimed the life of a Las Vegas mother should serve as a warning to be careful of the facility you recover in.

Ahmonique Miller, 28, and her sister Kiera Barnes, 19, traveled from Las Vegas to Miami for cosmetic procedures at Avana Plastic Surgery Clinic earlier this month on March 7. The two documented their trip on social media, sharing their plans to recover together at Keylas Recovery House, a home marketed as a post-surgery facility owned by Keyla Oliver. Their mother, Wakeelah, told NBC6 South Florida the pair spent $1,500 each to stay at the facility, which is located on SW 4th Street.

However, just hours after the women were finished with their procedures and settled into the post-surgery facility, Ahmoniques recovery process went terribly wrong. In a video, Kiera gave the horrifying details of what happened while also debunking claims that her sisters death was due to the surgical procedure.

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My sister was very healthy. She was never denied surgery. She was given medicine that was not prescribed to her, Percocets, Kiera said in the video, adding that Keyla never picked up her sisters prescribed medication from the pharmacy. I just remember my sister going to sleep and my sister never woke up.

Miami-Dade police say they responded to the recovery home where they found Ahmonique already deceased. Authorities said she showed signs of rigor mortis, suggesting shed been dead hours prior to their arrival. Police said she was lying face down on a bed with heavy bandaging. Its unclear how much time passed between Ahmoniques death and the police being called. Her sister was moved to another center following the discovery.

At first, the response was, shes fine, nothing is wrong, said family attorney Jahra McLawrence via NBC. But once they realized that she had passed away, then it wasnt that they treated it like an emergency, but panic started to set in.

Ahmoniques cause and manner of death are still being investigated by the Miami-Dade Medical Examiner. However, police have launched an investigation into the recovery house, which they described as operating as an illegal post-plastic surgery recovery home. The Miami Herald reports that the owner has no medical professional license listed in the Florida Department of Health.

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The report says this is only the latest of a string of pop up recovery facilities targeting women who travel to South Florida for cosmetic surgeries. The womans mother told NBC6 she wants her daughters death to become a warning to trigger policies to prevent this from happening to someone elses daughter.

Ahmonique leaves behind a 1-year-old daughter.

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ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO)  A new bill in Illinois would eliminate the need for hair braiders to be licensed professionals.

Currently, Illinois is one of 14 states that require hair braiders to have a license or risk fines.

Hair braiders need 3,000 hours of classroom and practical experience, an education that can cost thousands.

House Bill 3356 completely removes that requirement.

Advocates of the bill say it will allow more people to enter the workforce.

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You learn from history, with your mom or your auntie or your grandma. Theyre teaching you how to become a woman. They teach you how to braid, said Dawuan Neal, the owner of Classic Cuts Barbershop at 1021 S Main Street.

I was also taught they teach you how to back in day, how to survive with mats in the hair. So braiding is a cultural thing. So when you think about going to school, school cant really teach you how to braid per se, he added.

Neal has worked with hair for over 30 years and says while cosmetology school is an important step to becoming a professional, hair braiding is different.

You got to think about the money aspect, Neal said. Youre not teaching me how to braid, so youre charging me for something I learn from my ancestors, from my parents or my mom or my grandma. So youre not teaching me that part?

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However, other hair professionals have a less positive take on the bill.

I think it should be a requirement to a certain level because you just want to be covered on all aspects, said barber Erick Thomas. I can know how to cut hair without going to school, but theres certain things that Im not going to learn and certain things that Im not going to know without going to school. You need the education that goes behind  what youre doing as far as cutting hair and braiding.

HB3356 passed out of the Illinois House and now heads to the Senate.

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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WTVO)  Illinois Senators unanimously passed a bill that would create a new optimized plan to better support first responders and schools during emergencies.

The bill would require the State Board of Education and fire marshals to develop clear and definitive guidelines to school districts, private schools and first responders for threat assessment procedures, rapid entry and cardiac emergency response plans.

Lawmakers also proposed to require the State Board of Education to provide school districts with outlines of what steps should be included within the school districts threat assessment procedure.

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The bill was introduced by Senator Michael Hastings (D-Tinley Park) following multiple shooting threats to schools in his district last year.

Hastings feels that first responders and schools handled the situations well, but there is room for improvement.

The way they handled it was very professional, Hastings said. However, it caused a lot of discussion in our district as to how school districts handle these from a local and state standpoint.

As a father of two young children, this legislation is personal to me, Hastings continued. You never know what tomorrow might bring, and it is essential to be prepared for the unexpected.

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The bill is now headed to the Illinois House of Representatives for more consideration.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WTVO)  A bill that would ban the use of cell phones in schools has cleared the Illinois Senate and heads to the House.

Study after study has demonstrated the benefits of a ban on classroom use of cell phones not just on student performance  but on overall health and wellbeing. This legislation will allow our teachers to focus on what matters most  delivering a quality education that opens up opportunity for kids across the state, Gov. JB Pritzker said during his annual budget address in March.

The policy, if it becomes law, would effectively ban the use of wireless communications devices by students in all Illinois classrooms, with the following exceptions:

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In the event of an emergency or in response to an imminent threat.

When a teacher or instructor has authorized the student to use a wireless communication device for educational purposese.g. Chromebook use, technology-based activities, etc. 

When a licensed physician determines that the possession or use of a wireless communication device is necessary for the health or well-being of the student.

To fulfill an Individualized Education Plan or 504 plan.

When the wireless communication device is necessary for students who are English learners to access learning materials, participate in class or otherwise facilitate communication.

However, schools are prohibited from issuing fines, fees, ticketing, or the deployment of a School Resource Officer or local law enforcement officer for the enforcement of the ban.

The ban would not apply to wireless communication devices that are issued by the school for educational purposes.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
On April 9, the US Department of Homeland Security didnt roll out a new border wall or beef up the fencing. It rolled out a policy update  small print with big teeth.

Effective immediately, people applying for permanent resident status and foreigners affiliated with educational institutions seeking a so-called immigration benefit request will be screened for their public online behaviour. And no, this isnt about policing dinner table grumbles or passive-aggressive Facebook posts about airline food. This is about drawing a line between free speech and incitement. Between disagreement and digital warfare.

The DHS announcement indicates that particular attention will be paid to anti-Semitic behaviour online, alongside the physical harassment of Jewish people. But this is about more than fighting anti-Semitism. This is about America  defending the integrity of its institutions and upholding the oldest rule in the immigration play book: that if you want to join the family, you have to respect the house. Come here to study, work, build a life? Bring your ambition. Leave the martyrdom videos at the door.

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Americas new border doesnt stop people. It reflects them. What you post is now who you are. The test is not what you hide  but what you advertise.

This policy doesnt trawl your private life. It targets your public allegiances  the kind of things you shout from protest podiums or pin at the top of your Twitter feed. And while some might see this as abrupt, its really just overdue.

For decades, the US immigration system ran on paper trails: forms, stamps, background checks  a toolkit built for a Cold War, not a TikTok one. But in an era where ideology spreads faster than a meme, that model has gone the way of the fax machine.

Now, the border is finally running at broadband speed.

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This isnt about surveillance. Its about reading the room  or in this case, reading public social media feeds. The vetting process is rooted in open-source intelligence and web intelligence, harvesting whats already visible in the digital town square. Tweets. TikToks. Public Telegram posts. YouTube sermons. The data isnt stolen. Its staged. Self-authored. Self-curated. And yes, in this system, it is self-incriminating.

There is no room in the United States for the rest of the worlds terrorist sympathisers, Tricia McLaughlin, a DHS spokesperson, said. We are under no obligation to admit them or let them stay here.

Thats not blunt. Thats clarity.

And legally, its clean. These tools cant credibly be accused of breaching privacy laws, because they dont touch whats private. They analyse what someone has already volunteered to the digital universe. The technology doesnt guess. It maps. It doesnt profile. It pattern-matches. Which is why it works.

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The wider crackdown on extremist activism on American campuses follows a similar principle. Over 300 visas are said to have been revoked, with many of the affected individuals students or researchers. The likes of Mahmoud Khalil have not necessarily been charged with any crimes. But the pattern of their behaviour  in Khalils case, being a prominent member of campus anti-Israel protests  is being used to justify their removal.

Indeed, this new strategy focuses on consistency  a demonstrable pattern of public support for ideologies that explicitly threaten American citizens or allies. Such patterns can now be identified swiftly by systems designed for strategic filtering.

Recent years have only accelerated this necessity. In New York, demonstrators waved Hezbollah flags in Times Square, chanting slogans lifted from Iran-backed propaganda. On college campuses, Jewish students were harassed, threatened, even assaulted during anti-Israel protests. At Columbia, reports of anti-Semitic violence prompted federal investigations and headlines across the world.

The old border relied on what people declared in a form. The new one looks at what they declare to the world.

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As Marco Rubio, the secretary of state, has bluntly said of visa revocations: We do it every day, every time I find one of these lunatics. And when Khalil was detained, Donald Trump put it even more directly: the first of many to come.

Americas new border is not about paranoia. It is about pattern recognition. This is not surveillance culture. It is an accountability culture. The right to free speech does not include the right to a US visa. Immigration is a privilege conditioned by respect for the nations basic security.

This policy does not suppress dissent. It identifies intent. And in an age where ideological warfare is waged as much online as in the real world, Americas border is no longer a wall. Its a mirror.

Kevin Cohen is CEO & Co-Founder of RealEye

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F.A.I.R. Vice President Tracy Espinoza takes her support for immigrant protections to the Maryland State House. (Photo courtesy CASA/F.A.I.R.)

In addition to the usual coalition of elected officials, nonprofits, community and religious leaders who fought for immigrant protections in the just-ended General Assembly session, Del. Ashanti Martinez (D-Prince Georges) adds an underestimated new ally.

Young people.

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Many are the children of immigrants, some are documented, some not, but they have all stepped up to testify at hearings, lead letter-writing campaigns, distribute know-your-rights cards on street corners and spread the word on social media.

It says that they understand democracy matters for all of us, that each and every one of us plays a role and get to participate, said Martinez, the chair of the Maryland Legislative Latino Caucus. They helped with what Martinez knew going in would be a rough legislative session for immigrant rights.

While advocates were able to win protections dealing with immigration agents at places like schools, hospitals and houses of worship, and another blocking agents access to state databases without a warrant, they were not able to get restrictions on so-called 287(g) agreements between local police and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. With minutes to go until the end of the session Monday night, House members agreed to drop the 287(g) language in a dispute with the Senate so they could preserve the rest of the package.

Senaya Asfaw testifies in the Senate Judiciary Committee in Annapolis in favor of the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act. (Photo courtesy F.A.I.R.)

While we were not able to advance a full prohibition on the 287(g) program this year, we are proud to have passed Sensitive Locations guidance and Data Privacy Protection through an amended HB1222 Maryland Values Act, he said. These victories, though partial, represent steps forward in our continued fight for immigrant justice.

Broad coalition drives legislative support

Alex Vazquez, Maryland organizing director for CASA, the leading immigrant advocacy group in the region, said immigrant rights groups knew right after the election of President Donald Trump that we were going to get straight to work to combat this anti-immigrant campaign that this administration was running.

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We [saw] a lot of young people were already out there responding to the call to action, Vazquez said.

Luz Chavez-Gonzales is a former Maryland youth organizer with United We Dream, a national immigrant-led network in the United States that focuses on empowering youth. She came to this country from Bolivia in 2002, when she was 4. As a recipient of the deferred deportation protections in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), she says she remains undocumented, but undeterred.

Chavez-Gonzales was called on by high school students in a single Montgomery County school during the COVID-19 pandemic to help them organize Friends of Asylum and Immigration Reform, or F.A.I.R., into a virtual community.

Im here to build those networks, she said, seeing herself in those she mentors. Its just amazing to see the change that I wanted to see when I was in high school, and they are doing it now.

F.A.I.R. grows, offers strength in numbers

Today, F.A.I.R. has student representatives in every Montgomery County high school. Their membership is largely immigrant or the children of immigrants, who have partnered with CASA on immigrant issues and organized support among their peers.

Watkins Mill High School Student and F.A.I.R. Vice President Tracy Espinoza testifies at Montgomery County School Board hearing on funding for CREA, an immigrant student program facing budget cuts. (Photo courtesy F.A.I.R.)

Watkins Mill High School junior Tracy Espinoza, a F.A.I.R. vice president, is the daughter of immigrants from Peru, who came to the U.S. as teenagers to support their families. Their status remains undocumented, she says, which has galvanized her actions.

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I knew it [immigrant protections] was something that was not only going to affect my family, but also my friends at school, she said. And so together, we lobbied our [state] delegates and senators, had some of our [F.A.I.R.] members submit testimony.

F.A.I.R.s networking and membership director Senaya Asfaw was born in the United States. Her parents fled Ethiopia to escape the political turmoil there in early 2000s. She is a junior at Montgomery Blair, the countys largest high school and among its most diverse, with Latino, African American and Asian students accounting for 77% of its enrollment.

Asfaw headed to Annapolis to voice their fears about reports of ICE agents outside their school and a nearby church.

They are scared because ICE might come to their school and take away everything they have been working toward. No child should have to choose between education and safety, Asfaw told legislators in support of the Sensitive Locations Act, that eventually passed.

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SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE

Aya Kouadio also made the trip to testify. A senior at Clarksville High School, she is F.A.I.R.s social media manager. Born in the Ivory Coast, her family moved to Tunisia, and then to the United States to seek medical care for her brother.

She says F.A.I.R.s Instagram account has more than 1,500 followers, with one recent post that detailed ICE sightings reaching 30,000 views.

And, I was seeing so many of my friends reposting it. It let people know whats going on [you] can trust, and its really powerful, she said. Theres a community of support here thats strong.

Activism is transformative

Espinoza says her newfound activism has been transformative. From being the girl who used to be afraid to even just go up to a grocery store worker and ask, Wheres the milk? the teen now speaks to more than 400 people at rallies.

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I was always frustrated with the world and how my parents, my cousins, my family and me, [were treated] based on different racial biases, she said. And it really taught me not to wait for someone to speak up for me, and rather to be that voice, to be the one to speak out when someone else is willing to [give me] a chair at the table.

F.A.I.R. and CASA organizers meet at Springbrook High School to present a Know Your Rights assembly at the school. (Photo courtesy F.A.I.R.)

Sherwood High School senior Beteselame Mitu Tegegne agrees. Born in the United States, the child of Ethiopian immigrants, she says she carries a unique perspective.

You understand both worlds, but you [also] have the privilege of going out and advocating and not being afraid of what is going to happen to you, she said.

Mitu is right, adds Kouadio. Theres strength in numbers. Theres strength in community. Theres strength I know that people have your back. People are willing to tell your story, even if you cant, and we are.

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CASA organizer Vazquez says he is awed by the courage that these young people have to step up in such a hostile environment when their families and their communities are being torn apart, with youth left to pick up the pieces.

During this critical time, it is important for organizations like CASA to give youth the space to advocate for their families and community and ultimately themselves, he said. Those actions will determine their future.

Latino Caucus chair Martinez says he has their back.

We remain unwavering in our commitment to building a Maryland where all people  regardless of immigration status  are treated with compassion, value and fairness, he said. Our work continues, and we are not backing down.
The imminent departure of disgraced District 7 Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson has sparked a debate over whether a special election should be held.

Fernandes Anderson vowed to resign after agreeing to plead guilty to federal public corruption charges but has yet to do so.

At-Large City Councilor Erin Murphy is calling for the body to be ready to hold a prompt special election as soon as possible.

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She filed a resolution encouraging fellow council members to vote on setting a date quickly.

They deserve representation, and we know that there will be a period of time where they dont have a city councilor, said Murphy.

However, the states keeper of elections is not on board with a special election so close to the fall election.

To try to run another election between now and September for the same office does not make any sense, said Secretary of State William Galvin. Its not simply a waste of money. Its ineffective.

Galvin said hes especially opposed because of the problems Boston experienced in the November presidential election with a shortage of ballots.

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His office subsequently took over administrative control of the Boston Election Department and appointed a receiver.

We think the better approach is to straighten out the problems in the Boston Election Department, said Galvin. Suggesting that we run two elections for the same office in a matter of months would be a great burden.

Murphy is pointing to state law that says the body can order an election to fill a seat if the vacancy occurs before the final six months of a term.

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NEW DELHI, April 10 (Xinhua) -- A terror mastermind allegedly involved in the November 2008 multiple terror attacks in India's financial capital Mumbai, which claimed around 166 lives, was extradited from the United States to New Delhi on Thursday.

Tahawwur Rana, 64, was flown in by a special aircraft. Upon his arrival at the Palam Airport in the Indian capital city, the country's National Investigation Agency (NIA) sleuths formally arrested him.

Now, the alleged terror mastermind would be tried under Indian laws for his role in the multiple terror attacks.

A Canadian national of Pakistani origin, Rana had allegedly planned the dreaded terror attacks while residing in the U.S. along with David Coleman Headley.

Meanwhile, the Pakistani government distanced itself from Rana pointing out his Canadian citizenship.

"Tahawwur Rana has not renewed his Pakistani documents in the last two decades. His Canadian nationality is very clear," media reports quoted a Pakistani Foreign Office spokesman as saying on Thursday. 
beds

Indiana only has 11.9 psychiatric beds per 100,000 people, which is far below the recommended 50 beds per 100,000 necessary for adequate care. (Getty Images)

The United States is in a behavioral health crisis, and Indiana is no exception. Millions of Americans struggle with mental illness and substance use disorders. Yet, too many lack access to the vital care necessary due to the extreme shortage of behavioral health beds. To remedy the situation and avoid further dire consequences, we must prioritize action to expand access to treatment.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) annual national survey paints a grim picture of mental health and substance use nationwide. The data reveals that 48 million people are battling a substance use disorder and almost 29 million struggle with alcohol use. The impact on young adults is also alarming  half of those aged 18 to 25 reported experiencing either a mental illness or substance use disorder.

These arent faceless figures. Theyre our children, neighbors, and coworkers. In my time as Indianas Lieutenant Governor and in my own family, I have witnessed the heartbreaking struggle that lies behind these statistics. This drives my commitment to improving our health care system.

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Indiana only has 11.9 psychiatric beds per 100,000 people, which is far below the recommended 50 beds per 100,000 necessary for adequate care. This means thousands of Hoosiers with severe mental illnesses are left without access to proper treatment, and health care providers are at risk of being overrun. In Marion County alone, 26,000 adults required but did not receive treatment for severe mental health conditions.

The consequences of this shortage are devastating. Individuals experiencing crisis who do not receive inpatient care often end up in emergency rooms where they can wait days or even weeks for a bed to open up. Others land in jails, where their conditions only worsen, or on the streets, where they struggle to survive without proper treatment.

As those in need of mental health treatment have struggled to access it, there have also been increasing suicide rates. According to the CDC, suicide was the second leading cause of death among people ages 10-14 and 25-34 in 2022. Overall, suicide rates have climbed 36% since 2000. Every statistic represents a life lost, a family shattered, and a community left to pick up the pieces.

Beyond the human toll, the economic cost of untreated mental illness is staggering. A 2023 study in JAMA Network found that Indiana lost $4.2 billion due to the effects of untreated mental health conditions. This includes lost productivity, emergency care costs, and the burden on the criminal justice system.

Caution on cuts

Amid the bed shortage, some federal and state policy makers have discussed reducing funding for Medicaid, the largest payer for behavioral health services. More responsible government spending is a laudable goal, but lawmakers should be careful and thoughtful about any reductions that could exacerbate the lack of behavioral health care coverage.

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Indiana has the opportunityand the responsibilityto take meaningful action. Expanding the number of behavioral health beds should be a top statewide priority.

Investing in more psychiatric beds is not just a moral obligation; its a practical necessity. When patients receive the right care in the right setting, it ultimately improves their chances of recovery and reduces strain on other public systems. States that have prioritized mental health care have seen significant reductions in ER visits, incarceration rates, and overall health care costs.

One increasingly common method to make more beds available is joint venture partnerships between hospitals and behavioral health care providers. This model makes it easier to expand treatment by both reducing financial commitments for hospitals and combining the specialized expertise of behavioral health care providers with hospitals established infrastructure.

Without offering adequate treatment capacity, more Hoosiers will suffer, more families will grieve, and more communities will bear the weight of untreated mental illness. Lets commit to expanding treatment access to change the trajectory of this crisis and ensure a healthier and happier Indiana.

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FORREST COUNTY, Miss. (WHLT)  Forrest County deputies announced a man, who was wanted in Indiana for rape and child molestation, was captured in Mississippi.

On April 8, Forrest County deputies said they were contacted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) regarding a wanted man out of Indiana, who was believed to be in Mississippi.

Oklahoma man charged for multiple auto thefts in Hattiesburg

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Yonson Meza Argueta was wanted by the Marion County Sheriffs Office in Indiana for five counts of molestation of a child, one count of rape and one count of dissemination of matter harmful to minors.

Through a coordinated effort between law enforcement agencies, investigators said Argueta was located and arrested in Picayune. He was transported to the Forrest County Jail, where he will await extradition back to Indiana.

Yonson Meza Argueta (Courtesy: Forrest Co. Sheriffs Office)

Investigators said Argueta was attempting to reach the United States/Mexico border in an effort to evade arrest.

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An Indiana sheriff's deputy who was shot in the head during a January traffic stop came home from the hospital on Wednesday. Deputy Zac Andry, who has spent the last three months in recovery, was escorted home by Orange County Sheriff David Henderson.

On Jan. 3, Andry noticed a car stopped in the road near the intersection of US 150 and Indiana State Road 56. Believing its two occupants to be stranded, he approached the car. The driver pulled a gun on Andry and shot him four times, including once in the head, before driving away.

The shooter, 33-year-old Austin Schepers, was shot and killed by a Louisville Metro Police officer on Jan. 4.

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More: ISP: Man wanted in Orange County sheriff's deputy shooting killed by Louisville police

Andry was reported to be in critical but stable condition after the shooting. He's been recovering from his injuries under the care of University of Louisville Health for three months, according to the hospital system.

As Andry was wheeled out of the facility by family members on Wednesday, police officers and members of his medical care team lined the walls and applauded.

Andry was then loaded into a van and driven home by his colleagues, who provided updates from the road. One video a line of officers who had pulled over to the side of the road and exited their vehicles to salute the passing convoy.

Ryan Murphy is the communities reporter for IndyStar. She can be reached at rhmurphy@indystar.com.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana sheriff's deputy comes home months after line-of-duty injury
U.S. Rep. Victoria Spartz was one of only two Republicans to vote against a GOP budget that narrowly passed Thursday, writing on X that the plan is "setting us up for the largest deficit increase in the history of our Republic."

The Hamilton County congresswoman, who worked in accounting and finance before taking office in 2020, has long focused on the country's financial situation. Spartz threatened to resign from office in late 2023 if a commission was not established to study the national debt.

In December 2024, Spartz said she would not caucus with other House Republicans.

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"I would rather spend my energy helping President Trump, his appointees and DOGE to deliver on their promises through reconciliation," she wrote in a statement about the decision.

Thursday's bill, which will allow President Donald Trump to enact much of his legislative agenda, was narrowly approved with a 216-214 vote along party lines.

No Democrats voted for the bill. Two Republicans abstained from the vote, along with one Democrat.

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 10: U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) speaks to reporters after the House passes the Republican budget plan at the U.S. Capitol on April 10, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Though the resolution will allow President Trump to enact much of his legislative agenda, ultraconservative members of the Freedom Caucus and deficit hawks refused to vote for the existing plan Wednesday night over concerns that it would lead to a skyrocketing national debt.

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All Republican holdouts except Spartz and Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky relented after House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune announced Thursday morning that they would find $1.5 trillion in cuts as part of the package. Their joint statement indicates that Congress could make significant changes to Medicaid and other benefit programs.

"I appreciate efforts of my colleagues, but the instructions we voted on today are still setting us up for the largest deficit increase in the history of our Republic, & opening up a 'pandoras box' by changing accounting rules to hide it," Spartz said on X. "In good conscience, I couldnt vote YES."

The vote came after days of intense pressure from Trump and his advisers. Trump told House Republicans at a fundraiser Tuesday night: "Close your eyes and get there."

The resolution approved Thursday will be the blueprint for a massive bill that Republicans hope to pass through a process known as "reconciliation," which avoids the need for a supermajority to overcome a filibuster in the Senate. That would allow the measure to pass in both chambers of Congress with only Republican votes.

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The package will eventually include Trump's priorities for border security, domestic energy production and taxes. If it passes, it would be the marquee law of his second term in office.

How did Indiana's congresspeople vote on the budget?

Frank Mrvan, Democrat, 1st Congressional District: No

Rudy Yakym, Republican, 2nd Congressional District: Yes

Marlin Stutzman, Republican, 3rd Congressional District: Yes

James Baird, Republican, 4th Congressional District: Yes

Victoria Spartz, Republican, 5th Congressional District: No

Jefferson Shreve, Republican, 6th Congressional District: Yes

Andre Carson, Democrat, 7th Congressional District: No

Mark Messmer, Republican, 8th Congressional District: Yes

Erin Houchin, Republican, 9th Congressional District: Yes

I appreciate efforts of my colleagues, but the instructions we voted on today are still setting us up for the largest deficit increase in the history of our Republic, & opening up a pandoras box by changing accounting rules to hide it.



In good conscience, I couldnt vote YES.  Rep. Victoria Spartz (@RepSpartz) April 10, 2025

What is in the blueprint?

The skeleton plan both the Senate and House have now agreed to lays out separate spending instructions for Trump's legislation that will ultimately be hammered out between the chambers and fleshed out with detailed policy.

The Senate's plan would allow them to lock in the tax cuts implemented during Trump's first term, which are set to expire this year, an incredibly expensive endeavor that would add an estimated $3.8 trillion to the deficit over the next 10 years.

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The Senate's plan would also allow for an additional $1.5 trillion in tax cuts, leaving room for Trump's plans to eliminate taxes on tips and overtime and other tax priorities. It requires virtually no spending cuts but has a non-binding target of eventually finding $2 trillion in savings over 10 years.

The Senate plan would also raise the debt ceiling by $5 trillion, which would avoid a looming default on the federal debt and help Republicans avoid negotiating on the extension with Democrats.

The blueprint also instructs the House to follow separate rules, which required finding at least $1.5 trillion in spending cuts over the next 10 years.

The House's plan also allows for an extension of Trump's 2017 tax cuts and allocates $300 billion for spending on defense and border security.

Potential cuts to Medicaid

Several Republicans and Democrats in both chambers are concerned that the blueprint will lead to significant cuts to Medicaid, the health insurance program that provides coverage to 72 million low-income Americans.

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The House's instructions include a directive to cut $880 billion from the jurisdiction of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which nonpartisan experts have said is not possible to meet without slashing Medicaid.

Several GOP lawmakers, including Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri, have said they cannot support the final package if it includes significant cuts to Medicaid.

But Hawley voted to approve the Senate's blueprint, saying that he'd spoken with Trump "for a good bit," who "told me the House will NOT cut Medicaid benefits and the Senate will NOT cut Medicaid benefits and he wont sign any benefit cuts."

Ryan Murphy is the communities reporter for IndyStar. She can be reached at rhmurphy@indystar.com.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana's Victoria Spartz votes against Trump budget, citing deficit
By Manuela Andreoni, Ricardo Brito and Lais Morais

BRASILIA (Reuters) -Thousands of Indigenous people from across Brazil are rallying in the nation's capital this week to demand protection for their land rights, fighting legislation that could make it impossible for some tribes to reclaim territory they were forced to leave.

Disputes over the 2023 law, backed by the powerful farm lobby, have fomented the protests by Indigenous groups that say it violates their rights to ancestral lands recognized in Brazil's 1988 constitution.

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The dispute is now in the hands of Supreme Court Justice Gilmar Mendes, who a year ago set up a conciliation chamber for representatives of Indigenous groups and the farm sector to find common ground.

Indigenous umbrella group APIB, which is challenging the law in the court, has left the chamber set up by the Supreme Court, arguing that its existence was disrespectful to the constitutional rights of Brazil's native communities.

"What we have there is an attempt to despoil Indigenous rights in various ways," said Mauricio Terena, an APIB lawyer, after he left a meeting with Mendes on Tuesday.

Indigenous leaders asked Mendes to disband the chamber and allow the rest of the court's bench to rule on whether the 2023 law limiting their rights is constitutional. But this week both the speaker of the House of Representatives and the president of the Senate issued letters asking Mendes to keep the conciliation chamber open.

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In a statement, the justice's office said that "the chamber will not take away any protections to Indigenous peoples," but did not clarify whether the chamber would remain open.

A senior Supreme Court source said, speaking on condition of anonymity, that many Indigenous groups not represented by the protesters have embraced the chamber's discussions, including proposals to organize and allow more economic activities on their lands.

On Thursday evening, tensions between Indigenous activists and Congress overflowed, as security forces guarding the legislative houses threw tear gas bombs when protesters approached the building.

Officials from the Lower House said in a statement that protesters were trying to break into the buildings, which activists denied.

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"We were just marching," said Larissa Gomes dos Santos, from the Xakriaba people, who was among the demonstrators. "A lot of our relatives got sick," she added about the tear gas.

At another march in Brasilia this week, Indigenous demonstrators carried a replica of the statue of Justice blindfolded in front of Brazil's Supreme Court, adding an Indigenous headdress.

Protesters carried signs decrying the 2023 law and the violence against tribes that they say the legislation has fueled.

In Mato Grosso do Sul, for example, a clash between farmers and members of the Guarani Kaiowa group has left several dead in recent years.

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The group, which was expelled from their land in the 1950s, has been demanding the government demarcate the land as they try to reoccupy it. But during the many decades the Guarani Kaiowa were forced to stay out, several farms were established in the area, setting the stage for violent clashes.

"The situation we are going through is massacre, murder, illegal mining and logging," said Norivaldo Mendes, a leader of the Guarani Kaiowa people who took part in the march. "We need our demarcation to guarantee our lives, to guarantee the future of our children."

(Reporting by Manuela Andreoni in Sao Paulo, Ricardo Brito, Lais Morais, Adriano Machado and Augusta Lunardi in Brasilia; Additional reporting by Maria Carolina Marcello in Brasilia; Writing by Manuela Andreoni and Andre Romani; Editing by Brad Haynes and Sandra Maler)
Story has been updated April 11 with additional details.

You might have seen the headlines this week that discount retailer Big Lots is returning under new ownership in some states.

Thats not happening in Washington, but at least one former Tacoma location appears to be gaining a new tenant.

Last summer, Big Lots operated 26 stores in Washington state and around 900 nationwide. Its former store at 2401 N. Pearl St. in the Westgate South shopping center was the last of its stores in Pierce County to close late last year.

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That location now appears to be the future home for The Picklr, a Utah-based chain of indoor pickleball facilities.

The Tacoma franchise launched its social media last month. The Tacoma Picklr website to sign up members also is online.

Initial information for permitting was started by an applicant to the City of Tacoma on April 8 but has not yet been completed/submitted, according to the online permit portal.

Beau Brooks, the local franchise co-owner, told The News Tribune on Friday via email that We plan to be open by late summer/early fall. We will have 12 total courts and two championship courts.

A sample interior view of The Picklr indoor pickleball facility, which plans to locate at 2401 N. Pearl St. in Tacoma. The Picklr

An accompanying release stated that the new club is a part of The Picklrs national expansion, including more than 475 new locations with roughly 4,750 courts being built over the next few years.

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The 43,000 square-foot Picklr will feature high-quality proprietary outdoor surfacing along with a pro shop and private event space, the release noted.

The Tacoma site would be the brands second Washington state location. The other is listed in Seattles Fremont neighborhood, and its opening is also listed online as TBD.

Whats happening to Big Lots?

Meanwhile, Variety Wholesalers acquired 219 Big Lots locations nationwide after Big Lots bankruptcy and recently announced it is reopening nine stores across six states on Thursday (April 10)  Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia, with the rest of its stores reopening in waves through the year.

In response to questions from The News Tribune, a media representative for the Variety Wholesalers stated via email Tuesday, We have not acquired any Big Lots locations in Washington state.
LONDON (AP)  One of four women suing influencer and self-styled misogynist Andrew Tate for sexual assault said he whipped her with a belt and once stuck a gun in her face, according to court documents that have been filed in London.

The allegations were filed last year but emerged Thursday, a few days before the first hearing in the civil case next week in the High Court. Tate, 38, will not be present as he and his younger brother Tristan Tate face charges in Romania over human trafficking and forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women.

The woman alleging Tate stuck a gun in her face said the former professional kickboxer told her youre going to do as I say or therell be hell to pay when doing so. It was unclear whether the gun was real or a replica. She also said Tate whipped her with a belt if she did not get out of bed and do work for his webcam business.

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Two of the women involved in the civil lawsuit worked for his webcam business, and two were former girlfriends. Their identities have not been revealed in line with legal practice in England. The incidents are alleged to have taken place between 2013 and 2015.

A spokesperson for Tate, who has amassed millions of followers online, many of them young men and boys drawn in by the luxurious lifestyle he projects, said the allegations outlined in the documents are unproven and untested and categorically denied.

Specifically, he denies ever threatening anyone with a firearm, engaging in non-consensual acts or subjecting any individual to physical or psychological harm," according to a response submitted by his lawyers.

The U.K.s Crown Prosecution Service decided not to prosecute Tate over sexual assault allegations in 2019. Three of the accusers in the current suit were the subject of the investigation by police that prosecutors chose not to pursue.

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The Tates, who are dual U.S. and British citizens, were arrested in Romania in late 2022 and formally indicted last year on charges that they participated in a criminal ring that lured women to Romania, where they were allegedly sexually exploited. Andrew Tate was also charged with rape. They deny all of the allegations against them.

The pair face extradition to the U.K. following the conclusion of proceedings in Romania, after England's Bedfordshire Police secured a European arrest warrant for further separate allegations of rape and human trafficking involving different women between 2012 and 2015.

Last month, Andrew Tate's former girlfriend, Brianna Stern filed a lawsuit against him in Los Angeles accusing him of sexual assault and battery. Tate denies the allegations.

The Associated Press typically does not identify people who say they are the victims of sexual abuse unless they come forward publicly with their story, as Stern has done.
This story was originally published on MyNorthwest.com.

First responders rescued an injured worker from a construction site behind Capitol Hills Chop Suey on E. Union St. on Thursday.

The patient was in a difficult-to-access location, a Seattle Fire Department spokesperson explained. Firefighters utilized an aerial ladder and Stokes basket to lower the patient safely to the ground.

Multiple fire engines and paramedic vehicles responded to the 911 call, with crews lining the south side of Union St. carrying recovery and medical gear. The exact location in the construction site where the worker was rescued is unclear.

A site manager told MyNorthwest that the injured worker is recovering in the hospital, but his current condition is unknown.

This is an ongoing story; check back for updates.
BEIJING, April 10 (Xinhua) -- China will send another batch of emergency humanitarian supplies to Myanmar, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Thursday.

Spokesperson Lin Jian shared details on China's earthquake rescue and relief assistance to Myanmar at a daily news briefing in response to a related query.

According to Lin, China was the first country that announced emergency assistance to Myanmar, sent rescue forces to the country, and set up settlement centers in the affected areas. "The Chinese rescue team found the first trapped survivor," he said.

"More than 30 rescue teams of over 600 members rushed to Myanmar for rescue work and we offered several batches of supplies, which demonstrated China's speed, contribution and kindness," he said. "This is warmly welcomed and appreciated by the people in Myanmar," he added.

"As a friendly neighbor and 'pauk-phaw' brother, China has decided to send another batch of emergency humanitarian supplies, which include the most needed refined oil, prefabricated houses, operating rooms, medicines, and vaccines," he said.

"China will also dispatch medical and epidemic prevention experts for treatment and disinfection, as well as experts to examine, assess, reinforce, and repair affected buildings and cultural relics," Lin added.

The spokesperson noted that China will continue to promote the China-Myanmar "pauk-phaw" friendship and, upholding the spirit of the China-Myanmar community with a shared future, help the people in Myanmar overcome difficulties and rebuild their homes. 
Ben Vizzachero had his dream job, working as a wildlife biologist with the Los Padres National Forest in California. He was moving up the ladder, had recently received a positive performance review, and was making the world a better place, he says.

Yet, over Presidents Day weekend in February, Donald Trumps administration told Vizzachero he was being let go for his performance. Vizzachero was one of many thousands of probationary federal workers who were baselessly fired by Elon Musk and his so-called Department of Government Efficiency as part of Trumps effort to purge the federal workforce and make it more MAGA.

It was crushing. My job is my identity, Vizzachero says. How Ive defined myself since I was five years old is that I love birds and bird-watching. Talking with Rolling Stone in March, following his firing, he wondered what would happen to his health insurance and whether he would need to move in with his parents.

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When a Democratic lawmaker invited Vizzachero as a guest to Trumps joint address to Congress in March, he found himself seated near Musk. He took the opportunity to confront the worlds richest man. According to Vizzachero, he described his job to Musk and asked: Am I waste?

He says Musk, with a very condescending smirk, hit him with a line from the 1999 movie Office Space: What would you say you do here?

It was a dubious callback to the scene in which a pair of management consultants interview a worker and force him to justify his job before hes fired. Like countless Wall Street traders who took the wrong lesson from Gordon Gekkos greed is good speech, Musk missed the point of Office Space: that corporate culture is dehumanizing, and bosses like him are odious cretins.

Soon after Trumps and Republicans 2024 wins, which Musk supported with $290 million in political spending, the Tesla CEO publicly mused about using this line from Office Space on federal workers. He posted it in November on X, the social media platform he owns, with a laugh-crying emoji, resharing his earlier post of an AI-generated image in which hes seated at a conference table behind a placard that reads DOGE. Two weeks later, Musk announced, I rewatched Office Space tonight for the 5th time to prepare for @DOGE! The billionaire reportedly had a DOGE T-shirt made, emblazoned with his favorite line. And one weekend in February, Musk threatened to fire every federal worker who failed to respond to an email asking them, What did you do last week?

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Musk and the White House did not respond to Rolling Stones request for comment.

The American people are saying, you know what, Elon Musk? We believe you to be a liar. Everett Kelley

With DOGE, Musk has gleefully banished tens of thousands of federal employees, canceled lifesaving aid, and repeatedly threatened Americas safety-net programs, all as part of a purported hunt for waste, fraud, and abuse. Hes governed as an out-of-touch corporate villain, laughing about this carnage while partying, posting, delivering big payments to voters (although the amounts mean virtually nothing to him), and cashing in on new contracts and business opportunities  sometimes appearing high out of his mind. Even administration officials and Trump loyalists on Capitol Hill joke about the latest outrages of Prime Minister Musk. At every turn in his crusade of destruction, the Tesla and SpaceX CEO has dared the courts and a weak Democratic opposition to stop him.

But it didnt take long for ordinary Americans to get pissed off, with protests against DOGE, Musk, and his companies erupting nationwide. The American people are saying, you know what, Elon Musk? says Everett Kelley, president of the American Federation of Government Employees, a federal labor union that has brought legal challenges against the Trump administration on behalf of the more than 820,000 workers across government agencies it represents. Were not buying what youre selling. We believe you to be a liar.

Organizers have mounted a Tesla Takedown campaign, with tens of thousands around the globe showing up at dealerships to condemn DOGE, according to the group. They have encouraged Tesla owners to sell their cars and stockholders to dump their shares, since much of Musks wealth comes from his stake in the electric-vehicle manufacturer.

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People have asked, What is DOGE?  says a retiree at an anti-Tesla protest in Los Angeles in March, explaining that she and her husband are trying to educate people about the harm Musks pet project is causing. Passing motorists honk in support of the approximately 25 people gathered at a Tesla center despite the rain. Some hold signs denouncing Musk as a Nazi (he has denied any association with Nazism), while another poster at the rally simply reads: Not Sure About This Elon Guy.

There is a growing movement to divest, Tesla stock is in a precipitous decline, says actor and writer Alex Winter, who launched Tesla Takedown with other activists in February. Things are moving in the right direction.

Crazy Uncle Elon

Prior to Trumps inauguration, observers werent sure how seriously to take the idea of a Musk-led government-efficiency commission, but the billionaire and DOGE have been at the vanguard of Trumps shockingly lawless second administration.

Musk has spearheaded the presidents purge of the federal workforce and his efforts to consolidate information and power over federal funds  despite never being elected, appointed, or confirmed to hold such a pivotal role. Musk is technically a special government employee, a designation that allowed him to bypass a Senate confirmation process and avoid publicly reporting his financial holdings.

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DOGE was created by renaming the U.S. Digital Service and moving it under the executive office in an apparent bid to circumvent public-record laws. The ethics watchdog American Oversight has sued to force the group to comply with those laws and preserve materials subject to Freedom of Information Act requests. The public deserves to know the full extent of the damage, said interim Executive Director Chioma Chukwu in a statement on an April court order requiring DOGE to fulfill this legal obligation.

Trump and Musk have tried to grant the new office expansive authorities never envisioned by Congress, including the ability to impound, or freeze, funds appropriated by lawmakers. Experts say the arrangement is unconstitutional on several levels  as are DOGEs mass firings and its attempts to shutter or pause the work of whole government agencies. A lawsuit brought by personnel of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) laid out many of these arguments, contending that Musk has acted as an officer of the United States without having been duly appointed to such a role, and that DOGE acted to eliminate USAID, a federal agency created by statute, where only Congress may do so. A federal judge in Maryland agreed, finding that Musk and DOGE likely violated the Constitution as they dismantled the office. Another judge ordered the Trump administration to rehire thousands of probationary employees terminated by DOGE. (As of publication, the legal battle is ongoing.)

Vizzachero, the wildlife biologist, was among those rehired. The administration is still moving ahead with even larger mass firings.



I am become meme. Theres living the dream, and living the meme, and thats whats happening. Elon Musk

Musk and his lieutenants  many pulled from his own companies, others young techie college dropouts lacking in government experience  have demanded unprecedented access to sensitive personal information and government payment systems, leading to still more legal challenges. Federal judges have found that Trumps administration likely violated privacy and administrative laws when it gave DOGE sweeping access to personal, private data held by the Social Security Administration, the Treasury Department, and the Education Department. Regardless, DOGE has continued to operate with the same playbook Musk used after acquiring Twitter, showing a zeal for speedy terminations and little regard for how departments function.

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Throughout the chaos and confusion of Trumps return to power, Musk also strove to cultivate the image hes long maintained as a workhorse, showman, and expert in varied fields. He reportedly told friends he was sleeping at DOGE offices, rehashing claims he previously made about sleeping on a Tesla factory floor. Hes continually posted grandiose and often inaccurate estimates of how much money DOGE has saved.

And he seemed to relish his role as an all-powerful agitator. Musk began regularly smearing his enemies as retards on X and targeting judges who ruled against the administration or blocked DOGEs incursions. He grew bold enough to describe Social Security, long considered untouchable, as the biggest Ponzi scheme of all time.

Onstage at Trumps post-inauguration event, Musk threw a straight-armed salute to the crowd, then responded to the ensuing backlash with a series of puns on names of high-ranking Nazis from Adolf Hitlers inner circle. Speaking virtually to the far-right German political party Alternative fur Deutschland, Musk argued that Germany had placed too much of a focus on past guilt.

At the 2025 Conservative Political Action Conference in February, Musk waved around a chain saw he said would slice through bureaucracy  this on the same day that his former partner Grimes publicly begged him on X to respond to her about a medical crisis experienced by one of their three children.

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I am become meme, he said onstage. Im living the meme. You know, its like, theres living the dream, and theres living the meme, and thats pretty much whats happening.

The bizarre CPAC appearance prompted speculation about Musks state of mind and recreational drug use, as he was wearing sunglasses inside and had difficulty stringing sentences together. People close to Musk have told The Wall Street Journal they have known him to use illegal drugs, including LSD, cocaine, Ecstasy, and mushrooms  a source of concern for some of the board members overseeing his companies. (Musk has denied using illegal drugs, though he has spoken about his use of prescription ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic.)

Some senior Trump administration officials and Cabinet members have found themselves deeply annoyed by Musk. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, three people familiar with the matter say, hasnt hidden his disdain for Musk, with some State Department officials nicknaming the Tesla billionaire Crazy Uncle Elon, two of those sources tell Rolling Stone.

I have been in the same room with Elon, and he always tries to be funny. And hes not funny. Like, at all, says a senior Trump administration official. He makes these jokes and little asides and smiles and then looks almost hurt if you dont lap up his humor. I keep using the word annoying; a lot of people who have to deal with him do. But the word doesnt do the situation justice. Elon just thinks hes smarter than everyone else in the room and acts like it, even when its clear he doesnt know what hes talking about.

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Musk has gnawed at the patience of an array of high-ranking administration officials, to the point that  according to this official and two others  Trump lieutenants have walked out of meetings and earnestly asked one another if they thought Musk was high. Administration officials joked to one another about subjecting Musk to mandatory drug testing, which Musk himself has said would be a great idea for federal employees. (A lawyer for Musk has said hes regularly and randomly drug-tested at SpaceX and has never failed a test.)

Talking to the guy is sometimes like listening to really rusty nails on a chalkboard, says the senior Trump administration official, who adds that Musk is not much of a team player, either. Hes just the most irritating person Ive ever had to deal with, and that is saying something.

Why Do These Fucking Kids Know This?

With Trumps blessing, Musk has engineered a climate of fear that has infected nearly every corner of the U.S. executive branch. When DOGEs nerd army has moved to take over federal agencies, if their demands are not immediately met, Musks minions have snapped at senior government officials: Do I need to call Elon?

The emails that Musk has had sent to federal employees have been so intentionally dickish that several have produced an avalanche of what one Trump administration official called very rude pranks and replies. Some of these crass responses include  per messages reviewed by Rolling Stone  graphic sexual images, including content involving urine and feces.

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I know Elon probably wont see it, but I hope he sees it, says one now-former federal employee, who says they replied to one such email with an image of a human butthole.

Musk is apparently amused by the unrest. Aside from his public memeing, when he has privately messaged associates and confidants about reports from federal staffers about how their lives have been wrecked, the Tesla CEO has been known to react with laugh-crying emojis, according to a source with direct knowledge of the matter.

At the Social Security Administration, Musk and DOGE appear to be creating a ticking time bomb  making big cuts and changes that may prevent some recipients from getting the benefits they are owed.

The tech oligarch has repeatedly warned that millions of Americans over the age of 100 are receiving benefits  a flagrant misrepresentation of agency data. Trump has run with this falsehood, too, even as his acting Social Security commissioner has acknowledged that these people are not necessarily receiving benefits.

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Musk has claimed there are extreme levels of fraud in Social Security  though he and DOGE havent provided any evidence. Hes argued, without basis, that hundreds of billions in fraud per year are going to undocumented immigrants from entitlement programs like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.

The constant griping about entitlements is making an impact: When people lose their Social Security benefits, they are blaming Musk and DOGE.

Two administration officials and another Trump adviser tell Rolling Stone that when Musk has publicly decried Social Security as a Ponzi scheme, some close to Trump have tried to diplomatically remind Musk that this could be damaging politically.

Hes the most irritating person Ive ever had to deal with, and thats saying something. Senior Trump Administration Official

We like winning elections, and you may have noticed that a lot of our voters are elderly, the Trump adviser notes. The complaint from Trumpland brass about Musks inability to absorb or entertain new information is a common one.

According to the Trump adviser and an administration official, the DOGE captain has stubbornly responded with comments like, It is a Ponzi scheme, though. (It is not.)

As Musk and his minions claim theyre hunting for wasteful spending, the tech mogul is vying for new contracts at agencies that regulate his many business interests  a situation that poses obvious conflicts of interest. The Trump White House has asserted that Musk can police his own conflicts, and excuse himself from DOGEs work overseeing certain contracts if he believes its necessary.

As part of their purge, Musk and DOGE fired hundreds of probationary employees at the Federal Aviation Administration, which last year proposed fining Musks SpaceX for regulatory and safety violations. Musk also pressured the last FAA administrator to resign, leaving it without leadership when an Army helicopter and commercial jet collided over the Potomac River near D.C. in January, killing 67 people.

The agency has started utilizing Starlink, Musks satellite internet service, to help upgrade the systems it uses to manage Americas airspace. Musk has tried to spin this as charity, posting that Starlink terminals are being sent at NO COST to the taxpayer on an emergency basis to restore air-traffic-control connectivity. However, as Rolling Stone has reported, FAA officials quietly directed staff to quickly locate tens of millions of dollars to fund a Starlink deal.

The New York Times separately reported in March that Starlink is now being used on the White House campus, despite security concerns. Trumps Department of Defense just awarded SpaceX billions more in contracts to put sensitive military satellites in space. DOGE is reportedly using Musks Grok AI chatbot liberally as it slashes the government.

Two sources with knowledge of the matter tell Rolling Stone that Musks DOGE staffers have grilled DOD employees about the Golden Dome project, Trumps fantastical proposal to build a space-based missile-defense system to protect the entire United States  an idea ready-made for Starlink. Their questions were so specific that Pentagon officials wondered if the DOGE staff had access to highly sensitive and guarded information.

Why do these fucking kids know this? is how one of the sources describes their bewilderment at the time.

With DOGE, Musk has effectively infiltrated agencies that are supposed to oversee his businesses. This situation creates risk, experts say  as officials may not feel like they can scrutinize Musks businesses too closely. Case in point: In late February, the FAA cleared SpaceX to launch another unmanned test flight of its Starship rocket, a month after one exploded. Starship exploded again midair, raining debris over Florida and the Caribbean and disrupting nearly 500 flights.

The FAAs probe of the first explosion concluded that the probable cause was stronger than anticipated vibrations during flight. The agency noted that SpaceX had implemented corrective actions prior to launching the second rocket, which exploded too.

Nobody Elected Musk

Musks unprecedented attack on the government has not gone without answer from average Americans, who have mobilized mass protests focused on DOGE and Tesla. Republican lawmakers holding town-hall events have had constituents show up to berate them over Musk, booing his name and denouncing his cuts. By early March, House Speaker Mike Johnson was telling his GOP colleagues to skip such events.

Demonstrations, meanwhile, spilled into the streets. DOGE is illegitimate. Congress has not authorized them, a federal worker at a March protest on the National Mall told Rolling Stone. The action saw significant support from veterans due to DOGEs cuts to the Department of Veterans Affairs. Fuck Musk, says another attendee, whose relative is a government contract worker. She notes that nobody elected Musk.

As Musks DOGE continues to slash jobs, a protest movement against him is brewing.

Meanwhile, a wave of vandalism  unconnected to the peaceful Tesla Takedown campaign  has seen Tesla dealerships, vehicles, and chargers spray-painted, burned, and damaged by gunfire, though there have been no injuries as yet. Musk has baselessly declared that the protests are financed by wealthy liberals and that the vandalism is coordinated, though the FBI has said there is no evidence of this.

The White House and Trump law-enforcement officials have moved to crack down on Tesla vandals. At a Tesla showcase that Trump held on the White House driveway with Musk, the president said the attackers should be considered domestic terrorists. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that three individuals suspected of carrying out arson attacks on Tesla properties were facing sentences of up to 20 years. The FBI launched a task force to look at anti-Tesla violence.

Trump also suggested that individuals arrested for these crimes should be sent to prison in El Salvador.

Whats $1 Million?

Amid rising public anger about his role and influence, Musk held a town hall in late March in Green Bay, Wisconsin. More than 1,000 supporters joined him, as hundreds protested outside in the ice-cold rain.

The protesters were there to vent their anger about Musks attempts to buy a state Supreme Court seat. The tech billionaire  through his Super PAC, America PAC  had been offering voters $100 to sign a petition decrying so-called activist judges. Only petition signers could attend the town hall. Musk had announced he would give away checks for $1 million to two event attendees.

One protester, holding a sign that said X-LAX needed to eliminate Musk, told Rolling Stone that Musk had no business in Wisconsin trying to influence votes. Another held a sign declaring, Packer fans dont like Nazis, with a picture of Musks straight-armed salute.

Inside, Musk appeared onstage donning a Packers-style cheesehead hat before signing it and throwing it into the crowd.

Shortly afterward, he brought two winners out to collect the $1 million checks. He admitted to the audience that the point of them is just to get attention. He laughed about how paying voters this way causes the legacy media to kind of lose their minds.

While $1 million would be a life-changing sum for most people, it means shockingly little to a man who was reportedly worth $316 billion at the end of March. One of these checks is equivalent to just over 60 cents for him, when you compare his net worth with that of the median American. (The $290 million that Musk spent to elect Trump and Republicans was equivalent to roughly $214 for him at the time  less than an average familys weekly grocery bill.)

I would thank him for radicalizing me. I had never attended a protest until I was fired. Ben Vizzachero

At his town hall, Musk  an immigrant  launched into a tirade about noncitizens receiving Social Security numbers, standing in front of a chart purporting to show a big spike under Democrats. In reality, legal immigrants are given Social Security numbers so they can pay taxes; this process was in fact made automatic during Trumps first term. The crowd gasped as Musk gave them the false impression that DOGE had finally found real fraud in Social Security.

When Musk was interrupted by protesters, he joked that they were operatives funded by Democratic mega-donor George Soros  yes, inside the event filled with people he was paying $100 to sign his petition, where he also gave away $2 million.

Throughout the night, Musk argued that the Wisconsin Supreme Court election would have major implications not just for the state or the country, but possibly the world  if Democrats won, he argued, Republicans could lose two congressional seats.

Two days later, Wisconsin voters convincingly rejected Musks candidate, Brad Schimel, by 10 points. The election was a referendum on Musk  and he lost big.

Dr. Kristin Lyerly, a Wisconsin OB-GYN who serves on the board for the Committee to Protect Health Care and campaigned against Schimel, tells Rolling Stone, Authenticity is incredibly important to Wisconsinites, and that is what Elon Musk completely lacked: any sense of authenticity.

After Musks epic fail, word trickled out that he could soon leave the Trump administration. It wasnt a surprise  special government employees are supposed to serve for 130 days or less per year. Musks effect on the government and its workers will linger.

On April 5, as a wave of Hands Off! protests coalesced against Trump and Musk in every state and cities around the world, Rolling Stone spoke again with Vizzachero. He was getting ready to speak at one of these rallies in California. (Now that hes been rehired, he says, the statements that Im making to you are my personal opinions.)

He reads his planned speech over the phone. He talks about how environmental and conservation laws brought back the bald eagle and the peregrine falcon, and restored Americas public lands. The Trump administration wants to exploit and abuse our public lands so that they can make billionaires like Elon Musk even richer, he says.

Its been a month since his run-in with Musk. He says hes kind of grateful.

If he saw Musk again now, Vizzachero says, I would thank him for radicalizing me, because I had actually never attended a protest until a week after I got fired. I spent a long time sitting on the sidelines thinking theres so much bad stuff happening. He gave me the push that I needed to use my voice to speak up and speak out.

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Massachusetts Inspector General Jeffrey Shapiro (left) confers with Joshua Giles, policy and government division director for the Massachusetts Office of Inspector General, at the State House on Wednesday, April 9, 2025. (Photo by Nancy Lavin/Rhode Island Current)

Twenty-three years offers abundant time to perfect the details of how a Rhode Island inspector generals office would work. And Rep. George Nardone, a Coventry Republican, thinks this years edition is his best yet.

Taxpayers expect and deserve transparent stewardship of their money, Nardone said, at a press conference at the State House Wednesday. If we cannot track how public funds are spent, we cannot expect the public to trust us with their funds.

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An hour later, his bipartisan legislation, which has 23 co-sponsors, had its first vetting before the House Committee on Finance. The perennial proposal dating back to at least 2002 aims to root out waste, abuse and fraud through an independent Office of the Inspector General empowered to review, audit and investigate state and local public agencies and officials. Nardone has been the primary sponsor for the last six years.

Im exhausted, he told lawmakers Wednesday.

This years edition offers a few revisions, reducing the number of state general office holders who get to appoint the inspector general while extending the maximum tenure from a single five-year term to two, five-year terms. Nardones bill also seeks to head off recurring pushback from those who consider an inspector general unnecessary, duplicating legal and financial reviews performed by the state attorney general, auditor general and the Rhode Island Office of Internal Audit.

Nardones bill would fold the auditor generals office into the inspector general. And, it gives the inspector general oversight over subpoenas and investigations by the Office of Internal Audit.

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The auditor general now reports to House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi as head of the Joint Committee on Legislative Services, while the Office of Internal Audit is controlled by the executive branch.

We think an office that is more generally responsible to the entire state would be much more efficacious, House Minority Leader Mike Chippendale, a Foster Republican, said at the press conference.

A majority of Rhode Islanders agree: 75% according to a June survey conducted by the Pell Center at Salve Regina University. Support among registered Democratic voters surveyed topped 70%, with higher levels among independent and Republican voters.

However, when voters were asked in the Nov. 5 election whether they wanted to hold a state constitutional convention  an alternate route to create a state inspector general  the ballot measure failed by a 25 percentage point margin.

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President Donald Trump fired 17 federal inspectors general after taking office in January. Chippendale said the majority of the 100 federal oversight agents still had their jobs; those whose positions were eliminated were let go for failing to perform their duties, he said.

Rep. George Nardone, a Coventry Republican, has sponsored legislation calling for Rhode Island to establish an inspector generals office for the past six years. (Photo by Nancy Lavin/Rhode Island Current)

The Massachusetts model

Rhode Island doesnt have to look far to find an example of the proposal in action. Massachusetts created the first statewide independent inspector generals office in 1981. Eleven other states have since followed suit.

Jeffrey Shapiro, the fifth inspector general for the Bay State, returned to the Rhode Island State House basement Wednesday to describe his offices work. Shapiro made his debut on Smith Hill to speak on Nardones legislation in May 2024.

This years visit took much less time  he came from a different part of Massachusetts and was able to avoid Washington Bridge traffic, he said in an interview prior to the hearing.

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In the 11 months since Shapiro last visited Rhode Island lawmakers, hes resolved three criminal cases that ended in a combined $311,000 in restitution, plus prison time. Then there was the 138-page September 2024 report detailing how the Commonwealth wasted $60 million on a sham procurement and subsequent 20-year lease for the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Star Store campus in New Bedford. The downtown arts campus abruptly closed in 2023.

Less easily calculable, but no less impactful, were the illegal and improper procurements that never happened thanks to a citizens training school Massachusetts created, which helped 2,000 people learn about state procurement laws in 2024, Shapiro said.

He declined to comment on Rhode Islands proposal, instead focusing on the general merits of a state inspector general.

I come to you in support of independent government oversight, Shapiro told lawmakers.

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Proponents say Rhode Islands government operations and spending offer ample opportunities for similar savings and prevention: the Washington Bridge demolition and rebuild, the data breach of the RIBridges public benefits program, and a March 21 state audit flagging 22 examples of poor financial reporting, including misstating $83.6 million in the states general fund in fiscal 2024.

For Chippendale, proof of the need for a state inspector general came days earlier, when Gov. Dan McKees aides called various lawmakers pressuring them to take their names off an anti bid-rigging bill, the Providence Journal first reported.

The executive branch, in my position, is not in the position to meddle into legislative affairs to this degree, Chippendale said.

McKees office did not immediately respond to inquiries for comment Wednesday.

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Nardones bill includes 13 Democratic co-sponsors, as well as the chambers lone independent, Rep. Jon Brien, of Woonsocket.

This is not a political issue, this is a good government issue, said Brien, who crowded into Chippendales office alongside the 10 House Republicans for the press conference.

Rep. Charlene Lima, a Cranston Democrat, records the testimony of her husband, former Rep. Frank Fiorenzano, on Capitol TV during a hearing on separate bills calling for the creation of an inspector generals office on Wednesday, April 9, 2025. (Photo by Nancy Lavin/Rhode Island Current)

Bills abound

Brien is also co-sponsoring a separate inspector general bill led by Cranston Democratic Rep. Charlene Lima. Limas bill is less than half the length of Nardones and details similar fraud, waste and abuse powers for a state inspector general. But it leaves the appointment to the governor based on a vetting process led by a 14-member commission with representation from Rhode Island State Police, Common Cause Rhode Island and a seat reserved for former U.S. Rep. Jim Langevin, among others. It also gives the inspector general the power to employ police officers to help with investigations, modeled after similar policies in the state of Georgia.

Limas arguments for an independent investigator echoed Nardones comments.

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If you can save a minimum of $100 million by spending $1 million, cmon, who wouldnt take that deal? Lima said to lawmakers during the hearing. You know it. I know it. We have to do this for the people, for our people who send it up here.

Former Rhode Island Rep. Frank Fiorenzano, who quipped he was better known as Rep. Limas husband, also spoke in support of her bill.

I did a lot of research for her, and she said if youre doing the research, you should also testify, Fiorenzano said. He considers various spending by the Rhode Island Department of Transportation, including on the Washington Bridge demolition contract, as potentially wasteful or fraudulent. You could probably get away with half or three-quarters of the employees at DOT and it would still run the way it does now.

Both Nardone and Lima said they were willing to merge their separate proposals into a single piece of legislation.

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Across the rotunda, two similar, though not identical bills, have been introduced by Senate Minority Leader Jessica de la Cruz, a North Smithfield Republican, and Sen. Leonidas Raptakis, a Coventry Democrat. Hearings on the Senate bills have not been scheduled as of Wednesday, according to Greg Pare, a Senate spokesperson.

Senate President Dominick Ruggerio, who was absent from State House sessions this week, declined to comment in an emailed statement, saying he is awaiting the bill hearing.

But Shekarchi signaled hesitancy in a statement Wednesday, noting the lack of necessity and the cost of millions of taxpayer dollars when the state is already facing a projected $250 million structural deficit and threats of federal funding cuts.

Nardone estimated the new state office would cost $1.5 million a year, based on similar programs in other states. He suggested repurposing $1.2 million included in Gov. Dan McKees proposed fiscal 2026 budget to create an office of program integrity within the Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services.

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Wouldnt that money be better spent on a statewide inspector general? Nardone said.

He also cited a 2019 report by the National Association of State Budget Officers showing that per-capita spending in the 11 states with independent inspector generals was lower than in the states without them. Rhode Islands $9,146 spend per person, based on fiscal 2017 spending, is more than 45% higher than the $6,279 federal average in the same year, according to the report.

Andy Manca, chief of the states Office of Internal Audit, countered in an April 9 letter to lawmakers that the state would do better to continue its investments in existing audit and investigation functions, including the four new employees to staff an office of program integrity.

Nardones bill also drew written support from the Association of Inspectors General, while the the Narragansett Bay Commission opposed both Nardone and Limas bills, citing the cost to the 350,000 residential customers served by its two wastewater treatment operations if forced to comply with additional oversight regulations.

The House Finance Committee hearing room at the Rhode Island State House. (Photo by Nancy Lavin/Rhode Island Current)

Public access in question

Steven Brown, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island, did not take a position, but offered several revisions meant to ensure that records, reports and other information kept by an inspector generals office be subject to the states public records law. Both Nardone and Limas bills, as written, would keep inspector generals records confidential and not public unless it is necessary for the inspector general to make such records public in the performance of their duties.

Lima, however, said her intent was to only keep records confidential while investigations and audits are being conducted; any finished work should be subject to public review, she said in an interview after the hearing.

The whole point of this is that the public wants transparency, she said.

Both Lima and Nardones bills were held for further study Wednesday, the standard practice for an initial vetting by lawmakers.

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Republicans have managed to unite two health industry sectors normally at war  insurers and hospitals  by threatening to cut Medicaid.

Lobbyists for both industries, faced with the prospect of losing billions of dollars in fees, are scrambling to convince lawmakers that tens of millions of low-income Americans who rely on the program will suffer. The cuts proposed in a House Republican budget blueprint could run as high as $880 billion over 10 years, more than 10 percent of federal Medicaid spending.

The budget bill is President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans foremost legislative priority because it would extend tax cuts they enacted in 2017 that would otherwise expire in January. GOP leaders in the House and Senate are wrangling over where to find the money to pay for it. Some are already blanching at the political risks.



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The industry groups are leaning into the argument that its voters, even more than their businesses, that are going to revolt.

It's really the sheer scale of it all that really is quite significant and harmful to the 70 million Americans who rely on the program, said Clare Krusing, a spokesperson for the Modern Medicaid Alliance, a coalition of insurer and provider groups.

The alliance of the two industries highlights the magnitude of the potential threat they face. The groups are racing to protect their bottom lines as hospitals consider having to care for more uninsured people and insurers foresee reduced enrollment in their plans.

Health care providers and groups representing them are pressing meetings on Capitol Hill  more than 150 hospitals sent representatives to Washington in March  and launching six-figure ad campaigns in the Washington media market urging lawmakers to avoid cuts.



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Medicaids an investment we simply cant afford to lose, said Bill Gassen, president and CEO of Sanford Health, a South Dakota-based health system with hundreds of locations across the upper Midwest.

House Republicans have argued they want to root out inefficiencies in Medicaid and target waste and fraud  not benefits.

Im not for cuts in Medicaid, said Florida GOP Rep. Vern Buchanan, the chair of a key House panel considering the issue, at POLITICOs Health Care Summit last week. But Buchanan also said Congress needs to find savings in the program. There are a lot of inefficiencies. Weve got to find a way to be able to ... do things better for less.

Democrats argue its impossible to cut as much from the program as Republicans are considering without touching benefits.

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If the industries advocates are able to persuade lawmakers to back off Medicaid cuts, it will be because they convinced them that voters will hold them accountable, said Larry Bucshon, a Republican health care lobbyist at law firm Holland & Knight who retired from an Indiana House seat in January.

I dont think the biggest push will come from the insurers and others. It will come from peoples constituents and patient advocates and people who are concerned about access to care, said Bucshon, who served on the House committee charged with finding the cuts.

Groups representing both insurers and providers are recruiting new members and trying to prod state leaders to speak up. Some groups are staffing up with lobbyists who once worked for Republicans, employing tactics that helped beat back GOP efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act in 2017 during Trumps first term.

You have to be at a high level of engagement, said Craig Kennedy, president and CEO of the Medicaid Health Plans of America, a trade group for insurers who serve Medicaid patients. The rubber hits the road through reconciliation and the specific provisions that they are seeking to enact, and that's where we have to dial it up to an 11.

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Some GOP representatives are feeling the heat.

In February, six lawmakers in districts with large Medicaid populations wrote to House Speaker Mike Johnson to warn against big cuts to the program.

For many families across the country, Medicaid is their only access to healthcare, the group, Reps. Tony Gonzales and Monica De La Cruz of Texas, David Valadao of California, Juan Ciscomani of Arizona, Rob Bresnahan of Pennsylvania and Nicole Malliotakis of New York, wrote.

All of them later voted to approve the Houses budget plan, but only after Johnson reassured them that hed safeguard Medicaid enrollees benefits when the GOP decides where it will get the $880 billion in savings.

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Senate Republicans are also wary of cuts and have sought to reassure constituents that any savings will come from eliminating waste, fraud and abuse, not benefits.

There are going to be some adjustments to it maybe, but I dont think they are going to cut anything, Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) told POLITICO.

Other lawmakers have skirted questions about the details of Medicaid reforms. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), the chair of the Senate health committee, previously told POLITICO that the package cannot be judged except in its totality.

Still, its hard to see how Republicans can find the savings they need without some pain for enrollees, or the states that share Medicaid costs with the federal government, Medicaid policy experts said. Improper payments in the program identified by congressional investigators would need to triple, and Republicans would need to recoup all of it, in order to get to $880 billion.

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Democrats are hammering the GOP on the possibility of cuts, some seeing it as a defining legislative battle of Trumps second term.

Cuts to Medicaid at the scale Republicans are directing will mean hospitals and clinics  especially in our rural areas  will close their doors, Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) recently told reporters.

Working against the Democrats, and the industry opponents of Medicaid cuts, is Republicans determination to extend the 2017 tax cuts a GOP Congress passed and Trump signed into law.

Allowing them to expire at years end as scheduled would be, in their minds, an unthinkable failure.

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Beyond combating waste and fraud, Republicans are considering imposing work requirements on Medicaid recipients, reducing the federal Medicaid match rate for states, capping Medicaid funding based on states populations, and slashing the tax that states levy on providers  a policy that often results in higher reimbursement rates for health systems.

Republicans success will depend on who wins the messaging game, said Bucshon.

If programmatic changes are effectively framed politically as cuts to the program, it's more challenging, he said. If it is framed as reform to the program, to actually strengthen the program, then maybe not as challenging.
Above: FOX 5 report on the latest in the race for District 1 supervisor.

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  For the second time in six months, South Bay voters took to the ballot box for an election to fill the District 1 seat on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors.

Tuesdays race had the potential to fill the seat straight away, but early results released as of Tuesday night position the contest to move to a summer runoff between the top two vote-getters: Chula Vista Mayor John McCann and Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre.

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There are still a number of ballots still to be tabulated  about 11,000, according to an estimate from the county Registrar of Voters  before the special elections outcome becomes official.

That said, there is still some insights that can be gleaned as to how the election played out based on what the Registrar of Voters has shared up to this point.

Board of Supervisors District 1 special election race results

For one, voter turnout for the special election was quite low. As of Wednesday, the county has only counted ballots for about 15.4% of the some 373,641 registered voters in the district  a sharp decline from the roughly 75% turnout seen during last years presidential election.

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This was to be expected given the circumstances of the race, namely its quick turnaround from the November general and the tendency for off-season elections to draw out only the most engaged voters.

When broken down by the Registrar of Voters precincts, most District 1 communities saw less than 30% of its registered voters participate in the special election. Only two pockets of the district  one in Imperial Beach and another in Sweetwater  had above 30% voter turnout.

The most consistent voter turnout was seen in and around the cities of Chula Vista and Imperial Beach, ranging from about 20% turnout on the low end to flirting with 30%.

An interactive map showing voter turnout can be found below.

Not loading correctly? View the map here.

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Higher turnout in these areas may have played a role in McCann and Aguirres breakaway from the pack in early returns released on Election Night.

When mapped by precinct, the two received the largest vote shares from neighborhoods nearby their respective cities  McCann received overwhelming support from Chula Vista and communities like Bonita, while Aguirre saw higher vote shares in and around Imperial Beach.

Some of the only areas where the pair did not receive the largest vote shares of the seven candidates were in the parts of District 1 that fall under the city of San Diego, like parts of San Ysidro and southeast San Diego, that leaned more towards City Councilmember Vivian Moreno.

A notable deviation from that pattern was in segments of San Diegos South Park and Golden Hill neighborhoods, where Aguirre was far and away the favorite among voters who participated.

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An interactive map showing breakdown of early results as of Wednesday can be found below.

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D1 Special Election: What to know | The Candidates | How to vote | More Stories

More releases are expected in the coming days (These maps will be updated as those results roll in). As it stands Wednesday, the race appears to be headed to a July 1 runoff election between McCann and Aguirre.

In order for a candidate to win outright, thus averting a runoff, one would need to have received 50% of votes in the final tally  a tall order for either of the top two vote-getters with the estimated ballots that have yet to be counted by the Registrar of Voters.

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Whoever wins in the special election will serve out the remainder of former Board of Supervisors Chair Nora Vargas term, running through January 2029.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Moody. Earthy. Soulful. Passionate.

The evolving, ever-shifting sounds of the Ann Arbor-based Dave Sharp Worlds Quartet have garnered recognition from Jazz Times magazine and earned them fans around the world as well as at home in metro Detroit. Featuring oud, violin, electric bass, synthesizer and world percussion, the group explores musical traditions from Armenia, India, Turkey, Egypt, Ukraine, Bulgaria and Greece  and on Wednesday, April 16, theyll bring their fire and flavor to Ann Arbors Blue Llama Jazz Club.

The quartet will be joined by guitarist Elden Kelly and vocalist/harpist Sheela Bringi at the Llama for an album release show for the groups Catalyst: The Music of Gregg Hill.

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Gregg Hill is a composer and a piano player, said Sharp, and what hes done over the past decade or so is he puts together groups that perform his compositions and then they get recorded and released. Hes done a few with (metro Detroit musicians) Rodney Whitaker, Randy Napoleon and others.  Were following that trajectory of arranging and recording his compositions and putting it out. The record will drop on May 16, on Cold Plunge Records., which is Greggs record label.

More: Janis Siegel, Grammy-winning Manhattan Transfer vocalist, singing in Ann Arbor this week

Also in arts: Detroit Opera's AI-centered 'Cosi fan tutte' a sloppy disappointment

This is our 10th anniversary tour. We are going to have an expanded version of the Worlds Quartet with special guest Elden Kelly, who is a guitarist that weve collaborated with over the past 10 years. He has a similar approach to fusing a lot of different styles from around the world, whether its jazz or flamenco or Middle Eastern music or Indian music. Well also be joined by Sheela Bringi, who is a vocalist who lives in Boulder, Colorado, and she is an Indian classical vocalist and plays harp and bansuri, which is like an Indian bamboo flute. It has a very deep, rich sound.

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Sharp has also served as artistic director for Blue Llama since its inception in 2017, carefully curating the venues formidable lineup of regional, national, and international performers year after year.

We opened in March 2019, he said, so this is our sixth year of operation. Its a music scene where different artists can come in and have a really great-sounding stage, have a really attentive audience, and they can have an experience with really great food and drinks. Its an acoustically engineered room thats built for listening, and its built for music performances. Weve got the acoustics and our state-of-the-art sound equipment to the point where theres no other room that sounds like it in the state or in the Midwest. Its a restaurant and a jazz club at the same time.

The Dave Sharp Worlds Quartet will play at 7 and 8:45 p.m. on Wednesday, April 16, at Blue Llama Jazz Club, 314 S. Main St., Ann Arbor. Tickets start at $40 and can be purchased at bluellamaclub.com.

Contact Free Press arts and culture reporter Duante Beddingfield at dbeddingfield@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Dave Sharp Worlds Quartet to play Blue Llama Jazz Club in Ann Arbor
A Florida law aimed at stabilizing the insurance market may have created an even worse situation for policyholders, leaving them with limited recourse as insurers keep them in limbo.

What's happening?

An investigation by WPTV revealed that insurance companies in the Sunshine State have been dragging their feet for months before addressing claims.

For Brittani Littlejohn, whose home was ravaged by an EF-3 tornado, that meant months of reaching out to her insurance company, only to be ghosted after filing a claim before WPTV's investigative team stepped in.

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Littlejohn isn't alone in this experience. "We're hearing these stories all the time of people who just feel completely ignored by their insurance companies," said West Palm Beach insurance attorney Aaron Bass.

Attorney intervention often helps move the needle, but Bass explained that a 2022 Florida law preventing policyholders from recouping attorney fees has created a "lose-lose" situation for consumers making claims.

Jimmy Patronis, Florida's chief financial officer, supported that assessment, telling WPTV that the state had seen abuse in the system, with "some attorneys claiming absolutely ludicrous fees."

Why is this important?

As insurers pull out or reduce coverage in many areas of the country, premiums are also increasing where they remain, making homeownership a distant dream for many and increasing the period of economic upheaval in communities recovering from natural disasters.

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As the National Association of Insurance Commissioners explains, the exorbitant premium hikes are linked in part to more frequent and severe extreme weather. This is true even in places such as Iowa, not traditionally considered as high risk as states such as Florida, which deals with hurricanes.

"Insurance companies do not make money from your premium dollars," Bass explained to WPTV. "They make money by taking your premium dollars and investing it. The longer they hold onto those dollars, the more money they make. The longer they can stretch these things out in litigation, that's their tactic so that people just give up."

What is being done about the insurance situation in Florida?

State officials have taken emergency action to help protect residents from post-storm insurance fraud. For example, before Hurricane Milton made landfall in October, they issued a decree requiring adjusters to provide line-by-line written breakdowns of estimated losses, helping ensure transparency in a system with strict regulations about changes to initial estimates.

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More recently, when WPTV investigative reporter Kate Hussey asked Patronis if the insurance market could find a "middle ground," Patronis conceded that 2022's legislation may have been an "overcorrection of the system" and expressed optimism that there could be improvement.

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He pointed to pending legislation that would mandate mediation between policyholders and property insurance companies for claim disputes before being eligible for court. This is meant to prevent clients from being left without answers for months on end.

If you want to make your voice heard on these matters, you can contact your representatives and raise awareness about the issue in conversations with family and friends.

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A death investigation has been opened following the death of an off-duty officer Thursday morning within the 18th District police station, Chicago police said.

According to a statement released Thursday morning on the officers death, Chicago police acknowledged the officers death happened within the 18th district police station and said detectives were investigating.

Our officers are human, and we cannot forget that they face the same challenges as everyone else while balancing the difficulties that come with being a police officer, the statement said.

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Officials said the Near North station will be closed as detectives continue their investigation. Service calls to the station will be handled by nearby stations, police said.

The identification of the off-duty officer was not released.
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW)  A state representative from Wichita caught arguing with a Wichita City Council member will not be punished.

A House committee investigating the incident could not agree whether to dismiss the case or reprimand Rep. Ford Carr. The committee will instead send a written report to the House saying it expects decorum from House members.

It centers on a fight in January between Carr and Council member Brandon Johnson over funding for testing at the 29th and Grove contamination site.

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Video: Wichita leaders argument becomes aggressive

Rep. Leah Howell filed a complaint against Carr, presenting evidence of hostile workplace behavior going back years. Carr disputed the claims, saying his altercation with Johnson was only an argument.

If two men are engaged in argumentative conversation, if either of those men really decide, really decide that they want to take a swing at the other, there is very little you can do about it. And what that indicates is that neither myself, nor the representative, I mean, nor the councilman was willing to take it there, Carr said.

Carr adds that the situation was worth it because it led to securing the funding in question.

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OWENSBORO, Ky. (FOX 56)  Four people are facing organized crime charges following an eight-month investigation into reported illicit sexual activity at two Owensboro spas.

The Daviess County Sheriffs Office said the investigation began in July 2024 after receiving numerous tips claiming that illicit sexual activities were occurring at East Spa and Bloom 88, formerly known as Super Lucky Spa.

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Investigators reportedly conducted hundreds of hours of surveillance at both locations, resulting in search warrants being executed on April 8. The sheriffs office noted that authorities found hidden condoms that were open and unopened, large amounts of money, lingerie, sex toys, bank records, wire transfers to banks in China, ledgers, and credit card receipts.

As a result, four suspects were taken to the FBI office in Owensboro. There, the sheriffs office said their statements confirmed the sexual activities taking place at Bloom 88 and East Spa.

Kenneth Robert Dash, 55, of Bowling Green, was arrested and charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol and engaging in organized crime.

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Liping Feng, 53, Lequn Hu, 52, and Xueling Ma, 41, of Flushing, York, were arrested and charged with engaging in organized crime.

The Daviess County Sheriffs Office noted that the investigation is ongoing and more arrests are expected.

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DES MOINES, Iowa  Last year, the Iowa Legislature moved to changed the pension system for sheriffs and deputies, allowing more of their annual salary to be accessed through their pension.

That law change took into account how long the individual had been in the service, increasing the pension threshold to 80% of annual salary if the person had served for 30 years.

Iowa Senate passes bill to expand cancer coverage for first responders

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An Iowa House Ways & Means subcommittee advanced a bill unanimously that lowers the age police officers are able to retire at in the state to receive their pension, as long as they served for 22 years on the job.

The bill states that the employees will have to pay 10% more into Iowa public employees retirement system (IPERS), and the employer will pay 10% less of the required contribution rate. That percentage switch is what would allow for early retirement with full access to those benefits.

Advocates for the bill said at the subcommittee that this early retirement incentive will help with police department recruitment. The bill is still in the early stages as there is less than a month left of the scheduled 110 days of the 91st General Assembly.

Iowa News:

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TEGUCIGALPA, April 9 (Xinhua) -- Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel on Wednesday accused the United States of reviving the Monroe Doctrine and pursuing an aggressive, unilateral agenda that threatens the sovereignty of Latin American and Caribbean nations.

Speaking at the 9th Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) in Honduras, Diaz-Canel said recent U.S. policies and rhetoric reflect a "declared return" to the 19th-century doctrine, which historically justified U.S. intervention in the region.

"These actions challenge multilateralism and international law by disregarding fundamental principles such as peaceful coexistence and sovereign equality," the Cuban leader said.

He warned that the current U.S. administration is pushing an agenda marked by unilateralism with damaging consequences.

Washington, he said, is also attempting to control Latin America's external relations with non-Western partners, while resorting to coercive tactics.

"The United States seeks to legitimize the imposition of unilateral coercive measures," he said. "It is trying to normalize blackmail, political harassment and manipulation as everyday tools against our nations."

He also criticized U.S. deportation practices, accusing authorities of carrying them out without due process and in a repressive environment that violates human rights.

With regard to the current circumstances, the Cuban president called for greater regional unity, saying only a "strong and cohesive CELAC" can effectively counter external pressure and defend regional sovereignty.

He urged CELAC member states to act as a unified bloc, putting shared goals above individual differences and confronting challenges as a "true regional community."

Diaz-Canel also expressed gratitude for CELAC's longstanding opposition to the U.S. economic embargo against Cuba, which has been in place for over six decades, and called on member nations to continue voicing their support in multilateral forums.

His remarks echoed broader calls at the summit from several leaders urging respect for sovereignty and stronger regional integration in the face of growing external pressure, particularly from the United States. 
A senior adviser to Irans supreme leader warned on Thursday that Iran could expel UN nuclear inspectors, in an apparent swipe at the United States.

Ali Shamkhani, a rear admiral, said Iran might take deterrent measures, including expulsion of inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) if foreign threats continue.

He said: The continuation of external threats and Iran being in a state of military attack may lead to deterrent measures, including expulsion of inspectors from IAEA and cessation of cooperation.

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Tensions between Washington and Tehran have intensified since Donald Trump returned to office, with Washington demanding Iran agrees to a nuclear deal or be bombed.

On Thursday, the US warned Iran against a misstep in light of Mr Shamkhanis comments.

The threat of that kind of action, of course, is inconsistent with Irans claims of a peaceful nuclear programme, state department spokesman Tammy Bruce said.

She added: Also, expelling IAEA inspectors from Iran would be an escalation and a miscalculation on Irans part.

Mr Shamkhanis comments followed Mr Trumps statement on Wednesday that military action against Iran was possible if talks fail.

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The US and Iran will hold high-level talks on Tehrans nuclear programme for the first time in 10 years on Saturday.

If it requires military, well have military

Whether officials from either side will actually meet in person in Oman is unclear. Mr Trump has promised direct discussions, while the Iranians insist on a mediated process.

Washington considers the talks the last chance for peaceful resolution over Irans nuclear programme.

Last month, Mr Trump sent a letter to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei calling for direct negotiations while warning of military action if diplomacy fails.

If it requires military, were going to have military, Mr Trump said on Wednesday.

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Israel will obviously be very much involved in that. Theyll be the leader of that. But nobody leads us... we do what we want to do.

Iran has rejected direct negotiations with the US but remains open to indirect talks.

Under a 2015 agreement, Iran received sanctions relief in exchange for nuclear restrictions monitored by UN inspectors.

The US withdrew from this deal in 2018, reinstating sanctions.

Iran began rolling back its commitments in 2019 and has accelerated its nuclear programme since then.

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Federal law has been clear for decades: The Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act  the landmark set of statutes that guarantee children with disabilities the right to attend public schools  is to be administered by the U.S. Department of Education. Indeed, the law that created the department says it controls IDEA funds and requires it to have an office dedicated to special education.

Yet in their quest to close the department, President Donald Trump and U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon have said they plan to move special education administration to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and push as much overall responsibility for education as possible to the states.

Related

NAEP Absolutely Needs to Stay, Linda McMahon Says. The Department? Not So Much

Backers of this shift advocate allowing states and districts to use the money as they see fit. Most IDEA funding should be converted into a no-strings formula block grant targeted at students with disabilities and distributed directly to local education agencies, the Heritage Foundations Project 2025 recommends.

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One of the red state education leaders pushing to be freed of spending rules, Oklahoma state Superintendent Ryan Walters has even said he wants to use IDEA to fund vouchers for children with disabilities to attend private schools.

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Families who use vouchers for private school choice lose IDEA protections for their children.

Like many of the new administrations edicts, critics say, much of what has been proposed is likely illegal. And yet, by gutting the agency responsible for enforcing special education laws, Trump and McMahon may get their way.

Part of the really challenging moment we are in is on one hand reminding everybody of whats in the law and what should happen, and then recognizing that were living in extrajudicial times where saying, Well its in the law, so that cant happen clearly isnt enough, says Jennifer Coco, interim executive director of the Center for Learner Equity, which advocates for high-quality special education. Theres been a pretty broad pronouncement that this administration is thinking about moving [special education] anyway.

Concerns about those plans fall into two broad areas.

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First, moving responsibility for students with disabilities to HHS means taking oversight away from experts in specialized instruction and handing it to an agency ill-equipped to administer non-medical programs. With its own mass firings under the direction of Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.  who continues to promote a disproven link between vaccines and autism  HHS will be hard-pressed to adequately attend to childrens health, much less their education, say disability advocates.

Second, advocates predict that states and districts, freed of oversight and rules about spending IDEA dollars, will consign increasing numbers of disabled students to segregated special education classrooms. This raises fears of a reversal of decades-long efforts to integrate students with disabilities with their general-education peers whenever possible and returning to the pre-IDEA norm of isolation and institutionalization.

It could even mean making some determinations that we just dont think [some kids are] capable of learning, says Coco. Even if the law says you cant do that, we have enough examples in our history where decisionmakers have a tendency to go back to that in a way thats really harmful to kids.

Related

Due Process, Undue Delays: NYCs Decades-Long Special Ed Bottleneck

Currently, the Education Department oversees the distribution of about 10% of school funding nationwide. By law, most of that money goes to states to pay for specific services. Title I funds help offset the cost of educating children from low-income families, for example, while other grants pay for instruction for English learners and teacher training.

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It is unclear whether McMahon has the authority to deviate from requiring funds to be spent according to established guidelines. The legal guardrails on IDEA funds may be the toughest to skirt. If the secretary ultimately loosens the rules, advocates fear state and local officials will be quick to segregate many more special education students from their general-education peers.

Before the departments creation in 1979, children with disabilities were the purview of the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare, says Weade James, senior director for K-12 education policy at the liberal Center for American Progress.

They were typically denied the opportunity to learn in regular classrooms  and often could not attend school at all. No one monitored the quality of instruction.

Weve been down this road before, says James. When you leave this up to the states, those things go unchecked. Reverting back to that reverts back to segregation.

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Today, two-thirds of special education students spend 60% or more of their school day in classrooms with their non-disabled peers where, as the law intended, they are most likely to receive grade-level instruction. Keeping them in what IDEA terms this least restrictive environment often requires parental advocacy and legal oversight.

Congress has never funded special education anywhere near the level it promised when it passed IDEA, leaving states to come up with the lions share of the money. Most school systems still have to divert general education dollars to make up shortfalls.

Because of this  and despite federal requirements that they not reduce special education spending, except in narrow circumstances  states and districts are frequently on the lookout for ways to cut costs.

Related

Texas Kids Denied Special Ed Supports 52% Less Likely to Graduate From HS, 38% Less Likely to Go to College, Shocking New Study Finds

One example: In 2016, a Houston Chronicle investigation found that Texas education officials had for years threatened to sanction districts that identified more than 8.5% of their students as having disabilities that merited an individualized education program, the legal document spelling out how their needs would be met. Nationwide, some 15% qualify for services.

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Advocates complained about the number of children  including students who are blind, deaf, hearing-impaired or medically fragile  going unserved. But until the Chronicles investigation, the department failed to intervene. In recent weeks, the division that investigates complaints when students rights are violated has been decimated by mass firings.

Also stripped to bare-bones staffing were the parts of the agency dedicated to researching strategies for educating disabled students and training their teachers. This, too, is likely to fuel segregation because poorly equipped educators often resort to sending a challenged student out of general education.

It is easier for the adults involved to remove children with disabilities when they cant or wont support those kids, says Carrie Gillispie, senior policy analyst at the think tank New America. If the adults in the room dont have the resources they need, its easier to remove the child.

Other endangered services include Medicaid reimbursement for in-school therapies and health care for children who are medically fragile or have chronic conditions; early childhood services that diagnose youngsters at ages when interventions are likely to have the most profound impact; and vocational programs to help older students become independent and enter the workforce.

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Unable to get local or state officials to enforce their kids rights, and effectively shut out of the departments complaints process, affluent parents will increasingly turn to the courts, Gillispie predicts.

But for the families with fewer means and less social capital, its going to be especially hard, she says. Every month is a big time period for kids. A little kid waiting a month or two for education, accessible education, can mean a big difference for really young kids.
When discussions began over releasing Israeli hostages shortly after the October 7 attack by Hamas, the negotiators tasked to strike a deal were mostly intelligence and security professionals. But in February, Israel made an important change that those now involved say has had a profound slowing effect on the discussions to resurrect the broken ceasefire: The file was taken over by the prime ministers closest political aide, Ron Dermer.

With Dermer, says a source involved in the negotiations, theres a significant difference in momentum, from when Israels team was led by intelligence chiefs David Barnea and Ronen Bar.

There is a clear shift in [Israeli] priorities, the source said. Negotiations are seemingly being politicized from the Israeli team.

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Now, Barnea, who directs the Mossad, has been sidelined and Bar, who ran the internal security service Shin Bet, has been fired by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, causing an uproar in Israel.

The decision to push aside career national security professionals in favor of Netanyahus closest adviser was intended to give Netanyahu more control over the negotiation process, an Israeli source familiar with the negotiations said.

The political considerations of the Israeli team led by Dermer is not having a positive impact, says an American who advocates for the families of Israeli hostages. The families understand that Dermer is a big problem to getting their loved ones.

An Israeli official pushed back on claims that Dermers position at the helm of negotiations has hampered progress or politicized the negotiations, saying, Negotiations need to be judged by results, not process.

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To reach a deal, you need someone who actually represents the will of the government that will authorize said deal, not dissent, which only served to undermine negotiations, the official said.

The fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that started as President Donald Trump took office collapsed last month when Israel re-launched its military operations and US and Israeli officials accused Hamas of rejecting a deal to extend it, which Hamas denied.

There had long been indications Israel planned to resume its war against Hamas after the first phase of the ceasefire deal, when 38 Israeli and Thai hostages were released over six weeks.

Netanyahu regularly cites freeing the hostages as a top priority. But so is the destruction of Hamas, and critics have accused him of prioritizing the latter at the expense of the former, namely because that is also where the prime ministers political interests lie.

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Destroying Hamas has long been the priority of key right-wing members of Netanyahus governing coalition, who have invariably threatened and followed through on threats to quit the government.

With Dermer in charge of the negotiations, Netanyahu can more deftly manage the delicate political balancing act that has influenced Israeli decision-making at every critical turn of the ceasefire negotiations.

During the many months of ceasefire negotiations last year that ultimately led to a ceasefire deal in January, Israeli security officials balked at Netanyahus shifting positions and stall tactics that they believed were influenced by political considerations and delayed the brokering of a deal. But with Dermer now in charge and intelligence leaders marginalized, those dissenting views have featured less prominently in Israeli security discussions and in Israeli press reports.

While in the US to meet Trump earlier this week, Netanyahu rejected accusations that freeing the hostages isnt a top priority.

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The president looked at me and told the journalists who were present: This man is working constantly to free the hostages. I hope that this shatters the lie that is being circulated to the effect that I am not working for them, that I dont care. I do care, and I am doing it and we will be successful, Netanyahu said.

US President Donald Trump, accompanied by (L-R) Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, U.S. National Security Adviser Michael Waltz, and Vice President JD Vance meet in the Oval Office of the White House on February 04, 2025 - Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum in Israel recently made a direct appeal to Dermer, whose title is the Minister of Strategic Affairs, accusing him of leaving them in complete darkness.

When you were appointed as head of the negotiating team, we were promised that this would help reach a breakthrough on a new agreement, the letter said. In reality, more than a month has passed and there is no progress in sight.

Barnea and Bar had regularly shuttled to Egypt and Qatar, as well as other countries, for ceasefire talks that included the heads of the CIA, Egyptian intelligence and the prime minister of Qatar.

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Now Dermer speaks less with mediators from Egypt and Qatar, which maintain direct relationships with Hamas, according to the source involved in the negotiations.

The US point person has also shifted from the former CIA director to the Trump administrations Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, who has accused Hamas of intransigence that caused the recent ceasefire to break down.

If youre the Trump team, you blame Hamas but behind the scenes I believe they are trying to push both sides, the American who works with the hostage families said.

A spokesperson for Witkoff said in a statement, Ambassador Witkoff and the Trump administration are in lockstep with Israel in their pursuit of freeing the hostages, including American Edan Alexander, and achieving peace  which means Hamas out of power in Gaza. To achieve this, difficult negotiations are necessary.

Ongoing negotiations to release hostages

Witkoff and US hostage envoy Adam Boehler have tried to figure out formulas to get Hamas to release the remaining Americans  one living and four dead  and get the truce extended enough to try to negotiate the next phase.

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The US is doing everything possible to release alive and deceased US hostages, which necessitates the deal, said an Egyptian official. While Israel doesnt see hostages superseding breaking Hamas.

Most recently, Hamas agreed to an Egypt- and Qatar-backed proposal that mirrored one Witkoff presented last month to release the lone living American hostage, Edan Alexander, along with four others and extend the peace through Ramadan and Passover.

Israel quickly countered, demanding 11 living hostages, almost half of the 24 remaining. That would more dramatically cut into what Hamas views as their greatest leverage over Israel.

Were still working on the Witkoff plan for an extension, said a diplomat familiar with the discussions. I think we have some wiggle room that we can work on.

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Israel had early in the ceasefire delayed launching negotiations for the second phase whose terms stipulated the release of all remaining hostages, a permanent ceasefire and a withdrawal by Israels military from Gaza.

That could have meant the survival of Hamas  even if not in power - and flown in the face of Netanyahus goal of total victory. It would also have threatened Netanyahus government.

A view over ruined buildings in the northern Gaza Strip as seen from a position on the Israeli side of the border on April 2, 2025 in Southern Israel, Israel. Defence Minister Israel Katz has said Israel will "capture extensive territory" to be added to "buffer zones" in the Gaza Strip after the military expanded its ground assault overnight. At least 1,042 Palestinians have been killed since Israel broke the ceasefire on 18 March. - Amir Levy/Getty Images

Those second phase talks never began.

Theres no clarity on the [Israeli] objective, the first source involved in the talks said, adding: Americans are getting impatient.

As Israels latest operations have taken the death toll in Gaza over 50,000, there has been promising movement to resurrect the truce, those involved say.

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Hamas is feeling the pressure, both from Israels military and widescale protests by Palestinians in Gaza, said a US official familiar with the negotiations.

Hamas is struggling for oxygen, said the official who accused Hamas of missing American opportunities last month to keep the ceasefire going. Theyre not very quick to move.

The American working with the hostage families has felt some air being breathed back into the process.

Theres a real sense of urgency and push on the part of the Americans and the [Egyptian and Qatari] mediators, the source involved in the negotiations said.

To try to salvage the ceasefire, hostage envoy Boehler made an unprecedented move: meeting directly with officials from Hamas, which the US considers a terrorist organization.

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That meeting angered Israeli officials, and reportedly Dermer in particular. Boehler confirmed he spoke with Dermer after and defended the meeting, telling CNN: were not an agent of Israel.

With much of Hamas leadership inside Gaza decimated, its not clear if the military leaders still fighting Israel are on the same page as the political leadership engaging with mediators, including Boehler, the source involved in the negotiations said.

Stubbornness in Hamas also unhelpful. They need to account for the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, the source said.

Meanwhile, the discussions continue with the Israeli team led by Dermer, but which still includes security professionals working on the technical details.

The Israeli team is putting a lot of effort, but the way its being managed tactically from the top, the source said, the current structure of the negotiation team is not as helpful as needed for progress.

This story has been updated with comment from a spokesperson for Steve Witkoff.

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JERUSALEM (AP)  Israel has released a Palestinian who took part in an attack at age 13 and developed mental illness in prison.
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP)  Ten Palestinians detained from Gaza by Israeli troops were freed and returned to the territory on Thursday, saying they had suffered constant abuse while imprisoned.

Israel has detained thousands of Palestinians since it launched its military campaign in Gaza in retaliation for Hamas Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel. It has done periodic releases of detainees throughout the war, though this was the first since it restarted the war in mid-March, breaking a ceasefire with the militant Hamas group.

The 10 men, all dressed in grey sweatpants and shirts, were brought by bus to a hospital in the central Gaza town of Deir al-Balah, where they were welcomed by family members.

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They had all been detained from the northern Gaza Strip during Israels last offensive there before the January ceasefire. They said they had been held at least part of the time in Sde Teiman, a military prison camp that has become notorious for abuses of Gaza detainees.

One of the freed men, Fayez Ayoub, looked gaunt and walked with difficulty, supported by another man.

I swear, Dad, every moment we waited for you to be released, his daughter Marah Ayoub told him, crying. Every time a prisoner was released, we went to him" to ask about her father.

Torment, torment, he told her.

Detained by Israeli troops on Nov. 6, he said 156 days have passed with us in agony. We are tortured and in pain. He said detainees were abused every day and had little sleep. His daughter said he was seized by Israeli troops just after being released from Kamal Adwan hospital in northern Gaza after suffering fractures in his pelvis and spine from an airstrike.

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Was this how my father was? And Is this what he has become?" she said, referring to his appearance. He wasnt like this.

Another man, Hani Abu Sharif, said they were frequently beaten, stripped to their underwear, and forced to stand barefoot on stones, causing their feet to bleed. They were only allowed to shower every month or two, he said.

There was no immediate comment by the military. The army and prison authorities have said they abide by the letter of the law in the treatment of prisoners and investigate violations.

But there have been widespread reports of abuse of Palestinian detainees in military prison camps and civilian prisons, including frequent beatings and lack of medical care and food. Five soldiers have been indicted for allegedly raping a detainee with a knife at Sde Teiman.

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In March, a 17-year-old Palestinian died at Megiddo Prison, a civilian-run facility, and doctors said starvation was likely the main cause of death. The Palestinian Authority says at least 61 Palestinians have died in Israeli prisons since the war began.

Thousands of Palestinians continue to be held in Israeli detention, without charge or trial. Israel says it detains those it suspects of links to Hamas and does releases as it determines they are not connected to the militants. During the two-month ceasefire, Israel released hundreds of imprisoned Palestinians in return for the release of hostages held by militants in Gaza.
Israel has released a Palestinian man who was controversially arrested at the age of 13, after he spent nearly a decade in jail.

Ahmad Manasra has been reunited with his family, his lawyer Khaled Zabarqa told CNN.

Ahmad has completed his 10-year sentence and he is a free person now, Zabarqa said. The Israeli authorities have imposed restriction on the family as far as holding a welcome ceremony for Ahmad or talking to the media. 

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Ahmad Manasra was arrested and imprisoned in 2015 after being caught with his cousin Hassan who stabbed two Israelis in East Jerusalem.

Hassan was shot dead at the scene while Manasra was run over by a car.

Manasras case gained international attention after a video emerged of crowds shouting abuse at him after the incident while he lies motionless, seriously injured and crying out. Other footage allegedly shows Israeli officials interrogating Manasra under duress as he is visibly shaken and vulnerable, according to the Palestinian Prisoners Society.

He was sentenced to 12 years for attempted murder in 2016, despite Israeli courts recognizing he had not been involved in the stabbings, the Palestinian Prisoners Society added. His sentence was revised down to nine and a half years following an appeal in 2017

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International groups have repeatedly called on Israeli authorities for his release over the years over concerns of his treatment and extended stays in solitary confinement, coupled with mental health issues and a schizophrenia diagnosis.

His physical and medical condition is very difficult as he suffers from head injuries and physiological mental health as he was in solitary confinement and was subjected to harsh interrogation when he was a child, his lawyer said.

Israels prison authorities confirmed Manasra was being released on Thursday, adding Israel is a state of law, we dont torture people here.

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Nearly 1,000 current and former members of the Israeli Air Force have signed a letter condemning the renewed military campaign in Gaza, sparking backlash from the government and military leadership.

The signatories accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government of continuing the war to serve "political and personal interests," rather than Israel's security.

They urged leaders to prioritize a deal to free all hostages held in Gaza, even if it means ending the war against Hamas. Continued fighting, they warned, could cost the lives of hostages, Israeli soldiers and innocent civilians.

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Most of those who signed are retired personnel, though some active reservists are reportedly among them. The Air Force plans to dismiss any serving members who participated, a move backed by Netanyahu on Thursday.

He denounced the group as a "radical fringe" aiming to "overthrow" the government, saying the letter undermines the military and emboldens Israel's enemies.

Critics of Netanyahu accuse him of reigniting the conflict to preserve his political future.

His government faced the risk of collapse if a state budget wasnt passed by the end of March - and failure would have triggered new elections. To secure the budget, Netanyahu needed the support of a far-right minister who had quit in protest over the ceasefire with Hamas. That minister rejoined the coalition after the fighting resumed in mid-March.

Meanwhile, Israeli media report growing resistance among reservists, some of whom are refusing to return to duty over concerns about the army's direction and fears of a potential reoccupation of Gaza.
BEIJING, April 10 (Xinhua) -- China is encouraging qualified hospitals nationwide to establish weight management clinics to achieve near-complete coverage of such services by June 2025, health authorities said in a statement on Thursday.

The statement, jointly released by China's National Health Commission (NHC) and the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, noted that the initiative will cover all general hospitals, children's hospitals and traditional Chinese medicine hospitals under these two authorities, as well as those under provincial-level governments in China.

Major hospitals are encouraged to set up obesity prevention and control centers to provide in-patient weight management services, while healthcare institutions at the primary level should provide education, follow-up and health management services, and optimize referral processes, the statement said.

Hospitals are also encouraged to adopt internet technologies, artificial intelligence and wearable devices to improve their services, the statement added.

These weight management clinics will adhere to classified management and offer personalized services to the elderly, children, pregnant women and patients with chronic diseases, among other key groups, according to the statement.

China's push for nationwide weight management clinics is an active response to the public health challenge posed by people that are either overweight or obese -- conditions which have significantly increased the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disorders among Chinese people.

A 2020 NHC report revealed that overweight and obesity rates of Chinese adults had exceeded 50 percent, while nearly 20 percent of Chinese children and adolescents aged six to 17 were obese. 
Nearly 1,000 current and former members of the Israeli Air Force have signed a letter condemning the renewed military campaign in Gaza, sparking a backlash from the government and military leadership.

The signatories accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government of continuing the war to serve "political and personal interests," rather than Israel's security.

They urged leaders to prioritize a deal to free all hostages held in Gaza, even if it means ending the war against Hamas. Continued fighting, they warned, could cost the lives of hostages, Israeli soldiers and innocent civilians.

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Most of those who signed are retired personnel, though some active reservists are reportedly among them. The Air Force plans to dismiss any serving members who participated, a move backed by Netanyahu on Thursday.

He denounced the group as a "radical fringe" aiming to "overthrow" the government, saying the letter undermines the military and emboldens Israel's enemies.

Some of the signatories rejected the accusations. "The letter expresses the feelings of a very large part of the public," said Amnon Scharabi at a press conference. The reservists are not concerned about the air force or the pilots, "but about the 59 hostages who should have been released some time ago," he said.

Critics of Netanyahu accuse him of reigniting the conflict to preserve his political future.

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His government faced the risk of collapse if a state budget wasnt passed by the end of March - and failure would have triggered new elections. To secure the budget, Netanyahu needed the support of a far-right minister who had quit in protest over the ceasefire with Hamas. That minister rejoined the coalition after the fighting resumed in mid-March.

Meanwhile, Israeli media report growing resistance among reservists, some of whom are refusing to return to duty over concerns about the army's direction and fears of a potential reoccupation of Gaza.
Just days before the start of the Jewish Passover festival, Israel's military has raised the alert level across the country following a situation assessment by Chief of General Staff Eyal Zamir, according to the armed forces.

The army's presence in various parts of Israel will also be increased. Passover, one of the most important Jewish festivals, begins this year on Saturday evening and ends on April 20.

In Israel, the festival coincides with two weeks of school holidays. Many Israelis take time off and visit family and friends across the country.

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Zamir emphasized the importance of maintaining "readiness and vigilance" and further strengthening security measures.

Passover commemorates the exodus of the people of Israel from Egypt and their liberation from slavery. It is also referred to as the Festival of Freedom. Accordingly, in the lead-up to Passover, the Israeli public is reminded even more urgently of the plight of hostages still held by Islamist groups in the Gaza Strip.

Currently, 59 hostages remain in the hands of the Islamists, of whom only 24 men are believed to still be alive.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  A bipartisan coalition of 51 Attorneys General with the Anti-Robocall Multistate Litigation Task Force, including Tennessees Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti, issued notices to nine phone service providers over illegal robocalls.

Woman accused of forging $36K check to pay TSU tuition

The letters warned the nine providers  Global Net Holdings, All Access Telecom, Lingo Telecom, NGL Communications, Range, RSCom Ltd, Telcast Network, ThinQ Technologies and Telcentris  that they are in violation of state and federal law by routing allegedly unlawful robocalls through their networks. If these companies fail to take action and end the illegal robocall traffic, actions could be taken against them.

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Stopping robocalling scammers is a noble goal that every one of us can get behind, Skrmetti said. Tennessee is proud to be part of this bipartisan coalition at the forefront of protecting vulnerable Americans from the slick exploitation of relentless robocallers. This is an issue that affects everybody with a phone, and my office will continue to hold service providers feet to the fire until this nuisance is eradicated.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

The task force shared concerns with law enforcement partners and the Federal Communications Commission as these providers have collectively been responsible for thousands of traceback notices about illegal and suspicious robocalls. The robocalls include government imposter scams, with some scammers claiming to represent U.S. Medicare or Social Security offices; other scams, like debt relief or auto warranty scams, are also among the robocall traffic.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) have suggested that the Russians are planning to create a buffer zone in Sumy Oblast and launch an offensive on the city of Sumy.

Source: ISW

Quote: "Russian forces continue to marginally advance in the Sumy-Kursk Oblast border area, but the Russian force grouping in the area will likely be unable to launch a major offensive operation against the city of Sumy in the near term without receiving significant reinforcements."

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Details: General Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, said in an interview that Russian troops had intensified their offensive on "all major fronts" and had launched offensives in Sumy and Kharkiv oblasts.

ISW has observed gradual but consistent Russian gains and attacks along the Volodymyrivka-Zhuravka-Novenke line (north and northeast of the city of Sumy) in northern Sumy Oblast and Russia's ongoing efforts to push Ukrainian forces back from the remaining positions south of Sudzha in Russia's Kursk Oblast since early March 2025.

Russian forces advanced rapidly in Kursk Oblast in early March 2025 when the United States temporarily suspended intelligence sharing with Ukraine, but Russian gains slowed as Ukrainian forces retreated from Sudzha and subsequently resumed using HIMARS long-range weapons.

Russian troops pushed Ukrainian forces out of Sudzha in mid-March 2025 and continued to attack Ukrainian positions in Kursk Oblast and recently began to advance into northern Sumy Oblast.

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Quote: "The Russian military command is likely attempting to form a buffer zone along the international border in Sumy Oblast, although Russian commanders may intend to press further into Sumy Oblast and towards the city of Sumy in the future.

ISW previously assessed that Russian forces would not attempt to advance further into northern Sumy Oblast or attack the city of Sumy so long as Ukrainian forces maintained their salient in Kursk Oblast."

Details: Analysts noted that Russia's recent attacks on northern Sumy Oblast indicate that the Russian military command might try to take advantage of the destruction of the Ukrainian advance in Kursk Oblast to create a buffer zone in Sumy Oblast or launch an offensive against the city of Sumy and make it uninhabitable for civilians.

Quote: "Putin likely intends to use a buffer zone in northern Sumy Oblast and an offensive towards the city of Sumy to justify expanding his claims over Ukrainian territory.

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Putin may intend to leverage further advances in Sumy Oblast and pressure on the city of Sumy to demand that Ukraine cede part of Sumy Oblast to Russia during future peace negotiations.

The informational and political pressure that a push on the city of Sumy could generate may be more enticing for Putin than advances in other frontline areas."

To quote the ISWs Key Takeaways on 9 April:

Russian forces continue to marginally advance in the Sumy-Kursk oblasts border area, but the Russian force grouping in the area will likely be unable to launch a major offensive operation against the city of Sumy in the near term without receiving significant reinforcements.

The Russian military command is likely attempting to form a buffer zone along the international border in Sumy Oblast, although Russian commanders may intend to press further into Sumy Oblast and towards the city of Sumy in the future.

Russia continues to utilise North Korean troops in Kursk Oblast, but ISW has not yet observed indications that North Korean troops are operating as combat forces in Ukraine.

Syrskyi stated that there are currently 623,000 Russian military personnel fighting against Ukraine.

Syrskyi also spoke about Ukraine's efforts to further develop its tactical and long-range drone capabilities.

The People's Republic of China (PRC) denied sending military personnel to fight in Ukraine following Ukrainian reports of Chinese nationals fighting alongside Russian forces.

Ukrainian forces advanced near Toretsk and Pokrovsk.

Russian forces advanced near Kupiansk, Lyman, Toretsk, Pokrovsk and in western Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

The Russian federal government and Russian federal subjects are increasingly focused on veteran rehabilitation and reintegration.

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An Italian scientist has been found dead in Colombia, according to local authorities, after several pieces of a human body were discovered lying on a path in the coastal city of Santa Marta on Sunday.

City police said their investigation showed that a bracelet found on the remains belonged to Alessandro Coatti, a biologist who had recently embarked on a trip through South America. More remains were later found at two other locations around the city.

Coatti had been staying at an establishment in the city and had presumably been visiting the scenic shoreline Tayrona area on April 5, police said. But what happened to him remains the subject of an urgent investigation by local authorities.

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At present there is no further detail about what happened; it is under investigation, read information provided by the Colombian prosecutors office on Thursday. It is not yet known what occurred or where.

Only three pieces of his body have been recovered, it also said.

Santa Marta mayor Carlos Pinedo Cuello has vowed to find those responsible; in a public notice on Monday, the city described Coattis death as a homicide and announced a 50 million peso (approximately US$11,300) reward for information that would help Colombian authorities.

Italys foreign ministry is helping Coattis family and Italian police are collaborating with Colombian authorities on the case, a ministry spokesperson told CNN.

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Coatti had worked in London for the Royal Society of Biology (RSB) for eight years before leaving the organization in 2024 to travel South America, the organization said.

Ale was funny, warm, intelligent, loved by everyone he worked with, and will be deeply missed by all who knew and worked with him. Our thoughts and best wishes go out to his friends and family at this truly awful time, the RSB said in a statement, calling him a passionate and dedicated scientist who led the groups animal science work.

Romes chief prosecutor Francesco Lo Voi said Coatti had visited Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador before travelling through Colombia, alone, according to Italian state broadcaster RAI.

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ATMs across Harris County, Texas, have been spitting out cash like slot machines  but no bank accounts have been compromised. In just four days, nearly a quarter of a million dollars vanished from local ATM machines, which investigators are calling a first-of-its-kind cyber theft in the region, according to KPRC 2.

The culprits are a group of alleged criminals who use a sophisticated hacking method known as jackpotting." This method allows thieves to virtually manipulate ATMs into dispensing cash without recording a transaction. According to Houston police, the group has ties to a larger criminal network operating out of Russia.

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There are other types of theft from ATMs that happen, but nothing like this, Detective Roger Collins of the Houston Police Department told KPRC 2, whos been tracking the case alongside the U.S. Secret Service Cyber Fraud Task Force. It was never something that could be done remotely.

The scale of the case and international ties have raised concerns about the rise of cyber-enabled financial crime.

Theyre getting better every day, Collins told KPRC 2. This is not going to be an isolated incident. This is not the last place its going to happen.

But how does the scheme work and what precautions should Americans take, if any?

How ATM jackpotting works

Jackpotting is a type of ATM fraud in which criminals manipulate machines to dispense cash without affecting any bank accounts. Unlike traditional theft, which typically involves physical break-ins or stolen cards, this method combines physical access with remote hacking  often coordinated from overseas.

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Collins, who's been working the case for months, told KPRC 2, Someone has taken a lot of time to learn how to compromise and overtake these systems from a long way away.

Authorities say the suspects include several Ukrainian nationals and non-U.S. citizens from Russia. The group allegedly hit 70 ATMs in cities across Texas, including Houston, Dallas, Austin and San Antonio. Surveillance footage obtained by KPRC 2 shows individuals at the machines appearing deeply focused on their phones  likely part of the method used to carry out the withdrawals.

Investigators believe the operation is led by a big boss based in Russia. According to Collins, the process starts with a simple ATM receipt. The scammers either pull one from a trash can or print a balance slip, then snap a photo and send it to an accomplice abroad who launches the hack remotely.

That signal allows them to override the ATMs functions, making the machine think a routine transaction was canceled, even though cash is already being dispensed.

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They just keep doing it over and over until it cant spit money out no more, Collins said.

Seven people have been charged so far, reported KPRC 2. Two were arrested in Harris County, two are in custody in Miami, one was picked up in Las Vegas and extradited and two remain wanted.

The suspected U.S. coordinator, Vitalii Moravel  an alleged Ukrainian war refugee on a humanitarian visa  is also facing related charges in Georgia and Florida.

Read more: The US stock markets fear gauge has exploded  but this 1 shockproof asset is up 14% and helping American retirees stay calm. Heres how to own it ASAP

How to avoid falling victim to ATM fraud

While ATM owners  often small businesses  are the direct victims of jackpotting, consumers should still be cautious when using ATMs. Other types of ATM fraud, such as skimming and card cloning, are more likely to affect individual bank accounts.

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Here are a few tips for avoiding ATM fraud.

Stick to secure ATMs. Use machines located in well-lit, high-traffic areas, preferably inside bank branches or trusted businesses.

Inspect ATMs for skimmers before you use them. Look for loose or bulky attachments on the card reader or keypad. Wiggle the card slot (it should feel secure). If anything looks off, walk away.

Never withdraw money in response to an unexpected call, text or email. No legitimate bank or law enforcement agency will ever ask you to do this.

Use your banks mobile app to set up withdrawal or transaction alerts. These can notify you immediately if your card is used and can help you spot unauthorized activity faster.

Consider using contactless payment options, like Apple Pay or Google Pay. This can reduce your exposure to compromised machines and prevent skimmers from stealing your data.

Fortunately, the jackpotting scheme allegedly doesn't affect your personal account if it's used to facillitate a scammer's withdrawal, but it acts as a good reminder to try and prevent other fraudulent activity that can.

What to read next

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
By Will Dunham

(Reuters) -Molecular analysis has determined that a jawbone recovered off Taiwan's coast came from a Denisovan, showing that this enigmatic lineage of archaic humans once inhabited a vast expanse in eastern Eurasia in environments ranging from cold and arid to warm and humid.

Scientists were unable to extract DNA from the fossil - part of the lower jaw, with five teeth attached - but identified two protein variants present in the remains that they knew were specific to Denisovans, rather than either Neanderthals or our species Homo sapiens, based on previously studied fossils.

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Protein fragments in the dental enamel of the fossil related to the Y-chromosome, showing that the individual was male.

Determining the age of the fossil has been difficult, as the researchers were unable to use traditional dating methods. They estimate that it is either 10,000 to 70,000 years old or 130,000 to 190,000 years old, based on animal fossils associated with its discovery. That means there is a chance it is the youngest-known fossil of a Denisovan individual.

The mandible, along with various animal fossils, was retrieved from the seafloor through dredging during commercial fishing operations in the Penghu Channel, which once was dry land. It eventually ended up in a Taiwanese antique shop, where it was bought in 2008 and later donated to a museum in Taiwan.

The existence of Denisovans was unknown until researchers in 2010 announced the discovery of their remains in Denisova Cave in Siberia, with genetic evidence showing them to be a sister group to Neanderthals, the stoutly built extinct archaic humans who inhabited parts of Eurasia. Both experienced significant interactions with Homo sapiens, including interbreeding, before vanishing soon after for reasons not fully understood.

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From genetics, scientists have determined that Denisovans diverged from Neanderthals around 400,000 years ago. When Denisovans disappeared remains unclear.

Denisovans are known only from scrappy remains of bones and teeth, with nothing close to a complete skeleton discovered to date. That means that any newly identified fossils are important in adding to the knowledge of what they looked like as well as where they lived.

"We can only estimate their jawbone and teeth shapes from the results of this study, but at least the mandible of Denisovan male individuals was very robust and their cheek teeth were large compared with Neanderthals and Homo sapiens," said biological anthropologist Takumi Tsutaya of the Graduate University for Advanced Studies, SOKENDAI, in Japan, lead author of the study published on Thursday in the journal Science.

Confirmed Denisovan fossils now have been identified from three places - the Penghu Channel remains, teeth and a small finger bone fragment from Denisova Cave in Russia and a mandible and rib fragment from Baishiya Karst Cave on the Tibetan Plateau in China's Gansu province. A molar from Cobra Cave in Laos is also believed to be from a Denisovan based on its shape.

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This shows not only that Denisovans inhabited wide swathes of Eurasia - the distance from Denisova Cave to the Penghu Channel is about 2,800 miles (4,500 km) - but that they did so in very different environments. These ranged from the chilly Siberian mountains to the high elevations of the Tibetan Plateau to the warmth of Laos and the subtropical shoreline of Taiwan.

"Denisovans must therefore have been capable of adapting to a wide range of habitat types," said molecular anthropologist and study co-author Frido Welker of the University of Copenhagen.

The youngest-known Denisovan fossil determined by scientific dating methods is the rib fragment from Baishiya Karst Cave, at around 40,000 years old. That coincides roughly with the date of the youngest-known Neanderthal remains. Our species trekked out of Africa and entered into regions inhabited by Neanderthals and Denisovans, with both those groups becoming extinct not long afterward.

"We have so little archaeological and fossil information about Denisovans that we can only speculate as to why they disappeared," Welker said. "A lasting legacy, though, is that some human populations in East and Southeast Asia carry some Denisovan ancestry in their genomes today."

(Reporting by Will Dunham in Washington, Editing by Rosalba O'Brien)
Djibouti's Prime Minister Abdoulkader Kamil Mohamed speaks at the opening session of the second edition of the Djibouti Forum in Djibouti City, capital of Djibouti, April 7, 2025. (Xinhua/Habtamu Worku)

DJIBOUTI CITY, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Acknowledging mounting global policy-induced turbulence, business leaders and policymakers at the Djibouti Forum have called for renewed optimism and enhanced collaboration among African nations to withstand challenges.

The appeal was made as 150 business leaders and policymakers from 51 countries gathered for the second edition of the Djibouti Forum, an international business gathering that aims to engage private and institutional investors to transform the Red Sea nation and the wider African continent.

Held under the theme of "Unleashing Opportunities for Regional and Global Growth" in Djibouti City from Sunday to Tuesday, the forum said that recent global turbulences, much of them self-inflicted, serve as a wakeup call for countries in Africa and beyond to build greater strategic partnerships and domestic resource mobilization.

Speaking at the opening session, Djibouti's Prime Minister Abdoulkader Kamil Mohamed emphasized economic diversification as a viable solution in the face of global uncertainties.

He said that amid the rapidly changing world, where yesterday's certainties are no longer guaranteed, Djibouti strives to maintain its stability and adapts to changes.

The prime minister highlighted the Red Sea nation's efforts in diversifying its economy beyond its well-established ports and logistics sector, with investments in renewable energy, the digital economy, tourism, and financial services.

Carlos Lopes, former executive secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and currently an honorary professor at the Mandela School of Public Governance at the University of Cape Town, expressed concern over the current geopolitical uncertainties and the rise of protectionism, which pose significant challenges for African economies.

He said that African economies have been adversely affected by the recent "unprecedented" erosion of the multilateral system, exacerbated by a series of crises stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic and the conflict in Ukraine.

"It is very difficult for African countries, with their very limited fiscal space, to be able to respond to a succession of crises in such a short period of time," Lopes said.

Acha Leke, senior partner and chairman of McKinsey Africa, expressed optimism regarding Africa's economic prospects despite challenges such as high indebtedness and unequal economic growth across countries.

"Despite all its challenges, Africa is home to approximately 345 businesses valued at over 1 billion U.S. dollars, with cumulative revenues around 1 trillion U.S. dollars," he said.

Slim Feriani, chief executive officer of Djibouti's sovereign wealth fund, said the private sector is a force for good and needs positive regulations to create a conducive environment.

"We want to be an essential tool for directing investment toward the productive sectors of our continental economy, and we already are," he said.

The forum featured more than 50 prominent speakers, engaging in discussions covering topics such as privatization, public-private partnerships, and key economic sectors like technology, connectivity, energy, tourism, financial services, and logistics. 
Fox News host Jesse Watters is reviving the racist birther conspiracy theory about former President Barack Obama, and defended the idea Wednesday by arguing birthers didnt want to kill the ex-commander in chief  but merely didnt believe where he was born.

The subject was broached awkwardly on The Five after co-host Greg Gutfeld cited last years attempted assassination of President Donald Trump to argue conservatives have more empathy than those on the left. Watters agreed and doubled down with a baffling comparison.

We didnt want to kill Barack Obama; we just didnt think he was legally qualified to be president because of where he was born, said the right-wing anchor. And then Hillary [Clinton], we didnt want to kill, we were just so afraid of her, we thought shed kill us first.

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But we do this in other countries, Watters continued. The CIA literally uses the same exact propaganda to stir up cultures in other countries to topple dictatorships we dont like. Now, were doing it in our own country, and its like almost working.

Watters has long contributed to the divisive rhetoric he seemed to denounce Wednesday and has repeatedly pushed the debunked birtherism idea suggesting Obama was born in Kenya  rather than Hawaii.

Hes definitely going to interfere in this election and thats why well be sending [Fox News producer] Johnny [Belisario] to Hawaii to get the truth about the birth certificate, Watters said in August. This time we will dig deep and find out what really happened.

Watters previously floated the idea in June after Obama argued the Titan submersible disaster was dwarfed by a then-recent shipwreck in Greece that killed hundreds  by arguing Obama is never really looking at things from an American perspective.

Jesse Watters has suggested that former President Barack Obama was foreign-born on numerous occasions over the years. Left: George Walker IV/Associated Press; Right: Erin Hooley/Associated Press

When you are a citizen of the world, you always think about the world instead of the United States, Watters said at the time. Remember, this is a guy whose father has roots in Africa. This is a guy who spent a lot of his childhood in Southeast Asia.

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Only one of the five Titan victims, OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, was American.

Trump was once the loudest proponent of the debunked birther theory, even after Obama released a full copy of his birth certificate in 2011. Trump, who had repeatedly claimed it was fake, acknowledged only in 2016 during his first presidential campaign that it wasnt.

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Alba Joselin Holguin, a 48-year-old lawyer from the Dominican Republic, went to the Jet Set nightclub on Monday (April 7) with her husband to watch Rubby Perez in concert. She details the venues ambiance inside and the exact moment its roof collapsed. Both Holguin and her husband survived the tragedy. Heres her story, in her own words, exclusively on Billboard.

It was a very joyful night. Rubby Perez gave his 100%; I had never seen him perform before, and I wanted to see him because he has several songs that remind me of my teenage years. It was my second time, after almost 30 years of not going to Jet Set, and my husbands first. The club started filling up around 10:40 p.m., and at one point there were up to 700 people. The truth is, that night Rubby had the crowd happy, dancing, singing. Everyone was enjoying the moment, taking selfies. The crowd was very happy.

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I didnt see anything unusual from where we were sitting. We were opposite of the stage, near a bar by the entrance and about 35 meters from an emergency exit. In fact, they offered us a VIP table near the stage, and we declined to avoid the large groups of people. We were just enjoying the concert from where we were. We didnt feel the need to go near the stage or onto the dance floor because it was too crowded.

The orchestra started playing around 11:38 that night, and after an hour, it was all over. Around 12:40 a.m., I was one of the first people to call 911. I got through right away, and I said, The roof of the Jet Set just fell. Its crushing everyone. Send all the ambulances you can!

All in all, we werent hysterical at the time.

Jet Set Club survivor, Alba Holguin and her husband, at the Rubby Perez concert moments before roof collapse.

I remember there was a deathly silence, like a void in the air. The ceiling collapsed with a single blow, the entire roof fell with the irons, with the lights, it collapsed with everything! It landed at the same level as where we were sitting. It fell almost at our feet. I remember the dust rising, I remember that silence, and then the people screaming. The only thing I thought at that moment was, My God, the ceiling fell on people!

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We had to unblock the emergency exit because they had chairs and tables blocking itwhen they moved all that, a group of about 30 people managed to get out with us. I had no feelings at that moment; it was a mechanical thing: protect ourselves, sort things out, and leave.

Today I feel tired and burdened because I slept very poorly. Emotionally, I feel a certain gratitude, a certain peace for being alive. Sadness for everything thats happening. Ive tried not to watch too much news so as not to expose myself further emotionally. Yesterday and today I went to work, trying to make more sense of the fact that my husband and I were blessed with a protection that we believe is divine, and we came out without a scratch, without anything.

Were trying to carry on with life as normally as possible because at the end of the day, its like feeling like I have a mission in life. I was blessed with the opportunity to bear witness. I survived a tragedy, and it was because of Gods love, a divine protection.

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A Jewish civil rights group is asking the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) how it plans to evaluate migrants social media accounts after the agency said it would use antisemitic content as grounds for denying immigration benefits.

The department said Wednesday it would begin considering aliens antisemitic activity on social media as it weighs whether to approve applications for green cards or student visas.

But the Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA), an 80-year-old nonpartisan Jewish advocacy group, asked the DHS how it plans to make that evaluation.

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Make no mistake: the threat of antisemitism is real and rising in the United States and around the globe, the groups CEO Amy Spitalnick wrote in a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

At the same time, this new policy raises significant questions as to how it will be applied  particularly as many in the Jewish community have already expressed deep concerns about how our legitimate fears of antisemitism are being used as the pretext to advance policies that undermine rights such as due process and our core democratic norms and values, which ultimately threatens the safety of Jews and all communities.

The notice from the department said the new policy would be used to target those who support antisemitic terrorism, violent antisemitic ideologies and antisemitic terrorist organizations such as Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Hezbollah, or Ansar Allah aka: the Houthis.

But it comes as the Trump administration has stripped more than 300 student visas and also arrested some who have participated in protests about the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. While the Trump administration has asserted those arrested have supported Hamas, critics say lawful First Amendment protests have been mischaracterized as part of a broader crackdown on free speech.

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The JCPA noted that the DHS said the new policy would be applied to those affiliated with educational institutions linked to antisemitic activity.

How is that affiliation being defined? Does there have to be antisemitic activity on the applicants part, or is merely attending a university where someone else espoused antisemitism enough to be denied entry? Spitalnick asked.

The group also asked about other forms of extremism and whether the DHS has plans to evaluate any applicants support for any neo-Nazi or white supremacist groups.

Will engaging in other forms of hate  such as racism, anti-Muslim prejudice, anti LGBTQ hatred, or misogyny  also preclude entry? the letter asks.

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The group sought more details about how the review would be carried out, asking what search tools would be used, who would be making the decision and if applicants from all countries would be screened.

The JCPA argued that Jewish safety is inextricably linked with inclusive democracy in which everyones fundamental rights are protected.

The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In its Wednesday release, the department said it would consider any content that indicates an alien endorsing, espousing, promoting, or supporting antisemitic terrorism, [or] antisemitic terrorist organizations.

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There is no room in the United States for the rest of the worlds terrorist sympathizers, and we are under no obligation to admit them or let them stay here, DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said in a release.

Sec. Noem has made it clear that anyone who thinks they can come to America and hide behind the First Amendment to advocate for anti-Semitic violence and terrorism  think again. You are not welcome here.

And in a Thursday social media post, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) also drew attention for listing ideas among the items the agency is required to stop if it crosses the U.S. border illegally.

The shifts come after the DHS last month fired the staff of its Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, which would typically review such policies. The department accused the office and two others of obstructing the agencys mission, writing that DHS must streamline oversight to remove roadblocks to enforcement.

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A number of Jewish groups have spoken out against the plans to review social media for antisemitic content.

We already know that President Trump doesnt shy away from breaking bread with and hiring antisemites. And he has already weaponized antisemitism to silence those he disagrees with and to strip funding from universities, New Jewish Narrative, a progressive group, said in a statement when the policy was announced.

Antisemitism is a real and very serious problem, but this is not the answer. Given Trumps track record, we already know that this move is not genuinely about protecting American Jews.

Updated at 3:36 p.m. EDT

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President Trump backed off many of his tariffs on Wednesday while ramping up the trade war with China. Rep. Jim Jordan, an Ohio Republican, joined On Balance to discuss Trumps decision.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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The pilot facing criminal charges for allegedly stealing money from John Travoltas company demanded the actor testify in the case along with copies of financial records, In Touch can exclusively report.

Back in March 2024, Jean Lacruz-Romero was arrested on charges of money laundering, organized fraud and grand theft. The money laundering charge was later dropped.

Prosecutors argued for Jean, 29, to be kept behind bars due to him being a pilot and not being a US citizen.

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They told the judge there was a legitimate concern as to him being a flight risk.

Despite the plea, the court set Jeans bond at $500,000, and he was ordered to wear a GPS monitoring device while awaiting trial.

John Travolta

A second man named Jorden Coursey was also charged with grand theft over the alleged scheme. He was also released on bond. The court docket shows Jorden entered a plea of not guilty to the charges.

The court record does not appear to note Jeans plea, but he is actively fighting the charges. Both men worked as pilots for the actors business, Constellation Productions.

Prosecutors claim Jean and Jorden were given company credit cards to purchase fuel. Jean was accused of stealing nearly $800,000.

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The prosecutors accused him of using inflated invoices paid to a company named Lux Fuels, which was owned by Jeans wife.

The money paid to Lux Fuels was then allegedly transferred to a separate company called JPL Aviation, which Jean owned, according to court documents.

Jean

The alleged scheme was uncovered by another employee after he became suspicious as to how much the company was paying per gallon of aviation fuel.

According to court documents obtained by In Touch, back in January, Jean listed John and the actors personal trainer, James Marino, as potential witnesses to be called in the case.

Prosecutors slammed Jean for adding John and James to his witness list.

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They argued, Based on the information provided to the State by the representative of Constellation Enterprises as well as the testimony provided by the same witness during depositions  neither of these witnesses would have direct knowledge as to the facts of the alleged crimes as they were happening.

State believes the defense is listing the witnesses for the purpose of harassment, unnecessary inconvenience and invasion of privacy, the prosecutors added.

Prosecutors also asked for a hearing on the matter to be held in a closed courtroom. In response, Jeans lawyer called out the prosecutors request and asked for it to be denied.

The attorney wrote, Rarely does the State of Florida seek to close a hearing on behalf of private citizens, much less defense witnesses. Jean denied he was attempting to harass or invade John and James privacy by dragging them into the case.

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His lawyer pointed out Jeans charge related to his time working as Johns pilot.

John Travolta

He said Constellation Productions only has one officer and director, John. All information gathered by the defense demonstrates that all billing, purchases and invoices regarding aircraft fuel, maintenance and servicing had to be personally approved by Mr. Travolta.

In addition, Jean said the main person he worked for while at Constellation was John and that is who he piloted for, regardless of whether the trips were for business or pleasure.

As such, one of the main witnesses would be the person who had the most interaction with the pilots/defendants  as employer, as passenger, as co-pilot and as their main traveling companion, Jeans lawyer said.

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He continued, Often the pilots, as a condition of their employment, would spend the night in accommodations provided by, and accessed by, Mr. Travolta while traveling or while making preflight arrangements."

The lawyer added, "Additionally, Mr. Travolta would be a primary witness, as being the person having the most in-person conversations and interactions with the pilots regarding aircraft maintenance, aviation fuel, necessary aircraft supplies and flight plans.

Jean said James is personal trainer, frequent traveling companion and has a permanent bedroom assigned to him in Mr. Travoltas aviation residence.

Jean said James has knowledge of billing, texts between pilots and third parties and sleeping accommodations.

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Based on the court record, it does not appear a decision has been made on the prosecutors request to strike John and James from Jeans witness list.

A lawyer for Constellation Productions tells In Touch, There is currently pending a criminal case charging certain former employees of my client with multiple felonies. Mr. Moreno has no knowledge of the facts or issues in dispute in that case. Accordingly, the court has not determined that Mr. Moreno is a witness in that case.

Recently, Jean filed a separate motion demanding discovery in the case be turned over. He asked for all statements from American Express from years 2021, 2022 and 2023, that either Jean or Jorden were authorized to charge on, including two credit cards from Constellation Productions. A judge has yet to rule.
Jon Bon Jovi. - Credit: Jason Mendez/Getty Images/Tribeca Festival

A pop-up outpost of Jon Bon Jovis JBJ Soul Kitchen at a public library has created an uproar in Toms River, New Jersey, in the past week. The townships mayor, Daniel Rodrick, has painted the restaurant as a day shelter and soup kitchen, claiming it is attracting a homeless population that he doesnt want in Toms River. The pop-up is set to remain there through May.

The kitchen, which opened in February, offers meals at a suggested price of $12 to address food insecurity. USA Today reports that the pop-up also allows people to volunteer for food and allows paying customers to buy meals for people in need. Rodrick, a Republican, has also voiced disappointment with county officials, whom he says have not provided a solution for the unhoused people gathered at the bibliotheque, part of the Ocean County Library.

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Theyve completely ignored all of our complaints and concerns, the mayor said of his fellow officials. Mothers shouldnt have to walk through large gangs of intoxicated and mentally ill men with their children to borrow a book.

Ocean County Commissioner Jennifer Bacchione, a liaison to Ocean Countys Library Commission, said in a statement that she disagrees with Rodricks depiction of the pop-up as a soup kitchen, adding that it doesnt give away food. Nevertheless, USA Today reports that officials are consulting law enforcement about having officers present at library locations. [Homelessness is] a sad situation and we have to come up with a solution, Bacchione said. In the meantime, its a public library, and we are keeping the people safe.

The JBJ Soul Foundation and JBJ Soul Kitchen are committed to ending homelessness through real solutions, Jon and Dorothea Bon Jovi said in a statement to Patch. Through our JBJ Soul Kitchen, we connect people to resources and services. Whether they need employment, mental health support, or housing, we try to remove the barriers that are keeping them from thriving, not just surviving.

Jon and his wife, Dorothea Bon Jovi, also operate another JBJ Soul Kitchen with a permanent location in Toms River. Patch reports that the location inside the library was previously a Dunkin.

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Rodrick previously threatened to sue the board of commissioners for wanting to open a homeless shelter in Toms River, according to Patch, which adds that he has yet to make good on his threats.

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WASHINGTON (AP)  A federal judge on Thursday allowed the Trump administration to move forward with a requirement that everyone in the U.S. illegally must register with the federal government and carry documentation, in a move that could have far-reaching repercussions for immigrants across the country.

Judge Trevor Neil McFadden  a Trump appointee  sided with the administration, which had argued that officials were simply enforcing a requirement that already existed for everyone who is in the country but isnt an American citizen. McFadden's ruling didn't go into the substance of those arguments but rested largely on the technical issue of whether the groups pushing to stop the requirement had standing to pursue their claims. He ruled they didn't.

The requirement goes into effect Friday.

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Immediately after the ruling, Department of Homeland Security officials emphasized in a news release that the deadline to register for those who've already been in the country for 30 days or more is Friday and that going forward, the registration requirement would be enforced to the fullest.

President Trump and I have a clear message for those in our country illegally: leave now. If you leave now, you may have the opportunity to return and enjoy our freedom and live the American dream, Secretary Kristi Noem said in the statement. The Trump administration will enforce all our immigration laws  we will not pick and choose which laws we will enforce. We must know who is in our country for the safety and security of our homeland and all Americans.

While questions remain about how the registration requirement will function, its impact is potentially far-reaching. The Trump administration  which has worked to make good on campaign promises of mass deportations  has said between 2.2 million and 3.2 million people could be affected.

One of the groups that sued, the National Immigration Law Center, called the Thursday ruling disappointing in a statement.

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This disappointing ruling unfortunately means that, for now, Trumps scheme to force people into an impossible choice moves forward. As we weigh next steps in our case, we urge affected community members to consult with an immigration attorney to better understand the consequences of registering or not," said Nicholas Espiritu, deputy legal director at National Immigration Law Center.

Homeland Security officials announced Feb. 25 that it was mandating that all people in the United States illegally register with the federal government, and said those who didnt self-report could face fines or prosecution. Failure to register is considered a crime, and people will be required to carry registration documents with them or risk prison time and fines.

Registration will be mandatory for everyone 14 and older without legal status. People registering have to provide their fingerprints and address, and parents and guardians of anyone under age 14 must ensure they registered.

The registration process also applies to Canadians who are in the U.S. for more than 30 days, including so-called snowbirds who spend winter months in places like Florida.

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Federal immigration law has long required that people who arent American citizens and live in the U.S., including those here illegally, register with the government. Those laws can be traced back to the Alien Registration Act of 1940, which came amid growing fears of immigrants and political subversives in the early days of World War II. The current requirements stem from the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952.

But the requirement that people illegally in the U.S. register has been enforced only in rare circumstances. In fact, advocates opposing the government say it hasnt been universally used since it was first introduced in the mid-1940s.

It was used in a limited way after Sept. 11, 2001, when the National Security Entry-Exit Registration System required that noncitizen males 16 and older from 25 countries  all but one of them majority Arab or Muslim  register with the U.S. government. The program led to no terrorism convictions but pulled more than 13,000 people into deportation proceedings. It was suspended in 2011 and dissolved in 2016.

The Trump administration has argued that the registration requirement has always existed and that officials are simply enforcing it for everyone.

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The groups that sued say the government should have gone through the more lengthy public notification process before bringing about the change, and that it's enforcing this simply to facilitate President Donald Trumps aim of carrying out mass deportations.

They argue that the registry puts people who work, contribute to the economy and have deep family ties in America into a deep bind: Do they come forward, register and essentially give up their location to a government intent on carrying out mass deportations, or do they stay in the shadows and risk being charged with the crime of not registering?

The government has already asked people subject to the registration requirement to create an account on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website.
BOSTON (AP)  A federal judge said Thursday that she will prevent the Trump administration from ordering hundreds of thousands of Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans with temporary legal status to leave the country later this month.

The ruling is a significant, although perhaps temporary, setback for the administration as it dismantles Biden-era policies that created new and expanded pathways for people to live in the United States, generally for two years with work authorization.

U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani said she would issue a stay on an order for more than 500,000 Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans to leave the country, sparing them until the case advances to the next phase. Their permits were to be canceled April 24.

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During a hearing, Talwani repeatedly questioned the government's assertion that it could end humanitarian parole for the four nationalities. She argued that immigrants in the program who are here legally now face an option of fleeing the country or staying and risk losing everything.

The nub of the problem here is that the secretary, in cutting short the parole period afforded to these individuals, has to have a reasoned decision, Talwani said, adding that the explanation for ending the program was based on an incorrect reading of the law.

There was a deal and now that deal has been undercut, she said later in the hearing.

Last month, the administration revoked legal protections for hundreds of thousands of Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans, setting them up for potential deportation in 30 days.

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They arrived with financial sponsors, applying online and paying their own airfare for two-year permits to live and work in the U.S. During that time, the beneficiaries needed to find other legal pathways if they wanted to stay longer in the U.S. Parole is a temporary status.

President Donald Trump has been ending legal pathways for immigrants to come to the U.S., implementing campaign promises to deport millions of people who are in the U.S. illegally.

Outside court, immigration advocates, including Guerline Jozef, founder and executive director of the Haitian Bridge Alliance, one of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit, said attacks on this program contradict the Trump administrations strategy on immigration.

We hear the narrative of people coming her illegally and the administration wanting to erase illegal immigration, Jozef said. But, we clearly see today that is not the case. Even those people who have legal status, are paying their taxes and working are under attack.

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Cesar Baez, an activist of the political opposition in Venezuela, said he feared for his life and left his country to come to the U.S. under the sponsorship of a doctor. He arrived under the humanitarian parole program in December 2022 and, for the last year, has been working as a producer at a media outlet in Washington.

He has applied for a working visa as another way to get legal status and has also requested asylum, but those processes have also been paused under the Trump administration.

For him, the judges announcement means hope.

It is very important for me to have protections and not be removed to Venezuela, said Baez, 24. I have no doubt that if I set foot in the country, I would immediately be imprisoned.

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Zamora, a 34-year-old Cuban woman who asked to be identified only by her last name due to fears of being detained and deported, received the judges news as relief.

I was terrified of being left without a work permit, said Zamora, whose parole and work permit expire in September. We are people who, in order to come here, have gone through several background checks, and the government take away our status as if we had been criminals and entered illegally.

Advocates, who called the administrations action unprecedented," said it would result in people losing their legal status and ability to work and argued that it violated federal rule-making.

The government's lawyer, Brian Ward, argued in court that ending the program doesn't mean that individuals couldnt be considered for other immigration programs. He also said the government wouldn't prioritize them for deportation  something Talwani found suspect, given they could be arrested if they happened to go to the hospital or were involved in a car accident.

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The end of temporary protections for these immigrants has generated little political blowback among Republicans other than three Cuban-American representatives from Florida who called for preventing the deportation of the Venezuelans affected. One of them, Rep. Maria Salazar of Miami, also joined about 200 congressional Democrats this week in cosponsoring a bill that would enable them to become lawful permanent residents.

___

This story has been updated to correct the name of one of the plaintiffs. It is Haitian Bridge Alliance, not Haitian Bridge Foundation. Associated Press writer Gisela Salomon contributed to this report from Miami.
TEGUCIGALPA, April 9 (Xinhua) -- More than a dozen leaders from Latin America and the Caribbean on Wednesday gathered for the opening of the 9th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC).

During the summit, member states are expected to adopt the Tegucigalpa Declaration, a roadmap aimed at deepening political and economic integration across the region.

Honduras formally handed over CELAC's rotating presidency to Colombia.

In the lead-up to the summit, CELAC organized five virtual presidential meetings and 12 ministerial gatherings to address key issues such as food security, energy, telecommunications and financial cooperation.

Founded in 2011, CELAC serves as an intergovernmental mechanism for dialogue and political consensus among 33 nations in the region. Its primary goal is to foster unity and promote integration across political, economic, social, and cultural fronts. 
A judge in Delaware ruled this week that cable news channel Newsmax aired false and defamatory statements about Dominion Voting Systems as part of its coverage of the 2020 election.

Delaware Superior Court Judge Eric Daviss ruling comes ahead of a jury trial that is slated to begin later this month in connection with the voting system providers defamation lawsuit against the conservative cable channel.

Dominion sued Newsmax in 2021 over a series of claims alleging the companys machines were manipulated to swing votes in President Bidens favor and against former President Trump.

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Davis ruled Thursday the statements made on Newsmax were defamatory, and Dominion must now prove in court the channel acted with actual malice to harm the companys reputation.

Newsmax has defended itself in public statements and court filings, saying it was simply reporting on allegations made by well-known public figures, including the President, his advisors and members of Congress, and has argued the case should be dismissed on First Amendment grounds.

In a new statement Wednesday, Newsmax said it covered both sides of the 2020 election dispute fairly. At no time did it defame Dominion. This case represents a serious threat to free speech and a free press and Newsmax will defend itself vigorously at trial.

Dominion in a statement to The Hill said it was gratified by the courts ruling.

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Dominion previously sued Fox News over its coverage of the 2020 election, which resulted in the outlet paying a $787 million settlement to avoid a trial.

Newsmax was separately sued by Smartmatic, another voting technology company, after the 2020 election. The channel settled that case out of court for a reported $40 million.

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President Donald Trump lost a bid to dismiss a defamation lawsuit brought by plaintiffs known as the Exonerated Five (formerly the Central Park Five). Thursdays court ruling brings Trump closer to potential civil liability for comments he made about them during a presidential debate against Kamala Harris last year, but it doesnt guarantee that the plaintiffs will ultimately succeed in their case.

Trumps history with Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana, Kevin Richardson, Antron Brown and Korey Wise dates back decades. They were teenagers in 1989 when they were charged with attempted murder, rape and other crimes after a woman named Patricia Meili was attacked while jogging in Manhattans Central Park. Before they were indicted, Trump took out a full-page newspaper advertisement  not naming but clearly referring to them  calling to: BRING BACK THE DEATH PENALTY. BRING BACK OUR POLICE!

Four of them (not Salaam) confessed, then recanted their confessions and maintained their innocence. They were all convicted of at least some of the charges. Years later, a different person confessed, and their convictions were vacated in 2002.

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Trump has continued to question their innocence over the years, leading to last years debate with Harris that sparked the lawsuit. After the Democrat brought up the Republicans newspaper ad calling for their execution, Trump said, They admitted  they said, they pled guilty. And I said, well, if they pled guilty, they badly hurt a person, killed a person ultimately. And if they pled guilty  then they pled were not guilty.

Rejecting Trumps motion to dismiss, U.S. District Judge Wendy Beetlestone wrote that it can be plausibly inferred that Trump had sufficient knowledge of Plaintiffs wrongful conviction and exoneration to have understood that Plaintiffs did not plead guilty, nobody died as a result of the crimes that day in Central Park, and Plaintiffs are indeed not guilty.

The ruling wasnt a total loss for the president. The Obama-appointed judge said that the plaintiffs hadnt yet met their legal burden for one of their defamation theories or for their claim that Trump had intentionally inflicted emotional distress, writing as to the latter point that they hadnt alleged having suffered any physical harm.

While the civil cases fate is still to be determined, the ruling is a reminder that, unlike some of Trumps legal exposure that vanished upon his election, other exposure remains.

Subscribe to the Deadline: Legal Newsletter for expert analysis on the top legal stories of the week, including updates from the Supreme Court and developments in the Trump administrations legal cases.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Young Buck (real name David Brown) has had his bond revoked in Tennessee due to what officials called repeated violations of his bond supervision, local ABC affiliate WKRN reported. The news outlet also said that Assistant District Attorney Daniel Daugherty noted the hearing was held Monday (April 7).

The judge sentenced the former G-Unit rapper to 30 days behind bars. According to Sumner County Sheriffs Office website, he was booked the same day as the hearing.

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Billboard has reached out to his attorney for comment.

The Sumner County ADA Eric Mauldin explained to TMZ that Buck was supposed to meet with his bond supervisor twice a month regarding a drug and domestic violence case.

Bucks jury trial is slated to kick off on July 24. WKRN also reported that officials said once he completes his sentence, the judge will set a new bond.

Young Buck secured his release on bond in 2020 for $60,000 after being arrested for charges of domestic assault, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon and vandalism.

50 Cent didnt hold back when clowning his former G-Unit running mate for yet another legal run-in. This time, 50 mocked Bucks mugshot.

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Damn how dat [ninja emoji] head get like that, police mustve hit him in the head. LOL, he wrote to Instagram while reposting the mugshot and then a clip of a character from the animated film Mastermind. I gotta get back to work, LOL.

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WASHINGTON (NewsNation)  The Trump administrations mass deportation plan has encountered legal resistance after judges in New York and Texas temporarily banned the removal of jailed Venezuelans under the Alien Enemies Act.

The judges ruled detainees accused of gang affiliations must be granted a hearing to prove otherwise before being deported.

As a result, certain Venezuelans currently detained in the southern district of New York  which includes the New York City boroughs of Manhattan and the Bronx, and six counties north of the city  and a detention center in South Texas will remain in the United States while their cases proceed through the courts.

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Cartel infighting leaves 9 dead at drug rehab clinic

Both judges went beyond their cases, granting temporary protection from deportation for Venezuelan detainees in their jurisdictions from deportation under the act.

Alien Enemies Act shouldnt be used: ACLU

Civil rights lawyers in the two states had sued to prevent the government from deporting five men who deny being part of the Tren de Aragua gang.

Similar legal challenges are likely to follow in other areas in which Venezuelans have been detained.

The American Civil Liberties Union is asking the judges in Texas and New York to decide whether the administrations use of the Alien Enemies Act is lawful when the country is not at war.

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DHS says it will weigh antisemitic content in immigration applications

We are hoping this doesnt come down to hundreds and hundreds of individual cases of people having to prove theyre not gang members because we dont think the act during peacetime can be used at all, said ACLU attorney Lee Gelernt.

The rulings align with Mondays U.S. Supreme Court decision to allow the administration to resume deportation flights under the Alien Enemies Act, but only if detainees are granted due process.

President Donald Trump praised the ruling Wednesday, saying, The Supreme Court just gave us numerous good rulings where we have to be able to get them out. You had other judges trying to take over the system. They want these people coming back, Tren de Aragua from the Venezuela jails.

Wife of wrongly deported man pleads for help

In Texas, U.S. District Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr.  who was appointed by Trump during his first presidential term  highlighted the case involving Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was mistakenly deported to El Salvador due to an administrative error.

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Garcias wife, Jennifer Vasquez Sura, is pleading for his return.

Kilmar, if you can hear me, Im still fighting for you. Your brother, your mother, our children are still fighting for you. Were not going to give up hope, Sura said.

AG Bondi: Coast Guard drug bust a massive victory for the US

Democrats have vowed to press Salvadoran leaders for Abrego Garcias release.

El Salvadors President Nayib Bukele is set to meet with Trump at the White House next week.

What is the Alien Enemies Act?

The Alien Enemies Act has been used three times in the past  during the War of 1812, World War I and World War II, when it was used to justify the mass internment of people of Japanese heritage while the U.S. was at war with Japan.

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The U.S. is not at war with Venezuela, but Trump has argued his country is being invaded by members of the Tren de Aragua gang.

U.S. immigration authorities have deported more than 100 people and sent them to a notorious prison in El Salvador without allowing them to challenge their removals in court.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
A panel of Lackawanna County Court judges denied Brenda Saccos petition to enter litigation over filling a commissioner vacancy, ruling that her interests are adequately represented by the county Democratic Committee and she has no legal standing to intervene in the case.

The litigation was started last month by Democratic Commissioner Bill Gaughan and the county over filling the vacancy of former Democratic Commissioner Matt McGloin for the nearly three years remaining on his unexpired term.

Brenda Sacco. (TIMES-TRIBUNE / FILE PHOTO)

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In a decision issued Wednesday, Senior Judges Carmen D. Minora, Robert A. Mazzoni and Vito P. Geroulo determined Sacco has no legally enforceable interest in the case. That renders moot her companion motion for a protective order against the media from reporting on her, and thus the ruling also dismisses that motion.

The judges noted the Lackawanna County Democratic Committees legal response in the battle to fill a commissioner vacancy closely mirrored Saccos petition to intervene in the matter. The committee and Sacco both contended the countys Home Rule Charter trumps a state court rule that would cut the committee out of the candidate selection process.

In fact, the Democratic Committees Answer is identical to Saccos Proposed Answer. It is apparent to this court that the Democratic Committee simply copied Saccos Proposed Answer and adopted it as its own, the ruling says. It is so identical that the Democratic Committees claim for relief is advancing Saccos interest, instead of its own in requesting a denial and dismissal of Gaughans Petition to Amend. That claim has since been amended by the Democratic Committee.

The Home Rule Charter process had the Democratic Committee picking three candidates to forward to county judges, who then would select one of the three to fill the McGloin vacancy. The committee named three candidates  Sacco, who is a former county director of economic development, Olyphant Borough Council President James Baldan and Scranton School Director Robert J. Casey  as candidates to potentially replace McGloin. The Gaughan/county challenge claims the charter is trumped by Pennsylvania Rule of Judicial Administration 1908 of 2019, which says the county court  not a political party  shall receive applications from any interested candidates for the position.

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Noting she is the Democratic Committees top candidate, Sacco sought court approval to formally enter the litigation, claiming she is victim of a smear campaign against her via reporting by The Times-Tribune. If allowed to intervene in the case directly, Sacco would have backed the Home Rule Charter/county Democratic Committee process that made her the top finalist; and she also would have filed a separate motion for a protective order against Gaughan/the county from orchestrating false news stories about (her) in the local press, according to her legal petition prepared by attorney Paul James Walker of Clarks Summit.

In response to such claims in Saccos petition, Lackawanna County Solicitor Donald Frederickson issued a statement Friday saying: To the extent that Lackawanna County is being accused of leaking information to the press, this accusation is completely false and not based in reality. Any information which the county has provided to the press is public information which any citizen and taxpayer is entitled to receive. At no time was any confidential or privileged information relating to any employee or former employee disseminated by the county government.

The Democratic Committees answer, filed Monday and prepared by attorney Adam Bonin of Philadelphia, claims the court rule was not established to guide Courts of Common Pleas when filling a county vacancy, but rather was created to give guidance when filling other elected office vacancies pursuant to statutory authority, including under the Pennsylvania Borough Code and the Pennsylvania Public School Code.

It is specifically denied that the resignation of Commissioner Matt McGloin created such a scenario, as his vacancy must be filled pursuant to a Home Rule Charter provision and not pursuant to statutory authority, the Democratic Committee reply states. The Supreme Court cannot simply promulgate internal rules that change the scheme of an enacted Pennsylvania Home Rule Charter.

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Meanwhile, Republican Commissioner Chris Chermak opposes the countys participation in the litigation and also has filed in court a legal action to remove the county as a party to the case.

The panel of judges has scheduled oral arguments in the litigation to be heard April 22. Briefs from all parties in the case must be filed with the court no later than Monday.
HENRY COUNTY, Mo.  A jury found 56-year-old Robert Ashley Peterson guilty of the murder of his girlfriend, Lori Finlay, in Benton County in 2023.

Robert Ashley Peterson  Courtesy of the Benton County Sheriffs Office

After a jury trial that lasted four days, Peterson was convicted of first-degree murder, armed criminal action and tampering with physical evidence in felony prosecution.

Peterson was arrested in May 2023 after Benton County deputies discovered Finlays body and lots of blood in his rural Warsaw residence. The preliminary medical examiners report stated Finlay was shot multiple times and was beaten in the head, neck and upper body areas.

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PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Benton County man charged with alleged girlfriends murder

According to the probable cause statement, authorities said Finlays body was moved across Petersons living room and was covered in blankets and garbage bags to try and hide the body.

Peterson also had previous convictions of third-degree assault and second-degree assault in the Marshall Associate Circuit Court in 2003 and 2004, respectively.

A case review hearing is scheduled for June 4, 2025, in Benton County Circuit Court.

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After a two-week trial in Whatcom County Superior Court and one day of deliberation, jurors unanimously decided that the Bellingham Police Department did not take the necessary steps to prevent domestic abuse carried out by one of its former officers.

They ordered the city of Bellingham to pay a combined $2.25 million to the individuals they said were damaged by the departments negligence.

The lawsuit was filed by Amanda DeBruin and others in March 2020, a little more than two years after DeBruins ex-husband and former Bellingham Police Department Cpl. Brooks Owen Laughlin was arrested on charges related to domestic violence.

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According to the plaintiffs, the Bellingham Police Department should have taken action after they were notified by the Whatcom County Sheriffs Office of suspected domestic abuse carried out by Laughlin. By failing to do so, the lawsuit said the department was the proximate cause of damage to DeBruin, Laughlins three minor children and Kyla Lanham  Laughlins ex-wife and the childrens mother.

DeBruin was personally awarded $1.5 million in damages, and Laughlins three children were awarded $250,000 each. The jury found that the police department was not the proximate cause of any damage to Lanham and did not award her any money.

Lanham told the Bellingham Herald following the verdict that she was just glad the children were recognized. She and DeBruin embraced when the verdict was read, and many people in the courtroom clapped.

This closes a seven-year chapter, DeBruin said. Im glad to close this door. Glad to have it off my shoulders.

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A spokesperson for the city of Bellingham issued the following statement Wednesday night:

The jurys conclusion is not the outcome we hoped for. We will be exploring our options moving forward. Domestic violence is devastating and unacceptable, and we hope the plaintiffs and their loved ones continue to find strength and support.

Bellingham Police Department Deputy Chief Jay Hart, who was sitting in for Chief Rebecca Mertzig at the verdict, declined to comment following the decision.

Scope of trial

The trial focused on the span of time between the Bellingham Police Departments receipt of abuse allegations in January 2017 and Laughlins arrest in February 2018.

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DeBruin described on the witness stand the emotional, verbal and physical abuse she endured from her then-husband during this time period. She said Laughlin used to make her check in with him constantly, sharing her location and notifying him of anyone she saw if he allowed her to go out in public without him present.

DeBruin said she was expected to stay up until Laughlin returned from his late police shifts around 3 a.m., and he often would force her to have sex with him. She also had to wake up before him to clean and make breakfast.

I couldnt say no to something he wanted me to do, DeBruin said.

Suspicions of domestic violence arose at the Whatcom County Sheriffs Office in 2017 while DeBruin was training to be a deputy there. She had shown up to work with bruises on her face, multiple witnesses said, prompting the memo to be sent to the Bellingham Police Department.

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Deputy Julie Baker, a domestic violence specialist who was a detective with the sheriffs office at the time was asked to meet with DeBruin to ask her about possible abuse. They met in person twice over the 13-month period. Both times she encouraged DeBruin to disclose any abuse, but DeBruin did not.

Baker testified that she was not aware she was meeting with DeBruin on behalf of the Bellingham Police Department, and no one from the department contacted her about the meetings directly afterward.

In his closing argument, David Brown, one of the plaintiffs attorneys, said BPD used Baker to try to excuse some of their inaction.

However, Robert Christie, one of the attorneys hired to represent the city, used these same meetings as proof of why BPD couldnt launch an internal investigation into Laughlin prior to his 2018 arrest.

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He said in his closing argument Baker and DeBruins meetings were just two of seven instances where DeBruin had contact with law enforcement without Laughlin present, during which she could have brought up the domestic violence but did not.

Without DeBruins disclosure of the abuse, Christie said that Bellingham police used their best judgment and common sense in the application  or lack thereof  of the departments domestic violence guidelines. He said prematurely launching an investigation into Laughlin would not have changed things for the better.

Christie said the harms experienced by the plaintiffs were caused solely by Laughlin, not the city. Laughlin was sentenced to eight years in prison in late 2018 for five felonies and four misdemeanors, all of which were related to domestic violence. His sentence was reduced in 2021.

Brown argued that the department did not assure DeBruin that she would be safe if she disclosed the abuse. DeBruin also testified that Laughlin would talk about how well-liked and respected he was in the department, and how no one would believe her if she told.

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Everything (Laughlin) told (DeBruin) about how he was the golden boy of the department came true, Brown said. He was untouchable.

Damages to plaintiffs

DeBruins parents testified about the impact that Laughlins abuse had on their daughter and their relationship with her. They said DeBruin began acting differently and ultimately cut ties with them for a period of time.

They described one instance in January 2018 when Laughlin came over to their house in Sumas and refused to leave when asked. Laughlin was ultimately arrested and charged with trespassing, and a protection order was put in place.

DeBruin said Laughlins impact on her relationship with her family still tinges everything good. It also affects her current marriage and mental health.

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Some of the physical and verbal abuse that DeBruin suffered was witnessed by Laughlins three young daughters. The oldest, then 5 years old, reported the abuse to her kindergarten teacher, which led to a Child Protective Services investigation.

By this time, Lanham said her relationship with her daughters was changing. They were acting differently and distancing themselves from her, and the damage to their relationship is ongoing. She also testified that while Laughlin never physically abused her, he became progressively more controlling and volatile over the course of their marriage.

Money does not fix what happened, Brown said, but it is the justice systems tool in these cases.

He asked the jury for a combined $7 million in damages for the five plaintiffs  approximately three times what was awarded. Still, DeBruin and Lanham expressed hope, especially that it may encourage other victims of abuse to come forward.

I hope this shows that no ones above the law, Lanham said, even a police officer.
A government budget is a moral document, a statement of values and priorities. The 2025 federal budget that the congressional Republicans are proposing (as commanded by Donald Trump) is cruel. It takes more public money from the poor and working class and other low- and moderate-income Americans and gives it to the rich by cutting the social safety net. Social Security is also being targeted for large cuts in services and benefits.

In all, the statement of values the Republicans are making is a direct one: The poor and working class (and increasingly the middle class) are takers in American society and thus deemed surplus and social parasites while the rich and affluent are "makers" who should be subsidized and their wealth and power increased even more at the American people's literal expense.

To that point, a new report from the Yale Budget Lab warns that if enacted, the Republican Partys 2025 proposed budget would be regressive, shifting after-tax-and-transfer resources away from tax units (members of a household filing a tax return together) at the bottom of the distribution towards those at the top.

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Here are some specifics. The proposed Trump-Republican budget includes $4.5 trillion in tax reductions that would mostly benefit the richest Americans alongside $1.5 trillion in cuts to benefits for the public. The Trump-Republican budget punishes the poor by cutting approximately $230 billion in food assistance (SNAP), with $880 billion also cut from Medicaid.

The Republican Partys proposed cuts to an already weak social safety net and other supports for poor and moderate-income Americans will shorten lives, make the public less healthy and less happy, more insecure and therefore less able to exercise their agency and freedom in a democracy.

The Republicans' proposed federal budget is also a profound moral hazard where the richest Americans  including Donald Trump and the members of his plutocrats Cabinet as well as the millionaires and other wealthy members of Congress  will be able to use the law to further expand their personal and dynastic wealth. When combined with Trumps global tariff program (which is estimated to cost the average American household $3,800 a year), the impact of the 2025 Republicans' budget on poor and other vulnerable Americans  and the public at large  will be devastating.

Brendan Duke is the Senior Director for Federal Budget Policy at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. He previously served as a senior policy adviser at the Biden-Harris White House National Economic Council, a volunteer on the Biden-Harris transition team and the Senior Director for Economic Policy at the Center for American Progress.

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In this conversation, Duke explains how the Republicans' 2025 budget will hurt the average American and negatively impact their daily lives. He also highlights the larger political and historical context of how these draconian cuts are the next step in a decades-long right-wing conservative project to gut social democracy. Duke exposes several of the standard right-wing propaganda myths and talking points about the federal governments budget, deficits and spending.

This conversation has been edited for clarity and length.

How are you feeling given the destruction being caused by the Trump administrations shock and awe campaign against American democracy and society? How are you managing day-to-day?

I feel shocked but not surprised. These are the same old goals that conservatives have been talking about for decades. But I didn't foresee whole government agencies being illegally dismantled. It's upsetting that we have a president and administration that doesn't play by the rules.

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I'd obviously rather be fighting to give more Americans health insurance and a secure economic footing than fighting to protect their health insurance and dignity. But there's no fight I'd rather be in because I think, for most Americans, it's common sense that we can afford to provide health insurance and basic needs for low-income Americans since we are a really rich country. There's all of the extra stress that comes along with Trump, but I consider myself fortunate to work on a policy issue that's the bread and butter of American politics: How do we pay for basic investments in people?

What is it like in Washington, D.C. right now?

Lots of federal employees are worried about their livelihoods, which is understandable. And even more are upset that the Trump administration is systematically wrecking the work that they spent decades doing, whether that be fighting for consumers, researching public health or helping Americans get the benefits they're entitled to. I've been to parties where there's a ban on people talking about current events because people just want to forget about it for a few hours, since this is all anyone thinks about during the day.

Everywhere you look, you see an attack on core government functions. The Trump administration is trying to degrade the Social Security Administration's ability to provide elderly and disabled Americans the benefits they're entitled to. They are firing people working at the National Weather Service who provide the data for the weather report you see on your phone. They're hamstringing billions of dollars of cancer research by putting on leave the people who make sure that the research dollars go to cancer researchers.

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The goal is not to let all of the horrible things distract you from doing your job, though. It's critical that people whose job it is to protect the programs that low- and moderate-income people rely on focus on the threats and opportunities that are appearing.

The Trump administration is following through on Project 2025. This was announced before the 2024 campaign and should not in any way be a surprise. How much of what we are seeing with the Trump administrations assaults on democracy, the very idea of government itself, and the social safety net is actually new and/or novel? What is the larger context?

The plans being talked about right now, such as cutting Medicaid and SNAP to finance tax cuts for the wealthy, are part of the standard conservative playbook. The difference is that our fiscal situation has gotten worse over the last 25 years  we're a long way off from the Clinton budget surpluses  so they feel pressure to cut programs instead of putting tax cuts for rich people on the credit card.

We're still at the stage where they aren't providing specifics of how they're going to cut these programs, but the House Republican budget sets them on a course to cut Medicaid by 10 percent and SNAP by 20 percent. Those are enormous cuts. Some of the goodies they are planning to give to rich people include allowing high-income business owners to write off 20 percent of their profits, doubling the amounts the heirs of the largest estates can inherit tax-free from $14 million to $28 million per couple, and enacting hundreds of billions of dollars of tax breaks for businesses that don't need a tax break.

The Yale Budget Lab recently completed an analysis of the Trump-Republican 2025 proposed budget, highlighting how it disproportionately serves the richest and most powerful Americans, corporations, and other interests at the literal expense of the public, specifically the poor and the working class.

Normally, when we talk about tax cuts, we just talk about tax cuts. And it may be the case that Americans across the income spectrum get tax cuts. Perhaps low-income Americans' tax cuts are smaller than high-income people's, but they're getting a tax cut, so why should they complain?

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The Budget Lab analysis is revealing because it shows that we should consider more than the tax cuts. We should consider how they're being paid for. In the case of the Republican House budget, it's being paid for through massive cuts to health care and nutrition for low- and moderate-income people. Americans in the bottom 40 percent would be worse off from this so-called tax cut bill because the cuts to programs are so deep and concentrated on support for low- and moderate-income Americans and their tax cuts are so small.

At the same time, high-income Americans get large tax cuts. This isn't shared sacrifice. This is income redistribution from the poor to the rich.

What are some specific examples of welfare for the rich in this proposed budget?

The single most indefensible component of the tax bill congressional Republicans are trying to renew is a cut in the estate tax. They want to increase the amount a married couple can pass on to their heirs without paying a cent of estate tax from $14 million per couple to $28 million per couple. This literally only benefits the heirs of 1 in 1,000 estates. And again, it's indefensible to do this while cutting health care and nutrition assistance for low-income people. People will go hungry or not get the right cancer treatment while we give a huge tax cut to the heirs of the wealthiest estates.

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Budgets are the single clearest way to see a politician's priorities  there are numbers and policies behind those numbers. In cases like the House Republican Budget, I would say there's very little magic and trickery behind this one. They have been extremely clear that their goal is to cut health care and nutrition assistance for low- and moderate-income Americans and use those savings to finance tax cuts for the wealthy. The gaslighting comes from what they say  where they say a cut isn't a cut and won't result in anybody losing health or nutrition benefits when we know that the reason these cuts will generate savings is by cutting benefits.

What are some of the greatest and most dangerous myths about the federal budget and spending (and government more generally) that you see propagated by the Republicans?

The most persistent untruth is the suggestion that tax cuts pay for themselves. We're seeing many different flavors of this, such as comparing actual tax revenue to projections of revenue before the tax cuts, but not accounting for the fact that those pre-tax cut revenue projections didn't foresee the 20 percent increase in prices we got because of the pandemic. The simple fact is that tax cuts don't pay for themselves, even conservative economists don't think added economic growth reduces the cost of tax cuts by much more than 10 percent. That's far from the 100 percent being asserted.

Another is that tax cuts for rich people and corporations will trickle down to workers. The economy's growth rate in the two years following the 2017 tax cuts was practically the same as the years preceding the tax cuts. And when you look under the hood, you see the main reason why GDP growth held steady was an increase in government spending under Trump. The growth rate of consumption and investment  the mechanisms by which the tax cut is supposed to help the economy  fell.

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The federal government runs a persistent deficit and that's OK, especially over the business cycle, since running large deficits during recessions is a way to shorten them. Generally, as long as those deficits are smaller than our economic growth rate  i.e. our ability to pay that debt  the debt and deficit outlook is sustainable. The problem now is that we've had 25 years of deficit-financed tax cuts and deficits are noticeably higher than our growth rate. The solution is to bring back the revenue levels we had under Bill Clinton, which would allow us to meet national needs while keeping the growth of our debt in check.

Here is a second myth and right-wing talking point. The government is like a business and should make a profit.

Running the government like a business is a mistake. In my view, the biggest difference between a government and a business is that businesses fail all the time, and that's fine. That's how capitalism works. But we can't just start over if our government fails. That's why it's vital that Social Security checks go out in a timely manner and Americans get service when they need it. For example, they can't go to the Canadian government if they're not satisfied with the service. One of the most important roles of government is insuring against risks such as becoming too old to work (Social Security), losing your job (unemployment insurance), or becoming poor (SNAP). The fact that it protects some people who aren't "profitable" is a core function.

If the American government is a business, then where are the profits for the middle, working class, and poor? Most of the profits are being hoarded by the wealthiest (the submerged state and the top 20 percent), and the rest of us are stuck with the risk and expenses.

The key thing is the House Republican budget views low- and moderate-income families as a cost that we need to keep in check by cutting programs like Medicaid and SNAP that help people afford health care and groceries, while tax cuts for rich people, which also increase the deficit, are necessary. And just as importantly, the House budget likely adds something like $3 trillion to the deficit over 10 years despite massive cuts to Medicaid and SNAP. That means that this budget and eventual tax bill are just the first set of cuts to programs helping low- and moderate-income people they are enacting. The same legislators who are putting trillions on the national credit card to cut taxes for rich people are going to say that the ensuing deficits are too high and that's why we need to further cut Medicaid, SNAP, and eventually Social Security and Medicare.

If Donald Trump and the Republicans and the larger right wing get their way with this proposed 2005 federal budget as part of their larger plan to gut government and the social safety net what will America look like?

More Americans would not have enough to eat and fewer will get the medical care they need when they get sick. Even worse, by adding to deficits the House Republican budget would increase pressure to enact further cuts whether it be to the same economic security programs it's slashing or Medicare and Social Security. Wealthy Americans, on the other hand, would have a larger share of the economic pie.
FALL RIVER, Mass. (WPRI)  Fall River is still in need of a new police chief after the city council voted 5-4 to reject interim Chief Kelly Furtado as permanent head of the department.

Furtado was appointed by Mayor Paul Coogan last fall after former Chief Paul Gauvin stepped down amid mounting criticism internally. He was later fired.

BACKGROUND: Fall River fires ex-police chief over unregistered guns, threatening items

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Police officers filled the city council chamber during Tuesday nights meeting to show their support for Furtado.

Councilor Laura-Jean Sampson pointed to the officers presence as proof that Furtado brought stability to the department following previous uncertainty.

You have a department that comes down and asks for help and takes a vote of no confidence, and they have lost faith in the leadership of this council, Sampson noted. They got behind a chief of police and came and stood there in support in numbers that I havent seen.

Other councilors were concerned over Furtados proposed contract, which came with a $215,000 salary. They also believe there should have been a wider search before appointing a new chief.

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We need to get a  chief to run this department, find our weaknesses, find our strengths  and make a recommendation as to whether we go outside of the department or stay inside of the department; or, put out the RFP and do a formal interview process, councilor Michelle Dionne said. I said that three chiefs ago, and whats happened? They just keep falling and falling and falling, and theres more turmoil and more turmoil.

Culture of police coverups: Family of man killed by Fall River police sues city, officers

Sampson voted to confirm Furtado, while Dionne voted to reject her. Council President Joseph Camara later cast the tie-breaking vote.

The councilors then voted unanimously to send a letter to Coogan, requesting the establishment of a search committee that will look at both internal and external candidates for the role of police chief.

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Camara assured those in the chamber that despite the votes outcome, the department will still continue working to keep the community safe.

We still have police officers, Camara said. Theyre going to show up to work tomorrow.

Following the meeting, Mayor Coogan noted that he is proud of the work Furtado has done.

I have confidence in her ability, he told 12 News on Wednesday. Were looking for a way forward.

ALSO READ: Fall River officer arrested in child exploitation sting pleads not guilty

Coogan said he will get to work on putting together a search committee and compiling a list of standardized questions for applicants. While he believes he likely wont be part of the search committee, the mayor acknowledged that Furtado would still be his top pick.

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Its still my call, but its still [the councils] vote, he explained. If we have to do it again, well do it again. But at the same time, I am not disappointed at the progress thats being made in the police department right now.

Coogan said Furtado will continue to serve as interim chief while the process plays out.

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The Justice Department moved to drop charges Wednesday against a man they had alleged to be a major leader of the MS-13 gang  just weeks after publicly lauding his arrest  a move his lawyer says is the first step towards immediately deporting him to El Salvador.

Attorney General Pam Bondi, in a press conference last month, said the man, Henrry Villatoro Santos, was MS-13s leader for the East Coast, and that he was among the horrible, violent, worst of the worst criminals.

Now, just two weeks later, Trumps Justice Department, without explanation, moved to dismiss the single federal charge he faced for unlawfully possessing a firearm. In a court filing, prosecutors said only that the government no longer wishes to pursue the instant prosecution at this time.

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A hearing on the motion is scheduled for Tuesday in Alexandria, Virginia.

The switch in tactic comes as the Trump administration works to rapidly deport alleged gang members. In March, President Donald Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, which gives a president broad power to target and remove undocumented immigrants in times of war or when an enemy attempts an invasion or predatory incursion.

Villatoro Santos lawyer quickly moved to temporarily keep the federal charges pending against his client, saying that if the case were dropped, Villatoro Santos would be immediately transferred to ICE custody.

The danger of Mr. Villatoro Santos being unlawfully deported by ICE without due process and removed to El Salvador, where he would almost certainly be immediately detained at one of the worst prisons in the world without any right to contest his removal, is substantial, both in light of the Governments recent actions and the very public pronouncements in this particular case, defense attorney Muhammad Elsayed wrote to the court.

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He cited the ongoing legal battle over Trumps use of the Alien Enemies Act to deport more than 200 Venezuelan nationals to El Salvadors maximum-security mega prison. Elsayed said that in its rush to prove to the American public that this administration is tough on crime and immigration enforcement, the government has wrongfully deported people and maintains that it has no obligation to facilitate their returns.

The undersigned is keenly aware of the unusual nature of this motion, he wrote. But these are unusual times.

According to court documents unsealed last month in the Eastern District of Virginia, Villatoro Santos was taken into custody on an outstanding administrative immigration warrant. He was also charged with illegal possession of a firearm. Federal agents found several firearms in the residence.

The arrest was executed by a new interagency task force established by the Trump administration to target transnational organized crime and coordinate ongoing immigration enforcement efforts across Virginia. Its creation was part of a crackdown by the Trump administration on foreign gang members residing in the United States.

This story has been updated with additional developments.

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HANOI, April 10 (Xinhua) -- The 13th Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee commenced its 11th plenum in Hanoi on Thursday with a primary focus on restructuring the political system's organizational apparatus and addressing key personnel matters, Vietnam News Agency reported.

In his opening remarks, General Secretary of the CPV Central Committee To Lam underscored the long-term strategic significance of reorganizing administrative units across all levels.

He noted that the Politburo and the Secretariat are keen to gather proposals and solutions aimed at achieving an economic growth rate of 8 percent or higher in 2025, followed by sustained double-digit growth in the following years.

During the three-day plenum, the Politburo is expected to report to the Party Central Committee on personnel matters within its authority.

Delegates will also prepare for the upcoming 14th National Party Congress and elections of deputies to the 16th National Assembly and People's Councils at all levels for the 2026-2031 term. 
Kamala Harris has reportedly consulted Hilary Clinton over whether she should run for California governor.

The former vice-president is said to have drawn on the expertise of the former secretary of state as she weighs up her options over her next political move.

Speculation has grown in recent months that Ms Harris is planning to mount a bid to replace Gavin Newsom, whose gubernatorial term comes to an end in November next year.

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Allies of dsMs Harris said she is leaning towar entering the race for the governorship of her home state in 2026 over a second tilt at the presidency, according to The New York Times.

Ms Harris has told those close to her that she will make a decision about diving into the governors race by the end of summer, according to Politico.

In calls with supporters, she has allegedly said she will make the decision in the next few months.

Meanwhile, a source familiar with Ms Harris thinking told CBS that she is seriously considering a run for governor.

By late Feb, the former Democratic candidate had put together an advisory team of former White House staff, veteran Democratic strategists, policy experts, a speechwriter and a fund-raiser from which to mount a campaign, according to The New York Times.

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Behind closed doors, the former Democratic candidate has allegedly been hosting gatherings of donors and speaking on the phone with trusted operatives and advisers.

Mrs Clinton, the former first lady, is the only other Democratic presidential candidate to have been defeated by Mr Trump and is said to be one of a number of confidantes Ms Harris has turned to.

Mrs Clinton was defeated by Donald Trump in 2016 - Rick Wilking

Besides Mrs Clinton, she is said to have consulted Joe Biden, the former president, Pete Buttigieg, the former transport secretary, and Reid Hoffman, the LinkedIn founder and billionaire Democratic donor.

Ms Harris is said to be seeking advice on how to win back traditional Democrat voters, how to modernise the party and cutting through in the media - an area where Donald Trump triumphed during last years election through a number of appearances on high-profile podcasts.

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To do so, she has reportedly met with David Shor, a Democratic pollster who carried out an analysis of the 2024 election, as well as billionaire Chris Larsen and New York Times columnist Ezra Klein.

While she has kept public appearances to a minimum, her team are said to have monitored the exploits of other prominent Democrats, with staff members reaching out to Mike Walzs aides to find out how her former running mates nationwide speaking tour has been received.

Those in her circle have suggested that she would ease to victory in next years race if she were to abandon her former presidential ambitions.

Ms Harris is reportedly planning to mount a bid to replace Gavin Newsom - ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS

Katie Porter, a former Democratic representative for California, told The New York Times that Ms Harris launching a bid would have a near field-clearing effect.

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Terry McAuliffe, the former Democratic National Committee chairman and head of Ms Clintons 2008 presidential campaign, told the outlet he had encouraged Ms Harris to run for governor and believed that she would.

Mrs Clinton and her husband, Bill, swiftly endorsed Ms Harris presidential bid on July 21 last year - the same day that Mr Biden dropped out of the race.

Ms Harris called both former statesmen to ask for their support, according to The New York Times.

However, other than a prime-time speech at the Democratic National Convention in August, Mrs Clinton was entirely absent from the campaign trail until its final week, amid concerns over her political brand.

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A person close to the campaign told NBC that having Mrs Clinton on the campaign might not be the most helpful move, since it needed to focus on its core messages of appealing to male voters.

The two women were on opposite sides of the 2008 presidential primary between Barack Obama and Mrs Clinton, but have grown close over the subsequent years.

The pair have shared dinners together at Mrs Clintons Washington mansion and discussed high-level decisions, such as whom Ms Harris should pick as her running mate, according to The New York Times.

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An Osawatomie, Kansas toddler was hospitalized in critical condition after ingesting methamphetamine Tuesday night, police said.

The toddlers biological mother was charged Wednesday with aggravated child endangerment, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia, along with altering, concealing or destroying evidence.

Officers with the Osawatomie Police Department responded at 11:58 p.m. to a home at 520 Pacific Ave. after receiving a call from a resident whose 2-year-old granddaughter was in distress, police Chief David Stuteville shared in a Wednesday news release.

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While officers were on their way to the house, OPD was informed that the child had allegedly ingested an unknown quantity of methamphetamine and had begun having seizures, Stuteville wrote.

The child was in critical condition when officers arrived and was immediately transported to Childrens Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Stuteville wrote. Officers confiscated a small amount of marijuana from the home, along with paraphernalia commonly associated with marijuana and methamphetamines.

While searching the home, Stuteville wrote, officers learned that the childs mother had allegedly destroyed evidence related to the overdose and the presence of methamphetamine by flushing it.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  A 21-year-old Kansas City, Missouri man is facing charges in connection to a November 2024 deadly shooting following a road rage incident.

Jackson County prosecutors this week charged Isaiah Francis with second-degree murder and armed criminal action.

Two-year-old girl overdoses after ingesting methamphetamine, police say

According to court documents, Kansas City police officers responded to the area of 75th Street and The Paseo around 6 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, for a shooting.

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When officers arrived on scene they located a man in the drivers eat of a green GMC Sierra. The victim was slumped over and was unresponsive. Officers located an apparent gunshot wound on the victim, identified as 66-year-old Dennis Griffin. He was taken to Research Medical Center where he later died.

A witness told detective she was driving south on Swope Parkway when she saw the suspect vehicle speed around her. She said the suspect vehicle stood out to her due to the speed and aggressive way the suspect was driving through traffic.

Court documents say the witness observed the victim vehicle and suspect to be engaged in road rage.

The witness said the road rage was so noticeable that she kept a safe distance away. She said as the two vehicle approached the intersection of 75th and Paseo, the victim intentionally cut off the suspects vehicle.

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According to court documents, the witness said the suspect then drove up to the passenger side of the victims vehicle and fired 4-5 shots into the truck. The suspect continued traveling south on Paseo and the witness pulled over and called 911.

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Francis was taken into custody on Tuesday, April 8, and is currently being held in the Jackson County jail on a $150,000 bond.

His next court appearance is scheduled for 1 p.m. on April 16, for a bond review hearing.

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TOPEKA, Kan. (KSNW)  The Kansas Corporation Commission has approved a shorter and less disruptive route for a high-voltage transmission line that will connect renewable energy sources in western Kansas to the larger Grain Belt Express project.

The decision affects one of two 345-kilovolt lines known as the AC Collector System, which will carry electricity from wind and solar farms to the main Grain Belt Express transmission line.

The Meade-Dodge City line, originally planned to span 46 miles across Ford, Meade, and Gray County, will now be 34 miles long, cutting 12 miles from the original plan and avoiding 24 land parcels. This change means fewer landowners will be impacted.

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Historic Kansas church moved for the second time

The second line, running 16 miles between Bucklin and Dodge City, remains unchanged, according to a news release from the state agency.

The new route came after landowners previously proposed an alternative route, known as Boyd Alternative 2, during the Commissions review process. The KCC had originally approved the initial route in September 2024 but required Grain Belt to study alternatives before moving forward.

In March 2025, Grain Belt submitted a new route starting from a different switchyard, reducing the route length and minimizing impact on landowners. Since no additional landowners are affected, no new public hearings are needed, following a previous hearing on July 10, 2024.

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According to the release, the Commissions original conditions still apply, including:

Micro-siting flexibility: Grain Belt can make adjustments up to 660 feet from the approved route for engineering or environmental reasons.

Construction limitations: Facilities cant be built until Grain Belt secures agreements with nearby power generators.

Landowner protections: If no generator agreements are made within five years, easements taken through eminent domain will be returned to landowners at no cost.

The AC Collector System was approved in 2011 as part of the Grain Belt Express project, with the main transmission route being approved in 2013. The latest application to finalize the AC Collector route was submitted in May 2024.

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Rep. Ford Carr, D-Wichita, reviews evidence in a complaint against him during an April 9, 2025, investigative hearing. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)

TOPEKA  A six-member House Select Investigating Committee on Wednesday split votes along party lines and failed to reprimand, censure or expel Rep. Ford Carr for his behavior that included an altercation in a Topeka bar.

Instead, the committee of three Democrats and three Republicans voted 5-1 to write a report for the House about the committees failure to reach agreement, potentially recommending Carr, a Wichita Democrat, be admonished. Rep. Mike Amyx, D-Lawrence, was the lone no vote. The committee will reconvene to approve the report before it is sent to the House, as there was some disagreement about asking for an admonishment of Carr.

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It wasnt the result Carr expected.

Pointing to a complaint he filed against Rep. Nick Hoheisel, a Wichita Republican, Carr said the only options presented were dismissal, reprimand, censure or expulsion.

It angers me, he said. None of these were options when it was Rep. Hoheisel.

Carr said he expected the committee to split votes 3-3 and send the complaint to the House, where it would require a two-thirds vote to take action. Admonishment had never been on the table, he said.

Whatever the term used, Carr said the committees determination wont change him.

I represent my people the way I represent my people, he said. I am in no way going to alter the way I represent my people.

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He added, referring to the fact he retained his seat after last years election: The people have already spoken. I am going to continue to be me.

Carr has contended that racism and lack of acceptance for a Black man who operates in a different culture fueled the complaint and investigation, all of which the complainant denied immediately in a statement to the committee.

Rep. Leah Howell, a Derby Republican, filed the complaint alleging that Carr broke a House rule about using disorderly words while debating legislation. Listed in her complaint were multiple instances that she said indicate Carrs behavior is not in line with the decorum and conduct required of a Kansas representative.

I want to clarify that this complaint is not about retaliation, partisan politics or personal conflicts, she said. Contrary to accusations that this complaint is racially motivated, the color of skin and political party have absolutely nothing to do with my decision to file this complaint.

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Howell pointed to an altercation at the Celtic Fox in Topeka in which video surfaced of Carr and Wichita City Councilman Brandon Johnson loudly arguing and calling each other names. When Rep. Henry Helgerson, an Eastborough Democrat, tried to intervene, he was knocked to the floor, although he refused to press charges. Howell, who is married to a Wichita city councilman, said she considered Carrs words at the Celtic Fox to be threatening. She focused on several incidents that she said make a pattern.

I will argue that accusing colleagues of racism, calling one of them a racial slur, lying to this committee and that infamous public display of repeated use of racial slurs and aggression by what should be described as an act of battery against two other elected officials can be collectively classified as not only misconduct, but a pattern of violent rhetoric and behavior, Howell said.

Rep. Susan Humphries is part of the House Select Investigating Committee that considered Wednesday whether to reprimand, censure or expel Rep. Ford Carr. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)

Carr, during his 15 minutes speaking to the committee, disagreed with Howells assessment of what happened in each of the instances she described.

Not by any stretch of anyones imagination is it OK for someone white to explain to me my culture and what I should be doing, he said. It is not your place to tell me what Im supposed to do culturally as a Black man.

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He also explained to the committee the cultural difference between the words n***** and n***a, the second of which he said he was using in conversations the committee and complainant highlighted.

Not once did I use the word n*****, Carr said. Thats not a word that we use in my culture. That is erroneous.

Carr also brought out his birth certificate and pointed out that his race was identified as Negro on the Kansas document.

Rep. Susan Humphries, R-Wichita, and others on the committee questioned Carr extensively about a comment he made in 2023 on the House floor about a House Negro, which brought Carr an admonition from GOP leadership. But the committee ultimately agreed that incident didnt apply to its considerations Wednesday, except seeing his behavior as part of a pattern.

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Ultimately, the committee agreed that expulsion was off the table, commenting that such a move was usually connected to a criminal act. Members debated the difference between censuring and reprimanding, but a vote on reprimanding split 3-3 on party lines.

Even the idea of writing a report caused some contention, as Humphries waffled at the idea of writing a report that didnt show any concerns with Carrs behavior.

I seconded the motion, but Im not comfortable with a report that does not say that we made a finding, Humphries said. We made a finding that we are not going to dismiss, reprimand, censure or expel. Is there any agreement on this committee that there was behavior that was inappropriate?

Maybe you dont want to say it publicly, she added.

The committee didnt indicate when it would reconvene to approve the report.
Rep. Susan Humphries, a Wichita Republican, urged her House colleagues on April 10, 2025, to override Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly's veto of a bill offering pregnant mothers child support from the date of conception. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)

TOPEKA  Kansas House lawmakers overrode Democratic Gov. Laura Kellys vetoes of two anti-abortion bills Thursday, sending the measures on to the Senate.

Kelly vetoed both bills Wednesday. The required two-thirds of both chambers voted to overturn them.

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Wichita Republican Rep. Susan Humphries called on legislators to override House Bill 2062, which creates what critics call fetal personhood language within a bill that cements child support payments for mothers based on pregnancy costs before a baby is born. It would also add a personal income tax exemption for any unborn child.

This bill is about being compassionate to pregnant women, Humphries said.

Kansas Family Voice and the Kansas Catholic Conference were major proponents and architects of the bill. Nicholas Heald, an anti-abortion protester who regularly demonstrates outside of the House and Senate chambers, said following the House vote that Kansas law and human biology affirm that fetuses are people.

We dont throw fetus showers, said Heald, a 39-year-old who traveled from Wichita to Topeka to demonstrate nearly every Wednesday at the Statehouse.

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In a roughly 25-minute speech, Rep. Nikki McDonald, an Olathe Democrat, addressed how expensive pregnancies can be and proposed what she thought were more effective strategies to aid pregnant women, including a raised minimum wage and increased access to affordable health insurance. She said the state needed to avoid unnecessary litigation and regulation.

If we were serious about ensuring the well-being of a pregnant person, we would be passing bills that expand health care access, make health care affordable, broaden our sex education programs to include more than just an abstinence-only sex ed approach, she said.

Rep. Nikki McDonald, D-Olathe, speaks in opposition to legislation that would provide child support to fetuses during an April 10, 2025, debate in the House. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)

Rep. Stephanie Sawyer Clayton, an Overland Park Democrat, challenged the bills constitutionality, arguing it violated the Kansas Constitutions two-subject rule, which prohibits bills from legislating more than one topic. The two topics at hand were child support and tax breaks, she said.

Debate in the Senate was much more abbreviated.

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Minutes after overriding HB 2062, House Republicans overrode Senate Substitute for House Bill 2382.

It mandates school districts show a video of a developing fetus to students at any grade level during any course that deals with human growth, development and sexuality. The video shown to students must be at least three minutes long, show the development of vital organs and be a high-quality, computer-generated animation or high-definition ultrasound, according to the bill.

The bill also allows Kansas State Board of Education members to set their own salaries. An earlier version of the bill set state board member compensation rates at $286.81 per meeting day, which was based on legislative salaries, but the passed bill didnt designate any funds for raises.

Opponents criticized the measure for its lack of standards and for overriding local control.

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Rep. Linda Featherston, an Overland Park Democrat, said she didnt believe the bill was appropriate and that the Legislature was overstepping.

Actually, what really bothers me about this bill is that it interferes with parental rights, Featherston said.

Parents ought to have the ability to determine when they want to talk to their children about sex, she said.

Republican leadership characterized fetal education as a commonsense measure, said House Speaker Dan Hawkins, of Wichita, and Senate President Ty Masterson, of Andover, in a joint statement.

The Senate overrode the bill without debate.

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In her veto message, Kelly said the bill was convoluted, manipulative and wrong for a number of reasons.

She added: As policy makers and parents, we should demand that our children are provided with high-quality, relevant, researched, and age-appropriate educational experiences free from ideological prejudice. Senate Substitute for House Bill 2382 falls short of that goal.
Rep. Barbara Ballard shared concerns that the passage of Senate Bill 29 would interfere with the work of county health departments. A veto of the bill as overridden Thursday. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)

TOPEKA  The Kansas Legislature overturned the governors veto of a bill that opens state and county health officials to civil action for decisions about quarantines and takes away their authority to ban public gatherings in situations of infectious disease.

Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed Senate Bill 29, but the veto was overridden Thursday by the Senate and House. There was little discussion in the Senate, but multiple representatives spoke out against the bill in the House.

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I want to speak on behalf of public health departments, and Ive heard from several, said Rep. Barbara Ballard, a Democrat from Lawrence. Whenever theres a major catastrophe or something else happens, its public health departments that respond.

Others shared their personal experiences with measles when they were young.

My big concern is with the measles outbreak in southwest Kansas, said Rep. Tom Sawyer, D-Wichita. I was a kid in kindergarten, and everybody got the measles. Thats what we did before vaccines. Its a horrible disease. People talk about the deaths, but its more than that. There were horrible side effects. I had a lot of ear infections. Fortunately for me, mine went away. I knew other kids that had problems with their ears their whole lives. Other kids, they became developmentally disabled because of the measles. It scares me that a disease we once eradicated is coming back in southwest Kansas.

In a press release about her veto, Kelly said that SB 29 puts Kansans at unnecessary risk.

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I will not sign legislation that hampers public health professionals ability to take reasonable, measured steps to limit the spread of dangerous infections and protect the health of the communities they are entrusted to serve, she said.

Sen. Beverly Gossage, R-Eudora, disagreed with assumptions in the governors assessment.

The governor stated in the veto that it would prohibit issuing quarantines, which is not really true. They may issue quarantines or institute isolation, Gossage said. Its just that before taking that action they must have probable cause. It also allows the aggrieved party to file a civil action and that that be acted upon within 72 hours if someone is wrongfully put into isolation or quarantine.
TOPEKA, Kan.  Thursday, Govenor Laura Kelly announced eleven rural roadway projects are to receive a total of $8.1 million in federal funds through the Kansas Department of Transportations High Risk Rural Roads Program (HRRR).

Made possible through the IKE Transportation Program, these projects address much needed upgrades of rural roadways. By improving intersections, signage, and other critical roadway features, we are building momentum for a safer, stronger Kansas, said Governor Kelly.

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Officials say HRRR receives funding through the Federal Highway Safety Improvement Program and is designed to improve the safety of and efficiency of rural roads, with an additional $1.6 million in funds for the selected projects.

Officials claim this years 11 HRRR projects were selected from 29 applications seeking $29.9 million in funds.

With over 20% of fatal and serious injury crashes occurring on county roads, strong partnerships will be necessary to achieve the goal of zero roadway fatalities, said Transportation Secretary Calvin Reed.

Projects in this program fall into one of two categories: Systemic (encompassing a local roadway network) or Site Specific. The county, category, amount awarded, county match, and brief description for the selected projects are below as provided by the Kansas Office of the Governor:

COUNTY CATEGORY AMOUNT AWARDED COUNTY MATCH BRIEF DESCRIPTION Douglas Systemic $500,000 $128,000 High friction surface on CR1055 and CR 1061. Ellsworth Site Specific $1,300,000 $240,000 Add aggregate shoulders on Avenue L, from K-156 to the west city limits of Kanopolis. Finney Site Specific $600,000 $60,000 Add aggregate shoulders and rumble strips to old U.S. 83 from U.S. 83 to U.S. 83 Business. Johnson Systemic $250,000 $60,000 Add edge line rumble strips to paved county roads. Labette Site Specific $250,000 $70,000 Install pavement markings and rumble strips, upgrade signage on 24000 Road west of Parsons. Meade Site Specific $800,000 $400,000 Add shoulders at 26 Road, Cemetery Road, Old 54, 10th Avenue, and 27th Road. Montgomery Site Specific $1,700,000 $480,000 Add shoulders and widen culverts on Peter Pan Road from Cr 4600 to Cr 4800. Osborne Systemic $600,000 N/A Upgrade signing on 160 miles of county roads west of U.S. 281. Pratt Site Specific $1,100,000 $150,000 Add shoulders to NE 70th Avenue. Stafford Site Specific $500,000 $50,000 Add safety edge wedge to NW 30th Street from NW 70th Street to the west city limits of St. John. Trego Systemic $500,000 N/A Upgrade signing on all rural local roads.





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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com.
Tecumseh South Elementary Students wheel the "moon tree" across a field before planting it May 28, 2024. The field is adjacent to the school, which is just east of Topeka in Shawnee County. This photo was part of an entry that won third place for best story/picture combination in the 2025 Kansas Press Association awards. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)

The width and breadth of Kansas Reflector journalism was recognized in the annual Kansas Press Association contest results announced Wednesday.

From business reporting to commentary to overall recognition, a swath of Kansas Reflector reporters, editors and contributors shared the 16 awards in the Division VII category. The task of writing these award summaries has fallen to me over the years, and you might think that the excitement fades, but it hasnt yet. Being part of this staff and effort to bring free, nonprofit journalism to the Sunflower State remains a spectacular privilege.

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Editor in chief Sherman Smith was named Kansas journalist of the year, his third time winning that award since founding Kansas Reflector in the summer of 2020. He also won first place in the series category for coverage of the Marion County Record newspaper raid anniversary. He shared that award with independent journalist Marisa Kabas.

Former Reflector and Missouri Independent reporter Allison Kite and Statelines Kevin Hardy won first place for local business story.

Finally among the first place finishers, opinion contributors Eric Thomas and Mark McCormick were both recognized for column writing. Im delighted to see Thomas and McCormick recognized for their determined, consistent and ever-readable pieces. I finished third in the category, alongside the towering Max McCoy.

I have the best job in the world because I get to work with all my favorite journalists in a tireless quest to speak truth to power and lift Kansans voices, Smith told me Wednesday evening.

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I couldnt agree more.

Kansas Reflector staff members Anna Kaminski, Clay Wirestone, Morgan Chilson and Sherman Smith appear at the April 5, 2025, town hall at the Lawrence Public Library. (Jessica Tufts for Kansas Reflector)

Further staff members were honored with an array of second-place finishes. Reporter Anna Kaminski received the distinction for her entry in the military story category, while former reporter Rachel Mipro placed for an environmental story. Mipro departed in July, and Kaminski arrived in August. Working with both has been a joy.

Now we come to an eternally tricky piece of any awards column. That would be the writer covering his or her own awards. I placed second for journalist of the year for the second time in a row. In this case, however, Im right behind Smith. Im sure Ill never hear the end of it. I also finished second in editorial writing.

Other Kansas Press Association awards for Kansas Reflector staff included:

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Each year I repeat some variant on the journalistic truism that no one does these jobs for awards. The most important recognition I receive comes from our readers, both in person and through email. But only the must curmudgeonly of codgers would refuse such distinction when offered.

On behalf of Reflector staff, thanks to the KPA, and we hope to keep serving you all.

Clay Wirestone is Kansas Reflector opinion editor. Through its opinion section, 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.
Jury selection in the retrial of Karen Read, the woman accused in the death of her police officer boyfriend, continued Thursday, with the court reaching a panel of 16 jurors.

Judge Beverly Cannone said the empanelment process would resume on Monday because she wants a jury of 18 people, including six alternates.

As of right now, the jury consists of eight men and eight women, including a group of 12 deliberators and four alternates.

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The case will not be in court on Friday.

Done for the day.



Jury selection in Karen Reads re-trial will continue Monday.



16 people have been selected but they want 18 (6 alternates)



No court tomorrow (Friday). #boston25 pic.twitter.com/cAICAQdlsQ  Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) April 10, 2025

Karen Read tells reporters a net gain of 1 new juror. Got 2 new today and lost one.

Selection continues after short break.  Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) April 10, 2025

Judge Cannone calls for a 1/2 hour recess to allow the 20 or so candidates left a chance to have lunch.  Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) April 10, 2025

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41 jury candidates in the courtroom today



-4 know a witness

-36 seen, heard or talked about the case

-25 have an opinion

-12 have bias  Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) April 10, 2025

Good morning from day 8 of jury selection in the Commonwealth vs. Karen Read



They need one more juror get started but if things move quickly today they may end up adding extra alternate/s, according to the clerk.



I checked my notes from the 1st trial, They picked 19 people for  Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) April 10, 2025

Previous story:

Opening statements in Reads second murder trial are within reach after three new jurors were seated Wednesday in Dedhams Norfolk Superior Court. The defense and prosecution now need to settle on at least one more juror, or maybe two, depending on if Judge Beverly Cannone seeks more alternates.

A total of eight men and seven women have been selected to hear the case through the first seven days of the empanelment process.

Of the 58 prospective jurors questioned Wednesday, 49 had either seen, heard, or talked about the case. Twenty-seven had formed an opinion about the case, and 12 indicated that they had a bias toward one side or another.

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Read spoke with reporters outside of court, sharing her feelings about the 15 jurors picked so far.

I feel good about all of them. I feel good about all of them. I feel some I didnt, and theyre not our jurors, so thats all I can ask for is that I feel good. It just takes one bad feeling and think, God is my life in this persons hands, and I dont feel that way today.

Boston 25 legal expert Peter Elikann said the jurors will need to be both impartial and flexible, considering Cannone expects the trial to last between six and eight weeks.

How many people can take two months off of the business that they run or taking care of their children or whatever other responsibilities they have? So, its almost like a family decision sometimes whether you have the time, Elikann said of the jury selection process.

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Also on Wednesday, the United States Supreme Court denied Reads emergency filing to delay her retrial.

The SCOTUS, however, said they would decide on April 25 if they want to review her request to drop two of the three charges against her.

The defense team claims that Reads constitutional rights are being violated under the double jeopardy clause after multiple jurors allegedly came forward claiming she had been acquitted on two of the three charges.

On her way out of court Tuesday, Read told reporters that opening statements in her retrial could begin as soon as Tuesday, April 15.

Boston-based attorney David Yannetti gave the opening statements in the first trial, but it will be Los Angeles-based counsel Alan Jackson who will set the table for the jury in her second murder trial, Read also revealed.

With a gag order silencing all attorneys in this case, Read is the only one from her team allowed to speak to reporters. She says shes not surprised at the speed of the jury selection process.

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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.

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.

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
An aerial drone photo taken on April 9, 2025 shows the construction of facade curtain wall at the international land-sea center in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality. The construction of facade curtain wall of the international land-sea center, the tallest building under construction in Chongqing, was officially completed on Wednesday.

Located in Yuzhong District, the 458-meter-high skyscraper has a curtain wall area of about 100,000 square meters, and more than 18,000 glass plates are used. (Photo by Sun Junjie/Xinhua)

An aerial drone photo taken on April 9, 2025 shows an external view of the international land-sea center in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality. The construction of facade curtain wall of the international land-sea center, the tallest building under construction in Chongqing, was officially completed on Wednesday.

Located in Yuzhong District, the 458-meter-high skyscraper has a curtain wall area of about 100,000 square meters, and more than 18,000 glass plates are used. (Xinhua/Wang Quanchao)

An aerial drone photo taken on April 9, 2025 shows a view of the international land-sea center and its surrounding area in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality. The construction of facade curtain wall of the international land-sea center, the tallest building under construction in Chongqing, was officially completed on Wednesday.

Located in Yuzhong District, the 458-meter-high skyscraper has a curtain wall area of about 100,000 square meters, and more than 18,000 glass plates are used. (Photo by Sun Junjie/Xinhua)

An aerial drone photo taken on April 9, 2025 shows the construction of facade curtain wall at the international land-sea center in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality. The construction of facade curtain wall of the international land-sea center, the tallest building under construction in Chongqing, was officially completed on Wednesday.

Located in Yuzhong District, the 458-meter-high skyscraper has a curtain wall area of about 100,000 square meters, and more than 18,000 glass plates are used. (Photo by Sun Junjie/Xinhua)

An aerial drone photo taken on April 9, 2025 shows an external view of the international land-sea center in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality. The construction of facade curtain wall of the international land-sea center, the tallest building under construction in Chongqing, was officially completed on Wednesday.

Located in Yuzhong District, the 458-meter-high skyscraper has a curtain wall area of about 100,000 square meters, and more than 18,000 glass plates are used. (Xinhua/Wang Quanchao)
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitts spin on President Donald Trumps decision to pause/reverse his controversial tariffs drew mockery on social media.

Leavitt chided reporters on Wednesday when she appeared to argue that Trumps decision to roll back most of the tariffs he announced last week  following days of sliding stock markets, fears of a global recession and criticism from even his most loyal backers  was actually part of his plan all along.

Thats despite Trump saying it was because he thought that people were jumping a little bit out of line and were getting a little bit yippy, a little bit afraid.

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With an apparent nod to Trumps 1980s memoir-business advice book The Art Of The Deal, Leavitt said:

Many of you in the media clearly missed the art of the deal, you clearly failed to see what President Trump is doing here. You try to say that the rest of the world would be moved closer to China when in fact weve seen the opposite of that. The entire world is calling the United States of America, not China, because they need our markets, they need our consumers and they need this president in the Oval Office to talk to them.

Trump has also shown great courage, she claimed, with his newly increased tariff of 125% on Chinese imports.

Watch here:

Leavitt: Many of you in the media clearly missed the art of the deal and clearly failed to see what president trump is doing here. pic.twitter.com/X9QAUjMeeM  Acyn (@Acyn) April 9, 2025

Critics called B.S. on the explanation, though.

The denial of reality is, frankly, insane.



Trump is a coward. He got scared and ran away.



Same as he did with Canada.



Same as he did with Mexico.



I assume plenty of his buddies bought the dip while he cheated at golf  The art of the steal.  Don McGowan (@donmcgowan) April 9, 2025

He tanked the economy and then he reversed course.  Art Candee  (@ArtCandee) April 9, 2025

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I didn't know the art of the deal included tanking the stock market. Guess I should have read the book.  CrowsUncle (@CrowsUncle) April 9, 2025

If you have to explain the art of the deal after it causes a recession, it probably wasnt a deal, it was a disaster.  Nikos Unity (@nikosunity) April 9, 2025

Nice try but no amount of spin can turn this self inflicted economic chaos into the art of the deal.



What were seeing a damage control wrapped in shameful denial.



When tariffs tank markets and small businesses crumble, propaganda wont pay the bills. Theyll run out of  Evaristus Odinikaeze (@odinikaeze) April 9, 2025

Or maybe he realized what he was doing is stupid. Who are these countries also?  XVI (@scarfaceGary) April 9, 2025

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Leavitt's spin on Trump's tariff mess is laughable. The market's tanking, and theyre calling it "art of the deal"? More like art of the crash. 90 days of chaos and a 125% China tariff, recipe for disaster, not negotiation. Wake up, this is reckless.  Richard Angwin (@RichardAngwin) April 9, 2025

What art of the deal? Not even the penguins called. Every country went ahead with their tariffs while the narcissist gambler waited for world leaders to line up in D.C. What a small-minded man-child, unfit for nothing  Ilyas Ibrahim Mohamed (@iiliyaa) April 9, 2025

Related...
UPDATE 4/10/25

According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Neriah Davila has been located.

ORIGINAL STORY

LINDSEY, Okla. (KFOR)  The Oklahoma Highway Patrol and Linsey Police are searching for a 33-year-old man last seen at the end of March.

Kasey Alert for Neriah Davila. Image courtesy Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

According to OHP, Neriah Davila was last seen on March 31 and is possibly suicidal and intoxicated.

Davila is believed to be driving a white 2018 Hyundai Tucson with Oklahoma tag HYN649.

If you see Davila, please call 911.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  A Kansas City homeowner who says hed been a victim of thieves repeatedly took matters into his own hands early Wednesday morning.

A male, believed to be a teen by witnesses, was shot about 5:15 a.m. near 27th and Askew. Police say he may have broken into more than 30 cars.

Sub-contractor hits a gas line in Lexington, MO, causing explosion

People who say they called 911 about the break-ins wonder why police at nearby East Patrol didnt respond until that shooting happened.

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From 24th and Bales along Indiana Park all the way to 28th and Askew, Kansas City streets remained covered in broken glass Wednesday afternoon.

At least 30 cars parked in front of homes still had windows broken out, with some temporarily covered in plastic.

Renee Willis-Hunter didnt realize her sons Dodge Charger was broken into until he went to leave for work about 6:15 a.m.

He took his whole bag with his id, his social security card, all his credit cards in there, and iPad. He took $2 out, dropped one dollar on the ground and kept the other dollar, Willis-Hunter said.

By the time her family discovered the theft, police were already nearby investigating a shooting.

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A homeowner near 27th and Askew said he saw the thief around his truck and car that had been broken into before. He didnt want to go on camera but says he tried to scare off the burglar with a laser and then took time to get dressed.

When he went outside the young man was still breaking into cars. He says the thief started threatening to shoot him and a neighbor. The homeowner ended up shooting the thief three times.

Police say someone called EMS at 19th and Cleveland for a shooting victim matching his description suffering from non-life threatening injuries.

Cant show no sympathy if you mess with other peoples stuff. Thats how its going to be, Willis-Hunter said standing by a neighbors home with warnings on the door for thieves to bring identity with them for next of kin notifications and images of rifles.

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Neighbors tell FOX4 theyd called about the break-ins going on as much as an hour earlier, but police didnt respond. Police say answers to our questions about the timing of the 911 calls and their response arent currently publicly available.

Kansas City man charged in connection to deadly road rage shooting

Got out here a lot faster and that could have been resolved a lot quicker and little man wouldnt have gotten hurt. But its unfortunate thats how it happened, Willis-Hunter said.

The shooter was released after questioning. Its unclear at this point if he could face any charges.

As for the victims, neighbors tell FOX4 police found the thiefs car loaded with stolen items and many of them were able to get their belongings back already.

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KANSAS CITY, Mo.  A Louisburg, Kansas woman is charged with tax evasion and wire fraud after a federal grand jury in Kansas City return an indictment this week.

The indictment alleges that Michelle OConnor owned and operated a realty company based in the Kansas City area.

Lees Summit police investigating double homicide

According to a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice, for tax years 2008 through 2015, OConnor filed federal income tax returns, self-reporting that she owed approximately $300,000 in taxes. Despite acknowledging she owed the taxes, OConnor did not pay them.

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In 2011, the IRS audited her 2008 and 2009 tax returns and concluded that OConnor had improperly claimed tens of thousands of dollars in personal expenses as charitable deductions to the Church of Revelation and Love, a purported church she and her husband created and were, along with her family, its primary members. Based on that audit, the IRS assessed over $40,000 in additional taxes against OConnor.

Starting in 2011, the IRS began trying to collect the outstanding taxes from OConnor, sending her over 50 notices regarding them. From 2011 through 2023, however, she tried to stymy the IRSs collections efforts by, among other things, filing three separate false and frivolous bankruptcy petitions, purchasing approximately $250,000 of cashiers checks to reduce her bank account balances, and closing her personal bank accounts and using her business bank accounts to pay personal expenses.

By 2020, OConnor owed the IRS nearly $500,000 in taxes, penalties, and interest.

Court documents say she submitted 34 fraudulent COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) applications on behalf of her real estate business and seven other corporate entities she created for the purpose of maximizing potential EIDL credits.

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According to the DOJ, under the EIDL program, a small business could receive a loan of up to $150,000 from the Small Business Administration to cover six months of working capital.

In total, OConnor received nearly $300,000 from her fraudulent EIDLs, which she used for personal purposes, including $115,000 to purchase cryptocurrency.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.  A Kansas City man is suing the City of Kansas City, Missouri, and the mayors former Chief of Staff Morgan Said.

Hartzell Gray III, a former host for KCUR 89.3 (NPR in Kansas City), was part of a protest in August 2022 during a City Council meeting at City Hall, the lawsuit alleges. KC Tenants was the group protesting; its an organization that wants to ensure safe and affordable housing in Kansas City.

5-year-old killed, 2 others injured in Lexington gas explosion

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The lawsuit says the group was protesting a City Council vote on an ordinance  regarding relaxing affordable housing requirements for developers and changing the definition of who qualifies for affordable housing.

During the meeting, the lawsuit says things got tense, with one protestor even being arrested.

The next day, the lawsuit says Gray got a call from Lisa Rodriguez, the news director at KCUR, who said the mayors office had called  specifically, Said  to tell her Grays personal and political activities could reflect poorly on the station and damage how people see KCUR.

The lawsuit claims Said told Rodriguez that Gray was the leader of the protest and had been leading chants  none of which was true, according to the lawsuit.

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Gray was pulled off his shift that weekend, the lawsuit claims.

The lawsuit says Gray was distraught, confused, and scared that his City was coming after him.

Mr. Gray alleges that he participated in a protest at City Hall, and that because of his participation in that protest, the Mayors Office reached out to his employer requesting that he be punished, Grays attorney, Madison McBratney, said in a statement.

You can read her full statement here.

I hope the mayor still takes our calls

About a week later, the lawsuit says Said called Rodriguez again to ask what steps had been taken to fix the issue discussed earlier regarding Gray.

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Rodriguez then texted Gray, in part:

Well deal with it! I think [reporter] has good enough sources at city hall that shell be able to get her work done. I hope the mayor still takes our calls, but if he chills on us for a while, not the end of the world. We hear too much from him anyway

Gray says in the lawsuit that he stopped attending in-person protests and demonstrations because he was worried about his job and scared of the City coming after him again. The lawsuit says Gray did not attend a meeting at City Hall for more than a year after this incident.

According to the lawsuit, Gray was ultimately suspended from his job at KCUR.

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[The] City specifically targeted [Gray] for exercising his constitutional rights under the First Amendment, the lawsuit says.

It says KCUR was also a victim since the station and Gray acted in a manner so as to not potentially upset the mayorfearing the consequences of losing any remaining access to City Hall.

A spokesperson from Mayor Quinton Lucas Office on Thursday sent FOX4 the following statement:

Mayor Lucas speaks often to KCUR Radio and other media outlets. He always has and always will, including spending an hour on their airwaves this week. He also visits often with advocacy groups, including KC Tenants this week, with whom he has agreements and disagreements.

Plaintiff also regularly exercised his speech rights, including attending a council meeting at City Hall to advocate for source of income discrimination policies and interacting with the mayor and other government officials directly on social media commentary subsequent to the times alleged in his suit when he claimed his speech was chilled.

The claim at its core appears to be an employment suit between a former employee, Mr. Gray, and his former employer, KCUR, that endeavors to cast blame unfairly on the City and our former colleague and friend. The Mayor and the City visit regularly with the press, sharing facts, honest opinions, and feedback. We will leave it to KCUR an explanation for their own employment decisions. The claims against the City lack merit.

In April 2025, Rodriguez wrote An open letter to the City of Kansas City, Missouri, from its local journalists, describing challenges in obtaining access to City Hall and concerns about transparency and truthfulness in sharing facts with the media. The letter was signed by several other media outlets.

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Whistleblower lawsuit: Kansas City manager, Why cant we just lie?

In October 2022, the lawsuit says Gray ran into Mayor Lucas at a gala for Urban Neighborhood Initiative Kansas City. When Gray confronted the mayor, the lawsuit claims that Lucas admitted he knew about Said retaliating against Gray and attempting to come after his job at KCUR. However, Said was never disciplined nor did she suffer any consequences for her actions, the lawsuit says.

Despite both Mayor Lucas and Said announcing her resignation in May 2024, the lawsuit claims shes still employed by the city. Saids LinkedIn bio still says shes the chief of staff for Mayor Lucas.

The lawsuit also shows that Said was served the suit at the mayors office.

What do you want?

In March 2023, after running into each other at a Sporting KC game, the lawsuit says Said and Gray agreed to meet up for coffee to discuss the situation further. A week later, the lawsuit says the two met at Rochester Coffee.

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During this meeting, Gray says Said apologized but also justified her actions regarding calling KCUR. Gray says Said also asked him point-blank during the meeting, What do you want?

The lawsuit says Gray took this to mean, What can the mayor give you in exchange for your silence?

According to the lawsuit, Said offered Gray seats on city boards and commissions  specifically, the Commission on Reparations and the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City.

The lawsuit claims Mayor Lucas was aware of and/or authorized Saids offer to Gray since the mayor is the only one who can appoint people to city boards and commissions.

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Gray, however, never followed up with Said regarding the offer nor did he join any city boards or commissions, the lawsuit says.

Gray is demanding a jury trial.

This lawsuit was filed in the Circuit Court of Jackson County, Missouri at Kansas City.

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HB793/SB836, a proposed bill, with one version requiring proof of citizenship before enrolling students in Tennessee schools, challenges a fundamental right: access to education.

This bill is not just an administrative requirement but an attack on the lives of Tennessees children, their futures, and the promise of equality in our public education system.

I understand the struggle of having to prove your right to exist, to participate, to belong. I was raised in rural Tennessee during the 1950s, a time when registering the birth of a Black girl was not a priority. As a result, I spent my early years undocumented, despite being a citizen. Without a birth certificate, I had no proof of being born in the state I called home.

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I have also witnessed the frustration of families trying to gather the necessary paperwork to enroll a child in school. The process is often lengthy, confusing, and burdened with bureaucratic red tape, discouraging many from completing it.

HB793/SB836 disregards these obstacles and creates unnecessary barriers to education.

As a former school board member in Haywood County and former president of the Tennessee School Board Association, I know the strain this bill would put on our under-resourced schools. Teachers and administrators are already stretched thin; now were asking them to become immigration officers. It is an unrealistic expectation that will further burden our schools and leave vulnerable students behind.

But the most dangerous aspect of HB793/SB836 is its impact on our community as a whole. This bill is not just a challenge for one group; it is an attack on all of us.

All children in America have the right to learn

Its goal is to overturn the constitutional precedent of Plyler v. Doe, which guarantees all children access to free public education, a practice that has been in place for over 150 years.

Stephanie Alas begins to weep after a committee hearing where Tennessee senators voted on SB 836 at Cordell Hull State Office Building in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, March 5, 2025.

History shows that when one group is denied basic rights, it creates division, fear, and a climate where no one is truly safe. This bill fuels those divisions and undermines the values of inclusion, equality, and justice that we hold dear.

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To protect the right to learn for all children, the Tennessee NAACP helped launch Education for All Tennessee, a coalition of over 60 organizations across the state. Now, the NAACP, both in Tennessee and nationally, stands firmly against HB793/SB836.

Opinion: Trump's deportations emboldened GOP. But they're going after kids, not criminals

This bill will create more division, hardship, and barriers for Tennessees children. It is time to stand up for our future and the promise of a public education system that welcomes every child, regardless of background or circumstance.

Tennessee cannot afford to leave any child behind

The fight for educational justice is a fight for human rights, and today, it continues. It is up to all of us to ensure every child in Tennessee has a fair chance at the future they deserve.

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When we deny opportunity to one group, we diminish opportunities for all. Education is the key to our collective future, and we cannot afford to leave anyone behind.

Gloria Sweet-Love

Lets reject HB793/SB836. Lets unite for our children  and for the future of Tennessee.

Gloria Jean Sweet-Love has been president of the Tennessee State Conference NAACP since January 1996. She is a member of the National Board of Directors of the NAACP and currently serves as Chair of the Southeast Region V NAACP Leadership caucus. She has attained a number of firsts in her life including the first African American woman elected to the Haywood County School Board, first African American woman elected as president of the Tennessee School Board Association, and first African American woman to be appointed by the governor as a member of the Peace Officers Standards & Training Commission.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: TN GOP would deny students their right to an education. | Opinion
DENVER (KDVR)  Democrats in Colorado are hoping a bill moving through the state legislature will add more protections for transgender people and gender-affirming care.

House Bill 25-1312 would create the Kelly Loving Act, named after a Club Q mass shooting victim. The bill would add misgendering and deadnaming to Colorados anti-discrimination law and divorce custody settlement considerations, and also give rules to schools on chosen names and dress code policies.

The House passed the bill on Sunday, and it will now head to the state Senate for consideration.

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Colorado is for everyone: Polis signs bill repealing same-sex marriage ban

Kelly Loving lived her life in a very powerful way where she wanted to create space and support other trans people to be able to live their full lives, bill co-sponsor Rep. Lorena Garcia, a Democrat who represents parts of Adams and Jefferson counties, said Wednesday in an interview. And when she is out celebrating her birthday and is murdered, is massacred by a mass shooting, its only fitting to make sure that this bill is named after her, that is trying to create more space for trans people to live their full lives and in their full dignity.

Protections for transgender people amid national action

Garcia said the bill came about after a survey of more than 500 transgender Coloradans found areas where trans people still faced discrimination, harassment and abuse. Another co-sponsor, Rep. Rebekah Stewart, a Democrat who represents parts of Jefferson County, said increased suicide and mental health risks really show the importance of the bill.

Everything in this bill really came from folks with that lived experience, Stewart said. And not being called by your name and who you are is one of the things that can just be incredibly painful, especially if its happening on a daily basis by people in your life in very intentional ways. And so, I think it was important to really name those (in the anti-discrimination act).

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Garcia said with this bill, she hopes trans people can feel seen amid national attacks from the Trump administration.

During his first few months returning to office, President Donald Trump signed a slew of executive orders specifically targeting trans people in sports, in the military and in passport usage. Some of those measures face ongoing legal disputes, but Garcia said these and other Trump actions are indicative that the trans community needs protection in Colorado.

Under the new Trump administration, this years Transgender Day of Visibility has a different tenor

This is a bill that will not only send a message to trans people in Colorado that we believe in them, care for them, and love them, and we want them to live healthy, safe lives, Garcia said. Its also a message to the rest of the country that we are not going to tolerate hate from other spaces on our residents here.

Child custody consideration prompts Republican parental rights concerns

House Republicans, meanwhile, say this bill is government overreach, and parts of it infringe on parental rights. Bill sponsors Garcia and Stewart refuted that.

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The aspect of the bill that adds gender-affirming care to considerations in child custody divorce settlements, El Paso County Republican Rep. Jarvis Caldwell said in a Wednesday interview, does not take into account parents who do not agree with that care.

My biggest concern in regards to parental rights with this is, how are you supposed to get your

child treatment if the law is saying that the only treatment that is not child abuse is gender-affirming care, said Caldwell, who voted against the bill on Sunday. So, if you dont agree with gender-affirming care as a parent, then by law, youre committing child abuse. And so thats been a big issue with the Republicans on my side of the aisle.

According to the bills language, a court, when making decisions about parenting time in divorce custody settlements, shall consider deadnaming, misgendering, or threatening to publish gender-affirming care material as a type of coercive control. The court shall consider reports of coercive control when determining the allocation of parental responsibilities in accordance with the best interests of the child.

Stewart said coercive control is already Colorado law, and judges have a list of elements to consider in the bigger picture. This bill just adds the definitions of misgendering and deadnaming to that list of considerations.

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Attorney general defends filing dozens of cases against Trump administration

Garcia also added that this only applies to those divorce settlements on parenting time, not monitoring how parents parent as a whole.

This is not about monitoring how youre raising your kids at all, Garcia said. As Representative Stewart said, when those decisions are being made by a judge, this is added to the list of elements that a judge has the discretion of using when deciding what is in the best interest of the child. The thing thats important with coercive control is that it requires a pattern of behavior. Its not a one-time mistake or happens one time or maybe twice.

But, Caldwell said, this bill is part of a larger radical agenda. Garcia and Stewart said this is simply sending a message that all Coloradans are protected from hate.

Republicans worry about radical policies; Democrats say its about being seen

HB25-1312 was one of several bills passed on Sunday that ranged from abortion services to gender-affirming care, and are part of a larger push in Colorado to add protections for communities facing increased threats in other states and federally.

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Caldwell said this is concerning.

I think when youre talking about, you know, taxpayer-funded abortions, youre talking about forcing parents to accept your ideology when it comes to gender-affirming care with minors. That is radical, he said. And if you look at surveys from the New York Times and others that most people, even including a majority of Democrats, arent on board with this kind of stuff. So, when we call it radical, we mean that in the sense that the majority of Americans dont agree with this kind of policy.

Colorado bills adding abortion service protections head to governor to sign

Instead, Caldwell said, lawmakers should focus on other issues.

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Focus on the issues that the people are concerned about, such as cost of living, he said. Thats one that we keep hearing. But instead, were doing these very ideological left-wing policies that are not stakeholdered with all sides of the aisle.

Garcia, on the other hand, said this bill and others adding civil protections are important to giving Coloradans the dignity to live their lives freely. Stewart agreed and also had a final message for all Coloradans.

We see you, we care about you and you are welcome here, Stewart said.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (FOX 56)  Every high school has a music program, but Bryan Station is the only public school in Kentucky to have a mariachi band.

Director Genaro Rascon formed the band at the high school in 2023 after heading up a similar program at Berea College. He said Fayette County Superintendent Dr. Demetrius Liggins, a Texas native, grew up around mariachi bands in the schools and wanted to see a similar program in the district. It made sense to locate it at Bryan Station High School, where 36% of the student body has a Latino background. The school also has a Spanish immersion program.

MORE SPIRIT OF THE BLUEGRASS:

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Mariachi is the folkloric music of Mexico, just as people in Kentucky might recognize bluegrass as their folkloric music, Rascon said.

Janely Hernandez, a junior, said she loves the way crowds react when the band plays at a concert or festival. I get really excited because everyone is super excited, jumping up and down, asking for more songs, and I get really happy that Im doing this.

The students who transitioned from concert band or orchestra learned quickly that this is not a band where you can be timid.

Theres a lot more connection there, but its also a theatrical performance, said assistant director Nathan Bailey. Theyre not just learning how to play their instruments. Theyre learning how to sing and act on stage all at the same time.

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There are also lessons in history and culture thrown in. Mariachi dates back to the 18th century. A typical band has violins, trumpets, and guitars, and the members take turns singing lead.

Read more Spirit of the Bluegrass stories

The directors say many people only think of mariachi bands as a novelty act. They hope to change that.

So much of public-school teaching of music is that its either John Philip Sousa and Stars and Stripes Forever or Beethoven and Bach, Rascon said. This music belongs in that conversation.

We want to showcase it as a fine art, Bailey added. Were bringing our groups to stages where people sit and watch us perform. Its not just music thats performed in a corner as background sound.

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In its second year, the band, called Mariachi Escudo de Bryan Station, got ornate mariachi suits and sombreros. Members say that has helped them feel more professional.

Yes, it does, said Jack Roblero, a senior who plays guitar. It makes me feel like Im more connected to my culture. I really enjoy it a lot. He said he would like to form his own mariachi band someday.

Theres a lot of pride in being in the states first public school to teach mariachi, and that pride extends into the community.

Jerrys Restaurant in Paris is the last of its kind

Hernandez said, I like bragging about it!

Its the first time for a lot of these parents that theyre happy to come to a school function, that theyre excited that their kid is in band, Rascon said. It means the world to me that they get to have that experience, and their students get to have that experience.

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Bryan Station may not be the only public school to have a mariachi band much longer. A middle school in northern Kentucky has reached out to Rascon and Bailey for guidance in forming a band as early as next year.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News.
Apr. 10Kettering police are asking for public help identifying three people who broke into a gun store early Thursday morning.

Police said that at about 3:53 a.m., the three people broke into AC Firearms at 3058 Woodman Drive and took over a dozen firearms.

They asked that residents that live in the area and have surveillance cameras to check their footage around that time to see if you have footage of the break-in, the thieves or their vehicle.

Anyone with information was asked to contact Detective Sgt. Vince Mason by calling 937-296-2595.
Mahmoud Khalils attorneys on Thursday blasted a court filing from Secretary of State Marco Rubio claiming he has the ability to remove noncitizens for their speech and beliefs, a filing that came after an immigration judge demanded the government present evidence against the former Columbia University student as it seeks to deport him.

In his memo, obtained by The Associated Press, Rubio cited a rarely used provision of law that says the secretary of State can deport a noncitizen if they pose a threat to foreign policy.

Rubio argues if Khalil remains in the country, it would harm U.S. policy to combat anti-Semitism around the world and in the United States, in addition to efforts to protect Jewish students from harassment and violence in the United States.

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The memo came after Louisiana Judge Jamee Comans ordered the federal government on Wednesday to produce evidence against Khalil within 24 hours, saying she would make a ruling on whether or not he could be deported on Friday.

This document underscores that the government has ripped Mahmoud Khalil from his home and nine-months pregnant wife, Dr. Noor Abdalla, solely because it disagrees with his speech. Controversial speech is not illegal, and political speech that criticizes the Israeli government or U.S. foreign policy is constitutionally protected, said Molly Biklen, interim legal director for New York Civil Liberties Union and part of Khalils legal team.

If anything, this document only underscores the startling escalation of Trumps war on dissent and efforts to remove people who disagree with him or U.S. policy. Its nothing more than a naked attack on all of our free speech rights, Biklen added in a statement.

Rubios filing did not include other accusations the government has lobbed against Khalil: that he failed to disclose former organizations he worked for on his green card application, such as the Syria office in the British Embassy in Beirut.

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Khalil has been in Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention for more than a month after his arrest launched the ongoing battle between the Trump administration and foreign students.

Rubio and President Trump have revoked hundreds of visas as part of the administrations sweeping immigration purge, including multiple students who, like Khalil, participated in their schools pro-Palestinian protests.

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GENEVA, April 10 (Xinhua) -- China on Wednesday expressed grave concern and firm opposition to the United States' "reckless" tariffs at the World Trade Organization (WTO).

On the first day of a two-day meeting of the Council for Trade in Goods, China proposed a discussion on the U.S. "reciprocal tariffs," urging the United States to uphold the WTO rules, so as to avoid negative impact on global economy and the multilateral trading system.

In its speaking, China slammed the U.S. tariff policy, saying it violates WTO rules and undermines the multilateral trading system.

The rules of multilateral trading system, with the WTO at its core, serve as the indispensable foundation for global trade, and the most favored nation (MFN)-based tariff commitments ensure trade is conducted transparently, predictably and without discrimination, said China.

The U.S. trade measures violate the MFN principle and contravene its own tariff binding commitments under WTO rules, said China, noting the measures are "a typical act of unilateralism, protectionism and economic bullying."

In addition, China said the United States is a key beneficiary of the multilateral trading system, and described assessing its gains solely through trade deficits or surpluses in goods as a narrow and misleading approach.

The "reciprocal tariffs" will never be a cure for trade imbalances. Instead, they will backfire, harming the United States itself, China said.

Emphasizing its belief that all trade disputes should be resolved through the WTO's established mechanisms, China called on all WTO members to stand together in safeguarding the rules-based multilateral trading system.

China's statement was echoed by dozens of WTO members, including the European Union (EU), Switzerland, Canada, Kazakhstan, Britain and Brazil, which took the floor to voice their disapproval of the U.S. measures.

The EU said U.S. tariffs constitute "a major blow to the world economy and the multilateral trading system," noting such tariffs will not fix the global trade imbalances.

Some members said the tariff actions could lead to increased trade tensions and instability, stressing the importance of resolving trade disputes through dialogue and cooperation within the WTO framework. 
EyeEm Mobile GmbH

This story on forced pregnancy tests was reported and first published by The Bureau of Investigative Journalism. Teen Vogue lightly edited this story for style. Learn more about TBIJ here.

Auma Angella was 14 when she was called into the staff room at her school in Busia, eastern Uganda, and asked why her stomach was curving. A teacher began to press her abdomen. Before she understood what was happening, she had been told to go home and not come back. Angella hadnt known she was pregnant  but by the end of the day, her whole class knew.

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Angellas story is part of a pattern that exists across the continent and has for generations. Coercive pregnancy testing that results in girls being expelled from school is humiliating, invasive and potentially unlawful. But the Bureau of Investigative Journalism (TBIJ) can reveal that schools in some African countries are continuing the practice in breach of national guidelines or legal judgments.

Teachers examine girls, [touching them] around their bodies, explained David Mwanga, a legal worker who supported Angella. They look at the changes of their body, the changes in the breast size. Sometimes testing is performed using the same kits found in pharmacies around the world, but often its done via the sort of hands-on process Angella was subjected to.

In recent years, West Africas highest court and a pan-African human rights body have ruled the expulsion of pregnant girls to be in violation of legally binding African charters on childrens rights, including to education, privacy, and freedom from discrimination. Forced pregnancy testing has also been found to breach human rights.

In Uganda, a government guideline was issued at the end of 2020, allowing pregnant girls and adolescent mothers to continue their education  a noted break from previous practices. But even with rules in place protecting pregnant students, TBIJ has found that girls are still at risk of coercive testing and exclusion.

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TBIJ has examined six other cases since the start of 2021 that appear to have breached the guideline  but the true figures are likely to be far higher. The cases were recorded by the legal charity Mwanga works for, Women With a Mission (WWM), which serves just nine of 146 districts in Uganda. Families are often wary of engaging with these services for fear of reproach from their community, so these instances are probably just the tip of the iceberg.

Angella was made pregnant, she says, by an older man. (He is now awaiting trial, according to her legal team.) The ordeal was distressing enough before her teachers compounded the damage. I was stigmatized by the administration of the school, Angella said to TBIJ via a translator in her local language of Lusamia. Even though it was the school that was in the wrong, she said, they kept on talking wrong about me within the community. Angella's parents have consented to her being identified in this story.

The school did not respond to TBIJs request for comment. It had initially denied examining and expelling Angella but after WWM applied to the high court detailing her experience, it agreed to readmit her.

For Angella, though, the prospect of being shunned by teachers and pupils was too much. She has not gone back.

Like a rotten tomato

Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest rate of adolescent pregnancies of any region in the world, according to UN data. And in some parts of Uganda, teenage pregnancies rose by as much as 49% after the Covid pandemic, when the countrys schools were shut for longer than in virtually any other nation. These figures shocked the government into action.

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Despite opposition from religious leaders, a guideline was issued in December 2020 saying that pregnant girls and adolescent mothers should be allowed to continue their education  after a years enforced maternity leave  and to sit their national exams.

But government directives have come up against deeply-rooted beliefs, explained Mwanga. [People think] these girls were going to be a bad example to others. They were going to influence others to do the same thing, he said. If these girls are to remain in school, it will be like a tomato which is rotten that remains in the basket of new tomatoes and then makes them all rotten.

If Angella had kept quiet about her experience at school, Mwanga said, no one would have known. But she decided to speak out  and told her father what shed been through. After hearing about WWM on the radio, he approached the charity for advice and together they were able to mount a legal challenge against the actions of her school.

In September 2024, a high court judge in Tororo, eastern Uganda, handed down a consent order (an agreement between two parties supervised by a judge). The school agreed Angella should be allowed to continue her education.

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While the agreement is specific to Angellas case, it sets a precedent and has already sparked a national conversation in Kampalas corridors of power. But it hasnt put a stop to school exclusions. WWM has worked on the cases of five other girls expelled due to pregnancy since the ruling in September. All were readmitted after WWMs challenge. But the charity has heard of other exclusions outside its remit.

Though Ugandas new guideline is a seemingly progressive move, it actually formalizes the invasive testing policy, stating that all girls should be examined for pregnancy periodically, at least once termly.

Whats more, it has been condemned as discriminatory by Ugandan NGO the Initiative for Social and Economic Rights (ISER) because it enforces a year of mandatory maternity leave once the girls are around three months pregnant. In effect, the guidelines do not permit pregnant girls to be in school, said ISER.

WWM said in the future it would like to challenge these parts of the guideline.

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Rosette Nanyanzi, a gender adviser at the Ugandan Ministry of Education, told TBIJ both pregnancy tests and the period of leave were there to protect girls. A school routine that includes sitting on hard wooden benches for 12 hours a day is not safe and conducive, she said, and pregnancy testing makes sure they access the proper services.

But she also acknowledged the decision to begin the leave at the three-month mark was motivated in part by morals  the idea that visibly pregnant girls are a bad influence on their peers.

The ministry did not respond to TBIJs further questions.

Meaningful change?

In Tanzania the practices are even harsher  and once again, marks of apparent progress do not tell the whole story.

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Until late 2021, there was an outright ban on pregnant girls attending school at all. Rights organizations filed a complaint to the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC) in 2019 to challenge the government, claiming that girls as young as 11 were being subjected to painful, non-consensual pregnancy testing in almost all public schools. It said those found pregnant  even in cases of sexual abuse or incest  were almost always expelled.

They won their case, but TBIJ has seen documents revealing that no laws have yet been introduced to prevent forced testing or expulsion.

Instead the government is currently relying on a 2021 notice from the Ministry of Education that says, among other things, that students who have dropped out due to pregnancy should be allowed to return to school within two years. However, the notice is not legally enforceable.

The government has issued figures suggesting more than 10,000 pupils who dropped out for a variety of reasons have returned to school as a result  though the two year cut-off excluded the girls at the heart of the original case, according to one lawyer involved.

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The notice also forms part of the agreement for a $500 million loan granted to Tanzania from the World Bank to fund secondary education, which includes the condition that girls in the country must be allowed to resume their studies after pregnancy. The money was paid on account of the government issuing the notice, as well as a separate guideline forbidding non-consensual pregnancy testing.

But it is uncertain how much has truly changed for many girls in Tanzania. Getrude Dyabene of the Legal and Human Rights Centre, which helped bring the ACERWC case, said schools are often not aware of the changes. She said that visits by her organization have revealed that forced testing is still happening  and expulsions routinely follow.

The practice is still ongoing, she said. The government said they have directed schools not to conduct pregnancy testing for girls. And we are like, Okay, where is that directive? Is there a letter?

The World Bank told TBIJ it monitored closely for instances where pregnant girls or young mothers were prevented from continuing their education.

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When we are made aware of situations like this, we follow up with the authorities to take remedial action, a spokesperson told TBIJ. This includes reinforcing the guidelines with school staff and providing further training.

Tanzanias ministries for health and education did not respond to questions about what actions they are taking to implement the ruling.

Teachers shamed her

Its been more than a year since Angella was expelled, and her baby girl is now nine months old. On an oppressively hot day on the eastern border of Uganda, she talks about the hairdressing course that she enrolled in when she felt unable to return to school.

She says shes enjoying it  happy to have friends in a similar position to her and to be able to provide for her daughter. But she says she would have loved to have had a full education, like any other [person], before considering a vocational college.

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What the teachers did, it was torturing her, said her father, David Wafula. And even shaming her in front of her friends at school.

A keen artist, she had dreamed of making wedding dresses. My desire and passion was always to be a designer, she said. For now, that dream has been put on hold.

Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue
BLACKSBURG, Va. (WFXR)  Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) at Virginia Tech is hosting TKE week in hopes of raising over $230,000 to donate to St. Jude, a cause the fraternity has been working with for years, and the brothers hold close to their hearts.

We really do care about St. Jude childrens research hospital, said Aidan Edelson, on the philanthropy chairs for the fraternity, Yeah were a fraternity, and theres a lot of stereotypes but we really do care about this cause, and it means a lot to us and we are really, really set on hitting this goal of $230,000 to save those kids lives at St. Jude.

Forest heart attack survivor shares the importance of understanding symptoms

(Photo Credit: Zoe Mowery)

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$230,000 is a lot of money, but in the grand scheme of things, it still is not enough money for these kids, said Mugi Murugavel, another philanthropy chair, So every single donation, whether its $5 or $10, it genuinely goes such a far away.

The brothers even took to shaving their own heads for the cause, saying the kids theyre raising money for didnt have that choice.

(Photo Credit: Zoe Mowery)

None of us know how to treat cancer or treat a cancer patient or do research on cancer treatments, but all of us can help. Even 120 broke college kids can make a difference, so thats why were doing this, said Landon Nye, another philanthropy chair who shaved his head this year.

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WFXR News walks in memory of Gary Boyer to support heart health

TKE hopes to raise even more funds over the weekend with its Battle of the Bands concert on April 11th, and a 5K on Sunday, April 13th at Huckleberry Trail Park in Blacksburg.

Its always good to be playing for a good cause, you know, playing music isnt about the money, its about the passion, and if the money can go towards something good then thats even better, said Colton Fox and Calvin Cooper, who are apart of Double Shot, one of the bands playing at TKEs Battle of the Bands.

To donate, sign up for the 5K, or learn more about TKEs mission, you can visit its Instagram here, or scan this QR code:

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv.
Scammers like gift cards. Many over-the-phone and texting scams involve asking the victim to pay fake fines, penalties or tax payments via gift card rather than cash or check as they are untraceable.

Card draining, where scammers steal cards, copy the information and put the cards back into a store for an unsuspecting person to buy and activate has become a growing concern. Several people have been arrested in Florida recently with sacks of stolen or altered cards.

Under a Senate bill passed unanimously Wednesday, Florida will be cracking down on gift card scams.

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SB 1198 defines gift card fraud in Florida law and makes it a first-degree misdemeanor punishable by $1,000 in fines and up to a year in jail. That includes tampering with cards or their packaging or trying to acquire a gift card or gift card redemption information without the permission of its owner, the retailer or the company issuing it and using it to obtain "money, goods, or services or anything else of value."

If the aggregated value of the ill-gotten gains exceeds $750, the crime becomes a third-degree felony punishable by $5,000 in fines and up to five years in prison.

A yes vote on this bill will kill the Grinch, Sen. Nick DiCeglie, R-St. Augustine, the bill's sponsor, said before the floor vote Wednesday.

The companion House bill, HB 1007, has passed through two committees.

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Florida is a popular target for scammers. Last year, there were 474,614 reports of fraud, the FTC said, the third-highest in the country behind California and Texas, but we're No. 1 in reports per 100,000 people. In 2023, Florida residents lost more than $460,000, according to the FTC's latest annual Internet Crime Report.

How do scammers use gift cards?

Scammers come at you in lots of ways.

You get contacted by someone saying they're from the IRS or FPL or somewhere telling you that you owe money and need to pay immediately to avoid penalties or jail

You're contacted by a company you know, telling you they spotted fraud on one of your accounts and need your help to make sure your money is safe

An email or text, apparently from your boss, arrives after work hours asking for a favor

The person you've fallen in love with over a brief, intense period of online interaction needs some money right away

A great job opportunity needs a deposit first

You get asked to be a mystery shopper or to help with a bank investigation

Someone who sounds a lot like a loved one calls you in desperate need of bail or airfare, or even ransom

And all of them ask you to pay them in gift cards, sometimes with the promise of money for you that will never come.

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However, some gift card scammers rip you off without ever knowing who you are.

Gift card scam ring spreading in Florida

A couple was charged with scheme to defraud Tuesday, Dec. 17 and are accused of tampering with gift cards at multiple Publix locations throughout Martin and St. Lucie County, according to the Martin County Sheriff's Office.

In the last few months in Florida and around the U.S., gift card scammers have been stealing cards in stores, copying the numbers, and sneaking them back into stores among the other cards to be sold. When an unsuspecting person buys and activates the card, the scammer sees that in the online status and immediately drains the card's balance before the legitimate owner has a chance to use it.

This is a complicated scheme where theyre going in, taking as many as they can, taking them home, stripping them out of the packaging, taking down the information, repackaging it, putting it back in the store, somebodys unexpectedly buying them and giving them to a loved one, a family member, whatever, as a gift," said Rep. Dan Daley, D-Coral Springs. "So, very complicated, very complex."

Just before Christmas last year, Donghui Liao pleaded guilty to possession of 15 or more counterfeit or unauthorized access devices after Ocala police said he was seen on video switching real gift cards for fake ones at a local Target. At the time of his arrest, he had enough cards to defraud Target out of more than $1.8 million.

Two people from China were arrested on similar accusations in Stuart the same month. Investigators believe they were also linked to thefts at stores in Orlando, Sarasota, Fort Myers, Naples, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami.

In January, Naples police arrested two Latvian men on charges of stealing gift cards from two Walgreens and a Publix as a detective followed them. Along with what they had just taken, they also had a bag of 176 cards worth about $15,000.

Ohio County deputies busted a Fort Lauderdale man last year and found 748 gift cards worth about $374,000, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office in West Virginia.

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In 2024, gift card scams and card draining accounted for $212 million lost from scams nationwide, according to the latest data released by the Federal Trade Commission.

How do I avoid gift card scams?

Martin County Sheriff's Office investigators show tampered gift cards from a December arrest.

"Know that no legitimate company or government agency will require payment via gift cards," the Florida Attorney General's Office said. "If someone claims otherwise, it is a scam."

Some ways to avoid getting scammed:

Never send gift cards in response to a solicitation

Avoid sharing card numbers or PINs

Never send a gift card to a solicitor claiming a loved one is in trouble

Do not deposit checks received from unknown individuals, especially if they request repayment via gift card

Purchase gift cards directly from the cards merchant, dont use little-known, third-party sites

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When buying a gift card at a store, take it to the counter and inspect it to make sure the package has not been torn or resealed. With permission from an employee, open the package and make sure the cards have not already been scratched with the account number or PIN code visible. If there are even minor scratches or signs of tampering, report it to the store and do not buy it.

A photo shows gift card security tape that has been tampered with.

When would SB 1198 go into effect?

If passed by the Florida Legislature and signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, the bill would go into effect Oct. 1, 2025.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Gift card scams bill in Florida would crack down on fraud, theft
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  Elected officials and family members of Kilmar Abrego Garcia are demanding that he be returned to the United States, weeks after he was mistakenly deported to El Salvador.

Its been 28 days since I last saw my husband, said his wife, Jennifer Vasquez Sura. This administration error has ruined my family.

During a press conference on Wednesday, she spoke directly to her husband.

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Wife of Maryland man mistakenly deported to El Salvador prison pleads for his return home

Kilmar, if you can hear me, Im still fighting for you. Your brother, your mother, our children are still fighting for you, she said.

29-year-old Abrego Garcia was detained by ICE on March 12 and was sent to a terrorism confinement center in El Salvador.

The Trump administration later admitted that his deportation was an administrative error.

His family filed a lawsuit challenging his deportation, and a Maryland judge issued an order to have him returned to the U.S. by Monday. However, the Supreme Court paused that order while it considers the case.

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What happened here should never have happened in the United States of America, said Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen.

US Senators from Maryland, Virginia demand return of Maryland man mistakenly deported

The Trump administration maintains that Abrego Garcia is a member of the notorious MS-13 gang, pointing to claims made by a police informant several years ago. However, Abrego Garcia was never charged with a crime. And in 2019, a judge issued a protective order that prevented him from being deported.

The Trump administration is lying. JD Vance is lying through his teeth when he said Garcia has been convicted of a crime. That is absolutely false, said Van Hollen.

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The government has argued it doesnt have the legal authority to bring Abrego Garcia back to the United States, but his attorneys dispute that.

Maryland man mistakenly deported to El Salvador due to administrative error, court filings say

We know the truth. Whats happening is that these are U.S. detainees in the custody of the U.S. The government is simply renting space, said Ama Frimpong, legal director for the immigrant rights group CASA.

While the family waits for a decision from the Supreme Court, New York Congressman Adriano Espaillat said he is writing a letter to the President of El Salvador to request a visit to the prison.

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We dont know [Abrego Garcias] condition. The family does not know his condition. And if they dont tell us, we will visit the prison ourselves, he said.

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BEIJING, April 10 (Xinhua) -- The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) on Thursday released a statement pledging support for an open and transparent multilateral trading system.

The SCO member states support an open, transparent, just, inclusive and non-discriminatory multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization (WTO) at its core, and are committed to promoting the development of an open world economy, the statement said.

The member states firmly uphold and strengthen the multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core in order to effectively address trade challenges, it said.

The member states reaffirm the importance of strengthening development discussions within the WTO framework, and stress the need to support an open, inclusive, sustainable, stable, diversified and reliable global supply chain, per the statement. 
Austin (KXAN)  On Wednesday, KXAN Senior Investigative Producer David Barer spoke to members of the Texas House Committee on Delivery of Government Efficiency about obtaining data while investigating the states crime victim compensation delays.

KXAN Investigator David Barer testifies on HB 4218 before the Texas House DOGE Committee (Texas House of Representatives)

An important issue we found is victims were telling us they were waiting up to eight months or more to get a first payment on a claim, Barer said of KXANs three years of reporting on the Texas Attorney Generals CVC division, noting the use of budget-related data obtained from the state agency.

KXANs analysis of that data revealed recent victim claims were being averaged with sexual assault exam reimbursements, the latter of which are actually handled directly with medical providers in just days. So the attorney generals combining of the two types of claims presented a skewed narrative that payments were happening faster than reality.

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The AGs office has now acknowledged that, and theyre addressing it now through the appropriations process, Barer explained. But that is one example of many that I could give you of reporting that relied on searchable-sortable records that we obtained through the Public Information Act, and I know from experience that not all government bodies provide this even when theyre able to and explicitly asked to do so.

Barer shared his account with lawmakers at the encouragement of the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas, which advocates for greater access to public information. It was among testimony surrounding House Bill 4218, which aims to codify the ability to obtain searchable-sortable records if such a format is available.

If government information is maintained in a searchable-sortable format, it needs to be provided in that format in a public information request, said Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, R-Southlake, who authored the bill.

Capriglione told committee members some agencies deliberately turn searchable-sortable data  like an Excel spreadsheet  into a PDF, which is not as useful to a requestor who is trying to sort and analyze a large amount of information.

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In that case what youre seeing is a government entity going above and beyond to make it difficult for the public to be able to access that information, he said.

HELD UP: KXAN uncovers backlog, turnover with Texas Crime Victims Compensation Division

The measure falls under the topics tackled by the newly-created DOGE committee, which Capriglione also chairs. Its directive includes tackling inefficiencies in government services.

Capriglione said reducing data in its native format also reduces the workload on government employees, because it eliminates the need to create additional documents in separate formats.

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Clarifying this issue will save time and taxpayer money, he added.

HB 4218 was left pending in committee. Its Senate companion, SB 50 filed by Sen. Judith Zafirini, D-Laredo, awaits a hearing in that chambers Business & Commerce committee.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT)  The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) says it is actively monitoring rising water levels along U.S. 60 near mile point 22.5 in Crittenden County, near the Crittenden-Union County line. Officials say at this time, water has reached the edge of the roadway.

Officials say after reviewing current flood levels, forecasts and historical data from flooding in 2011, engineers have determined U.S. 60 will remain open on April 10. However, the road is expected to close due to high water on the afternoon of April 11. KY 365, which would serve as a detour for U.S. 60, is also expected to flood and close on Friday, likely between 4 and 7 p.m.

KYTCs high water report for April 10, 2025

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The KYTC says due to the uncertain nature of flood conditions, the timing of the closures may change. KYTC will continue to monitor the situation and provide a more accurate update by noon on April 11.

Officials say motorists who live, work or plan to travel in this area are encouraged to plan ahead for the anticipated closure, as they say the detour is significant:

Marion to Morganfield Normal route: 28.6 miles, which takes about 36 minutes Detour: 98.3 miles, which takes one hour and 52 minutes

Marion to Sturgis Normal route: 19.3 miles, which takes about 25 minutes Detour: 101 miles, which takes about one hour and 57 minutes



KYTC says it will keep U.S. 60 open for as long as it remains safe to do so.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW).
A Russian American woman who was imprisoned for treason by Russia has been freed, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Thursday.

Former ballerina Ksenia Karelina was born in Russia but had built a new life as an aesthetician at a Los Angeles spa after immigrating to the United States more than a decade ago. She is on a plane back home to the United States, having been wrongfully detained by Russia for over a year, Rubio said on in a post on X. He credited President Donald Trump with securing her release.

Karelinas lawyer, Mikhail Mushailov, confirmed her release in a statement on Instagram. Two hours ago she was in touch with her relatives and took off from Abu Dhabi to the U.S., he wrote, adding that he had known about her release since Tuesday.

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Russias Federal Security Service (FSB) detained Karelina in January 2024 while she was visiting her parents and younger sister in the southwestern Russian city of Yekaterinburg. It did not provide further details or evidence of her alleged crime.

At the time, the Russian legal group Perviy Otdel said it had information that Karelina had donated just more than $51.80 from her U.S. bank account Feb. 24, 2022  the day Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine  to a charity that sends aid to Ukraine. A spa where she had previously worked confirmed this in a statement on Facebook.

Although the FSB did not confirm that figure, it said Karelinas donation was subsequently used to purchase tactical medical supplies, equipment, weapons, and ammunition for the Ukrainian armed forces.

She was sentenced in August to 12 years in a penal colony for high treason, having fully admitted her guilt at a closed trial in Yekaterinburg, Sverdlovsky Region Court said in a news release at the time.

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The sentence came against the backdrop of Russias 3-year-long war with Ukraine during which President Vladimir Putins government has cracked down on dissent. Any perceived criticism of the military is banned.

Her release was first reported by The Wall Street Journal, which said she was freed in exchange for the release of Arthur Petrov, a dual German Russian citizen arrested in Cyprus in 2023 at the request of the U.S. for allegedly exporting sensitive microelectronics.

The FSB later confirmed the swap in a statement.

Karelina's freedom comes almost exactly two months after American teacher Marc Fogel returned to the U.S. after spending 3 years in prison for a minor medical cannabis infraction.

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Fogel had been teaching in Russia before authorities picked him up while he was carrying 17 grams of the drug at Sheremetyevo International Airport near Moscow.

He had been prescribed medical cannabis in the U.S. for back pain, but the drug is illegal in Russia, and he was sentenced to 14 years.

Fogel had remained in Russian custody even as U.S. authorities won freedom for other high-profile American detainees, including Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, former Marine Paul Whelan and WNBA star Brittney Griner.

Welcoming Karelinas release, a CIA spokesperson said in a statement that the exchange showed the importance of keeping lines of communication open with Russia, despite the deep challenges in our bilateral relationship.

Much of the swap was negotiated by the U.S. government, with CIA playing a key role engaging with Russian intelligence, the spokesperson said.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Just in time for a mini heat wave going into the weekend, local public health authorities have lifted ocean water advisories placed on Malibu- and Santa Monica-area beaches affected by January's Palisades fire.

Even though officials are deeming the water safe for recreation, they're still cautioning beachgoers to avoid any fire-related debris they encounter in the ocean.

On Wednesday, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health announced the ocean water advisory placed on Las Flores State Beach to Santa Monica State Beach had been lifted.

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The decision was made based on water testing and analysis conducted by the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board on the ocean water and sand between the end of January and mid-March.

Both areas were tested for metals, nutrients, polychlorinated biphenyls and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which are all chemicals that may be found in water runoff based on previous California wildfires, officials said.

Results showed "no chemicals related to wildfires at levels that are dangerous to human health," according to a news release.

Read more: 'Mini heatwave' bringing record-high temperatures across Southern California, concerns for Coachella

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Beachgoers have the green light to jump into the water at these beaches and hang out on the sand. Public health officials, however, continue to caution that people should avoid fire debris found either in the water or on land.

They also ask that people "avoid being on beaches on or near burned properties, as the fire debris may contain harmful substances and physical hazards such as glass, metal, and sharp wooden debris."

It's important to note that high tides can carry fire debris into the ocean, creating hazardous conditions.

"In areas along the coast  particularly near burned or destroyed properties on the inland side of Pacific Coast Highway (PCH)  debris from recent fires has not yet been fully cleaned up," the new release stated. "As the tides rise, this debris can be swept into the water, posing a danger to those in or near the ocean."

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To stay up to date on current water advisories, including non-fire-related advisories, visit the Department of Public Healths Ocean Water Quality website.

Recorded information on beach conditions is available 24 hours a day on the county's beach closure hotline: (800) 525-5662. A map of affected locations is also available online.



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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  Federal workers remain in limbo as legal battles continue to play out over their employment status after weeks of legal back-and-forth over the Trump administrations mass firings in a bid to slash the federal government.

Wednesday, in a case filed by nearly two dozen states, a federal appeals court sided with the Trump administration by reversing a previous ruling that required 24,000 workers to be reinstated.

Major layoffs to DHHS leaves fired federal workers with mixed emotions

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That decision came a day after the Supreme Court blocked a similar ruling from a federal judge in California mandating that 16,000 probationary workers get their jobs back.

The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the firings of those federal workers should be appealed through a separate employment process rather than through the court system.

The states argued that the mass firings would create too much of a financial burden to support all of those who are now unemployed. The states can still seek further review.



Over 120,000 federal workers have been laid off so far. Many have been placed on paid leave while the lawsuits play out.

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MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (WBOY)  A group of protesters gathered near the NIOSH facility in Morgantown Wednesday afternoon after nearly 200 workers were laid off from the facility last week.

Protesters marched along Chestnut Ridge Road from the office of U.S. Representative Riley Moore to the NIOSH building near the WVU Health Sciences Campus and Ruby Memorial Hospital.

Protesters said that they are trying to bring peoples attention to the issue of the lay-offs and that all the research and data collection from the Morgantown NIOSH Campus has been stopped.

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Everybody wants to cut waste, fraud and abuse, I am 100% behind that. NIOSH is not waste, fraud and abuse. You know, the work we do here at NIOSH helps protect American workers, and this is important stuff, and it feels like this work has just been thrown away without giving much thought to it, and that seems a tremendous shame to me, laid-off NIOSH Biomedical Engineer Bill Lindsley said.

NIOSH cuts protest in Morgantown on April 9 (WBOY image)

PHOTOS: Protesters gather near Morgantown NIOSH after layoffs

Many of the laid-off workers carried signs criticizing the cuts to jobs in mining health resources and coal mine safety research. Protestors also said that the protests are not just about the layoffs, but about the safety of coal miners and the U.S. workforces safety in general.

If we find Black Lung Disease in a miner, we can remove them from further exposure or reduce their exposure if they have evidence of Black Lung, laid-off NIOSH Research Epidemiologist and Preston County resident Scott Laney said. Now we cant send the letters out to the miners telling them they have the right to transfer if they do have black lung. So, this is going to continue to progress this disease in these miners.

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The Morgantown NIOSH facility had several hundred employees before the downsizing, and now only has about a dozen that are still employed.

It is devastating because the research will just go away, I was telling my mom, shes a retired teacher, I said when you have a substitute teacher come in and take over, you hand over your curriculum, we have nothing to hand over, its just going to stop,' laid-off NIOSH Research Epidemiologist Cammie Chaumont Menendez said.

Laid-off researchers at the protests said that there is data sitting on their desks at the NIOSH office not being analyzed that could benefit many Americans. Also, among the protesters were representatives from the American Federation of Government Employees.

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A student at L'Anse Creuse High School North was allowed on campus during the current school year after being arrested last June in connection with the slaying of a Detroit teen, according to a school board trustee.

That student was arrested this month and charged with homicide, according to a statement from a school district spokesperson. According to a Facebook post made by board Trustee Sandra Hernden, the unnamed student was arrested in June 2024 in connection with a February 2024 homicide, but was not charged. The student was allowed to attend school following the arrest, with the requirement that they carry a clear backpack.

Though Hernden and the district have not named the student in communications, Hernden linked in a different post to an article about the arrest of 16-year-old Ryan Sinegal, arrested and charged by the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office in a fatal shooting in February 2024 of a Detroit teen near the border of Detroit and Grosse Pointe. The board member wrote that she has received "many" calls from parents about why the teen would be allowed on campus.

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More: Thousands of Michigan kids could lose free school meals under GOP plan, state leaders say

In an emailed statement, L'Anse Creuse Public Schools spokeswoman Katelyn Hill wrote, "At LAnse Creuse Public Schools, our number one priority is the safety and security of our students, staff, and community. On April 1, local law enforcement served a warrant for one of our students, who was later charged in connection with a 2024 homicide that occurred off school property."

Hernden in her post wrote that the case has raised questions for the district and, to the community, "Our district did not serve you well."

Contact Lily Altavena: laltavena@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: L'Anse Creuse student now accused of homicide allowed to attend school
YANGON, April 10 (Xinhua) -- The 2025 Myanmar New Year's Ata Thingyan Festival will be celebrated peacefully without music or dance, the state-run Global New Light of Myanmar reported on Thursday.

This year marks the first celebration of Thingyan since its inclusion in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, the report said.

According to the Yangon City Development Committee's Engineering Department, construction of the water festival pavilion and the Thingyan Walk being built in front of Yangon City Hall has been suspended and cancelled, it said.

The cancellations follow the powerful earthquake that struck Myanmar on March 28, resulting in numerous casualties and injuries, as well as significant damage to buildings, it added.

This year, the Ata Thingyan Festival will run from April 13 to 16. The traditional Myanmar New Year's Day will fall on April 17. 
Authorities in Los Angeles charged Jillian Shriner with attempted murder on Tuesday, in the culmination of a dramatic scene that started with a hit-and-run and neighborhood manhunt and ended with a police shooting.

Members of the Los Angeles Police Department shot the wife of Weezer bassist Scott Shriner outside her home, during a search for suspects related to a hit-and-run on the nearby 134 Freeway. The author was not a suspect in the hit-and-run. Police allege she stepped outside of her home holding a handgun during the police department's search of the neighborhood.

In a Wednesday press release announcing the charges against Jillian Shriner, the LAPD claim she refused orders to drop her weapon and took aim at an officer before being shot in the shoulder.

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Per police, Shriner went inside her home after being struck, later surrendering to police and receiving treatment for her gunshot wound at a nearby hospital. The LAPD also says officers recovered a firearm from her home.

The writer covered the department and its prosecution of Samuel Little, a Los Angeles serial killer and the subject of her 2023 true crime book, Behold the Monster: Facing Americas Most Prolific Serial Killer.

The incident and subsequent charges have confused commentators, with some social media users questioning the validity of the attempted murder charges.

Im not sure the LAPD account of how they shot the Weezer bassists wife is gonna hold up mostly because it sounds like the most ridiculous story imaginable and theyre not very good liars, one user wrote on Bluesky.

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Its still unclear why Shriner was carrying a gun or why law enforcement entered her yard, though the LAPD says officers were searching a neighboring yard at the time of the confrontation.

Shriner was uninvolved in the hit-and-run and lived at the residence where she was observed, the LAPD statement clarified.

Shriner, a former Salon contributor, posted bail on Wednesday shortly after her arrest. She is scheduled to appear in court later this month.
A Los Angeles police officer who killed a mentally ill man last year in Koreatown employed questionable tactics but was justified in using deadly force, the department's oversight body ruled Tuesday.

The Police Commission, by a split 3-2 vote, agreed with LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell that the officer reasonably believed that his life was in danger when he fired three rounds at the man, who ignored repeated commands to drop a knife.

The slain man, 40-year-old Yong Yang, had been diagnosed as bipolar and was acting erratically inside his family's apartment when the shooting occurred.

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The officer responsible, Andres Lopez, joined the LAPD in 2017 and was involved in another on-duty shooting four years ago.

Read more: LAPD cops shot 21 bystanders in 10 years. How does it keep happening?

In a unanimous vote, the Police Commission, which judges whether LAPD shootings and other serious uses of force are reasonable, disapproved of Lopez's tactics leading up to the shooting  going against a recommendation by McDonnell by ruling that Lopez's actions violated department policy.

The panel's decision closes an 11-month investigation into the May 2024 shooting, which drew angry denouncements from the public and ignited debate within the Korean American community about what role police should have in dealing with people in crisis.

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Yang's parents have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city, contending that the officers had other options available  including so-called less-lethal weapons  but failed to exhaust them before resorting to deadly force. The parents also accused the department of keeping them in the dark for hours about their sons death.

Before Tuesday's vote, Yang's mother, Myung Sook Yang, pleaded with the commission to hold the officers involved accountable. Her son, she told commissioners, would have turned 41 on Monday.

Instead of celebrating, I was grieving, she said during the meeting's public comment period. He was scared, confused and needed help, so I called for mental health support for him. But instead of treating him with care, they treated him like a criminal.

The city has denied any wrongdoing in response to the lawsuit, which remains pending.

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The deadly encounter with Yang began after a Los Angeles County mental health clinician summoned police to the family's second-story apartment in the 400 block of South Gramercy Place. The clinician, who is named as a defendant in the family's suit, claimed Yang's behavior became too aggressive; the family has disputed that characterization.

Read more: Secret recordings reveal LAPD cops spewing racist and sexist comments, complaint alleges

According to a report prepared by the LAPD chief, Lopez and his police partner were the first two officers on the scene, and body-worn camera footage released last year showed them talking with Yang's father and explaining their options to him. One of the officers is heard telling the father that if they arrested Yang for trespassing, they wouldnt be able to put him on a 72-hour mental health hold.

The cops tried to talk to Yang, but he had locked himself inside the apartment and refused to open the door.

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Eventually, the police requested backup and called a private ambulance to transport Yang to a nearby hospital.

After some deliberation, officers decided to enter the apartment, obtaining keys from Yang's father.

Lopez and another officer found Yang standing in the middle of the living room with a kitchen knife in his hand. He began walking toward officers, who shouted at him to drop the knife before Lopez opened fire, shooting three times in less than two seconds.

An LAPD internal review board raised the question of whether officers could have instead not entered the apartment and disengaged from the confrontation. According to the chief's report, the officers felt they could not leave the scene because Yang was considered to be trespassing.

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In an interview with investigators, Lopez said he feared for his life when he saw Yang approaching with an angry expression on his face. Lopez said his department training taught him that suspects with knives can pose a threat even when they are several feet away.

"Honestly, I didn't want to shoot him, but I felt like if I didn't shoot he was going to possibly cut me or cut my partner," Lopez said. "So I felt like I had no other choice but to discharge my firearm to stop the threat."

Yang's death was one of several in recent years involving mentally ill people with knives, swords or other sharp objects who were shot by police.

Read more: A trans sex worker called 911 to report being kidnapped. LAPD officers shot and killed her

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An analysis of police shootings since 2018 by The Times found that LAPD officers opened fire at least 56 times on people in crisis who were holding "edged weapons"  killing 35 of them and injuring 19 others  over a five-year span.

Lopez previously shot and wounded a mentally ill man who was waving what turned out to be a replica handgun outside the Olympic Division police station in 2021.

The shootings occurred despite policies that prioritize deescalation techniques and the use of less-lethal alternatives, such as bean bag rounds meant to subdue people without resorting to firearms.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A man seen on video footage allegedly killing another with bricks near the north end of the Las Vegas Strip called the victim an unproductive ant and a bum, reports said.

Officers arrested 36-year-old Tuiofu Sooga on April 1 in connection with the death of Darell Snyder, whose body was found in a vacant lot near Paradise Road and West Sahara Avenue.

Man, 36, arrested for murder near Las Vegas Strip

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According to an arrest report obtained by 8 News Now Investigators, officers were called to the area around 8 a.m. on March 22. When they arrived, police said they found Snyder dead, suffering from extensive head trauma and several large bricks near him. His skull was broken/fractured in many places, the report said.

Police said detectives reviewed surveillance footage from the area, which showed Snyder lying in a sleeping bag. Moments later, Sooga appears on video, lies next to him, then allegedly begins stomping on him and throwing bricks at his head, police said.

Metro Police said Sooga was then seen walking away from the scene.

Through additional surveillance, police tracked Soogas movements. Around 2 p.m. the same day, he attempted to make a $1.99 purchase using an EBT card at a nearby gas station. The transaction was declined, reports said.

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With the help of the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services, police were able to trace Sooga to an apartment where he had been listed as a guest. On April 1, officers found him standing outside the unit smoking a cigarette. Sooga was arrested and taken into custody, police said.

When detectives showed Sooga photos from the surveillance footage, he admitted he was the person shown in the images, according to the report. He then requested an attorney, and questioning ended; however, as detectives were leaving the room, the report said:

Sooga stated, not verbatim, lets say someone else did it and it wasnt me that bashed the head right, thats an unproductive ant Im a productive man, Ive been over job searching for the last three months, so who gives a [explicit] about a [explicit] unproductive ant basically because a lot of that [explicit] up in here, people drugged out, Im not a drug addict, arent you guys tired of that [explicit] they got police over there chasing these bums out.'

Court records show Sooga is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on May 5 at 9 a.m.

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Florida Capitol (Photo by Michael Moline/Florida Phoenix)

With just a few weeks left in the 2025 session, the Florida Senate is coming up with its own tax cut alternative for lawmakers to consider as they try to put together a new state budget.

Senate President Ben Albritton and Republicans will offer a proposal to permanently exempt sales taxes on all clothing worth $75 or less. Its a significant tax break, but it will come with a much smaller price-tag than the House plan to permanently cut sales taxes by .75%.

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The Senate plan is expected to lower tax collections by roughly $750 million, while the House proposal is estimated to save taxpayers more than $5 billion.

Albritton said part of the inspiration came from looking at Floridas tax handbook and realizing that certain items, such as food, were already exempt from taxes. He said he looked at cutting taxes on something that could help regular Floridians.

We view this as an opportunity to help across the board, Albritton said of exempting sales taxes on certain clothing items.

These are necessities too, now, right?  Were not talking about you know, folks that are tourists that may come in and go buy you know a $300 dollar jacket or things like that. We have aligned this, we believe at the $75 to where it can help the most number of Floridians.

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The Senate plans to formally vote on its sales tax cut proposal next week. The House on Wednesday voted unanimously for its sales tax cut bill (HB 7031). Several Democrats during debate said that they supported the proposal because they viewed it as something that would lower a regressive tax.

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The debate over the size and scope tax cuts will need to be resolved as part of the overall budget negotiations.

The House and Senate each passed out proposed budgets for the coming 2025-26 fiscal year on Wednesday. The Senate passed its budget unanimously, while the House vote was 98-6. But because of the divide over taxes, the two bills have a $4.4 billion gap between them. Gov. Ron DeSantis, meanwhile, wants a big cut to property taxes.

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We believe in our budget.

 House Speaker Daniel Perez

The House cuts many more vacant positions versus the Senate budget and the Senate includes a pay raise for state workers. The House also calls for putting in place a strict formulary for state workers health insurance.

The House, saying that it needs to pare back the amount of spending overall in state government, has proposed revamping and clawing back the amount of money spent on several high-profile programs passed in the past few years, including a measure designed to ramp up affordable housing options. Several Democrats decried the decrease in funding for affordable housing and said it remains a problem in Florida.

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House Speaker Daniel Perez, while talking to reporters on Wednesday evening, did not respond directly to the Senates tax cut alternative, but did say that the House proposal was the largest of its kind in the country.

We believe in our budget, said Perez, but still tried to tamp down any discussion that the House and Senate would not reach a resolution on spending and taxes. The Legislature must have all of its budget work done by April 29 in order to adjourn on time on May 2.

Somehow it always ends up getting figured out, Perez said.

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(Stock photo by Douglas Sacha/Getty Images)

A bill that would withdraw citizens ability to lodge anonymous complaints against law enforcement officers sparked sharp disagreement between department leaders and rank-and-file officers before a House committee Thursday in Tallahassee.

The bill (HB 317), sponsored by Miami-Dade Republican Tom Fabricio, is supported by groups representing law enforcement officers, such as the Fraternal Order of Police. But two of the most powerful lobbyist organizations in Tallahassee  the Florida Sheriffs Association and the Florida Police Chiefs Association  are firmly opposed.

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Fabricio told members of the House Government Operations Subcommittee that his bill would not totally prohibit anonymous complaints. What the bill says specifically is [that] before an interrogation of a police officer, the signed, sworn complaint must be given to them, he said, emphasizing the distinction.

The House bill analysis, however, says that requiring any complaint against a law enforcement or corrections officer be made in writing and signed under oath in effect would be prohibiting a person from making an anonymous complaint.

That certainly is how the Florida Police Chiefs Association interprets the legislation. Both Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Revell, speaking for the chiefs, and Jennifer Cookie Pritt, executive director of their association, testified about why they oppose the legislation.

It severely damages all of the progress that our profession has made with regard to transparency and accountability, Revell said, adding that requiring a complainant to swear under oath will effectively eliminate the vast majority of complaints and our communities confidence in us as the police to police ourselves.

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Pritt offered a dramatic presentation to the committee, speaking for nearly 10 minutes about how as a young police officer she was touched inappropriately and groped in a sexual way by a high-ranking command officer. She immediately reported the incident to her supervisor, who told her she shouldnt discuss it with other officers.

That supervisor never reported the incident up the chain of command. Ultimately, the commanding officer received some sort of remedial training on sexual harassment. He didnt lose his job. He didnt get demoted.

Pritt said the point of her narrative was that she learned years later that she was not the only woman who had reported inappropriate behavior by this commander. If you pass this bill, if anyone of these women had come forward and wished to remain anonymous, the agency I worked for then would not have been able to investigate these allegations, she said.

Backing the blue is about supporting the law enforcement profession, by not undermining the process by which we can hold accountable those who would tarnish the badge, she added.

Buzz in the room

At one point during her testimony, law enforcement officials in the committee room who supported the legislation huddled among themselves, seemingly realizing how compelling Pritts testimony was. But it didnt stop them from saying that the committee should vote for the proposal.

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Im in support of the bill as written, said James Baiardi, president of the Corrections Chapter of the Florida Police Benevolent Association.

Theres a game out there. When correction officers are doing a good job you make a bunch of complaints against them. You get pulled off of the institution. Hes embarrassed in front of his peers that somethings wrong. If you want to make a complaint against somebody, and if youre not lying to me, you dont have a problem putting your name on it.

A lot like frivolous lawsuits there are also frivolous complaints in the criminal justice process, added Lisa Henning, legislative liaison with the Florida State Fraternal Order of Police.

Every lawmaker on the committee who commented praised Pritt, who said it was only the second time she had publicly discussed the incident. Some said her testimony changed their minds.

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My heart broke, said Hillsborough Republican Rep. Susan Valdes.

I see the intention of what youre trying to do, Valdes told Rep. Fabricio. And I dont know if I can support it after hearing the testimony that we heard today.

I came in here as a yes vote, added Broward County Democrat Darryl Campbell. But after hearing those stories and realizing what is happening through their lens, I cant vote up on this bill.

Wrestling with scheduling the bill

Others were less sympathetic.

If theres some management issues in different precincts, that gets addressed, said Miami Beach Republican Fabian Basabe.

But we have to appreciate the fact that  and I also am curious why theyre not here? Maybe just because its not impactful enough to just grandstand their experiences, or maybe they just dont want to go through it again or just revisit it. There are countless numbers of false claims that have ruined lives in law enforcement.

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The bill was approved 11-6, with Valdes and Pinellas Countys Linda Chaney the only Republicans to oppose the measure. Osceola County Democrat Jose Alvarez was the only Democrat to support the bill.

Ive been wrestling with putting this on the agenda for a very long time, said Chaney, who chairs the committee that heard the bill.

Following the vote, Fabricio told the Phoenix that despite the criticism by members of the Police Chiefs Association, the bill still allows people to make anonymous complaints.

The measure has one more stop, in the Judiciary Committee, before hitting the floor of the House. Its Senate companion (SB 516), sponsored by Hillsborough County Republican Jay Collins, has yet to be heard in any committee.

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By Nate Raymond

BOSTON (Reuters) - The head of the pro bono practice at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison said on Wednesday he was resigning from the Wall Street law firm just weeks after it struck a deal with Republican U.S. President Donald Trump to escape an executive order imperiling its business.

Steven Banks, the former commissioner of New York City's social services agency, in a statement said he was leaving Paul Weiss to turn his attention to representing the Coalition for the Homeless with the Legal Aid Society.

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His resignation came after Paul Weiss on March 20 reached a deal with the White House for Trump to lift an executive order that targeted the firm. The deal included a requirement for the firm to donate $40 million in free legal work, or pro bono services, to support mutually agreed-upon projects.

Banks, 68, said his "time to make a difference as a lawyer is narrowing."

"This has been weighing on me since the November election," Banks said. "At this historical moment, I know that I belong back on the front lines fighting for the things that I have believed in since I first walked in the door of the Legal Aid Society as a staff attorney in 1981."

The New York Times first reported the news.

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Banks who joined the firm in 2022 after working in former Democratic Mayor Bill de Blasio's administration. Before that, he had led the Legal Aid Society, a legal aid organization.

Paul Weiss thanked Banks for his service. "We remain committed to providing impactful pro bono legal assistance to individuals and organizations in need," the firm said.

Paul Weiss is among several law firms with ties to attorneys who have investigated Trump or been involved in challenges to his policies that have been targeted with executive orders aimed at restricting their business with the federal government.

Three other law firms have reached deals like that of Paul Weiss, with pledges to similarly donate legal services. Trump at an event on Tuesday suggested that he may use some of those firms to help the coal industry with leasing and in negotiations over tariffs.

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Democrats and other lawyers have assailed law firms for striking such deals rather than fighting them in court, as three other firms are doing. Paul Weiss's deal also called for it to not to engage in illegal diversity-related employment practices.

(Reporting by Nate Raymond in Boston; Additional reporting by Sara Merken; Editing by Christopher Cushing)
Wisconsin State Flag | Getty Images

The co-founder of Wisconsins progressive, pro-democracy law firm is not ignoring the tsunami of bad news out of Washington. Hes just not letting it drown his optimism.

Jeff Mandell | Photo courtesy of Law Forward

I dont think any of us fully anticipated how heavy, broad, fast and extreme the onslaught was going to be, Jeff Mandell concedes, referring to President Donald Trumps moves to seize unprecedented power, weaponize the federal government against his political enemies, defy court orders, deport people without due process and throw the entire global economy into chaos.

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Some of what we are seeing and hearing is so contrary to our most fundamental understanding of what we believe about our government, I have to believe this is temporary and that people wont stand for it, Mandell says.

Since its founding in October 2020, Law Forward has pursued high-profile lawsuits that have helped claw back democracy in Wisconsin. The firm challenged the states now-defunct gerrymandered voting maps and uncovered the details of the fake electors scheme that originated here  forcing the Republican officials who posed as members of the Electoral College and cast fraudulent votes for Trump in 2020 to admit they were trying to subvert the will of the voters. On the public website it created to display the details of the scheme, which it obtained as a condition of a settlement, Law Forward stated that it wanted to show how close our democracy came to toppling and how the freedom to vote must continue to be protected, not taken for granted.

This week, Law Forwards grievance against former Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman for misconduct in his ill-conceived investigation of voter fraud in the 2020 election led to the suspension of Gablemans law license.

As a Wisconsin-based organization, Mandell says Law Forward looks for opportunities to pursue cases that are of particular importance to the state and that shine a light on threats to democracy.

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The rest of the time we dont sit in paralysis because of the news, he adds. Whatever fresh hell is erupting across the country, we continue to work here so people see an alternative.

I think building a stronger, more resilient democracy in Wisconsin is its own form of resistance, he adds.

When things feel most shocking and unstable at the federal level, at the state and local level, Mandell says, we can show our institutions still work and provide some reassurance.

Even before Susan Crawford defeated Brad Schimel last week in the Wisconsin Supreme Court race  despite the heavy-handed intervention of Trump and Elon Musk  Mandell was feeling hopeful. He felt Wisconsin showed a silver lining after the November 2024 election, despite Trumps narrow win in the state.

Dane County Judge Susan Crawford thanks supporters after winning the race Tuesday for the Wisconsin Supreme Court. (Photo by Baylor Spears/Wisconsin Examiner)

Among his reasons for optimism: New, fair voting maps that replaced the old Republican gerrymander, creating a more balanced Legislature; a governor who supports voting rights and democratic institutions; extraordinarily high voter engagement, with Wisconsinites turning out in bigger numbers than in other states in 2024 and overwhelmingly rejecting the MAGA-backed Supreme Court candidate in 2025.

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With Crawfords win, Wisconsin will continue to be a place where we can rely on the courts to protect our fundamental freedoms, Mandell says.

Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images

The 10-point margin in last weeks election also reinforces my conviction that the majority of Wisconsinites really do believe in democracy, Mandell says.

All of those things position Wisconsin to be a leader in the struggle to protect democracy from the Trump onslaught.

Wisconsins long march to recovery from misrule by Gov. Scott Walker and the rightwing billionaires who backed him has been taking us in the opposite direction from the rest of the country.

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Along with his union-busting Act 10  challenged by Law Forward and soon to be taken up by the Wisconsin Supreme Court  Walker took a sledgehammer to funding for public education, long before Trump and Musk arrived with their chainsaws. Voters here have been pushing back against the billionaire-financed destruction of civil society for more than a decade. Recently, theyve been gaining traction. Law Forward has played an important role in that fight.

Its not just that Democrats will pick up more seats in the state Legislature as the un-gerrymandered maps go into full effect next year, Mandell has hope that our closely divided state will maintain its longstanding independence and commitment to bipartisan institutions. He draws encouragement from the fact that Republicans on the Joint Finance Committee are holding budget hearings around the state, even as Republicans in Washington ram through a budget based on Trumps demands, ignoring the public and ceding their power as members of Congress.

Wisconsins long tradition of good government includes a host of bipartisan commissions, a decentralized elections system that is hard to hack and a great university that has managed to survive waves of attacks by McCarthyites and budget cutters for 176 years.

That tradition extends to a bipartisan nominating commission for federal judges, which ought to choose a replacement for 7th Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Diane Sykes, who announced in March that she is taking semi-retirement. Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwins office reports it has been in contact with Republican Sen. Ron Johnsons office to reconstitute the charter for the bipartisan nominating commission, as they have done in every Congress under both Democratic and Republican administrations. Trump could still ignore the process and nominate someone on his own. But three weeks after Sykes announcement, he hasnt done it yet.

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If Trump wrecks the economy and steers the whole country into a recession, Wisconsin wont be spared. Nor can we avoid all the shocks of a national authoritarian regime. But our states independent democratic institutions leave us well situated to recover, and to help the rest of the country remember what civil society looks like.

There is no one silver bullet, says Mandell. But the goal is to continue to tend the lamp here in Wisconsin, to shine a light that illuminates the path to balance, order and democracy.

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Assemblymember Sandra Jauregui called the Realtors reversal this session deeply disappointing, since the group helped craft provisions of effectively identical legislation two years ago. (Photo: Richard Bednarski/Nevada Current)

The Nevada Realtors Association hopes to kill legislation that authorizes one year of rent stabilization for seniors and puts modest regulations on the collection of rental application fees, despite backing the same bill in the previous legislative session.

Assembly Bill 280, which passed out of the Assembly Commerce and Labor Committee last week on a party line vote, revives a similar effort from 2023 to limit landlords from raising rents more than 5% on tenants 62 years or older or relies on Social Security payments through the end of 2026.

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This years bill, sponsored by Democratic Assemblymember Sandra Jauregui, also requires landlords to refund application fees if they dont screen a tenant who applied for the unit.

Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo vetoed the 2023 version of the bill saying the legislation was admirable but needlessly heavy-handed in its approach.

Nevada Realtors, who typically oppose expanded tenant protections, backed the bill during the 2023 session.

Keith Lynam, president of the Nevada Realtors during that time, and Jonathan Norman, the statewide advocacy, outreach and policy director for the Nevada Coalition of Legal Service Providers, helped present alongside Jauregui that year.

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In 2023, Lyman called the bill common sense solutions to affordable housing for those who are leasing and renting homes, Jauregui noted while describing the bill to the committee during last months hearing. He gave his full-throated support of the bill, she added.

The bills intent stayed the same. The Nevada Realtors position changed.

Azim Jessa, a lobbyist for Nevada Realtors, told lawmakers the group changed its opinion because of market statistics that showed the average rental price for a single family home dropped 5.9%.

Rent prices have soared drastically since 2020, with elected officials noting rents spiked between 20% and 30% within the first two years of the pandemic.

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Jauregui called the associations reversal this session deeply disappointing, especially since it was the association, along with legal aid, who worked for months to craft the provisions of the 2023 bill.

When AB 280 was first heard in March, it originally sought the same 2023 provision that limited landlords from increasing rents on seniors living on fixed incomes by more than 10%.

Jauregui said during the March 26 bill hearing that while she thought a 10% cap was too high, the limit was included out of a consensus and the language was agreed upon by both the Realtors Association and legal aid groups.

Between that hearing and committee passing AB 280 last week, Jauregui amended the language to reduce the cap to 5% because there is a party who did not negotiate in good faith.

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Jauregui said the bill is still a pilot program that would allow lawmakers to assess its effectiveness.

The key is that we take action now rather than allow seniors and those on fixed incomes to continue suffering, face eviction or end up homeless, she said.

Though Lombardo vetoed the bill in 2023, his message didnt mention anything about the temporary rent stabilization it sought for seniors and those relying on federal assistance.

At the time, he wrote that the bill is an unreasonable restraint on standard business activity and the legislation would prevent landlords from collecting, and retaining, any fee related to the rental of a dwelling unit.

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AB 280, like its 2023 version, seeks to prevent landlords from collecting application fees even when they dont use the money to screen tenants.

If ten applications come in for one unit and the first application is taken, then the fees for the other nine would have to be returned, Jauregui said. Any hard costs wouldnt have to be returned.

The legislation would also require landlords to include an appendix in the lease listing fees that can be charged.

Ben Iness, the coalition coordinator for the Nevada Housing Justice Alliance, said the bill doesnt go far enough. The coalition testified in neutral.

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In terms of scope and applicability, we would love to see this applied to all Nevadans, he said. A lot of the comments focus on supply and demand and ignore things like RealPage that interfere with the market.

RealPage, a rental pricing software firm, was accused of colluding with corporate landlords to use algorithms to collect lease transaction data in order to artificially inflate rents via price fixing. The company has denied wrongdoing.

The allegation against the company, as well as other property management companies, has resulted in lawsuits across the country and legislative efforts to rein in the practice.

In the absence of regulation to prevent rent price fixing, Iness said the market isnt fair for renters.

Rent stabilization makes sure things stay attainable, accessible and affordable, he said.
Germany's next government will aim to organize regular deportation flights to Afghanistan and Syria, a senior conservative lawmaker said on Thursday.

Thorsten Frei, from the centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU), told the Bild newspaper that Germans can "rely" on the incoming coalition to deport criminals to the two countries "on a much larger scale."

The outgoing centre-left administration organized a flight to Kabul with 28 convicts on board in September 2024, the first since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021.

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The government announced its intention to organize further flights, but the absence of diplomatic relations with the Taliban has proved a stumbling block.

The issue of deporting criminals from Germany to Afghanistan was a major campaign theme in February's parliamentary elections after attacks carried out by migrants, some of which were attributed to Afghan nationals.

The CDU, which sealed a coalition with the Bavaria-only Christian Social Union (CSU) and the Social Democratic Party (SPD) on Wednesday, has promised to step up deportations, with Frei pointing out that some 240,000 people are currently due to be deported.

The coalition agreement presented in Berlin also included promises to turn back migrants at Germany's borders, even if they claim asylum.

Bavarian Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann from the CSU said on Thursday that the deal provides a "reliable basis" for being able to reduce the number of migrants illegally entering Germany.
AUSTIN (Nexstar)  Lawmakers and patient advocates are calling for accountability after a legislative hearing revealed emails indicating an insurance companys use of private investigators to gather information on customers and state lawmakers. Superior HealthPlan receives funding from the state to manage the care of sick and disabled children through programs like STAR Kids.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton launched an investigation into Superior HealthPlan, one day after a heated public hearing at the Capitol. In the March 26 hearing, lawmakers on the House Committee on Delivery of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, grilled the companys CEO over surveillance practices, they say, that crossed a line.

During the hearing, committee chairman Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, R-Southlake, revealed emails indicating Superior hired private investigators to get information on lawmakers and customers.

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Why would you go and and run a background check, hire a private investigator to follow, to dig into the records of people who are your customers? Capriglione asked CEO Mark Sanders.

First of all, I will say we no longer use that practice, and havent for several years, Sanders answered. At the time, we really just wanted to have information on those individuals, and really nothing beyond that of what was publicly available to us.

One day after the hearing, Centene, the parent company to Superior HealthPlan, announced that Sanders was no longer with the company.

Rep. Capriglione spoke with the State of Texas host the week after the hearing. Capriglione was joined by Hannah Mehta, founder of the advocacy group Protect TX Fragile Kids.

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Rep. Giovanni Capriglione: Lets start with the fact that Superior was funded almost entirely with taxpayer dollars, right? They used those taxpayer dollars to hire private investigators to surreptitiously follow journalists, customers, and lawmakers. I was made aware of these emails, which led to the discovery of additional information about who they were following and the intent behind them. And so in our committee hearing just a week ago, we revealed that to the public and made them answer.

Josh Hinkle: Hannah, what are some of the concerns youve heard from the families with medically fragile children who rely on the states STAR Kids program?



Hannah Mehta: You know this is horrifying and alarming for families who literally are fighting for life, sustaining care for their children, trying to keep their kids alive. In this case, Linda Badawo was one of those who was fighting for her foster child who was actually awarded the state to be able to breathe and maintain his trach care that was ordered by his doctor, and so we have seen this pattern of behavior from Superior and it is alarming and horrifying that patients who are literally just trying to stay alive and follow their doctors orders are being targeted for trying to access that care.



Josh Hinkle: So in last weeks hearing, Sanders admitted he authorized hiring private investigators to get information on patients. Hannah, you knew about these emails for a while. What was it like for you to hear the admission in the hearing itself?



Hannah Mehta: Sunlight is the best disinfectant. There is, I think again, a pattern of behavior here that is really disturbing. Texans deserve better, and taxpayers deserve better. Patients deserve better. No family, no patient, should be targeted for trying to keep their child alive, for trying to access care for their loved one. And this could be anyone. This could be you. This could be any text, and we should all be horrified and concerned about what were hearing here.

Josh Hinkle: One question I have is about the transparency surrounding this type of program. You know, it was even difficult for the media to get confirmation of rumors weve been hearing for months, and finally, it came out in this hearing, is there more transparency to be had in the future when it comes to this type of funding and these type of programs?



Rep. Giovanni Capriglione: We have several bills going right now in the legislature, several on contracting, of course, a few on transparency. HB 111 and a few other bills that were working on that will require Absolutely, much more transparency, making sure that whether its the press or patients or lawmakers get more access to what is going on with our dollars. I mean, we created the Speaker of the House, created the delivery of government efficiency [committee], and I think behind efficiency is transparency. The way that we need to make sure that we do this is that everyone has access. These are taxpayer dollars. I mean, and not just a few. This is the second biggest expense for the state. Okay, theres tens of billions of dollars of contracts that are going out to provide medical care to constituents of Texas. We deserve answers. We deserve responses as soon as possible.



Josh Hinkle: So I have a question for both of you. Sanders is obviously out. The company is under investigation from the AG, what do you hope changes after this?



Hannah Mehta: You know, I think the truth of the matter is, Josh, there are some massive changes that need to be made in this system, but lets take one step at a time, and lets start by addressing these issues and also ensuring that patients can access, incredibly vulnerable patients can access the life sustaining care that they need on a daily basis. And that starts with, as Gio said, some oversight, responsibility and some transparency for where those tax dollars are going. Are they being utilized in the way that the Legislature has allocated them, and are the patients, these vulnerable patients, who are often in life and death situations, able to access the care that they need to remain stable? That, that is really the intended purpose of these programs.



Josh Hinkle: Youve touched on the transparency. What other changes are you hoping for?



Rep. Giovanni Capriglione: Well, first of all, Im thankful that Attorney General Ken Paxton is investigating Superior. Im expecting him, and Im sure that he will do everything he can to make sure that he digs into what theyre doing. Because Ill tell you, a company that has a culture of doing this probably has a culture of doing other things as well, whether its double billing to the state unethical behavior, I think the state should consider dropping the contracts that it has with Superior and requiring all other providers to follow ethical guidelines. And thats what Im hopeful will happen, not just here in Texas, because I think other states across the country now are going to start looking and asking these same tough questions to their providers.

After the hearing on March 26, Centene issued a statement in response:

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Centene recognizes that rebuilding trust requires more than words. Following the hearing, Centene immediately launched an internal investigation to examine the conduct in question and to ensure our current practices are fully aligned with our core values and ethical standards. In addition, Mark Sanders is no longer with the company.

Our investigation to date indicates that all research in question was conducted through publicly or commercially available resources and limited to desk-based research.

Background research has many business uses, including meeting preparation as well as helping to identify conflicts of interest and potential fraud, waste, and abuse, which is part of our duty as a government-sponsored healthcare organization. The research in question included irrelevant and unnecessary personal information. That was inappropriate and never should have happened. This occurred prior to 2019 and does not reflect the values or standards of our current leadership. For that, we offer our sincere and unequivocal apology.

We have found no evidence of any legal violations, and no individual was ever followed or photographed. Suggestions that these materials were used for leverage or blackmail are completely false.

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A product combined with latte and nang, a local flatbread, is pictured in a cafe in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, March 28, 2025. From desert cafes to mountain-view lattes, China's northwest is driving a coffee transformation, blending local flavors with scenic charm to fuel a thriving "coffee+" economy. (Xinhua/He Xiaotong)

URUMQI, April 10 (Xinhua) -- From desert cafes to mountain-view lattes, China's northwest is driving a coffee transformation, blending local flavors with scenic charm to fuel a thriving "coffee+" economy.

Perched on a mountainside in a rural area of Urumqi, capital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, a cafe has become a hot spot since opening earlier this year.

At this venue, visitors linger for hours sipping lattes while gazing at snow-capped peaks. "It's perfect for families," said Aynigar Arkin, a local who was celebrating her child's birthday at the cafe.

Amandol Pulat, manager of the cafe, said despite its rural location, the cafe attracts many customers thanks to its unique scenery and affordable prices. "Weekends are always packed," he said, while also outlining expansion plans including an outdoor dining area, a horse-riding field and a camping site, aimed at expanding the business scope.

Industrial data show that China has nearly 400 million coffee drinkers, with annual consumption reaching 280,000 tonnes in 2023. Per capita coffee intake was 16.74 cups in the country in 2023 -- nearly double the level recorded in 2016.

Notably, savoring a cup of coffee blending local flavors, such as yak butter coffee in Qinghai Province, goji berry coffee in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region and coffee in cup-shaped naan, a traditional staple food in Xinjiang, has become an essential recommended part of northwest China travel guides on social media platform rednote.

"The goji berry coffee is so creative and tasty," said a tourist surnamed Zhao, who ordered her brew at the cafe in Ningxia Museum in Yinchuan, the regional capital.

Unlike the fast-paced chain coffee culture of first-tier cities, the vast northwest fosters intimate cafes that welcome guests from all walks of life -- integrating diverse cultures while driving economic growth and creating new spaces for face-to-face connection.

Tucked between residential buildings, a humble cafe serves as a community hub for locals in the city of Korla in Xinjiang. Its decor, ranging from poplar wood stools to intangible cultural heritage print blocks serving as decorations on tables, displays local culture.

"As a native of Korla, I want this cafe to be a living footnote in our city's cultural memory," said owner Yang Dunmin. "What we brew here isn't just coffee -- it's human connection."

Wang Ran, an associate professor at Yili Normal University in Xinjiang, said that northwest China's coffee industry will leverage its rich cultural-tourism resources to enhance consumer experiences using distinctive cultural elements to fuel growth -- thereby generating new consumption vitality. 

A coffee cupping activity is held at a cafe in Korla, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Sept. 12, 2024. From desert cafes to mountain-view lattes, China's northwest is driving a coffee transformation, blending local flavors with scenic charm to fuel a thriving "coffee+" economy. (Xinhua)

Customers enjoy coffee and their leisure time at a cafe in Baiyanggou Village in Urumqi County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, March 15, 2025. From desert cafes to mountain-view lattes, China's northwest is driving a coffee transformation, blending local flavors with scenic charm to fuel a thriving "coffee+" economy. (Xinhua/He Xiaotong)
"The Genius of Creative Energy," a mosaic at the Nebraska State Capitol, was unveiled as the backdrop for the new state license plate in May 2022. A new license plate cycle will begin in 2029, bringing a new design and changes to registration. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)

LINCOLN  By the start of Nebraskas next license plate cycle in 2029, the state could only issue drivers a rear-facing license plate and allow multiyear registrations.

State lawmakers gave near-unanimous approval Thursday, on a 46-0 vote, to approve Legislative Bill 97 led by State Sen. John Fredrickson of Omaha. It included the new license plate change from State Sen. Brad von Gillern of the Elkhorn area (originally LB 297) and the multiyear registration allowance from State Sen. Rob Dover of Norfolk (originally LB 543).

State Sen. Brad von Gillern of Elkhorn, left, listens to State Sen. Eliot Bostar of Lincoln. Aug. 8, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)

Von Gillern said he brought his change partly because it is often the norm for new cars to no longer have brackets or mounts for front-facing license plates.

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He said that means some new car owners are left with three options:

Pay the car dealership an average of $100 to furnish and install a front plate holder.

Pay a $50 annual fee for a windshield decal conferring the right to display just a rear plate.

Drill holes in the front bumper of someones dream car.

Von Gillern said his bill, originally LB 297, could save taxpayer dollars by not issuing dual license plates to about 2 million vehicles in the state. Nebraskans currently pay $4.10 per license plate, leading to potential savings of about $8 million. Nebraskans incarcerated at the Nebraska State Penitentiary manufacture state plates. New car buyers could also save about $6 million to $8 million, von Gillern estimated.

His bill could also have an environmental benefit, von Gillern said, reducing 200 tons of aluminum mined. More than 20 states no longer require front-facing plates, according to von Gillern.

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Law enforcement officials from the Douglas County Sheriffs Office and the Omaha Police Officers Association have testified neutral or in support of similar legislation in recent years. Von Gillerns proposal was added to LB 97 during first-round debate in a 30-5 vote.

Under Dovers bill, auto owners could pay up to three years of registration taxes or fees in advance, giving them the chance to save if local taxes or fees increased in future years.

Lawmakers during debate Thursday also passed LB 113 from State Sen. Dan Quick of Grand Island, which would allow licensed craft breweries to operate up to eight separate retail locations (up from five) and allow such license holders to directly sell for resale up to 3,500 gallons of microdistilled products (up from 500 gallons) each year to retail licensees in the state.

State Sen. Jane Raybould of Lincoln, March 31, 2025. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)

State Sen. Jane Raybould of Lincoln led opposition to the bill, as shes done during each of the bills three stages of debate. She alleged it would give preferential treatment to in-state operators compared to out-of-state or regional distributors, risking a lawsuit.

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It is only a matter of time that some regional distributor that plays by all the rules and adheres to the regulations and standards gets frustrated and files a lawsuit, Raybould said.

The longtime grocery store executive sought an attorney generals opinion on whether LB 113 could increase the risk of a lawsuit against the states craft brewery laws on the grounds of violating the constitutional clause about regulating commerce over state lines. Raybould argued the lawsuit could undo some of the states other alcohol-related laws.

Quick told his colleagues to remember that they were discussing Nebraska small businesses and that lawmakers had added an earlier amendment to protect other statutes if LB 113 was ever challenged and ruled unconstitutional.

This is a good bill, Quick said. It will help a lot of our Nebraska businesses grow their business model.

State Sen.-elect Dan Quick of Grand Island. Dec. 13, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)

State Sen. Tanya Storer of Whitman also defended the proposal. She said it had gone through significant compromises from its original version and was just government allowing someone to distribute their own product to the retail market without being forced to pay a middleman some fee to distribute that for them.

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The bill passed 33-13  six senators were present but did not vote, which, under a legislative rule adopted earlier this year for final reading votes, meant their votes had to be categorized as no votes.

The Legislature also approved Thursday:

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WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  The House debated over the budget blueprint backing President Donald Trumps so-called Big Beautiful Bill, a proposal that includes sweeping tax breaks and deep spending cuts. Republicans argue the measure is necessary to restore economic strength, while Democrats say it would hurt working families and benefit the wealthy.

This is a lousy budget, said Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) during a heated debate on Capitol Hill. Republicans have succeeded in putting together a Marie Antoinette budget, helping the richest of the rich while hurting the poorest of the poor. Let them eat cake.

The Republican-led plan would extend Trumps 2017 tax cuts, boost funding for immigration enforcement and the military, and significantly slash federal spending.

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Its unconscionable, said Rep. Seth Magaziner (D-R.I.) who accused Republicans of consolidating too much power in the executive branch. They are just giving the executive branch all of the powers that the Constitution had originally given to the Congress.

Its infuriating, added Rep. Pat Ryan (D-N.Y.) who said the proposal favors billionaires while leaving middle-class Americans behind. This budget is about giving them more power and profit, and everyone else is going to pay for it.

Republicans pushed back, arguing the plan is a cornerstone of the America First agenda and essential to restoring economic security.

It will provide funding for border security, provide for our national defense, and restore American energy independence, said Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.).

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Foxx also defended the tax cuts, saying Americans are still recovering from high prices under the Biden administration.

Americans are still experiencing high prices because we are still recovering from Bidenomics, she said.

Despite support in the House, Republicans remain divided in both chambers over how deeply to cut federal spending, with trillions of dollars still at issue in the budget negotiations.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the FBI are being pressed to explain numerous cuts to programs focused on combating domestic terrorism.

Letters from Democrats in both chambers this week have asked why DHS dismantled a national database used to track domestic terrorism and hate crimes.

Meanwhile, the FBI has reassigned staff from its Domestic Terrorism Operations Section.

As you know, data and intelligence should drive policy decisions, and the data and intelligence from your agencies is clear  domestic terrorism is a grave threat to Americans safety. Yet, your policy decisions indicate that you have decided to ignore the threat  risking American lives  in fear of running afoul of President Trumps executive orders to disregard racism and racial inequities in America, which experts have warned fuel domestic terrorism, Reps. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) and Seth Magaziner (D-R.I.) wrote in a letter obtained by The Hill.

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Not only do these policy decisions make no sense given the threat picture, but some of them directly conflict with each other and the Trump Administrations stated priorities, he added, noting the database also tracks antisemitic hate crimes, among other forms of domestic terrorism.

The letter also asks whether the FBI is planning to deprioritize domestic terrorism as an intelligence topic.

For the most recent year on record, the database tracked more than 1,800 domestic terrorism incidents, with Thompson noting that the majority were disrupted. The database tracked multiple types of extremism and ideologies.

In the Senate, Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) similarly asked about the database as well as the reassignments of FBI staff Tuesday.

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Taken together, these moves represent a broad institutional pullback from confronting the full scope of domestic terrorism threats at a time when experts continue to warn about intensifying danger, and the data points to the rising threat of attacks motivated by anti-government ideologies, he wrote.

Trump administration officials have spent ample time in recent weeks discussing domestic terrorism, but those comments have been entirely focused on a rash of vandalism targeting Tesla cars and dealerships.

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, Attorney General Pam Bondi said last month in announcing charges against three individuals charged in connection with throwing molotov cocktails at Tesla cars and charging stations.

Both letters ask a series of questions of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and FBI Director Kash Patel, from how many FBI staff have been reassigned to what DHS plans to do with the partial data already collected for the Terrorism and Targeted Violence database and how they will track domestic terrorism going forward.

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Updated at 11:17 a.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.
Construction proceeds at a data center in Eagle Mountain, Utah, in 2021. Across the country, some state lawmakers are concerned that the growing data center industry is creating a surge in demand for new electricity and grid infrastructure. (George Frey/Getty Images)

This is the second of two States Newsroom stories examining the implications of the growing need for electricity largely from artificial intelligence and data centers. Read the first here.

For the first time in decades, America needs to produce more electricity.

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In many places, a sharp uptick in power demand has been driven by data centers, the industrial buildings that house huge banks of computer servers and support our increasingly digital society.

State lawmakers have long sought to attract such operations with generous tax breaks and incentives. But now, some are concerned that the infrastructure needed to add all those data centers to the electric grid will drive up residents utility bills. The growing use of artificial intelligence, which requires massive amounts of computing power, has added to that worry.

Were going to have tremendous stress from AI, said New Jersey state Sen. Bob Smith, a Democrat who chairs the Environment and Energy Committee. We have a crisis coming our way in electric rates. These outrageous increases are going to be put on the citizens. Why should they bear the rate increases?

Smith has authored a bill that would require new AI data centers in New Jersey to arrange to supply their power from new, clean energy sources, if other states in the region enact similar measures.

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The bill is among roughly a dozen proposals in state legislatures nationwide seeking to ensure that data centers dont result in increased rates for other electric customers, according to the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators, a forum for state lawmakers. Smith and lawmakers in other states with clean energy targets also say the demand for AI could derail their climate goals.

Those goals are also under attack from President Donald Trump, who this week directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to block enforcement of all state climate policies. Trump also issued orders seeking to boost coal production, in part to meet the energy demands from AI operations.

Tech companies note that their data centers are crucial for everything from credit card transactions to remote work to streaming Netflix. And the centers create tax revenue and jobs in the states that host them, the companies argue.

Data centers are just the first wave in a new era of increased electricity demand. Electric vehicles, a growing manufacturing sector and the electrification of household appliances are all expected to use more power in the years to come.

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Industry leaders say its unfair to single out data centers, when more power will be needed for a variety of sectors.

[Targeting data centers] risks creating unjustified distinctions amongst similar customers, said Dan Diorio, senior director of state policy with the Data Center Coalition, a membership association for tech companies.

Ground zero: Virginia

Virginia hosts the worlds largest concentration of data centers, and is at the epicenter of debates over the industrys future.

State lawmakers commissioned a study, published last year, to outline the industrys impacts. Researchers found that data centers are currently paying their fair share for electricity. But the immense energy demands theyre forecasted to create in the coming years will likely increase system costs for all customers, including non-data center customers, the report concluded.

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The study found that unconstrained demand largely from data centers would drive up Virginias energy usage 183% by 2040. With no new data centers, energy use would only grow 15%. In addition to the costs of building more power plants, the report said, utilities will also need to install more substations, transformers and distribution lines.

They sounded an alarm that the steep increase  if this is unchecked  would quickly [raise consumers rates], said state Del. Rip Sullivan, a Democrat who has been at the center of discussions over the industrys future in Virginia.

Sullivan sponsored a bill that would have required data centers to meet energy efficiency standards to qualify for certain tax exemptions, but the measure did not advance this session. Virginia lawmakers passed a measure this session directing state regulators to determine whether utilities should create a special rate that certain customers such as data centers must pay.

Several other states are considering similar bills that aim to put data centers  or large electricity users more generally  in their own rate class. Proponents say that would prevent the costs of generating enough electricity for those centers from being spread to household customers.

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Data center proponents have argued that regulators are best suited to set the rules, not lawmakers.

The industry is committed to ensuring it continues to pay its full cost of service to ensure that other customers are protected from any unnecessary costs, said Aaron Tinjum, vice president of energy for the Data Center Coalition.

Sullivan noted that data centers are critical to our digital society, and that the Virginia study found that the industry creates construction jobs and local tax revenue. But Virginia also aims to produce 100% of its electricity from sources without any carbon emissions by 2050  a goal that will become more difficult if power demands skyrocket. The state urgently needs a comprehensive strategy to manage all those interests, Sullivan said.

You get good and bad

For years, states have tried to lure data centers with tax incentives or exemptions. At least 36 states, both conservative and liberal, offer such incentives. But now, some of the states that have been most successful at attracting the industry are having second thoughts.

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Georgia state Sen. Chuck Hufstetler, a Republican, noted that electric customers in the state have seen six rate increases in less than two years. Data centers, he said, use immense amounts of power and water, while creating few long-term jobs. On the other hand, he noted that they have proven to be a substantial source of property tax revenue.

You get good and bad with the data centers, but I just want to make sure they pay their way, he said.

Hufstetler authored a bill that would have barred regulators from raising rates because of the costs of serving data centers. While the bill did not pass this session, the Georgia Public Service Commission approved a new rule with similar protections, forcing data centers to cover those costs.

The move is a good start, Hufstetler said, but legislation is still needed because regulators can quickly roll back their own rules. Meanwhile, Georgia lawmakers passed a measure last year that would have paused the states sales tax exemption for data centers. Republican Gov. Brian Kemp vetoed the bill, arguing that an abrupt change would undermine companies planned investments in Georgia.

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Consumer advocates say more states should rescind their incentives.

Many data centers dont bring in enough tax revenue to cover their tax breaks, said Kasia Tarczynska, senior research analyst at Good Jobs First, a policy group that tracks government subsidies related to economic development.

Its not a winning program for state budgets, she said.

Oregon has seen a rapid increase in data centers in the eastern part of the state, said state Rep. Pam Marsh, a Democrat.

Data center growth is outstripping every other kind of conventional user category, she said. Theres lots of evidence that the demand of those data centers has already been shifted onto residential ratepayers.

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Marsh has sponsored a bill that would require data centers and other large energy users to be assigned to a separate rate class that accounts for the added costs of their power demands.

In a letter to Oregon lawmakers, Amazon Web Services  the computing subsidiary of the retail giant  said it has worked with utilities to ensure its costs arent being passed to other ratepayers. The company noted its commitments to purchase large amounts of renewable energy, and said major grid upgrades are needed to enable more clean power and the deployment of technologies like electric vehicles.

Amazon Web Services did not grant an interview request. Two other industry leaders, Google and OpenAI, did not respond to Stateline inquiries.

Utah enacted a law this year that allows large load customers such as data centers to craft separate contracts with utilities. Its intended to ensure that household ratepayers dont get hit with additional costs to power those facilities. Republican state Sen. Scott Sandall, who sponsored the bill, did not respond to a Stateline interview request.

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This new demand requires billions of dollars of capital investment, said Tyson Slocum, energy program director at Public Citizen, a consumer advocacy nonprofit. The normal model is you spread that investment cost across all consumers. Thats not reasonable here.

Slocum said data center users have been shying away from previous commitments to use clean energy sources, at the same time Trump has pushed to increase fossil fuel production.

Some lawmakers have noted that many data centers are being built to meet forecasted demand from AI. They worry that overhyped projections could force utilities to build expensive infrastructure that never gets used.

We have a crisis coming our way in electric rates. These outrageous increases are going to be put on the citizens.

 New Jersey Democratic state Sen. Bob Smith

Industry leaders say the build-out of data centers is driven by consumer demands and note that such facilities have made computing far more efficient.

They also argue that digital infrastructure is important for national security, ensuring that Americans data is not passing through overseas facilities with weak security. And they warn that companies may be wary of investing in states with legislation seen as disruptive.

This is an industry that is trying to build out to meet unprecedented demand, said Diorio, of the Data Center Coalition. [State legislation] can send a market signal that theres going to be friction in that market.

Stateline reporter Alex Brown can be reached at abrown@stateline.org.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Apr. 10This is the second of two States Newsroom stories examining the implications of the growing need for electricity largely from artificial intelligence and data centers. Read the first here.

For the first time in decades, America needs to produce more electricity.

In many places, a sharp uptick in power demand has been driven by data centers, the industrial buildings that house huge banks of computer servers and support our increasingly digital society.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

State lawmakers have long sought to attract such operations with generous tax breaks and incentives. But now, some are concerned that the infrastructure needed to add all those data centers to the electric grid will drive up residents' utility bills. The growing use of artificial intelligence, which requires massive amounts of computing power, has added to that worry.

"We're going to have tremendous stress from AI," said New Jersey state Sen. Bob Smith, a Democrat who chairs the Environment and Energy Committee. "We have a crisis coming our way in electric rates. These outrageous increases are going to be put on the citizens. Why should they bear the rate increases?"

Smith has authored a bill that would require new AI data centers in New Jersey to arrange to supply their power from new, clean energy sources, if other states in the region enact similar measures.

The bill is among roughly a dozen proposals in state legislatures nationwide seeking to ensure that data centers don't result in increased rates for other electric customers, according to the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators, a forum for state lawmakers. Smith and lawmakers in other states with clean energy targets also say the demand for AI could derail their climate goals.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Those goals are also under attack from President Donald Trump, who this week directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to block enforcement of all state climate policies. Trump also issued orders seeking to boost coal production, in part to meet the energy demands from AI operations.

Tech companies note that their data centers are crucial for everything from credit card transactions to remote work to streaming Netflix. And the centers create tax revenue and jobs in the states that host them, the companies argue.

Data centers are just the first wave in a new era of increased electricity demand. Electric vehicles, a growing manufacturing sector and the electrification of household appliances are all expected to use more power in the years to come.

Industry leaders say it's unfair to single out data centers, when more power will be needed for a variety of sectors.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"[Targeting data centers] risks creating unjustified distinctions amongst similar customers," said Dan Diorio, senior director of state policy with the Data Center Coalition, a membership association for tech companies.

Ground zero: Virginia

Virginia hosts the world's largest concentration of data centers, and is at the epicenter of debates over the industry's future.

State lawmakers commissioned a study, published last year, to outline the industry's impacts. Researchers found that data centers are currently paying their fair share for electricity. But the immense energy demands they're forecasted to create in the coming years "will likely increase system costs for all customers, including non-data center customers," the report concluded.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The study found that unconstrained demand largely from data centers would drive up Virginia's energy usage 183% by 2040. With no new data centers, energy use would only grow 15%. In addition to the costs of building more power plants, the report said, utilities will also need to install more substations, transformers and distribution lines.

"They sounded an alarm that the steep increase  if this is unchecked  would quickly [raise consumers' rates]," said state Del. Rip Sullivan, a Democrat who has been at the center of discussions over the industry's future in Virginia.

Sullivan sponsored a bill that would have required data centers to meet energy efficiency standards to qualify for certain tax exemptions, but the measure did not advance this session. Virginia lawmakers passed a measure this session directing state regulators to determine whether utilities should create a special rate that certain customers such as data centers must pay.

Several other states are considering similar bills that aim to put data centers  or large electricity users more generally  in their own "rate class." Proponents say that would prevent the costs of generating enough electricity for those centers from being spread to household customers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Data center proponents have argued that regulators are best suited to set the rules, not lawmakers.

"The industry is committed to ensuring it continues to pay its full cost of service to ensure that other customers are protected from any unnecessary costs," said Aaron Tinjum, vice president of energy for the Data Center Coalition.

Sullivan noted that data centers are critical to our digital society, and that the Virginia study found that the industry creates construction jobs and local tax revenue. But Virginia also aims to produce 100% of its electricity from sources without any carbon emissions by 2050  a goal that will become more difficult if power demands skyrocket. The state urgently needs a comprehensive strategy to manage all those interests, Sullivan said.

'You get good and bad'

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

For years, states have tried to lure data centers with tax incentives or exemptions. At least 36 states, both conservative and liberal, offer such incentives. But now, some of the states that have been most successful at attracting the industry are having second thoughts.

Georgia state Sen. Chuck Hufstetler, a Republican, noted that electric customers in the state have seen six rate increases in less than two years. Data centers, he said, use immense amounts of power and water, while creating few long-term jobs. On the other hand, he noted that they have proven to be a substantial source of property tax revenue.

"You get good and bad with the data centers, but I just want to make sure they pay their way," he said.

Hufstetler authored a bill that would have barred regulators from raising rates because of the costs of serving data centers. While the bill did not pass this session, the Georgia Public Service Commission approved a new rule with similar protections, forcing data centers to cover those costs.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The move is a good start, Hufstetler said, but legislation is still needed because regulators can quickly roll back their own rules. Meanwhile, Georgia lawmakers passed a measure last year that would have paused the state's sales tax exemption for data centers. Republican Gov. Brian Kemp vetoed the bill, arguing that an abrupt change would undermine companies' planned investments in Georgia.

Consumer advocates say more states should rescind their incentives.

Many data centers don't bring in enough tax revenue to cover their tax breaks, said Kasia Tarczynska, senior research analyst at Good Jobs First, a policy group that tracks government subsidies related to economic development.

"It's not a winning program for state budgets," she said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Oregon has seen a rapid increase in data centers in the eastern part of the state, said state Rep. Pam Marsh, a Democrat.

"Data center growth is outstripping every other kind of conventional user category," she said. "There's lots of evidence that the demand of those data centers has already been shifted onto residential ratepayers."

Marsh has sponsored a bill that would require data centers and other large energy users to be assigned to a separate rate class that accounts for the added costs of their power demands.

In a letter to Oregon lawmakers, Amazon Web Services  the computing subsidiary of the retail giant  said it has worked with utilities to ensure its costs aren't being passed to other ratepayers. The company noted its commitments to purchase large amounts of renewable energy, and said major grid upgrades are needed to enable more clean power and the deployment of technologies like electric vehicles.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Amazon Web Services did not grant an interview request. Two other industry leaders, Google and OpenAI, did not respond to Stateline inquiries.

Utah enacted a law this year that allows "large load" customers such as data centers to craft separate contracts with utilities. It's intended to ensure that household ratepayers don't get hit with additional costs to power those facilities. Republican state Sen. Scott Sandall, who sponsored the bill, did not respond to a Stateline interview request.

"This new demand requires billions of dollars of capital investment," said Tyson Slocum, energy program director at Public Citizen, a consumer advocacy nonprofit. "The normal model is you spread that investment cost across all consumers. That's not reasonable here."

Slocum said data center users have been shying away from previous commitments to use clean energy sources, at the same time Trump has pushed to increase fossil fuel production.

Some lawmakers have noted that many data centers are being built to meet forecasted demand from AI. They worry that overhyped projections could force utilities to build expensive infrastructure that never gets used.

We have a crisis coming our way in electric rates. These outrageous increases are going to be put on the citizens.  New Jersey Democratic state Sen. Bob Smith

Industry leaders say the build-out of data centers is driven by consumer demands and note that such facilities have made computing far more efficient.

They also argue that digital infrastructure is important for national security, ensuring that Americans' data is not passing through overseas facilities with weak security. And they warn that companies may be wary of investing in states with legislation seen as disruptive.

"This is an industry that is trying to build out to meet unprecedented demand," said Diorio, of the Data Center Coalition. "[State legislation] can send a market signal that there's going to be friction in that market."

Stateline reporter Alex Brown can be reached at [email protected].

YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE.

Last updated 4:59 a.m., Apr. 11, 2025
Coast Guard crew members search flooded Keaton Beach for survivors of Hurricane Helene. The flooding spread infectious Vibrio bacteria. (Photo via USCG)

The Florida Senate approved an institute at Florida State University to research the insurance market during a time when hurricanes have battered the state and insurance regulators have been questioned under oath by the House.

Sen. Jay Trumbull, a Panhandle Republican, is the sponsor for SB 114, a bill that would create the Center for Excellence in Insurance and Risk Management at Florida State University.

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Going back 20-plus years ago, Florida looked at insurance very differently pre-Andrew, Trumbull said in March during the bills first committee stop. Post-Andrew, we started to take a much different look at how we needed to plan forward and operate.

Hurricane Andrew inflicted an estimated $26 billion in damage in 1992 when it hit Miami-Dade County. More than 63,500 homes were destroyed and 124,000 were damaged while 65 people were killed, the Tampa Bay Times reported.

The bill would moves the Hurricane Loss Projection Model from Florida International University to FSU.

Trumbull said the bill is meant to make the states measurement and management of insurance more robust. It would help legislators in developing and evaluating evidence-based policy options and making recommendations related to insurance and risk management, according to the bill text.

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Florida lawmakers have convened for special sessions regarding insurance, developed stricter building codes, and run election campaigns based on insurance issues.

The center would address all lines of insurance and be responsible for researching inquiries from the House, Senate, or Office of Insurance Regulation.

Insurance regulators were questioned by the House Insurance & Banking Subcommittee earlier this session following a Tampa Bay Times story detailing how insurance companies claimed financial ruin while sending billions to affiliated companies.

While FIU would lose the loss model, Trumbull said, it is owned by the Office of Insurance Regulation, not the university. The center would be located in the FSU College of Business and Department of Risk Management.

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FSU has a Risk Management and Insurance Center that studies the market, housing prices, homeowners insurance, and catastrophe risk.

The bill passed both its committee assignments in the Senate unanimously. Its companion in the House, HB 1097, has been passed by three committees and now is before the Commerce Committee.

The Senate budget proposes $3 million for the loss model.

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The big maneuvers at the end of session aren't best practices. (Photo illustration by John McGauley)

Christmas is hands-down my favorite time of the year. And the end of session is hands-down my least favorite.

Thats because for months, the General Assembly has chugged along at a reasonable pace, hearing bills, listening to Hoosiers, making changes, passing measures  even compromising a time or two.

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And then we hit the final few weeks, and all best practices go out the door.

Im going to lay out three examples we have seen in recent days that dont bode well for a transparent and accountable legislature. Its also why trust in public service continues to erode.

First: The (now-massive) property tax measure

Senate Bill 1 was 46 pages when introduced as Gov. Mike Brauns reset plan to help homeowners. It grew under Senate Republicans to 91 pages. And after House Republicans made another amendment, it is a stunning 355 pages.

The GOP folded in tangentially related and even unrelated bills, possibly to harvest votes. And it made the product so endlessly complicated that even someone who has covered Indianas property tax system since its court-ordered redesign is struggling to grasp it all.

It now includes a bill that was moving just fine on its own  Senate Bill 518  and looked like an easy win for the GOP. It provides property tax sharing in some local school districts for public charter schools. Its a perfectly good debate to have on its own but now the measure is in this bill, which means Democrats didnt support it.

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An amended version also had a long-sought business tax break via a phaseout of the business personal property tax. This came even though the purpose of the bill was long said to be giving homeowners relief from massive assessment and bill spikes. Cooler heads prevailed on second reading, though, and the elimination was removed.

Oh yeah, and the bill dissolves a school corporation in Randolph County that has almost all virtual students  which has nothing to do with the original intent.

Heck, the bill isnt even titled property tax relief anymore. Its now local government finance.

Second: Reviving unpopular ideas that already failed once

In the first half of session, House Bill 1662 had robust hearings, passed out of committee and then died on the calendar because it didnt have the votes. The bill has been labeled by critics as criminalizing homelessness but proponents say its about squatters.

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Now, at this late hour, it was suddenly put into Senate Bill 197 through an amendment. No one following the issue had notice of the amendment, so there was no public testimony. And it is likely headed back to the Senate to see if lawmakers there accept that change. Mind you, senators havent heard one iota of testimony on the concept.

Third: Brand-new language.

Were in the fourth month, but are still introducing language that has never passed a committee. Several bills filed at the outset were bans on advertising marijuana. None of them had a committee vote in the first half.

Instead, a Republican lawmaker added it to a Bureau of Motor Vehicles bill he authored while it was in a Senate committee. The agency was none too pleased, and the language was removed the next week. But never fear, it was added again  this time to Senate Bill 73 on utility trailer sales. The language hasnt passed a single chamber, and most lawmakers have heard no testimony on the pros and cons of such a move. But it could very well become law anyway.

Yes, the session isnt over yet. And every day counts. But leaders cant be happy with some of the shenanigans that are just considered to be ho-hum legislating.

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For the majority of session, decorum prevails. But when the end nears, everyone suddenly forgets that how a law is passed matters just as much as what is passed. And thats why the end of session will always be the worst time of year.

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After attacking Donald Trumps trade adviser, Elon Musk was silent when Trump paused some tariffs. MSNBCs Lawrence ODonnell asks, When did Elon Musk know that his stock price was going to start climbing back up because Donald Trump was going to announce that he was backing down?
CHEYENNE  Wyomings top five elected officials voted Wednesday to award $180,000 in emergency mineral royalty grant funding to the Laramie County Fire Authority to rebuild a fire station that burned down in mid-January.

LCFA Chief Jason Caughey told state officials a staff member was welding one of the fire trucks in Fire Station 74 a few hours before the fire was spotted. The staff member went home around 4 p.m., three-and-a-half hours before the witnesses driving down Yellowstone Road spotted the fire.

It appears that where he was welding, it was the ignition source, Caughey said.

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Last week, Caughey approached the State Loan and Investment Board (SLIB) to ask for $250,000 in emergency MRG funding. This amount made up the 32% of construction costs to rebuild the fire station that wasnt covered by insurance.

The Office of State Lands and Investments, which oversees this grant funding, found this project did not meet the emergency threshold. It deferred the LCFAs application for regular mineral royalty grant (MRG) funding, which would be approved during the boards special meeting in June. The state fire marshal and Wyoming forestry division echoed this recommendation.

However, Caughey said LCFA couldnt wait that long for funding. The Laramie County Planning Department utilizes an emergency building permit program in the event of a natural disaster or fire. If the facility is rebuilt within one year, it doesnt have to jump through all of the same hoops that a normal building process would.

By not being able to complete this project within one year, its going to cost us and the taxpayers a significant amount more money, Caughey said. To rebuild that same existing station today, I anticipate 25% more.

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Without the emergency grant funding, Caughey said the county fire authority would have to take out a loan, and the interest would be paid for by Laramie County taxpayers.

An OSLI staff member said during last weeks SLIB meeting the application was incomplete, missing two documents. SLIB members agreed to hold an emergency meeting on Wednesday to discuss the matter, once the documents were submitted.

In both meetings, State Auditor Kristi Racines asked Caughey if a $100,000 grant would be sufficient. Caughey answered that partial funding would be greatly appreciated.

It allows us to continue this project moving forward without throwing the bigger wrench of no (state) funding into this project, he said.

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State Treasurer Curt Meier asked about the details of the newly constructed fire house, such as installing a fire alarm system thats tied into a central system. Caughey said a centralized monitoring system will be installed, which will give us early detection of any events that happened in that building.

Racines moved to grant $180,000 in emergency MRG funding, which passed the board. Caughey later told the Wyoming Tribune Eagle the LCFA will be able to absorb the remaining $70,000 into its current funding mechanisms, without any impact on local taxpayers.

We're grateful for the support of the State Land Investment Board today, for funding the additional $180,000 toward the rebuild of Station 74, Caughey said. We don't believe the difference that's remaining will have any impact on the project.
CHEYENNE  K-12 school boards across the state are up against a tight deadline to implement policies in line with recently passed legislation that will repeal gun-free zones in Wyoming.

During Monday nights meeting, the Laramie County School District 1 Board of Trustees began discussing possible concerns and liabilities they would want covered in the districts policy, which has to be enacted by July 1.

Per the new state statute, any adult with a concealed-carry permit will lawfully be able to carry on school district campuses. The statute allows districts to make policies that would only affect staff and volunteers.

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Generally, any policymaking starts with staff, according to the boards legal counsel, Amy Pauli. However, the board was presented with an alternative policy by local parent and Moms for Liberty Laramie County Chapter Chairwoman Patricia McCoy.

The policy was presented via a petition signed by several community members and is not affiliated with Moms for Liberty, according to McCoy.

I would just exercise a little caution when youre looking at any proposed policy, Pauli told the board Monday when explaining the contents of McCoys proposal. The Legislature made it very clear that the state has preemption authority and is the only entity that can govern the carrying of firearms within the state of Wyoming.

The board ultimately decided to present both McCoys draft policy and the districts draft policy to their policy committee in hopes that they could use both resources to form a well-rounded policy.

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The board also has to be careful not to overstep the intent of the Legislature while ensuring student safety.

This is a conversation that is ongoing across the state of Wyoming and school districts, Pauli said. Ive talked with two attorneys today, and theres not clear consensus on what can and what could be included within the policy, and what would venture kind of too far and exceed the authority that the Legislature has given school boards in relation to this policy.

To comply with the July 1 deadline, the board would need to put the draft policy out for 45-day public comment at its next meeting on April 21, according to Pauli. Alternatively, the board can adopt the policy on an emergency basis.

Accountability

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One concern that school board members had was what liabilities the district would have in the event of an accident involving a gun.

What if there is an accident and somebody is seriously injured or killed? Trustee Marilyn Burden said. Gun accidents happen in the community, as well. Is the school district going to get sued because the incident happened on the school property? And is that something that can be considered/should be considered/is not allowed to be considered? Because if somebody dies, that, to me, just screams multi-million-dollar lawsuit.

Burdens question is complex and involves an ongoing conversation with the districts insurance provider. District staff has been working on a proposal that puts liability on the employee or volunteer who chooses to carry a gun should any accidents occur.

If an employee or volunteer chooses to carry, that is their decision solely, Pauli explained. It is not part of their job duties. There is no expectation by the district that they will carry. They would be liable for their own actions with respect to their firearm use.

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While that policy would not stop potential lawsuits, Pauli said that it would likely limit them.

Gun safety

Lawsuits arent the only concern of the board. Child safety also is top of mind, though ideas vary on how to achieve that.

McCoys alternative policy included a provision that the district would implement an age-appropriate firearm safety education program that promotes responsible gun ownership and safety for elementary, junior high and high school students.

Board members and Pauli determined that the provision did not fit into the policy, however. If such a program were to be implemented, curriculum would have to be adjusted, which would be difficult to achieve as the district faces budget cuts and teachers continue to face a heavy workload.

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Trustee Rene Hinkle took a moment to state her concerns about the legislation as a whole, saying that she personally is against guns in school.

Hinkle described being in an emergency room when a child, who was shot by a sibling, died from the injuries they suffered. She noted that she is likely the only trustee who has seen that firsthand.

It is devastating to a family, it is devastating to that child, it is devastating to the community, Hinkle said. I am against having guns in our schools, Ill say that. Number one, wholly against it. I understand we have to have a policy in place. We have to do this; the state has imposed this on us, I get that. It is unconscionable to think that there will be a gun in an elementary school and that these kids, no matter how careful people are, can die.

Hinkle moved to not present McCoys policy to the district staff, saying that the policy the district has been forming is sufficient, and McCoy and other stakeholders can contribute to the policy through public comment when the time comes.

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The board ultimately chose to present both policies to staff to be considered.

School shootings

While the state of Wyoming has seen no major school shootings, neighboring states have been through several over the past few decades. Vice Chairwoman Christy Klaassen noted that it would still be important for the district to be prepared in the case of a shooting.

Specifically, she wanted to know how law enforcement would identify employees or volunteers concealed-carrying a gun, as opposed to an active shooter.

If there was an active shooter and you had an employee or a volunteer that had concealed carry, they would need to be able to identify themselves as someone other than the active shooter, Klaassen said. And I think that thats an issue that we should think about as a board as we move through this process.

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The district is actively working with local law enforcement on training, instruction and curricular requirements that the statute allows the district to have, but it is unclear what training the policy will ultimately require, and if the policy will include identifiers that those who choose to conceal carry can use to identify themselves to police in an emergency situation.

Going forward

Board Chairwoman Alicia Smith noted that this conversation is a bit pre-emptive for the board, as they have no official policy to consider.

I appreciate that we have folks in the community that are super invested in this, as well, and the work that went into this, Smith said. But I would like to see both policies go to the policy advisory committee and let them hammer it out before we actually react to anything as a board.

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The board intends to consider a formal policy at its next meeting April 21, giving staff time to consider both draft policies and ensure that the draft presented in two weeks is in line with the intent of the Legislature.

Any policy that we pass will have to be strictly in line with state statute and what has been decided by our state Legislature, Smith said. Any deviation from that or any extra that we add really could put us in a bad position as a district.
By Michael Tanchum

The Eastern Mediterranean and the Black Sea are one natural waterway forming the core of a multi-modal connectivity arc that can serve as the transportation backbone of a commercial corridor spanning the Middle East and Central Asia. Azerbaijans inclusion in a wider Abraham Accords framework could radically reconfigure trade patterns and manufacturing value chains across the southern rim of Eurasia, to the benefit of U.S. strategic interests and those of its partners. While strengthening U.S.-Israel-Azerbaijan trilateral defense cooperation is a response to the looming prospect of a military showdown with Iran, the geo-economic significance of Azerbaijans inclusion in the Abraham Accords is of long-term strategic consequence. With the ports on Israels Eastern Mediterraneancoast and Azerbaijans Caspian Sea coast serving as anchor points, the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor can be linked to the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, creating an crescent of commercial cooperation from India to the Central Asian Republics via the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Israel, Georgia, and Azerbaijan, providing counterweight to the westward expansion of Chinese economic hegemony across the Central Asia-Caucasus region and the Middle East.

Photo source: Michael Tanchum

BACKGROUND: In early March 2025, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu made public that it favors elevating the trilateral partnership between Israel, Azerbaijan and the U.S.. Following a motion in the Israeli Knesset on "Upgrading the Strategic Alliance between Israel and Azerbaijan," a flurry of calls arose for Azerbaijans inclusion in the Abraham Accords. The September 15, 2020, agreement normalized relations between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Israel, followed by the establishment of relations between Israel and Bahrain and Sudan, respectively, and the restoration of relations with Morocco. The Abraham Accords also consists of an expanded framework of strategic and economic initiatives among the participants, developed in partnership with the U.S.

Azerbaijan and Israel have enjoyed an all-weather strategic relationship since diplomatic relations were established in the early 1990s following Azerbaijans independence. The two states have developed deep defense cooperation over the past 30 years, based on countering the threat Iran poses to both Israel and Azerbaijan, which shares a 428-mile (689 km) border with the Islamic Republic. Key proponents of extending the Abraham Accords to Azerbaijan have emphasized the Azerbaijani-Israeli defense relationships durability and Azerbaijans reliability as a principal oil supplier to Israel. Azerbaijan and Israel enjoy commercial cooperation in telecoms and other technology sectors. The State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) recently established the new subsidiary SOCAR Tamar following its March 17, 2025 acquisition of a 10 percent stake in Israels Tamar offshore natural gas field in the Eastern Mediterranean. Azerbaijan has also played an important mediating role between Bakus close partner Turkey and Israel during times of tension.

Netanyahus public commitment to strengthen Israels trilateral relationship with Azerbaijan and the U.S was preceded by a collection of letters sent to U.S. President Donald Trump at the end of February by prominent rabbis advocating Azerbaijans inclusion in the Abraham Accords. Among them was a senior rabbi in the UAE and personal friend of Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner, who played a key role in the signing of the Abraham Accords. Additionally, opinion pieces from Israeli and American policy communities, including in the Wall Street Journal, added further political momentum amidst escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran over Irans nuclear weapons program. Two days after Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khameneis March 12, 2025, rejection of the U.S. proposal to hold negotiations about Tehrans nuclear weapons program, Trumps special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff visited Baku after an overnight visit to Moscow, in what appears to be a coordinated effort to prepare for possible military action against Iran by Israel or the U.S., following the exhaustion of diplomatic efforts.

IMPLICATIONS: Beyond defense cooperation, a compelling strategic and geo-economic logic exists to include Azerbaijan in a wider Abraham Accords framework, building upon the Azerbaijans parallel and separate bilateral economic relations with Israel and the UAE. Extending the Abraham Accords framework outside the Arab World has precedence in the quadrilateral cooperation among India, Israel, the UAE, and the U.S.  the I2U2 framework  emerging from Indias robust yet parallel commercial cooperation and joint venture investments with Israel and the UAE. Trilateral cooperation emerged organically from the synergies between Indias commercial ventures with Israel and the UAE, traditionally Indias third-largest trading partner and Arabian Sea neighbor.

In February 2022, the UAE signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with India followed by the May 2022 signing of a similar UAE-Israel free trade agreement. The two trade agreements paved the way for initiating three-way coordination in developing an India-Middle East Corridor. Quadrilateral cooperation involving the U.S. was then formalized with the July 2022 I2U2 summit.

The extended Abraham Accords cooperation gave rise to a vision of an India-to-Europe commercial corridor in which the UAEs ports serve as the Indian Ocean connectivity node with Israels Eastern Mediterranean ports serving as the maritime outlet to Europe, connected by a UAE-to-Israel railway network transiting Saudi Arabia and Jordan. Once the transportation route is operational, Indian goods leaving Mumbai could arrive on the European mainland in as little as 10 days. An initiative to realize this corridor, now known as the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC) was formalized with the signing of the September 9, 2023, Memorandum of Understanding at the New Delhi G20 Summit, with India, the U.S., the UAE, Saudi Arabia, France, Germany, Italy, and the EU as signatories.

Research has shown that commercial corridors only emerge where the requisite large investments in port and rail infrastructure are coupled with an industrial base anchored in manufacturing value chains. The IMEC is highly conducive for value chain integration because of the existing synergies between Indias commercial ventures with its Arab Gulf partners and its commercial ventures with Israel, as exemplified by the manufacturing value chain in food production that is one of the leading drivers of the IMECs development. Indias Food Corridor to the Middle East is driven by Indias investment partnerships with the UAE and Saudi Arabia that rely on the transformation of Indias agriculture and water management sectors being implemented through Indias partnership with Israel. Similar synergies exist in other sectors, with the most promising in green energy and innovative technology, which has already lead to joint venture production facilities in green manufacturing.

The inclusion of Azerbaijan, along with Georgia, in the wider Abraham Accords framework holds a similar potential to create a new trans-regional commercial architecture. The UAE is Azerbaijans top Arab trading partner, accounting for 40 percent of Azerbaijans trade with the Arab World. The UAE is also the largest Arab investor in Azerbaijan and one of the top 10 global investors in Azerbaijan, accounting for 7 percent of Azerbaijans FDI inflow. In 2023, the UAEs Abu Dhabi National Oil Company acquired a 30 percent stake in Azerbaijans Absheron natural gas field in the Caspian Sea. Similarly, the UAE is Georgias largest trading partner in the Arab world, accounting for 63 percent of Georgias trade with the region. Trade is likely to increase further with the UAE-Georgia CEPA, which came into effect in June 2024. The UAE is also invested in solar power plant development in both Azerbaijan and Georgia. Most significantly, in March 2024, the UAEs AD Ports group, acquired a 60 percent ownership share in the Tbilisi Dry Port, a new custom-bonded and rail-connected intermodal logistics hub in Georgia. At the heart of the Trans-Caspian Route, the port is a key logistics facility for the rail connection linking Georgias Black Sea coast and Azerbaijans Caspian coast.

Azerbaijans Baku port is the connectivity node from where the Wider Black Sea region connects to Central Asia across the Caspian Sea. The Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR) connecting the Caspian and Black Seas via Azerbaijan and Georgia, commonly referred to as the Middle Corridor, was developed as an alternative to the Russia-based Northern Corridor for China-to-Europe trade. The TITR consists of multi-modal transportation links for container transshipment via Kazakhstans Caspian port Aktau to the specially constructed port of Baku at Alat from where goods can be shipped by railway connection from Azerbaijan to Georgias Black Sea ports and in turn to Israels Eastern Mediterranean ports. By linking IMEC and the TITR, India will possess its own multi-modal corridor to access Central Asia, enabling India to effectively compete with China in Eurasia without being reliant on Russia or Iran. IMEC provides India with a streamlined alternative to its 25-year effort to establish the troubled International North-South Transit Corridor (INSTC) to access Central Asia through Irans Chabahar port, serving as the Indian Ocean connectivity node with overland transportation links running northward via Iran and Afghanistan.

The multi-modal corridor connecting India to Central Asia would also open the opportunity for Turkey to participate in IMEC. The UAEs ports and logistics giant DP World operates Turkeys Yarmca port, reputed to be the most technologically advanced in Turkey. Yarmcas Marmara coast location is highly suited for intermodal transportation in which cargo can be transshipped to the Black Sea or Georgia and Azerbaijan by rail from Kars via the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway.

CONCLUSION: The September 2023 signing of the IMEC declaration was preceded by the July 2022 I2U2 summit, the first convening of the heads of government of India, Israel, the UAE, and the U.S. As a step toward linking IMEC with the Trans-Caspian Corridor, a CC-I2U2 summit should be convened with the heads of Azerbaijan and Georgia participating. The format can be extended to include Central Asian Republics as well as Saudi Arabia and Jordan in anticipation of the extended arc of joint venture manufacturing investments and commercial cooperation.

By including Azerbaijan in a wider Abraham Accords framework, the U.S. can upend the geopolitics of connectivity in Central Asia, halting the westward expansion of Chinese commercial hegemony across the Eurasian landmass. Linking the IMEC corridor to the Caspian shores of Kazakhstan via a multi-modal sea route with trans-shipment across Georgia and Azerbaijan will effectively end Indias isolation from Central Asia  a strategic objective long sought by New Delhi. Consolidating the triangle of bilateral economic relationships among Azerbaijan, Israel, and the UAE into a multilateral framework through U.S. facilitation under the Abraham Accords is a necessary first step and a boon to the U.S. strategic position across Eurasias southern rim.

AUTHOR BIO: Prof. Michael Tanchum teaches international relations of the Middle East and North Africa at the University of Navarra, Spain and an associate fellow in the Economics and Energy at the Middle East Institute in Washington, D.C. He is also a Senior Associate Fellow at the Austrian Institute for European and Security Studies (AIES) and an affiliated scholar of the Centre for Strategic Policy Implementation at Baskent University in Ankara, Turkey (Baskent-SAM) and the NTU-SBF Centre for African Studies in Singapore. @michaeltanchum
European observers have expressed concerns over the recent U.S. tariff hike, saying the protectionist move could backfire.
At least 50 hippopotamuses and other large wild animals have died as the result of a viral outbreak at a popular national park.

Sick and dying hippos have reportedly been spotted floating on their sides or backs or hiding amongst foliage following an anthrax outbreak at the Virunga National Park in Africa's Democratic Republic of the Congo. Park director Emmanuel De Merode told Reuters earlier this week that at least 50 hippos and other large animals, such as water buffalo, have died after becoming infected with anthrax.

Related: Viral Video Shows Man in Bear Costume Take on Real Black Bear

Anthrax is an infectious disease caused by Bacillus anthracis bacteria which is commonly found in soil and can take hold through inhalation, contact with the skin, or intestinal absorption. Symptoms can begin as early as one day or as long as two months after the infection. Livestock and wild animals are the most frequently affected by anthrax, but the virus can be contracted by humans as well. "Although this disease mainly affects wildlife, it poses a potential risk of transmission to humans as well as domestic animals, the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation (ICCN) told Agence France-Presse.

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De Merode specified that, while park workers are confident anthrax is the cause of the deaths, they dont yet know how the animals became infected. He went on to detail the difficulty he and other park employees were having in attempting to remove the dead bodies from the water to give them a proper burial.

Related: Archaeologists Discover 30,000-Year-Old Remains of Child in Popular National Park

"It's difficult due to lack of access and logistics, he said. We have the means to limit the spread (of the disease) byburying them with caustic soda.

Virunga National Park had already seen a precipitous drop in its hippo population before the outbreak of anthrax. Instability in the region has seen the parks hippo population make a dramatic 95 percent plummet from a count of 29,000 in the 1970s. The park notes that hippos are often illegally poached "for their meat by armed groups and those in absolute poverty and for the ivory found in their teeth."
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  A Leavenworth, Kansas, man was found guilty of aggravated kidnapping after grabbing a 16-year-old girl in downtown Leavenworth in 2024.

On Aug. 14, 2024, Lajuan Sammie Louis Lowery grabbed the teenager near 10th Street between Pottawatomie and Osage Streets.

Two-year-old girl overdoses after ingesting methamphetamine, police say

It was about 7 p.m., and she was walking along 10th Street on her way to her mothers house when Lowery grabbed her from behind and dragged her into an alley. He placed his hand over her mouth and threw her to the ground.

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The teen fought back, elbowing Lowery, yelling for help and screaming that she was pregnant. Lowery ultimately fled the scene.

Leavenworth police canvassed the surrounding neighborhood and gathered surveillance footage. One RING video, obtained from a nearby home, captured a violent struggle showing Lowery dragging the victim across an alley behind a yard and later running from the area.

On Aug. 16, 2024, the Leavenworth Police Department posted images from the surveillance footage on Facebook, saying the suspect was wanted for kidnapping. Shortly afterward, a citizen contacted police, reporting that she had seen the man inside a local store  rubbing ice cream packs on his body.

Leavenworth Police looking for suspect involved in kidnapping

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By Aug. 19, 2024, detectives had secured additional video footage, including one clip showing the altercation and another showing Lowery running into a home on Pottawatomie Street. These videos, along with surveillance video from the local stores, ultimately led investigators to identifying and arresting Lowery.

On Tuesday, April 8, a jury found Lowery guilty of aggravated kidnapping. He was acquitted of a separate charge for aggravated sexual battery.

The courage displayed by the survivor of this incident is inspiring, said Leavenworth County Attorney Todd Thompson. Its unfortunate that an innocent girl can be targeted in such a violent way while shes simply walking down the street. The victims strength, and the determination of citizens and law enforcement to bring this defendant to justice, is to be respected.

Lowery has an extensive criminal history, including burglary, robbery and theft, as well as several drug-related offenses. Hes also had multiple domestic violence-related charges that were dismissed.

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LEBANON COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) A man connected to a Lebanon County daycare has been arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a child on multiple occasions, according to the Lebanon County District Attorneys Office.

The DAs office said detectives launched an investigation into an alleged sexual assault of a child on March 18 after meeting with the victims mother. The victim told police that a man, identified as Jose Ivan Rodriguez Santos, had allegedly sexually assaulted them in his home.

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Detectives learned that Rodriguez Santos paramour operates a day care out of their home.

The DAs office said the Lebanon County Detectives Bureau arrested Rodriguez Santos on April 4, 2025. He was arraigned, and his bail was set at $250,000.

Charges of indecent assault of a person less than 13 and indecent exposure, among others, have been filed.

The Detective Bureau and Lebanon County DAs Office said they have concerns regarding children who were supervised at the daycare and that anyone who learns about concerns surrounding children at the daycare is encouraged to contact detectives at 717-228-4403.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  Lees Summit police are investigating after a death investigation turned into a double homicide investigation on Churchill Street Wednesday night.

On Friday morning, Lees Summit police identified the victims as 37-year-old Nancy Ricker and 39-year-old Jesse Ricker, investigators say they were a husband and wife.

According to LSPD, around 6:20 p.m. Wednesday, detectives went to the scene near the intersection of NE Langsford Road and SE Todd George Parkway for a death investigation and were waiting on a search warrant to allow them to enter the home.

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An LSPD spokesperson said detectives were at the home gathering evidence until almost 2:00 a.m. Thursday. Officers said, The scene and the case are both complex and will require a lot of work.

On Thursday morning, police upgraded the death investigation to a double homicide investigation.

According to police, one person was arrested and remains in custody and they say they are a juvenile.

Residents in the area said that the incident was surprising to them. One man shared some details on Thursday afternoon.

There were seven or eight police cars, sheriffs cars, unmarked cars, Jim Johnson, who lives in the neighborhood, said.

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Ive heard that there were a couple of dead bodies in the house, and they couldnt go in until they got a search warrant.

Another nearby resident shared that the victims in the homicide were known to be nice and quiet.

It was shocking because it was a safe place, another resident, Amir Mosawy, shared.

This is a developing story; FOX4 will update this story when more details 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 FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
Since World War II, the number of soldiers the Army has trained to be able to jump into combat has more than doubled. But as the service prepares for a future war, it worries there are too many soldiers who need to maintain their jump status, especially those who would not actually be jumping directly into combat.

The Army is reclassifying around 20,000 paid parachutist positions to manage limited resources and prioritize airborne training for soldiers who would be the first ones on the ground, officials said. Paid parachute positions include paratroopers in airborne units as well as soldiers in other staff units.

Those soldiers who are coded as paid parachutist positions will still receive jump pay and need to maintain their jump status, according to Army officials. All soldiers are still able to go to airborne school. The change was first reported by Army Times.

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Its not about the money, per se. Its literally about  for the forces that will jump in the alpha echelon and fight off a potentially contested drop zone. We want them at the highest level of readiness, Commander of the XVIII Airborne Corps Lt. Gen. Greg Anderson said on an episode of the From the Green Notebook podcast on Wednesday. Three jumps, most of those currency jumps, is not going to get us the readiness we need.

Soldiers are required to jump once every three months to maintain their status.

Anderson said that maintaining collective proficiency across the airborne force under current conditions is unsustainable due to dwindling resources. Those resources range from a limited number of aircraft, to riggers who pack and inspect chutes for all jumps and the need to maintain highly proficient jump masters.

All these things are contributing to a decline in the collective proficiency of our forces, Anderson said. For the last three fiscal years, the 82nd Airborne per capita is jumping less than four times  somewhere in the two-and-a-half to three jumps per paratrooper. That doesnt even meet airborne currency, let alone airborne proficiency.

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The changes will go into effect Oct. 1, said Col. Mary Ricks, a spokesperson for the XVIII Airborne Corps.

After the Army realized that hundreds of soldiers were not able to meet the requirement to jump four times a year, the Pentagon amended its policy in 2018 for commanders to waive one jump per year in certain cases, such as a lack of available jump equipment or aircraft, bad weather or a soldiers need to attend a military education course. Because of the lack of resources, in fiscal year 2016, some 780 service members were forced to pay back more than half a million dollars for not meeting the requirement, according to the Army.

The service has more than 56,000 paid parachutist positions, a number thats grown by over 13,000 since fiscal year 2002 without an increased demand for airborne assault, according to the Army. To put that in perspective, in 1945 during World War II, the U.S. military had nearly 24,700 parachutists across five airborne divisions.

We have tens of thousands of soldiers who are on airborne status and getting paid to be on airborne status thats ballooned over time and not realistic to combat, said Col. Dave Butler, a spokesperson for the Army. Admin personnel at a division level, even in an airborne division, probably arent going to jump into combat.

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However, all soldiers can still go to airborne school.

Youre in a parachutist position, you just wont jump and you wont get paid jumping because youre not jumping, Anderson said. At some point, you may be transferred to an alpha or bravo battery or back and forth, and so you can come in and out of there. Thats just simply an administrative task of going to basic airborne refresher, and then youre back on jump status.

The changes were decided after an analysis by 25 organizations across the Army and Air Force which looked at adjustments to the services airborne force in order to meet the readiness requirements over the next five to 20 years. U.S. military wargames suggest that the Army would need its airborne forces to be ready to deploy without notice and early on in the event of a crisis, according to the Army.

Officials are looking at increasing jump pay for paid parachutists, which is currently an extra $150 per month although it has not been finalized, according to the Army.

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The Army is also looking at new proficiency pay for jump masters in order to retain their experience in airborne formations for longer periods of time. Jump masters are experienced paratroopers who help plan the jumps, handle personnel inspections of soldiers equipment and the aircraft itself, and make sure everything goes smoothly up until the moment a soldier jumps out of the aircraft.

The reclassifications could include soldiers from the following commands, however Army officials said the numbers are not final: 3,500 from Forces Command; 9,000 from Special Operations Command; 1,000 from Army Pacific; 850 from Army Europe-Africa; 3,600 from the Army National Guard; And 1,900 from the Army Reserve.

The latest on Task & Purpose
SANAA, April 9 (Xinhua) -- At least two people were killed, and several others wounded in fresh U.S. airstrikes on Yemen's capital Sanaa on Wednesday midnight, rescuers and health authorities told Xinhua. 
(WKBN)  Library officials who visited Columbus this week in an effort to protect library funding were met with some success, but say more challenges lie ahead.

Library Leaders from the Lake to River Counties  which includes those in the First News coverage area  made the trip up to Columbus to ensure their voices were heard in opposition to proposed budget cuts.

Three hundred and fifty library leaders descended on the Statehouse in Columbus on Tuesday as part of the Ohio Library Councils annual Legislative Day to fight cuts to library funding, including representatives from Columbiana, Mahoning and Trumbull Counties.

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According to a release from The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County (PLYMC), the publics support for library funding produced some short-term success. But they say there is much work still to be done moving forward.

We had some very fruitful conversations with our elected officials, and I do think they are hearing what the community is telling them about preserving library funding, said Brad Stephens, Salem Public Library Director and Fiscal Officer.

House Leadership did pare down cuts to library funding, but ultimately put an end to dedicated funding to the Public Library Fund (PLF) as a percentage of the General Revenue Fund, meaning libraries would be allocated a flat rate rather than a percentage of the general revenue for the state.

Library leaders are now calling upon area statewide elected officials to not only restore dedicated funding but to expand the PLF from 1.7% of the General Revenue Fund to 1.75%.

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In the House Budget just passed, PLYMC funding cuts were reduced from $1.35M to around $90,000, said Aimee Fifarek, Director & CEO PLYMC. I want to thank the tireless efforts of local supporters and patrons who reached out to their elected officials to help reduce these disastrous cuts to our funding.

In previous talks with First News, Ohio House Rep. David Thomas said the flat rate will give public libraries a consistent budget for the year rather than relying on estimates. But library officials do not view the change in a positive light.

While we are pleased to see planned funding cuts reduced in the House Budget, the real threat long term is changing how we fund the PLF, said Jim Wilkins, Director/Fiscal Officer of the Warren-Trumbull County Public Library. Rather than as a percentage of the General Revenue Fund, in the House Budget, libraries across the state will be funded through a line-item appropriation subject to the whims of distant legislators in Columbus and not by those who actually use and need our services here at home.

The bill now goes to the Senate, where their deliberations will begin.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
Appeal-Democrat

The Live Oak City Council appointed Kary Hauck as the new interim city manager at a special meeting on Monday.

A third-generation Live Oak resident and local business leader, Hauck will serve in the role while the city continues searching for a permanent city manager, officials said.

Karys strong connection to our community and her demonstrated executive leadership bring invaluable support to the city during this transitional period, Mayor Jeremy Chapdelaine said. Were confident in her ability to lead effectively and serve as a powerful advocate for Live Oak as we move forward in selecting our next permanent city manager.

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Hauck succeeds former Interim City Manager Rick Crabtree, who served in the position since November 2024. Live Oak City Attorney Nicole Rosser said the city council decided to terminate with Crabtree at a recent closed session, but did not provide a reason why.

While Crabtree was still employed with the city, his position had been on the councils agenda in several closed sessions and special meetings since February under public employee performance evaluation/dismissal.

Hauck is Live Oaks third interim city manager within about a year. Mark Scott served as interim city manager from April 2024 until Crabtree was appointed in November 2024.

Hauck is expected to serve as interim for approximately 90 days, as the vetting process for permanent city manager applicants is underway, officials said.
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA)  The National Weather Service (NWS) is pausing forecast translations for non-English speakers after a contract with the provider ended. Now, some experts consider this a life or death situation.

Joseph Trujillo-Falcon, researcher and faculty member with U of Is Department of Climate, Meteorology, and Atmospheric Sciences, studies the impacts of what happens if people dont have accessible alerts in a language they speak.

We found that the forecasts could be as accurate as could be, we could give a heads up in advance, but its the fact people dont understand it in a language they understand, he said.

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Now, the pause in forecast translations isnt helping to fill that gap; and Trujillo-Falcon is worried the 68 million people in the U.S. who speak another language wont have proper information to make informed decisions.

The NWS used to translate manually, but said the workflow was labor intensive and not sustainable. Trujillo-Falcon said it would sometimes take an hour to translate from English to Spanish.

Nearly half of National Weather Service offices have 20% vacancy rates, and experts say its a risk

These automated programs, however, have reduced the translation time from an hour to two to three minutes, he explained. When we think about tornadoes, they can happen from one moment to another. That can be the difference between life and death.

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NWS partnered with Lilt, an AI company, in 2023 but the contract has since ended. But, thats not stopping Trujillo-Falcon.

He has a Facebook page dedicated to spreading watches and warnings in Spanish.

People have been thankful, especially with the most recent events with the sirens going off time and time again. They were able to make sense of it and make proper decisions, he said.

WCIA Weather Now

Hes proud of the work his team is doing and wants to continue helping non-English speakers get access to weather forecasts they understand.

We can come from various backgrounds, believe in various different things, Trujillo-Falcon said. Im just a fond believer that no matter where you come from, no matter how youre raised, you deserve to have a chance at life-saving information during natural disasters.

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He leads the Advancing Language Equity and Resilience in the Atmospheric Sciences lab on the U of I campus. Its dedicated to improving communication efforts for weather and climate events.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT)  Locally owned Alabama pharmacies have been closing their doors at a rapid rate, but a bill that passed the state legislature Tuesday will change how they are reimbursed, aiming to keep more independent pharmacies open.

Huntsville-based Star Discount Pharmacy Director Trent McLemore said he would not have expected to see this day six months ago, and he believes this bill will create a more fair system.

Congressman Mike Rogers says Space Command relocation announcement could come in April

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It is literally a lifeline for independent pharmacies, for small businesses, which is what really matters, McLemore said.

He said local pharmacies have been getting paid less than their larger, corporate counterparts.

SB 252, called the Community Pharmacy Relief Act, will put new regulations on Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs). PBMs are the middlemen who work between pharmacies and insurance companies. They decide how much money a pharmacy will be reimbursed for filling a prescription.

The legislation directs PBMs to take 100% of the rebate money they get from drug makers in connection with Alabama contracts and pay the money to Alabama health insurance providers. The money will be used to make sure independent pharmacists are paid a $10.64 dispensing fee.

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The measure still needs Gov. Kay Iveys signature to become law.

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McLemore said that while pharmacies will be paid more, patients will not see cost increases.

Your co-pays will not go up when this starts, McLemore said. Your premiums wont go up, and ultimately, youll have more options as soon as the governor signs this.

Patients should now pay the same co-pay at any in-network pharmacy.

No longer will it be, Well, Im sorry. We can only fill here twice, and you have to get a mail order, or I can only fill for 30 days versus 90 days, or the co-pay is way higher at an independent,' McLemore said. Those will all be on an equal playing field.

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McLemore said that when the cost of getting a prescription filled is not a determining factor anymore, he believes competition will be driven by customer service.

It makes it about patient care instead of about dollars again, McLemore said.

Letters addressed to Alabama House members contained pornographic images: ALEA

He said the passage of the bill is a win for David against Goliath.

Being able to know that we wont get paid below our cost is a lifesaving grace for a lot of independent pharmacies, McLemore said.

More than 100 Alabama pharmacies have closed in the past four years, state figures show.

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The Alabama Legislature has also called for a multi-year study looking into how PBMs are operating in the state and identify any practices that are decreasing positive competition between pharmacies. McLemore said he hopes the study will inspire more legislation down the line, like expanding access to specialty pharmacy drugs.

Specialty pharmacy accounts for about half of PBM profits right now, McLemore said. Those are your very expensive items. These are the drugs you see on TV commercials, and they cost tens of thousands of dollars.

Specialty pharmacy drugs are excluded from the current legislation.

Pharmacies will begin receiving reimbursements on October 1.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.
Apr. 9PROVIDENCE, R.I.  A Catholic priest with Lima roots will now lead the Diocese of Providence, R.I.

Bishop Bruce Lewandowski, 57, who grew up attending Lima's St. Gerard Catholic Church, met with reporters and the faithful in his new diocese Tuesday morning after an official announcement from Cardinal Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States.

"I am grateful to our Holy Father, Pope Francis, for the trust and confidence he has placed in me and calling me to serve here in this diocese, the Diocese of Providence," Lewandowski said.

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Lewandowski has been an auxiliary bishop in the Archdiocese of Baltimore since August 2020. He is a member of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, commonly known as the Redemptorists, who've served at St. Gerard since it opened in 1916.

He was born in Toledo but moved to Lima in the second or third grade, Lewandowski recalled in a 2020 interview with The Lima News, when his father, Robert, took a job at Westinghouse. They lived on five acres on Reservoir Road with horses.

He remained in Lima through eighth grade, when he went to live at the St. Mary's Seminary High School in Erie, Pennsylvania, at age 14. He returned in the summers and tried to helped at St. Gerard, where his mother, Frances, helped with the Girl Scouts and his father helped with bingo and was an usher.

He went to the St. Alphonsus College in Suffield, Connecticut, and the Holy Redeemer College in Washington, studying theology at the Washington Theological Union.

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Lewandowski became a priest in May 1994 in the Basilica Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.

His sister, Sister Mary Francis Lewandowski, is a member of the Felician Sisters congregation in Michigan. He mentioned his affection for his family and friends in Ohio and throughout the world during his introduction.

"All the people and experiences of these years have enriched my life and brought me closer to our Lord and to his people," Lewandowski said. "I love the church. There's nothing I would rather do than serve God's people in the church. I love being a priest. I love being a Redemptorist. I'm going to love being your bishop."

Lewandowski was emotional as he spoke Tuesday in English, Spanish and Portuguese, joking at one point, "I'm a crier." Wearing a black suit and a Roman collar, he shared his love of sweets and noted he learned about his new appointment while driving back from a Mass at a scouting camp at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 29.

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He shared a story of speaking with Pope Francis during a bishop's orientation course in Rome. He asked the Holy Father about his health and heard a "laundry list of ailments."

"I said, 'Do you mind if I just give you a hug?' And he let me hug him," Lewandowski said. "It was just a memorable moment. I think of him today, and just please pray for his good health and speedy recovery."

He's the second active bishop from Lima, after Bishop Dennis G. Walsh became the Bishop of Davenport, Iowa, in June 2024. Walsh most recently served at churches in Delphos, Landeck and Spencerville before becoming a bishop.

Lewandowski will be installed as Providence's 10th bishop on May 20. He succeeds Archbishop Richard G. Henning, who became archbishop of Boston in October 2024.

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Lewandowski's sister also designed his episcopal coat of arms. It includes his motto, "Because by Your Holy Cross," a quote from St. Francis of Assissi that was adopted by St. Alphonsus Liguori, the founder of the Redemptorists.

"In my heart, I know and I trust and I believe that the cross of Jesus makes everything possible," Lewandowski said.

Reach David Trinko at 567-242-0467 or on Twitter/X @Lima_Trinko.

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LINCOLN COUNTY, Tenn. (WHNT)  The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation says a Lincoln County man has been charged with sexual exploitation of a child and a list of other charges.

The TBI said agents with its Internet Crimes Against Children Squad obtained several indictments against Larry Cunningham, 64, of Ardmore, in an ongoing child exploitation case.

Tennessee authorities arrest 2 key suspects in kidnapping of Huntsville realtor, 3 others for harboring suspects

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The agency said in 2023 it received a tip concerning a subject using the online messaging platform Kik to talk about sexually abusing children and share images depicting the crimes. TBI said that Cunningham was later identified as a suspect.

According to the TBI, on March 18, a Lincoln County Grand Jury returned indictments charging Cunningham with a list of charges.

Those charges include:

one count of sexual exploitation of a minor for over 100 images,

two counts of aggravated sexual exploitation for over 25 images,

32 counts of especially aggravated production,

32 counts of aggravated unlawful photography,

12 counts of sexual battery by an authority figure, and

one count of aggravated child abuse

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Cunningham was booked into the Lincoln County jail on a $1,000,000 bond but has since bonded out, according to authorities.

The TBI said if you have any information to help in their continuing investigation, you should contact the agency at 1-800-TBI-FIND.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
LINCOLN, Ark. (KNWA/FOX24)  Lincoln High School and the Washington County Sheriffs Office partner up to create a hands-on criminal justice program.

The program was created in 2023 to offer students the option to gain real-life experience and credit toward a certificate in criminal justice. Through the sheriffs office, the students are pipelined into the workforce immediately after graduation.

Medical and Emergency Careers Academy Director Laurie Smith said the curriculum was created due to the high need for criminal justice jobs in Arkansas.

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The state of Arkansas has deemed a criminal justice pathway and H2, so they wouldnt deem that unless they had data to support that. Its a high needs and high wage job. So, most of their emphasis now is trying to get school districts to place more importance on these pathways so that we can get these students in these careers, Smith said.

Students who graduate from the program arent boxed into a career in criminal justice for the rest of their lives. Instead, its a way to get their foot in the door and make over $50,000 a year directly out of school.

Lincoln High School responds to Arkansas House bill that doesnt allow for four-day weeks

The program isnt limited to Lincoln students. Starting next year, they will start accepting any student in Washington County interested in criminal justice.

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Lt. Mike Arnold with Washington County Sheriffs Office said the program is a great way to reach all schools in the county.

With state standards, they can come and work for anyone in the state because the statewide recognized our training, so theyre allowed to go be in Benton County. Or they can go to the Pulaski County as long as they honor our training, Arnold said. Were getting to touch all the communities where I might not see the Elkins kids because Im teaching out here and getting all these kids to see us as a team. Its really good for them to get to see that.

Since the program started, they have put multiple graduates in high-paying, in-need jobs just weeks prior to graduation.

For more information on how to get involved in the program, you can visit the Lincoln High School homepage.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24.
AUSTIN (KXAN)  The city of Austin is starting to see the direct impact of federal cuts on its services and staff.

In a work session Tuesday, Austin City Council members talked about the citys five-year financial forecast. While much of that discussion surrounded the state cap on property tax, and the impact that state law has had on local government, federal cuts are also a major concern for Austin leaders.

We find ourselves in real financial pressure for this upcoming budget cycle and the needs of our community are great and they are increasing as more services are cut at the federal level, Austin Mayor Pro Tem Vanessa Fuentes said.

Flood mitigation grant: $50M

In a memo from the city of Austins Intergovernmental Relations Office, staff said the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is ending a number of resiliency grants. The city of Austin expects to lose $50 million it was anticipating for hardening major infrastructure as a result.

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[FEMA] is ending its Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Grant Program and canceling all BRIC applications from Fiscal Years 2020-2023 if funds have not been distributed in communities. Staff is still reviewing the impact. There is an expected loss of a $50 million BRIC Flood Mitigation grant, city staff wrote.

A city spokesperson said that grant was earmarked for the Fallwell Lane Capital Renewal Project which would help protect the South Austin Regional (SAR) Wastewater Treatment Plant and the Austin Energy Sand Hill Energy Center (SHEC) from major flood events.

For me it was really disappointing, not shocking coming from the federal government. This is a continued trend that were seeing at the federal level. And its really unfortunate because it has a real impact on the lives of Austinites, Fuentes said.

This area has seen flooding previously, both facilities border the Colorado River.

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It has been estimated that a single catastrophic flood event at the facilities could cause losses of over $1.6 billion at the siteboth plants would be inoperable and unable to generate electricity or treat wastewater, the citys website said.

The city said that wastewater treatment plan represents half the wastewater treatment plant capacity for the city, and the energy center represents 24% of the base load power capacity. Austin Energy also pointed out issues getting to and from the facilities.

When that road erodes, in 2013 or 2015 we saw significant erosion there, that means that we have trouble getting in and out of the plant itself. Its hard for us to get chemical deliveries, its hard for us to get major heavy equipment in there, its hard for us to get personnel, Matt Mitchell, a spokesperson for Austin Energy, said.

Austin Public Health: $15M

Because the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is cutting $11.4 billion in COVID-19-related funding, Austin Public Health (APH) said five grants and 27 full-time staff will be cut in their current capacity.

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APH said the city will work to move those employees to other vacant positions through the remainder of the fiscal year (end of September).

To clarify, the annualized cost is $7.5M, but through multi-year grants, it may add up to approximately $15M. An additional 28 or more staff members may be affected by more cuts, APH said.

Austin Public Health outlines $15 million in funding, over 50 jobs lost due to federal funding cuts

Austin Public Library: $275K

The city said because nearly all employees at the Institute of Museum and Library Services in Washington D.C. were placed on administrative leave, grants and contracts are unlikely to move forward.

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Austin Public Library (APL) submitted three grant applications that will no longer be considered, resulting in a loss of $275K in prospective funding, the memo said.

Grid responsiveness: $1M

The Intergovernmental Relations Office said the Department of Energy has informed them its finalizing a list of contracts to cancel.

The City of Austin was notified that a $1 million grant for Advanced Grid Responsive Technologies for Existing Multifamily Properties may be included for cancellation, staff wrote.

The citys Intergovernmental Relations Office said it will continue to keep city leaders updated on further changes.

We can only anticipate more, Fuentes said.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
Lloyd Smucker isnt a member of the House Freedom Caucus. He doesnt do fire-breathing Fox News hits. And he doesnt talk trash about Republican congressional leaders. In no way, in fact, has the 61-year-old Pennsylvania lawmaker ever been considered among the House GOPs many problem children.

Until now.

A committed fiscal conservative, Smucker has emerged in recent months as a key player in high-stakes negotiations over the GOP legislative agenda, where he has locked arms with the well-known rabble-rousers in the Freedom Caucus to push for drastic cuts in federal spending.

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Last month, he pushed through a budget amendment that would make an additional $500 billion in cuts over 10 years if Republicans follow through with the full suite of tax cuts they are targeting. And this week, he was part of a holdout group that held up final approval of the budget until Speaker Mike Johnson, Senate Majority Leader John Thune and President Donald Trump made firmer commitments to slashing federal spending.

Smucker and the other holdouts came along Thursday morning, voting to finalize the budget plan and move forward with the domestic policy megabill that could touch myriad parts of the federal government, from taxes to health care to border security to the military. But they also warned they will not be ignored as the final bill comes together.

Weve got to reduce spending to put the country on a better path fiscally, Smucker said in a recent interview. I think the disagreement is, some of us really believe that the [budget plan] is an important foundation on which to build a good bill. And so we want to ensure that some of the principles that all of us agreed to are included.

Smuckers involvement in the most recent budget mutiny sent a particularly sharp message to GOP leaders: The thirst for big spending cuts goes deeper than the usual suspects on the MAGA right. While Smucker is deeply conservative, hes also known as a team player in the Capitol leadership suites and among lobbyists in downtown Washington.

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Hes just a man of principle and deep conviction and that principle and conviction intersected with our colleagues in the Freedom Caucus, said House Budget Chair Jodey Arrington in an interview after the budget vote.

Smucker holds a coveted seat on the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee, as well as a slot on the usually sleepy Budget Committee. But the latest GOP governing trifecta made that latter spot crucial given its key role in writing fiscal instructions for budget reconciliation  the special process Republicans are using to sidestep a Democratic filibuster in the Senate.

Suddenly, Smucker found himself with outsize influence as an essential go-between between key committees, party leadership and hard-liners  and a rare opportunity to make good on the promises of small government and fiscal responsibility he ran on since he was first elected in 2016 to represent Pennsylvania Dutch country.

He was an absolute warrior in this process, said Arrington. We wouldn't have gotten the commitments to a fiscally responsible budget reconciliation bill if Lloyd Smucker was not involved and leading.

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Smucker and Arrington worked to put a strict $4.5 trillion cap on tax cuts  far less than the $5.5 trillion that Ways and Means Chair Jason Smith told members hed need to achieve all of Trumps campaign priorities. Smucker also crafted an amendment that reduces the amount of tax cuts Smith can enact if the GOP comes up with less than $2 trillion in spending cuts.

This week, he was pushing to amend the budget plan that would closely tie tax cuts to spending cuts. That language would have set the cumulative spending cut target at $2 trillion. If Republicans fell short of that number, then the amount to be spent on tax cuts would be reduced by the difference.

GOP leaders rejected making further changes to the budget framework, which would have required another lengthy debate and voting process in the Senate. But Johnson did sign a memorandum committing to maintaining linkage between provisions that result in a deficit increase ... and provisions that reduce federal spending and delivering a fiscally responsible product. He also put his own job on the line as collateral in a private meeting.

The commitment we received, which I based my vote on, was that we would go beyond what the Senate had included in their instructions, said Smucker after he stood down and cast a vote for the Senate-approved plan. That floor of $4 billion was unacceptable to all of us that were part of this group.

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That group is pledging to stick together as the potentially thorny process of assembling the megabill continues. Smucker is not the only odd bedfellow in the Freedom Caucus-dominated alliance. Rep. David Schweikert of Arizona, another Ways and Means member with strong views on fiscal discipline, was also part of the holdout group pushing for steep spending cuts.

The alignment of fiscal hawks far beyond the usual suspects on the hard right represents a pain point for House GOP leaders, and for Trump, as they try to balance various party factions as they write a passable bill.

Smucker said that with Republicans in charge of all three branches of government, it is a not-to-be-missed chance to act on the partys long-standing campaign promises to rein in spending and improve the nations fiscal trajectory.

If we dont change course, were going to see some sort of economic calamity, some sort in the not-too-distant future, in my opinion, he said. So I think this is our opportunity to at least take the first step towards fiscal sanity.

Meredith Lee Hill contributed to this report.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story included an incorrect age for Smucker. He is 61.
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  Local businesses are feeling anxiety and uncertainty around President Donald Trumps tariffs  despite the presidents backing down on his tariffs on most nations for 90 days today.

Local businesses told ABC4.com that its hard to make decisions when the tariffs are keeping them on edge, with one store saying they are slowing down on growth because of the uncertainty. Steel workers have said that costs are increasing, and they are unsure of what prices will look like week to week.

Im building out till August. And, you know I quote prices today, and they order, and I have no idea whats going to transpire next week, said Greg Colbert with Steel Products Manufacturing.

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In 2013, the company started making dumpsters for the construction industry.

Market volatility and your 401(k): What you need to know

Theres so much uncertainty right now, Im not exactly sure where its going to end up I got hit with a 20% increase as soon as the rumor surfaced that there was going to be tariffs in February, Colbert said. They hadnt even taken effect yet. And my price went up 20 percent Once the price goes up. Rarely does it come back down.

Amanda Stewart is the founder of Mochi Kids, which started as a clothing brand 10 years ago. Stewart said the company was planning on producing new goods and expanding the business, but they are taking a break because of the tariffs.

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We carry products from Japan, Korea, all over Europe, China, Mexico, Canada Stewart said. We got emails from different vendors and brands that carry, saying that theyre increasing their prices due to the tariffs.

Stweart said some brands have even temporarily paused manufacturing while they wait to see how the situation unfolds.

Trump limits tariffs on most nations for 90 days, except China

Another business owner, Marsha Holfeltz, owns a small interior design boutique in Millcreek. She said whats happening is unsettling.

Our furniture is coming from countries like Italy and Canada, Holfeltz said. And so a lot of our manufacturers have just said theyre not going to sell to the U.S. until all of this gets resolved.

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Since Holfeltz was unsure of when the resolution would come, she stocked up on enough supplies in an attempt to get through maybe one to two seasons without charging customers tariffs.

The business owners told ABC4.com that they fear the back-and-forth with tariffs will continue as the Trump administration prepares to engage in country-by-country negotiations.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
JERUSALEM, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Hundreds of Israeli Air Force reservists and retired aircrew members issued a public letter on Thursday, urging the government to halt the fighting in the Gaza Strip and bring home all Israeli hostages.

Following the letter's publication, Israel's state-owned Kan TV News reported that Israeli Air Force Commander Tomer Bar, backed by Israel Defense Forces (IDF) chief Eyal Zamir, decided that any active reserve soldier who signed the letter could no longer serve in the army.

The letter, published as an advertisement in several Israeli media outlets, stated, "At this point, the fighting primarily serves political and personal interests, rather than security needs."

"Prolonging the war does not advance its declared objectives. Instead, it risks the lives of hostages, Israeli soldiers, and innocent civilians, while exhausting reserve forces," it added.

The signatories further argued, "Only a negotiated agreement can bring the hostages home safely. Military pressure, on the other hand, mainly results in their deaths and increases the danger to our soldiers."

They called on all Israeli citizens to mobilize for action and to demand everywhere and in any way that the fighting cease and the hostages be returned now.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu backed the dismissal decision.

"Statements that weaken the IDF and strengthen our enemies in a time of war are unforgivable. This is an extremist fringe group that is once again trying to break Israeli society from within," he said in a statement. 
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  Under-served familied will have more access to early childhood education after a grant was given to Sunbeam Family Services Wednesday morning. They plan to renovate a new early education center with the funds.

This is a huge impact in finishing this fundraising goal for our new center, CEO for the nonprofit Sarah Rahhal said.

LOCAL NEWS: Oklahoma chefs, restaurant named James Beard Award finalists

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They offer early education, mental health, foster care and parenting services across Oklahoma County. Wednesday morning, they got a $200,000 boost from the James M. Cox Foundation to help serve 32 children.

The grant also caps a $1 million fundraiser that theyve been doing for a year and will go towards a building just next door. It used to be an emergency senior shelter, but it shut down during the pandemic. Now, the plans are laid out to help underserved families children to start learning early.

90 percent of a childs brain is developed before their fifth birthday, Rahhal said. So, early education helps all that good brain development.

The organization emphasizes S.T.E.A.M learning. Parent Jessica Bruckerhoff said this will help others like the nonprofit helped her son Walter, who was born a month early.

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Walter is 4 now and he is on an upward trajectory and he will be ready for preschool this year, Bruckerhoff said Wednesday.

LOCAL NEWS: Second Ronald McDonald House coming to NW OKC in 2026

They expect the center to open this fall. A play area is already situated in the back, with more to come.

I hope everyone will be a champion for early education because it really is about the future of our community, Rahhal said.

The organization also has a matching donation fundraiser going right now. You can find more at sunbeamfamilyservices.org.

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KANSAS CITY, Mo.  A spark of curiosity about her familys history is what prompted Priscilla Brittine to search online for family members in Kansas City.

However, in the process, she got a message that would set up a chain of events that would save her life.

Mija, you might want to know about this genetic mutation that runs in our family, she said.

She went through testing at the University of Kansas Hospital and learned that she had a mutation called CDH1. That condition put her at an 80% chance of developing stomach cancer and a 60% chance of developing breast cancer.

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Sub-contractor hits a gas line in Lexington, MO, causing explosion

This is my fate? This is whats going to happen to now me? No. I am putting a stop to this, she explained.

Despite diagnostic testing showing no signs of cancer, she decided to make a bog decision and have her stomach removed. She was only in her early-thirties at the time.

Really, I think its because of what I went through prior (to) being young, she said.

When she was just 14, Brittine lost her mother to stomach cancer.

Nutrition was a main factor, she was always vomiting, throwing up, she was getting skinnier and I have three boys. It would kill me to know that they watched me go through what I did, she said about her decision.

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After surgery, more in-depth testing was done on her stomach. The results captured something an initial biopsy couldnt.

Thank god you did what you did when you did it because you had beginning stages of stomach cancer.

DACA recipient returns home to Kansas City metro after deportation to Mexico

Through her recovery journey, she found support in nonprofits like Debbies Dream Foundation and Hope For Stomach Cancer. Shes traveled to DC to meet with legislators, advocating for more funding for research.

It saved my life; genetics saved my life; research saved my life, she said.

Priscilla says that last year, she also had a double mastectomy and that genetic testing has saved other family members lives. Its now her goal to get Union Station lit up in periwinkle in November.

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Shes raising funds for other survivors in the metro to go to DC with her to advocate and share their stories.

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YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  Thursday was the final day of the Youngstown State University English Festival. Its been a huge hit again for the 47th year.

Bestselling author Alan Gratz was a featured author. Thursday, he shared with the children how he writes a book and why he writes.

His book Refugee is one of the featured titles for the festival. Over 2,600 students from more than 200 schools are attending and competing.

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Gratz believes the festival is building their love of reading and the excitement for it

Oh, I think its great. I think its terrific for literacy. I think its terrific for them as building readers for the future. I think the kids who learn to love reading now will love reading as adults and be readers for the rest of their lives, Gratz said.

Books are on sale from many of the featured writers. Plus, more than $15,000 in prize money, books and merchandise will be awarded to over 200 winners

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In an emergency directive issued late last week, U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced her departments plan to expand logging and timber production by 25 percent and, in the process, dismantle the half-century-old environmental review system that has blocked the federal government from finalizing major decisions concerning national forest lands without public insight.

Under Rollins direction and following an earlier executive order signed by President Donald Trump, the U.S. Forest Service would carry out the plan that designates 67 million acres of national forest lands as high or very high wildfire risk, classifies another 79 million acres as being in a state of declining forest health, and labels 34 million acres as at risk of wildfire, insects, and disease. All told, the declaration encompasses some 59 percent of Forest Service lands.

Rollins made no mention of the role climate change plays in escalating wildfire risk or intensity, or how warming contributes to spreading plant diseases and expanding invasive species ranges. Climate change, it seems, has also been overlooked in the development of the Trump administrations proposed solution  to cut forests down.

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Healthy forests require work, and right now were facing a national forest emergency. We have an abundance of timber at high risk of wildfires in our national forests, said Rollins in a press release. I am proud to follow the bold leadership of President Trump by empowering forest managers to reduce constraints and minimize the risks of fire, insects, and disease so that we can strengthen the American timber industry and further enrich our forests with the resources they need to thrive.

While it may seem intuitive that cutting down high-risk trees will lead to less organic material that could incinerate, environmentalists say the administrations plans to increase timber outputs, simplify permitting, and do away with certain environmental review processes are likely to only escalate wildfire risk and contribute more to climate change.

Chopping down vast tracts of trees releases tremendous amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, exacerbating warming, which supercharges wildfire risk and causes blazes to burn faster and hotter. Though the climate science of timber management is complex, with techniques like prescribed burns considered widely effective in mitigating blaze-prone areas, the administrations aim to rapidly ramp up deregulated logging under the premise of lessening wildfire risk is poised to backfire, not least because of the carbon costs of cutting down forests.

A map accompanying the memo from the Department of Agriculture, or USDA, indicates the stretches of forest that the agency has identified under the emergency designation. California, Colorado, Idaho, and Arizona appear to have the largest swaths of forest lands affected. Parts of the South, around the Great Lakes, and New England are also included. The USDA has not specified how many acres will be impacted per state.

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The agencys emergency order and push to expand logging to mitigate wildfire risk, ineffective as it can be if done haphazardly, is not a new strategy, said Lisa Dale, a lecturer at Columbia Universitys Climate School who has researched wildfire policy for decades. Similar declarations have been passed in multiple former administrations as a way to shortcut the time-consuming and onerous review processes under the 1970 National Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA. What is new about this particular directive, however, is the USDAs explicit intention to remove NEPA processes. Trump imposed multiple limitations on the rule in his first term, most of which the Biden administration later revoked. In his second term, the president has sought to unravel how the sweeping environmental legislation is implemented, decentralizing how it has been governed and leaving it up to individual agencies to develop their own guidelines.

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Dale said this rings an alarm bell as the proposed elimination of NEPA processes at the USDA would mean that, in theory, a logging company could come into a forest and extract timber without having to first evaluate the environmental impacts of its actions  like when timber production overtakes endangered species habitats.

Im a little skeptical about the premise of this memo, said Dale, who has been a longtime proponent for streamlining NEPA. The idea that were going to increase timber production by 25 percent and that that will be the equivalent of reducing wildfire risk? Thats the disconnect.

As Dale noted, most of the really valuable timber is located only in a couple of states, in areas that are very difficult and expensive to access. Moreover, she said, none of those types of timber sales have much of an impact at all on wildfire risk.

The USDA declined to comment for the story, but a spokesperson sent Grist a public letter issued by Chris French, the acting associate chief of the Forest Service. In the letter, French first directs all officers to use innovative and efficient approaches to meet the minimum requirements of NEPA, and later notes that the agency will soon release direction for using emergency NEPA to streamline and simplify our permitting process.

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The agencys emergency declaration comes even as it continues to cull federal funding for food and farm programs, and has attempted to substantially shrink the very workforce that manages forest health and wildfire management.

Anna Medema, Sierra Clubs associate director of legislative and administrative advocacy for forests and public lands, said that the move will benefit industrial logging operations and create a negative climate feedback loop. She called the decision a boon for the logging industry and a disaster for our national forests. Other advocacy organizations, like the nonprofit Center for Biological Diversity, have vowed to use every legal tool at our disposal to halt the Trump administrations implementation of this order.

Jack Algiere, director of agroecology at Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture, a nonprofit farm and research center in New York, is holding out hope that agroforestry solutions will be included in how the Forest Service carries out the new emergency order. The thing with agriculture is that its working with living systems. It doesnt matter if youre in a forest or a vegetable field, said Algiere, who flagged there is no mention of a long-term implementation in the memo. Not all of these places are abandoned forests. Many of them already have management plans, and maybe this is going to disrupt that.

Algiere also took note of how the language in the memorandum includes what he considers a lot of the right words  such as mentions of the Forest Service working toward land stewardship together with federally recognized tribes. And yet he cant help but think about how, at the same time, the USDA is freezing and cutting funding for food programs and scrubbing diversity, equity, and climate tenets from applications.

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This could have been written in a lot of different ways, he said. Not unlike the rest of the USDA, there seems to be a little bit of both sides getting played out.

This story was originally published by Grist with the headline Logging doesnt prevent wildfires, but Trump is trying it anyway on Apr 10, 2025.
Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo making remarks during his State of the State Address in the Assembly Chambers in Janaury, 2025. (Photo by Richard Bednarski for Nevada Current)

Sounding more like Rodney Dangerfield than the chief executive of Nevada, Gov. Joe Lombardo complained last weekend to a Republican gathering that hes getting no respect in the Democratically-controlled Nevada Legislature, which he says has left him impotent to chart a course for the state.

Unless you have that majority, you cant make this difference. Cant make a difference, Lombardo lamented while addressing the crowd at the Republican Partys annual Lincoln Day Dinner in Carson City.

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The governor told the crowd he had a discussion with Majority Leader Nicole Canizzarro. And I said, Hey, what the hell is going on? My bills havent been heard. And the response was, just because youre the governor doesnt mean you get a hearing.

The speech was an illustration of Lombardos fleeting efforts at bipartisanship.

As governor, I am filled with hope and optimism [in] what we can accomplish if we simply summon the will to work together, Lombardo said in his inauguration address in 2023. This is the central covenant of my administration.

He went on to veto a record 75 bills.

In January, during his State of the State speech, he urged state lawmakers to set aside partisan politics.

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But on Saturday, common ground was beyond the governors grasp as he maligned Democratic voters as well as elected officials.

I think its important for people to realize that the strategy associated with the Democratic Party is stay at home. What can the government do to give handouts to us in order to ensure that we continue to support the government and re-elect people that represent them in that manner?

The governor complained that hes stifled by the Legislatures Democratic majority.

People are freaking tired, and the Democratic Party has not seen the election results of November as a mandate, he said. They see it as an obstacle of what theyre trying to achieve.

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Every day on social media, I get a submissive (sic) that says, Why isnt Governor Lombardo doing what Governor DeSantis is doing? Why isnt Governor Lombardo doing what Governor Youngkin is doing? Why isnt Governor Lombardo doing what Governor Abbott is doing? Because I dont have that luxury of a majority of the Legislature that is of the Republican Party.

Lombardo had a message for the individuals on social media  that are talking bad about all of us, in particular me. And a little bit on [Lt. Gov.] Stavros Anthony, he joked. Who cares? Stavros said the line is f**k you. He actually didnt say that. I said that.

Lombardo suggested those stupid protests that occur in the state capital are paid for by the Democratic Party, adding momentum among Democrats isnt because theyre pissed because they want to make a difference, its because theyre being paid.

The governor observed that two months into the 120-day legislative session, only two bills have landed on his desk. One is to pay for the Legislature, and two is whether they let chickens roam, Lombardo said of legislation that, in light of high egg prices and scarcity resulting from bird flu, suspended the law for 120 days that requires that egg-bearing hens have the ability to roam.

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Among Lombardos legislative priorities, he told the Republicans, is economic development, adding that under the two years of my tenure as your governor, we have brought $5 billion in economic development into the state.

Yet, he observed, Nevada leads the nation in unemployment and job availability.

You know why? Because theyre not quality jobs, he said. People would rather manipulate the government process and receive unemployment or to sit at home versus occupying a job thats available that doesnt see their family moving forward.

Lombardo announced he endorsed Nevada Republican Party chairman Michael McDonald for re-election.

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Everybody complains about like, Why is he still the chair? Why is he still the chair? One, he wants to do it, which is very important, the governor said. Two, he has the fire in his stomach to do it. And three is hes made a difference.

McDonald, who like Lombardo, is a former Las Vegas Metro cop, was one of five fake electors who cast Nevadas electoral votes in 2020 for Donald Trump.

Correction: The Lincoln Day dinner was in Carson City, not Pahrump, as stated in the original version of this story.
LONDON, Ky. (FOX 56)  A man and woman were charged with burglary and public intoxication on Wednesday after allegedly being found inside a residence illegally on Broad Street in London.

The Laurel County Sheriffs Office told FOX 56 that around 3:45 p.m. on Wednesday, David Jordan, 56, and Sheila Smith, 47, were arrested outside of a residence on Broad Street in London.

One of the individuals taken into custody stated that she just went inside the residence to use their Wi-Fi, deputies said in a news release.

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Court documents show that investigators allegedly found several glass pipes in Smiths bag.

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Smith and Jordan were both charged with third-degree burglary and public intoxication under a controlled substance.

David Jordan, 56, was lodged in the Laurel County Correctional Center on Wednesday. (Laurel County Detention Center)

Sheila Smith, 47, was lodged in the Laurel County Correctional Center on Wednesday. (Laurel County Detention Center)

They were lodged in the Laurel County Correctional Center.

The burglary investigation remains ongoing.

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LONGVIEW, Texas (KETK)  The Womens Center of East Texas is seeking donations this week to help stock their shelves.

The shelter is looking for donations to provide to survivors of sexual violence. Some items requested include diapers, baby wipes, body wash and feminine products.

Driver dies after medical emergency leads to multi-vehicle crash in Longview

Hollie Bruce CEO of the Womens Shelter, emphasized how much these donations help victims of sexual abuse get back on their feet.

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These are for them to come in and get and take to their homes where they live permanently. Bruce said. Were really, really grateful for that and hope people will participate in the drive. Well be stocking that in the next couple of weeks with whatever they bring in.

Courtesy of Womens Center of East Texas

Donations can be dropped off at the shelter which is off of Hollybrook Drive in Longview for the remainder of the week from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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LOS ANGELES (AP)  Moscow has freed a Russian American convicted of treason in exchange for a Russian German man jailed on smuggling charges in the U.S.

The prisoner swap was completed Thursday and Ksenia Karelina was "on a plane back home to the United States, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a post on X.

She was arrested in the Ural Mountains city of Yekaterinburg in February 2024 and convicted of treason on charges stemming from a donation of about $52 to a charity aiding Ukraine. U.S. authorities have called the case absolutely ludicrous.

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Here is what is known about Karelina and Russia's case against her:

Who is Karelina?

Karelina, also identified in some media as Ksenia Khavana, is a citizen of the U.S. and Russia who had lived in Los Angeles.

The independent Russian news outlet Mediazona said that she had received U.S. citizenship after marrying an American.

Isabella Koretz, owner of a Beverly Hills spa where Karelina had worked for eight years, told The Associated Press last year that Karelina, a ballet dancer, came to the U.S. to study at the University of Maryland in Baltimore before relocating to California.

She said Karelina is now divorced and does not have any relatives in the U.S.

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According to Koretz, Karelina tried to see her family in Russia at least once a year, usually around Christmas and New Year's. Koretz said Karelina flew to Russia from Istanbul in early January 2024 for a two-week trip to spend time with her 90-year-old grandmother, parents and younger sister. That's when she was arrested.

Koretz said in a written statement on Thursday that she was joyful and relieved by the news of Karelina's release, calling her a resilient young woman who has shown incredible strength throughout this unimaginable ordeal.

I cannot wait to finally see her and give her the biggest hug. We are deeply grateful to the federal government for helping bring her home, and we continue to hope and pray for the safe return of all those still waiting to be reunited with their loved ones. Today is a day of hope, love, and profound gratitude, Koretz wrote.

What was she convicted of?

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Russia's Federal Security Service alleged that Karelina had been proactively raising funds for a Ukrainian organization since February 2022  money that it says was subsequently used to purchase tactical medicine, equipment, weapons and ammunition by the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

The First Department, a Russian rights group, said the charges stemmed from a $51.80 donation to a U.S. charity aiding Ukraine.

The agency said she also took part in public actions in the U.S. in support of Kyiv.

Koretz said last year that Karelina actually was collecting funds for humanitarian aid and had made a donation to Razom for Ukraine, a U.S.-based nonprofit that says it provides medical kits and disaster relief to those affected by Russias invasion of the country.

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We're talking about diapers and formula, that's what she was collecting money for, Koretz said. We're not talking about money for weapons.

What has the charity said?

Dora Chomiak, CEO of Razom for Ukraine, said in a statement Thursday that the charity's staff was overjoyed at the news of Karelina's release.

Chomiak thanked President Donald Trump and his team for working to make it happen.

She was unconscionably jailed for over a year for exercising the same freedoms that every American citizen holds, and that all Ukrainians are fighting to keep," the statement said. We're incredibly grateful that she's free  but the work will not end until all Americans and Ukrainians held unjustly in Russian captivity are released and Russia's ambitions to destroy and conquer Ukraine are defeated.

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Who did the Americans release?

Arthur Petrov, a Russian German, was freed by the U.S. as part of the prisoner swap in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, according to the Federal Security Service, or FSB, Russias main security and counterintelligence agency.

Petrov was arrested in Cyprus in August 2023 at the request of the U.S. on charges of smuggling sensitive microelectronics to Russia. He was extradited to the U.S. a year later.
KABUL, April 10 (Xinhua) -- A total of 192 Afghan nationals imprisoned in Pakistani jails were set free and returned to Afghanistan on Wednesday, the state-run Radio Television of Afghanistan reported on Thursday.

This was the second batch of Afghan detainees who had been released by Pakistan over the past couple of days and repatriated to their country.

Earlier, 101 Afghan detainees were set free from Pakistani jails and repatriated to Afghanistan on Monday.

More than 2 million Afghans reportedly have been living in Pakistan, and Islamabad has asked Afghans without legal travel documents and resident permits to leave the country. 
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  Louisiana lawmakers will once again consider adding exceptions to the states near-total abortion ban during the upcoming legislative session.

House Bill 215, authored by state Rep. Delisha Boyd (D-New Orleans), would allow minors who become pregnant as a result of certain sex crimes to seek an abortion under state law.

The proposal applies to victims under the age of 17 and includes the following offenses:

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Rape

First-degree rape

Second-degree rape

Third-degree rape

Sexual battery

Felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile

Molestation of a juvenile or a person with a physical or mental disability

Crime against nature

Aggravated crime against nature

The bill specifies that police reports, forensic evidence, or prosecution of the alleged offense would not be required for a minor to qualify for the exemption.

This marks Boyds second attempt to advance such legislation. A similar bill she filed last year which would have added rape and incest exceptionsfailed in committee despite impassioned testimony from doctors, advocates, and survivors.

To narrow the proposal and improve its chances, Boyd has limited this years bill to minors under 17 and tied the exceptions to specific criminal statutes.

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I hope we take a look at the fact that this is to protect the most vulnerable  our children, Boyd said during last years hearing.

Currently, Louisianas abortion ban includes no exceptions for rape or incest. The only exemptions apply in cases of substantial risk of death or permanent injury to the pregnant person, or when the fetus has a fatal abnormality.

Boyd and other Democratic lawmakers have repeatedly pushed to modify the law, arguing that minors should not be forced to carry pregnancies that result from sexual violence.

According to the CDC, 27 of the 7,444 abortions reported in Louisiana in 2021 were performed on patients under age 15. A study from the Journal of the American Medical Association estimates that more than 64,000 pregnancies resulted from rape in states with near-total abortion bans between July 2022 and January 2024.

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Louisianas abortion ban went into effect in 2022 following the U.S. Supreme Courts decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.

The regular legislative session begins April 14.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Louisiana bill would require college students to take anti-hazing course under Caleb Wilson Act

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BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple announced a package of insurance reform legislation he supports during the 2025 regular legislative session on Thursday.

He was joined by Jake Minner and Jared Varnado, whose companies have been affected by the states commercial auto insurance cost crisis.

Temple said that while they have made some progress, such as attracting new property insurers and seeing some companies file for rate reductions, more needs to be done.

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He criticized Gov. Jeff Landrys recent statements, clarifying that the state insurance department does have regulatory authority and full access to insurer data. Temple used data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners to demonstrate that insurance companies are losing money in Louisiana, not profiting excessively as some suggest. Temple said many insurers have left the state or stopped writing new policies due to high losses.

I reached out to several leaders in the insurance agent field about commercial auto insurance. I asked if they could send me a list of any insurers they know of that have left the state in the past decade. In just a few hours, I heard back, and the numbers are devastating. The few people I reached out to came up with a list of nearly 40 commercial auto insurance that left the state, stopped writing new business or limited their writing, Temple said.

The commissioner proposed robust legislative changes to tackle the root causes of Louisianas extremely high auto insurance rates.

The package of bills Im supporting will create transparency, certainty and predictability in our market, which brings carriers to our states and provides affordable options to Louisiana drivers, Temple said.

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Heres what Temples plan for reform aims to address:

Legal Reform

Implement measures to reduce frivolous lawsuits.

Increase medical billing transparency.

Modify comparative fault rules.

Market Competition

Encourage more insurance companies to enter Louisianas market.

Create transparency and predictability to attract carriers.

Lower barriers for insurers to do business in the state.

Cost Reduction Strategies

Address high medical and legal utilization rates.

Provide tax incentives for insurers.

Create a permanent funding source for insurance programs.

Landry responds to Temple

Landry questioned Temples lack of action, adding that data shows his package of insurance reform bills will lower rates for all residents.

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He gave us a package of bills last year, yet we still have no relief, Landry wrote on X.

Read Landrys rull statement below.

At a time when Louisianans are suffering and seeking answers to their sky high insurance bills, our Insurance Commissioner @TimTtemple hosted a media spectacle telling citizens he has all the authority he needs to fix our insurance crisis. Well, why hasnt anything been done? He gave us a package of bills last year, yet we still have no relief. Id remind him that we were not elected by insurance companies or trial lawyers, but instead were elected by the people who entrusted us to fix this mess. Data shows our package of bills will lower insurance rates for all Louisianans and I look forward to the day where our Insurance Commissioner can get on board. Gov. Jeff Landry via X

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry reveals insurance reform plan

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JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV)  A Louisiana woman pled guilty on April 9 to one count of conspiring to commit wire fraud in connection to a car dealership fraud scheme in the Jackson-metro area.

According to court documents, in June 2023, Joshanique Elouise Bailey, 29, of New Orleans, and her coconspirators obtained the identity information of credit-worthy individuals, created false identity documents in the names of those individuals, and then posed as those individuals at automotive dealerships in order to apply for vehicle financing.

Indiana rape suspect captured in Mississippi

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Prosecutors said Bailey and her coconspirators submitted credit applications and purchased or attempted to purchase vehicles from dealerships in the Jackson area. The defendants traveled from Louisiana to Mississippi in a vehicle rented by one of the coconspirators.

Bailey is scheduled to be sentenced on June 25, 2025, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Bailey is the fifth and final coconspirator to plead guilty as part of this scheme. All five of the defendants are awaiting sentencing.

The United States Secret Service and the Mississippi Attorney Generals Office are investigating the case through their partnership in the Cyber Fraud Task Force.

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LOUISVILLE, Ky. (FOX 56)  A Louisville fugitive was arrested on Wednesday when authorities said he was found hiding in a homes ductwork.

According to court documents, Michael McWhorter, 52, was arrested in May 2024 after he allegedly told someone he was going to cut their head off with a machete and was released on a $2,500 bond.

Read more of the latest Kentucky news

Records show that McWhorter reportedly stopped attending court hearings in February 2025. Since hes been wanted on third-degree terroristic threatening, a convicted felon in possession of a handgun, and other traffic charges.

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On Wednesday, April 9, Louisville metro police located McWhorter at a home in the 2000 block of St. Xavier Street. The fugitive unit reportedly notified SWAT, who responded to the Portland neighborhood home around 3:42 p.m.

After a few hours of searching, officers said he was hiding so well in the house that he got himself stuck in the homes ductwork. SWAT reportedly moved in, pulled him out, and placed him under arrest.

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Shout out our Fugitive, SWAT and K-9 Units, who consistently go after the most violent offenders in Louisville, Louisville metro police wrote in a press release.

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McWhorter was lodged in the Louisville Metro Detention Center on third-degree terroristic threatening, possession of a handgun by a convicted felon, no registration plates, and failed or improper signal charges.

Hes set to be arraigned on Friday, April 10.

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Just days after shrinking the number of routes available to customers, ultra-low-cost carrier Avelo Airlines will start a new government contract - chartering deportation flights out of Arizona for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency.

Starting May 12, Avelo will begin operating domestic and international deportation flights out of Messa Gateway Airport, the company said in a statement to The Independent.

Avelo, which began operations in 2021, said it agreed to charter the flights in order to provide the company with the stability to continue flying passengers and employing crew members.

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We realize this is a sensitive and complicated topic, Avelo Airline founder and CEO Andrew Levy said.

Avelo Airlines began operations in 2021 and said they would assist the Department of Homeland Security in chartering deportation flights (Getty Images for Avelo Air)

After significant deliberations, we determined this charter flying will provide us with the stability to continue expanding our core scheduled passenger service and keep our more than 1,100 Crewmembers employed for years to come, Levy added.

The airline is closing its base in Sonoma County on May 1, days before it begins deportation flights. A spokesperson for the airline said that was due to low demand and achieving necessary financial results there has proven more elusive than expected.

This means Avelos routes from the Bay Area to Boise, Idaho; Salt Lake City, Utah; Ontario, California; and Kalispell, Montana, will be cut.

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Avelo plans to continue serving several routes in California, including Burbank, Las Vegas, Redmond and seasonally to Palm Springs.

A spokesperson for the airline said that it has nothing to do with DHS charters.

With the new flight operations underway in Arizona, Avelo said it would give current crew members the option to transfer to the new base as well as hire locally for flight attendants, pilots and aircraft technicians.

The Trump administration has promised to deport undocumented immigrants from the U.S. by any means necessary as part of President Donald Trumps mass deportation and anti-immigration plans. So far, the administration has conducted nearly 400 deportation flights.

The Trump administration has carried out more than 350 deportation flights since taking office (US Department of Defense/AFP via)

More than 25,000 people have signed an online petition to pressure Avelo to cease its contract with the administration.

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This isnt the first time Avelo has agreed to charter immigration flights with the government, however, it appears to be their first agreement regarding deportation flights.

The airline flew migrants from the border in Texas to various cities across the U.S. in 2022, including Westchester, New York and Jacksonville, Florida.

Regardless of the administration or party affiliation, as a U.S. flag carrier when our country calls and requests assistance our practice is to say yes. We follow all protocols from DHS and FAA, honoring our core value of Safety Always, a spokesperson for the airline said.
A Low Traffic Neighbourhood has led to a 700 per cent jump in traffic past a primary school and nursery, campaigners have claimed.

Lib Dem-controlled Bath and North East Somerset council has been condemned as irresponsible for establishing the experimental LTN next to Bath Spa Universitys campus.

The scheme, in which bollards were erected to block off what was previously a key route for people getting across the city, has displaced hundreds of cars on to local side streets since it was introduced in November, residents say.

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A residents group paid for a professional traffic monitoring company to count vehicles in roads immediately adjacent to the Lansdown LTN.

The Heart of Lansdown Conservation Group (HLCG) said the survey established there had been a720 per cent increase in vehicles passing Kingswood Junior and Nursery School.

Nearly 1000 cars a day pass school

In the week in March when the figures were collected, there was an average of 951 cars per day passing northbound along Sion Road, the location of the nursery and school.

Prior to the LTN, there were just 116 per day, HLCG said, citing data gathered by consultancy Smart Transport Hub.

It is frightening and highly irresponsible that a council can push up to 1,000 cars on a daily basis past a junior and nursery school, said a spokesman for the group.

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Local residents  who know their area better than anyone - have been warning the council for months (through safety reports, heavily signed petitions, correspondence and successful High Court action at a cost to the council of over 40,000), and even before the implementation of the [experimental traffic restriction order], of the safety issues.

It should be noted that Sion Road is not only a narrow residential road but also within the proposed LTN itself  the very area where the council is seeking to reduce traffic.

The Lansdown LTN was installed in November on a trial basis for six months, prompting 3,600 people to sign a petition against it.

But residents are worried that the trial  legally known as an experimental traffic restriction order  will become permanent, following the example set by another LTN elsewhere in Bath.

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The LTN on Baths New Sydney Place led to accusations that the councils imposition of the anti-car scheme had eroded trust in politicians.

Fear of zones being imposed

Despite the strength of local feeling, the council made the New Sydney Place LTN permanent in March.

And Manda Rigby, the councils cabinet member for highways, suggested last summer that future LTNs could be imposed in Bath without the public being given a say.

The council has previously insisted that residents were properly consulted in advance of the schemes being put in place.

Council cabinet member Mark Elliott, who took the decision to make the New Sydney Place LTN permanent, was reported by the Local Democracy Service at the tie as saying: The accusations of corruption ... I think are frankly offensive and I know them not to be true.

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The insinuation that there is anything other than sound decision making based on reasonable decisions, rather than backhanders or whatever it is you are suggesting, it is just wrong.

Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, formerly the MP for North East Somerset, previously called on the council to scrap its LTNs.

The car is an essential, Sir Jacob told The Telegraph in the run-up to the 2024 General Election.

Its not a luxury of the well-to-do, it is an essential for the least well-off for going to work, for doing their shopping, for leading their ordinary lives.

Bath and North East Somerset council was 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.
Photo courtesy of Florida Skywatchers Facebook page.

TALLAHASSSEE  If youre one of the 900 new people who move to Florida every day, you may not know this crucial secret of Florida government. Im a Florida native, so let me clue you in. Lean in close and Ill whisper it in your ear. Are you ready?

The Florida Legislature contains more cuckoos than a Swiss clock factory.

Now that youre aware of this fact, how are you holding up? Hows your blood pressure? Can you handle the truth?

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You want some evidence? Just last year, a legislator claimed his new anti-bear bill was necessary because there were bears on crack invading peoples houses. This was, of course, a complete fantasy. Yet his colleagues didnt question his sanity or call the paramedics. They just passed the bill. Its the law now!

This year theres one thats even kookier. I am referring to the so-called chemtrails bill.

In case youre unfamiliar with that debunked conspiracy theory, the folks who believe in chemtrails are convinced the government (or maybe its the Illuminati) is dispatching planes to fly over us unsuspecting Americans and spray chemicals on us.

Why? The chemtrails can change the weather, say the diehards. Or maybe they can control peoples minds. Or maybe theyre just going to poison everybody they dont like. Who knows? After all, its a secret, like the 1947 UFO crash landing in New Mexico.

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Anyway, theres a bill in the Legislature to track and attack chemtrails. Instead of being laughed out of the Capitol building, as it deserves, the bill was just passed by the full Senate, because thats what our states elected leaders are like right now. I wish I could tell you the Looney Tunes theme song played while they voted.

Sen. Ileana Garcia, via Florida Senate

The measure (SB 56), sponsored by Miami Republican Ileana Garcia, would prohibit the injection, release, or dispersion of any means of a chemical, chemical compound, substance, or apparatus into the atmosphere for the purpose of affecting the climate, my colleague Mitch Perry reported in the Phoenix last week. Any person or corporation who conducts such geoengineering or weather modification activity would be subject to a third-degree felony charge, with fines up to $100,000.

The bill would require the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to set up a hotline so anyone concerned about streaks in the sky can call and report them. Im sure the DEP will jump right on those reports, just the way the agency has jumped on reports of rampant water pollution that fuels toxic algae blooms, kills seagrass, and leaves manatees to starve.

I tried calling Sen. Garcia to ask her some questions about her bill. While I waited to talk to her, I was struck by a subversive thought:

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What if the chemtrails bill becomes law and we folks who still live in the real world use it to flip the script? What if we employ its provisions to go after the people who really ARE changing the weather  with their greenhouse gas emissions?

A healthy skepticism

The most shocking thing about this chemtrails bill is not that it was filed  filed, I should add, by a senator who won her seat by just 32 votes, thanks to an illegal ghost candidate scheme backed by Florida Power & Light.

Nor is the most shocking thing that it passed one house of our Legislature by a vote of 28-9 and now is headed for the other.

No, whats shocking is that it was endorsed by Senate President Ben Albritton and Gov. Ron DeSantis, two allegedly well-educated people. At this rate, theyll next endorse a taxpayer-funded expedition to explore how we ended up living inside a Hollow Earth.

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Actually, DeSantis endorsement isnt that much of a surprise. Hes happy to appease the Tinfoil Hat Brigade if it gets him a mention on Fox News or its imitators.

Remember, DeSantis is the guy who appointed as his surgeon general the worlds biggest vaccine skeptic and now lets him run around the state trying to convince everyone to stop preventing childrens tooth decay. I sometimes wonder if he and RFK Jr. share a brain worm.

Senate President Ben Albritton via his campaign website

But Albrittons comments threw me. Hes a longtime citrus man whos familiar with the need for accurate weather forecasts. Yet he actually called this lunacy a great piece of legislation that would address real concerns from our constituents.

If some of those constituents also think their elected politicians are all lizard people, presumably hed be fine with legislation requiring a reptilian DNA test before administering the oath of office.

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I have heard the conspiracy theories out there, Albritton said about Garcias bill, but the fact is we should not be shutting down legitimate concerns. Healthy skepticism is important. Theres a lot we dont know in this field of science and people are rightfully concerned.

Because I grew up in Florida, I have a healthy skepticism toward anything Florida politicians say. Albrittons statement suggests that Im right to be skeptical because theres a lot thats wrong with his comments.

We actually know quite a lot about the weather modification attempts. We know they dont work and have mostly been discontinued.

Florida law currently requires anyone who wants to modify the weather to get a permit first. A Senate bill analysis of SB 56 points out, There have been no applications for weather modification licenses in the past 10 years.

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Four years ago, eight Western states tried cloud seeding to produce rains to end a lengthy drought. However, Scientific American reported, there is little evidence to show that the process is increasing precipitation.

Yet weather modification is what our Legislature chooses to tackle instead of lowering property insurance rates, boosting educational test scores, or any one of a dozen more important issues. Maybe theyre under some bizarre mind control method that requires them to be ineffective at good governing.

Legitimate concerns

Albrittons statement about people being rightfully concerned about chemtrails sounds like hes endorsing the bogus claims that spread last year that the government steered two hurricanes to clobber specific communities ahead of the election.

Those rumors were, of course, lies spread by the unscrupulous to fool the gullible. They became so pervasive that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration had to put out a press release denying it.

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NOAA does not modify the weather, nor does it fund, participate in or oversee cloud seeding or any other weather modification activities, it said.

Given how Elon Musk is rapidly dismantling the agency now, I doubt they can control the thermostat in their office buildings, much less the weather.

I wish Albritton were as supportive of the legitimate concerns many of us Floridians feel about climate change.

Were on the front lines of it, with our rising sea levels, more intense hurricanes, higher storm surges, and increased temperatures even at night. Its hurting everything from our seafood industry to our sea turtle nesting. Heck, its even hurting Albrittons own industry, agriculture.

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Hard-headed property insurance companies recognize the dangers and disruptions of climate change. Why cant our state officials?

Susan Glickman (Photo via X)

If lawmakers want to protect Floridians by addressing substances affecting the temperature, weather, and climate, they should hold power companies and the oil and gas industry accountable, said longtime Florida climate activist Susan Glickman of the CLEO Institute, a non-profit dedicated to climate education and advocacy. The pollution they release is warming the climate in increasingly extreme and deadly ways.

But last year the Legislature voted to delete most references to climate change from state law under the well-known scientific theory of If We Dont Talk About It, Surely It Will Go Away. Given how we were all beaten up by intense hurricanes and big storm surges last year, I dont think it went away.

Fortunately, I see a way to take this chemtrails bill and turn it into a lets fight climate change bill. Let me explain.

Contrail confusion

I have a confession to make: Every time I read someones rants about chemtrails, I always crack up. Thats because I always picture Cary Grant fleeing the evil crop-duster in the movie North by Northwest, which is the silliest and most inefficient murder method ever attempted.

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Was the pilot supposed to crash into Cary and kill himself too? Cut Carys head off with the propeller, which would make the plane stop flying? Or maybe force him to cough up a lung because of all the pesticide he was inhaling? None of these options seem practical.

Similarly, the whole chemtrails theory falls apart on practical questions. How often and how much do you need to spray those chemicals in the sky to affect everyone? There are 23 million people in Florida alone. Thats a lot of folks to spritz with your mind-control concoction.

Seems to me youd need WAAAAAY more chemical spraying than what were seeing if you plan to coat every single one of us with the goop. Youd need to dump it out in quantities like the helicopter pilots dropping the contents of an entire pond on a wildfire.

Nope, what were seeing up in the sky are simple contrails  droplets of water vapor clinging to particles of soot that were emitted by an airplanes engine.

So imagine my surprise when Rafe Pomerance of Rethink Energy Florida told me, Water vapor is a greenhouse gas.

Rafe Pomerance via the Woodrell Climate Research Center

Say what now? I replied, displaying my usual incisive intellect.

You warm up the earth, and one of the effects is an increase of water vapor in the atmosphere, he explained. Then the vapor traps heat in our atmosphere just like carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases do. The heat that created the vapor gets amplified by the vapor.

When I expressed that old healthy skepticism, he referred me to a scientist named Adam Boies of Stanford University. Hes an expert on contrails. He confirmed that chemtrails are bogus and also confirmed what Pomerance told me.

Adam Boies via Stanford University

Some of the contrails disappear in minutes after the plane that created them leaves the area, Boies said. But some, say about 20%, linger longer. Those are the dangerous ones that can trap heat in the atmosphere.

Airplane engine manufacturers are worried about this so they are working on engine designs that will stop producing contrails, he said.

The airlines are so concerned about this that theyre willing to try new fuels or rerouting flight patterns to try to avoid them, Boies told me.

Thus, for once, the Legislature might do the right thing for the wrong reason  asking people to report something that actually is a cause of climate change. Thats why I think we should embrace this silly chemtrails bill and join DeSantis and Albritton in pushing it forward.

Then, once the bill passes, I say we all start contacting that DEP hotline to report, say, Florida Power & Light and its fellow utilities for burning fossil fuels to produce electricity. Theyre building a lot of solar farms now, but they ought to replace their older plants too.

The same goes for all the municipal incinerators across the state, too, and the Big Sugar companies burning their fields and sending billows of thick smoke into the communities south of Lake Okeechobee. I say we report every one of these folks messing up our state.

Hello, DEP, we can say, theres a chemical plant in Pensacola thats altering the weather with its nitrous oxide emissions. The clouds of pollutants are going up in the atmosphere and trapping heat here! You should do something about that, pronto.

Or how about, Hello, is this the DEP? I want to report someone for altering the weather. Its the Florida DOT. Theyre building a lot of roads for heavily polluting cars and trucks and doing nothing for mass transit. No electric vehicle charging stations, either. Can you get after them for that?

By the way, I never did reach the bills sponsor, Sen. Garcia. Its too bad. I was ready to congratulate her for doing more to combat climate change than either DeSantis or his predecessor, Rick Scott. Of course, to hear me speak, shed first have to unwrap all that tinfoil from around her head.

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WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)  Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be a useful technology, and one local county has taken an interest in AI as a way to boost the efficiency and distribution of public services.

Theyre calling it Next-Gen Luzerne County, a pilot program that county officials say they hope will help county employees better serve their constituents.

AI is seeping into just about everything, and now, it could be a new tool used in local government.

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They are going to be blown away by how much time they can save, said First Assistant Solicitor and Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer for Luzerne County, Vito DeLuca.

DeLuca says as far as he knows, its the first in the state to implement AI into county operations.

While the program is still in development, DeLuca says hes working with potential partners like OpenAI and Microsoft to find which model will best fit the countys needs.

Right now, the departments are identifying individuals within their departments who they think would like to participate in the program, DeLuca explained.

Wilkes-Barre holds hearing on UGIs rate hike request

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DeLuca tells 28/22 News that these individuals will be trained on the system to identify areas where AI could help reduce menial tasks and provide feedback to understand its effectiveness.

Its not a matter of having these solutions do our jobs for us or do the employees jobs for them. Its a matter of making them work more efficiently and allow them to do those tasks that do require greater attention, DeLuca continued.

The Shapiro administration launched a similar program for state employees in January of 2024.

They reported earlier this year that the first-in-the-nation program led to an average time savings of 95 minutes per day for tasks like writing, research, summarization, and IT support.

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Despite its usefulness, AI does have its limitations.

DeLuca stresses the program does not replace human oversight or judgment, but rather, acts as a tool.

He stresses that ethics and data security are a top priority.

We dont plan to hand over the keys to robots to take over Luzerne County. Were merely looking at giving our employees a brilliant navigator to assist them, DeLuca stated.

DeLuca tells 28/22 News they should have a partner and cost worked out in the next month, and that he expects the program to save the county money long term.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com.
The President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, wants to encourage young artists  especially those in the trending genre of corridos tumbados  to create songs that dont glorify violence or drugs. Thats why this week she announced Mexico Canta (or Mexico Sings), a binational contest aimed at shifting the focus of Mexican music to themes like love, heartbreak and peace.

This is the first initiative launched by the Mexican government to use music as a way to counteract the glorification of violence and the fascination some young people have with joining criminal groups, drawn by the promise of a flashy, luxurious lifestyle  all happening amid the wave of violence affecting certain regions of the country.

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While the contest wont solve this issue overnight, and were not neglecting the underlying causes  for that, theres a whole national security program  we felt it was important to create creative spaces through culture for Mexican and Mexican-American youth who are passionate about music, explains Claudia Curiel de Icaza, Mexicos Secretary of Culture, to Billboard Espanol.

In her opinion, many young Mexicans see their dreams of breaking into the music industry crushed, because they dont have instruments or professional recording equipment. Organized crime takes advantage of this situation and starts funding musicians, says the official. No one hires you if you dont have a solid music production to stand out. This program aims to provide that professional support.

The presidential initiative is backed by a segment of the countrys music industry, including major players like Virgin Music Group and Fonovisa/Universal, the Mexican Society of Authors and Composers (SACM), the Mexican Association of Producers of Phonograms and Videograms (AMPROFON), among others.

Registrations will be open at mexicocanta.gob.mx from April 28 to May 30. The grand finale will take place on Oct. 5 in the Mexican state of Durango.

A Billion-Dollar Industry

According to Curiel de Icaza, another goal of the Mexico Canta contest is to attract a portion of the creative industry in the United States to promote Mexican creative industries. This effort is part of Plan Mexico, a joint strategy between the Mexican government and the private sector to attract investments and boost national growth, especially amid the tariff policies of U.S. President Donald Trump.

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The minister highlighted the importance of Mexican music, which generates $2 billion in the United States, of which $500 million stays in Mexico, she said, adding that Mexico currently ranks tenth in the global music industry market, according to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), and No. 8 in digital consumption.

More than 70% of Latin music consists of corridos, and many of them glorify violence, she stated.

In the past, Sheinbaum has clarified that her government is not looking to promote censorship but rather to preserve traditional Mexican music while emphasizing other values.

This initiative was announced just days after outrage erupted in Mexico over the projection of images of a criminal leader during a concert by the corridos group Los Alegres del Barranco at an auditorium at the University of Guadalajara, which led to the U.S. revoking the work and tourist visas of the bands members.

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Heres everything you need to know about the binational Mexico Canta contest.

Who can participate?

All young Mexican and Mexican-American performers between the ages of 18 and 34.

How can you participate?

With songs or performances in genres like mariachi, norteno, banda, corrido, tropical, duranguense, campirano, bolero, among others, as well as fusions with rap, rock, pop, and hip-hop. Participants can perform in indigenous languages, Spanish, or Spanglish, with original songs up to 3 minutes long.

In which cities will participants be selected?

In the U.S.: Chicago, Houston, and Los Angeles.

In Mexico: Tijuana, Mexico City, and Oaxaca.

Where can the contest be followed?

On the Mexican governments public channels and official social media platforms.

What are the prizes?

Regional winners will receive mentorship from a group of specialists.

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For Best Song, the prize is a contract with a national, international, or independent record label.

The Best Performer will be awarded a record deal and the opportunity to record an album.

The winner of the Jury Prize will receive a record deal and the opportunity to record an EP (6 songs).

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On Wednesday afternoon, in a move that garnered global attention, Donald Trump announced a 90-day pause to much of his agenda on trade tariffs, which, not surprisingly, sent the major Wall Street indexes soaring. But a few hours earlier, the president  whod publicly insisted that his trade tariffs were here to stay and would never change  had published a related item to his social media platform.

THIS IS A GREAT TIME TO BUY!!! he wrote. It came four minutes after Trump also wrote, BE COOL! Everything is going to work out well.

It didnt take long before many started connecting those two dots: The president encouraged people to start investing shortly before he made an unexpected move that benefited investors. As NBC News reported, some important questions soon followed.

In the wake of President Donald Trumps announcement Wednesday afternoon that he was pausing country-by-country tariffs by 90 days, some experts  as well as critics of Trump and social media users  are raising questions about a statement he posted earlier in the day that may have indicated the massive sell-off in stocks in recent days was coming to an end.

Though no public evidence has emerged that the president was engaged in market manipulation, and the White House has explicitly denied anything untoward, the circumstances have generated some inevitable concerns.

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This is a scenario that could expose the president to accusations that he engaged in market manipulation, Richard Painter, former President George W. Bushs chief ethics lawyer who now teaches government ethics and security regulation at the University of Minnesotas law school, told NBC News. Painter added that Trumps online items were a terrible idea.

A variety of congressional Democrats in the House and Senate had similar reactions, and the morning after the presidents move, Sens. Adam Schiff of California and Ruben Gallego of Arizona wrote to the Office of Government Ethics demanding an investigation.

Time will tell what, if anything, comes of this, though the presidents record seems relevant. In 2018, The New York Times published a devastating series of reports about Trumps financial background, including the apparent fact that he became wealthy though alleged instances of outright fraud.

One of the Times reports included this tidbit: During the 1980s, Donald Trump became notorious for leaking word that he was taking positions in stocks, hinting of a possible takeover, and then either selling on the run-up or trying to extract lucrative concessions from the target company to make him go away. It was a form of stock manipulation with an unsavory label: greenmailing.

Trump has long denied any wrongdoing. Watch this space.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
BEIJING, April 10 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump last week unveiled the so-called "reciprocal tariffs" on most trading partners, claiming that the move, which has triggered significant global market volatility and fueled concerns about a potential recession, would make the world's largest economy "wealthy again."

Beneath Washington's relentless trade practices lies a deeper truth: the enduring legacy of a piratical past, now institutionalized as policy and disguised in rhetoric of fairness, rules and security.

Washington's trade aggression has deep roots in imperial history. In the 16th and 17th centuries, Britain's rise to global power was fueled by privateers -- state-sanctioned pirates authorized by royal "letters of marque" to attack rival ships and colonies. These licensed raids funded naval expansion, disrupted Spanish dominance, and paved the way for English colonization in the Americas.

The passengers aboard the Mayflower in 1620 -- often mythologized as spiritual refugees -- were, in reality, the first English colonists in North America, deeply embedded in Britain's expanding imperial enterprise. Their so-called "city upon a hill" was built on violently seized land, justified through scripture and sustained by relentless extraction. What began as maritime piracy gradually evolved into a settler-colonial model that blended conquest with moral justification.

That fusion, or confusion, persists today. In the modern era, U.S. foreign and trade policy still reflects this "pirate ethic" -- a kind of narrative alchemy that transforms plunder into providence, aggressors into guardians, and competitors into existential threats.

From the 1985 Plaza Accord, which forced Japan to sharply revalue the yen, triggering the collapse of its economic boom and ushering in the "lost decades," to the structural adjustment programs imposed on Latin American countries following their 1980s debt crisis, Washington has routinely wielded economic leverage to extract concessions. It posed as a partner but operated like a modern pirate, dragging weaker nations to the negotiating table under terms already decided.

Trump repeated the playbook. While claiming "for decades our country has been looted, pillaged and raped," he framed the new tariffs as an act of restraint, claiming, "We are being very kind," as if the United States, a superpower wielding a stick, is the one being beaten.

This reflex -- feeling threatened even while in a dominant position -- is deeply rooted in a pirate ethos shaped by fear and perpetuated by a perpetual sense of being under siege. As French political scientist Dominique Moisi noted, U.S. foreign policy is steeped in fear: fear of decline, of competition, and of losing primacy.

This fear fosters a zero-sum worldview, where the rise of any other nation is, by default, perceived as a loss for the United States. Even its allies are not exempt from this mentality.

In 1987, Japan's Toshiba was sanctioned by Washington for selling precision tools to the Soviet Union, citing "national security." In 2014, France's Alstom was prosecuted under U.S. anti-corruption laws and was subsequently pressured to sell its energy division to General Electric. Between 2019 and 2021, Washington imposed sanctions on European firms tied to Nord Stream 2, undermining the continent's energy autonomy.

China, seen as a long-term competitor by the United States, has faced a far more systematic and expansive range of coercive measures, including tariffs on billions of dollars' worth of goods under Section 301, export controls targeting critical technologies like semiconductors, investment bans on firms deemed "national security threats," and sweeping sanctions on Chinese tech firms. Although each measure is justified as a matter of national security or fair competition, the underlying motive is simply to contain an imaginary adversary.

After World War II, the United States initially positioned itself as a trustworthy power. Some countries, believing in its promises, tied their futures to the system Washington claimed to defend.

However, war, coercion, blame and extraction, once exceptions, transitioned to the norm over time. Eventually, the mask slips, and the narrative no longer holds. The United States is nearing that tipping point. 
Exactly one year ago this week, House Speaker Mike Johnson made a pilgrimage of sorts to Mar-a-Lago to kiss Donald Trumps ring and hold a joint press conference with the then-former president. It was not, however, a simple photo-op: The Republicans unveiled a proposal they appeared to be rather proud of.

The GOP duo pitched legislation that would require documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote. The absurdity of watching two notorious election deniers pretend to be deeply concerned with the integrity of elections was a detail the political world was apparently supposed to overlook.

Soon after, House Republicans followed through, introducing the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (or SAVE Act). As NBC News reported, that same bill has now passed the chamber.

The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, would amend the National Voter Registration Act so that states would be required to obtain proof of citizenship in person from people who are registering to vote. It would also require states to establish a program to remove undocumented immigrants from existing voter rolls and would allow American citizens to sue election officials that dont follow proof of citizenship requirements.

The measure cleared the chamber on a 220-208 vote, with four Democrats  Reps. Ed Case of Hawaii; Henry Cuellar of Texas; Jared Golden of Maine; and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington  voting with the majority. No GOP members opposed the bill.

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The principal concern with the legislation is that its a solution in search of a problem. To hear Republicans tell it, policymakers must prevent noncitizens from voting, which probably sounds reasonable. In fact, its so reasonable that the SAVE Act is redundant: There are literally zero locations in the United States where noncitizens can vote in federal and/or state elections.

GOP lawmakers have also argued that legislation is needed to curtail the scourge of noncitizens who are already voting. Except, Republicans have gone searching for evidence of this problem and found effectively nothing.

The House speaker, while touting the SAVE Act last year, said Republicans intuitively know that a lot of illegals are voting in federal elections, which was a hilarious way for the Louisiana Republican to effectively say, We have no evidence to bolster our beliefs.

At this point, some on the right might argue that the SAVE Act is worthwhile anyway. Sure, noncitizens are already prohibited from voting in federal elections, and yes, evidence of noncitizens casting ballots is nearly impossible to find, but maybe theres no harm in simply passing the legislation anyway? Just to be safe?

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Except, thats wrong, too, because the legislation would add new and entirely unnecessary hurdles for Americans who want to participate in their own countrys elections, forcing them, for example, to produce documents such as a passport or birth certificate to register to vote.

Whats more, as The Associated Press reported last month, state elections officials  from both parties  have expressed practical concerns about how these costly proposed procedures would be implemented and paid for. The same article added, Voting rights groups have said married women who have changed their name could have trouble registering under the SAVE Act because their birth certificate lists their maiden name.

For good measure, lets also not overlook the ugly motivation behind the GOP leaders push. Johnson has also argued that an influx of immigrants is one of their designs that Democratic officials created because they want to turn these people into voters.

Thats absurd for all sorts of reasons, including the yearslong process in which some of these immigrants might be able to become citizens, but it served as a reminder that the SAVE Act is, as a Washington Post analysis summarized, the great replacement theory ... in legislation form.

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On the House floor, 216 Republicans and four Democrats voted for it anyway.

The bill now heads to the Senate, where Republican Sen. Mike Lee of Utah is championing a companion bill. The odds of the legislation overcoming a Democratic filibuster, however, are poor. Watch this space.

This post updates our related earlier coverage.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Todays installment of campaign-related news items from across the country.

* In New Hampshire, Republican officials had hoped to convince former Gov. Chris Sununu to run for the Senate next year, but he passed on the race this week, saying that spending several years in Washington, D.C., was just not right for me or my family.

* Now that Ken Paxton, Texas controversial attorney general, has launched a Republican U.S. Senate campaign, the race is on to succeed him. John Bash  perhaps best known as Elon Musks lawyer  was among the candidates who kicked off statewide bids following Paxtons announcement.

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* On a related note, incumbent Republican Sen. John Cornyn, whos now facing a primary challenge from Paxton, called the scandal-plagued state attorney general a conman and a fraud.

* In North Carolina, Democratic leaders are still waiting to see whether former Gov. Roy Cooper will launch a U.S. Senate campaign. In the meantime, former Rep. Wiley Nickel isnt waiting: The former Democratic congressman launched a campaign this week, hoping to unseat incumbent Republican Sen. Thom Tillis.

* In Nevada, a local NBC affiliate reported this week on a leaked audio featuring Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo speaking to supporters at a private dinner. Referring to recent Hands Off protests, the governor called the demonstrations stupid and insisted that protestors had been paid by the Democratic Party. The governor and his office did not dispute the authenticity of the recordings, and Lombardo said his message to his critics was f--- you.

* Following the collapse of her ambassadorship nomination, Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik has been welcomed back into the House GOP leadership. Shell now serve as the chair of the House Republican Leadership, which is a newly made-up post.

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* And in St. Louis this week, incumbent Mayor Tishaura Jones lost her re-election bid, coming up far short against Alderwoman Cara Spencer. Both candidates are Democrats.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Headed into this week, Donald Trumps unprecedented campaign against the legal profession focused on eight prominent law firms  some of which responded to the offensive by fighting back, while others preferred capitulation.

The one thing they all have in common: The president conceded that the firms have done nothing wrong, but hes targeting them anyway as part of a damaging and authoritarian-style attack.

This week, as Above The Law noted, the list grew from eight firms to nine.

Donald Trump signed a likely unconstitutional Executive Order targeting elite litigation firm Susman Godfrey. Similar to the other EOs aimed at Biglaw, the order purports to strip Susman attorneys of access to federal buildings, amongst other provisions.

As the president signed the order Wednesday, he noted that his target list included five other firms, which he did not identify.

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White House aide Will Scharf told Reuters the latest order resembles previous actions the Trump administration has taken against law firms that it says have been involved in the weaponization of government or actions of lawfare.

As for whether the latest Trump target will choose appeasement, Susman Godfrey insisted that it will not. There is no question that we will fight this unconstitutional order, the firm said in a written statement. We believe in the rule of law, and we take seriously our duty to uphold it.

The broader question, however, is why the president added this specific firm to his enemies list.

As a rule, theres been little mystery as to why the other firms were targeted. Indeed, the White House made little effort to hide its motivations, lashing out at firms because they hired lawyers the president doesnt like and/or worked on cases that Trump disapproves of.

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But with Susman Godfrey, its not quite as obvious  and while the official order was over 900 words long, none went into detail about the firms alleged transgressions. (The order noted that Susman Godfrey administers a program where it offers financial awards and employment opportunities only to students of color, which Team Trump apparently finds outrageous, though this hardly warranted an aggressive response from the Oval Office.)

So why did Trump target this specific firm? Many of the news reports about the executive order noted that Susman Godfrey represented Dominion Voting Systems in the defamation case against Fox News, and it seems plausible that the president would want to punish a firm that clashed with a politically aligned media outlet.

Reuters report noted that Susman Godfrey is also representing Dominion in defamation lawsuits against the presidents former personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani, former Trump campaign lawyer Sidney Powell, and others related to false claims that the 2020 election was rigged against Trump.

Its also of interest that firm represents The New York Times in its copyright suit against OpenAI and Microsoft.

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But lets also not forget that it was just last month when Media Matters filed suit against Elon Musks X (the social media platform formerly known as Twitter), and the progressive media watchdog is represented in the case by  you guessed it  Susman Godfrey.

To be sure, Ive seen no evidence to suggest that Trump signed an order targeting the firm at the behest of his top campaign donor, but as the dispute unfolds, its a detail worth keeping in mind.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  Ohio House members passed the two-year state operating budget on Wednesday, sending what has become a controversial spending bill to the Ohio Senate for consideration.

It does not go far enough, and we think theres still a lot of reckless cuts and unnecessary cuts in this budget, Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) said. It is very consequential, and it is consequential in that it will be extremely damaging, especially to the funding of our public schools.

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I think this is the most consequential budget that Ive been [part of], Ohio House Speaker Matt Huffman (R-Lima) said. And this is now my 17th year in the General Assembly. It does more things on more fronts than any budget that Ive ever had been involved in.

Property tax relief

House Bill 96, as passed by the House, has a property tax relief effort that will bring Ohioans in nearly every district some sort of cut on their bill.

Heres how it works: if you live in a school district that carried over more than 30% of its budget from the previous year, your property tax bill will go down. Ohio House Finance Chair Brian Stewart (R-Ashville) said that will impact Ohioans living in 486 of Ohios more than 600 school districts.

Our determination is, if this was in effect already this would have constituted a $4.2 billion property tax relief, cumulatively, in the state of Ohio, for all of our residents, Stewart said.

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Stewart said this both ensures that schools are not hoarding taxpayer money while bringing Ohioans much-needed relief on their property tax bills, an issue that has been long debated at the Ohio Statehouse.

But Democratic lawmakers warn against this, calling it fake property tax relief.

[The Republicans] solution is to rob the schools and give it back to homeowners, so then what happens? The schools are either going to close down, eliminate education opportunities, and/or, probably both, are going to go to the ballot and increase property taxes, Ohio House Finance Ranking Member Bride Rose Sweeney (D-Westlake) said.

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But despite concerns with this being a one-time relief solution, or not true relief, those against the measure said even more, it has not been thoroughly considered.

It is completely unvetted, Russo said. We had a property tax study commission that looked at hundreds of plans. This was not on it. So, no one has fully discussed how this plan actually impacts districts and responsible school funding in practice.

Supporters said this will send a strong message to Ohioans that their money is theirs, and does not belong to the schools, or government and said it is just the start of relief lawmakers will work to pass.

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This is monumental, and this is one step that we, as a legislature, will be taking this year to address property taxes, Rep. David Thomas (R-Jefferson) said.

Some of the spending

Stewart said some of the big spending wins in the budget have to do with educating students. Stewart said this budget will increase funding to Ohios public schools, spending $20.2 billion over the next two years.

Those are cold hard facts, this budget increases funding for every single school district in the state of Ohio, period, Stewart said.

But Sweeney said this will, in the long run, leave schools in the lurch as the state walks away from a funding formula founded several budgets ago.

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What we are doing is arbitrarily walking away from that, she said. So next year we dont have formula anymore. That should be so concerning to everyone, to every property tax owner, every parent or child in the state and teacher.

The bill also creates a merit scholarship for high schoolers who graduate in the top of their class and decide to go to one of Ohios public universities, while permitting private universities to participate if they willingly follow provisions of soon-to-be law Senate Bill 1.

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One of the more controversial spending portions of the budget is not a direct cost to taxpayers. It is a $600 million bond to help the Cleveland Browns build a new stadium.

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No one in my caucus believes that we need to be funding a Browns stadium at this moment in time when there is so much unmet need in this state, Russo said. And this budget already recklessly and irresponsibly cut so many necessary programs.

The original text of the bill required the Browns to deposit $38.5 million of a security deposit, but Stewart offered an amendment on the House floor to increase that amount to $50 million.

As it stands, the Browns will have to invest $50 million, which Stewart said is estimated to grow to $250 million over 25 years and will help cover the bond debt if tax revenues from the new stadium fall short of paying for the bonds.

This is a significant added security for our taxpayers, Stewart said. I believe it will make a good deal even better.

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The Ohio Statehouse is not a personal piggybank for billionaires, Rep. Sean Brennan (R-Parma) said.

The amendment was adopted with 55 votes in favor, 15 against and 29 no-votes.

The bill also adds $25,000 each fiscal year to cover costs associated with joining the Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Compact, something that was in the state transportation budget, but ultimately removed.

We understand that we may have some difference of opinion with our friends in the other chamber, but we thought this is a reasonable thing to tee up again for discussion, Stewart said.

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The bill also adds $100 million for a childcare choice voucher program, something both Republicans and Democrats agree is a bright spot.

Theres a whole host of good provisions, and I would equate that to this body listening to the people of Ohio and to members across the board, unfortunately, it wasnt enough, Sweeney said. Im still trying to get to a place where we can have a bipartisan vote.

The budget also puts $150,000 in there to fund the Special Olympics and encourage them to be hosted in Ohio.

If you look at how states around us have funded the Special Olympics, were pretty low compared to those other states, Stewart said. I love the Special Olympics. I know that a lot of our colleagues do as well. And so, we felt like it was a good thing to do to bump that up and to show more commitment there.

Policies that dont spend

While most of the state operating budget spends money, parts of it create new laws or update the Ohio Revised Code, with no price tag attached.

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A few of the policies in the budget particularly take aim at the LGBTQ+ community. Those provisions include: policy that Ohio will only recognize two sexes, and they are not changeable; a portion that requires libraries to limit access to LGBTQ+ books; and a prohibition on state agencies from flying certain flags. Those were all added on April 3.

In addition to all of those, the most recent version of the budget prohibits a government entity from placing menstrual products in the mens restroom of a public building. Some Democratic members call those provisions a sneak attack on the LGBTQ+ community, but Republicans call those portions of the budget no brainers.

Commonsense, Stewart said. You know, men dont need tampons and it is kind of silly that we continue to have certain public entities that want to pretend otherwise.

I think we have real problems in this state and that is just not a real problem, Sweeney said. So, I will defer to the fact that we have a workforce shortage. We have our chambers of commerce saying were losing $5 billion in workforce needs. I dont know what problem that solving, and I just wish we would focus to the needs of the state.

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A policy that does not cost the state anything  but will cost drivers  raises the motor vehicle registration and renewal fee by $5. The revenue from that will be required to be used by the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

The state highway patrol has been looking for a more stable funding source; theres been a lot of changes over the years of how theyre funded, Stewart said. We had a lot of members that wanted to see a specific source of revenue and the $5 fee there on your license registration is how weve typically done that. And so, it just kind of expands that by $5 to pay for the Highway Patrol.

The budget also directs the state to ask the federal government for a waiver that would allow Ohio to restrict what Ohioans can spend their SNAP benefits on, specifically eliminating the ability to use SNAP on sugar-sweetened beverages like soda pop.

I dont think we should have a policy in the state where were essentially subsidizing diabetes in children by buying pop with food stamps, Stewart said. I think if people are using their own money, they have the freedom to do whatever they want with that money. And youre using the taxpayers money to buy your food. Then taxpayers have an ability to say, were not going to buy junk food with it.

Does this address the realities of food deserts? What if there is no access to healthy foods? Changes like that I dont think should be made in the state budget so we can actually flush [them] out, Sweeney said. If the goal is to make sure that people are having healthier alternatives, we all share that goal. Is this the right way to do it? Im not sure.

The budget also creates an age verification program in order to watch pornography, a bill that has been worked on in both this and the last general assembly.

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Thats a policy that I think has wide support in the caucus, Stewart said. I think, frankly, a lot of people believe that if youre going to have obscene material on the internet, we should at least make sure that those who are not legally allowed to view it are not viewing it.

The budget also eliminates the Ohio Elections Commission (ELC). That commissions enforcement authority and administrative responsibilities shift to the Ohio Secretary of State for certain candidates and campaign organizations and shifts enforcement authority to county Boards of Elections for local candidates.

The Senate will make its own round of changes, before working to find a compromise with the House. The budget must pass and be signed into law by July 1.

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TASHKENT, April 9 (Xinhua) -- At the invitation of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan, Losang Jamcan, vice chairman of China's National People's Congress Standing Committee, visited Uzbekistan and attended the 150th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) from April 6 to 9.

During the visit, Losang Jamcan met with Uzbek Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov, Chairperson of the Senate of Uzbekistan Tanzila Narbayeva, Speaker of the Legislative Chamber Nurdinjon Ismoilov, Acting Governor of Samarkand Region Adiz Boboev, IPU President Tulia Ackson, IPU Secretary General Martin Chungong, and Chairman of the National Assembly of Vietnam Tran Thanh Man.

Losang Jamcan said that under the strategic guidance of the heads of state of both countries, China-Uzbekistan relations have entered a "golden period" of rapid development. China is willing to deepen exchanges and cooperation between legislative bodies of the two countries and contribute to building a China-Uzbekistan community with a shared future.

The Uzbek side reaffirmed its firm commitment to the one-China principle and expressed its willingness to learn from China's development experience and deepen comprehensive cooperation.

During the IPU Assembly, Losang Jamcan stated that China is ready to work with the IPU and legislative bodies of other countries to promote global governance in a more just and logical direction and jointly build a community with a shared future for mankind. 
(KRON)  A 28-year-old man who is accused of scarily stalking women in San Mateo and stockpiling guns at home will appear in court on Thursday for an arraignment.

According to prosecutors, Leqiang Wang stalked a female co-worker and a second woman for several months between October 2024 until his arrest in April 2025. Hes now charged with more than a dozen felonies.

Investigators said Wang worked at the same San Mateo security systems business as the victim and they were not friends. She was never aware that she had a stalker, prosecutors said.

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Wang would follow the woman, record videos of her at multiple locations, and write notes to himself about what he wanted to do to her, according to the San Mateo County District Attorneys Office wrote. In his notes, Wang allegedly wrote about plans to grab his co-worker and commit violent acts against her, the DAs office said.

In early March, Wang mistakenly followed a different woman and her boyfriend to their San Mateo home, the DAs office said. A neighbor spotted a stranger trespassing on her property. Prosecutors said Wang was trying to learn more about the second victim while prowling in the neighborhood for two days.

Guns found in Leqiang Wangs San Mateo home were seized. (Photo via San Mateo Police Department)

The neighbor and the second victim called police on March 7, investigators said. The San Mateo Police Department was contacted by a community member regarding a suspicious person possibly following her from San Francisco to San Mateo. The suspect took photographs of her car. Officers continued to investigate the incident and learned the suspect had returned to the community members neighborhood on multiple occasions, SMPD wrote.

When detectives served a search warrant at Wangs house, they found a machine gun, illegal automatic rifles, a cache of ammunition, silencers, and a 3D printer machine for manufacturing guns, according to prosecutors.

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After combing through Wangs phone, vehicle, and house, detectives determined that he had been scarily stalking his co-worker, the DAs office wrote.

Before detectives could arrest Wang, he allegedly bought a plane ticket to China.

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Investigators tracked him down at Los Angeles International Airport on April 3 and arrested the suspected serial stalker. He was transported back to San Mateo County to face a slew of felony charges, including stalking and possession of a machine gun.

On Wednesday, a judge set bail at $250,000 over the objections of prosecutors. Wang, who requires a Mandarin language interpreter for court appearances, will return to the Hall of Justice courthouse in Redwood City on Thursday afternoon for arraignment. He remains in custody.

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Man accused of setting fires at St. Louis County hotel

ST. LOUIS  A man faces at least five years in federal prison for setting fires at a hotel in St. Louis County, just north of Ferguson city limits.

Prosecutors with the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Missouri said Brandon D. Smith, 40, was indicted Wednesday on one count of arson.

Smith is accused of starting multiple fires at the Knights Inn Ferguson, located in the 2700 block of Target Drive, on March 26.

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Police identify missing woman connected to FBI search in south St. Louis

Guests at the hotel were awakened by a fire alarm just before 2:50 a.m. Two fires had been set in front of hotel rooms, and a third fire on the second-floor stairwell.

Prosecutors claim Smith purchased gas at a nearby gas station just before going to the hotel and setting the fires.

In addition to prison time, Smith could be fined up to $250,000 if hes convicted.

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LOWER MANHATTAN (PIX11)  Police are looking for a man who allegedly had sexual contact with a corpse on a Manhattan subway train early Wednesday morning, sources told PIX11 News.

Officers were investigating reports of a dead body on the R train at the Whitehall St. subway station around 12:30 a.m. when they saw the suspect performing lewd acts on surveillance video, according to sources familiar with the investigation.

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The man allegedly took part in the act with the lifeless body when passengers left the train at the end of the line and just before it was set to be cleaned, authorities told PIX11 News.

Sources say the unresponsive person was homeless and may have died of natural causes.

The man was last seen wearing a yellow hoodie. There have been no arrests and the investigation is ongoing.

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).

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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.

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WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  A man was arrested and charged in connection to three stabbings across Southeast from February to March.

Temple Hills man dies after being shot multiple times in DC, police say

36-year-old James Gregory was extradited from Prince Georges County to Washington, D.C., and charged with three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon.

On Feb. 21, around 4 a.m., the victim was waiting at a bus stop at the corner of 18th Street and Minnesota Avenue before the suspect swung a machete at the victim, cutting them, police said. The suspect then fled, and first responders took the victim to a hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

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Around a month later, on March 23, the suspect allegedly approached a victim at the corner of 19th Street and Minnesota Avenue. After revealing a knife, the suspect stabbed the victim multiple times before fleeing, police said. The second victim was also taken to the hospital with non life-threatening wounds.

The third incident occurred on March 26, just after 7:15 p.m. The suspect and victim were in an argument on the 2200 block of Minnesota Avenue when it escalated. The suspect then stabbed the victim with non life-threatening injuries before fleeing.

Upon investigation, Gregory was charged in connection to the three incidents. He was located in Prince Georges Countys custody before his extradition to D.C.

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Rock Island Police have made an arrest in the death of a woman found at the American Motor Inn last weekend.

According to a news release from the department, officers were called to the American Motor Inn, 4300 11th St. on Saturday, April 5 at about 11:11 a.m. for a welfare check. When they arrived, officers found a dead woman, identified as 19-year-old Alexis Roelandt, inside a motel room.

Butch Roberson (Rock Island County Jail)

Rock Island detectives, working with the Davenport Police Department, found and took Butch E. Roberson, 28, into custody on Monday, April 7 for an outstanding warrant while in Davenport. An autopsy for Roelandt was completed on Tuesday, April 8 and her death was ruled as a homicide.

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Rock Island Coroner Brian Gustafson said the cause of death was traumatic head injuries.

American Motor Inn (Bryan Bobb, OurQuadCities.com)

Roberson was extradited from Iowa to the Rock Island County Jail on Wednesday, April 9 for his outstanding arrest warrant. Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Roberson on Thursday, April 10 on charges of first-degree murder and aggravated domestic battery.

This incident remains under investigation by the Rock Island Police Departments Criminal Investigation Division. Anyone with information regarding this case should contact the Rock Island Police Department at (309) 732-2677 or Crime Stoppers at (309) 762-9500 or use the P3 Tips app.

A previous incident in Davenport

According to Scott County Court documents, Davenport Police made contact with Roberson shortly before 2 p.m. April 7 outside a grocery store on the 400 block of East Locust Street.

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Police say Roberson gave a false name to uniformed officers, saying he was William Watson. He was unable to provide a date of birth or any identification that could be verified, arrest affidavits say.

Additionally, police say Roberson lied about his name due to the fact that he had a warrant for his arrest out of Rock Island County.

Roberson is scheduled for a preliminary hearing April 22 on the murder charge in Rock Island County Court, according to Rock Island County Court records. Scott County Court records show that, in connection with the misdemeanor charge of providing false identification information, he is scheduled for a non-jury trial to begin June 20 in Scott County Court. He has pleaded not guilty, according to Scott County Court documents.

He was being held Thursday without bond in Rock Island County Jail.

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DRAPER, Utah (ABC4)  Police arrested a man on misdemeanor charges for knocking down power poles while driving a dump truck with the lift gate up on Wednesday afternoon, according to court documents.

Kevin Frank Kilpack, 60, is facing two misdemeanor charges for his involvement in the crash, including economic interruption  property damage and fail to comply duties at vehicle accident/property damage.

PREVIOUS STORY: Power restored after dump truck crashes into power poles in Draper

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Documents say Kilpack allegedly forgot to put down his lift gate while operating a dump truck near 800 E 12300 S in Draper. The vehicles lift gate allegedly caught on the power lines, breaking the lines and pulling three power poles to the ground. Police say Kilpack then continued to drive rather than staying at the scene.

The incident led to more than 200 outages in the area, according to Rocky Mountain Powers map at the time, impacting the traffic lights on 12300 South. The power was restored late that night and police found and took Kilpack into custody.

In addition to the major traffic issues it caused for the area, several businesses were affected with one business owner losing $40,000 worth of revenue, according to the Draper City Police Department.

Several other business owners spoke with ABC4 following the incident, describing the challenges that came from operating their businesses without internet, refrigeration, or working payment methods.

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Kilpack was booked in the Salt Lake County Jail early Thursday morning. If convicted, he would face zero to 18 months in jail and several thousand dollars in fines.

Trevor Myers and McKenzie Diaz contributed to this report.

Latest headlines:

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An Edgecliff Village man was arrested in Oklahoma Tuesday in a hit-and-run crash that killed a 54-year-old woman, Haltom City police said.

Adrian Anthony Rodriguez, 20, was arrested in Medford, Oklahoma and charged with collision involving death in relation to the crash.

At around 4:01 a.m. April 5, Haltom City police and fire crews responded to a call about a woman lying unresponsive in the roadway near Northeast 28th Street and Field Street, police said.

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Crews began performing lifesaving measures on the woman, identified as 54-year-old Lorelea Fox, according to a statement.

Fox was pronounced dead at 4:18 a.m., police said.

Investigators determined Fox had been walking westbound when she was struck from behind by a passenger truck, which fled the scene without rendering aid, according to the statement.

Detectives identified Rodriguez as the suspect and seized the truck, which is being held as evidence, police said.
(FOX40.COM)  A 39-year-old man was arrested last month for multiple sex crimes against children in California and Nevada, according to the Sacramento County Sheriffs Office.

Video Above: Efforts by law enforcement to stop AI-generated child sex abuse images

The Sacramento Valley Hi-Tech Crimes Task Force discovered a Google account uploading newly created videos and images of child sexual assault material (CSAM) in Sacramento County.

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Detectives identified the account holder as Adam Williams, according to the sheriffs office.

Police found that Williams had recorded himself performing various acts of sexual abuse with multiple female children within the age range of infant to pubescent over several years.

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Williams was arrested on March 28 and was also found to have thousands of CSAM images involving toddlers prepubescent children, and pubescent children, along with artificial intelligence CSAM images as well, according to authorities.

Detectives counted 10 girls among Williams victims, but say they fear there are more.

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Williams is being held on a $1,000,000 bail for charges including:

Lewd and lascivious acts with a child under the age of 14

Lewd and lascivious acts with a child 14 or 15 years old while being at least 10 years older

Possession of child pornography

Possession in excess of 600 images of child pornography

Production of child pornography

Production of child pornography for commercial purpose

The sheriffs office asks the community to call (916) 874-5115 if they are aware of any more possible victims that Williams may have contacted.

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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  A man was arrested Wednesday after allegedly breaking into a womans apartment and assaulting her while she was asleep, authorities said.

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Michael Lynn More Jr., 39, was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center and accused of multiple sexual assault-related charges, the Portland Police Bureau said.

On Tuesday night, Portland police said they responded to reports of a man climbing fences and balconies in the area of Southeast 30th Avenue and Southeast Schiller Street but did not find a suspect.

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Then on Wednesday around 4:45 a.m., officers responded to reports of a burglary in the 4800 block of Southeast 30th Avenue.

Officers learned a man broke into the apartment and assaulted a sleeping woman before another occupant in the apartment chased the man out, the Portland Police Bureau said in a press release. With the help of a UAS drone and a K9, officers located the suspect and took him into custody.

The victim was taken to a hospital for treatment and later released. A PPB Victim Services Unit advocate has been assigned to her case, police said.

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Mooore is facing charges that include first-degree burglary, first-degree unlawful sexual penetration, second-degree sexual abuse and third-degree sexual abuse.

The PPB Sex Crimes Unit is investigating but they dont believe there are any more victims. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Portland police.

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KABUL, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Afghan authorities launched a campaign against locusts in northern Samagan province on Wednesday to protect farmlands and pastures, an official from the provincial Agriculture Department said Thursday.

Aimed at protecting 8,000 hectares of farmlands, the campaign would cover the provincial capital Aybak and all the districts to ensure farmers' interests in the province, said Gulabudin Ghiasi.

About 80 percent of Afghanistan's 35 million population is largely relying on agricultural products and animal husbandry.

However, the farmers have suffered due to years of drought and natural disasters including flooding and locust attacks over the past decade. 
A Tennessee man is charged after shooting his one-time rival  his ex-wifes ex-boyfriend  in a former love triangle in East Chicago, court records show.

Dorian Hern, 47, of Clarksville, Tennessee, is charged with aggravated battery, battery by means of a deadly weapon, and battery resulting in serious bodily injury.

He is not in custody. When arrested, he is ordered held on a $7,000 cash bond.

East Chicago Police responded March 25 for a reported shooting on the 4800 block of Carey Street. Herns ex-wife had called the police. They arrested Hern there, who said he was the shooter and told them to go inside to get the gun. The woman went to the police station.

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The ex-wife and the victim broke up two months earlier, she said. Hern just took her back from Tennessee, where she saw their children.

Neighbors and witnesses told police it looked like it was a shooting over a car repossession.

However, the victim  shot once in the chest  told investigators that he had let her borrow a black Lexus, since she didnt have a vehicle.

But after they broke up, his nephew got his car impounded. The victim wanted to get the Lexus back to give to him. When he hadnt gotten an answer from Herns ex-wife for two weeks, he went to her house with his tow truck.

The victim admitted he let himself into her house with a house key. Hern told police he believed he was defending his family and children. Hern and the victim had argued and fought several times in the past, according to the affidavit.

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Witnesses said the tow truck pulled into the driveway, the tow truck driver got out, knocked, then went back to his truck. Herns Mercedes-Benz pulled up.

Hern shot at the other man. The victim got out and ran toward the back, clutching his chest as they heard more shots.

Video from Herns Mercedes-Benz dashcam appeared to show the victim backing up a tow truck on the street around 8:15 a.m. after Hern pulled up.

What are you doing, dude, Hern says.

Move, or Im gonna run you over, (expletive), the victim replies.

Youre gonna damage my car, Hern says.

A gunshot goes off. The victim yells. More shots are heard.

He shouldnt have broken into the house, Hern later told his ex-wife.

mcolias@post-trib.com
DENVER (KDVR)  After a large pushback and outcry, the Colorado Department of Corrections announced Wednesday that a man convicted of killing a Denver officer will not be allowed into a program that would allow for an early release.

Raul Gomez-Garcia was 19 years old when he shot and killed Denver Police Detective Donnie Young while he was working an off-duty job in 2005. In March, Youngs family received a letter saying Gomez-Garcia could qualify for the Juveniles and Young Adults Convicted as Adults Program.

The law requires that convicts attend a three-year program and serve at least 20 years of their sentence to qualify for the early parole program. The DOC said Gomez-Garcias application did not meet the requirements.

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As a result, Mr. Gomez-Garcia is not under consideration for the program and is not eligible to reapply for a period of three years, the DOC said.

Greeley man, 24, gets life in prison for killing woman in 2022

The department explained that the program was created and signed into law in 2021 and includes a structured, multi-step process designed to ensure fairness, accountability, and public safety.

Many called on Gov. Jared Polis to join them in calling on the DOC to deny the petition to join the program, including Colorado Reps. Gabe Evans, the Denver Police Protective Association, Colorado GOP members and more.

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Evans went further, calling on Polis to work with legislators to amend the law, preventing anyone who has been convicted of killing a peace officer or who is a foreign national from joining the program. The Governors Office told FOX31 that even if someone is accepted into the program and is able to complete it and meet the criteria for an early release, the parole board could still deny the request.

Gomez-Garcia is currently eligible for parole in 2053 and has a mandatory release date in 2081, according to the governors office.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON)  A 34-year-old man was convicted Wednesday for taking part in an unprovoked, ambush-style stabbing two years ago in San Franciscos problematic Tenderloin neighborhood, said prosecutors. The victim was simply walking down a street when he was swarmed and attacked by several men.

VIDEO: Bus engulfed in flames in San Francisco

Jason Fayad was found guilty of assault with a deadly weapon in the Nov. 8, 2023 attack after a trial by jury, said San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins.

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DA Jenkins said testimony and evidence showed that the victim was walking down the street in the area of Leavenworth and Turk streets when he was brutally attacked by approximately eight men. The DA said Fayad hopped in on the assault and stabbed the victim in the back, sending him to the hospital. The extent of his injuries was not clear.

Mr. Fayad will be held accountable for his violent actions against the victim in this case, added Assistant DA Yuri Chornobil.

The D.A.s office did not provide details on the other suspects in the attack.

Fayad remains in custody where he awaits sentencing on May 12, 2025.

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A man convicted of strangling his girlfriend to death who was mistakenly released from a Georgia jail has been captured in Florida, the U.S. Marshals Service confirmed to ABC News on Friday.

Kathan Guzman, 22, was taken into custody in Ocoee on Friday, the U.S. Marshals Service said. He was arrested without incident at his mother's residence by the Florida Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force.

He has been booked into the Orlando County Jail on no bond on a fugitive from justice charge, online jail records show.

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Guzman was convicted last year of murdering 19-year-old Dalia Grayson and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

PHOTO: Kathan Guzman is shown in this undated booking photo. (Clayton County Sheriff's Office)

He was released from the Clayton County Jail erroneously, according to Clayton County District Attorney Tasha Mosley, whose office prosecuted Guzman's case. The incident marked the second time an inmate has been mistakenly freed from the same jail since last year.

Guzman was awaiting transfer to the Georgia Department of Corrections, where he was slated to serve his sentence, when he was "released in error" on March 27, according to Clayton County Sheriff Levon Allen.

His "inadvertent release" was not discovered for nearly two weeks, according to the sheriff, until the Clayton County District Attorney's Office contacted Allen directly about Guzman on Tuesday.

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Mosley said the Georgia Office of Victim Services contacted her office on Tuesday after they were unable to locate Guzman in the Georgia penal system.

"My office checked the Clayton County Jail system, where it appeared that Guzman had been released," Mosley said in a press release on Thursday.

MORE: Escaped California inmate wanted for killing Mexican police commander in shootout, officials say

The Clayton County Sheriff's Office confirmed Guzman's "erroneous release" with her office, Mosley said.

"The cause of the release is under investigation, and disciplinary actions are pending," Allen said in a statement on Friday. "Once the investigation is complete, it may result in the termination of employees within the Clayton County Sheriff's Office."

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Once authorities began searching for Guzman, they gathered information that determined he was outside of Georgia, Allen said.

"Once I contacted the U.S. Marshals and turned over all the information gathered, they began their work," Allen said. "I am proud to report that earlier today, April 11, 2025, the U.S. Marshals apprehended Guzman in Florida."

Mosley said Thursday her office was advised that "every available resource" was searching for Guzman, adding, "It is my sincere hope that Guzman is quickly re-apprehended and serves every day of his life sentence."

PHOTO: Kathan Guzman is shown during his 2022 arrest in this screen grab from a video released by the Clayton County Police Department. (Clayton County Police Department)

A Clayton County jury found Guzman guilty of felony murder and aggravated assault on Oct. 25, 2024. A trial judge sentenced him to life in prison the same day.

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Prosecutors said Guzman strangled Grayson to death early in the morning on Aug. 7, 2022, following an hours-long argument. Guzman testified that Grayson attacked him with a knife and that he placed her in a "sleeper hold" for 10 seconds without intending to kill her, the district attorney's office said. However, the medical examiner testified that there would have needed to be continuous pressure on her neck for significantly longer than 10 seconds for her to die, according to the district attorney's office.

Mosley said that upon learning about Guzman's release, her office contacted the victim's mother.

"How does this happen? How? I'm not getting a clear answer," Grayson's mother, Christina Grayson, told Atlanta ABC affiliate WSB.

Amid the search, she said she was concerned Guzman could be headed to Florida, where she lives.

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"I can't walk around without my concealed weapon," Christina Grayson told WSB. "I mean, I have to make sure I have that and my phone."

MORE: After 40 years on the run, escaped prisoner from Puerto Rico caught in Florida

This marks the second time since last year that the Clayton County Jail has mistakenly released an inmate.

In January 2024, murder suspect Zion River Shaka was transferred from the Fulton County Jail and sent to the custody of the Clayton County Sheriff's Office for a scheduled hearing, with instructions to return to the Fulton County Jail afterward. However, he was mistakenly released after the hearing.

Jail records show he was booked back in the Fulton County Jail in June 2024.

Convicted murderer captured after being mistakenly released from jail: US Marshals originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  Police in the District have opened a homicide investigation after a Maryland man was shot multiple times in Southeast overnight.

In an update on Thursday morning, D.C. police identified the victim as 29-year-old Jamal Kingsberry of Temple Hills, Md.

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) told DC News Now that the shooting happened around 11:30 p.m. on April 9 in the 3500 block of 22nd St, which is near the Maryland state line.

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When officers arrived at the scene, they found Kingsberry suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, police said.

Officials said they tried to save him, but he died at the scene.

There is a hole in our family now: Family of Bowie man found dead at Bahamas resort searches for answers

The police department said it is offering a reward of up to $25,000 to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction.

Anyone with information that can help homicide detectives should call 202-727-9099 or text MPD at 50411. Texts and calls can remain anonymous.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live.
SHELDON, Iowa (Iowa Capital Dispatch)  A hospital-affiliated nursing home in northwest Iowa has been cited for contributing to the death of a resident, the Iowa Capital Dispatch reports.

State and federal records show that in January, the staff at Sanford Senior Care in Sheldon, which is a 70-bed nursing home affiliated with the Sanford Medical Center, found that a male resident of the home had developed a reddened area on his coccyx. The staff failed to assess and treat the situation or notify the mans family or physician  even after it developed into an open sore in February, according to inspectors.

Northeast Nebraska man pleads guilty to terroristic threats

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A nurse aide later told state inspectors that she informed a nurse on March 4 that the area around the wound looked like hamburger and there was blood seeping through the white cream the staff had applied to the wound. The aide reported her observations to a nurse, who later acknowledged to inspectors that she had received the information but was too busy to check the wound herself.

On March 6, the resident was admitted to the hospitals emergency room with a Stage 4 wound, indicating there was sufficient loss of tissue to result in exposed bone, muscles or tendons, with the potential for a serious complication such as an infection.

The resident died two days later. According to state inspectors, the immediate cause of death was MRSA cellulitis  a dangerous skin infection that stems from staph bacteria  caused by the open wound.

A second nurse aide interviewed by inspectors allegedly reported that the last time she examined the mans wound it looked absolutely awful, and the residents overall color was off and he appeared gray and purple. There was bloody skin on both sides of the buttocks and continuing down it looked like hamburger, the aide reportedly told inspectors.

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The facilitys director of nursing allegedly informed inspectors that certain employees were disciplined as a result of the death, adding, We are trying to do everything possible to prevent this from occurring again.

Administrator Richard Nordahl referred all questions on the matter to Sanford Health. A spokesperson for the company indicated Tuesday that he was unable to comment on the matter at that time.

Iowa farmers continue to worry amid trade war

No state fines were imposed as a result of the death. Federal records indicate the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services imposed a civil money penalty of some kind, but a CMS spokesperson was unable to say Tuesday what that fine totaled.

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CMS Care Compare website, which provides information for consumers that is often out of date, indicates Sanford Senior Care in Sheldon has been fined twice in the past three years, most recently in 2024 when it was fined $11,872.

On CMS five-star quality scale, the Sheldon facility currently has a one-star overall rating  the lowest possible score.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports.
WARREN, Ohio (WKBN)  A Warren man pleaded guilty Thursday to seven counts of aggravated drug trafficking.

Shaffer McFadden, 44, was arrested during a TAG task force sting where an undercover agent bought methamphetamine from McFadden over several months in 2023, according to the Trumbull County Prosecutors Office.

About 15 grams of methamphetamine were sold during seven separate buys that happened between August and December 2023.

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McFadens bond was revoked following his plea, and he was taken to jail. He will be sentenced following a presentence investigation.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
A Cook County judge on Thursday found a man guilty of threatening then-Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who last month testified that receiving the profane and racist missive was traumatizing to her and her family.

William Kohles, of Michigan, was charged with two felony counts of threatening a public official for using a city feedback system to send a death threat to Lightfoot about crime in Chicago.

Lightfoot, who served as Chicagos mayor from 2019 to 2023, took the stand at the Leighton Criminal Court Building in March and gave an emotional account of being informed of the letter by the commander of her security detail. She briefly testified again Thursday before watching the attorneys deliver closing arguments.

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The content of this particular threat was especially disturbing to me, Lightfoot said last month. The content was incredibly profane. The writer  called me the N-word, which frankly directly hadnt happened in a very long time.

Cook County Judge Nicholas Kantas issued his ruling shortly after hearing closing arguments, finding that Kohles shared his message in a way that was meant to reach Lightfoot.

There are many other ways to complain about crime, Kantas said. He sent a specific message to the mayor in the only way he was able to.

In a statement, Lightfoot thanked the Chicago Police Department and the states attorneys office and said she was relieved and grateful about the guilty verdict.

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His death threat to me was direct, vile and replete with racist and misogynistic language. He wanted to cause me to be afraid, to worry about the safety of myself and my family, the statement said. The verdict is a relief, but it doesnt erase the fact that this defendant and way too many others of his ilk think it is open season to threaten the lives of those in public service. This has to stop. The defendants actions and countless others are a threat to our democracy.

The note, which was read aloud in court, used racial slurs and contained a threat to shoot Lightfoot if she didnt reduce crime in the city. It was sent on Sept. 23, 2022.

That is a threat, Assistant Cook County States Attorney Elizabeth Dibler said during her closing arguments. That is no longer just speech.

But Kohles attorney, Robert Fisher, countered that his client was just spontaneously venting after watching a Fox News segment about violence and did not have any real intent behind the letter.

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Kohles father testified on Thursday that his son suffered brain swelling from a childhood bout of meningitis and sometimes acts childishly.

Fisher called the content of the message deplorable but said Kohles has disabilities.

The state jumps to this conclusion that he absolutely knew what he was doing, Fisher said. I dont think he did.

Prosecutors, though, argued that they do not have to prove he would have carried out or would have the capacity to carry out the crime.
CHICAGO  A Cook County judge on Thursday found a man guilty of threatening then-Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who last month testified that receiving the profane and racist missive was traumatizing to her and her family.

William Kohles, of Michigan, was charged with two felony counts of threatening a public official for what prosecutors said was sending a death threat directed at Lightfoot through a citys feedback system.

Judge Nicholas Kantas issued the ruling shortly after hearing closing arguments.

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Lightfoot, who served as Chicagos mayor from 2019 to 2023, took the stand at the Leighton Criminal Court Building in March, giving an emotional account of being informed of the letter by the commander of her security detail. She briefly testified again Thursday before watching the attorneys deliver closing arguments.

The content of this particular threat was especially disturbing to me, Lightfoot said last month. The content was incredibly profane. The writer  called me the N-word, which frankly directly hadnt happened in a very long time.

The note, which was read aloud in court, used racial slurs and contained a threat to shoot Lightfoot if she didnt reduce crime in the city. It was sent on Sept. 23, 2022.

That is a threat, Assistant Cook County States Attorney Elizabeth Dibler said during her closing arguments. That is no longer just speech.

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But Kohles attorney Robert Fisher countered that his client was just spontaneously venting after watching a Fox News segment about violence and did not have any real intent behind the letter.

Kohles father testified on Thursday that his son suffered brain swelling from a childhood bout of meningitis and sometimes acts childishly.

Fisher called the content of the message deplorable but said Kohles has disabilities.

The state jumps to this conclusion that he absolutely knew what he was doing, Fisher said. I dont think he did.

Prosecutors argued that they do not have to prove that he would have carried out or would have the capacity to carry out the crime.

_____
TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras, April 9 (Xinhua) -- Honduran President Xiomara Castro on Wednesday urged greater unity among Latin American and Caribbean countries to better respond to the United States' "exclusionary economic reorganization" of the world.

Speaking at the opening of the 9th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), Castro said regional integration is now "more urgent than ever."

"We cannot continue walking separately when the world is reorganizing itself without us," said Castro, warning that "the old neoliberal order is collapsing, and major powers like the United States are redrawing their economic map without considering those being left behind."

Castro urged CELAC members to unite in confronting shared regional challenges such as new U.S. tariffs and migration policies.

More than a dozen regional leaders and representatives from CELAC's 33 member states attended the summit, where Honduras formally handed over the bloc's rotating presidency to Colombia.

Leaders are expected to adopt the Tegucigalpa Declaration, a roadmap for deeper political and economic integration across the region. 
Apr. 9A Dayton man may spend his life in prison for the murder of a 15-year-old girl in 2023, while a woman is now facing charges for allegedly trying to cover up the crime.

Tommy Moreland, 31, was sentenced Wednesday by Montgomery County Common Pleas Court Judge Dennis Adkins to 37 to 46 1/2 years to life.

He was convicted of three counts of felonious assault, two counts of murder and tampering with evidence and one count each of discharge of a firearm on or near prohibited premises, improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle and failure to comply with the order or signal of a police officer.

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Denisha Taylor, 33, of Jefferson Twp., was indicted Wednesday on three counts of tampering with evidence and one count of obstructing justice, all felonies.

Taylor is scheduled to be arraigned April 22.

All of the charges stem from the death of 15-year-old Heaven Washington.

On Nov. 17, 2023, Montgomery County sheriff's deputies responded to a shooting near Turner Road and Philadelphia Avenue in Harrison Twp.

When they arrived, they found that the teenaged victim was taken to Miami Valley Hospital in a private vehicle. She was pronounced dead at the hospital from multiple gunshot wounds.

At the time of the shooting, she was staying at a group home and was being driven by a staff member, Baretta Byrdsong, to get money for a field trip, according to the Montgomery County Prosecutor's Office.

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On the way back, Moreland pulled up to their vehicle and fired multiple times, the prosecutor's office said.

According to court documents, Byrdsong was the intended target of the shooting, and had an ongoing feud with Moreland. Byrdsong was also injured in the shooting, according to Vandalia Municipal Court records.

A license plate reader camera put Moreland's rental vehicle in the area at the time of the shooting. While detectives were surveilling the SUV near the Englewood Kroger, Moreland fled the unmarked patrol vehicles.

Detectives activated their lights and sirens as they pursued, with Moreland reportedly driving about 70 mph and running red lights.

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Moreland got onto Interstate 70 West and traveled through New Lebanon into Farmersville before abandoning it in a field on Havermale Road.

At its fastest, the pursuit reached speeds of 109.8 mph.

He was not found at the time, but was ultimately arrested in March 2024 after he showed up to Montgomery County Common Pleas Court for an unrelated case.

The SUV was rented in Taylor's name, and she was a passenger in the SUV during the chase. She was identified afterward as a person of interest.

According to court records, she turned herself in and spoke to detectives, saying that Moreland had observed a vehicle he thought was an undercover detective, leading to the pursuit.

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Byrdsong and another man, Darrell Bostic Jr., were also charged in the girl's death.

Byrdsong was charged with involuntary manslaughter, reckless homicide and endangering children and is scheduled for trial May 12.

Bostic was allegedly in the SUV with Moreland at the time of the shooting, and was charged with two counts of murder, three counts of felonious assault, and one count each of discharge of a firearm on or near prohibited premises, improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle and having weapons while under disability, each of which carries some kind degree of firearm specification. His case is ongoing.

Staff writers Jen Balduf and Kristen Spicker contributed to this report.
Apr. 10A Harrison Twp. man has been sentenced to prison for shooting and killing a reported burglar at his family's mobile phone store.

Mahmoud Asad Abdellatif, 22, was sentenced by Montgomery County Common Pleas Court Judge Susan Solle to a total of six to seven and a half years in prison for involuntary manslaughter.

Abdellatif was accused of killing 36-year-old Larry Swain Jr., of Troy, on Jan. 10, 2023.

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He told Montgomery County Sheriff's investigators that he lived upstairs from his family's Boost Mobile at 3801 N. Dixie Drive and overnight he heard noises coming from the store.

He said he went down the exterior stairs armed with a handgun, then went to the front of the business, seeing a burglar inside, according to the Montgomery County Prosecutor's Office. He then fired multiple shots through the front window, hitting the burglar several times before the burglar ran from the business, the prosecutor's office said.

Shortly after, Dayton police were dispatched to a house on North Horton Street for a person who had been shot, later identified as Swain, according to the prosecutor's office.

Swain was taken to Miami Valley Hospital, where he died.

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A 16-year-old girl who was with Swain at the time of the burglary was also taken into custody, the sheriff's office said.

Abdellatif was originally charged with murder, felonious assault, reckless homicide and discharge of a firearm on or near prohibited premises, but those were dismissed as part of a plea agreement where he instead plead guilty to involuntary manslaughter, according to court records.
A man holding a 1-year-old boy while pointing a gun at officers was shot and killed during a hostage situation in Indiana.

According to a press release from the Gary Police Department, officers were first called to a home on the 2200 block of Carolina Street on Tuesday, April 8, after a woman reported that "her boyfriend was acting strangely inside their home after using drugs earlier, had a gun, and had locked himself in a room with their one-year-old child."

Soon after, dispatch received another call about a shooting victim nearby, related to the incident. The victim was a 35-year-old cousin of the woman's boyfriend, a 38-year-old male.

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Police said that the cousin had gone to get the toddler before police arrived and during this attempt, the 38-year-old "became aggressive and shot him."

Related: Mom and 3 Young Kids Found Dead in Home  and Police Say There's No Danger to the Public

"The cousin then left without the child, returned to his own home, and called the police," the press release said. According to a press release from the Lake County Sheriff's Department, the cousin sustained a "minor injury" and refused medical treatment at the scene.

The Gary Police Department said that officers were then made contact with the 38-year-old and attempted to de-escalate the situation. He then allegedly fired approximately four times through the door at the officers. Officers said they could "hear the baby crying inside but couldn't see the child."

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Given the situation, the Gary SWAT Team requested a Lake County Sheriffs Department specialized tactical armored vehicle to help safely position officers closer to the scene, the Lake County Sheriff's Department's press release said.

The armored unit with four Lake County Sheriffs Department SWAT Team members was deployed, while the Lake County Sheriffs Department Drone Unit provided real-time aerial intelligence.

avid_creative/Getty stock image of police sirens stock image of police sirens

Related: Missing Woman Found Dead in Fla. Resort Closet  After Guests Unknowingly Shared Room with Her Corpse

The home's back door was removed with a ramming tool. This allowed the Gary SWAT team to deploy tear gas inside the property, but the suspect still refused to come out and had moved to the second floor, per the police department.

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Authorities said the 38-year-old refused to respond to calls or commands from negotiators and "fired at them multiple times."

"He was observed approaching the front door several times with a gun in one hand and a baby in the other," according to the Lake County Sheriffs Department's press release.

Around 4:20 a.m. on Wednesday, April 9th, the Lake County Sheriffs Department said the suspect "walked out of the back doorway toward his vehicle holding the child and pointing a gun at police."

A Gary police officer opened fire on the suspect, who was later pronounced deceased. The 1-year-old was unharmed but taken to Methodist Hospital Northlake as a precaution and the Department of Family Services was notified.

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The officer involved in the shooting has been placed on administrative leave, per the Gary Police Department. The Lake County Sheriff's Department is investigating the shooting and said no further information will be released at this time.



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LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) The Michigan State Police have identified the man who was shot and killed on April 6, 2025.

Joel Cothern, a 27-year-old Lansing man was walking the wrong way along US-127 near Barnes Rd. in Vevay Twp. The Ingham County Sheriffs Office said officers approached Cothern, reporting that he was non-compliant.

The subject was not handcuffed: Ingham County Sheriff defends deputies involved in deadly shooting (Image from video, Ingham County)

Officer injured, one man dead in shooting on US-127

Soon after being confronted, Cothern pulled out multiple knives. Police attempted to calm down the situation for several minutes. However, at an unreported time during these efforts, Cothern was shot by police.

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Ingham County Sheriff Scott Wriggelsworth held a news conference on Monday, regarding the deadly shooting, saying Cothern was not handcuffed, defending deputies actions after releasing bodycam footage.

To be clear, the subject was not handcuffed prior to the shooting. As a matter of fact, we never even touched the subject until after force was used, said Sheriff Wriggelsworth.

He says officers deployed a taser, but it was ineffective. Law enforcement officers made decisions based on the totality of their circumstances, not a two-dimensional video that captures ten seconds of a 13 plus minute encounter, said Sheriff Wiggelsworth.

I feel it as important as sheriff to provide more context in light of some public sentiment, the Sheriff added before showing two still images of the suspect close to law enforcement.

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CLEVELAND (WJW)  A Cleveland man indicted in the death of a 7-year-old boy who was fatally struck by the mans SUV was sentenced Thursday morning in a Cuyahoga County courtroom.

A judge sentenced Donald Mynatt, 33, to three years in prison in the death of Amir Prewitt.

Shooting at Cleveland bar leaves man in critical condition

(St. Thomas Aquinas School)

In August 2024, Prewitt was on a skateboard outside the Lakeshore Beach Apartments along Lakeshore Boulevard in Cleveland when he was hit and dragged beneath Mynatts vehicle.

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Mynatt sped away after the accident and was found weeks later hiding out in an abandoned office space above storage units in Lake County.

Donald H. Mynatt (Cleveland Division of Police)

He was initially indicted on counts of negligent homicide, failing to stop after an accident and tampering with evidence.

Mynatt pleaded guilty in March to one third-degree felony count of failure to stop after an accident, but not the negligent homicide charge.

After the investigation was completed and after a thorough review of the evidence  including reviewing the videos and obtaining the cars data recorder and having it analyzed  the state of Ohio was not able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Donald Mynatt was negligent when causing the death of Amir Prewitt, reads a statement from prosecutors spokesperson Lexi Bauer.

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When explaining why Mynatt did not face a charge of aggravated vehicular homicide, prosecutors last September said the charge would have required them to prove Mynatt had been acting recklessly.

At this time, there is no evidence that the defendant was operating the vehicle while under the influence, driving at a high rate of speed, using a cell phone or engaging in any other conduct that would be considered reckless under the Ohio Revised Code, reads a previous news release from prosecutors.

On Thursday, Mynatt was also sentenced to three years in prison for an unrelated felony count of failure to comply.

The sentences will be served consecutively, after which time he will be required to complete a program at a community-based correctional facility.

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Weezer bassists wife shot by police, charged with attempted murder: LAPD

Prewitts mother spoke during the sentencing about how her familys life has been affected by the loss of her son.

You left him there like he didnt matter, she said. He mattered to me, he mattered to his father, he mattered to his sisters and so many that are here today. The pain that I endure will never go away. Every day my daughter asks about or mentions her brother, how she misses him, how she wants him to wake up from his sleep.

Mother of Amir Prewitt testifies at sentencing for hit-and-run driver, FOX 8 photo

She asked the judge to give no leniency to Mynatt.

I will never understand why you felt like it was okay or ever justifiable to leave my 7 year-old son in the middle of the street, dying. You didnt even give him a chance to live, to see if he would make it, she said. You chose to keep going at that point so it was no longer an accident, but it was a choice. You chose to leave him there and fight for his life.

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Mynatt also spoke during sentencing, telling the judge he didnt know what happened the day he hit Amir until the passenger in his car informed him that he hit a child.

Im turning around and seeing whats going on and when I see a lot of people right there I didnt know what to do. Like, I was scared. So I just left, I just drove away, said Mynatt.

Donald Mynatt sentencing, FOX 8 photo

Thats the crime, the judge responded.

Mynatt told the judge he didnt know it was against the law to keep on going and was in fear of his own safety immediately following the incident.

Along with the prison sentence, Mynatt also had his license suspended for life.

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SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  A man stabbed to death after allegedly forcing entry into the home of his girlfriend over the weekend in the Grant Hill neighborhood has been identified.

Joshua Cruz, 23, was announced as the deceased, Lt. Daniel Meyer with the San Diego Police Department said in a news release Wednesday.

The incident occurred around 12:42 a.m. in the 200 block of 28th Street.

Police received a call from a resident saying her friends boyfriend was attempting to force entry into her home to assault the woman.

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San Diego police release videos of deadly standoff near Scripps Ranch

When authorities arrived on scene, they found Cruz with at least one stab wound in his body. Cruz was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The suspect, described as a 23-year-old woman whose name will not be released at this time, was detained but released pending additional investigation, according to SDPD.

Investigators believe Cruz allegedly threatened to assault his girlfriend and allegedly forced entry into the home by kicking in the door. Cruz did not live at the location, while his girlfriend was inside the home.

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Police say Cruz gained entry and was stabbed.

The investigation into what led up to the fight and stabbing is ongoing.

Anyone with information regarding the incident can call the Homicide Unit at 619-531-2293 or Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.

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The Russian army shelled Beryslav in Kherson Oblast on the morning of 10 April, killing a 59-year-old man.

Source: Kherson Oblast Prosecutor's Office

Quote: "The investigation indicates that on 10 April 2025, at around 06:40, the Russian military shelled Beryslav with artillery.

As a result of this attack, a 59-year-old man who was on the street was killed."

Details: Prosecutors, together with investigators, continue to document war crimes committed by Russian servicemen.

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CHICAGO (WGN)  A man was killed and a woman was injured after gunfire erupted on the citys West Side on Wednesday afternoon.

According to Chicago police, the deadly shooting unfolded just after 4 p.m. in the 300 block of North Cicero Avenue in Austin.

Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines

Officers said the victims, a 27-year-old man and a 25-year-old woman, were standing on the sidewalk in the area when a grey vehicle approached and someone got out and opened fire on the victims.

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The 27-year-old man suffered multiple gunshot wounds to his body and was later pronounced dead at the hospital. The woman was shot in her left leg and buttocks and was taken to the hospital in fair condition.

Authorities have not yet identified the victim killed.

LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland

Currently, it is unclear what led to the shooting and police said no arrests have been made.

Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to contact the CPD Area Four Detectives at 312-746-8251 or dial 911.

Those with information that could help authorities in their investigation can also leave a tip at CPDtip.com. Tips can be filed anonymously.

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Tony Lee Putman, one of two brothers charged in the 2018 murder of Jacksonville woman Kelsey Abigail Williams, pleaded guilty to murder on Tuesday, entering a plea agreement that includes a 20-year split sentence.

According to court documents, Putman will serve five years in prison, with the remainder of the sentence to be served on probation, with credit for time already served while awaiting trial. Following his release, Putman will also be monitored via a GPS ankle monitoring device for one year.

The plea comes years after Putman and his brother, Timothy Mark Putman, were initially charged in connection to the death, dismemberment, and burning of 26-year-old Kelsey Williams. Timothy Mark Putman had previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter in August 2023, in exchange for a 15-year prison sentence with credit for time served.

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Glencoe police and firefighters discovered parts of her burned body after responding to a trailer fire behind RJs gas station on U.S. 431. Calhoun County Coroner Pat Brown later confirmed that Williams body had been dismembered and burned beyond recognition. Forensic experts used dental records to identify her. The autopsy report revealed that Williams died from blunt force trauma to the head, and it appeared she was burned after she was killed.

Initially, Glencoe police had a suspect in custody on unrelated drug charges, stating that the suspect and Williams had been in an "ongoing type of relationship." However, on June 18, 2018, both Tony Lee and Timothy Mark Putman were charged with Williams murder.

The investigation revealed that Williams was last seen alive the morning before her body was discovered. She had left work the previous night and stayed at her mothers house, leaving early the following morning. A week after the initial discovery of her remains, a Wellington resident found Williams van at the edge of his property. Additional burned human remains believed to be Williams were found inside the van.

During a hearing in November 2019, Tony Lee Putman testified that his brother, Timothy, had confessed to killing Williams. He stated that he woke up around 1 a.m. on the morning of the murder to his brother tapping on his window. Timothy allegedly told him that Williams attacked him, and he grabbed the nearest object to defend himself, hitting her with it. Tony Lee Putman admitted to seeing Williams body in the shed of their shared home, but claimed he did not participate in her death.

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Tony Lee Putman also testified about helping his brother dispose of Williams van. He said he followed his brother in his truck as Timothy drove Williams' van to a dirt path. Tony Lee later picked up his brother. He also admitted to selling some of Williams clothes at a "Trade Day" event.

In June 2022, Tony Lee Putman was taken into custody again after locking himself and another individual in the back room of an Alexandria business, resisting arrest. He was also found to be in possession of drugs. At the time, he was out on bond for the murder charge.
NEW DELHI, April 10 (Xinhua) -- At least 22 people were killed due to lightning strikes in India's eastern state of Bihar during the past 24 hours, local media reports said Thursday.

Heavy rains and thunderstorms accompanied by lightning strikes lashed the state Wednesday, affecting several districts.

"As many as twenty-two people were killed after being struck by lightning in Bihar," a local television news channel, India TV, said in a report, citing official data.

The channel said the deaths were reported from eight districts.

However, a communique issued from the Bihar Chief Minister's Office (CMO) on Wednesday evening said 13 people died due to lightning strikes in four districts.

Reports said the four districts were hit by storm, heavy rain, and hailstorm, causing widespread destruction.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has expressed grief and sympathy with the families of the victims and announced monetary relief for them.

"Chief Minister has announced an ex-gratia payment of INR 400,000 (4649 U.S. dollars) to the next of kin of the deceased," a government spokesman said.

Kumar has also urged people to remain vigilant in bad weather and follow the suggestions issued by the disaster management department.

Reports said the victims were outside in their fields when lightning struck them.

Every year, with the onset of monsoon season, hundreds die in lightning incidents in India. 
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  A man arrested last month for leaving a child alone during a police chase pleaded guilty Wednesday to two misdemeanors in municipal court.

Read next: Former city employee sentenced in rape case; victim says he used status to manipulate her

Michael Mazorra, 32, entered guilty pleas before Judge Carla Baldwin to charges of endangering children and aggravated menacing, both first-degree misdemeanors.

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Sentencing information is not yet available.

Mazorra was arrested March 7 by city police after they responded to a fight call in the 2700 block of Rush Boulevard. Reports said when police showed up, he told co-defendant Hali Delgado, 33, to drive.

She drove away but the pair were later caught at Hillman and West LaClede avenues, reports said. Their child was left alone in a home on West Philadelphia Avenue while they were being chased by police, reports said.

Delgado was charged with failure to comply with the order or signal of a police officer, a third-degree felony; and the first-degree misdemeanor child endangering charge. Her cases were bound over to a Mahoning County grand jury.

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MEMPHIS, Tenn.  A Mexican national has been convicted in DeSoto County after pleading guilty to sexual battery against a child.

Javier Escamilla was sentenced to five years in the Mississippi State Prison, but the DeSoto County District Attorneys Office says he will not serve the time in the U.S. and will instead face deportation due to his illegal residence in the country.

Javier Escamilla (Photo courtesy of the DeSoto County District Attorneys Office)

According to a press release, Escamilla will be deported following the 414 days he has already spent in county jail, at a cost of more than $25,000 to taxpayers.

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This conviction sends a clear and unwavering message  we will not allow child predators to roam freely in our communities, said D.A. Matthew Barton. The safety of our children is non-negotiable, and we will continue to work relentlessly to protect our families from anyone who seeks to harm them.

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DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  A man has pleaded guilty in the robbery of a 2 NEWS photographer last year.

Christian Morrow, 26, pleaded guilty on Monday, March 31, to theft against an elderly or disable person. His trial had been set to begin April 2.

His sentencing is set for April 15.

A second man was found not guilty on Friday, March 14.

The robbery took place on Thursday, Oct. 17. A 2 NEWS photographer and reporter were traveling together at the intersection of Main and Fifth streets. Two men reportedly came up to them and attempted to take their video camera and equipment, valued at $7,500.

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Our photographer struggled against one of the men, and the other began hitting him with a cane. The two men fled then fled.

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WILMINGTON, N.C. (WNCT)  An American citizen living in Thailand pled guilty to threatening to kill Senator Thom Tillis and his staff.

According to court documents, Eric Charles Welton, 53, made multiple harassing and intimidating phone calls to the offices of Republican elected officials and GOP organizations in the U.S.

Welton said he made the calls because he was angry about political emails he received. Court documents showed Welton spoke with a staff member of Tillis and threatened to show up and put a bullet through each of their heads.

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They also showed Welton threatened to come to North Carolina and mow down the whole state and find the person who emailed him and cut off their hands.

Threatening to kill a public official and his staff is not only despicable, but also, an affront to our democratic system of government, Acting U.S. Attorney Daniel P. Bubar said. Our office will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute threats or intimidation against public officials, so they can properly carry out their important duties.

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(FOX40.COM)  A man was sentenced to 27 years in state prison Monday after being convicted of multiple sexual assault crimes, according to the Sacramento County District Attorneys Office.

Video Above: Sacramento County Sheriff Arrests Elementary School Counselor (Feb. 2025)

Officials said the man responded to an escort advertisement on March 20, 2023, and arranged for the victim to go to his house and provide sexual services for a fee.

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The man attacked the victim when she arrived and physically assaulted her over the next hour and a half. The attorneys office said the man released the victim who immediately reported the assault.

Man arrested for sexual crimes against children

The man was arrested and convicted of two counts of oral copulation by force, one count of rape by force or fear and false imprisonment back in December 2024.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40 News.
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW)  A man involved in a deadly street racing incident that killed two Wichita State University students has been sentenced to over two and a half years in prison.

Ahmad Juma, 21, received a 31-month prison term with an additional 24 months of post-release supervision after pleading guilty on Feb. 7 to two counts of involuntary manslaughter stemming from a high-speed crash.

The crash happened around 2 a.m. on Nov. 15, 2023, at Pawnee and Woodlawn. The Sedgwick County Sheriffs Office said two cars were westbound on Woodlawn. They did not collide, but they both went off the road.

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Juvenile critically injured while car surfing in Derby

One of the vehicles, a Lexus GS 350, struck a utility pole and overturned, ejecting Juma and two passengers. Carol Chakra died at the scene, and Lian Awadi died at the hospital.

Both women were WSU students, and Chakra had recently resettled in the U.S. after fleeing conflict in Syria. Juma, also injured in the crash, left the country and returned in January. Authorities picked him up in Florida and extradited him to Kansas.

Jumas attorney filed a motion asking the judge to consider a lesser sentence.

There was no criminal intent in Mr. Jumas actions, attorney C. Ryan Gering wrote. He made a poor decision, that tragically resulted in the death of two of his friends. He accepts responsibility for that decision and must live every day with the knowledge that his actions caused the death of his friends.

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Juma remains on immigration hold, according to court documents.

In all likelihood, Mr. Juma will not be able to remain in the United States following these proceedings, and he accepts that is the consequence of his actions, Gering wrote.

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JERUSALEM, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Israel Security Agency said in a joint statement on Thursday that they had killed the commander of Hamas' Shejaiya Battalion in Gaza.

According to the statement, the commander, Haitham Razek Abd al-Karim Sheikh Khalil, was killed on Wednesday in a strike against a command and control center located about one kilometer from IDF troops operating in Gaza City.

The statement alleged that "several Hamas terrorists operated from within the command center to plan and execute terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians and IDF soldiers."

According to the IDF, Khalil commanded the infiltration into Israel's Kibbutz Nahal Oz and took part in the attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. In recent years, he served as a platoon commander in the battalion and guided Hamas' tunnel operations. He assumed command of Shejaiya Battalion following the elimination of the previous commanders, Jamil Wadia and Fahim Farhat. 
MARTINSBURG, W.Va. (DC News Now)  The beloved Washington, D.C. cherry blossoms have made their way to West Virginia, bringing excitement for several high school students.

The popular Martinsburg High School Marching Band has been invited to participate in the Annual Cherry Blossom Festival Parade this weekend.

Members of the band have performed in the Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade and the entire band has marched in festivals at Disney World in the past.

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Senior Ariel Funkhauser is focused on her plans this fall to enroll in community college to be a physical therapist assistant. But she will graduate this spring, cherishing her high school experience, with a special celebration in the nations Capital this Saturday.

Dozens of road closures, traffic changes ahead of Cherry Blossom Parade

Everyone works together in the band, said Funkhauser. Its teamwork and a family that we have really built here.

Band director Casie Adams explained how special it is to be invited to march in the Cherry Blossom parade.

This is history for Martinsburg High School, Adams said. For the band program and the high school as a whole. Weve never been in this parade.

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And while senior Leonora Puplampu is focused on her biology studies at Shepherd University next year, marching in the Cherry Blossom parade will be an exciting way to wind down her senior year of high school.

I dont think Ive ever been on such a huge stage, so its going to be really interesting, she said.

After graduation this spring, Olivia Lewis is setting her sights on pre-med studies at West Virginia University.

But in looking forward to the weekend parade in the Nations Capital, Lewis said, the whole experience, just being able to march in Washington, D.C. for such a big parade, its pretty special.

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The parade kicks off at 10 a.m. Saturday at the corner of Constitution Avenue and 7th Street, N.W.

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Maryland just passed a raft of energy legislation designed to curb rising utility bills and boost in-state power generation. The reaction from climate advocates was mixed.

On the one hand, advocates lauded steps to limit gas infrastructure investments, streamline the community solar build-out, install more battery storage, and remove renewable-energy subsidies for trash incinerators.

But theyre also wary of recently passed legislation that expedites new gas and nuclear power plants. Environmental groups had pushed back on those measures, arguing the energy sources could raise costs for consumers and run counter to the states ambitious climate goals.

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The policies accomplished some really good things for lowering bills and protecting ratepayers, but we're going to have to watch the implementation very closely to ensure that this keeps us in line with climate goals, said Brittany Baker, Maryland director at the nonprofit Chesapeake Climate Action Network.

The three energy bills passed Monday are now headed to Democratic Gov. Wes Moores desk for signing. The largest is the Next Generation Energy Act, which cobbled together provisions from various bills introduced throughout the legislative session  many of which take steps to reduce carbon emissions and lower residential energy bills, clean energy advocates said.

For one, the bill sets up a process for the state to install up to 1.75 gigawatts of battery storage and disqualifies waste-to-energy plants from receiving subsidies through the states renewable portfolio standard. A separate bill will accelerate community solar development and limit the ability of local governments to block certain solar projects.

Lawmakers also took historic action to rein in utility rate hikes and protect ratepayers. Last year, a report by the Maryland Office of Peoples Counsel found that growing gas and electric bills were largely driven by multiyear rate hikes and a 2013 state law that allows gas utilities to recoup pipeline-replacement costs up front through a monthly surcharge on bills. That law created a financial incentive to replace gas lines, said Susan Stevens Miller, senior attorney at the nonprofit Earthjustice. Sadly, it created too much of an incentive, causing utilities to replace pipelines unnecessarily to earn the guaranteed return on their investment.

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The Next Generation Energy Act takes aim at both issues by requiring gas companies to demonstrate customer benefits and cost-effectiveness when spending on pipelines under the 2013 law, and setting stricter standards for utility regulators to approve multiyear rate plans.

The legislation also prohibits utilities from charging customers for membership dues to trade associations that engage in lobbying, like the American Gas Association and Edison Electric Institute, and for private jets. Maryland joins a growing wave of states that have introduced laws to prevent utilities from recovering lobbying costs and luxury expenses from customers.

Overall, these protections will save Marylanders hundreds of millions of dollars, said Emily Scarr, senior advisor at the Maryland Public Interest Research Group, in a statement.

The bill further requires utilities to create standardized rates and contracts with data centers, to ensure they pay their fair share and dont pass on higher energy costs to residents. It also authorized an estimated $80 one-time electricity refund for all residential customers to be sent out over the next year.

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Despite progress in some areas, Marylands energy policy takes a giant step backwards by fast-tracking new gas power plants, said Stevens Miller. The legislation sets up an expedited process for up to 10 new fossil-gas plants, defined as dispatchable energy generation.

The provision faced backlash from clean energy and environmental justice groups in earlier forms of the bill and was later amended to require any expedited gas plants to be capable of converting to hydrogen or zero-emissions biofuels. Legislators also amended the bill to strengthen community-input and permitting processes for such projects.

The amendments did little to change the bills ultimate impact, Stevens Miller said. The end result is that someone will want to build a gas-fired power plant, and they'll use this fast-track process essentially to try to get permission to build that gas-fired power plant in Maryland.

In 2022, Maryland committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 60% below 2006 levels by 2031 and achieving net-zero economy-wide emissions by 2045. Adding new gas power plants, which release greenhouse gas emissions and harmful air pollutants, would stifle any progress toward those targets, climate advocates argue.

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Stevens Miller and other advocates have also raised concerns about portions in the bill to procure nuclear energy and invest in new advanced nuclear reactors, which they say would ultimately raise electricity bills and waste valuable time and resources that could be dedicated to encouraging cheaper solar, wind, and other clean energy sources.

Nuclear power is the states largest source of electricity, providing just under 40% last year. Fossil gas provided another 38%. Meanwhile, just over 8% of its power came from renewables in 2024.

We did not make a lot of climate progress this year, honestly, said Baker of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network. While the push for battery storage will help the state remain in line with our climate goals, this years reforms didnt raise the goals or move us ahead in a very significant way."



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CHELSEA, Mass. (WWLP)  A Dorchester man has been arrested in connection with a small explosion that rocked a residential area of Chelsea over the weekend, officials announced Thursday.

Hadley man arrested after FBI search of house

According to the Department of Fire Services Public Information officer Jake Wark, on Sunday, 40-year-old Douglas C. MacMillan, was taken into custody by Chelsea Police and State Police.

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MacMillan faces charges related to the possession and use of an incendiary device, authorities said. The arrest stems from an incident that occurred early Sunday afternoon near 1016 Revere Beach Parkway, where emergency crews received reports of an explosion. According to Chelsea Fire Chief John Quatieri, investigators found damage and debris consistent with a deliberately set blast, though no injuries were reported.

Fire investigators determined the explosion likely involved an M-class explosive device, which is illegal in Massachusetts and numerous other states. M-class devices are known for their powerful detonation potential and are often categorized alongside other illegal fireworks and homemade explosives.

Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the detonation, including how MacMillan acquired the device. Anyone with further information is encouraged to contact the Chelsea Police Department. He is scheduled to be arraigned in Chelsea District Court.

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.

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MASSENA, N.Y. (WWTI)  A 26-year-old Massena is facing rape charges from an investigation dating back to 2024.

The Massena Village Police Department arrested Cole Fields for two counts of second-degree rape of a victim less than 15 years of age.

He was arraigned in the Town of Massena Court and remanded to the St. Lawrence County Jail.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWTI - InformNNY.com.
Apr. 9ST. PAUL  Bemidji Mayor Jorge Prince was appointed to the

League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust Board of Trustees

on Monday, April 7, and his three-year term will begin in June.

Prince already serves as a

director for the LMCIT.

"Our trustees have vital responsibilities for oversight of fiscal and general administrative policy for LMCIT," said Dan Greensweig, administrator for the Trust. "We are fortunate to have our governance in the hands of such capable and knowledgeable public servants."

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The trustees will next meet on April 16. Prince's first meeting as a trustee will be June 4.

"LMCIT is a self-insured, self-governed, municipal pool that provides property/casualty and worker's compensation coverage for municipalities and other public entities in the state, like special districts and joint powers authorities," said a press release. "All coverage is designed to protect cities from risk exposures that could result in large expenses for member entities."

Four other city officials from around the state were appointed alongside Prince.

For more information about the League of Minnesota Cities, visit

lmc.org
City Comptroller and mayoral candidate Brad Lander said hell refuse to back rival Andrew Cuomo if the ex-governor wins the Democratic nomination for City Hall  and did not rule out running as the Working Families Party candidate in the general election.

Landers allies in the left-leaning WFP said they would run their own candidate  possibly Lander or Zohran Mamandi or someone else  in November if the embattled ex-gov. clinches the Democratic ballot line in the June 24 primary election.

I am very focused, making sure that Andrew Cuomo does not win the Democratic nomination. That is my focus right now. I just dont have bandwidth for beyond June 24th right now, Lander said during a meeting with The Post editorial board Wednesday.

City Comptroller and mayoral candidate Brad Lander said he wont back rival Andrew Cuomo if the ex-governor wins the Democratic nomination for City Hall. N.Y.Post/Chad Rachman

Andrew Cuomo is a corrupt, contemptible human being, who should not be allowed anywhere near City Hall and is an unacceptable choice for mayor.

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Cuomo is the clear front-runner in polls for the Democratic nomination, despite a blizzard of attacks and his ultimate resignation following numerous sexual harassment accusations leveled against him by former Albany staffers and other women and scandals involving his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cuomo has denied the accusations.

While ripping into his opponent, Lander did not go out of his way to criticize surging Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani, the Astoria, Queens state assemblyman and mayoral candidate who supports the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement against Israel.

Lander, a Jew and liberal Zionist, said he disagreed with Mamdani on several issues pertaining to Israel.

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Separately, the comptroller said he backs the law to close the Rikers Island complex and supports replacing it with four-borough-based jails with a smaller population.

He had voted for the law to phase out Rikers when he was a Brooklyn councilman.

Lander also acknowledged that he did not rule out running as the Working Families Party candidate in the general election. William Farrington

But he admitted Rikers cant close if the city cant shrink the jail population by thousands of inmates.

.

If those ways fail, then we cant close Rikers completely. In order to close Rikers, we have to have successful strategies for dealing with those issues, Lander said.

For example, hundreds of more treatment beds are needed for criminal defendants who are mentally ill and delays in trials need to be dramatically reduced, he said.

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The Brooklyn pol also said he supported Gov. Kathy Hochuls push to expand the authority to force individuals with serious mental health issues into treatment following the crazed Soho and southern Brooklyn slashings.

I am seeking flexibility for involuntary hospitalization, he said.

The Working Families Party may potentially have Lander, Zohran Mamandi, or another candidate on their ticket in November if Cuomo clinches the Democratic nomination in the June 24 primary election. Stephen Yang

Lander said Muslim Brunston, the homeless man who slashed a woman in the neck in SoHo and had been in and out of about 36 mental-health hearings for the violent 2019 robbery of a 13-year-old boy  and later slugged an NYPD worker so badly that he broke her eye socket  should not have been on the street.

On education, Lander raved about the Dream Charter school network where his son, Marek, works.

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But he opposes lifting the state cap on charter schools in New York City to replicate Dream Charters success.

The cap has been reached and new charter schools cant open without a state law to raise or eliminate the cap.

He called Dream Charter a fantastic institution, which has a longer school day and school year and offers students assistance up to six years after graduation.

Asked about lifting the cap to replicate Dream Charters success, Lander said he would focus on the 2,800 traditional public schools if elected mayor rather than expanding the popular publicly-funded, but privately managed charter schools.

I would have a lot of other priorities Its not part of my [education agenda], he said of charter school expansion.
ALCOA, Tenn. (WATE)  Does it seem like the airport is busier than usual? Its not your imagination.

Of the top 100 largest airports in the United States, McGhee Tyson experienced the most growth last year at 18.6%. They went from about 2.75 million passengers in 2023 to almost 3.26 in 2024  the most theyve ever had  an increase of around 510,000. This made it the 81st largest airport in the country and the third largest in Tennessee after Nashville and Memphis.

Police search for suspect after shooting behind Knoxville home

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McGhee Tyson is expected to continue growing in 2025, an airport spokesperson said. This spring, they added new flights to Sarasota, Florida, Gulf Shores, Alabama, and Washington, D.C. This brought them to a total of 32 nonstop destinations and 130 flights every day on average.

East Tennessee is a thriving business and leisure destination that attracts visitors from across the world, said Patrick Wilson, President of the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority. As our community grows, so does the need to provide safe, affordable and accessible air travel into and out of our community. The airlines that serve our market see the value of investing in TYS and we appreciate the service they provide and the communitys support.

McGhee Tyson is expanding to meet the new demand. Theyre currently building a new parking garage with around 3,600 spaces that they expect to open in 2027. They also have a 10-year plan for additional gates and gate seating options as well as an expanded security checkpoint and added concessions. They call these goals their Flight Plan.

One dead after crash on Highway 11W in Hawkins County

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Other Tennessee airports grew as well, including Nashville, which grew 7.4%; Memphis, which grew 1.5%; and Chattanooga, which grew 14%, although their airport was too small to be in the top 100.

The other fastest growing airports in the top 100 were:

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina  14.6%

Providence, Rhode Island  14.2%

Greenville/Spartanburg, South Carolina  12.4%

Pensacola, Florida  12.2%

The one that declined the most was Kahului, Hawaii, which decreased by 8.5%.

All the additional passengers kept the TSA busy. At McGhee Tyson, they caught 28 guns in passengers luggage, one more than in 2023, but fewer than they found in 2022.

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EDITORS NOTE: This story has been updated to clarify the change in passengers who flew through McGhee Tyson Airport between 2023 and 2024.

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EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI)  Since Anchor Medical Associates announced Friday it will close its doors by the end of June, patients have told 12 News that theyre struggling to find a new doctor.

Anchor, a major primary care provider in Rhode Island, is estimated to have about 25,000 patients, both adults and children.

BACKGROUND: RIs Anchor Medical to close in June; roughly 25,000 patients need new doctors

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Its disappointing, said Lincoln resident Nicole Casey, whose children have been Anchor patients for about 10 years. They were a good practice and its sad Rhode Island is losing them.

Casey said when she learned of the closing, she immediately called another practice, which told her it wasnt accepting new patients.

I have a couple of leads, but its not an easy process, Casey said.

Sarah Garnsey of Providence is another longtime Anchor patient. She told 12 News the struggle to find a provider is real.

Very few primary care providers seem to be accepting new patients, Garnsey said. I was told by Brown Health they have an 18-24 month waiting list.

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Other patients told 12 News they heard something similar.

Patients push back as Anchor Medical prepares to shut down

Meantime, Brown Medicine posted on social media, saying they are currently unable to take new patients but are working to find ways to meet the needs of our community. The post urged people to check their website for updates.

In an interview with 12 News, Gov. Dan McKee said his office learned of Anchors closure just days before it became public.

Were connecting the [Anchor] leadership in with other providers in the state to see whether we can absorb some of the physicians and also the patient load, McKee said.

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We would have been proactively working on a strategy, if we got what Thundermist gave us: an update months in advance that they had an issue, said McKee, referring to the Woonsocket-based provider that warned it was at risk of closure last fall due to a financial issue.

Thundermist later secured $9.5 million from insurers, hospitals and state and federal taxpayers, allowing the provider to remain open.

We were able to come in and actually help them sustain themselves, McKee said of Thundermist. We didnt get that opportunity here, so now were playing a little catch-up.

In a letter to patients, Anchor called the closure extremely difficult, citing a statewide physician shortage and an increasingly challenging healthcare environment.

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Some Anchor patients are being told to contact their insurance companies to ask about any doctors known to be taking new patients.

Kids cant go without seeing their doctor for 18 months and have it be okay, Casey said. I would hope the state or department of health, somebody steps up to do something for parents if they cant find a practice, making sure all these kids have a doctor.

The Rhode Island Department of Health has set up a website set up to help those affected.

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Daily Roundup

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By Mehmet Fatih Oztarsu

The first EUCentral Asia Summit took place amid intensifying global competition, emphasizing the EUs efforts to strengthen ties through connectivity, economic diversification and access to critical raw materials. Key regional concernsincluding migration, sanctions circumvention, and infrastructure gapswere also addressed. There is growing anticipation that the EU will adopt a more holistic and regionally attuned strategy, moving beyond great power rivalry to foster inclusive, long-term partnerships. Such an approach would bolster the EUs credibility as a constructive and complementary actor in Central Asias evolving geopolitical landscape. Instead of competing against Russia and China, the EU can play more effective role as a reliable partner.

Photo source: Framalicious

BACKGROUND: The first EUCentral Asia Summit was held in Uzbekistan on April 4, 2025, in Uzbekistan. The EU was represented by President of the European Council Antonio Costa and Head of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen. During the summit, multilateral relations were addressed in a comprehensive and multidimensional manner. The parties discussed various areas of cooperation, including security challenges, economic collaboration, connectivity under the Global Gateway framework and people-to-people ties.

The EU holds a distinct position in the region, being Central Asias second-largest trading partner and its largest investor, accounting for 22.6 percent of the regions foreign trade and 40 percent of foreign investments. In particular, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan have expressed their intention to further develop trade relations with Europe under the Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP), which facilitates more favorable access to the EU market.

This summit is also significant given its timingcoinciding with a period in which the U.S., alongside Russia and China, has emerged as a competitor to the EU in the region. In this new geopolitical landscape, strengthening relations with alternative markets has become a strategic objective for all major actors. However, the EU is expected to adopt a clearer stance on key issues in its evolving engagement with Central Asia. There are growing expectations that the EU will address the unintended negative impacts of its sanctions on Russia, which have also affected the region. Additionally, greater emphasis is expected on areas that align more closely with the regions pressing needssuch as agricultural development and connectivity infrastructurerather than focusing narrowly on selected industries or geopolitical competition.

IMPLICATIONS: The EUs timely convening of the Central Asia Summit coincided with a period in which global developments are compelling all countries to make new strategic choices. Actors affected by the protectionist U.S. economic policies, Russias war in Ukraine, and Chinas rapid and seemingly unstoppable economic expansion are increasingly seeking new avenues for cooperation. While the EU already maintains a satisfactory level of economic engagement with the region, this new initiative signals an ambition to address more niche and forward-looking areas. These include specific areas such as geographical and digital connectivity, the green economy, critical raw materials and water management.

Within the Global Gateway initiative, the EU has sought to engage with the region primarily through infrastructure projects, allocating a budget of 300 million for this purpose. Although the EUs initial intention was, to some extent, to compete with China, it has opted for a more nuanced and tempered approach in recent years. As Dr. Stefan Meister from the German Council on Foreign Relations explains, EU is not about seriously challenging China and Russia, but rather about offering some alternatives in some sectors, competing in some sectorsespecially on raw materials and on connectivity. This perspective reflects the EUs new approach of pragmatic engagement rather than direct confrontation, seeking to expand its influence through sector-specific cooperation and strategic investments.

Given Chinas geographical proximity and economic leverage, it has become clear that directly confronting Beijings dominant position in Central Asia would yield little benefit for any actor involved. Instead, the EU has pursued a strategy of complementarity rather than rivalry. Central Asian countries, positioned to benefit from this geopolitical pragmatism, stand to gain significantlyparticularly through the further development of the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor, which promises to enhance regional connectivity, linking the EU and Central Asia within 15 days and expanding their access to diversified markets.

In addition, the issue of critical minerals is also of great importance in the new period. The EUs Critical Raw Materials Act, proposed in March 2023, aims to ensure a secure, sustainable and diversified supply of critical raw materials essential for strategic sectors. As demand for materials like rare earths and especially lithium is projected to increase up to twelvefold by 2030, the EU seeks to reduce its overreliance on single third-country suppliers. The Act sets specific targets: at least 10 percent of the EUs annual consumption should be extracted within Europe, 40 percent processed, and 25 percent recycled, with no more than 65 percent of any strategic raw material imported from a single external source. These measures are central to the EUs efforts to diverse partnerships with Central Asia.

Kazakhstans substantial uranium reserves and its role as a producer of 19 critical raw materials essential to the EU make it a strategically important partner. Additionally, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan possess reserves of 43, 17, and 71 critical minerals respectively, further enhancing the regions value from the EUs perspective. However, despite this resource richness, the regions transport connectivity remains heavily influenced by Russia and Chinaposing a significant challenge for the EU as it seeks to establish independent and secure supply routes.

Migration constitutes a growing challenge in EUCentral Asia relations in addition to the risk of sanctions circumvention and agriculture development limitations. The EU has expressed increasing concern over migration flows originating from or transiting through the regionparticularly given instability in Afghanistan and broader socioeconomic pressures within Central Asia. Despite this pragmatic exchange, questions remain about the long-term sustainability and oversight of such processes.

On the other hand, an increasing number of Russian companies are reportedly using Central Asia to circumvent Western sanctions, raising concern within the EU. Russian-affiliated businessmen have begun relocating portions of their assets to countries in the region to shield them from asset freezes, a development the EU views unfavorably. In 2024, several companies were added to the U.S. sanctions list. Additionally, remittances from Russia remain a vital source of income for countries like Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. However, since the imposition of sanctions, this financial flow has become unstable, posing significant challenges to the economic stability of these remittance-dependent economies. The EU needs to address this issue in the future since there is no specifically designed policy to resolve it.

Lastly, the EU has been slow to support the broader economic development of Central Asia. According to World Bank data, the agriculture sector remains a weak component of total GDP in the region: 4 percent in Kazakhstan, 9 percent in Kyrgyzstan, 11 percent in Turkmenistan, 20 percent in Uzbekistan and 22 percent in Tajikistan. The service sector dominates these economies, accounting for 56 percent in Kazakhstan, 52 percent in Kyrgyzstan, 45 percent in Turkmenistan, 43 percent in Uzbekistan, and 35 percent in Tajikistan. Under these conditions, the EU needs to play an effective role in strengthening the regions capacity for industrial production and economic diversification. A narrowly focused strategy centered solely on gas, oil, and critical raw materials risks undermining the long-term goals of sustainable and inclusive cooperation.

CONCLUSION: Although EU policy frameworks are often presented with ambitious and appealing labels, critical areas remain that require greater attention in Central Asia. Rather than pursuing selective economic cooperation, the EU should prioritize agricultural development, the diversification of industrial sectors and the provision of sufficient infrastructure support. Moreover, a clear and coherent stance on the indirect impact of sanctions against Russia in the region is urgently needed. These ongoing uncertainties and regional expectations will play a defining role in shaping the future trajectory of EUCentral Asia relations.

On the other hand, framing cooperation with Central Asia solely as a tool for competing with Russia and China is unlikely to yield meaningful benefits for either the EU or the region. A more constructive approach would involve the EU positioning itself as a complementary partner, offering alternatives rather than rivalry. This strategy not only fosters regional stability but also helps mitigate the negative effects of U.S. protectionist tendencies, thereby strengthening the EUs credibility as a balanced and reliable actor in Central Asia.

AUTHOR BIO: Dr Mehmet Fatih Oztarsu is Assistant Professor at Joongbu University and Senior Researcher at the Institute of EU Studies at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies. He studied and worked in Baku, Yerevan, Tbilisi, and Seoul as an academic and journalist. He is the author of numerous articles and books on South Caucasus and Central Asian affairs.
PORT OF SPAIN, April 10 (Xinhua) -- "The Belt and Road Initiative has brought enormous development opportunities and valuable experiences to Trinidad and Tobago," Sekou Alleyne, president of InvestTT, the national investment promotion agency, has said.

Trinidad and Tobago was among the first Caribbean nations to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with China on jointly advancing the initiative. As a small island developing state, the country depends on international trade and investment for the supply of many goods and services, Alleyne said in an interview with Xinhua.

The Caribbean nation works to deepen its economic partnership with China and attract greater volumes of trade and investment. Participating in the initiative, he emphasized, "is not just because it's the good thing to do, but it's an important economic development strategy."

Alleyne views the initiative as a key driver of growth for his country, as it encourages more Chinese enterprises with overseas ambitions to establish a physical presence in the country, creating jobs and boosting local economic activity. "We look forward to expanding our engagement under the Belt and Road framework," he said.

One of the flagship projects of Belt and Road cooperation is the Phoenix Park Industrial Estate. According to Alleyne, this environment-friendly industrial park is designed to enhance the country's role as a manufacturing hub in the Caribbean and support national efforts toward economic diversification.

"The industrial park's development has not only improved Trinidad and Tobago's infrastructure but also attracted more international investors. They can leverage our ports and trade networks to access broader markets in North and South America," Alleyne said.

Currently, the park boasts a 98 percent occupancy rate and is expected to become fully operational within the next two to three years. The estate is also undergoing certification as a Special Economic Zone (SEZ).

"Once SEZ status is granted, the industrial and tax policies will become even more favorable. In the future, Trinidad and Tobago plans to replicate this model to develop additional industrial parks," he added.

Looking ahead, Alleyne expressed optimism about the prospects for Belt and Road cooperation, especially in areas like infrastructure and industrial modernization.

"We also look forward to expanding cooperation with China in renewable energy to support our goal of achieving a more resilient and sustainable future," he said. 
MCPHERSON, Kan. (KSNW)  McPherson College and the University of Kansas School of Medicine have announced a new partnership to promote rural healthcare in Kansas over the next year.

The collaboration will offer a wide range of opportunities for McPherson College students, said McPherson College President Michael Schneider, in a news release. Building a partnership with the KU School of Medicine expands opportunities for our students statewide and allows us to work with KU School of Medicine admissions on joint recruitment efforts. These initiatives will help better prepare students for careers in rural healthcare.

In 2020, McPherson College launched its new Health Science program, creating pathways for students to clinical, administrative, behavioral, and community health careers. The college also partnered with the McPherson Center for Health to provide hands-on opportunities for students to learn in clinical and non-clinical areas of the hospital. In addition, last year, Senator Jerry Moran secured $2.1 million in federal funding for the college, earmarked for creating an educational center in Kansas for Rural & Community Health Science.

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Rural healthcare is in crisis, said Dr. Tyler Hughes, dean of the University of Kansas School of Medicine-Salina. This collaboration is aimed at helping rural students have access to the pathway that leads to a satisfying career in the medical field. Teamwork between KU School of Medicine-Salina and liberal arts colleges in Kansas will aid in building a pipeline of excellent medical professionals for rural patients throughout our state.

Wichita nonprofit helps people get affordable medical equipment

Under the partnership, the two schools will focus on academic health science scholarships, rural health promotion, healthcare career development, community health resources, and joint grant funding for their programs. The collaborations will work to establish partnerships with the Health Occupations Students of America organization, develop new service projects, and co-host tabletop simulation events.

Faculty, staff, and students from KUs Salina campus will also visit McPherson College as guest lecturers in classes and at pre-professional organization activities. McPherson College students will also receive increased access to KU School of Medicines Rural Scholars and Urban Scholars programs, with guaranteed admission for qualified undergraduates. As part of the partnership, KU will provide a scholarship for one McPherson College student to participate in mentored student research and team-teaching experiences.

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Chartered in 1887, McPherson College has grown to a student body of over 800 undergraduate students. The college has received national recognition for its programs, including its Automotive Restoration program, which is the first four-year degree program of its kind.

In 2023, the school secured an endowment of over $1 billion, the largest of any small liberal arts college in the United States. For more about McPherson College and its programs, visit McPherson.edu.

Click here to learn more about the University of Kansas Medical School-Salina.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV.
McPHERSON, Kan. (KSNW)  The McPherson Fire Department is inviting the community to celebrate the opening of its brand-new Fire Station 2 with a public open house on Saturday, May 31, from 9 a.m. to noon.

According to a social post from the department, the special event will allow residents to tour the station, meet local firefighters, and learn more about the equipment and resources that help keep the McPherson community safe.

New blackout-style license plates get the green light in Kansas, what that means

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The McPherson Firemens Benefit will also be hosting an all-you-can-eat pancake feed fundraiser as part of the celebration. Breakfast will be served for just $5 per person, with children ages two and under eating free.

Proceeds from the fundraiser will support the ongoing efforts and initiatives of the Firemens Benefit.

For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news by downloading our mobile app and signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track 3 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 KSN-TV.
People stand outside of a Mennonite church in Seminole, Texas, where Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. attended funeral services April 6 for Daisy Hildebrand, 8, the second Texas child to die from the measles this year. Measles cases are on track to reach a 34-year high as vaccine hesitancy spreads and funding cuts imperil state responses. (Justin Rex/For The Texas Tribune)

Cities and states fighting a historic measles outbreak find themselves undermined by the Trump administration as they struggle to provide crucial vaccinations and overcome disinformation. As of this week, cases were nearing 650 in 22 states, on track to reach a 34-year high.

A second unvaccinated child died of measles in West Texas last week. U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. attended her funeral Sunday and called vaccination the most effective way to prevent the spread of measles in a social media post.

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Yet, as experts have noted, Kennedy has promoted vaccine skepticism and pitched alternatives such as cod liver oil and vitamin A to prevent measles  neither of which works. A top vaccine expert working under Kennedy resigned in protest.

Abrupt cutoffs in federal funding under President Donald Trump have also crippled some state efforts to vaccinate people against measles and other diseases.

A third death in New Mexico, of an unvaccinated adult who tested positive for measles, remains under investigation. Before vaccination started in 1963, measles caused as many as 500 deaths a year in the United States.

The most important things states can do are providing vaccine clinics, testing quickly for measles, and tracing the contacts of people with identified cases, as well as fighting misinformation on vaccines, said Dr. Susan Kansagra, chief medical officer for the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials.

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Measles is one of the most contagious diseases, so one of the roles of public health is working to identify others that might have been exposed, Kansagra said of contract tracing.

Despite vaccines effectiveness, recent federal funding halts have crippled state and local efforts to vaccinate more people not only for measles but also for this years deadly influenza viruses and COVID-19. On April 3, a federal judge in Rhode Island agreed to temporarily block the Trump administration from pulling $11 billion in federal health grants from states after a court challenge by Democratic states.

But in the days before the judges order, measles response plans came to a crashing halt in parts of Minnesota, Texas and Washington state when federal health grants were abruptly cut off. Dozens of free vaccination clinics in the Dallas area were canceled overnight. On March 24, Washington state was forced to cancel 104 upcoming Care-a-Van mobile clinics that would have provided 2,000 vaccinations against childhood diseases, including measles.

In Minnesota, where $220 million in previously approved federal health funding was cut off, the state announced layoffs April 1, including some positions supporting measles vaccination and other disease response. Minneapolis vaccination clinics were canceled March 26.

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The sudden and unexpected action from the federal government left us with no choice but to lay off workers, Minnesota health commissioner Dr. Brooke Cunningham said in a statement. We are working now to figure out how much of this critical public health work we can save and continue.

Alarm among experts

Experts regardless of political affiliation have expressed alarm about federal moves to abandon support for vaccines. They include the nations top vaccine expert at the Food and Drug Administration, Dr. Peter Marks, who was appointed to the position in 2016.

In his resignation letter March 28, Marks said the measles outbreak reminds us of what happens when confidence in well-established science underlying public health and well-being is undermined. He accused Kennedy of seeking only subservient confirmation of his misinformation and lies about vaccines in general.

Dr. Scott Gottlieb, who served as FDA commissioner in the first Trump administration and is now a fellow at the conservative American Enterprise Institute, said the measles outbreak could easily worsen and cost the United States its eliminated status, which was declared in 2000 based on the absence of the continuous spread of the disease.

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I dont think were headed into a good place, Gottlieb said, speaking March 31 on CNBC. He [Kennedy] has been very focused on dismantling components of the vaccine enterprise in this country.

Measles is so contagious that it can spread to 90% of unvaccinated people near an infected person. The virus can linger in the air up to two hours after an infected person has coughed or sneezed. Symptoms of the disease include high fever, cough, runny nose and rash, leading to a severe lung infection. Rare severe cases can cause swelling of the brain and death. Measles is most dangerous for infants, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems.

In Texas there are already signs that misinformation and vaccine skepticism may be feeding a rise in measles cases. The state had 499 cases as of April 6.

A Lubbock hospital reported that several unvaccinated children were treated for vitamin A toxicity, apparently in response to Kennedys recommendations to take vitamin A and cod liver oil.

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Dr. Ashish Jha, who worked on COVID-19 vaccine plans under the Biden administration, said vitamin A treatment is appropriate in parts of Africa where vitamin deficiency is a factor, but not often in the United States.

In Texas and Louisiana and New Mexico and Ohio and Pennsylvania, where were seeing a lot of these outbreaks, vitamin A is going to do very little for kids because they already have plenty of vitamin A, Jha said.

Really, the only thing that helps is making sure you dont get measles  and the only way to do that is to be vaccinated, said Jha, who is now dean of Brown Universitys School of Public Health.

State responses

The current outbreak is on track to surpass 2019, when there were nearly 1,300 cases, and to be the worst year for measles since 1991 when there were more than 9,600 cases.

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Local and state health officials in Texas also warned against measles parties where people try to expose themselves and their children to the disease hoping to gain immunity. Measles can cause severe complications and death even in otherwise healthy people, state officials warned.

New Mexico has opened 22 free walk-in measles vaccine clinics around the state, including two in Lea County, where most of the cases are located, near the Texas border. The state is also trying to head off more infections in Guadalupe and Valencia counties, where a traveler from Texas may have exposed people to measles in early March at a restaurant, hotel, church and travel center.

Funding cutbacks forced New Mexico to cancel contracts for vaccination outreach to potential clients in underserved communities, but the state has not interrupted its own public service messages or vaccine clinics, said New Mexico Department of Health spokesperson Robert Nott.

Kansas, where there are 24 known cases, recommended early vaccination for children in affected areas  starting at 6 months of age instead of the usual 1 year. The state also put doctors on alert to watch for symptoms such as fever and rash among unvaccinated people and offered expedited testing for suspected measles cases. Kentucky, with only one case, requires doctors to send such tests directly to the state for faster processing.

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As in other states, almost all the Kansas cases are among unvaccinated people. Only one person with measles was fully vaccinated, and another case is not clear.

Colorado, where the states first case was reported March 31 in an unvaccinated Pueblo resident, state officials were already sending reminder texts and emails about vaccination to parents because of cases in nearby Texas and New Mexico. They also warned residents who may have been exposed at a restaurant and clinic in Pueblo and Pueblo West in March.

In New Mexico, theres been an encouraging increase in measles vaccinations since the outbreak, said Nott. There were almost 15,000 new vaccinations in February and March, up from about 8,200 in the same period last year, he said.

On April 2, New York state warned residents to get vaccinated before traveling to areas with measles outbreaks. In March, the Pan American Health Organization said measles outbreaks in North and South America could endanger the regions status as measles-free.

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Some states are working to locate people who, residents or not, may have exposed others while traveling. New Jersey has three cases among residents, all members of one family, but is seeking people exposed to measles by travelers on an Amtrak train, at Newark Liberty International Airport, in hospitals and at other places in March.

A March editorial in The Lancet, a medical journal, said the recent measles outbreaks should be taken as a wakeup call for more vaccinations.

People should be encouraged to listen to factual scientific evidence and verified sources. Awareness of the safety of the measles vaccine needs to be spread to combat the viral misinformation against it, the editorial stated.

Stateline reporter Tim Henderson can be reached at thenderson@stateline.org.

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People stand outside of a Mennonite church in Seminole, Texas, where Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. attended funeral services April 6 for Daisy Hildebrand, 8, the second Texas child to die from the measles this year. Measles cases are on track to reach a 34-year high as vaccine hesitancy spreads and funding cuts imperil state responses. (Photo by Justin Rex for The Texas Tribune)

Cities and states fighting a historic measles outbreak find themselves undermined by the Trump administration as they struggle to provide crucial vaccinations and overcome disinformation. As of this week, cases were nearing 650 in 22 states, on track to reach a 34-year high.

A second unvaccinated child died of measles in West Texas last week. U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. attended her funeral Sunday and called vaccination the most effective way to prevent the spread of measles in a social media post.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Yet, as experts have noted, Kennedy has promoted vaccine skepticism and pitched alternatives such as cod liver oil and vitamin A to prevent measles  neither of which works. A top vaccine expert working under Kennedy resigned in protest.

Abrupt cutoffs in federal funding under President Donald Trump have also crippled some state efforts to vaccinate people against measles and other diseases.

A third death in New Mexico, of an unvaccinated adult who tested positive for measles, remains under investigation. Before vaccination started in 1963, measles caused as many as 500 deaths a year in the United States.

The most important things states can do are providing vaccine clinics, testing quickly for measles, and tracing the contacts of people with identified cases, as well as fighting misinformation on vaccines, said Dr. Susan Kansagra, chief medical officer for the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Measles is one of the most contagious diseases, so one of the roles of public health is working to identify others that might have been exposed, Kansagra said of contract tracing.

Despite vaccines effectiveness, recent federal funding halts have crippled state and local efforts to vaccinate more people not only for measles but also for this years deadly influenza viruses and COVID-19. On April 3, a federal judge in Rhode Island agreed to temporarily block the Trump administration from pulling $11 billion in federal health grants from states after a court challenge by Democratic states.

But in the days before the judges order, measles response plans came to a crashing halt in parts of Minnesota, Texas and Washington state when federal health grants were abruptly cut off. Dozens of free vaccination clinics in the Dallas area were canceled overnight. On March 24, Washington state was forced to cancel 104 upcoming Care-a-Van mobile clinics that would have provided 2,000 vaccinations against childhood diseases, including measles.

In Minnesota, where $220 million in previously approved federal health funding was cut off, the state announced layoffs April 1, including some positions supporting measles vaccination and other disease response. Minneapolis vaccination clinics were canceled March 26.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The sudden and unexpected action from the federal government left us with no choice but to lay off workers, Minnesota health commissioner Dr. Brooke Cunningham said in a statement. We are working now to figure out how much of this critical public health work we can save and continue.

Alarm among experts

Experts regardless of political affiliation have expressed alarm about federal moves to abandon support for vaccines. They include the nations top vaccine expert at the Food and Drug Administration, Dr. Peter Marks, who was appointed to the position in 2016.

In his resignation letter March 28, Marks said the measles outbreak reminds us of what happens when confidence in well-established science underlying public health and well-being is undermined. He accused Kennedy of seeking only subservient confirmation of his misinformation and lies about vaccines in general.

Dr. Scott Gottlieb, who served as FDA commissioner in the first Trump administration and is now a fellow at the conservative American Enterprise Institute, said the measles outbreak could easily worsen and cost the United States its eliminated status, which was declared in 2000 based on the absence of the continuous spread of the disease.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

I dont think were headed into a good place, Gottlieb said, speaking March 31 on CNBC. He [Kennedy] has been very focused on dismantling components of the vaccine enterprise in this country.

Measles is so contagious that it can spread to 90% of unvaccinated people near an infected person. The virus can linger in the air up to two hours after an infected person has coughed or sneezed. Symptoms of the disease include high fever, cough, runny nose and rash, leading to a severe lung infection. Rare severe cases can cause swelling of the brain and death. Measles is most dangerous for infants, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems.

In Texas there are already signs that misinformation and vaccine skepticism may be feeding a rise in measles cases. The state had 499 cases as of April 6.

A Lubbock hospital reported that several unvaccinated children were treated for vitamin A toxicity, apparently in response to Kennedys recommendations to take vitamin A and cod liver oil.

Really, the only thing that helps is making sure you dont get measles  and the only way to do that is to be vaccinated.

 Dr. Ashish Jha, dean of Brown Universitys School of Public Health

Dr. Ashish Jha, who worked on COVID-19 vaccine plans under the Biden administration, said vitamin A treatment is appropriate in parts of Africa where vitamin deficiency is a factor, but not often in the United States.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In Texas and Louisiana and New Mexico and Ohio and Pennsylvania, where were seeing a lot of these outbreaks, vitamin A is going to do very little for kids because they already have plenty of vitamin A, Jha said.

Really, the only thing that helps is making sure you dont get measles  and the only way to do that is to be vaccinated, said Jha, who is now dean of Brown Universitys School of Public Health.

State responses

The current outbreak is on track to surpass 2019, when there were nearly 1,300 cases, and to be the worst year for measles since 1991 when there were more than 9,600 cases.

Local and state health officials in Texas also warned against measles parties where people try to expose themselves and their children to the disease hoping to gain immunity. Measles can cause severe complications and death even in otherwise healthy people, state officials warned.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

New Mexico has opened 22 free walk-in measles vaccine clinics around the state, including two in Lea County, where most of the cases are located, near the Texas border. The state is also trying to head off more infections in Guadalupe and Valencia counties, where a traveler from Texas may have exposed people to measles in early March at a restaurant, hotel, church and travel center.

Funding cutbacks forced New Mexico to cancel contracts for vaccination outreach to potential clients in underserved communities, but the state has not interrupted its own public service messages or vaccine clinics, said New Mexico Department of Health spokesperson Robert Nott.

Kansas, where there are 24 known cases, recommended early vaccination for children in affected areas  starting at 6 months of age instead of the usual 1 year. The state also put doctors on alert to watch for symptoms such as fever and rash among unvaccinated people and offered expedited testing for suspected measles cases. Kentucky, with only one case, requires doctors to send such tests directly to the state for faster processing.

As in other states, almost all the Kansas cases are among unvaccinated people. Only one person with measles was fully vaccinated, and another case is not clear.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Colorado, where the states first case was reported March 31 in an unvaccinated Pueblo resident, state officials were already sending reminder texts and emails about vaccination to parents because of cases in nearby Texas and New Mexico. They also warned residents who may have been exposed at a restaurant and clinic in Pueblo and Pueblo West in March.

In New Mexico, theres been an encouraging increase in measles vaccinations since the outbreak, said Nott. There were almost 15,000 new vaccinations in February and March, up from about 8,200 in the same period last year, he said.

On April 2, New York state warned residents to get vaccinated before traveling to areas with measles outbreaks. In March, the Pan American Health Organization said measles outbreaks in North and South America could endanger the regions status as measles-free.

Some states are working to locate people who, residents or not, may have exposed others while traveling. New Jersey has three cases among residents, all members of one family, but is seeking people exposed to measles by travelers on an Amtrak train, at Newark Liberty International Airport, in hospitals and at other places in March.

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A March editorial in The Lancet, a medical journal, said the recent measles outbreaks should be taken as a wakeup call for more vaccinations.

People should be encouraged to listen to factual scientific evidence and verified sources. Awareness of the safety of the measles vaccine needs to be spread to combat the viral misinformation against it, the editorial stated.

Stateline reporter Tim Henderson can be reached at thenderson@stateline.org.

Stateline originally published this article. Like the Alaska Beacon, 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.

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Entrance to the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve. (Photo via reserve website)

A bill that would require the state to apply a balancing test in considering proposed gas or oil drilling permits near certain waterbodies and shore areas won unanimous approval in a Senate committee on Thursday and now goes to the full Senate for consideration.

The measure (SB 1300), sponsored by North Florida Republican Corey Simon, differs from its House companion (HB 1143), which would ban oil and gas drilling within 10 miles of a National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR). There are three NERRs in Florida  the Apalachicola in North Florida, the Guana Tolomato Matanzas in Ponta Verde Beach, and Rookery Bay in Naples.

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The House bill sponsors, North Florida Republican Jason Shoaf and Democrat Allison Tant, have said that their legislation is a response to a decision last year by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to permit an exploratory oil well along the Apalachicola River.

Wakulla County resident Hunter Levine, host of the Captains Collective podcast, which focuses on the fishing industry, spoke before the Senate Agriculture, Environment, and General Government Appropriations Committee on Thursday. He said that hes interviewed nearly 200 fishing industry leaders across the globe and learned from their shared experiences.

And whether theyre fishing guides or small business owners, oystermen, artists, photographers  theyve all shared one common lesson, and that its the decisions that we make today determine the opportunities that we afford others tomorrow, he said. These amazing places are not an accident, they are a result.  A result of good policy and protection, something that this bill offers.

The possibility of potentially drilling is very concerning for my business and for the future of these farmers, added Jeff Wren of Rattlesnake Cove Oysters. I appreciate Sen. Simon looking out for our way of life.

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The House version has cleared all of its committees and awaits a final vote in their respective chambers. The Senate has one more stop in committee.

This story was updated to include that the Senate version has one more stop in committee.

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The mainstream media was scared it would be perceived as helping Trump if it reported on former President Joe Bidens cognitive decline, ex-NBC News chief political analyst Chuck Todd said.

Todd made his comment while appearing on Piers Morgan Uncensored on Wednesday. Morgan asked Todd, who left NBC earlier this year, why was the mainstream media so reluctant to cover President Bidens mental state while he was in office  especially when everyone was seeing [it] with their own eyes.

The only thing I can chalk it up to is this, whatever you want to call it, this fear that some members of the media had sometimes that they would be perceived as helping Trump if they somehow diminished Biden, right? That it was some sort of zero-sum game, Todd said. And I think this has been the fundamental mistake that many members of the traditional press have done.

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A moment earlier, Todd said the American public was able to conclude President Biden had dropped off cognitively because the media had been subtle in its coverage  hinting at him not taking questions from the press or using the back staircase to enter and exit rooms. But while some mainstream reporters were willing to point out his decline, Todd said the collective media had shown a reluctance to draw the conclusion the president was not as sharp as he once was  out of fear they would be branded pro-Trump lackeys.

Todd added the mainstream media doesnt have the influence it once did because it failed to fully cover stories like Bidens mental decline. Another reason, he said, is that mainstream reporters were calling for tech companies like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to kick President Trump off of their platforms, following the Jan. 6 Capitol Riot. Todd said he did not understand the push to de-platform Trump or anyone else.

I thought, why would you do that? Ive interviewed the president of Iran. I got no problem interviewing a member of Congress who chose not to certify the election, Todd told Morgan. I never understood that logic, when you think about the First Amendment of our Constitution.

The disconnect between the media and the American public has been an important trend to keep an eye on, both before and after the 2024 election. An October Gallup poll found Americas trust in the media is at an all-time low, with only 31% of respondents saying they had a great deal or fair amount of confidence the news was being reported accurately.

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And it is not only President Trump who believes the mainstream media is fake news. In fact, most of his fans agree, with 88% of self-identified conservatives saying they have little to no faith the press accurately reports stories, per a March Gallup poll.

You can watch Todds full response to Morgan by clicking here.

The post Media Feared Theyd Be Helping Trump by Covering Bidens Mental State, Chuck Todd Says appeared first on TheWrap.
Apr. 10As state and federal lawmakers pursue initiatives and possible cuts to Medicaid, those who have been on the program say it saved their lives and helped them get back on their feet.

Nearly 770,000 Ohio Medicaid members are at risk of losing their health insurance as state lawmakers seek the implementation of work requirements and federal lawmakers seek budget cuts. The Dayton Daily News spoke with those who have been on the program to see how it impacted them.

"My life was saved by the citizens of Ohio, and my life was saved by an appropriately compassionate structure of governance," said Karen Jeffers-Tracy, of Fairborn.

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Jeffers-Tracy and others say Medicaid gave them access to life-saving treatments, kept them in the workforce or able to return to the workforce, as well as allowed families to have more flexibility in caregiving. This also frees up state and federal tax dollars with family members taking on unpaid roles in taking care of loved ones unable to care for themselves, preventing the state from having to take on those costs.

About 61,000 Ohioans could lose their health insurance coverage in 2026 if the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid approves Ohio's proposal for work requirements, according to estimates from the Ohio Department of Medicaid.

"As part of our work to empower people reach their full potential, we have a responsibility to make sure as many Ohioans as possible are on a pathway toward financial independence," Gov. Mike DeWine said after the state submitted the request to CMS.

The larger question is whether federal lawmakers and the Trump administration will end Medicaid expansion, which covers 770,000 Ohioans. The president and congressional leaders have said Medicaid will be protected, but experts say ambitious federal spending reduction goals are nearly impossible to meet without impacting Medicaid.

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Even a modest reduction in federal Medicaid spending could trigger the end of Medicaid expansion in Ohio under a proposal in the state budget that would terminate Medicaid expansion in Ohio if federal funding falls under 90% for that program. That measure was in the state budget draft passed by the Ohio House Wednesday.

Cutting back on the availability of Medicaid could walk back the progress Ohio has made in the number people who have health insurance and increase medical debt, experts say.

"Medicaid has played a crucial role in helping vulnerable households achieve greater economic security while improving access to necessary health care services," said Amy Rohling McGee, president of the Health Policy Institute of Ohio, a nonprofit focused on researching health policies.

A lifeline

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"I had cancer for five years and didn't know it because I had no medical care," Kim Smith, of Dayton, told this news outlet.

Smith would go to the emergency room if she got sick, but if doctors there gave her a prescription, she couldn't afford the cost to buy the medication, she said. She was occasionally able to get assistance, but Smith could only get a limited amount per year.

"I had to choose (between) feeding my kids or getting my medicine," Smith said. "So I chose to feed my kids."

The uninsured rate for people living below 138% of the federal poverty line dropped by 62% between 2012 and 2023 due to the expansion of Medicaid in 2014, according to the Health Policy Institute of Ohio, as Medicaid membership increased by 61% between 2012 and 2023.

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When Smith eventually found out she had thyroid cancer, she was able to get on Medicaid, which paid for her surgery and cancer treatments.

"I went through all that, and then they found out that my heart, I was going into a heart failure for not having any kind of medical (care)," Smith said. "And so after that, I got a case manager with CareSource, and they've been helping me ever since."

Medicaid, which she gets through a managed care plan with the Dayton-based health insurer CareSource, provides her access to annual visits with a nurse and access to medication she has to take consistently in order to treat her heart conditions, she said. Smith was also able to get a wheelchair through Medicaid, as well as physical therapy after she had a heart attack.

Smith, who wouldn't be subject to work requirements due to being over 55 years old, still maintains a job. She avoids going on disability through Social Security due to the amount of work it takes to get on disability and maintain access, despite her doctors wanting her to pursue disability coverage.

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"They (Smith's doctors) want me to get Social Security disability ... and I told them when I'm in a coffin, I'll apply," Smith said.

If Smith were to work more and earn more money, commercial health insurance through an employer would be too expensive for her to get access to treatment and her medications with monthly premiums, copays and deductibles, she said.

Work requirements

To qualify for Medicaid, a family must be at the federal poverty level ($32,150 for a family of four) and meet other qualifying conditions. Medicaid expansion expands eligibility to up to 138% of the federal poverty level ($44,367 for a family of four).

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Ohio Republican leaders want to require everyone covered under the expansion to be employed or be in school or job training. The proposal has exceptions such as age, disability and being in a drug treatment program. Individuals with household earned income will be presumed to be employed, the state said in its final application to the federal government.

In 2023, an estimated 46.8% of Ohioans 19 to 65 years old living up to 138% of the federal poverty level were employed, according to the most recent data available from the Ohio Medicaid Assessment Survey.

"I believe that reinstating the work requirements instead would mean that at least 61,000 Ohioans will gain the work experience and/or training they need to become financially independent and a contributor to Ohio rather than a burden to the system," said state Sen. Kyle Koehler, R-Springfield, in his sponsor testimony of Senate Concurrent Resolution 5, which is a resolution urging President Donald Trump to support Ohio's effort to install the work requirement.

"We are doing these individuals a disservice by providing health care services without asking them for at least a minimum of 80 hours of employment, education or job skills training as a condition of continued Medicaid eligibility," Koehler said.

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The last time Ohio sought to implement work requirements was during President Donald Trump's first term before the Biden administration scrapped the proposal.

'I would have given up'

Bailey Miller, of Middletown, was working full-time when she experienced mysterious health symptoms.

"I had encountered difficulties working and had to move home with my parents and had, over the years leading up to that, kind of faced a lot of mysterious symptoms that were just interfering with my life and making it hard to work full-time," Miller said.

Miller, now 30, was doing well and working full-time in her early 20s, she said, before she started to have health complications at around 2018.

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"I was in college, I graduated from Miami University and then I worked full-time at a tech company for three years and was insured by my company and was relatively healthy and capable," Miller said.

Miller applied for Medicaid in 2020, just before the COVID-19 pandemic, due to her health symptoms that ranged from neurological symptoms and changes in memory to back pain.

Miller later found out she an undiagnosed disease for about six years, she said, along with a cluster of other rare health conditions that weren't diagnosed until last year.

The symptoms Miller experienced went on for about six years, which took a lot of work to find the right explanations, diagnoses and treatments.

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That took her from being an independent person in her 20s to having to rely on her family for food and to rely on Medicaid to help pay for the doctor visits and treatments, like neurosurgery.

"When people like me have a rare disease, it's very common to face those very long diagnostic processes," Miller said.

If Miller hadn't had access to health insurance through Medicaid, she would have had limited options to pay for her health care, such as relying on family members, paying for a Marketplace plan or going into debt, she said.

"I think I would have given up," Miller said.

The potential implementation of work requirements for the Medicaid expansion group is concerning to Miller. Even with an exemption for people with a disability, proving they are sick enough not to have a job could be time-consuming or burdensome.

"If we want people to have to earn Medicaid by working, that's only going to work for healthy people," Miller said.

Medicaid expansion

The federal government covers about 69% of Ohio's total Medicaid program, which provides health care to 26% of Ohioans, according to the Health Policy Institute of Ohio.

In state fiscal year 2024, federal and state expenditures on Medicaid were nearly $39 billion, according to Ohio Medicaid Budget Variance reports. The expansion group cost nearly $6.1 billion, which was about 15.7% of Ohio Medicaid's budget in fiscal year 2024.

Between 7.3% and 11.7% of residents in Montgomery and Clark counties are part of the Medicaid expansion group, according to estimates from the Health Policy Institute of Ohio. Butler County is estimated to be between 5.7-7.2%.

While politicians debate whether or not cuts to Medicaid will happen under the Republicans' goal of $4.5 trillion in tax cuts over the next decade, analysts say the math doesn't add up without cuts to Medicaid.

The U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce has to find a way to cut the deficit by at least $880 billion over the next decade, but, excluding Medicare, Medicaid accounts for 93% of the funds that committee manages, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

If the committee cuts all of its programs besides Medicare, Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), those cuts only add up to $381 billion. If Medicare cuts are off the table, big cuts to Medicaid will be needed to achieve $880 billion in savings, according to KFF, health policy research organization.

Republicans in Congress have reiterated commitments to social services like Medicare and Medicaid, saying they believe they can make up for those cuts by cutting government waste.

"The White House has made a commitment. The president said over and over and over, 'We're not going to touch Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid.' We've made the same commitment," said House Speaker Mike Johnson last month on CNN.

'I'd be dead'

For many years, Jeffers-Tracy paid out of pocket for her health care and also used the Health Care Marketplace.

"When I got on the health care marketplace, I found out that what I was paying per month, the government was putting in twice that for me in addition to what I was paying," said Jeffers-Tracy. "So the for-profit insurance company was getting three times the amount I was paying total for me every month, and yet I still had co-pays and deductibles."

The deductibles and co-pays were disincentives to using the coverage she was paying for, she said.

When she was seeking help for chest pains one day, she collapsed at her doctor's office, who helped her find access to more affordable care through Medicaid.

"My heart stopped during the treadmill stress test. I had a near death experience  with visions and everything  and revived just as they were wheeling the crash cart up next to me," Jeffers-Tracy said. "I heard a nurse say, 'She's back!'"

Medicaid paid for Jeffers-Tracy's heart stents.

"I'd be dead. I wouldn't be here, for sure, if I had not been able to access it and if they (her doctor's office) hadn't found out that I qualified for it," Jeffers-Tracy said.

An investment

Jeffers-Tracy was able to get on Medicaid after Ohio expanded access. She was still working. She is a librarian at the Fairborn Community Library, as well as a climate science educator.

"I had to reduce my hours at work when the care of a family member with Parkinson's required more of my time," said Jeffers-Tracy, who was also a single mother and is now a grandmother. This means the state was not paying for the care of her family member.

"I benefited, but I also saved society money," Jeffers-Tracy said.

For Smith, Medicaid means she gets access to the care and medications that keep her alive so she can be in the lives of her children and grandchildren, whom she helps take care of and support.

"I know my life may not be important to other people, but I have six grandkids and two sons, and two of my daughters died from COVID three weeks apart," Smith said.

For some, like those in Miller's position, the ability to access Medicaid was a government investment into their lives, allowing them to pay back that investment with future contributions to society.

"The investment that was made in helping me get these answers, in this time period, even though it was a lot of work and a lot of money for what Medicaid paid for ... it paid off," Miller said.

Now, Miller is going back to graduate school.

"I'm working towards a career where I feel like I can really make a difference," Miller said.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed the Medical Psilocybin Act into law, making New Mexico the third state to decriminalize the psychadelic for medical purposes. (Photo provided by Rudick Law Group)

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed the Medical Psilocybin Act into law this week, making New Mexico the third state in the U.S. to decriminalize so-called magic mushrooms. But advocates say the program is still a few years away from fully operating.

Senate Bill 219 decriminalizes psilocybin, often referred to as magic mushrooms, for treatment of major treatment-resistant depression; post-traumatic stress disorder; substance use disorders; and end-of-life care. It also establishes a nine-member Medical Psilocybin Advisory Board, which the secretary of the Department of Health will fill with people knowledgeable about behavioral health and who are able to advocate for the needs of particular New Mexicans, including Native residents and veterans.

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Once the board is in place, members will begin to establish rules for licensing providers and requirements for psilocybin producers. Victoria Cvitanovic, a New Mexico-based lawyer specializing in psychedelic law, spoke on behalf of the bill during the recent session and told Source NM she anticipates the secretary will announce the first several board appointments quickly.

Its anticipated that the first patients are going to receive their doses in March of 2028, Cvitanovic said, however the timeline could be faster if the board is established and quickly begins their work, she added. But weve seen in other states, these programs take more time to launch than you think. We have to develop a supply chain here within the state for the products. We have to identify these practitioners and identify the first patients. So with the time that this is going to take, I think that 2027 deadline is about right to see this get started.

Cvitanovic said New Mexico has benefitted from seeing how Oregon and Colorado launched their medical psilocybin programs in recent years. New Mexico is now the third state to legalize the psychedelic treatment, and the first to do so legislatively rather than by a ballot vote.

She noted that SB219 also includes a research fund that will allow state universities to expand research into the use of psilocybin for different conditions, and possibly what best strains of the mushroom produce the best product.

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The University of New Mexico has historically been a powerhouse when it comes to the research of psychedelics in the United States. Theyve done a wonderful job laying out a medical basis for this treatment, Cvitanovic said. Agricultural research is growing around mycelium production in general, things like functional mushrooms and also psychedelic mushrooms. So agricultural universities, they are going to be a huge part of the way that the psychedelics movement grows around the country, and I would love to see New Mexico State be involved in that.

The advisory board has the authority to add to the list of qualifying conditions, which Cvitanovic said will likely not happen right away, but could include anxiety conditions and other types of depression.

Another aspect of the bill includes an equity fund, which will help people pay for the cost of treatment if they are not able to afford the out-of-pocket expense.

Cvitanovic said while the advisory board has not been established yet, now is still a good time for providers who might be interested in the treatment to make sure their practice is in good order, and for patients to start talking to providers if they are interested in seeking treatment.

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Psilocybin is a scientifically-based treatment for getting past some of these traumas and being able to move forward with a more productive life, she said. As part of this small community, we really want to see our neighbors and our friends have whats best for them, and this is a huge part of that.

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Rep. Nick Hoheisel, R-Wichita, appears during a March 24, 2025, session of the House (Grace Hills/Kansas Reflector)

Being a Republican in Kansas means never having to say youre sorry.

Not really. Sure, you might have to mumble a half-hearted apology or lose an election here or there. But dont worry! You wont face any sanctions with teeth or be out of office for long. Kansas Republicans embrace affirmative action for middle-aged, mediocre white men who believe the right things.

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Take Rep. Nick Hoheisel, R-Wichita. Back in February, he found himself in a bit of a jam after confronting with Rep. Ford Carr, D-Wichita, on the House floor. Hoheisel, who is white, confronted Carr, who is Black, over Carrs rhetoric. According to witnesses, the Republican used profanity. Carr later filed a formal complaint.

In our original coverage of events, Hoheisel appeared to deny that anything untoward had occurred.

Im not going to dignify any of those false and outlandish allegations with a response, Hoheisel wrote editor Sherman Smith in a text message.

Yet Hoheisel eventually apologized to the House, while still claiming the allegation were significantly overstated.

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A special committee made up of three Republicans and three Democrats looked into the complaint and deadlocked. Republican leaders lowered the boom on Carr, however, and subjected him to a multi-day ordeal before that same committee. His main sin appears to have been calling the GOP racist. The panel will potentially send a letter to the full House admonishing Carr.

Hoheisel escaped any discipline whatsoever.

Thats just for Democrats or saps.

Conservatives dont pay a price for cursing at their opponents, losing high-profile races or an array of other bad behavior. Not in Kansas, they dont.

State Sen. Virgil Peck once joked about shooting immigrants from helicopters. Then a representative, he issued a brief apology and kept serving. Eventually, he lost a primary for state Senate. But he worked his way into the chamber eventually, spreading nonsense about chivalrous manhood along the way.

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Just this session, he criticized journalists inaccurate stories to justify raising the rent of press offices at the Statehouse.

Rep. Pat Proctor has left a trail of bellicosity and startling rhetoric about Kansas elections. Yet hes now running to administer those same elections as secretary of state. A previous contender for that office, Mike Brown, failed in his 2022 bid to unseat elections chief Scott Schwab. Yet Brown simply pivoted to run for state GOP chairman the very next year  and won.

Senate President Ty Masterson went through bankruptcy and somehow found a six-figure job at Wichita State University to complement his legislative work. Nice work if you can get it, right? Hes likely to launch a gubernatorial bid soon.

The one and only Kris Kobach lost consecutive statewide elections to Gov. Laura Kelly in 2018 and Sen. Roger Marshall in 2020. He finally managed to claw his way back to relevancy through a successful bid for attorney general. Who knows where he might land next, but he clearly wasnt daunted by Kansas voters repeated rejections. They dont know what a good deal they have in voting for another subpar white man.

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As I said, white male Republicans of a conservative bent can rest assured in their continued relevance, no matter controversies or losses.

The one person who appears to have paid a price for his shortcomings is House Majority Leader Gene Suellentrop, who was jailed on a drunk driving charge and ousted from his post in 2021. He stayed around the Statehouse through early 2023, though. Statehouse leaders didnt want to look like they were too tough on the poor fellow, I suppose.

This year, weve heard repeatedly from those in Washington, D.C., that efforts to embrace diversity, equity and inclusion have gone too far.

Weve heard repeated suggestions that prominent and accomplished Black people, women and LGBTQ+ community members dont have what it takes. Marshall even suggested that DEI policies contributed to the crash of a passenger plane from Wichita.

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Yet those in Topeka have shown us throughout recent years that the real threat doesnt come from Black people, women or LGBTQ+ folks.

It comes from doughy white men who wont take a hint to leave the rest of us alone.

Clay Wirestone is Kansas Reflector opinion editor. Through its opinion section, 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.
The UK Defence Ministry has said that during the meeting of the defence ministers of the coalition of the willing in Brussels on 10 April, they plan to discuss possible measures to support lasting peace in Ukraine and security guarantees for Ukraine.

Source: a European Pravda correspondent with reference to the UK Ministry of Defence

Details: The UK Defence Ministry said that during the meeting of the defence ministers of the coalition of the willing, security guarantees and further support for a lasting peace in Ukraine from partner states will be discussed.

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European Pravda learned from the UK Defence Ministry that the United Kingdom and France were convening a meeting of defence ministers in Brussels to further plan measures to support a lasting peace in Ukraine.

The statement said that UK Defence Secretary John Healey and his French counterpart, Sebastien Lecornu, would be hosting around 30 countries in Brussels that day, all involved in planning the coalition of the willing.

It is specified that this will be the first meeting of the defence ministers of the coalition of the willing after the visit of the UK and French military leaders to Kyiv last weekend.

The UK Defence Ministry noted that the meeting would focus on how best to use the capabilities of each coalition country to support Ukraines long-term defence and security.

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It also stated that the UK prime minister and the defence secretary had made it clear that achieving lasting peace in Ukraine required robust security guarantees to deter Russian aggression. The UK, the ministry added, was stepping up its role as a leader of international support to help Ukraine continue fighting and to put it in the strongest possible position to secure peace.

Background:

On Friday, 4 April, the chiefs of defence of the French and the UK armies visited Kyiv to meet with Ukraine's top leadership.

The purpose of the visit was to discuss the needs and challenges of the Ukrainian army with a view to providing long-term support for the reconstruction and development of its model.

The Ukrainian side then announced regular meetings of military representatives of the coalition of the willing over the next month.

As is known, the so-called coalition of the willing led by France and the UK has been working for several weeks on a plan to send thousands of troops to Ukraine to guarantee the future "ceasefire".

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Tunisian President Kais Saied (R) meets with Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf in Tunis, Tunisia, on April 9, 2025. Saied met with Attaf in Tunis on Wednesday, where both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and cooperation. (Tunisian Presidency/Handout via Xinhua)

TUNIS, April 9 (Xinhua) -- Tunisian President Kais Saied met with Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf in Tunis on Wednesday, where both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and cooperation.

During the meeting, Saied emphasized the importance of collaboration in key areas such as the development of border regions, boosting trade and investment, and addressing issues like smuggling and illegal migration. He also highlighted the need for both countries to align their positions on regional and international matters, particularly in light of the current global challenges.

Attaf, visiting Tunisia as a special envoy of Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, conveyed that his trip symbolized Algeria's commitment to maintaining an ongoing dialogue with Tunisia.

"Today, Algerian-Tunisian relations are stronger than ever, supported by the dedication and close attention of both countries' leaders," Attaf remarked.

Noting that the African continent faces significant challenges in terms of security, politics, and economy, the minister said that "close coordination between Algeria and Tunisia is not only necessary but unavoidable" in this context. 

Tunisian President Kais Saied (R) shakes hands with Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf during their meeting in Tunis, Tunisia, on April 9, 2025. Saied met with Attaf in Tunis on Wednesday, where both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and cooperation. (Tunisian Presidency/Handout via Xinhua)
A Democrat governor tipped to run for president appeared alongside Donald Trump in what was branded a f---ing disastrous meeting by party insiders.

Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan said she was surprised after being invited into the Oval Office press conference, having originally intended to discuss with the president in private how tariffs would disproportionately affect the state she represents.

The meeting between Ms Whitmer, a leading Democratic figure, and Mr Trump came just hours after she loudly and publicly split with the Democrats on tariffs and signalled she would be willing to work with the president to help Michigan.

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She was showered with praise by Mr Trump throughout the televised signing of executive orders, who described her as a very good person.

Were honoured to have Gretchen Whitmer from Michigan, the great state of Michigan  shes really done an excellent job, he said, although repeatedly failing to engage with any of the issues she had come to discuss.

The pair did engage in conversation about the Asian Carp, however, as Mr Trump signed an executive order relating to the invasive fish species which is wreaking havoc in Lake Michigan.

Throughout the signing, which also included a decree to make showers great again, Mr Trump repeated his false claim that the 2020 election was rigged.

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Ms Whitmer stood just feet from his desk as he also called for two justice department probes into two of his critics.

Her office later issued a statement insisting that her presence is not an endorsement of the actions taken or statements made at that event.

Democrats said she had been played by the Trump administration, with others casting doubts over her chances now of winning the Democratic nomination in 2028.

Gretchen Whitmer was seen as a potential Democrat nominee for the US presidency - Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Just a f-----g disaster, a Democratic staffer who admires Ms Whitmer told NBC News. It feels like it removes some of the momentum she had as a politically savvy swing-state Dem.

A national Democratic strategist also told the outlet that it was a massive indictment on Ms Whitmer and her team to be seen get absolutely played by the Oval Office stunt.

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In an earlier policy speech outlining a consistent national strategy, Ms Whitmer had shocked some in her party by trying to find common ground with Mr Trump, expressing understanding of his motivations behind his sweeping roll-out of tariffs that sparked a global trade war.

In her speech, which came before Mr Trump announced he was pausing tariffs in most nations except for China, she said she broadly agreed with the use of tariffs, but did criticise how they had been implemented.

Tariffs need to be used like a scalpel, not a hammer, Ms Whitmer said. Unfortunately, its unclear how this is going to strategically benefit the American economy or the American consumer.

But she added: We do need to make more stuff in America  more cars and chips, more steel and ships. We do need fair trade.

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Ms Whitmer, a two-time governor of a battleground state who was tipped as a running mate for Joe Biden in 2020, also called for bipartisan cooperation to strengthen American manufacturing. Theres a lot more common ground here than we think.

The speech, which largely focussed on bipartisanship, was widely viewed as Ms Whitmer firing the starting gun on a 2028 run.

The governor appeared to attempt to paint herself as a middle-ground alternative to Mr Trump who could capture votes from both Democrats and swing voters who opted for Mr Trump in 2024 over issues like the economy.

Trying to avoid directly criticising Mr Trump or his administration put her at odds with other high-profile Democrats, who are also considered future presidential hopefuls, and have been clear in their opposition to the tariffs.

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Ms Whitmers comments came just hours before Mr Trumps extraordinary u-turn on sweeping global tariffs, in which he issued a 90-day pause on the levies for all countries except China.

While his press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the last-minute ditch was a clear example of the art of the deal, Mr Trump himself admitted in a press conference later on that he had reacted after people became yippy and a little bit afraid amid the market turmoil.

The awkward Oval Office audience was Mr Whitmers second face-to-face meeting with Mr Trump since he took office.

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Right-wing political commentator Megyn Kelly slammed Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent cosplay during field operations.

Kelly, who praised Noem for doing a great job as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) secretary, argued the former South Dakota governor should do away with photo-ops while visiting various DHS agents and other officials.

Why does she have to keep doing this? Shes doing a great job, her actual performance as DHS secretary, in my view, anyway, has been amazing, Kelly said during a Wednesday episode of The Megyn Kelly Show podcast. Just stop trying to glamorize the mission and put yourself in the middle of it as you cosplay ICE agent, which youre not. I cant stand these photo-ops.

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She is an administrative policy person appointed by Trump because she was very loyal to him. Fine, but stop with the glam. She looks like I look right now, but shes out in the field with her gun, being like, Were gonna go kick some a. No one wants you there, Kelly added.

Noem dismissed the criticism, arguing that the agents are proud of her willingness to put on an ICE hat during visits.

Every day I wake up and theres new criticisms. Its something different every single day, so I try not to pay attention to the noise, Noem said during a Wednesday night appearance on Fox Newss Jesse Watters Primetime. Obviously Im guided by the folks that I work with every day to be appropriate for the situation that Im in and to take the same that precautions they do.

I will tell you that I oversee 26 different components of the Department of Homeland Security, and they are so proud of the fact that Im willing to wear an ICE hat, that Im willing to wear an HSI vest, that Im willing to go into there and wear something and be proud of them and the work that they do, Noem told Fox News host Jesse Watters. They didnt have that with the last leadership team.

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Noem has drawn backlash from the other side of the aisle.

Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), a Marine Corps veteran who served in Iraq, criticized the DHS secretary earlier this week for the way she held a rifle while wearing tactical gear as she stood by two law enforcement officers in Arizona.

1. Close your ejection port. 2. If you have no rounds in the chamber why do you have a magazine inserted? 3. If you have rounds in the chamber or in the magazine why are you flagging the guy next to you, Gallego wrote while also urging Noem to stop deporting people without due process.

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RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN)  Families and communities continue to pick up following powerful storms and days of relentless rainfall across the South and Midwest.

States such as Kentucky remain devastated by widespread flooding, where 22 members of the North Carolina Search and Rescue Task Force 8 are focusing their attention.

Families and communities continue to pick up following powerful storms and days of relentless rainfall across the South and Midwest. (Frankfort Police Department) Families and communities continue to pick up following powerful storms and days of relentless rainfall across the South and Midwest. Families and communities continue to pick up following powerful storms and days of relentless rainfall across the South and Midwest.

Theyre seeing historic flooding, said Ben Mallard, a captain with the Raleigh Fire Department and leader of the task force. People thought they were safe in areas that they were in. Obviously, they were not, as water levels rose to nearly 50 feet here in Frankfort.

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According to Mallard, the team left Saturday morning and have helped support with efforts in Frankfort and Carrollton. In the first two days, the task force helped rescue and evacuate about four dozen people and several animals.

Its only later you start to absorb the activities of the day and work through those experiences, but we do a lot of training and were prepared for what were seeing, he said.

Raleigh Fire Department Division Chief Patrick Marks said the team responded after they received a call from the North Carolina Emergency Management when they learned the state of Kentucky was seeking assistance.

In addition to working 12-hour shifts and providing rescue equipment and boats, Marks said, These personnel from every agency represented on our task force and our team are trained to a different level. In addition to being a firefighter, EMT, or paramedic on their workday, these people are also trained in swift water rescue, boat operations. They have specialty training in damage assessment and data collection.

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We have people who are in leadership roles, he said. We have people who specialize in communications, we have people who specialize in providing emergency medical care, but the core of the team is divided into rescue squads.

The response comes just months after the team also responded in western North Carolina following Hurricane Helene. While responding in the western part of the state, according to Marks, members of Task Force 8 worked 24 continuous days doing search operations across three counties.

A disaster situation is exactly what you imagine, he said. Peoples lives are up-ended and their lives are up-ended much longer after that initial response.

Our team was delayed two hours getting to Kentucky because of Helene damage on Interstate 40, he continued. The people in western North Carolina are still dealing with that.

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Marks said the teams goal is to provide as much assistance as they can to the state, while also ensuring the safety of their first responders. Their mission will likely shift as the floodwaters continue to move downstream.

I think its obvious we cant take them to the finish line, but I do think its important we play our first initial response in that role to get the ball rolling, to relieve the load theyre dealing with in that disaster so that other people can come in and play their part to get them back on their feet, Marks said.

I also think what makes these people special is the heart that they have, he continued. This is a team people volunteer to participate on because they want to go and help.

For Mallard, he said it comes down to being there to support others when its needed, something hes witnessed times before.

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I grew up in eastern North Carolina and I saw resources come from all over the country, Mallard said. I take a lot of pride knowing I can go out in these communities and help in their time of need.

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DANBURY, Conn. (WTNH)  Four men were charged with federal sex trafficking offenses following an investigation in Danbury, the U.S. Attorney said.

The four men, who were arrested in March at a suspected brothel in Danbury, were charged with sex trafficking of children, officials said.

The men, 39-year-old Oswaldo Ordonez-Ortega of Danbury, 40-year Marco Robles, 40-year-old Edwin Quilli-Tacuri and 23-year-old Bryan Ismael Vasquez-Salinas, citizens of Ecuador, were investigated by the FBI Child Exploitation Task Force starting in February.

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On March 11, investigators found WhatsApp messaging advertising the sale of two 15-year-old girls for sexual encounters. The men were arrested on March 12.

Danbury man charged in 1989 kidnapping cold case

During the arrest, officials say they found two girls, aged 15 and 16, in the residence.

Cell phone analysis showed that Ordonez-Ortega coordinated the transportation of the victims to Danbury and made appointments with men, including Robles, Vasquez-Salinas and Quillia-Tacuri, to have sexual encounters with the victims, police said.

The victims were transported to a local hospital for medical care and evaluation after being briefly interviewed by law enforcement and DCF officials.

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Ordonez-Ortega and Vasquez-Salinas were additionally charged with attempted sex trafficking of children and conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of children.

Ordonez-Ortega also faces charges of coercion and enticement of minors to engage in sexual activity, and with transportation of minors with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.

Robles and Quilli-Tacuri were arrested and appeared in Bridgeport on Wednesday. They are currently detained. Ordonez-Ortega is in state custody and Vasquez-Salinas is in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody. They will appear in federal court at a later date.

The FBI, Danbury police, Brookfield police, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement are investigating the incidents.

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The Menendez Brothers' fight for their freedom will lead bring them back to a Los Angeles County courtroom on Friday as District Attorney Nathan Hochman tries to nix a resentencing recommendation made last year by his predecessor.



The resentencing hearing for the Menendez brothers is scheduled for April 11, 2025, in Van Nuys, with Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Michael Jesic presiding. Jesic had delayed the hearing in order to give Hochman time to review what the D.A. calls "over tens of thousands of pages of trial transcripts from two months-long trials, of the thousands of pages of prison records, of the hundreds of hours of videotaped trial testimony."



"The District Attorneys Office is prepared to proceed forward with the hearing on the Courts initiation of resentencing proceedings for the Menendez brothers if the court deems it has jurisdiction, but we are requesting that the prior District Attorneys motion for resentencing be withdrawn, Hochman said in a statement Wednesday.

Defense attorneys argue that Hochman has made the case political as two veteran prosecutors filed lawsuits against their new boss claiming he retaliated against them because they supported the brothers' claims that they were sexually abused. Lawyers Mark Geragos and Cliff Gardner have steadfastly maintained their clients acted in self-defense when they shot their parents dead at the family's Beverly Hills mansion in 1989. The brothers have long argued that they were physically, emotionally and sexually abused as children which prompted the sensational killings of their parents Jose and Kitty Menendez. [Geragos is the co-owner of Engine Vision Media, the parent company of Los Angeles.]



Though the defense argues that this decision is political, such an argument is devoid of merit," Hochman said, adding that he believes the brothers are lying about the abuse and shouldn't be released until they accept responsibility for the murders.



Though this pathway to resentencing has been offered to the Menendez brothers, they have chosen to stubbornly remain hunkered down in their over 30-year-old bunker of lies, deceit, and denials," he said.
METAIRIE, La. (WGNO)  A Metairie man was found guilty on Tuesday, April 8, of child pornography possession and distribution.

According to the Jefferson Parish District Attorneys Office, tips received in December of 2020 led to an investigation by the Louisiana Department of Justice into Guillermo Cadir Lopez-Pineda.

Amite man arrested following Hammond pornography involving juveniles investigation

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Due to leads from Lopez-Pinedas internet service provider, as well as his Gmail and Facebook accounts, investigators said they were able to positively link him to the crimes, and he was arrested in October 2022.

The district attorneys office reported that investigators found 136 illegal images on his cell phone.

Man arrested for allegedly bringing gun inside New Orleans school

At the conclusion of his trial, the jury deliberated for around an hour before returning guilty verdicts on four counts of distribution of pornography involving juveniles under the age of 13, and one count of possession with the intent to distribute pornography involving juveniles under age 13.

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Lopez-Pinedas sentencing is scheduled for May 1.

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WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  After months of the budget being under debate, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) announced Thursday that it approved a multi-billion-dollar budget.

Metro said the approved $4.957 billion capital and operating budget will improve service without raising fares across the transportation system.

Officials noted the approved budget continues to financially support Metro at levels where service is safe, frequent and reliable.

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Weve now accomplished 48 months of ridership growth with continued increases to service and continuous improvements for customers, said Metro general manager and CEO Randy Clarke. I want to thank our Board of Directors for their support of this budget and our jurisdictional partners in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C. Metro could not move the region without their collaboration and leadership.

Changes coming to Metro

However, with the new budget in effect, Metro said passengers can expect changes starting on Sunday, June 22.

Longer weekend hours: The rail system will open one hour earlier at 6 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. The system will close one hour later, at 2 a.m., on Fridays and Saturdays.

Split Silver Line service: The Silver Line will run in two service patterns, with half of trains operating between Ashburn and Downtown Largo, and half operating between Ashburn and New Carrollton.

More Silver Line service during peak times: Additional trains will operate during peak rush hour on weekdays, with trains running from Wiehle-Reston East to New Carrollton in the morning and from Stadium-Armory to Wiehle-Reston East in the afternoon.

More Red Line service during peak times: Additional Red Line trains will be scheduled to run at least 4 minutes (up from every 5 minutes) during the busiest portions of weekday rush hours.

Starting in December, the Yellow Line will extend with half of Metros train operating between Huntington and Greenbelt. The other half will operate between Huntington and Mt. Vernon Square.

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Metros Red Line trains keep overshooting stops, raising safety concerns

Changes coming to Metrobus

Along with the train services, passengers can expect changes to Metrobus through the Better Bus Network, launching on Sunday, June 29.

In 2022, Metro launched the Better Bus Network Redesign project, the first comprehensive redesign of Metros bus system in its 50-year history. After two years of planning, research and outreach, WMATA said the plan would soon come to fruition.

The redesign, announced last year, will add 11 bus routes to the frequent service network, with service every 12-20 minutes. All bus route names will also be changed.

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In addition, Metro will eliminate about 500 bus stops across D.C., Maryland and Virginia to make service faster and more direct. This is about 5% of the stops that Metro serves, according to WMATA.

To view the routes that will be eliminated, click here.

In the coming years, Better Bus will mean a lot of things for the region, including new facilities, zero-emissions vehicles, improved bus communications, and more bus lanes and transit signals, WMATA said.

The transit system noted that its Trip Planner will be updated sometime in the spring with the new bus routes and names to help riders plan their trips. Until then, see below to view the places buses will travel in D.C., Maryland and Virginia.

DC

2025 Better Bus Network Washington DCDownload

Maryland

2025 Better Bus Network MarylandDownload

Virginia

2025 Better Bus Network VirginiaDownload

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Click here to learn more about the changes coming to Metrobus through the network this summer.

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Atlanta-based Norfolk Southern will close a road in Hall County to perform replacements at a series of crossings.

Safety Services & Supply, Inc. said Cagle Road will close at the railroad crossing beginning April 14, for at least two days, as teams work to replace crossings at several locations.

The crossing area lies on Cagle Road between Lula Road and Julian Baugh Road.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

TRENDING STORIES:





Here is the list of locations that will have replacement procedures underway starting Monday.

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Lula Road between Cemetery Road and Burton Road in Lula, Ga.

White Sulphur Road between Hillcrest Sulphur Road and Cagle Road in Lula, Ga.

White Sulphur Road between Crescent Drive and Pine Valley Road in Gainesville, Ga.

Athens Street between Purnell Drive and Mill Street in Gainesville, Ga.

Dorsey Street between Aviation Boulevard and SW Industrial Boulevard in Gainesville, Ga.

According to Safety Services & Supply, Inc., the work crews will start work on Tuesday or Wednesday and the crossings will be closed for between 48 and 72 hours.

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TEHRAN, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Iran and Armenia on Thursday wrapped up a two-day military exercise along their shared border.

The drill, conducted on both sides of the border, was aimed at strengthening security and ensuring sustainable peace along the common border, according to the IRNA and the Armenian Defense Ministry.

The exercise involved operational units from the Ground Forces of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps and the Armenian army. It featured the use of light and heavy weapons, special forces snipers, and explosives, said the IRNA.

According to the Armenian Defense Ministry, the exercise also simulated operations to neutralize attacks by terrorist groups targeting border checkpoints along the Armenia-Iran border. 
MEXICO CITY (AP)  Drug lord Ernesto Don Neto Fonseca Carrillo, who was convicted in the 1985 killing of a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agent, was freed from prison after completing his 40-year sentence, a federal agent confirmed late Wednesday.

Fonseca, 94, had been serving the remainder of his sentence under home confinement outside Mexico City since being moved from prison in 2016. The federal agent, who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the case, said he was released last weekend.

The co-founder of the Guadalajara Cartel along with Rafael Caro Quintero, Fonseca was convicted in the kidnapping, torture and murder of DEA agent Enrique Kiki Camarena.

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Caro Quintero, who was also convicted in the murder, was one of 29 cartel figures Mexico sent to the United States in February.

It was not immediately clear if the United States would also seek Fonseca.

Fonseca was arrested in Puerto Vallarta in 1985.
By Lizbeth Diaz

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - A U.S. citizen shot and killed on Wednesday a top state Mexican police officer in an elite unit known as "the Gringo Hunters," which dedicates itself to arresting U.S. suspects who are fugitives in Mexico.

Authorities say the unit was trying to arrest a suspect in the northern Mexican border city of Tijuana when the man opened fire, hitting 33-year-old Abigail Esparza Reyes, the head of the unit in the northern border state of Baja California.

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She died from the injury, authorities said. They did not name the suspect. Local media reports the man escaped from the scene disguised as a cleaner.

A state security source told Reuters the fugitive was wanted in the U.S. for murder.

Mexico has for decades been seen as a place to escape U.S. law enforcement. In 2002 the unit nicknamed "Gringo Hunters" was started to cooperate with U.S. authorities and apprehend fugitives who cross the border.

According to authorities, Esparza Reyes had led the regional team of the unit for eight years, carrying out more than 400 operations aimed at arresting U.S. fugitives who had fled to Mexico.

The U.S. Embassy in Mexico did not respond to a request for comment.

(Reporting by Lizbeth Diaz in Mexico City; Writing by Laura Gottesdiener; Editing by Sandra Maler)
MEXICO CITY (AP)  The leaders of Mexico and Brazil said on Wednesday they would work to strengthen trade between their nations  Latin America's two biggest economies  as a counterweight to U.S. President Donald Trump's shifting positions on global tariffs that have thrown markets into chaos.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva met on the sidelines of a regional summit in Honduras, where leaders strategized how to respond Trump's tariffs and escalating deportations, among other issues.

We decided to further strengthen relations between our two countries by promoting regular meetings between our governments and the business sectors of Brazil and Mexico, Lula said on X.

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The meeting of 11 heads of state and 20 representatives from Latin America and the Caribbean, a bloc known as the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, was marked by a call to put aside differences in the face of global tensions.

Today more than ever is a good time to recognize that Latin America and the Caribbean require unity and solidarity, Sheinbaum said during the summit.

Trump on Wednesday suspended his global tariffs for 90 days on most countries other than China, which was hit with increased 125% tariffs, another escalation in the trade war between the two countries.

Even with the pause in tariffs, resentment still simmers among many trading partners and U.S. allies, which have started to look for other reliable trade alternatives in the face of uncertainty under the Trump administration.

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Adding to the economic turmoil are also larger frustrations over Trump's deportation tactics, increasingly the subject of legal scrutiny and human rights criticisms, and moves by his administration that some say infringe on the sovereignty of foreign nations.

That has spanned from U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth saying that Chinese presence in the Panama Canal represents a security threat, to recent reports that the Trump administration is studying the possibility of drone strikes against Mexican cartels, which Sheinbaum has sharply rejected.

We do not agree with any kind of intervention or interference," she told reporters Tuesday in her morning news conference.
Associated Press

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP)  New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed legislation Monday to create a "turquoise alert" for when Native Americans go missing in the state.

The effort  which had overwhelming support among lawmakers  responds to a troubling number of disappearances and killings in Indian Country.

The "turquoise alert" system  taking its name from the blue-green mineral  will allow law enforcement to quickly share information. It will function much like "amber" and "silver" alerts that highlight the disappearance of children and the elderly. Cellphone alerts will be issued when law enforcement finds evidence of imminent danger in the disappearance of a Native American.

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The legislation wasn't just a policy achievement, but a victory for every Native American mother, daughter, sister and aunt who has ever been impacted by violence, said Tiffany Jiron, executive director of the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women.

"This bill reflects our deep commitment to ensuring that no Indigenous person is left behind when they go missing," Jirons said in a statement. "For far too long, Native women and girls have been overlooked, their cases ignored or delayed. The Turquoise Alert System is an essential step toward rectifying that injustice and ensuring that our people receive the protection they deserve."

California, Washington and Colorado have similar alert systems, according to the New Mexico Department of Indian Affairs. Arizona lawmakers are considering their own alert system as the brutal death of San Carlos Apache teenager Emily Pike reverberates through Native American communities.

New Mexico has 23 federally recognized tribes, including large portions of the Navajo Nation and land holdings of the Fort Sill Apache. The safety concerns of those communities were on prominent display during the 60-day legislative session that wrapped up in March.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE)  The New Mexico National Guard Thursday released more information about its deployment to support the Albuquerque Police Department along the Central Avenue corridor and other specific areas.

The New Mexico National Guard said it has already started training personnel for Operation Zia Shield. Between 60 and 70 guardsmen, all of whom volunteered for this mission, will receive their training in classrooms in the Santa Fe National Guard Readiness Center, according to a news release from the force.

WATCH: Man takes police on a chase through Santa Fe in a U-Haul

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Guardsmen will take classes on providing first aid and law enforcement radio procedures. Once training is complete, the New Mexico National Guard will send members to Albuquerque beginning in mid-May.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced Tuesday that the New Mexico National Guard would be deployed in response to an emergency request from APD Chief Harold Medina, who cited rising violent juvenile crime and the fentanyl epidemic as issues that require immediate intervention. While Medina acknowledged that crime is down, he said the city can still improve.

The goal, Medina said, is to reduce crime from downtown east through the International District.

National Guard personnel will assist in multiple support areas including:

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Scene security and traffic control at critical incidents

Medical assistance and humanitarian efforts along Central Avenue

Prisoner Transport Unit assistance

Transit security enhancement

Metro Court security support

Aviation/Sunport security assistance

Shield Unit case preparation support

APD Drone Program operational assistance

The guardsmen will not be armed for this support mission and will not be in military uniform. They will wear civilian clothing that clearly identifies them as National Guard members, according to the news release.

This type of mission isnt new to us, said Aguilar. During the wildfires in Ruidoso, our first task was augmenting law enforcement and manning security checkpoints, Maj. Gen. Miguel Aguilar, the NM National Guard Adjutant General, stated in the news release. Many of the same Soldiers and Airmen who provided security and rescued New Mexicans during the fires and floods this past year are part of the new mission in Albuquerque.

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A Hainan Airlines aircraft, the first resumed direct flight between Beijing and Tel Aviv, arrives at Ben-Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv, Israel, on April 10, 2025. Direct flights between Beijing and Tel Aviv resumed on Thursday, as a Hainan Airlines aircraft successfully landed at Ben-Gurion International Airport early in the morning, marking the end of an 18-month hiatus. (Xinhua/Chen Junqing)

JERUSALEM, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Direct flights between Beijing and Tel Aviv resumed on Thursday, as a Hainan Airlines aircraft successfully landed at Ben-Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv early in the morning, marking the end of an 18-month hiatus.

According to Yu Chaojie, president of Hainan Airlines, the resumed Beijing-Tel Aviv route will operate two round-trip flights per week, on Mondays and Thursdays, with a flight time of approximately nine hours.

The Chinese carrier currently also operates a route connecting Tel Aviv with Shenzhen, a major metropolis in southeastern China.

At a resumption ceremony held in Tel Aviv, Chen Arieli, deputy mayor of Tel Aviv, expressed her appreciation for the return of the flights, emphasizing their role in strengthening the connection between China and Israel.

The Beijing-Tel Aviv route was first launched in April 2016, making the airline the first in China to operate direct flights to Israel. Following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict in October 2023, direct flights from Beijing and Shanghai to Israel were suspended. 

A Hainan Airlines aircraft, the first resumed direct flight between Beijing and Tel Aviv, arrives at Ben-Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv, Israel, on April 10, 2025. Direct flights between Beijing and Tel Aviv resumed on Thursday, as a Hainan Airlines aircraft successfully landed at Ben-Gurion International Airport early in the morning, marking the end of an 18-month hiatus. (Xinhua/Chen Junqing)

A passenger disembarks from a Hainan Airlines aircraft, the first resumed direct flight between Beijing and Tel Aviv, at Ben-Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv, Israel, on April 10, 2025. Direct flights between Beijing and Tel Aviv resumed on Thursday, as a Hainan Airlines aircraft successfully landed at Ben-Gurion International Airport early in the morning, marking the end of an 18-month hiatus. (Xinhua/Chen Junqing)

A Hainan Airlines aircraft, the first resumed direct flight between Beijing and Tel Aviv, arrives at Ben-Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv, Israel, on April 10, 2025. Direct flights between Beijing and Tel Aviv resumed on Thursday, as a Hainan Airlines aircraft successfully landed at Ben-Gurion International Airport early in the morning, marking the end of an 18-month hiatus. (Xinhua/Chen Junqing)

Passengers disembark from a Hainan Airlines aircraft, the first resumed direct flight between Beijing and Tel Aviv, at Ben-Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv, Israel, on April 10, 2025. Direct flights between Beijing and Tel Aviv resumed on Thursday, as a Hainan Airlines aircraft successfully landed at Ben-Gurion International Airport early in the morning, marking the end of an 18-month hiatus. (Xinhua/Chen Junqing)

A Hainan Airlines aircraft, the first resumed direct flight between Beijing and Tel Aviv, arrives at Ben-Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv, Israel, on April 10, 2025. Direct flights between Beijing and Tel Aviv resumed on Thursday, as a Hainan Airlines aircraft successfully landed at Ben-Gurion International Airport early in the morning, marking the end of an 18-month hiatus. (Xinhua/Chen Junqing)
Michelle Obama has denied she and Barack are getting divorced, suggesting the rumours around her marriage are sexist.

Mrs Obama has not accompanied her husband, former US president Barack Obama, to a series of high-profile state events, fuelling speculation that the pair may have separated.

However, the former first lady dismissed the rumours in a podcast episode published on Wednesday, saying she was a grown woman just making a set of decisions herself.

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She told host Sophia Bush: We as women, I think we struggle with, like disappointing people.

So much so that this year people were, they couldnt even fathom that I was making a choice for myself, that they had to assume that my husband and I are divorcing, you know?

This couldnt be a grown woman just making a set of decisions herself, right? But thats what society does to us.

Mr Obama appeared at the funeral of former president Jimmy Carter on his own in January, and two weeks later made a solo trip to Donald Trumps inauguration while his wife holidayed in Hawaii.

Barack Obama speaks with Donald Trump at the state funeral service for former US president Jimmy Carter - AFP

Speaking on the Work in Progress podcast, Mrs Obama said she had chosen to do what was best for me but nevertheless felt guilt as a woman.

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If it doesnt fit into the sort of stereotype of what people think we should do, then it gets labelled as something negative and horrible, she said.

The Obamas have rarely been seen together in public since they gave speeches endorsing Kamala Harris presidential bid in August.

Earlier this year, Mr Obama has dispelled rumours of a split by posting a gushing social media post celebrating his wifes birthday.

The gushing Instagram post showed the Obamas dressed casually and holding hands - Instagram

Happy birthday to the love of my life you fill every room with warmth, wisdom, humour, and grace  and you look good doing it, the Democrat wrote.

Im so lucky to be able to take on lifes adventures with you. Love you.

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Mr Obamas post was accompanied by a photo of the Obamas smiling and clasping hands over a dinner table.

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The Michigan Supreme Court ruled Thursday that automatic life sentences without the possibility of parole for 19- and 20-year-old individuals convicted of murder are unconstitutional under state law. The ruling builds off a 2022 decision by the court to ban such sentences for 18-year-olds.

In a 5-2 majority opinion, Justice Elizabeth Welch wrote automatic sentences of life without parole for 19- and 20-year-olds with murder convictions violates the Michigan Constitution's ban against cruel and unusual punishment. Welch noted a 2022 Michigan Supreme Court ruling found similar sentences unconstitutional for 18-year-olds because late-adolescence cognitive development can still be taking place.

The ruling issued Thursday applied the interpretation to sentences of life without parole to 19- and 20-year-olds, who also similarly could still be experiencing cognitive development, Welch wrote. It also retroactively applies "to all relevant criminal cases," meaning a prisoner facing a sentence of life without parole for a murder that took place when they were 19 or 20 could ask a judge for a new sentence.

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"Late adolescents who are 19- or 20-years-old, as a class, share with 18-year-olds the same mitigating characteristics of late-adolescent brain development," Welch wrote. She later added a sentence of life without parole "that does not allow for consideration of the mitigating factors of youth or the potential for rehabilitation is a grossly disproportionate punishment in violation."

A sentence of life without parole could still be possible, but 19- and 20-year-olds convicted of murder will now receive the same right to a hearing to determine if they can be sentenced to life without parole, currently in place for those 18 and younger.

Joining Welch in the majority were Justices Megan Cavanagh, Richard Bernstein, Kyra Harris Bolden and Kimberly Thomas. All five justices in the majority opinion were nominated by Democrats.

Michigan Supreme Court: Marijuana smell alone cannot justify police search of vehicle

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The court's two Republican-nominated justices, Chief Justice Elizabeth Clement and Justice Brian Zahra, dissented. In the dissent, Clement argued the severity of a first-degree murder conviction could be met with the most severe sentence possible.

"First-degree murder is arguably the gravest offense under Michigan law. The premeditated taking of a life is an act of the highest moral and legal consequence. A punishment of great severity is therefore proportionate," wrote Clement, who is set to leave the court by the end of the month.

In a separate, concurring opinion, Bernstein wrote the ruling should extend to individuals up to 25 years old, since scientific studies have found brain development takes place until then.

Prosecutors expressed concern over the ruling. In a statement, Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan President J. Dee Brooks, of Midland County, said the ruling would be painful for family members of murder victims as well as increase caseloads for prosecutor's offices who may have to argue sentencing for cases again.

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This story has been updated to add new information.

Contact Arpan Lobo: alobo@freepress.com

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Court bans automatic life without parole for murderers who are 19, 20
The Michigan Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Heres a look at April 9, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Daily 3 numbers from April 9 drawing

Midday: 9-4-8

Evening: 3-2-9

Check Daily 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Daily 4 numbers from April 9 drawing

Midday: 7-3-6-4

Evening: 3-4-9-4

Check Daily 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from April 9 drawing

01-14-24-29-46, Lucky Ball: 14

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Poker Lotto numbers from April 9 drawing

QH-7C-2D-2S-5S

Check Poker Lotto payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Fantasy 5 numbers from April 9 drawing

02-08-09-20-30

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11-19-31-32-34

Check Fantasy 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Daily Keno numbers from April 9 drawing

02-10-12-20-21-26-28-31-35-36-41-43-45-46-48-52-55-58-61-64-69-80

Check Daily Keno payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Classic Lotto 47 numbers from April 9 drawing

01-06-09-20-22-45

Check Classic Lotto 47 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lotto Double Play numbers from April 9 drawing

09-20-24-26-27-36

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:

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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:

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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 9, 2025
Microsoft said on Wednesday it is slowing or pausing some of its data center projects, describing the move as a show of flexibility as the artificial intelligence (AI) industry evolves.

In recent years, demand for our cloud and AI services grew more than we could have ever anticipated and to meet this opportunity, we began executing the largest and most ambitious infrastructure scaling project in our history, Noelle Walsh, president of Microsoft cloud computing operations, wrote in a Wednesday post on LinkedIn.

By nature, any significant new endeavor at this size and scale requires agility and refinement as we learn and grow with our customers. What this means is that we are slowing or pausing some early-stage projects, she said.

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The announcement comes as AI companies pour unprecedented amounts of funding into infrastructure to meet the computational and energy demands of the emerging technology.

Microsoft is still on track to spend more than $80 billion on infrastructure, a company spokesperson confirmed.

Still, the company has revealed changes to a variety of its data center plans, including the halt of projects in central Ohios Licking County.

A Microsoft spokesperson told The Hill these projects were halted after careful consideration and that two of the three sites will be used for farming.

And last December, the company announced it paused a large data center project in Wisconsin as it entered the later phases.

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We plan our datacenter capacity needs years in advance to ensure we have sufficient infrastructure in the right places, the spokesperson told The Hill. As AI demand continues to grow, and our datacenter presence continues to expand, the changes we have made demonstrates the flexibility of our strategy.

The Trump administration has pushed for more data center development to assist in the acceleration of AI technology. These centers house rows of servers that provide the processing capacity for machine learning, cloud storage and AI systems.

Last week, the administration identified 16 sites for data centers on land owned by the Department of Energy, with Secretary Chris Wright describing the global race for AI dominance as the next Manhattan project.

The department said it hopes operations at the center could begin by the end of 2027.

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During his first week at the White House in January, President Trump announced a private sector investment of up to $500 billion to build AI infrastructure.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. (WHTM)  A Mifflin County man was convicted this week in the murder of a photographer in Maryland.

Brandon Ross Holbrook, 49, of Reedsville, was convicted Wednesday after an eight day trial in Calvert County, southeast of Washington.

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According to the Calvert County States Attorneys Office, Holbrook was accused in the shooting death of a prominent Washington, D.C. photographer, Joseph Shymanski. He was shot and killed in his driveway on Sept. 3, 2023.

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Holbrook then brought the body back to Reedsville, where he dismembered and burned it, the States Attorneys Office said.

Video evidence showed his vehicle in the vicinity of Shymanskis home at the time of the shooting and forensic evidence linked Holbrook to the dismemberment and burning of his body.

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Holbrook will be sentenced on July 18, and Maryland authorities are seeking life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Another week, another chance to see the northern lights in Wisconsin.

Like last week, Wisconsinites will head into the weekend with more than one opportunity to see the aurora borealis, according to the NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center.

The SWPC's forecast indicates the lights will likely only be visible in the northern region of the state Thursday, but most of the state has a chance of catching the phenomena Friday.

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If you end up missing the lights, keep your eyes in the sky Saturday since April's full pink moon will be visible.

Thursday's aurora forecast has a Kp index of three while Friday's has a Kp index of four. For indexes in this range, the lights will likely "become brighter and there will be more auroral activity" since they're moving further from the poles, according to the SWPC.

The SWPC also has an aurora forecast tool, which provides a short-term forecast. The forecaster shows the location and intensity of the northern lights for the next 30 to 90 minutes.

More: April's full moon is a micromoon. Here's when you'll be able to see it in Wisconsin

What will the weather be like?

The Green Bay area is expected to be partly cloudy Thursday night and mostly clear Friday, according to the National Weather Service Green Bay office. Similar conditions are expected in Fond du Lac.

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Showers are forecast in Eau Claire Thursday with partly cloudy skies Friday night. Appleton will also have clouds Thursday and be partly cloudy Friday. including

Meanwhile, it will be mostly cloudy Thursday night but mostly clear in Milwaukee Friday night, along with Kenosha and Racine.

More: The Eta Aquarids and Lyrids meteor showers are expected in April: What to know in Wisconsin

What are tips for watching the northern lights?

The SWPC says the lights are typically best within an hour or two of midnight, meaning you should keep an eye out between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m.

You should also head away from city lights and go to higher vantage points for a better chance of seeing them.

What are the best places in Wisconsin to watch the northern lights?

Here's a list of spots across Wisconsin that could offer some of the best views of the northern lights:

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: When can I see the northern lights in Wisconsin in April?
The Trump administrations efforts to cut the number of federal workers, including a hiring freeze, have resulted in various impacts on military child care centers, including the closure of one, according to service officials.

The child development center at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, has closed. No other centers have closed at Air Force, Army, Navy or Marine Corps bases, officials said, in response to Military Times questions.

Child development centers traditionally face high turnover, and several recent departures in conjunction with the hiring freeze reduced the number of supervisors and trainers at Hill AFB, Air Force officials stated. Air Force child development centers are staffed with employees paid by appropriated funds, which are taxpayer dollars, as well as non-appropriated funds.

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Although military child and youth programs were exempted from the hiring freeze in mid-March, there was uncertainty when the freeze was first implemented. As a result, some child care centers have struggled to recover from those initial pauses in hiring. The country has long faced a shortage of child care workers.

The Air Force now has an exemption for its child care centers from the Defense Department hiring freeze, but the hiring, on-boarding and training process takes time, officials said.

The Air Forces appropriated-fund employees werent exempt from the Deferred Resignation Program, which allowed some Defense Department civilians to resign while receiving full pay and benefits through September.

The impact on child care centers, if any, varies from installation to installation, Air Force officials said. It also depends on how quickly the centers can hire new personnel.

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At Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado, officials will close one of their infant rooms on Friday because of the staffing issues, said a Space Base Delta 1 spokesperson. The closure is necessary to maintain an appropriate ratio of caregivers for children, to ensure the childrens safety and well being, the spokesperson said.

We are working through hiring freeze exemptions as quickly as possible, he said, adding that the base would work with affected families to return to the main CDC as quickly as possible.

Peterson officials asked eight families to voluntarily transfer their infants to an off-base, licensed, accredited child care center at no additional cost, through their Community Contracted Child Care program. Peterson launched the program in 2023 to address the high demand for child care at the base, and through March of this year, had reduced the waitlist by 150 children.

This is what the pandemic taught us about military child care

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Thats one example of initiatives the services have implemented over the past several years to increase the availability of child care for military families.

Their efforts to recruit and retain more child care workers have had a positive impact on staffing levels, Air Force officials said.

This has enabled us to better navigate staffing challenges this year and maintain consistent care for the children of our airmen and guardians, officials said.

Among other things, those initiatives include bonuses for employees based on their longevity and other factors, and a 100% child-care fee discount for the first enrolled child of direct-care staff. They also receive a 25% discount for additional enrolled children. Since these initiatives were implemented, the Air Force increased the staff of those providing direct care to children by more than 20%, officials said.

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Navy child care hasnt been significantly affected by the personnel moves, service officials said. Most employees of Navy child and youth programs are paid by non-appropriated funds and were exempted from participating in the Deferred Resignation Program.

There was a bit of a hiccup at the beginning of the hiring freeze, however, when it wasnt clear whether it applied to non-appropriated fund workers, said Destiny Sibert, spokesperson for Commander, Navy Installations Command headquarters. Some programs had to adjust their hours, but operations should be back soon to full staffs, she said.

Navy officials have also been working to increase the amount of child care over the last several years, reducing the wait list for child development centers and school age care by half since fiscal 2023, from 5,000 to 2,500. By implementing salary increases, recruitment incentives and child care discounts for employees, they increased the staffing levels to 88%.
LUSAKA, April 10 (Xinhua) -- A conference aimed at tackling challenges in the transport and logistics sector opened here Thursday with Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema calling for more investment in infrastructure development in Africa.

Addressing the fourth Land-Linked Zambia Conference, the Zambian president said improving transport corridors will boost intra-Africa trade, which remains low due to persistent issues such as inadequate transport systems.

According to Hichilema, it is important to invest in non-stop border posts to facilitate the flow of trade and business in order to facilitate intra-Africa trade.

He said joint investment in infrastructure by African nations would yield better results than isolated efforts.

Hichilema also called on the private sector to work with governments to support infrastructure development as part of efforts to lower the cost of conducting business.

Zambian Minister of Transport and Logistics Frank Tayali stressed the significance of tackling transport costs, saying Zambia is taking its geographical position by investing in transport infrastructure in order to improve connectivity with neighboring countries.

Under the theme "Embracing Smart Transport Corridors in Africa," the conference, scheduled for Thursday and Friday, attracted 12 ministers from the southern African region as well as key stakeholders in the sector.

The conference will, among other things, discuss transport corridors, road and rail linkages, trade and the impact of the transport sector on the continent. 
A 64-year-old licensed practical nurse is facing federal charges after she allegedly grabbed a flight attendants genitalia while traveling from Las Vegas to North Dakota.

Jody Lynn Sherry-Berg was arrested Tuesday on one count of interference with flight crew members, according to federal court documents reviewed by The Independent.

The altercation occurred January 16 aboard an Allegiant Air flight from Harry Reid International Airport to Grand Forks International Airport, states an indictment unsealed April 8 in Minnesota federal court.

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Sherry-Berg, a Bemidji, Minnesota, resident, did knowingly interfere with the performance of the duties of a male flight attendant identified in court filings as J.M., when she assaulted J.M. by grabbing J.M.s genitals, the indictment contends.

Jody Lynn Sherry-Berg was flying from Vegas to North Dakota at the time of the alleged incident (Getty Images)

Attorney Jean Brandl, a public defender assigned to represent Sherry-Berg at her first court appearance, told The Independent that she was not at liberty to speak to you about the case.

Brandl declined to provide details of what led up to the altercation, which is not laid out in the indictment.

An Allegiant Air spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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A fellow traveler captured cell phone video of Sherry-Berg twice grabbing the flight attendants crotch, Fargo, North Dakota NBC affiliate KVLY reported at the time of the incident.

(US District Court for the District of Minnesota)

Sherry-Berg was initially arrested upon landing by the Grand Forks Police Department on one count of providing false information to law enforcement. According to a probable cause affidavit in that case, Sherry-Berg at first gave responding officers a fake name, Alyssa Hoverson.

However, a search of Sherry-Bergs belongings turned up a Minnesota drivers license that revealed her true identity, the affidavit says.

The state charge was dropped on April 3, when the still-sealed federal indictment was handed down, court records show. Following her arrest this week, Sherry-Berg was released on a personal recognizance bond and ordered to stay away from her alleged victim and any witnesses who may be called to testify.

If convicted, Sherry-Berg faces up to 20 years in prison. She is scheduled to appear in Grand Forks federal court on April 21.
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  A community health fair Thursday worked to get health vendors and resources into one central location.

Ida Carson Ministries hosted its second annual health event at Elizabeth Place in Dayton to help address disparities within the region.

Ida Carson, CEO of Ida Carson Ministries, said the event is part of an area-wide effort to meet minority health needs.

Its really crucial for us, we as a community, to come out and show support to those who dont have those resources, said Carson. Theres so many disparities in terms of lack of services. Thats why its important for us to go out to the community and bring those resources to them.

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Carson said the event takes six months of planning, preparation covers everything from inviting vendors to advertising.

She shared that seeing the event makes her proud.

My heart  it just makes it smile inside because this is what its about. The Bible tells us to go out to the hedges and highways and compel men to come. And thats exactly what were doing, said Carson. Thats why its important to me to make sure that I am doing the work that the Lord is calling us to do.

The event is sponsored by the Ohio Commission on Minority Health.

Their next community health fair will focus on senior health on April 24.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com.
A missing 13-year-old snowboarder died after he was found unresponsive on a popular Oregon mountain, deputies said.

Authorities responded at about 11:15 a.m. Wednesday, April 9, to Mount Bachelor, the Deschutes County Sheriffs Office said in a news release.

The teen from Anacortes, Washington, had been reported missing to ski patrol who then found him unresponsive near the Sunrise Express chairlift, deputies said.

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They performed life-saving efforts and took him to the medical facility on the mountain, deputies said.

He was pronounced dead at 12:05 p.m., a spokesperson for Mount Bachelor Ski Resort told McClatchy News by email April 10.

No one saw what happened to the boy, but its believed he crashed into a tree, authorities said.

Deputies said he had been wearing a helmet.

His identity isnt being released, and the investigation is ongoing.

On behalf of our entire team at Mt. Bachelor, we extend our deepest sympathies to his family and friends during this difficult time, the spokesperson said.

Mount Bachelor is about a 20-mile drive southwest from Bend.

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14-year-old snowmobiler seriously hurt after crashing into tree, Oregon rescuers say

SOS message alerts cops to 34-year-old buried in snow on popular Oregon mountain

Expert skier died after plunging 25 feet from icy chairlift in Colorado, lawsuit says
Student organizers from OurSchoolsPVD, the Providence Youth Student Movement and the Alliance of RI Southeast Asians pose for a portrait outside the Rhode Island State Library on April 9, 2025. From left to right are Angel Solis, Nevaeh Senecal, Milia Odom and Jesslynn Melendez. (Photo by Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current)

Surrounded by shelves packed with books, journals and ledgers detailing centuries of state government history, high school students gathered in the Rhode Island State Library Wednesday to talk about the history they think is missing in their classrooms.

They came to support a bill by Providence Democratic Rep. David Morales that would require public high schools statewide to offer a full-year ethnic studies course starting in the 2026-2027 school year. Beginning with the class of 2030, the course would be a graduation requirement.

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Providence is very diverse. America is a very diverse country, where people of all different backgrounds come to live here, Milia Odom, an 11th grader at Central High School and youth organizer with the Alliance of RI Southeast Asians (ARISE) and OurSchoolsPVD, told a few dozen people in attendance. A whole lot of people deserve to know where they come from. They deserve to know where their parents come from, and they deserve to know their history.

Morales name may be on the bill introduced Feb. 28, but he said the students drafted it.

I just want to reiterate that it was the young people that made that happen, Morales said, noting that the kids have allies on the school board, in the Providence City Council and at the State House. But at the end of the day, this work is only happening because it is the young people who are pushing us as lawmakers to make these changes happen.

The bill text describes a basic curriculum consisting of U.S. and Rhode Island history with a focus on the experiences of racialized communities, including Black, Indigenous, Latin American, Asian American, Pacific Islander and Arab American communities. The Armenian Genocide is also listed as an element of the courses, which would fall under social studies. Students would also be required to complete a civics project that would highlight their ability to reason, make logical arguments and support claims using valid evidence, the bill reads.

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The bill would create a council of student leaders to advise the curriculum building process, with a student representative and teacher from each school district. The school districts superintendent and a number of youth-led organizations would select the representatives, per the bill text.

If enacted, the legislation would become effective July 1, and the student leadership council would begin meeting in October.

The OurSchoolsPVD coalition, which organized Wednesdays event, succeeded in getting the Providence School Board to authorize a similar, nonbinding resolution last year. The Providence City Council passed a resolution in support of the new bill last week.

Rhode Island, as a Lively Experiment, has been and is home to communities of every description, Council President Rachel Miller wrote in her resolution.

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Miller was not there, but Providence City Council President Pro Tempore Juan M. Pichardo attended the event and gave remarks.

Providence Democratic Rep. David Morales speaks at the Rhode Island State Library on April 9, 2025, during an event hosted by OurSchoolsPVD in support of a bill he sponsored to require ethnic studies in public high schools statewide. (Photo by Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current)

Compared to last years school board resolution, Morales bill enlarges a municipal goal to a statewide one. The bill leaves room for school districts to design the requisite course in a way that fits their communities. The state education department would provide guidance on the content of these courses, and would assist in expand[ing] diverse educator pipelines to support with the delivery of ethnic studies, according to the bill.

As of October 2023, students of color comprised 81% of students enrolled in public schools in Central Falls, Pawtucket, Providence, and Woonsocket, according to analysis of state data by Rhode Island KIDS COUNT. Statewide, white students accounted for 51% of the entire K-12 population, Hispanic students 30% and Black students 9%. Multi-racial, Asian, Pacific Islander and Native American students made up about 10%.

Angel Solis, a Central High School graduate who now attends the Community College of Rhode Island, pointed to his own positive experience with an ethnic studies class in his junior year of high school. He said lessons on the resilience of Latin and Native American communities in the face of colonization made him more curious and openminded.

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That helped Solis repair blindspots in his knowledge about his own and others heritage, he said.

When I was a sophomore, I had little general knowledge about what ethnic studies wereOver time, the more I figured out, the more I asked myself, Why dont we have it? Solis recounted.

Jesslynn Melendez, an East Providence High School senior and an OurSchoolsPVD youth leader, thought ethnic studies could help repair negative perceptions about certain ethnic groups for all students.

Having ethnic studies, Melendez said, could foster a community where students will know the hardships of certain cultures and groups, [and] how saying certain things or suggesting certain things arent a joke, but harmful.

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Nine Democrats joined Morales in co-sponsoring the bill. Morales said a Senate version is in the works, with Sen. Hanna Gallo, a Cranston Democrat, as lead sponsor.

The bill has not yet been scheduled for a hearing before the House Committee on Education.

Decades from now, when yall have children and theyre taking an ethnic studies course, you can let them know Mom was on the front line fighting for this bill to become law, Morales said.

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MARSHALL COUNTY, Miss. (WJTV)  The U.S. Attorneys Office announced a Mississippi couple has been sentenced in connection with their leadership role in a multi-million-dollar PPP fraud scheme.

U.S. District Court Judge Sharion Aycock sentenced Lakisha Pearson, 48, of Holly Springs, to a 75-month jail sentence to run consecutively to a previous 52-month sentence, totaling 127 months. Robert Pearson, 54, of Holly Springs, was sentenced to a 110-months for conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with fraudulent PPP loans.

The judge also ordered the Pearsons to repay $3,364,052 in restitution.

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Indiana rape suspect captured in Mississippi

The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) was a COVID-19 pandemic relief program administered by the Small Business Administration that provided forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other related business expenses.

According to prosecutors, the Pearsons owned Unity Tax Express and helped numerous individuals file for and receive fraudulent PPP loans in return for a kickback. The PPP loan applications included false information regarding the number of employees and the extent of the claimed business operations.

In a related prosecution in January of this year, U.S. District Court Judge Michael P. Mills sentenced Lakisha Pearson to a 52-month jail sentence for mail fraud in connection with falsely claimed IRS Employee Retention Tax Credit for others. The judge also ordered Pearson to repay $15,942,586.77 in restitution in that case.

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The case was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service, IRS Criminal Investigation Division, and the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.

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State Rep. Phil Amato, a Republican from Arnold, filed the standalone bill to require senior care referral sites to disclose financial ties, which was then added onto a sweeping health bill sponsored by Rep. Tara Peters (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications).

For-profit referral companies that connect Missouri seniors to assisted living facilities would be required to disclose their financial ties to those facilities under a bill debated in a Missouri Senate committee on Wednesday.

The proposal, which is included in a sweeping health bill, aims to add protections for families looking to place their loved one in a facility, Republican state Rep. Tara Peters of Rolla, told lawmakers shortly before the House approved the bill last month.

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The Senate Committee on Families, Seniors and Health heard public testimony Wednesday.

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The bill has won support from advocates for seniors as well as lobbyists representing associations for long-term care facilities.

The only opposition came from the referral companies themselves, who said the requirements were a regulatory burden that would confuse families trying to get information on facilities.

Washington, Colorado, Arizona, and Maryland have passed similar laws.

Companies such as the national, private-equity backed A Place for Mom offer free assistance for those looking for assisted living facilities. They make money by receiving fees from facilities for referrals.

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A Place for Mom, which is based in New York, hired seven Jefferson City lobbyists on March 4, according to the Missouri Ethics Commission.

The legislation would require agencies to disclose any relationship between the company and long-term care facility, and the fact that the company receives a fee for the referral. It would also require the consumer to sign off on an agreement before the agency shares their contact info.

Proponents argue that consumers arent made aware of the companies motivations for recommending certain facilities. They also say that when consumers enter their contact information into a companys website, they are not aware that they are giving permission to share that information with facilities.

Jeff Balleau, who testified in support of the legislation, runs a local referral agency and believes there should be more transparency.

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The only people that dont support this are billion dollar venture capitalist companies who feel like honesty and transparency doesnt meet family needs, he said.

He added that when his father was searching for a facility, he got 40 calls in a day and Im not sure who finds that helpful. He said hes seen clients have trouble opting out once theyre signed up and their information has been shared.

Erin Dwyer, who works at Senior Care Authority, another local referral company, as a senior care advisor said these online lead aggregators dont listen to client needs. They blast their client info, and the families need to be able to opt out.

A Washington Post investigation last year found that A Place for Mom, the largest such agency, regularly recommends facilities on its website that state regulatory agencies have found to be substandard. Reporters found more than one-third of facilities recognized by A Place for Mom from 2023 to 2024 as award-winning, across 28 states, were cited by the state for serious violations affecting resident care. The U.S. Senates Special Committee on Aging subsequently announced it was launching an investigation into A Place for Mom.

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State Rep. Phil Amato, a Republican from Arnold, sponsored the standalone version of the bill that passed out of committee earlier this year unanimously for the second year in a row. It was later added to Peters health care bill as an amendment.

Amato was inspired to file the bill after hearing from constituents, he told a House committee in March.

Amato said in one instance, the sibling of a potential long-term care resident entered her info to one of these sites. The woman, whod recently lost her husband, then received a barrage of calls from facilities that appointments had been set up for her to visit. She didnt even know if assisted living would be right for her yet.

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Shes grieving the loss of her husband, and now shes getting all of these pestering phone calls, Amato said. When it was told to me, I couldnt believe it. And then since then, Ive had other horror stories.

Amatos bill last year was nearing passage, he said in March, but died when the Senate adjourned early.

This year, theres getting some pushback, Amato said, because theres been some, I know youre shocked to hear, but somebody has hired lobbyists to come and try to make sure that this thing is defeated.

Michelle McGovern, the chief legal officer for A Place for Mom, testified that while her company supports transparency, the bill imposes an unnecessary regulatory burden, and will confuse families trying to access information.

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Forcing families into fee disclosures and business negotiations, especially during times of emotional stress will add confusion and not clarity to families, she said.

McGovern said the provision requiring families to sign off on an agreement with the company could prove confusing and negative to their business.

We just want to keep the contracts between us and the community, she said at the March hearing, referring to the facilities they contract with.

A Place for Mom contracts with 200 care facilities across Missouri, McGovern said.

State Rep. Jo Doll, a St. Louis Democrat, pressed McGovern at last months hearing.

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Its kind of like youre selling the information to your community customers, Doll said.

McGovern responded that consumers are consenting for us to share. I mean, theres no other way to do a referral. They are consenting to us to share their information with the community.

Doll said people who provide their contact info may just want to see the options, not have their information shared with facilities.

Jewell Patek, a longtime Jefferson City lobbyist representing A Place for Mom and another referral company called Caring, said Wednesday the bill would hurt seniors.

This bill would be very harmful to the business practices of the people who are providing the most information thats free and available and trustworthy, he said, and I think it would be harmful to the folks that everyones saying theyre trying to protect.

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The committee concluded without taking a vote on the bill Wednesday.

CORRECTION: This story was updated at 9:30 a.m. on April 11 to correct the name of A Place for Mom.

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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)

The Missouri House Budget Committee approved almost $4 billion in construction funding Thursday, including 45 new earmarked items for projects that include a county government maintenance shed and a capital city parking garage.

About half of the spending is reauthorization of projects approved in past years and funded mainly from the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act. As of March 31, the state had $1.3 billion remaining to be spent from the $2.9 billion originally received from the federal COVID-19 relief law.

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Overall, the new items increased general revenue spending for construction projects by $76 million more than requested by Gov. Mike Kehoe. Adding the three construction bills to the operating budget approved in the House last week brings total spending proposed in the lower chamber to $51.7 billion, about $2 billion less than Kehoe proposed in January.

The construction budget will be debated in the full House on Tuesday.

Committee Chairman Dirk Deaton, a Republican from Noel said he was comfortable with adding general revenue items despite a tax cut bill awaiting a final vote and ongoing uncertainty about federal budget cuts.

Current general revenue receipts are declining and a general revenue surplus built up to $5.7 billion two years ago is expected to be $2.5 billion at the end of June.

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This may be the last year that lawmakers are able to tap the surplus for earmarked projects, Deaton said to reporters after the meeting.

Were still in a good position, but certainly those opportunities are diminishing, he said. And if its not next year, itll be the year after that.

Deatons willingness to add dozens of small items for members is in contrast to his predecessor, former state Rep. Cody Smith. In past years, most earmarks were inserted during Senate consideration of the budget.

The change drew praise from the committees ranking Democrat, state Rep. Betsy Fogle of Springfield.

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This has been the most collaborative and productive budget year that Ive been a part of, Fogle said.

The smallest item added to the construction list is $60,000 for a maintenance and equipment shed for Dallas County government. The largest is $20 million for a new Jefferson City parking garage that is part of a $130 million hotel and conference center.

To find money for the parking garage Deaton cut funding requested by Kehoe for renovations of the remaining structures of the Missouri State Penitentiary to support its use as a tourist attraction.

The original request of $52 million was pared down to $15 million, Deaton said, because members of the committee are willing to spend money to preserve the buildings but balk at major renovations or improvements on the property.

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If we were just to say, lets just tear all these buildings down, it would be more than $15 million, so just to try to help them keep what they have and stabilize that seemed appropriate to me, Deaton said to reporters after the meeting.

The parking garage would replace a crumbling structure near the Governors mansion and help relieve some of the problems finding parking in downtown Jefferson City, Deaton said. And adding it in the House makes friends in the Senate, he added.

Weve had talks with our colleagues on the other side of the building, and theres some members over there I know that are very passionate about it, Deaton said.

Of the other earmarked items added Thursday, there are 15 health-related projects that include hospital and mental health facilities and seven infrastructure projects for roads, bridges and water. Theres grants for library renovations in Newton and Barry counties and tourism projects to fund construction at the General Omar Bradley Memorial in Moberly, the Starlight Theatre in Kansas City and the Pony Express Museum in St. Joseph.

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Deaton didnt greenlight every request, said Republican state Rep. Wendy Hausman of St. Peters.

We had to prove that its beneficial throughout the state, Hausman said.

The items that are funded are only a fraction of what he was asked to include, Deaton said.

No matter what the resources we bring to bear, theres always more need than there is opportunities to meet those needs, he said.

Democrats were treated fairly and saw some of their items funded, Fogle said.

The chair has continued to show a willingness to work with minority members and get some of our investments in the budget, she said. And today was a good day.

This article was updated at 7 p.m. Thursday with revised budget totals.

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ADDIS ABABA, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Addis Ababa University (AAU) and the Oromia Education Bureau of Ethiopia have agreed to train Chinese language instructors who will be teaching Mandarin in Oromia, the largest region in Ethiopia.

The two sides signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Wednesday in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital, on training Mandarin instructors at the AAU, the country's oldest university, starting from next academic year.

"The memorandum of understanding involves capacity development of teachers who will teach Mandarin, the Chinese language, in boarding and secondary schools of Oromia region. The agreement intends to train about 30 teachers every year," AAU President Samuel Kifle told Xinhua.

The arrangement is in line with the federal government's commitment to expanding education in foreign languages, including Mandarin, in the country, he said.

The Confucius Institute in the AAU will play an indispensable role in making the agreement a reality, Kifle said.

"The Confucius Institute has been here in AAU for the last 12 years. It has been very instrumental for us, availing Chinese teachers who are teaching at certificate, first and master degree levels," he said. "When this program is launched, they will be fully involved."

Tolla Berisso, head of Oromia Education Bureau, said the MOU aims to address the critical shortage of Chinese language instructors in the region, where the demand for Mandarin has grown over time.

He said Chinese investment is expanding in Ethiopia, particularly in the Oromia region, where Mandarin graduates are enjoying a range of opportunities to work in Chinese companies.

With Ethiopia's strong economic ties to China and the growing presence of Chinese companies, especially in road, railway and industrial zone development, the demand for Chinese language education has surged in Ethiopian universities and colleges. 
Rep. Brian Seitz, a Branson Republican, speaks during House debate in March 2025 (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications).

With less than six weeks left in the legislative session, Missouri House Republicans scrapped their latest of several iterations of an abortion ban in search of a new solution.

The newest proposed constitutional amendment got its first committee hearing Wednesday night with a bill filed by Republican state Rep. Ed Lewis of Moberly presented to the House Children and Families Committee by its new handler, state Rep. Brian Seitz, a Branson Republican.

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Seitz told his colleagues the legislation, a response to Missouri becoming the first state to overturn an abortion ban, will help foster a culture of life in Missouri, one that all our citizens can support.

The amended version of the bill, which passed out of committee after two hours of debate, was not yet available on the House website as of Wednesday evening.

But Seitz in his presentation of the legislation said it was nearly identical to a bill passed out of the same committee in late March.

That legislation sought to outlaw abortion with exceptions for medical emergencies and fetal anomalies. It would also legalize abortions up to 12 weeks gestation for survivors of rape and incest, but only if first reported to police, a requirement that remains highly-criticized by survivors and their advocates.

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The ballot language for the latest legislation was also not yet public Wednesday evening, but the bill it was based on was criticized for excluding any direct reference to an abortion ban. Instead it sought to ask if voters wanted to guarantee access to care for medical emergencies, ectopic pregnancies and miscarriages, a right that is already guaranteed in the Missouri Constitution.

That amendment also would have asked if Missourians wanted to ensure womens safety during abortion, ensure parental consent for minors, allow abortions for medical emergencies, fetal anomalies, rape and incest and protect children from gender transitions.

Seitz said while his morals dont align with the rape and incest exception, he believes that adding the allowance up until the end of the first trimester would be more favorable for voters.

House Minority Leader Ashley Aune, a Democrat from Kansas City and herself a sexual assault survivor, asked Seitz to imagine someones body being violated only to have a reminder of that violence through nine months of pregnancy.

House Minority Leader Ashley Aune of Kansas City, surrounded by members of the Democratic caucus, speaks at news conference after the 2025 legislative session opened (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent).

Could your child have cured cancer? Seitz asked as the many in the crowd audibly groaned.

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Aune brushed aside his question, calling it an insane hypothetical.

Seitz on multiple occasions said he believes the abortion-rights amendment  which was approved by voters and protects the procedure up until the point of fetal viability  actually legalized the procedure up until the moment of birth.

Aune called his assertion a misrepresentation of the amendment, saying he wasnt taking into consideration those diagnosed with devastating fetal anomalies late in pregnancy.

If you think that there are abortions on demand at nine months, shame on you for thinking so little of women, she said.

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State Rep. Ann Kelley, a Republican from Lamar, said she agreed with Seitz that the abortion-rights amendments language allowing abortion at any point if needed to protect the life or physical or mental health of the pregnant person was too ambiguous.

Seitz questioned whether a person who is nine months pregnant could be in very much pain, as Im sure most women are when theyre about to give birth, and declare, I want to have an abortion. I want to have an abortion. I just cant take it. I cannot go through with it. I cannot have a baby. I cannot financially care for the baby. My boyfriends disappeared. I want an abortion. I think Amendment 3 opened that door to that possibility at nine months.

Up until this week, House Republicans had used a bill filed by state Rep. Melanie Stinnett as the vehicle for their proposed abortion ban amendment. After that legislation underwent three major revisions, including one that was not approved by the bills handler, it was seemingly scrapped before it got to the full House for a final vote.

Seitz added Wednesday that unlike the last iteration of Stinnetts bill, which sought to put stricter parameters on abortion, his legislation had the support of Missouri Right to Life, the states largest anti-abortion group.

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Susan Klein with Missouri Right to Life testified in support of the new legislation Wednesday, calling it a true effort to repeal and replace Amendment 3.

In November, just shy of 52% of Missourians voted to legalize abortion up until the point of fetal viability through a citizen-led ballot initiative.

Missouri anti-abortion elected officials have since vowed to either restrict or repeal the reproductive rights amendment, known as Amendment 3, arguing that Missourians didnt understand what they were voting on when they checked yes at the ballot box.

A flurry of legislation followed, much of which has been criticized as an attempt to overturn the will of the people and a waste of taxpayers time and money.

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But Republicans are adamant that an abortion ban would succeed on a statewide ballot.

When this legislation passes, well know the will of the voters, Seitz said Wednesday. And it will pass.

Despite abortion becoming legal nearly four months ago, only a handful of procedural abortions have been performed across three Planned Parenthood clinics in the state.

The delay is in part due to multiple ongoing court cases around Amendment 3, including a lawsuit in which a judge in February agreed to strike down several of the states abortion regulations, citing them as discriminatory and allowing clinics to restart the procedure. But the judge kept in place a current regulation mandating that only physicians perform the procedure.

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Medication abortions remain inaccessible.

Seitz said his amendment seeks to restore a number of these abortion regulations, adding that it would guarantee only licensed physicians be able to perform abortions.

We are not in a place and time where people are randomly hanging out a shingle, said state Rep. Pattie Mansur, a Democrat from Kansas City.

Not yet, Seitz responded.

State Rep. Holly Jones, a Republican from Eureka who chairs the committee, only permitted five people to testify in support and five in opposition on Wednesday, citing a hearing on abortion earlier this year that lasted four hours. The rest of those in attendance were permitted only to state their name and whether they were for or against the legislation.

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While you have come this way, you do get to speak, Jones said. But we are not going to spend and belabor the points of either side all evening.

After four people spoke in favor of the bill and more than 55 people voiced their opposition, Jones asked that the hearing room be cleared when Mallory Schwarz, executive director of Abortion Action Missouri, called the hearing a sham, criticizing Jones for limiting how many people were allowed time to testify and then led abortion-rights advocates in a chant.

Ive been in this building five years. This is the most disgusting thing Ive ever seen, state Rep. Marlene Terry, a Democrat from St. Louis, told Jones after she cleared the public out of the hearing.   This is their house. You had them put out of this room.

The hell I need to take a vote, Terry said as she left her seat before the hearing concluded.

The amended version of the legislation passed out of committee 11 to 3.

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JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.  Missouri House Representatives voted unanimously on Thursday for HB 516, a radioactive waste investigation bill.

The bill will allow the state to test soil, groundwater and dust for radiological contamination.

Rep. Mark Matthiesen of District 107 delivered an introduction to a three-part bill on the Missouri House floor.

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Multiple myeloma does not care if you are Black or white. Non-Hodgkins lymphoma doesnt care about your political affiliation. Leukemia doesnt care if you pray to Allah, Jesus, or dont pray at all. These rare cancers can affect everyone, and that is why I will not stop pushing for this legislation to seek out areas of radioactive contamination so people can be informed about their risks, Matthiesen said.

Representatives across the aisles shared personal stories of rare cancers and autoimmune diseases.

I have a whole highway from one side of my district to the other where every family on that highway has been touched with a rare and odd cancer, said Representative Richard West of District 102.

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Representatives also came together to address 80 years of Missouris history, from refining uranium for the Manhattan Project in downtown St. Louis to the leftover nuclear waste that is still sitting in the area today.

SIUE loses grant for high school library program

This is federal government waste, poison left in our soils, said Representative Doug Clemens of District 72.

The bills language also states that the federal government will reimburse the state for cleanup costs.

For years that just sat there with no appropriation. So that means we werent doing any testing. So my portion removed that cap and allowed the general assembly to appropriate to that fund as we see fit, said Representative Raychel Proudie of District 73.

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Representatives who spoke on Thursday said the bill is motivation to stand up to the federal government and demand action.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
MOBILE COUNTY, Ala. (WKRG)  A Mobile man was killed over the weekend in a multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 10, an Alabama Law Enforcement Agency news release said.

19 Baldwin County restaurants claiming imported shrimp is locally sourced: report

According to the release, Hayley B. Terry, 20, was killed when the 2004 Ford F150 he was driving was hit by a 2005 Kenworth tractor-trailer. The release said Terrys truck then hit a 2018 Kenworth tractor-trailer. Terry died at the scene, the release said.

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3 Vigor High School officials placed on administrative leave

ALEA officials said the crash happened on I-10 near the 14-mile marker, about one mile west of Mobile, in Mobile County. Troopers are still investigating the incident.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.
By Savyata Mishra

(Reuters) - Modelo Especial owner Constellation Brands' beer sales are taking a hit as demand from Hispanic populations in key U.S. states slows down amid Trump's crackdown on immigration, company executives said on Thursday.

President Trump has kicked off a sweeping immigration crackdown after taking office in January, ratcheting up pressures on the Hispanic consumers burdened by higher prices of food and other essentials as well as elevated unemployment rates.

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Modelo Especial is made exclusively in Mexico, and is imported and marketed in the United States by Constellation Brands. The brand has enjoyed huge popularity in the past couple of years, overtaking Bud Light as the top-selling beer brand in the U.S. in 2023.

However, the momentum is now waning, with Constellation noting a sizable demand slump in its top sales states and zip codes with larger Hispanic populations.

After markets close on Wednesday, the brewer projected a smaller-than-expected annual adjusted profit, expecting steep tariffs to weigh on its business.

Latino customers, who represent roughly half of Modelo's customer base, have pulled back on social gatherings  a key occasion for beer consumption, according to Constellation Brands' CEO Bill Newlands.

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"Efforts to go to restaurants, to have social gatherings, things that are very much beer occasions, have softened in the more recent term," he said during its fourth-quarter earnings call.

Constellation Brands' beers enjoy the highest level of loyalty among Hispanic consumers relative to any other major beer supplier in the U.S., the company said in its prepared remarks.

Newlands said the company's research also found that Hispanic consumers were under pressure from job losses in industries with a high Latino employment base.

"We think the quick change in tone/outlook at least partially reflects the likely reality that the company was benefiting over the past number of years from loose immigration policy," J.P. Morgan analyst Andrea Teixeira said in a note.

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Meanwhile, a 25% levy on aluminum and other broader tariffs under the Trump administration also threaten to lead to price hikes for these beers.

(This story has been corrected to say 'populations in key U.S. states,' instead of 'populations in Mexico and other key markets,' in paragraph 1)

(Reporting by Savyata Mishra in Bengaluru; Editing by Alan Barona)
VALLEY PARK, Mo.  The Missouri Department of Transportation reopened Highway 141 at Interstate 44 on Wednesday afternoon.

The Meramec Rivers predicted crest in Valley Park prompted the closure of the road earlier this week. Since then, floodwaters have receded.

MoDOT closed the intersection Monday after it became inaccessible due to flooding from the weekends heavy rain event.

River levels have dropped faster than expected, prompting crews to open southbound 141 as soon as it was safe.

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For up-to-date traffic and travel info, drivers can check MoDOTs Traveler Information Map.

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Moldovas Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mihai Popsoi has extended a public invitation to tech billionaire and senior adviser to the U.S. President Elon Musk to visit the country and see firsthand the impact of U.S. development aid, following the Trump administrations suspension of all U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) programs worldwide.

The invitation comes after Musk  appointed by U.S. President Donald Trump to lead a federal cost-cutting initiative  called USAID a criminal organization.

The Trump administration has since paused all USAID operations worldwide for 90 days, citing the need for a comprehensive review and reform. By March, 83% of global USAID programs had been canceled.

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Speaking to Jurnal TV, Popsoi said a visit could persuade Musk that American taxpayer dollars have been well spent in Moldova. He highlighted successful projects such as Artcor, Mediacor, and the revitalization of the Moldovan wine industry.

"That may be the case if he comes. Mr. Musk can convince himself by going to Artcor, to Mediacor, to visit the wine industry, which was helped by USAID to increase the country's brand, Popsoi said.

Even U.S. consumers enjoy the quality of our wine, which now will probably become a bit more expensive in the context of tariffs.

USAIDs largest investment in Moldova is the $300 million Energy Security program. It has funded the construction of a high-voltage power line linking Moldova and Romania, the modernization of Moldovas electricity operator Moldelectrica, and the development of Energocom and the Ministry of Energy.

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In Ukraine, since the start of Russias full-scale invasion, USAID has provided $2.6 billion in humanitarian aid, $5 billion in development assistance, and more than $30 billion in direct budget support to Kyiv.

Read also: Ukraines democracy faces collapse as civil society aid disappears

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
More than 150 Chinese citizens are fighting in Ukraine alongside the Russian army, which is massing on the border of Ukraine ahead of a huge spring offensive, according to Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy.

Zelenskyy made the claim that a significant number of Chinese citizens are involved in Russian President Vladimir Putin's war on his country late Wednesday in his nightly address.

The Ukrainian leader described the potential involvement of Chinese citizens as a major escalation and called on the United States and other allies for support, adding this must be met with a firm and principled response.

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If the Chinese government had knowledge of the troops' deployment, it would make China the second country after North Korea to send military personnel to aid the Kremlin in its three-year-long attempt to annex Ukraine.

A Russian soldier fires artillery toward Ukrainian positions in Russia's Kursk region on Wednesday.

Zelenskyys claims came as his military chief said that a new Russian offensive had begun in eastern Ukraine.

Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi said that Russian forces have intensified assaults in all main directions, including in the countrys eastern Sumy and Kharkiv regions.

This offensive has already begun, he said according to Ukrainian media.

Such an offensive would raise questions about the seriousness with which the Kremlin is taking the Trump administration's efforts to broker peace between Moscow and Kyiv and serve to undermine the sincerity of sending Putin-ally Kirill Dmitriev to Washington this month for diplomatic talks. Dmitriev is the most senior Kremlin official to visit since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

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Zelenskyy's fresh allegations come after he said Tuesday that the Ukrainian military had captured two Chinese citizens fighting with the Russian army.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian later said that China was asking citizens to stay away from and not involve themselves in armed conflict.

Lin, in a statement Thursday, urged relevant parties to refrain from making irresponsible remarks and adding that Beijing was not a party to the war and that it supported and had actively promoted the peaceful settlement of the crisis.

Zelenskyy said earlier this week that the two Chinese nationals his forces had captured were found in the countrys Donetsk region with personal documents, including bank cards, and that Russian units had significantly more than two Chinese citizens. On Wednesday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said the accusation had no basis in facts.

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Zelenskyy told reporters on Wednesday that he was ready to exchange the two captured Chinese nationals only for Ukrainian soldiers in Russian captivity.

They are more talkative than the prisoners from North Korea, as far as we can see, he said, referring to two North Korean soldiers Ukraine captured in January.

Russia is trying to attract Chinese soldiers through social media platforms, he said, adding that the 155 recruits Ukraine had identified arrived in Moscow after enlistment and spent four days undergoing medical examinations followed by two months in training centers. Zelenskyy did not specify when they had arrived.

An image released Wednesday by the Ukrainian Security Service shows a detained a soldier believed to be a Chinese national.

NBC News has not independently verified the Ukrainian figures. A spokesperson for the Kremlin declined to comment Wednesday when asked about the Chinese soldiers.

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The Kremlins silence came as the U.K.'s National Crime Agency said that a former Russia-appointed governor of the annexed Crimean city of Sevastopol, Dmitrii Ovsiannikov, had been found guilty by British prosecutors of breaching U.K. government sanctions on Russia  making him the first person convicted of doing so.

South Korea estimates that 11,000 North Korean soldiers have already been deployed to fight alongside the Russians, but the difference between North Korea, an impoverished and secretive nation, and China, the worlds second-largest economy, being involved in a war against an ally of the U.S. and Europe would be geopolitically seismic.

The Ukrainian air force said Thursday that Russia had launched 145 Iran-made Shahed drones over its territory overnight, with four civilians killed in the past 24 hours. Three civilians were injured in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, Ukrainian officials said, and the Sumy region was shelled nearly 300 times over the prior 24 hours.

The Russian military was likely attempting to form a buffer zone along Ukraines international border in Sumy Oblast, the Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based defense think tank, said Wednesday in an assessment.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Apr. 9LIMA  The state of Ohio neared the conclusion of its case against murder suspect Michael Oliphant on Wednesday in Allen County Common Pleas Court through direct testimony, video and physical exhibits related to events leading up to and following the Feb. 15, 2023, shooting death of Kirk Perine.

Oliphant, 23, of Lima, is charged with murder in connection to Perine's death and also faces charges of felonious assault for allegedly firing a weapon in the direction of two employees of Feltz Chiropractic that same afternoon.

The 59-year-old Perine was found by police inside a white Buick in the 100 block of North Rosedale Avenue. He had suffered a gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene. The fatal bullet had been fired from outside the vehicle and passed through the front passenger-side window, investigators said.

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Wednesday's opening testimony came from Mike Carman, an identification officer with the Lima Police Department. He told jurors he collected evidence in an alley behind 211 N. Kenilworth Ave., a location where LPD officers subdued Oliphant as he reportedly fled the scene of Perine's shooting death on North Rosedale Avenue.

Carman said a 9mm Beretta pistol, a spent shell casing, a gun magazine containing seven live rounds of ammunition and other items were found in the alley. Jurors had the opportunity to view the alleged murder weapon.

With LPD Detective Matt Woodworth on the witness stand, jurors watched a video from the former R-P Home & Harvest Store on Cable Road which showed Oliphant purchasing a handgun at approximately 5 p.m. Feb. 15, 2023. Allen County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Kyle Thines displayed for jurors a copy of the federal firearm transaction records that Oliphant had signed that day. Receipts from the store indicate he paid $399.99 in cash for the weapon.

Prosecutors claim Oliphant discharged that same firearm a short time later at the chiropractic office and then again on Rosedale Avenue to shoot Perine.

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Lucas County Deputy Coroner Dr. Dwayne Wolf performed the autopsy on Perine. She said the man died as the result of a gunshot wound to the upper-right chest area. The bullet passed through the victim's clavicle and carotid artery and was lodged in the right shoulder area, the doctor said.

Jurors viewed autopsy photos during Wolf's time on the witness stand, while Oliphant buried his head in his hands during the display of the photos.

Emily Feldenkris, a forensic scientist with the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, testified that DNA samples were taken from five areas of the gun allegedly used in the shooting for analysis. She said four spots on the gun  the trigger guard, grip, slide and buttons  showed Oliphant was the "one major contributor" of DNA left behind on the weapon.

The state is expected to wrap up its portion of the case on Thursday. It is not clear whether the defense will call any witnesses.

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MORGAN CITY, La. (KLFY)  A Morgan City man accused of rape and molestation of a child in 2024 has been found and arrested in Texas.

On Dec. 17, 2024, the Morgan City Police Department received a complaint from a mother of a child who accused Shane Phillip Wiggins of inappropriate behavior with the juvenile stemming from an incident that occurred in the past few years.

During the investigation, interviews with the victim and witnesses were conducted. Officials said Wiggins, refused to speak with detectives.

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With victim statements and witness accounts a warrant for Wiggins was issued by a district court judge. However, officials said Wiggins had moved from his residence and was no longer able to be contacted by phone.

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Information led detectives to believe Mr. Wiggins left the state at which time officers began focusing on a search around Paris, Texas.

Margan City officials, with help from officials with the Lamar County Sheriffs Department and the Paris Police Department located Wiggins driving his vehicle in Paris, Texas.

Wiggins was placed under arrest and sent to a Lamar County jail where he awaits court proceedings for extradition.

Shane Phillip Wiggins

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NIAMEY, April 10 (Xinhua) -- The army of Niger has confirmed that it had killed 15 terrorists in operations last Sunday in the western part of the country.

According to its weekly bulletin released on Wednesday, the first operation was conducted along the Dargol-Bangno-Tchekirey-Goundey route, resulting in the "neutralization" of 13 criminals.

An enemy post located along the route, serving as a logistical base for the manufacture of improvised explosive devices and the harassment of convoys, was dismantled, the army said.

The second operation was conducted in Darabangou village, where two terrorists were "neutralized." 
Apr. 9PITTSBURGH  A Morgantown man has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of possession of an unregistered firearm, Acting U.S. Attorney Troy Rivetti announced Wednesday.

The one-count Indictment named Zachary Vincent Velling, 26, as the sole defendant. According to the Indictment and public information from the Allegheny County Police Department, on Nov. 12, Velling entered airport security at the Pittsburgh International Airport and placed his carry-on luggage through the X-ray machine.

Representatives with the Transportation Security Administration noticed a suspicious object within Velling's luggage, which officers from the Allegheny County Police Department ultimately determined to be a MK24 MOD 0, 6 Bang /Flash diversionary hand grenade. The grenade is a firearm and destructive device under federal law that was not registered to Velling in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record, a press release states.

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Velling was previously charged in relation to this incident in the Allegheny Court of Common Pleas with possession of an offensive weapon and criminal attempt. Those charges have been dismissed as a result of this federal Indictment.

"Attempting to pass through airport security with any firearm or destructive device poses an unacceptable risk of harm to the innocent traveling public, " Rivetti said. "This danger is heightened when, as in this case, the destructive device is possessed illegally. We are steadfast in our commitment to work with our partners at the FBI, ATF, Allegheny County Police Department, Allegheny County District Attorney's Office, and Transportation Security Administration to ensure safe air travel."

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250, 000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark V. Gurzo is prosecuting the case. The Federal Bureau of Investigation ; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives ; Allegheny County Police Department ; Allegheny County District Attorney's Office ; and Transportation Security Administration conducted the investigation leading to the indictment.
MOSCOW (AP)  Moscow freed US-Russian dual national jailed on treason charges in prisoner swap with US, her lawyer and US official say.
Moscow on Thursday dismissed claims from Kiev that Chinese nationals are fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine.

"This is not the case," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian news agencies.

Peskov said China holds a "balanced" position in the war, even though China is a "strategic partner and friend" to Moscow.

His remarks came after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky alleged that Chinese fighters were participating in the conflict on Russia's side.

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"Zelensky is not right," Peskov said.

Despite its declared neutrality, China has faced criticism for supplying goods to Russia that are considered vital to its military-industrial complex, such as components used in drone manufacturing.

Zelensky announced earlier this week the capture in eastern Ukraine of two Chinese nationals fighting for Russia. He later claimed that Kiev had identified 155 Chinese citizens fighting for Russia.

He said their presence contradicted Beijing's official position of neutrality and its repeated calls to avoid escalating the war.

China has firmly denied Zelensky's allegations.

Ukraine reports latest casualties

At least 13 people have been injured in new Russian drone attacks on Ukraine, the authorities in the country said on Thursday.

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In the capital Kiev, Mayor Vitali Klitschko spoke of three injured. The city authorities also reported that a warehouse caught fire due to debris from downed drones.

According to official figures, 10 people were injured in the southern Ukrainian city of Mykolaiv. It was reported that parts of drones fell on residential buildings there.

Unverifiable figures from the Ukrainian air defence service suggest that the Russian military deployed a total of 145 drones against six regions of Ukraine during the night.

The service reported that 85 flying objects were shot down, and 49 others disappeared from the radar without consequences.

Ukraine has been defending itself against a full-scale Russian invasion for more than three years.
Related Video Above: Parents of 4-year-old autistic boy used drugs the day he disappeared, complaint claims (2024)

DOTHAN, Ala (WDHN)  The mother of a 4-year-old autistic boy who went missing in the Barbour County woods for two days last year will not be going to prison.

Court records show that 25-year-old Shyanne Nicole Ray pled guilty to two counts of endangering the welfare of a child in March.

Shyanne Nicole Ray (Courtesy of the Henry County Jail)

State investigators claimed Ray was using drugs at her Barbour County home on the same day her son, Phenix Wilkerson, went missing in the nearby woods in early 2024.

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READ MORE: Parents of 4-year-old autistic boy used drugs the day he disappeared, complaint claims

According to investigators, Phenix was directly exposed to the drugs and possibly inhaled or ingested them.

Phenix was found two days later, after an extensive search throughout rural Barbour County, wearing the clothes he was last seen in but without shoes. During Phenixs time in the woods, temperatures dropped below freezing.

Phenix Wilkerson after he was found in Barbour County woods

Ray was previously charged with two count of chemical endangerment of a child; however the charges were changed for the plea agreement.

Following her plea, Ray was sentenced to two years probation.

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COLD CASE CLOSED? Suspect charged in Dothan cold case murder after 15 years

Joshua Wilkerson, who was arrested alongside Ray, is still facing two counts of chemical endangerment. A trial date has not been set.

This article has been updated to reflect that Ray was sentenced to two years probation, not in an Alabama prison.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDHN - wdhn.com.
In just one month, the families across the United States will celebrate moms and maternal figures everywhere on Mother's Day.

The past few years saw Americans planning to spend over $30 billion on Mother's Day on items like flowers, cards, and food, according to Statista. The annual holiday has been celebrated for more than 100 years, since the early 1900s.

Here's when Mother's Day lands this year.

What day is Mother's Day 2025?

Mother's Day is on Sunday, May 11, 2025. Every year, the holiday falls on the second Sunday of May.

What is the Ohio weather forecast for Mother's Day?

Farmer's Almanac forecasts some thunderstorms with cool temperatures that eventually turn warm for May 7-18, 2025. The publication's weather predictions are accurate about 80% of the time, according to its website.

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Looking ahead: Old Farmer's Almanac weather prediction for spring and summer 2025 in Northeast Ohio

Is Mothers Day a national holiday?

Mother's Day was created by founder and activist Anna Jarvis in 1908. It became an official U.S. holiday in 1914, the Enquirer reports.

After her mother's death, Jarvis pushed to create Mothers Day by writing letters to churches, politicians, and city leaders. Congress passed legislation signed into law by President Woodrow Wilson in 194 dedicating the second Sunday in May as Mothers Day.

Need gift ideas? 2025 Mother's Day gift recommendations

Common gifts for moms include flowers and cards. Americans purchase $1.1 billion worth of cards and spend over $3 billion on flowers and plants each Mother's Day, according to Parade.

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Not sure what to get her? Wine subscriptions, pickleball sets, cookware, and even electronics are just some of the many gifts you can snag for Mother's Day, according to USA TODAY's Reviewed.

Where is Mother's Day celebrated around the world?

Like the United States, Japan honors mothers and maternal figures on the second Sunday of May each year, according to Scholastic. England and France choose other spring Sundays to honor their mothers, while India fetes maternal figures during a 10-day fall festival each year.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Mother's Day 2025: When is it? Gift ideas, Ohio weather forecast
(KRON)  The Mountain View Police Department (MVPD) is investigating an early morning burglary at a decades-old Mexican restaurant that left its front glass door smashed.

VIDEO: Bus engulfed in flames in San Francisco

Police said the incident happened at 2 a.m. Wednesday at Los Portales Restaurant on the 400 block of Moffett Boulevard.

Owner Salvador Puga told KRON4 that thieves stole $300 from the cash register and three top shelf cases of good tequila. Los Portales Restaurant has been in business for 33 years.

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Puga said tariffs have already made it hard getting ingredients, but the cost of repairs has put an extra strain on their margins. They took my tequila, and I mean the prices of the tequila went up and avocadoes are hard to find too so its not easy.

Photo courtesy of Salvador Puga. Photo courtesy of Salvador Puga.

Police said no one was inside the business at the time of the incident.

In a social media post shared from the active police scene, co-owner Sara Puga expressed her frustration and said the incident could not have come at a worse time. Way to kick us while we are down, said Puga. We are trying to keep our doors open during these difficult and uncertain times as a bunch of restaurants in mountain view are closing! We need to bring awareness to the people that small brick and mortars are going through hard times right now I know we are and someone breaking our door try to rob us was just a cherry on top.

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MVPD said this case is an active investigation and no arrests have yet been made.

Despite the shattered glass outside, longtime customers showed up to support the business.

Ive been coming here since I was a kid, said customer Jamal Harrison. Its a family thing so they are like family to me for sure.

Its a shame that it happened to them because theyre so giving and such a wonderful family, said another customer, Maria Roscelli. Its very sad.

Anyone with information is asked to call Mountain View 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 KRON4.
As the Trump administration takes steps to discourage the incorporation of fluoride in drinking water, experts warn the moves may have serious consequences for Americans health.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Monday announced it would expeditiously review new scientific information on potential health risks of fluoride in drinking water.

The move came after a judge last year required the agency to take a second look at fluoride due to potential concerns.

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Meanwhile, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told reporters Monday that he would direct the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to stop recommending fluoride in drinking water.

Kennedy was in Utah, which banned adding fluoride to drinking water starting in May.

Im very, very proud of this state for being the first state to ban it, and I hope many more will, he said.

Why is fluoride added to water?

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral used for its ability to help prevent cavities in teeth. It does so by replacing the minerals in your teeth that would otherwise be lost to acid coming from bacteria in your mouth.

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Fluoride can naturally be found in water  but typically at levels that are too low to prevent cavities, so state and local governments across the country have often added it in.

Municipal water fluoridation has been practiced in the U.S. since 1945 when Grand Rapids, Mich., became the first city to implement the practice.

The federal governments role largely consists of making recommendations on concentration. The U.S. Public Health Service currently recommends a maximum of 0.7 milligrams of fluoride per liter of water.

According to the CDC, more than 209 million people in the U.S.  72.3 percent of the U.S. served by a public water system  had access to fluoridated water in 2022, and 11 million people had access to community water systems with naturally occurring levels of fluoride above the recommended concentration.

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According to the CDC, this added fluoride reduces cavities by about 25 percent in children and adults.

Scott Tomar, spokesperson at the American Dental Association and professor at the College of Dentistry at the University of Illinois Chicago, noted that dental health can be important not just for your teeth  but for your overall health.

The mouth, the teeth, have a substantial impact on pretty much every aspect of peoples lives  certainly their health, he said. An infection of your tooth becomes an infection of the surrounding area and often spreads to other parts of the body.

He said that fluoride in drinking water can help prevent not only tooth decay, but also infections.

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In places that have stopped fluoridation, not only did they see an increase in the rates of tooth decay, starting with young children, he added. They saw [an] increase in the rate of emergency care.

Recent scrutiny of fluoride

There has been pushback to water fluoridation since the practice became popular, and in recent years opponents to the practice have expressed concerns over potential impacts on IQ.

The National Toxicology Program released a study last year associating high levels of fluoride  1.5 milligrams per liter  with lower IQ in children, but researchers noted it was unclear if the low levels of fluoride used in U.S. water systems have the same effect.

Because the 1.5 mg/L level is much higher than levels used in the U.S., Tomar said it simply has no relevance to the levels of exposure we have in this country.

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However, based largely on the National Toxicology Programs assessment, a judge last year ordered the EPA to consider taking action to address the potential IQ impacts from fluoride.

The ruling from Obama appointee Edward Chen did not necessarily say that fluoride at current levels is unsafe. But Chen raised concerns that the agency was using an inadequate margin of error.

The EPAs default margin of error  requires a factor of 10 between the hazard level and exposure level due to variability in human sensitivities. Put differently, only an exposure that is below 1/10th of the hazard level would be deemed safe, he wrote.

So is flouride safe?

Many experts say yes.

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We have about 80 years of evidence that community water fluoridation is effective at preventing tooth decay and is safe at the levels that we use it, Tomar said.

Kennedy has long spoken out against fluoride, calling it a toxic pollutant and industrial waste. Shortly before the 2024 presidential election, he said he would advise all water systems to remove the mineral.

Experts say the available data doesnt support the level of criticism fluoride receives.

Theyre not looking at the science and they dont want to look at the science, because thats not how theyre thinking, said Myron Allukian Jr., former city of Boston dental director and past president of the American Public Health Association.

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Its going to set our country back. Its going to make America sick again.

Critics also argue the ubiquity of fluoride toothpaste makes water fluoridation unnecessary, but Allukian said adding it to drinking water confers benefits beyond brushing, allowing the mineral to become part of developing teeth and thus more resistant to cavities.

Allukian noted that every surgeon general from the Eisenhower to the Biden administration has supported adding fluoride to water as a scientifically safe and effective public health measure.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
VIENTIANE, April 10 (Xinhua) -- The China-Laos Railway has become the preferred mode of transportation for locals returning home and tourists heading to Laos' top attractions for the upcoming Lao New Year celebration, thanks to its convenience, affordability, and speed.

"My friends and I are very lucky that the China-Laos Railway started operating before we came to Lao capital Vientiane for our studies. It makes traveling to college and returning home much easier and more convenient than before," Khammy, originally from Vangvieng and now studying and working in Vientiane, told Xinhua.

Khammy said he regularly travels back home by train, as he finds the railway convenient, affordable, and faster than other modes of transportation.

For tourists, the China-Laos Railway is also a popular choice, providing a comfortable way to travel and explore various tourist destinations.

The Laos-China Railway Co., Ltd. (LCRC) will operate additional train services from April 11 to 20 to accommodate the increased number of travelers during the holiday. Additionally, passengers can purchase tickets up to 7 days in advance for travel during this period.

Nilavanh, a resident of Vientiane, plans to celebrate the Lao New Year in the northern province of Luang Prabang with her friends. They chose to travel by the China-Laos Railway for its convenience and speed.

"I'm excited to experience the vibrant Lao New Year celebrations in Luang Prabang. I've heard so much about the fun and rich cultural atmosphere there during the holiday. This year, my friends and I decided to experience it for ourselves!"

"With the railway, travel is simplified, making our trip stress-free. I believe more tourists will choose the train to visit Luang Prabang as well, as it's the best option for a budget-friendly journey while still offering comfort along the way," she added.

Chintana, a 27-year-old office worker, said the railway has made travel to popular destinations easier, resulting in more visitors and benefiting local businesses. It also helps small shops, restaurants, and vendors reach larger markets by bringing in more tourists.

The Lao New Year is the most important festival in the Lao calendar. This year's holiday will be observed from April 14 to April 16.

The China-Laos Railway connects Kunming in southwest China's Yunnan Province with Vientiane. The 1,035-km railway, a landmark project of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, started operation on Dec. 3, 2021. 
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  The bands set to attend the RiverScape Summer Music Series have been announced.

Five Rivers released an update on the summer-long event via social media.

The following musicians are set to perform:

Saturday, May 31  The Shady Pine will headline Bluegrass Night.

Friday, June 6  Retrobution will perform for 80s Night.

Thursday, June 12  The Bob Gray Orchestra is bringing big sound for Big Band Night.

Friday, June 20  Luv Locz Experiment will groove out on Caribbean Funk Night.

Friday, June 27  Ryan Mundy will bring country stylings to Country Night.

Friday, July 11  Parrots of the Caribbean will perform A Tribute to Jimmy Buffet.

Thursday, July 17  The Kim Kelly Orchestra will also bring big sound to Big Band Night.

Friday, Aug. 1  Brass Tracks Band will perform at A Tribute to Chicago.

Friday, Aug. 8  The Motown Sounds of Truth will perform at Motown Night.

Thursday, Aug. 14  The Tom Daugherty Orchestra will perform for the third Big Band Night.

Friday, Aug. 22  The Fries Band will rock out for Classic Rock Night.

Friday, Aug. 29  Cassette Junkies will perform for 70s + 80s Rock Night.

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The series is free to attend.

Click here for more information.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Billionaire Elon Musk said at a White House cabinet meeting on Thursday he expects $150 billion in savings in FY2026 from the work done by the Department of Government Efficiency.

In March, Musk had said he was confident DOGE could find $1 trillion in savings.

(Reporting by Jeff Mason and Nandita Bose in Washington, Editing by Franklin Paul)
Now that the Wisconsin Supreme Court election is over and both sides have wasted millions of dollars, I am wondering what Elon Musk would send to his supervisor regarding five things he accomplished in the past week? My list would go like this:

Money does not buy everything Ascertained majority of Wisconsin residents rejected me and my candidate (or not all Wisconsin residents are dumb) Wasted a trip to Wisconsin Managed to hand out over two million dollars and have nothing in return Realized I don't have as much power as I thought

Now go away and leave us alone!

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Michael Ewens, New Berlin

Letters: In the name of 'anti-woke' agenda, Trump and Musk use slurs to score points

Letters: Millions spent on WI Supreme Court TV ads. All we're left with is worn remotes.

Opinion: Musk, billionaires took over Wisconsin Supreme Court race. The joke is on us.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Elon Musk's list after losing WI Supreme Court election | Letters
Its with mounting horror that Ive watched President Trump escalate his assault on American universities in these past few weeks. Pulling federal funding, hes sworn hell bankrupt these universities. As I look from my office window across the beautiful Columbia University campus, I wonder: Will American universities as we know them still exist in a few years? Or will they be replaced by Trump University, Musk Universityinstitutions that retain the name of university but serve only the consolidation of power?

No one should be fooled into thinking that Trumps crusade against the universities is a campaign to save education from the radical fringe, or ensure the safety of Jewish students, or even clean up wokeness. Its a big-government coup, and only one prong of his larger project: to use threats, shock, and extortion to beat great and long-established American institutions into submission. By bringing these institutions to heeluniversities, law firms, corporations, and morehes rapidly seizing absolute power. According to legal scholars, Trumps attacks on higher education violate numerous constitutional provisions. But universities are nevertheless caving to his threats in a desperate attempt to save themselves from financial collapse.

Columbia, where I teach, was the first. On March 13, we were given a week to comply with the Trump administrations many demandsabolish the University Judicial Board, give campus security the authority to arrest students, expel students who had participated in protests or were part of certain student groups, ban masks on campus, and much moreor face losing more than 10 times the $400 million in federal funds already canceled. In response, interim President Katrina Armstrongwho had replaced President Nemat Shafik after Shafik resigned in 2024 amid campus protestspublished a statement that was widely viewed as total capitulation. She later told the faculty she didnt really mean it. But she did, of course, mean to send the message to Trump: You win. A week later, under pressure from all sides, she resigned, replaced by the co-chair of the Board of Trustees, Claire Shipman, now our acting president.

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Most faculty view the board with suspicion. With members drawn from business, law, and technology (rather than education), it has the job of ensuring the financial wellbeing of the university, and it is thus often seen as placing profit over principle. So it isnt surprising that Shipmans appointment has met with faculty resistance. But unlike Armstrong, Shipman hasnt yielded to Trump (at least not yet). Andas a journalist who has covered the White House for at least three major networksshe has experience that may be essential to Columbia in the current crisis: Washington connections, and a public presence powerful enough to both challenge Trumps coup and correct the gross misinformation campaign used to justify it.

To trace the sources of that misinformation campaign, and the forces that contributed to it, would require another essay. But the result is that many now view Columbia as a violent and ungovernable place, where unhinged radicals spewing antisemitic hate have taken control of the campus. Among the things that gave this view credibility is the medias focus on the most sensational events: angry demonstrations; the occupation of Hamilton Hall; the ICE abduction of green-card holder Mahmoud Khalil. Watching the news, its been easy to forget that, for better or worse, only a small percentage of students participated in the protests. The other 36,000 or so were in classrooms, libraries, and labs; examining solutions to West Nile virus, exploring Aristotles Ethics, seeking new stars, trying to repair the world.

This is not to dismiss legitimate questions about the nature and function of the university. But the Trump administrations attempt to exploit fears to extort the university points to a larger threat, not just to our universities but to our nation, a threat we can and must stand together to combat.

We may disagree on much. But we can, for instance, resist book purges like the one last week at the U.S. Naval Academy library, in which Trumps defense secretary removed nearly 400 books including Janet L. Jacobss Memorializing the Holocaust and studies of the Ku Klux Klan. (They also removed photos of distinguished female Jewish graduates, though those were later restored.) We can stand together against the corporatization of the university, which has replaced educationthe rigorous teaching of skills, the reading of great books, the exploration of ideaswith profits as the primary measure of success. We can stand together against administrative bloat, the displacement of faculty by (often better-paid) university administrators. And we canand muststand together to defend university federal funding, which is essential to the future of our country.

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If youre not sure about that last one, ask yourself: Where have advances in treatments for cancer, heart disease, diabetes, Parkinsons, and Alzheimers come from? Research on AI, extreme weather, brain-computer interfaces, environmental sustainability, national security, the global AIDS epidemic, healthier aging, gun violence in schools? Federal funding to universities. This funding is essential to need-based financial aidPell Grants, low-cost student loans, subsidized student work-study programsthat ensure that higher education is available to all, regardless of wealth. Its essential to initiatives like Columbias veterans program (which has enrolled more than 700 veterans over the past decade and a half and offers record job and graduate school placements). Its essential to training the next generation of scientists, economists, political thinkers, essential to making good on the American promise of meritocracy, essential to producing the educated population necessary to true democracy.

While Trump says hes targeting elite universities, the hardest hit will in fact be public universities like the University of Tennessee, Arizona State, Ohio State, or Eastern Washington University (all on his hitlist), which rely even more heavily than private universities on federal funding. Trumps attacks present a particular threat to regional public universities like Southern Illinois University (SIU), which will lose about $4.5 million from National Institutes of Health funding cuts alone. Without federal funding, research on regional issues overlooked elsewheresuch as how to yield stronger crops, deal with invasive species in waterways, or deliver health care to rural schoolswill collapse.

But these cuts will destroy far more than the universities themselves. Universities are the economic backbone of the (often conservative) regions they serve, writes SIU professor Molly Parker. Further cuts threaten to push not only the universities but the towns, cities, and regions that depend on them to a breaking point. Leaving a sea of ghost towns in rural America, such cuts would also cripple our poorest cities. In Baltimore, where one-fifth of the population lives below the poverty line, 2,000 people just lost their jobs because of federal cuts to Johns Hopkins University.

In short, this is not just a threat to the universities themselves. It is a threat to all of us. Without the innovation and educated citizens that universities generate, America cant be great, or even merely mediocre. It will fail, like all great civilizations in which tyrants drunk on power surrounded themselves with flatterers and replaced thought with greed.

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Katrina Armstrong thought negotiation and appeasement would win back our federal funds. But of course it didnt, which is unsurprising. Appeasement only emboldens dictators. As political commentator Ben Rhodes wrote late last month, For every  university that gives Trump a pound of flesh, hes going to come back for more. Not just from them, from others. Anyway, there are things too valuable to be sold, and our freedom is one of them. Purporting to educate students in democracy, we must practice what we preach. Our colleges and universities are cradles of democracy and bulwarks against autocracy, writes Cornell University President Michael Kotlikoff. Only by defending democratic values and norms and educating our students to carry them forward in all their complexity and challenge will we safeguard the future of our institutions  and our nation.

Universities and those who care about them must band together. As Harvard University professors Ryan Enos and Steve Levitsky wrote, If Columbia or another university confronts the administration on its own, it will lose. If Americas nearly 6,000 universities and colleges launch a campaign in defense of higher education, odds are that Trump will lose. The number of colleges and universities defying Trump is growing: Wesleyan University, Princeton University, Cornell University, Brown University, Mount Holyoke College, Delta College in Michigan, Trinity College in Washington (with others joining daily). Shipman has been quiet so far, perhaps working behind the scenes. I pray that she will soon join other university presidents in standing up to Trump. To quote Brown political scientist Melvin Rogers, History will not judge universities by the threats they faced but by how they chose to respond. The moment is here.

Read more at The Dispatch

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As civil war-torn Myanmar struggles to recover from a devastating earthquake, the United States is facing criticism that it has abandoned the country in its hour of need  and is ceding global leadership on disaster response to its rivals.

The 7.7-magnitude quake, which struck on March 28 and killed thousands, is the first major natural disaster since the Trump administration canceled billions of dollars in lifesaving programs under its drive to dismantle the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the main US humanitarian aid agency.

USAID used to administer most of Americas foreign aid  61% of the $71 billion total budget in 2023. But since taking office in January, the Trump administration has laid off thousands of its employees, and cut 83% of USAID programs  including staff and programs working to help Myanmar. On Wednesday, they also announced that all foreign staff would be laid off.

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Those cuts have been felt in the meager US response to the Myanmar quake, according to experts, exposing a void in international relief measures for major catastrophes.

It really shows to the average Myanmar citizen that the United States has abandoned them, Francisco Bencosme, a former USAID senior policy adviser, told CNN.

Not only did the United States only send a paltry amount of assistance, it sent only three workers, which then subsequently were fired while they were on the ground in Myanmar providing assistance.

Those three USAID staff members were laid off last week, within days of arriving in Myanmar  receiving notices that their roles will be eliminated in the coming months  former senior USAID official Marcia Wong confirmed to CNN.

A boy examines the destruction caused by the Myanmar quake at a mosque in Mandalay on April 2. - Zaw Zaw

At least 3,550 people died and nearly 5,000 others were injured when the earthquake hit the impoverished Southeast Asian nation  which has already endured years of civil war since a military coup in 2021, leaving nearly 20 million people in need of aid.

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The military government does not control all of the resource-rich country, as it battles a patchwork of powerful ethnic militias and pro-democracy groups.

The needs are massive right now, said Matthew Smith, CEO of human rights organization Fortify Rights, based in neighboring Thailand. And unfortunately, the aid effort is not as robust as it could or should be.

Two days after the quake, the US pledged $2 million in assistance to Myanmar  later increased to a total of $9 million  for emergency shelter, food, medical care and water, according to a post on X from State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce.

But Smith says that with minimal staffing on the ground, it is unclear how that money would be channeled.

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Theres nobody to administer that aid, there (are) no aid workers on the ground, theres no deployment happening, Smith said. To so drastically cut it the way that they have was reckless and irresponsible.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the American response in Brussels last week. The US is not the government of the world, he said, adding that although Washington would continue to provide some humanitarian assistance, others should do more.

There are a lot of other countries in the world and everyone should pitch in, Rubio said. I dont think its fair to assume that the United States needs to continue to share the burden (of) 60-70% of humanitarian aid around the world.

Comparisons have been made to the 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria in February 2023, when the US deployed hundreds of relief workers and pledged $185 million in assistance.

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In the past, the US government has certainly been one of the most effective response teams to mass-scale natural disasters, Smith said.

Indonesian Red Cross workers carry boxes of aid material for a humanitarian aid mission to Myanmar following the earthquake, at an air base in Jakarta on April 3. - Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP/Getty Images

Strategic mistake

Multiple countries are filling the gap left by Washingtons limited earthquake response, including China, Russia and India  which have sent aid, rescue teams and mobile medical units to Myanmar.

Tom Fletcher, the United Nations humanitarian affairs chief  who spent several days visiting the areas worst affected by the quake  said the world cant be reliant on US support alone.

The fact that the US is cutting back heavily hits us here, as you know, it hits us everywhere, Fletcher told CNN on Sunday from Yangon, before he departed the country.

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This years humanitarian appeal from the UNs Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has only been 7% funded  which will hamper relief efforts around the world, he added.

Ive been in touch with China, with Russia, other countries that are moving aid in to try to ensure that we get as much global support as possible, Fletcher said.

Beyond the humanitarian impact of the US retreat on assistance, ex-USAID official Bencosme said ceding this ground to adversaries such as Beijing and Moscow is a strategic mistake from a soft power perspective.

Other actors will fill in that leadership void, which makes it difficult for the US to leverage international assistance or international help in the future, Bencosme said.

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Smith, of Fortify Rights, said some of the countries providing help to Myanmar are also facilitating the militarys attacks on rebel-held areas, which have continued since the disaster.

Its deeply troubling, ironic sadly, in some ways that the same countries that are providing the Myanmar military junta with weapons that the junta is using to kill civilians, those are the same countries now arriving into Myanmar to help with the aid effort, he said.

More than 400 houses burned down after a fire broke out following the earthquake in the Sein Pan area of Mandalay. - Zaw Zaw

Earthquake destruction in Mandalay on April 1, 2025. - Zaw Zaw

Reduced to ashes

For the homeless residents of Mandalays Sein Pan district, in the epicenter of the earthquake zone, aid cant come fast enough.

The informal settlement of wooden shacks was built on a landfill dump, and the tremors ignited a huge fire which spread rapidly, residents said.

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The fireball emerged from the ground immediately after the earthquake, said resident Kyi Thein, as she stood on the charred remains of her home. The fire spread out across the district and wiped out all 400 houses. Everybody ran away and now nothing remains.

I hope the government authorities will provide aid to us, Kyi Thein said. We are now depending on private donors for a living, but we need support.

Another Sein Pan resident, who did not wish to share her name for security reasons, said the flames were so intense that they were unable to save any possessions.

The entire neighborhood was reduced to ashes, she said. Im relieved to have survived. I just want my home back.

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In the quakes aftermath, junta leader Gen. Min Aung Hlaing made a rare request for international aid. But the UN human rights office says the military has also been using its routine strategy of blocking and controlling access to aid and humanitarian workers.

The quake struck when monks were taking a religious exam at a monastery in Mandalay. - Zaw Zaw

The remnants of burned homes after a fire broke out following the earthquake in Sein Pan district, Mandalay on April 4, 2025. - Zaw Zaw

A monk walks through an earthquake-hit area in Sein Pan district, Mandalay on April 4, 2025. - Zaw Zaw

Two weeks after the disaster struck, workers in the impacted areas are no longer looking for survivors - they have now switched to a recovery and aid operation.

But the challenges of doing so without the support they need are growing.

We need to use proper machines to recover bodies under the collapsed buildings, said 41-year-old Ei Mon Khine, an official from a social assistance association who was working on the scene. When the rescuers do not arrive in time, the dead bodies become spoiled and deformed, making it harder to recover the remains, she said.

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People who have lost their homes are also dealing with temperatures of more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius), along with thunderstorms that rolled through last weekend.

There was heavy wind and rain, and you have people living in tents outside on the street, so it made an already difficult situation even worse, said Sara Netzer, Myanmar country director for the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS), based in Yangon.

We need to ensure that we are already thinking about how we can build some temporary shelter for people, and that will also help prevent this spread of disease as well.

Many quake-hit communities in Mandalay and the neighboring Sagaing region were already hosting those displaced by the civil war, she added, showing the resiliency of Myanmar, but increasing the need for help before more heavy rains arrive.

I think its illustrative of the kind of race against time that we have right now, before the monsoon season starts here in Myanmar, Netzer said.

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ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  Currently, there are two bills in review by The New York State Senate Committees which proposes changes to both parole proceedings and time allowances against incarcerated individuals sentences.

The first bill, S.159, would require the state Board of Parole to release incarcerated individuals in state prisons who are eligible unless the parole case record demonstrates that person as a risk to the community or has potential to reoffend.

In the bills justification, it outlines the perspective of the Senators in favor, including Sen. Jeremy Cooney of the 56th district and Sen. Samra Brouk of the 55th district. It details reasons as to why they believe the current decision-making process within the Board of Parole is not effective.

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Executive Vice President of the Rochester Police Locust Club Paul Dondorfer explained why the officers in their organization believe the proposed changes could be harmful to the community.

The men and women of the Rochester Police Department and every police department in the county work their tails off every day to get violent offenders off the street, Dondorfer said. Once we do that, its up to the criminal justice system to step in and instill punishment onto these people. What happens all the time when these offenders are let out?

The second bill, S.342, would establish what is referred to as the Earned Time Act, with other states including Alabama and Oklahoma currently holding a similar legal structure as what is currently proposed for New York. If passed, the bill would provide time allowances against an incarcerated individuals sentence which would be credited on an annual basis.

The Center of Community Alternatives (CCA) has voiced their support for the passage of this bill alongside Rochester City Council President Miguel A. Melendez Jr., saying the bill would increase safety and allow formerly incarcerated individuals to re-enter society successfully.

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This effort helps us move toward a future where access to opportunity is centered and incarcerated members of our community are given a second chance at restoration, Melendez said.

Cooney is the primary sponsor of this bill and says its necessary in following suit of other states who have implemented similar laws and seen success.

Incarceration without rehabilitation is a missed opportunity to set these individuals up for success and promote safety both inside and outside of the prison walls, Cooney said. From vocational training to drug and alcohol treatment, earned time opportunities are a proven method to stop repeat offenders and lower costs for correctional facilities.

Dondorfer believes the passage of this bill would take opportunities away from folks who are incarcerated to receive help.

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If someone is incarcerated, thats probably one of the best opportunities that theyre going to have to get help, and youd be taking that help away from them. As for the violent criminals, incarceration is sometimes just the best way to go. Some people are inherently bad, Dondorfer said.

The full statement from the Locust Club on both of these bills can be found here.

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Despite pleas from environmental advocates, Napervilles Public Utilities Advisory Board has recommended that the city stay on with its coal-heavy electricity provider for the next three decades.

Following a four-and-a-half hour special meeting Tuesday night, the advisory board narrowly endorsed the 20-year contract renewal with the Illinois Municipal Electric Agency (IMEA) that Naperville has been grappling with for more than a year.

The boards recommendation, which moved forward with a split 4-3 vote, is not binding.

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Ultimately, how the city will procure its energy in 10 years time  when its current contract with IMEA is due to expire  is up to the Naperville City Council. The earliest the recommendation could go to council is May 6, according to city staff.

However, IMEA has given Naperville until April 30 to decide if it wants to extend its contract out to 2055. Asked whether the delay will impactn the citys ability to consider a contract renewal, Naperville Electric Utility Director Brian Groth said he did not know.

All four candidates elected to council in the citys election this month  two incumbents and two newcomers  have publicly stated they would not support signing an early contract renewal with IMEA.

Still, that didnt keep tensions from rising Tuesday, with climate-minded community members going back and forth with the advisory board over the priorities a contract decision should be predicated on: merely how much it will cost ratepayers to keep their lights on or the environmental implications of where that energy comes from.

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On the agenda were two presentations pertinent to the citys contract renewal, one concerning the legal and market constraints Napervilles electric utility operates under and another from the Naperville Environment and Sustainability Task Force (NEST).

The meeting was a continuation of whats been an ongoing information-gathering process by the PUAB in anticipation of IMEAs deadline.

Naperville, unlike most other municipalities in Illinois, provides electricity to taxpayers as a local service, rather than residents relying on an investor-owned utility such as Ameren or ComEd. To do so, the city purchases energy from IMEA, a joint action agency that offers an already assembled power supply to members at a wholesale price.

So far, of IMEAs 32 members, 27 have signed a contract renewal. That does not include its two largest members: Naperville and St. Charles.

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To kick off PUABs fact-finding, the board in late February received a presentation from IMEA staff. A week later, the board heard from Philadelphia-based consultant Customized Energy Solutions, which presented an overview of the different ways  as well as their associated risks and benefits  that Naperville could power its electric grid in years to come.

Energy procurement options presented to Naperville board as city continues to consider future of electricity grid

Discussion Tuesday added two more perspectives to the mix.

The first presentation came from energy law attorney Chris Townsend and energy planning consultant Mark Pruitt, who gave an outlook of the kind of energy market Naperville could be navigating down the line. At the core of their presentation was the forecast of a changing and uncertain market amid evolving policy and a broader statewide transition towards renewables.

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Townsend and Pruitt did not provide any recommendations as far as procurement. They did, however, advise readiness.

You need to really dig into what are all your options, Pruitt said, and then to have a plan to say if this, then that happens because its going to change. I think that the advice is to try to diversify to the extent possible, but you have to be realistic in terms of what options are available within the market.

NESTs presentation was more pointed. The organization, which has been an official Naperville advisory body since 2019, lobbied against IMEAs extension offer and instead advised that the city take its time devising a procurement strategy.

We have rushed this process because were following IMEAs timeline, not ours, said Theresa Hus, one of NESTs presenters. The six NEST speakers asserted that theres been a lack of process for ensuring the city selects the right mix of energy solutions to meet its needs.

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NEST also argued that Naperville has an obligation to consider the environment in procurement planning. With IMEA, for instance, the bulk of the agencys current energy portfolio comes from non-renewable sources, though the agency has stated it intends to reach a net-zero carbon emissions energy portfolio by 2050.

The use of fossil fuels, and especially coal, comes with immense costs associated with pollution (and) climate change, said Paul Bloom, a North Central College physics professor who spoke for NEST.

I guess the question is what price do you want to assign to human suffering and to death? Bloom said.

Some board members, however, werent convinced. Following NESTs presentation, members posed follow-up questions to the group and the discussion quickly devolved into a debate over the cost of renewables versus staying on with IMEA and, at times, the accuracy of NESTs information.

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Youre misleading people is what I see.  The point comes down to this is not about the environment, board Chair Louis Halkias said to NEST. This is about whats best for the city of Naperville financially.

Halkias emphasized that cost and reliability were the priorities and that sustainability wasnt.

Naperville is not going to save the world.  Theres always going to be a difference of opinion about the environment and the climate, he said. I can find as many people to say the opposite of what youre saying.

Do you wish to challenge the physical science basis of climate change? Bloom asked Halkias.

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No, no I dont, Halkias said, because thats not what were here for.

Board member James Fillar said, Theres going to be zero-net change to environmental emissions whether Naperville buys its power from IMEA or not.  Now, people may feel bad about that. They may feel uncomfortable about Naperville buying coal-fired power. But at the end of the day, the environment is going to see no net change.

A follow-up report from Customized Energy Solutions presentation last month was also discussed at the end of the meeting. Included in the report was a recommendation for the city to continue procuring energy through IMEA.

CES also recommended that Naperville leverage a clause within the agencys proposed contract extension that would, to a limited extent, give the city some leeway to explore renewable resources outside of IMEA.

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As they weighed their own recommendation on the matter, a few members floated the idea of asking IMEA for more time for the city to decide whether it wants to renew.

We are being put under the gun, member Brandon Hoeft said, and I personally feel that way.  I think at this point weve talked enough about it. We need more information.

Nonetheless, a slim majority of the board advanced CES recommendation to council. Hoeft as well as members Michelle Ackmann and Philip Schrieber cast dissenting votes.

In the wake of the boards vote, NEST co-leader Cathy Clarkin in a call Wednesday said she believed the boards decision was predetermined.

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We were skeptical to begin with that they were going to take our presentation in good faith, she said. And at the end of the day, we didnt feel like we were treated in good faith.

Meanwhile, Halkias was asked after Tuesdays meeting had adjourned why the board engaged with NEST if sustainability, as he said, wasnt within the scope of PUAB discussions. He replied, I wanted to give them an opportunity to have a voice in this because they said they didnt.

tkenny@chicagotribune.com
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  The Montgomery County Sheriffs Office is issuing a warning after officials allegedly found a dangerous synthetic drug mixture.

Eutylone | Montgomery County Sheriffs Office

According to the MCSO, testing confirmed 64.8 grams of eutylone, a synthetic stimulant and fentanyl, was located during a narcotics investigation.

The MCSO claims the drug alone is considered highly dangerous when sold, but when mixed with fentanyl, the risks become especially lethal. Eutylone is in the same drug class as bath salts.

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Montgomery County Sheriff Rob Streck said the finding of the drug combination is very serious.

Our Task Force is extremely concerned about this discovery, said Streck. This is a lethal combination of drugs that is designed to mislead the user and maximize addiction potential. We want the public to know the risk is not theoreticalits here, and its deadly.

To report suspected drug activity in Montgomery County, call Miami Valley Crime Stoppers at 937-222-7867. You can remain anonymous.

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Deputies in Nassau County are asking the public to be on the lookout for Shyanne Tyson, a 19-year-old girl from Hilliard.

Officials said that Tyson was last seen just after 12:30 A.M. on Wednesday, April 2nd at her home on Pine Street.

She is listed as a missing endangered person by the Sheriffs Office.

Tyson is described as 55 and around 130 pounds.

Officials said her hair is pink.

Anyone with information on where she may be is asked to contact Detective Lumpkin at 904-548-4049 or NCSO Dispatch (904-225-5174)

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ISLAMABAD, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Three policemen were killed and another injured in a terrorist attack in Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province on Wednesday night, police said.

The incident happened in the provincial capital city of Quetta when unidentified assailants on a motorcycle opened fire at an official vehicle carrying the cops, police sources of the city told Xinhua.

Three policemen died on the spot, while a fourth was critically injured and shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment.

The attackers fled the scene immediately after the assault.

Police cordoned off the area and launched an investigation into the incident.

No group claimed responsibility for the attack. 
WASHINGTON (AP)  Documents related to the 1968 assassinations of civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr. and Sen. Robert F. Kennedy will soon be made public as more than 100 people have been working around the clock to scan them, U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said during a Cabinet meeting Thursday.

The documents had been in boxes in storage for decades, Gabbard said.

"Ive had over 100 people working around the clock to scan the paper around Sen. Robert F Kennedys assassination, as well as Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination ... They have never been scanned or seen before, she said. Well have those ready to release here within the next few days.

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When Kennedys son, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who also was at the meeting, was asked by President Donald Trump about the impending release of the documents, he said, Im very grateful to you Mr. President.

Trump asked Gabbard if the health secretary had any concerns about releasing the documents.

His response is, Put it out. The world needs to know the truth, Gabbard said.

Searches were also being done of storage lockers at the FBI, CIA and other agencies to see if other documents can be found, Gabbard said.

We want to get it all out, Trump said.

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence did not immediately respond to questions seeking information about the effort to identify records about the MLK or RFK assassinations.

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Trump had signed an executive order in January after taking office calling for the release of governmental documents related to the assassinations.

King and Robert F. Kennedy were assassinated within two months of each other in 1968.

King was outside a motel in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 4, 1968, when shots rang out. The civil rights leader, who had been in town to support striking sanitation workers, was set to lead marches and other nonviolent protests there.

James Earl Ray pleaded guilty to assassinating King. He later though renounced that plea and maintained his innocence up until his death.

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Robert F. Kennedy, then a New York senator, was fatally shot on June 5, 1968, at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles moments after giving his victory speech for winning Californias Democratic presidential primary. His assassin, Sirhan Sirhan, was convicted of first-degree murder and is serving life in prison.

Earlier this week Gabbard announced the creation of a task force that will consider whether the government should declassify material about several other issues of public interest, including the origins of COVID-19, federal efforts to influence online speech and investigations into mysterious health symptoms reported by some U.S. diplomats and government employees that were once dubbed  Havana syndrome. Gabbards office did not specify how the task force would be appointed or when it expects to submit its recommendations.

___

Lozano reported from Houston.

___

Associated Press writer David Klepper in Washington, D.C., contributed to this report.

___

Follow Juan A. Lozano on X at juanlozano70
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  The search is on for Stivers High Schools new principal.

In a press release, Dayton Public Schools announced the launch of a nationwide search. The school is renowned for its arts instruction, hosting programs in band, choir, dance, creative writing, orchestra, piano, theatre, and visual arts.

The current principal will be stepping down from the role at the end of the school year.

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Harrison Township man rescues homeowner from fire

As a former assistant principal of Stivers myself, it is personally important that we find the best leader to serve as Principal. We are seeking someone who shares this vision and is ready to inspire students, support staff, and engage the community to ensure Stivers continues to thrive as a premier school of arts and academics, said District Superintendent Dr. David Lawrence.

The district is looking for candidates with proven educational leadership skills, passion for the arts as well as for academics.

Applications can be found here or by visiting DaytonPublic.com and clicking Careers.

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New Mexico this week became the latest state to pass a law aimed at addressing an ongoing national crisis surrounding missing and murdered Indigenous people  particularly in unsolved cases involving women and girls.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Monday signed a bill creating the new Turquoise Alert System. Its among a series of federal and state initiatives launched across the country in recent years to address an issue advocates and tribal leaders say has largely been ignored.

Homicide is the No. 1 cause of death for American Indian and Alaska Native females between the ages of 10 and 24 and the fifth-leading cause of death for 25- to 34-year-olds, according to US Rep. Mike Simpson, who last year wrote an op-ed highlighting how Indigenous women and girls are murdered at a disproportionate rate.

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Nationally, 40% of all victims of sex trafficking are identified as American Indian and Alaska Native women. In 2023 alone, over 5,800 American Indian and Alaska Native females were reported missing, 74% of whom were children, according to data provided by the Idaho Republican  who chairs the House Interior and Environment Subcommittee.

We have witnessed firsthand the devastation of delayed responses in cases involving missing and murdered Indigenous women and relatives  and this law gives us the tools to ensure that no more families experience this unnecessary heartache, Tiffany Jiron, executive director of the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women, said in a statement after the passage of the New Mexico legislation.

Todays victory is a testament to the power of advocacy, resilience, and the unwavering determination of Native communities to stand up for their rights and their loved ones, wrote Jiron.

With arrival of the Turquoise Alert System, which will go into effect on July 1, New Mexico becomes the fourth state with a specialized alert system focused on Indigenous people, according to the New Mexico Department of Indian Affairs. Washington, California, and Colorado each have similar systems in place, but New Mexicos alert system will be the first to utilize cell phone alerts, said Paris Wise of the New Mexico Department of Indian Affairs.

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There are 23 tribes in New Mexico and the states Native American citizens represent nearly 12.4% of its population, according to the New Mexico Department of Indian Affairs.

Most of our folks live off tribal land, just like anywhere else in the country. And there were a lot of questions while we were introducing this, like, Is this going to help tribal police? or Is this for when people leave the reservation? Just these questions that are still rooted in a deep misunderstanding of our community, bill sponsor state Sen. Angel M. Charley told CNN.

A lot of our people dont live on tribal land and this is another tool that can be used for the safety of native people when they do go missing.

New Mexicos Legislature in March unanimously passed Senate Bill 41, creating the new alert system, with a 60-0 vote.

Alert system named after powerful stone

The Turquoise Alert System was named to reflect the importance of the stone to the Nations, Pueblos and Tribes in New Mexico, in particular. Additionally, we also looked at how some of the other Alerts happen to be like a stone (Amber) or metal (Silver), New Mexico Indian Affairs Department Cabinet Secretary Josett D. Monette told CNN. Turquoise is considered a powerful stone among the Nations, Pueblos and Tribes in New Mexico and represents their strength and resilience.

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The new alert system will link law enforcement agencies, tribal communities, and state resources to provide a rapid response when Native Americans are reported missing. It will function similarly to existing alert systems, like Amber and Silver alerts, by rapidly sharing information about missing Native Americans with the public through law enforcement channels, cell phone alerts, news media, social media, and digital highway signs.

The New Mexico Department of Public Safety, or the lead law enforcement agency, will be responsible for issuing Turquoise Alerts, based on specific criteria to ensure an immediate and effective response, according to the New Mexico Department of Indian Affairs.

Legislators worked closely with the department of public safety in drafting the bill to ensure it would meet emergency thresholds needed to activate the alert so as not to overwhelm the system, Charley said.

Right now, we have  in New Mexico  over 200 active missing cases, Charley told CNN.

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I think folks were really concerned that one, it would overwhelm folks, and two, that people would opt out of the system altogether.

The state senator said legislators worked with the New Mexico Department of Public Safety, agreeing to increase one of the required alerting thresholds to include language stating there would need to be evidence of imminent danger of serious bodily harm to or death of the missing person, to trigger an alert from cellular service companies.

The rotunda inside the New Mexico Capitol in Santa Fe is seen in this file photo from 2023. - Morgan Lee/AP

For years now, we have stepped up on our own to help locate our missing brothers and sisters through coordinated local efforts and on social media, another bill sponsor, state Rep. Michelle Paulene Abeyta, said. Establishing the Turquoise Alert will allow the state to amplify these community-led efforts to better ensure the protection and safe return of our loved ones.

Amplified federal efforts

New Mexicos bid to address the crisis comes amid efforts from the federal government to assist with locating missing Native Americans and solve violent crimes in Indigenous communities.

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Earlier this month, the US Justice Department announced the FBI would be sending extra agents, analysts and other personnel to field offices in 10 states over the next six months to help investigate unsolved violent crimes, to address high rates of violence affecting Native American communities.

Work to address the decadeslong crisis stretches back to President Donald Trumps first term, when he established a special task force aimed at curbing the high rate of killings and disappearances among Native Americans and Alaska Natives.

In August, the Federal Communications Commission voted to establish a new missing and endangered persons alert, which is particularly beneficial to tribal communities, to deliver critical alert messages to the public over television, radio, and wireless phones.

The new missing and endangered persons alerts within the nations Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alert system will help law enforcement agencies steer public attention toward missing and endangered people of all ages who do not qualify for Amber Alerts, the FCC said.

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The MEP alert code for missing and endangered persons specifically applies where criteria for an Amber Alert are not met and enables a more rapid and coordinated response to these incidents, according to the FCC.

A software manufacturer is in the process of implementing that code into alerting software currently in use in New Mexico, the state Department of Public Safety says.

Once it is available, we will utilize the MEP alert code to distribute alerts via the Wireless Emergency Alerts and Emergency Alert System, but only when there is evidence of imminent danger of serious bodily harm to or death of the missing person and that there is enough descriptive information about the missing person to assist in locating that person, Sgt. Ricardo Breceda with New Mexico State Police told CNN.

CNNs Nicole Chavez contributed to this report.

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Military chiefs at Nato have been warned of global internet blackouts following a string of suspected Russian attacks on subsea cables.

Telecoms companies including Vodafone, O2 owner Telefonica and Orange have written to UK, EU and Nato officials warning that a rise in sabotage incidents was putting critical services at risk.

In an open letter, they wrote: The repercussions of damage to subsea cables extend far beyond Europe, potentially affecting global internet and power infrastructure, international communications, financial transactions and critical services worldwide.

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It comes after a spike in incidents relating to fibre optic cables on seabeds that carry huge volumes of data, voice and internet traffic between countries.

More than 500 cables carry around 95pc of all international data, while their remote location makes them difficult and costly to monitor.

At least 11 subsea cables have been damaged in the Baltic Sea since October 2023 and similar outages have been reported in the North Sea.

The incidents have fuelled fears of sabotage by hostile actors, with more than 50 Russian ships observed in areas of high cable density in the Baltic Sea. The UK is monitoring the Russian spy ship Yantar amid concerns that it is mapping critical underwater infrastructure.

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Concerns have also been raised about Chinese sabotage following a number of incidents around Taiwan.

John Healey, the Defence Secretary, in January described the outages as another example of growing Russian aggression.

He said: I also want President Putin to hear this message: we see you, we know what you are doing, and we will not shy away from robust action to protect this country.

The UK is monitoring the Russian spy ship Yantar amid concerns it is mapping critical underwater infrastructure - Royal Navy

MPs on the joint committee on the national security strategy have launched an inquiry into Britains ability to defend its subsea infrastructure from attacks.

Matt Western, chairman of the committee, said: As the geopolitical environment worsens, foreign states are seeking asymmetric ways to hold us at risk. Our internet cable network looks like an increasingly vulnerable soft underbelly.

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In the letter, the telecoms groups said network security was an absolute priority, arguing that infrastructure diversity meant traffic could be rerouted in the event of an incident and that countries had the capacity to intervene quickly to repair cables.

But they warned that the rise of malign attacks by hostile actors meant governments needed to step up their security measures.

The companies called for the entire subsea cable network to be classed as critical infrastructure to ensure they are granted the appropriate level of protection and security investment and called for a simplification of permitting processes and governance structures.

They also urged the EU, UK and Nato to collaborate on intelligence sharing, as well as shared monitoring and surveillance initiatives.

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They wrote: Harmonised approaches must be developed for the subsea cables ecosystem, aiming to align security objectives with operational feasibility as well as a viable business model and based on proportionate and risk-based best practices, developed in close consultation with industry.

Vodafone is one of the UKs largest owners of subsea cables after acquiring hundreds of thousands of kilometres of cables from Cable & Wireless in a 1bn deal in 2012.

The technology is also increasingly owned by US tech giants including Google, Facebook and Microsoft.

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Peter Navarros bullish personality is rubbing some Trump allies the wrong way as he takes center stage in the battle over tariffs and butts heads with other top officials in the White House.

Some Republican lawmakers say Navarros temperament makes them nervous about where the trade war could take the U.S. economy.

Hes so crass. His personality is so abrupt and so certain, Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) said. If he was a doctor, youd say he has a bad bedside manner.

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Notably, when President Trump on Wednesday imposed a 125 percent tariff on China and implemented a 90-day pause on other trading partners, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt went to speak to reporters about details of the pause  without Navarro.

Divisions within Trump World had already exploded into public view earlier this week when Elon Musk called the Trump trade adviser dumber than a sack of bricks.

Its not the first time Navarro, who was convicted and spent time in prison for contempt charges related to a Trump investigation, has had his issues within the White House. During Trumps first term, he similarly clashed with Trump aides but managed to outlast it for the full term and return for the second.

Adding to his problems, Navarro isnt known for having deep relationships in Washington. Multiple Senate Republicans noted they dont believe Navarro has much of a rapport with many  if any  members in their conference despite his high-level roles over the years.

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I dont know many people [who] have a relationship with him, one Senate Republican told The Hill, adding that Navarro gives off a whiff of arrogance that does him no favors with lawmakers and that he is part of a group that does not think about factors beyond the transaction that are important considerations.

There are things beyond economic considerations that drive some of our business relationships with these countries, so I think theres a general frustration, the senator said. Its like, Oh, you silly boys. We know how to do this. Finally youve got adults in the White House. Just watch our magic.

Former White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney said this week that he would have fired Navarro during Trumps first term, pointing to Navarros 2019 scandal where he faked being one of his own academic sources, Ron Vara.

But Navarros hawkish traits and rigid attitude toward tariffs are what make him essential to Trumps plans, a source close to the White House said.

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You still need the boogeyman and the threat of big trade barriers, because its the only way you keep the system honest. Even if they think, inevitably, theyre going to negotiate, having him standing in the background in all of this only strengthens Trumps negotiating, the source said of Navarro.

Hes indispensably tied to Trump, the source said, adding that its notable theres no chatter that Navarro is criticizing the president for making deals with trading partners. He is not being disloyal, hes not questioning the president. Hes executing, based on collaboration and discussion, the presidents plan.

Another source close to Trump World also said Navarro has perfected the role of bad cop while Trump can be good cop.

But that bad cop persona continues to grate with many on the right.

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Hes a walking, talking economic fallacy, said Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), who has been among the foremost detractors of the Trump tariff policy.

At the center of the latest issues some lawmakers have had with Navarro is that he has maintained tariffs are not a negotiation while the White House has said that nearly 75 countries have already reached out to Trump to begin dealmaking.

Bessent cited the dozens of countries looking to negotiate as the reason why Trump decided to implement a 90-day pause that would drop tariffs to 10 percent on trading partners, adding that Trump created negotiating leverage with his plan.

Bessents rhetoric on tariffs is a far cry from Navarros, who was notably quiet Wednesday while the pause was implemented.

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He can advise the president on all of this stuff, and the president probably agrees with him on all of this stuff, philosophically, Cramer said. But what the president has that Peter Navarro doesnt have is, he has nuance. [Trump] has an understanding of the moment and the room.

I suspect Peter Navarro is spitting mad that the president announced this pause, he continued.

The North Dakota Republican added that Trump seemingly took much of Navarros advice throughout recent weeks  except for Wednesday.

GOP lawmakers have also made it known that they widely prefer Bessents presence at the center of negotiations. The Treasury secretary was slated to brief a group of House Republicans on Wednesday and has huddled with Senate Republicans in recent weeks, mostly on reconciliation. He also had lunch with Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) on Tuesday.

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When a second Republican senator was asked about the conferences feelings about the trade adviser, they offered an initial laugh before comparing the yin and yang between him and Bessent.

I would say people agree much more with Bessent than they do Navarro. Much more. Go negotiate, go get us the best deal, go open new markets. That is the overwhelming opinion, the second Senate GOP member said.

The White House defended Navarro as a critical part of the presidents team.

Peter Navarro, the senior counselor for trade and manufacturing, correctly identified the threat of Chinas mercantilist policies against the United States over 20 years ago, a theory considered outlandish until President Trump cemented it as the mainstream political consensus. Peter Navarros brilliant insights make him a critical asset for President Trumps historic effort to finally address Americas national emergency of chronic trade deficits and vision to restore American Greatness, spokesman Kush Desai told the Hill.

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The administration also previously brushed off concerns with Navarro.

Musk publicly slammed Navarro on Tuesday, calling him a moron after Navarro claimed in an interview that Tesla is not a car manufacturer but rather a car assembler that puts together parts from other countries. While Tesla produces all of its North American vehicles in the U.S. at factories in California and Texas, some of its parts do not come from the U.S.

The White House dismissed the fight over tariffs as an example of transparency from the Trump administration and said, boys will be boys.

A Commerce Department official from Trumps first term said the fight between hawks and the business in China champions is not new and was a big part of the first White House. Musk, though, adds a new element because of his direct dealings.

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Musk has been a champion for restraint against China. He cares deeply about his business there and the Chinese profits that drive his other space ambitions. A real hot war with China threatens all of that, the former official said.

While Musks role as a top adviser in the White House may be coming to an end soon, Navarro is close to Trump and isnt expected to exit his orbit.

Because Peter Navarro is protected by the president, you cant get him fired  yet so they are attempting to marginalize him, the former official said. In Elons defense, Navarro has made this much easier by saying really outrageous things and is blamed in the White House for coming up with the indefensible reciprocal tariff equation.

Alexander Bolton contributed.

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North Carolina House Speaker Destin Hall (R-Caldwell), left, and Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) speak ahead of Gov. Josh Stein's State of the State address on March 12, 2025. (Photo: Galen Bacharier/NC Newsline)

Lawmakers in the North Carolina legislature advanced a pair of bills Wednesday that aim to wipe diversity, equity and inclusion efforts from government and college campuses.

House Bill 171 bans local and state governments from maintaining DEI offices and programs, considering the measures while awarding contracts, and conducting DEI trainings.

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And Senate Bill 558 defines a range of discriminatory practices and divisive concepts on college campuses, expanding on a DEI ban already put in place by the UNC Systems Board of Governors.

Both bills passed out of their respective chambers Wednesday on party-line votes. Theyll head across the building for further consideration.

The pair of bills come amid a push from both the Trump administration and Republican state legislatures to eliminate diversity and equity practices from all corners of the public sector.

A third North Carolina proposal moving through the legislature also bans DEI in K-12 schools. House Speaker Destin Hall (R-Caldwell) has said the trio of proposals could eventually be bundled into one larger bill down the line, if GOP leadership opts to do so.

Ban on state and local governments

A state worker who violates the proposal to ban DEI in state agencies could face a civil lawsuit, penalties of up to thousands of dollars and termination. Local government employees, too, would be subject to legal action, penalties and firing.

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The bill was changed during committee negotiations, removing language that would have also applied the ban on DEI to non-state entities that receive public funds.

Its Republican sponsors also removed criminal penalties from the bill, and excluded charter and private schools from being impacted.

Democratic opponents have argued that there is almost nothing in current state government that would qualify as DEI, but that the bill could nonetheless hurt recruiting and retaining workers in a state that has struggled to fill vacancies.

It would take effect on Dec. 1.

Ban on college campuses

Last year, the UNC System Board of Governors voted to repeal its DEI policy, replacing it with a statement of principled neutrality. Under the bill approved by the Senate on Wednesday, the board  as well as the governing body for state community colleges  would have to approve another new policy to comply.

The bill is almost identical to a similar bill applying to K-12 schools. It outlines a list of divisive concepts and discriminatory practices that campuses are banned from endorsing or affirming. That includes treating a person differently solely to advantage or disadvantage that individual.
RALEIGH, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  North Carolina House members delayed a vote on a bill to restrict diversity equity and inclusion measures for the second day in a row, while state senators passed a bill aimed at eliminating DEI policies and offices in public higher education institutions.

Senate Bill 558 bans public colleges and universities from endorsing divisive concepts and discriminatory practices.

The Republican-backed bill lists concepts such as one race or sex is inherently superior to another race or sex, moral character is necessarily determined by his or her race or sex, and an individual, solely by his or her race or sex, is inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive.

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The vote came down along party lines. It now advances to the House for consideration.

Mother and son charged after two teens injured in Great Falls shooting: Sheriffs Office

House lawmakers punted a vote for House Bill 171, titled Equality in State Agencies/Prohibition on DEI. The measure would ban state and local government agencies from holding diversity, equity or inclusion trainings, and using any public funds for maintaining DEI offices and programs.

The vote for the bill was originally scheduled for Tuesday, for which dozens of protesters sat in the House gallery to hear. Speaker Destin Hall moved the vote to Wednesday, telling reporters it was to complete last-minute changes and hoped the concerned citizens returned the next day so that they can be educated on the issue.

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The rescheduled vote was also delayed, as Hall said the bills primary sponsor, House Majority Leader Brenden Jones (R-Columbus, Robeson), was absent.

North Carolina Democratic Party Chair Anderson Clayton was among the group of protesters who gathered at the capitol to show opposition to the bill. Clayton told Queen City News reporting partners in Raleigh theres growing frustration over the back-to-back delays.

I think its cowardly not to face the people you represent in the state, being able to actually say, This is why were trying to pass this bill right now, and giving Democrats in the General Assembly an opportunity to stand up against it, Clayton said.

Hall reiterated his given reasons for pushing back the vote and denied the accusations that protesters had anything to do with the rescheduling.

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The push comes amid a nationwide effort and calls from the Trump administration to drop DEI programs.

Future uncertain for Duke basketball star due to new Trump administration policy

An amendment to the bill clarifies potential penalties for those who knowingly and willingly use public money to promote DEI concepts. Government employees would be subject to a fine of up to $10,000, loss of their job or removal from office, and the responsibility to pay back any damages or misspent funds to the local government.

If the bill gets Governor Josh Steins signature, it goes into effect on December 1.

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RALEIGH, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced funding to community-based programs in Western North Carolina that provide alternatives to incarceration.

The $6.5 million will support diversion programs and reentry services in counties that were heavily impacted by Hurricane Helene.

At a time when our western counties are struggling to rebuild infrastructure and meet daily needs, programs that help people avoid entering or remaining in the justice system are more important than ever. We know that half of the people in North Carolina prisons and jails have mental health needs, and three-quarters have substance use disorders. They need treatment and support to prevent further involvement in the system and to find a path toward recovery. North Carolina Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai

Of the organizations receiving funding, three will establish or expand their Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion programs: Project Lazarus, HealthBook, and Vaya Health. LEAD supports community-based alternatives to jail and incarceration. The program connects individuals who are at risk of being arrested with mental health, medical and social services.

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Diversion programs like LEAD provide dedicated resources to give law enforcement alternatives to punitive action for addressing low-level non-violent crimes through referrals to treatment or community services. Approaches vary, but it is common for law enforcement to partner with community agencies to support the referral process. Diversion programs provide appropriate safety nets along the way to reduce the chance of a return to jail or prison.

Our western counties impacted by Hurricane Helene need support for programs that prevent detention. When these types of programs arent available, people who need treatment for mental health and substance use disorders can end up in carceral settings. We know that incarceration raises the risk of drug overdose, post- traumatic stress disorder and chronic health conditions. LEAD programs, transitional housing and employment services are crucial interventions that steer people away from incarceration and toward recovery and stability. Kelly Crosbie, MSW, LCSW, Director of the NCDHHS Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services

HealthBook, FIRST at Blue Ridge, Oxford House, and Freedom Life Ministries will all receive funds to support housing services, while both Healthbook and FIRST at Blue Ridge will also receive funding for employment services. All six awardees support reentry programs to provide dedicated resources before or immediately after release from incarceration, so people transition back into their communities safely and successfully.

Reentry programs include guidance and case management support as well as addressing non-medical needs like transportation, housing and employment. The goal of reentry programs is to reduce the number of people who cycle back into the justice system. Supporting people upon their release with housing, employment and other needs is critical to stopping the cycle of justice system involvement. It also improves outcomes and efficiency across our health and justice systems.

This $6.5 million funding announcement builds on a previous announcement of $11 million for people at risk of incarceration and is part of NCDHHS historic $835 million investment to transform behavioral health in North Carolina. The department is investing $99 million to support people involved in the justice system by increasing services related to diversion, reentry and capacity restoration.

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The department plans to leverage the $835 million investment to further expand services and continue to build toward an integrated behavioral health system that works for all North Carolinians.

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KATHMANDU, April 10 (Xinhua) -- A child and four others were killed in lightning strikes in different parts of Nepal in the last 24 hours, the authorities said on Thursday.

One woman was killed and seven others injured in a strike in Doti district, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority said.

In Bajhang district, a lightning strike left an elderly woman dead and two young girls injured.

A 12-year-old child in Morang district, a woman working in the field in Dhanusha district and a man in Jhapa district were killed in similar incidents.

"As the lightning incidents rise in this season, the authority urges everyone to remain alert and remain inside during thunderstorms," the authority said in a notice.

Dozens of Nepalis lose their lives in lightning strikes each year. 
Illustration by Jianan Liu for ProPublica

Calvin Alexander thought he had done everything the Louisiana parole board asked of him to earn an early release from prison.

He had taken anger management classes, learned a trade and enrolled in drug treatment. And as his September hearing before the board approached, his disciplinary record was clean.

This article was produced for ProPublicas Local Reporting Network in partnership with Verite News. Sign up for Dispatches to get stories like this one as soon as they are published.

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Alexander, more than midway through a 20-year prison sentence on drug charges, was making preparations for what he hoped would be his new life. His daughter, with whom he had only recently become acquainted, had even made up a room for him in her New Orleans home.

Then, two months before the hearing date, prison officials sent Alexander a letter informing him he was no longer eligible for parole.

A computerized scoring system adopted by the state Department of Public Safety and Corrections had deemed the nearly blind 70-year-old, who uses a wheelchair, a moderate risk of reoffending, should he be released. And under a new law, that meant he and thousands of other prisoners with moderate or high risk ratings cannot plead their cases before the board. According to the department of corrections, about 13,000 people  nearly half the states prison population  have such risk ratings, although not all of them are eligible for parole.

Alexander said he felt betrayed upon learning his hearing had been canceled. People in jail have  lost hope in being able to do anything to reduce their time, he said.

Calvin Alexanders daughter, Sabrina Brown, left, and his sister, Jerry Hart. Alexander was planning for his new life with Brown when he found out he was no longer eligible for parole. (Kathleen Flynn for ProPublica)

The law that changed Alexanders prospects is part of a series of legislation passed by Louisiana Republicans last year reflecting Gov. Jeff Landrys tough-on-crime agenda to make it more difficult for prisoners to be released.

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While campaigning for governor, Landry, a former police officer and sheriffs deputy who served as Louisiana attorney general until 2024, championed a crackdown on rewarding well-behaved prisoners with parole. Landry said early release, which until now has been typically assumed when judges hand down sentences, is a slap in the face to crime victims.

The revolving door is insulting, Landry told state lawmakers last year as he kicked off a special legislative session on crime during which he blamed the states high violent crime rate on lenient sentences and misguided post-conviction programs that fail to rehabilitate prisoners. (In fact, Louisianas recidivism rate has declined over the past decade, according to a 2024 department of corrections report.)

The Legislature eliminated parole for nearly everyone imprisoned for crimes committed after Aug. 1, making Louisiana the 17th state in a half-century to abolish parole altogether and the first in 24 years to do so. For the vast majority of prisoners who were already behind bars, like Alexander, another law put an algorithm in charge of determining whether they have a shot at early release; only prisoners rated low risk qualify for parole.

That decision makes Louisiana the only state to use risk scores to automatically rule out large portions of a prison population from being considered for parole, according to seven national criminal justice experts.

Calvin Alexander cant read or write, so he dictated answers to mailed questions from Verite News and ProPublica to a fellow prisoner.

That was not how the tool, known as TIGER, an acronym for Targeted Interventions to Greater Enhance Re-entry, was intended to be used. Developed as a rehabilitative measure about a decade ago, it was supposed to help prison officials determine what types of classes or counseling someone might need to prevent them from landing back behind bars  not be used as a punitive tool to keep them there, said one of its creators.

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Criminal justice advocates and civil rights attorneys say the new law could disproportionately harm Black people like Alexander in part because the algorithm measures factors such as criminal history where racial disparities already exist. The laws opponents also contend that the unique step Louisiana has taken to curtail parole is deeply problematic  and potentially unconstitutional  because it does not take into account the efforts of prisoners to better themselves while incarcerated. They deserve that opportunity to show theyve changed, said Pearl Wise, who was appointed to the parole board by Landrys Democratic predecessor and served from 2016 until 2023. You demonstrate over time the changes that you made and that you are not the person that was sentenced on that day.

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An immutable risk score

Alexander is like thousands of prisoners who have previously appeared before the board  repeat offenders accused of nonviolent crimes, often mired in addiction with limited education or learning disabilities. Alexander cant read or write, having dropped out of school as a fourth grader in the early 1960s. He needed to help support his family in deeply segregated Mississippi and turned to selling crack cocaine as a child. That period was also the start of his own lifelong struggle with narcotics that resulted in multiple arrests and extended stints in prison.

The department of corrections would not allow an in-person or phone interview with Alexander. Instead, Verite News and ProPublica mailed Alexander written questions, which a fellow inmate read to him and then wrote down his responses. Alexander admitted he was reckless in his youth and that he had violated his parole  related to a 1994 drug possession conviction  by drinking and staying out after curfew. That mistake would prove devastating three decades later because a prisoners history of parole violations plays a significant role in their TIGER risk score.

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Louisianas TIGER scoring system was born out of a 2014 federal initiative to help states reduce their prison populations. The risk assessment tool, developed by the state department of corrections and Louisiana State University researchers using a $1.75 million federal grant, was meant to treat criminal thinking, said Keith Nordyke, one of the creators of TIGER. For populations with the highest risk of reoffending, he said, the prison would flood them with services  addiction counseling, therapy, job training  to help keep them out of trouble once they were freed.

The whole purpose of this was to slow down the revolving door, Nordyke said.

Louisiana corrections officials started using the TIGER scores as part of the parole determination process in 2018, but it was only in 2024 that they became the sole measure of parole eligibility.

Similar algorithms are used throughout the country in the parole decision-making process, but legal scholars say the way such risk tools calculate a persons odds of reoffending is among the reasons why no other state exclusively uses them to bar individuals from parole. While algorithms like TIGER can predict on a group level that 40 out of 100 people will reoffend upon their release, they cant pinpoint exactly who those 40 people will be, according to experts.

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The Louisiana department of corrections declined multiple interview requests and did not respond to questions about the states use of the risk tool.

The reliance on a TIGER score to potentially block a prisoners bid for freedom is especially concerning, experts on risk assessment tools say, because most of the factors considered by the algorithm  the crimes they committed, work history, age at first arrest, whether they had any marijuana-related convictions, prior parole revocations  are from a prisoners past, which cannot be changed; they do not include anything related to what people have done in prison to rehabilitate themselves.

Criminal justice scholars say that when scores based on immutable facts are weighted so heavily in parole decisions, prisoners from impoverished, racially segregated communities are more likely to be hurt.

A fellow inmate wrote down Calvin Alexanders answers to Verite and ProPublicas questions on what he misses and what he would have done had he been granted parole.

Take the algorithms use of prior employment data: People raised in low-income communities do not have the same work opportunities as those brought up in more affluent neighborhoods, said Megan Stevenson, an economist and criminal justice professor at the University of Virginia School of Law. Using such an algorithm to determine someones chances of parole, she said, suggests that poor people should be less eligible for parole than wealthier people.

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Factoring in prior drug convictions, too, is more likely to impact Black prisoners, Stevenson said. Black people use illegal drugs at roughly the same rate as white people, but are arrested and convicted for it in greater numbers because their neighborhoods are more heavily policed, she said.

In using these data points to produce a risk score, youre going to create a biased algorithm to make biased decisions, Stevenson said.

Already, Black people account for nearly two-thirds of Louisianas prison population, more than double their share of the state population.

The Landry administration did not respond to requests for comment regarding potential racial biases in the way the TIGER scores are used for parole.

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Louisianas legislation might also violate the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits laws that retroactively increase the severity of a persons criminal sentence, according to several legal scholars. Tying parole eligibility to a computerized risk score that cant be lowered by an inmate through good behavior or other actions appears to do just that since the opportunity for parole has traditionally been considered part of a sentence, said Sonja Starr, a professor at the University of Chicago Law School.

Some former Louisiana parole board members also bristled at the idea of an algorithm superseding human judgment.

It doesnt make much sense to me that a score generated by a process that the inmate has no control over takes away the authority and the power of the parole board, said Keith Jones, who was appointed by Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards and served on the board from 2018 to 2020. Why have a parole board?

Jones and two other former parole board members said the introduction of the TIGER tool as part of parole determination wasnt in itself a bad thing, as long as it remained just one factor to be considered among many.

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Although some board members did refuse to parole anyone with a moderate or high risk score before the law took effect, the states parole board had much more discretion in determining when a prisoner was released, former board members said.

Tony Marabella, a former East Baton Rouge criminal court judge who served on the parole board until last year, said he had placed greater emphasis on a prisoners disciplinary record and completion of self-improvement programs. He also took into account whether the warden or victims supported their release when deciding whether to grant parole.

If someone was a moderate risk, I wasnt going to throw them out, said Marabella, who served on the board for four years under Edwards. I was more concerned about what they had accomplished.

Thats exactly what Alonzo Allen was able to show.

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In 2021, three years before the new law went into effect, Allen succeeded in convincing the parole board that he was worthy of release  despite having the same TIGER score and a similar criminal history as Alexander.

Allen had been sentenced to 40 years behind bars in 2012 on multiple drug charges and carrying a gun. While in prison, he was written up for possessing contraband, including a pencil sharpener and $2 worth of sugar, and he previously had his parole revoked twice, according to Allen and the parole board.

As a result, he was marked a moderate risk.

During Allens parole hearing, Jerry Goodwin, then warden at the David Wade Correctional Center in Homer, where Allen was being held, lauded Allen for his tireless work overcoming his drug addictions and improving his communication skills. Goodwin noted that Allen took classes even when he knew he had reached his limit for good time credits, time shaved off a sentence for good behavior.

Hes worked hard for this opportunity, Goodwin told the parole board, and I think hes really got his best foot forward.

Alonzo Allen works full time as a truck driver. (Kathleen Flynn for ProPublica)

Alvin Roche Jr., then a member of the parole board, questioned the accuracy of Allens TIGER score. Is it possible that this instrument might be wrong? Roche asked during Allens hearing. You think you are rehabilitated to the point where you can prove that assessment wrong?

Yes, sir, very much, sir, Allen responded. I do think that is wrong.

The board unanimously voted to parole Allen.

Speaking by telephone from his home in Mansfield, just south of Shreveport, Allen, 61, said he was grateful for the second chance. Hes stayed sober, works full time as a truck driver and has not violated the terms of his parole in the nearly four years since his release.

God has been good, he said.

Alonzo Allen at home. Since his parole almost four years ago, hes stayed sober and has held a steady job. (Kathleen Flynn for ProPublica)

Steeply declining parole hearings

Lawmakers who supported Louisianas push to place strict limits on parole have maintained that relying on the algorithm over human judgment was the most efficient way to clear a backlog of parole applications.

State Sen. Patrick McMath, R-Covington, the bills author, claimed during a Senate committee hearing in February 2024 that so many unrealistic parole petitions were coming before the board that prisoners most deserving of early release were not being prioritized.

What Im really trying to do here is make the system run more efficiently and effectively, McMath said.

But data from the parole board doesnt support his assertion. According to the parole boards annual reports, the number of cases heard by the board actually dropped by 40% between 2016 and 2023.

Prison reform advocates and civil rights attorneys say McMaths bill was never anything more than a Trojan horse designed to kill parole, given the laws other requirements that make parole substantially harder to achieve, including a unanimous board vote before parole is granted and an increase in the number of years prisoners must maintain clean disciplinary records.

McMath declined to be interviewed and did not answer questions concerning the impact of his legislation.

Landry, who signed the legislation into law in March 2024, appointed five new people to the seven-member board. None of the seven were permitted to comment about the use of TIGER to deny prisoners parole, according to Francis M. Abbott, executive director of the Louisiana Board of Pardons and Committee on Parole, citing board policy. Instead, he provided a statement from board chair Sheryl Ranatza: We believe Governor Landrys reforms passed in the special crime session will enhance public safety.

The average number of people paroled in Louisiana has already dropped from 32 per month in 2023 to six per month since the law went into effect in August, according to Department of Corrections data. And at least 70 parole hearings, including Alexanders, were canceled between Aug. 1 and Dec. 13 because of the prisoners risk score, according to the parole board.

Opponents of the bill predict the new restrictions on parole will swell the states prison population, costing taxpayers billions of dollars to build new corrections facilities and leading to more violence behind bars as inmates have fewer incentives to behave.

For Alexander, that means he will not have the same opportunity Allen did to show the parole board that he had heeded their advice to improve himself.

Sabrina Brown, right, shows a photo on her phone taken when she visited her father, Calvin Alexander, center, at Rayburn Correctional Center in Washington Parish last year. (Kathleen Flynn for ProPublica)

With his health rapidly deteriorating, his family fears he will not live to see the end of his sentence in five years. Hes got one eye. Hes diabetic. Hes got poor circulation, said Alexanders daughter, Sabrina Brown. I dont want to have to go to a funeral for him.

Instead of moving into Browns New Orleans home as planned, Alexander will be able to see his daughter only when she makes the 85-mile trek north to the Rayburn Correctional Center.

It wasnt supposed to be this way, he said.

They told me once I received my risk score there is nothing I can do to change it, Alexander said. Its like walking into a brick wall.

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This article first appeared on Verite News New Orleans and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
PEORAI, Ill. (WMBD)  A local nonprofit is ensuring families get to enjoy Easter dinner without breaking the bank.

Neighborhood House is giving away 125 dinners at its first Easter food pantry on Thursday, April 10. Each meal, consisting of ham, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, green beans and drinks, is meant to serve a family of four.

Theres this community aspect of food that we take very seriously when people come to our food pantry. What we want to create an environment where they can take a food home and they can have the same Easter meal as every other family in our neighborhood, said Noah Palm, community impact director at Neighborhood House.

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Heres how it works: Doors open at 10 a.m. on Thursday. Families will be able to shop supermarket style, picking items they need off the shelves.

Palm said hunger in Peoria continues to grow. The need is up 20-30% compared to last year.

Weve increased the amount of food we can give away with our food pantry And the different things that weve done with the food pantry have made it more inviting to people, he said.

The purpose of the event is to ensure families on tight budgets dont have to worry about paying for Easter dinner.

I think the biggest thing is food insecurity is still a big issue in Peoria. And when we come together as a community during the times of holidays, not everybody has that ability to do that, to do that. And this food pantry makes it possible for just the most simple thing is sitting down as a family and having a meal together during the holidays, said Palm.

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A seemingly normal looking Simi Valley home is harboring what some neighbors fear are signs of hoarding and a potential health hazard.

Seen from above, the home in the 4400 block of Apricot Road contains what many people would call piles of junk, some of it covered by tents.

Neighbor Larry Miranda told KTLAs Carlos Saucedo that the property actually looked worse until recently.

It looked like a junkyard in the front, he explained. It definitely could be a health hazard, and you can see that the house is a little run down.

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Another neighbor, Edgar Munoz, echoed the sentiment, saying the home has not been much of an eyesore lately but that he did notice a foul stench coming from the property several days back.

A Simi Valley residential property with massive piles of stuff has neighbors concerned about a possible hoarding health hazard. (KTLA) A Simi Valley residential property with massive piles of stuff has neighbors concerned about a possible hoarding health hazard. (KTLA) A Simi Valley residential property with massive piles of stuff has neighbors concerned about a possible hoarding health hazard. (KTLA) A Simi Valley residential property with massive piles of stuff has neighbors concerned about a possible hoarding health hazard. (KTLA) A Simi Valley residential property with massive piles of stuff has neighbors concerned about a possible hoarding health hazard. (KTLA) A Simi Valley residential property with massive piles of stuff has neighbors concerned about a possible hoarding health hazard. (KTLA)

There was some odor a couple of days ago. We just didnt know where it was coming from, Munoz said. The wind was coming this way.

Signs dot the mans property, calling it a trading post or a secondhand store, and those who live nearby say the man does occasionally hold weekend yard sales.

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I dont know where hes getting [the stuff] from, but I know every day or every other day, his truck is full of stuff and he unloads it, Miranda told KTLA. I dont know what he does with it. He does have yard sales on the weekend at times.

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Other community members who did not want to go on camera said they want the man to clean up his act, and that the city is aware of the issue and has been in contact with the resident.

In a statement to KTLA, city officials said:

These types of cases can be complex and gaining compliance often takes time. Our Code Enforcement and Building and Safety teams are actively working through the appropriate legal and procedural steps to bring the property into compliance.

Miranda believes that eventually the problem will be resolved.

When the city gets involved, theyll take care of it, he said.

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LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  The Nevada Court of Appeals Wednesday rejected a petition to dismiss the indictment against a former Republican congressional candidate and ex-wrestler charged with murder.

Daniel Rodimer is accused of punching Christopher Tapp, 47, inside Resorts World on the Las Vegas Strip on Oct. 29, 2023, leading to Tapps death. Doctors pronounced Tapp dead at a Las Vegas hospital on Nov. 5, 2023. The Clark County coroners office ruled Tapps death a homicide as a result of blunt force trauma to his head, documents said. A scan showed he suffered several brain bleeds.

RELATED: Ex-congressional candidate accused of killing man in Las Vegas hotel room dressed as Ken, court records allege witness coverup

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The state appeals court rejected Rodimers claims regarding witness testimony that led to his grand jury indictment in April 2024.

Rodimer claimed the state introduced inadmissible hearsay, saying it elicited testimony from Dani Lyons, who said Rodimers wife told her not to talk to the police. After an investigation, the appeals court determined that Lyons statement did not constitute hearsay.

Additionally, Rodimer claimed the state failed to show evidence of Lyons history of drug use and tell the grand jury about the effect of drug use on credibility. The appeals court said in the order that Lyons drug use did not constitute exculpatory evidence and was not required to be brought before the grand jury.

Rodimer also claimed the state allowed a detective to provide his opinion on Rodimers guilt. The detectives testimony showed that the case was initially reported as a slip and fall, but after interviewing witnesses, the detective concluded the victim did not get his injuries from a fall.

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The order showed that the detective did not give an opinion about Rodimers guilt during his testimony. The detective did not even mention Rodimer at all, the order said.

Rodimers attorneys, David Chesnoff and Richard Schonfeld, released the following statement about the appeals court decision:

The Petition that was filed on behalf of Mr. Rodimer raised significant legal issues that warrant further review. As a result, we are in the process of determining the next steps that will be taken in the appeal process to protect Mr. Rodimers and all Nevadans rights.

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LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Up against a Friday deadline for bills to be passed out of committee, Nevada lawmakers are working this week to move mountains of legislation in Carson City.

Work sessions on Thursday and Friday will determine the fate of bills that dont qualify for exemptions from the April 11 deadline. Generally, bills that contain an appropriation are exempt.

The Legislature doesnt have its hands tied as the deadline approaches. Bills that dont pass can be revived as an amendment to another bill. The session is scheduled to end on June 2, but even then, there could be a special session for unfinished business.

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Sometimes things move quickly on deadline, such as the Senates fast turnaround of Senate Bill 304 (SB304), which received its first hearing on Wednesday and was passed by the Senate Committee on Growth and Infrastructure. Republican Sen. Jeff Stones bill would make it easier to charge a driver with vehicular homicide, removing a limitation that only allowed the charge after three previous convictions.

Some other bills that you have heard about in our coverage of the Legislature have passed, and there will be a lot more by the end of the day Friday. Heres a sampling of some bills that have moved ahead of Fridays deadline:

GHOST KITCHENS: Assembly Bill 116 (AB116) takes aim at unscrupulous businesses that usurp well known brands and sell restaurant meals to customers who think they are getting the real thing. AB116 was approved in a work session on Wednesday in the Assembly Committee on Commerce and Labor. It had some important changes, adding a fine of $100 per order for the ghost kitchen, and a fine of $500 per day for the platform  think of DoorDash or Uber Eats  that facilitates the deceptive practice. The bill is sponsored by Democratic Assem. Selena Torres-Fossett.

SELLING DOGS AND CATS: AB487 would stop retail stores from selling dogs and cats, putting an end to a long-standing practice. Advocates say the ban will help stop animal abuse, consumer fraud and practices that put animals health in danger. With shelters overflowing with dogs and cats, advocates are trying to combat puppy mills from flourishing. The bill passed on Wednesday in the Assembly Natural Resources Committee.

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TRAFFIC TICKETS: SB359 contains changes to current laws that decriminalized minor traffic tickets. A flurry of amendments came as the bill was heard, and changes are likely to continue as the bill moves forward after passing Wednesday in a work session of the Senate Growth and Infrastructure committee. The bill seeks to streamline procedures that are making it hard for courts to efficiently handle challenges to traffic tickets. Democratic Sen. Melanie Scheible sponsored the bill.

OPEN ENROLLMENT: AB533, would allow parents to enroll their children in any school that has the room through a lottery system. Parents would have to apply first and if theyre denied, there would be a mechanism where they could appeal the decision. Torres-Fossett sponsored the bill, which passed out of a work session in the Assembly Education Committee on Tuesday. The Clark County School District opposes the bill.

ENGLISH LEARNERS: AB335 is another bill sponsored by Torres-Fossett passed out of an Assembly Education Committee work session a week ago on April 3. Its aimed at improving education for students who are learning English, giving them an extra year to complete high school and requiring administrators to create a plan to close gaps in achievement levels.

NAME, IMAGE, LIKENESS: SB293 allows UNLV and UNR to take a more active role in the NIL world, handling contracts directly with student-athletes. Democratic Sen. Roberta Lange sponsored the bill, which was approved in the Senate Education Committee on Monday.

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DUI LAW UPDATE: SB309 adds fentanyl to the list of substances covered in Nevadas DUI laws, and would require a 20-day jail term for a subsequent offense  double the 10 days under current law. Language in the bill that would have removed a requirement for the person who conducted the blood draw to appear in court was debated as the bill was heard on Wednesday, but was ultimately removed and the bill passed in a Senate Committee on Growth and Infrastructure work session. Republican Sen. John Steinbeck sponsored the bill.

HANDICAP PARKING: SB113, another bill sponsored by Steinbeck, passed Wednesday in the Senate Growth and Infrastructure Committee. The bill allows an occupational therapist or physical therapist to approve the issuance of a handicap placard. Previously, only a licensed physician, physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse could OK a placard from the DMV.

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS: AB81 would end the spring forward/fall back routine that many people despise, opting out of the whole Daylight Savings Time dance. If adopted, Nevada would remain on standard time for the entire year. Democratic Assem. Selena La Rue Hatch sponsored the bill, which was approved in a work session on Monday, March 1.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

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Newark's lawsuit targeting the prison firm opening a new immigrant jail at Delaney Hall is part of an attempt to "cripple federal immigration enforcement" in New Jersey, the company says. (Photo by New Jersey Monitor)

A major private prison company wants a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Newark over the companys planned new immigration jail, framing the case as a politically charged attempt to sidestep federal authority.

In a 37-page court filing made public Wednesday, prison firm Geo Group argues that Newarks legal challenge cant move forward without U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement as a party, since the federal agency has a contract with Geo Group to house immigrant detainees at the proposed jail. And because ICE is shielded by sovereign immunity, the entire case should be thrown out, the company says.

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The current action represents the latest in a series of efforts by New Jersey officials to cripple federal immigration enforcement in the state, the filing reads.

Geo Group announced in February it signed a 15-year contract with ICE to operate the new immigrant detention center, called Delaney Hall and located near the Essex County jail in Newark. The facility, which previously housed immigrant detainees between 2011 and 2017, would be the second private migrant detention center in New Jersey and the largest on the east coast if it reopens.

A 2021 state law bars private and public entities from contracting with ICE to house immigrant detainees, but a federal judge struck down part of the law pertaining to private companies in 2023. The states appeal of that decision is set to be heard by a federal appeals court in Philadelphia next month.

Plans to open Delaney Hall drew swift backlash from local officials and activists. At a March protest, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka  one of six candidates vying for the Democratic nomination for governor  vowed hed padlock the facility if necessary to keep immigration detention out of the states largest city.

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Geo Group moved ahead with plans to open the jail, and on April 1, Newark officials filed suit in state Superior Court in Essex County claiming that Geo Group was renovating the building without proper city permits and had barred city inspectors from accessing the building. The city alleged that without proper inspections, it could not know whether the building is safe to open.

Geo Groups attorneys, who have moved the case to federal court, allege that city officials who came to inspect the site were told to coordinate with ICE, but the city refused to do so. ICE has sole control over the facilitys secure areas and ICE required the city to make that appointment, the company says.

The prison company also references Barakas threat to padlock the building, claiming that the conclusions and findings of any sham inspections performed have already been clearly telegraphed by the mayor.

There can be no question that ICE has an interest in Newarks attempts to force entry into a federal detention facility so that Newark can ostensibly conduct inspections of a federal facility under state and local codes, the filing states.

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Eric Pennington, the citys business administrator, said Newark officials will work with the company to make sure that the facility complies with all city and state laws, rules and regulations.

The city wants to ensure that the facility is safe for occupation by employees, and proposed residents, he said.

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California Gov. Gavin Newsom sent a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem on Thursday requesting that the federal government bring Andry Jose Hernandez Romero, a Venezuelan immigrant who was deported to a maximum security prison in El Salvador last month, to the U.S. for a judge to evaluate his case.

Hernandez Romero, a 31-year-old makeup artist who is gay, sought asylum legally due to persecution for his sexuality and opposition to Venezuela's ruling party.

"Despite having no criminal record, he was denied the opportunity to defend himself against unsubstantiated allegations of gang involvement or to present his asylum claim," Newsom wrote to Noem.

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The case has drawn national attention and criticism of the Trump administration over allegations that innocent immigrants who entered the U.S. legally have been detained and deported without due process in a campaign the president said is aimed at removing "terrorists" and gang members from the country under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798.

"We are not a nation that sends people to be tortured and victimized in a foreign prison for public relations victories," Newsom wrote to Noem. "I urge you to reevaluate your policies and ensure due process for everyone under the control of the U.S. judicial and law enforcement system, including those wrongly sent to El Salvador, as federal law requires."

Hernandez Romero appeared at an initial asylum appointment in August at the San Ysidro Port of Entry. A Border Patrol agent alleged that his crown tattoos proved affiliations with the Tren de Aragua gang. He was detained in Otay Mesa for months before he was deported to El Salvador with more than 250 other immigrants in March.

Read more: They were called gang members and deported. Families say their only crime was having tattoos

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Attorneys and family members of Hernandez Romero have argued that he's innocent and not a gang member.

"I think, unfortunately, he ended up getting caught in the government's agenda of trying to end asylum, and I think that he was probably an easy target for the fact that he had tattoos," said Melissa Shepard, one of his attorneys with the Immigrant Defenders Law Center in Los Angeles.

His tattoos are a homage to the arts, his family and his longstanding participation in an annual Three Kings Day celebration and play in his hometown in Venezuela. "Mom" and "Dad" are tattooed below the crowns, Shepard said.

He has no criminal record in the U.S. or Venezuela, Shepard said. His legal team said he has a strong case for asylum, but they're navigating "uncharted territory."

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"We've never had a client who was disappeared mid proceedings and not afforded his due process to see his asylum case through," Shepard said.

The Trump administration has defended the deportation of Hernandez Romero. Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for Homeland Security, alleged in a post on the social media platform X that "DHS intelligence assessments go well beyond just gang affiliate tattoos."

"This mans own social media indicates he is a member of Tren de Aragua," McLaughlin said.

Read more: Supreme Court immigration ruling: Due process in theory, deportation in practice

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Joe Rogan, a prominent podcaster and Trump supporter, called the situation "horrific" on his show. Rogan said it hurts the president's cause when "innocent gay hairdressers get lumped up with the gangs."

In his letter to Noem, Newsom said he wrote to express his concerns that deporting people without due process is "a dangerous precedent that threatens to irreparably stain the reputation of the Department of Homeland Security and this country."

"Mr. Hernandez Romero should be immediately returned to the United States for an immigration judge to evaluate the merits of his case," Newsom said.

Newsom said California has a "vested interest" in the issue of immigration as a "state that has thrived and prospered for nearly 175 years because of vibrant immigrant communities and the rule of law."

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The governor traveled to El Salvador in 2019 for a trip he said was intended to help him better understand the forces driving immigration from the Central American country to the U.S. At the time, then-President Trump had pledged to cut federal aid to El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras as punishment for not slowing migration.

Newsom met with outgoing Salvadoran President Salvador Sanchez Ceren during the trip and separately sat down with successor Nayib Bukele.

As president, Bukele has become an ally in Trump's effort to deport immigrants during his second term. Bukele agreed to accept the immigrants accused of being gang members during the mass deportation event in March.

Trump publicly thanked Bukele, who is scheduled to visit the White House on Monday to discuss their cooperation on deportations.

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The Centro de Confinamiento del Terrorismo prison in El Salvador, where Hernandez Romero is being held, is "notorious for human rights abuses," Shepard said.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
HONOLULU (KHON2)  Federal workers who recently lost their jobs and are currently searching for a new one are encouraged to head to the Operation Hire Hawaii Recruitment Event.

The Hawaii Department of Human Resources Development will host the event to recruit workers to fill vacant positions across Hawaiis public sector.

BBB: New report shows identity theft is more common

Jobseekers can visit over 25 state agencies and departments and 16 City and County agencies to find a position right for them.

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Governor Josh Green said the event is perfect for those who want to make a difference in the community and help build a stronger Hawaii.

The state of Hawaii offers more than just stable employment  its a pathway to a purpose-driven career with unmatched benefits, professional growth and long-term security. Whether youre graduating high school, college, or switching careers, employment with the state is a smart move. DHRD Director Brenna Hashimoto

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Since the launch of Operation Hire Hawaii, officials said they have received more than 2,000 applications from jobseekers statewide.

Those who work for state and county agencies are eligible to receive vacation, sick leave and pension.

Several hiring events will occur in Rooms 311 and 313 of the Hawaii Convention Center on Friday, April 11 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, April 12 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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Those who cant make it on those days can also head to the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall on Wednesday, April 30 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Check out more news from around Hawaii

For more information, visit Operation Hire Hawaiis website.

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Rapper Nicki Minaj appears to have been the target of a swatting incident involving an alleged shooter at the Grammy winners home Wednesday night.

Los Angeles County sheriffs deputies responded to an assault with a deadly weapon call at Minajs Hidden Hills residence around 7 p.m., the Los Angeles Times reported.

The caller claimed that someone had shot a Black, female adult and two suspects dressed in all black were still on the property, according to the Times report.

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Arriving deputies found no evidence of a crime when they arrived at the scene.

A spokesperson for the Sheriffs Department later confirmed that the incident was a swatting call.

Minaj has been the target of swatting incidents before. In the summer of 2023, there was a false 911 report of child abuse followed by a fake shooting claim one month later, TMZ reported.

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Nicki Minaj appeared to be the target of a swatting call claiming a shooter was at her Hidden Hills residence on Wednesday evening.

At 7:05 p.m., the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department received a report of an assault with a deadly weapon in the community, according to a department spokesperson. The caller said that a friend shot a female Black adult and that two possible suspects were at the location wearing all black, the spokesperson said.

The report was later determined to be a swatting call  a false 911 call made with the deliberate intent to trigger a law enforcement response  as deputies arrived on scene and found no evidence of a crime, according to the Lost Hills Sheriff's Station watch commander.

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Read more: 'Swatting' calls spark panic, fear, massive police responses. Can California finally crack down?

The Sheriff's Department would not say whether the call was for the hip-hop artist's home, but a neighbor confirmed to The Times that law enforcement responded to Minaj's residence.

She purchased a sprawling 12,000-square-foot property for $19.5 million in 2022 in the same exclusive San Fernando Valley enclave where several of the Kardashians own luxurious homes, according to reporting from TMZ.

The spokesperson said the call came in on a business line and was the only report received for an assault with a deadly weapon at the address  both common signs of swatting. The business line makes it harder to trace the caller's identity and, in the case of credible reports of violence, authorities typically receive multiple 911 calls, he said.

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This was not the first time the Grammy Award-winning artist appeared to have been targeted by swatters.

Sheriff's deputies responded to Minaj's home in June 2023 following a false report of child abuse and, a month later, to a false report of a shooting, according to TMZ.

Swatting calls are a growing problem in Southern California and across the nation. The FBI reported in January 2024 that agents opened investigations into more than 100 separate threats targeting over 1,000 institutions in 42 states during a one-month period alone.

Many Los Angeles area celebrities have been recent victims, including Jennifer Aniston, JoJo Siwa and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

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Phoenix-themed dances, recitations of ancient Chinese classics, and dubbing performances of the Chinese anime Ne Zha... On Tuesday, dozens of Italian students at a boarding school in Rome showcased their passion for the Chinese language and culture through a variety of performances.

The event, titled "Celebrating the Spring," was hosted by the international high school Rome Convitto Nazionale Vittorio Emanuele II, which offers science-related courses in Chinese and a long-term study-in-China program. This annual gala provides a platform for students to demonstrate their progress in Chinese and express their unique talents.

Rosso Sgroi, a fifth-year high school student, played the role of the Monkey King in a short play. His fluent Chinese and lively performance earned hearty laughter and applause from the audience. He shared that he is deeply fond of China's Wuxia culture, or martial hero fiction, and classical Chinese literature.

"I have passed HSK 6 (the highest level of the standard Chinese proficiency exam) and applied to several universities in China," he told Xinhua. "I hope to major in aerospace there because China has made remarkable advancements in the aerospace industry in recent years. Studying this technology in China will be crucial for my future."

Rome Convitto Nazionale Vittorio Emanuele II introduced its Chinese program in 2009. Since 2010, more than 1,500 students have visited China through summer camps. In 2014, the school established a long-term study program in China. Over the years, the school has cultivated many students who not only possess strong Chinese language skills but also exhibit remarkable cross-cultural communication abilities and a global perspective.

Li Xiaoyong, Charge d'Affaires ad interim at the Chinese Embassy in Italy, said in his address that the spirit of the Italian explorer Marco Polo -- his courage to explore the world, his openness to embracing diverse cultures, and his warmth in forging friendships with strangers -- is needed today, more than ever.

"The school's Chinese program has demonstrated a clear long-term vision since its inception, as we have witnessed Chinese becoming an increasingly significant language in today's world," said Federico Masini, president and director of the Confucius Institute at La Sapienza University in Rome, in his speech ahead of the gala.

Along the high school corridor, a captivating array of Chinese-related paintings, calligraphy, posters, and photographs is displayed on the walls, most of which are student works.

The school has a Chinese library that offers a collection of books and study materials for both teachers and students. Activities such as learning martial arts and the Chinese tea ceremony are popular among the students, fostering a rich Chinese cultural atmosphere among the young Italians.

"Some may argue that globalization is no longer relevant today, but the continued interest of many young Italians in learning Chinese and studying in China is a strong testament to the ongoing influence of globalization," Masini told Xinhua in an interview.

He expressed hope that more Italian and European students would visit and study in China, further enriching cultural exchanges and skill development between Chinese and European youth.
SINGAPORE, April 10 (Xinhua) -- The Singapore Business Federation (SBF) on Wednesday called on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to facilitate greater intra-regional trade, including by enhancing existing agreements such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

In a statement, SBF CEO Kok Ping Soon said businesses need to re-evaluate their reliance on the United States market and explore opportunities within the region and in trade corridors where Singapore has free trade agreements.

"The current situation presents an opportunity for ASEAN to review regional non-tariff barriers to facilitate greater intra-regional trade. Existing agreements like RCEP should be further enhanced to foster economic integration," he said.

Kok noted that although Singapore is only subject to the 10 percent minimum base tariff, businesses are not insulated from the broader impact of higher tariffs imposed on other economies. About 71 percent of Singapore businesses have an offshore presence, he added.

Even companies that do not directly export to the United States or operate in the region may serve as intermediate suppliers in global supply chains linked to the U.S. market. These businesses, Kok warned, face rising supply chain costs, shrinking margins, and potential volume reductions. 
LET ME START OFF BY SAYING something positive: In the past, I have adored Mike Whites body of work. I consider Freaks and Geeks, Enlightened, Year of the Dog, Chuck and Buck, as well as the first two seasons of The White Lotus to be subtle, edgy, funny, nuanced, and thought-provoking. But as the credits rolled on the finale of The White Lotuss third season (streaming on Max), I said out loud to my TV screen, Are you f-ing kidding me? I am legitimately confusedto the point of angerby this entire season. Im left to conclude that this series may have jumped the monkey.

So many monkeys, so little meaning. They are in almost every cutaway, lurking, watching behind the scenes on the hotel grounds, occasionally howling. I get it: I felt the same way watching this group of insufferable people interact with each other for eight episodes. Do the monkeys represent humans base animal instincts that we pretend dont exist and try to conceal with education and material success? Do they stand for the menace lurking underneath the surface of this luxurious Thai hotel? Or are they just there so that Rick Hatchett (Walton Goggins) can tell his girlfriend Chelsea (Aimee Lou Wood) after he confronts the person he thinks ruined his life, I finally have the monkey off my backa season-long pun in the making? Who knows? To me they seem more like another animal: a red herring. A red herring in a sea full of red herrings that just swim in circles.

For being a whodunit, season three of The White Lotus is almost devoid of action. Every other scene has a main character staring deeply into the middle distance as portentous kettle drums and discordant background music swell to make sure the audience knows these characters are battling with difficult life choices. Unlike the haunting soundtracks in seasons one and two, season threes is melodramatic and unearned, more appropriate for an episode of Survivor (a reality show in which Mike White participated) than a season of prestige television.

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And when there is dialogue, its irritatingly obvious and expositional. We are soulmates, we are tied together forever, Chelsea says over and over to Rick. Im going to help you get your joy back, even if it kills me, she says at another point. Guess how that will turn out for them in the end!

Timothy (Jason Isaacs), the paterfamilias of the noxious Ratliff family, exclaims to the hotel manager straight off the boat, [My daughter] is a religious studies major, so shes writing her thesiswhats your thesis on, Piper?well, its on Buddhism, and theres a monk and a monastery near here, anyway, she wants to interview him, so we made a family road trip of it. Okay, thanks for laying all that out for us so neatly.

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All The White Lotuss actors are exceptional, but they are taken for granted. Its infuriating to have Parker Posey, Walton Goggins, Carrie Coon, Jason Isaacs, Leslie Bibb, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Sam Rockwell, and freakin Scott Glenn as your cast, and then not deliver to them the script they royally deserve. While these luminaries give it their all and are uniformly great, their acting chops alone cant save this season. The plot and dialogue need to help them do the heavy lifting, and they just dont. The show is repetitive, sloppy, and unformed. Eight episodes could have been compressed into four, and the cliffhangers are almost nonexistent. Posey, Coons, Schwarzenegger, and Rockwell squeeze every ounce of humor from their roles, but they are up against a wall. Isaacs, Goggins, Tayme Thapthimthong, and Jon Gries spend most of their time on camera moping (again, not their fault). And Christian Friedel, the marvelous actor who gave such a harrowing performance as Rudolf Hoss in The Zone of Interest, is utterly wasted as Fabian, the general manager of the Thai resort. His big conflict seems to be his nervousness about performing for the guests at the hotel. And . . . then he does. The stakes couldnt be lower.

WHAT IS THE MESSAGE Mike White wants to tell about this particular hotel in this particular place? I honestly dont know. What happens here could happen anywhere, and Thailand seems beside the point. In previous seasons, the locale was an implicit and explicit part of the story. The first season took place in Hawaii, where we felt the culture clash between native Hawaiians and the rich American tourists who disrespect their culture and use the island to suit their own pleasures. Sicily was the setting for season two, where the luxury of Taormina is a paper-thin veneer of civility over the seductive and perhaps sinister nature of that capricious island. The rich Americans vacationing there are seduced and abandoned, duped and unsettled by Sicilians, who take advantage of their guests naivete and arrogance. And they reject the American notion of reconnecting with the mother country as a sort of reverse colonialism.

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But aside from sumptuous shots of nature and the endless monkey cutaways, season three neglects Thailands allure and traditions. Rather than lush, mysterious, and spiritual, its setting feels claustrophobic. We rarely leave the grounds of the hotel. And when the characters do, what they experience of Thai culture is generic. The Thai actors themselves seem like placeholders instead of fully realized individuals. As the audience, we have no idea how the staff feels about their guests.

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Fabian tells Rick and Chelsea that the wellness program at the White Lotus is the best in the world, and then aside from some therapy, massage, and yoga sessions, that idea goes by the wayside. What could have been a compelling examination of the wellness industryits hopes and hypocrisies, the virtues and vices of its denizensbecomes another missed opportunity. Yes, we do get a brief glimpse of life in a Thai monastery, but the dialectical tension between spirituality and materialism is handled like a freshman 101 class in Buddhism. From the creator of Enlightenment, the lack of spiritual depth is one of the most mysterious and annoying aspects of this season of The White Lotus.

And this seasons nihilism is the other big frustration. I appreciate Mike Whites dark humor, irony, and even cynicism, and I never expect neat, happy endings from himbut I do expect complexity, compassion, and humanity. Season threes casual cruelty caught me off guard. Carrie Coons character is put through the emotional wringer and is made to apologize and vaguely grovel to her two frenemies who treated her quite badly. Timothy almost poisons his entire family, yet one scene later he is on the departing boat, composed and recovered. Gaitok, the thoughtful, virtuous security guard goes against his gentle nature and chooses violence to advance in his career, thereby winning the hand of the superficial girl he pines for. Belinda (Natasha Rothwell), whose pain we felt viscerally in season one when Tanya dropped her as a business partner in the wellness practice they planned together, does the exact same thing to her Thai lover in season three, except he just accepts it with a warm smile as she leaves to go back to Hawaii, a new multimillionaire. We believed Belinda to have a spiritual and moral core, but psych! By Belinda taking Greg/Garys $5 million in hush money, Mike White apparently proves us wrong.

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Yes, there are some very funny and cogent moments this season (as a Tar Heel, I certainly do appreciate all the explicit Duke hatred), but Mike White ultimately plays us for fools and suckers, and to me, this feels reductive and cheap for such a talented creator. He kind of dares us to loathe almost everyone, which I suppose is bold in its way, but I find it to be more contrary than clever in its execution. Few of the characters have significant emotional journeys, and we as an audience discover very little about them. Its fitting that the song playing over the closing credits is Billy Prestons Nothing From Nothing (Leaves Nothing). As an admirer, I just expect more from Mike White than a sour taste left in my mouth.

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NORFOLK, Neb. (KCAU)  No residents and firefighters were injured from a house fire in Norfolk on Wednesday.

Norfolk Fire Division said at 3 p.m., firefighters were dispatched to 604 South 1st Street for smoke coming from a home. Fire crews arrived and found light smoke coming from the back of the residence.

Northeast Nebraska company receives business award

Assistant Fire Chief Trever OBrien said when crews entered the house, they found moderate smoke and a fire in the living room. The fire was put out quickly in about 2 minutes and another 10 minutes to overhaul the home.

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Fire officials said the cause of the fire was determined to be incendiary in nature. The residence sustained about $5,000 in damages.

Norfolk Police Division and Nebraska Public Power District assisted the Norfolk Fire Division in the house fire call.

Fire officials said they want to remind residents to fire safe during the spring season. Authorities said people need to store gasoline in a safe place and inspect grills before using them, in order to make sure theyre clean and working properly.

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New construction like this in Southeast Raleigh is part of a national trend. Almost 5 million new housing units, mostly single-family homes, have been added nationwide since 2020, according to new data. (Photo: Anthony Pope, Men of Southeast Raleigh)

Another voice has been added to North Carolinas vocal pool of nonprofits advocating for affordable housing.

The North Carolina Housing Table (NCHT) recently launched as a statewide housing coalition with a goal to advance housing solutions that work for everyone.

Denzel Burnside (Photo: NC Housing Table)

According to a press release, NCHT is a collaborative effort of community leaders, environmental organizations, advocates for seniors, housing professionals, business groups and everyday North Carolinians on the left, right and center united around one goal: advancing housing solutions that work for everyone.

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NCHT was founded by Denzel Burnside, who serves as the groups executive director. Burnside was recently executive director of WakeUP Wake County, where he was responsible for leading community discussions and policy action on the issues of affordable housing, transit access, climate action and land use planning.

In North Carolina, I believe everything starts with home, Burnside said in a news release. Freedom and opportunity depend on where people can live, how they access jobs, and whether they can build a stable future.

A present, however, Burnside says that objective is out of reach for a large proportion of North Carolinians. He pointed to a recent report commissioned by the NC Chamber Foundation, NC Home Builders Association and NC REALTORS  2024 Housing Supply Gap Analysis, State of North Carolina  which found an expected gap of 764,000 total units (322,000 rental units and 442,000 units for purchase) between 2024-2029.

Through smart, equitable, proven policies to create more homes of all shapes and sizes, we can open real pathways to homeownership and upward mobility, Burnside said. Our goal is to work diligently at the statewide level to build communities that are accessible, connected, and centered on the needs of North Carolinians.

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The NCHT will host a virtual launch event, Setting the Table: Why Housing Choice Matters in NC, at 2:00 pm on April 15 as a live Zoom gathering that will also be streamed on YouTube. The event will include community voices across North Carolina to discuss housing challenges, solutions, and policy focus for 2025.

Registration is free and open to the public at NCHousingTable.org.
CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY)  Norfolk Mayor Kenneth Alexander will deliver the keynote address at the 14th annual 900 Men Strong Scholarship and Community Services Awards Breakfast.

The ceremony will be held Saturday, April 12 at the Chesapeake Conference Center from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.

During the breakfast, multiple male high school students will be awarded $1,500 scholarships for their academic excellence. To be eligible to apply for the scholarships, the graduating senior is required to be in good standing at a Hampton Roads high school with a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.

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This years theme and purpose is Making a Difference through Education.

To date, more than $82,000 in scholarships have been awarded to 75 students.

To purchase tickets to the event, 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 WAVY.com.
ALMATY, April 10 (Xinhua) -- The second peacekeeping contingent of the Armed Forces of Kazakhstan is being deployed to the Golan Heights to serve as part of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), the press service of Kazakhstan's Ministry of Defense reported on Thursday.

According to the ministry, 139 servicemen of the Armed Forces are being sent to Damascus, Syria, to replace the first contingent. All members of the peacekeeping unit volunteered for the mission. Among them are two women.

Kazakh peacekeepers will carry out tasks including enforcing the ceasefire, patrolling, guarding checkpoints, disposing of explosive devices, and escorting and evacuating UN personnel.

In February 2024, the UN granted Kazakhstan a mandate for the independent deployment and execution of its mission on the Golan Heights. Following extensive preparations, a peacekeeping contingent of 139 Kazakh military personnel and 26 units of military equipment was deployed to the region on March 14 of the same year. 
Funding for a before- and after-school program for Jacox Elementary School students is among the requests Norfolk residents are asking city leaders to add to the 2026 fiscal year budget.

Various community stakeholders made their appeals for funding in Norfolks $1.6 billion proposed operating budget for the 2026 fiscal year during a Wednesday public hearing. Also among the requests, city workers voiced support for allowing employees to collective bargain.

Several community members pushed for $600,000 for both before- and after-school programing they said is currently absent from Jacox, which is located off Princess Anne Road near Broad Creek.

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Speakers said most students are not let inside the school until 9 a.m., leaving them stuck outside with no supervision. Norfolk Public Schools operates on staggered hours, where four groups of schools start and end at different times throughout the day.

They are our kids and we care about them, said Norfolk resident Tiara Lassiter.

Other speakers said the situation often means parents must chose between getting to work on time or leaving their children unattended outside the school. They said a program existed before the pandemic but was cut afterward.

Community organizer Keenen Baskerville said he had spoken with nearly 250 parents and community members about the issue.

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Families feel like theyve been left behind, Baskerville said.

Several Hampton Roads unions and other advocacy groups also delivered a petition to City Council members during the hearing, asking the body to allow collective bargaining for city workers.

Norfolk has an opportunity to continue to be a leader in social justice by improving internal democracy and workers rights by sitting at the table with unionized municipal workers, said Donte Jordan, a Norfolk Parks and Recreation employee and union member.

The group advocating for collective bargaining includes UE Local 111, a Hampton Roads city employee union, as well as other unions and advocacy groups like the Norfolk Federation of Teachers, the Education Association of Norfolk and the International Longshoremens Association.

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The meeting was attended by all Norfolk City Council members and City Manager Pat Roberts. They did not indicate during the meeting whether or not they would consider any of the speaker proposals.

The Norfolk City Council previously voted 5-3 to deny collective bargaining rights to city employees in November 2023. Norfolk instead created several employee committees to hear worker concerns. Currently, Virginia law states city and county governments must approve collective bargaining for employees.

Several South Hampton Roads mayors also formed a group earlier this year aimed at fending off state legislature attempts to force cities to recognize collective bargaining. Norfolk Mayor Kenny Alexander said then he was against collective bargaining because union contracts could potentially impact taxpayers and city budgets.

Norfolks $1.6 billion operating budget proposal includes funding for an hour of free parking in downtown decks, staff raises, a new compensation plan, support for housing developments and flooding prevention, among other initiatives.

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Council members will discuss the budget at a April 29 work session. Also on April 29, the city will hold a public hearing on the real property tax rate. The budget is expected to be adopted by May 13.

Trevor Metcalfe, 757-222-5345, trevor.metcalfe@pilotonline.com
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. (WWLP)  A North Adams man was sentenced to prison for multiple break-ins on Wednesday, following his release from prison last week for the same crime.

The North Adams Police Department said that at approximately 3:00 a.m. on Monday, officers received a report of a break-in at Daves Package Store on River Street. Surveillance footage showed an individual throwing a rock through the front door window and entering the building, then exiting with stolen cigarettes and lighters. Using this footage, officers were able to identify the suspect as Christopher Jelley.

Mass. gang member sentenced to prison for fentanyl trafficking

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On Wednesday at approximately 12:45 a.m., police received multiple citizen reports regarding a man attempting to break into an EZ Mart on Ashland Street. The suspect was described as wearing a hooded sweatshirt, and police found two rocks outside the store and the front doors glass broken, but no sign of entry into the building.

Shortly afterward, North Adams police said that officers in the area saw that the front glass door of Whitneys Beverage Shop on American Legion Drive had also been broken, and that a brick was outside the store with no sign of entry. At approximately 1:10 a.m., the North Adams Dispatch Center received a breaking and entering alarm at the Freight Yard Pub.

Police arrived at the restaurant and observed that the front door window had been smashed, but were unable to locate the suspect. Further investigation of footage of all locations determined that Jelley was the individual responsible for all three incidents on Wednesday, and that he had stolen several bottles of liquor from the Freight Yard Pub.

North Adams Police said that Jelley was located walking on Liberty Street and was arrested. He was charged with two counts of breaking and entering and two counts of attempted breaking and entering.

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On Wednesday, Jelley was arraigned in Northern Berkshire District Court and pleaded guilty to all charges and was sentenced to 18 months in prison. Jelley had been previously released from prison on March 31 after serving two years on multiple breaking and entering charges from 2023.

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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.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.
Greenville's eastside medical district has high interest from a North Carolina-based non-profit wellness group as Novant Health filed to build a $132 million, 20-bed hospital near Patewood Drive.

The proposed medical facility would provide the property near Interstate 385 with state-of-the-art operating rooms, diagnostic imaging, and outpatient and specialty care services in Greenville.

Novant's proposed plan would require an agreement from the South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff and would also look to build an additional health care and office building at 221 Patewood Drive, which would fall outside the scope of the $132 million private investment.

Renderings of a new 20-bed hospital in Greenville, a $132 million investment from the North Carolina-based Novant Health. The new site would be located near 221 Patewood Drive in Greenville.

"I look forward to working with our Greenville team to bring new, more affordable healthcare options to communities in the Upstate," said Ryan Lee, the newly appointed Greenville region president for Novant Health.

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Im incredibly excited to join Novant Healths efforts to expand healthcare access in the Upstate and to be part of such a thriving, fast-growing community."

If Novant Health receives approval on a certificate of need application from the South Carolina Department of Public Health, the nonprofit hospital would likely open in early 2027.

This proposed investment builds upon Novant Nealth's February 2024 acquisition of the East Cooper Medical Center in Charleston, Hilton Head Medical Center, and Coastal Carolina Medical Center in Hardeeville. Since the 2024 acquisition, Novant Health has added three hospitals, 52 doctors' care offices, 27 physician offices, and 20 physical therapy clinics across South Carolina.

In September 2024, Novant Health announced plans to build a new full-service community hospital campus in Bluffton.

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Thus far, the Upstate has seen six locations of doctor's care urgent care clinics and physical care clinics added as part of Novant's UCI Medical Affiliates network.

For more information, visit novanthealth.org/greenville-sc

 A.J. Jackson covers business, the food & dining scene and downtown culture for The Greenville News. Contact him by email at ajackson@gannett.com, and follow him on X (formally Twitter) @ajhappened. This coverage is only possible with support from our readers. Sign up today for a digital subscription.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Novant Health hopes to build $132 million medical facility in Greenville
DELAWARE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA)  Deputies with the Logan County Sheriffs Office say a North Carolina man is expected to be charged soon in connection with a March homicide.

LCSO said Michael Thomas Dusch, 29, of Westend, N.C., was arrested in Denton, Texas, on March 6.

Michael Dusch, 29 (Courtesy: Logan County Sheriffs Office)

He is currently facing the following charges:

In Georgia: two counts of murder, one count of aggravated assault, one count of aggravated battery upon a person 65 years old or older, one count of exploitation of a disabled or elderly person, false imprisonment, concealing death, financial transaction card theft, financial transaction card fraud, identity fraud

In North Carolina: one count of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of third-degree sexual exploitation

In Texas: one count of unauthorized use of a vehicle

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LCSO did not specify exact charges Dusch will face in Arkansas, but did say he is expected to face murder charges.

Oklahoma man wanted in connection with double homicide at Fort Smith bar

Logan County murder

On March 2, LCSO responded to a call at a home on River Mountain Road near the New Blaine and Delaware communities after a family member found the body of William Harris, 84.

Once on the scene, deputies found Harris had died from an apparent crossbow bolt wound and appeared to have been dead for at least a week.

Arkansas State Police led the investigation along with LCSO.

LCSO discovered multiple firearms and financial documents were stolen from the house and a person reportedly tried to cash a check that was on Harriss account one week earlier at a nearby bank but left after employees questioned him.

Georgia murder

LCSO said there was no obvious suspect at first. However, after following up on a Georgia passport that a man used while attempting to cash a check, an ASP agent found the passport belonged to a man who was recently murdered in Oglethorpe County, Ga.

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The Georgia Bureau of Investigation told ASP that the Denton Police Department in Texas had arrested Michael Dusch for outstanding warrants out of North Carolina.

DPD also learned that Dusch had documents in his vehicle belonging to the Georgia murder victim and Harris.

The Denton Police Department also contacted the Moore County Sheriffs Office in North Carolina and found that while the Sheriffs Office was investigating Michael Dusch for child exploitation, Michael left their state by stealing an RV, the release said.

Northwest Arkansas attorney arrested in multi-victim fraud investigation

Duschs arrest

Dusch was interviewed by a GBI agent and an ASP investigator.

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He was then extradited from Texas to Georgia to face murder charges. LCSO said he is expected to face his charges in Arkansas and the Logan County Prosecuting Attorneys Office is working with prosecutors in Georgia.

This is a developing story. Stay with KNWA/FOX24 for the latest.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24.
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCT)  The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services urges North Carolinians to Fight the Bite to reduce the risk of tick and mosquito borne diseases.

In 2024, there were more than 900 cases of tick and mosquito borne illnesses reported statewide.

With April being Tick and Mosquito Awareness Month the NCDHHS is announcing the return of the Fight the Bite campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of vector-borne diseases.



Vector-borne diseases are on the rise in North Carolina, Public Health Veterinarian, Emily Herring said. We encourage all North Carolinians to protect themselves from tick and mosquito bites by wearing long sleeves and pants, using EPA-approved repellents, and checking for ticks after spending time outdoors.

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Students in grades K-12 were invited to submit educational posters for the annual campaign contest. NCDHHS, local health departments and K-12 schools will use these illustrations to educate residents about measures they can take to protect themselves. Winners will be announced at the end of April on the NCDHHS Fight the Bite webpage.

There are many different tick-borne diseases including Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Lyme disease that can cause fever, headache, rashes, flu-like illness and other symptoms that can be severe. Lyme disease accounted for 33 percent of all tick-borne diseases reported in 2024, and Ehrlichiosis, which is similar to Lyme disease, accounted for 38 percent of all tick-borne illnesses in 2024.

These diseases are able to be treated with antibiotics, and if treated early on can prevent severe illnesses from developing. See your health provider as soon as possible if you feel sick after being bitten by a tick.

Here are ways to reduce tick exposure:

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Use an EPA-approved repellent, such as those containing DEET or picaridin, on exposed skin and treat clothing with a pesticide called permethrin (0.5%). Use caution when applying insect repellent to children.

Check yourself and your children for ticks if you have been in a tick habitat and remove them promptly.

Reduce tick habitats around your house with selective landscaping techniques such as pruning shrubs and bushes, removing leaf litter and keeping grass cut short.

Here are ways to reduce exposure to mosquitoes:

Use an EPA-approved mosquito repellent, such as those containing DEET or picaridin, when outside. Use caution when applying to children.

Consider treating clothing and gear (such as boots, pants, socks and tents) with 0.5% permethrin.

Install or repair screens on windows and doors and use air conditioning if possible.

Tip and Toss to reduce mosquito breeding: empty standing water from flowerpots, gutters, buckets, pool covers, pet water dishes, discarded tires and birdbaths at least once a week.

Talk with your primary care provider or local health department if you plan to travel to an area where exotic mosquito-borne diseases occur and always check your destination to identify appropriate prevention methods, including vaccines.

For more information on tick- and mosquito-borne diseases in North Carolina, please visit the NCDHHS Vector-Borne Diseases webpage.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WNCT.
Sen. Janne Myrdal, R-Edinburg, speaks on the Senate floor on April 9, 2025. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)

A bill that sought to reduce penalties for possessing small amounts of marijuana in North Dakota failed in the Senate Wednesday on a 33-13 vote.

House Bill 1596 would have reduced the penalty for possessing less than a half ounce of marijuana from a criminal infraction to a noncriminal citation, similar to a speeding ticket, and a $150 fine.

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The bill also spells out other reduced penalties for other low-level marijuana possession offenses, varying based on the amount and the age of the person. Possessing 500 grams of marijuana or more would remain a Class A misdemeanor under the bill.

Court hearings for low-level offenses would not be required, but a person could still choose to appear in court. Bill sponsor Liz Conmy, D-Fargo, previously said the proposal aimed to reduce the amount of time judges and attorneys spend on minor marijuana possession offenses, which often result in a $150 fine but can require three court appearances.

Sen. Janne Myrdal, R-Edinburg, voted against the bill and said law enforcement agencies were also opposed to the measure. She pointed to the defeat of recreational marijuana ballot measures and said the bill would go against the peoples wishes.

In November, 53% of North Dakota voters opposed a ballot initiative that sought to legalize recreational marijuana for adults and create a framework for a legal cannabis industry. It was the third such effort to fail in six years.

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Sen. Diane Larson, R-Bismarck, questioned why the bill had no escalating penalties for repeat violations for marijuana possession, like the state has included for other types of crimes.

Ive been concerned this session at the number of times we talk about the prison being full, or the courts being clogged, and so the way were addressing it is to lessen crime? Larson said. I feel that we have criminal offenses on the books for a reason and the people have voted on this and wanted to keep this on the books.

Sen. Ryan Braunberger, D-Fargo, was among those who voted in favor of the measure.

Neighboring states are starting to legalize it more and more, so smaller amounts of possession are going to get more prevalent, Braunberger said.

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States attorneys from Cass County and Stark County both submitted testimony in favor of the bill. Both counties border states where recreational marijuana is legal.

Braunberger said he expects the issue to remain contentious going forward.

I think its only a matter of time when the federal (government) is going to decriminalize it all together, he said.

The bill passed the House in February on a 76-17 vote.

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A vehicle carrying U.S. delegates leaves the Russian consulate in Istanbul, Turkiye, April 10, 2025. The United States and Russia on Thursday finished their second round of talks on restoring diplomatic missions in Turkiye's largest city Istanbul. (Xinhua/Liu Lei)

ISTANBUL, April 10 (Xinhua) -- The United States and Russia on Thursday finished their second round of talks on restoring diplomatic missions in Turkiye's largest city Istanbul.

The U.S. delegation left the Russian consulate in Istanbul in the afternoon, following approximately five hours of meetings with the Russian side.

There was no press briefing after the talks, but a statement from the Russian side was prepared, according to a diplomatic source who required anonymity.

The primary focus of the discussions is to address issues affecting the functioning of the embassies and consulates in each other's country. The U.S. State Department has emphasized that the talks are limited strictly to diplomatic operations.

"Ukraine is not, absolutely not on the agenda," U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said Tuesday. "These talks are solely focused on our embassy operations, not on normalizing a bilateral relationship overall, which can only happen, as we've noted, once there is peace between Russia and Ukraine."

The first round of talks was held in Istanbul on Feb. 27.

In recent years, Washington and Moscow have expelled numerous diplomats from each other's country, significantly hindering the ability of their diplomatic missions to function effectively. 

A vehicle carrying U.S. delegates leaves the Russian consulate in Istanbul, Turkiye, April 10, 2025. The United States and Russia on Thursday finished their second round of talks on restoring diplomatic missions in Turkiye's largest city Istanbul. (Xinhua/Liu Lei)

A vehicle carrying U.S. delegates leaves the Russian consulate in Istanbul, Turkiye, April 10, 2025. The United States and Russia on Thursday finished their second round of talks on restoring diplomatic missions in Turkiye's largest city Istanbul. (Xinhua/Liu Lei)
The Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant in Monticello, Minnesota. Used nuclear fuel rods are seen by some as a potential energy source in North Dakota. (Photo provided by Xcel Energy)

The North Dakota Legislature is opening the door for nuclear energy research in the state.

The House of Representatives on Wednesday passed Senate Bill 2159 to allow the Energy and Environmental Research Center in Grand Forks to study nuclear energy.

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The House passed the EERC bill 57-32. The bill previously passed the Senate 45-2. The bill returns to the Senate after being amended by the House.

Advocates of nuclear research said North Dakota should not fall behind amid a resurgence of interest in nuclear energy.

Rep. Jon Nelson, R-Rugby. (Photo provided by the North Dakota Legislative Assembly)

We need to be a part of the conversation, said Rep. Jon Nelson, R-Rugby.

Nelson represents an area where the U.S. Department of Energy proposed drilling an exploratory borehole to test the stability of the rock for nuclear waste storage.

After that proposal, North Dakota lawmakers sought to clarify the law related to high-level radioactive waste storage. A group of concerned citizens pushed for language in a bill approved in 2019 that prohibits the placement, storage, exploration, testing, or disposal of high-level radioactive waste in North Dakota.

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The EERC research bill could lead to above-ground storage. Some opponents said they feared the bill could allow unwanted radioactive nuclear waste into the state.

Nelson disagreed.

We do not want to become a dumping ground, Nelson said. I think the protections are there.

The protections include an amendment that the state Industrial Commission, in consultation with the states High-Level Radioactive Waste Advisory Council, must approve any nuclear research that EERC proposes to do.

The EERC is designated as the State Energy Research Center with oversight by the Industrial Commission. EERC submitted testimony in support of the bill.

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The EERC research bill was sponsored by Senate Majority Leader David Hogue, R-Minot, who chaired the Energy Development and Transmission Committee that examined the possibilities for nuclear energy between legislative sessions.

Rep. Todd Porter, R-Mandan, pointed to a former coal plant in Wyoming that is being converted into a small nuclear facility as an example of competition from other states that are reusing spent nuclear fuel rods.

Porter suggested that nuclear fuel rods at the nuclear power plant in Monticello, Minnesota, could be used in North Dakota, but he said the research needs to be done first.

Allow EERC to do the job that theyre supposed to be doing for the people of North Dakota  advancing the all-of-the-above energy portfolio that we asked them to do, Porter said.

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The House also passed House Bill 1025 that calls for a legislative study of the potential for nuclear power plants in North Dakota.

Rep. Jared Hendrix, R-Fargo, argued for waiting for results of the study before authorizing nuclear research.

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SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS)  Louisiana will join other southern states as MICHELIN unveils a regional guide highlighting popular eateries.

Louisiana is celebrating the Year of Food, which is being marked by an exciting partnership. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser and the Louisiana Office of Tourism announced that Louisiana will participate in the MICHELIN Guide for the American South. The guide will highlight the states diverse and authentic cuisine, making it the first regional guide in North America.

Nungesser said the guide is another significant step toward promoting everything Louisiana offers.

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Every year during the Louisiana Great Seafood Cookoff, we include chefs from all over the state. Many North Louisiana chefs and out west have won that title and went on to attract attention for their restaurant from people from all over the country in the world, both in North Louisiana and surely over in the Lake Charles area of Lafayette. So when Michelin came to the Southern states, after going to several Southern states, it was only fitting for us to reach out to our partners around the state, Nungesser said.

Testing reveals some Louisiana restaurants misrepresent imported shrimp as Gulf shrimp

New Orleans is known for its famous restaurants, beloved by locals and visitors, but this is also true for other Louisiana cities, and the lieutenant governor says the MICHELIN partnership presents a great opportunity for other parts of the state without the reputation of the Crescent City.

Hopefully, if were lucky, they will receive several stars to restaurants all over the state because people will travel to visit restaurants on that list, and surely we want them to visit more than just New Orleans.

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The lieutenant governor said restaurants across the state are being visited now in preparation for the complete release of the 2025 selected restaurants later in the year during the MICHELIN Guide Ceremony for the American South.

Restaurants featured in the regional guide will receive one, two, or three stars.

If you receive one star, that means youre a good restaurant. If you receive two stars, then its worth detouring wherever youre going to make a trip to that restaurant. And if you receive three stars, its worth planning your trip around going to that restaurant, Nungesser explained.

That will be international recognition for those people that are lucky enough to receive those stars.

The MICHELIN Guide started as a way for the tire company to give a little bonus to its customers by gathering notable stops for road trips, which also boosted tire sales.

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They had the idea to get people to travel and go visit other states to see the things worth seeing. So they really helped drive the tourism industry initially, early on with getting people to use their tires more, Nungesser said.

Louisiana is still in the national spotlight, as Lieutenant Governor Nungesser also announced that the state will be featured in the 2026 Tournament of Roses Parade on New Years Day, with the theme Teamwork.

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As a matter of fact, Ill tell, Ill say it here first on your program that well be highlighting, the great foods of Louisiana on the Rose Parade float. This years theme is, teamwork, the lieutenant governor said. And what better teamwork than to put great Louisiana, all those great ingredients produced here in Louisiana, and a great pot of gumbo. It takes a great team to put together a great pot of gumbo. So thats gonna be our teamwork and our theme this year.

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He said his office will partner with Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry Mike Strain to bring together Louisianas native products, produce, and seafood to ensure every ingredient that belongs in the gumbo pot also makes it to the representative float.

Nungesser, whose father was a Louisiana shrimper, shared some of his favorite traditional foods. Anything with Gulf shrimp is a go-to, including Galatois shrimp remoulade and shrimp creole, but he also loves red beans and rice and, of course, gumbo.

As the son of a shrimper, its no surprise that the lieutenant governor is interested in protecting and bolstering the interests of the states shrimp economy. His office is over the seafood promotion board, and now, through legislative action, the office will oversee the inspection of imported shrimp formerly overseen by the Louisiana Department of Health.

He shared the steps his office is taking to protect Louisianas shrimp industry and protect consumers from shrimp that is filled with antibiotics or farmed and processed in unsanitary conditions.

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So now thats gonna be our responsibility, along with the AG department. Mike Strain is gonna do the testing. So we can catch those bad actors that mislabel seafood. And then Im, Im here today in Rhode Island at the Lieutenant Governors Conference, Nungesser said. Several years ago, I got them all to support a resolution asking the federal government. To impose a 10-cent-per-pound inspection fee. We inspect less than 10% of the imported seafood. A lot of that is rejected, chock-full of antibiotics or full of bacteria. Its unhealthy.

He hopes that President Trumps tariffs on imported shrimp will provide some relief for Louisiana shrimpers and drive consumers to buy shrimp from a few hundred miles away in the Gulf rather than thousands of miles away in a foreign country.

We hope theyll use some of those tariffs to hire more inspectors, so those people are, are caught that are bringing in unhealthy seafood we inspect less than 5% of it. So thats a great start, but we are making progress, Nungesser said.













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The Port Newark Container Terminal was going full-out on Wednesday after President Trumps punishing tariffs kicked in, with cranes working to unload one ship after another  as shippers, retailers and importers braced for the stiff new duties to be levied on the next load of cargo from overseas.

Its like the storm before the calm, said Danny Sanchez, owner of Falcon Messenger Service, a small trucking company based in Union, NJ. Everybody is playing the waiting game.

He said theyve seen a big uptick in work as the trade war has heated up, but said he fears a steep drop-off in a month or two once the full effect of the tariffs start to hit Americans consumers.

Michael Shoule (left), his mother Maureen, father Bob and brother Bobby at their family-owned transport business JW Hampton Jr. & Co. in Jamaica, Queens. Matthew McDermott

Even after Trump announced Wednesday that he was pausing his reciprocal tariff scheme for 90 days, local shippers and importers remained on edge over the hit theyre likely to take.

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Every business wants certainty, and there is no certainty, Michael Shoule, Vice President of JW Hampton Jr. & Co., a 160-year old logistics company in Jamaica, Queens, told The Post.

He called the pause a step in the right direction, but said it remained to be seen how everything would shake out.

Trumps new order Wednesday will raise tariffs on goods from China even higher  to 125% over the lack of respect from Beijing. A 10% worldwide tariff is also still going into effect.

America buys more from China than any other country in the world, except Mexico  to the tune of nearly $440 billion in 2024. All kinds of consumer goods come from China  including electronics like iPhone, toys, clothes and shoes.

President Trump announced a 90-day pause for the tariff hikes for most countries. Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images

Shoule said even if the proceeds from the newly imposed tariffs go to lower taxes, prices are still likely to go up on everything we buy in the US, and that its no surprise given Americans insatiable appetite for cheap overseas goods.

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Last year, the trade deficit was $1.2 trillion  and $295 billion with China alone.

Weve made our own beds as Americans to a certain extent with as much as we insist upon having the lowest prices possible, whether it be Amazon, Walmart or Target. So its been a long time coming, he said.

Shoule called Trumps tariff pause a step in the right direction. Matthew McDermott

Not to say weve been getting totally abused by these different countries, but there were some situations we could have advocated for ourselves better over the years and now theres drastic measures being taken because the imbalance is so bad.

Shoules JW Hampton Jr. & Co. imports a range of goods, including homemade rugs from China and Nepal, copper bars from Peru, chemicals and pharmaceuticals from India and clothing from Vietnam.

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He said its no surprise that Trump has come out swinging with imposing the new duties, given how hes touted tariffs dating back to his 1987 bestselling book, The Art of the Deal.

Shoppers at the Fei Long Chinese supermarket in Flushing, Queens on April 9, 2025. Stephen Yang

Hes been saying for 30-40 years that you need shock and awe to bring people to the table. Now hes shocked and awed people, so now lets see who comes to the table.

As for who he expects to feel the pain, he said cargo companies and cargo airlines bringing goods into the US will be the first impacted by the tariffs as importers put the brakes on placing new orders while they wait and see how the trade war plays out.

Factories are holding all these goods and not shipping, eventually theyll ship them but in the meantime theyre probably not doing a lot of production for the US. Whos gonna place orders if theyve already got goods over there?

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Next up to feel the tariff pain will be the truckers, Shoule said, less shipments coming in means less business for them  and they employ a lot of people, he said.

Sanchez said one of his biggest fears is a return to a pandemic-era bottoming out of rates for freight if the volume of imports drops dramatically.

That would put his smaller company at a disadvantage compared to large-scale firms that could make up for the loss of revenue on volume.

There are thousands of truckers here, so you have to be competitive. If rates drop, owner-operators wont want to move the freight because its not worth it for them. A job that used to pay $600 now is gonna give them maybe $400  its a big drop, he said.

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Everybodys nervous because we just got back on our feet and it looks like were gonna be going back down again.

Shipping containers seen at Port Newark Container Terminal on April 8, 2025. Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images

He said some truckers have told him if rates plummet like they did during COVID they may consider leaving the industry altogether.

Truckers that have been doing this for over 15 years, this is all they know. For them to say they might just find another profession is not as easy as they think its gonna be, he said.

Sanchez said it was great to see Trump put the duties on pause, but said it was ludicrous to increase the Chinese tariffs to 125%.

I dont even know how its going to happen, he said. Thats a big deal for us.

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On Wednesday, The Post approached several rank-and-file members of the International Longshoremens Union (ILA)  whose president, Harold Daggett, has been an outspoken supporter of Trump  but theyre keeping mum on tariffs for now.

Additional reporting by Kevin Sheehan.
The Hotel Trades Council and 32BJ, two of New Yorks most influential unions, are throwing their political weight behind Justin Brannans bid for city comptroller  the labor groups first citywide endorsements in the 2025 cycle.

The unions, which between them represent roughly 125,000 workers in the city, hold significant sway in local elections and are known to mount extensive get-out-the-vote campaigns for their preferred candidates. Together with DC 37, the citys largest municipal union, their endorsements of Mayor Adams in the 2021 election were instrumental in carrying him to victory that year.

I am truly honored to have the support of 32BJ and HTC as we challenge the status quo, stand up to Trump, and ensure that every worker is treated with dignity and respect, Brannan, a Council member representing southern Brooklyn, said Thursday.

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Besides being the first citywide 2025 endorsement theyre offering, its significant that HTC and 32 BJ are in Brannan endorsing the more progressive candidate in the race. The unions often back more moderate candidates, but HTC and 32 BJ officials told the Daily News they opted against backing Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, Brannans main rival in the June 24 Democratic comptroller primary, for a handful of reasons.

For HTC, which represents hotel and gaming workers, the officials said the union grew skeptical of Levine after he used his Manhattan BP post in February to advise against awarding Wynn Resorts a license to build a casino in Hudson Yards, a project thatd likely bring thousands of jobs to add to the unions ranks.

Brannan has always supported policies that lift up working families, promoted responsible development that creates high-quality jobs, and stood firmly against the erosion of housing protections, HTC President Richard Maroko said.

For 32BJ, which represents building service workers, the officials said Brannan is a strong supporter of labor rights and credited him for helping advance a bill to launch the Office of Healthcare Accountability, which seeks to drive down medical costs for New Yorkers.

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Justin Brannan is a strong progressive leader who has consistently fought for working people, 32BJ SEIU President Manny Pastreich said.

Reacting to the new labor support for Brannan, Levine spokeswoman Annabel Lassally said the BP is building the coalition to win this race with some 100 endorsements from unions, political clubs and elected leaders.

Levine has so far outshined Brannan in fundraising for the comptrollers race and is lining up endorsements from various other power-players in city politics, including Manhattan Rep. Adriano Espaillat.

Brannan and Levine are battling for the comptroller nod because the incumbent, Brad Lander, isnt seeking reelection in favor of running to try and unseat Adams as mayor.
NEW YORK  The City Council empowered itself Thursday to sue Mayor Adams over his decision to let ICE agents operate on Rikers Island, arguing the move is the poisonous fruit of a deal the mayor has been accused of making with President Trumps administration to get his corruption case dropped.

In a nearly unanimous voice vote, the chamber passed a resolution giving Speaker Adrienne Adams the authority to sue the mayor on behalf of the entire Council over the executive order the city issued earlier this week to allow ICE agents to set up an office on Rikers.

The executive order says Adams administration will only permit ICE to pursue criminal enforcement investigations on Rikers targeting undocumented immigrants accused of serious offenses like murder and rape, leaving a prohibition on civil immigration enforcement on the island intact.

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But the Council resolution, penned by the speaker, alleges Trumps administration cannot be trusted to limit their actions to criminal enforcement, pointing to recent instances in which ICE has detained and deported innocent people, even U.S. citizens.

To that end, the resolution says the executive order could stand to violate a 2014 sanctuary city law that kicked ICE off Rikers by outlawing civil immigration enforcement on the island.

The resolution also says the mayor, with the executive order, is flouting conflict of interest laws prohibiting public servants from taking official action for personal gain, such as the dismissal of criminal charges, a reference to how the Trump Justice Department killed his corruption case last week after pressing him to assist Trumps mass deportation agenda.

The public record demonstrates that Mayor Adams only changed his mind on this issue and announced that he wanted to open an office for federal immigration authorities as part of a corrupt bargain to end the federal criminal prosecution against him, reads the resolution, which also describes the order as the poisonous fruit of Mayor Adams corrupt deal with Trumps team.

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In seeking dismissal, Trump DOJ officials made clear they expected quashing the case would enable the mayor to help the president target undocumented New Yorkers for mass deportations  an arrangement that has led many to believe the mayors beholden to the presidents agenda.

Before the indictment was formally dropped, Trump immigration czar Tom Homan even went on live television and told Adams  who has denied a quid pro quo  that hed be up his butt if he didnt follow through on letting ICE back on Rikers. While the government initially sought to dismiss the case without prejudice, meaning the charges could be reinstated, it was eventually completely dropped.

More than 7,000 people, including immigrants, are incarcerated on Rikers. Most of them are awaiting trial and havent been convicted of any crimes.

Speaker Adams, whos running for mayor this year, wouldnt say before Thursdays vote how soon the Council could file a lawsuit or whether any legal action would focus on alleged sanctuary law violations, conflict of interest issues, or some combination of both.

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Though the resolution doesnt mention it, the speaker said the Council is also looking at whether to sue the mayor for letting Randy Mastro, his new first deputy mayor, sign the executive order, telling reporters that may not be legal, either. Additionally, she confirmed the resolution empowers the Council to potentially sue Trump administration in addition to the mayor.

Were taking a look at all of this right now, the speaker said.

Civil rights groups, including the Legal Aid Society, have said theyre considering legal action against Adams administration over the executive order, too. The Council would be able to tag onto such a suit as the resolution empowers the Council to file amicus briefs on the Rikers issue.

Under the executive order, ICE must enter into legal agreements with Adams administration promising to not engage in civil immigration enforcement.

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Before the Council vote, Mastro declined repeatedly to say whether ICE will face consequences if they violate such an agreement, only saying that isnt going to happen.

It disrespects some pretty great public servants  to even ask the question when its not going to happen, Mastro told reporters at City Hall.

If the Council sues the administration, Mastro said hes confident that we will win and then described the order as an unassailably good thing similar to efforts by federal prosecutors to break up the mafia in New York.

This is very much akin to what we did in the 1980s to break the mafia stranglehold over parts of our city, said Mastro, a onetime top aide to ex-Mayor Rudy Giuliani appointed as Adams new first deputy last month.

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Mastro made the mafia reference after saying the order will help the feds go after members of terrorist organizations incarcerated on Rikers. He declined to say how many such individuals are on Rikers or what intelligence his statement is based on.

Mastro did say he has learned the island houses members of Tren De Aragua, a Venezuelan gang Trump recently designated as a terrorist organization. That designation has raised concern from immigration advocates who allege its being used to illegally target swaths of Venezuelans for immediate deportation without due process.

Adams first announced on Feb. 13  two days after Trumps Justice Department first moved to dismiss his corruption case  that he would issue an executive order to let ICE back on Rikers.

On Tuesday, Mastro formally signed the order. That came about a week after Trumps Justice Department secured the dismissal of Adams indictment.

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In a rally outside City Hall before Thursdays vote, Speaker Adams said she believes the mayor let Mastro sign the order in an effort to hide from the optics that hes doing Trumps bidding.

But [the mayor] told us the decision was made by him while he was cozying up to Tom Homan, she said. The mayor has compromised the citys serenity, and as a result, our families and communities are being put at risk.
NEW YORK (PIX11)  The mental health crisis in New York City is taking center stage in Albany as lawmakers work to hammer out a budget compromise amid the escalating emergency.

This week alone in Manhattan, three people were victimized in incidents believed to be tied to mental health issues.

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On Tuesday, a man experiencing despair and homelessness  by his own admission  allegedly stole a knife from a seafood store and attacked a shelter security guard nearby on Grand Street.

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Jonathan Menu, 19, allegedly sliced her in the neck and arm. Menu later told detectives he didnt know why he stabbed her but wanted revenge against the system, according to prosecutors.

Lawmakers in Albany say they are trying to prevent the next attack, referencing another violent incident earlier this week in SoHo.

Megan Mae Berg, a fashion designer for the off-Broadway community, was attacked with a broken bottle to the neck. Prosecutors say the attempted murder left the 25-year-old requiring up to 40 stitches and at one point needing a ventilator to breathe.

The suspect, Muslim Brunson, 46, allegedly shouted spontaneously that he was going to kill a [expletive] Monday afternoon.

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For people with 36 mental health hearings, slicing a person with a glass bottle is a failure of New Yorks mental health infrastructure and policy, said Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt.

On Wednesday, Bergs father told PIX11 News, We thank you for your well wishes and prayers. A family spokesperson said she is doing better and is now able to speak.

More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State

In Albany, Democrats and Republicans are urgently working on a compromise to Gov. Kathy Hochuls proposed involuntary commitment law tied to the state budget. The legislation aims to remove individuals from the streets who show a danger to themselves or others.

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Someone waving a meat cleaver or machete  theres not a lot of time to have a Dr. Phil conversation before someone gets hurt who shouldnt have, Ortt said.

Before it reaches that point, the plan would have mental health workers and police evaluate individuals and put them on a course of treatment.

Members want to make sure when people are being discharged, theyre not being discharged back into the circumstance that brought them there, said Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie.

A spokesperson for Hochul told PIX11 News that cases like the ones seen this week are part of the reason the governor is committed to seeing this law passed. Shes optimistic about a deal getting done soon.

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However, her own party warns this is not a silver bullet. Does anything we do ensure something like [Bergs attack] wont ever happen again? I doubt that, Heastie said. But you just try to make situations better.

The $252 billion state budget was due by April 1. Currently, there is still no timetable for a vote to get the governors agenda, which is tied to it, through.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
New York University administrators called off a Thursday event reportedly organized by a chapter of College Republicans at the eleventh hour after they said the featured speaker Elijah Schaffer made a public plea for armed security and shared violent promotional material.

The panel was scheduled to be held in a 128-seat campus space and feature Schaffer, a conservative internet personality, and two other presenters on immigration and crime, according to a flyer on social media. The poster included a caricature of two men of color holding a knife above three white people with angel wings and a halo with the words: Why do illegals keep graping and unaliving us? it read.

The University has notified the student organization that was planning an event on immigration for the evening of April 10 that it cannot proceed because one of its invited speakers used violent imagery and publicly called for armed individuals to be present at the event, NYU spokesman John Beckman said in a statement the day before the panel.

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NYU also notified the police, Beckman continued, and launched an investigation into complaints of discrimination and harassment. The statement made no mention of race.

The event and its cancellation were first reported by student newspaper the Washington Square News.

President Trump and his allies have targeted higher education over what they see as a left-wing bias, going after some federal funding and threatening to pull support from others. Some college administrations have tried to reverse course by hiring prominent conservative leaders or otherwise trying to diversify political ideology on campus.

But the planned event, NYU said, crossed a line.

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Our commitment to academic freedom does not include allowing our community members to be put in harms way, Beckman said.

Schaffer  the chief executive officer of a website called RiftTV, which describes itself as an alternative to mainstream conservative media that it claims has become too moderate  took to social media on Wednesday afternoon to ask his 815,000 followers for armed security.

I need armed security tomorrow in New York in the evening, he wrote on X, posting a screenshot of progressive student groups condemning the panel. If you have connections or are able to carry a firearm and can provide security, please DM me a lead / rates.

After the event was canceled, Schaffer in a separate post said he was hiring licensed security after receiving threats, and accused NYU of intentionally convoluting his initial post. He threatened legal action.

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We were never calling for violence, implied violence or called for people to be armed at the event, he added.

Washington Square News reported that NYU College Republicans deleted social media posts that promoted the event on Wednesday evening. The college chapter did not return a request for comment. The president of NYU College Democrats, Saha Guerrero, in a statement on social media accused their GOP counterparts of being an extremist group on campus.

An online petition demanding NYU cancel the event reached more than 4,500 signatures and 40 organization sign-ons before it was called off. College Democrats had planned to rally before the event with Keith Powers, a candidate for Manhattan borough president who is currently an East Side councilman.

In the Trump 2.0 era, bigotry and racism have reached new heights at the hands of those emboldened by his vile rhetoric, Powers said in a statement. Im proud to stand with the NYU Democrats in their fight against this hatred as they work to create a safe learning environment for all students on campus.
Photo taken on April 10, 2025 shows a coal mine collapsed in the Beypazari district of Ankara province, Turkiye. Fourteen workers were injured on Thursday due to the underground coal mine collapse in the Beypazari district, according to local authorities. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua)

ANKARA, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Fourteen workers were injured on Thursday due to an underground coal mine collapse in the Beypazari district of Turkiye's Ankara province, according to local authorities.

The incident occurred in the section housing production machinery, and 29 workers were present at the time of the collapse, Provincial Governor Vasip Sahin said.

The injured workers have been transported to the hospitals, and two of them were in serious condition, he added.

Fire brigades, health units, gendarmerie, and disaster and emergency management teams were immediately dispatched to the scene, local media reported.

Beypazari District Governor Vedat Yilmaz attributed the collapse to a gas explosion caused by an air pocket within the gallery, adding that necessary precautions have been implemented.

An investigation has been initiated into the incident, the Turkish Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources said. 

Photo taken on April 10, 2025 shows a coal mine collapsed in the Beypazari district of Ankara province, Turkiye. Fourteen workers were injured on Thursday due to the underground coal mine collapse in the Beypazari district, according to local authorities. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua)
TAUNTON, Mass. (WPRI)  Taunton City Councilor Estele Borges announced this week shes running for mayor again, setting up a rematch against incumbent Shaunna OConnell in Bristol Countys third-largest city this fall.

My parents instilled in me the values that hard work, education, playing by the rules, looking out for your neighbors, and always treating people with dignity and respect are the building blocks of a great life and limitless opportunity, Borges said in her announcement. These are the values that have guided me throughout my time living, working, and serving in Taunton.

From assisting aging neighbors as a health care worker, helping hundreds of people buy their first home, and standing up for residents as a city councilor, I am committed to a city that listens to and delivers for its people, Borges continued.

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Borges, then a city councilor, unsuccessfully ran in 2019 against OConnell, then a state representative, in the contest to replace outgoing mayor Thomas Hoye. OConnell defeated Borges 62% to 36%.

BACKGROUND: Shaunna OConnell makes history, wins Taunton mayoral race

After their 2019 matchup, Borges ran for City Council again in 2021 and was reelected in 2023. OConnell was unopposed in 2021, and was reelected in 2023 when she defeated Ed Correira, her former chief of staff.

Borges announcement didnt hold back on her criticisms of OConnell, alleging the mayor oversaw unprecedented increases in property taxes, and attempted to quietly  and without adequate citizen input  sell off valuable city-owned open space.

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A campaign spokesperson for OConnell responded to Borges announcement by telling 12 News that the mayor has the proven track record of fighting for the taxpayers.

The city of Tauntons property tax level are among the lowest in the region, among the lowest of gateway cities and $2700 below the statewide average, OConnells spokesperson added. Mayor OConnells record includes increasing grant money 800%, improving the bond rating to AA+ saving taxpayers millions of dollars.

ALSO READ: 2 candidates seek late Rep. Carol Dohertys Taunton seat in June 10 election

As for the other criticism, OConnells spokesperson said shes the only mayor to bring a public building project in $10 million under budget and has preserved 118 acres of open space.

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OConnell is expected to seek reelection despite negative headlines over the past year after her arrest for alleged domestic assault. OConnell reached a settlement that involved admitting the facts of the case without pleading guilty.

No other major candidates have declared for mayor so far.

Though the job is nonpartisan, OConnell is a registered Republican, making her the only GOP mayor in Bristol County, Massachusetts. Borges is a registered Democrat.

Candidates for this years elections in Taunton have until Aug. 5 to file their paperwork and submit the necessary number of signatures. A preliminary election will be held on Sept. 23 for races with three or more candidates. The general election is on Nov. 4.

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City voters will be going to the polls even sooner than that, however. A special election to fill the vacant seat of the late state Rep. Carol Doherty has been scheduled for June 10, with Democrat Lisa Field and Republican Larry Quintal set to face off in the contest.

Ted Nesi contributed to this report.

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OCEANSIDE (FOX 5/KUSI)  Oceanside city leaders are exploring the possibility of establishing new tenant protections for its residents.

This comes as other cities in San Diego County, including San Diego, Chula Vista and Imperial Beach, have taken similar steps to provide housing stability.

Concerns on both sides of the discussion were on full display at a packed city council meeting Wednesday night, as council members begin the process of potentially creating new legislation.

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Jimmy Figueroa, who represents District 3 on the city council, explained that 41% of Oceansides housing stock is rental housing, while 74% of lower income households are cost burdened by rent.

Man hit, killed by car while walking dog in Carmel Valley identified

Figueroa is spearheading a push to create new tenant protections, alongside Deputy Mayor Eric Joyce, who said the goal is to prevent displacement and homelessness  especially for vulnerable populations like seniors.

Under the current state laws, there are ways that renters can be moved out of their place and there are practical concerns about the way that some of the state laws are set up right now that leave too many gaps, said Joyce.

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Homelessness decreased by 11% in the last year, with the 2024 Point-In-Time Count reporting 522 unhoused individuals in Oceanside.

Under the proposed measures, protections would apply at the start of a lease and require renters to sign rights notifications before move-in.

Two-months rent would go to tenants for no-fault evictions or three-months rent for seniors or people with disabilities.

Landlords would have to file evictions with the city within five days notice.

The measures would also establish a 5% yearly maximum rent increase and create a plan for tenants to access legal services.

Supporters believe the changes are long overdue.

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Its impossible for the poor and the low income people to defend themselves against billionaires, stated Linda Walshaw, the CEO of Mobile Home Advisory Committee Inc. The people who are buying up the manufactured home communities now are equity investors, billionaires and foreign governments.

But others are urging the city council to consider any unintended consequences as they move forward,

Taylor Thompson of North San Diego County Realtors said, The majority of rental housing in the city isnt owned by big corporations; its owned by everyday people. We need a balanced approach, one that protects tenants and preserves small local rental housing.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  April is Work Zone Awareness Month. Its a time for drivers to recognize the role they play in work zones. Distracted driving in these areas can have impacts on construction delay or deadly consequences.

Avoid the avoidable, said Jeff Garder, the Director of Construction for the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority.

LOCAL NEWS: City of OKC hosts special collection April 12

In front of the State Department of Transportation, a memorial stands tall bearing the names of employees who lost their lives after being hit by cars while doing their job on Oklahoma roadways.

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You may remember recent names like Terry Clubb, Ira Henderson, Tim Vandiver, Gordan Pipkin, Jerrell Gray, and Rickie Nichols Jr.

The most recent name added to the memorial is from December, when ODOT employee Jaden Jackson was killed while on the job in LeFlore County.

Johnathan Brooks, an engineer with ODOT, said other road workers are alive but carry the scars.

Personally, I know contractors that have been hit and have been in the hospitals for months and months, said Brooks.

Its something that can be avoided, and thats the focus in April, Work Zone Awareness Month.

Garder said as temperatures rise, so does the number of active work zones.

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Its favorable conditions to get work done, said Garder.

Right now, there are more than 100 road projects across the state.

After a crash, tie-ups and cleanup can take hours.

LOCAL NEWS: New policy for animal intake at OKC Animal Welfare

Youre between barrier wall, and youre in a tighter configuration, where its harder for first responders to get to the scene, said Garder.

Secondary accidents are also a risk.

People have to slow down right? And brake their brakes really suddenly, said Brooks.

So remember, put away your distractions, drive the speed limit, and watch out for those making your commute better in the long run.

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Remember, buckling up may seem like a no-brainer, but ODOT said Oklahoma is among the ten states where drivers and passengers are least likely to use seat belts.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
CHICAGO  An off-duty Chicago police officer died inside the 18th District police station early Thursday morning of what a source with the Chicago Police Department tells WGN News was a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The source says the incident happened just after 2 a.m. and the officer was pronounced dead at the scene. The 18th District police station is located in the 1100 block of North Larrabee Street, in River North.

The Cook County Medical Examiners Office has since identified the officer as Malissa Torres, 34, of Chicago.

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CPD released an official statement earlier Thursday morning announcing the officers death, saying only that detectives are currently conducting a death investigation.

Our officers are human, and we cannot forget that they face the same challenges as everyone else while balancing the difficulties that come with being a police officer, CPD said in its statement. We ask the public to keep this officers family and her fellow officers in your prayers as we grieve this unimaginable loss.

Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines

Officers could be seen saluting the officer who died, later identified as Torres, as she was loaded into an ambulance and taken to Northwestern Hospital early Thursday morning, where police had been waiting for several hours. A procession of CPD officers then delivered her body to the Cook County Medical Examiners Office.

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CPD says the 18th District police station is closed for service as detectives continue their investigation. Service calls within the 18th District are being handled by nearby districts.

Mayor Brandon Johnson issued a statement Thursday morning, saying:

Our city mourns the tragic loss of an 18th District Chicago police officer. Our hearts are shattered and broken over this tragedy. My deepest condolences and ardent prayers are with the officers family, loved ones, and fellow officers as we grieve.

This tragedy is a reminder that we must carry each other. Every single day, our officers witness traumatic scenes, and it is our responsibility to provide them with the support they need to navigate that reality. I ask the city to keep the officers family and loved ones, 18th District officers and staff, and the entire Chicago Police Department in your prayers during this time of immense grief.

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LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland

Earlier this week, CPD Supt. Larry Snelling discussed the challenges his officers face on the job on a daily basis during a one-on-one interview with WGNs Patrick Elwood.

We have to make sure that we understand that these officers are putting their lives on the line, Snelling said. Theyre out there every single day working under some of the most difficult conditions that you can imagine, seeing people in some of the worst states that you could ever see a human being in.

And then we expect them to get up and go back out there and do it again.

WGN obtained an internal email from Snelling sent department-wide early Thursday morning, acknowledging what was undoubtedly a difficulty scene for the officers family and her fellow officers, while also reminding officers that support is available.

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Anyone who may be struggling with suicidal thoughts and needs assistance can dial 988 for the 24-hour Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

Visit The Well Resource Center website for more information on the organizations services.

Visit the Light the Line website for details on the organization.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Pranav Jani, president of the Ohio State chapter of AAUP, speaks out against Senate Bill 1 during a protest at Ohio State on March 4, 2025. (Photo by Megan Henry, Ohio Capital Journal).

A new Ohio higher education bill being signed into law has led one Cleveland State University student to decide to transfer to a New York university next semester. College students and professors alike say Ohio will lose talent because of the new law.

Dylan Repertorio, 19, started applying to universities outside of Ohio as Senate Bill 1 moved through the legislature. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed S.B. 1 into law on March 28.

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The new law will ban diversity efforts, regulate classroom discussion, prohibit faculty strikes, and regulate classroom discussion of controversial topics, among other things. The law is set to take effect in June and Ohio students, faculty, and staff are bracing for the impact.

Why should I contribute to a school in Ohio that isnt going to let me learn about the things I want to learn? Repertorio said.  I want the freedom to explore topics like foreign policy. I want to be able to talk about things that are political. This bill is an attack on everything that is within social sciences.

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Repertorio, a sophomore studying organizational leadership, is originally from New York so he will be returning to his home state to continue his higher education in Albany, New York.

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I cant rationalize spending all this money on education that is so limited, he said. Its a really sick and evil game of chess and higher education, and I dont want to play that game with mine.

Repertorio was originally drawn to Cleveland when it came time for him to pick a college back when he was in high school.

I love Cleveland, he said. I wanted to experience something different. I wanted new opportunities. I wanted some different people.

Dylan Repertorio, 19, is transferring from Cleveland State University to a New York university next semester after Ohio Senate Bill 1 was signed into law. (Provided photo).

He wishes he didnt have to leave Ohio, but is worried S.B. 1 is the first of more changes to come to Ohio higher education.

Its only going to get worse, Repertorio said. Theres going to be more limitations. Professors are going to leave.

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John OKeefe, president of Ohio Universitys American Association of University Professors chapter, said this new law will make it harder for professors to teach and for universities to recruit top faculty.

Its going to hurt Ohio down the road, he said.

Faculty, staff, and students at Ohios public universities are waiting to see how their university implements the new law.

Were waiting anxiously to see what steps the university leadership takes, OKeefe said. I think people are still very concerned and theyre not sure what the future holds.

Ohio University President Lori Gonzalez said she does not anticipate that the new law will impact course offerings.

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The Provost and I remain committed to academic freedom and will support your faculty as they provide instruction on a wide variety of topics, including topics that may be controversial in nature as defined by this law, she said in a letter this week to the university.

OKeefe said he has heard some faculty talking about starting to look for jobs outside of Ohio.

People here are so passionate about their mission, he said. Its not an easy decision to make to look for a job elsewhere, but  they have to think about ensuring that they know that they have the freedom to engage, the freedom to research.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed a bill into law banning diversity and inclusion at Texas public universities in 2023 and Texas Faculty Association President Pat Heintzelman said that has caused faculty to not want to work in Texas.

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Were losing so much talent, Heintzelman said.

She said the law has created a chilling effect for faculty.

Im scared to teach anything that might be offensive to somebody, Heintzelman said.

Audrey Ansel is preparing for Ohio Universitys Pride Center to likely close as a result of the law. Ohio University has not explicitly said the Pride Center will close.

Theres just been a lot of frustration and sadness, but also a very strong commitment to preserving the resources in the center and moving them out into the community so that were not starting from zero, she said.

For now, though, the Pride Center remains open.

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University leadership is working to fully understand both the letter and intent of the law as it relates to the section on diversity, equity and inclusion offices and staff, Gonzalez said in her letter. We are also communicating with other universities across the state to ensure our understanding aligns with that of other institutions. We know changes will likely need to be made, and we want to ensure those changes reflect an accurate interpretation of the law.

The Pride Center was a big reason Ansel came to OU. She works at the Pride Center and is worried about finding a new job for her senior year.

I just loved working at the Pride Center and getting to just be in that space with other people, she said. I think Im going to feel a little bit lost without that structure and without that community that Im so used to having.

On top of that, she is also nervous about what else will be different come fall semester.

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I wonder what conversation is going to look like in the classroom, she said. I am worried its going to be very different from the last three years.

Follow Capital Journal Reporter Megan Henry on Bluesky.

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DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  The Ohio House Democrats People First Town Hall Tour, will stop in Dayton on Thursday.

Rep. Desiree Tims (D-Dayton) will host the stop at Central State University, inside of the Dayton James A. Elam Hall, at 4 p.m.

Minority Leader C. Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) will be a special guest at the event.

Save a life: Donate blood at local drives this April

Rep. Tims will speak on her priorities at the Statehouse and share her breakdown of the new state operating budget. The budget is expected to be voted on this week. The event will offer community resources for attendees.

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House Democrats said they have centered themselves around their People First agenda. They said this agenda aims to put people over politics. According to House Democrats, the agenda argues for better pay, better healthcare, fairer taxes, safer communities and opportunities.

What made the cut, what didnt in House version of Ohio budget

The event is free and open to the public.

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CLEVELAND (WJW)  Public libraries and their supporters are concerned about the proposed budget that came out of the Ohio House of Representatives on Wednesday.

The original budget proposed by Gov. Mike DeWine called for a small increase to the percentage of the states general revenue fund that goes to the states public library fund.

All about 6 new laws in Ohio now in effect

The budget the House approved changes the public library fund to a set amount as a line item, rather than a percentage.

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Michelle Francis, the executive director of the Ohio Library Council, told FOX 8 News those changes would result in an about $90 million decrease to the public library fund over the two years the biennium budget covers.

Theyre pushing for the Senate to restore the governors original proposal, Francis said.

As we go into the Senate, we will be, again, sharing that information, and then also encouraging our senators to restore the governors proposal, the as-introduced version of the budget bill, she explained.

Francis said libraries have become much more than just books on shelves and theyre more popular than ever.

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Data shows an increase for library visits across Ohio from 44.6 million in 2023 to 48 million in 2024. She said Ohio only trails California nationwide for library visits.

Our libraries are extremely busy, and their patrons love them and use them. And thats the most important thing, at the end of the day, about what were talking about. Its about services to Ohioans, Francis said.

What is Issue 2 on Ohios May 6 ballot?

Services provided at libraries include early childhood education, programs for seniors and tax preparations.

Those services are provided at the Cleveland Public Library where the Chief of External Relations and Development, Dr. Shenise Johnson-Thomas, said theyd be losing money if the budget was fully passed the way it came out of the house.

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She said 40% of the Cleveland Public Library budget comes from the Public Library Fund.

It would be very concerning. Cleveland Public Library  we would have to make some difficult decisions about the programs, resources and services that we provide to our community each and every day, Johnson-Thomas said. We want to continue to be able to provide those services to our community because sometimes the library is the only place that those services are provided at no cost.

The library and the Ohio Library Council thanked all of their supporters for backing them thus far, and asked for proponents to continue to call their lawmakers and voice their love for public libraries.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
(WKBN)  Senator Jon Husted (R-Ohio) is backing legislation that would limit SNAP purchases.

Husted announced Thursday that he is joining Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) in support of Lees Healthy SNAP Act. The bill would exclude soft drinks, candy, ice cream and prepared desserts from being purchased with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Husted said the SNAP system is broken and unhealthy.

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American taxpayers are footing the bill on both ends of a broken system: first, by subsidizing the consumption of unhealthy, ultra-processed foods, and then again by covering the skyrocketing health care costs caused by the chronic diseases those foods contribute to. In effect, were paying to make ourselves sickand then paying again to treat the sickness, said Husted.

The bill would also require the Agriculture Department to review which foods qualify under SNAP every five years so that SNAP food guidelines reflect current nutrition data.

According to WKBN 27 First News media partner News Nation, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has called for the government to stop allowing the nearly $113 billion program that serves about 42 million Americans to use benefits to pay for soda or processed foods, which has been echoed by his Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) political action committee.

Those against the measure say that economically disadvantaged consumers face financial barriers, saying that healthier foods are more costly and many SNAP recipients live in food deserts where fresh, healthy foods are not available.

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In Ohio, over 1.4 million people receive SNAP benefits:

Trumbull County  33,061  16.56% of the population

Mahoning County  42,485  18.82% of the population

Columbiana County  14,319  14.27% of the population

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A propane-fueled torch sits amid oil and burnt marsh vegetation April 1, 2025, on Weeks Island in coastal Iberia Parish. Evidence of an oil leak  and unsuccessful efforts to clean it  remained visible a month after the incident. (Delaney Nolan for Louisiana Illuminator)

WEEKS ISLAND  A month after an oil spill in coastal Iberia Parish, the little island at the edge of Vermilion Bay looks bleak. Footsteps churn up oil mixed with mud and ash. A rainbow sheen spreads across puddles beneath empty duck blinds and stains the dozen white, donut-shaped absorbent pads left behind to soak up the mess.

Wild swamp rabbits hop through the scrub, past branches turned Halloween orange by oxidized oil. A light rain washes the contamination toward a channel that drains into the bay, where snaking oil booms aim to hold it back.

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The leak  significant, yet small by Louisiana standards  has highlighted concerns about the states response to such leaks under the Trump administration and Gov. Jeff Landry.

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Landry has overseen the reorganization of various state agencies, including last years transfer of the Louisiana Oil Spill Coordinators Office (LOSCO), previously under the Department of Environmental Quality, to the state Department of Energy and Natural Resources. The governors choice to lead LDENR, Tyler Gray, was previously director of the Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association, a 102-year-old industry group.

While the Trump administration seeks to roll back regulations around oil and gas infrastructure, some are worried it will reduce Louisianas already insufficient spill response.

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Ive been flying there for years, and Ive never seen that much oil spilled at that site, said David Levy, an Iberia Parish resident who first noticed the Weeks Island spill from his personal aircraft. From 2021-23, he was a member of the Oilfield Site Restoration Commission, a 10-member panel of governors appointees that oversees and prioritizes the states work to clean and clear old drilling locations.

The spill occurred on in an area of the island ringed with oil wells and boreholes that surround the Morton Salt mine. The Texas Petroleum Investment Co. first reported the spill to the U.S. Coast Guard on March 2, saying it was the result of a leak in a saltwater injection liner used to keep corrosive fluids away from one of its boreholes. Three barrels of crude oil had been spilled, according to the Coast Guard report, though Levy estimates it was four or five.

Even five barrels, or 200 gallons of oil, is not a hugely notable spill in Louisiana, which sees large leaks regularly. But it is still significant. Anything over 5 gallons must be reported to the federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.

Oil containment rings float atop burnt marshland on Weeks Island, where a March 2, 2025, spill continues to taint the area near Vermilion Bay. (Delaney Nolan for Louisiana Illuminator)

On April 1, a month after the spill occurred, oil was still visible at the site. It shimmered atop the water in the tidal marsh alongside the Intracoastal Waterway. The oil was mixed with charred material from a controlled burn apparently conducted as part of the cleanup. Among blooming purple thistle, contractors left behind two propane-fueled devices for incinerating the oil. Past the shoreline, crabbers headed for Vermilion Bay.

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The Weeks Island site is among nine areas in coastal Iberia and Vermilion parishes the LDEQ has deemed sensitive sites.

This is not the first time Texas Petroleum Investment Co. polluted the area through improper operations. The EPA fined the company $599,700 last year for unauthorized emissions and Clean Air Act violations at Weeks Island.

The problem this time, Levy said, is that spill response workers went out there, threw some absorbent pads around and did nothing.

The insufficient cleanup is reflective of a decline in enforcement around spills and leaks, according to Levy.

Christ, they shouldve gotten vacuum boats or something to go pick the oil up, he said. Theyre waiting for the rainwater to wash it into Vermilion Bay, a popular spot for fishing and crabbing.

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Several crabbers working at the marina closest to the spill said they sometimes see oil in the water. They worry about it affecting their catch but said they dont know who to call about a spill if they wanted to report it.

Even if the fishers did report leaks, it wouldnt make a difference, Levy said.

I dont report anymore, he said. Theres no point.

How spills are reported

Typically, when an oil spill occurs in Louisiana, the entity that caused or noticed the spill must notify the Coast Guard and Louisiana State Police. The troopers Hazardous Materials Unit then relays the information to LOSCO, which coordinates local response efforts with other state and federal agencies.

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The party found responsible for a spill has to pay for its cleanup and any mitigation to contain damages. They can theoretically face fines from the EPA or the state. In Louisiana, however, those fines are rarely enforced.

The LDEQ, which works with State Police and the Coast Guard on frontline response, has seen major upheaval since Landry took office. The governor appointed former Trump administration official Aurelia Giacometto as LDEQ secretary. Multiple senior staffers have left amid a wave of resignations, while employees in a recent survey reported poor morale and a toxic work environment. The complaints included being forced to disregard regulations.

Scott Eustis, a policy director with nonprofit Healthy Gulf, also worries about LDEQs history of lax enforcement. He pointed to the agencys opposition to a 2023 air monitoring bill in the state legislature and its failure to address a noxious-smelling orphan well in Plaquemines Parish. Emissions from the well set off Healthy Gulfs meter that measures explosive gases in the air, he said

Meanwhile, the state Oil Spill Coordinators Office has its own staffing issues. According to an LDENR budget request document, eight of the offices 21 permanent positions were vacant as of October. LDENR spokesman Patrick Courreges confirmed those positions were open before the request was made  and remain unfilled.

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More reorganization at LDENR will likely occur later this year, Courreges said. The changes are intended to make it easier for workers to collaborate, and the agency will use more technology to address spills. For example, the department has a Strategic Online Natural Resources Information System (SONRIS) that shows well locations but was never really leveraged as a tool to improve enforcement, according to Courreges.

President Trump, meanwhile, has aimed to roll back regulations and permitting rules in order to hasten pipeline construction. On his first day in office, he issued an executive order that called for unleashing energy dominance. It asked directors of his National Economic Council and the White House Office of Legislative Affairs to prepare recommendations to Congress that would facilitate the construction of energy infrastructure like pipelines.

Oil from a March 2, 2025, spill on Weeks Island covers a reporters hand during an April 1 visit to the site. (Delaney Nolan for Louisiana Illuminator)

Underreported and understaffed

There are about 1,000 oil spills in Louisiana each year, more than any other state, according to a 2019 analysis from ProPublica, The Advocate and The Times-Picayune. Theres also a backlog of at least 18 significant spills from before Katrina that still have outstanding natural resource damage assessments.

LOSCOs online spill database shows only five incidents this year, including two attributed to the Texas Petroleum Investment Co (TPIC). The online database is not comprehensive, however. Public records Healthy Gulf obtained and shared with the Illuminator show 48 spills through March 1. The most recent spill, also by TPIC, occurred Feb. 21 in Plaquemines Parish.

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According to Healthy Gulfs review of those records, less than 4% of spills reported to LOSCO receive natural resource damage assessments. Of the 3,600 spills reported since 1992, TPIC and another company, HillCorp, are responsible for the largest number of the significant spills, per Healthy Gulf.

TPIC did not respond to a request for comment on this report.

Courreges said LOSCO did respond to the Weeks Island spill, but we just dont have the kind of staff needed to update the website.

Eustis said LOSCO is already bare bones, and Louisiana officials havent taken steps to bolster its efforts. For example, the state has not followed a recommendation regulatory consultant Dwight Dunk made after the 2010 Deepwater Horizon spill regarding consistent fines for smaller spills. The legislature would have to put such fines in place.

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Eustis also worries Landry will follow in the footsteps of former Gov. Bobby Jindal, who laid off thousands of state employees during his tenure. Those could potentially include personnel who monitor and respond to oil spills.

My fear about the reorganization is thats going to happen again, even though we have such a backlog of damage assessment and a steady occurrence of new oil spills, Eustis said.

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OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. (WKRG)  Okaloosa County Sheriffs Office deputies are searching for a man they say eluded arrest twice and is wanted on multiple felonies.

Brawl erupts between Spring Hill and University of Mobile baseball teams

According to an OCSO Facebook post, deputies are searching for 32-year-old Richard Zach Wagner, who has multiple warrants that range from felony failure to appear to possession of firearms and ammo by a convicted felon.

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Officials said Wagner was seen on Tuesday, April 8, near Highway 90 and Hibiscus Road on a utility task vehicle but was able to flee into the woods before the deputy could make contact.

Courtesy: Okaloosa County Sheriffs Office

A perimeter was set up and multiple task forces, including the K-9 unit, were brought out to search for Wagner, but he was able to get into a vehicle in the Northwoods Road area and get away, according to the post.

Officials said later Tuesday night they found out that Wagner had battered the woman who picked him up in the Northwoods Road area and then took her vehicle.

Deputies spotted Wagner in the vehicle Wednesday morning on Highway 85 in Laurel Hill but were unable to stop him.

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Wagner allegedly sped off from the deputies before hitting an embankment and bailing out of the car in Alabama. He then ran in the woods, according to OCSO.

Gulf Shores man arrested on drug charges now faces child porn charges: GSPD

Anyone with information on Wagners whereabouts can contact OCSO at 850-651-7400.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.
Crin Antonescu, the ruling coalition's candidate for Romania's presidency, addresses the audience during the presentation of his presidential program in Bucharest, Romania, April 9, 2025. Romania's presidential election campaign officially began on April 4, with 11 candidates competing for the country's top office. The campaign will run through May 3, ahead of the first round of voting scheduled for May 4. (Photo by Cristian Cristel/Xinhua)

Crin Antonescu, the ruling coalition's candidate for Romania's presidency, addresses the audience during the presentation of his presidential program in Bucharest, Romania, April 9, 2025. Romania's presidential election campaign officially began on April 4, with 11 candidates competing for the country's top office. The campaign will run through May 3, ahead of the first round of voting scheduled for May 4. (Photo by Cristian Cristel/Xinhua)

Crin Antonescu, the ruling coalition's candidate for Romania's presidency, addresses the audience during the presentation of his presidential program in Bucharest, Romania, April 9, 2025. Romania's presidential election campaign officially began on April 4, with 11 candidates competing for the country's top office. The campaign will run through May 3, ahead of the first round of voting scheduled for May 4. (Photo by Cristian Cristel/Xinhua)
Psychological trauma can unfortunately linger for years. However, according to recent research, it may even remain in the bodies of medically healthy people. The study, believed to be the first of its kind, was published in Prehospital and Disaster Medicine by a team at Oklahoma State University (OSU).

Previous examinations of terrorism survivors have focused on stress and psychological effects, but a team at OSU recently set out to analyze a set of different biological factors. Whats more, they did so by enlisting 60 medically healthy survivors from the same eventin this case, the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing.

Even after 30 years, the Oklahoma City bombing remains the deadliest domestic terror attack in US history. Largely planned and carried out by antigovernment conspiracy theorist and white supremacist Timothy McVeigh, the bombing involved detonating over 4,440 pounds of homemade explosives inside a Ryder truck parked near the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. The resultant blast leveled over one-third of the building, killing 167 people and wounding another 684 victims. Although many others survived were physically unscathed, they still possibly face long-term tolls from the experience.

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The study focused on three bodily systems. The first is cortisol, a hormone which helps control stress. They also looked at blood pressure and heart rate, and inflammatory substances known as interleukins that function a persons immune system.

The team soon saw striking differences between the survivors results with those of a control group of local residents unaffected by the bombing. Contrary to expectations, many survivors cortisol levels were lower. They also exhibited higher blood pressure, but lower heart rates in response to trauma cues. This suggests that their physiological responses to trauma dulled over time. Meanwhile, their interleukin 1B levelsthose linked to inflammationwere higher. Interleukin 2R levelsresponsible for immuno-protectionwere lower.

The main takeaway from the study is that the mind may be resilient and be able to put things behind it, but the body doesnt forget. It may remain on alert, waiting for the next thing to happen, Phebe Tucker, study lead author and OSU professor emeritus of psychiatry, said in a statement.

Tucker added that although they thought their analysis would show a correlation between the biomarkers and their psychological symptoms, the survivors PTSD and depression scores werent elevated and didnt align with their hypothesis.

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That tells us there is a stress response in the body that is not present in the emotions they express, Tucker explained. In addition, the elevated interleukin 1B is typically seen in people with illnesses and inflammation, but this group was pretty healthy. However, it raises concerns about potential long-term health problems.

Based on the studys results, Tuckers team believes that survivors of severe trauma may see noticeable changes in their biological systems baseline levels. Rachel Zettl, a study co-author and assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, argued that these intense tragedies dont only affect the brain, but the body itself.

Its not just our minds that remember trauma; our biological processes do, too, she said. It changes your actual physical being.
OTTAWA COUNTY, Okla.  A Miami man with a decade-long criminal history of assault and battery and kidnapping arrests is being held in the Cherokee County, Kansas, jail.

Rusty Dale Reece, 32, is charged in Quapaw Nation Criminal Court with kidnapping, robbery, and aggravated battery. His bail is set at $55,000, online records show.

Quapaw Nation Chief Marshal Charlie Addington said law enforcement received a report of a man who was assaulted near the Indigo Sky Casino.

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A preliminary investigation shows the alleged victim was taken to a rural Ottawa County road where he was assaulted and his wallet stolen, he said.

Reece was taken into custody in connection with the assault, Addington said.

Addington said law enforcement is looking for a second man associated with the alleged assault.

The incident is under investigation, so we are not publicly releasing the second suspects name, Addington said.

The alleged victim was taken by ambulance to a Joplin hospital and is expected to be released on Thursday.

Online records show Reece has been arrested eight times since 2019 on weapons, assault, kidnapping, and causing a riot in the Ottawa County jail violations.

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In 2022, Reece was charged with three charges of intentional discharge of a firearm from a vehicle for allegedly shooting at someone in a car.

Charges were dismissed in 2023 due to jurisdictional issues. The U.S. Supreme Court decision, known as the McGirt decision, allowed tribes to reassert jurisdiction and operate their own judicial and law enforcement agencies. The Lawhorn ruling stems in part from that decision, allowing the existence of the Quapaw Reservation.

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FORT SMITH, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA)  Fort Smith police are searching for an Oklahoma man wanted in connection with a double homicide at a bar on Wednesday night.

FSPD responded to the Foxfire Club on N. 10th Street around 7:41 p.m. to a shooting.

Once on the scene, authorities found two gunshot victims. Both were taken to a nearby hospital, where they later died from their injuries.

The victims were identified by FSPD on Apr. 10 as Brian Jones, 42, and Todd Jewell, 51.

Brian Jones, 42 (COURTESY: FSPD)

Todd Jewell, 51 (COURTESY: FSPD)

Nephesh Ruach, 45, of Spiro, Okla., was considered to be a suspect in the shooting after detectives conducted an investigation.

Nephesh Ruach, 45 (Courtesy: Fort Smith Police Department

Two warrants for first-degree murder have been obtained from the Sebastian County Prosecutors Office.

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FSPD said Ruach should be considered armed and extremely dangerous and should not be approached if seen.

Anyone with information is asked to contact FSPD at 479-709-500 or 911.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24.
Senate President Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, said he has no objections so far to proposed academic standards for social studies education in Oklahoma public schools. (Photo by Emma Murphy/Oklahoma Voice)

OKLAHOMA CITY  Academic standards that have been proposed for Oklahoma social studies education, which would include biblical content and suggestions of discrepancies in the 2020 presidential election, have a clearer path toward passage with one Republican leader saying his chamber isnt preparing to reject them.

The standards, if passed, would mandate the topics public schools must teach to students in social studies classes.

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Senate President Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, said Thursday he wouldnt vote against the proposal. Among the Republican supermajority in the state Senate, there isnt a whole lot of movement to reject those standards, Paxton said during a weekly briefing with news reporters.

I have not read all 400 pages (of the standards), Paxton said. What I have read through I do not have objections to. We can always go through there and find little things here and there. But what Ive read through so far, I have not had enough objections that I would try to undo what the (state) school board approved.

The Oklahoma State Board of Education, including three recently appointed members, approved the proposed standards on Feb. 27, sending them to the state Legislature for review. Only one state board member voted against the standards, saying he didnt have enough time since his recent appointment to properly review them all.

It came to light after the board vote that the Oklahoma State Department of Education quietly made changes to the original draft of the proposal without acknowledging it.

State Superintendent Ryan Walters proposed new academic standards for social studies that would require education on the Bible and alleged discrepancies in 2020 election results. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice)

Among the changes was the addition of language suggesting there were discrepancies in 2020 election results, including sudden halting of ballot-counting in select cities in key battleground states, sudden batch dumps, an unforeseen record number of voters and the unprecedented contradiction of bellwether county trends.

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State Superintendent Ryan Walters later said the standards werent written to support or deny the 2020 presidential election outcome but to challenge students to make their own conclusions.



Both the House and Senate would have to agree on a resolution to revise or reject the standards. Lawmakers have until May 1 to pass a joint resolution or the standards will take effect as written, the House Speakers Office has said.

House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, said the Republicans in his chamber havent decided yet whether to take any action.

House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, said his Republican caucus hasnt decided whether it will take action on proposed social studies standards. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice)

If we were to do something, it would need to be collaboratively with the Senate, and Im not sure where the Senate is on that issue, Hilbert said while speaking with reporters on Wednesday. But I do know we have some members digging into it to potentially come up with some proposals of if we would accept, reject or revise.

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House and Senate Democrats filed resolutions on March 31 to reject the standards and send them back to the state Board of Education for revisions. A majority of lawmakers in both Republican-dominated chambers would have to agree to rejection.

House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City, said shes heard nothing from the majority caucus about her resolution.

Senate Minority Leader Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City, said the pro tem has been open to the conversation but Republican senators are split on the issue.

Senate Minority Leader Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City, filed a resolution March 31 to reject proposed social studies standards in full. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice)

I dont think they have full caucus support to move (a resolution to reject) forward, Kirt said of the GOP majority. I think its a very divisive issue, which is I think what Superintendent Walters chooses to do, which is bring up things that divide us instead of things we can work on together.

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Both Democratic leaders said Oklahomans have contacted them with concerns about Walters social studies standards taking effect. They said they encouraged residents to share their objections with their state lawmakers.

Although House Republicans havent made a decision on the standards, Hilbert said Walters did a good job pitching his proposal to their caucus during a private meeting last week.

The House speaker said Walters experience as a former high school history teacher shone through during the presentation.

You saw the AP history (teacher) in Ryan Walters come out when he was going through the social studies standards, and he did a really good job of explaining them, Hilbert said. I think that that had a good impression on folks. And its always good, again, to hear from his side of the explanation and those potential standards put into context.

Reporter Emma Murphy contributed to this report.

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KEITHVILLE, La. (KTAL/KMSS)Chimp Haven recently welcomed retired New Mexico Alamogordo Primate Facility (APF) chimps. The final troop is among the oldest and most fragile to ever enter the sanctuary, with many in their 50s and 60s.

These chimpanzees from APF are protected after a federal judge ruled against the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in 2022 for violating the Chimpanzee Health, Improvement, Maintenance, and Protection (CHIMP) Act.

Twenty-one chimpanzees, including the most recent group of six, were moved to the sanctuary over eleven weeks. They say it is a milestone in a decade-long journey to retire the chimps. It follows a focused effort by animal welfare groups, lawmakers, and supporters who tirelessly advocated for their retirement from the research facility to the sanctuary.

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Federal ruling finds NIH violated CHIMP Act; chimps must be moved to Chimp Haven

They said transferring them to the sanctuary was risky due to their age and health conditions. However, extra care and collaboration have made this transition seamless to sanctuary life.

They say the chimpanzees are in the process of integrating.

For example, Al and Kamaka, two wild-born males, have joined a social group led by Tabu, a confident male, and four strong females, says Chimp Haven.

Chimp Havens hidden gem is a Remarkable Woman with a loving heart  meet Lindsey Peters

Chimp Haven is located on 200 acres in Keithville, just 39 minutes south of Shreveport, Louisiana. It provides an environment that closely mirrors the wild, offering these chimps a space to climb, forage, rest, and form deep social connections with others. This sanctuary is built for their physical, social, and emotional needs, giving them the best chance to thrive.

Al, known for his tall, gentle presence, quickly captured the attention of caregivers and chimps. Kamaka, once fiery and energetic, has revealed a playful, more relaxed side since his arrival. The two have been observed grooming, playing, and resting with their new companions, signaling that their transition is off to a strong start. Chimp Haven says.

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Seventh Tap Brewing and Chimp Haven team up to launch special beer

These chimps, who have spent so many years waiting, are finally home, said Rana Smith, Chimp Haven President and CEO. This is not just a momentous occasion for Chimp Haven, but for every person who worked tirelessly to make this possible. These chimps now have the space to roam, the care they need, and the chance to form deep, lasting relationships with their new companions.

As Chimp Haven approaches its 30th anniversary in 2025, the arrival of the final group of chimps from APF represents a milestone achievement in chimp welfare, ten years after NIH decided to end research on chimpanzees.

They say this milestone is a full-circle milestone for the sanctuary, its supporters, and the chimpanzees whose lives will forever be changed.

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SOFIA, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Cybercriminals tricked around 120 Bulgarian companies into transferring some 16 million euros (17.8 million U.S. dollars) into the wrong bank accounts in 2024, an official said here on Thursday.

Vladimir Dimitrov, head of the Cybercrime Directorate at Bulgaria's General Directorate for Combating Organized Crime, said 10 million dollars was the largest loss incurred from this type of fraud, reported by a Bulgarian company last year. The lowest amount was 1,500 euros, Dimitrov said at the Business Forum Electroindustry 2025.

This type of crime is called "Changed IBAN" in Bulgaria, or "Business Email Compromise" (BEC) in other countries.

Dimitrov said that although his directorate dealt with 15 different cybercrimes, BEC was the biggest problem for businesses. "Almost every month we have companies that have been affected," Dimitrov said. (1 euro = 1.11 U.S. dollar) 
Four Los Angeles County men were arrested Wednesday on suspicion of operating one of the dark web's biggest drug distribution networks, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Federal prosecutors have accused the men of operating 10 virtual storefronts on 17 different dark web marketplaces from September 2018 through February, the department said in a statement. The vendors had names like JoyInc, LaFarmacia and WhiteDoc.

Three 35-year-old men from Glendale and a 43-year-old man from Sherman Oaks were indicted April 1 and also accused of 116 overt acts to further the alleged conspiracy, authorities said.

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Read more: The ketamine boom: How the wealthy are getting their hands on the in-demand drug

Agents also allegedly found large quantities of cash and suspected drugs while serving several search warrants, but the Justice Department declined to provide further details about those activities and seizures, saying the information was under seal.

The men  Davit Avalyan, Hrant Gevorgyan, Hayk Grigoryan and Gurgen Nersesyan  pleaded not guilty on Wednesday. If convicted, each could face life in prison.

The indictment alleges that the men sold cocaine, methamphetamine, MDMA  also known as ecstasy  and ketamine in exchange for cryptocurrency, then used the U.S. Postal Service to deliver the drugs.

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The JoyInc marketplace was "one of the most prolific methamphetamine and cocaine distributors to ever operate on the darknet," the Justice Department said in its statement.

A screenshot of the marketplace shared by the DOJ in the statement showed cocaine available for bulk purchase from JoyInc on Drughub, a dark web site. It also advertised MDMA "straight from EUROPE" and ketamine for $435.

Read more: A dark-web drug dealer at 20, he bought luxury cars and gold-plated guns. Then he got caught

The arrests were part of an effort by federal authorities to address "the growing number of illicit vendors operating on the darknet providing large quantities of harmful substances to thousands of people across the United States," according to the Justice Department.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Thursday will be the fourth-consecutive day with below average temperatures across central Indiana. High temperatures struggled to hit 50 in many hometowns as it felt more like early February or early March out there. It came with more afternoon rain, something we do not need, but luckily, the totals didnt amount to much. After one more rain chance Thursday, central Indiana will get a nice break with improvements all across the board, weather-wise.

With only a few hundredths of an inch of rain occurring today, that now puts Indianapolis at 6.0 since April 1. No other April has started this wet on record. Its nearly 5.0 above normal, with every hometown reporting rainfall surpluses. April is our 4th-wettest month on average each year.

More showers move in overnight, reaching peak coverage before 2 a.m. Amounts will be mainly light, with locally as much as a third of an inch of rain before scattering and easing before sunrise.

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Expect highs on Thursday around 60 with more sunshine in spots. A few rain chances are around Thursday afternoon, especially south of Indianapolis. Its spots south of I-70 where a few embedded thunderstorms could occur. The timing of these small chances looks to be in the afternoon and evening. This is the last rain chance for the next several days, when things finally dry out for the weekend.

Improvements arrive this weekend, with highs approaching normal near 60 Saturday and lower 60s on Sunday. The next rain chance arrives Monday into Tuesday with scattered showers. But overall, our pattern, at least for now, looks to be seasonable to just a smidge below normal at times. We could see another freeze Friday night into Saturday.

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Federal authorities have uncovered a major drug-selling operation that worked through darknet webpages and arrested four Los Angeles County men connected to the sales of the illegal drugs.

According to the office of U.S. Attorney Bilal A. Essayli, a federal jury indicted the four men on April 1. They were identified as:

Davit Avalyan, 35, of Glendale

Hrant Gevorgyan, 35, of Glendale

Hayk Grigoryan, 35, aka Hayk Greg, of Glendale

Gurgen Nersesyan, 43, aka Guro Tiko, of Sherman Oaks

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According to prosecutors, all four men are facing one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine, methamphetamine, ketamine and MDMA. There are 11 additional charges leveed against the group in total for distribution or possession with intent to distribute the various illegal drugs.

All four men pleaded not guilty to all charges in a hearing in downtown Los Angeles on Wednesday.

The indictment alleges that the men participated in an operation to sell the illegal drugs online in exchange for cryptocurrency between September 2018 and February 2025. They operated under the following vendor names: JoyInc, LaFarmacia, WhiteDoc, JanesAddiction, DaShop, WhiteRepublic, Tomorowland, PlanetHollywood, DopeValley and Major2Minor.

An example of vendor JoyInc on the Drughub marketplace selling ketamine, MDMA and bulk options of cocaine on Sept.. 4, 2024. (DOJ)

The group allegedly shipped sold drugs to customers through the United States Postal Service after taking them to post offices throughout L.A. County, according to prosecutors.

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Authorities found cash and large amounts of illegal drugs while executing search warrants in connection with the investigation.

All four men could face a statutory maximum sentence of life in federal prison if convicted.

The case was jointly investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Hawthorne Police Department, the Costa Mesa Police Department and IRS Criminal Investigation. The Los Angeles Police Department assisted with search warrant execution.

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A man has been charged in the 2009 death of Charline Rosemond, almost 16 years to the day she was last seen alive.

Heinsky Anacreon, 38, is indicted for the deadly shooting of Charline Rosemond in her fathers car in April 2009, Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan announced in a press conference Thursday. Anacreon, of Malden, allegedly led Charline to believe she was purchasing a car before she was murdered.

On April 13, 2009, Charline was found shot to death inside her fathers Honda car, parked behind a Somerville apartment building after she had been missing for six days.

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On the day she was last seen alive, Charline planned to buy a car with just over $4,000 in cash that has never been found. Her family filed a missing persons report with Everett Police on April 8, after she didnt come home the night before.

Ryan said that on the night Charline disappeared, she had been exchanging texts with friends up until 9:15 p.m., when she suddenly stopped responding.

New England's Unsolved: The murder of Charline Rosemond

Days later, police told the family that Charline was found, murdered, behind the wheel of her fathers car, parked in an apartment building parking lot in Somerville.

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Marian Ryan detailed Thursday that the shot that killed Charline came from the backseat of the car, going right through the drivers seat headrest.

Investigators learned that Charline had been in negotiation with someone whom she considered one of her closest friends, Roberto Jeune, and Anacreon to purchase a car.

Anacreon allegedly worked off the books for a Somerville-based used car dealership and had access to a 2001 Lexus GS 300, the exact type of car Charline had been telling her friends she was interested in buying, according to Ryan. Anacreon allegedly told the dealership owner that he would be showing the car to someone who was interested in buying it.

However, the dealership routinely accepted big checks and other forms of payment and did not require large amounts of upfront cash such as the one Charline had gathered, according to Ryan.

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Both Jeune, who had died since Charlines murder, and Anacreon denied any involvement in her death to investigators at the time, Ryan detailed.

A search warrant was executed at Jeunes residence and while investigators did not recover a firearm, they recovered two hard cases used to store firearms and a pair of latex gloves.

New Englands Unsolved: Somerville seeks answers in deaths of Deanna Cremin, Charline Rosemond

Jeune did not have a license to possess firearms. It did not work in the medical field, so there was no ready explanation for possession of either of those, Ryan said.

Anacreon also allegedly told others that he had disposed of the gun he used to kill Charline by throwing it in a river.

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Jeunes DNA was found inside the Rosemond familys Honda, where Charlines body was found but because he was a friend of Charline, it was not considered suspicious at the time, according to Ryan.

Jeune and Anacreon also allegedly had a celebratory bottle of champagne the night that Charline was killed, Ryan alleged. The bottle was found in the immediate investigation afterward.

Evidence that was gathered indicated that [Anacreon] knowingly, intentionally, and intentionally calculated to obstruct this investigation, telling Miss Rosemonds family as well as investigators that he had no idea about what had happened, had not been present, did not know any of this, Ryan said.

Ryan detailed that although Jeune died of natural causes, investigators were confident that the evidence would show he was also involved in the murder.

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Charline Rosemond was a promising and hardworking young woman who wanted only to buy a new car. She had her whole life ahead of her. That life was tragically cut short by the shooting that took place at Union Square, Ryan added.

Roserlie Rosemond, Charlines sister, spoke to Boston 25 Thursday before listening to the DA present her findings to the Somerville city council.

Its something that weve been waiting for for a long time, she explained.

Roserlie was told the news over the phone before boarding a plane back to Boston.

She continued, We were just in complete shock. We knew this day would come, but once its finally here, you dont know how to process your emotions.

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Roberto Jeune and Heinsky Anacreon grew up with Roserlie and Charline.

Roserlie added, She trusted these people, and these are the same people that took her life.

She sat next to Katherine Cremin Thursday night at Somerville City Hall.

Cremins daughter, Deanna, was strangled to death steps away from her home in 1995. No arrests have been made in connection to her murder since.

She told Boston 25, Theres a killer out there, dont forget that... I got to get voices out there, that theres more than one person after the murderer.

Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan told the Somerville City Council they are still actively working cold cases across the community.

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Now, Rosemond and her family are gearing up to fight for justice in court.

She finished, Were ready -- whatever that takes, however many days we have to be there.

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MPR News

Republican leaders held a press conference Monday to highlight Operation Not Forgotten, which they say renews efforts made during President Donald Trumps first term. In 2019, Trump signed an executive order establishing The Task Force on Missing and Murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives, also known as Operation Lady Justice Task Force.

In July of 2020, an office dedicated to investigating cold cases involving missing and murdered Indigenous people opened in Bloomington. Later, Minnesotas Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives Office opened what is said to be the first state office of its kind in the United States in 2022.

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Donna Bergstrom is the states Republican Party deputy chair and a member of the Red Lake Nation. Bergstrom says in Native American communities, tragedy strikes at rates greater than in the general population.

Its time for us to shine a spotlight on that, to bring attention to it, to let people know here in Minnesota, these are Minnesotans. They deserve protection. They deserve to have law and order applied to them and to their perpetrators, she said.

Operation Not Forgotten was established in 2023 and addresses high crime rates in Indigenous communities across the United States with a focus on cases involving violence against women and children.

Sixty FBI personnel will be deployed to Minneapolis and nine other field offices across Indian Country. Last year, there were closer to 50.

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Ana Negrete has affiliation with Otomi from central Mexico and is the MMIR Offices interim director. She says the office currently has 21 active cases, several of which have been ongoing for more than a year.

She also says the administration has yet to contact the office.

Theres plenty of work to be done. So, Im hopeful, to be honest, Im hopeful that we get some extra resources and support, Negrete said. Were hearing about new developments and technology and DNA science and maybe they bring that. And so, fingers crossed, that makes a difference for some of these cases.

Sen. Mary Kunesh, DFL-New Brighton, a descendant of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, helped to establish the MMIR Office. While FBI personnel will be in Minneapolis, she hopes work will reach tribal communities in greater Minnesota.

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I really hope that this Operation Not Forgotten will work very closely with the tribal communities, both in the urban core of Minnesota, but also in greater Minnesota, she said. Its very different. The kind of violence and the ways people go missing are similar, but different.

Bergstrom says this is the longest and most intense national deployment of FBI resources in Indian Country to date.

The federal government is there to help them, to back them, and to work with the state and tribal communities to help bring resolution to so many of these cases, these investigations, and just bring justice to our communities and healing and hope to our families, Bergstrom said.

FBI personnel will be assisted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs Missing and Murdered Unit and will be deployed on 90-day rotations over six months.
I mentioned to a co-worker that I just found out I had the breast cancer gene, a woman told me a few years ago.

The next thing I knew, everyone in the office was asking me, How are you? When the director of our unit retired, everyone had assumed that Id be chosen to replace him, but instead, I was passed over. I wasnt fired, but I wasnt promoted, either.

She assumed that the company worried that there was a risk she might get cancer and be unable to work. Alas, as she suggests, subtle and not-so-subtle genetic discrimination exists, especially for genes associated with Alzheimers, cancer and other serious conditions, and privacy is therefore crucial.

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I have been thinking about this woman as I read about 23andMes bankruptcy, and the fact that millions of peoples DNA is now for sale. This bankruptcy highlights several critical problems and the need for much stronger regulations concerning genetic information.

The companys history has been rife with difficulties that, for years, it persuaded policy makers and millions of customers to overlook. Those issues stem from the companys problematic two-fold business model.

23andMe planned to reap profit by selling millions of peoples DNA to biotech companies and others for tens of millions of dollars each. It has sold copies of its dataset to around 30, including Genentech for $65 million in 2015, and more recently, to GlaxoSmithKline, earning $300 million.

But to collect enough DNA, it needed to persuade millions of people to give their genes to the company. 23andMe, therefore, had to convince customers that sending a biological sample would provide benefits and that these would outweigh any risks.

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At first, the company advertised that it provided medically useful and actionable information, indicating ways of improving your health. But the Food and Drug Administration said the corporation needed to show evidence of these assertions.

After four years of discussions with the FDA, the company was unable to do so and stopped responding to FDA inquiries while continuing to advertise its tests unchanged. The FDA then said the company had to desist until it was able to demonstrate that these claims were true.

The company thus shifted its ads to say it provided health information, consisting not of your risk of any disease, or possible treatments for it, but rather your chance of carrying a so-called recessive gene that posed no harm to you, but could affect your child if the other parent also had the gene.

Genetic data is extremely valuable. Its the new oil, potentially leading to discoveries of genetic tests that strongly predict good or bad responses to various drugs, generating patents and immense profit. Such targeted or precision medicine has already yielded drugs costing over $1 million per patient.

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Yet not only biotech companies, but others, including governments that want to identify citizens in various ways, for surveillance or capture, also seek such data. Hackers know this and thus broke into 23andMes gold mine and posted DNA of Chinese and Ashkenazi Jews, which could be used for discriminatory purposes.

This bankruptcy underscores the need for better regulations concerning privacy protections and consent. Laws protecting this companys users are few.

The 2008 federal Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act applies only to employers with more than 15 workers, and does not cover life insurance, disability or long-term care insurance. So, if a 23andMe customer decides to apply for one of these types of coverage, the insurer can refuse or charge higher rates, based on the persons DNA.

Companies that violate the law must pay a fine of up to $500,000, but, since treatments for some genetic diseases now cost over $1 million a person, an insurer can choose to drop you and just pay the fine, rather than cover the $1 million cost. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, passed in 1996, covers the privacy of medical information among health care providers, but doesnt apply to 23andMe, which doesnt offer any care.

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Unfortunately, withdrawing your data from the 23andMe website does not fully protect your information, since other companies already own copies of your DNA and may be able to sell it or share it with others. Users have been able to request that their data not be sold, but the company has stated it retains much of your data even if you delete your account.

Alas, while you can protect your financial information, such as your credit card number, if hacked, by getting a new card, your DNA is permanent  you cannot change it. It will forever identify you.

Consumers have the right to obtain their genetic information if they want, but therefore also have the right to informed consent that lets them know what information about them is being shared with whom.

23andMes debacle should be a major wake-up call, reminding policymakers and all of us of the risks of giving access to our genetic and other health data. Over the years since HIPAA and the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act were passed, the world has changed and these laws need to be strengthened, ensuring heightened confidentiality and transparency.

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Efforts to collect your DNA are increasing, with many hospitals and others now building biobanks that AI can ever more readily probe. We need to be far better prepared.

Robert Klitzman, MD, is a professor of psychiatry at Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons at the Joseph Mailman School of Public Health and director of the Online and In-person Masters of Bioethics Programs at Columbia University. He is the author of Am I My Genes?: Confronting Fate and Family Secrets in the Age of Genetic Testing.

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LONDON, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Scientists have achieved "a milestone" in neuroscience by constructing the most detailed wiring diagram of a mammalian brain to date, thanks in part to data collected from a mouse as it watched clips from the film "The Matrix."

The high-resolution 3D map, described on Wednesday in a package of eight papers in Nature and Nature Methods, contains over 200,000 brain cells, including approximately 82,000 neurons.

It also identifies more than 500 million synapses, the connection points between neurons, and traces over 4 kilometers of neuronal wiring within a tiny block of tissue from the mouse's visual cortex. This region processes visual information and plays a key role in perception.

A MILESTONE IN CONNECTOMICS

"This brain-activity map, combined with the wiring diagram, marks a milestone in connectomics, a field that aims to show how brains process and organize information," Nature said in an article.

This achievement is the result of more than 150 researchers working on the Machine Intelligence from Cortical Networks (MICrONS) project.

"They managed to do something that we haven't done as a neuroscience community in basically all of our history, which is to be able to map the activity of neurons onto the wiring on a very large population of neurons," says Mariela Petkova, a neuroscientist at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, who is not involved with the project. "We have never seen it at this scale."

INNOVATIVE TECHNIQUES

To create the breakthrough map, researchers first recorded the firing of almost 76,000 neurons in the visual cortex of a mouse as the animal watched various videos, including clips from The Matrix, for two hours.

Then the researchers sliced up a cubic millimetre of the mouse's brain into thousands of tissue slices, each about one four-hundredth the width of a human hair.

The scientists imaged each slice and assembled the images into a 3D map. Finally, they used artificial intelligence and machine-learning algorithms to annotate the neurons, their branching projections and their synapses. The team also matched the neurons in the map with their recordings of brain cells in action.

Moritz Helmstaedter, a neuroscientist at the Max Planck Institute for Brain Research in Frankfurt, Germany, says "the combination of function and structure at that scale" is unprecedented. It's "a very impressive endeavour and success."

FUTURE PROSPECTS

The current map covers only 0.2 percent of the mouse's brain, but researchers plan to scale up their techniques to map its entire brain. Their work has already revealed fundamental principles that shape neural circuits in the mouse brain.

The findings add a new wrinkle to a long-held theory in neuroscience: "neurons that fire together wire together."

Previous studies have tested this theory only in limited numbers of neurons and synapses. The current study shows that "there's a diversity [to] how much this rule is applied across all the different components of cortex," says Forrest Collman, a neuroscientist at the Allen Institute for Brain Science in Seattle, Washington, who co-authored the studies.

The MICrONS researchers hope that their data set can help to reveal various features and processes in the brain.

"There are all sorts of cortical areas that we understand at different levels of detail and in different ways. And I think this is really only the beginning of relating structure and function," says Allen Institute neurobiologist Clay Reid, another co-author. 
The Department of Defense was created in the immediate aftermath of World War II to fight and win Americas wars. It has evolved over time through mission creep and congressional action, driven by a philosophy of centralization that has added tangled layers of bureaucracy that negatively impact warfighter readiness.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth appears aware of this  he has directed the bureaucracy to present him with future-state organization charts  but he lacks a guiding philosophy. A recent working paper from the American Enterprise Institute provides options to focus the reorganization, with a decentralizing ethos.

Here we focus on the locus of centralization, the office of the secretary of Defense, and on that offices primary means of exercising centralized control, the Defense Agencies and Field Activities. These agencies are intended to provide a common supply or service across more than one [Department of Defense] organization, but instead they often perform overlapping work and impede the provision of supplies and services to warfighters. The secretarys dual role of overseeing and executing tasks makes it nearly impossible for the organization to effectively manage itself.

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At its core, the Defense Department is aligned with U.S. Code Title 10 tasks, or those that organize, train and equip. However, the presidents constitutional role is to fight our nations wars as the commander in chief  the department is simply not organized to do that. Our report provides three different sets of options for how to reorganize the Department of Defense.

The first option, called the Power of Three, Organizing to Win Wars, involves three broad changes. The first removes all of the defense agencies from the secretarys office. The second change would increase the number of military services, from the current five to eight, by merging several of the functional combatant commands with existing defense agencies and other forces, resulting in three new military services focused on nuclear weapons, cyber and intelligence, and global logistics.

The final major change would be to alter the roles of the current three politically led military departments  the Army, Navy and Air Force  into outcome-based organizations focused on winning wars. The current departments would be eliminated and replaced with three others. First, there would be the Department of Strategic Forces, consisting of the Space Force and the three new services above. Second, the Department of Pacific Warfighting would consist of the Navy, Marine Corps and Indo-Pacific Command. Third, there would be the Department of All Other Warfighting, consisting of the Army and air services, along with the European Command and Central Command.

The second option, called the Power of Boundaries, would restructure the office of the secretary of Defense, the combatant commands and the military departments to clarify strategic priorities, reduce redundancies and create clear boundaries of responsibilities and authorities.

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First, the geographic combatant commands would be reorganized around threats such as China, Russia, Iran, North Korea and Homeland Defense, with each command responsible for planning and operations related to their specific threat. Next, the Joint Staff would be transformed into the Council of Combatant Commanders, with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs serving as the Chairman of the Council. This council would coordinate force allocation and operational planning across commands. As part of this change, the Service Chiefs and Vice Chiefs would be eliminated, merging headquarters staff and service secretariat staff into unified headquarters under civilian service secretaries. This would reinforce civilian control and eliminate redundancies. Finally, the Space Force would be separated from the Department of the Air Force to form the Department of the Space Force, with the National Reconnaissance Office as a co-equal intelligence branch.

The third option, called the Power of Core Function, proposes a more modest initial step of refocusing and realigning defense-wide accounts on warfighter capabilities. First, the Defense Department would eliminate or transfer programs and activities that do not directly produce military capability, such as education, security assistance, humanitarian disaster response, environmental programs and non-combat-related medical research. Next, it would align common services, such as information technology, force protection, logistics and missile defense to the Army. Similarly, the national intelligence services would be moved to the Air Force. Finally, the existing innovation organizations would merge while functions such as finance and contract auditing would remain at the office of the secretary of Defense.

These reorganization-focused options, and other studies, address a set of problems that have long plagued our defense establishment, and are driven by our belief that we are in the middle of a once-in-a-lifetime period of opportunity for reform. The leadership in the Pentagon, the White House and Congress can make changes now that will enable us to persevere and succeed, while avoiding the mistakes of the past. The status quo path is too dark for our leaders to fail to seize this moment.

Elaine McCusker is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. She previously served as the Pentagons acting undersecretary of defense (comptroller). Todd Harrison is a senior fellow at AEI. He previously worked as a senior executive in the defense industry and as an officer in the Air Force Reserves. Retired U.S. Army Maj. Gen. John G. Ferrari is a senior nonresident fellow at AEI. He previously served as a director of program analysis and evaluation for the service.

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The Federal Emergency Management Agency appears to be on life support.

According to recent news reports, Trump administration officials, including Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and acting administrator Cameron Hamilton, are poised to act on President Trumps desire to drastically reduce the federal governments role in responding to disasters and to downsize or eliminate FEMA altogether.

This comes on the heels of the administration attempting to freeze over $100 billion in payments FEMA had promised to states for rebuilding and increasing disaster resiliency after Hurricane Helene, and for responding to the California wildfires and other disasters last year.

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Eradicating or gutting FEMA would be a disaster. The fact that the conversation is happening at all underscores that we are in a far different era of the politics of disaster than the one that FEMA emerged from during the 1960s and 1970s.

FEMA itself has become shorthand for the larger policy shift of that era, where states, localities and nongovernmental agencies such as the American Red Cross were shuddering under the burden of increasingly costly disasters such as the Alaska Earthquake (1964), Hurricane Betsy (1965), Hurricane Camille (1969) and Hurricane Agnes (1972)  the latter in the same year as devastating floods in Noems home state of South Dakota.

These disasters struck landscapes where post-World War II economic growth had brought billions of dollars of homes, businesses and public infrastructure into risky areas, such as coastlines, floodplains and places vulnerable to tornadoes or earthquakes.

The traditional deference to states, localities, the Red Cross and private insurance was simply inadequate in places like coastal Mississippi after Hurricane Camille. Residents of those places, from avowed conservatives to civil rights activists, called for a substantial, and ongoing, federal commitment to construct a disaster safety net under them, and by extension, all American citizens.

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As one victim of Camille in Louisiana who decried the spread of public welfare generally, but argued disasters were different, wrote in a letter to his congressman: I believe that this is an area in which it is proper for our government to extend direct financial aid to those people who suffer losses over which they had very little, if any, control.

Congress responded first by massive one-off relief bills for these big disasters, generally with near-unanimous support across party and regional lines. By the time FEMA was created in 1978, the federal government had assumed a much more substantial role in disaster relief than it had in earlier decades.

The trends that brought about the expanded federal disaster role in the 1960s and 1970s have only been exacerbated in the intervening years. Development in risky areas, such as the Florida coastlines, has continued more or less unabated. Katrina, as is now clear, heralded the beginning of two decades of increasingly catastrophic natural disasters.

All of this has put increasing pressure on a federal disaster system that is chronically understaffed and relies on year-to-year funding from Congress that has become partisan on these issues in a way that was simply not the case in the 1970s.

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Undoubtedly, there are ways to make FEMA more efficient. Indeed, the bipartisan proposal introduced recently to again make FEMA an independent agency merits consideration.

But the fact that the conversation has moved from FEMA has problems to eviscerate the federal role in disaster relief belies the reality that many states  which would be forced to underwrite a much larger share of the bill  are woefully under equipped to deal with the logistics and costs of responding to more frequent large-scale disasters.

Its difficult to imagine, for instance, Mississippi rebuilding its coastline after it was once again destroyed by Katrina in 2005 without the massive infusion of federal resources that Congress and the Bush and Obama administrations provided for years after the disaster.

Most states arent eager to go back to pre-1960s arrangements, and neither, it seems, are Senate Republicans from disaster-prone states. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) said theres no way Republicans and Democrats are supporting eliminating FEMA. Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) said that the federal government is still going to be distributing disaster money. I mean, just as a practical matter, it has to be done.

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The congressional architects of modern disaster policy were proud of what they had achieved for their constituents. It is incumbent for their successors to remind the administration why we have a FEMA in the first place.

Andrew Morris is a professor of history at Union College in Schenectady, N.Y., and author of When Natural Disasters Became National Disasters: Hurricane Camille and the New Politics of Disaster Relief (University of Pennsylvania Press, forthcoming 2026).

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For decades, the idea that the U.S. would risk war against North Korea to defend South Korea was a given in international politics. But in recent years, Seoul has had reasons to think this is changing.

President Trump has long made clear that he hopes to extinguish U.S.-North Korean tensions, even if it means accepting Pyongyangs nuclear arsenal. More broadly, Washington has recentered its foreign policy on competing with rival great powers. China comes now front and center among security priorities, leaving many in Seoul pondering whether America has bandwidth left for the North Korean threat.

Washington faces a quandary on the Korean Peninsula. On the one hand, it needs a strong South Korean ally to hold the line against China. On the other, it wants amicable relations with Pyongyang in order to devote its energy to the Chinese threat. The United States needs a solution that both guarantees South Korean security and allows a rapprochement with North Korea.

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Fortunately, such a solution exists. A growing debate over a potential national nuclear deterrent has taken hold in South Korea. The ever-growing strength of North Koreas arsenal, combined with disillusion about the likelihood of denuclearization, is the prime driver. Other concerns, such as doubts about U.S. commitment, the countrys rapid demographic decline and the rise of China, further encourage the nuclear option.

A South Korean nuclear deterrent would promote the current administrations foreign policy priorities. A stronger and more autonomous Seoul could finally take ownership of Peninsular security, allowing Washington to focus on the Chinese threat and the issue of Taiwan. The U.S. could thereby delegate deterring Pyongyang to South Korea and become a last-resort security provider instead of a first responder.

Over the long run, a more capable and confident South Korea would also feel emboldened to challenge Chinese power. It would notably be more likely to commit significant forces to a Taiwanese contingency. More secure, it would become more confident looking outward, for instance, by continuing to invest in the production of warships for the U.S. Navy, helping to resolve the ongoing shipbuilding discomfiture.

Coincidently, an inter-Korean nuclear balance would facilitate Donald Trumps longstanding agenda of achieving an entente with Kim Jong Un. Indeed, the United States would feel less pressure to constantly shore up the credibility of its nuclear umbrella over South Korea through military posturing. This would alleviate the North Korean fear that U.S. strategic assets like nuclear-armed bombers and submarines circling its borders could serve as a prelude to a first nuclear strike, thus kickstarting confidence building.

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A South Korean arsenal is not a proposal for a distant future. A technological powerhouse, South Korea could manufacture its first nuclear device in a matter of months and a fully functioning nuclear strike force with a sea-based deterrent within a few years.

An independent deterrent already has numerous supporters in the country; polls constantly show that around seven out of 10 South Koreans are in favor. In January 2023, former conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol raised the possibility of building a national nuclear deterrent. It is now a transpartisan view, with even progressive voters growingly sympathetic.

Neither is this solution unheard of in America. Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby finds value in a nuclear deterrent if it helps the U.S. pivot toward the Chinese challenge. Even Trump himself toyed with the idea.

Greenlighting a nuclear program would hardly be a first. In the past, Washington has let important allies develop nuclear arsenals, like Britain and France. Armed with the power of the atom, the two helped deter Soviet aggression and win the Cold War. Half a century later, hardly anyone regrets the U.S. carte blanche to British and French national deterrents.

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An oft-heard counterargument is that Japan would go nuclear to imitate South Korea. First, Japan itself has been nuked and has suffered Russia, China and North Korea acquiring the bomb, and still did not follow suit. In recent years, Beijing has been adding hundreds of warheads to its arsenal, something infinitely more threatening for Tokyo than a few nukes from friendly South Korea. Second, if Japan becomes a nuclear power, then good for it. It is a steadfast U.S. ally, key in counterbalancing China. Hence, a nuclear Japan, like a nuclear Korea, would be a more potent ally to deter Chinese expansion.

U.S. policymakers now need to act. With China gearing up for war, Russia resurgent and American military power dangerously overstretched, there is no time for caution.

Thankfully, costless policies are actionable right now.

First, America should give Seoul the right to reprocess its spent nuclear fuel to allow rapidly manufacturing weapons if required. Washington already acquiesced to Japan reprocessing its nuclear fuel but not to South Korea, something that many in Korea resent. Second, U.S. leaders should signal to their Korean counterparts that they would support whatever Korea chooses. Washington should reassure Seoul that it would back its ally diplomatically were it to develop a national deterrent, hence alleviating the fear of international retaliations that holds many Korean experts and decision-makers back.

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Understandably, many inside the Beltway are wary of nuclear proliferation. But the norm of nonproliferation is not worth sacrificing key national interests. In the current sea of unpleasant tradeoffs, South Korea going nuclear is the least bad option.

Dylan Motin is a visiting scholar at the Seoul National University Asia Center and non-resident Kelly Fellow at the Pacific Forum. He is also an expert at Terner Consulting and a non-resident fellow at the Republic of Korea Forum for Nuclear Strategy. He is the author of How Louis XIV Survived His Hegemonic Bid: The Lessons of the Sun Kings War Termination.

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Ukraine is learning the hard way that it is not in good hands with the Trump administrations negotiators. Instead of stopping the killing, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoffs negotiating efforts are accelerating Moscows intentional targeting of Ukrainian civilians.

On April 4, Russian forces struck Kryvyi Rih  Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskys hometown  with a ballistic missile armed with a cluster warhead. The brazen attack targeted a residential neighborhood, wounding 72 and killing 20, including nine children.

Many of the children were killed and wounded in a playground. The youngest victim was a three-month-old baby.

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Since January, Team Trump has repeatedly asserted that President Trump wants to be a president of peace. Putins response? Repeated war crimes and crimes against humanity in Ukraine.

We are now in the second week of April after two failed ceasefire attempts. Rubios hope that the shooting will stop, the killing will stop, the dying will stop, and the talks can begin about how to end this war permanently in a way thats acceptable and enduring for both sides, is as elusive and far off as ever.

Why is this happening? Because Russia does not want peace  at least not peace as the West envisions it. For Putin, peace is accomplished when Ukraine stops resisting. His intended end-state is the complete annihilation of Ukraine, its people, and its culture.

Putin made that clear again on March 6, when he stated that Russia does not intend to give in to anyone or make any compromises in future peace negotiations. For Russia, the ceasefire discussions are merely a tool for the Kremlin to gain a momentary advantage in time to exploit.

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Former Army Chief of Staff Gen. Gordon R. Sullivan taught us in 1997 that hope is not a method. This was required reading for military officers, something Mike Waltz and U.S. Special Envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg have seemingly forgotten.

The naive belief that Russia would keep its word has killed or wounded hundreds of Ukrainian civilians since Mar. 11 when Moscow rejected a full 30-day truce agreed upon by the U.S. and Ukraine in Jeddah. Russia instead agreed only to a cessation of strikes against energy facilities and in the Black Sea  terms it has not honored anyway.

Now Rubio seemingly wants to give Putin more time. When asked about the status of the Black Sea ceasefire talks and whether he believed that Putin was dragging his feet during a press conference at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, the secretary of State responded, We will know soon enough  in a matter of weeks, not months  whether Russia is serious about peace or not.

Spoiler alert  it is not. The killing and dying continue. With each day, Russia targets Ukrainian civilians in population centers with ballistic missiles and drones with impunity.

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Once the U.S. stopped sharing intelligence with Kyiv in early March, Russia targeted Ukrainian cities with massive ballistic missile and drone strikes. Trump responded, Based on the fact that Russia is absolutely pounding Ukraine on the battlefield right now, I am strongly considering large-scale banking sanctions, sanctions, and tariffs on Russia until a cease-fire and final settlement agreement on peace is reached.

That has yet to happen.

The day after Russia rejected the initial Trump ceasefire proposal, Moscow attacked multiple Ukrainian cities with missiles  Odessa, Kryvyi Rih, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Kyiv and Sumy regions, killing at least five people and wounding 11. Between Mar. 19 and Mar. 24, at least 25 civilians were killed and 225 injured. Ukraines Air Force reportedly intercepted 521 of 949 Russian drones launched.

On the frontlines, Russia continues to attack Ukrainian defensive positions. Russian casualties now total 926,310. Between Mar. 11 and Apr. 8, Ukraine inflicted 38,690 casualties on Russian forces  an average of 1,334 a day. At this pace, they will surpass one million by the first week of June.

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There is no end in sight. The Kremlin has announced it is conscripting an additional 160,000 men by July 15. This coincides with the recent Associated Press report that Russia is likely preparing to launch a new multipronged offensive in the coming weeks to strengthen its position in possible peace talks with Ukraine.

According to Zelensky, Russia is preparing for new offensives in the northeast in the Sumy, Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia regions, adding, Theyre dragging out the talks and trying to get the U.S. stuck in endless and pointless discussions about fake conditions just to buy time and then try to grab more land.

Add to that reports that Ukraine captured two Chinese men fighting alongside the Russian army in the eastern Donetsk region.

These are not the actions of a country seeking a ceasefire or peace negotiations. Quite the opposite  Russia is escalating.

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Russia is building up combat power in Crimea as well, where North Korean artillery systems were recently observed on rail cars. There are also reports that an additional 3,000 North Korean troops were sent to the Kursk Oblast in Russia.

North Korean troops, so far used in defense of Russia, could eventually be used inside Ukraine, which would further escalate the situation.

Trump claims he is pissed off at Putin and will impose secondary tariffs of 25 percent to 50 percent on buyers of Russian oil. But the Kremlin seems unfazed, especially given reports that the U.S. military will withdraw troops and equipment from Jasionka, a logistics hub in southeastern Poland that supplies most weapons being sent to Ukraine. In fact, the Pentagon is weighing removing up to 10,000 troops from Eastern Europe.

Russia has exploited the two limited ceasefires that Team Trump negotiated  cessation of attacks on energy and Black Sea targets  to gain additional advantages on the battlefield at Ukraines expense.

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Kyiv does not need more words of condolence, like those offered by U.S. Ambassador Bridget A. Brink on her X feed after the strike on Kryvyi Rih. They need weapons, ammunition, and intelligence. They need the ability to interdict and stop Russian forces from entering Ukraine. They need the ability to prevent ballistic missiles and drones from striking their cities  no-fly zone and air defense weapons. They need precision deep strike weapons.

But most importantly, they need Team Trump to stop enabling Russias continued aggression at the negotiating table. Putin has no intention of stopping, so he must be stopped. The Trump administration must recognize this and enable Ukraine now.

Col. (Ret.) Jonathan Sweet served 30 years as an Army intelligence officer. Mark Toth writes on national security and foreign policy.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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The Alien Enemies Act has once again become a political point of contention in America.

Presidents can invoke the acts powers with a proclamation whenever there shall be a declared war between the United States and any foreign nation or government, or any invasion or predatory incursion shall be perpetrated, attempted, or threatened against the territory of the United States, by any foreign nation or government.

The most recent invocation occurred on March 15, 2025, when President Trump issued a proclamation declaring that all Venezuelan citizens 14 years of age or older who are members of [Tren de Aragua], are within the United States, and are not actually naturalized or lawful permanent residents of the United States are liable to be apprehended, restrained, secured, and removed as Alien Enemies.

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His proclamation is based on a determination that Tren de Aragua gang members are perpetrating, attempting, and threatening an invasion or predatory incursion against the territory of the United States  .at the direction, clandestine or otherwise, of the Maduro regime in Venezuela.

The Biden administration designated Tren de Aragua as a Transnational Criminal Organization to emphasize the escalating threat it poses to American communities. The current administration added it to the State Departments list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations a few months ago. This means that the State Department has concluded that the gang is:

a foreign organization;

it engages in terrorist activity, or terrorism, or retains the capability and intent to engage in terrorist activity or terrorism; and

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its terrorist activity or terrorism threatens United States national security.

Opponents of the proclamation have objected to the methods by which the administration is removing the Venezuelans. They claim this is a violation of due process because the people being deported are not being given a hearing at which they could rebut the claim that they are Tren de Aragua gang members.

Its true that hearings are not being provided for these aliens, but they arent supposed to be getting hearings. Congress passed the Alien Enemies Act to give presidents the power to respond to an invasion or a predatory incursion without the delays that hearings would require  lengthy delays would have been unavoidable in the present situation, as the immigration court is experiencing a backlog crisis. As of the end of February, it had a backlog of 3,716,106 cases.

These migrants arent likely to get relief in an appeal to a federal court either, thanks to the political question doctrine, which posits that some issues are so politically charged the judiciary, which is viewed as the apolitical branch of government, should not adjudicate them.

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For instance, in Ludecke v. Watkins, the Supreme Court refused to intervene when President Truman continued to rely on a wartime application of the Enemies Act for three years after the fighting had stopped. The court held that the question of when a war has ended is too political for a judicial resolution.

The court did acknowledge, however, that [s]uch great war powers may be abused, no doubt, but that is a bad reason for having judges supervise their exercise, whatever the legal formulas within which such supervision would nominally be confined.

President Franklin D. Roosevelts invocation of the act is well-known.

At 8:00 a.m. on Dec. 7, 1941, hundreds of Japanese fighter planes attacked the Pearl Harbor naval base near Honolulu, Hawaii. They destroyed or damaged nearly 20 naval vessels and more than 300 airplanes; and they killed 2,403 Americans. Later that day, Roosevelt issued a proclamation that prohibited Japanese Americans from giving information, aid or comfort to the enemies of the United States or interfering by word or deed with the defense of the United States.

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He went to Congress the next day and asked for a declaration of war against Japan, and his request was granted.

On Feb. 19, 1942, he issued a proclamation giving the secretary of war and military commanders the power to exclude any and all persons, citizens and aliens, from designated areas in order to provide security against sabotage, espionage and fifth column activity.

When Japanese Americans did not comply voluntarily with this proclamation, the army put approximately 122,000 of them in internment camps, around 70,000 of whom were American citizens. This was done without hearings to determine who should be put in camps.

Moreover, they were given only 48 hours notice before they were taken into custody to be transported to internment camps. This caused many homeowners and businessmen to sell out at a loss. The total property loss was around $1.3 billion, and the net income loss was around $2.7 billion.

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Those apprehended were forced to live in squalid conditions. A congressional Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians heard testimony from more than 750 witnesses. In a summary of its report titled, Personal Justice Denied, the commission asserted that:

[F]amilies could take to the assembly centers and the camps only what they could carry. Camp living conditions were Spartan. People were housed in tar-papered barrack rooms of no more than 20 by 24 feet. Each room housed a family, regardless of family size. Construction was often shoddy. Privacy was practically impossible and furnishings were minimal. Eating and bathing were in mass.

This has been called one of the most atrocious violations of American civil rights in the 20th century.

Should the courts stop presidents from implementing arguably abusive removal practices under the act? Or should Congress add provisions to the act that would require hearings? Maybe, but either of those actions could prevent presidents from responding quickly enough to an invasion or predatory incursion.

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Perhaps Spock put this dilemma in proper perspective in The Wrath of Khan, when he said the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.

Nolan Rappaport was detailed to the House Judiciary Committee as an Executive Branch Immigration Law Expert for three years. He subsequently served as an immigration counsel for the Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security and Claims for four years. Prior to working on the Judiciary Committee, he wrote decisions for the Board of Immigration Appeals for 20 years.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Youve got a better chance of predicting when an earthquake will hit California than you have predicting what President Trump is going to do tomorrow  regardless of what he says today.

First, he tells us tariffs are on. Then tariffs are off, sort of  and, who knows, he may change his mind again before he sits down for lunch.

Stocks are down, then theyre up and by the time you read this they may be down again. Who knows?

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Trump isnt happy unless hes unleashing some kind of chaos on the world. And yesterday, when the president suddenly announced that he would back down on his reciprocal tariffs for 90 days, the S&P 500 took off, rising almost 10 percent in just one day.

When he was running for president in 2024, Trump made a promise to the American people  a promise that played as well in diners in Ohio as it did in boardrooms in Manhattan: that he would lower prices and build a booming economy unlike anything wed seen under President Joe Biden.

The pitch was simple. Elect a businessman, not a politician. Elect someone who knows the art of the deal, not the art of government red tape. Prices will drop, jobs will come back and America will be great again.

Fast forward  President Trump is back in the White House, and last week he announced what he called Liberation Day, which turned out to be Obliteration Day as the stock markets crashed, with the Dow falling almost 1,700 points.

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Liberation Day was when he announced a whole array of steep tariffs on friends and foes alike. But you just knew Trump wasnt going to let the markets continue to slide. If that happened, hed be seen as the villain who drained 401(k) retirement accounts from senior citizens, who just happen to vote in big numbers.

Hence, the reprieve he announced yesterday. But his decisions on tariffs have already caused damage  to more than the financial markets.

After a few days of devastating loses, Gerry Baker wrote in his Wall Street Journal column that Trump is trashing Americas reputation around the and doing irreversible damage to the greatest geopolitical brand ever created.

Allies  staunchly pro-American friends from Canada to Denmark to Poland  are sullen, angry and scared, Baker writes. Adversaries who have long envied our power and tried unsuccessfully to undermine it, are hugging themselves with joy.

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And tariffs are taxes by another name. They dont just punish China, Mexico or Vietnam. They punish Americans who buy things  which, last I checked, is just about everyone, which explains why hes now having second thoughts about his beautiful tariffs.

If Trump didnt change course, prices werent going to come down as he promised; theyd go up. The economy wouldnt get stronger but would likely slide into recession,

And heres the political reality: When the economy tanks, presidents pay  and so does their party. It doesnt matter how much they talk about bringing jobs home. Americans may love the idea of long-term strategy, but they vote based on short-term pain.

Trump has said that over time tariffs would help bring back manufacturing. That theyd create millions of good-paying jobs here at home. Maybe that would be true. Maybe its wishful thinking.

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But people dont live in the long run  they live in the right now. And if the Trump tariffs ultimately wind up staying in place, groceries will cost more  same with appliances, cars and a whole bunch of other things. Thats not a winning message.

Americans will head to the polls for the midterms in 18 months. And if prices are high and the economy is wobbly, dont be surprised if the Democrats take back the House. The Senate is a steeper climb, but not impossible. And if they pull it off, Trumps second-term agenda will be finished.

The big gains in the markets yesterday may be the beginning of more gains, or it could just be what they call a bear market bounce  a short uptick in stocks coming after several devastating down days.

So who knows how this will turn out. But Trumps brand has always been tied to the idea that hes a businessman who knows how to make deals. If that narrative collapses, then not only does he lose the political clout that comes with his presidency, his party could be dragged down with him.

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And if that happens, no amount of spin, no amount of rosy scenarios from the Trump White House would change the facts on the ground. As James Carville once famously said: Its the economy, stupid. Always has been. Always will be.

One more thing: When Trump declared that tariff is the most beautiful word in the dictionary, did anyone in his inner circle have the courage  or the common sense  to say, Mr. President, this is not a good idea, not the way youre going about it. The way youre doing it will create turmoil in markets around the world and turn our friends into enemies?

Knowing Trumps penchant for surrounding himself with yes men and yes women, the short answer is: not likely.

Too bad. Because if somebody had the guts to speak truth to Trumps power, he  and all of us  could have avoided a lot of the needless chaos that he single-handedly created.

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Bernard Goldberg is an Emmy and an Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University award-winning writer and journalist. He is the author of five books and publishes exclusive weekly columns, audio commentaries and Q&As on his Substack page. Follow him @BernardGoldberg.

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Vice President JD Vances March 28 visit Greenland laid bare the hubris and hypocrisy at the core of the Trump administrations belligerent, neo-imperialist approach to getting Greenland. Speaking the day after the visit, President Trump reasserted that he would not take the use of military force off the table to get Greenland, insisting: Well get Greenland. Yeah, 100 percent.

What has been missing from the administrations astonishing claims to the territory of one of Americas closest NATO allies is any sincere effort to explain why an American land-grab of Greenlandic territory is necessary for U.S. national security  especially given that Greenland is already protected by NATOs Article V security guarantee. President Trump simply insists ad nauseum that we need it, because Greenland is a very, very large piece of land. And very, very important for military security.

In the face of these vague justifications for an action that would effectively destroy the NATO alliance and the transatlantic security framework that has protected the United States and Europe for 75 years, Vances visit to Pituffik Space Base offered reporters an opportunity to press Vance and national security advisor Michael Waltz on the administrations extraordinary claim that U.S. security can only be ensured by taking over the territory of a close NATO ally.

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The best argument Waltz could muster was to say: This is about shipping lanes. This is about energy. This is about fisheries. (So is the United States willing to go to war with a NATO ally over Arctic fisheries, undeveloped mines and seasonal shipping lanes?)

Vance began his remarks by asserting there is no amount of bullying, no amount of obfuscating, no amount of confusing the issue, before bullying his Danish hosts, obfuscating the scope and urgency of current threats, and leaving the world confused as to why the United States feels an urgent need to seize territory from a close ally.

Vance pointed out that missiles fired by an enemy into the U.S. are tracked by the Space Force in Greenland. But the U.S. already enjoys this capability at the Pituffik Base. If it needed to boost tracking capabilities, Denmark and Greenland would support new requirements. U.S. control over the territory is not necessary to accomplish this critical task.

Vance then turned to the broader issue of Russian and Chinese interest in Arctic passageways, naval routes and minerals, asserting vaguely that they have taken extraordinary interest in Greenland. He excoriated Denmark, saying it hasnt done a good job at keeping Greenland safe, and had not kept pace in devoting the resources necessary to protect the territory from unspecified very aggressive incursions from Russia, from China and from other nations.

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When pressed by reporters whether there had been any new or specific threats from Russia and China, Vance said he could not get too specific. Recognizing the thinness of his case, Vance raised the prospect that the people of Greenland [might] have their future controlled by the Chinese Communist Party  a leap of logic akin to Condoleezza Rices conjuring the threat of a nuclear mushroom cloud if the U.S. failed to invade Iraq. Of course, there is no evidence to suggest that Greenland is about to fall under the control of the CCP.

After exaggerating the scope and urgency of the threats and vilifying Americas Danish ally, Vance demonstrated the hypocrisy behind the administrations insistence on seizing Greenland and its criticism of Denmark. When asked whether there were plans to expand the U.S. presence beyond Pituffik, Vance responded No. But if threats to Greenland are so urgent that the U.S. is considering seizing the territory by force, can it really not spare more than 200 troops for this vital mission? That is barely more than a military band, and the U.S. has hundreds of bands.

Vance repeatedly denigrated his Danish hosts, claiming that they had neglected Greenland for 40 years and ignored the encroachment of powerful countries as they expand their ambitions. Of course, Russian ambitions are on explicit display in Ukraine, but Vance insists he doesnt really care what happens to Ukraine one way or another. This begs the question: why is a highly unlikely Russian incursion into Greenland such an urgent U.S. strategic priority while a brutal Russian war to seize Ukraine  a war that threatens Europe and the United States today  of no interest?

Concluding his visit, Vance more reasonably asserted: We need to ensure that America is leading in the Arctic because we know that if America doesnt, other nations will fill the gap where we fall behind. But the United States has long been leading in the Arctic. Active within the Arctic Council, it also shapes NATOs preparations to boost allied capacity for Arctic defense.

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If the U.S. genuinely seeks to lead, it should continue to use its influence, military capacity and economic resources to do so. Aggressively taking the territory of Arctic allies, however, is not leadership, its naked aggression that will profoundly damage U.S. leadership in the Arctic and beyond.

This is the ultimate hypocrisy of the Vance visit: On the one hand he acknowledged that the people of Greenland are going to have self-determination, and expressed hope that they choose to partner with the United States because were the only nation on Earth that will respect their sovereignty and respect their security. But if they elect not to turn their sovereignty over to the United States, well, he said, we have to have Greenland, one way or another.

The administrations hubris and hypocrisy could not have been on brighter display than on the icy, blinding shores of Greenland during this awkward, unwelcome and aggressive vice presidential foray to the far north.

Brent Hardt is a former U.S. ambassador and foreign policy advisor to two U.S. Combatant Commands.

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Those of us who have memories longer than a goldfish know that President Donald Trumps promise of a record-breaking $1 trillion defense budget for next year undercuts his promise to run a leaner federal government. Its also an odd promise from the ultimate peace president who seemingly covets a Nobel Prize. It appears that the administration deploys efficiency and peace as diversionary rhetoric to obscure our presidents fixation on power and militarism.

We dont have details on the defense budget yet, as the federal budget rollout is expected in May. But the details arent the point. Nobodys seen anything like it, Trump told reporters Monday. We have to build our military, and were very cost-conscious, but the military is something that we have to build. And we have to be strong because youve got a lot of bad forces out there now.

Trump most likely chose the number  $1 trillion  because it is big, eye-catching and record-breaking. That would make sense for an administration more concerned with optics than policy execution. But suggesting a $1 trillion Pentagon budget also underscores that Trump, much like his predecessors in both parties, sees extraordinary defense spending as exempt from typical considerations of efficiency and as something thats necessary for the maintenance of empire.

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As DOGE has taken a chain saw to one federal agency after another, defense-related agencies have gone relatively unscathed. In March, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called for the termination of contracts, programs and grants that amounted to less than 0.07% of the Pentagon budget. Julia Gledhill, a research associate for the Stimson Center, a defense think tank, described the cuts as a performative appeal to the American people and as nibbling at the edges of the Pentagon budget to shore up more funding for the presidents misguided priorities.

Thanks to both parties, the defense budget is already unfathomably bloated. The government watchdog Public Citizen noted last year that the 2023 defense budget constituted more than the spending of the next 9 countries [with the largest military spending in the world] combined and makes up 37% of global military spending, with the U.S. spending 3x more on its military than China and 8x more than Russia. A trillion-dollar budget would mark a nearly 12% increase from current spending levels.

What on Earth is the extra money needed for? Trumps odious military parade that hes fantasized about for years could possibly come to fruition this year  but that would most likely cost a fraction of the proposed budget increase, so that cant explain it.

More relevant are Trumps hawkish tendencies. Theyre different from those of most of his recent predecessors, but he is nonetheless still trigger-happy. During his first presidential campaign, Trump was a strident critic of the forever wars spawned by the so-called War on Terror, which was a welcome departure from both parties. And to his credit, he did set in motion the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. Yet he has chosen to use his first months in office during this term to thump his chest and lay out a baldly imperialistic vision: seizing the Panama Canal, taking over Greenland, taking steps to potentially use military force against Mexico, insinuating that Canada, a sovereign nation, is potential territory to conquer. And his administrations leaked Signal chat illustrated how his decision to bomb Yemen reflected an impulse to continue playing the role of the worlds policeman. Trump is no dove. Nor is he particularly interested in saving taxpayers money or using more of it to help people in need. To the contrary. He wants as much money as possible to get to boss the rest of the world around.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
BOSTON (SHNS)  With three state-funded youth mental health programs at risk of closing, lawmakers and providers ramped up their opposition this week to Gov. Maura Healeys proposed budget cuts that come as Massachusetts continues to grapple with a behavioral health care crisis.

Two 15-bed intensive residential treatment programs (IRTP), operated by NFI Massachusetts in Westborough, that serve teenagers with serious mental health and safety issues would close under Healeys fiscal 2026 spending plan. That would leave just two other IRTPs in the state.

The governors budget would also shutter the states only clinically intensive residential treatment (CIRT) program, called Three Rivers in Belchertown, that has a dozen beds and treats children ages 6 to 12.

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At a budget hearing Monday in Attleboro, Department of Mental Health Commissioner Brooke Doyle said those facilities are slated to close due to low patient counts, inadequate staffing and location hurdles. The cost-saving measure comes as DMH  which would receive a 7% overall budget increase under Healeys proposal  looks to prioritize resources for its over-capacity psychiatric hospitals.

These programs have been very difficult to maintain adequate and safe staffing within. Theyve been understaffed for extended periods of time, and that has contributed in large part to why we had difficulty keeping all the beds filled, Doyle said in Attleboro. The programs do provide a specialized service need, and the reality is, that we havent been able to operate them fully today. So what were proposing to do is to right-size the IRTP, reflecting the volume that does get utilized.

Doyle said the state pays for those beds in full, regardless of whether or not they are occupied. She argued that makes it not sustainable to continue to pay for 50% utilization.

Doyle highlighted the states investment in community-based mental health resources, though the IRTP and CIRT programs are seen as a last resort to stabilize young patients who repeatedly end up in the hospital and pose significant safety risks to themselves and their family.

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Without these services, youth will continue to cycle through expensive and disruptive emergency and acute hospital services, Lydia Todd, executive director of NFI Massachusetts, said at a State House budget hearing Tuesday, according to a copy of her prepared remarks. Their families face income loss because it is impossible to maintain employment when they are regularly needed to respond to mental health crises.

Todd added, If this program is closed, the commonwealth will lose a recently renovated facility, a highly credentialed, experienced and skilled multi-disciplinary team of 95 staff, a Joint Commission-accredited program, and most importantly, the ability to help youth and families with the most serious needs to manage their mental health issues in their natural communities, and be less likely to end up in one of our adult systems.

Todd told the News Service 95 out of 100 positions are filled.

We could be fully utilized  no problem, she said.

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Program leaders and lawmakers contend the programs are underutilized due to a complicated DMH referral process that can leave youth languishing in hospitals for weeks or months before they secure placement. Due to high staff turnover during the COVID pandemic, some hospital mental health providers also were unaware the IRTP and CIRT programs existed, said Sen. Jake Oliveira of Ludlow.

Sen. Jacob Oliveira of Ludlow listens at a Joint Ways and Means Committee budget hearing on March 6, 2025. (SHNS)

Its my hope that we can restore the funding for these critical programs because everything that we hear from constituents and everything that we read, there is a dire need for youth beds, particularly adolescent mental health beds throughout Massachusetts, Oliveira told the News Service. If we have programs that are underutilized, then DMH needs to do a better job with the referral process to get help to families across Massachusetts.

Doyle admitted the referral process was too clunky at the hearing Monday.

So Ive actually made some changes to that referral process, going to preview it with stakeholders this month, with a go-live plan for May, Doyle said.

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In another major budget cut, DMH plans to slash the case management workforce in half, which would save the state $12.4 million. That move recently triggered DMH workers represented by SEIU Local 509 to take a vote of no confidence in Doyle.

Gov. Maura Healey has already hit pause on a controversial plan to shutter a 16-bed psychiatric hospital in Cape Cod. That closure, combined with the three youth mental health programs, would have saved the state a total of $20.1 million, according to a presentation from the Executive Office of Health and Human Services.

As House Democrats prepare to release their budget next week, Rep. Aaron Saunders of Belchertown said he plans to fight to ensure the CIRT, operated by Cutchins Programs for Children & Families, receives funding.

We need it to be there, Saunders told the News Service. It is a level of intervention and service that other programs are not designed to provide, and that to me really is the linchpin.

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Saunders added, In my conversations with the administration, Ive tried to impress upon them that there needs to be access, in some way, shape or form, to this level of service.

Rep. Aaron Saunders pictured at a House Democratic caucus on Jan. 1, 2025. (SHNS)

Tina Champagne, CEO of Cutchins Programs for Children & Families, urged lawmakers Tuesday to dig deeper and to save our programs. In prepared remarks, Champagne said the state remains in the throes of a childrens mental health crisis and argued this is no time for a reduction in intensive mental health services in our state.

The decision to cut the CIRT is not only in direct opposition to well-established evidence-based practices for children and families with some of the most persistent and challenging mental health and safety concerns, but also puts the the most vulnerable children and families in the commonwealth at even greater risk by perpetuating the cycle of ACES and traumatic experiences, Champagne said, referring to adverse childhood experiences.

She added, The degree of safety and mental health challenges that must occur for youth to be considered for a DMH referral for the CIRT is highly intensive and the youths safety concerns are typically quite serious. If these youth could be treated elsewhere in the community, they would have been referred to those services, and usually have already utilized these services, but they are not intensive enough to maintain safety and mental health stabilization.

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At the hearing, Oliveira told Doyle he was insulted by her remarks that signaled the Belchertown program was not viable due to its location in western Massachusetts.

Thats insulting to any western Mass. lawmaker who might be sending people halfway across the state, hours away to get the programs to utilize them, Oliveira said.

The commissioner told Oliveira she regretted if her testimony seemed to be disrespectful.

Its more of a matter that we have to weigh parents requests and parents priorities, as well, Doyle said. So, it has always been a western Mass.-located program. Its not new. And what were seeing is that it is getting a bit more challenging, particularly with workforce constraints, that when we dont have full staff operating, it requires that the department have to make decisions with parents about whether or not their their child can be safely treated in that environment, based on staff that are available at that time.

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Rep. Kelly Pease, a Westfield Republican, questioned whether the adolescent mental health programs represented the smart place for DMH to make cuts. Without providing sufficient care to young Bay Staters early on, the state may exacerbate the prison pipeline and end up incurring more costs in the future, Pease told Health and Human Services Secretary Kate Walsh.

Walsh insisted those programs were 50% occupied and emphasized EOHHSs push to right-size our behavioral health infrastructure. Pease argued the low patient census was a function of DMHs antiquated process to get a referral.

I think the question for the Legislature is: Do you want to pay for standby capacity in two or three programs across the state that may or may not be used? Walsh said at the hearing Monday. In the meantime, you should challenge us to significantly improve our antiquated or very complicated processes to get people into these systems  some of which, I will remind us, were the result of court decisions. So we have patient referral pathways for people with, for children with behavioral health challenges that were built by lawyers, with due respect.

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ZAGREB, April 10 (Xinhua) -- The Croatian government will actively work to protect domestic exporters and the broader economy from the impact of U.S. tariffs, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said Thursday.

At a meeting with government officials and representatives of Croatian exporting companies, Plenkovic pledged to help Croatian exporters "respond to all challenges."

U.S. President Donald Trump announced a new set of levies last week, imposing a 10-percent baseline tariff on all imports and higher rates on certain trading partners.

The so-called "reciprocal" tariffs have caused global stock markets to tumble and sparked widespread concerns. Despite Trump's announcement on Wednesday of a temporary 90-day pause, countries remain committed to safeguarding their interests, amid ongoing concerns about the unpredictability and uncertainty of his policies.

Plenkovic said that the government is to establish a working group to ensures swift and coordinated responses aimed at protecting Croatian economic entities from the effects of the tariffs "to the greatest possible extent."

According to Croatian economic analysts, Croatia currently exports 587 million euros (631 million U.S. dollars) worth of goods to the United States annually, less than 10 percent of European total exports to the country. However, analysts noted that the new tariffs may lead to further price increases for imported goods such as computer components. 
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  The Urban League of Greater Kansas City announced Thursday that Oracle Corporation has rescinded its commitment to provide $10,000 in scholarships to seniors participating in the Project Ready program.

The Urban League said this decision follows Oracles recent internal policy shifts concerning Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

KCMO journalist sues city and mayors former chief of staff for retaliating against him, lawsuit claims

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This situation underscores a concerning trend of corporations retreating from DEI commitments, the Urban League of Greater Kansas City said.

On Sept. 25, 2024, the organization said Oracle confirmed its contribution of $20,000 to support the Urban Leagues educational initiatives.

However, about a month ago, Oracle notified the Urban League that it would be halting all financial commitments due to an internal review of partnerships, stating that no additional financial commitments will be made or paid until further notice.



When were following up, like, Hey, we need your ad for the program book, we need to know how many people will be at your table, and we werent getting a response back, remembered Urban League of Greater Kansas City CEO Gwen Grant.

We already told these kids they were getting scholarships. And does this mean the scholarship money is on hold?

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The Urban League said that, as part of its commitment to honor the promise made to these students, its launching a campaign to raise the $10,000 needed to fulfill these scholarships.

While $2,000 may seem like nothing to many people, well, you get ready to go to college. You need every penny, Grant said.

And the parents, no matter what, its never enough.

A spokesperson at Oracle confirmed they would fund the scholarships but did not return our questions about the remaining funding that they committed to.

Its unfortunate and very disappointing, Grant said.

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I dont even know how they could find $20,000 in $1,000,000,000 budget that would them like, Oh, we cant send this money because this $20,000 is really going to hurt us, Right? Seriously? Come on.

Grant says Oracle needs to make it right.

To make it right as far as Im concerned, you should honor the entire commitment that you made. You should send the $20,000, and you need to do more, she said.

You cant come back several months after making a commitment and say, oh, were going to go in a different direction. Thats not the way you do good business. Period.

Those who wish to help can send contributions directly to the Urban League of Greater Kansas City at 1710 Paseo Boulevard, Kansas City, Missouri 64108.

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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Amid the Trump administrations efforts to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion practices in schools, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek is ordering the states Education Department to hold the line and refuse the administrations demands.

Gov. Kotek issued a statement on Thursday in response to a letter the U.S. Department of Education sent to state education departments on April 3, giving states an ultimatum of eliminating DEI initiatives or losing federal funding for schools.

The U.S. Education Department asked state education departments to sign the letter and agree to follow antidiscrimination laws and to avoid civil rights violations such as DEI practices, as reported by the Associated Press.

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ODE responded to the letter on Thursday, stating the department is in compliance with the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Oregon has implemented and continues to implement education programs in accordance with state and federal law. Oregon remains fiercely committed to its values of diversity, equity and inclusion, and we celebrate our differences and common humanity. Our moral and ethical obligation is to stand up for public education. We want to assure Oregonians that their children can learn and thrive in safe, welcoming, and supportive environments, ODE Director Dr. Charlene Williams wrote.

Dr. Williams added, it is not okay to leverage school funding for political purposes.

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Threats to this federal funding without lawful authority or established requirements put key programs at risk that students and schools across Oregon depend on every day. There is no circumstance where it is okay to leverage childrens resources as a political tool. Oregonians paid for and deserve these federal investments. We are standing up for the rights of all Oregonians and will continue to promote diversity in our schools because we recognize it enhances learning outcomes for all students, Williams continued.

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In a statement on Thursday, Gov. Kotek said, Since the start of the new federal administration, I promised Oregonians that I would not back down from a fight when it comes to safeguarding Oregon values. Making sure every child has the opportunity to meet their future promise with a strong public education is one of the most fundamental responsibilities of government and one of my top priorities as Governor.

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The governor added, The Trump Administrations threat to shortchange Oregon students hurts children and families and undermines the dedication and work of our educators. That is why I directed ODE to hold the line today. We will not tolerate this unwarranted and unlawful attempt to take away resources promised to Oregon students and paid for by the tax dollars we send to the federal government.

The responses from ODE and the governor come after Education Secretary Linda McMahon praised Puerto Rico on Tuesday for being the first to comply with the administrations request, as reported by AP.

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Every state that wants to continue receiving federal funds should follow suit, McMahon posted on X.

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According to AP, the letter does not carry the force of law but threatens to use civil rights enforcement to rid schools of DEI practices, noting schools could face lawsuits from the Department of Justice.

After initially giving states 10 days to submit their signed letter, certifying they would comply with the administrations ask, the department extended the deadline on Monday to April 24.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
Charlene Williams, director of the Oregon Department of Education, sits for an interview on August 1, 2023. (Amanda Loman/Oregon Capital Chronicle)

The Oregon Department of Education will not end diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives to fit the Trump administrations interpretation of federal civil rights law, Gov. Tina Kotek and the states education director announced Thursday.

Since the start of the new federal administration, I promised Oregonians that I would not back down from a fight when it comes to safeguarding Oregon values, Kotek said. Making sure every child has the opportunity to meet their future promise with a strong public education is one of the most fundamental responsibilities of government and one of my top priorities as governor.

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The U.S. Department of Education gave state education officials around the country an ultimatum in an April 3 letter: End programs supporting certain DEI practices and illegal DEI, or lose millions in federal Title I funding that has benefitted students from low-income families for more than 60 years.

State officials were given 10 days to agree to the conditions, and the agencys decision that diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives violate nondiscrimination requirements for receiving federal money under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

The deadline to respond has now been extended to April 24 under an agreement between the department and several groups suing federal education officials over the directive.

Oregons director of education, Charlene Williams, wrote to federal officials Thursday that the states Department of Education would not sign the confirmation letter or require schools to cut programs and initiatives aimed at bolstering diversity, equity and inclusion. She joins Washingtons education director, who announced Wednesday he would not agree to the federal ultimatum.

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In her letter, Williams enumerated the recent approvals Oregon received from the U.S. Department of Education for complying with federal civil rights law  approvals needed in order to receive Every Student Succeeds Act funding and funding under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act  and that would likely be used to defend the state and its entitlement to Title I funds in court.

The U.S. Department of Education is currently embroiled in several lawsuits brought by the American Federation of Teachers and the National Education Association, two of the countrys largest teachers unions, as well as the American Civil Liberties Union, over its civil rights directives and funding threats aimed at schools.

Oregon has implemented and continues to implement education programs in accordance with state and federal law, Williams wrote. Oregon remains fiercely committed to its values of diversity, equity and inclusion, and we celebrate our differences and common humanity. Our moral and ethical obligation is to stand up for public education.

About 10% to 14% of Oregons annual public education budget typically comes from the federal government. Title I funds  about $134 million  make up nearly 20% of what the state gets from the feds.

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Title I funds support programs in about 40% of Oregon schools, serving more than 200,000 students from low-income families, according to the latest data from the National Center for Education Statistics and from the Oregon Department of Education.

Kotek said in a news release Thursday that she directed the states education department to hold the line against the administrations ultimatum.

We will not tolerate this unwarranted and unlawful attempt to take away resources promised to Oregon students and paid for by the tax dollars we send to the federal government, Kotek said.

Williams in her letter to federal officials said the U.S. Department of Education is unlawfully changing the terms and conditions of funding already awarded to Oregon, without formal rulemaking procedures and has failed to define the very programs that officials are trying to regulate.

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There are no federal or state laws prohibiting diversity, equity, or inclusion, Williams wrote in her response.

Lastly, the request for certification violates the federal Paperwork Reduction Act, Williams said. If federal officials request information from thousands of state and local education agencies they must first, under that law, post a notice to the Federal Register and seek public comment.

Williams criticized federal officials willingness to withhold funding already promised to public schools and to students with the highest needs.

There is no circumstance where it is okay to leverage childrens resources as a political tool, she wrote in her letter to them.

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Meanwhile, on Wednesday, three Oregon House Republicans  Reps. Dwayne Yunker of Grants Pass, Darin Harbick of Rainbow and Ed Diehl of Stayton  requested U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon launch a federal investigation into Oregons Department of Education into what they said are discriminatory education programs in the state, including the Oregon Teacher Scholars Program and the Educator Equity Act. Those programs offer scholarships for teachers-in-training who are culturally or linguistically diverse, and set goals and standards for boosting teacher diversity in the state.

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Oregon is likely to experience more intense periods of drought, heavy rain and other major weather events and natural disasters as a result of climate change and more than a century of burning fossil fuels. A bill that would have required fossil fuels companies to pay into a fund to help respond to such disasters and to help Oregonians adapt to climate change was killed in the state Legislature. (Photo courtesy of the Oregon Department of Transportation)

A bill that would have required fossil fuel companies doing business in Oregon to pay for the downstream and multigenerational costs of their climate pollution will not move forward.

The Senate Committee on Energy and Environment Wednesday decided not to take a vote and advance Senate Bill 1187, the Make Polluters Pay Act, effectively letting the bill die in the committee.

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Sen. Janeen Sollman, D-Hillsboro, chair of the committee, told her colleagues there was not enough time to dedicate to any fixes the bill might need. The bill had its first public hearing Monday.

Good legislation requires adequate time and attention from our staff, from agencies and advocates, to ensure that it achieves its intended goals, Sollman said. I will continue to work in an open and inclusive way with anyone who wants to help protect Oregons climate. And I look forward to having those urgent conversations.

The bill, sponsored by Sens Jeff Golden, D-Ashland, and Khanh Pham, D-Portland, both also members of the committee, would have created a climate superfund seeded with millions of dollars in damages from the handful of companies most responsible for emitting planet-warming greenhouse gasses causing catastrophic climate change.

These include companies like Exxon Mobil, Chevron, and about 50 other oil, gas, coal and cement producers that are directly linked to 80% of the worlds global greenhouse gas emissions during the past decade alone.

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Since 2020, wildfires, drought, heat waves and winter storms exacerbated by a warming planet have directly and indirectly killed hundreds of Oregonians and cost the state more than $5 billion, according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Pham told her fellow committee members she was deeply disappointed they would not take a vote and that she would continue advocating for the bill in the future.

Weve known climate change would lead to these catastrophic disasters since at least 1981, she said. We have had 45 years to take action. And frankly, I think further delay in finding a way to help fund Oregonians recovery and resilience building, and holding the fossil fuel industry accountable, is an insult to the people who have died, and the Oregonians who are paying to rebuild their lives and their communities out of their own pocket.

Thirty percent of the climate superfund dollars would have been set aside for the Oregon State Fire Marshals Office to be used specifically for wildfire prevention and response across the state, and 40% of funds would have been directed to disadvantaged communities bearing disproportionate climate impacts from greenhouse gas pollution.

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It was modeled on similar legislation passed in Vermont and New York in 2024. California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Tennessee and Virginia are considering similar proposals in their own legislatures.

At the bills first hearing Monday, lawmakers heard from dozens of young Oregonians, as well as seniors from the volunteer advocacy group Third Act, who threw their support behind the bill. So many people showed up to testify that a second hearing room had to be opened up for the overflow.

Just two people opposed the bill in person at the Monday hearing: Sharla Moffett, a lobbyist for Oregon Business and Industry, and Rocky Dallum, a lobbyist for the Northwest Pulp and Paper Association, an industry group representing pulp and paper mills across Oregon, Washington and Idaho.

Moffett said the bill was sweeping and impractical and that she and others were not given enough time to weigh in on it.

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Dallum said the states Climate Protection Program, which puts a declining cap on emissions from polluters over the next 25 years already offers an avenue for polluters to pay into climate adaptation and response, via the Community Climate Investments part of the program. Those investments are essentially carbon credits companies can buy to offset some of their greenhouse gas pollution, and the money is funneled to projects that reduce emissions.

Study after study has shown that putting a price tag on each metric ton of carbon dioxide a company emits, such as a fine or tax, works at reducing emissions. Modeling from the MIT and Climate Interactive En-ROADS climate-solution simulator shows it is the single most effective policy decision any government could make to accelerate decarbonization and curb the worst effects of climate change by the end of the century.

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ORWELL  Village council hopes to have a levy plan together by next Wednesdays regular meeting.

During a Tuesday afternoon work session, council discussed options on how to handle two levies that are expiring, a five-year one-mill fire levy and a three-mill operating levy.

Orwell Finance Director Kimberly McKinley provided financial projections to assist council in making decisions on how to approach the levies. My projection was built on five years, she said.

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McKinley urged council to put a short term and long term plan together to make sure the fire department, and other departments, are properly funded.

You have to have a plan and be able to sell it, she said of the need to make sure voters know why money is needed from a specific levy.

Council members discussed varied options including renewal, replacement or additional mills added to a levy.

Orwell Councilman Jeremy Cottrell said he is concerned with replacement or additional levy millage because the chance of voters reacting against the increased tax, leaving the fire department with less operating revenue.

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Council members discussed the option of renewing the present levies and putting together a safety forces levy in 2028.

Orwell Fire Chief Scott Merlino said he needs more money to properly run the department.

Village Council President Chris Ruks asked council members to come up with ideas for levy plans before next weeks meeting.

Council discussed a potential paving project on Penniman Road, and fire hydrant replacement on Route 322.

The fire hydrant project is scheduled to begin April 21, with a reverse 911 plan to make people aware of potential water boil alerts.

Ruks said the village clean up day is scheduled for 8 a.m.-noon May 10.
(WKBN) The Ohio State Highway Patrol is joining a growing number of organizations across the U.S. in shifting the spotlight away from diversity.

In a recent change that the Ohio State Highway Patrol says is effective in name only, the former Office of Training, Recruitment, and Diversity is now the Office of Training, Recruitment, and Professional Operations.

An official with the Patrol says this change is in order to more accurately reflect the operations of the section.

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This change maintains our commitment to inclusive and effective recruitment and training practices, while incorporating a focus on professional operations, the Patrol official stated to First News.

The statement did not address our inquiry of what prompted the change, or how it factors into one of OSHPs core values: diversity.

Courtesy of Ohio State Highway Patrols website

The move comes just two weeks after Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed Senate Bill 1 to law, eliminating DEI offices or school-sponsored scholarships from public colleges. The law will take effect 90 days after its signing.

This passing aligns with an order from the Trump administration requiring K-12 schools to certify that they are following federal civil rights laws and ending any discriminatory diversity, equity and inclusion practices. Schools and states that use illegal DEI practices can face a loss of federal money, including grants and contracts, and can be held liable under the False Claims Act, according to the certification.

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A number of U.S. companies announced they are scaling back DEI initiatives in response to President Trumps executive orders aimed at upending DEI policies in both the federal government and private sector.

The Associated Press reports the following major companies have rolled back DEI practices: Google, Target, Meta platforms, Amazon, McDonalds, Walmart, Ford, Lowes, Harley-Davidson, Brown-Forman, Goldman Sachs, John Deere, Tractor Supply and PepsiCo.

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STILLWATER, Okla. (KFOR)  Oklahoma State Universitys Student Farm is looking to provide easy access to fresh produce for low-income families and individuals.

The OSU Student Farm is a student-led program that aims to end food shortages in Oklahoma.

The farm allows OSU students to get hands-on experience in the agriculture industry while making a difference in their community.

The student farm is partnered with Petes Pantry (an affiliate of the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma) and Our Daily Bread to help provide Oklahoma with fresh fruits and vegetables.

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The student farm donated over 54,000 pounds of produce last year alone. They are on track to double those donations this year.

There are future plans to expand a second field of produce, build a new washstand to clean the produce, and remodel their old house for an office.

For more information, visit go.okstate.edu/student-farm.

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In the first-ever look at the number of people licensed to carry a concealed handgun in Hawaii, the state Department of the Attorney General announced Wednesday that 2, 207 people can pack in public, about 0.2 % of the states resident population age 20 or older.

On Oahu, 1, 356 people are licensed to carry handguns in public, compared with 425 on Hawaii island, 183 on Maui and 243 on Kauai as of Dec. 31. A license to carry concealed handguns in Hawaii is valid for four years and the rules.

Licensees are overrepresented in Kauai County (11.0 % of statewide licensees compared to 5.1 % of the states resident population ) and Hawaii County (19.3 % and 14.5 %, respectively ) and commensurately underrepresented in the City and County of Honolulu and Maui County,  according to the AG.

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People in Hawaii who hold a license to carry a handgun in public are most commonly male ; in their 30s through 50s ; and of Caucasian, Filipino, Hawaiian, or Japanese racial /ethnic descent.

There are no meaningful distinctions in application submissions versus outcomes relative to age, sex, or race /ethnicity,  according to state officials.

People identifying as white held 791 licenses to carry a concealed handgun followed by 643 of Filipino ancestry, 355 of Japanese ancestry, 352 Hawaiians or part Hawaiians, and 100 of Chinese ancestry.

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The statistics revealing how many citizens are able to walk around in public with a gun were included in Licenses to Carry Handguns in Hawaii,  a report by Paul Perrone, the AGs chief of research and statistics.

The report is required annually by law.

Statewide, 2, 697 license to carry applications were received by the county police departments, while 2, 456 licenses were issued, and officials noted that some licensees hold multiple licenses in order to select between different carry guns.

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One hundred and nineteen applications were denied and six were revoked.

The full report can be downloaded from the Department of the Attorney Generals Research and Statistics website.

A 6-3 decision on June 22, 2022, by the Supreme Court in New York State Rifle &Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen ensured police chiefs in Hawaii lost discretion to deny a permit to carry a gun to law-abiding citizens who satisfy basic requirements put in place by each county.

In 2023, Gov. Josh Green signed Act 52 into law, which dictates when and where licensed gun owners can carry firearms.

People cannot carry guns on private property owned by someone else or in and on beaches, parks and restaurants and bars that serve alcohol, along with their adjacent parking areas.

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Act 52 also requires possession and disclosure of a license to carry. Prohibits leaving an unsecured firearm in a vehicle unattended. Prohibits consuming or being under the influence of alcohol, an intoxicating liquor, or a controlled substance when carrying a firearm.

In 2023, Mayor Rick Blangiardi also signed into law Bill 57, which bans firearms in 13 sensitive places  across Oahu, including schools, child care facilities, popular places such as the Waikiki Aquarium, voting sites and hospitals.

State officials by a panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that the officials maintain upholds the state restrictions on where people can carry firearms in Hawaii.

In the wake of the Bruen ruling, county police departments had to scramble to staff up licensing operations and comply with rapidly evolving federal, state and county policies.

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Adding to the hassle of complying with the new laws was withering input from Second Amendment advocates and those who oppose the proliferation of firearms outside of the military and law enforcement.

Honolulu Police Chief Arthur Joe  Logan told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser that it has been a steep learning curve to implement the amended Rules of the Chief for the City and County of Honolulu in the wake of the Bruen decision.

The sensitive places argument is still, and we await a final determination in order to codify this decision into law,  said Logan. HPD has not seen an increase in gun violence as it relates to those legally carrying a firearm. However, we have seen an increase in gun violence committed by those who do not have a legal right to carry a firearm whether due to age, permit, license, or previous criminal convictions.

Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney Steve Alm echoed Logans statements about gun violence in Hawaii after Bruen.

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Alm told the Star-Advertiser that his office has not seen an increase in gun related crimes that is directly related to an increase in the issuance of licenses to private citizens to carry a firearm.

The vast majority of the citizens of Hawaii, that applied for these licenses, are being responsible and are unlikely to be involved in crimes using a firearm. However, we are seeing crimes committed with ghost guns (guns that are not serialized or licensed ),  Alm said. To address these crimes, our office submitted a bill in our package this legislative session that provides a definition of a ghost gun. House Bill 392 will provide police and prosecutors a tool to effectively investigate and prosecute these crimes.

The measure was approved by the state House and Senate and is expected to be signed into law by the governor. State House leadership is still reviewing the AGs report.

The Maui Police Department and its records section are committed to upholding the laws of the State of Hawaii and the United States.

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Kauai Police Department Chief Todd Raybuck told the Star-Advertiser that Kauai has not seen any identifiable increase or decrease in violent crime since the issuance of permits to carry.

The process for review and approval has been without complications,  Raybuck said. KPD hasnt identified any trends related to gun free zones. KPDs focus remains on maintaining compliance with state and federal laws on firearms.

Maui County has the lowest percentage of licensed firearms in the state, accounting for only.14 %. Furthermore, over the past two years, Maui County has seen no increase in violent crime (2022-2023 ) or experienced a reduction in such incidents, with a 5 % decrease reported for 2023-2024,  Alana K. Pico, the MPD spokesperson, told the Star-Advertiser. This achievement reflects the dedication and tireless efforts of the men and women of the Maui Police Department.

Andrew Namiki Roberts, a director and board member of the Hawaii Firearms Coalition, told the Star-Advertiser that the firearms report confirms what we expected.

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It shows that although concealed carry has been legal in Hawaii for two years, the number of people applying for and being approved for permits remains relatively low compared to other states that require a license to carry concealed,  said Roberts, noting that 29 states have adopted constitutional carry laws and do not require a permit. The primary reason for Hawaiis low numbers is the actions of both the Legislature and the police departments.

In 2023, significant legal changes made the process far more burdensome for applicants. New license seekers are now required to take multiple classeswhich can cost hundreds of dollarssubmit a self-declared affidavit, and pay a $150 fee. For most people, this process is both expensive and time-consuming, often requiring multiple days and several trips to the police station.
The Stoneham Fire Department and the Department of Public Works responded to a dozen fire alarms that simultaneously went off due to the overpressurization of water lines.

Reports came in around 11:20 A.M., Stoneham Police and Fire dispatch received dozens of automated fire alarms from multiple Stoneham public schools, including: Stoneham High School, Stoneham Central Middle School, the Robin Hood School, and also several commercial and residential properties in town.

With mutual assistance from Reading, Wakefield, and Melrose firefighters, crews were able to respond to the locations, prioritizing the schools first.

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After 25 minutes of continuous alarms, crews realized that they had been set off by the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) as they overpressurized water lines in town to flush them out. Because of the overpressurization, a small water main break occurred on Spring Street.

Fire Chief Matthew Grafton praised the response from the first responders, saying they handled it terrifically.

Dispatchers kept close track of addresses as they came in, and worked closely with the Fire Department and mutual aid departments to communicate what was happening during the response. Fire Department officials communicated with school officials, Public Works, and the Facilities Department to determine the cause of this. Everyone involved did a really good job handling this situation, which was overwhelming at first. Fortunately, there were no actual fires or serious damage that occurred from this that were aware of. Fire Chief Matthew Grafton

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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Burros were used by gold miners as pack animals in California more than a century ago. Today, wild donkeys teem in areas of San Bernardino County, where they have become a safety hazard on local roads.

To address the overpopulation problem, county officials have approved new deals with a local nonprofit to help sterilize and relocate many of the pint-size equines to sanctuaries.

These partnerships reflect our commitment to local, compassionate and community-focused solutions for managing the wild burro population in San Bernardino County, said Luther Snoke, county chief executive, at a Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday.

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DonkeyLand founder Amber LeVonne said in a statement that the rescue organization was "thrilled to continue to work with San Bernardino County under new contracts to support our local wild burros."

Two contracts, which went into effect April 1, will help relocate orphaned, sick or injured wild donkeys, according to the county. Another contract would provide funding to DonkeyLand to castrate 100 donkeys within a year.

The county has also teamed up with the nonprofit to gather and transport burros to the DonkeyLand sanctuary. The organization has a wildlife preserve with more than 2,000 acres of space for wild burros and donkeys.

Donkeys or wild burros are descended from domesticated donkeys left behind by gold miners more than a century ago. The burros have roamed the pine forests and sagebrush fields of the Big Bear Valley area, but their numbers could overwhelm rare and endangered species of plants.

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Read more: 'Round them up and castrate the boys'; California conservationists take aim at wild burros

In addition, some locals have complained of destruction of private property and that the animals can be traffic hazards, endangering both residents and the burros.

Donkeys have been injured and killed in traffic collisions, according to county officials.

The county had previously worked with DonkeyLand, but county officials said there was disagreement about whether the organization had the ability to take in additional burros to their sanctuary in late 2024.

DonkeyLand officials, however, refuted the claim that they told the county they were at capacity.

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"The county knows first-hand that we are capable of housing another 550 permanent residents, the board of DonkeyLand wrote on Facebook. It is unclear why they have expressed publicly that we are at capacity and yet they brought us several herds on December 12th, 2024.

The county's Department of Public Health decided to instead partner with the Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue to capture and rescue nearly 256 burros in the unincorporated Reche Canyon region.

The county terminated that contract with Peaceful Valley on Jan. 24 after receiving negative feedback from supporters of DonkeyLand.

PVDR and the County Department of Public Health have mutually agreed to conclude the contract for wild burro rescue and relocation services, signing a termination letter effective January 24, 2025, according to the county's Wild Burro Program web page.

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WASHINGTON, April 10 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday warned that military action remains on the table if Iran fails to agree to end its nuclear program, suggesting Israel will play a key role in any potential response.

"If it requires military, we're going to have military," Trump told reporters from the Oval Office. "Israel will obviously be very much involved in that," he said on Fox News.

Trump said he has established a specific deadline in mind for Iran to agree to end its nuclear program, though he did not reveal the timeline. Previous reports indicated he had given Iran a two-month window starting from his March letter to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The warning came ahead of planned U.S.-Iran talks in Oman on Saturday. U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff is set to lead the American delegation, while Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will represent Tehran.

Iranian officials have rejected direct negotiations while under what they call Trump's "maximum pressure" campaign but remain open to the indirect talks mediated by Omani officials.

Trump has repeatedly warned of severe consequences if Iran does not abandon its nuclear program.

"If the talks aren't successful with Iran, I think Iran is going to be in great danger," Trump said Monday after talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

In recent weeks, the United States has increased its military presence in the region, deploying a second aircraft carrier, the USS Carl Vinson, alongside the USS Harry S. Truman strike group. B-2 stealth bombers have also been stationed at the Diego Garcia base in the Indian Ocean. These bombers are equipped with "bunker buster" bombs capable of penetrating underground nuclear sites, Fox News reported.

Netanyahu has advocated for a "Libyan-style" solution during his trip to Washington earlier this week, referring to Libya's complete dismantling of its weapons programs in 2003.

In a Washington Post opinion piece published Tuesday, Iran's Foreign Minister Araghchi wrote: "To move forward today, we first need to agree that there can be no 'military option,' let alone a 'military solution.' ... The proud Iranian nation ... will never accept coercion and imposition." 
A New Hampshire mustard manufacturer and its president are facing serious consequences after admitting to illegally disposing of polluted water in a local waterway, reported WMUR 9.

What happened?

Old Dutch Mustard Co. and its president, Charles Santich, have pleaded guilty to federal charges for knowingly releasing contaminated water into the Souhegan River without proper permits.

Court records show that back in 2015, Santich hired workers to install hidden pipes from the Greenville factory along an abandoned railroad bed leading to the river. He then directed staff to use these underground channels for waste disposal while instructing them to keep quiet about the operation.

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The unlawful activities continued until 2021, when state inspectors visited due to reports of excessive wastewater. They noticed a strong vinegar odor during their inspection and spotted water flowing through a man-made channel. When questioned, Santich claimed the smell came from "a failed attempt to grow mustard seed," prosecutors said.

The company faces potential fines reaching tens of thousands of dollars, while Santich could spend up to three years behind bars. His sentencing is scheduled for June.

Why is water pollution concerning?

When businesses dump untreated wastewater into rivers, they introduce harmful substances that can harm plants, animals, and humans who depend on those water sources. Clean waterways are foundational to healthy communities and ecosystems.

The Souhegan River supports local wildlife and provides recreational opportunities for nearby residents. Contamination can damage these natural systems, harming fish populations and making the water unsafe for swimming or fishing.

What's being done about industrial water pollution?

The Clean Water Act gives authorities tools to hold polluters accountable, as shown by the prosecution of Old Dutch Mustard and its president.

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You can help protect local waterways by reporting suspicious activities near rivers and streams to your state's environmental protection agency. Supporting companies with transparent waste management practices also makes a difference.

Many manufacturers now use water-saving technologies and better filtration systems that reduce pollution while saving money. These innovations show that protecting our water and running a successful business can go hand-in-hand.

Communities nationwide are also monitoring water quality through volunteer programs, creating early warning systems that help catch pollution before it causes lasting damage.

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.
Frederick Leon Newell (left) exits the Hennepin County Government Center with his attorney Daniel Repka (right) after a court appearance on Jan. 22, 2025. He is the first person to be convicted of criminal wage theft in Minnesota. (Max Nesterak/Minnesota Reformer)

A Hennepin County District Court judge handed down Minnesotas first wage theft conviction on Wednesday against a painting contractor, Frederick Leon Newell, for stealing more than $35,000 in wages from five workers at an affordable housing development in Minneapolis.

Prosecutors and union leaders heralded the conviction as a major step forward in the states yearslong effort to crack down on wage theft, which is more common than robbery, according to some estimates despite being rarely prosecuted.

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This prosecution and conviction should send a message to all workers: Your wage complaints will be taken seriously and thoroughly investigated and prosecuted, Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said at a news conference on Thursday.

In 2019, Minnesota legislators passed one of the most stringent wage theft laws in the country, making it a felony to steal more than $1,000, like other forms of theft. Yet few have been charged in the past six years, in large part because of a lack of knowhow and resources by local law enforcement to investigate white collar crimes.

Newell will likely be put on probation for three to five years but could face a year in the county workhouse for the felony convictions of wage theft and theft by swindle when hes sentenced in June, Moriarty said.

An attorney for Newell did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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The convictions stem from painting and cleaning work Integrated Painting Solutions was hired to do in 2020 on the Redwell, an affordable apartment complex in Minneapolis.

Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty speaks at a news conference with union leaders celebrating the first criminal wage theft conviction in Minnesota on April 10, 2025. (Max Nesterak/Minnesota Reformer)

Newells company received more than $320,000 for the work on the development, which required that he pay a prevailing minimum wage of $36 per hour for painters and $36.41 per hour for general laborers plus benefits because it received public funding through tax increment financing.

Newell paid his workers far less than required  from $15 to $25 per hour  and submitted falsified payroll records to cover up the underpayments. All told, Newell stole more than $35,000 in wages from five workers, with one employee underpaid by nearly $14,000 over just three months in 2020, according to the criminal conviction.

The case came to light after the workers filed complaints with the city of Minneapoliss Civil Rights Division, with the help of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades union.

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The city investigated their claims and in June 2021 issued a violation letter to Integrated Painting Solutions that employees were owed restitution for unpaid wages. Newell signed a settlement agreement with the city to pay $43,166 in restitution but never did.

Greiner Construction, the general contractor for the Redwell, voluntarily made Newells workers whole beyond what they had already paid to Newells company.

In 2022, the previous Hennepin County attorney, Mike Freeman, filed charges against Newell after receiving a referral from the city of Minneapolis.

Hennepin County District Court Judge Michael Burns presided over a bench trial in the case in January. Prosecutors called 12 witnesses and submitted 60 exhibits while Newell didnt call any witnesses or submit any evidence. His attorney argued that prosecutors hadnt met the burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt.

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Burns determined there was sufficient evidence to convict Newell of the two felonies and also ruled that there are factors justifying a longer sentence than the stayed 21 month prison term recommended under the states sentencing guidelines.

Newell may still operate a painting contracting business though he is effectively barred from publicly funded projects in Minneapolis and may face similar restrictions at the state level, according to the Hennepin County Attorneys Office.

On Thursday, Jordan Fry, a business agent with the painters union, encouraged workers to report labor law violations so that low-road contractors are held accountable.

You must come forward to tell your story, Fry said. We are here we will stand with you.

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While prosecutors and labor leaders celebrated the convictions, they also acknowledged that the slow pace of justice is a significant impediment to deterrence.

The convictions come five years after the crime occurred, illustrating the low priority wage theft cases have in finding time on court schedules packed with murders, assaults, burglaries and rapes.

We are trying to figure out how to make these cases go a little faster, Moriarty said, which includes encouraging the court to set aside a judge to handle wage theft cases.

Its hard to hold people accountable when they know theyre not actually going to see a judge, she said.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is currently prosecuting another felony wage theft case against a central Minnesota dairy farmer, accused of stealing millions in wages from hundreds of workers in a civil case that settled for $250,000 last year.
European drivers are being conned into buying a so-called renewable diesel found to contain a sludgy spin-off generated when palm oil is produced.

Palm oil mill effluent "is being blended into European biofuels," according to Transport & Environment, which describes itself as "Europe's leading advocates [sic] for clean transport & energy."

In other words, a type of diesel known as HVO, which is being marketed as green by big oil companies, is likely "fraudulent" due it being "palm oil in disguise."

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"Data indicate that more palm oil residues are being reported than is actually possible, suggesting a high likelihood of fraud," Transport & Environment warns in a report published on April 9.

"After a decade of biofuel policies contributing to global deforestation, the EU began shifting toward waste-based alternatives like used cooking oil, animal fats, but also palm products, and residues," according to Transport & Environment, which warns that the shift to "so-called waste materials" has led to knock-on concern about what it calls "questionable imports."

The findings follow attempts by some European countries and the European Commission to reduce imports of palm oil, said to be the worlds most widely used and most versatile vegetable oil, due to it being grown on deforested land in Indonesia and Malaysia.

An ingredient in a wide range of foods and cosmetics, palm oil is also made into a fuel and used in Asia for cooking.

The EUs campaign to reduce palm oil use has led to tensions with Indonesia and Malaysia, source countries for most of the worlds exported palm oil, who argue in turn that the land needed to produce palm oil is far less than what is needed to grow enough other crops to produce the same amount of alternative oils.
Two parents charged in the death of their 3-year-old son, who fell nine stories from the familys Independence apartment last year, are suing the owners of the building, alleging they were negligent in not providing windows with safety features they said could have prevented the boys death.

The family complained about concerns they had about the windows before the deadly fall, an attorney for the family said.

Attorneys for Destiny Randle and Moses Bass  parents of Tidus Bass, who died in July after the fall at the Independence Towers building on North Jennings Road  alleged in court documents the window the child fell from lacked basic safety features, the apartments where the family lived suffered from systemic neglect, and management repeatedly ignored complaints of poor living conditions at the site.

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The Star reported previously on living conditions at Independence Towers, as residents raised concerns over issues with plumbing and HVAC systems, flooding, mold and pests. The building is being sold through receivership proceedings overseen by a Jackson County judge after Fannie Mae said the sites owners defaulted on their loan.

The new lawsuit, filed in Jackson County Circuit Court on Monday, names as defendants 728 N Jennings Rd Partners LLC, the embattled company managed by local landlord Parker Webb, which is the current owner of the building, as well as FTW Investments LLC, Tango Property Management and PR Independence LLC, former ownership and management groups for the site.

Randle and Bass are also suing Crown Window Corporation and Crystal Window and Door Systems, which the lawsuit said installed and manufactured the apartments windows.

Representatives for each of the companies named in the lawsuit did not respond to requests for comment Wednesday.

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Both parents were charged with counts of first-degree endangering the welfare of a child after Tiduss death, and both are scheduled to go to trial later this year  Bass in September and Randle in November.

The receiver of the troubled Independence Towers is seeking to expedite the sale of the apartment building at 728 N. Jennings Road in Independence.

No window fall protection, no central AC

According to the lawsuit, as temperatures rose on the morning of July 29, Tidus and his brother woke up in their room and Tidus was easily able to open the window in his bedroom because it lacked adequate locking mechanisms and other safety features to prevent him from doing so, attorneys for the family wrote in court documents.

The window had no fall protection features like restrictor plates and window guards to keep him from falling, the lawsuit said, noting that the boy fell through the windows torn screen nine stories to the ground below.

Tidus was taken to Centerpoint Medical Center and then to Childrens Mercy Hospital, where he died that day.

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Andrew Goodwin, one of the civil attorneys representing the family, said his clients had complained to building management numerous times about the safety issue. He said the windows currently dont meet building code and believes they were also out of code when they were installed in 2015.

I dont know how an apartment complex of this size would have been able to install those windows, he said.

The fall risk posed by the windows was made even more severe by the need to keep windows open on hot days, attorneys said. Air conditioning didnt work in the brick building, and the familys two-bedroom apartment only had one window unit in the main living area, Goodwin said.

Its a brick building, and in the summer its like a pizza oven, he said. Those brick walls heat up all day, and youre in there getting cooked. Depriving the people of air conditioning and then having unsafe windows is just a deadly combination, as we have seen.

Tidus Bass, 3, son of Moses Bass and Destiny Randle, died after a nine-story fall from the familys Independence Towers residence in July 2024.

Independence Towers is the most egregious case of landlord neglect he had ever seen, he said, pointing to issues like roaches, bedbugs and mice, people getting stuck in the elevator and people camping in stairwells.

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It just goes on and on how hellish those towers are, he said. What I fear is that the child protective services and police mistook poverty for neglect.

Grand jury indictment

A grand jury indictment, however, alleges the parents failed to supervise the child in a room with a window that could be opened.

A week before the fall, Independence police made a referral to state child welfare officials after another child from the home was found at a gas station a short distance from the apartments. Police eventually returned the child home, and Bass reported the child had been in trouble the day before, according to a police report.

The day of the fatal fall, Goodwin said Bass had checked on Tidus and his brother minutes prior, and then had stepped outside with the dog. Randle, who was pregnant at the time, was ill and suffering from morning sickness that day, he said.

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My hope is that with new leadership at the prosecutors office, this is not the kind of case that they would choose to pursue, because they will get acquitted, Goodwin said. These are good people whove had a terrible thing happen to them.

Jazzlyn Johnson, a spokeswoman for the Jackson County Prosecutors Office, said the cases were active and declined to comment.

Previous reporting from The Stars Robert Cronkleton, Noelle Alviz-Gransee and Ilana Arougheti was used in this story.
Drivers are facing a steep rise in parking costs this year as cash-strapped local councils introduce new charges.

Around one in five councils have now brought in surcharges on petrol and diesel vehicles in their areas, enforcing them on car park tariffs and resident parking permits.

This includes two-thirds of Londons boroughs which are now charging vehicles variably according to fuel type. The extra levy is alongside the low-emission zone (LEZ) penalties which is in force in all of the capitals 32 boroughs.

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But in several of these boroughs, the vehicle criteria is actually more strict than the LEZ. For instance, Euro 6 vehicles, which are allowed within the LEZ, now face a clean air surcharge in many areas.

One in five councils have now introduced the new parking surcharge (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

These rules vary between areas that have the surcharges in place, with some only enforcing the charge on diesel vehicles. More authorities are joining the list every year, with North East Somerset and East Sussex and Bath becoming the latest to introduce a new charge.

Councils say the charges help to tackle air pollution in their areas and encourages drivers to switch to less-polluting models. For instance, advice from Lambeth Council says its charge is designed to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and improve air quality.

But motoring groups and affected residents have criticised the schemes, arguing that they are more about boosting ailing council coffers than protecting the environment. Many have also been criticised for being unclear and improperly signposted, leading to drivers racking up hefty charges they were unaware of.

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A spokesperson for the AA said: A charge reasonably covers the cost of providing a service, plus some profit. Anything above that is a tax, according to evidence submitted to parliament.

Tying emissions to the cost of parking is cash-guzzling by councils, they told The Guardian.

A rise in the use of car park apps has caused the practice to increase (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

MPs have previously questioned the introduction of surcharges based on factors that are related to a vehicles characteristics, rather than the cost to the council for the space. A transport committee hearing in 2009 concluded that councils could bring in discounts for clean vehicles, but adding extra charges to other vehicles should be considered a new tax.

But the practice of clean air surcharges has only taken hold in recent years alongside the rise of parking apps which are now routinely used by local councils. Opposed to a flat-rate paper ticket system, these apps require car park users to enter their vehicle registration number. The app can then extract details like its engine size and emissions rate through accessing DVLA records, selecting a rate to charge accordingly.

A Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesperson said: While councils are responsible for making their own decisions on these schemes, we are clear that they should carefully consider the financial impact on motorists.
BURLINGTON, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44)  Thursday marked a new the beginning of a new chapter for Vermonts cybersecurity industry.

A partnership between Champlain College and NuHarbor Security hopes to create a pipeline of students heading into the sector, and a newly renovated space at the Leahy Center on Lakeside avenue will play a crucial role.

College president Alex Hernandez says that each year, they have a goal of preparing 1,000 students to work in Vermont industries.

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Because of the people in this room, we have 600 students studying cyber security, Hernandez said proudly.

The center will serve as both a second location for NuHarbor offices, and a hub for those enrolled in Vermont Cyber Start, another product of the Champlain NuHarbor collaboration.

Its a new, innovative program that is available to students all across the state and gives them an opportunity to get into cyber in non-traditional ways, explains NuHarbor CEO and founder Justin Fimlain.

The initiative offers up to 12 college credits and a clear pathway to higher education for high school students across the state.

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Theres always been a saying that our number one industry is tourism, and out number one export is young talent. So hopefully with this, we can keep people here for a long time, says Fimlain.

Among the many in attendance at Thursdays ribbon cutting ceremony was the buildings namesake  former Vermont senator Patrick Leahy  a longtime advocate for the advancement of cybersecurity.

He expressed gratitude, as online attacks are not only becoming more common, but more intense.

Of the project, Leahy says, Our little state has become a leader in cybersecurity. When other states and institutions ask how to develop the next level of cybersecurity, I tell them come to Burlington. Well show you how its done.

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You can learn more about the Vermont Cyber Start program 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 ABC22 & FOX44.
PANAMA CITY, April 9 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from the roof collapse at a nightclub in Santo Domingo, capital of the Dominican Republic, has risen to 184, Dominican authorities confirmed late Wednesday, as rescue efforts continue with no new survivors found since Tuesday afternoon.

Juan Manuel Mendez, director of the Emergency Operations Center, said no additional survivors have been rescued since 3:00 p.m. local time (1900 GMT) on April 8.

Nelsy Milagros Cruz, governor of Monte Cristi province, is among those killed, according to local authorities.

Dominican President Luis Abinader has declared three days of national mourning starting April 8 to honor the victims.

Emergency services have set up a hotline to help families obtain information about the injured and the missing. Investigation is under way to determine the cause of the collapse.

The collapse occurred during a party at the Jet Set nightclub in the capital in the early hours Tuesday. Jet Set is a well-known nightclub in Santo Domingo and often hosts live performances. Local media reported that the roof fell after a sudden power outage. 
A Pasadena woman has admitted to stalking government employees and threatening to bomb a United States consulate in Vietnam.

Natalie Nguyen, 39, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to one count of stalking and one count of threat by interstate commerce to kill another person and to damage and destroy buildings by fire and explosives, the U.S. Department of Justice said in a news release.

Nguyen stalked one person prosecutors described only as T.H. for nearly a year in 2023 and 2024, at times emailing threats that she would kill T.H. and his wife, including a screenshot of a text conversation about paying a hitman $15,000 to kill T.H.s wife.

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Nguyen also impersonated T.H. and his wife in online correspondences, such as in 2023 when she threatened to bomb the U.S. consulate in Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, pretending to be T.H.s wife.

She also impersonat[ed] T.H. and us[ed] T.H.s email account without permission to threaten three consulate employees that i wil [sic] kill every [expletive] one of you who has been delaying issuing my wife visa, prosecutors said.

Impersonating T.H.s wife, Nguyen sent a message to U.S. officials through an online portal in which she said a device will be detonated at America consular in Saigon and in San Francisco, the release explained.

All of you will be exploded for causing my separation with my husband for this last year. Everything will be exploded around new year or after, Nguyen added in the message purportedly from T.H.s wife.

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Nguyen, who has been in federal custody since February 2024, is scheduled to be sentenced on June 18.

She faces a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison on the stalking charge and 10 years for the threats charge.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
A Pasadena woman has admitted to stalking a man and threatening to kill him and his wife, as well as threatening to bomb a U.S. Consulate in Vietnam.

Natalie Nguyen, 39, pleaded guilty Wednesday at the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California to one count of stalking and one count of threat by interstate commerce to kill another person and to damage and destroy buildings by fire and explosives.

Nguyen stalked a man who is identified in court documents as "T.H." and his wife from April 2023 through February 2024, per her plea agreement. She sent several emails to the man and threatened to kill him and his wife. One email included screenshots of a text conversation about paying a hit man $15,000 to kill the wife.

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She sent several emails to officials  impersonating T.H. and his wife  in which she threatened to detonate a bomb at the U.S. Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City and had also stalked five of its employees, according to authorities.

In an October 2023 email impersonating T.H., Nguyen wrote to three government employees at the U.S. Consulate stating, i wil [sic] kill every [expletive] one of you who has been delaying issuing my wife visa.

In January 2024, this time impersonating T.H.'s wife, Nguyen sent a message to U.S. officials through an online portal: Device will be detonated at America consular in Saigon and in San Francisco. All of you will be exploded for causing my separation with my husband for this last year. Everything will be exploded around new year or after.

Through a message in a U.S. Embassy online portal, she also threatened to set off grenades around the time of the Lunar New Year.

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Nguyen's lawyer, Benjamin P. Lechman, said in a statement to The Times on Wednesday that "no one was physically harmed in any way in this case."

"This is a case about a person who  at the time of the offense  was suffering from some very real mental health issues," he said. "Ms. Nguyen is now working with a talented mental health professional and with today's plea, has taken responsibility for her actions. She is simply seeking to put this episode behind her and move ahead with her life in a positive fashion.

"Mental health struggles affect a large segment of society and Ms. Nguyen encourages anyone suffering like she was to seek appropriate treatment as soon as possible," Lechman added.

Nguyen has been in federal custody since February 2024, and her sentencing hearing is set for June 18. She faces a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison for the stalking count and up to 10 years in federal prison for the threats count.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Nobel laureate Paul Krugman joined other economists Thursday in delivering some harsh words for President Donald Trumps shifting tariff policies and those who think hes doing a good job.

Anyone sounding the all-clear on tariffs, or Trump economic policy in general, should be kept away from sharp objects and banned from operating heavy machinery, Krugman, one of the countrys top economists, wrote in a Substack post titled Trump Is Stupid, Erratic and Weak.

Its foolish to think Trumps pivot on tariffs yesterday  when he announced he was now putting a 10% tariff on every country and a 125% tariff on China for the next 90 days  has actually improved anything, Krugman said. Were still at risk of a major financial crisis he said, and the rest of the world now knows that Trump is weak as well as erratic.

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Global uncertainty around Trumps actions is just as dangerous to the economy as high tariffs, he said.

So are things settled now? Hardly. The pause is for 90 days. Then what happens? Nobody, Trump included, has the faintest idea, Krugman wrote.

Paul Krugman speaks at the European Shipping Summit in Brussels on March 20. NurPhoto via Getty Images

[I]f you were a business owner or executive, would you make any major investments or long-term commitments over the next few months? he asked. I wouldnt.

Research has found that tariffs lighter than these would impose a nasty shock on the US economy, Krugman wrote, pointing to an earlier economic model researchers at the Peterson Institute for International Economics constructed assuming Trump would implement 10% tariffs across the board and just 60% on China.

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Trumps post-pause tariff regime remains the biggest trade shock in U.S., and I think world history, Krugman said.

Earlier this week, a top economist said he was was shocked to discover that the Trump administration had cited his research when formulating the tariffs, saying they got it very wrong.

How on earth did it calculate such huge rates? University of Chicago economics professor Brent Neiman, who worked for the U.S. Treasury Department under former President Joe Biden, wrote in a New York Times op-ed.

Former U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen also had harsh words for Trumps tariff policy Thursday.

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This is the worst self-inflicted wound that I have ever seen in an administration impose on a well-functioning economy, she told CNN.

Related...
The deadline to get a Real ID is less than a month away.

Starting May 7, youll need one to get onto airplanes, into federal government buildings, and onto military bases  but itll be a fight to get into a Department of Motor Vehicles.

As of Thursday at noon, only one in North Carolina DMV had available appointments. Channel 9s Eli Brand learned what people can do to try to beat the deadline.

PAST COVERAGE: REAL ID enforcement to start in 1 month

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Long lines at the DMV are not unusual, no matter what office you go to in the state, and officials said there isnt really much you can do to get in quickly.

Its about a two months wait, resident Victoria Barsuk told Channel 9 on Thursday at a DMV location off of Brookshire Boulevard in west Charlotte.

When asked if she got an appointment for Thursday or if she was just waiting, she said, No, just waiting in this line for God knows how long.

Barsuk is just one of many people in N.C. forced to wait in long lines at the DMV. She just moved to the Carolinas from Canada.

Ive passed by here and saw a line every time. So, today I just gave up and decided to wait it out, Barsuk said.

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In North Carolina, in-person appointments can be scheduled online but only up to 90 days in the future.

When we checked the NCDMV website around noon on Thursday to see which offices had an opening in the next 90 days, only one DMV office in the entire state had one.

And it was in Franklin  a nearly 150 mile drive from Charlotte.

Marty Homan with the NCDMV said the Real ID deadline has people flocking to the DMV to try and get one. But its not just that causing long lines.

With all the people moving here, every single one of those persons needs to come in person for their first transaction, and then you throw Real ID in. All those people that may have waited, Homan said.

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Homan added that new appointments open at midnight for the 90th day after the current date. That current time frame puts you in July.

He also said if someone cancels their appointment, it can be scooped up online on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Walk-ins are also taken at DMV offices from noon to 5 p.m., when theyre open, and 20 more locations are now open on Saturdays.

In South Carolina, walk-ins seem to be a bit easier. When we checked the SCDMV website, it said wait times in Fort Mill, Rock Hill, Lancaster, and Chester were no longer than eight minutes.

Theres really not a choice for anyone here and every location is busy, Barsuk said.

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Officials with the NCDMV said they wont stop issuing Real IDs on May 7. You can still get them throughout the summer and going into the holidays.

In an effort to shorten lines and wait times at offices across the state, officials also said theyre piloting the use of self-service kiosks in grocery stores. Click here for a FULL list of NCDMV Express self-service kiosk locations.

WATCH BELOW: Charlotte Douglas Airport to gain new security checkpoint, process more passengers
Seated in a modest classroom, Tanzanian tourism student Noel Ivon Isack intently traces Chinese characters in his notebook. The 19-year-old aspires to leverage his new language skills to build a career to guide visitors through Tanzania's renowned wildlife reserves and scenic beaches.

"I want to make Chinese visitors feel at home," said Isack, a third-year student at the National College of Tourism (NCT) in Dar es Salaam. "Most of them only speak Chinese, so if we want them to enjoy Tanzania, we must speak their language."

With a growing influx of Chinese tourists, Tanzania's state-run tourism college has launched Chinese language courses in collaboration with the Confucius Institute at the University of Dar es Salaam to nurture future industry professionals. Of the 531 students currently enrolled, 215 have chosen to study Chinese.

"It is a game changer," said Farida Sebastian Masalu, the campus manager. "We want to give our students a competitive edge as Tanzania strengthens ties with China."

Since 2023, Tanzania has ramped up efforts to attract Chinese visitors. One major step was launching the promotional film Amazing Tanzania in Beijing in May 2024, featuring President Samia Suluhu Hassan, Zanzibar's President Hussein Ali Mwinyi, and Chinese actor Jin Dong.

"These initiatives promote Tanzania's tourism and deepen the friendship between our countries," Masalu said.

Tanzania is already seeing results. According to Ephraim Mafuru, director general of the Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB), arrivals from China jumped from 44,000 to 62,000 in the past nine months.

"Our goal is to attract at least 1 percent of China's international travelers," said Ephraim. "That is 1.3 million tourists, and we are just getting started."

To support this ambition, the TTB has partnered with local institutions like NCT to provide Chinese language training for tour guides and workers in the broader tourism value chain.

"The language barrier remains one of our biggest challenges," Mafuru said. "But we are working on it. Chinese visitors will feel much more comfortable being welcomed in their language."

According to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, Tanzania received over 5.36 million tourists in 2024, including 2.14 million international visitors. The country earned about 4 billion U.S. dollars in tourism revenue that year, a significant increase from 2023, Minister Pindi Chana announced in February 2025.

Pan Lei from "Fashion Tourism," the first Chinese tourist company in Tanzania, told Xinhua that Tanzania boasts some of the world's richest wildlife resources, including the Great Migration in the Serengeti plains. It is also home to Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa, and Zanzibar, the pearl of the Indian Ocean.

"This is just the beginning," said Mafuru. "China is an essential part of our strategy to grow tourism in the years ahead."

Back in the classroom, 28-year-old student Rajabu Almasi sees the Chinese language as more than just a skill. He sees it as an investment. "You cannot ignore China," he said. "If we want to succeed in tourism, we need to understand our guests, their language, their culture, and their needs."

Asha Fum Khamis, a Chinese language instructor assigned by the Confucius Institute to teach at NCT, echoed this sentiment. "I am not just teaching a language," she said. I am preparing these students for real opportunities, including jobs, partnerships, and cultural bridges."

Khamis said Chinese-speaking Tanzanians will soon be in high demand across the tourism sector, from tour guiding to hospitality and beyond.

"The wave is coming," she said with a smile. "Our students will be ready to ride it."
OTTAWA, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Thursday spoke with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen about economic and defense cooperation.

According to an information release issued by the prime minister's office, the leaders discussed the imposition of tariffs and ongoing threat of further unjustified global trade actions by the United States.

The leaders emphasized the importance of working together to deepen economic ties and promote economic security for people on both sides of the Atlantic.

Carney highlighted his plan to fight tariffs targeting Canada, including those on the auto, steel and aluminum industries.

The leaders also welcomed enhancing Canada-EU defense and security cooperation in support of transatlantic security.

Carney has spoken with the leaders of the UK, Germany and Mexico this month to seek joint efforts amid the tariff war against the United States. 
(Reuters) - A freight liberalisation agreement allowing Ukrainian cargo to enter the EU without a transport permit has been extended until the end of the year, Ukrainian officials said on Thursday.

The agreement, signed in 2022, cancels the requirement for Ukrainian carriers to obtain permits for bilateral and transit transport to the EU and avoids exports of Ukrainian products having to stop at road checkpoints.

The arrangement is critical in a situation where Ukrainian Black Sea ports, key to imports and exports, have been blocked since the Russian invasion in February 2022.

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However, the sharp increase in traffic across Ukraine's borders with the EU has caused protests from hauliers in neighbouring countries.

Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba said the extension was important news for Ukraine's economy and its exporters. Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal also welcomed the development.

"This is the fourth extension of the Agreement, which proves its effectiveness and efficiency," he wrote on X.

(Reporting by Yuliia Dysa, writing by Max Hunder; editing by Philippa Fletcher)
CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  A homicide investigation is underway after a person was shot and killed in southeast Charlotte on Thursday afternoon.

Charlotte emergency personnel confirmed an injured person was found in the 7100 block of Wallace Road just after 12:00 p.m. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.

While details remain limited, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police have opened an active investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death.

Photo: Scene of homicide, Queen City News

The area surrounding Wallace Road has been closed off as investigators work to piece together exactly what happened. The identity of the person hasnt been released at this time.

What we know so far

Location: 7100 block of Wallace Road in Charlotte

Incident: A person was shot and pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics

Investigation: CMPD has confirmed the case is being treated as a homicide

Ongoing: Detectives are canvassing the area for witnesses and collecting evidence

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No arrests have been made at this time.

This is a Developing Story . Check back for updates

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A person was struck by an RTC bus and seriously injured Thursday morning, according to Las Vegas Metropolitan police.

The crash was reported just before 5:30 a.m. Police said the bus was traveling westbound on Lake Mead Boulevard when it struck a person who was in the roadway. The pedestrian was transported to a local hospital.

LVMPD investigates a crash involving an RTC bus hitting a pedestrian on Lake Mead Blvd. and Marion Drive on April 10, 2025. (KLAS)

Lake Mead Boulevard is closed to traffic at Marion Drive, west of Nellis Boulevard. Police advise drivers to find an alternate route.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
(KRON)  An employee at a Petaluma construction company has been arrested and charged with embezzlement. According to the Petaluma Police Department, management at Tomrose Construction called the police on March 28 to report a fraud.

Management from the company, police said, alleged an employee had embezzled a significant amount of money over the course of two years. Police launched an investigation, and the company provided documents alleging employee Gina Banducci had embezzled $180,000 from the company.

Details emerge after Antioch toddler dies in accidental shooting at home

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Information and documents provided by Tomrose Construction showed Banducci, a 40-year-old Rohnert Park resident, had used company funds to pay for unauthorized personal items and services. The unauthorized transactions dated back to 2023.

Banducci was arrested at her residence in the 5100 block of Dowdell Avenue in Rohnert Park on April 4. She was booked into the Sonoma County Jail on a felony charge of embezzlement.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
DENVER (KDVR)  Denvers flavored tobacco ban will likely be up to the voters.

Vape and tobacco store owners are fighting back after the ban went into effect in March. They have submitted a petition to repeal the ordinance.

The Rocky Mountain Smoke Free Alliance turned in more than 10,000 signatures from small businesses and manufacturers in the vaping industry to the Denver Elections Division, and if there are no protests filed by April 11, it will be voted on by the public.

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A little under 9,500 signatures are required to get a question on the ballot, and Denver Elections said they do have enough signatures. The question would ask voters if the city should retain the ordinance.

Small business owners worry about how flavored tobacco ban will be implemented

In a letter of sufficiency that was obtained by FOX31, the Denver Elections Division said:

The Clerk and Recorder has determined that the referendum petition contains a sufficient number of valid signatures. The twenty-five-day holding period ends on Friday, April 11, 2025. During that period, any registered voter may file a protest with the Clerk and Recorder. No protests have been filed as of the date of this letter. At the conclusion of the holding period, if no protest has been filed, the Clerk and Recorder will notify the Denver City Council of this sufficiency determination. Todd Davidson, director of elections for the Denver Elections Division

There is a 25-day waiting period before handing it over to the city council, which ends April 11.

It would be up to the city council to decide whether or not to have it be on a special election or part of the city-wide election in November.

Previous opinions from both sides

Business owners weighed in on the ban back on March 17.

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Its a lot of instability in retail in general. So, this has been just extremelyits exhausting. Because for all of us, this has become another full-time job that we have taken extremely seriously. We are fighting for not just our futures, but the rights of all adults to make a better choice than smoking cigarettes, said Phil Guerin, Rocky Mountain Smokefree Alliance president.

Kelly Loving Act: Colorado lawmakers push for more transgender protections

City council members have said they brought the flavor ordinance in an effort to get the products out of schools.

Lets let the voters decide, said Guerin.

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The campaign that supported the original ordinance sent FOX31 a statement on March 17, which said in part:

The Flavors Hook Kids Denver Coalition strongly condemns the tobacco industrys attempt to overturn Denver City Councils action to end the sale of flavored tobacco. By pushing a ballot measure to reverse this critical public health policy, the tobacco industry is once again prioritizing profits over people, particularly Denvers kids, said Flavors Hook Kids Denver.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Phoenix and Scottsdale firefighters were dispatched to a home in the town of Paradise Valley after a large fire was reported.

The Phoenix Fire Department said firefighters arrived at the scene just after 6:30 p.m. April 9 to find a large house "well involved" with smoke and fire and began coordinating resources and personnel to keep the fire from spreading to surrounding homes and wildlife.

Smoke could be seen by drivers on Loop 101 in the area of Camelback Mountain around the same time.

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Officials said the fire was under control and was contained to the single two-story home. There were no reported injuries as a result of the fire.

Phoenix fire officials said ground crews and firefighters would remain at the scene to ensure the blaze was completely extinguished.

Top seller: Walt Disney's grandson sells Paradise Valley mansion for $9.6M

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix and Scottsdale crews take on Paradise Valley house fire
Yesterday, King Charles and Queen Camilla met privately with Pope Francis while on a State Visit to Italy. And today, a new picture of the audience was released, showing Camilla in black shaking the Popes hand while Charles stands holding a red gift box.

A special moment for Their Majesties as they privately met His Holiness Pope Francis at the Vatican yesterday, Buckingham Palace posted on social media alongside the image. The King and Queen were deeply touched by The Popes kind remarks about their 20th wedding anniversary and honoured to be able to share their best wishes to him in person.

The meeting took place at the Pope's residence Casa Santa Marta in the Vatican. The Pope invited the royal couple for a private audience while they were in Italy in light of an official State Visit to the Holy See being postponed due to his health.

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Per Vatican News, Pope Francis continues to convalesce at his residence following his hospitalization February for bilateral pneumonia. On Sunday, he made his first public appearance since leaving hospital in March, at Mass in St. Peters Square. This year marks the Catholic Churchs Jubilee Year, a special year of significance held every 25 years.

Yesterdays 20-minute meeting took place after the King and Queen returned from Parliament where the King made an historic speech to Italys parliamentarians. The Kings Principal Private Secretary, Sir Clive Alderton, and The Queens Deputy Private Secretary, Mrs Belinda Kim, were also present at the audience with the Pope.

King Charles and Queen Camilla are today in Ravenna in the north east of Italy on the final day of their trip. They have marked their 20th wedding anniversary during the visit and there have been several nods and mentions to the milestone. Camilla re-wore her 2005 wedding dress yesterday to Parliament. In an interview with UK print media she said she didnt know what the secret to their marriage was, adding, I suppose its just sort of friendship, really. Laughing at the same things, getting on with life.

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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  New openings are emerging for those interested in council, commission, and committee positions in Pierre.

The Executive Board of the Legislative Research Council (LRC) is seeking applicants for the following positions:

State Investment Council

Commission on Uniform Legislation

Code Commission

Medical Marijuana Oversight Committee.

The function of the LRC is to consider legislative policies between sessions. They provide Legislators with legal and fiscal analysis, as well as nonpartisan advice regarding research, drafting, and budget services.

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Will South Dakota lose federal education funding?

The Investment Council invests state revenues and pension funds and determines state investment policies. Members must be trained in the field of investment and finance but not be engaged in the sale of marketable or public securities to the state. Terms are for five years.

The Commission on Uniform Legislation researches, drafts, and promotes enactment of uniform state laws in areas of state law where uniformity is practical and necessary for clarity. To fill one of the three-year terms, the applicant must be a lawyer, qualified to practice law.

The Code Commission supervises the publication of the South Dakota Codified Laws (Code), corrects errors to the Code, assists the code counsel, makes recommendations to the Legislature, and contracts for replacement volumes. The member appointed by the Executive Board will serve a two-year term.

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The Medical Marijuana Oversight Committee evaluates and makes recommendations regarding access to medical cannabis by qualifying patients; the effectiveness of cannabis cultivation and testing facilities, and dispensaries; and regulatory and security safeguards. In addition to legislators, its membership includes licensed medical personnel, law enforcement officers, professional counselors, and a qualifying patient. Appointees serve for two-year terms

The deadline to submit applications is May 16, 2025.

The Executive Board will make appointments at their June 9, 2025, meeting. To be considered, the individual must meet the statutory requirements to serve on the group and have submitted their completed application by the deadline.

Applicants may be asked to be available remotely or in person for a brief interview on that date.

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SD Dems to host town halls as frustrations grow over federal cuts

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Williams driver Carlos Sainz finds himself risking another fine from the FIA after using a frowned-upon expletive to defend his tardiness at the Japanese Grand Prixs national anthem ceremony last weekend.

The Spaniard, already slapped with a 20,000 penalty  half suspended  for missing the 1:44pm grid call in Suzuka due to a stomach issue, doubled down on his stance during Thursdays FIA press conference in Bahrain.

Unapologetic and frustrated, Sainzs offered a blunt s*** happens remark that could draw further scrutiny from the governing body, though his choice of words may spare him the harsher punishments recently meted out to peers like Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc.

The episode spotlights once again ongoing tensions between drivers and the FIAs strict pre-race protocols.

Sainz Faces Fine Fallout

Sainzs troubles began at Suzuka, where he arrived five seconds late for the national anthem, breaching FIA rules mandating drivers presence no later than the scheduled time.

Referred to the stewards, he cited discomfort due to a stomach issue as the cause, a factor they considered mitigating but not excusing.

The result: a 20,000 fine, with 10,000 suspended for 12 months provided he avoids further infractions. The full penalty could have reached 60,000 under Appendix B of the FIA International Sporting Code, but his explanation softened the blow.

Now, in Bahrain, Sainzs candid reaction to the incident threatens to reignite the FIAs ire.

Addressing the penalty in response to a question about his expensive toilet break, Sainz stands firm.

I'm the biggest supporter of punctuality and being in a way, a gentleman, being punctual to things, especially a national anthem with all the authorities there, he said.

So I was the first one to put my hand up and say, 'I'm late, sorry for that'.

Yet, he questions the proportionality of the punishment.

At the same time, I was five seconds late and to be five seconds late, and have to pay 10,000 or whatever the fine is, is for me out of the question that we're having to pay these fines.

S*** Happens!

Its Sainzs next remark that could land him in hot water again.

I don't know if I'll get another fine for saying thisbut s*** happens, he quipped, leaning into his frustration. It's the way it goes sometimes. 10,000 for [being] five seconds [late], is disappointing.

The expletive, while milder than the F-word that saw Verstappen assigned community service in Rwanda and Leclerc fined last year, flirts with the FIAs recent crackdown on driver language.

However, sources suggest Sainz, a newly appointed director of the Grand Prix Drivers Association (GPDA) director, may dodge formal discipline as his comment lacked the insulting edge of his predecessors outbursts, likely earning him a warning rather than a summons.

However, Sainzs critique didnt end with the fines cost. He calls for transparency on its destination.

I hope, as I always say, that someone tells me where this 10,000 goes, and they say, 'OK at least it goes to a nice cause', and I'll be looking forward to see where [it goes].

His plea reflects a broader driver sentiment about the FIAs punitive measures, amplified by his new GPDA role advocating for the paddocks interests.

Drivers Invoke Logistical Struggles

Sainzs fellow GPDA director George Russell echoed the practical challenges drivers may face during pre-race periods, offering context to the Spaniards predicament.

We have a duty to be there for the national anthem, but its not quite as straightforward as people might think, Russell explained, quoted by The Race.

We're often running to the toilet and there are sometimes just not toilets available between the time you jump out of the car and going to the anthem.

Then you get stopped by some people on the grid or people asking for a quick interview, for us to be there on time.

For drivers, pre-race prep isnt a single-task affair.

It's not like we've got one sole job and that's only it, Russell added. We're trying to take our moment before the grand prix and being there on that minute is sometimes not straightforward.

Russell balances this with the FIAs perspective: I appreciate it from F1's perspective because it's a very important moment of the race, but also from the driver's perspective, there are hard, genuine logistical issues that sometimes you're literally waiting to get into a bathroom cubicle.

As the 2025 season progresses, Sainzs outspokenness, backed by Russells logistical insights, could push the GPDA to challenge the FIAs approach, all while the Spaniard races to keep his focus on the track rather than the stewards room.

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via X and Facebook
MANHATTAN, N.Y. (PIX11)  A plan to rebuild Lenox Hill Hospital is moving forward despite a no advisory vote from Community Board 8 on the Upper East Side.

The Community Board voted 23-15 against the expansion project that includes a zoning change to allow for a 395- to 436-foot tower on the hospital property.

Residents who are members of the Committee to Protect Our Lenox Hill Neighborhood packed the meeting Wednesday night.

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We have zoning for a reason to protect our neighborhood, so we dont have to deal with this kind of thing. If you get rid of zoning and allow this, it sets a horrible precedent for other buildings. This just doesnt belong in a residential neighborhood, said Stacy Krusch, who is with the Committee to Protect Our Lenox Hill Neighborhood.

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Daniel Baker, the president of Lenox Hill Hospital, told PIX11 News they have listened to the community concerns and shortened the tower from their 2019 proposal of 516 feet.

Baker said they need to build up however because its about the totality of the project, the renovation and modernization of our emergency department, to our ORs, to our ambulance bays and to all our rooms, so were going from 450 beds to 475 rooms.

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The Manhattan borough president will now consider the proposal and also has an advisory vote. It then goes before the New York City Council for a vote. If it passes, the mayor has five days to sign off on 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 PIX11.
A plane carrying at least a half-dozen U.S. House members was clipped by another aircraft on the ground at Ronald Reagan National Airport near Washington, D.C., on Thursday, officials said.

Reps. Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y.; Nick LaLota, R-N.Y.; Grace Meng, D-N.Y.; and Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., all confirmed on social media that they were aboard the American Airlines plane that was clipped at about 12:45 p.m.

Two of them also confirmed that Reps Adriano Espaillat and Ritchie Torres, both Democrats from New York, were also aboard.

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Meeks said seven "members of Congress were on board along with dozens of other concerned passengers.

NBC News could not immediately identify the seventh congressional passenger Meeks cited, and his office has not responded to a request for comment.

LaLota's office said he was among six House members on board.

"The Congressman is grateful for the swift and professional response by the flight crew, who prioritized the safety and well-being of everyone on board," it said in a statement.

"In addition to the many New Yorkers aboard, Representatives Gregory Meeks, Grace Meng, Josh Gottheimer, Ritchie Torres, and Adriano Espaillat were also on the flight," it said.

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Both planes were connected to American Airlines, according to the airline and the Federal Aviation Administration.

"American Eagle flight 5490, operated by PSA Airlines, made contact on a DCA taxiway with American Eagle flight 4522, operated by Republic Airways," American said in a statement. "Safety is our top priority, and we apologize to our customers for their experience."

There were no injuries, it said.

Flight 5490 was a Bombardier CRJ 900, headed for Charleston, South Carolina, with 76 customers and four crew members, the FAA and the airline said.

Flight 4522 was an Embraer E175, bound for John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City, with 67 travelers and four crew on board, officials said.

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Gottheimer said on X: "While waiting to take off on the runway at DCA just now, another plane struck our wing. Thankfully, everyone is safe. Just a reminder: Recent cuts to the FAA weaken our skies and public safety."

While Gottheimer took note of the potential danger posed by Thursday's bump, LaLota look a slightly more light-hearted view.

"Serving in Congress has come with some once in a lifetime experiences like just now while stationary on the runway at DCA, another plane just bumped into our wing," he wrote on X. "Heading back to the gate, but thankfully everyone is ok! (And @RepGraceMeng is handing out grapes!)."

An American Eagle jet and a military Black Hawk helicopter collided in the air over Reagan Airport, in the Virginia suburbs of Washington, on Jan. 29, killing all 67 people aboard both crafts.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Apr. 10Kalispell Planning Commission members are worried about a lack of public involvement in drafting the city's new land use plan.

During the commission's April 8 meeting, City Planner Donnie McBath updated members on efforts to garner public feedback on how the city can best promote attainable housing.

But some board members said they were concerned that much of the community is still unaware of the implications behind Senate Bill 382, which was signed into law in May 2023 by Gov. Greg Gianforte as part of his effort to streamline construction amid a statewide housing crunch.

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Also known as the Montana Land Use Planning Act, the law required 10 Montana cities, including Kalispell, to draft a new land use plan, influenced largely through community engagement.

The law has drawn criticism from city officials for limiting public input on site-specific developments. By frontloading public input to drafting the plan, the law intends to ditch public hearings in front of City Council on site-specific construction.

Annexations and zoning changes will still go through a public process, said Assistant Development Services Director PJ Sorensen, "the big difference basically really is subdivisions and [conditional use permits.]

"But that's where the public cares," commission member Shelby Odell responded. "We are going to have a lot of pissed off people here."

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"Bingo," added commission member Joshua Borgardt.

The provision to limit public input on site specific projects was ruled unconstitutional by a district court judge in Bozeman earlier this year. That decision has left city planners with unanswered questions on how site-specific projects will be approached.

Colorado-based engineering firm Logan Simpson was hired by the city in December to spearhead its public engagement campaign, which kicked off in March and featured two open houses and four drop-in sessions.

Displayed at the events and on the city's dedicated webpage (https://engagekalispell.com/#tab-59610), residents can pick and choose from 14 zoning regulations identified in the act that they believe would most effectively promote attainable housing in Kalispell.

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The city is required to adopt a minimum of five out of the 14 regulations.

McBath said that so far, the in-person events garnered around 60 responses, and the website brought around 110.

From that feedback, the community identified Kalispell's main challenges as vacation rentals, lack of school funding, a high cost of living, a need for pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, and speedy development resulting in unappealing sprawl.

Of the state-proposed zoning regulations, the community favored allowing apartments as a permitted use in office and commercial zones, higher density housing near public transit, colleges or places of employment, and having tiny houses defined in the building code.

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Residents also favored allowing second homes on any property where a single-family residence is allowed and increasing building heights by at least 25%, according to public feedback.

While board members were appreciative of the effort by Logan Simpson and city planners to engage the public on the forthcoming plan, they worried that the community will still be angry and confused when developments go up outside their doorstep without notice.

"Is anybody going to act surprised in like 2026 or whatever when this stuff starts happening," said Chad Graham, commission chair. "I just don't think this is stuff that the general public consumes."

"I want the public out there to understand how important this is," Graham said.

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Sorensen told the commission that he believes the state Legislature is looking to introduce a form of public notice.

More public engagement events are scheduled this summer along with a public hearing for the final draft anticipated for August.

THE COMMISSION also OK'd the construction of a new Montana Department of Transportation multi-use building in North Kalispell, sending the project to City Council for review.

The state agency is requesting annexation of the 9-acre plot of land into the city, initial zoning of P-1 (public) and a conditional use permit to allow for the facility located at 2905 U.S. 93 N., which is currently being used as a maintenance yard.

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The new building would be used to store equipment and would be fitted with mechanics and welding shops under one roof, according to the project proposal. The state Department of Transportation has a welding and mechanics shop on Fifth Avenue East North, which will be relocated to the new building.

The Kalispell Ford dealership and firearms manufacturer Falkor Defense sit across the street from the property, and the new Stillwater Bend subdivision is located nearby.

A condition in the permit was amended by the commission to leave it up to the developer whether to fence just the southern half of the property, which will remain sand and salt storage, or to put up a chain link fence around the entire building as well.

The conditional use permit would also require the building of a road connection from Rose Crossing north to Quail Lane.

Reporter Jack Underhill can be reached at 758-4407 and junderhill@dailyinterlake.com.
NEW YORK (AP)  Poet Yusef Komunyakaa is to receive an Anisfeld-Wolf Award for lifetime achievement. Komunyakaa, 77, is known for such collections as Neon Vernacular and for exploring race, music and his Vietnam War experiences.

Announced Thursday, the Anisfeld-Wolf prizes are presented by the Cleveland Foundation and honor literature that confronts racism and celebrates diversity.

Komunyakaa has shaped contemporary poetry with a voice that is both unflinching and deeply evocative, reads a statement from the foundation.

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Danzy Senna's Colored Television, a satire about an author attempting to turn a failed novel into a TV series, won for fiction. The nonfiction prize went to John Swanson Jacobs' The United States Governed By Six Hundred Thousand Despots: A True Story of Slavery; A Rediscovered Narrative, with a Full Biography, and the poetry award was given to Janie Harrington's Yard Show. Tessa Hulls' Feeding Ghosts won for best memoir.

The winners will be formally honored at a ceremony in September.

The awards were established in 1935 by poet and philanthropist Edith Anisfeld Wolf. Previous recipients include Toni Morrison, Percival Everett and Jesmyn Ward.
Investing.com -- Today, Pierre Poilievre, the Leader of the Canadian Conservative Party, launched a scathing critique of current Prime Minister Mark Carneys Liberal housing policies while outlining his tax-cutting strategy for homebuilding. Ahead of the April 28 election, Poilievre announced his intention to expedite the construction of new homes by cutting homebuilding taxes by $100,000 per home, encouraging municipalities to reduce building taxes, and eliminating the federal sales tax on new homes.

To ensure transparency and accountability, Poilievres plan includes a requirement for municipalities to publicly report development charges and detail the use of federal reimbursements for reducing these fees. He blamed the Liberal government for allowing taxes and development charges to "spiral out of control" over three terms, which he claims has made housing more expensive.

Poilievre accused the Liberal government of rewarding municipal politicians who increased development costs, leading to a decline in homebuilding in densely populated areas like Toronto, Ottawa, and Victoria. He criticized Carneys housing minister for continuing to fund municipalities that have raised homebuilding taxes, asserting that it is a continuation of the same Liberal policies that have doubled housing costs.

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The Conservative contended, "More money from a new home today built in Canada goes to beurecrats in office buildings than goes to the carpenters, electricians, and plumbers that actually built the homes."

In a direct attack on Carney, Poilievre claimed that the Prime Minister plagiarized his way through university, echoing accusations of plagiarism in Carneys Oxford PhD thesis. Poilievre also alleged that Carney copied former Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus housing commitments, which he forecasts will bear no fruit.

He criticized Carneys pledges to fund modular housebuilding, citing a conflict of interest due to Carneys former role leading Brookfield Asset Management (TSX:BAM), a company invested in modular homebuilding. According to Poilievre, this approach benefits bureaucrats but fails to address the housing needs of Canadians.

Concluding his speech, Poilievre promised to restore the possibility of homeownership by removing bureaucracy, incentivizing municipalities to accelerate permit processes, and supporting tradesmen with tax cuts to boost construction. "We cannot afford a fourth Liberal term of doubling housing costs," he stated, emphasizing his commitment to building more homes for Canadians.

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The Polk County Sheriffs Office has arrested the assistant principal of Lake Marion Creek Middle School.

Keiva Lark, 53, has been charged with lewd/lascivious conduct and lewd offense against a student by an authority figure.

The allegations involve accused misbehavior with a 13-year old male student.

Investigators say the incident occurred after the victim was sent to Larks office due to throwing balled-up paper across the classroom during a test. According to the news release, witnesses and the victim said described behavior she made him do and inappropriate things she said to him, both in her office and later in the hallway.

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Detectives say a witness told them Lark confessed she crossed the line several days later.

The sheriffs office says the principal reported the incident on Friday, prompting an investigation. The Polk County School Board and the Florida Department of Children and Families were also notified, and Lark was placed on administrative leave, pending the investigation.

Dr. Lark initially told detectives that this was only a joke, and that she was just trying to humble the victim. Its completely inappropriate for a 53-year old woman to act and talk like this to a middle school boy. Its even worse given that this was an assistant principal and her student, said Sheriff Grady Judd.

The sheriff said Lark later admitted that her actions were inappropriate professionally but denied saying anything inappropriate to the victim.

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This is abhorrent behavior for anyone who works among students, especially an administrator. This person no longer has any business being around children. We commend the school principal for immediately reporting this incident, so we could take action and work with the Polk County Sheriffs Office to protect students, said Polk County Public Schools Superintendent Heid.

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BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  The Pointe Coupee Parish Sheriffs Office arrested two people on Wednesday in connection to the theft of guns, money, and cars.

Sheriff Rene Thibodeaux confirmed that Garrett Graffia was wanted on multiple charges across two parishes, including burglary of an inhabited dwelling, two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, theft of a motor vehicle, and unauthorized use of an access card. He is also wanted on home invasion charges in another parish.

A female accomplice identified as Courtney Bergeron was arrested on charges of accessory after the fact.

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As promised, anyone who is proven to aid and abet wanted fugitives will be arrested and brought to justice, said Lt. Cedrick Epps.

The investigation is ongoing.

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The good part is that the company has been extending its relationships with these tech giants to improve visibility and increase its reach. Explaining its partner strategy, C3.ai arranged for its generative AI service to analyze its Q2 and Q3 financial reports and then summarize them through statements read out by the AI on the company's February earnings conference call . C3.ai's agentic AI said:

As a result, C3.ai's growth rate is accelerating. Revenue in the first nine months of its fiscal 2025 increased by 25% year over year, compared to the 15% growth it reported in the first nine months of its fiscal 2024. That can be attributed in part to the company's strategy of partnering with major cloud service providers such as Microsoft , Alphabet 's Google, and Amazon , and offering its generative AI solutions on their platforms.

Enterprise AI software provider C3.ai's stock trades down by 44% year to date. As a result, it trades at a price-to-sales ratio of 6.5, well below its 12.3 P/S ratio at the end of 2024. The company's sales are growing at a healthy rate, and its generative AI solutions are gaining traction among a diverse customer base.

That's because AI adoption is currently in its early phases and the technology is expected to see widespread growth thanks to the productivity gains it could deliver. Two AI stocks that got hammered down to attractive valuations recently are C3.ai (NYSE: AI) and The Trade Desk (NASDAQ: TTD). Both could turn out to be big winners in the long run.

JPMorgan analysts predict that the U.S. economy will enter a recession in 2025 thanks to the tariffs. So it won't be surprising to see investors staying on the defensive and protecting their capital. Yet at the same time, savvy investors sitting on surplus cash may want to consider picking up shares of top AI stocks that are trading at attractive valuations amid the ongoing sell-off.

Investors have been selling off AI stocks and booking profits as they look to preserve their capital amid the ongoing volatility and economic uncertainty caused by President Donald Trump's actions to adjust the economy to his liking. The tech-laden Nasdaq Composite index has already entered bear market territory (down more than 22% as of Tuesday morning), and it remains to be seen how long the negativity is going to last amid the ongoing trade war triggered by Trump's tariff policies.

However, 2025 is so far turning out to be a far-less-happy experience for those with tech-heavy portfolios.

The artificial intelligence (AI) trend played a central role in the stock market's rise over the past couple of years. Numerous companies benefited from the proliferation of this rapidly advancing technology, and investors bought their shares hand over fist based on impressive growth rates and sunny long-term prospects.

Story Continues

The most significant development in Q2 was the expansion of our strategic alliance with Microsoft Azure, which we believe will be an inflection point in the enterprise AI industry. This partnership not only expanded our sales reach but also shortened our sales cycles, positioning us for accelerating growth.

C3.ai said it shortened its sales cycle by 20% following its expanded Microsoft partnership. Even better, it witnessed a 460% quarter-over-quarter increase in the number of agreements it signed with customers. Not surprisingly, it's following a similar playbook with other cloud partners as well. It recently expanded its relationship with Amazon Web Services to offer "advanced enterprise AI solutions together, further enhancing our global reach and execution speed."

All this helps explain how C3.ai closed 66 agreements last quarter, up by 72% from the prior year. Another thing worth noting is that its existing customers -- both government and commercial -- adopted more of its solutions. This is probably one of the reasons why analysts have raised their revenue growth expectations for the company.

With the demand for generative AI software solutions expected to grow at an annualized rate of 30% through 2033, there is a good chance that C3.ai will continue growing at healthy rates beyond the next three years, which is why buying this AI stock following its recent slide looks like the right thing to do from a long-term perspective.

2. The Trade Desk

Share prices of The Trade Desk have crashed by 60% so far this year, and one reason why is because of the poor quarterly results and guidance it released in February. However, with the bad news already priced in and The Trade Desk trading at 59 times earnings right now -- as compared to 189 times earnings at the end of 2024 -- it seems to be worth buying.

After all, The Trade Desk has been growing at a faster pace than the digital ad market in which it operates. It has been using AI in its programmatic advertising platform for the past seven years, automating the purchase and sale of digital ad inventory in real-time with the help of big data.

This is one of the reasons why advertisers have found The Trade Desk's platform attractive, driving healthy growth in its revenue over the years.

Now, it is doubling down on integrating AI into its programmatic advertising platform. The company pointed out on its February earnings conference call that it is transitioning all of its clients from a legacy platform to its AI-powered Kokai platform, which is more effective and improves "the ability of advertisers to find value and precision as they expand their audiences and grow their businesses."

That's a smart thing to do considering that the adoption of AI in the digital ad market is expected to grow at an annualized rate of almost 27% through 2030. So the Trade Desk's efforts to make AI pervasive across its programmatic ad platform should ideally help the company sustain its healthy growth rates in the long run.

The Trade Desk will be working on bolstering its sales force, making structural changes to the business, and making its product development teams more agile to keep up with the changing trends in the programmatic ad space. These efforts will weigh on its bottom-line growth in 2025 -- analysts expect the company's earnings to grow by just 8% to $1.79 per share. But the forecast for the next two years points toward better times.

So, The Trade Desk's relatively attractive valuation and the massive opportunity in the programmatic ad market -- which is expected to generate a whopping $2.75 trillion revenue in 2030 -- are the reasons why buying this stock makes sense right now as the addition of AI-focused tools should allow it to corner a nice chunk of this space.

Should you invest $1,000 in C3.ai right now?

Before you buy stock in C3.ai, consider this:

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now and C3.ai wasnt one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.

Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $461,558!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $578,035!*

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JPMorgan Chase is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fools board of directors. Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fools board of directors. Harsh Chauhan has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Amazon, JPMorgan Chase, Microsoft, and The Trade Desk. The Motley Fool recommends C3.ai and recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

2 No-Brainer Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stocks to Buy Right Now was originally published by The Motley Fool
Honolulu police conducted an undercover operation to catch e-bike and e-motorcycle violations in Ewa Beach earlier this week, resulting in seven citations and 70 warnings.

Police said the operation was conducted on Monday near Campbell High School. It was the second such operation near the school, following another one last month.

In all, police issued seven citations for 15 violations, along with 70 warnings for helmet and bike registration issues. Police also confiscated five electric dirt bikes.

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Officers in this operation were dressed in everyday clothing.

The Honolulu Police Department believes the first crackdown on illegal use of e-bikes last month was effective, as many of the juveniles who received citations in March were seen this time wearing helmets and riding legal e-bikes and e-motorcycles.

HPD continues to encourage parents to understand the law to keep their children safe.

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HPD reminds the public of the following :Any e-bike /e-motorcycle that can not be pedaled or has an engine size exceeding 750 watts is illegal.All e-bikes 750 watts and below should be registered, and all riders under 18 must wear a helmet.Whether you drive, ride, or walk, road safety is a shared responsibility, requiring all users to be attentive, considerate, and to follow traffic laws to ensure everyone reaches their destination safely.

More information on e-bike laws is available at.

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LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) Police in Lancaster County are investigating the theft of a mobile home.

According to the New Holland Police Department, officers are investigating a reported theft of a 2012 Keystone Cougar travel trailer that occurred on April 9.

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Police said the stolen trailer is 30 feet long, has a registration of XGX8311, and is distinguishable by its white color with brown decals.

Photo from New Holland Police

Anyone with any information regarding the trailers location is encouraged to contact the New Holland Police Department at 717-354-4647, extension 371, or email stoltzfj@newhollandpd.org.

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GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV)  Authorities in Green Bay have issued a warning related to an ongoing social media scam that alerts of a missing police officer, Kate McArthur.

A Facebook post from the Green Bay Police Department shows the image being shared nationwide with officers asking people on social media not to share the scams post.

The scam post even has a relevant location in the first line and asks people to be on the lookout for Female Officer Kate McArthur (28) who went missing yesterday evening. The post also includes fictitious photos of the officer and the scene described in the post.

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Brown County officials raise awareness of homelessness in Green Bay

Green Bay Police Department

Whenever a social media post lacks specifics, you should be suspicious. In this case, there is no date, time, police department, or contact information. Scammers like to create a sense of panic. Please do not fall victim, the GBPDs post reads.

No additional information was provided.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE)  The Knoxville Police Department is searching for a man who is facing two attempted first-degree murder charges after a shooting behind a home Wednesday night.

KPD is searching for Willie Tolbert, 32, of Knoxville. In addition to the attempted first-degree murder charges, he is also facing a possession of a weapon by a convicted felon charge and additional weapon charges.

Evictions on the rise in Knoxville with median rental listing price up 56% since 2020

Willie Tolbert (Knoxville Police Department)

Around 6:50 p.m. Wednesday, Knoxville police officers responded to an alley behind a home in the 2300 block of Brooks Avenue, which is east of the Morningside neighborhood. KPD said Tolbert allegedly fired multiple rounds at two other men, but neither man was struck by the gunfire.

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After the shooting, Tolbert fled the scene in a black Mercedes with Washington state tags, KPD said.

Bill could change requirements for arresting students who make a threat of mass violence

Anyone with any information about where Tolbert may be is asked to contact the East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers.

There are multiple ways you can provide anonymous information to Crime Stoppers. You can call 865-215-7165 or **TIPS, and go online at www.easttnvalleycrimestoppers.org, via the free mobile app, P3 Tips, or the East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers Facebook page. Tipsters can remain anonymous and are eligible to receive a cash reward.

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Police are searching for two Southern California children who were allegedly abducted in Sylmar.

Hrant Kolomoeits, 7, and Avaora Kolomoeits, 9, were last seen on April 8 at their elementary school on the 13000 block of Hubbard Street in Sylmar.

The siblings were picked up from school by their father, Rodion Kolomoeits, 39, who had recently lost custody of the children, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

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Kolomoeits is believed to be driving a 2016 gray Toyota Prius with California license plate number 9PKY966.

The vehicle was last seen crossing the border at San Ysidro into Mexico on April 8 at 2 p.m.

The suspect, Rodion, is described as a white male with brown hair and light-colored eyes. He stands 5 feet 11 inches tall. He is a Ukrainian national and is believed to be making efforts to return to Ukraine with the children, police said.

From left: Rodion Kolomoeits, 39, Avaora Kolomoeits, 9, and Hrant Kolomoeits, 7, are seen in photos provided by the Los Angeles Police Department.

Avaora is described as a white female with brown hair and blue eyes. She stands 4 feet 6 inches tall and weighs around 75 pounds. She was last seen wearing a blue shirt and black pants.

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Hrant is described as a white male with brown hair and blue eyes. He stands 4 feet tall and weighs around 50 pounds. He was last seen wearing a green and blue sweater and black pants.

The primary language for both children is Russian, authorities said.

Anyone who has seen Rodion and the children or knows their whereabouts is urged to call LAPD Detective Gutierrez at 818-838-9810.

The public can also call the LAPD at 1-877-527-3247. Anonymous tips can be provided to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at lacrimestoppers.org.

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A bestselling author was shot by police and accused of attempted murder after, authorities said, she pointed a gun at officers who were searching for hit-and-run suspects in a residential Los Angeles neighborhood.

Authorities shot Jillian Lauren Shriner, 51, Tuesday afternoon after they repeatedly told her to drop the handgun, the Los Angeles Police Department said in a news release. Shriner is the wife of Weezer bassist Scott Shriner.

Shriner fled into her home and was later taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, the police department said. She was booked while hospitalized.

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Neither Shriner nor her manager responded to requests for comment Wednesday night, and a representative for Weezer did not respond to a request for comment.

Police said that Shriner was not involved in the hit-and-run incident and that the shooting is being investigated by the police departments Force Investigation Division.

Detective Meghan Aguilar said at a news conference Wednesday night that it was not clear from body-worn police video what happened in the moments before the shooting or whether Shriner fired at officers.

"At that point, there were some commands given, multiple commands to drop the gun, drop the weapon. Unfortunately, it did result in an officer-involved shooting," she said.

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Aguilar said that police body-worn police camera had not provided "a clear view of what she did with that firearm" and that it was "not clear if she fired at officers or not."

Police are set to review multiple videos and seek access to any security camera video from the area.

Officers detain a man in Eagle Rock, Calif., after a hit-and-run collision nearby on the 134 Freeway on Tuesday.

Shriner is a journalist and the author of several books, including Behold the Monster: Confronting Americas Most Prolific Serial Killer.

The police department said officers encountered Shriner in the backyard of her home in Eagle Rock, north of downtown Los Angeles, on Tuesday afternoon after the California Highway Patrol requested help finding three hit-and-run suspects alleged to have been involved in a crash on a nearby freeway.

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The suspects fled their vehicle and ran into the neighborhood, the department said.

When Los Angeles police officers were directed to the backyard of a home where one of the suspects was seen, they saw Shriner  armed with a handgun  in the backyard of a neighboring home, the police department said.

After Shriner was shot and hospitalized, authorities found a 9 mm handgun in her home, it said.

One of the hit-and-run suspects was found, cited and released, the police department said. Two others were not located.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
If you're a dividend investor, now can be an ideal time to go bargain-hunting. The stock market is in the midst of a broad sell-off, with investors dumping all types of stocks, both bad ones and good ones. Fear has taken over, and while it may seem like a terrible time to buy, it may actually be a great one, especially if you're looking for stocks to buy and hold for the long haul.

Three dividend stocks that are near their 52-week lows and which may make for solid income-generating investments are Pfizer (NYSE: PFE), Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT), and Rogers Communications (NYSE: RCI). Here's what you need to know about these stocks and why they are worth buying for their dividend income.

Pfizer

One of the most attractive dividend yields you can find on the markets right now comes from Pfizer. At 7.5%, it's paying you more than five times the S&P 500 average of 1.4%. It's a mouthwatering payout, and the big question for investors comes down to whether it's safe or if it's too good to be true and due for a cut.

Based on the stock's more than 16% decline this year (as of Monday), investors don't appear convinced that Pfizer's dividend is safe, not with the new government potentially taking a tough stance on healthcare and vaccines in general.

The stock's payout ratio is more than 100%, which may also be concerning. But that's due to multiple one-time expenses, including asset impairment charges and restructuring costs. The healthcare company is expecting its top line to be fairly stable in 2025 and says it's on track to generate $4.5 billion in cost savings by the end of the year due to its Cost Realignment Program.

CEO Albert Bourla previously referred to the company's dividend as a "sacred cow," suggesting that it is an important priority to keep it going. While there will be some risk as Pfizer faces patent expirations on key products, it has been investing in developing and growing its pipeline of future drugs.

Pfizer is a bit of an underrated, contrarian pick that investors can get at an attractive valuation. Not only did it recently hit a new 52-week low, but it's also trading at less than 8 times its estimated future earnings (based on analyst expectations).

Lockheed Martin

Defense and aerospace stock Lockheed Martin makes for another solid, high-yielding option for investors to buy right now. Its dividend yield isn't as high as Pfizer's, but at over 3%, you're still getting a fairly attractive payout from the company.

While President Donald Trump has been vocal about cutting costs from government spending, he's also been a strong proponent of securing the country's borders and focusing on defense -- priorities that Lockheed Martin can benefit from. The company is expecting single-digit growth this year and for free cash flow to total at least $6.6 billion, up from $5.3 billion in 2024.
Acting Prince George's County Executive Tara Jackson, left, alongside U.S. Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D-Maryland) outside the Wayne K. Curry Administration Building on Wednesday. (Photo by William J. Ford/Maryland Matters)

U.S. Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D-Maryland) came back home to Prince Georges County on Wednesday morning to participate in a groundbreaking ceremony for a new Civic Plaza near the Wayne K. Curry Administration Building in Largo.

The project, scheduled for completion in December, calls for an enclosed dog park, a playground and an area for community events. Its one of five planned near the countys four Metrorail Blue Line stations, and the first ever with the Maryland Stadium Authority, which will invest $400 million. Alsobrooks was part of the negotiations to secure the funding committed in the 2022 General Assembly session.

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I think the lesson for all of us in this is that Prince Georges County is a sure economic driver, not only for Prince Georges County, but that we are so important to the state and to the region. And so goes Prince Georges County, the truth is, so goes the rest of the state, Alsobrooks to dozens attending.

Alsobrooks joined acting County Executive Tara H. Jackson, several state and county officials and residents.for the ceremony, including at least four councilmembers: Council Chair Edward Burroughs III, Council Vice Chair Krystal Oriadha, At-Large Councilmember Calvin Hawkins and Councilmember Wala Blegay, whose district includes the project site.

After thanking those who pushed to revitalize communities on the Blue Line corridor from Largo to Capitol Heights, Blegay asked Burroughs and Oriadha to join her at the podium. Oriadha took the opportunity to say the baton will be passed to new leadership after Junes special election to select a new county executive between Prince Georges States Attorney Aisha Braveboy (D) and GOP nominee Jonathan White.

The seat came open when Alsobrooks, the former executive, was elected to the Senate last fall and Jackson, the countys chief administrative officer, stepped in to fill the seat on an interim basis. Oriadha, Blegay and Burroughs supported Braveboy who ran against Hawkins and others in a crowded special primary last month.

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What I hope to see when we pass the baton  is that we can trust the vision to keep on going here in Prince Georges County, and for us to see the growth that we deserve, Oriadha said, before thanking every leader for handing the baton to the next one and allowing us to get here today to break ground on what I think will be an amazing start to developing the Blue Line corridor.

In the meantime, Alsobrooks called it a tough time for Maryland with the Trump administration laying off thousands of federal workers who reside in the state and freezing already-approved funding for agencies, many of which are headquartered in the state.

It has been extremely, very difficult time, but were working, she said in a brief interview after the ceremony. Im going to be working with others to ensure that Marylands assets are protected and that we continue to grow investment in every corner of our state.

Racial health disparities remain in Montgomery

Montgomery County had a fetal mortality rate of 5.4% between 2017 to 2021, but that number masks wide racial disparities on maternal health, according to a nearly 200-page report from the countys Office of Legislative Oversight titled Racial Disparities in Maternal and Infant Health Outcomes.

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Fetal mortality among Blacks was nearly 8%, compared to 5.2% for Latinx, 4.3% for whites and 3.5% for Asians. Blacks accounted for the highest percentage of preterm births, at 10.1%, compared to 7.5% of whites, 8.4% of Asians and 9.8% of Latinx.

At-Large Councilmember Laurie-Anne Sayles (D), who commissioned the report, will discuss it at a news conference at 12:30 p.m. Thursday at the Montgomery County Council Office Building.

Montgomery County is one of the healthiest counties in the United States, yet we are still rife with inequities, particularly for our mothers and babies, Sayles said in a statement. There is no acceptable reason for racial inequities in health care. Implementing equitable healthcare strategies is crucial to addressing maternal and infant health disparities so that every resident can lead fulfilling, safe, healthy, and happy lives.

The report comes ahead of Black Maternal Health Week that begins Friday and runs through April 17. It was established and is led by Black Mamas Matter Alliance thats comprised of organizations and individuals from across the country.

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The report also highlights racial disparities in certain areas of the county. While District 5 area has the highest percentage of Blacks in the county, for example, it has the second-fewest maternal health care providers, with 41 out of the 387 total.

In a maternal health care report released last year, Maryland showed slight improvement, and ranked among the top 10 states, but still only got a grade of C.

Two bills that passed the legislature this year aim to improve the situation. Senate Bill 94 and House Bill 553, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Ellis (D-Charles) and Del. Deni Taveras (D-Prince Georges), respectively, will provide home blood pressure monitors to those in the Maryland Medical Assistance Program.

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Eligible recipients are those who are pregnant or postpartum, or have been diagnosed with a chronic kidney disease, diabetes, heart disease or cardiometabolic disease. The program is slated to begin Jan. 1, subject to the limitations of the state budget and as permitted by federal law

Kroll calls it quits from MSAA job

Steven Kroll, who prosecuted cases in all of Marylands 24 jurisdictions and was a frequent visitor to Annapolis during legislative sessions, will retire from his job as \states attorney coordinator and executive director of the Maryland States Attorneys Association on Sept. 1.

Steven Kroll. (Photo courtesy of Steven Kroll/Maryland States Attorneys Association)

It is time for me to join my wife spending time with our grandchildren and children, he said in a statement Monday. I want to thank everyone for your support over these past fourteen years. I want to assure you that I will be here to help with a smooth transition. It has been my honor to serve the MSAA.

Kroll has been diplomatic, but not shy when hes testified before legislative committees on various legal topics. Last year, before the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee, he cited the Apple TV series The Bear while testifying against legislation to create a statewide policy to collect data that would assess the policies and procedures of Marylands 24 states attorneys offices.

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For those who havent seen that, I welcome you to see that, he said. That will be a train wreck, a bus wreck and a plane wreck all together. So please remove the public defender to avoid any future confrontation.

Since hes still on the clock, Kroll summarized association wins in the 2025 lesreceived some legislative victories from this years session.Two bills approved  Senate Bill 274 and House Bill 293  alter a certain requirement for victims of child abuse to testimony in criminal procedures.

One provision outlined if a child testifies by closed circuit television, the testimony shall be given within the courthouse in a setting that the court finds will reasonable mitigate the likelihood that the child victim will suffer emotional distress. The lead sponsors are House Minority Whip Jesse Pippy (R-Frederick) and Sen. Sara Love (D-Montgomery).
Pontiac Mayor Tim Greimel, a Democrat who served seven years in the state legislature and rose to become his party's leader in the House, announced Thursday he will run next year to represent Michigan's 10th District in Congress.

That's the seat currently held by U.S. Rep. John James, R-Shelby Township. This week, James, a businessman and former Army helicopter pilot who won his second two-year term to the seat last year, announced he would run for governor next year, leaving the seat  in what is considered a competitive district that has leaned Republican in recent elections  open.

The Democratic race to replace James is already getting crowded: Earlier this week, before James even announced his intention to run for governor, Christina Hines, a career prosecutor who earlier lost a bid for Macomb County prosecutor, announced she would enter the race for the seat. Alex Hawkins, an Army veteran from Rochester, entered the race as a Democrat a couple of months ago as well.

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No Republican candidates have been widely mentioned as yet looking to succeed James, though there will certainly be interest in the open seat.

Greimel's entry into the race after more than three years as Pontiac's mayor continues a trend of this district attracting candidates who live outside its boundaries. The 10th District is made up of southern Macomb County and that part of Oakland County that includes Rochester and Rochester Hills. But James, who made two unsuccessful U.S. Senate races before winning the seat, lived in Farmington Hills before relocating to Shelby Township after his win; at least two Democrats who initially mounted a challenge to James in last year's election lived outside the district.

The law doesn't preclude a candidate running for or representing a district he or she doesn't live in, as long as they reside in the state. Greimel, who says he plans to move into the district, doesn't consider it an issue.

More: GOP U.S. Rep. John James enters race to serve as Michigan's next governor

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More: Christina Hines enters race to represent Macomb County's 10th Congressional District

"I was born and raised in the 10th District and I've spent my entire adult life fighting for the well-being of working families and middle class people here in Southeast Michigan," he told the Free Press this week, noting that he previously resided in Rochester Hills. "I've served in a variety of elected capacities, including as a school board member and as a county commissioner in the 10th District and I have a successful track record of being able to deliver results for everyday people."

Greimel noted that as Democratic leader in the state House in Lansing at a time when the party was in minority, he helped lead an effort to expand Medicaid coverage and increase the minimum wage. A labor lawyer who worked to promote union protections, he said Michigan and the 10th District needs "a fighter in D.C. and I want to make sure that I continue to deliver results to improve the economic well-being of people at the national level."

He said that while James and other Republicans managed to win in the district, to his way of thinking, that's been because Democrats "haven't been talking about the issues that matter most to the voters." He said that means targeted tariffs going after "bad actors" like China but recognizing our integrated supply chains with Canada. It means expanding health care access and investing in education.

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"The other thing I'll say is we need to do more to protect our clean water," Greimel said. "This district has a long shoreline on Lake St. Clair. It has a lot of beautiful inland lakes and rivers and we need to make sure that the federal government is properly protecting people's access to clean water."

It's not Greimel's first run for Congress: In 2018, he ran in a five-person Democratic primary in what was then the 11th Congressional District based in Oakland County to replace outgoing U.S. Rep. Dave Trott, R-Birmingham. With 22% of the vote, Greimel came in second to the candidate who would go on to win the seat, U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Birmingham, who got 27%.

Greimel said he had been planning to run in the 10th District next year whether James was in the race or not.

"I've always been of the opinion that this is a competitive general election (district) regardless of whether or not Congressman James runs for election," he said. "This is a 50-50 district that is going to be competitive and our campaign is going to be focused on the issues that matter most to residents which is the economy and their economic well-being."

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Contact Todd Spangler: tspangler@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter@tsspangler

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Pontiac Mayor Greimel runs for US House seat currently held by James
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has received the credentials of the new Portuguese Ambassador, marking the official start of his mission in Ukraine.

Source: European Pravda, citing the Office of the President of Ukraine

Details: On Thursday 10 April, Zelenskyy accepted the letters of credence from Luis Manuel Ribeiro Cabaco, Portugals new Ambassador to Ukraine, who replaced Antonio Alves Machado. Before this appointment, Cabaco served as Portugals Ambassador to Poland.

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Zelenskyy thanked the ambassador for Portugals support and the temporary protection it has provided to Ukrainians.

Quote: "The President invited Portugal to join humanitarian initiatives and to continue cooperation in areas that create reliable security guarantees for Ukraine and the entire European continent."

Background:

On 7 April, Zelenskyy signed several decrees on new diplomatic appointments. For the first time since 2022, Ukraine has filled the previously vacant post of ambassador to Norway. The ambassador to Finland was also replaced.

Former Prosecutor General Andrii Kostin was appointed Ambassador to the Netherlands, while former Ambassador to Germany and Brazil Andrii Melnyk was named Ukraines Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

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This Wednesday, tech billionaire Jared Isaacman took questions from members of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

He told them, I want to assure you and this committee that I want to see America win and succeed in space whether that be the moon, mars, low-earth-orbit, beyond.

I dont want to see us in second place. U.S. Senator Ted Cruz of Texas asked Isaacman about his priorities should he be confirmed.

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At one point Senator Cruz asked, The notion of the moon as a steppingstone is explicitly in the law. Do you acknowledge that sir? Isaacman responded, Yes, I do Senator.

But Isaacman whos flown two private astronaut missions with SpaceX, essentially told senators NASA doesnt have to shoot for the moon and the expense of mars exploration.

He said, I think its imperative that we do both. I think thats what NASA was created to do. I would love nothing more than to see this crew to get around the moon, for us to land on the moon, figure out its scientific, economic, national security value while were also charting a course in line with President Trumps vision to plant the stars and stripes on mars.

When Isaacman was asked about his relationship with Elon Musk, he told senators his loyalty is to this nation, the space agency, and its world-changing mission.

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NEW YORK (AP)  Facing a deadline from an immigration judge to turn over evidence for its attempted deportation of Columbia University activist Mahmoud Khalil, the federal government has instead submitted a brief memo, signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, citing the Trump administrations authority to expel noncitizens whose presence in the country damages U.S. foreign policy interests.

The two-page memo, which was obtained by The Associated Press, does not allege any criminal conduct by Khalil, a legal permanent U.S. resident and graduate student who served as spokesperson for campus activists last year during large demonstrations against Israel's treatment of Palestinians and the war in Gaza.

Rather, Rubio wrote Khalil could be expelled for his beliefs.

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He said that while Khalil's activities were otherwise lawful, letting him remain in the country would undermine U.S. policy to combat anti-Semitism around the world and in the United States, in addition to efforts to protect Jewish students from harassment and violence in the United States.

Condoning anti-Semitic conduct and disruptive protests in the United States would severely undermine that significant foreign policy objective," Rubio wrote in the undated memo.

The submission was filed Wednesday after Judge Jamee Comans ordered the government to produce its evidence against Khalil ahead of a hearing Friday on whether it can continue detaining him during immigration proceedings.

Attorneys for Khalil said the memo proved the Trump administration was targeting Mahmouds free speech rights about Palestine.

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After a month of hiding the ball since Mahmouds late-night unjust arrest in New York and taking him away to a remote detention center in Louisiana, immigration authorities have finally admitted that they have no case whatsoever against him, the attorneys, Marc Van Der Hout and Johnny Sinodis, said in a joint statement.

There is not a single shred of proof that Mahmouds presence in America poses any threat, they added.

A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson, Tricia McLaughlin, did not respond to questions about whether it had additional evidence against Khalil, writing in an emailed statement, DHS did file evidence, but immigration court dockets are not available to the public.

Khalil, a 30-year-old Palestinian by ethnicity who was born in Syria, was arrested March 8 in New York and taken to a detention center in Louisiana. He recently finished his coursework for a master's degree at Columbias school of international affairs. His wife, an American citizen, is due to give birth this month.

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Khalil has adamantly rejected allegations of antisemitism, accusing the Trump administration in a letter sent from jail last month of targeting me as part of a broader strategy to suppress dissent.

Knowing fully that this moment transcends my individual circumstances, he added, I hope nonetheless to be free to witness the birth of my first-born child.

Though Rubio's memo references additional documents, including a subject profile of Mahmoud Khalil and letter from the Department Homeland Security, the government did not submit those documents to the immigration court, according to Khalil's lawyers.

The memo also calls for the deportation of a second lawful permanent resident, whose name is redacted in the filing.

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The Trump administration has pulled billions of dollars in government funding from universities and their affiliated hospital systems in recent weeks as part of what it says is a campaign against antisemitism on college campuses, but which critics say is a crackdown on free speech. To get the money back, the administration has been telling universities to punish protesters and make other changes.

The U.S. government has also been revoking the visas of international students who criticized Israel or accused it of mistreating Palestinians.

At the time of Khalil's arrest, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson accused Khalil of leading activities aligned to Hamas, referring to the militant group that attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.

But the government has not produced any evidence linking Khalil to Hamas, and made no reference to the group in their most recent filing.

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Meanwhile, lawyers for Yunseo Chung, 21, another Columbia student and lawful U.S. resident whom the Department of Homeland Security seeks to deport, included the Rubio letter as an exhibit in court papers filed late Thursday in Manhattan federal court.

The lawyers asked a judge to let them obtain documents from the government related to the targeting of their client, including any that reference her by name related to the State Departments decision to move to deport her.

Chung, who was arrested on a misdemeanor charge at a recent sit-in at Barnard College protesting the expulsion of students who participated in pro-Palestinian activism, has been ordered freed while her legal challenge is pending.
Apr. 9The Priceville Police Department and the Limestone County Sheriff's Office assisted the North Alabama Drug Task Force in the arrest of a Huntsville man on Friday following a months-long narcotics investigation, according to the Huntsville Police Department.

Huntsville police said Robert Young, 39, is being charged with trafficking methamphetamine and fentanyl and was transported to Madison County Jail with a bond set at $1.25 million for both charges.

Priceville police officers responded to a BOLO (be on the lookout) alert for a vehicle Young was driving, according to Huntsville police, and after locating his vehicle and initiating a traffic stop, a K-9 alerted officers to the presence of narcotics.

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Police said after a search yielded 2 kilograms of cocaine, three search warrants were served across Huntsville and Limestone County. They said after the warrants were issued, 1.3 pounds of methamphetamine, 1.03 pounds of fentanyl, $8,000 in cash, and three handguns were recovered.

Young will also face additional charges of trafficking cocaine in Morgan County and trafficking fentanyl in Limestone County, according to the Huntsville Police Department.

 wesley.tomlinson@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2442.
As the cost of living increases, more people tend to look for more competitive job opportunities. While Costco generally has a positive reputation among employees based on anonymous reviews from past and current workers, union workers have also pushed back on pay as the retail giant has continued to evolve and introduce new roles and responsibilities, as reported by USA Today.

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In a memo obtained by Reuters, Costco announced in January that it will increase pay for many top-scale store employees to $30.20 per hour for the first year followed by another $1 increase for each of the following two years of employment. The announcement also indicated that other employees with more entry-level positions would receive a pay increase of 50 cents, bringing pay to $20 an hour.

(Update: This pay increase is now in effect.)

This will place Costco well above the average pay scale for the retail industry, where competitive hourly wages often hover around the $15 to $20 mark. This is good news and weve narrowed down some of the types of positions you can expect to offer increased pay.

Loss Prevention

Loss prevention positions at Costco are also experiencing notable changes in compensation. These roles are critical for maintaining store security and safeguarding inventory against theft.

Employees in loss prevention work diligently to monitor store activities, implement security protocols and create a safe shopping environment for both customers and staff. With hourly wages ranging from $20.50 to $30.90, Costco recognizes the importance of these positions and the specialized skills they require.

Explore More: I Made $10,000 Using One of Dave Ramseys Best Passive Income Ideas

Specialized Operations Roles

Specialized operational roles, such as those in inventory management, logistics and IT support, are also experiencing significant shifts. These positions require highly specialized skills that go beyond traditional retail tasks.

Employees in these roles must be adept at managing complex supply chain challenges, utilizing data-driven decision-making and often leveraging advanced technological tools to optimize operations.

Customer Experience and Service Positions

Costco is known for its superior customer service, largely due to the leadership of its service teams. These positions involve guiding teams to create memorable experiences for customers, resolving issues promptly and ensuring that every aspect of the customer journey is seamless. By increasing the pay for many of these roles to at least $30.90, Costco acknowledges the vital role that frontline leadership plays in fostering loyalty and driving repeat business.
PIERRE, S.D. (KELO)  A project to control traffic on US 14 while Rapid City, Pierre & Eastern Railroad renovates its crossing in Fort Pierre later this year, and then patch up the roadway afterward, will be much more expensive than the South Dakota Department of Transportation expected.

The department estimated the work would cost $34,590.28. Three bids were submitted. The lowest came from Anderson Contractors of Fort Pierre: $86,884.98. The two others: Morris of Fort Pierre $105,442.93 and A-G-E $108,000.

The state Transportation Commission on Thursday awarded the work to Anderson Contractors. But several on the panel first had comments or questions.

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Commissioner Mike Vehle of Mitchell noted that all three bidders were local, so the costs of mobilization were less of an issue. The total dollar amount isnt much, but I dont know how personally we cannot do this, he said.

DOT bid letting engineer Becky Hoffman said there arent any traffic control contractors in the area. The contractor is going to be on the railroads schedule, Hoffman said. So I think that is part of the cost increase were seeing.

Commissioner Rick Vallery of Pierre asked how long the project would take.

Hoffman answered that the work would take approximately a week but she didnt know how long RCP&E would need to get its part done.

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After that, the contractor would need to patch the surface of US 14 and install markings.

The contractor would be needed whenever RCP&E is ready to go, according to Hoffman.

So theyre having to drop everything they were doing to come and oversee, she said.

The rail-crossing was the smallest one of 10 projects awarded Thursday by the commission. None of the other nine drew any 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 KELOLAND.com.
It's never a good thing when a government official starts dreaming about operating like a business. It's particularly heinous when that official is the head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons told attendees at the 2025 Border Security Expo in Phoenix that he hoped to model his agency after online shopping giant Amazon, saying he was envious of their shipping and logistics. Lyons envisioned a future in which the mass roundups and deportations of people in the United States could run as efficiently as ordering a cheap pair of headphones.

We need to get better at treating this like a business, Lyons said, per the Arizona Mirror.

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The man charged with carrying out President Donald Trump's promised mass deportations hoped his agency could operate "like [Amazon] Prime, but with human beings."

Trump border czar Tom Homan also had the private sector on the brain, urging attendees to think about contracting out his administration's deportation scheme wherever possible.

"We need to buy more beds, we need more airplane flights and I know a lot of you are here for that reason," Homan said. "Let the badge and guns do the badge and gun stuff, everything else, lets contract out."

In the early months of his second term, Trump has ramped up immigration enforcement actions. His administration has loosed ICE on immigrant communities and sent the agency to detain lawful residents of the United States who speak ill of Israel.

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Most recently, the admin authorized deportations without due process to an ostensible prison and actual black site in El Salvador.

Trump's agents rounded up Venezuelans in the country under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, declaring them to be part of an invasion of the United States by the gang Tren de Aragua, and shipping them off to El Salvador without trial. Many of the people snatched and disappeared by the Trump admin claim to have no affiliation with the gang in question.

There's one area where ICE and Trump have no interest in acting like Amazon: the retail giant offers easy returns. Trump's administration has repeatedly defied court orders to halt deportations and return wrongfully deported people. In this, Trump's lackeys have a friend in the Supreme Court. The highest court overturned a restraining order on the admin's ongoing deportations and blocked an order to bring legal resident Abrego Garcia back to the United States.
Prince Harry paid a surprise visit to the Superhumans Centre in Lviv, Ukraine on April 10. The center provides aid as well as rehabilitation services to wounded soldiers and civilians. A spokesperson for the Duke told The Independent that he visited the center as part of his work with wounded veterans.

According to the publication, the Superhumans Centre provides "prosthetics, reconstructive surgery and psychological help" to those who were impacted or injured by the war in Ukraine.

Superhumans Center

The Duke of Sussex is no stranger to the military. He served in the British Army for 10 years and also did two tours in Afghanistan. During his tours, he flew an Apache helicopter co-pilot gunner and after he left the armed forces, one of his central causes became spotlighting injured soldiers.

Superhumans Center Prince Harry Prince Harry

It was not announced that he visited Lviv in Western Ukraine until after he left because the area has been frequently targeted by Russian missiles, The Independent reported. He is also only the second royal family member to visit Ukrainehis aunt Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, visited the country in 2022.

Getty Images Prince Harry Prince Harry

The Duke of Sussex was spotted in London earlier this week as he appeared before a court in London, where lawyers for him and his wife, Meghan Markle, said that they "felt forced" to step away from their duties as senior members of the royal family.

Read the original article on InStyle
LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's Prince Harry met victims of war in Ukraine as part of his work with wounded veterans, a spokesperson said on Thursday.

Harry, who served 10 years in the British Army, visited the Superhumans Center, an orthopedic clinic in the western Ukraine city of Lviv that provides care and rehabilitation for wounded military personnel and civilians.

The Duke of Sussex, who lives in California with his wife Meghan and their two children, was in London this week for a court case about changes to his security in Britain. Harry stepped back from his royal duties in 2020.

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Harry, who has served two tours in Afghanistan, was joined in Lviv by veterans from the Invictus Games Foundation, the charity behind the international sporting event that he founded for military personnel wounded in action.

The prince also met medical professionals and patients at the Superhumans Center as well as Ukraine's Minister of Veterans Affairs Natalia Kalmykova, his spokesperson said.

(Reporting by Sachin Ravikumar; Editing by Rod Nickel)
Welcome to The Scoop  the ultimate back-to-the-office water cooler cheat sheet, your go-to source for all things everyone really wants to know! Get the latest on everything from the political swamp maneuvering in D.C. and Hollywood drama to jaw-dropping small-town shenanigans from Paula Froelich. Subscribe to her newsletter here.

(NewsNation)  The motto for Prince Harry and Meghan Markles charity The Archewell Foundation is show up, do good, and prides itself on creating meaningful change  but one of the beneficiaries of the foundations largesse is creating meaningful havoc  especially for Jews in Milwaukee.

According Archewells 2023 tax returns, it gave a $27,960 grant to the Milwaukee Muslim Womens Coalition which in its about section bragged about its work for Palestinians after the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel where Hamas killed, raped, tortured and/or kidnapped 1,200 Israelis.

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Archewell also gave a similar donation to MMWC in 2024.

Exclusive: Prince Harry, King Charles rift widens; Charles refused to see Harry in UK

On the site, the MMWC notes: With your support, in 2023, we took swift and impactful action in response to the war on Gaza. Our efforts, alongside other Wisconsin-based organizations, aimed to raise awareness and demand human rights for Palestinians.

The charitys founder and current head, Janan Najeeb, is a noted Palestinian activist who some believe denies Israels very right to exist.

In a Feb. 23, 2024, op-ed, Najeeb wrote the Wisconsin Muslim Journal: Israels 75-year occupation of Palestine and the genocide in Gaza are a grave injustice. We demand a permanent ceasefire, an end to arming the apartheid state of Israel and the liberation of Palestine. From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free. From the sea to the river, Palestine will live forever!

We were not aware: Source says Prince Harry, Meghan Markle appalled

To Archewell and the Duke and Duchesses credit, once they were made aware of this story from NewsNation, they were appalled.

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A source familiar with the situation told me, We were not aware of this before you told us and are grateful you raised this with us.

Yesterday, we sent a letter to Janan and MMWC and let them know the Archewell Foundation has zero tolerance for hate speech, and we let them know the foundation will no longer be making any further donations.

Archewell Foundation made similar donation to the MMWC in 2024

To be fair, when the Archewell Foundation made the initial donation, Oct. 7 had not yet occurred. However, Archewell did make another similar donation to the MMWC in 2024  a donation, our insider says, was an oversight that was immediately corrected once we found out about (Najeebs blog post).

As soon as the blog post was brought to our attention, we took immediate action and acted swiftly to remove MMWC from our network and communicate no additional grants would be made to MMWC, the insider said.

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Prince Harrys immigration status under fire over drugs, possible lies

The letter to Najeeb, authored by Archewell heads James Holt and Shauna Nep, read: Janan, weve recently been notified of a blog post you wrote that goes against the values of the foundation. As a foundation, we celebrate different perspectives and backgrounds but we have zero tolerance for hateful words, actions or propaganda.

When we started the welcome project, we did so to support Afghan women in finding community, and we are proud of the work we have done to support women in Milwaukee. We remain committed to fostering partnerships that reflect and reinforce the values our foundation stands for.

We will be removing MWC from our network effective as of today. At this time, the foundation will be making no additional grants to MMWC.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attend a reception for young people at the Palace of Holyroodhouse on February 13, 2018 in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Andrew Milligan  WPA Pool/Getty Images) FILE  Meghan Markle and Prince Harry pose for pictures after visiting the observatory in One World Trade in New York, Sept. 23, 2021.(AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File) Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, were in New York City to accept the Robert F. Kennedy Ripple of Hope Award on Dec. 6, 2022. (Ted Shaffrey, Associated Press file) BOGOTA, COLOMBIA  AUGUST 15: Britains Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Britains Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, visit Delia Zapata Art Center in Bogota, Colombia on August 15, 2024. (Photo by Juancho Torres/Anadolu via Getty Images) ABUJA, NIREGIA  MAY 11: Britains Prince Harry (R), Duke of Sussex, and Britains Meghan (L), Duchess of Sussex, attend an exhibition sitting volleyball match at Nigeria Unconquered, a community-based charitable organization dedicated to aiding wounded, injured, or sick servicemembers, as part of celebrations of Invictus Games anniversary in Abuja, Nigeria on May 11, 2024. (Photo by Emmanuel Osodi/Anadolu via Getty Images) LONDON, ENGLAND  JUNE 03: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Duke and Duchess of Sussex leave after a service of thanksgiving for the reign of Queen Elizabeth II at St Pauls Cathedral in London, Friday, June 3, 2022 on the second of four days of celebrations to mark the Platinum Jubilee. The events over a long holiday weekend in the U.K. are meant to celebrate the monarchs 70 years of service. (Photo by Matt Dunham  WPA Pool/Getty Images) FILE  Prince Harry and Meghan Markle arrive at United Nations headquarters, July 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File) Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry (R) and his wife, Meghan Markle embrace at The Invictus Games in The Hague on April 16, 2022. (Photo by REMKO DE WAAL/ANP/AFP via Getty Images) TOPSHOT  Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry (R) and his wife, Meghan Markle embrace at The Invictus Games in The Hague on April 16, 2022. The Invictus Games is an international sporting event for servicemen and veterans who have been psychologically or physically injured in their military service. (Photo by Remko de Waal / ANP / AFP) / Netherlands OUT (Photo by REMKO DE WAAL/ANP/AFP via Getty Images) FILE  Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Duke and Duchess of Sussex visit the track and field event at the Invictus Games in The Hague, Netherlands, Sunday, April 17, 2022. The production company founded by Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, are splitting ways with Spotify, Friday, June 16, 2023, less than a year after the debut of their podcast Archetypes.(AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File) FILE  Meghan Markle, and her husband Prince Harry arrive to the observatory in One World Trade in New York, Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)

Charitys founder is a noted Palestinian activist

Meanwhile, Najeeb is not the only activist in her family. Her brother Isan Atta has compared Israel to Nazi Germany in the past and incited outrage when he erected a huge mural on the side of one of the buildings he owns in a prominent area of Milwaukee, suggesting Jewish people are carrying out a new Holocaust and intertwines a Star of David and a swastika, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The mural also includes images of drones, bombed-out buildings, women wearing head coverings carrying children, an apparent mass grave and an empty swing set with the words, The irony of becoming what you once hated.

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Prince Harry deeply depressed, embarrassed about charity war: Sources

The swastika, to me, is equivalent to the Star of David, Atta told the paper.

Milwaukee Jewish community leaders were appalled, calling the mural vile and horribly antisemitic.

This mural is not intended to actually change anything on the ground (in Israel and Gaza). It has no capacity to do that. Its only meant to be hurtful to our Holocaust survivors who see it, Miryam Rosenzweig, president of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation, told The Journal Sentinel.

Prince Harry on prior scandals

This is especially embarrassing for Harry, who, in 2005, went to a costume party dressed as a Nazi  humiliating his family and outraging the Brits who, along with America, successfully fought the Nazis in World War II.

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In a 2006 post, the World Jewish Congress blamed the Nazi uniform incident for an increase in antisemitic attacks in the UK.

Harry quickly apologized once the photos were made public, saying: I am very sorry if I caused any offense or embarrassment to anyone. It was a poor choice of costume and I apologize, the costume has haunted him since.

Prince Harry appeals the loss of his UK security detail

Harry spoke about the scandal in detail in the 2022 documentary Harry & Meghan.

It was one of the biggest mistakes of my life, Harry said. I felt so ashamed afterwards. All I wanted to do was make it right. I sat down and spoke to the chief rabbi in London, which had a profound effect on me. I went to Berlin and spoke to a Holocaust survivor. I could have just ignored it and made the same mistakes over again in my life. But I learned from that.

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He also addressed the incident in his book Spare, in which he blamed Prince William and Princess Catherine for egging him on.

Calls to Najeeb and MMWC were not returned.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Britain's Home Office has ruled against giving Prince Harry the highest level of security protection when he is in the United Kingdom after he stepped down from as a senior royal in 2020. His lawyer is now arguing that the decision puts his life in danger.

In February of last year, Prince Harry lost a legal challenge over the governments decision to take away his automatic right to high-level police protection following his decision to step down as a senior royal.

Britain's Home Office found "no basis for publicly funded security support for the duke and duchess within Great Britain."

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In an appeal in the Royal Courts of Justice, the Duke of Sussex's attorney, Shaheed Fatima argued that this decision not to give Prince Harry high-level security puts his life in danger when he is in the United Kingdom.

"One mustn't forget the human dimension to this case. There is a person sitting behind me whose safety, whose security and whose life is at stake," Fatima said, according to The Independent.

"Theres a person sitting behind me who's been told hes getting a special bespoke process when he knows and has experienced a process that is manifestly inferior," she continued.

A government lawyer, meanwhile, spoke out against Prince Harry's appeal.

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"The appeal is fairly to be characterized in the same way," government lawyer James Eadie said on Tuesday. "It involves a continued failure to see the wood for the trees, advancing propositions available only by reading small parts of the evidence, and now the judgment, out of context and ignoring the totality of the picture."

A formal, written decision on the matter is expected at a later date. We'll have to see whether or not Harry wins his appeal.
(KRON)  A group of pro-Palestinian protesters are facing possible jailtime, prosecutors announced Thursday, for breaking into a Stanford University campus building, barricading themselves inside, and ransacking administrative offices at the prestigious private university.

Twelve masked adults, who ranged between 19-32 in ages, participated in the campus building takeover on June 5, 2024 and reportedly caused more than half a million dollars in damages. This week, the Santa Clara County District Attorneys Office charged 12 alleged protesters with felony vandalism and felony conspiracy.

Dissent is American. Vandalism is criminal, District Attorney Jeff Rosen said.

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There is a bright line between making a point and committing a crime. These defendants crossed the line into criminality when they broke into those offices, barricaded themselves inside, and started a calculated plan of destruction, Rosen said.

If convicted, they face will face incarceration and pay fines for restitution, the DAs office said. The group will be arraigned later this month at the Hall of Justice in San Jose.

People walk on the Stanford University campus on March 28, 2025. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

On June 5, 2024, pro-Palestinian protesters broke into Building 10 and the office of Stanford Universitys former president, Richard Sallar. The group splashed fake blood around and broke windows, furniture, and security cameras.

The DAs office wrote, On June 5, 2024, protests began outside the closed Building 10 on the Stanford campus. Some individuals spray painted the outside of the building, while someone shattered a window. Before the cameras were covered, multiple suspects were recorded carrying equipment into Building 10 and barricading doorways using ladders, furniture, and additional equipment they brought into the building.

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A Stanford Department of Public Safety officer was shoved by protesters and injured, university officials said.

Once inside the building, protesters began recording social media videos that listed a series of demands related to the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

Protesters said they refused to leave Sallers office until the Stanford Board of Trustees took action to address their role in enabling and profiting from the ongoing genocide in Gaza.

(Photo by KRON4/ Michael Thomas)

Building occupiers executed their plan in a highly organized and orchestrated manner, prosecutors wrote.

Multiple cell phones seized from the group contained encrypted text-messages and links to detailed operational plans. Communications indicated the suspects met on multiple occasions, days in advance, to conspire to take over the building.

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Communication included a Do-It-Yourself Occupation Guide, that stated, Occupying a space removes the space from the capitalist landscape. A group may decide it is better to destroy or vandalize a space than to return it to its usual role in good condition. Protesters backpacks contained food and tools such as electric grinders, hammers, crowbars, chisels, goggles, and cables.

A view of the Stanford University campus on March 28, 2025. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Ultimately, 13 people were arrested by Santa Clara County Sheriffs deputies. One of the 13 arrestees, undergraduate student and Stanford Daily reporter Dilan Gohill, was later cleared of any criminal liability.

This office supports a free press and recognizes that the law gives reporters latitude to do their jobs in keeping the public informed, Rosen said in March. We have no evidence that this student did anything other than cover this event as a journalist.

The First Amendment Coalition wrote in a letter to Stanford administrators, At this critical juncture in our nations history, defending press freedoms is more important than ever.

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The student journalist, who had embedded with the protesters but did not participate in the vandalism, was not charged, prosecutors confirmed Thursday.

After the June protest, Stanford administrators told KRON4 that the arrested students would be suspended, and any seniors would not be allowed to graduate.

Stanford officials wrote, We are appalled that our students chose to take this action and we will work with law enforcement to ensure that they face the full consequences allowed by law. We have consistently emphasized the need for constructive engagement and peaceful protest when there is a disagreement in views. This was not peaceful protest.

Rosen said the 12 charged protesters are all American citizens, and they should turn themselves in now that a case has been filed. If convicted, the maximum punishment they will face is three years, eight months in prison.

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The San Francisco Bay Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations strongly condemned the DAs decision to file felony charges. According to CAIR-SFBA, the 12 protesters were Stanford students and alumni who stood up for Palestinian human rights.

The June 2024 Stanford protest was part of a nationwide wave of student-led demonstrations demanding that institutions divest from companies profiting from Israels military campaign in Gaza, a CAIR-SFBA spokesperson said.

CAIR-SFBA Executive Director Zahra Billoo said on Thursday, This is a shameful attempt to punish students for speaking out against genocide. Instead of listening to their demands for justice and accountability, our institutions have chosen repression. Prosecuting these young people with felony charges is a blatant attack on free speech.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) appears just as baffled by President Donald Trumps steep international tariffs as his Democratic colleagues and markets around the world, admitting Wednesday on Capitol Hill that he doesnt understand the total strategy behind them.

I still dont know exactly what his total strategy is, Johnson told CNNs Manu Raju.

Trump dubbed April 2 Liberation Day and announced a sweeping 10% baseline tariff on almost all imports to the U.S., with levies on dozens of countries set even higher. The aggressive policy upended markets around the world  and sparked fears of a global recession.

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We know what his goal was, Johnson argued Wednesday. He wants reciprocity.

Trump and numerous officials in his administration had maintained since April 2 that there would be no pause on the tariffs, only for Trump to announce Wednesday that levies on all affected countries would be scaled back to 10% for 90 days  except China, which he hit with a 125% tariff.

Johnson said Wednesday that hes relieved like the markets are relieved, referring to the historic market gains following Trumps temporary reversal. The GOP senator wagered that at some point in time the economy will stabilize, only to reiterate his initial concern.

Again, I dont know what the endgame is here yet, he told CNN.

GOP senators relieved after Trump's 90-day tariff pause - but lots of uncertainty.

"I still don't know what his total strategy is. We know what his goal was... I don't know what the end game is here," Ron Johnson says.

Schiff says he wants to know if anyone at WH profited off it pic.twitter.com/DkeeRuMCgB  Manu Raju (@mkraju) April 9, 2025

Trump misleadingly described the tariffs last week as reciprocal. One economist was particularly stunned after realizing his research as a former U.S. Treasury official was used by the administration to arrive at the higher rates  after being utterly misinterpreted.

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Johnson said last week on Fox Business that the tariffs were creating tangible concern.

Im getting all kinds of reaction from businesses, farmers in Wisconsin that are highly concerned about whats happening, he said, adding: All I can really do is kinda report the reality to the administration, let them know how these actions are impacting my constituents.

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This is an edition of Time-Travel Thursdays, a journey through The Atlantics archives to contextualize the present and surface delightful treasures. Sign up here.

Looking at a picture of Abraham Lincoln in October 1860, the 11-year-old Grace Bedell claimed to have solved the problem of Lincolns face and wrote him a letter to tell him about it. The presidential candidate was well aware of the problem. As he came into public view in 1860, jokes about Lincolns appearance abounded. A popular anti-Lincoln song imagined his supporters begging not to have his picture shown. Bedell, of Westfield, New York, offered a solution: Lincoln should grow a beard. If you will let your whiskers grow, she wrote, you would look a great deal better for your face is so thin.

Bedells observation was shaped by a medium that wasnt all that much older than she was. Photography had come to America scarcely two decades earlier, and in that short span of time, it had transformed peoples sense of themselves, their relation to society, and their practice of politics. What Frederick Douglass called the age of pictures began in 1839, when the Frenchman Louis Daguerres photographic process, the daguerreotype, came to the United States. Americans were fascinated by the new technology above all as a medium for portraiture. It was the dawning age of the first person singular, as Ralph Waldo Emerson called it, and people wanted pictures of themselves. The market answered. As studios opened in towns and cities across the country and the technology evolved, people sat for portraits in droves. What a vast branch of commerce this business of sun-picturing has grown, Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. wrote in The Atlantic.

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Not everyone enjoyed the sun-picturing right away. Those having their likeness taken for the first time did so with some combination of wonder and trepidation. Posing before the camera, early sitters said they felt drafts of air on their face or tingling in their cheeks. The process was orchestrated by a camera operator under a blanketwhom Holmes described in another article as a chemical-wielding skeleton shape, of about a mans height, its head covered with a black veil. The experience seemed to partake of the occult. And the results, often ghostly because of the long exposure times required, only strengthened such feelings.

These early sitters werent entirely wrong. There was no sorcery involved, but something was happening to them in front of the camera. Becoming an image, reckoning with an entirely new form of self-presentation, introduced an intense awareness not just of the self, but of the face. Here, Holmes wrote of the photographed face, is the nest of that feeble fowl, self-consciousness, whose brood strays at large over all the features.

The flip side of self-awareness was scrutiny. People werent just looking at themselves; they were also looking at others, especially as technological advancements increased the circulation of photographs. Whereas the daguerreotype produced a one-off image, printing photographs on paper from negatives extended the reach of images infinitely beyond the original, and improved printing techniques helped put ever more inked engravings of photographs in popular publications. Photographs and photographic images were everywhere, and by 1860, even an 11-year-old knew instinctively how to look.

Confronting this new reality, you just might feel your cheeks tingleand you just might grow a beard. As it happens, the return of facial hair to Western societies correlates with the advent of photography. Beards can be highly photogenic, defining and framing the lines of the face for the camera. If it was true, as one of the earliest reflections on photography said, that in this new age everyone must become their own caricaturist, the beard was not a bad prop.

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In Lincolns case, the iconic bearded visage is so indelibly stamped in our minds that it seems to befit the leader who endured the breakup of the Union, the death of his third son, and all the horrors of the Civil Warthe figure who fought to end slavery and who, in the stirring Old Testament strains of his second inaugural address, uttered the most haunting words ever said by an American president. But Lincolns venerable, bearded face was first and foremost a product of the anxious new realities of the photographic age.

All of the private imperatives to look good were only magnified for public figuresmore so for a public figure not known to be terribly good-looking. One image helped fight the idea that Lincoln was irredeemably unattractive. When he visited New York in February 1860 to deliver at the Cooper Union the most important speech of his life to date, Lincoln also went to Mathew Bradys studio for a portrait. The resulting photographby Bradys own account procured with much difficulty and extensive stagecrafthelped create a favorable public image of Lincoln. Standing at three-quarter length, hand resting on two books, Lincoln appeared not awkward and gangly but commanding and dignified. In the coming months, the image circulated in different formats and engraved variations.

Grace Bedell was likely looking at a print version of the Cooper Union portrait when she wrote to Lincoln. Looking at it now, you can see her point. In that image, as in others from 1860, Lincolns prominent cheekbones make the cheeks appear hollow to the point of gauntness, exactly as Bedell said. Others came to the same conclusion. Three days before Bedell wrote her letter, a group of True Republicans writing from New York City tendered the same suggestion to Lincoln. After careful consideration of the pictures of Lincoln on the buttons they were wearing, they concluded that he would look much better with a beard to bolster his face, as well as a standing collar to shorten his neck. Our candidate, they said, should be the best looking as well as the best of the rival candidates.

Although Lincoln asked Bedell in his reply if a beard might not be silly, he began growing one soon after the exchange. The first patchy shoots were visible after he won the election in November 1860; it was fully grown as he prepared to journey to Washington in February 1861, during which he would stop to greet and embrace Bedell at a whistle-stop in western New York. Lincoln had come into his facethe one that would be regularly and repeatedly seen in pictures through the Civil War and beyond.

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When Nathaniel Hawthorne gained an audience with Lincoln on assignment for The Atlantic in 1862, he was entranced by the real face. In the initial draft of his essay Chiefly About War Matters, he described Lincoln as about the homeliest man I ever saw, yet by no means repulsive or disagreeable. Atlantic editor James T. Fields asked Hawthorne to cut the description. Considered as a portrait of a living man, Fields said years later in the magazine, it would not be wise or tasteful to print. Hawthorne complied, but he didnt like it. What a terrible thing, he complained sardonically, to try to let off a little bit of truth into this miserable humbug of a world.

The truth that Hawthorne wanted to expressthat Lincolns looks were redeemed by his kindness and sagacityis visible in one of the presidents last portraits. Taken by Alexander Gardner in February 1865, it is a close-up. Lincoln looks off to the side. You can see the strain of his presidency in every line in his face, but out of the shadows rises a slight smile. Much of the beard is gone. There is little left but a graying goatee. The same hollowness Grace Bedell saw is there in his cheeks, deeper and more profound. After nearly four years of war, hed given those depths meaning.

Article originally published at The Atlantic
Late last year, Michigan-based Grede LLC told workers at its 50-year-old foundry in Brewton, Alabama, that the company planned to shutter all manufacturing operations by the end of 2025.

On April 1, the company issued a WARN notice with the state that says the wind down will begin on May 22, 2025, and some 160 employees will be affected. But it turns out many more will be out of work.

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According to AL.com, the Brewton facility has 130 hourly employees, 30 on salary and some 60 third-party contractors repped by the United Steelworkers union. So, in total, about 220 workers will be out of a job.

The plant makes highly engineered iron castings, and Grede will transfer the work to other locations by mid-year. The company has eight other locations, primarily in the Midwest, including three in Wisconsin.

Grede makes safety-critical components, like large axle housings, and chassis and drivetrain components used in the industrial machinery, automotive and commercial truck markets.

In a statement to AL.com, the company says its primary markets haven't rebounded to pre-COVID volumes, which has opened up capacity across its U.S. foundries.

Employees will receive a severance package and have been offered a chance to relocate to other plants. The company could repurpose the facility, potentially converting it into a warehouse or R&D center.

The Brewton foundry was built in 1975; operations started the following year. At one point, Grede operated four facilities in Alabama, the Brewton plant is the final location.

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Nashville public health programs could take a major hit, depending on whether yet another round of federal funding cuts proceeds.

At his weekly media roundtable last week, Nashville Mayor Freddie OConnell flagged a couple ways that $11 billion in potential cuts to public health funding through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services would impact Nashville.

Specifically, OConnell pointed to two local programs  Nashville Strong Babies, which provides services to moms ranging from family planning services to prenatal and postpartum education free of charge, and the Ryan White program, which provides community-based care for low-income people living with HIV in Davidson County and a dozen other Middle Tennessee counties.

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Heres what else OConnell had to say about what those programs stand to lose.

Cuts could affect hundreds of families, millions in funding

If the cuts are allowed to proceed, OConnell warned that theyll lead to direct impacts at the Metro Health Department, which facilitates both programs.

Services to 426 families through the Strong Babies program would be affected, and the health department could lose upwards of 20 jobs. That would affect more than 50% of the programs services, OConnell said.

When were able to demonstrate the success of return on public investment, Im just left wondering what sense it makes to cut funds to programs like that, OConnell said last week. Ultimately, the greatest potential impact would be that we return to an era when there are significant points of discrimination within prenatal and early childhood care that could be at risk.

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OConnell said that could mean a return to higher infant mortality rates, especially in communities of color, and more mothers dying during pregnancy.

The Ryan White program, meanwhile, also is firmly in the crosshairs. OConnell said the program could see $4 million in cuts.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued $4,658,066 in grants for the program to Nashville in the 2024 fiscal year  similar to Nashvilles total awards from the two previous fiscal years  and another $857,721 since the start of 2025.

Austin Hornbostel is the Metro reporter for The Tennessean. Have a question about local government you want an answer to? Reach him at ahornbostel@tennessean.com.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville programs for newborns, HIV at risk of federal cuts
The Montana State Capitol on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, a day after the legislature adjourned the 2023 session. (Photo by Blair Miller, Daily Montanan)

The mandate the Montana Legislature and governor put themselves under to address their constituents property tax concerns remains the same  find some relief.

A mix of policies, ideas, amendments and bills legislators say could fit together continue to be discussed in both chambers.

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The property tax winds have shifted every week, and sometimes daily, but now just 19 legislative days remain, at most.

Gov. Greg Gianforte, who has previously put pressure on the Legislature to come up with tax relief, on Thursday again hammered on his concerns at a press conference.

We cant put property tax relief or income tax relief on ice this legislative session, Gianforte said. If legislators dont deliver on meaningful, permanent income and property tax relief, they will be on thin ice with Montana voters.

House Bill 231, known as the Homestead bill, is the governors preferred plan for property tax relief, and supported by his property tax task force.

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HB 231 was taken off the table on Wednesday in the Senate Taxation Committee. Its a bill from Rep. Llew Jones, R-Conrad, and would shift some of the tax burden onto those who are not residents of the state, but own property in Montana.

In a media availability this week, Senate Majority Leader Tom McGillvray, R-Billings, said it would be a disaster for Billings and lead to a $7 million to $8 million hit on that citys budget due to the way the city handles mills.

(SB 231 is) just a non-starter for senators from that area, McGillvray said Tuesday. So there has to be some thoughtful negotiation around how were going to solve property tax, but I want to see some property tax reform, and I think theres some competing options.

HB 231 was introduced in late January, but has faced hurdles, both directly and indirectly.

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A number of alternative property tax proposals  House Bill 528 from Rep. Ed Byrne, R-Bigfork, a recent major entry  have tried to balance what legislators have referred to as a water bed, or pushing down on one side, but seeing an unwanted increase on the other side.

Byrnes bill seeks to drop agricultural and residential property taxes but it would likely increase taxes on industrial properties.

House Bill 155, sponsored by Rep. Mark Thane, D-Missoula, seeks a graduated tax rate for residential properties based on market value. House Minority Leader Katie Sullivan has called it the Democrats go bill.

Thanes bill had a hearing in the Senate Taxation Committee last week, at the same time Byrnes bill passed a second reading in the House. Both legislators said this week their bills arent directly competing with one another, but its unclear whether either will gain momentum.

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Indirect alternatives to provide relief include tax credits and rebates, but Democrats, including Rep. Jonathan Karlen, D-Missoula, have said the rebates wont be enough, and Sullivan echoed this on Tuesday.

House Democrats put out a property tax rate bill first thing this session, and here we are, and we still dont have a bill on the governors desk, Sullivan said. We have tried, and I think Im pretty disappointed in the Republicans on a whole, that we still dont have a way to at least create a solution to this.

Senate Bill 90, brought by Sen. Carl Glimm, R-Kila, to use money from tourists to offset bills for homeowners, has been a preferred plan by Senate leadership, but the bill ended up tabled in a House committee.

Two bills from Sen. Greg Hertz, R-Polson, SB 204 and 205 along, with SB 117 from Sen. Daniel Zolnikov, R-Billings, were cited by Senate President Matt Regier, R-Kalispell, as a suite of options last week. Also, a proposal to allocate $10 million of general fund dollars toward property tax relief is one component of the omnibus House Bill 924.

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Sen. Wylie Galt, R-Martinsdale, has introduced two bills that are last-ditch options. One bill would put a two-year pause on property taxes, while another would offer homeowners rebates of up to $400 dollars. Both bills passed the Senate and are scheduled for hearings before a House committee.

Legislative leaders and the governor have acknowledged the shrinking timeline to get property tax relief passed, but continue to emphasize that its a top priority left for lawmakers to accomplish.

Gianforte did expresses some optimism, saying we are in the home stretch, and said the Legislature is hard at work.

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, Gianforte said, Montanans income and property taxes are too high.
TOPEKA (KSNT)  A Topeka judge has dismissed a lawsuit against the city that wouldve required a public vote to raise property taxes.

McIntosh submitted 5,400 signatures for a proposed ordinance that would require a public vote before the city can raise property taxes in 2024. However, the citys government cast it aside in June 2024, taking no action after the city attorney said the ordinance was not legally valid.

The city had three choices; pass the proposal as it is, put it to a city-wide vote, or do nothing. City leaders chose to do nothing. The City attorney said the ordinance is not legally valid, giving the council the right to take no action on it.

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Now McIntosh says hes filing a motion to reconsider.

Evergy seeks rate hikes and approval for Kansas projects

Cities and counties and other authorities do not have to follow, do not even have to use state taxes or property taxes, McIntosh told 27 News. The state law, the city of Topeka, they make deals on property taxes all the time. So, if youre elderly and meet a certain income, they reduce your tazes. They make tax deals all the time with businesses.

27 News will continue to monitor the issue.

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.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  The community review board tasked with assessing Oregon Health and Science Universitys proposed takeover of Legacy Health has disapproved of the merger, but it could still actualize.

The board opposed the business deal on Monday, April 7. The Oregon Health Authority specifically formed the group, which consists of six community members with some sort of connection to the healthcare industry, to evaluate the proposal that was first announced in August 2023.

Oregon settles with opioid company accused of deceptively marketing products to doctors

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The merger would combine more than 32,000 employees and 100 locations from the nonprofit health system Legacy and public research university OHSU. While the education institution has committed to investing $1 billion into expanded services for the joint system, and therefore benefitting patients, opponents have argued it could drive up costs.

During the community review boards first vote on Monday, three members disapproved of the merger and two approved it with conditions. The group unanimously opposed it during the second round.

After hearing further feedback from other board members, Wendi Martin said she would change her vote because both systems would suffer even greater losses. She cited potential issues for the smaller entity, like a lack of staffing at hospital beds and at some of its more rural sites.

There may also be an opportunity for OHSU to acquire or partner in a different way with specific facilities or specific sectors of Legacy, but ultimately, this is too big, too many risks for us to put enough regulators on, Martin added.

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The board has until Apr. 16 to write a final recommendation report, but OHAs Health Care Market Oversight program will have the ultimate say on whether the merger can go through.

Two children found dead in family home attended Cornelius Elementary School

In a statement, the Oregon Nurses Association said it is confident the deal will be approved.

ONA strongly supports this acquisition because it will drastically increase our ability to recruit and retain more frontline caregivers while increasing access to high-quality care for Oregonians, the organization stated, in part.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Minnesota legislators are weighing a new tax on social media platforms that could raise $334 million in the next four years as the state faces a multibillion-dollar deficit later this decade and uncertainty surrounding federal funding.

Under a proposal introduced by Senate Taxes Committee Chair Ann Rest, DFL-New Hope, large social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X would pay a tax on the collection of user data, which they sell to advertisers.

What lawmakers said is a first-of-its-kind state tax would be based on usership for platforms with 100,000 or more monthly users in Minnesota. It would scale up depending on the number of users on the platform, with the top bracket applying to platforms with 1 million or more users.

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For many years now, social media platforms and businesses have taken our information, our identifying information, and used it to make millions and millions of dollars, Rest told the Senate Taxes Committee as she presented her bill on Wednesday. We hope we can modernize the way in which our tax systems work, recognizing the world has greatly changed.

Revenue expected to grow

If the new social media tax were to take effect as a part of this years two-year state budget, it would raise about $46 million in its first year. That amount is expected to grow to more than $90 million annually in the following three years, according to an analysis by the Minnesota Department of Revenue.

The Senate and House tax committees heard versions of the bill Wednesday and held it over for possible inclusion in a larger tax package bill later in the session. It could face a tough path forward in the House, where Republicans and Democrats both have 67 seats. GOP lawmakers say the state shouldnt pass any new taxes and should focus on rolling back the large expansion of spending that happened under Democratic-Farmer-Labor controlled government in 2023.

Rest and other supporters who testified in favor of the new tax said it would ensure that large companies profiting off user data  which they get by providing otherwise free services  are paying their fair share in Minnesota.

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This bill proceeds from the very reasonable premise that this extraction of value should be taxed the way the extraction of many other valuable natural resources are taxed, said University of California  Davis law professor Darien Shanske, whose work focuses on state and local tax policy.

Economic disruptions and federal budget cuts caused by President Donald Trump also could mean more stress on state resources in the months and years ahead, supporters said.

This bill is badly needed because it provides revenue that could be used to help those that will be hurt if the social safety net is shredded, said Phillip Sandro, a retiree with health issues living on a fixed income who spoke for the progressive faith group Isaiah.

Supporters also argued that negative social consequences from social media platforms, such as potential harm to younger users mental health, warrant taxation because of the cost they pose to society. Politicians have targeted companies like Facebook parent Meta in recent years after studies showed that excessive teen social media use was tied to psychological distress.

GOP says state should curb spending

Minnesota is set to have a $456 million budget surplus in 2026-2027, but as lawmakers put together a two-year state budget this spring, a $6 billion deficit looms in the following 2028-2029 fiscal year. Early proposals from the Governors Office, House and Senate have largely centered around billions in cuts, but Democratic-Farmer-Labor senators and representatives have left new taxes on the table.

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Republican Senators questioned the need for any new taxes when the state grew spending by 40% in the last budget passed in 2023, which saw state spending top $70 billion and used most of a record $18 billion budget surplus.

The reason why the state of Minnesota is facing a $6 billion structural deficit is because of the overspending, the unsustainable spending over the last two years, said Sen. Jeremy Miller, R-Winona. When you spend more than the revenue coming in, its unsustainable; its simple math.

Opponents also said a tax on social media platforms will hurt small businesses in the state who rely on targeted advertising to reach local and regional customers. New social media taxes would mean big companies would pass the cost along to smaller business customers, argued it would limit access to targeted ads.

Minnesotas consumers, small businesses, retailers, family farms and even newspapers that would feel this squeeze, said Deb Peters, a lobbyist with Americans for Digital Opportunity and the Association of National Advertisers. Taxing advertising, especially online, raises prices for everyone.

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Business interests also noted that passing a law targeting social media with a new tax could attract legal action. The Internet Tax Freedom Act, originally passed in 1998, protects online businesses from state and local government taxes that apply only to digital commerce, wrote the Midwest branch of TechNet, a group representing technology executives.

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Hundreds of state workers entered the state Capitol in Olympia to protest potential furloughs amid a massive budget shortfall on Wednesday, April 9, 2025. (Photo by Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero/Washington State Standard)

Hundreds of Washington state workers descended on the Capitol on Wednesday, staging a sit-in outside the governors office and a march to the gates of the executive mansion to protest potential furloughs amid a massive budget shortfall.

Workers from the Washington Federation of State Employees and other local unions pushed for a so-called wealth tax rather than cutting their earnings or state programs to fill the estimated $16 billion budget hole. Gov. Bob Ferguson has shunned the revenue idea as an untested concept that will attract court challenges.

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Protesting workers made two passes to Fergusons office. The first time they encountered a closed door and chanted from outside for the governor to meet with them. A short time later, they returned and a small crowd, including federation president Mike Yestramski, got inside but did not meet with the governor.

One of his people came out and said well let him know you were here, Yestramski said. I think we made our message clear.

Ferguson was not on campus Wednesday. He was working in Seattle.

Interim Chief of Staff Shane Esquibel speaking with Mike Yestramski, president of the Washington Federation of State Employees. (Photo by Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero/Washington State Standard)

Brionna Aho, Fergusons communications director, said in an email, We value our state employees. Our team has been in regular and close communication with WFSE at multiple levels, including numerous calls and meetings with our senior leadership.

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As part of his suite of proposed budget cuts, Ferguson has floated two years of one-day-per-month furloughs for state workers. Potential budget saving options also include closing state facilities, like reentry centers for people leaving prison and residential care facilities for people with developmental disabilities.

Senate Democrats operating budget plan, unveiled last month, includes 13 unpaid furlough days in the fiscal year starting July 1. House Democrats avoid furloughs entirely.

The governor and Democratic lawmakers both look to honor collective bargaining agreements with 5% wage increases over the next two years for state employees. However, state workers say the effect of the furloughs will eat up most of the negotiated pay hikes.

Workers began Wednesday with an hour-long rally on the Capitol grounds, next to Tivoli Fountain, in which labor leaders and legislators repeatedly blasted the first-term governor for not standing behind them after public sector unions provided their full-throated support for him in the 2024 election.

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Speakers talked of the chaos that could ensue if thousands of state workers staged a one-day walkout in protest of the furlough ideas.

Governor Ferguson, the choice is yours. We gave you your job. We can take it from you too, said Milo Nicholas, a public health worker and vice president of Local 443 that represents state employees in Lewis, Mason and Thurston counties.

Rep. Brianna Thomas, D-Seattle, said the governor seemed to have forgotten who helped get him elected. She vowed to stand strong against balancing the budgets on the backs of the workers.

Bob may be a chessmaster, but he sure as s**t aint beating me in a street fight, she said.

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Yestramski took the stage last at the outdoor rally. He has called Ferguson a pseudo Democrat and a ratfink.

I heard the governor might be a little upset with us. He doesnt like being called out, Yestramski said. You know what we dont like? Being scammed.

Yestramski said he had not met with Ferguson since he took office.

He called on Ferguson to look us in the eye and tell us why you are prioritizing billionaires over the working people of this state. Hes too busy to meet with us. Weve all got time right now, Yestramski told the cheering crowd as it then headed to the Capitol.

Inside the rotunda, their booming chants No cuts, no furloughs, tax, tax the rich could be heard in the House and Senate chambers where lawmakers were voting on legislation.

State employee union protesters rally outside the Washington governors mansion in Olympia on Wednesday, April 9, 2025. (Photo by Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero)

Democrats from the two chambers are now negotiating a final budget plan.

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Democratic legislative leaders said Wednesday they plan to release new ideas for raising revenue next week in line with the governors wishes.

My members and I in the House are all going to get pushed to our limit in a year like this. Every member of the Senate is going to get pushed to their limit in a year like this, and so is the governor, House Speaker Laurie Jinkins, D-Tacoma, told reporters. The point that were trying to get to is probably a somewhat narrow path.

The legislative session is scheduled to end April 27.
Poland's ambassador to Russia said a small group of Russians tried to disrupt a commemoration on Thursday marking the 15th anniversary of the plane crash that killed Polish President Lech Kaczynski and 95 other people.

The protesters held banners and chanted anti-Polish slogans as Krzysztof Krajewski, the Polish ambassador to Russia, led the event in Smolensk, Russia, where the plane crashed on April 10, 2010, he told RMF FM radio.

They questioned everything, including the war in Ukraine. I heard slogans that were already familiar to me, that Poland is a sponsor of terrorism, that we are falsifying history," Krajewski said told the private broadcaster.

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Back in Poland, observances were being held to remember what is widely considered the greatest tragedy in the nation's post-World War II history, one that has led to greater mistrust of Russia and deep divisions within Poland.

Immediately after the crash, gestures by Russian President Vladimir Putin created hopes for better ties between Russia and Poland. But Russia's ensuing refusal to hand over the wreckage to Poland has instead engendered greater distrust as fears grow of Russian aggression in the region.

Among those who joined remembrance events in Warsaw was Jarosaw Kaczynski, the surviving twin of the late president and leader of the country's main opposition party, Law and Justice, who continues to have a prominent role in political life in the Central European nation of 38 million people.

The plane crash occurred when the presidential delegation was flying to Smolensk, Russia, to pay tribute to some 22,000 Polish officers killed in the Katyn massacres by the Soviet secret police during World War II. Traveling with Kaczynski and the first lady were military commanders, the president of the national bank, senior members of the clergy as well as lawmakers and other top officials. All 96 aboard were killed.

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A Polish investigation carried out soon after the crash concluded that it was an accident resulting pilot error and heavy fog. However, Kaczynski has long suggested that Prime Minister Donald Tusk, his political rival, and Putin colluded to eliminate his brother from public life.

Years of investigations while his party was in power did not produce evidence of that claim. Many Poles accuse Kaczynski of fomenting a dangerous conspiracy theory. He repeated his unproven allegation of foul play in an interview Thursday in the Super Express tabloid. He said his brother had a political plan, and he remains convinced that there was "an assassination attempt organized by those for whom this plan was detrimental.

Tusk said it was time for reconciliation.

The memory of the Smolensk disaster and its victims should no longer divide us, Tusk said on X. Rebuilding community and mutual respect is possible and necessary, even if it is still very difficult.
The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) has announced that its counterintelligence unit has detained a 58-year-old protopriest from the Pokrovskyi Vicariate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP) in Donetsk Oblast on suspicion of spying for Russia.

Source: SSU; an Ukrainska Pravda source in law enforcement agencies

Valentyn Hnezdilov

Photo: an Ukrainska Pravda source

Details: The source noted that the priest in question is Valentyn Hnezdilov.

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Case materials reveal that Russias Federal Security Service (FSB) recruited Hnezdilov through his daughter, who lives in Russia. She reportedly wrote a letter to Kremlin ruler Vladimir Putin, requesting Russian citizenship for her mother and sister, both Ukrainian nationals.

The SSU stated that a Russian intelligence officer had made remote contact with Hnezdilov following this correspondence.

In exchange for his cooperation, he was promised the "evacuation" of his family to Russia, the granting of Russian citizenship and initial support upon their arrival.

After agreeing to the proposal, Hnezdilov began gathering intelligence on the locations of reserve command posts, defensive structures and logistics hubs of Ukrainian forces in the Volnovakha district of Donetsk Oblast.

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Quote: "SSU officers thwarted the enemy's intentions and detained the traitor, preventing him from sending a 'report' containing intelligence to the FSB.

A search of the suspect's belongings led to the discovery of a mobile phone containing evidence of his cooperation with the enemy.

Based on the collected evidence, SSU investigators served the offender with a notice of suspicion under Article 111.2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (high treason committed by a group of persons under martial law).

The offender is in custody. He faces life imprisonment with confiscation of property."

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The Public Service Enterprise Group, an energy company developing a transmission line that would cross three counties in Maryland, plans to file a court order on April 15  the first of several filings  asking for temporary access to properties along the project route.

PSEG needs to access properties in order to conduct field studies along the route of the Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project (MPRP), a 500,000-volt line that will extend for almost 70 miles across Frederick, Baltimore and Carroll counties.

In Frederick County, the MPRP would run through the southeastern and southern parts of the county near New Market and Ijamsville, continue toward Buckeystown and Adamstown, and end at the Doubs substation.

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Maryland is requiring that PSEG conduct these studies, which will help illustrate the full environmental effects of the MPRP, to move the project forward.

Thousands of residents and many elected officials from around Maryland have mobilized against the project and have expressed fear, anger and frustration about the MPRP cutting through properties or possibly hurting the environment.

PSEG has a contract with PJM Interconnection, the company that coordinates electricity movement in 13 states and Washington, D.C., to build the MPRP to address anticipated increases in power demand.

Part of this increased demand is due to new data centers to be sited in Maryland and Virginia, which are estimated to require up to 7,500 megawatts of electricity.

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Additionally, PJM has said that 11,000 megawatts of power generation across the grid have recently been deactivated while power demand continues growing.

PSEG sent out about 800 letters in the fall to the owners of about 600 tracts of property who will be impacted by the MPRP route. Some of the land parcels have multiple owners.

For months, land agents on behalf of PSEG have been reaching out to affected property owners to discuss the company temporarily accessing properties to conduct environmental surveys and field studies.

Some owners have been offered compensation of $1,000 for a temporary right-of-entry. Most people have either not responded or denied PSEGs requests.

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Jason Kalwa, the projects director, said field data is used for most permits to confirm environmental conditions. He emphasized that gaining temporary access to properties through this court order would not be the same as PSEG using eminent domain.

Eminent domain is a governmental power to seize private property for public use with just compensation.

PSEG will not have access to the properties anymore after completing the field surveys.

A judge would decide how much time to grant.

The property owners are not giving up any other rights. This is temporary access. This is effectively to allow our experts, environmental and otherwise, to walk on the property, take an assessment of what they see there, Kalwa said in an interview.

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... Its not eminent domain. It gives us no permanent rights to the property. It merely gives us access to the property to conduct surveys, which are necessary for many types of permits out there.

PSEG is asking for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity from the Maryland Public Service Commission as part of developing the MPRP.

This certificate authorizes the construction or modification of a new generating station or high-voltage transmission lines and is necessary for the MPRP to move forward.

The MPRP will prevent extensive, severe, and widespread thermal overloads and voltage collapse conditions (reliability violations) from occurring on the bulk transmission system that serves Maryland electric customers and the surrounding region, PSEG said in its application.

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On March 26, the Power Plant Research Program, which is part of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, said PSEGs certificate application is incomplete  it doesnt have enough information on alternative project routes or specific environmental and socioeconomic impacts.

The Maryland Public Service Commission said on Jan. 10 that it would start making a procedural schedule to move the application forward once the Power Plant Research Program deemed the application as complete.

The program said PSEG didnt provide any discussion detailing why each of the alternative routes other than the proposed route ... were rejected and instead, focuses on why the proposed route was selected.

The program also said the application doesnt adequately show the environmental and socioeconomic consequences of the MPRPs construction and operation.

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Specifically, the application doesnt include field studies, which are necessary to verify that the MPRPs impacts are correctly documented and appropriate mitigation actions are taken.

The program said the application lacked these field-based surveys:

* Wetland delineations

* Forest stand delineations

* Geotechnical surveys

* Surveys on sensitive species project review areas

* Maryland Historical Trust-required field surveys

Without field-based information, [the program] cannot fully evaluate the Projects impacts to Marylands socioeconomic and natural resources, the program said in a letter to the Public Service Commission dated March 26.

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The Power Plant Research Program said it isnt opposed to scheduling a prehearing conference for PSEGs application to set a limited procedural schedule, but it still needs more information outlined in its letter to finish assessing PSEGs application.

Once its determined that the application is complete, further procedural dates can be scheduled.

Need to seek judicial support

The same day the program gave its letter to the commission, PSEG filed a response asking for a prehearing conference to be held to create a procedural schedule so the MPRP can be built by June 1, 2027  the date that PJM said the MPRP has to start operating.

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To meet this deadline, PSEG has to start constructing the transmission line by January and therefore needs a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity by then.

PSEG also wants the conference to be held to rule on more than 170 petitions to intervene, most of which were filed by people with properties on or near the MPRP route.

A petition to intervene is a request to become a formal party in a case and be able to actively participate in the legal process and influence the outcome of a project.

PSEG also asked the Public Service Commission to determine its application is complete for the purpose of setting a procedural schedule.

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The company said the information the Power Plant Research Program wants go to issues that [the program] would like to better understand and not as required information that is missing under Maryland law.

Still, PSEG anticipated that the Power Plant Research Program would ask for field studies, which is why the company has been trying to access properties. Its response says that where necessary and appropriate, the Company may also need to seek judicial support to conduct the surveys.

Bill Smith, a PSEG spokesperson, said the court filing PSEG plans to submit on April 15 will involve getting temporary access to about 90 properties.

There will be multiple filings requesting temporary access if PSEG cant negotiate with the remaining property owners for voluntary rights-of-entry.

The company is still willing to have discussions with landowners regarding compensation for rights-of-entry to avoid taking court action.

Kalwa said PSEG is aware that some property owners are extremely hostile to the company and wont welcome the idea of company representatives walking on their land.

The safety and security of our team, the contractors that work for us, members of the public are of utmost importance. ... We just ask for folks patience throughout all of this. We understand its difficult, he said.

For the folks that dont want to talk to us, if they could, if theyd be willing to have a conversation with us, I think theyll find us to be reasonable, and hopefully, thatll calm some of their fears.
New Mexico, Chaco Culture National Historical Park, Pueblo Bonito, ancestral Puebloan great house ruins, AD 850 to AD 1150, UNESCO World Heritage Site

The reintroduction by New Mexicos entire federal delegation of the Chaco Cultural Heritage Area Protection Act sparked widespread praise on Thursday from pueblos, environmentalists and others.

The legislation would create a 10-mile buffer zone around the park  the Chaco Protection Zone in which future leasing and development of oil, gas and minerals on non-Indian federal lands would be forbidden. The Biden administration began an administrative withdrawal of the area in 2023, which offered temporary protection. That welcome step has been successful and is still in place but is under threat from the Trump Administration and Republicans in Congress, a news release from the delegation states. The legislation, on the other hand, would provide permanent protection.

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Chaco Culture National Historical Park  and the Greater Chaco Region  is one of the worlds greatest treasures that must be protected for our future generations, U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.) said in a statement. Chaco holds deep spiritual and cultural significance for Tribes and Pueblos and is one of only a handful of World Heritage Sites in the United States. This legislation is a longstanding priority for Pueblo and Tribal communities, environmental advocates, and the New Mexico Delegation to ensure we protect our sacred sites. Lujan is leading the introduction of the bill in the U.S. Senate; U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez is doing so in the U.S. House.

The All Pueblo Council of Governors, which represents the 20 Pueblos of New Mexico and one in Texas, issued a statement reaffirming its support for the measure, with Pueblo of Acoma Gov.Charles Riley issuing a statement that: Chaco Canyon holds the footprints and fingerprints of our ancestors. By reintroducing legislation to permanently protect these federal lands, our congressional partners honor our living heritage, and the centuries of prayers offered to safeguard it. This is not only about preserving an archaeological wonderits about ensuring our ancestral gifts remain intact for future generations.

The Sierra Club Rio Grande chapter also endorsed the legislation:

For years, advocates and impacted community members have called on federal agencies to protect the cultural integrity of the Greater Chaco landscape and community well-being from fracking, Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter Program Manager Miya King-Flaherty said in a statement. Now, under a second Trump administration that is blatantly calling for public lands to be sold off for corporate polluter interests and turn back the clock on climate action, its urgent that we permanently protect this sacred landscape from further desecration, as well as the health of communities already overburdened from oil and gas drilling. Were thankful to Senator Ben Ray Lujan and Representative Teresa Leger Fernandez for continuing to pursue protecting Chaco Culture National Historical Park and hope efforts to protect the broader landscape and public health are not forgotten.
This story was originally published on Restaurant Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Restaurant Dive newsletter.

The last three months have been filled with CEO and leadership changes as restaurant executives seek new opportunities or retire.

Several large companies, including Jack in the Box, CKE Restaurants, Churchs Texas Chicken and Panera Brands, welcomed new executives. Other chains saw resignations and retirements. Twin Peaks CEO Joe Hummel resigned from his post last month, while David Gibbs of Yum Brands announced his retirement, effective 2026, at the start of the second quarter. Neither company has named a permanent successor.

New leadership could change the trajectory of these brands strategies, much like how Todd Penegor and Brian Niccol are shaping Papa Johns and Starbucks in the months following their CEO appointments at their respective companies.

Check out the latest CEO changes from the first quarter and see how these leaders might direct restaurant brands going forward.

Jack in the Box

Name: Lance Tucker

Tucker, previously Jack in the Boxs CFO, was originally named interim CEO in February following the departure of Darin Harris. Upon his permanent appointment on March 31, Tucker said his initial priorities would include capital allocation, free cash flow acceleration and a shift toward an asset-light, franchised business model. Tucker joined Jack in the Box in November, returning to the chain after stints as CFO at CKE Restaurants and Davidson Hospitality Group. He previously served as CFO at the burger chain from 2018 to 2020.

Rego Restaurant Group

Name: Neel Patel

The parent company of Quiznos and Taco del Mar hired Patel in March, succeeding Tim Casey, who led the company for over six years. Patel previously worked at Churchs Texas Chicken as senior vice president, strategy and growth, where he helped in the chains transformation and recent transaction growth. He also led commercial strategy, revenue management and global expansion efforts at the chicken brand.

Panera Brands

Name: Paul Carbone

Carbone was originally named interim CEO in January, when Jose Alberto Duenas stepped down from his post, and became the permanent CEO in March. Carbone had been serving as CFO at the parent company of Panera Bread, Caribou Coffee and Einstein Bros since 2023, when the company was considering an initial public offering. While at Panera Brands, Carbone has helped identify and execute various strategies including menu transformation, and improving value and the guest experience.
LOUDOUN COUNTY, Va. (DC News Now)  Purcellville Mayor Chris Bertaut has been suspended from the Coalition of Loudoun Towns (COLT) effective immediately, according to a release on Thursday.

The coalition is made up of the mayors from the seven towns in the county. However, the coalition alleges that Bertaut engaged in ethically questionable practices that violated Virginia law.

More news: Two planes bump into each other on taxiway at Reagan National Airport, FAA says

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This allegedly includes breaches of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), conflict of interest statues, issues regarding open meeting laws, public meetings and voting requirement.

Accountability, integrity, transparency, and compliance with the law are cornerstones of public service, the release states.

The letter was signed by the other six mayors including: Leesburg, Lovettsville, Middleburg, Round Hill, Hamilton and Hillsboro.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
The Council of Europe's special tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine will not try Russian President Vladimir Putin in absentia for as long as he remains in office, Euronews reported on April 10, citing unnamed European officials.

The international tribunal, which is still in the process of being established, was first proposed by the Council of Europe following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

While the purpose of the tribunal is to investigate and prosecute Russia's war crimes, Putin will not be tried in absentia, according to two European officials who spoke with Euronews.

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The same condition will also apply to other high-level Russian officials, including Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

Putin, Mishushtin, and Lavrov will only be put on trial if they are physically present at the tribunal  an unlikely scenario, given Russia's continued attacks, disregard for international law, and lack of cooperation with the West.

Putin and other Russian officials may be tried in absentia after they leave office, officials said.

According to ome European Union official who spoke with Euronews, the provision on trials in absentia was included as a "compromise" and is now a "done deal."

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"At the end of the day, it's about politics and bargaining," the EU official said.

Since the start of Russia's invasion, the international community has discussed different ways to address Russia's crime of aggression in Ukraine.

In January 2023, a core group of countries and political bodies (including the European Parliament, NATO's Parliamentary Assembly, and Council of Europe) met for the first time to discuss the establishment of a special tribunal.

In March 2025, the core group met for the 14th and final time to complete the necessary technical legal documents for the establishment of the special tribunal within the Council of Europe.

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The legal documents include a bilateral agreement between Ukraine and the Council of Europe, the statute of the special tribunal, and an agreement detailing the special tribunal's management. The provision on trials in absentia was included in these documents.

Kyiv is expected to sign the bilateral agreement on May 9.

Read also: Putin is pure evil  Trumps spiritual advisor on Russias war against Ukraine

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Ann Dozier is the new CIO at Ahold Delhaize USA. Ann Dozier LinkedIn

You can find original article here Supermarketnews. Subscribe to our free daily Supermarketnews newsletter.

Ahold Delhaize USA has named Ann Dozier as its new chief information officer.

Dozier will oversee all aspects of IT for Aholds U.S. businesses, with a focus on Ahold Delhaize USA brands omnichannel businesses as well as the companys Growing Together strategy, Ahold said in a press release.

Parent company Ahold Delhaizes Growing Together campaign outlines key plans and ambitions towards 2028, which include outperforming the traditional grocery market and achieving a 4% net sales compound annual growth rate. On the tech side, the initiative calls for an increase of omnichannel loyalty sales penetration to over 80% by 2028, targeting 30 million monthly users.

Prior to joining Ahold Delhaize USA, Dozier served as senior vice president, chief information and technology officer, for Southern Glazers Wine and Spirits. In this role, she transformed IT to meet the changing needs of business through mergers, acquisitions, and digitization with a balanced focus on operational effectiveness and digital strategies.

Prior to that, Dozier held a number of leadership roles spanning commercial, supply chain, ecommerce, and IT at the Coca-Cola company, Coca-Cola Enterprises, Dean Foods, and Colgate Palmolive.
Atlanta rapper Yak Gotti is now a free man, months after being found not guilty in the YSL RICO gang case.

Gotti, whose real name is Deamonte Kendrick, walked out of the Fulton County Jail just before 7 p.m. on Wednesday.

I feel like Im reborn. Feel like weve been through a lot in the last three years, two years, Gotti said.

Gotti was acquitted on all charges related to the YSL case four months ago but remained in jail after his acquittal because he was facing more charges that he racked up while fighting with other inmates.

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He eventually took a plea deal, admitting he assaulted a fellow inmate. The state also dropped two other charges.

The young man has been in the Guantanamo of America for the last three years, so were happy to resolve all of his cases, Gottis attorney Bruce Harvey said. To keep him incarcerated is both time, expense for everybody involved, including his family. He has a 10-year-old daughter he cant wait to see again.

Gotti said he appreciates everyone who supported him over the last couple of years.

Its just another chance of life, and I promise I wont let the people (who) support me down, Gotti said.

Gotti said he plans on spending time with his family and getting back to work on his music.
SUMNER COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN)  Tennessee native and Straight Outta Cashville rapper, Young Buck, now has to serve time for repeated violations of his bond supervision, officials said.

According to Assistant District Attorney Daniel Daugherty, a hearing was held Monday to revoke bond for David Darnell Brown, known by his stage name Young Buck.

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David Darnell Brown (Courtesy: Sumner County Sheriffs Office)

After hearing arguments, a Criminal Court judge ordered that Brown serve 30 days in the Sumner County Jail.

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Officials said once Brown has served 30 days, the judge will then set a new bond, which she allegedly indicated would get his attention this time.

Brown is scheduled for jury trial on July 24 for the following charges: domestic assault, vandalism over $10,000, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, and three counts of a violation order of protection.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

In 2020, Brown was booked into the Sumner County Jail on a $60,000 bond, days after investigators said his then-girlfriend was charged for firing a gun at him in Hendersonville.

No other information was released.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  A long-lost Confederate flag, captured at the Battle of Gettysburg and among the rarest Civil War artifacts, will be a top lot for bidders at an Ohio auction house this month.

Carried by the 11th Virginia Infantry during Picketts Charge, a failed Confederacy assault in 1863 on the Gettysburg battles third day, the flag is one in a series of items open to bidders on April 26 at Fleischers Auctions in Columbus. The charge, named after Gen. George Pickett, who steered more than 12,500 soldiers that day, resulted in mass casualties and ultimately led to the Confederacys defeat.

All about six new Ohio laws that went into effect this week

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The Battle of Gettysburg was what most historians consider to be the turning point of the Civil War, auction president Adam Fleischer said. After the battle was lost by the Confederate Army, it really represented a decline in their momentum. It was the Confederacys last attempt to invade the North. Picketts Charge was the focal point of the battle.

Carried by the 11th Virginia Infantry, the Confederate flag is one of several items open to bidders on April 25 and 26 in Columbus. (Courtesy Photo/Fleischers Auctions) Carried by the 11th Virginia Infantry, the Confederate flag is one of several items open to bidders on April 25 and 26 in Columbus. (Courtesy Photo/Fleischers Auctions)

While all Confederate battle flags are rare, this one is significant because its the only unaccounted-for flag that was captured from a regiment in Picketts division, Fleischer said. Other such flags are accounted for and reside in museums or institutions, which means this flag is the only one left thats privately owned.

Several Virginia color bearers who carried the flag were wounded or killed before it was captured by Cyren B. Lawton, a Union lieutenant from the 16th Vermont Infantry who died shortly after in hand-to-hand combat. The flag was preserved by fellow Vermont officer Henry F. Dix, who quietly passed down the artifact through generations of his family.

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Still, the flags whereabouts were generally unknown for more than 150 years, Fleischer said. Dixs family held onto the artifact until about the 1940s or 50s, when it was given to a family friend who also passed it down. The flag didnt resurface until the owner brought it to a Georgia collector show in 2021, and the discovery was announced to the collecting community.

OSU President seeks legislative clarity after student visas revoked without notice

The artifacts current owner turned to Fleischers, which also sold the sword of Civil War Union Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman last May, to list the flag for bidding. The auction house, one of the nations leading purveyors of early American antiques and artifacts, estimates the flag could sell for $150,000 to $300,000, or more.

Fleischer recognizes the flags contentious symbolism, as a long-standing reminder of the nations racist history that also now holds dueling associations with white supremacy and southern heritage. However, the auction president noted that the item remains as a historical artifact, not a monument.

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I know that as a symbol, it can be divisive but I would remind people, who I think are upset by its mere existence, that a Union officer lost his life to capture it, Fleischer said. When learning about the history of the flag, I think its important to meditate, not just on what it represents as a symbol, but also the actual history of the artifact.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Five families of orcas joined forces to hunt down and feed on a blue whale, the largest creature on the planet, in what was an extremely rare sighting off Australia.

More than 60 orcas worked together to attack the blue whale, only the fourth such recorded instance of its kind, according to Yahoo! News Australia.

Video of the attack was posted on the Facebook page of Naturaliste Charters Whale Watching, which also posted a series of photos.

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There were five families of the orcas around the blue whale and they all started to hunt it, witness Machu Yoshida told Yahoo! News Australia. She said watching nature unfold was bittersweet.

I felt mixed emotions, she told Yahoo! News Australia. I love blue whales so it was sad to watch its life being taken by the orcas, but they were all so intelligent, it was incredible to watch them do it.

"The blue whale would feed all the orcas and feed other animals under the water too, like sharks and fish, and also birds get the scraps."

One of the dozens of orcas on the hunt.

We witnessed an incredible and rare event yesterday as multiple pods of orcas successfully hunted a blue whale in Bremer Canyon, the whale-watching charter stated on Facebook. The intense ordeal lasted less than 40 minutes from when we first saw the blue at the surface to when the battle was over.

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As the blue whales fate was sealed, orcas celebrated with breaches and tail slaps.

This is only the fourth recorded instance of orcas hunting a blue whale herean extraordinary reminder of their role as apex predators in the ocean.

The first such sightings occurred between 2019 and 2021 off Australia, according to Smithsonian magazine. In each attack, between 50 and 75 orcas took part.

This is the biggest predation event on the planet, Robert Pitman, cetacean ecologist at Oregon State University Marine Mammal Institute, told Science News. We havent seen things like this since dinosaurs were here, and probably not even then.

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Orcas are known to stalk and feed on gray whale calves off Southern California, and in one instance, a pod of killer whales attacked an adult gray whale, though the gray whale survived bloodied and bruised, but not broken.

Photos courtesy of Allan Cronin/Naturaliste Charters Whale Watching.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: In rare sighting, 60 orcas attack the largest creature on the planet
"A night in jail or a hospital stay costs exponentially more than preventive community-based care." (Photo by Dave Cummings/New Hampshire Bulletin)

New Hampshire is at a crossroads.

As the state continues to grapple with budgetary pressures, one solution on the table  cutting funding to nonprofits that serve our most vulnerable residents  comes at too high a cost. While we can all agree theres room for reducing inefficiencies, eliminating waste, and curbing bureaucratic bloat, slashing support for frontline human services is a dangerous move that shifts the burden to systems that were never designed to bear it.

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Nonprofit organizations across New Hampshire provide vital, life-sustaining services. They offer housing support, addiction treatment, food security, mental health care, services for older adults, and help for survivors of domestic violence, to name just a few. When these supports are defunded, the needs of vulnerable populations do not disappear. They show up elsewhere  on the steps of our emergency rooms, in the back seats of police cruisers, inside overcrowded jails, and on the shoulders of burned-out first responders.

These are not just theoretical consequences  they are happening now. Hospitals are increasingly filling the gap in mental health care. Police officers are expected to act as social workers and addiction counselors. Jails have become de facto shelters for those with untreated mental illness and chronic homelessness. These institutions are expensive, ill-equipped for this role, and often perpetuate trauma rather than resolve it.

We can debate policy. We can disagree on the role of government. But surely, we can agree that no one wins when a mother fleeing domestic violence has nowhere to go, when a veteran with PTSD is left to spiral untreated, or when an elder is forced into an emergency room bed because there are no home-based supports left.

Ironically, these cuts dont save money  they merely shift costs downstream. A night in jail or a hospital stay costs exponentially more than preventive community-based care. By underfunding nonprofits, we are not trimming fat  we are eating into the muscle that sustains our communities.

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This isnt about ideology; its about humanity. Nonprofits are not line items to be slashed. They are lifelines  essential partners in our public health and safety infrastructure. They stabilize families, uplift communities, and prevent crises before they erupt. When we defund them, we destabilize the very systems that keep our state functional and compassionate.

Yes, we should strive for efficient and accountable service delivery. But we must also fund what works. And what works is investing in people, in prevention, and in the power of community.

Now is the time for leadership that sees beyond the ledger  to recognize that the price of disinvestment is paid in human suffering.

New Hampshire can and must do better.
A cold front briefly cools off eastern New Mexico Thursday. Record high temperatures across the entire state move in by Saturday.

Albuquerque officially hit 80 for the first time this year as temperatures all across the state continue a warming trend. Highs in southern New Mexico climbed into the mid and upper 80s with northern New Mexico and southern Colorado climbed into the mid and upper 70s. A cold front is moving into eastern New Mexico tonight, pushing south and west through Thursday morning. This will bring a breezy east canyon wind into the Rio Grande Valley later tonight, but the winds will settle down Thursday morning. The front will bring in slightly cooler temperatures to eastern New Mexico Thursday, while the western half of the state will continue to see warmer temperatures.

Temperatures will start warming again Friday in eastern parts of the state as high pressure starts moving into western New Mexico. A few places across the state will likely tie or break record high temperatures. Even hotter weather moves in Saturday with widespread record breaking highs. Temperatures will climb up to near 90 in the Albuquerque Metro with highs in the mid and upper 90s in southern parts of the state. Winds will pick up too on Saturday, bringing an elevated fire danger across the state. Temperatures cool off a few degrees Sunday with more breezy winds, bringing day of elevated fire danger.

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Slightly cooler air will continue to move back into New Mexico next week, but highs will still be above average for most areas. There will be some chances for rain return to parts of New Mexico as early as next Tuesday and Wednesday, but if any rain showers or thunderstorms develop, they will be isolated.

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A music producer from Maryland was found dead in the Bahamas just hours after allegedly being reported to the police for spitting on restaurant workers at the five-star resort where he was staying.

The family told Eyewitness News Bahamas that Dinari McAlmont, 23, traveled to the Bahamas with his parents on Friday and stayed at the Atlantis resort on Paradise Island, close to the capital, Nassau.

Around 12 hours after touching down for the family getaway, officials said the McAlmonts body was found at approximately with no vital life signs Saturday on the shoreline of Paradise Island.

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The Royal Bahamas Police Force Commissioner Shanta Knowles said that authorities are awaiting autopsy results before providing further information to the public, and the cause of McAlmont's death was not immediately clear. An investigation is underway.

The family told FOX 5 that McAlmont was last seen leaving dinner to grab a coat and explore the resort just before 9 p.m. the evening he arrived in the Bahamas.

Dinari McAlmont was staying at the Atlantis Paradise Island resort with his parents when his body was found lifeless on a beach over the weekend (AFP via Getty Images)

The family said that resort officials came to the parent's room and questioned them about his whereabouts.

They say that staff accused McAlmont of spitting on several workers inside one of the hotels restaurants.

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The police said they were looking for him because apparently he spat on some staff in a restaurant, Michelle McAlmont, the victims mother, told the outlet.

She said she could not verify the hotel staffs reports.

McAlmonts mother said she attempted to text him hours before his body was found and said her sons phone location was not working.

After scouring the resort and failing to find him, the family said they filed a missing persons report.

Resort staff again returned to McAlmonts parents room, they said, this time to notify them that their sons body had been found.

His face was traumatized

The victims mother told Eyewitness News her sons face appeared traumatized after identifying his remains in a photograph, alleging he appeared to have been beaten down in the sand.

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She said his sons face appeared damaged, with sand on his hair and on his teeth.

I need justice for my baby, she said, breaking down to the camera. I need justice.

The Atlantis resort said it is working with authorities during the investigation.

We are deeply saddened by the passing of one of our guests. Our thoughts and condolences are with the guests family and loved ones during this difficult time. This is an active police investigation, and we are fully cooperating, the resort told FOX 5.

McAlmont is being mourned by Lowcation Studios in Brentwood, Maryland, where he worked under the pseudonym Diddy.

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Diddy was more than an engineer to us, he was a great friend and an all around incredible individual. He was deeply passionate about his work and always committed to bringing the ideas of artists to life. He was a true team player, always stepping up to lend an extra hand when needed and making sure to keep all of us laughing during team meetings.

Its hard to imagine life in general and life at the studio without him. Diddy will be deeply missed by his friends, his family, and all of us at Lowcation Studios, but he will forever be a part of our family, story, and legacy. This studio would not be where it is without him and I will always have the utmost respect and love for him, a statement read.

The Independent has contacted the Royal Bahamas Police Force for more information.
By Olivia Le Poidevin

GENEVA (Reuters) - The Red Cross raised alarm on Thursday at the growing use of drone attacks by warring parties on hospitals, electricity and water infrastructure in Sudan, which it said was contributing to widespread human rights violations.

Some 70-80% of hospitals in Sudan were not running and there were concerns cholera could surge due to damage caused by the war to water infrastructure, the International Committee of the Red Cross told reporters in Geneva.

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"A recent drone attack stopped all the electricity provision in an area close to Khartoum, which means critical infrastructure is being damaged," said Patrick Youssef, the Red Cross's Regional Director for Africa, in a new report.

"There is a clear increased use of these technologies, drones - to be in the hands of everyone - which increases the impact on the local population and the intensity of attacks," Youssef said.

After two years of fighting between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, some people are returning to Khartoum after they were forced to flee when war broke out on April 15, 2023 amidst a ongoing power struggle between the army and the RSF ahead of a transition to civilian rule.

Some 12 million people have been displaced by the conflict since 2023.

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"We have seen violations of the law left, right and centre, Youssef said, urging the warring parties to allow the Red Cross access so it can offer humanitarian support and document atrocities.

In March, aid groups told Reuters that the RSF had placed new constraints on aid deliveries to territories where it was seeking to cement its control. Aid groups have also accused the army of denying or hindering access to RSF-controlled areas.

Both sides in the conflict deny impeding aid.

(Reporting by Olivia Le Poidevin; Editing by Alex Richardson)
Allianz Global Investors (AllianzGI) has appointed Edouard Jozan as the new head of AllianzGI Private Markets, effective 1 June 2025.

Jozan, who is currently serving as head of distribution Europe, will join the executive committee of AllianzGI.

His new role will involve overseeing the investment capabilities led by Marta Perez and Sebastian Schroff, as well as managing the operational aspects of the private markets division, which will be established as a distinct business area within AllianzGI.

He brings over 25 years of investment experience, having worked with various Allianz entities across Germany, France, the UK, and the US in multiple investment management and client-facing roles.

Besides, AllianzGI announced that Michael Krautzberger will take on the role of chief investment officer (CIO) for public markets and join the executive committee.

Currently serving as Global CIO for fixed income, Krautzberger will assume his new responsibilities for AllianzGIs 475bn public markets platform on 1 June 2025.

This appointment is part of the succession plan for Deborah Zurkow, the global head of investments, who is set to retire later this year.

Jenny Zeng, who is currently CIO fixed income Asia Pacific, will transition to CIO fixed income on 1 January 2026. She will also take on the role of deputy head of the fixed income platform immediately.

In the equities division, Michael Heldmann will become CIO equity on 1 October 2025, succeeding Virginie Maisonneuve, who will leave AllianzGI at the end of December 2025.

Heldmann will also serve as deputy CIO equity alongside his current role as CIO systematic equity.

AllianzGI CEO Tobias Pross said: Our Private Markets platform has grown significantly over the last decade, building a strong track record of delivering new and differentiated cash flows to our clients.

That success has established the platform as a strategically important growth engine for our firm that now warrants dedicated representation at our Executive Committee.

"AllianzGI names new private markets head in leadership overhaul" was originally created and published by Private Banker International, a GlobalData owned brand.




CANFIELD, Ohio (WKBN)  Five hundred businesses and government leaders started their Thursday at the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chambers Annual Meeting.

A breakfast was held Thursday morning at Waypoint 4180 in Canfield. The keynote speaker was Warren native Gary Wagner, one of the nations chief economists and a professor at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

The annual meeting is a time for chamber members to look back at the previous year and reflect, while looking at the challenges facing the Mahoning Valley.

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If we dont have the support of these 500 business leaders and government leaders behind me, we cant accomplish some of the things that we do, such as growing in population, growing in talent, growing the housing stock, helping our less advantaged businesses  all those things that really strengthen our community, said Guy Coviello, president and CEO of the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber.

Also recognized at the meeting were Dan Rivers, the retired radio host who received the Spirit of the Valley award; Shelley Murray, CEO of the Youngstown Area Goodwill Industries who received the Spirit of the Chamber award; and Wally King, a WWII combat pilot and hero who flew 74 missions before being shot down on his 75th who received a Valley Champion award.

Brian Oehlbeck contributed to this report.

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From left, South Dakota Public Utilities Commissioners Kristie Fiegen, Gary Hanson and Chris Nelson wait for a hearing to begin on Jan. 15, 2025, in Sioux Falls. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight)

South Dakota regulators refused Thursday to pause proceedings on a carbon capture pipeline permit, instead directing Summit Carbon Solutions to present a plan during the next meeting illustrating how the company can move forward  or not  under a new state law barring its use of eminent domain.

The Public Utilities Commission, meeting in Pierre, voted 3-0 to deny Summits request to put its application on hold.

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Whats the plan here? And thats the question thats rolling around in my mind, said Commissioner Chris Nelson.

The proposed $9 billion pipeline would carry carbon dioxide emissions captured from ethanol plants in five states to an underground storage site in North Dakota, where some carbon could also be used to extract oil from old wells. The project is part of a broader federal push to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and could qualify for federal tax credits tied to carbon sequestration.

Summit has been seeking a permit to build a portion of the pipeline through South Dakota since 2022. But its path forward was complicated by the Legislatures passage of the eminent domain ban in March. Eminent domain is a legal process that allows qualifying entities to acquire access to private land for projects in the public interest, with compensation for landowners determined by a court.

Summit had relied on that authority to survey land and secure access from property owners unwilling to sign voluntary easements.

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If they cant even build it, what are we doing here? said attorney Brian Jorde, representing landowners opposed to the project.

Nelson moved for the permit to be denied, arguing that the proposed route cannot be legally constructed under the new law and citing declarations from dozens of landowners refusing access. His motion failed 2-1, with the other commissioners saying Summit should be given more time.

Summit attorney Brett Koenecke said the company needs more time to evaluate its options, but declined when pressed by Nelson to say whether Summit plans to challenge the eminent domain ban in court.

The commission plans to consider the matter again at its April 22 meeting.

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Summit has permits in North Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa, but some of the permits are being challenged in court. Nebraska does not have a permitting process for the project.

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A federal investigation related to an MS-13 case on Long Island has uncovered human remains at the Underhill Preserve in Jericho.

FBI agents and Nassau County police officers made the grisly discovery on Wednesday, as they scoured the 81-acre nature preserve for a victim of the notorious gang, NBC New York reported, citing a senior law enforcement official.

Brian Nevin, a spokesperson for Oyster Bay, confirmed officials were notified a body had been recovered, but said Thursday no other updates had been provided.

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The remains were not identified and the cause of death was not immediately clear.

The FBI in a statement confirmed its conducting investigative activity at the Underhill Preserve, located near interchange of routes 106 and 25, not far from Jericho High School. Despite the law enforcement presence, both the high school and middle school, which are located on the same grounds, have continued to operate as usual.

Certainly, weve heard from residents that are concerned, Nevin told Newsday. The community is fearful with the thought of gangs in their backyard  and, a murder  and theyre looking for more information.

The massive response to wooded region also included Homeland security agents, crime scene investigators from the Nassau Police Department and the New York State Police K9 unit, as well as the Nassau County Medical Examiners Office.
Apr. 9WILKES-BARRE  U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser on Wednesday said President Donald Trump is delivering real results for American workers, families and businesses.

Meuser, R-Dallas, co-chair of the Congressional Coal Caucus, joined Trump at the White House as he signed a sweeping executive order aimed at restoring America's clean coal industry and reestablishing American energy dominance.

"President Trump continues to lead with bold action to make the United States energy dominant once again," Rep. Meuser said. "This executive order marks a major step forward for clean coal and for the future of American energy. It reverses the damaging and ideological policies of the Biden Administration and opens the door for job creation, grid reliability and economic growth  particularly here in Pennsylvania."

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Rep. Meuser said the executive order:

Directs the National Energy Dominance Council to classify coal as a "mineral" under EO 14241, expanding its federal benefits.

Directs agencies to lift restrictions and prioritize leasing of coal resources on federal lands.

Rescinds anti-coal policies and mandates that unfairly favor intermittent energy sources.

Recognizes clean coal as a strategic resource and accelerates development of coal technologies.

Promotes U.S. clean coal exports and encourages international off-take agreements.

Directs a review of coal's role in the steel industry as a "critical material" under federal law.

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Facilitates permitting efficiencies, including NEPA exclusions, for coal-related infrastructure.

Pushes for using clean coal to power growing industries such as AI data centers.

Rep. Meuser said coal is a cornerstone of our national energy mix  producing 16% of our nation's electricity, supporting hundreds of thousands of American jobs and contributing tens of billions of dollars annually to our economy.

As electricity demand rises due to AI expansion and domestic manufacturing growth, Rep. Meuser said clean coal will be vital to keeping the lights on and prices low.

"It is also important to note that with the development of new technologies, coal-fired electricity generation is cleaner than ever, particularly when produced in the United States compared to foreign countries," Rep. Meuser said.

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Critically, Rep. Meuser said anthracite coal  found in abundance in Pennsylvania  is essential to steel production, a sector vital to our national defense and infrastructure.

Rep. Meuser said the executive order directs the Department of Energy to determine whether coal used in steel-making meets the definition of a "critical material," which could further strengthen domestic supply chains and safeguard American industry.

In Pennsylvania alone, Rep. Meuser said the industry produced 42.6 million tons of coal in 2023, contributing to making the Commonwealth the third-largest electricity producer in the U.S. Further, Rep. Meuser said clean coal in Pennsylvania supports more than 11,500 jobs and generates $3.8 billion in economic output.

"President Trump's executive order embraces an all-of-the-above and all-of-the-below energy policy  one that values American oil and natural gas, nuclear, clean coal, hydro-power and more," Rep. Meuser said. "This is the only realistic path to true energy dominance."

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Rep. Meuser said the executive order builds on a series of strong energy reforms under President Trump, including:

Withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement.

Reversing the pause on LNG export permits.

Declaring a national energy emergency.

Terminating the Green New Deal framework.

Opening up Alaska's vast energy resources.

Cutting red tape to fast-track permitting for energy projects.

Rep. Meuser said the contrast with the Biden Administration could not be clearer.

"The Biden Administration waged an all-out regulatory war on clean coal  imposing regulations like Clean Power Plan 2.0, costly wastewater mandates and mercury mandates designed to force plant closures," Rep. Meuser said. "President Trump is now reversing course and restoring balance to our energy policy."

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Rep. Meuser said that as co-chair of the Congressional Coal Caucus, he looks forward to working closely with President Trump and his colleagues in Congress to implement this order and to advance an energy strategy that works for Pennsylvania and the nation.

Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
Republicans sent letters to eight Ivy League institutions over concerns of collusion to raise tuition prices.

The letter was sent by House and Senate Republicans to Brown University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Harvard University, Princeton University, University of Pennsylvania and Yale University.

The Republicans are concerned about alleged collusion and potential violations of antitrust laws to keep college prices up.

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We are particularly concerned that Ivy League member institutions appear to collectively raise tuition prices while engaging in price discrimination by offering selective financial aid packages to maximize profit, the letter reads.

The GOP lawmakers point to examples such as requiring students to stay on campus during their first year and get a meal plan; a lawsuit accusing the College Board of working with institutions to reduce financial aid availability for students; and the Council of Ivy League Presidents holding meetings about admission practices.

The letter requests the schools produce documents since 2019 pertaining to communications with other higher education institutions and other college organizations such as the College Board by April 22.

The letter was sent by House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio); Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa); Rep. Scott Fitzgerald (R-Wis.), chair of the House Subcommittee on the Administrative State, Regulatory Reform, and Antitrust; and Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah), chair of the Senate Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights.

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The House and Senate Committees are concerned that the Ivy League member institutions coordinated practices and alleged collusion violate the Sherman Act and that the institutions continue to benefit from their prior collusion, despite no longer having an antitrust exemption, the group wrote.

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NC Supreme Court (Photo: Clayton Henkel)

Many North Carolinians have been rightfully angered in recent months by Republican efforts to overturn Supreme Court candidate Jefferson Griffins election loss to Justice Alison Riggs by seeking to throw out thousands of legally cast ballots. But sadly, there are other equally treacherous efforts underway.

The most obvious are bills from GOP lawmakers that slash the powers of two Democrats who won convincing victories last fall  Gov. Josh Stein and Attorney General Jeff Jackson.

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Rather than respecting the will of the voters, Republicans have sought to, in effect, overturn their decisions by seizing powers long assigned to those offices.

But wait, it gets worse.

Lawmakers are also seeking to transform the state auditor  an obscure office long held by a series of apolitical accountants  into a powerhouse with unprecedented duties. The reason: simple, a Republican won last fall.

The bottom line: North Carolina voters had no inkling of these radical changes when they cast their ballots last November, and by pursuing them now, Republicans are once again thumbing their noses at them.

For NC Newsline, Im Rob Schofield.
House Republicans moved forward on President Donald Trump's sweeping immigration, energy, and tax cut plan.

Their plan could lead to significant cuts to Medicaid.

GOP lawmakers will now have to flesh out their proposal, including potential cuts to programs.

House Republicans on Thursday voted to pass a GOP-budget plan that could lead to massive cuts to Medicaid after President Donald Trump leaned on a handful of conservative holdouts.

The final vote was 216 to 214. The budget resolution, which requires Senate committees to identify spending cuts totaling a low floor of $4 billion, includes controversial language that calls for the House Energy and Commerce Committee to cut $880 billion in programs it oversees over the next decade. Speaking alongside Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Speaker Mike Johnson said Republicans want to find at least $1.5 trillion in cuts. Johnson pulled a vote on the legislation Wednesday evening amid uncertainty that it would pass.

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Before Thursday's vote, Johnson held a joint news conference with Thune. The pair sought to reassure House conservatives that the GOP will cut significant spending in addition to tax cuts.

The budget plan is the next step in unlocking the special fast-track power, known as reconciliation, that Republicans are using to ram Trump's "big, beautiful bill" through Congress. GOP lawmakers will now have to fill in the details of their sweeping proposal, including whether they will cut Medicaid and if so by how much.

Johnson and GOP leaders have repeatedly stressed that their bill does not explicitly cut Medicaid, a healthcare program for millions of disabled and low-income Americans. However, Medicaid will likely get cut by or near $880 billion over a decade, as Medicaid and Medicare, which Trump has pledged not to cut, comprise most of the committee's budget. The federal government picks up the bulk of the tab for Medicaid spending. As of 2023, the federal share was about 72%.

Three Senate Republicans, Sens. Josh Hawley, Lisa Murkowski, and Susan Collins, joined Democrats in an unsuccessful effort to strip that language out of the plan before it passed their chamber.

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Republicans will likely have no choice but to slash the program to reach the $880 billion in required cuts, much of which could hit Medicaid expansion. Failing to meet the spending target would risk the sweeping policy bill losing its special procedure power. If that were to happen, Republicans wouldn't be able to ram their bill through the narrowly controlled Senate where Democrats can use the filibuster to stop most other legislation.

Some Republicans have expressed uneasiness about potential Medicaid cuts. Hawley, a Trump ally, represents Missouri, where 20.3% of residents are Medicaid recipients. He previously told reporters that it was "a big concern" if the legislation would slash the healthcare program. Hawley said Trump shared his views. The president previously said he would "love and cherish" Medicaid.

About 23.3% of all Americans, or over 79 million, receive either Medicaid or the related Children's Health Insurance Program, a Business Insider analysis showed using July 2024 population estimates and October 2024 Medicaid enrollment data. States including New Mexico, California, and New York have over a third of residents on Medicaid, the analysis found. Nearly all states have at least 10% of residents on Medicaid or CHIP.

Missouri, Oklahoma, and South Dakota all mandate in their state constitutions that they participate in Medicaid expansion.

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If Medicaid does get cut, some Republican leaders have suggested adopting per-capita Medicaid caps to limit how much federal funding an enrollee could receive, which could save as much as $900 billion.

Some have mulled adding Medicaid work requirements, while others have proposed cutting Federal Medical Assistance Percentages, the federal government's Medicaid spending share per state. Some critics have further argued that recipients can secure insurance from elsewhere, including from work.

Read the original article on Business Insider
A post on Reddit's r/stocks has struck a nerve with thousands of users as it challenged the common advice to buy the dip. The post, written by a retired investor, argues that while many Americans are indeed exposed to the market through their 401(k)s, that doesn't mean they have spare cash to buy more stocks during a downturn.

A large swath of Americans DO have money in the stock market via 401(k)s, the post read. What they DO NOT have is a pile of cash lying around to buy stocks. Just stop. This is decimating millions of Americans.

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Buy the Dip? With What Money?

The original post, which quickly racked up over 13,000 upvotes and almost 3,000 comments, criticized both online commentators and government officials for promoting the idea that falling stock prices represent an opportunity for average investors. Treasury and Commerce officials were singled out for comments encouraging Americans to invest more during the downturn.

The original poster, who said he moved most of his holdings into cash before the market crash, emphasized that he was speaking for working Americans who don't have that luxury. They are trying to pay the mortgage and the car, he wrote. My point was, these folks are not rushing out to buy stocks like the Treasury and Commerce secretaries have suggested. It's ridiculous.

Users Respond: This Isnt a Normal Correction

Many in the thread echoed the sentiment, calling this downturn more than just a market correction. One user wrote, Hence people calling this a massive wealth transfer and consolidation. Another added, If you can afford to crash the economy, you can afford to profit off the crash.

Trending: With Shares Starting at Just $1.52, This Could be Your Chance to Invest in the Future of Healthcare.

The frustration was compounded by the perception that the people who caused the crash won't suffer the consequences. The people who crash the economy hardly ever suffer the brunt. Weird how that works out, huh? one commenter posted.

Others pointed out the dangers for those nearing retirement. Its a tragedy for people retiring soon, one user said. Too young to retire, too old to find a job, another added.

401(k) Holders Are Still Buying Automatically

Some commenters noted that, technically, 401(k) investors are still buying the dip through automatic paycheck deductions. But others pushed back, saying that misses the bigger point.
WASHINGTON  The House passed a bill on Thursday seeking to ban noncitizens from voting in federal elections, following through with a key campaign promise President Donald Trump made during the 2024 election cycle.

Lawmakers voted 220-208 to approve the measure, with four Democrats joining all Republicans despite party leaders saying the bill would disenfranchise millions of voters. However, the future of the bill remains uncertain, as the Senate version, led by Utah Sen. Mike Lee, would require a number of Democrats in the Senate to buck party leadership.

Still, Republicans are lauding the bills passage as a victory.

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The House of Representatives just passed my SAVE Act with (Rep. Chip Roy), requiring proof of citizenship to register and vote in federal elections, Lee said in a post on X. One step closer to secure elections. Democrats are not happy.

The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility, or SAVE Act, would require proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections. The bill would specifically require voters to provide identification that is compliant with the most recent REAL ID guidelines, a passport, or some other citizenship document.

For any identification card that does not include birthplace or citizenship status, the voter must also provide a birth certificate, a naturalization certificate, an adoption decree, or some document that proves he or she was born in the United States.

Its already illegal for noncitizens to vote in federal elections and can lead to felony charges or deportation. Such instances of noncitizens voting is rare and often done by mistake, according to recent studies.

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Still, Trump made election integrity a key priority for his second administration, even going so far as signing a sweeping executive order last month that included a citizenship requirement.

Still, its not clear if the legislation will have momentum in the Senate. The House previously passed the SAVE Act last year but it was never brought to the floor by Senate Democratic leadership, who controlled the chamber at the time.

Despite winning the Senate in November, Republicans still have a slim majority that is not filibuster-proof  meaning at least seven Democrats would need to cross party lines to guarantee a vote.

That seems increasingly unlikely as Democrats and voting rights advocates argue the bill would disenfranchise voters who dont have proof of citizenship readily available.

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More than 9% of voters in the U.S. do not have citizenship documents on hand, amounting to about 21.3 million people, according to a report from the Brennan Center for Justice. That can especially affect married women who changed their last names, the study shows.

Roy, who led the House version of the bill, pushed back against those accusations, claiming married women would not lose their current registration.

The truth is, those who were registered to vote would still be able to vote,he said. We have mechanisms giving the state fairly significant deference to make determinations as to how to structure the situation where an individual does have a name change, which of course is often women.
In recent years, trail cameras were used as a part of a study in Nui Chua National Park in Vietnam to capture footage of rare and threatened birds and mammals. With this technology, researchers were able to reconnect with the silver-backed chevrotain  a species of mouse deer  for the first time in almost 30 years, per Mongabay. The study team also became fascinated by the variety of organisms showing up in their photos.

"This inspired us to look beyond the species level and investigate the ground-dwelling mammal and bird community in Nui Chua," An Nguyen said in a news release via Mongabay. Nguyen served as a member of the survey team and is a doctoral candidate at the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research in Germany.

The trail cameras allowed the researchers to observe 23 species of rare mammals and birds, including Malayan porcupines, Siamese fireback pheasants, and blue-rumped pittas. Notably, as Nguyen and his co-authors wrote in a paper recently published in the journal Biotropica, "diversity of ground-dwelling mammals and birds in [the] study site was highest in the transitional semi-dry forest ecotone  rather than in broadleaf wet evergreen forest, which tends to have the highest biodiversity at global scales."

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Ecotones are transitional or boundary zones between distinct ecosystems. The co-authors pointed toward the potential significance of these in-between areas for observing and protecting vulnerable wildlife: "Our findings ... highlight the importance of considering ... fine-scale patterns to inform site-level conservation interventions."

Meanwhile, conservation biologist Tommaso Savini, who works in Thailand and was not a part of this study, told Mongabay that "while he agrees with the broad conclusions of the study, care must be taken not to overemphasize the importance of the semi-dry forest ecotone at Nui Chua to the point that it could detract from managing the pressures that are limiting wildlife survival in the wet rainforest areas."

Savini noted that challenges to biodiversity in Vietnam have been partly attributed to the wide use of snaring, or hunting with wire. Usually intended to catch animals for bushmeat, snares can still trap all sorts of creatures. They are ubiquitous, posing a threat to the chevrotain among other wildlife, and can even be found in protected areas.

A piece published in 2024 in Conservation Letters detailed how over 118,000 snares were removed from just two nature reserves in Vietnam between 2011 and 2021. The study concluded not only that "sustained snare removal" operations reduce snaring but that they must "be embedded within a more holistic and proactive framework that prevents snares from being set in the first place."

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Supporting vulnerable species to maintain biodiversity is key to securing the global food supply and preventing disease spread, among other things. The study in Nui Chua National Park shows that trail cameras can be one of the many tools used to understand these species and how to protect them while minimizing impacts on their fragile habitats. By placing trail cameras strategically, researchers can observe animals  or the lack of them  from afar and then apply learnings to protect wildlife.

Savini thinks it's possible, based on what has previously been done in Vietnam and Thailand, that people can reduce and remove snares at Nui Chua.

"To do this, you need willingness from the government level," said Savini to Mongabay. "If you show there is something valuable, there is a higher chance that you can get better support."

Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Definitely Only in some areas No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.

Perhaps trail camera tech can be a part of showing just what needs this protection and investment.

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.
Corn stalks emerge through cover crop residue. (Photo by USDA)

A free, online tool that helps farmers evaluate cover crop species based on things like county, production goals and drainage situation has been updated to reflect new research in the field.

Iowas data for the Midwest Cover Crops Council cover crop decision tool, which was last revised in 2019, was updated to include 13 new cover crop species, more recent seeding dates that are accurate to county-level climate data and reviewed ratings of species for the area.

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Elizabeth Ripley, the conservation and cover crop outreach specialist with Iowa Learning Farms, said the tool not only recommends cover crop varieties to farmers, but also gives them a detailed sheet on potential challenges, seeding and termination requirements.

Theres a lot of information out there, and this is a great way to compare species directly, based on producer goals, Ripley said.

Ripley said the tool does not analyze cost, but said it can be a good way for farmers to learn about different species and start conversations with their local Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) office about cost share programs.

Cover cropping is a sustainable agriculture practice of seeding between cash crops to keep roots and nutrients in the soil. Depending on variety, the crops can help to break up the soil, add nutrients like nitrogen, or even serve as grazing material for livestock.

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Farmers will often use programs like the U.S. Department of Agricultures Environmental Quality Incentives Program, or EQIP, program to offset some of the costs of adding a cover crop to their operation. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship also incentivizes the practice with a program that reduces crop insurance premiums on cover cropped acres.

According to an Iowa Nutrient Research & Education Council survey, nearly 4 million acres of corn and soybean cropland were planted with a cover crop in the 2023 crop year, which is more than double what was planted in 2017.

Cover crops and reduced tillage practices are viewed as important elements in reducing nutrient runoff and soil loss from cropland.

The decision tool, hosted by Midwest Cover Crop Council, was updated with input from researchers, agency staff, seed dealers, farmers and other organizations.

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Ripley said it was important to expand the list of cover crop species to make sure Iowa farmers had relevant research to consult when considering new seed mixtures.

Those were added in to be options, or at least to provide recommendations for folks that may be hearing about these different species from folks using them across the Midwest, Ripley said.

The 13 new varieties include: forage cabbage, sugarbeet, phacelia, lentil, chickling vetch, balansa clover, sweetclover, faba bean, proso millet, foxtail millet, Japanese millet, pearl millet, and spring triticale.

Each variety also has county-specific seeding guidelines which were updated with the most recent 30-year climate normal.

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Ripley said staff from Iowa State University and the state NRCS office will be hosting a webinar in late April with more information on the update, which will be posted at Iowa Learning Farms.

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LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Residents in an east Las Vegas neighborhood have had it with a dangerous intersection and are asking county officials to do something.

8 News Now previously reported on the intersection near Boulder Highway and Tropicana after complaints of an unsafe school bus stop.

This corner specifically is incredibly dangerous, were having situations where people are crashing, Jazmine Trejo, who lives on the corner of Broadbent Boulevard and Cherry Street, said.

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Safety concerns spark effort to change east Las Vegas valley school bus stop location: People dont care

Trejo moved to the area more than two years ago.

I had looked into all of the crime studies, and a lot of that, and it seemed like a pretty safe area, she said.

But she soon woke up to the reality of the neighborhood.

We ran out into the hallway, we ran out into the living room. We looked out and we realized that somebody had crashed a car into our wall, Trejo said.

The car crashed into her wall on Dec. 22. while Trejo, her husband, and two children were asleep at the time.

[He] kindly left the car in the wall. Abandoned the car because it was a stolen vehicle, and then fled through our yard armed, apparently, Trejo said.

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Trejo was one of several residents who reached out to Clark County Commissioner Jim Gibson to complain about the speeding along the intersection, which prompted him to issue a traffic study.

Over the course of three days in late March, officials with Clark County Public Works determined the average car speed on Broadbent Boulevard, which is a 45 mph road, was 48 mph.

Mike Wolther said he doesnt buy that. 8 News Now spoke with him as he has trying to get the Clark County School District to stop picking up children on Broadbent and Cherry.

Its not their children out here. Maybe if they had their kids out here, this would be done already, Wolther said.

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Trejo said the traffic study ignored late night drivers.

I think the people here in a residential area simply want to feel like they live in a residential area, Trejo said. She suggested moving the speed limit down to 35 mph.

Trejo said she spoke with Clark County Commissioner Jim Gibson on Wednesday. He said hes aware of the problems with Broadbent, but when it comes to the school bus stop its up to CCSD to move it.

CCSD emailed a statement to 8 News Nows previous story on the bus stop:

Below is the districts response to Mike Wolthers concerns over the dangerous school on Broadbent and Cherry.

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CCSD evaluates bus routes to identify bus stop locations in centralized locations clear of hazards. In general, CCSD general education bus stops are not located inside gated communities as they typically have narrower roads and create tighter turning radiuses for buses to navigate.

If parents may have specific concerns regarding their students transportation needs they are urged to contact CCSDs Transportation Department and speak with a representative by calling (702) 799-8100.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
AURORA, Colo. (KDVR)  The fight continues against a plan to create what could become one of Colorados biggest residential fracking sites near the Aurora Reservoir.

The Lowry Ranch comprehensive area plan was approved in 2024, opening the door for the state Sunlight-Long well pad which would place more than 150 new oil and gas wells on 32,000 acres of land near the reservoir just east of E-470.

Oil and gas well northeast of Greeley still releasing; Community meeting scheduled

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The nonprofit Save The Aurora Reservoir represents neighbors who say the wells would create health and safety hazards.

I feel like theres a lot of us that believe Colorado is still a beautiful and pristine state but when we look at these places and think about what theyre planning and we look at what has happened to Weld County it gives me pause, STAR President Randy Willard told FOX31.

The group pushed for public hearings on the matter.

The number of letters we sent last week was somewhere around 1500 and that is more than has ever been sent in total in the state, said Willard.

Last August, the Civitas company told FOX31 that the project included extensive stakeholder engagement to ensure the safe development of Colorados important natural resources, while protecting the environment and minimizing impacts to our communities. 

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Willard says one concern of those who live around the reservoir is that fumes from the wells will travel into their homes.

We all share the air; the industry always tells us that were wrong about these things but the reality is air moves, so air in this case (and) the water for 400,000 people, he said.

Previous coverage: Civitas gets green light for oil and gas plan near Aurora Reservoir

STAR tells FOX31 residents will not stop fighting even though they believe they will eventually see wells on the reservoirs horizon.

I think ultimately these things will be permitted. I am hoping that between delays in getting into the ground, delays in some of the legal processes and whatnot, that the price of oil comes down to the point where these things no longer make sense, said Willard.

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FOX31 reached out to the American Petroleum Institute. Executive Director Kait Schwartz provided the following statement.

APIs members are committed to protecting the environment, and the health and safety of all who share it. Our industry is dedicated to upholding Arapahoe Countys recently-updated regulations, and we will continue to support efforts that protect our communities and environment and promote the long-term success of Colorados energy industry.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Flood levels in Burns, Ore. have receded enough for people to get back into their homes and begin assessing the damage.

For more than a week, melted snowpack has overwhelmed the Silvies River and damaged more than 80 homes to an unlivable degree. The damage also destroyed local businesses and parts of the citys infrastructure.

Oregon GOP chairman resigns amid allegations of sexual violence against ex-wife

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To date, more than 130 people have spent a night in the Red Cross Emergency Shelter operating out of the Harney County Fairgrounds and the damage is estimated to be in the millions.

Towns the size of Burns do not have the resources to recover from disasters this large, prompting Gov. Tina Kotek to declare a state of emergency. Recovery is especially difficult because many of these homes do not have flood insurance.

Historic rainfall and snowmelt caused major flooding in Harney County beginning March 14, 2025, according to the Harney County Sheriffs Office (Courtesy Burns Paiute Reservation Natural Resources Department, Trey Wall.) Harney Countys Triangle Park is among places around Harney County with standing flood water April 7, 2025 after historic rainfall and snowmelt led to major flooding around the County and Burns Paiute Reservation (Courtesy Harney County Sheriffs Office).

Jaqueline Komperda, whose home was damaged by floodwater, said, Some company said they are not going to be able to cover our house because were in a flood zone. And then right then and there we are telling her that situation, like, Can you guys cover? Shes like, No, thats what you get for moving to a small town. This is what it is, and it always floods like this every year.

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Isabel Andersen with the Red Cross said the emergency nonprofit is offering assistance for those in this situation on their website.

You can find this disaster and start an application with your information about your house that was damaged, Andersen said. In a few days, well reach out to you, and well help provide financial assistance.

Eugene man gets probation for online threats to become the next Kip Kinkel

Flooding continues to remain a threat around Burns as homeowners begin to confront the enormous cleanup. Gov. Kotek is expected to visit this area of Harney County on Thursday.

Meanwhile, efforts are underway to prevent this kind of flooding from happening again. A broken levee is being shored up in preparation for the next expected rise of the Silvies River.

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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.
Invasive red fire ants are wreaking havoc in Australia, sending dozens of people to hospitals and creating worry about how bad things will get.

What's happening?

After the remnants of Cyclone Alfred dumped heavy rain on Southeast Queensland in early March, an already big problem worsened, CNN reported, citing the Australian Broadcasting Corp.

Sixty people required medical attention because of fire ant stings, and 23 were hospitalized. A puppy was found dead on a fire ant nest, and livestock and native species are at risk as well.

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The government has earmarked another 24 million Australian dollars for suppression efforts, but residents are concerned about the ants' explosion and potential for harm, which includes pustules and allergic reactions in humans.

"They're just everywhere. They're crawling over patios, they're coming into our homes, they get flicked up on the lawn mower, on the tractor," construction worker Scott Rider told ABC Rural.

Why is this important?

Fire ants reached the country via Brisbane in 2001 and have since spread to Queensland, New South Wales, and the Murray-Darling Basin, according to the Invasive Species Council. CNN noted the critters have established themselves in North America and China and last year for the first time were seen in Europe.

Over 95% of Australia is susceptible to the invasive species, and it could cost the economy $2 billion AUD every year. A study also estimated that 38% of mammals, 45% of birds, 69% of reptiles, and 95% of frogs in Southeast Queensland would experience population declines because of the ants.

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The state Fire Ant Suppression Taskforce has set up a perimeter around the infestation to try to keep the animals from spreading further. It has so far spent $61 million AUD on bait and aerial treatments to reduce the density of colonies by up to 80%.

"The only assistance that residents in the [suppression] zone are getting is bait being sent out if they report fire ants," horse agister Kirsty McKenna told ABC Rural. "There is no team assistance and no support."

What's being done about the fire ant invasion?

A national plan hopes to eradicate fire ants by 2032, but landholders in the inner suppression zone have to treat the problem themselves. Otherwise, granules are spread via airplanes, helicopters, drones, all-terrain vehicles, and handheld devices, with the size of the treatment area determining the method.

Areas should be undisturbed, including by mowing or watering, for 48 hours afterward, and poultry should be kept away for 24 hours.

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Hay, turf grass, and other materials also can't be moved without inspection and cannot cross borders.

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 2024, swimmers and boaters at Connecticut's Great Hill Pond faced a serious problem: Invasive plants had taken over. The thick clusters of plants made swimming impossible and clogged boat engines.

Thankfully, there's hope on the horizon, reported the New Haven Register.

What's happening?

The town of Portland recently received a nearly $24,000 grant from Connecticut's Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, nicknamed "DEEP," to tackle the overrun of curly-leaf pondweed and fanwort in the 76-acre lake.

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"Thinking back to last year, many of us were frantically raking and skimming large clumps of weeds from the water, swimming was impossible, boat props were clogging with motors overheating, and we were wondering what was going on with our gem of a pond," the Friends of Great Hill Pond wrote on its website.

Thankfully, their efforts worked. The group noted, "Sure, there may be some traces popping up, and its turions/seeds from prior infestations are still in the substrate, and the fanwort still needs to be addressed, but clearly we can celebrate this successful first step towards reclaiming our pond."

Why are invasive water plants concerning?

When non-native plants overrun waterways, they push out the native species that keep ecosystems in balance. They also restrict people from enjoying outdoor activities like swimming, fishing, and boating  key drivers of local economies.

"Aquatic invasive species are a serious threat to Connecticut's freshwater ecosystems and the state's outdoor recreation economy, of which boating and fishing are the largest contributors," DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes said in a statement.

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These unwanted water guests drain wallets, too. "These species often are costly and challenging to eliminate once established, necessitating intensive control and education efforts to prevent further spread," DEEP explained on its website.

Many scientists consider invasive species the second biggest threat to endangered species globally, behind habitat destruction.

What's being done about invasive water plants?

Connecticut is fighting back with a coordinated approach. DEEP has awarded $400,000 to 12 projects statewide this year.

In Middletown, the Jonah Center for Earth and Art received $75,000 to battle water chestnut in the lower Mattabesset River. Their approach is community action-based. Between 20 and 40 paddlers join Saturday morning work parties, often removing 2,000 pounds of plants in a single outing.

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These community-based programs show that working together can protect our waterways, restore native habitats, and open outdoor recreation spots for everyone to enjoy.

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.
Voters cast ballots at the Hillside Aquatic Complex in Bismarck on Election Day, Nov. 5, 2024. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)

A bill raising the public vote threshold to 60% to approve constitutional ballot measures in North Dakota passed the Senate Wednesday on a 33-13 vote.

House Resolution 3003, sponsored by Rep. Robin Weisz, R-Hurdsfield, would require a 60% threshold to pass constitutional ballot petitions initiated by the people and constitutional resolutions from the Legislature.

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Its quite likely that we all agree that it should be possible to change our states foundational document, however it should be more difficult than it currently is, said Sen. Jeff Barta, R-Grand Forks, who voted in favor of the resolution.

Barta said the North Dakota Constitution has been amended 167 times compared to the U.S. Constitution, which has been amended 27 times with stricter rules that include approval from three-quarters of all 50 states.

Sen. Dick Dever, R-Bismarck, voted in favor of the bill and said North Dakota voters will still have the final say on the new potential threshold at the ballot box. He added he believes there is a segment of the population that has an agenda to sow division against lawmakers in state government to further an agenda of dissatisfaction.

I think we should preserve the republic rather than attacking it, Dever said.

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Sen. Jeff Magrum, R- Hazelton, voted against the resolution and warned lawmakers that not only would it become harder to pass constitutional measures in the future, but it would be harder to change parts of the constitution already in place.

We passed a resolution that is intending to change the constitution on term limits, so when you raise the threshold, you are making it harder to change things that were passed that you think werent good, Magrum said.

Sen. Sean Cleary, R-Bismarck, voted against the bill and told lawmakers the current ballot petition process serves as an important check on the Legislature.

Every time the state Legislature has proposed limiting the powers reserved to the people, the voters have wisely rejected that, Cleary said.

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Twenty-three pieces of testimony were submitted on the resolution with all but three opposed to raising the threshold. The League of Women Voters of North Dakota was among the opponents, pointing out the defeat last November of Measure 2, which contained several proposed changes to the constitutional ballot measure process.

For over 100 years, North Dakotans have used direct democracy to shape state policy, Barbara Headrick, League of Women Voters of North Dakota president, said in a statement Wednesday. With the passage of House Concurrent Resolution 3003, the North Dakota Legislature is attempting again to weaken the power of the people to amend our state constitution.  They need to stop trying to limit the voice of the people in the governance of our state.

The resolution passed the House in January on a 65-28 vote.

If approved by the Secretary of States Office, the resolution will be put to the voters during the 2026 general election.

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China's Ministry of Commerce said on Wednesday that the country has filed a lawsuit against the United States with the World Trade Organization's (WTO) dispute settlement mechanism following the latest U.S. tariff hikes.

The U.S. additional tariff measures seriously violate WTO rules, a ministry spokesperson said, responding to the U.S. announcement of imposing 50 percent additional tariffs on Chinese goods following previous so-called "reciprocal tariffs."

The imposition of additional 50 percent tariffs is a grave mistake on top of an existing one and highlights the unilateral bullying nature of the U.S. actions, the spokesperson said.

China will firmly safeguard its legitimate rights and interests in accordance with the WTO rules, and resolutely uphold the multilateral trading system and the international economic and trade order, according to the spokesperson.
By Sinead Cruise

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's hopes of an equity capital market revival are weighing heavily on a secondary share trading platform that is sowing discord in the finance sector months before its launch.

The Private Intermittent Securities and Capital Exchange System (PISCES) will give private company owners opportunity to sell their shares on regulated exchanges in special trading windows, effectively 'going public' on a temporary basis.

Ministers and regulators are betting on PISCES to increase ties between cash-rich investors and private firms, and ideally encourage the latter to pursue big-ticket listings that have eluded London for several years.

But the concept was proving a tough sell in some quarters of the UK financial industry, even before U.S. President Donald Trump's blockbuster tariffs hit global trade and capital markets, threatening to spark what billionaire financier Bill Ackman dubbed "a self-induced economic nuclear winter".

More than a dozen bankers who spoke to Reuters about PISCES fear hits to revenues and ultimately being bypassed in a booming market for private capital. But they also pointed to other potential downsides to using the platform.

These include a lack of privacy on sales outcomes which may harm future valuations of fledgling firms, the risks a competitor or predatory activist could infiltrate the shareholder register and demand outsized influence, and reduced legal protections for investors against insider dealing.

As a result, several bankers said they were unlikely to recommend PISCES to the majority of their sell-side or buyside clients, or at best, use it as a last resort, potentially hampering take-up.

This lack of enthusiasm could have costly implications for Chancellor Rachel Reeves' bid to jumpstart anaemic economic growth in Britain, at a time when international rivals are hustling to replace London as Europe's premier financial hub.

Several sources contacted by Reuters said they had doubts about the true depth of demand for a platform like PISCES.

Owners will be able to set a price range for the shares they wish to sell, but they may not be able to conceal disappointing pricing as easily as they might if they had instructed a bank to hand-pick investors and sell entirely off-market.

"Without the liquidity, it becomes a vulnerable place for a business to be because PISCES is always going to be more public than doing a purely bilateral secondary transaction," Rishi Khosla, CEO and co-founder of OakNorth Bank, told Reuters.
BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. (WBOY)  On April 15, La Guadalupana Antojitos Mexicanos will celebrate a full year of serving up authentic, Mexican-inspired dishes, and its the latest stop on our Restaurant Road Trip.

It was his mothers cooking that inspired Juan Salazar to come up with the idea for La Guadalupana last year, a restaurant and store he decided to name after her.

Juan and his wife, Maria Lopez, opened La Guadalupana in April of 2024. Since then, theyve been winning over customers with their delicious entrees, which were hand-crafted and thought out by Juan himself, but still inspired by his moms culinary talents.

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Everything at the restaurant is cooked to order with fresh ingredients, offering diners a style of Mexican cuisine they may not have tried before.

More traditional, more authentic, Maria said. Like queso fundito is the most popular dish in here. Americans love it. Also the jefe burrito, you can grab it and its huge.

The burritos are big and so is the menu. The drink specials are generous as well. Here you can find everything from pasole soup and quesadillas, to cocktails like the Vampiro Mexicanos and flavored margaritas.

Restaurant Road Trip: Kitchen and Spice

Here we dont have like ground beef or shredded chicken like other restaurants do, Maria said. We have more grilled stuff. Like grilled chicken, grilled steak, shrimp, tilapia, pastor meat, which is different from other restaurants.

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But for the husband and wife duo, serving good food is just one part of the equation. Bringing people of all walks of life together to enjoy it is the other.

This business is not only for Spanish people, its also for American people who like more traditional stuff, Maria said. She said that people native to that part of the world often look for food and snacks from that part of the world, which proves to be quite difficult, but La Guadalupana has a store attached to the restaurant that offers a wide variety of products from Mexico, Guatamala, Honduras, El Salvador and Colombia.

On April 15, the restaurant is inviting everyone to dine in for free tacos from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Theyll also run a special on margaritas for 99 cents during that time.

La Guadalupana Antojitos Mexicanos is open seven days a week, Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. and Friday through Sunday from 9 a.m. until midnight. You can find it at 1005 W Main St. in Bridgeport.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  Hundreds of student visas across the nation have been revoked by the Trump administration, leaving many students uncertain about their future.

Its not just a distant issue; its impacting schools right here in the Kansas City area.

It is a situation where these students are no longer able to study in status and no longer able to work, said Kevin Vicker, Associate Vice President of International Education at Park University.

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For some of these students, the Department of Homeland Security has issued orders to leave the country immediately.

Missouri Election Results: April municipal, school races in Kansas City

Park University is not alone in facing these challenges. This action is affecting schools across the country, with 48 institutions already dealing with the fallout, according to Inside Higher Ed.

Schools like Texas A&M and the University of Akron have reported similar problems. The situation is expected to grow, as many cases are still unreported.

The fear and uncertainty surrounding this issue were evident during a recent Zoom call, which youll see exclusively on FOX4. The call lasted almost 45 minutes as the school administration addressed the challenges facing international students.

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Vicker warned international students at Park University to be extra cautious. Making sure they have all the proper things before even leaving home, but especially if they planned on leaving the country.

But at this point, you know, nothing is guaranteed, okay? It never has been. But it is a calculated risk that youre taking for traveling outside the US, he said.

The warning follows the recent revocation of two student visas in the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program.

This is a unique situation playing out, and it can be really frustrating, Vicker said.

But were here to help.

According to The Wall Street Journal, visas are being revoked without any prior warning or explanation.

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Kansas City metro schools to see upgrades after bonds pass in April election

Vicker pointed out that international students with misdemeanors on their records seem to be the ones targeted at his school. For the 1.1 million international students in the U.S., their ability to stay and study is no longer guaranteed.

I would carry copies of your I-20, at least copies of your I-20, your passport, visa, passport with you, so that if anything arises, you have those two to present, Vicker advised students.

We were checking this list every day to see if there are other students that pop through.

Though Vicker says that he has seen student visas reinstated in some cases, those students only got their visas back after legal intervention from a judge.

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For the two students at Park University who had their visas revoked, the school has referred them to legal counsel in hopes of finding a resolution.

As this issue continues to unfold, international students are left navigating an uncertain future. The message is clear: stay vigilant, keep your documents in order, and, most importantly, be prepared for anything.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
On Sunday, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. met with the families of two girls who had died from measles in West Texasand raised doubts about the safety of vaccines. He said, You dont know whats in the vaccine anymore, Peter Hildebrand, whose 8-year-old daughter, Daisys, funeral had been held just hours earlier, told me. I actually asked him about it.

The secretary of Health and Human Services had traveled to the small, remote city of Seminole, where 1,000 mourners for Daisy filled the wooden pews of an unmarked Mennonite church. After the service, coffee and homemade bread were served at a traditional gathering known as a faspa. Kennedy was there, he wrote on X that afternoon, to console the families and to be with the community in their moment of grief.

The slow-brewing crisis, in which more than 600 people have been infected with measles and three have diedAmericas first deaths from the disease in a decadehas left Kennedy in an awkward position. For many years, he has been the countrys most prominent anti-vaccine activist. Americans have been misled by the pharmaceutical industry and their captured government agency allies into believing that measles is a deadly disease and that measles vaccines are necessary, safe, and effective, he wrote in a foreword to a 2021 book. Since taking office, though, he has moderated his tone, at times endorsing the shots importance to public health. In his public post from Seminole, Kennedy did so once again, describing his departments efforts to supply Texas pharmacies and clinics with needed MMR vaccines, which he called the most effective way to prevent the spread of measles.

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Yet theres ample reason to believe that Kennedy hasnt really changed his views: I have worked with Bobby for many years, and I can confidently say that he has a heart that is incapable of compromise, Del Bigtree, the communications director for Kennedys independent presidential campaign, said on X, in an effort to reassure some angry and confused supporters. He is at a poker table with the slyest serpents in the world, he added; we should not ask him to show his cards. (Bigtree also called the MMR vaccine one of the most effective ways to cause autism, despite the fact that study after study has disproved the link.) Indeed, when I spoke with Hildebrand by phone on Monday, I learned that Kennedy was questioning vaccines behind the scenes, even in the midst of his condolence trip to Texas.

He never said anything about the vaccine being helpful, Hildebrand told me. He did not want to go into more detail about his conversation with Kennedy, saying hed been advised (he didnt say by whom) not to make any public comments. But he seemed to view the secretarys statement as confirmation that the MMR vaccine is untrustworthy. Notwithstanding his daughters death, he claimed that the children of another member of his family, who were vaccinated, still got sicker in the recent outbreak than two of his own children who had gotten measles and recovered. So the vaccine aint about shit, he said. A Health and Human Services spokesperson would not confirm what Kennedy had said to Hildebrand. Secretary Kennedy is not anti-vaccine, he is pro-safety, the spokesperson wrote by email. He has consistently made that clear.

[Read: His daughter was Americas first measles death in a decade]

Among vaccine skeptics, the death of Daisy Hildebrand, like the earlier death of 6-year-old Kayley Fehr, is being reframed as the consequence of a tragic and egregious medical error. Childrens Health Defense, the anti-vaccine nonprofit Kennedy founded, has pushed the theory that Fehr wasnt given the correct antibiotic for pneumonia soon enough to save her life, apparently basing that judgment on medical records the Fehrs provided to the organization. Covenant Childrens Hospital, where Fehr was treated, has called such claims misleading and inaccurate, while pointing out that patient-confidentiality laws prevent the hospital from going into detail about the girls treatment. Robert Malone, a doctor and former researcher known for sharing concernsand misinformationabout COVID-19 vaccines, posted on his Substack that Daisys death was a case of a child suffering from pre-existing conditions who was misdiagnosed. (Texass health department says that the girl had no reported underlying conditions.)

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[Read: The vaccine scientist spreading vaccine misinformation]

Hildebrand, too, blames doctors for the deaths. Im willing to do any- and everything I can to make sure the hospitals start getting some act right in them so nobody else has to go through this, he said. They pretty much murdered them. In the case of his daughter, he believes the hospital should have given her budesonide, a steroid often prescribed for asthma, among other conditions, that has been touted by Kennedy for treating measles. They didnt give her the budesonide breathing treatment that wed been asking for, Hildebrand said. They were saying that the IV steroids they were giving her were better. A spokesperson for University Medical Center in Lubbock didnt respond to a request for comment.

According to Michael Mina, a physician and an immunologist who studies measles, budesonide is not a first-line treatment for measles. The use of budesonide to try to treat measles simply does not, biologically or mechanistically, make sense, Mina told me. Where it could potentially make sense is treating a co-infection thats occurring in conjunction with measles, but that is far from a measles therapy. This is not something that we should be treating measles with. Mina added that it is much better to prevent measles in the first place through vaccination.

Hildebrand said that, before they took Daisy to the hospital, his family was given advice on her care by, among others, Ben Edwards and Richard Bartlett, two West Texas doctors whom Kennedy has praised as extraordinary healers treating measles patients in Seminole. Edwards and Bartlett are pictured in a photo that Kennedy posted from his meeting with the two families, which occurred after the funeral at a steak dinner at the West Texas Living Heritage Museum, in Seminole. Like Kennedy, Edwards has raised doubts about the safety of the MMR vaccine and instead promoted treatments such as cod-liver oil, which is high in vitamins A and D. At one point, he was offering free cod-liver oil to Seminole residents at an ad hoc clinic next to a coffee shop.

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Hildebrand said his family had been in touch with Bartlett and Edwards. Daisy was given vitamin A. It all seemed to work, he told me. When she started needing oxygen so bad, we didnt have the equipment at home, and neither did they have all the equipment at their clinics, so obviously we had to look for further help at the hospital. In an email, Edwards denied that Daisy Hildebrand was one of his patients. No, I did not treat her, but plan to get the medical records to review to see if standard of care was followed or not, he wrote. As you know, standard of care antibiotics were not given to the first little girl that died, which lead [sic] directly to her death. Bartlett could not be reached for comment; a clinic where he used to work said he was no longer employed there.

Dean Boyer, the funeral director who handled the services for both girls, was present at the dinner where Kennedy met with the Hildebrands and Fehrs. He said he overheard the secretarys conversations with both sets of parents. He never asked pointed questions: Are you vaccinated? Are you not? He just told them how sorry he was, Boyer told me. He even met with the kids alone, just sata pawpaw minute is what I called it. Boyer praised Kennedy for attempting to keep his visit under wraps. He tried to get in as quiet as he could, because he didnt want attention.

Its true that Kennedy mostly dodged reporters, but of course his trip was not a secret. After the dinner, he posted a long message on X about the warmth and love he felt from the community and about how he had bonded with many of these resilient, hardworking, resourceful, and God-loving people. He also shared several photos of himself embracing the families, one with a boy on his knee, another with his arm around Hildebrand. Whereas some of Kennedys earlier comments about the outbreak have seemed callouscalling it not unusual, for instance, or suggesting without evidence that Kayley Fehr might have been malnourishedthese conveyed the image of a government official who cared.

When I spoke with Hildebrand, he said he didnt know that the secretary had posted photos of his family, or that Kennedy had given out Daisys full name. He said that he hadnt wanted any of this on the internet from the get-go, but he didnt blame Kennedy. Instead, he directed his ire at reporters. Most of yall are fake media, and I dont need my daughters name out there to be reported crap on, he told me. I just dont need anybody talking negative about my daughter. Shes in the ground.

Article originally published at The Atlantic
Rep. Joseph McNamara, a Warwick Democrat, thinks state officials should explore establishing trade agreements with international car manufacturers and creating a free trade zone within the Quonset Business Park in North Kingstown, one of the top 10 automobile importers in the U.S. (Photo via Quonset Development Corporation)

As the international trade war heats up, one Rhode Island lawmaker is proposing the state invoke its royal charter in order to stave off rising import costs.

Rep. Joseph McNamara, a Warwick Democrat, sent a letter to Gov. Dan McKee Wednesday urging him to establish free trade zones under the powers granted to the governor by King Charles II in 1663. The document that established the colony of Rhode Island allowed free trade with colonies throughout the world.

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Our state has a long history of resisting unfair authoritative trade mandates and taxes, McNamara wrote. One only has to reflect back on our 252-year history to be reminded of the action that our early colonists took in 1772 when faced with an unlawful British vessel.

He was referring to the HMS Gaspee, the British revenue schooner assigned to patrol Narragansett Bay that ran aground in Warwick and was plundered and burned by a group of colonists led by merchant John Brown.

McNamara suggests that the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation explore establishing trade agreements with international car manufacturers and creating a free trade zone within the Quonset Business Park in North Kingstown, one of the top 10 automobile importers in the U.S.

Quonset imported 304,593 cars last year, up 27% from 239,761 in 2023, according to figures from the Quonset Development Corporation.

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He pointed to the new air cargo terminal under construction at Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport as an ideal location for duty-free imports and proposed that the Port of Providence be renamed the Free Trade Port on the East Coast.

McKee spokesperson Andrea Palagi deferred comment to the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation.

Rhode Island Commerce spokesman Matthew Touchette said Thursday morning the whole state has been designated a foreign trade zone, also known as a free trade zone, since 2018.

The federally granted designation eliminates import duties if they are shipped from another free trade zone. If the merchandise is sold domestically, then no duties shall be paid until it leaves that zone.

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The designation provides logistical and financial advantages for businesses operating here, Touchette said in an email.

Magnet sites already exist on 32 acres at the Port of Providence, a 43-acre area at the Airport Business Center adjacent to T.F. Green, and 880 acres within the Quonset Business Park and Port of Davisville.

The designation does not allow the state to impose its own tariffs, avoid the federal fees on imports, or create its own independent trade policies. If foreign merchandise is brought into the zone and used to manufacture a product with a lower duty rate, the lower rate would apply.

This story was updated with comment from Rhode Island Commerce.

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By Curtis Williams

HOUSTON (Reuters) - Venture Global Inc is about to start selling liquefied natural gas cargoes from a Louisiana export terminal to long-term customers rather than to the highest global bidder, but it plans to employ the controversial but lucrative practice at a new and bigger terminal that it is starting up.

On April 15, Venture Global will finally complete commissioning its Calcasieu Pass facility in Louisiana, which binds it to contractual obligations it signed while developing the facility.

Commissioning, or making sure a new plant's systems are functioning as designed, takes months at many LNG facilities. It took three years at Calcasieu Pass, allowing Venture Global to sell large test cargoes to high bidders on the red-hot global market instead of to customers whose contracts called for them to pay less.

Shell, BP, Orlen, Edison and Repsol have filed arbitration claims saying Venture Global deliberately failed to fulfill their supply contracts, dragging its feet to commission the plant so it could profit from higher spot prices. Venture Global argued that a faulty power system delayed normal operations.

With commissioning of Calcasieu Pass imminent, Venture Globals newer and larger Plaquemines LNG plant is ramping up production for the lucrative spot market. It started producing in mid-December. Venture Global says it will commission the plant in two-year phases, a timetable analysts say will boost its profit outlook.

"We still expect the vast majority of sales will be done on the spot market in 2025" for Venture Global, said Adam Baker, an energy analyst at research firm Morningstar.

Plaquemines is now producing at 140% of design capacity and in three months has already sold 29 cargoes at an average liquefaction fee of $7.26 per million British thermal units (mmBtu), according to an SEC filing last Thursday.

"One can reasonably see the company's overall revenue increasing from LNG sales on the spot market from Plaquemines, and some revenue from Calcasieu Pass", said Jason Feer, Poten and Partners' business intelligence chief.

Venture Global's revenues from LNG should double to $9.98 billion in 2025 from $4.972 last year, and keep growing through 2029 on larger volumes and strong prices, investment bank UBS said in a note to its clients last Friday.

The company expects to sell 550 cargoes on the spot market during the commissioning period from Plaquemines, with a margin of $5 to $6 a mmBtu, generating between $10 and $12 billion, UBS told investors.

Exxon Mobil, Chevron, and Orlen are among contracted customers for LNG supply from the Plaquemines facility but did not respond to a request for comment.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI)  Some state legislators want to restructure the council that oversees Rhode Islands coastline, but theres a debate over how it should be reformed.

The Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) was created in the early 1970s. According to its website, the council is responsible for the preservation, protection, development and where possible the restoration of the coastal areas of the state through policy development, planning and permitting. It also manages public access to those areas.

The state agency is made up of 10 volunteer members appointed by the governor, who currently include a lawyer, a podiatric surgeon and a mandatory representative from the R.I. Department of Environmental Management (DEM).

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LEARN MORE: What is the CRMC?

A bill proposed by state Rep. John G. Edwards, D-Tiverton, would replace CRMC with the Division of Coastal Resources Management, which would operate under DEM.

Many of the issues that have plagued CRMC for years  chronic delays in making simple permitting decisions, lack of members and frequent missed/cancelled meetings, and the increasing number of flawed decisions being overturned by the courts  are caused by CRMCs politically-appointed board, Edwards said in a press release.

The council hasnt had a full 10 members since 2019. Currently, it only has six seats filled, which is the minimum needed for a quorum, state Sen. Victoria Gu, D-Westerly, noted during a senate hearing last week.

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RELATED: Save the Bay accuses CRMC of power abuse for canceling controversial seawall meetings

In the meantime, members of the Senate Committee on Environment & Agriculture are proposing a different way to reform the CRMC.

State Sen. Mark McKenney, D-Warwick, introduced Bill 775, which would change the councils structure and operation. Under his proposal, the CRMC would remain its own entity, with a setup similar to DEM. However, the nine politically appointed members would be removed and decision-making power would be shifted to a cabinet-level director who answers to the governor.

Advocates, including the R.I. Attorney Generals Office, nonprofit Save the Bay, and former CRMC members were present at last weeks hearing to voice their support.

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Gu said she believes that allocating more budgetary resources to the CRMC is critical in the face of ongoing environmental issues.

Future permitting and planning decisions by the CRMC or the Department of Coastal Resources will absolutely need to take into account the best science we have on sea level rise and beach erosion, Gu explained. A professionalized agency will have the expertise to make these difficult decisions and help preserve our shoreline amidst rising seas and stronger storms.

MORE: RI Beach Erosion Commission considering solutions as state loses 2 feet of land each year

Edwards agrees that CRMC needs more structure, but told 12 News that having the agency work within DEM would save money and prevent overlap. CRMC is a quasi-state entity, meaning it can perform government functions, but is not directly part of state government.

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Most quasis exist only because of their ability to bond outside of the states financial obligations, Edwards said. CRMC does not have any bonds nor do they anticipate applying for any in the future.

Edwards bill, which would take effect upon passage, has already been referred to the House State Government and Elections Committee, which is expected to review the legislation this week.

McKenneys bill was held for further study.

Laura Dwyer, spokesperson for the CRMC, declined to comment on the proposed legislation.

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI)  Multiple bills focusing on high-profile education reforms in Rhode Island were approved by the state Senate on Tuesday.

State Sen. Jonathan Acosta, D-Central Falls, introduced the first bill, which would create a ballot question asking voters to approve adding a right to an equitable, adequate and meaningful education to each child in the states constitution.

To say Rhode Islands public education system is underserving our children would be a significant understatement, Acosta said in a press release. We are all aware of the consistently low and falling test scores and proficiency levels, and the truth is that our children have yet to recover from the educational devastation of the pandemic.

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Acosta explained those reasons are why it is urgent to add a constitutional right to an adequate education.

The bill has been introduced in past legislative sessions, passed the Senate, but went nowhere in the House.

READ MORE: Constitutional right to education in RI dead for 2022, Shekarchi says

Advocates of the idea have pointed out that more than 20 states, including Massachusetts, already have this right in their constitutions.

A House version of the bill has been introduced by state Rep. Mary Messier, D-Pawtucket, which was recommended to be held for further study earlier this month.

The second bill, sponsored by state Sen. Hannah Gallo, D-Cranston, would implement universal pre-K, which would make those classes free for 3- and 4-year-olds in Rhode Island.

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This policy has been a goal for Senate leaders in the past, as well as former Gov. Gina Raimondo.

BACKGROUND: Top senators goal: universal pre-K in RI by 2028

A state-run program would be created by the bill and executed through a combination of head start programs, school districts, licensed center-based, licensed family child-care providers and family child-care networks.

The legislations goal would be to reach at least 70% enrollment, a press release about Gallos bill said. Any funding increases for the program would also be required to put 30% toward maintaining and expanding high-quality child care and early learning programs for infants and adults.

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In the House, state Rep. Joseph McNamara, D-Warwick, has introduced a universal pre-K bill. His bill has been referred to the House Finance Committee.

Larry Berman, a spokesperson for House Speaker Joe Shekarchi, told 12 News Thursday that both bills from his chamber are under consideration.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com.
For the record:

9:30 a.m. April 10, 2025: An earlier version of this story said Flock made source code available for free to law enforcement users. It did not.



When residents of a ritzy West L.A. neighborhood experienced an increase in burglaries last year, they decided to invest in technology to fight the problem.

The neighborhood association in Cheviot Hills  a community of million-dollar homes sandwiched between the 10 Freeway and Century City  raised more than $200,000 to purchase scores of controversial, high-tech cameras that scan license plates.

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The automated plate readers, as they are known, enable authorities to track when vehicles of interest pass through certain intersections. The devices can also be mounted on police cars, allowing officers to sweep up troves of license plate data as they drive around. Police say the gadgets help investigate stolen cars, locate fugitives, and solve crimes by checking who came and went from a neighborhood on any given day.

But when the community donated the cameras to the Los Angeles Police Foundation  one of several nonprofits that support the Los Angeles Police Department  they sent them with strings attached: The police were only allowed to use them in Cheviot Hills.

In the months since, the act of charity has ignited discussions about who gets to decide how technology donated to the LAPD is deployed  and whether the data collected by the plate readers could be used for purposes far beyond the intended scope.

Critics have long warned about privacy concerns because the cameras track people without consent or a warrant, collecting data about law-abiding motorists that is stored up to five years.

When Cheviot Hills donated plate-scanning cameras to the Los Angeles Police Foundation  one of several nonprofits that support the LAPD  they sent them with strings attached: The police were only allowed to use them in Cheviot Hills. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

Since its creation more than 25 years ago, the Los Angeles Police Foundation has funneled millions from mostly unnamed donors to the LAPD. Sometimes the money pays for holiday parties or exercise equipment, but it has also been used to acquire cutting-edge police equipment and technology not covered in the department's annual multibillion-dollar budget.

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LAPD Deputy Chief John McMahon has accused the Police Foundation of overstepping its bounds with the plate reader donation, according to sources who requested anonymity to avoid retaliation for speaking about internal department matters. McMahon objected to the limitations on where the cameras could be used, the sources said, and also took issue with the foundation pushing to buy the plate readers from a specific contractor, an Atlanta-based startup called Flock Safety.

Read more: LAPD cops shot 21 bystanders in 10 years. How does it keep happening?

After McMahon questioned the Flock camera donation in December, foundation board member Jeffrey Neu filed an internal complaint against him alleging bias, the sources said.

Neu did not respond to a request for comment.

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McMahon declined to discuss the pending complaint, but told The Times there were good reasons to push back against the donation. The Flock cameras, he said, are not totally compatible with the LAPD's systems, including the department's fledgling real-time crime center, which monitors intelligence gathered from around the city.

The department already uses plate readers from major companies Motorola Solutions and Axon, and McMahon said there are strict rules about how long the data they collect is stored, who gets to see it, and when. Its contract with Flock's data policies are slightly different, he said.

McMahon, who heads the LAPD's Information Technology Bureau, said police departments should own and "retain full control" of the data they collect and be able to use it "as law enforcement agencies see fit under the law.

"Right now individual companies are trying to monopolize the business and prevent that from happening," said McMahon. "That's not in the best interest of taxpayers."

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The Police Foundation did not respond to inquiries.

Holly Beilin, a spokesperson for Flock Safety, said the company recently gave law enforcement users, including the LAPD, the ability to more easily integrate Flock's software with their systems. The department has used Flock cameras before without issue, Beilin said, noting that police can also access privately owned devices with permission from the owner.

"There are more Flock cameras in the Los Angeles metro area than almost any other vendor, and detectives are regularly using them to solve crime," she said.

She added that under the company's terms of service, Flock customers who give their cameras to police have to abide by Senate Bill 34 and other laws governing the sharing of license plate data.

The Flock dispute has made enough noise to draw more scrutiny from the departments civilian oversight panel, which said it wants to avoid a precedent where crime-fighting technology only goes to areas that can afford it.

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At a meeting earlier this year, members of the Police Commission voted to approve the Cheviot Hills donation. The City Council also signed off on accepting the Flock cameras.

But oversight officials have demanded more information about the departments overall strategy for deploying plate readers in other areas of the city.

LAPD officials told the commission they currently have 1,500 police vehicles equipped with plate readers and another 160 devices that are mounted onto poles. The cameras, essentially a beefed-up version of the technology used to collect highway tolls, collect hundreds of thousands of plate numbers every month.

Images of the plates are automatically run through criminal databases and trigger alerts to officers in the field when they record a "hit." Some vendors claim that new add-ons can detect subtle changes in motorist behavior, such as when a would-be burglar is "casing" a home by circling the block in their car.

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The department currently has an information-sharing agreement with five other jurisdictions, who have all agreed that they will not share the data with federal immigration authorities.

Read more: Letters to the Editor: Privacy laws make it too difficult to learn outcomes when and if police are disciplined

Commission President Erroll Southers asked how LAPD chooses where the readers are stationed, and whether the decisions are "being influenced by donors.

Most of the cameras are stationed in the San Fernando Valley, near crime hot spots and critical infrastructure, as well as at highway exits and on-ramps, responded Cmdr. Gisselle Espinoza.

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"It is not random, it is not loosey-goosey, it is not something capricious," she said. "It is very thoughtful."

A point of contention with the Cheviot Hills cameras is that the neighborhood's donation to the foundation bypasses the city's regular procurement policy, which requires a bid process and vetting of vendors.

In a statement, the Cheviot Hills Homeowners Assn. said it preferred Flock "due to their stellar reputation and strong recommendation from the experts we consulted with."

Cindy Kane, who sits on the neighborhood association's board, said residents conferred with police, their local City Council office and other neighborhood associations before making their pick. One factor, Kane said, was that Beverlywood and other nearby communities had already signed deals with Flock.

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"The board discussed the privacy issues versus being proactive to address the crime, and that far outweighed the concerns of privacy issues," she said. "We also determined that working with the Police Foundation was the most effective and efficient way to secure donations from our residents that could be earmarked for this purpose."

LAPD data shows burglaries in Cheviot Hills doubled from 22 in 2023 to 45 in 2023, but other types of crime in the neighborhood are low compared to the rest of the city.

Read more: Mayor and LAPD chief tout double-digit drop in homicides compared with last year

The public perception that crime is spiraling out of control  even as statistics show many cities are the safest they have been in decades  is one factor for why license plate readers have proliferated across the country.

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Civil liberties groups, activists and some academics have called on more states to tighten regulations on the technology, citing concerns about over-policing in communities of color, among other issues.

False positives  where police wrongly identify a suspect based on a vehicle  are a risk, especially since records in the stolen car database are sometimes out of date. There is also worry about the security of the captured data, and who has access to it.

The LAPD's lack of a formal data-sharing agreement with Flock opens the door for federal authorities to potentially request information from the company about an immigrant's whereabouts  undercutting the city's promise not to cooperate in the Trump administration's mass deportation campaign, warned Tiff Guerra, an organizer with the activist group Stop LAPD Spying.

Read more: LAPD chief ousts lawyer blamed by union for disclosing thousands of officer photos

The group's members and other critics routinely attend commission meetings and decry the department's growing arsenal of predictive policing software, facial recognition and other technologies.

Putting plate readers in Cheviot Hills seems designed to further alienate wealthy communities from Blacks and Latinos, according to Guerra.

"It raises questions, like, who gets surveilled? Who has the ability to pay for that surveillance and who's able to pay for these digital surveillance rings around their communities?" Guerra said.

But whether the plate readers are placed in South L.A. or wealthier areas, police officials say concerns about mass tracking of motorists are overblown.

LAPD Det. Alan Hamilton, who runs the LAPD's detective bureau, said the department already has its hands full trying to solve crimes  there's simply not enough time or manpower to start acting like Big Brother.

My detectives are too busy just trying to keep up with the Joneses," Hamilton said.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Before Richard Allen was convicted of the murder of two teens from Delphi, Indiana, the public had heard a voice that some believed to be the suspect saying what sounded like "Guys, down the hill."

It wasn't until his trial was almost over that jurors got to hear Allen speak and compare it to the infamous audio clip that came from video footage on one victim's cellphone. Now several of those videos have been released to the public as bloggers, YouTubers and other true crime enthusiasts have brought the Delphi murder case back into the limelight.

Since the case closed late last year, media organizations have requested access to exhibits from the trial, including video evidence. This year, footage from a murder victim's phone and, more recently, video of Allen being questioned by police and confessing to the murders have been shared on social media and news sites.

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Allen was tried in 2024 on two counts of murder in the deaths of Abigail "Abby" Williams and Liberty "Libby" German, two teens from Delphi who were found dead in 2017. In December, Special Judge Francis Gull sentenced Allen to the maximum prison term of 65 years for each charge.

Throughout the trial, journalists from Indy Star and the Lafayette Journal & Courier reported on the evidence prosecutors brought to convince jurors of Allen's guilt. Here's a look at how Allen's interviews and prison confessions were introduced at trial.

Jury sees video of Richard Allen police interrogations, hears testimony of confessions

On Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024, jurors in the double-murder trial saw two opposing portraits of the defendant: A man who denied killing the girls during heated police interrogations; and a man who repeatedly confessed to the killings while on suicide watch.

Jurors first saw two video interrogations from Oct. 13 and Oct. 26, 2022, which both started cordially but grew confrontational. During both, Allen defiantly maintained his innocence. One ended with Allen hurling a vulgar word at one of the investigators. The second ended with both Allen and his interrogator throwing curse words at each other.

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Seeing these videos marked the first time jurors in the case heard Allen's voice.

On the same day, prison officials also testified to confessions Allen made during his incarceration. Prosecutors had previously revealed that Allen made 61 incriminating statements while he was in state prison, where he was kept instead of a local jail before his trial as part of a safe-keeping order. His defense attorneys have argued that Allen gave those statements in the throes of a mental health crisis while he was kept in solitary confinement.

 Richard Allen trial coverage: Delphi jurors saw dueling images of Richard Allen: one who claimed innocence, one who confessed

Jury sees video of Allen's behavior in prison

In a cross-examination, Allen's defense played part of a video showing a motionless Allen strapped to a wheelchair for a medical examination.

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The video, which Rozzi had previously hidden from the courtroom's public audience to protect Allen's dignity, was taken on June 20, 2023, a month after Dr. John Martin of the Westville Correctional Facility said Allen had seemingly exited psychosis. Martin said that during a meeting earlier that day, Allen was communicative and spontaneously told Martin he wanted to apologize to the families of Abby and Libby.

During cross, Martin agreed the video, which he hadn't previously watched, made him question whether Allen had left a psychosis state at that point.

Richard Allen trial coverage: Prison video casts doubt on Richard Allen's recovery timeline

Was it Richard Allen's voice in the 'Bridge Guy' video?

Toward the end of the murder trial, jurors heard testimony from Brian Harshman, an Indiana State Police master patrolman who monitored Allen's calls while he was in the custody of the Indiana Department of Correction.

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After countless hours of listening to Allen's calls  all 700 of them  Harshman told jurors he's become familiar with Allen's voice.

As Harshman testified, the prosecution played audios of several calls that Allen made to his wife and mother. They later replayed the enhanced audio from the infamous "Bridge Guy" video, in which a man prosecutors allege to be Allen was seen following Abby on the high bridge.

Carroll County Prosecutor Nicholas McLeland asked Harshman if he recognized the man's voice.

"The voice is Richard Allen," Harshman said.

During cross-examination, defense attorney Bradley Rozzi noted that Allen was on several different drugs given to him by prison officials around the time he began confessing to the crimes. Harshman acknowledged that being medicated might alter the way Allen's voice sounds.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Richard Allen confessions, police interviews and how they were used at trial
People in Rock Island County are weighing in on proposed changes to the eight-mile corridor of Andalusia Road and Indian Bluff Road.

The Bi-State Regional Commission received a grant to study the traffic flow from Turkey Hollow Road to U. S. Highway150.

Benesch, a consulting company out of Chicago, presented possible changes to the corridor. Proposals include bike-friendly shoulders, adding roundabouts and adding a left-turn lane.

They came out of a study into the traffic changes that can be expected over the next 10 to 20 years.

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This is looking at the needs of the corridor and matching these alternatives to those future needs, and following that construction will be looking at the specific requirements of pavement and turning radius and that type of thing down the road a few years at least, said Bryan Schmid, a principal planner for the Bi-State Regional Commission.

The Bi-State Regional Commission will accept public feedback until May 7. A final report on the corridor is expected this summer. For more about the commission, visit here.

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APTIM and BWX Technologies have been awarded a $1.4bn contract by the US Department of Energy (DOE) to manage and operate the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR).

The joint venture (JV), Strategic Storage Partners, will oversee SPR's operations, facilities and systems in Louisiana and Texas for a five-year period, with an option for a five-year extension.

Strategic Storage Partners, formed by APTIM Federal Services and BWXT Technical Services Group, will focus on safely managing the SPR's structures and systems.

The contract includes maintaining facilities, ensuring quality control and implementing innovative operational approaches.

APTIM CEO and chairman of the Strategic Storage Partners board of directors Mark Fallon said: "APTIM is honoured to serve the DOE, the talented and committed SPR workforce and the nation as the SPR fulfils its essential mission of protecting our energy and economic security. APTIM and our partner BWX Technologies will bring the experience, resources and commitment required to deliver."

The estimated contract value is $2.6bn over ten years, including a five-year base period and a five-year extension option.

The SPR, claimed to be the world's largest emergency crude oil supply with 714 million barrels (mbbl), aims to minimise US petroleum supply disruptions and support the International Energy Programme.

Federally owned oil stocks are stored in underground salt caverns at four sites along the Gulf Coast in Texas and Louisiana.

BWXT Technical Services Group president Heatherly Dukes said: As a premier operator of complex, high-consequence facilities in the US and abroad, BWXT is honoured to join with APTIM in adding this mission to our portfolio of work for the Department of Energy.

The Strategic Petroleum Reserve is a vital element in protecting our nations economic and security interests, and we look forward to bringing our expertise in safe, secure, high-quality operations to this vital part of the nations energy infrastructure.

In July last year, the DOE purchased 4.65mbbl of crude oil for the SPR, bringing the total acquired since 2022 to more than 40mbbl.

This acquisition followed the Biden administration's decision to drain the SPR in response to high prices after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

"APTIM, BWX secure $1.4bn contract to manage US Strategic Petroleum Reserve" was originally created and published by Offshore Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.




LINCOLN COUNTY, Mo. (KTVI)  A Missouri foster mother, who had fostered children for decades, is facing child abuse charges after someone reported that she had traded an adopted daughter to someone in Texas for a monkey. According to authorities, these charges are just the tip of the iceberg.

In a statement Sunday, Lincoln County Prosecuting Attorney Mike Wood said a 70-year-old woman from Winfield had been arrested for the neglect, abuse, and endangerment stemming from initial allegations of a missing child that was later located in the state of Texas.

Its going to be a large investigation, and it will take some time, Wood said, noting that while the investigation was ongoing, the woman was arrested because other children were under her care.

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At the time of the womans arrest, there were two other children in the home. However, there have been several other foster children in the home prior, which allegedly had over 200 hotline calls to the address, Wood said.

The child at the center of this case, a girl in her teens, was fostered and eventually adopted by the Missouri woman and had been in her care for at least four years.

The woman has been accused of abusing the child with a paddle, wooden trim from walls, and shoes several times in court documents. Shes also accused of taking clothes from the child and not providing enough food.

The girl said she tried to tell people what was happening but that no one believed her.

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Court documents indicate an anonymous call was made to social services in November alleging abuse. Authorities say the Winfield School District reported excessive absences involving the child in February.

That month, a school resource officer (SRO) was notified about the child missing school. As the school began investigating, they learned the child was in Texas. The SRO was told a rumor that the child was exchanged to an individual for a monkey.

A missing child report was then filed by the school, according to Wood.

After getting in touch with Texas law enforcement, the SRO was able to contact the child, who said she was OK. Police in Texas reached the foster mothers friend, who was allegedly keeping the missing child at her residence to distance the two of them, as they were not getting along.

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Wood noted that both the woman and her friend own exotic animals and that another witness was allegedly asked to take the child to Texas and bring a monkey back.

We dont know that yet, but it is an allegation thats out there that we need to look into, he said.

While the womans friend told authorities the child was staying in Texas because the foster mother did not want her back, the woman told investigators that she had purchased a plane ticket for the childs return but her friend was unable to bring the child to the airport.

The girl was ultimately turned over to Child Protective Services in Texas after being left with another person while the Missouri womans friend was away.

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Wood said over the weekend that the child is still in the custody of Texas CPS, but the Associated Press reported Wednesday that the teenager has returned to Missouri.

The foster mother is being held on a $250,000 cash-only bond. She is scheduled to appear in court next week.

Despite the alleged hotline calls to the womans home in Winfield, there were never any police reports made to the prosecuting attorneys office, Wood added. Officials are investigating this aspect of the case.

Wood emphasized that this will be a lengthy case as they uncover more details, and he expects more charges to be filed. The case has also raised questions about whether there were any failures along the way.

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If there was some type of failure in the system, where was it and how can we fix it, Wood said while discussing those concerns. He encourages victims to contact his office at (636) 528-6300.

A spokesperson for the Missouri Department of Social Services said through an email that information related to specific child abuse and neglect investigations is closed and confidential under Missouri law, except under very limited circumstances (please see 210.150 RSMo).

The spokesperson added, Under Missouri law, the Department of Social Services must contact appropriate law enforcement agencies when it receives a report that merits investigation. Law enforcement agencies may co-investigate or provide other assistance.

The Department of Social Services strongly encouraged anyone who suspects child abuse or neglect to call its 24-hour toll-free hotline at 1-800-392-3738.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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It's going to be legen-dairy April 12 in Nashville as the annual Moosic City Dairy Dash hosts its 25th anniversary.

The race, held at 2200 Rosa L. Parks Blvd., is expected to surpass $2 million raised for local nonprofit organizations over the years.

"For 25 years, the Moosic City Dairy Dash has brought the community together to support life-changing causes," Mark Ezell, president of the Purity Foundation and the Purity Moosic City Dairy Dash, said in a release. "With 25 years of the Dairy Dash, 25 years of the Weaver Domestic Violence Center, and Purity Dairys 100th anniversary, this year is a true celebration of resilience, community and giving back."

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In addition to the dash's anniversary, Purity Dairies is celebrating 100 years and the Weaver Domestic Violence Center is celebrating 25 years.

Back on May 28, 1997, Betsy the cow visits Purity Dairies in Nashville with vice presidents Stan Ezell, left, and Mark Ezell and chairman of the board Miles Ezell.

Even if you are lactose intolerant, the races are for everyone. Proceeds will benefit YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee, a nonprofit organization that provides services for domestic violence victims and their families, and Camp Horizon.

"These funds are more than just numbers  they represent real lives changed. Thanks to the support of the Dairy Dash, we will be able to provide safe shelter, crisis call response, and counseling to thousands of women and children escaping dangerous situations," Sharon K. Roberson, president and CEO of YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee said in the release. "Every step taken in this race brings hope and healing to someone in need."

Thousands are expected to participate in the race and festivities at Metro Center. There will be events for all ages.

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The RJ/Glenn Wunder Mighty Mile, a race for young athletes, will start at 7 a.m.

Open to all runners, the 5K and 10K Dairy Dash will start at 7:30 a.m.

The Regions Smitty 15K is a challenging course for those looking to "push their limits."

Along with races, attendees can participate in family-friendly activities.

For more details and to register for the 25th Annual Moosic City Dairy Dash, visit moosiccitydairydash.raceroster.com .

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Moosic City Dairy Dash coming to Nashville this weekend
Actor and comedian Russell Brand won't be addressing the halls of higher learning this week after all ... a college in Florida has decided to reschedule a speaking engagement after confirming his attendance earlier this week -- all this in the wake of sexual assault allegations against him.

Brand -- who's facing charges in London of sexual assault by four women, as well as a lawsuit and an investigation in NYC on similar charges -- was set to take part in a panel discussion at the New College of Florida this weekend about free speech and censorship.

TMZ

A spokesman for the college tells TMZ the decision to reschedule "follows changes in event logistics," listing the unavailability of the venue where the event was planned to be held, and citing ticket availability issues.

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As TMZ reported Tuesday ... Brand had been lined up to appear as a guest speaker at New College of Florida in Sarasota as part of their Socratic Stage series, which is meant to discuss complex and pressing social and political issues.

A college spokesman told TMZ the institution of higher learning had invited Brand as part of a "commitment to civil discourse" in their responsibility to "invite dialogue" on topics like "cancel culture."

TMZ

On Thursday, the same spokesperson said, "We look forward to welcoming Mr. Brand to campus at a future date under conditions that allow for thoughtful and topical engagement from both the public and our academic community.

Brand has denied all allegations against him in a video, and spoke about his past, detailing his issues with substance abuse and sexual addiction.

Russell Brand Through the Years - Click image to open gallery

Last week, London Metropolitan Police announced Brand has been hit with a slew of charges including one count of rape, one count of indecent assault, one count of oral rape, and two counts of sexual assault, involving four different women that allegedly occurred between 1999 and 2005. Brand has said he's never engaged in "non-consensual activity."

TMZ

Brand's also been served in a civil sexual assault case in New York stemming from alleged behavior on the set of the 2011 movie "Arthur." Warner Bros. announced this week the company would release outtakes from the making of the movie.

Brand's expected to appear in a UK court on May 2.

We've reached out to Brand ... so far, no word back.
Foreign companies that have left Russia and financed organisations "hostile" to Moscow will reportedly not be able to return to the Russian market. This follows from the preliminary criteria that the Russian government has developed for foreign companies wishing to resume operations in the country.

Source: RBC, a Russian media outlet, with reference to informed sources

Details: In particular, it is planned to deny re-entry to the Russian market for a "hostile position" and financing of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU), "undesirable" organisations and "foreign agents".

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The Russian government also intends to refuse entry to companies that, before leaving Russia, had ceased to fulfil their obligations to employees and had debts on wages, taxes and other mandatory payments.

Additional requirements are also being discussed. In particular, companies may be obliged to localise production to a certain level, transfer technologies to Russia, and locate not only production facilities but also engineering and scientific development centres in the country.

In addition, Russian businesses might be able to assess the risks arising from a foreign company's resumption of operations.

Meanwhile, RBC sources stressed that the final version of the document had not yet been agreed upon.

Background: The Russian economy slowed down sharply and the outlook looks bleak.

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Two Romanian diplomats were expelled from Russia in response to Bucharest's expulsion of two Russian diplomats in March, Russia's Foreign Ministry said on April 9.

On March 5, Romania expelled Russian military attache Victor Makovskiy and his deputy, Evgeny Ignatiev, for breaching diplomatic rules of conduct. The move was reportedly in response to Russian interference in Romania's presidential election.

The two Romanian diplomats were declared "persona non gratae" and were ordered to leave Russia on April 9.

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Romania's defense attache and his deputy were expelled, Russia's Foreign Ministry said.

Russia previously promised to respond to Romania's decision to expel Makovskiy and Ignatiev in March.

On March 5, Romanian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Andrei Tarnea said the expelled Russian diplomats breached the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

"It is an exceptional measure... It is not a measure taken easily, and it is taken when the breaches are grave," Tarnea said.

The move was reportedly connected to the campaign of Romania's pro-Russian presidential candidate, Calin Georgescu.

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Georgescu, a former candidate in Romania's presidential elections, was barred from running amid accusations of Russian cyberattacks and a bias in favor of Georgescu on TikTok.

Diplomatic expulsions between Russia and Western nations have become a common occurrence since the onset of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine in February 2022.

Read also: Trump didnt impose tariffs on Russia but they might be wrecking its economy regardless

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A Russian-American ballet dancer has been released by Moscow in its latest prisoner swap with the US, carried out in Abu Dhabi.

Ksenia Karelina, who is in her early 30s, was sentenced to 12 years in a penal colony in 2024 after a Russian court found her guilty of treason for donating 40 to a charity supporting Ukraine.

In exchange for Ms Karelinas release early on Thursday, first reported by the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), Washington freed Arthur Petrov, 33, a German-Russian national who was arrested in Cyprus in 2023.

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Mr Petrov was accused of illegally exporting sensitive US-made microelectronics to manufacturers working with the Russian military.

A CIA official told the WSJ that the deal was spearheaded by John Ratcliffe, the CIA director, and a senior Russian intelligence official  evidence of the growing communication between the two countries intelligence agencies.

Mr Ratcliffe said: Today, President Trump brought home another unjustly detained American from Russia.

Im proud of the CIA officers who worked tirelessly to support this effort, and we appreciate the Government of the UAE for enabling the exchange.

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Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, confirmed on Thursday morning that Ms Karelina was on a plane back home to the United States.

He added that she had been wrongfully detained by Russia for over a year, and praised Donald Trump for her release as he said the president will continue to work for the release of all Americans.

The deal follows another exchange in which Russia released an American schoolteacher. The exchange was thought to be instrumental in starting a new round of Ukraine peace negotiations.

It comes as the Trump administration has been pushing to normalise ties with Russia, a move that has been criticised by Western allies.

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Ms Karelina, an amateur ballerina and beautician who lives in Los Angeles, had travelled to Istanbul in late 2023 to celebrate New Years Eve before travelling on to the central Russian city of Yekaterinburg to see family.

She was detained on arrival for several hours and later arrested. The US designated her as wrongfully detained last October.

Petrov, according to court documents, had worked for LLC Electrocom VPK, a Russia-based supplier of electronic components supplying the Russian armed forces.

The US Department of Justice said Petrov sought to buy microcontrollers and integrated circuits while knowing they could not be lawfully exported to Russia due to sanctions imposed after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

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Petrov and his co-conspirators exported more than $225,000 (173,975) worth of electronic components from the US to Russia in the course of the scheme, according to the Justice Department.

Following his arrest in Cyprus, he was extradited to the US and charged with multiple crimes including conspiracy, violating export controls, conspiracy to smuggle and money laundering.

It marks the second prisoner swap between Russia and the US since Trump returned to Office in January.

In February, Alexander Vinnik  a Russian national imprisoned in the US on money laundering charges  was freed in exchange for the release of Marc Fogel, an American schoolteacher.

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It comes as Mr Trump, who had promised a swift end to the three-year war in Ukraine, has voiced his frustration at Vladimir Putin for stalling ceasefire negotiations.

Moscow has so far refused a US proposal for an immediate and full 30-day pause in fighting, despite Kyiv agreeing to it last month.

Russian and American senior diplomats arrived in Istanbul on Thursday morning for talks to normalise the work of their diplomatic missions. However, issues of security, foreign policy and the war in Ukraine are not set to be discussed.

01:06 PM BST

Thanks for following todays live blog

We will be back soon for further coverage of the war in Ukraine. Meanwhile, you can listen to our Ukraine: The Latest podcast here.

12:31 PM BST

Watch: Ksenia Karelina released

12:07 PM BST

Kremlin says China not being drawn into conflict

The Kremlin on Thursday dismissed comments by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that China was being drawn into the conflict in Ukraine, saying that Beijing has a balanced position.

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China warned Ukraine against making irresponsible remarks after Mr Zelensky said Ukrainian intelligence had revealed at least 155 Chinese citizens were fighting on the side of Russia in Ukraine.

Mr Zelensky said Russia was recruiting Chinese nationals via social media and that Chinese officials were aware of it.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian called Beijing a firm supporter and active promoter of a peaceful settlement of the crisis and said China always attempts to dissuade its citizens from signing up to fight in foreign conflicts.

Asked about Mr Zelenskys remarks, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow was not dragging Beijing into the conflict.

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This is not the case. China takes a balanced position. China is our strategic partner, friend (and) comrade, Peskov said. Zelensky is wrong.

11:45 AM BST

Who is Arthur Petrov?

In return for the release of Ksenia Karelina, the US released a Russian-German national accused of exporting sensitive US electronics for use in Russias military

Arthur Petrov, a dual Russian-German national, was arrested in August 2023 in Cyprus at the request of the US for allegedly exporting sensitive microelectronics to manufacturers supplying weaponry and equipment to the Russian military.

Petrov worked for LLC Electrocom VPK, a Russia-based supplier of electronic components for weapons and equipment manufacturers supplying the Russian armed forces, according to court documents cited by the US Department of Justice.

Arthur Petrov

The US claimed Petrov and two accomplices who also worked for Electrocom fraudulently procured microelectronics from US distributors using a network of shell companies, based in Cyprus and other third countries, to disguise that the ultimate destination for the equipment was Russia.

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Petrov and his co-conspirators imported more than $225,000 worth of electronic components from the US to Russia in the course of the scheme, according to the Justice Department.

Following his arrest in Cyprus, Petrov was extradited to the US and charged with multiple crimes including conspiracy, violating export controls, conspiracy to smuggle and money laundering.

11:26 AM BST

Analysis: The exchange shows nothing about Putins desire to negotiate peace in Ukraine

Vladimir Putin will be crowing that his Western hostage strategy has once again paid off.

Moscow has swapped one of its people, who has some military significance, for a regular civilian.

But with the return of an American-Russian ballerina, arrested by Russian authorities for donating money to Ukrainian causes, Washington will use this as evidence that its trying to normalise relations between the two countries. In return, Russia got back a man accused of smuggling sanctioned components back to his country.

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In the eyes of Team Trump, the prisoner swap will serve as a confidence-building exercise between the two capitals, proof to Putin that America does indeed mean business and is willing to show a kinder side in the future.

But ultimately, this transaction proves nothing to the world about Putins desire to negotiate peace in Ukraine.

11:08 AM BST

At least 10 US citizens still in Russian captivity

At least ten Americans remain imprisoned in Russia.

Among them are Gordon Black, a US Army staff sergeant who travelled to Vladivostok to visit his girlfriend and was later accused of theft, and Robert Woodland, a former English teacher who was adopted from Russia as a child and later convicted on drug-related charges.

Robert Gilman, a former US Marine, is also currently serving a seven-year and one-month sentence handed down in October after a Russian court found him guilty of assaulting a prison officer and a state investigator at a penal colony in Voronezh.

Another of those in captivity is Travis Leake, a musician in his late 50s, had been living in Russia for years and was arrested in June 2023 on drug-related charges.

In 2014, Mr Leake discussed freedom of speech in Russia, during an episode of Parts Unknown with its late host Anthony Bourdain.

11:01 AM BST

Pictured: Ballerina freed by Russia

Ksenia Karelina - Facebook

10:44 AM BST

Ukraine fires new helicopter-drone at Russia

Credit: Telegram/@zsuwar | Telegram/@supernova_plus

Ukraine appears to have fired a new helicopter-drone at Russia.

Footage shows Russian air defence firing at an aerial target, which seems to have a bright spinning rotor, over Naro-Fominsk, Moscow Oblast.

Drones used on the frontline typically have four small rotors. However a helicopter-style single rotor is unusual, particularly for long-range UAVs.

Overnight, Russian air defence systems destroyed 48 Ukrainian drones, Russias Defence Ministry claimed.

Thirteen were downed over Bryansk and Kursk region, it said, while twelve drones were shot down over the Kaluga region.

Others were destroyed over Belgorod, Moscow, Oryol and Russia-annexed Crimea, the ministry added.

09:46 AM BST

Watch: Ukrainian soldier shoots down Russian drone

Credit: Telegram/@operativnoZSU

09:19 AM BST

Four Ukrainian soldiers killed in captivity

Russian soldiers appeared to have executed at least four Ukrainian prisoners of war, according to reports.

The incident was recorded by two drones - one operated by Ukraine and the other by Russia - above the village of Piatykhatky in southern Ukraine.

The footage, obtained by the Associated Press, appears to show Ukrainian soldiers emerging from a damaged building under Russian orders, one of them with hands raised in surrender. They are then shown lying face-down on the grass.

Individuals in Russian military uniforms then appear to raise their weapons and shoot the Ukrainian soldiers in the back. The shots were fired with such force that one of the victims was decapitated.

A separate video recorded by a Russian drone and circulated on pro-Kremlin social media platforms cuts off with the prisoners still alive. However, additional footage later showed their deaths.

08:56 AM BST

Chinese foreign ministry issues warning

Beijing has cautioned Ukraine and its Western allies against making irresponsible remarks regarding alleged Chinese involvement in Russias war effort.

It follows claims by Volodymyr Zelensky that China is ignoring Russian efforts to recruit Chinese nationals via social media, with Ukrainian intelligence indicating that at least 155 Chinese citizens are fighting for Russia.

Chinas Foreign Ministry emphasised that its citizens are advised to avoid conflict zones and refrain from engaging in military actions.

It also called for all parties to remain sober about Chinas role in the conflict.

08:31 AM BST

Ramp up pressure on Russia, Defence Secretary to urge West

Western nations must ramp up pressure on Russia to end its war in Ukraine, the Defence Secretary will urge leaders later today.

John Healey will discuss a potential multinational peacekeeping force to support Ukraine as he hosts the latest coalition of the willing meeting.

He is set to urge defence ministers to put even more pressure on Vladimir Putin and tell them that they must not jeopardise the peace by forgetting about the war.

Defence ministers from over 30 countries will convene today in Brussels under the guidance of Mr Healey and Sebastien Lecornu, Minister of the Armed Forces of France.

The two leaders discussed the possible reassurance force with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his military chiefs in Kyiv last weekend.

08:09 AM BST

Watch: Putin launches spring offensive

07:55 AM BST

Russia and US to hold talks on diplomatic missions

Russia and the United States are set to hold talks in Turkey on Thursday on normalising the work of their diplomatic missions.

The talks in Istanbul will be led by Russias new ambassador to Washington, Alexander Darchiev, and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Sonata Coulter, Russias foreign ministry said.

The main focus, according to Moscow and Washington, is restoring the work of diplomatic missions after years of rows, mutual claims of intimidation and even the freezing of diplomatic property complicated relations between the two nuclear powers.

Ukraine is not, absolutely not on the agenda, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said on Tuesday.

These talks are solely focused on our embassy operations, not on normalising a bilateral relationship overall, which can only happen, as weve noted, once there is peace between Russia and Ukraine.

07:41 AM BST

Russian drone attacks injure 12

Russian drones attacked the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv and the southern city of Mykolaiv overnight, injuring at least 12 people, authorities said on Thursday.

Two women were injured in the capital, where drones also sparked a fire at a storage facility and damaged residential buildings, the Kyiv city military administration said.

Ukrainian rescuers are at work to extinguish a fire at the site of a drone attack in Kyiv - UKRAINIAN EMERGENCY SERVICE/AFP via Getty Images

The Ukrainian air force said it shot down 85 out of 145 drones launched by Russia during its overnight attack. Another 49 did not reach their targets likely due to electronic warfare countermeasures, it said.

It did not specify what happened to the remaining 11 drones.

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Russia has released Ksenia Karelina, a dual U.S.-Russian national who was sentenced to 12 years in prison for treason in August last year, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a social media post early Thursday, offering no information about the terms of her release. The Wall Street Journal first reported Karelina's release, saying she was freed in a prisoner swap orchestrated by the two countries' intelligence agencies.

"American Ksenia Karelina is on a plane back home to the United States," Rubio said in the post. "She was wrongfully detained by Russia for over a year and President Trump secured her release."

The Journal quoted CIA Director John Ratcliffe as saying in a statement to the newspaper that "President Trump brought home another wrongfully detained American from Russia" and lauding "the CIA officers who worked tirelessly to support this effort."

Yousef Al Otaiba, UAE Ambassador to the U.S., poses for a picture with Russian-American dual citizen Ksenia Karelina after being exchanged in a prisoner swap, at Al Bateen airport in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates April 10, 2025. / Credit: UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs via Reuters

The swap, according to the Journal, was carried out in Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates, and negotiated by Ratcliffe and an unnamed senior Russian intelligence official  top level communication that indicates a deepening of efforts by the Trump administration to improve ties with Moscow. Mr. Trump has been pushing both Russia and Ukraine to negotiate a peace agreement to end the three-year war sparked by Russia's ongoing full-scale invasion of its neighbor.

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Mikhail Mushailov, a lawyer representing Karelina in Russia, told CBS News that she departed Abu Dhabi on a flight at about 3 a.m. eastern.

In exchange for Karelina, a ballet dancer who lived in California, the Journal said the U.S. government had freed Arthur Petrov, a German-Russian national arrested in Cyprus 2023 at the request of U.S. authorities. He was being held on allegations of exporting sensitive microelectronics.

Karelina was sentenced to 12 years in a Russian penal colony after pleading guilty to treason. She was arrested while on visit to Russia for donating about $51 to an American-based humanitarian group that was helping Ukrainians impacted by the war, according to Russian state media.

Her lawyers said she acknowledged transferring the funds, though she did not admit she intentionally directed them to organizations that might have used the money for actions against Russia. She didn't expect that her donation would end up supporting anti-Russian activities, according to her lawyers.

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Karelina's boyfriend, Chris Van Heerden, told CBS News last year that she had made the small donation in 2022, "exercising her First Amendment rights," adding that "she has done nothing wrong."

Van Heerden said he was uneasy about Karelina's decision to return to Russia for a visit, given the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, but he said she "had no worry in the world," and that she had assured him it would be safe since she was entering the country as a dual American-Russian citizen.

"She wanted to go home. She made it very clear that she wanted to go home," Van Heerden told Gayle King on "CBS Mornings."

Wanting to fulfill her wish to visit home, Van Heerden said he bought her a plane ticket as a birthday gift, and the pair first traveled together to Istanbul. He had originally intended to travel with her to Russia from there, but he didn't feel comfortable, so she traveled alone to Russia and he returned to Los Angeles.

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Russia imprisoned a number of Americans as tension with Washington soared amid the build up to, and eventually the full-scale war in Ukraine. Paul Whelan, Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and teacher Marc Fogel were all designated wrongfully detained like Karelina and freed in previous prisoner swaps with Moscow.

Among the U.S. national still jailed in Russia, is U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Gordon Black, whose three year, nine month prison sentence for robbing and threatening his Russian girlfriend was reduced earlier this week by seven months by a Russian court.

Robert Gilman, 72, is currently serving a 3 1/2-year sentence in Russia for assaulting a police officer, and Travis Leake, a musician convicted on drug charges, was sentenced to 13 years in prison last summer.

A Russian court sentenced another 72-year-old American, Stephen Hubbard, to nearly seven years in prison in October for fighting alongside Ukraine's military.

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Joseph Tater, 46, is still waiting for his trial for allegedly assaulting a Russian police officer at a Moscow hotel. He was admitted to a psychiatric hospital, involuntarily, over the weekend, according to Russian state media.

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Moscow is using its negotiator, Kirill Dmitriev, to lead discussions with the U.S. on resource development and a partial unblocking of frozen Russian assets, President Volodymyr Zelensky told journalists on April 9.

Dmitriev, who heads the state-controlled Russian Direct Investment Fund, met with U.S. officials in Washington on behalf of Russian President Vladimir Putin last week. Ahead of the trip, the Russian official said that Washington and Moscow have begun discussions on projects related to Russian rare earth minerals.

Dmitriev is communicating Moscow's proposals to Washington, using his Middle Eastern connections, Zelensky said. The Russian envoy previously played a role in backchannel diplomacy between Moscow and Trump when the latter was first elected in 2016.

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"The scheme looks like it all leads to the unblocking of economic relations. They (Russia) want, for example, the lifting of sanctions against specific people who will be behind this or that direction, for example, Russian minerals, which they will offer them (the U.S.)," Zelensky said.

The Ukrainian presidents sanctions commissioner, Vladyslav Vlasiuk, said in late February that Russia is most interested in removing sanctions against Russian oligarchs and energy exports.

Western nations froze some 300 billion euros (around $300 billion) in Russian assets after Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, with roughly two-thirds held in Europe.

According to Zelensky, Russia cannot fully unfreeze all its assets in the EU, but it could manage to release smaller sums between 2 and 5 billion euros ($2.2-$5.5 billion) through intermediaries among Middle Eastern leaders.

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Previously, the president said that Moscow is pressuring foreign governments to help release the funds by offering deals involving high-tech goods such as aircraft construction parts.

The EU has already begun leveraging proceeds from frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine. Earlier on April 9, the bloc allocated another financial assistance tranche of 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) as part of the G7 loan program for Kyiv.

Read also: Trump didnt impose tariffs on Russia but they might be wrecking its economy regardless

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Arbuthnot Commercial Asset-Based Lending (ACABL) has structured a 2.6m ($3.35m) growth funding package for Andel, an environmental protection specialist based in Yorkshire, UK.

This bespoke facility, which includes a 2m confidential invoice discounting line and a 600,000 growth guarantee scheme loan, replaces Andels previous lender following their exit from the UK market.

The funding will be used to refinance Andel's existing debt while offering additional capacity for growth. This includes investments in new plant and machinery and a premises fit-out.

Set up in 1992, Andel offers leak detection, water sustainability, flood defence, and environmental protection systems.

Approximately 90% of Andel's product range is manufactured in-house at its facility in Dodworth, South Yorkshire.

The company also operates a research and development division at the University of Leeds campus.

Arbuthnot Commercial Asset Based Lending commercial director Andrew Rutherford said: We are pleased to support Andel with this tailored funding package that provides both increased facility headroom and enhanced financial flexibility to fuel the companys expansion plans while maintaining its focus on innovation.

Building strong relationships with ambitious businesses is at the heart of our approach, allowing us to create funding solutions that are truly aligned with their specific needs.

Andel commercial director Mark Harris said: What really appealed to us was the approach from Arbuthnots business development director, Richard Ackers. The deal had to be done at double-quick speed - we were speaking to each other and meeting several times a week.

He saw how rapidly the business had grown and understood that replicating our previous lender would not work. If we had gone down that route, we would have had to revisit and renegotiate all over again as we were bound to need a bigger facility.

ACABL is a specialist asset-based lender that focuses on delivering facilities to SMEs and lower mid-market corporates.

The lender provides an array of asset-based lending facilities, including invoice discounting, stock finance, and property and plant and machinery loans, alongside cash flow loans for various financial scenarios.

Last July, ACABL extended a 2m facility to Emerge Global, enhancing their investment in BritAm Shipping and raising Emerge Globals facility limits to 8.25m.

"Arbuthnot growth funding supports Andels expansion plans" was originally created and published by Leasing Life, a GlobalData owned brand.




A Russian drone strike hit an apartment building in Zhytomyr Oblast on the evening of April 10, killing one person and injuring five others, according to regional authorities.

The attack killed one person and injured five, including a 14-year-old, Zhytomyr Oblast Governor Vitalii Bunechko said on April 10. The injured victims were taken to the hospital for treatment.

Emergency services and an investigative team are working at the scene, Bunechko said. A heating center and aid point are being set up in the affected community to support residents.

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Russia regularly targets homes and residential neighborhoods in its aerial attacks against Ukraine.

The attacks come as Moscow continues to refuse a U.S. proposal for a 30-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. Kyiv has already said it is ready to accept a full ceasefire once Russia also complies with the terms.

Read also: 4 things you need to know about Victoria Spartz, the Ukrainian-born US lawmaker

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Editor's note: This is a developing story and is being updated.

A Russian missile strike on the city of Dnipro killed a 42-year-old man and injured nine others on April 10, authorities reported.

"A large-scale fire broke out at the site of the strike. There is damage on the territory of a civilian facility," Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Governor Serhii Lysak wrote on Telegram.

Among the injured is a 55-year-old woman in serious condition. The others are hospitalized in moderate condition. Firefighters continue efforts to contain the blaze.

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The strike destroyed part of a storage facility belonging to Biosphere Corporation, a Ukrainian manufacturer of household goods. Company founder Andrii Zdesenko said the attack caused serious damage.

"We are now working to eliminate the fire to prevent it from spreading to our production facilities," he said in a statement posted on Facebook.

Dnipro, Ukraine's fourth-largest city and a critical logistics and humanitarian hub in the country's central-east, has faced repeated Russian missile and drone attacks since the start of the full-scale invasion.

The attacks come as Moscow continues to refuse a U.S. proposal for a total 30-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.

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Kyiv has already said it is ready to accept a full ceasefire once Russia also complies with the terms.

Read also: Putin is pure evil  Trumps spiritual advisor on Russias war against Ukraine

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(Reuters) - A Russian missile attack on Ukraine's city of Dnipro on Thursday killed at least one person and injured five others, damaging a civilian warehouse, officials said.

The attack sparked a massive fire, regional governor Serhiy Lysak said on the Telegram messenger app.

An image published by regional prosecutors showed a building with collapsed walls covered in smoke and flames. Local channels posted videos of heavy black smoke rising into the sky. Reuters could not immediately verify the images.

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Dnipro mayor, Borys Filatov, said the missile hit a storage facility for diapers.

A Russian drone also wounded 13 people and damaged a residential building in the town of Nikopol in the Dnipropetrovsk region, according to Lysak.

Kryvyi Rih, another city in the region, was in mourning following Friday's Russian missile strike that killed nine children and 11 adults.

(Reporting by Yuliia Dysa; Editing by Ros Russell)
Russia allegedly paid a Ukrainian teenager to firebomb an Ikea store as part of its hybrid war on the West, US media reported on Thursday.

Russian spies are said to have offered the 17-year-old $11,000 (8,000) in cash and a BMW to carry out the attack on an Ikea store in the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius, the New York Times reported.

The agents communicated with him via the encrypted Chinese messenger app Zengi, under the James Bond-inspired alias of Q, Lithuanian prosecutors allege.

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The teenager, who fled Ukraine after the February 2022 invasion and was resettled as a refugee in the European Union, allegedly carried out the attack in May 2024.

The teenager is detained by police in Lithuania. Prosecutors allege he was preparing to carry out an attack in neighbouring Latvia

The allegations are the latest to emerge from Russias hybrid war campaign in Europe, which is targeting factories and other key infrastructure in retaliation for Europes military support of Ukraine.

They are deeply concerning for EU countries who have welcomed millions of Ukrainian refugees, and now realise some are being targeted by Russia to carry out acts of turncoat sabotage.

Security experts say the ease with which Russia hires people for such attacks is like a gig economy for sabotage and state-sponsored terror.

Age and ideology dont matter to Russia

For Russia, age, gender and ideology dont matter...their goal is to coerce and deter us from supporting Ukraine, Marius Cesnulevicius, the national security adviser to Lithuanias president, told the New York Times.

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We are supporting Ukraine, and, in the Kremlins logic, this means we are supporting Nazis.

Lithuanian authorities who arrested the teenager say they have been able to piece together most of the details related to the attack.

They allege the teenager planted an incendiary device in the bedding department of the Ikea store, intending to burn down the entire building but ultimately failing to do so.

Firefighters tackle the blaze at the Ikea store, above and below. The operation took several hours

A machine during the damping down operation at the store

According to the New York Times, which was briefed by multiple Lithuanian sources, the teenager apparently received a battered BMW, but not the cash he had been promised.

It remains unclear why Ikea was the target of the attack. The teenager also allegedly scouted an Ikea store in the eastern city of Siauliai, which hosts a Nato base.

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Last year, Lithuanian police arrested an 82-year-old retired man in Siauliai on suspicions of being an agent of GRU (Russian military intelligence) after discovering spy gear at his home.

Eduardas Manovas was sentenced on Thursday to eight and a half years in prison for spying on behalf of GRU, according to Lithuanias public broadcaster.

The goal is to cause chaos

In the teenagers case, he was living as a refugee in Poland when he was allegedly recruited to commit the attack. It is claimed he crossed into Lithuania in April 2024 to scout his targets.

In addition to using Zengi, his Russian handlers also allegedly sent messages on Telegram, another encrypted messaging app, where they used the name Warrior2Alpha.

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Darius Jauniskis, the outgoing head of Lithuanias state security department, said Russias goal was to cause chaos.

He said: We have already entered a war zone in Europe. Their goal...is to create havoc, to create mistrust and panic...welcome to World War III.

A huge blaze at a shopping centre in Poland in May is one of a number of incidents blamed on Russian sabotage

The Ikea fire in Lithuania occurred in the same month as a highly suspicious blaze at a factory in Berlin owned by an arms company. That case is also being actively investigated as Russian sabotage.

The Telegraph revealed in March that suspected Russian agents carried out online research into fire safety protocols at the Diehl factory premises, shortly before the blaze occurred.

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Russia has been accused of trying to firebomb aircraft by planting incendiary devices at DHL logistics sites in Birmingham, Leipzig in eastern Germany, and in Vilnius. A shopping centre fire in Poland in May 2024 has been blamed on Russia by investigators.

In Germany, investigators suspect a possible Russian link to a series of terror attacks committed by foreigners in the run-up to the February elections.

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.
Russian forces have executed four Ukrainian prisoners of war near the village of Piatykhatky in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, drone footage published by the Associated Press on April 10 suggests.

In the video, the four seemingly unarmed POWs are seen emerging from a ruined building at gunpoint by Russian forces. One raises his hands in surrender before all four lie face down in the grass.

Russian soldiers, identifiable by insignia, then shoot each prisoner in the back, according to the footage shared by European military officials with the AP.

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Ukraine's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Heorhii Tykhyi, condemned the execution as a war crime.

"Russian invaders execute four Ukrainian prisoners of war after they surrender. Such executions have become systemic, but each one is shocking in its brutality," he posted on X.

Tykhyi said Ukraine expects the incident to be investigated, including by the International Criminal Court, and that all perpetrators must be brought to justice.

The Geneva Conventions prohibit the execution of POWs under any circumstances, requiring that they be treated with dignity and protected from violence and intimidation. Violations constitute war crimes under international law.

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Russia has been repeatedly accused of murdering captured Ukrainian soldiers during its full-scale invasion. As of mid-December 2024, Ukrainian authorities had documented the execution of at least 177 POWs.

Read also: Putin is pure evil  Trumps spiritual advisor on Russias war against Ukraine

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Russian forces have destroyed part of the warehouses belonging to Biosphere Corporation, a Ukrainian producer of household goods (brands include Freken BOK, Smile, PRO service, Novita, Vortex, Eventa, LayKit) in the city of Dnipro.

Source: Andrii Zdesenko, founder of Biosphere Corporation

Details: Zdesenko stated that efforts are currently underway to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading to the companys production facilities. He confirmed the death of one employee and reported several others injured.

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Some of Biosphere Corporations production sites and warehouses had been relocated to other regions of Ukraine. However, Zdesenko admitted that the Russian strike dealt a painful blow to the business.

Background: On 10 April Russia launched a missile strike on Dnipro, killing a 42-year-old man. Several other people were injured.

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Russia launched multiple drone attacks on Ukraine's southern city of Mykolaiv overnight on April 10.

The overnight strike against the regional center damaged several residential buildings and left 10 people injured, according to Mykolaiv Oblast Governor Vitalii Kim.

A 29-year-old woman and a 59-year-old man were hospitalized in stable condition, while the others received outpatient care, the governor said.

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Earlier in the day, Russian forces used FPV drones to strike the Kutsurub community of the region. Shortly after, artillery shelling hit the area, damaging civilian infrastructure. In the village of Dmytrivka, one of the artillery strikes caused damage to an apartment building, though no casualties were reported.

Mykolaiv, a city approximately 480 kilometers (298 miles) southwest of Kyiv, remains relatively close to active front lines where Russian drone and artillery strikes have persistently targeted civilian infrastructure and residential areas, causing widespread damage to homes, utilities, and critical facilities.

Russia has intensified missile and drone attacks on Ukraine in recent weeks despite ongoing ceasefire negotiations between Ukraine, the U.S., and Russia.

Moscow has shown signs it is unwilling to move forward on a peace deal with Ukraine. Russian authorities have listed maximalist demands in ceasefire negotiations with Ukraine and the U.S.

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Following Russian recent strikes, U.S. President Donald Trump said on April 7 he was not happy with Moscow's intensified attacks.

Read also: Over 160 Chinese nationals fight for Russia in Ukraine, obtained documents show

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
(FOX40.COM)  The Sacramento Police Department responded to a felony hit-and-run crash in Natomas on Feb. 1, 2025.

 Video above: South Sacramento man accused of multiple human trafficking-related felonies

According to SPD, the crash happened near Club Center Driver and Natomas Boulevard. The victim sustained injuries on their bodies from the crash, said police. The other driver fled the scene before police arrived.

SPD said that this case was forwarded to their Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives who immediately started to follow up on leads. After a detailed investigation, they were able to identify the suspect vehicle and the suspect in the case.

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Authorities said crews were able to obtain a felony warrant for the hit-and-run which resulted in permanent injuries.

Sonoma County man arrested for sexually assaulting dog, said deputies

On Wednesday, SPD said, detectives arrested a 31-year-old man from Sacramento who was booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail.

SPD said, This arrest underscores the unwavering dedication of the men and women of the Sacramento Police Department to hold those who victimize our community 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 FOX40 News.
Ascot Group has appointed Marc Amen as the new CEO for its North American operations, effective once he completes his current obligations later this year.

In the new role, Amen will oversee all operational aspects of Ascot's US and Bermuda insurance and reinsurance companies.

Amen will also join the Ascot Group executive committee and report to group CEO and president Jonathan Zaffino.

He will join Ascot Group from RenaissanceRe, where he managed underwriting and operational aspects of the company's US platform.

Zaffino said: Marc brings to us a proven track record of success, leadership and technical execution skills. In partnership with Matt Kramer and Justin Keith, I have every confidence we will accelerate our ability to capitalise on the opportunities in front of us across our North America businesses.

I have known Marc for many years, and I am excited to welcome him to Ascot Group and to the Executive Leadership team.

With more than 24 years of underwriting experience, Amen has worked at several reinsurance companies such as Alterra Re, Harbor Point Re and Chubb Re.

Amen commented: I am excited by this opportunity to lead Ascots growing, dynamic businesses in North America. The company has both world-class capabilities and the exceptional talent to execute on our strategic goals.

I look forward to working closely with Jon, our platform CEOs, and our teams across the US and Bermuda to deliver on our mission to be a perfect partner for a less-than-perfect world.

The appointment follows promotions within Ascot's UK claims division.

Last month, the company promoted James Short to the role of chief claims officer, UK, and Christine Neale to head of claims operations, UK.

"Ascot Group names CEO for North America " was originally created and published by Life Insurance International, a GlobalData owned brand.




In a Wednesday court filing, Sam Altman's lawyers didn't pull their punches against Elon Musk.

The filing may be the most detailed account by Altman's side of the breakup between the tech titans.

Musk "has tried every tool available to harm OpenAI" in his personal vendetta against the company, it reads.

If you let Sam Altman's lawyers tell it, Elon Musk's ongoing battle against OpenAI stems from his personal vendetta against Altman and OpenAI  a company that has seen its business boom since it refused to cede control to Musk in 2018.

In a Wednesday filing related to Musk's August 2024 lawsuit against OpenAI, lawyers for Altman and the company laid out Altman's version of events that led to the breakup between the two tech titans. It has been the most detailed account thus far of Altman's side of what went down in his fight with Musk.

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"Musk could not tolerate seeing such success for an enterprise he had abandoned and declared doomed," the filing read. "He made it his project to take down OpenAI, and to build a direct competitor that would seize the technological leadnot for humanity but for Elon Musk."

The filing continued: "The ensuing campaign has been relentless. Through press attacks, malicious campaigns broadcast to Musk's more than 200 million followers on the social media platform he controls, a pretextual demand for corporate records, harassing legal claims, and a sham bid for OpenAI's assets, Musk has tried every tool available to harm OpenAI."

OpenAI's filing on Wednesday came the same day the judge in the case set a March 2026 trial date in this clash of titans lawsuit. The company's lawyers did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

OpenAI said it was counter-suing Musk in a scathing series of X posts published on Wednesday. The ChatGPT maker also pointed to older blog posts it had published on their pivot from a nonprofit approach as well as their email exchanges with Musk.

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"Elon's nonstop actions against us are just bad-faith tactics to slow down OpenAI and seize control of the leading AI innovations for his personal benefit," OpenAI wrote on X on Wednesday.

"Elon's never been about the mission. He's always had his own agenda. He tried to seize control of OpenAI and merge it with Tesla as a for-profit  his own emails prove it. When he didn't get his way, he stormed off," the company added.

Representatives for OpenAI referred BI to its recent X posts and the Wednesday filing when contacted for comment.

Musk cofounded OpenAI with Altman in 2015 but left the company's board in 2018. Musk said in 2019 that he left because Tesla was competing for the same talent as OpenAI. Musk said he also "didn't agree with some of what the OpenAI team wanted to do. Musk did not specify what those differences were.

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Since then, the Tesla and SpaceX CEO has been a vocal critic of Altman's leadership of OpenAI. Musk had initially filed a lawsuit against OpenAI in February 2024 but withdrew it in June. He later refiled the lawsuit in August.

In his lawsuit, Musk accused OpenAI of violating its nonprofit mission by partnering with Microsoft. Musk's lawyers argued that OpenAI's executives "deceived" him into cofounding the company by playing on his fears about AI's existential risks.

In February, an Elon-Musk-led investor group made a $97.4 billion bid for OpenAI. Altman dismissed Musk's unsolicited takeover bid.

"The company is not for sale, neither is the mission," Altman said of Musk's bid in an interview with Sky News in February.

Musk did not respond to a request for comment from BI.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The Federal Bureau of Prisons has transferred Sam Bankman-Fried to a prison in California, according to the BOPs inmate database. The former CEO was first at a medium-security prison in Victorville, a small city east of Los Angeles, through Thursday. He was then transferred to a low-security prison in Los Angeles as of Friday.

Kyle Sandler, a federal prison consultant who was released from federal custody a year ago, said Victorville was a notoriously hard facility. Terminal Island, where Bankman-Fried now resides, is cushier. "You're living in a dormitory and such," Larry Levine, another federal prison consultant, told Fortune, in reference to low-security facilities.

When reached on Thursday, a spokesperson for the BOP declined to say whether Victorville is Bankman-Frieds long-term destination. On Friday, the spokesperson also declined to comment.

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Lawyers for Bankman-Fried did not respond to a request for comment.

The arrival of the onetime crypto mogul in California potentially puts an end to speculation on where Bankman-Fried would reside after a federal judge sentenced him to 25 years in prison in March 2024. A jury previously found the former CEO guilty of fraud for siphoning more than $8 billion of customer funds from his crypto exchange in one of the largest financial crimes in U.S. history.

Throughout his trial, Bankman-Fried had been in a Brooklyn holding facility in a section reserved for high-profile inmates like Sean Diddy Combs and Luigi Mangione. The judge presiding over his case recommended that the BOP transfer him to a prison in California to be closer to his parents, who are professors at Stanford University, in the Palo Alto area, about 400 miles north of Los Angeles.

Bankman-Frieds lawyers, however, asked for him to remain in Brooklyn as he appealed the jurys guilty verdict. In late March, the BOP moved the former CEO to a federal transit center in Oklahoma, where he resided for about two weeks before he was sent to California.

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In addition to his appeal, Bankman-Fried is reportedly seeking a pardon from President Donald Trump. Before the BOP transferred him from Brooklyn to Oklahoma, the former CEO waged a media blitz in an apparent bid to curry favor with the president. He even conducted an unauthorized video interview from prison with Tucker Carlson, the former Fox News host who now has his own program.

The publicity stunt reportedly landed Bankman-Fried in solitary confinement and may result in further punishments against the onetime crypto wunderkind.

Update, April 11: Reworked the headline and top half of the article after Bankman-Fried was transferred from Victorville to Terminal Island.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
Apr. 10SANTA FE  Sam Bregman is hoping his long and winding political journey will take him from the courthouse to the Roundhouse.

The Bernalillo County District Attorney will announce his 2026 campaign for governor on Thursday in Las Vegas, New Mexico, setting up a primary election showdown against fellow Democrat Deb Haaland.

Both Bregman and Haaland are former state Democratic Party chairs, but the race between them  which could also be joined by other candidates  could feature plenty of differences.

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Bregman, 61, has spent the last two-plus years as the top prosecutor in New Mexico's most populous county since being appointed to the job by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. He won reelection to a new term last year and pushed unsuccessfully during this year's 60-day legislative session for tougher juvenile crime laws.

Bregman's legal background could contrast with Haaland, who launched her campaign in February after stepping down as U.S. Interior secretary.

In a statement announcing his campaign, Bregman said New Mexico was "under attack" from President Donald Trump, Elon Musk and Republicans in Washington, D.C.

"I'm running to take on the chaos in Washington and protect the people of New Mexico," Bregman said.

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"Not only do we need to protect our freedoms and democratic values in our state, we still have more work to do to address issues affecting everyday New Mexicans," he added, citing crime, health care access, housing, public schools and economic opportunities as key issues facing the state.

Bregman has a long history in New Mexico politics.

He served as state Democratic Party chairman from 2013 until 2015 and previously served as an Albuquerque city councilor. But Bregman angered some Democrats as party chairman by suggesting that state Sen. John Arthur Smith, a moderate Democrat who chaired the Senate Finance Committee, should leave the party due to his role in blocking an early childhood education funding measure.

Bregman has also defended several clients in high-profile criminal cases.

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He was the lead defense attorney for former New Mexico State Treasurer Robert Vigil in a public corruption case that ended with Vigil being sentenced to prison time for receiving kickbacks.

Bregman also was the defense attorney for one of two Albuquerque Police Department officers accused, but ultimately not convicted, of murder after the death of James Boyd, a homeless individual with a history of mental illness, in 2014.

University of New Mexico political science professor Gabriel Sanchez said Bregman's entry into the race makes next year's Democratic primary race more compelling.

While next year's primary election is still more than a year away, he said Bregman has work to do since Haaland has already announced more than $2 million in campaign contributions.

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"He's still got plenty of time and a lot of runway to be able to make up some ground," Sanchez told the Journal.

He also said Bregman's decision to officially launch his campaign in Las Vegas could be in part aimed at Hispanic voters in a traditional Democratic stronghold, though he said Bregman must also win over other voters, too.

"I think showcasing his announcement in Las Vegas also is probably an opportunity to court northern New Mexico voters regardless of their race and ethnicity," said Sanchez.

New Mexico's primary election for governor is set for June 2026, with the general election to take place in November.

The race will be an open contest, since Lujan Grisham is term-limited and barred from seeking a third consecutive term as governor.

This is a developing story that will be updated.
Apr. 10LAS VEGAS  Sam Bregman made his opening case Thursday to northern New Mexico voters, who he hopes will help propel him next year from the courthouse to the Roundhouse.

The Bernalillo County district attorney announced his 2026 campaign for governor at the historic Las Vegas plaza, setting up a primary election showdown against fellow Democrat Deb Haaland.

In front of a crowd of several hundred supporters and curious onlookers, Bregman said next year's race will come down to a simple question  who's best equipped to push back against the policies of President Donald Trump?

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"I will never back down," Bregman said in a 15-minute speech, before mingling with supporters to the backdrop of a popular northern New Mexico band.

Before the afternoon event, his campaign released an official campaign launch video featuring Bregman riding a horse and decrying the toxic national political environment, including the "radical left" that he accused of dividing Democrats.

"To be blunt, people are tired of this garbage," Bregman says in the video.

Both Bregman and Haaland are former state Democratic Party chairs, but the race between them  which could also be joined by other candidates  could feature plenty of differences.

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Bregman, 61, has spent the last two-plus years as the top prosecutor in New Mexico's most populous county since being appointed to the job by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. He won reelection to a new term last year and pushed unsuccessfully during this year's 60-day legislative session for tougher juvenile crime laws.

Bregman's legal background could contrast with Haaland, who launched her campaign in February after stepping down as U.S. Interior secretary.

In a Thursday interview, Bregman said he would "fight back" against Trump's policies, while at the same time pushing to make the state Democratic Party more inclusive.

"Because of the purity litmus tests of the radical left, I think we have lost a lot of Democrats who have either sat on the sidelines or voted for the other guy," he told the Journal.

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He also referred to some legislative Democrats' resistance to tougher penalties for violent juvenile offenders during this year's session, saying the "tone-deaf" reception to the proposal belied most New Mexicans' views on the issue.

"New Mexico has amazing potential, but I don't think we've ever quite lived up to that potential," said Bregman, citing crime, health care access, housing, public schools and economic opportunities as key issues facing the state.

Bregman also said he planned to continue his job as district attorney while running for governor, saying he "absolutely" can do both.

While New Mexico could face a significant budget hit if congressional Republicans reduce funding for Medicaid and other federal programs, Bregman said he would not hesitate to speak out against Trump's policies.

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"I'm not picking a fight with Donald Trump," he said. "Donald Trump picked a fight with New Mexico and all New Mexicans with his policies."

A colorful history in NM politics

Bregman, who is the father of Boston Red Sox star third baseman Alex Bregman, has a long history in New Mexico politics.

He served as state Democratic Party chairman from 2013 until 2015 and previously served as an Albuquerque city councilor. But Bregman angered some Democrats as party chairman by suggesting that state Sen. John Arthur Smith, a moderate Democrat who chaired the Senate Finance Committee, should leave the party due to his role in blocking an early childhood education funding measure.

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Bregman has also defended several clients in high-profile criminal cases.

He was the lead defense attorney for former New Mexico State Treasurer Robert Vigil in a public corruption case that ended with Vigil being sentenced to prison time for receiving kickbacks.

Bregman also was the defense attorney for one of two Albuquerque Police Department officers accused, but ultimately not convicted, of murder after the death of James Boyd, a homeless individual with a history of mental illness, in 2014.

He said Thursday he was not concerned about possible political attacks targeting his past work and remarks.

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"I mean, they can do what they want," Bregman told the Journal. "I'm going to stay on message and talk to the people about the issues they care about."

Open race starting to take shape

New Mexico's primary election for governor is set for June 2026, with the general election to take place in November.

The race will be an open contest since Lujan Grisham is term-limited and barred from seeking a third consecutive term as governor.

No Republicans have as of yet announced gubernatorial campaigns, while former Las Cruces Mayor Kin Miyagishima has also said he's considering a bid for the Democratic nomination.

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In a Thursday statement, Haaland's campaign did not directly address Bregman's decision to jump into the race.

"Deb's message of strength and leadership to address New Mexico's challenges head-on is resonating with New Mexicans," a Haaland campaign spokesperson said. "We're truly grateful for the resounding grassroots support she's received across the state."

University of New Mexico political science professor Gabriel Sanchez said Bregman's entry into the race makes next year's Democratic primary race more compelling.

While next year's primary election is still more than a year away, he said Bregman has work to do since Haaland has already announced more than $3 million in campaign contributions.

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Sanchez also said Bregman's decision to officially launch his campaign in Las Vegas could be in part aimed at Hispanic voters in a traditional Democratic stronghold, though he said Bregman must also win over other voters, too.

"I think showcasing his announcement in Las Vegas also is probably an opportunity to court northern New Mexico voters regardless of their race and ethnicity," said Sanchez.

Historically, some candidates from the Albuquerque metro area have struggled to win over voters in rural areas of the state, Sanchez added.

"Bregman has, to me, always been conscious of this," he said. "The image he projects often with a cowboy hat and boots on TV appearances is part of this overall goal of connecting with rural New Mexicans."

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At the Las Vegas plaza event, some attendees said they were impressed by Bregman's message.

Eloy Gonzales, who attended the event with his son Adrian Gonzales, said Bregman's decision to launch his campaign in the San Miguel County seat was a smart one.

"I'm glad he came to the north first," Gonzales said. "We don't forget."
Sam Bregman announces campaign for governor of New Mexico

NEW MEXICO (KRQE)  Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman is launching his campaign for governor of New Mexico.

Rio Rancho neighbors push back against golf course redevelopment plans

Bregman began his political career as a member of the Albuquerque City Council from 1995 to 1999. He later served as chair of the state Democratic Party. In 2023, Bregman was appointed as Second Judicial District Attorney by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, he was then elected to the position in November 2024.

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In a news conference in Las Vegas on Thursday, Bregman said, Weve convicted over 2,000 drunk drivers. Weve gone after drug traffickers and child molesters. Weve been relentless in holding violent criminals, including juvenile violent criminals, accountable to the best we can under the laws as they exist.

That growing issue, especially juvenile crime, is something he wants to tackle if elected as governor. Weve got a long road to go. But things like holding people accountable, focusing on violent criminals, focusing on drug treatment and mental health treatment for those who are addicted to substances, mental health treatment is extremely important. Weve got a homeless population that were dealing with, said Bregman.

When asked how he would improve New Mexicos education rankings, Bregman said, If theyre not in the school house, they are not going to get the education they needAnd we, as a state, when it comes to our education department, needs to focus on that issue. Of course, we also need to pay our teachers the very best we can.

He also criticized President Donald Trumps policies while also going after the far left. Democrats in Washington have been weak, ineffective, and complicit with all this madness, said Bregman.

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Hes also making a push for affordable housing: We need to increase the housing in New Mexico, if you will, and we need to do policies that encourage the continuing build-out of affordable housing for all the people of New Mexico.

When asked how he would handle the agriculture and oil and gas industries, We need to recognize their contributions to keeping our food chain and our food prices reasonable for all of us. And we should salute them and thank them. Oil and gas. Oil and gas creates 100,000 jobs a year, contributes $1 billion a year for education, and funds half the state budget. We should be supporting oil and gas, said Bregman.

His takeaway message? My biggest priority is standing up for the people of New Mexico and doing whats best for them, and that knows no party. That just is being a good governor and doing the right thing for everybody, and thats what my focus will be, said Bregman.

He is going up against former Congresswoman Deb Haaland in the Democratic primary. Haaland also served as the Secretary of the Interior. She was appointed by former President Joe Biden.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
SPRINGFIELD, Mo.  Sams Club in Springfield has awarded a $2,000 grant to support the Girl Scouts Day of Caring: Camp Renewal Project at Camp Finbrooke in Rogersville, Missouri.

This funding will be used to enhance and maintain the camps facilities, ensuring it remains a safe and welcoming environment where girls can explore, learn, and grow.

Last year, the same Sams Club donated to Girl Scouts of Missouri Heartland to help with their camping experience.

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As part of the United Way of the Ozarks annual Day of Caring, scheduled for June 26, 2025, GSMH will lead a Camp Renewal Project at Camp Finbrooke.

This community-wide event connects local volunteers with nonprofit organizations to complete much-needed service projects.

For GSMH, it means rallying nearly 150 volunteers to help improve and maintain the camps facilities. Volunteers will assist with trail maintenance, cabin repairs, painting, deep cleaning, and more.

Springfield-area businesses can sign up to volunteer for the United Way Day of Caring.

Registration opens on May 5 and closes on May 30. To sign up and make an impact, visit https://uwozarks.org/day-of-caring/.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) issued a warning to all workers in the United States, proclaiming during a town hall that the jobs currently filled by employees around the country are not going to be there in the next decade.

I want everybody to think about this. Most people  we have millions of federal employees. Most people are not federal employees. And I think many people are saying, Wow, thats outrageous. I really feel for these federal employees thrown out on the street, Sanders said during the Wednesday night town hall moderated by CNN host Anderson Cooper.

But I want you to think about this. If Musk can do this to federal employees, some of whom are in unions, some of whom work for years, what do you think hes going to be doing when artificial intelligence and robotics comes for your job? Guess what? The job you have today aint going to be here in 10 or 15 years, the longtime progressive senator stated.

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Sanders offered a resounding rebuke of President Trumps presidency and tech billionaire Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) cost-cutting efforts, which have led to terminations of thousands of federal workers, and criticized the U.S. political campaign finance system.

Musk, Trumps close adviser who heads six companies, was one of Sanderss main targets Wednesday night.

The Vermont senator, who ran for president in the 2016 and 2020 elections, contended that Musk and his tech allies do not care about working-class employees and that they could face a similar fate as ousted federal workers in just over a decade.

And you think Musk and his friends are saying, Oh, my goodness, how do we protect American workers from the explosion in technology that were seeing? They dont give a damn about you. If this is what they could do to federal employees, think about what they could do to people in the private sector, Sanders continued.

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So, bottom line there is, I am not a Luddite. I think technology has many positive things to say. But we have got to understand that new technology, AI, robotics, has got to work for working people, not just for the billionaires and Mr. Musk, he added.

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German luxury carmaker Audi has halted the distribution of its vehicles at US ports following the implementation of a 25% tariff by the US government.

The suspension affects cars that arrived in the US after 2 April.

Audi has also paused deliveries to dealerships of cars affected by the new US tariffs, as reported by a German newspaper Handelsblatt.

A company spokesperson revealed that approximately 37,000 vehicles in US inventory remain unaffected, and are expected to meet demand for about two months.

The European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) has urged for a reversal of the tariff decision.

ACEA director general Sigrid de Vries said: The ongoing volatility of global markets is only increasing trade barriers and costs for businesses. Tariffs do nothing but raise prices for consumers across Europe, the United States, and the wider world.

Volkswagen, Audi's parent company, is considering passing on the import fees to consumers by increasing vehicle sticker prices in the US.

In the fiscal year 2024, the Audi Group reported sales of around 1.7 million vehicles compared to the previous years total of 1.91 million units.

Also, Audi brand models delivery fell by 11.8% to 1,671,218 units, including 164,480 fully electric cars.

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), the British automotive company, is also stopping deliveries to the US as a result of the tariffs.

JLR described the shipment halt as a "short-term action" set to commence in April.

Jaguar Land Rover spokesperson told CNBC via email: As we work to address the new trading terms with our business partners, we are enacting our planned short-term actions including a shipment pause in April, as we develop our mid- to longer-term plans.

Navigate the shifting tariff landscape with real-time data and market-leading analysis.

Request a free demo for GlobalDatas Strategic Intelligence here.

"Audi halts US deliveries due to Trump tariffs" was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand.




UPDATE: MSCS Board Chair Joyce Dorse Coleman also released a statement:

I am aware of the recent social media activity of my colleague, Board Member Towanna Murphy. As duly elected officials, all board members are expected to uphold the highest standards of decorum and professionalism while representing the district and the Board at all times. I must publicly acknowledge that her recent social media comments fall well short of those expectations. To read the entire statement, click here.

MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Memphis Shelby County School Board member Towanna Murphy has issued an apology a day after she threatened to deport a woman she exchanged words with in a private message on Facebook.

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The messages were later made public and posted on the social media site.

In a statement released Wednesday by a public relations group, Murphy said:

I want to apologize to the community and my board colleagues for my interaction in a social media direct message with a member of our community. While I found the initial message from the individual to be disrespectful and upsetting, my response did not represent the professionalism and respect that I know should be a standard in my service as an MSCS Board Member. It certainly was not a reflection of my true feelings or intentions toward the Latino community.

I recognize the trauma and challenges facing our immigrant and refugee communities, and regret that this interaction did not reflect my understanding and concern for these issues. I want to assure my constituents that I know our schools must be safe and welcoming environments for all students and families. This interaction comes at a time when we need to show support to ensure public education is available for all.

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I am committed to learning from this experience, rebuilding trust with our full community, and working towards my goal to lead with professionalism and compassion.

School board member wont apologize for deportation threat

The woman who messaged Murphy shared the heated exchange with WREG but wanted to remain anonymous.

Murphy said at the time she was angry because the woman came into her inbox and called her the b-word.

I was upset that she disrespected me. Was it the right thing to do? No, but it was wrong on her behalf, and I want an apology from her, Murphy said.

The former MSCS student told Murphy she was an embarrassment and should resign before calling Murphy a stupid b-h.

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The 19-year-old also told Murphy to stop using filters because they didnt make her any prettier, and thats when Murphy responded by saying, Baby, be quiet before I have you deported.

Woman in car accident shoots at four people in East Memphis: MPD

Im scared, said the woman. Thats really scary, especially with everything thats going on, especially since I have a little nephew who attends Memphis Shelby County Schools.

Murphy also grabbed a screenshot of the woman from her profile page and commented on her appearance.

She said I was built like a light bulb, said the woman. I really think thats disrespectful, and I would like her to get fired.

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Jose Salazar, an immigrant and community organizer, also weighed in on Facebook. Salazar said Murphys comments were embarrassing and that she needs to apologize and resign.

Shes a public figure, and I think she needs to be careful about how she represents herself. She does represent a large community of immigrant kids. So, I mean, you know its kind of sad that she even expresses herself like that.

Caregiver charged with neglect on bus with vulnerable adults, goats

Murphy took to Facebook to respond to the posts. She said over the last three months, she had received a lot of threats in her inbox. Murphy said most of the time, she just blocks it, but recently, she has clapped back at a few people.

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Murphy told WREG the woman did not threaten her, but she had no right to speak to her like that, and she had the right to defend herself.

Dont think you can just come into our inbox and disrespect us. That young lady doesnt know nothing about me. I dont know nothing about her. What was her reason for doing that? said Murphy. She has no idea how Ive been doing things. Ive been fighting for black and brown kids all my life.

The woman said she wanted to file complaints with the police and the school district.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
PARIS (Reuters) - French automotive suppliers Novares and Valeo are asking customers to cover the full cost of new U.S. duties upfront, company executives said, underlining the hit to global carmakers from President Donald Trump's tariffs on car imports.

The U.S. began collecting tariffs of 25% on foreign auto imports from April 3, which Trump says will boost U.S. manufacturing and jobs.

But the measure, which remains in place even after Trump paused reciprocal tariffs on trade partners on Wednesday, is expected to raise car prices by thousands of dollars, reducing demand and hurting job growth.

Suppliers, already under pressure from recent years' switch to electric vehicles with fewer parts, say they are in no position to absorb any of the cost.

Pierre Boulet, chairman of France's Novares, which supplies plastic parts to one in three vehicles produced worldwide said "for us, it's simple," either payment in advance "or no customs clearance."

The privately owned company has five factories in Mexico, with some of its products now subject to the new U.S. duties.

Valeo, a specialist in driver assistance and lighting systems, is also asking customers to pay the full tariff cost, including both automakers assembling cars in the U.S. and American spare parts distributors.

"We are working to obtain full compensation for the new customs duties, passing on 100% of the corresponding costs to our customers, and we have already obtained the agreement of more than 50% of them," said Valeo chief executive Christophe Perillat.

"For spare parts, we are taking the same approach," he added.

Valeo has 13 factories in Mexico.

Only a portion of imports from Mexico and Canada are currently affected by the duties, as components that comply with the 2020 USMCA free trade agreement are exempt.

But more products could face duties from May 3.

Most goods shipped by tyre maker Michelin from both countries to the U.S. are currently also exempt from the new tariffs, the company told analysts late on Wednesday, according to a transcript of a conference call.

But it added that no definitive conclusions can be made yet on a topic that is "evolving by the day". The group produces around 70% of the tyres it sells in the U.S. on American soil, with the remainder imported from Canada and Mexico.

(Reporting by Gilles Guillaume, additional reporting Alessandro Parodi. Editing by Dominique Patton and David Evans)
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  A local elementary school will once again have a crossing guard at a busy four-way street after News 4s In Your Corner team stepped in.

Last week, we told you about concerns from parents whose kids attend Hillcrest Elementary.

Elijah Zarnay contacted News 4, worried about the safety of students who walk to and from her childs school.

She said the crossing guard who used to manage the area was no longer there, and kids were walking across the busy street alone.

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Parents express concern over no crossing guard

Before contacting News 4, Zarnay took matters into her own hands to help with the situation.

I dont have a safety vest, all I have is a metal scooter to hold and some green hair, said Zarnay. That usually gets the attention, and they stop for me, but they are not stopping for these families.

Families from Hillcrest Elementary make their way across a busy four lane road at SW 63rd Street and May Avenue every day for school.

Parents tried to get answers from the school, but couldnt. That is why they called News 4 for help.

Since our story aired last week, they say a crossing guard has returned.

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News 4 was told that a new guard has been hired and is currently being trained, but it could take several weeks until they begin.

In the meantime, staff members will help guide the students across the busy street.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
CLEVELAND  Rueben Schwartz was sentenced to 28 months in prison, including time served, by Federal Judge Donald Nugent at the United States District Court Wednesday.

Schwartz was also required to undergo three years of supervised release and pay a $150,000 fine and more than $1 million restitution.

Your lawyers did one heck of a job for you, Nugent said.

Nugent said the amount of time served still needs to be calculated.

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You got a gigantic break, he said.

During the sentencing, Schwartz said he felt remorse for his actions.

I take my responsibility, he said.

Federal Prosecutor Elliot Morrison said he felt Schwartz had been largely cooperative after his arrest.

Hes come to acknowledge what he did was wrong, Morrison said.

The prosecutors office had requested a 5K motion, recommending a reduced sentence, Morrison said.

A 5K motion is moved upon when the defendant has provided substantial assistance in the investigation or prosecution of another person who has committed an offense, according to the United States Sentencing Commissions website.

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The court may depart from sentencing guidelines, the USSC says.

They wouldnt make this recommendation unless they were accurate, Nugent said.

He said he did not consider Schwartz a repeat offender.

Before sentencing, Schwartzs plea agreement was changed to omit a previously-included 50-month sentencing stipulation, and leave sentencing up to Nugent.

Morrison said Schwartz has the assets to pay a large fine and restitution.

A fine would go to what his goal was here, he said.

Morrison said Schwartzs motive for the crime was greed, so full restitution and a large fine were reasonable punishments.

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Were very pleased with the sentence of time served, which means basically hes not going to get any additional prison sentence, Leonard Ambrose, Schwartzs attorney, said. We thought the court was very kind and fair, and were very appreciative of the time and attention that the court gave us at this almost three-hour hearing.

Schwartz pleaded guilty to 24 counts of a 26-count indictment in July 2024. He was initially arrested and charged with money laundering.

Eventually, he was charged in a superseding indictment with actions related to the February 2021 fire that destroyed the former Golden Anchor in Conneaut.

Prosecutors alleged that Schwartz made preparations for the building to burn, then directed a person to use a space heater to set the building on fire. The indictment claims he then used funds from the insurance to build a drive-through beverage establishment across the street.

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Schwartz forfeited property in Conneaut as part of the case.

On Wednesday, Dr. Bruce Lytle testified about Schwartzs current medical conditions and past friendship.

Lytle said he has known Schwartz for years, and has gone hunting with him.

Lytle is a cardiac surgeon who was worked at the Cleveland Clinic for around 40 years.

Lytle said Schwartzs kidney issues have progressed from abnormal renal function to profound renal failure.

The problem is his renal failure has developed during his time incarcerated, he said.

Lytle said a transplant would make Schwartzs quality of life better, and that it would be harder for that to be done if he was incarcerated.

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There is no question Mr. Schwartz is an ideal physiological candidate for transplant, he said.

Ambrose said members of Schwartzs family have expressed interested in donating a kidney to him.

Im looking at this man and he just wants to live, he said.

Family and friends of Schwartz were in attendance at the hearing.

He raised a very good family, Ambrose said.

Schwartzs daughter, Kylie Schwartz, took the stand. She said her father has played a major part in her life, and supporting her education.

Hes always told me how proud he was, she said.

Schwartz, who has interested in studying law, said she hopes her father can continue to see her educational progress.

She also worried her father would not receive adequate medical treatment in prison.
Sunscreen is an essential part of your beach visit, but it could be harming marine life.

What's happening?

According to a review published by the University of Plymouth and summarized by Phys.org, the chemical compounds in sunscreens that block UV rays are increasingly entering oceans. The compounds can also be found in other beauty products, such as shampoos, moisturizers, and lipsticks.

Sunscreen typically gets into the ocean through swimming, but it can also be transferred from other recreational water activities.

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For example, washing the towel you use to dry off or showering  especially through beach showers  can carry sunscreen to the ocean. In Hanauma Bay, Hawai'i, sunscreen residue has been found in the beach showers.

"UV filters have  been detected in marine environments worldwide, from busy tourist locations to remote areas, such as Antarctica," Phys.org wrote.

Why are chemicals in sunscreen entering the ocean concerning?

Sunscreen is essential for human health, and by 2026, global sunscreen sales are projected to hit $13.64 billion. Six thousand to 14,000 tonnes of UV filters are also expected to be released into coral reef zones. Unfortunately, little research on UV filters has been done so far.

Genetic toxicology and ecotoxicology professor and study co-author Awadhesh Jha told Phys.org it's crucial to understand how the chemical compounds in sunscreen build up in marine life over time across the food chain, as "4.3 billion people [rely] on fish for as much as 15% of their animal protein intake.

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"With marine ecosystems facing immense stress, we are essentially sitting on a ticking time bomb. It is crucial to exercise caution in introducing new substances," added Plymouth Marine Laboratory marine chemical ecologist Dr. Mahasweta Saha, per Phys.org.

While the complete scope of sunscreen's toxicity is unknown, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration writes that sunscreen endangers "the health of coral reefs."

What's being done about sunscreen pollution?

Maui Nui Marine Resource Council is trying to get visitors and residents to switch to more coral-safe products. It does this through educational materials, including offering free information at events. It also worked with local snorkel cruise companies to offer affordable alternatives.

When you're choosing health and beauty products, which of these factors is most important to you? Cost Brand name Ingredients Packaging Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.

These companies now "provide their guests with sunscreens that are free of oxybenzone and octinoxate," per the organization. It also helped pass a law that banned "the sale of sunscreen products containing oxybenzone and octinoxate."

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You can use your voice to speak to your representatives to advocate for laws like this near you. Alternatively, you can donate to climate causes that are trying to understand the long-term effects of sunscreen pollution.

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.




Last month, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to begin dismantling the U.S. Department of Education.

But the presidents long-established intention of shuttering the embattled federal agency includes a sizable caveat: The DOE wont go away without an act of Congress.

Congressional approval of the DOEs demise is now a step closer to reality.

On Wednesday, several Republican senators introduced the Returning Education to Our States Act which, if passed, would eliminate the 46-year-old agency. The legislation seeks to decentralize DOE responsibilities and grant more control of education to states and local districts.

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Meanwhile, the bill proposes that funds and program oversight now managed by the DOE would be redistributed across several existing federal departments.

The bill is sponsored by a trio of GOP senators: Mike Rounds of South Dakota, Tim Sheehy of Montana and Jim Banks of Indiana.

Some members of Utahs Congressional delegation have voiced support of abolishing the DOE, along with Utah Gov. Spencer Cox.

The Senates Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions will be the first congressional body to tackle the scrap the DOE bill.

The legislation, according to a Rounds press release, doesnt cut a dollar of education funding. Instead, funds will flow directly to states in the form of block grants  with other critical programs funded through other federal agencies.

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Scrapping the DOE, the report added, will save taxpayers over $2 billion per year.

We all know that teachers, parents, local school boards and state Departments of Education know whats best for their students, not bureaucrats in Washington, said Rounds.

The Department of Education was created to collect education data and advise state and local organizations on best practices. Since then, it has grown into an oversized bureaucracy that dictates one-size-fits-all policies, standards and practices for students across the nation.

The proposed education act, according to Rounds, would preserve important programs and federal funding while eliminating the bureaucracy of the Department of Education.

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Added Banks: Congress has a golden opportunity to codify President Trumps executive actions. This bill does that. Its a win for American education.

Proposed redirection of DOE programs

Trump, recently-confirmed Education Secretary Linda McMahon and the bills sponsors all assure that key programs such as Pell Grants and financial resources for children with disabilities and special needs would be preserved following the DOEs elimination.

Wednesdays legislation would redirect several important programs housed within the DOE to other federal agencies.

For example, Special Programs for Indian Children would be directed by the Department of the Interior. The Treasury Department would manage the federal Pell Grant Program and the Federal Family Education Loan Program. And the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act would be under purview of the Department of Health and Human Services.

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The National School Lunch Program, which reimburses Utah schools and other states for students receiving free or reduced school meals, is already administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture  not the DOE.

The bills sponsors add that the proposed act will also simplify financial management since schools will no longer have to comply with complex Title I funding regulations, maintenance of efforts standards or provide equitable services for private school students.

Local concerns about the DOEs possible demise

While Utah politicians such as Cox and Utah Rep. Burgess Owens  who regards the DOE as a bloated bureaucracy  will likely applaud Wednesdays congressional bill, other local education leaders are uneasy with the DOE possibly going away.

Last week, the Utah State Board of Education denied, by a 10-4 margin, a call to send a letter to Trump, McMahon and others formally stating board support of state and local control over educational funding.

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Proposed by several board members, the Intent Letter stated that Utah education leaders would be better at managing programs funded by DOE such as Title I and Special Education.

But board member Carol Barlow Lear, who opposed the letter, said she has not been impressed in recent years with how the state has managed education funds.

Lear referenced the Utah Fits All voucher program as an example of the state not doing a good job  and added she worried federal funding levels for DOE-supported education programs could be diminished for Utah students.

There is no evidence, in my mind, to say the state can do this better, said Lear.
(WFRV)  The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) has announced the ending of seasonal weight restrictions for roughly 15 counties statewide, including some in northeastern Wisconsin.

Officials with WisDOT are ending Spring Thaw Class II and Posted Road restrictions for counties in Zones 4-5 on Friday, April 11. Counties included in northeast Wisconsin in Zones 4-5 are Sheboygan County and parts of Calumet, Fond du Lac, and Manitowoc counties.

Class II and Posted Road restrictions will end in Zones 1-3 when conditions warrant, WisDOTs release notes.

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Committee recommends removing playground from St. Johns Park

Class II roads include about 1,400 miles of state highways that are susceptible to damage from heavy trucks during the spring thaw period.

An interactive map for seasonal weight restrictions can be found here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD)  In honor of Second Chance Month, Langston Pates shared his experience earning a second chance and how he pays it forward.

Pates has been incarcerated in county jails, state prisons and federal penitentiaries over the course of 15 years.

I returned home six years ago, in April, in 2019. So, it was during Second Chance Month that I was released from prison, he said.

Pates described his reentry experience as difficult.

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I had to find resources. I really had to go hunt, he said. There were times I was told certain programs didnt have funding anymore. Or the program that I needed was miles and miles away and I didnt have transportation. Those kind of obstacles and barriers along the way really hindered me.

As Pates found his footing he paid it forward by becoming a board member for the McLean County Reentry Council.

I wanted to help connect those people who reentering back into the community with the resources that were out there, Pates said. We found that there are resources out there, there are people that can help with housing and jobs, mental health and substance abuse treatment. But sometimes people dont know where to look.

Central Illinois advocates highlight Second Chance Month, Clean Slate bill

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During his spare time, Pates focuses on Intent to Deliver, his YouTube Channel and book in progress.

It covers the criminal aspect of my past, manufacturing and delivery. It covers the professional aspect of my present with my moving company. Im a business owner. We still manufacture and deliver when we move people into their new homes, said the inspirational speaker. And then moving forward as a motivational speaker and an author of Intent to Deliver, the book, I plan to deliver a message with intent to help share with people my journey and what it looked like going from rock bottom to being incarcerated, battling substance abuse, all the way to having my children taken away from me to now being a business owner, a real estate investor, and a father again.

Pates said Second Chance Month is not only for people who have a criminal record.

You dont have to have been to prison to experience some type of isolation or lack of self-worth, he said. So, Second Chance Month isnt just for people who have been incarcerated. Its for everybody. If theres anything that youve ever failed at in life, a job, school, an opportunity, you get a second chance.

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The McLean County Reentry Council is hosting the 4th Annual Reentry Resource Fair on May 3. You can expect to hear testimonials, learn about community resources for housing, food stability, mental and physical health and getting a new identification card. The fair is noon to 3 p.m. at Eastview Community Center at 602 S. Main Street in Bloomington.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com.
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN)  The second person from Tuesdays shooting on Sumner Boulevard has died, according to the Raleigh Police Department.

The shooting took place around 3 p.m. on the 2900 block of Sumner Boulevard near a business area.

Officers said in a news release Wednesday that their preliminary investigations suggest that the shooting stemmed from a domestic violence dispute as the two individuals knew each other.

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The adult male found deceased at the scene shot the adult female before taking his own life, the release said.

Two Charlotte teens accused of promoting street takeovers on social media, court docs show

Officers have not released the identities of the two individuals out of respect for their families.

The Raleigh Police Department is still investigating all circumstances surrounding this incident.

Anyone facing domestic violence is encouraged to call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE or 911 for immediate assistance.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
Just weeks after the deadly Eaton fire ignited near three Southern California Edison transmission towers, the utility company quietly changed an internal policy on how crews should ground idle transmission towers. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Just weeks after the deadly Eaton fire ignited near three Southern California Edison transmission towers, the utility quietly changed an internal policy on how crews should ground idle electrical pylons.

The change attracted little attention at the time  due mostly to the fact that early suspicion about the cause of the blaze focused on two active transmission towers in Eaton Canyon.

But in recent weeks, speculation about the origin of the fire has shifted to a third idle transmission tower that had been unused for more than five decades.

Despite these revelations, Southern California Edison  and the state commission tasked with regulating utilities  have refused to disclose what changes Edison made to how it grounds idle transmission towers, or what prompted the company to make the change days after its crews were allowed to inspect the hillside where the blaze erupted.

The California Public Utilities Commission has ignored questions and denied a public records request from the Los Angeles Times regarding Edison's actions. The request could help shine a light on what officials have learned during their inspections, and what might have caused the inferno that killed 18 people.

Read more:As investigators close in on cause of Eaton fire, activity swirls around Edison lines

The agency cited no exemption in denying the request, which is required under the California Public Records Act. Instead, the commission said responsive documents were not available at this time and told The Times to resubmit its request in nine months. A spokesperson for the agency did not respond to questions as to why.

However, the California Public Records Act does not allow agencies to delay disclosures for months. Instead, it requires them to respond within 10 days of getting a public records request.

The act allows agencies to request extensions, but states they should be no longer than 14 days except for "unusual circumstances."

Loretta Lynch, the former president of the CPUC from 2000 to 2002, said the documents should be released.

"They should be completely available," she said in an interview. "They should be filing these reports, otherwise, why do we have the CPUC to begin with?"

Lynch, who has openly criticized the commission for its close ties to utilities, said companies such as Edison often rely on the CPUC to keep documents from the public. Often, she said, companies will request that documents that would be of public interest be tagged as "business confidential" to keep them from being released.

The CPUC denied The Times' records request on March 10. The Times asked the agency to reconsider its decision four days later, noting the agency cited no reason to withhold the documents. The request to the commission's legal division, as well as multiple calls and messages to its media relations department seeking clarity as to why the records were being denied  or why no reason was cited as required by the state's public records law  went unanswered for weeks.

The Times reached out to the CPUC for comment Friday for this article. The CPUC notified The Times on Monday the document request had been reopened for consideration.

Edison has also declined to release the document publicly. The company also declined to answer specific questions on the manual, such as what prompted the change, or what the change would entail when it came to idle towers such as the one now being scrutinized in the Eaton fire investigation.

A spokesperson for Edison referred to it as an internal document.

"After we reviewed the manual, we realized the language was not as clear as it could be for grounding idle lattice steel structures and, in the spirit of making continuous improvement, we made changes to make it more clear," said the spokesperson, David Eisenhauer.

Transmission towers must be grounded  or carefully connected to the earth  to safely dissipate energy from lightning strikes and voltage surges.

Another spokesperson for Edison on Thursday objected to the manual being characterized as "secret," saying the company had not labeled it secret and had submitted to the state commission.

"This document was submitted to the CPUC and if anything, reflects a committed approach to improving safety standards," said spokesperson Kathleen Dunleavy.

Read more:Palisades and Eaton firefighters had elevated blood levels of mercury and lead, according to an early study

As a private company, Edison is not required to make the document public. However, attorneys who have sued the company for its possible role in the Eaton fire criticized the decision, arguing that it went against the company's promise of transparency. The document could shed light into the company's response to the disaster, they say.

"Here, they've hinted that the company made some change to grounding practices that could be at the core of this case, but refuse to tell anybody what they did," wrote Eli Wade-Scott, a partner at Edelson PC, in an email. "If SCE failed to properly ground these idle lines that have been sitting there for fifty years, that was a disaster waiting to happen  and they will have to answer for that to a jury."

Edison is now facing numerous lawsuits over the fire, and the possible role of its electrical equipment. Investigators with the Los Angeles County Fire Department and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection have yet to determine an official cause of the fire, and Edison has since deployed crews and workers to inspect and test the equipment overlooking Eaton Canyon.

But several law firms have hired their own team of fire investigators and electrical engineers to investigate the cause and look for clues. Their attention has, in recent weeks, focused on the idle tower, and a grounding wire that was exposed by about four feet in the steep hillside.

"The tower was not grounded properly," said Alexander Robertson, an attorney from the firm Robertson and Associates LLP, which has filed suit against Edison. "That cable is supposed to be buried deep into the ground."

Although the tower and line have not been in use since 1971, Edison officials and attorneys are looking at the possibility the idle tower and lines could have somehow been reenergized, sending electricity through the equipment and raising the possibility that the exposed grounding wire could have sparked the fire.

In a Feb. 6 filing with the CPUC, Edison noted it was investigating the possibility its equipment could have caused the fire, including "the extent to which that line or its grounding could be related to the cause of the fire."

In a footnote, the filing states that the company changed how it grounds idle lines, and its manual  specifically sections referring to the grounding of idle towers.

"SCE has taken immediate steps to further strengthen and standardize its grounding practices with respect to idle lines, including updating SCE's Transmission Operations and Maintenance Policies and Procedures," reads the footnote.

An Edison spokesperson declined to say what prompted the changes, or if they were connected to the company's inspections of its three towers after the fire.

Eisenhauer declined to answer questions as to whether changes in the language of the manual resulted in changes to how crews were required to ground idle transmission towers from now on.

Terrie Prosper, a spokesperson for the CPUC, confirmed to The Times that Edison updated its Transmission Operations and Maintenance Policies on Jan. 27, 20 days after the fire began and 11 days after Edison crews got access to inspect the area. The changes, Prosper said, were provided to the commission.

The changes updated a four-month-old version of the manual outlining maintenance and procedures for the company. That previous version was dated Sept. 27, 2024, Prosper said in an email.

No other changes made to Edison's manual were noted in the Feb. 6 CPUC filing, and Edison officials declined to say if it was the only change made to the manual.

In a recent interview with The Times, Edison International Chief Executive Pedro Pizarro said it was possible the company's equipment caused the fire.

"It's certainly possible it did," he said. "I've pledged to be transparent with the public as we continue to investigate."

Michael Aguirre, a former federal prosecutor who has sued the CPUC to release records, said it is a constant uphill battle to have the regulating agency release records.

"There is a blanket of secrecy over the paperwork that flows to the CPUC, that never gets to the public domain," he said.

Documents are often tagged as proprietary, he said, and the agency has worked exemptions into the state's public records law, similar to branches of government like the governor's office.

An Edison spokesperson would not say if the document was labeled as holding proprietary information or as "business confidential," preventing its release.

Dozens of lawsuits filed against Edison raise a number of theories as to how electrical equipment might have been involved in sparking the fire, including the possibility of arcing, and allegations Edison failed to maintain the vegetation in the area, raising the risk.

It's unclear if, or how, the idle tower could have been energized, but Robertson, the attorney, said investigators are looking at the possibility of induction  where a line is powered by a running parallel line.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Traders at the New York Stock Exchange. - Michael Nagle/Bloomberg News

Last week, bank CEOs including JPMorgan Chases Jamie Dimon, Goldman Sachss David Solomon, Bank of Americas Brian Moynihan and Wells Fargos Charlie Scharf were in Washington for an industry meeting when the matter of communications with the White House came up.

Executives in the room took turns saying when they last spoke to President Trump. The general response: not recently. Many of them said they hadnt had a substantive discussion with Trump since the pandemic hammered markets in 2020, according to people familiar with the meeting.

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The nations most powerful bankers have a unique lens into markets and the economy, often making them valued advisers and sounding boards for top government officials.

While some bankers have been talking to administration officials during the tariff-driven turbulence of the past week, including Vice President JD Vance and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, top executives sense their opinions dont carry much weight with the president.

Big banks lack of direct influence during the latest market turmoil is in contrast to past crises such as the pandemic or the 2008 financial meltdown, when Washington worked hand-in-hand with them to calm the waters. When the Covid-19 pandemic began, Trump called the bank CEOs to a televised meeting where they went around the table talking about the measures they were taking to settle the economy.

This time, bankers are uncertain about Trumps endgame on tariffs, and uneasy about the impact on the global economy as well as their own businesses. A Wall Street that had been excited for Trump, and the unleashing of animal spirits in markets, is now deflated.

Deals are on ice, and heightened recession risks raise the prospect of loan losses. Advising clients on what comes next is next to impossible without knowing whether another change in policysuch as deals with countries on tariffsis around the corner.

The White House said it maintains regular contact with business leaders and industry groups.

The only special interest guiding President Trumps decision-making, however, is the best interest of the American people, White House spokesman Kush Desai said.

Goldman delivers feedback

Some banks have heard from White House officials looking for feedback on the health of the banking system and executives read on the economy.
From Santa Barbara to San Diego, they have washed ashore by the hundreds, convulsing and confused.

Sea lions and elephant seals, red-throated loons and brown pelicans - over the past several weeks, members of each species and more have shown up on beaches along the coast of California seriously ill or dead after suffering from seizures.

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Some sick marine mammals have acted aggressively, biting swimmers and surfers. Many can be seen craning their heads up over and over again, a behavior biologists dub stargazing.

The culprit: a neurotoxin in the water produced by a bloom of algae.

Outbreaks of the naturally occurring poison, called domoic acid, have been common over the past few years. But this years outbreak has metastasized into a full-blown crisis for both shorebirds and marine mammals - one that is exhausting rescue organizations trying to save the sick animals.

Its really hard. Its emotionally taxing, said Dave Bader, a marine biologist at the Marine Mammal Care Center, a wildlife hospital in Los Angeles that has responded to more than 190 animals in distress between Feb. 20 and March 28.

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With no known antidote, rehabilitation centers focus on making sure the seals and sea lions get the food, fluid and anti-seizure medicine needed for recovery. Roughly half survive, Bader said. In the case of many beached dolphins, the best they can do is humanely euthanize them.

What supercharged this years outbreak is still a mystery. Is it runoff from farms, ash from the recent wildfires or climate change that is fueling the algal growth that is leading to the poisonings? Scientists are investigating.

The ocean is telling us something. Things arent right, Bader said. If we dont do something about it, then this is the future were going to be looking at.

---

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PANAMA CITY  Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth sought to reassure Panama that the United States recognizes its sovereignty over the national canal, amid President Donald Trumps repeated pledge that America would reclaim it.

We certainly respect the sovereignty of the Panamanians, Hegseth said before departing the country back to Washington.

Earlier Wednesday, Hegseth faced questions in a press conference about the two countries joint statement following their meetings Tuesday. Panamas version included a line about its sovereignty over the canal; Americas didnt, though it discussed working through Panamas constitution, which affirms authority over the canal itself.

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The impasse brought back concern that the U.S. was reneging on its agreement ceding the canal to Panamanian control, finalized in 1999 after a 20-year handover.

Trump has disparaged that deal and said multiple times that America would take the canal back  even saying in a March address to Congress that the U.S. was already reclaiming the waterway.

Panamas President Raul Mulino publicly denied the claims and referred to them as an insult on the countrys dignity.

Hegseth vows US will take back Panama canal from Chinese influence

Hegseths visit this week worked to calm any such tension. In carefully planned remarks, he referenced Panamas value as a partner and its long history with the U.S., including on building the canal in the early 1900s. He also signed agreements to increase Americas military work with the country through further training and rotating in more U.S. forces and equipment.

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He acknowledged the sovereignty of Panama over the Panama Canal, Frank Abrego, Panamas minister of public security, said of Hegseth at the press conference.

Speaking to traveling press on the flight back to Washington, senior defense officials didnt specify how many further American troops would enter the country, nor give a timeline for their arrival. They also didnt elaborate on plans Hegseth previewed to renew Fort Sherman, the U.S. militarys now-abandoned jungle fighting school in the country.

Any further dispatch of U.S. troops to Panama would first require consensus with Panamas government, said one of the defense officials, allowed to speak anonymously to describe the agreement.

In return, Panamas government expressed interest in American help protecting the canal from cyberattacks and surveilling it.

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The U.S. once had a large military presence inside Panama, though it was drawn down heavily during the canal handover. The number of American troops in the country now rises and falls from a few dozen to a couple hundred, depending on exercises and training programs.

In late 1989, Americas military launched a two-month operation to depose Panamas then-President Manuel Noriega. The invasion has left scars for many in the country today, wary of U.S. coercion and, perhaps, another attack.

Theres extraordinary sensitivities at hand, the first defense official said, noting that any suggestion  by China or America  of infringing on Panamas sovereignty over the canal is a non-starter in the country.

At the same time, the officials said, the Trump administration is increasingly concerned about the drift of Panama, and Latin America as a whole, toward what it calls Chinas malign influence.

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Chinas government has vastly expanded its trade and investment relationship with the region, including through the Belt and Road Initiative, a global infrastructure program American officials say includes predatory lending practices.

On the trip, Hegseth added a clause to Trumps pledge to take the canal back, soothing concerns that the U.S. military was developing plans to seize the waterway, reported by multiple outlets in March.

Together, we are going to take back the canal from Chinas influence, Hegseth said.

Mulino pulled Panama from the Belt and Road Initiative this February, the same month U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio made an earlier visit to the country. Hegseth mentioned his respect for Mulinos leadership multiple times on the trip, and the secretarys team described the president as a long-term partner.

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The Trump administration has said the U.S. will focus more intently on Latin America, including through the American military, which surged troops and warships for immigration missions since January.

In turn, Hegseth repeatedly called the Panama Canal key terrain and affirmed Americas commitment to maintain its access to it  repeated in the two countries joint statement.

Around 40% of U.S. container traffic passes through the Panama Canal each year alongside about 100 American Navy vessels, a number that would surely increase if a war began in the Pacific.
Central Florida leaders are shining a light on a distinguished group of veterans that served in the U.S. 65th Infantry Regiment.

The 65th also known as the Borinqueneers, were nicknamed for the Taino Indians who were the native inhabitants of Puerto Rico, or Borinquen. The unit is an all Hispanic group made of mostly Puerto Rican soldiers.

The Borinqueneers distinguished themselves for their bravery, with members fighting in both world wars and the Korean War while enduring discrimination and generally unfair treatment.

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According to the VA, The Borinqueneers were the largest, longest standing, and only segregated active duty Latino unit in military history.

The regiments service during the Korean War earned the unit 2,700 Purple Hearts, as well as one Medal of Honor and nine Distinguished Service Crosses.

While the unit was deactivated from regular U.S. Army service in 1956, in the years since, the Borinqueneers have been recognized for their contributions throughout United States military history.

In 2016, the 65th was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal and in 2020, Congress passed the National Defense Authorization Act, which included the language designating April 13 as National Borinqueneers Day.

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On Tuesday, Orange County Commissioners honored the veterans, with a proclamation honoring the Borinqueneers across the county.

The Osceola County Sheriffs office plans to honor surviving Boriquneers who are now in their 80s and 90s during a Luncheon Friday.

For Orange County resident, Dennis Freytes, the quest to honor the regiment is personal.

His father, SFC. Celio Freytes Menendez, served with the Borinqueneers during both World War 2 and the Korean War.

He believed in the ideals that make America great. We the people for freedom, equality, said Dennis Freytes.

Dennis remembers his fathers bravery in an era of segregation that still loomed large before Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gained national prominence.

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He fought, even though he didnt have all the rights, said Dennis.

He points out, currently Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens, but to this day islanders who serve in military cant vote in the general election for president.

He told Channel 9 his father died in 2011 while residing in the U.S. territory, without ever casting that vote...

Since his father death, Dennis has personally advocated for the Borinqueneers leading the effort to secure the congressional gold medal on their behalf.

He was in the audience as Borinqueneers received the honor bestowed by congress in 2016 and accepted orange countys proclamation for his father and other Borinqueneers on Tuesday.









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U.S. Sen Dave McCormick (R-PA) tours the Pennsylvania Farm Show on Jan. 11, 2025. (John Cole/Capital-Star)

During his second telephone town hall since being sworn-in, Pennsylvania U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick (R) said it was too early to determine how effective President Donald Trumps tariff policies are, but urged patience as he backs the ever-changing approach.

I think the honest answer is, its just too early to tell, McCormick said.

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A constituent asked McCormick if there was data that supports tariffs being effective to boost the American manufacturing sector versus increasing costs for consumers.

The senator said he thinks tariffs could really make sense against China and other countries, who he believes have been very unfair to the United States, citing their trade policies.

On April 2, Trump announced tariffs on products from all foreign countries, although on Wednesday he announced a 90 day pause for countries willing to negotiate new trade deals. However, Trumps announcement does not include China, saying he will increase to a 125% tariff on imports to the United States.

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Trump said more than 75 countries reached out to him to negotiate and as a result he dropped their tariff rates to a universal 10%.

Several rounds of tariffs the president enacted in March will remain in place, including 25% import taxes on foreign steel, aluminum and cars  charges which sparked the European Union to approve retaliatory tariffs Wednesday.

Canada and Mexico, which both face up to 25% tariffs on a sizable chunk of products, will continue to see the levies but will not face an additional 10% stacked on top.

Trumps 25% tax on imports from any country that buys oil from Venezuela also remains unchanged.

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McCormick said he believes the best way to make tariffs work is to be very specific about the bad behavior from those countries and trading partners and negotiate deals that are fair for the American worker.

Thats what I think is happening now, McCormick said. I think theres a series of negotiations underway with the countries around the world that are having that conversation about, heres whats unfair. Thats why theres a tariff on you, or theres going to be a tariff on you, and heres what you need to do. So thats the goal of it.

McCormick describes himself as a supporter of reciprocal tariffs.

McCormick, and other supporters of Trumps plan, have argued that if it is successful, it will help increase manufacturing in the United States and make it easier to sell products abroad. However some economists are skeptical and worry about rising costs for consumers.

Dave McCormick walks through the U.S. Capitol building as reporters ask him questions on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)

The states junior U.S. senator also acknowledged that it is a little too early to tell the impact it will have on consumers, if Trumps tariff plan is successful.

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It depends a lot on the currency, but there could be an increase in prices, McCormick said. So for me, Im trying to give the president some time to execute his strategy.

McCormick said he will be monitoring the situation carefully by following consumer prices and attempting to be a force on influencing trade negotiations with the White House.

But as I said, were four or five days into this, McCormick said Wednesday evening. I think its just too early to know what the implications are.

I think we should give the President a little bit of time to get his strategy in place, because its already evolved a good bit just since it was announced, he added.

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Others on the call expressed concern with the latest turmoil in the stock market since Trumps tariff announcement.

McCormick said its hard to watch the volatility right now with the stock market, but believes that it is going to be just fine if Trumps pro-growth policies are put in place regarding tariffs, energy, investing in manufacturing, and extending tax cuts.

I think the best way to deal with it is, monitor carefully, but dont plan on making any changes based on what happened yesterday or what happens today, McCormick said in response to a question from a 42 year-old constituent concerned about their 401K.

Over the long term, if our economy is strong, if we put those pro-growth policies in place, the economy is going to take off, he added. And if the economy takes off, then the stock market is going to be just fine.

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McCormick said hes really sympathetic to those who are past retirement watching the volatility in the stock market, and vowed that he would protect their benefits by not touching Social Security.

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A showdown for sanctuary cities may be looming

McCormick predicted there will be a standoff between the federal government and Pennsylvanias sanctuary cities and counties.

Both from a law enforcement perspective, but also from federal funding, McCormick said.

Since Trump was elected, some elected officials in Pennsylvania, including Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey, have said their offices would not work with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), as the federal government proceeds with the presidents campaign promise of mass deportations of undocumented immigrants.

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Saying the number one issue in the previous presidential election was issues relating to border policies, he pointed to Trumps victory as a reason he believes people want to see the Department of Homeland Security crack down on sanctuary cities.

Im all for enforcing the law humanely. Im all for repatriating people back to their countries, recognizing thats a very difficult thing to do, McCormick said. But in the end, we have to enforce the law, and I think thats whats going to happen with these towns and cities that are not enforcing the law.

I think theres going to be a showdown, which ultimately theyre going to lose, he added.

There are 13 sanctuary cities and counties in Pennsylvania, according to the Center for Immigration Studies.

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On Thursday, Trump announced on social media that his administration was working on papers to withhold all Federal Funding for any City or State that allows sanctuary cities.

GOP U.S. Senate candidate Dave McCormick speaks at an election night party in Pittsburgh Nov. 5, 2024 (campaign photo)

Tips cap to Casey on bill to boost homecare workers for aging population

In response to a constituents call from Morgantown, Berks County, McCormick said he will consider supporting the Credit for Caring Act.

Sponsors of the bipartisan legislation say the proposal would create a new tax credit of up to $5,000 for working family caregivers.

A member of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, he said the issue has been brought up to him by constituents before as well as groups that have lobbied on behalf of Alzheimers patients back the proposal.

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We have a huge aging population in Pennsylvania, McCormick said. This is an area where Senator (Robert) Casey was the chairman of the committee, and honestly, I think he was very focused on these issues in a good way.

Pennsylvania is the fifth oldest state in the nation. One in four residents are senior citizens, according to Pennsylvanias Department of Aging, with the population projecting to grow to one in three Pennsylvanians by 2030.

Im the number two member of the Committee on the Republican side, and Im going to be very active on this, because its something thats so important to our voters, McCormick added. So I can promise you, Im going to give it a very careful review, and I am aware of this.
Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet is running for governor of Colorado next year, according to three sources familiar with his plans.

Bennet, who is expected to announce his campaign as soon as Friday, will look to succeed term-limited Democratic Gov. Jared Polis in a state that has trended toward his party in recent years. And he is the latest Senate Democrat looking to leave Washington, after three retirement announcements in recent weeks.

Kamala Harris won Colorado by 9 percentage points in November, and Polis won a second term in 2022 by 19 points. Bennet also won a third term that year by 15 points, meaning his term runs until 2028  but he can run for governor and remain in the Senate.

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Bennet will not be alone in the Democratic field, with state Attorney General Phil Weiser also in the race, creating a battle of two statewide officeholders.

Axios was first to report Bennet's move to run for governor. A spokesperson for Bennet declined to comment.

In a statement, Weiser said, "Two years ago, the voters sent Senator Bennet back to D.C. because we believed he would be there for us no matter what  especially in historically dangerous moments like the one we currently face. Now more than ever, we need experienced Democratic leaders in Washington."

Republicans could be looking at a potentially crowded primary field, with two state legislators already in the race. But the GOP faces an uphill climb in the state, where Democrats have found success in statewide races.

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Bennet, a former Denver school superintendent, has worked as a bipartisan dealmaker, a member of the so-called Gang of Eight that worked on an ill-fated bipartisan immigration measure.

Bennet has also been known to make fiery speeches on the Senate floor and in hearing rooms, recently admonishing CIA Director John Ratcliffe over the news that administration officials discussed military plans in a Signal chat group.

This sloppiness, this incompetence, this disrespect for our intelligence agencies and the personnel who work for him is entirely unacceptable. Its an embarrassment, Bennet said. You need to do better. You need to do better.

And ahead of his presidential bid in 2019, he delivered a passionate speech lambasting Republicans crocodile tears about the ongoing government shutdown.

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Bennet has also bucked his party at times, becoming the first Senate Democrat last year to warn that President Joe Biden could not defeat Donald Trump after Bidens disastrous debate performance.

He has been telegraphing an exit from Washington  he told Politico in March that the answer to the countrys central fight is as likely to come from the states as it is from Washington over the next decade. And he said on NBC News Meet the Press days later that he has been considering where I can fight best for the people of Colorado.

In his 2019 book, he described the pathological culture of the Capital and chronicled his frustrations with things like the collapse of the bipartisan immigration bill in 2013 at the hands of hyperfactionalism, the rise of unlimited campaign spending on policy issues and the decision to end the filibuster for judicial nominees.

His unsuccessful presidential bid in 2020 appealed to nostalgia for pre-Trump politics  he repeatedly argued that if you elect me president, you wont have to think about me for two weeks at a time.

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And he has argued his party has a lot of work to do to create a compelling view for Americans that is going to allow us to lead again.

The Democratic Party needs to use this moment of having been repudiated at the national level, to figure out a creative and imaginative agenda for the 21st century thats going to lift the fortunes of working people and the middle class, all across this country, he said on Meet the Press.

So far this year, three Democratic senators have announced their intention to leave Washington at the end of next year  Michigans Gary Peters, Minnesotas Tina Smith and New Hampshires Jeanne Shaheen. Unlike Bennets, their terms expire in 2026.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Senators David Bullard, R-Durant, left, and Micheal Bergstrom, R-Adair, talk on the Senate floor during special session on Oct. 3, 2023. (Photo by Kyle Phillips/For Oklahoma Voice)

OKLAHOMA CITY  The Oklahoma Senate on Thursday advanced a bill that could lead to the elimination of the states income tax, despite concerns that it benefitted the wealthy.

House Bill 1539 passed by a vote of 36-9 and returns to the House for consideration.

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Under the measure, if revenue exceeds the fiscal year 2023 baseline of nearly $13.2 billion by $300 million, it will trigger a .25% tax cut beginning in budget year 2026.

The cut is expected to cost $108.2 million, according to Senate staff and the Oklahoma Tax Commission.

If triggered in fiscal year 2027, the cost would be $272.5 million, according to the Oklahoma Tax Commission.

If there is no growth, the cut will not be triggered.

It creates a pathway to the eventual elimination of the state income tax with guardrails in place to make sure there will be no tax rate cut during down economic years, said Sen. Micheal Bergstrom, R-Adair, the Senate author.

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Sen. Brent Howard, R-Altus, opposed the measure, saying he didnt think enough thought went into the measure.

Taxing labor disincentivizes productivity, said Sen. Dusty Deevers, R-Elgin, who voted for the bill.

Taxing peoples wages is bad because it undermines liberty, Deevers said. It undermines peoples freedoms. If government controls income, then it controls your life.

Sen. Mary Boren, D-Norman, said it takes a simple majority in the Legislature to decrease taxes but a super majority to raise them. Voters in 1992 passed State Question 640 putting restrictions on tax hikes.

The bill does not take into account additional services, such as education, that will be needed in the future, Boren said.

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Senate Minority Leader Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City, said the bottom 20% in income might get back $15 while the top 1% will receive $6,000.

Oklahomas top income tax rate is 4.75%. Most Oklahomans fall into the top bracket.

Gov. Kevin Stitt has called for an income tax reduction with a path toward elimination.

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WASHINGTON, April 10 (UPI) -- After the Trump administration promised the largest Pentagon budget focused exclusively on "lethality and readiness," Republicans, Democrats and top military brass underscored that much of the money must to be spent to support troops with child care, medical services and training.

Senators expressed their concerns in an Armed Services Committee hearing, as well as Cybersecurity and Personnel subcommittee hearings, over Wednesday and Thursday.

"Sustaining a healthy and effective military goes beyond simply meeting recruiting missions. It requires a commitment to the well-being and long-term readiness of every single service member," said Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala.

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The hearings came just days after President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth pledged to propose the first-ever $1 trillion defense budget. With that announcement, Hegseth posted Monday on his personal X account: "(PS: we intend to spend every taxpayer dollar wisely -- on lethality and readiness)."

Senators and military officers emphasized that a successful armed forces still needs enhanced care for active duty personnel and their families, improved recruitment standards and the strengthened technological and cybersecurity capabilities to compete with global adversaries, notably China.

Testimony provided critical insights into where lawmakers and officers hope the proposed $1 trillion would be allocated. Both parties embraced the idea that lethality and readiness only would be possible through taking care of service members.

Witnesses from five of the six branches of the military were present. Tuberville, who opened the personnel subcommittee hearing, emphasized the importance of military personnel and lawmakers working together.

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"I think we should all know that those who volunteer to serve in and out of uniform are the backbone of our national defense, and this is a critical discussion as we prepare for the [National Defense Authorization Act] for fiscal year 2026," Tuberville said.

Air Force Lt. Gen. Caroline M. Miller stressed the importance of providing childcare, sexual assault and harassment prevent training, and extensive mental health resources for service members to be well-equipped to do their jobs.

"We continue to target barriers to well-being and overall readiness in areas including economic security, access to quality child care, sexual assault and sexual harassment prevention, and suicide prevention efforts," she said.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., ranking member of the Personnel Subcommittee, also connected the military's lethality and readiness to addressing child care shortages, access to educational benefits and the importance of protecting service members from financial scams.

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"Failing to address these shortfalls threatens retention and will drive out the military families we need," she said.

Lawmakers also expressed concerns about declining recruitment quality and the possible inability to meet quotas. Tuberville noted that "many of the services have lowered their standards to meet requirement goals."

Tuberville, who chairs the Personnel subcommittee, questioned the success of recent Army and Navy preoperatory courses. And he asked about the status of a 60-day review being conducted to ensure everyone is held at the same standard based on occupational demands.

Armed Services Chairman Roger F. Wicker, R-Miss., said the growing military capabilities of adversaries like China add urgency to these concerns.

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"China boasts the world's largest Navy and also has an air force that is capable of denying the U.S. air superiority in the first island chain," Wicker said.

Each military branch present acknowledged its duty to deliver high-quality service regardless of past recruiting issues. Navy Vice Admiral Richard J. Cheeseman Jr. noted that after the COVID-19 pandemic subsided, the Navy had to learn again how to recruit successfully.

"Our sailors stand ready as a lethal fighting force to deter or confront any adversary. You and every American can be proud of your Navy and this team," he said.

Tuberville raised concerns about continued critical staffing shortages in military hospitals and clinics.

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"This, combined with lower enlistment standards, means the force is more susceptible to health issues like obesity and mental health challenges," he said.

Shifting focus from personnel issues, the discussion moved to cybersecurity. The growing threats in the digital domain have placed unprecedented demands on the U.S. military to safeguard its systems and networks.

During the Armed Services cybersecurity subcommittee hearing, Army Lt. Gen. William J. Hartman emphasized that while the Pentagon has made meaningful progress in cybersecurity and training to identify potential threats, the mission is being slowed by broader bureaucratic delays.

"Continuing resolutions, hiring freezes and transitions between one combatant command, support agency ... slow down the process," Hartman said. "But we have a plan. We're executing it, and it's all about the ecosystem that we have to build that provides precise intelligence."

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The growing focus on cyber security echoes the military's strategic direction with continued missions in the Indo-Pacific region and with U.S. Forces Korea, largely to counter potential threats by China.

Army Gen. Xavier T. Brunson said strengthening the trilateral alliance among the U.S., South Korea and Japan, and growing partnerships with nations like the Philippines, would be crucial for maintaining stability in the region.

"The key asymmetric advantage our nation has over China is our network of allies and partners," he said.

The three Senate hearings set the stage for passing a large defense budget at a time when the Trump administration is enacting far-reaching cuts throughout much of the rest of the government.

"It's time to make a generational investment in our national security. I do believe that view is bipartisan," Wicker said. "We need real growth in the FY26 budget request."
Students on campus at the University of West Florida in Pensacola. (Photo courtesy of University of West Florida)

Before facing a state Senate vote on his confirmation, controversial University of West Florida Board of Trustees Chair Scott Yenor has resigned from his position.

In his resignation notice, he indicated that opposition from a group within Floridas Senate, led to his immediate departure.

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Yenor, a professor in Idaho, faced backlash for proclaiming that LGBTQ+ practices bring dreaded diseases and labeling career-oriented women medicated, meddlesome, and quarrelsome. The bipartisan Jewish legislative caucus has called Yenor antisemitic.

Gov. Ron DeSantis stood by his appointee but Sen. Don Gaetz, whose district includes the campus, told WEAR News his office has received thousands of emails and letters and texts and visits, and not one single person expressed support for Mr. Yenor.

Other members of the board have faced their first of three confirmation hearings. The Senate, Sen. Gayle Harrell said Thursday during a hearing by the Appropriations Committee on Higher Education, is closely watching the board of trustees.

In December and January, eight new trustees joined the UWF board, five nominated by DeSantis and three by the Board of Governors, which oversees the State University System. Seven, Yenor aside, have faced questions from the Senate about their beliefs, three most recently on Thursday.

Unaware of his comments

Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith asked the three in front of the committee to defend their votes for Yenor as chair.

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Chris Young, an attorney from Panama City, told Smith he regretted voting for Yenor and said he had been unaware of his comments.

Paul Bailey, an attorney and a professor at Pensacola Christian College, said he, too had been unaware. In hindsight, if I had the knowledge I have now, I would not have voted for him, he said.

Gates Garcia, a private equity CEO from Tampa, said he voted for Yenors track record in education reform. He also said he was not aware of Yenors comments.

Senators questioned how he could not have known, considering they are a focus of Yenors educational philosophy and how widely they have been publicized.

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Yenor has advocated for fewer women in higher education and said if only men won the Nobel Prize, thats not a failure. Its kind of a cause for celebration, The Associated Press reported.

I hope that you really understand the reluctance this committee has had in some of the comments that have been made and the sentiment of the former chair of the [trustees], and we will be carefully watching the board of trustees at the University of West Florida, Harrell said, addressing Garcia.

All three received favorable support.

Hard to believe

Smith, the only Democrat present at the meeting, cast the sole vote against each of trustees, although Sens. Jennifer Bradley and Alexis Calatayud encouraged Garcia to elaborate further on his beliefs during his next hearing before the Senate Ethics and Elections committee.

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I will be voting no on all of the UWF appointees, because each of these appointees voted for former chair Yenor, Smith said.

We already know what those controversial comments were. I find it very hard to believe that these individuals were not aware of what these comments were, given how highly publicized they were, and, ultimately, at the end of the day, if you dont stand for something, then youll fall for anything.

Harrell and former UWF President Judith Bense raised concerns about the lack of local connections by board members.

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Another member of the board, Adam Kissel, drew an unfavorable recommendation from the Senate committee earlier this session; final approval will be up to the entire Senate.

Senators criticized Kissels advocacy for defunding of public universities and suggesting the GI bill led to over-enrolled four-year colleges.

The seeming takeover attempt at UWF resembles the now-conservative focused New Colleges a few years ago, although the Panhandle institution and lawmakers are pushing back.

I think its incredibly important for our state university system for trustees to be able to express the rejection of ideology that does not move our system forward, and also as they set a vision, particularly after the voting process, and now the removal of former chair Yenor, Calatayud said Thursday.

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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  The U.S. Senate on Wednesday confirmed Pete Hoekstra as the U.S. ambassador to Canada.

Hoekstra, previously the chairman of the Michigan Republican party, was confirmed in a 60-37 vote.

I am deeply appreciative to President Trump and to the U.S. Senate for their trust and confidence in me, said Hoekstra in a statement released by the U.S. Embassy Ottawa. I look forward to beginning my work in Canada and once again serving the people of the United States of America at this important time in the U.S.-Canada relationship.

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During President Donald Trumps first term, Hoekstra served as ambassador to the Netherlands. He also represented Michigans 2nd Congressional District for nearly two decades.

At his Senate confirmation hearing in March, Hoekstra said Canada was a sovereign state, the Associated Press reports.

Canada is our most valuable trading partner, our largest source of foreign investment, and our largest source of energy imports, Hoekstra stated Wednesday.   As Ambassador to Canada, I will work with the Canadian government to review and strengthen our strong trading partnership, secure our borders, confront the deadly threat of fentanyl to our citizens, and build our national security cooperation.

Both Michigan senators voted in favor of Hoekstras confirmation.

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In a statement, U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., said she appreciated Hoekstras commitment to an open line of communication.

Our relationship with Canada is as threatened as it has ever been in my lifetime, and the reckless tariffs on Canada threaten to raise prices for so many Michigander, Slotkin stated. So while I disagree with Mr. (Hoekstra) on a good many issues  my hope is that his first-hand knowledge of Michigans economy will be the best shot we have at pushing back on the most flagrant of the tariffs on Canada.

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Apr. 9MORGANTOWN  The state Senate on Wednesday passed bills launching a pilot project to plow secondary roads in Monongalia and Preston counties, and to limit student cell phone use in public schools.

HB 2960 is the plowing bill. It says, "Snow removal on the secondary roads in Monongalia County and Preston County has not been dependable, providing a hardship on the citizens of West Virginia."

It establishes a two-year pilot project to put out a Request for Proposal for vendors to provide snow removal for District 4's secondary roads in Monongalia and Preston counties.

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The Division of Highways will identify the roads to be plowed. The DOH can terminate a contract, with 30 days' notice, for substandard or unsatisfactory work.

It passed 34-0 and returns to the House for amendment concurrence.

HB 2003 is the cell phone bill.

It opens with a statement: "Personal electronic devices contribute to a negative classroom environment with increased concerns relating to distractions, academic misconduct, bullying and /or harassment and other inappropriate behaviors. Concerns regarding the mental health of students with unfettered access to personal electronic devices are well-documented and are believed to prohibit the age-appropriate development of relationships, study skills, and other necessary skills to be successful."

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It requires county school boards to establish policies for permitting, or not permitting, personal electronic devices on school property. If permitted, the board will set parameters for use and for storage during instructional hours. It includes exceptions for medical issues and for students with Individualized Education Programs.

It also requires school boards to establish consequences for violations, including confiscation and ongoing prohibition from possession on campus.

Education chair Amy Grady, R-Mason, said she was originally ambivalent about the bill, but then read a book called "The Anxious Generation " and spoke with its author and researcher.

Cell phones on campus, she said, has exacerbated the problem of cyberbullying, essentially allowing it to occur all day long. The bill will give kids a gives a break from cyberbullying during school hours, along with negative impacts of social media.

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Before learning about that, she said, "I felt it was micromanaging." That it was the teacher's and principal's job to manage cell phone possession and use. But states with bans and limitations have seen improvements in academics and overall.

The vote was 33-1, with Sen. Mike Oliverio, R-Monongalia, the sole vote against. It returns to the House for amendment concurrence.

Squatter bill The Senate also passed the Stop Squatters Act, HB 2434. It says a squatter is a person occupying a dwelling or other structure who is not so entitled under a rental agreement or is not authorized to do so by the tenant or owner.

It allows a property owner or their authorized agent request law enforcement to undertake the immediate removal of the squatter, under specified conditions.

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Upon receipt of a complaint, law-enforcement will conduct preliminary fact-finding, which may include reviewing any alleged lease agreement, talking to neighbors, and other relevant inquiries to ascertain the validity of the complaint.

The law-enforcement agency is entitled to a fee for service.

The bill establishes the crime of criminal mischief for causing damages, with misdemeanor and felony penalties depending on the value of the damages. It also sets criminal penalties for selling real property without authorization and for advertising property for sale or rent without authorization.

The vote was 31-0 and it returns to the House for amendment concurrence.
Noam Galai / Getty Images JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon speaks with Maria Bartiromo on "Mornings With Maria" on April 9, 2025





Key Takeaways

Big bank stocks rebounded from earlier declines Wednesday after President Donald Trump said he would pause "reciprocal" import taxes for 90 days.

Earlier Wednesday, shares of the biggest banks fell as JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon said a recession would be a "likely outcome" as the Trump administrations sweeping tariffs rattled markets.

Several major U.S. banks are scheduled to report quarterly earnings on Friday.







Big bank stocks rebounded from earlier declines Wednesday after President Donald Trump said he would pause "reciprocal" import taxes for 90 days.

Earlier Wednesday, bank shares had fallen as JPMorgan Chase (JPM) CEO Jamie Dimon said the economy could be headed toward a recession as Trump's tariffs rattled markets. "I think probably it's a likely outcome," Dimon said in a televised appearance on Fox Business' "Mornings with Maria."

Just after 1:15 p.m. ET, however, President Trump wrote on Truth Social that he would pause most tariffs effective immediately, causing stocks to soar. Shares of JPMorgan were up 8% in recent trading, while Bank of America (BAC) stock rose 6%, and Wells Fargo (WFC) and Citigroup (C) shares jumped 7% and 9%, respectively. (Read Investopedia's live coverage of today's market action here.)

Several major U.S. banks, including JPMorgan and Wells Fargo, are set to report quarterly earnings on Friday, with investors likely to be watching whether worries about tariffs are hampering clients' borrowing appetites and ability to repay loans.



UPDATEThis article has been updated with the latest share price information.

Read the original article on Investopedia
Apr. 9DBeard @DominionPost.com MORGANTOWNA divided state Senate on Wednesday passed the House bill stripping the voting rights from certain members of university governing boards.

The vote followed an unsuccessful effort by Sen. Mike Oliverio, R-Monongalia, to restore those rights during a Tuesday evening floor session.

During Wednesday's debate on HB 3279, Sen. Mike Woelfel, D-Cabell, obliquely addressed an issue that's been discussed in the hallways but not on the record: the origin of the bill.

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All the members know the origin, he said. "Somebody applied for a job. They didn't get the job. And now we're running a bill to change the board of governors for every college and university in the state."

Woelfel was referring to an unsuccessful applicant for the WVU president's joba member of the West Virginia Legislature who has been named in media reports, but not confirmed by WVU.

Students are being removed from voting positions at schools they pay to attend, he said. "If you think our students are not knowledgeable or sophisticated enough to cast a thoughtful and intelligent vote, you don't know our students, " he said.

HB 3279 turns the student, faculty and staff members of boards of governors across the state into non-voting advisory members. For WVU specifically, it makes the Extension service faculty representative also a non-voting member.

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When Oliverio explained his amendment on Tuesday evening, he said, "If we fail to adopt this amendment, we will eliminate the voting rights for students, faculty and staff at all institutions."

All the members, he said, may have heard from their constituents the importance of those voices in the governing process. He's heard from Fairmont State and WVU in his district.

Government Organization chair Patricia Rucker, R-Jefferson, defended the measure, saying only two Big 12 university BOGs have voting faculty members, six have voting student members and none have voting staff. She cited similar numbers among 20 WVU peer institutions.

A survey by the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges, she said, shows that 18.4 % have voting faculty and 8.7 % have voting staff.

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"The duty of loyalty to the institution obligates board members to act in good faith and put the interests of the institution above any personal or private interest, " she said. Faculty and staff have incontrovertible conflicts, and even without an actual conflict, there's always an appearance."

Oliverio suggested that Rucker better understands BOGs everywhere than in her own district. West Virginia has had this setup for 30 years without any complaint.

"To suggest that the thousands of men and women in this state who serve as faculty members at our institutions would be disloyal to their institution if they had an opportunity to vote on their governing board, I find offensive, " he said.

Oliverio read a letter from WVU President Gordon Gee, who said the university is strong when everyone is engaged and invested in the outcome. Compromise is built when all sides have a place in decision making, and voting power creates a buy0in from the groups most affected by BOG decisions. He knows of many instances where those voices have shaped policy for the better.

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Oliverio's amendment failed in a 14-19 vote. Education chair Amy Grady, R-Mason, supported the amendment along with, locally, Sens. Charles Clements, R-Wetzel, and Joey Garcia, D-Marion. Sens. Chris Rose, R-Monongalia, Jay Taylor, R-Taylor, and Senate President Randy Smith, R-Tucker, opposed it.

Two other Oliverio amendments also failed: one to require a geographical balance on the WVU BOG by requiring five members from each congressional district, and one to make sure advisory members aren't edged out by explicitly allowing them to attend all BOG meetings.

The debate continued Wednesday when the bill was up for passage. Oliverio asked Woelfel whether he agreed that the tone of Tuesday's debate reflected a view that boards are better run by lawyers and business people. Woelfel agreed and noted that Marshall President Brad Smith, perhaps the most successful businessman in the state, opposes the bill because he wants to hear from students and staff and faculty.

"He felt that participation of those people on the board are the yeast that helps the loaf rise, " Woelfel said.

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And Oliverio noted that for the past three weeks, no legislator has approached him to advise him of any problems with the current setup.

Rucker, alluding to Woelfel's assertion about the origin of the bill, said, "This bill was not meant to attack anyone." It's a policy decision and those members will remain on the boards as advisory members, he said, and many alumni serve as board members and know and understand the students and faculty.

The vote to pass the bill was 19-15, with the senators named above voting in the same way: opposing the amendment and supporting the bill.

Other measures in the bill include mandating that one BOG member for WVU and West Virginia State University  the two land-grant institutions  represent agriculture, forestry or the related sciences.

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It raises the number of gubernatorial appointees for WVU's BOG from 12 to 15, and requires one of them to be the agriculture /forestry representative, one to represent WVU Tech, and one to represent Potomac State.

It raises total WVU BOG membership from 17 to 19.

For West Virginia State, it requires one of nine gubernatorial appointees to be the agriculture /forestry representative.

HB 3279 now returns to the House for concurrence with some Senate tweaks.
The Rhode Island Senate President's chair, center, has not been occupied by Sen. Dominick Ruggerio for 13 of the 17 regularly scheduled floor sessions so far this year. He is expected to return to the upper chamber on April 22 after lawmakers April break. (Photo by Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current)

Senate President Dominick Ruggerios much-anticipated return to the Rhode Island State House after a bout of pneumonia has been short-lived. The North Providence Democrat reappeared for a single day of session on March 25, but has not been back since.

He now plans to return to the rostrum the week of April 21, following the legislatures scheduled break next week, Greg Pare, a Senate spokesperson, confirmed in an email.

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Pare said the upper chambers 76-year-old leader is doing well, and remains in constant contact by phone with his leadership team and colleagues in the House of Representatives.

Rhode Island Senate President Dominick Ruggerio is shown on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, during Gov. Dan McKees State of the State address in the House chamber. (Photo by Michael Salerno/Rhode Island Current)

Ruggerio declined Rhode Island Currents request to discuss his health by phone this week, Pare said in an email on Ruggerios behalf. However, Pare said Ruggerio was willing to discuss topics other than his health.

He has been very public and transparent about his health situation, Pare said.

Ruggerio discussed his treatment for and recovery from cancer and shingles as part of a Dec. 17 interview with Rhode Island Current about his 2025 legislative priorities. He first revealed his most recent cancer diagnosis  his third bout  in an April 2024 interview with the Providence Journal.

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For the time being, he is going to focus on rebuilding his strength so that he can be here in person when sessions get busy, Pare said.

The Rhode Island General Assemblys return to Smith Hill following the April break typically marks an inflection point in the six-month-long session, when lawmakers transition from reviewing legislation in public hearings to passing and negotiation in earnest on key bills.

Ruggerios multiple absences from the session this year  missing 13 of 17 regularly scheduled floor sessions including on Thursday  have not gone unnoticed, reminiscent of similar bouts of absence due to illness during the 2024 session. Doubts about Ruggerios ability to lead led to a power struggle in which his former Senate majority leader, Ryan Pearson, challenged him for the president role. Ruggerio fended off the attempted coup, though nearly one-third of Senate Democrats backed Pearson in their November caucus.

Ruggerio pledged he was committed and healthy enough to lead the 38-member chamber through its 2025 session. But a touch of pneumonia  in Pares words  landed him in Our Lady of Fatima Hospital in mid-February. Ruggerio was subsequently treated at the hospitals rehabilitation center, and released on March 12.

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Senate President Pro Tempore Hanna Gallo, a Cranston Democrat and Deputy Senate President Pro Tempore Matt LaMountain, a Warwick Democrat, have filled in presiding over the Senate in Ruggerios absence.

Ruggerio in an emailed statement Wednesday credited Majority Leader Valarie Lawson, Majority Whip David Tikoian, and other senators for ensuring that the Senate has never skipped a beat in his absence.

We are fortunate to have an incredible team of dedicated and talented public servants in the Senate, and our important work continues to move the state forward, Ruggerio said.

After this week, the Rhode Island General Assembly will reconvene on April 22.

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This Bitcoin-focused hedge fund outperformed bitcoin last year.

210k Capital, the hedge fund for UTXO Management, was the fifth best performing single major hedge fund in 2024 according to HFR. It returned 164% net of fees in 2024. UTXO Management is the investing arm of BTC Inc., of Bitcoin Magazine and Bitcoin Conference fame.

This article first appeared on Blockspace Media, the leading Bitcoin industry publication dedicated to covering Bitcoin tech, markets, mining, and ordinals. Get Blockspace articles directly in your inbox by clicking here.

Single manager hedge funds are run by one entity, versus multi-manager or fund-to-fund hedge funds, which have multiple portfolio managers.

In HFRs recap of its 2024 Global Hedge Fund Industry Report Q4 2024, the research firm revealed that cryptocurrency-focused hedge funds were the leading area of overall [hedge fund] industry performance. HFRs index for cryptocurrency funds returned 59.81% in 2024.

UTXO Managements banner 2024 performance puts it in conversation with leading hedge funds that focus on traditional assets and industries. And it has bitcoin to thank for that  or, more directly, bitcoin companies.

UTXO Managements Co-founder and Chief Investment Officer, Tyler Evans, said that the funds 2024 returns chiefly stemmed from its investment in bitcoin strategy companies, principally Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy) and Metaplanet.

Over the last 12 months, we went very hard into the bitcoin treasury-play thesis as as we really saw it play out with what Saylor is doing, and the opportunity to really globalize itSo we did that pretty heavily in 2024, with both Strategy as well as Metaplanet out of Japan, where we were the first bitcoin investors in the company, Evans told Blockspace.

He said that the hedge fund holds 80% of its portfolio in bitcoin equities, which were a big factor that drove [210k Capitals] out-performance in 2024. A portion of that 80% includes public bitcoin miners, but the real money makers have been Metaplanet and Strategy, the latter of which 210k Capital held since the early days of its bitcoin strategy.

These companies, Evans explained, offer a novel form of securitized bitcoin exposure that makes it easier for everything from institutional firms to IRAs to pension funds to hold bitcoin-adjacent assets. As a result, the investable landscape has grown significantly over the last few years, he said, opening the door to registered investment advisors, wealth managers, funds, and sophisticated family offices.

This marks a shift from the funds early days when it courted self-made, high-net worth individuals who were typically more active investors managing their own portfolio to more passive investors whom manage pools of capital.
Sheriffs deputies arrest three in Hoisington raid

BARTON COUNTY, Kan. (KSNW)  Deputies searched two homes in Hoisington Wednesday and made three arrests.

Barton County Sheriff Brian Bellendir said an extensive drug investigation lasting several weeks led to two addresses in the town. The sheriffs office got search warrants for a home in the 300 block of 5th Street and one in the 300 block of 4th Street.

On Wednesday, just before 5 p.m., Barton County Sheriffs deputies, the Hoisington Police Department and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation conducted the searches simultaneously.

Law enforcement officers execute a search warrant in Hoisington on April 9, 2025. (Courtesy Barton County Sheriffs Office)

Historic Hoisington church moved for the second time

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At one house, a 42-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of:

Possession of methamphetamine and

Distribution of methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a school.

At the other house, law enforcement arrested a 47-year-old man and a 46-year-old woman on suspicion of was arrested on suspicion of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of a school.

Bond for each suspect is set at $300,000. KSN News does not release names unless charges have been filed in court.

The sheriff says there may be additional arrests coming.

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  One of the latest domestic-related homicides in Nashville happened Monday night  an apparent murder-suicide that claimed the life of a young mother.

For the past 20 years, Tennessee has been in the top ten states in the nation of men killing women, Dr. Daffany Baker with the YWCA of Nashville & Middle Tennessee said.

ORIGINAL STORY | MNPD: 2 dead after apparent murder-suicide at South Nashville apartment complex

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Baker said too many domestic situations end up deadly, like what happened at the Axis apartments in South Nashville. The Metro Nashville Police Department said 35-year-old Merlin Nataren was shot multiple times by her boyfriend, who then reportedly died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Its very, very unfortunate  every time I hear about something like that, it really breaks my heart, Baker said.

Investigators said Nataren and her boyfriend didnt have a history of domestic violence.

Domestic violence is a silent epidemic, Baker said. Nobody wants to really talk about it, but it happens more than people know.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

Baker said often, victims are too scared to speak up, but she wants loved ones to ask questions if they suspect somethings going on.

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You might not come out and just say, Hey, is that person hitting you?' Baker said. You might just say, Hey, are you okay? If anything happens, Im here.'

Baker said leaving a domestic violence situation could be dangerous, so victims should have a plan.

Its as simple as keeping gas in your car, Baker said. You might have to leave in the middle of the night  Keep a bag ready with your vital documents that you may need upon leaving.

We reached out to the victims family and they said theyre not ready to talk.

You can reach out to YWCAs crisis number at 1-800-334-4628 or its website, www.ywcanashville.com.

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The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a prevention network of 161 crisis centers that provides a 24/7, toll-free hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. If you or someone you know needs support now, call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.

For anyone in a crisis, help is out there. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
UPDATE:

George Norkus, 82, has been located in Lewis County, the West Virginia State Police announced Thursday morning.

ORIGINAL:

BUCKHANNON, W.Va. (WBOY)  The West Virginia State Police has issued a Silver Alert for a missing Upshur County man who troopers say has early-onset dementia.

George Zenon Norkus

Man arrested after allegedly spraying student in the face with gasoline on WV Wesleyan campus

According to a release sent Wednesday night, state troopers are searching for George Zenon Norkus, 82, of Buckhannon. Norkus is white, standing 511 and weighing 157 pounds. He has gray hair and brown eyes.

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Troopers said Norkus was last seen at a home on Canaan Road in Rock Cave and was wearing blue jeans, white shoes and glasses. He is believed to be travelling in a red 2015 Ford Escape with a West Virginia license plate reading 9KP337.

Troopers were unable to specify in what direction Norkus was traveling, but said he may be in Pennsylvania or New York by now.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts should contact the Upshur County Sheriffs Office at 304-472-9550, the West Virginia State Police at 304-473-4200 or call 911.

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BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) Since 1956, the Captain Hornblower has been a working tugboat, mainly used as a ship-assist tug.

On Wednesday, Bay County turned the legendary boat into an artificial reef. Deployed just 12 miles off the coastline, the 90-foot-long tugboat sunk around 97 feet deep into the Gulf.

The total cost of the deployment is $65,000. The county received financial support from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

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Officials say that not only will it boost tourism but also provide a habitat for marine life.

70-Year-Old tugboat finds new life as an artificial reef

Northwest Florida is predominantly sand bottom, so theres not a lot of habitats. And thats why we establish these artificial reefs. It serves as a recruitment area. It attracts species, but then it also helps with production as well. So, our fishermen should get a lot of enjoyment out of these sites, Coastal Resource Coordinator Chantille Weber said.

The tugboat had some delays on deployment due to crew members still working on technicalities.

News 13 will have more information on Thursday.

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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  A Sioux Falls man faces a total of 11 counts, including four felony counts, of attempted first degree murder of a law enforcement officer.

Samir Albaidhani is accused of shooting a Sioux Falls Police officer, stealing a car and leaving town. Attorney General Marty Jackley said the incident took place in Sioux Falls on April 1, 2025.

Pleas of not guilty entered in Hibachi Grill case

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On Wednesday, Albaidhani was indicted by a Union County Grand Jury. He also faces charges in Minnehaha County related to the officer-involved shooting in Sioux Falls.

Albaidhani also faces four counts of aggravated assault against a law enforcement officer and separate counts of commission of a felony while armed with a firearm, aggravated eluding, and resisting arrest.

South Dakotas Division of Criminal Investigation is leading the investigation and will issue summaries for both cases, according to the Attorney Generals office.

KELOLAND has reported on this case and Albaidhanis criminal history.

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NORTH SIOUX CITY, S.D. (KCAU)  Two Siouxland organizations got together Wednesday to make more than two dozen tie blankets for children in need.

The MercyOne Siouxland Child Advocacy Center provides a safe place for children who are dealing with or have dealt with abuse. The organization hands out these handmade blankets to young people, offering a sense of security. On Wednesday, employees with Sterling of North Sioux City joined in to help make thirty blankets.

Norfolk launching online permit system to streamline applications

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Sterling employees were able to quickly knock out the tie blankets. Officials with the company say they love to support their community.

Any cause that will help children, whether its feeding them, with their medical help, with their education, Sterlings owner and executive chairman Jean Moore said. And this one to me encompasses all of it, so if we can help that organization do a good job, were happy to do that.

The MercyOne Siouxland Child Advocacy Center is the only one of its kind within 100 miles of Sioux City, assisting law enforcement and the courts in child abuse investigations.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports.
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU)  Roughly 450 students from around northwest Iowa gathered in Sioux City on Wednesday to learn about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics-related careers.

The Siouxland STEM Festival brought 6th to 12th-grade students to the 185th Air Refueling Wing, Oracle Aviation, and the Mid America Museum of Aviation and Transportation. Combined, the organizations offered 40 hands-on exhibits and educational sessions, showing students possible career paths after high school such as nursing and even piloting.

One student said she had a great time.

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My first station was about, like, all the people that help take the X-rays, said Sophia Scott, a student at the Westwood Community School District. They get to see if you have a fractured or a broken arm or if you sprained your ankle.

Siouxland organizations team up to create tie blankets for abused children

Scott said she has an interest in becoming a nurse in the future, which is exactly what officials with the Northwest Iowa STEM Region are hoping for.

Its such a big decision to make to know what career pathway to take, Northwest Regional STEM Manager Mary Trent said. So the earlier that we can expose them to the wide variety of career choices out there, they can start making those decisions about I really like this pathway or I like that pathway, or I dont really like this way or that way.'

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Officials say students got an exciting and educational day out of the classroom, and they hope some of the exhibits influenced students to pursue a STEM career.

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Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao has held a meeting via video link with Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz, Malaysia's minister of investment, trade and industry, as Malaysia currently holds the rotating chair of ASEAN, said a statement released by China's Ministry of Commerce on Thursday.

The two sides held in-depth and candid exchanges on strengthening China-Malaysia and China-ASEAN economic and trade cooperation, as well as jointly responding to the so-called "reciprocal tariffs" raised by the United States.

Wang said these so-called "reciprocal tariffs" ignore the hard-won balance of interests achieved through years of multilateral trade negotiations and the fact that the United States has long benefited substantially from global trade.

He described the U.S. move as a typical act of unilateral bullying that severely hurts the legitimate rights and interests of countries including China and ASEAN members.

Wang added that the U.S. approach also harms its own interests and endangers global economic growth and the stability of industrial and supply chains, posing a grave threat to the multilateral trading system.

Wang stressed that China firmly opposes such measures and has already taken decisive countermeasures, adding that China is ready to fight till the end if the United States is bent on going down the wrong path.

He also expressed China's readiness to strengthen communication and coordination with trading partners, including the ASEAN, and to resolve respective concerns through dialogue and consultation based on mutual respect, in a joint effort to safeguard the multilateral trading system.

Zafrul said Malaysia's Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry has already issued a statement opposing the U.S. policy, noting that it runs counter to the principles of free and fair trade as set out by the World Trade Organization.

Malaysia fully respects China's stance and is committed to jointly supporting multilateralism and the advancement of global trade, the minister said, adding the country will engage in consultations with other ASEAN members to jointly respond to the so-called "reciprocal tariffs" and other moves proposed by the United States.
Specialist reinsurance broker BMS Group has appointed Jean-Jacques Henchoz as its board chairman, with the role to be handed over on 1 May.

Henchoz was latterly the CEO and executive board chairman at Hannover Re.

He has executive and board-level experience, including a stint of more than two decades at Swiss Re, where he held various leadership roles.

BMS Group CEO Nick Cook said: Jean-Jacques extensive industry credentials will be invaluable to us, and we expect to see sustained growth for BMS under his chairmanship. In addition, we are eager to benefit from his valuable strategic insights as we move forward as a scaled-up, thriving, global business.

He is a proven industry leader with the ability to navigate complex challenges and identify dynamic opportunities, and I am confident that his vision will foster quality growth and innovation in our operations.

Hannover Re achieved double-digit earnings growth during Henchozs six-year tenure as CEO, BMS Group said in a statement.

This contributed to the doubling of Hannover Res market capitalisation and its subsequent inclusion in Germanys DAX-Index, the statement added.

Henchoz added: I look forward to contributing to the next chapter of BMS Group, building exciting new partnerships and strengthening existing ones.

Joining the Board of a leading brokerage firm presents an attractive opportunity for me to leverage my global reinsurance industry experience, while supporting an agile, client-focused organisation that helps companies navigate the challenges of today and the future.

The latest deal continues BMS Groups recent acquisition spree.

Last month, BMS acquired Spanish broker Rasher. This followed the December 2024 acquisition of UK-based David Roberts & Partners, and earlier last year, the acquisition of a majority stake in United Arab Emirates broker Berns Brett Masaood.

"BMS Group names ex-Hannover Re CEO as new board chairman" was originally created and published by Life Insurance International, a GlobalData owned brand.




Michelle Obama on Tuesday appeared to open up publicly for the first time about her decision to skip President Trumps inauguration, saying shes at the point in her life where shes choosing to do what was best for herself.

I get to look at my calendar, which I did this year, with a real big example of me, myself, looking at something that I was supposed to do  without naming names  and I chose to do what was best for me. Not what I had to do. Not what I thought other people wanted me to do, the former first lady told Sophia Bush on the actors podcast, Work in Progress, released Tuesday.

That was an important test for me, just as a woman, as an independent person. Because like all women and a lot of people, I operate from guilt, Obama, 61, said.

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What should I do? What is the best thing for everybody else? she continued. Because its easier for me to say, Well, I did this because it was what I was supposed to do.

Obama skipped Trumps inauguration in January. The absence came just weeks after she was not among the former first family members to attend the funeral service for former President Carter in Washington. Former President Obama attended both affairs.

Without mentioning either event directly, Obama told Bush, We as women, I think we struggle with disappointing people.

I mean, so much so that this year people they couldnt even fathom that I was making a choice for myself that they had to assume that my husband and I are divorcing, Obama said of questions about her relationship with the former president. The Obamas wed in 1992.

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This couldnt be a grown woman just making a set of decisions for herself, right? she exclaimed.

But thats what society does to us.

We start actually, finally going, What am I doing? Who am I doing this for? And if it doesnt fit into the sort of stereotype of what people think we should do, then it gets labeled as something negative and horrible, the Becoming author and former lawyer said.

The interesting thing is that when I say no, for the most part people are like, I get it. And Im OK. And thats the thing that we as women I think struggle with disappointing people, Obama said.

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Decline is a choice.

That was Charles Krauthammers admonition and insight, offered in 2009 at the dawn of Barack Obamas administration. The award-winning columnist noted that pronouncements regarding Chinas inevitable march to global dominance were always accompanied by lamentations about Americas certain decline. As Beijings prospects went up, Washingtons would have to go down, as if by the rules of physics.

Krauthammer rejected the premise. My thesis is simple, he said. The question of whether America is in decline cannot be answered yes or no. There is no yes or no. Both answers are wrong, because the assumption that somehow there exists some predetermined inevitable trajectory, the result of uncontrollable external forces, is wrong. Nothing is inevitable. Nothing is written. For America today, decline is not a condition. Decline is a choice.

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Krauthammer was correct then, and, although he is sadly no longer with us, his point is correct today. But the tectonic plates of American politics have shifted over the past 16 years. In 2009, Krauthammer served as the indispensable intellectual backstop of American conservatism, with advocates of managed decline mostly arrayed on the other side of the ideological spectrum. Fast forward four presidential election cycles, and Krauthammers worldview is now mocked and derided by the new leaders of the American right and Republican Party.

For the most ardentand onlinedefenders of Donald Trump on the intellectual new right, Make America Great Again has been displaced as the organizing ideological slogan by, Do you know what time it is? The point of this juvenile rhetorical question is that the postliberal elite who support and staff the Trump administration have an almost gnostic insight invisible to the rest of us. In their invincible faith in what often seems like an unpatriotic love of political power, they insist that the old rulesof American global leadership, free markets, limited government, fidelity to the Constitutionhave passed their sell-by date. What is required is new thinking and fresh ideas.

What are these new and fresh ideas? For some, they are literally monarchism or autocracy. For others, they are mercantilism and a division of the world into spheres of influence. In short, their foreign policy was ancient when Charlemagne was on the throne, and their economic philosophy was hatched in the 15th century.

In service of these ideas, Donald Trump has literally made Americaand Americanspoorer, bringing the United States to the brink of a recession in recent weeks by threatening to unilaterally impose one of the most regressive tax hikes in U.S. history. Hes momentarily been talked into standing down, but an economic environment in which the whims of one famously mercurial man can upend the international trade system and wipe out trillions of dollars in stock market value is not one conducive to sustained growth. For the next 90 daysand really, for the remainder of Trumps termdecision-makers at businesses across the country and the world will be forced to speculate: Are the presidents tariffs merely a negotiating tool, or an effort to fundamentally remake the global economy? Even key White House officials seem not to know.

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But the financial volatility of recent days is just one symptom of a broader, more deliberate descent. Decline doesnt solely mean impoverishment; it means degeneration, to sink backward and down. And that is what the United States current leadership class is choosing for this country by willfully dismantling the free-market system, abandoning Americas role as a global leader, and degrading the separation of powers and rule of law. Even worse, it is doing so based on a suite of false assumptions: that Americans are weak, unable to compete in an open market, and incapable of responding to any incentives or exhortations more high-minded than rank self-interest or partisan contempt. The underlying assumption, held by leaders across the political spectrum, is that appealing to Americas loftiest ideals for reasons unrelated to partisan advantage is for suckers.

We reject that premise. Those American ideals, inherited from the Founders and fortified by later generations, are what brought the United States to the heights from which it is now slouching.

Photo by Travis Walser via Unplash.

Donald Trump may have decided on Wednesday to temporarily call off most of his blanket, so-called reciprocal tariffs, but that capitulation to reality does not change the fundamental truth: As evidenced by the past weekand past four decadesthe president views trade as zero-sum, with clear winners and losers in every transaction. He believes the existence of a trade deficit in goods with any country renders the United States a loser, ignoring the fact that that, for the average American consumer, being able to buy a wider variety of food, clothes, cars, and medicines at lower prices is a clear victory for their wallets and way of life.

As long as Trumps machinations continue to cause confusion and uncertainty, access to foreign markets is going to dry up, goods will become more expensive, and a policy sold as an effort to secure the American Dream will have the result of putting it further out of reach for millions of Americans. If Trumps first term is any indication, he will then attempt to divert taxpayer dollarsor drive the country further into debtto subsidize the very industries his trade policies have targeted.

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Those trade policies dont put Americans first; they put his pet theories of global scorekeeping first. Our trade deficit with Canada, for example, would not exist but for the fact that it provides a safe and reliable supply of oil, which it sells us below global market prices. Lower oil prices are good for Americans, but according to Trumps scorecard, its proof were getting ripped off by our democratic neighbor and ally.

Trump claims his tariffs will generate so much revenue for the government that federal income taxes will become unnecessary. But the United States has tried this before and abandoned the systemnot just because it proved to be an inefficient and counterproductive impediment to growth, but because protectionism fueled massive political corruption, as business interests lobbied, bribed, and bought public officials to circumvent tariffs or see them punitively applied to competitors. This dynamic seems to be a feature, not a bug, for the president who likes nothing more than to be beseeched for favorsfor a price.

This type of thinking has infected Trumps view of geopolitics as well. Rather than committing to meeting the challenges incumbent upon leaders of the free world, the White House and its ideological allies seem dead set on shedding the job title entirely, as if it were just another target of the Department of Government Efficiency. Instead, they seem to accept the inevitable rise of our adversaries as the new stewards of a very different international orderone organized around the ancient imperial practice of spheres of influence. Gone is the idea of burden-sharing with allies to protect our interests and values; in its place is a kind of burden-sharing with our foes, where each has undisputed dominion over its region.

Under this system, we are told, America will finally put its own interests first again. But passing off isolationism as America First assumes all competing approaches to foreign policynot to mention trade policy and immigration policyare contrary to Americas self-interest. The Trump administration views alliances, international trade, and the expenditure of energy or resources promoting our valueseven rhetoricallyas inherently at odds with Americas bottom line. By this logic, the Marshall Plan, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and even the Cold War itself would have been dismissed as unmanly do-goodery at our expense, the way support for Ukraines war effort has.

President Donald Trump meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office at the White House on Friday, February 28, 2025. (Photo by Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Indeed, the White House had made clear that it views Ukrainians not as allies desperately fighting for their freedom and survival, but as freeloaders whose only utility now is as a potential profit center. When you see the world as an arena to be carved up by rival mob bosses, those nations on our turf cease to be democratic allies, dependent on a system we created, and start to become targets for economic exploitation or even territorial expansion. How else to explain the administrations refusal to rule out the use of force to annex Greenland or Canada?

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But nowhere is the evidence of the new rights willful decline more obvious than in its rejection of fidelity to the rule of law and the Constitution. As the Trump administration ignores due process, encroaches upon press freedom, and subverts the independence of the judiciaryall central pillars of self-governmenttop executive branch officials and Republican members of Congress turn a blind eye, or cheer it on. And let us be clear: The previous administration was no paragon of civic health either. Our own Sarah Isgur argued earlier this year that Joe Biden left office in January having caused more damage to the rule of law than any of his predecessors. But the Biden administrations myriad failures and abuses are not a warrant for this administration to do worse in the spirit of retribution.

Take, for example, the administrations ongoing campaign of intimidation against law firms. These executive orders may have begun as an exercise in retaliation, but their initial success at extracting concessions and capitulation has given way to both a shakedown operation and a means of hacking the rule of law and the constitutional order. Lawyers who might want to take on clients targeted by this administration have, in effect, been told, Thats a nice little law firm you have there, itd be a shame if something happened to it.

But the administrations most disturbing assault on the Constitution is the one it cynically touts as a patriotic defense of it: a presidents unchecked power. There is plenty of scholarship supporting the theories of the unitary executive; at a basic level, the arguments are uncontroversial and defensible. But the idea of the unitary executive is not, and has never been, a warrant for what Edmund Burke, John Locke, and the Founders called arbitrary power. As James Madison wrote in Federalist 47, The accumulation of all powers, legislative, executive, and judiciary, in the same hands, whether of one, a few, or many, and whether hereditary, self-appointed, or elective, may justly be pronounced the very definition of tyranny.

We are not there yet. Our sadly enfeebled institutions and deteriorating commitment to republican government are not yet so enervated as to permit outright tyranny, and we are encouraged by fledgling efforts by lawmakers to reclaim some of the authority granted to the legislative branch by Article I of the Constitution, however unlikely they are to succeed. But the rhetoric coming out of the White Houseand the logic underpinning itis moving rapidly in a dark direction. Donald Trumps musings about serving a third term or his promotion of a Napoleon quoteHe who saves his Country does not violate any Lawmay be discounted as trolling, but as our own Nick Catoggio has noted, when it comes to Trump, everythings a joke until it isnt.

Photo of Donald Trump by Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images.

Trumps conception of power and how to use it was old and familiar when the Founders convened to draft the Constitution. If they wanted a king, they could have had one in George Washington. But they wanted a republic, and to that end, they created a new system of government recognizing God-given rights that cannot be rescinded or trampled by mere politicians. The singular obligation imposed by Article II of the Constitution is to take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed.

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But Trumps theory of the unitary executive, combined with his anti-constitutional claim of an all-encompassing mandate because he carried the swing states, is an argument for arbitrary power. Even if Trump had won a landslide victory in November, rather than the 44th-largest margin of victory in the history of the Electoral College, the only mandate he enjoys is to do the job as laid out in the Constitution. And that job is to execute the laws duly enacted by Congress, not to make law through executive order and infest government agencies with unqualified loyalists.

Speaking of Congress, the firstand supremebranch of government is in many ways the great villain of this political moment. The American right may be choosing declineagain, in its truest meaning of decay and rotbut so, too, has the legislative branch. Members of Congress have been outsourcing their power and authority to the president and the courts for decades, punting difficult decisions to judges and unaccountable bureaucracies rather than taking positions that might upset some of their constituents back home. This cowardiceexhibited in spades by Republicans and Democrats alikehas placed a real strain on the federal government to operate as the Founders intended.

To the extent that Trumps true nature was ever a mystery, it no longer is: As a White House aide recently said, the president is at the peak of just not giving a f anymore and going to do what hes going to do. Since retaking office in January, he has pardoned violent felons solely because the violence they committed was on his behalf. He has all but flipped the United States official position on Russias war of aggression in Ukraine. He has allowed Elon Musk to cripple government functions and agencies enacted and authorized by Congresssome of which do literally lifesaving work. He has threatened and vilified judges whoyes, sometimes in excessare attempting to uphold laws written by Congress or constitutional safeguards enshrined by the Founders. Just yesterday afternoon, he directed the Justice Department to open an investigation into Chris Krebs, a widely-respected public servant who ran the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency in Trumps first administration, because Krebs falsely and baselessly denied that the 2020 election was rigged and stolen.

Again, we have not yet arrived at unalloyed tyranny. But we are getting closer, and that is bad enough.

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There was a time when conservatives in elected office would object to such usurpations of power and abuses of authority by the president. That time was approximately four months ago.

Were not naive; we understand partisan loyaltyparticularly at a moment when the president has the political winds at his backdemands a certain amount of tact and discernment. And quibble as we may with his methods, Trump has brought about some desperately needed change: Illegal border crossings have fallen to their lowest level in decades; an ideology that supports explicit racial discrimination is being rightfully extracted from the federal bureaucracy; and progressive pieties are being challenged at elite institutions.

But on the biggest questions, Donald Trumps second administration has already proven it will be a stark departure from his first, and no more conservativeideologically, dispositionally, philosophicallythan Joe Bidens or Barack Obamas. The sooner elected Republicans come to terms with that realityin public, not just in conversations they have with us when the cameras are offthe better off well all be.

Because just as Trumps pursuit of American decline is a choice, so, too, is refusing to object to it.

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.
IOWA  While Iowa farmers wait to see how President Trumps tariffs might cut into their profits, his cuts to federal aid programs are already hitting them.

For the past three years the U.S. Department of Agricultures Local Food for Schools (LFS) and Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) programs helped Iowa food pantries and public schools purchase fresh meat, dairy, and produce from small Iowa farms.

Non-profit organizations like the Iowa Food Cooperative (IFC) called it a win-win.

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It was amazing to be able to support farmers in that way, says IFCs Hilary Burbank. For them to be able to raise all of this amazing food and to get it to people who maybe dont usually have access to that type of food  they made a big difference.

Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Bar & Eatery begins remodel

The Trump administration cut those programs this year.

This will mean the pantries and schools will have a harder time buying fresh, locally-raised food. It also means small local farmers will lose a consistent stream of income.

They were able to take some of that money and do things like add to the chicken flocks and buy more seeds, Burbank says. They had begun to rely on it.

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This year, the IFC will be trying to help the producers make up for the loss by leaning into a new membership campaign. Shoppers can get healthy, locally-raised food  and help the Iowans who produce it.

Its a great thing for producers as well because they are able to get a list of whats been ordered instead of being at a farmers market and hoping that stuff is getting purchased, Burbank explains.

A membership to the IFC costs $50, but newcomers are allowed two free orders before a membership purchase is required.

Youll find the Iowa Food Co-Op on Franklin Avenue in Des Moines, and online.

Iowa News:

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Two people were hospitalized after a fire at a triple-decker filled a Malden neighborhood with smoke on Thursday morning.

The blaze broke out at a white multi-family home on Albion Street, prompting an emergency response from multiple area fire departments.

Albion Street is located a short distance from Malden High School and Malden Public Library.

An elderly man on the third floor was rescued by firefighters and hospitalized with smoke inhalation. Another man escaped the home on his own but cut his arm and had to be taken to the hospital.

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One gentleman that the fire folks pulled out had no shirt on, a neighborhood resident said. I ran home and got him a sweatshirt to provide him with some comfort.

Video showed large plumes of smoke billowing from the roof of the home as firefighters on ladder trucks worked to gain access to the flames.

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Investigators said they believe the fire started on the second floor and raced up the walls into the third floor and attic. They also said the homes slate roof hindered firefighters from accessing the flames.

No firefighters were injured in the blaze.

The flames have since been knocked down, but the public is urged to avoid the area until further notice due to the ongoing response.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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Editors Note: A video was removed from this article because it contained footage that we were not permitted to share. We apologize for the error.

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  The man accused of running over his daughter before leading police on a high-speed chase with a gun has taken the stand on day three of his trial.

James Skirvin is facing numerous charges including domestic violence against his daughter and felonious assault with a deadly weapon towards an officer.

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DAY ONE: Trial begins for Florida man accused in Trotwood shootout, police pursuit

On Wednesday, Skirvin himself testified, saying he snapped on that day in January 2024, even admitting that he did indeed run his daughter over and intended for law enforcement to take his life.

I came across the median and I drove my truck directly into the fence. My daughter was sitting where I hit her. Thats it, said Skirvin. I cant take it back. And I obviously continued on hurting her. Its not killing her, shes my child, I love her, but it happened.

While being questioned, Skirvin shared that Jan. 8, 2024 was the day after his wedding anniversary. After a painful divorce from his wife, he says he was in an unstable emotional state.

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All these things coming together at this anniversary, and the day after. I was overwhelmed, I mean, I was distraught, breaking down as the day progressed. It was too much for me, said Skirvin.

DAY TWO: Officers involved in shootout, crash called to testify on day 2 of Skirvin trial

A gun expert with the Ohio BCI and the Ohio State Highway Patrol also took to the stand on day three. They provided testimony on the long gun Skirvin used on the police chase. Police say he seriously injured a Trotwood officer during the shootout and subsequent crash.

Skirvin testified, explaining he took police on the pursuit and shootout so that he could commit suicide by officer.

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Court will resume on Thursday for closing arguments. 2 NEWS will continue to follow this story.

Click for previous coverage of Day 1 and Day 2 of trial.

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The Social Security Administration has been reeling from dramatic changes over the past few months that have affected beneficiaries across the country, stirring widespread anxiety.

In February, the agency laid off 7,000 employees. This has resulted in challenges with finding a reliable way to contact the SSA over the phone, while the official website seems to be struggling to stay online.

According to a report from The Washington Post last week, the Social Security Administration website issues have left beneficiaries unable to log in. There have been spates of intermittent uptime and crashes caused by an influx of traffic due to an expanded fraud-checking system that wasn't tested at scale.

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Below, we'll break down what's been going on at the SSA and call out a few things you can try to do if you run into issues yourself. The agency provides benefits to 73 million recipients, so even a modest percentage of that could be a substantial number of people.

For more, don't miss Social Security Disability Insurance recipients may want to file taxes this year.

Mixed guidance on official communication channels

Late last week, multiple reports surfaced that the Social Security Administration would no longer be issuing press releases on the website's blog or "dear colleague" letters to inform employees about changes to policy. Instead, it will use Elon Musk's X (formerly Twitter) for communications going forward. The comments came from Linda Kerr-Davis, the SSA Regional Commissioner for Midwest-West (MWW).

The SSA later called this out as false in a post on X, saying that the agency will "continue to communicate through any and all mediums." At the time of the X post from the SSA, the last statement from the official website's blog was March 27, addressing rumors of Social Security offices closing. This was after the updated policy for identity-proofing measures (below) that would require some individuals an in-office visit to complete their claims. Those announcements were made on X on Apr 8.

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As of April 14, the SSA acknowledged the updated measures in a statement on the website's blog.

More-strict identification rules go into effect on April 14

In late March, the SSA announced new rules pertaining to identity proofing that will go into effect on April 14. The new rules said that in-person identity proofing for people unable to use their My Social Security account will be required for certain services.

Prior to the policy rollback, those applying for retirement or survivor benefits and spouse or child auxiliary benefits who can't use their online account would potentially be required to do in-person identity proofing. Now, as long as you pass the anti-fraud check, any claim can be completed over the phone. If you're flagged during the check, you will have to complete your claim in-person.

The only thing that hasn't been touched by the rollback is if an individual needs to update their direct deposit information for any benefit and cannot perform or complete the action online. This will require an in-person visit at a local office.

Login issues, missing information and a broken appointment system

All of this comes at a time Many people are having trouble logging in to their My Social Security accounts, and those who can get in don't seem to get much further. Some people who can successfully log in discover that information is missing, with many Supplements Security Income recipients receiving incorrect messages saying they "currently are not receiving payments."

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The Post's report also says people aren't able to schedule appointments at all via the website, which has led them to wait on hold for extended periods. Long waits on the phone have been common in the past but seem to be getting markedly worse. The New York Times also has a recent report with similar findings.

Newly expanded fraud checking system

An expansion of an existing contract with a credit-reporting agency seems to be the main source of the SSA website issues, according to the report in The Washington Post. The agency tracks an assortment of personal information for verification purposes, and claims now require these checks to happen earlier in the process, boosting traffic volume significantly. It also appears that the implementation wasn't tested at the full scale of the website, and bugs resulted in the login portal failing, leaving Social Security recipients unable to access their accounts, the report said.

Employees have limited access to internal tool systems

It's not just beneficiaries: Outages mean employees at the SSA are also being locked out of their internal tools at times, preventing them from completing tasks at offices. This has resulted in some employees having to write down on paper information from recipients and manually input the information once their system goes back online, according to the Post's report.

Payments haven't been affected

Despite the problems, payments haven't been affected, at least not yet. If you're in good standing with your My Social Security account, you can more than likely get away with not logging in while the issues get resolved.

What can you do now?

If you're unable to log in to your My Social Security account and need to make an adjustment to your account, like updating your earnings or changing your emergency contact information, you have a couple of options.

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First, you can try to use the phone system by calling 1-800-772-1213. Once you get through the menus, you should be given an estimated wait time. You can visit the SSA's contact page to see the average wait times per hour on any particular weekday.

If you're limited on time or can't get through via phone, you can also head to a local field office. And despite the rumors of field offices potentially closing all over the country, the SSA published a blog post that said rumors were false and that it hasn't closed one field office in 2025, only General Services Administration office spaces that were underutilized, and most of which had no assigned employees.

Because of the website problems and the problems making an appointment, wait times at local offices could be longer than usual. But at least for now, these offices aren't going anywhere.

For more, check out the Supplemental Security Income payment schedule and the Social Security and SSDI cheat sheet.
(FOX40.COM)  Sonoma County Sheriffs Office Crime Scene Detectives arrested a 26-year-old man on Wednesday in Santa Rosa for sexually assaulting a dog.

Video above: Dog rescued after 100-foot fall at Colorado Monument

According to SSCO, Jeremiah Ortega was arrested in the 100 block of Bellevue Avenue on a felony charge of animal cruelty, misdemeanor charges of sexual assault of an animal and two counts of violation of probation.

SSCO stated that Ortega had been arrested before on April 3 for possession of child pornography and was released on Monday following a court hearing. During the ongoing child pornography investigation, detectives found videos on his phone showing him sexually assaulting a small dog.

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Crews were able to identify the dog and the crime scene which led Sonoma County Animal Service to seize the animal for examination, stated SSCO.

Man convicted of murder charges in 2022 Manteca shooting

Authorities said Ortega was booked into the Sonoma County Main Adult Detention Facility. His bail was initially $27,000 but was increased by $50,000 bringing the total to $77,000.

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South Carolina bill could allow a billion-dollar casino along I-95

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WSPA)  South Carolina has not had a casino for 30 years, but a new bill would allow for one soon on I-95.

A few years ago, Wallace Cheves, Founder and President of Santee Development Corporation, bought property off I-95 in Orangeburg to build a casino.

Cheves said the casino would generate between $75-$100 million in annual tax revenue for the state, and it would create over 4,900 jobs for South Carolinians.

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Its a billion-dollar project to build a casino, but it would only be built if a bill passes through the statehouse.

I think youre seeing a big shift in gaming becoming more acceptable nationally and definitely in South Carolina, because we have a different makeup of a voter populace too, Cheves said.

If the bipartisan bill makes it through, Cheves said he can start working immediately.

Co-sponsor of the bill and House Minority Leader, Representative Todd Rutherford (D  Richland) said this bill needs to be passed.

One of the ways this bill is set up is tier four counties that touch the I-95 corridor, and the reason why thats so important is because if a casino does happen in South Carolina; its going to go to the area that we know most needs in tier four counties are the lowest on the rung. 

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Governor Henry McMaster has spoken out several times against gambling.

Gambling is bad for our culture. Its not a part of our heritage, and there are better ways to make money, to get jobs, and generate tax money to generate our thriving economy, he said.

I dont like to take no for an answer, I never have. It took me almost 13 years to have the project approved in North Carolina. Were investing now, Cheves said in response to the governors opinion.

Rutherford added, Im disappointed to hear that the governor is not sitting in support of freedom, the same freedom that people enjoy in other states and in other countries. Why cant somebody in South Carolina have that freedom? Im not at all swayed by the fact that the governor says he doesnt support it because so many other people do. 

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If the bill passes in the House and the Senate, the governor does not have to sign it. If he refuses, then the bill will need a two-thirds majority of the house and two two-thirds majority of the senate to put it into law.



Cheves said if the casino bill is passed this session and approved by McMaster, they can have it open in 120 days temporarily.

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We recently published a list of the 10 Best Clean Energy Stocks to Buy According to Billionaires. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Brookfield Renewable Corporation (NYSE:BEPC) stands against other top clean energy stocks according to billionaires.

The current overall bearish trend has also dealt a massive blow to the energy sector, which fell by more than 15.7% over the last five days, against a decline of less than 10% by the overall market. This is despite the fact that energy commodities were exempted from President Trumps sweeping new tariffs  a clear tactic to keep energy inflation in check and in-line with his broader aim to keep energy prices low. The biggest reason for this is the prevailing anxiety about what these tariffs will do to economic growth and, hence, the power demand. The decline in energy stocks also indicates that the market is not expecting any reindustrialization of America to happen in the near term, which appears to be the Presidents key aim behind his upending of the entire global trade system.

READ ALSO: 12 Best Nuclear Power Stocks To Buy Now

That said, the global renewable energy industry is growing at a record pace as the world moves ahead with its energy transition to mitigate the impacts of climate change. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency, the global renewable power capacity reached 4,448 gigawatts (GW) in 2024, with an addition of 585 GW just last year. This represented a 92.5% share of the total capacity expansion during the year and marked a record 15.1% rate of annual growth.

The American clean energy sector has kept up with this explosive growth and brought online 48.2 GW of capacity from utility-scale solar, wind, and battery storage in 2024, according to research organization Cleanview. Renewables are set to continue this momentum, and the US Energy Information Administration expects the share of new power capacity to come online this year from renewables and batteries to jump to 93%.

One sector that has particularly garnered accelerated investor interest over the last year is nuclear energy. The International Energy Agency recently revealed that nuclear is set to generate a record level of electricity in 2025. Moreover, on the sidelines of the CERAWeek conference in Houston last month, several major corporations even signed a pledge to support the goal of at least tripling the worlds nuclear energy capacity by 2050.

Another sector that has performed exceptionally well is that of energy storage, which set a new record with 12.3 GW of installations across all segments in the US last year. According to the American Clean Power Association, the industry is on a path to surpass 100 GW of grid-scale storage deployed by 2030. However, the countrys rapidly expanding sector now faces a serious threat since over 90% of lithium-ion energy storage cells deployed in the US storage market last year originated from China, according to Rho Motion, a data research company.
CHARLESTON, S.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  A South Carolina man has pleaded guilty to trafficking in sperm whale teeth and bones, violating federal wildlife laws.

Authorities announced Lauren H. Deloach, 69, from Saint Helena Island, admitted to importing and selling over $18,000 worth of sperm whale parts from countries like Australia, Latvia, Norway, and Ukraine between 2021 and 2024.

DeLoach reportedly used deceptive tactics, instructing suppliers to falsely label the items as plastic to avoid U.S. customs detection. Authorities said he then sold at least 85 items on eBay.

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Police seized about $20,000 worth of whale parts during a raid of his home.

Sperm whales, protected under the Endangered Species Act and international treaties, are threatened by the illegal trade in their parts. The Lacey Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act make such actions illegal.

DeLoach faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for his crimes. The investigation, part of Operation Raw Deal, was led by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and NOAA.

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(Reuters) - South Sudan's President Salva Kiir has replaced its foreign minister with his deputy, Monday Simaya Kumba, state media reported, following a migration dispute with the United States.

No explanation was given for the sacking of Foreign Minister Ramadan Mohamed, which was announced on the state radio station late on Wednesday.

The move follows a row with Washington over Juba's refusal to admit a Congolese man deported from the United States, which led to the Trump administration threatening to revoke all U.S. visas held by South Sudanese citizens.

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South Sudan yielded to Washington's demands on Tuesday and allowed the man to enter the country.

Separately, a faction of South Sudan's main opposition party (SPLM-IO) said on Wednesday it had replaced its chairman, First Vice President Riek Machar, with an interim leader, Peacebuilding Minister Stephen Par Kuol, until Machar was released from house arrest.

The move, which was criticised by other members of the party, could allow Kiir to sack longstanding rival Machar and consolidate his power over the government by appointing Kuol, analysts said.

"President Kiir (would) want people who would agree with him ... so that now the government's legitimacy will be created," said Kuol Abraham Nyuon, professor of political science at the University of Juba.

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Machar, who has served in a power-sharing administration with Kiir since a 2018 peace deal ended a civil war between fighters loyal to the two men, was accused of trying to stir up rebellion and detained at his home last month.

Machar's party denies government accusations that it backs the White Army, an ethnic militia which clashed with the army in the northeastern town of Nasir last month, triggering the latest political crisis.

African Union mediators arrived in Juba last week to try and rescue the peace deal, but did not appear to have made any immediate progress.

On Thursday, embassies based in Juba, including France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, the United Kingdom, United States, the European Union, reiterated their call for the immediate release of all political detainees.

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"It is urgent that South Sudans leaders meet their obligations and demonstrate that their priority is peace," they said in a joint statement.

The SPLM-IO said Machar's detention had effectively voided the agreement that ended the five-year civil war in which hundreds of thousands of people were killed. The party later said they were committed to upholding the deal.

The SPLM-IO's military wing remained loyal to Machar, and was "not part and parcel of the betrayers in Juba", its spokesperson Lam Paul Gabriel said in a statement on Wednesday.

Analysts say Kiir, 73, appears to be trying to shore up his position amid discontent within his own political camp and speculation about his succession plan.

(Reporting by Nairobi Newsroom; Writing by Hereward Holland; editing by Ammu Kannampilly, Mark Heinrich, Philippa Fletcher)
Donald Trumps anti-immigrant crackdown is causing consternation among some members of the conservative Southern Baptist Convention, as diverse faith leaders are pleading with his administration for mercy.

Baptist Press reported last week that leaders of multiple diverse ethnic SBC fellowships issued a public statement seeking religious liberty protections, compassion without demonization and enforcement options including fines or other penalties in lieu of deportation. The letter was signed by Haitian, Hispanic, African American, Chinese, Filipino, Nigerian, Liberian, Ghanaian, Korean, Burmese, Thai and Vietnamese leaders who oversee SBC fellowships for those ethnicities and nationalities.

In the letter, the leaders said they share the federal governments desire to protect citizens, promote legal immigration and refugee policies, and robustly safeguard the countrys borders, but that enforcement must be accompanied with compassion that doesnt demonize those fleeing oppression, violence, and persecution.

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The leaders warn that the Trump administrations immigration policies are infringing on freedom of religion, as the administrations refusal to exclude houses of worship as targets for immigration raids has resulted in a culture of fear that undermines peoples rights.

They write:

Threats of mass deportation by the Trump administration and its lack of assurance to churches that ICE agents will not enter churches to carry out immigration enforcement duties has caused fear to rise among both the guilty and the innocent. As evidenced by the significant drop in attendance, many legal law-abiding immigrants and refugees across the United States are also confused and afraid to gather to worship God and receive spiritual care in their local church. We are concerned about the current impact on religious freedom as worshippers decide not to attend worship services out of fear that federal agents will carry out law enforcement duties in non-exigent circumstances inside a church building.

The faith leaders are calling on Southern Baptists to pray that the Trump administration finds the wisdom to empathize with immigrants who have already experienced great atrocities in their native country and whose deportations will cause their American-born family members who reunite with them in a foreign country to experience the same dire conditions.

They also propose fines or other penalties in lieu of deportation.

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The statement from diverse Southern Baptist faith leaders speaks to long-simmering divisions in the convention between nonwhite members and the churchs white leadership, which at times has resisted policies that benefit the former. The statement also speaks to a broader conversation underway in U.S. Christian communities, even among conservatives, about the conflicts between politics and a compassionate religious practice.

In contrast to those like Vice President JD Vance and Elon Musk, who have sought to shame faith leaders who urge compassion for immigrants, the SBC letter offers encouraging evidence that there are still conservative Christians who feel compelled to care about others.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
MADRID (Reuters) - Spanish lawmakers approved on Thursday a plan to relocate thousands of underage migrants staying in cramped youth centres, mainly on the Canary Islands, to the rest of the country as its outposts struggle to cope with higher migration flows.

The seven Spanish islands off northwestern Africa's Atlantic coast host more than 6,000 migrant minors and the North African enclave of Ceuta over 800, living in overcrowded centres in substandard conditions.

The Canarian archipelago is still struggling to absorb an all-time migration peak from 2024, although irregular migration has slowed down by 28% this year.

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Under-18s who migrate alone to Spain are entitled to government protection and aid by law.

The number of children and teenagers arriving in Spain without their parents or tutors more than doubled over the last three years, according to Regional Minister Angel Victor Torres.

"It's a humanitarian issue, but also an opportunity. These children will be part of our economic structure, of our labour, social and cultural potential in the future. Let us invest in their future, because their future will be everyone's future," he told the lower house.

The plan, which according to Youth Minister Sira Rego could begin this summer, takes into account several factors such as each region's population, per capita income and unemployment. It also factors in how many migrants under 18 every region already handles.

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Spain's 17 regions had to detail by the end of March how many underage migrants they have under their care and how many they can assist, so the ministry could calculate how to redistribute them.

"Today it's Ceuta, Melilla and the Canary Islands, but tomorrow it could be any other territory," Torres said.

The Atlantic route is especially dangerous, as the ocean's rough weather can easily capsize the fragile rafts, pirogues and dinghies used by most migrants.

(Reporting by Emma Pinedo, editing by Ed Osmond)
MADRID (Reuters) - Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Thursday the decision by the U.S. President Donald Trump to pause the enforcement of his broad tariffs plan paved the way to possible talks, though he remained cautious about the details.

"The measure announced by the U.S. administration, pending the exact nuances of its implementation, seems to open the door to negotiation and thus to an agreement between countries," he said in a speech during an official visit in Vietnam.

(Reporting by Inti Landauro; editing by Philippa Fletcher)
NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD)  New speed humps have been installed in one North Charleston community; and while residents were grateful at first, they said the new traffic calming devices have posed a new problem.

The new speed humps are located along Salamander Road which is off Otranto Road.

A veteran, Id say he was 90, maybe younger  but he hit that speed hump, and it tore the front of his bumper and tore his Marine veteran tag off his car, and he stopped, said George Huckabee who lives off Salamander Road. I stopped him in front of my mailbox because he was crying and shook up. I went down there and got his tag and got it back to him.

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The speed limit on Salamander Road where those new speed humps are located is 20 mph, which many would argue is too fast for a speed hump of this size.

One of those humps is located near Huckabees house, where he says he witnesses problems caused by the new devices daily.

Huckabee said that while he is thankful for the new speed humps, they need to be done right, by reducing the speed limit to 10 mph.

Huckabee added that hes reached out to the South Carolina Department of Transportation, the city, and others he believed could help. So far, he says, there has been no answer. He said everyone is essentially passing the problem onto someone else.

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I sent a message to the president of our neighborhood to see what he can do. He comes by, he goes to that church over there, he comes by here three days a week, and we havent heard a word back.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, the average speed hump has a 10-15 mph speed limit, but can occasionally vary depending on the size of the speed hump.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2.
Its time to celebrate spring. The annual Washington State Spring Fair has arrived  and this year, it has some new surprises.

Residents can go to the fair from Thursday, April 10 to Sunday April 13 and again from Thursday, April 17 to Sunday, April 20.





The Thursday hours are 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., the Friday and Saturday hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and the Sunday hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Spring Fair ticket prices and parking

If youre buying tickets online, general admission on Thursdays and Fridays costs $13 for adults and $11 for children between 6 and 12 years old. On weekends, those tickets are $15 and $12 respectively. Children 5 years old and under are admitted for free, and on Thursdays, all children under the age of 18 get free admission.

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If you plan to buy tickets at the gate, adults can get in for $14 on weekdays and $17 on weekends. Children between 6 and 12 can get in for $12 on weekdays and $13 on weekends.

The Dinosaur Exhibit costs $8 to get into and is available on all dates of the Washington Spring Fair.

Another way to save is if people come on opening day, they can get in for free from 2 to 4 p.m. by bringing a food donation, fair spokesperson Stacy Van Horne told The News Tribune.

General parking in the Gold, Blue, Red and Green lots is free on Thursdays and $15 on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Guests can also splurge for reserved premium parking in Lot B (across from the Red Gate) which is $25 on Thursdays and $30 on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Will construction at the Puyallup fairground affect the Spring Fair?

Several projects are underway at the fairgrounds ahead of the 125th Washington State Fair this fall  including a renovation of the M Barn, a new rooftop bar and a new festival street along Ninth Avenue Southwest. Van Horne said that the construction projects for the State Fair wont impact the Spring Fair  but it will take a few extra minutes to walk from the Red Lot to the Red Gate.

A worker gets one of the Monster Trucks prepped for the Spring Fair.

Ninth Avenue is closed right now, Van Horne said. Red Gate will be open  all four of our gates are open  but the only access to Red Gate is off of Fourth. So, people can still park in the Red Lot, they just have to walk around and there will be lots of detour signs that the city is putting up.

Whats new at the 2025 Spring Fair?

Van Horne said one of the Spring Fairs new projects is a goat playground. There will be 12 to 15 goats, including two babies  known as kids.

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That kind of celebrates spring, and thats what Spring Fair is about, Van Horne said. There will actually be kids on the playground! Ive seen it, its amazing  theres swings, theres teeter-totters, all kinds of things.

The goat playground is a free exhibit, Van Horne said.

There is also a new restaurant called Miss Cs Chicken Shack, where guests can get biscuits, fried chicken, chicken and waffles and more.

Miss Cs Chicken Shack, a new restaurant making its debut at the Washington State Spring Fair.

Van Horne also brought up The Collection, a new shop near the Gold Gate that honors the State Fairs 125th anniversary. Guests can buy clothing, candles and more  almost all of them emblazoned with the Do the Puyallup slogan.

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It benefits our Washington State Fair Foundation, which benefits scholarships for students all over the state, Van Horne said. You go in there, you want to shop, you can shop the nostalgia.

Which weekend should I attend the Spring Fair in Puyallup?

The best weekend to visit depends on what you want to do. The BBQ Playoffs are this weekend only. Roughly 35 teams will be competing for $25,000 in prize money  and guests will be able to taste all the flavors of spring.

On the second weekend, The Fair is shedding light on its future.

We actually have an exhibit called Building the Next 125 Years and we will have big pieces of equipment and photo renderings and things like that, Van Horne said.

Construction is still underway for the 1900 Food Hall and Rooftop Bar, which is set to make its debut at the Washington State Fair on Aug. 29, 2025.

Guests will be able to get an in-depth look at the construction projects happening, Van Horne said. The event will also have a sand sculpture artist.

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Van Horne said that most exhibits will be available for both weekends, though there may be different animals on display or different exhibits in the grandstand. For more information, visit thefair.com.

What else can you do at the Spring Fair?

The Spring Fair will have rides, various restaurants and cute animals to meet.

Guests can watch racing pigs or DockDogs, dogs that jump remarkable distances.

One of the racing pigs right after she finished running around the track on April 9, 2025, in preparation for the Spring Fair.

[The pigs] are so cute  they run around the track and they get fed at the end, Van Horne said. DockDogs is another fun animal adventure, where dogs run around a dock and jump as far as they can or as high as they can. These dogs go far  some jump almost over 30 feet. Thats done around the country and its fun to see the champions out here.

The Dinosaur Exhibit is open for all ages, with tickets costing $8. Residents can also celebrate Easter with a Golden Egg Scavenger Hunt or take a ride on a Monster Truck (tickets are $10).
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP)  On Wednesday inside the Sixteen Acres Library Branch, Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno issued a proclamation to mark National Library Week.

The theme for National Library Week 2025 is Drawn to the Library! But its getting hard to observe locally as libraries throughout Massachusetts are facing a budget challenge this year.

Hundreds of students attend Skilled Trades Fair in Springfield

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Massachusetts gets $3.6 million in federal funding for library services, then the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners gives that money to local libraries. That funding was disrupted this week when President Trump ordered the entire staff of the Institute of Museums and Library Services to be placed on paid leave for 90 days, which stopped the processing of grant dollars.

Now, libraries across the state are waiting on updates from the library board about potential funding cuts or delays. But staff at the Sixteen Acres Library Branch encourages the public to use their voices to make a difference.

Think about whats important to you and reach out to your elected officials to let them know that funding that comes to the state has an impact on you, said Jean Canosa Albano, Assistant Director for Public Services at Springfield City Library.

Despite the uncertainty, Springfield libraries will continue celebrating National Library Week with special events. For a list of events, visit springfieldlibrary.org.

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.

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Deb Cohn-Orbach / UCG / Universal Images Group via Getty Images





Key Takeaways

Shares of Cal-Maine Foods fell 5% in premarket trading Wednesday, a day after the country's largest egg producer said it had received a request for information from the U.S. Department of Justice.

Antitrust regulators are investigating whether egg companies raised prices more than necessary amid a bird flu outbreak.

Cal-Maine's fiscal third-quarter profit more than tripled year-over-year, while sales more than doubled.







Shares of Cal-Maine Foods (CALM) fell 5% in premarket trading Wednesday as a request for information from the U.S. Department of Justice on egg prices outweighed surging fiscal third-quarter sales and profits.

Cal-Maine said Tuesday that it received a "civil investigative demand" last month from the DOJ's antitrust division, as the department is investigating allegations of price gouging in the egg industry. An outbreak of bird flu has led to a sharp decline in egg supply, which has sent prices surging in recent quarters. Cal-Maine, the largest egg producer in the country, said it is cooperating with the DOJ's investigation.

Cal-Maine's Sales Double, Profits Triple Year-Over-Year

Cal-Maine earned $10.38 per share on revenue of $1.42 billion in its fiscal third quarter, more than triple the $3 per share and double the $703.1 million it generated a year ago. The company's average selling price of a dozen eggs was $4.06 in the quarter, nearly double the $2.25 mark from a year ago. It said that as of March 1, the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimated the total egg-laying flock in the country was 285 million, the lowest level since September 2015.

The company also said it had agreed to acquire Echo Lake Foods, which makes ready-to-eat egg products and breakfast foods, for roughly $258 million.

Read the original article on Investopedia
SPRINGFIELD, Mo.  A man was sentenced on Wednesday for being one of the leaders in a large-scale drug-trafficking organization around southwest Missouri. The results of this crime ended up causing overdose deaths of at least two people.

Delante Leon Worsham, 40, was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison without parole.

Worsham pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl on Jan. 29, 2024. In 2018 and 2019, he was found with fentanyl with plans to distribute it in Christian and Greene counties on both occasions.

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Worsham is currently the 11th defendant to be sentenced out of 14 defendants who have pleaded guilty in this case.

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WILLCOX, Ariz.  The Arizona Department of Water Resources has proposed that the Willcox area should reduce its groundwater overdraft by at least 50% over the next 50 years to address groundwater depletion and land subsidence.

The annual overdraft  the difference between how much groundwater is pumped out and how much is replaced by runoff or recharge  is estimated to be 108,426 acre-feet per year. Cutting that in half would represent a water use reduction of 42% over 50 years, based on supply and demand estimates.

The agency outlined its draft goal at an informal public hearing on April 8 in the southeastern Arizona city, part of its proposal for the Active Management Area the state designated in December 2024. Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs has said she would enforce groundwater protection in rural Arizona in the absence of legislative proposals with enough enforcement teeth.

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The boundaries of the Willcox AMA follow those of the groundwater basin, an area defined by the Winchester, Dragoon, Swisshelm, Chiricahua and Pinaleno Mountains where water drains and stores in aquifers. While some 8,000 people live in the area, only those water users pumping more than 35 gallons per minute would be required to measure how much they are extracting and, depending on the industry, lower their water use.

Its too early to know how a 42% reduction by 2075 would work. Agency staff said water reductions wouldnt look the same across the board, and the goal is a work in progress.

This is a draft goal, Natalie Mast, director of the AMA program, told The Arizona Republic. We need to have a starting point for these discussions. We are giving them something specific that they can provide feedback on. It's not necessarily a hard number that's going to be permanent.

About 60 people attended the hearing at the Willcox Community Center, a sharp contrast from the over 300 who filled the chairs and lined the walls last November when the state agency held the last informal hearing for public input before designating an AMA.

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People are still very upset that the director and the governor overlaid this on top of the Willcox basin when we voted against it. That still makes people very angry, Sonia Gasho, vice president of Cochise County Farm Bureau, told The Republic after the hearing.

Boundaries of Willcox Active Management Area in southeastern Arizona.

There is an agreement on the need to manage groundwater in the Willcox basin and also on the need for an alternative to active management areas for rural Arizona, she added. The conundrum is what does that look like.

Fifty percent is not attainable, Gasho said about the proposed goal. We would put our farmers and vineyards and orchards out of business.

Most of the residents who spoke at Tuesdays meeting applauded the agencys action. Some expressed concern over how the goal would hurt agricultural operations that cannot afford to cut more, like vineyards, orchards and small growers.

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Rural water: In the 'wild West' of groundwater use, Hobbs hears about dry wells, ground fissures

"I can't increase efficiencies on a drip irrigation system in the desert. Am I going to be asked as a vineyard owner to give up half of my acreage? asked Brian Gilson, who grows grapes in the southern part of the basin.

The agency staff responded that the mechanics of the management plan still need to be worked on. Also, the goal is not exclusive to each individual water user and water rights holder, said Maddison Moreno, AMA establishment coordinator.

"It's a collective goal to reach," she said.

Gov. Katie Hobbs visits a large earth fissure near Kansas Settlement in Cochise County on September 5, 2024, with the principal hydrogeologist of the Arizona Department of Water Resources, Brian Conway.

Residents ask for flexibility, more measures

More land subsidence and earth fissuring have occurred in the Willcox basin due to excessive groundwater pumping than in any other part of the state, according to data reviewed by the state water authority. Of 51 groundwater basins studied over 20 years, its also one of the three "priority basins" for management.

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Land has sunk 11.5 feet in some areas and dozens of wells have gone dry. The aquifer is the only source of water for all users, which limits solutions.

"There's two paths: one is to decrease demand, other to increase supply," said Moreno, of the state agency. The initial AMAs, created in 1980 near urban areas, had additional supplies of river water and a big opportunity to reclaim wastewater. "With Willcox, that's a different story. The only realistic option is to decrease demand."

Turkey Creek Dairy in Pearce.

Excessive agricultural water pumping and a megadrought that has resulted in poor rain seasons means there is 3.5 times more water leaving the aquifer than what is being recharged naturally, the water agency estimates.

A local rancher, Phil Klump, complained he has reached out multiple times to the state water authority and offered his land for aquifer recharge, and so far no one has visited or replied.

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The land behind his house "is like a beach," he told The Republic. There's a sand deposit about 2 miles wide and 4 miles long. He doesn't know the depth, but as soon as water flows in it sinks fast, he added. If the state would help redirect drainage in other areas to his land, they could help restore aquifer levels. "I would gain but so would everybody else."

Tracking use: Shrinking aquifers worry Cochise County residents, but support is weak for regulations

In 2011, a large earth fissure caused by excessive groundwater pumping opened on East Parker Ranch Road in southeastern Arizona. Cochise County has some of the highest subsidence rates in the state, according to the Arizona Department of Water Resources.

Water depth in the basin varies wildly, as does the rate of pumping by agricultural users. On Klump's land, the water depth is 40 feet; near Pearce, some residents have to go 350 feet deep to get to the water. One neighbor near Turkey Creek Dairy, operated by Riverview LLP, saw his water level drop 10 feet in just one year. Farmers in the area have also had to dig deeper wells.

"If we do nothing there's not going to be many years before there is no agriculture," said Mark Spencer, a neighbor from Pearce who spoke in favor of finding alternatives to the AMA through a legislative solution.

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Withdrawal fees, which are currently prohibited in the AMA, should be up for discussion too, Spencer suggested.

"Our ranchers graze their cattle on public lands and they pay fees," he explained. "Like it or not, water is public property, not private property. If you use public property for private gain, you should pay for it. It's that simple. It's reasonable, it's rational, and it doesn't have to be a lot."

Water rights would limit alternatives to the AMA

Growers, city officials and domestic water users have all warned that the framework of an AMA wouldnt do enough to reduce groundwater pumping from the biggest agricultural players, like Riverview Dairy, and would be unfair to growers using the least water or investing in greater efficiency.

Under an AMA, the state agency can issue "grandfathered" rights for land farmed five years before designation. The AMA also gives farmers a maximum water allotment depending on what they historically grew; more if they grew a high-water crop like alfalfa, less if they grew watermelons or grapes.

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"Once those grandfathered rights are issued, that's something folks in this area would own," Mast explained.

Several residents spoke in favor of advancing negotiations and amending Senate Bill 1520, a measure that would create Basin Management Areas and provide an alternative to the AMA. If the legislature would also pass new laws that allow the agency director to make changes to the AMA, the Willcox basin plan could be rewritten under a new form of groundwater management. But there is a time limit.

Once the water agency issues these rights there could be "legal or constitutional issues" to establish a Basin Management Area, or any other regulatory framework, that comes with a different form of water right, Mast added.

The application deadline for irrigation grandfathered rights in the Willcox AMA is April 8, 2026. Anyone who owns a well that pumps more than 35 gallons per minute and uses it to irrigate crops must apply for it or lose their right. The final management goal will be adopted by the end of 2026 with a management plan.

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The state water agency is already processing Irrigated Grandfathered Rights certificates for the Douglas AMA, where Riverview owns thousands of acres for crops, feedlots, and milking parlors. Once those privileges are granted it will be extremely difficult and legally problematic to redesignate the Douglas basin.

"The Douglas AMA is running up against that timeline issue," Mast said. "We are going to start issuing rights any day now."

Clara Migoya covers agriculture and water issues for The Arizona Republic and azcentral. Send tips or questions to clara.migoya@arizonarepublic.com.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona seeks deep cuts in groundwater use for Willcox Basin users
BOSTON (SHNS)  Lawmakers restarted their work Wednesday to bolster data privacy protections for Bay Staters, and some Democrats clashed with an attorney representing major tech companies over the best set of regulations to curtail exactly what type of information can be collected and used.

Reps. Andy Vargas and David Rogers pitched their proposal (H 104), dubbed the Massachusetts Data Privacy Act, as a top priority for the Legislature to safeguard residents sensitive information online, particularly as companies collect and sell data without consumers full knowledge or consent. The bill would create data minimization standards, which limit the information that companies can store and process based on what is reasonably necessary and proportional to their lawful purpose, according to a legislative summary.

Data minimization is just the notion that the company uses it only for the specific purpose the persons there  they dont gather all this other information and start selling it to other third parties, Rogers told the Joint Committee on Advanced Information Technology, the Internet and Cybersecurity during its first hearing of the session. I mean, its just common sense, it really is. Its not overreaching.

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The bill also installs protections for minors against targeted advertising, gives Bay Staters the ability to sue for data privacy violations, and imposes restrictions on processing sensitive information like geolocation, biometric or genetic data. Bay Staters would also gain more power over the information that companies and other entities collect about them, including requesting the data be corrected or deleted.

Andrew Kingman, who represents the State Privacy & Security Coalition, urged the committee to consider a different data privacy framework on the hearing agenda Wednesday. His coalition represents 35 companies and six trade associations, including Amazon, Google, Netflix and Meta.

Kingman praised a Rep. Kate Hogan bill (H 80), the Comprehensive Massachusetts Consumer Data Privacy Act, which he said uses a framework adopted by Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire and 15 other states.

He said the bill adds restrictions around reproductive health care and geolocation data, while deploying a data minimization standard that currently applies to 600 million consumers across the globe. It does not give consumers the private right of action, Rep. Steven Owens pointed out.

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A number of the other frameworks today would be novel, distinct  even from Maryland, which was brought up, Kingman said, referring to a new state data privacy law.

The data minimization provisions in some of those frameworks are very concerning because companies dont know whats expected of them or how to comply, Kingman continued. They also unintentionally  clearly, but unintentionally  can have the effect of depriving marginalized populations of goods and services designed for them, and they can make it harder for Massachusetts businesses to reach their own customers than it is for those Massachusetts business to reach customers, again, in New Hampshire, Connecticut and Rhode Island.

Kingman faced questions from Reps. Joan Meschino and Tommy Vitolo about which companies he represents and the apparent harm of Massachusetts taking a data privacy approach that differs from other states.

So I push back strongly on the idea that you and your colleagues are incapable of reading MGL (Massachusetts General Laws) and understanding what we expect in our commonwealth, and reading the laws of the great state of North Carolina and figuring out what they want. I believe in you, Vitolo said. I just wholeheartedly push back on this idea that we should have a single set of laws in this United States on issues that affect us personally and culturally. And it just might be that the great state of Massachusetts has a different idea on privacy than even my state that I was born and raised in, Connecticut.

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Committee co-chair Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier, who also filed a consumer data privacy bill (H 78), said the panel and Kingman will need to work together to iron out differences on data minimization standards. Kingman said Farley-Bouviers bill, as well as the proposal from Vargas and Rogers, raises questions over whether companies can offer product recommendations based on purchasing history or provide security updates on apps.

We look forward to continuing the conversation, to be able to give specific feedback so that we can together reach our shared goals, Farley-Bouvier said.

In his opening remarks, committee co-chair Sen. Michael Moore decried the increasing frequency of data breaches and how personal data has been weaponized, including to undermine womens health.

Congress should act to protect our residents, but we know they will not, Moore said. The Legislature must act to establish real data protections that address these issues and protect our constituents because it is clear that (the) status quo cannot and will not work.

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP)  A new Kansas law and a Florida bill outline policies backed by abortion opponents that critics see as moves toward giving embryos and fetuses the same rights as the women carrying them.

The Kansas Legislature's Republican supermajorities on Thursday overrode Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly's veto of a bill to require that child support payments cover embryos and fetuses and to grant an income tax break for a pregnancy or stillbirth. In Florida, lawmakers are advancing a bill that would permit parents to seek civil damages for the wrongful death of an embryo or fetus.

Following the U.S. Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade, anti-abortion activists across the country are pushing measures to enshrine the rights of fetuses, with the ultimate goal of ending abortion nationwide. Lawmakers pitching the proposals describe them as support for new parents or vulnerable families.

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This bill is about being compassionate to pregnant women, Kansas Republican state Rep. Susan Humphries said Thursday.

Many states already give fetuses some legal rights

Pregnancy Justice, which advocates for pregnant people, found that as of last year, at least 17 states had laws on the books giving fetuses the rights of people in criminal or civil law. Also, in most states, including Florida and Kansas, a person can face criminal charges for causing the death of a fetus, other than through an abortion.

Georgia and Utah offer income tax breaks for fetuses, and Kansas will soon allow parents to claim an extra dependent child tax deduction on their personal income taxes for the year a child is born and a deduction for a stillbirth.

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Also like Georgia, Kansas will start a divorced or single parent's obligation to pay child support from the date of conception." Its new law takes effect July 1.

It really is common sense, to provide support for women, said Republican state Sen. Kellie Warren, a supporter of the Kansas measure.

The Texas Senate approved a child support proposal earlier this month, and lawmakers introduced proposals this year in Missouri, Montana, Pennsylvania and Virginia, according to an Associated Press analysis using the bill-tracking software Plural.

Allowing wrongful death lawsuits to cover fetuses

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The bill advancing in Florida would allow parents to file lawsuits over the wrongful death of a embryo or fetus at any stage of pregnancy, and juries could award monetary damages for the wages a fetus would have earned, according to the bill's sponsor.

The bill has cleared the full House and was approved by its second Senate committee Thursday, though its third and final committee hearing has yet to be scheduled.

Florida is among six states that do not allow lawsuits over the wrongful death of a fetus, according to a legislative analysis. Kansas already has a law like the one Florida is considering.

In Florida, sponsoring Republican Sen. Erin Grall told her colleagues the measure is not about abortion."

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Its not a secret. Everybody in the room knows where I stand on life," Grall said. "To me this is about parity in our civil justice system.

One expert sees a well-defined and very public playbook

Critics see both the Florida and Kansas proposals as part of an effort to move from allowing states to ban abortion  as the U.S. Supreme Court did in its 2022 Dobbs decision  to outlawing abortion across the nation as a violation of a fetus' or embryo's constitutional rights.

Mary Ziegler, a University of California, Davis law professor who's published six books in the past 10 years on abortion law and the history of U.S. abortion policy, said this year's Florida measure aligns with a pretty well-defined and very public playbook" to build a legal framework for a national abortion ban.

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Its about setting a precedent for recognizing fetal rights in one context being used to recognize fetal rights constitutionally," she said.

Florida considered a similar wrongful death measure last year, but it failed amid concerns about an Alabama Supreme Court ruling that frozen embryos can be considered children under state law. In vitro fertilization services stopped in Alabama until that state's governor signed a law to protect them  a step taken in other GOP-controlled states.

Concerns about IVF services still linger among some lawmakers in the Florida state capital of Tallahassee, as well as among doctors and abortion rights advocates.

Democratic state Rep. Allison Tant took to the House floor to debate against the Florida bill, which she says imperils the fertility services that made her a mom.

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IVF pregnancies are inherently fragile and risky, Tant said. We are going to see lawsuits like weve never seen."

Additional bipartisan concerns emerge

Reproductive rights advocates in Florida also worry that wrongful death lawsuits could target health care providers who offer abortions, family and friends who help a loved one obtain an abortion, or fertility clinics whose clients experience a miscarriage.

In Texas, a man filed a wrongful death lawsuit against three women he said helped his now-ex-wife obtain medication for an abortion, though he later settled the case.

Floridas proposal specifies that it does not authorize a cause of action against a mother for the death of her unborn child, or against a health care worker if they provided lawful medical care.

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Still, Republican Sen. Tom Leek voted against the bill in committee after raising concerns about the measure potentially being weaponized against women who lose a child.

The fear of legal action could push more OBGYNs to avoid taking on high-risk patients or stop practicing in Florida entirely, a lobbyist for a medical malpractice insurance company has argued.

There is a serious concern that there are other motivations here behind this bill, specifically with respect to abortion, with respect to potentially IVF in the future, said Democratic Sen. Tina Polsky. This is setting a new base for future issues, for future liability, for future bans. And its incredibly concerning.

___ Associated Press writer Geoff Mulvihill contributed to this report. Hanna reported from Topeka, Kansas. 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.
Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) is getting a seat back at the House GOP leadership table and her spots back on House committees as she returns to the lower chamber after President Trump withdrew her nomination to be U.N. ambassador over concerns about the slim GOP majority.

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is appointing Stefanik to be chairwoman of House Republican Leadership, according to a release from her office  a Speaker-appointed position that is outlined in the conferences rules, but is often vacant.

A release from her office described it as a senior leadership appointed position focused on strategy, communications, and executing on the mandate from the American people to pass President Trumps agenda.

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I am honored to be appointed Chairwoman of House Republican Leadership to lead House Republicans in implementing President Donald Trumps mandate from the American people for an America First agenda that includes securing our borders, strengthening our national security, growing our economy, and combating the scourge of antisemitism across our country, Stefanik said in a statement.

The move ends two weeks of uncertainty about how Stefanik would return to House GOP leadership, as Trump had said she would in his Truth Social post announcing that her nomination would be withdrawn. The New York congresswoman had relinquished her No. 4 leadership slot as House Republican Conference Chair since she had been named Trumps UN pick, and Rep. Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) was elected in her place.

Stefanik will also return to be a senior member of the House Intelligence Committee, as well as have her seats on the Armed Services Committee and Education and Workforce Committee, she said in a statement.

The chair of the Elected Leadership Committee position was last filled by former Rep. Garret Graves (R-La.), after former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) revived the position for his close ally. But Johnson dismissed Graves from the position after he became Speaker. Her office said it has also been used at critical moments to deliver for the American people.

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This time, Stefanik is set to have a budget, staff, and expansive strategy, legislative, and communications portfolio, according to the release.

In explaining the nomination withdrawal, both Trump and Stefanik had cited concerns about the Houses razor-thin majority, which gives leaders almost no room for error as they aim to advance Trumps ambitious legislative agenda on tax cuts, energy and border policy on party lines. Just a handful of defections can sink a key vote.

Stefanik demonstrated how valuable her vote could be in the first vote she took upon returning to the House since the announcement of her nomination withdrawal.

A procedural vote to tee up the budget resolution framework for Trumps agenda passed 216-215, with three Republican defections and one Republican not voting. Had Stefanik not been there to vote, and the one other Republican still not voted, it would have failed.

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Having Stefanik in the House will slightly increase GOP leaderships breathing room: Instead of being able to spare two GOP defections, with Stefanik, they can spare three.

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Apr. 9STERLING  Sterling's Second Street road construction project, which will rebuild 10 blocks along Second Street from First Avenue to Route 2, is expected to start next week.

Sterling city officials held an open house Tuesday, April 8, to answer residents' questions about the project that will be completed by Gensini Excavating of Princeton at a price tag of $6.2 million.

"The whole road will be cored out," Gensini estimator Mike Garland said. "They're going to get new curbs and sidewalks on both sides. The driveways will be redone in those areas, and then, right away, a new storm sewer system, and then a new asphalt road."

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Engineer Kyle Lorenz of Willet Hofmann & Associates said the work will be completed in five phases and is expected to be finished by June 2026.

"The first phase will be from Ninth Avenue to Broadway [Avenue], the end of it by the Dillon Home, and then from Ninth to Sixth Avenue, Sixth to Third [Avenue], and Third to Illinois 40," Lorenz said. "The fifth stage will probably be the pedestrian bridge."

The 160-foot pedestrian bridge will cross over Illinois Route 40 near the north side of the train tracks, extending behind the Plainwell Brass building and leading to a new multi-use bikeway path on East Second Street from First Avenue to Broadway Avenue.

The Sterling City Council approved a resolution in October authorizing Mayor Diana Merdian to enter into an agreement with the Illinois Department of Transportation and allocate $655,203 in local matching funds for the bikeway path's construction as part of the project.

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City Manager Scott Schumard has said the majority of the bikeway path will be funded with IDOT's Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program grants. The ITEP grant will reimburse the city for 80% of the bikeway path construction, and the city will be responsible for the remaining 20%.

Several Sterling residents living on Second Street, including Pam and Joe Machan, expressed concerns over the potential impact of the construction.

"One of our big concerns is being trapped in our driveways," Pam said. "Because when American Water did that street a couple of years ago, there was a four-hour period where we weren't told in advance that we could or could not leave, and that's what we want to avoid."

Garland assured the Machans they would be notified 24 hours in advance of any driveway work that might affect them.

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A rendering of Sterling's Second Street road construction project is shown during an open house on April 8, 2025. (Brandon Clark)

"If we're doing driveway replacements and we have to redo the concrete, yeah, we have to cut off access, but we'll let you know ahead of time so you can get your cars out of there, and park on a side street, and then you can go back," Garland said. "Other than that, you're going to have access to your house at all times."

Garland said construction will generally occur from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and Lorenz said crews will be out Tuesday, April 15, performing water worksite preparation.

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"They're going to move some of the domestic vault belts," Lorenz said. "They're going to move some of them so that they're out of the way, and then they're also going to, where we have conflicts with storm sewer, they're going to be lowering them."

The Second Street project was originally planned for last year, but approval delays affected the city's ability to schedule as much roadwork as it could have. Each year, the city sends a list of streets that need to be resurfaced and rebuilt to their engineers to prepare bids for the first half of the year.

Schumard said that by the time the city learned the Second Street project would likely be delayed until 2025, allowing them to add more roads to their list of projects, contractors responding to those bids already were booked and required the city to extend the project deadlines if the city wanted a lower price.

Although the city is responsible for 100% of the Second Street roadwork costs, Schumard said the majority of that project's cost already is in place by using a combination of motor fuel tax funds, the city's allotment of federal Surface Transportation Program funds and Sterling's local option sales tax.
Town Administrator Dennis Sheehan said nothing has been decided -- but the idea of closing down Stoneham Public Library to help close a budget gap was floated at a recent Finance and Advisory Board meeting.

That drastic move grew legs after voters turned down a nearly $15 million Proposition 2 1/2 override on April 1, that would have funded several town departments -- including schools, fire, and police.

Now theyre trying to find money to fund all the departments, said Library Trustee Tricia DiPietro -- a former school librarian and teacher. Theyre looking at scenarios. Nothings set in stone. Were just kind of in a limbo. Were just waiting.

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But the mere idea of closing the library has some patrons outraged. At the check-out desk, many have registered their thoughts in a guest book.

The library is the backbone of a community, wrote one library user.

I am in shock, wrote another.

DiPietro said the operating budget of the library is about a million dollars, and it employs eighteen people. Given its use, she suggested the library is a good return on investment.

We had over 67,000 people between March 24 and March 25, she said. So its a well-used library.

The library also serves as a meeting place -- for toddlers at story time and teens after school. And DiPietro said town residents save about $500,000 a year borrowing books from the library rather than buying them.

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Libraries are my life, she said. I cant imagine my life without a library. Libraries provide lifelong education for people. So I do think it would be a major loss for any community that didnt have a library.

Stoneham residents recently saw property tax bills rise by an average of $1,000 to pay for a new high school. The town also continues to pay down debt for its new middle school, which opened ten years ago.

While few will likely face closure, libraries nationwide are already seeing the results of an executive order by President Donald Trump, which essentially stopped federal grants to libraries administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. That prompted the American Library Association to file a lawsuit -- based on the fact Congress had already appropriated $295 million to the IMLS for disbursement to libraries. ALA annually gets about $2.5 million from IMLS.

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By Farah Master and Sophie Yu

HONG KONG/BEIJING (Reuters) - A handful of major Chinese companies like home appliance maker Midea have new badges of honour this year: mandatory clock-off times for staff and bans on after-hours meetings.

Staff at Midea once toiled till late in the evening, but now they're told to leave by 6:20 p.m. The company's page on social media app WeChat even shows a photo of people listening to a band with a caption that reads: "What do you do after work? It's after work when life really starts."

In China, this counts as radical corporate messaging, a sharp contrast to "996" or the practice of working from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. six days a week - famously called a "huge blessing" by Alibaba co-founder Jack Ma and an integral part of its tech sector for much of the past 15 years.

Other companies have also made changes, even if not quite as dramatic. At fellow appliance maker Haier, employees have celebrated on social media the introduction of a five-day work week. Workers at DJI, the world's largest drone manufacturer, have posted about their joy at a new policy declaring offices must be vacated by 9 p.m.

"No more worrying about missing the last metro, no more worrying about waking up the wife when I get home," wrote one DJI worker who said he often used to work past midnight.

Haier and DJI did not respond to requests for comment.

In another sign of how the zeitgeist for China Inc is slowly changing, a Beijing law firm was fined in March for not taking corrective measures after it illegally extended staff working hours - a rare imposition of a penalty by authorities that drew widespread praise on social media.

But whether these nascent corporate efforts will turn into winds of change remains to be seen.

Analysts say the mandatory clock-offs seem to have been prompted by changes to European Union labour laws rather than a welling up of social pressure within China. And while "996" was deemed illegal by China's top court in 2021, many people in tech and finance still work extraordinary long hours. Recent years have even seen the emergence of a new term "007", referring to being either at work or on call all day every day.

Significantly, however, China's government is calling for companies to abide by the country's 44 hour weekly work limit.

A State Council action plan to boost consumer spending unveiled in March said workers' rights to rest and vacation should be guaranteed and paid leave should be encouraged. State media have also run articles making those points.
It's commonly known that transitioning to zero-emission vehicles is good for the planet. But it could also actually save lives.

A new study published in Frontiers of Earth Science has concluded that phasing out gas-powered trucks and buses could lead to dramatically improved air quality and better public health in the greater Chicago area  and presumably anywhere those changes are made.

As reported by Northwestern University, the study was inspired by California's Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) policy, which is accelerating the transition to electric vehicles in the transportation sector.

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Researchers modeled what would happen if a similar policy was implemented in the Greater Chicago region, and the results were dramatic  it would reduce enough harmful gas pollution to prevent 500 premature deaths and 600 cases of childhood asthma a year. Not only that, but it also had the most significant effect on communities of color, which are disproportionately affected by pollution.

"As a mom who personally has asthma, I was struck by these results," said Northwestern's Victoria Lang, who led the study. "Avoiding 600 new pediatric cases of asthma per year is sparing 25 classrooms of students from a chronic lung disease."

There have been 1,330 premature deaths and 1,580 new cases of childhood asthma annually linked to nitrogen dioxide pollution in the region, and medium-sized and heavy-duty vehicles are responsible for generating about 22% of that, according to the study.

In addition to preventing premature deaths and cases of childhood asthma, the study found there were great potential economic benefits; it was estimated that Illinois could save $731 million per year in healthcare and climate damage costs.

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In the face of dreary climate outlooks, this is exciting news that could play a major role in the decision of the Illinois Pollution Control Board, which is considering adopting a similar policy to ACT. People in the community are also urging the board to adopt something like ACT, and news of how positive it would be for the community's health could earn more support.

"Ultimately, it's up to individual states to adopt the ACT standard," said Daniel Horton, the study's senior author. "This is an opportunity for Illinois to lead  by adopting a policy that is good for both Illinois residents' health and for global climate."

"Kids should not have to suffer from a life-long illness just because of where they live or the location of their school," said Lang.

Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP)  The United Arab Emirates argued at the UNs top court on Thursday that it has no jurisdiction to rule on a claim of genocide lodged by Sudan.

The UAE told the judges at the International Court of Justice that the allegations the country is breaching the genocide convention by arming and funding the rebel paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces were a misuse of the institution.

Sudan wants The Hague-based court to issue emergency orders, known as provisional measures, including telling the UAE to do all it can to prevent the killing and other crimes targeting the Masalit people.

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The idea that the UAE is somehow the driver of this reprehensible conflict in Sudan could not be further from the truth, said Reem Ketait, a senior official at the UAE's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She described the case as "the most recent iteration of the applicants misuse of our international institutions as a stage from which to attack the UAE.

Both Sudan and the UAE are signatories to the 1948 genocide convention. The United Arab Emirates, however, has a caveat to part of the treaty which legal experts say makes it unlikely that the case will proceed.

The ICJ has previously said that this kind of reservation is allowed and is a barrier to a case going forward. The court is most likely to say the same thing in this case, meaning that this case will not go forward, Melanie OBrien, an associate professor of international law at the University of Western Australia and an expert on the convention, told The Associated Press.

Sudan descended into a deadly conflict in mid-April 2023 when long-simmering tensions between its military and paramilitary rebels broke out in the capital, Khartoum, and spread to other regions.

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Both the Rapid Support Forces and Sudan's military have been accused of abuses.

The UAE, a federation of seven sheikhdoms on the Arabian Peninsula and a U.S. ally, has been repeatedly accused of arming the RSF, something it has strenuously denied despite evidence to the contrary.

Conflict Observatory, a monitoring group which is funded by the U.S. State Department, has identified aircraft it says carried UAE arms transfers to the RSF. Those flights went through Marechal Idriss Deby international airport in Amdjarass, Chad. The UAE says the purpose of the flights was to support a local hospital.

In January, the U.S. Treasury Department announced that RSF leader Mohammad Hamdan Daglo Mousa, also known as Hemedti, had been targeted for sanctions along with seven RSF-owned companies in the United Arab Emirates. That came as the U.S. declared the RSF rebels are committing genocide.

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The war has killed more than 24,000 people and driven over 14 million people  about 30% of the population  from their homes, according to the United Nations. An estimated 3.2 million Sudanese have escaped to neighboring countries.

The Sudanese Armed Forces have broadly retaken Khartoum from the RSF. Last month, the military said it had recaptured Khartoums international airport.
BEAUFORT COUNTY, S.C. (WSAV)  A day in the garden turned into a fight for a mans life when he was attacked by an alligator.

Joseph Roeser was in his back yard in the Sun City Subdivision in Bluffton when the gator attacked him, biting him in several places.

When his wife, Marian, heard Roeser scream, she grabbed a tomato stake and poked the alligator in the eyes and also struck it several times on its head. Her quick thinking worked as the gator let go of her husband.

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Joseph Roeser was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The Department on Natural Resources located the alligator, put it down and removed it from the area.

The Bluffton Township Fire District has confirmed that an alligator attack occurred Wednesday in Sun City.

Firefighters from Bluffton Township Fire Districts Station 34 (Sun City) were dispatched to a reported alligator attack involving an adult male in his 80s. The man was near a pond working in his yard when the gator came up and bit him.

The individual sustained a wound to his right leg and at least one arm. He was conscious, alert, and able to move away from the water after his wife forced the alligator to retreat.

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A Beaufort County Sheriffs Office (BCSO) deputy arrived on the scene and began patient care, working to control bleeding. Beaufort County EMS arrived, assumed medical care and requested an air ambulance for transport to an emergency care facility.

This is a developing story. WSAV News 3 will update with details when they become available.

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Politics was used as a convenient excuse by the Sundance Institute when it chose to move its annual film festival from Utah, Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson argues.

The mayor, who worked at the Sundance Film Festival when it was first created by actor Robert Redford in the 1970s, mourned the loss of the festival when it was announced last month, saying the institute's "current leadership has lost sight of the legacy and spirit that has been a staple of the organization for nearly 50 years." She explained her thinking further in a letter published in the Los Angeles Times this week, criticizing leaders of the institute.

"The real story is this: Sundance is facing financial headwinds, brought on by a shifting independent film industry and revenue losses from the COVID-19 pandemic," she wrote. "The new leadership team, instead of working with Utah's public and private partners to rebuild a stronger future, chose to walk away."

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Wilson, one of several elected leaders on the Utah Sundance Film Festival Host Committee, said she tried to broker a summit with festival leaders to talk through the challenges on each side, but said her offer was not accepted.

The Sundance Institute did not respond to a request for comment. In its announcement of moving to Boulder, Colorado, beginning in 2027, Sundance officials said "politics was not a part" of the decision.

Utah was one of the three finalists to host the festival for the foreseeable future and state lawmakers even dangled a $3.5 million offer to bolster the state's bid. But rumors began to swirl in the weeks leading up to the decision that the state's bill banning gay pride and other flags from classrooms and public buildings could hurt efforts to retain the festival.

Wilson, however, said she thinks Utah's political environment was used as an excuse for the festival to relocate.

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"Let's be honest about what happened here: The current Sundance leadership didn't want to solve problems," she wrote. "They wanted to move on from them. Instead of working within a community that stood by the festival through decades of growth, they opted for a clean break  and used politics as the convenient excuse. But politics are not the real story. If they were, Redford would never have planted his vision in Utah to begin with."

As the highest-ranking elected Democrat in a conservative state, Wilson said she deals with political challenges daily, and said the festival "opened doors for underrepresented communities" and presented "new ideas" to audiences.

This is a loss for Utah. But its also a loss for Sundance, she added. This exit leaves behind the environment that gave it its identity, but more importantly the people and the principles that gave it meaning. Sundance forgot its roots, the community that built it and the essence of what made it great in the first place; independent voices arent just needed in comfortable places  theyre needed in the places where they can actually make a difference.
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  Happy Wednesday, Utah! High pressure is slowly building in from the west and taking over our weather pattern.

The high pressure will not only bring dry weather to the forecast but also come with the return of even warmer temperatures. Highs on Thursday and Friday will climb to about 10-20 above average.

This will mean highs in the upper 70s to low 80s across the Wasatch Front, and highs in the upper 80s to lower 90s for southwest Utah. Temperatures in both St. George and Salt Lake will be flirting with record numbers during the afternoon hours.

A slightly stronger cold front arrives Saturday evening, bringing a very slight rain chance Saturday night into Sunday morning, but more significantly, much cooler temperatures for our Sunday. Highs on Sunday will only be in the 50s across the north, and in the 70s across southern Utah.

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Stay tuned!

Well keep you posted on the latest information in our 4Warn Weather forecast both on-air and online, we are Good4Utah!

Sunshine has returned

Pleasant afternoon temps

High-pressure ridge Thu-Sat

70s, 80s, and 90s return to Utah

Slight shower chance Saturday evening

Much cooler on Sunday

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When U.S. President Donald Trump paused military aid to Ukraine last month, the man described as his "spiritual advisor," Pastor Mark Burns, backed the decision.

This week, Burns is urging him to send Kyiv more tanks, fighter jets, and air defense.

"I now believe that supporting Ukraine is America first," he told the Kyiv Independent in an interview on April 9.

Burns's dramatic shift in stance comes after a trip to Ukraine where he witnessed the atrocities committed by Russia first-hand, visiting the site of a missile attack in Kryvyi Rih, which killed 20 people, including nine children.

Yesterday, a Russian missile struck Kryvyi Rih, killing 16, including 6 children. A tragic loss of innocent lives. The world must condemn this brutality and stand with Ukraine against such terror. Faith is a choice, not a feeling! pic.twitter.com/Qbe0HqlB2P  Pastor Mark Burns (@pastormarkburns) April 6, 2025

The Kyiv Independent spoke with Burns to find out more about his visit, and why he's now urging everyone to "throw politics out the window" and back Ukraine.

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Editor's note: The interview has been edited for language and clarity.

The Kyiv Independent: Can you describe what has caused you to change your stance on Ukraine?

Pastor Mark Burns: Obviously being on the ground in Ukraine has changed my opinion significantly. I am on record as being one of the staunch opponents of supporting Ukraine.

But it took me being in Kyiv, being at Bucha, seeing the atrocities that have taken place, innocent lives being killed, executed, and knowing the nearly 700 religious institutions have been intentionally targeted by the Russians, and 20,000 children have been kidnapped and deported back to Russia, not including the 1.3 million children that are unaccounted for.

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When you hear these atrocities It changed my perspective significantly. I now believe that supporting Ukraine is America first.

I am still a staunch supporter of who I believe is the greatest president in my lifetime  President Donald Trump.

And so my support for Ukraine is not a stab at him, but a call to every Republican, every conservative, every American, and those around the world who, like me, have been brainwashed by fake news media about Ukraine.

For instance, fake news suggested that Ukraine hated churches, Ukraine hated ministries, that they intentionally destroyed ministries.

Well, that is a bold-faced lie, because I was in the midst of some of Ukraine's greatest spiritual leaders from all different sects, religious organizations, in one room in Kyiv, and they all have the same common ground  they have the right to practice their faith in Ukraine.

When I was on the ground, and you're talking to these people, and once you see the atrocities at the hands of the Russians, politics goes out the window.

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Just a couple of days ago nine children were killed, more innocent lives lost at the hands of the Russians.

My heart as a man of God begins to pour out, and I've been echoing that message ever since, that I was wrong. And the power of the cross teaches me to admit when you're wrong, to have a humbled heart, and to say 'I was wrong.'

Nobody paid me to go to Ukraine. I paid for my own tickets to get to Ukraine. Nobody brought me there with the hope that I would communicate their message.

"Russia fears President Donald Trump, and they should, because I know him very deeply, very personally, and he's a man of true conviction."

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This is simply human beings being destroyed at the hands of the Russians, and that's why my heart has become now a staunch supporter of supporting Ukraine.

I'm now echoing this message at the highest levels of government in the United States and around the world  that we need to get behind Ukraine. Russia is the aggressor.

And I'm very proud that President Trump has made it very clear that he is pissed off.

That's the words he used. Pissed off at (Russian President) Vladimir Putin. He's pissed at Vladimir Putin, and that he needs to come to the negotiating table immediately, or he will issue secondary tariffs on Russian oil, and go after the countries that are supporting or buying Russian oil.

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And so that just shows you how determined the president is in getting this war ended.

If Russia doesn't come to the table for a peace negotiation, President Trump is not the man to be messed with.

Russia fears President Donald Trump, and they should, because I know him very deeply, very personally, and he's a man of true conviction.

US President Donald Trump looks on during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S. on April 7, 2025. (Saul Loeb / AFP via Getty Images)

The Kyiv Independent: You were at Kryvyi Rih, the site of a missile attack last week, which killed 20 people, including nine children. That attack came after Trump began peace talks and negotiations. Do you think that Trump is doing enough if Russia is still carrying out attacks like that?

Pastor Mark Burns: I think that Vladimir Putin is at the end of his rope. I think that he has tested the patience of President Donald Trump, and he's come to the end of it.

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I'm leaving the negotiations to the professionals, the ones that President Trump has appointed.

The Kyiv Independent: Ultimately, all of the acts of violence against civilians and churches and everything else in Ukraine for the last more than three years now have been ordered by one man, Vladimir Putin. How do you describe a person who is capable of doing that?

Pastor Mark Burns: Evil, pure evil.

As a former United States South Carolina Army National Guard member and having been a trained infantryman, I understand attacking military strategic positions that house military outposts.

But to attack civilians, the elderly, women, children, hospitals, schools, this is beyond military advancement. That is just pure evil. And that is what Vladimir Putin has done.

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And that's what he's continuing to do.

Ukraine is a sovereign nation, and they have been ruthlessly, relentlessly attacked by an aggressor called Russia, led by a man, dictator Vladimir Putin.

It is evil. And it should never be allowed.

Pastor Mark Burns speaks during a rally for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump at the Travis County Exposition Center in Austin, Texas, U.S. on Aug. 23, 2016. (Suzanne Cordeiro / AFP via Getty Images)

The Kyiv Independent: You also spoke earlier about Russia's campaign against religious institutions and groups in Ukraine, including evangelical Christians. Yet, there are still people in the U.S. who profess to be evangelical Christians, and yet they're supporting Putin. How do you explain that?

Pastor Mark Burns: I posted (on social media) in the middle of the night at a hotel in Kyiv. I was laying in my bed and the Holy Spirit began to download to me things to say in my posts.

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There was a video that one of my staff members put up, and it showed the third year anniversary of the Day of Liberation in Bucha.

And a very strong supporter of President Trump made this comment. And they said, 'This is very sad, Pastor, that this is happening in Ukraine. But no more money to Ukraine. I'm sorry. No more money to Ukraine.'

And I responded to this individual and I said 'you would not be saying that if you were here on the ground.'

When you're on the ground in Ukraine, and you're seeing the devastation, and you're seeing the tears, and you're seeing the soldiers who are on the ground, they don't want money from America  they want ammunition.

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They need the tools to protect their homeland. They were invaded.

It's no different from the British invading America and the Tories and the loyalists  those citizens took up arms, they were not trained soldiers. They were just regular farmers and blacksmiths, and they took up arms to defend their territory.

That's exactly what Ukraine is doing.

When you see this, you can hear the passion in my heart. This may politically kill me, and I could care less. I don't care. It's not about what's popular, it's about what is right.

I can tell you the spirit of Ukraine is not broken. It is very much alive and is very much ready to defend its homeland. But more importantly than ammo, they want peace.

That's why I'm taking time to talk to anybody and everybody that will that want to talk to me so that this message that what God showed me on the ground of Ukraine has moved my heart, that I may move somebody else's heart and that the world would get behind Ukraine, just like how the world got behind South Africa during the time of Nelson Mandela.

My tears go out for those that are lost and are dying and are still being killed. And trust me when I tell you my voice is screaming from the mountaintop to whoever will listen.

We need to end this conflict in Ukraine immediately.

Read also: Trump didnt impose tariffs on Russia but they might be wrecking its economy regardless

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The Supreme Court has ruled Donald Trumps administration must facilitate the return of a wrongfully deported Maryland father Kilmar Abrego Garcia imprisoned in a brutal El Salvador jail.

With no noted dissents, Thursdays unsigned order from the nations high court states that the administration should be prepared to share what it can concerning the steps it has taken and the prospect of further steps.

A lower court judge who ordered Abrego Garcias return to the United States must now clarify the ruling, with due regard to the deference owed to the executive branch in the conduct of foreign affairs, the justices noted.

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That order properly requires the Government to facilitate Abrego Garcias release from custody in El Salvador, and to ensure that his case is handled as it would have been had he not been improperly sent to El Salvador, according to the courts decision. The intended scope of the term effectuate in the District Courts order is, however, unclear, and may exceed the District Courts authority.

A separate statement from the courts three liberal justices said the proper remedy is to provide Abrego Garcia with all the process to which he would have been entitled had he not been unlawfully removed to El Salvador.

Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said the decision agreed with us that the District Court improperly interfered with the Presidents foreign affairs power and was overbearing.

We look forward to continuing to advance our position in this case, she told The Independent in a text message.

The Trump administration admitted Kilmar Abrego Garcia was deported to El Salvadors notorious prison due to an administrative error but has refused efforts to return him to the United States (AP)

Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents deported Abrego Garcia last month despite a court order that blocked his removal from the country. Administration officials conceded he was sent to El Salvador due to an administrative error but insisted it was impossible to bring him back.

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In a 22-page ruling on April 6, Maryland District Judge Paula Xinis ripped the Trump administration for its wholly lawless and grievous error that shocks the conscience.

As defendants acknowledge, they had no legal authority to arrest him, no justification to detain him, and no grounds to send him to El Salvador  let alone deliver him into one of the most dangerous prisons in the Western Hemisphere, Judge Xinis wrote.

Trump appealed to the nations highest court hours before the judges midnight deadline to return Abrego Garcia to the United States. Chief Justice John Roberts then issued a single-page order that paused the lower courts order as the justices considered the case.

In their response to Trumps appeal, lawyers for Abrego Garcia said he sits in a foreign prison solely at the behest of the United States, as the product of a Kafka-esque mistake.

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The president may not seize individuals from the streets, deposit them in foreign prisons in violation of court orders, and then invoke the separation of powers to insulate its unlawful actions from judicial scrutiny, they wrote.

The administration sent Abrego Garcia to El Salvadors mega prison  which human rights groups have derided as a tropical gulag  on March 15. He joined dozens of mostly Venezuelan immigrants on removal flights after the president secretly invoked the wartime Alien Enemies Act to summarily deport alleged Tren de Aragua gang members.

One of those planes allegedly carried immigrants with court orders for their removal, not under the presidents wartime authority. Abrego Garcia was on that plane  something administration officials have called an oversight  even though there were no orders for his removal from the country.

Kilmar Abrego Garcias wife Jennifer Vasquez Sura and attorneys have demanded the Trump administration return the wrongfully deported Salvadoran man, who is a father to their five-year-old child (AP)

In 2019, a judge blocked Abrego Garcias removal from the U.S. after his credible testimony that he fears violence and death in El Salvador, from which he fled as a teenager in 2011.

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Under that American court order, Abrego Garcia is allowed to live and work in the United States, but must attend regular check-ins with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. His most recent appearance was in January, according to court documents.

Abrego Garcia has no criminal record in either the United States or El Salvador, according to his attorney. He has been living in Maryland with his wife and 5-year-old child  both U.S. citizens  and helping raise two children from a previous relationship.

After he was granted humanitarian protections, Abrego Garcia found work as a sheet-metal worker and enrolled in a five-year licensing program with the University of Maryland as he helped his three children, including his young son, who was diagnosed with autism.

Despite admitting the error, government lawyers have fought to keep him imprisoned.

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Following news of the governments admitted error 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.

In a brief to the Supreme Court on April 8, the Trump administration argued that courts cannot direct the presidents foreign policy decision-making when it comes to removing Abrego Garcia out of a Salvadoran prison.

Government attorneys once again accused Abrego Garcia of being a member of MS-13, and the United States has a compelling interest in not having a member of a foreign terrorist organization on U.S. soil, and the public interest strongly favors the exclusion of foreign terrorists from the United States, they wrote.

Judge Xinis has noted that the evidence against Abrego Garcia consisted of nothing more than his Chicago Bulls hat and hoodie as well as a vague, uncorroborated allegation from a confidential informant claiming he belonged to MS-13s Western clique in New York  a place he has never lived.

Andrew Feinberg contributed reporting from Washington, D.C.
SHANGHAI/SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Top Chinese brokerages have pledged to help steady domestic share prices in a concerted effort, the Shanghai bourse said, and scores of listed companies unveiled stock buying plans, as the local market reels from an escalating trade war.

The Shanghai Stock Exchange said late on Tuesday it held a meeting with 10 brokerages to stress the importance of stabilising markets in the face of external shocks.

The participants, including Citic Securities, Orient Securities and Industrial Securities, expressed optimism about China's growth prospects, and vowed to steady the market, it said in a statement.

The United States said on Tuesday that 104% duties on imports from China will take effect shortly after midnight, intensifying trade tensions that have already roiled global markets and smacked Chinese shares.

The brokerage gathering represents an acceleration of efforts by Chinese authorities to try and limit the damage from the trade war, after Central Huijin and several other state-backed investors vowed to increase stock holdings to steady markets.

Separately, more than 100 Chinese listed companies have published announcements regarding share purchases or buybacks to bolster confidence in a market that slumped to six-month lows this week.

Construction machinery maker Sanyi Heavy Industry Co said it bought back 5 million shares worth 92.9 million yuan ($12.64 million) through the public market on Tuesday.

XCMG Construction Machinery said it plans to buy back the company's shares worth up to 3.6 billion yuan.

More than 20 listed companies controlled by the central government unveiled buyback plans under the guidance of China's state asset regulator.

They include prominent oil companies PetroChina and Sinopec, as well as power generators such as China Shenhua Energy Co and GD Power Development.

($1 = 7.3475 Chinese yuan renminbi)

(Reporting by Samuel Shen and Tom Westbrook; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman)
The Supreme Court is to issue a landmark ruling next week over whether transgender people can be legally defined as their preferred gender.

Feminist campaign group For Women Scotland (FWS) has brought the case, arguing that sex-based protections should only apply to people who were born female.

But the SNP Government has argued the definition should also include trans people with a gender recognition certificate (GRC).

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The Scottish Governments lawyers argued during a two-day hearing last November that legal protections for those who are pregnant could apply to a pregnant man who had been born female.

In the case of a pregnant man not receiving those protections, the man would potentially be entitled to bring a claim of direct discrimination on grounds of gender reassignment.

The case centres on whether guidance issued by the Scottish Government about the meaning of the word woman in the Equality Act is lawful. Five judges, led by Lord Reed, will hand down their ruling next week.

It could have a major impact on how sex-based rights are applied through the Act across Scotland, England and Wales.

For Women Scotland has argued that sex-based protections should only apply to women who were born female - Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

Lawyers are expected to cite the judgment in future cases to argue whether trans women can access womens refuges, prisons, changing rooms and other single-sex spaces.

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FWS initially went to court to challenge SNP ministers over a new law designed to increase the number of women on public boards. This stated that anyone living as a woman would be eligible.

The Court of Session in Edinburgh found the Scottish Government had gone beyond its powers by legislating that transgender women should count as women.

This forced the publication of new statutory guidelines which stated that transgender women should be counted as women, so long as they hold a GRC.

FWS launched a new legal challenge, arguing that the Scottish Government had overstepped its powers by effectively redefining the meaning of female.

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But judge Lady Haldane ruled the legal definition of sex was not limited to biological or birth sex in December 2022. An appeal was rejected by the Inner House of the Court of Session, prompting FWS to go to the UK Supreme Court.

The ruling will be issued the day after a private hearing in an employment tribunal about a trans doctor being allowed to use a female hospital changing room.

Sandie Peggie, a nurse for NHS Fife, challenged the presence of Dr Beth Upton, a transgender woman, in the female changing rooms - Alan Richardson

The Telegraph disclosed on Thursday that NHS Fife had asked the judge overseeing the landmark case, brought by nurse Sandie Peggie, to remove public access to an online livestream of the tribunals proceedings.

The board has also asked for a ban on an open justice campaign group posting live social media updates about the case on X, formerly Twitter.

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Judge Sandie Kemp will issue rulings on both NHS Fifes applications at a hearing behind closed doors on Tuesday next week, ahead of the tribunal restarting in July.

NHS Fife accused Ms Peggie of misconduct after she challenged the presence of Dr Beth Upton, a transgender woman, in a female changing room at Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy.

At the time it was not possible for Dr Upton to hold a gender recognition certificate, meaning she was legally male. However, the doctor claimed during the first stage of the tribunal to be biologically female.

Responding to NHS Fife calling for the public to be banned from watching online, JK Rowling tweeted: Presumably because it will be easier to pretend a large, trans-identified natal male belongs in womens changing rooms if the public cant see what he looks like.

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The health board has argued that the ban is required as the first stage of the tribunal was marred by technical issues and interruptions from public observers watching online, which caused significant delays to proceedings.

Dr Beth Upton was unable to obtain a gender recognition certificate when the row took place, but argues she is biologically female - Iain Masterton/Alamy Live News

Observers that failed to mute their computers microphones or switch off their cameras could be seen and heard on a large screen that had been erected in the tribunal.

However, feminist campaigners have argued this could be easily corrected by automatically muting those who dial in. NHS Fife was approached for comment on Rowlings intervention.

A spokesman for HM Courts and Tribunals Service said: Decisions on how cases are conducted are made by the independent judiciary.

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In this case, all remote participants will be automatically muted at the point of joining the July hearing to minimise disruptions.

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PIERRE, S.D. (KELO)  The South Dakota Supreme Court has rejected the arguments of a Tea landowner who claimed that the citys special assessment on the property was unconstitutional.

In an official opinion publicly released on Thursday, the states five justices unanimously found in favor of the city of Tea.

The Tea Council had approved a plan to improve its access to Interstate 29 and adopted a resolution of necessity in April 2021, declaring that the city would finance a portion of the project by levying a special assessment against properties fronting and abutting the project that especially benefited from the project.

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Pleas of not guilty entered in Hibachi Grill case

One of those properties was owned by KJD LLC. Its additional assessment was $61,623.38.

KJD took the city of Tea to court. Circuit Judge John Pekas ruled in favor of the city. KJD then appealed to the South Dakota Supreme Court.

Justice Patricia DeVaney wrote the high courts opinion in favor of Tea.

It was KJDs burden to show by clear and convincing evidence that the Citys findings and determinations were not correct as to its property, Justice DeVaney stated in her conclusion.

Yet instead of presenting contrary testimony and evidence at a trial, it elected to proceed on the Citys own avowals in its resolution and the parties written and oral arguments, Justice DeVaney continued. Because KJD has not presented substantial, credible evidence to rebut the presumption of correctness in the Citys special assessment, we affirm the circuit courts decision denying KJDs objection to the Citys special assessment.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The Supreme Court on Thursday said the Trump administration must work to bring back a Maryland man who was mistakenly deported to prison in El Salvador, rejecting the administrations emergency appeal.

The court acted in the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran citizen who had an immigration court order preventing his deportation to his native country over fears he would face persecution from local gangs.

U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis had ordered Abrego Garcia, now being held in a notorious Salvadoran prison, returned to the United States by midnight Monday.

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The order properly requires the Government to facilitate Abrego Garcias release from custody in El Salvador and to ensure that his case is handled as it would have been had he not been improperly sent to El Salvador, the court said in an unsigned order with no noted dissents.

It comes after a string of rulings on the court's emergency docket where the conservative majority has at least partially sided with Trump amid a wave of lower court orders slowing the president's sweeping agenda.

In Thursday's case, Chief Justice John Roberts had already pushed back Xinis' deadline. The justices also said that her order must now be clarified to make sure it doesnt intrude into executive branch power over foreign affairs, since Abrego Garcia is being held abroad. The court said the Trump administration should also be prepared to share what steps it has taken to try to get him back  and what more it could potentially do.

The administration claims Abrego Garcia is a member of the MS-13 gang, though he has never been charged with or convicted of a crime. His attorneys said there is no evidence he was in MS-13.

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The administration has conceded that it made a mistake in sending him to El Salvador, but argued that it no longer could do anything about it.

The courts liberal justices said the administration should have hastened to correct its egregious error and was plainly wrong to suggest it could not bring him home.

The Governments argument, moreover, implies that it could deport and incarcerate any person, including U. S. citizens, without legal consequence, so long as it does so before a court can intervene, Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote, joined by her two colleagues.

Abrego Garcia's wife, Jennifer Vasquez Sura, said the ordeal has been an emotional rollercoaster for their family and the entire community.

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I am anxiously waiting for Kilmar to be here in my arms, and in our home putting our children to bed, knowing this nightmare is almost at its end. I will continue fighting until my husband is home, she said.

One of his lawyers, Simon Sandoval-Moshenburg, said tonight, the rule of law prevailed," and he encouraged the government to "stop wasting time and get moving.

In the district court, Xinis wrote that the decision to arrest Abrego Garcia and send him to El Salvador appears to be wholly lawless. There is little to no evidence to support a vague, uncorroborated allegation that Abrego Garcia was once in the MS-13 street gang, Xinis wrote.

The 29-year-old was detained by immigration agents and deported last month.

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He had a permit from the Homeland Security Department to legally work in the U.S. and was a sheet metal apprentice pursuing a journeyman license, his attorney said. His wife is a U.S. citizen.

Tricia McLaughlin, assistant DHS secretary for public affairs, said Thursday that the justices' order for clarification from the lower court was a win for the administration. We look forward to continuing to advance our position in this case, she said.

A Justice Department spokesman said the court had directly noted the deference owed to the Executive Branch in foreign affairs.

An immigration judge had previously barred the U.S. from deporting Abrego Garcia to El Salvador in 2019, finding that he faced likely persecution by local gangs.

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A Justice Department lawyer conceded in a court hearing that Abrego Garcia should not have been deported. Attorney General Pam Bondi later removed the lawyer, Erez Reuveni, from the case and placed him on leave.

___

Associated Press writers Lindsay Whitehurst, Rebecca Santana and Alanna Durkin Richer contributed to this report.
The Supreme Court said Thursday that the Trump administration must facilitate the release of a man the government admitted it wrongly deported to El Salvador. The case went back to the judge who ordered the man's return for further clarification of her order, leaving the ultimate fate of the case unclear.

After the Trump administration admitted that it had wrongly deported Kilmar Abrego Garcia to El Salvador, U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis in Maryland had ordered the government to facilitate and effectuate his return by 11:59 p.m. on Monday. A federal appellate panel declined the administrations request to halt the judges order, but Chief Justice John Roberts temporarily granted the request on the afternoon of that midnight deadline, pending further word from him or the full high court.

That word came Thursday with an order that said Xinis had properly required the government to facilitate Abrego Garcias release from custody in El Salvador and to ensure that his case is handled as it would have been had he not been improperly sent to El Salvador. But the order also said that the intended scope of the term effectuate in the District Courts order is, however, unclear, and may exceed the District Courts authority, adding: The District Court should clarify its directive, with due regard for the deference owed to the Executive Branch in the conduct of foreign affairs. For its part, the Government should be prepared to share what it can concerning the steps it has taken and the prospect of further steps.

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In a statement accompanying Thursdays order, the courts three Democratic appointees said they wouldve declined to intervene in this litigation and effectively held the government to the judges directive.

Nevertheless, I agree with the Courts order that the proper remedy is to provide Abrego Garcia with all the process to which he would have been entitled had he not been unlawfully removed to El Salvador, Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote, joined by Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson. That means the Government must comply with its obligation to provide Abrego Garcia with due process of law, including notice and an opportunity to be heard, in any future proceedings.

In the proceedings on remand, the District Court should continue to ensure that the Government lives up to its obligations to follow the law, Sotomayor added, with remand referring to the process of a case being sent back to a lower court.

After the Supreme Court issued the order, Xinis quickly amended her order to DIRECT that Defendants take all available steps to facilitate the return of Abrego Garcia to the United States as soon as possible. She told the government to file a declaration addressing: (1) the current physical location and custodial status of Abrego Garcia; (2) what steps, if any, Defendants have taken to facilitate Abrego Garcias immediate return to the United States; and (3) what additional steps Defendants will take, and when, to facilitate his return.

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Xinis initially set a deadline for the government to file its declaration by 9:30 a.m. ET on Friday but extended the deadline two hours after the government filed a motion seeking to delay that deadline and to push a hearing on the matter the judge had set for 1 p.m. ET on Friday to next week. Xinis declined to delay the hearing.

In their response on Friday, Justice Department lawyers said they are not in a position where they can share any information requested by the court and called the judges deadline impracticable.

The Supreme Court split 5-4 on Monday in a separate appeal to grant the Trump administration emergency relief in its use of the Alien Enemies Act to conduct deportations. Dissenting in that case, Sotomayor cited Abrego Garcias then-pending case to warn about the dangerous nature of the government's position that it doesnt have to return erroneously deported people.

Notably, the court said in that case that people facing deportation under the Alien Enemies Act are still entitled to due process.

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In a filing to the justices on Tuesday, Abrego Garcias lawyers cited Mondays Alien Enemies Act ruling in writing that, while his case doesnt involve that act, the courts due process protection in that case supports Abrego Garcias position that the Government violated his due process rights by removing him to El Salvador. They wrote that the justices unanimous insistence on due process underscores that Abrego Garcia  who was removed without reasonable notice or an opportunity to challenge his removal before it occurred, and in conceded violation of a court order prohibiting his removal to that country  must have a remedy for this constitutional violation.

This post has been updated throughout to reflect additional developments in the litigation.

Subscribe to the Deadline: Legal Newsletter for expert analysis on the top legal stories of the week, including updates from the Supreme Court and developments in the Trump administrations legal cases.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
With temperatures in Phoenix set to hit triple digits, volunteers and first responders are working to help Valley residents find relief from heat illness.

In Maricopa County in 2024, there were 602 confirmed heat-related deaths, which was a decline from the previous year, yet a number that could still be significantly reduced, health experts and first responders said.

Hundreds of Phoenix volunteers formed an assembly line in an outdoor area outside the headquarters of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, also known as AZ Blue, on April 9, placing items like sunglasses and electrolytes into "heat relief" kits that will be distributed through Valley of the Sun United Way in Maricopa, Mohave, Pima and Yuma counties.

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In two shifts, about 1,000 volunteers, employees from AZ Blue, its AZ Blue Foundation and the Phoenix Fire Department, among others, expected to assemble 15,000 heat relief kits in one day in a mass event that included multiple tables, tents and music. The AZ Blue Foundation began donating the kits a few years ago in response to a rising number of heat deaths in the community.

As the volunteers worked, the temperature rose above 90 degrees. The weather is unusually hot for this time of year, caused by a strong area of high pressure across most of the western U.S., said Gabriel Lojero, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Phoenix.

Lojero said thermometers in Phoenix could reach 100 degrees on April 10, which would be the first triple-digit day of 2025. The normal high at this time of year is about 85 degrees, Lojero said. The earliest Phoenix has hit 100 degrees in a calendar year was on March 26 in 1988, according to Lojero.

The summer of 2024 in Maricopa County marked a record-setting number of consecutive days over 100 degrees, yet it was also the first year-over-year decrease in heat deaths since 2014, according to the Maricopa County Health Department.

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The decline in deaths was a sign that some of the community's heat-relieving efforts were working, said Paul Penzone, the former Maricopa County sheriff who is now communications chief for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona.

"It's a seasonal campaign that we plan on staying committed to," Penzone said of the AZ Blue Foundation's heat relief projects.

Paul Penzone, vice president and chief community relations officer of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, speaks during AZ Blues heat relief volunteer event to assemble 15,000 heat relief and first aid kits at AZ Blue Phoenix Campus on April 9, 2025.

The kits complement other heat-sparing activities that will be happening in Arizona this summer, including a network of heat relief stations throughout Maricopa County, urban tree planting by the AZ Blue Foundation on Earth Day, and an ice immersion technique that the Phoenix Fire Department uses to combat what can be severe and lingering effect of heat illness.

Penzone said assembling the kits was about prevention but about awareness, too.

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Preventing heat illness much cheaper than treating someone for heatstroke, which in its most severe form can cause cognitive problems and damage organs, including the brain, kidneys and heart.

And it's important to be aware that it's that time of year again when working and exercising outside is riskier, Penzone said.

State health officials say symptoms of heat exhaustion include cool, moist, pale, flushed or red skin. The skin may be red right after physical activity and the skin may or may not feel hot. Other symptoms include heavy sweating, headache, dizziness, weakness and nausea or vomiting.

"Even today, it's more than 90 degrees. I told the staff to make sure they hydrate," Penzone said. "The last thing we want is for someone to be impacted today."

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As volunteers put hats, sunscreen and other items into plastic bags, members of the Phoenix Fire Department demonstrated how they put people suffering from heat stroke into a special bag that they then pour ice over to reduce patients' core temperature  an intervention they used on 311 people in 2024 and expect to use on more this summer, said Adam Kozma, division chief of emergency medical services training for the Phoenix Fire Department.

Cold water immersion: How Phoenix Fire Department will combat heat stroke this summer

People who are unhoused and living on the streets are commonly affected by heat illness, but Kozma said Phoenix Fire Department personnel routinely respond to many others who suffer from heat problems, including people living in homes without air conditioning, hikers, elderly people whose bodies are often less likely to withstand high temperatures and people who are exercising or doing activities like yardwork outside.

"We had more than 1,400 heat-related emergencies last year that we ran... We've seen some this year already," Kozma said.

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The human-sized cooling bags that the Phoenix Fire Department were using to help patients suffering from heat illness have been a game changer, Kozma and other fire officials said, as they offered demonstrations to volunteers assembling the kits.

Lojero said the weather in the Valley should begin cooling down starting April 13, with highs that week in the upper 80s to early 90s.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Heat kits prepared as scorching temperatures begin in metro Phoenix
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WJBF)  An emotional day at the South Carolina State House. Survivors, lawmakers, and community leaders stood together  pushing for justice and healing.

On the 13th of May 2022, at the hour of 11:35 PM that was taken away from me in a snap of a finger. Why? Because of a senseless act of gun violence, Courtney Hunter recalled.

On Wednesday, Hunter stood on the Statehouse steps, telling her story at the 4th Annual Victims Matter Rally. Families and survivors held signs  saying names that should never be forgotten. She lost her 6-year-old son, Winston, just days before kindergarten graduation. I was distraught, upset, hurt, angryprobably every emotion in my body. I was in disbelief. You see things on TV, but you never expect it to happen in the safety of your own home, she added.

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Victims feel lost. So often they feel like theyre an island, that theres nobody that can understand them, Legal Director at SC South Carolina Victim Assistance Network Sarah Ford shared.

Ford says more people need to know help is out there. There is a community of support, advocates, attorneys, organizations, resources that are here for them, to support them.

We heard about lives lost where people shouldve been safe  inside, on the porch. Officials say laws need to change. The last thing I want to see happen is one of these organizations close their doors that provide vital, vital services, vital support to the families and the victims who so desperately need them, Attorney General Alan Wilson said. Last year we asked for 15 million, we got 5 million. This year, weve asked for another 15 million.

I think that weve gotta be creative and look at doing business differently in South Carolina, Sen. Tameika Isaac Devine added. And we can do that through, looking at what we are, the current tools we have and how can we better support the front-end services so that, that were not investing more money in, in the backend services.

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Meanwhile, two men are serving life without parole for killing Winston. Others still await trial. Courtney is turning her pain into purpose  launching Through the Eyes of Winston.

We go and bring awareness about gun violence, the safety of gun violence and how try to talk to the young people about making better choices, she said. His teacher gave me his assignment where his dream was that everyone would be nice. And I just feel it though. If a 6-year-old can think like that, then why cant our adults.

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ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  A suspect accused of killing an Abilene man by causing a crash while driving more than 100 miles per hour while drunk has been indicted.

Ezequiel Martinez was indicted by a Taylor County Grand Jury Thursday for Intoxication Manslaughter in connection to the death of Charles Ferrell.

Ferrell was ejected and killed during a single-vehicle crash on East Highway 80 in Abilene in December 2023.

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Court documents reveal Martinez was driving and Ferrell was a passenger in a vehicle that lost control and hit two light poles while trying to avoid a city dump truck that had lawfully entered the highway. Martinez suffered minor injuries, and Ferrell was killed upon impact.

UPDATE: More details released from fatal crash in east Abilene

The documents state further investigation revealed Martinez and Ferrell had been drinking at several Abilene bars in the hours leading up the fatal crash and that they left the last bar a little more than three minutes before the incident. Investigators also learned the vehicle was traveling in excess of 100 miles per hour.

At first, the documents state Martinez claimed he was the passenger but surveillance video and the pattern of injuries sustained by Ferrell suggested Martinez was driving.

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Martinez blood alcohol level was .184 at the time of the fatal crash, according to the documents.

No further information is available at this time.

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SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS)- When a 15-year-old with a mental disability was left alone for two weeks in a Shreveport motel, her parents were placed under arrest for neglect.

Shreveport police described the motel room at the Royal Inn on North Market as filthy and smelling of feces and urine. The girl told police she had not bathed in two weeks. However, she was able to find some food. They also said she was not enrolled in school.

According to the Gingerbread House, whoever called the police did the right thing. Executive Director Jessica Milan Miller said, We like to tell people just to be on the safe side and make sure all our bases are covered. We make two reports, one to law enforcement and one the child protective services in Louisiana, that number is 1-855-4LA-KIDS.

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Raise awareness, prevent child abuse  ways to acknowledge Blue Ribbon Month

Jordan Webster with Gingerbread House says neglect can be defined as leaving a child for many hours over what is appropriate for the age, not providing proper food and water, or not maintaining standards in the home.

If you suspect neglect or abuse but are unsure, you should call and report it. Children can not advocate for themselves; adults must step up.

Jessica Milan Miller said, Anytime that you are making a report in good faith, being a voice for a child that you are concerned about, you are protected under the law because you are acting in good faith. Our job is to leave that role to the experts and to make that phone call for that child.

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We recently published a list of 10 Stocks on Jim Cramers Radar Recently. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Ralph Lauren Corporation (NYSE:RL) stands against other stocks on Jim Cramers radar.

On Tuesday, Jim Cramer, host of Mad Money, discussed the impact of tariff-induced market volatility and he also discussed how it affects some retail companies.

The market looked terrific when I went out to lunch today  Then I came back and all the gains that I saw were gone. So many wins had turned into losses. So much had melted down. I mean, holy cow. An incredible reversal, a severe reminder of the fragility of this market.

READ ALSO: Jim Cramer Talked About These 8 Stocks and Jim Cramers Game Plan: 10 Stocks in Focus

Cramer then turned his attention to the decision by the U.S. government to impose a 46% tariff on goods from Vietnam. He noted that Vietnam floods the U.S. market with products while importing very little in return. However, he pointed out that Vietnam is a poor country and questioned what it could even afford to purchase.

So why did the White House hit Vietnam with a 46% tariff? Because the trade team believes that Vietnams a transshipment country. They think the Chinese use it as a backdoor to get around the tariffs.

Cramer remarked that when companies shifted their manufacturing operations from China to Vietnam, they believed they were making a prudent move. He had expected that American companies manufacturing in Vietnam would face a lower tariff, which he believed was a way to beat China. However, it did not materialize. He pointed out that the fallout from the policy is significant as the stocks of these companies take a hit.

He observed that until the situation is resolved, companies that rely on overseas manufacturing will likely continue to see their stock prices fall. Cramer also noted that the Trump administrations aim seemed to be to penalize foreign trading partners while pushing U.S. companies to bring their manufacturing operations back to America.

The bottom line: You could conclude that I shouldnt go to lunch. Or maybe you should accept that things are going to be treacherous for companies that make things overseas no matter what. Its just too difficult to own these stocks until the estimates are brought down to levels that can be beaten. And obviously from todays action, we just arent there yet.

Our Methodology

For this article, we compiled a list of 10 stocks that were discussed by Jim Cramer during the episode of Mad Money aired on April 8. We listed the stocks in the order that Cramer mentioned them. We also provided hedge fund sentiment for each stock as of the fourth quarter of 2024, which was taken from Insider Monkeys database of over 1,000 hedge funds.
FLORENCE, S.C. (WBTW)  One of the suspects in a February 2024 deadly shooting at Magnolia Mall in Florence that police say was targeted had his bond denied again on Wednesday, according to public records.

Javon Norman, 19, is one of three people charged in the killing of Avery S. McDonald, 15, of Marion County. Norman was charged with murder, armed robbery, criminal conspiracy, and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. Public records show his bond was denied Wednesday on the murder and armed robbery charges.

Damarcus Legette  Florence County Detention Center

Damarcus Legette, 19, faces the same charges. Police also arrested a 15-year-old boy shortly after the shooting.

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A warrant provided to News13 by Florence police says the three suspects approached McDonald and exchanged words just before everyone headed to the parking lot.

Thats when the suspects forced open the doors of a car McDonald was in, flashed handguns and told its occupants to give it up in an attempt to rob them, the warrant says.

McDonalds family filed a lawsuit against the mall last month.

* * *

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.

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A shooting in upstate New York on Thursday killed one suspect and wounded two state troopers, authorities announced.

The shooting occurred after officers with the New York State Police and Saratoga County Sheriffs Office responded to an apartment complex in the Town of Malta just after 9 a.m. following reports of a domestic dispute, Major Christopher Gilroy of the NYSP said at a press conference Thursday afternoon.

According to police, an individual involved in the dispute, later identified as 37-year-old Brandon R. Moore, refused to cooperate with law enforcement and barricaded himself in the apartment.

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Approximately 30 minutes later, as officers were attempting negotiations, Moore exited the apartment with what appeared to be a handgun, Gilroy said.

After refusing to drop his firearm, Moore allegedly aimed his gun at officers, at which time they fired their weapons, fatally striking him.

Investigators later determined Moores weapon was a CO2-powered BB pistol, which was loaded at the time of the incident, Gilroy said.

Two state troopers sustained minor injuries during the incident and have since been released from the hospital. The victim involved in the domestic dispute also had non-life-threatening injuries.

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Just before 10 a.m., the property manager at the complex, the Ellsworth Commons Apartments, sent an email to residents asking them to shelter in place due to police activity on the 4th floor of building 2, according to a screenshot of the message obtained by Albany CBS affiliate WRGB.

The shooting was an isolated incident and posed no threat to public safety, officials said. However, it was the second trooper-involved shooting in Malta in less than 24 hours.

On Wednesday afternoon, a man was fatally shot by New York State Police after opening fire on the troopers substation in Malta, officials said. The suspect was later identified as 59-year-old David Levine, a resident of the city.

According to police, Levine was located in the parking lot armed with a long gun. After refusing multiple commands to drop his weapon, he pointed his gun at the troopers, prompting them to fire their weapons, fatally striking him.

Malta, a town in central Saratoga County, is located approximately 30 miles north of Albany.
CELINA, Ohio (WATE)  The man who law enforcement say crashed into a McDonalds in Oneida, Tennessee also allegedly got into a traffic accident in Ohio two weeks before after crossing over to the wrong side of the road.

Andrew A. Leininger, 40, crashed into a McDonalds off Highway 27 while fleeing police on Wednesday around 6 a.m., according to an arrest warrant. However, according to the Darke County Sheriffs Office in Ohio, this wasnt his first time involved in a pursuit.

McGhee Tyson named fastest-growing airport among the top 100 in the country

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On March 28, less than two weeks before the McDonalds crash, DCSO received a call about someone driving on the wrong lanes of I-70. Deputies went to the area and were told that Leininger had been driving north on US-127 when he sideswiped a trailer, crossed into the southbound lanes and hit another truck.

Leininger then ran away from the scene towards St. Marys Catholic Church Cemetery, DCSO said. Officers from the Greenville Police Department saw him and chased him, finally overtaking him in the cemetery. One of the officers had to climb over a fence and fell, injuring his shoulder.

The officers took Leininger, who was uninjured, into custody for suspicion of being under the influence of drugs. He was charged with obstructing official business, and DCSO said other charges will be filed later.

Law enforcement also suspected drugs may have been involved in the Oneida crash where they found marijuana in his car, the arrest report says. He was charged with driving under the influence.

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Police search for suspect after shooting behind Knoxville home

In both incidents, Leininger was driving a Ford F-150, although one was blue and the other gray according to the reports.

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BEULAVILLE, N.C. (WNCT)  A man turned himself in Thursday, Apr. 10, 2025 after Beulaville Police Department officers said he led them on a chase on Apr. 4th.

A driver with fictitious plates on the vehicle sped away onto N. N.C. Highway 41. The driver was found to be Ricky Howard and warrants were taken out for his arrest.

Howard was charged with:

Felony fleeing to elude arrest with a motor vehicle

Reckless driving

Driving while license revoked

Speeding

Driving with no insurance

Displaying fictitious registration

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Howard was jailed in the Duplin County Jail under a $10,000 secured bond.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WNCT.
A suspected MS-13 gang member was extradited to New York and finally arraigned on Wednesday in the vicious assault and kidnapping of a 15-year-old boy on Long Island last year.

Cops had been looking for Josue Zepeda Padilla for more than a year before U.S. Marshals arrested the 28-year-old in North Carolina on March 5.

Zepeda Padilla was wanted in the January 2024 beating and kidnapping of a 15-year-old in Huntington. The boy was lured into the Huntington Long Island Rail Road station, where he was robbed and assaulted, investigators said.

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Afterward, the boy was taken to an abandoned building, where his head was covered with a hood. Zepeda Padilla then stabbed the boy in the neck and left him for dead, according to police.

The boy miraculously survived the attack. He regained consciousness in the deserted building and made it to a nearby road before collapsing. A passerby spotted him and called 911.

In February 2024, cops announced six arrests in the case.

Brayan Jimenez Avila, Yeison Chavez Campos, Maycoll Ramirez Cerrato and Marcos Serpos were accused of beating the teenager, while Maybelline Garcia Cornejo was charged with driving from the station to the abandoned building. An unnamed minor was accused of luring the victim into the Huntington station.

While the six other suspects were nabbed quickly, Zepeda Padilla evaded capture until authorities tracked him down last month in Winston-Salem, N.C.
Just before the futures market opened on Sunday, Ethereum dipped below the $1,600 mark and continued declining into the London session, hitting its lowest level since August 2023 at $1,450 per ETH. This move adds to the already bearish trend that has defined ETH's price action since early January.

Source: TradingView (User  NoticeTrades)  Screenshot  @NoticeTrades

Don't Miss:

The broader trend for Ethereum has been decisively bearish since January 6th, when the asset printed a lower high and failed to follow through with any meaningful continuation to the upside. Since then, ETH has been steadily grinding lower, reflecting both technical weakness and broader market uncertainty.

A large part of Ethereum's appeal over the past several years has stemmed from its integral role in decentralized applications and, more notably, the non-fungible token market. However, the sharp decline in NFT trading volumes over the last year has removed a major pillar of support for ETH's price. During the NFT boom, Ethereum benefitted from an influx of new users, higher transaction volumes, and increased gas fees  all of which contributed to demand for the token. As that wave has cooled, so too has enthusiasm for Ethereum as a utility-driven asset.

Source: Dune (User  @clot)  Screenshot taken by Nick Thomas

Trending: Hasbro, MGM, and Skechers trust this AI marketing firm  invest pre-IPO from $0.55 per share now.

Beyond NFTs, other fundamental narratives for Ethereum remain in place  including its role in decentralized finance, the ongoing development of Layer 2 scaling solutions like Arbitrum and Optimism, and the network's reduced energy usage post-Merge. However, these developments have largely taken a backseat amid broader macroeconomic concerns.

Market sentiment across risk assets has deteriorated in recent weeks, and crypto, mainly altcoins, have not been spared. Escalating tensions between the U.S. and China over tariffs have reintroduced uncertainty across global markets.

Taiwan recently offered to drop tariffs entirely  a move that, while potentially stabilizing on the surface, may trigger a ripple effect as other countries reconsider their own trade strategies. The geopolitical climate has investors on edge, and crypto's high beta nature makes it especially sensitive to shifts in risk appetite.
House Bill 2014, if passed, would allow microgrids to be built near schools or neighborhoods. John Amos E. Power Plant, although across the river, can be seen from many houses in downtown Poca, W.Va. (Dian Ray for West Virginia Watch)

The West Virginia governor and lawmakers want to put coal and natural gas power plants in your backyards.

They want to rob local governments of their funding to do it.

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And they want to expose you to air, water and even noise pollution in the process.

This week, the Senate is moving on a Gov. Patrick Morrisey-backed bill to provide sweetheart deals to data center companies at the expense of everyone else. House Bill 2014 would allow data centers to apply for a special status from the West Virginia Department of Commerce that will exempt them from local government regulations.

I wrote back in January about how the state is not ready for data centers, and this legislation makes what I said then even more relevant today. Data centers use a lot of power, whether from their own onsite microgrid, which this legislation encourages (but doesnt require) or connecting to what we consider to be the normal grid.

The bill was up for debate in Tuesdays Senate Economic Development Committee. County commissioners testified about the bills harmful economic impact, which Ill get to later. But West Virginia Coal Association President Chris Hamilton was called to speak about what he perceives as the bills positive impacts on coal. He mentioned that he believes the bill will lead to modular coal plants taking language from the nuclear industrys hope in small modular reactors.

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To take language from the Coal Association: I have some pixie dust to sell them if they think tech companies like Google will invest in unproven technology like modular coal plants, as the industry has been on the decline because of cheap natural gas.

Again, Ill mention here that West Virginias power bills are high in part because the state clings to coal power while other states have embraced gas and renewable energy. Even one of our utility companies has said it expects to convert coal plants to natural gas. Of course, the Legislature wants to make that harder.

Ignoring the fact that modular coal plants arent really a thing, the intention remains that supporters of the bill want these data centers, and the fossil fuel companies are hungry for the associated microgrids that theyll bring. The bill exempts data centers and their microgrids from any local government regulations and removes the opportunity for all of us residents of our respective towns to provide any input on permitting or siting.

Close to an elementary school? Too bad.

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Do you like getting your food fresh from a local farm? I hope you dont mind that its next to a natural gas or even a coal plant.

What about that view of the mountains? Itll look nice if you dont mind the smoke stacks.

Im not creating an example out of thin air. Just last month, someone applied to build a natural gas facility in Tucker County near Davis and Thomas. The application doesnt say that it will power a data center, but I trust that you can read between the lines. The permit says it wont connect to the grid and would instead provide power to users onsite. The company name is Fundamental Data.

This gas plant and data center will be just a couple of miles from the nearest school and homes. Its also just a couple miles from the small, but vibrant towns of Davis and Thomas, national tourist destinations. Are gas plant microgrids and data centers what they need there?

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If the governor gets what he wants, local governments may not have a say in decisions like that.

Data centers also use hundreds of thousands or even millions of gallons of water a day. The governor explicitly mentions water when he says West Virginias natural resources will power data centers. I ask: whose water? Why would we give Amazon, Google, Facebook or any other tech company unfettered access to our groundwater that many West Virginians depend on for drinking water? West Virginians in Southern West Virginia and across the state have been asking for clean water for as long as we can remember.

In another example of attempting to extract our states resources for profit, a water bottling plant in Jefferson County was recently rejected because of local zoning and heavy public opposition. This bill takes away those opportunities to protect the water in your community from data centers.

Some local governments have spoken out about the loss of local control. Theyve also been vocal about the loss of tax revenue if this bill passes. The West Virginia Center of Budget and Policy published a post this week, but Ill summarize it here. Under this bill, counties would be better off if any industry other than a data center bought and built a facility on a piece of land within the country boundary. Thats because once a data center is built, the tax revenue would almost entirely go to the state coffers.

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In the new Davis and Thomas data center example, Tucker County could lose nearly $8 million in tax revenue if the land was used for a data center rather than almost anything else. That revenue still exists. It just doesnt go to the local government, local emergency services, local police or local schools. Instead, it would go to a new Personal Income Tax Reduction Fund and Electric Grid Stabilization and Security Fund.

Read another way: the local school revenue would go to eliminating income tax for the wealthy. WVCBP has written previously that income tax cuts provide minimal benefits to people who make less than $65,000 annually. Meanwhile, people at the top benefit the most. This bill wants to take local school revenue to pay for tax cuts for the richest people in our state.

The other new fund purports to address grid stability, and its proponents say it will keep the states electric bills low. But its important to point out that this is a subsidya handout to bail out our utilities coal power plants that simply cant compete on the free market. It could possibly reduce the amount of future bill increases due to expensive coal-fired power, if enough revenue is successfully stolen from local governments, but it will not reduce bills.

The data center bill contains other provisions that encourage utilities to double down on coal. Thats in line with other bills this session that seek a coal renaissance and make it more difficult for utilities to shift to a source other than coal, even if it were more cost-effective to do so. It seems our elected officials are intent on mandating coal use, no matter the fiscal or environmental cost to West Virginians, all to ensure that coal barons can continue to profit.

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Its hard to wrap our heads around everything that is happening at the state and federal level these days. But heres what I can say.

Our Republican-dominated Legislature and our Republican governor want to rob local governments of their tax revenue that funds their courts, police, EMS, firefighters and schools. They want to take away the chance for anyone to say this might not belong here, or this thing might make too much noise for someone to sleep at night. And they want to give tax cuts to the wealthy, and sweetheart deals to billion-dollar companies to do that.

That doesnt sound like small government for the people to me.

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KINGSPORT, Tenn. (WJHL)  Smoke could be seen coming from Bays Mountain Park in Kingsport most of the afternoon on Wednesday. It was controlled burn by park rangers in conjunction with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC).

Prescribed burns are used to purposefully light fire to certain locations of woodland. Its a land management technique to mimic the natural occurrence of fire that will restore a healthy ecosystem, according to TDEC officials.

Its the first time its ever been done at Bays Mountain. The fire was closely monitored by TDEC, park rangers, Kingsport firefighters and some future firefighters from Dobyns-Bennett High Schools Pulaski Club.

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The Pulaski Club is the only high school wildland fire training club in the country. Student Killian Kelly said its pretty cool to take part in a prescribed burn at a park that means so much to him.

(I was) born and raised in Kingsport, Kelly told News Channel 11. So Ive been up here, all my life Ive come up here for field trips, being in the planetarium. Ive hiked these trails before. So its definitely something else to come back and do something historical for them. So I would definitely love to come up here in the future and see how the land kind of regenerates after the fire.

Kelly says he wants to be a firefighter when he graduates from high school.

I plan to go and structure firefighting. So I thought this program and the DB fire class in general would be a great place to start my career.

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The burn was carefully planned and had been in the works for some time, but TDEC leaders said the added debris from Hurricane Helene made this a perfect time.

TDECs Natural Area Program Manager Sam King explained the importance of a controlled burn.

A prescribed burn is a lot different from a wildfire, King said. We have a very specific set of parameters, both weather and how the fuels and the leaf litter, and the wood on the ground, the moisture levels, and how all that interacts that lets us do these burns safely. Rather than wait for a major drought or a lightning storm or something that could start a wildfire, were able to come in and do it with adequate resources and make sure everything stays under control in order to meet our objectives.

Only about seven acres were burned among the parks 3,766 acres of land. However, park manager Megan Krager said the small burn would be instrumental in gathering data like how the fire reacted and what plant life will return.

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So we want to see what the landscape is going to do, Krager said. If theres some swirly winds on the top ridge, we want to see how thats going to affect some of our ignition sites. Also, too, what we want to do is after the burn, we want to know whats going to be coming back. We want to know, is there anything else that might be laying down in seed thats been dormant for a number of years? Would that possibly be coming back? So again, were trying to fill in some of the gaps and some of the questions that we had ourselves over the past few years about certain plants here at the park.

The burn was at the top of the mountain near the communication towers, a popular trail for biking and walking. Visitors may be shocked at the sight of charred land, but Krager says the burn is good for the parks ecosystem.

Theyre going to see some charring on the ground. And then within roughly about three weeks, theyll start to see some of the plants start to come back. Some of the greenery, and then a month later, youll see a little bit more greenery as well. Yes, the base of some of our trees are going to be charred, but it doesnt affect the trees because were not cutting our trees down for logging purposes.

Bays Mountain leaders said if the results of the prescribed burn Wednesday are successful, more burns will likely be planned at the park in the future.

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AUSTIN (KXAN)  The Texas Education Agencys (TEA) Do Not Hire registry is growing each year.

On Wednesday, the State Board of Education spent the afternoon discussing the list and what can be done to improve it.

The registry is a public, searchable database to warn school districts of whom not to hire.

In fiscal year 2024, 536 individuals were subject to formal enforcement and placed on the do not hire list, said TEA Commissioner Mike Morath.

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The Do Not Hire registry started in 2020 and had about 1,500 people on the registry, but over the years has continued to see more people added.

Texas senators consider $10,000 fine for superintendents who dont report suspected sexual misconduct

In FY 2020, there were 288 people added, but one year later, that number increased to 375 people.

Do Not Hire Registry graphic. (Courtesy: Texas Education Agency)

The TEA places both certified and uncertified educators on the registry for crimes like engaging in abuse of a child, engaging in solicitation of a romantic relationship with a student, or committing a crime with a student.

Cracking down on these bad apples is top of mind for some lawmakers at the Texas Capitol.

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At a Senate committee meeting on Tuesday, lawmakers showed bipartisan support for legislation that would increase penalties for school leaders who fail to report suspected sexual abuse, and a bill sparked by a KXAN investigation, which would increase the Texas Education Agencys authority to investigate school contractors accused of unlawful acts.

During the public hearing, where multiple witnesses detailed their personal experiences with sexual misconduct on a school campus, Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, said he planned to introduce a newer version of Senate Bill 571, which is aimed at increasing the number of personnel TEA can investigate for misconduct, including contractors and uncertified personnel.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
By Zaheer Kachwala and Marie Mannes

(Reuters) - Nearly half of Polestar's U.S. sales for its model 3 in the quarter through March came from hefty discounts targeting disgruntled Tesla owners, an executive for the Swedish EV maker said on Thursday, after it reported a 76% surge in global deliveries.

The offer, which gives Tesla owners in the U.S. discounts of up to $20,000 towards a Polestar 3 lease, helped power global sales to 12,304 vehicles in the first three months, Polestar's U.S. head of sales, Jordan Hofmann, told Reuters.

The Polestar discount campaign appears to be an attempt to take advantage of a backlash against CEO Elon Musk's Tesla brand amid slower-than-expected EV demand and worries that higher tariffs may raise vehicle prices.

Tesla's stock has dropped 32% so far this year from poor sales and record trade-ins amid criticism of Musk over the billionaire's controversial role in the Trump administration as he works to slash federal government spending.

A long range, dual motor Polestar 3 with all the upgrade packs would cost around $93,000, the Polestar website says, but for Tesla owners using the discounts, the price would sink to $73,000. A Tesla Model S starts at just under $80,000.

"We piloted a conquest campaign in late February. Based on the positive response we ran a new campaign for the month of March. We are currently running a similar campaign for April," a spokesperson for Polestar told Reuters.

The offer is valid for its Polestar 3, which is produced in a Volvo Cars factory in South Carolina.

POTENTIAL PRICE RISE

Polestar joins a throng of automakers scrambling for market share as shoppers in the U.S. and beyond scour dealer lots to try to snap up a car purchase before any potential rise in prices from the higher U.S. tariffs.

Ford Motor and Stellantis offered deep discounts starting this month, and Hyundai committed to keeping prices stable.

Polestar has been trying to expand its production base in the United States and reduce dependence on China - a strategy more significant now after U.S. President Donald Trump imposed sweeping tariffs on the world's largest auto market.

Indeed, both U.S. and other automakers are trying to enhance their manufacturing footprint. General Motors last week told workers it would increase output at a factory in Indiana, and Hyundai committed to a $21 billion investment in the U.S.

Polestar said earlier campaigns had been positive.

"The numbers speak for themselves. This week saw some of the highest order days for Polestar 3, and the response to our Tesla Conquest Offer has been incredible," Jordan Hofmann, Polestar's head of sales in the U.S., said in a LinkedIn post a month ago.
Rep. Jack McFarland said he's skeptical Louisiana will be able to keep $50 million in the state budget for an expanded voucher program next year. (Greg LaRose/Louisiana Illuminator)

The Louisiana Legislatures leadership said lawmakers are likely to eliminate funding for Gov. Jeff Landrys signature education initiative: an expanded school voucher program called LA GATOR that would devote millions more in tax dollars to private education.



Legislators are under pressure to find money to replace $2,000 and $1,000 stipends that public school teachers and support staff, respectively, have received for the past two years.



To avoid a teacher pay cut next year, lawmakers will have to find an extra $198 million in the state budget. Diverting $50 million from the new LA GATOR program seems like an obvious choice, a few legislative leaders have said in interviews over the past two weeks.



A lot of members still want to do the teacher stipend, said House Appropriations Committee Chairman Jack McFarland, R-Jonesboro, who oversees building of the state budget. For me, its going to be challenging to fund the LA GATOR program on top of the stipends.



Yet cutting LA GATOR would scuttle one of Landrys most significant legislative accomplishments since taking office last year. The Republican governor has been celebrating the new voucher program for months, even lighting the State Capitol and Superdome up with its trademark red color earlier this year.



That was the governors educational priority on the campaign trail, Louisiana Education Superintendent Cade Brumley, who also pushed LA GATOR, said in an interview Wednesday. Both literally and symbolically, thats an important program to him.

How much of the teacher stipend can legislators restore?



Eliminating school voucher expansion this year wont guarantee educators get their full stipends. The $50 million LA GATOR money only covers about a quarter of whats needed for the extra pay.



Senate President Cameron Henry, R-Metairie, said lawmakers cant fully commit to funding the stipends yet, even as he supports removing the $50 million from school vouchers.



I think that just puts more pressure on us to be able to follow through on that whole amount for stipends, Henry said.



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The governor has been circumspect about whether he would support putting money for additional teacher pay in the budget, however.



Well continue to look inside the budget to see what we can find, and we will see where it ends up, Landry told reporters during a news conference Wednesday. Im making no commitment on that.

The governor initially intended to launch LA GATOR while also making the stipends a permanent part of educators salaries this coming school year. But those plans were thwarted when state voters overwhelmingly rejected a constitutional amendment in the March 29 election.



The Landry-backed Amendment 2 was supposed to produce extra savings for the state and local school districts that would have covered, in part, this pay for teachers and school support staff. But it also included dozens of other tax and budget policy changes unrelated to teacher salaries that many voters found difficult to understand. In the end, it failed to pass with 65% of votes cast against the proposal.



On Wednesday, Landry suggested the states 59,0000 public school teachers were, in part, to blame for the amendment failing, even though Louisianas two major teachers unions endorsed the measure.



We hoped to answer that in a very fiscally conservative way with what we put in Amendment 2 but apparently the teachers didnt like that, Landry said during the press conference.

Still, Larry Carter, president of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers, is cautiously optimistic at least some of the stipends will be restored. Hes just not sure how much.



Nobodys really locking any numbers down. Im going to be honest, Carter said Wednesday.

LA GATOR applications

Cutting LA GATOR might be awkward for Landry and lawmakers because families have already applied for slots in the program. Brumley said Wednesday 33,000 applications have been submitted since the state started accepting them March 1, and the period to sign up goes through Tuesday, April 15.

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A little more than 5,000 of those applicants are low-income students who were enrolled in the existing school voucher program that started in 2012, according to information the education department provided Wednesday at a legislative hearing.



Those students  many of whom have received vouchers to attend Catholic schools for years  will be guaranteed their private school tuition funding regardless of whether the $50 million for LA GATOR is removed.

Henry and McFarland said they have no intention of cutting that allocation. Covering those 5,000 students would cost about $43 million on top of the $50 million meant for the LA GATOR expansion, Brumley said.

Should it stay in the budget, the extra $50 million for LA GATOR would give 6,000 more students private education vouchers, for a total of 11,000 slots, Brumley said.



LA GATOR awards are also designed to be more flexible than the states traditional voucher program. Accepted families could use the state dollars to cover private school tuition or other expenses for private school students, such as uniforms and tutoring.

But with limited space, two out of every three students who have applied for the grants so far would be turned down, even if the $50 million for LA GATOR remained in the budget.

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The program is designed to eventually be open to students of all income levels, though with so few slots available for next school year, priority would be given to students with disabilities and children from low-income families, Brumley said

More than 80% of applicants  around 26,700 people  fall below the income threshold of 250% above the federal poverty line to receive preferential treatment, which is an $80,000 annual income for a family of four. A little over 2,400 are also students with disabilities, according to the state education department.

Within the new low-income and students with disabilities applicant pool, people would be given the vouchers on a first-come, first-serve basis, Brumley said. Families who submitted applications at the beginning of the cycle would be more likely to receive a grant for their child.



Daniel Erspamer, a LA GATOR advocate and head of the conservative Pelican Institute think tank, said legislators should be wary of cutting funding for a program that has proven to be popular.

Even at current funding that is in the governors executive budget, we would still have a significant wait list, Erspamer said in an interview. That is going to be something that the Legislature has to reckon with.



Rural students left out of LA GATOR

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Theres also skepticism from some of the legislative leadership that their own constituents would benefit from the LA GATOR program.



While every legislator has public school teachers who live in their district, some dont have private schools where their constituents could use a LA GATOR grant.



At Wednesdays legislative hearing with Brumley, McFarland pointed out no one had applied to the LA GATOR program from Winn Parish, which is part of his House district. McFarland himself lives in Jackson Parish, which had just 12 applicants, according to education department data.

McFarland and Henry have also questioned whether there were enough seats in existing private schools to absorb 6,000 more students.



I understand and appreciate you have a lot of applicants, and I understand why. But if the seats arent available, then why would I appropriate the other dollars for the program? McFarland asked Brumley.



Other lawmakers told Brumley they simply did not feel comfortable cutting teacher pay in a year when the state has made historic education gains. Last year, Louisiana students moved up dozens of spots in national rankings on reading comprehension tests, an unheard-of achievement in the state that Landry and lawmakers have repeatedly touted.

Our student achievement would not have taken place if it had not been for the hard work of our teachers, said Rep. Barbara Freiberg, R-Baton Rouge, a former educator who supports retaining the full stipend.
Technical consultations between Ukrainian and American teams on the mineral agreement will take place on Friday 11 April.

Source: Olha Stefanishyna, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, during a press conference in Brussels, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Stefanishyna stated that the technical consultations on the mineral agreement with the United States, involving teams from Ukraine's Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Economy, will be held on 11 April in Washington.

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When asked by a journalist to provide more details about the consultations, Stefanishyna said she could not comment at this stage.

"I am not in a position to review any details because the meeting will only take place tomorrow; I will be able to comment tomorrow," she said.

Meanwhile, Stefanishyna stressed that nothing in the agreement can be subject to negotiations with Ukraine "in a way that will undermine the existing commitments and obligations Ukraine has, including the financial ones, within the Ukraine Facility, macro-financial assistance and IMF cooperation".

Quote: "This is something that is not subjected to any negotiating format, and having said that, it means that appropriate adjustments have to be done to the format of the agreement later on."

Background:

Following talks in the Saudi city of Jeddah on 11 March, the presidents of the United States and Ukraine reached an agreement on the development of Ukraines critical mineral resources.

Afterwards, Stefanishyna announced that the Kyiv-Washington framework agreement on mineral resources had been finalised and that Ukraine was ready to sign it at any time.

On 24 March, US President Donald Trump announced that an agreement on rare earth metals would be signed with Ukraine "soon".

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that the United States had proposed to Ukraine a new draft of the mineral resources agreement, which would immediately include parliamentary ratification beyond the initial framework agreement.

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Sen. Ted Cruz stuck out his neck to critique Donald Trumps actions on tariffs, warning they could have resulted in a political bloodbath for the party had the president not partially reversed course Wednesday. But its not the first time since Trumps return to office that the Texas Republican has broken ranks to advance his own agenda.

Since becoming chair in January of the Senate Commerce Committee, Cruz  who has signaled abiding presidential ambitions  has found ways to assert his own priorities, even if it involves breaking with Trump and other Republicans in the process.

Four months in, Cruz has already angered the White House by promising to go after Big Tech CEOs with whom the administration is cozy, and irked Commerce Committee Republicans who refused to give Cruz unilateral subpoena power to haul in those CEOs and other high-profile witnesses.

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He has pledged to pursue bipartisan priorities on the traditionally cooperative panel, like aviation safety legislation, reauthorization of the U.S. Coast Guard and standardizing rules for how college athletes are paid. But Cruz has also presided over cross-the-aisle shouting matches, prompting the panels top Democrat, Sen. Maria Cantwell of Washington, to bemoan, I dont want to turn into the House.

His decision to venture some criticism of Trump's trade war  despite the presidents efforts to clamp down on public opposition from within the party  was another sign of Cruzs swashbuckling pursuit of his agenda, however uncomfortable.

I am doing everything I can to urge the president to listen to the voices of the angels and not the devils, said Cruz, adding that he engaged with the White House on the matter and was in frequent contact with Trump.

It all adds up to the conclusion that Cruz could be preparing to make another go for the White House in 2028 after finishing as runner-up to Trump in 2016. And while hes tied himself closely to Trump since then, he is now using the committee gavel to set himself apart with aggressive oversight of tech companies, skepticism about tariffs and even a record of working across the aisle.

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This strategy might not change many opinions about Cruz. He has a history of being widely reviled and mocked on the left and rubbing his Republican colleagues the wrong way, too, with his showboating style. Hes the man who read Green Eggs and Ham during a filibuster on the Senate floor in 2013 to protest funding the government without defunding Obamacare and who spends significant time most weekdays recording a podcast that builds his personal brand.

In an interview Wednesday, Cruz demurred on whether hes looking at a future presidential bid that could pit him against a former colleague, Vice President JD Vance, saying hes now focused on his work in the Senate.

We have an enormous amount of work in front of us right now, Cruz said. We just had a presidential election in which President Trump won an incredible mandate from the American people.  And my focus right now is 100 percent on rolling up my sleeves and doing the hard work to deliver on the promises he made and to deliver on the mandate for voters.

If Cruz is indeed looking to carve out his own political lane, its clear his tariff message resonated positively with some Republican committee members: Sen. Jerry Moran of Kansas, who signed onto legislation to limit presidential tariff authority, said in an interview that Cruzs comments were very helpful.

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Commerce is not a "perfect platform for president because it's not high-profile" and grapples with "nerdy policy issues," said Texas-based GOP political strategist Matt Mackowiak. Tariffs, furthermore, dont fall under the committees authority.

"But given his keen sense of policy and politics, he will find ways to raise the profile of the committee and get into some things that they haven't done before, Mackowiak said. He doesn't shy away from being a partisan figure.

Cruz, in an interview, touted his committee as a center of activity: "I am focused like a laser on jobs, jobs, jobs. The Senate Commerce Committee has jurisdiction over roughly 40 percent of the US economy.  There are very few positions in all of government that can have a greater impact than chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee.

He said he plans to do that, in part, by developing policies to help America to lead in the development of [artificial intelligence] and to reap the productivity and job creation benefits that will come from that.

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To get those things done, though, Cruz will need cooperation from committee members  and he has frequently pursued a go-it-alone approach that hasn't always gone smoothly.

Cruzs efforts to get his colleagues to give him unchecked subpoena power earlier this year backfired when Republicans chafed at the suggestion they break with longstanding precedent and give their chair the ability to compel witness testimony and documents without first securing a full committee vote.

The White House also didnt want committee Republicans to give Cruz more power, fearing he planned to use his blanket privileges to haul in major tech companies with which the administration has had a rapport.

In interviews with multiple GOP committee members at the time of the conflict, none sided with Cruz over Trump, either saying they would be open to hearing the White House out or declining to comment. Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) would only say well see when asked if she supported Cruz in his quest.

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Cruz defended himself in an interview, saying he still plans to crack down on Big Tech with all the tools at his disposal: I view big tech censorship as the single greatest threat to free speech in America, and the single greatest threat to free and fair elections in America. We're going to engage in vigorous oversight, and if there is resistance, the committee will use compulsory processes to enforce compliance.

When asked to explain the breakdown earlier this year, Cruz deferred to the White House, which did not respond to a request for comment.

Another flashpoint on the committee could be over allowing the federal government to auction off wireless airwaves for commercial use. Cruz argues it will create jobs and keep America competitive with China, while Pentagon officials and some GOP lawmakers call it a national security risk.

But Cruz is calibrating where he breaks with Trump and where he works to endear himself to the president. Early Commerce hearings this year were designed to bolster Trumps arguments for taking control of Greenland and the Panama Canal. He also presided over the panel's advancement of legislation championed by first lady Melania Trump that would crack down on AI-generated revenge porn, which has since passed the Senate and could soon clear the House.

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And many Republicans are happy with Cruzs leadership. Sen. Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), a new member of the panel, pointed to his snappy sense of humor, while Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) called him a breath of fresh air.

Some Democratic committee members are eager to find common ground with Cruz, too.

Ted and I get along well, said Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii). His move on the subpoenas was an unforced error. But other than that  there are always opportunities in Commerce to work in a bipartisan way.
Teddi Mellencamp has been making plans. Her father John Mellencamp is helping her out  whether she likes it or not.

"Yesterday my dad calls 11 times in a row," Teddi said in the Tuesday episode of the "Two T's in a Pod" podcast. "Finally I answer  'I'm in the bath! Let me live a little!'"

Read more: Teddi Mellencamp, 'RHOBH' alum, has urgent brain surgery after multiple-tumor diagnosis

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The "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" alumna, who was diagnosed with melanoma in 2022, has been fighting a tougher cancer battle since doctors found plum-size tumors as well as smaller tumors in her brain and more tumors in her lungs in February. She had brain surgery, then two days later, they found an additional four small brain tumors. Her melanoma had progressed to Stage 4 and invaded her brain and lungs. The tumors had probably been there for six months to a year, she said.

"He goes, 'I just want to make sure you're going to be in our group family mausoleum,'" she said on the podcast.

"Wait wait wait wait wait," co-host Tamra Judge exclaimed. "He did not. John! No!"

But yeah, he did  John Mellencamp was actually weighing in on his daughter's funeral. So Teddi said she asked him, "Where would my kids go?" Not where would they visit her grave; she wanted to know where they would go in the mausoleum.

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Read more: In 'Suits LA,' John Amos gets his flowers  and a moving episode inspired by his legacy

"He's like, 'Well, there's gonna be the top five. and then we're gonna have little areas around it and then that's where everyone's gonna get buried,'" she said. "And I go, 'Do I need to make this commitment right now?'"

His reply: "'Well, you're doing your will right now, so you might as well put it in there,'" she said.

Teddi Mellencamp said that's when she started making demands, like what would go on her tombstone  if tombstones even exist in mausoleums.

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"I said, 'Somebody sent a quote to me the other day that seriously made me laugh so hard, I cried with laughter.' It's a person I barely know ... he goes, you wanna know the good news? He goes, 'Hot girls never die.'

Read more: Bobby Sherman's wife says teen idol's body is 'shutting down' due to terminal illness

"I was like, 'That's going on my tombstone.'"

She also talked to her rocker dad about her end-of-life wishes, which he wants to be in charge of. She said she was "willing to fight, fight, fight" but doesn't want to be "a vegetable." Her dad found some wiggle room in that decision, implying that "vegetable" status might leave room for discussion. She did not agree. "I'm like, 'What do you mean, like If I'm a cucumber?'"

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"Either way," Teddi said, "I think I agreed to be in the mausoleum and I'm going to have to work on my sister next week. The kids'll be right behind me."

The family mausoleum is in Indiana, the source of the inspiration behind those "Pink Houses" that John Mellencamp made famous in the 1980s.

Read more: Aimee Lou Wood 'loved being the weight' Rick had to carry in 'The White Lotus' finale

And working on her will is in line with what Teddi Mellencamp, who is getting radiation and immunotherapy, told Us Weekly earlier this month.

"A little PSA," she told the outlet. "Get life insurance early  and do your will. Doing all of those things once youve already been diagnosed with cancer isnt a dream. Thats really hard. Hopefully you never get sick, but do it before you get sick."

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Teddi Mellencamp's dad, John Mellencamp, is determined to give his daughter a befitting farewell should things take a drastic turn.

The reality star revealed her dad has commenced funeral plans to ensure her life is well celebrated if she dies from her ongoing battle with cancer.

Teddi Mellencamp updated her fans about her cancer progression earlier in the month, noting that it is now a stage 4 illness.

Teddi Mellencamp's Dad Is Burying Her In The Family's Mausoleum

In a recent episode of her podcast, "Two T's In A Pod," Teddi shared a rather morbid yet candid conversation with her father.

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She recounted how he called her 11 times in a row, prompting her to finally pick up while she was relaxing in the bath. During the call, he raised the unusual topic of their family mausoleum, expressing a desire to ensure she would be included in it.

Teddi also reflected on her father's thoughts about accommodating her three childrenSlate, Cruz, and Dove, suggesting there would be enough space for them alongside the immediate family.

As the conversation unfolded, Teddi inquired whether she needed to decide on this matter soon, to which her father responded that since she was currently working on her will, she might as well include it.

Teddi humorously agreed to her father's proposition and told her co-host, Tamra Judge, that she would need to visit Indiana to see her grave. She lightheartedly joked about wanting the phrase "hot girls never die" inscribed on her tombstone.

The Bravo Alum's Cancer Has Advanced To Stage 4

Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency / MEGA

As shared by The Blast, Teddi's challenging battle with melanoma recently worsened when doctors informed her that the cancer had metastasized to her brain and lungs.

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On March 26, she shared that she received more devastating news: an emergency MRI revealed four additional small tumors on her brain. Despite her cancer reaching stage 4 and the daunting prognosis, Mellencamp remains positive and determined to fight.

On April 2, she updated her fans via a video on Instagram, expressing her gratitude for their support and highlighting the mixed emotions she experienced.

While she often feels strong, there are days when she feels sad and alone, which she acknowledges as a normal part of dealing with stage 4 cancer. In her words: "Stage 4 cancer can be scary."

The Mother-of-three Vowed To Beat The Illness Following A Fan's Insensitive Comment

Lisa OConnor/AFF-USA.com / MEGA

Numerous reactions trailed Teddi's announcement. In the heat of the moment, Mellencamp addressed a comment from a fan on social media regarding her stage 4 melanoma diagnosis.

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The fan had expressed concern about the low survival rate of the cancer, highlighting the terminal nature of such a diagnosis, especially with metastasis. Although the fan's intention was to be supportive, Teddi found the comment distressing.

She shared the comment on her Instagram Stories, voicing her sadness. The reality star emphasized that while she is aware of the statistics, she firmly believes she will overcome the illness.

Teddi further expressed her hope to witness her children graduate and mentioned her plans to continue being her lively self, even if it means causing a bit of annoyance to her family and friends.

The Reality Star's Dad Morphed Into Super Dad Following Her Surgeries

Teddi has received immense support from her father, John, during her battle with multiple brain tumors following her recent surgery, The Blast previously reported.

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Despite their past estrangement, John has stepped up to be a source of strength for his daughter. Since beginning her health journey, he has been consistently by her side, demonstrating his commitment and love.

A source has described John as a "super dad," highlighting how he immediately rushed to support her in her time of need. His presence has been vital as Teddi navigates this challenging situation while caring for her three children.

Her father is deeply committed to providing Teddi with the best care possible during her recovery. While he wished he could take away her suffering, his main priority is to be a comforting presence by her side.

Teddi Mellencamp Praised Her Father's Impressive Efforts Towards Her Recovery

Lumeimages / MEGA

John, at 73, is reportedly deeply emotional about his daughter's health, referring to her as his "baby girl" despite her being a mother herself.

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He reportedly strives to remain a steady source of support for Teddi, even as he feels the weight of her suffering. Before her major surgery, he faced understandable fear but kept an upbeat demeanor, reassuring her that everything would be fine.

Witnessing Teddi endure significant pain after her surgery has also been hard for him. In her first podcast episode since the operation, Teddi shared her journey, highlighting her father's immense support as a vital source of encouragement during her painful experience.

One fact is undeniable: Teddi Mellencamp is well-loved by her inner circle.
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  A 16-year-old who was accused of shooting a Scotlandville High student was formally charged on Wednesday.

Court documents show that Percy Jones, 16, was indicted by a grand jury on a second-degree murder charge.

According to the Baton Rouge Police Department, Anthony Robinson, 17, was shot and killed after getting off the school bus on Bradfield Avenue. Detectives believe the shooting was targeted.

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Jones was initially arrested and booked into the East Baton Rouge Juvenile Detention Center on charges of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder and illegal use of weapons.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News.
BRADENTON, Fla. (WFLA)  A teen who Bradenton police said ran over and tried to kill a man on the Palma Sola Causeway back in August 2023 will spend the next several years in prison.

A Mantee County judge sentenced Connor Fleener, now 18, to 12 years in the Department of Corrections with credit for time served in juvenile detention, followed by 15 years of probation, the Bradenton Police Department said Wednesday.

Hearts are shattered: Mom, 4 children killed in fiery crash while traveling to Florida

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Fleener pleaded no contest to the following charges in February:

First-degree attempted murder

Leaving the scene of a crash with serious bodily injury

Driving with no valid drivers license and causing serious bodily injury

Detectives said they determined that Fleener and the victim, Juan Houston, had gotten into an argument on the side of the Causeway on Aug. 8, 2023. Fleener eventually drove off, but then turned around, accelerated and intentionally struck Houston with his car, police reported.

Officers found Houston with significant injuries. Houston, who is now 36 years old, continues to suffer from injuries caused by the crash, authorities said Wednesday.

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Fleener abandoned his vehicle about a mile from where the incident happened and took off running. However, police said he was found later that night and taken into custody.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
A teenager who shot an Ohio State wrestler in 2023 has learned his punishment.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Elijah Lee, 18, was sentenced to at least 10 years in prison for the shooting of Ohio State wrestler Sammy Sasso, according to CBS-affaliate WBNS.

TRENDING STORIES:

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Sasso was shot during a carjacking in August 2023 on North High Street near the University District.

He was found in an alley and taken to an area hospital.

Lee, who was 16 at the time, was arrested three weeks after the shooting.

Sasso went through multiple surgeries, spent 41 days in the hospital, and went through months of physical therapy before he was able to wrestle again.

He spoke before Lees sentencing.

My last chance to go accomplish this dream of mine since I had when I was a little kid was taken away, Sasso said.

After Lee gets out of prison, he will be under post-release control. If he violates any conditions, he could be sent back to prison.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  An 18-year-old who was accused of shooting a former Ohio State wrestler will be in prison for the next decade.

Elijah Lee received a sentence of at least 10 years after being charged in the shooting of Sammy Sasso on Aug. 18, 2023 in an attempted carjacking, according to the Franklin County prosecutors office. Lee received a sentence of between seven and 11.5 years for felonious assault in addition to a three-year firearm specification.

Owner of Browns, Crew asks for state funds after donating to legislators

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He was also charged with aggravated robbery, displaying or brandishing a firearm, theft, and having weapons under disability.

Sasso, who was 23 at the time, was shot in the abdomen during the carjacking on North High Street with Lee and a female teenage suspect charged. After nearly a month in the hospital, Sasso was transferred to a rehabilitation facility in September of 2023 to continue his recovery.

TULSA, OK  MARCH 17: Sammy Sasso of Ohio State wins by major decision over Kyle Parco of Arizona State during the Division I Mens Wrestling Championship held at the BOK Center on March 17, 2023 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Shane Bevel/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)

He returned to competitive wrestling more than a year after being shot and after recording 12 wins in the 2024-25 season, Sasso announced in late February he would retire from wrestling. He recorded two Big Ten titles and two NCAA runner-up finishes during his career. You can watch a report on his return to competition in the video player above.

I worked harder than ever before just to get where Im at, but nonetheless my leg cannot move the way it used to, Sasso said. Although this situation has been tough, I know this entire process has made me a better person.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
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Evolve Bank & Trust and Lineage Bank are facing a lawsuit accusing the lenders of negligence in monitoring and mismanagement of funds connected to the collapse of fintech Synapse.

The proposed class action lawsuit was filed by Dustin Justus in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee on Friday.

Evolves parent company, Evolve Bancorp, was also named in the lawsuit.

The case was filed in response to a jurisdictional challenge Franklin, Tennessee-based Lineage raised in a Colorado lawsuit filed last November, Gerard Stranch, IV, the attorney who filed the lawsuit, told Banking Dive in an email. Synapses four partner banks, including American Bank, AMG National Trust, and Evolve, were sued over alleged mishandling of customer funds following the fintechs collapse.

Justus, a resident of South Carolina, signed up for an account with Yotta Technologies, a savings gamification app, and deposited funds. Though Justus account balance showed $4,420.50 in funds, the transfer was canceled when Justus attempted to withdraw his funds in May last year. He received $3.46 in reconciliation months later and appealed the deposit, which was rejected, the lawsuit contends.

Fintechs Yotta and Juno partnered with Evolve and Lineage for banking services, with the now-bankrupt Synapse Financial Technologies providing middleware for account opening, transactions, and ledger management. Since fintechs cannot directly hold customer deposits, they offered web and mobile banking alternatives where customers deposited funds to partner banks through their platforms, with Synapse mediating these relationships and the banks maintaining actual custody of customer funds.

However, the banks lack of direct bank access to Synapses ledger and contingency planning, along with the failure to maintain their own copy of the ledger, all contributed to their respective failures to keep track of the money, according to the complaint.

As a result of Defendants acts and omissions, Plaintiff and Class Members had their funds lost, stolen, or misplaced, while no single Defendant took responsibility for their failures, the lawsuit said. Further, Defendants have refused to return funds to these end users, leaving thousands of customers, like Plaintiff and Class Members, without access to their funds.

A Lineage spokesperson, however, said the bank has reconciled its records with the records of the Federal Reserve, and all Synapse-linked funds received by Lineage have been accounted for.
A cold front briefly cools off eastern New Mexico Thursday. Record high temperatures across the entire state move in by Saturday.

Albuquerque officially hit 80 for the first time this year as temperatures all across the state continue a warming trend. Highs in southern New Mexico climbed into the mid and upper 80s with northern New Mexico and southern Colorado climbed into the mid and upper 70s. A cold front will move into northeast New Mexico tonight, pushing south and east into Thursday morning. This will bring a breezy east canyon wind into the Rio Grande Valley later tonight, but the winds will settle down Thursday morning. The front will bring in slightly cooler temperatures to eastern New Mexico Thursday, while the western half of the state will continue to see warmer temperatures.

Temperatures will start warming again Friday in eastern parts of the state as high pressure starts moving into western New Mexico. A few places across the state will likely tie or break record high temperatures. Even hotter weather moves in Saturday with widespread record breaking highs. Temperatures will climb up to near 90 in the Albuquerque Metro with highs in the mid and upper 90s in southern parts of the state. Winds will pick up too on Saturday, bringing an elevated fire danger across the state. Temperatures cool off a few degrees Sunday with more breezy winds, bringing day of elevated fire danger.

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Slightly cooler air will continue to move back into New Mexico next week, but highs will still be above average for most areas. There will be some chances for rain return to parts of New Mexico as early as next Tuesday and Wednesday, but if any rain showers or thunderstorms develop, they will be isolated.

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Kathleen Jordan, her husband and young daughter, consider themselves fortunate. They not only managed to flee to safety from the Eaton fire, but the family's Altadena home somehow escaped the flames, even though their chicken coop and detached storage units burned, like many homes on their street.

But three months after the fire, Jordan says the family isn't close to moving back. And she blames one entity for that: the California Fair Plan, the state's insurer of last resort.

Jordan says a door at their East Loma Alta Drive home swung open during the firestorm and the interior was coated with debris. Yet, she says, the Fair Plan has failed to properly investigate or pay for any remediation of the soot, ash and smoke damage.

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"We sort of celebrated thinking that we we were in this really lucky group of people, only to find out later that that is not at all the case," said Jordan, 36, who is diabetic and pregnant. "It's a full-time job, chasing them down, emailing, calling, trying to get communication from them  and their lack of paying what we're owed. It's incredibly frustrating and just maddening."

Read more: California's FAIR Plan, the home insurer of last resort, may need a bailout after the L.A. fires

Jordan and her husband, Stephen Unckles, are among 10 victims of the Eaton and Palisades fires who are plaintiffs in a Los Angeles County Superior Court lawsuit filed Thursday against the Fair Plan.

It's the first mass tort case against the plan that has arisen out of the Jan. 7 fires, though the insurer has faced litigation in Los Angeles and elsewhere in California over smoke damage claims.

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The lawsuit accuses the Los Angeles-based plan of insurance bad faith and breach of contract through its refusal to properly investigate and pay for the cleanups as required by state law, even though "wildfire smoke had transformed their homes into toxic traps, with each room and surface caked with invisible, hazardous chemical residue."

Also named as defendants are 10 large California home insurers, which operate the Fair Plan along with other licensed state home insurers as a means or providing insurance to property owners who can't get coverage from regular carriers. The suit seeks withheld benefits and damages.

"We have already heard from hundreds of people who are facing denials and underpayments from the Fair Plan for the massive contamination in their home caused by these wildfires," said attorney J. Eli Wade-Scott, global managing partner at Edelson in Chicago, which is representing the families.

Among the the named defendants are Mercury, Farmers, AAA and State Farm, the state's largest home insurer, which has been accused of being stingy itself about how it handles Jan. 7 smoke damage claims.

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Hilary McLean, a spokesperson for the Fair Plan, declined comment on the lawsuit, but said in an email that the insurer "pays all covered claims, including smoke claims, consistent with California law and its policy forms, which are approved by the California Department of Insurance."

She added: "Our policy and approach to direct physical loss is consistent with other insurers. Our policy, like many others, requires direct physical loss for there to be coverage."

A spokesperson for the Automobile Club of Southern California declined to comment. The other insurers did not respond to requests for comment.

Rex Frazier, president of the Personal Insurance Federation of California, which represents major property and casualty insurers, said the lawsuit represents a "bona fide dispute" over Fair Plan policy language regarding smoke damage.

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Read more: FAIR Plan to assess insurers $1 billion for L.A. fires; consumers may be on the hook for nearly half

"However, we are unaware of any [California Department of Insurance] regulations outlining the standards for smoke claims," he wrote in an email. "There are different views on what is a compensable smoke claim and there are no state standards. We are unaware of any external scientific consensus on this."

The fires have already spawned numerous lawsuits, including against Southern California Edison, which has acknowledged that its power lines in Eaton Canyon may have started the conflagration that destroyed more than 9,000 homes and killed 18 people. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power also has been sued for its alleged role in causing the Palisades fire.

The Fair Plan has grown dramatically over the last several years as other insurers have pulled out of fire-prone areas across the state.

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In February, the plan received approval from Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara to assess its member companies $1 billion to help pay its Jan. 7 fire claims  with consumers possibly on the hook for nearly half of that under a new department policy. The plan estimates losses of roughly $4 billion from the fires.

Read more: Is State Farm being 'stingy'? These fire victims think so

The Fair Plan was sued in Los Angeles County Superior Court on April 2 by an Altadena woman with similar complaints about her smoke-damaged home, who alleges she was advised by the insurer to just "pick up a broom and sweep."

The latest lawsuit alleges that as the Fair Plan's policyholder base increased over the past decade, it sought in 2016 to limit its financial exposure to claims by executing a "deliberate scheme" to insert illegal coverage restrictions in its policies.

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Specifically, it redefined "direct physical loss" as requiring "actual loss or physical damage, as evidenced by permanent physical changes" to a property  and then allegedly assured the insurance department that the definition would result in no change in coverage or possibly even more. After the new approved policies were issued in 2017, the lawsuit alleges the Fair Plan "began systematically denying wildfire smoke damage claims," citing the new policy language.

After a series of devastating fires, including the 2018 Camp fire that destroyed the town of Paradise in Northern California, the insurance department in January 2021 notified the Fair Plan that this practice was illegal, but the insurer "ignored" the directives, the lawsuit asserts, prompting regulators to conduct a "market conduct" exam of the Fair Plan, according to the lawsuit.

Read more: Pasadena school district files lawsuit against Edison over Eaton fire damages

That exam, cited in the lawsuit and reviewed by The Times, found 418 violations of the California Insurance Code and the California Code of Regulations from January 2017 through March 18, 2021. It said the Fair Plan issued a fire policy that did not meet state standards and failed to "conduct and diligently pursue a thorough, fair and objective investigation."

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Similar allegations have spurred several lawsuits across California, including cases filed in Los Angeles in 2021, in Alameda County last year and in Butte County last month.

The 2021 case was a proposed class action led by a resident of Mono County whose home was damaged by soot, smoke and debris in the 2020 Mountain View fire. He alleged the Fair Plan failed to properly restore his home in the ongoing case, which was denied class action status.

"If the Department of Insurance had done in 2022 what we hoped it would do, which is to fix this problem, we don't believe these lawsuits would be necessary," said attorney Dylan Schaffer, who brought all three cases and is working with Edelson.

Lara issued a bulletin last month reminding insurers  and specifically naming the Fair Plan  that they must "handle smoke damage claims in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and best practices for remediation of smoke damage."

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Schaffer said the bulletin was only advisory.

Michael Soller, a spokesman for Lara, declined to comment on the lawsuit but said the commissioner expects the Fair Plan "to process and pay all claims, including all smoke claims, in line with industry standards and in compliance with all laws."

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  There is concern among Tennessee farmers amid back-and-forth over tariffs issued by President Donald Trump. Though Trump issued a 90-day pause on tariffs for most countries, he did not pause any tariffs on Chinese goods.

The tax rate on Chinese imports is up to 125%. In retaliation, China has issued an 84% tariff on goods from the United States. Tennessee heavily relies on agricultural exports such as soybeans, wheat and corn.

RELATED: Trump limits tariffs on most nations for 90 days, except China

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Past Rutherford County Farm Bureau President Mike Vaught explained how these tariffs are affecting the states agriculture industry.

The immediate effect is a price drop, Vaught said. If [the tariffs] last long-term, it could affect long-term, lower prices.

According to the U.S.-China Business Council, an organization that expands opportunities for American businesses in China, some of Tennessees top exported goods to China include miscellaneous crops, oilseeds and grains.

MARCH: TN farmer says tariffs will be storm on both ends

Thousands of Tennesseans also depend on U.S.-China trade for their jobs. For example, farmers import fertilizer from China to grow crops. Economist and Middle Tennessee State University Professor, Dr. Wisarut Suwanprasert, likened the tariff to a bargaining chip.

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In the long run, we want free trade. I guess its a matter of we want to reach that conclusion, Suwanprasert said. I think these tariffs are more like a threat that we try to restart the whole negotiation. We want a new deal.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
Basic legal protection for women to continue having access to contraceptives and fertility care in Tennessee passed the state House by four votes on Thursday, despite opposition from 37 Republicans.

After extended debate on April 10, House members passed a bill to codify access to birth control and fertility treatments in a bipartisan 54-37 vote in favor of the bill. Eight members voted present. Four Republican women opposed the measure.

Senate members unanimously passed a similar version of the bill last month. After passage in the House, the bill will need to go back for a final procedural vote in the Senate before going to Gov. Bill Lee's desk.

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Bill sponsor Rep. Iris Rudder, R-Winchester, argued that while women already have access to IVF and contraceptives in Tennessee, she felt it is important as a woman to codify legal protections to that access.

This bill is about life. It brings life into the world. It gives families the right to access IVF. It gives families the opportunity to plan their families through contraceptives, Rudder said. I stand with women in this state and families in this state that want the ability to have these precious babies that they may not have an opportunity to have otherwise.

Representatives on the house floor while discussing SB 1325 during session at the Tennessee Capitol in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, April 23, 2024.

After a finding by the Alabama Supreme Court last year that extended embryos created through in-vitro fertilization the same rights as fully developed children  leading to a temporary shutdown of Alabama fertility clinics  potential regulation of IVF has come into sharp focus.

Last year, Republicans voted down legislation to protect IVF and birth control, arguing that both are already legal in Tennessee.

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Still, many support basic protections being codified into law, given the legislatures proclivity for regulating reproductive choices. Some advocates want to see IVF and certain types of contraceptives banned altogether.

We have the right to IVF and contraceptives in the state of Tennessee, Rudder said. But I think as you listen to some of the discussions on this house floor this morning, maybe you can understand why this is a very important bill to codify into law the rights of women to continue to be able to access IVF and contraceptives.

A slippery slope

In a rare Republican split, 37 members of the majority party voted against the bill, citing a range of objections.

Rep. Jody Barrett, R-Dickson, who voted against the bill, noted with frustration that if passed, the bill would create a right to use the morning after pill.

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Emergency contraceptives such as Plan B are readily available and entirely legal in Tennessee. Rep. Bryan Terry, R-Murfreesboro, who is a physician, clarified to colleagues that emergency contraceptives like Plan B prevent women from ovulating so that they do not become pregnant  and as such, the products are not considered abortifacients.

By codifying this bill, Barrett said. We are limiting and making it difficult to go back later and address that specific issue.

Rep. Chris Todd, R-Madison County, argued that protecting IVF access is antithetical to the legislatures pro-life convictions. Todd argued, without evidence, that the bill would make it a right to use genetic testing to weed out embryos that might have some disability.

Rep. Chris Todd, R-Madison County, listens in the House chamber during the third day of special session at the Tennessee State Capitol building in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025.

This bill is a solution in search of a problem with serious negative consequences, Todd said. With the stand weve already taken many, many times in this chamber to stand for life, members, I implore you to stand for life once again.

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The bill does not permit any activity that is not already legal, or prevent the legislature from regulating the IVF industry in the future.

Rep. Timothy Hill, R-Blountville, argued true conservatives should oppose protections for IVF and contraception simply because the American Civil Liberties Union supported the bill.

You are voting with the ACLU if you vote in favor of this legislation, Hill said. Lets work on it over the summer. Lets get something that this body can get behind. Lets get something that the ACLU has a problem with.

Rep. Timothy Hill, R-Blountville, speaks during a house GOP caucus meeting to elect a new whip at the State Capitol, Monday, Feb. 1, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. Rep. Jeremy Durham, R-Franklin, announced his resignation from the position Jan. 24.

Rep. Susan Lynn, R-Mt. Juliet, argued that codifying womens right to IVF and contraceptive use would bind the hands of a future General Assembly, but also, that she trusts future members to have common sense not to ban such services.

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By putting it in law, are we then saying that the taxpayers have to pay for those products and services for women down the road? Lynn asked. I do feel its a slippery slope.

The bill includes a specific provision clarifying that it does not create an entitlement to fertility treatment or contraception or to coverage, funding or reimbursement for such services.

IVF a great gift from God

Few Republicans spoke at length in favor of the bill, despite dozens voting for it.

Rep. Sabi Doc Kumar, R-Springrield, a physician, called IVF a great gift of science and a great gift from God that makes the gift of parenthood available to women who otherwise cannot.

Tennessee State Representative Sabi "Doc" Kumar represents District 66 which includes Robertson County.

Responding to concerns over the fate of extra fertilized embryos that are later disposed, Kumar said IVF professionals feel the moral obligations of their field,

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IVF can be done with a respectful, godly, caring way that is pro-life, and its a wonderful technology that makes it possible for parents who cannot have children and bring them the blessing that we all treasure, Kumar said.

Regulations coming?

Even with codified protections, regulation for the IVF industry is likely coming back next year.

A separate Republican-led measure seeking to regulate fertility care failed earlier this year, but the sponsor clarified April 10 that nothing in the bill would prevent the legislature from passing regulations in the future.

Rep. Ryan Williams, R-Cookeville, presents SB 1325 on the House floor during session at Tennessee Capitol in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, April 23, 2024.

Rep. Ryan Williams, R-Cookeville, proposed creating a model  though not binding  agreement between patients and IVF providers that prescribed limits on the number of embryos that could be frozen at one time based on the number of children desired by the couple. Williams' bill also sought to create a licensure and inspection process for cryogenic storage facilities that house frozen embryos created through IVF. The bill failed in committee.

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"We have had a bad actor in the IVF space in this state," Williams said Thursday. "I think part of the challenge going forward surrounding IVF is the need to have licensure... so that in the event something were to happen like happened in Nashville over the summer that the Department of Health can act... to save these embryos and protect the patients who relied upon their physician."

Vivian Jones covers state government and politics for The Tennessean. Reach her at vjones@tennessean.com.

Want to share your thoughts with the legislators that represent you? Find your state Senator and Representative and their contact information on the Tennessee General Assembly website here.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee House passes IVF, birth control protections
Flood waters in East Tennessee. (Photo: Brandon Hull/Office of the Governor)

Tennessees workplace safety agency concluded that an East Tennessee plastics plant where five employees died after being swept away by Hurricane Helene floodwaters exercised reasonable diligence in dismissing employees that day.

The Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration (TOSHA) issued its report on the Impact Plastics plant in Erwin, Tennessee on April 2. The agency found that because work had stopped and employees left the building, the tragic deaths of the Impact Plastics employees were not work-related and therefore do not fall within its jurisdiction.

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The agency did not issue any citations.

The inspection report comes as the family of Johnny Peterson, one of the employees killed in the Sept. 27 flood, moves forward with a lawsuit against the company. The suit alleges that Impact Plastics did not release employees with enough time to escape the rising water.

TOSHAs report ignores multiple witnesses testimonies, critical text messages, emergency alert logs, and photographic evidence that tell the real story about Impact Plastics fatal failures, Zack Lawson, an attorney representing Petersons family in the lawsuit against the company, stated. Were grateful that in America, juries  not bureaucrats citing unnamed sources  will decide the truth based on all the evidence.

Impact Plastics has repeatedly denied wrongdoing and issued a statement on April 2 welcoming TOSHAs findings.

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These past months, Impact Plastics and its President and Founder Gerald OConnor have cooperated with the official agencies investigating the flood and events of that day. The facts and the truth are now known, an attorney representing Impact Plastics stated.

Peterson, four other Impact Plastics employees and one independent contractor were swept away after the semi-trailer truck bed they sought refuge in was toppled by rushing water and debris. Five other employees who were swept into the water were later rescued by helicopter about half a mile downstream.

Investigation details difficulties, offers recommendations

TOSHAs investigation included site visits, witness interviews, review of surveillance footage and collaboration with law enforcement. The report notes that Impact Plastics workplace safety records were destroyed or lost in the flood, and phone service disruptions, language barriers and other challenges made communication with witnesses difficult.

The investigation report laid out a timeline of that morning. The National Weather Service released its first flash flood warning alert for Unicoi County at 9:14 a.m., during the companys morning meeting. Employees were told by managers or other employees to move their vehicles to higher ground between 10 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., when water began to fill the parking lot, the report states.

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The site, which lies in a flood plain, lost power at 10:39 a.m. By 10:51 a.m., employees were reportedly told they could leave, although accounts of this directive varied, according to the report.

The ongoing lawsuit against Impact Plastics contests this timeline, citing text messages sent by Peterson to his family before his death. A message to Petersons daughter indicated senior management had not dismissed employees by 10:51 a.m. Employees realized they were trapped around 11:12 a.m., according to a text Peterson sent to his father. Peterson understood employees were dismissed only after senior management exited the property around 11:35 a.m., the lawsuit states.

While most employees evacuated, some remained or returned to South Industrial Drive, according to the TOSHA report. Witnesses and evacuated employees could not clearly explain why some people did not leave, but the report noted that some witnesses said they were afraid to drive through floodwater, they felt unable to leave by vehicle or on foot, or they believed that the flooding would not worsen.

TOSHA found no evidence that employees were threatened with termination or forced to work beyond a safe evacuation point.

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While TOSHA does not have a rule requiring employers to develop site-specific severe weather emergency plans, the agency did recommend that Impact Plastics create one and train employees and managers on evacuation during different types of severe weather.

TOSHA Investigation Summary  Impact Plastics 04022025
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP)  Tennessee schools would be allowed to turn away or charge students tuition if their families cannot prove their legal residency under a proposal that advanced Thursday out of the GOP-dominated Senate.

The legislation is designed to directly challenge the 1982 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Plyler v. Doe, in which the justices found it unconstitutional to deny children an education based on their immigration status. For decades, the ruling has protected children of families living in the country illegally and granted them the right to attend public school.

The Tennessee proposal still faces hurdles in the state House.

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President Donald Trump, who is moving aggressively to deport immigrants who entered the U.S. illegally as well as some visa and green card holders, appears to have emboldened Republicans who previously may have been uneasy about revoking public education from young children.

Similar proposals this year have popped up in conservatives states such as Oklahoma and Texas, but no state has advanced the idea as far as Tennessee has.

The Plyler decision in 1982 was the voice of the court being imposed on the people, said Tennessee Republican Sen. Bo Watson, a sponsor of the legislation. This is the voice of the people being exercised through their elected officials.

On Thursday, Republican senators endorsed Watson's bill 19 to 13. Seven Republicans joined the chamber's six Democrats in opposing it, at times showing emotion or even tearing up.

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"I dont think its proper to punish children for their parents mistake, said Republican Sen. Ferrell Haile, who quoted Bible passages while making his argument.

Shortly after the vote, a handful of protesters  including school children  yelled out and were removed from the public gallery.

Several steps remain before the bill can become law. The House version is still making its way through legislative committees, and currently contains differences from the Senate proposal. The two chambers would have to hash those out before the legislation could be sent to Republican Gov. Bill Lee for his signature.

Lee has not yet publicly weighed in on the proposal, but he has never vetoed a bill. Lawmakers also have the option of overriding any veto with a simple majority vote.
HONOLULU (KHON2)  KHON2s Wags n Whiskers Wednesday features a pup who has been waiting for a home since November 2024. Now, hes ready to steal your heart.

Sarang will bring play, joy to your ohana

Hawaiian Humane Society officials introduced Kinako, a three-year-old, 29-pound terrier mix.

He was brought to the shelter after his previous owner could no longer care for him and now, hes looking for a fresh start.

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When you first meet him, Kinako can be a little shy but with time, he will showcase his heart full of love with his playful and goofy self.

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Kinako is looking for an ohana who can show him kindness, love and patience. He would love a family that can show him that the world isnt such a scary place.

Once he finds his fur-ever family, Kinako can explore, play and shower them with unconditional love with confidence.

Kinako is awaiting your visit at the Hawaiian Humane Societys Moiliili Campus daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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Check out more news from around Hawaii

More information can be found on the Hawaiian Humane Societys website.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, presides over a symposium with economic experts and entrepreneurs to listen to opinions and suggestions on the current economic situation and upcoming economic work on April 9, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Wednesday presided over a symposium with economic experts and entrepreneurs to listen to opinions and suggestions on the current economic situation and upcoming economic work.

Although changes in the external environment have brought difficulties, the Chinese economy still retains multiple strengths, strong resilience, and immense potential, according to attendees of the meeting. They also put forward suggestions on coping with external challenges and promoting sustained economic growth during the meeting.

Li noted that under this year's relatively special situation, the country calmly and steadfastly responded to various risks and challenges, and maintained sustained economic recovery and growth in the first quarter.

At the same time, external shocks exerted pressure on the smooth operation of the economy, he said, adding that China is well prepared to address all uncertainties.

It is particularly crucial to ensure effective economic work in the second quarter and beyond, with sustained and intensified efforts across all tasks, Li stressed.

It is necessary to implement more proactive macro policies and introduce new incremental policies in a timely manner in light of the needs of the situation, he said, noting responding to uncertainties in the external environment with strong and effective policies.

China will make expanding domestic demand a long-term strategy and fully stimulate the vitality of all business entities, Li said.

Li hoped that entrepreneurs will proactively adapt to evolving circumstances to drive growth, strengthen and elevate their enterprises.
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New bank formation has fallen off a cliff, Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. Acting Chair Travis Hill said Tuesday in a speech to the American Bankers Associations Washington Summit.

The number of active bank charters today  around 4,500  is just more than half the roughly 8,500 from 2008, Hill said. However, that figure says less about merger activity than it does about the launching of new banks.

In 1984, 412 new banks formed, Hill said. The lowest number of new banks established in any year between 1995 and 2007 was 93, he said. By comparison, just 86 new banks have formed in the decade and a half since 2010, Hill noted.

More than half of those came between 2019 and 2022, Hill added, citing revamps and a more open mindset from Trump-era FDIC Chair Jelena McWilliams, for whom Hill served as deputy chair for policy.

Here are three ways Hill suggested the FDIC could encourage new bank formation  though, the acting chair noted he does not expect we will get anywhere close to the 100-plus new banks per year of the pre-2008 era.

1. Changing capital expectations

Some applicants  namely, noncomplex community banks in areas where there are none  may be subject to adjusted standards, such as less upfront capital, Hill suggested Tuesday.

It might be the case that the benefit a new community bank provides to the convenience and needs of the community to be served in regions that lack a community bank presence justifies a more flexible approach to the other statutory factors the FDIC is required to consider, Hill said, noting that 68 million Americans live in counties that have no community bank headquarters.

2. Reevaluating the application process for innovative banks

A fintech with a high number of deposit accounts may present less risk to the Deposit Insurance Fund if it becomes a regulated bank than it would by placing deposits at multiple banks through a web of partnerships, Hill said.

While applicants will still need to meet the full suite of regulatory obligations of being a bank, we will, in collaboration with the chartering authorities, approach these types of applications with an open mind, he said.

3. ILCs

The FDIC is working to issue a request for information to address issues connected to industrial loan corporation charter applications.

I continue to believe this would be useful, Hill said, noting the issue draws strong opinions from a wide range of stakeholders across the financial services industry.
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Dive Brief:

Longtime M&T Bank executive Darren King has joined Fifth Third as head of regional banking, the Cincinnati-based lender announced Monday.

King succeeds Kris Garrett, who is retiring. Garrett, who has served as Fifth Thirds wealth and asset management chief, as well as its regional president, will stay on until June to ensure a smooth transition, the bank said.

King left M&T last August for personal reasons, the Buffalo, New York-based lender said at the time. King had served at M&T for 24 years, including as CFO from 2016 to 2023. King began overseeing retail and business banking, and mortgage and consumer lending at M&T when the bank hired Truist alum Daryl Bible to serve as CFO.

Dive Insight:

In his role, King is expected to drive strategy, cultivate talent and pursue growth across Fifth Thirds footprint, with responsibility for middle-market commercial banking and wealth and asset management in each region, the bank said.

Fifth Third has historically maintained a Midwest focus but in recent years has doubled down on its push into the Southeast  aiming, in the long term, for a 50/50 balance between the regions.

In order to do that, the Southeast has to get about 50% bigger over the course of the next five years, Fifth Third CEO Tim Spence said in January 2024. King will report to Spence.

To that end, Fifth Third wants to open 200 branches across the Southeast by the end of 2028, the bank said. Helping the lender on that journey is a patent-pending geospatial heat mapping tool that yields a more than 80% success rate in identifying the right location for the next branch, a Fifth Third executive told Banking Dive last fall.

You want to be where people are naturally going. If a customer goes to Kroger or Harris Teeter every day, you want to be next to the Kroger or Harris Teeter, said James Anthos, the banks director of distribution strategy and retail analytics. You dont want to be next to a site where they only go once a month.

King, for his part, said he was thrilled to lead Fifth Thirds regional banking organization into a dynamic future.

"Throughout my career, Ive had the honor of working with complex, rapidly growing businesses; diverse and talented leadership teams; and significant clients, he said. Im eager to build upon the exceptional foundation the Fifth Third team has established to drive future growth for this remarkable franchise.
Northwest NewsRadio - Northwest NewsRadio

Three local Seattle TV anchors have effectively turned off their cameras and made the jump over to radio.

The three will work for Northwest Newsradio 97.7/AM 1000. The station said they are part of a re-branded and re-invigorated news and information format serving most of western Washington.

Former KIRO news anchor Aaron Wright has joined co-host Marina Rockinger weekday afternoons. The two host a newscast designed specifically for commuters from 3 to 6 p.m. daily.

Long-time KOMO news anchor and reporter Denise Whitaker is expected to join Northwest Newsradio in June. Whitaker, who is currently wrapping a 20 year-career at the ABC affiliate, will join Brian Calvert as co-host of the Northwest Morning News, weekdays from 5 to 9 a.m.

CNN Expansion DC  November 2021, Shoot ID: 1089822 , 11/16/2021, Chris Nguyen

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While Chris Nguyen, who most recently anchored for KOMO, will co-host the Northwest Morning News starting April 14 until Whitaker shows up.

"We are incredibly excited to welcome Denise, Aaron, and Chris to the Northwest Newsradio family," says Lotus Seattle general manager Andre' Riley. "Their extensive experience and deep roots in the Seattle television news landscape and community will undoubtedly elevate our commitment to providing the highest quality news and information to our listeners across western Washington."

"This kind of talent doesn't walk through the door every day," says Northwest Newsradio director of news and programming Brian Calvert. "We have been improving our product significantly over the last few months, and bringing talent like this aboard further fulfills our commitment to the community to be our absolute best. Besides being at the top of their game, these three are genuinely nice people and awesome team players."
TEXARKANA, Texas (KTAL/KMSS)At the annual State of the Cities breakfast, the mayors of Texarkana, Ar., Tx., and Nash all agreed that their cities are open for business.

I think that that is something that weve really been working on hard, at least the 7 years that Ive been mayor, is having something that businesses and industry are interested in, said Texarkana, Ar. Mayor Allen Brown.

$2 million awarded to Miller Co. industrial site

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Brown pointed to new housing developments, grant funding to further improve the new airport terminal into a hub for passengers and businesses, and their efforts to bring companies to the REDI Arkansas Manufacturing Center.

Which is 1340 acres thats being marketed even today in a show in Georgia. So we have a lot of opportunity for people to want to live and work here, said Brown.

Texas-side Mayor Bob Bruggeman spoke about downtown revitalization, including the opening of the Lofts at the Grimthe, a conversion of another historic building into housing.

Historic downtown Texarkana building in early stages of becoming apartments

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Bruggeman also touted the work being done to build out the Texas A&M Texarkana campus, improvements to city sport facilities, and road projects near local schools.

We have infrastructure in place. Quality of life is something that we look at and analyze on a on a daily basis as far as providing for families who live here in our community or those families who are looking at perhaps moving here to Texarkana, USA, said Texarkana, Tx. Mayor Bruggeman.

Nash, Tx. Mayor Robert Bunch highlighted the work to develop a downtown district. They are making a stretch of East New Boston Road more walkable and attractive with a new boutique hotel and a farm-to-table restaurant.

Mayor Brown also invited students from North Heights Community School, which has a micro-society that includes its own version of a city government. So, technically, North Heights Mayor Scout Watts was the fourth mayor in attendance.

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The US and Iran will hold high-level talks on Tehrans nuclear programme for the first time in 10 years this weekend.

Whether officials from either side will actually meet in person in Oman is unclear, with Donald Trump promising direct discussions, while the Iranians insist on a mediated process.

What is clear, however, is that the threat of a nuclear-armed Iran is significantly greater than it was a decade ago, thanks in part to fears of a crude weapon that could be brought online within months.

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The Obama administration struck a multinational deal in 2015 to limit Irans nuclear production in return for sanctions relief, an agreement Mr Trump unilaterally pulled America out of in his first term.

Back then, the calculus was all about keeping Iran at least 12 months away from producing enough weapons-grade material to build a bomb.

Now, after years of uranium enrichment in Iran following the US withdrawal, intelligence officials from the US, Israel and elsewhere believe Iran could manage that within a week.

That is not the same as having a viable weapon.

For that  in simple terms  engineers would need to shape the uranium into a metal core, assemble it around a neutron source, then overlay this with a sophisticated high-explosive detonator.

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From Irans point of view, that would ideally be followed by a process of cold tests to check the detonation device, potentially followed by an underground test of a real bomb to assess the yield.

They would then need to match the warhead to a ballistic missile.

Done properly, this would probably take a year to 18 months, according to American officials.

However, if the Islamic Republic was to simplify the process dramatically, intelligence analysts believe it could achieve a so-called crude bomb within a handful of months.

The backdrop for these new talks is, therefore, that much more acute than in the run-up to the 2015 deal; the potential common ground between Washington and Tehran that much narrower.

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Mr Trump wants Iran to shut down its nuclear programme in its entirety.

Iran, which has always claimed its programme is for civilian use, says this is a red line it will not cross.

For his part, Benjamin Netanyahu, who was sitting next to Mr Trump in the Oval Office when the president announced the new talks, looked sombre.

According to some in Israels security establishment, the talks are potentially bad news for the Jewish state, tying its hands during what is seen as a golden opportunity to degrade Irans nuclear programme through military strikes.

Giora Eiland, the former head of the National Security Council, said: Many Israeli officials are saying that this is just the right time because we have a window where Iran is much more vulnerable.

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The skies over Syria are open to us, something that might change in just a few weeks given Turkeys actions. There would also be no major retaliation from Hezbollah.

He added that Israel had destroyed Irans Russian-supplied S-300 missile system, leaving it without long-range aerial defence.

The talks lessen the possibility of military strikes while they are going on, said Mr Eiland. Netanyahu was disappointed, as you could see by his body language.

The concern among Israeli securocrats is that while Israel loses time for a meaningful strike as negotiations take place, Iran loses nothing.

Netanyahu was disappointed, as you could see by his body language, a former Israeli official said

Mr Trump did not place any pre-conditions on sitting down with Iran, such as demanding it suspends its nuclear programme for the duration  an echo, for some, of the unforced concessions he made to Vladimir Putin over Ukraine.

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But, arguably, he was in a weak position to do so, Iran having effectively called his bluff in recent weeks by ignoring his threats to cease the programme or else be bombed.

One example cited by Israelis is that it is almost a month now since the US president warned that Iran would face dire consequences if the Houthis continued their attacks. However, the Yemen-based terrorists have continued firing missiles, with no repercussions for Tehran.

Iran knows Trump and they know there is a significant gap between his words and his willingness to take military action, so they refused to be put under pressure, said Mr Eiland.

Threats to commit acts of mischief

Ayatollah Khamenei, Irans supreme leader, more or less said the same thing this week.

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They [the US] threaten to commit acts of mischief, but we are not entirely certain that such actions will take place, he said.

We do not consider it highly likely that trouble will come from the outside.

Meanwhile, Israeli experts are concerned that Tehrans insistence on indirect talks indicates a desire to string them out, while rebuilding its conventional military capability and possibly advancing the nuclear programme.

There is also concern about the choice of Steve Witkoff, Mr Trumps Middle East envoy, to lead the US delegation, enmeshed as he is with both the Ukraine and Israel-Hamas hostage negotiations, and no expert on nuclear weapons or Irans manipulative negotiating techniques.

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An analysis by the Washington-based Institute for Science International Security, published last November, makes sober reading with regards to Irans nuclear preparedness.

Working from the centre of a crude nuclear bomb outwards, the report found that Iran could likely make a neutron source or initiator in short order, or already has them in storage.

The institute estimates that in the event of a breakout, a sprint for a bomb, Iran could enrich enough uranium for one warhead within seven days, and six to nine warheads within a month.

It is believed that the regime already has enough uranium for an estimated four bombs enriched to 60 per cent, meaning it would be relatively simple to enrich the material further to the weapons-grade 90 per cent or higher.

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This could be done at the deeply buried Fordow and Natanz enrichment plants.

Moulding the uranium into a usable core is something Iran is believed to be easily capable of.

Creating a multipoint initiation system  the shock wave generator that triggers a nuclear chain reaction  is something Iran is likely ready to produce, says the report, adding: It may have metal frames of the shock wave generator in storage.

In terms of assembling the components, the Institute found: A crash nuclear weapons programme would require only small, nondescript facilities to assemble nuclear weapons. Iran is seen as capable of accomplishing this goal in several months, although this task is likely unfinished.

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No one seriously believes Iran could develop a production line of hi-tech, tested and missile-mountable nuclear bombs without being detected, giving the US, Israel and possibly others ample scope to pulverise the country from the air.

However, there is less confidence when it comes to one-off crude weapons.

A faked fire at Fordow or Natanz, for example, might provide the cover needed to enrich sufficient uranium and smuggle it to an assembly location without being picked up by satellites.

The explosive power of such a weapon would be less than a conventional bomb, roughly equivalent to the charge dropped on Hiroshima in 1945.

And, without being miniaturised to fit on a ballistic missile  one of the most challenging parts of the process  it would need to be delivered manually, for example, on a truck or a ship.

In February, the New York Times reported concerns from American officials that a secret team of Iranian scientists was exploring a crude bomb pathway.

However, the supreme leader is not believed to have given the green light for work to commence.

A senior Iranian official told The Telegraph: Since Trumps threats escalated, there are more voices here who say we should develop a nuclear bomb  or let me be more precise: to push the button and get the bomb ready from the other end, its that easy and close.

For the past two months, the leader has several times been asked by top IRGC [Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps] commanders to let authorities push the button, but he has not listened  of course, until now.

Iranian power in the Middle East has taken a huge knock in the past 12 months following successful Israeli air strikes, the effective defeat of Hezbollah in Lebanon and the loss of key ally Bashar al-Assad and the use of his Syrian land corridor to its proxy forces in the Levant.

This is seen to have pushed the case for a viable nuclear programme higher up the agenda among certain factions in Tehran.

However, Ayatollah Khamenei is juggling many competing demands and economic woes.

It means that he has a real incentive to seek a deal which results in the lifting of sanctions. He will also be aware of the October deadline by which, under the 2015 deal, to which the UK, EU and other global parties remain signatories, sanctions will snap back in lieu of another deal.

Let the expert make a bomb

However, at the same time, Khamenei cannot be seen to drift too far from the core revolutionary ideals of the regime.

The big worry here is what if the negotiation does not end up with a deal, and we know that Trump will not accept anything other than stopping the whole [nuclear] programme, the source said.

Let me make it clear to you  Iran was not looking for a bomb until Trump returned to the White House, but now every day more people are joining the line to ask the leader to let the expert make one.

One of the big headaches facing US negotiators in Oman will be understanding which element of the Iranian regime they are facing, and whether the individuals at the talks are even aware of the full extent of the nuclear programme.

The nuclear programme is overseen by the IRGC, which operates in parallel to Irans main military and diplomatic structures.

In Israel, officials remain realistic, knowing that they cannot launch military action while their biggest patron seeks a legacy as a peacemaker.

We dont expect a Libya-style moment, said Mr Eiland, a reference to Muammar Gaddafis 2003 decision to cease his countrys weapons of mass destruction programme.

The best we can expect is a similar deal [to 2015], perhaps with some technological advantages.

The nightmare for Israel is what is referred to in the Hebrew press as a Singapore moment, alluding to Mr Trumps high-profile summit with Kim Jong-un, the North Korean leader, in his first term, which ultimately achieved no meaningful arms control.

In other words, a deal for the sake of a deal, from the man who considers himself the master of the art.

Darya Dolzikova, from the Royal United Services Institute, cautioned that because Iran is not believed to have decided to use nuclear weapons, assessing their capability is highly speculative.

She added: A decision to actually push towards the development of a nuclear weapon would very likely be detected by US or Israeli intelligence, at which point Iran would run a very high risk of military strikes on its territory.

An Iranian nuclear capability with a single nuclear warhead would not be very survivable.

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ALLEGHANY COUNTY, Va. (WFXR)  The Alleghany Sheriffs Office said a tip has led to the arrest of two people allegedly connected to distributing drugs from a residence on Potts Creek Road on April 6.

The sheriff said that around 11 p.m. on Sunday, deputies served a search warrant at a home on Potts Creek Road after receiving information that Methamphetamine was being sold there.

(Photo Credit: Alleghany Sheriffs Office)

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During the search, two residents, Kevin Nida and Sherry Vance, were detained. Additionally, several items were allegedly found, including suspected methamphetamine, several smoking devices, and a handgun.

(Photo Credit: Alleghany Sheriffs Office)

K-9 Unit apprehends wanted man after chase in Henry County

Nida and Vance were then arrested and taken to the Alleghany Regional Jail.

Kevin Nida has been charged with the following:

Possession of a firearm while in possession of Schedule 1 or 2 drugs

Possession of a firearm after being convicted of a felony

Possession with intent to manufacture/distribute Drugs, schedule 1 or 2 drugs

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Sherry Vance has been charged with the following:

Possession with intent to manufacture/distribute Schedule 1 or 2 Drugs

Possession of a firearm while in possession of Schedule 1 or 2 drugs.

Roanoke Police arrest man in child pornography case

Sheriff Kyle Moore stated that this was a great outcome to a very good investigation. We continue to seek out the people who are selling drugs in Alleghany County. We are very hopeful for lengthy sentences for these types of offenses.

If you know of anyone who is involved in the illegal use or sale of drugs, you can contact the Alleghany Highlands Drug Task Force at 540-965-6308 or the Alleghany County Sheriffs Office at 540-965-1770, #8 to remain anonymous.

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The Alleghany Highlands Drug Task Force is made up of members of the Alleghany County Sheriffs Office, the Covington Police Department, the Bath County Sheriffs Office, the Craig County Sheriffs Office, and the Virginia State Police.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv.
We recently published a list of 14 Best Farmland and Agriculture Stocks to Buy Now. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Fresh Del Monte Produce (NYSE:FDP) stands against other best farmland and agriculture stocks to buy now.

The American Agriculture Sector and Trumps Tariffs

At the beginning of March, the White House announced the imposition of 25% tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada and additional 10% tariffs on China. While President Trump granted a one-month tariff delay for automakers and paused the same for certain Mexican and Canadian goods until April 2, he announced in an interview with Fox News that tariffs could go up with time.

Since tariffs on Chinese goods werent a part of the exemptions, China imposed retaliatory tariffs on the US, particularly targeting US agricultural goods. Specifically, a 10% tariff was imposed on American soybeans, while corn was hit with an additional 15% charge. CNBC reported that China is prepared to fight any type of war with the United States. The news channel reported that the Chinese Embassy in the US reported in a post on X:

If war is what the U.S. wants, be it a tariff war, a trade war, or any other type of war, were ready to fight till the end.

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson also labeled the American fentanyl-related explanation for imposing tariffs a flimsy excuse.

READ ALSO: 10 Best Consumer Staples Stocks to Buy According to Analysts and 10 Best Mid Cap Biotech Stocks to Buy.

Could Tariffs Reduce Agriculture Goods Prices for Americans?

On March 4, Landus Cooperative CEO, Matt Carstens, appeared on CNBCs The Exchange to talk about how tariffs could potentially slash the prices of various agricultural products and discuss the long-term benefits of these tariffs on agricultural markets. He said that a significant need to find markets exists for American farmers. Corn makes up about 20% of any given year that the US exports to other countries, while soybean reaches up to as much as 50% of Americas production going to other markets. This creates an interesting dynamic that puts considerable pressure on the ongoing circumstances.

Carstens was of the view that the American farmers hopefully understand that the government is playing the long game here and working on something that would hopefully be significantly profitable for America in the long run. That translates to opportunities for farmers to get the most for commodities, something that they need to a great extent at the present. However, in the short term, we have to deal with these changes in the market.
The race to 2028 has begun, and Gretchen Whitmer has already hit a stumbling block.

The Democratic Michigan governor stood uncomfortably on the sidelines of the Oval Office on Wednesday as President Donald Trump signed a fresh flurry of executive orders, including one that targeted a former Homeland Security official for defending the integrity of the 2020 presidential electionand Democrats arent happy with the appearance.

Trump introduced Whitmer in the Oval Office, claiming he was honored to have her at the White House, claiming shes been, shes really done an excellent job, very good person.

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Whitmer came to the White House to discuss Michigan issues in a private meeting with Trump but ended up exchanging pleasantries with the president in front of the cameras.

REUTERS

Just a f---ing disaster, a Democratic operative told NBC News. It feels like it removes some of the momentum she had as a politically savvy swing-state Dem.

Another national Democratic strategist told NBC that Whitmer got absolutely played by Donald Trump to the point she is caught in the Oval Office as he signs one of his revenge and retribution executive orders and says 2020 was rigged.

Whitmer hurt her candidacy today, another Democrat said. She looked and sounded nervous in the Oval Office. That visual will stick. So will the image of Trump praising her as he signed executive orders targeting his critics.

.@POTUS: "We're honored to have @GovWhitmer from the great state of Michigan... we're working on the Selfridge Air Base... I think we'll come home with a winner for Michigan." pic.twitter.com/NRy8adenx8  Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 9, 2025

Trump briefly chatted with Whitmer in between signing executive orders as they discussed federal investment in Michigans Selfridge Air National Guard Base and an invasive species of fish threatening Lake Michigan.

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I want to put that down: It really is bipartisan, Trump said of efforts to address issues in Michigan. Were going to get it done and well all stand there together and cut a ribbon. OK, Gretchen? Good, thank you very much.

REUTERS

A Democratic official who used to work with Whitmer told NBC that her interactions with Trump show how she is very good at advocating for her state, adding that President Trump clearly listens to what she says and what she does.

A spokesperson for Whitmer later told reporters that the governor was surprised that she was brought into the Oval Office during President Trumps press conference without any notice of the subject matter.

Her presence is not an endorsement of the actions taken or statements made at that event, the spokesperson said.

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Across the aisle, a Republican strategist told NBC that Whitmers Oval Office appearance f--ed Republicans in Michigan by saying Whitmer is doing an excellent job.

I mean, WTF, she is running to replace him in 2028, the strategist said.

The tariff hammer winds up hitting your own hand rather than the nail. Tariffs are bad outright because they lead to higher prices and destroy American manufacturing. Trade is inherently good because both parties emerge better off from a consensual transaction. While sanctions https://t.co/ae1WpMbNbH  Jared Polis (@jaredpolis) April 9, 2025

Whitmer also drew flak for a Washington speech on Wednesday where she said that she was not against tariffs outright following days of staggering market volatility driven by Trumps chaotic tariff rollout.

These last few days have been really tough on Michigan, she said. Im not against tariffs outright, but it is a blunt tool. You cant just pull out the tariff hammer to swing at every problem without a clearly defined end goal.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis reposted a clip of Whitmers speech on X to scorch tariffs as bad outright because they lead to higher prices and destroy American manufacturing.
TOPEKA (KSNT)  More than 50 community organizations are coming together to help reduce overdose deaths in northeast Kansas.

On Saturday, April 12, hundreds of people are gathering at the Central Park Community Center in Topeka. Theyll hear from victims families firsthand, in an effort to raise awareness.

Federal funding cuts cost Topeka child care centers

The community cares about you, organizer Amber Saale-Burger said. Even when you feel like youre alone and no one cares, we care. People care. And we want you to see that youre important and loved and have great things to offer the community.

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To keep things light hearted as well, there will be food and live music in that afternoon from about 1-4 p.m.

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.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.
Two former Torrance police officers pleaded guilty Thursday to charges they spray-painted a swastika inside a car in 2020, a vandalism incident that revealed the officers were part of a larger text thread in which city cops used racist and homophobic slurs and joked about killing Black men.

Cody Weldin, 31, and Christopher Tomsic, 32, pleaded guilty to one count of felony vandalism each. They will spend two years on probation and must give up their right to serve as law enforcement officers in California, according to the terms of the plea. Tomsic and Weldin must also give up their firearms, complete 100 hours of community service and 15 hours of anti-racism training, and attend a tour of the Museum of Tolerance in West Los Angeles.

In 2021, the two ex-officers were accused of spray-painting a swastika inside a vehicle that had been towed from the scene of an alleged mail theft. The victim, Kiley Swaine, later filed a lawsuit accusing the officers of unlawfully searching his vehicle and expressed fear for his life because of the officers' actions, noting his grandfather was Jewish.

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Tomsic and Weldin declined to be interviewed outside the courtroom, but their attorneys both said the former officers believed the plea deal was a fair resolution.

Lisa Houle said Tomsic "accepted responsibility virtually from the beginning of the case."

"He is remorseful and apologizes to the Torrance Police Department and the community for the harm he has caused and the trust that he violated," she said.

Tom Yu, who represented Weldin, said he was glad his client could "move on with his life."

A search warrant executed as part of the vandalism investigation led to a troubling discovery: hundreds of text messages in which officers used racist and homophobic slurs, joked about beating and racially profiling suspects and, in some instances, fantasized about killing Black people.

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Lucky I wasnt out and about, one officer wrote in response to a text about Black men robbing someone in Torrance, according to records previously obtained by The Times. D.A. shoot team asking me why they are all hung by a noose and shot in the back of the head 8 times each.

In another conversation about needlessly beating a female suspect, Sgt. Brian Kawamoto said he wanted to "make Torrance great again," a play on President Trump's ubiquitous campaign slogan.

"Immediately upon learning of the reprehensible allegations in this case, Torrance police detectives initiated a vigorous investigation that resulted in criminal charges, and ultimately led to todays guilty pleas," Lt. Fareed Ahmad, a department spokesman, said in a statement. "The Torrance Police Department holds its officers to the highest standards of policing, including treating all members of the public with respect as we protect the safety of our community."

A previous Times investigation which identified most of the officers on the text chain also found several officers in the group had been involved in at least seven serious use-of-force incidents in Torrance and Long Beach between 2013 and 2021. Three of those incidents ended in the deaths of Black and Latino men, according to police use-of-force records and court filings.

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Read more: New racist texts reveal Torrance cops talked about hurting and killing Black suspects

Tomsic and Weldin are the first of five officers linked to the scandal to be criminally convicted. Three others are awaiting trial.

David Chandler was charged with assault for shooting a Black man in the back in 2018 while the man was experiencing a mental health crisis at his grandmother's home. The victim was brandishing a knife but not threatening anyone at the time of the shooting, according to prosecutors, who said the man was walking away when Chandler opened fire. A judge upheld the assault charges at a preliminary hearing in 2023.

Matthew Concannon and Anthony Chavez are awaiting trial on manslaughter charges in the 2018 killing of Christopher Deandre Mitchell, who was sitting in a car with an air rifle between his knees when the officers fired the fatal rounds. Mitchell, a car-theft suspect, was parked in a Ralph's parking lot when he was killed. Neither officer alleged that Mitchell grabbed the weapon or pointed it at them before they began shooting, records show.

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In the text thread, officers used the N-word to describe Mitchell's relatives, according to records previously obtained by The Times. The name of the officer who sent that text message was redacted in the records. Concannon was investigated as part of the scandal, but his attorney says he did not send any racist texts.

L.A. County prosecutors initially declined to prosecute the officers, but former Dist. Atty. George Gascon reopened the case, and a grand jury indicted Conannon and Chavez in 2023. Current Dist. Atty. Nathan Hochman fired the special prosecutor who brought those charges late last year, but he has appointed a replacement who is currently overseeing the case.

Vandalizing property with hateful messages is reprehensible and violates the oath police officers take to uphold the law and protect and serve their communities, Hochman said. I commend the Torrance Police Department for swiftly taking action against these officers to relieve them of their duties. I also thank Deputy District Attorneys Saeed Teymouri and John Perroni of our offices Justice System Integrity Division for holding these officers accountable, ensuring they will never again work as police officers in our state.

Read more: California attorney general to investigate Torrance police after racist text scandal

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Dozens of criminal cases had to be thrown out due to the officers' remarks, and several of those involved have been fired. Aside from Tomsic and Weldin, seven other officers linked to the scandal have had their ability to be a police officer in California temporarily suspended by the state's Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training. A spokesman for the commission did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Disciplinary records from that board, which were made public earlier this year, identified Weldin as the "owner" of the group text in which many of the racist remarks were found. The group was dubbed "The Boys," records show. His attorney said that simply meant Weldin started the text thread.

California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta announced an investigation into the Torrance Police Department in December 2021, the day The Times first revealed the contents of the text thread. None of the findings have been made public, and it is unclear what, if any, impact the probe has achieved. A spokesperson for the attorney general's office said this week they could not comment on an ongoing investigation.

Ahmad said Torrance Police Chief Jeremiah Hart reached out to the state attorney general's office shortly after the scandal surfaced in 2021, and the department formalized an agreement with the California Department of Justice in 2022.

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"We have collaborated with the DOJ throughout the process, providing full access to the department, our employees and records," Ahmad said. "The goal is to work with the DOJ to make sure the Torrance Police Department promotes public safety while at the same time ensuring that the public is treated with respect."

Times staff writer Libor Jany contributed to this report.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
This story was originally published on MyNorthwest.com.

A tourist from Seattle was arrested after venturing too close to Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park.

Ms. Flaherty left the boardwalk and viewing area surrounding Old Faithful geyser and walked approximately 10 feet onto the cone of Old Faithful, the U.S. Attorneys Office, District of Wyoming, stated. Some of her conduct was captured on video by another park visitor.

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She pled guilty to violating a state statute. She served seven days in jail and paid $40 in court fees.

Walking on the thermal grounds in the park can be extremely dangerous, Yellowstone National Park officials told The New York Times due to scalding hot water flowing just below the surface of the thin ground.

The No. 1 priority is public safety, but natural resources are also important in places like Yellowstone National Park, Lori Hogan, a public affairs officer with the U.S. Attorneys Office in Wyoming, told The New York Times. More dangerous offenses, like thermal trespass or wildlife disturbance, could potentially lead to jail time, while minor violations might result in fines or warnings. The public should understand the violations and their consequences before visiting.

Deaths caused by Old Faithful, other hot springs in Yellowstone

Since 1872, the year Yellowstone National Park was established, there have been 22 deaths due to scalding after intentionally entering or falling into the parks hot springs, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. In comparison, just 10 people have died from bison and bear attacks combined in that same time span.

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As the Trump administrations tariff battle against China heats up, U.S. Customs and Border Protection is gearing up for a major enforcement operation. While the political drama surrounding tariff hikes captures the publics attention, fears of fraudsters exploiting the tariff system are emerging.

The surge in tariffs, particularly on Chinese goods, has created an opportune environment for customs fraud. Importers facing steep duties are resorting to creative, and sometimes illegal, methods to avoid paying the required fees. Mislabeling goods, undervaluing shipments and falsely declaring the country of origin are just a few tactics being employed to bypass customs inspections. These actions can cost the U.S. government billions in lost revenue, creating a headache for both enforcement agencies and compliant businesses.

These types of fraudulent activities have already had significant financial implications. In one case from the early 2000s, a group of importers used fraudulent schemes to misrepresent the country of origin of textiles from China to evade tariffs. In that instance, the perpetrators were caught, but not before costing the U.S. Treasury over $100 million in lost duties.

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Another case involved a California-based electronics company in 2018, which underreported the value of goods from China to avoid paying tariffs. The company eventually settled, but the case served as a reminder of the vulnerabilities in the U.S. customs system.





With the ongoing increase in tariffs, the threat of such fraud is once again rising, prompting CBP officials to brace for reported massive enforcement tasks.

Compounding this issue, legal experts have noted that customs fraud is increasingly being pursued through the False Claims Act, which allows private parties to file lawsuits on behalf of the government. This has led to a rise in lawsuits brought by whistleblowers who have insider knowledge of fraud. In some cases, these whistleblowers can receive a reward, creating an incentive for employees and competitors to expose fraudulent activities. The act has already resulted in several large settlements, including one in 2016 in which a company was forced to pay $11 million after submitting false claims regarding imported goods.

Apropos of nothing, came here to remind you that Customs and Border Protection offers whistleblowers who report customs fraud 10% of any money recovered.  Ryan Petersen (@typesfast) April 9, 2025

House bill targets staged truck crashes

A new bill introduced in the U.S. House, the Staged Accident Fraud Prevention Act, seeks to combat the growing issue of fraudsters staging truck accidents to file frivolous lawsuits against trucking companies.

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Sponsored by Rep. Mike Collins, R-Ga., and Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Texas, the legislation classifies intentionally causing or arranging a collision with a commercial motor vehicle as a federal crime. Perpetrators could face up to 20 years in prison, with harsher penalties if the crash results in serious injury or death.





Staged crashes often involve con artists in passenger vehicles deliberately colliding with trucks to secure substantial settlements. These scams not only endanger public safety but also drive up insurance costs, disproportionately affecting small trucking businesses and owner-operators. The bill also targets co-conspirators such as attorneys and medical professionals who knowingly participate in these schemes.

One of the most notable cases of staged truck crashes, Operation Sideswipe, has been ongoing since 2019 in Louisiana, resulting in multiple indictments. Advocacy groups like the American Trucking Associations and the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association have strongly supported the bill, arguing it will help protect the industry from costly and dangerous fraud.

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Read more about the bills efforts here.

(GIF: Tenor)

Did DC cops apply for PPP as truckers?

Federal prosecutors and the Washington police departments internal affairs unit are investigating more than two dozen officers accused of fraudulently securing federal pandemic relief funds, including through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Prosecutors allege some officers even claim to operate nonexistent trucking businesses.

The investigation focuses on whether the officers intentionally misrepresented their business activities to obtain loans meant to help struggling companies during the COVID-19 pandemic. If proven guilty, they could face up to 20 years in prison.

One notable case involves former D.C. officer Kalynn Fields, who is accused of fraudulently applying for $35,000 in PPP loans by falsely claiming to operate a long-haul trucking business, among other ventures. Prosecutors allege that Fields used the loan money for personal expenses, including meals, liquor and designer items, and sought loan forgiveness despite not having a legitimate business.

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Learn more about the investigation here.

(GIF: Tenor)

Registration open for May Freight Fraud Symposium in Dallas

Be part of the solution that stops freight fraud in its tracks. Lets cut through the noise and address this issue head-on!





Freight fraud has reached a crisis level, and it impacts everyone in the industry. Its time for us to come together to address this critical problem and share best practices on how to mitigate it.

Join us on May 14 in Dallas at the Freight Fraud Symposium, where transportation executives, freight leaders and technology buyers will come together to discuss the issues we all face, share lessons learned and get insights on the latest technology to tackle this problem.

Space is limited, so register now to save your spot!

Articles by Grace Sharkey

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Fighting freight fraud an immediate focus at annual meeting of brokers group

Landstar anticipates fraud-related earnings hit

VIDEO: Drivers voice frustrations with FMCSA enforcement

The post Is trade fraud about to surge? appeared first on FreightWaves.
U.S. Mexican Consul based in Albuquerque, Patricia Pinzon spoke alongside UNM academics Wednesday to discuss the impacts of tariffs. Mexico is New Mexicos first trading partner; that gives us a special relationship, she told Source NM.

Shortly before a panel of University of New Mexico academics convened Wednesday to discuss the impact of President Donald Trumps sweeping tariffs, he announced a 90-day pause on some of them, while bumping Chinas rate to 125%.

It underlines how the uncertainty and the unpredictability behind the tariffs may be even more damaging than the actual tariffs, Jordan Rosenberg Cobos, a law student and president of the International Law Society, which co-hosted the lunchtime talk at the UNM School of Law, said. Its like youre taking a load-bearing wall out of the global economy without much notice,

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The event included UNM professors in political science, economics and trade law, as well as the U.S. Mexican Consul based in Albuquerque, Patricia Pinzon. All agreed that the fluctuating tariffs impact not just consumer prices for New Mexicans, the U.S. and the rest of the world, but also challenge the basis of free trade between countries.

Im an optimist, but its hard to see a positive outcome, Law professor Paul Figueroa, whose decades of trade law experience included extensive travel, said. If the tariffs stand, then the world trade order will forever change, and it will become less open, more unsettled and uncertain.

Tariffs may increase tax revenues, Xiaoyang Wang, an assistant professor in economics, noted, but even the proposed 10% tax on imports drives up prices for both customers and suppliers, and squeezes supply of goods.

Pinzon said Mexico would rather negotiate with the Trump administration for better trade positions, rather than institute retaliatory tariffs.

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We know that when the U.S. does a unilateral decision, our best answer is to negotiate, she said.

Pinzon also mentioned concerns about enforcement of tariffs at the border, noting that a Mexican auto industry analysis found that one auto part can cross the U.S.-Mexico border eight times before being fully installed.

So each time a product crosses the border, are we talking about tariffs of 10% or 25%, how is that going to be implemented? Pinzon said. We dont know, experts do not know at the technical level.

Manuel Montoya, a professor in global economics, said free trade has enabled the growth of wealth for more people in emerging economies across the world.

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The implications of this are not just whether or not your goods and services are going to be expensive, Montoya said. Its going to be about the very nature of political and economic cooperation moving forward for the next 50 to 70 years.

Takeaways for New Mexicans

The academic panelists said tariff impacts will hit everyones wallet, and New Mexicans will have to brace to pay more for clothes, food and electronics.

I think its inevitable that the prices of products that people buy in places like Walmart are going to go up, and that is certainly going to affect people, said Wendy Hansen, a professor in political science.

Hansen also warned that agricultural products may see additional tariffs responding to the Trump administrations tariffs, a repeat of what happened in 2018, during the first term.

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I dont know which products in New Mexico might be affected by it, but Chinas best card in their pocket is agriculture, the EU maybe as well, Hansen said.

Speaking with Source NM after the presentation, Pinzon emphasized that Mexico is New Mexicos first trading partner; that gives us a special relationship.

Pinzon said ongoing discussions center around further development at the Santa Teresa port of entry, calling it one of the key industrial ports for both Mexico and the U.S.

Also following the discussion, Montoya told Source his hope is that New Mexicos adaptation and cultural traditions throughout its history will offer paths forward, despite the economic uncertainty.

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This is a state where we have the birthplace of the atomic bomb, but also some of the longest-standing and resilient agricultural-based systems in the United States, Montoya said. That combination tells you a lot about the mixture and the middle ground that New Mexico has.

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We're doing a trade war: It's just not quite as extensive as previously feared.

President Donald Trump announced yesterday, after more market bloodbath, that he would pause the implementation of his reciprocal tariffs (the higher-level ones) for 90 days, but that the 10 percent universal tariffs would remain in place and that tariffs on Chinese products would be raised to 125 percent. Stocks rallied. Goldman Sachs rescinded its recession prediction, which had put "the probability of a downturn at 65% in the next 12 months" per Bloomberg. (Now it's been adjusted to 45 percent.)

"I thought that people were jumping a little bit out of line," Trump said Wednesday. "They were getting yippyyou know, they were getting a little bit yippy, a little bit afraid."

Just to recap following Bessent's briefing to reporters here at the White House:

- Tariffs on China increased to 125%

- 90 day pause on reciprocal tariffs amid negotiations

- Tariff level brought down to a universal 10%

- Canada and Mexico are part of the 10%

- Pause won't impact  Shelby Talcott (@ShelbyTalcott) April 9, 2025

In other words, we've been anchored. It's a classic negotiation tactic. Now, 10 percent universal tariffsand massive tariffs that cripple trade with Chinadon't feel so bad, do they? We've been primed to believe the worse alternative would become reality.

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This reality is still a bad one, though. And nobody really knows what changed his mind: The Wall Street Journal reports that Trump watched an interview with JPMorganChase CEO Jamie Dimon on Fox Business, in which Dimon said a recession would be a "likely outcome" of the tariffs. "I'm taking a calm view, but it could get worse," added Dimon. There's some thought, given the timing here, that this influenced the president, who later said of Dimon: "He's very smart, and very genius financially, did a fantastic job at the bank. And he knows that everybody knows that."

Nobody really knows for sure. Elon Musk had been privately sounding the alarm. Bill Ackman had taken his concerns public. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent surely played a big role (and publicly turned around and claimed "This was [Trump's] strategy all along").

There are a few takes you could conceivably have, maybe even multiple at once. One is that there's far too much power vested in the executive; that the power to tax has been delegated to Congress, that tariffs are taxes, and that the president attempting to unilaterally impose such taxesand transform our economy overnightis a constitutional breach.

Related is the idea that Republicans will at some point be punished for this:

History says the GOP should be terrified of the electorate now: McKinley tariff 1890: The House flipped midterms from R +7 to D +147. In 1892, D secured unified control of gov for first time in 34 years. Smoot-Hawley 1930: In midterms, D gain of 52. In 1932, D unified control. pic.twitter.com/bYKF7vVAIM  Johan Norberg (@johanknorberg) April 8, 2025

Another is that China is our adversary, and that we're far too dependent on China for everything from appliances to machinery to penicillin. These tariffs will provide a clear incentive for domestic manufacturers to ramp up their production of goods we previously relied on China to supply; a transition that was both inevitable and sorely needed.

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Another is that, since China is our adversary, a trade war (or a cold war) is more likely to lead to a hot one; our economic interdependence lowered the likelihood of actual conflict on both sides. We extricate ourselves at our own peril.

Yet another is that the economic whiplash hurts American businesses and consumers the most. People caught in the crosshairs of Trump's schizophrenic trade policywho don't know whether the 90-day pause is a real one or whether they should make business decisions predicated on itstand to lose the most. The budgets of normal middle-class and poor Americans who've grown reliant on cheap Chinese goods will still suffer. Markets have reacted positively to the initial pull-back, sure, but they don't tend to love this type of volatility. Trump hasn't gone about this in a way that's measured, calculated, strategic; he's shooting from the hip.

Still another is that Trump won. He got what he wanted. He imposed universal (and, frankly, ridiculous) tariffs and China was the one that escalated and he hit back while other countries mostly capitulated (with the European Union notably going for 20 percent retaliatory tariffs, which may now change), coming to the negotiating table. Now, China will be severely hurt by this; Trump imposed the pain that he desired.

It's not clear what happens now, other than a lot of things getting much more expensive. Bessent has not ruled out delisting Chinese stocks from U.S. exchanges and has started publicly saying that any U.S. allies choosing to align with China on trade would be "cutting your own throat." Even if you think decoupling is the right move, it will be short-term painful: Companies seeking to restore their manufacturing have already started asking the administration for tariff exemptions in order to be able to import machinery needed for them to build out manufacturing capacity domestically. (It's unclear whether the administration will grant them such waivers.) "The two economies with a combined GDP of $46 trillion [are] locked in a game of chicken," notes Bloomberg. "At stake is almost $700 billion in two-way annual goods trade, China's estimated $1.4 trillion of portfolio investments in the US, and less obvious but no less significant variables such as people-to-people links forged over decades at businesses and universities and public opinion that's souring on both sides."

Scenes from New York:

all i'm saying is that if i were on the trading floor of the nyse i'd definitely be pulling the most dramatic "it's over" poses i could in the hopes of making it into the papers pic.twitter.com/PUVWOwnui4  corvid friend (@ahabstanaccount) April 7, 2025

QUICK HITS

Sen. Rand Paul (RKy.) joined us to talk about why he's trying to put a stop to Trump's tariffs:

The takes have been predictably bad in the wake of all this turmoil:

They did everything they could to create a panic. They predicted a Black Monday that never came. They became jubilant over an intraday correction on Tuesday. They were rooting for Trump to fail even if it meant the market and economy crashed. Fortunately their hopes have been https://t.co/7V6uLHWoMz  David Sacks (@DavidSacks) April 9, 2025

(Who is the they that wanted the market crashed?)

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"House Republican leaders canceled a vote on the Senate's budget resolution Wednesday night, as Speaker Mike Johnson came to terms with what had been clear for many hours: Too many Republicans would vote in opposition and the measure was bound to fail," reports Politico. "The outcome is a brutal blow for House GOP leaders and President Donald Trump, who have spent days trying to wrangle the votes for the fiscal blueprint."

"President Donald Trump on Wednesday paused for 90 days many tariffs but is not halting 25% tariffs on automotive imports and looming tariffs on auto parts, drawing criticism from Michigan business and auto groups," reports Reuters.

"The guests at White Lotus resorts arrive and leave by boat, a fact I've come to believe has some kind of mythological significance," writes Sophie Gilbert at The Atlantic. "These guests are never simply going on vacation. Rather, they're entering some kind of magical-realist hinterland where they're tormented by different iterations of fate, pride, vanity, and greed, a ritualistic evisceration accompanied by pool drinks and a spectacular breakfast buffet."

A teacher in Florida lost her job over calling a student by a preferred name, in violation of new laws that at aim to restore parental rights after schools have become a front in the gender culture wars. Reporting from Florida Today notes that this does look like a case where the child was gender-questioning, and the teacher chose to affirm that in the classroom. I'm sorry if this makes me a bad libertarian, but I have no problem with the firing or the law. It seems important for parental rights to trump everything else at play here, and the parent is the one who gets to make decisions for their child, not the teacher/ideologue.

"Tuesday, the Trump administration froze over $1 billion of Cornell's federal funding and $790 million of Northwestern's, citing civil rights investigations. The campaign against elite universities continues, fueled by accusations of antisemitism, contempt for the DEI [diversity, equity, and inclusion] industrial complex, and a broader cultural vendetta. Directionally, this is gooduniversities are bloated credential mills, non-STEM research is largely farcical, and the ballooning student debt crisis is untenable. But if you're going to kneecap research institutions, throwing the baby out with the bathwater, you can't just walk away," writes G.B. Rango for Pirate Wires. "Sure, burn down the universities, but build something better in their ashes."

Do you know about the radium girls?

The most famous example of the radiation-craze gone wrong was the radium girls. From 1917 to 1926 clock factories hired around 4,000 people to paint the dials of watches with radium paint, so they would glow in the dark. A lot of them were women. pic.twitter.com/UZwhH3rTNn  isabelle ???? (@isabelleboemeke) April 8, 2025

The post Trade War With China appeared first on Reason.com.
Apr. 9Speeders leaving Washington for Idaho will get a friendly reminder in the mail to slow down.

Temporary traffic cameras over Interstate 90 in Liberty Lake will track eastbound speeding vehicles and their license plates as part of a pilot program beginning Thursday from the Washington State Department of Transportation. Registered owners of speeding vehicles will receive courtesy notices but no tickets or fines, according to a WSDOT news release.

The speed limit through the zone is 70 mph.

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The Legislature launched the Highway Speed Camera Pilot Program with $1 million in funding to reduce speed-related crashes. The program is a partnership between WSDOT, the Washington Traffic Safety Commission and Washington State Patrol.

Safety commission spokesman Mark McKechnie said the program is not issuing tickets because the Legislature did not authorize it to do so.

Cameras will also be tested on southbound Interstate 5 between Cook and Bow Hill roads in Skagit County. The locations were chosen because speed was a factor in serious collisions there, and they have enough space between ramps to obtain accurate data.

Courtesy notices will focus on safety and inform drivers of the potential cost of a ticket for the speed they were traveling. The program does not issue fines, nor does it affect driving records or insurance. The goal is to change driver behavior, prevent collisions and injuries, and save lives, according WSDOT.

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Drivers and passengers will not be photographed, McKechnie said. Digital images will only be used for courtesy notices and will not be stored or used for other purposes.

However, statistical data will track traffic patterns, average speeds, the range of speeds and vehicles that speed repeatedly through the area.

After the pilot concludes at the end of June, the cameras will be removed and WSDOT will analyze the data, review public feedback, and report back to the Legislature. WSDOT is taking feedback about the program on its website.

Cameras will track speeds using the "average speed method." This involves placing multiple cameras at two locations and tracking the time it takes a vehicle to travel between the two points to determine the average speed, rather than a single snapshot. The cameras face both directions to capture more data.

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The cameras hover 19 feet over the roadway from trailers placed on the side of the road. The trailers are about three miles apart, with one just past the Liberty Lake Road overpass and the second just before the Stateline exit.

In addition to the notices, the cameras themselves act as a reminder for drivers to slow down, McKechnie said. When a few drivers do, it causes the rest of traffic to slow down as well.

"Hopefully there is an impact on drivers reminding them it is safer to drive the speed limit," McKechnie said.

This program is different from the Work Zone Speed Camera Program. Starting this spring, mobile cameras will move through various construction zones around the state and tickets will be issued after the first infraction.

James Hanlon's reporting for The Spokesman-Review is funded in part by Report for America and by members of the Spokane community. This story can be republished by other organizations for free under a Creative Commons license. For more information on this, please contact our newspaper's managing editor.
Shares of major health insurers jumped Tuesday after the federal government announced a better-than-expected 2026 payment increase for Medicare Advantage plans.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said Monday after markets closed that final rates are expected to increase more than 5% in 2026.

That wound up well above expectations, Leerink Partners analyst Whit Mayo said in a research note.

BTIG analyst David Larsen said separately that the final increase more than doubled what was initially proposed in January. He added that it likely accounts for higher care use that the program has seen recently.

Larsen also credited the new administration of President Donald Trump.

The higher overall final rate is in line with our view that Republican administrations are generally more (Medicare Advantage)-friendly, Larsen wrote. While fraud, waste, and abuse are certainly a focus of the new administration, we view the final rate notice as a positive surprise.

The rate increase is expected to cost taxpayers an additional $25 billion next year, CMS said. The Trump administration has vowed to trim the health departments $1.7 trillion budget, although much of that money is spent on insuring the older, poor and disabled Americans through Medicare and the state- and federally funded Medicaid program.

Medicare Advantage plans are privately-run versions of the government-funded Medicare program mostly for people who are 65 and older.

Shares of the two largest Medicare Advantage plan providers, UnitedHealth Group Inc. and Humana Inc., climbed more than 7% and 12%, respectively, Tuesday morning. Other insurance stocks like Elevance Health Inc. and Centene Corp. also jumped.

The health sector was among the biggest gainers in a broader market rebound early Tuesday.
A transgender military pilot filed a defamation lawsuit Wednesday against a conservative influencer who falsely claimed on social media that she was flying the helicopter that collided with a commercial jet near Reagan National Airport in January, killing 67 people.

I want to hold this person accountable for what they did to me, Jo Ellis, a pilot who has served more than 15 years in the Virginia Army National Guard, said in a statement to NBC News. Its become too common that people can say horrible things about someone, profit at their expense, and get away with it.

Jo Ellis created a "proof of life" video after false claims on social media linked her to the plane crash near Reagan National Airport in January.

On Jan. 30, less than 24 hours after the crash, conservative influencer Matt Wallace, who has 2.2 million followers on the social media platform X, shared a post from another account he operates stating that the helicopter pilot was transgender, according to the lawsuit. Wallace included a photo of Ellis, and the post went viral, the lawsuit states.

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Wallace deleted that original post, according to the lawsuit, and then shared two others linking Ellis to the crash. One referred to an interview that Ellis did with The Smerconish Podcast, in which she said President Donald Trumps executive order barring trans people from serving and enlisting in the military made her nervous.

The second post included photos of Ellis and said she might have participated in another trans terror attack, according to the lawsuit. That post received 4.8 million views on X, the suit states.

Wallace did not immediately return a request for comment regarding the allegations in the lawsuit.

On Jan. 31, after Ellis learned about the rumors, she shared a proof of life video on Facebook.

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I understand some people have associated me with the crash in D.C., and that is false, Ellis said in the Facebook video. It is insulting to the families to try to tie this to some sort of political agenda. They dont deserve that. I dont deserve this. And I hope that you all know that I am alive and well, and this should be sufficient for you all to end all the rumors.

Soon after Ellis statement on Facebook, Wallace shared another X users post with Ellis video, writing that it was an Important Update! and adding that Ellis was not piloting the helicopter and is still alive. Wallace also wrote in another X post that the original rumor that Ellis had been flying the helicopter involved in the crash came from another account with the handle @FakeGayPolitics, which is no longer active. Wallace said the rumor seemed credible because Ellis, whom Wallace misgendered in his posts, wrote an article calling out Trumps trans military ban only a few days ago.

Ellis was not involved in the midair collision, the lawsuit states, did not write an article calling out Trumps trans military ban and did not engage in another trans terror attack.

Equality Legal Action Fund, an LGBTQ legal organization representing Ellis, argues in the complaint that Wallace concocted a destructive and irresponsible defamation campaign against Ellis.

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The damage caused to Plaintiff by Defendant was instantaneous and immense, the lawsuit continues. Prior to Defendants campaign, Plaintiff was a private citizen who led a private life away from social media and the limelight. When Plaintiff awoke on January 31, 2025, she discovered she was the second most-trending topic in the United States on X with more than 90,000 posts mentioning her name or her likeness. Plaintiff was forced into the public sphere and can no longer remain a private citizen due to Defendants lies.

Ellis said her life was turned upside down by Wallaces posts.

I feared for the safety of my family and myself and had to arrange private armed security, she said in her statement to NBC News. Im now recognized in public and forever associated with that terrible tragedy over the Potomac. When I go out in public I have to look over my shoulder now.

Ellis suit seeks damages for the injury to her reputation, though Ellis said she plans to donate any money that she wins from the suit to the families of the people who died in the crash.

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Trans people have increasingly been falsely blamed for tragedies and violence in recent years, particularly after mass shootings. Since 2022, false or unconfirmed claims have linked trans people to mass shootings in Uvalde, Texas; Nashville, Tennessee; Philadelphia; Madison, Wisconsin; and Des Moines, Iowa.

In addition, since January, the Trump administration has enacted several policies targeting trans people, including the trans military ban, which states that being openly trans is not consistent with the humility and selflessness required of a service member. Two judges have temporarily blocked that policy from taking effect.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
A transgender servicewoman who was incorrectly named as the military helicopter pilot involved in the Washington, D.C. air disaster that killed 67 people in January has filed a lawsuit against a MAGA influencer who she says spread the rumors.

Jo Ellis is suing Matt Wallace, a conspiracy theorist with more than two million followers on X, for defamation over claims he concocted a destructive and irresponsible defamation campaign about her.

The Equality Legal Action Fund, a nonprofit that provides legal support to discrimination victims, filed the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court in Colorado, where the plaintiffs lawyers say Wallace resides.

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Ellis, a 35-year-old helicopter pilot who has served with the Virginia Army National Guard for 15 years, was falsely named on social media as the person flying the Army Black Hawk helicopter, which collided with an American Airlines passenger plane over the Potomac River on January 29.

All 64 people aboard the jet and the three aboard the helicopter died in the crash.

Jo Ellis lambasted a conservative influencer for stirring up the mob by peddling false claims about her involvement in the D.C. crash in January (AFP via Getty Images)

Ive been a door gunner in a helicopter in Iraq during a combat zone, and Ive been shot at in that same combat zone, Ellis told The New York Times. But even for me, having a magnifying glass placed on my personal life in the wake of that rumor had a real impact.

Such lawsuits face some constitutional and legal hurdles as free speech laws are broad. Ellis said any financial compensation she may receive would be donated to the victims families.

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Online rumors about the Richmond resident were fueled by President Donald Trumps jabs at the Federal Aviation Administrations diversity, equity and inclusion policies, suggesting, without evidence, they could be partly to blame for the mid-air collision.

One of them which had been reposted many times said that Ellis has been making radicalized anti-Trump statements on socials.

Emergency workers recover debris from the Potomac River in the aftermath of the collision on January 30 (REUTERS)

Wallace was one of the more prominent influencers who spread misinformation about Ellis through a series of posts that included photographs and details of her life.

While some of Wallaces posts received millions of views, an analysis by The Times suggests that he did not start the rumor.

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According to the social media monitoring tool Trends24, the conspiracy theory surrounding Ellis began on January 30 and trended on X with more than 90,000 posts by January 31.

That was the same day, two days after the deadly collision, that Ellis posted a proof of life video on Facebook to prove she was in fact, alive.

My life was turned upside-down at that point, she said in the video. Forever on, Im known as that trans terrorist.

Jo Ellis in her 'proof of life' video posted to Facebook on January 31 (Jo Ellis via Facebook)

As a result of the post, Ellis received credible death threats and hateful, transphobic messages, the suit alleges. Meg Phelan, Ellis attorney, explained why they had zeroed in on Wallace.

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He was one of the largest platforms with the most followers to really publicize this and put it out there, and so that it went viral, she told The Guardian. It seemed very strategic, so that was really why we zeroed in on Matt Wallace.

After the video spread online, Wallace deleted his posts about Ellis and stated he had an important update. He said that she was not piloting the helicopter that crashed into the plane and is still alive.

The lawsuit argues Wallace was making excuses for creating viral lies after issuing tweets that he says were to correct the false information.

Too many times do people who have big platforms get to do this to innocent people and drag them through the mud and get away with it, Ellis told the newspaper.

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So I feel strongly about free speech, but I also feel strongly about consequences to free speech when you use it to stir up a mob and impact someones life.

The Independent has attempted to contact Wallace through the email listed on his website.
By Nate Raymond, Omar Younis, Roselle Chen

BOSTON (Reuters) -When Zaya Perysian received her new passport in the mail in late January, she knew exactly who to blame for why it listed her, a transgender woman, as male: U.S. President Donald Trump.

First the California social media influencer took to TikTok to express her frustrations with what she called the "big ugly M" the U.S. State Department under Trump mandated her new passport feature. And then she sued, along with six other transgender and non-binary people who argue the policy is unconstitutional.

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The 22-year-old is now waiting to see whether a federal judge in Boston agrees. The closely watched case is challenging a policy the department adopted in accordance with an executive order signed by the Republican president on his first day back in office.

That executive order directed the federal government to recognize only two, biologically distinct sexes - male and female - and directed the State Department to change its policies to only issue passports that "accurately reflect the holder's sex."

"This is something that has been forced upon me, basically," Perysian said, in an interview with Reuters with her lawyer at the American Civil Liberties Union present. "And it's really unfair and kind of crazy, but that's why we're fighting it."

The U.S. State Department declined to comment. The U.S. Department of Justice, which is defending the policy in court, did not respond to requests for comment.

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The administration has argued the policy does not constitute unlawful sex discrimination, does not prevent transgender people from traveling abroad, and is vital to addressing the concerns Trump's executive order raised that indeterminate definitions of sex undermine "longstanding, cherished legal rights and values."

Perysian has lived as a transgender woman in all aspects of her life since 2020, according to court papers. She said she has had surgical procedures and had secured changes to other government documents like her driver's license to match her gender identity.

She had submitted on January 23 an expedited application to update the sex designation on her passport to female. But by then, Trump was in office, and less than a week later her passport was returned to her with a notice stating her sex was "corrected on your passport application."

"At the end of the day, I'm a woman, and I don't care how many people agree or disagree," she said. "I live every day as a woman. I surround myself with people who see me and respect me as a woman."

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The lawsuit she joined was filed by lawyers at the ACLU, who argued the policy unconstitutionally discriminates against transgender people and exposes them to potential harm if they travel abroad with passports reflecting a different sex designation to their gender identity.

"This executive order made it impossible for transgender, nonbinary, and intersex Americans to have accurate federal identity documents, including their passports," said ACLU attorney Sruti Swaminathan.

Lawyers for the plaintiffs say the policy reversed decades of practice at the State Department, which for more than 30 years allowed people to update the sex designation on their passports.

In 2022, Democratic President Joe Biden's administration allowed passport applicants for the first time to choose "X" as a neutral sex marker on their passport applications, as well as being able to self-select "M" or "F" for male or female.

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Benjamin Takemoto, a Justice Department lawyer, previously told U.S. District Judge Julia Kobick, who is overseeing the lawsuit, that Trump has "broad discretion to determine rules for issuing passports," allowing him to scrap Biden's policy to ensure a consistent approach to identifying individuals throughout the federal government.

But during a March 25 hearing, Kobick, a Biden appointee, appeared skeptical of that argument. Kobick, who has yet to rule, at the hearing sharply questioned how the policy could not be considered discriminatory.

"It seems to deny that gender identity is something worth recognizing," she said.

(Reporting by Nate Raymond in Boston, Omar Younis in Los Angeles and Roselle Chen in New York; Editing by Stephen Coates, Alexia Garamfalvi and Rosalba O'Brien)
A transgender military helicopter pilot sued a conservative social media influencer for alleged defamation on Wednesday, two months after she was falsely blamed for a deadly midair collision over the Potomac River in Washington.

Jo Ellis, a pilot in the Virginia National Guard, filed the defamation suit against Matt Wallace, a cryptocurrency investor and influencer on the social platform X. In January, Wallace falsely claimed on his X account, where he has 2.2 million followers, that Ellis had been operating the Black Hawk helicopter that collided with a passenger jet on Jan. 29.

All 67 people aboard the two aircraft were killed in the crash, the deadliest U.S. aviation disaster in more than 20 years.

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On Jan. 30, less than 24 hours after the crash, Wallace shared a post from one of his alternative accounts that claimed the helicopter pilot was transgender. The post, which Wallace later deleted, included a photo of Ellis, according to the lawsuit.

Wallace made two additional posts linking Ellis to the crash, according to the lawsuit, including one that referenced a Jan. 29 podcast interview where Ellis discussed President Trumps executive order to bar transgender people from serving openly in the military.

On Jan. 31, after learning from friends that she had been falsely connected to the crash, Ellis filmed and uploaded a proof of life video to her personal Facebook page.

I understand some people have associated me with the crash in D.C., and that is false, Ellis said in the video. It is insulting to the families to try to tie this to some sort of political agenda, they dont deserve that. I dont deserve this, and I hope that yall know that Im alive and well and this should be sufficient for you all to end all the rumors.

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Wallace then distanced himself from the claim, according to Wednesdays lawsuit. He said another account had started the rumor that Ellis had been involved in the crash and that the post seemed credible because Ellis wrote an article calling out Trumps trans military ban only a few days ago.

Ellis, backed by Equality Legal Action Fund, an LGBTQ legal organization, argued on Wednesday that Wallaces claims are outright and unequivocal falsehoods.

Her lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado, where Wallace resides, claims he used his platform to monetize a false narrative that [Ellis] was not only one of the Army pilots involved in the mid-air collision, but also that she engaged in another trans terror attack and intentionally caused the mid-air collision due to her depression and Gender Dysphoria.

Far-right social media personalities and conservative provocateurs in recent years have been quick to claim, often without evidence, that transgender people are to blame for devastating acts of violence, including mass shootings at a Texas elementary school, celebrity pastor Joel Osteens megachurch and a high school in suburban Iowa.

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In December, former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) falsely suggested a transgender student carried out a shooting at a Wisconsin private school, and tech billionaire Elon Musk, the owner of the social platform X and a close ally of President Trump, wrote in a recent social media post, The probability of a trans person being violent appears to be vastly higher than non-trans.

In the immediate aftermath of the Jan. 29 collision, Trump said diversity initiatives at the Federal Aviation Administration may be to blame.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Related Video Above: Dothan family wants justice 20 years after cold case murder

DOTHAN, Ala (WDHN)  A Dothan man accused of killing his wife and leaving her body in a Florida panhandle ditch over 20 years ago will not face a jury of his peers as expected this month.

Dwight Mills murder trial was set to start on April 14. However, court records show Mills trial was pushed back just days before he was set to appear before the jury.

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According to Mills attorneys, they had not been able to see the discovery and evidence in the case due to the Dothan Police Investigators having an issue with electronic files.

Attorneys say they were told investigators would deliver paper copies of the discovery to their offices on April 2, but this would not give them enough time to prep for the upcoming trial. Judge Henry Binford agreed with attorneys, pushing Mills trial back to an unknown date.

COLD CASE CLOSED? Suspect charged in Dothan cold case murder after 15 years

Mills is charged with murder and corpse abuse in the 2001 murder of his wife, Sharon Mills.

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Her case went cold for 22 years, but in a review of old case files in the Dothan Police Department, investigators uncovered new leads in early 2024.

Dothan Police Investigators say Mills killed his wife in Houston County before driving to Bonifay, Florida, and dumping her body in a ditch just after Christmas in 2001.

However, Mills has a different story.

Mills claimed he and his wife were driving to Florida to buy alcohol on a Sunday, and when they stopped for her to use the bathroom, she fell in a hole.

According to Mills, he tried to help his wife out of the hole, but she wouldnt go with him, so he left her.

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A Holmes County inmate cleanup crew found her body in a ditch in February 2002.

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CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA)  Theres a new class of truck drivers from Champaign County that are hitting the roadway this week.

Parkland College has a Truck Driver Training/Commercial Drivers License program in partnership with 160 Driving Academy and Parklands Workforce Development and Community Education programs.

Students in the class take the CDL course which teaches topics such as road safety and basic maintenance, as well as providing students with 120 hours of behind the wheel training. Once thats complete and students pass the course, they then take the Commercial Drivers License test through the State of Illinois.

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Each year, the program graduates nearly 300 truck drivers, with most of them landing jobs immediately upon graduation. And those jobs pay well.

According to the 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics, median hourly earnings of tractor-trailer drivers was $26.12. Entry-level truck drivers have the potential to earn between $54,000-$76,000 annually.

Elijah Boyd, a current student in the class is taking his CDL Exam today. He says that the program is a chance for a fresh start.

Its a second chance program for those who arent doing anything or have anything to do. If you need somewhere to go or you need something to do, Im 51 and I came back to school. They have offered me a second chance.

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He says that he has gotten scholarship opportunities to help pay for the class.

I got my scholarship through the SWFT Program, which got me through school for free.

Boyd has a job lined up once he is done and hell be among several in the current class to have a job.

The SWFT program Boyd is a part of is one of several potential ways to cover funding for the class. SWFT is a grant program that provides free short-term training for high-skilled, high-wage jobs for qualifying students.

Funding is also available through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, which is a grant program sponsored by the Champaign County Regional Planning Commission. That program assists qualifying adults with receiving the financial support needed for career training. Other students have also gotten funding through carrier sponsorships.

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To learn more about the program, including entry requirements, the registration process and cost/funding options, you can visit the Parkland College Truck Driver Training Page.

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Apr. 10A truck was reported on fire at 11:15 a.m. Tuesday at 29258 Freeborn County Road 45 in Clarks Grove.

Grass fire reported

An out-of-control grass fire was reported at 1:55 p.m. Tuesday at 73379 224th St. in Albert Lea.

School bus, car crash

Police responded to a report of a crash involving a car and school bus at 7:49 a.m. Tuesday on the 1800 block of West Ninth Street. The car reportedly did not signal to pull out of a parking spot and pulled right in front of the bus. There were children on board, but no injuries were reported.

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Juvenile cited for e-cigarette

Police cited one juvenile for possession of an e-cigarette device on school property at 9:28 a.m. Tuesday at Albert Lea High School, 2000 Tiger Lane.

Fight reported

Police responded to a report of a fight at 12:44 p.m. Tuesday at 1109 Madison Ave. Charges were requested for one individual for fifth-degree assault and another person for disorderly conduct.

Electrical panel damaged

Damage was reported to an electrical panel at 1:12 p.m. Tuesday at Fountain Lake Park, 100 Fountain St.
Truckers fear job security amid tariff confusion

(NewsNation)  Truckers are feeling the impact of on-again, off-again tariffs, especially those who work to transport vehicles and auto parts between the U.S. and Canada.

While there is still a steady flow of traffic across the Ambassador Bridge connecting Detroit and Canada, including plenty of 18-wheelers, truckers and businesses say uncertainty is still affecting things.

Truckers fear they may not have job security in the future if tariffs lessen the flow of goods between America and its northern neighbor.

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Tariffs on China are 145%, White House clarifies as stocks slump

The border crossing between Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, is the busiest along the northern border. More than one and a half million Canadian trucks crossed into Detroit back in 2023; nearly 6,000 trucks each weekday and more than $100 billion worth of goods moved between Michigan and Canada every single year.

But after President Donald Trump announced a 25% tariff on goods coming in from Canada, the big three automakers had to make some hard decisions that included temporary layoffs.

For truckers, that means less work. Trucker Josette Rosendary told NewsNation that a friend of hers has seen reduced hours.

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He said hes every other day now, where he was every day, she said. Now, if he worked Monday, hes off Tuesday, goes back Wednesday, off Thursday, go back Friday. That aint no way you can pay no bills with that.

Other truckers say they havent noticed much of a difference and that it seems as busy as ever, indicating that any reaction to tariffs hasnt affected traffic patterns.

The 90-day pause on country-specific tariffs, which sets everything to a baseline 10%, does not affect Canada. Many of the initial Canadian tariffs have also been paused, though some remain. Currently, goods covered by the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement are exempt from tariffs.

Trump holds cabinet meeting after tariff delay

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Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said trade negotiations with the U.S. wont begin until after the countrys parliamentary elections later this month.

That means U.S. businesses are going to have to continue to grapple with uncertainty, unsure how severe tariffs will be and whether the trade war will escalate.

What I am hearing, including in meetings today, is that people have no sense of certainty. They cannot plan, they cannot make decisions, said Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich. I wouldnt judge any company in America who says, well, today the policy is theyve removed from of the tariffs but tomorrow, what could happen? This is a deep level of uncertainty that no adult can function on.

Messaging from the White House has been clear, the Trump administration saying both Canada and Mexico need to be prepared for a new era of North American trade that could mean drastic changes for everyone.

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Howden has completed the acquisition of Barnett Waddingham, a consultancy based in the UK that offers insurance, risk, pensions and investments services.

The financial terms of the deal, first announced last month, have not been revealed.

The newly merged company employs 4,000 professionals in the pensions and benefits sector, generating revenues of approximately 500m.

All of the Barnett Waddingham partners have reinvested into Howden, demonstrating their long-term commitment to the business, Barnett Waddingham said in its press release.

The merged company will deliver a complete range of employee benefits and pensions advisory services to corporate clients across multinational corporations, small and medium-sized enterprises, and both the private and public sectors.

Additionally, it will offer health, life and specialised pension products to individuals.

Barnett Waddingham senior partner Andrew Vaughan said: "We are delighted to begin our long-term journey with Howden now that the deal is officially complete. This significantly enhances our ability to deliver greater value to clients through expanded capabilities, alongside Howden's impressive global reach and expertise."

In February, Howden purchased Forbes Insurance, an aviation specialist, and the book of business from Hill Aviation Insurance Services.

The two entities rebranded under Howden, leading to the creation of a new specialist aviation division within Howden UK&I, as well as a new office in Leicester, UK.

Recently, Howden launched the Howden Auto Tracker, a new automated follow-form facility that aligns tracker capacity with algorithmic capacity, providing brokers with streamlined access to both from a unified data source.

"Howden wraps up Barnett Waddingham purchase " was originally created and published by Life Insurance International, a GlobalData owned brand.




Federal officials have begun contacting University of California faculty members for an antisemitism probe after the school complied with a subpoena from the Trump administration seeking the personal information of around 900 faculty members, two UC employees with knowledge of the situation told POLITICO.

The employees, who were granted anonymity to speak candidly, said federal officials have begun reaching out and speaking with faculty members last week, raising concern from faculty that the federal government is trying to pit them against each other as President Donald Trump continues to cut funding from top universities around the country.

The university sent information the administration requested for all faculty who signed open letters about the schools response following the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission following a subpoena from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, according to a letter sent March 27 by Charles Robinson, the UCs chief legal officer. That information includes the employees position, date of hire, personal phone number and email address and whether the person is a current or former employee.

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Victor Chen, a spokesperson for the EEOC, said the agency  which enforces federal laws regarding workplace discrimination  is prohibited by federal law from commenting on investigations. UC spokesperson Rachel Zaentz released a statement saying the UC remains committed to protecting the privacy of its community members, while complying with its legal obligation in responding to the agency requests.

One faculty member received a call Saturday from Sara Safriet, an attorney with the Department of Justices Civil Rights Division, seeking information about the employees individual experience as a potential witness, according to a voicemail recording shared with POLITICO.

Safriet did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

While Trump has not pulled federal funding yet from the University of California, several UCs are on the shortlist of schools under federal investigation into alleged antisemitic discrimination and harassment. Cornell and Northwestern on Wednesday became the latest universities to have funding blocked, increasing the known number of schools to seven.

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Some faculty who have received a notice from the EEOC are puzzled why they are getting contacted, according to Constance Penley, president of the Council of UC Faculty Associations. The council, an umbrella organization for faculty associations at each UC campus, urged faculty members in a letter to resist the federal governments McCarthyist divide-and-conquer tactics, and refuse to participate in such investigations if contacted by the EEOC.

Penley, in an interview, said she believes the Trump administration already knows which faculty members it wants to target. But she thinks the purpose of the subpoena is to strip away the autonomy of the university and pit faculty against each other.

The evil purpose of sending this out to professors who have, in fact, protested antisemitism on campus, is just trying to get them to name names about other faculty on campus, Penley said.

Some members of UC-AFT, a union representing more than 6,800 non-tenured faculty members and librarians, were also targeted. Katie Rodger, the unions president, said in a letter to members that UC-AFT has insisted that the University decline to respond to the subpoena and objects to the university providing personal information without consent.

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In an interview, Rodger pointed to Columbia University officials complying with Trumps demands to get back $400 million in funding, noting the school has yet to see the funding restored.

This is not an attempt just to get information, Rodger said. This is where the EEOC and the Trump administration are asserting power over universities in an attempt to stifle academic freedom and free speech.

In the letter to affected faculty, Robinson wrote that the university was sending their personal information to the federal government because your signature appears on one of the two open letters.

The first, signed by more than 380 faculty members at UC Berkeley and sent shortly after the attack, expressed deepest sympathies to Israelis and to Jews worldwide in this hour of terror and brutal devastation as well as deep sympathy and concern for the people of Gaza as they face a major military onslaught whose impact will indeed be brutal.

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The second letter, sent last May, called for university leadership to do more to protect Jewish students and faculty and had more than 500 signatures.

Robinson told faculty in the March 27 letter that the EEOC may reach out to you as part of its investigation regarding your own experiences at the University, but said they did not have to speak to the agency officials or tell the university if they are cooperating.

During and after the course of EEOCs investigation, UC will continue to seek protection from any improper disclosure of its employees personal information, Robinson wrote.
Rather than present specific evidence of wrongdoing against Palestinian Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil, the Trump administration on Thursday filed a brief memo outlining its power to deport noncitizens based on the beliefs they hold.

The memo signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, first reported by The Associated Press, said Khalils presence in the U.S. could jeopardize U.S. policy to combat anti-Semitism around the world and in the United States, in addition to efforts to protect Jewish students from harassment and violence in the United States, even if his activities were otherwise lawful.

Condoning anti-Semitic conduct and disruptive protests in the United States would severely undermine that significant foreign policy objective, the two-page memo read.

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The memo came in Khalils immigration case after multiple requests by his attorneys for evidence against him. Immigration Judge Jamee Comans requested the feds turn over evidence before he considers arguments at a hearing Friday about Khalils continued detention.

The green card holder, a lawful permanent resident, was taken into custody at his Columbia University-owned apartment on March 8 and told he was being deported for his participation in campus protests against the war in Gaza and Columbias investment ties to Israel.

The following day, Khalil was transported to a detention facility more than 1,000 miles away in Jena, Louisiana. His lawyers in the South and in New York, representing him in a habeas corpus case playing out in New Jersey, have argued for his immediate release, with his wife on the verge of giving birth to their first child.

Khalils immigration attorney, Marc Van Der Hout, in a statement Wednesday said the government had provided no proof or evidence that these charges bear any viability against Mahmoud.

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After a month of hiding the ball since Mahmouds late-night unjust arrest in New York and taking him away to a remote detention center in Louisiana, immigration authorities have finally admitted that they have no case whatsoever against him. Instead, the government is clearly going after Mahmoud and persecuting him for exercising his First Amendment rights, Van Der Hout said in a statement to the Daily News.

The government has charged Mahmoud with a rarely-used provision of the immigration laws targeting the deportation of even lawful permanent residents like Mahmoud  but Secretary of State Marco Rubio has provided no proof or evidence that these charges bear any viability against Mahmoud. Further, Secretary Rubio has shown that this is merely about targeting Mahmouds free speech rights about Palestine.

Spokespeople for the Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to The News requests for comment.

Khalil was the first of several students in the U.S. to be targeted this month as part of Trumps deportation agenda. Rather than accusing Khalil of breaking U.S. laws, the administration has cited an obscure provision in a 1952 law that empowers 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.

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Khalil, 30, who grew up in Palestinian refugee camp in Syria, has vehemently refuted claims his advocacy is born out of antisemitic beliefs or support for Hamas, which the U.S. and other western nations designate as a terrorist group.

(As) a Palestinian student, I believe that the liberation of the Palestinian people and the Jewish people are intertwined and go hand-by-hand and you cannot achieve one without the other, he told CNN in September.

_____
The Trump administrations basis for seeking to strip pro-Palestine activist Mahmoud Khalil of his green card amounts to this: He didnt do anything illegal, but he holds beliefs that go against core American interests.

In a two-page memo from Secretary of State Marco Rubio obtained by the Associated Press, the government alleged that keeping Khalil in the country would undermine U.S. policy to combat anti-Semitism around the world and in the United States, in addition to efforts to protect Jewish students from harassment and violence in the United States.

Otherwise, the memo states, Khalils actions were lawful.

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Condoning anti-Semitic conduct and disruptive protests in the United States would severely undermine that significant foreign policy objective, Rubio wrote.

A federal judge, Jamee Comans, had ordered the government to provide evidence by 5 p.m. Wednesday for its justification to deport Khalil, an Algerian citizen of Palestinian descent and Columbia University graduate who was a spokesperson for student activists at the university during protests last year against Israels brutal war on Gaza. A hearing is scheduled Friday on whether his detention can continue.

Khalils attorneys, Marc Van Der Hout and Johnny Sinodis, said in a joint statement that immigration authorities have finally admitted that they have no case whatsoever against him.

There is not a single shred of proof that Mahmouds presence in America poses any threat, the statement reads.

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When asked if the government had any additional evidence against Khalil, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson, Tricia McLaughlin, provided an emailed statement to the AP stating that DHS did file evidence, but immigration court dockets are not available to the public.

Khalil, who is married to a U.S. citizen due to give birth this month, has been held in a detention center in Louisiana after being arrested and detained by immigration agents last month at his university-owned residence. Khalil wrote in a letter last month from Louisiana that his detention was a direct consequence of exercising my right to free speech as I advocated for a free Palestine and an end to the genocide in Gaza.

Administration officials have alleged that Khalils actions support Hamas but failed to provide any evidence in any court filings. That may very well help Khalil, as Comens said Tuesday that if the governments evidence doesnt support his deportation, then I am going to terminate the case on Friday.
Businesses increasingly are turning to second chance hiring to fill labor gaps, according to speakers at the 2025 Second Chance Forum on April 1. Recruiting from this largely untapped talent pool is mutually beneficial to help businesses meet their needs while providing steady employment and income to formerly incarcerated individuals, speakers said, noting that numerous studies have shown these programs reduce recidivism, or individuals released from prison being recommitted within a short time.

Second chance hiring has been key to JBMs growth, especially in a challenging labor market. Hiring folks that are coming out of prison really is a great answer to many of our issues that we would have with growth, Sheanshang said.

JBM began transitioning its prison workforce program to London about a year ago, and its now fully operational, Sheanshang said. The company is spotlighting the initiatives evolution during Second Chance month, which has been recognized nationally in April since 2017.

The in-prison technical skills-building initiative is part of JBM Packagings broader Fair Chance program, through which it provides employment and ongoing supportive resources to formerly incarcerated individuals. The company launched its fair chance initiative about eight years ago, and more than 125 people have been employed through it during that time.

While the program previously ran at another prison in the state, under the terms of the new agreement with LoCI, JBM is able to pay participants higher wages, Sheanshang said. This is something where we want to do it for a long period of time. For that really to be consistent with who we are as a business, we want to make sure that we're paying people fairly," he said.

Trainees are paid and upon release are hired at JBM, said President and CEO Marcus Sheanshang. The goal is to hire up to three of these individuals per year. Real-world production on the equipment at LoCI is slated to begin in the next few weeks, with expected output of up to 10,000 envelopes per hour.

JBM Packaging is bringing a program to an Ohio prison that teaches technical job skills to individuals who are incarcerated to aid in their successful reentry upon release. The company installed envelope manufacturing equipment at Ohios London Correctional Institution, where participants use it for training as machine adjusters for an average of 32 hours per week for six to 12 months prior to their release.

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For us, second chance hiring is not just the right thing to do, its also good business, Peter Quigley, president and CEO at staffing agency Kelly Services, said during the event. The second chance employees are loyal, theyre hardworking, the amount of turnover is significantly lower. ... If youre in business and want to attract people to your brand, fair chance hiring  our research shows  is good business.

In Virginia, the prison system offers training for 40 different trades and has 170 different programs within those trades, said Chadwick Dotson, director of the Virginia Department of Corrections, during the event. It works with businesses for worker placement as well as collaboratively developing training programs that meet companies evolving needs.

We work with the business community ... to determine what does the workforce need, whos hiring, so we can create programs around that. Were constantly evaluating and re-evaluating our programs, Dotson said.

Partnering with Ohio Penal Industries to create JBM Packagings training program already has proven beneficial in the short time its been running at the London Correctional Institution, Sheanshang said. JBM hired its first employee who completed the program about two months ago, and two other trainees are going through the program right now. When theyre hired, these employees transition into JBMs in-house Better Lives program for previously incarcerated individuals.

The prison system here in Ohio has been great to work with, Sheanshang said. They have painted the entire area where they work in the JBM colors, they've got our core values up there, they've got our purpose up there. They've really taken a lot of pride in JBM.

Starting skills-building while an individual is still in prison gives them a leg up for landing employment upon reentry and provides businesses access to qualified labor, sources say. For instance, the adjuster role that JBM trains for at LoCI is something that takes three to five years to really understand the craft, Sheanshang said. With them being able to work on this equipment for three to six months, they're that much further ahead.

Participants will further boost their skills once production runs start, Sheanshang said. For example, the adjuster will be able to make real-time changes to operations to ensure the line runs at the right speed and the envelopes produced are of expected quality.

JBM Packaging has two folding machines at LoCI. After evaluating the success of production runs, the company likely will look to add another piece of equipment, Sheanshang said, noting the desire to expand to other prisons as well.

Recommended Reading
We recently published a list of Jim Cramers Complete Black Monday Warning Plus 10 Stocks. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Williams-Sonoma Inc. (NYSE:WSM) stands against other stocks that Jim Cramer discusses.

In his appearance on CNBCs Squawk on the Street on Friday as markets were crashing for the second consecutive day, Cramer commented that Chinas decision to announce reciprocal tariffs meant that the world was in a tit-for-tat environment. He outlined:

Well, I think we are in a tit for tat environment. I think that when you look at what they are gonna bang us first, its gonna be ag. It wont feel that much and the President and Congress will give them checks cause thats what we do as a country and weve done since 1933. I do think away from that itll be technology. Or either starting some investigations that are bad.

Cramer also believes that the situation was poorly handled. He has long supported tariffs against Americas trading partners as he believes that American companies are unfairly restricted from selling their goods worldwide. However, he commented that we can go further deep into how poorly weve handled this situation. And Im happy to do that. I think that its very disappointing, for us who would favor fair trade and tariffs. Were still struggling with what exactly they were doing. Uh, for a position that Ive long since held that could have been great. The botching of it is quite extraordinary.

One of Cramers most stunning remarks during the show came when he wondered whether the selloffs on Thursday and Friday were leading to something more diabolical. The full remarks deserve to be quoted:

Okay so on Wednesday, October 14th, I dont know if I have to mention the year, Dow was down 3.8%. On Thursday, October 15th, the Dow was 2.4%. On Friday, October 16th, the Dow fell 4.6%. On Monday, the Dow fell 22.6%. Thats where were are unless the President changes course. Thats called a Black Monday, thats called a 1987. I think thats a very good analogy. The other ones with the April 2000, and then maybe March of 2020. Those are the good ones. The good ones are, I was hoping for a good one. But the best I can come up with is April 2020 when there was, March 2020 when we, that was of course one of the worst declines. But then, the April 2000 and the big switch out of tech and into Bristol Myers and Coca-Cola, that works too. Not initially, but that one works.

Like all of us, Cramers co-host Carl Quintanilla was also stunned. He asked Cramer if he was warning about a true market crash. In response, Cramer added that if you bottom fish Thursday and if you bottom fish Friday in 1987, you slept with the fishes on Monday.
A new federal rule aimed at reducing coal miners exposure to silica dust, a leading cause of black lung disease, has been put on delay until August. (Getty Images)

As President Donald Trump signed several executive orders this week meant to bolster Americas struggling coal industry, miners in Central Appalachia who are responsible for digging up that coal are being left with fewer resources to protect them thanks to federal policies and cuts.

On Tuesday, the federal Mine Health and Safety Administration announced that the implementation of an industry rule to limit miners exposure to dangerous silica dust  a leading cause of black lung disease  was being delayed until August. The rule, finalized last year, was set to go into effect for coal mines on April 14 and would have cut exposure limits for silica dust in half.

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MSHAs announcement of the rules delayed implementation came days after a federal judge, in response to a request from industry groups led by the National Stone, Sand and Gravel Administration, issued a temporary stay against it.

It also comes as the federal government  through the new Department of Government Efficiency  is making cuts to agencies across the region that play instrumental roles in protecting coal miners from disease and accidents.

Under the Trump Administration, DOGE has already targeted about three dozen MSHA offices nationwide for closure. Those offices employ mine inspectors whose jobs are to ensure that coal mine operators are meeting industry standards known to lower the risks of accidents and injuries for coal miners.

According to an analysis from the Appalachian Citizens Law Center, the offices slated for closure performed more than 16,600 safety and health inspections  with more than 230 of those done in West Virginia  between February 2024 and 2025.

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Following the cuts, its unclear how many of those mine inspections will continue to occur.

And last week, DOGEs cuts in the name of federal cost savings hit the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, an agency that plays a crucial role in detecting black lung among the nations coal miners. There, more than 200 jobs were eliminated at the institutes Morgantown location.

In MSHAs public notice posted earlier this week, the agency said that the unforeseen NIOSH restructuring was a direct driver of the agencys decision to delay implementation of the rule.

Until those cuts, Noemi Hall worked as an epidemiologist in NIOSHs Coal Workers Health Surveillance Program. In her work, Hall and her colleagues were responsible for screening coal miners for black lung disease, often through a mobile clinic that traveled between coal mines and coal communities for easy access.

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Those free screenings, Hall said, were crucial for the early detection of black lung, a critical step that can help prevent the disease from developing into its most severe and debilitating form.

What really happened is the Coal Workers Health Surveillance Program, because of the [reduction in force] at NIOSH, well its been completely eliminated, Hall said. It can no longer serve the functions it needs to serve. Coal miners are more vulnerable now, thats the truth of it.

Workers at the CWHSP didnt just perform the screenings  the agency was also tasked with evaluating coal miners results and, when necessary, providing documentation that allowed coal miners to exercise their rights to be transferred to a different, less dusty part of a coal mine if they showed signs of black lung.

Since the NIOSH cuts, however, coal miners havent been able to access their X-rays or results from spirometry tests. And since the CWHSP no longer exists, theres no one to evaluate those results and alert coal miners of their right to transfer.

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Coal miners have lost an essential right that they fought for, Hall said. To exercise that right, they need to have the X-ray reviewed by NIOSH and that function is no longer able to occur.

We dont want to turn back the clock on black lung

Trumps four executive orders this week honed in on four policies that he says will boost production of beautiful, clean coal: ending a moratorium on leasing federal lands for coal mining activities, removing environmental regulations that Trump said slowed approvals for new mining projects, prioritizing grid security and reliability and blocking states from enforcing their own, stricter regulations on coal mining.

But while the Trump administration is demanding more coal be mined in America with fewer protections for the workers, rates of black lung disease are already on the rise, according to a body of research.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that about 20% of coal miners in Central Appalachia are suffering from black lung  the highest rate detected in more than 25 years. One in 20 of the regions coal miners are living with the most severe form of the condition.

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And the resurgence of black lung is hitting coal miners at younger ages than ever before. This is due to miners, because of a lack of easily accessible coal, being forced to dig through more silica-rich sandstone than their predecessors in order to reach what little coal remains.

The proposed silica dust rule would be the first of its kind to limit coal miners exposure to the dangerous dust. Other industries, through the Occupational Health and Safety Administration, have had the same protections in place for years based on decades of research showing the clear harm of inhaling silica dust.

The rule was celebrated by advocates and workers within the coal industry. Former federal officials said that, once implemented, the rule could potentially save thousands of lives by cutting exposure limits in half for workers on an eight hour shift.

But now, with the rule in question and a dearth of workers who are certified to screen and diagnose black lung in Central Appalachia, advocates worry that black lung is going to continue to harm and kill the regions miners. There is no cure for black lung, only disease management.

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Silica dust is killing miners and the only way to help curb the devastation of black lung disease is to start enforcing this rule, said Rebecca Shelton, Director of Policy at Appalachian Citizens Law Center. Instead, the Trump administration just gutted NIOSH, an institution that provided services that were essential to the enforcement of this rule. Rather than recognizing its mistake and working to reestablish NIOSH, the administration is doubling down on eliminating protections for miners and delaying this rule.

Hall said she was incredibly proud of the work she was able to do through NIOSH. But now, she said, its hard for her to think about what comes next for the coal miners shes worked with and those who will eventually enter the industry.

What we do at NIOSH  all the research, the screenings, everything we do  its done for the benefit of the coal miners, Hall said. Our goal is to help protect coal miners, to make sure they can work safely and be protected. Thats good for the nation and without [protections] I dont know where we go; we dont want to turn back the clock on black lung.

I want to get back to work

After Trump announced his coal industry executive orders on Tuesday, West Virginias congressional delegation was quick to celebrate what they saw as wins for the states struggling coal economy.

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These executive orders are welcome news for our miners and the entire industry, and I am glad we have a president that recognizes the need to support them, said Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va.

Sen. Jim Justice, R-W.Va.  whose family operates multiple coal mines that have been subject to dozens of fines due to health and safety violations  said he was proud to stand with Trump in ensuring that West Virginia can continue to lead the way in energy production for generations to come.

And Rep. Carol Miller, R-W.Va., said the orders will help create jobs and improve the states economy.

No one works harder than a West Virginia coal miner, and I thank President Trump for his commitment to the coal industry and West Virginia, Miller said.

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Meanwhile, no statements have come from the delegation regarding the delay of the silica rule or the potential vulnerability of West Virginias coal miners as they are being asked to mine more coal.

The strongest statement has come from Capito, who told reporters last week that she had strong disagreements with DOGEs cuts in the state, specifically at NIOSH. She said she planned to talk to Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. about the cuts, but no further announcements on the subject have been made.

Last year, when House Republicans attempted to halt the implementation of the silica rule by blocking funding for it, Capito  who sits on the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations  declined to comment on the proposed legislation or the rule.

And none of the states congressional delegation has signed on to support the Robert C. Byrd Mine Safety Protection Act, which would increase inspections at mines, enhance enforcement measures and penalties, modernize safety standards and levy more rights for coal miners.

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For Hall, its difficult to watch what the government is doing  or, moreso, not doing  for the regions coal miners. But overall, she said, she knows good people are in the government. She considers herself and all of her colleagues who worked at the CWHSP as part of that government.

Now, she said, she wants to ensure people know what the real impact of these policy decisions will be.

I know the government is full of people who care very deeply about the American people. Thats what I felt I was doing, and I would love to have the opportunity to continue to do that  to help my neighbors, help coal miners, Hall said. I dont want whats happening to be accepted. I dont want it to be what I did at NIOSH or what I used to do there. We need to continue doing this work, and I want to get back to work.

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President Donald Trump on Wednesday sought to explain his decision to abruptly reverse most of his aggressive global tariffs, claiming it was made from the heart.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump announced he was reducing tariffs on all countries except China to 10% for 90 days, rather than the higher rates he had originally announced.

Asked how he came to change his mind, even though the White House had said there were no plans for a reversal, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office he had been discussing the idea of a pause with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick over the last few days.

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Of his social media post announcing the pause, he said Wednesday, I think it probably came together early this morning, fairly early this morning, just wrote it up.

We didnt have access to lawyers, he added. We wrote it up from our hearts, right? It was written from the heart. And I think it was well written too, but it was written from the heart. It was written as something that I think was very positive for the world and for us, and we dont want to hurt countries that dont need to be hurt.

President Trump on tariff pause: "We don't want to hurt countries that don't need to be hurt." pic.twitter.com/TIpa3KXiWv  CSPAN (@cspan) April 9, 2025

In separate remarks, Trump conceded his original aggressive tariff strategy was making people anxious, but suggested he was courageous for choosing to implement the painful policy in the first place.

They were getting a little bit yippy, a little bit afraid, he said. No other president would have done what I did. No other president. I know the presidents, they wouldnt have done it.

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Sources told The New York Times Trumps change of heart was prompted by the economic upheaval his tariffs prompted, including the jump in government bond yields.

Trump also told advisers he knew that his tariff strategy could lead the U.S. into a recession, but wanted to make sure to avoid a depression, according to The Wall Street Journal.

The Journal also described Bessents role as key to the policy shift. Bessent traveled to Florida over the weekend to meet with the president, urging him to signal he was open to negotiating with the countries targeted. Following their meeting, the treasury secretary assumed a more prominent role in communicating the administrations strategy.

Trump on Wednesday chose to escalate his trade war with China, raising tariffs on the country to 125%, as the standoff between the worlds two largest economies shows no signs of winding down.

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A federal judge on Thursday denied Donald Trumps motion to dismiss a new defamation lawsuit from the Central Park Five.

In a 20-page filing, Pennsylvania District Court Judge Wendy Beetlestone ruled that Trumps recent comments about the group of five Back and Hispanic men, who were wrongly convicted of assault and rape in 1989, could not be defended as substantially true.

The lawsuit was filed in October 2024 after a 2024 presidential debate, during which Kamala Harris reminded viewers that Trump was the same individual who took out a full-page ad in The New York Times calling for the execution of five young Black and Latino boys who were innocent, the Central Park Five. Took out a full-page ad calling for their execution.

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Trump responded, claiming that a lot of people, including Mayor Bloomberg, agreed with me on the Central Park Five.

They admittedthey said, they pled guilty. And I said, well, if they pled guilty they badly hurt a person, killed a person ultimately. And if they pled guiltythen they pled were not guilty. But this is a person that has to stretch back years, 40, 50 years ago because theres nothing now, Trump said.

Beetlestone ruled that Trumps statements could be objectively determined to be false, so his statement could be construed as fact, not opinion.

Here, Plaintiffs were not just in the process of being exonerated, their name had been cleared for over twenty years, so Defendant cannot argue that stating that they pleaded guilty to crimes is substantially true, when the truth is that Plaintiffs are not guilty at all of those crimes, she wrote.

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She added that the plaintiffs had plausibly alleged actual malice by demonstrating that Trump was closely familiar with the Central Park Fives not-guilty plea, conviction, and subsequent exoneration and therefore knew that they were not guilty and had not hurt or killed anyone at all.

Beetlestone ruled to dismiss the plaintiffs claims of intentional infliction of emotional distress and a defamation-by-implication theory included in their original complaint. She wrote that they would be permitted to amend their complaint to omit those arguments.
President Donald Trump has instructed federal agencies and their assigned DOGE teams to repeal any existing regulations that are inconsistent with his priorities without providing advance notice or going through the traditional public input process.

The move accelerates the White Houses sprawling efforts to dismantle the federal regulatory machine, although Trumps directive to skip the notice-and-comment process will likely face legal challenges. It also may squeeze out contrarian voices  such as civil rights advocates, labor unions and environmentalist groups  from weighing in on the administrations deregulatory campaign.

Trumps Wednesday presidential memo instructs agency leaders to move forward with a government-wide review-and-repeal effort, citing 10 recent Supreme Court rulings to assert that they can proceed much more quietly because many existing regulations have now been rendered illegal. The normal notice-and-comment proceedings are unnecessary where repeal is required as a matter of law to ensure consistency with a ruling of the United States Supreme Court, Trump wrote.

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The White House directive appears to claim that the high courts 2024 ruling known as Loper Bright applies retroactively, although the courts conservative justices held explicitly that the decision is forward-looking.

The Loper Bright ruling overturned the Reagan-era Chevron precedent, which gave agencies primary discretion to interpret certain ambiguous federal laws and regulations rather than the courts.

We do not call into question prior cases that relied on the Chevron framework, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in the majority opinion. The holdings of those cases that specific agency actions are lawful  including the Clean Air Act holding of Chevron itself  are still subject to statutory stare decisis despite our change in interpretive methodology.

Trump wrote nonetheless that recent rulings require the repeal of unlawful regulations  often promulgated in reliance on now-superseded Supreme Court decisions.

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The legal advocacy group Democracy Forward said in a statement that Trumps actions are unlawful and harmful to the public.

The policies and programs that the nation has put in place, and that have served communities for decades, cannot be undone with the arbitrary stroke of a pen, Democracy Forward President Skye Perryman said. Perryman pledged that her organization will see this administration in court to protect people and democracy.

The Supreme Court cases cited in the memo stretch back to 2015 and were mostly decided by the courts conservative majority. Most involved litigation against the EPA, which could signal a more aggressive push to roll back that agencys pollution rules and other regulations.

The White House also cited a ruling that established the major questions doctrine, which instructs judges to presume that Congress doesnt give agencies power over matters with major, national economic and political impact. Its inclusion could give agency heads almost unbounded discretion to repeal rules and regulations, including long-standing agency policies.

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To bypass the traditional public review process, Trump pointed to an exception laid out in the Administrative Procedure Act. The law requires agencies to issue public notice that explains their reasoning and identifies their legal authority to change rules and regulations. It also allows stakeholders and members of the public to submit comments and propose modifications before those rules are finalized. In effect, rescinding or repealing a rule requires an agency to issue a new formulation to replace the old rule.

There is also a good cause exception in the law that allows agencies to skip the notice-and-comment process when it would be impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest.

Retaining and enforcing facially unlawful regulations is clearly contrary to the public interest, Trump wrote in the memo.
Drill, baby, drill.

It was the slogan that powered Donald Trumps return to the White House and promised the revival of Americas fossil fuel industry.

However, that pledge is already at risk of falling apart after the presidents tariff blitz triggered the biggest oil crisis since the pandemic.

While Trump has hit pause on higher tariffs on most countries for 90 days  excluding China  escalating fears of a global recession have led to oil prices plunging since the start of the month, as Trumps liberation day announcement stunned investors.

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The fear is such that some leading oilmen have sounded the alarm, with Formentera Partners managing partner Bryan Sheffield warning of a bloodbath ... The industry needs to cut immediately and hunker down to let the tariff war play out.

Oil prices, which hovered at about $80 a barrel when Trump took office, fell below the crucial $60 threshold for both West Texas Intermediate (WTI) and Brent crude yesterday. Despite enjoying a short reprieve last night, with Brent reaching $65 and WTI reaching $61, they could dip again with tariffs on China now 125pc.

US oil producers are likely to shut down at least 25 drilling rigs, according to the investment bank Citigroup, which warned that this number will surge if prices fall again.

Scott Gruber, a Citi analyst, says: A drop into the upper $50s likely results in a bigger psychological impact with the rig count potentially falling by about 75 and production down more than 300,000 barrels a day.

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No assessment has been made on how Trumps latest move will play out, but, in the worst-case scenario, Goldman Sachs has predicted that WTI could fall as low as $51 by December next year. Such forecasts have sent shares in the biggest oil producers in America such as BP and Chevron tumbling over the past month.

According to Simon Johnson, the former chief economist of the IMF, oil producers are screaming that the price is too low.

All of which is a far cry from what Trump had promised voters, including those in the oil and gas industry, which donated tens of millions of dollars to his re-election campaign.

The consequences of this latest crisis are huge. America is one of the worlds biggest energy exporters, producing 93m tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) each year and an average of 13.2m barrels of oil a day.

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Following Trumps election win, oil and gas companies pledged billions of dollars to ramp up production further. However, the oil crisis sparked by the presidents tariffs is now raising questions about whether these investments are still feasible.

Before the tariff climbdown on Wednesday, Harold Hamm, an oil magnate and Trump donor, suggested that the numbers no longer add up. When you get down to that $50 oil that you talked about, then youre below the point where youre going to drill, baby, drill, the Continental Resources chairman told Bloomberg recently.

All of which could help explain one of Trumps boldest demands to date, as he called for the EU to buy $350bn (275bn) of American oil and gas to lift tariffs. We have a deficit with the European Union of $350bn and its going to disappear fast, Trump told a press briefing earlier this week. One of the ways that that can disappear easily and quickly is theyre going to have to buy our energy from us ... They can buy it, we can knock off $350bn in one week. They have to buy and commit to buy a similar amount of energy.

It was a remark, insiders say, that created both confusion and clarity for the EUs negotiators. Confusion because Trumps demands were so irrational that the EU could never agree to them and clarity because it showed how unlikely it was that Brussels would ever win a trade deal.

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The European Union has already lined up tariffs on 21bn (18bn) worth of US goods in response to Trumps metal tariffs announced last month. Current data highlights that the EU exported 532bn of goods to the US in 2024 and imported 333bn, creating a 199bn trade deficit.

Of this, the EU imported 42bn worth of crude oil, 10bn of refined oils and 16.2bn of LNG  totalling about 70bn.

It means that last year the EU received around 45pc of its LNG from America and 10pc of its oil.

Seb Kennedy, an energy analyst, says Trumps claims are illogical and disruptive for an industry that needs political stability to thrive. The value of EU imports of US oil, LNG and coal was 79.1bn in 2023 and 65bn in 2024, he says. That tells us two things: First, US-EU trade has fallen 18pc or 14bn, in one year. Second, US energy trade is just 19pc of the US-EU trade deficit, so it would have to increase five-fold to bridge the gap.

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This is impossible for numerous reasons, not least because the US shale industry and coal miners simply cannot increase their output to meet this fantastical level of heightened output even this decade.

As for the fallout from tariffs, producers are increasingly exposed to the threat of retaliation, particularly if tensions keep rising between America and China. For example, China imported 77m tonnes of US LNG in 2024, although this fell to zero in March after Trump kick-started his trade war, according to data from the London Stock Exchange. They found that Chinese buyers of US LNG were instead looking further afield for their supplies.

China Resources Gas recently agreed to purchase LNG from Australias Woodside Energy Group for 15 years, starting in 2027, marking the first long-term supply deal of its kind in years. That same trend saw US total gas exports plummet from $3.3bn in December to $2.7bn in February, accounting for a near-20pc decline. The number of gas rigs engaged in drilling operations  an indicator of future production  also fell by five to 96.

Experts are now predicting that the growing threat to Americas oil industry could boost its competitors overseas. Greg Newman, the chief executive of Onyx Capital, an oil trading advisory firm, said: The retaliatory tariffs will hurt US producers. Worse still, this will benefit the Saudis and the Opec cartel.

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Saudi Arabia has already responded by cutting their official selling prices, which looks to us like an attempt to grab market share.

This is perhaps why Trump is targeting the EU with such aggressive demands, according to Newman, who adds that the bloc is particularly vulnerable because it has cut ties with Russia.

Only the US can help the Continent significantly bolster its supplies, he says, suggesting Trump wants to force the Europeans into a long-term deal that will keep American producers busy for years to come.

The EU are in the worst position here from a negotiation standpoint, says Newman. For US oil and gas exporters, a deal with the EU would mean they can fix their forward supply and then sit back whilst Trump starts to put policies in place to lower domestic prices. This would be very much a win-win for everyone in the US if he pulls it off.

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However, the energy analyst Ana Maria Jaller-Makarewicz believes it is a fantasy to think the EU will ever meet Trumps demands to enter into such a vast energy trade deal with the US. Not just because his numbers are wrong, she says, but also because EU demand is plummeting.

Its important to highlight that EU gas demand is expected to continue decreasing, and the blocs need for LNG imports in the future is expected to diminish, she says.

That decline in demand will also coincide with a potential glut, according to Andreas Schroeder at ICIS, the commodity trade analysts.

The US plans to nearly double its LNG export capacity towards 2030, he says. Adding to this, Qatar will add a lot of capacities until 2030. This means there is a huge wave of LNG entering the market in the coming years. We expect years of oversupply after 2026.

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For the EU and, to a lesser extent, the UK, however, the immediate problem is how to deal with Trumps demands to buy $350bn of American energy Ngozi Emeagi, an analyst with the London Stock Exchange Group, points out that America is actually incapable of producing that much oil and gas.

We forecast total US LNG exports for 2025 at -149 bcm, which equates to $60bn-62bn.

But even if Europe secured 100pc of LNG exports, that would leave around $290bn needed in oil purchases. That would equate to 90pc of US oil production. It would be impossible for the US to export that much oil and still meet domestic needs.

Kennedy puts it more bluntly: If you stare into the idiocy of Trumpian energy trade, tariffs, diplomatic belligerence, and wilful ignorance towards the real-world constraints of market economics, it becomes both mesmerising and terrifying.

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Some of the 40 residents of New London who came out Wednesday morning to support migrants, many of whom work at Tyson Foods across the street from where they held a rally. (Photo by Jason Kerzinkski for the Wisconsin Examiner)

In 2023 a group of Haitian immigrants began arriving in the central Wisconsin community of New London.

The Haitians were admitted to the U.S. through a humanitarian parole program in response to lawlessness and deadly violence in their homeland. The newcomers became part of the community, said immigration attorney Marc Chistopher, a New London resident whose law offices are in Appleton and Milwaukee.

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Their children go to school with our children, Christopher told the Wisconsin Examiner Wednesday morning. They worship in the same churches. They eat at the same restaurants. They join the same civic organizations. Theyre in the gyms. Theyre our friends, more importantly, and theyre our co-workers. So theyre a part of our community and part of our fabric and we welcome them.

The legal refugee program through which they were admitted includes a work authorization. More than 100 of the new immigrants ended up working at a Tyson Foods plant in New London, processing and packaging chicken. Others went to work at stores in the community or in other jobs.

In late March, however, the Trump administration told more than a half-million people from Haiti, Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela that they were no longer welcome. The order from the Department of Homeland Security, terminating humanitarian parole for about 532,000 refugees from the four nations, is one of a flurry of orders targeting millions of immigrants in the U.S. since President Donald Trump took office.

Haitians in New London were among those covered by the March 25 order. They were notified through an online account assigned to every humanitarian parole refugee, Christopher said.

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Your parole will terminate upon the earlier of (1) your original parole expiration date or (2) April 24, 2025, states a Homeland Security message to one of Christophers clients, shared with the Wisconsin Examiner. You should depart the United States now, but no later than the date of the termination of your parole. Failure to timely depart may have adverse immigration consequences.

Since the notices arrived, Christopher has been scrambling, trying to help a handful of people who hope they might qualify to stay in the U.S. Other New London residents have been organizing on behalf of their new Haitian neighbors.

On Wednesday morning Christopher and his wife, Eloise DeLeon, also an immigration attorney, joined about 40 residents of New London gathered across the street from the local Tyson plant, carrying signs advertising their support for the Haitian workers there and hoping to send a message to the community.

The message is intended for everyone, said one participant, Sue Krejcarek. There are people who maybe were Republicans, voted Republican, but dont agree with this. Its OK to protest against things you dont agree with, whether you voted Republican, Democrat. When something is wrong, you stand up for it.

Emily Tseffos, left, with the grassroots group Forward New London, organized a rally Wednesday morning to support migrants in the community whose legal authorization has been revoked by the Trump administration. (Photo by Jason Kerzinkski for the Wisconsin Examiner)

Emily Tseffos helped organize the demonstration along with a group of New London activists.

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These folks have established life here because they were expecting to be able to stay here, Tseffos said. They came here through legal means. And they are working and paying taxes and they are going to schools and they are dreaming of starting businesses.

School officials have been working closely with the Haitian families, Tseffos said, and teachers who have the children of Haitian parents in their classrooms participated in the Wednesday morning rally. Community volunteers have been offering financial help with bills and groceries as the immigrant families grapple with the sudden command to go or face deportation.

They were not planning on having 30 days notice to leave, Tseffos said. And so its really sad to see that these folks that are doing everything right and everything theyre supposed to be doing are now facing deportation in a couple weeks here.

In addition to the notification from the federal government, Tyson plant employees who were permitted to work under the humanitarian parole program have received letters from the company telling them that their employment authorization will expire April 23  the day before their deadline to leave the U.S.

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Christopher said that he has sought to put together applications for a small number of people for whom he could make a case for asylum.

An asylum claim is one of the more difficult and time-consuming things I do as an attorney, he said. Asylum claims are decided on a case-by-case basis and require extensive factual details. Claims perceived as frivolous can meet with severe penalties.

An asylum applicant cannot get a work authorization for six months, however, Christopher said. That means even if the application is granted, if they lose their work on April 24, those families have no means for supporting themselves, he said.

Both DeLeon and Christopher are former prosecutors, and DeLeon is a former municipal judge. So I understand the rule of law, following rules, right? DeLeon said. But this [following rules] is what our clients did.

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Christopher remains outraged at the way his neighbors lives have been overturned. Theyve been promised they could stay here, he said. They came through legally, and theyve been vetted.

To be suddenly ejected is not good for them, Christopher said. And its not good for our community, either.

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Election workers process ballots at the Arapahoe County Elections Facility in Littleton, Colorado. (Carl Payne, for Colorado Newsline)

This article was originally published by Votebeat, a nonprofit news organization covering local election administration and voting access.

Votebeat is a nonprofit news organization reporting on voting access and election administration across the U.S. Sign up for Votebeat Michigans free newsletter here.

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Thousands of Michigan voters  including scores of military members and their families  could see their voting rights curtailed if President Donald Trumps recent executive order on voting is allowed to take effect.

The order, issued late last month, introduces major changes to how elections would be run. Among its most concerning provisions for those who serve in the military or live outside the U.S.: a requirement that all voters submit proof of citizenship and that all ballots, including those coming from abroad, must arrive by the close of polls on Election Day to be counted.

Voters who live overseas or serve in the military are largely protected by the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, known as UOCAVA. It guarantees that those living away from their home states or around the world can still cast their ballots.

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The order represents the latest in a series of Republican attacks on UOCAVA voting, which has historically seen bipartisan support. Conspiracy theories have stoked the belief that the program  which has shown no evidence of fraud  might be used in some way to steal elections. But for the nearly 22,000 Michigan voters who used the program to cast their ballots last year, this new assault could simply make voting more difficult.

Trumps order would change several key aspects of election administration, but it offers two key components that could hurt military voters. The first: voters registering would have to prove their citizenship. Citizenship is already required to vote in U.S. elections although documentary proof is not, and violators face harsh penalties.

Somehow voters are going to have to find a way to send a passport, or maybe a picture of a passport, but I can tell you that can pose a security risk of identity theft, said Susan Dzieduszycka-Suinat, founder of the Overseas Vote Foundation. Email goes through multiple servers before its delivered, and it could go through countries we dont realize. Is it going to bounce? Can that email be intercepted? Or should we send a paper version of our passport? That shouldnt travel around.

Voters who live abroad already have to jump through a number of hoops to cast their ballot, she said. While it could be possible to go to the closest consulate cto prove citizenship, the U.S. has been considering closing some of these offices in several countries.

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This isnt very well thought through, she added. The requirement to show up in person would decimate us.

While many people who live overseas have a passport, which would be an acceptable verification of citizenship under the order, there is no requirement for members of the military to have a passport. Servicemembers can use their military IDs to travel for work if needed  another ID named in the order  but those dont typically have any indication of citizenship. The Department of Defense has remained quiet on what that could look like for those serving overseas.

One of the other most significant changes would be the declaration that all ballots must be in by Election Day to be counted. Michigan is one of several states that allows military and overseas voters to return ballots within a few days after the election as long as it is postmarked in time.

Thats not just state law  its a right that was amended into the Michigan Constitution when voters overwhelmingly approved Proposal 2 in 2022. Previously, those ballots had to be received by the close of polls, but voters living out of the country now get six additional days for their ballots to arrive and still be counted.

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That helps to combat not only the complex process of getting mail from overseas but also recent problems with the U.S. postal system as well, said Barb Byrum, Ingham County Clerk, after the order was announced.

This would disenfranchise many of our military and overseas voters, she said.

Cheri Hardmon, spokesperson for the Michigan Secretary of States office, confirmed that 1,440 ballots came during the extended window in November, including more than 300 military ballots.

Across the U.S., each state sets its own deadline for UOCAVA ballots to come in. Michigan and Texas each give voters six days after the election, while Pennsylvania voters get a week. In Arizona and many other states, though, the ballot is due by the time polls close on Election Day. The deadlines for the return of UOCAVA ballots are typically independent of the deadline for mail ballots for local voters.

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Michigan has been at the center of many of the fights over overseas voting. For example, the Republican National Committee sued Michigan and other battleground states last year after Trump alleged without proof that Democrats would use UOCAVA to receive ballots by email.

In the Michigan suit, the RNC took issue with Secretary of State Jocelyn Bensons guidance to local clerks. In it, Benson advised them that a United States citizen who has never resided in the United States but who has a parent, legal guardian, or spouse who was last domiciled in Michigan is eligible to vote in Michigan as long as the citizen has not registered or voted in another state.

Such an allowance is standard under UOCAVA to cover the adult children of U.S. servicemembers who grew up overseas, for example. Those people are considered Michigan residents under voting law. But the RNC alleged such advice meant the state was allowing non-Michigan residents to cast ballots. A Michigan Court of Claims judge slapped down the suit shortly before voting started last year but the case is now making its way through appeals.

The Secure Families Initiative, one of the groups that has filed lawsuits against the executive order, alleges that Trump overstepped his office when issuing the order. Secure Families is a group of military family members who focus on protecting the military vote and civil rights, including filing an amicus brief in the RNC suit with the ACLU of Michigan.

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Their lawsuit against Trumps executive order, joined by the League of United Latin American Citizens and the Arizona Students Association, is one of several in the weeks since the order was released.

Nicole Meek, an Air Force spouse who works with SFIs voting rights leadership team, said it has already been hard for military families to vote, and those real and perceived barriers further limit participation.

Increasing any one of these restrictions would only further disenfranchise military voters, Meek said.

Her family lives in a different state than the one she votes in, and even just renewing her drivers license for her home state can be difficult and require months of planning. Casting a ballot often feels like an even bigger task, one that requires voters to know theyre planning to vote as soon as their ballot arrives so they dont risk postal failures or other timing issues.

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Shes seen it happen to her husband, to her friends  basically everyone she knows has struggled to get their hands on a ballot then get that ballot back to where it belongs.

Even when youre following all the rules, theres so many stories like this, she said. Military voters should get the benefit of the postmark date. Thats the case in many states, but eliminating that would disenfranchise so many people.

Continued attacks on a secure way of voting could be dangerous, Dzieduszycka-Suinat said. UOCAVA has always been bipartisan, not to mention secure and increasingly efficient. The new executive order has come with limited guidance and the federal government entities who might provide support have remained silent.

People say, well, how am I going to do that? Then they panic, she said. Everybody knows that every time you add another step into the process, you chip away at the number of people doing it.

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She found some comfort in the idea that the order is likely to be gutted by the courts, but the introduction alone was enough to give her pause.

The rights havent been taken away, not yet, she said, but  if its really going to happen, this is definitely going to be a scourge on all overseas voters and suppress participation in elections.

Hayley Harding is a reporter for Votebeat based in Michigan. Contact Hayley at hharding@votebeat.org.

Votebeat is a nonprofit news organization covering local election integrity and voting access. Sign up for their newsletters here.
The House of Representatives passed a bill Wednesday brought by one California Republican to limit the ability of federal judges to pass rulings that have national impact  a pet issue that President Trump has seized on as his administration faces a litany of lawsuits since taking office.

"In recent years, it has become glaringly obvious that federal judges are overstepping their constitutional bounds," Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Bonsall) said on the House floor Wednesday. "A district judge needs to be confined to their district and to people who are in their district."

The No Rogue Rulings Act would limit federal judges ability to issue nationwide injunctions by curtailing their ability to make decisions that affect people outside their district.

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Read more: Trump wants to rein in federal judges. One California Republican is already working on it

Democratic leaders ordered their party to vote against the bill and instead forced a vote to replace it with a resolution condemning a rise in violence against federal judges  including in rhetoric from Trump and his advisor Elon Musk. The resolution failed.

The bill passed with all but one Republican vote. Every Democrat voted against it.

"Since President Trump has returned to office, left-leaning activists have cooperated with ideological judges who they have sought out to take their cases and weaponized nationwide injunctions to stall dozens of lawful executive actions and initiatives," Issa said in his floor speech.

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Trump offered his support for the idea weeks ago, posting on his social media platform Truth Social, Unlawful Nationwide Injunctions by Radical Left Judges could very well lead to the destruction of our Country!

Issa blasted federal judges for the myriad injunctions against Trump's executive actions. When introducing the bill to the House Judiciary Committee, he brought a chart, pointing to the 64 injunctions Trump received in his first term  far above former Presidents Biden (14), Obama (12) or Bush (6).

Read more: Markets soar as Trump pauses most global tariffs, escalates trade war with China

The injunctions are nothing more than partisan judicial overreach and have disrupted the presidents ability to carry out his lawful constitutional duty, Issa said at the committee hearing. This has allowed activist judges to shape national policy across the entire country  something this Constitution never contemplated.

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But Democrats argue that federal judges are doing their jobs, and that curbing their ability could cause chaos if their rulings are effective only within certain districts and not others.

"If you don't like the injunctions, don't do illegal, unconstitutional stuff  it's that simple," Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) said Wednesday. "Nationwide injunctions play an essential role in protecting our democracy and holding the political branches accountable."

Lena Zwarensteyn, advisor to the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, which joined more than 50 other organizations in sending a letter to Congress opposing the measure, called it "rigging the judiciary in favor of Trump."

"Congressional efforts that seek to undermine the independence and fairness of the judiciary are blatant attempts to appease a president who thinks hes king, and they seek to usher in autocracy in ways that should alarm everyone," Zwarensteyn said in a statement.

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Politicians from both parties have grumbled over the years about any one federal judge's ability to pass rulings that have national impact. Already, nationwide injunctions from district judges often are appealed and, if reversed, wind up in the Supreme Court.

The bill now heads to the Senate.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Keros Therapeutics board of directors has authorised a poison pill defence in response to increasing investor interest in influencing the companys control.

The move comes after certain investors  including one individual holding 11.2% of Keross outstanding common stock as of 6 April 2025  expressed a desire to shape the companys strategic decisions.

US-based Keros stated that the limited-duration stockholder rights plan is designed to protect the integrity of its ongoing strategic review process, which could include the potential sale of the company.

As a result of the announcement, Keross shares jumped by 13%, reaching $11.67 per share at market open. The company confirmed it has initiated a process to evaluate strategic alternatives and plans to provide updates on the process within 60 days of the 10 April announcement.

This update follows a series of challenges faced by Keros related to its cibotercept clinical programme for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). In December 2024, Keros halted higher-dose cohorts from the Phase II TROPOS study (NCT05975905) after a safety review revealed concerning adverse events, including fluid buildup around the heart  a development that saw the companys shares plunge by more than 77%.

Keros suspended the two higher-dose groups and eventually ended the study in January 2025, citing the ongoing safety review due to new observations of pericardial effusion adverse events.

The candidate was positioned as a rival to MSDs PAH drug Winrevair (sotatercept). The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Winrevair in March 2024 and it is projected to reach blockbuster status, generating up to $6.4bn in global sales by 2030, as per GlobalData, the parent company of Pharmaceutical Technology.

Keross lead candidate is a TGF-beta inhibitor dubbed elritercept. The candidate is being investigated in the ongoing Phase III RENEW study (NCT06499285), targeting transfusion-dependent anaemia in very low, low or intermediate-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) patients.

In December 2024, Takeda inked a deal worth up to $1.3bn with Keros to further develop, manufacture and commercialise elritercept worldwide outside of mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau. According to GlobalDatas Pharma Intelligence Center, elritercept is projected to generate up to $425m in 2030, if approved.

Keros is also advancing its pipeline with KER-065, a candidate for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), which has shown positive early-stage results. The company announced in March 2025 that KER-065 was well tolerated in Phase I trials, with evidence of activin inhibition across tissues of interest. Following this announcement, Keros said it plans to engage with regulatory authorities in Q3 2025, with a Phase II trial for DMD expected to begin in Q1 2026, pending regulatory feedback.
The highest form of freedom in a democracy isnt just the right to vote or protestits the right to speak truth to power. To call out corruption. To challenge lies. To stand firm when the powerful demand silence. This is the freedom that sustains all others.

And its the one Donald Trump tried to crush Wednesday with the stroke of a pen.

When he signed an executive order directing the Justice Department to investigate Chris Krebs and Miles Taylortwo public servants whose only crime was telling the truthTrump didnt just abuse his office. He weaponized the government against honesty itself.

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This wasnt law enforcement: It was political vengeance. This wasnt democracy: It was a warning shot from the edge of autocracy. And if we let this slideif we treat it as just another Trump headlinewe are inviting the next strongman to do the same, only worse.

The freedom to speak truth to power is either sacred, or its gone.

Thus, Donald Trump just moved America miles down the road toward our becoming a police state. Theres no other way to describe it.

His E.O. demanding criminal investigations into Chris Krebs and Miles Taylorand his public statement that Taylor is a traitor guilty of treasonare nothing short of a blatant assault on the rule of law and a perilous step toward turning America into a dictatorship.

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This isnt just about settling personal scores; its a calculated move to instill fear, silence dissent, and dismantle the very foundations of our democratic institutions.

Can you imagine yourself being called a traitor by the president of the United States and thus potentially facing prison? Having to hire expensive attorneys, which may well force you to sell your home to pay for defending yourself? Not to mention having to protect yourself and your family from the right-wing enforcers who are probably at this moment doxxing and threatening Krebs and Taylor?

This echoes tactics used by autocrats throughout history: Stalins purges, Nixons enemies list (though less successfully executed), and more recently, Orban in Hungary, Duterte in the Philippines, or Putin in Russia. If normalized, it risks further turning the United States into an illiberal democracy or autocracy, where elections occur but power is retained through fear, manipulation, and coercion. Or worse, a violent kleptocracy like Russia.

Chris Krebs, the former director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, or CISA, had the audacity to do his job by ensuring the integrity of our elections and debunking Trumps baseless lies of fraud in the 2020 election. Miles Taylor, who served as chief of staff at the Department of Homeland Security, dared to speak out against the administrations reckless policies and wrote a book.

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Their crime? Upholding their oaths to the Constitution and telling the truth.

By weaponizing the Department of Justice to pursue these individuals, Trump is not only abusing presidential power but also sending a chilling message to current and future whistleblowers: Cross me, and youll pay. This is the hallmark of a despot, not a democratically elected leader.

But Trump isnt stopping there. Hes extending his vendetta to the very institutions that safeguard our legal system and might defend Taylor and Krebs.

Law firms like Perkins Coie, WilmerHale, and Jenner & Block are being targeted with punitive measuresrevoked security clearances, terminated federal contracts, and restricted access to federal buildings, including courthousesall because theyve had the courage to represent clients like these two who have challenged Trumps overreaches.

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In addition to signing an executive order targeting two former employees yesterday, Trump also signed one attacking yet another law firm, this time Susman Godfrey, which helped Dominion Voting Systems get millions from Fox for their 2020 election lies.

This is a direct attack on the Sixth Amendment, which guarantees the right to legal representation. When the government intimidates law firms into submission, it erodes the adversarial system that is essential for justice.

The implications are dire. If attorneys fear retribution for taking on cases that oppose the administration, who will hold the government accountable? Who will defend people like Chris Krebs and Miles Taylor?

This orchestrated campaign of intimidation is designed to create a chilling effect, deterring legal professionals from defending those who dare to speak truth to power.

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This E.O. is a tactic ripped straight from the playbook of violent, authoritarian regimes like Putins, Erdogans, and Orbans, where the law becomes a tool of oppression rather than justice.

Moreover, this politicization of the Department of Justice undermines its very mission. The DOJ is meant to operate independently, free from political influence, to uphold the law impartially.

Yet, under Trumps directive, it is being transformed before our eyes into his personal enforcer, pursuing baseless investigations to settle political scores in ways Richard Nixon could only have dreamed of. This perversion of justice not only delegitimizes the department but also erodes public trust in our legal institutions.

Lets be clear: This isnt just about Krebs, Taylor, or the targeted law firms. Its about the survival of our democracy. When a president can wield power to punish dissent and dismantle checks and balances without consequence, we are treading dangerous waters.

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The First Amendment guarantees freedom of speech and the right to petition the government for a redress of grievances. Trumps actions are a direct assault on these freedoms, aiming to silence opposition and consolidate power.

The legal community is beginning to push back. Over 500 law firms have united to challenge these types of executive orders, recognizing them as a grave threat to our constitutional governance. Former top lawyers from major corporations have also voiced their opposition, understanding that this isnt just a legal issue but a fundamental attack on the principles that underpin our society.

However, resistance must extend beyond the legal profession: We all must speak out. Every American who values democracy, justice, and freedom should be alarmed by these developments.

If there was ever any doubt, Trumps authoritarian ambitions are now laid bare. His actions are not those of a leader who respects the Constitution or the people he serves: They are the actions of a man desperate to exploit and cling to power by any means necessary, even if it means destroying the very fabric of our nation.

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This executive order is more than just a scandalits a frontal assault on democracy. It shows Trumps willingness to use the machinery of state as a weapon against truth and accountability, and underscores the urgent need to safeguard democratic institutions, enforce accountability, and reaffirm the independence of the rule of law in America.

If we fail to hold Trump accountable for turning the justice system into a tool of revenge, we are not just rewriting the ruleswere erasing them.
The Trump administration on Wednesday issued an executive order singling out another law firm and warned that five more firms have targets on their backs in his ongoing retribution against Big Law firms.

During President Donald Trumps signing of the executive order against top U.S. litigation firm Susman Godfrey, U.S. Homeland Security Advisor Stephen Miller said the administration has attained nearly 600 million in legal wins against law firms theyve accused of undermining the legal system.

Were getting close to a billion, Miller said.

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The order removes the law firms access to government resources and buildings, actions Trump said Wednesday were just starting the process.

In a statement posted on its website, Susman Godfrey said the would take action against the order:

Anyone who knows Susman Godfrey knows we believe in the rule of law, and we take seriously our duty to uphold it. This principle guides us now. There is no question that we will fight this unconstitutional order.

In 2023, Susman Godfreys client, Dominion Voting Systems, received $787.5 million in settlement funds for a defamation lawsuit against Fox News for promoting misleading information regarding the 2020 election results. Dominion sells voting machines and tabulators nationwide and was accused of rigging the 2020 presidential election.

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This firm is very involved in the election misconduct, said White House staff secretary Will Scharf during Wednesdays signings.

Orders against former Trump staffers

Two former staffers from Trumps first administration were stripped of their governmental security clearances and the Department of Justice and the Secretary of Homeland Security were ordered to probe into their time as federal employees.

The two men now under investigation by the White House are former Department of Homeland Security official Miles Taylor and former Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Director Chris Krebs.

The executive order against Taylor accuses him of prioritizing his own ambition, personal notoriety, and monetary gain over fidelity to his constitutional oath. In 2018, Taylor wrote an anonymous opinion piece titled I Am Part of the Resistance Inside the Trump Administration, published by The New York Times. In it, he details that he and many past officials were actively working to divert Trumps agenda during his first term in office.

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In his capacity with the Department of Homeland Security, he leaked classified information, Scharf said. He wrote a book under the pseudonym Anonymous, making outrageous claims, both about your administration and about others in it.

In 2019, Taylor once again anonymously published a book titled A Warning, further cautioning Americans regarding his former employer and current presidents motives. Taylor became public about his authorship after leaving his position in 2020.

In Trumps eyes, Taylor is a modern-day Benedict Arnold.

He got a lot of publicity off that one. Hes like a promoter, Trump said during the order signing. I think its a very important case, and I think hes guilty of treason if you want to know the truth, but well find out.

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Krebs is accused of using his position in CISA to unlawfully censor speech that did not align with his politics. Though he served under a Republican president, the order claims Krebs suppressed conservative viewpoints under the guise of combatting supposed disinformation, and recruited and coerced major social media platforms to further its partisan mission.

Trump fired Krebs following his departments statement that the 2020 presidential election was the most secure in American history.

The order stated that Krebs, through CISA, falsely and baselessly denied that the 2020 election was rigged and stolen, including by inappropriately and categorically dismissing widespread election malfeasance and serious vulnerabilities with voting machines.
President Donald Trump must face a defamation lawsuit from five men who were wrongly convicted and imprisoned for a 1989 rape after a federal judge declined Thursday to dismiss the case.

U.S. District Judge Wendy Beetlestone ruled that the five innocent Black and Hispanic men  known as the Central Park Five  could pursue legal action against Trump for comments he made during the 2024 presidential campaign.

The five men, Yusef Salaam, Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Raymond Santana and Korey Wise, were teens in 1989 when they were falsely accused of raping and beating a white woman jogging in New York Citys Central Park.

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Trump took out full-page ads in New York City newspapers that year calling for the reinstatement of the death penalty in New York following the arrests of the five teens.

All five initially pleaded guilty under pressure from authorities, but they later recanted their pleas. They were still convicted by a jury, but those convictions were vacated in 2002 after DNA evidence matched another person who confessed to the crime.

This combination photo shows, clockwise from top left, Raymond Santana, Yusef Salaam, Antron McCray, Korey Wise and Kevin Richardson, known as the Central Park Five. via Associated Press

Despite their innocence, over the years Trump has continued to blame them for the crime because they pleaded guilty under duress.

You have people on both sides of that, Trump told reporters in 2019 when asked if he would apologize to the men for calling for their executions. They admitted their guilt.

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But it was Trumps most recent comments in 2024 that led to the lawsuit. In a Sept. 10 presidential debate with then-Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump again equated pleading guilty under duress with confessing to a crime.

They admitted, they said they pled guilty and I said: Well, if they pled guilty, they badly hurt a person, killed a person ultimately ... And they pled guilty, then they pled not guilty, Trump said.

The jogger was not killed as Trump falsely claimed.

In a December court filing, Trumps lawyers argued he was protected under the First Amendment. But Beetlestone disagreed in her ruling Thursday, saying Trumps statement must be construed as one of fact, not opinion, because it can be objectively determined to be false that the men killed someone.

The group is asking for a jury trial to determine unspecified monetary damages.
A federal judge declined to toss a defamation lawsuit against President Trump over his remarks last year about five Black and Hispanic men wrongly convicted of a 1989 rape, dubbed the Central Park Five.

U.S. District Judge Wendy Beetlestone on Thursday ruled the lawsuit, which stems from Trumps remarks about the men at a 2024 presidential debate, can move forward. She said Trumps commentary can be objectively determined to be false, as reason for the challenge to continue.

However, she did dismiss a claim contending the president intentionally caused the men emotional distress.

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The Central Park Five  Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana and Korey Wise  were teenagers when they were wrongfully convicted of the 1989 rape and assault of a white woman jogging in New York Citys Central Park. They spent years in prison before the true culprit confessed, backed by DNA evidence, resulting in their 2002 exoneration.

Trumps comments came during his Sept. 10 debate against former Vice President Kamala Harris in a segment on race and politics, after Harris noted that Trump in 1989 paid for full-page advertisements in major New York newspapers that advocated for a revival of the death penalty following the incident.

Trump said they admitted  they said, they pled guilty.

And I said, well, if they pled guilty, they badly hurt a person, killed a person ultimately. And if they pled guilty  then they pled were not guilty, he continued.

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But, as the lawsuit notes, the men never pleaded guilty and the victim wasnt killed. They claimed that Trumps comments were made to tens of millions of Americans who tuned into the debate with a reckless disregard for their falsity.

Trump asked the judge to throw out the case because the challengers sought to recast political rhetoric and debate about criminal justice and public safety as defamation.' His attorney, Karin Sweigart, argued in court filings the remarks were protected opinions based on fact that lacked any defamatory sting.

In a statement, Sweigart called the lawsuit yet another unfounded and meritless attack against Trump but deemed the judges dismissal of some claims a victory.

We firmly believe the entire case should have been dismissed and will continue fighting to protect the First Amendment rights of not just the President, but all Americans, she said.

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The lawsuit against Trump asks for an unspecified amount of damages. The Central Park Five previously received a settlement of $41 million from New York City after filing a civil rights lawsuit.

Shanin Specter, an attorney for the Central Park Five, said they look forward to discovery, trial and the ultimate vindication of these five fine men.

 Updated at 3:59 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.
By Mike Scarcella

(Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump has failed to persuade a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit accusing him of making defamatory statements about five Black and Hispanic men who were wrongly convicted and imprisoned for the 1989 rape of a white jogger in New York's Central Park.

Philadelphia-based U.S. District Judge Wendy Beetlestone ruled on Thursday that the men had presented enough evidence for now to pursue their lawsuit accusing Trump of defaming them in comments he made during the 2024 presidential campaign. The judge narrowed the lawsuit, however, by dismissing a claim by the plaintiffs of intentional infliction of emotional distress.

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The lawsuit was filed in federal court last October by Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana, Kevin Richardson, Antron Brown and Korey Wise, called the Central Park Five. The plaintiffs are seeking unspecified monetary damages for reputational and emotional harms as well as punitive damages.

Shanin Specter, lead attorney for the plaintiffs, in a statement on Thursday welcomed the judge's ruling and said he and his clients "look forward to discovery, trial and the ultimate vindication of these five fine men."

Karin Sweigart, a lawyer representing Trump in the lawsuit, in a statement said that "this baseless lawsuit is yet another unfounded and meritless attack against President Trump." Sweigart called the narrowing of the lawsuit a victory for the Republican president.

The White House declined to comment.

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The men were cleared in 2002 based on new DNA evidence and another person's confession.

Trump falsely said during a September 10 presidential debate with Democrat Kamala Harris that the men had killed someone and pleaded guilty, the plaintiffs said in their October lawsuit. Attorneys for the men said they gave false confessions that they later recanted. They never pleaded guilty.

The lawsuit said Trump's "demonstrably false" statements cast the plaintiffs in "a harmful false light."

In seeking dismissal of the lawsuit, Trump's lawyers said in a court filing in December that his statements about the men were legally protected expressions of opinion under the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment. Trump has denied any wrongdoing.

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Beetlestone said Trump's statement at issue "must be construed as one of fact, not opinion," because it can "objectively determined" to be false that the men pleaded guilty or killed someone.

Trump has drawn criticism before over his statements about the Central Park Five. After a 28-year-old woman was attacked in the incident, Trump spoke out about the case and took out a full-page advertisement in several New York newspapers calling for the reinstatement of the death penalty.

(Reporting by Mike Scarcella in Washington; Editing by Will Dunham, David Bario and Chizu Nomiyama)
The Vermont Historical Society says funding for a statewide program to train and support volunteer staffs at local historical societies has been terminated by the Trump Administration.

The $175,000 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services would help Vermonts 190 small historical societies and museums care for and organize their collections. VHS said it learned the grant had been terminated in an April 8 letter from Keith Sonderling, acting director of IMSL.

Upon further review, IMLS has determined that your grant is unfortunately no longer consistent with the agencys priorities and no longer serves the interest of the United States and the IMLS Program, Sonderling said. IMLS is repurposing its funding allocations in a new direction in furtherance of the Presidents agenda.

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The grant for the Activating 21st Century Local History Training Program paid for one staff member to provide direct, hands-on assistance to local societies. VHS says that person will be laid off.

Amanda Gustin, VHSs director of collections at the Vermont Historical Society, told ABC22/FOX44s Lauren Maloney last month that the grant may be at risk after Trumps signed an executive order defunding seven government agencies, including the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Weve done some great work on it already, she said. We think right now we have until about mid-April, but we havent yet received any answers on whether that grant will be honored after that.

Most of the funding from the grant  about $140,000  is unspent, and VHS says it has been unable to secure funding from other sources to continue the project.

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Tragically, this move deprives Vermonts local historical societies of the resources and programming designed to support their operations as the nation prepares for the 250th anniversary of the founding of the country, VHS said.

Last year, VHSs Director of Service & Outreach Eileen Corcoran said the grant has the potential to be a game changer for Vermont community history and beyond.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
President Trump directed agencies that regulate energy and the environment to sunset a wide array of environmental protections in an executive order issued Wednesday night.

He ordered agencies including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Energy Department, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement and Fish and Wildlife Service to amend regulations so that they expire by October 2026.

The order applies to all regulations issued under laws governing things like energy appliance standards, mining and offshore drilling  as well as regulations issued under the Endangered Species Act.

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Its not yet clear whether the order will also apply to regulations at the EPA under laws like the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act or Safe Drinking Water Act because the order directs that particular agency to provide the White House with a list of statutes that should be subject to the order.

There also may be exemptions, as the order allows agencies to extend the sunset date for up to five years. Its not clear how widely such exemptions will be used.

In a statement incorporated into the order, the White House lamented what it described as an energy landscape perpetually trapped in the 1970s.

By rescinding outdated regulations that serve as a drag on progress, we can stimulate innovation and deliver prosperity to everyday Americans, it said.

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This order directs certain agencies to incorporate a sunset provision into their regulations governing energy production to the extent permitted by law, thus compelling those agencies to reexamine their regulations periodically to ensure that those rules serve the public good, it continued.

William Buzbee, a law professor at Georgetown University, raised questions about the legality of Trumps maneuver.

This strategy of the Trump administration clashes with what is known as consistency or policy change doctrine, Buzbee told The Hill in an email.

The Supreme Court, including the current Roberts Court, has repeatedly reaffirmed that agencies seeking to change a policy set forth in a regulation have to go through a new notice-and-comment proceeding for each regulation, offer good reasons for the change, and address changing facts and reliance interests developed in light of the earlier regulation. Adding a sunset provision without going through a full notice-and-comment proceedings for each regulation to be newly subject to a sunset provision seems intended to skirt the vetting and public accountability required by consistency doctrine, he said.

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This strategy would also destabilize markets developed in light of earlier regulations and undercut investments made to comply with the initial regulation, Buzbee added. Like many other attempted regulatory shortcuts of the first and second Trump administration, this EO seems likely to prompt legally vulnerable agency actions.

Environmental activists, meanwhile, raised alarm  and indicated that theyll challenge the legality of the order in court.

Attempting to repeal every environmental safeguard enacted over the past 50 years with an executive order is beyond delusional, said Brett Hartl, government affairs director at the Center for Biological Diversity, in a written statement.

Trumps farcical directive aims to kill measures that protect endangered whales, prevent oil spills, and reduce the risk of a nuclear accident. This chaotic administration is obviously desperate to smash through every environmental guardrail that protects people or preserves wildlife, but steps like this will be laughed out of court, Hartl added.

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 Updated at 5:21 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.
President Trump on Wednesday signed a pair of memorandums directing the Department of Justice to investigate two individuals who served in his first administration and pushed back against Trump.

Trump signed a memo targeting Miles Taylor, who served as a deputy chief of staff in the Department of Homeland Security during the first Trump administration. Taylor wrote a New York Times op-ed and later a book under the pseudonym Anonymous about how some officials were working to thwart Trumps impulses.

White House staff secretary Will Scharf said the memo would strip any active security clearance for Taylor and would direct the Justice Department to investigate his activities to see what else might come up in that context given his egregious behavior during your previous administration.

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Trump told reporters he had no idea who Taylor was, and compared him to a traitor.

I think we have to do something about it. You cant have that happen, Trump said. If that happens to other presidents, it wouldnt be sustainable for other presidents. I seem to be able to sustain. But if that happened to other presidents, its just unfair.

In addition to Taylor, Trump signed a memo going after Chris Krebs, the former director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). Krebs in 2020 pushed back against Trumps claims that the election had been fraudulent and was adamant that the nations elections were not compromised.

The order revokes any security clearances for Krebs and his associates and further instructs your Department of Justice  to investigate some of the malign acts he participated in while he was still head of CISA, Scharf said.

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The orders marked the latest act of retribution from Trump against critics and those who have spoken out against him from his first administration. In addition to former President Biden himself, Trump has stripped security details for Dr. Anthony Fauci, former Defense Secretary Mark Esper and former national security adviser John Bolton.

He has also stripped security clearances for several officials from the Biden administration and other prominent critics.

And Trump has signed orders targeting law firms with ties to Democrats or individuals who previously investigated 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 The Hill.
President Donald Trumps pick to lead the Interior Departments agency in charge of public lands oversight has abruptly withdrawn her nomination, a Senate committee announced Thursday.

Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chair Mike Lee (R-Utah) did not specify why Kathleen Sgamma, the head of the oil and gas trade association Western Energy Alliance, had pulled out of her bid to head the Bureau of Land Management. But the abrupt withdrawal happened after an outside group publicized what it said was a 4-year-old memo in which Sgamma said she was disgusted by President Donald Trumps role in the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol.

Sgamma did not appear at Thursday's nomination hearing scheduled at the committee, and she did not immediately respond to phone calls or text messages. An email message received an automatic reply saying she was in Washington for her confirmation hearing.

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It was an honor to be nominated by President Trump as Director of the Bureau of Land Management, but unfortunately at this time I need to withdraw my nomination, Sgamma said in her official withdrawal statement submitted to the committee. I will continue to support President Trump and fight for his agenda to Unleash American Energy in the private sector."

The bureau oversees energy development on federal land, which Trump has made a priority for his second term.

Earlier this week, the left-leaning investigative watchdog group Documented publicized what it said was a memo that Sgamma wrote to WEA membership on Jan. 7, 2021, criticizing Trumps role in the riot at Capitol Hill that delayed Congress' certification of the 2020 election.

I am disgusted by the violence I witnessed yesterday and President Trumps role in spreading misinformation that incited it, the memo quotes Sgamma as saying. I'm disgusted he discredited all the good work he did to reorienting the judiciary back toward respect for the rule of law and constitution by dishonoring the vote of the People and the rulings of those very same judges on his numerous challenges.

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A WEA spokesperson confirmed that the memo came from the group but declined to comment further.

In a prepared statement, Lee said that I've long said the BLM needs someone at the helm who understands federalism, respects local input, and grasps both the complexity of the agency's mission and the real-world impact of its decisions. I look forward to working with the administration to identify a nominee who meets that standard."

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) told POLITICO she was totally stunned to learn Sgamma withdrew on Thursday morning.

I read her statement following Jan. 6, and of course, Im right in her camp, Murkowski said. I dont know whether she withdrew, or the White House withdrew her.

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Murkowski added that shes disappointed because Sgamma had so much to offer on public lands issues.

But former Interior Secretary David Bernhardt pointed to the memo and called Sgammas withdrawn nomination self-inflicted.

Individuals who know their views dont align with the president and yet seek political appointments hoping such divergence will not be noticed cause needless harm and conflict, hindering the presidents agenda, Bernhardt wrote on X. Sad. Self-inflicted.

Environmental groups applauded her withdrawal. The Center for Western Priorities, which advocates for land conservation, had criticized Sgamma as being too friendly to the oil industry and not making public the membership of her advocacy group.

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"Kathleen Sgamma should have been transparent with the Senate and released the list of Western Energy Alliance members, Aaron Weiss, deputy director for the Center, said via text. We dont yet know why her nomination was withdrawn. But it would be ironic, if not fitting, if secrecy and her lack of candor with the White House ultimately cost her the nomination.

Josh Siegel and James Bikales contributed to this report.
President Donald Trump is working to make showerheads great again.

He signed an executive order on Wednesday that would maintain acceptable pressure in showerheads and combat the Obama-Biden war on showers. The order targets Biden-era regulation that restricts the number of gallons of water per minute that flow through the hardware and other appliances.

I like to take a nice shower, take care of my beautiful hair, the president told reporters, in the midst of tariff-induced global upheaval in the markets. I have to stand in the shower for 15 minutes until it gets wet. Comes out drip, drip, drip. Its ridiculous.

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What you do is you end up washing your hands five times longer, so its the same water,' he added. And were going to open it up so that people can live.

Trump, who has been fixated on having stronger showers for years, directed Department of Energy Secretary Chris Wright to rescind a regulation issued under President Barack Obama, and later reinstated under President Joe Biden. The rule limited the flow from each shower head on the market to 2.5 gallons of water-per-minute. Some states have imposed lower rates, including in the drought-and-wildfire-stricken West.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Wednesday aimed at making American showers great again. The White House said he aimed to reverse prior administrations radical green agenda (AP)

The Order frees Americans from excessive regulations that turned a basic household item into a bureaucratic nightmare. No longer will showerheads be weak and worthless, the White House said in a fact sheet announcing the move, pinning changes on a radical green agenda that made life worse for everyday Americans.

These appliances worked perfectly fine before Bidens meddling piled on convoluted regulations that made those appliances worse, the administration said. Trump called past standards an unnecessary restriction.

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During Trumps first term, the Energy Department introduced a loophole to the rule which stated that, if a showerhead head more than one nozzle, the limit applied to the flow from each nozzle, rather than the entire fixture.

It remains unclear what effect the executive order will have. Water pressure weakness in showers is likely tied to home plumbing or limescale buildup, according to the Appliance Standard Awareness Project.

Andrew deLaski, the director of the the energy conservation advocacy group, said there isnt a problem to be solved with the showerheads available today, and called the order a gimmick that would get around the law.

It sounds like the administration is gearing up to do the same gimmick they did last time, where theyll specifically allow products with many nozzles in a manner designed to get around the 1992 law. No major showerhead manufacturer even bothered to sell such a device last time, he said.

Trump said he likes long showers to take care of his beautiful hair (REUTERS)

Showers account for nearly 20 percent of the average American familys daily indoor water use, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

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Water-saving showerheads also conserve energy, because heating water accounts for about one fifth of the average homes energy use.

During an appearance on Newsmax Wednesday, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy expanded on the presidents plans.

The president is talking about showerheads, he said.

You dont have enough water that can come through your showerhead because of Bidens regulations, and so again, fixing small things like that  hopefully hes gonna get the dishwashers  wouldnt it be great if dishwashers worked again? Where you dont have to wash your dishes first and then put them in the dishwasher to actually get a little heat on them?

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He addedI mean, common sense stuff hes doing.

The U.S. is one of the top water users in the world, and the average American family uses about 552 gallons each day. Many Americans arent aware of how much water they use, according to utility company American Water.

Saving water can save money, and a 2014 Government Accountability Report found that 40 out of 50 state water managers expect water shortages under average conditions in some portion of their states over the next decade. Climate change, which is exacerbating water scarcity and water-related hazards, is projected to reduce water supplies in parts of the country.

With reporting from The Associated Press
Macmahon Holdings, an Australian Securities Exchange (ASX)-listed mining infrastructure services provider, has secured a three-year extension for its mining services at the Byerwen coking coal mine in the Bowen Basin in Queensland, Australia.

The contract extension is expected to contribute approximately A$900m ($543.5m) to Macmahon's order book.

With the company's workforce and mining fleet already at Byerwen, no additional capital expenditure is required, aside from the allocated sustaining capital budgets.

The contract extension, which continues services from October 2025, is pending the finalisation of certain terms agreed upon in principle. The terms are expected to be concluded by 30 September 2025.

The Byerwen mine is owned by Byerwen Coal, a joint venture between QCoal Group and JFE Steel, a Japanese steel manufacturer.

Since the establishment of the Byerwen mine in 2017, Macmahon has been delivering open-cut mining services, which include loading and hauling, as well as crusher feed operations. The company employs more than 800 individuals on site.

Macmahon CEO and managing director Michael Finnegan said: We are very pleased to continue as the mining contractor at Byerwen where we have worked closely with the team since the mine commenced operations in 2017. We will continue to refine the terms and conditions over the next few months with a focus on mutually beneficial outcomes that will enhance operational efficiencies on site.

The QCoal relationship and Byerwen project have been key to the Macmahon business stabilising over the last eight years. The teams are grateful and excited that they will have the opportunity to continue to develop that relationship on site and corporately. I would like to thank the Byerwen Coal and Macmahon teams for their continued dedication and support and look forward to finalising the contract.

In March 2025, Macmahon Holdings was appointed by PT Citra Palu Minerals to provide underground mining services for the Poboya gold project in Sulawesi, Indonesia.

"Macmahon secures $543m contract extension at Byerwen coal mine in Australia" was originally created and published by Mining Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.




We recently published a list of 10 Best Fundamental Stocks to Buy According to Billionaires. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) stands against other best fundamental stocks to buy according to billionaires.

As per Fitch Ratings, the US tariffs are now at levels that continue to transform the global economic outlook, meaningfully increasing the US recession risks as well as constraining the US Feds ability to reduce the interest rates further. The ratings agency believes that tariff hikes are expected to result in increased consumer prices and reduced corporate profits in the US. The increased prices can squeeze real wages, impacting consumer spending, with reduced profits and policy uncertainty weighing over business investments. Notably, upward pressure on goods prices due to tariffs would mean that the US Fed is likely to become more cautious when it comes to further rate cuts.

Tariffs Can Be Reduced, Says UBS

In the base case (to which UBS assigns a 50% probability), the firm anticipates tariffs to be reduced from the levels that have been announced. That being said, the process is expected to take some time. UBS anticipates that there can be a tariff-related slowdown in growth in Q2 and Q3. Even if tariffs get reduced by the end of the year, the shock and related uncertainty can result in a near-term slowdown in the broader US economy, impacting FY 2025 growth.

UBS believes that market uncertainty is expected to remain elevated, with investors focusing on potential downgrades to consensus US economic and earnings growth projections, the risk related to the tit-for-tat escalation, among others. Therefore, there can be an extended period of volatility for the broader US equities.

READ ALSO: 7 Best Stocks to Buy For Long-Term and 8 Cheap Jim Cramer Stocks to Invest In.

What Should Investors Do?

Despite the uncertainties, UBS expects that the market will end the year higher. Apart from themes of AI and Power and resources, the firm has identified longevity and companies benefiting from the megatrend as the third Transformational Innovation Opportunity. The investors can also consider using yield-generating strategies so that they can benefit from current increased levels of volatility. UBS says that since the tariffs have been announced, negotiations to soften can now start.

Furthermore, the tariff revenue can be utilised to offset the cost of extending tax cuts. Additionally, the Fed may respond to weakening growth by cutting interest rates. Morningstar believes that some of the leading mega-cap stocks rated as wide moat have experienced a decline this year. The firm believes that wide-moat stocks are the most attractively valued, and it sees value throughout the entire range of such stocks.
Donald Trump has thrown his support behind Elon Musk amid claims the Tesla billionaire had become a drag on his administration.

Mr Musk, who leads the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), has recently sparred with members of Mr Trumps inner circle and became the face of a Republican loss in Wisconsins state judicial race.

Mr Trump said last week that his efficiency tsar would eventually have to leave his administration to return to his businesses, which sparked a flurry of news articles suggesting Mr Musk could be out on his ear imminently, according to Politico.

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The two men on Thursday made their first public appearance together since those comments at a cabinet meeting where the US president praised Mr Musks work and lamented his recent rough treatment.

Elons done a fantastic job but he hasnt been treated properly, Mr Trump said, looking over to the Tesla boss, who was seated on his right-hand side towards the far end of the cabinet table.

Donald Trump says Elon Musk has done a fantastic job as head of the Department of Government Efficiency - Nathan Howard/Reuters

Last week, Politico reported Mr Trump had told his inner circle that Mr Musk would step back from his government role.

The pair had reportedly agreed that it was time for Mr Musk to start laying the groundwork to return to his businesses, which include Tesla, the rocket company SpaceX, and the social media platform X.

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The following day, Mr Trump told reporters on Air Force One that there was a point where Elons got to leave and that he had a number of companies to run.

Mr Musk is designated as a special government employee and by law is limited to work in the administration for 130 days, which would make his date of departure either late May or early June.

Elon Musk attends cabinet meeting with top secret written on a notepad - @Aureliaendafp/X

He has also become the butt of criticism after throwing himself into a Wisconsin Supreme Court race that ended in defeat for Brad Schimel, the Republican candidate.

During the campaign he was the star speaker at a 2,000-person rally, where he donned one of the states cheese-head hats, and declared the election could change the course of Western civilisation.

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A poll conducted in the aftermath of the race, reported by The Washington Post, found 30 per cent of voters said the Tesla bosss intervention made them less likely to support Mr Schimel over victor Susan Crawford, who had been endorsed by the Democrats.

Mr Musk has also created a rift with Mr Trump since last week by calling for a zero-tariff situation between the EU and US after the president unveiled 20 per cent tariffs on the trade bloc.

He also claimed that Peter Navarro, a long-term aide to Mr Trump who is seen as the architect of his tariffs policy, was dumber than a sack of bricks and a moron who made demonstrably false claims about Tesla.

Mr Navarros had claimed that Mr Musk was a car assembler rather than a car manufacturer because he used foreign-made components to make his electric vehicles.

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In a fractious cabinet meeting in March, Mr Musk was also reportedly labelled a liar by Sean Duffy, the transportation secretary, and confronted by Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, over staff lay-offs.

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WASHINGTON  Economists have some advice for Americans who have been worried about President Donald Trumps trade war potentially tanking the U.S. economy: Keep worrying.

While stock markets soared Wednesday after Trump announced on social media that he was pausing his so-called reciprocal tariffs, few noticed in the euphoria of the moment that the remaining import taxes nevertheless were higher than the ones imposed by the Smoot-Hawley Act of 1930, which brought on the Great Depression nearly a century ago.

The near-term effect of Trumps tariffs will be a $2.4 trillion tax increase on American importers over 10 years  resulting in a $4,400 per household increase in prices, according to an analysis by the Budget Lab program at Yale University.

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Recession risks remain substantial. Uncertainty remains high, said Justin Wolfers, a University of Michigan economist. Even during this pause, the U.S. is still the most heavily tariffed industrialized nation in the world, and its not even close.

Much of the renewed pessimism has resulted from a realization that while Trump put off new, higher tariffs on imports from dozens of countries and is instead implementing only a 10% levy through at least July, his tariff rate on China, Americas third-largest trading partner, is now 145%. This results in an overall average tariff rate close to 25 percent, which in turn means massive price increases in consumer goods at retailers around the U.S.

If China stays above 100%, they are similar in magnitude to what was announced on liberation day, said Jason Furman, a former top economic adviser in Barack Obamas White House.

That reality appeared to have sunk in Thursday, as the stock market resumed its downward trend that started in February and steepened after Trumps Liberation Day announcement of his tariff regime on April 2.

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By the time trading closed for the day, the S&P 500 index was down 3.5%.

Even more worrisome for economists was that long-term U.S. Treasury bonds, normally thought of as the safest of safe investments because of the countrys size and stability, have been offering higher-than-normal yields  meaning that investors both here and around the world are losing confidence in the U.S. economy.

Half of yesterdays hopefulness has gone away, Wolfers said.

President Donald Trump looks on during a cabinet meeting at the White House on April 10, 2025, in Washington, D.C. Brendan Smialowski / AFP via Getty Images

Trump White House officials did not respond to HuffPost queries. Trump and his top aides, though, continued publicly making upbeat claims about their strategy.

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We had a big day yesterday, Trump said during a Cabinet meeting on Thursday, boasting about the stock market surge that took place immediately after his announcement on Wednesday. In history, it was the biggest day in history, the markets.

When asked about Thursdays subsequent drop in those same markets, Trump claimed not to know about it. I havent seen it because I have been here, he said, referring to the Cabinet room.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who has repeatedly claimed that the best period in American history was the late 1890s because tariff rates were so high, said nations around the world are lining up to sign trade agreements with the United States. We have so many countries to talk to. Its incredible. Were getting the respect we deserve now, he said.

Foreign leaders and investors, meanwhile, have continued hearing remarks from Trump himself that reveal his failure or unwillingness to understand how international trade works. During a photo opportunity in the Oval Office Wednesday, Trump yet again claimed that China was paying and had paid tariffs he had imposed.

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I took in hundreds of billions of dollars in tariffs and taxes from China in my first term, he said.

That is false. U.S. tariffs are paid to U.S. Customs by American importers, such as wholesalers and manufacturers, who then pass along those expenses as higher prices for consumers.

Similarly, while Trump and his aides continue to call his now-delayed tariffs on the rest of the world reciprocal tariffs, they are not in any way reciprocal. Instead, they are a measure of a countrys trade surplus with the United States. The more a country sells to the U.S. in goods compared to how much it imports from the United States, the higher Trump wants to tax imports from that country.

The formula mostly hurts poor countries, whose citizens largely cannot afford to buy expensive American goods.
China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism on Wednesday night released a notice urging Chinese tourists to fully assess the risks of traveling to the United States, and to exercise caution when traveling to the country.

The alert was issued in light of the recent deterioration of China-U.S. economic and trade relations, as well as the domestic security situation in the United States, the ministry said.
We recently published a list of the 10 Best Clean Energy Stocks to Buy According to Billionaires. In this article, we are going to take a look at where NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE) stands against other top clean energy stocks according to billionaires.

The current overall bearish trend has also dealt a massive blow to the energy sector, which fell by more than 15.7% over the last five days, against a decline of less than 10% by the overall market. This is despite the fact that energy commodities were exempted from President Trumps sweeping new tariffs  a clear tactic to keep energy inflation in check and in-line with his broader aim to keep energy prices low. The biggest reason for this is the prevailing anxiety about what these tariffs will do to economic growth and, hence, the power demand. The decline in energy stocks also indicates that the market is not expecting any reindustrialization of America to happen in the near term, which appears to be the Presidents key aim behind his upending of the entire global trade system.

READ ALSO: 12 Best Nuclear Power Stocks To Buy Now

That said, the global renewable energy industry is growing at a record pace as the world moves ahead with its energy transition to mitigate the impacts of climate change. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency, the global renewable power capacity reached 4,448 gigawatts (GW) in 2024, with an addition of 585 GW just last year. This represented a 92.5% share of the total capacity expansion during the year and marked a record 15.1% rate of annual growth.

The American clean energy sector has kept up with this explosive growth and brought online 48.2 GW of capacity from utility-scale solar, wind, and battery storage in 2024, according to research organization Cleanview. Renewables are set to continue this momentum, and the US Energy Information Administration expects the share of new power capacity to come online this year from renewables and batteries to jump to 93%.

One sector that has particularly garnered accelerated investor interest over the last year is nuclear energy. The International Energy Agency recently revealed that nuclear is set to generate a record level of electricity in 2025. Moreover, on the sidelines of the CERAWeek conference in Houston last month, several major corporations even signed a pledge to support the goal of at least tripling the worlds nuclear energy capacity by 2050.

Another sector that has performed exceptionally well is that of energy storage, which set a new record with 12.3 GW of installations across all segments in the US last year. According to the American Clean Power Association, the industry is on a path to surpass 100 GW of grid-scale storage deployed by 2030. However, the countrys rapidly expanding sector now faces a serious threat since over 90% of lithium-ion energy storage cells deployed in the US storage market last year originated from China, according to Rho Motion, a data research company.
MSNBC's Lawrence O'Donnell is joined by Jason Furman, Harvard economic policy professor and former chief of Pres. Obama's Council of Economic Advisers, to discuss the damaging effects of the tariffs still left in place despite Donald Trump pausing some of them for at least 90 days.
A protester raised awareness at Richmond International Airport on April 9 regarding the federal government's decision to remove key workplace protections for TSA officers. (Courtesy of the American Federation of Government Employees)

Air travel in Virginia could face growing strain, TSA officers warned Wednesday, as they staged a one-hour protest at Richmond International Airport over the federal governments decision to strip them of key workplace protections.

While operations remained steady during the demonstration, officers cautioned that the rollback could undermine safety and staffing at security checkpoints across the state.

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The protest was sparked by a move from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to terminate the collective bargaining agreement that had allowed TSA officers to negotiate over working conditions  a significant shift in how the agency interacts with its workforce.

TSA officers, who screen passengers and baggage at security checkpoints across the country, say the loss of these rights has left them more vulnerable and less able to speak up on issues that directly affect passenger safety and operational efficiency.

The change followed the March 27 executive order signed by President Donald Trump, which excluded the TSA from federal labor protections under the Federal Service Labor-Management Relations Statute and the Foreign Service Labor-Management Relations Statute.

The agency defended the decision, saying collective bargaining had constrained TSAs mission to safeguard our transportation systems and keep Americans safe.

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But union leaders strongly disagree, calling the move a direct threat to both employee wellbeing and public safety. The American Federation of Government Employees Local 448, which represents TSA officers, said its members have been disrespected, demeaned, and degraded by businessman and presidential advisor Elon Musk  a senior figure in the Trump administration  and by the administration itself since Trump returned to office in January.

Sherry Markham, a Navy veteran turned TSA officer, said the collective bargaining agreement had been essential in addressing practical concerns  from parking cost to uniform expenses to scheduling practices that directly impact travelers.

Its ensuring that we have the ability to come in, focus on our positions and not worry about anything other than that, but without that in place, theres a fear were left exposed, Markham said. The CBA did so much for us (including) the pay equity and our rights in general. Its been amazing and without that in place, everyone is just scared.

A view from outside Richmond International Airport. (Courtesy of Richmond International Airport)

The union has filed a lawsuit against Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, arguing that the administrations move to dismantle the agreement is not only anti-worker but also short-sighted.

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In a public statement, DHS countered that union activities had interfered with operations. The department claimed that officers tasked with union-related responsibilities diverted staff from frontline security duties at the countrys 432 airports. It also defended recent changes that reward performance over seniority  another union concern  saying they help recognize standout employees more fairly.

Thanks to Secretary Noems action, Transportation Security Officers will no longer lose their hard-earned dollars to a union that does not represent them. The Trump Administration is committed (to) returning to merit-based hiring and firing policies, DHS said.

The department added that the change would lead to a more effective and modernized workforce across the nations transportation networks. TSA is renewing its commitment to providing a quick and secure travel process for Americans.

But the TSA union argues that the agency overstepped its legal authority. In its lawsuit filed against Noem, the union stated that the collective bargaining agreement  signed just last year with a seven-year term  is a binding contract that cannot be unilaterally terminated by the secretary.

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For longtime officers like Calvin Nelson, who joined TSA straight out of high school 18 years ago, the rollback feels personal. Now raising a child, Nelson said the CBA helped ensure a more comfortable wage  critical for officers juggling lifes growing demands.

Nelson recalled how difficult it was before the agreement took effect, noting that some of his coworkers had to work two or three jobs just to stay afloat.

Ive seen a lot of things change. A lot of things get better, and it seems like losing collective bargaining, were going backwards versus going forward, Nelson said.

My coworkers and I need collective bargaining to protect us, he added. Without it, we feel unprotected.

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EL AMRA, Tunisia (AP)  Tunisian authorities this week dismantled dozens of makeshift camps housing African migrants as part of a sweeping operation to clear areas along the countrys Mediterranean coastline and ease tensions with residents.

The makeshift camps, located on privately owned land, have long been the site of violent altercations between migrants and Tunisians from nearby El Amra and Jebeniana, two towns located north of Sfax, Tunisia's second largest city.

Brig. Gen. Hossam Eddine Jababli, spokesperson for Tunisia's national guard, told The Associated Press on Wednesday that the sweeps intended to ensure health and safety. He said roughly 200 migrants who were detained hailed from sub-Saharan countries.

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Authorities also claimed to have seized caches of bladed weapons during the raids, and officials have since indicated that deportations may soon begin for those suspected of planning acts of violence.

They have previously suggested more than 20,000 people were sheltering in the camps, which are near a part of the coastline located less than 161 kilometers (60 miles) from the Italian islands that form the European Unions outermost borders.

Tunisian security forces have ramped up efforts to prevent migrants from reaching or crossing the sea  a journey that can be deadly. As of the end of February, 432 migrants arrived in Italy after embarking off Tunisias coastline, according to the U.N. refugee agency.

The scope of the camps had long alarmed local communities and lawmakers. Tarek Mahdi, a parliamentarian from the region, told local radio that there were 17 camps in El Amra, where residents have staged protests.

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Since the camps were dismantled, authorities said they had relocated migrants to state-owned lands in Bir Mellouli, southwest of Sfax.

Jababli confirmed the Tunisian government is collaborating with international migration organizations to facilitate voluntary repatriation for those who wish to return to their home countries.

Fears of forced expulsions and being bussed to Tunisia's desert borderlands  long common among migrant communities  again reemerged as authorities prepared to dismantle the camps.

Last week, several videos and messages went viral in social media groups where migrants regularly seek information urging people not to trust Tunisian authorities or the International Organization for Migration. The messages suggested without evidence that they may intend to deceive migrants into boarding buses under false pretenses to be deported to Algeria or Libya.

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Addressing concerns over the dismantling of the camps, Tunisian President Kais Saied told journalists in Monastir on Sunday that the operation was conducted peacefully and without violence or coercion. He framed the actions as guided by moral and humanitarian principles and said that removing the camps prevented migrants from settling on private property.

___

Follow APs international coverage of migration at https://apnews.com/hub/migration
ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkish police detained two prominent opposition journalists in early morning raids on Thursday in Istanbul as part of an investigation into alleged threats and blackmail, according to a court document seen by Reuters.

Timur Soykan and Murat Agirel are both known for investigative reporting and a critical stance toward government policies and institutions.

Both men work for Halk TV, a news channel critical of President Tayyip Erdogan's government.

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The Istanbul 4th Criminal Court approved a search and seizure warrant for the journalists residences, authorizing the confiscation and examination of digital devices including computers, hard drives, and mobile phones, according to the court document.

The decision was issued at the request of the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutors Office, citing an investigation under penal code articles related to "threat" and "blackmail."

Soykan and Agirel, authors of several books on alleged relations between mafia and state institutions, have faced legal pressure in the past over their reporting.

(Reporting by Ece Toksabay, Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan)
ANKARA (Reuters) -Turkish and Israeli officials began talks on Wednesday aimed at preventing unwanted incidents in Syria, where militaries of the two regional powers are active, Turkish ministry sources and an Israeli political source said on Thursday.

The Turkish sources said the technical talks, in Azerbaijan, marked the beginning of efforts to set up a channel to avoid potential clashes or misunderstandings over military operations in the region.

"Efforts will continue to establish this mechanism," one of the Turkish sources said, without providing further details on the scope or timeline of the talks.

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An Israeli political source confirmed the meeting took place and said that "Israel made it unequivocally clear that any change in the deployment of foreign forces in Syria  and in particular the establishment of Turkish bases in the Palmyra area  is a red line and will be considered a breaking of the rules."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office confirmed in statement that an Israeli delegation led by National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi had held talks with Turkish officials in Azerbaijan on Wednesday.

The statement did not give details about the talks.

The initiative comes a week after Israel stepped up airstrikes on Syria, which it described as a warning to the newly formed government in Damascus. It has also accused Turkey of attempting to turn Syria into a Turkish protectorate.

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Reuters reported last week that Turkish military teams had inspected at least three air bases in Syria where they could deploy forces as part of a planned joint defence pact with Damascus - before Israel hit the sites with airstrikes.

Turkey and Israel - which have traded diplomatic barbs since Israel's attacks began on Gaza in 2023 - each said last week they did not seek confrontation in Syria, which both border.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan confirmed on Wednesday that technical talks were taking place, emphasizing that such mechanisms were necessary to prevent misunderstandings between the two regional powers' forces.

The talks were similar to deconfliction mechanisms Turkey has with the U.S. and Russia, he said on broadcaster CNN Turk.

(Reporting by Ece Toksabay; Editing by Jonathan Spicer, William Maclean)
ISTANBUL (AP)  Turkey on Thursday freed more than 120 people detained during last month's mass anti-government protests.

Courts in Istanbul released on bail 127 defendants, most of them university students, who were arrested at their homes on March 24 after taking part in demonstrations sparked by the jailing of the citys opposition mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu.

Imamoglu, who was arrested on March 19 on corruption and terrorism charges, is seen as the main challenger to President Recep Tayyip Erdogans 22-year rule. His imprisonment has been widely viewed as politically motivated and sparked nationwide protests. The government insists Turkeys judiciary is independent and free of political influence.

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More than 2,000 people were detained for taking part in the countrys largest mass demonstrations in more than a decade. Of those, some 300 were jailed awaiting trial.

Those freed on Thursday are charged with participating in banned protests. One court released 102 suspects, many of them students with upcoming exams, after considering the time they had spent in prison, the low risk of absconding and on condition of not traveling abroad. A separate court released a further 25 people on condition that they report to police regularly.

The releases follow a campaign by parents to have their children set free, with many holding daily vigils outside a prison in Silivri, west of Istanbul.

Among those released was prominent demonstrator Berkay Gezgin, a 22-year-old student who met Imamoglu on the campaign trail in 2019 and coined the slogan Everything will be fine, which the Istanbul mayor later used in his campaign.

The defendants cases will be heard in June and September at Istanbuls Caglayan Courthouse.
ISTANBUL  Turkish defense company STM held a keel-laying ceremony in Istanbul this week for three corvettes being built for the Royal Malaysian Navy under the Littoral Mission Ship (LMS) Batch-2 program.

The ships represent Turkeys first corvette export to the Asia-Pacific region and will support Malaysias ability to carry out a variety of maritime defense missions including anti-surface, anti-air, asymmetric and electronic warfare.

Based on the ADA-class design, the three corvettes are scheduled for delivery by the end of 2027.

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STM, the main contractor, is responsible for the design, construction, integration, and delivery of the vessels, as well as logistics support. The ships are being tailored to meet Royal Malaysian Navy requirements and will be constructed in Turkey with the involvement of local defense firms.

The LMS Batch-2 ships will feature a stealthy hull with a low radar cross-section and high maneuverability. With a displacement of approximately 2,500 tons, each vessel will measure 99.5 meters in length and reach speeds over 26 knots. Powered by a CODAD propulsion system with four diesel engines, the ships will have a range exceeding 4,000 nautical miles at cruising speed and an endurance of 14 days. They will accommodate a crew of 111 and support helicopter operations with a hangar and refueling capabilities.

The corvettes will be equipped with an Italian Leonardo 76mm main gun, one Aselsan Smash 30mm secondary gun, Roketsan Atmaca surface-to-surface and South Korean Haegung surface-to-air missiles, decoy launchers, and electronic warfare systems. Their combat systems include a 3D surveillance radar, IFF, electro-optical fire control radar, target designation sights, and a combat management system provided by Havelsan.

The LMS Batch-2 project follows the June 2024 signing of a government-to-government defense agreement between Turkey and Malaysia, with steel cutting for the ships taking place last December.
ISTANBUL (AP)  Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday held a first meeting with pro-Kurdish politicians who are working to bring an end to the 40-year conflict between Turkey and Kurdish militants.

Erdogan met Pervin Buldan and Sirri Sureyya Onder, parliamentary deputies for the Peoples Equality and Democracy Party, or DEM Party, at the presidential palace in Ankara.

It was a very positive meeting, it went well. We are much more hopeful, Onder said.

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In a statement after the meeting, the DEM Party said it was held in an extremely positive, constructive, productive and hopeful atmosphere for the future, emphasizing the vital importance of maintaining a ceasefire and strengthening political dialogue.

Also present at the 1 hour meeting were intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin and Efkan Ala, deputy chairperson of Erdogans party.

Buldan and Onder have been among those to visit the imprisoned leader of the Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK, in a bid to build a framework to end fighting that has caused tens of thousands of deaths.

Abdullah Ocalan, whose PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey and most Western states, called for the group to disband and disarm in late February. Days later the PKK announced a ceasefire.

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The PKK appealed for Ocalan to be released from the island prison where he has been held since 1999 to personally direct and execute a party congress that would lead to the group's dissolution.

Erdogan at the time described developments as an opportunity to take a historic step toward tearing down the wall of terror between Turks and Kurds.

Since then little concrete progress has been seen, with the government not publicly offering any incentives or proposals to the PKK. Instead, the Turkish military has kept up its campaign against PKK insurgents in northern Iraq while Turkish-backed Syrian groups combat PKK-linked fighters in northeast Syria.

The PKKs ceasefire came against the backdrop of fundamental changes in the region, including the reconfiguration of power in neighboring Syria after the toppling of President Bashar Assad, the weakening of the Hezbollah militant movement in Lebanon and the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

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It also followed judicial pressure on the DEM Party, with several of its mayors being removed from office in recent months and replaced by government appointees.

Some believe the main aim of the reconciliation effort is for Erdogans government to garner Kurdish support for a new constitution that would allow him to remain in power beyond 2028, when his term ends.

The ceasefire is the first sign of a breakthrough since peace talks between the PKK and Ankara broke down in the summer of 2015.
By David Lawder

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told lawmakers on Tuesday that not all of the agency's proposed multimillion-dollar fees for Chinese-built ships to dock at U.S. ports will be implemented, and they may not be cumulative.

Greer told a Senate Finance Committee hearing that the proposals were made to address a lack of shipbuilding in the United States.

He said the port fees were "proposed actions or series of potential revenue" that could be used to incentivize shipbuilding in the United States following a USTR probe into China's growing dominance on the seas.

"They're not all going to be implemented. They're not all going to be stacked," Greer said.

Scores of shipping stakeholders submitted public comments on the plan. Greer said he personally met with a number of them.

USTR is studying that feedback, along with testimony at public hearings in late March, very carefully, he said.

The agency wants to "make sure that we have the right amount of time, the right incentives, to bring shipbuilding here without impacting our economy," said Greer, who did not provide additional details on the proposed remedies.

Implementation of the USTR port fee plan could come as late as November as a result of the feedback, three sources tracking the issue, who declined to be identified, told Reuters.

U.S. steelmakers and the industry's unions have praised the proposal, but were outnumbered by opponents.

During the hearings, farmers, energy producers, chemical and construction companies, and domestic vessel operators testified the plan would saddle them with costs that could put them out of business.

At the same time, domestic port operators warned the fees could spark supply chain chaos reminiscent of the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Maritime experts and attorneys said the language in the USTR proposal published in February is vague.

Among other things, they said the fees - which apply to China-based operators, fleets with ships built in China and operators with prospective orders for China-made vessels - could be cumulative and in some cases could reach $3.5 million per port call.

Greer's statements were in response to Republican Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, who voiced concern that the fees could affect commodity shipments in and out of Louisiana and the Mississippi River system.

In particular, Cassidy said he was told that if a South Korean firm had just five China-built vessels in its fleet of 50, all 50 ships would be subject to the fee.

(Reporting by David Lawder, additional reporting and writing by Lisa Baertlein in Los Angeles; Editing by Mark Porter, Joe Bavier and Nia Williams)
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  Two suspects have been arrested, accused of promoting illegal street takeovers throughout Charlotte, court documents say.

The investigation began on March 7, when Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police officers responded to numerous street takeover incidents throughout the weekend.

According to CMPD, about 100 vehicles and people participated in the street takeovers in Charlotte on that Friday. Between 11 p.m. Saturday, March 8, and 5:30 a.m. March 9, authorities say roughly 400 vehicles and people started fires and shot fireworks around multiple public roadways and parking lots across the city.

MORE | Innocent bystander shot, 2 arrested after weekend Charlotte street takeovers

During the investigation, detectives discovered two Instagram accounts that featured highlights from street takeovers on 4901 Gibbon Road and 9541 South Blvd., edited together with music.

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As detectives looked into the accounts, an affidavit indicates they determined that one of the accounts with the username 704nightmedia was run by 19-year-old Jonathan Figueroa Hernandez. Another account, dogodondada is believed to be run by 18-year-old Alexander Opoku Kyere.

A video allegedly posted to Kyeres account showed a Nissan 350Z doing donuts around a large crowd in the parking lot on Gibbon Road in north Charlotte.

The videos posted on both accounts had garnered more than 4,000 views and tagged the main organizer of the takeovers, 704meets, who also reposted the videos to their stories.

Both suspects have been arrested and charged with organizing street takeovers, which are misdemeanors.

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Kyere was released on a written promise to appear. Hernandez received a $1,000 bond and has since been released from jail. Both have court appearances scheduled for July 29 at 8:45 a.m.

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Two of the longest-returning peregrine falcons to We Energies' nest boxes have died of presumably bird flu, according to We Energies spokesperson Alison Trouy.

The falcons, Brinn and Beasley, both nested at the Port Washington Generating Station. Brinn's body was recently found in the nest box, while Beasley stopped returning to the nest within a few days of Brinn's death, leading the company's falcon manager to believe Beasley has also died.

Brinn had nested there since 2014, and Beasley arrived in 2017. Together, they produced 22 chicks.

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"While we are heartbroken over their loss, we know their legacy lives on in the dozens of chicks they brought into this world and the awareness they helped to bring to peregrine falcon recovery efforts across the state," Truoy said in an email.

We Energies has maintained peregrine falcon nest boxes on several of its power plants since the early 1990s, according to its website. Since then, more than 450 falcons have hatched at these nests  amounting to 20% of all peregrine falcons born in Wisconsin.

"There is a small silver lining," Truoy added. "We have had two new peregrine falcons take up residence at the nest box since Brinn and Beasleys deaths, and we are hopeful that we will see the first eggs in the coming days or weeks."

Since late 2024, bird flu, or highly pathogenic avian influenza, has killed more than a dozen wild birds and thousands of poultry across Wisconsin. The current nationwide outbreak has been the largest, deadliest and most costly in history, according to federal officials.

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Here's what to know about bird flu in Wisconsin, including what to do if you encounter a dead or sick bird.

Peregrine falcons bow to each other in a courtship display at a Wisconsin nest box.

What's the latest on bird flu in Wisconsin?

Since the outbreak's onset in early 2022, bird flu has killed or forced the culling of more than 160 million birds nationwide, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported in March.

In Wisconsin, officials have detected avian influenza in commercial poultry flocks in Burnett and Barron counties and backyard flocks in Kenosha and Sheboygan counties. The Sheboygan outbreak was reported April 10 in a flock of nearly 40,000 birds.

And, while tracking deaths among wild birds is more difficult, hundreds of birds likely infected with the virus have washed up dead on the shores of Lake Michigan in recent months.

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While Wisconsin is along among 13 states to report human cases of the H5N1 virus, there is no imminent threat of the virus to Wisconsinites, according to the state Department of Health Services. The state identified its first and only human case of the H5N1 virus so far in a worker at a Barron County turkey farm in December 2024. The farmworker had relatively mild symptoms and was on a road to full recovery with antiviral medications, officials said later that month.

How to prevent bird flu in Wisconsin

Here are a few tips to minimize your risk of the virus, according to Wisconsin DNR:

Do not handle sick or dead wild birds.

Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after contact with a wild bird or contaminated surfaces, including bird baths and feeders. Wear disposable gloves when cleaning bird feeders and baths. Use common disinfectants, such as detergents, 10% bleach solution and alcohol, to inactivate the virus.

Cook all meat, including wild birds and poultry, thoroughly to 165 F to kill organisms and parasites. Find more information about food safety tips here.

Hunters should sanitize all tools and surfaces when handling, cleaning and preparing wild birds.

How to report a sick or dead bird

If you see five or more sick or dead birds in one area, you can report it to the DNR by emailing DNRWildlifeSwitchboard@wisconsin.gov or calling 608-267-0866. Be ready to note the number of animals; the species, such as Canada goose; if they were sick or dead; the specific location where you saw them and the county; and your contact information.

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You can find prevention information for farmworkers or those who've had contact with birds, dairy cattle and other animals on the CDC website.

More: With bird flu circulating, is it safe to leave up bird feeders?

Paul Smith contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: 2 We Energies peregrine falcons in Wisconsin dead of bird flu
Two Kansas City, Kansas, residents were arrested and charged Wednesday after two young men were fatally shot during a botched drug deal last weekend, police said.

Kenneth Flowers, 18, was charged in Wyandotte County with first-degree murder, along with aggravated battery, criminal discharge of a firearm and criminal damage to property, all of which are felonies. David Stephens, 56, was charged with distribution of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia, both felonies.

Both Flowers and Stephens were allegedly involved in the shootout that killed Kansas City, Kansas residents Javon Brown, 19, and Delorean Jackson, 20 on April 5. KCK police officers responded around 9:30 p.m. to the 800 block of N. 70th Avenue and found both young men outside a home with fatal gunshot wounds.

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Kansas City, Kansas police Chief Karl Oakman previously told reporters that Brown, Jackson and a third person had been attempting to buy narcotics and marijuana just before the shooting, and that they had made a plan in advance to rob the person selling them the drugs. Oakman said Brown and Jackson were killed when the attempted robbery escalated into a shootout between the would-be buyers and the would-be seller.

Court documents available as of Wednesday evening do not definitively identify Flowers or Stephens as either party Oakman described.

Flowers is currently being held in the Wyandotte County Detention Center on a $200,000 bond.

Stephens is also being held in the Wyandotte County Detention Center, on a $75,000 bond. Both will next appear in court on April 22, according to court records.

Brown and Jacksons deaths were the fifth and sixth homicides reported in Kansas City, Kansas in 2025, according to data collected by The Star. At the same time last year, five homicides had been reported in the city, according to Star data.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  The Osawatomie Police Department says that a toddler was taken to the hospital in critical condition after ingesting methamphetamine.

Police say that around 11:58 p.m. Tuesday, officers responded to a house on Pacific Avenue on reports of a two-year-old girl in distress.

While those officers were on their way, they were notified the child was having a seizure as a result of ingesting an unknown amount of methamphetamine.

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When those officers arrived, the child was in critical condition and was taken to Childrens Mercy by Miami County EMS.

Parents of boy who fell to death from Independence Towers file lawsuit

While investigating, police were granted a search warrant. While conducting that warrant, the officers found a small amount of marijuana, marijuana paraphernalia and meth paraphernalia.

It was also discovered that the mother of the child never called for medical attention and tried to flush the evidence of the overdose out of fear of getting into trouble. Instead, it was a grandparent who contacted authorities.

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Now, police say theyve taken that mother into custody on the following charges:

Aggravated child endangerment

Interference with law enforcement (conceal, alter, destroy evidence in a felony case)

Possession of drug paraphernalia

Possession of marijuana

This is an ongoing investigation; FOX4 will provide updates as theyre made available.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
Two elderly people were seriously injured and airlifted to the hospital after a head-on crash in Kent on Wednesday that injured several others.

The crash occurred on Route 7 about  a mile north of Bulls Bridge Road where a 2017 Infiniti QX50 was being driven south when it collided with a 2023 Hyundai Elantra headed in the opposite direction, according to Connecticut State Police.

Following the head-on crash, state police said five people in the Infiniti were taken to area hospitals. Two of them suffered serious injuries and were transported via Life Star.

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One of them, an 81-year-old Danbury woman who was a passenger, was taken to Yale New Haven Hospital, according to state police. The other, an 82-year-old New Fairfield man who was also a passenger, was taken to Hartford Hospital. The other three people in the vehicle suffered minor or possible injuries, according to state police.

The driver of the Elantra, a 32-year-old Bronx, New York woman, suffered a possible injury, state police said.

The crash remains under investigation.

Anyone with information has been asked to contact Trooper Domenic DiNunzio at 860-626-7900 or domenic.dinunzio@ct.gov.
(Reuters) -Autonomous driving technology startup Nuro said on Wednesday it fetched a valuation of $6 billion after raising $106 million in its latest funding round, as investors bet on what is often touted as the future of mobility.

The funding  backed by T Rowe Price Associates, Fidelity Management and Research, Tiger Global, Greylock Partners and XN  comes more than three years after Nuro's last round that valued it at $8.6 billion at the height of venture-capital frenzy.

Valuations sobered up in the following years, and the company conducted two rounds of layoffs as an impending U.S. recession and the energy crisis in 2022 forced it to cut costs.

Since then, the self-driving industry, which boasts of some high-profile champions such as Tesla CEO Elon Musk, has shifted from bold promises to cautious progress as startups push ahead to commercialize the technology.

Nuro's funding underscores that despite subdued conditions elsewhere, investor appetite for hot sectors persists. U.S. President Donald Trump also wants to ease deployment barriers for self-driving vehicles.

Musk had said in January Tesla would roll out "autonomous ride-hailing for money" in Austin by June, while Alphabet unit Waymo rolled out its robotaxi services exclusively on Uber's platform in the city last month.

Nuro, which combines self-driving AI and hardware into its Nuro Driver platform, expanded its business model in September by offering automakers and mobility licenses for its autonomous vehicle technology.

The Mountain View, California-based company signed a 10-year partnership with Uber Eats in 2022 to test food delivery via unmanned vehicles in some U.S. locations.

Founded by former lead engineers from Google's self-driving car project, now Waymo, Nuro had previously partnered with U.S. companies such as Kroger, Walmart, Domino's Pizza and Chipotle Mexican Grill.

Nuro said it would use the funds from the latest round to scale its AI technology and advance commercial partnerships.

(Reporting by Ateev Bhandari and Niket Nishant in Bengaluru; Editing by Shilpi Majumdar)
Organizers of WorldPride 2025 in Washington, D.C., are facing a heartbreaking possibility: they may have to warn transgender people  especially those traveling from outside the United States  to stay home.

Ryan Bos, executive director of the Capital Pride Alliance, which is organizing WorldPride this year, told regional leaders this week that organizers are considering issuing a travel advisory warning transgender people  particularly those traveling from outside the United States  that coming to the nations capital this summer could be dangerous due to anti-trans policies enacted by the Trump administration.

Washington-area news station WTOP first reported Boss comments, which were made Wednesday during a meeting of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.

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Its possible that we may actually issue a statement telling trans folks internationally not to come, or if they come, they come at their own risk, Bos said, according to WTOP. Those are the things that we will be discussing with the D.C. government and our partners to determine how best to communicate that to ensure that were getting the resources to the folks that need it.

Bos told The Advocate days earlier that these difficult conversations are happening because the safety of trans people must come before anything else  even for an event built around global visibility and defiance.

At the end of the day, folks are going to have to make decisions that they feel most comfortable with, Bos said. There will be those that choose to come, even though they are afraid and may be putting themselves at risk. And we do want to do our due diligence to provide as much support here in D.C. on-site as possible.

The potential travel advisory comes as trans people seeking to enter the United States already face growing barriers under the Trump administrations anti-LGBTQ+ policies. In February, a State Department memo issued by Secretary of State Marco Rubio instructed consular officers to deny visas to transgender applicants whose documents do not reflect their sex assigned at birth  a policy advocates warn could amount to a de facto ban on trans foreigners seeking entry into the U.S., including for events like WorldPride.

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Germany has also issued a formal travel warning for transgender and nonbinary citizens considering travel to the U.S., citing new federal rules requiring all government documents  including passports and visas  to match sex assigned at birth. Immigration experts warn the combination of these policies could severely limit the ability of trans people to travel to or from the United States, fueling international concern and placing even greater pressure on D.C.-based WorldPride organizers to ensure safety and transparency for attendees.

D.C. Council member Charles Allen told Bos and other Pride organizers that the federal government is to blame for such a warning.

Those warnings rest and fall squarely with the incredibly shameful tactics weve seen in language from the federal administration, Allen said. Im disheartened to hear that, but I hope you also recognize youve got partners in this room that want to be right there with you to make sure this is a wonderful, successful event, a safe event, thats going to take place across the whole region.

Bos told The Advocate that in addition to on-the-ground safety resources, Capital Pride is preparing to launch March for All, a partnership with Outright International that will allow people unable to attend to have their names carried by marchers in D.C. In addition to the annual Pride parade, WorldPride organizers are expecting a huge rally and protest march on the National Mall on June 8.

Think of it as wearing a racers bib, Bos explained. Folks who dont feel safe traveling here can sign up online, and someone will march for them  visibly, proudly, in the streets.

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Egale Canada, that countrys largest LGBTQ+ advocacy group, has already pulled out of WorldPride 2025, citing safety concerns for trans and queer travelers. InterPride, the international Pride network, has issued its own travel warning.

Despite the tense climate, Bos is resolute that WorldPride belongs in D.C.  now more than ever.

If you go back to the first Pride, or even the Stonewall Riots, those happened in communities that were at a time when our community was under attack, Bos told The Advocate. Thats how the movement really grew  to stand up, to take action, be visible  and that couldnt be more true today.

Cancelling, moving it is a sign of retreat, he added. It doesnt give folks in our community who are looking for  especially in the light of all the DEI repercussions  that debate  folks are yearning to know who is there to fight for them, who is there to fight for us. And if were unwilling to fight for ourselves, how can we expect corporations to stand firm? How can we expect folks in government, in Congress, to stand up?

Bos said Capital Pride still expects more than two million overnight visitors during WorldPrides main two-week celebration and another million day visitors. He conceded the international contingent might shrink but believes domestic attendance may grow in defiance of anti-LGBTQ+ policies.

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And Bos reminded critics that joy itself is resistance.

Providing safe spaces for people to celebrate and be joyful is also a form of protest, he said. The fact that were dancing in the streets, whether it be the parade or the festival, were protesting  because were being told that we dont have value, were being told that we should not have pride in who we are  and the act of doing so is the biggest way to protest that we can.

WorldPride 2025 will mark the first time the global event has returned to the United States since New York hosted it in 2019.
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  Days after five UC San Diego students had their F-1 student visas revoked and another was deported at the border, their classmates are standing up to let them know they are not alone.



Students made their way from the Geisel Library at UC San Diego to the federal courthouse downtown to hand-deliver a letter to federal judges, urging them to hold President Trump accountable.

International student at San Diego State abruptly stripped of visa

Five bright students have had their visas suddenly revoked, ordered to leave this countrytheir country, with no reason given. One of them was even detained at the border and deported without any further explanation, said Daniel Soria with the Students Civil Liberties Union who helped organize the march.

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Its asking for a very simple thing. For our federal judges in Otay Mesa and in San Diegos downtown immigration courthouse to adhere to a fair standard  a fair evidentiary standard  when it comes to visa revocation cases, Soria added.

Protesters arrived at the federal courthouse to deliver their hand-signed letters, but were not allowed inside.

Officers told them it was because they were not there on official business. Despite the students blocked attempt, their message of solidarity remains.

So does the fear that other students could be impacted, according to protestor Aryan Dixit.

A lot of them are scared that they are going to lose their degrees and all of their livelihood, said Dixit.



There is no word on where the five students who got their visas revoked are now, but the university is encouraging students to review their Know Your Rights cards.





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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
OpenAI is suing Elon Musk for unfair competition and interfering with its business relationships with investors and customers, escalating a legal battle between the ChatGPT maker and the billionaire who helped bankroll the artificial intelligence startup a decade ago.

The allegations against Musk were filed Wednesday in a federal court in California as a counterclaim to the Tesla CEO's lawsuit against OpenAI, which is heading to a jury trial next year.

Musk, an early OpenAI investor who now runs his own AI firm, xAI, along with Tesla, SpaceX, social media platform X and President Donald Trump's Department of Government Efficiency, began a legal offensive against OpenAI and its CEO Sam Altman more than a year ago.

He first sued for breach of contract over what he said was the betrayal of its founding aims as a nonprofit research laboratory, and later expanded his claims.

A federal judge in March denied Musks request for a court order blocking OpenAI from converting itself to a for-profit company but said she could expedite a trial to consider Musks claims. She offered to hold a trial later this year, but it has been pushed back to March 2026.

In this week's counterclaim, OpenAI accuses Musk of making a sham bid in February to buy a controlling stake in the nonprofit.

Musk and a group of investors offered $97.4 billion for OpenAI's assets, a number that OpenAI said Musk pulled from the character 974 Praf in the science fiction novel Look to Windward by Scottish writer Iain Banks. Musk has also named some of his SpaceX machinery after ships in the book.

OpenAI said it recognized the bid as a feint but has repeatedly had to divert resources and suffered harm as a result of Musks unlawful campaign of harassment, interference, and misinformation.

Musk attorney Marc Toberoff responded in an email late Wednesday and said that if OpenAI's board of directors had genuinely considered the bid, as they were obligated to do, they would have seen how serious it was.

"Its telling that having to pay fair market value for OpenAIs assets allegedly interferes with their business plans, Toberoff wrote.



The Associated Press and OpenAI have a licensing and technology agreement that allows OpenAI access to part of APs text archives.
Professionals from across the European packaging sector are set to gather in Brussels this spring for a two-day event focused on the latest developments shaping the industry.

Organised by FTA Europe and Intergraf in cooperation with market research firm Smithers, Shaping the Future with Packaging 2025 will take place from the afternoon of Thursday 10 April to midday on Friday 11 April.

The conference is part of the wider Shaping the Future series, which aims to explore key trends within the European print and packaging sectors.

The upcoming event will address a range of topics, including environmental issues, material safety, product innovation, and relevant European legislation.

Topics to be discussed

Speakers and attendees will explore several issues currently affecting the packaging industry. These include sustainability strategies, the use of food contact materials, and new approaches to product design.

The programme will also cover changes in EU policies relevant to packaging, and technical advancements in label printing.

The event will feature a series of presentations and panel discussions designed to provide insight into both long-term trends and current market conditions.

A networking dinner will be held on the evening of 10 April, offering participants a chance to engage with peers from across Europe.

Industry report included

Delegates attending the event will receive a copy of the European Packaging Market Report, produced by Smithers.

The publication will offer a detailed analysis of the sector, covering emerging technologies, shifting consumer demands, and economic factors influencing packaging production and use.

This report is intended to support strategic decision-making within the industry and will be distributed as part of the overall conference package.

Continuing a series of sector-specific events

Shaping the Future with Packaging 2025 follows earlier editions of the series, which have examined areas such as books, commercial printing, and direct mail.

A previous packaging-focused event in 2023 attracted around 120 participants from nearly 20 countries.

This years edition is expected to build on that foundation, offering a platform for industry leaders, manufacturers, and policy experts to exchange ideas and consider the future direction of packaging in Europe.

"Packaging experts gather in Brussels for 2025 conference" was originally created and published by Packaging Gateway, a GlobalData owned brand.




Ukraine will not agree to any restrictions on its armed forces' size or combat readiness as part of negotiations with Russia, President Volodymyr Zelensky's Deputy Chief of Staff Pavlo Palisa told Reuters in an interview published on April 10.

"This is a principled position of Ukraine  no one, and certainly not the aggressor country Russia, will dictate to Ukraine what kind of armed forces Ukraine should have," he said.

The well-trained Ukrainian military remains the strongest safeguard against future Russian aggression, the official reiterated.

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"I can guess what the Russian Federation is guided by  maybe they want to prepare, to make it easier for themselves in the future, but no. Our task is to learn the lessons (of the past) well," he said.

Kyiv has formally communicated its stance to Washington, according to Palisa.

The remarks come amid a fragile partial ceasefire covering strikes on energy infrastructure and the Black Sea, brokered in U.S.-mediated talks in Saudi Arabia on March 11.

Kyiv had agreed to a full 30-day ceasefire, but Moscow rejected the proposal on March 13 unless it included restrictions on Ukraine's military and an end to foreign military aid.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly remains unwilling to compromise in peace talks, complicating U.S. President Donald Trump's efforts to secure a settlement.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said on April 9 that the U.S. would hold further ceasefire negotiations with Ukraine and Russia in separate meetings in the coming weeks.

"I believe that certain time limits will provide opportunities to put pressure on Russia. If you have a ceasefire for an unclear period  it is a frozen conflict," the president said.

Trump, who has taken on a mediation role, said on April 7 he was "not happy" with Russia's intensified bombardments across Ukraine.

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NBC News reported on March 30 that Trump was "pissed off" at Putin's personal animosity toward Zelensky, while the Telegraph wrote on March 23 that he was increasingly angry over Russia's refusal to de-escalate the war.

Despite expressing frustration, Trump has so far avoided imposing any major sanctions or taking punitive action against Moscow.

Read also: Putin is pure evil  Trumps spiritual advisor on Russias war against Ukraine

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Russia attacked Ukraine with 145 Shahed UAVs and decoy drones of various types on the night of 9-10 April. Air defence forces have destroyed 85 drones, while six oblasts have been affected by the attack.

Source: Ukraine's Air Force

Details: The drones were launched from 19:00 on 9 April from the Russian cities of Kursk, Oryol, Millerovo and Primorsko-Akhtarsk, as well as Cape Chauda in temporarily occupied Crimea.

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As of 09:00, 85 Shahed attack UAVs and other types of drones have been confirmed downed in Ukraine's north, south, east and centre.

A total of 49 Russian decoy drones disappeared from radar (without causing adverse effects).

Donetsk, Kharkiv, Kyiv, Khmelnytskyi, Poltava and Mykolaiv oblasts came under attack.

Aircraft, anti-aircraft missile troops, electronic warfare units and mobile fire groups from Ukraine's defence forces were involved in repelling the attack.

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Ukraine's Military Law Enforcement Service canceled on April 10 an order to draft Roman Nasirov, the former head of the State Fiscal Service who is accused of taking hefty bribes, days after he was mobilized.

The move came after Transparency International Ukraine reported on April 9 that Nasirov had been "voluntarily" mobilized into Ukraine's Armed Forces amid the court proceedings, with Nasirov's lawyer asking to suspend the case.

In 2023, Ukraines National Anti-Corruption Bureau concluded that Nasirov, during his tenure as the head of the service from 2015 to 2016, had received $5.5 million for granting Hr 540 million ($13 million) in fraudulent value-added tax (VAT) refunds to an agricultural holding company in 2015.

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Later in 2016, he allegedly received another 21 million euros ($23 million) for granting Hr 2.7 billion ($65 million) in illegal VAT refunds.

Ukrainian businessman Oleh Bakhmatyuk, owner of the agricultural holding Ukrlandfarming, was arrested in absentia on March 7, 2023, on charges of allegedly giving bribes to Nasirov and his adviser.

The bribe was estimated at around Hr 722 million ($19.3 million) and was intended to secure VAT reimbursement for entities under Bakhmatyuk's control, according to Ukraines Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO).

Nasirov was first arrested in March 2017, when he was still in office at the tax service. He was then suspected of embezzling Hr 2 billion ($49.8 million) with the controversial businessman and lawmaker Oleksandr Onyshchenko.

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Nasirov has denied all wrongdoing. In May last year, he was released from custody on bail of Hr 55 million (around $1.4 million).

"Zero tolerance for corruption is being established within the Armed Forces. Therefore, any steps aimed at discrediting the Ukrainian army will be dealt with severely," Ukraine's military said.

According to the statement, Nasirov was mobilized on April 7 at the order of the commander of the military unit A0139 of Ukraine's 101st Guard Brigade of General Staff, subordinated to the Main Command Center of Ukraine's Armed Forces.

Nasirov was supposed to join the army as a sapper, Ukrinform reported on April 9, citing an obtained document.

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Soon after, the brigade commander labeled the order unlawful and canceled it. An internal investigation was launched on the grounds of possible abuse of power, the statement read.

Read also: Russias spring offensive has effectively already begun, Syrskyi says

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Ukraine's Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has expressed hope that the United States will tighten sanctions against Russia amid attempts to resolve the war unleashed by the Kremlin.

Source: Shmyhal in an interview with Bloomberg, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Shmyhal's remarks come amid continued Russian airstrikes, raising doubts about Moscow's commitment to the partial ceasefire brokered by the United States last month.

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He noted that there are "no clear signals" from Russia concerning the next stage of peace talks.

Shmyhal expressed hope that the US administration would put pressure on the Kremlin to return to the negotiating table.

"We hope that our American partners will push them or will implement a sanctions policy much, much stronger, much tougher than the existing," Shmyhal said.

Background:

On 4 April, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that he expected the US to tighten sanctions against Russia in response to its refusal to cease fire.

Reuters reported that senior Trump administration officials have begun to admit in recent days that the United States may not be able to reach a peace deal on Ukraine in the next few months.

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Ukraine is seeking an extension of the current trade liberalization mechanism with the European Union, which is set to expire after June 5. Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal hopes the EU will extend the mechanism until the end of 2025, allowing more time to develop an alternative proposal.

Shmyhal's comments followed the Ukraine-EU Association Council meeting in Brussels on April 9, according to European Pravda.

Shmyhal highlighted the importance of extending the Autonomous Trade Measures (ATM) until the end of 2025, ensuring that Ukraine has adequate time to incorporate conditions for free trade into Article 29 of the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the EU.

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The ATMs were introduced by the European Union on June 4, 2022, to provide temporary tariff-free and quota-free access for Ukrainian goods, including cereals, animal or vegetable fats and oils, iron and steel, while certain sensitive products, such as poultry, eggs, honey, and sugar, were subject to emergency safeguards if their imports exceeded predefined thresholds.

European Pravda reported on April 9, citing a senior EU official familiar with the negotiations, that Brussels does not plan to implement new unilateral trade preferences for Ukraine once the current package expires.

"At all levels, we discussed the importance of extending autonomous trade measures until the end of this year - at least in order to have time to make appropriate changes to Article 29 of the Association Agreement and consolidate these autonomous trade measures, which allow us to actually trade duty-free," Shmyhal explained.

He noted that Ukraine has already integrated into the European market, acknowledging the pragmatic approach Ukraine takes in discussions with European partners.

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"Of course, we are extremely pragmatic in our discussions with our European partners and understand our level of responsibility. We are ready to negotiate with our partners, with the European Commission, in order to maintain the level of cooperation that exists today," Shmyhal said.

Despite the challenges, Shmyhal expressed optimism about resolving the issue. "Partners hear us very well, partners understand Ukraine's needs, and we are grateful for such truly constructive, very deep cooperation and understanding," he concluded.

Ukraine's ongoing negotiations with the EU are part of broader efforts to ensure continued access to the European market and maintain vital trade benefits as the country navigates its path forward.

Read also: Over 160 Chinese nationals fight for Russia in Ukraine, obtained documents show

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Marines from the Mykolaiv-based 36th Brigade have posted footage showing how they repel another Russian attempt to gain a foothold in shelters in the Sumy Oblast border area.

Source: video by the 36th Brigade; Ukrainska Pravda source in the brigade

Details: The other day, assault groups of the Russian armed forces attempted to storm the area in order to gain a foothold in the shelters near the village of Basivka in Sumy Oblast.

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The forces of the 36th Separate Marine Brigade, using artillery and unmanned aerial vehicles, struck the Russians.

Confirmed reports indicate that two Russian servicemen were killed and 12 more were wounded. In addition, the Russians lost two ATVs.

Background: On 6 April, the Russian Ministry of Defence announced the capture of the village of Basivka in Sumy Oblast, but the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine and Ukrainska Pravda sources did not confirm this information. According to two Ukrainska Pravda sources from different units of the Ukrainian defence forces, Russian guided aerial bombs erased the village and placed it in the "grey zone" on the battlefield map.

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Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has stated that the agreement with the United States on mineral extraction cannot jeopardise Ukraines aspiration to join the European Union.

Source: Shmyhal in an interview with Bloomberg, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Shmyhal noted that Ukraine would send a special technical working group to Washington for negotiations on the agreement "no later than tomorrow".

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The talks on the deal come amid concerns that granting the US significant privileges might complicate Ukraines efforts to join the EU.

"This [EU accession  ed.] is the number one red line which we communicate to all of our partners," Shmyhal stressed.

He said that Ukraine will "look in for the best solution" during the negotiations on the agreement.

"So this agreement cant hurt our European aspirations and cant hurt our association agreement with the European Union," Shmyhal added.

Background:

Following talks in the Saudi city of Jeddah on 11 March, the presidents of the United States and Ukraine reached an agreement on the development of Ukraines critical mineral resources.

Afterwards, Stefanishyna announced that the Kyiv-Washington framework agreement on mineral resources had been finalised and that Ukraine was ready to sign it at any time.

On 24 March, US President Donald Trump announced that an agreement on rare earth metals would be signed with Ukraine "soon".

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that the United States had proposed to Ukraine a new draft of the mineral resources agreement, which would immediately include parliamentary ratification beyond the initial framework agreement.

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For Ukraine, limiting the size of its armed forces is a red line in the context of negotiations to end the war with Russia.

Source: Pavlo Palisa, Deputy Head of the Presidents Office in an interview with Reuters

Quote from Palisa: "This is a principled position of Ukraine  no one, and certainly not the aggressor country Russia, will dictate to Ukraine what kind of armed forces Ukraine should have."

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Details: Palisa said that a well-trained Ukrainian military will be the best guarantee of Kyiv's security against new Russian attacks if and when a truce or peace agreement is reached.

"I can guess what the Russian Federation is guided by  maybe they want to prepare, to make it easier for themselves in the future, but no. Our task is to learn the lessons (of the past) well," Palisa said.

He also said that he expects Russian attacks to intensify later this month and in May.

He believes that Russia will focus its offensive on Pokrovsk but may also advance along the eastern fronts near Kupiansk and Lyman, as well as the southeastern fronts near Zaporizhzhia and Novopavlivka.

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"The absolute priority, in my opinion, will now be on the Pokrovsk direction," he said.

Background:

Palisa recently said that Russia plans to increase its forces by 150,000 troops in 2025.

In March, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy outlined red lines for Ukraine in potential peace talks with Russia. "Not to lose the independence and sovereignty of our state, and to ensure that Russia never in its life has any influence on the independence of Ukrainians," the Ukrainian president said. He added that he does not want to discuss with Russia "what our army should be like" or "discuss economic security guarantees, where the main guarantee is the EU".

Andrii Yermak, Head of the Office of the President, also spoke about red lines: "Ukraine is not discussing the neutral status and reduction of the size of its Armed Forces. We will never recognise any temporarily occupied territories as Russian."

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A military court in Moscow has sentenced Ukrainian citizen Vadym Chalyi to 16 years in a high-security penal colony for allegedly attempting to commit an act of terrorism by sending explosives to three Russian Defence Ministry colonels on orders from Ukraines Security Service (SSU).

Source: Russian media outlet Meduza on Telegram, citing outlets Mediazona and TASS

Quote from Meduza: "The Second Western District Military Court has sentenced Ukrainian national Vadym Chalyi, who was accused of sending parcels with explosives to three colonels of the Russian Defence Ministry on orders from the SSU."

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Details: Meduza reports that Chalyi was sentenced to 16 years in a high-security penal colony.

Mediazona says that, according to the prosecution, 30-year-old Kyiv native Vadym Chalyi was looking for work on the Avito platform and got in touch with representatives of the SSU.

After allegedly completing test tasks, he was promised 1,000 roubles (about US$12) for each parcel containing 800 grams of explosives sent to three Russian Defence Ministry colonels, and 4,000 roubles (about US$47) for the last package. All three parcels failed to detonate.

As reported by Kremin-aligned news agency TASS, one of the colonels said he received the parcel as a gift from colleagues but, upon hearing the sound of a phone inside, took it out to the balcony until bomb disposal experts arrived. Prosecutors had requested an 18-year prison sentence for the perpetrator.

Chalyi reportedly admitted guilt and expressed remorse, though the victims did not consider his apology sincere.

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US-based coal producer Peabody Energy is reviewing its options regarding the $3.78bn (2.93bn) acquisition of Anglo American's Tier 1 Australian steelmaking coal assets, announced in November last year.

The move follows a fire last week that halted production at the Moranbah North coal mine, which is included in the deal.

The acquisition was set to be closed by mid-2025.

Peabody stated that it was in discussions with Anglo American to ascertain the consequences of the incident and intended to maintain all rights and protections stipulated in the purchase agreements.

Anglo American has been cooperative, providing Peabody with details on the suspension at Moranbah North, reported Reuters.

The company said in an emailed statement: "At the mine, conditions remain stable as we progress with developing our staged re-entry management plan and risk assessment."

Peabody has also begun preliminary talks with potential investors for permanent financing of the acquisition.

The deal for Anglo American's assets included a $2.05bn upfront payment upon completion, deferred cash consideration of $725m and potentially an additional $550m.

It also featured a contingent cash consideration of $450m linked to the reopening of the Grosvenor mine, which experienced a fire in June, prior to the acquisition.

Besides Moranbah North coal mine, the Grosvenor, Aquila and Capcoal coal mines in Queensland's Bowen basin are also part of the acquisition.

This acquisition represents Anglo American's first significant divestiture as part of a broader restructuring strategy.

The London-listed company, which last year rejected a $49bn (A$79.24bn) takeover bid from mining giant BHP Group, has committed to selling its nickel and coal assets.

It is also in the process of divesting from platinum and diamonds to concentrate on copper and iron ore sectors.

"Peabody reviews Anglo American coal assets acquisition after mine fire" was originally created and published by Mining Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.




By Sam Tabahriti

LONDON (Reuters) - LGBTQ+ professionals in Britain still feel pressured to downplay their identity at work, with some changing their appearance, voice or behaviour to avoid discrimination or to be taken seriously, a new report said on Thursday.

Pride in Leadership, a network of LGBTQ+ business leaders, called for stronger rights protecting members of the community and urged companies to do more to stamp out homophobia and transphobia disguised as "banter".

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The not-for-profit, which surveyed 1,000 LGBTQ+ professionals between June and November last year in its first such report, said 85% of respondents encountered career obstacles due to their identity.

It found that 34% of respondents said their identity negatively affected their earlier education, with some still feeling like they have to "be less gay" after being encouraged to suppress their sexuality when they were younger.

Over half said it influenced their career choices, prompting them to avoid certain sectors or roles due to fears of discrimination or lack of support.

"This research reflects what I've seen as a gay leader," Matt Haworth, co-founder of Pride in Leadership, said. "From homophobia in meetings to being invited on trade missions to a country where I could be sentenced to death just for being me... the playing field is far from level."

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"Everyone deserves a fair chance to succeed - regardless of who they love or how they identify," Haworth added.

Official data from the 2021 Census showed that around 1.5 million people in England and Wales identified as gay, lesbian, bisexual or another sexual orientation.

(Reporting by Sam Tabahriti; Editing by Catarina Demony and Christopher Cushing)
Connecticut lawmakers are again looking to constrain cooperation with federal immigration enforcement efforts with new limits proposed on ICE and state contractors.

The Connecticut legislatures Judiciary Committee passed a bill this week along Democratic party lines in a 29-12 vote that strengthens protections under the Trust Act in response to President Donald Trumps plans for mass deportations of undocumented immigrants.

HB 7212 features substitute language to the Trust Act that include keeping ICE out of courthouses; a new provision not allowing state contractors to enter into a state contract if they are assisting ICE; and an enforcement mechanism where someone could petition a court to force a town to comply with the Trust Act if they are not following the law.

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I dont think I need to tell any member of this committee or any member of the public that we are living in uncertain times when it comes to immigration policy, said Rep. Steven Stafstrom, D-Bridgeport and co-chair of the Judiciary Committee, in a meeting. This legislature twice before has worked to pass protections into our laws to make sure that state employees and our law enforcement is focused on investigating and prosecuting crimes that are committed in the state of Connecticut by folks in the state of Connecticut and that our resources are not being diverted to essentially work to solve a broken federal immigration system.

A coalition of activists spent months working with legislators on the Trust Act.

Juan Fonseca-Tapia, campaign manager for The Trust Act Now! Campaign, applauded the passage of the bill out of the Judiciary Committee, saying that it shows the power of the people and sends a clear message that legislators, community members, immigrants and non-immigrants have shared values of protecting communities and ensuring that everyone feels safe and can thrive regardless of their immigration status.

Our legislators and our communities understand that it is important for Connecticut to not allow the federal overreach to dictate how the state is using its local and state resources, he said.

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The Trust Act limits law enforcements cooperation with federal immigration agents, prohibiting them from arresting or detaining an individual in accordance with an immigration detainer unless that individual has been convicted of a Class A or B felony or identified as a possible match in the federal Terrorist Screening database, according to the law.

Most Democratic lawmakers have expressed support for strengthening the Trust Act while Republicans continue to oppose the law, saying it protects undocumented immigrants who commit crimes and calling for reforms to align it with Trumps policies.

Rep. Craig Fishbein, R-Wallingford, called the bill un-American, citing the Supreme Clause of the Constitution which says federal law is supreme.

It is key and important that federal law enforcement is able to cooperate with local enforcement with regard to enforcing the law, he said. Any action by the state to impede that is in my mind unconstitutional and un-American.

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Sen. Gary Winfield D-New Haven, co-chairman of the committee, disagreed.

I turn on my television to discover that someone doing one of the most American things you can do, speaking and expressing their opinion about what is happening, who had legal status, had that legal status removed from them and wasnt informed and then disappeared off of the streets of this country, he said, referring to the arrest of Rumeysa Ozturk, 30, a Turkish Tufts University student arrested on March 25.

Winfield continued: You want to know why people are afraid? Because in the United States of America where people did not think that people just got disappeared, it is happening today as we sit here. It is not un-American to support this. What is un-American is to take people out of this country because they use the freedoms that we all enjoy whether they are citizens or not to speak up, to say what they see. What is un-American is to have a country where folks have to live in fear because they are doing the day to day. They are not committing the crime that we could talk about. They are not the person in the hearing we heard about that is about to blow up some part of Connecticut. They are just living. Raising their children. Working.

Winfield said further that the Trust Act is not a violation of the law.

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We are protecting human beings, he said. People have told me my whole life despite my experience how exceptional this country is. There is nothing exceptional about treating people as if they are not human beings. That is the most common based thing you can do.

Winfield paused and then began choking up, At one point in my life I decided I would put my life on the line potentially by serving this country. I did not put my life on the line if this is the country we are living in.

Rep. Greg Howard, R-Stonington, questioned specific language that does not allow state contractors to enter into a state contract if they are assisting ICE.

There is always a carve out for these restrictions for cooperation when there is a judicial warrant, he said. There is no carve out for Section 2. If a federal immigration authority shows up to a nonprofit that is partially state funded and they have a warrant to enter I would hope that the individuals would be able to cooperate with a judicial warrant.

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In response, Stafstrom said in such a scenario that they would need to cooperate with authorities and acknowledged he was willing to make the change in the language.

Howard said he had concerns about how the bill is drafted as it tells private entities in the state if they want to do business in the state they have to pledge not to cooperate.

Howard told the Courant that he had concerns that the bill puts municipalities at greater risk of liability.

Rep. Doug Dubitsky, R-Chaplin and Patrick Callahan, R-New Fairfield, both argued that the bill would endanger Connecticut residents.

I dont understand why we want to keep people that are convicted of crimes and subject to deportation off the radar, Callahan said. This is a misnomer calling it a Trust Act.
BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. (WKRG)  An unaccompanied 9-year-old was found inside of a Baldwin County home Wednesday with three Guatemalan citizens that have previous orders of removal, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigations Mobile Division.

Mobile Police and Fire Rescue search for missing boater

According to officials, there were no family members of the boy in the home  his parents are home in Guatemala.

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The 9-year-old has been in Baldwin County for about three years and has not been attending any school, according to officials.

Officials said the boy did seem cared for and that he is now in the custody of the Department of Human Resources.

2 juveniles arrested after allegedly punching homeless man in the face: Pensacola PD

FBI officials said they were looking for a different child when they went to the home where the boy was found, but they did not find the child they were looking for.

Haylee Kennedy contributed to this article.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Union County Public Schools has called a special meeting to discuss the proposed 2025-2026 budget with the Union County Board of Commissioners.

The meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the Union County Public Schools Professional Development Center.

Superintendent Dr. Andrew Houlihan presented the proposed budget to the school board on April 1. Part of the proposal calls for an increase in salary and benefits for employees.

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The district said the recommended budget has four main priority areas: investing in our employees, investing in mandatory operational increases, investing in capital infrastructure, and advancing academic performance.

The Board of Education unanimously accepted the superintendents proposed budget on April 1st. The Board will vote on the proposed budget at the May 6 meeting. It then will go to county commissioners for a vote.

(VIDEO: Man charged with murder for street racing crash in Gastonia)
A University of Iowa international student's visa has been revoked, according to a UI email. (Photo by Brooklyn Draisey/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

An international student at the University of Iowa has had their visa revoked, according to an email sent to members of the campus community.

The notification comes amid a national trend of university students facing abrupt changes to their citizenship status.

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UI International Programs Dean and Associate Provost Russell Ganim emailed international students and scholars Thursday to inform them that the visa of a UI student was canceled. The university learned of this April 4, according to the email, and the UI International Student and Scholar Services reached out directly to the student with an offer to meet and describe next steps.

The university did not initiate the action and was not aware of any violation, Ganim said in his email.

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Ganim did not identify the student in his email or provide information on their current situation. He said if the international services office learns of other students visas being changed or canceled, it will reach out immediately to share guidance and outline next steps.

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The email also included resources for legal advice, which Ganim said the university cannot provide, including the Iowa State Bar Association, UI Student Legal Services and the Iowa Law law clinic. Students should check the federal updates page for international programs for additional information, Ganim said in the email, and reach out to international services if there are any questions or concerns.

International students and scholars are valued members of the Iowa community, Ganim said in the email.

Hundreds of international students across the U.S. are in similar situations, with universities from Texas to Oregon and Wisconsin, Ohio, Utah and more reporting changing immigrant statuses among their communities.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in March the State Department had canceled visas of 300 international students, the Louisiana Illuminator reported, some of whom participated in pro-Palestine protests. The Department of Homeland Security announced this week it will start screening immigrants social media for antisemitic activity and the physical harassment of Jewish individuals.

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This will immediately affect aliens applying for lawful permanent resident status, foreign students and aliens affiliated with educational institutions linked to antisemitic activity, the release stated.

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But sticking to China could obliterate Sheins low-cost advantage. The Missguided owner can no longer exploit the so-called de minimis exception to sidestep additional tariffs, duties or taxes on packages worth less than $800. That loophole, according to an executive order signed by Trump last week, will close to goods originating from China and Hong Kong on May 2. With Tuesdays amendments, that means that the $5 tank tops and $10 dresses that once slipped in tariff-free will be subject to a duty rate of either 90 percent of their value (a significant hike from the 30 percent levied only a week ago) or $75 per item (formerly $25) until June 1, following which the surcharge will be $150 per item (previously $50). Shein isnt a public company not yet, anyway but the announcements have caused the shares of affiliated businesses, such as quality inspection service provider Jiacheng International Logistics Co., to tumble by up to 7.7 percent.

Chinas Ministry of Commerce, an unidentified source told Bloomberg, has communicated with Shein and other companies to dissuade them from any thoughts of diversification. While Shein did not respond to a request for comment, this person said that the Singapore-headquartered firm has hit pause on the reconnaissance tours it had been arranging for major Chinese suppliers of factories in Vietnam and elsewhere in Southeast Asia. Shein, according to its 2023 impact report , has also fanned out some of its manufacturing to Brazil and Turkey, whose additional 10 percent tariffsthe lowest tier of the most recent pummelingare likely making sourcing from them even more attractive.

Countries like China, who have chosen to retaliate and try to double down on their mistreatment of American workers, are making a mistake, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavit told reporters on Tuesday, as the stock market continued to crater despite a brief rally in the morning. President Trump has a spine of steel, and he will not break.

On Tuesday, Bloomberg reported that the Chinese-founded e-tail juggernauts plans to rejigger its supply chainstill largely based in southern Chinahasnt been well-received. The news comes amid the Chinese governments scramble to stem a potential manufacturing hemorrhage, along with the job losses that this would entail, from President Donald Trumps aggressive reciprocal import taxes, which have crept up from 20 percent in January to 54 percent last week. By noon on Wednesdaythe deadline for Beijing to rescind its retaliatory tariffs on Chinese goodsthe figure will have swelled to 104 percent.

As tariffs being lobbed between the United States and China enter the triple figures , Shein has a critical decision to make: protect its financial health or obey Beijing.

Story continues

At the same time, Shein doesnt source from China just as a matter of patriotism, even though most of its owners, including its reclusive founder Sky Xu, are Chinese nationals. Southern Chinas highly integrated apparel supply chain, comprising thousands of factories both large and small that churn out everything from fiber to finished garments, effectively meets Sheins demand for diverse styles of products in small batches, said Sheng Lu, professor of fashion and apparel studies at the University of Delaware. The regions first-class logistical infrastructure, state-of-the-art equipment and highly skilled workforce also enable China to maintain a leg up over other Asian suppliers despite its higher wages.

In short, Shein is between a rock and a hard place. Unlike Temu and Amazon, which can leverage U.S.-based warehouses to stock products, Lu said, the e-commerce giants ultra-fast fashion business model requires the company to be in a constant state of designing and pumping out products, making it impossible for Shein to import products far ahead of the actual selling days.

Additionally, Shein primarily attracts consumers by frequently offering trendy items at low prices, Lu added. Losing these price advantages and slowing down its design, production and delivery processes could be detrimental to the company.

Even without Beijing breathing down its neck, moving to lower-tariff destinationsrelative to China, anywaylike Cambodia (49 percent) or Vietnam (46 percent) wouldnt be easy, either. Despite Vietnams strides in the manufacturing space, it still lags far behind China in the vertical integration that buttresses Sheins fast and flexible production model. The breadth of products China offers is another consideration. Case in point: While the types of apparel made by what Lu calls the Asia 5meaning Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia and Vietnamhave edged up over the past year, they can only fulfill 71 percent of the tops and 47 percent of the dresses that China supplies.

Also, most other Asian countries like Vietnam are much smaller than China, meaning their production cost could go up quickly if everybody plans to move there, Lu said. And we cannot rule out the possibility that future legislation by the U.S. Congress or the Trump administration may impose a sector-wide ban on de minimis, which could affect all apparel products regardless of where the item is made. Thus, moving out of China may not alleviate Sheins concerns in the long run.

Adding to that is the fact that the European Union is looking to stitch shut its own de minimis loophole by phasing out customs duty exemptions for parcels under 150 euros ($164.50). Not only do the billions of low-value products that enter the EU each year frequently skirt the blocs laws, the European Commission said in February, but they also endanger European companies that follow the rules regarding unsafe or counterfeit goods.

We have seen a surge in low-value products sold by non-EU traders sold by online marketplaces, commission vice-president Henna Virkkunen said in a statement. Many of those products, they have been found to be unsafe, counterfeited or even dangerous, so they are not often meeting our standards.

In 2024, 4.6 billion low-value parcels entered the EU, or three times more than in 2022, making it an arguably bigger problem than in the United States, where similar shipments hit nearly 1.4 billion last year. What is clear, however, is that the Sheins and Temus of the world are facing an existential threat. And with Shein already being pressured by investors to slash its $66 billion valuation to $30 billion ahead of its rumored London IPO, even as it continues to face scrutiny over its labor rights record, it may need to rewrite its playbook.

The math isnt working anymore, said Maggie Barnett, CEO at LVK, a third-party logistics company, and COO at ShipHero, a warehouse management platform. On LinkedIn, she has been advocating a hybrid model of fashion that isnt fast or slow but somewhere in between.

Fast fashion operates like a casino: high-volume bets on trends with quick payoffs but inevitable long-term losses in unsold inventory, sustainability reputation, and customer loyalty, she said. Slow fashion, while environmentally and ethically conscious, often cant compete with the quick retail-therapy dopamine hit of trend-chasing commerce. The hybrid fashion model takes a different approach. Its about being deliberate in what you produce quickly versus what can move at a more measured pace.

While many may lament the evolution of $15 dresses and weekly collection drops, the opportunity ahead to create businesses that are environmentally mindful, financially sustainable and genuinely responsive to how consumers actually live and dress, is far more exciting, Barnett said, adding that relying solely on Chinese manufacturing is too risky and that brands need to prioritize flexibility over optimization.

We dont need to view pivoting as a last-ditch effort or the end of exciting industry disruption; its the beginning of the next stage of adaptive growth, she added. The companies that are malleable and recognize this shift earlythat understand optionality is the new optimizationwill shape the future of retail fashion.
Siemens Mobility has commenced construction on a new 100m ($126m) facility in Chippenham, Wiltshire, aimed at advancing rail technology in the UK.

The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy, local MP Sarah Gibson, Siemens Mobility leadership, former employees with connections to the company, and community members.

The new facility is projected to open in 2026 and will accommodate approximately 800 employees.

It will focus on the development and production of advanced rail signalling and control systems for both domestic and international markets.

Hendy said: This 100m investment will bring a huge amount of opportunity with it. Current and future rail projects will benefit from better signalling systems, modernising our infrastructure and meaning better services for millions of passengers.

Situated at Southpoint Business Park, the new facility will adhere to BREEAM Excellent standards, featuring energy-efficient production areas and sustainable office spaces.

Siemens Mobility has announced initiatives to promote biodiversity, including the enhancement of green spaces, the planting of native species, and the creation of new wildlife habitats.

Siemens Mobility joint CEO and rail infrastructure and software UKI managing director Rob Morris said: Breaking ground on our new Chippenham facility marks a significant milestone for Siemens Mobility and the wider UK rail industry.

This investment reinforces our commitment to driving innovation in rail technology and to transform rail travel and transport for passengers and freight across the UK.

Siemens Mobility secured planning permission for the project from Wiltshire County Council in December 2024.

The company appointed Bowmer + Kirkland as the main contractor for the project.

Bowmer + Kirkland regional director Nick McQuaid said: Bowmer + Kirkland are delighted to be chosen as Siemens Mobilitys construction partner to deliver this state-of-the-art facility in Chippenham. We are also really pleased to continue our relationship with Siemens and bring our vast experience in the delivery of high-quality buildings and our expertise in sustainable construction methods to this project.

In February this year, Siemens Mobility signed a framework agreement with RIVE Private Investment, Northrail's parent company, to supply up to 50 Vectron locomotives.

"Siemens Mobility breaks ground on $126m rail technology facility in UK" was originally created and published by Railway Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.




(This April 9 story has been corrected to fix the name to Kent, instead of Kelly, in paragraph 9)

By Jonathan Landay

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The top U.S. spy's chief of staff on Wednesday said the U.S. intelligence community is investigating whether the FBI was involved in planning the January 6, 2021 assault on the Capitol by supporters of President Donald Trump.

"We're looking into it right now," Joseph Kent, chief of staff to Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, said during a Senate intelligence committee hearing on his nomination to head the U.S. National Counterterrorism Center.

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He did not elaborate on which of the 18 U.S. intelligence agencies is conducting the probe. Gabbard oversees the FBI's intelligence functions.

A U.S. Justice Department watchdog report released in December debunked claims by far-right conspiracy theorists who falsely alleged that FBI operatives were secretly involved in the Capitol attack.

The report found there were 26 FBI informants in Washington on the day of the attack. But, it said, the FBI did not authorize any to enter the Capitol or engage in violence.

Kent's comments came in response to questions from Democratic Senator Mark Kelly about the attack by Trump supporters trying to prevent Congress from certifying Democrat Joe Biden's 2020 presidential election victory.

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Trump falsely claimed he lost the contest due to widespread voting fraud. In January, he pardoned more than 1,500 people charged in the assault by a mob of his supporters who stormed the Capitol in an unsuccessful effort to overturn his election defeat.

Kelly asked Kent, a former Green Beret and CIA officer and staunch Trump loyalist, what evidence he had to back up a post on what is now the social media platform X that the FBI and U.S. spy agencies were involved in planning the assault on Congress.

"We've already identified that there were multiple confidential human informants run by the FBI and other law enforcement agencies that were present in the crowd that day, directing, removing barriers, those types of things," Kent said. "That has been investigated widely. We continue to look into that intelligence."

He alleged that the FBI and law enforcement elements that he did not identify "attempted to suppress the fact" that informants were among the thousands of rioters.

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Information that forewarned of violence indicated that there had been "some degree of intelligence infiltration" of groups who stormed the Capitol, he said.

Kent said that it "probably" was the bureau's Washington Field Office that was involved and that it was "being looked into" by the intelligence community.

Asked for comment, a spokesperson for Gabbards office referred to her announcement on Tuesday that a new task force she has formed is executing Trumps executive orders to rebuild trust in the intelligence community starting with investigating weaponization, rooting out deep-seeded politicization, exposing unauthorized disclosures of classified intelligence, and declassifying information that serves a public interest.

Gabbard campaigned for Kent during his failed 2022 run to represent Washington state's 3rd congressional district.

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He was quoted by local media as questioning the validity of Biden's victory and called the Capitol attack an "intelligence operation," and rioters charged in the assault "political prisoners."

Several Democratic senators questioned Kent about his participation in a group chat on the Signal messaging app in which top Trump national security officials discussed plans for March 15 airstrikes against Houthi militants in Yemen.

Kent said that material posted in the chat was unclassified, but he declined to answer questions, saying the matter is the subject of litigation.

The Pentagon's Inspector General's office announced earlier this month that it was opening a probe into Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's use of Signal to coordinate the strikes.

(Reporting by Jonathan Landay; additional reporting by Erin Banco; Editing by Don Durfee and Sonali Paul)
By Jihoon Lee and Heekyong Yang

SEOUL (Reuters) -South Korea on Wednesday announced emergency support measures for its auto sector, seeking to reduce the blow of U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs on a sector that has seen years of sharply rising exports to the United States.

The measures include financial support for the auto industry as well as tax cuts and subsidies to boost domestic demand, while the government also vowed efforts to negotiate with the U.S. and help expand markets.

Trump has announced a 25% tariff on imported cars and light trucks starting on Thursday. Manufacturers are expected to bear some of the tariff costs in the first year, but will eventually alter production and possibly cease importing certain low-volume models into the U.S. market.

"Given the (lower) proportion of South Korean automakers' local production in the United States, our industry is comparably at a disadvantage," the government said in a statement.

The tariff was expected to cause "significant" damage to South Korean automakers and auto parts manufacturers, though it was difficult to come up with numerical estimates at the moment, the government said.

To help prevent any liquidity issues, the government will raise policy financing support for the auto industry to 15 trillion won ($10.18 billion) in 2025 from the 13 trillion won previously planned, according to the statement.

The government will lower taxes on automobile purchases to 3.5% from the current 5% until June 2025 and raise electric-vehicle subsidies to 30%-80% of price discounts from the current 20-40% with the period extended by six months to the end of this year.

The government said it would also actively support automakers' efforts to expand export markets in the "Global South", which refers to less developed countries in Africa, Latin America and Asia, where demand is growing.

Regarding U.S. tariffs, the government said: "We will do our best to ensure that the U.S. does not treat South Korea in a disadvantageous way compared with other allies, through negotiations and by strengthening bilateral cooperation," without details.

The auto industry welcomed the support plan, but said further discussions were needed on more tax benefits to boost domestic demand. "There is a lot of concern in the auto industry about whether this alone will be enough," an industry official told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not permitted to speak to the media.

In 2024, South Korea's exports of automobiles to the United States stood at $34.7 billion, accounting for 49% of its total auto exports.
Russia and the United States exchanged prisoners in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, on Thursday April 10.

Source: European Pravda; The Wall Street Journal

Details: Russia has released Ksenia Karelina, a US and Russian citizen who was sentenced to 12 years in prison last year for high treason for donating less than US$100 to a charity supporting Ukraine.

In response, the United States freed Arthur Petrov, a German and Russian citizen who had been arrested in Cyprus at the request of the United States on suspicion of illegally exporting microelectronics to Russia.

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A Central Intelligence Agency spokesperson said that CIA Director John Radcliffe and a Russian intelligence official negotiated the swap. Radcliffe was present at the Abu Dhabi airport during the exchange and met Karelina.

"Today, President Trump brought home another wrongfully detained American from Russia," Ratcliffe said.

The US side suspects Petrov, using a company in Cyprus, purchased electronics under the guise of commercial use and sent them to St Petersburg to a company working for the Russian military.

Karelina lived in Los Angeles and worked as a beautician at a spa in Beverly Hills. She was detained in Yekaterinburg, Russia, after arriving to visit her family in late 2023.

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The US has stressed that this exchange is a positive step, although many Americans remain behind bars in Russia.

Background:

This is the second exchange between Russia and the United States since Donald Trump took office in January. In February, Russia released American teacher Marc Fogel during a visit by US Special Representative Steve Witkoff.

At the time, Trump welcomed the release of the American and expressed hope that the move would allow the two countries to work towards ending the war in Ukraine.

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Editor's note: The story was updated with reporting that the meeting had concluded.

U.S. and Russian delegations have finished another round of talks regarding the work of embassies at the Russian Consulate in Istanbul on April 10, Russian state-controlled news agency TASS reported.

The U.S. delegation had left the Russian Consulate in Istanbul, TASS reported. The consultations between Washington and Moscow were held in a closed format and lasted around six hours.

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Details of the meeting and possible conclusions have not been disclosed at the time of publication.

U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said on April 9 that the talks would focus "solely" on embassy operations, "not on normalizing a bilateral relationship overall."

Russian and U.S. officials previously held a meeting on embassy operations in Istanbul on Feb. 27 and two rounds of talks on peace in Ukraine in Saudi Arabia.

Last week, Russian negotiator Kirill Dmitriev arrived in Washington to hold talks with U.S. officials on behalf of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Dmitriev met with Steve Witkoff, U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy to the Middle East, at the White House.

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President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged on April 3 that U.S. and Russian officials were holding private conversations about the possibility of a full ceasefire in Ukraine.

Kyiv has said for weeks that it is ready to begin a complete 30-day ceasefire, in line with a proposal from Washington, as long as Russia accepts the same terms. Russia has so far refused, only agreeing to partial ceasefires on energy infrastructure and in the Black Sea in exchange for restored access to international markets.

Read also: Trump didnt impose tariffs on Russia but they might be wrecking its economy regardless

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The News

Moscow has released Ksenia Karelina, a Russian-American citizen arrested for donating $50 to a US-based Ukraine charity, as part of a prisoner exchange deal with the US.

In exchange, Washington freed Arthur Petrov, who had been arrested for allegedly skirting sanctions to smuggle microelectronics to Russia.

The swap took place in Abu Dhabi Thursday, as Russian and US teams met in Istanbul to discuss improving high-level diplomatic ties between the two countries: Under US President Donald Trump, Washington has softened its approach to Moscow in what some analysts believe could lead to a broader normalization of relations that might see Washingtons European allies sidelined.
The U.S. State Department described the April 10 talks between Washington and Moscow in Istanbul as having a "constructive approach," according to an official statement.

The closed-door consultations lasted approximately six hours.

Officials from both delegations agreed to continue discussions on ensuring stable banking services for diplomatic missions and exchanged notes on the matter. A follow-up meeting is planned.

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The U.S. also reiterated its long-standing concern over Russia's ban on employing local staff for its embassy in Moscow, calling it "the key impediment to maintaining stable and sustainable staffing levels."

On the same day, the two countries carried out a prisoner exchange in Abu Dhabi.

Russia released Ksenia Karelina, a U.S.-Russian dual national who had been sentenced to 12 years in prison for treason after donating $51.80 to the Ukrainian American nonprofit Razom for Ukraine. Moscow accused her of indirectly financing Ukraine's Armed Forces.

In return, Washington reportedly freed Artur Petrov, a German-Russian dual citizen who was detained in Cyprus in 2023 at the U.S.'s request. Petrov was accused of exporting sensitive American microelectronics.

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The talks in Istanbul follow previous meetings on embassy operations held on Feb. 27 and separate rounds of peace discussions in Saudi Arabia.

U.S. President Donald Trump, who assumed office earlier this year, has drawn praise from Moscow for his efforts to restore bilateral relations despite Russia's war against Ukraine..

Read also: Supporting Ukraine is America first  Trumps spiritual advisor, Pastor Mark Burns

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The South Korean government has agreed to make available an additional KRW2trn (US$1.35bn) in public funds to support the domestic automotive industry, after the US government introduced a blanket 25% tariff on vehicles and components imported into the country last week.

South Korea exported almost 1.5 million vehicles to the US last year, worth an estimated US$38bn, with Hyundai and Kia accounting for 1.145 million of these, and with GM Korea, the local manufacturing unit of US automaker General Motors, accounting for most of the remainder.

The countrys Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy confirmed that with this additional funding, the government aims to provide a total of KRW15trn (US$10bn) in policy financing to South Korean vehicle and component manufacturers this year.

Policy support will include new measures to stimulate the domestic vehicle market, such as increasing electric vehicle (EV) subsidies and extending tax discounts on new vehicle purchases.

The ministry said it expects the countrys main domestic automakers to experience a decline in output this year due to the US tariffs. This is expected to have a disproportionate effect on the countrys small and medium component manufacturers due to their dependence on domestic vehicle production.

The Ministry pointed out that South Koreas main automakers are looking to diversify their export markets, with a stronger focus on the Global South regions including Asia, South America and the Middle East.

Hyundai Motor Group, comprising Hyundai and Kia, said it plans to create a separate financial support programme in collaboration with major domestic banks, worth around KRW1trn, to provide support for its domestic component suppliers.

"South Korea increases support for the auto sector" was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand.




 Flash

This photo taken on Jan. 29, 2025 shows the Berlaymont Building, the European Commission headquarters, in Brussels, Belgium. [Photo/Xinhua]

European Union (EU) member states on Wednesday backed the bloc's first package of retaliatory measures against U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs.

In a statement, the European Commission condemned the U.S. tariffs as "unjustified and damaging, causing economic harm to both sides, as well as to the global economy."

According to media outlets Euractiv and Politico, 26 of the bloc's 27 member states voted in favor during Wednesday's session, signaling overwhelming support for fighting back against Trump's tariff measures.

The European Commission proposed the retaliatory duties on Monday, setting most of them at 25 percent. The tariffs target a range of U.S. imports in response to Washington's levies on steel and aluminum.

The list spans from agricultural to industrial products such as soybeans, poultry, tobacco, iron, motorcycles, dental floss, and both steel and aluminum. These goods totaled around 22 billion euros (24.36 billion dollars) last year.

The tariffs will be introduced in three stages. The first set, on goods like cranberries and orange juice, will take effect on April 15. A second round, covering items such as steel, meat, white chocolate, and polyethylene, will follow on May 16. The final phase, targeting almonds and soybeans, is scheduled for Dec. 1.

These steps mark the EU's initial response to the broader transatlantic trade dispute. In addition to metals, the Trump administration previously announced a 25 percent tariff on EU cars and a so-called "reciprocal" tariff of 20 percent on nearly all other EU imports.

The European Commission is expected to propose additional retaliatory measures against other U.S. tariffs as early as next week. "I expect that will happen early next week. Also early next week is the second phase of our response to U.S. tariffs, this time on cars and reciprocal tariffs," European Commission spokesperson Olof Gill told a press conference Tuesday.

The European Commission also repeated its preference "to find negotiated outcomes with the U.S., which would be balanced and mutually beneficial."

"These countermeasures can be suspended at any time, should the U.S. agree to a fair and balanced negotiated outcome," it said. (1 euro = 1.11 dollar)
This story was originally published on CFO Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily CFO Dive newsletter.

Dive Brief:

Tesla CFO Vaibhav Taneja sold shares of the electric vehicle maker with an aggregate market value of $957,720, according to a Monday securities filing, with the sale coming several days after the company posted vehicle delivery results for its first quarter of 2025 which came in below expectations.

The transaction represents the third stock sale by the CFO in as many months. Taneja sold $1.7 million worth of Tesla stock in March and offloaded $2.8 million worth of shares in February, CFO Dive previously reported. Tanejas latest stock transaction comes as EV maker continues to see waning sales amid an ongoing consumer backlash against Tesla and CEO Elon Musk, growing competition from other global automakers, and uncertainty surrounding potential tariffs.

In Q1 2025  which many expect is likely to be the Austin, Texas-based companys worst quarter since 2022  Tesla delivered 336,681 total vehicles, according to an April 2 update, a 13% decline from deliveries in the prior year period. The company is expected to report its full Q1 results on April 22.

Dive Insight:

Tesla executives including Board Chair Robyn Denholm and board member Kimbal Musk, the brother of CEO Elon Musk, have also sold millions in stock in recent months, following a Delaware judgment which required the two executives, among others, to pay back a collective $919 million in compensation to Tesla, CFO Dive reported.

The stock sales by company executives are occurring as Tesla faces ongoing challenges, with its latest slump in vehicle deliveries part of an ongoing nosedive in global sales. In Europe, backlash against CEO Elon Musks U.S. political activities contributed to sales of its EVs plummeting by just over 40% in February compared to the prior year, according to March data from the European Automotive Manufacturers Association. Tesla has also seen sales in China slump, though the launch of its Model Y in the market enabled it to climb into third place for sales in March, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing data from the China Passenger Car Association.

Meanwhile, Teslas declining sales represent growing opportunities for the EV makers competitors, many of which saw their sales grow over the past month. Global sales of Volkswagen AGs EV models, for example, climbed by 59% year-over-year, the German automaker said Wednesday  skyrocketing by 113% in Europe and 51% in the U.S., according to the release.
In particular, the Treasury will look at the CFPBs recent rules and bank regulator expectations related to internal controls, including third-party risk management and information security, Bessent said.

Bessent expressed concern that community banks are being unduly burdened by compliance requirements. Applying common sense principles, the Treasury plans to push more tailored regulation for those banks. There may be strong cases for categorical exemptions of community banks from some entire regulations, he said.

As the Trump administration pledges to make bank regulation more fair and efficient, striking a balance between cost and benefit requires tailoring regulatory actions to the specific risk profiles of different business models, Bessent said. In assessing the cost of a regulatory action, we should be attentive to the potential burdens arising from unintended consequences.

I do believe policy is personnel, personnel is policy, Bessent said. Im just the conductor and Ive got a great orchestra, and were going to make great music.

Bessent said President Donald Trump entrusted him with choosing personnel, noting a roster of nominees to lead agencies that all have previous experience in financial regulation, including former Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. board member Jonathan McKernan to lead the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and Federal Reserve Gov. Michelle Bowman to become the central banks vice chair of supervision.

As for the Treasurys greater role, Bessent said the Financial Stability Oversight Council is one potential forum for that, while the Presidents Working Group on Financial Markets is another.

Bureaucratic hubris has escaped the beltway, Bessent told the group of bankers Wednesday. Our goal is to put it back in its cage.

In particular, Bessent, speaking at the American Bankers Associations Washington summit , will focus on ensuring smaller, community banks matter more in bank regulation, pursuing reforms related to regulatory tailoring, supervision, capital requirements, liquidity, and the anti-money laundering/countering the financing of terrorism framework.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told a group of bankers Wednesday that the department intends to play a greater role in financial regulation, as the Trump administration seeks to ensure bank regulators fulfill their statutory mandate consistent with his priorities.

This story was originally published on Banking Dive . To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Banking Dive newsletter .

Story Continues

Refocusing bank supervision on material financial risk is one of the most significant reforms, he said. Regulators should keep the main thing the main thing.

He also said the Treasury intends to drive a change in the culture of supervision by improving exam procedures, bolstering its monitoring of examiners compliance and more realistic processes for banks to appeal supervisory findings.

Most glaringly, regulation through supervision has too often taken place behind a veil of secrecy that precludes scrutiny by the public and their elected officials, and the Trump administration plans to correct that, Bessent said.

Maybe the most consequential step would be defining unsafe and unsound by rule, using more objective measures rooted in financial risk, he said.

Bessent also noted the shift of mortgage lending to nonbanks  which has undercut an important business for community banks. That was driven, in part, by regulation, such as outdated capital requirements, he contended.

Bessent advocated for a different approach toward revamping capital requirements, saying the U.S. shouldnt outsource its decision making to international bodies such as the Basel committee, and instead should conduct its own analysis to determine the right framework.

A significant open question would be how to foster competitive parity across large and small banks and nonbank lenders, he said. Modernizing regulatory capital likely would mean reduced capital requirements for mortgage loans and some other exposures that are core to the community bank model.

Additionally, Bessent said the Treasury will review the capital buffer framework that applies to the largest banks. The process for sizing each large banks stress capital buffer should be consistent with the law and provide transparency and opportunity for comment, he said.

Bessent said hes raised concerns about whether leverage capital restrictions are too frequently binding, and bank regulators are now at work to develop a proposal to ensure that leverage capital functions as an appropriate backstop.

After post-2008 reforms required large increases in banks investments in central bank reserves, treasuries and other high-quality assets that can be liquidated during stress events, more than one-quarter of banks balance sheets now go toward these assets, Bessent noted.

While strengthening liquidity, the shift to safe assets has meant less funding available for loans and other productive assets, he said. It is time that we step back and reassess these and other cost benefits of the liquidity framework.

Bessent also said regulators will revisit the role of the discount window and federal home loan banks, including whether there are opportunities to clarify the role of these funding sources in internal liquidity stress testing and the supervision of banks contingency funding plans.

Bessent also teased that the Treasury plans to advocate for changes to anti-money laundering and counterterrorism financing rules, to truly focus on national security priorities and higher risk areas, and explicitly permit financial institutions to deprioritize lower risk. He also seeks to work with Congress to consider reforms to deposit insurance; consider enhancements to bank resolutions to incorporate lessons learned from the 2023 failures; and review regulatory impediments to blockchain, stablecoin and new payment systems.

Recommended Reading
UK-based accountancy firm Carpenter Box is set to merge with local peer Clark Brownscombe to bolster its office network into East Sussex.

The deal forms a key part of Carpenter Box's ongoing expansion strategy. It currently serves a growing client base from offices in Brighton, Chichester, Crawley, London, Portsmouth and Worthing,.

The merger will result in Clark Brownscombe continuing its operations from its current Lewes office under the Carpenter Box branding later this year.

The transition will also involve the elevation of Clark Brownscombe's directors, Robert Scrivins and Vicky Anderson, to partner positions at Carpenter Box.

Additionally, six staff members from Clark Brownscombe will join the ranks of Carpenter Box.

Scrivins said: This merger is a significant milestone in our journey. We currently have expertise in business, charity and individual accounting and taxation matters and by joining with Carpenter Box, we will unlock additional resources and services that will directly benefit our clients through access to specialist knowledge.

As a member of the Sumer Group of regional accountancy practices, Carpenter Box has a team of chartered accountants, tax specialists, and business advisers dedicated to supporting businesses and entrepreneurs.

With a partnership of 23 and a workforce exceeding 250, the firm provides a suite of services aimed at fostering profitable, sustainable, and tax-efficient business practices across the south east and in London.

Carpenter Box managing partner Alan Edwards said: Im thrilled to announce this merger with Clark Brownscombe and delighted to welcome the firm into the Carpenter Box team. They are a perfect fit for our growth strategy, helping us to expand into East Sussex with a Lewes office.

Together, we bring nearly 200 years of combined experience in tax planning, advisory services and financial planning and share the same customer service ethos.

Since its inception in 1923, Carpenter Box has evolved to offer services to both local and international clients.

In May 2023, Carpenter Box celebrated its 100-year legacy with a special event at its Worthing head office, attended by Sussex MPs and the Mayor of Worthing.

"UKs Carpenter Box to merge with Clark Brownscombe " was originally created and published by International Accounting Bulletin, a GlobalData owned brand.




WARREN, Ohio (WKBN)  A Warren woman received a 48-month prison sentence and her drivers license will be suspended for five years for causing a crash that injured two people last year.

Tabathia Ann Flight was convicted of aggravated vehicular assault and failure to comply with the order or signal of a police officer for a high-speed chase in December that ended in a crash.

Warren police were investigating a theft at a dollar store when an officer spotted a vehicle believed to be involved in the incident. Police tried to pull the vehicle over but said the driver, Flight, refused to stop.

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Flight led officers on a chase that ended in a crash into a business at W. Market Street and Southern Boulevard NW.

Two passengers in the vehicle were injured and Flight ran away before being stopped by a police dog, reports stated.

The judge, in issuing mandatory consecutive prison sentences, told Flight, It is people like you who have no respect for themselves and no respect for the law, according to a news release from the Trumbull County Prosecutors Office.

As part of her sentence, Flight will also have to pay $5,242 of restitution to the insurance company for the damages from the crash.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
A Washington judge is dismissing the wrongful death suit filed by the family of Michael Reinoehl, killed by the U.S. Marshals Service Task Force in 2020.

Reinoehl was a self-proclaimed member of Antifa who was wanted for murder, and was shot and killed by law enforcement in September 202. His death was captured on video.

In an interview with Vice News, Reinoehl admitted to killing a right-wing activist during a Black Lives Matter protest in Portland on August 29, 2024, claiming self-defense.

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The U.S. Marshals Task Force tracked Reinoehl to Lacey, Washington. Officers say he was uncooperative when they tried to make an arrest. Thats when Reinoehl was shot and killed.

His family believes his death was due to a hasty and negligent response by law enforcement.

However, U.S. District Judge David Estudillo disagreed, dismissing this wrongful death lawsuit and citing  according to The Oregonian  that the court does not have the authority to decide if the plan to arrest Reinoehl was adequate.
Gov. Bob Ferguson signs Senate Bill 5106, a bill to make Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha state-recognized holidays. The bill signing was Tuesday, April 6, 2025 at the Islamic Center in Tacoma. (Photo Courtesy of governor's office)

Two Islamic celebrations will be added to Washingtons list of unpaid state holidays, under a bill signed into law on Tuesday.

Senate Bill 5106 would make Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha state-recognized holidays. The bill passed the House on March 31, the day after Ramadan concluded. Gov. Bob Ferguson signed it Tuesday night at the Islamic Center of Tacoma, where community members filled the room.

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Being in that room yesterday and just understanding the impact and the way people felt afterwards, its one thing to pass a bill and its another thing to be in the community, said Sen. Yasmin Trudeau, D-Tacoma, the bills prime sponsor.

These holidays are celebrated by more than 100,000 Muslims across Washington state. In his remarks, Ferguson noted that Washington is the first state in the country to designate Eid as a state-recognized holiday.

This is the first in the country, which is a huge deal, said Osman Salahuddin, D-Redmond, sponsor of the House version of the bill.

Salahuddin described people having to choose between observing their faith and meeting their academic or professional responsibilities.

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Too many Muslim students have had to miss milestone events like graduation or face academic penalties simply for observing their faith, Salahuddin said.

This bill, along with other state laws, would allow employees to take off two unpaid holidays per year for a reason of faith and require postsecondary institutions to accommodate student absences and reschedule exams or school activities for reasons of faith or conscience.

Both holidays are celebrated similarly, with families and community members gathering to eat traditional foods. Islam uses the lunar calendar, which is based on the cycles of the moon, to determine the dates of their holidays, meaning the dates change by around 10 days every year.

The month of Ramadan marks one of the most sacred times for Muslims. During this occasion, Muslims fast between dawn and sunset and devote their time to spiritual reflection and prayer. Eid al-Fitr celebrates the end of Ramadan.

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Eid Al-Adha observes the completion of the pilgrimage to Mecca and commemorates the willingness of the prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son at the request of God.

The bill received strong support in the Legislature, with nearly 40 cosponsors combined in both chambers and large numbers of people testifying in support.

In recent years, the Legislature has taken initiative to expand the list of recognized holidays that celebrate cultural and religious practices. Last year, Lunar New Year was recognized as an unpaid holiday.

Other unpaid holidays in Washington include Korean-American Day, Cesar Chavez Day, Blood Donor Day, and Water Safety Day.

This is something that our community has long been asking for, Salahuddin said, adding that community members can finally see themselves be represented in state law.
Shares of Cal-Maine Foods, the largest U.S. egg producer, fell in after-hours trading Tuesday after the company acknowledged it is being investigated by the antitrust division of the U.S. Department of Justice.

Ridgeland, Mississippi-based Cal-Maine said it received notice of the investigation into egg price increases last month. Cal-Maine said it is cooperating with the investigation.

The company's shares fell more than 4% in after-hours trading.

Egg prices have hit record highs in recent months, largely due to a bird flu epidemic that has forced farmers to slaughter more than 166 million birds, mostly egg-laying chickens.

One dozen Grade A eggs cost an average of $5.90 in U.S. cities in February, up 10.4% from a year ago. That eclipsed Januarys record-high price of $4.95.

The egg price increases have put Cal-Maine, which provides around 20% of the nations eggs, under increased scrutiny.

On Tuesday, Cal-Maine said its sales nearly doubled to $1.42 billion in its fiscal third quarter, which ended March 1. The company said that was primarily due to higher egg prices, which averaged $4.06 per dozen during the quarter, up from $2.25 per dozen a year ago.

Cal-Maines sales fell short of Wall Streets forecast of $1.43 billion, according to analysts polled by FactSet.

Cal-Maine said it sold a record 331.4 million dozen-eggs in the third quarter, a 10% increase from the same period a year ago.

Cal-Maine said it made progress on mitigating the effects of bird flu, including increasing the number of layer hens and chicks hatched and recovering from the flu-related closure of facilities in Texas and Kansas. The company said its feed costs were also down during the quarter.

Cal-Maine said its third quarter net income more than tripled to $508.5 million compared to the same period a year ago. The profit, of $10.38 per share, also fell short of analysts forecast of a $10.72 per-share profit.
By Aishwarya Venugopal and Savyata Mishra

(Reuters) - Aggressive tariffs on China-made clothes, bags and shoes by U.S. President Donald Trump could benefit off-price retailers such as TJ Maxx and Ross who rely on expansive sourcing strategies and inventory management.

TJ Maxx-owner TJX Cos, Ross Stores and Burlington Stores often acquire clothing, accessories and other merchandise from U.S. middlemen -- not always importing from factories overseas directly.

This will allow them to largely sidestep any direct hit from the new China tariffs in the near term, investors and analysts said.

"They're just buying unsold inventory from other places," said Brian Mulberry, client-portfolio manager at Zacks Investment Management, referring to the typical off-price business model of buying from department stores and clothing and footwear manufacturers.

"Those tariffs," Mulberry said, "would have already been paid" by the retailer who had imported the clothing or shoes from China, he said.

To be sure, off-price retailers will face tariffs on some imports.

Overall, TJX had bought products from 21,000 plus vendors spread across more than 100 countries, according to its filing for the year ended February 1. Typically less than 10% of the merchandise the retailer purchases for its U.S. businesses are directly imported from China.

TJX and Ross recently provided cautious annual sales and profit amid uncertainty from the tariffs.

Off-price stores are also nimble in what they buy, opportunistically snapping up anything that looks like a good deal.

"There's more availability out there over the next six months, even more than there's been, which is going to create more buying opportunities for our teams," TJX CEO Ernie Herrman said on a post-earnings call in February.

BARGAIN PULL

Off-price retailers are also poised to draw more shoppers seeking out bargains amid higher clothing and shoe prices. The chains typically offer discounts of between 20% and 60% as they tend to acquire low-priced merchandise that is "off-season" from manufacturers and retailers.

"The resounding sentiment from the off-price [executives'] C-suites is that the sector is well-positioned to take advantage of any dislocation in the market due to the nature of the business model," Jefferies analyst Corey Tarlowe said.

Last week, Trump imposed new tariffs on key sportswear and apparel production hubs including Vietnam and Indonesia.

On Wednesday, in a stunning reversal, he paused most of the hefty duties and increased tariffs on Chinese imports to 125%.
US President Donald Trump has signed executive orders to increase coal production in the US, a move that defies international efforts to reduce carbon emissions.

The orders are part of Trump's broader agenda to revitalise the coal industry and increase energy output.

Coal's share of US electricity generation has fallen from 50% in 2000 to less than 20% due to the rise of natural gas and renewable energy sources, reported Reuters.

Trump said at the White House: "We are bringing back an industry that was abandoned," signalling his intent to revive coal mining jobs, which have decreased over the past decade.

Since taking office on 20 January, Trump has been dismantling energy and environmental regulations to fulfil his campaign promises.

The resurgence in coal production is also driven by rising US electricity demand from data centres, electric vehicles and cryptocurrencies.

The executive orders include measures to prevent the retirement of coal plants, using the 1950 Defense Production Act to bolster production.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright has been directed to consider classifying metallurgical coal as a "critical mineral", potentially invoking emergency powers to increase production.

Following the orders, Wright's department made $200bn available for loans, including for new coal technologies, according to the report.

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum has been instructed to end the moratorium on new coal leasing on federal lands and to process applications for royalty rate reductions from federal coal lessees as swiftly as allowed by the relevant legislation.

Despite these efforts, the demand for increased US coal output remains uncertain, with many coal-burning plants closing due to cheaper alternatives and regulatory concerns, the report stated.

Coal plant supporters argue that deregulation can improve grid contribution, but previous attempts by Trump's administration to subsidise coal plants were rejected by federal regulators in 2018.

National Mining Association President and CEO Rich Nolan expressed optimism about the new strategy, highlighting the strategic value of US coal.

In contrast, environmental groups including the Natural Resources Defense Council, criticised the plan, emphasising the inefficiency and pollution associated with coal plants. Coal is the most carbon-intensive fossil fuel and is linked to serious health issues.

In March 2025, the US Department of the Interior approved a federal mining plan modification for the Spring Creek coal mine in Big Horn County, Montana.
By Manya Saini and Niket Nishant

(Reuters) - Heightened uncertainty fueled by the on-and-off U.S. tariffs will likely take center stage as the nation's regional banks gear up to report first-quarter results next week, with investors tracking signs of stress in asset quality.

President Donald Trump's decision to pause many of his new reciprocal tariffs for 90 days provided a reprieve to regional bank stocks on Wednesday, but analysts warned that the broader conflict remains unresolved.

"The trade war isn't exactly over, and the pause didn't return the world to the time before Trump touched off the global instability," said Art Hogan, chief market strategist at B. Riley Wealth.

The turmoil sparked by the flip-flop starkly contrasts with the optimism at the start of the year when the banking industry rallied on hopes of strong loan growth and a rebound in deal activity under the new business-friendly administration.

"While near-term overhang from tariffs may have eased for now, regional banks likely face a challenging year," analysts at J.P. Morgan said, observing that loan demand may remain subdued as borrowers keep to the sidelines seeking clarity.

Investors should also pay close attention to the escalating tensions with China, they said. While most of the steep tariffs were temporarily eased, the U.S. raised duties on imports from China to 125% from 104%, with Trump accusing Beijing of showing a "lack of respect" for the world's markets.

A dispute between the two biggest economies of the world could weigh on growth. Any economic downturn is particularly risky for regional banks, which rely heavily on lending to local businesses and consumers.

Such banks also lack the scale of larger peers, and their smaller or non-existent trading operations leave them without an opportunity to cash in on market turmoil during times of volatility.

Since the new levies were first announced, the KBW Regional Banking index has dropped 7.5% through Wednesday's close.

REAL RISK

Fifth Third, Citizens Financial and Regions Financial are among the banks expected to report results next week. Forecasts and executive commentary will likely draw more scrutiny than the quarterly numbers themselves.

Markets have swung wildly in recent days as Trump first unveiled steep tariffs only to temper them a week later, raising investor interest in how banks plan to navigate the turbulence.

Analysts have warned of a spike in provisions for credit losses, or the capital that banks set aside to cover potential defaults by borrowers.
We recently published a list of Deep Value Stocks ETFs: Top 10 Picks. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Vanguard Mid-Cap Value Index Fund ETF Shares (NYSE:VOE) stands against other deep value ETFs to invest in.

This year, growth stocks are largely overvalued, trading at massive premiums compared to the riotous tech bubble of 2021. This is why Morningstar suggests that investors should underweight growth stocks in their portfolios and focus on value stocks instead. As of March 24, 2025, the Morningstar US Market Index saw the highest losses in artificial intelligence stocks, while undervalued stocks gained. Value stocks are trading at an impressive 13% discount to fair value. Thus, Morningstar advises investors to pick up small-cap stocks, which are trading at an 18% discount to fair value, compared to large and mid-cap equities, which trade at the same discount as the broader market.

William C. Nygren, partner, portfolio manager, and chief investment officer at Harris Associates, believes that it is an attractive time to be a value investor in this day and age because of the large spread in valuations between a few tech giants that drive the broader market and everything else. It is a golden time for value investors because the market is so concentrated, which means that cheap stocks are spread all across the other industries, allowing a unique opportunity to put together an investment portfolio comprising low P/E stocks. According to Nygren, it's not just bank and oil stocks that look cheap right now. Consumer durables, healthcare, and media companies are also attractively valued. Since a value investor focuses on buying stocks that the market isnt favoring at the moment, they get a much lower price. A value investor has to brave the odds, step in when others waver, and patiently wait for the market to reprice so their portfolio can thrive.

Similarly, veteran value investor Joel Greenblatt of Gotham Asset Management acknowledges that while value stocks have underperformed compared to their growth counterparts over the last two decades, investors who keenly observe and play the market can certainly prevail and outperform the broader market. Greenblatts Gotham Asset Management has returned a positive spread for the last three years, and the value investor noted that for a couple of mega stocks to consistently outperform the broader market is rather abnormal, possibly hinting that the market will reset its course.

Vanguard Mid-Cap Value Index Fund ETF Shares (VOE): Among the Top Deep Value Stocks ETFs

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Ernie Hermann is always on the lookout for a bargain.

The chief executive of TJX Cos. (TJX) explained his position during a February earnings call with analysts, after the parent of T.J. Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods beat Wall Street's fiscal-fourth-quarter expectations.

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"We believe that our relentless focus on value every day through a combination of brand, fashion, price and quality will continue to resonate with shoppers," he said.

He noted the company's "very wide demographic."

"We want to sell everyone and believe our offerings across good, better and best brands appeal to shoppers across most income and age demographics," Hermann added.

Related: Analyst reworks eBay stock price target on economic uncertainty

That approach can do wonders for a retailer, especially as President Donald Trump's tariffmania grips the globe and stocks recently got hammered harder than a rodeo clown at Cheyenne Frontier Days.

It's been a tough time for the retail sector. Store closures spiked in 2024, and Coresight Research expects closures to more than double this year, to about 15,000.

Investment firm sees positive signs amid tariff war

U.S. store closures totaled 7,325 last year, the firm said, the most since 2020, when Coresight Research tracked almost 10,000 closures.

Stocks were surging at last check on news that Trump might be open to trade talks with some countries.

More experts:

Marc Zabicki, chief investment officer at LPL Financial, said it had been reported that many countries had come forward, willing to negotiate the tariff terms.

Countries in the eurozone (in aggregate), Asia-Pacific and South America have been some of the most notable, he said. This is a good sign and, again, likely part of the plan as far as the Trump administration is concerned. The U.S. set its tariff marker and compelled affected countries to come to the table. Call it Negotiation 101.

Zabicki said the outcome was likely to be U.S. tariffs that are far less than those outlined last week and potential concessions from those countries the Donald Trump administration targeted as applying unfair practices.

Analysts say TJX Cos., parent of Marshalls, is well positioned in the current consumer environment.Shutterstock-Moab Republic

The biggest and admittedly significant holdout so far has been China, although that was to be expected, he added.

That's for sure. Chinas Commerce Ministry said it resolutely" opposed Trumps threat of escalating tariffs and vowed "to fight to the end."
Photo: Joe Raedle (Getty Images)

Uncertainty surrounding President Donald Trumps tariffs caused Walmart (WMT) to scrap its first-quarter operating income guidance Wednesday.

The retailer wrote in a release that it needed to stay nimble in the face of the new tariffs.

The range of outcomes for Q1 operating income growth has widened due to less favorable category mix, higher casualty claims expense and the desire to maintain flexibility to invest in price as tariffs are implemented, the company said.

Walmart had previously projected a first-quarter increase of 0.5% to 2.0% in adjusted operating income, according to CNBC. It did not provide a new range.

Tariffs on several Asian countries from which Walmart imports goods went into effect Wednesday. Imports from China are expected to be tariffed at a 104% rate, while goods from Vietnam will have a 46% rate. Those counties have major manufacturing hubs, especially for electronics.

Adding to the uncertainty is the fact that its unclear how long those tariffs will be in effect. Trump has shown a willingness to use them as a negotiating tool. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said 70 countries have reached out to the U.S. to discuss the tariffs.

History tells us that when we lean into these periods of uncertainty, Walmart emerges on the other side with greater share and a stronger business, executive vice president and chief financial officer John David Rainey said in the release.

Despite the uncertainty around Q1, the Bentonville, Arkansas-based retailer maintained its full-year guidance. Walmart said in February that it expects full-year net sales to increase 3% to 4% and adjusted operating income to climb by between 3.5% and 5.5%.

Walmart stock was off to a hot start Wednesday morning, climbing 4 points (5.0%) in the first hour of trading. Shares are down 4 points (4.6%) this year.

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Palestinians confront Israeli forces during clashes in the Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus in the northern West Bank, on April 9, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

Israeli security forces arrested a senior militant in Nablus, West Bank, according to a joint statement issued by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the Israel Security Agency (ISA) and the Israel Police on Wednesday.

The statement said that during counterterrorism operations conducted on Tuesday night, special police forces arrested Muhammad Bana, "a senior terrorist in the dismantled Lion's Den terrorist network," and weapons were confiscated.

It noted that during the apprehension, Bana, armed with an M-16 rifle and a spray grenade, attempted to flee and was shot in his leg.

The statement added that he was involved in shooting and explosive attacks toward the security forces in the West Bank and had planned other attacks.

In addition, the IDF's Duvdevan Unit apprehended Khalil Hanbali, "who was wanted by security forces due to his involvement in terrorist activity," according to the statement.

He was involved in shooting attacks against IDF soldiers, served as a key weapon supplier, and had also attempted to plan additional attacks, it added.

Israeli security forces have recently conducted frequent security operations in the West Bank.

Earlier in the day, the IDF said in a statement that its forces demolished the West Bank home of a slain Palestinian who fatally shot an Israeli soldier on March 22.

The Palestinian, Mujahid Mansour, fired at a passenger van at a junction west of Ramallah, causing damage but no casualties, and fled the scene, according to the statement.

During a chase that lasted about five hours, an Israeli soldier was killed and six other Israeli fighters were wounded. Mansour was eventually killed by a missile fired from a combat helicopter.

Israel captured East Jerusalem, along with the rest of the West Bank, in the 1967 Six-Day War. Under international law, East Jerusalem is considered occupied Palestinian territory, and its annexation by Israel is deemed illegal.
Meta Platforms (META) might still be best known as the social media giant behind Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, but its quickly evolving into something far more significant. Whats flying under the radar for many is its transformation into a leader in AI and hardware. Despite the wide-ranging stock plunges in all sectors, I remain bullish on META.

Stay Ahead of the Market:

Discover outperforming stocks and invest smarter with Top Smart Score Stocks.

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Meta Platforms (META) price history over the past 6 months

Yes, the recent sell-off has rattled some investorsespecially those unprepared for sudden macro shocks. META stock has swandived from around $700 in mid-February to ~$500 per share today. But theres a lesson here. Build your portfolio with resilience in mind to survive and thrive through unexpected turmoil. If youve kept some cash on hand or have been dollar cost averaging all along, now is the time to lean in and start putting money to work in Meta. The AI train hasnt derailedits just pausing before accelerating again.

The AI Momentum Behind Meta

Metas ascent in artificial intelligence is nothing short of extraordinary. At the heart of this surge are two major initiatives. First, theres LLaMA, the companys open-source large language model. Then theres Meta AI, the user-facing assistant already integrated into its core apps.

LLaMA was only released in 2023, yet by early 2025, it had surpassed one billion downloads. That kind of scale is staggering. By open-sourcing the models, Meta isnt just participating in the AI raceits changing how the game is played. Instead of keeping its technology behind paywalls, Meta embeds AI within its vast social media ecosystem, accelerating internal development and third-party innovation.

AI is also quietly reshaping the user experience. More than half of the content consumed on Instagram has now surfaced via AI-driven recommendations. On Facebook, its about 30%. This translates into more intelligent ad targeting and, ultimately, more substantial revenue growth as marketers follow user engagement. But whats even more interesting is the efficiencies Meta is gaining. By automating internal processes, the company is starting to chip away at its operating expenses. For a tech-heavy business like Meta, those savings can scale fast.

Main Street Data showing METAs revenue growth since 2020

Despite short-term macro headwinds and global trade fears, the AI foundation Meta is building remains undervalued. The stocks price-to-earnings ratio currently sits around 21well below its historical average. Thats not a reflection of performanceits skepticismand for forward-looking investors, it could be an opportunity. With the stock now trading below its 50-week moving average, those with a risk-on appetite may want to look closer.
An official with the Washington State Hospital Association warned that state lawmakers' proposal to put new limits on the reimbursement rates that health insurance plans for state workers and public school employees pay would result in less money for patient care. (Amanda Snyder / The Seattle Times, 2021)
On March 27, investment firm Exane BNP Paribas analysts expressed bullish sentiments on the cruise industrys long-term outlook, stating that they anticipate cruise net yields to rise steadily in 2025 and 2026. The positive outlook was attributed to strong demand and new revenue drivers for the industry, such as private islands. Exclusive destinations such as private islands allow cruise lines the room to upsell guests on experiences at around $125 per day per person. This is a tailwind for cruise companies devising innovative ways to generate more value for cruisers and raise profits.

In the past, baby boomers were at the center of the cruise industrys core consumer base. This trend is, however, changing with the rise of young travelers. According to CLIA, 73% of millennials and Gen X travelers said that they would consider a cruise vacation. According to Grand View Research, the global cruise market had a size of $7.67 billion in 2022. It is anticipated to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.5% between 2023 and 2030, primarily due to the rising popularity of cruise vacations among younger demographics. The more affordable nature of these vacations is another significant factor attributed to this growth.

An important point underscoring our more constructive view of the cruise industry post-pandemic is market share gains from the larger $1.9T global vacation market and accelerated new-to-cruise customer acquisition. Demand remains robust, with not a single historical lead indicator in the business, notably booking curve and onboard spend, signaling any softening.

The cruise industry is on the path to recovery after plunging during the Covid-19 pandemic. The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) reported that around 35.7 million passengers were anticipated to set sail in 2024, reflecting a 6% growth over 2019. JP Morgan reported that major cruise lines globally benefitted from a successful 2024 wave season, which falls between January and March. In fact, JP Morgan iterated that the annual number of cruise passengers is also expected to surpass pre-COVID levels from 2023 to 2027. Matt Boss, Head of Leisure and Retailing at J.P. Morgan, said the following about the optimistic cruise industry outlook:

We recently published a list of 12 Best Cruise Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds . In this article, we are going to take a look at where Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE: RCL ) stands against other best cruise stocks to buy according to hedge funds.

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The firm also highlighted favorable demographics to support its bullish stance, along with the potential to gain market share in the global vacation market worth around $2 trillion. Exane BNP Paribas opined that cruise lines will likely benefit from rising demand and limited supply growth, which are expected to strengthen pricing power. In addition, digital innovations are helping cruise companies grow onboard spending and enhance customer experiences. According to the firm, these factors are likely to lead to more earnings growth for the industry.

Our Methodology

We sifted through stock screeners, financial media reports, and ETFs to compile a list of 20 cruise stocks and chose the top 12 most popular among hedge funds as of Q4 2024. The list is ordered in ascending order of hedge fund sentiment. We sourced the hedge fund sentiment data from Insider Monkeys database.

Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletters strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 373.4% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 218 percentage points (see more details here).

Jim Cramer Backs Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCL): Cash Register Continues to Ring

An aerial view of a luxurious cruise ship, surrounded by the blue horizon.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE:RCL)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 58

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE:RCL) is a cruise company that owns and operates three global cruise brands: Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea Cruises. The company also holds an interest in TUI Cruises GmbH, which operates the German brands TUI Cruises and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE:RCL) offers a range of global itineraries across around 1,000 destinations on all seven continents.

The company reported $3.76 billion in revenue in fiscal Q4 2024, reflecting a 13% growth over the same period in 2023. It also nearly doubled its headline net income, standing at $533 million. On a non-GAAP per-share basis, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE:RCL) reported a 30% higher bottom-line profit at $1.63.

The company recently announced the launch of Celebrity River Cruises, a premium river cruise vacation brand with 10 ships in its initial fleet. The brand is expected to begin sailing in 2027, lending it a positive light. On March 17, JPMorgan added Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE:RCL) to the firms Analyst Focus List while keeping an Overweight rating on the shares with a $298 price target. The analyst told investors in a research note that the firms bottom-up build points to a potential fiscal 2027 EPS power of $25, which surpasses managements $20.39 Perfecta Plan target.

Overall, RCL ranks 3rd on our list of best cruise stocks to buy according to hedge funds. While we acknowledge the potential for RCL as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter time frame. There is an AI stock that went up since the beginning of 2025, while popular AI stocks lost around 25%. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than RCL but trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.

READ NEXT: 20 Best AI Stocks To Buy Now and 30 Best Stocks to Buy Now According to Billionaires.

Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
A U.S. Forest Service worker sits at a roadblock leading to the Twin Sisters Lakes trailhead as the search for two missing aviators continues Friday near Goose Prairie, Yakima County. The methodical search, according to the Navy, involves an expansive area, as personnel evaluate debris and hunt for information in the snow-covered wilderness.
Swisspod, an international hyperloop company that builds energy-efficient, high-speed transportation solutions, is expanding into Colorado Springs with plans for a new manufacturing and assembly facility.

Company leadership on Wednesday afternoon joined Gov. Jared Polis and city, county and business leaders in unveiling the announcement at the 40th Space Symposium event at The Broadmoor.

Headquartered in Switzerland with U.S. offices in Florida, Swisspod said its expansion into Colorado Springs will create 107 jobs with an average wage of $67,952.38, which is 108% of the average annual wage in El Paso County. The positions will include roles in engineering and design, production, marketing, operations and administrative support, according to a news release.

Swisspod already has a hyperloop testing facility in Pueblo, said to be the largest such facility in the world, said Seth Pruett, the director of business development, cybersecurity, at the Colorado Springs Chamber and Economic Development Corp. In November, Swisspod debuted its first 650 feet of hyperloop infrastructure there.

The company's expansion into Colorado Springs includes construction of a manufacturing and assembly site in Colorado Springs, to dovetail with its efforts in Pueblo, Pruett said. The company will assemble a vehicle in Colorado Springs, then test it on its Pueblo track. Swisspod CEO Denis Tudor said Wednesday he expects to unveil the vehicle by the end of the year.

"We couldn't be more proud that (Swisspod has) decided on Colorado Springs for their expansion," Polis said. "... Imagine, if you will, Colorado Springs to Denver in 15 minutes. It's amazing, and that's the underlying technology they're looking at bringing online."

The Colorado Springs facility and the test track in Pueblo will attract more business opportunities to the Pikes Peak region and to Colorado, highlighting the state's role in cutting-edge transportation technology, he added.

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When seeking about $918,000 in job growth tax incentives from the state, Tudor in February told the Colorado Economic Development Commission the company was looking to Colorado Springs for its expansion because of its talent, the city's proximity to Swisspod's Pueblo facility, and support from state and local officials.

"We are very proud being here," Tudor said Wednesday. "... We're making history here in Colorado."

Polis said Swisspod's expansion into Colorado Springs also fits into his Colorado Transportation Vision: 2035, unveiled last year. It includes goals and strategies to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions by increasing options for transportation and expanding transit services, among others.

"Swisspod is one of the prospective technologies that can revolutionize transportation. All the highways we're expanding and the work we're doing today obviously is because of the existing way that people choose to get around," Polis told The Gazette. "But if people can get between Denver and Colorado Springs in 15 minutes inexpensively with future technology, that's a real game-changer."

The high-speed, fully electric transportation system will also enhance trade across the region and North America, as it revolutionizes both passenger travel and freight, Pruett said.

The Colorado Economic Development Commission approved up to $918,000 for the company, in a performance-based job growth incentive tax credit over eight years.

Additionally, the city of Colorado Springs approved $5,250 in performance-based incentives for the company over four years. Sales and use tax rebates apply to construction materials, equipment, machinery, furniture and fixtures Swisspod purchases.

Colorado Springs's Economic Development Department also offered the company support through the Rapid Response Program, and talent and workforce development support.

El Paso County approved $1,041,609 in incentives for the company.
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Forget flashy marketing  Gen Z is all about what works, and the numbers speak for themselves. With a razor-sharp focus on clean beauty, tech-led innovation, and lightning-fast delivery through quick commerce, Soulflower isnt just part of the Indian Consumer Growth Story  its reshaping the future of it by targeting this new generation of India.

This isn't just growth; it's a revolution, positioning Soulflower as a top-three hair oil brand and contributing a massive 43% to the entire category's expansion. So, what's the secret behind Soulflower becoming India's "Naya Tel" for hair growth, the go-to for a young generation that influences a whopping 43% of household consumption and contributes $860 billion to the economy?

Understanding Gen Z: More Than Just A Consumer Shift

Gen Z lives in an era where instant gratification meets a deep desire for conscious choices. They're not just buying products; they're investing in brands that align with their values of efficacy, transparency, and convenience. Forget vague promises  Gen Z wants purpose, authenticity, and, most importantly, visible results. They're digital natives, highly informed and research-driven, holding brands accountable for sustainability, ethical sourcing, and instant accessibility. Soulflower understood this early on, completely rethinking how they engage, develop products, and get them into the hands (and onto the scalps) of this discerning generation.

The Quick Commerce Revolution: Instant Gratification, Naturally

Soulflower cracked the code to Gen Z's need for speed by strategically partnering with quick commerce giants like Blinkit, Zepto, and Instamart. Now, those holy-grail hair care heroes  think Cold-Pressed Castor Oil, Rosemary Hair Oil, and Glow Skin Serum  are just a few taps and minutes away. This lightning-fast delivery isn't just a perk; it's a core part of Soulflower's strategy, now driving a significant 40% of their revenue and cementing their place in the Top 3 hair oil brands while contributing that impressive 43% to category growth. It's clear: for Gen Z, Soulflower is India's "Naya Tel" for Hair Growth.

But Why Is Gen-Z So Obsessed With Soulflowers Rosemary Range?

Because it delivers. Plain and simple. No misleading claims, no "greenwashing"  just honest-to-goodness transparency with clean ingredient lists, straightforward labeling, and clinically proven results. Soulflower Products are backed by certifications like Ecocert COSMOS Organic and FDA approval, backed by science, not just clever marketing.

Only because of these commitments, Soulflower Rosemary Redensyl Hair Serum went viral soon after it was introduced in the Indian market. Over the years, its become the young generations No.1 choice to upgrade their hair care & solve common problems like hair fall, thinning, graying, balding, and slow regrowth. This commitment to authenticity resonates deeply with a generation that can spot inauthenticity from a mile away.

A Data-Driven, Customer-Centric Approach

Soulflower isn't just guessing what Gen Z wants; they're actively listening. Real-time data from their quick commerce and direct-to-consumer (D2C) channels provides invaluable insights, allowing them to quickly tweak formulations, develop new products that hit the mark, and stay perfectly aligned with the ever-evolving preferences of young consumers. This dynamic innovation is key to their sustained leadership in the clean beauty space.

Global Presence Rooted in Purpose



Having already sold over 15 million products, Soulflower's growth isn't limited to India. They're expanding their reach globally, serving loyal customers in regions like KSA, UAE, USA, Japan, Singapore, Australia, and the UK. Yet, despite this global footprint, they remain firmly rooted in their core values: Sustainability, ethical sourcing, and putting the customer first.

From dominating the quick commerce landscape to making waves internationally, Soulflower isn't just another brand experiencing growth. They're redefining what clean beauty means for a generation that demands more  and they've undoubtedly become India's No. 1 "Tel" (oil) in the hearts (and on the scalps) of Gen Z for achieving real hair growth.

(This article is part of IndiaDotCom Pvt Lts consumer connect initiative, a paid publication programme. IDPL claims no editorial involvement and assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in the content of the article.)
Patanjali Ayurveda Limited, one of India's top companies, was founded by Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna. It is well-known for its Ayurvedic products. However, their work goes far beyond just business. They are involved in various social welfare initiatives aimed at improving society. These efforts focus on areas like yoga camps, disaster relief, education, and environmental preservation, all geared towards the betterment of society. Lets explore how Patanjali is working for the good of society beyond just business.

Free Yoga Camps and Focus on Healthy Lifestyle

A significant contribution of Patanjali is organizing free yoga camps through Patanjali Yog Peeth. These camps help people maintain a healthy lifestyle, especially those who cannot afford expensive medical treatments. These camps are held across India, and people learn yoga to reduce stress and prevent illnesses. This work goes beyond business because Patanjali does not sell any products here; instead, they focus on improving the health of society, providing long-term benefits for people.

Patanjalis Disaster Relief Efforts

Patanjali is always ready for disaster relief. Whether it's floods, earthquakes, or any other crisis, Patanjali steps in immediately to help. They provide food, clothes, water, medicines, and other essentials, offering significant support to people in distress. For example, during the 2013 Uttarakhand floods, Patanjali sent relief supplies. This is work that goes beyond business because it is not motivated by profit but by the desire to serve humanity. It shows that Patanjali prioritizes helping society over selling products.

Patanjalis Significant Contribution to Education

Patanjali is also making contributions to education. They have opened schools that focus on promoting Indian culture and values. For example, Patanjali University offers studies in yoga, Ayurveda, and naturopathy, where hundreds of students receive training every year. These students are prepared to pursue careers in healthcare. Additionally, Patanjali is promoting education in rural areas to ensure children receive a quality education while staying connected to their culture. This initiative goes beyond business because it aims to change the future of society and strengthen the youth of the country.

Supporting the Environment and Farmers

Patanjali promotes organic farming, which benefits both the environment and farmers. They train farmers, provide seeds, and encourage sustainable farming practices. This initiative benefits society by helping preserve the environment and strengthening rural economies. Patanjali is also working to save nature by planting trees, conserving water, and promoting eco-friendly products. The company is making efforts to conserve natural resources through projects like cleaning water, rainwater harvesting, and sanitation campaigns.

(This article is part of IndiaDotCom Pvt Lts consumer connect initiative, a paid publication programme. IDPL claims no editorial involvement and assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in the content of the article.)
Swami Ramdevs yoga, which has influenced millions of lives on a global scale, is one of the most significant ways Patanjali is transforming lives.

Yoga is not just an exercise; its a way to live a better lifestyle. Many years ago, our sages and saints not only adopted yoga to stay healthy but also as a way to stay happy and connect with God. However, at one point, people had nearly forgotten yoga. It was Swami Ramdev, along with some others, who brought yoga back to people, reaching from TV screens to villages across India. This is a task that cannot just be praised in words; it has become an essential part of peoples lives.

Yoga Becomes a Worldwide Trend

Swami Ramdev started organizing yoga camps in 2002 and began broadcasting his yoga sessions on television. This helped yoga become popular not just in India but worldwide. His YouTube channel, Swami Ramdev, which has over 10 million subscribers, took yoga to every home. This digital reach made yoga popular in countries like the USA, Canada, the UK, and Australia, where people started following and practicing yoga.

Life-Changing Yoga

Swami Ramdevs yoga sessions have helped people find relief from various health issues like diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity. His yoga camps and TV programs have motivated millions of people to adopt a natural and balanced lifestyle. This has not only improved peoples physical health but also helped them find peace of mind. For example, his pranayama practices, like Anulom-Vilom and Kapalbhati, have boosted immunity and helped reduce stress, especially during the challenging COVID-19 times when maintaining good health was crucial.

Yogas Global Reach

Thanks to the hard work of Swami Ramdev, yoga has become popular worldwide. This is why every year, June 21st is celebrated as International Yoga Day, recognized by the United Nations. In 2024, India celebrated the 10th International Yoga Day.

Patanjali Ayurveda has presented yoga and Ayurveda as a brand, making them available in over 20 countries today. This has played a significant role in introducing Indian culture, traditions, Ayurveda, yoga, and natural healing to the world. Patanjalis products, like toothpaste, skincare, and health-related items, have motivated people to adopt a natural lifestyle. These products are closely linked to the teachings of Swami Ramdevs yoga sessions, helping people stay healthy both physically and mentally.

(This article is part of IndiaDotCom Pvt Lts consumer connect initiative, a paid publication programme. IDPL claims no editorial involvement and assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in the content of the article.)
Mahavir Jayanti is one of the most significant and revered festivals for Jains around the world. It marks the birth of Lord Mahavir, the 24th Tirthankara in Jainism, who is known for his teachings on non-violence, truth, and self-discipline. In 2025, Mahavir Jayanti will be observed on April 10th. This day is an occasion for reflection, devotion, and the celebration of Lord Mahavirs profound impact on the world.

Lets dive deeper into the date, theme, history, significance, rituals, and ways to celebrate Mahavir Jayanti in 2025:-

Mahavir Jayanti 2025: Date

This year, Mahavir Jayanti will be celebrated on April 10, 2025. The date is significant for all Jain followers as it marks the birth anniversary of Lord Mahavir.

Lord Mahavir was born in Ujjain (modern-day India) in 599 BCE. The festival is celebrated on the 13th day of the Chaitra month of the Hindu lunisolar calendar, which typically falls between March and April.

The Theme of Mahavir Jayanti 2025

The theme of Mahavir Jayanti varies from year to year, but it traditionally focuses on spreading the core teachings of Lord Mahavir, especially Ahimsa (non-violence), Satya (truth), and Aparigraha (non-possessiveness). For 2025, the theme will revolve around the importance of spiritual awakening and embracing the principles of peace, harmony, and compassion in todays world. Its a call to reflect upon the need for non-violence and truth in every aspect of life.

History of Mahavir Jayanti

Mahavir Jayanti commemorates the birth of Lord Mahavir, who was born in the royal family of King Siddhartha and Queen Trishala. He is believed to have lived for 72 years, and during his lifetime, he made significant contributions to Jain philosophy and religious practice.

Lord Mahavir is credited with:

- Revitalizing Jainism and spreading the teachings of Ahimsa, Satya, Aparigraha, and Brahmacharya.

- Offering spiritual teachings that promoted simplicity, non-violence, and equality.

- Advocating for self-discipline and meditation as a means to achieve inner peace.

After achieving spiritual enlightenment, Lord Mahavir spent the rest of his life teaching and spreading Jainism across regions. His teachings are recorded in Jain scriptures, which guide millions of followers today.

Significance of Mahavir Jayanti

Mahavir Jayanti holds great significance for Jains around the world. Here are some reasons why this day is celebrated with utmost reverence:

1. Spiritual Reflection: It provides an opportunity for Jains to reflect on Lord Mahavirs teachings and to incorporate the values of truth, non-violence, and compassion into their own lives.



2. Celebrating Non-Violence: Mahavir Jayanti is a reminder of the importance of Ahimsa (non-violence), which is not only about physical non-violence but also extends to words and thoughts.

3. Renewed Commitment to Jainism: The festival brings together Jain families, communities, and spiritual leaders to renew their commitment to Jain philosophy and ethical living.

4. Educational Purpose: Mahavir Jayanti is also an occasion to educate younger generations about the values and teachings of Lord Mahavir.

Rituals and Traditions of Mahavir Jayanti

Mahavir Jayanti is celebrated with great fervor and devotion, with rituals observed in Jain temples and homes. Here are the key rituals and traditions associated with this holy day:

1. Morning Prayers and Temple Visits

- Devotees begin the day by visiting Jain temples, offering prayers and performing special rituals in honor of Lord Mahavir.

- Temples are adorned with flowers, and the idol of Lord Mahavir is bathed and decorated with sacred clothes.

2. Processions (Rath Yatra)

- Many places organize grand processions or Rath Yatras, where the idol of Lord Mahavir is placed in a decorated chariot and taken around the locality.

- Devotees walk behind the chariot, chanting prayers, singing bhajans, and spreading messages of peace and non-violence.

3. Fasting and Meditation

- Devotees observe fasting or limited eating as a form of spiritual discipline.

- Some Jains also dedicate the day to meditation and reflection, seeking to purify the mind and soul.

4. Charity and Service (Daan and Seva)

- Giving to charity is an important tradition on Mahavir Jayanti. Many devotees donate food, clothing, and money to the needy, following Lord Mahavirs teachings of compassion and non-possessiveness.

- Community service or seva is also performed, especially in helping others and sharing resources with the less fortunate.

5. Listening to Jain Scriptures

- On Mahavir Jayanti, many Jains attend satsangs or spiritual gatherings where learned scholars and monks share discourses on Lord Mahavirs teachings.

- Recitations from Jain scriptures like the Tattvartha Sutra or Mahavir's sermons are common during this time.

How Mahavir Jayanti is Celebrated Around the World

Mahavir Jayanti is celebrated by Jains not only in India but across the globe. Heres how people celebrate:

1. In India: Major celebrations take place in cities like Jaipur, Ujjain, Ahmedabad, and Mumbai, where processions, prayers, and community events are organized.



2. In Other Countries: In countries with large Jain populations, such as the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and Kenya, celebrations include temple visits, cultural events, and educational programs on Jain values.

3. Social Media and Public Outreach: In todays digital age, many people share Mahavir Jayanti greetings, quotes, and images on social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp to spread Lord Mahavirs teachings worldwide.

Mahavir Jayanti is not just a day of celebration, but a reminder to live a life based on the principles of truth, non-violence, compassion, and self-discipline. By following the teachings of Lord Mahavir, we can make the world a better placeone filled with peace, harmony, and mutual respect.

As April 10, 2025, approaches, lets come together to honor Lord Mahavirs legacy, reflect on his timeless teachings, and renew our commitment to a life of kindness and non-violence.

(This article is intended for your general information only. Zee News does not vouch for its accuracy or reliability.)
Tahawwur Rana Extradition: Ahead of the arrival of Tahawwur Rana, accused in the 2008 Mumbai attack, fresh details have emerged revealing that two key factors have played a role for India in securing his extradition, news agency ANI, citing sources. Rana is being brought to India after his last-ditch attempt to evade extradition failed as the US Supreme Court justices rejected his application. He is expected to reach New Delhi on Thursday afternoon.

The first was legal arguments that countered the double jeopardy offence. India, represented by a robust team of legal experts, successfully argued before U.S. authorities that the principle of double jeopardy is determined by the specific elements of the crime rather than the defendant's conduct.

Indian officials refuted Rana's claim of double jeopardy, emphasizing that his prosecution under India's stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act does not violate this principle. The counsel for Tahawwur Rana had urged the US Supreme Court to review the lower court's decision to extradite him to India, citing the principle of double jeopardy, which prevents a person from being tried or punished twice for the same offense.

The second factor that led to the country's success in securing the extradition was India's diplomatic influence. Sources close to the extradition process revealed that India's strong diplomatic presence, global standing, and amicable relations with the United States played a pivotal role in expediting Rana's extradition, overcoming legal obstacles along the way.

Meanwhile, Trial court records related to the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks that were called from Mumbai to Delhi at the end of January, naming Tahawwur Rana and David Coleman Headley as accused, were recently received by the Patiala House Court, ANI reported, citing official sources.

In January, Delhi's Patiala House Court recalled its trial court records related to the Mumbai attacks, following an application filed by the NIA requesting their retrieval from Mumbai.

Tahawwur Rana, a Pakistani-Canadian national, was convicted in the US for the banned terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operatives and providing material support to the group responsible for the Mumbai attacks that killed over 174 people. Rana's extradition marks a significant step in the pursuit of justice for the victims of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. The central government has appointed advocate Narender Mann as a Special Public Prosecutor to conduct the trials and other matters related to the NIA case.

On November 26, 2008, a group of 10 Pakistani terrorists went on a rampage, carrying out a coordinated attack on a railway station, two luxury hotels, and a Jewish centre, after they sneaked into India's financial capital using the sea route in the Arabian Sea. As many as 166 people were killed in the nearly 60-hour assault that sent shockwaves across the country and even brought India and Pakistan to the brink of war.

(With ANI Inputs)
The 2008 Mumbai terror attack plotter Tahawwur Rana has been extradited to India from the United States. While India caught one terrorist Azmal Kasab, the investigation into the case revealed that Rana was the close aide of the mastermind behind the terror attack - David Headkey. Rana, a Pakistani-origin Canadian businessman, faces charges related to the Mumbai attack carried out by Lashkar-e-Taiba.

According to reports, it was David Coleman Headley who carried out multiple recces to identify targets for the LeT attack. Headley was born Daood Sayed Gilani. He is a Pakistani-American terrorist. Headley and Rana are childhood friends, and both were educated in the same military school. It was Headley who revealed Rana's role in the attack.

According to David Headley's testimony before the US Department of Justice, he attended five Lashkar-e-Taiba training camps in Pakistan between 2002 and 2005. Headley carried out surveillance in India five times between 2005 and 2008 on the instructions of LeT. In 2006, Lashkar and Headley planned to set up a base office in Mumbai for using it for surveillance purposes. For this, Headley met Tahawwur in Chicago and discussed the plan. Tahawwur was running a business named 'First World Immigration Services' at that time and the duo decided to set up one office in Mumbai to use it as a front for the possible attack.

According to reports, Tahawwur Rana instructed his employees to help Headley in obtaining a travel visa for India. Following the Mumbai attacks in late 2008 and early 2009, Headley discussed his actions with Tahawwur Rana, sharing details about the planned attack on the Danish newspaper and his upcoming trip to Denmark to conduct surveillance.

On November 26, 2008, a group of 10 Pakistani terrorists went on a rampage, carrying out a coordinated attack on a railway station, two luxury hotels and a Jewish centre, after they sneaked into India's financial capital using the sea route in the Arabian Sea. As many as 166 persons were killed in the nearly 60-hour terror assault.
The Colorado Supreme Court announced on Monday it will hear appeals in six cases, including the question of whether a person can claim he knowingly ingested one substance that was secretly laced with another behavior-altering substance as a defense to criminal charges.
Air India Express Pilot: A pilot of the Air India Express passed away in Delhi on Wednesday due to a medical condition, shortly after operating a flight from Srinagar, as reported by news agency PTI.

A spokesperson of the airline in a statement on Thursday expressed regret over the pilot's death and informed that his death was due to a medical condition.

The spokesperson said, "We deeply regret the loss of a valued colleague due to a medical condition... We are extending all possible assistance to them as we all cope with this tremendous loss."

The spokesperson also requested that all concerned respect privacy, as the airline is committed to assisting the authorities in due process.

"We request all concerned to respect privacy at this time and avoid unnecessary speculation while we commit to assisting the relevant authorities in due process," the spokesperson continued.

PTI reported that the deceased pilot, who was in his late 30s, operated the flight from Srinagar to the national capital. He was not feeling well after the flight landed at the Delhi airport and was taken to the hospital, but he passed away.

No additional details could be obtained on the matter.

(with PTI inputs)
In a big move following the formation of the BJP government in the national capital, Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (PM-JAY) health cards will be distributed to the residents starting Thursday.

The Rekha Gupta-led government is set to commence the distribution following their registration under the scheme. The health cards will be distributed to the beneficiaries at 3 p.m. at Plenary Hall in Delhi's Vigyan Bhawan. The PM-JAY, launched in 2018, aims to alleviate the financial burden of healthcare on economically vulnerable families across India.

With the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the National Health Authority (NHA) of the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) and the Department of Health & Family Welfare of the Government of NCT of Delhi, the national capital has officially become the 35th state or union territory to implement the scheme. West Bengal now remains the only state yet to adopt PM-JAY.

Following the agreement, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced a major boost to the initiative by declaring an additional health cover of Rs 5 lakh to be provided by the state government, over and above the Rs 5 lakh coverage under the central scheme.

"Around 6.54 lakh families in Delhi will now be able to reap benefits from AB PM-JAY, with the card distribution for the scheme to be initiated from 10th April 2025 onwards," CM Gupta was quoted by news agency IANS as saying.

Speaking to IANS on Wednesday, Delhi Health Minister Pankaj Singh said that approximately 2.60 lakh residents have already been enrolled as beneficiaries in the first phase and will receive their Ayushman Health cards over the next 40 to 42 days.

"About 400-500 people will get Ayushman Bharat cards on Day 1," he stated. He also criticized the previous AAP-led administration for blocking the scheme, which he said was driven by "myopic political interests" and had deprived the people of Delhi of their rightful benefits.

"The previous government had blocked the Central healthcare scheme for its myopic political interests. The people of Delhi remained deprived of the benefits of Ayushman Bharat Yojana, but now, they will be entitled to receive all benefits, as any other citizen of the country," Singh said. He further noted that a transparent and efficient system has been put in place to ensure hassle-free registration, timely fund disbursal, and prevention of interference by middlemen.

"As soon as a beneficiary gets himself or herself registered, their details will be updated on the portal, and they will also receive a message on their mobile phones," the Health Minister added.

The implementation of PM-JAY in Delhi marks a significant step toward strengthening healthcare access for low-income families in the capital and integrating them into the country's largest government-sponsored health protection scheme.

(With agency Inputs)
Former NIA Director General Yogesh Chander Modi on Wednesday termed the extradition of Tahawwur Hussain Rana, accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, a big achievement for the nation.

Rana has been accused of being involved in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, where innocent people were killed, and is expected to stand trial in India.

Chander Modi told ANI, "This is a big achievement for the nation, MEA and NIA...In the matter of Tahawwur Rana, there was the political will of India as well as America, due to which the process was able to move forward...NIA provide foolproof evidence in the courts in America and our team visited America many times...Foolproof security systems are available in India...The Central government, Delhi Police and NIA will ensure that proper interrogation of Tahawwur Rana is carried out and collect evidence so that the case can be brought to its logical conclusion..."

On April 7, the Supreme Court of the United States rejected Tahawwur Rana's plea to stay his extradition to India. Rana filed an emergency application with Chief Justice Roberts on March 20, 2025, seeking a stay on his extradition.

"The application for stay addressed to The Chief Justice and referred to the Court is denied," the SC order dated Monday, April 7, stated.

According to the Mumbai Crime Branch, a case of criminal conspiracy against Rana was originally lodged by the NIA in Delhi following the deadly November 2008 attacks in which over 160 people were killed.

The ongoing extradition process pertains to that case. However, officials clarified that it is yet to be determined whether Mumbai Police can seek his custody for any local investigation linked to the attacks.

"Only after examining the grounds of extradition will it be clear whether custody can be sought by the Mumbai Crime Branch in this matter," sources said.

Sources added that the Mumbai Police has not received any formal communication so far regarding Rana's transfer to the city for questioning or judicial proceedings.

Tahawwur Rana, a Pakistani-Canadian national, was convicted in the US for the banned terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operatives and providing material support to the group responsible for the Mumbai attacks that killed over 174 people.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday hailed the extradition of Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a key accused of 26/11 accused, as a major victory for Prime Minister Narendra Modis administration.

"Tahawwur Rana's extradition is a big success of Prime Minister Modis diplomacy, Shah said.

Home Minister Shah emphasized the significance of the achievement of Rana's extradition in his speech at a program organised by a leading media outlet, praising Prime Minister Modi's diplomatic prowess and unwavering commitment to safeguarding Indias honour and sovereignty.

"He will be brought here to face trial and punishment," HM Shah said, ANI reported.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has slammed the West Bengal government over State Minister Siddiqullah Chowdhury's alleged video in which he was seen issuing a threat to bring Kolkata to a standstill in protest against Waqf his social media while claiming that the Minister was making such remarks as he has full protection from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

"West Bengal State Minister Siddiqullah Chowdhury is threatening to bring Kolkata to a standstill. He says, 'If we wanted, we could have shut down Kolkata. We can easily create traffic jams in the city. Well block Kolkata with puffed rice, jaggery, and sweets. After the districts, well tighten our grip on Kolkata. We havent done it yet, but we will in the future.' And hes speaking with the full backing of Mamata Banerjee," said Malviya on X.

West Bengal State Minister Siddiqullah Chowdhury is threatening to bring Kolkata to a standstill.



He says, If we wanted, we could have shut down Kolkata. We can easily create traffic jams in the city. Well block Kolkata with puffed rice, jaggery, and sweets. After the pic.twitter.com/Y9pZDXWjVR  Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) April 10, 2025

Siddiqullah Chowdhury, an MLA from the Mangalkot constituency in Purba Bardhaman, also alleged that the RSS and BJP were deliberately singling out the Muslim community. He asserted that Muslims feel more secure in West Bengal under the governance of the TMC.

During his address, Siddiqullah Chowdhury mentioned that he had received a call from the Chief Minister, who assured him that the Waqf Amendment Act would not be enforced in the state. He encouraged demonstrators to persist with their protest until the central government repeals the law, while also appealing for the agitation to remain peaceful.
The Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, dismissed two government employees one from the Police Department (Assistant Wireless Operator) and the other from the Public Works (R&B) Department (Senior Assistant)under Article 311 of the Constitution of India, for their deep involvement in anti-national activities.

The actions of the individuals listed below had come under the adverse notice of law enforcement and intelligence agencies, which found them heavily involved in activities detrimental to the interests of the state, including terror-related activities.

Basharat Ahmad Mir, Assistant Wireless Operator in the Jammu and Kashmir Police Department, son of Ghulam Mohammad Mir and resident of Upper Brein, District Srinagar, had been under intelligence surveillance based on credible inputs. He was found to be in continuous contact with Pakistani intelligence operatives and was sharing critical and sensitive information regarding security installations and deployment with enemy elements.

Despite being a trained police official posted at a sensitive location with access to vital national security information, he chose to act as an active conduit for adversarial forces. His actions posed a grave threat to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India, with the potential to compromise broader national security interests.

Ishtiyak Ahmed Malik, Senior Assistant in the Public Works (R&B) Department, son of the late Ghulam Rasool Malik and resident of Shitroo Larnoo, District Anantnag, has been identified as an active member of the proscribed unlawful association Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir (JeI-JK), and a terror associate of the banned terrorist organization Hizbul Mujahideen.

As a key functionary of JeI, he played a critical role in strengthening the organization within his area of influence. He facilitated the creation of a network of sympathizers who later became Overground Workers (OGWs) and foot soldiers for Hizbul Mujahideena group responsible for numerous terrorist attacks targeting Indian security forces, politicians, government functionaries, civilians, military establishments, and critical infrastructure.

Malik covertly supported Hizbul Mujahideen by providing food, shelter, and logistical support to terrorists. He played a significant role in aiding, abetting, and guiding terrorist activities, especially in South Kashmir. He also provided crucial intelligence regarding the movement of security forces, enabling terrorists to evade capture and launch counter-attacks, often resulting in casualties among security personnel.

The administration has reiterated its zero-tolerance policy toward anti-national elements exploiting government service for unlawful and terror-related activities.
At a time when the Waqf Amendment Act have become a matter of national debate, Kashmiri Pandits are demanding a similar bill for the protection of Hindu religious places in the Union Territory. The Kashmiri Pandit Sangharsh Samiti (KPSS) has stated that if their demands are not met, they will approach the Supreme Court.

According to the KPSS, more than 1,400 temple properties in the Kashmir Valley have been encroached upon. The organization claims that such widespread encroachment would not have been possible without the support of the administration and certain politicians.

Sanjay Tickoo, Chief of the KPSS, said, There are around 1,400 properties that have been encroached upon. Forged sale deeds have been created, and such actions wouldnt be possible without the collusion of officers and politicians. KPSS now has a new sloganthat a Sanatan Board should be formed, and both the Sanatan and Waqf Boards should work together. If this happens, it will foster brotherhood between communities. We will move to the Supreme Court if the government does not address our demands. Lets see what they do in two months; otherwise, we will go to the Supreme Court in June. Our demands are not just about temples, but also about employment and human rights violations that have occurred here.

The KPSS further stated that it is morally reprehensible and legally indefensible that the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, which has remained silent for the past 35 years on issues like the encroachment of temples, desecration of shrines, and illegal transfer of thousands of kanals of Hindu endowment land, is now suddenly expressing concern when it comes to regulating Waqf properties.

Basharat Bukhari, a PDP leader, commented, I dont know the current status of Kashmiri Pandit properties, and I dont know who told them that the WAQF Bill is specifically for the protection of Muslim properties. We dont even know what the implications of the bill will be. What were asking is: why has the government suddenly brought this bill forward, and what exactly is their intent?

Meanwhile, the BJPs Jammu and Kashmir unit has expressed support for the KPSSs demands, stating that Kashmiri Pandits have every right to raise their voice for the protection of their religious places and properties, and that the government must act to safeguard temple lands.

Altaf Thakur, spokesperson for the BJPs J&K unit, said, What our Pandit brothers are demanding is genuine. Many of their lands were forcefully encroached upon when they were displaced. Now that they are seeking a bill for the protection of these properties, the government should pass it.

The KPSS emphasized that if there is space for public outrage over Waqf reforms, then there must also be equal legislative, judicial, and administrative urgency to restore the usurped temples, shrines, and lands of the Kashmiri Pandits. They reiterated their demand that the Parliament and Union Territory administration immediately introduce a comprehensive Temples and Shrines Protection, Preservation, and Restoration Bill. If the government fails to act within two months, the KPSS has vowed to seek justice through the Supreme Court.
By Prashobh Devanahalli

Bengaluru: The Karnataka cabinet is expected to take up the much-delayed caste census report for discussion, a move that has triggered intense curiosity and anticipation across the state. The report, known officially as the Socio-Economic and Educational Survey, has been at the centre of political and social debates for years.

A Long-Pending Exercise

The survey was commissioned in 2015 under the leadership of then-Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Aimed at gathering detailed demographic data across social, economic, and educational lines, the study covered around 1.3 crore households and cost nearly ?169 crore. Although the data collection concluded in 2017, successive governments have hesitated to make the findings public due to potential political fallout.

Diverse Reactions Across Communities

The upcoming cabinet meeting has stirred mixed responses. Influential groups such as the Lingayat and Vokkaliga communities have expressed strong objections, questioning the accuracy and methodology of the survey. Leaders from these communities argue that the findings could misrepresent their population strength and affect their social standing.

On the other hand, representatives of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and marginalized communities are strongly in favour of releasing the report. They believe the data will pave the way for more balanced policies and fairer distribution of resources and opportunities.

Political Stakes and Internal Divisions

Within the ruling Congress party itself, the caste census has sparked debate. While Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has repeatedly assured the public of his commitment to act on the report, concerns remain about upsetting the existing political balance. Some leaders fear that releasing the data could alienate dominant caste groups, leading to shifts in electoral support.

The decision also carries weight beyond the Congress. Opposition parties are watching closely, ready to respond based on the outcome, particularly in regions where caste identities strongly influence political allegiance.

What Lies Ahead

Key questions now hang in the balance: Will the government make the report public? If so, how will it impact policies on reservations, social welfare, and representation? And most importantly, how will it reshape the state's political and community equations?

As Karnataka waits for the cabinets decision, one thing is clear  the outcome will not only influence immediate policy but could also redefine the states political landscape in the months to come.
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Over 6,700 Sikh pilgrims from India arrived in Pakistan via the Wagah border on Thursday to participate in Baisakhi Mela festivities and commemorate the founding of the Khalsa sect.

Baisakhi marks the Sikh new year and commemorates the formation of Khalsa panth (saint-warriors) under Guru Gobind Singh in 1699. This would be the 326th founding anniversary of Khalsa.

The main ceremony will be held in Lahore on April 14 at Gurdwara Janamasthan Nankana Sahib.

The Pakistani government has issued 6,751 visas to Indian Sikh pilgrims for the festival for the first time in 50 years.

Under the Pakistan-India Religious Protocol Agreement 1974, up to 3,000 Sikh pilgrims are permitted to visit Pakistan for any religious festival. However, the government of Pakistan granted 3,751 additional visas at the special request of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB).

The Sikh pilgrims were greeted by Pakistan's Minister of State for Interfaith Harmony Khel Das Kohistani, Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbhandhak Committee President and Punjab Minorities Minister Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, Secretary ETPB Farid Iqbal, and Additional Secretary Shrines Saifullah Khokhar at the Wagah Border check post.

Talking to reporters at Wagah Border, Daljeet Singh Sarna, a leader of the Delhi Gurdwara Management Committee, thanked the Pakistani government for issuing visas to such a large number of pilgrims for the first time, saying it has won the hearts of the Sikh community.

Pilgrims from Amritsar, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and 11 other Indian states have arrived in Pakistan.

Pakistan is a peace-loving country, and Sikhs from all over the world wish to visit it because of the immense respect and honour they receive here, said Veinder Singh Khalsa, Jatha leader of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee.

Punjab Minorities Minister Arora said for the first time in history, the Pakistan government issued visas for all the applications received from Sikh pilgrims, fulfilling the Sikh community's long desire to visit their sacred sites in the country.

ETPB Secretary Iqbal said the board has ensured comprehensive arrangements for accommodation, medical facilities, transport, and other necessary services for the pilgrims.

"ETPB is spending a huge amount to facilitate sikh pilgrims, renovation of gurudwaras and temples," he said and added that Gurdwara Janamasthan, Gurdwara Panja Sahib, Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur have been beautifully decorated to enrich the spiritual experience of the pilgrims.

Upon entering Pakistan through the Bab-e-Azadi (Gate of Freedom), the pilgrims were served cold beverages and provided with langar. After clearing customs and immigration, they were transported in buses under tight security arrangements.

Due to the high number of Indian pilgrims this year, they have been divided into two groups.

The first group will go to Gurdwara Panja Sahib in Hassan Abdal, while the second group will head to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur on Thursday. Both groups will arrive at Gurdwara Janam Asthan, Nankana Sahib, on Saturday.

On Sunday, they will visit Gurdwara Sacha Sauda in Farooqabad and stay overnight in Nankana Sahib. The central ceremony of the Baisakhi Festival will be held on April 14 at Gurdwara Janamasthan, Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of the founder of Sikhism Baba Guru Nanak.

On April 15, one group will travel to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur, while the other will proceed to Gurdwara Panja Sahib. On April 17, both groups will pay their respects at Gurdwara Dera Sahib in Lahore and will later visit Gurdwara Rohri Sahib in Eminabad.

The Indian Sikh pilgrims will return to their homeland on April 19.
President Droupadi Murmu was on Thursday conferred an Honorary Doctorate by Constantine The Philosopher University here for her "distinguished career in public service".

The president arrived at the campus to receive the honour on the final day of a four-day state visit to Slovakia and Portugal.

President Murmu is being recognised for her distinguished career in public service and governance, advocacy for social justice and inclusion, the university said in a statement.

She was also recognised for her contribution towards education, empowerment of women, and preservation and promotion of cultural and linguistic diversity, it added.

In her speech, the president said she is accepting the honour on behalf of the 1.4 billion people of India.

Murmu said receiving the degree from an institution named after the philosopher Saint Constantine Cyril was especially meaningful because of his contributions to language, education, and philosophy.

As someone who has worked for the preservation of India's linguistic and cultural diversity, including the cultural recognition of the Santhali language, Murmu said she appreciates the power of language in shaping identity and fostering knowledge.

She said education is a means not only for individual empowerment but for national development as well.

Recognising this, India has placed education at the heart of its national development strategy. With half of its population below the age of 25, the nation is investing in its tools to drive the knowledge economy of tomorrow, she said.

"The new National Education Policy is a visionary initiative designed to harness this demographic dividend, fostering a culture of innovation, research, and global collaboration," she said.

The university awards the degree to "exceptional individuals" who have significantly contributed to the development of education, science, culture, or otherwise contributed to spreading the ideas of humanism, democracy and understanding between the nations and have an internationally recognised dimension.

This honorary title is awarded by the university's Scientific Council. Besides eminent academics in various fields, previous recipients include former President of Brazil, Fernando Henrique Cardoso (2002).

The university bears the name of the Byzantine missionary and philosopher Saint Constantine Cyril, one of the most important names in Slovak history.

The university has five faculties and 7,029 students, including 5,562 enrolled in full-time programmes. It also has around 400 international students.

Known as the Mother of Slovak cities, Nitra dates back to 870 AD, making it one of the oldest recorded settlements in Slovakia.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court is set to hear on April 16 a batch of petitions challenging the validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. A bench of Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, Justices Sanjay Kumar and KV Vishwanathan would hear the pleas. According to caselist uploaded on the Supreme Court website, the matter is listed as item no. 13 for hearing.

The Central government had also filed caveat application in the Supreme Court urging it to hear the government in the petitions filed before it challenging validity of Waqf (Amendment) Act. A Caveat application is filed by a litigant to ensure that no adverse order is passed against him or her without being heard.

Several petitions were filed in the apex court challenging the Act, contending that it was discriminatory towards the Muslim community and violates their fundamental rights. President Droupadi Murmu on April 5 gave her assent to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which was earlier passed by Parliament after heated debates in both Houses.

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) Member of Parliament Asaduddin Owaisi, Congress MPs Mohammad Jawed and Imran Pratapgarhi, AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan, MP and President of the Azad Samaj Party Chandra Shekhar Azad, Samajwadi Party MP from Sambhal Zia Ur Rehman Barq, President of the Islamic cleric's body Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind Maulana Arshad Madani, Kerala Sunni scholars' body Samastha Kerala Jamiatul Ulema, Social Democratic Party of India, Indian Union Muslim League, and NGO Association for Protection of Civil Rights have already approached the top court against the Act.

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) also challenged the Act, saying it strongly objected to the amendments passed by Parliament for being "arbitrary, discriminatory and based on exclusion".

Manoj Jha and Faiyaz Ahmad, MPs in Rajya Sabha from Bihar's RJD, have also challenged the Wakf (Amendment) Act, 2025 on the grounds that it facilitates large-scale government interference in Muslim religious endowments. RJD MLA from Bihar Muhammad Izhar Asfi also challenged the Act. The ruling party Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in Tamil Nadu, through its MP A Raja, who was a part of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on the Waqf Bill, also approached the apex court against the Act.

In his plea, Javed, who was also a member of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, said that the Act discriminates against the Muslim community by imposing restrictions that are not present in the governance of other religious endowments.

Owaisi in his plea stated that the amended Act "irreversibly dilute" the statutory protections afforded to Waqfs and their regulatory framework while conferring undue advantage upon other stakeholders and interest groups, undermining years of progress and setting back Waqf management by several decades.

Amanatullah Khan's plea stated that the Act curtails the religious and cultural autonomy of Muslims, enables arbitrary executive interference, and undermines minority rights to manage their religious and charitable institutions. Samastha Kerala Jamiatul Ulema contended that these amendments would distort the religious character of Waqfs while also irreversibly damaging the democratic process in the administration of Waqf and Waqf Boards.

Madani in his petition challenged various provisions of the Act terming them unconstitutional and destructive to the Waqf administration and jurisprudence in India. His petition further said that several Waqf properties would be vulnerable due to the mandatory timelines for uploading details on the Portal and Database envisaged under the amendment, threatening the very existence of a large number of historical waqfs--particularly those created by oral dedication or without formal deeds.

While the NGO submitted that the Act is not only unnecessary but also an alarming interference into the religious affairs of the Muslim community, diluting the fundamental purpose of Waqf, which is a practice deeply rooted in Quranic references.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) today produced Tahawwur Hussain Rana, the key accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks 2008 case, following his extradition from the United States. Rana landed in Delhi this evening following which he was arrested formally by the NIA. According to reports, Rana has been provided with a lawyer from the Government side as he did not have one. The NIA is seeking his custody in connection with a case filed in 2009 following an investigation into the Mumbai terror attack case.

Rana was produced before Special National Investigation Agency (NIA) judge Chander Jit Singh, who is currently hearing arguments on Rana's custody proceedings. Senior advocate Dayan Krishnan and special public prosecutor Narender Mann represented the NIA. Advocate Piyush Sachdeva from Delhi Legal Services Authority will represent Rana.

Rana was escorted to Delhi by teams of NIA and National Security Guard (NSG), comprising senior officials, on a special plane from Los Angeles, the statement said. Rana is accused of conspiring with David Coleman Headley @ Daood Gilani and operatives of designated terrorist organisations Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Harkat-ul-Jihadi Islami (HUJI), along with other Pakistan-based co-conspirators, to carry out the devastating terror attacks in Mumbai in 2008.

The NIA investigation team at the airport arrested Rana, a Canadian national of Pakistani origin living primarily in Chicago (US), soon after he emerged from the airplane, after completing all the necessary legal formalities, it said.

The agency also shared a picture of Rana in the custody of its officers after his extradition.

The NIA secured Rana's extradition following years of sustained and concerted efforts and after the terror mastermind's last-ditch efforts to get a stay on his extradition from the US failed, said the statement issued by the anti-terror agency.

Rana was being held in judicial custody in the US pursuant to proceedings initiated by the NIA under the India-US Extradition Treaty.

Rana is accused of conspiring with David Coleman Headley alias Daood Gilani, and operatives of designated terrorist organisations Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Harkat-ul-Jihadi Islami (HUJI) along with other Pakistan-based co-conspirators, to carry out the devastating terror attacks in Mumbai in 2008.

A total of 166 people were killed and more than 238 injured in the deadly attacks. (With agency inputs)
Tahawwur Rana Extradition: Tahawwur Rana, a key accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, arrived in India from the United States on Thursday after a lengthy legal battle. Rana was brought to India after his final attempt to avoid extradition failed when the US Supreme Court rejected his appeal. He was brought to Delhi amid high security.

Ahead of his arrival, security arrangements were intensified at the National Investigation Agency (NIA) headquarters and Patiala House Court in the national capital. Rana, a 64-year-old Pakistan-born Canadian national and a close associate of David Coleman Headley, alias Daood Gilani, is being extradited from the United States to face trial in India for his alleged role in the 2008 Mumbai attacks that claimed 166 lives and left hundreds injured.

Sources told IANS that the extradition is being directly overseen by National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval, along with top officials from the NIA and the Ministry of Home Affairs. A tight security cordon has been established, with paramilitary forces and Delhi Police personnel deployed across strategic locations, including the NIA headquarters in South Delhi. Additionally, senior police officials have been personally reviewing the arrangements on-site.

Here Are Key Updates:

- Tahawwur Rana was handed over to Indian authorities in Los Angeles after the US Supreme Court rejected his appeal.

- Ahead of the arrival of Tahawwur Rana, Security arrangements have been boosted at the National Investigation Agency (NIA) headquarters and Patiala House Court in the national capital.

- Eknath Omble, the brother of Ashok Chakra awardee and 26/11 hero Tukaram Omble, called today a "big day" as the 26/11 Mumbai attack accused Tahawwur Rana was extradited to India.

- Pakistan has distanced itself from the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack key accused Tahawwur Rana and said that it is "very clear" that he is of Canadian nationality.

- Reacting to the extradition of terror accused Tahawwur Rana, Union Minister Piyush Goyal hits out at the Congress for "not doing anything" to punish those involved in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, which killed approx 166 people.

- Tahawwur Rana is likely to be lodged in a high-security ward in Tihar jail here when he reaches India, prison sources told news agency PTI.

(With agencies' Inputs)
Tahawwur Rana Extradition: Tahawwur Rana, a Mumbai terror attack case accused who is being extradited from the US, is likely to be lodged in a high-security ward in Tihar jail here when he reaches India, prison sources told news agency PTI on Wednesday. The sources said necessary preparations have been made for lodging him in jail, and the prison authorities will wait for the court order.

Rana is en route to New Delhi following his extradition from the United States after exhausting all legal avenues to stall the move. A special chartered flight carrying the 64-year-old left the US on Wednesday, April 9, marking a significant moment in India's pursuit of justice for the 2008 terror attack that killed 166 people. Rana, 64, is a Pakistan-born Canadian national and close associate of one of the main conspirators of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks David Coleman Headley alias Daood Gilani, a US citizen.

Rana is being brought to India after his last-ditch attempt to evade extradition failed as the US Supreme Court justices rejected his application. According to officials, a multi-agency team has gone to the US to bring him to India.

On November 26, 2008, a group of 10 Pakistani terrorists went on a rampage, carrying out a coordinated attack on a railway station, two luxury hotels, and a Jewish centre, after they sneaked into India's financial capital using the sea route in the Arabian Sea.

As many as 166 people were killed in the nearly 60-hour assault that sent shockwaves across the country and even brought India and Pakistan to the brink of war.

Meanwhile, the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) said that Rana is not in the custody of , the agency said, as reported by PTI. According to information on the website of the Federal Bureau of Prisons, Rana is Not in BOP Custody as of April 8, 2025. An official at the agency told PTI Wednesday that Rana is not in the custody of the Bureau of Prisons (BOP).

If an individual is listed as "Released" or "Not in BOP Custody" and no facility location is indicated, the inmate is no longer in BOP custody; however, the inmate may still be in the custody of some other correctional/criminal justice system/law enforcement entity or on parole or supervised release, PTI quoted the official as saying.

The inmate locator information on the website lists the register number for Rana as 22829-424, his age, race, and sex. Rana, 64, is a Pakistan-born Canadian national and close associate of one of the main conspirators of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, David Coleman Headley, alias Daood Gilani, a Pakistani American citizen.

(With agency Inputs)
India has finally secured the custody of one of the key conspirators of the 2008 Mumbai terror attack - Tahawwur Rana. While Rana landed in India after the United States Supreme Court rejected his plea against extradition, the success came 18 years after the heinous terror attack. While victims and their families demand the death penalty for Rana, experts have outlined what India should look to get from the accused.

Former diplomat KP Fabian said that while Rana's extradition is a 'better late than never' development for India, the government should also have a clear idea of what they want to get out of this. "In my view, the foremost purpose should be to get as much information and intelligence on how it was plotted, how it was carried out and who all were involved and even in India, there were people who innocently or otherwise cooperated...So, we should get to know facts as in-depth as possible," said Fabian.

Fabian also said that this extradition should serve as an example for future cases to make India's stand stronger. "We should handle things in such a way that in the future if there is a case in which we may need extradition, no one should be able to say that we did not treat this person correctly. So, these are the things. So, we have to be careful about retribution, urge to seek retribution," he said.

Foreign Affairs Expert Robinder Sachdev said that the extradition of Tahawwur Rana to India is a milestone in the global fight against terrorism. "It is absolutely the win and result of our consistent diplomatic engagement, legal engagement and perseverance. Our govt has worked tirelessly and silently..." said Sachdev.
Coimbatore Dalit Girl: A class 8 girl from the Scheduled Caste (Arunthathiyar), who recently began her puberty, was reportedly made to take her examination outside the classroom at a private matriculation school near Kinathukadavu Taluk in Coimbatore district on Wednesday.

According to media reports, the incident is of Swamy Chidbhavanda Matric Higher Secondary School in Senguttaipalayam village and came to light when the student informed her mother about the event.

The young girl was made to sit outside her classroom during her examinations on April 7 and 9, following the beginning of her menstrual cycle, as per media reports.

Reportedly, the girl's mother visited the school during the examination on April 9 and saw her daughter sitting outside the classroom and recorded a video of the incident. The video then went viral on social media.

As per a TOI report, the Coimbatore district collector, Pavankumar G Giriyappanavar, informed that the Coimbatore rural police have opened an inquiry into the matter. The school was also asked to submit a detailed report.

Since the video went viral, the girl's mother has approached the education authorities. Furthermore, the local villagers planned on meeting the Pollachi sub-collector to ask for strict action against the school authorities for the act of discrimination.

As per IANS, in the video captured by her mother, the student said that the school principal had instructed her to sit outside of the classroom.

Furthermore, Director of Matriculation Schools, A. Palanisamy, confirmed that the Chief Educational Officer is conducting an inquiry into the incident.

IANS quoted the Director as saying, An explanation has been sought from the school management, and appropriate action will be taken after the report is received.

Assistant Superintendent of Police Shristi Singh conducted a preliminary inquiry on Thursday, and said that the girls mother had requested the class teacher on April 6 a special seating arrangement for her daughter to ensure her comfort during her menstrual cycle, but was told to speak to the principal.

On April 7, the mother requested the principal for a separate arrangement for her daughter to prevent the risk of infection. After she left, the student was made to sit outside the classroom.

As per IANS, that evening, the girl complained of leg pain and missed school the next day. She returned on Wednesday and faced the same thing.

Later, a relative noticed her sitting outside on the steps and informed the family. Her mother rushed to the school and recorded the video. While no formal police complaint has been lodged yet, the officials have assured a fair investigation once it is received.

The schools correspondent has suspended the principal under Section 17 of the Right to Education Act, 2009, which prohibits physical or mental harassment of children.

(with IANS inputs)
By Puja Mehrotra

Has Shiv Sena (Uddhav faction) changed its Hindutva stance after parting ways with the BJP? Is there a difference between Balasaheb Thackeray's Hindutva and Uddhav Thackeray's vision of it? Balasaheb envisioned a Hindu Rashtra, but is imagining a Hindu Rashtra today the same as creating a Hindu Pakistan?

Recently, during the discussion on the Waqf Amendment Bill in the Rajya Sabha, MP Sanjay Raut accused the BJP of trying to turn India into a Hindu Pakistan, which sparked significant controversy. In an exclusive interview with India.com, Raut said, This is India, where Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, Christiansall live together. We want a Hindu Rashtra. Our culture itself is rooted in the idea of a Hindu Rashtra. But dividing the country on religious lines is wrong.

He continued, Pakistan too was created on the basis of religion. Look at its condition now. These religious fanatics have formed gangs, and its a terrorist gang that runs the countrybe it the Taliban, Hizbul, or anyone else.

Sanjay Raut added, Any nation founded on religion does not succeed. He pointed out that even Nepal was once a Hindu Rashtra, but it no longer is.

Yet, the Shiv Sena MP didn't shy away from stating, We envision a Hindu Rashtra. Our only aim is the saffron flag, and it will remain at the top.

On Balasaheb, Aurangzeb Row

Speaking about Shiv Senas Hindutva roots, Raut told India.com, We must respect all faiths and beliefs. He added, We didnt dig up Aurangzebs grave, we just changed the name of the city. What will we tell the next generation about who Shivaji fought against? Shivaji was killed by Aurangzeb, and his grave is in Maharashtra. What is the point of digging it up?

He recalled, Balasaheb Thackeray was a visionary. When he visited Aurangabad, he said the grave will remain where it iswe will not touch it. We simply renamed the city. Sambhaji was killed by Aurangzeb, and we renamed the city Sambhajinagar. Thats a real form of revenge.

On Balasaheb's BJP Remark

When asked why Shiv Sena, despite being a major force in Maharashtra, couldnt expand outside the state, Raut candidly said, We tried but werent successful. He recalled, After the Ayodhya movement, we had an opportunity to grow. We planned to contest 70 seats across UP, MP, Rajasthan, and Gujarat. Our alliance with BJP in Maharashtra was based on Hindutva. In UP alone, we were set to win 20 of the 40 seats we contested. We could have won in Rajasthan, Jammu, and Gujarat too.

Remembering those days, Raut said, Suddenly, Atal Bihari Vajpayee called Balasaheb and told him that contesting elections would damage both BJP and the cause of Hindutva, as it would split the Hindu vote. He added, Balasaheb was very emotional. After speaking with Vajpayee and realizing Hindutva could be harmed, he decided not to contest. Whether we won or BJP did, what mattered was that Hindutva won.

'Balasaheb: Face of Hindutva

When asked what changed in the past 20 years that led to Shiv Senas separation from BJP, Raut responded, Back then, BJP wasnt full of businessmen. Hindutva wasnt a business. There were people who didnt do business with us. We were their old allieswhen no one stood with them, we did in Maharashtra.

'BJP A Deceptive Party'

Speaking on the Waqf Bill, Raut said, The BJP is a deceptive party. If PM Modi wants something, he will bow before anyone. During the Waqf Bill debate in the Rajya Sabha, they even called Naveen Patnaik for support, despite opposition from his own party in the state. Raut accused the BJP of submitting to other parties whenever it suits them. He ruled out any future alliance with BJP and did not hesitate to call it a deceptive party. He also accused BJP of splitting Shiv Sena and pointed out the hypocrisy of aligning with Ajit Pawar, whom they once called corrupt, and now have cleansed just by partnering with him.

Raut Backs Kunal Kamra

Amid the recent controversy involving comedian Kunal Kamra, Shiv Sena (Uddhav faction) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut came out in his support. Raut said, If an artist is being threatened for asking questions or using satire, it's an attack on democracy. He even demanded Z-category security for Kamra.

When questioned about the demolition of Kangana Ranauts studio, Raut clarified, We didnt demolish it. BMC had been issuing notices for two years. However, he also noted that Kangana had referred to Mumbai residents as Pakistanis and terrorists, adding, Then she should be treated the same way terrorists are.
A man who allegedly caught his wife with her lover in their home and called the police on them, has claimed in a video that she threatened him, saying he would end up in a drum like in the Meerut murder case. In the video, he also appealed for the safety of himself and his son.

The man, identified as Pawan, is working contractually with the Health Department in Uttar Pradesh's Mahoba. According to reports, his wife, Ritu Verma, is a clerk in a Jhansi college. The couple has a six-year-old son together, and they have been living separately.

While speaking to his wife on a video call on the night of the alleged incident, Pawan grew suspicious that someone else was in his house. He then dialed 112 and informed the police of his suspicion. When the police arrived, they found Area Councillor Abhishek Pathak inside the house.

The reports stated that the police took Abhishek to the station but later released him on Ritu's request.

Pawan is working with the the Health Department on contractual basis in Mahoba, UP while his wife Ritu Verma is staying at Jhansi with their 7 years old son. Ritu is working as a clerk in a college in Jhansi.

Last Night while talking to his wife on phone Pawan felt that someone pic.twitter.com/FW3L35Y0OF  NCMIndia Council For Men Affairs (@NCMIndiaa) April 10, 2025

In a video posted on the social media platform X, Pawan claimed that his wife is having an affair with a man. He also claimed that Ritu had threatened him verbally that he would end up in a drum and asked for protection for himself and his son.

Distressed and Panicked husband demanded Justice and requested the Police to ensure his safety from his wife the her Councillor BF. Pawan also alleged that he may end up in a drum if Police will not take any action soon. pic.twitter.com/JH6YRTlOhZ  NCMIndia Council For Men Affairs (@NCMIndiaa) April 10, 2025

Jhansi Police's Action

Jhansi police have stated that a necessary investigation will be done into the matter if a complaint is registered.

    ,                        CO   - pic.twitter.com/wH8DTNAAY7  Jhansi Police (@jhansipolice) April 9, 2025

Meerut Murder Case

A former Merchant Navy Officer, Saurabh Rajput, was allegedly killed, dismembered, and his remains put in a drum by his wife and her lover in Meerut.

The wife, Muskan Rastogi, and her lover, Sahil, are currently in judicial custody. PTI reported that the investigation has revealed that Muskan was allegedly planning the murder since November 2023.

(with PTI inputs)
At least five people lost their lives after rains accompanied by hailstorms and lightning lashed some parts of Uttar Pradesh in Firozabad, Siddharth Nagar, and Sitapur districts on Thursday, officials said. Lucknow, the state capital, was among the places that received rain. Firozabad Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Vishu Raja said that two people were killed due to lightning in the district.

A 30-year-old pregnant woman, Lalita Devi, was killed after being struck by lightning in Daulatpur village of the Narkhi area, while a 32-year-old man identified as Padav Veer Singh was killed in Chinari village of the Jasrana area.

The ADM said the family members of the deceased will be given financial assistance, news agency PTI reported. Ghanshyam (40), a labourer, died after being struck by lightning in Siddharthnagar.

The incident took place in Gaura Mangua village when he was going to work in the rain, officials said. In Sitapur, two persons died in separate incidents due to heavy thunderstorms and lightning.

Harishchandra (25) died due to lightning in Moch Khurd village in the Biswan Police Station area when he was working in his field, while 55-year-old Kusuma Devi died when a wall collapsed on her due to heavy rains in Rasoolpur village in the Sakran Police Station area.

Taking note of the unseasonal rains, lightning, and hailstorm, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed officials of the affected districts to carry out relief operations with full urgency and preparedness.

The chief minister instructed district authorities to visit the affected areas, closely monitor relief efforts, and ensure immediate assistance to those impacted by the adverse weather conditions, an official statement issued here said.

In cases of loss of life or livestock due to lightning, storms, heavy rain, or hailstorms, ensure immediate distribution of relief funds to the affected families, he said. Adityanath also emphasized that those injured must receive prompt and adequate medical treatment.

Highlighting the ongoing government wheat procurement process, the chief minister directed that all necessary precautions be taken to ensure safe storage of wheat at procurement centers and mandis. He also instructed officials to conduct a thorough survey of crop damage and submit a detailed report to the government for appropriate action. In areas affected by waterlogging, Adityanath called for immediate drainage arrangements, ensuring the issue is addressed on a priority basis.

This will enable the administration to initiate appropriate follow-up action and support to the affected farmers. The weather office said heavy rains and lightning are likely in Kaushambi, Varanasi, Jaunpur, Ghazipur, Azamgarh, Lucknow, Barabanki, and Raebareli.

(With PTI Inputs)
UP News: A couple having an extramarital affair eloped and tied the knot, leaving their spouses and a total of nine children behind. Both families learned of the marriage through a Facebook post. About a week ago, Geeta, a resident of Mahariya village and a mother of five, eloped with Gopal, a father of four from the same village.

The news of their marriage came to light on April 5 when some villagers saw their wedding pictures on Gopals Facebook account. The villagers informed Geeta's husband, Shrichand, and Gopal's wife about the pictures. Until then, Geeta's in-laws believed she had gone to her parents' house following a disagreement in the family.

The Facebook photos triggered chaos and disbelief within both families. Shrichand said he earns a living by selling vada pav in Mumbai but recently had been staying at home to support his family. He alleged that Geeta absconded with Rs 90,000 of his hard-earned savings and all the jewelry from their home. "I have also approached the police to register a complaint regarding the matter.

Meanwhile, Gopal's wife is also grappling with the situation and caring for her four children. She claimed that Gopal did not contribute to the family's expenses and was abusive.

Declaring her husband "dead", she said Gopal can live wherever he wants, but my children should receive their rightful share for maintenance and he should be financially responsible for their upbringing".

Station House Officer (SHO) of Siddharth Nagar Police Station Anuj Singh said that he is aware of the incident but has not yet received any complaints. "If we receive any complaint regarding the matter, action will be taken as per law," the SHO said.
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (local time) signed the commission for former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee to assume office as the United States Ambassador to Israel following his confirmation by the US Senate earlier in the day. The Senate confirmed him by a vote of 53-46.

On Huckabee's confirmation as the new Israeli Envoy, Trump said that he would be "fantastic" in his new position.

"He's going to be fantastic. He's going to bring home the bacon, even though bacon isn't too big in Israel. I had to clear that up. Congratulations to Mike Huckabee," Trump said.

The Baptist minister expressed his gratitude to President Trump, saying, "I am Grateful to a great Donald Trump and look forward to serving!"

Following the announcement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a statement, welcomed the development, noting that it was a great day for the Israeli-American alliance. "Congratulations to my dear friend Mike Huckabee upon being confirmed as the next ambassador of the United States to Israel. This is a great day for the Israeli-American alliance. I look forward to working with you to make the unbreakable bond between our two nations even stronger," Netanyahu said in a statement.

Mike Huckabee, a former Governor of Arkansas and television host, has held various public service roles and is known for his longstanding support for Israel. He is expected to begin his term as ambassador in the coming days.

Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu announced that Israel would work to eliminate the trade deficit with the US and that too "very quickly" amid the turmoil in the global markets caused by US tariff tensions.

During a bilateral meeting with President Trump at The White House, Netanyahu said, "We will eliminate the trade deficit with the United States. We intend to do it very quickly. We think it's the right thing to do and we're going to also eliminate trade barriers," adding that Israel could also serve as a "model for many countries" who ought to do the same.

Netanyahu further expressed gratitude to President Trump for inviting him to the White House and praised him as a "remarkable friend" of Israel, noting that Trump delivers on his commitments.
Bengaluru/Tumakuru: Even as the Airports Authority of India (AAI) inspects three shortlisted sites for Bengaluru's proposed second airport, there is growing support for the airport to come up at Sira in Tumakuru district, about 120 km from Bengaluru  with Union Minister of State V Somanna lending his voice to the demand.

A number of legislators, cutting across party lines, have signed a petition addressed to the Chief Minister and the Union Minister, urging them to select Sira as the site for the proposed airport. The campaign is being spearheaded by senior Congress leader and MLA T B Jayachandra.

The state government has already shortlisted three potential locations for the city's second airporttwo on Kanakapura Road near Harohalli and one on Kunigal Road in Nelamangala. The AAI team currently in Karnataka is inspecting these sites.

"Jayachandra gave me a petition signed by about 34 legislators when he visited Delhi. We have submitted it to Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu. The state government had earlier shortlisted three sites, and AAI officials are now inspecting them to assess the pros and cons," said Somanna on Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters in Tumakuru, the MP from Tumakuru said the proposed airport at Bukkapatna near Sira has the advantage of a large parcel of landaround 3,500 to 4,000 acreswith no obstacles or hills.

"Jayachandra, a senior politician, has proposed this site, and I support it. We will build pressure; many leaders from our party also favour it. Ultimately, both the central and state governments will decide after weighing all factors," he said.

"Though the AAI team is inspecting the three shortlisted sites, the process is not final. We will push to ensure they visit Sira as well," Somanna added, noting that Sira is well-connected with national highways and is close to a HAL facility.

Jayachandra, the MLA from Sira, said the location is feasible for the airport due to several factors, including the presence of four national highways and its proximity to Bengaluruabout an hour's drive.

"We have submitted a petition to the Chief Minister and the Union Civil Aviation Minister through Somanna. We also plan to meet the minister in person," he said, adding that Sira meets several essential criteria for an airport, such as water availability, flat terrain, and accessibility.

He further stated that an airport at Sira would boost air cargo and agricultural exportsparticularly fruits and vegetablesfrom central Karnataka districts.

Jayachandra, who also serves as the Karnataka government's special representative in New Delhi, said, "This proposed second airport is expected to be operational by 2032, and there's ample time for changes in location during the planning phase."

Highlighting nearby infrastructure such as a helicopter division in Gubbi and defence and science research facilities in Challakere, he added that an airport at Sira would offer better connectivity to other domestic airports in the stateincluding Hubballi, Belagavi, Bidar, Kalaburagi, and Shivamogga.

Pointing out the traffic challenges that may arise if the airport is located too close to Bengaluru, Jayachandra said AAI might also consider alternative locations in the future.

"Factors like land cost and water availability must be considered before finalising the site," he said.

Given all these aspects, Sira is a suitable option. It will also aid in the development of central and north Karnataka and benefit the people in those regions, he added.
Mumbai: Actor Akshay Kumar has lauded the trailer of the Ajay Devgn-starrer 'Raid 2,' which was unveiled on Tuesday. The actor, taking to his X on Wednesday, shared the trailer for the film along with a message for his fellow actors Ajay Devgn and Riteish Deshmukh.

"Bhai, what a trailer!! I hope your 75th Raid does 75 weeks in theatres. Good luck for #Raid2 @ajaydevgn. And the evilness suits you, @Riteishd ;)," read his tweet.

Bhai, what a trailer!! I hope teri 75th Raid does 75 weeks in theatres. Good luck for #Raid2 @ajaydevgn . And the evilness suits you @Riteishd ;)https://t.co/9TX2q9YCOq  Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) April 9, 2025

The trailer for actor Ajay Devgn's crime thriller Raid 2 was unveiled in Mumbai on Tuesday.

The trailer shows Ajay returning as the fearless IRS officer Amay Patnaik, who once again takes on the corrupt system. This time, he faces off against a dangerous politician, played by Riteish Deshmukh. The trailer begins with a strong punch, showing Ajay preparing for his next big mission--one that could shake the foundations of power. However, Ajay's character is not alone--he has a strong team ready to fight alongside him. Their goal is clear: to wipe out black money and take down those who misuse their power.

Raid 2 was produced by Bhushan Kumar, Kumar Mangat Pathak, Abhishek Pathak, and Krishan Kumar. The film, which will be released on May 1, is presented by Gulshan Kumar and T-Series and is a Panorama Studios production.

Raj Kumar Gupta has helmed the film, which is the sequel to the 2018 crime thriller that captivated audiences with its gripping story of tax raids and corruption.

Vaani Kapoor and Rajat Kapoor are also part of the film.

Raid, released in 2018, also starred Saurabh Shukla and Ileana D'Cruz. It was inspired by a real-life raid conducted by Income Tax Department officers in the 1980s. Ileana played Ajay's wife in the movie.

'Raid 2' is set to hit theatres on May 1.
New Delhi: Prabhas's much-awaited film The Raja Saab has been making headlines due to the release date issues it has been facing. Directed by Maruthi, the horror-comedy starring the actor in the lead role was initially slated to release on April 10. The film was officially announced in 2024, and fans have since been eagerly awaiting updates regarding its new release date.

With updates still pending, fans are now eager to know the final release date of the Prabhas starrer. Director Maruthi has finally broken his silence. He recently visited the popular temples at Tirupathi and Srikalahasthi to seek blessings. He posted photos from his visit on social media, and soon after, the comment section was flooded with fans asking for updates on the horror-comedy's release date.

Director Drops BIG Update on The Raja Saab

Prabhas starrer The Raja Saab is one of the biggest releases of 2025. The director has finally dropped a major update regarding the film's release date. Replying to Prabhas fans about the film, Maruthi wrote, ''To give the accurate info @peoplemediafcy on that job Expecting CG out put soon once those are verified makers will announce the release date, many external things will involve in this process, it's not a one man word or work so things will take time , Be Lil patient, every one is giving their best to match ur expectations.''

The Raja Saabs delayed release has left fans unhappy. The film's release date has been pushed due to delays in post-production.

Talking about the film's core cast, it includes Nidhhi Agerwal, Malavika Mohanan, and Riddhi Kumar in pivotal roles. The romantic horror-comedy reportedly features Prabhas in a dual role. Rumors are swirling that Sanjay Dutt is also playing a crucial role, although this has not been officially announced yet.

The film is written and directed by Maruthi and produced by People Media Factory, with music composed by Thaman S.

The official update regarding the Raja Saab's release date is yet to be announced.
New Delhi: As the world celebrates the special bonds between siblings on the occasion of World Siblings Day, these Bollywood sibling duos have carved a special place in everyones hearts.

From Saif Ali Khan to Khushi Kapoor-Janhvi Kapoor, heres a look at the love, support, and camaraderie shared by some of Bollywoods most beloved siblings.



1. Saif Ali Khan - Soha Ali Khan

The Pataudi siblingsSaif Ali Khan and Soha Ali Khan share a bond full of love, camaraderie, and mutual understanding, making them one of the most celebrated sibling duos in Bollywood. Their relationship reflects deep respect and a close-knit connection, often peppered with playful banter.



2. Khushi Kapoor - Janhvi Kapoor

The Kapoor sisters are among Bollywoods most adored sibling pairs. Their fun videos, supportive comments, and glamorous pictures showcase their playful, fun-loving bond and infectious energy. Their relationship celebrates sisterhood like no other.



3. Veer Pahariya - Shikhar Pahariya

Veer and Shikhar Pahariyas brotherhood stands out for being rooted in shared experiences and childhood memories. Their bond is full of laughter, mutual respect, and unwavering companionship.



4. Shilpa Shetty - Shamita Shetty

The Shetty sisters have stood by each other through lifes highs and lows. Their beautiful relationship emphasizes purity, grace, and strength. Their bond radiates authenticity, strengthened by heartfelt support and moments of playful affection.



5. Vicky Kaushal - Sunny Kaushal



Vicky and Sunny Kaushal are known not just for their acting chops but also for their adorable sibling equation. From mischievous banter to light-hearted camaraderie, their relationship reflects deep-rooted support and admiration for each others journeys.

Siblings are often best friends, occasional rivals, and lifelong alliesstanding by each other through lifes ups and downs.

What better day than Siblings Day to celebrate these beautiful connections that go far beyond the Gram'?
Pakistan on Thursday said that Tahawwur Hussain Rana, the mastermind of the deadly 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks successfully extradited to India from the United States, has not renewed his Pakistani-origin documents for the last two decades and should be treated only as a Canadian national.

"On the Tahawwur Rana issue, we have conveyed our position regarding his Canadian nationality. As far as our record indicates, he did not even apply for renewal for his Pakistani origin documents for the last two decades. I reiterate that position," said Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan, spokesperson for the Pakistan Foreign Office (PFO), during a weekly press briefing.

India's National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday announced that it had successfully secured the extradition of Rana "after years of sustained and concerted efforts to bring the key conspirator behind the 2008 mayhem to justice".

Rana, a 64-year-old Pakistan-born Canadian national brought to New Delhi, was being held in judicial custody in the United States under proceedings initiated under the India-US Extradition Treaty for his extradition. The extradition finally came through after Rana exhausted all legal avenues to stay the move.

Rana is believed to have had close ties with Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and is accused of conspiring with David Coleman Headley, or Daood Gilani, and operatives of designated terrorist organisations, the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and the Harkat-ul-Jihadi Islami (HUJI), along with other Pakistan-based co conspirators, to carry out the devastating terror attacks in Mumbai in 2008. A total of 166 persons were killed and over 238 were injured in the deadly attacks.

Charges against Rana include criminal conspiracy, waging war against India, murder, forgery, and violations under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).

However, Pakistan has clearly distanced itself from Rana's extradition issue, with the spokesperson ending his statement by saying, "We will give further updates in due course", hinting towards Islamabad's interest in the case.

With Rana's extradition, India will have a key link to nail Pakistan's connection to the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.

Pakistan has all along been denying its involvement despite a series of dossiers presented by the Government of India.

Rana's involvement in the conspiracy behind the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai was established by his childhood friend and another key accused in the terror case, David Coleman Headley, alias Daood Sayed Gilani.

Headley appeared before a special court in Mumbai through video conference from an undisclosed location in the US in 2016, where he revealed his Pakistan links.

Headley said he was in constant touch with Rana and even took his permission to open a business office in Mumbai as a front for his activities.

The National Investigation Agency had in its charge sheet said that Rana provided logistics, financial, and other assistance to Headley and others involved in plotting terror attacks in India.

Rana was convicted in the US for his links to Lashkar-e-Taiba and helping plot an attack against a Danish newspaper that printed cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad. The court, however, cleared him of the charge of plotting the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. Rana was acquitted in the Mumbai case, but the trial exposed his links with Headley.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) had said in a statement (January 2013) after Rana's conviction in 2009 that he had admitted to the terror activities of Lashkar and the Mumbai attacks.
US President Donald Trump declared a 90-day pause on higher tariffs for trade partners while increasing tariffs on China to 125 per cent. President Trump took this dramatic U-turn just 13 hours after high duties on 56 nations and the European Union took effect, sparking market turmoil and raising fears of a looming global recession.

I thought that people were jumping a little bit out of line, Donald Trump replied when asked why he backed off, Hindustantimes reported.

They were getting a little bit yippy, a little bit afraid. No other president would have done what I did. Somebody had to do it...They had to stop because it was not sustainable. I'm honoured to have done it. Somebody had to do what we did," he added.

Despite the pause on tariffs for other nations, Trump announced an increase in tariffs on Chinese imports to 125%, up from the 104% rate implemented at midnightintensifying the ongoing trade standoff between the world's two largest economies.

Based on the lack of respect that China has shown to the Worlds Markets, I am hereby raising the Tariff charged to China by the United States of America to 125%, effective immediately, Trump wrote on Truth Social.

At some point, hopefully in the near future, China will realize that the days of ripping off the U.S.A., and other Countries, is no longer sustainable or acceptable,  he added in a post.
House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers said on a podcast Wednesday he expects an official announcement later this month that Space Command will move to his home state of Alabama, prompting swift pushback from Colorado House Republicans.

It is the latest in a yearslong tussle between Huntsville, Ala., and Colorado Springs over the command, a battle some thought was over when President Joe Biden made the decision to leave the command in Colorado in 2023.

The Colorado lawmakers emphasized that as Russia and China have made significant investments in space, keeping Space Command in Colorado Springs is vital for national security.

U.S. Rep. Jeff Crank, R-Colorado Springs, was among the lawmakers on a call Thursday morning talking about efforts to keep the command, which is in charge of protecting and defending the area that starts 62 miles above the earth.

"I have asked many of our senior leaders what is the military value of moving Space Command and point-blank they say, there isnt any," Crank said.

Space Command employs about 1,700 service members from across the military branches in those efforts.

Those people work in areas such as weather monitoring; space control; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; position, navigation and timing; satellite communications; and missile warning, The Gazette previously reported.

This week, the leader of Space Command called for the development of space weapons to better deter aggression in space.

Republican U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert said she has been talking with President Donald Trump for months about the importance of keeping the command at Peterson Space Force Base, where it has reached full operational capability.

"Our entire delegation is working really diligently to ensure we keep Space Command in Colorado," she said, on the call alongside Colorado Republican Reps. Jeff Hurd and Gabe Evans. While no Colorado Democrats spoke, all of them have supported Space Command in the past, including both U.S. senators.

While Colorado lawmakers and others celebrated Biden's decision, including holding a party in Colorado Springs' America the Beautiful Park, Rogers was one of the fierce opponents even after that announcement, using his powerful committee position to withhold funding to build a new headquarters building at Peterson.

Rogers announced the command's pending move on a podcast hosted by the McCrary Institute.

"I expect sometime during in the month of April that Space Command will officially be assigned to build its headquarters in Huntsville, but they already have a big space mission up there," Rogers said.

He said he expected the announcement after the new Air Force secretary is named.

Rogers made similar statements before back in November when he said he expected Trump would issue an executive order to send Space Command to Huntsville during his first week in office.

While the official basing process considered other locations for Space Command, now Boebert said other states such as Arizona and Florida are again interested in the command.

"The more members from other states that get involved, I think the easier it is to just stay put in Colorado," she said.
U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, a Democrat from Vermont, is urging Coloradans to contact Gov. Jared Polis and tell him to sign a bill repealing an 80-year-old law that allows labor groups, when approved by workers in an election, to begin negotiations in order to impose dues on non-union employees.

In an email to supporters, Sanders included the phone number for Polis' office, saying, "Bernie had promised we'd follow up with different ways to get involved, and here's one today."

Senate Bill 005, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez, D-Denver, Sen. Jessie Danielson, D-Wheat Ridge, and Reps. Javier Mabrey, D-Denver, and Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver, would eliminate the second election requirement of the Labor Peace Act, making Colorado a "right to organize" state.

The measure has the support of labor unions, who say it eliminates an unnecessary barrier to unionization.

Business groups argue it will dissuade businesses from relocating to Colorado and force workers to pay union representation fees, regardless of membership.

Polis has said he would only sign a bill that was endorsed by both the union and business communities. This final bill has not yet made it through the General Assembly. With Senate approval, it is still waiting for a final House vote before going on to the governor.

Sanders and U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York visited Greeley and Denver last month as part of their "Fighting Oligarchy" tour, during which union leaders urged state legislators to pass Senate Bill 005. As of Wednesday, the bill has passed through the Senate and is awaiting floor debate in the House.

"The power is here to make real change  generational change, because at this point in time, this country needs a worker-driven agenda," International Union of Painters and Allied Trades president Jimmy Williams told the crowd of 30,000. "Until the Democratic Party realizes, until they realize that they have to remove the corporate control that holds them back, we have to show them what it looks like."
A man in custody at the federal Administrative Maximum Facility (ADX) in Florence is facing the death penalty and additional charges for first-degree murder and murder by a federal prisoner serving a life sentence, according to a news release Thursday.

According to the release, a federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment this week.

Ishmael Petty, 56, is serving life in prison for murdering an inmate at another federal prison in 2022. Previously, Petty was sentenced to 60 years in prison for an assault on two federal officers at ADX in 2015. Petty has been in federal custody since a 1998 conviction for bank robbery.

For the current charges, the maximum penalty is death, and U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has authorized the U.S. attorney for Colorado to pursue capital punishment.

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The U.S. attorney filed a notice of intent to seek the death penalty against Petty, since the maximum penalty is death, according to the release.

There are currently 14 active death penalty warrants throughout the country in Ohio, Tennessee, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Alabama, Texas, Louisiana and Florida.

In Colorado, there has been one execution since 1976. The state reinstated capital punishment in 1975 after it was declared unconstitutional in 1972. Colorado then abolished the death penalty in 2020. However, individuals can still be sentenced to death in federal court.
 Flash

China urges the United States to stop spreading rumors, causing trouble and maliciously associating China with the Panama Canal issue to excuse its own control over the canal, a spokesperson for China's foreign ministry said in Beijing on Wednesday.

Spokesperson Lin Jian made the comments at a daily news briefing, responding to remarks made by the U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during his recent visit to Panama.

Hegseth reportedly said that China has carried out espionage activities in Panama by controlling key infrastructure in the Panama Canal area, endangering the security, prosperity and sovereignty of Panama and the United States.

Lin expressed firm opposition to the malicious attacks on China from senior U.S. officials, which he said have discredited and undermined China-Panama cooperation, once again exposing the United States as a bully nation.

"Everyone knows who wants to control the Panama Canal," he said, adding that the United States should look in the mirror to see who is threatening the sovereignty, security and development interests of other countries.

"Compromise and concession will never secure sovereignty or respect; they will only fuel the arrogance of bullies," he said.
The most important thing to know about child abuse  and not only during the National Child Abuse Prevention Month of April  is anytime you see, hear or suspect something, say something, Gov. Jared Polis said Wednesday, while touring Safe Passage in Colorado Springs.

The children's advocacy center is the states only site where kids who have been sexually abused and their supportive families or caregivers can receive assistance in the same building from multiple agencies, from law enforcement and child welfare to medical attention and therapy sessions.

The offices work collectively to conduct criminal investigations, provide immediate treatment and promote prevention.

Its a one-stop shop, Polis said after the tour. In many places, people need to go three to four places to get all the services.

Polis stopped at the center Wednesday morning, prior to appearing at the 40th Space Symposium at The Broadmoor hotel.

Safe Passage works with 700 to 800 kids a year who have been sexually abused, Executive Director Maureen "Mo" Basenberg told Polis. The organization receives $133,000 annually from the state, she said, which goes toward its annual operating budget of about $1.6 million.

New this year at Safe Passage, which opened its children's advocacy center at the end of 2021 at 2335 Robinson St., is the addition of free, in-house mental health services for clients, provided by the organizations staff clinicians.

National Child Abuse Prevention Month raises awareness about the sensitive topic and in doing so, helps prevent instances from occurring and encourages people to report their suspicions.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the launch of the Colorado Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline, 844-CO-4KIDS, which has fielded more than 1 million calls statewide over the past decade, according to the state Department of Human Services. Of those, 350,000 were determined to require further assessment.

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Cases of sexual child abuse generally have increased to reflect population growth, said Catania Jones, director of Children and Youth Family Services for El Paso County.

Child safety has always been child safety, but how we approach child safety has changed over the years, and were pretty proud of that, she said.

Having a childrens advocacy center co-located under the Safe Passage umbrella has helped employees working in the field and benefits victims, Jones said.

Child protection has learned and understood we need to be trauma-responsive and that decisions around children can and should be made with our partners, Jones said. Having places to land that are not government-based really encourages a foundation for being trauma-responsive.

Last year, the state hotline received 23,497 calls reporting suspected abuse of any nature in El Paso County, which generated 17,578 referrals involving local children, the county Department of Human Services reported. Not every referral results in an investigation, spokesman Paul Myers-Bennett said.

That's a decrease from the 23,567 hotline calls made in 2023 and the 17,747 referrals from 2023.

El Paso County commissioners as well as city leaders in Colorado Springs, Fountain, Manitou Springs, Green Mountain Falls, Calhan, Monument and Palmer Lake approved resolutions to honor this month's observance.

In keeping with tradition, hundreds of blue and silver pinwheels are planted on the lawn outside Centennial Hall, a county seat where the commissioners meet.

Inspired by Pinwheels for Prevention, a national initiative launched in 2008 by Prevent Child Abuse America, the pinwheels are a reminder that every child deserves a safe, happy childhood and stand as a symbol of hope and a commitment to child safety in the community.
A University of Colorado Colorado Springs professor testified Wednesday during the trial for the man accused of killing two people last year in a dorm room that he met with one of the victims the night before his murder.

Nicholas Jordan, 25, is accused of shooting and killing Celie Rain Montgomery, 26, of Pueblo, and music student Samuel Knopp, 24, of Parker in the early morning hours of Feb. 16, 2024, in a campus dormitory.

Jordan and Knopp were roommates and students at UCCS.

Wednesday was the second day of testimony, and began with the testimony of two crime scene investigators who collected evidence from the autopsies and crime scene.

The longest testimony of the day was given by Jon Forshee, an assistant teaching professor of music at UCCS who said he worked closely with Knopp.

Forshee told the court that he met with Knopp the night before the murders to work on a collaboration piece for his upcoming senior recital. During the meeting on Feb. 15, 2024, Forshee said Knopp confided in him "at length" about the issues he faced with Jordan.

Forshee described it as "like a horror story," but said Knopp was in high spirits during the meeting because he was set to move out of his dorm the following day and "was looking forward to getting back to his dorm and packing up."

When cross-examined by the defense, Forshee said Knopp talked about revenge against Jordan, but his ideas were mainly pranks, not physical violence. Forshee then said the revenge Knopp settled on enacting was to "be the bigger man and walk away."

Jordans arrest affidavit states that he had made a death threat against Knopp and that campus security and housing staff recorded multiple complaints about Jordan before the shooting. Several of Wednesday's witnesses testified about those complaints, including a UCCS custodial supervisor and three resident housing assistants.

Laurie Martin worked at UCCS as a custodial supervisor in the housing section at the time of the homicides. She testified Wednesday regarding an incident during the university's winter break in Jordan and Knopp's dorm. She said she was called in for a flooding situation caused by an overflowing toilet  describing the scene as "disgusting," adding that the kitchen smelled like rotting food.

The three resident assistants called to the stand all testified about various reports filed in the months leading up to the shooting. Complaints ranged from marijuana smoke to overall tension between the roommates and the need for mediation.

One December 2023 marijuana complaint prompted a minor police response. However, Colorado Springs police officer Steven Paulluke said little could be done on the legal front since it was a housing policy violation, not a law violation.

Jurors Wednesday also heard the testimony of several of Knopp's friends: Shawn Duffy and Haden Gillespie.

Both Duffy and Gillespie testified that Knopp had told them before his death that he had concerns about his roommate, Jordan.

Duffy during his testimony stated that Knopp told him during a phone conversation that his roommate had threatened to kill him, and he was looking for advice.

Gillespie testified that he visited Knopp in his dorm room before his death and expressed that the dorm room he lived in was "not a pleasant place to be," because of how dirty it was. Gillespie said when he visited the dorm was full of trash, a toilet had overflowed into the common area and dirty dishes were piled in the sink.

Knopp's roommate, Giancarlo Argueta Agudelo, had testified on Tuesday that it was Jordan's actions that led to the dorm becoming so dirty.

Former UCCS Dean of Students Amanda Allee testified on Wednesday as well, confirming to the jury that Jordan submitted a request to withdraw from the university the day before the shooting and that his student ID was used to enter the dorm room minutes before the shooting.

Midway through the day defense attorney Nick Rogers argued a motion for a mistrial. Rogers claimed a local media outlet had recorded footage of the live stream of the trial, which he claimed was a violation of an order from the judge that prohibits anyone from recording audio or video of court proceedings via the livestream.

Judge David Shakes denied the motion for a mistrial, stating that in his extended media order he did not specifically prohibit capturing and publishing video of the livestream.

Jordan's trial will resume Thursday morning.
Work to repair a water main break that closed a stretch of South Academy Boulevard Thursday will continue through the weekend, according to Colorado Springs Utilities.

The southbound lanes at South Academy are expected to be closed between Hancock Expressway and Jet Wing Drive until Sunday while crews work on repairs, according to Utilities.

Colorado Springs Utilities said the extended closure is because the work is extensive; the break hit a line under a storm drain 16-feet underground. Crews will work around the clock until repairs are completed.

Click or tap here for traffic updates on The Gazette's interactive map.
A third confirmed measles case in Colorado, this time in Archuleta County, is prompting renewed public health worries amid signs of potential community spread.

The other two cases  a deli worker in Pueblo and an infant in Denver  do not appear to be related to the case in Pagosa Springs, said Dr. Rachel Herlihy, state epidemiologist and deputy chief medical officer at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

This suggests that measles might be spreading in whats called community transmission because the cases, geographically, are spread out, Herlihy said. Pueblo is roughly 115 miles south of Denver, while Pagosa Springs is about 275 miles southwest of the Mile High City.

We do know that typically when we see these sporadic measles cases, they're related to people traveling outside of Colorado, Herlihy told The Denver Gazette.

According to health officials, the infected adult in Archuleta County was at the Wolf Creek Ski Area and Resort March 28th through the 30th. The state health department publicly reported the case on Tuesday. Typically, patients are contagious four days before and after presenting with a rash.

Health officials are urging those who may have been at the ski resort at that time to monitor their symptoms and ensure they are up-to-date on their vaccinations.

The cases in Pueblo and Denver involved international travel to Chihuahua, Mexico, which is experiencing an ongoing outbreak.

Measles is a highly contagious but preventable respiratory illness that is transmitted through direct contact with infected droplets or airborne when a person breathes, coughs or sneezes.

Symptoms typically emerge within two weeks of exposure with a spotty red rash  the telltale sign of a measles infection.

In rare cases, measles can cause swelling of the brain and death.

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Measles was considered eradicated in 2000, with officials crediting a highly effective vaccination campaign.

Over the past decade, Colorado has had just six measles cases. Most years, the state doesn't report any cases.

But vaccination rates across the state can vary widely.

The City of Pueblo, for example, has an 84% vaccination rate against measles for children younger than 5 and 92% in the county. The rate for school-age children is 95% in the city and county.

As of April 3, there were 607 reported measles cases nationwide. More than 500 of those cases originated in Texas, starting in a religious community in the panhandle.

Statewide the vaccination rate last school year for school-age children was 93.7%  just shy of the 95% epidemiologists say is needed to prevent measles from spreading and provide whats called herd immunity. Simply put, herd immunity is what occurs when enough people in a community are immune to a disease, either through prior infection or vaccination.

Before a vaccine was developed in the 1960s, an estimated 48,000 Americans were hospitalized with measles and 500 died each year.

Measles cases in the U.S. peaked in 1990 with 27,808 infections, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The last major case spike was in 2019 when there were 1,274 measles cases over the course of the year.

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.

Those with a measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine or who were born before 1957  when the disease was so widespread everyone exposed to the virus developed natural immunity  are generally considered immune.

The bulk of the cases nationally have been among either unvaccinated patients or those who have an unknown status, according to the CDC.
Wall Street had another rocky day Monday, as stocks ended lower following President Donald Trump's decision to double down on his tariff plans and threat to raise the import tax even more on goods coming from China.
Catch up on all the latest coverage from the 39th annual Space Symposium, which happened April 8-11 in Colorado Springs.
The era of huge, expensive satellites custom-built for a single purpose is over, surpassed by a number of smaller, less expensive, maneuverabl
A tribute concert honoring Mason City native Mark Sampson, a highly regarded recording engineer and guitar amplifier designer, will be held at 6 p.m. tonight at the Surf Ballroom and Museum in Clear Lake.

The Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame All-Star Reunion Band will perform.

Sampson died Feb. 27. His funeral service will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, April 12, at Open Bible Church, 509 S. 17th St. in Clear Lake.

After graduating from Mason City High School, Sampson painted cars and toyed around in a local band. He also painted guitar bodies. One of his first jobs in the music industry was creating custom painted guitars for Minnesota recording artist Prince.

He was best known for designing guitar amplifiers.

"I make amplifiers I would buy," Sampson said. He first started Matchless, an amplifier company, then moved on to found Bad Cat Amplifiers.

Alongside his wife, Carla, he was father of five children. The pair met in Mason City in 1985 and their 40th anniversary would have been this June.

The tribute concert at the Surf will include a car show starting at 4 p.m. and food trucks will be on site. Proceeds from the concert will go toward Sampson's funeral costs. A gofundme has been established to help the family with expenses.

Sampson felt passionately that tube amplifiers were superior to electric. He had little documentation to go on as he explored how to adjust the devices to create the sound he wanted, so he experimented over and over, eventually creating a method for himself that produced quality, high-end amps.

"Dad was more than an engineer, he was also an artist, a skilled craftsman, a businessman and a deeply passionate person with an impeccable attention to detail that all who interacted with him would grow to appreciate," his son Samuel said.

He may be recognized as a pioneer in the world of guitar amplifiers, but alongside his wife, Carla, he faced plenty of challenges as a father to five children. The pair met in Mason City in 1985.

"We met when his car broke down," Carla reminisced. "We we're cruising the loop, me and a friend, and we thought, we gotta tell people about this bible study we just attended. And so, we invited him and he started coming and everyone would ask, well, I wonder what Mark's gonna wear."

Sampson had a fondness for cut off jeans.

"His short pants, he called them," daughter Nicole Jacobs said through a laugh. She sat across from her sister, Sarah Jo Scaparotti at a rented cabin in Clear Lake this week. Sister Kasandra Godbold arrived and curled up in a recliner with her niece Violet, Sarah Jo's daughter.

Sampson's family ties were strong in North Iowa. While he didn't leave a will, he told Scaparotti he wanted to be buried next to his parents in Iowa. The family spent a number of years in California while Sampson worked in the music industry, but has settled in Ohio in recently.

The group was putting last minute touches on plans for the tribute concert and car show at the Surf Ballroom. They told stories and inside jokes between tears and snacks. The women felt his loss deeply, but each was buoyed by the endless love Sampson had given them throughout his life.

Tyler said of his father, "More than anything, he loved his family. Kids and grandkids running around and hanging out is where he found joy. I want people to remember how much he cared abut his family and worked hard every day to give everything he could to us."

Nicole, Sarah Jo and Kasandra are Sampson's daughters and his two sons are Tyler and Samuel. Growing up with a dad who can fix just about anything is a bonus. Many times over the years, Sampson repaired items for his children, grandchildren or great-grandchildren. That's not how he's remembered by those who love him dearly, though.

"He and my Mom had 40 years of love," Scaparotti said. The women sank into soft reverie as they skimmed through a lifetime of memories with Sampson.

Eventually, Carla spoke up. "He wrote a song for our wedding for the girls," she said softly. When the pair married, Carla brought her two girls from a previous relationship. Carla didn't work outside the home, although as Sampson built his first business, his kids found jobs counting inventory and doing other tasks.

Sampson's death was unexpected, but his family has taken comfort that he was able to speak with many friends from the course of his lifetime due to the California wildfires earlier this year. The pair owned a property on the outskirts of the Palisades Fire boundary and many friends called to check that the couple was safe. "He got a chance to reconnect with so many people he knew before he passed. He was so loved," Carla said.

John Thompson owns Bad Cat Amplifiers, a company started by Sampson. Bad Cat was working on a number of promotional videos and stories in the months prior to Sampson's death. He was able to participate in meet and greet opportunities with fans and industry insiders, among other endeavors.

"Talking to John," Sarah Jo said, "he (Sampson) was absolutely elated. There were lines and lines of people to meet him. He did numerous podcast interviews over the years. I don't know why God took him, but God let him have one last victory lap."

Jacobs concurred, "He would have been publicly humble," she said of her father, "but privately very pleased."

The tribute concert at the Surf Ballroom and Museum will include a car show starting at 4 p.m. and food trucks. Proceeds from the concert will go toward Sampson's funeral costs. A gofundme has been established to help the family with expenses.

This article has been updated
If Virginia reigns as the data center capital of the world, then Mecklenburg County holds the title for Southern Virginia.

There are about a dozen of the centers across the locality thats roughly 56 miles east of Danville.

That figure includes ones in operation and those that have been rezoned and are now working through the development process, Mecklenburg County Administrator Alex Gottschalk explained to the Register & Bee last month.

The first was Microsoft, which has been around for about 15 years.

Mecklenburg, which resembles Pittsylvania County in respect to the rural landscape, has learned lessons over the years and reaped the financial windfalls of the data centers popping up.

There are some stark contrasts with the facilities down that way compared to what a Herndon-based company is looking to bring to an area near Chatham.

Balico Technology Campus wants to rezone about 750 acres in the Chalk Level Road area for a data center and power-generating units. It would move the land from a residential suburban subdivision and agricultural district to a heavy-use industrial district.

After being pushed off for two months, a public hearing and ultimate decision is planned for 7 p.m. Tuesday when the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors gathers for a monthly meeting.

The issue has ignited fierce debate in the community.

The first area of contention is the location. Balico picked this spot because of its proximity to the Mountain Valley Pipeline, which would fuel the on-site power generation for the electricity-hungry data centers.

In Mecklenburg County, most of the areas data centers that set up shop were already industrial areas in nature.

In fact, many of them were county-developed industrial sites that had been carved out for that purpose 20 years ago for some type of facility, Gottschalk explained. Of course, the type of facility that was envisioned in say, 2005, is much different than what may be there in 2025.

With space running out in those areas, the most recent plans had to rezone agricultural land to industrial.

But thats only after all of the industrial sites have been taken, he explained. There isnt really an opportunity for somebody to go into an existing industrial site because they have all been accounted for.

While Balico wants to develop the site, it would then find an end-user for the data center while operating some form of power generation.

The rezoning request still includes a 3,500-megawatt gas power plant, which would be the largest in the state. Balico intends to get the project off the ground with mobile gas turbines.

Irfan Ali, the owner and founder of Balico, told the Register & Bee that no decision has been made concerning a full build-out of the power plant that was the center of community backlash when a larger plan was revealed to the public in October.

In contrast, Mecklenburg County hasnt dealt with this kind of middleman.

Money bonanza

Money flows into the Mecklenburg County coffers from two areas: taxes on real estate and personal property.

The buildings themselves, regardless of whats in them, just the physical buildings are pretty substantive sized facilities, and so they carry a pretty substantial value to them, Gottschalk said. The real estate tax revenue is going to be a sizable amount on its own.

Then theres the pricey equipment inside that brings in the rest of the money.

There are different ways that can happen. One is to have an established tax rate. Otherwise, the state allows a specialized tax rate for computer equipment in data centers specifically.

So theres a lot of localities that have done that, he said, in a preemptive way to try to recruit industry.

Recently, Mecklenburg County decided to go that route.

Theres a lot of different ways of doing the taxes, he said.

The bottom line is the equipment is worth a lot of money, he continued. Even at a low rate you are still going to generate a significant return.

A data center  in its simplistic definition  is a storage facility for computer information, oftentimes called the cloud.

That requires high-speed servers, which are expensive.

Those devices do depreciate over time, meaning the tax revenue may drop a year or two down the road.

Now that being said, the computer equipment is replaced on a fairly regular basis, the Mecklenburg administrator stressed. When they put the new one in, the new one goes back up to a higher depreciation rate.

For the financial picture, that means its a balancing act.

There are no tax breaks if a data center has a contract for a government aspect, he noted.

The contract may be with a government entity, and there are in fact those, but the equipment is not, he said. The equipment is owned by the company that is providing the service.

Gottschalk couldnt peg an exact figure that the county gets from data centers when asked by the Register & Bee.

It really depends on how you slice everything out and compute it, he said, explaining there was no such thing as a data center fund for tracking the money.

Instead, all of the revenue makes its way to whats known as the general fund, which is essentially a localitys main pot of cash.

On the land side alone, about 40% of the real estate valuations in the county come from data centers.

However, the data centers make up a significant portion of Mecklenburg Countys overall budget.

When asked if the data centers have helped with money matters, without hesitation, he answered.

Oh, absolutely, absolutely, he told the newspaper.

Its the reason Mecklenburg has been able to keep the real estate taxes so low. That county has the second lowest taxes of any locality in the state.

Its also the reason they were able to build a new middle and high school a few years ago.

So there is no question about it that we were able to afford the debt services that came along with that school in our baseline budget because of the increase, referring to the data centers, he said.

In a social media post, Balico claims the project will bring in $162 million annually to Pittsylvania County. Over in Danville, Caesars Virginia  a new casino resort  is expected to funnel about $38 million a year into the city government.

The jobs

The number of jobs a data center could bring in has been a moving target since the project was first announced in October.

When Balico sought to rezone a mammoth 2,200-acre sloth of land, the company touted up to 700 jobs associated with the complex.

That has now dropped by more than half to 360. The power plant would bring 150 jobs, and 1,200 would be generated through construction, according to the company.

Gottschalk said the job figures are much higher than just the workers at the center.

A lot of people fixate on the fact that theres not a lot of jobs with a data center, he told the newspaper.

He said that may be true when comparing it to Microporous, which is bringing more than 2,000 jobs to Pittsylvania County.

Its all about perspective, Gottschalk said.

In Mecklenburg County, 60% of businesses employ between 1 and 4 people.

If your data center is having 30 or 50 people per building, and they are going to be building multiple buildings on these sites, thats going to be a pretty significant employer, he said of the overall job pool.

Even though it isnt thousands, its a pretty good add to the employment opportunity mixture, he continued. And furthermore, a lot of them are well-compensated jobs, which is great for those people who are going to be able to obtain them.

But there are other aspects of working with a data center that arent factored into the computer-savvy positions that often pop to mind.

But its also a pretty diverse array of occupations, he said.

For example, theres upkeep and maintenance, giving landscapers a great opportunity to land a big commercial project.

Theres going to be people who are working in environmental-related jobs on the site, he continued. Theres going to be security jobs.

Also, there are opportunities in food services because people are going to be congregated in one area.

Theres a ton of different job opportunities that come along with this industry, so it really touches a lot more people than one would presume, he said.

And it would create an enormous amount of opportunity for a lot of local small businesses, he continued. And I just think that gets lost a lot of times.

The mindset

Amanda Sink Wydner, whos been one of the most vocal opponents of the Balico project, doesnt mince words when it comes to sharing her view of what would happen should supervisors approve the project.

The entire region is pushing back hard because the entire region is going to be the victim of parasitic infestation-style development, she said. That is enviable.

Wydner, like dozens of others interviewed by the Register & Bee over the last month, takes issue with the location of the proposal, which puts a data center and power plant next door to homes.

We are active in the communities, Wydner said. If you dont understand the commitment we have to land stewardship and to protecting where we live, then you wont ever understand our passion behind the podium.

Thats not exactly something Mecklenburg has had to contend with.

We havent really had any that are built next to what you would view as a traditional neighborhood, Gottschalk said, although some are next to places where residents live.

There are homes, but none of them have been targeted in a way that theyve been built adjacent to a large-scale residential community, he said.

But in general, opinions have changed over time with data centers in Mecklenburg County.

People recognize the positive revenue that it brings, the county administrator said. They recognize that weve been able to do things like the school project because of the growth that weve had because of the data centers.

Also, residents work at the data centers, bringing another benefit.

And its provided an avenue for people to stay here or come back here because there are job opportunities in the way there wasnt before, he explained.

But, on the flip side, theres more site development, which creates problems that sometimes arent known during the planning stage.

For example, weve had some sites that were located on secondary roads, and we found that those secondary road beds were not suitable for the heavy-weight vehicle traffic, he said. But it would have been any industry that would have located there that would have had the heavy-weight traffic.

Some of the roads have come apart, causing an extra challenge for people who live there to suffer through during construction.

Thats just one of the things that you dont think about ahead of time if you dont experience it, he said.
A federal lawsuit filed by Averett University against its former chief financial officer and an investment firm provides the most details to date into the downward financial spiral of the Danville institution.

The university filed the 38-page civil document on March 26 in the Danville Division of the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia.

As plaintiff, Averett is demanding a jury trial for damages after it claims 75% of its endowment was eroded without the boards knowledge to cover operating expenses of the university.

The complaint claims the unauthorized withdrawals from the endowment amounted to nearly $20 million, but Averett also wants the lost investment returns that would have been realized had the Endowment remained intact, the suit states.

Theres no set dollar amount on the damages.

It names Global Strategic Investment Solutions  specifically Curt Thompson, Don Callaghan, Nick Botticelli, Matt Underwood and Dan Chesin  and Donald Bruce Aungst, the universitys former CFO, as defendants.

The lawsuit claims that Global Strategic Investment Solutions and the CFO used Averetts endowment to cover budget deficits without authority or consent from the board of trustees.

Worse still, they took steps to conceal the illicit draws from the endowment from Averetts Board of Trustees and executive staff, the lawsuit claims. While facilitating the withdrawal of millions of dollars from Averetts endowment ... the OCIO gave regular reports to the Averett Board of Trustees in which the OCIO misrepresented the true state of the endowment.

The counts claimed in the lawsuit include breach of fiduciary duty, professional negligence, fraud, violation of the Virginia Securities Act, aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract, statutory business conspiracy and violation of the Exchange Act.

Averett University repeatedly accessed its own endowment fund to meet payroll, invest in technology, pay down debt and cover other operational expenses due to liquidity challenges at the University, Thomason, a co-founder and managing partner with Global Strategic Investment Solutions, wrote in an email to the Register & Bee. It is truly unfortunate that Averett  through this spurious federal lawsuit  is now seeking to scapegoat our firm, Global Strategic Investment Solutions (GSIS), for the decisions, actions and inactions of its own officers and directors during this unfortunate period.

Attempts to contact Aungst were unsuccessful.

Thank you for your inquiry, however we choose not to comment on pending litigation, Averett University spokesperson Cassie Jones told the Register & Bee on Wednesday afternoon.

GSIS vehemently denies the allegations and will vigorously defend against this baseless lawsuit, Thomason said via email.

Timeline

On April 2, 2020, Averett University announced that Aungst was hired for the job of vice president and chief financial and operating officer, however a news release is no longer on the schools website.

The lawsuit states the CFO started in March 2020.

A short time later, Global Strategic Investment Solutions, headquartered in Arizona, colluded with Aungst to obtain private, confidential financial information to help it win a contract with Averett, the document claims, something the university calls its outsourced chief investment officer.

From April 2022 through April 2024, Averetts endowment was drained of almost $20 million, Averett claims.

An endowment is basically a fund of financial assets that can come from sources like donations.

GSIS facilitated the withdrawal of assets from Averetts endowment at the request of Aungst, the suit states. GSIS repeatedly misrepresented to the Board of Trustees the state of the endowment funds, concealed from them the type and nature of the withdrawals that it was making, and repeatedly sold off endowment funds without appropriate approvals, in direct contravention of its agreement with Averett.

It was in March 2024 when the financial situation surrounding Averett started to look bleak.

By the time that the true state of the endowment was uncovered in or about March 2024, Averetts endowment had been reduced by roughly 75% of its value, the document continues.

Thats when former President Tiffany Franks  who led Averett for nearly 17 years  discovered what she termed a misrepresentation in what was being reported, she told the newspaper in a summer 2024 interview.

Essentially, there wasnt as much money as Franks and the board thought, the president confirmed to the Register & Bee.

David Joyce, Averett Universitys new president, was brought in earlier this year to help steady the cash-strapped university.

It was around March 19, 2024, the lawsuit contends, that Global Strategic Investment Solutions told Aungst the endowment was nearly depleted.

Averett learned of illicit use of the margin loan and borrowing from the Endowment in March of 2024, the lawsuit states. When the President of Averett confronted Aungst about the state of the Endowment on March 29, 2024, Aungst promptly tendered his resignation as Averetts CFO.

Margin loan

Averett had maxed out its line of credit in April 2022. It was recommended that the university open whats known as a margin loan account with Charles Schwab, the custodian for Averetts investment portfolio.

In the same way a bank can lend you money if you have equity in your house, your brokerage firm can lend you money against the value of the investments in your portfolio, the Charles Schwab website explains of how a margin loan works.

GSIS never advised the Board of the potential and significant risks associated with margin lending, Averetts lawsuit states.

In this case, the endowment was collateral.

When the loan was opened, the endowment was valued at about $20 million. By April 24, 2024, the net balance was $1.92 million, with another $2.32 million in liquid assets, the document claims.

In that March 2024 email, GSIS informed Aungst of the margin loan position as a percentage of the endowment, the impact additional borrowing activity would cause, the current balance of the endowment, the current balance of the margin loan and the net position of the endowment factoring in the outstanding loan balance, the lawsuit states.

Averett also claims that board members were told this was a line of credit, something it calls an incorrect characterization.

The erosion of Averetts Endowment did not stop when the margin loan was maxed out, the suit states. Instead, GSIS enabled Aungst to make unauthorized withdrawals directly from the Endowment to cover Averetts operating deficit, without disclosing those expenditures to the Board or Aungsts supervisors at the University.

Starting in July 2023 and going through March 2024, about $10.41 million was transferred from the endowment and used as operating money.

Rather than notify the Board that Averett was unable to meet its operating obligations so that the Board could explore alternative financing options and cost-cutting measures, Aungst and GSIS continued  without authority and explicitly contrary to the terms of the IPS [investment policy statement]  to spend down Averetts Endowment, the lawsuit states.

Endowment subcommittee

A subcommittee for Averetts endowment met May 10, 2023, to review the first quarter of that year.

At the time of that meeting, the margin loan was maxed out to the tune of roughly $6.5 million, the document claims. Further, Aungst and GSIS had pulled a total of $600,000 from the Endowment for immediate expenditure.

That put the endowment value down by about $13.5 million.

Averett contends that a performance report to the group suggested the value was instead $21.54 million.

Another meeting happened Nov. 17, 2023. By that time, it was confirmed to the subcommittee that borrowing wouldnt be needed through the margin loan for the rest of the calendar year.

However, on Nov. 28, 2023, there was a request for $170,000 from the margin loan, Averett claims. Another $2.1 million was withdrawn from the endowment in December 2023.

Throughout this period, Aungst continuously led the Board to believe that Averetts financial condition was better than it actually was, Averett claims.

It is important to note that the claims brought against GSIS in this new federal court action have nothing to do with GSISs provision of advisory services for the Universitys endowment fund investment assets, but rather because our firm adhered to written distribution instructions from the Universitys own officials, Thompson told the newspaper. By way of this lawsuit, Averett is regrettably seeking to recover a windfall award for itself after having used donor contributions to pay for its own University operations.
The Montana Opencut Mining Act says the state Department of Environmental Quality has just 35 days to issue permits for dry-land gravel pits whose permit applications meet all requirements. The Montana Environmental Policy Act, however, generally requires agencies to take their own "hard look" at the impacts of such projects  a process of environmental impact analysis, public notice and public comment that takes well over 35 days.

What is DEQ to do?

Should the agency potentially violate the Opencut Mining Act by taking more than 35 days to issue a permit to a qualified applicant because it embarked on an analysis of possible environmental impacts under MEPA?

Or should DEQ refrain from conducting a MEPA analysis  thus skipping MEPA's requirements of public notice and comment  in order to comply with the Opencut Mining Act's 35-day deadline for issuing dry-land permits?

Possible answers to those questions were the subject of oral arguments in state district court in Missoula on Monday afternoon in a lawsuit over a proposed gravel pit near Clearwater Junction that DEQ issued a dry-land permit for under the Opencut Mining Act in April 2023. Protect the Clearwater, a local nonprofit formed to oppose the project, sued the agency that summer. LHC Inc., the company behind the project, intervened as a defendant alongside DEQ.

The eventual outcome  Judge Leslie Halligan will rule at a later date after reviewing the parties' written briefs and roughly two hours of oral arguments  could determine how DEQ interprets the 2021 revision of the Opencut Mining Act that created the expedited dry-land permits.

If Protect the Clearwater prevails, DEQ could be required to incorporate more environmental analysis and public comment when considering dry-land permits, despite their expedited nature. If the state and LHC Inc. prevail, it could mean that DEQ can continue to skirt the MEPA process by citing the 35-day timeline for dry-land permits.

The 21-acre Elbow Lake Gravel Pit and asphalt plant is proposed for a site between Elbow Lake, along the Clearwater River, and Highway 83 immediately west of the highway and northwest of Clearwater Junction. Over a planned 17-year lifespan, it would remove 110,000 cubic yards of sand and gravel from the Clearwater State Forest, which is managed by the state Department of Natural Resources and Conservation.

DEQ issued LHC Inc. a dry-land permit within the 35-day timeframe. DEQ did not conduct a full environmental assessment or more intensive environmental impact statement under MEPA. The agency did release a document styled as an environmental assessment, but the document did not involve independent analysis by DEQ and the agency did not release a draft EA for comment, as is customary in MEPA's EA process.

That raised an additional question in court on Monday, beyond whether DEQ's actions were correct: By failing to conduct a MEPA analysis of the project, did DEQ violate nearby residents' statutory and constitutional rights to know and be involved in government, and their right to a clean and healthful environment?

Monday's arguments took place in relation to Protect the Clearwater's motion for summary judgment, a request that Halligan rule on the case because the litigants do not disagree on the facts of what happened  they just disagree on whether DEQ's actions were right or wrong. The nonprofit is asking Halligan to void the permit DEQ issued to LHC Inc. for the project and to conduct a full environmental impact statement for the proposal. DEQ and LHC Inc. are asking Halligan to affirm that the agency's actions were proper and the permit is valid.

Separately, Protect the Clearwater has appealed the permit issuance itself to the state Board of Environmental Review. The quasi-judicial body has not yet ruled on whether the permit was properly issued.

"MEPA is implementing a fundamental right to a clean and healthful environment. If other statutes could usurp that, what, then, would be left?" argued Graham Coppes, an attorney representing Protect the Clearwater. "There is a lot of information that simply wasnt considered here, that fails that 'hard look' analysis, because there was simply no opportunity for the agency to get it in the first place."

Jeremiah Langston, an attorney for DEQ, argued that the right to a "clean and healthful environment," as guaranteed in the state's 1972 Constitution, is not "self executing." If Protect the Clearwater wants to argue that DEQ's actions have violated that right, he said, they should argue that a specific statute in state law, such as the language around dry-land permits, is unconstitutional. They cannot, he said, build an argument "in the ether" that the DEQ's actions alone were unconstitutional.

Langston also argued that, because MEPA was enacted before the 1972 creation of the state Constitution, it should not be interpreted as being the statutory mechanism by which the Legislature intended to implement the constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment or the public's right to know and be involved in projects that could impact the environment.

Langston's argument, according to Coppes and Robert Farris-Olsen, another attorney for Protect the Clearwater, was based on the 1979 Montana Supreme Court case Kadillak v. The Anaconda Company. They noted that the state Supreme Court found in subsequent cases that the Legislature in 2001 imbued MEPA with constitutional significance  lawmakers recognized MEPA as a mechanism to implement constitutional rights  and the court accordingly overturned the portion of Kadillak that Langston cited.

Farris-Olsen also pushed back on DEQ's argument that the agency didn't need to issue a draft EA. MEPA requires the release of a draft EA for public comment, he said, because the law mandates public notice and participation before a decision is made  that is, before the release of a final EA and the issuance of a permit.

The 35-day limit for issuing a permit is expedited, he acknowledged, and makes it difficult for DEQ to conduct a proper MEPA analysis with independent study, public notice and comment for a draft EA. But, he stressed, "that's not an excuse not to do it."

Citing DEQ's own administrative record of the permitting process, Farris-Olsen pointed out that LHC Inc. first contacted DEQ about the project in December 2022. A site visit occurred April 11, 2023. On April 17, a DEQ employee asked a colleague to review their draft of the EA. On April 24, the draft EA was finalized. The agency issued the permit three days later, he noted  all without ever releasing a draft EA to the public or taking comment on it. In a five-month period when DEQ was aware of the project, he observed, the draft EA seemed to take just three weeks at the very end.

Langston characterized the "draft EA" sent between employees as a work-in-progress that wasn't ready for release as a completed draft EA for public comment under the MEPA process. He cited internal staff messages that showed one employee sent the document to another for review because the former believed it wasn't ready.

Unknown impacts on environment, wildlife

Had a more robust EA or a full EIS been performed, Coppes and Farris-Olsen argued, DEQ could have taken in a wealth of public comments and expert testimony on possible impacts of the project. The agency would also have conducted its own analysis of possible impacts, rather than relying only on information from LHC Inc., and that information would've been put out for public review and comment before DEQ made a final decision.

Without that process, they argued, both DEQ and the public have been left in the dark about possible impacts.

The project is proposed for a key connectivity corridor for grizzly bears, a species protected under the federal Endangered Species Act. The state Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks rates the areas as 10-out-of-10 prime grizzly connectivity habitat.

But DEQ's EA for the project, the nonprofit's attorneys noted, included only a couple paragraphs about grizzlies  one simply described their appearance. And while it noted that FWP determined further development in the area would harm grizzlies, DEQ concluded the animals would simply go somewhere else if the pit is built and thus wouldn't be harmed. Plus, DEQ reasoned, state Highway 83 already runs nearby, so the habitat is already degraded.

The agency did not cite any scientific evidence or expert testimony in coming to that conclusion.

The pit is also in prime elk and deer habitat, next to FWP's Blackfoot-Clearwater Game Range, and in habitat for bull trout, another species protected under the ESA and one that's harmed by sediment flowing into waterways.

DEQ should have consulted with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the agency responsible for implementing the ESA, Farris-Olsen argued, but it never did.

Langston argued that FWP told DEQ it wasn't concerned with the project "mostly because of its small size and location."

"This is a very small acreage of disturbance in comparison to the total winter range for deer and elk," he said.

Mark Stermitz, attorney for LHC Inc., said DEQ recognized the project's location in prime wildlife habitat, including for protected species. The area is certainly important habitat, he said. But, he argued, that's different from saying that one specific 21-acre site alone is vital habitat.

"The tenor of discussion," he said, "is as if, once that permit is issued, were off and running destroying the countryside without any oversight from anyone."

He noted there are regulations on the operation aimed at protecting the environment. For example: the pit floor must not come within 3 feet of where groundwater is believed to rise to, he said, and operations stop if the pit encounters groundwater. Garbage must be secured to avoid attracting bears.

However, the exact depth of groundwater in that specific location, its variability in different seasons, and how surface-, ground- and stormwater might interact in the gravel pit are mostly unknown dynamics, Coppes said, because DEQ did not take the MEPA-required "hard look" at those issues. MEPA requires agencies to understand these things before an action takes place, he noted, so harm can be prevented, rather than addressed once it's happened.

The Elbow Lake Gravel Pit and asphalt plant, located near lakes and waterways, Coppes suggested, may not be a "dry-land" operation at all. But without robust analysis, there's no way for the public or DEQ to know.

"Because DEQ did not provide for public comment," he said, "it did not receive any information from outside hydrological experts."
Recent actions by the Montana Legislature could undermine future efforts to track the spread of contagious diseases, though some say its a risk worth taking in the name of privacy protections.

Supported by the Department of Public Health and Human Services, House Bill 364 would have made school districts submit annual immunization reports to the state health agency so it could better track the spread of contagious diseases.

It was tabled in a Senate committee earlier this month.

Montana is currently the only state in the country that does not submit aggregate, anonymized information about public school student immunizations and exemptions to the federal government, a casualty of 2021 legislation that struck from state law the requirement that schools send the vaccination data they collect to DPHHS.

Democratic Rep. Melody Cunningham from Missoula pitched HB 364 as the way to reinstate what had previously been the norm in Montana. It would have required schools to give DPHHS an annual vaccine report along with the number of exemptions granted. The bill would not require the agency to pass any of that information to the feds.

Before being put aside by the Senate Education Committee, HB 364 spurred testimony from medical professionals and state public health officials who said better information flow between schools and DPHHS would improve readiness in the event of contagious disease outbreaks.

Cunningham, who has been a doctor for roughly three decades, said collecting vaccine data and making it available to the public allows people to make thoughtful decisions about how to best care for themselves and their loved ones.

Should the ongoing Texas measles outbreak make its way up to Montana, for example, DPHHS could publish immunization reports that show what share of a community is vaccinated and, therefore, how resistant it might be to disease spread. Seniors, those with compromised immune systems and others could then determine how to best keep themselves from getting sick.

Good data helps us all make better decisions, said Sophia Newcomer, an associate professor of epidemiology at University of Montana who spoke on behalf of herself during the committee hearing.

Though Cunningham tweaked the bill to strengthen data anonymity and clarify it would comply with federal student privacy laws, people still worried their private personal medical decisions would be made public.

Sen. Daniel Emrich, R-Great Falls, said sending peoples personal medical information everywhere wouldnt achieve the goals supporters laid out.

Similar concerns sank the bill during its first hearing in the House Human Services Committee in February, but it was revived with bipartisan support after Cunningham added the additional layers of privacy.

She changed the reporting metrics to be broken down by school rather than school grade, with all the exemption types folded into a single category instead of being broken out individually. Especially in smaller rural districts, the approach would help to keep community members from being able to identify people from the data.

It was enough to get HB 364 out of the House committee and advanced from the chamber on a bipartisan 66-31 vote before it was later tabled in the Senate. If the bill remains tabled through the end of the session, Montana will continue to be the lone state where schools dont report immunization numbers to state health authorities.

Conversations about vaccines became more pronounced during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the anti-vaccine movement gained new prominence with the appointment of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as secretary of the federal health department.

Kennedy has a long track record of vaccine skepticism, but has recently walked back some of his comments about the efficacy of the measles-mumps-rubella shot.

Lawmakers tabled another bill related to vaccines Thursday, one that would have created a new, broader vaccine exemption category called informed consent that day care facilities and public schools would have been required to accept.

Emrichs Senate Bill 474 would have mandated licensed day cares to admit students who arent vaccinated to age-appropriate levels against diseases like polio, hepatitis B and meningitis if they fell into this new category.

Supporters said more flexible vaccine exemptions options were needed for parents whose children dont qualify for medical or religious excusals but might have reason to be selective about which vaccines they choose to give their kids.

Child care advocates turned out in full force to oppose the bill. They said it would put employees at risk and discourage families from putting young kids in day care for fear theyd be exposed to contagious diseases before they are old enough to get all the vaccines to protect themselves.

DPHHS and the Department of Labor and Industry did not support the bill, in part, they said, because "informed consent" could make the state ineligible for around $40 million every year in federal dollars that bolster the child care industry.

People may find it hard to find a child care setting, but thats true for all families, said Grace Decker of Montana Advocates for Children. Requiring all people to accept exemptions in the same way means families who would prefer full immunization for their child no longer have that choice available to them.

SB 474 was tabled in the House Appropriations Committee after having passed the Senate and House Judiciary Committee. Multiple Republicans sided with Democrats in a 7-16 vote to stop the bills progress.
Cabarrus County Commissioners voted to replace Chairman Chris Measmer with Lamarie Austin-Stripling during an 11-minute meeting Thursday morning at the Cabarrus Governmental Center in Concord.

Measmer is replacing Sen. Paul Newton in the N.C. State Senate. Measmer was appointed to the senate by N.C. Gov. Josh Stein upon the recommendation of the Cabarrus GOP Executive Committee. Measmer had not been sworn into the senate seat when commissioners met Thursday morning.

Nearly 40 people applied to be the next commissioner, Measmer said. All commissioners were forwarded applications as they were received.

Vice Chair Laura Blackwell Lindsay nominated Austin-Stripling, and Commissioner Larry Pittman seconded the nomination. The move came after county attorney Daniel Peterson reviewed legal issues and gave his opinion that Measmer, who will be stepping down, could participate. No one else was nominated.

Lindsay and Pittman voted yes to approving Austin-Stripling to replace Measmer when he resigns. Measmer voted present, which Peterson said would be the same as an abstention and count in the record as an affirmative. The vote passed 3-0.

Commissioners Kenny Wortman and Lynn Shue did not attend the 8:15 a.m. meeting. Shue didnt complete kidney dialysis until 8 a.m. and was not able to participate. Wortman did not attend the meeting in protest.

Peterson told the board he had reviewed the law and the commissioners replacement discussion in 2023 and agrees with the comments made by board members and the county attorney at the time. ... So long as a member is still a member, he has a statutory duty to vote on all matters in which he does not have a direct financial interest in and other specific statutory exceptions.

Peterson said N.C. General Statute 153A-27 does not prohibit action being taken on predicted vacancies prior to the vacancy actually being created. He said it makes sense as a board could be faced with ties when they are split.

Former commissioner Bob Carruth, who served 12 years, on Wednesday had a different view.

NCGS 153-27 governs vacancies on the BOC  the very first provision is that there has to be a vacancy before a new commissioner can be appointed, Carruth said. We ran into the same issue with (Commissioner) Coy Privette, who demanded that a new commissioner be selected in 2007 before he would consider stepping down from his seat  it could not happen. It would create a situation where there would be six commissioners.

Austin-Stripling will likely be the swing vote on the board. The balance of power on the Cabarrus Commission shifted in November, when Pittman, a former N.C. Representative, and Lindsay, a former Cabarrus School Board member, were elected to join Measmer on the board. Lindsay stepped down from the school board and did not participate in picking her replacement on the school board. The 2024 commission chairman, Steve Morris, sided with Wortman and Shue on most controversial issues. Morris was narrowly defeated in the GOP primary earlier in 2024.

The Independent Tribune asked Austin-Stripling which group she would side with. My job is to work together with the team to serve the good of the county, she said.

The Cabarrus Commission is all Republican, except for Wortman. Wortman was elected as a Republican, but later changed his registration to unaffiliated.

The Cabarrus County Republican Party endorsed Austin-Stripling and sent an email with a statement and her qualifications.

Upon receiving a request for a recommendation from the Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners, the Cabarrus County Republican Party is proud to announce Lamarie Austin-Stripling as its recommended nominee for the Board, the Cabarrus GOP email began. With a deep commitment to the community and an extensive track record of professional accomplishments, Mrs. Austin-Stripling exemplifies the values and leadership qualities needed to serve the citizens of Cabarrus County.

I am very thankful for the opportunity to serve the local citizens and I look forward to getting to work, Austin-Stripling said after the meeting.

Qualifications and endorsement

Here is the rest of the statement from the Cabarrus GOP:

Originally from Hawaii, Mrs. Austin-Stripling has called Concord her home for the past 24 years after relocating from the Camp Lejeune area. Married to a Concord native, she has immersed herself in the local community, demonstrating unwavering dedication and service. If appointed by the Commission Board, Lamarie would be the first African American female to serve on the commission.

The Cabarrus County Republican Party is confident that Lamarie Austin-Striplings leadership, professional acumen, and commitment to our community make her an ideal candidate for the Board of Commissioners, said Lanny Lancaster, chairman of Cabarrus County Republican Party. We look forward to seeing her impact as she works to enhance the quality of life for all citizens of Cabarrus County.

A credentialed Project Management Professional (PMP), Mrs. Austin-Stripling brings a wealth of expertise across a wide range of industries, including finance, behavioral health care, veteran services, and legal project management. Her diverse career spans 13 years in finance and accounting and six years in behavioral health care and veteran services. She is currently employed at Westrock Coffee as a Legal Project Manager. In these roles, she has consistently demonstrated her ability to foster collaboration, implement innovative solutions, and ensure adherence to company policies and regulatory standards.

Our county is hungry for a true problem-solver with a proven track record of building consensus and collaboration across organizational levels. Mrs. Austin-Stripling has a proven track record of uncovering issues and finding practical solutions. Her strong communication and interpersonal skills enable her to build meaningful, productive relationships. During the public comment period, the citizens of Cabarrus County repeatedly expressed their frustration that the current commission board doesnt adequately reflect their community. We are honored to recommend an African American woman who is passionate about professional development and community engagement. Mrs. Austin-Stripling is a graduate of Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, UNC Charlotte, the Leadership Cabarrus Program with the Chamber of Commerce, and the Concord 101 Program with the City of Concord.

Her extensive skills include, but are not limited to:

Project Management

Corporate Governance and Compliance

Regulatory and FDA Compliance

Risk Assessment and Mitigation

Legal Research and Crisis Management

Change Management and Process Implementation

These are the applicants

The following people applied for the seat on the Cabarrus County Commission:

David Conrad, Ryan Dayvault, Alexis Hughes, James Bailey, Lamarie Austin-Stripling, Dylan Ennis, Amy Betts, Phillip Morris, Ronald Ronnie Long, Clayton Moorman, Victor Romano, Stephen Morris, Daniel Sanchez Martinez, Michael Retort, Michael Gheesling, Holly Edwards, Brent Plott, Roy Parrish, Leigh Brown, Eugene Lane, Joe Hartsell, Gary Freeman II, Adam Miller, Taylor Blackman, Thomas Alley, Toni Wheeler Jenschke, Michael Holt, Stacy Berry, Bonita Pickett, Earl Helms, Chris Harmon, Denise Adcock, Jeeter Anderson, Kristel Swayze, Robert Stevenson, Chris Gordon, Douglas Summer, Stewart Wilkins and Mary Beth Ward-Bowman.
Consumers across Asia Pacific (APAC) are facing an AI paradox: where the technology is embraced for productivity and efficiency, but fears around privacy risks, fraud, and employment impact hinder widespread trust. This was revealed in a new study by F5 (NASDAQ: FFIV), which explored the perceptions and attitudes APAC consumers have about AI.

Titled The 2025 AI Paradox: Understanding Consumer Perceptions in APAC, the research identified five key paradoxes influencing consumer trust in AI across nine APAC countries:

Empowerment vs. Control: Consumers are excited about AI's potential but demand transparency and governance to feel in control of their data and experiences.

Tech Savviness vs. Skepticism: Despite high levels of tech adoption, consumers remain skeptical about AI's reliability and ethical implications.

Efficiency vs. Job Security: While AI promises increased efficiency, anxieties about job displacement are prevalent.

Innovation vs. Environmental Concerns: Consumers recognise AI's innovative potential but are concerned about its environmental impact.

Progress vs. Responsibility: Consumers expect organisations to adopt AI responsibly, prioritising fairness, security, and accountability.

"This research highlights a clear gap in trust when it comes to AI adoption in APAC. Consumers recognise AIs benefits but remain cautious about security risks, ethical use, and its long-term impact on jobs and society. Organisations must proactively address these concerns by embedding transparency, governance, and security into every AI-driven experience. Without trust, AI adoption will stall, limiting its potential to drive innovation and efficiency," said Mohan Veloo, CTO for APCJ at F5.

The study also revealed a disconnect between personal and professional AI experiences. While many individuals experience productivity gains from AI in their personal lives, these benefits are not being fully realised in the workplace. This suggests a need for organisations to focus on better integrating AI into workflows and providing employees with the training and resources they need to use AI effectively in their jobs.

"For AI to deliver real business value, organisations must ensure it is seamlessly integrated into their digital infrastructure while maintaining security and performance at scale. At F5, we help businesses deploy AI-powered applications securely, protect against AI-driven threats like deepfake fraud, and ensure AI solutions run reliably across multi-cloud environments. By addressing these security and scalability challenges, we empower enterprises to fully harness AIs potential without compromising trust," added Veloo.

Key findings from the report include:

Strong AI familiarity across Asia: AI awareness is high across all markets, with familiarity exceeding 89 per cent and surpassing 90 per cent in most regions. China leads at 98 per cent, driven by aggressive adoption strategies and deep technological integration.

AI awareness is high across all markets, with familiarity exceeding 89 per cent and surpassing 90 per cent in most regions. China leads at 98 per cent, driven by aggressive adoption strategies and deep technological integration. Enterprises are not yet unlocking AI's full potential in the workplace: While 73 per cent of consumers report increased personal productivity with AI, the professional landscape shows much lower gains, with 52 per cent reporting no noticeable change in workplace efficiency. However, the report revealed that AI delivers the greatest productivity gains with consistent use46.2 per cent of professionals who use AI daily report significant improvements, highlighting the power of continuous interaction. Organisations must bridge this gap through better AI integration, training, and workflow design.

Rising trust concerns amid security risks: APAC has become a hotspot for fraud, with fraud rates having spiked significantly in Singapore (+207 per cent), Thailand (+206 per cent), and Indonesia (+201 per cent) in 2024. In particular, AI-driven fraud is weakening consumer trust across the region; APAC saw a 194 per cent increase in deepfake fraud and a 121 per cent increase in identity fraud in 2024. As AI adoption grows, organisations must navigate the challenge of implementing robust security measures to build consumer trust while scaling AI solutions responsibly.

Job displacement concerns hinder AI acceptance, but vary across APAC: In APAC, concerns about losing ones job to automation are hindering consumers acceptance of AI in the workplace. However, concerns about AI-driven job losses differ markedly across the region. India and Singapore show the highest levels of concern, with 97 per cent of consumers in both markets being slightly to very concerned about AI displacing their jobs. This is in contrast with Japan, where attitudes are much more relaxedonly 57 per cent of Japanese consumers are slightly concerned, and 30 per cent are not concerned at all.

AI excels in speed, but trust still needs the human touch: APAC consumers recognise the efficiency gains that AI brings, with nearly half of consumers preferring AI for efficiency-driven tasks like customer support (47.9 per cent) and personal shopping (45.6 per cent). APAC consumers also have confidence in AI-powered insights, turning to AI for data-driven decisions in healthcare (40.1 per cent) and financial advice (39.2 per cent). However, AI falls short when it comes to emotional and sensory experiences; APAC consumers still prefer human interaction in food preparation (32.2 per cent) and emotional support (26.6 per cent), where empathy and personal touch matter.

AIs environmental footprint raises sustainability concerns: AIs rapid surge brings a pressing challengethe need to balance innovation with AIs growing energy demands. Growing AI adoption is projected to cause APACs data centre capacity to more than double by 2028. As such, majority of APAC consumers (53.8 per cent) believe that while AIs advantages are undeniable, efforts must be made to reduce its resource consumption. APAC organisations need to ensure that AI evolves responsibly, highlighting the regions growing need for energy-efficient AI models, sustainable computing infrastructure, and greener data centres.

"This research makes it clear that consumers want the best of both worlds. They embrace AI for its efficiency and speed in transactional interactions, but still value human touch for emotional connections and complex decisions, said Manoj Menon, Founder and CEO at Twimbit. Organisations that succeed in the AI era will be those that strategically blend AI capabilities with human expertisecreating experiences that are both efficient and empathetic. By addressing security concerns, building transparent AI systems, and finding the right balance between automation and human connection, businesses can build the trust necessary to fully realise AI's transformative potential across APAC."

Twimbit conducted research on behalf of F5 in 2025 to evaluate consumer perceptions and attitudes about AI in APAC. 900 respondents were surveyed across nine key markets: Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Singapore, and Taiwan.

To learn more about the findings, please download the full report here.
COMPANY NEWS: Juniper Networks has announced its collaboration with Google Cloud to accelerate new enterprise campus and branch deployments and optimise user experiences.

With just a few clicks in the Google Cloud Marketplace, customers can subscribe to Googles Cloud WAN solution alongside Juniper Mist wired, wireless, NAC, firewalls and secure SD-WAN solutions. Unveiled at Google Cloud Next 25, the solution is designed to simply, securely and reliably connect users to critical applications and AI workloads whether on the internet, across clouds or within data centers.

At Google Cloud, were committed to providing our customers with the most advanced and innovative networking solutions. Our expanded collaboration with Juniper Networks and the integration of its AI-native networking capabilities with Googles Cloud WAN represent a significant step forward, said Muninder Singh Sambi, VP/GM, Networking, Google Cloud. By combining the power of Google Clouds global infrastructure with Junipers expertise in AI for networking, were empowering enterprises to build more agile, secure and automated networks that can meet the demands of todays dynamic business environment.

AIOps key to GenAI application growth

As the cloud expands and GenAI applications grow, reliable connectivity, enhanced application performance and low latency are paramount. Businesses are turning to cloud-based network services to meet these demands. However, many face challenges with operational complexity, high costs, security gaps and inconsistent application performance. Assuring the best user experience through AI-native operations (AIOps) is essential to overcoming these challenges and maximising efficiency.

Powered by Junipers Mist AI-Native Networking platform, Googles Cloud WAN, a new solution from Google Cloud, delivers a fully managed, reliable and secure enterprise backbone for branch transformation. Mist is purpose-built to leverage AIOps for optimised campus and branch experiences, assuring that connections are reliable, measurable and secure for every device, user, application and asset.



Mist has become synonymous with AI and cloud-native operations that optimise user experiences while minimising operator costs, said Sujai Hajela, EVP, Campus and Branch, Juniper Networks. Junipers AI-Native Networking Platform is a perfect complement to  Googles Cloud WAN solution, enabling enterprises to overcome campus and branch management complexity and optimise application performance through low latency connectivity, self-driving automation and proactive insights.

Googles Cloud WAN delivers high-performance connections for campus and branch

The campus and branch services on Googles Cloud WAN driven by Mist provide a single, secure and high-performance connection point for all branch traffic. A variety of wired, wireless, NAC and WAN services can be hosted on Google Cloud Platform, enabling businesses to eliminate on-premises hardware, dramatically simplifying branch operations and reducing operational costs. By natively integrating Juniper and other strategic partners with Google Cloud, Googles Cloud WAN solution enhances agility, enabling rapid deployment of new branches and services, while improving security through consistent policies and cloud-delivered threat protection.

About Juniper Networks

Additional information can be found at Juniper Networks (www.juniper.net) or connect with Juniper on X (Twitter), LinkedIn and Facebook.

Juniper Networks, the Juniper Networks logo, Juniper, Junos, Mist, and other trademarks listed here, are registered trademarks of Juniper Networks, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the United States and other countries. Other names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

Juniper Networks believes that connectivity is not the same as experiencing a great connection. Junipers AI-Native Networking Platform is built from the ground up to leverage AI to deliver exceptional, highly secure and sustainable user experiences from the edge to the data center and cloud. Additional information can be found at Juniper Networks (www.juniper.net) or connect with Juniper on X (Twitter), LinkedIn and Facebook.



Juniper Networks, the Juniper Networks logo, Juniper, Junos, Mist, and other trademarks listed here, are registered trademarks of Juniper Networks, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the United States and other countries. Other names may be trademarks of their respective owners.
COMPANY NEWS: Prvidr, a leading subscription, customer lifecycle management and technology company has debuted on this years Australian Financial Review BOSS Best Places to Work 2025 list in recognition of a fierce commitment to its people and a culture thats driving growth and commercial success. The company has been recognised as a Best Place to Work in the highly competitive technology category.

Prvidr maintains a high standard of operational excellence by celebrating both cultural and neuro diversity, fostering a sense of belonging underpinned by one of the most progressive and unbiased recruitment processes in the industry. Team members have access to gender non-specific parental leave, cultural public holidays, and tailored flexible working conditions with a focus on output to ensure Prvidr employees across the organisation are supported and given the resources to be their best. Results of Prvidrs monthly employee happiness surveys are testament to the companys extremely high retention rate.

Established in 2014, Prvidr employs 82 people across a range of research, customer experience and technical support roles. The companys flagship 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. The platform comprises powerful CRM and billing purpose-built for managing subscriptions. Its customers include leading Australian telco and challenger brands.

David Joss, CEO, Prvidr, said, I am proud to see Prvidr on the AFR Best Places to Work for 2025 for the first time. We are passionate that the right thing for our employees is the right thing for our business so it is very encouraging to see our team consistently rate our benefits and culture so highly. As a business, we are laser focused on fostering a culture that thrives regardless of location, one that energises, engages and supports our teams in a hybrid world.

Receiving this recognition ultimately drives us to keep pushing forward, evolving, and ensuring everyone at Prvidr feels valued and supported.

In addition to its Sydney headquarters Privdr last month opened its second Australian office in Townsville to serve an expanding customer base and to broaden its recruiting pool for customer service and technology teams.

Prvidr has 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 continues to expand.

By fostering self-paced development and authentic leadership, were creating an environment where team members feel empowered, valued and engaged. While were a great place to work today, maintaining this title will require ongoing commitment to embedding people and culture into every facet of our operations. As we mature, staying true to these principles will ensure we continue to attract and retain top talent, driving our shared success into the future, says Joss.
The first poll in Nebraska's potential 2026 U.S. Senate race between Republican Sen. Pete Ricketts and independent Dan Osborn shows Ricketts with a narrow lead over the former union leader who ran a closer-than-expected race against Republican Sen. Deb Fischer last year.

Ricketts leads Osborn by 1% in the hypothetical Senate race, according to the poll of 524 likely voters commissioned by Osborn's exploratory committee, which was shared exclusively with the Journal Star and released Thursday.

The poll  which shows Ricketts leading Osborn 46% to 45% with a 4.6% margin of error  comes as Osborn, who came within 7% of unseating Fischer last year in a state where President Donald Trump won by more than 20 points, mulls a challenge to Ricketts, the state's 60-year-old former governor who will seek his first full term in the Senate next year.

The November 2026 election is still more than 18 months away, but the early poll suggests Osborn could pose a formidable challenge to Ricketts, who was appointed to the Senate in January 2023 and won a special election in November over Democratic challenger Preston Love Jr. by more than 25 points.

"This poll is encouraging and matches the frustration I hear everyday from people across Nebraska: People are pissed off," Osborn, 50, said in a statement, in which he linked Ricketts to billionaire Elon Musk and his controversial Department of Government Efficiency, which Ricketts has defended.

"They are working to destroy the programs that so many Nebraskans rely on  truck drivers, teachers, nurses, seniors, and yeah, even mechanics," said Osborn, a steamfitter and former industrial mechanic. "And while they destroy critical programs regular people rely on, Ricketts and Musk are using their money and power to rig the system so it only works for them."

Conducted by the polling firm Change Research, the survey indicates Ricketts, who first entered Nebraska's political arena as a candidate for Senate in 2006 and who has held statewide office since 2014, is almost universally known by state voters but is also unpopular.

Nearly every respondent had heard of Ricketts, but only 38% viewed him favorably. Less than two-thirds of Republicans surveyed (62%) had a favorable opinion of Ricketts while 89% viewed Trump favorably, according to the poll.

Meanwhile, more than 95% of Democrats and 61% of independents surveyed by the polling firm Change Research indicated they would back Osborn over Ricketts, who won the support of 78% of Republicans surveyed.

And unlike some polls that showed Osborn in a dead heat with Fischer in the waning days of last year's race, Thursday's poll does not appear to underrepresent Republicans and does not vastly underrepresent Trump voters.

Fifty-six percent of respondents identified themselves to pollsters as Republicans and 57% said they had voted in November for Trump, who won 59.6% of the vote in Nebraska. Nearly 50% of state voters are registered Republicans, while 26.4% are Democrats and 21.9% are registered nonpartisans.

Jessica Flanagain, a longtime campaign adviser to Ricketts, cast doubt on this month's poll, pointing to Osborn-funded surveys from last year's election that showed him leading Fischer by margins as high as 6 points in a race he lost by 6.7%.

The last time Dan Osborn tried to use fake polling to get media attention, he lost  and the polling was off by 13 points," Flanagain said in a statement. "Senator Ricketts earned the most votes in state history last November because he has a proven track record of lowering taxes, making government more efficient, and defending our values.

"At the same time, Nebraskans solidly rejected Dan Osborn for his liberal positions. Since November it has come to light that Chuck Schumer and national Democrats spent millions to elect Dan Osborn which means he has pledged to caucus with the Democrats.

Osborn has not announced that he will run against Ricketts next year but he launched an exploratory committee for a potential challenge to the incumbent last week. Federal Election Commission filings for the committee dated April 3 identify Osborn as a candidate for Nebraska's U.S. Senate seat.

Osborn has publicly mulled another run for office in the months since his nonpartisan bid to unseat Fischer fell short but proved surprisingly competitive across Nebraska, a reliably red state that has not sent a non-Republican to the Senate since 2006. Osborn outperformed every Democrat on Nebraska's ballot.

A U.S. Navy veteran and former union president who led a 77-day strike at the Kellogg's cereal plant in Omaha in 2021, Osborn cast himself as "a voice for the working-class people" and repeatedly described Congress as a "country club of millionaires that work for billionaires."

While he declined to reveal who he planned to vote for in November's presidential race, Osborn made a last-minute bid for Trump voters, airing an ad featuring Trump voters backing Osborn who called Fischer "another creature of the D.C. swamp" and another that featured Osborn indicating he could personally help Trump build a wall at the U.S.-Mexico border.

Trump, who endorsed Fischer, called Osborn "a Democrat in disguise" in an ad for her campaign. Meanwhile, Democrats backed Osborn as polling showed the race between him and Fischer as among the closest in the country. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee donated $57,800 to Osborn's campaign on the eve of the election.

If he does again ask Nebraskans to send him to Washington in 2026, he would square off with Ricketts, a multimillionaire and former TD Ameritrade executive who is deeply familiar to Nebraska voters by now and has won a larger share of the vote each time he has sought statewide office.

After he lost to incumbent Democratic Sen. Ben Nelson in his first bid for U.S. Senate in 2006 with less than 37% of the vote, Ricketts was elected governor with more than 57% of the vote in 2014 and reelected with 59% of the vote four years later.

As he ran last year to retain the Senate seat he was appointed to, Ricketts won more than 62% of the vote  outpacing Trump.
On 9 April leading trade unions joined pensioners in another day of anti-government protests in Argentinas capital Buenos Aires, ahead of a planned national strike today (10 April).

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On 9 April authorities in Mexicos southwestern state of Guerrero announced an investigation had been opened following the killing of 11 men in Rancho Viejo, Tecoanapa municipality.

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On 10 April Brazils Presidentgave at speech at the summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (Celac) in Honduras in which he criticised the tariffs imposed by US President

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The Northern Ireland peace talks have ended with an historic agreement.

The accord  dubbed the Good Friday Agreement  was reached after nearly two years of talks and 30 years of conflict.

Negotiations on the final day dragged on more than 17 hours after the deadline for an agreement passed.

The agreement is a triumph for British Prime Minister Tony Blair and the Republic of Irelands leader, Bertie Ahern, who have succeeded where all their predecessors failed.

Speaking at a news conference after the deal was announced Tony Blair said he hoped it marked a new beginning.

Today I hope that the burden of history can at long last start to be lifted from our shoulders, Mr Blair said.

Bertie Ahern said he hoped a line could now be drawn under the bloody past .

The proposals in the agreement include plans for a Northern Ireland Assembly, new cross-border institutions involving the Irish Republic and a body linking devolved assemblies across the UK with Westminster and Dublin.

A copy of the proposals will be posted to every household in Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic and then put to a referendum in May.

The chairman of the talks, former US Senator George Mitchell, paid tribute to all those who had taken part.

But Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams said there was still a huge gap of distrust between nationalists and unionists.

It must be bridged on the basis of equality. We are here reaching out the hand of friendship, he said.

Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble added: I see a great opportunity for us to start a healing process.

The peace agreement was also welcomed by the UDP and PUP parties, which represent loyalist paramilitary groups.

Courtesy BBC News

In context

A referendum held in May 1998 on both sides of the Irish border, returned a resounding yes vote for the Good Friday Agreement.

The first three years of the agreements implementation saw accusations and counter-accusation from both sides.

Unionists said the republicans had not complied with the spirit of the agreements requirement for the decommissioning of arms.

Disagreement over decommissioning and policing led to three suspensions of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

In October 2002 it was also suspended after allegations of IRA intelligence gathering inside the Northern Ireland Office.

Devolved power was restored to the Assembly on 8 May 2007. DUP leader Ian Paisley and Sinn Feins Martin McGuinness  age-old opponents  took office as first and deputy first ministers ending five years of direct rule.
Ukraines claim that significant numbers of Chinese nationals are fighting alongside Russias invading army is totally unfounded, a Beijing official said yesterday.

Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced late Tuesday that the Ukrainian military had captured two Chinese men fighting alongside the Russian army in the eastern Donetsk region and had information that significantly more are with Russian forces.

It was the first time that Ukraine had made such a claim about Chinese fighters on its soil amid Russias almost three-year invasion.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said in Beijing that China has played a constructive role in politically resolving the Ukraine crisis.

Lin told a daily news briefing yesterday that the Chinese government always asks Chinese citizens to stay away from conflict zones, avoid getting involved in any form of armed conflict, and especially refrain from participating in any partys military operations.

His comments appeared to indicate that the captured Chinese had joined Russias ranks on their own initiative.

China has provided strong diplomatic support for Russia since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of its neighbor in February 2022. Beijing has also offered an economic lifeline through the trade in energy and consumer goods, but has not knowingly provided Russia with troops, weapons or military expertise.

It put forward a vague peace plan that was swiftly dismissed by most observers.

Previously, Ukraine and the United States have said that thousands of North Korean troops have helped Russia under an agreement between the Kremlin and the government in Pyongyang.

Both Russia and Ukraine allow foreign soldiers to enlist.

U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said at a briefing in Washington yesterday [Macau time] that the U.S. was aware of the reports that Chinese citizens fighting on behalf of Russia were caught in Ukraine and called them disturbing.

China is a major enabler of Russia in the war in Ukraine, Bruce said. China provides nearly 80% of the dual-use items Russia needs to sustain the war, she claimed.

Tensions between Washington and Beijing have escalated in recent years amid disputes over trade, technology and geopolitical competition.

The Kremlin has effectively rejected a U.S. proposal for an immediate and full 30-day halt in the fighting in Ukraine. The Kyiv government has consented to it. Both sides are believed to be readying spring-summer military campaigns.

In the meantime, both countries have kept fighting a war of attrition along the roughly 1,000-kilometer front line and targeted each other with long-range strikes.

The city of Kramatorsk in Ukraines eastern Donetsk endured a massive drone attack overnight, regional head Vadym Filashkin said, injuring an 11-year-old girl, her mother and her grandmother.

Ukraines air force said Russia launched 55 Shahed and decoy drones at the country overnight.

The Russian Defense Ministry said that air defenses downed 158 Ukrainian drones over 11 Russian regions overnight but reported no casualties or damage.

Several Russian regions temporarily suspended flights at their airports because of the attack, however, and some Ukrainian drones reached Russias Orenburg region in the southern Urals located nearly 1,200 kilometers east of the Ukrainian border, the Defense Ministry said. MDT/AP
Chinese diplomats threatened to cancel a summit and called top officials in two African countries to pressure lawmakers to quit an international parliamentary group critical of China, officials from the group told The Associated Press.

Its an example of how far China will go to influence politicians overseas, and how that pressure can succeed behind closed doors.

In the past year, lawmakers from Malawi and Gambia withdrew from the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, or IPAC, a group of hundreds of lawmakers from 38 countries concerned about how democracies approach Beijing, according to letters, messages and voice recordings obtained by The Associated Press.

African politicians and experts say its an escalation of Chinese diplomatic pressure in Africa, where Beijings influence is growing. Beijing has built deep ties with African leaders by developing mines and building infrastructure through state-owned construction companies, often funded by loans from state-owned banks.

The pressure is also part of Beijings longstanding effort to influence groups and lawmakers across the world, including in New York state, where a former governors aide faces charges for acting as an agent for the Chinese government.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry denied the allegations and accused IPAC of smearing China, while several African leaders told AP they do not act under Beijing pressure.

Very shocking news

In January, Gambian lawmaker Abdoulie Ceesay sent a voice message to an IPAC staffer saying the Chinese government had complained to the Gambian foreign ministry about his membership.

We have very shocking news  its a problem right now, Ceesay said in the recording, which IPAC provided to AP. The president is not happy with us at all.

Later the same month, Ceesay and fellow lawmaker Amadou Camara informed the alliance they were withdrawing. Ceesay told IPAC in a written message that his decision was not influenced by the Chinese embassy, a position Ceesay reiterated when contacted by AP.

Gambias information minister said he was unaware of any attempt by China to influence his countrys politicians.

They decided on their own behalf to opt out of IPAC after realizing it goes against the governments bilateral (relationship) with China, said the minister, Ismaila Ceesay, who is not related to Abdoulie Ceesay.

The Chinese government has targeted lawmakers over the alliance before. Beijing has sanctioned some members and last year, lawmakers from at least six countries were pressured by Chinese diplomats not to attend the groups summit in Taiwan. Kenyan lawmakers cancelled their plans to attend but stayed in the alliance. The group was also targeted by Chinese hackers in 2021, according to a U.S. indictment.

Foreign legislators are being bullied out of a free alliance between them and other politicians, said IPAC head Luke de Pulford. This is clearly a result of Chinese pressure.

In a statement, the Chinese Foreign Ministry accused IPAC of smearing China and said that China has never engaged in coercive diplomacy.

But a Malawian lawmaker, Ephraim Abel Kayembe, told an IPAC staffer he had been contacted by the speaker of the Malawian National Assembly shortly after he and another lawmaker joined the group at last years Taiwan summit, according to the staffer. The staffer declined to be named for fear of damage to their relations with other politicians.

The speaker told Kayembe the Chinese government had threatened to cancel the presidents upcoming visit to Beijing for a regional summit and meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, according to IPAC head de Pulford, programs director Tom Fraser and the person who spoke directly to Kayembe.

Less than two weeks after the summit, the two Malawian lawmakers said they were withdrawing. Kayembe said in a letter to IPAC that he had been tricked into joining.

I want to extend my sincere apology to the Peoples Republic of China, Kayembe wrote in the Aug. 7 letter.

When contacted by AP, Kayembe denied being coerced by the Malawi or Chinese governments, writing in an email that he withdrew because the alliance appeared aimed at achieving geopolitical intentions against China.

Malawis government did not respond to a request for comment.

Shifting alliances

For decades, Beijing has cultivated ties with African governments, seeking diplomatic partners and access to natural resources.

Many African leaders have welcomed Beijings presence since it brings much-needed capital and construction expertise that can contribute to economic growth and development. Critics say China strikes secretive deals with African leaders that mainly benefit Chinese companies and workers brought in to build mines, bridges and railways.

China has been investing and being present in African countries when many countries were not willing to come, said Christian-Geraud Neema, Africa editor of the China Global South Project, an independent research group.

Chinese leaders have repeatedly promised not to interfere in the internal affairs of African countries, saying there are no political strings attached to its investment. But China has pressured African governments to shun Taiwan or Tibets spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, efforts that Neema says appear to be escalating. Last October, South Africa demanded that Taipei move its unofficial embassy out of the administrative capital, Pretoria, and in January, Beijing sanctioned the head of South Africas second-largest political party for visiting Taiwan.

Moves like these mirror efforts China has made against governments elsewhere in the past. Beijing blocked exports from Lithuania, for example, after the northern European country allowed Taiwan to open a trade office.

But experts say the pressure against the IPAC members is unusual. Lina Benabdallah, a professor at Wake Forest University who studies Chinas relations with Africa, said she has never heard of China using direct coercion against African parliamentarians before.

This is very new to me, Benabdallah said.

Zimbabwe lawmaker and IPAC member Daniel Molokele said he expects to see more coercive behavior from Beijing, especially as the Trump administration pulls back from Africa.

I expect China to benefit, Molokele said. It will definitely use this opportunity to grow its influence in Africa. MDT/AP
The Financial Services Bureau (DSF) claims that the government is using fewer spaces in public car parks than previously, the bureau said in response to a written inquiry from lawmaker Che Sai Wang on the matter.

According to DSF, citing data from 2024, the number of parking spaces used by government entities has decreased by 9.6% from the beginning to the end of last year.

Data shows that at the start of 2024, the government was renting 878 parking spaces for cars, a figure that decreased to 794 at the end of the year. To these join reduction also of the number of parking spots rented for motorcycles that reduced from 26 to 22 in the same period.

The DSF remarked that data shows that the government has responded proactively to the publics solicitations, which has criticized the use of many parking spots in public car parks for government-owned vehicles for several years.

On the line are many car parks across Macau. However, the voices in society have been more critical of using fixed parking spots at several car parks located at the city center in areas of great demand for parking spots.

The topic has been debated several times at the Legislative Assembly plenary, with lawmakers suggesting the government find a location among public land plots to store vehicles that are not needed daily and reduce the government fleet as much as possible.

On those occasions, government officials promised to address the issue by reducing the number of street parking spots taken by these government vehicles.

In the same inquiry, Che also proposed that the government adopt a more flexible approach to the parking issue by adopting a flexible parking method instead of fixed-location reserved spots, but the government did not provide any comments or insight on its intentions to change this system.

According to the Times investigation, virtually all the parking spots previously occupied by government vehicles in the city center have been freed for public use.
The local travel industry anticipates an increase in visitor arrivals during the Easter holidays compared to last year, with the May Day holiday expected to set a new record.

On the other hand, the hospitality sector has expressed a more optimistic outlook for May Day than for Easter.

During mainland Chinas long holidays, popular tourist spots in Macau  including the Ruins of St. Pauls and Senado Square on the Macau peninsula, and the Rua do Cunha area in Taipa  have been packed with visitors. This influx has prompted public concern on social media over the impact of tourism on daily life.

In an interview with the Times, Travel Industry Council of Macau (TICM) Chairman Andy Wu clarified the term packed with, saying such conditions are mostly seen on special days, like the recent Ching Ming Festival holiday and the upcoming May Day holiday.

He emphasized that tourists are a key driver of Macaus economy, adding that under current conditions, there remains significant potential for market expansion and growth.

Following the three-day Ching Ming Festival holiday, about 410,000 visitors entered Macau from Friday to Sunday  a year-on-year increase of 14.7%. Wu noted that average Saturday arrivals now hover around 100,000 and expects further growth during the upcoming four-day Easter holiday, primarily driven by visitors from Hong Kong.

This year, mainland Chinas May Day holiday will span five days  from May 1 to May 5  and Wu anticipates a potential record-breaking number of arrivals, although specific projections are not yet available.

He also noted a shift in travel patterns, with more tourists choosing self-guided tours. The decline in group tours means the industry must adjust its business model to better serve independent travelers.

With policies aimed at facilitating visits from mainlanders, Wu expressed confidence that day-trip numbers will continue to rise.

As visitor figures gradually approach the pre-pandemic daily average of 171,702 from 2019, Wu stated that Macau still has ample capacity to accommodate increased traffic. He stressed the need for the government to improve transportation, including creating dedicated bus routes for tourists during holidays to enhance service and reduce congestion on public routes used by locals.

Despite ongoing challenges, Wu reaffirmed that Macaus current infrastructure is sufficient to meet visitor demand.

Hotel prices driven by market conditions

Randy Chung, vice president of the Macau Hoteliers & Innkeepers Association, said the industry does not expect much from the Easter holidays but remains cautiously optimistic.

In contrast, he expressed stronger confidence in the May Day period, predicting the peak season will begin May 1, with particularly strong demand expected on May 2, 3, and 4.

Room rates in Macau often double during peak periods, which can deter potential overnight guests. As a result, many mainland Chinese tourists have turned to social platforms like Red Note to search for accommodations in Macaus streets and resorts. In this context, Chung told the Times that hotel prices are entirely market-driven, with no artificial controls. He explained that prices vary by hotel category, and higher-rated hotels naturally charge more.

Addressing the growing trend of tourists staying in neighboring cities like Zhuhai or Hengqin due to lower prices, Chung said that while guests are free to choose, market forces will determine equilibrium. He also voiced confidence in Macaus strong appeal  particularly its nightlife and street culture  adding, While guests may find cheaper options in Hengqin or elsewhere, the relative attractiveness of those locations is diminished.

Chung noted that Macaus hotel industry is well-prepared for the May Day holiday, citing Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) figures that report over 43,000 available rooms  a supply expected to meet demand.

He emphasized that the industry has learned from last year and must adapt to todays changed economic conditions and consumer behavior by focusing on unique services and offerings, rather than relying solely on price reductions to attract more guests.

Chung also highlighted continued government support for the tourism sector through the promotion of cultural, medical, and sports-related events. He said the growing diversity of tourism offerings will help ensure prosperity for the hotel industry.

He added that Macaus overall hotel occupancy rate currently ranges between 80% and 90%.

According to the Statistics and Census Bureau, as of the end of 2024, Macau had 146 hotel establishments offering accommodation services  an increase of four hotels year-on-year. However, the number of available rooms fell by 7.8%, down to 43,000. Yuki Lei
The Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) invited 27 Hong Kong Tourism Industry Council members to visit Macau for familiarization.

During the visit, a working meeting was also held to discuss deepening cooperation in tourism.

According to information from MGTO, the HK Tourism Industry Council delegation also exchanged views with local tour operators and visited new tourism projects to learn about the current situation of local tourism development and to jointly promote multi-destination tourism with Macau and further develop regional tourism.

In the meeting, MGTOs deputy director, Cheng Wai Tong, and the HK Tourism Industry Council Chairman, Tommy Tam, discussed several issues related to cooperation between the two sides, including joining forces between operators to jointly promote multi-destination tourism in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) and taking advantage of Hong Kongs status as an international center to attract foreign visitors to the GBA.

The leaders discussed the potential for developing study trips between the regions and the GBA cities.

Among the on-site visits, the HK delegation visited the Barra area to experience the recently added new elements.

As it is known, Hong Kong is Macaus second-largest visitor market, with MGTO noting that it is necessary to continue to strengthen its focus on the Hong Kong market as well as take the opportunities that arise from it to expand visitor sources and promote tourism flows from Hong Kong to Macau.
Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture O Lam visited the Central Publicity Department and Ministry of Education in Beijing last week. Hu Heping, deputy head of the Publicity Department, praised her for Macaus significant achievements in patriotic education. Hu reaffirmed the Central Publicity Departments commitment to supporting Macaus cultural development while emphasizing the importance of instilling a spirit of patriotism and love for Macau among its residents to align the regions cultural efforts with national development. Furthermore, Vice Minister of Education Wu Yan expressed support for the advancement of education in Macau, advocating for enhancing Macaus tertiary education institutions to focus on high-quality, precision, and technology-driven programs that integrate seamlessly with Chinas broader development strategy.

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A Hong Kong social worker was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison yesterday on a charge of riot for her role in the 2019 anti-government movement, in a case that signals the authorities stern approach to protest-related acts.

Jackie Chen was among a group of social workers who often carried a loudspeaker seeking to mediate between police and protesters during the often-violent social unrest. While she had been acquitted in her first trial in September 2020, prosecutors successfully appealed the verdict. She was convicted following a retrial.

In March, judge May Chung rejected Chens claim of being a mediator in her verdict. She said Chen had continuously shouted unfounded accusations against the police during a protest in August 2019 and had used her social worker role, claiming to be safeguarding justice, to back the protesters.

Handing down the sentence, Chung noted Chen did not resort to violence at the scene, but her sentencing would have to consider what the whole crowd was doing at the site. She pointed to the serious circumstances of the riot.

The judge initially set the sentence at five years but reduced it after considering factors like the pressure facing Chen over the long legal proceedings and her contribution as a social worker.

In Chens mitigation letter posted by local media, she said 2019 was a crucial turning point in her life, with many social workers wanting to provide emotional support during the protests. She said even though she knew the government had planned to appeal against her acquittal in the first trial, she never thought of leaving the city because she wanted to continue her service for the people who are in need.

She said she felt especially guilty toward her 75-year-old mother, whose health has deteriorated in recent years. She hoped the judge could allow her to reunite with her family earlier.

Although many people say I am a good social worker, I am truly an unfilial daughter, she wrote.

When she entered the courtroom, her supporters in the public gallery waved at her. She smiled and nodded back.

The social workers conviction drew attention because of her mild role in the 2019 protests. The movement, sparked by a now-withdrawn extradition bill, was the biggest challenge to the Hong Kong government since the former British colony returned to Chinese rule in 1997.

Chen could also lose her social worker license. Last year, the government amended the law to allow the removal of a social workers name from the register if he or she has been convicted of an offense that is punishable with imprisonment and may bring the profession into disrepute.

In the same hearing, three other defendants received jail terms of two years and five months each for rioting. They had been initially acquitted but the government successfully appealed. They then chose to plead guilty. MDT/AP
* Cash days to come

 The travel industry predicts an increase in visitor arrivals during the Easter holiday, with May Day expected to break records

* Weather | SMG prepares for typhoon season, reaffirms signals forecast

* Media | Government responds to criticism over lack of communication with press

* Finance bureau claims the government is occupying fewer public car park spaces, in response to an inquiry from lawmaker Che Sai Wang

* China raises its retaliatory tariff on the US to 84% as Asian markets fall again

* Beijing rejects claim that Chinese troops are fighting alongside Russia

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Thursday, April 10, 2025  edition no. 4698
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said yesterday [Macau time] the Panama Canal faces ongoing threats from China but that together the United States and Panama will keep it secure.

Hegseths remarks triggered a fiery response from the Chinese government, which said: Who represents the real threat to the Canal? People will make their own judgement.

Speaking at a ribbon cutting for a new U.S.-financed dock at the Vasco Nunez de Balboa Naval Base after a meeting with Panama President Jose Raul Mulino, Hegseth said the U.S. will not allow China or any other country to threaten the canals operation.

To this end, the United States and Panama have done more in recent weeks to strengthen our defense and security cooperation than we have in decades, he said.

Hegseth alluded to ports at either end of the canal that are controlled by a Hong Kong consortium, which is in the process of selling its controlling stake to another consortium including BlackRock Inc.

China-based companies continue to control critical infrastructure in the canal area, Hegseth said. That gives China the potential to conduct surveillance activities across Panama. This makes Panama and the United States less secure, less prosperous and less sovereign. And as President Donald Trump has pointed out, that situation is not acceptable.

Hegseth met with Mulino for two hours before heading to the naval base that previously had been the U.S. Rodman Naval Station.

On the way, Hegseth posted a photo on X of the two men laughing and said it was an honor speaking with Mulino. You and your countrys hard work is making a difference. Increased security cooperation will make both our nations safer, stronger and more prosperous, he wrote.

Later, Mulino and Hegseth released a joint statement.

A vaguely worded portion of the statement suggested the two had discussed the tolls the United States pays for its ships crossing the canal. It said that within the canals framework, the Republic of Panama and the United States of America will work, as established, on a mechanism to compensate for the payment of tolls and charges.

Panamas Foreign Relations Ministry did not immediately answer a request for clarification.

But the Spanish and English versions had at least one significant discrepancy. The Spanish version included that Secretary Hegseth recognized the leadership and inalienable sovereignty of Panama over the Panama Canal and its adjacent areas. That sentence appeared nowhere in the English version.

The visit comes amid tensions over Trumps repeated assertions that the U.S. is being overcharged to use the Panama Canal and that China has influence over its operations  allegations that Panama has denied.

Shortly after the meeting, the Chinese Embassy in Panama slammed the American government in a statement on X, saying the U.S. has used blackmail to further its own interests and that who Panama carries out business with is a sovereign decision of Panama  and something the U.S. doesnt have the right to interfere in.

The U.S. has carried out a sensationalistic campaign about the theoretical Chinese threat in an attempt to sabotage Chinese-Panamanian cooperation, which is all just rooted in the United States own geopolitical interests, the embassy wrote.

After Hegseth and Mulino spoke by phone in February, the U.S. State Department said that an agreement had been reached to not charge U.S. warships to pass through the canal. Mulino publicly denied there was any such deal.

Trump has gone so far as to suggest the U.S. never should have turned the canal over to Panama and that maybe that it should take the canal back.

The China concern was provoked by the Hong Kong consortium holding a 25-year lease on ports at either end of the canal. The Panamanian government announced that lease was being audited and late Monday concluded that there were irregularities.

The Hong Kong consortium, however, has already announced that CK Hutchison would be selling its controlling stake in the ports to a consortium including BlackRock Inc., effectively putting the ports under American control once the sale is complete.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Mulino during a visit in February that Trump believes Chinas presence in the canal area may violate a treaty that led the U.S. to turn the waterway over to Panama in 1999. That treaty calls for the permanent neutrality of the American-built canal.

Mulino has denied that China has any influence in the operations of the canal. In February, he expressed frustration at the persistence of the narrative. We arent going to speak about what is not reality, but rather those issues that interest both countries, he said.

The U.S. built the canal in the early 1900s as it looked for ways to facilitate the transit of commercial and military vessels between its coasts. Washington relinquished control of the waterway to Panama on Dec. 31, 1999, under a treaty signed in 1977 by President Jimmy Carter. JUAN ZAMORANO, PANAMA CITY, MDT/AP
An ongoing debate I have with a friend has him saying that the quality of the food is far and away the determining factor when judging a restaurant.

While I can still love a hole-in-the wall with amazing food, I believe that atmosphere is equally important.

Atico, which means penthouse in Spanish, is a good example of a place you go largely for the ambiance. The Latin American-inspired menu is fine, sometimes great, but the only way to justify the prices is if you prioritize its aesthetic.

The closest approximation is Eno Vino on top of the AC Hotel. Atico Lounge, on the eighth and top level of the Moxy Madison Downtown, a new hotel on East Washington Avenue, has a similar contemporary, open, high-end feel.

A sign near the host stand shows a maximum occupancy of 397, which includes a private event space.

Meals start with the server asking if youd like complimentary chips and salsa, which is a good practice and better than assuming everyone wants them. On our first visit, my daughter and I liked that the chips were thin, light and warm, and that the homemade salsa, served in a small cup, was thick and more complex than your average salsa. On a follow-up visit a few nights later, we declined, wanting to save room for what we were ordering.

Ben Roberts, who opened Atico in mid-February with Alin Stupinean, said about 80% of customers take them up on the chips and salsa. At first, they gave them to everyone and noticed that some people werent eating them, so they decided to start asking.

I eyed the seabass entree, but at $44 it was prohibitively expensive. Instead, I went with the stacked vegetables ($24) with eggplant, zucchini, potato, tomato, sweet onion, lemon and epazote, an herb thats used in Mexican and Guatemalan cooking. The dish suffered from undercooked potato slices, but on the plus side, it incorporated a different salsa, made with roasted piquillo peppers, that elevated it. Alongside was beautifully seasoned rice and a perfectly dressed arugula salad.

Im always on the lookout for creative vegetable dishes, and the presentation here stood out.

The chicken enchiladas pibil ($25) with salsa verde and chipotle aioli was also on the high side price-wise. I doubt Ive ever paid more than $16 for a post-COVID plate of enchiladas. They were fine, and had a roasted flavor evident in its name. In Spanish, pibil refers to the cooking of the meat in an underground pit oven, or Mayan pib.

Roberts said the meat is marinated for 24 hours, wrapped in banana leaves and cooked slowly in the oven.

Neither the yellow rice nor refried beans on the plate distinguished themselves, but were beautifully presented. Both needed salsa and hot sauce. I wouldve preferred the same rice from the stacked vegetable dish.

My carne asada street taco ($7) was the most Ive paid for a taco, but was excellent with doubled-up homemade corn tortillas, cilantro, onion and top-quality steak.

A lobster salad arepa ($13) with slices of avocado and smoked chile aioli was stuffed with remarkable lobster salad, but the arepa shell shouldve had a lighter, airier, crisper quality. This one was thick and heavy and detracted from the delicious filling. It was huge, Ill give it that.

The Moxy salad ($16) was a nice mixture of jicama, cucumber and red onion on greens with a delightful mango vinaigrette.

On both visits my daughter and I had excellent servers, and I appreciated their style: black shirt, black pants and bright pink or gray aprons.

The room and bar area are elegant, the seating comfortable, and huge windows open onto a two-sided porch that offers gorgeous views of the Isthmus. The smaller black-turquoise-and-gold plates, used for chips and salsa and for splitting food up at the table, have an artistic design and look like they came from an art fair.

Roberts said he ordered them online. The whole plate adventure for this project was one of the most difficult things to find exactly what we wanted.

We were interested in dessert on one visit, but there werent any yet. Roberts said desserts will be added within the next week.

The highlight of my two meals was the nuanced Atico house margarita ($14), a flawless cocktail that wasnt too sweet or too strong. The Hemingway daiquiri ($15) was another good choice, obviously made with high-quality ingredients.

Roberts is best known for his Pasquals Cantinas. He began working at Pasquals on Monroe Street when he was 15 and, in 2001, bought the business. He has opened and closed a number of Pasquals, including one at the Hilldale Shopping Center, and one on East Washington Avenue.

Two Pasquals are still operating. Roberts has had Pasquals in Verona for 24 years and one in Middleton for three years.

Roberts and Stupinean opened Taberna Tacos & Tequila almost a year ago on Monroe Street, but I never got to try it. The restaurant lasted nine months.

It wasnt failing, but it wasnt accepted as well as we thought it would be, Roberts said. I think Monroe Streets a tough street.

Roberts said they sold the restaurant to an employee, whos planning a Jamaican-inspired restaurant there.

The Pasquals on East Washington was the place, pre-COVID, that I went to again and again after it added an amazing Mexican street food menu. I miss it.

Theres no real crossover between the two restaurants, but I like what Atico is all about. If you want to surround yourself with beauty and lift your spirits, a visit to Atico might just do the trick.

Diner's scorecard Restaurant: Atico Lounge Location: Top floor of Moxy hotel, 823 E. Washington Ave. Phone: 608-509-9440 Website: aticolounge.com Hours: 4 to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 4 p.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday, 4 to 10 p.m. Sunday Prices: Appetizers $14 to $26, skewers $5 to $9, tacos $5 to $7, arepas $7 to $13, salads $16 to $29, enchiladas $25 to $39, entrees $22 to $49 Reservations: Yes, and a good idea, particularly on Friday and Saturday. The bar is always first come, first serve. Noise level: Medium Credit cards: Yes Accessibility: Yes Outdoor dining: Yes Delivery: No Online ordering: Through Toast app/website Drinks: Full bar Gluten-free: 90% of menu Vegetarian offerings: Many Kids menu: No, but can make cheese quesadilla Parking: Valet, plus street parking and public ramp behind hotel Service: Excellent Bottom line: A place to go to as much for the ambiance as for anything else.
A Twin Falls husband, father, business owner and Bhutanese refugee is detained at an ICE detention center in Tacoma, Washington, awaiting deportation back to a country that decades ago committed ethnic cleansing against his people.

Binod Shah, owner of Shah Automotive in Twin Falls, was born in 1985 in Bhutan, but his family fled the Himalayan country during ethnic cleansing when he was 4 to a refugee camp in Nepal. The United Nations resettled his family in Idaho in 2008, according to his wife, Stephanie Shah, a U.S. citizen born and raised in Idaho.

The father of a 9-month-old baby, Binod Shah turned himself in to ICE custody on Sunday, March 23, and could be deported back to Bhutan  a country that has never before accepted repatriations until this year under President Donald Trumps second term  anytime this week before April 12, Stephanie Shah told the Times-News on Tuesday.

My baby will hear his dad on the phone and try and take it and try to kiss it, Stephanie Shah said. He loves his dad and thats made me into a bit of an emotional wreck to see that.

Binod Shah got into legal trouble in several cases from 2016 to 2022 and immigration courts in May 2019 issued a deportation order, according to his lawyer, Neal Dougherty.

Shah plead guilty to battery in February 2017 and Twin Falls County Magistrate Court sentenced him to 180 days in county jail. He then pleaded guilty to aggravated assault in April 2018, and the court dropped the battery charge. He was sentenced to two years with the Idaho Department of Corrections, according to the states iCourt Portal.

Between February 2018 and June 2022, Shah pleaded guilty to driving under the influence three times and was sentenced in District Court to two years in state prison.

While immigration courts ordered his deportation to Bhutan six years ago, Bhutan has refused to accept repatriations and ICE has not been able to deport him, Dougherty told the Times-News.

That changed when Donald Trump was inaugurated in January.

Dougherty said the Trump Administration has negotiated and put pressure on countries that have not accepted repatriation requests to finally receive deportees.

I do believe the administration was unequivocal and demanded that Bhutan accept these Bhutanese, or stateless persons born in Bhutan, Dougherty said.

Dougherty said he spoke with ICE and confirmed that they have a limited-use travel document and asked Binod Shah to turn himself in. He said Shah complied and did not try to evade ICE.

Since March 26, 18 people of Bhutanese origin who were resettled in the U.S. since 2008, have been deported back to Bhutan, public radio station WITF in Pennsylvania reported April 2.

Nepal newspaper The Kathmandu Post reported March 30 that the Bhutanese government refused to accept 10 U.S. deportees and instead drove them to the border with Nepal.

Police in Nepal then arrested three of them for illegal entry, the Kathmandu Post reported, and the other seven are hiding in an undisclosed location.

India doesnt want them, Nepal doesnt want them, Dougherty said. It could be a thing where they just keep getting deported from country to country.

He said Binod Shah is stateless.

Right now, it seems like Bhutan is trying to kind of be underhanded with their agreement to accept these deportees, Dougherty said.

According to Human Rights Watch, the Bhutan government in the late 1980s saw a growing ethnic Nepali population as a threat and enacted discriminatory citizenship laws, removing citizenship from about one-sixth of the Bhutan population.

Binod Shahs father is half Nepali and half Bhutanese, Dougherty said, and his mother is from India.

By operation of that law, he all of the sudden ceased to be a Bhutanese citizen, Dougherty said.

Stephanie Shah told the Times-News that she worries about what might happen to her husband if he is deported. The Bhutanese government imprisoned Binod Shahs father for one year, she said, and broke his legs and kicked him in the stomach until there was blood in his stool.

I dont know what the future is for myself and my 9-month-old baby, Stephanie Shah said.

She said the community over the past two weeks has rallied around Binod Shah and written letters to Gov. Brad Little and U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson.

If all of Twin Falls is asking, Can we please have our mechanic back? you know, I think its in the best interest of  obviously its in the best interest of my family  but the community as well, to bring him back, Stephanie Shah said.

The couple built their mechanic shop from the ground up, Stephanie Shah said, and her husband sold plasma to buy tools. Now, she is working on keeping the business and caring for her son.
KUALA LUMPUR, April 10  A doctor from Penang celebrated an unexpected anniversary win, walking away with RM11.77 million after placing a bet on numbers from his dinner receipt last month.

The 53-year-old told STM Lottery Sdn Bhd that the numbers 4486 and 5704, printed on the receipt after his candlelight dinner with his wife, caught his attention.

I now truly understand the Cantonese saying: love your wife, and youll get rich, he shared.

The doctor, accompanied by his wife, collected his winnings and expressed gratitude to the gaming company for what he called a wonderful anniversary gift.

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He revealed plans to share the prize with his siblings and save the remainder for his childrens future needs.

In the same draw, an education group employee from Sarawak also took home RM219,975.30 from the same jackpot.
Nothing is certain about Trumps tariffs: Malaysia welcomes US pause, remains wary of uncertainty, stresses Asean unity, says Tengku Zafrul

KUALA LUMPUR, April 10  Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz today said that Malaysia welcomes the United States latest changes to its tariff policy but remains cautious amid ongoing uncertainty, particularly over its implications for global trade and Asean.

In a Facebook post ahead of chairing the Asean Economic Ministers Meeting, Tengku Zafrul said the recent US decision to delay tariff hikes for many countries while increasing pressure on China will likely be among key topics at the meeting.

Nothing is certain about Trumps tariffs, other than uncertainty! he wrote, noting that such unpredictability raises questions about the direction of global trade and its impact on Asean.

He said Malaysia is actively assessing the implications of the changes and remains committed to cooperating with Asean partners to reduce disruptions, strengthen regional economic resilience, and promote a balanced and stable trade environment.

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Asean unity and regional economic integration will be more important than ever, and we welcome support from friends who share this vision and want to see us all succeed, he said.

Tengku Zafrul stressed that Malaysia remains an open trade and investment partner to all countries, including China and the United States.

He also reaffirmed Malaysias commitment to finding mutually beneficial trade solutions with the US and said the country would continue its strategy of diversifying trade and exploring new markets.

As a vigilant step against current uncertainties, we will also deepen ties with existing markets and increase efforts in the countrys economic reform agenda, he said.

Our priority is to navigate this ever-changing landscape while protecting our countrys economic prosperity, he added.

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His remarks follow US President Donald Trumps recent announcement pausing planned tariff hikes on most countries for 90 days, a move aimed at calming jittery markets after a period of volatility.

However, Trump also intensified tariffs on China, raising them to 125 per cent and citing Beijings lack of respect in trade dealings.

While defending the decision as necessary flexibility, Trump said he had been closely monitoring nervous market reactions and bond performance before choosing to delay the tariff increases, but reaffirmed his intent to secure trade deals with all countries, including China.

Trump had earlier announced on April 3 that the US would impose a baseline 10 per cent tariff on all countries, with higher duties for certain nations.

The Asean Indochina countries were the most affected by the tariffs, with Cambodia facing a combined baseline and retaliatory duty of 49 per cent, followed by Laos at 48 per cent, Vietnam at 46 per cent, and Myanmar at 44 per cent.

Thailand was hit with a 36 per cent tariff, Indonesia 32 per cent, Brunei and Malaysia both 24 per cent, the Philippines 17 per cent, and Singapore faced a baseline tariff of 10 per cent.
Singapore Muslim affairs minister rebukes Calvin Chengs unacceptable jibe against pro-Palestine activists, says nobody is pendatang

SINGAPORE, April 9  Singapores Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Masagos Zulkifli has yesterday criticised recent comments by former Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP) Calvin Cheng regarding pro-Palestinian activists, labelling them unacceptable and hurtful.

In his second official remark on the matter, Masagos said such remarks have angered many, particularly within the Malay-Muslim community here.

The way those comments were framed crossed a line. Its not just about disagreement, its about the message it sends, that some Singaporeans somehow do not belong if they speak up.

That is not something we can accept. Not here, he posted on Facebook.

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Cheng had previously suggested on Facebook that activists from the group Monday of Palestine Solidarity should be sent to Gaza, offering to sponsor their relocation and implying they should not return.

In reply, Masagos highlighted the importance of Singapores social harmony, built over decades, and warned that trust can be easily shaken by careless words.

He urged Singaporeans, especially those in positions of influence, to be mindful of the negative impact their words may have on social cohesion.

Masagos also addressed the matter in an interview with Singapore-based Malay-language paper Berita Harian, reiterating that all Singaporeans, regardless of background, have a stake in the country and that no one is a pendatang or immigrant.

The Singapore Islamic Scholars and Religious Teachers Association (Pergas) had previously expressed deep consternation over Chengs remarks, describing them as dehumanising, dismissive, and grossly insensitive.

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In response, Cheng clarified that his remarks were directed at a specific group and not at any racial or religious community.

Other government officials, including Home Affairs and Law Minister K Shanmugam, have also publicly disagreed with Chengs views on the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Cheng has been involved in several controversies over the years, including downplaying concerns about gerrymandering in August 2024, and advocating in November 2015 for the killing of terrorists children to prevent future threats.




On 5 March, Emmanuel Macron addressed millions of television viewers to solemnly warn them: Beyond Ukraine, the Russian threat is here and it affects the countries of Europe, it affects us.

[Originally published in French at marxiste.org]

The Head of State painted a frightening picture: Russia has already turned the Ukrainian conflict into a global conflict. It manipulates elections in Romania and Moldova, organises cyberattacks against our hospitals to block their operations. He continued: In this context, who can believe that today's Russia will stop at Ukraine? As I speak to you, Russia has become a threat to France and to Europe for years to come.

Already familiar with this refrain for several years, the press and the bourgeois media have unanimously taken up Macron's cry of alarm. On television sets and in newspaper columns, the same theme keeps coming up: Russia threatens us. We must prepare ourselves.

The Russian threat

However, as soon as we examine it even slightly, the laundry list with which Macron overwhelms us to illustrate the Russian threat loses all substance.

Are the Russians responsible for the cyber attacks against French hospitals? The ineffable Jean-Michel Blanquer already pulled the same trick on us in 2020. According to him, if the Ministry of Education's software failed during the lockdown, it was because of Russian hackers! These Russian hackers are a good excuse when it comes to justifying the IT failures of our public services, which have been strangled by decades of austerity.

What about the elections in Romania? They were cancelled by the Romanian government itself because a right-wing demagogue, hostile to the EU and NATO, came out on top in the first round. To justify this flagrant violation of a basic principle of bourgeois democracy, the Romanian government claimed that Russia had distorted the result of the election through a massive disinformation campaign on... TikTok. Since then, it has been unable to provide any serious evidence, but that has not prevented it from arresting the candidate in question, to the sustained applause of most EU leaders. There has, therefore, been a breach of the fundamental rules of formal democracy. But it is the work of the Romanian government and the European Commission, not Russia.

The war in Ukraine does indeed have a global character, as Macron says. But that is because it has been a proxy war from the start, waged by NATO and the western imperialists against their rival, Russian imperialism. After pushing the Ukrainian government to increase provocations against Russia, the West supplied large quantities of weapons to Ukrainian troops to prolong the war as long as possible and try to weaken Moscow.

Russian imperialism has emerged stronger, both militarily and diplomatically / Image: Vitaly V. Kuzmin, Wikimedia Commons

Their plan has failed. Russian imperialism has emerged stronger, both militarily and diplomatically. It is Europe that has been weakened, and Washington is now negotiating directly with Moscow to end the war.

After defeating the Ukrainian army, will Russia, as Macron claims, attack the Baltic countries, or even Germany or France, all of which are NATO members? Will Russian tanks roll across the plains of Poland? Should we fear seeing paratroopers hoist the Russian flag over the Eiffel Tower?

Russia is victorious in Ukraine, and it is clear that its army is now the most experienced and battle-hardened on the planet. But that does not mean that it will engage in direct confrontation with NATO armies, which, it should be remembered, have nuclear weapons.

Whether they are Russian, American or European, capitalists do not wage war on principle or for pleasure, but to defend their imperialist interests. From this point of view, the conquest of the Baltic countries would be extremely risky and of little interest to Russian imperialism, which already has access to the Baltic Sea via St Petersburg and the exclave of Kaliningrad.

It would be much more profitable for Russia to push its advantage and develop its influence, particularly by relying on its very cheap gas, which will be more effective in penetrating Europe than armoured divisions. Hungary and Slovakia have already moved closer to Russia. Other European countries will undoubtedly follow suit. The global economic crisis is opening up new avenues for Russian  but also American and Chinese  influence in Europe, much to the chagrin of the French and German imperialists who today dominate the European economy and make huge profits from it. This is what Paris and Berlin want to defend in Europe, not democracy.

The rearmament of French imperialism

This does not mean that the coming decades will be peaceful. On the contrary. The crisis of capitalism is setting the imperialist powers against each other. China has its eye on Taiwan and is positioning itself in the Pacific. The United States has announced its intention to annex Greenland and the Panama Canal Zone. Proxy wars  like those currently taking place in Ukraine, Libya, and the Congo  will multiply.

In Africa and the Pacific, declining French imperialism is facing competition from China and Russia. In New Caledonia, the Kanak uprising last year raised the spectre of losing this strategic colony. The return to power of Donald Trump means that France can no longer rely on American aid to defend its backyard. More than the Russian threat to Europe, it is this fear of losing its spheres of influence that explains the patriotic and militaristic drumming of the French bourgeoisie.

To defend the profits of the CAC 40 giants, French imperialism therefore needs new ships, new planes, etc. As Macron said, this implies new budgetary choices and additional investments [...] which require the mobilisation of private funding, but also public funding. In plain language, this means a new wave of austerity policies and a new avalanche of public money offered to employers in the armaments sector.

Francois Ruffin's conditions

Workers and young people have nothing good to expect from this new surge of militaristic fever apart from new sacrifices, whether in terms of their standard of living or their very lives, when it comes to defending, by force of arms, the profits of TotalEnergies or the Bouygues group.

Faced with this, how do the official leaders of the labour movement and the French left react? Subject to pressure from the ruling class, they either capitulate or sink into utter confusion.

Take the case of Francois Ruffin, a left member of the National Assembly. Interviewed on RTL on 6 March, the day after the head of states martial address, Ruffin said that he agreed with the President of the Republic when he said that we need to increase our defence budget. But he was keen to add that wars require the unity of the Nation, which is achieved through justice. So Mr Martin's friends  the president of Medef, the largest French employers federation  will have to pay the price of tax. In essence, Francois Ruffin is telling us: yes to imperialist wars, but on condition that the big bosses pay taxes.

Unfortunately for Ruffin and for the unity of the Nation, the French bourgeoisie has no intention whatsoever of making social concessions / Image: public domain

To make sure we understood him properly, during the same interview on RTL, Ruffin, the director of Merci Patron!, even made a historical analogy, stating: The First World War was the birth of income tax in France. The soldiers who were killed by poison gas or who drowned in the mud of the trenches can rejoice from the depths of their graves: they were not sacrificed so that French imperialism could keep its colonies. No, they died so that income tax could be born! Should we conclude from this that Francois Ruffin would approve of a Third (nuclear) World War if Macron promised, for example, to restore the ISF wealth tax?

We will not have the opportunity to find out because  unfortunately for Ruffin and for the unity of the Nation  the French bourgeoisie has no intention whatsoever of making social concessions. On the contrary, the media hype surrounding the Russian threat serves to justify new austerity policies!

On 14 March, former Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said it quite explicitly when talking about the conclave on pensions: the truth is that, given the threats, we would do well to bring together the social and political forces, not to ask them whether we should go back on a reform that has already been voted through, but to ask ourselves how we can adapt to a considerable, almost existential, effort to come. It goes without saying that the considerable effort will weigh not on Mr Martins friends, but on the workers, the poor, the unemployed and the pensioners.

While setting conditions that they know will never be met, Ruffin and his ilk agree with the thrust of Macron's speech on the Russian threat and the sacrifices it would necessitate. In the struggle between French imperialism and its rivals, they are siding with their own ruling class and helping it to justify its austerity policies. They will therefore bear responsibility for its future criminal manoeuvres in Africa, the Pacific or elsewhere.

Pacifist impotence and confusion

For its part, the leadership of La France Insoumise (FI) condemns the increase in military spending and the austerity policies that will accompany it. But it has nothing serious to propose to combat the militaristic escalation in which the great imperialist powers, including France, are engaging. In a note published on his website, Jean-Luc Melenchon recently provided a striking illustration of the impotence and confusion of his pacifist position.

The leader of the FI stated: Without the presence of Ukraine, there can be no peace discussed or decided. That is to say, without its legitimate representatives negotiating and signing the commitments that will result from the discussion. [...] And insofar as the stakes of the war have been territories and their populations, no arrangement on this subject should be accepted without consultation by vote of these populations concerned. This should be done under the aegis of the UN and with international control.

It is difficult to imagine a more abstract position. For more than a decade, Ukraine and its populations have been nothing more than pawns in the hands of western imperialists. Now that defeat is obvious, the Americans are negotiating directly with the Russians. Just like the imperialist war that preceded it, imperialist peace will inevitably be at the expense of the workers  and first and foremost, the Ukrainian workers.

The UN will not be able to change anything. Like the entire institutional scaffolding of so-called international law, the UN has never been anything other than a forum in which the great imperialist powers negotiate to divide up the world and defend their common interests. It was the UN that provided the imperialists with the legal pretext for the destruction of Iraq in 1991 and the invasion of Haiti in 2004. These are just two examples: the list of crimes committed by this institution  so dear to Melenchon's heart  is too long for this article.

This is not the first time that the abstract and impotent pacifism of the FI leadership has led them, at the end of the day, to advocate the strengthening of French militarism / Image: Pierre Selim, Flickr

Today, the economic crisis is pitting the imperialist powers against each other. In the absence of common interests on which the imperialists can agree, the UN is paralysed. The statements of its Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, have had no more impact on the war in Ukraine than those of Pope Francis.

The same goes for the OSCE-sponsored border conference that Melenchon envisages to take account of existing conflicts and resolve those that are festering. When the imperialists are ready to risk a war to defend their interests, no conference, even one organised by the OSCE (Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe), will make them back down.

Moreover, while he condemns Macron's statements on the Russian threat, Melenchon nevertheless asserts that new military spending is necessary: The French must give themselves all the means to guarantee the security of all their many borders around the world. On the Oyapock and the Maroni, in the Indian Ocean and the Caribbean, in the Antarctic as in the Pacific, is France in control of its situation? I don't think so. It is already not in control of its points of vulnerability in France, such as the targets that are its nuclear power stations, particularly in the country's vital regions And it is no more in control of its supply lines. Here too, we need a review of sovereignty.

This is not the first time that the abstract and impotent pacifism of the FI leadership has led them, at the end of the day, to advocate the strengthening of French militarism. In the spring of 2023, while the Borne government was presenting a record-breaking 413 billion military planning law, the FI presented a counter-project that called for even greater spending!

As we wrote at the time, the completely erroneous position of the FI leadership [...] is an extension of their reformist policy. Incapable of challenging French capitalism, the reformist leaders are forced to accept its foreign policy as well, whether in an openly nationalist way, like Ruffin, or in the abstract and extremely confused manner of Melenchon.

For class internationalism

It should be emphasised that there is one exception to this chorus of capitulations and confusions. The left wing of the CGT, Unite CGT, has adopted a position which, in its clarity and accuracy, contrasts sharply with that of the rest of the left and the labour movement.

In an analysis and outlook document published on their website, the comrades of Unite CGT correctly define the war in Ukraine as an imperialist war by proxy. They add: The eagerness of the United States, then of France and the EU to grab Ukrainian land and subsoil as well as the juicy reconstruction market shares has finally revealed the reality of the disinterested support of the Western powers for the war in Ukraine.

Then, after denouncing the plans for massive and colossal rearmament [...] promised to the entire European continent, they write: In this context, the left and the trade unions, including our CGT, cannot afford to be ambiguous on the subject of war. It is not enough to say that the defence and military effort should not be a pretext for unravelling social policies. We need a social, trade union, political and associative bloc against the war. [...] To speak, as Sophie Binet [the general secretary of the CGT] does, of a reactionary international from Moscow to Washington [...] against which it would, in fact, be legitimate to arm ourselves seems to us to be entering into a logic of imperialist bloc against imperialist bloc whereas the only camp we should defend is that of the workers, of France as well as of the world. Moreover, this discourse also ignores the imperialist nature of the French state, and this is perhaps the most serious aspect.

We completely agree. We have only one thing to add: ultimately, wars and militarism are consequences of capitalism. The only way to put a definitive end to them is, therefore, to overthrow this exhausted economic system. This means building a Revolutionary Communist International on a global scale and, in France, a Revolutionary Communist Party!
Ghana and the Czech Republic have reaffirmed on April 9 their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties through enhanced political, economic and cultural cooperation during the historic state visit Czech President Petr Pavel is paying to Accra April 8 to 11.

Hosted by President John Mahama at Jubilee House, the discussions focused on boosting trade, investing in infrastructure, and deepening collaboration in health care, climate resilience, and security. A Memorandum of Understanding on political consultations and an air services agreement were signed, with both leaders hailing the agreements as key tools to increase trade volumes  currently at $33 million, the second-highest in a decade for Czech engagement in the region.

President Mahama highlighted the long-standing relationship between the two countries, which dates back to 1961, and underscored the importance of private sector collaboration, particularly within the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). He praised Czech support in Ghanas health sector, notably through the Vamed Health Projects, and urged for renewed attention to the stalled 50 Bridges initiative, with a proposal to expand it to 100 bridges.

On regional stability, Mahama briefed President Pavel on West Africas security challenges and requested Czech support in ongoing counter-terrorism efforts led by ECOWAS and the EU.

Climate action, vocational training, and multilateral diplomacy also featured prominently in the talks. Ghana pledged support for the Czech Republics UN Security Council candidacy, while seeking backing for Ambassador Mohamed Adams bid for UN Tourism Organization.

President Pavel, the first Czech leader to visit Ghana in over 60 years, announced the launch of a Czech Technology Hub to spur innovation and investment, and expressed keen interest in expanding ties in agriculture, mining, and water purification. As global geopolitical tensions mount, he emphasized the importance of building resilient, diversified partnerships based on mutual benefit.
The governor of Nigerias Borno state, Babagana Zulum, has sounded on April 9 a stark warning about the resurgence of jihadist group Boko Haram, saying the militants have launched fresh attacks and seized parts of the region.

Zulum urged the Federal government to provide more military support as soldiers face mounting pressure amid daily kidnappings and assaults on communities.

While the Nigerian government has dismissed concerns, insisting that national security has improved over the past 18 months, local reports and recent incidents tell a different story. In January, at least 20 soldiers were killed in an ambush by Boko Harams splinter group, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), and another attack in the same month left 40 farmers dead. Zulum told security officials that Borno is losing ground in the battle against the militants, who continue to target military bases and rural areas.

Borno remains the epicentre of a 15-year insurgency that has claimed over 40,000 lives and displaced more than two million people. Boko Haram gained international infamy in 2014 for the mass abduction of schoolgirls in Chibok. Analysts say military resources have been diverted to tackle banditry in north-western Nigeria, weakening the fight in the north-east. The situation has worsened since Niger withdrew troops from the regional anti-insurgency force, further reducing pressure on the jihadists. Security experts warn that unless the group is completely dismantled, it will remain a persistent threat.
Gabon will hold a pivotal presidential election this Saturday, the first since a military coup in 2023 ended more than half a century of dynastic rule by the Bongo family.

Interim president General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguemawho led the coup and was later appointed transitional leaderhas declared his candidacy in a contest widely expected to secure his hold on power.

The vote comes after a turbulent political reset, during which former president Ali Bongo Ondimba was ousted and placed under house arrest, while members of his family were charged with corruption.

The run-up to the election has been shaped by significant constitutional and legal reforms, including a controversial electoral code allowing military personnel to stand as candidatespaving the way for Oligui Nguemas bid. His main challenger is Alain Claude Bilie-By-Nze, a former prime minister under Bongo, who has vowed to break with the past and reset Gabons relationship with France, the countrys former colonial power. Bilie-By-Nze has sharply criticized the electoral process, alleging it has been skewed in favor of the ruling candidate, with state resources disproportionately used in Oligui Nguemas campaign and opposition parties denied funding.

Despite Gabons oil wealthits 2022 oil exports generated $6 billionmuch of the population remains impoverished, with youth unemployment nearing 40% and over a third of citizens living below the poverty line. Political analysts suggest that while Bilie-By-Nze seeks to position himself as an alternative to both the military and the former regime, public perception of his ties to the Bongo era may limit his appeal.

Meanwhile, Oligui Nguema, though a cousin of the ousted president, has positioned himself as a reformer promising to return power to civilians, though critics question the fairness of the upcoming vote.
Three Americans who were convicted in Congo for their role in a failed coup attempt have now been formally charged in the United States, following their repatriation this week. A fourth American, allegedly a bomb-making expert, was also charged for aiding the elaborate operation aimed at toppling the Congolese government in 2024. U.S. prosecutors say the men conspired to train, arm, and deploy a rebel force, part of a months-long plot to install a shadow government called New Zaire under the leadership of Christian Malanga, a Congolese-American opposition figure killed during the attempted coup.

Among those charged is Malangas 22-year-old son, Marcel, who U.S. prosecutors claim led the armed group alongside Utah native Tyler Thompson Jr. and Maryland businessman Benjamin Zalman-Polun. The men reportedly recruited others, tested drones and flamethrowers, and conducted weapons training in Utah before travelling to Congo. The fourth defendant, 67-year-old Joseph Moesser, is accused of providing explosives training and helping to prepare pipe bombs and drones for use in the planned attack. Court documents suggest that Moesser had previously faced allegations involving explosives and had longstanding ties to Christian Malanga.

The criminal complaint describes a carefully orchestrated plot, not a spontaneous act, with the accused allegedly hijacking a bus, raiding a police station for weapons, and preparing for a violent assault on Congolese leadership. At least six people, including Christian Malanga, died during the failed coup attempt in Kinshasa. Prosecutors are now seeking to keep all four men in custody, citing their risk of flight and potential danger to the public. The charges include conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction and conspiracy to kill or kidnap persons in a foreign countryoffences that could result in life sentences if convicted.
Eight people, including five children, have died from cholera in South Sudans Jonglei state, as critical health services close down due to international funding cuts. Save the Children confirmed the deaths and warned on April 9 that patients are now being forced to walk for hours to access medical help, with seven clinics shut and others operating in a limited capacity under volunteer care.

The closures follow the withdrawal of key U.S. aid programmes across East Africa, leaving vast swathes of conflict- and drought-affected regions without essential support.

Chris Nyamandi, Save the Childrens Country Director in South Sudan, condemned the situation, urging the international community to recognise the human cost of aid decisions made far from the crisis zones. There should be global moral outrage, he said, stressing that childrens lives are being lost within weeks of the aid cuts. Local health officials described conditions on the ground as catastrophic, with just one fully functioning government facility in the area and nationwide cholera cases exceeding 46,000, according to the health ministry.

The outbreak comes amid growing fears of renewed civil conflict in South Sudan, following recent military clashes and rising political tensions. Meanwhile, across East Africa, millions more face deepening hunger and deteriorating health as aid shortfalls ripple through countries like Somalia, where WFP support has already been halved. Although the U.S. has acknowledged some of the aid programme terminations were mistaken and has begun to reverse certain cuts, humanitarian agencies warn that lives continue to hang in the balance.
President Donald Trump has announced a 90-day pause on the imposition of new global tariffs, temporarily easing tensions in the volatile international trade arena.

The move, coupled with a reduced 10% reciprocal tariff during the pause, signals a rare moment of restraint in Trumps otherwise aggressive trade posture. The announcement, made via Truth Social on Wednesday (9 April), follows global backlash against sweeping tariffs introduced recently, which have drawn retaliation and prompted diplomatic appeals from multiple countries. Trump stated the pause was intended to create room for renewed dialogue, and claimed that over 75 nations are now engaged in talks with U.S. officials.

Among the most impacted regions is Africa, where several nations  including Zimbabwe and Zambia  have scrambled to avoid tariff penalties. Zimbabwean president Emmerson Mnangagwa suspended tariffs on U.S. imports in hopes of improving bilateral trade, while Zambia offered to drop all duties on American goods. Yet, analysts argue these isolated concessions reflect Africas fragmented response to a shared challenge.

Ghanaian financial economist and policy analyst Ephraim Ofori Numosuor urged African leaders to act through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), warning that retaliatory tariffs by single African countries mean little to a superpower like the United States. While Trumps move provides a temporary reprieve, he continues to escalate duties on Chinese goods, raising them to 125%. For African nations, the pause presents not just a window of opportunity to engage in negotiations, but also a chance to unify and redefine their position in global trade.
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Fresh transfer of a good-quality blastocyst produced by remote intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) (A) did not result in pregnancy. A cryopreserved blastocyst produced by remote ICSI re-expanded within 4 h after warming (B) resulted in a clinical pregnancy after assisted hatching and embryo transfer (C). Credit: Reproductive BioMedicine Online (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2025.104943

The world's first baby has been born following conception with a fully automated, digitally controlled intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) system. ICSI, developed and adopted into widespread use in the 1990s and is now a routine method of assisted conception, achieves fertilization by injecting a single sperm cell into the center of a mature egg.

The details are reported in Reproductive Biomedicine Online.

The automated system was described and developed by a multidisciplinary team of specialists from Conceivable Life Sciences in New York and Guadalajara, Mexico, led by embryologist Dr. Jacques Cohen, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Alejandro Chavez-Badiola and Lead Engineer Professor Gerardo Mendizabal-Ruiz.

Treatment was provided under review board oversight at Hope IVF Mexico (Guadalajara) as part of a pilot investigation into various processes of automation in the fertility laboratory.

The system was developed as a workstation automating each of the 23 steps of the standard ICSI procedure. These steps were operated independently, either under artificial intelligence (AI) control or under the digital control of a remote operator.

Presently, all the world's ICSI procedures are performed manually by skilled embryologists operating microinjection systems. However, as studies have indicated, performance by the ICSI embryologist can vary significantly between individuals now, says Dr. Cohen, automation of the ICSI process "represents a transformative solution that promises to enhance precision, improve efficiency, and ensure consistent outcomes" through reduced variability and work-related stress on human operators.

He adds that the automated process might not only provide standardization but will also improve egg survival and optimize timing of the injection.

AI has made significant advances in the IVF laboratory, with progress in sperm and egg selection. In the application of this latest system, AI was used to position the sperm cell in the injection pipette and direct the microinjection itself within the egg.

"With AI," explained Professor Mendizabal-Ruiz, "the system autonomously selects sperm and precisely immobilizes its midsection with a laser ready for injectionexecuting this rapid, precise process with a level of accuracy beyond human capability."

The successful birth was accomplished in a 40-year-old woman referred for treatment with donor eggs at Hope IVF Mexico in Guadalajara, following a previously unsuccessful IVF attempt which had produced only one mature egg and no embryos.

In the study cycle, five eggs were assigned to fertilization with automated ICSI, and three as controls with standard manual ICSI. The automated system was set up on site but thereafter remote operators, in the Guadalajara clinic and in New York, issued commands via a digital interface to perform each of the 23 microinjection steps for each egg (a total of 115 steps).

Overall, the entire procedure took an average of nine minutes 56 seconds per egg, a little longer than routine manual ICSI because of its experimental nature, but, said Professor Mendizabal-Ruiz, "we expect to reduce procedure time significantly."

Four of the five injected eggs in the automated system achieved normal fertilization and all three in the manual control group. One high-quality embryo which progressed to the blastocyst stage in culture had been fertilized with the automated system under remote control in New York, 3700 km away.

After this vitrified/thawed blastocyst was transferred in a subsequent cycle, a pregnancy was established which continued normally to the delivery of a healthy male baby.

Dr. Chavez-Badiola explains that the ICSI system described in this report supersedes all previous developments in ICSI by automating each single step of the microinjection procedure, with the additional steps of sperm handling and selection by AI.

Now, he adds, the system's validity in a wider treatment application will depend on its safe performance in a study involving more cases. Nevertheless, he notes, the development so far, validated by a healthy live birth, marks a significant step towards full automation in the IVF laboratory.

Here, automation has already become established practice in embryo culture, with incubators visualizing embryos with time-lapse images and AI monitoring development and predicting outcomes. Automation is also being applied during the cryo-storage of eggs, sperm and embryos, as well as in sperm assessment and preparation procedures.

More information: Gerardo Mendizabal-Ruiz et al, A digitally controlled, remotely operated ICSI system: case report of the first live birth, Reproductive BioMedicine Online (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2025.104943 Journal information: Reproductive Biomedicine Online

Provided by Reproductive BioMedicine Online
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A UC Davis study finds that dogs could be indicators for Valley fever spread in humans. Credit: Dr. William Zachary Mills DVM, MPH, MBA

Valley fever, or coccidioidomycosis, is caused by a fungus that thrives in moist soils and becomes airborne during drought. Its spores are easily inhaled, leading to infection. Climate change is creating the perfect conditions for it in the Western United States, with increasing heavy rains followed by prolonged drought. A new study by University of California, Davis researchers shows that dogs, who are also susceptible to the disease, can help us understand its spread.

"Dogs are sentinels for human infections," said lead author Jane Sykes, professor of small animal internal medicine at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. "They can help us understand not just the epidemiology of the disease but they're also models to help us understand the disease in people."

Valley fever is common in animals, especially dogs that dig in dirt. The study, published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases, examined nearly 835,000 blood antibody tests from dogs that had been tested for the infection across the country between 2012 and 2022. Nearly 40% of them tested positive.

Valley fever spread

Sykes, along with colleagues at UC Berkeley, also mapped positive results by location and found valley fever in dogs spread from just 2.4% of U.S. counties in 2012 to 12.4% in 2022.

"We were also finding cases in states where valley fever is not considered endemic," said Sykes. "We should be closely watching those states because there could be under-recognition of the emerging fungal disease in humans."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention receives 10,000 to 20,000 reports of human cases every year, but the actual number of cases may be at least 33-fold higher. Many states do not require the reporting of human cases. The CDC considers valley fever endemic in parts of six states, including Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas and Utah. The study found valley fever in dogs in those states, but also in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and Colorado.

Sykes said the sheer number of cases cannot be explained by dogs visiting other states, since dogs travel far less frequently than humans. Further, the dog cases correlated with human cases, including in known valley fever "hot spots" in Arizona, California, Texas, New Mexico and Nevada.

States with highest number of cases

Arizona accounted for 91.5% of positive tests, followed by California (3.7%), Nevada, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas (2.6% combined), Washington, Oregon and Idaho (0.6% combined). The remaining states (1.3% combined) reported far fewer positive results.

Arizona also had the highest incidence rate of any other state. Rates were 100-fold of those in California, Nevada and New Mexico.

Every state with more than 0.50 tests per 10,000 households a year showed an increasing number of cases of valley fever per 10,000 households in dogs over the study period.

Dogs as models for human disease

Dog breeds that like to dig are more at risk of getting the disease. That includes most medium-to-large dogs as well as terriers. Dogs also exhibit some of the same signs of valley fever as humans. They can have a cough as the infection develops in their lungs. The fungus can also spread to the bones, brain and skin and require lifelong antifungal injections. Dogs can also die from the disease.

Sykes suggested that dogs are an under-recognized model for understanding valley fever. By learning more about valley fever in dogs, scientists may discover new tests or treatments for the disease in humans. They may also help prevent misdiagnosis or undiagnosed disease in humans.

More information: Jane E Sykes et al, Use of dog serologic data for improved understanding of coccidioidomycosis: A One Health approach, The Journal of Infectious Diseases (2025). DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiaf184 Journal information: Journal of Infectious Diseases
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Credit: Annenberg School for Communication

In the wake of sweeping cuts to federal funding for scientific research, including a proposal to reduce support for medical research nationwide, an interdisciplinary team of academic researchers from the University of Pennsylvania, University of Maryland, University of Utah, Georgia Institute of Technology and University of Oregon developed an interactive, data-driven map to communicate the impact these cuts would have at national, state and county levels.

The Science & Community Impacts Mapping Project (SCIMaP) communicates how proposed federal funding cuts lead to reduced economic activity and job losses nationwide. The SCIMaP team's analysis of across-the-board reductions to research infrastructure support for National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants, known as indirect costs, shows an estimated $16 billion in economic loss and 68,000 jobs lost nationwide.

"The NIH funds crucial research to address leading health problems like cancer, diabetes, dementia, heart disease, infectious diseases, mental illness, and more," said Alyssa Sinclair, Joan Bossert Postdoctoral Fellow at UPenn's Annenberg Public Policy Center and co-lead for the project.

Sinclair, who is also a postdoctoral fellow at the Communication Neuroscience Lab at the Annenberg School for Communication, added that research innovations have a big impact on our daily lives. "Research innovations directly improve our daily lives by curing and preventing diseases, unlocking new technologies, and improving the safety of our food, water and environments."

In recent years, more than $35 billion in NIH-funded medical research has been made possible annually through grant support to universities, hospitals and research institutes in communities across the U.S.

"Science transforms our world; however, the process of doing science and the impacts of scientific research are often hidden from view," said project co-lead Joshua Weitz, Professor of Biology and Clark Leadership Chair in Data Analytics at UMD with a joint appointment in the University of Maryland Institute for Health Computing. "Through interactive, data-driven visualizations, we aim to help Americans explore how science and health research fuels the economy, supports jobs and improves health outcomes."

Although less than 1% of the federal budget goes to the NIH, the investment has a big impact. The United for Medical Research coalition estimates that every $1 invested in scientific research through the NIH produces $2.56 in new economic activity, a more than 250% gain in investment. Further, NIH research supports over 400,000 jobs across the U.S. Research funded by the NIH has led to major breakthroughs, including the prevention, treatment, and cures for cancer, heart disease and type 1 diabetes.

The proposed NIH federal funding cuts would greatly reduce the funding that covers the indirect costs of research already committed in grants. These funds pay for essential facilities, special equipment, skilled staff and safety checks that are shared across many research projects. Currently, the effective indirect cost rate is approximately 42% at institutions nationwide.

In February 2025, the NIH announced a policy to cut this by more than half, reducing indirect costs to a flat rate of 15%. Medical research would be slowed by drastic cuts in total research funding, according to Heather Pierce, senior director for science policy at the Association of American Medical Colleges, in a recent interview with the New York Times.

"Medical and scientific breakthroughs supported by the U.S. government impact all our lives," said Emily Falk, Professor and Vice Dean of UPenn's Annenberg School for Communication. "Research innovations are at the core of many things that enhance our daily lives and keep us safer."

She added that the U.S. government's investment in research has made the nation a leader in the world. "SCIMaP shows what's at stake for local economies and the future of innovation in our communities," Falk said.

In addition to Sinclair, Weitz and Falk, the interdisciplinary team behind SCIMaP includes Danielle Cosme (University of Pennsylvania), Mallory Harris (University of Maryland), Clio Andris (Georgia Institute of Technology), Angela Fagerlin (University of Utah), Ellen Peters (University of Oregon) and other researchers at institutions across the country.

The SCIMaP team sourced its data from a public database of NIH grants that were active in 2024 and estimated the economic impact of NIH grants (or reductions in NIH funding) based on a recent report from the United for Medical Research coalition.

The SCIMaP team estimated the number of jobs that would be lost by a reduction in NIH funding by using the ratio of the number of jobs supported over the economic activity enabled in the 2024 fiscal year. The researchers also used census data on where U.S. commuters live and work to estimate how economic loss in each county impacts adjacent counties.

Moving forward, the SCIMaP team plans to expand its analysis beyond the impacts of NIH cuts to assess the impacts of other threats to federally supported research, including termination of research grants, cancellation of student-centered training programs and a proposed reduction of up to $6 billion of the National Science Foundation's $9 billion budget.
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

The COVID-19 pandemic created major communication barriers for individuals with hearing impairments, primarily due to face masks blocking lip movements. Researchers at the University of Tsukuba have examined these issues and related factors. They found that having a daily supporter, going out frequently, and the severity of hearing impairment all affected the level of difficulty, with daily support reducing such issues.

Face masks, widely used during the pandemic to prevent infection, made communication harder for individuals with hearing impairments by hiding facial cues and muffling voices. However, the factors influencing the extent of these challenges had not been identified.

This study used data from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, focusing on 410 individuals with hearing impairment. It examined communication difficulties caused by others wearing face masks during the pandemic. The work is published in the journal BMC Public Health.

Results showed that 55.6% of participants experienced such challenges. Those with daily support were less likely to face them. Additionally, individuals aged 4064 were more affected than those aged 65 and above, and those who went out more often or had more severe hearing loss also reported greater difficulty.

The findings suggest that increased social interaction raises the likelihood of communication problems, highlighting the need for support even for typically independent individuals during emergencies.

More information: Taeko Watanabe et al, Communication difficulties among individuals with hearing impairments during the COVID-19 pandemic and their associated factors: a cross-sectional study using a national survey in Japan, BMC Public Health (2025). DOI: 10.1186/s12889-025-22108-5 Journal information: BMC Public Health
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In vitro-derived human macrophage subsets express FcRs, bind MOv18 IgE and exhibit a net pro-inflammatory phenotypic shift following IgE stimulation. Credit: Nature Communications (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-57870-y

Research has shed light on how a new type of antibody treatment reactivates patients' immune cells to fight ovarian cancer. The research, from the group of Professor Sophia Karagiannis at King's College London, could help to better understand the responses of patients who receive this type of therapy.

Antibody treatments are a type of immunotherapy that work by helping the body's immune system to recognize and kill cancer cells. Almost all antibodies currently used in cancer treatment are made from a type of antibody called IgG. However, IgGs have not been effective against ovarian cancer.

Researchers at King's are the first in the world to develop a treatment from a different type of antibody, called IgE. IgE has important roles in triggering the immune response during an allergic reaction or by stimulating immune cells to fight parasite infections. Unlike IgG antibodies, which activate immune cells circulating in the blood, IgE antibodies bind very tightly to immune cells found in tissues. The team has been working to harness these immune-boosting activities of IgE against solid cancers.

The team investigated an IgE antibody called MOv18, exploring its ability to activate immune cells in patients with ovarian cancer and its influence on the tumor's environment.

The research showed that MOv18 IgE works in a unique way, by reversing the suppression of the immune system imposed by the tumor, through activation of different groups of immune cells against the cancer.

MOv18 IgE treatment has already shown promising results in a phase Ia clinical trial designed and run by the King's researchers in the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Guy's and St Thomas' Clinical Research Facility and in collaboration with Cancer Research UK's Centre for Drug Development.

At low doses, MOv18 IgE shrank the tumor of a patient with ovarian cancer who had not responded to conventional therapy. In a new study, the team set out to understand exactly how the antibody works in the immune environment conditions of ovarian cancer.

The findings were published today in Nature Communications.

Ovarian cancer patient ascites-conditioned macrophages (MAsc) and ascites tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) exhibit an IgE-mediated pro-inflammatory repolarisation and TAMs display MOv18 IgE-induced killing of ovarian cancer cells. Credit: Nature Communications (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-57870-y

Understanding the biology

In the multidisciplinary study, conducted at King's in collaboration with colleagues at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, the Medical University of Vienna, Fondazione IRCCS Instituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, and SeromYx Systems, Inc, the team looked at how MOv18 IgE interacts with different groups of immune cells in ovarian cancer patients.

They principally investigated macrophages, an immune cell which normally fights infection and kills microorganisms. However, cancer can corrupt macrophagessuppressing their ability to trigger an immune response and re-programming them to support tumor growth instead.

Previous research in animal models suggested that MOv18 IgE activates these corrupted macrophages to drive them towards fighting the cancer. To investigate this in the human context of ovarian cancer, the team first collected macrophages from healthy donors and then exposed them to cancerous fluid samples from the peritoneal cavity (the main site of ovarian cancer spread) of patients with ovarian cancer.

The team then isolated macrophages directly from these patient-derived cancerous fluid samples. All patient samples were collected from Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust.

In both cases, they found that ovarian cancer suppressed the immune activity of macrophages. However, they discovered that MOv18 IgE could bind and activate these suppressed macrophages to kill ovarian cancer cells. Additionally, through this activation, MOv18 IgE reversed the suppressive effect of ovarian cancer macrophages on other immune cells called T cells, which are known to be key in maintaining long-term immune responses against cancer in patients.

Dr. Gabriel Osborn, who conducted the research when he was a Ph.D. student at King's College London, said, "We found that in patients, ovarian cancer re-programmed macrophages away from normal immune activation. Instead, they formed an immunosuppressive web in association with T cells, that could restrict anti-cancer immunity in patients.

"MOv18 IgE, however, induced patient macrophages to kill cancer cells and undergo a highly inflammatory activation, which reversed their suppressive effects on T cells. This study adds important patient-level information to support what we previously observed for MOv18 IgE in the laboratory and reveals, for the first time, that IgE-driven macrophage stimulation can activate the wider tumor immune system."

After seeing these results in the lab, the team looked at tumor biopsies from two patients who took part in the phase Ia clinical trial. They analyzed one biopsy from each patient that had been collected before treatment with MOv18, and a second biopsy that was collected after treatment. They saw increased numbers of macrophages and T cells present in the post-treatment samples, indicating these two groups of immune cells play a key role in the anti-tumor activity of MOv18 IgE.

"Understanding the biology of how a treatment works is essential for bringing treatments closer to patients," says Professor Sophia Karagiannis, Professor of Translational Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy at King's College London and senior author of the study.

"We found that immune cells which are otherwise inhibited in the 'microenvironment' of the tumor, are directed by IgE to target the cancer cells. While we are still progressing with clinical testing in patients, it is imperative that we continue in our quest towards understanding how MOv18 IgE, and a wider panel of IgE-based antibodies we are studying, harness the immune system in different groups of patients and cancer types."

Dr. Debra Josephs, consultant medical oncologist at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust and co-author of the study who developed pre-clinical research studies that guided MOv18 IgE to clinical testing said, "Our focus is to deepen our understanding of the immune system and its interaction with cancer, with the goal of discovering better treatments for patients.

"During the preclinical development of MOv18 IgE we demonstrated the important role of activation and migration of tumor-associated macrophages into cancer lesions for this antibody treatment to be effective. This research marks an important next step in the development of MOv18 IgE by advancing our understanding of macrophage-mediated mechanisms, thus supporting the therapeutic potential of this novel antibody."

Professor James Spicer, Professor of Experimental Cancer Medicine at King's College London, consultant in medical oncology at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust and Chief Clinical Investigator of the MOv18 IgE Phase Ia trial, who is co-author of the study said, "We need to achieve better outcomes for our patients. Clear progress is being made by studying the immune system and the environment in which the cancer grows.

"In our ongoing research we are striving to understand how we can capitalize on the power of IgE to develop novel effective treatments, which will complement established IgG antibody drugs used in the clinic."

More information: Gabriel Osborn et al, Hyperinflammatory repolarisation of ovarian cancer patient macrophages by anti-tumour IgE antibody, MOv18, restricts an immunosuppressive macrophage:Treg cell interaction, Nature Communications (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-57870-y Journal information: Nature Communications
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Macrophages killing a cancer cell. Credit: Susan Arnold and Raowf Guirguis / National Cancer Institute

To grow, cancer tumors must hijack the immune system for their needs. One of the main tricks that most tumors use is to manipulate a type of immune cell called a macrophage, causing it to protect the tumor from the rest of the immune system, recruit blood vessels and help the cancer spread to other tissues.

Now researchers in Prof. Ido Amit's lab at the Weizmann Institute of Science have used state-of-the-art gene editing and single-cell and AI technologies to identify a master switch that turns macrophages into cancer helpers.

Based on this discovery, the team developed a new therapy that was shown to be effective in mice with bladder tumors, one of the most common types of cancer in humans and one for which only limited therapeutic innovations are currently available. The discovery is presented in a paper published in the journal Cancer Cell.

"Macrophages are highly versatile cells, sort of a 'Swiss knife' of the immune system, capable of activating multiple types of functions for different tasks and in different situations," explains Amit, a faculty member of Weizmann's Systems Immunology Department.

These cells have the potential to be highly effective cancer eradicators that can perform multiple antitumor functions, such as promoting anticancer inflammation or alerting the rest of the immune system to the dangers posed by tumor cells. That's precisely the reason most solid cancers need to convert macrophages to their side in order to develop.

"By doing that, the tumors protect themselves from the macrophages' 'nasty' side, and also turn on macrophage functions that help them grow, such as suppressing the activity of other immune cell types and encouraging blood vessel growth for supplying oxygen to the tumor."

Indeed, recent studies have revealed a strong link between the activation mode of tumor macrophageswhether these cells fight the tumor or help it growand cancer patients' survival. Considering this significance, many studies have searched for ways to reprogram macrophages back to their anticancer mode.

"Those efforts failed because they separated macrophages into two very general categoriesprotumor and antitumor," Amit says. "Today we know that this categorization misses much of the complexity of macrophage function."

The new study, led by Dr. Fadi Sheban, took a more nuanced approach to analyzing macrophage functions. "We started the research by analyzing datasets of macrophages from human tumor samples and looking at the many different functions of these cells," Sheban says. "This analysis enabled us to identify 120 genes suspected of playing a role in activating the macrophages' various protumor functions."

The next step was to develop a system capable of screening these 120 potential role-playing genes to identify the genes that are most important for the tumor's ability to hijack macrophage activity. Amit and the team relied on their advanced single-cell technologies, capable of studying cellular function at single-cell resolution, in combination with CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing.

Credit: Cancer Cell (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2025.03.021

The combined technology provided them with the ability to delete individual macrophage genes in a single macrophage, one by one, from the list of suspected genes and see how this changed the properties and function of the macrophage at single-cell resolution.

"Using our newly developed platform, we were able to study the effects of all 120 suspected genes on the function of individual macrophage cells. This phase of the study included sequencing over 100,000 edited macrophage cells in total," says Sheban.

The result was a detailed dataset of how the different regulatory switches activate or deactivate various macrophage functions. "It was a complete mess. At first, we couldn't tell which genes were the most important ones and which macrophage activity they controlled," recalls Sheban.

To make sense of the empirical data, Amit and the team used a deep learning tool developed by departmental colleague Prof. Nir Yosef. The tool, called MrVI, simplified the data into a functional map showing both how the different regulatory switches, each represented as a point on the map, influence macrophage functions and how similar the effects of the various regulators are to one another.

"Using MrVI, we were able to understand which gene deletions changed the functions of the macrophages in a way that made them fight the tumor," says Sheban.

One gene, called Zeb2, stood out on the map, as it completely modified the macrophages' tumor-supporting activities. This gene had never been studied in tumor macrophages before. "We understood that a macrophage with a Zeb2 activates all the protumor functions and deactivates all the antitumor programs, and that silencing this gene achieves the exact opposite," adds Sheban. "In other words, we found the master switch for reprogramming macrophages so that they will fight cancer."

More in-depth research into the gene showed that the protein encoded by Zeb2 works by changing the physical structure of the genome, known as the epigenome, thereby determining which other genes will be "open," that is, available for translation into proteins, and which will be inactive, or "closed." "Zeb2 opens all the protumor genes in the macrophages and closes all the antitumor genes. By removing it, we can obtain the opposite effect," says Sheban.

Experiments conducted in tissue culture and in mice showed that silencing Zeb2 converts macrophages into the antitumor mode. "We also did another analysis of data from human patients and found that patients with a high expression of Zeb2 are at a much higher risk of having more aggressive cancer."

The next step was to try to turn this discovery into a potential therapy. To do so, Amit and the team collaborated with Prof. Marcin Kortylewski from the City of Hope National Medical Center in California, U.S., who developed a unique DNA molecule designed to attach itself to macrophages and be swallowed by them.

"We used this molecule as bait and connected it to a small silencing RNA molecule. Once swallowed by the macrophage, the RNA molecule silences the Zeb2 gene specifically," explains Sheban. The researchers used this newly developed molecule to treat mice with bladder cancer: They injected the molecule into the tumor area and found that the therapy reprogrammed the macrophages to fight the tumor, and that the tumors shrank significantly.

"Now the goal is to develop this approach into a novel cancer treatment for humans," summarizes Amit. "Our study has also demonstrated how advanced technologies can provide an in-depth, high-resolution understanding of the way various immune system players function in different diseases, and how this understanding has the potential to become the foundation of new therapies for patients."
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An electron micrograph of the measles virus. Credit: CDC/ Courtesy of Cynthia S. Goldsmith

The World Health Organization called Thursday for greater efforts to combat measles, which is spreading in 58 countries including the United States, where two children have died.

The Geneva-based UN agency also stressed that the measles vaccine is safe and effective.

"I'll just remind folks that measles is one of the most infectious viruses, so measles anywhere is measles everywhere," Kate O'Brien, director of the WHO's vaccine department, told a press conference.

She avoided criticism of US President Donald Trump and his Health Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr., an outspoken vaccine skeptic.

Kennedy has been accused of not doing enough to combat the deadly measles outbreak, which has its epicenter in Texas where there have been hundreds of cases. He has only recently recognized the effectiveness of the vaccine.

"The US is working to control the outbreak and to shut the outbreak down," O'Brien said.

But she added that "for any country, as long as an outbreak is going on, not enough is yet happening. We could only say enough is happening when the outbreak has ended."

O'Brien said the disease is spreading because of declines in vaccination levels, partly because of disruptions caused by the COVID-19 outbreak.

"The measles vaccine is an incredibly safe vaccine, and it's an incredibly effective vaccine," O'Brien said.

 2025 AFP
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pNSCs distribute along the bronchia of mouse postnatal (image) and adult lung. These cells are specifically marked by Sox1 and co-express Sox2. Credit: MPI for Molecular Biomedicine / Dong Han

For decades, scientists assumed that neural stem cells (NSCs) only occur in the brain and spinal cord. A new international study, led by Hans Scholer of the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine in Munster, has now refuted this assumption and discovered a new type of neural stem cell outside the central nervous system (CNS) that opens up enormous possibilities for the development of therapies for neurological diseases. The study is published in the journal Nature Cell Biology.

In 2014, an article titled "Stimulus-triggered fate conversion of somatic cells into pluripotency" was published in Nature. This publication initially caused quite a stir because it opened up a simple way to obtain pluripotent stem cells. The induction of pluripotent stem cells without the need for viral vectors, as Shinya Yamanaka had done and for which he received the Nobel Prize, would have been too good to be true.

Although the laboratory of Scholer at the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, like many others, tried to repeat the experiment that described the "stimulus-triggered acquisition of pluripotency" (STAP) based on treating somatic cells with low pH. However, the generation of pluripotent cells failed regardless of the culture conditions and tissues usedand the corresponding paper was eventually retracted several months after publication.

However, to the surprise of Dong Han and Scholer, they were able to use the STAP method to obtain a rare cell population from the periphery of the central nervous system that exhibits the properties of neural stem cells (NSCs). These NSCs, called peripheral neural stem cells (pNSCs), were found in several tissues of the mouse, including the lung and tail. Once the NSC population had been identified, it became clear that treatment with low pH was not necessary to cultivate them.

A team of researchers from more than 10 laboratories in Europe, Asia and North America then examined these newly identified pNSCs in great detail: pNSCs share important molecular and functional characteristics with NSCs of the brain.

pNSCs have the same cell morphology, self-renewal and differentiation capacity as NSCs of the brain. They express several NSC-specific markers and have genome-wide transcriptional and epigenetic profiles that are consistent with those of NSCs in the brain. Furthermore, many pNSCs that migrate out of the neural tube can differentiate into mature neurons and, to a limited extent, glial cells during embryonic and postnatal development.

The discovery of pNSCs not only provides new insights into the development of the mammalian nervous system. Their existence also challenges a long-standing hypothesis in neuroscience and, because they can be grown in substantial numbers in the petri dish, opens up new possibilities for regenerative medicine.

Furthermore, obtaining NSCs from the brain is not a favored method. By contrast, obtaining NSCs from other organs or tissues appears to be a viable and practical approach.

Scholer, the senior author of the study, looks back on the long road that led to this discovery: "This was the longest-running project in my career. Originally, we wanted to replicate the STAP results published in Nature that were published more than 10 years ago, namely, to induce pluripotent stem cells through low pH.

"Like other laboratories, we were unable to reproduce this. But fortunately, our attempts were not in vain: We found previously unknown peripheral neural stem cells, challenging the long-held dogma that neural stem cells do not exist outside the central nervous system.

Han, the lead researcher of the study, who carried out most of the experiments in this work as a member of Scholer's laboratory, emphasized the possible implications of this result: "If these cells exist in humans and can be propagated indefinitely as they can in mice, they could have enormous therapeutic potential.

"This is particularly exciting because accessible peripheral neural stem cells could provide a new avenue for neural repair and regeneration, bypassing many of the challenges associated with sourcing stem cells from the central nervous system."

Identification of pNSCs in the mouse lung: A) pNSCs line the bronchi in postnatal and adult lungs, marked by Sox1 and Sox2. B) They can be isolated and cultured in vitro for over 50 passages. Credit: MPI for Molecular Biomedicine / Dong Han

The discovery of pNSCs outside the CNS suggests a previously unrecognized level of cellular plasticity within the nervous system. In contrast to neural crest-derived stem cells, which have a limited self-renewal capacity, pNSCs closely resemble brain-derived NSCs and show the ability to sustain neurogenesis over an extended period of time.

Scholer emphasized the crucial role of interdisciplinary cooperation in making this discovery possible: "We involved many laboratories with different areas of expertise to ensure that this study is watertight. The combination of genetic lineage analysis, single-cell analysis and functional tests in vivo provides compelling evidence that these peripheral neural stem cells are a genuine and previously unrecognized component of the mammalian nervous system."

Potential impact on human health and medicine

The ability to harness pNSCs could have far-reaching implications for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and nerve cell repair strategies. If pNSCs exist in humans, they could provide an easily accessible source of neural stem cells that could be used in the future to treat diseases such as Parkinson's disease, spinal cord injury and other neurodegenerative disorders. Future studies will aim to establish the existence of pNSCs in humans and explore their full therapeutic potential.

The results, published in the journal Nature Cell Biology, thus pave the way for further research into the role of pNSCs in human biology and their potential application in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and in regenerative therapies.

More information: Dong Han et al, Multipotent neural stem cells originating from neuroepithelium exist outside the mouse central nervous system, Nature Cell Biology (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41556-025-01641-w Journal information: Nature , Nature Cell Biology
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A vial of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine is on display at the Lubbock Health Department Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, in Lubbock, Texas. Credit: AP Photo/Mary Conlon, File

A measles outbreak in Knox County, Ohio, grew to 14 cases this week, with the state's overall count in double digits across four counties.

The U.S. has more than double the number of measles cases it saw in all of 2024, and Texas is reporting the majority of them with 505.

Texas' cases include two young elementary school-aged children who were not vaccinated and died from measles-related illnesses near the epicenter of the outbreak in rural West Texas, which led Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to visit the community on Sunday.

Other states with active outbreaksdefined as three or more casesinclude New Mexico, Indiana, Kansas and Oklahoma. The virus has been spreading in undervaccinated communities. The third person who died was an adult in New Mexico who was not vaccinated.

The multi-state outbreak confirms health experts' fears that the virus will take hold in other U.S. communities with low vaccination rates and that the spread could stretch on for a year. The World Health Organization has said cases in Mexico are linked to the Texas outbreak.

Measles is caused by a highly contagious virus that's airborne and spreads easily when an infected person breathes, sneezes or coughs. It is preventable through vaccines, and has been considered eliminated from the U.S. since 2000.

Here's what else you need to know about measles in the U.S.

How many measles cases are there in Texas and New Mexico?

Texas' outbreak began in late January. State health officials said Tuesday there were 24 new cases of measles since Friday, bringing the total to 505 across 21 countiesmost of them in West Texas. The state also logged one new hospitalization, for a total of 57 throughout the outbreak.

Sixty-five percent of Texas' cases are in Gaines County, population 22,892, where the virus stated spreading in a close-knit, undervaccinated Mennonite community. The county now has logged 328 cases since late Januaryjust over 1% of the county's residents.

Thursday's death in Texas was an 8-year-old child, according to Kennedy. Health officials in Texas said the child did not have underlying health conditions and died of "what the child's doctor described as measles pulmonary failure." A child died of measles in Texas in late FebruaryKennedy said age 6.

New Mexico announced two new cases Tuesday, bringing the state's total to 56. State health officials say the cases are linked to Texas' outbreak based on genetic testing. Most are in Lea County, where two people have been hospitalized, two are in Eddy County and Chaves County was new to the list Tuesday with one case.

New Mexico reported its first measles-related death in an adult on March 6.

How many cases are there in Kansas?

Kansas has 32 cases in eight counties in the southwest part of the state, health officials announced Wednesday. Two of the counties, Finney and Ford, are new on the list and are major population centers in that part of the state. Haskell has the most with eight cases, Stevens County has seven, Kiowa County has six, and the rest have five or fewer.

The state's first reported case, identified in Stevens County on March 13, is linked to the Texas and New Mexico outbreaks based on genetic testing, a state health department spokesperson said. But health officials have not determined how the person was exposed.

How many cases are there in Oklahoma?

Cases in Oklahoma remained steady Tuesday: eight confirmed and two probable cases. The first two probable cases were "associated" with the West Texas and New Mexico outbreaks, the state health department said.

A state health department spokesperson said measles exposures were confirmed in Tulsa and Rogers counties, but wouldn't say which counties had cases.

How many cases are there in Ohio?

The Ohio Department of Health confirmed 20 measles cases in the state as of Thursday: 11 in Ashtabula County near Cleveland, seven in Knox County and one each in Allen and Holmes counties.

Ohio is not including non-residents in its count, a state health department spokesperson told The Associated Press. The Knox County outbreak in east-central Ohio has infected a total 14 people, according to a news release from the county health department, but seven of them do not live in Ohio. A measles outbreak in central Ohio sickened 85 in 2022.

The outbreak in Ashtabula County started with an unvaccinated adult who had interacted with someone who had traveled internationally.

How many cases are there in Indiana?

Indiana confirmed six connected cases of measles in Allen County in the northeast part of the statefour are unvaccinated minors and two are adults whose vaccination status is unknown.

The cases have no known link to other outbreaks, the Allen County Department of Health said Wednesday. The first case was confirmed Monday.

Where else is measles showing up in the U.S.?

Measles cases also have been reported in Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont, and Washington.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines an outbreak as three or more related cases. The agency counted six clusters that qualified as outbreaks in 2025 as of Friday.

In the U.S., cases and outbreaks are generally traced to someone who caught the disease abroad. It can then spread, especially in communities with low vaccination rates. In 2019, the U.S. saw 1,274 cases and almost lost its status of having eliminated measles. So far in 2025, the CDC's count is 607.

Do you need an MMR booster?

The best way to avoid measles is to get the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. The first shot is recommended for children between 12 and 15 months old and the second between 4 and 6 years old.

People at high risk for infection who got the shots many years ago may want to consider getting a booster if they live in an area with an outbreak, said Scott Weaver with the Global Virus Network, an international coalition. Those may include family members living with someone who has measles or those especially vulnerable to respiratory diseases because of underlying medical conditions.

Adults with "presumptive evidence of immunity" generally don't need measles shots now, the CDC said. Criteria include written documentation of adequate vaccination earlier in life, lab confirmation of past infection or being born before 1957, when most people were likely to be infected naturally.

A doctor can order a lab test called an MMR titer to check your levels of measles antibodies, but health experts don't always recommend this route and insurance coverage can vary.

Getting another MMR shot is harmless if there are concerns about waning immunity, the CDC says.

People who have documentation of receiving a live measles vaccine in the 1960s don't need to be revaccinated, but people who were immunized before 1968 with an ineffective measles vaccine made from "killed" virus should be revaccinated with at least one dose, the agency said. That also includes people who don't know which type they got.

What are the symptoms of measles?

Measles first infects the respiratory tract, then spreads throughout the body, causing a high fever, runny nose, cough, red, watery eyes and a rash.

The rash generally appears three to five days after the first symptoms, beginning as flat red spots on the face and then spreading downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs and feet. When the rash appears, the fever may spike over 104 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the CDC.

Most kids will recover from measles, but infection can lead to dangerous complications such as pneumonia, blindness, brain swelling and death.

How can you treat measles?

There's no specific treatment for measles, so doctors generally try to alleviate symptoms, prevent complications and keep patients comfortable.

Why do vaccination rates matter?

In communities with high vaccination ratesabove 95%diseases like measles have a harder time spreading through communities. This is called "herd immunity."

But childhood vaccination rates have declined nationwide since the pandemic and more parents are claiming religious or personal conscience waivers to exempt their kids from required shots.

The U.S. saw a rise in measles cases in 2024, including an outbreak in Chicago that sickened more than 60.

 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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Christina Frank et al. AMR: antimicrobial resistance; UK: the United Kingdom; UKHSA: UK Health Security Agency. Credit: Eurosurveillance (2025). DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2025.30.14.2500234

Consumption of holy water from Ethiopia has recently led to several cases of cholera in Germany and the United Kingdom (UK) with a multidrug-resistant Vibrio cholerae strain, according to a study published in Eurosurveillance.

Four patients were infected through imported water, while three patients had traveled in Ethiopia. Researchers detected multidrug-resistant Vibrio cholerae O1 linked to recent outbreaks in Eastern and Middle Africa in clinical specimens and the holy water.

The ongoing cholera outbreak in Ethiopia began in 2022, and by 9 February 2025 a total of 58,381 cases and 726 deaths had been reported. There was a resurgence of the outbreak on 6 February 2025 reported in the Amhara region leading to 163 cases and 3 deaths, with more recent numbers being unavailable.

One identified contamination source is the Bermel Giorgis holy well, which is located in the Quara district and is a site of pilgrimage, attracting visitors worldwide. Pilgrims consume or bathe in the water for physical or spiritual healing, and often take it home.

Cholera-infected patients required hospitalization and intensive care

In Germany, three people were initially reported via the European surveillance portal for infectious diseases (EpiPulse) as suspected of having cholera on 25 February 2025.

All patients were identified as being of Ethiopian ethnicity. Two had traveled to Ethiopia in January, and acquired a small plastic bottle of water with water from the holy well in Bermel Giorgis. Upon their return to Germany, both people consumed the water. A third person received splashes of water to the face, including the lips, and possibly ingested some of it.

In early February, all three individuals developed diarrhea and vomiting, and were hospitalized. One patient required intensive care, but all recovered.

In the UK, the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) identified four patients, among which two reported recent travel to Ethiopia to the Amhara region, and one specifically mentioning a 9-day trip to Bermel Georgis. A third patient had not traveled to Ethiopia, but reported that they had drank holy water from the well that had been brought back by the fourth patient, who had also become ill after consuming the water in the UK.

Three were admitted to hospital, with one requiring intensive care. One person who had also traveled to Ethiopia also had symptoms of cholera, but was not tested and recovered without medical treatment.

Analysis of bacteria samples indicates link to recent outbreaks in Eastern and Middle Africa

Genetic analysis of the bacteria in stool samples from the UK cases showed that they belonged to a multidrug-resistant clade of Vibrio cholerae O1 previously linked to outbreaks of cholera in Kenya and sub-Saharan Africa, as well as in Eastern and Middle Africa.

Ethiopian V. cholerae isolates sequenced in Germany and the UK had the same antimicrobial resistance profile as the bacteria samples obtained recently from UK residents. The similarities in these isolates, as well as among the Kenyan and sub-Saharan African strains in England, indicated that multidrug-resistant V. cholerae O1 circulating in Africa were transmitted into Europe.

Though surveillance has improved, support for the prevention and control of outbreaks is needed in low-income countries.

Consumption of holy water has been previously identified as a risk factor for cholera in Ethiopia. Public authorities have taken preventive measures during religious holidays, and the Ethiopian National Guideline for Cholera Surveillance and Outbreak response has also addressed the associated risks. However, the spread of cases into Europe related to a cholera outbreak in Africa is unusual.

While genetic data have improved surveillance and identification of cases, prevention requires investment in water, sanitation and hygiene. According to Frank et al.: "Low-income countries will continue to need overseas development aid support to control outbreaks and epidemics using effective WASH, surveillance, communications, diagnostics and countermeasure programmatic delivery."

More information: Cholera due to exposure in Europe associated with consumption of holy water from Ethiopia, January to February 2025, Eurosurveillance (2025). DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2025.30.14.2500234. www.eurosurveillance.org/conte  S.2025.30.14.2500234

Provided by European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)
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Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Northeastern University public health experts were relieved to see Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an avowed vaccine skeptic, post on X that "the most effective way to prevent measles is the MMR vaccine."

They say it sends a strong message in the midst of a measles outbreak that has sickened more than 600 people this year, hospitalized more than 50 and killed at least two people, including unvaccinated schoolchildren in Texas.

What would make the post even more effective are personal stories from the families who lost children to measles, or from individuals who survived hospitalization, says Elizabeth Glowacki, a Northeastern assistant teaching professor who focuses on health communication, message design, persuasion and mobile health.

"The new messaging from (Kennedy) will be helpful for encouraging people to perhaps reconsider vaccines if they are hesitant," Glowacki says.

But more needs to be done to frame the message, she says.

"Another effective method potentially could be focusing on the stories of these individuals who are living it," Glowacki says. "Featuring the stories of families who lost children can be particularly effective. Whenever something happens, if children are sadly affected by it, I think that captures the public's attention."

Neil Maniar, director of Northeastern's master of public health program, says he is happy to see sound evidence-based public health information being promoted to help address the measles crisis.

"I think we have a long way to go, though," he says. "We need to provide information in a way that families and communities are able to use to make informed decisions about their health."

The importance of stories

The science behind vaccine safety is solid, with several studies disproving a connection between vaccines and autism, Glowacki says.

"A lot of the anti-vax movement is driven by stories" due to the lack of data between vaccines and autism, she says.

"I think that's why it's helpful that the opposing side also has their stories ready to go in terms of counteracting if people aren't motivated by data," Glowacki says. "How else can we speak to them?"

The families of 8-year-old Daisy Hildebrand, who was buried April 8 with Kennedy in attendance, and of 6-year-old Kayley Fehr, who died in February, have not come out in support of MMR shots.

Fehr's father told Atlantic Monthly that his 6-year-old's death was "God's will." Hildebrand's father said in an interview with The Guardian that he heard some vaccinated family members got the measles "way worse than some of my other kids.  The vaccine was not effective."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 97% of the more than 600 people who have contracted measles in the 2025 were totally unvaccinated against measles and had not received either one of the two shots recommended by health officials.

In addition to the unvaccinated girls who died, public health officials are investigating the cause of death of an unvaccinated New Mexico man who tested positive for measles following his demise.

There are other ways to get personal stories out, including accounts from people who were very ill or hospitalized with measles, Glowacki says.

And measles "is not just an individual concern," she says. "It's so contagious. It's important to consider how community spaces are affected," including church groups and school groups.

Having a leader from a faith community or other institution central to the community speak out in favor of the vaccines could be a powerful tool to have people immunized against measles, Glowacki says.

"People always look to see what's going on around them, what the normative behavior is," she says.

"We need to find a really solid group of communicators, people who can deliver a message in ways that speak to the groups who are most vulnerable," Glowacki says. "It's a matter of identifying the channels that are being used by these groups."

Both of the children who died are from a Mennonite community in Gaines County. Mennonites do not have a formal policy against vaccination, but the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy says the population of Gaines is "highly unvaccinated," with more than 300 cases of measles this year.

Kennedy is now facing backlash from anti-vaxxers for his post on the MMR vaccine.

"It would be great if we had done this much, much earlier," Maniar says. "But it's not too late to stem the tide," he says.

Glowacki says Kennedy's visit to Gaines County is an example of message tailoring, saying it could be an effective example of starting small to "eventually broaden out the message a bit."

"I commend him for at least changing course, which we don't always see in a lot of public officials," Glowacki says. "I think we're used to seeing public officials double down."

She says she thinks anti-vaxxers will start to take immunization more seriously when awareness of measles "becomes more prevalent. Again, I really think the importance of featuring stories and experiences shouldn't be overlooked."

This story is republished courtesy of Northeastern Global News news.northeastern.edu.
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Credit: Circulation Research (2025). DOI: 10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.124.325079

A new Cedars-Sinai study demonstrates how gut bacteria can influence the development of blood vessel inflammation in laboratory mice. The findings, if confirmed in humans, would open a potential route for treating Kawasaki disease, a mysterious childhood disorder characterized by vascular inflammation.

"Kawasaki disease, although rare, is the leading cause of acquired heart disease in children globally," said Magali Noval Rivas, Ph.D., associate director of the Infectious and Immunological Diseases Research Center in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at Cedars-Sinai and corresponding author of the study published in the journal Circulation Research.

"Unfortunately, about 20% of the patients do not respond to intravenous immunoglobulin, which is the standard therapy. We urgently need alternative or additional treatments."

Kawasaki disease affects 18 to 25 per 100,000 children under 5 years old in the United States. It typically begins with a fever and vasculitis, a type of blood vessel inflammation, and may involve gastrointestinal and other symptoms. If left untreated, Kawasaki disease can lead to coronary artery aneurysms in up to 25% of affected children.

The new study addresses a critical gap in knowledge about how Kawasaki disease develops. Previous research involving children with the disorder found changes in the composition of their gut microbiota, the trillions of bacteria that inhabit the intestines. But whether these changes precede or worsen Kawasaki disease had not been established.

"To explore this process, we used a mouse model that recapitulates the vasculitis observed in Kawasaki disease patients," Noval Rivas said. "We then examined the effects of altering the gut microbiota in the mice."

Investigators found that depleting the gut microbiota decreased the development of Kawasaki vasculitis in mice. In addition, supplementing the microbiota with inflammation-inducing bacteria tended to worsen the vasculitis, and adding beneficial bacteria or their byproducts significantly reduced it.

"This study reveals an underappreciated link between gut microbiota and cardiovascular inflammation in Kawasaki disease vasculitis and identifies specific bacteria that regulate it in mice," said Moshe Arditi, MD, senior author of the study and executive vice chair of the Department of Pediatrics for Research at Cedars-Sinai Guerin Children's. "This discovery raises the possibility that targeting gut bacteria could be a new way to prevent or treat Kawasaki disease."

Arditi added that more research is needed to confirm these findings in children and ensure that such therapies would be safe and effective.

More information: Prasant K. Jena et al, Intestinal Microbiota Contributes to the Development of Cardiovascular Inflammation and Vasculitis in Mice, Circulation Research (2025). DOI: 10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.124.325079 Journal information: Circulation Research
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Rural hospital leaders are questioning whether they can continue to afford to do business with Medicare Advantage companies, and some say the only way to maintain services and protect patients is to end their contracts with private insurers.

Medicare Advantage plans pay hospitals lower rates than traditional Medicare, said Jason Merkley, CEO of Brookings Health System in South Dakota. Merkley worried the losses would spark staff layoffs and cuts to patient services. So last year, Brookings Health dropped all four contracts it had with major Medicare Advantage companies.

"I've had lots of discussions with CEOs and executive teams across the country in regard to that," said Merkley, whose health system operates a hospital and clinics in the small city of Brookings and surrounding rural areas.

Merkley and other rural hospital operators in recent years have enumerated a long list of concerns about the publicly funded, privately run health plans. In addition to the reimbursement issue, their complaints include payment delays and a resistance to authorizing patient care.

But rural hospitals abandoning their Medicare Advantage contracts can leave local patients without nearby in-network providers or force them to scramble to switch coverage.

Medicare is the main federal health insurance program for people 65 or older. Participants can enroll in traditional, government-run Medicare or in a Medicare Advantage plan run by a private insurance company.

In 2024, 56% of urban Medicare recipients were enrolled in a private plan, according to a report by the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, a federal agency that advises Congress. While just 47% of rural recipients enrolled in a private plan, Medicare Advantage has expanded more quickly in rural areas.

In recent years, average Medicare Advantage reimbursements to rural hospitals were about 90% of what traditional Medicare paid, according to a new report from the American Hospital Association. And traditional Medicare already pays hospitals much less than private plans, according to a recent study by Rand Corp., a research nonprofit.

Carrie Cochran-McClain, chief policy officer at the National Rural Health Association, said Medicare Advantage is particularly challenging for small rural facilities designated critical access hospitals. Traditional Medicare pays such hospitals extra, but the private insurance companies aren't required to do so.

"The vast majority of our rural hospitals are not in a position where they can take further cuts to payment," Cochran-McClain said. "There are so many that are just really in a precarious financial spot."

Nearly 200 rural hospitals have ended inpatient services or shuttered since 2005.

Mehmet Ozdoctor, former talk show host, and newly confirmed head of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Serviceshas promoted and worked for the private Medicare industry and called for "Medicare Advantage for all." But during his recent confirmation hearing, he called for more oversight as he acknowledged bipartisan concerns about the plans' cost to taxpayers and their effect on patients.

Cochran-McClain said some Republican lawmakers want to address these issues while supporting Medicare Advantage.

"But I don't think we've seen enough yet to really know what direction that's all going to take," she said.

Medicare Advantage plans can offer lower premiums and out-of-pocket costs for some participants. Nearly all offer extra benefits, such as vision, hearing, and dental coverage. Many also offer perks, such as gym memberships, nutrition services, and allowances for over-the-counter health supplies.

But a recent study in the Health Services Research journal found that rural patients on private plans struggled to access and afford care more often than rural enrollees on traditional Medicare and urban participants in both kinds of plans.

Susan Reilly, a spokesperson for the Better Medicare Alliance, said a recent report published by her group, which promotes Medicare Advantage, found that private plans are more affordable than traditional Medicare for rural beneficiaries. That analysis was conducted by an outside firm and based on a government survey of Medicare recipients.

Reilly also pointed to a study in The American Journal of Managed Care that found the growth of private plans in rural areas from 2008-2019 was associated with increased financial stability for hospitals and a reduced risk of closure.

Merkley said that's not what he's seeing on the ground in rural South Dakota.

He said traditional Medicare reimbursed Brookings Health System 91 cents for every dollar it spent on care in 2023, while Medicare Advantage plans paid 76 cents per dollar spent. He said his staff tried negotiating better contracts with the big Medicare Advantage companies, to no avail.

Patients who remain on private plans that no longer contract with their local hospitals and clinics may face higher prices unless they travel to in-network facilities, which in rural areas can be hours away. Merkley said most patients at Brookings Health switched to traditional Medicare or to regional Medicare Advantage plans that work better with the hospital system.

But switching from private to traditional Medicare can be unaffordable for patients.

That's because in most states, Medigap planssupplemental plans that help people on traditional Medicare cover out-of-pocket costscan deny coverage or base their prices on patients' medical history if they switch from a private plan.

Some rural health systems say they no longer work with any Medicare Advantage companies. They include Great Plains Health, which serves parts of rural Nebraska, Kansas, and Colorado, and Kimball Health Services, which is based in two small towns in Nebraska and Wyoming.

Medicare Advantage plans often limit the providers patients can see and require referrals and prior authorization for certain services. Requesting referrals, seeking preauthorization, and appealing denials can delay treatment for patients while adding extra work for doctors and billing staff.

"The unique rural lens on that is that rural providers really tend to be pretty bare-bone shops," Cochran-McClain said. "That kind of administrative burden pulls people away from really being able to focus on providing quality care to their beneficiaries."

Jonathon Green, CEO of Taylor Health Care Group in rural Georgia, said his system had to set up a team to deal solely with coverage denials, mostly from Medicare Advantage companies. He said some plans frequently decline to authorize payments before treatments, refuse to cover services they have already approved, and deny payment for care that shouldn't need approval.

In these cases, Green said, the companies argue that the care wasn't appropriate for the patient.

"We hear that term constantly"It's not medically necessary,'" he said. "That's the catchall for everything."

Green said Taylor Health Care Group has considered dropping its Medicare Advantage contracts but is keeping them for now.

Cochran-McClain said her group supports policy changes, such as a federal bill that aims to streamline prior authorization while requiring Medicare Advantage companies to share data about the process. The 2024 bill was co-sponsored by more than half of U.S. senators, but needs to be reintroduced this year.

Cochran-McClain said rural-health advocates also want the government to require private plans to pay for critical access hospitals and similar rural facilities as much as they would receive from traditional Medicare.

Green and Merkley stressed that they aren't against the concept of private Medicare plans; they just want them to be fairer to rural facilities and patients.

Green said rural and independent hospitals don't have the leverage that urban hospitals and large chains do in negotiations with giant Medicare Advantage companies.

"We just don't have the ability to swing the pendulum enough," he said.

2025 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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PRRDetect improves the detection of tumors with PRR dysfunction. Credit: Nature Genetics (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41588-025-02152-y

Researchers have created a "metal detector" algorithm called PRRDetect to hunt down vulnerable tumors, in a development that could one day revolutionize the treatment of cancer.

In a paper titled, "Redefined indel taxonomy reveals insights into mutational signatures" published in Nature Genetics, scientists analyzed the full DNA sequence of 4,775 tumors from seven types of cancer. Based at the University of Cambridge and NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Center, they used the data from Genomics England's 100,000 Genomes Project to create an algorithm capable of identifying tumors with faults in their DNA that make them easier to treat.

The algorithm could one day help doctors figure out which patients are more likely to have successful treatment. That could pave the way for more personalized treatment plans that increase people's chances of survival.

Professor of Genomic Medicine and Bioinformatics at the University of Cambridge, NIHR Research Professor and lead author of the study, Professor Serena Nik-Zainal, said, "Genomic sequencing is now far faster and cheaper than ever before. We are getting closer to the point where getting your tumor sequenced will be as routine as a scan or blood test.

"To use genomics most effectively in the clinic, we need tools which give us meaningful information about how a person's tumor might respond to treatment. This is especially important in cancers where survival is poorer, like lung cancer and brain tumors.

"Cancers with faulty DNA repair are more likely to be treated successfully. PRRDetect helps us better identify those cancers and, as we sequence more and more cancers routinely in the clinic, it could ultimately help doctors better tailor treatments to individual patients."

The research team looked for patterns in DNA created by so-called "indel" mutations, in which letters are inserted or deleted from the normal DNA sequence.

They found unusual patterns of "indel" mutations in cancers which had faulty DNA repair mechanismsknown as "post-replicative repair dysfunction" or PRRd. Using this information, the scientists developed an algorithm called PRRDetect which allows them to identify tumors that have PRRd from a full DNA sequence.

PRRd tumors are more sensitive to immunotherapy, a type of cancer treatment that uses the body's own immune system to attack cancer cells. The scientists hope that the PRRd algorithm could act like a "metal detector" to allow them to identify patients who are more likely to have successful treatment with immunotherapy.

The study follows from a previous "archaeological dig" of cancer genomes carried out by Professor Serena Nik-Zainal. This "dig" examined the genomes of tens of thousands of people and revealed previously unseen patterns of mutations which are linked to cancer.

This time, Professor Nik-Zainal and her team looked at cancers which have a higher proportion of tumors with PRRd. These include bowel, brain, endometrial, skin, lung, bladder and stomach cancers.

Whole genome sequences of these cancers were provided by the 100,000 Genomes Projecta pioneering study led by Genomics England and NHS England which sequenced 100,000 genomes from around 85,000 NHS patients affected by rare diseases or cancer.

The study identified 37 different patterns of indel mutations across the seven cancer types included in this study. Ten of these patterns were already linked to known causes of cancer, such as smoking and exposure to UV light. Eight of these patterns were linked to PRRd. The remaining 19 patterns were new and could be linked to causes of cancer that are not fully understood yet or mechanisms within cells that can go wrong when a cell becomes cancerous.

Executive Director of Research and Innovation at Cancer Research UK, Dr. Iain Foulkes said, "Genomic medicine will revolutionize how we approach cancer treatment. We can now get full readouts of tumor DNA much more easily, and with that comes a wealth of information about how an individual's cancer can start, grow and spread.

"Tools like PRRDetect are going to make personalized treatment for cancer a reality for many more patients in the future. Personalizing treatment is much more likely to be successful, ensuring more people can live longer, better lives free from the fear of cancer."

NIHR Scientific Director, Professor Mike Lewis, said, "Cancer is a leading cause of death in the UK, so it's impressive to see our research lead to the creation of a tool to determine which therapy will lead to a higher likelihood of successful cancer treatment.

"NIHR is at the forefront of developing cancer treatments as we aim to meet the Secretary of State's goal of reducing the UK's major killers. This is yet another example of how we can work together with partners like Cancer Research UK and lead research that improves people's health outcomes, allows them to live longer and live better."

Chief Scientific Officer at Genomics England, Professor Matt Brown, said, "Genomics is playing an increasingly important role in health care and these findings show how genomic data can be used to drive more predictive, preventative care, leading to better outcomes for patients with cancer.

"The creation of this algorithm showcases the immense value of whole genome sequencing not only in research but also in the clinic across multiple diverse cancer types in advancing cancer care."

More information: Gene Ching Chiek Koh et al, A redefined InDel taxonomy provides insights into mutational signatures, Nature Genetics (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41588-025-02152-y Journal information: Nature Genetics
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Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Around 10% of underground tunnel workers in Queensland could develop silicosis, our new study has found.

Silicosis is a serious, incurable lung disease caused by inhaling small particles of silica dust. You might have heard about it in people who work with engineered stone. But silica is more widespread.

Silica is found in rocks and concrete, so workers in industries such as construction, mining and tunneling are at high risk if proper safety measures aren't in place.

When silica dust is breathed in, it gets trapped in the lungs, causing inflammation and scarring. Over time, this scarring makes it harder to breathe and can be fatal.

As symptoms of silicosis can take decades to appear, workers may not realize they're sick until long after they've started working, or even after they stop.

But silicosis is preventable.

How does silicosis affect tunnel workers?

Thousands of people are involved in tunneling projects in Australia.

Tunneling involves breaking up large amounts of silica-containing rock with heavy machinery.

Tunnel workers rely on advanced ventilation systems to provide fresh air underground, water systems to keep the rocks wet and suppress dust, and they wear respirators on their face to keep the air they breathe clean. But some people have raised concerns these measures do not always work properly.

There are also national legal limits in place for silica dust exposure, currently 0.05 milligrams per cubic meter over an eight-hour work day.

However, a media investigation last November revealed one-third of air monitoring tests from a Sydney tunnel project were above legal limits.

While air monitoring tests are required by law, the results of routine air monitoring tests are often not made public.

An expert taskforce has recently been set up in New South Wales to address the silica-related health risks for tunnel workers, promising to make high silica results above legal limits publicly available.

But while attention has been focused on tunnel workers in Sydney, the problem of lung disease in underground workers is more widespread.

Our Queensland study

The results of air monitoring tests are important because they show whether legal silica dust limits are being adhered to.

Another valuable use of this data is it can help us predict future disease risk. Instead of waiting to see how many workers develop silica-related diseases such as silicosis and lung cancer, this data can be used to estimate cases in advance.

In 2017, a Queensland parliamentary inquiry raised concerns about the health of Brisbane's tunnel workers, particularly regarding the harmful effects of exposure to silica dust.

We worked through the parliamentary inquiry documents to uncover the results of hundreds of individual air monitoring tests conducted on three major Queensland tunnel projects between 2007 and 2013.

We analyzed this data to estimate how many workers were exposed to silica dust and at what levels. We then modeled how many cases of silicosis and lung cancer would occur over the workers' lifetimes.

We estimated that in a group of around 2,000 workers involved in these Queensland tunnel projects, 200 to 300 would develop silicosis over their lifetime as a result of silica dust exposure (roughly one in every ten workers).

We also estimated between 20 to 30 workers would develop lung cancer due to their exposure.

We had limited information on workplace conditions in the specific projects, so we made a number of assumptions based on publicly available information and our own experience. These included assumptions around the use and protective nature of masks. The fact we had to make some assumptions could be a limitation of our study. Due to the lack of data transparency we don't know if these figures apply more broadly to tunnel workers throughout Australia.

Our projected rate of silicosis, 10%, is the same as the rate of silicosis recorded by a government inquiry in 1924 which investigated silicosis among workers who built Sydney's sewers.

So it doesn't seem things are any better in terms of silicosis risk in underground work than a century ago.

We need to do more to protect tunnel workers

Continued secrecy around silica dust data reduces our ability to understand the scale of the problem and respond effectively. Nonetheless, the small amount of data that has been made available supports the need for urgent action.

With Australia's ongoing infrastructure expansion, policymakers must act now. This should include enforcing stricter legal limits for silica dust exposure. There is concern among health experts that current limits don't sufficiently protect workers' health.

Policymakers should also ensure protective measures such as advanced ventilation and dust suppression systems are in place for all tunnel projects, set up national tunnel worker health surveillance, and make exposure data available to workers and the public.

There are several examples where things are done better. Internationally, Norway and Switzerland have strong systems to protect tunnel workers' health such as air and health monitoring being conducted by an independent government agency. In Switzerland, this agency also insures the project. Noncompliance results in higher insurance premiums or, in some cases, the withdrawal of insurance, effectively stopping the project.

Nationally, Australia's mining industry is more heavily regulated than tunneling, with stricter enforcement of compliance.

Without immediate intervention, thousands of tunnel workers will continue to face serious health risks and Australia will face a growing wave of preventable occupational diseases.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Almost everyone agrees that rising property taxes are a huge issue in Montana, but there's little consensus on the best way to reform the system.

Governor Greg Gianforte stopped at a Missoula ice-making business on Wednesday afternoon to make a pitch for the so-called Homestead Rate Cut, which is known in the Montana Legislature as House Bill 231. In essence, he's hoping state lawmakers heat up his preferred method.

"We put together a diverse, bipartisan group to study property taxes and the Homestead Rate Cut was their recommendation," Gianforte said. "It would lower property taxes for Montana homeowners by about 15%, and for small businesses like VW Ice by about 18%. And indirectly, it would extend to renters as well."

He said the tax cut would apply to 215,000 primary residences in the state and 32,000 small businesses.

Gianforte, a Republican, is hoping the GOP-dominated Legislature will move decisively on the issue soon. The Homestead Rate Cut passed the Montana House but hasn't passed the Senate Taxation Committee yet. Many other options to reform property taxes are also being explored, with less than 18 possible days left in the session.

"Taxes are no joke, but since we're in an ice manufacturing facility, I just thought I'd say hard-working Montanans can't afford the Legislature to put these reforms on ice," Gianforte said. "It's time to get it done."

Gianforte said he's "open to good ideas," although he still hoping HB 231 is the bill that gets to his desk.

The Lee Montana State News Bureau reported this week that property taxes rose an average of 21% the last reappraisal cycle and are set to increase 11% this year statewide.

Gianforte said the Homestead Rate Cut is better than other alternatives because it would give relief to Montana homeowners in their primary residence and would not benefit out-of-staters with second homes.

"Other proposals would shift the burden to income taxpayers to the state or would give breaks to large corporations," Gianforte said. "And I don't think that's the right approach. Again we studied this. It's a complicated problem. The Homestead Rate Cut proposal was the best idea our collective wisdom could come up with."

He noted that the task force that recommended it included county commissioners and mayors from across the state on both sides of the aisle.

Justin Iverson, a third-generation rancher from the Iverson Ranch in Potomac, said a tax cut would help his business invest in things like new equipment and fencing.

Jack Kirkland, the owner of VW Ice, said the business has seen more than a 50% increase in property taxes since 2020.

"It's been shocking," he said.

He noted that if he got a tax cut he could invest in more business equipment and perhaps add employees. The company produces 100 tons of ice per day sometimes in the hotter months, and distributes it to Montana, Idaho, Washington and Wyoming.

LaJene Foster and her husband Richard Foster are homeowners in Lolo.

"Since 2020, our property taxes on our little home, with 13 acres, have gone up over $3,000," LaJene Foster said. "We are both at retirement age. How? How are people like us supposed to continue to pay property taxes and stuff like this?"

Gianforte said "time is ticking on what's left at the Legislature."

"We still have enough time on the clock," he said.

The Homestead Rate Cut was recently taken from the table in the Senate Taxation Committee, meaning it still has a possibility of getting enough votes to pass.

DC trip

Taxes aren't the only thing on Gianforte's plate right now.

He recently traveled to Washington, D.C., to visit with members of U.S. Congress and members of President Donald Trump's Cabinet.

"I had a number of really productive meetings yesterday," Gianforte said. "I met with the chairman of the Natural Resources Committee in the House of Representatives. We talked about Forest Service management. I also had a one-on-one with the new chief of the Forest Service, Tom Schultz. I had a chance to meet with the Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins. We talked specifically about how the state could play an increased role in forest management and be more productive."

Gianforte said this is his third trip to the White House during President Trump's time in office, but he said he "couldn't get a phone call returned" from President Joe Biden.

The Missoulian asked Gianforte if he discussed how layoffs of federal workers, especially Forest Service employees, might impact Montana.

"Well, the challenge we've had with the Forest Service is, I mean, there's a lot of good, hardworking people there, but they've not been doing the work on the ground," he said. "They haven't been fighting fire, which has been a big issue for the state. And they are resource-constrained."

Gianforte hopes the state could get more involved.

"The state has resources to do some of this work," he said. "We're already managing five million acres. There are opportunities in front of us, under a 'good neighbor authority' and other programs that might exist, where the state could become a more active partner with the federal government in effective management and stewardship of our federal land so we're looking at some proposals."
Missoula City Council preliminarily approved a plan to remove a childcare facility requirement within the Ravara-Scott Street Development on Wednesday, citing a lack of a childcare provider to open up a new space.

The council committee voted 6-1 to remove the requirement, which was first agreed to in 2021 following requests from Northside residents asking for additional childcare services in the area.

The under-construction development will include both permanent affordable housing, public infrastructure for the area and a large swath of market-rate apartments, with parts of the project expected to go on the market in 2026.

"While Ravara understands that there continues to be a need for childcare, specifically 0-3 ages in our community, Ravara is not a daycare operator and was unable to secure a viable operator," development partner Kiah Hochstetler told the Missoulian in an email.

Developers for the project said they were in talks with the YMCA to run the daycare, which was envisioned as a large 6,000-square-foot facility, but no formal agreement was ever completed.

Hochstetler said the YMCA was initially identified to operate the on-site daycare, but decided against after they deemed it wouldn't be feasible to operate a second daycare in town when they have capacity available at their current location.

Hochstetler said the lower demand at YMCA is likely a result of new early literacy programs that are required under state law and allow children as young as 4 to receive after-school childcare through Missoula County Public Schools.

"Basically those changes mean there is much less demand for school-age daycare," said Hochstetler.

City Strategic Projects Administrator John Adams said the childcare facility requirement also started slowing down the developers' ability to finalize a design for the project's commercial space.

"The city has long had interest in having a daycare facility as a part of our development at Scott Street ... but the daycare environment changed quite a bit in the last 18 months, with a substantial number of school-age kids shifting to after-school care through Missoula County Public Schools," Adams said.

Hochstetler said after YMCA said they could not operate the center, the Ravara developers then looked to partner with the city's Parks and Recreation Department to open up a city-run childcare facility that could be used for youth programming, but found that option would results in raising taxes.

The developers said they had been searching for a different provider for the space as early as fall 2024.

Childcare demand

One private childcare provider told the Missoulian demand for the service is still high across the city, especially within the Northside and Westside neighborhoods.

Imagination Station is one of the only licensed daycares in Missoula's Northside neighborhood and has a waitlist of approximately two to three years, according to longtime owner Elena Caplis.

Caplis said the Northside would benefit from additional childcare services, especially for the new families who might move into the Ravara development once it's completed.

"Where are all of these new children going to go?" Caplis questioned in a Wednesday phone call.

She noted that current after-school programs are meant for children age 4 and up, and those options are still limited by capacity. She said there is an especially high demand for infants through 3 year olds in the city.

Demand for daycares has long surpassed the supply of childcare, according to a 2020 study from the Montana Department of Labor and Industry.

While council gave initial approval to remove the requirement, some expressed disappointment for the loss to the neighborhood, which is geographically isolated from many services in the city.

City Council President Amber Sherill told the Missoulian she is sad the daycare element will not be included, but said the bigger-picture development of adding affordable housing needed to move forward.

"We thought (the daycare) is something not only desired by the community but would also be helpful for them," Sherrill said. "but if they don't have people who are willing to (operate it), it still is affordable housing and we still need to get the thing done."

Sherrill said there could be multiple factors for the decline in daycare demand, like general population decline.

Councilor Bob Campbell, who voted to use public funds for the project, said the childcare center was a main reason for him to approve the project in 2024.

He said residents still need childcare and questioned whether demand would increase once the new housing units come online.

"It has the feeling of bait-and-switch to me, to be frank," Campbell said.

Campbell did vote to approve the removal on Wednesday after voicing his concerns. Councilor Daniel Carlino was the only member to oppose the change.

Councilor Gwen Jones rebutted that while it is disappointing that the childcare facility is not working, she argued that adding a childcare facility now would go against current market conditions.

"This one component is just not working with the private market," Jones said.

The council will make a final decision on the removal on April 14.
Rather than give terminally ill patients another shot of morphine, why not offer them injections of mercy and grace instead?

That was the question posed by Rep. Tracy Sharp, a Republican from Polson, on the House floor Wednesday as he spoke against a bill that would have made it illegal for Montana physicians to prescribe lethal drugs to dying patients.

What I find missing in the conversation, I think, can be summed up in one word  and that word is 'mercy,' Sharp said.

Senate Bill 136 fell short on a bipartisan 42-57 vote after making its way through the Montana Senate and the House Judiciary Committee, the furthest along any effort to ban whats known as medical aid in dying has made it in more than a decade at the state Legislature.

A 2009 Montana Supreme Court decision created a legal grey area around the use of lethal drugs for terminally ill patients. Justices declined to weigh in on whether Montanans have a constitutional right to physician-assisted death, ruling only that patient consent could be used as a defense if a doctor were to be accused of homicide.

Since then, the practice has continued in Montana but without the legal legitimacy it enjoys in the nearly 10 other states where aid in dying has been affirmed as a right.

This session is the third time Republican Sen. Carl Glimm of Kila has sponsored a bill to close the loophole and exercise the Legislatures power to provide clarity around the state Supreme Court ruling. SB 136 had more legs than any of his past attempts, but still not enough to clear the final hurdle.

Supporters of the bill such as Rep. Randyn Gregg, R-White Sulphur Springs, said prohibiting medical aid in dying was necessary to affirm the sanctity of life and prevent people from choosing this option because they feel hopeless or burdensome.

That is not compassion, Gregg said. Thats playing God.

As lawmakers heard the bill throughout its legislative journey, they were confronted with personal and touching stories about end-of-life care.

People shared how they had held the hands of loved ones, who peacefully said goodbye on the day, and in the place, of their own choosing. A number of people with terminal diagnoses of their own  ALS and metastatic pancreatic cancer, for example  stood at the podium and asked the Legislature to give them the freedom to forego the inevitable pain and suffering their deaths would otherwise bring.

John Lawrence Ashmore, 83, from Seeley Lake, was diagnosed with metastasizing prostate cancer, for which there is no cure. Because of his terminal diagnosis, he has spent much more time thinking about the way he wants his life to end  short and relatively painless with some advance warning, if possible.

Suicide is for people who no longer want to live, Ashmore said at a committee hearing. I want to live. I just know that very shortly I will not.

Medical aid in dying is an option only available to adults with terminal diagnoses and less than six months to live. Two physicians must sign off, and the patient must request the prescription twice. If a patient has a mental illness or is experiencing severe financial difficulty, then they arent considered a candidate.

Rep. Melody Cunningham, a Missoula Democrat who is also a palliative care pediatrician, shared her own experience supporting families through these painful moments.

I have had the sacred honor and privilege of being at the bedside with unimaginable numbers of patients and families as they have said goodbye to their loved ones passing from this world to the next, Cunningham said on the House floor Wednesday. I can attest that even exquisite comfort care cannot always achieve comfort.

The Legislature did not go as far as to affirm the constitutional right of Montanans to access medically-assisted suicide. A proposal from Rep. Julie Darling, R-Helena, that would have made it explicitly legal failed to advance from the House Judiciary Committee earlier this session.

As such, the status quo, described by Glimm as fuzzy, persists.
As many as 11 non-banking finance companies (NBFCs) have surrendered their registration certificates to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), while the regulator cancelled the registration of six NBFCs for reasons such as exiting the business and ceasing to be legal entities due to amalgamation, merger, dissolution or voluntary strike-off.

The NBFCs whose registrations have been cancelled by RBI include: Tamil Nadu-based Thamiraparani Investments Pvt Ltd, Aramusk Infrastructure Investments Ltd, and Viswapriya Gold Hire Purchase Ltd (now known as Viswapriya Finance Ltd, as per MCA records), as well as Matrix Financial Services Ltd. The list also includes Unitara Finance Ltd from Madhya Pradesh and Well Fin Securities Ltd from Gujarat.

RBI has not given any specific reason for cancelling the registration of these four NBFIs. Its statement merely says, "...in the exercise of powers conferred on it under section 45-IA (6) of the RBI Act, 1934, has cancelled the certificate of registration...As such, the above companies shall not transact the business of a non-banking financial institution -NBFI, as defined in clause (a) of Section 45-I of the RBI Act."

The 11 NBFCs who have surrendered their registration include six from Maharashtra, three from Karnataka and one each from Assam and Telangana.

According to RBI, eight NBFCs surrendered their registration certificates after deciding to exit from the NBFC business. Following corporate actions such as amalgamation, dissolution, merger or voluntary strike-off, three NBFCs ceased operations.

Maharashtra-based Hinduja Finance Ltd and Whitegold Holdings Pvt Ltd surrendered their registration certificate. RBI issued an order to cancel their registration on 7 March 2025 and 13 March 2025, respectively.

RBI says the registration certificates of Maharashtrabased Rutgers Investment and Trading Company Pvt Ltd and Digikredit Finance Pvt Ltd are cancelled from 28 March 2025.

Joindre Finance Pvt Ltd and Jasol Investment & Trading Co Pvt Ltd, also based in Maharashtra, had their registration issued on 31 August 2006 and 26 May 1998, respectively. However, RBI issued an order to cancel their registration on 17 March 2025.

Ekagrata Finance Pvt Ltd, Ezcred Pvt Ltd and Lamina Leasing and Finance Ltd from Karnataka also decided to exit the business and surrender their registration to RBI.

The central bank issued another order for cancelling the registration certificate of Assam-based SM Management Pvt Ltd.

Trident Microfin Pvt Ltd from Telangana have surrendered their registration certificate and RBI has issued an order to cancel their registration on 26 March 2025.
The Supreme Court recently reiterated that since economic offences are a class apart, they must be viewed seriously and anticipatory bail should be granted sparingly in such cases.

A Bench of Justices Bela Trivedi and Prasanna B Varale made the observation while setting aside anticipatory bail granted to various persons accused in the Adarsh Group of Companies scam.

The Court said that individuals accused of such offences, especially those who evade the law or obstruct the execution of warrants, should not be granted anticipatory bail.

It is no more res integra that economic offences constitute a class apart, as they have deep rooted conspiracies involving huge loss of public funds, and therefore such offences need to be viewed seriously. They are considered as grave and serious offences affecting the economy of the country as a whole and thereby posing serious threats to the financial health of the country," the judgment read.

By way of background, the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) had investigated 125 companies linked to the Adarsh Group, controlled by businessman Mukesh Modi and his associates.

The probe was launched under the directions of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. It revealed that the Adarsh Credit Co-operative Society Ltd (ACCSL), a multi-state credit cooperative society, had illegally disbursed loans worth 1,700 crores to its own group companies and other entities, thereby violating regulatory norms.

A criminal complaint was filed before the Special Court, Gurugram, against 181 accused, including directors and key functionaries of these companies.

The Special Court issued bailable and non-bailable warrants (NBWs) against the accused, but many failed to appear, leading to proclamation proceedings under Section 82 (to declare them absconders) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. Their attempts at obtaining anticipatory bail from the Special Court failed.

However, they secured anticipatory bail from the Punjab and Haryana High Court between March and April 2023. This prompted the SFIO to move the Supreme Court challenging the orders granting anticipatory bail. On April 9, the top court set aside the High Court orders.

Anticipatory Bail Not a Right in Grave Economic Offences

The Supreme Court emphasised that anticipatory bail cannot be granted as a matter of routine, particularly in cases where the accused has avoided summons and concealed their presence to obstruct legal proceedings.

The law aids only the abiding and certainly not its resistants ... When a person is evading the process of law after cognisance is taken and warrants are issued, the privilege of anticipatory bail should not be extended to them," the Court said.

Twin Conditions for Bail Under Companies Act Must Be Met

The Court reaffirmed that offences under Section 447 are cognizable and subject to twin conditions for bail under Section 212(6) of the Companies Act.

The twin conditions here refer to (i) opportunity for the public prosecutor to oppose bail and (ii) reasonable grounds for the court to believe that the accused is not guilty and not likely to reoffend.

These twin conditions are mandatory in nature, the Court reiterated.

The Court also noted that in Vijay Madanlal Choudhary v. Union of India , similar twin conditions in the Prevention of Money Launder Act (PMLA) were upheld.

"They are applicable even in the anticipatory bail proceedings," the Court observed further.

High Court are "Perverse and Untenable"

The Court expressed strong disapproval of the High Courts decision to grant anticipatory bail to the accused, despite repeated issuance of non-bailable warrants and the initiation of proclamation proceedings by the Special Court.

Such orders being in the teeth of the settled legal position...would fall into the category of perverse orders and therefore untenable at law, the judgment held.

It was noted that the High Court had failed to properly consider the detailed proceedings of the Special Court, thereby undermining the due process of law.

In none of the impugned orders, the High Court has bothered to look into the proceedings conducted, and the detailed orders passed by the Special Court for securing the presence of the Respondents  Accused. It cannot be gainsaid that the judicial time of every court, even of Magistrates Court is as precious and valuable as that of the High Courts and the Supreme Court. The accused are duty bound to cooperate the trial courts in proceeding further with the cases and bound to remain present in the Court as and when required by the Court," the Supreme Court said.

Evasion of Law is Obstruction of Justice

The judgment further underscored that non-compliance with court orders and attempts to evade legal proceedings amounted to obstruction of justice.

Disobeying the orders of the Court and trying to delay the proceedings by hook or crook certainly amounts to interference with the administration of justice, the Court stated.

It added that the grant of anticipatory bail in such circumstances is certainly not the rule, especially when the accused have shown no intent to cooperate with the trial court.

The Court proceeded to allow the SFIO's appeals and directed the accused to surrender before the Special Court within a week. Their bail applications, the Bench added, would be decided in accordance with law.

However, the pleas challenging anticipatory bail given to certain accused, namely Akshat Singh, Naveen Kumar, and Mahesh Dutt Sharma were dismissed as the lower court had granted them anticipatory bail.
There are 121 private and charitable hospitals in Pune which are on the panel of the contributory medical assistance scheme under the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC)s health department and Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital is one of them. Hence, the health department of the PMC is bound by the pro-active disclosures under Section 4 of the Right to Information (RTI) Act and compelled to update information at regular intervals, on its website www.pmc.gov.in

Besides this Hospital, all other charitable hospitals come under the transparency law but in Pune, none adhere to it. As RTI expert and former director of the RTI cell of Yashada, Pralhad Kachare, informs in no uncertain terms, All charitable hospitals are under the purview of RTI Act 2005. They must proactively disclose the number of beds they have and daily position of 10% reserved for concessional treatment and 10% beds free for those weakest patients of society. In fact, the charity commissioner and local authorities must develop an online portal where this can be updated on real-time basis along with other details of the hospitals, including fees and charges.

If you click on the PMCs health department, you will find a list of private hospitals along with contact numbers, on its website www.pmc.gov.in

States RTI activist Vijay Kumbhar, PMC is also required to ensure compliance with health regulations, by inspecting the hospitals at least twice a year. Besides, it is mandatory to appoint a special medical officer to monitor whether the 20% beds and treatment reserved for the poor category are being adhered to. More importantly, whether these hospitals flout norms in terms of taking advance money before treatment. However, no attempt or action has been taken to regulate the hospitals that get precious land for free or at a throwaway price from the government.

Mr Kumbhar, who has procured the terms and conditions laid down by the state government for the Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital, informs that The hospital must provide 30% beds for complete free treatment to poor patients; another 30% beds at no profit, no loss basis and 100% of the patients must be operated or treated as per the rate of the government hospitals in Pune. Clearly, these conditions were violated.

Taking advance for emergency medical treatment is a strict no-no as per the charity commissions rules but they are violated allegedly by all such hospitals. Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital is presently in the eye of the storm for demanding Rs10 lakh advance from the family of the patient who was in distress with bleeding and labour pain.

At a press conference, Dr Dhananjay Kelkar, director of the Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital, admitted that Rs10 lakh was demanded on the Hospital form, despite the rule that no advance during medical emergency should be taken, it being a charitable hospital.

The website of the charity commissioner of Maharashtra www.charity.maharashtra.gov.in clearly states the following under `Hospital Scheme:

* The public Charitable Trust shall be under legal obligation to reserve and earmark 10% of the total number of operational beds for indigent patients and provide medical treatment to the indigent patients free of cost and reserve and earmark 10% of the total number of operational beds at concessional rate to the weaker section patients as per the provisions of section 41AA of the B. P. T. Act.

* In emergency, the Charitable Hospitals must admit the patient immediately and provide to the patient Essential Medical Facilities for all life-saving emergency treatment and procedure till stabilisation. Further transportation to the public hospital would be arranged by such Charitable Hospital, if necessary. The Charitable Hospital, shall not ask for any deposit in case of admission of emergency patients. (The Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital clearly faulted in the case of medical emergency patient, Tanisha Bhise, a young mother-to-be, with labour pains in the seventh month of pregnancy bearing twins.)

Dr Mahesh Zagade, former principal secretary of Maharashtra and former municipal commissioner of Pune, elaborates on the number of government agencies which are in charge of ensuring that private and charitable hospitals follow the conditions but no one plays the responsible role. When contacted by Moneylife, he pointed out to the following vital points:

The revenue department, that is the collector, in this case the Pune collector, when the land is allocated to the hospital, stipulates certain conditions to ensure that it does not become a commercial outfit. It also stipulates the percentage of free treatment which could vary from 30% to 50%. He is responsible to check every year whether the conditions are fulfilled or not and take corrective measures. If he fails, it is the duty of the Pune divisional commissioner to intervene and seek action.



As per the Maharashtra Nursing Home Act, the local authorities, in this case the Pune municipal commissioner, should check if hospitals are precisely following the terms and conditions required for a charitable hospital. Otherwise, he should issue notice and take appropriate action. Needless to say, suo motu disclosures under Section 4 of the RTI Act like availability of beds in all these hospitals must be updated daily.



As for the charity commissioner, under Section 41A (a) of the Act, there has been a special addition in the law pertaining to charitable hospitals which states that 10% of the beds is for poor people earning below Rs1.8 lakh per annum in which the entire treatment comes completely free. In the other category which earns below Rs3.6 lakh per annum, the patients have to be charged 50% of the commercial rates of the hospital.



Besides, there is a legislative committee headed by the state minister of health to review the functioning of the hospitals at regular intervals, a committee under the additional civil surgeon and a district-level committee headed by two MLAs. However, none of these committees functions.

Maharashtra has 554 charitable hospitals. Thus, if you take 20% free treatment patients, it comes to 11,500-odd beds available for the treatment of the poor, but such hospitals have forgotten to adhere to these norms. Rues Dr Zagade, The law is robust but it is a collective failure of all the heads of local and state authorities as well as heads of the committees.

Rahul Singh, former state information commissioner of Madhya Pradesh, says, Information related to the health sector deserves to be proactively disclosed under section 4 of the RTI Act, given its direct and critical bearing on public health. This is a government-regulated sector  from the registration of doctors and hospitals to treatment protocols and compliance mechanisms  every aspect is governed by statutory norms. Citizens have an unquestionable right to know where they are receiving treatment, under what conditions, and whether hospitals are complying with applicable medical regulations.

He further adds, While going through the profile of Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital, I came across a crucial detail  the hospital has been constructed on land donated by the government. This fact alone places the institution within the domain of public accountability and transparency. When a private or charitable hospital is established on government land or receives substantial indirect aid from the state  such as land at concessional rates or tax benefits  it assumes a public character and is legally obligated to adhere to the principles of the Right to Information Act, particularly the proactive disclosure requirements under section 4.

The public has an undeniable right to know about the services they are receiving, whether hospitals are violating any rules, and the extent to which these institutions are complying with medical, ethical, and regulatory norms. This includes disclosure of land allotment terms, patient rights, obligations under the charity commissioners directives, and adherence to public health standards.

As per noted Mumbai RTI activist Anil Galgali, With reference to the Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital incident, lack of transparency enabled the hospital to allegedly flout norms without public scrutiny. The charity commissioner failed to make hospital compliance reports or audits accessible, despite being the licensing authority for charitable trusts. The PMC and state health department failed to disclose inspection findings, quota utilisation, and enforcement mechanisms. Ultimately, patients and their families suffered, unaware of their rights or the obligations of the hospital under its charitable status.

The non-compliance with section 4 under the RTI Act 2005 by these public authorities shows systemic failure in ensuring transparency and accountability. In the Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital case, it reflects a breach of public trust and points to an urgent need for reforms, proactive disclosures, and digital publication of hospital audit data, charitable quota usage, and inspection reports.

As per a news report of January 2025 in Pune Pulse, an online city daily, PMC officials conducted inspections at ten private hospitals registered under the Bombay Nursing Home Registration Act 1949. The drive aims to ensure compliance with the Bombay Nursing Home Registration Act and the Maharashtra Nursing Home Registration (Amendment) Rules, 2021. A total of 850 nursing homes and hospitals in the city will be covered during this period. However, the report of this survey has not been uploaded on the PMC website, despite it coming under section 4 of the RTI Act, requiring the civic body to make this data, which is of larger public interest, transparent.

Mr Kumbhar says, The health department of the Maharashtra state government and the PMC are bound by the law of the RTI Act to disclose and regularly update on their websites - the list of registered hospitals, inspection reports, compliance status, and any actions taken against non-compliant facilities. It should also upload financial details related to subsidies or grants. However, the PMC has not even appointed the special officer who is supposed to monitor them. The PMC, the charity commission and the state health department are all responsible for being negligent in monitoring and not being transparent by putting up information required under section 4 of the RTI Act.

The charity commissioner must monitor trust deeds, reviewing them from time to time, conducting annual audits, in fact, ensuring that they continue to abide by the charitable norms, as usually, the land for such hospitals is given free or at a negligible cost to the hospital management. In the case of the Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital, the six acres of land was given completely free of cost. In the month of February 2025, the hospital was provided a large free parking space area by the PMC at a rent of Rs1 per year.

Mr Singh concludes, Proactive disclosure is not just a statutory requirement  it is a constitutional necessity when public interest and health are at stake. Any attempt to withhold such information compromises citizen safety and weakens institutional accountability. Transparency compels hospitals to maintain compliance and allows citizens to assess their conduct, ultimately protecting public welfare.

Therefore, institutions like Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital  built on public land and regulated by public authorities  must comply with Section 4 of the RTI Act. Public bodies overseeing such institutions must not only furnish information when asked but also proactively publish critical details that serve the public interest.
BYJU's Alpha Inc, a Delaware-based special purpose vehicle created to manage US$1.5bn (billion) in term loan B proceeds, has filed a lawsuit in the US against Byju Raveendran, co-founder and former chief executive officer (CEO) of BYJU's, along with his wife and co-founder Divya Gokulnath, and senior executive Anita Kishore. The suit accuses the trio of orchestrating a 'web of deception' to misappropriate US$533mn (million) in loan funds.

The legal action follows a damning ruling by the US Bankruptcy Court in Delaware which previously affirmed that multiple fraudulent transfers and acts of conversioneffectively thefthad occurred. BYJU's Alpha now seeks compensation and accountability from Byju Raveendran and his alleged co-conspirators.

"This action is being brought to now hold Byju Raveendran, the former CEO of BYJU's Alpha, and two more of his co-conspirators  namely his co-founder and close business associate  accountable for their roles in masterminding the theft of more than half a billion dollars," says the group of lenders to BYJU's Alpha.

The lawsuit outlines a detailed timeline of alleged fund diversion. It begins with Alpha's default on its loan agreement in early 2022, followed by a series of transfers totalling US$533mn to Camshaft Capital, a questionable hedge fund operating out of the same address as a pancake restaurant. The transfers, supposedly in exchange for a limited partnership interest, were later rerouted through various shell companies and offshore trusts.

"By March 2023, despite being stripped of authority by the lenders, Byju Raveendran and Anita Kishore allegedly attempted to transfer the Camshaft LP interest to a non-guarantor affiliate, Inspilearn LLC, without any consideration. On the same day that Alpha filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in February 2024, the interest was further transferred to an offshore trust and later moved again to an unnamed foreign subsidiary," the lawsuit says.

The lawsuit further alleges that Byju Raveendran, Divya Gokulnath and Anita Kishore gave conflicting and misleading statements over the course of two years regarding the whereabouts of the Alpha Funds. "Initially, BYJU's claimed the money was 'safely parked' in high-security US investments. Later, Byju Raveendran admitted under oath that 'the entirety' of the funds 'had been spent' and conceded that the company's strategy to shield the money from creditors 'has not gone right'."

"It is impossible to square Byju Raveendran's representations with his repeated statements to the Court, investors, the public, and the lenders over the prior two years," the lenders stated. "Either Byju Raveendran has consistently lied about the whereabouts of the Alpha Funds, or he violated a court order. It cannot be both."

The legal action seeks a variety of remedies, including damages for breach of fiduciary duty, civil conspiracy, conversion, and misrepresentation. BYJU's Alpha is also requesting a full accounting of the funds, reimbursement of legal costs and any additional relief deemed appropriate by the court.

This case represents a dramatic escalation in the long-running financial and legal troubles facing BYJU's, once hailed as India's leading EdTech unicorn. The Delaware lawsuit could have serious consequences for the company's leadership and marks another chapter in what lenders describe as a concerted effort to evade responsibility for missing investor funds.

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Leaders of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), including Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), DMK, CPI(M), and Samajwadi Party, have collectively demanded the immediate repeal of a controversial clause in the recently enacted Digital Personal Data Protection Act, warning it effectively guts India's landmark Right to Information (RTI) legislation.

At a press briefing in New Delhi, Congress member of Parliament (MP) and deputy leader in the Lok Sabha, Gaurav Gogoi, flanked by senior alliance leaders, revealed that a joint petition signed by over 120 Opposition MPs is being submitted to the Union ministry of electronics and information technology (MeitY), urging the removal of Section 44(3) of the Data Protection Act. At a press briefing in New Delhi, Congress member of Parliament (MP) and deputy leader in the Lok Sabha, Gaurav Gogoi, flanked by senior alliance leaders, revealed that a joint petition signed by over 120 Opposition MPs is being submitted to the Union ministry of electronics and information technology (MeitY), urging the removal of Section 44(3) of the Data Protection Act.

"This clause delivers a draconian blow to the citizens' right to know. It overrides the public interest safeguard enshrined in Section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act," Mr Gogoi says, highlighting that personal information that may be relevant to public scrutinysuch as government contractscan now be withheld outright.

, - Section 44(3), RTI Section 8(1)(j)



RTI Act RTI  pic.twitter.com/iB5azPPeur  Congress (@INCIndia) April 10, 2025

The provision, introduced at the final stage of the Bill's passage in Parliament last year, escaped debate due to the simultaneous no-confidence motion on Manipur, the Congress leader added. "This amendment was neither discussed in the joint parliamentary committee (JPC) nor disclosed transparently. It was inserted surreptitiously, and we believe, with malicious intent."

Representatives from multiple parties, including Priyanka Chaturvedi (Shiv Sena), John Brittas (CPI-M), and Javed Ali (SP), joined Mr Gogoi in asserting that this is not merely a partisan issue but one that affects journalists, civil society, and citizens alike.

"The Act's Section 44(3) effectively reverses the RTI regime. Earlier, if the information is in public interesteven if personalit had to be disclosed. Now, the clause says there is 'no obligation' to provide any personal data, regardless of its relevance to accountability or governance," said Mr Brittas, who also served on the JPC.

Civil society groups, privacy experts and RTI activists reportedly played a key role in catalysing the joint petition, which carries signatures from senior leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav and TR Baalu.

The INDIA alliance argues that the RTI Act represents the soul of participatory democracy and curbing it not only stifles transparency but also weakens press freedom and citizen oversight.

Ms Chaturvedi raised concerns about the impact on journalism. "This change threatens the very tool used by reporters to uncover corruption or misuse of power," she says, adding that similar apprehensions have been voiced by journalists' unions and media watchdogs.

The leaders insisted that repealing Section 44(3) would not compromise the core objectives of the Data Protection Act but would ensure critical checks and balances remain intact.

Asked about the next steps if the government fails to act, Mr Gogoi responded: "We hope to engage constructively. But if the government does not respond positively, further actions will be deliberated."

"The BJP's view is that the government has all the rights, and citizens merely have duties," Mr Gogoi says. "But our vision of democracy is the oppositerights rest with the people, and the government must be held accountable."
Continuing with their tariff-tariff games, US president Donald Trump hit China with a 125% tariff after China retaliated with an 84% tariff on all US goods imported into that country. In a significant shift in trade policy, president Trump also announced a 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs for all countries except China.



In a post on X, president Trump says, "At some point, hopefully in the near future, China will realise that the days of ripping off the US and other countries is no longer sustainable or acceptable."



"...these countries have not, at my strong suggestion, retaliated in any way, shape, or form against the US, I have authorised a 90-day PAUSE, and a substantially lowered reciprocal tariff during this period, of 10%, also effective immediately," he added.



The announcement came shortly after new levies took effect against around 60 of America's trading partners. President Trump stated he was authorising a universal 'lowered reciprocal tariff of 10%' as trade negotiations continued.



Simultaneously, the US president raised tariffs on Chinese goods to 125%, citing what he described as a 'lack of respect' from Beijing. The move followed China's announcement that it would impose tariffs of 84% on US imports in response to earlier US measures.

Based on the lack of respect that China has shown to the World's Markets, I am hereby raising the Tariff charged to China by the United States of America to 125%, effective immediately. At some point, hopefully in the near future, China will realise that the days of ripping off  Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) April 9, 2025

The development comes one week after the administration introduced import taxes on all goods entering the US, marking what the White House described as the most substantial overhaul of international trade in decades.



Under the plan, a baseline tariff of 10% on all imports remains in place. Higher tariffs were also announced on nations labelled as the 'worst offenders', including the European Union (EU), Vietnam, South Africa and others. These tariffs range from 11% to over 100%.



Initially, China was set to face a 34% tariff increase as part of president Trump's reciprocal tariffs package. However, after Beijing refused to withdraw its promise to impose 34% retaliatory tariffs on US goods, Mr Trump escalated the situation by adding another 50% in duties. This brings the total tariff increase on China to a staggering 84%. With the impending tariff of 104%, China now retaliated with an 84% tariff from 34% on all US goods imported into that country.



According to China's finance ministry the new tariff charges (of 84%) will take effect from midnight on 10th April. China has accused US of bullying practices after president Trump imposed 104% duties on Chinese goods.



White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that countries like China, who have chosen to retaliate and try to double down on their mistreatment of American workers, are making a mistake.



Earlier, China's ministry of commerce said it firmly opposes the additional 50% tariffs on Chinese imports, calling it a mistake upon a mistake. The ministry vowed to escalate its retaliation on US exports.
Downtown Davenport businesses, residents and visitors are likely to see more uniformed police officers on foot in the coming months.

The Downtown Davenport Partnership, with funds from grants and businesses, is paying off-duty, uniformed police officers to do foot patrols in the downtown area during the day.

The pilot program launched March 24 and is expected to cost $65,000 for one year. The goal, said Downtown Davenport Partnership Executive Director Kyle Carter, is for officers to maintain a visible presence in the downtown, check-in with businesses, and connect individuals with service providers, such as Vera French or Humility Homes, if needed.

We started to think more about, OK how can we provide what a lot of people are looking for, which is a greater sense of both public safety and addressing some of the real needs of people experiencing on-street issues? Carter said.

Working in pairs, officers walk, bicycle or drive ATVs around about 52 square blocks of downtown Davenport that are part of the Downtown Davenport Partnership.

Officers do patrols for about three hours during weekday afternoons and early evenings. Fifteen officers so far have been selected and agreed to do extra off-duty patrols. Once a week, a representative from Vera French Mental Health Center joins, too.

Using a phone provided by the Partnership, officers track their interactions with businesses, residents and any referrals or arrests they make.

Carter said they will collect the data and at the end of the year to evaluate the effectiveness of the extra patrols.

Whats driving this?

A recent citizen survey conducted every two years by the city of Davenport found just 47% of respondents felt safe in downtown. Thats compared to 83% who said they feel safe in their neighborhoods and 73% who said they feel safe in city facilities.

Seeing officers out and about downtown, advocates hope, will help change that perception, deter crime, and build connections with people who live, visit, and do business downtown.

Also, more people in the Quad-Cities are experiencing homelessness, according to area nonprofits, and more people have been congregating in the downtowns near service providers.

In 2020, the Partnership hired their own downtown ambassadors to roam downtown Davenport looking for people to help, from recommending restaurants for visitors to working with people experiencing homelessness or mental health or substance abuse issues.

But, without being part of a larger social service network, they found the social services work challenging, and the ambassadors quickly burned out.

What we quickly learned  is that work is really hard, Carter said. And that established social service providers, particularly Vera French and Humility are a lot better at it than we are.

The Partnership met with Vera French, Humility Homes and Services and the police department, and came to the idea to do more public safety patrols downtown, privately funded, on top of what social services agencies are doing to offer that extra security.

Humility Homes, for example, employs a street outreach person who dedicates about 20 hours to downtown Davenport.

What happens during a patrol?

Officers walk in and talk with business owners and managers about their needs, talk with people on the street, respond to medical emergencies and public disturbances, and take people to social service agencies if needed.

On a recent patrol, officers saw two people on the street being loud and acting lovey-dovey. Davenport Lieutenant Dennis Colclasure, along with another officer, talked to them and went on with their patrol duties. Within an hour, when the officers came back to the same area, they were lying motionless.

Ive done this 27 years, and you dont just go from that normal to just completely out of it, Colclasure said.

Officers called the fire department, and a fire truck and ambulance pulled up to the curb. Responders used NARCAN, a naloxone nasal spray, which can treat a narcotic overdose, and took them to the hospital.

We talked to them the next day and they were good to go, Colclasure said. But they were in a really bad spot before.

In another example, Colclasure said another officer participating in the program identified through his patrols individuals that Colclasure said are well known car burglars. Officers made the arrest while the individuals were downtown, Colclasure said.

In the first couple weeks, officers have made three arrests.

But, both Colclasure and Carter said a high number of arrests or citations is not the goal.

The officers role specifically is primarily presence  getting to know people, both businesses and those on the street and opening more windows of opportunity for communication, Carter said. And yes, occasionally theyre going to make an arrest.

Rock Island launched similar program in 2024

Davenport is modeling its program after ones in Rock Island and Des Moines.

In March 2024, the Rock Island Downtown Alliance started paying for uniformed off-duty Rock Island Police officers to do proactive, community-building patrols in the downtown area, Alliance Executive Director Jack Cullen said. Extra patrols were an early goal of the downtown special service area when it was formed in 2022.

The Special Service Area, managed by the Downtown Alliance, is the primary funding source that pays the officers and funded a utility vehicle for the Rock Island Police Department to do patrols.

Officers in Rock Island use a mobile app to log their activities and work with Alliance Operations Manager DeAndre Robinson and an ambassador, whose roles includes assisting people downtown experiencing homelessness, substance abuse and mental illness.

For about the first year of the program, 18 officers signed up for 187 shifts, totaling 748 patrol hours, 1,508 public safety logs including 1,241 business and building checks, according to data from the Alliance. Also, there were 536 street outreach logs, 344 encounters, and 191 service referrals to agencies such as Christian Care, Project NOW, and Robert Young Mental Health Center.

"The goal of this program is to strengthen police presence, enhance public safety and improve the overall quality of life and experience in Downtown Rock Island, Cullen said.

Our business owners and other stakeholders value the extra patrol and helpful eyes, ears and boots on the ground.

What do others think?

Ashley Velez, the executive director of Humility Homes and Services, said the approach officers and the Partnership envision is person-focused, brings private and public resources together, and allows police to be a helping hand rather than be seen in only a negative way.

The extra patrols will also build on street outreach work Humility is currently doing.

Velez and others have told local governments that the number of people who are living unsheltered in the Quad-Cities is at an all-time high. Velez said in 2024, the point in time count found eight people sleeping outside in Scott County with about five people in the downtown. In 2025, that number rose to 35 people in the county and 15 people in downtown Davenport.

Theres more to it then extra patrols. Theres a lack of affordable housing and mental health resources, but the data the Partnership will be tracking will help inform efforts by the nonprofits.

And more interactions, Velez said, will allow more touchpoints with people who may need or want services.

If they dont know who we are, this lets them know what our services are and offers the reinforcement of hey we want to help you, we want to house you. You living on the street is not the best for the community or best for you, Velez said. Were sending a message that this is a systemic issue and we want to get people into the correct services.

The additional officers have only been on the ground a couple weeks, but Carter said anecdotally, hes heard from about five or six businesses that were elated to see uniformed officers on foot that they could speak to.

Bill Collins is one of those business owners. Owner of Me & Billy's, Collins said he's been excited about a program like this. The two main benefits Collins says he sees are that the presence of officers makes people feel more comfortable coming downtown and makes the bad actors feel nervous.

"The goal is not to put people in jail. The goal is people that want help can get it, and the other goal is the public safety factor and the impression that people can get from that public safety presence," Collins said.
The Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) is facing questions from the National Assemblys Public Investments Committee on Commercial Affairs and Energy about major delays in the Likoni Bridge project in Nairobi County.

A report from the Auditor General reveals that this bridge, which was supposed to be completed in a year, is still unfinished four years past its deadline.

This project is part of a larger effort to upgrade the Nairobi Lot 2 area, including sections of Shreeji and Enterprise Roads, with a budget of Ksh892.6 million. Yet, only 86% of the work is done, and a Performance-Based Contract (PBC) for maintenance, costing Ksh13,250,790, is also pending.

During a site visit, David Pkosing, the committees chairperson, stressed the importance of government projects sticking to their timelines and delivering value to the public. Every government project should be completed within the required timeline and be useful to the people of Kenya, Pkosing pointed out.

Eng Silas Kinoti, Director General of KURA, defended the current progress, stating that most major tasks are finished, with only a 0.18 km overlay remaining. He mentioned that adjustments were necessary due to new requirements from the Kenya Railways Corporation, which affected the projects scope.

Lawmakers are urging KURA and the Kenya Railways Corporation to work together on funding the bridge expansion, which wasnt included in the original budget. The committee has set a deadline for completion by June 2025, considering the railway corporations need to raise the bridge height to 7.1 meters.

These infrastructure projects, initiated during former President Uhuru Kenyattas administration, aim to ease traffic congestion in Nairobis Industrial Area.
Thousands of KCSE 2024 students who missed out on scoring at least a D+ in Mathematics may now face challenges in pursuing their dreams of becoming teachers. This years performance means many hopeful candidates wont qualify for Diploma or Bachelor of Education courses at Kenyan universities.

The numbers paint a clear picture: students who aspire to study Education Science need a minimum C plain in Mathematics, while those eyeing Bachelor of Education Arts require at least a D+.

Overall, to enroll in any education degree or diploma program, a student must have at least a C+ mean grade and meet additional criteria, including a C plain in English for Science courses and at least C+ in two teaching subjects.

For candidates interested in teaching the visually and hearing impaired, the benchmark is slightly differenta minimum mean grade of C plain, with at least a C minus in English, a C minus in Mathematics for Science-related courses, and a D plain in Mathematics for non-science options.

In the recently concluded KCSE exams, 246,391 candidates secured a C+ and above, qualifying directly for university admission or diploma courses in education.

Aspiring teachers must also understand that registering with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) is mandatory before stepping into any classroom. The TSC, governed by the Constitution and TSC Act, ensures teachers are thoroughly vetted and qualified.

The registration process is simple but strict. Applicants should apply online via the TSC portal at www.teachersonline.go.ke, upload their documents, and pay a fee of Sh1,055 through the National Bank or via Pay Bill Number 625625. Within a month, successful applicants receive a TSC registration certificate signed by the Commissions CEO.

Kenyan nationals must present documents including a Certificate of Good Conduct, academic credentials, national ID or passport, a passport-size photo, KRA PIN, and a filled GP 69 medical form. Foreign applicants have additional requirements such as verified academic qualifications, valid work permits, and teaching authorization from their home countries.

Qualification requirements vary depending on the teaching level. ECDE teachers need a KCPE/CPE with an ECDE certificate or KCSE D+ or D with an ECDE diploma. For P1 teaching, a KCSE C plain and PTE certificate are required, while diploma teachers must score a minimum KCSE C+ with a similar grade in two teaching subjects.

Degree-level teachers must have a KCSE C+ and above, plus a Bachelors degree in education or an equivalent qualification.

Not everyone makes it through registration. TSC reserves the right to deny applicants lacking proper qualifications, those with criminal or sexual offence records, individuals with questionable moral or mental fitness, or anyone involved in activities harmful to peace or good governance.

Temporary teaching certificates exist for special cases like exchange programs or specialized non-teaching qualifications but can be revoked for misconduct or fraudulent activities.

Penalties are severe for those caught teaching without registration or impersonating a teacheroffenders risk fines up to Sh100,000 or a jail term of 12 months.

Finally, employment with TSC requires candidates to be Kenyan, under 45 years old, registered teachers, and present original qualifications. However, exceptions exist for applicants with disabilities, contract hires over age 45, or those whove upgraded qualifications after previous rejections.
In a striking turn of events, investigators have managed to retrieve the mobile phone of Sylvia Kemunto, a student from Multimedia University, who was allegedly killed by her former boyfriend, Philip Eric Mutinda.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) now has 21 days to delve deeper into this case.
Former employees of the Standard Media Group are gearing up for a series of protests starting Wednesday, to demand their long-overdue salaries. Theyre planning to formally request a police permit to hold these demonstrations against the media giant.

The ex-employees have raised serious concerns about what they see as consistent industrial misconduct by the company, including unpaid wages and lack of severance pay after being laid off.

The journalists involved have spoken out about how these salary delays are taking a toll on their families, leaving them financially stretched and unable to access essential services. They also claim the company hasnt been remitting important payroll deductions, such as contributions to Savings and Credit Cooperative (SACCOS), pensions, and taxes.

These former staff members have been waiting for their salaries for as long as eight months, despite repeated promises from the company that they would be paid. They revealed that during the recent layoffs, employees were pressured into agreeing to a one-year payment plan that was never fulfilled.

Despite numerous promises of initial payments by September 30, 2024, no funds have been disbursed, creating further distress for those affected, one former employee shared. Our former colleagues and their families are facing unprecedented hardship due to the companys failure to honor its legal obligations.

We demand accountability and immediate action to rectify this gross misconduct, another journalist added.

The former employees are reaching out for support from the government, labor unions, media industry stakeholders, and the public in their pursuit of justice.

This latest move follows a previous protest in December, where ex-employees demonstrated outside the companys Mombasa Road premises, demanding immediate payment of their arrears.
Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti has reached out to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), urging them to investigate her administration thoroughly. This move comes as whispers of her impeachment grow louder.

On Tuesday, April 8, Governor Wavinya made it clear shes ready to cooperate fully with the EACC to dispel any unfounded claims from her critics.

The Governor addressed the situation head-on, saying, I want to urge the EACC and all the government agencies not to let people continue sending you information that is not true. If you have any information or need any clarification, or if you need to come to investigate, come to Machakos County. We will provide whatever you need so that you can know whether what you are being told is the truth or a lie. As the governor of Machakos County, I am not fearful.

This development follows her recent remarks directed at her predecessor, Alfred Mutua, urging him to stay out of Machakos Countys affairs.

On Saturday, she reminded him of his current status by stating, Mutua, you are not the governor of Machakos. Leave Machakos alone and let me run my Machakos. adding that focus remains on serving the people without interference.

Governor Ndeti is also facing impeachment threats from Muthwani Ward MCA Dominic Maitha, who is associated with CS Mutua.

The very recent removal of Meru governor Kawira Mwangaza, after multiple impeachment attempts, is clearly influencing Wavinyas moves. In Meru, the ex-governor also accused a former holder of that position, Kiraitu Murungi, of engineering her removal.

In response to Wavinya, Alfred Mutua, currently the Cabinet Secretary for Labour, stated that he does not support impeachment efforts against governors in Ukambani, drawing from past personal experience from his time in Machakos.

Mutua shared, When I served as Machakos Governor and Kivutha Kibwana served in Makueni and Malombe in Kitui, we were always being fought. Our projects were being diminished. This meant that we were not able to serve our people as expected. Right now, I see that this is happening again in Ukambani.
Kenyas education system is facing a serious challenge, with a staggering shortage of 98,281 teachers. This alarming figure was highlighted by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and shared with the National Assemblys Constitutional Implementation Oversight Committee.

The root of the problem? Not enough budget allocation, which is making it tough to hire the educators our children need for a quality education.

Nancy Macharia, the CEO of TSC, pointed out that the shortage includes teachers for Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) and is likely to grow as senior schools expand next year. The message is clear: more funding is urgently needed to bridge this gap.

The shortage also impacts new subjects introduced by the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), such as media technology and indigenous languages. This isnt just about numbers; its about the quality of education and the future of our children.

Macharia also raised concerns about the rapid establishment of new schools without adequate budgeting for teacher recruitment. This has led to logistical issues, like schools with identical names being too close to each other. Its a call for better coordination and increased budgets to tackle these challenges head-on.

The committee also highlighted another issue: funding limitations are also affecting teacher promotions. By the end of last year, just over 200,000 teachers were eligible for advancement, but their fate remains unclear.

Another pressing issue is the inadequate medical coverage for teachers. Macharia explained that the commission needs about Sh54 billion for the medical scheme but only receives Sh20 billion. This shortfall means teachers sometimes have to pay out of their own pockets.

Concerns have also been raised about the promotion of over 25,000 teachers, with reports of fresh graduates getting appointments ahead of more experienced teachers, especially in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALS).

Allegations of political influence in teacher appointments have surfaced, but Macharia refuted claims of irregular employment letters, insisting the recruitment process is transparent and available on the TSC website.

Committee Chair Runyenjes MP Karemba Muchangi emphasized the importance of eliminating political interference in teacher recruitment and called for a comprehensive report on teacher distribution across the country.

Addressing these issues is crucial for ensuring that every child in Kenya gets the education they deserve.
David Mathenge, better known by his stage name Nameless, is currently mourning the passing of his father, Mzee Joshua Mathenge.

The renowned Kenyan musician shared this personal loss on Instagram, where he fondly remembered his father as an exceptional parent. Rest well, daddy. I am blessed beyond measure to have had you as a father, Nameless wrote in a heartfelt post that resonated with many of his followers.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nameless (@namelesskenya)

The deep bond between Nameless and his father was often evident in his social media updates. Four years ago, Mzee Joshua underwent a successful head surgery after a 10-day hospital stay, a recovery that Nameless celebrated publicly, showcasing the gratitude and love he felt.

In December last year, his parents celebrated 60 years of marriage, an occasion the artist marked by posting this on Instagram. Came home to see the parents as they celebrate 60 years of marriage! Happy anniversary Daddy and mummy! My forever role models. Thank you for showing us the way!

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nameless (@namelesskenya)

Mzee Mathenge has died just days short of his 89th birthday.

On April 28 last year, Nameless and his siblings celebrated their fathers 88th birthday. Reflecting on the occasion, Nameless shared a touching moment where their father expressed pride in his children, bringing them immense joy.

Hang out with Dad on his 88th birthday and could not help but be grateful for mum and Dads health!! Dad told us something that I will hold close to my heart. He said he sometimes sits and watches each and every one of his kids and cant believe he was blessed with such good children that always stick together! That made us feel really good about ourselves! He also told us to always remember that we cant know everything and to be okay with being corrected and also to be free to correct each other if we think we need to. Growth is key in any relationship! Was a special, fulfilled day for us. Happy birthday, Dad. You are the MAN!

May God rest his soul in peace.
Graduates of the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) can now breathe a sigh of relief. Collecting your transcripts just got a whole lot easier. Thanks to a new decentralization initiative, you can now pick up your Final Qualifying Examination (FQE) transcripts directly from your campus.

This change affects all 88 KMTC campuses across the country, meaning you no longer have to make the trip to the Nairobi headquarters.
The CEO of the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS), Agnes Wahome has addressed a common concern: students being assigned to courses they didnt initially choose. This issue is especially common among those aiming for medical programs.

Every year, over 10,000 students apply for medical courses, but fewer than 1,000 spots are available across institutions in the country.

Wahome explained, We place less than 1,000 students across all the universities that offer medicine courses. However, the number of students who apply is more than 10,000.

She encouraged students to broaden their horizons beyond the medical field, noting that the focus on prestigious universities often results in unbalanced enrollments. This can lead to students being placed in alternative institutions.

I want Kenyans to understand that there are many programs beyond medicine. No program is inherently bad; they all have their own merits and can be marketable, depending on how you leverage your certificate after school, Wahome emphasized.

For students looking to avoid complications during the application process, Wahome advised careful consideration when selecting programs. KUCCPS has introduced color-coded segments for both public and private universities to simplify the application process and save applicants time.
Tensions have reached a boiling point in Chesilongo, Sachangwan, Molo, Nakuru County, as residents have taken drastic action against a local changaa brewer. Five homes associated with the brewer were set on fire following the tragic death of a 43-year-old man, allegedly after a fight at the brewers premises.

Community leaders, including Pastor Joel Too and former councillor Paul Tessot, have expressed their deep frustration on Chamgei FM. They highlighted the ongoing chaos surrounding the brewers activities and the seeming inaction from local authorities.

The father of the deceased voiced the communitys despair, questioning how the brewer continues to operate despite the loss of lives. He remarked, We are shocked she still operates; people have lost their lives, and now weve taken the law into our own hands.

Despite numerous protests, residents claim that security forces have not effectively addressed the brewers operations. The area chief and his assistant have not commented on the recent arson attack, which also targeted the brewers home.

This isnt the first time the community has faced such turmoil. Last year, two brothers reportedly died in a gang-related incident connected to the brewers security team. Molos Officer Commanding Police Division (OCPD), Tim Odingo, has committed to tackling these urgent issues.
The National Assembly has directed Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi to team up with Attorney General Dorcas Oduor to consider revising or even scrapping the one-third salary rule. This step is driven by the growing frustration among civil servants, who are seeing their take-home pay shrink due to increasing deductions.

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) recently held a meeting to dig into why these deductions are eating away at the earnings of many Kenyans. They aim to fulfill their oversight role by calling on CS Mbadi to shed light on why so many public employees are left with so little disposable income.

Right now, its common for workers to allocate more than two-thirds of their basic salaries to loans and mandatory contributions, which is above the legal limit.

The PAC has pointed fingers at the new deductions introduced under President William Rutos administration. These include the Affordable Housing Levy, the Social Health Authority contribution, and increased National Social Security Fund (NSSF) contributions. Together, these deductions have made it tough to stick to the one-third salary rule.

Theres also a growing worry about government departments not sticking to the Employment Act, 2007. The law is clear: employers cant deduct more than two-thirds of an employees basic salary.

Yet, with rising statutory and tax deductions, this rule is becoming harder to uphold. Civil servants are seeing more and more deductions on their payslips, including 1.5% of gross pay for the Housing Levy, 2.75% for the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), and higher NSSF contributions. Its no wonder workers in various sectors are feeling the financial squeeze.

Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera has warned that if this issue isnt tackled, itll keep popping up in future audit reports. The committee has urged the National Treasury to work closely with the Attorney General to find a legal and sustainable solution.

Without action, this problem is likely to remain a recurring audit concern.

Lawmakers have voiced a shared belief that civil servants shouldnt bear the brunt of policies they didnt create. They pointed out that Parliament itself approved the taxes causing the current financial strain on public employees.

In June 2023, 4,082 government workers were earning less than one-third of their basic salary according to the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Database (IPPD). That number is believed to have gone considerably up following the new deductions.
Recent Emory College graduate Marwah (Mari) Ismail, who delivered a widely popular talk on resilience after battling serious health issues during her undergraduate career, has won a 2025 Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans.

The 2024 graduate is one of just 30 nationwide recipients of the highly competitive scholarship granted to immigrants or children of immigrants. The two-year fellowship, awarded in recognition of the potential to make significant contributions to U.S. culture and society, comes with $90,000 for graduate study expenses.

Mari has a remarkable journey, and it has all but begun, says Samuel Candler Dobbs Professor of Philosophy George Yancy, who first met Ismail as a first-year student peering through a Zoom screen, then later admitted her to his graduate-level seminar courses as an undergraduate student.

She has experienced what so many of us would think of as negatives and plowed through them by seeing them as opportunities, Yancy adds. We will all benefit from what she becomes.

The daughter of Somali refugees who will start Columbia Law School in the fall, Ismail is the fourth Emory alumnus to win the prestigious fellowship. She has spent a gap year working as a trademark analyst for the Atlanta law firm Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton  something of a break after insisting on attending Emory full-time while undergoing treatment for a rare cancer that took one of her eyes.

Its been a lot these last four years, but I was never alone because I had people who had faith in me, Ismail says. Its an absolute honor that the Soros Foundation has the faith to invest in me, and that just motivates me to continue working hard.

Born at what is now Emory Decatur Hospital, Ismail grew up in the countrys largest Somali immigrant population in Minnesota. As the oldest of four children raised by a single mother, she embraced expectations to set an example for her siblings and others in the community by earning top grades and working since she was 14.

Ismail pursued those expectations  and gave a glimpse of her determination  when she moved away to attend Emory as a QuestBridge Scholar.

The culture shock reinforced that she made the right decision. Originally planning a pre-med major, she found that studying different religions allowed to her connect with a wide variety of people she hoped to help through a career in law.

Some students just want to know the answers for an exam, says James Hoesterey, the associate professor of religion who served as Ismails honors thesis adviser on research investigating the Somali Civil Wars impact on religious adherence.

That is not Mari, he adds. Mari has the moral conviction to want to make a difference and the intellectual curiosity, reflection and, frankly, sheer grit to do it.

Her work outside of class opened the path to law school. Ismail co-created the Kappa Alphi Pi pre-law fraternity at Emory and, among other activities, served as a Congressional Council Judge for the Student Government Association.

She also worked as an intern in two Congressional offices, first in the Minneapolis office of U.S. Senator Amy Klobucher and then on Capitol Hill with U.S. Representative Hakeem Jeffries. It was when she was working in D.C., discovering a passion for legal policymaking, that she fell ill.

What had been treated as childhood glaucoma turned out to be a rare malignancy. Ismail traveled to the Mayo Clinic for treatment of the rapidly spreading cancer, only after successfully advocating for the ability to continue her junior year by studying remotely.

She talked her way into an intensive Italian course while hospitalized and recovering from a pulmonary embolism, more worried about a summer study abroad program than her last round of chemotherapy.

Something in me told me that if I come out of this, I dont want my life to fall behind, Ismail says. And if I died, at least I know I was working hard until the end.

The mindset paid off. Ismail studied that summer in Bologna and graduated with a minor in Italian Studies.

Whatever Mari sets her mind to, she does, says Christine Ristaino, director of the Emory College Language Center and Italian professor of practice who led the Italy trip and later included Ismail on a student research team for the second annual Climate on Culture Global Conference in Ireland. She has accomplished so much, but perhaps more importantly, she knows who she is.

It is a hard-won confidence. Ismail wore an eye patch and a prosthetic when she first returned to campus. Both proved distractions when people talked with her.

That prompted Ismail to make two decisions: Ditch the devices to accept her new appearance and apply to share her story at TEDxEmory. Her 18-minute talk to a packed audience was among last years most popular sessions.

It was the perfect moment to close that chapter, Ismail says. I was blind in that eye since I was 14, so I was used to that. I just wanted to show others it was ok, because I could always see my future.
As Donald Trump announced pause on tariffs for 90 days for trade negotiations, India should avoid signing a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the United States, as it may require India to make harmful trade-offs, suggested Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI). Instead, GTRI said, India should consider a limited "Zero-to-Zero" tariff deal on 90 per cent of industrial goods, a model already offered by Europe to the U.S. It said, "Avoid a comprehensive FTA with the US as it would force India to make damaging concessions. It's a deal that would cost India more than it gains. Restrict to Zero for zero deal on 90 per cent industrial Goods. Europe has offered similar deal to the US." The report warned that a full FTA with the US could turn out to be a costly mistake. It highlights several demands by Washington that could hurt India's key sectors. These include weakening India's minimum support price (MSP) system for farmers, allowing genetically modified food imports, reducing agricultural tariffs, changing patent laws to extend drug monopolies, and letting US e-commerce giants sell directly to Indian consumers. Such changes, GTRI said, would endanger farmer incomes, threaten food security and biodiversity, affect public health, and harm small retailers. Reducing farm tariffs could impact the livelihoods of hundreds of millions of Indians. Similarly, cutting duties on automobiles could damage India's auto industry, which contributes nearly one-third to the country's manufacturing output. The report cites the collapse of Australia's car industry after it slashed tariffs in the 1990s as a cautionary example. The report also criticized India's past practice of offering unilateral trade concessions to the US, noting that such gestures have been dismissed by President Donald Trump as "kissing my a**." The report advised India to focus instead on FTAs with the European Union, United Kingdom, and Canada, and explore broader partnerships with China and Russia. Strengthening trade ties with Japan, South Korea, and ASEAN countries is also recommended. Finally, the report highlighted the potential of building joint product value chains with China in sectors like chemicals, machinery, and electronics. By using each other's raw materials and parts, both countries could boost local value in finished products for both domestic use and export. This approach, the report said, deserves serious attention from both industry and policymakers. (ANI)
PRNewswire Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], April 10: The Art of Living Social Projects has been honoured as the Best Water NGO - Rainwater Harvesting at the Water Digest World Water Awards 2024-25. Inspired by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's vision of a water +ve India, this recognition is a tribute to the tireless efforts of thousands of experts, volunteers and communities who have come together to reshape India's water future. The award ceremony took place on March 31, 2025, at ITC Maurya, New Delhi, and was organised by Advance Water Digest Pvt. Ltd. A Nation Reawakened In the current scenario, when the shadow of water scarcity hangs heavy over millions, The Art of Living Social Projects has been quietly, yet powerfully, rewriting India's water story -- not with slogans but with science, strategy, and steadfast determination. Since 2013, this movement has been reviving 70+ rivers and streams across 8 states, breathing life back into landscapes long forgotten by rain. From parched fields to depleted waterways, the flow of life is returning -- driven by a grassroots revolution in water conservation. Backed by government schemes like MGNREGA, historic MoUs, CSR collaborations, and community involvement; The Art of Living Social Projects' model is proof that when systems and citizens come together, transformation isn't just possible, it's inevitable. Community at the Core One of the defining features of the organisation's approach is that it isn't top down -- it's powered at the grassroots level. Through community mobilisation, local stakeholders aren't just beneficiaries; they drive the change. Youth Leadership Training Programs (YLTP) equip young leaders to spearhead conservation, while Water Literacy Awareness Programmes empower farmers, students, and communities to manage water wisely -- ensuring that every drop counts for generations. Because water security isn't a one-time fix, it's a way of life. Water, Work, and Well-Being * More Water, Better Harvests: Reliable water access means thriving farms, diverse crops, and secure livelihoods. Rising soil moisture, lush greenery, and improved microclimates are bringing ecosystems back to life. * Jobs Where They Matter: Recharge structures do more than save water -- they create village jobs through MGNREGA, keeping employment where it's needed most, stopping migration to cities in its tracks. * Stronger Communities: With steady incomes and water security, rural families are seeing a real difference in their quality of life. Trained and empowered, they now maintain recharge structures, embrace sustainable farming, and lead awareness campaigns. With a vision grounded in sustainability and a model driven by community, The Art of Living's water conservation efforts have created a far-reaching impact -- not just in litres saved, but in lives transformed. About The Art of Living Social Projects The Art of Living Social Projects is committed to creating lasting societal impact through transformative initiatives. With a focus on holistic development, the organisation continues to uplift individuals and communities -- earning recognition and accolades along the way. Follow: https://www.instagram.com/artofliving.sp/Like: https://www.facebook.com/artoflivingsocialprojectsPost: https://x.com/artofliving_spMessage: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/artofliving-sp Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2660783/Best_Water_NGO_AOLSP.jpgLogo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1979631/AOLSP_Logo.jpg (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
HT Syndication New Delhi [India], April 10: Terre Armee, a global leader in soil-structure interaction, geotechnical engineering, has announced its rebranding to Geoquest. This strategic name change reflects the company's evolution, diversification, and commitment to providing cutting-edge solutions across its global operations. Over the past decades, the company has expanded its expertise beyond its traditional Reinforced Earth solutions, integrating geosynthetics, advanced construction materials and geohazards solutions into its portfolio. The transition to Geoquest signifies a unified global identity across continents, reinforcing the company's mission to expand, diversify, and innovate in the field of geotechnical, geohazards and hydraulic engineering. A name that reflects expertise and vision The new name, Geoquest, embodies the company's core strengths. The prefix 'Geo' highlights its expertise in geotechnical engineering, geosynthetics and geohazards, while the suffix 'quest' represents its relentless pursuit of excellence by providing innovative solutions to build and maintain long term infrastructure assets. As the company embarks on a new strategic plan focused on expanding its offerings and market reach, adopting a name that aligns with its global vision is a natural step forward. Commitment to excellence remains unchanged Despite the name change, the company remains deeply committed to its legacy of expertise, innovation, and excellence. Its dedication to delivering high-quality, forward-thinking solutions remains unchanged, with the proven Terre Armee solutions continuing to be a cornerstone of the Retain, Cross, Protect, and Strengthen segmentation portfolio. Commenting on the occasion, Mr. Somnath Biswas, Managing Director of Geoquest India, said, "The decision to adopt the name of Geoquest is a significant milestone in our company's journey. As we continue to expand our expertise and diversify our solutions, it is essential that our identity reflects our forward-thinking approach and global ambitions. This change represents more than just a new name--it underscores our commitment to innovation, excellence, and sustainable solutions. While we embrace this evolution, our core values, technical expertise, and dedication to delivering high-performance solutions remain unwavering. Geoquest is a name that signifies both where we are today and the ambitious path we are charting for the future." About Geoquest Geoquest, formerly known as Terre Armee, is a global leader in geotechnical engineering and soil-structure interactive solutions. Geoquest offers cutting-edge solutions in geotechnical engineering, hydraulic and environmental protection and sustainability, geohazard risk mitigation, drainage solutions, precast structures, reinforced backfilled retaining walls and slopes, basal reinforcement, and ground stabilization. As a subsidiary of Soletanche Freyssinet (and VINCI Construction), Geoquest blends advanced engineering expertise with state-of-the-art products and innovative construction technologies to deliver efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable solutions. With a strong commitment to quality, health and safety, environment and timely project execution, Geoquest partners with customers worldwide to build resilient and long-term asset performance-oriented structures. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by HT Syndication. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
In his meeting with finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, London Mayor Alastair King stated that UK is keen to deepen infrastructure financing in India. Mayor referred to the ongoing collaboration on the UK India Infrastructure Financing Bridge and sought to further enhance the engagement between the two countries under this initiative. Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Nirmala Sitharaman, held a bilateral meeting with Mayor of London, Alastair King on Wednesday during her official visit to the United Kingdom. In a social media post FM Sitharaman said "Lord Mayor alluded to his deep association with India and shared his appreciation for India's vision for #ViksitBharat by 2047.Lord Mayor referred to the ongoing collaboration on the UK India Infrastructure Financing Bridge and sought to further enhance the engagement between the two countries under this initiative". The Mayor also noted that India presents a major opportunity for economic and investment growth, in the infrastructure sector. He expressed interest in increasing the involvement of UK financial institutions in India's development plans. Finance Minister Sitharaman also informed the Mayor about India's key infrastructure initiatives, including the National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) and PM Gati Shakti. She explained how these initiatives are helping to improve connectivity and boost economic growth across the country. She also invited the Mayor to visit India along with a delegation of top financial institutions. The visit would help explore new opportunities for investment collaboration, especially through pension funds, insurance companies, and other financial institutions working with the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) and GIFT City. FM Sitharaman arrived in the UK on April 7 for an official visit to the UK and Austria, which will conclude on April 13. According to a statement from the Ministry of Finance, she is scheduled to hold Ministerial-Level Bilateral Meetings in both countries. On the sidelines of her visit, the Finance Minister will also meet key dignitaries, attend investor roundtables, and hold discussions with the heads of major financial institutions and companies. (ANI)
India's airport sector is set for a major boost, with capital expenditure (capex) of more than Rs 1 lakh crore expected over the next four to five years, according to a report by rating agency ICRA. The report highlighted that the sector will continue to see substantial investments due to capacity bottlenecks at several airports. The projected investments will go into developing greenfield airports and expanding existing ones. It said "Given the capacity bottleneck faced by a few airports, the sector will continue to witness substantial capex. Investments of more than Rs. 1,00,000 crore are expected over the next 4-5 years, including greenfield airports". Greenfield projects include upcoming airports in Jewar (Noida), Navi Mumbai, Bhogapuram, and Parandur (Chennai). Meanwhile, brownfield expansions are planned at key airports such as Bangalore, Hyderabad, Cochin, Mumbai, and Nagpur. Additionally, several airports under the Airports Authority of India (AAI) will also undergo upgradation. The report has also projected that airport passenger traffic in India will witness healthy growth in the coming years. Passenger traffic is expected to rise by around 7-9 per cent year-on-year to reach 440-450 million in FY2026. This follows an estimated 10 per cent growth in FY2025, taking total passenger traffic to 412-415 million. The revenue of the sample set of airports tracked by ICRA is also likely to grow significantly--by about 18-20 per cent year-on-year in FY2026. Despite the ongoing investments, the sector's financial health is expected to remain strong. Debt coverage metrics are projected to stay comfortable, with an interest coverage ratio above 5 times and a debt service coverage ratio (DSCR) above 3.5 times in FY2026. ICRA said "The sector's debt coverage metrics are projected to remain comfortable with interest cover above 5 times". In FY2025, international passenger traffic grew by 11 per cent, while domestic traffic saw a 9 per cent increase. This growth was supported by improved connectivity to new destinations, an increase in international travel, and a continued rise in domestic leisure and business travel. Better air links to tier II cities and key tourist destinations also contributed to the momentum. (ANI)
VMPL Bangalore (Karnataka) [India], April 10: ENGYNE, a premium menswear brand, is all set to launch in India, redefining affordability in luxury fashion. Founded by Gnanaprakash, Karthikeyan K., Karthikeyan P., Ramesh Kumar, and Dinesh D., the brand brings global design sensibilities and craftsmanship to Indian consumers. The founders, who have been associated with global giants like Diesel and Guess in the past, witnessed a missing link i.e., premium-quality menswear at accessible prices, inspiring them to birth ENGYNE. Headquartered in Bangalore, ENGYNE will debut its Spring-Summer 2025 collection featuring meticulously designed wardrobe essentials. The collection is crafted using premium Supima cottons and Supima blend yarns, ensuring exceptional softness, durability, and comfort. It features a range of premium textures including mis-jersey, micro-pique, interlock, jacquard, and cross-loop French terry--each chosen for its unique feel and performance. Enhanced with state-of-the-art printing techniques and refined embroidery, the garments are designed to deliver international aesthetics and quality. With a Digital First & D2C (direct-to-consumer) model, ENGYNE ensures complete control over quality and pricing. The collection will be available exclusively on the brand's official website, with a mobile app launching for Android and iOS shortly after. As the brand prepares to disrupt the Indian menswear market, the team is driven by a mission to make premium quality more accessible. Director Karthikeyan K. emphasizes this vision and shared "ENGYNE is not just about fashion; it's about redefining expectations. Premium quality should be a choice, not a privilege." With a focus on craftsmanship and affordability, the brand aims to fill a long-standing gap in the industry. Beyond offering premium designs, ENGYNE is committed to delivering exceptional quality control through its vertically integrated manufacturing facility. Director Dinesh D. highlights this competitive advantage, "Having our own vertically integrated manufacturing facility gives us a unique advantage. We control every step--from fabric selection to final stitching--allowing us to deliver luxury craftsmanship at a fraction of the price. Every ENGYNE garment undergoes the same quality checks as pieces costing three times as much." By maintaining this level of precision, the brand ensures that each product meets the highest standards. ENGYNE plans to capture the attention of urban millennials and style-conscious professionals through partnerships with influencers and dynamic social media initiatives. Setting itself apart from disposable/ fast fashion trends, the company focuses on creating enduring styles that undergo rigorous wear testing, delivering lasting quality to buyers. The brand's roadmap includes diversifying its collection with shirts, chinos, jackets, and denim within the next SEASON. ENGYNE also sees potential in shipping beyond borders, showcasing Indian craftsmanship worldwide while staying true to its founding principles of exceptional quality at reasonable prices. About ENGYNE Born on the fashion streets of Champs-Elysees, Paris, and headquartered in Bangalore, ENGYNE is a premium menswear brand founded by industry veterans Gnanaprakash, Karthikeyan K., Karthikeyan P., Ramesh Kumar, and Dinesh D. With experience at global powerhouses like Diesel and Guess, they set out to bridge the gap in India's fashion market by offering high-quality, accessible menswear. With aspirations to become India's leading premium D2C fashion brand, ENGYNE plans to expand into chinos, denim, and outerwear while exploring global markets. Through innovation, craftsmanship, and community-driven engagement, it empowers modern men to embrace style, confidence, and individuality. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
PNN New Delhi [India], April 10: Kenya's healthcare system has long faced challenges such as limited access to quality medical services, understaffed hospitals, high treatment costs, and an overreliance on imported pharmaceuticals. According to a 2023 World Health Organization (WHO) report, Kenya had only 1.7 doctors for every 10,000 people, which is significantly below the recommended threshold. Additionally, 47% of Kenyans did not have access to essential healthcare services, which forced many to depend on expensive private hospitals or overcrowded public facilities. Many African governments have struggled to prioritise healthcare, often diverting limited resources to education, economic development, or infrastructure. While the public sector worked diligently to meet the rising demand, Jayesh Saini saw an opportunity for the private sector to fill the gap. His focus on innovative healthcare solutions aimed not only to address immediate needs but also to create sustainable, scalable solutions for the future. Jayesh Saini has been instrumental in bridging these gaps in transforming the healthcare sector. Through Bliss Healthcare, Lifecare Hospitals, and Dinlas Pharma, he has expanded medical facilities, modernized hospital infrastructure, introduced telemedicine, and integrated AI-powered diagnostics. His initiatives are redefining healthcare accessibility and affordability across Kenya. Bliss Healthcare: Expanding Access to Affordable Outpatient Care One of the greatest challenges in Kenya's healthcare sector is the geographical accessibility of medical services. Many rural and semi-urban communities struggle with long distances to hospitals and limited access to specialized care. Bliss Healthcare, led by Jayesh Saini, has responded to this need by establishing Kenya's largest private outpatient healthcare network. Today, Bliss Healthcare operates more than 65 medical centers nationwide, ensuring that Kenyans have access to affordable, high-quality medical services. The impact of this expansion is considerable: * Annual patient visits surpass 1.2 million, alleviating the pressure on public hospitals. * AI-powered diagnostics enhance early detection and treatment outcomes. * 20% of patients now use telemedicine services. It reduces the need for long hospital visits. * Partnerships with private insurance providers and government institutions, including the Teacher Service Commission (TSC) and the National Police Service (NPS), have enabled thousands of Kenyans to access affordable healthcare plans. Through technological advancements and strategic partnerships, Bliss Healthcare has enhanced outpatient care in Kenya, ensuring that more people can access quality medical treatment without financial burden or logistical challenges. Lifecare Hospitals: Strengthening Kenya's Hospital Infrastructure While outpatient care is vital, hospital infrastructure poses a significant challenge to Kenya's healthcare system. Many public hospitals are inadequately equipped with bed capacity, advanced medical equipment, and specialized treatment centers. To tackle this issue, Jayesh Saini established Lifecare Hospitals, a multi-specialty hospital network that has grown across several counties in Kenya. With hospitals strategically located in Bungoma, Eldoret, Kikuyu, Migori, Meru, and Mlolongo, Lifecare Hospitals now operates a network of state-of-the-art facilities that provide world-class medical services to previously underserved regions. The healthcare group has expanded its offerings to include advanced diagnostic tools, such as CT scans and MRIs, in areas that once lacked even basic healthcare infrastructure. Through these efforts, Lifecare has significantly improved both access to healthcare and the overall quality of care for thousands of patients. By expanding hospital capacity and medical expertise, Lifecare Hospitals has enhanced access to specialized healthcare within Kenya and decreased the necessity for medical tourism, allowing patients to receive advanced treatment locally. By 2026, the group plans to operate 10 hospitals throughout Kenya, with intentions to expand into Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Ethiopia. These facilities will provide world-class services, ensuring that patients across the region can access exceptional medical care without needing to travel abroad for treatment. Dinlas Pharma: Transforming Kenya's Pharma Industry Kenya has historically depended on imported pharmaceuticals, which makes essential medicines costly and at times challenging to obtain. A report by the Kenya Pharmaceuticals Association in 2022 revealed that over 70% of medicines in Kenya were imported, resulting in supply chain vulnerabilities, especially during global crises. Jayesh Saini founded Dinlas Pharma, a leading pharmaceutical manufacturer in East Africa, and has since made significant progress in reinforcing Kenya's pharmaceutical industry. Dinlas Pharma Africa Limited began manufacturing operations in 2018, with the capacity to produce large volumes of pharmaceutical products in various formulas. The installed capacities are 140 million tablets per month, 50 million capsules per month, 3 million bottles per month of suspensions and syrups, and 1.6 million tubes per month of creams and ointments. By improving access to essential medicines and ensuring price stability, Dinlas Pharma is helping Kenya achieve greater self-reliance in pharmaceutical production, thereby enhancing national health in the process. Revolutionizing Healthcare with Telemedicine and AI With Kenya's critically low doctor-to-patient ratio, Jayesh Saini has spearheaded the adoption of telemedicine and AI-powered diagnostics to enhance healthcare accessibility and efficiency. By integrating technology into healthcare services, Jayesh Saini is contributing to a shift from reactive treatment to proactive disease prevention, ensuring long-term health improvements for millions. The Economic and Social Impact of Saini's Healthcare Revolution Beyond healthcare, Jayesh Saini's initiatives have made a significant economic and social impact. * More than 4,500 healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and pharmaceutical experts, have been employed. * Reduced treatment costs have made healthcare more accessible, diminishing the need for expensive medical tourism. * Stronger partnerships with key stakeholders in Kenya support the advancement of the country's universal healthcare goals. * Over 3 million Kenyans now have direct access to high-quality medical care at Bliss Healthcare and Lifecare Hospitals. These initiatives not only improve patient outcomes but also contribute to economic growth and the sustainability of healthcare in Kenya. Looking Ahead: The Future of Healthcare in Kenya Jayesh Saini's long-term vision focuses on enhancing healthcare access and self-sufficiency in Kenya. He aims to expand life care hospitals into underserved counties, thereby improving access to specialized care for more individuals. Additionally, he plans to expand AI-powered predictive healthcare models to assist with early disease prevention. He also envisions boosting Kenya's pharmaceutical self-sufficiency by increasing local production at Dinlas Pharma. Saini emphasizes the importance of enhancing telemedicine accessibility for rural populations, ensuring that all Kenyans benefit from healthcare advancements. Through his dedication to innovation, accessibility, and affordability, Jayesh Saini is significantly influencing the future of healthcare in Kenya and beyond. By employing a data-driven approach, leveraging technological advancements, and making strategic investments, Jayesh Saini is tackling Kenya's most significant healthcare challenges. By enhancing hospital infrastructure, incorporating AI, and bolstering pharmaceutical production, he has emerged as one of the most influential figures in African healthcare. Kenya's healthcare transformation is still in progress, but with leaders like Jayesh Saini, the country is set to become a model of affordable, technology-driven healthcare in Africa. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
PRNewswire Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], April 10: India's Former Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology, Rajeev Chandrasekhar shared an unfiltered perspective on the recent debate sparked by Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal's comments about Indian startups focussing on consumer products instead of large scale problem solving, deep tech and innovation. "Deep Tech is the new battleground and India has its ambition not to be crowded out in this race," Rajeev Chandrasekhar at the India Global Forum's NXT25. Speaking at the TechFrontiers Forum at India Global Forum's NXT25: Leading the Leap Summit on April 8, Chandrasekhar said: "I disagree with this characterisation (of pitting consumer-centric Indian startups against innovation-centric ones). I don't think this is binary; there are many innovations that Indian entrepreneurs have done that are not deep tech, but in quick commerce & e-commerce. If something is not in deep tech it doesn't make it less innovative." He added: "Deep Tech is the new battleground. Players in this battleground: China, through DeepSeek, has made it clear that it is no longer a consumer of Deep Tech. On the other hand, India has its ambitions not to be crowded out in this race." Against the backdrop of India's rapid digital transformation, the TechFrontiers Forum explored breakthrough innovations shaping the global tech landscape. From AI-driven supply chains and quantum computing to sustainable innovation and digital infrastructure, industry leaders and policymakers examined the opportunities, risks, and disruptions defining the next era of technological advancement. In a virtual address, Lord Patrick Vallance, Minister of State for Science, Research and Innovation, United Kingdom spoke about strengthening UK-India collaboration in future-defining technologies. "By working together on technologies that will undoubtedly shape our future we can improve the lives of our citizens and support business," he remarked. In a conversation themed, 'Voice, Vernacular, Vision - Unlocking India's AI Potential for All', Manu Jain, CEO, G42 India, said, "We, as Indians, have been the largest consumers of tech products and services. When it comes to AI, it will be a bigger transformation, and we must ensure some part of it should be here locally through data sovereignty, which means all data of Indian users stays in India." Keshav Reddy, Founder and CEO, Equal AI, further added: "India has the opportunity to become the largest consumer of application AI. In rural India, you see a lot of people exchanging voice notes due to lack of digital literacy of typing vs voice which is easy. Hence, voice LLMs that can converse with a speech-to-speech model is the future." Freelancer CEO Matt Barrie unpacked how AI, automation, and digital platforms are redefining the idea of work. "All governments have a universal problem, is that a lot of people are on unemployment benefits. Governments have figured out that lower beneficiaries on employment benefits are harder to move into the workforce of fulltime employment. The best way to solve this is through micro employment using the cloud and this is something we help through our accelerator program," he said. Speaking about how international partnerships can improve sustainability and urban development, Jaewon Peter Chun, Chairman & President, World Smart Cities Forum (WSCF), said: "Smart cities are not just urban development projects. We design them based on the characteristics and needs of people living in urban households--this approach is what makes them different. Bringing together CEOs, policymakers, global investors, and industry disruptors, NXT25 explores the biggest trends shaping India's future on the world stage, spotlighting India's ambitions for the next 25 years and its emergence as a global powerhouse in investment, technology, sustainability, and innovation. For session highlights and speaker insights, click here The summit is supported by the UK Government, Government of Maharashtra, and the Commerce Ministry of India. Bloomberg TV is the official international media partner. About India Global Forum India Global Forum tells the story of contemporary India. The pace of change and growth India has set itself is an opportunity for the world. IGF is the gateway for businesses and nations to help seize that opportunity. To know more, click here. Social Media Handles & Hashtag to FollowTwitter: @IGFUpdates & @manojladwaLinkedIn: India Global Forum#IGFMumbai Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2661812/India_Global_Forum.jpgLogo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2566069/5261398/IGF_Logo.jpg (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
PNN Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], April 10: Vardan Ceqube India Investment, a domestic SEBI registered AIF has secured an equity stake in National E Repository Ltd. (NeRL) through secondary market. This investment signifies confidence in NeRL's role within India's evolving digital warehousing ecosystem. Vardan Ceqube India Investment Fund, a recognized investment entity, has demonstrated its strategic interest in NeRL's operations. NeRL plays a key role in the issuance and management of electronic negotiable warehouse receipts (eNWRs), contributing to increased transparency and efficiency in commodity storage and trade. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in its recent master directions 2025 on Priority sector lending wherein it has directed the chairman, managing directors, CEO of banks on Priority Sector Lending, has revised norms for pledge finance to farmers and non-farmers against Electronic Negotiable Warehouse Receipts (eNWRs). This move is poised to invigorate the Warehouse Development and Regulatory Authority (WDRA) ecosystem and make eNWR-led pledge financing more attractive for both lenders and borrowers. Specifically, the RBI has increased the loan limits from Rs75 lakh to Rs90 lakh for loans to farmers, and from Rs75 lakh to Rs4 crore for loans to non-farmers, when these loans are secured by eNWRs. This revision is expected to provide greater financial access to those utilizing warehouse receipts as collateral. Interestingly, NeRL would be the direct beneficiary of these guidelines as it has mandate to issue eNWRs. The investment is expected to bolster NeRL's growth and further develop the eNWR market. This move indicates increasing investor interest in companies that are building infrastructure to modernize India's agricultural supply chains. Traditionally, warehouse receipts were paper-based documents, prone to forgery, damage, and cumbersome to handle. NeRL's eWRs, on the other hand, are stored securely in a digital format, eliminating these risks and streamlining the entire process. With this digital transformation NeRL is going to contribute same what CDSL and NSDL contributed to securities market and have far- reaching benefits for various stakeholders. NeRL plays a crucial role in the issuance and management of eNWRs. The RBI's revised guidelines are expected to: * Increase eNWR Adoption: The higher loan limits will incentivize both farmers and non-farmers to utilize eNWRs, leading to increased adoption of the digital warehousing system * Boost NeRL's Business: As the volume of eNWRs increases, so will the demand for NeRL's services, resulting in a positive impact on its business operations. * Enhance Transparency and Efficiency: eNWRs provide a secure and transparent mechanism for warehouse transactions, and the RBI's move will further promote these benefits. * Expanding financial inclusion: By making warehouse reciepts more viable as collateral, more farmers will be able to access formal financial systems. NeRL's mandate is a compelling digital India story, driven by the vision to empower farmers, enhance market access, and promote financial inclusion with its growing network of warehouses, banks, and other stakeholders, NeRL is rapidly expanding its reach and impact. The RBI's decision underscores the growing importance of digital warehousing solutions in India's agricultural and commercial sectors. By facilitating easier access to credit, these revised guidelines are expected to contribute to a more robust and efficient financial ecosystem, speaks "Vikram Kaushal- Managing Partner of Vardan Ceqube" (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
VMPL Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], April 10: In a world where moments matter and memories are priceless, Project Serotonin, founded by Nikhil Arora, is setting a new benchmark in the event management industry. With a seamless fusion of creativity, luxury, and precision, the company has emerged as a top choice for those seeking to create unforgettable events. Whether it's a private celebration or a large-scale corporate affair, events serve as the heartbeat of human connection--and Project Serotonin is on a mission to make every one of those moments extraordinary. At the center of this dynamic venture is Nikhil Arora, a visionary entrepreneur whose passion lies in delivering joy through impeccable event execution. "We're not just organizing events--we're engineering memories," says Arora. "'Project Serotonin' reflects our commitment to elevating mood, emotion, and experience. We want every guest to leave feeling a sense of euphoria." What began as an ambitious idea has grown into a one-stop destination for premium event services. Project Serotonin's offerings include live performances and shows, luxury car and bike rentals, professional sound and lighting, music and video production, customized apparel, and celebrity appearances--all under one roof. Understanding the pressure event planners often face, Arora designed Project Serotonin to provide a smooth, stress-free experience. "We know how overwhelming it can be to pull off a successful event. Our goal is to remove that stress and deliver something seamless, joyful, and unforgettable." Much of the company's success lies in the strength of its team. "Our people are our biggest asset. Their dedication, creativity, and attention to detail are what set us apart. We work collaboratively to create magic, and it's our team's energy that drives the excellence in every project," Arora shares. Project Serotonin has also built a massive fanbase online, with more than 300,000 subscribers on YouTube and over 137,000 followers on Facebook. Their content resonates with audiences, showcasing not just events but full-fledged experiences. Their impact goes beyond personal parties. In the business world, events play a crucial role in branding, promotions, and employee engagement. Project Serotonin understands these demands and brings the same level of creativity and precision to corporate events, hospitality projects, and tourism-led initiatives. Under the leadership of Nikhil Arora, Project Serotonin is redefining the way people celebrate. Whether it's a dream wedding, a brand launch, or a cultural extravaganza, the company ensures that every event is more than just an occasion--it's a memory that lasts. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
PNN Chengalpattu (Tamil Nadu) [India], April 10: Strength, perseverance, and an unyielding commitment to social service define the journey of Bhuvaneshwari Ramesh Kumaar. Her recent achievement--being awarded the "International Social Responsibility Award - 2025" by the International Award Forum (IAF) on April 3rd' 2025, which is a testament to her dedication to empowering communities and fostering wellness across the globe. This prestigious international recognition is conferred by IAF, the world's leading award forum, operating under the esteemed Nobel World Records brand. A Life Shaped by Determination and Leadership Born on July 27, 1987, into an upper-middle-class family, Bhuvaneshwari grew up with strong leadership values instilled by her parents, Subramani (VAO) and Vijayalakshmi. From an early age, she exhibited exceptional leadership qualities, excelling in academics and school activities. Encouraged by her principal, she took charge of various events, scripting and delivering speeches, setting the foundation for her inspiring journey. Although she was offered an M.Sc. opportunity at Queensland University, she chose to prioritize family life after marriage. However, her destiny had something much greater in store. From Personal Struggles to a Global Impact After the birth of her children, Bhuvaneshwari faced significant health challenges, leading to weight gain. With unwavering support from her husband, Ramesh Kumar, she turned to yoga--a decision that would transform not only her life but the lives of thousands. Under the guidance of Vethathri Maharishi, she embarked on a path of self-discovery and enlightenment, reducing her weight from 110 kg to 75 kg and unlocking a passion for yoga and social service. She pursued higher studies in M.A. Yoga, Psychology, Guidance & Counseling, and Yoga Therapy, deepening her expertise in Shatkriyas, Face Yoga, Tantric Yoga Mudras, and Reiki. Her journey was no longer just personal; it had become a mission to uplift others through holistic wellness. A Visionary Leader in Social Service and Yoga Driven by an insatiable thirst for knowledge and service, Bhuvaneshwari has impacted countless lives through her initiatives: * Trained 500+ school children in physical exercise and yoga asanas. * Delivered motivational and awareness speeches in schools, counseling young girls. * Served as President of the Inner Wheel Club of Maraimalai Nagar and an active Rotary Club member. * Organized medical camps, including mammography screenings, free cardio check-ups, and blood donation drives. * Adopted a village and constructed a children's park, bringing joy and opportunities to underprivileged children. * In 2023, she made a mark on the international stage by participating in the Nobel World Records' yoga event, earning the title "Yogacharya" and securing her role as Board Member of Chengalpattu District under the Tamil Nadu Yoga Federation. This event ignited an even greater ambition within her. A Historic Victory by a Woman: The Nobel World Record Attempt in Yoga On March 30, 2025, Bhuvaneshwari Ramesh Kumaar orchestrated a Nobel World Record Attempt, marking a historical victory by a woman in the realm of yoga and social service. Gathering 500 children in Chengalpattu District, she led an unprecedented event that not only set a world record but also reinforced the power of determination, leadership, and community-driven efforts. Despite facing significant hurdles and setbacks, she remained undeterred. With the unwavering support of her husband, Ramesh Kumar (President, Rotary Club of Maraimalai Nagar), and Rotary District Governor 3231, she turned obstacles into stepping stones, ensuring the event's resounding success. Her perseverance earned her the esteemed "Yoga Kalaimamani" award, further solidifying her legacy. A Testament to Strength and Social Responsibility Receiving the "International Social Responsibility Award - 2025" is more than an accolade--it is a recognition of resilience, passion, and the courage to make a difference. Her ability to merge yoga with social service has created a lasting legacy, inspiring individuals worldwide to embrace wellness and humanitarianism. "This accomplishment is the culmination of two years of hard work, dedication, and perseverance. I am thrilled to have reached this milestone and deeply grateful for the unwavering support of my family, mentors, and well-wishers. Through this journey, I have gained valuable lessons that have shaped me into a more confident and resilient individual. This award is not just for me but for everyone who believes in the power of social responsibility and holistic wellness," said Bhuvaneshwari Ramesh Kumaar. About International Award Forum (IAF) The International Award Forum (IAF) is a globally recognized platform that honors excellence in various fields. Operating under Nobel World Records, IAF celebrates individuals and organizations that make significant contributions to society. A Call to Action Bhuvaneshwari's journey serves as a beacon of hope and motivation, proving that passion, perseverance, and service can create a lasting impact. Her historic victory and unwavering commitment to social responsibility set an inspiring example for future generations. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
VMPL Pune (Maharashtra) [India], April 10: Pune-based real estate leader Mantra has marked a transformative year with the launch of Burgundy -- its new luxury brand tailored for the evolving aspirations of the urban elite. Designed to elevate the living experience, Burgundy sets a new benchmark in luxury through a refined blend of contemporary design, curated amenities and elevated lifestyles. The brand unveiled three landmark projects, each a statement of exclusivity and sophistication. Adding to this momentum, Mantra closed the financial year with a remarkable Rs1020 crore in inventory sold -- a reflection of strong buyer confidence, product-market fit and the brand's growing influence. Several projects witnessed complete sell-out in record time, further cementing Mantra's reputation as a trusted name in Pune's competitive real estate market. Even amidst rapid expansion, the group's unwavering focus on timely construction remains a key differentiator. All ongoing projects are progressing steadily, with many approaching completion -- reinforcing the brand's promise of on time delivery and dependability. All newly launched projects of Mantra are located in Pune's most sought-after micro-markets -- including Kharadi, Mundhwa, Magarpatta and Upper Koregaon Park -- areas known for connectivity, vibrant ecosystems and high appreciation potential and upgraded lifestyle. Mantra is not just building homes, but shaping the future of urban living. As it steps into a new year, the group remains committed to creating visionary developments that inspire, uplift and endure. ABOUT MANTRA: Mantra, a distinguished real estate brand headquartered in Pune, boasts a remarkable family-owned legacy of over 70 years. Since its inception in 2007, Mantra has consistently upheld its commitment to excellence and innovation in the real estate sector. With an unwavering focus on continuous improvement, on-time project delivery, and utmost customer satisfaction, Mantra has successfully completed over 5 million square feet across 18+ impressive projects, providing quality homes to more than 7,500 families in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. The company's strong foundation, built on principles of quality construction, financial stability, and customer-centricity, has garnered well-deserved recognition and a solid reputation within the industry. To know more connect with Mantra via - Instagram I Facebook I Twitter I LinkedIn Or additionally please visit: https://www.mantraproperties.in/ For further media queries, please contact: Sonia Kulkarni | Hunk Golden and Media 9820184099 | sonia.kulkarni@hunkgolden.in (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
SMPL Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], April 10: The financial capital of India is set to witness a landmark event as the Mumbai Business Conclave 2025 unfolds on Saturday, April 12, at the prestigious Taj Santacruz, Mumbai. Hosted by the Rotary Means Business (RMB) Fellowship - Thane City, the conclave is poised to be one of the most impactful global business gatherings of the year. Led by Dr. Ashok Sharma, Chairman of the conclave and a respected entrepreneur and Rotarian, the event promises to bring together a high-powered mix of international diplomats, business leaders, senior bureaucrats, policy makers, and Rotary members from across India. With a focus on strategic partnerships, global networking, and economic empowerment, this conclave is envisioned as a game-changer for Indian enterprise. A Full-Day Global Summit at Taj Santacruz The event will be a full-day immersive experience from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM, designed to inspire, connect, and create meaningful collaborations. The venue , Taj Santacruz is symbolic of the grandeur, global outlook, and prestige of the event. Morning Sessions (9:00 AM - 1:00 PM): Grand Opening Ceremony with Rotary leadership and top dignitaries Keynote Address by a Union Minister of the Government of India Addresses by Six Consulate Generals representing Malaysia, Mauritius, UAE, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Chile High-impact panel on International Trade, Policy, and Cross-Border Investments Afternoon Sessions (2:00 PM - 6:00 PM): Industry-focused breakout tracks on Real Estate, Technology, Healthcare, MSMEs, and Sustainability Start-up & Innovation Showcase featuring breakthrough entrepreneurs Policy Roundtables with senior bureaucrats and economists Business Networking Lounge: Curated B2B meetings and investor connect opportunities Evening Gala & Awards Night (7:00 PM - 10:00 PM): Networking Cocktail Reception Business Excellence Awards honouring achievers across industries Uniting Diplomacy and Enterprise The Mumbai Business Conclave 2025 is more than a conference -- it is a global economic forum that bridges diplomacy and enterprise. With confirmed participation from six diplomatic missions, the event signals growing international interest in India's dynamic business ecosystem. Delegates from across India's Rotary network will join hands with global representatives to explore opportunities for collaboration and growth. "This conclave reflects the spirit of Rotary Means Business -- fostering ethical, purpose-driven commerce that uplifts communities," said Dr. Ashok Sharma. "Our goal is to provide a platform where ideas turn into partnerships, and partnerships into progress." Strategic Themes and Networking The conclave will focus on themes critical to India's economic future: International Trade and Market Expansion Ease of Doing Business in India Public-Private Partnerships and Government Schemes Technology and Innovation for Inclusive Growth Rotary's Role in Sustainable Enterprise The event is expected to draw over 300 delegates, including CEOs, startup founders, investors, economists, and senior officials. With its mix of high-level content and deep networking opportunities, the Mumbai Business Conclave 2025 offers unmatched value for participants seeking global exposure and actionable insights. The Mumbai Business Conclave 2025 is where vision meets leadership, innovation meets investment, and India meets the world. Held at one of Mumbai's finest venues, it is a must-attend for anyone invested in the future of business in India. For registration, sponsorships, or media inquiries: Contact: 8551999999 | 9504246246 |7076010996 Email: rmbthanecity@gmail.com For registration and more details about event visit at-https://mumbaibusinessconclave.rmbthanecity.com (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by SMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
BusinessWire India Los Altos (California) [US]/ Patna (Bihar) [India], April 10: South Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited (SBPDCL) has signed an agreement with REC and Bidgely to implement artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning-powered solutions aimed at enhancing consumer services, reducing losses from theft and ensuring a more efficient and sustainable power supply. Bidgely is leveraging its patented AL-driven analytics for smart meters to empower consumers with granular, appliance-level energy insights, enabling them to unlock cost-saving avenues and optimize power usage through intelligent, informed decisions. Additionally, the patented technology also enables SBPDCL to implement demand-side management (DSM) strategies aligned to the recommendations of the Ministry of Power, Government of India to achieve operational excellence. By delivering actionable AI-driven insights for both consumers and at the grid, Bidgely is truly driving power optimization from grid to home. "Providing effective energy analytics to consumers in real-time is an important step towards modernization of Bihar's power distribution sector. Through REC's support and Bidgely's AI-powered analytics technology, we aim to increase transparency, improve billing accuracy and motivate consumers to use electricity in an economical manner," said Mahendra Kumar, MD, SBPDCL. The value of Bidgely's AI-powered data solutions were first recognized during the Ministry of Power's flagship Powerthon 2022, a hackathon event aimed at identifying advanced solutions for power distribution challenges. During the event, Bidgely demonstrated how its Energy Theft Solution analyzes smart meter data to identify usage patterns over a period of time and detect anomalies associated with high probability theft tendencies of meter tampering and bypassing as well as leakages in tariff misuse and other non-technical loss. Bihar has since actively leveraged Bidgely's technology to curb losses and drive efficiency. Now, the Ministry of Power has extended its support of Bihar's progressive technology investment, enabling Bihar to further capitalize on Bidgely's ability to enrich meter data with AI. This includes granular, hour-by-hour appliance-level insights into consumer energy usage, enabling optimized grid performance and empowering consumers with actionable energy-saving information. "Bihar has been at the forefront of modernizing India's power sector through strategic smart meter adoption. Bidgely is honored to be part of Bihar's transformation journey and is committed to bringing our AI expertise and global experience in technological innovation to build a smarter, more resilient power infrastructure for the future," said Abhay Gupta, CEO of Bidgely. To learn more about Bidgely's AI technology for greater customer engagement, visit: bidgely.com/solutions/customer-engagement. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
Indian export leaders are optimistic that the ongoing US-China trade tensions could create significant opportunities for India in both trade and foreign investment, according to statements from key industry figures. Ajai Sahai, Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), believes that with Chinese imports facing 125 per cent duty in most sectors, "China will have no other option but to vacate the US market." This could create opportunities for India in sectors where China currently holds over 25 per cent market share, such as textiles and footwear. "US companies or other companies who were placed in manufacturing in China to cater to the US market will be relocating. And they may also be relocating to India, because India has the advantage of having a huge market in itself," Sahai explained. He added that India is developing an ecosystem aimed at integrating into global value chains, making it an attractive alternative manufacturing base. The recent 90-day window announced by the US for negotiating bilateral trade agreements has come as "a huge relief to the export sector," according to Sahai. He noted that prior to this announcement, many orders after April 9 had been put on hold, with some companies exclusively dealing with the US market facing potential production halts. "Since we have the 90 days time frame, it will be business as usual. Exporters will continue to export to the US," Sahai said, highlighting that India has the "early mover advantage" as the first country to enter into such an arrangement with the US. Pankaj Chaddha, Chairman of the Engineering Export Promotion Council (EEPC), reported that the US is the top destination for engineering exporters, with India exporting around USD 20 billion worth of engineering goods from April to February in 2024-2025. However, he cautioned that "engineering goods exports may drop by USD 4 billion to USD 5 billion annually in the first year," though he expressed confidence that losses could be covered by exploring new markets. Chaddha recommended that "India should accelerate its efforts for trade agreements with the EU, UK, Canada and the GCC" to provide relief to exporters. Rishi Shah, Partner and Senior Economist at Grant Thornton Bharat, described the 90-day window as "a breather to practically all the world, barring the Chinese economy." He noted that trade discussions between India and the US are already at an advanced stage, and this period provides an opportunity to "come to a closure." Regarding potential Chinese responses, Shah observed that China has established production capabilities across the world, including in Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Mexico, suggesting they may have anticipated global economic disruptions. Despite this, he views the situation as "a positive" for India, which he believes is "the only country which can match up to China in terms of availability of resources, availability of skilled manpower and the workforce." The smartphone sector was highlighted as a particular success story, with Sahai crediting the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for boosting iPhone exports from India. However, he noted that "the value addition is not up to the desired level" and domestic component manufacturing needs improvement - an issue the government is addressing through recently introduced schemes for the electronic sector. Export leaders also expressed concerns about potential Chinese dumping of goods in the Indian market as they lose US market share. Sahai assured that "the government has various instruments at their disposal, maybe anti-subsidy, maybe anti-dumping, maybe safeguard duty, maybe the minimum import prices" to address such challenges. (ANI)
SMPL Bangalore (Karnataka) [India], April 10: Texas State University (TXST) and Vijaybhoomi University (VU) today announced a strategic collaboration to expand global education, research, and executive learning opportunities. This partnership aims to provide students with a globally enriched academic experience by combining the strengths of both institutions. The agreement was signed on March 31, 2025, at the Jagdish Sheth School of Management (JAGSoM) campus in Bangalore. Leaders from TXST, VU, and JAGSoM gathered to chart a path forward for academic collaboration and innovation. The centerpiece of the collaboration is a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) 2+2 pathway program. Students will complete two years at Vijaybhoomi University in India and two years at Texas State University in the U.S., earning a globally recognized degree while gaining cross-cultural academic exposure. "This partnership marks a significant step in providing students with a truly global learning experience," said Dr. Pranesh Aswath, Provost and Executive VP at TXST. "By combining Texas State University's robust academic framework with JAGSoM's industry-centric curriculum, we aim to equip students with the skills and exposure necessary to excel in an interconnected world." Sanjay Padode, President of VU, stated, "At Vijaybhoomi, we are committed to nurturing future-ready professionals. This collaboration with Texas State University will help us create pathways for our students to gain international exposure, access cutting-edge research, and collaborate on innovative business and technology solutions." Core Areas of Collaboration The partnership will extend beyond undergraduate programs to include several key areas of collaboration: * Undergraduate and Graduate Pathways: Dual-degree and 2+2 programs for undergraduates and master's students. Students benefit from global academic mentorship, cross-border study experiences, and international internship opportunities. * Joint Research and Doctoral Programs: Collaborative research in business, engineering, and technology will drive innovation. Faculty and doctoral students will co-develop interdisciplinary research projects to address global challenges. * Executive and Online Education: Executive learning modules and online programs for industry professionals and entrepreneurs, with flexible formats and joint faculty involvement. * Student and Faculty Exchange: Structured exchange programs will offer immersive academic and cultural experiences, and foster collaboration in teaching, research, and mentorship. During the event, TXST, VU, and JAGSoM representatives engaged in campus tours, interactive sessions with students and faculty, and strategy discussions to identify actionable goals for the partnership. Leaders in attendance included Dr. Pranesh Aswath, Dr. Sanjay Ramachandra, Dr. Seth Frei, Dr. Barrett Bryant, and Dr. John Fleming from Texas State University; Mr. Sanjay Padode, Mr. Pranav Padode, Dr. Ravikesh Srivastava, Dr. Anirrban Ghosh, and Dr. Salur Srikanth Patnaik from Vijaybhoomi University; and Dr. Venkatesh Sunkad, Dr. James P S, Prof. Rakesh Mediratta, and Prof. Edwin Moses from JAGSoM. The signing of the 2+2 Undergraduate Pathway Program marks the beginning of a deeper collaboration between the institutions, with a shared commitment to setting new benchmarks in global education and student mobility. About Texas State University Founded in 1899, Texas State University is a public research institution based in San Marcos, Texas, serving over 38,000 students. Offering more than 200 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs, the university is a Carnegie-designated R2 institution recognized for its strengths in fields like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, advanced materials, and sustainable energy. TXST fosters a diverse, inclusive community with strong industry collaboration, preparing students for impactful careers in a global economy. About Vijaybhoomi University (VU) Vijaybhoomi University, located in Karjat, Maharashtra, is India's first liberal professional university. It offers interdisciplinary programs across business, law, engineering, science, and liberal arts through its schools, including JAGSoM and the True School of Music. VU emphasizes experiential learning, innovation, and industry readiness, helping students develop a practical, problem-solving mindset by combining design, technology, and business thinking. For further information visit: https://vijaybhoomi.edu.in/ (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by SMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
Bangalore (Karnataka) [India], April 10: In a proud and historic announcement, Mrs. N. Keerthana has been appointed as the Organizing Secretary for the prestigious 2nd International Aari Workers Conference - 2025, which will be held in August 2025 at Bangalore, Karnataka.

This significant appointment has been jointly recognized by the Karnataka Aari Workers Council and the Indian Aari Workers Federation (IAWF) - the world's first official federation exclusively for Aari artisans.

Following the overwhelming success of the inaugural edition in Tamil Nadu, the selection of Bangalore as the host city for the 2nd conference marks a historic moment for Karnataka, bringing national and international attention to the region's contribution to the traditional arts and women-led entrepreneurship.

Highlights of the 1st International Aari Workers Conference - 2025 (Held on March 9, 2025 - Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu)

1. Historic Milestone:

First-ever international-level conference exclusively for Aari workers, marking the launch of the Indian Aari Workers Federation (IAWF) - the world's first Aari artisan federation.

2. Massive Participation:

Over 5,000 participants - including 3,000+ women on-site and 2,000+ online attendees - joined the event from across India and overseas.

3. Women Empowerment Focus:

Celebrated women-led entrepreneurship, rural artisan empowerment, and provided a voice to thousands of skilled yet unrecognized women artisans.

4. Skill Recognition & Certification:

Launched the Certified Aari Artisan (CAA) syllabus - a rural-friendly, regional-language training program for skill development and livelihood generation.

5. Cultural Pride & Economic Vision:

Emphasized the value of traditional embroidery as both a cultural heritage and economic opportunity, with a goal to uplift 1 lakh+ Aari artisans across India by 2030.

6. Media & Public Attention:

Widely covered in media as a pioneering movement for social and economic justice in the handcraft and textile sector.

Dr. Aravind Lakshminarayanan, National President of the Indian Aari Workers Federation, shared:

"Mrs. Keerthana's appointment reflects our commitment to empowering capable, grassroots leaders who are passionate about artisan welfare. The Bangalore conference will not only build on the foundation we laid in Tamil Nadu but will also create history in Karnataka by turning the spotlight on women artisans from across the globe."

The upcoming conference in Bangalore is expected to bring together thousands of Aari workers, trainers, social leaders, entrepreneurs, and policymakers under one platform for knowledge exchange, training, and cultural celebration.

(ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
Former Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein has publicly expressed support for actor-director Justin Baldoni in his ongoing legal battle with Blake Lively and the New York Times. Currently serving a prison sentence for multiple sex crime convictions, Weinstein told TMZ that he feels a sense of 'deja vu' watching Baldoni's USD 250 million libel lawsuit against the Times unfold. He alleged that the newspaper manipulated evidence in both cases to fit a predetermined narrative. The controversy stems from a December 2024 New York Times investigation titled "We Can Bury Anyone", which detailed alleged efforts by Baldoni's PR team to smear Lively during a dispute. As per Page Six, the article cited text messages that appeared to suggest a deliberate attempt to discredit the actor. Baldoni, who directed 'It Ends With Us', and his team have since filed a defamation suit claiming the messages were misrepresented, "cherry-picked," and stripped of context. Weinstein said the situation reminded him of the 2017 case that also catalyzed the '#MeToo' movement. Since 2017, more than 80 women have accused Weinstein of sexual harassment, assault, or rape. "Watching Justin Baldoni take legal action... hit me hard," Weinstein told TMZ, adding, "They did the same thing to me--cherry-picked what fit their story and ignored the rest." Weinstein's original conviction in New York was overturned in 2024, with a retrial scheduled for April 15. He is also appealing against a separate 16-year sentence issued in California for additional charges of sexual assault. Weinstein added, "I should have had the courage to speak out back then. That failure still haunts me," as quoted by Page Six. Meanwhile, the New York Times defended its reporting. Spokesperson Danielle Rhoades said their investigation into Weinstein's misconduct was "rigorously reported over many months," adding that the facts remain undisputed and Weinstein himself had acknowledged wrongdoing at the time, according to Page Six. The legal dispute involving Lively and Baldoni is making headlines, especially with publicist Leslie Sloane named as a co-defendant in Baldoni's broader USD 400 million defamation and extortion case. Sloane, who once reportedly discussed working with Weinstein, has denied any formal association with him and requested her removal from the suit, calling the case an attempt to "punish anyone who speaks out." Lively, through legal filings, maintains her statements are truthful, asserting that Baldoni created an uncomfortable environment for several women on set. Baldoni has denied any misconduct. Their case is set to proceed to trial in March 2026. (ANI)
Comedian and actor Eric Andre opened up about one of his biggest professional regrets. It was turning down Kieran Culkin's Oscar-winning role in the comedy-drama film A Real Pain, directed by Jesse Eisenberg. "I was working on something else when I read the script. I read the script. It was like 120 pages about two Jews babbling about the Holocaust, and that seemed a bit depressing to me upon first read. And I was like, 'You know what? I'm a comedian; I want to stay in my lane as a comedian,'" he said during his appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, reported People. Andre shared that he was not sure if the movie was right for "my brand." Recalling it, he shared, it was "the biggest mistake of my entire career." Kimmel asked if he "really read" the script before turning down the offer. "I read like the first 10 pages," said Andre, adding, "Who reads a script? You know how boring it is reading a script? It's excruciating. Feels like school in summertime. All the Adderall in the world couldn't get me to read a single script," as per the outlet. He continued, "I agree to movies, and I don't even know what happens after the second act." 'A Real Pain' is a 2024 comedy-drama film written and directed by Jesse Eisenberg. It is an international co-production between Poland and the United States and stars Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin. Culkin secured his first Oscar nomination and his first win for his role in 'A Real Pain'. He beat out fellow nominees Yua Borisov, Edward Norton, Guy Pearce and Jeremy Strong to take home the prestigious award, reported People. He also took home similar wins at other awards shows, including the BAFTAs and the Golden Globes. During his acceptance speech at the Oscars, Culkin shared that his wife, Jazz Charton, had said that they could try to expand their family if he won the award. "Please don't play the music because I want to tell a really quick story about Jazz. About a year ago, I was on a stage like this, and I very stupidly publicly said that I want a third kid from her because she said if I won the award, she would give me the kid," he said, referencing his acceptance speech from the 2023 Emmy Awards. He continued, "It turns out she said that because she didn't think I was gonna win," as per the outlet. Culkin added, "And she turned to me, I swear to God, this happened. It was just over a year ago. She said, 'I will give you four when you win an Oscar,' " he said. "I held my hand out. She took it, and I have not brought it up once, until just now," People reported. (ANI)
As 'Kesari Chapter 2' nears its release date, Akshay Kumar is making sure that fans get a strong sense of the powerful story and the man behind it. The 'Sky Force' actor, who plays the role of C. Sankaran Nair -- the lawyer who fought against the British Empire after the Jallianwala Bagh massacre -- has been sharing glimpses of his character, which has already struck a chord with fans. On Thursday, Akshay took to his Instagram account to share a striking black-and-white collage. One half featured the real picture of C. Sankaran Nair, while the other half showed Akshay as the character. "The mind of the South. The might of the North. Together, we fought. Together, we rose. Honoured to bring to life C. Sankaran Nair -- who took the British Empire to court after the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. Sankaran Nair didn't fight with a weapon; he fought with the law and fire in his soul," read the caption of his post. https://www.instagram.com/p/DIRBpUWzDDR/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Soon after the actor dropped the image, fans chimed in in the comment section, with one writing, "Akki Pajji in a patriotic role is just..." while another added, "Ye movie dil ko chhune wali hai." Earlier, on Wednesday, Akshay had posted another image -- this time, a poster showing him dressed as a Kathakali dancer. Along with the picture, he added a caption that read, "This is not a costume. It's a symbol -- of tradition, of resistance, of truth, of my nation. C. Sankaran Nair didn't fight with a weapon. He fought the British Empire with the law -- and with fire in his soul. This 18th APRIL, we bring you the court trial they never taught in textbooks. #KesariChapter2 #SankaranVsTheEmpire." https://www.instagram.com/p/DINrDUYt03m/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link The trailer of the film, released earlier this month, gives a glimpse into the emotional and powerful court battle led by Nair. It also stars Ananya Panday as a law student and R. Madhavan as Neville McKinley. The first part of the film, Kesari, starred Parineeti Chopra and revolved around the valor of 21 Sikh soldiers in the 1897 battle. 'Kesari Chapter 2' is set to release on April 18. (ANI)
The film is being directed and written by John Rosman, known for his 2023 horror movie New Life.

Cavalero, best known for playing Keefe in HBO's comedy series The Righteous Gemstones, has joined the previously announced cast members Sarah Yarkin and Nicholas Cirillo. However, his role in the film is still under wraps.

The movie is currently being filmed in New Mexico.

As per Deadline, the Silence Game revolves around the story of a young man who becomes drawn to a mysterious group after following a woman to their camp. There, he meets a powerful leader who promotes a strange game called "The Silence Game," which has simple rules but leads to dark and scary consequences. As the man gets pulled deeper into the group's ideology, he starts to struggle with the leader's beliefs and must decide what is real and what is dangerous.

The film is being produced by T. Justin Ross, who also worked on New Life and Aporia. Casting was handled by Emily Schweber.

Cavalero has been busy with several projects lately. He finished filming a biopic about boxer Christy Martin, directed by David Michod, and worked on DMV, a pilot for CBS. His recent projects also include Cold Wallet with Raul Castillo and Die Hart 3, alongside Kevin Hart, J.K. Simmons, and Kathryn Hahn.

The Righteous Gemstones, where Cavalero stars alongside Danny McBride and Adam Devine, is nearing its end, with the series finale expected in May after four successful seasons. (ANI)
Aam Aadmi Party's Jammu and Kashmir MLA, Mehraj Malik, accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of "resorting to hooliganism" and alleged that his voice is being "suppressed" in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly. He also made a controversial statement on the late former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, accusing the latter of "betraying" the Muslim community. Malik told reporters in Jammu, "... I stand by my statements on Mufti Mohammad Sayeed... They cannot scare me... Mufti Sayeed has died, and it's a fact. I have not used the words which they fear... He has betrayed the Muslim community. It is because of Mufti Sayeed that I am in this condition and BJP is resorting to hooliganism. If my voice is being suppressed in the house and if I am being attacked outside the house, it is because of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed..." Earlier on Wednesday, a scuffle broke out in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly following comments made by Mehraj Malik on Hindus, leading to multiple MLAs being marshalled out by officials. Reportedly, certain Bhartiya Janata Party MLAs objected to alleged comments made by Mehraj Malik, where he claimed that Hindus wear a 'tilak' but sin all the time. Reacting to the comments, BJP MLA Vikram Randhawa, who was in the assembly when the scuffle broke out, condemned Malik's comments. "Today, he has insulted Hindus; will he do anything he wants? We will protest this, he has insulted Hindus saying that Hindus wear tilak and sin, steal from people, drink alcohol, we will tell him what Hindus do." Meanwhile, AAP MLA Mehraj Malik also got into a heated argument with PDP MLA Waheed Parra. "You have been a traitor...he has brought in the mafia. There are so many people outside. Who are these people?" Malik told Para While talking with reporters, Malik said, "He tells me I have no respect or manners. Will he teach me?" The AAP MLA further claimed that he had been attacked by BJP workers. (ANI)
Mumbai 'Chai Wala' known as 'Chhotu' aka Mohammed Taufiq, whose alertness saved lives during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks stated that there is no need for India to provide Tahawwur Rana with cell and Biryani and facilities which were provided to Ajmal Kasab, one of the terrorists involved in Mumbai attacks. He also demanded that there should be separate laws to deal with terrorists. Rana has been accused of being involved in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, where innocent people were killed, and is expected to stand trial in India. On 26/11 Mumbai attacks accused Tahawwur Rana's extradition to India, Mohammed Taufiq, a tea seller known as 'Chhotu Chai Wala' whose alertness helped a large number of people escape the attack, told ANI, "...For India, there is no need to provide him with a cell. Biryani and facilities like those given to Kasab. There should be a separate law for terrorists, a system should be in place so that they are hanged within 2-3 months..." On April 7, the Supreme Court of the United States rejected Tahawwur Rana's plea to stay his extradition to India. Rana filed an emergency application with Chief Justice Roberts on March 20, 2025, seeking a stay on his extradition. "The application for stay addressed to The Chief Justice and referred to the Court is denied," the SC order dated Monday, April 7, stated. According to the Mumbai Crime Branch, a case of criminal conspiracy against Rana was originally lodged by the NIA in Delhi following the deadly November 2008 attacks in which over 160 people were killed. The ongoing extradition process pertains to that case. However, officials clarified that it is yet to be determined whether Mumbai Police can seek his custody for any local investigation linked to the attacks. "Only after examining the grounds of extradition will it be clear whether custody can be sought by the Mumbai Crime Branch in this matter," sources said. Sources added that the Mumbai Police has not received any formal communication so far regarding Rana's transfer to the city for questioning or judicial proceedings. Tahawwur Rana, a Pakistani-Canadian national, was convicted in the US for the banned terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operatives and providing material support to the group responsible for the Mumbai attacks that killed over 174 people. (ANI)
Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara claimed that the state's financial status is empowered, and it ranks second across the country in terms of investment and Goods and Services Tax collections. He also stated that the government had allocated funds in the Budget for the five guarantees and accused the central government of not cooperating with the State government in distributing 10 kg of free rice. G Parameshwara told reporters here on Wednesday, "The state's financial status is empowered. Investment and GST in the state is the second largest in the country...The BJP now understands that our government is acting as per our promises. Karnataka ranks second in investment. We have attracted the attention of the nation...We have allocated funds in the budget for five guarantees. We have given equal plans to all, regardless of caste, religion and party. We have given plans for girls to gain economic power. The central government did not cooperate with us for the distribution of 10 kg of free rice. Instead, we paid for five kg." He also questioned the Central government for increasing the price of the cooking gas cylinder, petrol and diesel "It is ironic that the BJP is fighting against the price hike. The price rise is for what reason? The central government has not properly allocated our tax share. Why did the central government increase the price of cooking gas cylinder, petrol and diesel? Do the BJP and the JD(S) not know what price has been raised?", he said. Meanwhile, on Tuesday, G Parameshwara responded to the criticisms he faced over his controversial comments on the Bengaluru molestation case. Speaking to the media, he highlighted the implementation of the Nirbhaya project, claiming that Karnataka has utilised more grants for the initiative than any other state. Parameshwara also emphasised his dedication to taking strict measures for the protection of women, expressing regret if his remarks have offended the nation's mothers. (ANI)
Responding to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's speech Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari accused the ruling Trinamool Congress supremo of "appeasement" and "vote bank", stating that the Waqf (Amendment) Act is being implemented from here on. The BJP leader also requested everyone to stop damaging police vehicles, referring to the violence that erupted in West Bengal's Murshidabad district on Tuesday during protests against the Waqf Amendment Act Reacting to the violence, Adhikari told ANI on Wednesday, "I request everyone to stop this violence and damaging police vehicles first... Everyone has to accept the Union government's law. The state government and the Chief Minister held Citizenship (Amendment) Act as illegal, and that was implemented here, giving citizenship certificates to over 100 people in Bengal... Mamata Banerjee wanted to stop the Triple Talaq law, but that became law as well... This (Waqf) also became a law and is being implemented from here on... This speech was given by her for appeasement and vote bank..." West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday said that there will be "no divide and rule" in the State under her watch. She added that people from the Muslim community are "pained" by the Waqf Amendment Act, but she appealed to them not to be swayed by the political provocation. "I want to tell the people from the minority community that I know that you are pained by the Waqf Amendment Act but have faith that there will be no divide and rule in Bengal. You should give the message of live and let live," Mamata Banerjee said while speaking at the 'Navkar Mahamantra Divas' program here. "It is our work to give protection to those who are living in Bengal. I appeal to you all that if anyone provokes you politically to assemble, then please don't do it. Please remember that Didi will protect you and your property. If we stay together, then we can conquer the world," she added. She said that some people are attempting to defame Bengal. "Our aim is to unite, not divide. When we stay united, the country will progress. Our policy is to live and let live peacefully. Some people are defaming Bengal, saying that I don't give protection to the Hindu religion in the state. Then who gives protection to all? I must give credit to the minorities in Bengal who also celebrate Hindu festivals in the state. I am proud to say this is Bengal," she said. Meanwhile, the BJP has launched a scathing attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, accusing her administration of failing to maintain law and order when violence broke out in the Jangipur area in the Murshidabad district during Waqf Amendment Act protests. Suvendu Adhikari, posted a video on X on Tuesday, allegedly showing images of the violent clashes that broke out in the area. He claimed that certain "anti-social" elements were burning public property, burning police cars and "spreading chaos" in the name of protests. He also accused the state government of doing "vote bank politics." Violence erupted in West Bengal's Murshidabad district on Tuesday during protests against the Waqf Amendment Act, with clashes between demonstrators and police resulting in stone-pelting and torched police vehicles. "Antisocial elements are taking to the streets, burning Govt & Public properties and spreading chaos in the name of protest. This is not dissent; it's destruction and is absolutely unconstitutional. The WB Govt and Administration are failing to maintain law & order because they are deliberately turning a blind eye to protect the ruling party's vote bank," read Adhikari's post on X. (ANI)
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday extended his greetings on the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti, saying that Lord Mahavir's life gives us the message of compassion, peace, truth, nonviolence, sacrifice, love, and self-restraint. In a post on X, CM Dhami said that Lord Mahavir's teachings inculcate morality and virtue in our society. "Congratulations and best wishes to all the people of the state on the birth anniversary of Lord Mahavir Swami Ji. The principles of truth, non-violence, compassion and restraint given by Lord Mahavir will always illuminate the lives of all of us. His teachings will always inspire us to follow the path of religion, sacrifice and humanity," CM Dhami posted on X. Mahavir Jayanti is celebrated to mark the birth anniversary of Lord Mahavir, who was born in 615 BC in a royal family and was given the name 'Vardhamana' in his childhood. It will be celebrated on April 10, according to Mahavir Samvat. As Vardhamana grew up, he renounced his princely status at the age of 30 and started on his spiritual journey in search of truth and enlightenment. He practiced austerities and meditated for 12 years in a forest to achieve 'Kevala Jnana.' He then propagated the Dharma known as Jainism. The Jain community worldwide celebrates Mahavira's birth anniversary with joy and excitement. Mahavira was the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism, and his teachings spread peace and harmony. Mahavir Jayanti is celebrated with rituals like praying at Jain temples, processions, singing hymns adoring Lord Mahavira, fasting to purify the body and soul, charity, cultural programs and lectures by religious scholars and leaders. The festival of Mahavir Jayanti is celebrated to highlight the significance of Jainism in the world, especially in India. The key teaching of 'ahinsa parmo dharma' or non-violence is of great significance in the world today. (ANI)
A blast was reported outside the house of Punjab BJP leader Manoranjan Kalia in Jalandhar on Tuesday. While the Punjab police have launched an investigation, Kalia on Wednesday said that he has not seen the CCTV footage of the incident but wants primitive measures from the Punjab police so that such incidents can be prevented in the future. Kalia said that he had spoken to Home Minister Amit Shah and was informed that central agencies were already on the matter. "I have not seen the CCTV footage... I want preemptive vigilance from the Punjab police so such incidents can be avoided in the future... I spoke to Union Home Minister Amit Shah yesterday. He informed me that central agencies are deployed on this...", the BJP leader told reporters on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini met Manoranjan Kalia on Tuesday and slammed to Aam Aadmi Party in Punjab and said that it is the failure of the state government and people are waiting for elections. Nayab Singh Saini said, "It is an unfortunate incident. Punjab has also faced this in the past. It is the government's responsibility to maintain law and order. This is the failure of the government. Law and order have collapsed in Punjab. There is an atmosphere of fear in Punjab. The people are waiting for the elections." On Tuesday, the Punjab Police apprehended the main accused in the grenade attack on the residence of former Punjab minister and BJP leader Manoranjan Kalia in Jalandar, said the sources in the police, adding that the attack was the handiwork of Pakistan's intelligence agency, Inter-Services Intelligence, to spoil religious harmony in the State. According to the sources, the mastermind of the attack is identified as Zeeshan Akhtar, who is a close associate of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. The sources said that the attack was a "cross-border planned attack." Akhtar is also wanted in the NCP leader Baba Siddique's murder case. (ANI)
Two people, the principal and a professor of a government college in Madhya Pradesh's Narmadapuram district, were suspended, and three others were terminated from their services after a purported viral video showed a peon evaluating the answer sheets of the students, an official said. Those terminated from the service include a guest faculty member, Khushboo Pagare, who was responsible for evaluating answer sheets; a lab technician (peon), Pannalal Patharia, who checked the copies; and Rakesh Kumar Mehar, a book lifter, who helped in the matter. According to the information, the incident occurred in January this year, and later, a video went viral on social media, which led to the recent development of suspension and termination. The college principal, Rakesh Kumar Verma, and a professor who was the nodal officer for answer sheet evaluation, Ram Gulam Patel, were suspended on April 4, and later, three others were terminated in the matter on April 8. Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) of the Higher Education Department of the MP government, Anupam Rajan, told ANI, "Evaluation of answer sheets was going on at Shaheed Bhagat Singh College in Pipariya, Narmadapuram district and a video came to light of a class fourth employee, a lab technician, was evaluating the papers. After that, a committee of senior officers was constituted to investigate the matter. Following this, the principal of the college has been suspended for negligence, and Ram Gulam Patel, the nodal officer for the evaluation work, has also been suspended." He further said that three people, including the guest faculty originally responsible for evaluating copies, the lab technician, and a book lifter who helped in the matter, were terminated from their services. "Additionally, Khushboo Pagare, the guest faculty member responsible for evaluating the copies, claimed that her health was not fine, so she was not present for the elevation work, so she was terminated from the service. The person who did the evaluation work, Pannalal Patharia, lab technician and Rakesh Mehar, who is a book lifter and helped in this matter, have also been terminated. A total of two people have been suspended and three people have been terminated from their services into the matter," the officer said. When asked about the re-evaluation of the checked copies, ACS Rajan said that there would be no loss to the students and earlier checked copies would be re-evaluated by competent people. He also said that negligence should not occur again in the future; otherwise, strict action will be taken. "There will be no loss to the students and those copies which were checked before will be re-evaluated by competent people whose job is to check the copies. Also, strict action has been taken in the matter; suspension and termination orders have been uploaded on the departmental website. This kind of negligence should not happen again and if it is found anywhere, strict action will be taken," Rajan added. Meanwhile, Higher Education Minister Inder Singh Parmar said that the matter was taken seriously and that action was ensured against the people found guilty. "The department has considered the matter very seriously about examination copies given to ineligible persons for evaluation in Pipariya. We have ensured action against those who were found guilty in it, including the Principal of the College," Minister Inder Singh Parmar told ANI. On the contrary, Congress spokesperson Ravi Saxena said there was chaos everywhere in the state under the current government's rule, and they were not surprised to see such an incident, alleging that the state government has nothing to do with education. "There is chaos spreading all around in this government, be it health, education or unemployment. Neither law and order nor other things are in place. So, if a peon is evaluating examination papers in today's Mohan government in the state, then it is not surprising because they have nothing to do with education. There is only corruption in this government and nothing else. If we look at the education conditions in Madhya Pradesh, it has reached the 18th position. Around 60 students have dropped out of primary education in the state in the last five years. There are no basic facilities for students in 31,000 primary and secondary schools in the state," said Congress leader Ravi Saxena. "The government's job is to monitor the situation all the time, what is happening in the state, but after the incident, they began eye washing. They have taken action and suspended those involved in the incident, but it will not work. These are some examples which came to light but there are millions of examples which get unnoticed. The government should pay attention to them," he added. The Congress leader also demanded that the state government should take strict action into the matter and make sure that such incidents should not repeat in the future. (ANI)
Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav attacked the Union government over the Caste census and accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party of being against the caste census. "Caste census should be conducted in the nation...PM Modi and the BJP are against the caste census, and as a reason, the caste census is not being done...When the real picture of the nation comes forward, their politics on Hindu-Muslim will end," Tejashwi Yadav told ANI on Wednesday. On Wednesday, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi also attacked the BJP over the caste census and alleged that they "don't want to reveal the share that minorities get in this country." "We took a revolutionary step of caste census in Telangana. A few months before that, I had asked PM Narendra Modi in Parliament that we should get a caste census done in the country... I wanted to know who had what share in this country and whether this country truly respected the tribal, Dalit, and backward communities... PM Narendra Modi and RSS clearly refused the caste census because they don't want to reveal the share that minorities get in this country... I told him that we will pass the caste census law in the Parliament right in front of you," Rahul Gandhi said. Moreover, the two-day Ahmedabad session of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) included a detailed discussion on the caste census. Congress MP Deepender Hooda said that the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, will take the demand for a caste census forward. "There was a detailed discussion about our demand for a caste census for social justice. We will symbolically do our programs to take the demand forward. We demand that the government conduct a caste census so that every section gets rights according to its population," Hooda told reporters. "Rahul Gandhi is taking this thinking forward as a hero of social justice. The caste census and the kind of reservation system that our government of Telangana has done after that was also praised in the working committee," he added. (ANI)
As many as 13 people lost their lives after lightning struck in four districts of Bihar - Begusarai, Darbhanga, Madhubani and Samastipur- according to an official statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO). As per the CMO, five people were killed in Begusarai, four in Darbhanga, and three in Madhubani, while Samastipur recorded one fatality. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has expressed his condolences over the deaths and announced an ex-gratia grant of four lakh rupees to the families of all the deceased. The official statement dated April 9 read, "Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is deeply saddened by the death of 5 persons in Begusarai, 4 in Darbhanga, 3 in Madhubani and 1 in Samastipur due to lightning and has expressed his deep condolences to the affected families." "The Chief Minister said that he is with the affected families in this hour of disaster. The Chief Minister has directed to immediately give an ex-gratia grant of four lakh rupees to the families of all the deceased," it added. The Bihar Chief Minister appealed to the people to stay indoors and safe during bad weather conditions and follow the guidelines of the Disaster Management Department. The statement reads, "The Chief Minister has appealed to the people to be fully alert during bad weather. In case of bad weather, follow the suggestions issued from time to time by the Disaster Management Department to protect against lightning. Stay indoors and stay safe during bad weather." The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert for the districts of Kishanganj, Araria, Supaul, Madhubani, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, East Champaran, and West Champaran on April 9 and 10. The IMD also forecasted heavy rainfall on April 10 at one or two places in the Kishanganj and Supaul districts of the state. "Thunderstorm with lightning & gusty wind (40-50) kmph likely to occur at few places over Kishanganj, Araria, Supaul, Madhubani, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, East Champaran, West Champaran districts of the state," said IMD. (ANI)
The Central Government has appointed advocate Narender Mann as the Special Public Prosecutor in the Mumbai terror attack conspiracy case being probed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). A Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) notification mentions that the appointment has been made under the powers conferred by Section 15(1) of the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008, read with Section 18(8) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS). As per the notification issued late Wednesday, Mann will represent the NIA in the agency's case RC-04/2009/NIA/DLI before the Special NIA Courts in Delhi and the Appellate Courts. His term will last for "three years from the date of publication of the notification or until the completion of the trial, whichever is earlier." Maan's appointment is significant amid reports that the co-conspirator of the Mumbai terror attack, Tahawwur Rana, is being extradited from the US to India. The NIA case RC-04/2009/NIA/DLI is linked to the Mumbai terror attack conspiracy case. The NIA took over the case as per Ministry of Home Affairs order dated November 11, 2009 under sections 121A of Indian Penal Code, Section 18 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and Section 6(2) SAARC Convention (Suppression of Terrorism) Act against David Coleman Headley alias Daood Gilani (a US Citizen), Tahawwur Hussain Rana (Canadian citizen) and others following 2008 Mumbai terror attack that left several dead. As per NIA's First Information Report (FIR), accused persons Headley, resident of Chicago, Illinois; and Rana, a Canadian citizen of Pakistan origin primarily residing in Chicago, USA; entered into a criminal conspiracy with members of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Harkat-ul Jihadi Islami (HUJI), both terrorist organizations based in Pakistan, which have been declared as Terrorist Organization by the Government of India under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (as amended in Act 35 / 2008), to commit terrorist acts in New Delhi and other places in India. During the course of investigation. The roles of senior functionaries of the banned terrorist outfits LeT and HUJI, namely Hafiz Muhammad Saeed alias Tayyaji, Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, Sajjid Majid alias Wasi, Illyas Kashmiri and Abdur Rehman Hashim Syed alias Major Abdurrehman alias Pasha with active connivance and assistance from officers of ISI, namely, Major Iqbal alias Major Ali, Major Sameer Ali alias Major Samir, all residents of Pakistan, have emerged. Hence, the Special NIA Court, Patiala House in New Delhi, has issued non-bailable warrants against all nine accused persons. The accused Headley and Rana were arrested by law enforcement agencies in the USA in their case. Consequent upon the request of the NIA, Interpol, and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), New Delhi issued Red Notices (RNs) against the remaining seven absconding accused persons noted above. The NIA sent extradition requests to the USA for the extradition of the accused persons Headley and Rana, which are still pending for execution by the authorities of the USA. A letter Rogatory (letter of request for assistance in investigation) has been furnished to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and we are awaiting their reply. After the completion of the investigation, a charge sheet was filed in the Patiala House Court in New Delhi on December 24, 2011, against all nine accused persons under sections 120 B, read with 121, 121A, 302, 468 and 471 of the Indian Penal Code and sections 16,18 and 20 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. (ANI)
Both CRPF bravehearts laid their lives in the line of duty at Digdol on 15 December 2019.

Speaking to ANI, CRPF 84 Battalion Commandant N Ranbir Singh said, "We celebrate Shaurya Diwas every year on 9 April. This event is being organised on the NH-44 connecting Jammu-Srinagar. On this place in Digdol, on 15 December 2019, our DIG Shailendra Vikram Singh, and Constable Driver Naveen Kumar of 144 Battalion, sacrificed their lives in the line of duty. We have erected a memorial stone for them on the occasion of Shaurya Diwas..."

Shaurya Diwas, or Valour Day, is celebrated on April 9 to recognise the bravery and sacrifices of India's armed forces. This day honors the courageous soldiers who protect the nation, often facing danger with fearlessness.

The day specifically commemorates the 1965 Battle of Sardar Post in Gujarat, where the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) showed remarkable bravery.

Recently, a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawan was injured in an IED blast triggered by Naxals in the forested region of the Bijapur district in Chhattisgarh on Wednesday, officials said.

According to officials, the incident occurred near Kodapal Nala when a team from the 196 Battalion of the CRPF, based in Chinnakodepal, was out on an area domination duty.

During the operation, a member of the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) stepped on a pressure-activated improvised explosive device (IED) that Naxals had planted.

The blast caused severe injuries to the jawan's legs. He was immediately evacuated and has been admitted to the district hospital in Bijapur, where he is undergoing treatment.

Security forces have launched a search operation in the surrounding region to trace the Maoists responsible for planting the explosive and to ensure the area is safe for further movement of personnel. (ANI)
The Central Government appointed Advocate Narender Mann as Special Public Prosecutor to conduct trials and other matters related to National Investigation Agency case RC-04/2009/NIA/DLI against Tahawwur Hussain Rana and David Coleman Headley, who is in a US Prison following a plea deal. "In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 15 of the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008 (34 of 2008), read with sub-section (8) of section 18 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS), the Central Government hereby appoints Narender Mann, Advocate as Special Public Prosecutor for conducting trial and other matters related to NIA case RC-04/2009/NIA/DLI on behalf of the National Investigation Agency before the NIA Special Courts at Delhi and Appellate Courts, for a period of 3 years from the date of publication of this notification or till the completion of trial of the said case, whichever is earlier," the Ministry of Home Affairs notified on April 9. Rana is being extradited to India, and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) will take custody of him upon arrival. The US Secretary of State had signed the surrender warrant authorizing Rana's extradition to Indian authorities on February 11. Rana's legal counsel subsequently filed an emergency stay motion seeking to challenge that order. On April 7, the U.S. Supreme Court denied Rana's petition for a stay of his extradition. Tahawwur Rana, a Pakistani-Canadian national, was convicted in the US for the banned terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operatives and providing material support to the group responsible for the Mumbai attacks that killed over 174 people. The Indian government has been seeking his extradition for years, and the US Supreme Court's recent decision has paved the way for his transfer to India. According to the NIA, the government registered a case on November 11, 2009, at the NIA Police Station New Delhi as Case RC-04/2009/NIA/DL under various sections. "As per the Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs order No. 11034/10/ 2009-IS.VI dated 11/11/ 2009 National Investigation Agency (NIA) registered a case on 11/11/2009 at NIA Police Station, New Delhi as Case RC-04/2009/NIA/DLI under sections 121A of IPC, Section 18 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and Section 6(2) SAARC Convention (Suppression of Terrorism) Act against 1) David Coleman Headley @ Daood Gilani (US Citizen), 2) Tahawwur Hussain Rana (Canadian citizen) and others," the NIA stated. The NIA stated that the accused David Coleman Headley alias Daood Gilani and Tahawwur Hussain Rana were arrested by law enforcement agencies in the USA in their case. "NIA sent Extradition Requests to USA for extradition of accused persons David Coleman Headley and Tahawwur Hussain Rana, which are still pending for execution by the authorities of USA. A letter Rogatory (letter of request for assistance in investigation) has been furnished to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and the reply is awaited from them. After completion of investigation, charge sheet has been filed in the Court of Hon'ble Special Judge, NIA, Patiala House, New Delhi on December 24, 2011 against all 9 accused persons uunder sections 120 B, read with 121, 121A, 302, 468 and 471 Indian Penal Code and sections 16,18 & 20 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act," the NIA stated. Rana's extradition marks a significant step in the pursuit of justice for the victims of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. (ANI)
Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has said that the Congress will not allow the BJP at any cost to gain a foothold in the state. "From the land of Vallabhbhai Patel, I am saying only one thing. Under the leadership of Sonia Gandhi, we will not let the BJP enter Telangana. We will stop them," Revanth Reddy said while addressing the AICC meeting in Ahmedabad on Wednesday. The Chief Minister also appealed to Congress workers and Gandhi followers to ensure the defeat of the BJP across the nation. "With a strong resolve from here, we are going to defeat the BJP in Telangana. I am appealing to every Congress worker and Gandhi follower to take the responsibility of defeating the BJP in the coming days from here. All of us should defeat Godse's descendants and Modi," he said. "Standing in the land of Gujarat, I resolved to stop the BJP from entering Telangana. The Telangana region was liberated from Nizam's rule under the leadership of former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and former Union Home Minister Vallabhbhai Patel. It is the reason Telangana people maintain a relationship with the Gujrat people and the descendants of Vallabhbhai Patel," he added. The Chief Minister said that Vallabhbhai Patel liberated Telangana, while Sonia Gandhi accorded statehood to it. The Chief Minister said that his government fulfilled Rahul Gandhi's promises by waiving Rs 21,000 crore in farm loans and conducting a caste census. "Rahul Gandhi embarked on Bharat Jodo Yatra covering 4,000 km from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, promising caste census, crop loan waiver, job creation for youth, and women's welfare. During his padayatra in Telangana, Rahul Gandhi also made the promise of caste census, waiver of farm loans, jobs, and women's welfare," He said. He said that the Modi government did not allow Rahul Gandhi to speak in the Lok Sabha, "fearing our Congress leader will raise the issue of caste census in the House." The Chief Minister said that PM Modi had reneged on his poll promise of generating 2 crore jobs every year. "Prime Minister Modi promised to create 2 crore jobs every year. Eleven years have passed, and the centre should have provided more than 20 crore jobs by now. Modi and Amit Shah have only got the jobs, and 2 crore youth become jobless every year," he said. (ANI)
The Delhi CM was accompanied by Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena and Minister Parvesh Verma.

Meanwhile, the Delhi CM, LG Saxena and Parvesh Verma also inspected the drainage of Barapullah Bridge near the Nizamuddin Bridge.

Notably, after the BJP won with a historic mandate of 48 seats of 70 Delhi Assembly seats, the cleaning process for the Yamuna River was taken up, and trash skimmers, weed harvesters, and dredge utility vehicles were deployed to the river on February 16.

Pollution in the Yamuna was a key issue during the Delhi Assembly elections, with political parties targeting each other over pollution, encroachments, and flood management. BJP attacked AAP and accused it of failing to deliver on promises of cleaning the Yamuna.

Apart from this, the BJP has mentioned cleaning the Yamuna as one of the top priorities in its manifesto.

Since then, the Delhi Government had requested the Territorial Army to safeguard the river from dumping, mining, encroachment, and theft.

This decision aims to preserve the river in its natural form and achieve the government's target of cleaning the Yamuna within three years.

The Territorial Army's Ecological Task Force is capable of protecting the Yamuna River, and their deployment is anticipated in the coming months.

This move is crucial, given the severe pollution of the Yamuna River, which is attributed to untreated sewage discharge, industrial effluents, garbage dumping, illegal sand mining, water theft, and encroachment.

In a related development, Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena launched an intensive campaign to clean the Yamuna floodplains, which included inducting a 94-member company of the territorial army to ensure the cleaned stretches remain encroachment-free.

The Yamuna Master Plan is a comprehensive, sustainable, and scientific approach to river rejuvenation. It focuses on targeted interventions through a four-pronged strategy.

With a mission-driven approach, the plan seeks to transform the Yamuna into a clean and rejuvenated river, addressing long-standing environmental concerns in the 22 km stretch passing through Delhi. (ANI)
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma carried out an inspection of Shivpur Head in Sri Ganganagar and unveiled the statue of Maharaja Ganga Singh. Singh established the Ganga Canal in the early 20th century, which helped mitigate the effects of famine by bringing in water from Satluj. Sharma also visited the Shri Karanpur Assembly constituency, where workers welcomed him. Sharma, while reiterating the government's commitment to strengthening the farmers in the state, highlighted earlier how around Rs 3,400 crore has been disbursed to farmers of the Ganganagar area. CM Sharma, while looking to solve the farmers' problems, assured them that the party's poll promises would be implemented fully. The Rajasthan Chief Minister visited Hanumangarh district and met with the farmers of the Bhakra Canal area at the PWD Guest House in Hanumangarh. "If the farmer is strong, then our state will definitely be strong. I used to see every day that farmers of Hanumangarh, Ganganagar are at some block office, district office for some issue or the other...We will solve the farmers' problems. You have seen that within 2 years, an estimate of Rs 3,400 crore has been given for the farmers of Ganganagar," he said. CM Sharma gave them "detailed information" about the state government's efforts in the agriculture sector, farmer welfare schemes, and modern agricultural techniques. On the occasion of World Health Day, a grand state-level event was organised on Monday at the Rajasthan Ayurvedic Research Institute here. Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma and Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar attended the event. According to a release, the Chief Minister launched several health campaigns during the event, including the 'Niramay Rajasthan Campaign, 'Eat Right Rajasthan, 'Mission Madhuhari, 'Mission Liver Smile, and 'Chief Minister Ayushman Adarsh Gram Panchayat Yojana. The release noted that the launch included the mobile app for the Chief Minister Ayushman Scheme, Ayush packages, an AI-based integrated monitoring system, a learning management system, 29 breastfeeding management units, and the establishment of hemodialysis wards in 50 medical institutions. (ANI)
Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar has hit back at Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy after he said that the Congress will not allow the BJP to gain a foothold in the state at any cost. He wondered how the Chief Minister, who" couldn't make Congress win in his native Mahabubnagar," could stop the BJP. "Telangana CM couldn't make Congress win in his native Mahabubnagar--lost to a BJP MP. He couldn't hold his sitting seat in Malkajgiri--again lost to the BJP. He came third in Kamareddy, defeated directly by a BJP MLA. Even in the MLC polls, Congress lost to the BJP," Kumar said in a post on X. "In Hyderabad, Congress doesn't even have candidates--they're backing MIM. Yet today in Ahmedabad, he claims Congress will stop the BJP? If you can't win on your home turf, how will you take on the BJP across the country?" he added. The Minister said that the BJP is "only getting stronger" and called the Congress an "endangered species." "While you accuse us of spreading communal hatred, Hyderabad knows who's really playing that game--you and your MIM allies. Congress is an endangered species. The CM should ask Rahul Gandhi to protect the few left instead of turning them into rubber stamps. BJP is here to stay. And we're only getting stronger. We are here to lead," Kumar said. Earlier, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy said that the Congress will not allow the BJP to gain a foothold in the state at any cost. "From the land of Vallabhbhai Patel, I am saying only one thing. Under the leadership of Sonia Gandhi, we will not let the BJP enter Telangana. We will stop them," Revanth Reddy said while addressing the AICC meeting in Ahmedabad on Wednesday. The Chief Minister also appealed to Congress workers and Gandhi followers to ensure the defeat of the BJP across the nation. "With a strong resolve from here, we are going to defeat the BJP in Telangana. I am appealing to every Congress worker and Gandhi follower to take the responsibility of defeating the BJP in the coming days from here. All of us should defeat Godse's descendants and Modi," he said. "Standing in the land of Gujarat, I resolved to stop the BJP from entering Telangana. The Telangana region was liberated from Nizam's rule under the leadership of former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and former Union Home Minister Vallabhbhai Patel. It is the reason Telangana people maintain a relationship with the Gujrat people and the descendants of Vallabhbhai Patel," he added. (ANI)
Amid strong opposition, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) plans to approach the Muslim community across the country to apprise them about the merits of the newly amended Waqf Amendment Act. A workshop will be organised today at the BJP Headquarters in Delhi, where Union Minister and BJP national president JP Nadda will address the gathering. Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and leaders from across the country will also attend the workshop. This comes as several opposition leaders, including All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Amanatullah Khan, Congress MP Mohammed Jawed, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MLA Muhammad Izhar Asfi and others, knock on the doors of the apex court challenging the recently passed amendments to the Waqf Act. Earlier, Samajwadi Party (SP) Member of Parliament from Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal, Zia Ur Rehman Barq, has filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act of 2025. Represented by Advocate Suleman Khan, the SP leader argues the amendments violate fundamental rights, particularly the removal of "Waqf by user," induction of non-Muslim members into Waqf councils, and a five-year embargo for Muslims. The petition seeks a review of these provisions, which Barq claims unjustly interfere with the religious affairs of the Muslim community. On Wednesday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi attacked the central government over the Waqf Amendment Act, saying it is an "attack on freedom of religion and Constitution". Addressing the All India Congress Committee session in Ahmedabad, Rahul Gandhi alleged that the Modi government "staged the drama" of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in Parliament to divert people's attention from the issue of tariffs imposed by the United States. "BJP passed the Waqf Bill, this bill is an attack on freedom of religion, an attack on the Constitution. I had said that the Waqf Bill attacks Muslims now but sets a precedent to target other communities in the future. It didn't take long for the RSS to turn its attention to Christians," Rahul Gandhi said. The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, came into force on April 8 (Tuesday). After a 12-hour discussion, the Upper House cleared the bill with 128 members voting in favour, whereas 95 members voted against the legislation. The act aims to modify the Waqf Act, 1995 and the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2013. The 1995 act and the 2013 amendment laid out rules to govern the Waqf properties in India; created special courts (called Waqf Tribunals) with powers similar to civil courts (Tribunal decisions cannot be challenged in civil courts); and prohibited the sale of Waqf properties. (ANI)
As 26/11 Mumbai attacks accused Tahawwur Rana is set to be extradited to India, former NIA Director General Yogesh Chander Modi has said that this is possible after lot of efforts and hard of National Investigation Agency and the Indian government, adding that this extradition is happening because of "political will" of India as well as America. The former top official of NIA stated that the agency had provided fullproof evidence and visited the host country multiple times for this case. He termed the extradition of Tahawwur Hussain Rana a "big achievement" for the nation. Speaking to ANI, Chander Modi said, "This is a big achievement for the nation, MEA and NIA. This was 15 years old matter. NIA has worked hard on this case. In this conspiracy case, Tahawwur Rana and David Headley came to India, but the main challenge in this case was that Rana came to India only once. For his extradition, we had to provide full proof evidence to America, had to convince courts. Works were done on different levels on this case, Indian government worked with US government and NIA worked with prosecutions agencies of US. This is possible after lot of efforts and hard work." "In the matter of Tahawwur Rana, there was the political will of India as well as America, due to which the process was able to move forward...NIA provide foolproof evidence in the courts in America and our team visited America many times...Foolproof security systems are available in India..." he added. Chander further stated, "The Central government, Delhi Police and NIA will ensure that proper interrogation of Tahawwur Rana is carried out and collect evidence so that the case can be brought to its logical conclusion..." Rana has been accused of being involved in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, where hundreds of innocent people were killed, and is expected to stand trial in India. Meanwhile, speaking at Network 18's Rising Bharat conclave, Union Home Minister Amit Shah termed the extradition of Rana as big "diplomatic success" of the Modi government. "Tahawwur Rana's (26/11 Mumbai terror attacks accused) extradition is a very big diplomatic success of the Modi government," Shah said. Earlier, the Central Government appointed Advocate Narender Mann as Special Public Prosecutor to conduct trials and other matters related to National Investigation Agency case RC-04/2009/NIA/DLI against Tahawwur Hussain Rana and David Coleman Headley, who is in a US Prison following a plea deal. "In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 15 of the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008 (34 of 2008), read with sub-section (8) of section 18 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS), the Central Government hereby appoints Narender Mann, Advocate as Special Public Prosecutor for conducting trial and other matters related to NIA case RC-04/2009/NIA/DLI on behalf of the National Investigation Agency before the NIA Special Courts at Delhi and Appellate Courts, for a period of 3 years from the date of publication of this notification or till the completion of trial of the said case, whichever is earlier," the Ministry of Home Affairs notified on April 9. Rana is being extradited to India, and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) will take custody of him upon arrival. The US Secretary of State had signed the surrender warrant authorizing Rana's extradition to Indian authorities on February 11. Rana's legal counsel subsequently filed an emergency stay motion seeking to challenge that order. On April 7, the U.S. Supreme Court denied Rana's petition for a stay of his extradition. Tahawwur Rana, a Pakistani-Canadian national, was convicted in the US for the banned terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operatives and providing material support to the group responsible for the Mumbai attacks that killed over 174 people. The Indian government has been seeking his extradition for years, and the US Supreme Court's recent decision has paved the way for his transfer to India. According to the NIA, the government registered a case on November 11, 2009, at the NIA Police Station New Delhi as Case RC-04/2009/NIA/DL under various sections. "As per the Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs order No. 11034/10/ 2009-IS.VI dated 11/11/ 2009 National Investigation Agency (NIA) registered a case on 11/11/2009 at NIA Police Station, New Delhi as Case RC-04/2009/NIA/DLI under sections 121A of IPC, Section 18 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and Section 6(2) SAARC Convention (Suppression of Terrorism) Act against 1) David Coleman Headley @ Daood Gilani (US Citizen), 2) Tahawwur Hussain Rana (Canadian citizen) and others," the NIA stated. The NIA stated that the accused David Coleman Headley alias Daood Gilani and Tahawwur Hussain Rana were arrested by law enforcement agencies in the USA in their case. "NIA sent Extradition Requests to USA for extradition of accused persons David Coleman Headley and Tahawwur Hussain Rana, which are still pending for execution by the authorities of USA. A letter Rogatory (letter of request for assistance in investigation) has been furnished to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and the reply is awaited from them. After completion of investigation, charge sheet has been filed in the Court of Hon'ble Special Judge, NIA, Patiala House, New Delhi on December 24, 2011 against all 9 accused persons uunder sections 120 B, read with 121, 121A, 302, 468 and 471 Indian Penal Code and sections 16,18 & 20 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act," the NIA stated. Rana's extradition marks a significant step in the pursuit of justice for the victims of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. (ANI)
Sources have told ANI that there are two factors which have played a role in India securing Rana's extradition. The first was legal arguments that countered the double jeopardy offense. India, represented by a robust team of legal experts, successfully argued before U.S. authorities that the principle of double jeopardy is determined by the specific elements of the crime rather than the defendant's conduct. Indian officials refuted Rana's claim of double jeopardy, emphasizing that his prosecution under India's stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act does not violate this principle. The counsel for Tahawwur Rana had urged the US Supreme Court to review the lower court's decision to extradite him to India, citing the principle of double jeopardy, which prevents a person from being tried or punished twice for the same offence The second factor that led to the country's success in securing the extradition was India's diplomatic influence. Sources close to the extradition process revealed that India's strong diplomatic presence, global standing, and amicable relations with the United States played a pivotal role in expediting Rana's extradition, overcoming legal obstacles along the way. Meanwhile, Trial court records related to the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks that were called from Mumbai to Delhi at the end of January, naming Tahawwur Rana and David Coleman Headley as accused, were recently received by the Patiala House Court, as per official sources. In January, Delhi's Patiala House Court recalled its trial court records related to the Mumbai attacks, following an application filed by the NIA requesting their retrieval from Mumbai. Tahawwur Rana, a Pakistani-Canadian national, was convicted in the US for the banned terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operatives and providing material support to the group responsible for the Mumbai attacks that killed over 174 people. Rana's extradition marks a significant step in the pursuit of justice for the victims of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. The Central government has appointed advocate Narender Mann as a Special Public Prosecutor to conduct the trials and other matters related to the NIA case. (ANI)
According to Delhi police, the accused identified as Divanshu was arrested on the basis of a complaint filed on March 11 by a woman at a cyber police station in the outer district. The complainant alleged that an unknown person created a fake Instagram account in her name, causing severe harassment and breach of privacy.

Following the complaint, police initiated an investigation and uncovered critical information related to the suspected Instagram account. The probe led officers to critical information, including the IP address, email ID, and mobile number used to operate the account.

The examination of call detail records (CDRs) further helped pinpoint the suspect's location.

Based on these findings, a targeted raid was executed at the identified location, which resulted in the successful apprehension of the individual.

During interrogation, the accused Divanshu confessed to creating the fake account and uploading objectionable content. Police have registered a case under Section 67(A) of the IT Act, 2000. The electronic device used to morph the images and operate the fake profile was also recovered.

The accused was apprehended in the case, and the police seized the recovered item. (ANI)
Several parts of Lucknow and Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh received a fresh spell of light rainfall on Thursday morning, bringing a little respite from soaring temperature. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted partly cloudy sky with one or two spells of rain or thundershowers for Lucknow from April 10-11. The maximum temperature will reach the mark of 38 degrees Celsius while the minimum temperature will hover around 24 degrees Celsius. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has instructed the officials of the concerned districts to conduct relief work with full promptness in view of rain, hailstorm, storm and lightning. He said that the officials should visit the area, keep an eye on the relief work, and provide help to the affected people. The Chief Minister has also instructed that the damage to the crops should be assessed, and a report should be made available to the government so that further action can be taken in this regard. Meanwhile, speaking about the weather forecast in Punjab and Haryana, IMD scientist Surender Paul said that there were heatwave conditions in parts of Punjab and Haryana for the last 2-3 days but there are chances of rain in parts of western Punjab and north and northeastern Haryana in the next 2-3 days. Giving weather forecast, IMD scientist Surender Paul told ANI," There was heatwave conditions in parts of Punjab and Haryana for the last 2-3 days. There are chances of rain in parts of western Punjab and north and northeastern Haryana in the next 2-3 days. There has been an abrupt rise in temperatures lately." Earlier, in a separate incident, as many as 13 people lost their lives after lightning struck in four districts of Bihar - Begusarai, Darbhanga, Madhubani and Samastipur- according to an official statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO). As per the CMO, five people were killed in Begusarai, four in Darbhanga, and three in Madhubani, while Samastipur recorded one fatality. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has expressed his condolences over the deaths and announced an ex-gratia grant of four lakh rupees to the families of all the deceased. (ANI)
Summer arrived before time in Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and across the country this year. In the first week of April itself, Chandigarh recorded a higher temperature than last year. Speaking to ANI, Chandigarh Meteorological Center Director and Senior Meteorologist Surendra Pal said, "Last year, this kind of heat was felt after April 15, but this time, the mercury has risen in early April itself." He said that the weather may be pleasant for some time in the coming days, but after that, heat waves are possible in the entire region. The effect of Western Disturbance will definitely be there, but it will not provide much relief from the heat. The Meteorological Department estimates that this year will be hotter than last year. In such a situation, people have been appealed not to leave the house without need and to take special care of children and the elderly. They also urged people to avoid a heatwave, drink enough water, wear loose and light clothes, and reduce direct contact with the sun. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted a heatwave in Haryana, Punjab, and Rajasthan. Rajasthan can expect partly cloudy skies with possible rain, thunderstorms, or duststorms on April 11-12 and partly cloudy skies today. Haryana may see light rain on April 10-11. Punjab is expected to have partly cloudy skies with possible rain, thunderstorms, or duststorms on April 10, and partly cloudy skies from April 11-13. "Heat wave to severe heat wave conditions likely in some parts Punjab, Haryana & Delhi, Saurashtra & Kutch on 09th April and heat wave conditions in isolated pockets of Saurashtra & Kutch on 10th April and over Punjab, Haryana & Delhi on 15th April," as per IMD. Today, the maximum temperature in Punjab will be around 39 degrees Celsius, and the minimum temperature will be around 20 degrees Celsius. Tomorrow, the maximum will be around 33 degrees Celsius, and the minimum will be 20 degrees Celsius. (ANI)
Calling the Mumbai attacks and Tahawwur Rana's extradition to India a "monumental triumph," Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader CR Kesavan on Thursday said the extradition was possible because of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "foremost and paramount commitment" to India's national security and national interest. "This extradition is a milestone and a monumental triumph for Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji's firm policy of zero tolerance against terrorism and zero tolerance against India's enemies. This is also a standing testimony. To Prime Minister Modi ji's unswerving and iron will, commitment, and resolve to bring to justice and punish those terrorists and enemies of India who threatened and dared to attack Indian territory, Indian honour, and Indian people," Kesavan said in a self-made video. He further attacked the Congress party and said that the Congress-led government was weak, indecisive "This has been made possible by this extradition because of Narendra Modi ji's foremost and paramount commitment to India's national security and national interest. Why I'm reiterating this is because previously, when the attacks happened in 2008, the Congress-led government was weak, indecisive. And we saw how, you know, they trivialised even the attack when it was happening when these horrendous terrorist attacks were happening. The union home minister of the Congress Party, one who changed his attire thrice during the same day, and the Chief Minister of the state at that time when he visited an important victim site where this terrorist attack had happened and he was visiting for the first time, he was accompanied by his actress and a director," he said. "We thank our Prime Minister for, you know, showing such steel, resolve and commitment when it comes to national security and the national interest of our country," the BJP leader added. Meanwhile, the Central Government appointed Advocate Narender Mann as Special Public Prosecutor to conduct trials and other matters related to National Investigation Agency case RC-04/2009/NIA/DLI against Tahawwur Hussain Rana and David Coleman Headley, who is in a US Prison following a plea deal. "In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 15 of the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008 (34 of 2008), read with sub-section (8) of section 18 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS), the Central Government hereby appoints Narender Mann, Advocate as Special Public Prosecutor for conducting trial and other matters related to NIA case RC-04/2009/NIA/DLI on behalf of the National Investigation Agency before the NIA Special Courts at Delhi and Appellate Courts, for a period of 3 years from the date of publication of this notification or till the completion of trial of the said case, whichever is earlier," the Ministry of Home Affairs notified on April 9. Rana is being extradited to India, and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) will take custody of him upon arrival. Earlier on Wednesday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah asserted that the extradition of Tahawwur Rana, accused in the 26/11 terror attacks, is a "big success" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government's diplomacy. "It is the responsibility of the Indian government to bring back all those who have misbehaved with the land and people of India under the law of the country. Tahawwur Rana's (26/11 Mumbai terror attacks accused) extradition is a very big diplomatic success of the Modi government, because the governments under whose rule the bomb blasts took place could not bring him back," Amit Shah said. The US Secretary of State had signed the surrender warrant authorizing Rana's extradition to Indian authorities on February 11. Rana's legal counsel subsequently filed an emergency stay motion seeking to challenge that order. On April 7, the U.S. Supreme Court denied Rana's petition for a stay of his extradition. Tahawwur Rana, a Pakistani-Canadian national, was convicted in the US for the banned terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operatives and providing material support to the group responsible for the Mumbai attacks that killed over 174 people. The Indian government has been seeking his extradition for years, and the US Supreme Court's recent decision has paved the way for his transfer to India. Rana's extradition marks a significant step in the pursuit of justice for the victims of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. (ANI)
Amid the controversy arising from the public spat between Trinamool Congress (TMC) MPs, Mahua Moitra and Kalyan Banerjee, West Bengal BJP leader, Dilip Ghosh hit out at the TMC, and said the party is in "crisis", which has led to a crisis in Bengal. "The party is in the hands of anti-socials, and nobody can handle it now. If their MLAs and MPs fight among themselves, it defames the state. These people will not learn; this party needs to be done away with," he added. Ghosh's remarks came after BJP leader Amit Malviya posted a video of Moitra and Banerjee purportedly engaged in a squabble at the Election Commission of India. He also posted a screenshot of an alleged spat between TMC MP Kirti Azad and Banerjee on the party's WhatsApp group chat. While speaking about the incident, senior TMC leader and Lok Sabha MP Saugata Roy said that he had found Moitra crying outside the ECI after a dispute with Banerjee. He also called out Banerjee's remarks on Azad in the chat as "a third-class comment". Earlier on Wednesday, Union Minister Amit Shah charged at Mamata Banerjee, stating that Bengal's infiltration issues will resolve once the TMC leader is voted out of power. Supporting Shah's comment, Ghosh alleged that "Bengal's corruption, infiltration and violence is a given of TMC" and that "such problems will eradicate once the party exits the state". In addition, the BJP has often called out TMC recently. Union Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar blamed the Bengal CM for ruining the state's education system and hit out at her for the loss of thousands of jobs. "Mamata Banerjee has ruined the education of West Bengal," Majumdar claimed. "So many people have lost their jobs. Who is responsible for this? It is Mamata Banerjee and her cabinet," he added. (ANI)
In a significant operation, Amritsar Rural Police have arrested three individuals for their involvement in cross-border drug trafficking and illegal monetary transactions, said an official on Thursday. The apprehended accused have been identified as Ranjit Singh alias Rana, Gurdev Singh alias Gedi, and Shailendra Singh alias Selu. The police have also recovered 500 gm of heroin, a Glock 9mm pistol (with 2 magazines), and Rs 33 lakh in hawala money. An FIR has been registered at Lopoke police station in Amritsar, and efforts are underway to uncover the network's connections. Taking to a social media post on X, DGP Punjab Police Gaurav Yadav wrote, "In a major crackdown on narco-hawala networks, Amritsar Rural Police arrests 3 persons -- Ranjit Singh @ Rana, Gurdev Singh @ Gedi, and Shailendra Singh @ Selu. The accused are involved in cross-border drug trafficking and illegal monetary transactions. Recovery: 500 gm heroin, 1 Glock 9mm pistol (with 2 magazines), and Rs33 lakh Hawala money. FIR registered at PS Lopoke, Amritsar, and efforts are underway to trace the forward and backward linkages of this cross-border smuggling network. @PunjabPoliceInd remains steadfast in dismantling the machinery of narco-terrorism and protecting public safety." https://x.com/DGPPunjabPolice/status/1910186934741106778 Earlier on April 8, amidst the ongoing fight against organised crime launched on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab Police's Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) busted a Lawrance Bishnoi-Rohit Godara gang with the arrest of the its two active operatives and recovered one .32 calibre pistol from their possession, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav on Tuesday. The arrested have been identified as Jashandeep Singh alias Jashan Sandhu, a resident of village 25ML in the Sri Ganganagar district of Rajasthan, and Gursewak Singh, a resident of Sri Muktsar Sahib. DGP Gaurav Yadav said that the accused, Jashan Sandhu, was wanted in a 2023 murder case that took place in Ganganagar in Rajasthan and had been evading arrest by constantly changing locations across Georgia, Azerbaijan, Saudi Arabia and Dubai. "Recently, on the directions of his handlers, accused Jashan came back to India and landed in Nepal from Dubai before entering India by road in an attempt to escape law enforcement," the DGP said. DGP Yadav said preliminary investigations revealed that the accused, Jashan, played a crucial role in providing logistical support to the gang. "His interrogation has also led to the identification of overseas Hawala operators, travel agents, and the locations of fugitive gangsters hiding abroad--marking a significant step in dismantling these networks," he added. Sharing operational details, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) AGTF Promod Ban said that acting swiftly on a specific input about Jashan entered India by road after landing in Nepal, special operation teams of AGTF under the supervision of AIG Gurmeet Chauhan and led by DSP Bikramjit Singh Brar along with teams worked on inputs and successfully traced Jashan along with his associate Gursewak, leading to their arrest from Mohali. "Police teams have recovered a .32 calibre pistol along with seven cartridges from their possession," Ban said. AIG Gurmeet Chauhan said that preliminary investigations revealed that the accused Gursewak came in contact with Lawrance gang members through Jashan and was operating locally on their behalf. "Their disclosures also revealed that Rohit Godara was planning to eliminate some prominent individuals in Punjab and New Delhi," he said, while adding that sensational crimes have been averted with their arrests. The AIG said that further investigation is ongoing to trace the forward and backward linkages in this case. A case FIR number 02 dated April 7, 2025, has been registered under sections 25 (6)(7) of the Arms Act at Police Station State Crime Punjab in SAS Nagar. (ANI)
After inspecting the supplementary drains in the national capital, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday attacked the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and said that the BJP government, unlike the previous one, is committed to working for the people. "Today, we are visiting almost every big drain in Delhi. When questions are raised about what we are doing regarding cleaning the river Yamuna - all 22 big drains that discharge into Yamuna - the work of desilting all of them is going on, and we are continuously monitoring the progress in this direction... Unlike the previous government that used to be run from the AC rooms, we are on the ground, and our government is committed to working for the people," Delhi CM told reporters. Earlier today, the Delhi Chief Minister, along with Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena and Minister Parvesh Verma, inspected the supplementary drain at Wazirabad in the national capital. The Delhi government has assigned the Flood and Irrigation Department a special responsibility to ensure the timely desilting of drains. The drain (Wazirabad) is one of the major ones flowing into the Yamuna and is, hence, crucial in cleaning the river. Notably, after the BJP won with a historic mandate of 48 seats of 70 Delhi Assembly seats, the cleaning process for the Yamuna River was taken up, and trash skimmers, weed harvesters, and dredge utility vehicles were deployed to the river on February 16. Pollution in the Yamuna was a key issue during the Delhi Assembly elections, with political parties targeting each other over pollution, encroachments, and flood management. BJP attacked AAP and accused it of failing to deliver on promises of cleaning the Yamuna. Apart from this, the BJP has mentioned cleaning the Yamuna as one of the top priorities in its manifesto. Since then, the Delhi Government has requested the Territorial Army to safeguard the river from dumping, mining, encroachment, and theft. This decision aims to preserve the river in its natural form and achieve the government's target of cleaning the Yamuna within three years. The Territorial Army's Ecological Task Force is capable of protecting the Yamuna River, and their deployment is anticipated in the coming months. This move is crucial, given the severe pollution of the Yamuna River, which is attributed to untreated sewage discharge, industrial effluents, garbage dumping, illegal sand mining, water theft, and encroachment. (ANI)
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi has demanded the harshest punishment for 2the 6/11 Mumbai attacks accused Tahawwur Rana, calling for his execution in a public square in Mumbai as a deterrent to those with malicious intentions towards India. "After a long wait of 16 years, he is being extradited to India...He should be sentenced to death in a crowded square in Mumbai so that people who look at India with evil intentions will be left shaken," Chaturvedi told ANI. Rana, a key accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, is finally being extradited to India after a 16-year wait. "I am hopeful that Hafiz Saeed, David Headley will also be brought to India and will be given strict punishment," she added. Rana, a Pakistani-Canadian national, was convicted in the US for aiding LeT operatives and providing material support to the group responsible for the attacks. Meanwhile, the Central Government appointed Advocate Narender Mann as Special Public Prosecutor to conduct trials and other matters related to National Investigation Agency case RC-04/2009/NIA/DLI against Tahawwur Hussain Rana and David Coleman Headley, who is in a US Prison following a plea deal. "In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 15 of the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008 (34 of 2008), read with sub-section (8) of section 18 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS), the Central Government hereby appoints Narender Mann, Advocate as Special Public Prosecutor for conducting trial and other matters related to NIA case RC-04/2009/NIA/DLI on behalf of the National Investigation Agency before the NIA Special Courts at Delhi and Appellate Courts, for a period of 3 years from the date of publication of this notification or till the completion of trial of the said case, whichever is earlier," the Ministry of Home Affairs notified on April 9. Rana is being extradited to India, and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) will take custody of him upon arrival. The US Secretary of State had signed the surrender warrant authorizing Rana's extradition to Indian authorities on February 11. Rana's legal counsel subsequently filed an emergency stay motion seeking to challenge that order. On April 7, the U.S. Supreme Court denied Rana's petition for a stay of his extradition. Tahawwur Rana, a Pakistani-Canadian national, was convicted in the US for the banned terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operatives and providing material support to the group responsible for the Mumbai attacks that killed over 174 people. The Indian government has been seeking his extradition for years, and the US Supreme Court's recent decision has paved the way for his transfer to India. According to the NIA, the government registered a case on November 11, 2009, at the NIA Police Station New Delhi as Case RC-04/2009/NIA/DL under various sections. "As per the Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs order No. 11034/10/ 2009-IS.VI dated 11/11/ 2009 National Investigation Agency (NIA) registered a case on 11/11/2009 at NIA Police Station, New Delhi as Case RC-04/2009/NIA/DLI under sections 121A of IPC, Section 18 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and Section 6(2) SAARC Convention (Suppression of Terrorism) Act against 1) David Coleman Headley @ Daood Gilani (US Citizen), 2) Tahawwur Hussain Rana (Canadian citizen) and others," the NIA stated. The NIA stated that the accused David Coleman Headley alias Daood Gilani and Tahawwur Hussain Rana were arrested by law enforcement agencies in the USA in their case. "NIA sent Extradition Requests to USA for extradition of accused persons David Coleman Headley and Tahawwur Hussain Rana, which are still pending for execution by the authorities of USA. A letter Rogatory (letter of request for assistance in investigation) has been furnished to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and the reply is awaited from them. After completion of investigation, charge sheet has been filed in the Court of Hon'ble Special Judge, NIA, Patiala House, New Delhi on December 24, 2011 against all 9 accused persons uunder sections 120 B, read with 121, 121A, 302, 468 and 471 Indian Penal Code and sections 16,18 & 20 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act," the NIA stated. Rana's extradition marks a significant step in the pursuit of justice for the victims of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. (ANI)
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Union Minister of Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi held a review meeting on wheat procurement, PM Kusum and PM Surya Ghar Yojana on Thursday in Lucknow. Taking to social media X, the CM in a post shared a photo with the Union Minister. "Today I had a courtesy visit to Honourable Union Minister Shri@JoshiPralhadji at his official residence in Lucknow," the post read. According to officials, the Uttar Pradesh government's procurement of wheat crossed 1 lakh tonne in the first week of April on April 9. 20,409 farmers sold wheat at 5,780 purchase centers, as per officials. According to the officials, registered farmers can sell up to 100 quintals of wheat without verification. Purchase centres are also open during holidays, as per Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's order. The PM Kusum scheme was launched in 2019 by the government. It aims to promote solar energy in agriculture and provide financial assistance in the form of subsidies to farmers and other entities to set up solar pumps and grid-connected renewable energy-based power plants. The PM Surya Ghar Yojana aims to provide free electricity to households by promoting rooftop solar installations and empowering residential households to generate electricity on their own. Earlier, on April 9, the Yogi-led government announced a two-per cent increase in the Dearness Allowance for state government employees, effective January 1, 2025, from 53 per cent to 55 per cent. According to the officials, registered farmers can sell up to 100 quintals of wheat without verification. Purchase centres are also open during holidays, as per Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's order. UP CM Yogi Adityanath also posted about the announcement on X and said that the decision would benefit around 16 lakh employees. He emphasized that protecting the interests of state employees is the government's top priority. "In the same sequence, today it has been decided by the Uttar Pradesh Government to increase the Dearness Allowance being given to the State employees at the rate of 53% to 55% from January 1, 2025. Around 16 lakh employees will benefit from this decision. Hearty congratulations to all of you!" CM Yogi said. (ANI)
As the extradition of terror accused Tahawwur Rana is nearing, Senior Advocate Majeed Memon on Thursday stressed the importance of conducting a "fair trial" just like it happened for Ajmal Kasab, who was given a death sentence for his involvement in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. He said that it was an accomplishment for the country that a "disgusting" terrorist was handed over. Apprising the horrors of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, where 166 people were killed, Memom questioned the delay in the extradition of accused Tahawwur Rana, leading to delayed justice, saying that the extradition should have happened sooner. Having said that, Memon argued that his extradition remains an "accomplishment" since justice would be served as Rana would face trial in Indian courts for his role in the terror attacks, where innocent people lost their lives. "This is an accomplishment for us that a disgusting terrorist, who was in hiding, was handed over so that we do justice. The incident (26/11) can't be forgotten because the conspiracy planned by the terrorists occurred in the financial capital of the country...166 people died in the incident, which happened on November 26, 2008," Memon told ANI. "I want to ask why this delay of 18 years. America should be asked questions too since justice remains to be served to those who lost their lives...and those who committed (this crime)," he added. He highlighted the world's importance of the trial for terror-accused Rana and suggested a fair trial. He argued that a fair criminal trial was a crucial requirement to ascertain the truth, just like it happened in the case of Kasab, who was given a judge by the court for his defence. "The US took too long a time. He should have been extradited sooner. We have to celebrate the fact that we will be able to do justice in this matter now. This case is important for the whole world. We will have to ensure that we have a fair trial from international standards since a criminal trial is a quest for truth, just like it happened during Ajmal Kasab's trial. I am sure the investigation team would do well if he is lawfully investigated and trial is conducted in a fair manner," Memon, former Rajya Sabha MP, said. Sources have told ANI that there are two factors which have played a role in India securing Rana's extradition. The first was legal arguments that countered the double jeopardy offence. India, represented by a robust team of legal experts, successfully argued before U.S. authorities that the principle of double jeopardy is determined by the specific elements of the crime rather than the defendant's conduct. Indian officials refuted Rana's claim of double jeopardy, emphasising that his prosecution under India's stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act does not violate this principle. The counsel for Tahawwur Rana had urged the US Supreme Court to review the lower court's decision to extradite him to India, citing the principle of double jeopardy, which prevents a person from being tried or punished twice for the same offence. The second factor that led to the country's success in securing the extradition was India's diplomatic influence. Meanwhile, the Trial court records related to the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks that were called from Mumbai to Delhi at the end of January, naming Tahawwur Rana and David Coleman Headley as accused, were recently received by the Patiala House Court, as per official sources. In January, Delhi's Patiala House Court recalled its trial court records related to the Mumbai attacks following an application filed by the NIA requesting their retrieval from Mumbai. Tahawwur Rana, a Pakistani-Canadian national, was convicted in the US for the banned terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operatives and providing material support to the group responsible for the Mumbai attacks that killed over 174 people. Rana's extradition marks a significant step in the pursuit of justice for the victims of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. The central government has appointed advocate Narender Mann as a Special Public Prosecutor to conduct the trials and other matters related to the NIA case. (ANI)
The BJP RS MP and Chairman of the Bar Council of India, Manan Mishra, on Thursday praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for achieving the extradition of Tahawwur Rana from the United States to India and called it a major achievement for the country. Speaking to ANI, BJP MP and Chairman of the Bar Council of India, Manan Mishra, said, "Bringing a criminal like Tahawwur Rana from the US to India was a very difficult task. But under the leadership of our Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, and Home Minister, Amit Shah, it has become possible. This is a big achievement for the entire country. Rana was involved in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, where about 200 people were killed, and he had been living in the US since 2009. The U.S. court rejected all his appeals and gave permission for his extradition. This shows the strength of our diplomacy and foreign policy." He further added, "It also reflects how strong our international relations have become, especially with countries like the United States. The court heard his case multiple times, but he didn't get any protection or relief. Now, with his extradition to India, we must acknowledge the leadership and efforts of our Prime Minister. This is truly a proud moment for the nation." Mishra stated that this extradition shows India's growing power and international influence. He called it a diplomatic victory and a step forward in the fight against terrorism. Tahawwur Rana, a Pakistani-Canadian national, was convicted in the US for the banned terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operatives and providing material support to the group responsible for the Mumbai attacks that killed over 174 people. Rana's extradition marks a significant step in the pursuit of justice for the victims of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. The Central government has appointed advocate Narender Mann as a Special Public Prosecutor to conduct the trials and other matters related to the NIA case. (ANI)
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday said that he had chaired a meeting to review the preparation for the Char Dham Yatra. Speaking to the media, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said, "The preparations for the Char Dham Yatra are underway. I also chaired a meeting to review the preparations for the Yatra. We are committed to ensuring the safety of the pilgrims. Char Dham Yatra is a lifeline for our state's economy." He emphasised that the Char Dham Yatra is vital for the state's economy and that all necessary measures are being taken to ensure its success. The Char Dham Yatra 2025 begins with the opening of Yamunotri and Gangotri on April 30, followed by Kedarnath on May 2 and Badrinath on May 4. Also, recently, Dr R Rajesh Kumar, Secretary of the Medical Health Department and Nodal Officer for Badrinath Dham, held a comprehensive review meeting with officials of the concerned departments at the Collectorate in Chamoli. This year's Yatra is being taken forward as "Green Chardham," under which a complete ban on single-use plastic has been imposed. All departments have been asked to prepare a disposal plan for this. While speaking about the Waqf (Amendment) Act, Dhami said, "A historic bill has been passed by Parliament, and many properties have been taken over without any law... Such properties will be useful for the government..." The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, came into force on April 8 (Tuesday). After a 12-hour discussion, the Upper House cleared the bill with 128 members voting in favour, whereas 95 members voted against the legislation. The act aims to modify the Waqf Act, 1995 and the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2013. The 1995 act and the 2013 amendment laid out rules to govern the Waqf properties in India; created special courts (called Waqf Tribunals) with powers similar to civil courts (Tribunal decisions cannot be challenged in civil courts); and prohibited the sale of Waqf properties. (ANI)
Maharashtra Congress MLA, Vijay Wadettiwar, on Thursday called for the death sentence to Tahawwur Rana, one of the key accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. But he urged the BJP not to "politicise" the issue. "Rana should be quickly brought to India and hanged. A person who attacked Mumbai and took so many lives should not be spared. This matter should not be politicised," Wadettiwar told ANI. "BJP should not use Rana's name for votes in the upcoming elections... Had they managed to bring Dawood Ibrahim, it would have been a bigger achievement for BJP," he added. Meanwhile, Union Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday lashed out at the Congress for "not doing anything" to punish those involved in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, which killed 166 people. Taking a dig at Congress, Goyal argued that the then government did the job of "serving Biryani" to Ajmal Kasab, one of the accused in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's resolve to bring those who attacked the country to justice and ensure that they get punished on Indian land. "During Congress' time, the terrorists had attacked the very hotel we are standing in. People died here. However, Congress didn't do anything to punish those involved. The one who was caught, Kasab, was also served Biryani. Those who attacked our country...this is PM Modi's resolve to bring them to justice, and they get punished. Every Indian citizen is proud of PM Modi that those involved would be punished on this land," Goyal told ANI. The Union Minister further lashed out at the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), accusing them of engaging in "appeasement politics" more than the Congress party. Intensifying his attack against the INDIA bloc, Goyal argued that they couldn't think beyond appeasement politics. "Sanjay Raut will defend a person who is Muslim even if the person is involved in a huge crime. Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena engages in appeasement politics more than Congress. The INDI alliance can't think beyond appeasement politics and doesn't have positive thinking. PM Modi, on the other hand, is ending Naxalism. Similarly, we will not spare terrorists," Goyal added. Meanwhile, Senior Advocate Majeed Memon stressed the importance of conducting a "fair trial" just like it happened for Ajmal Kasab, who was given a death sentence for his involvement in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. He said that it was an accomplishment for the country that a "disgusting" terrorist was handed over. Memom questioned the delay in the extradition of the accused, Tahawwur Rana, leading to delayed justice, saying that the extradition should have happened sooner. Having said that, Memon argued that his extradition remains an "accomplishment" since justice would be served as Rana would face trial in Indian courts for his role in the terror attacks, where innocent people lost their lives. "This is an accomplishment for us that a disgusting terrorist, who was in hiding, was handed over so that we do justice. The incident (26/11) can't be forgotten because the conspiracy planned by the terrorists occurred in the financial capital of the country...166 people died in the incident, which happened on November 26, 2008," Memon told ANI. He highlighted the world's importance of the trial for terror-accused Rana and suggested a fair trial. He argued that a fair criminal trial was a crucial requirement to ascertain the truth, just like it happened in the case of Kasab, who the court gave a judge for his defence. (ANI)
Criticising RJD leader and Bihar LoP Tejashwi Yadav over his comments on the Waqf (Amendment) Act, Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Thursday said that Yadav is against the poor Pasmanda Muslims and doesn't want them to get their rights. "The laws passed by the Parliament are implemented in the whole country. The Parliament belongs to the whole country. Tejashwi Yadav is against the poor Pasmanda Muslims. He does not want poor Muslims and women to get their rights. This law is made to give rights to poor Muslims and women and not to the contractors of Tejashwi Yadav," Singh told reporters. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court will hear a batch of petitions challenging the validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, on April 16, 2025. However, intervention applications were filed in the Supreme Court in support of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, saying the amendments are in consonance with the scheme of the Constitution of India. The Central government had also filed caveat application in the Supreme Court urging it to hear the government in the petitions filed before it challenging validity of Waqf (Amendment) Act. Earlier on April 5, Tejashwi Yadav strongly opposed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, declaring that if his party returns to power in Bihar, the Bill would be "thrown in the dustbin." Addressing reporters in Patna, Yadav condemned the bill and said, "We will form the government and throw this (Waqf Amendment Bill) in the dustbin." Yadav also claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would continue its alliance with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar only until the upcoming state assembly elections scheduled for October 2025. "BJP will keep Nitish Kumar with them until the elections. After that, both we and the people of Bihar know very well what will happen to him," he added. President Droupadi Murmu on April 5 gave her assent to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which was earlier passed by Parliament after heated debates in both Houses. (ANI)
A second-year student from Indira Gandhi School of Medical Sciences (IGIMS), Patna, died Thursday early morning after succumbing to injuries from a road accident. Students allege that the college did not allow Abhinav Panday to be admitted to the hospital after his motorbike struck the road divider. Moreover, IGIMS students are accusing the college director of ill-behaviour and inaction during the incident. "Abhinav got into an accident three days ago," a student told ANI. "When he returned to college injured, he was not provided a bed. So, we took him to Paras Hospital. His condition was fine the first day, but it started deteriorating the next day. He then died at the hospital." "We came back to college at around 2:30 am to inquire about reimbursement and ambulance. Not only did the college director arrive late, but he even started talking rudely with us," the student alleged. Reportedly, the student further said that although the medical college was later ready to allot a bed to Abhinav, his condition had declined severely, and by then, it was difficult to shift him from Paras Hospital to IGIMS. The students have been protesting on the campus, demanding a discussion with the director and other college authorities on establishing better facilities. "Patients from across Bihar come to IGIMS for treatment. We demand better medical facilities so that not only students but everyone can be provided improved medication and care," a student told ANI. Meanwhile, the Leader of the opposition, Tejashwai Yadav, has criticised the recent incidents of crime in the state and alleged that law and order have completely collapsed. "Law and order have collapsed in Bihar. The Chief Minister is in an unconscious state. The Home Ministry is under the Chief Minister. Criminals are running amok. People in the government are letting criminals go free and encouraging corruption. Crime and corruption are rampant in Bihar. Administrative anarchy has spread in the state. Corrupt officials are transferred and posted under the DK Tax formula," the RJD leader said. (ANI)
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday asserted that the work of cleaning the Yamuna is underway, and the government is doing it in a time-bound manner. "The work of cleaning Yamuna is going on. We are desilting the drains; hundreds of officials and large numbers of machines are working on the ground. Work is going everywhere, and the government is doing it in a time-bound manner," Delhi CM said. She further said that the Delhi government will build a park on the 50 acres of land in Uttam Nagar that belong to the Flood and Irrigation Department. "The 50 acres of land (in Uttam Nagar) that belong to the Flood and Irrigation department that was under encroachment in all these years and was not being used - today we have decided that on this 50 acres of land, we will build a beautiful park," Delhi CM told ANI. Meanwhile, Delhi Minister Parvesh Verma said that the government is trying to build as many roads as possible before the arrival of the monsoon. "We are trying to build as many roads as we can before the arrival of the monsoon, and then we have this target to recarpet the roads throughout Delhi. We will not leave any such roads with dust, as it also causes pollution. We are trying our best (to avoid waterlogging in the upcoming rainy season)," Verma said. Earlier today, the Delhi Chief Minister, along with Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena and Minister Parvesh Verma, inspected the supplementary drain at Wazirabad in the national capital. The Delhi government has assigned the Flood and Irrigation Department a special responsibility to ensure the timely desilting of drains. The drain (Wazirabad) is one of the major ones flowing into the Yamuna and is, hence, crucial in cleaning the river. Notably, after the BJP won with a historic mandate of 48 of 70 Delhi Assembly seats, the cleaning process for the Yamuna River was taken up, and trash skimmers, weed harvesters, and dredge utility vehicles were deployed to the river on February 16. Pollution in the Yamuna was a key issue during the Delhi Assembly elections, with political parties targeting each other over pollution, encroachments, and flood management. BJP attacked AAP and accused it of failing to deliver on promises of cleaning the Yamuna. (ANI)
Calling the extradition of 26/11 Mumbai attacks accused Tahawwur Rana a "big day," Eknath Omble, the brother of Ashok Chakra awardee and 26/11 hero Tukaram Omble, on Thursday urged the central government to hang Tahawwur Rana. Ashok Chakra Awardee Tukaram Omble, a sub-inspector in Mumbai police, held onto terrorist Ajmal Kasab's rifle, ensuring his arrest, but unfortunately fell to the bullets during the 26/11 terror attack. "Many innocent people and policemen were killed. It was a painful night. Tahawwur Rana was the closest ally of David Headley, who was the mastermind of the attack - they all should have been hanged earlier... But it's a big day for the country. I have a request from the government that he (Tahawwur Rana) should be hanged as soon as possible," Eknath Omble told ANI. "He should be given such strict punishment that those in Pakistan who facilitate such things should think twice before committing such things... However, we tolerated the delay in Kasab's punishment because it exposed the real face of Pakistan before the world." Tukaram Omble, a Mumbai Police sub-inspector, was posthumously awarded the Ashok Chakra, India's highest peacetime gallantry award, for his bravery during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. On the night of November 26, 2008, Omble played a crucial role in capturing terrorist Ajmal Kasab alive. Armed only with a baton, he confronted the gunman, allowing security forces to overpower Kasab, but he lost his life in the process. Meanwhile, the Central Government appointed Advocate Narender Mann as Special Public Prosecutor to conduct trials and other matters related to National Investigation Agency case RC-04/2009/NIA/DLI against Tahawwur Hussain Rana and David Coleman Headley, who is in a US Prison following a plea deal. Rana is being extradited to India, and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) will take custody of him upon arrival. Tahawwur Rana, a Pakistani-Canadian national, was convicted in the US for the banned terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operatives and providing material support to the group responsible for the Mumbai attacks that killed over 174 people. The Indian government has been seeking his extradition for years, and the US Supreme Court's recent decision has paved the way for his transfer to India. Rana's extradition marks a significant step in the pursuit of justice for the victims of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. (ANI)
Annamalai arrived at Soundarajan's residence to offer condolences on the demise of her father, Kumari Anantham.

On Wednesday, Tamil Nadu LoP and AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami paid his last respects to Congress leader Kumari Ananthan, who passed away at the age of 93 due to age-related ailments.

Palaniswami visited the residence to offer floral tributes and extended his condolences to the bereaved family.

Former AIADMK leader VK Sasikala also paid her last respects to the Congress leader.

Ananthan, who was also the father of BJP leader and former Telangana Governor Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan, breathed his last on Wednesday.

Kumari Ananthan, known for his deep-rooted commitment to public service, had served as a Member of Parliament and was a prominent face of the Indian National Congress in Tamil Nadu for many years.

Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, MDMK MP Vaiko, DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi and many senior leaders paid their respects to Senior Congress leader Kumari Ananthan.

Kumari Ananthan was a member of the Tamil Nadu Assembly five times and a Congress Lok Sabha MP from the Nagarkoil constituency in 1977.

BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan expressed profound grief over the demise of her father, Kumari Ananthan, in a heartfelt note posted on X.

In her emotional tribute, she wrote, "I do not speak Tamil because I learned it... I speak Tamil because Tamil gave birth to me. Born in a village in Kumari. With all his efforts... As a flawless politician... With an unwavering devotion to Tamil... He lived a balanced life... Today, seeing all those he raised... living a balanced life... Proudly... Congratulating... and leaving us... His name will remain forever. In Tamil Nadu politics."

"It was my father, Kumari Ananthan, who made me speak Tamil with pride. Today, he has joined my mother. Blending into eternity."

She fondly remembered her father's devotion to Tamil and his efforts as a politician. Tamilisai also recalled the father's legacy that will live on in Tamil Nadu politics (ANI)
Surender Singh, former National Security Guard (NSG) commando, part of the operation during the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, welcomed the extradition of terror accused Tahawwur Rana, saying that his hanging would be a "tight slap" to Pakistan and terrorism. "It's a big day for the country. I thank PM Modi, the American President, and the agencies involved in this extradition process. When he is hanged, it will be a tight slap not just on terrorism but also on Pakistan," Singh, now a leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), said. Remembering his duty during the rescue operations, Singh narrated that he managed to kill two terrorists and rescued 627 people from the Taj Hotel in Mumbai's Colaba. Acknowledging that journalists covering the incident risked their lives, the former NSG commando pointed out that live coverage "helped" handlers from Pakistan in guiding the terrorists. He said that five commandos were rushed to the hospital during rescue operations while Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan lost his life. "They (terrorists) were well-trained, and hence, the marine commandos couldn't enter the Taj Hotel... I killed two terrorists, and we rescued 627 people from the Taj Hotel...Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan lost his life fighting the terrorists, while five other commandos were sent to the hospital after being injured... The journalists were also reporting while risking their lives. However, the live coverage was helping the handlers from Pakistan to guide the terrorists," Singh added. Union Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday lashed out at the Congress for "not doing anything" to punish those involved in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, which killed 166 people. Taking a dig at Congress, Goyal argued that the then government did the job of "serving Biryani" to Ajmal Kasab, one of the accused in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's resolve to bring those who attacked the country to justice and ensure that they get punished on Indian land. "During Congress' time, the terrorists had attacked the very hotel we are standing in. People died here. However, Congress didn't do anything to punish those involved. The one who was caught, Kasab, was also served Biryani. Those who attacked our country...this is PM Modi's resolve to bring them to justice, and they get punished. Every Indian citizen is proud of PM Modi that those involved would be punished on this land," Goyal told ANI. The Union Minister further lashed out at Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), accusing them of engaging in "appeasement politics" more than the Congress party. Intensifying his attack against the INDIA bloc, Goyal argued that they couldn't think beyond appeasement politics. "Sanjay Raut will defend a person who is Muslim even if the person is involved in a huge crime. Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena engages in appeasement politics more than Congress. The INDI alliance can't think beyond appeasement politics and doesn't have positive thinking. PM Modi, on the other hand, is ending Naxalism. Similarly, we will not spare terrorists," Goyal added. Meanwhile, Senior Advocate Majeed Memon stressed the importance of conducting a "fair trial" just like it happened for Ajmal Kasab, who was given a death sentence for his involvement in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. He said that it was an accomplishment for the country that a "disgusting" terrorist was handed over. Memom questioned the delay in the extradition of the accused, Tahawwur Rana, leading to delayed justice, saying that the extradition should have happened sooner. Having said that, Memon argued that his extradition remains an "accomplishment" since justice would be served as Rana would face trial in Indian courts for his role in the terror attacks, where innocent people lost their lives. "This is an accomplishment for us that a disgusting terrorist, who was in hiding, was handed over so that we do justice. The incident (26/11) can't be forgotten because the conspiracy planned by the terrorists occurred in the financial capital of the country...166 people died in the incident, which happened on November 26, 2008," Memon told ANI. Earlier, speaking at Network 18's Rising Bharat conclave, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, "Tahawwur Rana's (26/11 Mumbai terror attacks accused) extradition is a very big diplomatic success of the Modi government." Meanwhile, the Trial court records related to the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks that were called from Mumbai to Delhi at the end of January, naming Tahawwur Rana and David Coleman Headley as accused, were recently received by the Patiala House Court, as per official sources. In January, Delhi's Patiala House Court recalled its trial court records related to the Mumbai attacks following an application filed by the NIA requesting their retrieval from Mumbai. Tahawwur Rana, a Pakistani-Canadian national, was convicted in the US for the banned terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operatives and providing material support to the group responsible for the Mumbai attacks that killed over 174 people. Rana's extradition marks a significant step in the pursuit of justice for the victims of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. The central government has appointed advocate Narender Mann as a Special Public Prosecutor to conduct the trials and other matters related to the NIA case. (ANI)
Senior BJP leaders, including the party's national general secretary Tarun Chugh, Bihar Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha and state president Dilip Kumar Jaiswal, conducted a meeting with party leaders and workers of Bihar on Thursday. All the leaders and workers present at the meeting also paid tribute to Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar, the architect of the Constitution. Speaking to ANI, BJP leader Mangal Pandey said that events will be conducted statewide on April 14 to pay tribute to Dr BR Ambedkar. April 14 marks the birth anniversary of Dr BR Ambedkar. "Events paying tributes to Dr BR Ambedkar will be organized statewide on April 14. PM Modi and the BJP-NDA have done the work of giving respect to Dr BR Ambedkar. The BJP-NDA always worked to honour him. Congress and their allies always harmed the respect of Dr BR Ambedkar," Pandey told reporters. Meanwhile, speaking on the Tahawwur Rana's extradition to India, Pandey termed it as a huge success for India's diplomacy. He said, "This is a huge success for India's diplomacy." Senior BJP leader Tarun Chugh said, "This is a welcome step... This is a new India under PM Narendra Modi..." Earlier today, Union Minister Piyush Goyal lashed out at the Congress for "not doing anything" to punish those involved in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, which killed 166 people. Taking a dig at Congress, Goyal argued that the then government did the job of "serving Biryani" to Ajmal Kasab, one of the accused in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's resolve to bring those who attacked the country to justice and ensure that they get punished on Indian land. "During Congress' time, the terrorists had attacked the very hotel we are standing in. People died here. However, Congress didn't do anything to punish those involved. The one who was caught, Kasab, was also served Biryani. Those who attacked our country...this is PM Modi's resolve to bring them to justice, and they get punished. Every Indian citizen is proud of PM Modi that those involved would be punished on this land," Goyal told ANI. The Union Minister further lashed out at Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), accusing them of engaging in "appeasement politics" more than the Congress party. Intensifying his attack against the INDIA bloc, Goyal argued that they couldn't think beyond appeasement politics. "Sanjay Raut will defend a person who is Muslim even if the person is involved in a huge crime. Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena engages in appeasement politics more than Congress. The INDI alliance can't think beyond appeasement politics and doesn't have positive thinking. PM Modi, on the other hand, is ending Naxalism. Similarly, we will not spare terrorists," Goyal added. Meanwhile, the Trial court records related to the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks that were called from Mumbai to Delhi at the end of January, naming Tahawwur Rana and David Coleman Headley as accused, were recently received by the Patiala House Court, as per official sources. In January, Delhi's Patiala House Court recalled its trial court records related to the Mumbai attacks following an application filed by the NIA requesting their retrieval from Mumbai. Tahawwur Rana, a Pakistani-Canadian national, was convicted in the US for the banned terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operatives and providing material support to the group responsible for the Mumbai attacks that killed over 174 people. Rana's extradition marks a significant step in the pursuit of justice for the victims of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. The central government has appointed advocate Narender Mann as a Special Public Prosecutor to conduct the trials and other matters related to the NIA case. (ANI)
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh advocated for the development and modernisation of the Armed Forces through self-reliance on Thursday and said that low-cost high-tech solutions and enhanced fighting capability are needed. While addressing the Armed Forces officers of India and friendly countries during the Convocation Ceremony of the 80th Staff Course of Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), Wellington, Tamil Nadu said that today's global geopolitics is being redefined by three key metrics. "Lessons of the ongoing conflicts teach us that building a resilient, indigenous, and future-ready defence technological and manufacturing ecosystem is not an option, but a strategic necessity. There is a need to develop low-cost, high-tech solutions and enhance the fighting capability of the Armed Forces. Our forces must not only keep pace with technological changes but also lead it," Rajnath Singh said. He further said that the Armed Forces must operate jointly and remain future-ready in today's ever-evolving multi-domain environment. "Armed Forces must operate jointly and remain future-ready in today's ever-evolving multi-domain environment where cyber, space and information warfare etc. are as potent as conventional operations. A major pivot towards prioritising national security, a technological tsunami sweeping the global landscape, and accelerating innovation," Singh said. He urged the officers to study the nuances of these trends in-depth to stay ahead on the strategic-military change curve, adding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Government is leaving no stone unturned to transform the Armed Forces into a technologically-advanced combat-ready force capable of multi-domain integrated operations. Highlighting that Artificial Intelligence and other emerging technologies are revolutionising deterrence and war-fighting in critical ways, Rajnath Singh termed the power of technological innovation in combat theatres as breathtaking. "In the Ukraine-Russia conflict, drones have virtually emerged as a new arm, if not a transformative science. The majority of losses of soldiers and equipment have been attributed neither to traditional artillery nor to armour but to drones. Similarly, space capacities in the Low Earth Orbit are transforming military intelligence, persistent surveillance, positioning, targeting and communications, thus taking combat to a new high," he said. The Defence Minister stressed that the world is in the age of Grey Zone and Hybrid warfare where cyber-attacks, disinformation campaigns, and economic warfare have become tools that can achieve politico-military aims without a single shot being fired. He added that India faces persistent threats along its borders, which are further compounded by the challenge of proxy war and terrorism emanating from its neighbourhood. Rajnath Singh also spoke of the impact of the conflict in West Asia and the geopolitical tensions in the Indo-Pacific on the overall security calculus, in addition to non-traditional security threats such as natural disasters and climate change. He stressed on the need to vigorously pursue the transformation of the Armed Forces to remain capable and relevant for future wars, stating that PM Modi's vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047 rests firmly on two foundational pillars - Surakshit Bharat and Sashakt Bharat. Rajnath Singh also batted for enhanced synergy among all components to ensure national security. "Fostering a 'Whole of Nation' approach while undertaking actions in the entire spectrum of diplomatic, informational, military, economic and technological domains is key to ensuring success in this endeavour," he said. Referring to the Prime Minister's vision of 'MAHASAGAR' (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) for the Global South, Raksha Mantri stated that achieving a better future and prosperity for the nations will always remain a collective pursuit. "Increasing connectivities and dependencies among countries and people implies that the multitude of challenges are better faced together than individually. Mutual interests and synergies will help us achieve our goal at sub regional, regional and even global levels," he said. Rajnath Singh exhorted the officers to focus on five 'A's - Awareness, Ability, Adaptability, Agility and Ambassadors - to tackle future challenges. "As warfighters and protectors of national security, you need to remain aware of the environment and its implications. You must acquire the ability and skill set required by future leaders. You must imbibe adaptability and agility as key virtues. The battlefield of tomorrow will require leaders who can adapt to unforeseen circumstances, leverage technology to their advantage and come out with innovative solutions. You must become Ambassadors of your respective Armed Forces. Be an ambassador of change and the perfect role model amongst the society at large," he added. The 80th Staff Course comprises 479 student officers, including 38 personnel from 26 friendly countries. Three women officers are also participating in the course. Rajnath Singh also laid a wreath at the Madras Regiment War Memorial and paid homage to the bravehearts. He also interacted with the veterans, acknowledging their invaluable contributions to the nation. Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan was among the dignitaries present on the occasion. Established in 1948, DSSC is a premier Tri-service training institution that imparts professional education to select middle-level officers of the Indian Armed Forces and friendly countries. It aims to enhance their professional competencies for assuming higher responsibilities. Over the years, more than 19,000 Indian officers and 2,000 international officers have graduated from DSSC, many of whom have risen to become heads of states and military forces worldwide. (ANI)
The Maharashtra Government has approved the allocation of approximately 256 acres of salt pan land for the Dharavi Redevelopment Project. These land parcels are in Mulund, Kanjurmarg and Bhandup. While the proposed development of these saltpan lands to rehouse ineligible Dharavikars has raised environmental concerns, a senior Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP) official has clarified that the saltpan lands are on the western side of the eastern expressway, away from the sea for nearly a decade, and are completely safe for development. "Years ago, these parcels were officially decommissioned by the Salt Commissioner of India. No salt manufacturing has been happening there for nearly a decade now. The sea water never even reached these areas after the construction of the eastern expressway. There is no issue with the construction of affordable housing there. Unless we don't take such judicious steps today, the city could crumble under the population burden in the coming years," DRP Chief Executive Officer (CEO) SVR Srinivas said. He clarified that these lands are no longer flood buffers and do not fall under CRZ regulations. "The actual creek and wetlands, which attract migratory birds like flamingos, lie east of the expressway. The west side, where the DRP lands are located, has no such ecological sensitivity or CRZ restrictions. All necessary environmental clearances will be duly obtained prior to the commencement of construction activities. The project will strictly adhere to all applicable environmental regulations, and work will begin only after receiving the requisite green approvals and ensuring full compliance with statutory norms," Srinivas added. Saltpan lands have been earmarked for affordable housing under the Development Plan (DP) 2034, approved in 2018, when the united Shiv Sena was in power in MCGM and part of the state government. In 2007, the Congress-led government had also proposed using over 2,000 hectares to resettle project-affected people. Mumbai's Development Plan 2014-34 estimated a need for 10 lakh affordable homes by 2021, including 3.5 lakh for the economically weaker sections. As Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, "without using saltpan land, Mumbai's redevelopment is impossible". Yet, when the centre and the state are trying to bring dignity to lakhs of slum dwellers, the same move is being opposed. The Central Government's Excise and Customs Department is already constructing a large office-cum-staff quarters complex on 55 acres of saltpan land in Wadala. In addition, 15 acres of saltpan land in Kanjur have been allocated for the car shed of Metro Line 6, which runs between Vikhroli and Swami Samarth Nagar (Lokhandwala Complex). Interestingly, the previous MVA government had proposed using the same Kanjur saltpan land for an integrated car shed for four metro lines -- Line 3 (Colaba to SEEPZ), Line 4 (Kasarvadavali to Wadala), Line 6, and Line 14 (Kanjur to Ambernath). "It beats logic that if building car sheds wouldn't cause flooding, why would constructing homes for the poor? This highlights that those opposing the use of salt pan land for affordable housing (for slum dwellers) lack a long-term vision for Mumbai's growth," an NMDPL spokesperson said. Commenting on concerns raised over the ownership of saltpan lands allotted for the Dharavi project, DRP CEO Srinivas said, "The Government of India (GoI) has allotted this land to the Government of Maharashtra (GoM), which is being handed over to DRP/SRA - GoM for resettling ineligible Dharavikars. So, the title of the land always remains with GoM. In the entire Dharavi Project, all allotted lands (outside Dharavi) are being transferred by the land-owning authorities to DRP/SRA - GoM. Only the premium for the lands is being paid by NMDPL. All land parcels will be with the state government always." The Dharavi Redevelopment Project is not just a housing project, it's a human transformation mission, aiming for a slum-free Mumbai, he added. (ANI)
Senior Advocate and BJP leader Ujjawal Nikam, who was also the Special Public Prosecutor during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack case, on Thursday said that the extradition of the accused Tahawwur Rana was a completely legal procedure. Speaking to the media, the senior Advocate said, "This is a completely legal procedure. It is important to see what case is filed against him. I will not talk about it now. I will talk about it after the entire process is over." Meanwhile, Union Minister Nityanand Rai said that the Centre has been closely monitoring people who oppose the country since Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumed office. He claimed that under the leadership of PM Modi and the guidance of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, terrorism is about to end in the country. "Since Narendra Modi has become the Prime Minister, a close watch has been kept on those against the country. Under the leadership of PM Modi and the guidance of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, terrorism is about to end in the country. Stringent action has been taken against traitors," Nityanand Rai told reporters in Patna. Meanwhile, Eknath Omble, the brother of Ashok Chakra awardee and 26/11 hero Tukaram Omble, urged the central government to hang Tahawwur Rana on Thursday. Ashok Chakra Awardee Tukaram Omble, a sub-inspector in Mumbai police, held onto terrorist Ajmal Kasab's rifle, ensuring his arrest, but unfortunately fell to the bullets during the 26/11 terror attack. "Many innocent people and policemen were killed. It was a painful night. Tahawwur Rana was the closest ally of David Headley, who was the mastermind of the attack - they all should have been hanged earlier... But it's a big day for the country. I have a request from the government that he (Tahawwur Rana) should be hanged as soon as possible," Eknath Omble told ANI." "He should be given such a strict punishment that those in Pakistan who facilitate such things should think twice before committing them. However, we tolerated the delay in Kasab's punishment because it exposed Pakistan's real face to the world," he added. Tukaram Omble, a Mumbai Police sub-inspector, was posthumously awarded the Ashok Chakra, India's highest peacetime gallantry award, for his bravery during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. On the night of November 26, 2008, Omble played a crucial role in capturing terrorist Ajmal Kasab alive. Armed only with a baton, he confronted the gunman, allowing security forces to overpower Kasab, but he lost his life in the process. (ANI)
K Unnikrishnan, the father of Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, the National Security Guard commando killed while fighting terrorists during the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai, said the extradition of 26/11 Mumbai attacks accused Tahawwur Rana is India's "diplomatic success." "There was talk of bringing him back after US consent, he is only one of the links. It is the diplomatic success that India gained after a long time. It is not an end thing or a big achievement; there are a lot of layers that we have to achieve. For a common man, he was a link. He made 231 calls when David Coleman Headley was in India. All the evidence is here. This (Rana) is a learned man who can handle everything alone. Let's see what comes out of this," the Major's father said while speaking to ANI on the phone. He further said that Sandeep was not a victim of 26/11; he was a security personnel member who was on duty during the attack. "Sandeep is not a victim of 26/11. He was security personnel who went there. He was the hand of the Indian people. The real victims are the people who suffered. Who lost their lives in the attack? He was not the victim as he did his duty. If he had not done this in Mumbai, he would have done it somewhere else. He has been doing his duty," he added. Devika Natwarlal Rotawan, a terror victim and key witness who identified terrorist Ajmal Kasab during her testimony in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks case, has demanded the death penalty for Rana. "Tahawwur Rana being brought to India is a big victory for the Government of India. Hafiz Saeed, Dawood Ibrahim and other terrorist masterminds in Pakistan should also be brought to India and hanged till death," she said. Tahawwur Rana, a Pakistani-Canadian national, was convicted in the US for the banned terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operatives and providing material support to the group responsible for the Mumbai attacks that killed over 174 people. The Indian government has been seeking his extradition for years, and the US Supreme Court's recent decision has paved the way for his transfer to India. Rana's extradition marks a significant step in the pursuit of justice for the victims of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. (ANI)
Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha on Thursday hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks accused Tahawwur Rana nears his extradition to India, saying that those hiding would be brought back to the country and receive punishment. He said this was the "biggest proof" of PM Modi's resolve to make India "terror-free". "Prime Minister Modi had said that we will make India terror-free, and this is the biggest proof that those hiding anywhere in the world will be brought to India and punished," Sinha told reporters. Speaking on the opposition's criticism of the law and order situation in Bihar, Sinha lashed out at the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress, saying that criminals were backed politically during their rule. "The state government is taking action against those with a criminal, corrupt mindset...During the government of RJD-Congress, these kinds of people were given political patronage," Sinha said. Meanwhile, Surender Singh, former National Security Guard (NSG) commando, part of the operation during the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, welcomed the extradition of terror accused Tahawwur Rana, saying that his hanging would be a "tight slap" to Pakistan and terrorism. "It's a big day for the country. I thank PM Modi, the American President, and the agencies involved in this extradition process. When he is hanged, it will be a tight slap not just on terrorism but also on Pakistan," Singh, now a leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), said. Union Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday lashed out at the Congress for "not doing anything" to punish those involved in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, which killed 166 people. Taking a dig at Congress, Goyal argued that the then government did the job of "serving Biryani" to Ajmal Kasab, one of the accused in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's resolve to bring those who attacked the country to justice and ensure that they get punished on Indian land. Senior Advocate Majeed Memon stressed the importance of conducting a "fair trial" just like it happened for Ajmal Kasab, who was given a death sentence for his involvement in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. He said that it was an accomplishment for the country that a "disgusting" terrorist was handed over. Memom questioned the delay in the extradition of the accused, Tahawwur Rana, leading to delayed justice, saying that the extradition should have happened sooner. Having said that, Memon argued that his extradition remains an "accomplishment" since justice would be served as Rana would face trial in Indian courts for his role in the terror attacks, where innocent people lost their lives. Earlier, speaking at Network 18's Rising Bharat conclave, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, "Tahawwur Rana's (26/11 Mumbai terror attacks accused) extradition is a very big diplomatic success of the Modi government." Meanwhile, the Trial court records related to the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks that were called from Mumbai to Delhi at the end of January, naming Tahawwur Rana and David Coleman Headley as accused, were recently received by the Patiala House Court, as per official sources. In January, Delhi's Patiala House Court recalled its trial court records related to the Mumbai attacks following an application filed by the NIA requesting their retrieval from Mumbai. Tahawwur Rana, a Pakistani-Canadian national, was convicted in the US for the banned terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operatives and providing material support to the group responsible for the Mumbai attacks that killed over 174 people. Rana's extradition marks a significant step in the pursuit of justice for the victims of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. The central government has appointed advocate Narender Mann as a Special Public Prosecutor to conduct the trials and other matters related to the NIA case. (ANI)
Congress leader P Chidambaram on Thursday criticised the Modi government for taking "credit" for the extradition of 26/11 Mumbai attack accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana, saying that it was the result of years of "UPA-era groundwork." "In February 2025, Prime Minister Modi and President Trump stood at a press conference and tried to take credit for what was essentially the result of years of UPA-era groundwork. By February 17, Indian officials confirmed Rana's role in the 26/11 conspiracy, dating back to 2005, when he coordinated with LeT and ISI operatives. Finally, on April 8, 2025, US authorities handed over Rana to Indian officials. He arrived in New Delhi on April 10," Chidambaram said in a statement. Chidambaram asserted that the Modi government did not initiate the extradition process; rather, it merely benefited from the consistent and strategic diplomacy that was begun under the then United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government (2004-2014). He was the Union Home minister from 2008 to 2012. "Let the facts be clear: the Modi government did not initiate this process, nor did it secure any new breakthrough. It merely benefited from the mature, consistent, and strategic diplomacy begun under the UPA. This extradition is not the result of any grandstanding, it is a testament to what the Indian state can achieve when diplomacy, law enforcement, and international cooperation are pursued sincerely and without any kind of chest-thumping," Chidambaram added. Rana is being extradited to India, and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) will take custody of him upon arrival. The US Secretary of State had signed the surrender warrant authorising Rana's extradition to Indian authorities on February 11. Rana's legal counsel subsequently filed an emergency stay motion seeking to challenge that order. On April 7, the US Supreme Court denied Rana's petition for a stay of his extradition. Tahawwur Rana, a Pakistani-Canadian national, was convicted in the US for being an operative of the banned terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and providing material support to the group responsible for the Mumbai attacks that killed over 174 people in multiple terrorist attacks that occurred from November 26 to 29, 2008. Rana's extradition marks a significant step in the pursuit of justice for the victims of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. (ANI)
BJP president JP Nadda on Thursday paid tribute to founders of Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS), Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerji and Deendayal Updhyaya at the BJP headquarters in the national capital as he arrived to attend a workshop on the newly amended Waqf Act. The workshop has been organised by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to approach the Muslim community across the country and explain to them about the provisions of the legislation and resolve their doubts . This comes as opposition leaders, including All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Assauddin Owaisi, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Attaullah Khan, Congress MP Mohammed Jawed, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MLA Muhmmad Izhar Asfi and other, challenged the apex on the recently made amendment in the Waqf Act. Additionally, Samajwadi Party member, Ur Rehman Barq moved the Supreme Court challenging the constitutional validity of the Act.The petition seeks a review of provisions in the act, which according to the SP leader, interferes with the religious affairs of Muslim community. Violence erupted in West Bengal's Jangipur on April 8 over the implementation of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. In the aftermath of violence, police officials detained 22 people and also registered a suo-moto case. Following the incident, BJP accused the Trinamool Congress (TMC) of not maintaining law and order in West Bengal. The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 came into force on April 8 (Tuesday). After a 12-hour discussion, the Upper House cleared the bill 128 members voting in favour, whereas 95 members voting against the legislation. The act aims to modify the Waqf Act, 1995 and Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2013. The 1995 act and the 2013 amendment laid out rules to govern the Waqf properties in India; created special courts called Waqf Tribunals with powers similar to civil courts; and prohibited the sale of Waqf properties. (ANI)
In a scathing attack on the Karnataka government, BJP MP and former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Thursday alleged large-scale corruption under the current administration. Citing a statement by the Chief Minister's Principal Economic Advisor, Bommai claimed that Karnataka now tops the list in corruption. Speaking to ANI, Bommai also pointed to allegations by PWD and Excise contractors that 60% of the government is guilty of malpractice. "Huge corruption is present in the government. The Principal Advisor for Economics to the CM has himself said that Karnataka tops the corruption list. The association of PWD and Excise Contractors have accusations on 60 per cent of the government, and still, there is no action. Every day, there is one or the other scandal coming up. The price of every commodity is rising. This is an anti-people government, and there is no development," the BJP MP said. Meanwhile, the Janata Dal (Secular) will hold a massive protest on April 12 against the Karnataka government over the recent price hikes and alleged corruption. Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy will lead the protest at Freedom Park in Bengaluru. JD(S) is all set to launch a vigorous campaign against the Congress-led state government, focusing on price hikes and corruption. The campaign, titled 'Sakappa Saaku Congress Sarkara' (Enough is Enough Congress Government), is being led by JD(S) Youth President Nikhil Kumaraswamy and is gaining significant attention across the state. Earlier, the Karnataka government announced a Rs 4 per litre price hike for Nandini milk and curd, effective April 1. This decision was made during a Cabinet meeting led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The move aims to encourage dairy farming in the state, considering the cost of milk production and processing. (ANI)
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Thursday extended greetings on the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti. "I extend my best wishes to the people of the state and the country on the birth anniversary of Lord Mahavir Swami. About 2500 years ago, a great man was born who created his own identity on the basis of the principle of 'live and let live'. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, we will all celebrate Mahavir Jayanti," CM Mohan Yadav said. Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended greetings on the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti and said that Lord Mahavir's ideals give strength to countless people all around the world. "We all bow to Bhagwan Mahavir, who always emphasised on non-violence, truth and compassion. His ideals give strength to countless people all around the world. His teachings have been beautifully preserved and popularised by the Jain community. Inspired by Bhagwan Mahavir, they have excelled in different walks of life and contributed to societal well-being," PM Modi posted on X. He further said that the Union government will always work to fulfil the vision of Bhagwan Mahavir. "Last year, we conferred the status of Classical Language on Prakrit, a decision which received a lot of appreciation," PM Modi added. Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that the message given by Lord Mahavir will continue to guide human society. "Greetings of Lord Mahavir Jayanti to all countrymen. The messages of truth, non-violence, compassion and social harmony given by Lord Mahavir Ji will continue to guide human society for eternity. I pray to Lord Mahavir Ji for the welfare of all," Shah posted on X. Mahavir Jayanti is celebrated to mark the birth anniversary of Lord Mahavir, who was born in 615 BC in a royal family and was given the name 'Vardhamana' in his childhood. It will be celebrated on April 10, according to Mahavir Samvat. The festival of Mahavir Jayanti is celebrated to highlight the significance of Jainism in the world, especially in India. The key teaching of 'ahinsa parmo dharma' or non-violence is of great significance in the world today. (ANI)
Bharatiya Janata Party's Punjab unit president, Sunil Jakhar, has alleged serious constitutional violations by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, accusing him of misusing the state's intelligence machinery for political surveillance. In a detailed letter submitted to the Governor of Punjab, Jakhar claimed that Mann's public statements in the Punjab Assembly constituted a direct admission of political espionage using official state apparatus. Jakhar cited a statement made by the Chief Minister in the state legislature, where Mann declared, "Main sarkar vich haan, mere kol intelligence hai" (I am in the government, and I have the intelligence). According to Jakhar, this was not political bravado but a clear acknowledgment of using intelligence inputs in a political context. "It was a direct and unambiguous reference to the use of the official state intelligence apparatus, spoken in his capacity as the head of the government," he wrote. "This constitutes a grave constitutional violation, an affront to the democratic ethos, and a serious breach of privilege," the letter states, drawing parallels to the Pegasus surveillance controversy. Jakhar raised concerns about the timing of the abrupt transfer of Additional Director General of Police (Intelligence), R.K. Jaiswal, shortly after the Chief Minister's remarks. "The timing is no coincidence. It raises compelling questions: Was the Intelligence Chief resisting unlawful directives from the political executive? Was he removed because he refused to allow the state's premier intelligence agency to be turned into a private political spying operation?" the BJP leader asked. He further alleged that this "reeks of institutional capture," where state resources are being "weaponized" against political opponents. Jakhar said the intelligence machinery, funded and modernized with Union Government support, is being misused, undermining its core role in public security. In the letter, Jakhar also referred to a recent grenade blast at the Jalandhar residence of BJP leader Manoranjan Kalia, which occurred during the night of April 7-8. He criticized the state's failure to anticipate the incident, saying it highlighted the consequences of diverting intelligence resources for political purposes. Jakhar added that the incident was not isolated. "In the past seven months alone, the state has witnessed at least 16 grenade and explosive attacks, of which 11 targeted police and law enforcement. These are not random or low-intensity threats," the letter stated, describing a growing pattern of violence aimed at destabilizing law and order in a sensitive border state. He referred to the rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) attack on Punjab Police's Intelligence Headquarters in Mohali under the current administration as a turning point, stating, "That the epicentre of the state's intelligence apparatus could be struck in such a manner should have been a turning point for any responsible administration." Jakhar alleged, the intelligence system has been distorted for political spying, compromising the safety of public officials and citizens. "The politicization of the intelligence apparatus is not only unconstitutional--it is directly endangering lives," he said. He supported his arguments by invoking the Supreme Court's judgment in the Pegasus spyware case, emphasizing that surveillance must meet legal standards of necessity, proportionality, and legitimacy, and cannot be used for political targeting. "The right to privacy is a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution," he noted. He also called on the Governor to, "Order a high-level judicial or independent inquiry into the Chief Minister's statement and alleged misuse of intelligence. Investigate the circumstances behind the transfer of ADGP and Ensure institutional integrity of state intelligence and policing systems. He further urged the Governor to refer the matter to the Central Government and relevant investigative agencies, citing Punjab's position as a border state and the national security implications involved. "This recommendation gains further urgency from the fact that Punjab is a sensitive border state... misuse of the state's internal security apparatus constitutes a serious threat to national security," the letter reads. In the letter, Jakhar warned against allowing democratic institutions to be reduced to political tools. "If such actions are left unchecked, we risk normalizing a culture where democratic institutions are reduced to tools of surveillance and coercion controlled not by constitutional mandate, but by political convenience." (ANI)
Survivors of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks on Thursday hailed the Indian government as accused Tahawwur Rana is being extradited from the US, and urged for a death sentence for the Pakistani-Canadian national. Speaking to ANI on Tahawwur Rana's extradition from the US to India, 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks survivor Natwarlal Rotawan said, "India will be hailed when Tahawwur Rana is sentenced to death. I identified the terrorist Kasab (during the trial of the case). PM Modi ji is like a lion; we went inside Pakistan and killed terrorists. After Tahawwur Rana, it will be David Headley, Hafiz Saeed... We are Indians; we are not scared..." Devika Natwarlal Rotawan, a survivor of the Mumbai terror attacks termed the extradicton of Tahawwur Rana as the "big" victory for the Government of India. "Tahawwur Rana being brought to India is a big victory for the Government of India. Hafiz Saeed, Dawood Ibrahim and other terrorist masterminds in Pakistan should also be brought to India and hanged till death," Sunita, a resident of Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi and a 26/11 Mumbai terror attack victim, lost her husband in the attack. Elaborating on the incident, said, "In the terror attack, my husband was killed. We were at the railway station platform at the time of the attack. On hearing gunshots, initially, we thought it was the sound of firecrackers. When we tried to run away, my husband was hit by a bullet in his head. I ran with my children to save ourselves. I was also hit in the attack." Rana is being extradited to India, and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) will take custody of him upon arrival. Tahawwur Rana, a Pakistani-Canadian national, was convicted in the US for the banned terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operatives and providing material support to the group responsible for the Mumbai attacks that killed more than 160 people. The Indian government has been seeking his extradition for years, and the US Supreme Court's recent decision has paved the way for his transfer to India. Rana's extradition marks a significant step in the pursuit of justice for the victims of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. Meanwhile, the Central Government appointed Advocate Narender Mann as Special Public Prosecutor to conduct trials and other matters related to National Investigation Agency case RC-04/2009/NIA/DLI against Tahawwur Hussain Rana and David Coleman Headley, who is in a US Prison following a plea deal. (ANI)
The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, is in harmony with principles of transparency in public life as enacted in the Right to Information (RTI) Act, Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said in a letter addressed to Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh. Vaishnaw's reply came after the Congress leader urged the government to "pause, review and repeal" Section 44 (3) of the Data Protection Act claiming otherwise it would "eliminate" the provisio in Section 8 (1) of the Right to Information Act (RTI) 2005, which gives citizens equal right to information. Clarifying to Jairam Ramesh, Ashiwni Vaishnaw wrote that the Data Protection Act is in harmony with principles of privacy and principles of transparency in public life, maintaining that Right to Privacy is closely linked to the protection of personal information "The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 is in harmony with privacy principles as enshrined in the Puttaswamy judgment and the principles of transparency in public life as enacted in the Right to Information (RTI) Act," Ashwini Vaishnaw wrote in his letter. https://x.com/AshwiniVaishnaw/status/1910267706827211065?t=_0OD0lDLKP4ueIwASkWLjQ&s=08 "In the Puttaswamy judgment, the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India held that the Right to Privacy is an integral part of the Right to Life protected as a fundamental right guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution. This right to privacy is closely linked to the protection of personal information. Therefore, throughout the extensive consultation process, both with the civil society and in multiple parliamentary fora, the need for harmonious provisions between the right to information and the right to privacy was emphasized," he added. Noting Section 3 of the Data Protection Act, Vaishnaw said that the act does not apply to "personal data that is made or caused to be made publicly available by any other person who is under an obligation under any law for the time being in force in India to make such personal data publicly available" "Therefore, any personal information that is subject to disclosure under legal obligations under various laws governing our public representatives and welfare programmes like MGNREGA, etc will continue to be disclosed under the RTI Act," Vaishnaw clarified. Jairam Ramesh, on March 23, pointed that Data Protection Act, 2023, states that, "In section 8 of the Right to Information Act, 2005, in sub-section (1), for clause (j), 2005, the following clause shall be substituted, namely, (j) information which relates to personal information", Ramesh argued that "the implications of this on Section 8 (1) (j) of the RTI Act, 2005, are that almost everything in it gets deleted." Ramesh said that the Provisio in Section 8 (1) of RTI Act, 2005 gives citizens equal right to information as legislators who represent them is eliminated "The existing Section 8 (1) (6) of the RTI Act, 2005, had enough guardrails to protect unwarranted invasion of privacy. In the interests of transparency and accountability, I would urge you to pause, review and repeal Section 44 (3) of the Data Protection Act, 2023, which destroys the RTI ACT, 2005," Ramesh told Vaishnaw. (ANI)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Manoj Tiwari on Thursday lauded the extradition of Tahawwur Hussain Rana, "mastermind" of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, crediting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's firm stance against terrorism for the development. Speaking to ANI on Thursday, "The first resolve of the Narendra Modi government is that we will have zero tolerance against crime... if a criminal hides anywhere in the world after committing the crime, an honest attempt will be made to find them. Similarly, continuous efforts were being made to extradite Tahawwur Rana, the mastermind of the Mumbai attack. Before 2014, the governments wanted to save such people." "Today, due to the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Tahawwur Rana is being extradited, and the punishment for his actions will be decided in the country's court," he added. Earlier, BJP National spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla stated that the extradition of Tahawwur Rana was a major victory for all the security, counter- terrorism, prosecution and intelligence agencies. Poonawalla further stated that the extradition was the resolve that India would not remain silent on terror attacks but would give a befitting reply. "It is a major victory for all security, counter-terrorism, prosecution, intelligence agencies that the main conspirator of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks is being extradited to India...This is not just an extradition; it is the resolve of the new India that we will not remain silent on terror attacks but will give a befitting reply...India will neither forgive nor forget the terrorists..." Poonawalla said, speaking to the media. "This is a major step towards ensuring justice not only for the victims in India but also for those killed in the 26/11 attacks in seventeen to eighteen countries," he further stated. Tahawwur Hussain Rana is being brought to India for a trial after the US Supreme Court rejected Rana's plea to stay his extradition to India. Rana has been accused of being involved in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, in which over 160 people were killed. On April 7, the Supreme Court of the United States rejected Tahawwur Rana's plea to stay his extradition to India. Rana filed an emergency application with Chief Justice Roberts on March 20, 2025, seeking a stay on his extradition. "The application for stay addressed to The Chief Justice and referred to the Court is denied," the SC order dated Monday, April 7, stated. According to the Mumbai Crime Branch, a case of criminal conspiracy against Rana was originally lodged by the NIA in Delhi following the attack. The ongoing extradition process pertains to that case, and he is likely to be brought to India today. (ANI)
Union Minister JP Nadda will visit Odisha on April 11 for a two-day trip, during which he will launch several public welfare schemes and attend various programs. On Friday, Nadda will launch the Ayushman Bharat Scheme (AB-PMJAY) at Balijatra Ground in Cuttack at around 2:30 pm. Then, at approximately 4:40 pm, the Union Minister will inaugurate a new building at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Postgraduate Institute of Paediatrics in Cuttack. Earlier, Union Health Minister JP Nadda and Delhi CM Rekha Gupta distributed Ayushman Cards to beneficiaries in Delhi. Speaking on the occasion, Nadda targeted previous Aam Aadmi Party government and said that Delhi was going through a dark chapter for seven years when 30 lakh families and 6 lakh people were deprived of their right to Ayushman for seven years. "You should be compelled to think about how your rights are violated when a poor government is in power; and that when a good government comes to power, you get your rights within 50 days. Three states had refused to implement Ayushman. First was Odisha, where the prior government lost power, and then the lotus bloomed. The same happened in Delhi. Now, only West Bengal is left, where also the lotus will bloom, and the current government will lose power," Nadda said. "You (Arvind Kejriwal) used to say that (the BJP) will have to be reborn to (form a government in Delhi). But we accomplished it in this life only. Then Health Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj went to the Supreme Court and said that they would not let Ayushman be implemented in Delhi. All of you should take a vow that you will not let such a government be formed in Delhi ever again," the Union Health Minister said. Nadda also paid tribute to founders of Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS), Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerji and Deendayal Updhyaya at the BJP headquarters in the national capital as he arrived to attend a workshop on the newly amended Waqf Act. The workshop was organised by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to approach the Muslim community across the country and explain to them about the provisions of the legislation and resolve their doubts. (ANI)
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, offered prayers at the revered Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Temple in Ujjain on Thursday. The visit took place during the spiritually significant period of 'Pradosh Kaal'. Speaking after the darshan, Gadkari said, "Today, during 'Pradosh Kaal', I got the good fortune to take darshan of Mahakaleshwar ji. This is my luck. I prayed for more strength and dedication to do more work for the country and society and his blessing will keep us motivated to do good work." The Mahakaleshwar Temple is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas in India and holds immense religious significance for devotees of Lord Shiva. Located in the ancient city of Ujjain, the temple draws pilgrims from across the country, especially during auspicious occasions and festivals like Mahashivratri and Shravan. Meanwhile, Nitin Gadkari inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of 10 National Highway projects worth Rs 5,800 Cr in Madhya Pradesh. He also inaugurated the newly constructed Ujjain-Badnawar four-lane highway. In a Post on X, he described the day as a historic milestone for Ujjain and the adjoining districts and noted that the highway and connectivity initiatives would directly benefit the districts of Ujjain, Dewas, Shajapur, Indore, Dhar, Rajgarh, and Ashoknagar. "Today is a historic day for Ujjain and surrounding areas. The road projects inaugurated and foundation stone laid today will directly benefit districts like Ujjain, Dewas, Shajapur, Indore, Dhar, Rajgarh, Ashoknagar. Through these projects, Ujjain and surrounding districts have got a new pace of development with better road connectivity," he said. "With the development of these projects, there will be high-speed connectivity of Delhi, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra with Ujjain. The journey to Shri Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga will be easy and convenient for the devotees. Easy connectivity will be established between Delhi-Mumbai and Malwa region. Logistics cost will be reduced," he added. (ANI)
Former Director General of Police (DGP) of Jammu and Kashmir, SP Vaid, on Thursday expressed his strong support for the extradition Tahawwur Rana, one of the key accused in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, calling it a major achievement for the Indian government and its agencies. In his statement to ANI, Vaid said, "Tahawwur Rana's extradition to India is a huge achievement of the Indian Government and agencies." He emphasized the significance of holding Rana accountable saying, "This attack carried out at the behest of Pakistan's ISI claimed the lives of 166 people. This is why it is very important to hold Tahawwur Rana accountable." He also highlighted the need to connect multiple links in the investigation. "Many links need to be joined. The investigation will conclude after interrogating him and ascertaining the roles of Hafiz Saeed and Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi," he added. Vaid provided further insights into Rana's involvement, stating that he had opened an agency in Mumbai to assist David Coleman Headley, another key figure in the attack. "Many secrets will be exposed on how Pakistan's ISI carried out the whole thing and how he helped the Pakistan Army," Vaid remarked. The former DGP also raised questions about the role of Pakistan's military in the attack. "Two majors of the Pak Army were handling the whole thing. Was this all happening without ISI having information about it? Was the ISI doing all this without the Army Chief having any information about it?" he questioned. Meanwhile, Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan on Thursday said that Mumbai attack accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana who is being extradited to India must get a fair trial that follow Indian legal procedures, ensuring fair representation and the right to appeal, just as it was granted to Ajmal Kasab. The Congress leader stated that a "kangaroo court" will not run in the country as the whole world will be watching India over Rana's trial. "Rana has not confessed to his crime, while David Coleman Headley has admitted to have played a role. So, the American Government decided to make Headley an informer. They have included him in their drug enforcement agency. So that drug smuggling can be checked. He is now on the American payroll. After a long battle from 2009 to 2025, today one of them is being brought back," Chavan said. "There will be a trial. We demand that just like there was a proper trial under Indian laws for Kasab, he had the right to speak for himself and have a lawyer - he was given a lawyer and he had the opportunity to appeal in High Court as well as Supreme Court. Judgement was pronounced after all of these; similarly, when there is a trial for Rana, he too should be given legal rights, and he will have to accept whatever punishment is given to him. A kangaroo court will not function in our country because the whole world will witness this trial. According to India's laws, the trial will take place. I want to congratulate all the officials and politicians involved in this," Prithviraj Chauhan said. Rana has been accused of being involved in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, in which over 160 people were killed. On April 7, the Supreme Court of the United States rejected Tahawwur Rana's plea to stay his extradition to India. Rana filed an emergency application with Chief Justice Roberts on March 20, 2025, seeking a stay on his extradition. "The application for stay addressed to The Chief Justice and referred to the Court is denied," the SC order dated Monday, April 7, stated. (ANI)
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Thursday reiterated the state's commitment to peace and development, urging Naxals to abandon violence and join the mainstream. Speaking to the media, CM Sai emphasized that the government has always kept the path open for those willing to surrender, assuring them of justice and employment opportunities. "We have kept the path open for them (Naxals) from the beginning. We are repeatedly urging that you stop using the language of guns and bullets and join the mainstream of development. The government will ensure justice for you and work towards connecting you with employment," he said. "The government is also doing justice for those who are surrendering," the Chhattisgarh CM said. Recently, in a significant boost to the anti-Naxal operations in Chhattisgarh, 26 Maoists--three of them carrying cash rewards--surrendered before senior police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) officials in Dantewada on Monday. The surrender took place at the District Reserve Guard (DRG) headquarters as part of the ongoing 'Lon Varratu' (Come Home) campaign, which aims to reintegrate former extremists into mainstream society. The surrender was facilitated by the joint efforts of the district police, CRPF, and the state's special rehabilitation policy. As part of the state government's new rehabilitation policy, each surrendered Maoist will receive Rs 50,000 in immediate assistance and access to a range of benefits, including skill development training and agricultural land. The 'Lon Varratu' campaign has been a substantial success since its launch. So far, 953 Maoists--including 224 carrying cash rewards--have surrendered. Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday highlighted a new initiative incentive announced by Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai. Under this incentive, villages that completely surrender all Naxalites will be declared "Naxal-free" and rewarded with a Rs 1 crore development fund. "Vishnu Deo Sai and Vijay Sharma have made an announcement that the village which makes every Naxalite surrender, will be declared Naxal-free and one crore rupees will be given as development fund," said Amit Shah while addressing a public meeting in Dantewada on Saturday. Shah reaffirmed the government's commitment to rehabilitating those who surrender, stating, "If you join the mainstream, Government of India and the Chhattisgarh Government will ensure your full protection." (ANI)
BJP workers in Kolkata protested against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee-led State Government over 26,000 teachers losing their jobs in connection with the SSC recruitment case, following a Supreme Court judgment which held that the whole appointment process was tainted. The BJP is up in arms against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee' s-led state government over the West Bengal School Service Commission 2016 recruitment case and is demanding her resignation. On April 3, the Supreme Court upheld the Calcutta High Court's decision to quash the recruitment of more than 25,000 teachers and non-teaching staff by the West Bengal School Service Commission (SSC) in 2016 for the state-run and aided schools. A bench of Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar found that the West Bengal SSC's selection process was based on large-scale manipulations and fraud. "In our opinion, this is a case wherein the entire selection process has been vitiated and tainted beyond resolution. Manipulations and frauds on a large scale, coupled with the attempted cover-up, have dented the selection process beyond repair and partial redemption. The credibility and legitimacy of the selection are denuded", the apex court bench stated in its judgement. The apex court found no reason to interfere with the High Court's direction that the services of "tainted" candidates must be terminated and that they should be required to refund any salaries/payments received. "Since their appointments were the result of fraud, this amounts to cheating. Therefore, we see no justification to alter this direction", the bench added. The top court's verdict came on a petition filed by the West Bengal government that challenged an April 2022 order of the Calcutta High Court, which had cancelled the recruitment of more than 25,000 teachers and other staff for state-run and aided schools. The top court had reserved its verdict in the matter on February 10. (ANI)
The New Delhi Bar Association (NDBA) has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring "uninterrupted judicial proceedings" at Patiala House Court, where the trial of the 26/11 Mumbai attack accused, Tahawwur Hussain Rana, will begin after his extradition to India today. In an official statement, NDBA President Nagender Kumar and Honorary Secretary Tarun Rana assured that all necessary steps would be taken to prevent disruptions within the court complex. The statement, issued in the presence of other Bar leaders, including Joint Secretary Advocate Ankur Tyagi and Treasurer Advocate Astha Gupta, emphasized that the association would ensure uninterrupted judicial proceedings and strictly uphold law and order within the premises. Acknowledging the gravity and seriousness of the case, the association stressed its dedication to upholding justice. It pledged to facilitate fair and transparent proceedings in full compliance with Indian legal principles. With heightened security measures anticipated for Rana's court appearance, the NDBA's proactive stance highlights the importance of judicial discipline and integrity as India advances in this significant case. Tahawwur Hussain Rana is being brought to India for trial after the US Supreme Court rejected his plea to stay his extradition, exhausting all judicial options. Rana has been accused of being involved in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, in which over 160 people were killed. On April 7, the Supreme Court of the United States rejected Tahawwur Rana's plea to stay his extradition to India. Rana filed an emergency application with Chief Justice Roberts on March 20, 2025, seeking a stay on his extradition. "The application for stay addressed to The Chief Justice and referred to the Court is denied," the SC order dated Monday, April 7, stated. Tahawwur Rana, a Pakistani-Canadian national, was convicted in the US for being an operative of the banned terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and providing material support to the group responsible for the Mumbai attacks that killed over 160 people in multiple terrorist attacks that began on November 26, 2008 and lasted for three days. On November 26, 2008, 10 Lashker-e-Taliba terrorists targeted civilians in the southern part of Mumbai, including Chhatrapati Shivaji Raliyway station, two hospitals, and a theatre. The terrorists also held hostages at three locations- the Nariman House and the luxury hotels, Oberoi Trident and Taj Mahal Palace and Tower. The terror gripped Mumbai for two days, and on November 28, Indian security forces gained control of the situation by killing nine terrorists and arresting one. (ANI)
People from 200 locations across the globe joined the Navkar Mahamantra Diwas to promote world peace and harmony, Jain International Trade Organisation (JITO) president Vijay Bhandari said on Thursday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Navakar Mahamantra Diwas on Wednesday (a day before Mahavir Jayanti on April 10) at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. "Navkar Mahamantra Divas was for world peace and harmony. Navkar Mahamantra is a 'maha mantra' like the Gayatri mantra. People from across the country and 200 locations in the world joined this program during which Navkar Mahamantra was chanted yesterday."," Bhandari said on PM Modi attending the Navkar Mahamantra Diwas. The Navkar Mantra is central to Jain prayers. Inaugurating the Navakar Mahamantra Diwas on Wednesday, PM Modi remarked on his roots in Gujarat, where the influence of Jainism is evident in every street. The Prime Minister explained how, from a young age, he had the privilege of being in the company of Jain acharyas. "Navkar Mantra is not just a mantra but the core of faith and the essence of life. One bows to the 108 divine qualities and remembers the welfare of humanity when reciting the Navkar Mantra," he said. In a poetic tribute to the power of "nine" in Indian and Jain traditions, he proposed nine resolutions (on water conservation, healthy life, cleanliness, among others) anchored in the Navkar Mantra. He also noted how repeating the mantra nine times, or in its multiples like 27, 54, or 108, represents spiritual completeness and intellectual clarity. "Jain literature has been the backbone of India's intellectual heritage, and preserving this knowledge is a duty," PM Modi said, highlighting the government's decision to grant classical language status to Prakrit and Pali, enabling further research on Jain literature. Jain literature, etched in Prakrit and Pali, holds profound treasures of thought. The government's initiative to grant these languages classical status and digitize Jain manuscripts under the Gyan Bharatam Mission is a tribute to this ancient wisdom. Additionally, while talking about the practice of sustainability among the Jain community, the prime minister also pointed out the government's Mission LiFE. Mission LiFE, launched in 2021, "aims to nudge individuals and communities to practice a lifestyle that is synchronous with nature and does not harm it". The mission targets to turn up to 80 per cent of villages and urban local bodies environment-friendly by 2028. Jainism's emblem, "Parasparopagraho Jivanam", meaning the mutual interdependence of all life offers a deeply ecological worldview. (ANI)
A PIL has been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the various provisions of the Waqf Act,1995 and certain provisions of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, alleging discrimination against other communities and demanding equal status and safeguards for their properties. The PIL filed by one Parul Khera said that provisions in the 1995 Act grant special status to Waqf properties denying same status to Trust, Mutts, Akharas and societies and confer unguided and unchecked powers to Waqf Boards to register any property as Waqf property. The Act 1995 runs counter to the equality clause and concept of a Secular State, it said. The conferment of special rights, status and power to Waqf property and Waqf Board is in violation of provisions contained in Article 14, 15, 25, 300-A and 323-A of the Constitution of India. "In the Act, there is no safeguard for Hindus and non-Islamic communities to save their religious and private properties from being included in the list of Waqf issued by the government or by the Waqf Boards and Hindu and other religious communities are being discriminated and the impugned provisions violate Articles 14,15,25,27 and 300-A of the Constitution of India," said the plea. In the last 10 years Waqf Boards have rapidly captured the lands of others and declared those properties as Waqf property, the plea stated. "It is relevant to mention that the Union Minister for Minority Affairs in reply to Rajya Sabha on February 7, 2022, informed that there was a total of 7,85,934 immovable properties which have been registered on the portal," it added. It further said that the Sachar Committee in its report had confirmed that there were about 4.9 lakh registered Waqf property comprising of about 6 lakh acres. It has come to the fore that at present the total area of Waqf properties existing in different states are more than 12 lakhs acres, which is almost 4 times the area of NCT Delhi which is 3,66,500 acres only, claimed the petition. "The Waqf Boards have also been given special powers in Sections 54, and 55 in the matter of removing encroachment. Section 89 provides for giving two months' notice before filing suit. The Trustees, Managers, Shebaits, Mahants and persons managing and administering Trusts, Mutts, Temples, Akharas and religious properties do not enjoy such right and power. Such conferment of special status to Waqf Boards is clearly in violation of Articles 14, 15(1) and 25 of the Constitution of India," it added. It further said that the provisions contained in certain sections of Waqf Act, 1995 are not in conformity with the theme underlying Articles 14, 25, 27 and 323-A of the Constitution of India as no proper safeguard has been provided against the inclusion of any property as Waqf property. The petition added that "These provisions are not in consonance with principles of natural justice as no sufficient provision has been made to give opportunity of being heard to the affected persons who want to oppose the inclusion of the property as Waqf Property. There is no provision to check the arbitrariness and illegal exercise of powers by the authorities concerned in the matter of declaring any property Waqf property." With regard to 2025 Act, the petitioner said that the discriminatory provisions of the Waqf Act 1995, have not been amended and other communities are being subjected to atrocities and their properties are being captured illegally by Waqf Board. A bench of Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, Justices Sanjay Kumar and KV Vishwanathan is set to hear a batch of petitions challenging the Act on April 16. The Central government had also filed a caveat application in the Supreme Court urging it to hear the government in the petitions filed before it challenging the validity of the Act. A Caveat application is filed by a litigant to ensure that no adverse order is passed against him or her without being heard. Several petitions were filed in the apex court challenging the Act contending that it was discriminatory towards the Muslim community and violates their fundamental rights. President Droupadi Murmu on April 5 gave her assent to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which was earlier passed by Parliament after heated debates in both Houses. All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) Member of Parliament Asaduddin Owaisi, Congress MPs Mohammad Jawed and Imran Pratapgarhi, AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan, MP and President of the Azad Samaj Party Chandra Shekhar Azad, Samajwadi Party MP from Sambhal Zia Ur Rehman Barq, President of the Islamic cleric's body Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind Maulana Arshad Madani, Kerala Sunni scholars' body Samastha Kerala Jamiatul Ulema, Social Democratic Party of India, Indian Union Muslim League, and NGO Association for Protection of Civil Rights have already approached the top court against the Act. The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) also challenged the Act saying it strongly objected to the amendments passed by Parliament for being "arbitrary, discriminatory and based on exclusion". Manoj Jha and Faiyaz Ahmad, MP in Rajya Sabha from Bihar's RJD, have also challenged the Wakf (Amendment) Act, 2025 on the grounds that it facilitates large-scale government interference in Muslim religious endowments. RJD MLA from Bihar Muhammad Izhar Asfi also challenged the Act. The ruling party Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in Tamil Nadu through its MP A Raja, who was a part of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on the Waqf Bill, also approached the apex court against the Act. Intervention applications have been filed in the Supreme Court in support the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, saying the amendments are in consonance with the scheme of Constitution of India. The applications stated that there is no violation of any right of any member of the Muslim community. (ANI)
The 26/11 Mumbai attacks accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana on Thursday arrived in India following his extradition by the United States. Senior Advocate Dayan Krishnan and Special Public Prosecutor for NIA, Advocate Narender Mann were seen arriving at Patiala House Court in the national capital ahead of Rana being produced before the court. Ahead of Rana's court appearance, Delhi Police swiftly cleared the court complex. Authorities vacated the premises entirely and instructed media personnel to leave, citing security and safety concerns. No individuals were allowed inside the complex as part of heightened security measures surrounding the event. The decision to restrict access was made to ensure the safety of all involved. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) said today that it has successfully secured the extradition of Rana, the mastermind of the deadly 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, after years of sustained and concerted efforts to bring the key conspirator behind the 2008 mayhem to justice. According to the NIA, Rana was being held in judicial custody in the US pursuant to proceedings initiated under the India-US Extradition Treaty for his extradition. The extradition finally came through after Rana exhausted all legal avenues to stay the move. The District Court for the Central District of California had ordered his extradition on 16th May 2023. Rana then filed multiple litigations in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, all of which were rejected. He subsequently filed a petition for a writ of certiorari, two habeas petitions, and an emergency application before the U.S. Supreme Court, which were also denied. The extradition proceedings were initiated between the two countries after India eventually secured a surrender warrant for the wanted terrorist from the US government. "Rana is accused of conspiring with David Coleman Headley @ Daood Gilani, and operatives of designated terrorist organisations Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Harkat-ul-Jihadi Islami (HUJI) along with other Pakistan-based co-conspirators, to carry out the devastating terror attacks in Mumbai in 2008. A total of 166 persons were killed and over 238 injured in the deadly attacks. Both LeT and HUJI have been declared as terrorist organisations by the Government of India under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967," the NIA said. (ANI)
Union Health Minister JP Nadda sharply criticized the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for blocking the implementation of the Ayushman Bharat Yojana in Delhi during their tennure, calling it a "dark" chapter. JP Nadda, along with Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, distributed the Ayushman cards to beneficiaries in the national capital on Thursday. Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY, launched on 23rd September 2018, has been a game-changer in healthcare, mainly for the millions of poor and vulnerable families across the country. In just five years, it enabled them with timely access and quality healthcare without burdening them with catastrophic health expenditure during medical emergencies. Addressing the public during the event, Nadda said, "Delhi was going through a dark chapter for seven years when 36 lakh eligible people were deprived of their rights. You should be compelled to think about how your rights are violated when a poor government is in power and that when a good government comes to power, you get your rights within 50 days." Nadda further expressed confidence that his party would win in West Bengal, the only state where the Ayushman Bharat Yojana has not been implemented yet. "Three states had refused to implement Ayushman. The first was Odisha, where the previous government lost power, and then the lotus bloomed. The same happened in Delhi. Now, only West Bengal is left, where the lotus will bloom, and the current government will lose power," Nadda said. Criticizing the previous AAP government, he said, "You (Arvind Kejriwal) used to say that (the BJP) will have to be reborn to form a government in Delhi. But we accomplished it in this life only. Then, Health Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj went to the Supreme Court and said that they would not let Ayushman be implemented in Delhi. All of you should take a pledge that you will not let such a government be formed in Delhi ever again." On the Ayushman Bharat scheme being rolled out in Delhi, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said, "This is a matter of great joy. Today is a day of celebration for Delhi... A grant of Rs 2400 crores has been given by the Centre for Delhi's health infrastructure... The people of Delhi will now be able to avail of health benefits. 'Acche din ab shuru ho gaye hain'..." On Saturday, Delhi became the 35th state and Union Territory to implement the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) after the National Health Authority (NHA) of the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Delhi government. The agreement was signed between L.S. Changsan, Additional Secretary, MoHFW and Chief Executive Officer, National Health Authority (NHA), and Dr. S.B. Deepak Kumar, Secretary (Health and Family Welfare), Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of NCT Delhi, on Saturday. The signing ceremony was presided over by Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Jagat Prakash Nadda in the presence of Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Union Minister of State for Corporate Affairs Harsh Malhotra, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel, and Delhi Minister Dr. Pankaj Kumar Singh. (ANI)
Claiming that the "burden on the poor has increased" in Karnataka, former Chief Minister and Member of Parliament Basavaraj Bommai on Thursday stated people are questioning when the Congress government will "finally fall" as it has "raised" the prices of essentials such as milk and electricity in the state. Speaking to the media in Haveri, Bommai said the BJP has launched a state-wide protest against the "anti-people" Congress government. The party has started the 'Janakrosha Yatra' in every district. In Haveri district, they have initiated a day-and-night protest. "The state government has increased the prices of all commodities, including milk, liquor, and electricity. The government is financially bankrupt. Reports suggest that soon it may not even have enough funds to pay salaries to government employees," Bommai said. Bommai has alleged that corruption is rampant, stating that even Congress MLAs have admitted to the high levels of corruption within the party. "PWD contractors, electrical contractors, and excise contractors have all complained about widespread corruption. Yet, the Chief Minister sits with his eyes closed. The burden on the poor has increased. Instead of properly delivering on its guarantees, the government has imposed heavy taxes on the people. Rather than giving subsidies to milk-producing farmers, they've raised the price of milk. We are protesting as the voice of the people," the BJP MP said. Bommai further alleged that there is major corruption in the installation of electricity meters. "Contractors have provided documents showing that metres which cost just Rs 700 in other states are being charged at Rs 5,000-6,000 here. The people are questioning when this government will finally fall," he said. On being asked about Rahul Gandhi urging the union government to undertake the caste census at the national level, Bommai said, "It has been a year since the caste census report was submitted (to the Karnataka govt). They don't know why Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is still hiding it. Let him release it first--only then will I comment further." (ANI)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Yogender Chandolia on Thursday extended his wishes to the residents of Delhi after the Ayushman Bharat scheme was rolled out in the national capital. Speaking to ANI, Chandolia said, "Congratulations to the people of Delhi... Today's day will be remembered because lakhs of people got the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Yojana card today." BJP MP Manoj Tiwari from North East Delhi constituency asserted that the newly formed government will open 1,100 health centres in the national capital. "The people of Delhi are going to get such benefits that even imagining them will make a person happy... We are going to open 1100 health centres in Delhi in the next year... We have already identified 225,000 families for the Ayushman scheme... 'Kyunki Modi hai toh mumkin hai'," Tiwari told ANI. Delhi Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh said, "... We are progressing towards our target. We are getting support from the double-engine government... Our deadline for completing challenges is not five years. We keep our deadlines every 100 days..." JP Nadda, along with Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, distributed the Ayushman cards to beneficiaries in the national capital on Thursday. Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY, launched on 23rd September 2018, has been a game-changer in healthcare, mainly for the millions of poor and vulnerable families across the country. In just five years, it enabled them with timely access and quality healthcare without burdening them with catastrophic health expenditure during medical emergencies. Addressing the public during the event, Nadda said, "Delhi was going through a dark chapter for seven years when 36 lakh eligible people were deprived of their rights. You should be compelled to think about how your rights are violated when a poor government is in power and that when a good government comes to power, you get your rights within 50 days." Nadda further expressed confidence that his party would win in West Bengal, the only state where the Ayushman Bharat Yojana has not been implemented yet. "Three states had refused to implement Ayushman. The first was Odisha, where the previous government lost power, and then the lotus bloomed. The same happened in Delhi. Now, only West Bengal is left, where the lotus will bloom, and the current government will lose power," Nadda said. (ANI)
Union Minister of Coal and Mines G Kishan Reddy on Thursday visited the Gevra mine of South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) in Chhattisgarh and lauded the miners for their "tireless efforts in ensuring round-the-clock coal production for India's energy security." "The Minister was accorded a Guard of Honour by the CISF security contingent at Gevra House. At the mine view point, the Gevra team briefed him on operational highlights through a detailed presentation. Reddy felicitated miners, including women, and lauded their tireless efforts in ensuring round-the-clock coal production for India's energy security," as per a PRO SECL official release. He personally descended into the mine to witness first-hand the advanced operations, including the use of mega machinery like the 42-cubic-meter shovel and 240-ton dumper, among the largest HEMMs used globally. He observed coal extraction using blast-free surface miner technology and visited the state-of-the-art Silos developed under the First Mile Connectivity initiative for eco-friendly coal transportation. "The Minister also interacted with machine operators inside their equipment, boosting the morale of the workforce. Workers were visibly elated to be acknowledged directly by the Union Minister," the release read. In a key highlight of his visit, the Minister shared lunch with coal workers at their canteen and clicked selfies with them, underscoring his deep appreciation for their invaluable contribution. "Reddy further visited the Miyawaki plantation pilot site at Gevra, where afforestation has been undertaken using the revolutionary Japanese technique and planted saplings. He also inaugurated the Kalyan Mandap--a modern facility for employee events--underlining the Ministry and SECL's commitment to employee welfare," the release read. Reddy highlighted the coal sector's vital role in powering the nation, noting that over 70 per cent of India's electricity is generated from coal. He stressed the importance of pursuing sustainability in mining operations and accelerating mine closures with a well-defined action plan. "Acknowledging Gevra's significant role in meeting the country's energy needs, the Minister remarked that Gevra is the pride of our country. He said while one may manage to wait for food for sometime but waiting for electricity is indispensable--and it is the coal miners who make that uninterrupted power possible," the release read. During the visit, the Chairman of Coal India Ltd, PM Prasad, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Coal BP Pati and SECL CMD Harish Duhan, along with senior officials, accompanied Reddy throughout the program. (ANI)
Union Minister of Road and Highways Nitin Gadkari and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav laid the foundation stone and inaugurated 10 National Highway projects and related infrastructure construction works worth over Rs 5,800 crore for the state at a program held in Badnawar, Dhar district, on Thursday. The Union Minister and the Chief Minister performed the bhoomi pujan, which included a 4-lane road on the Sandalpur-Nasrullaganj section, a 2-lane road with paved shoulder on the Chanderi-Pichor section, 7 flyovers and underpasses on the Indore-Gujarat section, 3 flyovers and underpasses in Shajapur, Kanasiya, and MIDC Industrial Area, and a flyover at Rasalpur Junction. Similarly, the road projects inaugurated on the occasion consist of a newly constructed 4-lane road on the Ujjain-Badnawar section, a 4/6-lane Greenfield Highway from Kheda Khajuria to Suhagdi of Ujjain-Garoth, a 4/6-lane Greenfield Highway from Suhagdi to Bardia Amra of Ujjain-Garoth, a 2-lane road with paved shoulder on the Jirapur-Susner-Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan border section, and a 3-lane road with paved shoulder at Bakaner Ghat. CM Yadav expressed gratitude to Union Minister Gadkari and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the road development projects and hoped that it will not only improve the connectivity but also will provide new heights to economic development of the state. The Chief Minister further stressed that along with development, it would promote trade and tourism in various areas which would generate new employment opportunities for the local people in the state. While addressing the event, Union Minister Gadkari said, "Madhya Pradesh has a double-engine government and development is going at a fast pace here. With a vision to make everyone happy, prosperous and empowered, CM Yadav is rapidly taking the state forward on the path of development. Highways are not just roads; they are paths of progress that change the lives of people. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we have brought about extensive changes in the infrastructure of the country in the last 10 years. The country has to be the third-largest economy in the world, and Madhya Pradesh will also participate in this. The zeal for development is visible in MP, so we will make it the biggest contributor to the development of the country." The Union Minister announced that they would make the national highway network in Madhya Pradesh better than that of America in the next three years. They would also complete the construction of national highways and other infrastructure worth over Rs 3,00,000 crore in the country in the next one year. Additionally, on the demand of CM Yadav, Union Minister Gadkari approved the construction and development works of six new national highway projects of 400 km worth Rs 12,000 crore. The Union Minister also approved the construction work of five new Greenfield Economic Corridor, ring road, elevated corridor, bridge and other construction works to be built by NHAI at a cost of Rs 33,000 crore in Madhya Pradesh. "The completion of road projects will lead to development of the region. Youth will get employment, poverty will be eradicated. Highways bring happiness. We will connect every village of Madhya Pradesh with roads, so that everyone here gets the benefit of education, employment, health treatment and development," he added. CM Yadav claimed that Amritkal is happening in the country, and PM Modi is moving toward realising the dream of former Prime Minister and late BJP leader Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who had dreamed of transforming the country. "Our nation will emerge as the best country in the world in this Amrit Kaal. Roads are a natural measure of development. Therefore, by increasing road connectivity to every village, we are moving rapidly towards bringing change in the lives of the people of Madhya Pradesh. Indore and Bhopal will soon become metropolitan cities. Everyone, be it rural or urban, will get its benefit," the CM said. Extending gratitude to Union Minister Gadkari for road projects worth Rs 5800 crore to Madhya Pradesh, CM Yadav said that Gadkari is the highway development man of the country. Under his leadership, infrastructure development is growing rapidly in the country. He also noted that these national highway projects benefiting the Malwa region will help the state government in successfully organizing Simhastha-2028. (ANI)
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday evening formally arrested Tahawwur Hussain Rana, the key conspirator in the deadly 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, immediately after his arrival at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), New Delhi, following his successful extradition from the United States, the agency said. NIA had secured Rana's extradition following years of sustained and concerted efforts and after the terror mastermind's last-ditch efforts to get a stay on his extradition from the US failed. Rana was escorted to New Delhi by teams of National Security Guard (NSG) and NIA, comprising senior officials, on a special plane from Los Angeles, United States. The NIA investigation team at the airport arrested Rana, a Canadian national of Pakistani origin living primarily in Chicago (US), soon after he emerged from the airplane after completing all the necessary legal formalities. With the coordinated efforts of India's Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Home Affairs, along with the relevant authorities in the United States, NIA has worked closely with other Indian intelligence agencies through the entire extradition process, which marked a major step in India's efforts to bring individuals involved in terrorism to justice, irrespective of which part of the world they had fled to. Rana was being held in judicial custody in the US pursuant to proceedings initiated by the NIA under the India-US Extradition Treaty. The extradition finally came through after Rana's various litigations and appeals, including an emergency application before the U.S. Supreme Court, were rejected with the active assistance of U.S. Department of Justice's Office of International Affairs, U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California, U.S. Marshals Service, FBI's Legal Attache Office in New Delhi, and U.S. Department of State's Office of the Legal Adviser for Law Enforcement. The diligent and persistent efforts of India's Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Home Affairs culminated in securing the surrender warrant for the fugitive, leading to his eventual extradition. Rana is accused of conspiring with David Coleman Headley @ Daood Gilani and operatives of designated terrorist organisations Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Harkat-ul-Jihadi Islami (HUJI), along with other Pakistan-based co-conspirators, to carry out the devastating terror attacks in Mumbai in 2008. A total of 166 persons were killed and over 238 injured in the deadly attacks. Both LeT and HUJI have been declared as terrorist organisations by the Government of India under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. Security was beefed outside the NIA office at Lodhi Road in New Delhi. Delhi police put up barricades to avoid any mishap during the proceedings. Meanwhile, the government has appointed Advocate Narendra Mann as the Special Public Prosecutor in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack case. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs announced his appointment through a gazette notification, stating that he will serve for three years or until the trial concludes, whichever comes first. Between 2011 and 2019, Mann served as Special Public Prosecutor for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) at the Delhi High Court, handling major criminal cases, appeals, writ petitions, and corruption trials. His extensive experience includes high-profile matters such as the Medical Council scam, AICTE scam, Commonwealth Games cases, CGHS Societies scam, and banking frauds. (ANI)
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said that the PM Modi government is "mowing down" drug cartels with "full might" and lauded the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Assam Police, and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) for their successful operations in Assam. In a post on X, Amit Shah said, "The Modi govt is mowing down drug cartels with full might. In our vision to build a drug-free Bharat, our agencies launched massive operations strangling drug cartels and seized 30.4 kg of methamphetamine tablets worth Rs24.32 crore while arresting three people in Assam. Our offensives against drugs will continue with ruthless force. Congratulations to the NCB, Assam Police, and the CRPF on this major breakthrough." https://x.com/AmitShah/status/1910327817893519578 According to a release by the Ministry of Home Affairs, NCB seized a total of 30.4 kg worth Rs 24.32 Crores of methamphetamine tablets popularly known as YABA, along with two vehicles, and arrested three accused during two separate operations in Silchar recently. On April 6, in an intelligence-led operation developed over 3 months, NCB Guwahati, in a joint operation with the Assam police, intercepted a car and recovered 10 packets containing 9.9 kg of methamphetamine tablets. The contraband was concealed in a cavity within the vehicle's boot. The sole occupant of the car, who is a resident of Churachandpur, Manipur, was arrested on the spot. Investigations are on to identify the backward and forward linkages, according to the release. Later that night, in another intelligence-led operation NCB Guwahati, Assam Police and the CRPF, a Mahindra Thar was intercepted. Authorities recovered 20.5 kg of methamphetamine tablets packed in 21 packets hidden inside the vehicle's spare tire. Both occupants of the vehicles, who also belong to Churachandpur, were taken into custody. Investigations are underway to unravel the backward and forward linkages, the BJP leader added. NCB had earlier seized around 110 kg of methamphetamine tablets in two operations on March 13, 2025. In the seizure of 7.5 kg at Silchar, Assam, one person has been arrested so far who is a resident of Moreh, Manipur. In the seizure of 102.5 kg at Lilong, near Imphal, Manipur, 03 accused have been arrested and 03 vehicles have been seized so far. Further investigations in these matters are also underway to dismantle the transnational drug trafficking syndicate. NCB, through its newly created 4 Zonal Units at Siliguri, Itanagar, Agartala and Imphal and a Regional Headquarters in Guwahati, has been persistently working against the drug traffickers operating in the region in collaboration with other agencies. A Field Office of NCB in Aizawl, Mizoram has been operationalised with the help of Mizoram police in March 2025 and there was immediate success in seizure of 10.814 Kg Meth on March 24 in for which 06 accused have been arrested so far, out of which 02 accused are Myanmarese. 04 vehicles have also been seized in this case. Further investigations in this case are also underway to dismantle the trans-national drug trafficking syndicate, the release added. (ANI)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Baldev Raj Sharma on Thursday dubbed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming event of inaugurating the highest rail bridge----Chenab Rail Bridge as "historic" for Jammu and Kashmir. Speaking to ANI, Mata Vaishno Devi Assembly constituency MLA said that PM Modi will also flag a Vande Bharat Kashmir from Katra. "PM Modi will be inaugurating the world's highest rail bridge, Chenab Rail Bridge, on April 19 and will flag off the first Vande Bharat Express to Kashmir from Katra. This is a historic moment for Katra and J&K. This is a big thing for Jammu and Kashmir state," Sharma said. Union Minister Jitendra Singh had earlier confirmed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur district to inaugurate the Vande Bharat train, which will undertake the journey from Jammu to Srinagar via Katra district. He said that the train services for the inaugural Vande Bharat would start from Katra, temporarily, since the Jammu railway station remains under construction. Highlighting the importance of the inaugural event, the Union Minister said that the Vande Bharat would connect the Kashmir Valley to the rest of the country. "PM Narendra Modi will visit Udhampur on April 19 to inaugurate the Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat, and the service is being started from Katra temporarily because of the Jammu railway station being under construction... This will be a grand event connecting Kashmir Valley to the rest of the country," Singh told reporters here. On January 23, Indian Railways conducted the trial run of the first Vande Bharat train from the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra (SVDK) railway station to the Srinagar railway station. The train will run through Anji Khad Bridge, India's first cable-stayed railway bridge, and Chenab Bridge, the highest railway bridge in the world. This train has been designed keeping in mind the cold climate conditions of the Kashmir valley. Notably, the first Vande Bharat Express train was flagged off on February 15, 2019, on the New Delhi-Kanpur-Allahabad-Varanasi route, running at a speed of 160 kilometres per hour. During the financial year 2022-23, approximately 31.84 lakh were booked to travel on Vande Bharat trains. The overall occupancy of Vande Bharat trains during this period has been 96.62 per cent. (ANI)
Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Thursday highlighted the three "historic" decisions for strengthening "social justice" adopted in the party's 'Nyaypath' resolution during the All India Congress Committee (AICC) session held in Ahmedabad on the banks of the Sabarmati river. The two-day AICC convention ended on Wednesday. In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi stressed three historic resolutions: to abolish the 50 per cent cap on reservations, implement a legal framework for the SC/ST Sub Plan to give these classes a share in the budget based on their population, and enforce the right to reservation in private educational institutions for SCs, STs, and OBCs. "Yesterday, at the AICC Ahmedabad convention 'Nyayapath', the Congress took three historic resolutions to strengthen social justice by giving a share to the Bahujans of the country," he said. "We will abolish the 50% limit on reservation by bringing a national law. Will give legal shape to SC/ST Sub Plan by making a central law and will give share in the budget to these classes on the basis of their population and enforce the right to reservation in private educational institutions for SCs, STs and OBCs as provided in Article 15 (5) of the Constitution," the Lok Sabha LoP said. The Congress leader called on the Bahujan community to support these initiatives, emphasizing that unity would bring about positive change. "Haath ko mazboot banaye...kyuki haath badlega halaat (strengthen the hand... because hand will change the situation)", Rahul Gandhi said in a message to the "Bahujans" of the country. Notably, "haath" here refers to the electoral symbol of the Congress. The Congress on Wednesday accused the BJP-led government of a "relentless, systematic and conspiratorial attack" on India's constitutional institutions. It talked of changes in the party's organisational structure by empowering district units. Party chief Mallikarjun Kharge stated that those who cannot work for the party should take rest and those who can't discharge their duties should retire. The 'Nyay Path' resolution adopted at the AICC session came down heavily on the BJP-led government, accusing it of "failure on economy, foreign affairs and betrayal with the farmers". It called for reservations for OBCs, STs and SCs in private educational institutions and said this should be implemented without delay. (ANI)
Tamil Nadu BJP Vice President and state election officer M. Chakaravarthi on Thursday released a statement urging party leaders to submit their nominations for the post tomorrow.

"Those who want to contest in the president election for the post of State president shall download the willingness form from state party website, fill and submit it in State BJP HQ at Kamalalayam from tomorrow 2 PM to 4 PM tomorrow," the statement read.

The statement read that the candidate should "atleast be 10 years as member of BJP."

The official statement also invited applications for the post of National General Committee member.

Current BJP President Annamalai has already announced that "he is not in the race" to become the next state unit chief.

"There is no contest in Tamil Nadu BJP; we will select a leader unanimously. But I am not in the race. I am not in the BJP state leadership race," Annamalai said while speaking to reporters here today.

The tenure of K Annamalai as the Tamil Nadu state President ended a few months back as per the party laws and is currently continuing in the position until the next chief is elected.

The BJP is eager to improve its prospects in Tamil Nadu following a determined effort in the last Lok Sabha elections, where it failed to win a seat in the southern state. (ANI)
The Chamoli Police on Thursday stated that the Nandprayag Sakot-Kothiyalsain road, which was blocked due to a fallen tree amid heavy rainfall, has been cleared and traffic restored thanks to the swift response of the fire service team. In a post shared on social media, Chamoli Police stated, "Nandprayag Sakot-Kothiyalsain road was blocked due to a tree that fell during heavy rains, traffic was restored due to the promptness of the fire service." https://x.com/chamolipolice/status/1910359906034634964?s=48 The sudden change in weather conditions followed a weather alert issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The alert warned of strong winds, dust storms, and intense rainfall in parts of Chamoli district. Chamoli District Magistrate Sandeep Tiwari, confirming the situation, said, "IMD issued an alert yesterday that Chamoli district may witness strong winds, dust storms, and heavy rain for a few hours today. The weather changed around 2 PM today, and heavy rain was witnessed in many areas." He also reiterated a public advisory issued ahead of the weather shift. "I appealed to the public yesterday to avoid going to places where the water level may rise suddenly, or drains may overflow," he said. Despite the intense weather activity, the District Magistrate confirmed that no untoward incidents have been reported so far. Meanwhile, with the Chardham Yatra 2025 approaching, Dr R Rajesh Kumar, Secretary of the Medical Health Department and Nodal Officer for Badrinath Dham, held a comprehensive review meeting with officials of the concerned departments at the Collectorate in Chamoli on Wednesday. During the meeting, Dr Kumar informed that, following the directives of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, he had recently conducted a detailed field inspection covering key infrastructure from Kameda to Badrinath, a release said. This included evaluating the conditions of roads, electricity supply, drinking water facilities, and other essential services needed to ensure a smooth and safe pilgrimage and departments have been directed to complete all their preparations by April 25. Dr Kumar specifically directed the completion of protection work and asphalting work in Nandprayag, Kameda, and Pagalnala within the next 15 to 20 days and to start work on the old gabion wall at Parthadip in Nandprayag. (ANI)
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday emphasized that technological innovation and global shifts are generating new employment opportunities, assuring all possible support to help the youth establish startups from the state government. The CM said that today the employment scenario is changing rapidly. "Due to technological innovation and global change, new employment opportunities are being created and old ones are ending. The state government has set up incubation centers to promote startups and innovation in the state, and a venture fund of Rs 200 crore has also been arranged to assist startups. Our aim is that our youth should not only become job seekers but also job providers," he said. He said that initiatives like 'State Millet Mission', 'Farm Machinery Bank', 'Apple Mission', 'New Tourism Policy', 'New Film Policy', 'Home Stay', and 'Solar Self-Employment Scheme' are strengthening the local economy of the state. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami was addressing the students from across the state at the closing ceremony of the fourth edition of Oho Hill Yatra "Rajat se Swarn ki Aur" organized at Mukhya Sevak Sadan located at the Chief Minister's residence. CM Dhami claimed that the government has left the national average behind by reducing the unemployment rate of the state by a record 4.4 cent. "The government's 'One District, Two Products' scheme is increasing local livelihood opportunities along with this, our traditional products are getting wide recognition at the national and international level through the 'House of Himalayas' brand," he stated. Appealing to all the people of the state, CM Dhami said that along with celebrating the silver jubilee year of the establishment of the state of Uttarakhand, we have to move forward with the resolve to make our state a leader in every field. The Chief Minister asserted that if every citizen of the state contributes with full loyalty, dedication and honesty in his respective field, then no power can stop Uttarakhand from becoming a developed, self-reliant and prosperous state. He further said that under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government is rapidly working to develop modern infrastructure in the state in areas like education, health, roads, sports, drinking water and air connectivity. "Along with this, work is being done towards making a developed India and developed Uttarakhand through 'Local for Vocal', 'Make in India' and 'Startup India'," he added. "With the encouragement of the Prime Minister, Adi Kailash and Winter Yatra have got new momentum in the state. The state government has a big responsibility to organize the grand and historic Nanda Devi Yatra in the year 2026 and Kumbh in 2027," Dhami said. The Chief Minister said that it is the result of these efforts that, despite various challenges, our state has achieved many remarkable achievements in the last 3 years, whose echo is being heard all over the country today. "The decisions being taken in Uttarakhand are becoming a model for the country," he stated. Chief Minister Dhami also said that it is a matter of great pride that Uttarakhand has got the first place in the country in the index of achieving the goals of Sustainable Development for the year 2023-24 released by NITI Aayog. He said that along with this, the state has also got the category of Achievers in Ease of Doing Business and Leaders in Startup Ranking. "Recently, in the grand and successful event of the 38th National Games held here, the players of the state have succeeded in creating history by winning more than 100 medals and securing 7th place in the country," he added. CM Dhami said that by implementing the Uniform Civil Code first in Uttarakhand, we have presented an ideal in front of the country. "While on one hand we implemented the country's strictest anti-copying law in Uttarakhand, we also made a law to stop religious conversion; for the first time, in the state, action was taken against land jihad, love jihad and spit jihad, while we did not shy away from taking strict action against influential corrupt people," he said. Chief Minister Dhami also said that as a result of the strict anti-copying law, more than 22 thousand youth of the state have got government jobs in the last three years. There should be a proud return of migrants to Uttarakhand instead of the pain of migration, where our villages are self-reliant and equipped with technological resources and modern facilities. With the motto of 'Vikas bhi, Virasat bhi', our cultural identity should become even richer so that future generations can be proud of it. Our government is continuously committed to fulfilling its "Vikalp Rishta Sankalp" of making Uttarakhand the best state in the country. (ANI)
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Thursday attended the closing ceremony of 29th fair of the Akhil Bharatiya Nat Bajaniya Bajigar Samaj. Addressing the closing ceremony, Chief Minister Patel stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently prioritized the inclusion of smaller communities and marginalized groups in the nation's development journey. He said that significant progress has been made in bringing communities such as the Nat Bajaniya Bajigar Samaj and other nomadic and denotified tribes into the mainstream. "The 29th three-day fair, organized in honor of Pujya Jay Shree Dada Motiram, was held at Motipura (Moti Devti) village in Sanand Taluka of Ahmedabad district. The ancient temple of Motiram Dada, the revered deity of the Nat Bajaniya community, is located in Motipura village," as per a Gujarat Chief Minister Office release. Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said that, under the leadership of the Prime Minister, every public welfare scheme is designed with the underprivileged, common, and economically weaker sections at its core -- which is why every welfare initiative of the government achieves success. He further added that ensuring access to government schemes for nomadic and denotified tribes can be challenging due to their mobile way of life, which sometimes prevents them from availing of benefits. However, inspired by the Prime Minister's vision, the government has adopted a saturation-driven approach to bridge this gap and ensure that no one is left behind. As a result, citizens are now able to receive the benefits of welfare schemes conveniently at their doorstep. "The Chief Minister lauded the encouraging shift of Teenagers and youth from the Nat Bajaniya community toward education. He said that to facilitate their academic journey, the government is extending financial and loan assistance. So far, over Rs 3.25 crore in educational loans has been provided to more than 250 students to help them pursue higher studies," the release read. He further added that the government has extended around Rs 88 crore for loans and financial support to empower women and youth from nomadic and denotified tribes through self-employment opportunities. Furthermore, land has been allotted across all districts of Gujarat to facilitate housing for these communities. Referring to the cultural fair, Chief Minister Patel stated that Indian culture is inherently Guru-centric, where the Guru is regarded as the bridge to the divine. He mentioned that Pujya Dada Motiram was one such wise and guiding Guru. CM Patel said that the Nat Bajaniya community maintains strict discipline against addiction. If anyone within the community is found involved in drug use, they are confined in a community-managed jail as a corrective measure. "Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel commended the Nat Bajaniya Bajigar community for their self-discipline and social structure aimed at eradicating addiction. He also engaged with local villagers to discuss the various events and activities held during the three-day fair, expressing his appreciation for the collective efforts that contributed to the event's success," the release read. On this occasion, Member of the Legislative Assembly Kanubhai Patel, Sarpanch of Motipura village Babu Bhai Nayak, Panchayat President Shailesh Davda, former President JP Vaghela, Kirit Sinh Vaghela, as well as social leaders Bharatbhai Nayak, Hemubhai Nayak, Kamalbhai Nayak, Mansing Nayak, and people from the Nat Bajaniya Bajigar community were present in large numbers. (ANI)
According to a press statement from the Ministry of Defence, Manipur, Nagaland and Southern Arunachal Pradesh on Thursday, over 150 students and teachers attended the interactive session highlighting the importance of hygiene, nutrition, mental well-being, and preventive healthcare.

The lecture-themed 'Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures' highlighted the importance of cultivating healthy habits from an early age, aiming to establish a strong foundation for lifelong wellness. Teachers and students actively participated in discussions, making the session both engaging and informative.

The school administration praised the efforts of the Army, recognising the value of such programs in fostering a healthier future for young minds. (ANI)
Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) workers on Thursday protested against the Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee-led state government over 26,000 teachers losing their jobs in connection with the SSC recruitment scam A protesting teacher who lost her job alleged that police attacked them when they went to protest in Howrah. "26,000 people's jobs were cancelled because they were given jobs through corruption in this state. SFI and DYFI are protesting across the state against this. Today, when we went to protest in Howrah, the police attacked us. The attack was on DYFI's secretary and many SFI activists, including women, who were targeted by male police officers. The police attacked a peaceful protest, revealing themselves to be the state's hired goons," she said. Earlier today, BJP workers in Kolkata protested against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee-led State Government over 26,000 teachers losing their jobs in connection with the SSC recruitment case, following a Supreme Court judgment which held that the whole appointment process was tainted. The BJP is up in arms against Banerjee led state government over the West Bengal School Service Commission 2016 recruitment case and is demanding her resignation. On April 3, the Supreme Court upheld the Calcutta High Court's decision to quash the recruitment of more than 25,000 teachers and non-teaching staff by the West Bengal School Service Commission (SSC) in 2016 for the state-run and aided schools. A bench of Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar found that the West Bengal SSC's selection process was based on large-scale manipulations and fraud. "In our opinion, this is a case wherein the entire selection process has been vitiated and tainted beyond resolution. Manipulations and frauds on a large scale, coupled with the attempted cover-up, have dented the selection process beyond repair and partial redemption. The credibility and legitimacy of the selection are denuded", the apex court bench stated in its judgement. The apex court found no reason to interfere with the High Court's direction that the services of "tainted" candidates must be terminated and that they should be required to refund any salaries/payments received. "Since their appointments were the result of fraud, this amounts to cheating. Therefore, we see no justification to alter this direction", the bench added. The top court's verdict came on a petition filed by the West Bengal government that challenged an April 2022 order of the Calcutta High Court, which had cancelled the recruitment of more than 25,000 teachers and other staff for state-run and aided schools. The top court had reserved its verdict in the matter on February 10. (ANI)
Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Thursday said that retirement from government service should not be seen as an end but a transition into a new role as contributors and partners to nation-building. "Retirement from government service doesn't mean you are retired as a citizen", said Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh in a message that resonated deeply with the hundreds of officers nearing retirement. "The Minister said that retirement from government service should not be seen as an end, but a transition into a new role as contributors and partners to nation building," as per a Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions release. Addressing the 56th Pre-Retirement Counselling (PRC) Workshop and the 9th Bankers' Awareness Program in Guwahati on Thursday, Singh called for a paradigm shift in the way Indian society perceives retired government servants. "Organised by the Department of Pension and Pensioners' Welfare (DoPPW) in collaboration with the Assam Government, the day-long event at the Assam Administrative Staff College featured back-to-back technical sessions on pension reforms, digital life certification, CGHS facilities, financial planning, and innovations like the Bhavishya Portal and Integrated Pensioners' Portal," the release read. Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Minister of State for PMO said that many officers at 60 are at the prime of their energy and expertise. "So we wish to involve them in the task of nation building and use their experiences. As the Prime Minister says, every citizen has to contribute to the making of Viksit Bharat." These sessions were designed to prepare retiring employees for a smooth transition, both in terms of procedural knowledge and personal empowerment. "The workshop aimed to prepare civil servants for a smooth post-retirement transition, not just in terms of paperwork but also in purpose," the release read. Singh emphasized the need for institutional mechanisms that can integrate retirees into developmental roles based on their skills and inclinations. Outlining several reforms undertaken by the Government over the past decade to simplify pension procedures, Jitendra Singh recalled how superannuating officers earlier had to run from one office to another, often losing months before receiving their first pension payment. "That era is over. Today, with digital PPOs, integrated pension portals like Bhavishya, and face authentication tools, we've eliminated procedural delays and harassment," he said. He lauded the role of the Department of Pensions under Secretary V. Srinivas, noting how Indian digital pension practices are now being emulated by countries like Maldives, Mongolia, and Bangladesh. The success of initiatives such as Digital Life Certificate (DLC), CPGRAMS, and face authentication, he said, are examples of how technology can bring dignity and efficiency to governance. Going beyond procedural ease, Singh proposed the creation of a national directory of retired officers, based on their expertise and interests. "We will prepare a performa to capture details like qualification, experience, and preferred areas of work, so that ministries can consult it and engage retirees in policy committees or advisory roles," he explained. "The Minister also drew attention to evolving societal needs and reforms in pension rules--such as the inclusion of divorced daughters, faster processing for widows, and compassionate consideration for families of missing employees--that reflect a progressive and humane approach," the release read. Jitendra Singh proposed developing a national database of retired officers with their skillsets, experience, and interests, enabling government departments to draw on their expertise post-retirement. "Many citizens have taken up start-ups or pursued creative passions after retirement. The first successful millet-based start-up came from a scientist who retired from a government institute. You can begin anew at any age," he said. In a lighter moment, Singh noted how the retirement phase has even helped uncover hidden talents. "There are those who never got to pursue music or writing or any other pursuit in their service years. Retirement gives you the freedom. We can even help with an audition at All India Radio if you say you want to sing," he quipped, drawing laughter and applause. Ending on an empowering note, the Minister urged retiring officers not to see themselves as passive recipients of pension but as active nation-builders. "You are retiring as government officials, not as citizens. Your best may be yet to come," he said. "The daylong event saw the address of V Srinivas, Secretary, DoPPW, Dhrubajyoti Sengupta, Joint Secretary and remarks from key stakeholders, including SBI's Deputy MD Shamsher Singh, Additional Secretary from the Health Ministry Roli Singh, IG BSF Sanjay Gaur, and General Manager of Northeast Frontier Railway Chetan Shrivastava," the release read. With India envisioning itself as a developed nation by 2047, Jitendra Singh's remarks offered a timely reminder that wisdom, dedication, and public service do not retire--they evolve, the release added. (ANI)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Daggubati Purandeswari on Thursday participated in the "Gaon Chalo Abhiyan" in Andhra Pradesh's Guntur and highlighted party's commitment to state's development. BJP State President Daggubati Purandeswari participated in the event and received a grand welcome from the villagers. She paid floral tributes to the statue of the late NT Rama Rao on this occasion. Purandeswari highlighted that the BJP gives utmost importance to service and is committed to the principle of "Antyodaya". "Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, all government schemes have been launched for the welfare of the poor and the marginalised. Indira Gandhi once raised the slogan "Garibi Hatao" but at that time, only 7 crore people were brought closer to the banking system. Through Jan Dhan Yojana, 50 crore people have been connected to the banking sector," she stated. She said that her party has always led in ensuring welfare for all sections of society. BJP uses its victories as opportunities for service. "Every BJP leader and worker should visit villages and participate in service programmes. The main objective of the "Gaon Chalo Abhiyan" is to explain the party's principles and the benefits of BJP schemes to the people," she said. "ADB (Asian Development Bank) is ready to sanction Rs 13,600 crore for development projects. The central government is committed to the development of Andhra Pradesh. Approval has been granted for the construction of the railway line from Tirupati to Katpadi. The previous government pushed the state into a debt trap. The central government is ready to support the state in all possible ways," she stated. "CM Chandrababu Naidu is continuously working with the Centre for the development of the state," she added. (ANI)
Aaranyak, a wildlife NGO based in Guwahati, recently organised an exposure visit for the local community members from villages affected by human-elephant conflict (HEC) in eastern Assam and West Garo Hills in Meghalaya, within the Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong landscape of Assam. "An exposure visit was conducted from April 4 to 7 for the "Village Champions" (VCs), local community members from villages affected by human-elephant conflict (HEC) in eastern Assam and West Garo Hills in Meghalaya, within the Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong landscape of Assam," as per a release from Aaranyak. This exposure visit was conducted from April 4 to 7 and was facilitated by a community-based eco-cultural tourism initiative under the "Journey for Learning". "The VCs are trained community members who facilitate Aaranyak and British Asian Trust's initiative to bolster human-elephant coexistence through a bottom-up approach of community empowerment and monitoring HEC, supported by the Darwin Initiative," the release read. The VCs' participation in implementing the project is remarkable, and to recognize their support and cooperation, we organised this exposure trip to further build their capacity to contribute to conservation. "A team of 11 VCs, along with the Aaranyak project team, took part in this educational tour that began with an ecocultural village walk in the villages of Phumen Engti and Hemai Lekthe of Karbi Anglong, followed by another forest trek in Ingnam Kengkam," the release read. During this visit, the team interacted with the indigenous Karbi community on the eco-tourism model, agroforestry, sericulture, and handloom and handicraft practices. The team also had an interesting interaction on the experiential Karbi-way of cooking in bamboo nodes. "The following day, a morning safari to Kaziranga National Park was conducted for the team to witness the rich biodiversity and management practices to secure the ecosystem. Thereafter, another important session of interaction with local entrepreneurs through "Pirbi"- a community-led business to understand how the local knowledge and products help in sustainable livelihood sources for the local communities," the release read. Moreover, the team paid a visit to a community nursery as well as the Orchid and Biodiversity Park. "This exposure trip has made a significant impact on the VCs as this was the first time they got a vivid idea on the concept of eco-tourism and how community-led initiatives are crucial for protecting biodiversity and ensuring the well-being of people," the release read. Aaranyak's officials, Dr Jayanta Roy, Bhaskar Barukial, Sunny Paul, Beauty Terangpi, Rangsina Phangso, Stephen Takbi (volunteer), Kristi Borah and Nayam Ali (intern), facilitated the entire exposure trip. (ANI)
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has sought a 20-day remand of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks accused Tahawwur Rana. The court has reserved the order on how many days of remand to be granted. The 26/11 Mumbai attacks accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana on Thursday arrived in India following his extradition by the United States. Earlier on Thursday evening, Tahawwur Rana was produced before the Special NIA Court. NIA further states that, as part of the criminal conspiracy, accused No. 1, David Coleman Headley, had discussed the entire operation with Tahawwur Rana before his visit to India. Anticipating potential challenges, Headley sent an email to Rana detailing his belongings and assets. He also informed Rana about the involvement of Ilyas Kashmiri and Abdur Rehman in the plot. The anti-terror agency has presented compelling evidence, including emails sent by 26/11 Mumbai attacks accused Tahawwur Rana, to justify his police custody. The agency informed the court that custodial interrogation is crucial to uncovering the sinister plot. Investigators will also examine Rana's role in orchestrating the deadly terror attacks. Rana has been provided legal aid counsel by the Court. Ahead of Rana's court appearance, Delhi Police swiftly cleared the court complex. Authorities vacated the premises entirely and instructed media personnel to leave, citing security and safety concerns. No individuals were allowed inside the complex as part of heightened security measures surrounding the event. The decision to restrict access was made to ensure the safety of all involved. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) said on Thursday that it has successfully secured the extradition of Rana, the mastermind of the deadly 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, after years of sustained and concerted efforts to bring the key conspirator behind the 2008 mayhem to justice. According to the NIA, Rana was being held in judicial custody in the US pursuant to proceedings initiated under the India-US Extradition Treaty for his extradition. The extradition finally came through after Rana exhausted all legal avenues to stay the move. "Rana is accused of conspiring with David Coleman Headley @ Daood Gilani, and operatives of designated terrorist organisations Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Harkat-ul-Jihadi Islami (HUJI) along with other Pakistan-based co-conspirators, to carry out the devastating terror attacks in Mumbai in 2008. A total of 166 persons were killed and over 238 injured in the deadly attacks. Both LeT and HUJI have been declared as terrorist organisations by the Government of India under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967," the NIA said. (ANI)
Bandipora Police on Thursday arrested eight members of various proscribed organisations in connection with an investigation of case FIRs registered against these banned separatist outfits, police said in a press release. The crackdown, part of a concerted effort to curb terrorist activities and dismantle their networks, unfolded at the premises of various suspects at different locations across the district of Bandipora, the release said. In connection with investigation of Case FIR No.04/2024 under UAPA Act of PS Bandipora the police arrested 03 persons. They have been identified as Nazir Ahmad Ahan, resident of Shahgund Hajin,Sheikh Danish Mushtaq, resident of Aloosa Bandipora and Tahir Ahmad Mir, resident of Bandipora, members of Tehreek-e-Hurriyat JK. In connection with Case FIR No.07 & 62/2024 under UAPA Act of Ps Sumbal 03 persons were arrested.They have been identified as Ghulam Din War, resident of Naidkhai, member of Jammu Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (JKDFP), Khursheed Ahmad Lone, resident of Naidkhai and Mohammad Shafi Dar, resident of Karnai Mohalla Shahgund, members of Jammu and Kashmir Peoples League (JKPL). Moreover in connection with Case FIR No.06/2024 under UAPA Act of PS Hajin, Two person were arrested have been identified as Ab Majeed Gojri, resident of Vigpara, Ab Majeed lone, resident of Vigpara Hajin, both members of Tehreek-e-Hurriyat JK. Some objectionable material, pamplets and electronic devises including mobile phones were seized from the arrested persons. The investigations have revealed that the members have continued to promote terrorist and secessionist activities in J&K even after the outfits of which they had affiliation were banned under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The arrested members were engaged in motivating impressionable youth and recruiting new members (Rukuns) in J&K to further their nefarious and secessionist activities, police said. The arrests serve as a stark reminder of police in its ongoing crackdown against extremism and the imperative of collective vigilance in J&K, police said. Bandipora police remain committed to maintaining peace and security in the district. Any individual found furthering the agenda of violence, disruption, or unlawful activities will face strict legal consequences under the law. Also persons promoting secessionist pr separatist ideology will face strict legal action as warranted under law, police said. (ANI)
Bharatiya Janata Party MP Anurag Thakur on Thursday targeted the Congress after 26/11 Mumbai attacks accused, Tahawwur Rana arrived in India following his extradition from US. Thakur stated that people like Ajmal Kasab, one of the terrorists involved in the Mumbai attacks, and Tahawwur Rana "came" and "carried out" bomb blasts in the country during the Congress regime. He also credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for "bringing back those criminals". He was speaking about the extradition of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks accused, Tahawwur Rana, to India on Thursday BJP MP Anurag Thakur told reporters here, " During Congress regime, many people like Kasab and Rana came and carried out bomb blasts in the country. Congress did nothing, but Prime Minister Narendra Modi brought back those criminals, even from foreign countries. Now, the court in India will punish them..." Meanwhile, The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has sought a 20-day remand of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks accused Tahawwur Rana. The court has reserved the order on how many days of remand to be granted. The 26/11 Mumbai attacks accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana on Thursday arrived in India following his extradition by the United States. Earlier on Thursday evening, Tahawwur Rana was produced before the Special NIA Court. NIA further states that, as part of the criminal conspiracy, accused No. 1, David Coleman Headley, had discussed the entire operation with Tahawwur Rana before his visit to India. Anticipating potential challenges, Headley sent an email to Rana detailing his belongings and assets. He also informed Rana about the involvement of Ilyas Kashmiri and Abdur Rehman in the plot. The anti-terror agency has presented compelling evidence, including emails sent by 26/11 Mumbai attacks accused Tahawwur Rana, to justify his police custody. The agency informed the court that custodial interrogation is crucial to uncovering the sinister plot. Investigators will also examine Rana's role in orchestrating the deadly terror attacks.Rana has been provided legal aid counsel by the Court. Ahead of Rana's court appearance, Delhi Police swiftly cleared the court complex. Authorities vacated the premises entirely and instructed media personnel to leave, citing security and safety concerns. No individuals were allowed inside the complex as part of heightened security measures surrounding the event. The decision to restrict access was made to ensure the safety of all involved. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) said on Thursday that it has successfully secured the extradition of Rana, the mastermind of the deadly 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, after years of sustained and concerted efforts to bring the key conspirator behind the 2008 mayhem to justice.According to the NIA, Rana was being held in judicial custody in the US pursuant to proceedings initiated under the India-US Extradition Treaty for his extradition. The extradition finally came through after Rana exhausted all legal avenues to stay the move. "Rana is accused of conspiring with David Coleman Headley @ Daood Gilani, and operatives of designated terrorist organisations Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Harkat-ul-Jihadi Islami (HUJI) along with other Pakistan-based co-conspirators, to carry out the devastating terror attacks in Mumbai in 2008. A total of 166 persons were killed and over 238 injured in the deadly attacks. Both LeT and HUJI have been declared as terrorist organisations by the Government of India under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967," the NIA said. (ANI)
A Special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court on Friday sent Tahawwur Rana, the 26/11 Mumbai attacks accused, to 18-day of custody of the NIA. The 26/11 Mumbai attacks accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana on Thursday arrived in India following his extradition by the United States. Earlier on Thursday evening, Tahawwur Rana was produced before the Special NIA Court. The anti-terror agency has presented compelling evidence, including emails sent by 26/11 Mumbai attacks accused Tahawwur Rana, to justify his police custody. The agency informed the court that custodial interrogation is crucial to uncovering the sinister plot. Investigators will also examine Rana's role in orchestrating the deadly terror attacks. NIA further states that, as part of the criminal conspiracy, accused No. 1, David Coleman Headley, had discussed the entire operation with Tahawwur Rana before his visit to India. Anticipating potential challenges, Headley sent an email to Rana detailing his belongings and assets. He also informed Rana about the involvement of Ilyas Kashmiri and Abdur Rehman in the plot. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) said on Thursday that it has successfully secured the extradition of Rana, the mastermind of the deadly 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, after years of sustained and concerted efforts to bring the key conspirator behind the 2008 mayhem to justice. According to the NIA, Rana was being held in judicial custody in the US pursuant to proceedings initiated under the India-US Extradition Treaty for his extradition. The extradition finally came through after Rana exhausted all legal avenues to stay the move. "Rana is accused of conspiring with David Coleman Headley @ Daood Gilani, and operatives of designated terrorist organisations Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Harkat-ul-Jihadi Islami (HUJI) along with other Pakistan-based co-conspirators, to carry out the devastating terror attacks in Mumbai in 2008. A total of 166 persons were killed and over 238 injured in the deadly attacks. Both LeT and HUJI have been declared as terrorist organisations by the Government of India under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967," the NIA said. (ANI)
Former Union Home Secretary RK Singh termed the extradition of Tahawwur Rana, the 26/11 Mumbai attacks accused, to India as a significant development and a matter of satisfaction for everyone. The 26/11 Mumbai attacks accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana on Thursday arrived in India following his extradition by the United States. RK Singh stated that the extradition of Tahawwur Rana has sent a "message to terrorists" that they would face the Indian courts and get punished. "This is a significant development and a matter of satisfaction for everyone... especially for the victims of the terror attack and their families... This has sent a message to terrorists that if they attack India, no matter where they are in the world, they will be caught, presented in front of Indian courts and punished. None of them will be spared... Interrogating him will reveal more crucial information, such as the role of Pakistan's ISI in the attack and the presence of sleeper cells in India... Expecting that (masterminds of terror attacks) will get punished in Pakistan is a waste of time," Singh told ANI on Thursday. Meanwhile, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has sought a 20-day remand of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks accused Tahawwur Rana. The court has reserved the order on how many days of remand to be granted. Earlier on Thursday evening, Tahawwur Rana was produced before the Special NIA Court. NIA further states that, as part of the criminal conspiracy, accused No. 1, David Coleman Headley, had discussed the entire operation with Tahawwur Rana before his visit to India. Anticipating potential challenges, Headley sent an email to Rana detailing his belongings and assets. He also informed Rana about the involvement of Ilyas Kashmiri and Abdur Rehman in the plot. The anti-terror agency has presented compelling evidence, including emails sent by 26/11 Mumbai attacks accused Tahawwur Rana, to justify his police custody. The agency informed the court that custodial interrogation is crucial to uncovering the sinister plot. Investigators will also examine Rana's role in orchestrating the deadly terror attacks. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) said on Thursday that it has successfully secured the extradition of Rana, the mastermind of the deadly 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, after years of sustained and concerted efforts to bring the key conspirator behind the 2008 mayhem to justice. According to the NIA, Rana was being held in judicial custody in the US pursuant to proceedings initiated under the India-US Extradition Treaty for his extradition. The extradition finally came through after Rana exhausted all legal avenues to stay the move. "Rana is accused of conspiring with David Coleman Headley @ Daood Gilani, and operatives of designated terrorist organisations Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Harkat-ul-Jihadi Islami (HUJI) along with other Pakistan-based co-conspirators, to carry out the devastating terror attacks in Mumbai in 2008. A total of 166 persons were killed and over 238 injured in the deadly attacks. Both LeT and HUJI have been declared as terrorist organisations by the Government of India under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967," the NIA said. (ANI)
Citing international complications, former Puducherry Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi on Thursday stressed that Tahawwur Rana's case requires extraordinary measures, suggesting precautions like high-surveillance confinement and inter-agency monitoring. The 26/11 Mumbai attacks accused arrived in India on Thursday following his extradition from the US. Kiren Bedi also called for key safety measures to be included while transporting and prosecuting such a globally high-profile terrorist suspect. Speaking with ANI, Kiren Bedi said, "Tihar jail has previously housed hardened criminals, separatists and terrorists. However, Rana's case requires extraordinary measures due to its international implications. I would suggest the following precautions must be considered at all costs...solitary, high-surveillance confinement, inter-agency monitoring...if possible, AI-assisted surveillance. Also, while transporting and prosecuting such a globally high-profile terrorist suspect like this, very key safety measures should be included. The following could be armed convoys with decoys, virtual trials, staff background checks and courtroom fortification..." "India's prison infrastructure needs modernization to meet global standards...With the right upgrades and intelligence, it is essential to establish a coordinated system of legal safeguards, technological infrastructure, and strategic foresight," she added. Meanwhile, a Special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court on Friday sent Tahawwur Rana, the 26/11 Mumbai attacks accused, to 18-day of custody of the NIA. The 26/11 Mumbai attacks accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana on Thursday arrived in India following his extradition by the United States. Earlier on Thursday evening, Tahawwur Rana was produced before the Special NIA Court. The anti-terror agency has presented compelling evidence, including emails sent by 26/11 Mumbai attacks accused Tahawwur Rana, to justify his police custody. The agency informed the court that custodial interrogation is crucial to uncovering the sinister plot. Investigators will also examine Rana's role in orchestrating the deadly terror attacks. NIA further states that, as part of the criminal conspiracy, accused No. 1, David Coleman Headley, had discussed the entire operation with Tahawwur Rana before his visit to India. Anticipating potential challenges, Headley sent an email to Rana detailing his belongings and assets. He also informed Rana about the involvement of Ilyas Kashmiri and Abdur Rehman in the plot. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) said on Thursday that it has successfully secured the extradition of Rana, the mastermind of the deadly 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, after years of sustained and concerted efforts to bring the key conspirator behind the 2008 mayhem to justice. According to the NIA, Rana was being held in judicial custody in the US pursuant to proceedings initiated under the India-US Extradition Treaty for his extradition. The extradition finally came through after Rana exhausted all legal avenues to stay the move. "Rana is accused of conspiring with David Coleman Headley @ Daood Gilani, and operatives of designated terrorist organisations Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Harkat-ul-Jihadi Islami (HUJI) along with other Pakistan-based co-conspirators, to carry out the devastating terror attacks in Mumbai in 2008. A total of 166 persons were killed and over 238 injured in the deadly attacks. Both LeT and HUJI have been declared as terrorist organisations by the Government of India under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967," the NIA said. (ANI)
A Special NIA court on Friday remanded Tahawwur Rana, accused in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, to NIA custody for 18 days. Delhi State Legal Sevices Authority Counsel for Tahawwur Rana stated that the Court has given special instructions to NIA to ensure a comprehensive medical test when Rana is taken into custody and brought back to the Court. Delhi State Legal Sevices Authority Counsel for Tahawwur Rana told ANI, "NIA sought 20 days of custody, and after a lot of deliberation, the court has given 18 days of custody. If the NIA wants more time, then they will move an application. For the medical tests (the court has given special instructions), they (NIA) have been told that a comprehensive medical test would be done when he's taken into custody and before he is brought back to court at the end of the remand. All his medical requirements will be taken care of". "He (Tahawwur Rana) has requested that anybody representing him in court, especially since we are from DLSA and doing our duty, there should be no public outrage against the lawyers...," the counsel added. Meanwhile, Tahawwur Rana was brought to the National Investigation Agency headquarters on late Thursday. NIA said that the agency would question him in detail. NIA said that Rana will remain in NIA custody for 18 days, during which time the agency will question him in detail in order to unravel the complete conspiracy behind the deadly 2008 attacks, in which a total of 166 persons were killed and over 238 injured. Tahawwur Hussain Rana on Thursday arrived in India following his extradition by the United States and was produced before the Special NIA Court. The anti-terror agency has presented compelling evidence, including emails sent by 26/11 Mumbai attacks accused Tahawwur Rana, to justify his police custody. The agency informed the court that custodial interrogation is crucial to uncovering a sinister plot. Investigators will also examine Rana's role in orchestrating the deadly terror attacks. NIA further states that, as part of the criminal conspiracy, accused No. 1, David Coleman Headley, had discussed the entire operation with Tahawwur Rana before his visit to India. Anticipating potential challenges, Headley sent an email to Rana detailing his belongings and assets. He also informed Rana about the involvement of Ilyas Kashmiri and Abdur Rehman in the plot. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) said on Thursday that it has successfully secured the extradition of Rana, the mastermind of the deadly 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, after years of sustained and concerted efforts to bring the key conspirator behind the 2008 mayhem to justice. According to the NIA, Rana was being held in judicial custody in the US pursuant to proceedings initiated under the India-US Extradition Treaty for his extradition. The extradition finally came through after Rana exhausted all legal avenues to stay the move. "Rana is accused of conspiring with David Coleman Headley @ Daood Gilani, and operatives of designated terrorist organisations Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Harkat-ul-Jihadi Islami (HUJI) along with other Pakistan-based co-conspirators, to carry out the devastating terror attacks in Mumbai in 2008. A total of 166 persons were killed and over 238 injured in the deadly attacks. Both LeT and HUJI have been declared as terrorist organisations by the Government of India under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967," the NIA said. (ANI)
Slovakian President Peter Pellegrini on Wednesday (local time) announced the country's full support for India's bid to become a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), highlighting the longstanding and growing relationship between Slovakia and India, according to a Joint Press Statement, amid President Droupadi Murmu's state visit to the nation. According to the joint press statement, President Pellegrini emphasised Slovakia's commitment to backing India's bid, stating, "I would like to clearly declare at this place that within the United Nations, Slovakia is prepared to fully support India's bid to become a new permanent member of the UN Security Council." Meanwhile, President Murmu, in the statement, expressed her gratitude for the warm welcome extended by Slovakia and acknowledged the mutual respect between the two nations and commended Slovakia for its cooperation in various areas, including trade, investment, science and technology, defence, and space. She further acknowledged Slovakia's "unwavering support" in evacuating Indian students from Ukraine during the Russia-Ukraine conflict, strengthening the bond between the two nations. "I am extremely pleased to be in Slovakia, my first State visit to this beautiful country. I thank President Pellegrini and the people of Slovakia for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to me and my delegation. I bring warm wishes from the people of India. India and Slovakia are based on mutual respect, democratic ideals and a shared vision for global cooperation. Our two countries support each other in international forums, reflecting our deep friendship. Our trade relations are flourishing, and our trade and investment have grown significantly in recent years," Murmu said. "I would like to take this opportunity to thank Slovakia for its unwavering support in evacuating Indian students from Ukraine. India will always remember Slovakia's cooperation and generosity, which strengthens our bond as true partners and friends," she added. The leaders discussed various areas of bilateral cooperation, including trade, investment, nuclear cooperation, and cultural exchange and also reviewed global and regional issues of mutual interest, reinforcing their shared vision for international cooperation. "We resolved to further strengthen our long-term bilateral relations covering all areas, including trade and investment, science and technology, defence, digital technology, migration and mobility, space, nuclear cooperation, and culture, and to further promote people-to-people contacts," President Murmu added. The two Presidents also signed documents related to the exchange of diplomats and cooperation in the field of small and medium enterprises. Meanwhile, trade between the two countries has tripled in the past five years, reaching nearly EUR 1.3 billion, with Indian investments in Slovakia, including the Tata Jaguar Land Rover assembly plant in Nitra, contributing to this growth. "Two documents on bilateral cooperation were signed, one pertaining to the exchange of our diplomats and the second supporting cooperation of small and medium companies. I can declare with pleasure that substantial growth is also a mutual trade which, over the past five years, has tripled today, reaching the level of nearly EUR 1.3 billion, and I'm very pleased indeed that the Indian partners are also showing more and more interest now in Slovakia," President Pelligrini said. In addition to these bilateral discussions, President Murmu and President Pellegrini will jointly inaugurate the India-Slovak Business Forum on Thursday and visit the Jaguar Land Rover Assembly plant in Nitra, marking a significant milestone in economic cooperation between the two countries. President Murmu's visit, the first by an Indian head of state to Slovakia in nearly 30 years, is expected to further strengthen the political and economic ties between the two nations. The visit underscores the growing partnership between India and Slovakia, with a focus on expanding trade, investment, and cooperation in various sectors. (ANI)
Foreign Affairs Expert Robinder Sachdev on Tuesday termed the extradition of 26/11 Mumbai attacks accused Tahawwur Rana to India as a "positive development", highlighting its significance for justice and India-US cooperation. Rana has been accused of being involved in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, where innocent people were killed, and is expected to stand trial in India. Speaking to ANI on the extradition process, Sachdev said, "It is a positive development - one for justice for those who died in those days and secondly for the cooperation between India and America." He emphasised that Rana's interrogation would provide Indian authorities with key information and that the process has reached a stage where the accused have no further legal recourse. "India will learn a lot of things through the interrogation... There is no chance for him to avoid or take any legal recourse... He will be handed over to our national intelligence agencies by the FBI, and the NIA will go and bring him to the country," Sachdev added. Meanwhile, former diplomat KP Fabian, while welcoming the US decision, noted that despite the Indian government providing credible evidence, it took 17 years for Tahawwur Rana to be extradited. He also criticised the American legal process. "While we welcome the US decision, it's important to note that the 26/11 attacks occurred in 2008, and it has taken 17 years for the extradition--despite India providing credible evidence early on. Had the roles been reversed, and an accused in the 9/11 attacks were in India, the US would not have waited this long. The American legal process is slow, and successive administrations could have acted more swiftly...," Fabian told ANI on Wednesday. On April 7, the Supreme Court of the United States rejected Tahawwur Rana's plea to stay his extradition to India. Rana filed an emergency application with Chief Justice Roberts on March 20, 2025, seeking a stay on his extradition. "The application for stay addressed to The Chief Justice and referred to the Court is denied," the SC order dated Monday, April 7, stated. According to the Mumbai Crime Branch, a case of criminal conspiracy against Rana was originally lodged by the NIA in Delhi following the deadly November 2008 attacks in which over 160 people were killed. The ongoing extradition process pertains to that case. However, officials clarified that it is yet to be determined whether Mumbai Police can seek his custody for any local investigation linked to the attacks. "Only after examining the grounds of extradition will it be clear whether custody can be sought by the Mumbai Crime Branch in this matter," sources said. Sources added that the Mumbai Police has not received any formal communication so far regarding Rana's transfer to the city for questioning or judicial proceedings. Tahawwur Rana, a Pakistani-Canadian national, was convicted in the US for the banned terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operatives and providing material support to the group responsible for the Mumbai attacks that killed over 174 people. (ANI)
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Wednesday appreciated the efforts of Uzbek scholars and students in their interest in Indian languages, including Hindi and Sanskrit, and encouraged them to continue their efforts and seek assistance from the Indian Embassy in Uzbekistan when needed, a press release stated. According to the release, Birla, during an interaction with Indologists and Hindi language students in Uzbekistan, acknowledged the role of teaching and research in strengthening India-Uzbekistan relations and stated that scholars in Uzbekistan have not only learnt Indian languages but have also reflected them through academic work and literature. Referring to India's role in shaping global affairs in the 21st century, Birla highlighted opportunities for development and collaboration with countries like Uzbekistan in areas such as environment, language, culture, and education. He recalled that during a previous visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had noted the popularity of Indian films and music in Uzbekistan and that in 2012, Uzbek Radio had completed 50 years of Hindi-language broadcasting. Birla noted that India and Uzbekistan, despite different historical trajectories, have continued to progress through cooperation and pointed out that India was among the first countries to recognise Uzbekistan's independence and expressed hope that both nations would work together towards global peace, progress, and stability. He also mentioned that the two countries have built cooperation in sectors including politics, trade, defence, counter-terrorism, science and technology, nuclear energy, space, and information technology. Birla remarked that the countries have also maintained strong cultural and educational ties, noting the contribution of Indologists who have received national and international awards for their work. He referenced the development of an Uzbek-Hindi dictionary, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During his visit, Birla also held bilateral talks with Nurdinjon Ismoilov, Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The talks were held as part of the Indian Parliamentary Delegation's participation in the 150th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly. Birla highlighted India's electoral management system, stating that the successful conduct of large-scale elections with transparency reflects its operational efficiency. He said that India's democratic development since independence has been possible due to the active participation of citizens. He stressed the importance of continued cooperation between the parliaments of India and Uzbekistan on shared issues. According to Birla, parliamentary diplomacy and reciprocal visits will contribute to strengthening ties and improving mutual understanding between the citizens of both nations. (ANI)
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (local time) signed the commission for former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee to assume office as the United States Ambassador to Israel following his confirmation by the US Senate earlier in the day. The Senate confirmed him by a vote of 53-46. On Huckabee's confirmation as the new Israeli Envoy, Trump said that he would be "fantastic" in his new position. "He's going to be fantastic. He's going to bring home the bacon, even though bacon isn't too big in Israel. I had to clear that up. Congratulations to Mike Huckabee," Trump said. The Baptist minister expressed his gratitude to President Trump, saying, "I am Grateful to a great Donald Trump and look forward to serving!" Following the announcement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a statement, welcomed the development, noting that it was a great day for the Israeli-American alliance. "Congratulations to my dear friend Mike Huckabee upon being confirmed as the next ambassador of the United States to Israel. This is a great day for the Israeli-American alliance. I look forward to working with you to make the unbreakable bond between our two nations even stronger," Netanyahu said in a statement. Mike Huckabee, a former Governor of Arkansas and television host, has held various public service roles and is known for his longstanding support for Israel. He is expected to begin his term as ambassador in the coming days. Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu announced that Israel would work to eliminate the trade deficit with the US and that too "very quickly" amid the turmoil in the global markets caused by US tariff tensions. During a bilateral meeting with President Trump at The White House, Netanyahu said, "We will eliminate the trade deficit with the United States. We intend to do it very quickly. We think it's the right thing to do and we're going to also eliminate trade barriers," adding that Israel could also serve as a "model for many countries" who ought to do the same. Netanyahu further expressed gratitude to President Trump for inviting him to the White House and praised him as a "remarkable friend" of Israel, noting that Trump delivers on his commitments. (ANI)
In an official statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Egypt considered this move a blatant and unacceptable violation of international law and reaffirmed full support for UNRWA, its efforts, and the vital services it provides across all areas of operation, including in East Jerusalem.

The ministry further emphasised that the UN agency's vital services to Palestinian refugees cannot be replaced or undermined. It stressed Egypt's rejection of the ongoing systematic campaign targeting UNRWA and its mandate.

The statement also underscored Egypt's insistence on safeguarding the rights of Palestinian refugees and the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, including their right of return. (ANI/WAM)
Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence (MND) detected 11 sorties of People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft and six vessels from the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) operating around Taiwan until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) on Thursday. According to the MND, out of the 11 aircraft sorties, 9 crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's southwestern and eastern Air Defence Identification Zones (ADIZ). "11 sorties of PLA aircraft and 6 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 9 out of 11 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern and southwestern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly," MND stated in an X post. https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/1910135642790801488 Earlier on Wednesday, Taiwan saw a rise in Chinese occupation in the region, detecting 25 sorties of Chinese aircraft, six Chinese naval vessels and one official ship. Of the 25 sorties, 18 crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern and southwestern ADIZ (Air Defence Identification Zone). "25 PLA aircraft, 6 PLAN vessels and 1 official ship operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 18 out of 25 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern, southwestern and eastern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded," MND stated on X. In light of the heightened Chinese military activity around Taiwan, the G7 Foreign Ministers, along with the High Representative of the European Union, expressed concern over China's recent "provocative actions", especially the large-scale military drills conducted around Taiwan. In a joint statement, G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, and the US and the High Representative of the EU highlighted the growing frequency of "destabilising activities", warning that they raise tensions across the Taiwan Strait and pose risks to global security and prosperity. The US Department of State in a statement released on Sunday said, "We, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America and the High Representative of the European Union, express deep concern about China's provocative actions, particularly the recent large-scale military drills around Taiwan." Last week, the US and the EU restated their disapproval of any unilateral alterations to the "status quo" in the Taiwan Strait following the Chinese military's recent series of joint drills around Taiwan, according to a report by Taipei Times. (ANI)
Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Wednesday called upon the Vietnamese government to investigate the death of a senior Tibetan lama, Humkar Dorje Rinpoche, in Ho Chi Minh City on March 29, 2025, under suspicious circumstances, as per a press release by the HRW. According to the release, Humkar Dorje, 56, died following months of concern by the Tibetan community about his whereabouts and well-being. His followers in India, where many Tibetans live in exile, allege that Vietnamese and Chinese authorities had arrested him in Vietnam after he fled Tibet. His monastery, which is under official supervision, instead claimed that he died from illness while on a retreat. "Humkar Dorje Rinpoche's death in Vietnam is especially concerning given the Chinese government's severe repression of Tibetans and its record of snatching its nationals in Vietnam," said Maya Wang, associate China director at Human Rights Watch. "The Vietnamese authorities should credibly and impartially investigate these claims and take appropriate action, including by providing autopsy findings to Humkar Dorje's family," Wang added. Humkar Dorje was head of the Lung Ngon monastery in Gabde county in the Golok Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Qinghai province. He had thousands of devotees inside China and abroad, including in Vietnam. He was a prominent educator, having founded, with official permission and oversight, a vocational school and more than 10 other schools in the region, where he sponsored the education of local children. Humkar Dorje's disappearance and death occurred amid a Chinese government crackdown on prominent Tibetan educators and the schools that they run, which promote Tibetan language and culture, in eastern Tibetan areas including Golok. Humkar Dorje had been missing since at least November 2024, according to Tibetan exile media. When people in Gabde county expressed concern about him in December, local authorities reportedly banned all discussion of the issue in public. The silence ended on April 1 when officials in Gabde county showed representatives of the monastery a death certificate issued by a hospital in Ho Chi Minh City. On April 3, senior monks at Lung Ngon monastery issued a public statement stating that Humkar Dorje had "exhibited signs of ill health", had "departed alone to an unknown place" at an unspecified date for a religious retreat, and had "suddenly died of illness" in Vietnam on March 29, without giving further details. On April 5, his followers in India contradicted these claims and said that the high lama had been in Vietnam following a Chinese police interrogation in Tibet late last year. They said Vietnamese police, allegedly acting in concert with operatives of China's Ministry of State Security, had detained him on March 25. He died four days later. The monastery's statement is incomplete and may have been written under some form of duress, Human Rights Watch said, given the Chinese authorities' tight control over the management of Tibetan monasteries. Tibetan lamas often go into retreat for extended periods, but it appears highly unlikely that senior monks at their monastery would be unaware of the lama's location, conceal the information for several months, or be unaware that he had travelled abroad. In addition, if the lama had gone into retreat or had been suffering from illness, the authorities would have no need to ban discussion of his situation. Humkar Dorje's followers in India said that he fled his monastery in late September after government officials and local security questioned him in Gabde. An official Chinese media report shows a top county-level official visiting Lung Ngon monastery on October 15 to "inspect temple management".Uncharacteristically, the report makes no mention of Humkar Dorje by name. Humkar Dorje had apparently long been in good standing with the authorities. He graduated in 2001 from China's national-level college for Tibetan Buddhist lamas and held a prestigious position in the county-level People's Congress, where he was a deputy head of the congressional standing committee. He was also president of Gabde County's branch of the China Buddhism Association, making him the most senior religious figure in the county. In July 2024, he conducted a major public religious ceremony at Lung Ngon monastery, which would have required official permission. Official media reports in August showed him as one of the leaders of a government-run delegation visiting another local monastery. In September, official media showed a national-level official and members of a provincial delegation sharing a meal with Humkar Dorje at his monastery, stating that "the various works carried out by Longen [Lung Ngon] Temple in recent years have been fully affirmed by departments at all levels of the province, prefecture and county." Official reports of Humkar Dorje's appearances ended by late September, which coincided with the time when his followers in India said he had fled to Vietnam. Chinese authorities have long engaged in transnational repression--human rights abuses committed beyond a country's borders to curtail dissent, including against Tibetans living abroad, targeting those critical of the Chinese government or taking part in activities deemed threatening to the government. Unconfirmed reports by other followers of Humkar Dorje said that some Lung Ngon monastery members who were in Vietnam with him may have been detained at the same time and may be handed over by the Vietnamese authorities to China despite the severe risk of torture and other mistreatment. The Vietnamese government is obligated to respect the international law principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits countries from returning anyone to a place where they would face a real risk of persecution. The Chinese government is known to have arrested and repatriated at least two political dissidents from Vietnam with the cooperation of the Vietnamese authorities: Dong Guangping in 2022 and Wang Bingzhang in 2002. Consistent with the Minnesota Protocol on the Investigation of Potentially Unlawful Death, the Vietnamese government should conduct an impartial investigation into the circumstances of Humkar Dorje's death, including the role of its security services and any involvement of Chinese security personnel or officials. This inquiry should include an autopsy to establish the causes of death, which should be provided to the family along with the body being returned to them. The Minnesota Protocol provides that "[in] cases of potentially unlawful death, families have the right, at a minimum, to information about the circumstances, location and condition of the remains and, insofar as it has been determined, the cause and manner of death." "Foreign governments should press the Vietnamese government for answers on Humkar Dorje Rinpoche's death," Wang said. "They should hold Vietnamese officials accountable for complicity in China's abusive practices in Vietnam and take measures to prevent their recurrence." (ANI)
Mauritius has launched the SolarX Accelerator Programme in partnership with the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and Business Mauritius (BM), bringing together 35 start-ups from across Asia and the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region for an intensive two-day event focused on accelerating innovation in solar energy and renewable technologies, an official press release by ISA reported. The SolarX Accelerator Programme is designed to support early-stage companies developing scalable, cost-effective solar solutions. This year's edition focuses on providing mentorship, funding access, and collaboration opportunities to selected start-ups, aiming to fast-track the deployment of clean energy technologies across multiple geographies. The partnership between Business Mauritius and ISA underscores a mutual commitment to climate adaptation and carbon neutrality. Through this collaboration, the two organisations aim to enhance the impact of sustainable innovation and increase the adoption of solar energy, particularly through new business models that align with global sustainability goals. ISA, a global initiative launched in 2015 by India and France at the COP21 in Paris, has 123 Member and Signatory countries. It works with governments around the world to promote solar power as a reliable energy source and to support the transition to a cleaner, low-carbon future. Speaking at the launch, Ashish Khanna, Director General of ISA, said, "ISA has committed to empowering youth, fostering innovation, and creating jobs as part of its mission to spread solar energy. We are confident that the entrepreneurs from the Africa and Asia-Pacific (APAC) regions will contribute to a valuable transfer of technological ideas, which can aid the energy transition in various countries. For example, a solution developed in Nigeria could have practical applications in India, and a solar application in Fiji could work across all the islands in the Pacific." Khanna added that the SolarX Accelerator was launched in Africa before being introduced to the APAC region, reflecting ISA's intent to connect governments, private sector actors, regulators, and key stakeholders. "This approach is critical, especially considering that overall investment in clean-tech solar energy has decreased by 20 per cent in developing countries compared to last year. The SolarX Global Accelerator 2025 aims to address this challenge by connecting entrepreneurs with investors, providing tailored mentorship, fundraising training, and access to financing opportunities," he stated, as per the press release. The accelerator aims to empower participants through workshops on business development, expert mentorship, and investor networking. Selected start-ups will also have the opportunity to present their innovations to a global audience, gaining visibility and potential backing from major players in the energy sector. Business Mauritius, a key representative body of the local private sector, plays an important role in the country's development through public-private dialogue on economic growth, social equity, and sustainability. Speaking at the event, Kevin Ramkaloan, CEO of Business Mauritius, said, "Business Mauritius welcomes the opportunity to partner with ISA on the Solar X Accelerator. It brings to the forefront three key priorities of the business community, which are energy transition, innovation, and unlocking new markets on the continent. Our immense gratitude to our local partners and also to the public institutions that have supported in presenting the Mauritius advantage to the global start-ups from APAC, India and Africa present here for the workshop." In addition to mentorship and strategic guidance, the programme offers start-ups direct engagement with potential funders and partners in the clean energy ecosystem. This access is aimed at addressing key barriers to solar deployment in emerging markets, such as financing and infrastructure, the press release stated. The event is being hosted by ISA in collaboration with Business Mauritius and is supported by key sponsors including the Currimjee Group, Eclosia Group, ENL-Rogers Group, and The Mauritius Commercial Bank Ltd. (ANI)
A rift has emerged within the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership over access to party founder Imran Khan, after his sisters were barred from visiting him at Adiala Jail on Tuesday while a group of lawyers was allowed to proceed with a scheduled meeting, Dawn reported. According to party sources, the jail administration on Tuesday stopped Aleema Khan and other family members from meeting the former prime minister. However, five lawyers -- including Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Barrister Ali Zafar -- were allowed to meet Imran Khan in jail. This move drew strong criticism from PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja, who was also not allowed to meet Khan. The PTI had submitted a list of six lawyers for the meeting in line with the Islamabad High Court's orders permitting two visits per week, but Raja's name was removed from the final list approved by jail staff. The Islamabad High Court had directed that Khan be allowed meetings every Tuesday and Thursday, and assigned coordination responsibility to Salman Akram Raja. After being denied access, Raja stated on Tuesday night that those not on the approved list should not meet Khan and that, "as long as Imran Khan's sisters were not being allowed to meet him, other leaders should also refrain from meeting the former prime minister." Reacting strongly to these comments, PTI interim chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan on Wednesday said, "The party has never decided that no one will meet the founding chairman if his sisters will not be allowed to meet him. Moreover, if that is the case why did Salman Akram Raja meet Imran Khan (on March 25) while Aleema Khan and other sisters were not allowed to meet their brother." "I am the chairman of Pakistan's largest political party and have confidence of Imran Khan. I am facing criticism for last one and half years and I appreciate positive criticism but no one should do it for cheap popularity," he said. "...the party has not decided that if one lawyer's name is removed from the list provided to the Adiala administration, others lawyers will not meet Imran Khan either. Moreover, we have not decided that if Imran Khan's sisters will not be allowed, no lawyer will meet Mr Khan," he said. He further explained that the only boycott of meetings occurred during the 26th Amendment issue. "We had provided a list of five lawyers in which Salman's name was also included, but when we received the approval, there were names of three lawyers and Salman's name was missing. We decided that either all five would go there or none of us would. The government was of the view that Salman's name was not included because he was not a parliamentarian...," Gohar said. He added that the political committee has not taken any such decision afterward. "The proposal could be tabled in front of the political committee and if it decided in its favour, then no one would meet Imran Khan if his sisters' access was restricted." "However, political point-scoring should not be done, and no one should try to gain cheap popularity. No one should speak about Ali Zafar that he is a 'favourite' person. He is great person...(he) contested party cases in the Peshawar High Court, the IHC, the Lahore High Court, the Supreme Court, the Election Commission and at other forums without charging even a single rupee," he said. Following a PTI parliamentary party meeting later in the day, Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Omar Ayub Khan also addressed the media and shifted focus to another issue, alleging the PPP's involvement in controversial canal projects in Punjab. "In July last year a meeting was called in which President Asif Zardari gave approval for the canals under SIFC," he claimed as per reports by Dawn. "However, it is the PTI which has raised the issue and said that the water belongs to Sindh and issue should be addressed through Council of Common Interests," he said. "Moreover, a mineral conference was held in Islamabad, but I need to tell that the investment comes to those places where peace prevails. We are being told that the cases against PTI can be withdrawn if Imran Khan seeks an apology. It shows that all cases are politically motivated," he said. (ANI)
Pakistan Muslim League N (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif has stressed the need for a political resolution to the ongoing unrest in Balochistan, pledging to play an active role in fostering peace in the province, Dawn reported. Sharif made the remarks during a meeting with National Party President and former Balochistan chief minister Abdul Malik Baloch at his Jati Umra residence on Wednesday. The meeting came a day after Army Chief Asim Munir assured foreign investors of strong security measures in the mineral-rich province amid growing instability. During the meeting, Sharif and Baloch discussed the national political situation, with particular focus on Balochistan. According to Baloch, "I will soon visit Balochistan to meet the [angry] people there. The issue of Balochistan is political and must be resolved through political means," Sharif was quoted as saying. Baloch said Sharif assured him that he would personally take interest in the matters of Balochistan. "I told Sharif that his role is crucial given the current situation in Balochistan. We held an in-depth discussion on the political affairs of the province. There is an ongoing sit-in in Balochistan, and many people are imprisoned. Nawaz Sharif should play his part in resolving these issues," he said. "Nawaz Sharif assured that he would play his political and democratic role in promoting peace in Balochistan." The reference was to the Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) protest sit-in, led by Sardar Akhtar Mengal, against the arrest of Baloch Yakjehti Committee leaders and activists, including Mahrang Baloch, and the police action during their demonstration in Quetta. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, PML-N leader Khawaja Saad Rafique said that Baloch had requested Nawaz Sharif to play an active role in resolving Balochistan's issues. "When Nawaz Sharif was prime minister and Abdul Malik Baloch was CM Balochistan that era witnessed development. Unfortunately, democracy was disrupted that led to the current situation," Rafique said. "Nawaz Sharif assured that he would personally take interest in resolving the Balochistan issues." Senator Jan Muhammad Buledi, who also attended the meeting, later issued a statement saying that various issues related to Balochistan, including the political and law and order situation, were discussed in detail, reported Dawn. Malik Baloch raised concerns about BNP-M's protest in Mastung district, political instability, slow development, and arrests of Mahrang Baloch and other political activists. "Major national and political issues were also discussed," Buledi said in the statement. He said Baloch presented several proposals to Nawaz Sharif for resolving Balochistan's issues. The meeting also addressed the ongoing deadlock in talks between the government and BNP-M over demands for the release of political detainees. Baloch urged the PML-N president to play a key role in resolving these matters. According to Buledi, Sharif assured that he would consult with the prime minister and other relevant authorities to take appropriate action. Both sides expressed concern over the persistent challenges in Balochistan and emphasised the need for swift resolution. They also discussed administrative and developmental issues including youth-related matters, student scholarships, border trade legalisation, fisheries promotion, and illegal hunting restrictions. Directives were reportedly given to the planning and development minister to expedite road infrastructure projects and remove related obstacles. The meeting also addressed power supply issues, with discussions on ongoing loadshedding, Qesco's negligence, transformer repairs, and the need to ensure consistent electricity imports from Iran. Meanwhile, the standoff continues between BNP-M and the federal government, as the protest in Lakpass entered its 12th day. BNP President Akhtar Mengal has refused to meet any government delegation unless Mahrang Baloch and other detained female activists are released. He rejected proposals for ending the protest or relocating it within Quetta. No new delegation has approached the protest camp in the past two days. Former Senate chairman Sadiq Sanjrani was the last to meet Sardar Mengal. Mengal stated that the meeting was in Sanjrani's personal capacity and did not involve discussions on the sit-in. Separately, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti met former CM Nawab Aslam Raisani in Karachi. Officials said the two discussed the province's situation and other matters of mutual concern, Dawn reported. Meanwhile, PML-N Punjab President Rana Sanaullah met Nawaz Sharif and received instructions to initiate a mass public campaign to reorganise the party. "Once Nawaz Sharif begins visiting other provinces, public rallies will also be held there," Sanaullah said. He reiterated the need to end politically motivated cases and called for political dialogue. "We expressed the same sentiment in 2018, 2019, and 2020, and we continue to say this today. However, everyone knows who is unwilling to come to the table for talks," he said, referring to PTI founder Imran Khan. "Imran Khan was willing to engage with the establishment, but negotiations with the establishment alone will not solve the problem. If the PTI founder is ready to talk to political parties, then a solution can be reached." (ANI)
According to a report by the World Uyghur Congress, Reshit, who has served as the organisation's Chinese-language spokesperson since 2004, was detained in Stockholm amid allegations that he was spying on fellow Uyghurs living in Sweden.

In a statement released today, the WUC expressed deep concern over the arrest and underscored its commitment to transparency and community safety.

"Following confirmation of the serious charges, the WUC Presidency held an urgent meeting and decided to remove Dilshat Reshit from his position in accordance with our by-law," the statement read. The organisation emphasised that such actions, while difficult, are necessary to safeguard the Uyghur diaspora from foreign threats.

In recent years, numerous reports and investigations have revealed the existence of unofficial Chinese "police stations" operating across Europe. These entities are allegedly used to monitor, intimidate, and silence members of the Chinese diaspora, including Uyghurs, Tibetans, and pro-democracy Hong Kong activists, the WUC report stated.

The WUC reiterated its long-standing warnings about these espionage networks, pointing to an increase in foreign interference targeting exiled Uyghur communities.

"These practices not only endanger the safety and cohesion of Uyghur diaspora communities, but also pose a direct threat to the sovereignty, public safety, and national security of host countries," the organisation stated.

Calling for stronger international cooperation, the WUC urged governments to enhance coordination between counterintelligence services and Uyghur organisations to ensure community protection.

The organisation stated, "Enhanced coordination and institutional support are urgently needed to protect vulnerable communities and ensure that legitimate human rights work can continue free from foreign intimidation and interference."

The organisation also appealed to international human rights bodies to continue monitoring transnational repression and to stand in solidarity with Uyghur communities facing threats abroad. (ANI)
Protest rallies took place in the Khuzdar and Washuk districts of Balochistan on Wednesday in response to the ongoing crackdown on the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), including the detention of its leaders and reported mistreatment of its members, as reported by the Balochistan Post. In Khuzdar, the Jhalawan Region of the BYC organised a rally under the slogan: "Illegal Detentions and Enforced Disappearances of BYC Leaders and Workers, State Violence Against Peaceful Protesters, Killings of Unarmed Demonstrators, Violations of Privacy, and Ongoing State Atrocities in Balochistan." A significant number of women and children participated in the demonstration, which proceeded from Kund High School to the Jhalawan Complex, raising slogans demanding an end to the crackdown, the Balochistan Post reported. According to the Balochistan Post, the protesters stated that demonstrations would persist throughout Balochistan until the arrested leadership is released and measures are taken against the institutions they accused of carrying out "brutal state repression." A similar demonstration took place in Washuk district, where a large gathering -- including women, children, and the elderly -- denounced the arrests and demanded the immediate release of BYC leaders, including Mahrang Baloch, the Balochistan Post reported. Protesters also criticised the use of force during BNP-M chief Sardar Akhtar Mengal's "Baloch Long March" and urged that participants be allowed to carry on their protest in Quetta. They warned that they would not stay silent in response to ongoing "state violence and repression." The region remains plagued by a disturbing trend of enforced disappearances, with some victims eventually released, while others endure long-term detention or fall prey to targeted killings. These violations of fundamental rights have fuelled growing insecurity and mistrust among locals. The persistent fear of arbitrary arrests and absence of accountability continue to destabilise Balochistan, undermining efforts to restore peace, justice, and public confidence in state institutions. (ANI)
Taiwan's economy is set to take a notable hit from newly imposed US tariffs, with government officials warning of a sharp reduction in the country's GDP growth for 2025, Taipei Times reported. National Development Council (NDC) Minister Paul Liu told lawmakers on Tuesday that based on preliminary assessments by a private research institute, the tariffs could lead to a drop in GDP growth ranging between 0.43 and 1.61 percentage points. The 32 per cent reciprocal tariffs, which officially took effect yesterday, are expected to significantly impact Taiwan's economic momentum. Liu noted that the tariffs could push Taiwan's GDP growth below the previously forecast 3 per cent, and possibly even down to 1.53 per cent. These projections come in contrast to the 3.14 per cent growth estimate released in February by the Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics. To better understand the full implications, Liu said the council has commissioned another institution for additional analysis of both short- and long-term effects. In light of the expected economic slowdown, legislators questioned the adequacy of current government support for affected sectors. Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Lee Kuen-cheng asked whether the NTD 88 billion (USD 2.67 billion) relief fund allocated to assist local industries would be expanded. Minister of Economic Affairs J.W. Kuo responded that the total would remain unchanged for now, but he did not rule out future increases. Kuo assured lawmakers that the fund could be adjusted depending on how the tariffs impact specific sectors. Regarding the outlook for Taiwan's trade relationship with the United States, Kuo expressed cautious optimism. When asked by DPP lawmaker Chiu Yi-ying about ongoing negotiations with Washington, Kuo said, "Taiwan maintains good relations with Washington and the outlook for the negotiations looks promising." His remarks reflect the government's hope that continued dialogue will lead to a mutually acceptable solution. To manage the situation, the government has assembled a task force led by Vice Premier Cheng Li-chun. The group includes representatives from the National Security Council (NSC), the Office of Trade Negotiations, various Executive Yuan agencies, and members of academia and industry, reported Taipei Times. NSC Director-General Tsai Ming-yen confirmed that Taipei has initiated conversations with Washington to discuss the tariffs. "Last weekend, we used channels to talk to the US to reflect our position on Taiwan-US tariff negotiations and some of our proposals," Tsai told reporters, without offering further details. He also clarified the government's strategic stance: "The government's position was not to take retaliatory measures, but to come up with more specific solutions." In the meantime, domestic measures are being expanded to help companies withstand the fallout. Minister Kuo said the Ministry of Economic Affairs would enhance its one-stop service centre, which supports businesses in navigating relief options. A new team of consultants will also be formed to provide tailored, practical guidance to both traditional industries and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). "We will require our one-stop service centre and consulting team to respond to companies' questions within one day, and make sure to provide them with practical and tailor-made solutions," Kuo said. Additionally, the government is easing financial support requirements for firms seeking assistance. It plans to abolish the current rule requiring a 15 per cent drop in revenue before businesses qualify for aid or loans. Expanded access to preferential loans, loan guarantees, R&D subsidies, and export promotion resources is also being implemented, Taipei Times reported. Taiwan's economy is heavily reliant on SMEs, which make up 98.9 per cent of all businesses and employ over 9 million people, according to ministry data. Its traditional manufacturing sector, centred on metal products, machinery, and plastics, generates more than NTD 11.24 trillion in annual production value. (ANI)
Amid the ongoing tariff war between China and the US, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said China "is not afraid of provocations, and it won't back down." Mao Ning shared a video of former Chinese leader Mao Zedong from 1953 during its war with the US. While sharing the video on X, Mao Ning stated, "We are Chinese. We are not afraid of provocations. We don't back down." In the video posted on X, Zedong said, "As to how long this war will last, we are not the ones who can decide," he says. "It used to depend on President Truman, and it will depend on President Eisenhower, or whoever becomes the next US president. It's up to them." "No matter how long this war is going to last, we will never yield. We'll fight until we completely triumph," he added. US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (local time) announced an immediate increase in tariffs on China to 125 per cent. The move by the US President came following a retaliatory move by China, where it increased its tariff on US goods from 34 per cent to 84 per cent starting April 10. China announced that it would increase its tariff on US goods from 34 per cent to 84 per cent starting April 10, as reported by Al Jazeera. The decision came after the US increased tariffs on China to a whopping 104 per cent. Earlier on Sunday, Trump threatened an additional 50 per cent hike in tariffs on China following Beijing's 34 per cent retaliatory tariff hike after the US President's announcement of reciprocal tariffs during Liberation Day on April 2. China decried the US tariffs imposed on the country as "groundless" and called them a unilateral bullying practice, as per a spokesperson from China's Ministry of Commerce. (ANI)
Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who is in Kathmandu for a meeting of Agriculture Ministers of BIMSTEC nations, visited Pashupatinath Temple with his family today. Chouhan shared a video from his visit to Pashupatinath Temple on social media platform X. He also planted Rudraksh and Harsingar saplings in the temple premises. In the video, he said, "I am fortunate to offer prayers at Pashupatinath Temple along with my family. I am blessed to be here....The prayers at the temple bring new energy and inspiration to us." https://x.com/ChouhanShivraj/status/1910219448587337891 Shivraj Singh Chouhan called on Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Wednesday. The two leaders discussed further strengthening the strong historical, cultural and people-to-people relations between the two nations. Shivraj Singh Chouhan expressed happiness that the BIMSTEC conference held in Nepal has emerged as an important milestone in the global efforts towards food security, agricultural prosperity and farmer empowerment. In a post on X, Chouhan stated, "During my Nepal visit, I paid a courtesy call on the Hon'ble Prime Minister Mr. @kpsharmaoli ji. During this, we discussed on further strengthening the strong historical, cultural and people-to-people relations between India and Nepal. There was a substantial dialogue, especially on expanding bilateral cooperation in agriculture and related sectors, jointly addressing common challenges, and working together towards Sustainable Development Goals." "In keeping with the 'Neighborhood First' policy of Honorable Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji, the Government of India has been encouraging cooperation with Nepal at every level. I am happy that the BIMSTEC Conference held in Nepal has emerged as an important milestone in the global efforts towards food security, agricultural prosperity and farmer empowerment," he added. In a press release, the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu stated, "He conveyed greetings from the leadership in India and discussed the close and friendly relations between India and Nepal, which are deeply rooted in historical, cultural, civilizational and people-to-people ties. Ways to further strengthen India-Nepal cooperation in various segments of agriculture were also discussed." Shivraj Singh Chouhan is on an official visit to Nepal from April 8-10, the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu announced. Chauhan arrived in Nepal to participate in the 3rd Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Ministerial Meeting on Agriculture (3rd BAMM) hosted by Nepal in Kathmandu on April 9. "Over the past decade, BIMSTEC has emerged as a significant forum for promoting regional development, connectivity and economic progress in the Bay of Bengal region. 'Agriculture and Food Security' is one of the BIMSTEC core areas of cooperation," the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu said in a press release. "This was the third meeting of BAMM, the highest decision-making body shaping regional agricultural cooperation. The 1st BAMM took place in Myanmar on 12 July 2019, followed by the 2nd BAMM in India on 10 November 2022. During the 3rd BAMM, the Agriculture Ministers deliberated on ways and means to infuse greater momentum to the BIMSTEC agriculture sector including fisheries and livestock cooperation," it added. Chouhan held a meeting with Nepal's Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Development on Wednesday. During the meeting, he congratulated his counterpart for successfully hosting the 3rd BAMM. The two leaders signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in agriculture. The Ministers reviewed the progress made in various bilateral initiatives and developmental projects in the field of agriculture and discussed opportunities for further collaboration. The release said, "Both Ministers also signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Government of Nepal, on Cooperation in the Field of Agriculture in Kathmandu on 09 April 2025. The agreement aims to promote cooperation between both countries in areas such as agricultural science and technology, agricultural production, crop production, agricultural trade and marketing, plant protection and market access, horticulture, integrated farming systems, micro irrigation, natural resource management, organic farming, bio-fertilizers and bio-pesticides, post-harvest management, climate resilient & sustainable agriculture." The visit of Chouhan to Nepal to participate in the 3rd BAMM and hold other key bilateral engagements has continued the tradition of regular high-level exchanges between the two countries and helped in advancing our bilateral and regional ties further, especially in the area of agriculture and related fields. (ANI)
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has welcomed US President Donald Trump's announcement to pause reciprocal tariffs for dozens of countries, calling it a necessary move to help stabilise the global economy amid intensifying trade tensions between the United States and China. "I welcome President Trump's announcement to pause reciprocal tariffs. It's an important step towards stabilising the global economy," von der Leyen posted on X (formerly Twitter). "Clear, predictable conditions are essential for trade and supply chains to function. Tariffs are taxes that only hurt businesses and consumers. That's why I've consistently advocated for a zero-for-zero tariff agreement between the European Union and the United States," she added. https://x.com/vonderleyen/status/1910216093651632569 Von der Leyen also reaffirmed the EU's long-standing commitment to maintaining open, fair trade. "The European Union remains committed to constructive negotiations with the United States, with the goal of achieving frictionless and mutually beneficial trade," she wrote. Her remarks came as the European bloc continues efforts to widen its global trade partnerships and strengthen internal resilience. "At the same time, Europe continues to focus on diversifying its trade partnerships, engaging with countries that account for 87 per cent of global trade and share our commitment to a free and open exchange of goods, services, and ideas," she continued. "Finally, we are stepping up our work to lift barriers in our own single market. This crisis has made one thing clear: in times of uncertainty, the single market is our anchor of stability and resilience." "My team and I will continue to work day and night to protect European consumers, workers and businesses. Together, Europeans will emerge stronger from this crisis," von der Leyen concluded. The context behind von der Leyen's message is a volatile tariff standoff between the US and China, which escalated sharply on Wednesday. In a dramatic move, President Trump announced an immediate hike in tariffs on Chinese goods, raising them to 125 per cent. The escalation followed Beijing's decision to increase its own tariffs on American imports from 34 per cent to 84 per cent, effective April 10. Alongside the tariff hike on China, Trump said the United States would implement a 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs for more than 75 countries currently engaged in trade discussions with Washington. These countries, including India, have reportedly refrained from retaliating against US trade policies and have requested dialogue through various US departments such as Commerce, Treasury, and the USTR. "Based on the lack of respect that China has shown to the World's Markets, I am hereby raising the Tariff charged to China by the United States of America to 125 per cent, effective immediately," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "Conversely... I have authorised a 90-day PAUSE, and a substantially lowered Reciprocal Tariff during this period, of 10 per cent, also effective immediately." The sharp increase follows earlier threats from Trump to impose an additional 50 per cent tariff on China, bringing the total from 104 per cent to 125 per cent. The Chinese response - an 84 per cent tariff, was announced earlier the same day. (ANI)
With US President Donald Trump going all out in his trade war on China by imposing 125 per cent tariff on import of Chinese goods, Beijing has reached out to the European Union (EU) and ASEAN countries to forge an united front and force the US to backtrack. Beijing has retaliated with "countermeasures" imposing an 84 per cent tariff on US goods, which will take effect on Thursday. The 27-nation European Union bloc also hit back at Trump's tariffs on Wednesday by approving levies of up to 25 per cent. China and the European Union vowed to jointly uphold the multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core, China's commerce ministry said in a statement released today as per Chinese state media. Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic held discussions via video on Tuesday and discussed enhancing China-EU economic and trade cooperation and responding to the "reciprocal tariffs" imposed by the US, the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) said on Thursday in a statement, Xinhua reported. The EU and China are each other's largest trading partners. During their talks, Wang noted that the US "reciprocal tariffs" seriously violate the legitimate interests of other countries, breach the WTO rules, undermine the rules-based multilateral trading system, and disrupt the stability of the global economic order. Wang said that the US move is typical "unilateralism, protectionism and economic bullying". He further said that China is willing to resolve disputes through consultation and negotiation, but it will fight to the end if the United States continues to act wilfully. China and EU have agreed to start consultation on issues concerning market access at an early date, and immediately start negotiations on electric vehicle pricing commitments as well as issues related to bilateral investment cooperation in the auto sector as per the official Xinhua Agency. On April 8, EU President Ursula von der Leyen and Chinese Premier Li Qiang spoke on the phone to discuss the state of EU- China relations, as 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties. The EU President underscored the vital importance of stability and predictability for the global economy in response to the widespread disruption caused by the US tariffs as per a readout issued by the EU on the call. As per the Chinese commerce ministry statement, Wang also via video call with Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz, Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry of Malaysia (MITI), the ASEAN rotating chair in 2025 had "in-depth and candid exchange of views" on enhancing China-Malaysia and China-ASEAN economic and trade cooperation and jointly responding to the US tariffs. Zafrul said that the MITI has already stated that the US government's policies are inconsistent with the principles of free and fair trade as stipulated by the WTO. Malaysia fully respects China's position and stands ready to jointly uphold multilateralism and global trade development. It will engage in consultations with ASEAN members to collectively address the US "reciprocal tariffs" measures, said Zafrul, according to Xinhua which cited the Chinese commerce ministry's statement. The ASEAN bloc today released a statement in which it said that a Special Leaders' meeting of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations will be convened to discuss the bloc's member states' way forward on the US tariffs. Economic ministers of the ASEAN regional bloc committed on Thursday "to not impose any retaliatory measures" against the United States over sweeping tariffs and said they were ready to engage in talks. "ASEAN, being the fifth largest economy in the world, is deeply concerned over the recent introduction of unilateral tariffs by the US, including the tariffs announced on April 2 2025 and subsequently the most recent suspension on 9 April 2025," the ASEAN ministers said in a statement issued after a video conference meeting. "Open communication and collaboration will be crucial to ensuring a balanced and sustainable relationship. In that spirit, ASEAN commits to not impose any retaliatory measures in response to the US tariffs," they said. The special meeting was chaired by Malaysia's Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Zafrul Aziz. Meanwhile, United States President Trump on Wednesday announced a 90-day pause on his "reciprocal tariffs" on nearly 60 countries including the European Union . However, he did not extend it to China, instead raising the tax rate on Chinese imports to 125 per cent. The EU president, von der Leyen, said today in a post on X that she welcomed Trump's announcement to pause reciprocal tariffs. "It's an important step towards stabilizing the global economy," she said. "The European Union remains committed to constructive negotiations with the United States, with the goal of achieving frictionless and mutually beneficial trade," the EU chief added. (ANI)
Pakistan has distanced itself from the 2008 Mumbai terror attack accused Tahawwur Rana and said that it is "very clear" that he is of Canadian nationality. Rana is being extradited to India, and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) will take custody of him upon arrival. Tahawwur Rana, a Pakistani-Canadian national, was convicted in the US for the banned terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operatives and providing material support to the group responsible for the Mumbai attacks that killed over 174 people. According to reports in the Pakistani media, Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan responded to a question about Rana's extradition to India,saying, "Tahawwur Rana has not renewed his Pakistani documents for over two decades. His Canadian nationality is very clear." Notably, Pakistan does allow its citizens who have migrated to Canada to have dual citizenship. The US Secretary of State had signed the surrender warrant authorizing Rana's extradition to Indian authorities on February 11. Rana's legal counsel subsequently filed an emergency stay motion seeking to challenge that order. On April 7, the U.S. Supreme Court denied Rana's petition for a stay of his extradition. The Indian government has been seeking his extradition for years, and the US Supreme Court's recent decision has paved the way for his transfer to India. According to the NIA, the government registered a case on November 11, 2009, at the NIA Police Station New Delhi as Case RC-04/2009/NIA/DL under various sections. "As per the Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs order No. 11034/10/ 2009-IS.VI dated 11/11/ 2009 National Investigation Agency (NIA) registered a case on 11/11/2009 at NIA Police Station, New Delhi as Case RC-04/2009/NIA/DLI under sections 121A of IPC, Section 18 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and Section 6(2) SAARC Convention (Suppression of Terrorism) Act against 1) David Coleman Headley @ Daood Gilani (US Citizen), 2) Tahawwur Hussain Rana (Canadian citizen) and others," the NIA stated. The NIA stated that the accused David Coleman Headley alias Daood Gilani and Tahawwur Hussain Rana were arrested by law enforcement agencies in the USA in their case. "NIA sent Extradition Requests to USA for extradition of accused persons David Coleman Headley and Tahawwur Hussain Rana, which are still pending for execution by the authorities of USA. A letter Rogatory (letter of request for assistance in investigation) has been furnished to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and a reply is awaited from them. After completion of investigation, charge sheet has been filed in the Court of Hon'ble Special Judge, NIA, Patiala House, New Delhi on December 24, 2011 against all 9 accused persons uunder sections 120 B, read with 121, 121A, 302, 468 and 471 Indian Penal Code and sections 16,18 & 20 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act," the NIA stated. Rana's extradition marks a significant step in the pursuit of justice for the victims of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. (ANI)
Former Israeli Ambassador to India Daniel Carmon has welcomed the extradition of Tahawwur Rana, accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, calling it "a great development" in the long fight against terrorism. "It is a great development for all those who feel like terrorists should be fought up to the last point... Knowing how terrible the terror attack was for India and the people of Mumbai, I think it is a great development, on top of a tragedy that we had to face," Carmon said. Speaking on the Israel-India collaboration in counter-terrorism, he added: "Israel has always been with India in the fight against terrorism, and there is no one conversation or interview where we don't mention that India, like Israel, is suffering with terrorist attacks - unfortunately. Mumbai's 26/11 was definitely a terrible, terrible tragedy." He continued, "I'm sure India and Israel will continue to cooperate in fighting terrorism. We signed an agreement many years ago, and I'm sure both countries will continue cooperating. Extradition is a huge development, an important diplomatic and judicial victory for India; I can say so without any doubt. I want to congratulate the Prime Minister and all necessary External Affairs Ministers for this." Earlier today, Eknath Omble, brother of Ashok Chakra awardee and 26/11 hero Tukaram Omble, called it a "big day" and urged that Rana be given the strictest punishment. "Tahawwur Rana was the closest ally of David Headley... they all should have been hanged earlier... I have a request from the government that he (Rana) should be hanged as soon as possible," he said. Tukaram Omble, a Mumbai Police sub-inspector, was posthumously awarded India's highest peacetime gallantry award for capturing terrorist Ajmal Kasab alive during the 2008 attacks, sacrificing his life in the process. Rana, a Pakistani-Canadian national, was convicted in the US for aiding Lashkar-e-Taiba. With the US Supreme Court clearing his extradition, the National Investigation Agency will take custody of him upon arrival in India. The Centre has appointed Advocate Narender Mann as Special Public Prosecutor in the case. (ANI)
Chiu Chui-cheng, the Minister of the Mainland Affairs Council, advised Taiwanese academicians and students to exercise caution before travelling to China, following criticism of a National Tsing Hua University (NTHU) professor for organizing a trip to China under the guise of an "academic exchange," as reported by Taipei Times. Jou Jwo-huei, a materials science professor at NTHU, took a group of 28 students from both NTHU and Shu Guang Senior Girls' High School in Hsinchu City on a five-day trip to Tianjin, China. According to a post by someone online using the name "Little Woman of Silicon Valley," the trip was promoted as an academic exchange focused on "light and health." The person who posted online shared that a friend, whose daughter attends Shu Guang High School, had forwarded a notice from the school stating that students only needed to pay for airfare, while accommodation, meals, transportation, and other tour expenses would be covered, Taipei Times reported. The commentator suggested that the trip seemed like the type of "united front" event typically funded by the Chinese government, disguised as an "academic exchange," with the aim of influencing Taiwanese academics and students. According to the Taipei Times, the commenter expressed concern that the young girl, the daughter of their friend, was sent on a trip to China that could potentially brainwash her by showing only the positive aspects of China, making her more vulnerable to Chinese political influence. Speaking during a Legislative Yuan session on Wednesday, Chiu emphasized that China's past friendliness toward Taiwan is no longer relevant, urging academics and students to be cautious when traveling to China, Taipei Times reported. He advised those participating in exchanges with China to uphold their dignity, ensure healthy and orderly cross-strait relations, and consider the image their events may project both domestically and internationally. Chiu also recommended that universities register any academic exchanges or events held abroad on the Ministry of Education's platform to ensure the safety of students and faculty. (ANI)
Israel's Consul General to West India, Kobbi Shoshani has lauded the "big victory" for Indian government's diplomacy, which secured the extradition of the 2006 Mumbai terror attack accused Tahawwur Rana. Speaking to ANI, Shoshani said that Rana has to be brought to justice for the crime committed in Mumbai during the 26/11 attacks. He said that Rana's extradition to India will bring a little bit of comfort to the families of the victims. "I would like to congratulate India. I think it's a long time, sometimes it's too long, but it's a big victory for diplomacy, for diplomacy of the government of India. It's a big success to bring him here to India. Personally, I think we have to bring terrorists or people who suspected as terrorists into justice. After so many years, it's a big success to Indian diplomacy," Shoshani said. Rana is being extradited to India, and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) will take custody of him upon arrival. Tahawwur Rana, a Pakistani-Canadian national, was convicted in the US for the banned terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operatives and providing material support to the group responsible for the Mumbai attacks that killed over 174 people. When asked how he sees Rana's role as a global terrorist as he is a Canadian terrorist but has links with Pakistani agencies, he responded, "I have to say the truth, Tahawwur Rana is suspected. He has to go to justice in the Indian court definitely, the crime that was here on 26/11, three days of horrible day nights and days in Mumbai will not be forgotten. What's happened in Nariman House, in the rest of the places in...Taj Mahal and the Leopold cafe. This is something that cannot be forgotten, and we don't have to forget also the families and the victims from all over the world, from India, by the way, by all religions and this is a I think it's a little bit of comfort for them as well that he's right now here and go to justice." Kobbi Shoshani said that hatred towards Jewish people, Israeli and towards some other nations' nationalities around the world is mutual. The Israeli diplomat stated that the day should not be marked as a celebration but as a way to close the circle. Asked why Israeli citizens and US citizens were being targeted apart from Indians during the Mumbai attacks, Shoshani said, "The hatred towards the Jewish people, towards Israeli, and towards some other nations' nationalities around the world is a mutual and common enemy." "That's the reason that we are become a target for many, many terrorist groups. We know how to fight against them. Some of them, sometimes they succeeded, but it was a very terrible days, not only for Israelis and Jewish people, also to India. And I was hearing, as you probably remember, right after the event I was sent by the Minister of Foreign Affairs. I remember the sadness over the faces of the Mumbaikers, then...I don't want to say that it's a day of celebration because it's not a day of celebration, but it's a way to close the circle." On Tahawwur Rana being tried in Indian courts after he is brought to India, Shoshani said, "We have to remember that there are so many people in India and around the world, families and people who are carrying their injuries over the years after these bloody days. Then I think that the comfort for them is it's a big word, but definitely it's going to be a very positive step towards bringing true to their life." The US Secretary of State had signed the surrender warrant authorizing Rana's extradition to Indian authorities on February 11. Rana's legal counsel subsequently filed an emergency stay motion seeking to challenge that order. On April 7, the US Supreme Court denied Rana's petition for a stay of his extradition. The Indian government has been seeking his extradition for years, and the US Supreme Court's recent decision has paved the way for his transfer to India. According to the NIA, the government registered a case on November 11, 2009, at the NIA Police Station New Delhi as Case RC-04/2009/NIA/DL under various sections. The NIA stated that the accused David Coleman Headley alias Daood Gilani and Tahawwur Hussain Rana were arrested by law enforcement agencies in the US in their case. When asked about the US authorising a 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs on some nations, including India, Kobbi Shoshani said, "First of all, last night the news made me and many people around the world very happy. I think that we have to find a formula. I think that India and Israel made a very smart decision not to go into confrontation and find out a solution through negotiation and I'm happy that President Trump eventually postponed it for 90 days, but maybe it's going to be the right way. But we have to remember one more thing, I think that the American being great and America being a good economy and stronger economy is the interest of the all the entire democratic world, and I think that we are part of it." On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump announced that for 75 countries which have called Representatives of the United States for trade talks, he has authorised a 90-day "pause" and a substantially lower reciprocal tariff. The countries having trade talks with the US, include India. He did not react to the ongoing tariff war between the US and China. However, he expressed belief in India's economy and youth. On being asked tariff war between China and the US, Shoshani said, "Definitely, there is a lot of trade between China and India, between China and Israel, and I think that I'm representing the state of Israel here in the west of India. And I don't want to enter between the, the issue, the bilateral issues between the two countries. Definitely I think that I know the Indian economy. I'm a big believer in the Indian economy. I'm a great believer in the Indian youth and young generation, and I think that right now you don't have any reason to be worried." US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (local time) announced an immediate increase in tariffs on China to 125 per cent. The move by the US President came following a retaliatory move by China, where it increased its tariff on US goods from 34 per cent to 84 per cent starting April 10. China announced that it would increase its tariff on US goods from 34 per cent to 84 per cent starting April 10, as reported by Al Jazeera. The decision came after the US increased tariffs on China to a whopping 104 per cent. (ANI)
Japan has highlighted the growing security threat posed by China, noting Beijing's attempts to unilaterally change the "status quo" around the East and South China Seas by force. A report in local Taiwanese media cited from the recently released Diplomatic Bluebook 2025 of Japan to state that China had conducted "coercive and intimidating maneuvers" in the South China Sea and carried out military exercises around Taiwan. Peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait is not only a guarantee for Japan's security, but also a cornerstone of stability for the international community, Japan's Diplomatic Bluebook 2025 said as per Taipei Times. Statements issued at meetings of G7 foreign ministers have also affirmed the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and called for the peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues since 2021, the Taipei Times said. Meanwhile, China has said that it has taken note of the situation, with Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian stating that Japan's 2025 Diplomatic Bluebook continues to follow the old cliches of accusing and smearing China. Chinese state media Global Times cited the spokesperson urging Japan to "recalibrate its strategic perception of China, stop provoking bloc confrontation, and translate its commitment to comprehensively advancing the strategic relationship of mutual benefit between China and Japan." Meanwhile, US Department of Defence Official John Noh while testifying at a House Armed Services Committee hearing recently said that China is undertaking an unprecedented military buildup, developing a large and advanced arsenal of nuclear, conventional, cyber and space capabilities. China aims to dominate the Indo-Pacific region and displace the United States as the world's most powerful nation, Noh said, noting that Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered the People's Liberation Army to be ready to invade Taiwan by 2027 as per a readout by the US Department of Defence. Noh said to counter this growing threat, the US must re-establish deterrence in the Indo-Pacific region with combat-credible military forces, rebalance burden sharing with allies and partners and invest in the US defense industrial base. Navy Admiral Samuel Paparo, commander of US Indo-Pacific Command, said Indo-Pacom faces a confluence of challenges. In 2024, the Chinese PLA demonstrated growing capabilities through persistent operations against Taiwan, escalating by 300 per cent, Paparo said. China's aggressive military actions near Taiwan are not just exercises; they are rehearsals. China claims Taiwan as its own and as recently as last week Beijing said it had launched large- scale military drills- involving its army, navy, air force and rocket force around Taiwan. The Chinese military has ramped up regular patrols as well as military exercises in the air and waters around Taiwan, part of a broader assertiveness of China's territorial claims under its leader Xi Jinping, CNN reported. Meanwhile, in its Diplomatic Bluebook 2025, Tokyo has also expressed serious concern about growing military cooperation between China and Russia "with military aircraft from the two nations both crossing into Japanese airspace last year," as per the Taipei Times report. (ANI)
Australia's contribution of 20 advanced drones to the Philippines underscored Manila's urgent requirement to improve its maritime domain awareness, following a tense incident in the South China Sea just days earlier, where Philippine and Chinese coast guard ships came close to a collision, according to a report by South China Morning Post. During a ceremony on Tuesday in Bataan province, Australia's ambassador to Manila, Hae Kyong Yu, stated that the donation of unmanned aerial systems valued at 34 million pesos (USD 592,000) demonstrated Australia's dedication to civil maritime collaboration with the Philippines. Other current joint efforts include vessel remediation, postgraduate scholarships, operational training, marine protection, and annual Law of the Sea courses, the South China Morning Post reported. Yu highlighted, "I am pleased to deliver this package of state-of-the-art drones. It is a tangible example of our increased maritime cooperation with the Philippines and a contribution that supports the Philippine coastguard's modernisation efforts." According to the South China Morning Post, Yu also mentioned that Australia would provide four days of drone-operator training to 30 members of the Philippine coastguard. Analysts note that the drones will enable continuous, real-time surveillance of large areas in the West Philippine Sea--Manila's designation for the South China Sea, which it claims as part of its exclusive economic zone--where Beijing's territorial claims intersect with those of Manila. Chris Gardiner, CEO of the Institute for Regional Security, stated that uncrewed and automated air, surface, and underwater systems represent the future of warfare. In light of China's assertive territorial claims, growing navy, vast fishing fleet, and maritime militia, Gardiner emphasised that Manila must urgently invest in systems to enhance its maritime domain awareness, South China Morning Post reported. Australia does not have any territorial disputes with China at present. However, Canberra's increasing naval and air presence in the Indo-Pacific highlights its commitment to freedom of navigation and security, as the West works to counter China's growing influence. (ANI)
IDF detonated 35 buildings and tunnels in a 24 hour period.

An IDF Spokesperson said: "IDF forces continue to operate in the Gaza Strip and destroy dozens of terrorist infrastructures in the area, the Air Force attacked approximately 35 terrorist targets over the past 24 hours.

"IDF forces continue ground operations in the Gaza Strip, destroying terrorist infrastructures and eliminating terrorists. Division 36 forces continue to operate in the Rafah area and the 'Moraj' axis area.

"Over the past 24 hours, the forces eliminated a number of terrorists, located and destroyed terrorist infrastructures and continued to operate to establish operational control in the area.

"At the same time, Gaza Division forces continue to operate in the Tel Sultan area and the "Shaburah" neighborhood in Rafah.

"Over the past 24 hours, the forces destroyed dozens of terrorist infrastructures and several shafts leading to underground infrastructures of terrorist organizations in the area.

"In the northern Gaza Strip, forces of Division 252 continue to operate to destroy terrorist infrastructure in the area.

"Over the past 24 hours, the forces have eliminated terrorists and destroyed buildings used for terrorist purposes.

"Air Force fighter jets and aircraft, under the direction of the Intelligence Branch, Southern Command, and the Shin Bet, attacked approximately 35 targets of terrorist organizations throughout the Gaza Strip in the past 24 hours, with the assistance of ground forces.

"Among the targets attacked were terrorists, terrorist infrastructure, sniper and observation posts that posed a direct threat in the area." (ANI/TPS)
https://x.com/ukinindia/status/1910255798447391012?s=46&t=TbrKHKgG29uXA1CMFN38Pw

In a post on X, the British High Commission in India wrote, "The UK and India are growing together. Chancellor @RachelReevesMP and Minister @nsitharaman have announced 400m of trade and investment wins at the 13th UK-India Economic and Financial Dialogue in London."

On Wednesday, Sitharaman had a bilateral meeting with Lord Mayor of London Alastair King, in London.

Lord Mayor alluded to his deep association with India and shared his appreciation for India's vision for Viksit Bharat by 2047.

He also referred to the ongoing collaboration on the UK India Infrastructure Financing Bridge and sought to further enhance the engagement between the two countries under this initiative.

https://x.com/FinMinIndia/status/1910206704861487252

In a post on X, Lord Mayor also appreciated the significant economic and investment opportunity that "India offers, especially in the infrastructure space."

"Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Smt. @nsitharaman had a bilateral meeting with Lord Mayor of London @citylordmayor, Mr. Alastair King, in London, yesterday," the post read.

She also met with Britain's Secretary of State, Jonathan Reynolds in London.

Both Ministers acknowledged the historical, social, cultural and economic ties between India and UK and exchanged thoughts on the current global and geopolitical situation and also agreed to leverage the existing economic relationship through collaboration and cooperation as a shared priority.

Further they also exchanged updates on the ongoing deliberations related to the bilateral trade and investment agreements and expected timely and mutually beneficial outcome from the negotiations.

https://x.com/FinMinIndia/status/1910046585783976037

In a post on X, Ministry of Finance wrote, "Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Smt. @nsitharaman met with Rt. Hon. Mr. @jreynoldsMP, Secretary of State for Business and Trade for the United Kingdom @biztradegovuk, in London, today. "

FM Sitharaman arrived in the UK on April 7 for an official visit to the UK and Austria, which will conclude on April 13. (ANI)
Pakistan Senator and former Minister for Climate Change Sherry Rehman has raised serious alarms about the unprecedented water crisis in the Indus River system, which is currently experiencing its lowest water levels in over 100 years, Dawn reported. In a powerful call to action, Senator Rehman, who chairs the Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, described the situation as a national emergency, urging the public and political figures not to politicize the issue. She emphasized that the Indus River is "drying up before our eyes" due to a combination of factors, primarily accelerating climate change. Highlighting the alarming statistics, Senator Rehman noted that rainfall in the region has decreased by 40 percent, further exacerbating the water shortage. The situation is most critical at the Sukkur Barrage, where water levels have dropped by a staggering 71 percent. Overall, the water supply across all three major barrages is down by 65 percent, a dramatic and concerning decline, as reported by Dawn. Rehman criticized the current response to the crisis, pointing out that rather than taking steps to conserve the rapidly dwindling water resources, excessive canal extractions are being carried out, which is only depleting the water levels of the Indus further. She called for an immediate and collective national effort to address the crisis, stressing the need for urgent coordination between the provincial governments and the federal authorities to tackle the water shortages. Reaffirming the Pakistan Peoples Party's (PPP) commitment to safeguarding the rights of citizens, Senator Rehman emphasized that her party would continue to fight for the people's right to access water. She also called on the federal government to declare the water shortage a climate emergency and urged for a prompt meeting of the Council of Common Interests (CCI) to develop a comprehensive strategy to address the worsening water crisis. Rehman's statements come at a time when the country is facing an unprecedented climate challenge, making it clear that immediate, coordinated action is necessary to ensure the survival and sustainability of the water resources vital for millions of people across Pakistan. (ANI)
Former Israeli Ambassador to India, Mark Sofer on Thursday, praised Indian government efforts "for not giving up" on Tahawwur Rana, the mastermind of 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks stating that his extradition "sends a strong message to terrorists anywhere that India will never give up." Speaking to ANI, Sofer said, "I have nothing but praise for the Indian authorities, the Indian government, for not giving up, for chasing the terrorists, more than 17 years down the line and for bringing them to justice." "Almost 200 people or so that were massacred by the Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LT) in 2008, they deserved justice. The families deserve justice. It was a trauma for Israel, but above all, it was a trauma for India...It sends a strong message to terrorists anywhere that we will never give up, that India will never give up. You will be held responsible for the attack," the former Israeli envoy to India said. Higlighting the efforts of Israeli and Indian authorities in saving the lives of the hostages in the terror attack, Sofer said, "We worked very closely then with the Indian authorities in trying to save the lives of the hostages...It was a four or five-day horror that we all went through." "Today is in many ways a historic or momentous occasion in the fact that people are being brought to trial and being extradited to India for the crimes that they committed even 17, 18 years ago" The former envoy's comments came as the accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana is being brought to India for trial after US Supreme Court rejected Rana's plea to stay his extradition to India, exhausting all judicial options. Rana has been accused of being involved in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, in which over 160 people were killed. On April 7, the Supreme Court of the United States rejected Tahawwur Rana's plea to stay his extradition to India. Rana filed an emergency application with Chief Justice Roberts on March 20, 2025, seeking a stay on his extradition. "The application for stay addressed to The Chief Justice and referred to the Court is denied," the SC order dated Monday, April 7, stated. According to the Mumbai Crime Branch, a case of criminal conspiracy against Rana was originally lodged by the NIA in Delhi following the attack. The ongoing extradition process pertains to that case. However, officials clarified that it is yet to be determined whether Mumbai Police can seek his custody for any local investigation linked to the attacks. "Only after examining the grounds of extradition will it be clear whether custody can be sought by the Mumbai Crime Branch in this matter," sources said. Sources added that the Mumbai Police has not received any formal communication so far regarding Rana's transfer to the city for questioning or judicial proceedings. Tahawwur Rana, a Pakistani-Canadian national, was convicted in the US for the banned terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operatives and providing material support to the group responsible for the Mumbai attacks that killed over 160 people. On November 26, 2008, 10 Lashker-e-Taliba terrorists targeted civilians in the southern part of Mumbai, including Chhatrapati Shivaji Raliyway station, two hospitals, and a theatre. The terrorists also held hostages at three locations- the Nariman House and the luxury hotels Oberoi Trident and Taj Mahal Palace and Tower. The terror gripped Mumbai for two days, and on November 28, Indian security forces gained control of the situation by killing nine terrorists and arresting one. (ANI)
Muhammad Shakur shot at Staff Sergeant (Res.) Elhanan Ariel Klein, 29, on November 2 2023, and injured four border police officers with a bomb.

Klein was driving home from reserve duty when Shakur and other terrorists shot at his car, causing it to overturn. He was pronounced dead at the scene, leaving behind a wife and three children.

An IDF Spokesperson said: "Security forces demolished the apartment of the terrorist Muhammad Shakhur, who took part in the attack in which Staff Sergeant (Res.) Elhanan Ariel Klein was killed at the Beit Lid junction.

"IDF combat engineers from the Yahalom unit operated last night in Tulkarem, in the Ephraim Brigade sector, and demolished the apartment where the terrorist Muhammad Shakhur had lived.

"The terrorist, along with other terrorists, carried out a terror attack at the Beit Lid junction, near the community of Einav, on November 2, 2023.

"In the attack, Staff Sergeant (Res.) Elhanan Ariel Klein was killed, and four additional Border Police officers were wounded upon arriving at the scene, as a result of an explosive device detonated by the terrorists.

"Security forces will continue to act to bring to justice every terrorist who has harmed or planned to harm Israeli civilians and security personnel." (ANI/TPS)
Members of the Baloch community staged a protest outside the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, condemning Pakistan's continued actions against the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), as reported by the Balochistan Post. The protest drew attention to what the organizers called "enforced disappearances, arbitrary detentions, and extrajudicial killings" carried out by Pakistani security forces in Balochistan. According to Balochistan Post, protesters carried placards and shouted slogans calling for the immediate release of detained BYC leaders and activists, such as Dr Mahrang Baloch, Beebow Baloch, Gullzadi Baloch, Sibghatullah Shah Ji, and Bebarg Baloch. Members of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) also participated in the protest to express their solidarity, the Balochistan Post reported. The organizers called on the international community to pay attention to the situation in Balochistan and to pressure the Pakistani government to halt what they referred to as "a campaign of political repression." Representatives from Amnesty International joined the protest and voiced their support for the demonstrators' demands. They stated that the organization would bring the issue to the attention of relevant international forums and human rights organisations, as cited by the Balochistan Post. Recently on Wednesday, protest rallies were held in the Khuzdar and Washuk districts of Balochistan in response to the ongoing crackdown on the BYC, including the detention of its leaders and alleged mistreatment of its members. In Khuzdar, the Jhalawan Region of the BYC organised a rally with the slogan: "Illegal Detentions and Enforced Disappearances of BYC Leaders and Workers, State Violence Against Peaceful Protesters, Killings of Unarmed Demonstrators, Violations of Privacy, and Ongoing State Atrocities in Balochistan." A similar demonstration took place in Washuk, where a large crowd, including women, children, and the elderly, condemned the arrests and called for the immediate release of BYC leaders, such as Mahrang Baloch, according to the Balochistan Post. (ANI)
During her first-ever state visit to Slovakia, President Droupadi Murmu reaffirmed the deep-rooted ties between India and Slovakia, highlighting the shared values of mutual respect, democratic ideals and a vision for global cooperation. During a joint press statement with Slovak President Peter Pellegrini, she lauded the growing bilateral partnership, praised Slovakia's support during the evacuation of Indian students from Ukraine, and emphasised the commitment of both nations to elevate collaboration across key sectors, including trade, defence, technology, and multilateral engagement. "I am extremely pleased to be in Slovakia, my first State visit to this beautiful country. I thank President Pellegrini and the people of Slovakia for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to me and my delegation. I bring many good wishes from the people of India," President Murmu said during the joint statement on Wednesday, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). She added, "Relations between India and Slovakia are based on mutual respect, democratic ideals and a shared vision for global cooperation. Our two countries support each other at international forums, which reflects our deep friendship. Our trade relations are flourishing, and our trade and investment have grown significantly in recent years. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Slovakia for its unwavering support during the evacuation of Indian students from Ukraine. India will always remember Slovakia's cooperation and generosity, which strengthens our bond as true partners and friends." Speaking about her meeting with Slovak counterpart on Wednesday, President Murmu said, "The Indian diaspora in Slovakia is also growing, contributing to people-to-people contacts between our two countries. I had a constructive meeting with President Pellegrini this morning. We reviewed all important aspects of our bilateral relations and also discussed issues of shared global and regional interests. I also appreciated his personal initiative and commitment towards strengthening the ties between our two countries." "We resolved to further strengthen our long-standing bilateral relations covering all areas including trade and investment, science and technology, defence, digital technology, migration and mobility, space, nuclear cooperation, culture and to further promote people-to-people contacts. We agreed to strengthen our coordination and cooperation in the United Nations and other multilateral forums," President Murmu added. Meanwhile, President Murmu addressed the Slovakia-India Business Forum in Bratislava on Thursday and expressed India's commitment to enhancing trade ties with Slovakia. She stated that the Slovakia-India Business Forum serves as an excellent platform to explore synergies and build mutually beneficial partnerships. She urged business leaders to seize the opportunities and convert them into concrete results. In her address at the Slovakia-India Business Forum, President Murmu said, "India is committed to enhancing trade relations with Slovakia. The large business delegation, representing diverse fields, which has accompanied me, clearly shows the interest of Indian businesses to explore opportunities in Slovakia. We have seen a similar interest from Slovakia." On her participation in the Slovakia-India Business Forum, the President's Secretariat wrote in a post on X, "President Droupadi Murmu addressed the Slovakia-India Business Forum in Bratislava. The President said that the Slovakia-India Business Forum serves as an excellent platform to explore synergies and build mutually beneficial partnerships. She urged business leaders to seize the opportunities and convert these into concrete results." President Droupadi Murmu, along with more than 100 Slovak children, watched a special puppet show based on the Ramayana in Slovakia on Thursday. She also viewed an exhibition of paintings made by Slovakian schoolchildren on various Indian themes. President Murmu interacted with some of the young artists and appreciated them for beautifully capturing India's vibrant spirit and myriad colours on canvas. The puppet show on Ramayan was conducted by Ms Lenka Mukova. (ANI)
Foreign Affairs Expert Sushant Sareen has welcomed the extradition of Tahawwur Rana, accused in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, calling it a victory of law. Speaking to ANI on Thursday, Sareen praised the government's commitment to bringing the accused to justice, stating, "This is a victory of law. The government should get the credit for this...this govt showed a commitment to this...we will never forget or spare (accused)..." His remarks came as the accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana landed in India for trial after US Supreme Court rejected Rana's plea to stay his extradition to India, exhausting all judicial options. Rana has been accused of being involved in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, in which over 160 people were killed. On April 7, the Supreme Court of the United States rejected Tahawwur Rana's plea to stay his extradition to India. Rana filed an emergency application with Chief Justice Roberts on March 20, seeking a stay on his extradition. "The application for stay addressed to The Chief Justice and referred to the Court is denied," the SC order dated April 7, stated. According to the Mumbai Crime Branch, a case of criminal conspiracy against Rana was originally lodged by the NIA in Delhi following the attack. The ongoing extradition process pertains to that case. However, officials clarified that it is yet to be determined whether Mumbai Police can seek his custody for any local investigation linked to the attacks. "Only after examining the grounds of extradition will it be clear whether custody can be sought by the Mumbai Crime Branch in this matter," sources said. Sources added that the Mumbai Police has not received any formal communication so far regarding Rana's transfer to the city for questioning or judicial proceedings. Tahawwur Rana, a Pakistani-Canadian national, was convicted in the US for the banned terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operatives and providing material support to the group responsible for the Mumbai attacks that killed over 160 people. On November 26, 2008, 10 Lashker-e-Taliba terrorists targeted civilians in the southern part of Mumbai, including Chhatrapati Shivaji Raliyway station, two hospitals, and a theatre. The terrorists also held hostages at three locations- the Nariman House and the luxury hotels Oberoi Trident and Taj Mahal Palace and Tower. The terror gripped Mumbai for two days, and on November 28, Indian security forces gained control of the situation by killing nine terrorists and arresting one. (ANI)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has alleged that Chinese citizens are actively participating in Russia's invasion of Ukraine, calling their involvement "systematic Russian efforts." Sharing a post on X, Zelenskyy wrote, "We continue to investigate all the circumstances surrounding the involvement of Chinese citizens in the Russian occupation forces. The Security Service of Ukraine is carrying out the necessary procedural actions with the POWs recently captured in the Donetsk region. At the same time, all information is being examined regarding the involvement of other such individuals in Russia's actions against Ukraine." "It is crystal clear that these are not isolated cases, but rather systematic Russian efforts, in particular on the territory and within the jurisdiction of China, to recruit citizens of that country for the war. Everything necessary must be done to ensure that Russia has no such and similar opportunities to prolong and expand the war," the post added. https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/1910336847982534661 Meanwhile, China had issued an apparent rebuke to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after he alleged that Beijing is aware its citizens are fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, Al Jazeera reported. On Thursday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian urged "relevant parties" not to make "irresponsible remarks." "We advise the relevant parties to recognise China's role correctly and clear-headedly," Lin said, without directly naming Ukraine or Zelenskyy. China made the remarks after Zelenskyy on Wednesday said that Ukraine has evidence that at least 155 Chinese nationals are deployed. A day earlier, the Ukrainian President had also claimed that two Chinese citizens were captured by Ukrainian forces, Al Jazeera reported. Meanwhile, the Kremlin also dismissed Zelenskyy's claims, insisting that China remains "balanced" and "friendly." Also on Thursday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Zelenskyy was "wrong" to suggest Russia was dragging China into the Ukraine conflict. "Partner, friend, and comrade. China has always taken a very balanced position, so Zelenskyy is wrong," he told reporters, according to Al Jazeera. (ANI)